OU researcher receives 2021 NSF CAREER Award NORMAN, OKLA. - University of Oklahoma researcher Stefan Wilhelm, Ph.D., recently received a prestigious Faculty Early Career Development Program Award from the National Science Foundation. The NSF awarded Wilhelm a $761,727 CAREER award to continue his research in nanotechnology, which assists in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as cancer. Wilhelm's work focuses on individual nanoparticles - which are about 1,000 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair - and how they interact with the body's cells. "I'm so pleased to get this kind of recognition and financial support from the National Science Foundation," said Wilhelm, who joined the OU faculty in 2017. "The award not only allows me to continue my research to help design safer and more effective nanoparticles to diagnose and treat diseases, but also will help increase the number of Native American students in college STEM programs." Beyond research, the grant will fund Wilhelm's BE4NANO - Bionanotechnology Engagement for Native Americans in Oklahoma - an outreach program that focuses on high school juniors, including students who are members of the Kiowa and Wichita tribes, in rural southwest Oklahoma. "Working and partnering with the Kiowa and Wichita tribes as well as the Caddo-Kiowa Technology Center over the past years has given, and will continue to give, me an opportunity to support and learn from tribal educators and youth who live in these communities," Wilhelm said. The NSF's CAREER awards are five-year grants given to early-career faculty who show potential to serve as academic role models. In 2014, Wilhelm earned a doctorate in chemistry from the University of Regensburg, Germany, and from 2014 to 2017, he continued his training as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Toronto in the Canadian province of Ontario. The project is jointly funded by the Nanoscale Interactions Program with the Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental and Transport Systems Division of the NSF and the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research. ### This story has been published on: 2021-05-13. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Great Wall Holdings Group Limited and China's state-controlled oil firm Sinopec Group inked a framework agreement on May 12 to cooperate on hydrogen energy business, according to a posting on Great Wall Motor (GWM)'s WeChat account. Great Wall Holdings, Sinopec signing agreement; photo credit: Great Wall Motor As part of efforts to promote the development of hydrogen industry, both parties will jointly boost the demonstration of fuel cell electric vehicles, construct hydrogen fueling stations or pumping stations that combine hydrogen filling and retail sales of oil, and apply hydrogen energy in such scenarios, such as the heavy-duty trucks for transporting construction materials in Xiong'an New Area, the logistics vehicles offering services in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, and the city buses in Baoding, Hebei province. Under the agreement, the duo will co-develop hydrogen-related technologies. To be specific, they will deepen the cooperation on the research of the special subjects like the production, storage, transport, refueling, and application of gaseous and liquid hydrogen, and jointly develop the pilot projects of hydrogen cities to promote the comprehensive utilization of hydrogen energy. Wei Jianjun, chairman of Great Wall Holdings, said the cooperation with Sinopec will play an important role in GWMs pursuit of building a world-class supply chain ecosystem integrating production, storage, transport, refueling, and application of hydrogen, and will help China develop and make breakthroughs in hydrogen technologies. Sinopec is speeding up its energy transition and industrial upgrade, aiming to build 1,000 hydrogen-fueling stations or oil-hydrogen combined stations, 5,000 EV charging & battery swapping stations, and 7,000 distributed photovoltaic power stations by 2025, according to Zhang Yuzhuo, chairman of Sinopec. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 New Delhi: The Chinese electronics and software company, Xiaomi has announced the launch of the Mi Exchange programme in India. Launched in collaboration with New Delhi-based Cashify, this initiative will allow Indian customers to exchange their existing handsets with new Xiaomi smartphones at the company's physical Mi Home stores. The move aims at boosting sales for the offline channels, after having already proved its presence on online sales channels. Xiaomi will be depending on Cashifys team to determine the value of phones that are offered to be exchanged and propose a suitable price for a new Xiaomi smartphone. Cashify will also offer doorstep pickup facility, for which the customer will be required to pay the full amount of the new Xiaomi phone during the purchase at the Mi Home store and then schedule a pickup call for the old phone. The payment for their old models will be done at a later stage. Read more: Airtel-Karbonn unveil new bundled smartphones to take on Jio The resale value of the old phone will be determined by the Cashify team on the basis of its condition and market value. Xiaomi marked its presence in the Indian markets in July 2014. According to data released by research firm IDC, the company has managed to prove its mettle and has become the number one smartphone vendor in the country. South Asian countries are witnessing the impact of covid infection on Eid. Eid ul Fitr and Bakrid are the two biggest festivals for the Muslim population worldwide. This is the second consecutive year that Eid ul Fitr has been affected by corona infection and ban. Lockdown is in place in most parts of the country due to the second wave of corona infection in India. The markets are deserted and the common people have been banned from coming and going, which is adversely affecting the livelihood of the shopkeepers. According to media reports, shopkeepers were expecting a good business this time but the second wave of corona infection has shocked everyone. In view of the increasing case of corona infection, people have demanded that Eid prayers be offered at home. Shahi Imam of Fatehpuri Masjid in New Delhi, Dr. Mufti Mohammad Mukarram told the media that "Hospitals do not have beds, medicines and vaccines are not available, so I have demanded people to pray at home". Pakistan have low Positivity rate: It has been revealed that strict restrictions have been issued before Eid not only in India but also in Pakistan. According to the website of Live TV News, the leading TV channel of Janha Pak, more than 19,000 people have lost their lives in Pakistan due to corona virus infection till May 11. The Pakistan Government has declared a complete lockdown between May 8 and 16. However, people were seen buying eid in major cities. It is learnt that some lahore shopkeepers have been interviewed who complain that corona has affected shopping. The same was seen in Karachi, Pakistan's business capital. Startups: Techstars Bangalore picks 9 startups for third cohort in India If you dont accept new privacy policy WhatsApp calls, other features stops working after May 15 Big news! RSS constructed 30 beds hospital in Bareilly By Jacob Peenikaparambil : The most significant learning for humanity from the traumatizing experience of Covid 19 is expressed in the adage, No one is safe till everyone is safe. No country can boast that it has defeated the Coronavirus until it is wiped out from the whole world. The virus is so treacherous that it can spread to any country even if it exists in a tiny part of the world. Even though some developed countries rushed to amass vaccines even more than what they needed, a realization has dawned on them that they would not be safe, if they do not support other countries in their fight against the pandemic. That is why the USA has agreed to consider temporarily waiving patents (Intellectual Property Rights) for Covid vaccines for ramping up vaccine production. India, South Africa and many other countries have been demanding it for the last six months. While announcing the new policy, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai said that "extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures". Hope the US will get it approved by the World Trade Organization (WOTO). If more than 40 countries and many multinational companies have rushed aid and relief materials to India, the main reason is the belief that Coronavirus is a common enemy of humanity and countries in the world have to support each other in their fight against the deadly virus. The relief materials consist of oxygen cylinders, oxygen generators, cryogenic tankers, ventilators, medicines, BiPAP machines, pulse oximeters, PPE coveralls and N-95 masks etc. Even the small countries in our neighborhood have pitched in their share too. As per the media reports, Bangladesh has sent 10,000 Remdesivir vials, while Bhutan has sent medical oxygen. Nepal, Myanmar and Sri Lanka have also offered help to India. Another important learning is that humanity is the greatest religion. Thousands of ordinary Indians have shown their readiness to transcend the boundaries of religion, caste, language and culture and to help the needy by arranging oxygen cylinders and ambulances, providing food and medicines, and supporting in the burial or cremation of the Covid dead. They have proved to be Good Samaritans. The Sikh community, which is known for its courage and compassion, started oxygen langar through its gurudwaras in many places. The Archdiocese of Goa has decided to convert one of its retreat centres into a Covid centre with the needed medical staff and provision for medical oxygen. Media has reported that several Muslim groups came forward to perform the last rites of Hindus and provide the dead a dignified cremation or burial. As reported in Indian Currents, in Hyderabad, group Muslim youths so far performed the last rites of more than 1600 Covid dead. These bodies were of either orphans or those whose families were too scared to touch and carry them for their last journey. The second wave of Covid 19 in a way forced India to accept foreign aid after a gap of 17 years. In a globalized and interrelated world, no country can be self-sufficient, however powerful it may be. Although self-reliance in many aspects is a desired goal, nations of the world have to be interdependent. As individuals are to be humble, nations also have to be humble by accepting their weaknesses, failures and limitations while being proud of their achievements and strengths. Hubris can lead to disasters. Covid 19 has taught individuals, communities and nations to be humble and accept the fact that humanity cannot be saved from Covid 19 unless and until everyone is safe. BMC Model of Tackling the Second Wave of Coronavirus Covid Crisis: Compassion, Generosity and Honesty- Need of the Hour Covid-19 Second Wave: Consensus Helps Crisis Management Until the third week of April, Sibesh Yadav, a 10th grader at Viswa Niketan Secondary School in Kathmandu, was preparing hard for his final examinations (Secondary Education Examinations) scheduled to be held from May 27. But, as soon as another round of lockdown began in Kathmandu to curb the coronavirus spread, he began to doubt if the exams would take place as planned. His doubt got confirmed with the National Examinations Board indefinitely postponing the exams earlier this week. I am upset with this news. Or else, the board could have cancelled the SEE entirely and certified the students based on the internal evaluation carried out by the respective schools like they did last year, he says, We are in a more critical stage than last years students. At least, they got to study the whole course physically and prepare well for the examinations, which we didnt get. Also, the risk of spreading Covid-19 was much lower then. The situation has turned direr now. It is not only Yadavs but all the scheduled examinations of the students of different levels have been postponed indefinitely this year also. The delay in conducting the examinations last year and closure of the academic institutions for a long time had pushed the entire academic session into a waste of time, leaving thousands of students in dilemma. The year has changed, but with the second wave of the pandemic wreaking havoc, the problems of the students have aggravated this year, share students. In the meantime, experts believe the students are suffering mainly due to the laid-back attitude of the concerned authorities, adding it is high time that the authorities sought long-term solutions to this problem whenever similar disturbances could appear in the future also. But, the authorities seem unprepared. Common confusion File: Kathmandu University Noted educationist Bidya Nath Koirala views the tendency of postponing exams in the eleventh hour has put the students in dilemma, their parents in stress and added burden to the whole education system. Experiences of different students Onlinekhabar talked to support Koiralas view. Like Yadav of Kathmandu, Chandra Mohan Bhatt, a BSc CSIT fourth semester student at Siddhanath Science Campus in Mahendranagar, is living with that dilemma and is depressed due to the indecisiveness of the university. Bhatt shares, Last year, it took me one and a half years to complete the third semester that should have been over in six months. It looks like it will take about six years and more to complete this four-year programme. This has pushed my entire career and dream back. In order to solve this problem, Koirala says the concerned authorities need to speed up immediately seeking a sustainable solution. It seems nearly impossible to carry out educational activities physically and normally like before at least for some years. Former NEB examination controller Santosh Aryal agrees with Koirala and adds that the authorities, mainly the NEB, seemed unprepared and shortsighted this time, due to which about 1.1 million students are left with uncertainty about their examinations, present and future. Aryal states, The board just announced that exams are put off indefinitely, leaving students clueless as the board seems now. While postponing the exams every time without providing them with an appropriate alternative on time, the authorities are just wasting the time of the students, opines Koirala. Possible alternatives File image Considering all these difficulties lingering, Koirala suggests the responsibility of the grade 10 examinations should be given to the schools themselves mainly because the 12th grade has been established as the final year of the secondary level. Last year, the schools were given this authority for both 10th and 12th-grade examinations. But, when after the results were announced, people found there had not been a fair evaluation by their respective schools. This led many people to criticise the students as if they passed just because the teachers granted the marks. Many hardworking students also felt guilty. In order to get rid of this problem, the entire SEE system should be discontinued, according to Koirala. He further recommends, Regarding examinations of other levels, there are many other alternatives. The first is online exams and the second is the offline one, in which the examinees record or write their answers to submit. If both are not possible, evaluating them on the basis of project works or research is another option. He also suggests a new modality of standardised tests for a fair evaluation of the students on time. Meanwhile, Aryal suggests effectively implementing the previous model consisting of both internal and external examinations. The NEB has already faced a similar situation last year and introduced a new modality. The board should have conducted a thorough study on the strengths and weaknesses of that modality immediately after receiving so much criticism last year when the results were out. As per the conclusion of the study, the board should have improved the modality or introduced better alternatives foreseeing the possible outcomes, he suggests. On the other hand, Mithu Kafle, a teacher at a Kathmandu-based school, says the most important thing as of now is to stay safe and keep others safe. Therefore, the authorities should come out with some appropriate alternatives keeping the situation of the pandemic and the students in mind, he suggests. Unprepared authorities File: The National Examinations Board, SEE Section Chandra Mani Paudel, the chairperson of the National Examinations Board, shows a laid-back response about the problem and says, The next board meeting will decide the fate of the students. We are working on it. And, when asked when the next meeting will take place, he says the board will decide it. Likewise, Pushpa Raj Joshi, the examination controller of Tribhuvan University, the oldest and biggest university in the country, informs, There has not been any decision regarding the examinations. We are unlikely to conduct examinations till mid-June. Therefore, we have been told to wait for a week. And, after the week, we will hold a meeting and decide. Kathmandu, May 14 National Assembly by-election candidate in the Bagmati province Khim Lal Devkota says he is not preparing to withdraw his candidacy. As the Election Commission is holding the by-election in the province to elect one members position vacated by Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapas removal from the CPN-Maoist Centre, Devkota is contesting as an independent candidate. However, he had received the support of the Madhav Kumar Nepal camp of the ruling CPN-UML and the opposition parties such as the Nepali Congress and CPN-Maoist Centre. To bar the UMLs official candidate, Thapa, who is contesting again, the rival faction in the ruling party had partnered with the opposition parties and fielded Devkota. Therefore, with the Nepal faction preparing to forge a deal with the UML leadership of KP Sharma Oli, voters of the faction are likely to vote for Thapa, not Devkota, and he is likely to lose. Provincial Assembly members and chiefs and deputies of local governments cast their votes in the Upper House elections. But, in a statement, Devkota on Friday said he could not rethink the candidature as other parties including the Congress, Maoist Centre, and Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal have also supported him. The election will be held on May 20. COLUMBIA, Mo. - When Ram Raghavan heard from a former colleague at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that a 7-year-old girl had died from Rocky Mountain spotted fever as the result of a tick bite, he thought of his own daughter, also 7 years old at the time, and the potentially fatal danger posed to vulnerable populations by tick-borne diseases. Now a professor at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine and School of Health Professions, Raghavan is an epidemiologist studying how ticks, mosquitos and other arthropods spread disease that impact people, pets and livestock over time in various geographical regions. In a recent study, the most comprehensive of its kind in the Midwest region of the United States, Raghavan and former graduate student Ali Hroobi collected and identified various species of ticks on the outskirts of Pittsburg, Kansas, twice a month for a 3-year period. They not only found a majority of the ticks to be most active in the humid spring and summer seasons, but their comprehensive documentation of what, when and where ticks are present help public health officials better understand the threat of tick-borne diseases to humans, companion animals and livestock. "We have seen increases recently in both the number and severity of tick-borne diseases in the Midwest, particularly in the humid climates of Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas," Raghavan said. "Since more people get infected by tick-borne diseases each year than any other vector-borne disease, it is important that we better understand what type of ticks are present in our region, where they are located and what time of year they are most prevalent. This information will help keep us, our families, pets and livestock safe." Raghavan explained that several factors have contributed to the rise in tick-borne diseases. Humans are increasingly relocating from densely populated urban cities to more suburban areas on the outskirts of towns near forests and grasslands where ticks are often present. Outdoor fitness activities such as hiking, biking and walking have also become more popular, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic and particularly during the warmer spring and summer seasons in the Midwest. Climate change has played a role as well, as the warmer temperatures and humidity seem to be creating perfect conditions for ticks and the pathogens they carry to thrive. Finally, a sharp increase in population of white-tailed deer, the primary animal host for the most common tick found in the Midwest, Amblyomma Americanum, is another contributing factor. "This comprehensive research study helps us create a baseline understanding of the current situation from a public health perspective," Raghavan said. "These contributing factors will likely continue to play a role going forward, and now we have meaningful, relevant data to look back on for comparisons to see if certain trends continue in the future." Raghavan added that because there are currently no vaccines for tick-borne diseases, prevention practices and tick awareness are the best ways to avoid tick bites. "Wearing protective clothing such as long sleeve shirts and pants when walking outdoors or on hiking trails is highly recommended, and spraying permethrin insect repellent can help as well," Raghavan said. "Other common sense safety practices such as staying on the main trails away from vegetation and keeping dogs on leash can help protect you and your pets from ticks. Always check oneself and pets for any attached ticks after being outdoors. Also, visit with your doctor if you start to have any flu-like symptoms, as most tick-borne diseases are entirely curable, but early diagnosis is crucial." The research can help inform future studies to better identify when and where specific pathogens amplify within various ticks, their effects on disease severity, and the impact of climate change and land use change on the prevalence of tick-borne diseases. "It is important to remember health does not operate separately for humans compared to animals or the environment," Raghavan said. "This is a 'One Health' issue, and as humans, we are just a small part of an enormous ecosystem. The more we learn and understand the problems, the better we can protect ourselves against these preventable diseases." ### "Diversity and seasonality of host-seeking ticks in a periurban environment in the Central Midwest (USA)" was recently published in PLOS One. IT Modernization GSA plans new cloud buying vehicle to support modernization at all levels of government The General Services Administration is soliciting feedback from industry on a planned new, multiple-award blanket purchase agreement to provide cloud infrastructure, storage, software and services to federal agencies and state and local governments. The agency is seeking responses by May 24 on the new enterprisewide cloud acquisition strategy. A news release announcing the request for feedback notes that the trend towards cloud adoption has been accelerated by the demands of the pandemic and telework. In a statement released on Thursday, GSA IT Category Deputy Assistant Commissioner Keith Nakasone said the top request his office receives from various agencies is for an acquisition solution which offers "a full set of commercial, secure, soup-to-nuts, cloud products and services." "We think now is the right time to make it happen," he added. The announcement states that the acquisition vehicle will support the replacement of legacy IT systems with " secure, seamlessly integrated, commercial cloud service offerings" from multiple providers. The announcement of the planned solicitation one day after the White House announced a long-awaited cybersecurity executive order designed in part to leverage the procurement power of the federal government to demand more transparency from industry when it comes to breach notifications. Additionally, the U.S. is still recovering out from fuel supply constraints that occurred when the ransomware network Darkside hacked the business systems of Colonial Pipeline, which led to the company temporarily shutting off a major East Coast vehicle fuel pipeline. MOSCOW, May 14 (Reuters) - Azerbaijan and Armenia are holding talks to resolve border tensions, Russia's RIA news agency cited the Azeri foreign ministry as saying on Friday, a day after Armenia accused its neighbour of violating its borders. Armenia's prosecutor general on Thursday opened a criminal case into "an infringement of territorial integrity", accusations Azerbaijan dismissed. (Reporting by Polina Ivanova; Writing by Alexander Marrow; Editing by Alison Williams) New Orleans, Louisiana--(Newsfile Corp. - May 13, 2021) - Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until June 14, 2021 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Canaan Inc. (NASDAQ: CAN), if they purchased the Company's American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") between February 10, 2021 and April 9, 2021, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. What You May Do If you purchased ADRs of Canaan and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email (lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com), or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nasdaqgm-can/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court by June 14, 2021 . About the Lawsuit Canaan and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws. On April 12, 2021, pre-market, the Company disclosed dismal 4Q20 and FY20 financial results for the period ended December 31, 2020, including a 93% year-over-year decrease in computing power sold and net revenues for the quarter, a stark contrast to the Company's prior positive statements touting its business metrics and financial prospects. On this news, ADRs of Canaan plummeted nearly 30%, from a close of $18.67 per ADR on April 9, 2021 to close at $13.14 on April 12, 2021, on unusually high volume. The case is Denny v. Canaan Inc., No. 21-cv-03299. About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC KSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. KSF serves a variety of clients - including public institutional investors, hedge funds, money managers and retail investors - in seeking to recover investment losses due to corporate fraud and malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, California and Louisiana. Story continues To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com. Contact: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC Lewis Kahn, Managing Partner lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com 1-877-515-1850 1100 Poydras St., Suite 3200 New Orleans, LA 70163 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/84054 KYIV, Ukraine, May 14, 2021 /CNW/ - TIU Canada, a major foreign investor in Ukrainian solar energy, filed a motion today to dismiss the three-judge panel set to hear its appeal in the illegal disconnection of the Nikopol Ekoteknik solar power plant case. The judges have all previously ruled in favor of US government sanctioned oligarch Igor Kolomoyskyi against Ukraine's state-owned Privatbank in another court decision1. The three judges that ruled in favor of Kolomoyskyi were V.A. Korsack, O.V. Popikova, and O.O. Yevsikov. The motion seeks to replace the potentially biased judges with objective judges. TIU Caanada Logo (CNW Group/TIU Canada) "There is no illusion of an impartial hearing when the judges have a track record of lockstep rulings in favor of a notorious oligarch who is under US FBI investigation for money laundering and has been officially sanctioned by the US government" said TIU Canada President Michael Yurkovich. "This is the moment of truth for the Ukrainian judicial system. It either is fair and protects the rule of law for foreign investors, or it is a pawn of oligarchs who manipulate justice. The world is watching. NATO is watching. The EU and G7 are watching. Ukraine can't seriously talk about joining NATO and the EU unless it shows it is serious about having an impartial court system" Yurkovich added. This follows a January 26 decision by the Kyiv Commercial Court to reject the claims of an illegal disconnection despite overwhelming evidence presented by TIU Canada's legal team. The case is a bellwether of Ukraine's investment environment for foreign business and is attracting international attention from Voice of America2, the Washington Times3, and other major media. A ruling is expected imminently under Ukrainian law. During his visit to Kyiv on May 6, 2021, US Secretary of State Tony Blinken said, "Ukraine faces two challenges" It faces external aggression from Russia; but it also faces internal aggression from corruption, from oligarchs who put their interests ahead of the interests of the Ukrainian people. And Russia uses that internal aggression for its own purposes as well." Story continues The 10.5 MW solar station was disconnected from the electricity grid by NFZ on March 2, 2020, despite the fact that Ukrainian law prevents electricity producers from being disconnected from the energy grid without obtaining the range of all the necessary permissions. TIU Canada is seeking an immediate reconnection to the electricity grid and plans to hold the NFZ and its ultimate beneficial owners fully accountable under the law. The ultimate beneficial owners of the Nikopol Ferroalloy Plant are Igor Kolomoyskyi, Gennadiy Bogolyubov, and Viktor Pinchuk. A number of respected diplomats, Senators, and Members of Parliament commented on the case. Roman Waschuk who served as Canada's Ambassador to Ukraine (2014-2019) said, "Ukraine deserves external support, especially now. But it also needs to deal with internal threats, such as oligarch Kolomoyskyi's shafting of a pioneering Canadian renewables investor". M.P. Yvan Baker, who is the Chairman of the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group said, "If Ukraine is to attract the foreign investment needed to grow its economy, offer prosperity to Ukrainians and secure its sovereignty, rule of law must be reinforced and corruption eliminated. Some of the developments around TIU Canada's investment in Ukraine are deeply concerning". Senator Peter Harder stated, "Rule of law and holding oligarchs accountable is paramount to Ukraine attracting the foreign investment it desperately needs. The people of Ukraine deserve tangible progress on both fronts". Other Members of the Canadian Parliament including Senator Peter Boehm, M.P. Garnett Genuis, M.P. Heather McPherson, and M.P. James Maloney have also spoken in support of TIU Canada and are monitoring the court case. The Nikopol solar station owned by TIU Canada is on land leased long term from the city of Nikopol. The solar plant connects to a substation on the grounds of the NFZ. On December 23, 2019, TIU Canada received a letter from the General Director of the NFZ, that they would be disconnecting the TIU Canada connection to grids via the substation on the grounds of the NFZ in order to make 'repairs.' The NFZ stated that they would begin the repairs after February 29, 2020, and TIU Canada immediately contacted the NFZ to seek solutions to avoid any disconnection. However, despite multiple discussions, the NFZ management and shareholders proceeded with disconnecting TIU Canada from the substation on the morning of March 2, 2020. This illegal disconnection has caused more than 1.5 million Euros of damage to TIU Canada already and increases daily. The case is viewed as a test of the Zelensky's administration's commitment to protecting foreign investors. It should be noted that on July 3, 2019, while speaking to the Economic Club of Canada, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the work of TIU Canada at the Toronto Ukraine Reforms Conference. He said, "We think about the future, that is why green energy will be one of the key sectors of our economy during the upcoming years. I know that we have here Canadian company TIU that already successfully works in this area. We are grateful to them for this - please, follow their example". Unfortunately, this court ruling is just the latest in a series of setbacks for foreign investors in Ukraine. Last year Ukraine received only $400 million in foreign direct investment due to the lack of rule of law, widespread corruption, and the Covid pandemic. The corruption situation was exacerbated last year due to a kangaroo court ruling by Ukraine's Constitutional Court which cancelled the disclosure requirements for public officials. TIU Canada is a leading Canadian-based solar energy producer, which has been working in Ukraine since 2016, and is a leading solar energy producer. The company commissioned a 10.5 megawatt solar power plant in Nikopol, Ukraine, in January 2018, and an 11.3 megawatt solar station in the Mykolayiv region in April 2019. An additional 33 megawatts of solar power generation has been commissioned in the Odesa region, for a total of 56 megawatts nationwide. TIU Canada has invested more than $65 million in Ukrainian solar energy over the last four years and was the first investor in Ukraine under the Canadian Ukrainian Free Trade Agreement (CUFTA). TIU Canada directly and through its subcontractors employs more than 30 people in Ukraine whose jobs are now threatened by this illegal disconnection. ___________________________________ 1 https://finclub.net/ua/news/sud-ponovyv-rozhliad-pozovu-na-skasuvannia-natsionalizatsii-pryvatbanku.html 2 https://ukrainian.voanews.com/a/tiu-kanada/5864300.html 3 https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/apr/15/ukraine-needs-a-pathway-to-nato-membership/ Cision View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/canadian-investor-files-motion-to-dismiss-kolomoyskyi-friendly-judges-in-illegal-disconnection-hearing-301291633.html SOURCE TIU Canada Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2021/14/c9524.html The tech industry is continuing its fight to uphold immigration rights for highly-skilled workers. Google is leading the latest push to preserve a program that allows the spouses of H1-B visa holders to legally work in the US. Almost 30 companies including the web giant, Apple, Microsoft, Intel and Twitter have submitted an amicus brief in support of the H-4 policy as part of a pending case known as Save Jobs USA v. Department of Homeland Security. A federal court in Washington is expected to rule on the lawsuit challenging the work program in the coming months. An advocacy group of IT workers from Southern California, who claimed they lost jobs to visa workers, filed the suit in 2015. It was subsequently delayed as President Trump sought to retract the H-4 rule. However, that didn't happen and now both the plaintiffs and President Joe Bidens administration are seeking summary judgment, reports Reuters. The tech industry has opposed Trump's anti-immigration policies from the outset, arguing that they would hinder its ability to hire the talent it requires. Google said in the latest filing that invalidating the H-4 rule would result in these talented individuals being barred from the workplace, forcibly severing tens of thousands of employment relationships across the country. The H-4 program provides work authorization to more than 90,000 H-4 visa holders, more than 90 percent of whom are women. "As an immigrant myself, I have been the beneficiary of a welcoming America and I hope we can ensure that same welcome for future immigrants by preserving the H-4 EAD program. Ending this program would hurt families and undercut the US economy at a critical moment," Catherine Lacavera, VP, legal at Google, said in a blog post. Earlier this month, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) said it would suspend biometric screening requirements for H-4 and L-2 visa holders as they were causing lengthy delays. Critics of the Trump-era policy claim it was implemented to create barriers to immigration processing after the admin failed to revoke the laws. TREATY #3 TERRITORY, ON, May 14, 2021 /CNW/ - Grand Council Treaty #3, Canada and Ontario successfully concluded the negotiation of a tripartite education Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU will foster mutual understanding and respect, and will help preserve, support and revitalize the language, culture and identity of Treaty #3 First Nations by supporting First Nations control of education to improve student success for First Nations youth in Northwestern Ontario. Today, Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh, Grand Chief of Grand Council Treaty #3, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Indigenous Services, the Honourable Stephen Lecce, Ontario's Minister of Education, and the Honourable Greg Rickford, Ontario's Minster of Indigenous Affairs gathered in a virtual ceremony to sign the MOU, which will enrich the quality of education for First Nations youth in Treaty #3. The MOU intends to create a forum for the three parties to work collaboratively to help students reach their full learning potential and achieve educational success. The federal and provincial governments have invested $1.16 million and $300,000, respectively, to support Grand Council Treaty #3 with the implementation of the MOU and will continue to assist the process as the parties establish a joint action plan that will guide the work and progress of the MOU. Today's ceremony is an opportunity to celebrate and highlight the important trilateral partnership that will pave the way for a better educational system for over 1,300 First Nations students who live in Treaty #3 territory. Currently,17 First Nations in Ontario have signed the agreement. The MOU is flexible and allows other First Nations in Treaty #3 to join in the future should they choose to do so. Quotes "This tripartite agreement to work together to advance education in the Treaty #3 territory is a major step toward creating a brighter future for the Anishinaabe Nation. Ensuring that our educators and knowledge keepers have the opportunities they need to develop better education systems is essential to revitalizing our language and culture and creating better outcomes for our students." Story continues Ogichidaa Francis Kavanaugh Grand Chief of Grand Council Treaty #3 "Today's event celebrates the agreement to support Grand Council Treaty #3 First Nations control of education and is an important step toward reconciliation. This Memorandum of Understanding demonstrates Canada's commitment to a renewed, nation-to-nation relationship with First Nations." The Honourable Marc Miller Minister of Indigenous Services "Every student deserves the opportunity to achieve their full potential. Today we are celebrating our collaborative work which will ensure equitable access to education opportunities for First Nations students. This builds on our government's efforts to present students across Ontario with new, modern learning opportunities that set them up for success now and in the years to come." The Honourable Stephen Lecce Ontario Minister of Education "This Memorandum of Understanding is an example of our government's commitment to foster collaborative partnerships between First Nations, Ontario and Canada. These investments will support Grand Council Treaty #3 students in Northwestern Ontario develop their academic skills and talents, using culturally appropriate teachings and resources that honour First Nations' traditions and values." The Honourable Greg Rickford Ontario Minister of Indigenous Affairs Quick facts Treaty #3 territory spans approximately 143,000 square kilometres from west of Thunder Bay to north of Sioux Lookout, along the international border, to the province of Manitoba, and is made up of 28 communities, with a total population of approximately 25,000. 17 First Nations from Treaty #3 are signatories to the MOU, representing approximately 1,300 students in Northwestern Ontario. Budget 2021 proposes to invest $726 million over five years to support work with First Nations partners to adapt elementary and secondary education funding to meet local First Nations needs. Through this agreement, the parties have committed to address efforts to improve education outcomes by focusing on early learning, culturally appropriate education resources, professional development, relationship building and transitioning between First Nations and provincially operated schools. Stay connected Join the conversation about Indigenous peoples in Canada: Twitter: @GCIndigenous Facebook: @GCIndigenous Instagram: @gcindigenous Facebook: @GCIndigenousHealth Twitter: @Min_IndServ You can subscribe to receive our news releases and speeches via RSS feeds. For more information or to subscribe, visit www.isc.gc.ca/RSS. SOURCE Indigenous Services Canada Cision View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2021/14/c6696.html GATINEAU, QC, May 13, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ - Library and Archives Canada (LAC) will provide $1.5 million to support 41 projects (including 26 new projects) by archives, libraries and documentary heritage institutions throughout Canada. Ten projects submitted by organizations from British-Columbia will be funded under the Documenary Heritage Communities Program (DHCP). The following projects will be funded by the DHCP in British Columbia in 20212022: Women of Change: Celebrating Japanese Canadian Leaders (Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre), Burnaby , $49,965; ALIB Archives Inventory Project 20212022 (Adams Lake Indian Band - Title and Rights Archives), Chase , $24,895; Unlocking the Archives (Cortes Island Museum & Archives Society), Mansons Landing , $1,340; Digitization and Migration of Upper Nicola Band Cultural Heritage Collection (Upper Nicola Band), Merritt , $44,148; 40 Years of Media Art at the Satellite Video Exchange Society (Satellite Video Exchange Society), Vancouver , $24,160; Filemaker Pro Migration, Cataloguing and Access Project (Vancouver Holocaust Centre Society for Education and Remembrance), Vancouver , $16,150; Transfer, Transcribe, Transcend: Toward an Accessible Online Video Collection (Visible Art Society (dba grunt gallery), Vancouver , $24,714; 50 years of Western Front: Transfer, Access and Preservation of Performance Art Archives (Western Front), Vancouver , $49,980; Reclaiming Syilx Language and Culture History (Okanagan Indian Band), Vernon , $50,000; and Williams Lake First Nation: Record, Digitize, and Share Traditional Knowledge and Language (Williams Lake First Nation), Williams Lake, $22,775. View the list of all recipients for 20212022. Quick facts The DHCP was created in 2015 to provide financial assistance for activities that enhance the visibility of, and access to, materials held by Canada's local documentary heritage institutions. The program also aims to increase the capacity of local institutions to sustainably preserve, promote and showcase the country's documentary heritage. At the end of the selection process, the DHCP will provide contributions for eligible applicants across Canada for a variety of projects that will allow citizens to access and engage with their nation's history like never before. Incorporated and unincorporated non-profit organizations such as archives, privately funded libraries, historical societies, genealogical organizations and societies, professional library and archival associations, and museums with an archival component are eligible to apply for funding under the DHCP. Applications received by LAC are reviewed by an external advisory committee. Including the amounts allocated this year, LAC's support for documentary heritage communities has totalled $10.5 million since the DHCP was launched in 2015. The next funding cycle will be launched in fall 2021. About Library and Archives Canada Story continues The mandate of Library and Archives Canada is to preserve the documentary heritage of Canada for the benefit of present and future generations, and to be a source of enduring knowledge accessible to all, thereby contributing to the cultural, social and economic advancement of Canada. Library and Archives Canada also facilitates co-operation among communities involved in the acquisition, preservation and diffusion of knowledge, and serves as the continuing memory of the Government of Canada and its institutions. Library and Archives Canada is online at www.bac-lac.gc.ca. Stay connected through RSS, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Flickr, blogs and podcasts to keep up to date on the latest from Library and Archives Canada. Quotes "Supporting communities to provide greater digital access to their collections will ensure that Canadians will have even more opportunities to discover their heritage, wherever they live in Canada. Congratulations to the organizations that have received funding from the Documentary Heritage Communities Program in 202122." The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Heritage "The pandemic has not only prompted us to redefine how we do our work, it has also shown us how important it is for LAC to remain committed to supporting documentary heritage institutions during these unprecedented times. We are proud to continue our work with communities across the country while navigating our shared path toward post-pandemic normalcy." Leslie Weir, Librarian and Archivist of Canada "The DHCP's funding has made a real difference in the Pitquhirnikkut Ilihautiniq/Kitikmeot Heritage Society's capacity to record video interviews, and edit and translate them for export to our YouTube channel. Having local Inuinnait staff that have the capacity to do this work on a daily basis will help immensely in our efforts to preserve Inuinnait traditional knowledge." Darren Keith, Senior Researcher, Kitikmeot Heritage Society "Funding from LAC has allowed our institution to digitize and share remarkable film footage of one family's experience before, during, and immediately after the forced uprooting and dispossession during the Second World War. Additionally, we have rehoused 605 films and audio, 2,093 photographs, and 6.15 metres of textual recordsour oldest dates to 1864!" Sherri Kajiwara, Director/Curator, Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre Related link Documentary Heritage Communities Program Search for related information by keyword: Heritage | Library and Archives Canada | British Columbia | History and heritage | general public | news releases | Hon. Steven Guilbeault SOURCE Library and Archives Canada Cision View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2021/13/c1083.html Microsoft is expanding its test of Dolby Vision HDR gaming on Xbox Series X/S . The feature is making its way to the Xbox Insider Alpha ring so more members of the Xbox community can try it. The company is looking for feedback before it rolls out the Dolby Vision HDR option more broadly, which it says will happen soon. It previously promised to do so sometime this year. Dolby Vision brings more vibrant colors, sharper contrast and up to 40 times brighter highlights to games, Microsoft said. It automatically adjusts the picture settings on your display. Microsoft says it worked with Dolby to create an enhancement that "enables a more accurate HDR gaming experience when connected to a Dolby Vision-enabled TV." The companies are working with TV manufacturers to optimize the Dolby Vision experience on as many displays as they can before they roll it out to everyone. If you're enrolled in the Insider Alpha program and want to play games with Dolby Vision, you should make sure you have the latest firmware installed on your TV. That way, you might be able to take advantage of features like automatic low-latency mode and variable refresh rate as well. OTTAWA, ON, May 14, 2021 /CNW/ - Since the start of Canadian peacekeeping, few of Canada's international peace missions over the past seven decades have taken members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) farther from home than the operation in East Timor from 1999 to 2001. In 1999, when Timor tried to reassert its independence from Indonesia, the country of over one million people was ravaged by militia-led violence. Homes were burned, civilians were killed, and between 500,000 and 700,000 people were displaced. Canada joined a UN-authorized, Australian-led multinational force to East Timor to restore peace and security, protect and support the existing UN mission in carrying out its tasks, and help humanitarian aid reach affected citizens. The more than 650 CAF members and 15 Canadian police officers who deployed to the region filled important roles such as providing security, constructing a camp, repairing local facilities, and keeping the naval task force supplied. Twenty years later, Canada remains grateful to the CAF members and civilian police who served in East Timor as part of Operation TOUCAN. Quotes "The mission in East Timor is among the largest in Canada's proud peacekeeping history. As we mark 20 years since the end of Operation TOUCAN, we thank the hundreds of Canadians who went across the world and put their lives at risk to help secure peace for the Timorese." The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence "Canada's support for Timor-Leste self-determination 20 years ago helped pave the way for the democracy and freedom enjoyed by the Timorese today. To all those courageous members of the Canadian Armed Forces who deployed to East Timor, Canada's largest mission in Asia since Korea in the early 1950s, thank you for your service." The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence Associated Links The Canadian Armed Forces in East Timor Story continues SOURCE Veterans Affairs Canada Cision View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2021/14/c0171.html New media poster child Substack announced today that they've added a small community-building consultancy team to its ranks, acquiring the Brooklyn-based startup People & Company. The small firm has been working with clients to build up their community efforts, and its team will now be tasked with building up some of the newsletter company's upstart efforts for writers in its network. In a blog post, Substack co-founder Hamish McKenzie said that the company had previously used the People & Co. team to consult on their fellowship and mentorship programs and that members of the team would now be working on a variety of new efforts, from scaling programs to help writers with legal support and health insurance to community-guided projects like workshops and meetups to help crowdsource insights. "These people are the best in the world at what they do, and now theyre not only working for Substack, but theyre also working for you," McKenzie wrote. Beyond Substack, previous partners with People & Company include Porsche AG, Nike and Surfrider. Substack has been blazing ahead in recent months, adding new partners and raising cash as it aims to bring on more and more subscribers to its network. The firm shared back in late March that it had raised a $65 million round at a reported valuation around $650 million, according to earlier reporting by Axios. CALGARY, AB, May 14, 2021 /CNW/ - Surge Energy Inc. ("Surge" or the "Company") (TSX: SGY) is pleased to announce its financial and operating results for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. Surge Energy Inc. Announces First Quarter Financial & Operating Results and ESG Update (CNW Group/Surge Energy Inc.) MACRO OVERVIEW CRUDE PRICES CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN Pre-COVID-19, world oil demand was more than 100 million barrels per day; growing by approximately one million barrels per day each year. Without significant capital investment, world oil production has been estimated to have an annual decline of 5-6 million barrels per day. The COVID-19 pandemic, the Saudi/Russia oil price war, and the subsequent collapse of world crude oil prices in 2020 triggered significant, world-wide upstream capital spending reductions for crude oil drilling and associated projects both large and small. In this regard, US and Canadian oil rig counts plunged to multi-decade lows in the summer of 2020. As world oil demand continues to return to pre-COVID-19 levels, crude oil prices have risen by more than 450 percent in just the last 13 months; from a low of US$11.57 WTI per barrel in April of 2020, to over US$65 WTI per barrel today. Against this backdrop of quickly improving crude oil price fundamentals, Surge possesses 4 of the key operational indicia for highly successful oil companies, namely: A very low annual corporate decline (less than 21 percent per year); Top tier production efficiencies1 (Sparky PE's are ~$13,000 boepd on an IP180 basis); A large drilling location inventory (>750 locations2, providing a deep 14 year drilling inventory); and High operating netbacks3. Accordingly, rapidly improving crude oil prices, combined with these 4 key operational indicia, provide Surge with significant adjusted funds flow per share3 growth, and free cash flow3, at current strip pricing. Q1 2021 FINANCIAL & OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS As previously announced on April 28, 2021, the Company achieved production levels of 16,582 boepd in Q1/21, and generated cash flow from operating activities in the quarter of $15.6 million (after realized hedging losses of $16.8 million). Story continues Given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the significant commodity price volatility that resulted, Surge entered into certain fixed crude oil hedges over the course of 2H/20, ensuring the Company's ability to continue deploying capital into its low decline, low cost, large OOIP1, conventional asset base. While the resulting realized losses on commodity contracts had a large negative impact on Q1/21 cash flow, Surge expects the impact will moderate over the remainder of 2021 as these crude oil hedges expire. During the first quarter, Surge completed a successful 32 well winter drilling program. The Company anticipates it will bring on an estimated 3,400 boepd of production from this drilling program, with results to date meeting or exceeding management's expectations. This program was completed for "all-in" drilling and completion expenditures of $38 million, delivering excellent estimated production efficiencies of $11,175 per flowing boe. The Company's significant 3,400 boepd production addition in Q1/21 was completed in the same quarter as Surge strategically sold 2,700 boepd of production, for gross proceeds of $106 million. Commodity prices continued to strengthen over the quarter, with petroleum and natural gas revenue per boe increasing by 57 percent, from $34.39 per boe in Q1/20, to $54.07 per boe in Q1/21. The improving crude oil price environment, combined with the Company's successful winter drilling program and strategic Q1/21 asset sale, resulted in a significant $124 million, or 39 percent reduction in net bank debt4 from Q1/20 through Q1/21. The Company also meaningfully reduced net debt4 by $81 million from Q1/20 through Q1/21, a 21 percent reduction in the last four quarters. Subsequent to the first quarter, as previously announced on May 13th, 2021, Surge successfully closed its bought deal public offering of 39.0 million flow-through common shares (the "Offering") for gross proceeds of $23.0 million. Accordingly, with the closing of the Offering, Surge has significantly reduced net debt and repositioned the Company's balance sheet over the past 6 months, with the completion of the following financing activities totaling more than $230 million: $40 million, 4-year term, 2 nd Lien BDC credit facility; $50 million credit commitment by Export Development Canada into Surge's 1 st Lien credit facility; Over $14 million in grants under the Alberta Government's Site Rehabilitation program; Gross proceeds of $106 million from the Company's previously announced strategic asset sale; and Gross proceeds of $23 million from Surge's over-subscribed, upsized flow-through common share financing. Proceeds from the Offering, combined with free cash flow, will be used for an expanded 2H/21 development program, building upon the Company's 1H/21 drilling program, which targeted the Sparky and Montney formations. This program has been strategically designed to allocate capital towards top-tier production efficiencies in the Company's Sparky core area. Concurrent with the close of the Offering, on May 13th the Company also released preliminary 2022 production and operating guidance. The Company's preliminary 2022 capital expenditure budget is highly disciplined, with a continued focus on production maintenance and free cash flow generation. Surge anticipates generating approximately $160 million5 ($0.42 per share6) in adjusted funds flow in 2022 at US$65 WTI per barrel. With its low decline, large OOIP, conventional asset base, the Company is budgeting $83 million for its 2022 exploration and development capital program, which maintains production at 16,500 boepd (85% liquids). FINANCIAL AND OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS FINANCIAL AND OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS Three Months Ended March 31, ($000s except per share amounts) 2021 2020 % Change Financial highlights Oil sales 69,956 61,211 14 % NGL sales 1,948 1,063 83 % Natural gas sales 8,790 1,432 514 % Total oil, natural gas, and NGL revenue 80,694 63,706 27 % Cash flow from operating activities 15,550 43,138 (64)% Per share - basic ($) 0.05 0.13 (62)% Adjusted funds flow1 15,757 30,028 (48)% Per share - basic ($)1 0.05 0.09 (44)% Net loss (9,985) (615,227) (98)% Per share basic ($) (0.03) (1.85) (98)% Total exploration and development expenditures 31,898 32,504 (2)% Total acquisitions & dispositions (102,591) - nm2 Total capital expenditures (70,693) 32,504 (317)% Net debt1, end of period 303,334 384,686 (21)% Operating highlights Production: Oil (bbls per day) 13,422 16,891 (21)% NGLs (bbls per day) 583 564 3 % Natural gas (mcf per day) 15,462 17,409 (11)% Total (boe per day) (6:1) 16,582 20,357 (19)% Average realized price (excluding hedges): Oil ($ per bbl) 57.91 39.82 45 % NGL ($ per bbl) 37.12 20.72 79 % Natural gas ($ per mcf) 6.32 0.90 602 % Netback ($ per boe) Petroleum and natural gas revenue 54.07 34.39 57 % Realized gain (loss) on commodity and FX contracts (11.27) 7.29 (255)% Royalties (5.68) (4.59) 24 % Net operating expenses1 (18.09) (14.29) 27 % Transportation expenses (1.03) (1.64) (37)% Operating netback1 18.00 21.16 (15)% G&A expense (1.98) (1.84) 8 % Interest expense (5.46) (3.10) 76 % Adjusted funds flow1 10.56 16.22 (35)% Common shares outstanding, end of period 339,785 335,069 1 % Weighted average basic shares outstanding 339,785 332,188 2 % Weighted average diluted shares outstanding 339,785 332,188 2 % 1 This is a non-GAAP financial measure which is defined in the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this document. 2 The Company views this change calculation as not meaningful, or "nm". UPDATE ON ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE MATTERS ("ESG") Surge continues to strive to be a leader in reducing the impact of its operations on the environment and is pleased to report that it has abandoned 310 wells between October 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021. This represents nearly 30 percent of the Company's previously inactive, unabandoned wells. The reduction in the Company's environmental footprint has been funded through a combination of Surge's ongoing internal abandonment program and approximately $14 million in total grant funding under the Alberta Government's Site Rehabilitation Program ("SRP"). During the first quarter of 2021, Surge spent a total of $1.5 million of its own funds and $0.5 million of SRP grants, for a combined $2.0 million going towards abandonment activities. Surge anticipates spending a further $8.0 to $10.0 million on abandonment activities in 2021, through a combination of its internal abandonment program and the SRP abandonment program, which will continue to significantly reduce the Company's decommissioning liability. Surge strives to be a leader in reducing the impact of its operations on the environment. Surge is committed to producing energy in a safe, responsible, and sustainable manner. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS: This press release contains forward-looking statements. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "should", "believe" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. More particularly, this press release contains statements with respect to management's expectations and plans with respect to the development of its assets and the timing thereof; Surge's declared focus and primary goals; Surge's planned drilling program; Surge's drilling inventory and locations; management's expectations regarding commodity prices and production levels; Surge's anticipated funds flow in 2022; and Surge's anticipated abandonment and reclamation activities in 2021. The forward-looking statements are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by Surge, including expectations and assumptions the performance of existing wells and success obtained in drilling new wells; anticipated expenses, cash flow and capital expenditures; the application of regulatory and royalty regimes; prevailing commodity prices and economic conditions; development and completion activities; the performance of new wells; the successful implementation of waterflood programs; the availability of and performance of facilities and pipelines; the geological characteristics of Surge's properties; the successful application of drilling, completion and seismic technology; the determination of decommissioning liabilities; prevailing weather conditions; exchange rates; licensing requirements; the impact of completed facilities on operating costs; the availability and costs of capital, labour and services; and the creditworthiness of industry partners. Although Surge believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because Surge can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, risks associated with the condition of the global economy, including trade, public health (including the impact of COVID-19) and other geopolitical risks; risks associated with the oil and gas industry in general (e.g., operational risks in development, exploration and production; delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures; the uncertainty of reserve estimates; the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to production, costs and expenses, and health, safety and environmental risks); commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations and constraint in the availability of services, adverse weather or break-up conditions; uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures; and failure to obtain the continued support of the lenders under Surge's bank line. Certain of these risks are set out in more detail in Surge's AIF dated March 9, 2021 and in Surge's MD&A for the period ended December 31, 2020, both of which have been filed on SEDAR and can be accessed at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and Surge undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. Oil and Gas Advisories The term "boe" means barrel of oil equivalent on the basis of 1 boe to 6,000 cubic feet of natural gas. Boe may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A boe conversion ratio of 1 boe for 6,000 cubic feet of natural gas is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. "Boe/d" and "boepd" mean barrel of oil equivalent per day. Bbl means barrel of oil and "bopd" means barrels of oil per day. NGLs means natural gas liquids. This press release contains certain oil and gas metrics and defined terms which do not have standardized meanings or standard methods of calculation and therefore such measures may not be comparable to similar metrics/terms presented by other issuers and may differ by definition and application. All oil and gas metrics/terms used in this document are defined below: Original Oil in Place ("OOIP") means Discovered Petroleum Initially In Place ("DPIIP"). DPIIP is derived by Surge's internal Qualified Reserve Evaluators ("QRE") and prepared in accordance with National Instrument 51-101 and the Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluations Handbook ("COGEH"). DPIIP, as defined in COGEH, is that quantity of petroleum that is estimated, as of a given date, to be contained in known accumulations prior to production. The recoverable portion of DPIIP includes production, reserves and Resources Other Than Reserves (ROTR). OOIP/DPIIP and potential recovery rate estimates are based on current recovery technologies. There is significant uncertainty as to the ultimate recoverability and commercial viability of any of the resource associated with OOIP/DPIIP, and as such a recovery project cannot be defined for a volume of OOIP/DPIIP at this time. "Internally estimated" means an estimate that is derived by Surge's internal QRE's and prepared in accordance with National Instrument 51-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas Activities. All internal estimates contained in this new release have been prepared effective as of Jan 1, 2021. Production efficiencies are calculated by dividing capital expenditures of a project by the average production from that project for a given period of time. IP180 is the average production rate of a well over the first 180 days on production Drilling Inventory This press release discloses drilling locations in two categories: (i) booked locations; and (ii) unbooked locations. Booked locations are proved locations and probable locations derived from an internal evaluation using standard practices as prescribed in the Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluations Handbook and account for drilling locations that have associated proved and/or probable reserves, as applicable. Unbooked locations are internal estimates based on prospective acreage and assumptions as to the number of wells that can be drilled per section based on industry practice and internal review. Unbooked locations do not have attributed reserves or resources. Unbooked locations have been identified by Surge's internal certified Engineers and Geologists (who are also Qualified Reserve Evaluators) as an estimation of our multi-year drilling activities based on evaluation of applicable geologic, seismic, engineering, production and reserves information. There is no certainty that the Company will drill all unbooked drilling locations and if drilled there is no certainty that such locations will result in additional oil and gas reserves, resources or production. The drilling locations on which the Company actually drills wells will ultimately depend upon the availability of capital, regulatory approvals, seasonal restrictions, oil and natural gas prices, costs, actual drilling results, additional reservoir information that is obtained and other factors. While certain of the unbooked drilling locations have been de-risked by drilling existing wells in relative close proximity to such unbooked drilling locations, the majority of other unbooked drilling locations are farther away from existing wells where management has less information about the characteristics of the reservoir and therefore there is more uncertainty whether wells will be drilled in such locations and if drilled there is more uncertainty that such wells will result in additional oil and gas reserves, resources or production. Assuming a Mar 31, 2021 reference date, the Company will have over >750 gross (>750 net) drilling locations identified herein, of these >400 gross (>400 net) are unbooked locations. Of the 316 net booked locations identified herein, 251 net are Proved locations and 65 net are Probable locations based on Sproule's 2020YE reserves. Assuming an average number of wells drilled per year of 50, Surge's >750 locations provide 14 years of drilling. Surge's weighted average internal Sparky type curve economics have an IRR of greater than 115% and a payout of under one year @ US$55/bbl WTI (C$56 WCS) and are supported by >380 internally evaluated Sparky locations by Surge's Qualified Reserve Evaluators (with weighted average metrics of: ~$1.15 MM per well capital, ~100 boe/d IP180 per well and ~125 mboe Estimated Ultimate Recoverable reserves per well). Surge's internally used type curves were constructed using a representative, factual and balanced analog data set, as of January 1, 2021. All locations were risked appropriately, and EUR's were measured against OOIP estimates to ensure a reasonable recovery factor was being achieved based on the respective spacing assumption. Other assumptions, such as capital, operating expenses, wellhead offsets, land encumbrances, working interests and NGL yields were all reviewed, updated and accounted for on a well by well basis by Surge's Qualified Reserve Evaluators. All type curves fully comply with Part 5.8 of the Companion Policy 51 101CP. Non-GAAP Financial Measures Certain secondary financial measures in this press release namely, "adjusted funds flow", "adjusted funds flow per share", "free cash flow", "net debt", "net bank debt", "net operating expenses", "operating netback", and "adjusted funds flow per boe" are not prescribed by GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures are included because management uses the information to analyze business performance, cash flow generated from the business, leverage and liquidity, resulting from the Company's principal business activities and it may be useful to investors on the same basis. None of these measures are used to enhance the Company's reported financial performance or position. The non-GAAP measures do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and therefore are unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. They are common in the reports of other companies but may differ by definition and application. All non-GAAP financial measures used in this document are defined below: Adjusted Funds Flow & Adjusted Funds Flow per Share The Company adjusts cash flow from operating activities in calculating adjusted funds flow for changes in non-cash working capital, decommissioning expenditures, and transaction costs. Management believes the timing of collection, payment or incurrence of these items involves a high degree of discretion and as such may not be useful for evaluating Surge's cash flows. Changes in non-cash working capital are a result of the timing of cash flows related to accounts receivable and accounts payable, which management believes reduces comparability between periods. Management views decommissioning expenditures predominately as a discretionary allocation of capital, with flexibility to determine the size and timing of decommissioning programs to achieve greater capital efficiencies and as such, costs may vary between periods. Transaction costs represent expenditures associated with acquisitions, which management believes do not reflect the ongoing cash flows of the business, and as such reduces comparability. Each of these expenditures, due to their nature, are not considered principal business activities and vary between periods, which management believes reduces comparability. Adjusted funds flow per share is calculated using the same weighted average basic and diluted shares used in calculating income per share. The following table reconciles cash flow from operating activities to adjusted funds flow and adjusted funds flow per share for the three months ended March 31, 2021: Three Months Ended March 31, ($000s except per share amounts) 2021 2020 Cash flow from operating activities 15,550 43,138 Change in non-cash working capital (2,974) (14,748) Decommissioning expenditures 1,481 1,540 Transaction costs 1,700 98 Adjusted funds flow $ 15,757 $ 30,028 Per share - basic $ 0.05 $ 0.09 Free Cash Flow Free cash flow is calculated as cash flow from operating activities less exploration and development capital expenditures. Management uses free cash flow to determine the amount of funds available to the Company for future capital allocation decisions. Net Debt There is no comparable measure in accordance with IFRS for net debt. Net debt is calculated as bank debt, term debt, dividends payable plus the liability component of the convertible debentures plus or minus working capital, however, excluding the fair value of financial contracts, decommissioning obligations, and lease and other obligations. This metric is used by management to analyze the level of debt in the Company including the impact of working capital, which varies with timing of settlement of these balances. ($000s) As at Mar 31, 2021 As at Dec 31, 2020 As at Mar 31, 2020 Bank debt (170,650) (260,908) (305,804) Term debt (40,649) (32,718) - Accounts receivable 30,240 29,796 29,738 Prepaid expenses and deposits 5,921 5,253 4,672 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (56,354) (51,265) (43,718) Convertible debentures (71,842) (71,181) (69,295) Dividends payable - - (279) Total (303,334) (381,023) (384,686) Net Bank Debt There is no comparable measure in accordance with IFRS for net bank debt. Net bank debt is calculated as current portion of bank debt plus or minus working capital (accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and deposits and accounts payable and accrued liabilities). Net Operating Expenses Net operating expenses are determined by deducting processing and other revenue primarily generated by processing third party volumes at processing facilities where the Company has an ownership interest. It is common in the industry to earn third party processing revenue on facilities where the entity has a working interest in the infrastructure asset. Under IFRS this source of funds is required to be reported as revenue. However, the Company's principal business is not that of a midstream entity whose activities are dedicated to earning processing and other infrastructure payments. Where the Company has excess capacity at one of its facilities, it will look to process third party volumes as a means to reduce the cost of operating/owning the facility. As such, third party processing revenue is netted against operating costs in the MD&A. Operating Netback & Adjusted Funds Flow Netback Operating netback, operating netback excluding realized gain (loss) on financial contracts & adjusted funds flow per boe for the three months ended March 31, 2021 are calculated on a per unit basis as follows: Three Months Ended March 31, ($000s) 2021 2020 Petroleum and natural gas revenue 80,694 63,706 Processing and other income 1,089 1,720 Royalties (8,477) (8,505) Realized gain (loss) on commodity and FX contracts (16,822) 13,509 Operating expenses (28,083) (28,199) Transportation expenses (1,539) (3,046) Operating netback 26,862 39,185 G&A expense (2,957) (3,416) Interest expense (8,148) (5,741) Adjusted funds flow 15,757 30,028 Barrels of oil equivalent (boe) 1,492,397 1,852,414 Operating netback ($ per boe) $ 18.00 $ 21.16 Adjusted funds flow ($ per boe) $ 10.56 $ 16.22 Additional information relating to non-GAAP measures can be found in the Company's most recent management's discussion and analysis MD&A, which may be accessed through the SEDAR website (www.sedar.com). Neither the TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. _____________________________________ 1 See the Oil and Gas Advisories section of this document for further details. 2 See the Drilling Inventory section of this document for further details. 3 This is a non-GAAP financial measure which is defined in the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this document. 4 This is a non-GAAP financial measure which is defined in the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this document. 5 Assuming 16,500 boepd. Pricing as follows: WTI US$65/bbl; CAD/USD $0.80; WCS $66.25/bbl; MSW $75.62 bbl; AECO $2.55/GJ. 6 All per-share metrics in this release are based on 379.2 million basic shares outstanding as at close of the Offering. Surge Energy Inc. Logo (CNW Group/Surge Energy Inc.) SOURCE Surge Energy Inc. Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/May2021/14/c3178.html (Reuters) -The United States, Mexico and Canada will next week hold their first formal talks on their continental trade deal, with particular focus on labor and environmental obligations, the U.S. government said on Friday. Trade ministers from the three nations are set to meet virtually on Monday and Tuesday to discuss the U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) deal, which took effect in July 2020. "The ministers will receive updates about work already underway to advance cooperation ... and will hold robust discussions about USMCA's landmark labor and environmental obligations," the office of U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai said in a statement. The United States is also reviewing tariffs which may be leading to inflation in the country, economic adviser Cecilia Rouse told reporters at the White House on Friday, a move that could affect hundreds of billions of dollars in trade. The United States, testing provisions in the new deal aimed at strengthening Mexican unions, this week asked Mexico to investigate alleged abuses at a General Motors Co factory. (Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Hugh Lawson and Jonathan Oatis) A Colorado man suspected in the death of his wife in 2020 is also accused of submitting a fraudulent vote on her behalf for then-President Donald Trump in Novembers presidential election Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. A bill seeking to limit the use of ketamine on Thursday moved one step closer to clearing the House after lawmakers gave it preliminary approval after tacking on amendments to narrow the scope of the legislation. A Gazette investigation shows an increasing number of soldiers, including wounded combat veterans, are being kicked out of the service for misconduct, often with no benefits, as the Army downsizes after a decade of war. Colorado Springs, CO (80903) Today A clear sky. Low 57F. SW winds shifting to NNW at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight A clear sky. Low 57F. SW winds shifting to NNW at 10 to 20 mph. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. DARPA seeks climbing, flying robotic radio nodes Small military units conducting hostage rescue, scouting and training missions depend on radio communications to coordinate actions with each other and their commanders. In some areas, such as in caves or jungles with heavy foliage, mobile radio frequency (RF) communications are difficult to sustain. In World War II, for example, radio communications in tropical jungles required the use of long strings of wire as a transmission medium. Recent developments in RF mobility gain the technique of moving radios to locations where they can better access power for transmission -- have made it possible to construct a dense, 3D mesh network of radio relays that can support and augment communications for reconnaissance and hostage rescue missions, for example. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency wants to explore this technology and is looking for solutions that will allow small groups of warfighters to communicate even in the thickest jungles where wet foliage makes radio transmission particularly difficult. The SQUad Intelligent Robotic Radio Enhancing Links (SQUIRREL) program is inviting small businesses to submit proposals for small, lightweight, low-power robotic devices that will allow team members to maintain connectivity with each other and to the larger Defense Department communications grid for status, situational awareness and directions as needed. DARPA expects SQUIRREL solutions will use climbing, flying or hybrid robots to form a self-positioning 3D mesh network that can maintain small-squad communications through a combination of repositioning, frequency selection and beamforming, or focusing a signal toward a receiver. These devices should be quiet, difficult to observe and unlikely to be detected or intercepted. Additionally, the mesh network must adapt as the squad moves through the terrain, allowing the nodes or devices experiencing the best chance of establishing line-of-sight access to drones or other overhead assets to connect for communications with unit commanders. SQUIRREL advances a 2008 DARPA project called LANdroids, which used small ground-based robotic radio relay nodes to configure and maintain mesh networks that were capable of reasoning about their positions relative to each other and to individual warfighters. DAPRA expects the technology can also be used for civilian search and rescue, such as aiding in searchers for lost children or hikers. SQUIRREL solutions could also support organizations exploring tropical and densely foliated areas to count endangered species or identify new sources of pharmaceuticals. Responses are due June 29. Read the full RFI here. Hackers threaten to release police records, knock 911 offline A cybercriminal gang that breached the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Departments computer network in a ransomware attack published detailed information this week about nearly two dozen officers, including Social Security numbers and psychological assessments. The group, Babuk, already had posted on the dark web lengthy dossiers of several officers. It claimed it stole more than 250 gigabytes of data late last month and is threatening to release more information as well as share files containing the names of confidential informants with criminal gangs if officials dont pay a ransom. The most recently posted documents contain sensitive information about 22 officers, such as fingerprints, dates of birth, polygraph test results and residential, financial and marriage history, according to NBC News. The hackers claim that they demanded $4 million in ransom and the department countered with $100,000, which they deemed unacceptable. This was the most serious incident involving a police department that weve seen to date. It doesnt get much worse, said Brett Callow, a threat analyst for cybersecurity company Emsisoft. The release of that information could put officers and civilians at risk. A separate ransomware attack forced the recent shutdown of the Colonial Pipeline, leading to panic buying and gas shortages on the East Coast. Cybercriminals also have launched ransomware attacks on school districts, health care systems, courts and local government offices. But when the hackers have struck police departments, cybersecurity experts say, they pose a particularly serious threat to public safety. Ransomware attacks have taken down 911 systems, prevented officers from checking suspects criminal histories during traffic stops and blocked access to investigative files or video, impeding investigations. In some cases, prosecutors have had to drop criminal cases. We equate it to kidnapping, said Jonathan Thompson, executive director of the National Sheriffs Association. In this case, the victim is the data, but most importantly, its the community. Law enforcement has to be reliable and accessible in real time. Any time someone seeks to limit that, it puts the entire community at risk. The District of Columbia police department is one of at least three in the United States that have been attacked so far this year, according to Callow. Ransomware hit at least 10 other departments last year. Sometimes, the harm to police operations hasnt been too serious. In El Dorado, Arkansas, cybercriminals struck the police department last May, but its computer network was restored within about an hour because it had a good backup system, said Capt. Michael Leveritt. It was a big inconvenience, Leveritt said in an interview with Stateline. We lost all of our budget spreadsheets we had been working on. We had to rebuild every spreadsheet or go back to older archives and pull those templates. But it never hindered our daily operation. But other ransomware attacks on police departments have posed more serious threats. Among them: In April, hackers hit the Presque Isle Police Department in Maine, claiming they had files that included victim statements, confidential information and employees personal data. They posted a 2019 domestic violence incident report that included the victims personal information and police notes. They gave officials 240 hours to cooperate and threatened to leak more information. In July 2020, cybercriminals struck the Cooke County Sheriffs Office in Texas, posting screenshots they alleged were documents and data from the agency. Crime victims personal information may have been compromised. In April 2020, hackers attacked the Trenton Police Department in New Jersey for the second time in six months. In the first attack, digitally stored evidence was affected, sources told The Trentonian, and officers in some cases were unable to access critical information during car stops. In December 2019, criminals hit the St. Lucie County Sheriffs Office in Florida, demanding $1 million in bitcoin, a cryptocurrency. The county refused to pay. Many of the police agencys computer networks were taken down and phone calls, sheriffs office emails, fingerprinting and background checks, and criminal histories became inaccessible. In May 2018, Baltimores 911 dispatch system had to be shut down for about a day after hackers hit the citys network. Details about calls couldnt be relayed to dispatchers electronically and had to be handled manually. Double extortion Ransomware typically spreads through phishing emails, in which victims unwittingly click on emailed links or attachments designed to get personal information, such as passwords. Ransomware hijacks a computer system and encrypts data and holds it hostage until officials either restore the system on their own or pay a ransom, usually in bitcoin, in exchange for a decryption key. For years, hackers typically didnt steal the ransomed data or make it public. But that has changed, cybersecurity experts say. A growing number of cybercriminals are downloading files and threatening to release sensitive information publicly as additional leverage if they dont get paid. Experts call it double extortion. Guwahati, May 14 (PTI) Consul General of the Royal Bhutanese Consulate Phub Tshering on Friday called on Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and discussed various issues of mutual interests. The chief minister extended his gratitude to the Royal Bhutan King and the Prime Minister for their statesmanship which has helped in strengthening the bilateral relations between India and Bhutan with special focus on Assam, an official release said. The chief minister said that his government had keen interest in strenghtening mutual engagements between Assam and Bhutan. Sarma also advocated constant people to people contact between Assam and Bhutan, increase the trade volume, build new roads to take the relation between the state and the neighbouring country to a greater height. Tshering also sought Sarma's help for Bhutanese students to come to Assam for higher studies. The Consul General also thanked the chief minister for his statesmanship which has manifested in the form of more meaningful relations between Assam and Bhutan. PTI DG SNS SNS Did you know 'China' is named after this emperor? The significance of giving a country a name cannot be overstated. Along with a flag and a national anthem, characters like America and France will better define a country's general culture. The names of real people or historical personalities can be seen in any of the world's most well-known countries. Algeria, Cape Verde, and Costa Rica are only a handful of the countries named after famous people. Read more of these countries and the people who helped create them in the global gallery. United States of America - Amerigo Vespucci This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Many Americans don't know that the country's name comes from his ancestor, Amerigo Vespucci! He was an Italian explorer who discovered what is now known as New York, the Americas. Colombia - Christopher Columbus This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Colombia is a country in South America that is politically independent. The country is one of the most diversified nation, both culture and religion - with its name coined after Christopher Columbus. History recalls 1492 when the Italian explorer Christopher Columbus founded a Spanish colony in the Bahamas. China - Emperor Qin This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Anything else you need to know about China? Well, this multi-ethnic nation has a population of over a billion people! The country's name is derived from the title of China's first emperor, Qin Shihuang. Qin Shihuang, the First Emperor of China, was the first to unite the country. Dominican Republic - Saint Dominic This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. The Dominican Republic is situated on the island of Hispaniola. The Tano people have lived there since the 7th century. The country is named after Saint Dominic, a Castilian priest and patron saint of astronomy. Bolivia - Simon Bolivar This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Spanish people inhabited South America, which was previously and that is now a landlocked country. The name of Bolivia was given in honour of Venezuelan military and political leader Simon Bolivar, who contributed to the cause of several South American freedom movements. Philippines - Philip II This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. The archipelago nation is located in Southeast Asia. The Philippines are made up of around 7,600 island nations, referred to as Philip II of Spain. The emperor's domain included the Philippines and every other continent open to Europeans. Israel - Jacob/Israel The country of Israel is located on the eastern side of the Mediterranean Sea. In 1948, it broke away from the United Kingdom and established itself as an independent country. A country figure referred to as Jacob in Jewish tradition as Israel is a member of the church. Former Spain midfielder Xavi (file image) Doha [Qatar], May 13 (ANI): Spain football legend Xaxi on Thursday signed a two-year contract extension with Qatar club Al-Sadd. As a result, Xavi will now be in charge of the club until 2023. Al-Sadd head coach Xavi expressed his delight after extending his stay at the club and spoke of his aim to achieve more goals along with the players and the staff. Xavi in an official release said: "We achieved a lot together, scored goals, won matches and titles, and we are all very proud of this success. Getting this kind of support is the best thing any coach can get." He added: "I have everything I could want to do well, and I feel proud to continue with Al-Sadd for an additional two seasons." Regarding the rumours in the media about the existence of a clause in his new contract that allows him to leave at any time, the Al-Sadd coach said: "This is incorrect. I have a two-season contract with Al-Sadd, and I respect this contract, and I also respect the official negotiation methods between all parties." Xavi concluded by saying: "Our challenge is to continue to improve and develop, and I am very excited to help Al-Sadd players do that." Xavi took over the responsibility of coaching the Al-Sadd first team in the summer of 2019. He has won 6 titles so far with the team and has also reached the final of the 2021 Amir Cup. (ANI) CDC: Vaccinated People Can Largely Ditch Masks By The Associated Press WASHINGTON - In a major step toward returning to pre-pandemic life, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention eased indoor mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated people on Thursday, allowing them to stop wearing masks outdoors in crowds and inside in most situations.Anyone who is fully vaccinated can participate in indoor and outdoor activities large or small without wearing a mask or physically distancing. You can start doing the things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic, said Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the director of the CDC.U.S. virus cases are at their lowest rate since September, deaths are at their lowest point since last April and the test positivity rate is at the lowest point since the pandemic began.The new guidance still calls for masks in crowded indoor settings like buses, planes, hospitals and prisons but will help clear the way for reopening workplaces, schools, and other venues even removing the need for masks or social distancing for those who are fully vaccinated.The announcement comes as the CDC and the Biden administration have faced pressure to ease restrictions on fully vaccinated people, in part to highlight the benefits of getting the shot.Walensky said the long-awaited change is thanks to millions of people getting vaccinated and based on the latest science about how well those shots are working.Walensky said those who are not fully vaccinated should continue to wear masks indoors.The easing guidance is likely to open the door to confusion, since there is no surefire way for businesses or others to distinguish between those fully vaccinated and those who are not.To date about 154 million Americans, more than 46% of the population, have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccines and more than 117 million are fully vaccinated. The rate of new vaccinations has slowed in recent weeks, but with the authorization Wednesday of the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 12 to 15, a new burst of doses is expected in the coming days.Just two weeks ago, the CDC recommended that fully vaccinated people continue to wear masks indoors in all settings and outdoors in large crowds.During a virtual meeting Tuesday on vaccinations with a bipartisan group of governors, Joe Biden appeared to acknowledge that his administration had to do more to model the benefits of vaccination.I would like to say that we have fully vaccinated people; we should start acting like it, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox told Biden. And thats a big motivation get the unvaccinated to want to to get vaccinated.Good point, Biden responded. He added, Were going to be moving on that in the next little bit.In Kentucky on Thursday, Governor Andy Beshear echoed the CDC announcement that those fully vaccinated could forego masks indoors and out. Nuckolls, Beverly Beverly Jane Greenwell Nuckolls, 88, of Reidland, passed away on Tuesday, May 11, 2021 after a brief illness. She was born on April 18, 1933, to Clarence Coleman Greenwell and Mary Eloise Cooper Greenwell in Owensboro, Kentucky. The youngest of eleven children, she was affectionately called Shorty by her family and close friends. Beverlys mother died when she was just three years old, so her sister, Catherine Greenwell Atherton and husband, Leslie, raised her from the age of six. The Atherton family moved frequently for Leslies work, until Beverly entered junior high. Catherine insisted that they find a permanent home where she could finish school. The Athertons moved to Paducah, finally settling in Farley, where Beverly made many lifelong friends at Oaklawn Baptist Church and Reidland High School. She graduated in 1951. Beverly married her high school sweetheart, Thomas Earl Nuckolls, just a few days after graduation on June 21, 1951. During the next four years, the family grew as they welcomed two daughters, Kathy and Mary Jane. Over the years, Thomas and Beverlys bond just grew stronger and their Reidland roots grew deeper; they had been married 63 years at the time of his death in 2015. Beverly was a firm believer in hard work- inside and out of the home. She went to work in the McCracken County Court Clerks office in 1960 when her youngest daughter started school, and remained there for 33 years until her retirement in 1993. Nothing made her happier than a clean house or a full table for dinner. The family will always cherish their fond memories of Christmas mornings and her delicious turkey and dressing dinners. Beverly is survived by her daughters, Kathy Nuckolls of Paducah and Mary Jane (Luke) Robins of Sequim, Washington; two grandsons, Thomas (Andrea) Robins of Frederick, Maryland and John Robins of Miami, Florida; one great-granddaughter, Eleanor Robins; and one sister-in-law, Linda (Jerry) Severns. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and ten siblings. The family extends a special thanks to the staff of Oakview Nursing and rehabilitation Center for their care during these past few months and to all the members of Reidland Church of Christ for their love and support over the years. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations made in memory of Beverly Nuckolls to the Paducah Cooperative Ministry; 402 Legion Dr, Paducah, KY 42003. A graveside service will be held Sunday, May 16, 2021 at 2:00 pm at Rosebower Cemetery with Terrell Lee of Reidland Church of Christ officiating. We appreciate your help in maintaining state mandated Covid restrictions. This includes wearing a mask and maintaining the minimum 6 feet of distancing within the funeral home facilities at all times. During this difficult time, you may show your support by joining the "Hugs from Home" program, where your message will be attached to a balloon in the chapel to remind the family of your love and support. Please go to www.milnerandorr.com to share a hug, send a message or light a candle. 404 1. Yes. Its important to keep my child as safe as possible. We plan to take advantage. 2. Yes. With the school district dropping its mask mandate, its a necessary step. 3. No. Local COVID cases are dropping. There is no good reason to vaccinate my child. 4. No. There hasnt been enough data on vaccinated children. I think Ill hold off. 5. Unsure. I havent decided yet whether to take part in the vaccine clinics. Vote View Results by Nirmala Carvalho The rising number of deaths caused by the pandemic is causing tensions involving Catholic cemeteries. For Sajan K George (Global Council of Indian Christians), burial rights cannot be denied. Despite international aid, people continue to die from a lack of oxygen supplies at a Goa hospital. Mumbai (AsiaNews) The rising number of deaths due to COVID-19 is causing tensions around Christians right to burial. According to the latest data, India reported 343,144 new cases in the last 24 hours with some 4,000 deaths in the country; meanwhile, in Odisha a person who died from COVID-19 was not allowed to be buried in a Catholic cemetery. The victim, Manjula Beero, lived in Mohana, a village in Gajapati district. The 63-year-old woman, who suffered from a mental disorder for 25 years, died on Tuesday, but could not be buried in the local Catholic cemetery, next to St Peter's Church, Diocese of Berhampur. In accordance with established COVID-19 guidelines, a public official contacted the woman's son, who was confined at his home in quarantine and was therefore unable to obtain permission from the local priest, Father Valentine Uttansingh, to bury his mother at the local Catholic cemetery. Contacted by the village catechist, the priest said that the cemetery was running out of space, and that the ground in the cemetery was sandy and the soil was eroding. Hence, the official suggested to the womans son that she be buried elsewhere and he accepted. However, Hindu residents in the village refused to allow the womans remains to pass through the village. So in the end, Manjula Beeros son Rajanikanth decided to bury his mother at their house. For the family, the sad part of the story is the fact that Church authorities had allowed four local people who died from COVID-19 in the last two weeks to be buried in the local cemetery abiding by the rules. Sajan K George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), strongly condemned the denial of a Catholic burial; in his view, the dead womans religious and human rights were denied. The denial of the Catholic burial rite offends the religious feelings of a family already hurting, he said. The government allows the burial of Christian and Muslim victims of COVID-19 and the High Court of Bombay has also enshrined that right. What is more, The Archdiocese of Hyderabad has issued new guidelines stressing that bodies must be sealed in a leak-proof zip bag before they are placed inside a coffin. The grave must be sanitised after the coffin is placed into the ground. Meanwhile, despite international aid, COVID-19 patients continue to die in hospital from lack of oxygen. The Medical College & Hospital, a government-run facility in Bambolin (Goa), saw three consecutive days of higher than normal deaths (62) caused by the lack of oxygen supplies. The High Court at Goa intervened in the matter with a stern warning to the state government. Statistics show that deaths are happening due to lack of oxygen. Do not try to deny the fact. We are aware that the issue has not yet been sorted out yet. This is the first time that the assets of a defendant on trial under the National Security Act are frozen. The assets include Jimmy Lais 70 per cent share of the Next Digital media company, which owns the Apple Daily. Meanwhile, its Taiwanese edition will stop its print version because pro-China forces affected its advertising revenues. Hong Kong (AsiaNews) Hong Kongs national security police froze nearly HK$ 500 million (US$ 64 million) in assets belonging to media mogul Jimmy Lai. The South China Morning Post reports that the frozen assets include 70 per cent of Lais shares in his Next Digital media company, which owns the anti-establishment Apple Daily newspaper. In a statement issued late in the afternoon, Hong Kongs Security Bureau confirmed the action. This is the first time that local authorities have used the security law to seize a defendants property. Lai has been in prison for several months charged with national security offences, including participation in two unauthorised protests in August 2019. Prosecutors also accuse him of illegally subletting space meant for Next Digital in a building owned by the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, a state-funded body. Both Hong Kong and mainland authorities appear to be increasingly targeting Lai's publishing empire. The Commissioner of Police of the Hong Kong Police Force Chris Tang has in fact accused the Apple Daily of spreading fake news in order to vilify law enforcement, and has not ruled out taking legal against the paper for violating the national security law. Meanwhile, the Taiwanese edition of Apple Daily will stop publishing its print edition starting next week. In an open letter to readers today, the paper explained that the move was dictated by the need to cut losses, blaming pro-China forces" in Hong Kong for boycotting various advertising resources, making Apple Daily Taiwan's operations "extremely difficult." Over 150 "underground targets" in the Strip were hit overnight. Three rockets launched from Lebanon in the direction of Israel. Netanyahu warns: "The operation will last as long as necessary". Clashes in Israel between Orthodox and Arabs. President Rivlin appeals for calm. Fears of an internal civil war. Jerusalem (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Israel intensified military operations against Hamas in Gaza overnight with fighter jets, helicopters and troops on the ground, hitting over 150 "underground targets". However, the rumours circulated of a ground attack in the Strip remain unconfirmed. In response, Palestinian militias have stepped up rocket and missile launches on southern Israel. At least three rockets were launched from Lebanon in the direction of Israel, but they crashed into the sea without causing damage. In this case, Hezbollah's involvement was denied. The news of a ground operation was initially reported by some international media based on a note in English by the Israeli army spokesman Jonathan Conricus which fuelled confusion among reporters. Some experts hypothesize a plan by the top military to try to deceive Hamas, in the context of a battle that is also "psychological, as well as military". Interim Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened Palestinian militias saying that they will pay a "high price" for launching missiles at the Israeli population and that "the operation will continue for as long as necessary". We will act with all our strength - he added - against the enemies outside and against the outlaws inside to restore calm to the State of Israel. Since the start of hostilities from Gaza, over 1,800 rockets have fired in the direction of Israeli cities, 90% of which were intercepted by the "Iron Dome" defence system. Meanwhile, hopes are fading for a de-escalation of violence between Israelis and Palestinians, triggered in recent weeks by the blockade of prayer and access to the Temple Mount during Ramadan and by the dispute over some properties in the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood. The updated toll speaks of over 100 victims in Gaza, including 27 children, and more than 600 injured; at least seven victims on the Israeli front. The military clash between the Israeli army and Palestinian Hamas militiamen risks causing repercussions even within Israel: in the last few hours there have been clashes between Orthodox Jews and Arab-Israelis in various parts of the country. The epicentre of the new outbreak of violence was the town of Lod, not far from Tel Aviv, where scuffles, cars set on fire and Molotov cocktails and beatings took place. Netanyahu threatened to send the army to restore order and calm. President Reuven Rivlin is more cautious, inviting the parties to calm down, fearing the concrete danger of a civil war within the country, while a new emergency meeting of the UN Security Council is scheduled for today in an attempt to find a solution to the crisis with the participation of Israeli and Palestinian representatives. May 14: Africans in Brazil rejoiced on this day as their country became the last in the western hemisphere to end enslavement, 1888 May 14: Africans in Brazil rejoiced on this day as their country became the last in the western hemisphere to end enslavement, 1888 Brought to you by the Black365 Calendar. Find out more at Black365.com ADVERTISEMENT Interested in Latinx History? Check out the worlds only Latinx Facts Calendar at LatinxCalendar.com President Joe Biden has released a plan that aims to conserve nearly one-third of Americas land and water by 2030. The plan, announced last week, calls for supporting local conservation projects across the country in an effort to safeguard public, private, and tribal areas. The plan is described in a report called America the Beautiful. It says the proposal aims to make conservation and restoration of land and water a top goal of the Biden administration. The plan would clean drinking water, increase green space, and improve access to outdoor enjoyment, the report says. It also aims to restore healthy fisheries and reduce the risk of wildfires. The report says the efforts will produce thousands of new jobs while seeking new solutions to climate change and environmental justice. The plan calls for increased efforts to improve access to the outdoors by disadvantaged communities. President Biden has set a goal of conserving at least 30 percent of U.S. land and water by 2030. The report says that if successful, the plan will help slow climate change and protect some of the countrys most beautiful land for future generations. The Center for American Progress is a private research organization that presents progressive ideas. It says that currently about 12 percent of the countrys land and 25 percent of its water are protected. The protected areas are not just parks. They include wilderness areas, refuges, agricultural land, forests and other areas covered under conservation agreements. The plan suggests a series of actions. They include an expanded federal aid program to create local parks, support tribal conservation aims, expand wildlife areas and increase access to outdoor exercise. The proposal also calls for creating a program to organize civilians to work on conservation and restoration projects across the nation. The plan follows through on one of Bidens main campaign promises. It also builds on the Great American Outdoors Act. The act was a 2020 law that approved nearly $3 billion for conservation and outdoor projects. Bidens plan depends heavily on voluntary conservation efforts by farmers, forest owners and fishing communities. The administration did not provide a cost estimate for the proposal. However, officials said much of the spending could be covered by department budgets, the 2020 outdoors law, the 2018 farm bill and Bidens recently proposed $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan. The report says the plan should be seen as a call to action to support locally led conservation and restoration efforts of all kinds and all over America. Im Dan Friedell Matthew Daly reported on this story for the Associated Press. Gregory Stachel adapted the report for VOA Learning English. Bryan Lynn was the editor. _____________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story conserve v. to keep (something) safe or from being damaged or destroyed restoration n. the act or process of returning something to its original condition by repairing it or cleaning it access n. the right or ability to approach, enter, or use disadvantaged adj. lacking the things such as money and education that are considered necessary for an equal position in society refuge n. a place where people or animals are protected from danger infrastructure n. the basic equipment and structures (such as roads and bridges) that are needed for a country, region, or organization to function properly As fighting intensified this week between Israeli and Palestinian forces, residents of Gaza are once again facing the question: Where can we go to escape the violence? Casualties grew this week during the worst violence between Israel and the Gaza Strip since a 2014 war. More than 87 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since Monday, including 18 children and eight women, Gazas Health Ministry reported. Among the dead were both militants and civilians. More than 500 people have been wounded. Israeli bombs hit Umm Majed al-Rayyes apartment building in Gaza City on Wednesday, throwing her from her bed. As walls exploded and windows broke, the 50-year-old gathered her four children and tried to find a place to hide. This whole territory is a tiny place. Its a prison. Everywhere you go, youre a target, said al-Rayyes, who said she was able to seek shelter in a neighbors house. She said the Israeli airstrike came without warning. Gaza is a small, crowded piece of land with more than 2 million people. There are no air raid warnings or safe houses. Temporary shelters built by the United Nations have been destroyed during years of conflict. During the past two days, Israeli airstrikes struck three large buildings with important Hamas offices and some businesses. Sometimes the Israeli military fired warning shots, permitting people to make an escape. Fighter jets also targeted several residential buildings without warning, in neighborhoods where Israel said militants lived. At a Gaza City hospital, one woman said Israeli missiles hit her two-story building on Wednesday. She said the strike killed her 4-year-old grandson and pregnant daughter-in-law. They bombed them without any warning. The house had nothing but the kids, she cried at the hospital. The Israeli government has long accused Hamas of using civilians as human shields. Militants often launch rockets from civilian areas and set up command centers inside residential buildings. Yet Israel received heavy criticism for bombing residences during the 2014 war with Hamas. Gaza residents say they feel nowhere is safe and they cannot leave the area. Since Hamas took control in 2007, Gaza has been under an Israeli-Egyptian blockade. Along its borders, Gaza is surrounded by fences, concrete walls, and steel barriers. To the east lies the Mediterranean Sea, where Israel restricts Palestinian boats from traveling too far. Zeyad Khattab is a pharmacist in Gaza City. He fled to the family home in central Gaza where he grew up along with 12 relatives when bombs hit his apartment building. There is nowhere to run, there is nowhere to hide, he said. That terror is impossible to describe. During the 2008 and 2014 wars, airstrikes shook Khattabs apartment building and broke some windows. But on Wednesday, the building -- which houses around 400 people -- collapsed. There is always this undercurrent of anxiety, but this time is different, he said. This weeks fighting grew out of violence in Jerusalem at the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Dome of the Rock. Experts have long warned that growing tensions at the site, which is holy to both Muslims and Jews, could lead to wider conflict. There is growing fear that the latest fighting will turn into a longer war. Missiles from Hamas and other militant groups have sent hundreds of thousands of Israelis running to bomb shelters across the country. Some missiles have reached Israeli cities, killing at least seven people. In any other year, the streets of Gaza City would be crowded with Palestinians ahead of the Eid al-Fitr holiday, which started Wednesday evening. The holiday is one of the biggest Muslim festivals of the year and marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. Markets and restaurants would be full. Families would be enjoying the beaches. Instead, shops were closed. The citys streets remained nearly empty except for emergency vehicles and Hamas security forces. Bombs exploded in the distance. Saud Abu Ramadan is an independent journalist in Gaza City. Its the same atmosphere of 2014, he said. He was speaking about the 7-week war that killed more than 2,000 Palestinians, including hundreds of civilians, and destroyed much of Gaza. Warplanes are buzzing, and people are just trying to keep their heads down. Al-Rayyes, who fled her falling apartment building in Gaza City, said the latest fighting had brought so much pain to the territory. But thank God the children have been through this before and theyre strong, she said. She then corrected herself. Theyre pretending to be strong. Im Jonathan Evans. Isabel Debre and Fares Akram reported this story for the Associated Press. Dan Novak adapted it for VOA Learning English. Bryan Lynn was the editor. __________________________________________________ Words in This Story resident -n. a person who lives or has their home in a place blockade -n. an act of war in which one country uses ships to stop people or supplies from entering or leaving another country concrete -n. a hard, strong material that is used for building and made by mixing cement, sand, and broken rocks with water pharmacist -n. a person who is trained to prepare and give out medicines in a hospital or storeundercurrent -n. a hidden feeling or tendency that is usually different from the one that is easy to see or understand anxiety -n. fear or nervousness about what might happen pretend -v. to act as if something is true when it is not true The head of the Virgin Hyperloop transport system says the company aims to begin carrying passengers by 2027. Josh Giegel helped start the company and is its chief executive officer. He made the comments to a Reuters reporter at the companys development and testing center near Las Vegas, Nevada. The Virgin Hyperloop system is based on a technology called magnetic levitation. It uses magnetic fields to lift a vehicle off the ground a little and to push it forward. Some high-speed trains also use this technology. But unlike trains, a Hyperloop is designed to operate within tubes containing very little air. Electric propulsion moves vehicles, called pods, through the tubes at high speeds. The system offers nearly silent travel and reportedly releases no carbon emissions. Last November, Giegel rode inside a Virgin Hyperloop pod along with another company official during the systems first test with passengers. The company said the vehicle reached a top speed of 172 kilometers per hour in that test. But Virgin Hyperloop says the systems pods are designed to move at much higher speeds, up to 1,200 kilometers per hour. It says such a vehicle could complete a trip between New York and Washington, D.C. in 30 minutes. That would be two times as fast as a jet flight and four times faster than a high-speed train. "It will feel like an aircraft at take-off and once you're at speed," Giegel told Reuters. "You won't even have turbulence because our system iscompletely able to react to all of that turbulence. The pods will seat 28 passengers and could be specially designed to travel long or short distances, or to carry goods, the company said. While the system is still in early development, Giegel predicted that commercial operations could start as early as 2027. Virgin Hyperloop is looking to first develop passenger systems in India, where the transport system is overcrowded, and in Saudi Arabia, which lacks infrastructure. Giegel said it could be the first form of transportation in 100 years to revolutionize travel, as cars, trains and airplanes did before. "It starts off with two people riding a Hyperloop. It ends with hundreds of millions of people riding on a Hyperloop and that's what the 2020s - the roaring 20s - will be," he added. Virgin Hyperloop has partners that include Virgin Group founder Richard Branson and the port operations company DP World, which is owned by the Dubai government. Im Bryan Lynn. Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from Reuters and Virgin Hyperloop. Mario Ritter, Jr. 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 levitation n. making something rise into the air propulsion n. the force produced by a system for moving, or propelling, a vehicle emission n. the act of producing or sending out something (such as energy or gas) from a source; something that is sent out or produced by something commercial adj. concerned with earning money turbulence n. an unsteady or violent movement of air or water infrastructure n. the basic equipment and structures (such as roads and bridges) that are needed for a country or region roaring adj. very load active or strong by Melani Manel Perera The government has imposed new restrictions to stem the tide of infection. Almost 900 people have reportedly died so far. Travel is limited during the curfew; non-essential activities are restricted, but for Muslims, this time brings a spiritually high experience to pray and heal the wounds caused by the coronavirus. Colombo (AsiaNews) Sri Lankan Muslims are celebrating Eid-al-Fitr, the feast that marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting and prayer. This comes as the authorities impose new restrictions and limits to contain the latest coronavirus wave that is sweeping the country, For Sri Lankas Muslim community, just under 10 per cent of the countrys population, this is usually an time to meet and celebrate together. This year, while upholding health guidelines and accepting positively all the rules and regulations, Muslims still want to celebrate the occasion because it is considered a blessing by all citizens. However, last night Sri Lankan authorities cancelled all important religious festivals and introduced restrictions on nationwide travel to contain the spread of the coronavirus. So far the official death toll has reached 892. As of yesterday until 17 May, a curfew is in place from 11 pm to 5 am across the island. According to General Shavendra Silva, head of the National Operation Centre for Prevention of Covid-19 Outbreak, people will not be able to leave their homes nor engage in any non-essential activities, like restaurants. Doctors and medical staff as well as people involved in food supplies are exempt. A Muslim businessman, Abdul Salmankhan, owner of a telecommunications equipment shop in Colombo, accuses the countrys leaders of being reckless from the start. In his view, everyone has become a victim. Muslims in particular today. We have to celebrate our Eid Mubarak at home. Because of the restrictions, celebrations will be low key, but spiritually high, he said. We pray to heal wounds in Sri Lanka and the world. M.S.S. Muneer, an activist and member of the All Ceylon Muslim League in Negombo, plans to pray for all nations who face this epidemic, that they may have speedy recovery. For a month, during Ramadan, we have suppressed all thoughts and desires, he explained, now, it will not be difficult to maintain that restraint for a few more days and help create a healthy atmosphere in the country. For Sheik Abdullah Abdul Rahaman, a Muslim preacher, we must take responsibility for each others safety during this difficult time, and care for the well-being of others while not getting discouraged about the rules. Believers can pray at home with their families and this is a blessing, in his view, not something to be regretted since it enables everyone to worship God in the unity of the whole family. To mark Eid, Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa sent a message of good wishes to the Muslim community, calling on them to work together for the peace and harmony of the nation. Without a doubt, the appeal to save humankind from the lethal COVID-19 pandemic is among the wishes of our Muslim citizens, the president said. "On the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, I offer my best wishes with the expectation that all those virtuous wishes may come true. Indicted on four counts of sedition, he is accused of helping young pro-democracy activists flee Hong Kong and funding secessionist organisations in Taipei. The radio host is considered a threat to the Chinese Communist Party. Long Hair Leung Kwok-hung will also remain in prison. Hong Kong (AsiaNews) Wan Yiu-sing, a Hong Kong radio talk show host known as Giggs, has been indicted for his close ties to organisations in Taiwan that help young Hong Kongers escape because of their involvement in secessionist activities, which are punishable under the national security law mainland China imposed on Hong Kong. As a result, High Court judge Esther Toh in March rejected the request for bail made by the lawyers of the Channel D100 radio host. The court only published the reasons for its decision yesterday. Wan was indicted on four counts of sedition. According to Judge Toh, the nature of his dealings with the Taiwanese Presbyterian Church and the Taiwan-based Judicial Reform Foundation suggest that he can repeat the offence for which he is accused or attempt to flee to Taiwan. Wans defence lawyer called for his clients release arguing that he was indicted under the Crime Ordinance, and that there was no evidence that he would commit crimes against national security if released. The radio host was first arrested in November 2020 on money laundering charges, i.e. funding secessionist groups. Wan also often addressed issues related to the pro-democracy demonstrations of 2019 and raised HK$ 13 million (UIS$ 1.6 million) to help young Hong Kongers go to Taiwan to study. According to the police, this money actually was used to finance fugitives involved in operations against national security and the Chinese Communist Party. Judge Toh also rejected bail application by activists Jimmy Sham and Long Hair Leung Kwok-hung, a former lawmaker. The two are among 47 people facing trial for organising or taking part in primary elections in July 2020 to select pro-democracy candidates for the Hong Kong Legislative Council election set for September 2020 (eventually postponed). Toh said it is highly likely that Leung and Sham will commit acts endangering national security again if granted bail. In her view, Leung has great international stature while Sham is a determined and resolute young man. Leung must also serve an 18-month prison sentence for organising and taking part in a major anti-government protest on 18 August 2019. I. India Thusi (Widener University - Delaware Law School) has posted The Feminist Script for Punishment (Harvard Law Review, 2021) on SSRN. Here is the abstract: In her new book, The Feminist War on Crime, Professor Aya Gruber provides a critique of feminists, who have sought political vindication through a governance of punishment. Professor Elizabeth Bernstein coined the term carceral feminism to describe the feminist commitment to a law and order agenda and . . . a drift from the welfare state to the carceral state as the enforcement apparatus for feminist goals. While feminist movements have expanded the opportunities available to women and girls, too often their means for achieving these accomplishments have been paved on a path of the privileges of feminist elites. These privileges are immune from the pressures of multiple forms of subordination that form the interstitial web of inequality that many other women encounter. These other women are also Other women, in that they are often outsiders in American society, not just because they are women, but also because they are women of color, poor, immigrant, less educated, disabled, and/or queer. The positionality of these Other women is important because they often have personal experiences that make engagement with the state apparatus for punishment undesirable. Black feminists advanced the concerns of the Other women through their activism for state responses that address the systemic, material conditions that make women vulnerable to violence, rather than through engagement with the technologies of punishment. Other women have experienced state violence, either through the inherited trauma that runs in their blood from the violence against their ancestors, or through their daily experiences of everyday subordination within their communities. White, elite feminists have often missed their perspectives. Or, at times, they have outright demeaned their perspectives. Either way, the path to gender equality has had an unsettling entanglement with carcerality. And the logics of punishment and imprisonment have informed feminist demands for reforms. This feminist fascination with the carceral is the subject of Grubers book. Grubers historical analysis of the entanglement between feminism and incarceration illustrates that the feminist rage against the patriarchy has at times transformed into retributivist impulses to punish, which contradict feminist values and exacerbate social injustice. Gruber recounts several examples of feminist campaigns that advanced a feminist script for punishment. Many of these campaigns were motivated by the laudable aim of eradicating violence against women and improving womens ability to lead safe and healthy lives. The various feminist campaigns for more punishment occurred in different decades and had various leaders. But they all share a common script about punishment. They developed similar story lines about women. They painted victims and villains that look remarkably similar through the decades. They subscribe to the same dominant story about the role of the criminal law as a sword against perpetrators. While the individual characters in the script vary and are not always identical, many of the elements that advance their pleas for additional punishment are remarkably similar. These stories follow the same script: a feminist script for punishment. Recommended. Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. The Apple Springs Volunteer Fire Department used a $9,700 grant from the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program to help buy a multi-force training door, which will provide firefighters with hands-on experience. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. by Vladimir Rozanskij The famous blogger had criticized the president's policies and the corruption of the regime. He also denounced the authorities' use of false accusations to convict other bloggers. Kidnapped in January, he was tried in March and sentenced two days ago. Moscow (AsiaNews) - Uzbek blogger Otabek Sattori (photo 1) was sentenced by the court of the Surkhandarinsk region to 6 years and 6 months of detention in regime colony. He is guilty of having posted criticism online the policies of the regime of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and of the regional governors. The sentence was reported on May 12 by the Uzbek section of Radio Svoboda, citing the press release of the national Supreme Court. The prosecutor had asked for an 11-year sentence for Sattori. The sentence was applied to the charges of "high extortion", "offenses" and "falsehood" according to the Uzbek Penal Code. Umidbek Davlatov, the blogger's lawyer, told reporters that he was absolutely dissatisfied with this ruling. Everyone can plainly see it was a totally unjust sentence. We intend to appeal and continue the fight. Otabek Sattori has become well known for his critical interventions in the video-blog Khalk fikri (The peoples opinion), which available on Telegram and YouTube. In one of the speeches he had openly accused the local authorities of having "fabricated" some criminal cases against other bloggers, and had promised to continue, "despite the repressions", to raise questions about widespread corruption among public officials. Sattori was kidnapped on January 30 from his home in Termez by some people in uniform, and only on March 11 did the trial against him begin. Many international organizations have turned to the government of Tashkent to demand the release of the "Uzbek Naval'nyj", who according to various observers was himself arrested on fictitious charges. Gulnoza Said (photo 2), coordinator of the Committee for the Protection of Journalists (CPJ) for Europe and Central Asia, said that "the persecution of bloggers and civilian journalists for their reporting on corruption is a violation of their constitutional rights. Journalists in Uzbekistan must have the opportunity to do their job, without fear of being continually accused of invented facts. Unfortunately, our website is currently unavailable in your country. We are engaged on the issue and committed to looking at options that support our full range of digital offerings to your market. We continue to identify technical compliance solutions that will provide all readers with our award-winning journalism. (HealthDay)A mysterious illness that caused brain injuries to more than 130 spies, diplomats, soldiers, and other U.S. personnel overseas during the past few years is going to be vigorously investigated, The New York Times reported Wednesday. The number of Americans affected is far more than has previously been reported. The initial 60 cases were in China and Cuba and did not include a group of CIA officers because that information is not public. The new total includes cases from Europe and elsewhere in Asia. At least three CIA officers reported serious health effects from episodes overseas. One occurred within the past two weeks, and all have required treatment at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center or other facilities, according to The Times. In a 2019 case that had not been reported before, a military officer serving overseas was overcome by nausea and headaches while driving. His 2-year-old son began crying. After the officer drove out of the intersection, his nausea stopped and the child stopped crying. Government officials believe the officer may have been targeted. That incident caused the Trump and Biden administrations to investigate further. Officials have not determined who or what is responsible for the episodes or whether they are actually attacks. Some Pentagon officials believe Russia's military intelligence agency, the G.R.U., is most likely responsible, but intelligence agencies have not determined the cause or if a foreign country is involved, The Times said. Moscow has denied any involvement. Some victims have suffered debilitating headaches, sudden-onset vertigo, nausea, and head or neck pain. Some victims have chronic symptoms and pain, which suggests possible permanent brain damage. Doctors at Walter Reed are concerned that victims may be at risk for suicide, The Times reported. The mystery was reported first by diplomats and CIA officers in Havana in 2016 who were sickened with vertigo, nausea, and headaches. Similar episodes have occurred in Russia, The Times said. Explore further Microwave weapon suspected in mystery attacks on US diplomats: report More information: The New York Times Article Copyright 2021 HealthDay. All rights reserved. Credit: CC0 Public Domain A biopsy revealed Carol Smith's worst fears last October: She had endometrial cancer typically found in the uterus that could aggressively spread. Her oncologists told Smith it's treatable and laid out the next steps: grueling chemotherapy, radiation appointments, and overwhelming doctor visits. A month later, she discovered a Facebook ad about Jasper, a free digital care planner helping cancer patients and their caregivers keep track of an emotional and potentially expensive journey. Curious, Smith became an early tester of Jasper's daily planner and reading curated cancer articles on the site. She figured it was better than scouring the internet to learn more about her diagnosis, sticking Post-It notes on her fridge to remember appointment dates, and being bombarded by loved ones constantly asking: "How are you feeling?" "Do you have to undergo chemo?" and, of course, "What can I do to help?" "I'm a very organized person, but it's very frustrating to feel that you're discombobulated and all over the place," said Smith, 63, a retired teacher and mother of seven adult children in Lander, Wyoming. "I still have difficulty focusing, but Jasper is helping me keep it together." Soon, Jasper reps started asking Smith and other initial users what could the early-stage startup that began in beta in November do to improve. After months of back-end testing and several user suggestions, Jasper launched to the general public on Wednesday, spearheaded by two longtime executives who have led digital health and virtual care strategies for top pharmacy chains Walgreens Boots Alliance and CVS. Cancer care coordination: Making it easier for patients and caregivers In 2019, there were roughly 17 million Americans with a history of cancer alive, and that number is expected to climb to 22 million by 2030, according to a recent report by the American Cancer Society. "I said to myself, 'Gosh, there has to be a lot of digital cancer planner platforms out there (like Jasper)?' But there aren't," said Jasper CEO Adam Pellegrini, adding that a mobile app will be available soon. "That is the essence for us, to be a load-lifter." Pellegrini joined Jasper last month after previously leading virtual and digital health care initiatives at CVS, Fitbit, Walgreens Boots Alliance and the American Cancer Society, and said this new venture creates an untapped opportunity. Jasper helps patients and their caregivers create and edit a planner to schedule and manage appointments, reminders, report daily symptoms, and possible side effects. The information, which is privacy protected by federal law, can also be shared with doctors and health providers. It also lets users create "to-dos" and recommended task lists and has a library with updated articles on specific types of cancer. And a specialized oncology social worker is on hand in the "Ask an Expert" chat area. Jasper is a part of Redesign Health, a New York-based incubator formed in 2018 that's helped launch 16 health care startups and announced in March that it has raised $250 million from investors to create 50 more health startups. As part of its public launch, Jasper has raised $6.75 million in seed funding. It joins an accelerating rate of digital health startups that rose during the pandemic. Its emergence comes as venture capitalists invested a record $7 billion into health care services during the first quarter, according to Pitchbook, a research firm, which noted that's the highest quarterly total in nearly a decade. Those massive investments in the digital health startup space helped lure Pellegrini and Greg Orr, who's now Jasper's chief commercial and product officer, said Kira Wampler, venture chair at Redesign Health. The funding allows them to solely focus on "a deeply empathetic patient-focused approach," Wampler said. Orr, who most recently led the digital health team for Walgreens Boots Alliance, the parent company for the two merged drug store chains, agreed with Wampler about Jasper's goals. "We want to better empower patients by giving them and their caretakers the tools and the right information at the right time," Orr said. "We want to be that virtual bridge for them." They echo sentiments by then-Vice President Joe Biden who urged a group of startup health founders in San Francisco in 2017 to help fight cancer, nearly two years after his eldest son, and former Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden died of brain cancer in 2015. "Don't let the old system hinder your intellectual capacity, your dreams and hope, and the ability you all possess, you have to change the system," Biden said to a hushed audience. And now that Biden is president, Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, the former American Cancer Society's deputy medical director now on Jasper's advisory board, hopes that the health industry "understands the system is changing and we need to put more control in the hands of patients and their families." Helping to manage one patient's battle against breast cancer That's what Nicole Nunn of Homewood, Illinois, was seeking when she also found Jasper through an online ad in January. A skin care consultant and married mother of two teenage girls, Nunn has been battling breast cancer since Feb. 2020. And, after successfully going through rounds of chemo, Nunn and her husband then caught and beat COVID-19 in December. "All of that combined forced me to find something that would help me to be more functional, for my caretakers to see what's going on and not to forget to leave anybody out of the loop," said Nunn, 45, who added not only her household to Jasper but also her sister who's a nurse, doctors, aunts and some members of her church. "They all have the ability to see my calendar," said Nunn about her caregiving team. "They know when and how I'm taking my meds, going to my lab tests, my mood, if I need a ride, and they can pick which assignments to do." Nunn said she's also given Jasper administrators feedback on how to improve the site, including improving its search mode and how to make its online store easier to buy items like cancer scarves. She said she will especially rely on Jasper when she has reconstructive surgery scheduled in July. As for Smith, she and her husband plan to throw a backyard party in August to thank everyone who "surrounded us with their love." They used Jasper to track Smith's progress, especially when she was alone undergoing radiation treatment in a Billings, Montana, hospital for six weeks while her husband had to stay home to have hip surgery. "It felt like every day I got cards, packages, and I thanked them all verbally so many times, I just don't feel like it's enough," said Smith, who has no plans to stop using Jasper on her iPad. "I'm clearfor now," she said, well aware that her cancer could reappear. "I don't know if we call this stage that I'm in either cancer-free or remission. I may need to look it up, on Jasper." Explore further Cisco buying IoT platform Jasper for $1.4 bn (c)2021 U.S. Today Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Khara Gresham, D14, MG15 (MPH) tucks her hair into a professional health care head covering designed by Joke Alesh, A11, D15, MG16 (MPH). Photo: Courtesy of Alesh When Joke Alesh, a Rhode Island dentist, became a new mother, one of her worries was whether germs would be able to hitch a ride home from the office on her long, braided hair and pose a risk for her baby. And when COVID hit, the need to cover all her hair at work became even more urgent. But most scrub caps for health care professionals weren't designed for Black women and men with natural hairstyles or textured hair, or, for that matter, for anyone with a big head of hair. They weren't roomy enough, and the friction created by the cotton caps was very drying. She found herself doubling up, forcing her scrub cap over the kind of hair-protecting bonnet that she wore to bed"but that was not a clean or professional look," says Alesh, A11, D15, MG16 (MPH). "In dental Facebook groups, the question kept coming up: Does anyone know where to get satin-lined scrub caps in plain, solid colors?" Alesh says. "And when it seemed no one could solve the problem, I decided it would have to be me." The result was Headgear by Doctor Alesh, her line of satin-lined scrub caps and bonnets for health care professionals. The business launched this past December, with head coverings in three colors, and within four months, with steady demand, she had increased the offerings to 19 colors; satin-lined headbands are on the way. The caps are produced locally in her hometown of Providence. Dentist Joke Alesh, A11, D15, MG16 (MPH). Credit: Joke Alesh Designing what she wanted to wear was not new for Alesh. "I'm Nigerian, and in our culture, we make a lot of our own clothes," she says. For a big event, it would not be uncommon for her to buy fabric and sketch out an outfit that could then be professionally tailored. She went through a similar process to create the scrub caps. Her goal was to get them on the market by the end of 2020, and she made her deadline with just days to spare. At the same time, she juggled working through the pandemic at a community health center and in private practice, all while her daughter's day care was shuttered. She sees nothing incongruous in being a dentist with an apparel line. "It's my personality. When I get an idea, it's not, 'this is not in my lane'I don't feel I have a lane. I do whatever interests me." In response to customer queries, she modified some of her cotton-broadcloth caps to include buttons for mask loops, "to give the ears a break." She also sells synthetic work wigs, manufactured by other companies, that align with her sense of professional style. "If I have my scrubs on all day, and then need to break for dinner, or a meeting, my hair can still be protected," she says. "I've gotten really good feedback," Alesh says. "This project means a lot to me, as someone who has natural hair, textured hair, really long hair." While some satin-lined caps in print patterns were already available when she developed her product, she likes that her solid colors present a professional look. "It's a really simple design; it's my aesthetic; I didn't want these to be loud," she says. "As a Black woman in America, I see so many things that in their creation, did not consider me. The first time I realized that Band-Aids were called 'skin tone," I cried," she says A product designed by a Black woman, for other Black women, is powerful, she says. "It is important to feel seen." Explore further Women 'risk' gray hair to feel authentic More information: Headgear by Doctor Alesh: Headgear by Doctor Alesh: www.doctoralesh.com/shop New research shows that people who suffer from recurrent abdominal pain in childhood may be more likely to have disordered eating as teenagers. Credit: Shutterstock New research shows that people who suffer from recurrent abdominal pain in childhood may be more likely to have disordered eating as teenagers. This is the first study to provide prospective evidence of an association between recurrent abdominal pain at aged 7-9 years and fasting to control weight at aged 16 years. The study, published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders, suggests that recurrent abdominal pain, the most common gastro-intestinal complaint of childhood, may be an independent risk factor for later fasting to control weight. Researchers at the University of Oxford, Duke University U.S., and the University of Bristol, used the "Children of the 90s' population cohort of 14,000 children in the UK, to explore this association. Dr. Kate Stein, lead author on the study, Department of Psychiatry, University Oxford, said, "Record numbers of young people are being referred to NHS eating disorder services with more than twice as many referrals in 2020 as there were in 2017. The factors behind eating disorders are complex, but our findings suggest that for some patients, recurrent abdominal pain in childhood may precede and contribute to later problems. "While we cannot confirm that childhood recurrent abdominal pain increases the risk of developing an eating disorder, we suspect that some children become fearful of their pain and start to avoid foods which they associate with the pain. This could then set them on a trajectory which leads to unhelpful fasting behaviors in adolescence." The authors of the study outline three specific recommendations for clinicians: Enquire about a history of childhood recurrent abdominal pain in patients with eating disorders Assess disordered eating in patients with gastro-intestinal disorders, such as childhood recurrent abdominal pain Address patients' anxiety associated with their gastro-intestinal sensations when treating eating disorders Dr. Stein continues, "By enquiring about a history of childhood recurrent abdominal pain in all patients with eating disorders, we would be able to identify patients whose childhood pain may have contributed to their food avoidance and tailor their treatment plan accordingly. Similarly, by assessing disordered eating in patients with gastro-intestinal problems, we may be able to prevent unhelpful eating patterns as they grow up." The study findings show an association between a child suffering from abdominal pain three or more times a year and later fasting for weight control at aged 16 years. However, there was no association found between childhood abdominal pain suffered five or more times a year and later adolescent fasting for weight control at aged 16 years. Dr. Stein, explains, "It could be that for childhood recurrent abdominal pain, the frequency of pain may be less important to long term outcomes than the severity of the pain, the distress caused and/or the child's functional impairment resulting from the pain. As a doctor, I have noticed that a number of our teenage patients with anorexia nervosa suffered from painful gastro-intestinal (GI) problems in childhood (such as abdominal pain or constipation). Thus, a child's early GI experiences could provide a key into our understanding of the disordered eating seen in so many young people today." Explore further Emergency imaging trends in pediatric vs. adult patients for abdominal pain More information: Kate Stein et al. Do children with recurrent abdominal pain grow up to become adolescents who control their weight by fasting? Results from a UK populationbased cohort, International Journal of Eating Disorders (2021). Journal information: International Journal of Eating Disorders Kate Stein et al. Do children with recurrent abdominal pain grow up to become adolescents who control their weight by fasting? Results from a UK populationbased cohort,(2021). DOI: 10.1002/eat.23513 Credit: CC0 Public Domain Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases wherein increased pressure within the eye can, if left untreated, lead to damage to the optic nerve and vision loss. Its detection relies on measuring intraocular pressure, visual examination of the interior of the eye, and testing of the entire field of vision with specialist instrumentation. Glaucoma develops slowly over time and causes no pain. However, as the pressure from the eye and its blood vessels insidiously damages the optic nerve, peripheral vision suffers initially and then central vision. If left untreated complete blindness ensues. Glaucoma is the most common cause of irreversible blindness with around 80 million people having the condition and more than 10 million of those going on to suffer complete vision loss. The vast majority of those who have the worst possible outcome live in the developing world where the majority of sufferers will be wholly unaware of their condition until it is too late. Thus inexpensive and efficient approaches that reduce the workload on ophthalmologists would be a boon in those parts of the world. New work published in the World Review of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development takes a novel approach to the detection of glaucoma. S. Ajitha and M.V. Judy of the Department of Computer Applications at Cochin University of Science and Technology, in Kerala, India, explain how glaucoma is a 'gruesome thief' that might be routed out if detected early. The team has now developed an algorithmic detective that can identify characteristics of glaucoma present in images of a patient's 'fundus.' The fundus is the interior surface of the eyeball opposite the lens, which lies behind the cornea at the front of the eye. The algorithm is trained with fundal images from patients known to have early-stage glaucoma. Subtle characteristics of early-stage glaucoma that would be invisible even to the trained ophthalmologist will be made obvious when the algorithm is presented with an image from a patient. The team has demonstrated sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy beyond that seen with other algorithmic approaches and suggests that the approach can offer 100 percent accuracy in automatically detecting glaucoma early and so allow the ophthalmologist to offer treatment before any damage is done to the optic nerves. Explore further Machine learning about glaucoma More information: S. Ajitha et al. A novel hybrid approach to blaze out a new path for glaucoma detection, monitoring and sustainable results in fundus images, World Review of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development (2021). S. Ajitha et al. A novel hybrid approach to blaze out a new path for glaucoma detection, monitoring and sustainable results in fundus images,(2021). DOI: 10.1504/WRSTSD.2021.114677 "These results suggest that the cyclin D2-cardiomyocyte transplantation may be a potential therapeutic strategy for the repair of infarcted hearts," said study leader Jianyi "Jay" Zhang, M.D., Ph.D., the chair of Biomedical Engineering, a joint department of the UAB School of Medicine and the UAB School of Engineering. Credit: UAB In a large-animal study, researchers have shown that heart attack recovery is aided by injection of heart muscle cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem cell line, or hiPSCs, that overexpress cyclin D2. This research, published in the journal Circulation, used a pig model of heart attacks, which more closely resembles the human heart in size and physiology, and thus has higher clinical relevance to human disease, compared to studies in mice. An enduring challenge for bioengineering researchers is the failure of the heart to regenerate muscle tissue after a heart attack has killed part of its muscle wall. That dead tissue can strain the surrounding muscle, leading to a lethal heart enlargement. Heart experts thus have sought to create new tissueapplying a patch of heart muscle cells or injecting heart cellsto replace damaged muscle. Similarly, they have tried to stimulate division of existing heart muscle cells near the damaged area. This current study, led by researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, shows progress in both goals. After the experimental heart attack, heart tissue around the infarction site was injected with about 30 million bioengineered human cardiomyocytes that were differentiated from hiPSCs. These cells also overexpress cyclin D2, part of a family of proteins involved in cell division. Compared to control human cardiomyocytes, the cyclin D2-cardiomyocytes showed enhanced potency to repair the heart. They proliferated after injection, and by four weeks, the hearts had less pathogenic enlargement, reduced size of dead muscle tissue and improved heart function. Intriguingly, the cyclin D2-cardiomyocytes stimulated not only their own proliferation, but also proliferation of existing heart muscle cells around the infarction site of the pig heart, as well as showing angiogenesis, the development of new blood vessels. "These results suggest that the cyclin D2-cardiomyocyte transplantation may be a potential therapeutic strategy for the repair of infarcted hearts," said study leader Jianyi "Jay" Zhang, M.D., Ph.D., the chair of Biomedical Engineering, a joint department of the UAB School of Medicine and the UAB School of Engineering. This ability of the graft cyclin D2-cardiomyocytes to stimulate the proliferation of nearby existing heart cells suggested paracrine signaling, a type of cellular communication where a cell produces a signal that induces changes in nearby cells. Exosomessmall blebs or tiny vesicles that are released by human or animal cells and contain proteins and RNA from the cells that release themare one common form of paracrine signaling. Zhang and colleagues found that exosomes that they purified from the cyclin D2-cardiomyocyte growth media indeed promoted proliferation of cultured cardiomyocytes. In addition, the treated cardiomyocytes were more resistant to programmed cell death, called apoptosis, induced by low oxygen levels. The exosomes also induced proliferation of various other cell types, including human umbilical vein endothelial cells, human vascular smooth muscle cells and 7-day-old rat cardiomyocytes that have almost undetectable proliferation. Part of the cargo that exosomes carry are microRNAs, or miRNAs. These short pieces of RNA have the ability to interact with messenger RNA in target cells, and they are robust players of gene regulation in cells. Humans have more than 2,000 miRNAs with different RNA sequences, and these are thought to regulate a third of the genes in the genome. So, the researchers documented which microRNAs were present in exosomes from the cyclin D2-overexpressing cardiomyocytes and in exosomes from non-overexpressing cardiomyocytes. As expected, they found differences. Together, the exosomes from both types of cells contained 1,072 different miRNAs, and 651 were common to the two exosome groups. However, 332 miRNAs were found only in the cyclin D2-overexpressing cardiomyocytes, and 89 miRNAs were specific for the non-overexpressing cardiomyocytes. In preliminary work of characterizing the effects of specific miRNAs, one particular miRNA from the cyclin D2-overexpressing exosomes was shown to stimulate proliferation when delivered into rat cardiomyocytes. "Thus, as the therapeutic potential of exosomes for improving cardiac function becomes more evident, combining an exosome-mediated delivery of proliferative miRNAs with transplantation of cyclin D2-overexpressing cardiomyocytes, or cell products, could become a new promising strategy for upregulating proliferation of the recipient cardiomyocytes and reducing cardiac fibrosis," Zhang said. "Altogether, our data suggest that cardiac cell therapy, involving cardiomyocytes with enhanced proliferation capacity, may become an efficacious future strategy for myocardial repair and prevention of congestive heart failure in patients with acute myocardial infarctions." Explore further Exosome treatment improves recovery from heart attacks in a preclinical study More information: Meng Zhao et al, Cyclin D2 Overexpression Enhances the Efficacy of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes for Myocardial Repair in a Swine Model of Myocardial Infarction, Circulation (2021). Journal information: Circulation Meng Zhao et al, Cyclin D2 Overexpression Enhances the Efficacy of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes for Myocardial Repair in a Swine Model of Myocardial Infarction,(2021). DOI: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.120.049497 Credit: CC0 Public Domain The coronavirus strain first linked to the COVID epidemic in India has now spread to at least 44 countries and been classified as a "variant of concern", but health authorities still know relatively little about it. Spotted for the first time in October 2020 in India, it this week joined the British, South African and Brazilian variants in the World Health Organization's (WHO) highest threat category. Here is what we do and do not know about the strain. One variant or three? The name "Indian variant" describes a strainB.1.617that in fact groups together three distinct subvariants sharing some, but not all, of several mutations. Two of the three have been detected in dozens of countries around the world, while the third has not spread much beyond India. The WHO said on Tuesday that although there "may be important differences among the three sublineages", there is currently not enough evidence to tease out individual classifications, so it grouped them together as a single "variant of concern". More transmissible? In India, where the number of officially-recorded COVID-19 deaths has passed a quarter of a million, there are suspicions that this new variant may have accelerated the virus spread. But it is more complicated than that, according to the WHO. It said there were potentially several factors driving the exploding epidemic, including variants that could be more transmissible; religious or political mass gatherings that increased social mixing; and reduced use of public health measures. "The exact contributions of each of these factors on increased transmission in India are not well understood," it said. However, it did say that the three sublineages "appear to have higher rates of transmission". They have been observed, for example, to spread more rapidly in other countries once they gain a foothold. Other health bodies around the world have also warned about signs of heightened contagion. Indeed, all three subvariants contain a pair of mutations associated with greater transmissibility. In a report released on Thursday, Public Health England looked at one of the sublineagesB.1.617.2which has "grown rapidly in England", with more than 1,300 cases identified across the United Kingdom. It said this version of the coronavirus is "at least as transmissible" as the so-called English variant, which itself is faster-spreading than earlier versions. But assessments of transmissibility depends a lot on who is and is not being tested. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has warned that targeted genetic testing of travellers from India may have caused an "overrepresentation" of the Indian variant in the UK and the EU surveillance. More dangerous? The ECDC says there is no information available on the severity of symptoms caused by the Indian variant. There is also only very limited data on how well the variant evades the body's immune response, and the WHO says the potential impact on vaccine efficacy and the risk of re-infection remains unclear. A recent study that has not yet been peer reviewed noted a reduction in the efficacy of BioNTech/Pfizer and Moderna vaccines on the B.1.617.1 sublineage. This sublineage has a mutation to the virus' spike protein, E484Q, that is similar to the one found in the South African and Brazilian variants, both of which are suspected of leading to reduced vaccine efficacy and an increased risk of re-infection. But the ECDC points to small studies suggesting that B.1.617.1 can be neutralised by monoclonal antibodies, as well as blood plasma from previously infected or vaccinated people. It said there was no data for the second sublineage, which does not include the E484Q mutation. So far "we are pretty confident overall that the vaccines generally will be covering this variant", Marco Cavaleri, the European Medicines Agency head of vaccine strategy, said this week. But faced with a host of uncertainties over the variant's impact on the virus itself and how this affects public health measures, the WHO said further robust studies are "urgently needed". 2021 AFP While millions of Americans rejoiced in the news on Thursday that the fully vaccinated can now skip masks in most indoor and outdoor settings, some worried that it will be nearly impossible to distinguish those who have gotten their shots from those who have not. "I think the challenge is that it's impossible to determine who is vaccinated and who is not vaccinated," said Gov. David Ige of Hawaii, where a mask mandate will stay in place, The New York Times reported. The head of a union representing 1.3 million workers in the food industry noted that enforcing the new guidance will likely fall on the shoulders of essential workers. "Millions of Americans are doing the right thing and getting vaccinated, but essential workers are still forced to play mask police for shoppers who are unvaccinated and refuse to follow local COVID safety measures," Marc Perrone, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, told the Associated Press. "Are they now supposed to become the vaccination police?" During a media briefing on the new mask guidance, President Joe Biden made it clear that the federal government was not going to take on that role. "We're not going to go out and arrest people," added Biden. "If you haven't been vaccinated, wear your mask for your own protection and the protection of the people who also have not been vaccinated yet." That inability to tell who is and isn't vaccinated prompted Lawrence Gostin, a public health law expert at Georgetown University, to declare the CDC guidance "confusing and contradictory." "The public will not feel comfortable in a crowded indoor space if they are unsure if the maskless person standing next to them is or is not vaccinated," he told the AP. The new guidance caught state officials by surprise and raised questions about how the guidelines would be carried out. Some states lifted mask mandates immediately, while others took a more cautious approach, the Times reported. On Thursday, the governors of Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina and Virginia, and the mayors of New York City and Washington, D.C., all said they were taking the new guidance under advisement before adopting it. Los Angeles County also said that it and the state of California were reviewing the new guidelines, the Times reported. In deference to local authorities, the CDC has said vaccinated people must continue to abide by existing state, local or tribal laws and regulations, and to follow local rules for businesses and workplaces. The guidance also seemed to catch many retailers by surprise. Macy's, Target and the Gap said they were still reviewing it, while Home Depot said it had no plans to change its current rules requiring customers and workers to wear masks in its stores, the Times reported. Nearly 119 million Americans are now fully vaccinated, 42.5% of the population, CDC data shows. A person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their last dose of vaccine. Despite concerns about how to enforce the new mask guidance, the move was welcomed by infectious disease experts. "Ample evidence indicates that vaccinated people contribute little to the spread the virus," said Luis Schang, a professor of molecular virology at Cornell University's School of Veterinary Medicine, in Ithaca, N.Y. "With the continuous increases in the number of vaccinated peoplereaching now about half of the eligible population, in addition to those who have been naturally infectedthe proportion of people who may be asymptomatically infected and shedding virus continues to decrease." The balance is continuously shifting more and more, such that the marginal risk of not practicing universal mask usage and social distancing by vaccinated people, in particular in outdoor settings, becomes much smaller than the benefits of returning to a more open society," she said. Still, "we should remain vigilant," Schang said, "and ready to promptly change our behavior again if yet another effort was ever required." The nation's top infectious diseases expert agreed a turning point has been reached. "We've got to liberalize the restrictions so people can feel like they're getting back to some normalcy," Dr. Anthony Fauci said in an interview, the Times reported. "Pulling back restrictions on indoor masks is an important step in the right direction." "You can't inhibit people from doing the things they want to do, which is one of the reasons they wanted to get vaccinated in the first place, because other people are not getting vaccinated," he added. In releasing the latest guidelines, CDC officials pointed to a growing body of evidence that shows the shots work, even against more contagious variants of the virus. They also factored in the country's rapidly declining caseload, and the rarity of breakthrough infections in people who are fully vaccinated. "This is a day that I think will be marked as a true turning point in the pandemic in the United States in that we have three vaccines that are highly effective, we have enough vaccines for everyone in our country who's 12 years and older to get vaccinated who wants it, and we're being told that it is safe to roll back a number of the measures that we've come to rely on for controlling this pandemic," Richard Besser, former acting director of the CDC and president and chief executive of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, told the Washington Post. "The idea that people who are fully vaccinated can take off their masks, can go outside, can go inside, be around people and not have to worry about COVID anymore, that's absolutely huge," he said. Public health experts were also optimistic that the updated guidance might even prompt some vaccine-hesitant Americans to get vaccinated. "Young people say, "Why should I get vaccinated? I'm not going to die of this." What they want to hear is, "You can take your mask off,'" Carlos del Rio, a professor of medicine at Emory University in Atlanta, told the Post. Pfizer vaccine given OK for use in adolescents In a decision that clears the way for schools to reopen safely next fall, U.S. health officials on Wednesday gave their final stamp of approval for Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine to be offered to children aged 12 to 15. The decision came as COVID-19 cases and deaths in this country have plummeted to their lowest levels in months. COVID-19 deaths are now averaging around 600 per day, the lowest tally since early July, with the number of lives lost dropping to single digits in well over half of states, the AP reported. Meanwhile, confirmed infections have fallen to about 38,000 per day, their lowest level since mid-September. Reported cases have declined 85% from a daily peak of more than a quarter-million in early January. Dr. Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease specialist at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, told the AP that vaccinations have played a pivotal role in the lower case numbers. "The primary objective is to deny this virus the ability to kill at the rate that it could, and that has been achieved," he said. "We have in effect tamed the virus." Federal health officials plan to keep those case numbers down with increased vaccination efforts. Taking a significant step in that direction, an advisory committee to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention voted on Wednesday to recommend the vaccine for use in adolescents. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky adopted the recommendation on Wednesday evening. "For vaccination to do its job, we must do our critical part. That means vaccinating as many people as possible who are eligible," Walensky said in a statement. "This official CDC action opens vaccination to approximately 17 million adolescents in the United States and strengthens our nation's efforts to protect even more people from the effects of COVID-19. Getting adolescents vaccinated means their faster return to social activities and can provide parents and caregivers peace of mind knowing their family is protected." In a show of support for the CDC's decision, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on Wednesday issued a new policy statement that recommends the coronavirus vaccine for all eligible children ages 12 and older. "This is truly an exciting development that allows us to protect a large population of children and help them regain their lives after a really rough year," said AAP President Dr. Lee Savio Beers. "As a pediatrician and a parent, I have looked forward to getting my own children and patients vaccinated, and I am thrilled that those ages 12 and older can now be protected. The data continue to show that this vaccine is safe and effective. I urge all parents to call their pediatrician to learn more about how to get their children and teens vaccinated." The American Medical Association (AMA) also applauded the move. "We know that adolescents 12 years of age and up are at risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and can contribute to transmission of COVID-19 to others," AMA President Dr. Susan Bailey said in a statement. "Having safe and effective vaccine available to this age group will help them return to normal activities and help protect more people from the spread of COVID-19." Though children are less likely to suffer severe COVID, the coronavirus has infected more than 1.5 million children and sent more than 13,000 to hospitals, more than are hospitalized for flu in an average year, according to CDC data, the Times said. As of Friday, the U.S. coronavirus case count passed 32.8 million, while the death toll topped 584,400, according to a tally from Johns Hopkins University. Worldwide, over 161.2 million cases had been reported by Friday, with nearly 3.3 million people dead from COVID-19. More information: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on the The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on the new coronavirus Copyright 2021 HealthDay. All rights reserved. Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Even after receiving Covid-19 jabs, people should wear face masks in areas where the virus is spreading, the WHO said Friday, after the US decided the vaccinated do not need masks. "Vaccines are life-saving but on their own, they are not enough," the World Health Organization told AFP in an email. The comment followed a decision by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday to lift mask-wearing guidance for people who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Almost 60 percent of US adults now have one or both doses, while cases are falling fast, down to a seven-day-average of 38,000, or 11 per 100,000. The WHO refrained from commenting specifically on the US situation, but experts highlighted that the decision to remove Covid restrictions, including mask recommendations, should rely on more than just the vaccination rate. "It's about how much virus is circulating," WHO Covid-19 lead Maria Van Kerkhove told reporters. "It's about the amount of vaccines and vaccinations that are rolling out, it's about the variants... that are circulating." The vaccines in use against Covid-19 have been shown to be highly effective in preventing serious illness and death, and there is also increasing evidence that they provide high protection against infection and transmission of the virus. But WHO chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan stressed they are "not 100 percent effective against preventing infection". "You can have asymptomatic or mild illness or even moderate symptoms even after being vaccinated," she said, warning that "vaccination alone is not a guarantee against infection or against being able to transmit that infection to others". It may be rare, but could still occur, she said. "That's why we need the other protective measures like the mask wearing, and the distancing and so on until countries get to the level at which a large number of people are protected and virus circulation and the transmission goes to very low levels." So far, she warned, "very few countries are at the point now where they can drop these measures by individuals and by governments." WHO emergencies director Michael Ryan agreed. Relaxing measures and taking away mask mandates, he said, "should only be done in the context of considering both the intensity and transmission in your area, and the level of vaccination coverage." "Even in situations where you have high vaccine coverage, if you've got a lot of transmission, then you wouldn't take your mask off." 2021 AFP Police minister Bheki Cele has released crime statistics for the first three months of 2021, showing that four courier vehicles were hijacked every day in South Africa. During the first quarter of the year, aggravated robberies such as carjackings increased by 5% when compared to the same period in 2020. This included 354 couriers vans or trucks which were targeted for their cargo, which Cele said was typically food, appliances, and other prized goods. Courier activities have increased in recent months as ecommerce boomed due to the COVID-19 pandemic forcing people to shop from home. Garry Marshall, the CEO of the South African Express Parcel Association (SAEPA) previously told MyBroadband that were being targeted for the items they transported, and that it was clear that co-ordinated syndicates were involved. Based on anecdotal evidence from the courier companies the organisation represented which includes DHL, FedEx, Globeflight, and RAM the situation was worse than ever before. A lot of these are reported as armed robberies, and some of them are reported as hijackings, and I think many of them are not reported at all, he stated. Marshall also told Carte Blanche that some of the courier companies experienced up to three attacks per day. In one case, surveillance footage showed robbers robbing a truck transporting mobile phones, which they cut open using a generator-powered grinder. They then proceeded to offload the cargo in just three minutes, before fleeing the scene. The footage of this incident can be seen in the Carte Blanche report below, around the 2:50 mark. The crime stats further showed that while cash-in-transit robberies dropped by 10.6%, truck hijackings increased by 24.6%. Robberies at residential premises also climbed by 7.6%, while robberies at non-residential premises rose by 2.8%. Cele said there was an overall decline of 8.5% in contact crimes over the period, which includes assault with grievous bodily harm, sexual offences, common assault and robbery, and robbery with aggravating circumstances. We have made gains in categories of crime that were previously stubborn, the minister stated. However, cases of murder and attempted murder increased by 8.4% and 8.7%, respectively. 4,976 people were killed in the first three months of 2021.This is 387 more people killed compared to the corresponding period in the previous financial year, Cele said. The top four causative factors of these murders still remain arguments, robberies, both residential and non-residential and street robberies, mob justice and gang-related incidents. From a sample of 4,911 murders, a total of 2,378 people were killed in public places like streets, open fields, recreational parks, beaches, and abandoned buildings, he added. Cele expressed grave concern over the killing of police officers, which he said could cause a crisis. In the first three months of this year, 24 SAPS officers were killed. 11 of them were killed on duty while preventing, combating or solving a crime. Some were attacked or ambushed while conducting patrols and their official firearms stolen, Cele said. If we are to win this fight against crime, such criminal acts against police cant be ignored but [must] be addressed at the community level. The table below shows the changes in the number of reported cases for various crime categories during the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020. The Information Regulator of South Africa has informed Parliament that it is considering all its options in its engagements with WhatsApp over the changes it has made to its privacy policy. The Facebook-owned mobile messaging platform first issued a notice to users about the changes in January, along with an ultimatum accept the new terms before 8 February 2021 or lose access to WhatsApp. Facebook extended the deadline to 15 May following widespread backlash, and has since softened its stance further, saying that WhatsApp users will not be immediately cut off and will only start losing functionality in several weeks. Weve provided them with a critique of their approach and theyve responded and tried to indicate how it is that they do, in fact, comply with local legislation, said Information Regulator member Alison Tilley in a meeting of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services. Tilley said that the Information Regulator maintains that WhatsApp offers two different privacy policies one for Europe to comply with the the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and one for people living outside Europe. The Information Regulator is of the view that South Africas Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), which comes into full effect on 1 July 2021, is similar to Europes GDPR. Weve advised WhatsApp that we believe they should adopt the EU policy in South Africa and other countries in the Global South who have similar regimes, Tilley told the committee. However, the Information Regulator is not confident that it, or the regulators of other smaller nations, will be able to convince Facebook to comply with local legislation without banding together. Facebook is a massive company, Tilley said. We feel its not going to be particularly successful if we try to engage them just one regulator at a time. Were going to have to build a coalition to make our intervention effective. To that end, the Information Regulator is working with the Global Privacy Assembly, a group of over 130 data protection and privacy authorities around the world, as well as data protection authorities in the Commonwealth. The Regulator is dealing with the WhatsApp privacy policy and considering all its options to take the matter forward. Information Regulator SA (@InforegulatorSA) May 11, 2021 Sizwe Snail ka Mtuze, another member of the Information Regulator and adjunct professor in the law faculty of Nelson Mandela University, said they highlighted specific concerns with WhatsApp. One such concern was the fact that WhatsApp aims to process unique identifiers for purposes that they were not originally intended for. Snail ka Mtuze said that although the Information Regulator has not threatened legal action, should Facebook not want to engage with them further, the regulator would have to consider its options. The chairperson of the Information Regulator, Pansy Tlakula, has said the South African government will not help the regulator in its engagements with Facebook. We are fighting a giant, Tlakula told the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee. They cannot willy-nilly abuse the personal information of users, said Tlakula. Tlakula proposed that the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services work with the Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies to ask questions of Facebook relating to the WhatsApp privacy policy changes. Facebook has agreed to meet with the Communications and Digital Technologies committee after being invited to do so by Phumzile van Damme from the Democratic Alliance. While the main reason for inviting Facebook was to ask questions about how it would tackle misinformation and disinformation in the context of South Africas upcoming local elections, Van Damme said the protection of private data of South African users on Facebook-owned platforms would also form part of the meeting. South Africa is on the brink of a third wave of coronavirus infections, driven by a steady increase in new cases after a four-day holiday weekend that saw millions of people travel to see family and friends and attend religious gatherings. New infections climbed 46% in the past week with cases rising fastest in the Northern Cape and Gauteng, the countrys most-populous province, the National Department of Health said Wednesday in a statement. We have not yet hit the third wave, however, we are at risk and we hence need to be on heightened vigilance as a country, it said. These charts show why the health department is on high alert. South Africas test positivity rate rose to 7.45% on Wednesday, according to health department data. Thats the highest in five days and marks almost a month since the rate has hovered close to or above the 5% threshold thats considered too high, according to the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. A sustained increase in the positivity rate could force President Cyril Ramaphosa to consider reintroducing lockdown measures to curb the spread of the disease thatll weigh on the recovery on an economy that contracted the most in a century in 2020. While a resurgence of the virus is worrying, a third wave of infections in not expected to be as severe as the second. Thats because studies in January and February showed 30% to 40% of South Africas population of about 60 million have already contracted the disease, according to the South African Covid-19 Modelling Consortium, a group linked to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases. Research by the Actuarial Society of South Africa suggests the new wave of infections is likely to be less pronounced than the second wave. However, the recent arrival of variants of the disease first detected in India and England could skew estimations. Still, Covid-19 hospital admissions have yet to show a significant increase and almost three quarters of the 4,186 patients currently in private or public facilities are being treated in general wards with the rest in high or intensive-care units. Eighty-three health-care workers were hospitalized as of Wednesday. South Africa has been slower to roll out its vaccination program than many other African countries and had only inoculated 430,730 health-care workers as of May 12 through a Johnson & Johnson study. A broader distribution of vaccines is expected to begin this month. Boy that was a hard decision, what with a baby coming and all, he said. I had a little card in my pocket that said I was going to be drafted. You know what that meant I was going to go to the front lines. That wasnt for me. His decision to enlist rather than be drafted, along with his experience at Mare Island, got him assigned as a mechanic in the Army Air Corps, working on planes in the Mariana Islands and Guam as the U.S. military island-hopped toward Japan. It was safer than being on the front lines, but not by much. He was once in a B-25 that was shot down by enemy fire. The rudders were shot off and we went down but we were rescued me, the copilot and the pilot and the gunners, all kids, Monroy told the Star in 2006. They were good kids. I was sorry that I saw a lot of them go. They didnt come home. He spent most of the rest of his career as a flight engineer at what is now called Travis Air Force Base. A loving family Raymond and Maria, who died in 2011, had seven children together. Today he has 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Bob Frescura has been Monroys neighbor for 44 years. Race-conscious programs designed to improve equality would not be at risk, the organization said, because the amendment's wording is much different than in other states where legislation has been passed with the intention of using it to challenge affirmative action. Because its ultimate effect is unknown, the ballot question has raised suspicion among some rural Pennsylvanians, said Rep. Jesse Topper, a Republican from Bedford County, east of Pittsburgh. There are some who are generally skeptical, because the word equality has somewhat been co-opted over the years by left-leaning groups to mean whatever they want it to mean, Topper said. He said he has had to assure constituents that there is nothing nefarious behind the proposal. One reason for the uncertainty is that the Legislature did not hold hearings on the three amendments that will appear on Tuesday's ballot, said Rep. Tim Briggs of Montgomery County, the ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee. If they pass and turn out to have unintended consequences, another statewide vote would be needed. A constitutional amendment is a tough way to legislate, because when you don't put a lot of thought into what the consequences are, it's hard to correct, Briggs said. Last year, several protesters were outside the Lacey home in Grenada Hills before 6 a.m. Three rang the doorbell and David Lacey opened the door, pointed a gun at them and said, I will shoot you. Get off of my porch, according to video of the incident shot by protesters. David Lacey, who is also Black, was an investigative auditor with the district attorney's office until his 2016 retirement. The Los Angeles Times first reported the judge's approval of David Lacey's request to enter a diversion program. If he performs 100 hours of community service and attends anger management and gun safety classes, his criminal case will be dismissed. He is additionally barred from possessing a firearm for the duration of the agreement, which lasts 18 months, the newspaper reported. The handgun in last year's incident was turned over to police a few days later. Armenia Prosecutor General receives OSCE/ODIHR election observation mission's delegation France's Macron intends to discuss situation in Nagorno-Karabakh with Turkish counterpart Armenia 3rd President on Nikol Pashinyan: People look at him and say 'greetings, son of a b**ch' US Department of Commerce intends to impose sanctions against Armenia's Armenal aluminum foil producer/exporter Armenia 1st President recalls his "remedial secession" formula for Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement "I Have the Honor" bloc to Armenian authorities: Let them try to use force or threaten anyone Armenia 2nd President: Everything that makes us Armenian has been destroyed over past three years Azerbaijan continues obscene farce, "investigation" into case of another 26 Armenian POWs is over Ex-governor presents situation in Armenia's Syunik Province Armenia 3rd President doesn't know why Nikol Pashinyan hasn't signed the pro-Armenian document he's talking about Armenia's Pashinyan: If I'm guilty, execute me, and I'll submit Armenia acting PM holds march with twice as many security and police officers in Vanadzor (PHOTO) Armenia acting MOD attaches importance to transparency of procurement and supplies in Armed Forces Remains of 4 more Armenian servicemen found and removed from Artsakh's Jrakan region Enigmatic incident takes places in Yerevan, semi-decayed body of man found under bridge Philip Reeker: Azerbaijani Armed Forces need to return to positions of May 11 Armenia opposition party leader says he's ready to form coalition with all forces, except for ruling party Armenia MOD: Azerbaijani side opens fire at military posts in border section of Gegharkunik Province Head of Armenia's Mission to OSCE: Goals of OSCE and CSTO serve as ground for their cooperation Azerbaijan shares documents on 8 Armenian POWs, COVID-19 in Armenia, Jun 19 digest Azerbaijanis open gunfire at military posts in Armenia's Gegharkunik Province for nearly 30 minutes Armenia acting justice minister expresses gratitude to US for supporting government's reforms agenda Philip Reeker: US will continue to press for the return of Armenian POWs and detainees Armenia 1st President: Russian peacekeepers won't leave Nagorno-Karabakh after 5 years Catholicos of All Armenians receives newly appointed Ambassador of Kazakhstan Armenia Parliament Speaker also attending ruling party's campaign meeting in Odzun (PHOTO) Zakharova: Russia makes essential contributions to post-war demining in Nagorno-Karabakh 160,000,000 children are involved in child labor around the world Dollar loses value in Armenia Biden, Johnson underscore close ties between US and UK Armenia attorney general forwards video recording of ex-FM's sensational statement to National Security Service Ex-President Kocharyan: Armenia must stand on its feet to conduct effective negotiations on Nagorno-Karabakh Armenia 2nd President: Border with Azerbaijan needs to be constructed as soon as possible Armenia 1st President proposes to acting PM to publicize recording of their conversation about Karabakh Armenia President congratulates Portuguese counterpart on National Day of Portugal Iranian Ambassador to Armenia acting minister: Iran has already developed roadmap and timetable for joint programs People are brought in vans to Lori Province village for meeting with Armenia acting premier Karabakh rescue squad searching for remains of deceased servicemen in Fizuli and Jabrayil Karabakh President appoints new chief of staff Armenia 1st President doesn't rule out formation of coalition with Robert Kocharyan and Serzh Sargsyan after elections Armenia former President Kocharyan: Only way to work with external partners is being straightforward, honest Acting US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs visits Armenian Genocide Memorial Armenia 1st President: If we Armenians miss this moment as well, very bad things will happen "I have the honor" bloc is in Armenias Syunik (PHOTOS) Horsemen lead Armenia acting PM Pashinyan motorcade in Lori Province village Armenia 2nd President Kocharyan: I have reasonable doubts that Shushi was deliberately handed over Azerbaijan provides documents on 6 captured Armenia soldiers health condition Police apprehend 16 ARF youths near Armenia government building Ex-President Kocharyan on acting PM idea to exchange son for Armenian captives in Azerbaijan: Primitive stupidity Armenia acting premier receives acting US assistant secretary of state ARF youth close off downtown Yerevan street Yerevan police forcibly apprehend protesting ARF members Armenia acting PM in Lori Province, he is accompanied by State Protection Service head (PHOTOS) ARF of Armenia presents facts about high treason Permit documents can now be submitted online at Armenia border checkpoints 76 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia World oil prices dropping Armenia interim government holding Cabinet meeting Daily Express: Brussels angry over upcoming Biden-Putin meeting Newspaper: Bright Armenia Party leader gives acting US deputy secretary of state sanctions list on Azeri authorities American billionaires pay little income tax Most livable city for 2021 is announced Newspaper: Artsakh President makes controversial decision WTO countries agree to intensify negotiations on easing access to coronavirus vaccines Armenia Ombudsman: Trials against Armenian POWs continue in Azerbaijan with gross violations of international law Ankara hopes Erdogan and Biden find common ground Acting US Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Reeker arrives in Yerevan Candidate for Armenia PM: Heads of headquarters of Democratic Party are apprehended More on COVID-19 and tense election campaign in Armenia, June 9 digest Members of European Parliament call on Yerevan and Baku to start exchanging information for demining Members of Armenian opposition Adekvad Union post posters reading "Antinikol" near government building France says it will do everything it can to ensure Amazon is subject to minimum global tax UN warns of likelihood of mass deaths from hunger and disease in Myanmar Beijing accuses Washington of paranoid mania Stanislav Zas: There are still risks of escalation of the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border Trump supports Nigerian government decision to block Twitter access Erdogan announces visit to Shushi with his family Armenia ruling party MP Hamazasp Danielyan drops mandate Armenia ex-president shares promised record about acting PM Armenia acting PM ends campaign meeting in Gyumri with march, accompanied by many security officers "Armenia" bloc holding rally in Yerevan Opposition Bright Armenia Party leader inviting Nikol Pashinyan to a debate Nagorno-Karabakh issue discussed within the scope of Russian-Turkish consultations in Moscow 168.am: Armenia acting PM in Gyumri, snipers on roof of city council Armenian authorities forcing employees of educational institutions and nuclear power plant to attend campaign meetings Putin-Biden meeting in Geneva to take place in 18th-century villa Armenia opposition party leader: There are 1,837 Armenians who lost their extremities after war in Artsakh Bright Armenia Party leader slams discourse over transferring acting PM's son in exchange of POWs Leader of opposition Liberty Party says Armenia acting PM steals over $2,500 from budget every month Headquarters of political party running in elections applies to Prosecutor General's Office and Police of Armenia Armenia Ombudsman's Office, Central Electoral Commission hold discussion to guarantee citizens' suffrage Armenia acting premier, "support group" employees visit Shirak Province Tech Week Artsakh 2021 to be held in Stepanakert Armenia Elections Oversight Committee: Such development of events might lead to clashes 2 citizens apprehended for electoral bribery in Armenia's Gavar Republican Party of Armenia vice-president: Serzh Sargsyan disclosed an audio recording a little while ago Dollar continues dropping in Armenia Armenia High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, Ukraine deputy FM express willingness for cooperation Turkeys Erdogan to visit Artsakhs Shushi Armenia health ministry: 5 of 11 children with acute gastroenteritis are discharged from hospital Armenian News - NEWS.am presents the latest developments over Armenian-Azerbaijani border issues as of 14.05.21: The situation is still tense near the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. On Wednesday morning, Azerbaijani troops crossed the border and advanced 3.5 km deep into Armenia - first occupying the territory near Sev Lake in Armenias Syunik Province. They later have advanced into the Gegharkunik Province of Armenia. The Azerbaijan troops continue to remain inside the state border of Armenia, MFA noted. Azerbaijan calls invasion into Armenian territory as 'border clarification.' Baku even considers that Yerevan's response to the process of "coordinating the Armenian-Azerbaijani border" is "improper." "Azerbaijan and Armenia determine the border, and this process is carried out based on the maps of the parties," the Azerbaijani MFA noted. Armenia has already officially petitioned the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) to intensify the mechanism of joint consultations to coordinate their stances and take measures to eliminate the threat that has emerged. The acting PM Nikol Pashinyan has also sent letters to the leaders of other CSTO member states, and with detailed information on the situation. Since Thursday, Pashinyan has been holding talks with international leaders over the latest developments near the border. Pashinyan had phone talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and briefed the Russian leader over the current situation. Pashinyan also had a phone talk with French President Emanuel Macron on the latter's initiative. French President Emanuel Macron later took to his Facebook to support Armenians. He shared a post in Armenian noting that Azerbaijan 'must withdraw immediately.' "I say to the Armenian people once again: France is in solidarity and will remain so," he wrote. Armenian acting FM Ara Aivazian, in turn, held talks with his Lithuanian counterpart. Aivazian and Gabrielius Landsbergis have declared that there is a need to neutralize the threats to stability and peace in the region. Ara Aivazian has also discussed regional stability and security issues with US Acting Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Philip Reeker. Aivazian highlighted the inadmissibility and unacceptability of Azerbaijans provocations against Armenias territorial integrity. Later on Friday, Azerbaijani FM Jeyhun Bayramov and Philip Reeker have also discussed the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. Bayramov noted that Azerbaijan is committed to the settlement of tension in the region. He said that the leadership of the State Border Service of Azerbaijan was sent to the region to hold talks with the Armenian side. The US said they are closely following the situation in Armenia. United States Department of State official Ned Price tweeted: 'We are closely following reports of increased tensions along a non-demarcated portion of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border.' Later on Thursday, US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) has also issued a statement in reaction to reports of Azerbaijans illegal incursion into Armenias Syunik Province. He noted that Azerbaijan shall understand it will face serious consequences for its malign activities. Since Armenia and Russia are involved in certain interstate processes, I dont find it appropriate to focus on them. This is what secretary of the parliamentary faction of the opposition Prosperous Armenia Party Arman Abovyan said during todays special session of the National Assembly of Armenia, touching upon MP Arman Babajanyans question why there is nothing mentioned about Russia in the draft statement of the National Assembly submitted by Prosperous Armenia Party when Russia is Armenias strategic partner and is the only Co-Chair of the OSCE Minsk Group that hasnt responded to the current situation on Armenias borders. Abovyan recalled that the soldiers of Armenias strategic and fraternal state [Russia] are standing on the border of Syunik and wherever there is escalation in Armenia, not French or American troops, adding that the Russian soldiers are working with the Armenian soldiers and fighting to solve the current problems. The troops of Armenias strategic partner are stationed in Syunik Province, and I assure you that this is the most important thing that is restraining the aggressor. I am certain that our Russian colleagues have done and will do everything that is in the interests of Armenia and the Armenian people, Abovyan said. Babajanyan noted that even though the Russians are in Syunik Province, the Azerbaijanis succeeded in advancing 3.5 km into the territory of Armenia. There is a conviction that Azerbaijan couldnt do this without Russias permission. We need to be sincere and ask whether Russia is part of all this or not, he added. In response, Abovyan said if the Russians hadnt stood on the border, the Azerbaijanis would have advanced further. Generating anti-Russian moods in Armenia will put the country at risk. Armenia has a security system that is built within the framework of the joint operations with our strategic partner, he said. A war is on the brink Syunik Province, and nobody is here to answer questions in a closed or open regime. This is what deputy of the opposition Prosperous Armenia faction of the National Assembly of Armenia Naira Zohrabyan said during todays special session of the National Assembly. The sovereign territory of Armenia has been breached for a few days now. I am in contact with the heads of communities of Syunik Province on a daily basis. A little while ago, I talked to Mayor of Goris Arush Arushanyan, who said the situation is tense. Mr. Apitonyan, please tell us where the defense minister is. I understand that he is having lunch in central Yerevan and doesnt have time to answer very important questions, she said. Zohrabyan recalled that a few days ago, the acting Prime Minister had said there was no problem with equipping the frontline. The Azerbaijanis have seized the Sev Lake territory, which is of strategic significance, and the water is used by the residents of Goris and nine other nearby settlements. Currently, Sisian and Goris are directly under the target of the Azerbaijanis. They have crossed the border of the Republic of Armenia. Why havent the 250 Azerbaijani soldiers been captured as saboteurs? Zohrabyan said. Today we Armenians are facing the loss of the homeland. This is what independent deputy of the National Assembly of Armenia Taguhi Tovmasyan said during todays special session of the National Assembly. There were a lot of speeches about unity. How can there be unity when deputies continue to state that the Azerbaijanis attacked after a particular MP asked a particular question? Are you serious? Do you understand what is happening in the country and how it is possible to engage in dialogue in this domain? If Azerbaijan gets away with what its doing, things will get even worse, she stated. Tovmasyan stated that what remains a question for her is why Russia isnt represented in Gegharkunik Province. I received an alarm from Armenias Kut village that citizens stood unarmed as the Azerbaijanis entered an Armenian territory. They asked me to speak out about this and at least provide the shepherds with weapons so that they can defend themselves. People are unable to graze their cattle safely. Of course, theyre courageous, but the Republic of Armenia is obliged to protect each and every citizen, Tovmasyan said. Anti-clotting drugs for patients on life support, sensitive electrodes scientists can use to probe nerves and muscles, or an automatic labor-saving cell culture system. All were potential products that Emory students brought closer to the marketplace in the last few months through the Emory Biotech Consulting Club, which pairs student advisory teams with startup companies or partly substantiated ideas emerging from university research. The Club held its Gala Wednesday evening, with a set of four presentations by student advisory teams on market research or other goals set by their clients. One of those clients was Muscle Polymer, a fledgling outfit that produces flexible multi-electrode arrays for recording neuromuscular activity. The flexible electrode arrays have been used to study neuromuscular signals in songbirds and other organisms. Bryce Chung, a postdoc in Emory biologist Sam Sobers lab, created the electrode arrays together with Sober and electrical engineers Muneeb Zia and Muhannad Bakir at Georgia Tech. The electrode array technology was developed with the support of the McKnight Foundation, with ongoing support from the Simons Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. "Our device will be the first to let researchers and clinicians record high-resolution electrical activity simultaneously from the large number of muscles controlling a complex behavior, Sober says. The arrays are currently manufactured at Georgia Tech and assembled at Emory, and have been supplied to over a dozen laboratories at Emory and at other universities. The inventors think that they could be used in a variety of scientific and clinical contexts, including prosthetics and brain-machine interfaces. They have developed a work flow for making customized products, and are organizing a workshop for scientists so they can learn how to use them in their research. We advised them to build their scientific client base in the short term, but eventually, they will want to enter the clinical neurology space, said graduate student Sabrina Lynn, one of a five-person team advising Muscle Polymer. The students also advised Muscle Polymer on pricing its products and developing a service package to offer customers, including training, troubleshooting and data analysis. Muscle Polymer could be entering a competitive market, with big players such as Medtronic, they noted. Other projects showcased by the Emory Biotech Consulting Club included: InvenTech Solutions, an automatic system for exchanging growth media in cell culture dishes developed by biomedical engineers Martin Tomov and Vahid Serpooshan Anti-Platelet Therapeutics, drugs aimed at staving off blood clots in vulnerable patients undergoing ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation), a life support machine that replaces the heart and lungs. These potential drugs, based on antibodies to clotting factors, have been developed by blood clotting expert Renhao Li. Doc in a Box, a proposal for a kit containing basic equipment, such as a blood pressure cuff and thermometer, to supplement telehealth appointments. This came from internal medicine resident Matthew Brown. In Anti-Platelet Therapeutics case, part of the challenge was estimating how many people undergoing ECMO develop blood clotting problems, since the prevalence of acquired von Willebrand syndrome in ECMO is not known. For Doc in a Box, the students ended up helping inventor Brown prepare to enter the Connected Patient Challenge contest run by Boston Scientific. The Emory Biotech Consulting Club was co-founded in 2018 by Emory chemist Bill Wuest, who participated in similar activities during graduate school at the University of Pennsylvania. He wanted to provide an opportunity for graduate students and other young scientists to develop new skills and make connections as part of exploring non-academic career options. Some of the students who started the Club, including former president Erika Csatary, were in Wuests lab. Csatary has already finished her doctorate and is now working for technology licensing office at Ohio State. For this season, the Clubs advisory teams included graduate students as well as others from Goizueta Business School, undergraduates and other professional students. Laney Graduate School dean Lisa Tedesco said the club was an example of how graduate education should meet students where they are and respond to shifting career landscapes. The Graduate School has supported the Clubs budget since soon after its founding. Youre engaging with a practical, real-world problem, with a team of students from different fields, Tedesco told the group on Wednesday. Im thrilled with the cross-disciplinary work youre doing. The Club is also supported by Emorys Office of Technology Transfer, which works with student organizers to recruit companies for each season. This was the Clubs 4th season, and its second Gala that was conducted virtually; participants expressed the hope that the next could be in person. S&P ESG evaluation distinguishes PMIs strengths in several ESG areas LAUSANNE, Switzerland -- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Philip Morris International Inc. (PMI) (NYSE:PM) is transforming its business to deliver a smoke-free and sustainable future. Today, the company announced that S&P Global Ratings ESG Evaluation report has assessed PMIs approach to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) topics and confirmed that PMI has positively differentiated itself within the tobacco sector. The S&P Global Ratings ESG evaluation assesses a companys ESG strategy and ability to prepare for potential future risks and opportunities, and provides a forward-looking, long-term opinion of a companys readiness for disruptive ESG risks and opportunities. It provides an overall score that allows comparison with other entities globally, including sector peers, and consists of a combined sector/region score, an entity-specific score, and a preparedness score. Based on entity-specific scores designed to indicate how a company is actively and effectively managing its exposure to ESG risks and opportunities compared with its industry peersPMI is placed third in the E-entity specific score, 8th in the S-entity specific score, and 15th in the G-entity specific score among all 25 current publicly available ESG evaluations. I am proud that our dedication to sustainability, which is fundamental to the transformation of our company, has been recognized externally by S&P Global Ratings, said Emmanuel Babeau, Chief Financial Officer, PMI. It is our firm belief that sustainability and business performance do not follow separate pathsthey are fully interrelated and mutually reinforcing, and should be organized and presented to all stakeholders, including shareholders, in an integrated way. In February 2021, PMI announced an increased ambition for the contribution of its smoke-free products to total net revenues to more than 50 percent in 2025, meaning that in five years, cigarettes would account for less than half of PMIs total net revenues. The company also stated its aspiration to commercialize its smoke-free products in a total of 100 markets by the end of 2025, from 64 at the end of 2020. Additionally, PMI announced an aspirational target of at least USD 1 billion in annual net revenues from beyond nicotine products by 2025. This new aspiration reflects additional growth potential and further acceleration of the companys transformation, leveraging PMIs significant capabilities within life sciences, device technology, consumer expertise and more. Recognizing PMIs work in delivering a smoke-free future, S&P Global Ratings notes: The company has made significant R&D investments, by sector standards, and is upskilling its management team to prepare for this transition. In our view, the company is well placed to meet its ambitions. Adding: We believe PMI is adequately prepared for future disruptions, reflecting its significant investments in [reduced-risk products (RRPs)], which smokers seem to accept as an alternative to cigarettes, and its solid track record of strategic execution despite headwinds. S&P also recognized PMIs approach to customer engagementunique among its peerswhich educates consumers directly about the health consequences of sustained tobacco use and supports low-income customers in making the transition from cigarettes to reduced-risk products. To make its progress both measurable and comprehensive, PMI developed a set of bespoke key performance indicators (KPIs) that it calls Business Transformation Metrics (BTM), which PMI reports on periodically, allowing stakeholders to better assess both the pace and the scale of its transformation. Many of the data indicators showcase how PMI is reallocating resources from its traditional cigarette business, basing its success on a future in which it no longer makes or sells cigarettes. Additionally, in 2020, PMI integrated its sustainability and finance functions, so that the sustainability function now reports to the CFO. That year, the companys Board of Directors also issued and signed a Statement of Purpose, published in PMIs Proxy Statement, reaffirming its commitment to delivering on a future away from cigarettes. On preparedness for the future, the S&P ESG Evaluation states: Management strongly believes in embedding a new culture across the board and in PMIs leadership team, with the same mindset and behaviors trickling down the organization. It has made significant organizational changes in the past three years with 45 percent of senior management being new. The senior team has been upskilled on topics such as sustainability, technology, and pharmacology. The company aims for at least 40 million adults [to have switched to PMIs smoke-free products and stopped smoking by 2025. The target is backed by a remuneration structure that links executives performances to the progression of the RRPs. Aligned with our purpose and commitment to put sustainability at the core of our corporate strategy, we are working to seamlessly integrate ESG into our culture, business strategy, and executive-compensation determinations. We aim to continuously improve our performance and drive significant and measurable progress toward our targets and aspirationsall communicated through open and clear reporting, said Jennifer Motles, Chief Sustainability Officer, PMI. Our upcoming Integrated Report will provide a comprehensive overview of our main challenges and explain how we approach them. The productand its impact on healthremains at the core of PMIs strategy. Later this month, PMI will release its 2020 Integrated Report, which details how the organizations strategy, governance, performance, and prospects create value over the short, medium, and long term. For more information, visit www.PMI.com/Sustainability. Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements This press release contains projections of future results and other forward-looking statements. Achievement of future results is subject to risks, uncertainties and inaccurate assumptions. In the event that risks or uncertainties materialize, or underlying assumptions prove inaccurate, actual results could vary materially from those contained in such forward-looking statements. Pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, PMI is identifying important factors that, individually or in the aggregate, could cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements made by PMI. PMIs business risks include: excise tax increases and discriminatory tax structures; increasing marketing and regulatory restrictions that could reduce our competitiveness, eliminate our ability to communicate with adult consumers, or ban certain of our products; health concerns relating to the use of tobacco and other nicotine-containing products and exposure to environmental tobacco smoke; litigation related to tobacco use and intellectual property; intense competition; the effects of global and individual country economic, regulatory and political developments, natural disasters and conflicts; changes in adult smoker behavior; lost revenues as a result of counterfeiting, contraband and cross-border purchases; governmental investigations; unfavorable currency exchange rates and currency devaluations, and limitations on the ability to repatriate funds; adverse changes in applicable corporate tax laws; adverse changes in the cost, availability, and quality of tobacco and other agricultural products and raw materials, as well as components and materials for our electronic devices; and the integrity of its information systems and effectiveness of its data privacy policies. PMI's future profitability may also be adversely affected should it be unsuccessful in its attempts to produce and commercialize reduced-risk products or if regulation or taxation do not differentiate between such products and cigarettes; if it is unable to successfully introduce new products, promote brand equity, enter new markets or improve its margins through increased prices and productivity gains; if it is unable to expand its brand portfolio internally or through acquisitions and the development of strategic business relationships; or if it is unable to attract and retain the best global talent. Future results are also subject to the lower predictability of our reduced-risk product categorys performance. The COVID-19 pandemic has created significant societal and economic disruption, and resulted in closures of stores, factories and offices, and restrictions on manufacturing, distribution and travel, all of which will adversely impact our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial position during the continuation of the pandemic. Our business continuity plans and other safeguards may not be effective to mitigate the impact of the pandemic. Currently, significant risks include our diminished ability to convert adult smokers to our RRPs, significant volume declines in our duty-free business and certain other key markets, disruptions or delays in our manufacturing and supply chain, increased currency volatility, and delays in certain cost saving, transformation and restructuring initiatives. Our business could also be adversely impacted if key personnel or a significant number of employees or business partners become unavailable due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The significant adverse impact of COVID-19 on the economic or political conditions in markets in which we operate could result in changes to the preferences of our adult consumers and lower demand for our products, particularly for our mid-price or premium-price brands. Continuation of the pandemic could disrupt our access to the credit markets or increase our borrowing costs. Governments may temporarily be unable to focus on the development of science-based regulatory frameworks for the development and commercialization of RRPs or on the enforcement or implementation of regulations that are significant to our business. In addition, messaging about the potential negative impacts of the use of our products on COVID-19 risks may lead to increasingly restrictive regulatory measures on the sale and use of our products, negatively impact demand for our products, the willingness of adult consumers to switch to our RRPs and our efforts to advocate for the development of science-based regulatory frameworks for the development and commercialization of RRPs. The impact of these risks also depends on factors beyond our knowledge or control, including the duration and severity of the pandemic, its recurrence in our key markets, actions taken to contain its spread and to mitigate its public health effects, and the ultimate economic consequences thereof. PMI is further subject to other risks detailed from time to time in its publicly filed documents, including the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. PMI cautions that the foregoing list of important factors is not a complete discussion of all potential risks and uncertainties. PMI does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that it may make from time to time, except in the normal course of its public disclosure obligations. Philip Morris International: Delivering a Smoke-Free Future Philip Morris International (PMI) is leading a transformation in the tobacco industry to create a smoke-free future and ultimately replace cigarettes with smoke-free products to the benefit of adults who would otherwise continue to smoke, society, the company, and its shareholders. PMI is a leading international tobacco company engaged in the manufacture and sale of cigarettes, as well as smoke-free products, associated electronic devices and accessories, and other nicotine-containing products in markets outside the U.S. In addition, PMI ships versions of its IQOS Platform 1 device and consumables to Altria Group, Inc. for sale under license in the U.S., where these products have received marketing authorizations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the premarket tobacco product application (PMTA) pathway; the FDA has also authorized the marketing of a version of IQOS and its consumables as a modified risk tobacco product (MRTP), finding that an exposure modification order for these products is appropriate to promote the public health. PMI is building a future on a new category of smoke-free products that, while not risk-free, are a much better choice than continuing to smoke. Through multidisciplinary capabilities in product development, state-of-the-art facilities, and scientific substantiation, PMI aims to ensure that its smoke-free products meet adult consumer preferences and rigorous regulatory requirements. PMIs smoke-free product portfolio includes heat-not-burn and nicotine-containing vapor products. As of March 31, 2021, PMIs smoke-free products are available for sale in 66 markets in key cities or nationwide, and PMI estimates that approximately 14 million adults around the world have already switched to IQOS and stopped smoking. For more information, please visit www.pmi.com and www.pmiscience.com. S&P Global Ratings ESG Evaluation S&P Global Ratings ESG Evaluation is an assessment of a companys ESG strategy and ability to prepare for potential future risks and opportunities. The ESG Evaluation provides a forward-looking, long-term opinion of readiness for disruptive ESG risks and opportunities. The methodology is founded on this organizations sector and company expertise, relying upon in-depth engagement with company management to assess material ESG impacts on the company, past, present, and future. # # # View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210513005525/en/ CONTACT: Philip Morris International Daniella Weinberg Philip Morris International T. +41 (0)58 242 4500 E. daniella.weinberg@pmi.com The US city of Columbus, Ohio, has reached a $10 million settlement with the family of an unarmed Black man who was killed by a police officer last year. Andre Hill, 47, was shot dead on December 22 by Columbus police officer Adam Coy. Coy, who is white, was subsequently dismissed from the police force and faces murder charges. Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein said the $10 million settlement is the largest in the history of the midwestern city. "We understand that because of this former officer's actions, the Hill family will never be whole," Klein said in a statement. "No amount of money will ever bring Andre Hill back to his family, but we believe this is an important and necessary step in the right direction." Attorneys for the Hill family thanked the city for "doing the right thing" by reaching the settlement and agreeing to name a community center gymnasium after Hill. "Now all those involved can begin to heal," they said in a statement. Hill was in the garage of a house when Coy and another officer arrived on the scene in response to a minor complaint. Seconds before Coy opened fire, bodycam footage shows Hill walking towards the policeman holding a cell phone in his left hand, while his other hand cannot be seen. Hill's shooting came seven months after the death of George Floyd and sparked a fresh wave of protests against racial injustice and police brutality. Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murder last month for Floyd's death and is to be sentenced in June. The city of Minneapolis reached a $27 million settlement with Floyd's family ahead of Chauvin's trial. cl/ft No-one immediately said they were behind the bombing A bombing at a mosque on the outskirts of the Afghan capital Kabul has killed at least 12 people attending Friday prayers, police say. The blast in Shakardara district came on the second day of a three-day Taliban and army ceasefire to mark the Eid festival at the end of Ramadan. No-one has said they were behind the bombing, which also wounded at least 15. The Taliban denied involvement. On Thursday, blasts in Kandahar and Kunduz provinces killed nine people. Friday's bomb blast was the most major of the violent incidents that have marred the ceasefire. The imam leading prayers was among the dead. It came less than a week after scores of people, mainly students, were killed in a bombing outside a school in Kabul. At least 165 others were injured. The Afghan government blamed the Taliban for the attack, but the group denied involvement. There have been no major reports so far of fighting between the two sides since the truce began on Thursday for the Eid al-Fitr festival at the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. Attacks in Kabul and other parts of the country are also carried out by Islamic State (IS) militants, who are not signatories to the three-day ceasefire. The Taliban have stepped up attacks on the Afghan government in recent weeks as the US and Nato prepare to pull out all their remaining troops by 11 September. You may also be interested in... (In third paragraph, clarifies amount is outstanding fund value at quarter-end, not sales in the quarter) By Andrew Galbraith and Samuel Shen SHANGHAI (Reuters) -Alibaba affiliate Ant Group became China's largest seller of non-money-market mutual funds in the first quarter, industry data showed, disrupting a market dominated by banks despite a regulatory crackdown. Ant and Alibaba are being targeted by Beijing's anti-monopoly campaign. Regulators have urged Ant to reduce the size of Yu'ebao, China's biggest money market fund managed by Ant-controlled mutual fund house Tianhong. Outstanding non-money-market mutual funds sold by Ant's fund sales arm were worth 890.1 billion yuan ($138.23 billion) at the end of the first quarter of 2021, according to data released late Thursday by the Asset Management Association of China (AMAC). China Merchants Bank took the second spot at 707.9 billion yuan, followed by Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, the country's biggest lender. It was the first such ranking released by AMAC, highlighting the rapidly growing clout of independent fund advisers that sell funds via mobile apps and the internet, by-passing bank outlets. "It's.. about the strength of big-tech-company-backed IFAs (independent fund advisers), how far they have reached, how deep their client base is and how adaptive they are to the market trends," said Ivan Shi, director at Z-Ben Advisors, a consultancy. "It also speaks to how much service and tool development different tech companies have put into their IFA platforms." Ant (Hangzhou) Funds Sales Co's main distribution channel is Ant's ubiquitous payment platform Alipay. Shi said Ant's top rankings could also reflect lower risk appetite as investors shift away from equities funds to fixed-income products, which are popular on Alipay. "If you log into the Alipay app, a lot of the products they are promoting are short-term bond funds, fixed income products. That's a very quick response to market trends, so that's going to catch a lot of outflows from equity products." Story continues According to AMAC's ranking, Shanghai Tiantian Fund Distribution ranked fifth during the first quarter, while other tech-driven sales platforms, including Tencent's fund sales unit and Baidu's Du Xiaoman Fund Sales, far lagged Ant. Revenues at Ant's fund sales company more than tripled to 6.01 billion yuan in 2020 from a year earlier, public disclosures showed. ($1 = 6.4391 Chinese yuan) (Reporting by Andrew Galbraith and Samuel Shen; Editing by Elaine Hardcastle) The companies will deploy new technologies that 'increase the transparency of the renewable energy sourcing of crypto mining'. Photo: Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty Images UK-listed bitcoin mining business Argo Blockchain (ARB.L) and cryptocurrency technology company DMG Blockchain Solutions (DMGI.V) have signed a "crypto climate accord" (CAA) aimed at promoting industry decarbonisation. The CAA outlines several objectives for the crypto mining industry, including reaching net-zero emissions from electricity consumption by 2030. The pair are among the first cryptocurrency firms to sign up to the CCA, the pair said in a statement. Under the terms of the agreement, the companies will deploy new technologies to "increase the transparency of the renewable energy sourcing of crypto mining". The CAA a private sector-led initiative with 40 signatories including 20 prominent cryptocurrency companies also aims to transition the sector to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. The initiative will develop standardised tools and technology to "accelerate the adoption and verification of 100% renewables-powered blockchains" under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). "As more data continues to surface regarding bitcoin and bitcoin mining's impact on the environment, it's imperative that the industry takes real, tangible action," Argo's chief executive Peter Wall said. Watch: What are the risks of investing in cryptocurrency? Read more: Argo buys hydro-powered crypto mines in Quebec as Tesla ditches bitcoin Argo, which focusses on large-scale cryptocurrency mining, has been on a clean energy drive recently. It signed a preliminary deal with DMG to create the world's first "green" bitcoin (BTC-USD) mining pool earlier this year. The company this week bought hydro-powered crypto mines in Quebec, Canada. Shares in Argo were trading 11% higher to 150 on Friday midday in London. Chart: Yahoo Finance Sheldon Bennett, DMG's chief executive, said his company was "committed to transparency" and the partnership put "the wheels in motion to transition the cryptocurrency industry into one that focuses on renewable energy." Story continues Read more: Bitcoin falls below $50,000 as Elon Musk doubles down on climate criticism The news come amid mounting criticism over the energy used by the crypto industry and its potential impact on climate change. According to Cambridge University, bitcoin mining accounts for 0.7% of global electricity consumption. Much of the power comes from coal-fired plants in China. On Wednesday evening, Tesla boss Elon Musk expressed concerns about how much energy the technology uses and reversed plans for his electric car company to accept bitcoin. "We are concerned about rapidly increasing use of fossil fuels for bitcoin mining and transactions, especially after coal, which has the worst emissions of any fuel," Musk tweeted. Tesla's announcement led bitcoin to crash 13%. Other major cryptocurrencies including Ethereum (ETH-USD), Dogecoin (DOGE-USD) and Litecoin (LITE-USD) followed suit. Argo, swung to a profit last year after it was boosted by surging bitcoin and cryptocurrency prices. The company made a net profit of 1.7m ($2.4m), compared to a 0.7m net loss in 2019. Revenue rose 120% to 19m. Watch: What is bitcoin? May 14LEWISTON The student government at Bates College joined 14 other student organizations to denounce the college's decision this week to ask police to investigate some anti-Israel graffiti. Getting the police involved, their joint statement said, was "a censure of student voices" that "makes students feel unsafe and oppressed on our campus." "We fear for our communities of color, specifically brown, Arab, Middle Eastern and Muslim students, that will most likely be the targets of this investigation," said the statement, which also included a call to "free Palestine." Bates contacted police Sunday after someone told the college a hate crime had occurred when anti-Israeli slogans that were written in chalk on at least one college building and flyers were distributed denouncing Israel for the violent clashes in recent days between its security forces and Palestinians. Officials said they had an obligation to tell the police after receiving the report. The college issued a response to the students' statement late Thursday that said, "The depth and complexity of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict aggravates painful generational wounds for many members of our community. Throughout this week, faculty and staff at the college have been meeting with individual students and student groups to hear their fears and concerns and to provide support." "As an institution of learning, we are working hard with students to create opportunities to promote deeper understanding across divides and provide space for discourse focused on healing as a campus community," it said. The Lewiston police looked into the incident as a potential hate crime. It is not clear how seriously the case is being pursued. The state attorney general's office said Thursday it is waiting for a report from the local police before taking any action. The organizations backing the new statement, including the Bates Black Student Union, the Bates Leftist Coalition and the South Asian Student Association, said they issued it "to express our solidarity with the Palestinian people and their cause as well as our deep disappointment with Bates College for the way they have handled the events of the past week." Story continues The statement said students "cannot turn our backs on victims of apartheid and occupation when it becomes inexpedient to speak up. It is hypocritical that Bates College has chosen to neglect the humanity of the Palestinian people while claiming to be an anti-colonialist, anti-racist and abolitionist institution." The students signing the statement said that if Bates finds the "Free Palestine" push offensive "then they reveal their alliance to settler-colonialism and genocide." Israel came into existence in 1948 after the British occupation of Palestine ended shortly after the end of World War II and the defeat of Adolf Hitler's Nazi regime that deliberately murdered six million Jews. Lexow said in the email sent to student that "Bates is a community committed to openness, pluralism and inclusion, where every individual should feel safe and supported. Incidents of this kind can have a significant and harmful impact on those who experience them." Her words caught the attention of Donna Joss, a professor emeritus at Worcester State University, who wrote to Lexow this week to urge that Bates recognize that while "there is violence on each side of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," it is not a conflict between equals. "Please keep in mind that Palestinians are under a long, brutal and crippling occupation by Israel, that they have endured dislocation and dispossession as well as injury and death at the hands" of the Israeli military and settlers for decades, Joss said. "The current situation in Jerusalem and Gaza is not new, only worse than usual," Joss added. "I hope you and the Bates College administration and outside officials will have the same concern for members of the Bates community who are Muslim, Palestinian and/or who are deeply concerned about the Palestinian situation as you have shown for the Jewish/Israeli members of the community," Joss said. The United States must encourage an immediate cease-fire in the Middle East and adopt an "evenhanded approach" that recognizes Palestinians and Israelis have a right to "live in peace and security," Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.) wrote in a New York Times opinion on Friday. Driving the news: Violence escalated this week after Israelis intensified efforts to evict Palestinians from their homes in Jerusalem. Hamas fired rockets and Israel massed troops, leaving more than 125 Palestinians and seven people in Israel dead. Get market news worthy of your time with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free. What he's saying: "Lets be clear. No one is arguing that Israel, or any government, does not have the right to self-defense or to protect its people," wrote Sanders. "So why are these words repeated year after year, war after war? And why is the question almost never asked: 'What are the rights of the Palestinian people?' And why do we only seem to take notice of the violence in Israel and Palestine when rockets are falling on Israel?" "[W]hile Hamas firing rockets into Israeli communities is absolutely unacceptable, todays conflict did not begin with those rockets," the senator said, adding Palestinians have spent years being threatened with forced evictions, political and economic oppression and deepening Israeli occupation. "Further, we have seen [Israeli Prime Minister] Benjamin Netanyahus government work to marginalize and demonize Palestinian citizens of Israel" while pursuing policies "designed to foreclose the possibility of a two-state solution." "None of this excuses the attacks by Hamas, which were an attempt to exploit the unrest in Jerusalem, or the failures of the corrupt and ineffective Palestinian Authority," Sanders noted. "But the fact of the matter is that Israel remains the one sovereign authority in the land of Israel and Palestine, and rather than preparing for peace and justice, it has been entrenching its unequal and undemocratic control." The lawmaker emphasized that the U.S. must "uphold international standards of human rights consistently, even when it's politically difficult." The big picture: After speaking with Netanyahu on Wednesday, President Biden said that, "Israel has the right to defend itself." Story continues Asked whether Palestine has the same right, press secretary Jen Psaki at a White House press briefing said, "Are the attacks not coming from Hamas?" The administration has dispatched a State Department official to join de-escalation efforts. Go deeper... Gaza crisis: Casualties pile up with no signs of ceasefire from Israel, Hamas More from Axios: Sign up to get the latest market trends with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Black Brazilians demonstrated in the country's two largest cities on Thursday to protest against racism and police violence toward their communities in a local version of the Black Lives Matter movement in the United States, with some accusing the country's president of genocide. They were also protesting what they called the "false" anniversary of the abolition of slavery, officially marked for the day in 1888 when the Brazilian monarch's daughter, Princess Isabel, signed the law freeing slaves. Black Brazilians celebrate the end of slavery on Nov. 20, the anniversary of the killing of Zumbi, a figure of resistance against slavery and the last leader of a runaway slaves community called Palmares. Around 1,000 people marched through downtown Rio de Janeiro in the evening holding candles and signs saying, "Don't kill me, kill racism," and accusing far-right President Jair Bolsonaro of genocide through police violence. Other signs decried the shooting deaths of 28 people in a slum called Jacarezinho on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro a week ago during an operation that police said targeted drug traffickers. Human rights activists accused the police of "extrajudicial killings" saying many of the dead where not under investigation. A Supreme Court justice said he saw signs of "arbitrary execution" in the raid on Jacarezinho. In Sao Paulo, a similar number of demonstrators crowded onto a main avenue to oppose racism and police violence. "We are marking the date of the false abolition of slavery, and the tragedy in Jacarezinho where police ambushed 28 people to kill them in cold blood," said Joao de Oliveira. "President Bolsonaro and his vice president even applauded the slaughter. He committed genocide. We are here to protest." (Reporting by Leonardo Benassatto and Amanda Perobelli in Sao Paulo and Ricardo Moraes in Rio de Janeiro; writing by Anthony Boadle; Editing by Leslie Adler) By Pedro Fonseca RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - The corner bars are jammed once again with rambunctious crowds in Brazil's largest cities, but health experts warn that the easing of COVID-19 restrictions is premature and will deepen the world's second deadliest pandemic. "People think the pandemic is over ... but we are racing towards the edge of a precipice," said epidemiologist Wanderson Oliveira, the country's former health surveillance secretary. With no national policy coordination by far-right President Jair Bolsonaro's government, and under pressure to get their economies running again, Brazilian governors and mayors have eased restrictions on non-essential activities. In Rio de Janeiro, authorities have even allowed live music performances to resume in bars. "In two or three months we will have an increase in deaths as a result of these measures. Hospitals are filling up and most patients die, unfortunately," said Jesem Orellana, an epidemiologist at the Fiocruz biomedical center. Brazil has lagged other nations in vaccinating its people, and the government of Bolsonaro, who has opposed lockdowns and played down the gravity of the virus, is under investigation in Congress for failing to secure timely vaccine supplies. After reaching a peak of 4,249 COVID-19 deaths in a single day on April 8, Brazil has seen a stabilization at a still high plateau of about 2,000 fatalities a day, just below India. Health experts are warning that Brazil has not learned from its mistake in easing restrictions last year that lead to this year's lethal surge. COVID-19 has killed 430,000 people in Brazil, second only to the United States, and the South American nation has the third highest number of overall confirmed cases of coronavirus after the United States and India. According to Google's mobility report based on the location of cell phones, the presence of people in workplaces last week reached its highest level since the beginning of monitoring. Story continues The approaching southern hemisphere winter, when respiratory diseases multiply, is expected to make matters worse. "It's the worst possible time to become more flexible with social distancing restrictions in Brazil, especially in the south of the country," said Orellana, from Fiocruz. "The problem is not so much the return to normal activities, but the speed and irresponsibility of this return," he added. Fiocruz warned this week that social interaction, especially indoors with large numbers of people and little fresh air, must be avoided or else a new explosion of cases could be "catastrophic" in Brazil. Orellana said only mass inoculation can avert such a scenario, but Brazil's pace of vaccination is far too slow. Only 16.3% of the population, or 34.4 million people, have received their first dose, and just 7.8%, or 16.4 million people, are fully vaccinated, according to the health ministry. Due to supply constraints, daily vaccine doses administered have slumped to roughly half of their peak of over a million shots a day in mid April, according to "Our World in Data." (Reporting by Anthony Boadle; Editing by Bill Berkrot) Breeze Airways pilots with David Neeleman. Breeze Airways Breeze Airways plans to save money by hiring college students as cabin crew. The US' largest flight attendants union said the plan may result in safety issues as the students are inexperienced. However, lower than expected recruitment numbers have forced the airline to open up regular positions. See more stories on Insider's business page. David Neeleman's new startup, Breeze Airways, has ambitious plans to keep costs low when it launches flights this year - but one of its more unique initiatives is putting is receiving the ire of big labor. Some flight attendants staffing the airline's planes will be Utah Valley University college students hired through paid work-study programs. The strategy is unique for any modern US airline and is part of Breeze's strategy to offer extremely low fares on leisure routes. But students won't be attending class in the morning and jetting off in the afternoon. Rather, only online students will be eligible for the program, as being a Breeze flight attendant requires a nomadic lifestyle it says is best suited to college students. "Breeze is looking for 'Seriously Nice' current and future UVU Full Time, On-Line students, to work at the newest and nicest airline as a Flight Attendant!" the airline's job posting reads. The responsibilities might be more than college students would expect from a run-of-the-mill work-study program. Flight attendants are tasked, in part, with ensuring the safety and well-being of every passenger onboard and guiding them in the event of an emergency. These training programs for all airlines are regulated and approved by the Federal Aviation Administration. "We expect you to welcome and accommodate Guests, mitigate high-stress situations, collaborate and problem solve with other Team Members, use good judgement, and just be...nice, all while taking on line classes and earning your degree at Utah Valley University!" the posting continues. Story continues Breeze intended for all of its flight attendants to be degree-seeking students. But lower than expected recruitment numbers have required the airline to open up regular positions with no requirements of being a student, airline spokesperson Gareth Edmondson-Jones confirmed to Insider. "We were getting some good results but we needed to attract more people," Edmondson-Jones said. "This way, they have both options they can do a regular flight attendant role or they can do it earning a degree on the side." A regular position offers 70 guaranteed flight hours per month if candidates agree to a four-year contract, the full-time posting reads. Other than academic requirements, job postings for the two programs are nearly identical, including a minimum age requirement of 18 years. Notably, many other airlines also do not require college degrees to apply. Read More: JetBlue founder David Neeleman reveals how his new airline can succeed by flying weird routes for low prices America's largest flight attendant union has pushed back against Breeze's plan, citing potential safety issues from using "less experienced and mature" flight crews, Sara Nelson, president of Association of Flight Attendants-CWA union and one of the country's most vocal labor advocates, told Bloomberg. Nelson pointed to the cabin crew - with more than 100 years of experience combined - that helped save lives when US Airways flight 1549 made a forced landing in the Hudson River in 2009. While the minimum age of the college-enrolled flight attendants is 18, older applicants can apply through the college program if they enroll as a student. Breeze maintains that any hired flight attendant, student or not, and will be trained to the required standards regardless of age. "If you're a fully trained flight attendant, you're a fully trained flight attendant," spokesperson Edmondson-Jones said. "It's not like if you're 18 years old, you can't be a flight attendant." Another aspect of the program is also under fire from the flight attendants union. Once the students complete their studies at Utah Valley University, their employment at the airline comes to an end, and they'll either have to reapply or find jobs elsewhere. "The whole point of a work-study program is to get experience in a career field," AFA President Nelson told Bloomberg. "This program turns that on its head. As soon as you get the experience, you're no longer qualified." Tuition assistance for the students-turned-flight-attendants totals $6,000 per year. Additional perks include corporate housing, airport transportation, a monthly salary, and one paid round-trip ticket home per year. The monthly salary is reported to be $1,200 for around half a month's work. Breeze plans to take flight in May after completing Federal Aviation Administration-mandated proving runs across the East Coast and Southeast. Flights will operate between secondary US cities with a focus on low-cost leisure flights on underserved air routes. Read the original article on Business Insider LONDON (Reuters) - Britain and Ireland will work together to maintain smooth trade between Britain, Northern Ireland and Ireland, the leaders of Britain and Ireland said on Friday after meeting at Prime Minister Boris Johnson's country residence. Since Britain completed its exit out of the European Union at the end of last year, ties between the two have soured, especially over parts of their agreement governing trade between Britain and its province of Northern Ireland. Negotiations between the two sides over how to stop any disruption in trade between Britain and Northern Ireland have so far failed to produce any solutions but London may hope EU member Ireland could help move those talks along. Johnson and Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin agreed "on the importance of working together to uphold the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement and to maintain smooth trade between Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland", a spokesperson for Johnson's office said in a statement. The Belfast or Good Friday Agreement ended three decades of violence between mostly Catholic nationalists fighting for a united Ireland and mostly Protestant unionists, or loyalists, who want Northern Ireland to remain part of the United Kingdom. The peace accord took centre stage in the Brexit talks, with both sides agreeing to an open Irish land border to help safeguard peace, free trade and travel on the island. But the deal also meant that Northern Ireland effectively stayed in the EU's single market for goods, meaning checks at its ports. The two leaders also agreed it was "profoundly sad" that the families of victims had to wait so long for the truth over the deaths of 10 people killed in a 1971 incident in Belfast during a British Army operation, the spokesperson said. On Wednesday, Johnson apologised "unreservedly" on behalf of the government after a judge-led inquiry found that British soldiers unjustifiably shot or used disproportionate force in the deaths of nine of the 10 people killed in the incident. (Reporting by Elizabeth Piper; Editing by Alistair Smout) Algarve beach British tourists will be allowed to enter Portugal from next Monday, the Portuguese authorities have announced. Portugal is on the UK's "green" list for unrestricted travel from then, but there had been confusion over whether the Portuguese would reciprocate. Coronavirus is still causing concern in Portugal and the country has extended its state of calamity to 30 May. The government in Lisbon said anyone arriving would need to take a negative PCR test before departure. The announcement was made by the Portuguese foreign ministry, which said tourism authorities had been ensuring that testing capacity in Portugal will meet the demand from tourists. "With an air capacity from (at least) 21 airports in the United Kingdom into Portugal, reinforced due to the high demand from this market, the options are wide for the British tourists to visit Portugal from any point," the ministry said. "People from the United Kingdom have visited Portugal and celebrated our culture, traditions, landmarks, history, and enjoyed our warm hospitality for decades. We look forward to welcome all travellers coming from the UK." The Portuguese announcement followed days of uncertainty and confusion over whether thousands of holidays booked by UK travellers from Monday would in fact go ahead. On Thursday, it looked as though many holidaymakers' hopes would be dashed when Portugal extended its Covid emergency measures. Tourist season But to widespread relief, the Lisbon government has now given its approval to UK tourists. Authorities in the UK had already announced that travellers from England and Scotland would not have to quarantine on their return from Portugal and other "green list" countries from 17 May. However, those countries have their own restrictions on who can visit. 'I'm super-desperate to go away' As an NHS worker, 32-year-old Rebecca Morgan, of Bow in east London, has gone beyond the call of duty during the pandemic. Story continues Instead of taking her annual leave over the past year, she has been doing extra shifts on Covid wards. But now she feels it really is time for a break - which is why she plans to fly to Faro in Portugal on 31 May for a week's holiday. "I'm super-desperate to go away," she told the BBC. "I've not had a proper week off for a year and a half. I'm really looking forward to having a good lie down on the beach." Rebecca is expecting to pay 400 for the three required PCR tests and would have preferred the option to isolate at home. "The cost of the tests will probably cost more than the holiday," she says. "I'm tested twice a week for work, had Covid back in January and I've had both vaccines now, so I'm not expecting to get Covid at this stage." At present, Portugal allows flights to and from the UK, but only for essential travel, such as for business, study, family reasons, health or humanitarian reasons. Those travel restrictions will be lifted only from 17 May. Tui has 44 flights due to depart for Portugal between 17 and 30 May. These include 28 to the Algarve, a popular destination for UK summer holidays. Other firms, including EasyJet, have been offering holidays and flights to green list countries, but online travel firm On The Beach has stopped selling all holidays for this summer because of Covid uncertainty. EasyJet said: "We welcome the decision from the Portuguese government meaning that those travelling from the UK will be allowed to travel safely to Portugal from Monday. "We look forward to reuniting friends and family and taking customers on a long-awaited holiday this summer." The Abta travel association said it was "fantastic" that tourists could return to Portugal. "UK tourism is a really important part of the Portuguese economy, contributing half a billion pounds a year in normal times," an Abta spokesperson said. At the same time, Greece has launched its tourist season, lifting most remaining restrictions on movement and declaring "we are putting the lockdown behind us". Although an average of 2,000 daily Covid cases are still being reported, vaccinations are being rolled out with the Greek islands as a priority. Banner saying 'Get in touch' Are you planning to travel to Portugal soon? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways: If you are reading this page and can't see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or comment or you can email us at HaveYourSay@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location with any submission. "All of us started crying, my parents, my mom's birthday was yesterday so this was almost like a birthday gift to her," Michelle Monterrosa told the I-TEAM. Video Transcript DAN ASHLEY: Nearly one year after a Vallejo police officer shot and killed Sean Monterrosa, the California attorney general announced the Department of Justice will conduct an independent review to determine whether criminal charges should be filed. ABC 7 News I-Team reporter Melanie Woodrow has covered this case since the very beginning. And tonight, she has reaction from Monterrosa's sisters. MELANIE WOODROW: Next month will mark one year since Vallejo police officer shot and killed Sean Monterrosa through the windshield from the backseat of an unmarked vehicle. Monterrosa was outside a Walgreens where there had been a looting, June 2nd. Vallejo police said he was crouched down in a half-kneeling position, moving his hands towards his waist area, revealing what appeared to be the butt of a handgun. It turned out to be a hammer. In July, Solano County District Attorney Krishna Abrams recused herself from the case. KRISHNA ABRAMS: The current circumstances compel an outside review to not only restore public trust, preserve the safety of our community, but also provide confidence in the outcome. MELANIE WOODROW: And until now, the attorney general has declined to investigate the shooting. ROB BONTA: What is needed is a fair and complete and impartial, thorough, and transparent review. MELANIE WOODROW: New Attorney General Rob Bonta announced the California Department of Justice will conduct an independent review to determine whether criminal charges should be filed, something Sean Monterrosa's sisters have been advocating for all along. AG Bonta told them over Zoom this morning. MICHELLE MONTERROSA: All of us are crying, my parents-- and my mom's birthday was yesterday. So this was almost like a birthday gift to her. ASHLEY MONTERROSA: It's definitely rewarding. Life took a really hard left turn on June 2nd. And for us, June 2nd is every day, but we've been turning this pain into power and really turning this pain into purpose. Story continues MELANIE WOODROW: Bonta said it's unfortunate that up to this point DA Abrams has not acted. This afternoon she released a statement saying AG Bonta was playing politics and that he had reversed course within an hour of speaking with her this morning and telling her his office would not be reviewing the case due to funding not being available until July 1st. MICHELLE MONTERROSA: I just think she's taking space for someone who can actually do their job at the end of the day. MELANIE WOODROW: Prior to today's announcement, the attorney general's office was investigating the destruction of the windshield by police, which was evidence. Bonta promised today if there has been wrongdoing, we will bring it to light. For the I-Team, Melanie Woodrow, ABC 7 News. This undated photo shows Ryan Scott Blinston, a tree trimmer in rural California charged with a series of throat-slashing serial killings. (Butte County District Attorney via AP) A tree trimmer in northern California has been accused by prosecutors of being a throat-slashing serial killer, allegedly taking three lives in the last year and attempting to murder another two. Ryan Scott Blinson from Oroville north of Sacramento has been charged with three counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder in Butte County Superior Court. The alleged killings took place in May and June 2020. The 37-year-old was already in jail for one of the attempted murders when he was charged with the four other counts. Mr Blinston was arrested in June for attempted murder after he allegedly cut the throat of a man. According to district attorneys, he was working for a tree-trimming company on 18 May and returned days later to the home of a client and killed 88-year-old Loreen Severs. The statement said that Mr Blinston had forced his way into her home and also tried to kill her 91-year-old husband Homer. Both had their throats cut, the statement added. Homer Severs survived the attack but died in December of an unrelated illness. The prosecutors went on to allege that Mr Blinston killed yet again after he had worked at the home of 82-year-old Sandra George on 4 June. After the work was completed and the crew left, Blinston returned to Georges home and killed her. As with the Severs, her throat was slashed inside her home, the statement said. Mr Blinston allegedly killed an acquaintance two days later. Vicky Cline was last seen alive with Mr Blinston in downtown Oroville. The former waitress had been living in her car, which was destroyed in an arson fire later that night. Blood and DNA evidence on and in Blinstons car was forensically matched back to Cline," prosecutors said. Her body was found in the Feather River by a fisherman on 21 June. "Damage to her throat was consistent with the other victim murders, the statement said. While Butte County has had its issues with meth production, property crimes, car thefts, and about half a dozen murders a year, Butte County District Attorney Michael Ramsey told the Associated Press that he had not seen anything like Mr Blinstons crimes during his 44 years on the beat. Story continues Mr Blinston has used methamphetamine in the past and served two terms in state prison for driving a stolen car, having other stolen items and fleeing from the California Highway Patrol, but had been out of jail for several years. He wasnt Public Enemy number one in any sense, Mr Ramsey told the AP. Nothing that would lead one to believe that we had a nascent serial killer in our midst. A SWAT team using night vision goggles looking to serve an arrest warrant in the arson case located Mr Blinston at an isolated motorhome in a heavily wooded area in the early hours of 14 June 2020. Authorities had information that Mr Blinston was staying at the residence with a 50-year-old man, a relative of his friends. Mr Blinston had set up camp down the hill. Mr Ramsey said Mr Blinston wanted to convince the motorhome resident to grow marijuana on the land. The district attorney said the man had told authorities that they drank beer and smoked and shot the breeze and seemed to be getting along fine. But on the night of 13 June, Mr Blinston asked if he could stay in the motorhome because he was afraid of bears. The man allowed him to do so. He falls asleep. The next thing he knows is Blinston on top of him, slicing his throat with what he believed was a knife because he felt the warm blood start to gush out of his neck, Mr Ramsey said. The statement said the SWAT team heard the muffled screams of a man inside and loud banging on the outside of the motorhome. The banging turned out to be Blinston attempting to get into the motorhome with a hatchet. The man was stabbed in the neck and wrist but was able to kick his attacker out of the motorhome and lock the door. Mr Blinston was trying to hack his way back in when the SWAT team coincidently arrived. Mr Ramsey said the luck was mind-boggling and theres no doubt in the world that the SWAT team saved the mans life. Mr Blinston ran into the woods but was captured after a struggle and following the use of a stun gun. The motorhome resident was given medical attention by the SWAT teams medic and later taken by helicopter to a hospital. Mr Blinston was charged with attempted murder and has been in custody in Butte County Jail where hes been held without bail awaiting court proceedings and investigations concerning the other criminal counts against him. During his arraignment on Thursday, Mr Blinston didnt enter a plea but earlier pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder charge relating to the motorhome attack. Hes being held without bail awaiting a court hearing on 19 May. Workers need time off to stay happy and engaged with their work denying them this can seriously backfire for businesses. Photo: Getty From 17 May, people in England will be allowed to go on holiday abroad in a small number of countries. Portugal, Australia and New Zealand are among the permitted destinations on the governments current green list, which tourists will be able to travel to without having to quarantine on their return. People coming from countries on the amber list will have to take a pre-departure test and tests on day two and day eight of their arrival. Although airlines, tour operators and travel agents are pinning their hopes on a surge of bookings, whether people want to travel over the summer remains to be seen. A survey of over 2,200 UK adults conducted for the Department for Transport (DfT) by Ipsos Mori in late March found barely half of Britains international travellers are happy about going abroad this summer. But if a worker does want to go abroad and to a country that requires them to self-isolate upon returning can an employer do anything about it? So although foreign travel looks set to be heavily regulated this summer, some employees may choose to book trips abroad, says Alan Price, CEO at BrightHR . From an employer's perspective, the statutory duties under the working time regulations always dictate their approach to annual leave. It's perhaps no surprise that the working time legislation doesn't take mandatory hotel quarantine or travel bans into account, so it will really be down to employers and their staff to discuss any concerns around foreign travel before agreeing on how to proceed, he adds. Importantly, there is nothing in the law that allows an employer to forbid an employee to travel abroad. Read more: Fallen ill on holiday? Here is what you need to do Employers have a statutory obligation to provide employees with at least 5.6 weeks paid annual leave per year, and many employers provide more than the statutory minimum. Employers only have the discretion to decide the timing around when employees use their annual leave. As above, there is nothing in the law that allows an employer to forbid an employee to travel abroad, says Price. Story continues When it comes to the timing of annual leave, employers may cancel a period of annual leave if they have a legitimate business reason for doing so, provided they give notice that is at least the length of the leave planned before it is due to commence. Provided the employer has fulfilled those two conditions, they will have complied with the law. Before cancelling annual leave, though, employers should explore all possible alternatives. There should be a clear business reason for any decision to cancel a period of annual leave, he says. Any such cancellation should only be considered as a last resort. It is also essential to be mindful that employees may have paid for hotels and travel costs and may be unable to recoup some or all of that money if the employer cancels their annual leave. And its worth bearing in mind that cancelling annual leave can seriously impact employee morale and job satisfaction, particularly after this challenging year. Workers need time off to stay happy and engaged with their work denying them this can seriously backfire for businesses. Suppose an employer cancels a holiday request for a legitimate business reason. In that case, the employee can expect to face appropriate disciplinary action for any subsequent unauthorised absence, whether they work from home or on-site, says Price. If remote workers can carry out their duties in full while completing any required period of quarantine, there should be no reason for disciplinary action. The situation is further complicated at the moment by various travel bans, mandatory home quarantine rules and most recently, mandatory hotel quarantine for arrivals from certain countries. The goalposts are moving from week to week, and it really is difficult for employers and staff to make plans for a trip abroad. Read more: Netflix offers employees unlimited holidays should all businesses try it? If an employee is required to self-isolate or stay in a hotel during a quarantine period, a one-week holiday may become a three-week absence. This can create an added workforce management difficulty for employers, particularly if the employee is not able to perform their role remotely. Suppose an employee is unable to return to work due to rules around self-isolating or quarantining. In that case, the employer may have reasonable grounds to take disciplinary action as the employee is unavailable to perform their duties once the agreed period of annual leave has concluded, says Price. However, there is a difference between an employee not being able to do their job remotely and an employer being unwilling to let someone work remotely. Unless its impossible, employers should be flexible businesses and their staff need to work together to find mutually agreeable solutions. Watch: Should I book a holiday in 2021? (Reuters) - Chevron Corp said a fire that broke out at its 245,271 barrel-per-day Richmond, California refinery on Friday morning has been extinguished and no injuries were reported. In addition to the refinery fire crew, the Richmond fire department responded to the fire, the company said in a statement, adding the plant also experienced a process unit upset that caused some flaring. A spokesperson from the Contra Costa Health Services department said it has requested a report on the incident within 72 hours. "This report will give the refinery a chance to investigate the incident now that emergency conditions have been abated and provide details to our agency so that we can work together to identify root causes and prevent future similar issues," it said. The department also said it determined the refinery fire did not approach "action levels" for contaminants of concern, and believed that the "community should not have been adversely impacted" by the incident. (Reporting by Bharat Govind Gautam and Arpan Varghese in Bengaluru, Aditional reporting by Aaron Saldanha; Editing by Franklin Paul and Bill Berkrot) Nearly three years after permanently revoking the supporter privileges of Sector Latino Chicago, the Fire on Friday announced the ardent fan group formally has been reinstated. The group will return starting with the Fires match against Inter Miami CF on May 22 at Soldier Field, the team said. Sector Latinos formal return comes after the majority of the 2018 season was overshadowed by a clash between fans and the club. The Fire in June 2018 revoked Sector Latinos privileges which include the ability to bring in instruments and display banners, signage and other tifo and canceled and refunded ticket holders in Section 101 of what is now SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview for what the team said were repeated violations of Major League Soccers Fan Code of Conduct. At the time, the Fire said violations dated back at least 12 months, including a fight in the parking lot between members of Sector Latino and Houston Dynamo fans that May. Then-Fire President and general manager Nelson Rodriguez told the Tribune in 2018 that the club asked representatives from Sector Latino and Section 8 Chicago the Independent Supporters Association that represents affiliated supporters groups and independent fans to identify the individuals involved in the fight, which was seen in security footage. If we can identify the bad actors, well deal with the bad actors, Rodriguez told the Tribune. But if the group is unwilling or unable or, worse, hides others in their midst, its unacceptable. We cant allow that. The move to revoke Sector Latinos privileges and the closing of Section 101 inspired protests, including a group of fans who entered the section during a July match against Toronto FC. That action the nature of which was disputed by the Fire and fans resulted in a seasonlong ban for 21 people. After issuing the ban, the Fire said they were willing to discuss issues with Section 8 but would not change their stance on Sector Latino. Story continues If the request is to have a meeting about Sector Latino, that decision has been made and is not going to change, Rodriguez told the Tribune. If they want to have a meeting on other topics, of course were open. During the following offseason, the Fire and Section 8 extended an olive branch and agreed to create a new supporters section on the south end of SeatGeek. Fire loan Andre Reynolds to Memphis 901 FC The Fire on Friday sent defender Andre Reynolds on loan to United Soccer League team Memphis 901 FC for the 2021 season. Reynolds, who signed a homegrown deal with the Fire in 2019, has had limited opportunities the last two seasons through a combination of injuries and depth at left back. He played just 16 minutes across two league appearances last season. Im feeling the best Ive felt in about two years, so Im super excited to get going, Reynolds, 20, told the Tribune in February. Theyre going to make the decision that theyre going to make for what they feel is best for me and my development, but Im going into the season with the mindset of trying to earn a spot and trying to be a major contributor to this team. The Fire retain the option to recall Reynolds from Memphis. MP Sarah Chapman said recipients of aid are seen as people who ought to be grateful - John Wessels/ AFP Charity aid workers have a price list of sex acts to exchange for food and shelter, experts have warned. Sexual abuse by humanitarian workers is systemic and discussed so openly that translators are even used to negotiate deals, a conference at Kings College heard on Friday. Sarah Champion, who chairs the international development select committee, said there is evidence of a known exchange rate for aid such as making a child available in return for tarpaulins for shelter or women having to exchange sex for employment. The Labour MP for Rotherham warned that a blind eye has been turned as it is assumed aid workers are good people who are above reprimand and the recipients of aid are seen as people who ought to be grateful. Ms Champion said: If you are a woman in a humanitarian crisis desperate to get food for your children and the person standing there who is able to give you that food says you can have the food, but this is what I want in exchange, who wouldn't do that for their children? How would you know that that wasn't the rate of negotiation to get that food for your children? I've heard across different humanitarian crises that theres almost a known exchange rate. If you want the aid, if you want a tarpaulin, then your child needs to be made available, if you want a job then you are expected to sleep with the person whos able to give you that job. Sarah Champion said charities needed to follow the example of the Catholic Church in facing up to years of abuse within their organisations - House of Commons/PA The MP said she had heard evidence from the Democratic Republic of Congo that it was so normal that women were expected to have sex for jobs that translators were negotiating the deal between them and UN officials. She said charities needed to follow the example of the Catholic Church in facing up to and addressing years of abuse within their organisations. The Sexual Exploitation of Women and Children by Aid Workers conference was told the abuse had been known about for more than two decades. But despite focus on the sector in the wake of the Oxfam sexual abuse scandal, new research by Kings College has found that under-reporting and cover-up by officials have contributed to the fact that its true extent is not known. Story continues Jessica Toale, who carried out the literature review, found data from the UN since 2017 shows that allegations against UN staff, related personnel and implementing partners is consistently higher than those against the military and police contingents of peacekeeping missions. Research from Liberia estimated that, at the height of the humanitarian crisis, around 58,000 women had engaged in transactional sex with UN workers, she said. Around 60 per cent of the perpetrators have been identified as local staff or contractors, the study found. Ms Toale said: Sexual exploitation is more prevalent than sexual abuse, and this most often takes the form of exchanging food for sex for food and basic items including sanitary pads, tarpaulins for shelter or employment opportunities. But she warned that there was no consistency to the data or obligation on NGOs to publish reports of abuse. Asmita Naik, a former UN worker turned consultant, said the reason we know so little is that there is a vested interest in not looking into this amongst the very type of groups that would normally be profiling human rights issues. Her concern that there was a moral assumption that peacekeepers are doing good was backed by Ms Champion, who said there was not enough safeguarding as it is assumed that those on the ground are doing it for all the right reasons. Ms Champion called on the Government to do more to ensure transparency and protect whistleblowers because many of the NGOs are funded with taxpayers money and we have an absolute duty to make sure that it is spent in the most appropriate way. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has already made any transactional sex by itsworkers a gross misconduct issue, but is under pressure to ensure the same rules apply to all organisations that receive Government money. Trying to attract a younger, more feminine audience to the electric car market, Chinese auto company SAIC-GM-Wuling has unveiled a new version of its Hong Guang Mini: the Macaron. The adorable Hong Guang MINI EV Macaron from China's SAIC-GM-Wuling. The tiny car model will come in three pastel colors inspired by the iconic meringue cookies. The company partly owned by General Motors (GM) is also adding darkened LED headlights and two-tone alloy wheels to give a more personalized feel to its top-selling electric vehicle. The Hong Guang MINI EV Macaron will be available in three stylish colorways. Hong Guang MINI EV Macaron To ensure an exclusive color palette, the Wuling brand tapped paint maker Pantone to cook up the pastry-themed hues. Buyers will be able to select the Hong Guang MINI EV Macaron in Avocado Green, Lemon Yellow, or White Peach Pink. An additional upgrade for this version will include enhanced safety equipment (low-speed pedestrian warnings, reversing camera with rear park sonar, and driver-side airbags) at the base trim level. Under the hood, the Macaron will get a 27-horsepower electric motor, an increase from the 17.4-horsepower issue for the standard Hong Guang MINI EV. However, it will retain the same13.9 kWh battery and 106-mile range.The car will also keep its miniscule size, measuring just 115 linear inches from front bumper to back. That makes it two feet shorter than even the Fiat 500, one of the smallest cars on the US market. The Hong Guang MINI EV Macaron will be available in a stylish Lemon Yellow from Pantone Although technically a four-seater, the Hong Guang Mini EVs 2+2 layout is most functional with the backseats folded down. Its tiny frame and electric engine make it particularly well suited for Chinas urban commuters. After entering production in 2022, the Macaron will start at the very affordable price of 37,600 CNY (roughly $5,750 USD), itself still a bump up from the standard Hong Guang Mini EVs price tag of $4,500. Some reports suggest the popular mini car will also be offered in Europe as FreZe Froggy, although it could cost twice as much there due to European environmental regulations. Hong Guang Mini EV Cabrio Hong Guang Mini EV Cabrio - Side View Also announced was the Hong Guang Mini EV Cabrio, a convertible version with a folding cloth roof. Although it will also begin production next year, no price has been revealed for this model. Story continues Describing the Cabrio at the 2021 Auto Shangai event, Wuling said it has a chic exterior design, with a stylish two-tone color scheme featuring an Island Blue body and a Sunset Red top. The addition of six-spoke wheels will suit the preference of the younger hip generation. They added that the display screen has been doubled in size to 10 inches. It will connect users to the world around them. Hong Guang Mini EV Cabrio - Back View The Macaron and Cabrio versions are likely to strengthen the Hong Guang MINI EVs market share in China, where it has already surpassed Tesla as the best-selling electric vehicle. After hitting the market in July 2020, GM reports that over 270,000 models have been sold. 25,778 MINI EVs were purchased in China in January alone, compared to just 13,843 sales of the Tesla Model 3 there. That discrepancy certainly may have something to do with the price tag, as the Model 3 retails for $39,000 in China. However, Tesla continues to thrive there, having more than doubled its sales volume last year. Hong Guang Mini EV Cabrio - Steering Wheel Hong Guang Mini EV Cabrio The Chinese government has promoted sales of electric vehicles, including the MINI EV, by offering free and guaranteed license plates. Without that promise, it can take months or years to secure a gas-engine car though one of the state auction systems. May 14Gov. Jay Inslee's announcement that the state's economy is on track to fully reopen by June 30 sent a ripple through Washington's businesses, health officials and elected leaders Thursday afternoon. He also said that all counties can either stay in or move into Phase 3. Combined with new direction from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that fully vaccinated people now can ditch their face masks in just about every indoor or outdoor location the new developments Thursday signify the state's largest leap back toward normalcy since March 2020. "That shot is a ticket to freedom from masks," Inslee said during the press conference. Clark County Public Health Officer Dr. Alan Melnick said after the announcement that he supports the CDC's new guidance around masking, as well as Inslee's eased restrictions. Melnick also said he believes Clark County is on track to open by June 30 or sooner if the state is able to meet its vaccination metrics. "The timeline is a reasonable timeline," Melnick said. While case counts have been higher in Clark County lately, Melnick said they are starting to plateau and he believes continued vaccinations will push transmission down. He also said he thinks Inslee made the right call in letting counties go to or stay in Phase 3. Clark County is a county that might have moved back to Phase 2, as it didn't meet the Phase 3 metrics Thursday morning. Easing restrictions for vaccinated people lets them know it is safe to be in public unmasked, Melnick added, and also incentivizes unvaccinated people to get inoculated. "It's more likely to get those people to come in to get vaccinated," Melnick said. For many local businesses, June 30 marks the light at the end of a very long tunnel. Business boon Marina Gephart, director of communications and media for Prestige Theatres, said she was "happily surprised" by Inslee's announcements and that she was "glad that he's following the CDC guidance and the science." Story continues Prestige Theatres operates the Battle Ground Cinema multiplex and two additional theaters in Oregon. Today's announcement will prompt the company to revisit its current customer masking policy, she said, although it won't be an overnight change. "It's kind of a legal gray area to ask people if they're vaccinated or not, so that's going to have to be a discussion that we'll have, and see how other businesses will handle it," she said. Inslee clarified that the state won't play a role in enforcement of vaccine requirements. It will be up to private businesses to decide whether they want to continue to require face masks, or if unmasked people will need to show some proof of vaccination. That could come in the form of an individual's vaccination card, a photo of the card or an electronic health record. "If a grocery store or a restaurant wants to check people's status, they have the legal right to do so," Inslee said. "This will not end the masks, but it will end the state telling you to mask if you are vaccinated." Kisar Dhillon, owner of Burntown Fitness studio in east Vancouver, said he was excited to hear about the change in mask policy, but he thought some of his clients might choose to keep wearing them for a while out of habit or lingering safety concerns. "I'm hoping more of our clientele that decided to basically quit or freeze their memberships will be OK with coming back now if they're vaccinated," he said. 'Absolutely wonderful' Among local government officials, the news was welcome. Clark County Council Chair Eileen Quiring O'Brien called the announcements "absolutely wonderful." "If it were sooner rather than later it would have been even better, but, that said, this will be great for Clark County," Quiring O'Brien said. Inslee recently appointed County Councilor Temple Lentz to the state Board of Health. Lentz said she was "cautiously optimistic" following the announcements. "Increasing vaccinations will help us make this progress lasting and sustainable," Lentz said. "So I hope we will all continue to follow the guidance about masks and distancing, and encourage those who have not yet been vaccinated to do so." Local governments took varied revenue hits last year due to the pandemic. Before adopting its budget for 2021, Clark County estimated that it had lost $6 million in revenue in 2020 due to COVID-19. Municipalities have grappled mostly with a decline in sales tax returns. For instance, cardroom closures caused the city of La Center to lose much of its tax base for several months, while cities like Battle Ground faced less dramatic shortfalls. Vancouver, which had projected a dire hole in its budget at the start of the pandemic, came out relatively unscathed. "It's about damn time!" Battle Ground Mayor Adrian Cortes said of the news Thursday. "Let's open things up. Battle Ground is poised for an incredible summer." While the response to Thursday's announcement was broadly positive, the sentiment wasn't universal. Rep. Vicki Kraft, R-Vancouver, wrote an email to her colleagues that afternoon saying she was not in favor of "promoting/pushing" the COVID-19 vaccine. Kraft had previously introduced a bill that would guarantee individuals' rights to refuse the vaccine and strip private businesses of the right to refuse them entry. "We need to fully re-open WA now without making people feel like they must get a Covid-19 vaccine before this will happen. This is a violation of people's consitutional [sic] rights," Kraft wrote. COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Ohios capital city will pay a $10 million settlement for the family of Andre Hill, a Black man who was fatally shot by a white Columbus police officer in December as he emerged from a garage holding a cellphone, the Columbus city attorney announced Friday. It's the largest such settlement in city history. Hill, 47, was fatally shot by officer Adam Coy on Dec. 22 as Hill emerged from a garage holding up a cellphone. Coy was fired and has pleaded not guilty to murder and reckless homicide charges. No amount of money will ever bring Andre Hill back to his family, but we believe this is an important and necessary step in the right direction," Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein said in a statement. As part of the settlement, a gym frequented by Hill will be renamed the Andre Hill Gymnasium. At a news conference Friday afternoon surrounded by Hill's family, attorney Ben Crump said, We come here to applaud the city leadership in saying Andre Hills life matters, and to send a message that we're better than this America. Hill's daughter, Carissa Hill, held her 3-year-old daughter as she called it a a very big day for me and my family. Were just sad we cant share that with our dad being here, she said. As she once did, her daughter will visit the gym her father loved. The difference is, when I went, I was going with my dad, Hill said. When she goes to the gym, it will just be for my dad, in my dads name. Andre Hill's older sister, Shawna Barnett, said that, "the money is a good thing; but having Andre here would be better, Barnett said. Hill was visiting a family friend when he was shot. Coy and another officer had responded to a neighbor's nonemergency complaint about someone stopping and starting a car outside. He was bringing me Christmas money. He didnt do anything, a woman inside the house shouted at police afterward. The shooting was recorded by Coy's body camera, but without sound because Coy hadn't activated the camera on what started as a nonemergency call. A 60-second look-back function on the camera captured the shooting. Story continues Coy, who had a long history of complaints from citizens, was fired Dec. 28 for failing to activate his body camera and for not providing medical aid to Hill. He was initially charged for dereliction of duty for not activating the camera, but those charges were dropped. Coys attorneys successfully argued the officer didnt violate any duty because he was on a nonemergency run that didnt require the cameras to be activated. Beyond an internal police investigation, the Ohio attorney general, the U.S. attorney for central Ohio and the FBI have begun their own probes into the shooting. Following Hills death, Mayor Andrew Ginther forced out Police Chief Thomas Quinlan in January, saying hed lost confidence in the chiefs ability to make needed changes to the department. The city is narrowing a list of finalists for the new chief, with an announcement expected by months end. All candidates are external, with Ginther saying an outsider was needed to enact broad cultural changes in the department. The department is under scrutiny for recent fatal shootings of Black people by white officers, including the death of 16-year-old MaKhia Bryant on April 20. And earlier this month, a federal judge ordered the city to alter the way it responds to mass protests, saying officers ran amok during protests over racial injustice and police brutality last summer. Ginther and other officials invited the Justice Department last month to review the agency for deficiencies and racial disparities in several areas. Chenelle Jones, a Franklin University dean and chair of its public safety program and a member of the new Columbus Civilian Police Review Board, said no amount of money is going to bring Andre Hill back. It's not going to solve the bigger issue of the need for transformation within the Columbus Division of Police, she said. The settlement announcement follows other large payouts in recent months by cities over the killing of Black people by white officers. In March, the city of Minneapolis reached a $27 million settlement with the family of George Floyd ahead of the trial of Derek Chauvin, the white former officer charged in Floyd's death. Chauvin was convicted in April of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter for pressing his knee against Floyds neck for about 9 1/2 minutes as Floyd said he couldnt breathe and went motionless. In September, the city of Louisville, Kentucky, agreed to pay Breonna Taylors family $12 million and reform police practices. Taylor was shot to death by officers acting on a no-knock warrant. ___ Associated Press writers Dan Sewell in Cincinnati and Mark Gillispie in Cleveland contributed to this report. SINGAPORE Dave Bautista has long harboured a wish to become a serious dramatic actor as opposed to being just an action star, an image which he found difficult to shed before things changed with his turn as a rebel "replicant" in 2017's critically acclaimed Blade Runner 2049. With his first lead role in Zack Snyder's zombie flick, Army Of the Dead, which hits Netflix on 21 May, Bautista believes the movie will establish him as "a very solid lead" and "a well-rounded actor". Speaking to reporters from Singapore at a virtual junket to promote Army Of The Dead, the 52-year-old actor, who's known for his supporting role as Drax, a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, said, "This is the opportunity that I've been waiting for for a long time. I wanted to work with Zack, and also I'd get the opportunity to accomplish a lot as an actor, and establish myself as a leading man, which I hope this film will do for me." Dave Bautista as zombie killing expert Scott Ward in Zack Snyder's Army Of The Dead. (Photo: Netflix) The setting of Army Of The Dead is a Las Vegas that has been overrun by zombies and cordoned off from the rest of human society. Bautista played Scott Ward, an ex-soldier who's hired to lead a team to break into a casino vault in the middle of the undead's territory and recover US$200 million in cash. Meanwhile, he has to deal with a race of intelligent and physically superior "alpha" zombies as well as mend relations with his estranged daughter. The American wrestler-turned-actor, who is of Greek-Filipino heritage, said he relished the emotional range which the role gave him. "I feel like right now it's the perfect movie at the perfect time. I really think it establishes me as a very solid lead because there're so many layers to Scott Ward. There's not many opportunities where an actor, in general, but certainly an actor like myself, gets to not only play a badass, but also gets to play somebody who's really looking to redeem themselves, a father who just wants to reconnect with his daughter. So I kind of feel like I really accomplished a lot in this film... I think it's a huge, huge opportunity for me and I hope people embrace the film as much as I think they will... I'm very proud of it, and I hope this opens doors for people to see me as a well-rounded actor." Story continues Scott Ward seeks to mend his relationship with estranged daughter Kate (Ella Purnell). (Photo: Netflix) Bautista also told Digital Spy that he turned down a role in Suicide Squad 2, which director James Gunn wrote specially for him, because Snyder's film offered him his first leading man role. He was sorry to turn down Gunn, his good friend who he worked with in the Guardians Of The Galaxy films, but Gunn was understanding about his decision. Bautista also wanted to "build a relationship with Netflix" not to mention that he got "paid a lot more money" for the zombie heist movie. Snyder, who's now famous for his DC superhero movies, had previously made another zombie movie in his Dawn Of The Dead remake. But Bautista said Snyder had caught his attention as a filmmaker with his 2007 film 300. The two had been in talks to develop another film Bautista called it "very much an actor's piece", which he had been chasing for years but the project didn't pan out. Then Snyder approached Bautista for Army Of The Dead. Director Zack Snyder (in white T-shirt) and Dave Bautista on the set of Army Of The Dead. (Photo: Netflix) "When Army Of The Dead first came to my attention I wasn't actually interested at all, because I thought it was just going to be another action film," said Bautista. "I didn't realise who the character was, what the storyline was. I didn't know anything about it other than it was a zombie heist film, and I was just like, nah, I think I'm gonna pass on this one until I read the script. I thought, man, this is really great and then I had a conversation about what he wanted to do and how he saw the film visually, and also how he saw the character of Scott... and I jumped all over it." The actor added, "The emotional part is always a challenge for me, but it's also why I love it, why I love acting, and it's also why I love the script and why I fell in love with the character and the role and I pursued it. Because the action stuff, you know, for me, it's predictable, it's easy. You would expect me to do something like that, you wouldn't expect me to be, you know, an emotional guy who's really just trying to deal with his daughter. That's what this film has, that's what it does, that's what emotional Scott Ward brings to the film, because he can be a very loving, very caring father but he can also be a zombie killing machine. Opportunities like that for me as a performer, they just don't come along very often." Read more: Get more TV and movie news from Yahoo Lifestyle on our Entertainment page. Also, watch more Lifestyle videos on Yahoo TV: Delta CEO Ed Bastian. Steve Marcus/Reuters Delta Air Lines will require all new employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19, its CEO said. Delta's current workforce will be exempt from the mandate, CEO Ed Bastian told CNN. Workers who refuse a shot, however, may be barred from international flights, he said. See more stories on Insider's business page. Delta Air Lines will mandate COVID-19 vaccines for new hires, and the company may stop current staff members from working on international flights if they refuse a vaccine, its CEO said. "Any person joining Delta in the future, a future employee, we're going to mandate they be vaccinated before they can sign up with the company," CEO Ed Bastian told CNN on Thursday. Bastian said "well over" 60% of Delta employees already had at least one shot and he expected that up to 80% of all workers would be vaccinated eventually. He said unvaccinated employees would "probably" be prevented from working on international flights, because destination countries might require people to be vaccinated to enter. In March, Delta said it would offer daily flights to Iceland from Boston, New York, and Minneapolis starting in May. United Airlines announced last month that it would offer flights this summer to Greece and Iceland for Americans who could prove they'd had a shot. Employers have grappled with the question of whether to make vaccinations mandatory. Last month, a hospital in Houston said staff members who refused a vaccine could be fired unless they were exempt for religious or medical reasons. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says employer vaccine requirements are legal and workers can be barred from the office if they refuse to get jabbed. Read the original article on Business Insider Escalating violence between Israel and the terrorist group Hamas has cast a spotlight on deepening Democratic divisions over the Jewish state. The party split played out in full view on social media this week after Hamas launched indiscriminate rocket attacks at Israel, which responded with airstrikes on Hamas targets in Gaza, reportedly killing some civilians. Israel is also dealing with domestic unrest from Arab rioters. International observers are concerned about the possibility of "full-scale war." Meanwhile, the Democratic Party -- which controls the White House and both congressional chambers -- is divided in its support for a key American ally. ISRAELI AMBASSADOR SAYS RASHIDA TLAIB STOKING TENSIONS OVER AL-AQSA MOSQUE President Biden and the Democratic old guard have voiced support for Israel's right to defend itself from Hamas' rocket attacks. Secretary of State Antony Blinken noted Thursday that there are "fundamental differences between a terrorist organization, Hamas, that is indiscriminately raining down rockets -- in fact, targeting civilians -- and Israel's response defending itself, that is targeting the terrorists." Biden similarly said that Israel "has a right to defend itself." House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, too, echoed that message. "Israel has the right to defend herself against this assault, which is designed to sow terror and undermine prospects for peace," she said in a statement Tuesday. "Hamass accelerating violence only risks killing more civilians, including innocent Palestinians," Pelosi continued. But the party's ascendant left-wing rejected that approach. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., blamed "right-wing extremists in Jerusalem" for the violence. "I am extremely concerned by the growing conflict in Israel and Palestine. Once again we are seeing how the irresponsible actions of government-allied right-wing extremists in Jerusalem can escalate quickly into devastating war," Sanders wrote on Twitter Monday. Story continues "Israeli children should not have to spend the night scared in bomb shelters, as many are doing tonight. Palestinian children should not have to grow up under the constant violence and oppression of occupation, as so many do, and have done," he continued. Other left-wingers went even further than Sanders. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., responded to Biden on Twitter: "Blanket statements like these [with] little context or acknowledgement of what precipitated this cycle of violence - namely, the expulsions of Palestinians and attacks on Al Aqsa - dehumanize Palestinians [and] imply the US will look the other way at human rights violations. Its wrong." "By only stepping in to name Hamas actions - which are condemnable - [and] refusing to acknowledge the rights of Palestinians, Biden reinforces the false idea that Palestinians instigated this cycle of violence," she added. "This is not neutral language. It takes a side - the side of occupation." Rep. Ilhan Omar, a member of Ocasio-Cortez's "Squad" of progressive lawmakers, accused Israel of "terrorism." "Israeli air strikes killing civilians in Gaza is an act of terrorism. Palestinians deserve protection. Unlike Israel, missile defense programs, such as Iron Dome, dont exist to protect Palestinian civilians. Its unconscionable to not condemn these attacks on the week of Eid," Omar, D-Minn., wrote on Twitter Monday. Omar on Thursday retweeted former British Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who, like Omar, has been repeatedly accused of anti-Semitism. Corbyn's tweet declared solidarity with Palestinians "who cannot mark [Eid] in their homes or who are living under threat of violence or oppression." Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., was accused by the Israeli ambassador to the U.S. of "stoking tensions" about an clash in Jerusalem in which Israeli police deployed tear gas at Al-Aqsa mosque, where authorities said rioters were stockpiling Molotov cocktails and rocks to throw at police. "I was 7 years old when I first prayed at the Al Aqsa with my sity [sic]. It's a sacred site for Muslims. This is equivalent to attacking the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Christians, or the Temple Mount for Jews. Israel attacks it during Ramadan. Where's the outrage @POTUS?" Tlaib wrote on Twitter Monday. "Congresswoman @RashidaTlaib maybe you should open your eyes to the whole picture? Islams 3rd holiest site is being used to stockpile Molotov cocktail and rocks that are being lobbed at the police and at Jewish worshippers praying at the Western Wall, below the Temple Mount," Ambassador Gilad Erdan fired back. "Congresswoman, instead of calling for peace and calm, your tweets are the stoking tensions," the ambassador added. "Maybe you don't realize that your words encourage terror groups such as Hamas to fire rockets into civilian populations and carry out attacks against Jews." Prominent left-wing political groups jumped into the fray as well. Justice Democrats, a far-left group aligned with Ocasio-Cortez, renewed its push for Democratic legislation that would restrict how Israel can use American foreign aid. Black Lives Matter expressed solidarity with Palestinians against Israeli "oppression" in an Instagram post Wednesday. "One cannot advocate for racial equality, LGBT & women's rights, condemn corrupt & abusive regimes and other injustices yet choose to ignore the Palestinian oppression," the BLM post said. "It does not add up." Support for Israel may have tripped up New York City mayoral candidate Andrew Yang as he jockeys for position in the Democratic primary. "I'm standing with the people of Israel who are coming under bombardment attacks, and condemn the Hamas terrorists. The people of NYC will always stand with our brothers and sisters in Israel who face down terrorism and persevere," Yang wrote on Twitter Monday. Yang's comments drew a sharp rebuke from left-wing circles and reportedly led to his disinvitation from an event celebrating the Muslim holiday Eid. Ocasio-Cortez said he should have known better. "Utterly shameful for Yang to try to show up to an Eid event after sending out a chest-thumping statement of support for a strike killing 9 children, especially after his silence as Al-Aqsa was attacked," the congresswoman tweeted. "But then to try that in Astoria? During Ramadan?! They will let you know." Yang later walked back the "overly simplistic" tweet on Wednesday. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP It's not just Democratic elected officials who are sympathetic to the Palestinian side of the dispute their voters are, too. Democratic voters are considerably warmer toward Palestinian leadership than Republicans are, an April 2019 Pew Research Center survey found. Republicans, meanwhile, are prepared to press the issue to their advantage. Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., told Fox News on Thursday that he and at least 50 other House Republicans are cosponsoring a resolution to condemn "the acts of terrorism committed by Hamas" and support Israel's right to defend itself from rocket attacks. Fox News' Marisa Schultz contributed to this report Reuters Venezuelan officials said on Thursday the country's government has been unable to complete a payment required to receive coronavirus vaccines because transfers to the global COVAX vaccine program had been blocked. The government of President Nicolas Maduro for months said it was unable to pay for the COVAX program because of U.S. sanctions, and then in March announced that it had made almost all the required $120 million payment. Vice President Delcy Rodriguez in a televised broadcast on Thursday said the government had been unable to pay down the remaining $10 million because four operations had been blocked. HCM City proposes to find own Covid-19 vaccine sources Authorities in HCM City have asked for the government's approval to search and buy Covid-19 vaccines for local residents itself. illustrative image Correction & clarification: A prior version of this story misstated part of virologist Jesse Bloom's position. He said he cant rule out the possibility the coronavirus was either a natural occurrence or accidentally released from a lab in China. Fifteen months after the global pandemic officially began, it's still unclear how it originated and a group of top American scientists is eager for answers. In a letter in the current issue of the journal Science, 18 infectious disease experts, immunologists and epidemiologists joined a global call for more information about the earliest days of the outbreak. There still isn't enough known, they said, to determine whether the coronavirus jumped directly from animals to people or whether it was released from a research laboratory in China. The lack of information, they said, feeds conspiracy theories and prevents scientists and policymakers from taking steps to prevent the next deadly pandemic. "All of us wish we could say 'this is what happened,'" said Jesse Bloom, who studies viral evolution at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, and who helped draft the letter. "Objectively, it's not possible for scientists to say what happened with the current information." The United States government as well as 13 other countries, the European Union and the World Health Organization's director-general have already called for more data about the pandemic's earliest days. A WHO team that spent two weeks in China early this year was only allowed limited access to laboratories studying similar viruses and to data about the earliest cases. Laboratory technicians wearing protective equipment work on the genome sequencing of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, and its variants at the National Reference Center for Respiratory Infection Virus at the Pasteur Institute in Paris on Jan. 21, 2021. Public health agencies with information on those early cases and research laboratories studying similar viruses need to open their records to the public, said Akiko Iwasaki, an immunologist at Yale University and one of the authors of the letter. It may never be possible to precisely pin down what led to the first infection. With the first SARS virus, researchers think but aren't 100% certain that the virus passed from bats to civets a carnivorous mammal native to Asia to humans. Story continues But it's not too late to get a clearer idea of the origins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, Iwasaki said. "A proper investigation that is transparent, objective, data-driven, inclusive of broad expertise, subject to independent oversight, and responsibly managed to minimize the impact of conflicts of interest will help uncover the origin of the virus," she said via email. "We need to approach this issue with objective scientific approaches." In this Feb. 9, 2021, file photo, Peter Ben Embarek of the World Health Organization team holds up a chart showing pathways of transmission of the virus during a joint news conference at the end of the WHO mission in Wuhan in central China's Hubei province. A joint WHO-China study on the origins of COVID-19 says that transmission of the virus from bats to humans through another animal is the most likely scenario and that a lab leak is "extremely unlikely," according to a draft copy obtained by The Associated Press. The letter and most of the other complaints have stopped short of blaming China for the lack of information, although the country has withheld information and ran high-tech virology labs in the same city where the virus first emerged. Lawrence Gostin, the faculty director of the ONeill Institute for National & Global Health Law at Georgetown University, was more direct. "China has not allowed a full, independent and rigorous examination of its territory, and it keeps insisting it happened in some other country contrary to all evidence," Gostin said. The scientists' call comes a day after an independent report commissioned by the WHO found that the WHO and many nations responded too slowly to the threat from the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Gostin said the report was useful for highlighting the many problems that occurred at all levels of government in identifying and addressing the pandemic. "Every single moment from the initial reporting of the pandemic there has been catastrophic failure," he said. "I would argue that the greatest failure is not even to define how it began or why it began." Unless it's clear how an outbreak started, Gostin said, "you don't know how to finish it, or certainly prevent it." Commuters wearing face masks to protect against the spread of the coronavirus walk through a subway station in Beijing, Wednesday, March 3, 2021. China has been regularly reporting no locally transmitted cases of COVID-19 as it works to maintain control of the pandemic within its borders. He thinks the most likely scenario is that SARS-CoV-2 jumped from an animal host into people because that's how more than 70% of new human infections start. "It's exceedingly rare if not vanishingly rare for it to come from a laboratory or intentional leak," he said. "We have no positive evidence that the lab was involved." But Bloom said there is simply not enough evidence yet to draw such a conclusion. He sees two possible origin stories for SARS-CoV-2. First and here he agrees with Gostin it originated in bats and jumped directly to humans or into another animal and then into humans. Bloom said he can't rule out another possibility: that someone in a lab in Wuhan, China, was studying the virus, collected from a bat or another animal, and accidentally released it, infecting people. "Regardless of which occurred," Bloom said, "it would be really scientifically beneficial, and I think also beneficial for our ability to understand and prevent future pandemics, to really understand the initial events." Contact Karen Weintraub at kweintraub@usatoday.com. 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: COVID origins: Chinese lab leak or animals? US scientists want answers At 55, disabled and infuriated, Ann Butner spoke with indignation. I want to ask him, who gave him the right to be czar? she said of Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, who announced that he would no longer as of June 12 allow the state to give its unemployed workers the supplemental $300 per week checks approved by the federal government. Under the American Rescue Plan, those checks were supposed to continue through Sept. 6. Missouri is among at least 12 Republican-led states now ending them in June or July, they say, to spur people back to work and jolt a still-lagging economy. Parson on Tuesday held that many businesses statewide are struggling, not because of COVID-19, but because they cant find people to fill the jobs to help address this labor shortage. The same day, Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall led nine other Republicans to introduce legislation to repeal the $300 increase across the country. While people were in need during the heart of the pandemic, he said, we should not be in the business of creating lucrative government dependency that makes it more beneficial to stay unemployed rather than return to work. On Thursday, Kansas Republicans announced they are looking to follow Missouri. Who gave him the right to be a tyrant, Butner continued about the governor, to just thumb his nose at the federal government and say, Take your money, without considering how it affects everybody in the state? By everybody, the Kansas City widow means people like her living on a precarious financial ledge to whom the added $300 extra jobless benefits (in Missouri, the maximum weekly is normally $320; in Kansas, $488) was not extra money or mad money. It was survival, Butner said. Other complicating factors remain: finding good care for children or extended family, for example, or a lack of transportation. Of course, Butner knows that issue of unemployment during COVID-19 is complicated, particularly as infections and deaths lessen, vaccinations increase and mask mandates are eased nationwide. Story continues Missouri Gov. Mike Parson on Tuesday announced that he would no longer as of June 12 allow the state to give its unemployed workers the supplemental $300 per week checks approved by the federal government. Get off your butts: Work Before COVID-19 struck in March 2020, 5.7 million people were out of work nationwide, a rate of, at 3.5%, among a string of record lows. One month later, some 23 million people soon found themselves jobless. The unemployment rate, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, spiked to nearly 15%. Today, jobs are opening up. Hiring signs hang in store windows across the area. Restaurants are having such a difficult time finding workers, some are offering bonuses as hiring incentives. We actually have more open job postings right now as compared to pre-pandemic, said Mike Beene, director of employment services for the Kansas Department of Commerce. The kansasworks.com job site, he said, currently has about 41,000 openings, 12,000 in the Kansas City area. Honestly, its all sectors right now that are in need of talent. You cant really put a finger on one sector or one industry that needs talent. They all are. The unemployment rate in April was 6.1%, although some caution that the number may be misleadingly low, as it does not include some 6.6 million workers who want jobs, but are no longer on the unemployment roles because theyve stopped looking and werent counted in the previous four weeks. Officially, the roles now count 9.8 million Americans still out of work, 4 million of them for at least six months. Even as Butner spoke this past week, Lisa Clark, 55, also of Kansas City, was on a computer at the Full Employment Councils job center at 1740 Paseo Blvd. A former dispatcher, single, living on her own, she also worked giving hospice care during the pandemic. Clark said she believed that the extra employment benefits, first $600 per week and then $300, were vital to help people survive during the worst of the pandemic. But now, she doesnt think so. The previous week alone, she said, she applied for at least 50 jobs, for dispatcher and other positions. She scrolled through her phone, full of positive responses. She was setting up interview after interview. Everybodys hiring, Clark said. Theres no problem finding a job. Its time to get up. This is a young country. This is America. We have young, able-bodied people. Very intelligent. Teachers worked. Police worked. Get off your butts: Work. Butner said that she does not doubt, as the GOP claims and Democrats refute, that the added benefit has kept some people from returning to the workforce better to stay at home and get unemployment rather than work a low-wage job. Butner said she is not one of them. Taking away the added $300 in June, rather than in September is not forcing her to get back to work. It is doing the opposite: keeping her from returning to work. Lisa Clark, 55, of Kansas City, at the Full Employment Council office in Kansas City. She applied for 50 jobs this past week including dispatcher jobs and received dozens of positive responses . Everybodys hiring. Theres no problem finding a job, she said. Living on the edge Deemed fully disabled, Butner said, she has for years endured radiating pain down her legs from deep and complicated back surgeries that kept her from sitting for long stretches. That took her away from regular office work about 10 years ago. Now on Social Security disability, she receives about $1,900 monthly for all her bills her $1,000 monthly rent, heat, electricity, food, insurance, phone. Because she barely makes ends meet, she decided three years ago to become an Uber driver for a few hours on certain night and weekends. She couldnt sit long, but even a little time brought in extra money that helped with bills. But once COVID-19 hit, her Uber time was over. The added jobless benefits made a massive difference. Her goal, in the end, was to try to save some of it, as much as $4,000, in order to buy and pay the taxes on a newer car, as Uber requires drivers to have cars that are less than 10 years old. Her 2001 Hyundai Accent had hit that limit. But now, without the money, she said she does not have the down payment for a better car. Im back to living on the edge, Butner said. Richard von Glahn, a policy director for Missouri Jobs With Justice, a workers rights organization, thinks that taking away the added benefit now is wrongheaded. I think this is a foolish decision, von Glahn said. I dont know why you would block federal money from coming back to the state because, of course, people who are unemployed are going to use that money at local grocery stores, to stay up on their mortgages, stay up on their rent, stay up on their utility bills things that cause serious disruptions. So from an economic standpoint, it makes zero sense. Jennifer Yardley, an out of work hair stylist, checked on her unemployment benefits this past week in Independence. She will soon lose her extra $300 per week payments. COVID stole her livelihood For Jennifer Yardley, 50, of Grain Valley, the extra money has been a needed lifeline and one that she wished was continuing even for a short while. She has worked as a hair stylist for 30 years and has owned her own business, Classic Touch Salon in Blue Springs, for some 20 years. Then COVID-19 struck. Her customers were older. Everything was going pretty good, Yardley said this past week, checking on her unemployment at the Full Employment Council job center in Independence. And then all this hit and we had to just go home and sit there. Her husband, who works making parts for Harley-Davidson motorcycles, was furloughed. Her 19-year-old daughter lives with them, along with her baby and boyfriend. Yardley also cares for her other daughters 4-year-old son, having adopted him as her own. She tried to go back to the salon after a few months. But her clientele was reluctant. The rent on the salon was mounting. Light, air conditioning, water, inventory cost money she didnt have. Even with the added benefit, money was short. The young children needed shoes and clothes. Her daughters boyfriend had gotten a job at a fast food place right before the pandemic, and was one of the first to be let go when indoor dining stopped. After 30 years, she closed her salon. It was hard. Really hard, Yardley said. We didnt have money for rent. We had to get on food stamps because there wasnt enough money for food. Yardley said she had only been in that position one other time in her life, when she was 18 and pregnant and living in Kansas. But when youre almost 50 years old, you dont really think youre going to be doing that, you know? she said. Even though they gave you the extra money, it wasnt like extra money for me. Because I got kids, you know what I mean? Her husband recently was called back to work, which will help, as they remain in debt. Yardley said that she is now looking for other jobs as well. If she goes back into hair styling, she would probably have to rent a booth, which costs money. She would need to rebuild her clientele nearly from scratch. Shes applied to hotels and is thinking about McDonalds. I mean, if I have to, I will, Yardley said. Whatever I have to do to feed the kids and take care of what Ive got to do. When the pandemic struck, the Full Employment Council was forced to close down five of its eight job centers. On Monday, all eight will be open for the first time. They are anticipating a steady flow of clients seeking work or training. Knew this was coming Clyde McQueen, chief executive officer of the council, is agnostic regarding whether ending the added $300 unemployment is right or wrong. His take is that in September, it was going to come to an end, nonetheless, and his job is to be prepared to help people get back into the workforce. This has accelerated the inevitable, McQueen said. He said there are jobs out there. Their data shows that the average salary of jobs obtained through the council, which covers five Missouri counties, averaged about $17 per hour. Just this morning, he said, somebody came (to the council) and said, Hey, Ive got 50 jobs that pay $25 an hour. Not all jobs can be filled by anybody. Getting people to those jobs may require training, McQueen said, figuring out transportation for those who may have lost their cars because of financial hardship, or arranging day care. Many day care sites closed for good under the financial strain of the pandemic. We knew it was coming, McQueen said of the end of the benefit. We just didnt know it was coming this soon. Still, weve got to prepare for it. Students leave Los Alamitos High School on Oct. 5, 2020, in Los Alamitos. (Los Angeles Times) Its hard to imagine people objecting to children and teenagers being taught to understand and embrace themselves and their role in society, and to do the same for others. Those are the standards for teaching social justice outlined by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Be kind to yourself and others. Be willing to find out about different people and different cultures. Learn how to approach people in respectful ways. Yet from the objections of various factions in the Los Alamitos Unified School District, which adopted the standards this week, you would have thought that the elements called for, at a minimum, telling white kids that they are evil for being white. Maybe the opponents at least some of whom dont appear to be parents in the district confused it with the first draft of a model curriculum for ethnic studies in the state. But even that curriculum, which seemed to have been drawn up to sow division, has been rewritten. And rewritten. And rewritten. The Teaching Tolerance document is so benign in its calls for students to learn kindness and inclusivity, it reads almost like something out of the mid-20th centurys National Brotherhood Week. Its worth remembering that Brotherhood Week had its origins in a period of rampant anti-Catholic and anti-Semitic sentiment, similar to the divisiveness and intolerance we are witnessing today in our nation. In the face of the inexplicable public pushback against an attempt to build a more harmonious society, the school board stuck to its convictions. It had to do that in a remote meeting because the debate had gone beyond the usual boundaries of civil discourse, with opposing sides mustering large and angry groups of allies. Police warned the board that it was better off not holding an in-person meeting. What better evidence could there be that we need to teach a more harmonious way of living, starting in the earliest grades? Perhaps the vehement objection has to do with the standards' origins in the Southern Poverty Law Center, the organization behind a widely cited but overly broad and actually dangerous list of "hate groups," many of which don't remotely fit the definition. But its Teaching Tolerance work has been excellent, focusing on true understanding of all groups including white people. People should look at what the standards actually say, not which organization wrote them. Story continues Students will express pride, confidence and healthy self-esteem without denying the value and dignity of other people, one of the standards reads. Another goes: Students will respectfully express curiosity about the history and lived experiences of others and will exchange ideas and beliefs in an open-minded way. They call for rejecting stereotypes and reducing bias, standing up for those who are bullied and not giving in to peer pressure. This is hardly radical stuff. Or perhaps the backlash is connected to the board's plan for an ethnic studies curriculum, which may be based on the state model but does not have to be that's up to the district, with the public having a chance to help hone the fine points. It's true that the first version of the curriculum was unacceptable, but it's been improved tremendously. If the district sticks to the positive messages of its standards, all should be well. The Los Alamitos schools are at a juncture that might feel uncomfortable to many. It's a relatively affluent district 20% of its students are low-income, compared with 80% in L.A. Unified. And only in the last few years have white students gone from majority to minority. Longtime residents who have not had to contend with issues of poverty and multiculturalism are being asked to do so through these standards. It's quite possible that they are ready and that the backlash comes from a small contingent. In any case, change is here, and it's time to deal with it in a positive way. We are coming up on the one-year anniversary of George Floyds death at the knee of a white police officer, which triggered a prolonged and painful reckoning with the country's long history of stereotyping and mistreating Black people. In more recent months, we have witnessed outrageous violent attacks against Asian American people. Anti-Semitism has become rampant again. Our societys prejudices are literally killing people largely, the most marginalized among us. A set of social justice standards for schools is not a nice idea or a bad idea. It is a necessity. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. In the latest trading session, FedEx (FDX) closed at $309.43, marking a +1.99% move from the previous day. The stock outpaced the S&P 500's daily gain of 1.49%. Coming into today, shares of the package delivery company had gained 4.19% in the past month. In that same time, the Transportation sector gained 4.47%, while the S&P 500 lost 0.62%. Wall Street will be looking for positivity from FDX as it approaches its next earnings report date. On that day, FDX is projected to report earnings of $4.77 per share, which would represent year-over-year growth of 88.54%. Our most recent consensus estimate is calling for quarterly revenue of $21.09 billion, up 21.47% from the year-ago period. Looking at the full year, our Zacks Consensus Estimates suggest analysts are expecting earnings of $17.96 per share and revenue of $82.39 billion. These totals would mark changes of +89.05% and +19.03%, respectively, from last year. It is also important to note the recent changes to analyst estimates for FDX. These revisions typically reflect the latest short-term business trends, which can change frequently. As a result, we can interpret positive estimate revisions as a good sign for the company's business outlook. Our research shows that these estimate changes are directly correlated with near-term stock prices. Investors can capitalize on this by using the Zacks Rank. This model considers these estimate changes and provides a simple, actionable rating system. The Zacks Rank system ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell). It has a remarkable, outside-audited track record of success, with #1 stocks delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. Within the past 30 days, our consensus EPS projection remained stagnant. FDX is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold). In terms of valuation, FDX is currently trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 16.9. This valuation marks a premium compared to its industry's average Forward P/E of 16.26. Story continues Investors should also note that FDX has a PEG ratio of 1.41 right now. This metric is used similarly to the famous P/E ratio, but the PEG ratio also takes into account the stock's expected earnings growth rate. The Transportation - Air Freight and Cargo industry currently had an average PEG ratio of 1.91 as of yesterday's close. The Transportation - Air Freight and Cargo industry is part of the Transportation sector. This group has a Zacks Industry Rank of 85, putting it in the top 34% of all 250+ industries. The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1. To follow FDX in the coming trading sessions, be sure to utilize Zacks.com. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report FedEx Corporation (FDX) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research David Cameron grilled by UK parliamentary committee over links with now-collapsed supply chain financier. Video Transcript - David Cameron, shortly before becoming British Prime Minister in 2010. DAVID CAMERON: I believe it's time we shone the light of transparency onto lobbying in our country and forced our politics to come clean. - Now, he's being asked to come clean. Two parliamentary committees are investigating Cameron's lobbying on behalf of Greensill Capital, a financial firm he worked for after he left office. Between March and June last year, Cameron and his staff sent 45 emails, texts, and WhatsApp messages to ministers and officials. He says he wanted permission for Greensill to issue government-insured loans to help companies through the pandemic. DAVID CAMERON: The motivation for contacting the government was that I thought we had a really good idea for how to help extending credit to thousands of businesses. - Cameron says that in April last year, at the time of his intensive lobbying, he had no sense Greensill was close to failing. But company owner Lex Greensill himself, giving evidence to MP's this week, said he'd become aware of supply-chain problems in March, 2020, and discussed it with David Cameron. He was asked whether the furious lobbying was aimed at saving his firm. MEL STRIDE: --that, actually, part of this push was to get cash into the business. Because there would have been clear concern about the future of the business at that point. LEX GREENSILL: Mr. Chairman, I think it's important that I make something very clear, that Greensill, and, indeed, as the chancellor put in his letter that he wrote to you, and the governor of the Bank of England, that Greensill at no time sought funding for itself. - Cameron's lobbying included nine WhatsApp messages to Chancellor Rishi Sunak complaining the Treasury's objections to Greensill's application were nuts as well as a dozen text messages to the Treasury's top civil servant. The previous year, Cameron and Lex Greensill had met health Secretary Matt Hancock for a private drink to discuss a new payment scheme for national health service staff. Story continues SIOBHAIN MCDONAH: Turning now to Greensill's proposals to our NHS, an app named Earned to pay doctors and nurses daily or weekly in advance. Do you accept that your lobbying of the NHS wasn't for its health but for the health of Greensill's balance sheet? DAVID CAMERON: I wouldn't accept that for one second. Because the - In the end, Cameron's lobbying was unsuccessful. Greensill Capital collapsed in March this year after its insurers withdrew their cover. That's jeopardized 5,000 steelmaking jobs in the UK because the bank was a key lender to the firm Liberty Steel. One former minister has told MPs Greensill had elements of a Ponzi scheme, something David Cameron rejects. And while he accepts he should only have gone through the official channels, he says he broke no rules. Nadim Baba, Al Jazeera. After almost two decades, the comedian and his wife, Kenya Duke, are splitting up Looks like comedian Gary Owen may have to pay a pretty penny in spousal support if his estranged wife has anything to do with it. Read More: Wendy Raquel Robinson, Hosea Chanchez returning for The Game reboot According to reports, Kenya Duke is seeking $44K a month in spousal support as the couple that has been together for almost twenty years heads to divorce court. As theGrio previously reported, the duo has been married since 2003 and shares two adult children, but in March Duke filed for divorce in Los Angeles Superior Court. Despite speculation, the official reasons for the couple parting ways remains unclear. But documents obtained by TMZ allegedly show that Duke is now requesting $44K a month in support, the amount she claims is equivalent to what Owen would normally deposit into her account for bills, living expenses, and other miscellaneous necessities. Comedian and actor Gary Owen visits the Build Series to discuss his comedy special Gary Owen: I Got My Associates at Build Studio on September 21, 2017. (Photo by Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images) She also notes that she was tasked with abandoning her own budding career in order to support her husbands dreams of stardom, so he is directly responsible for why she cant cover her own expenses. She then claims that her estranged husbands monthly income usually hovers between $200K and $400K and has never dipped below $100K a month, even during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the documents, Duke said it was common for her spouse to have uncashed checks ranging between $300K and $600K piling up and that due to his affluence he was never in a rush to deposit them into his accounts. Read More: Comedian Gary Owen shares how he met his wife Kenya and how he has fun with race Owen, who got his start on BETs Comic View in 1997, is most known for his stand-up and minor roles in films like Daddy Day Care, Think Like a Man, and Ride Along. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. In an interview with theGrios Natasha Alford in 2016, the couple said they enjoy a fun, successful marriage, and lovingly embrace the challenges of race within the context of their own interracial, blended family. Story continues When speaking about being the first white man Duke ever dated, Owen laughed, saying, That to me is a bigger honor than having a show on BET! He continued, The fact that my game was so strong, that I was able to pull this beautiful Black lady. When recounting the story of how they met at a comedy club nearly two decades ago, he gushed, I was like, Look, I know Im supposed to wait three days, but youre gonna meet a lot of dudes in three days. Im just letting you know now Im interested. In 2019, per Page Six, Owen accused a Delta Airlines ticket agent of racially profiling Duke as she stood in a line for first-class passengers. In an Instagram video, which rehashed the incident involving his wife and daughter after it had occurred, Owen said So, they tell everybody to line up for first [class]. My wife gets in line, and the guy working the gate at B21, Cincinnati Airport, asks my wife, Oh, are you in first? And my wife said, Yeah, I am. And then my wife said, Are you not gonna ask the guy behind me? And he goes, No. My wife said, Why? He said, Cause I dont feel like it. Owen continued, The guy behind hers a white dude, and the ticket agent was a white dude. But he asked the Black lady, Are you in first? Owen made it a point to say that his anger was not directed at the many employees of Delta who perform their jobs without insulting the dignity of others. Read More: Everything you need to know about the 2021 MTV Movie & TV Awards Delta originally deflected the accusation, but later apologized to Duke and her family in a response via Yahoo Lifestyle. Have you subscribed to theGrios new podcast Dear Culture? Download our newest episodes now! TheGrio is now on Apple TV, Amazon Fire, and Roku. Download theGrio today! The post Gary Owens estranged wife requests $44K per month in spousal support appeared first on TheGrio. A Georgia man has been arrested after he allegedly drilled holes in the tank of a parked U-Haul truck to steal gas during the ongoing fuel shortage, police said Thursday. The suspect, Jesse Smith, 25, managed to collect just five gallons of fuel, and his actions caused a massive gasoline spill in Griffin, Georgia, police said. Firefighters worked in the rain through Wednesday afternoon to clean up the spill. Police said it was caused by damage to the fuel tank, which had been intentionally punctured. GAS SHORTAGE: POLICE IN NC CITY TELL RESIDENTS TO LIMIT NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL AS FUEL CRISIS SPIRALS "While we understand that there is a shortage on gas, we also want to remind everyone to exercise safety, patience, and common sense," Griffin police wrote on Facebook. "The shortage is temporary and we anticipate the gas stations returning to full operations soon. In the meantime, remain calm and dont do anything to endanger yourself and others." Before they identified Smith as the suspect, Griffin police posted photos of a red Ford F-series truck, which they said was parked nearby and allegedly used as a "getaway" vehicle. Authorities also released grainy images of the suspect walking near a U-Haul with an apparent fuel can in hand. "So while you're creating a hazardous material spill, for 5 gallons of gasoline and cause firefighters to have to work in the rain, we appreciate you parking your truck behind the KFC where we can obtain a photo of your getaway vehicle," police wrote in a separate Facebook post. "Also, the shots of you walking around the U-Haul trucks are helpful." Authorities identified Smith as the suspect after receiving tips from local residents, police said. NORTH CAROLINA DRIVERS FIGHT AT GAS STATION, VIDEO SHOWS He was charged with criminal damage to property and theft by taking but could face additional charges, according to authorities. About 35 to 45 gallons of gas were spilled, reports said. Story continues The theft occurred as the Colonial Pipeline was hit last week by Russian ransomware group DarkSide, leading to panic buying and fuel shortages along the East Coast. The 5,500-mile pipeline system transports more than 100 million gallons of gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and heating oil per day -- or roughly 45% of fuel consumed on the Eastern Seaboard between the Gulf Coast and the New York metro area. On Thursday, Colonial released a statement, saying it has continued to make "substantial progress in safely restarting our pipeline system." CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "We can now report that we have restarted our entire pipeline system and that product delivery has commenced to all markets we serve," the statement added. Griffin is about 40 miles southeast of Atlanta. While most humans cringe at the thought of billions of cicadas emerging from the ground en masse, one animal in particular is preparing for the buffet of a lifetime: the wild turkey. Cicadas, it turns out, are the ultimate turkey delicacy, leading experts to predict an increase in wild turkey populations following the arrival of Brood X. For the hefty birds, it's a month-long smorgasbord 17 years in the making. Two Male Wild Turkeys Walking in Dry Grass Lois_McCleary/Getty Images "Turkey production goes up in a cicada year because both poults and hens benefit from the availability of the abundant invertebrate food, spend less time feeding, and have less exposure to predation," Steve Backs, a wild turkey biologist with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, explained in a report from Purdue University. "Potential nest, egg, and poult predators are also pre-occupied or distracted by feeding on emerging cicada larva (alternative prey)." In an interview with Outdoor News, Adam Butler, coordinator of the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks' wild turkey program, expressed a similar opinion. He said that the correlation between wild turkeys and cicadas isn't so much about an additional food source for the birds as it is about distracting their predators. "Several of the nest predators are omnivores, and they are going to eat whatever they can find," Butler said. "If a raccoon can fill his belly with cicadas, he's not going to worry about finding a turkey nest to eat. Cicadas serve as a buffer prey for the turkey nest predators." This is good news for states like Kentucky, which has seen a decline in the wild turkey popular over the past few years. "We think turkeys really struggle to reproduce," Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Turkey Biologist Zak Danks told WLKY. "They're important culturally, ecologically, and to hunters." According to Danks, the last major cicada brood (in 2008) led to a record-setting year for turkey reproduction in the Bluegrass State. Wild turkey reproduction saw a 95% jump that year, leading to a record-setting harvest two years later. "Cicadas are a great source of protein for turkeys and their predators," Danks told WLKY. "When the turkeys eat the cicadas, they don't have to move and search for food, so they're not exposed to the predators eitherplus the predators eat the cicadas, too, so it's really a triple-win for turkeys." On Thursday, we learned that state GOP officials want to make some campaign videos starring Kansans who struggled to get all their jobless benefits during the pandemic. Also on Thursday, we learned that Republicans think jobless benefits are for freeloaders and deadbeats. Sure thats cynical, but the states three GOP House members issued a joint press release, urging Kelly to stop the $300 weekly federal checks that will run out in September. It is critical that we encourage Kansans to get back to work, said U.S. Rep. Jake LaTurner of the 2nd Congressional District in the state. The unemployment rate in Kansas, in March, was 3.7%. It seems like most of Kansas is already at work, some risking their health to do so. Perhaps Jake and his pals were on vacation er, district work period and didnt notice. Maybe, though, like Gov. Mike Parson in Missouri, they want to disguise the real motive for their zeal to punish the poor. As the COVID-19 pandemic nears an end, workers are asking for real wage increases, particularly in low-paying positions. Many are rethinking careers. Some are still struggling with child care, or sick relatives, or rebounding from the pandemic. That they want to be paid for their work does not make them slackers. Business owners dont want to pay higher wages and benefits that would cut into profits or raise prices. Instead, they want everyone to go back to work with substandard wages and working conditions. Its that simple, and that obvious. In his press release, Rep. Tracey Mann called it normal order. Problems at Department of Labor are complex None of this means Kansans should ignore problems in the Department of Labor during the pandemic. We were among the loudest voices criticizing the governor for the lack of responsiveness and transparency in the department. Thousands of claimants spent frustrating months trying to get the checks they had earned. It was hard to get someone on the phone. The computers crashed. Misery spread. Story continues But we also believe a fair examination of the DOL problem must include a deep inquiry into the Sam Brownback-era budget cuts that left the department largely helpless in the face of the pandemic. Why did Republicans reduce funding for state technology upgrades? Why, in 2013, did the Legislature make it harder to file for unemployment benefits? Dont we know the answer? Most Republicans detest unemployment insurance. They dont think people who arent working should have money for food, or shelter, or a visit to the doctor. They think the unemployed are layabouts. So its beyond hypocritical that those same Republicans are now contemplating commercials with recipients who had trouble getting jobless benefits. If the Kansas GOP had its way, there would be no benefits. Problem solved. It is critical for policymakers to understand what went wrong at the Kansas labor department, and how to prevent future crises. Lawmakers and Gov. Kelly took a good first step this year by reaching a bipartisan agreement for improvements at DOL. That work may grind to a halt. Republicans dont want answers, they want an issue. They also want to take away $300 a week from those who need it. When you see those commercials, keep that in mind. Hydrogen could one day play a key role in powering our transport (AFP via Getty Images) The governments strategy for developing hydrogen a fuel that could one day play a major role in powering airplanes, trucks and ships is at risk of being warped by lobbying from the fossil fuel industry, campaigners have warned. In a letter to the business secretary, a number of environmental groups have called on the government to take steps to ensure that development of the technology does not further the countrys addiction to fossil fuels and is only used where it is truly necessary. For example, the government should avoid committing to a nationwide rollout of hydrogen-ready boilers, the letter says. It argues that the widespread use of hydrogen in home heating is an idea promoted by the fossil fuel industry which could lock the UK into fossil fuel infrastructure and fossil fuel supply for years to come. The government is due to imminently set out its strategy for how hydrogen will be used in efforts to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. The Independents Stop Fuelling the Climate Crisis campaign is shining a light on support for fossil fuels ahead of Cop26, a key climate conference to be held in Glasgow later this year. Hydrogen can be used in the place of fossil fuels and so has been touted by some as an important tool in the UKs effort to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. The fuel can be created in many different ways. One way is splitting water into its constituent parts, hydrogen and oxygen, using electricity sourced from renewables. This method is considered green. Another way to produce hydrogen is by reacting fossil gas with steam, with the resulting greenhouse gas emissions captured and buried underground. This creates what is called blue hydrogen a fuel that is cleaner than traditional fossil fuels but not completely emissions-free. The letter, sent by the climate think tank E3G and signed by Greenpeace, WWF and Friends of the Earth, urges the government to prioritise investment in green hydrogen over blue hydrogen. Story continues It notes that around three-quarters of public hydrogen investment in the governments strategy for cutting emissions from industry is allocated to blue hydrogen. Hydrogen has great potential to help decarbonise sectors which we will struggle to electrify, such as aviation and shipping and some industrial processes, Ed Matthew, a campaigner at E3G, told The Independent. But it has to be green hydrogen, derived from renewables, to be zero-carbon and, as it will be in short supply for many years, it must be focused on the right sectors. Blue hydrogen, derived from fossil fuels, would keep us addicted to fossil fuels and still contribute to global heating. The letter adds that, given green hydrogen is likely to remain a premium commodity in future decades, it should only be used where truly necessary. For this reason, the government should avoid a nationwide roll-out of hydrogen-ready boilers and instead focus on advancing other forms of low-carbon heating, such as electric heat pumps, the group argues. The letter adds that it is concerned that major companies for whom action on climate change is a near-existential threat are seeking to promote technologies such as hydrogen-ready boilers because they could lock in further reliance on fossil fuels. We are concerned that these ideas are being promoted by the fossil fuel industry to lock the UK into fossil fuel infrastructure and fossil fuel supply and that there is an attempt underway to capture the UK government behind a fossil-based hydrogen future, the group says. Not all experts agree that blue hydrogen should not be used as part of efforts to reach net zero. The Climate Change Committee, the UKs independent climate advisers, have recommended that blue hydrogen be pursued in the short term to quicken the move away from fossil fuels. In response to the letter, a government spokesperson said: Scaling up the production of low-carbon hydrogen is a key part of our plan to end the UKs contribution to climate change by 2050. The UK will publish its first-ever hydrogen strategy this year, and we have already set out our ambition to generate 5GW of low carbon hydrogen production capacity by 2030, supporting around 8,000 green jobs. This work will be supported by measures including the 240m net zero hydrogen fund, aimed at supporting hydrogen production. Read More Why does Bitcoin mining use so much energy from fossil fuels? How bad is bitcoin mining for the environment really? Bizarre loopholes in peatland burning ban risk embarrassing UK ahead of Cop26, campaigners say May 14Aloha Plate's food truck can be seen prowling the streets of San Francisco starting June 6. That's when the Food Network will start airing its all-star version of "The Great Food Truck Race, " the reality TV cooking show. Hawaii chef Adam Tabura, media personality Lanai Tabura and comedian Shawn Felipe will return to compete as team Aloha Plate, earning the appearance as a reward for winning season 4 of the show in 2013. The show presented several challenges to competing teams, which all had some experience in the restaurant business but had never run a food truck before. The teams prepared their own dishes as well as regional favorites as they raced from city to city, guided by host Tyler Florence. Total receipts determined the winners, with the Hawaii team helped considerably by the "coconut wireless " that brought the Hawaii diaspora to their truck in droves in many cities. For this six-episode season, the Food Network brought back seven winners from previous seasons : four from California, one from Utah and one from Louisiana, along with Aloha Plate. The cuisine will be international, featuring food from the Middle East, India and Korea, along with California cuisine and gourmet waffles. The epicenter of the competition is the San Francisco Bay Area, with teams traveling to nearby locations such as Napa Valley wine country and the redwood forests. "California is where the food truck trend first exploded, " said Food Network and Cooking Channel President Courtney White in a news release. The season includes an appearance with the NBA's Golden State Warriors and ends in Chinatown, where the winning team will receive $50, 000 and be declared all-time champ. May 14Prosecutors charged a 53-year-old homeless man in connection with an intentionally set fire at the Hawaii Supreme Court building in downtown Honolulu. Eric Stroeve was charged with first-degree arson. His bail is set at $100, 000. Police said a male suspect started a fire at the building located at 417 S. King St. at about 1 a.m. Monday. Damage to the building is estimated at $20, 000. CrimeStoppers Honolulu and police released a surveillance video of a man Tuesday afternoon seeking the public's help in identifying him. That night, officers arrested a suspect later identified as Stroeve in downtown. The building was one of three government buildings where fires were set between Sunday night and Monday morning. The two other fires police classified as fourth-degree arson occurred at Hawaii Department of Attorney General building and the Department of Taxation building. By Twinnie Siu and Jessie Pang HONG KONG (Reuters) -Hong Kong authorities on Friday froze assets belonging to jailed media tycoon Jimmy Lai, including all shares in his company, Next Digital - the first time a listed firm has been targeted by national security laws in the financial hub. Also among assets targeted were the local bank accounts of three companies owned by him, Hong Kong's Secretary for Security John Lee said in a government statement. The statement, issued after the market close, said Lee had issued notices "in writing to freeze all the shares of Next Digital Limited held by (Jimmy) Lai Chee-ying, and the property in the local bank accounts of three companies owned by him". Lai was sentenced to 14 months in prison for taking part in unauthorised assemblies during pro-democracy protests in 2019. He faces three alleged charges under a sweeping new national security law imposed by Beijing, including collusion with a foreign country. The move against his assets was also made under the security law, which criminalises acts including subversion, sedition, collusion with foreign forces and secession with possible life imprisonment. The decision by authorities to use the law's powers for the first time to target a Hong Kong listed company could have repercussions for investor sentiment. There have been signs of capital flight since the law was imposed last June, to foreign countries including Canada, according to government agencies, bankers and lawyers. CLAMPDOWN Beijing said it imposed the law on the former British colony to restore order after months of pro-democracy, anti-China protests in 2019. However, critics say the law has been used by China's Communist leaders to suppress freedoms and pro-democracy campaigners - scores of whom have been arrested and jailed, or have fled into exile. The chief executive officer of Next Digital, Cheung Kim-hung, told the Apple Daily that Lai's frozen assets had nothing to do with the bank accounts of Next Digital, and that their operations and finances would not be affected. Story continues The firm's employees pledged to continue to "uphold their duty and keep reporting", in a statement posted on the Facebook page of Next Digital's trade union. Under Hong Kong stock exchange filings, Lai is Next Digital's major shareholder and holds 71.26 percent of shares that were worth around HK$350 million ($45 million) based on Friday's closing share price. The value of the other "property" assets frozen by the authorities was not immediately clear. Next Digital runs the Apple Daily, Hong Kong's most influential pro-democracy newspaper that has long been a thorn in the side of Hong Kong and Chinese authorities. Senior Hong Kong officials have recently warned Apple Daily about its coverage and have spoken of the possible introduction of a "fake news" law. Critics say this is all part of an ongoing crackdown on the city's media. The Taiwan arm of Apple Daily said on Friday it would stop publishing its print version, blaming declining advertising revenue and more difficult business conditions in Hong Kong linked to politics. ($1 = 7.7658 Hong Kong dollars) (Reporting by Twinnie Siu, Jessie Pang and James Pomfret; Writing by James Pomfret; Editing by Andrew Heavens and Gareth Jones) Woman crouched with face in hands. (PHOTO: Getty Images) SINGAPORE Attracted by a female tourist's looks, a hotel housekeeper forced his way into her room and molested her while covering her mouth with a towel. Isa Ahmad only stopped after the then 27-year-old Thai national claimed that someone was returning to the room. Instead of leaving the hotel afterwards, Isa, a 56-year-old Singaporean, returned to the victim's room to ask for his towel, which he had dropped during the struggle. Isa, a recalcitrant offender, was sentenced to 12 years preventive detention on Friday (14 May), bringing a close to a case which has seen Isa vacillating on his plea repeatedly. Isa had previously pleaded guilty to a charge each of attempted aggravated rape and robbery in October 2019, but a judge set aside the plea after Isa objected to the facts during the sentencing stage. The judge sent the case back to a pre-trial conference in November 2019. Isa underwent a trial and had his attempted aggravated rape charge downgraded to aggravated molest after the prosecution reviewed the case details. Isa pleaded guilty to the downgraded charge and robbery midway through his trial. Another attempt to retract plea On Friday, the prosecution started off by saying that Isa had once again sought to retract his plea by disputing material facts in his latest preventive detention report and urged the court to reject this latest attempt to retract the plea. District Judge Bala Reddy then asked Isa's lawyer, Dhanwant Singh, to confirm that his client was not qualifying his plea, and Isa told the court through an interpreter that he was not. The victim, who cannot be named due to a gag order, came to Singapore for a holiday on 11 March 2017. She stayed alone in The Hilton Hotel in Orchard. On the second day of her visit, the victim was returning to her room after after having coffee nearby in the morning when Isa caught sight of her. Isa was then a housekeeper at Orchard Hotel. Attracted by the victim's dress and her looks, Isa tailed the victim as she went back to her room. As the victim stepped into her room, Isa grabbed her from behind and covered her mouth with a purple towel. Story continues During their struggle, the victim asked Isa why he was acting in that manner and he told her that he wanted to make love to her. The victim tried to distract Isa by asking if he had condoms. But he responded by pulling her neck towards him and tried to kiss her. Isa then dragged the victim onto the bed by pulling her hair. He also used his free hand to grab a pillow and pressed it against the victims face. When she was finally able to speak, the victim lied that someone was returning to the room. Alarmed, Isa left the room. The victim then closed the door and called hotel security. But shortly after, she heard a knock on the door and saw that Isa wanted his purple towel back. The victim closed the door and called security again. She also called a friend for help. Two hotel staff went to her room and the police were called at around 12.50pm. The victim had finger marks on her chin, a bruise over her right elbow and a small graze over her right forearm. Robbed another woman After fleeing, Isa loitered around Orchard Road and stole a white towel. He then tried to rob another woman, then 48 and a tourist from Myanmar, in a lift at Tang Plaza. He covered the victims neck and mouth with the white towel. She was carrying a handbag and mobile phone and tried to fend him off by hitting him with the items while shouting for help. Isa managed to steal her phone, worth between $600 and $700. The victim sought help from passers-by and met her husband before calling the police. Isa was arrested outside Orchard Hotel the next day. Isa committed the offences barely five months after being released from a 14-year preventive detention term for robbery with hurt. Preventive detention is usually given to recalcitrant offenders who must serve their full sentence, with no possibility of an early release for good behaviour. Deputy Public Prosecutor Gregory Gan referred to Isa's criminal history to seek a preventive detention term of 15 years. "The accused's antecedent record is an appalling one, he has served corrective training and preventive detention and yet he reoffended barely five months after he was released from last 14-year preventive detention term," he said. "What is clear is that his previous sentences which were substantial failed to deter him from criminal conduct and there is a form of evolution from property to sexual offending, so the need for prevention is paramount and a lengthy term of preventive detention is necessary." Isa's lawyer Dhanwant Singh sought preventive detention of between 11 and 12 years. Singh said, "I don't know... the towel seems to be some sort of weakness for him. The moment the towel is in his hand, there is something wrong with him." For aggravated molest, Isa could have been jailed between two and 10 years. He cannot be caned as he is above 50. Robbery carries a jail term of between two and 10 years with caning of not less than six strokes. More Singapore news: Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore More Singapore stories: Woman, 27, dies after fall from 6th floor of TTSH Ex-SPH deputy chief Patrick Daniel to be interim CEO of SPH Media By Scott McIntosh, Opinion Editor If you like this newsletter, forward to a friend or colleague, and they can sign up here. Idahos Republican legislators wasted weeks and weeks and weeks on silly legislation while ignoring one of the top concerns among voters: property tax relief. Scott McIntosh is the Idaho Statesmans opinion editor. Had they spent as much time on property tax solutions as they spent on rooting out critical race theory, monument name changes and trying to cancel Powerball because of gun restrictions in Australia, they would have come up with fact-based, research-driven solutions after listening to testimony from tax experts, local officials and others affected by the issue. Instead, after 18 weeks 18 weeks! in session, Rep. Mike Moyle, R-Star, ramrodded a complex, multifaceted property tax bill through both the House and the Senate in three days at the end of the longest session in Idaho history. What happens when you rush a complicated bill through the Legislature without considering facts, research, experts or testimony from city and county officials? You get bad legislation. Thats something Gov. Brad Little recognized. I do have significant concerns with the process leading up to the passage of House Bill 389 as well as its practical implications, Little wrote in a letter to House Speaker Scott Bedke. I have always subscribed to the adage that our taxes need to be fair, simple, competitive, and predictable. When considered against these pillars of tax policy, House Bill 389 falls short. The bill is an aggregate of complex and nuanced changes to Idahos property tax code, and I am troubled that this was introduced in the waning days of the longest legislative session in Idaho history. So he vetoed it, right? No. The governor, despite his misgivings and recognition this was bad legislation, signed it into law anyway. Into the great COVID-19 unknown Juan Cardenas, 19, receives the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine from James Hunt, a clinical pharmacist with Terry Reilly Health Services, at the Community Council of Idaho Tuesday, March 23, 2021. Cardenas and his parents received their first doses at the clinic. It seems quaint now to remember when we thought with hope that Idaho would achieve herd immunity to COVID-19 and approach something like an 80% vaccination rate. Sitting at around 40% today and beginning to plateau, our hopes of coming even close to mass vaccination are quickly becoming dashed. Story continues Whether we like it or not, were about to find out what a new normal is in Idaho. This message is for the vaccine-hesitant Dr. Tommy Ahlquist. OK, so Tommy Ahlquist strikes a more optimistic tone when talking about getting more people vaccinated. He notes that about 20% of Idahoans say they wont get the COVID-19 vaccine, and if youre in that 20%, this message is for you. Who is indoctrinating whom? Bob Kustra With all the talk this legislative session about left-wing activist antifa social justice critical race theory indoctrination, Bob Kustra has to wonder, whos indoctrinating whom in Idaho? Idaho Senate chaplain reflects on session Doug Armstrong Many of you may recognize the name Doug Armstrong, the longtime general manager and president of KTVB who retired a couple of years ago. He since went to seminary school and became the Idaho Senate chaplain this session. I now describe the average Idaho senator using words like honesty, integrity and thoughtfulness, he shared with us in a guest opinion this week. Barriers to affordable homes in Idaho Hannah Sharp Rental prices in Idaho are rapidly outpacing wage growth, and the shortage of affordable and available homes is making it difficult for Idahoans across the state to keep up. Idaho renters living on fixed incomes such as seniors and Idahoans living with disabilities who are unable to work are more likely to spend a larger share of their income on rent than the population as a whole and are disproportionately impacted by the widening gap between their rent and income. The development manager for the Jesse Tree of Idaho explores the problem and solutions in a guest opinion this week. Quick-hit survey: What do you think? An Idaho death row inmate with terminal cancer and heart disease is asking the state to let him die naturally rather than kill him by lethal injection next month. (You can read that full story here.) Gerald Ross Pizzuto Jr. is scheduled for execution on June 2 for the 1985 beating deaths of Berta Herndon, 58, and her nephew Del Herndon, 37, at a remote Idaho County cabin. His attorneys announced Tuesday that they filed a clemency petition on his behalf to the Idaho Pardons & Parole Commission. Do you think Pizzuto should be granted clemency? Fill out my quick-hit, one-question survey here. What youre saying Letters To Editor This week, weve received letters on voting by mail, ads praising Sen. Mike Crapo, politicizing library trustees in Kootenai County, and the poor treatment of the accuser in the Idaho legislative sexual assault case. You can read those letters and more by clicking here. You can submit a letter to the editor or guest opinion by clicking here. Like this newsletter? If you like this newsletter, forward to a friend or colleague, and they can sign up here. (Bloomberg) -- Iron ores slump from a record accelerated as China ramps up efforts to control a dizzying surge in prices. Futures in Dalian dropped the daily limit, while prices in Singapore tumbled 11% as the worlds biggest iron ore buyer rolled out more measures to temper recent gains. Tangshan city banned steelmakers from fabricating or spreading price-hike information, the latest in a list of measures targeting the hub, after Premier Li Keqiang earlier this week urged China to deal with surging prices. Sentiment is very volatile, and the Chinese governments control is very strict, said Wang Yue, an analyst with Shanghai East Asia Futures Co. Ferrous metals have been falling since Premier Li pledged to control the commodities surge earlier this week, which showed the government is very much concerned about the impact on manufacturers profitability, Wang said. The Tangshan local government vowed to punish violations including price manipulation, and steelmakers were told Friday that they may be suspended from doing business or have their licenses revoked if they break the law. The city, which accounts for 14% of Chinas steel production, has been at the center of an industry overhaul as authorities unveiled a slew of output restrictions to control emissions. That saw the markets retreat from historic highs accelerate. Iron ore on the Singapore Exchange sank as much as 11% to $187.10 a ton, before trading at $194.30 by 2:19 p.m. local time. Prices had touched a record $233.75 on Wednesday. Futures in Dalian closed 3.6% lower, extending Thursdays 9% decline. Prices have already reached a peak level from a medium- and long-term perspective, Huatai Futures Co. wrote in a note. Demand for iron ore may soften when output restrictions are implemented under the environmental push. Inflation Worries Steelmakers in China have been ramping up production in defiance of government attempts to rein in output to control the industrys carbon emissions, with robust profit margins enabling mills to accommodate surging input costs. Story continues The government has already scheduled nationwide inspections of steel-capacity cuts, reiterated a commitment to reining in production from last years record of more than 1 billion tons and set targets for peak carbon emissions. Authorities had sought to tame a range of markets this week, with Chinese bourses raising trading limits for iron ore and increasing fees for steel and coking coal. The surge across commodities helped push the countrys factory-gate prices up by the most since 2017, and inflation concerns are intensifying around the world amid a broad economic recovery and vast stimulus programs. Shipmakers and household-goods manufacturers will eventually be unable to withstand elevated steel prices, the countrys state-run Xinhua News Agency reported, citing analysis from the China Iron & Steel Association. The report said it would be difficult for steel to continue rallying. Separately, China said it will accelerate the transformation of the power, steel, non-ferrous metal and petrochemical industries to cut emissions, adding that its targeting seven provinces that saw increasing energy use in the first quarter. Other industrial commodities declined. Copper in London fell 1.1%, with the market flipping into the widest contango since January in a sign of loosening supply in the near term. Aluminum fell 0.7% and other base metals declined. For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com Subscribe now to stay ahead with the most trusted business news source. 2021 Bloomberg L.P. The U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) revealed that it would seize citizens crypto assets in order to settle unpaid taxes. Agency official Robert Wearing made the announcement on May 12 while addressing a virtual conference; Bottom linethe IRS will seize that property and will attempt to follow its usual procedures to sell it and use it to satisfy collection. This is in line with IRS guidelines that treat crypto holdings as property rather than currency. The IRS made this disclosure in 2014. IRS coming after crypto The announcement follows a slew of IRS initiatives aimed at clamping down on tax avoidance by citizens trading cryptocurrencies. At the beginning of May, a U.S. federal court in California authorized the IRS to serve a John Doe summons to Krakens parent company, Payward Ventures Inc. This summons granted the IRS permission to demand the personal information of any U.S. taxpayer that traded at least $20,000 in cryptocurrency transactions between 2016-2020. Following that judgment, the IRS then announced plans to work with TaxBit to audit crypto transactions. The sentiment surrounding this partnership was largely positive, with many holding the view that the company would help the IRS to understand the data. TaxBit CEO Austin Woodward welcomed the move as an indication of the regulators embracing the asset class. A global trend The IRS is not alone in trying to ensure efficiency in crypto tax payments. Globally, governments are scrambling to understand the cryptocurrency economy and how to best regulate it. Many governments have taken different approaches thus far, with little consistency across regions. Just this week the Hungarian government announced that it intends to slash crypto tax rates to 15%. Conversely, the Turkish government moved to outlaw crypto payments last month. So, while the IRS partnership with TaxBit shows an encouraging embrace of the crypto asset class, the John Doe summons served to Kraken was less welcoming. Especially considering a similar order caused huge losses for UBS when it was served with the same summons nearly 10 years ago. IsoRay (ISR) came out with a quarterly loss of $0.01 per share in line with the Zacks Consensus Estimate. This compares to loss of $0.01 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items. A quarter ago, it was expected that this isotope-based medical products maker would post a loss of $0.01 per share when it actually produced a loss of $0.01, delivering no surprise. Over the last four quarters, the company has not been able to surpass consensus EPS estimates. IsoRay, which belongs to the Zacks Medical - Drugs industry, posted revenues of $2.6 million for the quarter ended March 2021, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 6.56%. This compares to year-ago revenues of $2.88 million. The company has topped consensus revenue estimates just once over the last four quarters. The sustainability of the stock's immediate price movement based on the recently-released numbers and future earnings expectations will mostly depend on management's commentary on the earnings call. IsoRay shares have added about 82.2% since the beginning of the year versus the S&P 500's gain of 8.2%. What's Next for IsoRay? While IsoRay has outperformed the market so far this year, the question that comes to investors' minds is: what's next for the stock? There are no easy answers to this key question, but one reliable measure that can help investors address this is the company's earnings outlook. Not only does this include current consensus earnings expectations for the coming quarter(s), but also how these expectations have changed lately. Empirical research shows a strong correlation between near-term stock movements and trends in earnings estimate revisions. Investors can track such revisions by themselves or rely on a tried-and-tested rating tool like the Zacks Rank, which has an impressive track record of harnessing the power of earnings estimate revisions. Ahead of this earnings release, the estimate revisions trend for IsoRay was mixed. While the magnitude and direction of estimate revisions could change following the company's just-released earnings report, the current status translates into a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) for the stock. So, the shares are expected to perform in line with the market in the near future. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Story continues It will be interesting to see how estimates for the coming quarters and current fiscal year change in the days ahead. The current consensus EPS estimate is -$0.01 on $2.48 million in revenues for the coming quarter and -$0.04 on $9.66 million in revenues for the current fiscal year. Investors should be mindful of the fact that the outlook for the industry can have a material impact on the performance of the stock as well. In terms of the Zacks Industry Rank, Medical - Drugs is currently in the bottom 19% of the 250 plus Zacks industries. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report IsoRay, Inc. (ISR) : Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research JERUSALEM (AP) Early Friday, just after midnight, the Israeli military put out an ominous statement to the media: IDF air and ground troops are currently attacking in the Gaza Strip. The vaguely worded statement set off frenzied speculation that Israel had launched a ground invasion of Gaza a much-feared scenario that would mark a bloody escalation of this weeks operation against Hamas militants. Some reporters were even told outright the incursion had begun. Hours later, the military issued a clarification. There were no troops inside Gaza. But by then, several major news outlets had erroneously reported the ground offensive was under way. While the army attempted to play down the incident as a misunderstanding, well-placed Israeli military commentators said the media had been used as part of an elaborate ruse to lure Hamas militants into a deadly trap that may have killed dozens of fighters. They didnt lie, said Or Heller, a veteran military correspondent on Israels Channel 13 TV. It was a manipulation. It was smart and it was successful. This is how it unfolded: Late on Thursday, after days of airstrikes, Israel announced it was calling up thousands of reservists and amassing troops along the border ahead of a possible ground invasion. In another sign of escalation, Israel began firing artillery shells across the border at targets inside Gaza, according to residents. In previous rounds of fighting, ground incursions have resulted in widespread destruction in Gaza and heavy casualties on both sides. That set the stage for the late-night deception. According to Heller, Israel began scrambling forces along the border in what appeared to be final preparations for an invasion. Then came the announcement to the media, issued simultaneously in Hebrew and Arabic on Twitter. There followed alerts in major outlets, including the New York Times, that the invasion was under way. The Israeli moves sent Hamas fighters rushing into defensive positions in an underground network of tunnels known as the Metro, according to Heller and other Israeli reports. Story continues Israel called in 160 warplanes and bombarded the tunnels for 40 minutes, the military said. Heller said it was his understanding that scores of militants had been killed, though he said it was impossible to say. What we saw tonight was a very sophisticated operation that had a media aspect to it, Heller said. Hamas has not commented on the incident, and it was impossible to confirm the Israeli reports. Heller said veteran Israeli correspondents, who have close ties to the military and in many cases have served themselves, knew that there was no way Israel was sending troops across enemy lines at this stage. Heller and other military correspondents even put out statements on Twitter assuring the jittery public that there was no ground operation. The Associated Press, based on its analysis of the armys statement, phone calls to military officials and on the ground reporting in Gaza, concluded there was no ground incursion and did not report there was one. But others said the military had misled them or even lied when asked to clarify the initial statement and its ambiguous use of the word in. Some felt the foreign media had been turned into an accessory of sorts. Felicia Schwartz, correspondent for The Wall Street Journal, said she alerted news of a ground offensive after receiving explicit confirmation from Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, a military spokesman. In a statement posted on Twitter, she said Conricus told me directly, `There are ground troops in Gaza. That was the basis for a first story saying so. He retracted that statement two hours later and I changed the story to reflect that, and that is noted in the text and will be corrected. Speaking to reporters on Friday morning, Conricus blamed an internal miscommunication. These things can sometimes happen in the midst of a complex operation with many moving parts and with an unclear picture of what was happening, he said. As soon as I understood that I had the wrong information, I updated the relevant people with a clarification. But some correspondents still had questions. If they used us, it's unacceptable. And if not, then what's the story and why is the Israeli media widely reporting that we were duped? said Daniel Estrin, NPR's correspondent in Jerusalem, who was also told by the military that an invasion had begun. Militaries around the world have long used deception and trickery against their enemies. Two years ago, the Israeli military reportedly faked the injuries of soldiers at the scene of a Hezbollah missile strike, going so far as to evacuate them in bandages to a hospital in a helicopter. According to reports at the time, the army staged the injuries to trick Hezbollah into thinking it had inflicted casualties and therefore agree to a cease-fire. Fridays misleading statement further strained what has often been a rocky relationship between the IDF and the foreign media. Peter Lerner, a former military spokesman to the foreign media, said the Israeli public in general has long felt the international media focus too heavily on the Palestinian side of the story while minimizing Israeli concerns and suffering -- and the army is similarly inclined. Lerner said he felt it was unlikely the military intentionally lied, but damage was done regardless. Your currency is credibility, he said. I think this is a crisis of that credibility in the way its being portrayed. By Ange Aboa ABIDJAN (Reuters) - Ivory Coast Prime Minister Patrick Achi said he was in "good shape" after returning home to Abidjan on Friday, following reported medical treatment in France. Achi, 65, spent five days in France undergoing tests for "severe fatigue" suffered since his appointment in March, two sources told Reuters. A close confidant of President Alassane Ouattara, Achi was named prime minister following the death of the West African cocoa producer's second premier in less than eight months. He replaced Hamed Bakayoko, who died of cancer at 56. Bakayoko had replaced Amadou Gon Coulibaly, who died following cardiac issues last July. State television showed Achi deplaning and being greeted by ministers on the tarmac in Ivory Coast's commercial capital Abidjan on Friday night. "I feel very good. I came back in good shape to go back to work. We have a lot of things to do," Achi said. Achi is a key figure in discussions to resolve a large power generation deficit that has strained electricity supplies in urban areas for several weeks. He visited France for health reasons last week but left prematurely to participate in discussions about the power problems, the sources said. He then returned to Paris on Tuesday, cancelling a tour of hydroelectric dams. (Reporting by Ange Aboa; Writing by Hereward Holland; Editing by Aurora Ellis) Jordan Spieth. AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez Jordan Spieth shot a 9-under round to take the lead at the Byron Nelson on Thursday. At the par-5 No. 12, Spieth was faced with a difficult decision - lay up or go for the green. While he and caddie Michael Greller disagreed, Spieth overruled him and hit a brilliant shot. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. Jordan Spieth was playing like a man on fire on Thursday. At the AT&T Byron Nelson, Spieth shot an astounding nine-under in the first round to take an early share of the lead. Spieth hit his shot of the round at the par 5 No. 12 when he and caddie Michael Greller faced a difficult decision. After a slightly errant tee shot, Spieth was in the rough, with his ball pressed up against a tall bunch of grass. Spieth could take out a big club and go for the green in two or lay up and take a wedge into the pin instead. As the duo eyed up the ball, they could be heard debating the shot on camera, with Greller concerned about the grass in front of the ball and Spieth believing he could make it through. "It's on me," Spieth ultimately told Greller. "It's on me. Is that what you want to hear me say?" That line got a laugh from the crowd. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Spieth made the right call in trusting his gut, as he then put the ball just 12 feet from the pin. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. One of the broadcasters on the course said that as the duo walked past him to the green, Greller told him, "For the record, I did not like that decision." Spieth would not be able to sink the eagle putt but settled for a tap-in birdie and cruised through the rest of his round. After finishing on the 18th green, Spieth spoke with reporters about the decision to go for green at No. 12, and how his relationship with Greller helped make it possible. "I think he saw an easy lay-up opportunity, and hit a wedge close," Spieth said. "I saw ... hit a hybrid, open the face up, and cut it onto the green. "In that situation, everyone and their caddie is going to discuss what to do, because you have the chance to either gain strokes or lose strokes just with the decision. I think for Michael, it helped him when I said, 'This one's on me.' I hear you, I know the risk, and I'm going to take it and it's on me. I think both of us really like when we're committed in saying that." Story continues Somehow, the shot wasn't even Spieth's most jaw-dropping one of the day. At the 18th green, Spieth sunk a 55-foot eagle putt to take a share of the lead heading into Friday. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Spieth tees off at 8:23 a.m. ET on Friday in Round 2 of the Byron Nelson. Read the original article on Insider By Jehad Abu Shalbak KARAMEH, Jordan Valley (Reuters) - Jordanian riot police on Friday forcibly dispersed hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters trying to reach a bridge that leads to the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Witnesses said police fired tear gas and shot into the air to halt about 500 young demonstrators, who broke away from the scheduled route of a march near the borders organized to protest Israeli attacks against Palestinians. The demonstrators were within five km (three miles) of the King Hussein Bridge, known in Israel as the Allenby Bridge, in the Jordan Valley opposite the Palestinian city of Jericho in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Witnesses said about 2,000 people took part in the protest, arranged by a mix of opposition parties and tribal groups in a kingdom where passions are running high since the escalation of violence between Palestinians and Israel. "Oh King Abdullah, open the borders," protesters chanted. Several thousand demonstrators also took to the streets after Friday prayers from the main Husseini mosque in central Amman chanting anti-Israel slogans. They called for the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador and scrapping of an unpopular peace treaty with Israel. Hundreds of mosques held prayers for those killed in Gaza. Most of Jordan's 10 million citizens are of Palestinian origin. They or their parents were expelled or fled to Jordan in the fighting that accompanied the creation of Israel in 1948. They have close family ties with their kin on the other side of the Jordan River in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, both captured by Israel in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. (Reporting by Jihad Abu Shalbak and Muath Freij, Writing by Suleiman Al-Khalidi; Editing by Angus MacSwan) Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says he will speak to Sadio Mane after the Senegal forward snubbed him following Thursday's 4-2 win at Manchester United. Klopp left Mane on the bench for the first 74 minutes of the crucial Premier League clash, deciding to start Diogo Jota instead. Following Mane's brief substitute appearance, Klopp approached him at the final whistle to celebrate a crucial victory in the race to qualify for the Champions League. But Mane refused to respond to the German and was caught on television walking towards the tunnel while shaking his head. Speaking ahead of Sunday's trip to West Bromwich Albion, Klopp said he was not angry with Mane but would speak to the 29-year-old about the show of dissent. "If somebody shows me five million times respect and one time not, what is then more important?" Klopp said on Friday. "The world is in a situation when you make this one time bigger than necessary. That's unfortunately the case. "If you had seen me as a player what I did out of emotion it was insane -- and I'm a completely normal guy, but it happened to me. "We will talk about it, then it will be sorted. That's all." Klopp suggested immediately after the match that his late decision to start Jota may have prompted Mane's reaction. The move paid off as Jota scored Liverpool's equaliser, sparking their first win over their arch-rivals at Old Trafford since 2014. The Liverpool boss does not expect any lingering fall-out from the incident as Liverpool try to secure a top four-finish in the Premier League. "Do you want these things to happen? No," he said. "But it's not the first time in my life and I'm afraid to say it won't be the last time." After failing to defend the Premier League title, Liverpool are trying to salvage a troubled season with Champions League qualification. Fourth-placed Chelsea's loss to Arsenal on Wednesday has opened the door for the Reds, who are four points behind with a game in hand. Story continues With Chelsea playing third-placed Leicester next week, Liverpool will be almost certain of a top-four finish if they win their last three games against West Brom, Burnley and Crystal Palace. "Most of the time I've been in a chasing role so if I'm enjoying it, I don't know," said Klopp. "Sometimes yes, but I'm used to it. "Usually, when I'm involved, seasons go to the wire. Playing Thursday, Sunday, Wednesday, Sunday is a tough one, but let's give it a try." smg/jw/pb Federal and state officials, who spent the last year trying to keep Americans safe in their homes during the pandemic, are suddenly grappling with the opposite problem: how to lure them back to work. At least 14 states, including North Dakota, Alabama and South Carolina, have moved to cut off enhanced federal jobless benefits that were supposed to last until September. Florida is among roughly 30 states reinstating a requirement that the unemployed prove they are looking for work to receive state benefits. Montana is offering return-to-work bonuses to unemployment recipients who accept a job offer. Amazon, McDonald's and Chipotle are hiking wages, as is Tyson Foods, which will also start allowing more flexible work schedules. And President Joe Biden is emphasizing the need for workers to accept new job offers even as the factors that have been keeping them on the sidelines scarce childcare options, elevated health concerns and generous federal unemployment aid remain in place. Its time to get back to work, Idaho Republican Gov. Brad Little said Tuesday while announcing that his state would be ending federal unemployment benefits. We do not want people on unemployment. We want people working. A strong economy cannot exist without workers returning to a job. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Paulette Jordan and Lt. Gov. Brad Little participate in a debate at the studios of Idaho Public Television in Boise, Idaho, Monday, Oct. 15, 2018. (AP Photo/Otto Kitsinger) The flurry of activity underscores the rising concern that the economic recovery could be jeopardized even as lockdown restrictions are lifted if restaurants, travel companies and other businesses are unable to hire enough staff to keep up with surging consumer demand. Fears of a labor shortage have been fed by government data that showed employers added 266,000 jobs in April, falling far short of the roughly 1 million that many economists had forecast. While economists warn against jumping to conclusions based on one month of data, a second survey released Tuesday showed there were a record 8.1 million job openings available going into April. And there were fewer hires per job opening that month than at any time since the series began in 2001, said Jed Kolko, the chief economist at the job-search site Indeed. Thats fueling the suspicion that a shortage of workers is holding employers back. Story continues The difficulty in hiring workers has prompted some of the country's largest employers to increase pay. McDonald's announced Thursday it would raise wages for more than 36,500 hourly workers by an average of 10 percent over the next several months. Amazon said it will hike wages by up to $3 an hour for more than half a million of its U.S. employees. But the conversation over how to boost hiring has focused primarily on the enhanced unemployment benefits, which Republicans say are overly generous and give people an incentive to stay home. The benefits currently supply an extra $300 per week in federal money on top of state jobless aid, which varies among states but averages more than $300 a week. More states are expected to follow those that have cut off the federal benefits. And GOP lawmakers in Washington are pushing legislation to overhaul the federal aid: Nine Republicans this week introduced a bill to cut the benefits in half by the end of the month and phase them out entirely by the end of June. Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) is rolling out legislation that would convert the last two months of extra unemployment benefits into a signing bonus for any worker who gets a job by July 4. Weve been warning about this predictable crisis for a year now, Sasse said in a statement. Americans want to work, but the federal government is paying more for unemployment than for work. Well-meaning but stupidly designed policy is holding Main Street back. Senate Democrats also signaled this week that they are unlikely to support extending the enhanced benefits beyond the programs current September expiration date if the economy continues to recover. At the same time, economists caution that the benefit of cutting off the extra jobless aid early would be limited and could hurt those who truly need it, while also forcing people into jobs that arent a good fit and dont work out long-term. Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moodys Analytics, said the motivating effect of ending the aid would only be on the margin. You're obviously hurting people who really need the UI, but you're only going to get a few people back to work, Zandi said. Net-net, I think it's a mistake. Andrew Stettner, a senior fellow at the left-leaning Century Foundation, said, There is simply no economic evidence that pandemic unemployment aid is holding back job creation." Stettner highlighted weekly jobless claims data to show that more than 1 million workers have already gotten off unemployment rolls since early March moves made before GOP governors began cutting off their federal benefits. The Labor Department said Thursday that 473,000 people filed initial claims for jobless benefits in the week ending May 8, down 34,000 from the previous week and the lowest since the pandemic began. While Biden administration officials and most economists acknowledge that the unemployment aid is probably one reason for the slow pace of hiring in April, they say a combination of lingering health concerns, lack of child care and workers being choosier about their job choices is also likely to blame. The biggest issue is that youve got several moms and dads that are home that had been working, but have to be home to take care of their kids, said Zandi. Certainly when schools reopen in person, these parents ought to be able to get back to work and really fill in a lot of these open positions. Other elements that could be contributing to slower rehires can be harder to track through official data: a heightened level of early retirements, for example, by baby boomers who quit their jobs at the start of the pandemic and arent planning to return. A huge number of people are also switching jobs and sometimes industries, and in those cases it can take longer for an employee to match with a new employer. One in three people who said they were working in February 2020 are no longer with the same employer as they were then, according to Adam Blandin, an economist with Virginia Commonwealth University who co-created the Real-Time Population Survey. When theres that amount of reallocation, that could be one more source thats contributing to a little bit slower recovery, Blandin said. Because employers are looking for people who may have moved on, and people who are trying to move on are trying to figure out where to go next. The amalgamation of factors means that some of the steps being proposed to reverse the trend, like paying out a return-to-work bonus, will likely have little benefit if they only address one of the problems keeping people at home. If the issue is solely money, maybe a return to work bonus is going to help, said AnnElizabeth Konkel, an economist at Indeed Hiring Lab. If the issue is childcare, that a single mom simply cannot find a childcare facility, maybe schools are not open yet in a particular area ... In that case, a return-to-work bonus isn't going to have any impact. The White House is looking to take a multi-step approach to boost hiring, all while dismissing the idea that the enhanced unemployment benefits included as part of Bidens American Rescue Plan are a major reason people are staying at home. The bulk of the administrations approach centers on doling out aid that was already allocated under the rescue plan, in part by setting up a process for state and local governments to apply for funding that could help boost public-sector hiring and sending relief checks to 16,000 restaurants and bars. The White House also released guidance this week to help states use rescue plan funds to aid childcare centers in reopening and give families subsidies to afford them. On unemployment specifically, the administration is working to help states reimpose their work-search requirements for accepting unemployment benefits and highlighting programs already in place that would allow workers to take part-time job offers while continuing to collect some jobless aid. Biden himself also called on employers to help distribute vaccines and pay decent wages, saying both steps would help get people back to work. And, in direct response to concerns that generous unemployment benefits are keeping Americans from returning to work, the administration is emphasizing a central rule surrounding the aid that is already on the books that no one can turn down a reasonable job offer without losing their jobless aid. Were going to make it clear that anyone collecting unemployment who is offered a suitable job must take the job or lose their unemployment benefits, Biden said at the White House on Monday. Thats the law. For nearly 15 years, Holly Simmons family has wondered what exactly happened to her. She dropped off her 17-year-old daughter at the school bus stop in November 2006, never to be seen alive again. She remained missing until a recreational diver discovered a body in Inks Lake in July 2009 just a few miles from the familys home in Buchanan Dam, according to the Llano County Sheriffs Office. Simmons body was found in a sunken boat and submerged under waterlogged bags of concrete that had hardened, officials say. Her death was ruled a homicide. In 2016, an unsolved crimes unit for the Texas Rangers reviewed the case and assigned an investigator to work with the local sheriffs office. After five years, they identified a suspect: Jimmy Wolfenbarger. Wolfenbarger was Simmons landlord, and he lived near her home in an RV park, officials say. According to investigators, he often fought with Simmons about one of her two daughters. What weve been told over the past 15 years is (Wolfenbarger) was the main suspect, Simmons sister, Deb Sherwood, told KXAN. But there wasnt enough evidence. Wolfenbarger, who has been living in Lubbock, turned himself in to authorities Wednesday after a grand jury indicted him on a charge of murder. There was always that little glimmer of hope that it would happen, Simmons brother, Paul Wishman, told KXAN. Wolfenbarger was jailed on $2 million bail but has since posted bond and been released. Off-duty cop took videos up skirts at wedding, Texas police say. Hes going to jail Members of the "boogaloo bois" join other gun rights advocates in front of the State House as pro-gun supporters gather on January 18, 2021 in Richmond, Virginia. Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images Boogaloo Bois members planned to attack Washington, DC, landmarks before Joe Biden's inauguration. "Operation Stormbreaker" was detailed in police and FBI memos leaked following a ransomware hack. The memos show law enforcement remained on high alert, though the extremists' plans were scrapped. Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. Newly leaked intelligence memos demonstrate how concerned law enforcement in Washington, DC, was about the Boogaloo Bois' - a right-wing militia group seeking to incite a second Civil War - plans for violence ahead of President Joe Biden's inauguration. The plans, called "Operation Stormbreaker," involved targeting landmarks, government buildings, power plants, and other civic institutions in DC on January 19, the memos show. Members of the Boogaloo movement and QAnon adherents called the date "National Popcorn Day," when they planned to follow up the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol with another wave of violence. Intelligence memos detailing the Boogaloo movement's plans were prepared by the DC Metropolitan Police Department Intelligence Division and include notes from the FBI. Babuk, a ransomware hacking group, released the memos Thursday in a cache of what it claims are 250 GB of data stolen from MPD. The FBI declined to comment. MPD didn't immediately respond to Insider's requests for comment, but has commented on other leaked documents and confirmed their veracity. Alex Friedfeld, a researcher specializing in far-right movements for the Anti-Defamation League's Center on Extremism and a former New York Police Department terrorism intelligence analyst, reviewed portions of a memo and told Insider it resembled a legitimate police intelligence report. The cache of files includes several memos that show Boogaloo members planned a schedule, priority list, and communications strategy for attacking DC buildings and landmarks. An FBI memo issued on January 18 and included in the leak shows a map of targets it says originated from a Boogaloo chat group. Story continues A map listing targets for the abandoned Boogaloo Bois plan "Operation Stormbreaker" was included in a January 18 FBI memo. FBI The plan appears to have been scrapped ahead of the scheduled attacks. But the memos show the FBI and MPD remained concerned that information circulating about the plan online still might have resulted in attacks against the White House, the US Treasury, the World Bank, the Lincoln Memorial, and other DC landmarks. A list of high-profile targets circulated in Boogaloo chat groups, according to the FBI. FBI Members of the movement are preparing for Civil War The files show the degree to which the FBI and MPD were concerned about right-wing extremist violence in the city following the January 6 insurrection, where hundreds of people stormed the Capitol building after then-President Donald Trump falsely said the 2020 election results were falsified and Congress should reject them. Numerous people charged in the riot were members of right-wing extremist groups, including the Oath Keepers, Three Percenters, and Proud Boys. The Boogaloo refers to a loosely organized extremist movement that anticipates a second Civil War that will tear the United States asunder. Armed Boogaloo Bois rally in Columbus, Ohio on January 17th, 2021 in part of long-planned events that took place in multiple state capitols with Ohio National Guard and law enforcement standing by. Zach D Roberts/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Some seek to actively incite such a war, while other members are more passive. Friedfeld said the number of supporters who participate in in-person activities is "probably in the hundreds, maybe low thousands." After Facebook banned the movement from its platform, where some groups had around 10,000 members, its online presence became scattered among online communities with up to a few hundred members each, Fairfield said. Unlike many other right-wing extremist groups, Boogaloo members are not typically supportive of Trump and did not have a major presence at the Capitol on January 6. Members of the group "just liked the chaos" of the riot, Friedfeld said. "They saw the anger, they saw this desire by ordinary Americans to use violence to achieve political objectives, and thought, 'this is a Trojan horse that we can piggyback on to push the civil war along,''" Friedfeld told Insider. As far back as November, members of the Boogaloo movement had planned protests around the country for January 17. Members of the group anticipated high tension throughout the country regardless of who was ultimately elected president, and they sought to exploit it, Friedfeld said. The Boogaloo Boys stand on the steps of the Capitol Building during a rally on October 17, 2020 in Lansing, Michigan. Seth Herald/Getty Images Planned protests were curtailed following the January 6 insurrection as extremist groups worried about crackdowns from law enforcement, according to Friedfeld, and they were ultimately sparsely attended. "A lot of these movements were split in the wake of January 6. You had a large cohort that believed that now is not the time for protesting, that actually it was going to be false-flag operations or traps," Friedfeld said. "So a lot of militia leaders were encouraging followers not to attend any protests." An intelligence memo dated January 20 and included in the cached of leaked documents said there was only a "minor skirmish" between "Boogaloos and BLM activists," but that it was "nothing significant." Boogaloo Bois planned violence in the wake of the Capitol riot Boogaloo members discussed their plans on a website called Tree of Liberty, which has repeatedly been taken offline as web services companies refuse to host it. A January 17 intelligence memo says the website included posts saying its members should attack Jews, who they described as "lizards," while DC law enforcement was busy with the Capitol lockdown. Posts on the site also described Ashli Babbitt, a QAnon adherent killed by police during the insurrection, as "the first martyr of their modern movement," according to the memo. The site also had announced it would be locked for the next seven days, with an announcement stating, "I don't need to tell you why, buckle up, God speed," the January 17 memo says. Boogaloo Bois near the Virginia Capitol on Virginia's Gun Lobby Day. Evelyn Hockstein/For The Washington Post via Getty Images A later intelligence memo, dated January 19, says that the FBI's Kansas field office would lead an investigation into the Boogaloo Bois' target map. A representative for the field office didn't immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. Another memo, dated January 20, said that the administrator of the Telegram channel where the map circulated was "a right-wing extremist located in Charlotte, NC." A representative for the Charlotte FBI field office directed Insider to the Washington, DC field office, which didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Members of the Boogaloo Bois were inspired by the violence on January 6 and sought to replicate the chaos, according to Friedfeld. "The Boogaloo Bois, after the insurrection, looked at it and thought, 'Why wasn't that us? That could be us. That should have been us," Friedfeld said. The intelligence memos also reference details about the activities of other extremist groups in the district ahead of Biden's inauguration. While the Capitol was on high alert in anticipation of violence, the day was largely quiet. The Justice Department has so far publicly charged nearly 500 people in connection with the January 6 insurrection, including dozens of reported members of extremist groups. Members of the Boogaloo Bois have maintained a low profile since Biden's inauguration and since Attorney General Merrick Garland has vowed to address domestic extremism. One person with ties to the group has pleaded guilty to attempting to incite a riot in Louisville, Kentucky. Several other members pleaded guilty to a scheme involving training with and attempting to sell weapons to Hamas, the extremist group currently exchanging fire with Israel. Read the original article on Insider By Thu Thu Aung, Shoon Naing and Antoni Slodkowski (Reuters) -If you need cash in Myanmar, you have to get up early. Queues start forming outside banks at 4 a.m., where the first 15 or 30 customers are given a plastic token that will allow them to enter the bank when it opens at 9:30 a.m. and withdraw cash, according to more than a dozen people who spoke to Reuters. If you do not get a token, you either have to queue for hours for the few functioning cash dispensing machines outside or go to black-market brokers who charge big commissions. The cash crisis is one of the most pressing problems for the people of Myanmar after the Feb. 1 military coup. The central bank, now run by a junta appointee, has not returned some of the reserves it holds for private banks, without giving any reason, leaving the banks short of cash. The banks themselves have been closed or open only intermittently as many staff have gone on strike to protest against the coup. Meanwhile, internet outages make online transactions difficult and international transfers have largely stopped working. That presents problems for Burmese people and small businesses as they try to navigate an economy rapidly crumbling under the countrys new leaders and the collapse of tourism, one of Myanmars fastest-growing sectors. The Burmese kyat has dropped some 20% in value since the coup. Its now very difficult to operate a business, said Hnin Hnin, an entrepreneur in her mid-20s who supplies shampoo and bedsheets to high-end hotels. Traders dont accept bank transfers now. They want cash. So we need to find the cash. As a result, Hnin Hnin, who agreed to be identified only by a part of her name to discuss sensitive matters, has been one of the thousands of people queuing daily in front of the few functioning cash machines in major cities. Some people band together in groups of five, she said, so one person can take out money for the whole group. She has also been forced to figure out ways to pay her suppliers overseas, by making an agreement to swap money with a partner holding cash in an account in Thailand. Under the agreement, the partner gives Hnin Hnin access to her Thai baht account, so she can pay suppliers in Thailand, and Hnin Hnin pays her back with physical kyat notes in Myanmar. Story continues The central bank and the junta did not respond to requests for comment. Reuters put questions to Myanmars four largest private banks, including Kanbawza Bank and CB Bank. They also declined to respond. It is now almost impossible to get hold of U.S. dollars or other overseas currency at regular exchange centres in Yangon, a dozen people told Reuters. Black-market traders will take online transfers in exchange for physical notes in various currencies, they said, but add a commission of up to 10%. Myanmar's private banks were in trouble long before this years coup, at least partly because of their habit of lending money to well-connected customers who rarely bothered to pay them back, at least four bankers, including then-deputy central bank governor, told Reuters in 2017. The coup and the protests against it now mean there is no functional banking system, according to Richard Horsey, an independent political analyst specializing in Myanmar. You have a three-pronged hit to the banking system, said Horsey. The pre-existing problems with the banks, which will be all the more difficult to resolve now; you have the economic impact of the coup which has produced a virtual hard stop to the economy without any kind of ability by the regime to manage that or inject stimulus; and then you have the banking sector strike itself. People want to withdraw cash now to buy food and other essentials, said Horsey, and also because they fear the banking system will collapse. POVERTY RATE COULD DOUBLE The cash crisis is the most immediate sign of much deeper economic problems facing Myanmar, some experts said. Financial research firm Fitch Solutions said in April it expected Myanmar's gross domestic product to shrink 20% in 2021. The United Nations Development Programme said last month that Myanmar faces economic collapse due to the combined effect of the new coronavirus and the coup, which in its worst-case analysis could put nearly half the countrys 54 million people into poverty, compared to about a quarter in 2017. If the situation on the ground persists, the poverty rate could double by the beginning of 2022, said UNDP in its report. "By then, the shock from the crisis will have resulted in significant losses of wages and income, particularly from small businesses, and a drop in access to food, basic services and social protection." Millions are expected to go hungry in the coming months, the United Nations World Food Programme said in an analysis published in April. Some workers have trickled back to resume their jobs at banks in the past few weeks, but financial analysts see no immediate alleviation of the cash shortage. In Yangon, the countrys commercial capital, an egg and cooking oil trader who identified herself as Khin told Reuters the flow of eggs, oil and other agricultural commodities had slowed substantially and was no longer sufficient, forcing her to raise prices by 25%. While groceries are available in markets and in shops, some country analysts said they worry that farmers will not have access to seeds or credit to buy them before the monsoon planting season around June. Farming in rural areas has already slowed down and the impact will be huge in the next season," said Khin. "Beans suppliers and chicken farm owners aren't sure if they can start another cycle." The commercial chain has been grinding to a halt, a major rice trader who works with hundreds of Myanmar farmers told Reuters. That trader said he lacks the cash to buy rice from farmers, which means in turn the farmers do not have money to buy equipment or pay workers to produce the rice. Many of the private banks loans were collateralised against real estate in Yangon, where property prices have collapsed since the coup, according to Myanmar economy analysts. Private banks in Myanmar are required to deposit a certain percentage of their customers money with the countrys central bank, as a way of protecting savings. Two bankers told Reuters their banks had deposited more than is required, but were denied permission by the central bank to withdraw any surplus, leaving them short of cash to dispense to customers. A banker at a major Myanmar bank said the closure of branches in the first two months after the coup prevented a run on the banking system with a rush to withdraw savings. "It was a good thing that the branches haven't been open," said the executive. If the branches were open, we wouldn't have enough cash to pay out. (Reporting by Thu Thu Aung, Shoon Naing and Antoni SlodkowskiAdditional reporting by Simon Lewis and David Lawder in Washington, Poppy McPherson in Bangkok, Aradhana Aravindan, Anshuman Daga and Chen Lin in SingaporeEditing by Bill Rigby) Wyoming Rep Liz Cheney leaves the US Capitol on May 13, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Getty Images) Wyoming Representative Liz Cheney called out Fox News in an on-air interview with the cable news channel in which she argued that they have a responsibility to say that the 2020 election wasnt stolen. Ms Cheney was ousted from her position as House Republican Conference Chair on 12 May after her relentless criticism of former President Donald Trump and his lies about the 2020 election being stolen from him. New York Rep and Trump loyalist Elise Stefanik was elected as her replacement on Friday. Speaking to Fox News host Bret Baier in a tense exchange on Thursday night, Ms Cheney said: We all have an obligation, and I would say Fox News especially ... has a particular obligation to make sure people know the election wasnt stolen. After being interrupted by Mr Baier who argued that his programme had stated that the election wasnt fraudulent several times, Ms Cheney added: We need to make sure that the American people recognise and understand that the election wasnt stolen, that we shouldnt perpetuate the big lie and that theres real danger. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Fox News is overwhelmingly sympathetic and indulging of Mr Trump. The morning show Fox & Friends is one of the former presidents favourite programmes and he has a close relationship with primetime anchor Sean Hannity. In the Thursday night edition of Mr Baiers Special Report, Ms Cheney yet again blasted Mr Trump and his enablers in the Republican Party, arguing that Mr Trumps actions are dangerous because hes perpetuating lies as he continues to say that the 2020 election was stolen from him without any evidence to back up his startling claims. Mr Baier asked Ms Cheney if she would have been able to stay in her job as the top messenger in the House Republican Conference considering what you were saying and doing? Only 10 House Republicans voted to impeach Mr Trump after the Capitol riot on 6 January and most of the caucus remain loyal to him. I think the question is what kind of a party are we going to be going forward, Bret, Ms Cheney replied. I think its very important for us to be a party based on truth. I think its important for us to understand the threat that the claims the former president is making. Story continues The threat is ongoing, she added. There is clearly an attempt to unravel the democracy, if you will, by focusing on challenging the legitimacy of the election abandoning the rule of law, Ms Cheney told the Fox News host. I think for us as Republicans, we have a huge set of issues we have got to be able to defeat the Democrats over. We have to get people to vote for us. And we cant do that if we are a party thats based on a foundation of lies. I think what the former president is doing is dangerous, she added. Pushing back, Mr Baier noted that other Republicans have criticised Ms Cheney by arguing that her constant reprimands of Mr Trump take away the focus from their goal of taking down the Biden administration. We have had a real focus on making sure people understand that the Biden policies are dangerous, she responded. If you look at the impact for the people of Wyoming banning oil and gas leases on public lands is really dangerous and really heartless. We have been very clear about that. Whats happening at the border is very dangerous. The issue isnt whether or not we stand against the Biden policy, the issue is are we going to be a party that sits by silently while the former president continues to perpetuate lies about the election, she added. Read More Liz Cheney vows to never let Donald Trump near the Oval Office again AP News Digest 2 p.m. Elise Stefanik gushes about Trump as she is elected GOP conference chair Fox News A day after Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) was booted from Republican leadership for pushing back against the Big Lie, she appeared on Fox News and explicitly said the network had an obligation to tell its viewers that the election wasnt stolen. Following months of Cheneys criticism of former President Donald Trumps repeated lies about the 2020 election, House Republicans voted on Wednesday to remove her as conference chair. The Wyoming congresswoman has remained defiant, however, driving home the message that the Republican Party needs to be based on truth and should pull itself away from the embrace of Trump, who will drag us backward and make us complicit in his efforts to unravel our democracy. During her Thursday evening appearance on Fox News Special Report, Cheney took the opportunity not only to question her partys relationship with the truth but also to demand that Fox News do its part to clearly inform its viewers that Joe Biden is the legitimately elected president. Grilling Cheney from the start, anchor Bret Baier asked the conservative lawmaker if she could agree with her Republican colleagues that she would have a hard time fulfilling her leadership duties because of her eagerness to challenge Trump on his election claims. I think its very important for us to be a party based on truth. I think its important for us to understand the threat that the claims the former president is making, the threat is ongoing, she replied. I think we know that the kind of language we have heard from him has caused violence in the past. And there is clearly an attempt to unravel the democracy, if you will, by focusing on challenging the legitimacy of the election. Asked whether it was correct to say shes too focused on the election to advance the GOPs goal of blocking the Biden agenda, Cheney said thats actually wrong, as she opposes the current administrations policies. The issue is, are we going to be a party that sits by silently while the former president continues to perpetuate lies about the election? Cheney added. It is the case that there are too many people in the leadership of the Republican Party today who have been willing not only to sit by silently but to help enable that. Story continues As Baier continued to press Cheney on her anti-Trump stance and whether that will hamstring her future in her home state and the GOP, the congresswoman reiterated that the partyand Fox Newsshouldnt be enabling lies. We all have an obligation. And I would say Fox Newsespecially, especially Fox Newshas a particular obligation to make sure people know the election wasnt stolen, she declared. Weve said that numerous times, Baier shot back. Bret, Im going to answer your question, Fox News needs to make sure the American people Cheney began before Baier cut her off. No, but youre mentioning Fox News, you need to know that this show has said that numerous times, the anchor insisted. Bret, youre doing the interview, Im answering the questions, Cheney fired back. We need to make sure that the American people recognize and understand that the election wasnt stolen. That we shouldnt perpetuate the Big Lie. And that theres real danger. Moments later, after Baier noted that former President George W. Bushs nephew had criticized her for calling out Trumps lies, Cheney once again said it was imperative for Fox to push back on bogus election fraud claims. Everyone watching this show, everybody who works at Fox, everybody who is elected to office, all of us have to love our country more, she said. And that means that there are moments when you have to put politics aside, when you have to say, I will not be part of unraveling the democracy. That is a fundamentally important thing. While Baier has personally acknowledged that Biden is the duly elected president and has called out Trumps election lies, many at Fox News helped peddle Trumps stolen election narrative for months after the election. Voting software firms Dominion and Smartmatic have filed billion-dollar defamation lawsuits against Fox News and several Fox personalities for pushing baseless claims the companies rigged the election. (Fox has filed a motion to dismiss the Smartmatic lawsuit, saying it strikes at the heart of the First Amendment.) Furthermore, as the networks top opinion stars continue to cast doubt on the legitimacy of the election, recent polls have found that 86 percent of Republicans who trust Fox News as a news source falsely believe the election was stolen. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now! Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Thousands of people are resisting efforts by local officials to house the homeless in temporary cabins and tents near Los Angeles beaches and parks amid an outcry over soaring crime rates related to some encampments. Councilman Mike Bonin, who has come under fire from residents in the city's Venice neighborhood and other communities over the expansion of tent cities, submitted a motion in March to identify potential sites and funding for moving the homeless to "safe camping" areas or into "tiny homes" in parks, property at the Los Angeles International Airport and Los Angeles County-owned parking lots. On Thursday, the City Council Homelessness & Poverty Committee approved a motion to conduct a feasibility study for the projects. Proposed locations to temporarily house the homeless include parking lots at Dockweiler Beach, Will Rogers State Beach and Fisherman's Village in Marina del Rey. During the committee meeting, many residents said housing the homeless in beach parking lots would deprive beachgoers of beach access because of overcrowding and environmental, sanitation and safety hazards. Some also said the plan would reduce the property values of nearby homes. In an email sent to constituents on Wednesday, Bonin defended the proposal after nearly 20,000 people signed a petition opposing it. LOS ANGELES MAYOR PROPOSES $24M PILOT BASIC INCOME PROGRAM IN BUDGET "Some are claiming I have proposed that the city allow homeless encampments at our parks and beaches. That rumor is not true," he said. "On the contrary, what I have proposed is designed to reduce encampments, so that our public spaces can return to full public use. "These are not encampments. They are an emergency responsean alternativeto encampments, and they are temporary solutions meant to get people off the streets and into homes," he added. The petition said the plan would simply move the homeless from one area into another without addressing the underlying issues mental illness and income inequality that have exacerbated the crisis. Story continues "These homeless shelters might sound reasonable from the watered-down verbiage of its marketing plan ...but they are not being presented for what they actually turn out to be," the petition states. "In areas like Brentwood and Venice, where the city has built similar concepts and promised the surrounding residents they would support the homeless, we are watching the failures unfold." Homelessness in Los Angeles County has been on the rise in recent years. More than 66,000 people were identified as homeless by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority during its annual count in January 2020. Of that figure, 41,000 live within the city of Los Angeles. A count scheduled to take place this year was canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. Encampments have grown in several areas around the city, including downtown's Skid Row, where rows of tent encampments, cardboard shelters and RVs take over multiple city blocks, and Venice, most notably along its famous boardwalk. Crime statistics provided by the Los Angeles Police Department to the Venice Neighborhood Council, which shared them with Fox News last week, show violent crime robberies in the neighborhood are up 177% and a 162% increase in cases of assault with a deadly weapon involving a homeless person. On April 28, a man was shot on the Venice boardwalk and survived. That same month, a family dog was killed in a house fire many believed was started by a homeless person. On May 3, a tent on the boardwalk became engulfed in flames after someone threw a device inside. In January, a building was destroyed in a fire that started at an encampment and spread. On social media, videos showing fights, harassment, arson and other crimes are commonly shared. During Thursday's committee meeting, Jessica Rogers, president of the Pacific Palisades Residents Association, said Bonin's plan would be a "detriment to public assets." "These emergency homeless shelters are a horrific problem in terms of safety for everyone involved," she told the committee. Brentwood Community Council Chair Michelle Bisnoff said her group opposes the feasibility study plan, saying it doesn't address methamphetamine overdoses or substance abuse, citing it as the leading cause of death among the homeless. "We oppose the use of public parks and beaches for any purpose other than the recreation for all the citizens of the city of Los Angeles," she said. "We again recognize our neighbors in Venice and the issues that they have had with regard to safety, cleanliness, crime, including an extraordinary level of arson." One woman who did not identify herself said she supported the motion while noting the homeless problem is a result of a shortage of affordable housing in the region. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "I want to support permanent housing on the westside. That's really what we need more than shelters," she said. A federal judge last month ordered city and county leaders to find shelter for all homeless residents living in Skid Row within 180 days and audit any spending related to the crisis. "All of the rhetoric, promises, plans, and budgeting cannot obscure the shameful reality of this crisis that year after year, there are more homeless Angelenos, and year after year, more homeless Angelenos die on the streets," Judge David O. Carter wrote in granting a preliminary injunction. A federal appeals court temporarily halted the order this week. May 13ATHENS Teams with Relay for Life of Limestone County will gather Friday at the Limestone County Courthouse Square for a luminary ceremony in honor and in memory of those with cancer. The teams will display luminaries along the courthouse steps and sidewalks on the Marion Street side of the courthouse. The public is welcome to see the display from 7-9 p.m. Cancer survivors will receive a free T-shirt and goody bag while supplies last. Athens High School JROTC will present the colors, and the courthouse will be lit with purple lights. Those interested in purchasing purple ribbons for display can contact Cherry Hammonds at cherry.hammonds@cancer.org or Holly Hollman at hhollman@athensal.us. The ribbons are $10 for one or $15 for two, and all proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society. marian.accardi@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2438. Twitter @DD_MAccardi. Taiwanese Lyft driver pistol whipped in LA attack caught on dashcam (KMOV) A Taiwanese-born Lyft driver was pistol-whipped and robbed at gunpoint after filling up his car at a Los Angeles gas station. The alleged robbery was caught on Paul Liaos dash cam video and is being investigated by Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department. Investigators are still determining if it was a racially-motivated attack and Mr Liao, 67, says his assailant asked him about his ethnicity. I was very scared, Mr Liao told KCAL-TV. Two choices, he want the car and he want the money, thats it, he added, Authorities say the suspect got into the back seat of Mr Liaos car as he filled it up at a gas station in the suburb of El Monte as he waited for his next ride. The dashcam video shows Mr Liao being hit several times with a pistol, leaving him with a bloody nose. The suspect demanded his wallet and cell phone and allegedly took $1,500 in cash. He fled the scene when Mr Liao told him his car was keyless and he would not be able to drive it if he tried to take it. I said my car is a new system, it doesnt have a key, you cannot drive it, you cannot move, said Liao. Investigators say they already have received a number of tips on the attackers identity. Were using many new systems at our disposal through the sheriffs department to help identify this individual and we are very confident we will have the individual in custody soon, said Los Angeles County Sheriffs Sergeant Richard Lewis. A Brooklyn landlord who tried to spare himself winter heating bills by giving his tenants electric hot plates and space heaters was charged with manslaughter after one of the heaters caused a deadly early-morning fire, officials said. The blaze spread out of control around 4 a.m. on Dec. 2, 2019, killing James Yves Lalanne, 70, who lived in a room at the front of the buildings top floor, say Brooklyn prosecutors. The flames engulfed the stairwell leading to LaLannes third-floor door so LaLanne tried to escape by jumping. The drop killed him. Eight adults and five children in the building got out via a fire escape. Most of the survivors were treated for smoke inhalation. The buildings landlord, Evener Leon, 62, was arraigned Thursday in Brooklyn Supreme Court on charges of second-degree manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, second-degree reckless endangerment and four counts of endangering the welfare of a child. He could face up to 15 years behind bars. The first floor of Leons building, on Nostrand Ave. near Clarendon Road, housed a driving school, and Leon lived on the second floor with his family, prosecutors said. The third floor was divided into four illegal apartments teeming with building and fire code violations, say authorities. The building had no gas or heat. Instead, Leon gave his tenants space heaters and hot plates for cooking, prosecutors said. The blaze started as an electrical fire in a space heater cord in a second-floor rear bedroom. The flames quickly spread to the third floor, burning out of control because the sprinklers on the second and third floor had no heads, and the rooms lacked fireproof or self-closing doors, prosecutors said. Leon was released without bail. Attempts to reach him were unsuccessful Thursday. This is an unfortunate incident, said his lawyer, Alain Massena. Mr. Leon is a hard-working father and maintains his innocence, and will seek justice in the courts of law. May 14State police are asking the public for help in finding a 12-year-old boy who ran away from home. Rickey G. Fresquez was last seen around 4:10 p.m. Thursday at a Camino Abajo de la Loma residence in Ranchos de Taos. He is 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighs 110 pounds, and has brown eyes and short brown hair. He was wearing blue jeans, a white T-shirt and white/black/gold Michael Jordan shoes, and he was carrying a red backpack. Police urge anyone with information on the boy's whereabouts to call 911 or 505-425-6771. Even for experts who study and build bridges every day, the case of the Hernando DeSoto Bridge shutdown is raising eyebrows. Video Transcript STACY JACOBSON: Even for experts who study and build bridges every day, this case is raising eyebrows. When you saw the picture of a crack, what did you think? DR. ADEL ABD EL-NABI: Yeah, I mean, I was shocked. STACY JACOBSON: Civil engineering Professor Dr. Adel Abd El-Nabi has actually worked on the Hernando de Soto Bridge through a partnership between his employer, the University of Memphis, and the Tennessee Department of Transportation. But in that capacity, he says they were studying earthquake protection, potentially overlooking the bigger danger. DR. ADEL ABD EL-NABI: There is a big problem here-- STACY JACOBSON: Are you saying that this bridge is perhaps structurally deficient? DR. ADEL ABD EL-NABI: In terms of design, yeah. Having a design like that, the m shape of the bridge, I will say that the middle span is sagging more. STACY JACOBSON: He explains the bridge was designed back in the 1960s before computer models could predict issues like this. DR. ADEL ABD EL-NABI: What happened is that these cables in the middle stretch too much. STACY JACOBSON: That's why he says he's tried bringing the risk to TDOT in the past. He showed us this proposal from 2019 suggesting the Department make upgrades to prevent fatigue cracks on metal bridges exactly like the one we're dealing with now. DR. ADEL ABD EL-NABI: We have submitted these proposals, and they would overlook. STACY JACOBSON: At this point, TDOT says inspectors are looking at how long a fix will take. PAUL DEGGES: But until we have that analysis complete, we will be able to answer that question. STACY JACOBSON: To do that, Abd El-Nabi says they'll use x-rays to see if there are cracks in other parts of the bridge. If there are, they'd have to replace a big chunk of it. DR. ADEL ABD EL-NABI: The shortest, you're talking about six months to a year. Story continues STACY JACOBSON: A prediction echoed by TDOT's chief engineer. PAUL DEGGES: It is plausible that this could be months rather than weeks. STACY JACOBSON: OK. So that's worst case scenario, but there is a little bit of good news here. He says if engineers determine this is just an isolated issue with this one part of the bridge, that should be a quick fix. That would only take a few days. Of course, we'll know this once TDOT finishes its initial inspection. They say that will last another two weeks. Reporting live in Downtown Memphis, Stacy Jacobson, WREG News Channel 3. Beaten, kicked in the groin and threatened with sexual violence -- a young Myanmar teenager detained by the junta's security forces has described the treatment suffered by some women and girls behind bars. Ma Chaw, 17, and her mother were arrested on April 14 in Yangon, Myanmar's commercial capital, which has been blanketed with heavy security since the military seized power in a coup. As they were walking to a friend's house from a morning protest, she said, they were stopped by two security trucks. "They forced us to crouch face-down on the ground," Ma Chaw told AFP. The high school student then faced six days of fear and anxiety, held with women who alleged torture and abuse by police behind closed doors. Ma Chaw said she herself had to endure a police officer molesting her during an interrogation session. The teenager was released on April 20, but her mother was not as fortunate -- she was instead taken to Yangon's Insein prison. "My mother is my only family," she said. "I'm very worried for her safety and life." To secure her release, she said, she had to sign documents saying she suffered "no torture" behind bars. "It's the opposite of what they have done," Ma Chaw said. "It is totally unacceptable and unfair." - Molested, slapped, beaten - Her mother is among more than 3,800 civilians arrested and still languishing behind bars since the February 1 coup, according to local monitoring group the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. Little is known about the conditions of detainees across Myanmar, as those released rarely speak out about it. Ma Chaw said she and her mother were taken first to a local police station where they were questioned separately. "I was touched by a police officer, who told me he could kill me and make me disappear," she said. "If I didn't push his hand away, I'm sure he would have continued." Story continues She added that her mother was slapped twice during her interrogation. The following day, they were taken to a detention centre on Yangon's northern outskirts where they met other women, some of whom had bruises all over their bodies. One of them -- a woman who had been in a relationship with a foreigner -- was beaten so badly she could barely talk or eat, Ma Chaw said. "We had to feed her fried egg and rice," she said. "She told us she couldn't urinate because her women parts had been kicked during the interrogation." The National Unity Government -- an underground group of ousted lawmakers opposing the junta -- has announced it is investigating the "allegations of sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls in unlawful detention". "These cases are indicative of the wider pattern of sexual and gender-based violence committed by Myanmar's military that has persisted for years with impunity, particularly against ethnic minority women and girls in armed conflict areas," it said in a statement. - Threatened disappearances - Another woman held in the same detention centre as Ma Chaw recalled similar experiences. Both women have been given pseudonyms because of the sensitivity of their allegations. Ngwe Thanzin told AFP she and four others were protesting in Yangon's South Okkalapa township when they were arrested. "I was kicked in my face for having a black mask in my bag," she said, adding that security forces also yelled misogynistic abuse at them. The women were then taken to the same detention centre as Ma Chaw, where Ngwe Thanzin said she was handcuffed so tightly it left marks on her wrists. "They also threatened us saying they could kill us and make us disappear without anyone knowing it," she told AFP. During her three-night detention, she said she saw a 19-year-old girl bruised so badly she could barely stand. "They don't beat or torture in front of other people. But when people were individually interrogated, they came out with bruises." AFP was unable to independently verify the allegations made by Ma Chaw and Ngwe Thanzin. Repeated attempts to contact the junta spokesman for a response went unanswered. And junta-appointed Minister of Social Welfare Thet Thet Khine -- who chairs a National Committee on Prevention and Response to Sexual Violence in Conflict -- could not be reached for comment. Ngwe Thanzin said the least the junta could do was have female security personnel available to interrogate them, instead of men. "All our rights and dignity were violated and abused," she said. "Since we have no rights, I felt we were like water in their hands." bur-dhc/pdw/leg/gle By Hilary Russ NEW YORK (Reuters) -The U.S. National Restaurant Association will remove a suggestion from its operating guidance for restaurants that says fully vaccinated people should still wear masks indoors, following new advice from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Thursday. "We still have a lot of questions for the CDC about how we need to implement their latest guidance," Larry Lynch, the NRA's Senior Vice President of Science and Industry, said in a statement sent to Reuters. "We are in the process of updating our COVID-19 Operating Guidance where it reflects the CDC's previous language and after talking with CDC, will determine if other changes are needed." The organization, which represents more than 500,000 U.S. restaurant companies of all sizes, still advises restaurants to follow state and local regulations and has detailed guidance on employee health, cleaning procedures, social distancing and pick-up and delivery services. (Reporting by Hilary Russ; editing by Diane Craft and Rosalba O'Brien) I can say it has been the most devastating loss of my life. Three months after her father was struck and killed by a driver in New York, Nick Minaj is finally breaking her silence over his death. On Friday, fans of the hip-hop icon were treated to the re-release of her 2009 mixtape Beam Me Up Scotty. Along with it came a lengthy letter posted to her website addressing the devastating loss of her father, Robert Maraj. Read More: Nicki Minaj drops new track with Drake, Lil Wayne Tho I cant really bring myself to discuss the passing of my father as yet; I can say it has been the most devastating loss of my life, Minaj wrote, as reported by PEOPLE. I find myself wanting to call him all the time. More so now that hes gone. Life is funny that way. Nicki Minaj and her father, Robert Maraj Photo: TheSource.com May his soul rest in paradise. He was very loved & will be very missed, she continued. Minaj also reacted to the death of rapper DMX. The passing of DMX hit me like a ton of bricks, she wrote. Losing him felt like losing someone I grew up with. I adored him. Blessings to his family. As theGrio previously reported, Maraj died in a February hit-and-run accident in Mineola, New York. Nassau County Police said the 64-year-old was walking between Roslyn Road and Raff Avenue when he was hit by a vehicle heading northbound, per TMZ. Driver Charles Polevich, 70, initially fled after the accident but reportedly turned himself in to police and was charged with leaving the scene of an accident with a fatality and tampering with evidence. Minajs mother filed a $150 million lawsuit against Polevich. In a statement shared on social media, her lawyer Ben Crump noted that Polevich was not only irresponsible and negligent but more concerned about running away and hiding than seeking help. Polevichs behavior was criminal, cowardly, and immoral, Crump continued. We will hold him responsible for his reckless actions that led to Robert Marajs death! Marc Craig Gann, Polevichs attorney, told TMZ: My client empathizes with the family. The question of whether there was negligence and degrees of negligence will be determined by the court. The $150 million amount seems to be over the top. Story continues Read More: Nicki Minajs father killed in a hit-and-run accident Charged with 2 felonies leaving the scene of an accident that led to death and tampering with or suppressing physical evidence Polevich pled not guilty and was released on a $250,000 bond, according to TMZ. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Detective Lt Stephen Fitzpatrick of the Nassau County Police Department, as reported by The Daily Mail, said Polevich, was absolutely aware of what happened. Fitzpatrick elaborated, saying, he looked at the deceased and made the conscious decision to leave instead of dialing 911, instead of calling an ambulance for the man. He went home and secreted the vehicle, so he is well aware of what he did. Per a police statement, Polevich could have avoided criminal charges altogether had he remained on the scene after the accident and exhibited no signs that he was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. theGRIOs Ashley Terrell contributed to this report. Have you subscribed to theGrios new podcast Dear Culture? Download our newest episodes now! TheGrio is now on Apple TV, Amazon Fire, and Roku. Download theGrio today! The post Nicki Minaj breaks silence on dads death: Most devastating loss of my life appeared first on TheGrio. After the Ontario government extended its stay-at-home order until June 2, an infectious disease expert wants to see daily COVID-19 cases come down below 500 and ideally around 400 before easing restrictions on indoor activities. "What we know is that the real ability to start reducing restrictions and things right now is really going to happen here in Ontario when we get at or below about 500 new cases a day," Dr. Gerald Evans professor and chair of the division of infectious diseases at Queen's University told Yahoo Canada. "Then we're at the point where public health has the capacity and ability to follow up and track people related to outbreaks, do good quarantining and isolation, and of course, in another three weeks we're going to have even more of the population vaccinated." Dr. Evans indicated that if Ontario can reach that threshold of fewer than 500 daily new COVID-19 cases, the virus will be "at a disadvantage" and won't "explosively take off." "We need to make sure those numbers are really, really low, way lower than the 1,000," he said. "I'm thinking 400 would be nice and with a heck of a more of the population now vaccinated." Dr. Evans, who is also a member of Ontario's COVID-19 Science Advisory Table, supports the provincial government's decision to extend the stay-at-home order by two weeks and stressed that the 400 to 500 daily cases threshold is associated with loosening restrictions for higher-risk indoor activities, not outdoor ones. "I think right now you can look at outdoor transmission as being an extraordinarily rare event," he said. "Restrictions on people being outdoors or having to wear masks outdoors, I think is not really necessary,...it is not an important way for this virus to maintain itself in the population." "What you have to restrict are the things that really do result in transmission, indoor activities, particularly restaurants, bars, gyms, social gatherings and things like that, that's where you get the biggest bang for your buck." Story continues At the beginning of the week, Dr. David Williams, Ontario's chief medical officer of health, said that he would like to see under 1,000 daily reported COVID-19 cases to ease provincial restrictions, but he did not specify the settings or particular restrictions that could be eased once the province hits that threshold. Ontario reported 2,759 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, with the seven-day average sitting at 2,731 cases. "Everybody thinks thats great for where we came from and that's true, but we still have a ways to get back down because we didnt get all the way out of the second wave before we went into the third wave," Dr. Williams said at a press conference on Thursday. "We do not want to repeat that again." How do schools fit into Ontario's reopening plans? Dr. Evans is also in support of schools being among the initial settings to resume operations, stressing that "schools are in danger when community prevalence of the virus is high," which won't be the case if Ontario's daily COVID-19 cases are consistently around 400. "When the province eases that restriction and allows local control over schools to open, I think that's perfectly reasonable," he said. Back in February, research from The Hospital for Sick Children found that the majority of children and youth have experienced harm to their mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, citing school closures as a factor. "Keeping schools open safely and maintaining or adapting activities so they can continue to be offered will go a long way to protecting and addressing childrens mental health and well-being, Dr. Daphne Korczak, child and adolescent psychiatrist at SickKids and principal investigator of the study, said in a statement. Dr. Evans hopes that students will be able to go back to some in-person learning in June. "It's my hope that actually by June, beginning of June, when they're talking about where the [stay-at-home order has] been pushed out to, that well be at that point able to open schools, at least give kids another month of in-school instruction," he said. What is the likelihood that Ontario will see a fourth wave of COVID-19? On Thursday, Dr. Williams stressed that the province does not want to see a fourth wave, particularly one that occurs "as were coming out of a third wave." Dr. Evans does believe Ontario will be able to avoid a fourth wave of COVID-19, specifically if the case numbers come down, and between 75 and 85 per cent of the general population is vaccinated. Ontario's goal is to administer the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to 65 per cent of adults by the end of May. That does not mean that COVID-19 will be completely gone forever, but there will be a more seasonal pattern to the virus that the health-care system can manage, he said. "We are going to see seasonal appearances of COVID-19, but that's exactly what we see, for instance, with influenza," Dr. Evans explained. "We see seasonal bouts of influenza but we vaccinate people to prevent those as much as possible." "We have the capacity to deal with those when they come because they're not in such large numbers." He added that a core issue with the third wave has been that more transmissible variants of concern were spreading with low levels of vaccinations, both in Canada and in Ontario in particular. "At the end of February when we fell to about 1,000 new cases per day,...we never got low enough to really be able to stay on top of it, and we didn't have enough people vaccinated," Dr. Evans said. He added that when discussions are happening around lifting restrictions, some people have "optimism bias," meaning they believe the best case will happen and start to ease their adherence to the rules in place. "You open the outdoors, and I think we should do that,...it doesn't mean now that you have all of your friends and neighbours over for a barbecue in your backyard, and you're all hanging out together drinking beers and eating cake," Dr. Evan warned. "I am just as sick and tired of lockdowns as anybody else but [my] wish and hope is that this will be the last big lockdown... That means extending the stay home orders for another few weeks, just to get those numbers right down low, get us another couple of weeks of getting vaccine into people." MANILA (Reuters) - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has rebuffed a call from China to withdraw vessels from disputed areas of the South China Sea and said he would not bow to pressure, even if it jeopardises his friendship with Beijing. The Philippines has boosted its presence in contested areas of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), including Thitu island, near to Chinese military installation, in defiance of the months-long presence of hundreds of Chinese boats it believes are manned by militia. Duterte's remarks in a televised address aired on Friday come as pressure builds on him to abandon his pursuit of close ties with China and stand up to what his defence chiefs say are blatant provocations. "We have a stand here and I want to state it here and now again that our ships there ... we will not move an inch backward," Duterte said. China last month said the Philippines must "stop actions complicating the situation and escalating disputes" in response to a rare maritime exercise conducted by the Philippines. "I do not want a quarrel, I do not want trouble. I respect your position, and you respect mine. But we will not go to war," Duterte said. "I will not withdraw. Even if you kill me. Our friendship will end here." There was no immediate response to a request for comment from the Chinese embassy in Manila. Duterte has been criticised for refusing to press China to abide by a 2016 arbitration ruling on the South China Sea that went in Philippines' favour. He drew flak last week for saying the landmark award was just a "piece of paper" he could throw in the trash. In his televised address, he said he "believes in the entirety" of that ruling. (Reporting by Karen Lema; Editing by Martin Petty) New Zealand's Rugby Players' Association unveiled a funding proposal Friday designed to keep the legendary All Blacks in Kiwi hands, sparking a furious reaction from administrators who are pursuing a deal with US investors. The association said its proposal offered cash-strapped New Zealand Rugby a viable alternative to selling off a stake in the All Blacks to California-based private equity firm Silver Lake Partners. "NZR will retain far greater control over its future, more flexibility and optionality, as well as sharing its future results with New Zealanders who wish to invest in the business," it said in a letter to NZR. The association, which is a union for elite players, opposes the Silver Lake deal and has the power to veto it, despite the NZR unanimously backing the move at the organisation's annual general meeting last month. Association president David Kirk, a former All Blacks captain, said the proposal showed NZR was incorrect to assert that the Silver Lake deal was the only one that stacked up financially. "Why are (NZR) so concerned about alternative options? Why wouldn't you consider them?" he asked on Newstalk ZB radio. "You're charged with doing the best thing for New Zealand rugby, surely that is to look at all options, consider them carefully and make a decision." NZR did not respond to requests for comment but chief executive Mark Robinson was widely quoted in local media accusing the players' body of trying to sabotage the Silver Lake deal. Robinson said he was "shocked and disappointed" the proposal was given to media before the NZR, saying it contained confidential information the players' association had no right to make public. "This is a fundamental breach of trust and the partnership which up until now we valued highly," he said. Kirk rejected the allegation. "We're looking at a situation in which rugby is going to change forever in New Zealand," he said. Story continues "The thought that we wouldn't discuss and debate the various options to do that is just nonsensical." The Silver Lake deal involves the US firm paying $280 million for a 12.5 percent stake in NZR's commercial rights, and the right to negotiate merchandise and broadcast deals worldwide. The focus for the Americans is the All Blacks, the three-time world champions recognised globally as rugby's most potent brand. The association's alternative plan involves selling five percent of the rights in a sharemarket float that would attract both New Zealand financial institutions and "mum and dad" investors. It argues the alternative would still pump as much money into grassroots rugby and a legacy fund to safeguard rugby's future as the private equity proposal. ns/arb/axn Vallarta Living News from RISE Children's Shelter in Puerto Vallarta The children, staff and volunteers at Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza (R.I.S.E.) thank you for your continued support. Your donations help us pay for the shelter's operational costs and our children's education. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Where does the time go? We are heading into summer, which is a time of transition for Puerto Vallarta and for R.I.S.E. Many of our volunteers and donors are returning to their homes up north and PV visitors are tapering off. Due to COVID-19, we worked with a skeleton volunteer crew this year. The term "Small but Mighty" comes to mind, and I want to send a special shout out to our volunteers who came consistently, all winter long, to support the house; Kay and Denis Guenette, Will Drake, Karen Cruz, Elizabeth Fuerherm, Bill Corp, Joann Ravgiala and Al Tomaselli, Linda and Brad Stevens, Bernadette and Bruce Coben, Jose Haro, Mercedes Jijena and Krissy Toquigne. These volunteers performed maintenance, kitchen duties, sorted and organized donations, held English classes and monitored playtime with the nursery children, taught embroidery, music, dance and art, and performed some 'not-so-glamorous', but much needed, tasks. THANK YOU from all of us at RISE - Be Safe and we look forward to seeing you in the fall! Your Good Efforts are Working! As you may recall, in October we had a national government (DIF) inspection, common to organizations like ours when New English Program and Fundraiser We are excited to announce a new partnership with The American English Tree - a new language school in PV owned and operated by Eddie Rodriquez. Eddie has offered scholarships for 12 R.I.S.E. children and 8 staff to learn English, but would like to team up with us to try to raise enough money to cover the costs of the materials and some of the teacher costs. As a result, we are having a fundraiser May 18th from 4-7 pm at Texas Original Wings y Mucho Mas!!! (the old El Torito) that includes a silent auction, a raffle and live music by The Gecko Band! Tickets are limited to 90, in a 200 person space, due to COVID. Hurry and buy your tickets by Muchas Gracias! Speaking of Fundraisers... Tonny Kenneth directed $8,400 pesos of his proceeds to R.I.S.E. from his How are the Kids Doing? Glad You Asked! Due to COVID, we are approaching the one year anniversary of the children being unable to leave the house to go to school, or anywhere for that matter. We have been limited in taking the children on outings in order to keep them safe from the virus. As you can imagine, this has taken a further toll on their emotional state. Their families were not allowed to visit during the majority of this period, and Christmas and Easter had limited opportunities for the children to visit a family member - all due to COVID. Professor Jorge, our Director, has led a fantastic team of formadoras (aka nannies) through this unpaved road, and we are starting to see a little light at the end of the tunnel. We have added psychology programs for both the children and staff to enable them to manage the anger and frustration the children have felt as a result of this pandemic. We appreciate your support and continue to ask for help as the COVID pandemic is far from over in Mexico, with only 10% of the country vaccinated. Additional staff has been required at RISE to manage 30+ children at home 100% of the time and to ensure they feel loved and get the necessary attention when their emotions are high. All of your donations help support, not only our expected house expenses, but the additional team that has been required to manage schooling from home and the increased number of hours the children are now at home. We continue to need these important donations. Ending on a Positive Note We have been able to make the children smile these past few weeks. The children have had some fun in-house activities and, on a couple of occasions, we received permission to take them on outings. Here are a few highlights from these events - Water balloon games, Easter egg coloring and an egg hunt, 5 children attended church on Easter to comply with COVID restrictions, and Easter ended with a pinata too! During Easter break, our generous donors, Al and Joanne, organized a dinner at McDonalds and took the kids to a Turtle release. The grand finale was on Children's Day, April 30th, when Georgia Darehshori opened up her beautiful luxury boutique hotel, Casa Karma, to the children so they could swim, play music, get their faces painted and eat pizza from Los Muertos Brewing Co, cupcakes and LIX ice cream. All of this happened at no cost to RISE, thanks to our wonderful staff, donors and volunteers. We Brightened our Home and the Neighborhood! Thank you Paul Bello for the remarkable mural painted on the back wall of R.I.S.E. - it can be seen for miles! Next time you drive by on Libramiento, just north of the big tunnel, look up and you should be able to see it! He does fantastic work and he can transform any wall you have! Contact him at through his How Can You Help? Monetary Donation RISE continues to provide for children in need and your donations help these children have experiences that may seem 'normal' in any home. Education, meals, health and dental care, shampoo, bedding, clothes, shoes, and many things that many children outside of RISE never notice as a privilege. The impact of your donation on a child's life is significant, regardless of the amount. If you can donate to this important cause, please go to our website and make your donation. Every donation helps! Recurring donations benefit you in your budgeting efforts and provide RISE a reliable source of support! Items to Donate Many donors ask if there is anything they can bring to RISE so we are now updating our website each week with these items. Volunteer Your Time We need your time! If you wish to volunteer please fill out a We continue to keep RISE on the RISE! Muchas Gracias and blessings from all of us at RISE for your continued support. The Refugio Infantil Santa Esperanza is a non-profit shelter for babies and children under the age of 14. Some of these children are orphans but most come from unbearable situations having been abused, neglected, or simply abandoned. R.I.S.E. is a 501(c)3 charitable organization, EIN (52)2442583. All contributions are tax deductible. More information about the shelter and how you can help can be found at: RisePV.com. - Where does the time go? We are heading into summer, which is a time of transition for Puerto Vallarta and for R.I.S.E. Many of our volunteers and donors are returning to their homes up north and PV visitors are tapering off.Due to COVID-19, we worked with a skeleton volunteer crew this year. The term "Small but Mighty" comes to mind, and I want to send a special shout out to our volunteers who came consistently, all winter long, to support the house; Kay and Denis Guenette, Will Drake, Karen Cruz, Elizabeth Fuerherm, Bill Corp, Joann Ravgiala and Al Tomaselli, Linda and Brad Stevens, Bernadette and Bruce Coben, Jose Haro, Mercedes Jijena and Krissy Toquigne.These volunteers performed maintenance, kitchen duties, sorted and organized donations, held English classes and monitored playtime with the nursery children, taught embroidery, music, dance and art, and performed some 'not-so-glamorous', but much needed, tasks. THANK YOU from all of us at RISE - Be Safe and we look forward to seeing you in the fall!As you may recall, in October we had a national government (DIF) inspection, common to organizations like ours when leadership changes occur. We were highly praised at that time but had a number of items to repair and update. We have had follow up visits from theses folks since, and we have received feedback that R.I.S.E. is the best run children's shelter in the whole state of Jalisco! We could not have done it without all of your support - so take a minute and congratulate yourselves, you are truly making an impact on our children! THANK YOU!We are excited to announce a new partnership with The American English Tree - a new language school in PV owned and operated by Eddie Rodriquez. Eddie has offered scholarships for 12 R.I.S.E. children and 8 staff to learn English, but would like to team up with us to try to raise enough money to cover the costs of the materials and some of the teacher costs. As a result, we are having a fundraiser May 18th from 4-7 pm at Texas Original Wings y Mucho Mas!!! (the old El Torito) that includes a silent auction, a raffle and live music by The Gecko Band!Tickets are limited to 90, in a 200 person space, due to COVID. Hurry and buy your tickets by clicking HERE. It's an open air environment and we will be following all COVID safety protocols. Can't come to the event? You can still support us! Please click HERE to donate for this great cause - our goal is to raise $2000 US for one year of education.Tonny Kenneth directed $8,400 pesos of his proceeds to R.I.S.E. from his album release concert at The Palm Cabaret on March 31. It was a fantastic performance. If you missed seeing Tonny make sure to see him at Garbo's Piano Bar, Incanto or in The Royals at The Palm. Muchas Gracias Tonny!Due to COVID, we are approaching the one year anniversary of the children being unable to leave the house to go to school, or anywhere for that matter. We have been limited in taking the children on outings in order to keep them safe from the virus. As you can imagine, this has taken a further toll on their emotional state. Their families were not allowed to visit during the majority of this period, and Christmas and Easter had limited opportunities for the children to visit a family member - all due to COVID.Professor Jorge, our Director, has led a fantastic team of(aka nannies) through this unpaved road, and we are starting to see a little light at the end of the tunnel. We have added psychology programs for both the children and staff to enable them to manage the anger and frustration the children have felt as a result of this pandemic.We appreciate your support and continue to ask for help as the COVID pandemic is far from over in Mexico, with only 10% of the country vaccinated. Additional staff has been required at RISE to manage 30+ children at home 100% of the time and to ensure they feel loved and get the necessary attention when their emotions are high. All of your donations help support, not only our expected house expenses, but the additional team that has been required to manage schooling from home and the increased number of hours the children are now at home. We continue to need these important donations. Click HERE to donate, as every penny helps.We have been able to make the children smile these past few weeks. The children have had some fun in-house activities and, on a couple of occasions, we received permission to take them on outings.Here are a few highlights from these events - Water balloon games, Easter egg coloring and an egg hunt, 5 children attended church on Easter to comply with COVID restrictions, and Easter ended with a pinata too! During Easter break, our generous donors, Al and Joanne, organized a dinner at McDonalds and took the kids to a Turtle release.The grand finale was on Children's Day, April 30th, when Georgia Darehshori opened up her beautiful luxury boutique hotel, Casa Karma, to the children so they could swim, play music, get their faces painted and eat pizza from Los Muertos Brewing Co, cupcakes and LIX ice cream. All of this happened at no cost to RISE, thanks to our wonderful staff, donors and volunteers.Thank you Paul Bello for the remarkable mural painted on the back wall of R.I.S.E. - it can be seen for miles! Next time you drive by on Libramiento, just north of the big tunnel, look up and you should be able to see it! He does fantastic work and he can transform any wall you have! Contact him at through his WEBSITE. A huge THANK YOU to Paul, who took over a month of his time to make our home more beautiful!RISE continues to provide for children in need and your donations help these children have experiences that may seem 'normal' in any home. Education, meals, health and dental care, shampoo, bedding, clothes, shoes, and many things that many children outside of RISE never notice as a privilege. The impact of your donation on a child's life is significant, regardless of the amount. If you can donate to this important cause, please go to our website and make your donation.Every donation helps! Recurring donations benefit you in your budgeting efforts and provide RISE a reliable source of support! Click HERE to make a donation. Many donors ask if there is anything they can bring to RISE so we are now updating our website each week with these items. Please check out our WISH LIST! We need your time! If you wish to volunteer please fill out a VOLUNTEER APPLICATION or email lisa(at)risepv.com. We have a large home and need support in keeping it maintained and clean. We need your help with fundraising, grant writing and marketing, too! The kids like to also help and work alongside of you and you can meet other great volunteers. NOTE: Because our children are under government protection it is important to know who everyone is that works with a all for the safety of the children.We continue to keep RISE on the RISE!and blessings from all of us at RISE for your continued support. Site Map Print this Page Email Us Top By Crispian Balmer ROME (Reuters) - Pope Francis said on Friday the cost of raising children was too high and that parents needed more help if countries such as Italy were to overcome the low birth rates that were undermining their future. Speaking at a conference on Italy's dearth of babies, Francis said polls showed most young people wanted to have children, but were worried about the expense. "Their dreams of a new life, the seeds of the country's rebirth, come up against a demographic winter that is cold and dark," the pope said. "For the future to be good, we need to look after families, especially young families, who are beset by worries that risk paralysing their life plans. I am thinking of the fears caused by the increasingly unaffordable costs of raising children." Speaking at the same event, Prime Minister Mario Draghi said Italy had just 404,000 births last year, the lowest since records began and down 30% on 12 years ago, while deaths totalled 746,000, lifted in part by the COVID pandemic. "An Italy without children is an Italy that does not believe in itself and does not plan for the future. It is an Italy destined to slowly grow old and vanish," said Draghi. The question of low birth rates is not confined to Italy. Data this month showed Chinese births fell 18% last year to their lowest since 1961 and the U.S. birth rate declined 4% to its weakest since 1979. The sharp fall in 2020 in the number of babies born in many countries has been blamed in part on the stress and uncertainty generated by COVID. But the longer-term fertility trends across much of the developed world has been in retreat for some years. The pope said a shift in values bore some of the blame with modern society putting an emphasis on earning money and building a career, while children were viewed as a "distraction". "This mentality is gangrene for society and makes the future unsustainable," he said. Story continues He also took aim at young people, saying some role models set a bad example by being obsessed over their appearance and seemingly reluctant to make the sacrifices needed to raise a family. "You don't stay young by taking selfies .. but from being able to look into the eyes of your children one day," he said. (Reporting by Crispian Balmer; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky) May 14About 100 people took to the streets of Portland Friday in a protest march calling attention to the plight of the Banyamulenge people, a minority tribe in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. More than 300 Banyamulenge have resettled in Maine to escape "a silent genocide little noticed by the outside world," according to a statement from the Mahoro Peace Association that helped to organize the peaceful protest. "They live in sorrow and dread because of the ongoing genocide against their relatives back home," the association said. Chanting "Take Action" and carrying signs saying "Stop Killing Us," the protesters left Monument Square around 11:30 a.m. and marched down Elm Street, Park Avenue, Forest Avenue, Congress Street and back to the square. They also delivered letters seeking help to the offices of U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, Republican, and U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, Democrat. Militia groups and others in the central African country have targeted the Banyamulenge as part of a long-running territorial dispute, according to Genocide Watch, an international group that has warned about the potential for genocide amid the escalating conflict. The organizers of the protest Friday said the groups have wiped out villages, attacked women and children and stolen livestock, which has led to starvation and death. "The Banyamulenge are being killed because of who they are, not because of anything they have done," the association said. "We have a moral obligation as citizens of the world to stand with this minority group and say never again to genocide. The situation is dire, and the time to act is now." The protesters hoped to raise awareness and enlist support from Collins and Pingree in demanding immediate action from the Congolese government and the international community to stop the violence and uprooting of the Banyamulenge people. Collins plans to meet with protest leaders next week, as she did last year, said spokesman Christopher Knight. Back then, she sent a letter to State Department leaders urging them to "advocate for the protection of the Banyamulenge ethnic minority in the DRC and make every possible effort to end their persecution and prevent a genocide," Knight said. "Senator Collins will continue to support efforts to halt the ongoing violence in the region, bring the perpetrators to justice, and provide humanitarian assistance for the Banyamulenge and other groups in the region." Pingree posted photos and videos of Friday's protest on her social media sites, "so that no can say that they didn't know about this genocide," said spokeswoman Victoria Bonney. She also shared a link to an April 9 statement by the international diplomatic community condemning "the violence and murders committed by armed groups in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly the recent wave of atrocities by the Allied Democratic Forces in North Kivu and Ituri." Protesters carried signs and marched after gathering by Baitul Mukarram National Mosque in Dhaka. It comes as Israel fired artillery and mounted extensive air strikes on Friday against a network of Palestinian militant tunnels under Gaza that it dubbed "the Metro," amid persistent rocket attacks on Israeli towns. The most serious fighting between Israel and Gaza militants since 2014 began on Monday (May 10) after the enclave's ruling Hamas group fired rockets at Jerusalem and Tel Aviv in retaliation for Israeli police clashes with Palestinians near al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. At least 119 have been killed in Gaza and 830 others wounded in the current hostilities, Palestinian medical officials said. The death toll in Israel stood at eight. Video Transcript [CROWD YELLING] [CROWD CHANTING] [MAN SINGING] [CROWD MURMURING] [MAN ON LOUDSPEAKER] [CROWD CHEERING] [MAN ON LOUDSPEAKER] [CROWD YELLING] MOSCOW (AP) Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday harshly criticized Ukrainian authorities for what he described as their crackdown on the Moscow-friendly opposition amid simmering tensions between the two neighbors. Putin's statement comes a day after Viktor Medvedchuk, who heads the Opposition Platform for Life party, the largest opposition force in parliament, was placed under house arrest on treason charges that he denied. Medvedchuk has close personal ties with Putin, the godfather of his daughter. Without mentioning Medvedchuk by name, Putin lamented what he described as the ongoing cleansing of Ukraine's political arena, saying that those who favor cooperation with Russia face political reprisals. Those selective, politically motivated decisions are aimed at cleansing the political field from those forces which advocate a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Ukraine's southeast and good-neighborly ties with Russia, Putin said at a meeting of his Security Council. Medvedchuk, 66, is accused of transferring oil and gas production licenses from one of the fields in Crimea to Russian authorities. Russia annexed Ukraine's Black Sea peninsula of Crimea in 2014 following the ouster of Ukraine's former Moscow-friendly president and also threw its weight behind a separatist insurgency in eastern Ukraine. More than 14,000 people have been killed in seven years of fighting that has devastated the country's eastern industrial heartland, called the Donbas. The treason accusations is the latest part of a broad campaign against Medvedchuk launched by Ukrainian authorities in February, when his financial assets were frozen for three years. In February, authorities also shut down three pro-Russian TV channels, 112, Zik and NewsOne, which Medvedchuk controlled. In an article published Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy defended the moves against Medvedchuk's assets as a legitimate effort to prevent him from damaging the country and eroding its security. WASHINGTON Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Wash., told USA TODAY she went into labor with her first child years ago when she was running from a House office building to the U.S. Capitol to cast votes. Rep. Linda Sanchez, D-Calif., during her pregnancy in 2009, developed gestational diabetes, a complication only 2%-10% of women develop, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Both women belong to a group of just 10 women in history to have served as a U.S. lawmaker while pregnant. Such developments could have been much riskier for both of them and their babies if they had been working a job that's more physically demanding or not as flexible, like the waitressing one Sanchez had before she went to college, she told USA TODAY. And while Capitol Hill has at times lacked accommodations for women for example, the first lactation spaces weren't installed until nearly 2010 Sanchez said, "Being a member, I had a certain degree of flexibility that I think most women, and most, in most workforces in the country, do not." Sanchez and Herrera Beutler are part of a bipartisan group of lawmakers who find current anti-discrimination laws don't go far enough to address the needs of employees who are expecting. It's why they're pushing for passage of the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, which would require employers to provide specific accommodations for pregnant employees. Pregnant women whether they are walking the halls of the Capitol, working on the front lines, or in restaurants and offices still face discrimination more than 40 years after legislation was passed to prohibit it. According to the House Committee on Education and Labor's research, 62% of employees have witnessed such discrimination in their workplaces. The legislation passed the House on Friday with a bipartisan vote of 315-101. Though many of the interviews USA TODAY did with lawmakers focused on the legislation as being a step toward addressing pregnancy discrimination as largely a women's issue, it is important to note that lack of accommodations toward people carrying children can occur to those who do not identify as women. Story continues What would the PWFA do? The new legislation would extend protections beyond those provided by the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, a decades-old law that prohibits sex discrimination on the basis of pregnancy in a workplace, including any aspect of employment such as hiring, firing, pay and job duties. Congress enacted the PDA in 1978, in response to Supreme Court rulings that found pregnancy discrimination was not a form of gender discrimination. This made it hard for women to pursue legal action against their employers if they were wrongfully fired or mistreated. The Pregnancy Discrimination Act has made it so women can continue working into their pregnancies, but advocates say now it doesn't go far enough to protect the health of the mother in the workplace or bar her from being fired for requesting those accommodations, among other discriminatory practices. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act would require employers to provide reasonable accommodations to their employees, and track the requests similarly to the Americans with Disabilities Act, per a summary of the legislation. Under the PWFA, employers with more than 15 workers would have to make reasonable accommodations to employees and it would be unlawful for employers to deny such requests for the "known limitations related to the pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions of a qualified employee." Some of these accommodations include additional breaks for eating and to use the restroom, limiting heavy lifting, stools to rest on, and more. Herrera Beutler, who is an author of the legislation, said providing water or a stool would "allow a woman to both pursue a career interest, while also starting a family." Such accommodations won't put them out of business, she said. According to research by the Childbirth Connection an initiative focused on improving pregnancy care approximately 250,000 pregnant workers are denied accommodation requests each year. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., speaks as Rep. Mondaire Jones, D-N.Y., listens during a news conference outside the U.S. Capitol on April 27, 2021. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., told USA TODAY constituents regularly call her office "to talk about the problems they faced when an employer insisted that they meet physical demands that just weren't possible during pregnancy." Though the accommodations may seem small to some, Rep. Cindy Axne, D-Iowa who worked in human resources when she was pregnant and before she worked in government said she saw firsthand how places of employment may not give accommodations to those who need it. "I can tell you by the time women even get to the workplace, when they're pregnant, they're worn out," Axne, the mother of two boys, told USA TODAY. "I honestly don't remember one person getting up for me on a train. ... So by the time you finally get to work, you need accommodations to make sure you can get the job done." Accommodations critical to healthy pregnancy According to Kathryn Luchok, a research professor in the Department of Anthropology and a senior instructor in the Womens and Gender Studies Program at the University of South Carolina, such accommodations are critical to preserving a healthy pregnancy. "For instance, standing for long periods, like you have to do if you're at the checkout counter or on an assembly line, is not recommended, particularly as you get more advanced, because it's linked to premature labor," she said. "You know, in some workplaces, that's not a big deal at all, but in other workplaces, that's a real issue," Luchok told USA TODAY. Sanchez agreed, saying, "Other women might not be as fortunate" as she was when her feet swelled up so badly that she opted to wear flip-flops on the House floor. Even though they are technically against the chamber's dress code, no one said anything. "Let's say you were a warehouse worker and had to wear closed-toe shoes, your employer's not gonna let you put on flip flops," she continued. "In the broader scope, this bill is really important because it's gonna give pregnant workers the opportunity to ask for simple accommodations for them so that they can have healthy pregnancies." Axne pointed out that many jobs women take involve standing. "Whether they're a caretaker or a waitress, they're working in a nursing home, whatever, they're on their feet, all day long, teachers, nurses, all of these folks, these are typical women's professions," she said. "It really is a medical issue that's so necessary for women. And it's time we start looking at it like that." People of color face more discrimination Pregnant people of color face the issue more regularly, according to an analysis from the National Partnership for Women and Families, which found that from 2011 to 2015, Black women filed nearly 29% of pregnancy discrimination charges to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Luchok explained "intersectionality" is an issue as these women are more likely to face gender, race and class discrimination. Often, these women are afraid to ask for accommodations out of fear of retaliation from employers. "The more marginalized you are in society," she explained, "the more likely you're going to put up and shut up." Sanchez, a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, noted women of color are four times more likely to die in childbirth and said it's "because they're not given those kinds of accommodations or often because they work in workplaces where they have to do physically demanding labor while they're pregnant." Rep. Linda Sanchez, D-Calif., attends a press conference at a temporary Customs and Border Protection processing center on May 7, 2021 in Donna, Texas. According to the National Women's Law Center, Latina, Native-American, and Black women are "overrepresented in low-paid jobs." Black women make up nearly 10% of the low-paid workforce and Latinas make up 16%, according to the study. The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act is the needed federal policy solution to respond to their needs, according to Sara Alcid, senior campaign director for Pay Equity and Economic Justice at MomsRising, a national organization focused on economic security for women and families. "Due to the myriad of ways that racism, sexism and xenophobia work in tandem at the structural level in our nation to curb the educational and career opportunities available to women of color, they are overrepresented in low-paying and physically demanding jobs," she said. "It is in these more physically demanding jobs, at manufacturing and food processing plants, for example, that reasonable accommodations are so key to maintaining a safe environment for pregnant workers." And while a majority of states and the District of Columbia have already passed laws similar to the PWFA, Alcid said, "There are still so many workers not covered. We need a uniform, federal standard." The coronavirus pandemic also posed higher risks for women: According to the CDC, pregnant women who contract the virus require intensive care compared to women who aren't pregnant, and are also more likely to be placed on a ventilator. "At this time, where the economic fallout from the pandemic has been nothing short of catastrophic for women, it is the perfect timing to start working on these systemic problems that have created barriers to success for women, being able to provide for their families and continue to work," Assistant Speaker of the House Rep. Katherine Clark, D-Mass., told USA TODAY. The legislation has passed the House. What about the Senate? The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act passed on a bipartisan vote last year in the 116th Congress, 329-73, but was never voted on in the Senate. This year, a group of bipartisan senators have already introduced the legislation in the Senate, with Republican Sens. Shelly Moore Capito of West Virginia, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska joining Democratic Sens. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Tina Smith of Minnesota as original cosponsors. The astonishing truth is that many women are still denied the basic, commonsense accommodations they need at work to ensure a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby, said Murkowski in a statement. This is not acceptable. No employee should have to choose between keeping a job and their health or the health of their baby its as simple as that. Though there is bipartisan support, the bill would need to clear a 60-vote threshold to overcome a legislative hurdle called the filibuster to get it to a final vote. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks during a hearing of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Wednesday. The White House released on May 11 a statement of support for the legislation, saying, "No worker should be forced to choose between a paycheck and a healthy pregnancy." The bill does have opponents. Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., told USA TODAY in a statement she would not support the PWFA due to a lack of provisions to protect religious organizations if a pregnant woman were to use the accommodations to acquire an abortion or became pregnant out of wedlock. Foxx, the top Republican on the Education and Labor Committee, said, Our job in the Peoples House is not to defy the Constitution, but to uphold it. Employers shouldnt have to choose between abiding by the law and adhering to their religious beliefs. However most of the female lawmakers USA TODAY spoke with emphasized protecting mothers should be a nonpartisan issue. "If we're gonna recommend people be pro-life, then we need to make sure that those policies aren't just about abortion," said Herrera Buetler, a conservative who is pro-life. "It goes into making sure that there's a whole system that we're encouraging that allows women to live out that dream of having a family." She continued that for many of her older, male colleagues, while generational divides are often present, they may see their children where often times both the man and wife must now work to support a household and "understand more to that, maybe their daughter needs to work up until she gives birth like I did with my pregnancies." Axne said women are saying, "It has really been a struggle for women. So, across the board, women are saying it's about time." "Probably, if a man had to deal with this, the law would have been written a long time ago," she said. "We've got more women in Congress now, and these things are becoming a big priority because we do represent half this country as women. And we represent all of the country as mothers and community members." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Congresswomen push bipartisan bill to protect pregnant employees US Republicans on Friday elected congresswoman Elise Stefanik, an outspoken defender of Donald Trump, as their new House conference chair, as the party scrambles to unify amid an explosive debate about its direction. Stefanik, a 36-year-old former moderate representing upstate New York, easily overcame a late entrant to the race and won strong support from the Republican conference in a closed-door vote of 134 to 46. "My focus is on unity, because that's what the American people and that's what our voters deserve," she told reporters after vaulting into the number three House Republican position -- becoming the party's most powerful woman in Congress. "We are going on offense and are going to win back the majority in 2022" in the House of Representatives, said Stefanik, the party's new top messenger. The vote came two days after the conference ousted Liz Cheney, a conservative stalwart and daughter of former vice president Dick Cheney, from the post over her repeated criticism of Trump and her refusal to embrace his false claim that Democrats stole the 2020 election. With Trump retaining enormous influence, Republicans have been desperate to tamp down swelling discord within party ranks over its future. Conservatives aim to craft a coherent message heading into next year's midterm elections, but some Republicans fear that failing to reject Trump's rhetoric about voter fraud could hurt the party at the polls. But Stefanik made clear that Trump and Trumpism will remain vital in the effort to turn back the "destructive, radical, far-left socialist agenda" of President Joe Biden and his Democrats. - Trump an 'important voice' - Trump "is a critical part of our Republican team," Stefanik said. "I support president Trump, voters support president Trump," she added. "He is an important voice in our Republican Party and we look forward to working with him." Story continues Trump, whose grip on the party has tightened with Stefanik's elevation, immediately congratulated her for the "overwhelming" win. "The House GOP is united and the Make America Great Again movement is Strong!" the former president said. Stefanik's ascension to leadership was the singular bright spot for Republicans in an otherwise difficult week. On Thursday after a meeting with Biden and top congressional Democrats at the White House, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy made the dubious assertion that "I don't think anybody is questioning the legitimacy of the presidential election." One day earlier during a contentious House hearing, Republicans sought to downplay the seriousness of the deadly January 6 attack on the US Capitol by Trump supporters, with congressman Andrew Clyde saying footage from the day of the insurrection appeared to show "a normal tourist visit" to the building. And in a sign that tensions still haunt Congress six months after the election, Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has espoused wild conspiracy theories, aggressively confronted progressive Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, heightening concerns about security on Capitol Hill. Ousted from leadership, Cheney has vowed to continue fighting for conservative principles and against a defeated leader who keeps spreading "the big lie" of voter fraud. Stefanik is unapologetic in her defense of Trump and has promoted the ex-president's falsehoods about the 2020 election, but some Republicans have openly questioned her conservative credentials. She voted against Trump's 2017 tax plan, dismissed his border wall as not "realistic" and worked hard to build a more diverse party and get more Republican women elected to Congress. While the congressman who challenged Stefanik for the conference chair post, Texas Republican Chip Roy, received a 100 percent lifetime rating from the Club For Growth, the conservative group gave Stefanik a rating of just 35 percent. Despite the pushback, Stefanik on Friday branded herself a "proud conservative Republican." Asked whether there was a place in the party for vocal Trump critics like Cheney or congressman Adam Kinzinger -- both of whom voted to impeach Trump in January -- Stefanik sought to strike a unifying note. "They are part of this Republican conference," she said, then added: "We are unified in working with president Trump." mlm/st By Sangmi Cha SEOUL (Reuters) -Samsung BioLogics Co Ltd said on Friday no decision has been made yet on producing Moderna Inc's COVID-19 vaccine in South Korea after a newspaper reported the two companies had agreed on a contract manufacturing deal. The Chosun Ilbo reported that the biotech arm of Samsung Group has agreed to produce the Moderna vaccine in its plant in Songdo, part of which will be used for domestic vaccination, citing unnamed government and pharmaceutical industry sources. Samsung BioLogics said in a short filing to the stock exchange that no decision has been finalised. The company will provide an update within a month as required by regulations, a company official said. Moderna did not immediately reply to a Reuters' request for comment. Shares in Samsung BioLogics jumped as much as 8.7% on Friday to a record high of 941,000 won ($833.18) following the report, outperforming a 0.9% rise in the broader market KOSPI's. The statement follows a denial by Samsung and Pfizer Inc earlier this week of another media report that the two companies were working together to produce a COVID-19 vaccine developed by the U.S. firm and its German partner BioNTech. The Moderna shot has yet to be approved in South Korea, but the second of three expert panels recommended approval for emergency use of the vaccine on Thursday, based on its safety and efficacy in Phase 3 late-stage trials in the United States. If agreed, the deal could become Moderna's first production of its COVID-19 vaccine in Asia where many countries are battling a surge in infections and limited access to vaccines, raising concerns about deepening inequity in distribution. Australia said on Thursday it is in talks with Moderna to establish domestic production of messenger RNA vaccines. Samsung BioLogics, which produces a COVID-19 antibody treatment developed by Eli Lilly and Co, began construction of a fourth plant in South Korea late last year. Story continues The plant will be the world's biggest biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility with 256,000 litres of production capacity and will begin operation by the end of 2022, Samsung said at the time. ($1=1,129.4100 won) (Reporting by Sangmi Cha; Additional reporting by Heekyong Yang; Editing by Miyoung Kim, Leslie Adler & Simon Cameron-Moore) May 14When state Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward revealed this week that she'd been diagnosed with stage-one breast cancer late last year, she hoped she could use her position to help women both prevent and battle the disease. Her colleagues helped take a step in that direction, unanimously passing a bill that would allow Pennsylvanians to donate $5 to the PA Breast Cancer Coalition's Research Grants Initiative when they renew their driver's licenses. "The PA Breast Cancer Coalition has been instrumental in getting important legislation passed to provide coverage and screenings for women, most recently Act 52 of last year, which I sponsored, for insurers to cover MRIs and ultrasounds for women with dense breasts for the purposes of detecting cancer," said Sen. Bob Mensch, the Montgomery County Republican who introduced the bill. "Most importantly, they have always been committed to contributing to the cause, giving over $4.5 million to breast cancer researchers in the Commonwealth. That's where Senate Bill 445 comes in." On an average day in Pennsylvania, 37 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer. The state is among the 15 highest in the nation for breast cancer incidence, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The coalition's Research Grants Initiative was created in 1997 to fund researchers working to find new and better treatments. "The only way to find a cure for breast cancer is by supporting research. Senate Bill 445 will serve as a pathway from Pennsylvania research labs to breast cancer patients all over the world," said Pat Halpin-Murphy, president of PA Breast Cancer Coalition. In 2020, the coalition awarded $200,000 through four $50,000 research grants to: Penn Medicine's Dr. Lewis Chodosh, focused on obesity and breast cancer recurrence. Geisinger Clinic's Dr. Anne Moon, focused on new therapies to stop cancer cell growth. UPMC's Vera Donnenberg, focusing on developing a new type of anti-tumor cellular therapy for metastatic breast cancer. Story continues Temple University's Richard Pomerantz, focusing on new treatments identifying breast cancer cells affected by the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic mutations, which figured heavily into the treatment plan Ward is pursuing. Mench said he's proud to propose legislation that will allow residents to help "in the continuing research to foster innovation and development of an eventual cure." Click here to read the full text of Senate Bill 445, which now heads to the state House for a vote. For more on the coalition, see PABreastCancer.org. Patrick Varine is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Patrick at 724-850-2862, pvarine@triblive.com or via Twitter . Servers for Darkside were taken down by unknown actors Friday, a week after the cyber extortionist forced the shutdown of a large US oil pipeline in a ransomware scam, a US cyber security firm said. Recorded Future, the security firm, said in a post that the allegedly Russia-based Darkside had admitted in a web post that it lost access to certain servers used for its web blog and for payments. Accessed via TOR on the dark web, the Darkside site address showed a notice saying it could not be found. Recorded Future threat intelligence analyst Dmitry Smilyanets said he found a Russian language comment on a ransomware website ostensibly from "Darksupp", described as the operator of Darkside. "A few hours ago, we lost access to the public part of our infrastructure, namely: Blog. Payment server. DOS servers," Darksupp wrote. "The Darkside operator also reported that cryptocurrency funds were also withdrawn from the gang's payment server, which was hosting ransom payments made by victims," said Recorded Future. While there was no evidence of who might have forced down Darkside's website, the twitter account of a US military cyber warfare group, the 780th Military Intelligence Brigade, retweeted the Recorded Future report on Friday. Darkside, which only surfaced online late last year, was behind the attack on Colonial Pipeline that forced the shutdown of its network shipping gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel across much of the eastern half of the United States. After Darkside froze Colonial's computer systems last week and demanded millions in ransom to unlock them, Colonial shut down its pipeline, sparking fuel shortages and long lines at gas stations across much of the southeast. pmh/dw May 14In its first in-person event since February 2020, the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce on Thursday presented Small Business Awards to three local professionals to recognize their leadership, creativity and commitment to the business community. Those receiving awards were Kent Lawrence, the owner of TVW Electrical Supply in Decatur, who was named the Raymon Baker John Cook Ralph Jones Small Business Person of the Year; Miracle Osborne, a human resources manager for ITW Sexton in Decatur, who received the Arthur Orr Young Professional of the Year award; and Tricia Pruitt, Decatur-area regional vice president for the Better Business Bureau of North Alabama, who was named the Lynn C. Fowler Non-Profit Professional of the Year. Lawrence, who bought TVW in 1996, has grown the company into a regional distributor of electrical supplies including lighting products, lighting controls and power distribution products for residential, commercial and industrial projects. Reading excerpts from the award nomination from Lawrence's employees, chamber President John Seymour said Lawrence's business philosophy is that "a deal must be a win-win," for both the business and its customers. "We see that in Kent every day," Seymour said. Lawrence is also involved in the community as chair of the Decatur Planning Commission, treasurer of the Greater Morgan County Homebuilders Association, vice chair of community building for the chamber's executive committee and as a member of the Decatur-Morgan County Entrepreneurial Center's board of directors. He is also a member of the Kiwanis Club of Decatur's board of directors. Osborne is the human resources manager for ITW Sexton, which produces two-piece steel containers for automotive and industrial refrigerants, specialty chemicals, oil filter shells and high- and low-pressure gas applications. She works with 160 employees at the Decatur and Martinsburg, West Virginia, facilities. Story continues Jamie Waldrep-Reeves, the chamber's vice chair of development, said Osborne's presence in a room encourages others. "I'm so excited about what she brings to Decatur," Waldrep-Reeves said. Waldrep-Reeves said Osborne also "wears several hats in the community." Osborne is an officer on the executive committee of Decatur Jaycees, an officer on the Mental Health Association Board of Directors, chair of the Decatur 2020 Bicentennial Committee, a member of the steering committee for the city's zoning ordinance rewrite project and a member of the board of directors for the chamber and the Decatur Downtown Redevelopment Authority. Pruitt, Waldrep-Reeves said, has "a servant's heart" and is committed to promoting ethical standards in all business practices. In her role with the Better Business Bureau of North Alabama for more than 20 years, Pruitt has developed programs and educational events that focus on scam and fraud prevention for individuals, businesses and other nonprofits. Her leadership with the Scam Jam Fraud Prevention Summit and Shred Day events have served as models for other agencies. Pruitt is a longtime member of the Rotary Noon Club of Decatur and has been named a Paul Harris Fellow as a distinguished member of the club. Pruitt was praised for playing a critical role through the BBB to connect individuals and businesses with COVID-19 vaccine resources, among the organization's other responsibilities. "We are a resource for people looking for help or just wanting someone to listen," Pruitt said. Small business resilience Seymour said local small businesses have overcome major obstacles over the last year, showing themselves to be "the heart of our community." Their resilience and strength during the COVID-19 pandemic has been "awesome," he said. The chamber has about 850 members, and more than 80% have fewer than 10 employees, according to Seymour. "Businesses came up with so many creative ways (during the worst of the pandemic) in getting their products out and selling their products," he said after the chamber presented the awards. Crystal Brown, the chamber's vice president of development, said businesses "kept reinventing themselves and reinventing themselves" to stay relevant and took steps with sanitizing and other efforts to keep their staff and customers safe. "They rose to the challenge," she said. Restaurants and other businesses offered curbside pickup and delivery, "whatever it took to continue to do business," Brown said, and "a lot of them added to their services." Brown noted the two Decatur entrepreneurs, Ashley Ashwander and Lindsey Faulkner, who launched their own line of sidewalk chalk last year to help offset the impact on their retail businesses in downtown Decatur. Award winners are selected from nominations submitted by the chamber membership and evaluated by committees of past honorees. The luncheon was held at the Doubletree by Hilton Decatur Riverfront with a limit on the number of attendees, supplemented with a livestream broadcast. marian.accardi@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2438. Twitter @DD_MAccardi. May 14A South Toledo man is out on $100,000 bond after he allegedly assaulted another man who was held against his will for several hours, according to Toledo police. Jeno Blackshear, 27, of the 900 block of Burke Glen Road is charged with first-degree kidnapping and second-degree felonious assault. A Toledo Municipal Court judge set bond Friday at $100,000, which was later posted. Police received information about the victim, Jonathan Bucher, 24, of the 100 block of East Harbor View Drive, being captive by a man later identified as Mr. Blackshear who was demanding money for his release. With assistance from FBI agents, police determined Mr. Bucher was likely at a residence in the 900 block of Butler Street in East Toledo. After officers stopped a vehicle driven by Mr. Blackshear and detained him, the Toledo Police Department's Special Weapons and Tactics team entered the residence and located the victim in the basement. A police statement said investigators believe he had been captive there for nearly five hours. During Mr. Bucher's captivity, Mr. Blackshear allegedly beat him in the head and body with a piece of wood, a mason jar, and paint cans, according to court documents. Mr. Bucher suffered multiple injuries including cuts and a suspected broken nose, police said, for which he was treated at the scene but declined further care. First Published May 14, 2021, 1:45pm MOSCOW Humans have explored the space around planet Earth for 60 years now, meaning most of the dramatic "firsts" have long been claimed in the history books. But Russia figures it's good for one more: The first film to be shot in outer space. And, just like the old days, its in a race with the United States to claim the achievement. The Russian space agency, Roscosmos, announced Thursday that it had selected its crew to headline the film, which will be called "Challenge." The movie will star the actor Yulia Peresild, 36, and be directed by Klim Shepenko, 37. Image: Yulia Peresild (Vitaly Nevar / TASS via Getty Images file) The effort was first announced last year, shortly after the actor Tom Cruise and NASA announced their own collaboration to make a movie on the International Space Station. Peresild, who has starred in a number of Russian movies, beat out hundreds for the role after a casting call that promised a chance at international fame. The team will take up two of the three seats aboard the October launch of Russias Soyuz mission to the orbiting space station. Before that launch, however, they will undergo elements of Russias standard cosmonaut training. Among other things, they will have to take centrifuge tests, vibration stand tests, perform introductory and training flights on a zero-gravity plane, undergo parachute training, Roscosmos said. The "space drama" is a pet project of the agencys bombastic administrator, Dmitry Rogozin. Very little is known about the plot, which in many ways seems secondary to the spectacle. Image: Soyuz MS-18 crew ship (NASA) When Russia announced the project last year, Konstantin Ernst, the head of Russias Channel One which is working with Roscosmos on the film said that it would not be a science fiction film, but a realistic depiction of near-term space travel. Its a movie about how a person in no way connected with space exploration, due to various reasons and personal debt, ends up a month later in orbit, Ernst said in a September 2020 interview. Thats all I can tell you. Story continues The casting call was issued in November, seeking a female actor between the age of 25 and 40, weighing between 50 and 70 kilograms (around 110-155 pounds), who could pass a variety of fitness tests. The decision to fill the October Soyuz flight with a movie crew comes at an uncertain time for Russias space program. Related: Relations with NASA, its partner of the last 20 years, are fraying as tensions in the larger U.S.-Russia bilateral relationship weigh on space cooperation. And Rogozin, as well as other officials, are hinting Russia could soon split from American-led efforts in international space exploration and join up with China. Rogozin threatened in 2014 to respond to U.S. sanctions by denying NASA rides to the space station aboard Russian rockets, at the time the only means of sending Americans to the $100 billion orbital outpost. Recently, hes threatened to pull out of the space station altogether. In October, NASA paid for its final flight aboard Soyuz. NASA had been dependent on Russia since retiring the U.S. space shuttle fleet in 2011, and last year finally saw new American space vehicles come online. Another American flew on an April launch, but no money directly changed hands. Russia is now left to look for other means to help subsidize launch costs. One of those obvious sources beyond funding from the state television network Channel One is space tourism. Another Soyuz will launch in December, and rather than fill those seats with Russian cosmonauts, Moscow announced Thursday that two Japanese space tourists will take the ride. Roscosmos is no stranger to launching space tourists so far, they have all been wealthy business people or celebrities to subsidize human spaceflight efforts, but the agency has not done so in more than a decade. The last space tourist to fly on Soyuz went up in 2009, just before NASA retired its space shuttles and became entirely reliant on Russias Soyuz. One of the two tourists on the December flight will be Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa. The businessman made headlines in 2018 when he announced he had paid for a flight around the moon on SpaceXs still-unfinished Starship, a massive reusable vehicle designed to colonize Mars. Maezawa appealed for eight applicants from around the world to join him on the flight, which is scheduled for 2023. Happy Friday, everybody. Its Chase Karacostas. A lot happened in the last seven days, from the gasoline drought to the resignation of President Robert Caslen from the University of South Carolina. So, its highly possible that you missed some of the biggest news of the week from around the state. To start, interesting sculptures have cropped up around Greenville. Some residents call them demonic others say they are inclusive, The States Lyn Riddle reports. I havent decided how I feel, though I am generally a big fan of contemporary art. What are your thoughts? Email me with your spiciest takes. Heres what else you might have missed this week. Feidin Santana at his new barber shop, Change Up Cuts in North Charleston, South Carolina on Wednesday, April 28, 2021. He will have more than 14 barbers and stylists at his new shop. Feiden Santanas life lives in a binary: before he filmed Walter Scotts murder by a police officer in North Charleston, and after. He tries to find the little joys of life, like his favorite dessert, habichuelas con dulce, but everything feels bittersweet. No matter how many days pass, he says his life is defined by the day he saw Scott gunned down by police. In a series of conversations with The States Caitlin Byrd, Santana spoke about Scott, his life since Scotts death and what progress, if any, can be made to stop police brutality. Heres what he said. An estimated 100-person melee broke out on Charlestons King Street in downtown early Sunday morning. At least six people were taken to the hospital after being shot or stabbed. Now, the city is promising big changes to make its busiest street safer, The States Caitlin Byrd reports. Heres what to expect for at least the next few months. Double or triple the number of city police on patrol. One lane of King Street will be closed to drivers so police and other first responders can use it after 9 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. No more on-street parking along King between Spring and Mary Streets from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Story continues Shawna Sparlin gave up custody of her 18-year-old son Braeden, who has severe autism, to give him a better life. Instead, hes spent for than a month heavily medicated and trapped in a hospital room without the level of care she expected him to receive as a ward of the state. The situation is Sparlins worst nightmare, The Sun News David Weissman reports. Her two older sons, Stephan and Shane, died while under the care of child protective services in Arizona. She fears the same fate for Braeden. These agencies just see the label of autism, but to me theyre just Stephan, Shane and Braedan, she said. Theyre people with likes and dislikes just like anyone else. They deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, but theyre treating him like a caged animal. Foam particles escaped a Boundary Street construction site in December. The incident is prompting the city to look at an ordinance to control construction site litter from being blown around the city. Snow near the South Carolina coast is a rare occurrence, even during winter. Except Beauforts December 2020 blizzard wasnt snow at all, it was tiny plastic foam particles created by the sanding of an insulation board filling the air around a construction site. Piles of foam were found along the curb, in the street, in the median, in stormwater drains, in business parking lots across the street, in the grass of a park , buffer areas protecting a nearby salt marsh. Particles getting into the ocean or rivers is a concern because they do not biodegrade and can be consumed by aquatic and marine creatures, the Island Packets Karl Puckett reports. Now, Beaufort city officials are considering an ordinance aimed at preventing construction litter in general with the hope of protecting the local environment and the appearance of the community. Owls, turtles and snakes, oh lord? A baby Barred owl looks up to a parent in Melrose Heights where it fell from its nest. Neighbors have been keeping an eye on the bird, who is too young to fly, and have made a nest for it, a little lower to the ground. Need some cuteness to balance out everything that went down this week? Ive got you covered. Plus, some helpful tips for dealing with ome of South Carolinas less cute (in my moms opinion) residents. The city of Columbia planned to remove April Gremllions beloved oak tree. Then they found a family of owls residing on its branches. Now, the trio has reached celebrity status in the neighborhood. Hilton Head saw its first nest of turtle season, which runs May 1-Oct. 31. Here are tips for making sure our cute (and friendly) friends make it to the water safely. He just needed a ride: a snake slithered our from under an S.C. womans hood while she was driving. Not everyone who saw a snake this week had a windshield protecting them. Heres what one Hilton Head resident did to survive three bites from a venomous copperhead snake. --- Thats all for today. If you dont already, subscribe to The State here. If youre already a subscriber (thanks!), download our iOS or Android app to get connected. Stay updated with us at thestate.com, and follow along on Twitter and Instagram to see more from us. Thanks for reading! Did someone forward this newsletter to you? You can sign up here. Street racing has been on the rise during COVID, reports say, giving police and lawmakers something besides old-fashioned speeders to contend with on local roads and highways that are carrying less traffic as a result of the pandemic. A 52-year-old mother of two was killed driving home in suburban Atlanta on Nov. 21 when a man in a Dodge Challenger who was allegedly street racing crashed into her head-on. In New York City, authorities received more than 1,000 drag racing complaints over six months last year a nearly five-fold increase over the same period in 2019. It's a story that repeats itself around the country as restless car enthusiasts take to the streets in search of thrills. Traffic deaths on America's roads rose in 2020 despite an unprecedented decline in miles traveled as first responders around the country reported a rise in both dangerous driving offenses and hospital admissions due to reckless behavior and DUIs. Democratic New York state Sen. Brad Hoylman has introduced legislation that would authorize New York City to operate its speed cameras overnight and on weekends in hot spots for illegal street racing. In Mississippi, Republican Gov. Tate Reeves signed into law in March a bill that allows state troopers to respond to incidents in cities. On New Years Eve, drivers blocked traffic on an interstate highway in Jackson, the state capital, for an hour while they spun out and did donuts, etching circles in the pavement. In Arizona, the state Senate has passed a bill to impose harsher penalties. It now awaits a House vote. Under an ordinance approved in March by the Phoenix City Council, police can impound a car involved in street racing or reckless driving for up to 30 days. Police in Albuquerque, New Mexico, handed out thousands of tickets for speeding and racing since a crackdown began in October. Street racing in an industrial neighborhood of Portland, Oregon, scares people who work there. A motorcyclist was killed last month in a crash that police said apparently involved racing. Business owners on April 2 wrote to the mayor and city commissioners, asking them to take action. Story continues After weekends of racing and stunts, a road there and its 2-mile straightaway are littered with alcohol containers. Spray-painted lines mark start and finish lines. Parking lots are scarred by circular tire tracks or completely eroded in places by spinning tires. Portland police say theyre too overwhelmed to do much about it. But some cops are in on the action, such as the two who drag raced their patrol cars through a residential Washington, D.C., neighborhood last month. They wound up crashing into each other. One officer was fired. That former officer and another officer, now under suspension, were charged last week with reckless driving and other traffic offenses, the Washington Post reported. In Denver, where police have deployed the department's helicopter to track races, closed lanes in areas often used by racers and sent officers to places where the groups meet, authorities are now trying a different tack: using a racetrack in the foothills west of the city to provide a safe venue for those who feel the need for speed. The Colorado State Patrol has teamed with Bandimere Speedway to lure racers from public areas to a more controlled environment, even allowing participants to race a trooper driving a patrol car. The Colorado State Patrol has been involved in the Take it to the Track event for more than a decade, but its goals have gained new importance and urgency after two recent high-profile street racing incidents in the area. Reporting from the Associated Press contributed to this story. With dwindling demand for large-scale COVID vaccination sites in Tarrant County, officials are turning their attention to pop-up clinics that revolve around organizations and events. The county has partnered with the University of North Texas Health Science Center to launch a website where businesses or nonprofits can sign up for a pop-up clinic, according to a news release from the college. Those interested are asked to fill out a form with information such as photos of the proposed site, the locations accessibility features and estimated attendance and capacity, the release says. If the group and location are approved, UNTHSC will set up a clinic for free. Data suggests larger sites, such as the Texas Motor Speedway, are no longer as effective as they were at the beginning of the vaccine rollout, UNTHSC Chief Strategy Officer Dr. Sylvia Trent-Adams said in the release. This next phase of vaccinations will require more one-on-one interactions and more mobile sites that operate for shorter times at locations and events where people live and work, Trent-Adams said. It is essential to partner with businesses and organizations to make that happen. UNTHSC will work with OptumServe, a veteran-led healthcare service, to open and operate the clinics, according to the release. The group is also using its mobile clinic inside of a large green and blue bus to deliver the vaccine to neighborhoods with low vaccination rates, the release states. People can request the mobile clinic by filling out a form from Tarrant County Public Health, according to the release. Tarrant County is continuing to work with UNTHSC to respond to the evolving challenges brought on by this pandemic, Judge Glen Whitley said in the release. Now that demand for the vaccine has dropped, these smaller mobile units will make vaccinations more accessible and convenient for our community, Whitley said. I want to see Tarrant County lead the way in rising vaccination rates and I hope our residents will join us in this effort to bring mobile clinics out to their events and sites. A Texas constable was shot multiple times Thursday while chasing two suspects, authorities said. The incident began when Dallas police officers from the department's Fugitive Unit were tracking two suspects wanted for felony charges, the Dallas Police Department told Fox News. A police helicopter asked nearby law enforcement agencies to conduct a traffic stop. The Ellis County Sheriff's Office and Waxahachie Police Department assisted. When authorities tried to stop the vehicle, the suspects fled and a chase ensued, police said. "At some point during the pursuit, one or both suspects fired at the pursuing agencies," a Dallas police spokesperson said. Hill County Precinct Four Constable Kevin Cordell was shot during the chase, which ended in the Dallas suburb of Alvarado, according to FOX 44. His injuries are not life-threatening and he was being treated at a hospital, the news outlet said. The pursuit was initiated when the suspects were reportedly headed toward Dallas. As law enforcement officers disabled the vehicle, gunfire was exchanged, KXXV-TV reported. "While still inside the disabled suspect vehicle, the suspects continued to shoot at the officers from the other agencies," police said. The officers returned fire. No Dallas police officers fired their weapons or actively pursued the suspects, police said. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Two suspects sustained gunshot wounds and were in custody, reports said. One was in critical condition, police said. Fox News has reached out to the constable's office and the Texas Department of Public Safety, which is leading the investigation, according to a Dallas police spokesperson. NICOSIA (Reuters) - The top prosecutor in Cyprus has asked police to investigate possible criminal offences in the running of a cash-for-passports scheme after an official probe suggested thousands of passports may have been wrongly issued to rich foreigners. The east Mediterranean island awarded citizenship to 6,779 people between 2007 and 2020, the vast majority of them Russians, under the now discredited scheme. An independent board of inquiry led by a former chief justice noted in an interim report last month that 51% of passports went to people who should not have qualified. The entire interim report was handed over to police, the island's Legal Service said in a statement on Friday. "Instructions were given to start an investigation to determine any possible criminal offences, based on the interim report, where appropriate." The voluminous report found that the island's Cabinet rubber-stamped citizenship requests despite a possible conflict of interest by some members because of either family or professional links to proxies of applicants. It also made a recommendation that citizenship be rescinded in up to 66 cases. Cyprus scrapped the scheme late last year after disclosures that not only did bona fide investors benefit from it but also fugitives from justice or politically connected persons from otherwise impoverished nations with pockets deep enough to stump up a minimum 2 million euros ($2.41 million) for citizenship. The European Commission launched infringement procedures against Cyprus over the scheme last year, arguing that granting EU citizenship for pre-determined payments, without any genuine link to the state, undermined the integrity of EU citizenship. Cyprus abandoned the scheme after the Al Jazeera network secretly filmed the then parliamentary speaker allegedly promising to facilitate issuance of a passport to a fictitious investor with a criminal record. The speaker, Demetris Syllouris, who has since resigned, strongly denied any wrongdoing, saying any remarks were taken out of context. (Reporting by Michele Kambas; Editing by Frances Kerry) Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast / Photos U.S. Department of Justice / Getty On Thursday morning, Omar Ameen appeared, clad in a red jumpsuit and via remote video, in an initial removal hearing to confront some of the most serious charges that a potential deportee can face. The Department of Homeland Security contends that Ameen, an Uber driver and father of four, is in fact a leading member of a feared ISIS hit squad, and that he murdered a police officer in his native Iraq before lying on his refugee application about his terrorist connections in an elaborate plot to gain admission into the United States. The fact that each of those accusations was obliterated in federal court just last month is, to the Department of Homeland Security at least, of little consequence. Ameens hearing, conducted remotely, is the latest installment in a three-year saga of a man who sought freedom and safety in the West, only to become the victim of what his legal team calls an attempted frame job by a crooked Iraqi militia leader with an ancestral grudge and financial incentive to lieand of the Trump administrations fervent desire to justify ending the nations refugee program for good. Now, years after he was first arrested on bogus charges, the 47-year-old is still being held in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention on those same charges, facing removal to a country where his chief accuser has vowed to have him executed. There is just a level of insanity from the government on this case that is just remarkable, given that theyve pursued a lie and dont seem to recognize it, said Rachelle Barbour, Ameens federal defender in his now-dismissed extradition case. Barbour likened ICEs decision to detain Ameen Trumpian, part of an institutional legacy of hostility to due process in the immigration system that she had hoped would end with the Biden administration. We are back doing this again, as if we have not tread all this ground? As if they have learned nothing? Barbour said. I totally understood this under Trump. But how are we doing this again? Arent they ashamed of themselves? Story continues Ameen grew up, like his parents and grandparents before him, in the village of Rawah in northwestern Iraq. Even before the U.S. invasion and the subsequent civil war, Rawah was a place where grudges lasted for generations, and where guilt-by-blood-association could be enough to threaten your life. Ameens own father had been murdered by al Qaeda and his brother had been kidnapped by a Shiite militia, according to his application for refugee status. Fearing increasing threats from enemies of a cousin affiliated with al Qaeda, Ameen left Iraq in 2012. He initially entered Turkey on a tourist visa, then began the refugee application process for himself, his wife Khansaa, and his three young children. Ameens application, which like all potential refugees included a thorough background check, was eventually approved, and in November 2014, his family was resettled in the United Statesfive out of 69,975 people who were admitted that year. The family moved from Utah, the location of their initial resettlement, to Sacramento, joining a growing Iraqi diaspora in northern California. Ameen became an Uber driver and part-time mechanic, and he and Khansaa had a fourth child as they both pursued green cards to obtain permanent resident status in the United States. But on Aug. 15, 2018, their lives were upended. Dozens of FBI agents swarmed the familys home, and Ameen was arrested on charges of murdering Ihsan Jasim, a former Iraqi police officer, in his hometown of Rawah. The Iraqi government was seeking Ameens extradition in order to try him for the murder, a crime witnessed by the victims nephew, known in court documents only as Person Five. Person Five, according to DOJ filings reviewed by The Daily Beast, alleged that Ameen was a Tom Clancy-esque terrorist mastermind: a member of al Qaeda in Iraq, a close friend of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, and the commander of a hit squad that had terrorized Rawah for months. Biden Raises Cap on Refugee Admissions After Outrage The claims were facially ludicrousnot least because Ameen and his family were living in Turkey at the time the murder was allegedly committed. Despite ironclad alibis placing him in another country, Person Five claimed that Ameen had actually left Turkey in the middle of his refugee application process. Ameen then allegedly traversed 600 miles of war-torn Syria and the deserts of Al Anbar, climbed the ranks of an ISIS militia without being spotted by residents of a village hed lived in since birth, murdered Ihsan Jasim, and then returned to the Turkish coast just in time to be resettled in the United States. Person Fives accusations did not exist in a vacuum, however. The teenager, who suffered from a self-described psychological condition, which he discussed with FBI agents in Iraq, lived in the home of Colonel Abd al-Jabbar Barzan, a leader in a local militia who accepted payments in exchange for furnishing evidence against supposed terroristsand whose family had feuded with Ameens for decades over an alleged dispute that led to Barzans family being expelled from the community. At the time of his arrest, Ameen had no idea how specious the evidence against him wasthat his accusers were demonstrably crooked, vengeful or simply manipulated, and that credulous U.S. investigators had taken blatantly flawed evidence at face value. All he knew was that the supposed murder took place when he was two countries away. Ameen was so convinced that the charges were a mistake that he didnt even kiss his family goodbye before being taken into custody. Hes never been able to hug or kiss them since, Barbour said. Ameens arrest made headlines around the world, with the help of Trump-era Department of Justice press releases that made him out to be a borderline supervillain brought down by the departments of Justice, State, and Homeland Security. The notion of a wanted murderer and ISIS terrorist slipping through the cracks of the refugee admissions process added legitimacy to Trumps long-held view that allowing refugeesparticularly Muslimsinto the United States amounted to welcoming a Trojan horse into the country. One month after Ameens arrest, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the government was slashing the cap on refugees allowed into the country by a third, to 30,000 peoplea decision that Pompeo linked directly to Ameens arrest. This year, we have seen evidence that the system previously in place was defective, Pompeo said in September 2018. It allowed a foreign national to slip through who was later discovered to be a member of ISIS, as well as other individuals with criminal backgrounds. The American people must have complete confidence that everyone granted resettlement in our country is thoroughly vetted. The security checks take time, but theyre critical. It didnt take much time for Ameens public defense team to do their own security checks, however. But despite the obvious holes in the case for Ameens extradition to Iraqwhere Barzan had vowed to try him for murder himselfthe standards for freeing him were higher than a typical criminal trial. It wouldnt be enough to demonstrate reasonable doubt: Ameens legal team would have to legally obliterate (the actual legal term) the governments case. We had to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he did not commit this crime, Barbour said. You have to obliterate probable cause, and almost no one has ever been found to obliterate probable cause. And we did. It took more than two yearsand aggressive press coverage of the supposed evidence behind his arrest, led by the New Yorkerbut Ameens team was able to obtain cellphone records showing that he was in Turkey at the time of Jasims murder. In his order declining extradition, Judge Edmund F. Brennan, chief magistrate judge of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California, called the defenses evidence decisive on the most salient point: Ameen was in Turkey, not Iraq, on the day of the murder. Unless there are pending domestic charges on which the government can justify Ameens continued detention, it is ordered that Omar Abdulsatar Ameen be immediately released from custody, Brennan wrote on April 21. At the time of writing, the court has not been made aware of any such pending charges. But unbeknownst to Brennan, ICE had filed a notice to appear on the day that Ameen was arrested in 2018, charging him with visa fraud for willfully misrepresenting a material fact in his refugee applicationnamely, that he had never been affiliated with a terrorist group or committed a crime overseas. That case was effectively frozen during Ameens extradition proceedings, but was unfrozen when Brennan sought to release him. Now, Ameen must fight the same charges he just defeated, or be deported back to Iraq, where his legal team fears he faces almost certain death at the hands of Barzan and his affiliates. In a statement, ICE declared simply that Ameen was charged based on misrepresentations on applications for admission, and that he is in ICE custody pending removal proceedings. The burden of proof is now on the government, and Ameens legal team will be vehemently contesting everything that has been submitted by the Department of Homeland Security against him, as Siobhan Waldron, Ameens immigration attorney, told the immigration judge on Thursday. But immigration proceedingsdeath penalty cases in a traffic court setting, as the head of the immigration judges union once quippedcan take months. Ameens next hearing wont be until late July, almost three years to the day since he was arrested on bogus charges. It just feels like corruption, all the way down, Barbour said, and Im sorry to say that because I was really hoping for more from this administration. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now! Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. (Reuters) - Federal agents in Alabama on Friday arrested a Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduate student accused of killing a Yale University student in February, ending a months-long nationwide hunt, local media reported. The U.S. Marshals Service said it took Qinxuan Pan into custody in Alabama, an ABC news affiliate in New Haven, Connecticut reported. Pan was wanted in the Feb. 6 killing of Kevin Jiang, a 26-year-old graduate student at the Yale School of the Environment, located in New Haven, about 80 miles (129 km) northeast of New York City. Jiang was shot to death outside his car, a murder that rattled the prestigious Ivy League schools campus. On March 1, U.S. Marshals began a nationwide hunt for Pan, offering $10,000 for information leading to his arrest. At the time, the agency said Pan was last seen in the early morning hours on Feb. 11 driving with family members in Brookhaven or Duluth, Georgia. The U.S. Marshals Service was unavailable for comment on Friday. Pan was enrolled in the electrical engineering and computer science department at MIT, itself an elite school not far from the suspects last known address in Malden, Massachusetts. Police have not disclosed a suspected motive in the killing. The murder took place near the apartment of Jiangs fiancee, Zion Perry, also a Yale graduate student, the New Haven Independent reported on Feb. 11. Perry and Pan had crossed paths at MIT, where she earned her undergraduate degree, according to the newspaper, which published a photo of the two at a social gathering in March 2020. There was no evidence to suggest Perry and Pan had a romantic relationship, the Independent said. (Reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Chicago; Editing by Cynthia Osterman) Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast/Getty/Handout A Deputy U.S. Marshal was indicted this week for allegedly orchestrating a wild scheme with his then-wife to frame an innocent ex-girlfriend as a rape predator and have her thrown in jail for months. Ian R. Diaz, a 43-year-old from Brea, California, was hit with a slew of charges on Wednesday, including conspiracy to commit cyberstalking, the Department of Justice said in a Friday news release. Prosecutors allege that Ian and Angela Maria Diaz, who has not been indicted but is named a co-conspirator, created a fake online persona for Ians ex-girlfriend Michelle Hadley in 2016, and used it to send themselves harassing and threatening messages and post online ads inviting people to engage in rape fantasies against Angela. The newly unsealed indictment alleges the pair even used the profiles to set up a fake sexual assault on Angela Diaz, and then tried to conceal their bizarre scheme by using a fake email account, virtual private networks, and even talking to each other on encrypted messaging apps. I Wanted Trump to Win: Husband Charged in Wifes Murder Also Used Her Name to Vote Diaz and his then-wife then reported this conduct to local law enforcement, falsely claiming that [Hadley] posed a genuine and serious threat to Diaz and his then-wife, the news release said. Local officials arrested Hadley at the time and detained her in jail for nearly three months for conduct for which they framed her and in fact perpetrated themselves. The scheme seemed to quickly fall apart after Hadleys arrest. While the indictment doesnt detail how the ruse came to light, Angela Diaz, 32, was arrested in 2016. She was later sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple charges. (It is not immediately clear why it took another four years for Ian Diaz to be indicted.) Two years later, Hadley sued the city of Anaheim, the Anaheim Police Department, and the Diazes, alleging officers initially ignored a mountain of evidence that showed the couple was framing her. Wednesdays indictment also charges Diaz with perjuring himself in a 2019 deposition for the lawsuit. (The city settled the suit for an undisclosed amount last month.) Story continues Almost five years ago our client reported that her ex-boyfriend was stalking and impersonating her online, Maggie McLetchie and Carrie Goldberg, who represented Hadley in her civil suit, said in a statement to The Daily Beast. Instead, it was our client who was arrested after her ex and his wife framed her in an elaborate, but shoddily executed plot. The most basic competence with digital evidence and intimate partner violence would have revealed to Anaheim police officers that she was being framed. While Hadley was exonerated of the dozen sex crime felonies she was accused of, her ex was never held accountable until today, they said. It was our clients bravery and diligence in bringing her civil suit...that exposed the holes in Anaheims investigation and the cover-up of the cover-up. Let this be a lesson to all abusersthe law will catch up to you. Even if you are a law enforcer. Michelle Hadley was wrongfully arrested (left) but later fought back by filing a civil suit and sharing her story publicly. Orange County District Attorney's Office/Carrie Goldberg and Maggie McLetchie According to Diazs indictment, he and Hadleywho is identified as Jane Doe in the filing but who later identified herself in a BuzzFeed story and the civil suitjointly bought a condo in Anaheim when they were dating in June 2015 but they broke up two months later. Despite Hadley financing the down payment, she moved out and, by January, Diaz was living there with his new fiancee. Prosecutors state Hadley and Diaz were in the middle of an ongoing dispute over the condo when the plot to harass and intimidate her by framing her took shape. Diaz wanted, in part, to dissuade her from kicking him out of the condo, the indictment says. The Diazes allegedly created online accounts using fake namessome using Hadleys name or variations of it, prosecutors state. The couple, who had by now married, then sent themselves harassing and threatening emailsseveral of which contained express or implied threats to harm Angela. Some of those messages, the indictment says, contained threatening language and photos of dead fetuses. The indictment says that, on June 13, 2016, the Diazes also posted personal ads on Craigslist seeking people to come to the condo and engage in a rape fantasy with Angela. Their hope was to stage a non-consensual sexual assault on [Angela] with the other party believing that the sexual encounter would be consensual. That same day, Ian Diaz communicated with at least one potential participantthen called the police. The indictment states that the couple told the cops they were scared for their safety, insisting that Hadley was harassing them and needs to be in fucking cuffs and in a padded room. Ian Diaz told local police that he investigates threats made to federal judges and prosecutors as part of his work as a Deputy United States Marshal and that he has never seen anything like this, the indictment states. At what point does this girl get arrested for sending this shit and hiring guys off Craigslist to rape [Angela Diaz], Ian Diaz told police in another interview. He urged officers to arrest her, saying she was hiding out at her parents house. The next day, the indictment states, Ian Diaz allegedly texted another Craigslist user in an attempt to lure him to the condo to further prove Hadley should be arrested. The Diazes also allegedly staged one or more hoax sexual assaults and hoax attempted sexual assaults, including one false alarm in which Angela called 911 to report that shed been sexually assaulted outside the condo and Hadley was responsible, causing Hadley to be arrested. According to news reports about Angela Diazs case, she had red marks on her neck and breast to make the false assault look real. Angela Diaz Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Even after initial Hadleys arrest, the Diazes kept posting rape fantasy ads on Craigslist. Ian even used his personal cell phone to authenticate and approve one of the posts, then canceled his cell service the next day, the indictment states. Hadley was reportedly released on a $100,000 bond but was arrested again in July, 2016, and remained in custody until about October. Authorities eventually dropped the charges when an investigation proved Hadley was not involved. To conceal their plan, Ian Diaz allegedly created another email address for a different former girlfriend to communicate in secret with Angela. He even used that account on his work cell phone assigned to him by the United States Marshals Service, prosecutors say. When the conspiracy began to unravel in late 2016, Diaz threw his then-wife under the bus, stating she was solely responsible for framing [Hadley], the indictment says. Diaz represented to local law enforcement officials that he initially became suspicious of [his wife] in or about early August 2016, when he received emails from the account he in fact created on July 31, 2016, and that he previously accessed using his work phone, the indictment states. The indictment does not say if the Diazes divorced but refers to Angela as Ians then-wife. In a statement to The Daily Beast, the U.S. Marshals Service said they are aware of the arrest and indictment of Deputy U.S. Marshal Ian R. Diaz and are cooperating fully with the Department of Justice Office of Inspector Generals investigation of the matter. We take seriously any allegation of misconduct by our personnel. The alleged actions of this employee do not reflect the core values of the U.S. Marshals Service, and Diaz has been relieved of his operational duties and placed on administrative leave, the statement added. An attorney for Diaz did not immediately respond for comment. Read more at The Daily Beast. Get our top stories in your inbox every day. Sign up now! Daily Beast Membership: Beast Inside goes deeper on the stories that matter to you. Learn more. Washington has repeatedly criticized what it says are Beijing's attempts to bully neighbors with competing interests, and U.S. President Joe Biden has sought to bolster ties with allies in the Indo-Pacific to counter China's growing power."We've been very clear, both publicly and privately, about the concerns that we have when we see China exerting economic coercion, generally and also specifically, with regard to our ally," Blinken said at a press briefing with visiting Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne."And we've made clear to the PRC how such actions targeting our closest partners and allies will hinder improvements in our own relationship with China," Blinken said, using the acronym for the country's official name.China has imposed a series of trade sanctions on Australian exports ranging from wine to coal as the two countries tensions have worsened in recent years. Video Transcript - We've been very clear both publicly and privately about the concerns that we have when we see China exerting economic coercion, generally and also specifically, with regard to our ally. We've made clear to the PRC how such actions targeting our closest partners and allies will hinder improvements in our own relationship with China. - We want a constructive relationship where we can discuss our differences, where we can work together for mutual benefit. But we won't compromise on our national security or our sovereignty, and we'll continue to act to protect that. (Corrects paragraph two to say many currently out of service, not few in service) By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said on Friday it was requiring U.S. operators of 143 Boeing Co 737 Classic series airplanes to check for possible wire failures stemming from an investigation into an Indonesia crash in January. The 737 Classic is an older generation of planes more than two decades old. The FAA said the issue affected 1,041 737-300, -400 and -500 Classic series airplanes worldwide, but many are currently out of service, because of COVID-19 or other issues. The FAA is issuing an airworthiness directive for operators to verify that the flap synchro wire, which plays a role in the operation of the aircrafts auto-throttle system, is securely connected to a safety sensor. The wire failure could go undetected by the auto-throttle computer on affected airplanes and pose a safety risk. The FAA is requiring some speedier checks than had been suggested by Boeing, which said late on Friday that it was "engaged in ongoing efforts to introduce safety and performance improvements across the fleet." The newer 737 MAX and 737 NG are unaffected by the directive. The FAA and Boeing identified the potential problem during the investigation of the Jan. 9 crash of Sriwijaya Air Flight 182 in the Indonesian capital. Indonesias third major airline crash in just over six years shone a spotlight on the southeast Asian nations poor air safety record. All 62 aboard were killed after the 26-year-old Boeing Co 737-500 crashed into the Java Sea soon after takeoff from Jakarta. The FAA said there was no evidence the flap synchro wire issue had a role in the accident though the possibility of a failed connection presented a safety concern warranting prompt attention. In February, Indonesias National Transportation Safety Committee (KNKT) said the plane had an imbalance in engine thrust that eventually led it into a sharp roll before a final dive into the sea. Story continues There had been two prior problems reported with the autothrottle system that automatically controls engine power based on maintenance logs, but the issue was rectified four days before the crash, the agency said. Boeing issued a March 30 message to operators directing them to perform electronic checks of the auto-throttle computer to confirm the wire is connected within 250 flight hours. The FAA is requiring the initial test within 250 flight hours or two months from now, whichever occurs first, "to ensure that airplanes with low utilization rates are addressed in a timely manner." Operators must then make repairs, if needed. The FAA said a faulty connection could result in the failure of the auto-throttle system to detect the position of the aircrafts flaps if the planes engines were operating at different thrust settings due to another malfunction. The FAA is requiring follow-on inspections every 2,000 flight hours after the first. Affected U.S. operators are Aloha Air Cargo, DHL, iAero Airways, Kalitta Charters and Northern Air Cargo, the FAA said. (Reporting by David Shepardson in Washington; Editing by Matthew Lewis and Clarence Fernandez) The U.S. government believes Russian military intelligence is behind a series of mysterious attacks on U.S. diplomats and military personnel. The attacks reportedly cause pain, loss of balance, and debilitating injuries that last for weeks or months. The U.S. government believes the weapon uses microwave radiation, but its unclear how such a weapon would work. The U.S. government reportedly believes Russias military intelligence organization may be behind a series of attacks against U.S. military and diplomatic personnel. Join Pop Mech Pro for exclusive access to the internets most elite military tech content. Officials suspect Russias GRU spy agency is somehow using a microwave radiation weapon to target U.S. personnel on American soil and abroad, causing neurological-related health issues and brain damage, according to Politico. How such a weapon would work, however, isnt clear. President Joe Bidens administration is taking reports of the attacks seriously enough to involve all 18 federal intelligence agencies, and CIA Director William Burns is receiving daily updates on the investigations progress, Politico reports. A 2020 State Department-commissioned report from the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine found the purported attacks began in 2016, shortly after former President Barack Obamas administration opened up diplomatic relations with Cuba. That year, U.S. diplomatic personnel stationed at the embassy in Havana began suffering from unusual physical symptoms linked with the onset of strange sounds. From the report: For some of these patients, their case began with the sudden onset of a loud noise, perceived to have directional features, and accompanied by pain in one or both ears or across a broad region of the head, and in some cases, a sensation of head pressure or vibration, dizziness, followed in some cases by tinnitus, visual problems, vertigo, and cognitive difficulties. Other personnel attached to the U.S. Consulate in Guangzhou, China, reported similar symptoms and signs to varying degrees, beginning in the following year. Story continues State Department personnel have also reported the attacks, sometimes called Havana Syndrome or The Thing, occurring in the U.S., including northern Virginia, Miami, and Philadelphia. Some diplomats reported experiencing repeated attacks both abroad and back home, as though whoever was mounting them was specifically following them. U.S. troops in Syria have also reported unusual, unexplained illnesses. In 2017, independent medical analysis confirmed at least some of the individuals targeted suffered serious injuries. Although many of the affected individuals reported symptoms eventually went away, some personnel reported chronic effects including nausea, fatigue, insomnia, headaches, cognitive deficits, and memory loss. The GRU, or Glavnoye Razvedyvatelnoye Upravlenie (Organization of the Main Intelligence Administration) is the intelligence arm of the Russian military. Officials suspect the GRU is behind several attempted assassination and sabotage campaigns against U.S., other western, and Russian expatriates including the poisoning of ex-GRU officer Sergei Skripalas well as poisonings in Bulgaria, sabotage operations in Ukraine and Czechia, and cyberattacks in Georgia . U.S. officials also suspect the GRU hacked Democratic Party servers in 2016 as well as U.S. government agencies and critical infrastructure, which resulted in the federal indictment of several GRU officials. Cuba has historically been in the Soviet, and later Russian sphere of influence. Moscow tenaciously defends its historical turf, going so far as to intervene militarily in the civil war of its longtime ally Syria. Its possible that Russian intelligence, fearing the loss of Cuba to the American orbit, undertook a campaign of harassment against American diplomats in Cuba. The State Department assessment found there was significant research in Russia/USSR into the effects of pulsed radio frequencies. This could have resulted in the development of a portable, nonlethal, covert weapon designed to exploit something called the Frey Effect. In 1961, American neuroscientist Alan Frey discovered certain frequencies could induce a physiological effect in test subjects, and that modulating the [radiofrequency] energy could produce a variety of effects including the perception of buffeting of the head or pressure on the face/head without dizziness or nausea, a pins and needles sensation, and a sound described as a buzz, clicking, hiss, or knocking within the head. However, as Foreign Policy points out , theres considerable debate over whether the Frey effect actually exists. Theres no evidence that any country has developed or deployed such a weapon, which would require a 2,200-watt generator or up to 200 laptop batteries as an energy source. Foreign Policys Cheryl Rofer, a former chemist at Los Alamos National Labs, calls the evidence for microwave effects reported by U.S. personnel exceedingly weak. We may never know whos behind the attacks, and what kind of weapon is being used. We do know that people have suffered real, serious injuries. But as Rofer writes, extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof. It seems like nothing short of the capture of one of these weaponsif they actually existwill settle the issue. Now Watch This: You Might Also Like Eager to show progress on the pledge to make its platform and business anti-racist, Uber on Friday announced new anti-racism driver and rider campaigns, as well as fresh internal hiring practices, Axios was first to report. Why it matters: Uber is one of the biggest ride hailing companies in the world. Its decisions impact the millions that use the platform, where drivers and riders alike say they have experienced racism. Stay on top of the latest market trends and economic insights with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free Flashback: George Floyd's death lit a spark within corporations that were pushed by employees and consumers to reckon with how their practices perpetuate systemic racism. Last July, Uber laid out 14 commitments to combat racism and support the Black community. One of the features that Uber launched to support Black-owned restaurants was $0 delivery fees. On Friday, Uber reported it fulfilled 3.5 million of those orders for all of 2020. Whats new: Uber started a two-fold pilot program in Brazil this week that involves buying ad space at places like bus stops to drive awareness of in-app training. The ads include examples of language and actions that Uber won't tolerate taken from real user reports. Uber says next steps will involve adding videos about systemic racism onto the app to 23 million users and partners. The company expects to launch similar initiatives in the U.S. later this year. The company also updated its reporting system to allow drivers and riders to identify specific discriminatory interactions, and enhanced the way it will process those reports. Inside the company: Uber hired its first inclusive design lead, Erica Ellis, who started in March, to oversee the building of features and products that are accessible and usable by as many people as possible. The company also says it changed its hiring strategy to add 2-4 weeks of sourcing time to ensure a "pipeline" of diverse candidates. Uber says it's also started applying the Mansfield Rule, which it piloted in 2019, to certain functions at the company. Yes, but: Companies have often been accused of being performative, and temporarily shifting dollars and attention to communities impacted by large visible acts of systemic racism. Story continues These commitments were made specifically for the Black community but that doesn't mean our anti-racism efforts are limited to the Black community, Uber spokesperson Lois Van Der Laan told Axios. "We will continue to work hard to fight racism and inequality both within, and outside our company. The big picture: Many companies rushed to show support for the Black community following the murder of Floyd. Expect more updates like this in coming weeks. More from Axios: Sign up to get the latest market trends with Axios Markets. Subscribe for free Britain still plans to hold an in-person global climate summit in Glasgow later this year despite the pandemic, the event's president said Friday, calling it the planet's "last hope" of averting catastrophe. COP26 will gather climate negotiators from 196 countries and the European Union, along with businesses, experts and world leaders in the Scottish city between November 1-12. There has been growing speculation the landmark summit -- the biggest climate talks since the 2015 Paris negotiation -- could be held virtually as coronavirus continues to ravage countries around the world. Some fear swathes of delegates may be unable to attend in person due to outbreaks. But British lawmaker and COP26 president Alok Sharma said in a keynote speech Friday -- heralding six months until the event's conclusion -- that the UK government would persevere with holding a physical gathering. "The desire for one is what I've been hearing loud and clear from governments and communities around the world," he said from a windfarm near Glasgow. "So, we are planning for a physical summit, where ensuring the safety of delegates in the local community will be paramount." Sharma added that organisers were exploring "every possible Covid security measure" -- including testing and vaccines -- and would share its plans "in due course". COP26 was originally scheduled for November 2020 but was pushed back due to the pandemic. - 'Brighter future' - In his wide-ranging speech setting out the UK's priorities for the summit, Sharma warned it must be the moment all countries coalesce around firm plans to keep temperature rises below 1.5 degrees celsius. "This is our last hope of keeping 1.5 degrees alive," he warned. Scientists say any increases beyond that will trigger uncontrollable climate change. It is also "our best chance of building a brighter future. A future of green jobs and cleaner air", Sharma added Story continues The COP26 head warned the world was still not on track to limit warming to 2C, let alone 1.5C, which was the figure agreed in the Paris agreement. That deal committed nations to resubmit their emissions cutting plans -- known as NDCs -- every five years with enhanced green ambition. Yet many of the largest emitters have so far failed to do so and countries have not even agreed on a unified rulebook governing how the Paris agreement works in practice. The UN says that emissions must fall nearly eight percent annually to keep 1.5C in play -- equivalent to the emissions saved during the pandemic every single year through 2030. Sharma noted all G7 nations now have 2030 emissions reduction targets, aligned with 2050 net zero aims, but conceded "there is much, much more to be done". - 'Emperor with no clothes' - Friday's speech had a particular focus on the world's reliance on coal, with Sharma arguing its days as the cheapest form of power were over. He also took aim at polluting vehicles and other troublesome emissions. "Glasgow must be the COP that consigns coal power to history. The COP that signals the end of polluting vehicles. The COP that tackles methane emissions," Sharma said. The British government, however, has been embroiled in controversy -- and accusations of double-standards -- over plans for a deep-coal mine in northwest England. Plans were put on hold, despite initial approval, while environmentalists were furious for ministers indicating it could license new North Sea oil and gas drilling. Responding to the speech, Oxfam's climate policy advisor Tracy Carty warned Britain risked sending "completely the wrong signal". "While the UK Government's climate commitments are world leading, it must now avoid looking like the emperor with no clothes," she said. Greenpeace UK's Kate Blagojevic added: "If the government wants to be climate leaders, it's time they act like it." jwp-jj/phz/jz KYIV (Reuters) - Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmygal has formally asked parliament to sack Health Minister Maksym Stepanov, Inferfax Ukraine reported on Friday, citing the press service of the parliament speaker. Parliament has the power to appoint or fire government ministers. Interfax Ukraine separately quoted Stepanov as saying he had not submitted his resignation. (Reporting by Natalia Zinets; writing by Matthias Williams; editing by Chris Reese) Ukraine on Friday inaugurated a symbolic wooden synagogue -- built in the shape of a book -- at Babi Yar, site of one of the largest massacres of Jews during World War II. On September 29-30, 1941, more than 33,000 men, women and children were murdered at the Babi Yar ravine on the outskirts of Kiev, one of the biggest single mass killings of the Holocaust. The ravine is also called Babyn Yar. "The symbolic synagogue is a big step towards restoring the memory of all those who died in this place," Prime Minister Denys Shmygal said at the ceremony. The synagogue was built by the Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center which also plans to build a major memorial at the site. The place of worship has been designed to open like a pop-up book and is decorated with prayers. "The synagogue book is decorated with patterns and texts of prayers that recreate the traditional interior of ancient synagogues in western Ukraine, destroyed during World War II and the Holocaust," its creators said. "The ceiling of the synagogue is decorated with patterns in the form of a map of the starry sky, reproducing the position of the stars on September 29, 1941 - the first day of the mass shootings in Babyn Yar." The synagogue was built of old oak wood collected from abandoned buildings across Ukraine. Currently the site features a monument built by the Soviet authorities in 1976. It is dedicated to "Soviet citizens and prisoners of war" and does not mention any Jewish victims. In 1991, a month after the fall of the Soviet Union, the Jewish community erected a sculpture in the shape of a menorah nearby. - 'Humanity and self-sacrifice' - The synagogue inauguration came as Ukraine marked for the first time the Day of Remembrance of Ukrainians who saved Jews during World War II. "Their feat is an example of humanity & self-sacrifice," tweeted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who is of Jewish descent. Story continues More than 2,600 Ukrainians have been recognised as "Righteous Among the Nations" by the Holocaust memorial Yad Vashem in Jerusalem for putting their lives in danger by saving Jews. Babi Yar was the scene of mass executions until 1943: up to 100,000 people were killed there, including Jews, gypsies, and Soviet prisoners of war. The carnage by Nazi forces at Babi Yar has caused years of soul-searching and debate in Ukraine over the participation of local collaborators in the killings and atrocities that followed. The Babyn Yar Holocaust Memorial Center has provoked controversy in Ukraine and been accused of pushing a Moscow view of the tragedy. Russian filmmaker Ilya Khrzhanovsky, artistic director of the center, has been criticised for plans to turn the future complex into a "Holocaust Disneyland" offering visitors a chance to experience the massacre in the role of either victim or executioner. ant-dg/as/bp BANGKOK (AP) Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha promised a United Nations special envoy on Friday that he will not force back people fleeing violence in neighboring Myanmar, where the military ousted a democratically elected government in February. U.N. Special Envoy on Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgener told Prayuth in a meeting in Bangkok that she hopes Thailand will help find ways to work with Myanmars military to ease the crisis, the prime ministers office said in a statement. People across Myanmar have participated in massive protests against the military coup. A violent crackdown by the military has cost hundreds of lives. The military is also battling ethnic guerrilla armies in border regions that are seeking greater autonomy from the central government and support the pro-democracy protesters. Prayuth told Schraner Burgener that Thailand is closely monitoring the situation on the border with Myanmar and has prepared several areas to shelter refugees and provide medical treatment, the statement said. Last month, several thousand villagers from Myanmars eastern state of Karen fled to Thailand following airstrikes by Myanmar military planes in territory held by the Karen ethnic minority. They were allowed to stay for a few days and then returned to Myanmar. Thai officials said they went voluntarily. Refugee workers say most of the refugees hid out in the jungle and did not return to their homes. Close to 50,000 people are estimated to have been displaced by fighting in Karen areas since the beginning of the year. The escalation of violence and the juntas failure to restore order has led to fears that Myanmar could become a failed state, impacting neighboring Thailand and the whole region. Prayuth told Schraner Burgener his government is ready to listen and exchange information about Myanmar, according to the statement. There was no immediate comment from the U.N. envoy. Prayuth, a former army commander who also came to power by ousting an elected civilian government, is perceived to have a close relationship with the head of Myanmars military government, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing. Story continues Schraner Burgener has been based in Thailand since April. She says she plans to stay in the region in the coming weeks to remain in close contact with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to support the implementation of a five-point consensus on the Myanmar crisis reached by its leaders at a special meeting in Jakarta on April 24. It calls for the immediate cessation of violence, a dialogue among all concerned parties, mediation of the dialogue by an ASEAN special envoy, provision of humanitarian aid through ASEAN channels and a visit to Myanmar by the special envoy to meet all concerned parties. Min Aung Hlaings government has since indicated it will consider the ASEAN agreement only after reestablishing stability. While the juntas use of lethal force to suppress mass protests has reduced turnouts at protest rallies in Myanmars cities and towns, the level of civil unrest remains high. Some groups of protesters have embraced armed self-defense, often using only air guns, single-shot hunting rifles and homemade grenades and firebombs. On Thursday, the junta announced the imposition of martial law in Mindat township in the western state of Chin, which borders India. The remote area has been one of the most militant in putting up armed resistance to the security forces, who have suffered casualties in almost daily confrontations. - Associated Press journalist Jerry Harmer contributed to this report. JACKSON, Miss. (AP) Days after National Guard members killed four Kent State University students who were protesting the Vietnam War, white police officers marched onto the campus of a historically Black college in Mississippis capital city to violently suppress protests against racism. Officers shot indiscriminately after someone threw a bottle. The gunfire killed two people, injured 12 and shattered windows of a womens dormitory where officers claimed falsely that they had seen a sniper. Students who earned degrees that year received their diplomas in the mail, if at all. Now, a lifetime later, Jackson State University is honoring the Class of 1970 in a ceremony delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. Grads are invited back for a salute to their academic achievements, with organizers expecting about 70 of the 400-plus class members for Saturday's ceremony. James Lap Baker is now retired from a career in urban planning, but he'll be wearing a cap and gown for the bachelors in geography he completed that year. Baker vividly recalls crawling through the grass the night of the shootings to return unharmed to his off-campus apartment. He believes officers planned the assault on Black students. No officer ever faced criminal charges, and an all-white jury awarded no money to the Black victims' families in a civil lawsuit. I call it a massacre, Baker told The Associated Press on Wednesday. Uprisings against the Vietnam War happened on many U.S. college campuses in 1970. The National Guard attack on unarmed student protesters at Kent State in Ohio still largely overshadows the bloodshed at Jackson State, where Baker said racist behavior by local white residents was the big issue. During the '60s and into 1970, white people driving to downtown Jackson would often use a busy street through the campus of what was then Jackson State College, and some would yell racial slurs, throw bottles and endanger Black pedestrians. Story continues Disturbances broke out the nights of May 13 and 14 at Jackson State, according to a report published in September 1970 by the President's Commission on Campus Unrest. Appointed by then-President Richard Nixon, the panel investigated events at Kent State, Jackson State and elsewhere. Based on interviews with witnesses, the commission reported that on the night of May 14, false rumors spread that Mississippi civil rights leader Charles Evers had been killed. He was elected in 1969 as mayor of Fayette and became the first Black person since Reconstruction to lead a multiracial city in the state. His brother, Mississippi NAACP leader Medgar Evers, was assassinated in Jackson in 1963. Baker said he doesn't remember hearing that rumor. He recalled Black students were fed up with racist behavior by white people. The commission reported that people on campus had been throwing rocks at white motorists. Students gathered outside the Alexander Hall women's dormitory and B.F. Roberts dining hall across the street some protesting, others simply enjoying each other's company as women returned to the dorm before curfew. Officers from the Jackson Police Department and the Mississippi Highway Patrol marched onto campus. You could hear them marching in shoom, shoom, shoom, shoom, Baker said, imitating the sound. After midnight May 15, a Highway Patrol officer using a bullhorn addressed students, Baker said. Someone in the crowd threw a bottle that shattered. When he stepped out and said, May I have your attention please, thats when the bottle was thrown and all hell broke loose," Baker recalled. A Jackson TV reporter recorded 28 seconds of gunfire, the commission reported. When it ended, 21-year-old Phillip Gibbs and 17-year-old James Green were dead. Twelve others were bleeding. Windows of Alexander Hall were shattered, and walls were left with pockmarks still visible today. Gibbs was a Jackson State pre-law student who was married and had one son with another on the way. Green was a high school student who lived near campus, and had been walking home from his job at a convenience store, said Gloria Green McCray, one of his eight siblings. She recalled hearing shots that night. McCray said her brother, a year older than her, was handsome, funny and kind. He had the personality of Bill Cosby, the look of Billy Dee Williams, McCray said. Their mother walked in Green's place when his Jim Hill High School class graduated weeks after he was killed. She said the hardest experience she had was losing her child, McCray said of their mother, who died about five years ago. Jackson State is awarding posthumous honorary doctorate degrees to Gibbs and Green. Their sisters will accept those McCray for Green and Nerene Gibbs Wray for Gibbs. The once-busy street through campus was closed years ago and turned into a pedestrian zone named the Gibbs-Green Memorial Plaza. Saturday's ceremony takes place there. It reclaims the heart of the campus for alumni who built fond memories there, long before the shooting started. ____ Follow Emily Wagster Pettus on Twitter at http://twitter.com/EWagsterPettus. With gasoline once again flowing through the Colonial Pipeline network, consumers will soon forget about the ransomware attack that disrupted gas supplies on the East Coast for about a week, starting May 7. But Americans are increasingly paying the cost of ransomware attacks and other types of cybercrime, as a sort of hidden tax that would generate outrage if it showed up on a bill in the mail. After a group called DarkSide disabled Colonials computer network, the company reportedly paid nearly $5 million in ransom for tools to unlock their system, according to Bloomberg. So what? Its a big company with plenty of cash that can afford to pay for its own mistakes. It may even have had cybercrime insurance that covered the cost. The so-what, however, is that companies pass on costs to consumers whenever they can. And the costs of cybercrime are mounting, for everybody. Holding businesses digitally hostage is now so lucrative that its a whole new field known as ransomeware as a service, or RaaS. In 2020, there were nearly 2,400 ransomware attacks on government agencies, schools and health care facilities. That doesnt include businesses. Much of the time, victims pay up without acknowledging the breach, to avoid revealing a vulnerability, or plain embarrassment. Data theft is big business Ransomware, data theft and other types of digital crimes have grown from a niche activity into a giant industry that will cost the world economy about $6 trillion this year, according to Cybersecurity Ventures. The United States accounts for 24% of world GDP, so if we bear the same portion of the worlds cybercrime burden, thats $1.4 trillion per year, or $5,400 per every American adult. Image showing the Colonial Pipeline Houston Station facility in Pasadena, Texas (East of Houston) taken on May 10, 2021. (Photo by FRANCOIS PICARD/AFP via Getty Images) Thats not $5,400 that comes out of everybodys pocket, but its money companies spend on cybersecurity and remedial efforts and, occasionally, ransoms. Some of that is money companies would have to spend anyway, to keep computer networks up to date. But some of it is money they might invest more productively, if they werent fending off criminals at every node. This kind of preventive spending typically lowers growth and job creation. The cost is hard to spot because it amounts to jobs not created and wages that don't rise. Story continues The DarkSide hackers are supposedly shutting down their operation, for reasons that are unclear. President Biden said the group operates out of Russia, and it's possible the U.S. government leaned on Russia to exert pressure on the group. It's also possible DarkSide didn't want the publicity associated with the Colonial hack, and is simply going underground for a while. Hacking groups excel at Whack-a-Mole, often disbanding and resurfacing in slightly different form. Cybercrime will boom, regardless. It's so routine now that DarkSide operated like a normal business, promoting its hacking tools on the dark web to clients and taking a cut of 10% to 25% of whatever ransoms those clients collected. One analyst likened it to McDonalds, in the way it provided core products to franchisees who do the actual hacking, while assisting with web hosting and other services. Its not clear if Russian authorities could shut down DarkSide if they wanted to. And they may not want to. Russia actively promotes chaos in the societies of its democratic adversaries, and it may not mind at all if Russian hackers are sticking up American and European companies. DarkSide also seems to avoid targeting Russian firms, to stay on the right side of its host government. So if the Russian government is suppressing the group, it might tacitly allow its resurgence, once the Colonial incident blows over. (L-R) Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber and Emerging Technology Anne Neuberger and Homeland Security Advisor and Deputy National Security Advisor Dr. Elizabeth Sherwood-Randall speak about the Colonial Pipeline cyber attack during the daily press briefing at the White House on May 10, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Biden signed an executive order on May 12 meant to improve cybersecurity throughout the U.S. economy. That was in the works for some time and wasnt directly related to the Colonial Pipeline hack. In response to recent attacks such as the 2020 Solar Winds breach, Biden has placed new emphasis on cybersecurity. The new order will establish cybersecurity standards software vendors such as Microsoft and many others will have to meet to sell to the federal government. The White House hopes those same improved security features will appear on consumer versions of the software, patching holes nationwide. There will also be new federal efforts to probe breaches and recommend fixes. That could help, but it wont have the force of law requiring businesses and other organizations to beef up cybersecurity. Congress has tried to do that before, and failed, with some businesses saying it would impose unnecessary costs. But were all bearing unnecessary costs, from pricier goods to disrupted routines. Those costs seem likely to keep rising. Rick Newman is the author of four books, including "Rebounders: How Winners Pivot from Setback to Success. Follow him on Twitter: @rickjnewman. You can also send confidential tips, and click here to get Ricks stories by email. Read more: Get the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance ST. JOHN'S, Antigua (AP) West Indies will host South Africa, Australia and Pakistan in a summer of cricket involving four test matches, three one-day internationals and 15 Twenty20 games. South Africa, which will be touring the West Indies in a bilateral series for the first time since 2010, plays two test matches at St. Lucia, starting June 10. Grenada hosts five T20 games between the two teams from June 26 to July 3. Australia will play only white-ball cricket five Twenty20s at St. Lucia from July 9-16 and three ODIs at Barbados from July 20-24. Cricket West Indies and the Pakistan Cricket Board have agreed to replace one of their planned three test matches with two additional T20s, with both teams keeping an eye on this years Twenty20 World Cup in India. Barbados will host two T20s on July 27-28 while the remaining three T20s take place in Guyana from July 31 to Aug. 3. Jamaica has been chosen to host both test matches between West Indies and Pakistan. The first test starts Aug. 12. It is not yet determined whether fans will be able to attend matches in person, Cricket West Indies said. ___ More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports The White House is aware of the death of an unarmed, mentally ill inmate at a Charleston County jail whose Jan. 5 encounter with officers in the minutes before he died was captured on video and released publicly overnight, Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Friday. In response to a question from The State at a briefing with reporters, Psaki she could not speak to specifics of the case because there is an open investigation. However, Psaki said that President Joe Bidens focus and belief is that police reform is long overdue. Far too often, communities of color are living in fear and are exhausted by the threat, and the possibility of, of being in harms way and they should not feel that way, she added. Sutherlands family is calling for justice, calling his Jan. 5 death inside the Al Cannon Detention Center in Charleston County a murder. Sutherland, 31, died at 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 5 after he was due in bond court that morning. He had been arrested the day prior at Palmetto Lowcountry Behavioral Health, a mental health facility where Sutherland was admitted for treatment. Sutherland had previously been diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. He was arrested by North Charleston police on Jan. 4, and brought to the jail, where the next morning, officers removed him forcibly from his cell. Videos, including footage from officer body cameras, released Friday by the sheriffs office, show officers spraying what appears to be pepper spray into the cell. When that did not work, the officers opened Sutherlands cell, using a stun gun to subdue him and removed him from his cell. The manner of Sutherlands death is currently undetermined. But Charleston County Coroner Bobbi ONeal said a forensic autopsy determined his cause of death was excited state with adverse pharmacotherapeutic effect during subdual process. Sutherlands death highlights what many consider to be a failure to properly train law enforcement to deal with people with mental illness. Story continues An effort led by Congress and South Carolinas Republican Sen. Tim Scott, of North Charleston, to overhaul policing in the United States called the the Justice in Policing Act has yet to come to fruition, but the White House appeared hopeful Friday that a package could be finished soon. Psaki said Biden has set a May 25 timeline to get it done, what is the anniversary of George Floyds death. Floyd, a Black Minnesota man, died in May after a police officer knelt on his neck for longer than eight minutes, cutting of his ability to breathe. The police officer, Derek Chauvin, has since been convicted of murder in Floyds death. The negotiations and discussions are happening now with one of your home state members, Sen. Tim Scott, along with Sen. Cory Booker and Congresswoman Karen Bass. Theyre having discussions, those are ongoing and he is hopeful and looking forward to having a bill to his desk so he can sign it into law, Psaki said. But we are very engaged with them and keep abreast of the discussions. But we are leaving it to them to have a lot of the negotiations among themselves, among members. Caitlin Byrd contributed to this report. A controversial draft revision to Japan's immigration law has sparked fierce debate among lawmakers. It would change rules on detaining foreign nationals facing deportation orders. The ruling coalition wanted a Lower House committee meeting to vote on the bill on Friday. But the opposition bloc refused, criticizing parts of the draft. The government drew up the revision in response to the growing number of foreigners detained at immigration facilities. It would mean deportees who refuse to leave Japan could stay with family members or supporters under some circumstances. But it would also allow officials to deport foreigners even while their papers are still being processed. That would include people who have filed for refugee status three times or more, or have been sentenced to more than three years in prison. Opposition parties want that provision removed. They're also calling for limits on the time people spend in detention. As it stands now, asylum seekers can be held for long periods. The opposition also say they won't vote on the bill until more details emerge around the death of a Sri Lankan woman in detention. The woman in her 30s had overstayed her visa. She died in March at an immigration detention center in central Japan. Justice Minister Kamikawa Yoko says she's told immigration officials to honor the wishes of the woman's relatives, who are now in Japan partly to hold her funeral. Police in HCM City expelled 52 foreigners who were found illegally staying in the city. HCM City expels 52 illegal border crossers This is the second expulsion so far this year. The crossers admitted to crossing the border into northern Vietnam illegally with the help of a Vietnamese broker. They later took a bus to HCM City to find jobs or intended to continue to cross over into Cambodia. Colonel Nguyen Sy Quang, deputy head of the HCM City Police Department, said they would patrol and inspect accommodation facilities more frequently to prevent illegal crossings. Crossing borders illegally is an obvious violation and it is even more serious amid the ongoing pandemic when the virus can be spread easily. Recently, the police have prosecuted several Vietnamese people for organising illegal border crossings. Nguyen Van Thanh, born in 1995, was prosecuted after helping 13 foreigners enter and stay in Vietnam. Nguyen Van Huan, born in 1982, and Tran Hoai Thanh, born in 1981, were prosecuted for helping 11 foreigners enter and stay in Vietnam. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. Writer Beer & Society There is nothing that cannot be discussed and worked out over a beer. Join me as I explore local beer, breweries and how they can civilize us. Campus News UB to close Confucius Institute Among the numerous events hosted by the UB Confucius Institute were Chinese New Year celebrations, like this one that took place before the pandemic. By JAY REY Our support for our Chinese students, partners, remains very strong and we are deeply committed to further engaging our faculty and students in research, scholarship and service related to Chinese culture and studies. UB has decided to close the UB Confucius Institute after a successful, decade-long run promoting Chinese language and culture at the university and throughout the Buffalo region. The institute, located in the UB Commons, will be discontinued at the end of 2021. The decision to close the institute was made by President Satish K. Tripathi and Provost A. Scott Weber, who informed the institutes board of advisors on May 10. UBs collaborator in Beijing, Capital Normal University (CNU), and the local schools that took part in the institutes language program also have been informed. After careful consideration of all of the variables, we decided that in order to preserve and strengthen our long-standing relationship with CNU we would need to do so outside of the parameters of the Confucius Institute and in alignment with our research and education mission, Weber said. Our support for our Chinese students, partners, remains very strong and we are deeply committed to further engaging our faculty and students in research, scholarship and service related to Chinese culture and studies, he said. An interdecanal committee will be formed to explore how UB can further advance Chinese and Asian studies through its mission of research, education and service, and to discover new ways to support Chinese and Asian students studying at UB. Zhiqiang Liu, professor of economics and director of the Confucius Institute at UB, has agreed to chair the new committee. At UB, the purpose of the Confucius Institute was to provide teachers and resources to develop Chinese language and cultural programs in area schools, while also supporting teaching and scholarship about China at the university. Thanks to our partners in China, particularly CNU, as well as our College of Arts and Sciences and many local stakeholders, the UB Confucius Institute has greatly increased knowledge of China, its language and culture, both at the university and throughout the local community, positively impacting students from primary school through graduate school, said John J. Wood, interim vice provost for international education, who served as chair of the institutes board of advisors. I look forward to working with Professor Liu and his new committee to develop ways for UB to continue to advance knowledge and research about China in the future. Cal/OSHA Releases FAQ Answering COVID-19 Questions for the Workplace Vaccinated employees in California can come to work even if theyre exposed to someone with the disease. Cal/OSHA issued a highly anticipated FAQ allowing employers to clearly know whether or not they can exclude fully vaccinated people from the workplace if they were exposed to someone with COVID-19. Prior to the FAQ released, fully vaccinated employees in California were required to stay home from work if exposed to a person with the disease under Cal/OSHAs Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) but not under the U.S. CDC guidance. According to an article, the conflict was challenging for employers because businesses lost workers whose risk of transmission of COVID-19 was incredibly low, according to the CDC. These exclusion requirements left implications with paid leave obligations under SB 95, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and ETS. At first, it was unclear whether or not California Governor Gavin Newsoms Executive Order N-84-20 was intended to apply to prospective guidance by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) since it discusses quarantine for those who are fully vaccinated. As long as the employee is asymptomatic that came into contact with someone with COVID-19, he/she is able to come to work. Employers should be mindful that the newly issued FAQs hardly apply to quarantine periods as expressed in the ETS. While the CDC and CDPH have stated that fully vaccinated people can be indoors without masks or social distancing, testing requirements will remain the same. Russias oil reserves will last until 2080 at the current pace of annual production, Natural Resources Minister Alexander Kozlov told Russian outlet RBC in an interview this week. Russia also has natural gas reserves for another 103 years of annual production at current output levels, the minister said. Russias actual oil and gas reserves could even rise if it steps up exploration in hard-to-drill areas, the minister added, noting that Russia needs to develop exploration, including in hard-to-reach areas. Last month, Evgeny Kiselev, the head of the Russian Federal Agency for Mineral Resources, told state outlet Rossiyskaya Gazeta that Russia has 58 years worth of oil reserves, of which 19 years to profitably pump those reserves at current levels with current technology. Advances in technology, however, will constantly push back the deadline. Asked how long Russia would have oil reserves, Kiselev said indefinitely. Oil and gas export revenues are key to Russias budget income. Oil price collapses like last years lead to belt-tightening policies despite Moscows insistence that it can live with $30 oil. Related: U.S. Oil Rig Count Soars As WTI Recovers Russias production fell last year and is set for slight growth this year and next, according to government data and estimates. After setting a post-Soviet high in oil and condensate production in 2019, Russia saw its output drop by 8.6 percent in 2020 due to the lower global demand and low oil prices, as well as the OPEC+ production cuts. Russias crude oil and condensate production fell in 2020 for the first time since the 2008 financial crisis and then slump in oil prices, according to government statistics. Last month, Russia cut its estimates for domestic crude oil, gas, and coal production for 2021 and 2022, but kept the estimates for the oil production for 2023 and 2024 unchanged. As per the latest forecasts from the Russian government, oil production this year is set to stand at 517 million tons, down from a previous estimate of 560 million tons. The projection for Russias oil output in 2022 was also reduced, to 548 million tons, down from earlier estimates of production of 558 million tons. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The operator of the ransomware group Darkside said on Friday it had lost control of its servers and some of the money it had made through ransom payments, Recorded Future threat intelligence analyst Dmitry Smilyanets reported. "A few hours ago, we lost access to the public part of our infrastructure, namely: Blog. Payment server. DOS servers," Darksupp, the operator of the Darkside ransomware, said in a post spotted by Smilyanets. The operator of Darkside also said that cryptocurrency funds were withdrawn from their payment server, which was hosting ransom payments. Darkside was behind the ransomware attack on the main pipeline carrying gasoline and diesel to the U.S. East Coast, Colonial Pipeline, which shut down late last week, disrupting gasoline and diesel deliveries to many states. This created panic buying and sent the national U.S. average gasoline price above $3 per gallon for the first time since 2014. Colonial Pipeline has reportedly paid ransom, to the tune of almost US$5 million in untraceable cryptocurrency, to the hackers that forced the operator to shut down the main U.S. fuel pipeline, Bloomberg reported on Thursday, citing two sources with knowledge of the transaction. The ransomware group said it had lost access to servers just a day after U.S. President Joe Biden said that "We're also going to pursue a measure to disrupt their ability to operate," referring to the hackers of Colonial Pipeline's computer network. President Biden said there was no evidence that the Russian government was behind the attack, but the people involved in the ransomware attack "are living in Russia." According to Recorded Future's Smilyanets, the announcement from Darkside could mean that the U.S. had taken steps to disrupt the cyber criminals' "ability to operate". But it could also be a smokescreen so that the hackers shut down the computer infrastructure and network and run away with the money, the so-called "exit scam," Smilyanets warns. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads from Oilprice.com: The starting point for all sound intelligence analysis of a particular action is to identify who gains from it and what it is that they gain. As the new tit-for-tat conflict between Israel and Palestine continues to escalate such analysis reveals the following: overall Palestine will gain nothing except sympathy from already sympathetic supporters, Israel will gain nothing although it may bolster the flagging domestic support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but those countries that want to destroy the nascent U.S.-Israeli-led relationship normalisation strategy stand to gain precisely what they want. Top of this list of beneficiaries is obviously Iran, which has the motive, means, and opportunity to stoke the ever-simmering conflict between Palestine and Israel to such a point that Arab states that have long seen the Palestine conflict as a reason not to join the new U.S.-Israeli-led initiative (most notably, Saudi Arabia and its King Salman) have been vindicated. Fracturing the relationship between the U.S., Israel and those countries that have already signed up to the normalisation deals notably the UAE and Bahrain is also a possibility as evidenced last week. Up until just two weeks ago, for example, the UAEs key sovereign wealth vehicle Mubadala was intent on formally ratifying an in-principle agreement to buy from Israels Delek Drilling its 22 percent stake in the Tamar natural gas field operated by U.S. oil and gas giant, Chevron. Given the size of the deal at least US$1.1 billion and the fact that each of the countries behind the U.S.-Israel-UAE normalisation deal signed last August are significantly involved in it the deal was rightly regarded as being one of the most significant material developments since Israel and the UAE agreed to normalise ties last year. Related: U.S. Oil Rig Count Soars As WTI Recovers For Israel, over and above the financial value of the deal is the strategic significance of the Tamar gas field that lies in the eastern Mediterranean as it is one of the countrys primary energy sources, able to produce 11 billion cubic metres of gas each year. This is sufficient not just to cover much of the Israeli gas energy market but also to lay the basis for the strategically important roll out of gas exports to Egypt and Jordan. Underlining this, last month saw a comment from Delek Drillings chief executive officer, Yossi Abu, that the deal potentially marked: A strategic alignment in the Middle East, whereby natural gas becomes a source of collaboration in the region. The deal was to have been finalised this month, which in turn would have opened up the way for further co-operation between Mubadala and Delek Drilling in the nearby and even larger - Leviathan gas field. Last week, though, Tamar field operator Chevron shut down the offshore Tamar gas platform Israel amid an escalation of violence between Israel and Palestine. Should this trend of increasing violence between Palestine and Israel continue then this may not be the only commercial deal under threat as the very basis of the relationship normalisation strategy between Israel and Arab States comes into question. This deal between Israel and the UAE announced on 13 August came at around the same time as Israels Netanyahu announced that he was suspending plans to annex more areas of the West Bank that it seized during the 1967 Six Dar War. At that time, the UAE had two principal aims in signing such an agreement. One was that it wanted to put itself firmly in the U.S.s most-favoured allies group for receiving future business and financing deals, as it had suffered a big hit from the Saudi-led oil price war that had just ended. The other was that it wanted to be included in the U.S.-Israel intelligence and security network to protect itself from the growing influence of Iran. Related: Hamas Targets Israeli Oil And Nuclear Facilities With Rocket Attacks For Iran, the potential danger that this new U.S.-Israel power axis posed is huge. Partly this is a result of increased security threats (via a massively expanded Israeli-led intelligence operation) coming from the UAE in its south and south-western provinces and partly this is due to the likelihood that when the current ruler leader of its deadliest regional enemy, Saudi Arabia dies (and King Salman is in very poor health), his successor, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS), may join the relationship normalisation grouping. Although King Salman told the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation just last year that the Palestinian cause remained a core issue and that the kingdom refuses any measures that touch the historical and legal position of East Jerusalem, MbS is believed to be far more sympathetic to the agreement. Even Saudis Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, cautiously welcomed the Israel-UAE agreement, saying: It could be viewed as positive. It is also apposite to note that back in 2002 not that long ago in global geopolitical terms - it was the Saudis who launched the Crown Prince Abdullah Peace Plan at the Beirut Arab summit, offering Israel full recognition in exchange for a return to its pre-1967 borders. That Iran should seek to leverage this perennial and deep-seated issue of Palestine at this point is entirely unsurprising, as Iran has nothing to lose and everything to gain if it plays the situation correctly. On the one hand, the longer the current violence between Palestine and Israel continues and even better for Iran if Israel launches a ground invasion the less likely it is that any other Arab state will join the U.S.-led relationship normalisation deal strategy in the region, including Saudi Arabia. On the other hand, given that the key power in Palestine Hamas is extremely closely tied to Iran (along with Hezbollah in nearby Lebanon), Iran might eventually be called upon through diplomatic back-channels to broker some sort of peace with Palestine. In such an event, Iran would undoubtedly seek a dropping of Washingtons hardline clauses for the new draft of the nuclear deal that it is currently on-and-off negotiating with the U.S. Although the relationship between Iran and Hamas had cooled off in around 2012 when the military-political grouping that essentially runs Palestine decided to back the Syrian opposition against ruling President, Bashar al-Assad contrary to Irans wishes - financial necessity on Hamass part warmed relations back up again around three years ago. In 2018, according to then-Israeli Defence Minister, Avigdor Lieberman, said that most of the US$260 million that Hamas invested in 2017 in making tunnels and weapons came from Tehran. Last week, Israels Channel 12 reported that Iran had agreed to provide US$30 million per month to Hamas in return for information on Israels missile capabilities and its missile locations, following a meeting two weeks ago between nine senior members of Hamass militant wing and Irans Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, in Tehran. Even more recently, the commander-in-chief of Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hossein Salami, warned that Israel was vulnerable to one large tactical operation because the country is so small and highlighted the recent firing of an S-200 missile from Syria as an example of how effective a sustained bombardment by short-range missiles might be. By Simon Watkins for Oilprice.com More Top Reads from Oilprice.com: Hamas' militant wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, announced earlier this week that it is deliberately targeting Israel's secretive Dimona nuclear reactor site, known as the Shimon Peres Negev Nuclear Research Center, which lies east of the the Gaza Strip far into the Negev Desert. It was on Wednesday that Qassam Brigade spokesmen said they were "directing a rocket strike involving 15 rockets for Dimona" - and since then it appears rockets have fallen generally in the southerly area - but there's since been no reports of direct hits anywhere on the complex, or damage to the site. Dimona site, via Haaretz Inbound rocket warning sirens have regularly blared in various places of Israel's Negev region since the fighting began at the start of the week. According to Newsweek, Hamas has had some degree of success when it comes to targeting strategic and sensitive Israeli infrastructure and locations alongside Israeli cities and residential areas. Related: Iran To Saudi Arabia: Sell Our Oil And We Will Reduce Houthi Attacks "On Tuesday, at least one rocket appeared to score a direct hit, damaging an Ashkelon facility connected to the Trans-Israel pipeline running from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea," Newsweek observed, and continued: "The military wing of Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas has targeted Israel's nuclear facility, key oil facilities and other sites across the country amid a violent escalation between the two sides." No doubt that the Hamas' ability to hit Israel reached a level unknown until now, and this strike on an oil reserve tank in Ashkelon alongside its pipeline illustrates this as well. pic.twitter.com/2VWeNxniD1 Louis Fishman ??? ?????? ???? ????? (@Istanbultelaviv) May 11, 2021 Last week an Iranian propaganda clip threatened just such a scenario... Israeli Nuclear Facility Destroyed by a Missile Attack in an Iranian Animated Video Posted on an IRGC Telegram Account on the Occasion of Jerusalem Day #Iran #JCPOA #QudsDay #dimona pic.twitter.com/vqeUMDAiNW MEMRI (@MEMRIReports) May 9, 2021 Days into sustained Israeli airstrikes and constant rocket fire from Gaza, Hamas is believed to have fired 2,000 or more total rockets, many which are clearly making it past the Iron Dome defense system. As of Thursday night, Israel began using ground troops for offensive operations in the border area with Gaza. This @AFP photo of the#Israel - #Gaza conflict is wild: Left #IronDome interceptors and right the rockets fired from Gaza. It's an iconic photo on many levels and will for sure end up in history bookspic.twitter.com/vxO21RWiyZ Gregor Peter (@L0gg0l) May 14, 2021 At least 120 Palestinians have been killed, including more than 30 children, and close to 1,000 wounded since Monday, while six Israeli civilians, including two children, have died from the Hamas attacks. By Zerohedge.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Governor John Bel Edwards, the Democrat at the helm of Louisiana, has urged the federal government to resume oil and gas leases within months, the Associated Press reports, quoting the governor as saying that a longer pause in offshore leasing will devastate the Gulf Coast states economy. Im a governor of an energy producing state but also a state thats on the front lines of climate crisis, Gov Edwards told the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. The Department of the Interior said last month it would cancel all oil and gas lease sales on public lands until the end of the second quarter of the year. Based on our ongoing review, the Bureau of Land Management is exercising its discretion to not hold lease sales in the 2nd quarter of Calendar Year 2021. This decision does not impact existing operations or permits for valid, existing leases, which continue to be reviewed and approved, the Bureau said. The decision follows another from January when the Department of the Interior curbed the issuance of new permits for oil and gas exploration in tune with President Bidens order to suspend all offshore lease sales. The DoI did not ban the issuance of leases as such but greatly limited the number of employees who could approve them. Since then, lawsuits by Continental Resources and others have ensued, claiming that the new restrictions are unlawful since it prevents the DoI from ruling on permitting applications in the timeframe allotted in the Mineral Leasing Act. Yet, according to the head of the Center for Energy Studies at Louisiana State University, Bidens January order also effectively suspended the approval of changes to drilling plans and permits, the AP noted in its report. If you got a lease three or four years ago and submit a drilling plan, youre not going to get that processed, David Dismukes said, as quoted by the news agency. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Rosneft reported a net profit of $2 billion (149 billion rubles) for the first quarter of the year, up from a loss of $2.11 billion (156 billion rubles) for the first quarter of 2020, also boasting increased free cash flow and lower debt. Free cash flow, the company said, rose 2.6-fold from the final quarter of 2020 to $2.57 billion (190 billion rubles), and debt fell to $2.9 billion. Upstream operating costs were reduced to a minimum of $2.6 per barrel of oil equivalent, Rosneft also said. Rosneft continued to work on the implementation of strategically important projects, including Vostok Oil project, which guarantees the Company the stability of production and profit levels in the long term and provides a significant competitive advantage, chief executive Igor Sechin said. Rosneft also demonstrates its determination in the energy transition, consistently increasing the share of gas in the production of hydrocarbons. The Vostok Oil mega project in Siberia, which includes the Vankor and Payakha clusters, has resources estimated at 44 billion barrels. All those clusters are close to the Northern Sea Route that Rosneft wants to use to ship oil to Europe and Asia. The project will make up the backbone of Russias future oil production, tapping into 5 billion tons of oil to yield 50 million tons by 2024 and 100 million tons by the end of the decade. The development of Vostok Oil over its lifetime is estimated at some $170 billion. Because of the massive cost of Vostok Oils development, Rosneft has been looking for foreign partners. Commodity trading major Trafigura said last December it had acquired a 10-percent stake in the project, getting access to high-quality crude oil resources from a major new onshore oil-producing region in Siberias Taymyr province. Reports from January had it that the Russian state giant was also negotiating with Trafiguras peersGunvor, Glencore, and Vitolto also participate in the project. Vostok Oil has been touted by Rosnefts Igor Sechin as one of the companys large projects which are low cost, high-margin, with high-quality resources and a low carbon footprint. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Mr Henry Quartey, has charged corporate institutions within the capital to bear some level of responsibility and support the sanitation campaign under the Make Accra Work project. To this end, the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) and the Accra Metropolitan Assembly will ensure that corporate bodies who leave their gutters choked and allow scrap dealers to operate on their frontages would be fined. Mr Quartey made the call at a stakeholder meeting ahead of a decongestion exercise along the Accra-UTC road to the Obetsebi Lamptey Interchange which has been scheduled to take off on Tuesday, May 18. Mr Quartey said for Accra to become the cleanest city in Africa, there was the need for corporate institutions to approach the Make Accra work project with a collective and positive mindset, adding that we do not want you to sit in your offices and watch us work, we want you to be actively involved. Meeting The meeting brought together key stakeholders including the Chief Executive of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), Mr Mohammed Nii Adjei Sowah, and his staff, representatives from the Ghana Armed Forces, the Ghana Immigration Service, the Ghana National Fire Service and the Motor Traffic and Transport Directorate (MTTD). It was also attended by representatives from the Graphic Communications Group Limited and other corporate bodies within the demarcated areas where the decongestion exercise is scheduled to take place. The corporate bodies were briefed on how the security agencies would carry out the operations on the scheduled date. Also, issues such as sustainable plans and the role of the corporate bodies in ensuring that the campaign remained successful were also discussed. Indiscipline Mr Quartey expressed concern that indiscipline had taken centre stage in the region, hence the need to work together to ensure that the campaign was successful. He appealed to the organisations to support the government for the exercise to be successful. He noted that after the decongestion exercise, the corporate bodies in the demarcated areas would bear the responsibility of ensuring that their environment is kept clean. The minister further stressed the RCCs commitment to provide lasting solutions to developmental challenges in the region to ensure its swift transformation into a national capital of repute. He reiterated his call to the corporate institutions to lend their support to the Make Accra Work project and also play their individual roles in helping to make the country clean. Other plans Mr Quartey further revealed that plans were underway to move the yam sellers from the Agbogbloshie area to a new site as part of the decongestion exercise. He said a meeting would be held with the yam sellers to explain to them the need for the relocation, after which they would be given time to move, but indicated that they would be ejected if they failed to comply with the directive to relocate. We will meet the yam sellers to discuss the need to move them from Agbogbloshie to a new site, but if they do not move after that, we will move them. For the scrap dealers, the Regional Minister noted that a designated location had been assigned for them and that dealers who operated outside the designated parameters would be sanctioned. Background Right after assuming office as the Greater Accra Regional Minister, Mr Quartey launched an audacious plan he intends to lead the charge to tackle the issues that have become a drawback to the regions development. He named the thematic areas he had set out to deal with the Make Accra work project as sanitation, indiscipline, health and education. The Regional Minister, among others, said he was going to lead the RCC, the metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies to spearhead the various campaigns such as dealing with the traffic congestion caused by indiscipline at strategic points, dealing with congestion in the central business districts and other areas. Among the campaign is an Operation Clean Your Frontage, which would require that businesses in the region spend an hour a day to clean their environs. Under the campaign, shop owners and traders would be obligated to clean their work areas at the beginning and end of each working day. He said while organisations and institutions took responsibility of their environs, it was the shop owners and traders who usually did not see that as their responsibility, thus paid little attention to that. 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 Samuel Nartey George, the Ningo-Prampram MP, has sent out a strong warning to the Australian High Commissioner to Ghana to behave like a diplomat and not dictate to Ghanaians how they should behave towards homosexuals. According to him, when Gregory Andrews came to Ghana as an Ambassador, he signed a letter of credence which indicates that he should respect the laws of Ghana and these laws that he vowed to respect, do not allow you to do homosexuality. Then you, with your two left legs, you leave Australia and come to Ghana to come and redeem your image...as somebody who doesnt know his identity, [he] has come to Ghana here and try and reinvent himself and then wants to now come and dictate to us that we must legalize supi supi, he said on Starr Chat. Sam George who was upset had to insult the High Commissioner with the F word in Ga and vowed to beat him up, if he decides not to behave like a diplomat. He asked the High Commissioner if he can go to Saudi Arabia and tell the crown prince that because he is an Australian aborigine [so they should legalize homosexuality]. Look at Asantehene, Ya Na, Ga Mantse, Okyenhene and tell us that our culture is not correct and because our culture is not correct, he will come and teach us what our culture is and that we should allow our children to start doing supi supi, Sam George observed. When prompted by the host Nana Aba Anamoah that Australian High Commissioner did not say that, Nartey George said, Gregory Andrews before Parliament went on recess called on the Speaker of Parliament, and try to lobby the Speaker for it and hes been all over the place trying to say that its a human right issue, its not a human right issue. Sam George advised the LGBTQ+ community to continue practising their act in their closet and not to lure and cry for human rights because it is disgusting. Source: ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Manasseh Azure Awuni has outlined three significant times in the last six years that the leadership of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) has gone with the accounts of others, as against those of its members. According to the anti-corruption journalist, the GJA, currently led by Affail Monney, has done everything differently from how past leaders like Gifty Afanyi-Dadzie and Ransford Tetteh. Reacting to the President of the GJA, Roland Affail Monney's statement on the arrest of two journalists from Accra-based Citi Fm/Citi TV by some National Security operatives from what is believed to have been an unlawful videoing of one of their installments in Accra, Manasseh listed out three times similar things have happened. He lists the events from 2015 till the most recent one only days ago in this year, 2021. "2015: Samuel Nuamah of Ghanaian times died in presidential press corps accident. The vehicle and its driver, according to the journalists on board the vehicle, had issues and they had complained about before the accident. The presidency gave a different account. "The GJA President said he believed the account of the presidency over the journalists. I asked him whether he was doubting the account of the reporter from his own newsroom, Napoleon Ato Kittoe, who was on board the vehicle. He said Napoleon Ato Kittoe was sleeping so he didn't really see what happened. "2017: The GJA issued a press statement against the Robbing the Assemblies documentary I did on the Jospong Group. Without stating any journalistic ethic I broke, the GJA said I was destroying a local company. That investigation led to the cancellation of a $74 million contract. "2021: After the National Security arrested and beat up Caleb Kudah of Citi FM for going to film vehicles that had been procured with the tax payers' money and left to rust, the GJA President says he broke the GJA Code of Ethics because his motive was not clear. "Of course, Roland Affail Monney could not be referring to the Code of Ethics of the Ghana Journalists Association. Maybe, that code of ethics belongs to the Ghana Jokers Association. "The GJA under Gifty Afanyi-Dadzie or Ransford Tetteh was not like this," he wrote. The multiple-award-winning journalist also lamented the quality of the leadership of the GJA, questioning how it is that they are still at post after their tenure was supposed to have ended this year. He also wrote that he was happy that unlike associations like the Ghana Bar Association, no one is forced to join the GJA, stating that the leadership of the former doesn't prove to its members why they should continue to believe in them. "Fortunately, the GJA is not like the Ghana Bar Association. Being a member is not compulsory. I stopped being a member of the association when I was convinced its leadership was working against the interest of journalists and the journalists generally do not care about who leads them. If you demand accountability, you're tagged as arrogant or accused of hating. "The tenure of current GJA executive expired in 2020. For whatever reasons, they are holding on to power. This has resulted in a court action. Until seriousness returns to the association one day, it is better to stay aloof and practice without the expectation of a professional body representing your interest," he said. Source: Manasseh Azure Awuni 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 former presidential aspirant of the New Patriotic Party Dr Kofi Konadu Apraku has commended Muslims in Ghana for their prayers for the country in their month-long fast. As he wished them Eid Mubarak, the astute politician saluted and congratulated them for this great sacrifice. I wish all my Muslim friends and families a Happy Eid Mubarak, May this month of sacrifice, devotion, spiritual renewal and commitment to prescriptions of the Holy Book engender economic prosperity, social cohesion and abundant peace in our beloved country Ghana. Happy Eid Mubarak Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting (sawm), prayer, reflection and community. A commemoration of Muhammads first revelation, the annual observance of Ramadan is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam and lasts twenty-nine to thirty days, from one sighting of the crescent moon to the next. Fasting from dawn to sunset is fard (obligatory) for all adult Muslims who are not acutely or chronically ill, travelling, elderly, breastfeeding, diabetic, or menstruating. 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. Featured Video Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has visited the two journalists who were allegedly assaulted by staff of the National Security. He paid the visit on Friday, May 14, 2021, to commiserate with the victims and assure them of further investigations on the matter. As a colleague and as a Minister for the sector, I came by this morning to pay you a visit and also to express to you the worry with which we receive the account on what transpired at the National Security. We were worried because it does not reflect how the staff of a security agency should treat anybody, be the person a citizen, let alone a journalist. "If that person is under investigation, assisting an investigation or being suspected as haven did something untoward like in this case the suspicion of going contrary to the rules there, it still will not warrant that particular conduct as reported. Last Tuesday, National Security operatives detained Kudah for allegedly filming on the premises of the National Security Ministry. He was released after questioning. However, addressing the management of the Accra based media house, the Minister called for patience on the matter and assured of further investigations. Beyond that, the Minister urged the management of the media house to take advantage of the newly established office of the Coordinated Mechanism for the Safety of Journalists for further investigations on the matter. Management used the opportunity to thank him for the show of support. Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/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. Featured Video The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, is expected to leave Ghana on Sunday, 16th May, for a nine (9) day official working visit to France, Belgium, and South Africa. These working visits are part of the efforts the President is making to re-engage with the rest of the world, following the onset of the pandemic, and highlight Ghana, once again, as a country with an impressive business-friendly atmosphere, with bright economic prospects for the future. To this end, President Akufo-Addo will attend, on 18th May, in Paris, France, a Summit on Financing African Economies, which is being convened by the French President, His Excellency Emmanuel Macron. The Summit, which will bring together several African and European leaders, and heads of international financial institutions, will devise strategies that will boost strong, inclusive recovery in Africa, grounded in a dynamic private sector, help foster sustainable progress and prosperity, and accelerate the green and digital transition in line with the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. In the wake of the devastating effects COVID-19 has had on the economies of all countries in the world, Africa, in particular, has been the hardest hit having been in a recession last year, and its estimated economic recovery growth rate of 3.7% for 2021 well below the global economic recovery rate of 5.5%. This, according to many economic and financial experts, could worsen even further the problems of poverty and inequality for many Africans, a situation which leaders on the continent are keen to avoid. It is expected that a financial package will be devised to enable African countries overcome the economic impact of the COVID crisis. Participants are expected to agree on critical pro-growth reforms that are needed to enhance the private sector in Africa, and tap its growth potential with the help of local and international financial support, including through risk-sharing instruments dedicated to African entrepreneurs and SMEs, as well as appropriate technical assistance. The Summit will, hopefully, further agree on key common rules and enforcement mechanisms that will contribute to securing strong, sustainable growth in Africa. Whilst in Paris, the President is scheduled to have bilateral discussions with the President of the World Bank, and the Managing Director of the IMF, who will both be attending the Summit. President Akufo-Addo will, from Wednesday, 19th May, at the invitation of the President of the European Council, H.E. M. Charles Michel, be in Brussels, Belgium, to hold bilateral talks with the President and officials of the European Council, and meet with stakeholders committed to the partnership between Ghana and the European Union. The talks between the President and President Charles Michel are expected to centre on regional security, as well as on sustainability issues in the cocoa and fisheries sectors of Ghana, and their impact on relations between Ghana and the European Union. The President will, in turn, meet with the President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), Dr. Werner Hoyer, and participate in the ceremony for the signing of a one hundred- and sixty-million-euro (160 million) facility between EIB and the Ministry of Finance, towards the establishment of the National Development Bank. He will attend an investor conference in Brussels on Ghana, and also hold a meeting with Ms. Jutta Urpilainen, the EU Commissioner on International Co-operation, to discuss issues relating to the COVAX Facility, which is currently supplying COVID-19 vaccines to the country. On the last leg of his tour, President Akufo-Addo will, at the invitation of the Speaker, address the Fourth Ordinary Session of the Fifth Parliament of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), scheduled to take place on Monday, 24th May, in Johannesburg, South Africa. Deliberations of this Session will be guided by the African Union (AU) theme for 2021: Year of the Arts, Culture and Heritage: Levers for Building the Africa We Want. President Akufo-Addo will be accompanied by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Minister for Finance, and officials of the Presidency and the Foreign and Finance Ministries. He will be joined in Brussels by the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, the Minister for Food and Agriculture, and the Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD. The President is expected to return to Ghana on Tuesday, 25th May. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Lucozade Ghana donated 50 cartons of drinks to the Asuma Banda Airport West Mosque Complex. The Donation is in support of the 2021 Eid ul-Fitr Celebrations also known as the "Festival of Breaking the Fast" as Muslims the world over bring their fast to an end. The donation comes on the back of a concerted effort by Lucozade Ghana to support Muslim communities across the country with the recovery drink of choice. In an interview, Mr Mensah Seneadza, Country Manager of Lucozade Ghana said This year, we are excited to provide cold restorative refreshment to over 4,000 members of our cherished Muslim community as they break their fast. Together with our partner Rafimex, we are donating to the Airport West Muslim community, the Cantonments Mosque as well as supporting the Salafest across the country. Given the current restrictions imposed by the Government of Ghana to help stem the spread of COVID-19, the Ramadan celebration was mostly virtual across the country. Imam Abubakar Alhassan who received the items on behalf of the Muslim community expressed gratitude to Lucozade for their gesture, he said, we are very grateful you never forgot us, May God Almighty always remember you and make all the visions you have as a corporate entity be achieved and even beyond your expectations. Lucozade Ghana has over the years supported the Muslim community and the wider Ghanaian society through various intervention projects; most recent being a campaign to rid the countrys beaches of plastics and filth and support to the Ghana Infectious Diseases Centre at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic last year. 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. Featured Video The Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) and Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has assured Ghanaians of their commitment to quickly complete all ongoing projects on time, to bring relief to its electricity distribution system and customers. In a joint statement issued in Accra by the two companies yesterday, they stated that key projects that were currently underway in the Greater Accra, Central and Ashanti regions would enhance power supply reliability in the country. The statement explained that the US$60m Pokuase Bulk Supply Point (BSP) project, funded by the US government through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), was expected to be completed by the first half of 2021. It said Upon completion, it will provide flexibility for ECG to distribute power around the city in case of challenges in other parts of the system andwill benefit over 350,000 households overall. The statement also explained that that of the US$50m Kasoa Bulk Supply Point (BSP) project would be completed by August 2021, to benefit over 251,000 households, which would help reduce the reliance on the Mallam BSP for power distribution to the Central Region. It said upon the completion of the Kasoa project, there would be improvement in reliability and supply quality to Kasoa and its environs, and result in reduction in transmission and distribution losses that was currently being experienced in that part of the country. They, however indicated that an anticipated power interruptions in relation to the Kasoa project would be communicated to the general public in due course. Aside the two projects stated earlier, the statement noted that, The AFD funded 161kV Tema AchimotaMallam transmission reinforcement project, for example, will increase transmission capacity more than four-fold, enabling the transfer of adequate power from the Tema enclave to Accra. This, it explained, Will provide enough redundancy in the transmission and distribution systems, the statement pointed out, and upon the completion of the Anwomaso-Kintampo transmission project by the end of 2021, would eliminate current transmission bottlenecks and ensure supply reliability to Kumasi and the Northern parts of the country. All these projects, according to GRIDCo and ECG were aimed at boosting the efficiency of the value chain in order for customers to enjoy quality, reliable and stable power supply. The two companies on Tuesday, April 20, released a schedule for power cuts in parts of Greater Accra Region, which started four days ago and expected to end on Monday, May 17, 2021, and have since made available, a timetable for the eight days exercise to guide affected customers and the general public. 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 The Nungua Traditional Council has imposed a GH100,000 hefty fine on one Evangelist Prince Adu Asare, a Radio presenter and owner of No.1 FM for disparaging comments made against the people of Teshie and Nungua. In addition to the cash, they have also been asked to bring five whites cows, seven each of sheep and goats, 25 whites fowl, knives (7), and seven full pieces of white, black, and red calico each. They are also to bring seven boxes each of schnapps, castle bridge, cloth Holland, as well as seven crates of white eggs and red eggs. They have been given a two-week ultimatum to settle the fine. This was after the Gborbu Wulomo Shitse, Overlord of the Ga-Dangme state invited the presenter and the producer of the religious show Adom Mmere to appear before the traditional leaders to justify their comments. They are said to have proclaimed that Teshie and Nungua towns are plagued with witchcraft and a deity in the town called Ogbee Sango who is responsible for curses and misfortunes in the area. They are also said to have claimed that it was impossible for any business to flourish at Nungua as the founders of the town are witches and wizards. They further claimed that Nungua is the headquarters of all witches in the area and that the Nungua Traditional Area found it damning on the socio-economic development of Nungua and the entire Ga Dangme state. Evangelist Adu Asare, who appeared with the programs manager of the station apologized to the large gathering comprising of representatives from various Ga Dangme groups. The Osu Klottey and Naadu Wulom Numo Osikan Kpeneku said the items were to pacify and cleanse all the Ga Dangme clans for disparaging and denigrating the people of the land. While apologizing profusely for the unfortunate incident, they assured me that such an incident will not happen again. They also say they are willing to use their medium to project and promote activities of the Nungua township. The programs manager added that they are prepared to offer opportunities for two people who want to work with her outfit. Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video In the midst of the media warfare with regard to the Wesley Girls High School fasting saga, the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Dr Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, has called on all stakeholders to exercise restraint and allow leadership to bring closure to the matter in peace and harmony. There is a raging controversial debate between Muslims and Christians over a decision by the management of Wesley Girls High School not to allow a Muslim student to observe the just-ended Ramadan fast. The decision gained the support of the Methodist Church Ghana and the Christian Council as well as some Christians in the country. The Muslim Caucus in Parliament and other Muslim groups are unhappy about the situation. Reacting to this in an Eid-ul-Fitr message, the Chief Imam further called on Imams to be mindful of the tone of their sermons in order not to further inflame passion among the Muslim youth. He also called on Muslim youth to desist from any act that may disturb the peace during the Eid celebrations. Source: class fm Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Progressive People's Party (PPP) has proposed wide-ranging constitutional and public governance reforms to help address fundamental issues impeding the development of the nation. While throwing support behind the ongoing social media campaign dubbed #FixTheCountry, the party indicated that the country would not see major developmental changes until some critical aspects of the constitution were amended. The party held the view that the power granted the executive by the constitution "is simply too much" and accounted for the lack of checks and balances required to ensure accountability and prudent management of the country's resources. At a news conference in Accra yesterday, the National Chairman of the PPP, Nana Ofori Owusu, called for a review of the 1992 Constitution to prevent the President from selecting at least 50 per cent of his minsters from among the Members of Parliament (MPs) to cushion the legislature against Executive influence. He also proposed an amendment of Article 88 of the Constitution which makes the Attorney-General (AG) also the Minister of Justice, stressing that the current arrangement "makes it difficult to deal with political corruption cases. The press conference was the first of a monthly engagement series introduced by the party to offer policy alternatives to pressing issues bodering on national development. Weak Parliament Article 78 (1) of the Constitution states that: Ministers of State shall be appointed by the President with the prior approval of Parliament from among Members of Parliament or persons qualified to be elected as Members of Parliament, except that the majority of Ministers of State shall be appointed from among Members of Parliament. In the assessment of the PPP, the above provision had weakened the ability of Parliament to put the Executive in check and demand accountability. "The selection of at least 50 per cent of ministers from the legislature denies Parliament the needed brilliant human resource which is usually selected into the executive to become ministers. This limits the strength and ability of Parliament to effectively check the executive. "Again, when an MP becomes a minister, the time he/she has to perform parliamentary duties becomes significantly reduced since they will have to spend a lot of time doing the work of the Executive," Nana Owusu said. The party further called for an independent AG to empower the office to effectively deal with political corruption cases. The enormous powers of the AG require that he/she is separated from Cabinet in order for him to have the necessary independence to do the job without or with less political considerations," Nana Owusu explained. Economy Touching on the economy, Nana Owusu expressed concern over what he described as dominance of foreign investors in key sectors of the economy, a situation he said undermined the progress of indigenous businesses. He urged the government to roll out "deliberate policies" to empower Ghanaian businesses to expand and be able to withstand foreign competition. "The PPP purposes positive and concerted effort by the Executive to direct its agencies, ministers, and departments to spend only on external products only if there's no local substitute," he said. On the issue of illegal mining, Nana Owusu took issue with the approach adopted by the government in the renewed fight against the menace, describing it as a knee-jerk reaction. He urged the government to rather resource the various institutions responsible for regulating the mining sector to deal with the issue sustainably. 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 Head of Monitoring at the Forestry Commission, Charles Owusu, has cautioned Ghanaians not to be divided by religion. He advised that there should be harmony among religious bodies to enhance Ghana's peace. Speaking on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' programme, Charles Owusu bemoaned the seeming religious intolerance when it comes to a person exercising his or her faith. ''Corona couldn't divide us, why should we allow the Word of God to divide us? . . . Accident didn't divide us, is it God's Word that must divide us? All this malaria and things going on couldn't cause us so much devastation. is it God's Word that we know as Christians and Muslims that should divide us?", he asked. His comment was in connection with recent controversial debate between Muslims and Christians over a decision by the management of Wesley Girls High School not to allow a Muslim student to observe the just-ended Ramadan fast. Charles Owusu dared any Pastor or religious leader to prove to Ghanaians where God says a Christian mustn't co-exist with a Muslim and vice versa. "I want a Pastor or Bible scholar in this country who can prove to us where in the bible is written that when you (Christian) see a Muslim, don't talk with him. The God, we serve, says He has opened his arms wide to receive every person. He didn't say some people. And also, when you observe critically, it's our churches that we put under padlock and close it but the mosque is not closed. I don't usually see the doors of a mosque shut. One can enter and sleep in the mosque without anybody sending you away, and also those who are most receptive to strangers are Muslims." Charles Owusu warned the religious ''extremist'' believers to ''stay home with your belief'' and not disturb Ghana's peace with their religiosity. 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. Featured Video The Parliamentary Select Committee on Local Government and Rural Development has expressed worry over the continuous award of contracts from the central government for the implementation of capital projects at the local level. According to the committee, the practice has, over the years, disempowered the technocrats at the local level, thereby resulting in poor execution of projects, which sometimes does not address the critical needs of the beneficiaries. The committee made the observation when its four-member team visited and inspected projects funded by the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) in five selected districts in the Upper East Region. They are Garu, Tempane, Bongo, Bolgatanga East and Kassena-Nankana West districts. The Vice Chairman of the committee who led the delegation, Mr Sulemana Adamu Sanid, noted that when the contracts were awarded by the central government they defeated the decentralisation process. He, therefore, called for a paradigm shift to ensure that all stakeholders involved in the award of contracts at the local level were given the opportunity to make some technical inputs to ensure value for money. Project award He further expressed regret that details of projects awarded directly by the central government in Accra were not disclosed to the technocrats and other stakeholders at the district levels and that led to slow pace of work on some of the projects. Mr Sanid, who is also a Member of Parliament for the Ahafo Ano North Constituency in the Ashanti Region, noted that the situation has often made it difficult for the various assemblies to monitor, inspect and make inputs to ensure quality of work and value for money. Even if it is not financial, the technical details of each project must be shared with the beneficiary districts so that it will aid in supervision and inputs that will come from the assemblies technical people, he stressed. First layer This, he observed, would ensure that if there were issues with it, there would be a first layer of complaint mechanism so that the control measure would be put in place and eventually draw the attention of the awarding agency about the challenges of the projects and have them addressed, he added. The Vice Chairman recommended that components of every contract awarded by the central government should be lodged at the district assembly, adding, that would not only ensure quality work but would give true meaning to the decentralisation process. Common fund The MP further noted that government needed to work on increasing the allocation of the DACF for deprived districts to ensure that there was adequate resources to enable them to implement projects that would accelerate development and improve the lives of the people in those areas. The first Deputy Whip of the Minority Caucus in Parliament and a member of the committee, Mr Ahmed Ibrahim, noted that as part of its oversight responsibility, the committee was tasked to inspect the execution of projects funded under the DACF. Mr Ibrahim who is also the MP for the Banda Constituency in the Bono Region, explained that very soon the 2021 formulae for the DACF distribution would be presented to Parliament and, therefore, it was imperative for the committee to have first-hand information about the ongoing projects so as to make a comprehensive report for consideration. Inspection The Committee inspected the construction of District Assembly Office Complexes in the Bolgatanga East, Tempane and Kassena-Nankana West districts. The projects were at various stages of completion. At the Bongo and Garu Districts, the committee members inspected ongoing construction of courts, complexes and residential accommodation. The delegation was made up of the Vice Chairman of the Committee and MP for Ahafo Ano North, Mr Sulemana Sanid, MP for Banda and first Deputy Whip of Minority Caucus in Parliament Mr Ahmed Ibrahim, MP for Sene East, Mr Dominic Napare, and MP for Garu, Mr Albert Akuka Alalzuuga. 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 Essential workers wait to take nasal swab tests to detect the COVID-19 novel coronavirus before returning to work in Singapore on June 10, 2020. (Photo by Roslan RAHMAN / AFP) (Photo by ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images) SINGAPORE While pending a COVID-19 swab test, an Indian national who was supposed to wait for his test results at a hospital left the premises, intending to take a flight back to his home country. Balachandran Parthiban, 25, who tested positive for the virus on 24 May last year, took a taxi to Changi Airport before he was found by police officers. Even after he was isolated in his dormitory, Parthiban, who is on an employment pass, again left the residence in an attempt to return to India. As he was unable to buy a flight ticket, he sought refuge at a relative's flat. The relative called Parthiban's supervisor after realising that he had left his dormitory without permission. Parthiban was remanded at the Institute of Mental Health on Friday (14 May) after he pleaded guilty to two breaches under the Infectious Diseases Act for exposing others to the risk of infection and contravening the order prohibiting residents of the dormitory from leaving the area. Two other charges will be considered for his sentencing. His lawyer, Cory Wong, asked for Parthiban to be assessed in a pre-sentencing report, as the worker was previously diagnosed with adjustment disorder in June last year. The report will determine if there was any contributory link between Parthiban's psychiatric condition and his offending. He is currently on anti-psychotic medication. Told repeatedly not to leave testing area On 23 May last year, Parthiban reported sick at his dormitory with a fever and sore throat. He suspected that he had COVID-19, as others in his dormitory had tested positive. He was conveyed via ambulance to the Singapore General Hospital to get tested at about 12.45pm. After being swabbed, at about 1.40pm, Parthiban was transferred to the "Fever Screening Area" at SGHs multi-storey carpark to wait for his results. While there, Parthiban was told repeatedly not to leave until his results were ready, and that he should inform someone if he wanted to go anywhere. Parthiban responded "ok ok". Story continues The swab test result revealed that he was indeed infected with COVID-19. At about 5.35pm, Parthiban left the area with his two haversacks and passport, intending to buy a flight ticket to return to India. He did not inform anyone of his intent. Parthiban walked towards Kim Tian Road in Tiong Bahru and then headed to Block 79 Chay Yan Street towards Yong Siak Street, covering about 2.1km. After reaching Yong Siak Street, Parthiban boarded a public bus and travelled for two stops before alighting. At Lower Delta Road, Parthiban flagged down a taxi and travelled to Terminal 1 of Changi Airport where he tried to buy a ticket. When the airport staff did not sell the ticket to him, Parthiban loitered around Terminal 1 of Changi International Airport for about four hours until he was found by police officers. He was then returned to SGH. The taxi driver who fetched Parthiban was issued a home quarantine order for two weeks and could not work. The cabby eventually tested negative. Went to relative's home On 8 June last year, after being diagnosed to be no longer infectious, Parthiban was discharged from SGH and sent back to the dormitory to serve a 14-day leave of absence. He was prohibited from leaving. On 16 June, at about 5.50am, Parthiban packed two bags of belongings, took his passport and left for the airport. He was informed by counter staff that he could not buy a flight ticket. He then slept at the airport. The next day, he went to his relative's residence in Tampines and revealed that he had left his dormitory without permission. The relative called Parthiban's supervisor. He was escorted back to the dormitory by police officers who arrived at noon. Parthiban will be sentenced at a later date. He faces a jail term of up to six months and a fine of up to $10,000 or both for his breaches. Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore More Singapore stories: Woman, 27, dies after fall from 6th floor of TTSH Ex-SPH deputy chief Patrick Daniel to be interim CEO of SPH Media The federal government is providing $7.4 billion to hire more school nurses to vaccinate children, to create a service corps for health care, and to boost disease detection efforts, the Associated Press reported Thursday. Carole Johnson, the Biden administration coronavirus testing coordinator, told the AP that the funding is part of the U.S. pandemic response and will provide a steady stream of money rather than the cycle of "boom and bust'" that has been the usual response to health emergencies. "We really see this as funding that can help end the pandemic and help us prevent the next one," Johnson said. About $4.4 billion will go to current priorities in fighting the pandemic, she added, including $3.4 billion for states and local health departments to increase hiring vaccinators, contact tracers, virus testers, and epidemiologists. In addition, $500 million will go to hiring school nurses, who could vaccinate children now that the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has been approved for teens. Another $400 million will help set up the Public Health AmeriCorps, a service program to enlist young people early in their careers in public service work. The idea is to train and encourage young professionals interested in public health. The money will create tens of thousands of new jobs over five years, Johnson said. Some of the money is for long-term investments. About $3 billion will go to a grant program to help states and local communities maintain public health efforts after the pandemic ends, the AP said. Explore further Emergency program to give people $50 off internet bill More information: Associated Press Article Copyright 2021 HealthDay. All rights reserved. Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain New research by experts from the University of Manchester has found that the poor management of untreated wastewater and raw sewage by water companies is the main source of microplastic pollution in the UK's rivers. Three years ago, the researchers from the University's Department of Geography were the first to demonstrate high levels of microplastic contamination on the UK's river beds. Now, new research published in the journal Nature Sustainability has found that water companies themselves are the cause of this contamination, as they are releasing wastewater during periods of dry weather into river flows that are too sluggish to disperse microplastics downstream. The quality of river bed habitats underpins the entire river ecosystem because many creatures live, feed and reproduce in this environmentwhen they are contaminated with microplastics, ecosystem exposure is maximized because the particles are stored on the bed for weeks or months before they are flushed away by flooding. The river bed is the worst place for extended periods of microplastic contamination because it increases opportunities for ingestion by aquatic creatures, and for them to move through the food chain. Microplastics are also vectors for other contaminants present in wastewater. Credit: University of Manchester The researchers say that conventional treatment removes the great bulk of the microplastic load in wastewatertherefore, river beds that are heavily contaminated with microplastics provide a clear indication of poor wastewater management. The discharge of raw sewage to rivers is already controversial and has generated widespread condemnation. An inquiry into Water Quality in Rivers is currently underway by the UK Parliament's Environmental Audit Committee. However, the researchers are calling for more to be done to tackle the problem. "Water companies must stop releasing untreated sewage and wastewater into rivers during periods of dry weather, as this causes river beds to be heavily contaminated with microplastics and maximizes habitat damage," said Professor Jamie Woodward, who led the research. "Rivers are also the main supplier of microplastics to the oceansto tackle the global marine microplastic problem, we need to limit their input to rivers." "We are asking the water companies to be guided by the science, and to shoulder their responsibilities. We are also calling for stronger regulation from the Environment Agency to police water company discharges," says Professor Jamie Woodward. Explore further Microplastic sizes in Hudson-Raritan Estuary and coastal ocean revealed More information: Jamie Woodward et al. Acute riverine microplastic contamination due to avoidable releases of untreated wastewater, Nature Sustainability (2021). Journal information: Nature Sustainability Jamie Woodward et al. Acute riverine microplastic contamination due to avoidable releases of untreated wastewater,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41893-021-00718-2 Anthocerotibacter panamensis, a newly discovered species of cyanobacteria, can help researchers study the dawn of oxygenic photosynthesis. Credit: Fay-Wei Li Cyanobacteria are one of the unsung heroes of life on Earth. They first evolved to perform photosynthesis about 2.4 billion years ago, pumping tons of oxygen into the atmospherea period known as the Great Oxygenation Eventwhich enabled the evolution of multicellular life forms. Led by BTI faculty member Fay-Wei Li, researchers have discovered a new species of cyanobacteria, Anthocerotibacter panamensis, which could help illuminate how photosynthesis evolved to create the world as we know it. The work was published in Current Biology on May 13. "We never intended to discover a new species," said Li. "It was a total accident." His lab was working on a project to isolate cyanobacteria from hornwort plants, and noticed something weird in a sample from a rainforest in Panama. The researchers sequenced the cyanobacterium's DNA, and found that it belonged to a group called Gloeobacteria, which is extremely rare. "Prior to this discovery, only two species of Gloeobacteria had been isolated," Li said. "There is also a third group of uncultured species from the Arctic and Antarctic regions, but no one knows how many species are in that group." Gloeobacteria diverged from the more commonly studied Phycobacteria about 2 billion years ago. The two groups have many differences, and A. panamensis shares some traits with each. Anthocerotibacter panamensis, a newly discovered species of cyanobacteria, can help researchers study the dawn of oxygenic photosynthesis. Credit: Fay-Wei Li Similar to other Gloeobacteria, the new species lacks thylakoidsthe membrane-bound compartments that are the site of the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis in Phycobacteria and plants. "Now we can be pretty sure that the thylakoid evolved in Phycobacteria," Li said. On the other hand, A. panamensis makes carotenoidsa group of compounds that help protect an organism from sun damagein a fashion similar to Phycobacteria and plants, but different from the other Gloeobacteria. "These results suggest that this particular carotenoid biosynthesis pathway evolved in the ancestor of all cyanobacteria, and then was lost in some Gloeobacteria," said Li. Li said one of the more interesting findings is that A. panamensis has very few genes that encode the proteins that perform light-dependent reactions. The researchers found that the new species could still perform photosynthesis, but very slowly, which could be of interest to synthetic biologists. "If you want to build a complete set of photosynthetic machinery with the fewest necessary components, then this species could inform how to do that," said Li. "Anthocerotibacter has a minimal set of photosystem subunits, but it still functions." Explore further Photosynthesis could be as old as life itself More information: Nasim Rahmatpour et al, A novel thylakoid-less isolate fills a billion-year gap in the evolution of Cyanobacteria, Current Biology (2021). Journal information: Current Biology Nasim Rahmatpour et al, A novel thylakoid-less isolate fills a billion-year gap in the evolution of Cyanobacteria,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.04.042 Zircons studied by the research team, photographed using cathodoluminescence, a technique that allowed the team to visualize the interiors of the crystals using a specialized scanning electron microscope. Dark circles on the zircons are the cavities left by the laser that was used to analyze the age and chemistry of the zircons.Scientists led by Michael Ackerson, a research geologist at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, provide new evidence that modern plate tectonics, a defining feature of Earth and its unique ability to support life, emerged roughly 3.6 billion years ago. The study, published May 14 in the journal Geochemical Perspective Letters, uses zircons, the oldest minerals ever found on Earth, to peer back into the planet's ancient past.The team tested more than 3,500 zircons, each just a couple of human hairs wide, by blasting them with a laser and then measuring their chemical composition with a mass spectrometer. These tests revealed the age and underlying chemistry of each zircon. Of the thousands tested, about 200 were fit for study due to the ravages of the billions of years these minerals endured since their creation. Credit: Michael Ackerson, Smithsonian. Scientists led by Michael Ackerson, a research geologist at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, provide new evidence that modern plate tectonics, a defining feature of Earth and its unique ability to support life, emerged roughly 3.6 billion years ago. Earth is the only planet known to host complex life and that ability is partly predicated on another feature that makes the planet unique: plate tectonics. No other planetary bodies known to science have Earth's dynamic crust, which is split into continental plates that move, fracture and collide with each other over eons. Plate tectonics afford a connection between the chemical reactor of Earth's interior and its surface that has engineered the habitable planet people enjoy today, from the oxygen in the atmosphere to the concentrations of climate-regulating carbon dioxide. But when and how plate tectonics got started has remained mysterious, buried beneath billions of years of geologic time. The study, published May 14 in the journal Geochemical Perspectives Letters, uses zircons, the oldest minerals ever found on Earth, to peer back into the planet's ancient past. The oldest of the zircons in the study, which came from the Jack Hills of Western Australia, were around 4.3 billion years oldwhich means these nearly indestructible minerals formed when the Earth itself was in its infancy, only roughly 200 million years old. Along with other ancient zircons collected from the Jack Hills spanning Earth's earliest history up to 3 billion years ago, these minerals provide the closest thing researchers have to a continuous chemical record of the nascent world. "We are reconstructing how the Earth changed from a molten ball of rock and metal to what we have today," Ackerson said. "None of the other planets have continents or liquid oceans or life. In a way, we are trying to answer the question of why Earth is unique, and we can answer that to an extent with these zircons." To look billions of years into Earth's past, Ackerson and the research team collected 15 grapefruit-sized rocks from the Jack Hills and reduced them into their smallest constituent partsmineralsby grinding them into sand with a machine called a chipmunk. Fortunately, zircons are very dense, which makes them relatively easy to separate from the rest of the sand using a technique similar to gold panning. The Jack Hills of Western Australia, where the zircons studied were sampled from 15 grapefruit-sized rocks collected by the research team.Scientists led by Michael Ackerson, a research geologist at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, provide new evidence that modern plate tectonics, a defining feature of Earth and its unique ability to support life, emerged roughly 3.6 billion years ago. The study, published May 14 in the journal Geochemical Perspective Letters, uses zircons, the oldest minerals ever found on Earth, to peer back into the planet's ancient past. Credit: Dustin Trail, University of Rochester The team tested more than 3,500 zircons, each just a couple of human hairs wide, by blasting them with a laser and then measuring their chemical composition with a mass spectrometer. These tests revealed the age and underlying chemistry of each zircon. Of the thousands tested, about 200 were fit for study due to the ravages of the billions of years these minerals endured since their creation. "Unlocking the secrets held within these minerals is no easy task," Ackerson said. "We analyzed thousands of these crystals to come up with a handful of useful data points, but each sample has the potential to tell us something completely new and reshape how we understand the origins of our planet." A zircon's age can be determined with a high degree of precision because each one contains uranium. Uranium's famously radioactive nature and well-quantified rate of decay allow scientists to reverse engineer how long the mineral has existed. The aluminum content of each zircon was also of interest to the research team. Tests on modern zircons show that high-aluminum zircons can only be produced in a limited number of ways, which allows researchers to use the presence of aluminum to infer what may have been going on, geologically speaking, at the time the zircon formed. After analyzing the results of the hundreds of useful zircons from among the thousands tested, Ackerson and his co-authors deciphered a marked increase in aluminum concentrations roughly 3.6 billion years ago. "This compositional shift likely marks the onset of modern-style plate tectonics and potentially could signal the emergence of life on Earth," Ackerson said. "But we will need to do a lot more research to determine this geologic shift's connections to the origins of life." A thin, polished slice of a rock collected from the Jack Hills of Western Australia. Using a special microscope equipped with a polarizing lenses, the research team was able to examine the intricate internal structure of quartz that makes up the rock, including unique features that allowed them to identify ancient zircons (magenta mineral in the center of the red-outlined inset image in the right photo).Scientists led by Michael Ackerson, a research geologist at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, provide new evidence that modern plate tectonics, a defining feature of Earth and its unique ability to support life, emerged roughly 3.6 billion years ago. The study, published May 14 in the journal Geochemical Perspective Letters, uses zircons, the oldest minerals ever found on Earth, to peer back into the planet's ancient past.To look billions of years into Earth's past, Ackerson and the research team collected 15 grapefruit-sized rocks from the Jack Hills and reduced them into their smallest constituent partsmineralsby grinding them into sand with a machine called a chipmunk. Fortunately, zircons are very dense, which makes them relatively easy to separate from the rest of the sand using a technique similar to gold panning. Credit: Michael Ackerson, Smithsonian The line of inference that links high-aluminum zircons to the onset of a dynamic crust with plate tectonics goes like this: one of the few ways for high-aluminum zircons to form is by melting rocks deeper beneath Earth's surface. "It's really hard to get aluminum into zircons because of their chemical bonds," Ackerson said. "You need to have pretty extreme geologic conditions." Ackerson reasons that this sign that rocks were being melted deeper beneath Earth's surface meant the planet's crust was getting thicker and beginning to cool, and that this thickening of Earth's crust was a sign that the transition to modern plate tectonics was underway. Prior research on the 4 billion-year-old Acasta Gneiss in northern Canada also suggests that Earth's crust was thickening and causing rock to melt deeper within the planet. "The results from the Acasta Gneiss give us more confidence in our interpretation of the Jack Hills zircons," Ackerson said. "Today these locations are separated by thousands of miles, but they're telling us a pretty consistent story, which is that around 3.6 billion years ago something globally significant was happening." This work is part of the museum's new initiative called Our Unique Planet, a public-private partnership, which supports research into some of the most enduring and significant questions about what makes Earth special. Other research will investigate the source of Earth's liquid oceans and how minerals may have helped spark life. Ackerson said he hopes to follow up these results by searching the ancient Jack Hills zircons for traces of life and by looking at other supremely old rock formations to see if they too show signs of Earth's crust thickening around 3.6 billion years ago. More information: M.R. Ackerson et al, Emergence of peraluminous crustal magmas and implications for the early Earth, Geochemical Perspectives Letters (2021). M.R. Ackerson et al, Emergence of peraluminous crustal magmas and implications for the early Earth,(2021). DOI: 10.7185/geochemlet.2114 Hurricane Idai that struck southeast Africa in March 2019 resulted in widespread flooding in Mozambique. This radar image from the European Sentinel-1 satellite shows in red the extent of flooding around the Buzi and Pungwe rivers. Credit: ESA Earth observation satellites provide the most comprehensive real-time check on the health of the planet and are playing a crucial role in the fight against global heating now and increasingly in future, according to leading climate scientists. Although the UK is at the forefront of developing and harnessing technology to turn Earth Observation (EO) data into actionable information, more education and training is needed to maximize its potential and help the world to meet challenging climate targets. A new policy briefing published today, led by the University of Bristol, has set out the opportunities and areas for improvement with EO ahead of the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26, which will be hosted for the first time by the UK in Glasgow in Novembersix months away. The briefing, published in association with the COP26 Universities Network comprising more than 70 UK-based universities and research institutions, identifies EO satellites as a critical tool to monitor the causes and effects of climate change. The data they capture will help hold nations to account in meeting goals to lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduce global warming, as brokered in The Paris Agreement in 2015, which 190 countries have ratified and which the US recently rejoined. The technology is also important for informing emergency services to environmental disasters, ranging from floods to landslides, volcanic eruptions, and wildfires. Lead author of the briefing Jonathan Bamber, professor of physical geography at the University of Bristol's School of Geographical Sciences and its Cabot Institute for the Environment, said: "Earth Observation satellites are our eyes on the planet. Without them we would be virtually blind to the magnitude and timing of climate change and to human interference with the fragile ecosystems that we all depend on." This map shows changes in sea surface height between 1993 and 2015 derived from several satellite missions carrying an instrument called a radar altimeter, which measures the height of the oceans with high accuracy. The mean global rate over this time period was just over 3 mm/year but some regions, such as the Western Pacific have been going up much faster than this at around 1 cm/year. Credit: ESA Earth Observation refers to global, or near-global, observations of the Earth's surface and atmosphere by satellites. The near-instantaneous data generated are being used to monitor and assess the pace of climate change and its impacts across the land and seas of the whole planet. Over the oceans, for instance, this includes measuring winds and waves, sea level change, surface temperature, and biological activity. On land surfaces, it encompasses crop health and yields, forest carbon stocks, soil moisture, urbanization, snow and ice cover, water quality and quantity, and mass movements such as landslides and flooding. Translating the vast and increasing volumes of EO data into actionable information poses a technical and societal challenge demanding Big Data infrastructure and expertise, analytics, corresponding visualizations, and international cooperation and coordination. Despite major progress in satellite technology and data analysis, the robust operational monitoring and analysis systems that can produce quality-assessed EO products in a form that can be used by non-specialists are not always available. The report identifies three key focus areas to ensure EO is fit for purpose and optimized, as follows: Capacity building is essential. As an environmental science leader, the UK can, and should, contribute to capacity building in EO technology, methodologies and skills in support of nations not yet positioned to exploit EO effectively within the Paris Agreement process. This should include expanded provision of education and training in EO science and climate nationally and internationally via, for example, Official Development Assistance (ODA) programs. International cooperation and coordination are needed between the space agencies, national funding bodies, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and entities such as the Group on Earth Observation and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to achieve full and appropriate use of EO data and ensure the resources are free to use and tailored to stakeholder needs. Trans-national funding. A mechanism to fund such cooperation at an international level does not exist, but this will be critical in maximizing the full potential of EO data and technology. Co-lead author Paul Bates FRS, professor of hydrology at the university of bristol and associate director of the Cabot Institute for the Environment, who is leading the university's COP26 activities, said: "Free-to-use satellite data can transform the ability of countries around the world to manage the threat of climate change, but only if countries like the UK share their expertise and technology." Established in 2020, the COP26 Universities Network aims to improve access to evidence and academic expertise for the UN Climate Summit in Glasgow for the UK Government, NGOs and the international community, working together to help deliver ambitious climate change outcomes. Explore further Earth Day: Taking the pulse of our planet More information: Space-based earth observations for climate security: Space-based earth observations for climate security: www.gla.ac.uk/media/Media_792662_smxx.pdf Artists depiction of the Extrasolar Object Interceptor. Credit: Christopher Morrison What if we had the ability to chase down interstellar objects passing through our solar system, like 'Oumuamua or Comet Borisov? Such a spacecraft would need to be ready to go at a moment's notice, with the capacity to increase speed and change direction quickly. That's the idea behind a new mission concept called the Extrasolar Object Interceptor and Sample Return spacecraft. It has received exploratory funding from NASA through its Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program. "Bringing back samples from these objects could fundamentally change our view of the universe and our place in it," says Christopher Morrison, an engineer from the Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation-Tech (USNC-Tech) who submitted the proposal to NIAC. The concept Morrison and his team propose is a radioisotope-electric-propulsion spacecraft that relies on Chargeable Atomic Battery (CAB) technology, a power system that USNC has been developing for commercial use. The batteries are compact and possess one million times the energy density of state-of-the-art chemical batteriesas well as fossil fuels. "Radioisotopes have about the same amount of total energy stored in each atom," Morrison explained. "How quickly they release that energy depends on the half-life. Pu-238 has a half-life of 88 years, great for long missions to the outer solar system. The CAB batteries we are developing at USNC-Tech have shorter half-lives and possess a higher power density. In the NIAC, we are using a radioisotope with a five-year half-life and a power density over 30 times that of Plutonium-238 (Pu-238)." Artists impression of NASAs New Horizons spacecraft encountering a Pluto-like object in the distant Kuiper Belt. Credit: NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI/Alex Parker Pu-238 is NASA's usual nuclear power of choice for its spacecraft. It has been used for more than two-dozen very successful U.S. space missionssuch as New Horizons, and the Curiosity and Perseverance Mars roversfor their radioisotope power systems (RPS). Pu-238, however faces some challenges. Only a limited amount of Pu-238 can be produced (a mere 14 ounces (400 grams) each year right now with a path toward 50 ounces (1500 g) over the next few years). This is just barely enough to meet NASA's future mission needs for its major programs. Smaller programs and commercial companies face challenges not only because of the supply crunch, but also because Pu-238 is considered a special nuclear material with nonproliferation concerns. The radioisotopes in the CAB technology are instead commercial in nature, in fact many of them are heavily used in the medical industry for cancer treatment therapies. "CAB batteries combined with electric propulsion would be very simple systems," Morrison told Universe Today. "This is all proven technology. The real innovation we are taking advantage of is the current regulatory environment. Before 2019, there was not a legal framework for commercial companies to use nuclear-based power. Now its officially sanctioned." Presidential memo NPSN-20 in 2019 directed the Department of Transportation, and specifically the Federal Aviation Administration, to develop a tiered regulatory system that would allow commercial companies to launch nuclear-powered spacecraft. Plutonium-238 fuel (in the form of a ceramic) glows with the heat of its natural decay inside a protective cylindrical shell of graphite, during the assembly of the heat sources for the electrical power system on NASAs Mars rovers at the Department of Energys Idaho National Laboratory. Credit: NASA/DOE Morrison's proposal explains that the "CAB is easier and cheaper to manufacture than Pu-238 and the safety case is greatly enhanced by the CAB's encapsulation of radioactive materials within a robust carbide matrix. This technology is superior to fission systems for this application because fission systems need a critical mass whereas radioisotope systems can be much smaller and fit on smaller launch systems, reducing cost and complexity." The CAB powered spacecraft, dubbed the "Extrasolar Express," has a fueled mass of just under one ton. SpaceX's Falcon 9, in contrast, can place over 20 tons into orbit. What would be done with all the extra room in the launch vehicle? Morrison explains: "We can trade some of that mass for an extra speed boost away from Earth. In addition, some of the extra mass can be used to increase safety by including a large robust shield that protects the radioisotope and ensures no release even the worst-case launch accident. Once in a high orbit the shield can be ejected, and the spacecraft can travel unhindered on its mission." Extrasolar Objects Now on the Scene Before the two unusual and intriguing interstellar objects burst on the scene in our solar system ("Oumuamua in 2017 and Borisov in 2019) astronomers hadn't widely considered that wandering interlopers from other star systems might routinely pass by. Now, scientists calculate that an average of seven such objects pass inside Earth's orbit each year. Finding out more about these objects is an enticing prospect, since right now, all we can do is watch them with telescopes as they speed past us. Artists impression of Oumuamua. According to new research, the object is composed of molecular hydrogen ice, which explains its cigar-like shape. Credit: ESO/M. Kornmesser "These objects seem to come fairly close to us," Morrison said, "creating a mission to catch up to one is not a question of distance but a question of speed. That changes the equation as opposed to most missions, which need longevity. This is just a velocity problem, because you can intercept it and grab a sample and head back to Earth as long as you have the delta v to accomplish the mission." Morrison explained the potential mission plan for the Extrasolar Object Interceptor and Sample Return : Launch the Interceptor spacecraft towards Jupiter and wait for a suitable extrasolar object to be detected. "You might have to wait a year or so," he said, "but no matter what, you'll likely have to execute a plane change, because these objects don't come in on our ecliptic plane. The idea is to fly towards Jupiter, hopefully be in a good place to do a slingshot around Jupiter to get into the same plane orientation as the object." The spacecraft could be similar in size and mass to the Dawn mission, which also used electric propulsion. But instead of Dawn's enormous solar panels, the CAB would provide enough power to create a speedy spacecraft. The Interceptor would need large heat rejection radiators, which (like Dawn's solar panels) would be the largest part of the spacecraft. The details of the Sample Return portion are still being worked out, but perhaps something similar to the TAGSAM sample acquisition system employed by the OSIRIS-REx mission. Artists concept of the Dawn spacecraft arriving at Vesta. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech "I consider myself more of the "Scotty' of designing this Interceptor mission, but I'd get a Spock to help figure out the science part," Morrison mused. CABs are manufactured using non-radioactive materials and then "charged" in a radiation field to create a specific radioisotope. Morrison said there are a lot of different radioisotopes of interest (for example Cobalt-60 and Thulium-170) and the technology can be catered to meet the power density and lifetime needs of a customer. Many of the CAB technology potential customers are terrestrial companies looking at underwater or underground applications. "The technology is being pioneered for watt-scale lunar heating applications in the near-term, but the NIAC proposal represents the sportier version of the technology." The NIAC Program bills itself as nurturing visionary ideas that could transform future NASA missions with the creation of breakthroughs, while engaging innovators and entrepreneurs as partners. Even if the Extrasolar Object Interceptor and Sample Return never makes it as a "real" mission, Morrison and USNC will continue to work towards making their CAB a viable power source for both Earth and space. "I'm extremely grateful we received NIAC funding," Morrison said, "our company is already investing our own money into this technology. We'd like the CAB to be the Duracell battery of the future for anything that seems impossiblelike long duration space missions, or in remote environments on Earth." The Micro Modular Reactor (MMR) system is a fourth-generation nuclear energy system that delivers safe, clean, and cost-effective electricity and heat to remote mines, industry, and communities. It is the leading SMR project in Canada and the first so called fission battery concept worldwide. Credit: USNC Beyond CAB batteries, the USNC company has been developing other nuclear technologies. "Radioisotopes used in CABs are hot rocks that produce consistent heat over a long period of time. A fission reactor is a different type of nuclear technology that can be turned on and off, up and down" explains Chris. USNC is developing a small modular fission reactor for use in the Canadian Arctic and this project is the main focus of the company's efforts. "Canada spends many hundreds of millions a year on diesel for generators to power their small towns in remote regions ," Morrison said, "and they really want to change to using small modular reactors." It turns out that power systems that work well for remote locations on Earth are good for remote locations in space, too. UNSC-Tech, where Morrison works, is a subsidiary of USNC focused on the aerospace industry and advanced terrestrial systems. USNC-Tech is developing fission propulsion technology with NASA and DARPA as well as a Lunar and Martian reactor dubbed the "Pylon reactor." "USNC-Tech is designing the "LEGO' bricks for space nuclear technology. Space missions would use the same fundamental terrestrial technology arranged in a different configuration to accomplish brave new things in new places," Morrison explained. "The Extra Solar Express NIAC though is probably my favorite one." Explore further A Titan mission could refuel on site and return a sample to Earth This false-color composite from NASA Spitzer Space Telescope and NASA Chandra X-ray Observatory shows the remnant of N132D. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Harvard-Smithsonian CfA The first-ever discovery of an extraterrestrial radioactive isotope on Earth has scientists rethinking the origins of the elements on our planet. The tiny traces of plutonium-244 were found in ocean crust alongside radioactive iron-60. The two isotopes are evidence of violent cosmic events in the vicinity of Earth millions of years ago. Star explosions, or supernovae create many of the heavy elements in the periodic table, including those vital for human life, such as iron, potassium and iodine. To form even heavier elements, such as gold, uranium and plutonium it was thought that a more violent event may be needed, such as two neutron stars merging. However, a study led by Professor Anton Wallner from The Australian National University (ANU) suggests a more complex picture. "The story is complicatedpossibly this plutonium-244 was produced in supernova explosions or it could be left over from a much older, but even more spectacular event such as a neutron star detonation," lead author of the study, Professor Wallner said. Any plutonium-244 and iron-60 that existed when the Earth formed from interstellar gas and dust over four billion years ago has long since decayed, so current traces of them must have originated from recent cosmic events in space. The dating of the sample confirms two or more supernova explosions occurred near Earth. "Our data could be the first evidence that supernovae do indeed produce plutonium-244," Professor Wallner said. "Or perhaps it was already in the interstellar medium before the supernova went off, and it was pushed across the solar system together with the supernova ejecta." Professor Wallner also holds joint positions at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) and Technical University Dresden in Germany, and conducted this work with researchers from Australia, Israel, Japan, Switzerland and Germany. The VEGA accelerator at Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization, (ANSTO) in Sydney was used to identify the tiny traces of the plutonium-244. The study has been published in Science. Explore further Ancient star explosions revealed in the deep sea More information: A. Wallner et al. 60Fe and 244Pu deposited on Earth constrain the r-process yields of recent nearby supernovae, Science (2021). A. Wallner et al.Fe andPu deposited on Earth constrain the r-process yields of recent nearby supernovae,(2021). DOI: 10.1126/science.aax3972 Daniel Clery. Trace seabed plutonium points to stellar forges of heavy elements, Science (2021). DOI: 10.1126/science.abj4596 Journal information: Science Fibre-optic cable (red) installed in 1 km deep borehole drilled on Store Glacier in Greenland. Credit: Poul Christoffersen and RESPONDER team Scientists have used fibre-optic sensing to obtain the most detailed measurements of ice properties ever taken on the Greenland Ice Sheet. Their findings will be used to make more accurate models of the future movement of the world's second-largest ice sheet, as the effects of climate change continue to accelerate. The research team, led by the University of Cambridge, used a new technique in which laser pulses are transmitted in a fibre-optic cable to obtain highly detailed temperature measurements from the surface of the ice sheet all the way to the base, more than 1000 metres below. In contrast to previous studies, which measured temperature from separate sensors located tens or even hundreds of metres apart, the new approach allows temperature to be measured along the entire length of a fibre-optic cable installed in a deep borehole. The result is a highly detailed profile of temperature, which controls how fast ice deforms and ultimately how fast the ice sheet flows. The temperature of ice sheets was thought to vary as a smooth gradient, with the warmest sections on the surface where the sun hits, and at the base where it's warmed by geothermal energy and friction as the ice sheet grinds across the subglacial landscape toward the ocean. The new study found instead that the temperature distribution is far more heterogenous, with areas of highly localised deformation warming the ice further. This deformation is concentrated at the boundaries between ice of different ages and types. Although the exact cause of this deformation remains unknown, it may be due to dust in the ice from past volcanic eruptions or large fractures which penetrate several hundred metres below the surface of the ice. The results are reported in the journal Science Advances. Mass loss from the Greenland Ice Sheet has increased sixfold since the 1980s and is now the single largest contributor to global sea-level rise. Around half of this mass loss is from surface meltwater runoff, while the other half is driven by discharge of ice directly into the ocean by fast flowing glaciers that reach the sea. Night shift: installing fibre-optic cable in a borehole at 3 am after a long day of drilling. Credit: Adam Booth and RESPONDER team In order to determine how the ice is moving and the thermodynamic processes at work within a glacier, accurate ice temperature measurements are essential. Conditions on the surface can be detected by satellites or field observations in a relatively straightforward way. However, determining what is happening at the base of the kilometre thick ice sheet is far more challenging to observe, and a lack of observations is a major cause of uncertainty in projections of global sea-level rise. The RESPONDER project, funded by the European Research Council, is addressing this problem using hot-water drilling technology to bore through Sermeq Kujalleq (Store Glacier) and directly study the environment at the base of one of Greenland's largest glaciers. "We normally take measurements within the ice sheet by attaching sensors to a cable that we lower into a drilled borehole, but the observations we've made so far weren't giving us a complete picture of what's happening," said co-author Dr. Poul Christoffersen from the Scott Polar Research Institute who leads the RESPONDER project. "The more precise data we are able to gather, the clearer we can make that picture, which in turn will help us make more accurate predictions for the future of the ice sheet." "With typical sensing methods, we can only attach about a dozen sensors onto the cable, so the measurements are very spaced out," said first author Robert Law, a Ph.D. candidate at the Scott Polar Research Institute. "But by using a fibre-optic cable instead, essentially the whole cable becomes a sensor, so we can get precise measurements from the surface all the way to the base." To install the cable, the scientists had to first drill through the glacier, a process led by Professor Bryn Hubbard and Dr. Samuel Doyle from Aberystwyth University. After lowering the cable into the borehole, the team transmitted laser pulses in the cable, and then recorded the distortions in the scattering of light in the cable, which vary depending on the temperature of the surrounding ice. Engineers at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands and geophysicists at the University of Leeds assisted with data collection and analysis. "This technology is a big advance in our ability to record spatial variations in ice temperature over long distances and at really high resolution. With some further adaptations, the technique can also record other properties, such as deformation, at similarly high resolution," said Hubbard. "Overall, our readings paint a picture that's far more varied than what current theory and models predict," said Christoffersen. "We found temperature to be strongly influenced by the deformation of ice in bands and at the boundaries between different types of ice. And this shows there are limitations in many models, including our own." The researchers found three layers of ice in the glacier. The thickest layer consists of cold and stiff ice which formed over the last 10,000 years. Below, they found older ice from the last ice age, which is softer and more deformable due to dust trapped in the ice. What surprised the researchers the most, however, was a layer of warm ice more than 70 metres thick at the bottom of the glacier. "We know this type of warm ice from far warmer Alpine environments, but here the glacier is producing the heat by deforming itself," said Law. "With these observations, we are starting to better understand why the Greenland Ice Sheet is losing mass so quickly and why discharge of ice is such a prominent mechanism of ice loss," said Christoffersen. One of the major limitations in our understanding of climate change is tied to the behaviour of glaciers and ice sheets. The new data will allow the researchers to improve their models of how the Greenland Ice Sheet is currently moving, how it may move in the future, and what that this will mean for global sea-level rise. The research was funded in part by the European Union. Explore further What a glacial river reveals about the Greenland Ice Sheet More information: Thermodynamics of a fast-moving Greenlandic outlet glacier revealed by fiber-optic distributed temperature sensing, Science Advances (2021). Journal information: Science Advances Thermodynamics of a fast-moving Greenlandic outlet glacier revealed by fiber-optic distributed temperature sensing,(2021). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abe7136 Researchers measure the topography of an exposed glacier bed at Castleguard Glacier in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, Canada. Credit: Keith Williams, contributed by Christian Helanow. The field photos show the hard, rough country that some glaciers slide over: rocky domes and bumps in granite, rocky steps and depressions in limestone. The glacier beds dwarf the researchers and their instruments. (As do the high mountains pictured on the various horizons.) During their trips to glacier beds recently exposed by retreating glaciers in the Swiss Alps (Rhone, Schwarzburg and Tsanfleuron glaciers) and the Canadian Rockies (Castleguard Glacier), four glaciologists used laser and drone technology to precisely measure the rocky beds and record their very different contours. The researchers turned the measurements into high-resolution digital models of those glacier beds. Then they went to work with manageable but representative subunits of the models to study how glaciers slide along the bedrock base. "The simplest way to say it is we studied the relationship between the forces at the base of the glacier and how fast the glacier moves," said Neal Iverson, a professor of geological and atmospheric sciences at Iowa State University and the study leader. Small force changes, big speed changes The resulting glacier "slip law" developed by the team describes that "relationship between forces exerted by ice and water on the bed and glacier speed," Iverson said. And that slip law could be used by other researchers to better estimate how quickly ice sheets flow into oceans, drop their ice and raise sea levels. In addition to Iverson, the study team included Christian Helanow, a postdoctoral research associate at Iowa State from 2018 to 2020 and currently a postdoctoral researcher in mathematics at Stockholm University in Sweden; Lucas Zoet, a postdoctoral research associate at Iowa State from 2012 to 2015 and currently an assistant professor of geoscience at the University of Wisconsin-Madison; and Jacob Woodard, a doctoral student in geophysics at Wisconsin. A grant from the National Science Foundation supported the team's work. Helanow is the first author of a paper just published online by Science Advances that describes the new slip law for glaciers moving on bedrock. Helanow's calculationsbased on a computer model of the physics of how ice slides over and separates locally from rough bedrockand the resulting slip law indicate that small changes in force at the glacier bed can lead to big changes in glacier speed. The exposed bed of Schwarzburg Glacier in the Swiss Alps. Credit: Neal Iverson. Measuring to inches The researchers used two methods to collect high-resolution measurements of the topographies of recently exposed rock glacier beds. They used ground-based lidar mapping technology to take detailed 3-D measurements. And, they sent up drones to photograph the beds from various angles, allowing detailed plotting of topography to a resolution of about 4 inches. "We used actual glacial beds for this model, in their fully 3-D, irregular forms," Iverson said. "It turns out that is important." Previous efforts used idealized, 2-D models of glacier beds. The researchers have learned such models are not adequate to derive the slip law for a hard bed. "The main thing we've done," Helanow said, "is use observed, rather than idealized, glacier beds to see how they impact glacier sliding." A universal slip law? The work follows another slip law determined by Zoet and Iverson that was published in April 2020 by the journal Science. There are a few key differences between the two: The first slip law accounts for the motion of ice moving over soft, deformable ground, while the second addresses glaciers moving over hard beds. (Both bed types are common beneath glaciers and ice sheets.) And, the first is backed by experimental data from a laboratory device that simulates slip at the bed of a glacier, rather than being based on field measurements of former glacier beds and computer modeling. Even so, the two slip laws ended up having similar mathematical forms. "They're very similarwhether it's a slip law for soft beds or hard beds," Iverson said. "But it's important to realize that the processes are different, the constants in the equations have quite different values for hard and soft beds." That has the researchers thinking ahead to more numerical analysis: "These results," they wrote, "may point to a universal slip law that would simplify and improve estimations of glacier discharges to the oceans." More information: A slip law for hard-bedded glaciers derived from observed bed topography, Science Advances 14 May 2021. Journal information: Science Advances A slip law for hard-bedded glaciers derived from observed bed topography,14 May 2021. DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abe7798 Spatial distribution (a) and latitudinal variation (b) of average annual silicate rock weathering carbon sink flux during 1996-2017. Credit: IGCAS The silicate carbon weathering sink (SCS) is the net carbon sink that affects the global carbon cycle over a period of millions of years or more. However, the magnitude, spatial pattern and evolution characteristics of global SCS remain unclear. A research team led by Prof. Bai Xiaoyong from the Institute of Geochemistry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (IGCAS) has calculated the global silicate rock weathering carbon sink flux (SCSF) magnitude and spatio-temporal distribution for 1996-2017, and further predicted the SCSF under two future greenhouse gas emission scenarios. The study was published in Earth's Future on April 20. The results demonstrated that the area of silicate rocks in the world was 6165.25 104 km2, accounting for about 41.38% of the global land area. The SCS was estimated as 127.11 Tg/yr, and the SCSF of silicate rocks was 1.67 t/km2/yr. "Global SCSF showed huge spatial heterogeneity, for example, 7% of the area of Brazilian silicate rocks contributes nearly a quarter of the global SCS," said Prof. Bai. The SCSF varied considerably among different watersheds due to zonal influence. The top five basins with annual average SCSF were Sepik, Orinoco, Magdalena, Amazon, and Essequibo. Sepik is the main river in northwestern Papua New Guinea, whereas the other four basins are located in South America. The researchers also found that the contributions of runoff and temperature to the changes in the SCSF were quite different. The contribution of runoff to the changes in the SCSF was mainly negative, while that of the temperature was mainly positive. However, the contribution area and magnitude of temperature were smaller than those of runoff. "Although global SCS shows a downward trend, the future prediction (2041-2060) suggested an active response of SCS to the global warming trend and its carbon sink capacity was suggested to continue to rise," said Prof. Bai. Moreover, under severe CO 2 emissions, the global SCSF was predicted to increase by 23.8%, with the growth area concentrated in South America and Australia. The study may fill the large-scale data gap of SCSF and provide a scientific basis for quantitatively assessing the impact of climate change on SCS. Explore further Aluminum may affect climate change by increasing ocean's carbon sink capacity More information: Sirui Zhang et al. Global CO 2 Consumption by Silicate Rock Chemical Weathering: Its Past and Future, Earth's Future (2021). Sirui Zhang et al. Global CO 2 Consumption by Silicate Rock Chemical Weathering: Its Past and Future,(2021). DOI: 10.1029/2020EF001938 Artists impression of Tiangong. Credit: Alejo Miranda/Shutterstock China launched Tianhe-1, the first and main module of a permanent orbiting space station called Tiangong (Heavenly Palace ), on April 29. Two additional science modules (Wentian and Mengtian) will follow in 2022 in a series of missions that will complete the station and allow it to start operations. While the station is not China's firstthe country has already launched twothe modular design is new. It replicates the International Space Station (ISS), from which China was excluded. There are many reasons for China to invest in this costly and technologically challenging project. One is to conduct scientific research and make medical, environmental and technological discoveries. But there are also other possible motivations, such as commercial gains and prestige. That said, Tiangong does not aim to compete with the ISS. The Chinese station will be smaller and similar in design and size to the former Soviet Mir space station, meaning it will have limited capacity for astronauts (three versus six on ISS). After all, it doesn't have as much money behind it as the ISS and there are not as many countries involved. If anything can be called the UN in space, it is the ISS, which has as collaborators former cold war enemies (US and Russia) and old friends (Japan, Canada and Europe). Over its two decades and counting of service, the only permanent human outpost in space has hosted about 250 astronauts from 19 different countries, carrying out hundreds of spacewalks and thousands of scientific experiments. But the ISS is coming to its natural end. It's scheduled to be decommissioned after 2024 to leave place for the Lunar Gateway, a small outpost that will orbit the moon. This is an international initiative part of the US-led Artemis Program that again sees China excluded. Toward a Chinese monopoly? Until the gateway is launched, however, Tiangongwhich will be placed in lower Earth orbit and have an expected life of 15 yearswill probably remain the only functioning space station. Some worry this makes it a security threat, arguing its science modules could be easily converted for military purposes, such as spying on countries. But it doesn't have to be this way and, if things go as planned, it won't be. China may use this opportunity to win back trust and attract international collaboration. This may be particularly important given Nasa's criticism following the recent Chinese out-of-control rocket that plunged into the Indian Ocean. There are signs the country is trying to be more open, having already declared Tiangong will be open to host non-Chinese crews and science projects. Astronauts from Europe's space agency, Esa, have in fact begun training with Chinese "taikonauts," and international projects have been included in the station's first approved batch of selected experiments. The Lunar Gateway. Credit: NASA Tiangong might not remain alone for long either. Supported by Nasa, private corporations have started designing their own orbital modules, from Bigelow Aerospace's inflatable habitat B330 to the commercial laboratory and residential infrastructure built by Axiom. Even Blue Origin has shown interest in building a space station. The Russians seem to like the idea, toothey already have plans for a luxury space hotel. What's more, the already extended ISS lifespan may be further prolonged, although there are many issues surrounding its end date. The Lunar Gateway Tiangong may not be alone for long, however, as the Lunar Gateway will be launched eventually. In its basic conception, the Lunar Gateway will serve as a science laboratory and short-term habitation module. It will then act as a hub, allowing for spacecraft and rovers to resupply during their multiple trips to the moon. The first launch is planned as early as May 2024 with SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket, taking the essential modules. It should be operational a few years later. Compared to the ISS, the Gateway will be smaller and more nimble. Of the original ISS members, only four (US, Europe, Japan and Canada) are part of the Gateway. For now, Russia has not joined, due to the controversies surrounding the Artemis program, which many countries believe is too US-centric. This is another opportunity for China. It has already started collaborating with other countries on recent space projects. More is coming. In March 2021, it signed an agreement with Russia's space agency Roscosmos to build a joint Russian-Chinese research facility on the moon. Having lost its monopoly for manned flights to the ISS due to the successful SpaceX launch in 2020, Russia seems keen to keep its options open for what concerns lunar projects. Ultimately, space is both challenging and expensive. While it is a way for many countries to show dominance, cooperation has already proved to be more effective than lone endeavors: if anything, the ISS is the best proof that. We know that space exploration can also defuse tensions on the ground, as it did during the cold war. China's taking a leading role in the new space race could have a similarly positive effectespecially if the country shows goodwill in helping address a growing security problem in low Earth orbit: how to get rid of space junk. Explore further China to launch Heavenly Harmony space station core module This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Harvard Chans David R. Williams, whose research looks at how discrimination affects Black peoples health, appeared on 60 Minutes in April. Credit: Harvard Chan School Since the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, many African Americans have reported feeling overwhelmed at times by the trauma, anguish, and outrage stirred up by Floyd's death, as well as other incidents of police violence against Black victims. The disturbing frequency of these events, and the relentless news coverage of them in the last year, has been taking a real emotional toll. A first-ever study in 2018 found that a police killing of an unarmed African American triggered days of poor mental health for Black people living in that state over the following three monthsa significant problem given there are about 1,000 police killings annually on average, with African Americans comprising a disproportionate 25 percent to 30 percent of those. The accumulation of painful days over the course of a year was comparable to the rate experienced by diabetics, according to the study's author, David R. Williams, Florence Sprague Norman and Laura Smart Norman Professor of Public Health and chair of the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Williams, a leading expert on the social influences of health and a professor of African and African American Studies and Sociology at Harvard University, spoke with the Gazette about what he's seen in the past year, the mental and physical tolls discrimination take on Black lives and what individuals can do to help mitigate them. Q&A: David R. Williams GAZETTE: This is a new area of scholarly inquiry. What have you found thus far about the causal links that police killings have on Black people's mental health? WILLIAMS: What we sought to do was to identify if a police killing of civilians had negative effects not just on the victim's family, immediate relatives and friends, but on the larger community. We looked at every police shooting in America over a three-year period [between 20132015] and then linked that, in a quasi-experimental design, with data from the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] on the mental health of the population in every state. And what we found was that every police shooting of an unarmed Black person was linked to worse mental health for the entire Black population in the state where that shooting had occurred for the next three months. It wasn't every police shooting that did that. If the Black person was armed, there was no negative effect on Black mental health. We also didn't find any effect of police shootings of Blacks, armed or unarmed, on the mental health of whites in those states. And we didn't find any effect on Black mental health of police shootings of [unarmed] whites. So we found a very specific effect. We think it's both the perception of it being unfair and the greater sense of vulnerability that it creates. GAZETTE: Were you surprised at all by those results? WILLIAMS: It's a striking finding, and it's the first time it has been documented in that way. On the other hand, it's not totally surprising. There's a body of evidence emerging that suggests these incidents are having a negative impact not just on [victims'] family members, but there's a broader community grieving; there's a broader "threat" to the community; there's a broader increase in personal vulnerability that's having mental health consequences. We are still in the beginning of understanding of what is happening. GAZETTE: Since the murder of George Floyd in May 2020, there's been a heightened focus on police violence and anti-Black racism in the country. Between video, audio, expert analysis, and ordinary conversation, as well as acts of police violence and intimidation of Black Lives Matter protestors, how do you think this last year has affected the mental health of Black people? WILLIAMS: I haven't done any specific work on this specific topic in the last year, but I want to emphasize that we're dealing with two pandemics. On the one hand, we're dealing with the pandemic of racial injustice, as captured by police shootings. But we're also dealing with the pandemic of COVID-19, which has had a disproportionate, negative impact on populations of color. If you look at the data for the African American population, for the Latinx population, for the Native American population, for Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, all those populations have death rates from COVID-19 that are at least twice that of whites. So we are looking at populations that are dealing with increased experiences of grief and loss at a time when people can't come together and mourn and go through the grieving process in the normal ways because of the pandemic. The economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has also been much more severe on poor Americans of all racial/ethnic groups, and on African Americans and Latinos, in particular. So we are looking at populations that are also dealing with elevated levels of financial stress. There is a vaccine for the COVID 19 virus, but there is no vaccine for mental health. So as a nation, as community leaders, as public health leaders, we need to think about how we provide the support and the resources and create the spaces to help people deal with the trauma, the emotional, physical symptomsanxiety, helplessness, nausea, headachesthat they may be struggling with. I believe we are seeing emerging mental health effects right now. Longer term, I would expect that we would see some adverse physiological effects. There is a body of researchI haven't done most of it, but my work is consistent with it. Some scientists use the term "accelerated aging"; in other studies, they use the term "biological weathering." What that body of research is suggesting to us is that in the United States, African Americans are aging biologically more rapidly than whites. At the same chronological age, African Americans are 7.5 years older or 10 years older, on average, compared to their white counterparts. We think that what this more rapid aging and physiologic deterioration reflects is the accumulation of all of these negative, stressful exposures in the physical, chemical, and psychosocial environment. GAZETTE: You also study the effects that racism has on Black physiological health. You developed a very widely used scale to measure a person's exposure to everyday discrimination that you say is highly predictive of health problems. What have you learned so far? WILLIAMS: The evidence is clear that discrimination matters for health. And it is not just what happens in the big things, like at discrimination at work or in interactions with the police. But there are day-to-day indignities that chip away at the well-being of populations of color: How often do people act as if you are not smart? How often do people act as if they are afraid of you? We found what we call in scientific research a "dose-response relationship" between the number of stressors individuals score high on and the number of depressive symptoms. So the more domains of stress you are high on, the higher are your levels of depressive symptoms. So reports of discrimination are linked to worse mental health, and also linked to lower levels of engagement with the health care system. People who score high on the everyday discrimination [scale] are less likely to follow through on the recommendations from their [health care] provider in terms of screening and follow-up tests. A review of studies of discrimination and sleep found that in every single study, no exception, discrimination was associated with poorer sleep, both in quantity and in quality. We also see higher levels of everyday discrimination linked to increased obesity. We see it linked to a broad range of health outcomes incident diabetes, incident cardiovascular disease, incident breast cancer as well as a range of other underlying indicators of chronic disease, such as inflammation. So the evidence is clear: These little indignities add up and take a toll on individuals. GAZETTE: One key revelation is that while income and education levels are influential drivers of health for every racial group, they provide less of a buffer from the negative effects of discrimination for Black people. WILLIAMS: My motivation for developing the everyday discrimination scale was to try to understand the stress of racial discrimination and the contribution that it makes to the racial disparities in health. When my career started, most researchers thought that racial differences in health were simply a function of racial differences in income and education and occupational status. For most indicators nationally, the gaps in health between whites with a college degree and whites who have not finished high school is bigger than the Black/white gap. And the gap within African Americans between the college-educated and those who have not finished high school is bigger than the Black/white gap. So income and education matter for your health, regardless of your race. But at the same time, race still matters. At age 25, for example, the worst-off whites, in terms of future life expectancy, [are those] who have not finished high school. But they live 3.1 years longer than African Americans who have not finished high school. The gap widens as education increases, with a 4.2-year gap among college-educated whites and Blacks. There is a stunning statistic [from] analyzes we did: The best-off African Americans in terms of life expectancy at age 25, those with a college degree, have lower life expectancy than whites with a college degree; have lower life expectancy than whites with some college education; and have lower life expectancy than whites who have finished high school. [That] tells us there's something profound about income and education that drives health regardless of your race, but there's something else about race that matters even after we've taken income and education into account. That's why I began to look at what else is it in the social environment? What does it mean to be Black in our society, and how does that shape health? GAZETTE: Aside from stopping these police killings and eliminating racism, what steps can individuals take today to protect their own mental and physical health? WILLIAMS: What research shows quite compellingly is that the quality of social relationships can have a huge impact in reducing the negative effects of discrimination and of other types of stressful experiences. One study looked at African American teenagers at ages 16, 17, and 18 and measured the discrimination that those adolescents reported. Those kids who [scored] consistently high on reported discrimination at 16, 17, and 18 had higher levels of stress hormonescortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrinehigher levels of inflammation (C-reactive protein), higher BMI [Body Mass Index], and higher blood pressure by age 20, not age 30 or 40. However, that association is completely erased, it's not evident, among those teens who had good, supportive relationships with their parents, their teachers, and their peers. So the quality of social ties seems to be an effective strategy to reduce all or at least some of the negative effects of discrimination. Building that sense of community is important. Another resource that's particularly powerful in the African American community is religion: A national study of Black Americans found that higher levels of religious engagement, as measured by church attendance, by greater supportive contact with members of their religious community, and by "seeking God's guidance in their everyday life," those three religious strategies, reduced the negative effects of exposure to racial discrimination on mental health. Another example [comes from] a study done among First Nation communities in Canada, indigenous communities. As a group, this population had some of the highest rates of youth suicide in the world. But researchers were struck by the fact that half of the almost 200 communities had no suicides at all in the previous five years. What they found was that those communities that were involved in challenging the federal government of Canada over treaty rights, over control of their public services (their schools, health care, etc.), and that had places in the community where their traditions were celebrated, had lower rates of suicide. Each of those indicatorsof protest, advocacy, and empowermentwas associated with the lower rates of suicide. It suggests that being engaged and fighting for one's future and trying to make a difference is actually a resource that is protective for at least some mental health outcomes. The Everyday Discrimination Scale The Everyday Discrimination Scale (EDS) it is used as a measure of subjective experiences of daily discrimination against the minority population. This measure contains nine elements that assess the person's daily life, followed by a follow-up question about what the person believes was the reason for that daily discrimination. This measure also presents a short version of five elements. It takes five to 10 minutes to administer. In your day-to-day life, how often do any of the following things happen to you? 1. You are treated with less courtesy than other people are. 2. You are treated with less respect than other people are. 3. You receive poorer service than other people at restaurants or stores. 4. People act as if they think you are not smart. 5. People act as if they are afraid of you. 6. People act as if they think you are dishonest. 7. People act as if they're better than you are. 8. You are called names or insulted. 9. You are threatened or harassed. 10. You are followed around in stores. Recommended answer categories for all items Almost every day At least once a week A few times a month A few times a year Less than once a year; never Follow-up question: Asked only of those answering "A few times a year" or more frequently to at least one question. What do you think is the main reason for these experiences? (check more than one, if volunteered) Your Ancestry or National Origins Your Gender Your Race Your Age Your Religion Your Height Your Weight Some other Aspect of Your Physical Appearance Your Sexual Orientation Your Education or Income Level Other possible categories to consider: A physical disability Your shade of skin color Your tribe Other (specify) Explore further Depression part of daily life for many Black Canadians More information: Developed for the Chicago Community Adult Health Study (CCAHS) Source : Sternthal, M., Slopen, N., Williams, D.R. "Racial Disparities in Health: How Much Does Stress Really Matter?" Du Bois Review, 2011; 8(1): 95-113. This story is published courtesy of the Harvard Gazette, Harvard University's official newspaper. For additional university news, visit Harvard.edu. INCIDENTS AND THREATS RFE/RL Calls On Russia To Stop 'Targeting' Journalists After Appeal Fails Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has called on Russia to stop "targeting" journalists after one of its contributors lost an appeal against her inclusion on Russias controversial registry of foreign agent media. The City Court in the western Russian city of Pskov on May 5 said the inclusion of RFE/RL contributor Lyudmila Savitskaya on the Justice Ministrys list was lawful. Lyudmila is not a 'foreign agent' -- she, and RFE/RL journalists Denis Kamalyagin and Sergei Markelov, are Russian nationals providing objective news and information to their fellow citizens, RFE/RL President Jamie Fly said in a statement. Read Savitskayas final statement to the court. Second RFE/RL Russia Contributor Loses Foreign Agent Appeal On May 7, the Pskov City Court ruled that Denis Kamalyagin, editor-in-chief of the newspaper Pskovskaya Guberniya and an RFE/RL contributor, had been legally designated as an individual media foreign agent. Kamalyagin and his lawyers filed a lawsuit against the Russian Justice Ministry in March 2021, demanding that his name be removed from the Ministrys register of media foreign agents. Kamalyagins lawyer, Tatyana Martynova said she was not surprised by the court's decision: It is obvious that the Ministry of Justice made a decision on the basis of letters from the authorities, but there is no confirmation of the factual circumstances in them...We will appeal. Deepfaking The Russian Opposition: How Baltic Journalists And Politicians Were Fooled The face and voice of 40-year-old Leonid Volkov, a close colleague of jailed Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny, have apparently been cloned for a deepfake operation that some European and British politicians suspect was masterminded by Moscow. From Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania to the Netherlands and United Kingdom, a pseudo-Volkov has appeared recently in video conversations with politicians interested in learning more about Russias human-rights situation and reported repressions of Navalnys supporters. Volkov speculated that two Russian digital pranksters, Vladimir Kuznetsov (Vovan) and Aleksei Stolyarov (Lexus), who are known for targeting politicians critical of the Kremlin, are behind the deception, but Stolyarov told The Guardian that he had not used any filter to portray Volkov on a Zoom call. Russian State TV Reacts To The Deadly Shooting In Kazan Current Time TVs Footage vs. Footage program, which focuses on dissecting fake news and sensationalized stories, examined Russian state medias reaction to the May 11 school shooting in Kazan. Among the topics discussedin this regard were: tightening control over the internet and computer games, restricting online anonymity, limiting arms sales, bringing back the death penalty. Many TV stations discussed the possibility of introducing armed guards at schools, possibly the Russian National Guard. One thing Russian state media outlets agreed on: no one doubts that after this tragedy, of course, very tough measures will be taken. (in Russian, Current Time TV) Russian Court Orders RFE/RL Contributor To Retract Reporting About Torture In Penal Colonies A court in the Russian city of Kemerovo ordered RFE/RL Russian Service project Siberia.Realities contributor Andrei Novashov, as well as other defendants in a lawsuit filed by three penal colonies located in the Kuzbass region, to retract their reporting about torture in the three facilities. The courts decision requires Novoashov to retract reporting in his article, where he cited comments by former prisoners who described torture and extortion in the penal colonies, as well as reimburse expenses incurred by te court for linguistic expertise, notary procedures, and examination of evidence amounting to almost $1,000. The other defendants in the case are three former prisoners of the penal colonies, and Dmitry Kamynin and Vladimir Taranenko of the human rights project "Siberia Pravovaya." Novashovs lawyer says they will appeal the decision. (Russian Service/Siberia.Realii) Police In Russia's Tatarstan Jail, Fine Journalists Reporting On Corruption The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is calling on authorities in the Russian republic of Tatarstan not to contest the appeals of two correspondents for an independent news website, who have been found guilty of interfering with traffic and disobeying police. A local court on May 9 convicted Aleksei Solovyov and Damir Manzhukov; Solovyev was sentenced to five days of administrative arrest, while Manzhukov was fined 2,000 rubles ($27) and released. The journalists denied the charges, Solovyov told CPJ, adding that he filed an appeal in his case and that Manzhukov planned to do so as well. Iran Urged To Stop Jailing, Harassing Kurdish Journalists The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is urging Iran to stop its imprisonment and harassment of Kurdish journalists amid what human rights groups have denounced as a crackdown on members of the minority group. In a statement on May 12, the New York-based media-freedom watchdog cited news reports and sources familiar with the cases as saying that Iranian authorities had arrested at least eight Kurdish journalists since May 2020. Three of them -- Navid Seyed-Mohammadi, Jafar Osafi, and Nasrullah Lashani -- remain in detention. Watchdogs Blast Uzbek Blogger's Prison Sentence International media-freedom watchdogs are urging an Uzbek court to overturn the conviction of a blogger who was sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison on "trumped-up" extortion and slander charges. A court in the southern Surxondaryo region handed down the sentence against Otabek Sattoriy on May 10 in a case denounced by rights defenders as retaliation by the authorities for his critical reporting. The 40-year-old Sattoriy has insisted that the case against him was "based on lies." Tajikistan To Force Independent Media, Radio Outlets To Vet Reporting With Government Tajikistans Committee on Radio and Television has introduced new regulations that establish total control over independent media. Restrictions on media operations are clearly outlined in a new contract to extend the broadcasting license, which states that the editorial offices are now required to coordinate the texts of their reports and materials in foreign languages, including Russian with the leadership of the State Television and Radio Broadcasting Committee, and are obliged to "work within the framework of state policy in the sphere of information ". In case of refusal to sign this document, the TV and radio channels will simply lose their permission to operate. (in Russian, Current Time TV) RSF Blasts 'Ridiculous' Iranian Bill Banning U.S., British Journalists And Media Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is urging Irans parliament to reject a bill that it says would "help further erode Iran's increasingly vulnerable press freedom" ahead of next month's presidential election. In a statement on May 10, the Paris-based media-freedom watchdog says the proposed law would ban U.S. and British journalists from entering Iran and would ban Iranian media from reporting anything published by a U.S. or British media outlet. Violations of the proposed law would be punishable by five to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to 360 million rials ($16,340). Three Jailed Iranian Journalists 'Denied Appropriate Treatment' For COVID Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is urging Iranian authorities to release from prison three journalists who it said are being denied appropriate medical care after almost certainly contracting COVID-19 while in detention. Baktash Abtin, Reza Khandan Mahabadi, and Kayvan Samimi Behbahani must be freed at once, the Paris-based media freedom watchdog said on May 7. Abtin and Mahabadi are members of the Association of Iranian Writers, which has come under pressure by authorities who have summoned, threatened, and jailed its members. Provinces rush to complete field hospitals for returnees from Cambodia Authorities in several provinces have prepared to set up field hospitals to receive up to 10,000 people returning from Cambodia. An Giang to upgrade quarantine centres On May 13, Le Van Phuoc, vice chairman of An Giang Provincial People's Committee held a meeting to discuss Covid-19 quarantine and preventive measures. 50 quarantine centres have been set up so far with a capacity to receive over 4,400 people. However, it is estimated that 10,000 Vietnamese will return from Cambodia and An Giang need more quarantine centres and hospitals. An Giang authorities said they had carried out a field survey to build a field hospital at Chau Thanh District Medical Station with 400 beds. Another field hospital will be set up at An Phu District Educational Centre with 400 beds and another hospital will be set up at An Giang General Hospital with 250 beds. People were encouraged to remain in their host country and follow legal guidance on pandemic control rather than return to Vietnam. Several services that are considered unnecessary will be closed. According to Kien Giang authorities, a field hospital project in Ha Tien City is near completion. The hospital will have 300 to 500 beds. Military coups are rarely altruistic and the available data around this February Myanmar military coup confirms that rather loudly. This is business, more than anything. Findings by the United Nations and other international watchdog groups now clearly show the economic influence--on a day-to-day basis--that the junta had on its citizens, long before the coup that overthrew elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi and members of her National League for Democracy (NLD). Following a general election, which Suu Kyi's NLD party won by a landslide, the military has declared a year-long state of emergency, considering that they were backing the opposition. Dozens of NLD officials were arrested including Suu Kyi, who was charged for violating the country's Natural Disaster Law and the country's official secrets act, as well as possessing illegal walkie-talkies In late March, the US Treasury renewed sanctions against Myanmar Economic Holdings Public Company Limited (MEHL) and Myanmar Economic Corporation Limited (MEC) in response to the juntas takeover. According to the US, through two conglomerates, the Myanmar military controls vast portions of the countrys economy, from banking and mining to manufacturing, alcohol, cigarettes, and other consumer goods. In mid-April, the European Union also sanctioned the MEHL, the MEC and 10 individuals involved in the coup, since which more than 600 people have been killed by security forces. The coup, in effect, was launched to enable lucrative ownership structures for the military, through those two conglomerates established in the 1990s when the government began privatizing state industries. And the military's level of business influence has only started to become clearer in recent years, when agencies started digging around more in light of the militarys crackdown on Rohingya communities. Its a vicious circle of business and violence. Myanmars military leaders control at least 110 businesses at the heart of the economy and use these proceeds to ensure no resistance. A UN report from September 2019 concluded that business revenues enhanced the military's ability to carry out human rights abuses with impunity. Also, in January 2020, a leaked document by activist groups Justice for Burma and Amnesty International, showed that the conglomerates are run by the military's top brass, including several leaders of the ongoing coup. Around a third of all shareholders are military units, while the rest are owned by former and current military personnel. Between 1990 and 2011, according to the report, MEHL paid its shareholders $16.6 billion in dividends. Following the new sanctions, some foreign investors started to withdraw from ventures with the two conglomerates; however, this is not likely to have a significant impact since much of the business is domestic and the market for these products will not disappear. They also have continued support from China and Russia, both of which have blocked the UN from condemning the military coup. Meanwhile, in Myanmar local protesters are boycotting companies with ties to the new government - including jewelry shops and cigarette brands. Under the "Stop Buying Junta Business" campaign, the protesters fighting the coup are encouraging consumers to stop buying cigarettes, beer and everything else produced by the militarys businesses. So far, its a losing battle when the military controls nearly everything. By Charles Benavidez Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. This article was published through an agreement with Calmatters. Find more in-depth reporting and opinion content on state government in California on their website, Calmatters.org "Representing juvenile lifers: do attorneys in parole hearings matter?" | Main | "Sentence Length and Recidivism: A Review of the Research" May 13, 2021 Fascinating compassionate release ruling based on clear sentencing error without other means of remedy Regular readers are likely familiar with many of my (pre-COVID) prior posts making much of the provision of the FIRST STEP Act allowing federal courts to directly reduce sentences under the (so-called compassionate release) statutory provisions of 18 U.S.C. 3582(c)(1)(A) without awaiting a motion by the Bureau of Prisons. I have long considered this provision a big deal because, if applied appropriately and robustly, it could and should enable many hundreds (and perhaps many thousands) of federal prisoners to have excessive prison sentences reduced on a variety of grounds. A helpful reader alerted me to an especially interesting example of the granting of a sentencing reduction in US v. Trenkler, Cr. No. 92-10369 (D. Mass. May 6, 2021) (available for download below). Trenkler is a fascinating case and opinion for many reasons, and the discussion of the case particulars and compassionate release jurisprudence more generally make Trenkler a must-read for anyone working in this space. Here are some small snippets from the start and heart of the 50+ page opinion to encourage downloads: Defendant Alfred Trenkler is a sixty-five-year-old federal inmate serving a life sentence for convictions stemming from his role in an October 28, 1991 bombing in Roslindale, Massachusetts that killed one Boston Police Department Bomb Squad officer and maimed a second officer. On November 29, 1993, a jury convicted Trenkler of illegal receipt and use of explosive materials and attempted malicious destruction of property by means of explosives, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 844(d), 844(i) (Counts 2 and 3), and conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 371 (Count 1). See Jury Verdict, ECF No. 487. Trenkler is currently incarcerated at the U.S. Penitentiary in Tucson, Arizona (USP Tucson). Defendant moves for compassionate release, asserting that extraordinary and compelling circumstances warrant his release based on (1) the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in light of his documented heart condition and the outbreak that has left at least 1009 inmates infected with COVID-19 over the past year at USP Tucson; and (2) what Trenkler characterizes as a series of miscarriages of justice that call into question his convictions and sentence.... The Court reduces Trenklers sentence to a term of 41 years, followed by a term of supervised release of 3 years... In addition to the risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, Trenkler urges the Court to reduce his sentence to time served in light of the unique circumstances surrounding his case. Those unique circumstances, in Trenklers view, include questions surrounding his guilt and the fundamental unfairness of his conviction; the disproportionality of his sentence as compared to Shay, Jr.s sentence; and his unlawfully imposed life sentence. [Despite limits in AEDPA concerning habeas petitions,] now Congress has spoken again [via the FIRST STEP Act]. And this time it has given trial judges broad authority indeed it has imposed a statutory duty, upon a defendants motion to conduct an individualized review of the defendants case for extraordinary and compelling circumstances that call out for correction.... [A series of discussed] cases and others like them leave no question that this Court may conclude that a legal error at sentencing constitutes an extraordinary and compelling reason, and reduce the sentence after conducting an individualized review of the case.... Here, it is both extraordinary and compelling that (1) a judge sentenced a defendant to life imprisonment using a preponderance of the evidence standard where the controlling statute provided that a life sentence could be imposed only by the jury; and (2) there exists no available avenue for relief from this legal error. Download Trenkler CR opinion May 13, 2021 at 06:27 PM | Permalink Comments When I was working as a "jailhouse lawyer" at USP - 1, Coleman, Florida, (circa 2007) I met a man who had received an illegal life sentence for "distribution of heroin resulting in death" -- except that the friend he gave 1 gram of heroin at a party for no money is very much alive and was serving his own prison sentence for "distribution resulting in death" over the same gram of heroin! One has to ask how this would even be possible in the Federal criminal system, so let me explain. D-1 and D-2 had been friends since they were 5 years old and both used heroin as adults. At a party, D-1 gave D-2 one gram of heroin, for his own personal use, for no consideration -- it was just a gift. Unbeknownst to D-1, D-2 did not consume the entire gram. The next day, D-2 sold the remaining half gram or so of heroin to V-1 and V-2, who were both long-term drug addictions. Both V-1 and V-2 had overdosed many times, and had been told by E.R. physicians that they had to stop using heroin and other drugs (narcotic pills and benzodiazapines) or they would die. V-1 and V-2 used the half gram of heroin they had purchased, along with other drugs, and V-1 died of an overdose that day. V-2 told the police that he and V-1 had bought the heroin from D-2. The police tried to "move up the food chain" in questioning D-2, threatening him with a life sentence unless he cooperated. D-2 honestly told the police that the heroin had been a gift from his life-long friend, D-1, for no consideration. Federal prosecutors tried to get D-1 indicted with D-2 for "conspiracy to distribute heroin", but the Grand Jury returned a "No Bill", because the transfer to D-2 was a gift, for personal use, without any agreement for further sale or distribution. Thus, the prosecutors could only get D-1 indicted for the initial distribution of 1 gram of heroin to D-2, who was very much alive. D-1 pleaded guilty to distributing 1 gram of heroin to D-2, and was facing a Guidelines Range of 18 to 21 months at sentencing. Instead, the District Judge in Tampa sentenced him to life, with an enhancement for "distribution resulting in death", which had not been mentioned in the Pre-sentence Investigative Report. Incredibly, D-1's defense counsel made no objection to perfect the record for appeal. D-1's sentence was upheld by the 11th Circuit on direct appeal, and the Supreme Court denied Certiorari. I wrote his 2255 Motion for Habeas Corpus, which I briefed as a violation of Due Process of Law, a Violation of the 8th Amendment and Ineffective Assistance of Counsel. I never found out what happened to this case or this defendant, whose name I cannot remember. The real explanation of how he received an illegal life sentence without the person he distributed heroin to dying and his attorney failing to object, is that V-1, who died, was the son of a secretary, who had worked in the Tampa U.S. Attorney's Office for more than 20 years! The Judge and the Prosecutors decided to screw this guy, no matter what the law said, and they even got his attorney to refrain from objecting. It is one of the biggest miscarriages of justice I saw while working in prisons as a "jailhouse lawyer". D-2 received a sentence of 20 years for distribution of heroin (part of the same gram) resulting in death, with consideration given him for providing substantial assistance to the Government in pursuing its case against D-1! Posted by: Jim Gormley | May 14, 2021 2:50:22 PM In an extraordinary development, on December 6, 2017, inmate James Terry won a 2241 Habeas Corpus Petition filed in U.S. District Court in Arizona (where he was incarcerated at the Tucson Penitentiary) and was relieved of his illegal life sentence. His Petition is based upon the retroactive application of the Supreme Court's decision in Burrage v. United States, 134 S. Ct. 881 (2014) (narrowing the interpretation of "distribution resulting in death" from strict liability, to being a "but for" cause of death). Because he had already served more than the 20 year statutory maximum for heroin distribution under 21 U.S.C. 841(b)(1)(C), Terry was immediately released from prison. See, James Terry v. J.T. Shartle, Warden, Case No. 4:15-CV-00107-CKJ (CRP) (Dist. of Arizona). One can gain a complete understanding of this rare situation by reading the Magistrate's Report and Recommendation (Doc. #44); Petitioner's Opposition to the Respondent's Objections to the Magistrate's Report and Recommendation (Doc. #52); Docs 63 thru 68, including the Government's "Emergency Motion to GRANT the Petition for Habeas Corpus" (Doc.#63) and the Court's dispositive Order granting Habeas Corpus and ordering that the inmate be released from prison (Doc. #68). It is extraordinarily rare for a defendant whose life sentence has been upheld on appeal (this defendant also waived his right to appeal his conviction in his plea agreement) to ever get out from under a Federal life sentence. What is perverse is that the person Terry distributed heroin to is not dead, and himself served about 20 years in Federal prison for re-selling 1.5 of the 2 grams he received from Terry. The two addicts who bought (the next day) the 1.5 grams of heroin from the person Terry gave it to are the people who died of overdoses (mixing the heroin with cocaine and benzo drugs), leading to the allegation of "distribution resulting in death" against Terry. My memory is that one of the two addicts who overdosed and died was the son of a secretary in the Tampa U.S. Attorney's Office for more than 20 years. Posted by: Jim Gormley | May 16, 2021 10:43:20 AM Post a comment "Sentence Length and Recidivism: A Review of the Research" | Main | "Mass Incarceration Retards Racial Integration" May 13, 2021 New UCLA Law Review special issue examines "Jailhouse Lawyering" I was pleased to see this notable new UCLA Law Review special issue devoted to "Jailhouse Lawyering." The issue's introduction is available at this link and here is the end of its overview: In this series, authors with experience as jailhouse lawyers and journalists behind bars write about the legal issues and systems affecting incarcerated persons today. They share stories shaped by litigation and legal research. They make arguments rooted in both their lived experiences and an extensive knowledge of the law. Each of these authors and countless others is a testament to the power and tradition of jailhouse lawyering. We are proud to feature their work here and look forward to the day when they are acknowledged and respected for their immeasurable contributions to the field. Here are the articles in this great-looking special issue: Barriers to Jailhouse Lawyering by Rahsaan "New York" Thomas Broken Systems: Function by Design by Phal Sok Applying for Compassionate Release as a Pro Se Litigant by Lynn Reece Insurgent Knowledge: Battling CDCR From Inside the System. The Story of the Essential Collaboration Between Jailhouse Lawyers and Appointed Counsel & Lessons for Resentencing Today by Stephen Liebb & Gina Cassar Bound by Law, Freed by Solidarity: Navigating California Prisons and Universities as a Jailhouse Lawyer by Michael Saavedra What You Didnt Know About Adelanto Immigration Detention Center by Anna Solodovnikova Challenging Gladiator Fights in the CDCR by Kevin McCarthy To Act Like a Democracy by Juan Moreno Haines Jailhouse Lawyering From the Beginning by Kevin D. Sawyer Making Bricks Without Straw: Legal Training for Female Jailhouse Lawyers in the Louisiana Penal System by Robin Bunley An Old Lawyer Learns New Tricks: A Memoir by James C. Bottomley May 13, 2021 at 07:42 PM | Permalink Comments This is a topic that I am definitely familiar with. I have a law degree and practiced in Atlanta for 13 years, before losing my career and my life to a client who turned out to be a Con Man. I was unaware that my client from West Virginia had twice been to Federal prison before for securities fraud. During my 8 years in Federal prison, I spent almost every day that I was not in the Hole or in Transit between prisons in the law library, working on other inmates' cases, as a "jailhouse lawyer". One advantage is that I actually had the time to real all of the new cases in each edition of the paper Advance Sheets for the F.Supp.2d and F.3rd Reporters, a luxury that no practicing lawyer "on the street" has time to do. I was able to make a meaningful difference in the lives of many inmates. I got one Hispanic inmate visitation with his 2 year old child, despite the Mother's insistence that the child would never visit her father in prison. The Court ordered the Mother to give the child to the inmate's Mother and sister every other Sunday, so that they could bring the child to see her father in prison. I found a mistake that one inmate's defense counsel had made, which resulted in him receiving a 23-year long sentence as an Armed Career Criminal, despite the fact that he didn't qualify for such treatment. His Habeas Corpus Motion brief was only 4 pages long. He was re-sentenced to 11 years. My best work, however, was getting 14 Mariel Cubans freed from FCI - Manchester, Kentucky, where they had been held as INS detainees, without any Federal criminal convictions for many years. In 2003, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals rendered its En Banc decision in Rosales-Garcia vs. Holland, 322 F.3d 386 (6th Cir. 2003) (En Banc), holding that if the INS could not repatriate alien Cubans who had been released from state prisons within 6 months of their release, then they had to release them on the streets of America on "immigration parole". That decision meant that the 14 Cuban detainees being held with me were being held illegally, in violation of the U.S. Constitution. These Cubans were completely helpless, as many were even illiterate in their native Spanish and could neither speak or write English. With the help of bilingual translators, I met with each Cuban and typed a 3 page 2241 Petition for Habeas Corpus, which was copied and mailed to the U.S. District Court in London, Kentucky. The Government asked the Court to wait, while the DOJ filed a Petition for Certiorari in Rosales-Garcia v. Holland to the U.S. Supreme Court. After the DOJ Petition was denied, the Government conceded that the Petitions for Habeas Corpus should be granted and asked the Courts to close the files. But I saw the trap, and wrote letters about it to the District Judges to whom the cases had been assigned. There was a Circuit Split on this issue (holding alien INS detainees indefinitely, potentially for life, because they could not be deported back to Cuba), and the 11th Circuit was on the other side of the split. Upon release from FCI - Machester, Ky., these Cubans would be going home to Little Havana (Miami), which was located in the 11th Circuit. If thee District Judges closed the files, then the INS could re-arrest these Cubans in Miami and incarcerate them in prisons in the 11th Circuit, where the law was different. In my "back channel" communications to the Judges (thru sealed Legal Mail from prison), I urged the Judges to grant the relief but keep the case files OPEN to maintain supervision over the Petitioners, thus preventing their re-arrest in Florida. Eventually, all 14 Cubans were released and safely went home to their families and friends in Florida as a result of my legal knowledge and efforts as a jailhouse lawyer, which I found quite gratifying. I had freed the helpless from prison. I felt like I was doing God's work, using my education and gifts to help the least of HIS children. Posted by: Jim Gormley | May 13, 2021 8:43:13 PM Post a comment "Mass Incarceration Retards Racial Integration" | Main | "That is Enough Punishment: Situating Defunding the Police within Antiracist Sentencing Reform" May 14, 2021 Split Mississippi appellate court upholds, against Eighth Amendment challenge, an LWOP habitual-offender sentence for marijuana possession As report in this AP piece, the "Mississippi Court of Appeals on Tuesday upheld a life sentence for a man convicted of a marijuana possession charge because he had previous convictions and those made him a habitual offender." Here is bit more about the ruling from the AP: Allen Russell, 38, was sentenced to life in Forrest County in 2019 after a jury found him guilty of possession of more than 30 grams (1.05 ounces) of marijuana. In Mississippi, a person can be sentenced to life without parole after serving at least one year in prison on two separate felonies, one of which must be a violent offense. Russell was convicted on two home burglaries in 2004 and for unlawful possession of a firearm in 2015. By law, burglary is a violent offense in Mississippi, whether or not there is proof that violence occurred. That was not the case when Russell was sentenced for home burglary in 2004. Then, burglary was only considered a violent crime if there was proof of violence. The law changed in 2014. In his appeal, Russell argued that a life sentence constitutes cruel and unusual punishment and is grossly disproportionate to his crime of marijuana possession. The Court of Appeals disagreed in its majority opinion, stating that Russells life sentence is in accordance with Mississippi law. Russell is not being sentenced solely for having marijuana, but for being a habitual offender, the judges said. But several dissenting judges argued that the court can and should make exceptions. The purpose of the criminal justice system is to punish those who break the law, deter them from making similar mistakes, and give them the opportunity to become productive members of society, Judge Latrice Westbrooks wrote. The fact that judges are not routinely given the ability to exercise discretion in sentencing all habitual offenders is completely at odds with this goal. The full opinions in Russell v. Mississippi, NO. 2019-KA-01670-COA (Miss. Ct. App. May 11, 2021), are available here. Here is the start and another part of the majority opinion: A Forrest County jury found Allen Russell guilty of possession of marijuana in an amount greater than 30 grams but less than 250 grams. The Forrest County Circuit Court sentenced Russell as a violent habitual offender under Mississippi Code Annotated section 99-19-83 (Rev. 2015) to life imprisonment in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) without eligibility for probation or parole. On appeal from the circuit courts judgment, Russell argues that his sentence constitutes cruel and unusual punishment and is grossly disproportionate to his felony conviction. Finding no error, we affirm.... Here, the States evidence established that Russell had two prior separate felony convictions for burglary of a dwelling, for which he was sentenced to and served over one year in MDOCs custody on each conviction. The State also presented evidence that Russell was later convicted of possession of a firearm by a felon and sentenced to ten years with eight years suspended and two years to serve, followed by five years of post-release supervision. Based on such evidence, the circuit court justifiably found Russell to be a violent habitual offender under section 99-19-83 and sentenced him to life imprisonment in MDOCs custody without eligibility for probation or parole. Because Russell has failed to prove the threshold requirement of gross disproportionality, and because his habitual-offender sentence fell within the statutory guidelines, we conclude that his sentence constituted a constitutionally permissible punishment for his most recent crime . . . . Miller, 225 So. 3d at 16 (17). We therefore find this issue lacks merit. One of the dissents begins this way: In Solem v. Helm, 466 U.S. 277 (1983), the United States Supreme Court held that a life without parole sentence for a recidivist criminal convicted of a relatively low-level felony violated the Eighth Amendment. In terms of the gravity of his present offense and the extent and seriousness of his criminal history, I cannot draw any material distinction between Allen Russell and the defendant in Solem. Thus, I conclude that we are bound under Solem to vacate Russells life without parole sentence. Accordingly, I respectfully dissent Because I was stunned to see an LWOP sentence for marijuana possession and due to the description in the opinion concerning how the defendant was found in possession of marijuana, I did a little bit of extra research about Allen Russell. Though not mentioned in this appellate ruling, this local article from late 2017 reports that Russell was being arrested on murder charges at the time he was found to be in possession of marijuana. Though I could find no report of Russell being convicted of (or even tried on) a homicide charge, I am inclined to suspect that this background may have played at least some role in how Russell was initially charged by prosecutors and ultimately sentenced for his marijuana possession. I presume that this case will now be appealed to the Mississippi Supreme Court and perhaps the US Supreme Court if the Mississippi courts continuing to uphold this extreme sentence. I would think that, if the Eighth Amendment is to place any limit at all the length of prison sentences imposed on adult offenders, an LWOP sentence for possessing a small amount of marijuana ought to be subject to very serious scrutiny. And yet, SCOTUS has a history of upholding extreme recidivism-based sentences (Ewing v. California, 538 U.S. 11 (2003), being the most recent example), and so the past and present work of the Supreme Court in this arena should not provide much basis for Russell to be especially optimistic regarding further appeals. May 14, 2021 at 12:05 PM | Permalink Comments My Internet research led me to find the inmate whose case I worked on in approximately 2007, who had received the illegal life sentence in Tampa for "distribution of heroin resulting in death", even though the person he distributed the heroin to did not die and is himself serving a long sentence for further distributing a portion of the heroin he received. It appears that after the U.S. Supreme Court narrowed the legal interpretation of the words "resulting in death" in its decision in Burrage v. United States, 571 U.S. 204 (2014), this inmate, James Terry, was able to file a 2241 Habeas Corpus Petition (thru the Savings Clause of section 2255) in U.S. District Court in Arizona, where he was then incarcerated. See, James Terry v. Warden, USP - Tuscan, Arizona, Mr. Shartle, Case No. CV-15-00107-TUC-CKJ (EJM). The 25-page long (and very informative) Magistrate's Report and Recommendation can be found at Doc. #44 in that case file. The Defendant, James Terry, won his 2241 Petition and was released from prison in December 2017, after serving more than 20 years in prison on his conviction, for distributing a small quantity of heroin to someone who did not die. My reading of the Report and Recommendation reveals that some details from my memories of working on his case in prison in 2007 are not accurate; but I am glad he finally got back on that life sentence and was released from prison. It's a long, hard fight, from inside a prison, when you have the 6,000 pound Gorilla of the U.S. DOJ and an Order of Judgment and Commitment on your back. This inmate would not have won without the work of many jailhouse lawyers over a 20-year period of time. Posted by: Jim Gormley | May 14, 2021 4:11:13 PM Doug, you really should look at this case on PACER, James Terry v. J.T. Shartle, Case No. 4:15-CV-00107 (U.S. District Court for Arizona at Tuscan). Doc. # 63 is the Government's "Emergency Motion to Grant Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus", and Doc #68 is the Court's dispositive Order, reducing the life sentence to the statutory maximum of 20 years (which Mr. Terry had already more than served) and adding 3 years of Supervised Release. Doc. # 52 is the pro se inmate's "Petition in Opposition of Respondent's Objection to the Magistrate's Report and Recommendation", where he just destroy's the Government's position, and finally gets the Judge and the AUSA to understand that he is only legally responsible for distribution of heroin to the person he distributed it too; he is not responsible for further distribution to others by the person he distributed to, where there was no agreement for such further distribution. The Tampa Grand Jury declined to indict him for conspiracy. The subsequent distribution to 2 persons who died is not his legal responsibility, because he did not know about or agree to any subsequent distribution. This was a crazy case, and he was erroneously given a life sentence because one of the people who died was the son of a woman who had worked in the Tampa U.S. Attorney's Office for more than 20 years. Posted by: Jim Gormley | May 14, 2021 7:01:24 PM "more than 30 grams" Nice use of "more" here. One can say "a bit over an ounce" or ... "Possession (and use) of up to three ounces by anyone 21 and over became legal immediately on Wednesday." [per the new New York policy] This also stood out a bit for me: "The State also presented evidence that Russell was later convicted of possession of a firearm by a felon and sentenced to ten years with eight years suspended and two years to serve, followed by five years of post-release supervision." Even those strongly support of gun rights often are okay with strong penalties for those who possess as a felon or some comparable situation. This underlines that keeping guns from those not allowed to have them is important for a variety of reasons. The public safety concern is there. But, if possession is going to result in long prison sentences like this, it would be for a general civil liberty position a good idea to have good background checks and so forth. If guns are not wrongly transferred to people who don't have them, they would not have at times extreme criminal penalties assigned to them. Many don't have much sympathy, but realistically, when you have so many guns, there is more likely criminal use. The gun on some level is not as uniquely horrible to warrant more penalty than it might be in other situations. This shows how criminal justice is such an interrelated thing. It is backwards to after the fact punish (again often in troubling ways) and not do more to deter in the front end. Or, one can just handwave the cost of long prison sentences as one more cost of mismanaged gun policy as suicides, accidents involving children, police related homicides and so forth. Posted by: Joe | May 15, 2021 12:48:22 PM Post a comment SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Royal Dutch Shell said on Friday it will be working with a university in Singapore in a research project worth S$4.6 million ($3.4 million) over three years to convert carbon dioxide to fuels and petrochemicals. Researchers from Shell and the National University of Singapore (NUS) will develop processes to produce ethanol and n-propanol from carbon dioxide, a byproduct from industrial processes, the two organizations said in separate statements on their websites. Ethanol and n-propanol can be blended with gasoline to produce cleaner burning fuels or further be dehydrated to produce ethylene and propylene, basic building blocks for plastics, they said. Current methods of converting carbon dioxide to fuels and chemicals are unable to produce the desired types of chemicals with yields that can meet industrial needs, NUS said. The university said Shell will contribute its expertise towards scaling up catalysts and processes developed by the NUS team. ($1=1.337 Singapore dollars) (Reporting by Florence Tan, Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips) South China Morning Post A viral video clip showing a teenage Hong Kong schoolboy being slapped, kicked and forced to kneel on the floor in a classroom has led police to arrest four students on suspicion of assault. The beating took place at Caritas St Joseph Secondary School off Fung Shue Wo Road in Tsing Yi on May 27. In the eight-second video, the 13-year-old boy in school uniform is seen being slapped by at least three students and kicked from behind two times.Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trend The online campaign has made rounds on social media over the last week, reflecting how the public feel about the feasibility of the Olympic Games. "We are working on creating a bubble, calculating the limiting of movement, not adding stress to local medical institutions, and listening to experts' opinions and adjusting accordingly (for the Games)," Hashimoto said. Public opposition to the Games has been growing as Japan faces a fourth wave of COVID-19 infections just 10 weeks before the event. Japan has added three more prefectures on Friday to join Tokyo, Osaka, and four other prefectures under a COVID-19 state of emergency until May 31. Chinas 2060 climate pledge is largely consistent with 1.5C goal, study finds Posted on 14 May 2021 by Guest Author This is a re-post from Carbon Brief by Xiaoying You New research has found that Chinas pledge to achieve carbon neutrality before 2060 is largely consistent with the Paris Agreements aim of limiting global warming to 1.5C. But, to stay below this level of warming, the country will need to aim higher than its current net-zero goal and accomplish deep emission reductions in the near term, the authors state. According to the study, to hit the 1.5C goal, the worlds largest emitter would need to cut its total carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and energy consumption by more than 90% and 39%, respectively, by 2050 compared to a no-policy scenario where the government has not and will not impose climate policies. The paper, published in Science, also finds that the 1.5C mark would require Chinas fossil fuel consumption to be dramatically reduced and demand for coal to drop to nearly zero by 2050. Dr Hongbo Duan, the lead author, says the study fills a gap because no previous research had focused on assessing the efforts required by China to contribute to the 1.5C ambition of Paris. Chinas goal vs 1.5C limit The Paris Agreement, which was adopted by 196 parties at COP 21 in 2015, sets the goal of limiting global warming to well below 2C and preferably to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. China joined the international treaty ahead of the G20 Summit in 2016 the same time as the US. Last September, in a surprise move, president Xi Jinping announced that China would peak its CO2 emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. Although the 1.5C target began to receive considerable attention following the adoption of the Paris Agreement, only a minority of studies have focused on it particularly at the country level the paper points out. (See Carbon Briefs in-depth Q&A about the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Changes special report on 1.5C published in 2018.) The research shows that Chinas goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060 is largely consistent with the 1.5C warming limit but only if the nation carries out substantial cuts to its carbon and non-carbon emissions over the next 30 years or so. Dr Duan, associate professor at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, explains the studys key finding to Carbon Brief: If China keeps to the 1.5C pathways, it will be able to become carbon neutral by 2060. But if China aims for the carbon-neutral goal, it doesnt mean that it can fulfil the emission-reduction requirements of the 1.5C goal. The 1.5C goal is tougher and stricter. Dr Duan and his co-authors evaluated a broad set of emissions scenarios for China using nine different integrated assessment models (IAMs) consistent with the 1.5C goal. After that, they identified the consistent, model-robust results across various outcomes. The multi-model analysis shows China would need to control both CO2 and non-CO2 emissions under the 1.5C target. The below chart, released as part of the study, highlights the projected reduction needs for carbon (green shaded area) and non-carbon emissions (pink and blue) across the participating models. Notably, all of the modelled 1.5C scenarios include rapid CO2 reductions over the next 5-10 years whereas China has only pledged to peak its emissions before 2030. The illustration shows the estimated reduction ratios for carbon and non-carbon emissions in China in line with the 1.5C warming limit. The different colour of solid and dashed lines show the projections by various models. The green shade stands for the forecasts for CO2 emissions, while the pink and blue sections represent methane and nitrous oxide, respectively. Source: Duan et al (2021). The above calculations reveal that, compared with a no-policy scenario, the drop in carbon emissions would need to be between 90% and 112% by 2050. Meanwhile, non-carbon emissions namely, methane and nitrous oxide would need to dip by an average of 71% and 52%, respectively. Prof Detlef van Vuuren, one of the papers main authors, calls Chinas announced decarbonisation target an ambitious step in the right direction. But he stresses that the country must reduce its carbon emissions significantly in the short term, as well as other reductions for non-CO2 greenhouse gases. Prof van Vuuren holds positions at the PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency and the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development at Utrecht University. He tells Carbon Brief: Worldwide CO2 emissions need to be reduced to zero around the middle of the century. This is only possible if emissions in China are reduced significantly. Politically, Chinas role is also crucial as its actions might also provide the opportunity for other countries to take steps. Short-term action for long-term objectives China is the worlds largest greenhouse gas emitter producing around 30% of the global total. At the same time, it is the worlds second-largest economy, undergoing rapid urbanisation and infrastructure building. Previous analysis has called the country an important force that heavily influences the failure or success of cooperation on climate change. Dr Henri Waisman, senior researcher at IDDRIs climate programme, who was not involved in the study, says that the paper illustrates the requirements for short-term action in order to reach demanding long-term objectives. He explains to Carbon Brief: This study illustrates very well that, despite huge uncertainties at a long-term horizon, some robust outcomes can be identified for what needs to happen in the coming decade. Dr Waisman, also coordinator of the Deep Decarbonization Pathways Project (DDPP), says that the study shows the pursuit of the Paris Agreement goal requires drastic emission reduction in the coming decade with proactive and strategic action. By examining the results of different models and establishing the consistent pathways across the board, the authors put forward a set of comprehensive requirements for China to stay on the 1.5C pathway. One of the notable findings is that the warming limit calls for a substantial decrease in carbon intensity the amount of CO2 emitted per unit of gross domestic product (GDP). The cross-model evaluation shows that Chinas carbon intensity in end-use energy in 2050 would need to reduce by 60% to 87.1% compared to a no-policy scenario. The below graphic from the paper depicts the required carbon intensity decrease levels by different models. The round main chart illustrates the percentages of carbon intensity reduction in 2050 required by different models (IPAC, GCAM, IMAGE, etc) for China to be aligned with the 1.5C goal. The surrounding smaller charts represent the carbon intensity decline trends projected by those models under the same temperature target. Source: Duan et al (2021). The overall model comparison also confirms what the authors call the formidable role of CCS technologies the process of capturing carbon emissions and storing them so they are not released into the atmosphere. The paper finds that captured carbon would account for, on average, 20% of total reductions in 2050. Besides, the analysis indicates that Chinas use of fossil fuels and total primary energy consumption would need to be dramatically reduced under the 1.5C scenario. The two indexes must be decreased by more than 73% and 39% by 2050, respectively, compared to a no-policy scenario, the paper finds. Furthermore, the scenarios illustrate that Chinas coal demand would need to decline to nearly zero around 2050 for the nation to stay under the 1.5C limit. Dr Chunping Xie, policy fellow at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change, who was not involved in the study, says the most significant finding is that Chinas power sector would need to cut down its emissions by 66% by 2030 and achieve full decarbonisation by 2050 to be in line with the 1.5C goal. She tells Carbon Brief: It implies that, in the power sector, coal will need to be substantially replaced by renewables by 2030 and completely phased out by 2050. This calls into question dozens of power plants currently under construction or planned, which will either lock in decades of polluting and high emissions or have to become stranded assets, as argued in our recent paper. Three critical tasks under 1.5C Through the multi-model study the research team also determined the three most critical areas in helping China to reduce its carbon emissions under the stringent temperature mark. They are, in order, energy consumption reduction, fuel switching and negative emissions technologies. Dr Duan notes that, even though the Chinese government has demanded the nations total energy consumption stay under 6bn tonnes of standard coal (Gtce) between 2021 and 2030, strict control must be put in place. He adds that relevant policies to do this could include improvement of energy efficiency and energy saving. According to the paper, the 1.5C goal requires a steep decrease in Chinas fossil energy consumption. The models show that the decline could average 4.0Gtce in 2050 73.9% lower than the no-policy level. Under the 1.5C pathways, China would achieve its nationally determined contribution target for 2030 on the percentage of non-fossil energy in 2025, the study shows. Additionally, the share of non-fossil fuels in total primary energy consumption would continue to rise and could account for 30% in 2030 5% higher than the goal announced by Xi at the Climate Ambition Summit last December. The non-fossil fuel portion in 2050 is projected to be 62.8%. Dr Duan states that the second-biggest contributor is energy transition, including replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy. He adds that though CCS and negative emissions (NET) technologies might be perceived as playing an important role, they weigh around 20% on average across all models. The study also highlights the potential leapfrog development of nuclear and renewables under the 1.5C warming limit. It forecasts renewables to increase by 1.3Gtce by 2050 175% higher than in the no-policy equivalent. The group of charts below represent the predicted energy restructuring across the target models. The charts show the possible energy mix from 2015 to 2050 calculated by eight models under the 1.5C and no-policy scenarios. The featured energy types are coal (pale purple), oil (maroon), gas (pale blue), nuclear (dark purple), wind (teal), solar (orange), biomass (navy blue) and hydro (scarlet). The real column on the left illustrates the energy consumption from 2015 to 2019 with data from Chinas National Bureau of Statistics. Source: Duan et al (2021). Co-author Prof van Vuuren points out that while China is investing heavily in renewables already, it is also still adding new coal capacity. He says: It would be critical to bringing down the investment in coal. Similar transitions will also be necessary for other sectors, including transport (switch to electric vehicles) and buildings. Dr Waisman, who was not involved in the study, thinks that the role of NETs is probably the most questionable result of the research. He explains that the large-scale deployment of these solutions is highly uncertain from a technical point of view. They could also create important risks of tradeoffs with other objectives, such as those linked to land-use competition, he adds. In terms of the potential social-economic impact of climate change on China, the paper highlights the policy costs of climate governance and the social cost of carbon (SCC). The latter is a method that tries to add up all the quantifiable costs and benefits of emitting one additional tonne of CO2 and present them in monetary terms. It indicates that various models produced a wide range of policy cost estimates, but, on average, the accumulated figure for China may add up to 2.8-5.7% of its GDP by 2050 under the 1.5C target. The study goes further to point out that the forecast SCCs are also highly variable, with a cross-model difference of more than 10-fold. Dr Waisman says relevant actions and policy packages will need to be defined to maximise the alignment between mitigation objectives and key socio-economic priorities. He elaborates: For example, the drastic decrease of coal demand, identified as a critical condition to achieve the emission goal, raises some issues from a socio-economic perspective that will need to be considered when constructing the transition packages. To summarise the significance of the research in the current time, Dr Xie, who was not involved in the study, says that China must immediately adopt a mitigation pathway compatible with the 1.5C goal. She adds: Chinas role in the world is now of a magnitude that makes its actions in the immediate future critical to how the world goes forward. All 10 episodes of The Underground Railroad, Barry Jenkins adaptation of the 2016 novel by Colson Whitehead, arrive on Amazon Prime Video on Friday. Whiteheads Pulitzer- and National Book Awardwinning book follows Cora, an enslaved woman who escapes from a plantation in Georgia and flees north using an actual, physical underground railroad, complete with tunnels and locomotives and stations and conductors. Cora is pursued by Arnold Ridgeway, a slave catcher obsessed with finding and returning Cora after failing to bring back her mother, Mabel, years earlier. Advertisement The physical railroad isnt the only element that makes Whiteheads novel a sideways look at American history. In the book, the protagonist Cora stops in several states that have taken different approaches to enslavement and integration. In South Carolina, white people bent on uplift live alongside freed people but harbor sickening ulterior motives. In North Carolina, the states government has killed every Black person and replaced their labor with work done by Irish immigrant servants. In Indiana, pockets of free Black people live in a state of uneasy rapprochement with their white neighbors. Advertisement Advertisement Jenkins show preserves the railroad and the stages of Coras journey while giving more backstory and drama to the books secondary characters, including Ridgeway. Here are some of the key differences between the book and the show. As you might expect: spoilers ahead. Caesar and Royal In the novel, Cora avoids romantic entanglements despite a few opportunities for love. Her experience of being (she thinks) abandoned by her mother, and of enslavement in general, seems to have left her unable to pursue romance. Caesar, who asks Cora to leave the plantation with him, setting her journey in motion, is a brother and comrade in the book, not a lover. The girls in the dormitory with Cora in South Carolina tease her about him, but he pairs up with another woman. Advertisement The books platonic relationship with Caesar shows how alienated Cora feels. When Ridgeway, the slave catcher, reaches South Carolina and sets Cora back on the run, she worries about Caesars risk of capture, thinking that perhaps if she had made him her lover they would at least be captured together. Then, she thinks better of the idea: In the end she would have disappointed him. She was a stray after all. Somewhere, years ago, she had stepped off the path of life and could no longer find her way back to the family of people. Advertisement On the show, Cora falls in love with Caesar, played by Aaron Pierre, in Episode 2. He decides to run after being forced to have sex while the plantation owner watchesan added plot element not found in the bookand its his beauty and his pride that attract Cora. He asks her to marry him; she doesnt say no. Throughout the rest of the series, Caesar reappears to Cora in visions and dreams, before and after Ridgeway taunts her with a story about a lynch mob that killed Caesar back in South Carolina. Advertisement Cora has another love interest on the show, Royal, a freeborn man and Railroad conductor who saves her from Ridgeway and brings her to the Valentine winery in Indiana, where a group of free Black people live together. (Hes played by William Jackson Harper, in a welcome hunky turn.) While the books Royal likes Cora, and she thinks the two may come around to romance someday, Royal dies before Cora can act on their attraction: Why had she put Royal off for so long? She thought they had time enough. In the show, Royal and Cora practice shooting together, and they kiss in the firelight. When he dies, those are the memories she keeps, alongside her thoughts of Caesar on the dance floor. Grace and Molly The book and the show are both explorations of the maternal instinct and the way enslavers play upon and thwart that instinct, using it to manipulate and wound. Cora falls victim to this dynamic herself early in the book when she instinctually defends Chester, an enslaved boy shes been caring for, from a beating by the plantations owner. In retaliation, the man beats both her and Chester, punishing the protector and the protected. This situation fouls the relationship permanently: Chester never said a word to Cora again. Advertisement Advertisement The show gives Cora several child surrogates to tend. The first, Fannywho doesnt exist in the bookis living in the attic crawl space where Cora hides for the episode set in North Carolina. Fannys presence helps the show dramatize Coras dark, dull, terrified months trapped in this space more easily than if it would have had Cora been alone, as in the book. The second, Molly, is the daughter of Sybil, whose cabin Cora shares when she lives at the Valentine winery. The books Molly is important because the bond between Molly and Sybil shows Cora the possibilities of maternal love. But in the show, Mollywho escapes the burning Valentine settlement with Cora, goes into the tunnels with her, and runs westsymbolizes hope for the future. Shes the one connection we see Cora make that isnt severed by white intervention. Ridgeway Jenkins treatment makes a crucial tweak to the backstory of slave catcher Arnold Ridgeway, played by Joel Edgerton on the show. In the novel, Ridgeway is supposed to follow in his fathers footsteps and become a blacksmith, but isnt sure he will do it: He couldnt turn to the anvil because there was no way to surpass his fathers talent. When he becomes a patroller at age 14stopping Black people for passes, raiding slave villages, and bringing any Black person whos wayward to jail after flogging themhis father is dissatisfied because he has fought with the head patroller in the past. However, Ridgeways father doesnt have a principled objection to the work. Advertisement Advertisement Jenkins expands on Ridgeways backstory by making his father one of the only morally upstanding white men on the show. Ridgeway Senior (played by Peter Mullan) doesnt enslave anyone, hires freemen, and has strong paternal affection for the young children those freemen bring to apprentice at his forge. Ridgeways turn toward slave-catching, which in the book has a sense of inevitability about it, instead becomes a personal rebellion against his fathers ethical worldview. Mabel The sad heart of Whiteheads book is Mabels abandonment of Cora. Why did Mabela loving and present mother, in Coras memoryleave her daughter behind in slavery? In the novel, the precipitating event is a series of rapes. Moses, an enslaved helper to the white overseer (the masters eyes and ears over his own kind), forces Mabel to have sex with him, using her maternal feelings toward 8-year-old Cora to coerce her into it (If youre not game, Ill find someone elsehow old is your Cora now?). This situation is especially traumatic because Mabel remembers Moses as a baby and knew his mother. Advertisement Jenkins show gives Mabels friend Polly a bigger role in Mabels flight. In the book, Polly dies by suicide after her baby is stillborn. In the show, Polly is married to Moses, and her baby is likewise stillborn; afterward, shes forced to act as a wet nurse for a set of twins born to an enslaved mother on a nearby plantation. That situationa horrific 10th-episode climax for a show about slaverys destruction of family tiesdrives the fragile Polly to infanticide and suicide and ultimately pushes Mabel into the swamp. Advertisement Advertisement In the book, as on the show, we find out at the very end that Mabel isnt living in Canada, happy and free, while her daughter suffers. Instead, she dies in the swamp, of a cottonmouth bite. Whiteheads book has Mabel planning her flight, taking food, flint and tinder, and a machete, and leaving by night. (Everything else she left behind, including her girl.) In Jenkins show, Mabel instead wanders into the swamp in a state of acute despair, midday, with nothing packed. In both stories, Mabel realizes partway through her flight that she must return for Cora. Then the snakes bite finds her, and its too late. Im not racist: Many self-proclaimed white allies say this to shut down conversations about how racism affects our society. Black people have been calling BS forever, but Robin DiAngelo, author of the 2018 bestseller White Fragility, has emerged as the leading white voice on the issue. The book gained a whole new audience during the so-called racial reckoning after the murder of George Floyd last year. DiAngelo is now arguably the most prominent white voice calling for white people to be held accountable for racism. She has made it her mission to demand that white people face their role in perpetuating and benefiting from racism. Advertisement DiAngelo and I recently spoke as part of the Crosscut Festival, an online conference that took a hard look at the people, policy, and events that shape our lives. On Fridays episode of A Word, we shared a portion of that conversation. I started by asking her whether she was surprised that Derek Chauvin was convicted on all counts in the murder of George Floyd. This conversation has been condensed and edited for clarity. Advertisement Advertisement Robin DiAngelo: I was surprised that he was found guilty on all three accounts, just because watching the trial, it seems absolutely undeniable and indisputable that hes guilty on all three accounts, [but] based on the history of our criminal justice systemI didnt expect that to come through on all accounts. Symbolically, it is profound and of profound importance, but as Carol Anderson so powerfully argues using White Rage, every inch of racial progress has been met by a white backlash. We can see at the same time those forces growing really strongly. It is a potential beginning, but if we relax around it, thats all it will be, I think. Advertisement Jason Johnson: So the day of the ruling, my first reaction is I was not surprised and I wasnt particularly happy. I had long predicted that Derek Chauvin was going to be found guilty and the reason why is because I felt like white supremacy in America occasionally has its sacrificial lambs. How do you respond to that take, that its like, Well, of course, the system will get rid of this one bad guy after a year of protest, but does it speak to the fact that we may see changes when it comes to the other officers being held accountable? Or the half a dozen other shootings that weve seen just during the two or three weeks of the trial? Advertisement I sometimes wonder if Black folks arent amazed at the mediocrity that white people get away with. Robin DiAngelo Yeah, well, all systems of oppression can accommodate exceptions, but the rule will remain consistent and the exceptions will be used to negate the rule. We saw that during Obamas presidency: Were post-racial now. It was actually harder for me to do my work during Obamas presidency than it is today because I dont think anybody is in denial that we are so not post-racial. Not only could the system accommodate that exception, but it gave it an infusion of racism, an infusion of explicit racism. It got more legitimacy to express than it had before. Were going to have to be really careful as alwaysdot every i and cross every t, and still the question that keeps coming to me is: what a price to pay. What does it take to get white people to see this? Is that what it took, nine and a half minutes, three minutes beyond no pulse, in order for us to say, Well, maybe he didnt do something. And thats what were going to be up against in every case. Advertisement How did you get into this kind of work? How did you get into this formally in talking to white people about white people and about racism? Advertisement I fell into it. I was an unqualified white person who, like millions of other unqualified white people, got a job I wasnt qualified for. I sometimes wonder if Black folks arent amazed at the mediocrity that white people get away with. Were no longer amazed by it. Were used to it, but please continue. This is cathartic. I was your classic white progressive, or liberal as I called myself at the time. One, I thought, Of course, Im qualified to go into workplaces in cross-racial teams and help primarily white employees grapple with racism. Im qualified because Im an open-minded white person. And two, Thats going to be really fun. Who wouldnt like to have those conversations? Arent they cool, isnt this interesting? On both counts, I was in for the most profound learning of my entire life. Advertisement So basically I answered a job announcement for a diversity trainer. I had just graduated with a degree in sociology, had no idea what I could do for a living, saw that ad, and applied for the job and got it. Everything about it was fish out of water. Im a nontraditional student, so I was in my 30s at this time when I graduated with a bachelors, and I could be that far in lifecollege educated, a parentand never had had my racial worldview challenged, and certainly not in any sustained way by a significant number of people of color, but we were working in cross-racial teams. So that was the first fish out of water. Advertisement Advertisement The second one was the hostility, the meanness of white people to this conversation. You dont have to scratch very hard on white progressives to get them quite resentful. I was a lot like a deer in headlights in the beginning, but it became so predictable. It really is a lot like a script. I imagine this happens for you. Like, OK, here it goes. I know exactly what this persons going to say right now. So I actually went on to get my Ph.D., so Im a little bit different in that I went from practice to theory, rather than theory to practice, but thats how I ended up here. Why is it that white people have so much difficulty talking about whiteness even amongst themselves? Because Black people have no problem talking about being Black amongst ourselves. Advertisement There are several threads. The first one that comes to my mind is it serves us not to have these conversations. It serves us to be too uncomfortable, to have such delicate sensibilities that we cant tolerate it. Theres a function to that. Thats not just a natural response. So, thats one piece. Another piece is the paradigm were using. I dont think you could have come up with a more effective way to protect racism as a system, and the way that white people benefit from it, than to define it as an individual act of conscious meanness. And as long as you define it that way, you guarantee denial and defensiveness. Often when white people take umbrage to what Im saying, I say, Hey, if thats how I was defining racism, I agree with you that it would be offensive for me to suggest that youre automatically racist, just because youre white when I dont know you. But that is not the sociological definition. That is not the understanding of the framework that those of us who really engage in this work are using. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When you understand it as a system, things like guilt just become moot. I did not choose to be socialized into a racist ideology, into a white supremacist ideology, internalization of superiority. I would never have chosen that, but I wasnt given a choice. What I do feel now is responsible for the outcome. I was socialized into that and now its on me to challenge that. So when someone comes up to you and says, Hey, I dont individually do mean things. I hired a Black intern and my brothers, cousins, sisters, next-door neighbors, college roommate actually dated a Black guy once. When you hear that from people, what is your counter to get them to realize, No, you still actually have individual responsibility, even if you havent individually been hostile to somebody. Advertisement Well, first of all, I would question whether they had not individually been hostile to somebody or hurtful, because I would imagine the thousand daily cuts that are so exhausting for Black folks in primarily white environments, as I imagine you are aware, theyre not conscious or intentional, but they have an impact, nonetheless. So, that goes back to that question of not if Ive been socialized into this, but how. My racism doesnt look like a white nationalists racism, but it looks like something. If you grant that the society is built on, rooted in, and permeates with a white supremist ideology and racism, that it is a system in all institutions, then you know youre a part of it and you can change your question to, OK, how am I a part of it? What does mine look like? How do I know how well Im doing? One, Do I even have relationships? Advertisement Advertisement It always surprises me, white people who live pretty much completely segregated lives, as most white people do, and yet are totally confident that they have no racism, no bias, would never do anything. But on the occasion when they got feedback that they have, how have they responded? If they never got feedback again, odds are, that doesnt mean theyre doing great. It means they respond in a way that said they cant hear it. So the relationship just isnt as authentic as they think that it is. I cant probably come out and directly say that to somebody whos saying, I dont do mean things, but thats what I would try to have them understand and I would also use an analogy that they might be able to relate to. This ones easy for anyone who identifies as female: to imagine that any man could be untouched by patriarchy. What little boy doesnt know that its better to be a boy than a girl, and things are going to go better for you if you dont do anything thats associated with girls or girl-like? Its really similar around race. We know at a very early age that its better to be white. So how is the internalization of that coming out? Advertisement Advertisement But what I find interesting is that white fragility can manifest itself differently in men versus women. A white mans fragility comes in terms of really his sense of masculinity. Like, Hey, Im a white man. Ive done this, Ive earned this, Ive earned this, Ive earned this, and I think Halle Berrys hot, so Im not a bigot. Then a white woman is like, Well, hey, Im already a woman. How could I be an oppressor because Ive already been denied opportunities. Whats the process internally in breaking down those sort of gender biases that people have to get them to look at their racial biases? Well, I might say, Yes, youve worked really, really hard, but theres a major barrier you didnt face, so that impacted the outcome of your hard work. I often use swimming in currents in the water. When you swim with a current, not only does it impact the outcome of your effort, youre moving your arms, youre working, but its paying off in a way that you dont even see or feel. When you swim against the current, youre acutely aware of it. Thats why I would try to go in somewhere where they might relate to being against the current. If the question is ultimately, how do you get white people to engage and see this without defensiveness? Thats the million-dollar question. There are strategies, but its hard. Advertisement Advertisement What do you say when you are doing seminars or doing training and you meet white people who say, I have a Black spouse. How can I be racist if I love this man, or I love this woman? or we have adopted Black children. How do you get to those white people to get them to understand that diverse Cheerios commercials do not mean racism is over? I actually have a piece under a chapter called Common Patterns of White Progressives. Its basically making sure everyone knows youre married to a Black man. That pattern. And the point is not that you cant share it. If I was married to a Black man, what an incredibly potential source of deep understanding. But I say potential, because so many white women married to Black men dont demonstrate that, because if you are using your marriage as proof that youre not racist, you dont understand systemic racism. If anything, what you come away with is, This is lifelong and ongoing. Itll never be finished. I have so much more awareness. I have so much more skills, and I still step in it on occasion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How do people like you, with privilege, make space for people whose knowledge and lived experiences are not as valued because theyre people of color? How do you actively center and not erase their perspectives and voices? Yeah. Thats a deep tension. I have struggled with that tension my entire career. None of us are outside the system, and theres no clean way to do any of this work, thats for sure. I try to use that. That is the reality, based on all weve been talking about, based on deep implicit bias, white people are a tad more open to being challenged by someone who its harder to deny. Theres a little bit of that, Nudge, nudge, wink, wink. Hey, you know and I know that gets me in to crack that open. I think about it as tilling the soil. Let me soften this up a little bit so that folks can hear you and can listen to you.So to not use this platform or this position for me is not acceptable. As I use it, yes, Im also centering whiteness and Im interrupting whiteness, because it stays centered by being unnamed and unmarked. Here were back to the tension. Advertisement Advertisement We will never understand racism as white people who are only listening to each other, but I dont think well ever fully understand if we only listen to Black folks and other folks of color, right? And for far too long, weve offloaded all that labor with all the risks and all the costs and all the punishments and all the backlash. What that does is it reinforces this idea that were innocent of race. We are not racially innocent. We are a part of this puzzle. Its just like, Im so sad that happens to you, but apparently it happens in a vacuum that has nothing to do with me. No, its coming from me, and I have got to be at the table, also engaged in this conversation and this work, and hopefully do it in ways where I use my platform to amplify Black voices.* I hope that Ive already demonstrated that just in our conversation. Listen to the entire episode below, or subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, Stitcher, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts. In 1993, the Palestinian intellectual Edward Said, observed, everyone knows that to try to say something in the mainstream Western media that is critical of U.S. policy or Israel is extremely difficult; conversely, to say things that are hostile to the Arabs as a people and culture, or Islam as a religion, is laughably easy. If you are only just tuning in, you might find these words hard to believe. Amid the surge of violence across Israel and Palestine in recent weeksfirst triggered by the Israeli militarys brutal response to Palestinian protests over a threatened neighborhood in East Jerusalemthere has also been a surge in attention to the asymmetry inherent in this conflict. U.S. social media has been filled with critiques of the illegal Israeli occupation and accounts of the disproportionate use of force being meted out against civilians in the Gaza Strip in retaliation to rockets fired into Israel by Hamas. Teen Vogue even weighed in with op-eds calling for the end of the occupation of Palestine and an article relating Israeli human rights violations to American policing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Friends who have always been silent on Palestine are speaking out for the first time and politicians like New York City mayoral candidate Andrew Yang are being forced to publicly walk back their unwavering support of Israel amid vocal criticism. While its hard to prove definitively, I suspect this change owes a debt to Black Lives Matter organizing and the response to George Floyds killing almost exactly one year ago. As someone who grew up Palestinian in the United States in the 1990s and 2000s, this change in tone is remarkable. My family and I have long felt the impotence captured in Saids words, of the laughable ease with which Palestines suffering was dismissed and its people vilified. From my privileged position on the sidelines, I recall periods of rupture, like the second intifada beginning in 2000 or the 2008 war on Gaza, through the maddening feeling of watching in disbelief as people being bombed and bloodied by a powerful state apparatus were simultaneously being dismissed as the bad guys. As friends and family on the ground in Palestine defended their right to live and move freely, in the U.S., we found ourselves continually defending their right to this defense. Advertisement Advertisement In many ways, the change we are witnessing now has been a long time coming. Over the past decade, I have increasingly seen criticism of the way this conflict is understood and covered. U.S. newspaper headlines have been admonished for obscuring violence committed by Israeli soldiers through use of the passive voice. Pop stars like Lorde have publicly refused to perform in Tel Aviv as part of a boycott campaign against the occupation. During the 2019 Democratic presidential primary campaign, many of the candidates, including Bernie Sanders and Kamala Harris, publicly declined invitations to speak at the pro-Israel lobbying group AIPACs annual conference. This slow, if steady, trickle of awareness, has turned into a flood during this wave of violence. Advertisement What does any of this have to do with Black Lives Matter? Black-Palestinian solidarity stretches back decades, and from the first days of Black Lives Matter, organizers have explicitly linked these two movements. Philosopher and activist Angela Davis has long acknowledged the deep links between the U.S. prison-industrial complex, racial violence, and Palestinian political incarceration. During the protests in Ferguson, Missouri, after the police killing of Michael Brown in 2014, protesters held signs expressing solidarity with Palestinians and Palestinians took to social media to share instructions for how to treat tear gas. Advertisement The protests of last summer, spurred by the police killing of George Floyd pushed Black Lives Matter to the center of U.S. political discourse, transforming it from a controversial movement (in the eyes of some) to a mainstream political force that was impossible to ignore. Major corporations, celebrities, and universities that might have been silent before were proudly displaying their support for the phrase and the movement behind it. Advertisement In Palestine, too, George Floyds killing had an impact on the relationship between these two movements. For example, George Floyds image was painted on the separation barrier built around the occupied West Bank. After the fatal Israeli police killing of Eyad al-Hallaq, an unarmed Palestinian man, in Jerusalem, protesters in Palestine held up posters with al-Hallaqs image next to that of George Floyds, bearing the slogan, From the USA to Palestine Racism is a crime. The conversation and following generated in this moment have persisted. Black Lives Matters official Twitter handle has more than 1 million followers, and vocal activists around prison abolition and defunding the police also have followers numbering in the hundreds of thousands to millions. These same organizations and activists have come out to strongly support the Palestinian people in the face of oppression at the hands of the Israeli state. The official Black Lives Matter movementwhich even last summer was generating international solidarity uniting anti-racist movements across the worldhas amplified calls for the U.S. government to stop Israeli human rights abuses. Many of the activists who gained prominence over the past year have stated unequivocally that silence about Palestine is akin to silence over racial injustice in the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Anecdotally, the same people in my own news feeds who were sharing black squares one year ago are now asking me for information about Palestine and are making, for the first time, a public display of outrage over the U.S. governments material support of the occupation and their own complicity. One Instagram explainer by a U.S.-based nonprofit stating, What is happening in Palestine is not complicated; its settler colonialism garnered half a million likes and was shared by former classmates from my high school in South Carolinathe same people who, when we were young, never acknowledged my familys roots. Beyond opening up new spaces for critique, this solidarity has also fostered more attention to how these technologies of oppression are not just operating in parallel but are intimately intertwined. Not only does the U.S. government give billions of dollars in military aid to Israel each year, but U.S. metropolitan police forces receive training in Israel. The same surveillance technologies and security contractors engaged to quell protests in the U.S. are also used by the Israeli military. Advertisement It is tempting to feel overwhelmed in the face of these interlocking apparatuses of oppression. However, the recent vocal attention to the tactics of militarized police in both the U.S. and Israel has shown that just as the technologies of oppression grow increasingly linked, so too does the resistance to these forms of oppression. In an otherwise dark time and a seemingly endless conflict, for those of us watching and working from the sidelines, this change from Saids words in 1993 is a source of hope and renewed action. To understand more about the Palestinian perspective on the current violent unrest, listen to this recent episode of What Next. A former aide to Republican Rep. Doug Lamborn filed suit Thursday against his former boss, alleging that he was fired from his job after raising objections to the eight-term Colorado congressmans, shall we say, laissez-faire attitude toward coronavirus safety. The former staffer in question is Brandon Pope, who the suit says was first brought on in 2019 as a Wounded Warrior fellow in Lamborns district office in Colorado Springs after serving as a Marine in Afghanistan. Pope, who was then hired on a full-time basis in May 2020 as a defense policy adviser, makes a slew of damning allegations about Lamborns refusal to take any pandemic safety measures whatsoever. Advertisement The suit says Lamborn was reckless and dangerous in his approach to the coronavirus, often calling it a hoax, and its hard to argue with Popes characterization. Lamborn, Pope alleges, refused to wear a mask or enforce any safety protocols in the office while simultaneously refusing to allow staff to work from home. The result wassurprise, surprisemany of them got sick! When Lamborn himself was exposed to infected staffers, he refused to wear a mask or isolate. Well, I dont care about you guys getting it, Lamborn allegedly told his staff. When Pope raised concerns with the chief of staff, the suit says, he was branded a troublemaker and, in retaliation for raising his concerns, was ultimately dismissed in December. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Subscribe to the Slatest Newsletter A daily email update of the stories you need to read right now. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again. Please enable javascript to use form. Email address: Send me updates about Slate special offers. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms Sign Up Thanks for signing up! You can manage your newsletter subscriptions at any time. In addition to allegations of generalized pandemic terribleness, the suit also offers up a host of ethics violations by Lamborn, mostly having staff run personal errands for their boss and allowing his wife to take the Offices supplies for her own personal use. There is also this delightful nugget on Lamborn allowing his son to sleep in a U.S. Capitol storage room while he was in D.C. looking for a job that Lamborn had his staff help him try to land! From the suit: Representative Lamborn allowed his son to live in Congressional space. Lamborn gave his son the necessary access to live in a storage area in the basement of the U.S. Capitol for a period of weeks when Lamborns son relocated to Washington, D.C. for work. When Lamborns son was applying to federal jobs, Lamborns Office required Mr. Pope and another staffer to show him how the USA Jobs site worked and to give him tips on completing applications for federal employment. Subsequently, the Office required Mr. Pope to help prepare Lamborns son for job interviews by asking him mock interview questions and helping him craft his responses. Lamborns office denied the allegations laid out in the lawsuit. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, from the start, positioned himself as firmly against pandemic safety measures, going so far as to describe his state as an oasis of freedom even as the virus spread and Florida chalked up more than two million Covid-19 cases and 35,000 deaths. The Florida Republican, who is now clearly angling for a presidential run, told Fox News Thursday evening hes now going one step further and will pardon anyone in his state that has been busted for disobeying local coronavirus restrictions, like mask-wearing or social distancing. In an interview with Fox News Laura Ingraham, DeSantis described such local legal efforts to combat the pandemic as a total overreach by government. Advertisement On Thursday, DeSantis issued an executive order granting a categorical, statewide, 60-day reprieve for any individual or business that has been or could be prosecuted for disobeying pandemic restrictions and that he would pardon those who had been prosecuted. DeSantis appeared in a perfectly choreographed Fox News segment shortly after recalcitrant local gym owners Mike and Jillian Carnevale, a couple who were arrested on three separate occasions over a two-week period last summer for violating county mask requirements at their gym. I think theyve been treated poorly, DeSantis said following the Carnevales appearance. Fortunately, they got a governor that cares. When our clemency board meets in the coming weeks, well issue pardonsnot only for Mike and Jillian, but for any Floridian that may have outstanding infractions for things like masks and social distancing, DeSantis said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Floridians should not be penalized for rejecting the overreach of local authorities through unnecessary mask mandates. pic.twitter.com/vf0HHfg3lY Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) May 13, 2021 Last September, DeSantis effectively neutered coronavirus ordinance enforcement by suspending local authorities ability to impose fines and penalties for breaking local orders. DeSantis has also issued executive orders allowing him to overrule local emergency orders, including mask mandates and school closures. Last week, the Florida governer signed a law suspending all coronavirus restrictions in the state starting July 1. This article is adapted from Fighting Words, the fourth episode of Slow Burns new season. When the George W. Bush administration made the case for war with Iraq, neoconservatives like Paul Wolfowitz provided the intellectual justification. They appealed to conservative ideas of patriotism and militarism. Its not surprising that Republicans lined up behind that kind of thinking. But its less obvious why large segments of the American center-left also supported the invasion. I think it was possible to really hate George W. Bush and Dick Cheney and still support their war, Frank Foer, who was then a young writer at the New Republic, said. There was this post 9/11 ethos where it felt like something needed to be done. Advertisement The Democrats who supported the war became known as the liberal hawks. Advertisement Advertisement Not every liberal supported the war, by a long shot. But a lot of the foreign policy establishment did. Kenneth Pollack, a former Clinton National Security staffer wrote an influential book making the case for war. Political theorist Michael Ignatieff argued that humanitarian intervention was necessary and right. Many of these writers were deeply tied in to power and the establishment. I lean in favor of doing something in Iraq, New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman said in September 2002, but only if we can do it right, because I do believe Saddam Hussein is a really bad guy who is doing really, has done really bad things and will continue to do them. Advertisement Bill Keller, who would go on to edit the New York Times, wrote a column declaring himself a member of the I Cant Believe Im a Hawk Club. The editor-in-chief of the New Yorker, David Remnick, wrote a column that landed on the side of invasion. Michael Kelly, the editor in chief of the Atlantic, and Peter Beinart, the editor of the New Republic, also backed the war. So did the editor of Newsweek International and star talking head Fareed Zakaria. The Washington Posts editorial page came out in favor of the war, too. In 2002, Vanity Fair ran an Annie Leibovitz cover spread that had Bush and his cabinet posed like movie stars. Its a big foldout group shot, something the magazine usually does only for its Hollywood issue. Bush is wearing a big cowboy belt buckle with the presidential seal on it, and Dick Cheney is kind of looking out at you with come-hither eyes. The headline was War and Destiny. Advertisement Slate was part of this pro-war consensus, too. Jacob Weisberg was editing the magazine then. Theres like a playground dynamic [] You say Im weak-kneed? Well, hell, Im willing to parachute into the desert and invade this country. Frank Foer We got a lot of people, including a lot of liberal writers, who werent regular Slate contributors, kind of on the record about what they thought about the war, he said. And the sentiment was predominantly in favor of it with, you know, it kind of an infinite number of qualifications. But I think most of the people who wrote in that forum felt that getting rid of Saddam Husseinregime change was desirable, even if they had real skepticism about Bush and the Bush administration carrying it out. Foer says the liberal hawks and the neocons were sort of coming from a similar place. Advertisement At a place like the New Republic, whichnot to put too fine a point onhad a lot of Jewish intellectuals like myself who, living in the shadow of the Holocaust, were really excited about the notion that the United States could use its power as a force for good to prevent genocides all around the world, he said. Critics would say, oh, United States shouldnt be the policemen of the world. And we were kind of like, yeah, the United States should be the policeman of the world. Advertisement The scope of this bipartisan consensus was limited. The liberal hawks didnt necessarily share the neocons ambition to remake the Middle East. Or their belief that unilateral military force was the best way to spread democracy around the world. Advertisement But they did agree on the need for intervention. To understand why, Foer said, you need to understand the psychology of some liberals after 9/11in the long shadow of Vietnam. You know beginning in the 1960s, there was a backlash against liberalism. And at the core of that backlash was the sense that liberals had been weak-kneed. And, you know, for electoral reasons, liberals kind of constantly tried to disprove that. But I think that there was also a psychological element to it as well, where the neocons accused the liberal intellectuals of being feeble. You know, theres like a playground dynamic where the liberals then kind of want to prove that thats not the case, he said. You say Im weak-kneed? Well, hell, Im willing to kind of parachute into the desert and invade this country. Advertisement There were some recent foreign policy lessons that also helped fuel the debate over Iraq. In the 90s, the Clinton administration had intervened in the Balkans, to slow down the genocides there. It hadnt intervened in Rwanda, where 800,000 people were killed. A lot of people wished the administration had done something. Advertisement People who thought this way were known as humanitarian interventionists. If you saw the world the way they did, Iraq seemed like the next place to go in. The way Saddam Hussein treated the Iraqi people, and especially the Kurds, was impossible to stomach. For many humanitarian interventionists, the face of the Iraqi cause was Kanan Makiya. I came here as a child and I have such fond memories of being here on holiday with my father. How things have changed. The horror is everywhere. It surrounds us, Makiya said in a PBS documentary that aired in 1992. Most people live in a twilight zone. They follow orders blindly. They dont question. They choose not to know evil of this kind on this scale. Advertisement Makiya was an Iraqi exile who originally worked professionally as an architect, but he was best known as the author of a book about his home country called Republic of Fear. He wrote under a pseudonym to protect his family still in Iraq, and he worked with Ahmed Chalabis organization, the Iraqi National Congress. But while Chalabi appealed to the neocons, Makiya had a way of winning over liberals. And where Chalabi was a proud political operator, Makiya was an intellectual. Like pro-invasion writer Christopher Hitchens, Makiya started out as a Trotskyist. But by the time he started writing about Iraq, he modeled his work on Hannah Arendts. He saw parallels between Saddam Husseins regime and German totalitarianism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Makiya told me that he thought regime change was possible because of how Iraqis responded to the American military during the 1991 Gulf War. Iraqis rose up, even they were even up there on the rooftops of houses and buildings in Baghdad, clapping and cheering on allied planes as they bombed Iraq, he said. I mean this had never happened before. This was a solid totalitarian regime with unspeakable numbers of armed men and with the largest networks of informants and agents [] and nonetheless, the unthinkable happened. Once that happened, people like me were energized. People like Makiya argued that Iraq had the potential to become a democracy because of its well-developed infrastructure and educated middle class. That middle class, though, would be decimated by the Gulf War and the sanctions that followed. But Makiya still believed the United States could save his country. Advertisement I had friends on the left who were saying, Kanan, you cant trust the United States. You simply cant trust it. We always botch these things up whenever we get involved. And I was sayingmy reply would always be, You cant botch it up. You cant make it worse than it already is. Advertisement Makiya wasnt making the case that success was guaranteed. He was arguing that the U.S. had an obligation to try. And he famously predicted that American troops entering Baghdad in 2003 would be greeted with sweets and flowers. Even if there was a less than 5 percent chance of success, I would be morally bound to fight for it and to argue for it, he said. No great transformation of a country and a transformation of Iraq from a totalitarian state to something that is a lot better than a totalitarian stateeven if its not a fully fledged democracyno such transformation can take place with a kind of knowledge beforehand that it is going to be successful. Advertisement But Makiya, like Chalabi, hadnt lived in Iraq in a long time. Hed left in the late 60s. This could create a blind spot. Call it exile bias: The only Iraqis that Americans were hearing from were the ones who had already left Iraq. These exiles tended to be like Chalabi and Makiya: much wealthier, more Westernized, and more liberal than the average Iraqi. Often, they were secular. And, intentionally or not, the exiles gave the impression that everyone in Iraq wanted what they wanted. Advertisement After 9/11, people who presented as Arab were increasingly attacked and harassed. Thanks to the Patriot Act, racial profiling was sanctioned by the U.S. government. Khaled Beydoun is a law professor at Wayne State University and the author of American Islamophobia. Advertisement We were coming into a new sort of political moment where people who looked like me and my family members were public enemy No. 1, he said. Just six days after the 9/11 attacks, President Bush said in a speech, The face of terror is not the true faith of Islam. But in praising only some Muslims, he was drawing a line. Beydoun elaborated: [Bush] was sort of constructing a new kind of Muslim binary, if you will, like kind of a good versus bad Muslim binary, that the kind of Muslims that he lauded in the kind of Muslims that he would characterize as peaceful are the individuals who would not engage in specific kinds of activity that was viewed with suspicion by the state. Individuals who were very patriotic, individuals who were not critical of U.S. foreign or domestic policy, individuals who werent dissidents, individuals who might temper their Muslim identities, their conspicuous Muslim identities for more, I guess, assimilated American identity. Beydoun sees a connection to one of the neoconservatives biggest ideas, one that Christopher Hitchens also subscribed to: The notion that the West was headed into an increasingly violent clash with the Islamic world. By this logic, Muslims, like countries, are either with us or against us. The liberal interventionists tried to distance themselves from rhetoric like that. They constructed complicated arguments about how supporting the war didnt mean supporting Bush and Cheney. But ultimately, they became part of the with-us-or-against us crowd. Listen to this full episode of Slow Burn below, and subscribe to Slow Burn on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Join Slate Plus for your ad-free feed. As violence between Israel and Hamas escalates and violence between Jewish and Palestinian citizens of Israel spreads, many observers are starting to ask whether we are witnessing the beginning of a third Palestinian intifada. Comparing the conditions today to those that produced the two previous Palestinian uprisings reveals both some striking similarities and some significant differences. Intifada, which means shaking off in Arabic, is the term Palestinians use to describe two seminal events in the history of their long national struggle. The first intifada was a largely unarmed mass uprising by Palestinians that began in the Gaza Strip in December 1987 and quickly spread across the West Bank, much to the surprise of Israels political and military leadership. Many Palestinian men, women, and children took part in a wide variety of acts of protest, including street demonstrations, rioting, general strikes, boycotts of Israeli products, and refusals to pay taxes. This continued for years, gradually petering out in the early 1990s. By the time it was over, approximately 2,000 Palestinians had been killed by the Israeli army, and many more injured and imprisoned, while 180 Israeli civilians and 80 Israeli soldiers had been killed by Palestinians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The second intifada, which started in September 2000 and continued until 2005, was much bloodier than the first. Between 3,000 and 3,300 Palestinians were killed and approximately 1,000 Israelis. Unlike the first, the second intifada was essentially an armed rebellion carried out by an assortment of Palestinian militant groups, including Hamas and Fatah. Their weapon of choice was the suicide bomber, typically young men and women strapped with explosives who detonated themselves in the midst of Israeli civilians. In response to these terrorist attacks, Israel assassinated many of the leaders of these militant groups (killing many innocent Palestinians in the process), and the Israeli army invaded and reoccupied Palestinian cities and towns in the West Bank, which it had previously withdrawn from during the Oslo peace process. Advertisement Despite the differences, both intifadas emerged from some common causes. They were both started by local Palestinian activists, mostly from a younger generation who had grown up in the West Bank and Gaza under Israeli rule. These activists desperately wanted to end the military occupation they lived under, and the restrictions, humiliations, and daily frustrations that went with it, and they saw the relentless expansion of Israeli settlements and the growing number of Jewish settlers as a pressing threat to their collective rights and national aspirations. Advertisement Both intifadas were initially driven by popular frustration with the Palestinian leadership at the time. Palestinian protesters in the first intifada had lost patience with the Palestine Liberation Organizations ineffectual armed struggle against Israel, and many felt that the PLOs leadership, then based in distant Tunisia, was disconnected from the concerns of ordinary Palestinians and unable to help them, so they took matters into their own hands. Palestinian militants in the second intifada (many of whom had taken part in the first uprising) were also disappointed with Palestinian leaders, who now led the Palestinian Authority, cooperating with Israel to manage the day-to-day affairs of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. Feeling alienated from their aging, autocratic leadership, and angered by widespread corruption, cronyism, and nepotism by PA officials, young militants decided to seize the initiative and take up arms against Israel. Advertisement The chain of events that led to the current spiral of Israeli-Palestinian violence is specificstarting with cellphone videos of Palestinian youth assaulting ultra-Orthodox Jews, then a provocative march through the streets of Jerusalem by far-right Jewish extremists accompanied by attacks against Palestinians, then growing demonstrations in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem against the attempt by Jewish settlers (backed by a discriminatory Israeli law) to evict local Palestinian families from their homes, then the heavy-handed and violent response of Israeli security forces to Palestinian protests, and especially their forced entry into the sacred Al-Aqsa Mosque compound. Advertisement While the specifics may differ from the previous intifadas, the collective grievances that propelled the first and second intifadas are, sadly, still very salient today. Then and now, Palestinians have been protesting and challenging their forced displacement and dispossession, political disenfranchisement, economic deprivation, and the administrative and legal discrimination they face under Israeli occupation, which has now continued for more than five decades (since Israel captured the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 war). Advertisement The conditions Palestinians live under in the occupied territories have not fundamentally changed, despite the fact that Gaza is now ruled by Hamas (Israel still controls it from the outside). The decadeslong persistence of these conditions is what fuels Palestinian anger and despair, protests and violence. One notable thing that has changed, however, is their weaponry, which has evolved from slingshots in the first intifada, to the explosive vests in the second, to the rockets currently being fired into Israel by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. In recent weeks, another generation of young Palestinians has come out to protest, to fight, and to confront Israeli security forces, just as their predecessors did when the first and second intifadas began. They too are fed up with the failures of a Palestinian leadershippolitically divided and geographically fragmentedthat is now widely perceived as ineffectual and even illegitimate. Advertisement Advertisement Does all this mean, then, that we are at the brink of another intifada, as some may hope and others fear? The short answer is no. The large protests that have taken place in Jerusalem in recent weeks, the rockets that are currently raining down on Israel, and the rioting by some Palestinian youth in cities and towns across Israel are all very serious, interconnected developments, but they do not amount to a collective uprising against Israel. For that to occur, there would need to be massive protests and/or major violence sustained over many months, if not years. A third intifada is highly unlikely simply because the Palestinian leadership will not allow it or support it. Although both previous intifadas began spontaneously, they continued because they had the support of the Palestinian leadership at the time. The PLO played an essential role in supporting and sustaining the first uprising, and the PA (under Yasser Arafats leadership) actively supported the second. Advertisement Nowadays, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas opposes violence against Israel because, unlike his predecessor, he firmly believes that it doesnt serve Palestinian interests (Abbas viewed the second intifada as a disaster for Palestinians). PA security forces in the West Bank continue to cooperate with their Israeli counterparts to prevent attacks against Israelis and arrest those suspected of planning or carrying out such attacks. Thats why there have still been relatively few attacks against Israelis in the West Bank, although there has been an uptick in recent weeks. The PA not only tries to stop Palestinians in the West Bank from engaging in violence against Israel, it also works to counter popular nonviolent resistance against Israel because Abbas and his associates are very wary of any mass mobilization by Palestinians in the West Bank. They fear, with good reason, that the PA itself could become the target of any mass protests. A popular Palestinian uprisingwhether peaceful or violentis the last thing they want considering how authoritarian and unpopular the PA has become in recent years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hamas regime in Gaza, on the other hand, is only too happy to encourage Palestinians in the West Bank to rebel against Israel and the PA. If it could initiate and support a popular uprising there, it surely would, but its ability to do so is limited. Within Gaza itself, Hamas is no less authoritarian than the PA. It wants to lead, if not control, any form of resistance against Israel (which is why Hamas quickly took control of the Great March of Return and the mass demonstrations at the de facto border with Israel in 201819). Hamas leadership clearly decided to get involved in the current Israeli-Palestinian crisis, which started in Jerusalem, primarily because it serves Hamas interestsin particular, by presenting themselves and not their more secular rivals in the West Bank as the true defender of Palestinians and of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Having already achieved that PR coup, and drawn renewed international attention to the plight of Gazans living under Israeli blockade (for the past 14 years), Hamas has reportedly been seeking a cease-fire with Israel. Once Israel accepts a cease-fireafter its decision-makers believe that Hamas has been hit hard enough to restore Israeli deterrenceHamas will resume its previous role of policing other militants in Gaza, and generally preventing them from firing rockets into Israel. A prolonged violent confrontation with Israel is not in Hamas interests because it could ultimately jeopardize Hamas rule in Gaza. This calculus will only change if the Israeli army reoccupies Gaza and overthrows Hamas regime, which is improbable because Israel has no desire to directly rule over the densely populated territory and its impoverished inhabitants. Advertisement Advertisement With the PA governing most Palestinians in the West Bank and Hamas governing Palestinians in Gazaboth repressivelythere is little prospect for a popular uprising in either area. Its no coincidence that the Palestinians who have mobilized the most in recent weeks are those not under PA or Hamas control, but Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem and Palestinian citizens of Israel. Neither group, however, will be able to mount, let alone sustain, an uprising against Israel by themselves. Geographically fragmented, and with a divided and undemocratic leadership intent on maintaining their own power and prerogatives, Palestinians are in no position to wage another intifada against Israel. Though their collective aspirations and individual needs remain as unfulfilled as they were when the first and second intifadas broke out, there is little chance that a third one will take place anytime soon. Rep. Liz Cheney, who was fired this week as chair of the House Republican Conference, is leading a fight in the GOP against former President Donald Trump. Many people on the left are cheering her on, while many on the right think shes a sellout. But Cheney hasnt changed a bit. Her case against Trumparticulated in a Washington Post op-ed last week, a House floor speech on Tuesday, and TV interviews on Wednesday, Thursday, and Fridayis resolutely conservative. Advertisement Cheney sees Trump through the lens of foreign policy. Hes a character familiar in other countries: the ruthless demagogue and aspiring tyrant. In her op-ed and her speech, Cheney recalled her experiences with attacks on democracy in Kenya, Poland, and Russia. Ive worked in countries around the world that dont have peaceful transitions of power, countries that have autocracies, she told NBCs Savannah Guthrie. It can happen very, very quickly. Advertisement Advertisement Theres no magic force field around America that protects us from falling into anarchy or tyranny. What protects uswhat makes us exceptional, in Cheneys wordsis a system of elections, laws, and courts, which in turn relies on enduring popular support for these institutions. Cheney understands how easily this consensus can be shaken. In the NBC interview, she recalled her awe in 2000 when Al Gore, who had won the popular vote but lost a razor-thin recount in Florida, conceded the presidential election. In that moment, the stability of the system rested on the honor of one man. This year, on Jan. 6, Cheney saw what a presidential loser with no honor could do. She told Guthrie that after the attack on the Capitol, she wondered whether her sons, like people in other countries, could no longer count on the peaceful transfer of power. Advertisement Cheney would never forget an attempted coup in another country. To forget one in her own country would be insane. Cheney is a hawk. She believes in standing up to tyrants, and that includes the tyrant in our own country. On Tuesday, she addressed the Trump menace in the language of deterrence and appeasement, just as she has addressed foreign aggressors. Ignoring the lie emboldens the liar, she warned her colleagues. In the NBC interview, she spoke of threats from China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. But it was even more vital, she argued, to protect the country from a man who had perpetrated what none of these enemies had achieved: an attack on the Capitol of the United States. Advertisement Thats why Cheney rebuffs pleas from fellow Republicans to leave Jan. 6 in the past. She would never forget an attempted coup in another country. To forget one in her own country would be insane. Since Trump left office, she has closely followed his statements. She describes them with the precision of an intelligence analyst monitoring a foreign thug. He has become more aggressive, more vocal, she told Guthrie. Its a continuing threat. Cheney noted that Trump, having witnessed the violence that followed his attacks on the legitimacy of the 2020 election, continues to use the same incendiary language. His intent to incite can no longer be doubted. Advertisement But the threat goes deeper. Trump isnt just courting violence. Hes trying, in Cheneys words, to delegitimize the American system. Trump is seeking to unravel critical elements of our constitutional structure that make democracy workconfidence in the result of elections and the rule of law, she wrote in her op-ed. Like other Republicans, Cheney often accuses unelected judges of overstepping their authority. But if candidates and their supporters wont accept judicial resolutions of election disputes, the country will collapse into anarchy. On Tuesday, she reminded her colleagues that more than 60 courts had rejected Trumps arguments for overturning the election. That is the rule of law, she said. Those who refuse to accept the rulings of our courts are at war with the Constitution. Advertisement Advertisement In this war, Cheney sees the GOP, under its present leadership, as the party of appeasement. In her op-ed and in the NBC interview, she recalled how Kevin McCarthy, the House minority leader, abandoned his initial criticism of Trumps role in the Jan. 6 attack. Three weeks after the attack, McCarthy flew to Trumps country club to beg for reconciliation. Leader McCarthys visit to the former president at Mar-a-Lago was really stunning, Cheney told Guthrie. Leaders in my party have decided to embrace the former president who launched that attack. To turn Republicans against Trump, Cheney makes several points. One is political: Unlike President Ronald Reagan, who won reelection with 49 states, Trump lost the House, the Senate, and the White House. She also talks about Trump-appointed judges and Trump Justice Department officials who found no evidence of widespread fraud in the election. But her main pitch is philosophical. The most conservative of conservative values is reverence for the rule of law, she argues. Whats not conservative is a cult of personality. If Trump anoints a challenger to her in Wyoming, she told Guthrie, itll be a fight between a candidate whos loyal to Donald Trump and a candidate whos loyal to the Constitution. Advertisement Cheney doesnt mince words about Trumps treachery. She rebukes him, correctly, as a tool of foreign autocrats. His anti-American propagandathat our elections, and our legal and constitutional system, cannot be trusted to do the will of the peopleis a gift to Communist China, she wrote in her op-ed. In her speech, she pointed out that his lies feed Communist propaganda that American democracy is a failure. In the NBC interview, she again targeted his rhetorical alliance with the Chinese Communist Party. These arguments arent aimed at Democrats, and Cheney isnt counting on their support. But there is one thing Democrats can do to help her: Maintain a distinction between policy debates, on which we can disagree, and basic rules of democracy, on which we cant. In the NBC interview, Guthrie connected Trumps lies about massive voter fraud to Georgias new election law. Cheney acknowledged that the lies precipitated the law, but she distinguished the lies from the laws provisions, which are complex and have been widely misrepresented. When Democrats insist that all Republicans are the same and that anyone who supports voter ID is buying into Trumps conspiracy theories, they help Trump unite the GOP behind him. Cheney is no progressive. She advocates military interventions, she voted with Trump 93 percent of the timein fact, she voted to reelect him, though she says she regrets itand she routinely caricatures the Democratic agenda as socialism. But shes clear-eyed about the biggest threat we face. The foundation of our political system is under attack, and the leadership of her party has joined the enemy. In this fight, every liberal democrateveryone, that is, who believes in democracy, liberty, and the rule of lawmust stand together. Welcome to this weeks edition of the Surge, your newsletter ranking the best receptacle for stockpiling gasoline. If youre out of plastic bags, your next best options are a portable fire pit, a dirty ashtray, the trunk of a Hummer, and your stomach. It was another sensational week for House Republicans, who booted a member of leadership for being a little too vocal in pointing out how Donald Trump had tried to steal an election. What was the problem with Trumps big lie about the stolen election anyway? Jan. 6 was just another day of patriotic tourism at the Capitol. Lest Democrats get too cocky about their nutty counterparts, though, theyre running into a brick wall on a top legislative priority while the economy is getting weird. Marjorie Taylor Greene is chasing AOC in the hallway demanding she debate her, and thats not even an exaggerated, slapstick description of the incident. And has your governor paid you enough to not die yet? But lets start off with the line of the week. This article is part of the Free Speech Project, a collaboration between Future Tense and the Tech, Law, & Security Program at American University Washington College of Law that examines the ways technology is influencing how we think about speech. Six months after the 2020 election, the Arizona state Senate is conducting what it calls an audit of Maricopa Countys November results. The process has been roundly and rightly criticized as chaotic and partisan by election security and administration professionalsincluding members of the countys own Board of Elections, which is not participating. Run by a company whose founder has spread Stop the Steal conspiracy theories, the audit has become an opportunity for people to peddle election-related disinformation. And these false narratives are too much for election officials in Arizonaor around the countryto combat on their own. Social media platforms must take a more active role in preventing false information around elections from spreading and work with election officials to amplify accurate content. Advertisement The purpose of the sham in Maricopa County is to sow continued doubt in the legitimacy of President Bidens election. Former President Trump claims the audit will somehow change results in Arizona, with other swing states to follow. Its wholly lacking in the kinds of protocols and procedures youd expect from a process intended to ensure rigor and accuracyballots have been left unattended, and a candidate for the Arizona House of Representatives who lost in November is one of the auditors. The conspiracy theories being investigated include ludicrous claims, one of which exploits anti-Asian racism: To inspect the ballots in an effort to legitimize the myth that they were fakes sent from China, workers used an ultraviolet light that could damage ballots, apparently to check them for bamboo fibers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In fact, the official Twitter account for the audit is also proactively spreading false information. Interspersed with fundraising pleas, the account has tweeted information thats not true about observers and reporters on site at the audit, as well as accusations of bias against local reporters who have exposed embarrassing flaws in the process. On May 2, a tweet from the account falsely accused one of the observers sent by Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs office of sneaking his way into the event by pretending to be a member of the media, leading to calls that day on Twitter for Hobbs to be doxxed. Even after the call to dox the secretary was flagged for the platform, it was still available as of May 12. The president of the Arizona state Senate has also contributed to the problem, tweeting a false claim that members of the media had doxxed an auditor. On May 6, Hobbs revealed that her office had received at least three threats, including a call from a man who wanted to know what she was wearing so she would be easy to get. State troopers have been assigned to protect her. Advertisement Despite Trump and others being banned from Facebook and Twitter, social media remains an important vector for election-related disinformation. Far-right news sites pick up disinformation and then amplify and sensationalize it, further propagating it on social media: After the false information tweeted by the Arizona audit account and the state senate president, the Gateway Pundit published two articles pushing and expanding on these narratives. One reproduced a false tweet about the observer sent by Hobbs office and posted his image alongside that of a cartoon villain. The other accused a CNN reporter of harassing auditors. Although Gateway Pundit founder Jim Hoft, who ran the sites Twitter account, was permanently banned from Twitter earlier this year, other users on the platform are spreading both articles on the platform. Advertisement Election-related misinformation is a widespread problem that election officials are trying to combat where they can. For example, Hobbs office has their own accounts where they share accurate information about elections or the audit. But the platforms need to take a bigger role in helping proactively combat these narratives, which have led to death threats. Platforms could work with federal government partners to develop a directory of verified election officials, who they help in their efforts to inform the public about not just where and how to vote, but how their votes are counted. These election officials could benefit from amplification of their content when it otherwise complies with platform policies. That way, when Hobbss office provides accurate information about the audit, it wouldnt be as easily drowned out by sensational falsehoods. Just as it makes sense to prominently display and promote content from trusted partners on issues of public health, like vaccines, it makes sense to build up those relationships with election officials and continue promoting correct information even after the election is over. Advertisement And requests from those same election officials to remove content for policy violations could also be prioritized for reviewin particular content that harasses election workers or spreads false information about elections. If a call to dox a verified election official like Hobbs is reported, the platform could prioritize removing this content. Platforms have numerous reports of policy violations to contend with, but threats to election officials and workers exploded during the 2020 election cycle. The uptick is concerning not only as it relates to the safety of election officials and their families, but it has also raised questions among election officials as to whether they will be able to recruit and retain good staff to perform the job. The least the platforms can do for these heroes of democracy is respond to any harassment of them with extra attention. Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society. The human species is in grave reproductive danger, according to recent headlines. Some scientists say that sperm counts in men around the world have been plummeting, with Western men approaching total infertility by 2045. Far-right Great Replacement theorists, who fear that people of color are replacing the white population, have taken up the research with gusto. This all stems from a report published in 2017 in the journal Human Reproduction Update that claims sperm counts among men in North America, Western Europe, Australia, and New Zealand have fallen by some 50 percent since the 1970s. In February of this year, an author on that paper, Shanna Swan, published a book titled Count Down, which elaborates on what the phenomenon means for our future. The lengthy subtitle, How Our Modern World Is Threatening Sperm Counts, Altering Male and Female Reproductive Development, and Imperiling the Future of the Human Race, suggests things could get really bad. But we at the Harvard GenderSci Lab think there simply isnt enough evidence to warrant doomsday predictions. The reason is that the initial finding of plummeting sperm counts relies on questionable assumptions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First, lets talk about who is actually affected by the supposed problem of declining sperm counts. For their paper, Swan and her colleagues looked at sperm counts recorded in other published studies between 1973 and 2011. They chose to group the relatively limited historical data on population sperm counts into two big categories: Western and Other. The researchers labeled the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, and New Zealandmajority-white areasas Western. They lumped all other countries, with their majority brown, Black, and Asian populations, into the category Other. Without using the word white, researchers signaledas anthropologists and psychologists have done when comparing populations around the worldthat the men we should be concerned about are white men. With, effectively, white male sperm counts declining, the future of the human race is being imperiled. Framed this way, their conclusions have leaked into the world in troubling ways. White nationalists and so-called mens rights activists are taking up the alarm over the decline of Western sperm. In online forums like 4chan and Reddit, men worry that white people are not reproducing at rates that keep up with racialized others, especially immigrants and Black people. As one comment puts it, humans have doomed themselves by allowing the wrong males to reproduce. Advertisement Advertisement But this is about more than optics. Separating out majority-white nations in an analysis of historical trends in sperm counts makes it harder to parse whats actually driving the declineand to whom that decline is happening. Western and Other are ineffective scientific categories because they fail to capture the factors most likely to influence sperm count. For example, many hypothesize that pollutants, especially chemicals in everyday plastics, are the most likely culprit behind sperm decline. But Other men are just as likely to be exposed to these chemicals as Western men: plastics, toxic pollution, and pesticides are as concentratedsometimes more soin low- and middle-income countries as they are in wealthy nations. We dont know what the results would have looked like if scientists had chosen to use high pollution vs. low pollution regions as categories of analysis instead of Western vs. Other nations. Maybe, for example, the study would have found declines only among men exposed to certain kinds or levels of pollution. Advertisement And its possible that there just isnt much of an issue at alleven for Western males. While sperm counts in Western countries may have indeed declined over a few decades, in 2011the latest data included in the studythey remained well above the infertility threshold. Though it might be intuitive that its better for men to be overflowing with sperm, the historically low sperm counts likely dont represent an issue for even the Western portion of the human race. In fact, those low sperm counts werent that different from the counts in Other countries back in the 1970s. Its also not clear that sperm counts are being driven ever lower by some sinister factor. Even if there have been declines in average sperm counts in some men around the globe, it may be a result of normal variation in sperm counts, as we argue in a new paper out in the journal Human Fertility. The sperm decline theory posits that Western sperm counts from the 1970s are an optimum from which we have declined and that this decline is something that needs to be fixed. Advertisement Advertisement But zero evidence supports either of these assumptions. In fact, it would be surprising if there were anything systematically lowering the fertility of men across a large, but specific, swath of the globe. Its more likely that sperm counts, like other measures of reproductive function such as testosterone and progesterone levels, vary significantly across individuals, time periods, and geographical locations without pathology. To distinguish between cases of normal and pathological variation, and to do justice to the health and fertility of men in all parts of the world, researchers will need to identify local factors, environmental or otherwise, that could plausibly be the cause of long-term trends in human sperm counts, and track them through rigorous study designs created specifically for this purpose. Approaching the question by dividing the worlds men into a racialized us vs. Other, and then using the resulting data to make broad-brush statements about causes and consequences, is simply unsound science. Advertisement How did these unscientific categories and assumptions make it into the research in the first place? The narrative that white, Western men are in danger of emasculation and disappearance has deep roots in white nationalist discourse. It is tied to a nostalgic cultural myth of a past in which white men held unchallenged power. It is all too easy for scientific institutions, with majority-white researchers, to center white people and further these myths, which circulate often unconsciously. This is why having more diverse voices in scientific research is so important. The recent sperm count decline research demonstrates how racist, sexist, and Eurocentric ideas can get embedded in the categories that scientists use to analyze data. When research is designed, executed, and communicated by people with varied perspectives, problematic assumptions about particular groups are more likely to get caught and addressed. The institutions that fund science, the journals that publish it, and the media outlets that publicize it need to scrutinize findings that make apocalyptic, decontextualized claims about population differences in the ability to reproduce. This is especially crucial when the stories about who is in danger and why feel familiar and convenient. The narrative of Western sperm count decline is, essentially, a myth that were all too used to hearing. At the weekend caves will reopen, and so will a Bratislava city beach. Tatra cars of Czechoslovakia are on display at Lane Motor Museum in the American city of Nashville. (Source: Lane Motor Museum) Font size: A - | A + Hello from The Slovak Spectator, An American museum is selling old Czechoslovak cars, Swiss trams arrived in Slovakia after a three-week-long journey, and honey bees have taken over the Slovak capital. In fact, this week, we have a bit more news about Bratislava than usual, but we are also writing about a cute porcupine cub from Kosice. Dont forget, the Night of Museums and Galleries will be back this Saturday, and Slovak caves will be reopening this weekend too. If youre looking for something to do, we've got your back! Slovakias first porcupine born in Kosice The Kosice Zoo is the first in Slovakia to breed the North American porcupine, which is often mistaken for another rodent the crested porcupine. The North American porcupine cub, born on April 3 by caesarean section, is called Hugo. His father comes from the Olomouc Zoo, Czech Republic, and his mother from the Miskolc Zoo, Hungary. First North American porcupine cub, named Hugo, was born in Kosice early April. (Source: Kosice Zoo) Once Hugo grows up, he can weigh up to seven kilograms. Although the North American porcupine resembles the crested porcupine, it has got more in common with guinea pigs. Its quills are smooth but barbed. Moreover, it does not dig burrows, but climbs very well. In the trees, it seeks not only shelter from predators, but also its main food buds, leaves, fruit, and flowers. This porcupine species is a loner. Also, it is one of the less common animals in European zoos. This porcupine species is, in fact, bred by 36 institutions with up to 90 individuals. Only eight cubs have been born in the last year, the Kosice Zoo said. Places to visit Best cycle route in Europe runs through Slovakia The Slovakia-Austria-Czech Republic part of the Iron Curtain Trail, known as EuroVelo 13, running across Europe, has been named the cycle route of 2021. The jury praised the cooperation of the three countries on the project and called Bratislavas Old Town a dream destination. Ceiling inspired by Shakespeares works The Kosice State Theatre, opened in 1896 and designed by Adolf Lang, is one of the dominant features of the city centre in Kosice. Many do not know that scenes from four of William Shakespeares tragedies, including Romeo and Juliet, illuminate the ceiling of the building. Trip idea: Stary plast A 19 km long hike to Stary plast mountain, through the Amon Meadow, starts under the castle Plavecky hrad. After following a few marked hiking paths, you take an unmarked forest path to reach the mountain, whose name means old coat. Bratislava almost lost its prominent feature Bratislava Castle has four towers. True or false? There is only one real tower the Crown Tower, others are turrets on the rooftop. Also, it is not true that the castle has a square floor plan, although it may appear so. Learn more about the history of the sight. This weekend, Night of Museums and Galleries returns Held on the third Saturday in May, many Slovak museums and galleries will take part in this European event on May 15. Some institutions will welcome visitors under strict Covid measures, but many have prepared a number of events in online spaces as well. See the 2021 programme. More information about travelling in Slovakia Please see our Please see our Spectacular Slovakia travel guide National theatre closes for major refurbishment Opened in 1886, the old house of the Slovak National Theatre on Hviezdoslav Square in Bratislava will be shutting down. The landmark, renovated almost 50 years ago, will undergo a major overhaul again. The new building stands by the Eurovea mall. American museum weeding out Czechoslovak cars The Nashville-based Lane Motor Museum, established in 2002 and specialising in European cars, is selling a number of vehicles, including those made in former Czechoslovakia, for storage limits. Some are in great condition, some are project cars, with others somewhere in between, the museum said. We would like to provide others with the opportunity to revive, restore, and enjoy these cars, rather than consigning them to decades of dark, dusty storage. Aero, Skoda, Tatra, Praga, Jawa and Velorex are the Czechoslovak car brands in the museums collections. Of them, four car models are now up for sale: Tatra 805, Aero 30, Tatra 613, and Tatra 75. Tatra vehicles, produced in Czechoslovakia, on display at Lane Motor Museum in Nashville, TN, USA. (Source: Lane Motor Museum/Facebook) The last mentioned came out in 1934. It had been owned by one family for 76 years before being acquired by the museum. It is now selling the model for $20,000. Another model, Aero 30, is for sale for $10,000. This car model was produced between 1928 and 1947. The company initially produced planes, but it became the fourth largest car manufacturer in the country. The T-805 model, produced by Tatra in the fifties, can be purchased for $5,000. The 800 series represented special purpose vehicles and was sold to the military and construction industries, the museum said. This is not a vehicle for the casual driver. Performance is sluggish at best. As the driver sits right next to the engine, the heat and noise are appalling. Turning the steering wheel alone is a real workout. The museum is currently selling another Tatra model, 613, as well. The company intended to produce them for government officials in communist countries. The limousine is for sale for 10,000. Over 11,000 cars were produced from 1973 to the late nineties, though only eleven cars were made in 1996. Time to vote. Petrzalka has installed first ballot bins The Bratislava borough of Petrzalka decided to place the first group of six ballot bins near important transport hubs to keep its streets butt-free. By throwing a cigarette butt into one of the bins, inhabitants of the ward will be able to express their opinion on prepared questions and at the same time protect the environment. It can take up to 10 years for cigarette butts to decompose. Through the project, Petrzalka hopes to teach smokers that butts belong in bins, not on the ground. But non-smokers can get involved in the initiative and vote as well. They just need to pick up a butt from the ground. Ballot bins in Petrzalka hopefully teach smokers to not litter. (Source: TASR) The first ballot bins can be found near the intersection of Bosakova and Farskeho, Ovsistske namestie, and Osuskeho Street. Swiss trams arrived at Bratislava port, now off to central Slovakia Arriving in the port of Bratislava this week, the first batch of trams from Basel, Switzerland, should help develop green transport in Slovak regions in the future. The trams reached the Slovak capital after three weeks, and they will now be sent off to central Slovakia by train. The whole transport, costing 250,000, is indeed more expensive than the trams. The idea is to use them between Cierny Balog and Podbrezova, as well as on the southern side of the Chopok peak in the Low Tatras. A Swiss tram at the Bratislava-Nove Mesto railway station. (Source: Michal Feik/Bratislavskykraj.sk) The Swiss trams, still in good technical condition, were manufactured 30 years ago, and ran in the north of Switzerland for years before the BLT public transport operator decided to replace the old track gauge with a new one, including trams. In brief Tourists: Bratislava has opened its Tourist Information Hub on Klobucnicka Street. Bratislava has opened its Tourist Information Hub on Klobucnicka Street. Beach: The Tyrsak city beach in Bratislava, offering views on the Danube and the Old Town, will reopen on May 14. The Tyrsak city beach in Bratislava, offering views on the Danube and the Old Town, will reopen on May 14. Relax: The Sadni si! (have a seat) project returns to the Bratislava streets. Check out where you can find red chairs and tables to relax at, free of charge. The Sadni si! (have a seat) project returns to the Bratislava streets. Check out where you can find red chairs and tables to relax at, free of charge. Fountain: Built in 1982, the Planet of Peace fountain in Hodza Square, right in front of the Presidential Palace in Bratislava, has been reconstructed. The former ice-cream parlour in Ziar nad Hronom will be turned into the community centre Buda (shack), promoting environmental topics. (Source: TASR) Wild boar: Watch a video of wild pigs and their offspring taking a stroll through the town of Pezinok, near Bratislava. Watch a video of wild pigs and their offspring taking a stroll through the town of Pezinok, near Bratislava. Contest: The Milan Simecka Foundation has announced the Art of Fjuzn visual arts open call. Until June 10, artists can submit their works that recount a story of the world we have at home. The condition is to capture the encounter, penetration and mixing of different cultures, intercultural coexistence, or cultural diversity of Slovakia. The Milan Simecka Foundation has announced the Art of Fjuzn visual arts open call. Until June 10, artists can submit their works that recount a story of the world we have at home. The condition is to capture the encounter, penetration and mixing of different cultures, intercultural coexistence, or cultural diversity of Slovakia. Expedition: Romanian mountaineers Horia Colibasanu and Marius Gane, and their Slovak partner Peter Hamor, survived an avalanche in the Himalayas that hit their tent and buried them in the snow. Romanian mountaineers Horia Colibasanu and Marius Gane, and their Slovak partner Peter Hamor, survived an avalanche in the Himalayas that hit their tent and buried them in the snow. Park: A new park is being created on Racianska Street in Bratislavas Nove Mesto ward area. Weekend read: Honey bees taking over Bratislava Tens of beehives have been placed in and around the Slovak capital. For example, the city council's bees produced about 40 kg of honey last year, and it is said to taste like Bratislava. The city plans to increase the number of apiaries in the future and support biodiversity in this way. The idea of city bees was popularised in Slovakia only a few years ago. "The honey bee alone will not save us, what is important is biodiversity." (Source: TASR) Slovaks roots wrapped up in a song The music band Iconito from eastern Slovakia has teamed up with the folk ensemble Zemplin, founded in 1957, to record the Korene (roots) song. For the beautiful single, lyrically and musically, artists also filmed a video in which a viewer can see spectacular shots from six different Slovak regions and various folk costumes. Myjava, Podpolanie, Horehronie, Kysuce, Zemplin and the region of Goral are all portrayed in the video through a handful of tools and elements typical for these regions. Iconito and Zemplin would like to indeed expand their collaboration to an even bigger project and promote Slovak traditions and folklore among young people in Slovakia and abroad. video //www.youtube.com/embed/paVO_afik0w That is it. Thank you for reading the Spectacular Slovakia weekly roundup. Have a lovely weekend. See you next Friday. - Peter @PeterDlhopolec Have you got any tips? You can reach Peter at peter.dlhopolec@spectator.sk. 14. May 2021 at 12:00 | Peter Dlhopolec Last year, vivo launched its TWS Neo in Malaysia. While it was a decent first try, it lacked some key features that users prefer to have these days. That's why the company is looking to address that with a new true wireless stereo model - the vivo TWS 2. According to vivo, the vivo TWS 2 is set to launch on 20 May 2021. Compared to its predecessor, it has a shorter stem so it doesn't stick out as much. In addition to that, the earbuds now have an in-ear instead of an on-ear design, which is better for sound isolation. In terms of features, vivo has confirmed that this new model will come with active noise cancellation. This is a key feature that many consider very important, especially those who commute via public transport. Besides that, the case also looks much bigger, which suggests that the battery life could be longer too. Thanks to vivo's presence in Malaysia, we can definitely expect the vivo TWS 2 to be launched here. But what do you think of the design so far? Would you get this over the many other options available out there? Do share your thoughts in the comments below! For more news like this, stay tuned to TechNave.com. In this April 2, 2021, file photo, Washington Metropolitan Police Department chief Robert Contee speaks during a news conference in Washington. Political hand-wringing in Washington over Russia's hacking of federal agencies and meddling in U.S. politics has mostly overshadowed a worsening digital scourge with a far broader wallop: crippling and dispiriting extortionary ransomware attacks by cybercriminal mafias. All the while, ransomware gangsters have become more brazen and cocky as they put more and more lives and livelihoods at risk. This week, one syndicate threatened to make available to local criminal gangs data they say they stole from the Washington, D.C., metro police on informants. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) The police department in the nation's capital has suffered a massive leak of internal information after refusing to meet the blackmail demands of Russian-speaking ransomware syndicate. Experts say it's the worst known ransomware attack ever to hit a U.S. police department. The gang, known as the Babuk group, released thousands of the Metropolitan Police Department's sensitive documents on the dark web Thursday. A review by The Associated Press found hundreds of police officer disciplinary files and intelligence reports that include feeds from other agencies, including the FBI and Secret Service. Ransomware attacks have reached epidemic levels as foreign criminal gangs paralyze computer networks at state and local governments, police departments, hospitals and private companies. They demand large payments to decrypt stolen data or to prevent it from being leaked online. A cyberattack last week shut down the Colonial Pipeline, the nation's largest fuel pipeline, prompting gas-hoarding and panic-buying in parts of the Southeast. Brett Callow, a threat analyst and ransomware expert at the security firm Emsisoft, said the police leak ranks as "possibly the most significant ransomware incident to date" because of the risks it presents for officers and civilians. Some of the documents include security information from other law enforcement agencies related to President Joe Biden's inauguration, including a reference to a "source embedded" with a militia group. One document details the steps the FBI has taken in its investigation of two pipe bombs left at the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee and the Republican National Committee before the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. That includes "big data pulls" of cell towers, and plans to "analyze purchases" of Nike shoes worn by a person of interest, the document said. The police department did not immediately return a request for comment, but has previously said some officers' personal information was stolen. Some of that information was previously leaked, revealing personal information of some officers taken from background checks, including details of their past drug use, finances andin at least one incidentof past sexual abuse. The newly released files include details of disciplinary proceedings of hundreds of officers dating back to 2004. The files often contain sensitive and embarrassing private details. "This is going to send a shock through the law enforcement community throughout the country," said Ted Williams, a former officer at the department who is now an attorney. He's representing a retired officer whose background file was included in an earlier leak. Williams said said having background checks and disciplinary files made public makes it difficult for officers to do their jobs. "The more the crooks know about a law enforcement officer the more the crooks try to use that for their advantage," he said. The Babuk group indicated this week that it wanted $4 million not to release the files, but was only offered $100,000. The department has not said whether it made the offer. Any negotiations would reflect the complexity of the ransomware problem, with police finding themselves forced to consider making payments to criminal gangs. The FBI, which is assisting in this case, discourages ransomware payments. The group revealed the attack last month, threatening then to leak the identities of confidential informants. The data release revealed Thursday is massive and it was not immediately clear if it included informants' names. Explore further Ransomware gang threatens release of DC police records 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. In this Friday, Feb. 21, 2020 file photo, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar arrives for an EU summit at the European Council building in Brussels. Ireland's health service says it has shut down its IT systems after being targeted in a "significant ransomware attack." The Health Service Executive said Friday that the move was a precaution, and appointments for coronavirus vaccinations were not affected. Procedures were canceled at hospitals and Deputy Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said the disruption could last for days. (Ludovic Marin, Pool Photo via AP, File) Ireland's health service shut down its IT systems on Friday after being targeted in a ransomware attack by what it called "international criminals." Appointments and elective surgeries were canceled at several hospitals and Deputy Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said the disruption could last for days. "There's lots we don't know but it appears to be a ransomware attack by international criminals," Varadkar said. "The problem could run through the weekend and into next week, unfortunately." Ransomware attacks are typically carried out by criminal hackers who scramble data, paralyzing victims' networks, and demand a large payment to decrypt it. Varadkar called the attack "very serious." "It's coming at a time when the health service is extremely busy doing lots of other things," he said. "It's going to be a very difficult time for the health service." Health Service Executive CEO Paul Reid told broadcaster RTE that health bosses had "taken a precautionary measure to shut down a lot of our major systems to protect them." "We are at the very early stages of fully understanding the threats, the impact and trying to contain it," he said. The health service said appointments for coronavirus vaccinations were not affected. Varadkar said emergency services, ambulance services, GP systems and pharmacy systems also were unaffected, but said there would be "major problems" for radiology services, radiation oncology, elective surgeries and obstetrics and gynaecology appointments. Dublin's Rotunda maternity hospital said it was canceling most routine appointments due to the IT issues, calling the situation a "critical emergency." Health care systems have been a target of ransomware tactics before. Two hospitals in France were hit by ransomware attacks in February that crippled their phone systems and forced surgeries to be postponed. In September, an apparently misdirected ransomware attack on a German hospital caused an IT systems failure and led to the indirect death of a woman. That same month a ransomware attack paralyzed a chain of more than 250 U.S. hospitals and clinics. In 2017, Britain's National Health Service was hit in a cyberextortion attack, forcing hospitals to close wards and emergency rooms and turn away patients. The Irish attack highlights concerns about the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to escalating attacks by hacking groups and criminals, said Steve Forbes, government security expert at Nominet, the U.K.'s web domain registry. "National healthcare services are already under strain from the pandemic, which will make this ransomware attack even more devastating. That fact will not be lost on the hackers," Forbes said. In the U.S., the nation's largest fuel pipeline was hit with a ransomware attack a week ago. The disruption of the Colonial Pipeline caused long lines at gas stations due to distribution problems and panic-buying, draining supplies at thousands of gas stations. It restarted operations on Wednesday. Forbes said the attacks on the pipeline and the Irish health care system both show "criminal groups are choosing targets that will have the greatest impact on governments and the public, regardless of the collateral damage, in order to apply the most leverage." Explore further FBI: DarkSide group behind ransomware hacking of US Colonial Pipeline 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. After a cyber attack, Colonial said it was moving toward a partial reopening of its pipeline systemthe largest fuel network between Texas and New York Servers for Darkside were taken down by unknown actors Friday, a week after the cyber extortionist forced the shutdown of a large US oil pipeline in a ransomware scam, a US cyber security firm said. Recorded Future, the security firm, said in a post that the allegedly Russia-based Darkside had admitted in a web post that it lost access to certain servers used for its web blog and for payments. Accessed via TOR on the dark web, the Darkside site address showed a notice saying it could not be found. Recorded Future threat intelligence analyst Dmitry Smilyanets said he found a Russian language comment on a ransomware website ostensibly from "Darksupp", described as the operator of Darkside. "A few hours ago, we lost access to the public part of our infrastructure, namely: Blog. Payment server. DOS servers," Darksupp wrote. "The Darkside operator also reported that cryptocurrency funds were also withdrawn from the gang's payment server, which was hosting ransom payments made by victims," said Recorded Future. While there was no evidence of who might have forced down Darkside's website, the twitter account of a US military cyber warfare group, the 780th Military Intelligence Brigade, retweeted the Recorded Future report on Friday. Darkside, which only surfaced online late last year, was behind the attack on Colonial Pipeline that forced the shutdown of its network shipping gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel across much of the eastern half of the United States. After Darkside froze Colonial's computer systems last week and demanded millions in ransom to unlock them, Colonial shut down its pipeline, sparking fuel shortages and long lines at gas stations across much of the southeast. On Thursday Colonial said it had resumed fuel deliveries along its 5,500 mile (8,850 kilometers) pipeline amid unconfirmed reports it had paid Darkside $5 million to end the cyber-siege. The attention that the Colonial shutdown brought to Darkside and the apparent attack to shut it down appeared to spark turmoil in the flourishing ransomware "industry," in which hackers and owners of the ransomware software and payment operations openly collaborate on mainly Russian language forums. US President Joe Biden said that even though US intelligence did not link the Russia-based hackers to the Russian government, he would nevertheless bring up the issue with President Vladimir Putin in a summit tentatively planned in the coming months. One such forum, XSS, announced Thursday a ban on sales and rentals of ransomware, according to Digital Shadows, a cyber security firm. Nevertheless, ransomware extortion continued to proliferate. Various groups, including Darkside before it was shut down, posted fresh information on companies whose data had been hacked and was being held for payments that can run into the millions of dollars. Ireland's health authority said Friday it had shut down its computer systems after experiencing a "significant ransomware attack." And another extortionist group, Babuk, continued to release sensitive online files stolen from the Washington metropolitan police department as it continued to demand a seven-figure payout from the main security body of the US capital city. Explore further FBI: DarkSide group behind ransomware hacking of US Colonial Pipeline 2021 AFP China urges U.S. to stop suppressing Chinese enterprises Xinhua) 10:24, May 14, 2021 The logo of TikTok is displayed on the screen of a smartphone on a computer screen background in Arlington, Virginia, the United States, Aug. 3, 2020. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) BEIJING, May 13 (Xinhua) -- China urges the United States to stop suppressing and smearing Chinese enterprises and treat Chinese companies in a fair, just, and non-discriminatory manner, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying said on Thursday. Hua made the remarks when asked for comment on the U.S. government's prolonging of an administrative order. The order forbids U.S. companies from using telecommunication equipment made by enterprises that are allegedly a threat to U.S. national security. Hua said that the United States continuously slandered and smeared Huawei and other Chinese telecommunication enterprises but has, so far, failed to provide any evidence. So-called "national security" is just a poor excuse the United States uses for its national bullying of Chinese high-tech enterprises, Hua said. She pointed out it is the United States itself that has frequently exposed itself to eavesdropping scandals, such as "Prism Gate" and the "Irritant Horn" Project. "The United States doesn't even spare its allies, an act that demonstrates that the United States is the real hacker and eavesdropping empire," said Hua. She added that it is not reliable or credible of the United States, but "shameful and dirty." Hua said the U.S. suppression of Chinese enterprises denies the market economy principles and free trade rules that the United States has always advertised. This practice not only harms the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies but also harms U.S. companies. It also disturbs technological communications and trade exchanges between the two countries and globally and damages global industrial and supply chains. She urged the Unites States to correct its mistakes immediately, stop slandering China, and cease suppressing Chinese companies. The Chinese government will continue to take necessary measures to safeguard Chinese companies' legitimate rights and interests, Hua said. (Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Liang Jun) Over time, people started dropping their virtual backgrounds and started having their house as the background, said Smith, an expert on management and organizational culture. A lot of people dont bring too much of their home to the office. During this time, we all allowed one another into each others houses, and with that we saw which kid was screaming or which dog couldnt be managed. Cybercriminals with suspected ties to Pakistan continue to rely on social engineering as a crucial component of its operations as part of an evolving espionage campaign against Indian targets, according to new research. The attacks have been linked to a group called Transparent Tribe, also known as Operation C-Major, APT36, and Mythic Leopard, which has created fraudulent domains mimicking legitimate Indian military and defense organizations, and other fake domains posing as file-sharing sites to host malicious artifacts. "While military and defense personnel continue to be the group's primary targets, Transparent Tribe is increasingly targeting diplomatic entities, defense contractors, research organizations and conference attendees, indicating that the group is expanding its targeting," researchers from Cisco Talos said on Thursday. These domains are used to deliver maldocs distributing CrimsonRAT, and ObliqueRAT, with the group incorporating new phishing, lures such as resume documents, conference agendas, and defense and diplomatic themes into its operational toolkit. It's worth noting that APT36 was previously linked to a malware campaign targeting organizations in South Asia to deploy ObliqueRAT on Windows systems under the guise of seemingly innocuous images hosted on infected websites. ObliqueRAT infections also tend to deviate from those involving CrimsonRAT in that the malicious payloads are injected on compromised websites instead of embedding the malware in the documents themselves. In one instance identified by Talos researchers, the adversaries were found to use the Indian Industries Association's legitimate website to host ObliqueRAT malware, before setting up fake websites resembling those of legitimate entities in the Indian subcontinent by making use of an open-source website copier utility called HTTrack. Another fake domain set up by the threat actor masquerades as an information portal for the 7th Central Pay Commission (7CPC) of India, urging victims to fill out a form and download a personal guide that, when opened, executes the CrimsonRAT upon enabling macros in the downloaded spreadsheet. In a similar vein, a third rogue domain registered by the attackers impersonates an Indian think tank called Center For Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS). "Transparent Tribe relies heavily on the use of maldocs to spread their Windows implants," the researchers said. "While CrimsonRAT remains the group's staple Windows implant, their development and distribution of ObliqueRAT in early 2020 indicates they are rapidly expanding their Windows malware arsenal." In expanding its victimology, switching up its malware arsenal, and designing convincing lures, the threat actor has exhibited a clear willingness to lend its operations a veneer of legitimacy in hopes that doing so would increase the likelihood of success. "Transparent Tribe's tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) have remained largely unchanged since 2020, but the group continues to implement new lures into its operational toolkit," the researchers said. "The variety of maldoc lures Transparent Tribe employs indicates the group still relies on social engineering as a core component of its operations." The Texas Legislature wrapped up this years lawmaking session on Sunday. Although members of the House and Senate touted wins for both Republicans and Democrats, tensions are rising between the legislative bodies amid criticism from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. What would you grade this years legislative session? You voted: Sure, she may act like a clown sometimes but, the more she gets criticized the more she gets noticed and, again in Trumpian fashion, the more bucks she rakes in from supporters who see her as giving voice, however shrill, to their own simmering dissatisfaction. Chicago aldermen spending time and resources to come up with yet another questionable city ordinance that they feel is good for the residents of Chicago. Another ordinance that allows them to pat themselves on the back and feel good about being woke. See, they say, were giving the Black community what they so desperately need. If we said no to those patients from being donors, that means we are not going to have enough organs to save lives, said Dr. Ankit Bharat, chief of thoracic surgery and surgical director of the Northwestern Medicine Lung Transplant Program, who performed the procedure. He noted that there have been more than 32 million cases of COVID-19 diagnosed in the U.S. THE Government expects to spend $107 million on Covid-19 vaccines to allow vaccination of 85 per cent of the population, or about 1.2 million people. So said Minister of Finance Colm Imbert yesterday, at the Red House, Port of Spain. Do you have a news tip? Want to share good news story, or do you have information that should see the light of day? Then we want to hear from you. More here She said in hindsight, We would have wanted to do more if we knew that the information that we were getting and the protocols that we were told were being adhered to were not being fully followed. As the clock struck 5 a.m. to signal the end of the daily curfew, hundreds of people began showing up at all the facilities under the North Central Regional Health Authority (NCRHA) for their first shot of Sinopharm vaccines. Logic and plausibility really dont matter when a mystery or a thriller engages our eye, and our buy-in, with deeper layers of tantalizing ambiguity or real human anguish. Vertigo doesnt hang together narratively, and rarely has the narrative hang of a film mattered less. Alas, The Woman in the Window seems destined to be forgotten as quickly as the 1987 Rear Window knockoff The Bedroom Window. Steve Guttenberg starred in Curtis Hansons picture, and in an interview around that time Guttenberg told me that, hey, whatever, its just a two-hour piece-of-s---t movie. Whaddya want? I remember that line more clearly than anything in The Bedroom Window. I remember it better than anything in The Woman in the Window, too, and I saw that one Thursday. My son, in his ever-increasing efforts to make sure Im relatively safe during this pandemic, sent me two packets of masks from the USA. His concern is especially so since I am over 80 and live alone. Well argue about this forever, but America remains under what 18th-century African American writer Phillis Wheatley the first English-speaking African living in America to publish a book of her poems called the tyrannic sway of the slave economy. There are times in Jenkinss adaptation, which tells one story but feels like 10 distinct and separate imaginings, when the camera pushes slowly in or away from what Cora sees on her journey above and below ground in America, and there are no words spoken, because we see it all. By the end, Jenkins and company give Cora a traveling companion she didnt have in the novels closing pages. Even there, truth and poetry, triumph and deprivation, comingle. The characters are hungry. Theyre offered water. In the book they got something to eat. In Jenkinss version of The Underground Railroad, the food, and the characters rightful future, will have to wait a little longer. Weinberger performed unnecessary sinus surgery on Thomas, who was later found to have a brain tumor. Now an adult, Thomas shared her plans to be an internist and pediatrician on Dateline. I didnt do it to somehow right (Weinbergers) wrongs, Thomas said about becoming a doctor. I did it because when he decided to run, there were other doctors that were like, Hey, Ill take care of you. In a clip shown to jurors from a 2015 debate during the race for mayor, Correia promised taxpayers that he would take your money and spend it wisely because he said thats what he had done in his business. His lie about how he previously sold another app for big money allowed him avoid questions about how he could afford such a lavish lifestyle on his $17,000 annual salary as a Fall River city councilor, prosecutors said. Nurses turn Chinese herbal medicine into artwork to mark International Nurses Day People's Daily Online) 17:21, May 13, 2021 Medical staff at a hospital for traditional Chinese medicine in Nanchang, southeast China's Jiangxi Province, held a special art exhibition to celebrate International Nurses Day on May 12 -- all the artworks were made with over 60 used or expired traditional Chinese herbal medicines. The exhibition was designed to promote TCM culture to a wider audience. (Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Bianji) To cancel this contract would put people on the street who should not be on the street, he said. A lot of these people have committed crimes against people, and theyre not here legally. They get legal representation. They get food, they get medical. Is it the Conrad Hilton? No, its not. Its jail. Keep our people safe in this county. The left three northbound lanes were shut down for investigation until about 12:30 a.m., police said. Then all the northbound lanes and the Addison ramp were shut down for investigation with traffic diverted off the interstate to Addison until 2:30 a.m. Racing NSW boss Peter Vlandys has failed to sue the ABC and journalist Caro Meldrum-Hanna for defamation following a 2019 7:30 segment on cruelty against former racehorses. The Racing NSW chief executive must now pay the ABC and Meldrum-Hannas costs. Vlandys alleged he was greatly injured by the way the segment portrayed him, arguing his reputation was brought into disrepute, ridicule and contempt. But Federal Court judge Michael Wigney said he was not convinced the ABC conveyed any of the imputations alleged and dismissed the application. The ABC welcomes todays decision in the Federal Court that its October 2019 7.30 investigation The Final Race did not defame Racing NSW CEO Peter Vlandys, an ABC spokeswoman said in a statement. The Final Race was an important and groundbreaking investigation, forensically and conscientiously reported, which exposed the cruel treatment and miserable fates of many of Australias retired racehorses in slaughterhouses and abattoirs and by doing so brought about significant change. Judge Michael Wigney said, . I was not persuaded that the ABC and Ms Meldrum-Hanna acted dishonestly, deceitfully or with malice in the way they compiled the report. Source: Australian Financial Review Related Violence Rebooted action series Kung Fu, now with a female lead character, will premiere in early June on Binge. Produced by Greg Berlanti, the 13 episode series stars Olivia Liang (Legacies, Into The Dark), plus Tzi Ma (Mulan, The Farewell), Kheng Hua Tan (Crazy Rich Asians), Eddie Liu (Silicon Valley, Broad City, Never Have I Ever), Shannon Dang (The L Word: Generation Q), Gavin Stenhouse (Black Mirror, Allegiance) Vanessa Kai (New Amsterdam), Tony Chung and Aussie Jon Prasida (Tomorrow, When the War Began). The original series with David Carradine screened for 3 seasons from 1972. The new series premiered in the US in early April and has been renewed for a second season. Recently renewed for a second season, the series follows Chinese-American woman Nicky Shen (Olivia Liang) whose quarter-life crisis causes her to drop out of college and journey to an isolated monastery in China. But when she returns to San Francisco, she finds her hometown is overrun with crime and corruption and her parents are at the mercy of a powerful Triad. Nicky must rely on her martial arts skills and Shaolin values to protect her community and bring criminals to justice all while searching for the ruthless assassin who killed her Shaolin mentor Pei-Ling and is now targeting her. Christina M. Kim wrote the pilot episode and serves as executive producer/co-showrunner of the series with Robert Berens. Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Martin Gero and David Madden also serve as executive producers. Kung Fu is produced by Berlanti Productions and Quinns House in association with Warner Bros. Television and is inspired by the original series created by Ed Spielman. June 3 on Binge (Foxtel is yet to confirm Airdate). Related Attorneys for Sherry discovered there were two separate complaints filed against their client related to the 2004 allegations for which hes facing dismissal. Those two other complaints contain identical allegations against Sherry as the ones in his disciplinary charges, according to his lawyers. But the allegations from the two other complaints show investigators were not able to confirm any wrongdoing by Sherry, the lawyers say. Famed Austrian chef Wolfgang Puck is the subject of a new documentary, Wolfgang coming to Disney+. The film is produced by Supper Club (Jiro Dreams of Sushi, Chefs Table, Street Food) David Gelb serves as director and producer, Brian McGinn is producer and screenwriter, and Jason Sterman is producer. I am not one to dwell on the past, but the way David Gelb told this story made me realise how far I have come from my humble beginnings, said Puck. In a single phrase, we call it the American dream. Wolfgang stepped into the spotlight in a way no chef ever had before, said David Gelb. In doing so, he showed that a chef could be a storyteller, a teacher and a friend. This is the tradition of Wolfgang Puck, and it has been a profound honour to tell his story. The documentary film chronicles the inspiring true story of Wolfgang Puck, a man who survived a troubled childhood filled with a series of challenging obstacles and whose perseverance led him to become one of the most prolific chefs of our time and household name. Wolfgang Puck changed the perception of what it means to be a chef, and along the way, invented a radically new American cuisine. Wolfgang, a film that showcases the power and strength of the human spirit, will be available to stream on Disney+ following its world screening premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on Saturday, June 12. As a teenager in Austria, Wolfgang Puck harnessed his love of cooking to escape the harsh rule of his stepfather. A local apprenticeship forged his path to train at a revered French restaurant before landing in America at age 24. In 70s Hollywood, Puck began working at Ma Maison, crafting an original menu around fresh ingredients, making the once-tacky eatery a popular, acclaimed darling. Still, the lack of acknowledgment from Ma Maisons owner pushed Puck to take the biggest risk of his career and open his first restaurant, Spago, an instant hit where famous clientele dote equally on Pucks new American cuisine and personality. Almost by accident, Puck created the concept of a celebrity chef with his decades-spanning television appearances, building a staggering global empire of restaurants, cafes and products for home cooks. But at home, frenetic professional demands disrupted his family life. Puck runs over 100 restaurants around the world, holds two Michelin stars, is the only two-time recipient of the James Beard Outstanding Chef Award and has been the official caterer for the Academy Awardsfor over 20 years. His name spans across cookbooks and kitchen and food merchandise. His trademark recipes have been syndicated in newspapers and websites. He hosted the Emmy Award-winning show Wolfgang Puck on the Food Network, was the first regular guest chef on Good Morning America, has been honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was inducted into the Culinary Hall of Fame. Friday 25 June on Disney+. Related American Idol has been renewed for a fifth season by ABC in the USA, taking its total run of seasons to 20. But theres no word on whether judges Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie and host Ryan Seacrest will return. Deadline claims the Disney-owned network is confident that they will back for next year. American Idol, which is due to have its season finale on Sunday May 23 stateside, hasnt been screening in Australia in 2021. It was last seen on Nine network in 2020. Related By Polina Nikolskaya and Polina Ivanova MOSCOW (Reuters) -Transforming the site of what once was a Soviet-era car factory into a state-of-the-art facility churning out Russia's COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V was the easy bit. Making doses in bulk, finding qualified staff and getting equipment have been much bigger headaches for Moscow-based biotech firm R-Pharm and other private Russian companies picked to make the country's flagship shot to fight the pandemic. President Vladimir Putin has trumpeted the vaccine around the world, and said in March that Russia had signed agreements for the production of 700 million doses abroad. But Russia had produced just 33 million vaccines as of May 12 and exported fewer than 15 million, according to a Reuters tally that counted each vaccine as consisting of two doses. Russia's output is much lower than the hundreds of millions being made each month by Pfizer and AstraZeneca. Interviews with four manufacturers and two people involved in the production process and Russia's supply chain highlight how difficult it is to make Sputnik V and ramp up production. The problems are a warning to foreign partners - including in India - that are planning to mass produce the vaccine and those countries relying on Moscow to supply their inoculation programmes. With the United States and European countries focused on vaccinating domestic populations, Russia has stepped in the breach, offering shots to more than 50 countries, from Latin America to Asia. But delays in getting shots to those countries gives China and the United States time to fill the gap. In another blow, Brazil's regulator has denied approval to import Sputnik V, citing incomplete data on its safety and efficacy. The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), which is responsible for marketing the vaccine abroad, said the manufacturing capacity for Sputnik V was increasing globally as new manufacturers come on board. RDIF told Reuters it planned to produce enough doses to vaccinate 800 million people in 2021 and that it had "demonstrated its strong commitment to honouring supply contracts". Story continues It said it stood by an offer to provide doses for 50 million people in the European Union. Russia is hoping the vaccine will be approved by the European Medicines Agency. Russia's health ministry did not respond to a request for comment on production and other problems outlined by manufacturers. The industry ministry said Sputnik V production was more than meeting the needs of Russia's mass inoculation campaign, and that manufacturers in several other countries, including India and China, were also making the shot. "Any local issues related to vaccine production are dealt with promptly," it said, adding that the ministry "does its best to ensure that the health system's needs continue to be met in full, and that there is enough vaccine for everyone." "BLINDFOLDED" R-Pharm's new 27,000 square-metre (290,000 square-foot) factory on the outskirts of Moscow has more than 200 bioreactors that grow the cells that will form the shots. R-Pharm was initially learning the process from scratch and operating the bioreactors was like working "blindfolded", chief executive Alexei Repik told Reuters. "Vaccine production takes around 1-1/2 months or more, for each series," he said. "Then afterwards, you compare the output to the reference sample. If it matches, you're lucky. If it doesn't, you pour out the product you made." The company has also struggled with global shortages of equipment and raw materials. R-Pharm was initially gearing up to make 10 million doses a month but by late March had still not produced 1 million doses. It began the process of cell growing in November but its new factory has yet to open officially. Manufacturers contacted by Reuters said the vaccine was particularly difficult to make because of its design as an adenovirus vector vaccine. The vectors are modified human common cold viruses, used to carry the genetic information into the body that triggers immunity-building. Unlike other adenovirus vaccines, the first and booster shots of Sputnik V, taken 21 days apart, are made up of two different vectors and the first shot is easier to produce than the second, manufacturers said. "The product is difficult enough and you actually have to make two different drugs," said Biocad chief executive Dmitry Morozov, whose company is also making Sputnik V. In a later comment to Reuters, Morozov said that production had increased sharply in the past month or so, with technical questions resolved and output in the tens of millions of doses. To deal with the problems, Russia has teamed up with AstraZeneca, whose vaccine uses a different adenovirus shot, two sources familiar with vaccine strategy said. Human trials of a mix-and-match vaccine are under way in several countries. Another option is "Sputnik Light", a single-dose version of the shot using only the first component. One private producer, Pharmasyntez, plans to seek permission to produce only the one-dose vaccine, its chief executive, Vikram Punia, said. It sent a first batch for quality controls on May 3. In response to questions, RDIF said both components of the Russian vaccine were being produced and delivered on time. LAND AND PEOPLE A global rush for equipment has increased Russian producers' problems, and pharmaceutical plants are in limited supply in Russia. Generium, the biggest producer of Sputnik V doses, re-purposed existing plants to work on the vaccine, as did Biocad, the only other major producer. To expand output, new plants will be needed. Generium is building one to make 200-300 million doses per year, its owner said in March. The biggest problem for Pharmasyntez's Punia was a lack of experienced staff - producing two doses increases strain on staffing because separate manufacturing spaces and teams are needed. "We can buy equipment, we can build plants. But in biotechnology, competent people is the most important thing. And there are not very many of them," Punia said. (Reporting by Polina Nikolskaya and Polina Ivanova; Writing by Polina Ivanova; Editing by Josephine Mason and Timothy Heritage) China has sought to step up cooperation with Central Asian nations on security, amid concerns in Beijing over a potential resurgence of terrorism in neighbouring Afghanistan as the US withdraws its troops from the country, South China Morning Post writes. Beijing fears it could pose a threat to its Belt and Road Initiative infrastructure projects in the region, and that instability in Afghanistan could give ground to Islamic fundamentalism that would spill over into Chinas predominantly Muslim Xinjiang region that borders the country. During talks with his Central Asian counterparts on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said they should work together to crack down on terrorist forces and prevent transnational crime to create a safe Silk Road. We should resolutely crack down on the three evil forces [of extremism, terrorism and separatism] including the East Turkestan Islamic Movement, Wang told the foreign ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in the Chinese city of Xian, in Shaanxi. Beijing has blamed ETIM for violence in Xinjiang. We should cooperate to prevent transnational organised crime, on drugs control, network security, managing non-governmental organisations, the security of large-scale activities and projects, and to safeguard our institutions, personnel and facilities to create a safe Silk Road, Wang said. He was referring to Beijings controversial belt and road strategy, known as the new Silk Road a vast global infrastructure development plan that aims to boost Chinas trade links across Asia, Africa, Europe and beyond. Two of the belt and road networks key economic corridors which include special economic zones, energy and transport infrastructure pass through central and southern Asia. The corridor through Pakistan is strategically important for China to provide an alternative route for oil and gas coming from the Middle East, rather than going via the Strait of Malacca. In Central Asia, Chinese companies invested nearly US$50 billion in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan between 2005 and 2020, including on belt and road projects, according to the China Global Investment Tracker of the American Enterprise Institute, a Washington-based think tank. Wang also said foreign troops should be pulled out of Afghanistan in an orderly and responsible manner, without mentioning the United States, which aims to have its remaining 2,500 to 3,500 troops out of the country by September after two decades of deployment there. Analysts said there could be more turmoil in Afghanistan as US and Nato troops completed their military withdrawal, and that could have an impact on Chinas belt and road projects in the region. Wang Jin, a research fellow at the Charhar Institute, a think tank in China, said projects in Central Asia could be most at risk. It means the future political direction of Afghanistan is uncertain if there is turmoil in the countrys security situation it may spill over into neighbouring countries, and the result will be a negative impact on belt and road projects in the region, he said. Beijing has repeatedly called for foreign troops to be withdrawn from Afghanistan in a responsible manner amid concerns over an emerging security vacuum in the war-torn country. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying on Monday said the abrupt US announcement of a complete withdrawal of forces from Afghanistan has led to a succession of explosive attacks, after a series of blasts at a girls school in Kabul on Saturday killed more than 60 people, most of them students. On Wednesday, Foreign Minister Wang said China supported Afghanistan to form inclusive political arrangements through Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace negotiations. China and Central Asian countries should play a constructive role in this regard, based on their respective advantages, he said. On May 12th, a skirmish took place between Azerbaijani and Armenian border guards near the border of Syunik Province and the Black Lake. According to the Armenian side, at a pretext of specification of the borderline, Azerbaijani military advanced inside the Armenian territory, using fake cartographic materials. It is not the first controversial situation on the border, intensively discussed by the Armenian politicians and mass media. Armenia prepares for early parliamentary elections. It means any news is going to be politicized and attract public attention. After signing the November Statement on Karabakh, Syunik could be the first district of transport deblockade in the South Caucasus. Foretasting changes in the Armenian territory and border districts of Azerbaijan, participants of the election campaign use the situation in Syunik Province variously. Supporters of the former president of Armenia Robert Kocharyan consider any mixed picture on the border as a good reason to stir up public unrest in Syunik Province and spread it throughout the Armenian territory. Kocharyan wants to show uselessness of the current leader Nikol Pashinyan regarding preservation of the republics sovereignty. At the same time, supporters of the former president try to prove Baku using aggressive policy and striving for violation of Armenias territorial integrity. Kocharyan needs validation of his revanchist narrative his election program is based on spreading revanchist attitudes ostensibly due to a risk of taking away Armenias south. Moreover, the Armenian authorities also benefit from various border incidents. Even though, Pashinyan promises people that Armenias sovereignty is not under threat, he is no stranger to tarnishing Baku. However, Acting Premier avoids answering a question on possibility of trespassing of militaries from neighboring countries to the Armenian territory. Pashinyan whos got used to seeing enemies and plotters in everyone just has to say that border security is a subject of a separate discussion which is going to take place. It seems Acting Premier tries to turn Moscow against Baku in the sphere of providing territorial integrity of Armenia and commitment of the November Statement. Russia provides security of Armenia but Pashinyan who doesnt like Moscow too much tries to navigate in the public opinion space leaving it alone facing the Russian military presence. The situation in southern Armenia will remain difficult before the early elections. Neither Kocharyan nor Pashinyan is able to slag each other endlessly. Thus, both of them try to convince voters that their vision of Armenias future is better. Kocharyan will rely on the topic of a foreign enemy, insisting on revanchist policy; Pashinyan will go on supporting the policy of limited cooperation and delegation of it to Armenias foreign partners. Who are these partners? Only time will tell. *** Tonight, Acting Foreign Minister of Armenia Ara Ayvazyan has discussed the situation in Syunik Province and usage of the CSTO instruments with Secretary General of the CSTO Stanislav Zasem. It seems Yerevan is not desisting from its efforts to pull the CSTO in its games. A fine of 3.1 billion US dollars imposed by a court in Kyrgyzstan on the operator of the countrys largest gold mine has raised alarm among those who fear it will deter foreign investors. Emerging Europe reports that a Kyrgyz district court last week handed a whopping 3.1 billion US dollars fine to the Kumtor Gold Company, the owner of the largest gold mine in the country, after ruling that it had violated environmental standards. The decision came just a day after the Kyrgyz parliament passed legislation which would allow the state to temporarily nationalise any company found to be harming the environment or human lives. Kumtor, which is owned by Toronto-based company Centerra Gold, was found to have violated environmental laws by storing waste rock on mountain glaciers. The company has called the charges entirely meritless and has seen the value of its shares plummet by nearly a third since the ruling. In addition, the Kyrgyz tax authorities have filed a claim worth more than 170 million US dollars against the company. Kyrgyzstans new president, Sadyr Japarov, has a long history with the mine. Often described as a populist, Japarov in 2012 campaigned for the nationalisation of the gold mine, accusing its Canadian owners of mismanagement, corruption and violations of environmental regulations, endearing him to the countrys nationalists. That year, a rally against the mine turned violent and Japarov was arrested and imprisoned for three months. In 2013, Kyrgyz nationalists protesting against the Kumtor mine kidnapped the governor of the Issyk-Kul region, where the mine is located. Japarov was accused of playing a role in the kidnapping and fled the country. When he tried to return in 2017, he was arrested again and sentenced to 11 and a half years in prison. Japarov was still serving that sentence when he was broken out of prison by his supporters during last Octobers revolution which led to the resignation of then President Sooronbay Jeenbekov. Japarov quickly replaced him, first on a temporary basis and, since an election in January, as the countrys formal president. One of his first acts was as president to create a special commission to investigate operations at the Kumtor mine. Centerra Gold is also now bracing for the publication of the findings of this commission, which could be this week given that the head of the commission, Akilbek Japarov (unrelated to the president) has been known to make inflammatory statements about the mine and its owners, it is unlikely that it will be in the companys favour. Although he has since claimed that nationalisation of the mine is no longer necessary, President Japarov still appears to be pandering to the nationalist crowd by vowing to hold the owners of the mine accountable for their alleged violations. Scaring off potential foreign investors Critics meanwhile claim that the combination of the enormous fine and the newly-drafted legislation allowing for temporary nationalisation will scare off potential foreign investors. One member of parliament claimed that a colleague hadnt even seen the draft of the temporary nationalisation bill, implying that it had been rushed through on the presidents will. It took just one day to pass. Furthermore, the wording of the new law makes it clear that it was devised specifically to target the Kumtor mine, as no other enterprise in the country meets the criteria that the law stipulates. A statement by the International Business Group, a Bishkek-based lobbying organisation, stated that these developments set an alarming precedent. Furthermore, while most parliamentarians appear to be firmly behind the legal assault on the mine, there has been some internal dissent. In a radio interview, Deputy Prime Minister Ulumbek Karmyshakov said that the court ruling would impact the economic well-being of the country. The Kumtor mine is the largest in the country and its output represents nearly a quarter of Kyrgyzstans total industrial production and between five and seven per cent of the GDP. Furthermore, it is the largest private sector employer in the country and the biggest tax contributor. According to Centerra Gold, since gaining the rights to the Kumtor mine in 1994, the company has contributed 4.48 billion US dollars to Kyrgyzstan in the form of charitable donations, infrastructure investments and taxes. However, the incident does demonstrate the vulnerability of small countries such as Kyrgyzstan in the face of the powerful multinational corporations which mine their resources. Although the veracity of the charges against Kumtor are as yet unclear, the fact that the mine has been the cause of such a long-running dispute suggests that its opponents are confident of their case. Additionally, it is unlikely that Japarov would make such a drastic move that would harm the countrys economic prospects simply to placate the nationalist crowd. Nevertheless, even if the allegations are true, Kyrgyzstan will find itself in a difficult position: it cannot hold the owners of the mine accountable without suffering economically. If the allegations turn out to be politically motivated, it will validate fears that Japarovs presidency is paving the way for a return to autocratic rule. The following weeks look set to be crucial not just for Centerra Gold, but also for Kyrgyzstan. On Yerevans central pedestrian street Northern Avenue, a Ministry of Health-run station has been offering one-stop vaccinations since May 5. Its free of charge, doesnt require registration, takes 10 minutes and yet on a recent visit by Eurasianet to the site there were only a handful of takers. And most of them were foreigners, including Poles, Iranians, Russians, and Chinese. Armenians arent enthusiastic for the vaccine because the media and politicians are doing black PR against them, said Armos Martirosyan, 32, one of the few Armenians who was at the site. Im a socially responsible person, thats why Im here. As in many parts of the world, conspiracy theory-fueled vaccine skepticism is widespread in Armenia. Armenia, though, has taken the unusual step of making the vaccine freely available, including to foreigners, at a network of mobile clinics at several cities around the country. The goal is to make it easy and accessible for people to get vaccines, a ministry representative, Gahane Sahakyan, told reporters when the clinics were launched. Still, demand at the mobile centers is low and a month into Armenias vaccination campaign, the country has given first doses to only about 12,000 people, representing about 0.4 percent of the population. (The Health Ministry told Eurasianet that its data does not separate out the number of foreigners who are getting vaccinated in Armenia.) The numbers are well below Armenias neighbors in the Caucasus. As of May 13, Georgia had administered over 77,000 total shots, including about 13,000 second shots. Azerbaijan reported administering 1,727,510 shots as of May 11, including 713,015 second shots. There are plenty of shots to give out: Armenia received 100,000 doses of the Chinese CoronaVac vaccine on May 1, donated by the Chinese government. The country also has received 24,000 doses of the British-Swedish AstraZeneca vaccine through the COVAX program and about 31,000 of Sputnik V from Russia. Due to AstraZenecas well publicized troubles it was briefly recalled in several European countries over concerns that it could cause blood clots and a nurse in Georgia died reportedly of an allergic reaction to the vaccine it is most Armenians last choice. At the Northern Avenue station, two middle-aged women wearing masks a rarity in Armenia approached the desk and asked which vaccines were available. Finding out that it was only AstraZeneca, they angrily walked away. We dont want AstraZeneca, it kills people, one woman, who didnt want to be identified, told Eurasianet. While Sputnik V is occasionally available at the mobile clinic, supplies had run out. Armenian health authorities have reserved Sputnik V for particular cases medical workers, employees of care facilities, those with medical conditions that put them at higher risk of COVID-19. AstraZeneca is being given to anyone over 18 who wants it. If there was Sputnik I would take it, but they only have AstraZeneca here, said Shahria Karimi, 42, an Iranian who was lined up to get the shot. Karimi arrived from Iran two days before on vacation and happened upon the mobile clinic. Its so easy, in Iran like most of the world we have to wait for shots, since there are priority groups, he said. In Iran maybe I could get a vaccine in a month. I dont know why Armenians dont take it. Politicians and public figures have lined up in an effort to convince the public that the vaccination is safe and desirable. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was vaccinated on May 3 but hasnt said which vaccine he got. In a session of parliament, one member asked him which one he took and he demurred: I cant tell which one I took but one of the deputy prime ministers got Sputnik V and the other one, AstraZeneca. I hope one of the MPs here will get the Chinese vaccine, he said, to laughter. But he added: I want to assure you, if the Ministry of Health has allowed any vaccine to be used here, it means it is good. Since the pandemic began Armenia has had a total of 220,217 cases and 4,291 deaths attributed to the virus. U.S. President Joe Biden said that the Russian government was not behind the cyberattack on Colonial Pipeline while noting he would raise the cybercrime issue in talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. "We do not believe - I emphasize, we do not believe the Russian government was involved in this attack," Biden said in his remarks on the cyberattack against Colonial Pipeline. "But we do have strong reason to believe that the criminals who did the attack are living in Russia," he noted. "We have been in direct communications with Moscow about the imperative for responsible countries to take decisive actions against these ransomware networks." "I am confident that I've read the report of the FBI accurately, and they say they were not - he was not, the government was not," Biden replied when pressed by reporters whether Putin was behind the attack. Asked when the United States would respond to governments allowing such cybercrime, Biden said international standards are needed for governments to take action against these criminal activities. "I expect that's one of the topics I'll be talking about with President Putin," Xinhua cited him as saying. Biden said last week that he expected to meet with Putin during the trip to Europe in June, when he will attend the Group of Seven Summit in Britain and then the NATO Summit in Brussels, Belgium. The Fire Department must have membership and leadership that mirrors the communities it serves every day. As a child, I never laid eyes on either a female firefighter or a firefighter of color, Nance-Holt, who is Black, said in a statement. There were no role models who looked like me, and so I never thought that becoming a firefighter, which was my dream, would be a possibility for me. As fire commissioner, I intend to show the next generation of young Black women that they too can achieve any and everything they set their minds and hearts to. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday spoke to his Kyrgyz and Afghan counterparts over the phone amid recent Israeli attacks in Palestine, the presidency said, Anadolu agency reports. In talks with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, Erdogan "exchanged Eid al-Fitr greetings and discussed bilateral relations as well as regional developments." "President Erdogan stated that they wanted to see Kyrgyzstan alongside Turkey in the initiatives it had launched in the international arena in order for the necessary lesson to be given to Israel which had been attacking the Al-Aqsa Mosque, Gaza and the Palestinians," the statement read. The Turkish president also held a phone conversation with his Afghan counterpart Ashraf Ghani and wished him a happy Eid. Erdogan noted the importance of taking joint action at all relevant platforms to mobilize the international community in the face of Israel's "brutal" attacks. Turkey will continue to stand by Afghanistan "in this critical period" as it has always, he added, referring to the escalation of violence and the ongoing peace process in the war-torn country. Separately, the Turkish president called Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi, exchanged Eid al-Fitr greetings, and addressed Israel's aggression. Erdogan also discussed the situation in Palestine with former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad. Georgias former Prosecutor General Zurab Adeishvili, who stands convicted and wanted for several crimes in Georgia, requested the termination of his Georgian citizenship back in March 2021 because he received the Ukrainian citizenship, the Georgian Justice Ministry has confirmed. The ministry studied the request and sent the conclusion to the president of Georgia, while the president accepted the cancellation of citizenship yesterday, Agenda.ge reported. Back in 2020 Adeishvili was sentenced to 1.6 years in prison in absentia for illegal closure of Iberia TV back in 2004. He has also been sentenced in absentia for the illegal raid on Imedi TV in 2007, illegal confiscation of Akura vinery and abuse of office in the Cartu Bank case. In January 2021 Adeishvili was sentenced to six years in prison in absentia for kidnapping and abuse of official authority in the case of former opposition leader Koba Davitashvili. Former President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili, who currently chairs the Executive Committee of Ukraines National Reforms Council, said in May 2020 that Adeishvili is working as the reforms advisor of the prosecutor general of Ukraine. Adeishvili left Georgia on October 1, 2012, on the day of parliamentary elections in Georgia in which the Georgian Dream coalition defeated the United National Movement. Israeli troops have hit 150 Hamas targets and a network of tunnels in Gaza in the "biggest bombardment yet". The Israel Defence Force (IDF) said air and ground forces launched a series of attacks last night - dropping 450 missiles on the Gaza Strip in just 40 minutes. As the conflict escalated, some 160 aircraft were flying simultaneously to conduct a massive attack in Gaza last night. This 40-minute airstrike was the largest Israeli bombardment since the outbreak of fighting began earlier this week, the military says. And 9,000 Israeli reserve troops have been called up amid the escalating violence in the region, The Sun reported. Palestinians militants have fired some 1,800 rockets and the military has launched more than 600 airstrikes, toppling at least three apartment blocks. And on Thursday night, an additional 220 projectiles were fired on Israel from Gaza. So far 119 Palestinians and eight Israelis have died. The IDF sparked confusion last night by saying soldiers on the ground had entered the Palestinian enclave - as its fighter jets continued to hit targets belonging to militants. The force tweeted: "IDF air and ground troops are currently attacking in the Gaza Strip." Military spokesman Jonathan Conricus added: "There are ground troops attacking in Gaza, together with air forces as well." But just after 1am, the IDF changed its statement to say no ground troops had crossed into the Gaza Strip. It added: "Clarification: There are currently no IDF ground troops inside the Gaza Strip. IDF air and ground forces are carrying out strikes on targets in the Gaza Strip." Georgia will receive 15,000 Covid-19 vaccines from Lithuania, announces Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabrielius Landsbergis. He posted on his Twitter account that the Lithuanian government had confirmed that 200,000 vaccines would be given to Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova. Georgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Davit Zalkaliani also posted on Twitter that he is thankful for Lithuania's support and 'for their cooperation during Covid-19 pandemic, Agenda.ge reporetd. Georgia has reported 1,390 new cases of coronavirus, 1,070 recoveries and 18 deaths in the past 24 hours. Since February 26, 2020 the country has had 327,831 cases of coronavirus, 307,334 recoveries and 4,397 deaths. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the fighting with Gaza's Hamas rulers "will take time." He said Israel's airstrike campaign against Hamas in Gaza is not nearing an end. "It will take time, but with great firmness, both defensively and offensively, we will achieve our goal -- to restore peace to the State of Israel," he said during a visit at an Iron Dome air defense battery in central Israel. Meanwhile, combat troops have moved along the fence separating between the Gaza Strip and Israel amid "various stages of preparing ground operations," Jonathan Conricus, a spokesman with the Israel Defense Forces, told reporters. "The Chief of Staff is inspecting those preparations and providing guidance," Xinhua cited him as saying. At least 1,750 missiles have been fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel in four days, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) informed on Friday on Twitter, adding that seven Israelis have been killed in the attacks. According to the military, a total of 523 Israeli citizens were injured. "In response [to the attacks], the IDF has struck over 650 terror targets in Gaza, including rocket launch sites, 10 attack tunnels, and killed over 100 Hamas and Islamic Jihad operatives,"TASS cited the message as saying. The exchange of missile attacks between Israel and the Gaza Strip, which has been going on since May 10, was triggered by riots in East Jerusalems Al-Aqsa Mosque. Clashes between Palestinians and Israeli police officers erupted after an Israeli court had ruled to evict several Palestinian families from the citys Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood and hand the property over to Jewish settlers, saying that they had owned it before 1948. The Gaza Health Ministry said earlier that at least 109 Palestinians had been killed in the attacks, and over 620 people were injured. Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed the need for strict observance of a ceasefire agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan during a phone call with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on May 13, the Kremlin said. The parties exchanged views on the recent incident on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. Putin emphasized the need to strictly comply with all the provisions of the statements by the leaders of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan of November 9, 2020, and January 11, 2021, first and foremost, in terms of strict observance of the ceasefire Russia is ready to continue active mediation efforts and maintain close contacts with Yerevan and Baku in order to ensure stability in the region. Pashinyan expressed gratitude to the Russian leader and spoke in favor of constructive dialogue and interaction in order to resolve all emerging problems peacefully. In addition, Putin and Pashinyan raised the issues of restoring economic ties, and transportation and logistics links in the South Caucasus, and agreed on further contacts at various levels. Travelers from outside the EU will be allowed to visit Spain for non-essential reasons, including vacations from May 20, Spains tourism minister said, Anadolu agency reported. Reyes Maroto said the revision of the European Union Article 912, which blocked non-essential travelers from outside the EU for nearly a year, is advancing quickly. It could be a boon to Spains ailing tourism sector as it would allow people from the UK, US, Turkey or elsewhere to come to Spain for holidays this summer. Maroto focused her speech on the UK, which was the source market for nearly a quarter of Spains tourists in 2019. She said that since the UK has a low number of infections, British tourists, vaccinated or not, will likely not even have to provide a negative coronavirus test to enter Spain. On the other hand, Spain did not make it onto the UKs coveted green list of travel destinations because of its high infection rate. Spain is moving headfirst into the summer tourism season with lifted restrictions and optimism. The state of emergency is a thing of the past. We have to look to the future and thats vaccines, vaccines, vaccines, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said Tuesday. Some of the countrys regional governments are concerned about future outbreaks, as many courts are striking down attempts to enforce restrictions like curfews now that the state of emergency has expired. The Tajik delegation led by Prime Minister Kohir Rasulzoda arrived in Tashkent on May 14, the country's Foreign Ministry reported. The delegation of Tajikistan arrived to attend the 8th meeting of the intergovernmental commission for commercial and economic cooperation between Uzbekist and Tajikistan. The program includes visits to several industrial enterprises in Tashkent, AKIpress reported. Several documents will be signed at the meeting of the intergovernmental commission. Three rockets were launched from Lebanon toward northern Israel on Thursday but landed in the Mediterranean Sea, causing no damage or casualties, the Israeli military said. The rocket firing threatened to open a new front in the escalating fighting between Israel and the militant Palestinian Hamas group in Gaza. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in a Twitter post confirmed that three rockets were fired from Lebanon into the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of northern Israel. The IDF gave no details of who fired them. But two sources close to Israel's arch-enemy Hezbollah told the AFP the Lebanese Shiite group had no link to the incident. "A short while ago, three rockets were fired from Lebanon into the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of the Galilee," Israel's army said in a statement. "According to protocol no sirens were sounded". There has been some discussion that the City should permit indoor dining in restaurants, even if otherwise prohibited under state order. The purpose of this call is to discuss what it would mean for the City to do so and how this would be operationalized, one staffer wrote in June 2020 to top-ranking Lightfoot administration officials. Within the scope of its normalization plan, Turkey is considering a three-stage strategy to be implemented after the full lockdown ends on May 17, including the lifting of restrictions on restaurants and cafes in the first stage. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey would gradually ease lockdown restrictions after the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday as the coronavirus cases and fatalities continue to fall nationwide. According to the plan under consideration, in the first phase of the normalization, restaurants and cafes will reopen, but will be allowed to serve until 8 p.m., private broadcaster CNN Turk reported. Moreover, curfews will begin at 9 p.m. and not at 7 p.m., as was the case previously, while curfews on Saturdays will be totally lifted. However, Sunday curfews are expected to remain in place during the first stage of the normalization. Online education for students will continue, but schools are likely to reopen in September or October, depending on the pace of the outbreak. In the second stage of the normalization, which is expected to start at the end of May, the business hours of cafes and restaurants will be extended to 10 p.m., but those venues will serve customers outdoors at 50 percent capacity. Smaller establishments such as tea houses will need permission from the governors offices to operate. In this phase of the reopening, Sunday curfews are expected to be lifted. More restrictions will be eased, such as allowing wedding ceremonies with some curbs, in the third stage of the reopening slated to begin in July. In this phase, cafes and restaurants will be allowed to welcome customers until 11:45 p.m, but indoor dining will still be banned, Hurriyet reported. The Pentagon on Thursday confirmed reports that it pulled 120 U.S. military personnel from Israel. Defense Department press secretary John Kirby said the U.S. Central Command and U.S. European Command staffers flew aboard a C-17 military aircraft and arrived in Ramstein Air Base in Germany earlier on Thursday. "We made this decision to remove these individuals in coordination with our Israeli counterparts," Kirby told reporters at the Pentagon. "These people from throughout the department were in Israel for a routine planning event dealing with an upcoming military exercise,"he added. The planning conference a routine practice to work through the details of any major military exercise was already scheduled to wrap up by the end of the week but the Pentagon accelerated the staffs departure by a few days. "Out of an abundance of caution and good prudence ... we ended that planning conference a little early and got them safely to Germany," The Hill cited Kirbey as saying. The spokesman was not aware of any other plans or efforts to further remove other Americans from Israel as of now. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said that he discussed the role of the Sputnik V vaccine and the Palestine-Israel escalation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, TASS reports. "The key topic of our discussion was the importance of the support of the Russian federation to the multilateralism, based on the UN Charter and the international law. [] There was also an important discussion in relation to Covid-19 and to the vaccines - in particular, to the role of Sputnik. Climate change was also in our discussion," the Secretary General said. "And then we had a tour de raison over some of the most important crises that are happening today. The dramatic situation that we have seen in Israel and Palestine," he told MGIMO students. "We are working hard - as well as several other actors - to see if there is a cessation of hostilities, if this dramatic situation ends. It is a factor undermining not only the society there, but it can be a risk to promote extremism in other parts of the world," Guterres said. He also said that the sides touched upon the situation in Syria, Libya and Afghanistan, and the ways Russia and the UN can interact in order to resolve these crises both in political and humanitarian aspects. Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on Friday that the current escalation between Israel and Palestine poses a direct threat to Russias security. Holding a meeting with the Russian Security Council, Putin suggested discussing the situation in Jerusalem and Gaza Strip prior to the agreed agenda. "I would like to ask my colleagues to comment on the current situation in the Middle East, I mean the escalated Palestinian-Israeli conflict this is happening in the immediate vicinity of our borders and directly affects our security interests," he said. The intensive exchange of rocket fire between Israel and the Gaza Strip, which has been going on since May 10, and was triggered by riots at Jerusalems Al-Aqsa Mosque. Clashes between Palestinians and Israeli police officers erupted after an Israeli court had ruled to evict several Palestinian families from the citys Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood. On Friday, Israeli media said the bombardments had killed nine Israeli citizens. According to the Health Ministry of the coastal enclave, Israel's strikes against Gaza have left 119 Palestinians dead and more than 600 others injured. Armenia is preparing to enter into consultations with the CSTO in connection with its desire to preserve the Azerbaijani Gara-Gel State Reserve under Armenian control, the leadership of the Armenian special services said yesterday. Armenia's acting prime minister Nikol Pashinyan also made such a statement in a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Gara-Gel State Reserve around the high-mountainous lake Gara-Gel (Mount Ishygly, height 2658 m above sea level) was established on the territory of the AzSSR by a decree of the Azerbaijani Council of Ministers back on November 17, 1987. In those days, no one disputed that it is the Azerbaijani territory, since the union republic could create such territorial formations only on its own land. However, in the 90s, the reserve and the lake along with the entire Lachin region were seized by the Armenian occupation forces, their natural resources were plundered. Since then, Armenia claims that at least part of Gara-Gel Lake is located on its territory. Cupich said that in order to see Sullivans good name restored now that the claim has been found to be unsubstantiated, he will share the letter with other archdiocese pastors and ask that they share it with their parishioners. The cardinal said the letter would also be shared with all archdiocese employees. With children 12 and over added to the eligibility list, Dr. Wendy Lotts, a pediatrician for Advocate Aurora Health with an office in Gurnee, said the vaccine is very safe and encourages everyone eligible to become vaccinated. Her entire family has done it. Education is the key when there is resistance. There will be even less when doctors offices begin vaccinating. According to the sheriffs office, more than half of the people killed in Illinois auto accidents were not wearing their seat belts. So the simple act of buckling up could save your life. Deputies and officers in other departments will be on the lookout during the holiday weekend for noncompliance with seat belt laws, including motorists who have not properly secured children. As usual, police will be keeping an eye out for impaired motorists, too. Willamette Law will welcome Justice Adrienne C. Nelson as the keynote speaker for the College of Laws 135th Commencement. The ceremony will also honor two members of the law community, including announcing Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Jeffrey Dobbins as the Law Faculty Member of the Year, and graduate Spencer Prosen JD21 as the Class of 2021 valedictorian. Keynote Speaker Justice Adrienne C. Nelson The remote portion of the College of Laws commencement ceremony will take place on Sunday, May 16, at 11:30 a.m. The keynote speaker for the College of Law will be Oregon Supreme Court Justice Adrienne C. Nelson. Justice Nelson is the first African-American to sit on the states highest court and on any Oregon appellate state court. She previously served as a trial judge for the Multnomah County Circuit Court in Portland. She is involved in many national, state, local and specialty bar associations, often serving in a leadership capacity. She is the current Chair of the Oregon Supreme Court Council on Inclusion and Fairness, the American Bar Association Diversity and Inclusion Center and the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council. In the community, she sits on the Oregon Historical Society Board of Trustees, the Literary Arts Board of Trustees and the Oregon Community Foundation Portland Leadership Council chairing the connection to the Black Communities committee. She sits on the Girl Scouts Beyond the Bars Advisory Board, which she formerly chaired. She earned her law degree from the University of Texas at Austin and her bachelors degree in English and criminal justice from the University of Arkansas. Over the years, she has been active in the legal community and the greater Oregon community, frequently speaking on several topics including diversity, inclusion, equity, leadership and professional development. She was a featured speaker on TEDxTalks for her presentation, Bridging Justice, which discussed her personal journey alongside her philosophy on the importance of building human connections that give rise to compassion and understanding. Justice Nelson has served as a mentor to many, and her service and mentorship to others has been widely recognized by professional organizations and the community. She is a connector and encourager, helping people succeed by living their best lives. Justice Nelson's commencement address will focus on encouraging graduates to become leaders in challenging times. Associate Dean Jeffrey Dobbins Dobbins will finish his first year as associate dean this summer. A member of the faculty since 2006, he teaches Civil Procedure, Federal Courts, Administrative Law, Native American Law, and seminars in specialized areas of the appellate process. With his appointment as associate dean, he spent more time this year learning how the program of law is implemented at Willamette, determining course offerings and budget, and communicating academic regulations. As voted on by the graduating class, the Law Faculty Member of the Year Award is new this spring and is given to the faculty member whose teaching has had a significant impact on the class. The College of Law is so fortunate to have Dean Dobbins as a leader, teacher and innovator, says Dean and Professor Brian Gallini. Dean Dobbins is an extraordinary classroom teacher and mentor who puts his students at the center of everything he does. Gallini especially emphasized Dobbins work in adjusting courses and budget to the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. Associate Dean for Faculty and Professor Karen Sandrik works closely with Dobbins on administrative matters. Dean Dobbins is what you want in the front of the classroom, Sandrik says. He is passionate and thoughtful about the law, and he challenges and motivates his students to mirror that passion and thoughtfulness in their own studies. Other university-wide awards given annually to Willamette Law faculty include the Robert L. Misner Award for Law Faculty Scholarship and the Jerry E. Hudson Award for Excellence in Teaching. Dobbins received the Hudson Award in 2016 and was praised as a consistently outstanding teacher by Dean Emeritus Curtis Bridgeman. Aristeion Symeon Symeonides award goes to Spencer Prosen JD21 Dean Melodye Mac Alpine was not surprised when, after final grades were calculated, Spencer Prosen JD21 was chosen as this years valedictorian. Prosen is an engaged student who consistently performed at a high level in all classes, she says. As a student, Spencer not only held the top grades, but was also an exemplary member of our Willamette Law community. I am thrilled for him to receive this honor. As valedictorian, Prosen will receive the Aristeion Symeon Symeonides award for having earned the highest grades in his class. Established in 2010, this award is given every year at Commencement to the student with the highest GPA in the College of Law graduating class. The award is also accompanied by a commemorative plaque and a medallion to be worn at Commencement. This award was named for and funded by the 19th dean of the College of Law, Symeon C. Symeonides. Prosen will be working at Lynn, Jackson, Shultz & Lebrun, P.C. in the litigation practice area and hopes to do some public defense work on the side. His office will be in Spearfish, South Dakota, and he plans to sit for the South Dakota bar. The ceremony will be broadcast live at 11:25 a.m. April 16. The tiny culinary mecca of Yountville is celebrated for its cuisine, though it has long been dominated by classic European and American styles. North Block is a welcome new addition, adding a fresh dynamic with Asian and Indian influences and wood-fired cooking from a Momofuku NYC alum. Located at the longtime hotel property North Block and in what formerly housed the restaurant Redd Wood, the restaurant is helmed by chef Nick Tamburo, who cooks many of the offerings on a Japanese grill. His inspiring presentations alone make the restaurant worthy of a shakeup from your usual visit to Yountville staples like Bouchon or Bottega. The Vibe at North Block in Yountville (Mariana Calderon Photography) The dark and moody vibe is the signature aesthetic of prolific Napa-based designer Erin Martin, as are some of the industrial and upcycled elements like a chandelier constructed out of tube lights bundled together with wires. This chandelier hangs in the restaurant's most interesting dining room, an indoor/outdoor space featuring a massive mural of larger-than-life storks, which cover both the walls and ceiling. Painted by Berlin muralist Michael Dute, the mural's contrast between navy blue and bright white carried through to the tables and chairs and a wine bottle statement wall. The brown tabletops are blackened on top and almost look charred, an ode to North Block's wood-fired cooking style. We enjoyed our meal in the Mediterranean-inspired courtyard, which by contrast was much lighter and surrounded by greenery. But this greenery has been brought inside the main dining area too, complementing the green leather banquets, and there are more eye-catching, inventive light fixtures wherever you look. Next to the bar is a meat locker, but instead of being filled with the customary aging meats, it's stocked with raw, pink chickens (but more on that later). The Drinks at North Block The La Pasion Margarita. (Maria Calderon Photography) North Block has a solid wine list that highlights some great local producers, like Matthiasson and Lang & Reed. But since this is Wine Country and you can get these everywhere, we suggest a drink: North Block is absolutely slaying the cocktail game. Our first two cocktails were served in beautiful, Art Decostyle coupes that I wanted to steal for my home bar. I ordered the Northside, made with Ford's gin, guava, lime, and mint. The guava and giant purple flower garnish transported me right to a Hawaiian vacation, as did the NB Old Fashioned with coconut and tiki bitters. Meanwhile, the La Pasion Margarita (Casa Noble blanco tequila, habanero, passionfruit) came out with a stunning ombre effect; bright yellow with a layer of deep purple on the surface. "Give it a stir," my server instructed, and it morphs into a pink-orange sunset. The Food at North Block Restaurant, Yountville Grilled swiss chard (Maria Calderon Photography) The menu is short and sweet, fitting on one page, yet I found it almost impossible to decide what I wanted, which is how we ended up ordering a little bit of everything and walking away painfully full. I suggest ordering some starters and your entree at the same time. Due to the wood-fired method, many of the main dishes can take 30 minutes to cook. We started with some selections from the raw and cured section of the menu, ordering two polar opposites: the duck liver mousse and the big eye tuna crudo. The presentation of both of these dishes was impressive and stunning. Thin rye crackers were carefully stacked in the mousse like a set of dominoes, and matchaa most unexpected additionwas sprinkled generously on top. It reminded me of the craggy, volcanic palisades that I often hike to about 30 miles north near Mount St. Helena. The mousse was rich and decadent, almost worthy of a dessert, yet super light on the palate. The tuna crudo was the most beautiful color, reminiscent of a tequila sunrise, and it was sliced so thin that you could essentially scrape it into a spoonful. Unlike the mousse, this dish was quite fresh thanks to the fish and a fermented Meyer lemon kosho. It also wasn't too herbaceous despite the use of rhubarb, another ingredient I don't see on many Wine Country menus, which worked surprisingly well with this appetizer. From the vegetables section, I somewhat reluctantly agreed to try the grilled Swiss chard, our server's recommendation, and it came out looking like an adorable mini bush with purple flowers. The chard was individually wrapped, like spring rolls, and stuffed with celtuce, radish, and herbs. It was extremely flavorful and was the best take on Swiss chard I've seen yet. North Block's predecessor, Redd Wood, was known for its pizzas, and the tradition continues with some killer wood-fired sourdough pies, like the white-style pizza with spring onions, Fiscalini aged cheddar, and chive oil. When it arrived at our table, there was an intimidating amount of green onions, but the gooey and rich aged cheese ended up balancing them out perfectly. The wood-roasted half chicken. (Maria Calderon Photography) I'm hoping I'm not the only person who sometimes orders something just because it looks really good at the next table. This was the case with the wood-roasted half chicken, which has clearly already emerged as North Block's signature menu item, even in the restaurant's infancy. I don't typically order chicken dishes when out to eat, usually opting for something more exciting like beef, lamb, or duck (and North Block's Duck a la Gray was a tempting offer), but this seemed like the appropriate time to gamble; I wasn't disappointed. This dish is huge and is best shared. It comes out with a giant, naan-like flatbread, hot sauce, and yogurt. The menu said the dish came with rice, but there was none on our plate to be found. It wasn't until I cut into the chicken that I discovered it was actually stuffed to the gillser, breastwith lemony matsuri rice. When I finally reached the meat, it was so incredibly moist that I melted a little inside. We also ordered the smoked pork ribs topped with fire-engine-red drippings. I braced myself, assuming they were going to be overly spicy, but the opposite was true. The ribs were delightfully sweet with just a tiny kick thanks to a mixture of caramelized honey, chili, and chrysanthemum. They were crispy, not saucy and had the most perfect smoke to them. He may have just been caught up in the moment, but my husband declared these the best ribs he's ever had. Every dish was so good that I felt empowered to choose the wood-roasted sweet potato with black sugar and black lime for dessert. Admittedly, it kind of looked like a slug, but it was the perfect combination of savory, sweet, salty. Currently, North Block is open daily for dinner, but plans to open for breakfast, lunch, and weekend brunch soon. // North Block, 6757 Washington St. (Yountville), northblockyountville.com You are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after the one-dose Johnson & Johnson shot, or two weeks after the second dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or the Moderna vaccine. For now, the CDC says there are still some scenarios when fully vaccinated people should wear a mask: in hospitals, medical offices and nursing homes; at correctional facilities and homeless shelters; and when traveling by plane, bus, train or other public transportation. Walensky said Thursday that the agency may soon revisit some of those guidelines as well. Vaccinated people should also obey state and local mask ordinances and wear a face covering if required by businesses and workplaces, the CDC says. If you have a weak immune system, talk to your doctor about whether its safe to drop your mask. An incentive to get vaccinated William Schaffner, M.D., an infectious disease specialist and professor of preventive medicine at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, calls the new guidelines an important step forward. He notes the CDC had faced criticism, including from some health officials, for being too cautious. The new guidelines, he says, will make many, many people happy, and perhaps encourage some people to get vaccinated. About 119 million Americans, or more than a third of the population, are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Nearly 72 percent of adults 65 and older are fully vaccinated. But the number of vaccinations administered per day has slowed in recent weeks. Vivek Cherian, an internal medicine physician with the University of Maryland Medical System, describes the previous CDC guidance, which called for fully vaccinated people to wear masks in public indoor spaces, as wishy-washy. Now its a lot more streamlined, he says. If youre vaccinated, youre good to go. You dont need to wear a mask. On the honor system If you are unvaccinated, if youve received only one dose of a two-dose vaccine, or if it hasnt been two weeks since your last vaccine dose, you should continue to mask up and practice social distancing, the CDC guidance says. At the news conference, Walensky said the science for unvaccinated people is clear: You remain at risk of mild or severe illness, death or spreading the disease to others. You should still mask and you should get vaccinated right away. Of course, when youre out and about, there will be no easy way to distinguish between those who are vaccinated and those who are unvaccinated. Critics say theres nothing to stop those who havent gotten their shot(s) from also going without a mask. In a news conference Thursday, an unmasked President Joe Biden called the new guidelines a great milestone, and when asked how masking among unvaccinated Americans would be enforced, he said he believes they care about the safety of their neighbors." Were not going to go out and arrest people, he said. If you havent been vaccinated, wear your mask for your own protection and the protection of the people who also have not been vaccinated yet. Its unlikely that businesses or organizers of large sporting events and concerts will step up and start requiring proof of vaccination, Cherian says. Essentially it will come down to an honor system, he says. Some may continue to wear masks Partly because of that uncertainty, some experts say older adults with underlying conditions that put them at higher risk from COVID-19 may want to continue wearing a mask, particularly if they attend a large indoor gathering or crowded event. Each person has to decide how careful they are going to be, Schaffner says. The CDC has reported a very small number of breakthrough COVID-19 cases in those who are fully vaccinated. COVID-19 is usually mild in vaccinated people, with symptoms more like a cold than a serious illness. If you develop symptoms even though youre fully vaccinated, you should don a mask and get tested right away, Walensky says. Schaffner says he and his wife will likely continue to wear masks for a while. Were down in Tennessee, where the proportion of the population that is unvaccinated is still very, very high, he says. We both have some gray hair, and we both have some minor medical conditions.... That makes us careful and wary. Epidemiologist Ali Mokdad, a professor of health metrics sciences at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, says he, too, will keep wearing his mask indoors when he is around others who may be unvaccinated. I will wear my mask indoors until we reach herd immunity and cases are very low, he says. Studies show the vaccines are highly effective While some may still choose to wear a mask going forward, Walensky noted Thursday that the fully vaccinated are protected even around those who are unvaccinated, citing real-world studies that show the COVID-19 vaccines work to prevent not just symptoms, but infection as well. One large study of vaccinated U.S. health care workers found that the vaccines are 90 percent effective at blocking infection and 94 percent effective at preventing hospitalization. Another found that adults 65 and older who are fully vaccinated were 94 percent less likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19 than people of the same age who were not vaccinated. Other research shows that the vaccines are effective against the coronavirus variants circulating in the U.S., Walensky noted. Design Pics Inc / Alamy Stock Photo En espanol | If you're looking to commune with the great outdoors this summer, you're likely to find national parks teeming with like-minded visitors. For a more peaceful retreat, consider a side trip to a nearby national wildlife refuge. Refuges offer a quieter, more relaxing experience of nature, says Cynthia Martinez, chief of the National Wildlife Refuge System. President Theodore Roosevelt established the first wildlife refuge, Pelican Island in Florida, in 1903, to protect the animals and their habitats. With far fewer visitors than national parks, many of the 567 refuges across the country combine stunning scenery with up-close seasonal wildlife viewing (the best times are often earlier or later in the day) on trails or self-guided drives. And most of them are free. Here are 11 of our favorites that can easily be paired with a national park visit. COVID update: Although national wildlife refuges are open, due to the coronavirus epidemic, visitor centers remain closed and some public activities are suspended. Before visiting a refuge, check its website for updates and alerts, as well as for current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention safe travel guidelines. WA Iron Ore Resources Network Follow On-Order Sydney, May 14, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Etherstack plc ( ASX:ESK ) is pleased to announce its Australian subsidiary, Auria Wireless Pty Limited, has entered a contract with communications system integrator, RCS Telecommunications Pty Ltd, to provide Auria's P25 digital radio network technology to its customer, being a major iron ore mining company active in the Pilbara region of north-west Western Australia.The contract is a follow-on order to an initial network deployment announced in May 2020 delivering Etherstack technology to the mining sector client. Etherstack expects to earn revenues of AUD $600,000 (approximately USD $462,000) of which the majority will be recognised in the current financial year. Completion of the deployment and the client network commencing live communications will signal the start of recurring support revenues.A third expansion order at this mine site is expected later this calendar year, or early 2022 and will be announced if ordered. Ongoing recurring support revenues are expected to continue for the duration of the mine site lifespan.Etherstack CEO, David Deacon said, "While the revenues from this win are modest, this is an important win for Etherstack in demonstrating the suitability of our products and technologies for this sector beyond our traditional public safety and electric utility markets. It is clear that the end client values Australian designed and manufactured solutions, as well as access to technical engineering expertise within the country."Besides the third stage of this current project, the Company is actively pursuing other similar resources projects within Australia with further expected wins in 2022.About Etherstack Plc Etherstack (ASX:ESK) is a wireless technology company specialising in developing, manufacturing and licensing mission critical radio technologies for wireless equipment manufacturers and network operators around the globe. With a particular focus in the public safety, defence, utilities, transportation and resource sectors, Etherstack's technology and solutions can be found in radio communications equipment used in the most demanding situations. The company has Research and Development facilities in London, Sydney, New York and Yokohama. The last thing we want is to take a giant step backwards, she said. Its definitely too soon to act like we have returned to normalcy. Sure, some festivals and concerts are scheduled to return this year, but we must observe mask and social distancing procedures while attending those events, and continue to vaccinate as many as we can. To try to document what the past year-plus has been like for some of the elderly in suburban nursing homes and care facilities, Pioneer Press and the Chicago Tribune spoke with the residents of those facilities, as well as their loved ones and those who have cared for them during the pandemic. SHASTA COUNTY, Calif. - Deputies are searching for a man they describe as dangerous. The Shasta County Sheriff's Office says 30-year-old Curtis "CJ" Bartoo attacked family members with a weapon. Deputies say they responded to a call about a family disturbance at a home on Main St. in Castella, around 5:29 p.m. Thursday. Callers reported that Bartoo was assaulting his family members in the home. With help from the Siskyou County Sheriff's Office and the CHP, Shasta County deputies set up a perimeter around the home but found out Bartoo had already fled. Deputies searched the area but could not find him. Two victims had to be taken to the hospital for their injuries. Investigators spoke with victims, who said Bartoo threatened further violence if the victims attempted to leave the home. Bartoo is facing charges of assault with a deadly weapon, battery with serious bodily injury, criminal threats, and false imprisonment. Deputies say Bartoo has a history of controlled substance use and violence. Bartoo already has one felony warrant for a separate violent incident. Deputies say if you see Bartoo, do not make contact with him, as he is considered dangerous. Instead, deputies ask you to contact the Shasta County Sheriff's Office. CHICO, Calif. - The man accused of killing three people in a multi-county crime spree faces life in prison without parole. Action News Now spoke with the daughter of one of the victims and showed us how they're coping with the loss. "It's almost an everyday thing but when it's brought back to life it makes it that much harder," said Samantha Clark, the daughter of Vicky Cline. Clark is reliving her mothers murder as Ryan Blinston, the alleged killer of Clarks mother, was in the courthouse Thursday facing life in prison without parole. "It baffles my mind that someone could do something like this and not acknowledge that that's a human life, that's someone's family, but I'm glad he's caught," Clark said. Clark said she was with her mother a few days before her death. "It was three days before her death, she came to my house, she had just bought a new sundress, and she was twirling around it, Clark said. We hung out for a bit and she went on her way." RELATED: Alleged Oroville serial killer charged with 3 separate murders, attempted murder A week later, Clark received a phone call that her mother was found dead after being burned in her car. Blinston is the main suspect in the deaths of Cline, Sandra George and Loreen Severs. Investigators said he tried to kill Severs husband Homer. The murders happened within a month of each other. This was a very scary series of events and so we wanna make sure the person we believe that is responsible will remain away from the public for life," Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsey said. "I'm hoping the families finally get, closure isn't even the right word but to rest assured that something's being done, Clark said. I'm glad a person like this is off the streets, you never can determine what life is gonna bring so hug your family and enjoy every minute that you can with them. Blinston was arraigned in court on Thursday but did not enter a plea. He is expected to return on May 19. CHICO, Calif. - The Museum of Northern California Art (MONCA) partnering with the Veterans Art Project to host a virtual Statewide Pop-Up Community Creative Arts Cafe. The curated, interactive virtual event will feature Northern California artists who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. It will also include presentations by art and music therapists. Participants will also be introduced to mental health resources available to area veterans. The project receives ongoing support from California's Mental Health Services Oversight & Accountability Commission. The free event will be live-streamed on Saturday, May 22 from 2 to 5:30 pm. Click here to register More VETART Pop-Up Art Cafes will be scheduled to take place across the state in 2022 and 2023. MONCA is deeply connected to the local veteran community. It is housed in the former Veterans Memorial Hall and has a permanent historical display in the lobby. Veterans Voices, the current show at the museum, will be on display through May 30th. Learn more about the museum and its exhibits and events here. Students today are more confused than ever before while thinking about their further studies and choosing the right academic path. Moksh - Indias premier overseas education consulting firm aims to guide and encourage them to choose the right degree for them not only in India, but also in foreign universities. To achieve this mission, they partnered with 1702 Digital, one of Mumbais leading digital marketing agencies to help them accelerate their growth. The digital growth agency will be running media and performance marketing campaigns for the brand to help them amplify their reach to maximum audience. Commenting on the partnership, Dhananjay Shah, Founder and CEO at MOKSH Overseas Educon Pvt Ltd. said that, At Moksh, we have been offering overseas education counselling and admission guidance to students for MBBS, or MBA programs but now, we wanted to expand our reach through more effective methods. 1702 Digital convinced us that a well executed performance marketing campaign can help us achieve our goals with ease. They backed it up with their solid track record in the same and we look forward to a fruitful partnership with them. 1702 Digital specializes in running remarkable media campaigns for its business partners. It has brought impressive results for many of its esteemed clients and won the Best Digital and Revenue Generation Strategy award at Campaign India's Digital Crest Awards for its efforts. Mihir Joshi, the co-founder of 1702 Digital said, Media and performance marketing is our forte and we are always looking forward to helping businesses in this area. I believe working with Moksh is going to be an amazing experience because we love their vision of helping students widen their academic horizons and look forward to scaling their operations up with our expertise. LOreal Professionnel Paris, the pioneers of hair coloration, are reinventing the way we connect with Pro hairdressers and all hair lovers, with RUN LE HAIR SHOW. The innovative, 100% digital show, part web series, part talk show, will celebrate the role and cultural impact of Hair Pros across the globe. RUN LE HAIR SHOW is at the heart of LOreal Professionnel Paris mission to support, partner with and develop strong relationships with hairdressers, established for over 110 years. Current COVID context and global salon lockdowns have underscored the importance of hair experts in our lives. More than ever, the impact of such a galvanizing, far-reaching digital series hopes to touch the global hair community, upskilling and inspiring. The concept has already been tested with the Pro hair community, with impressive results: 7/10 Pros expressed strong interest in watching it, and 8/10 Pros wished to star in it a strong proof that valorizing the community is highly valued and will continue making a strong impact. Every episode will feature 7 dynamic segments designed to spotlight all corners of the industry: La masterclass: Technical classes in color, lightening, cut and style, led by the industrys boldest & brightest. Tete-a-tete: Intimate interviews with legendary Hair Pros. Pro secrets: Expert tips & tricks, from members of the international hair community. La revue: Skilled trend analysis, from street style to the runway to the salon chair. Le lab: Cutting-edge hair science, from fiber to product formula. Road to le Style & Colour Trophy: Following the evolution of LOreal Professionnel Paris worldwide Pro hair competition, culminating in its global finale. Stand for Pros: Highlighting inspiring positive actions, from salon sustainability to coiffeur health Three hosts will set the stage: Charlie le Mindu, Hair Designer; Min Kim, Color Specialist; and Peggy Frey, Fashion & Trend Journalist. Together, they will act as the golden thread between segments, and provide sharp, cross-industry eyes on every subject. Each episode will be officially translated by LOreal Professionnel Paris into 6 languages English (Subtitles for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing), French, Mandarin, Arabic, Portuguese and Spanish honoring the diversity of the LOreal Professionnel Paris community. Other language subtitles will be available via YouTubes automatic translation service. RUN LE HAIR SHOWs first episode, La Premiere will air globally at 10.30pm IST, May 16th 2021, on YouTube. It will feature La masterclass in extreme lightening transformation lead by host Charlie le Mindu, trends from the brands international Pro community, and a scientific dive into LOreal Professionnel Paris new disruptive haircare innovation Metal Detox. Other episodes will follow before the end of the year, created around zeitgeisty themes that will both inspire and give audiences the Pro understanding they need to RUN LE HAIR SHOW for themselves. Regular community call-outs to be featured on the show will be relayed via social media. Hair Pros are encouraged to apply, or simply join us online as each episode goes live! From sightseer to entrepreneur: Shenzhen white-collar worker builds "faraway home" in Xinjiang People's Daily Online) 17:59, May 13, 2021 "Loving a city is like loving a person. Nowadays I prefer to say that I'm from Burqin," said Xu Qingzhu, a woman who quit her job in Shenzhen, a first-tier city in south China's Guangdong province three years ago and started up a B&B hotel in Burqin county, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Xu Qingzhu in her B&B hotel. (Photo courtesy of the interviewee) After traveling to a number of cities, Xu chose Burqin, a small county in the region's border area, as the place where she would later go on to pursue her dreams. As temperatures begin to rise in May, tourism in Xinjiang normally starts to pick up again, and Xu is also bustling about in her B&B in preparation for the upcoming busy season when tourists are expected to begin flocking to the city in droves. Since she started running the B&B, the surrounding greenery and shrubbery around her property has become something of a treasure trove for her, a backyard to nature where shes collected all kinds of tree branches, stones and flowers to decorate her B&B rooms. Speaking of the reason why she stayed in Burqin county and started her business there, she told People's Daily Online that it was a place that she just couldnt forget about after visiting there for the first time. "There's no reason for it, and I just like it," she said. Xu used to work in a large firm in Shenzhen and earned over 10,000 yuan ($1,550) each month. Traveling is what she did in most of her spare time, and she said it was always a huge joy for her to see all the different sights and sounds. Many of her friends, and even Xu herself thought she would continue traveling the world over for her entire life, until Burqin got in the way. The local attractions and scenery in Burqin, including the attractive architecture of the local dwellings and its distinctive cuisine and culinary delights, not to mention the countys hospitable residents, were all a source of captivation for Xu. When she visited the county for the first time, she took over 10,000 pictures in just five days. And then, after she came back to Shenzhen, all she could think of was one thing and one thing only that lovely county of Burqin in Chinas far northwest. It was at this point when she decided to quit her job and make the long journey back to Burqin once again, but this time returning as an entrepreneur rather than as a tourist. Shifting from the tasks of a white-collar worker who sat in front of a computer all day, Xu has transformed herself into a kind of jack-of-all-trades who is now able to repair toilets, use electric drills and paint rooms with her own two hands. Today, in her spare time, Xu will sit inside her beautifully decorated B&B and listen to the stories told by guests visiting from across the country. "There's a lot more to be explored in Burqin. In the future, I will integrate more cultural elements into my B&B, and provide my guests with better experiences," she said. (Web editor: Hongyu, Bianji) In an email to parents announcing the vaccine, District 64 Superintendent Eric Olson wrote that while parents are encouraged to have their children vaccinated, the decision to do is an individual decision for each family. These opportunities are optional, and each family should weigh the information carefully and make a decision based on whats best for their family. https://www.aish.com/jw/s/Feel-Israels-Pain.html With Israel under attack, do we care enough to help? With our Jewish brothers and sisters in Israel under attack, will our hearts and souls unite with our friends and relatives in Israel, or will we turn away from their pain and fear? The past few days have seen levels of violence that Israel hasnt faced in years as Hamas, the terror group that rules the Gaza Strip with an iron fist, sent a barrage of over 1000 rockets into Israel. Six Israelis have been killed. Sirens blared in Jerusalem. Throughout southern and central Israel, families are living in fear, under a barrage of missiles. In the central city of Lod, violent Arab rioters poured into the streets. This is Kristallnacht in Lod, Mayor Yair Revivo announced in the midst of the horrific violence. Synagogues are being burned. Hundreds of cars set alight. Hundreds of Arab thugs are roaming the streets Civil war has erupted in Lod Cars on fire in Lod after being set alight by mobs of rioters, May 11, 2021 My son is spending his gap year in an Israeli yeshiva this year. Dont worry, Im safe, my son texted on Jerusalem Day, as Hamas sent 7 rockets into Israel, targeting Jerusalem. My son wanted to let me know that hed been visiting our elderly cousins, and now they were all sheltering together in their buildings stairwell. I heard the explosion, he texted me a few minutes later. I quickly checked with friends elsewhere in Israel. In the bomb shelter, one friend let me know. Her children were terrified, she added. One fell down the stairs as he raced to the bomb shelter and got hurt. In the midst of this horror, I craved connection and turned to some of my friends, texting and calling to let people know my son was safe for the moment, and that Israel was under attack. I discovered that for some American Jews, Israel just seemed so far away, so remote. I was shocked by the lack of emotion I observed in some of my fellow Jews. As Israel finds itself battling for its safety, the Israel Defense Forces are fighting back, controlling riots and attacking sites in Gaza. Many Arabs have died in the fighting. Passions are running high. Yet the lack of sympathy I was seeing didnt seem to stem from political passions but from apathy, its polar opposite. Some Jewish organizations Im affiliated with have sent out emails describing fast-moving developments and asking for our prayers. My young sons school principal emailed the parent body amid the rocket attacks rocking Israel, letting us know that our children were praying for Israels safety, and encouraging us to add our voices to their prayers for peace. I attended a couple of Zoom meetings for Jewish organizations, and the gatherings were prefaced with discussions and in one case by saying Psalms for Israel. We are trying to express solidarity, pray, and feel Israel's pain. Thats why it was such a shock to see some other reactions from Jews who see Israel under attack on the news, and yet turn away in disinterest. Focusing on bad news from Israel at such a time can feel burdensome. But its crucial in determining what type of people we want to be. In principle, most Jews would probably say they care about Jewish unity, that they value standing alongside the Jewish state. In this moment of crisis, now is the time to act. With the news moving at such a fast pace, it can seem bewildering to try and make sense of whats happening. So many of the headlines out of Israel are so grim, it can feel hard to know what to do to help. But we have to try. We can all pray for the peace of Israel. Formulate your own prayers, or recite Psalms, the time-honored Jewish way of praying when were in extremis. (Psalms translated into English can be accessed here: https://tehillim-online.com/tehillim-translated-into-english.) Give tzedakah (charity). Study an extra Jewish text. Resolve to take on another mitzvah or to do more good deeds. With so much darkness facing our Jewish brothers and sisters in Israel right now, its imperative that we not look away from their danger and pain. Over the past few days, I find myself thinking about my Grandpa Frank. A Viennese Jew, he didnt make it out of Europe before World War II broke out, and for many months he struggled and had some horrific experiences before he was finally able to find a place on a boat that brought him to the United States. When he arrived in Chicago, battle-scarred and traumatized, he was invited to dinner by some distant relatives who lived here. Instead of asking him how he was and feeling his pain, his relatives spent the evening complaining that with a war on, they were finding it hard to find a large selection of ice cream in the stores. Now is our time to step up and care for our fellow Jews. Israel is being bombed. Another Kristallnacht is unfolding before our very eyes. Now is the time to care, to feel, to pray and to act. We cant let this moment pass us by. More travelers are flying into and out of Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport in the last two months, with numbers edging higher than at any time since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Traffic at BHM in April reached 152,060, an increase of 1087.7% over April 2020, according to the airport. A year ago, when COVID-19 restrictions clamped down on air travel, only 12,803 passengers came through the airport. That was a decrease of almost 95% from the previous year. In March, 139,965 passengers visited BHM, an increase of 13.3% over March 2020, when traffic first began to decline at the beginning of the pandemic. The collapse of 2020 came after Birmingham-Shuttlesworth saw more than 3 million passengers the previous year. April 2020 saw the worst effects of the pandemic, and air traffic at BHM has steadily improved since, month over month. With the loosening of COVID-19 protocols nationwide, summer travel is expected to tick up rapidly. At the same time, airlines are adding formerly discontinued routes. Just this week, Delta Air Lines announced it will resume nonstop flights to New York City from BHM beginning June 7. According to the Transportation Security Administration, air travel nationally has been steadily increasing, with daily numbers of passengers of more than 1 million recorded every day since March 10. On Thursday, TSA said 1,743,515 people passed through its airport checkpoints. A year before that, only 234,928 had been recorded, a decrease of more than 2.3 million from the same date in 2019. Now that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has changed its COVID-19 guidelines for facial coverings, businesses are faced with a choice - ask customers to ditch the mask, or continue to mandate their use? The CDC on Thursday said fully vaccinated individuals do not need to wear masks or social distance in most situations. Today Walmart and Sams Club announced that, as of Friday, vaccinated customers and members are welcome to shop without a mask, while unvaccinated shoppers are asked to keep wearing masks in stores, according to CNN. Employees who are fully vaccinated will be permitted to work without masks starting May 18. Costco said vaccinated customers can shop without masks in locations with no state or local mask mandates, and stores wont require proof that customers have been vaccinated. In addition, Trader Joes says vaccinated customers wont need masks, but will continue wellness checks for employees and spacing people out within stores. Several large national retailers are signaling that they will still make masks mandatory. According to Business Insider, Target, Dollar General and Starbucks say shoppers and workers in their stores will still need to wear masks. Home Depot told The New York Times that it had no plans to change its mask policy in stores. However, some chains say they are considering policy changes. Walgreens and CVS said they are reviewing their rules in light of the CDCs new guidelines, while Publix is awaiting additional guidance before implementing potential changes, a spokesperson told Business Insider. Marc Perrone, president of United Food and Commercial Workers union, told CNN that the CDC guidance was confusing and fails to consider how it will impact essential workers who face frequent exposure to individuals who are not vaccinated and refuse to wear masks. A survey released in April by the Birmingham Business Alliance showed that 51% of Birmingham-area businesses surveyed plan on continuing to require employees to wear face masks once the order is over, with 49% saying masks will be gone. The City of Birminghams mask ordinance expires May 24. Vaccinated people will be required to wear masks in some settings, such as planes, trains and buses and inside airports, bus and train stations. Doctors offices, hospitals, nursing homes and homeless shelters will also continue to require masks. The Alabama Nursing Home Association and the Alabama Hospital Association today released a joint statement that those visiting will need masks even if they are fully vaccinated, as per federal guidelines. Cases of COVID-19 are down 98% in Alabamas nursing homes and were beginning to return to normal operations, Alabama Nursing Home Association president and CEO Brandon Farmer said. Don Williamson, president of the Alabama Hospital Association, said hospitals are still treating many of COVID-19 patients and must take every precaution to ensure the virus is not spread internally. Thats why the CDC and others are still requiring those in healthcare facilities to wear masks, he said. Just as hospital staff must continue to wear their masks, those visiting patients will also be required to wear their masks. An Alabama restaurant staple will get even more national attention thanks to Netflixs new travel and food show Fresh, Fried and Crispy. You might have guessed Birmingham favorite Yo Mamas Restaurant fits the bill for what it sounds like that show is looking for, when it begins streaming June 9. The restaurant announced via Instagram and Facebook that theyd be featured soon, with a pic with host Daym Drops. Catch Mama on @netflix June 9 on Fresh, Fried & Crispy with @officialdaymdrops !! #YoMamasBHAM #GFGoodness, the caption said. Located at 2328 2nd Avenue North downtown, Yo Mamas is a hip lunch and brunch eatery that serves home-cooked style meals with Southern roots (with plenty of gluten-free options to try, too). The restaurant is owned by Denise Peterson, along with her daughter Crystal Peterson who also manages. They specialize in fried chicken with a few signature dishes like the Chicken & Waffle (Belgian waffles with homemade syrup, fruit toppings, all topped with six fried chicken wings) and the Chicken Plate (chicken wings flavorfully fried and served with fries, slaw and bread). You can also grab a Hot Wing Plate, Fish Plate, Fish Tacos, Shrimp Tacos, Shrimp & Grits and Shrimp Plate, not to mention the BBQ Cheeseburger Plate. RELATED: 5 must-try dishes at Yo Mamas Restaurant Netflixs brand new show, which launches in less than a month, made a pit stop at Yo Mamas. Heres what the streamer says we can expect from the series: Passionate about food and ready for fun, critic Daym Drops drops in on Americas smokin hot spots for the best, freshest takes on fried food. Drops grew widespread YouTube fame thanks to his hilarious Five Guys Burgers and Fries Review he posted in 2012, which currently has 10 million views. He previously hosted the Best Daym Takeout food review show for the Travel Channel. Im looking for the BEST BITE in America, Drops said in an Instagram post promoting the show. Will it be in your city? " Fresh, Fried & Crispy drops on Netflix June 9. Alabama restaurants are carving out their own Netflix niche with this, which follows Rodney Scotts appearance on Chefs Table in 2020. The Emmy-nominated show spotlighted pitmasters around the world, including the whole hog pitmaster of Rodney Scotts BBQ. RELATED: This tasty Yo Mamas dish is the best of both worlds Yo Mamas started as Jazzy Fish & Chicken down at the Seabreeze Jazz Festival in Destin and Panama City in 2007. As it grew more popular, serving roughly 600 plates a day, Jazzy Fish & Chicken opened in downtown Birmingham as Yo Mamas Restaurant, serving fresh meals made from scratch. The James Beard Foundation recently named the restaurant a grantee for its role in the immeasurable contributions the Black and Indigenous communities have made to the modern American foodscape. The foundation created a fund to provide financial resources for majority-owned Black or Indigenous businesses. It was part of Region 3 (along with Floridas Fifys Caribbean Cuisine Inc. and Food Friends Catering) during round two of the grants. During her 2016 U.S. presidential campaign, then-Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton visited Yo Mamas to help kick off a big campaign weekend for Alabama in the final days leading to up to the Super Tuesday primary. Watch the trailer for Fresh, Fried & Crispy below: Sixty years ago, in May 1961, the Freedom Rides challenged segregation on interstate travel on Greyhound and Trailways buses. The Freedom Riders, the integrated group of bus passengers, were met with violence at several stops in Alabama. At Anniston, on May 14, 1961, a Greyhound bus was firebombed. At the bus terminal in Birmingham, a mob brutally attacked and beat the Freedom Riders. In Montgomery, as the Freedom Rides resumed on May 20, another mob attacked and beat them, including a white civil rights activist, Jim Zwerg, who was brutally beaten. I was there in Montgomery where Jim Zwerg was beaten, said Bernard Lafayette Jr., who lives in Tuskegee and serves as chairman of the board of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Lafayette was able to escape the mob and still marvels that no one was killed, although many were severely injured. As I look back now, I am surprised that we made it through, Lafayette said in an interview this morning. When you think of the Freedom Rides I think thats a miracle itself. Sixty years later, the courage and social change provoked by the Freedom Rides stands as a powerful monument in American history. When I think about the Freedom Rides, I am confident this is a moral example that will always be effective, Lafayette said. One of the things I want the young people to realize is that no matter how difficult things might be, things can change for the best, he said. One of the things thats very important is for them to participate in helping bring about the change. Young people need to be taught to use their skills and use their lives to make the world better, he said. We are citizens of the world, Lafayette said. We want the young people to realize we live in the world, not just our neighborhood. We have to care about what happens in the world. We are affected by what happens in the rest of the world. We are who we are because of others. We have to appreciate others. Weve got to think about the rest of the world. At the time of the Freedom Rides in 1961, Montgomery city buses had already been desegregated by the Montgomery Bus Boycott, but Greyhound and Trailways buses that traveled from state to state had not been, Lafayette noted. When we came through Montgomery, Alabama on a segregated bus, the local people came to catch the bus on an integrated local bus, Lafayette said. They needed to be inspired and be directed to focus on other areas in their community that also represented the segregation structure, he said. Lafayette said modern-day activists need to keep in mind a key to the success of the civil rights movement of the 1960s. My concern is that they learn non-violence, peaceful means to gain peaceful ends, Lafayette said. They should be in the process of winning the people over. Even those who are out there who are resistant to change, they have the potential to change. You want people to change, not just policy. Trying to defeat people by violence does not change hearts for the better, he said. Our perspective was to win people over, not to put people down, Lafayette said. The Freedom Riders were testing the 1960 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Boynton v. Virginia, which held that racial segregation in public transportation was illegal and violated the Interstate Commerce Act. Southern states had ignored the ruling and desegregation was not being enforced. The City of Birmingham will host a 60th anniversary commemoration of the Freedom Rides with an event Saturday, May 15, at 4 p.m., at Bethel Baptist Church in Collegeville that will be streamed live on Facebook and YouTube. Three Freedom Riders - Hank Thomas, Charles Person and Catherine Burks-Brooks - will speak. Thomas, one of the original 13 Freedom Riders, was on the Greyhound bus that was firebombed in Anniston. Person was beaten at the Birmingham Trailways bus station. Burks-Brooks, a Birmingham native, was a member of the student movement in Nashville and was among the first 10 Freedom Riders arrested in Birmingham as activists attempted to continue the rides. They challenged the system, and ultimately, they won, said Birmingham City Council President William Parker. This is a story of courage and sacrifice. Moments before photographer Tommy Langston was attacked on May 14, 1961, he shot this single photo of Klansmen attacking a Freedom Rider at the Trailways Bus Station in Birmingham. The photo helped identify Klansmen involved in the assault. (Photo by Tommy Langston/File) Gov. Kay Ivey and other state officials today announced a new campaign to prevent suicide by veterans, who statistics show are more at risk for suicide than non-veterans. The campaign, called Alabamas Challenge, is using public service announcements to raise awareness and partnerships to identify service members, veterans and their families who are struggling and connect them with the help they need. Once someone has served our great nation, we owe it to these great men and women to help them enter civilian life, Ivey said. I can think of no better way to say, thank you for your service than ensuring these heroes and their families have access to mental health resources when in need. Ivey announced the program at the Capitol today along with Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs Commissioner Kent Davis, state lawmakers, and others. In 2018, 140 veterans in Alabama died by suicide, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Thats 18% of the total of 793 suicides in Alabama in 2018, even though veterans make up only 9% of the state population. Alabamas suicide rate for veterans was slightly higher than the southern rate and the national rate, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Alabamas Challenge is a merger of two programs with overlapping purposes -- the Alabama Task Force on Veterans Suicide and the Governors Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families. The Legislature passed a resolution sponsored by Reps. Neil Rafferty, D-Birmingham, and Ed Oliver, R-Dadeville, to align the programs. That followed a resolution by Rafferty in 2019 that set up the Alabama Task Force on Veterans Suicide. Rafferty, a former Marine, said today he was encouraged by the momentum aimed at tackling the problem. Rafferty talked about his friend and fellow Marine John McGregor of Hoover, an Iraq war veteran who could not shake the PTSD and other problems that hounded him after his military service and took his own life four years ago. That pain, the loss, his family, friends, community, our state, cant really be adequately described by the statistics, Rafferty said. He said there is an urgent need to spread the word that such tragedies dont have to happen. Hang on. Talk to someone. Dont be afraid to get help that you need. Because, like I said, we are here to listen, Rafferty said. Beverly Johnson, director of the substance abuse prevention office for the Alabama Department of Mental Health, said the agency is a partner with Alabamas Challenge and is working to promote prevention and treatment and fight the stigma connected to mental illness. ADVA Commissioner Davis said University of Alabama researcher Karl Hamner is compiling statistics that will be used to develop maps that will help Alabamas Challenge target its efforts geographically and demographically. Related: University of Alabama studying isolation as factor in veterans suicides Davis said he is worried that the COVID-19 pandemic has made the problem worse. We dont have the statistics for that yet, but were worried about the social isolation, Davis said. Weve heard anecdotal stories from veterans that the social isolation has driven up the stress. The ADVA is running public service announcements on television, radio, and YouTube encouraging veterans to reach out for help and urging friends and relatives to make sure they are not forgotten. The Veterans Crisis Line is 800-272-8255. Davis said the Alabamas Challenge is just starting and that its effectiveness will depend on making sure people are paying attention and retain the message that everyone has a role in helping to solve the problem. Weve got to evaluate, is the message is resonating? Davis said. Six months from now, will people remember those messages? That if nothing else, they can call the VA crisis line for immediate help. Weve got a long way to go. Updated at 2:30 p.m. to add statistics from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Alabama school officials have some big decisions to make in the next few weeks about how theyre going to spend the $900 million Congress approved through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act in December. Plans for how that money will be spent are due to the state department by June 1. That is the second of three buckets of federal aid that state Board of Education member Wayne Reynolds called a windfall during Thursdays work session in Montgomery. It comes on top of a CARES Act allocation last year. The first round of money, known as the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief or ESSER I funding, provided $216 million for Alabama schools. It was designed to reimburse schools for expenses when schools closed in March 2020 and to help them reopen in August; most schools reported plans to spend money on remote learning programs, cleaning and PPE supplies and stipends for staff. Districts have until September 2022 to spend ESSER I funds. ESSER II funds are heading to 135 school districts and five public charter schools, but districts must first submit plans to the state department for approval. Thirty plans have been submitted so far, State Superintendent Eric Mackey told board members during the work session, and of those, 12 have been fully approved. That means that in the next three weeks, Mackey said, we know weve got about 110 more that are going to come in. Three school districts -- Mountain Brook, Trussville and Vestavia Hills -- did not receive any district-level ESSER II funding because they do not participate in the federal Title I program, which provides additional funding to support students in poverty. All districts will receive some money from federal funds reserved for the state department to distribute to provide training for teachers on the states new math and English courses of study and for tests to measure learning loss. ESSER II funding, officials have said, is for academic recovery and mental health supports for students. In January, Mackey told AL.com he wanted to see districts focus on ways to provide more learning time for students. That could include extending the school year, offering before and after school tutoring and even planning for weekend school. Related: $900 million in federal COVID relief coming to Alabamas K-12 schools Another $2 billion referred to as ESSER III is coming down the pipe, approved by Congress in March through the American Rescue Plan. That money is meant to help schools continue to address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on student learning as well as social and emotional needs. Of that, $1.8 billion will be given directly to school districts, though again, those not participating in Title I receive no direct funding. School officials must submit two plans for ESSER III funding for approval by the state superintendent this summer and have until September 2024 to spend it. School officials are required to reach out to the public to ask how best to spend ESSER III money, but its unclear how they plan to do so. Mackey said hes holding a webinar for local superintendents May 25 to provide more information about ESSER III funds. The table below shows federal COVID relief allocations under the CARES Act (ESSER I) and the CRSSA Act (ESSER II, direct and state-level distributions). Click here if you are unable to see the table. Related: How Bidens American Families Plan could help Alabama families and children Get in-depth education news and follow The Alabama Education Lab by signing up for its newsletter, Ed Chat. See more recent stories here. Lest we think the Colonial Pipeline hack is something that happens to other people, consider the pipeline infrastructure that feeds the Pacific Northwest. A system of four pipelines carries gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and heating oil from the four refineries of north Puget Sound, plus U.S. Oil and Refining in Tacoma, south to Portland, serving customers all along the way. Eastern Washington is served by a separate pipeline network linked to the Gulf Coast. According to the American Petroleum Institute, 190,000 miles of liquid petroleum pipelines cover the United States. Any could be targeted for shutdown by a hacker group such as DarkSide, which the FBI says is behind the Colonial shutdown. The 5,500-mile Colonial is just one of them, albeit the largest. But considering its strategic importance to the East Coast and deep-pocket owners such as the Koch empire, ransomware attackers thought: low-hanging fruit. If you want to get Americans attention, hit their ability to drive. Panic buying and gas lines were quickly seen in the Southeast. Midweek, 71% of the gas stations in car-burdened Charlotte, North Carolina, were dry. Ransomware takes control of a companys or organizations software or data until the owners make a payment. Even paying a ransom doesnt guarantee the owners will get control again. Initial reports said Colonial refused to pay ransom. But Colonial handed over nearly $5 million to the hackers. Bloomberg reports that the payment was in difficult-to-trace cryptocurrency. In exchange, Colonial received a decrypting tool to help restore its disabled network. DarkSide, believed to be based in Eastern Europe, released a statement saying, We are apolitical, we do not participate in geopolitics ... Our goal is to make money, and not creating problems for society. But no one is safe from cybercrime, whether the attacker is a shadowy group or tied to a nation-state, whether they want money or data or to paralyze infrastructure. Whether the victim is an individual who opened an email containing malware or a leading technology company. Earlier this year, Microsofts popular Exchange email system was the target of hackers tied to the Chinese government. As the company worked feverishly to stay ahead of the hack, it reached crisis proportions affecting tens of thousands of victims and attracting the attention of the White House. In 2019, Accenture predicted that cybercrime would cost companies $5.2 trillion worldwide within five years. Some 43% of attacks were against small businesses, while only 14% were prepared to repel them. Hiscox, an insurer, said the average cost of a digital attack was $200,000. Thats easily enough to put many small companies out of business; many arent covered by insurance for cybercrime or cant afford it. Its a Wild West of sublethal international conflict out there. The weaponized malware called Stuxnet set back Irans nuclear program in 2009, followed by other cyberattacks; Israel and the United States were seen as carrying them out. Chinese, Russian and North Korean hackers have targeted us, including penetrating government sites and conducting industrial espionage. Its not a leap to predict that the next major war will be fought heavily in cyberspace. Before the first shots are fired, an opponent might try to blind the enemys satellites by cybermethods, and use secreted malware that wrecks the capabilities of such advanced weapons as the F-35 Joint Strike fighter and shuts down the U.S. electrical grid. We, no doubt, would try the same. The result might be more bloodless than previous wars. Unless, that is, a blinded nation fears its being targeted for a nuclear strike then all bets are off. Longtime readers remember one of my favorite stories about the dangers of techno-magic. In the television series Battlestar Galactica, Admiral Adama (played by Edward James Olmos) refused to allow his ship to be networked. As a result, the aging Galactica was the only warship to survive the deadly Cylon surprise attack that depended on an advanced, networked fleet. But in the real world, were living more than ever online and in the cloud. President Joe Biden and Congress are under pressure to do more to protect us. The administration is committed to a global effort to fight ransomware attacks. That includes criminal prosecutions, going after hacker money laundering, and greater disclosure of breaches. In 2019, Congress created the Cyberspace Solarium Commission to develop better defenses against major hacks, to prevent a cyber 9/11. But only about half of its recommendations have been implemented. That fits a pattern of paralysis going back to 2010. Since then the Government Accountability Office has offered 3,300 recommendations for agencies to protect themselves. Yet at least 750 had not been put in place as of 2020. Although the federal government has made selected improvements, it needs to move with a greater sense of urgency commensurate with the rapidly evolving and grave threats to the country, the GAO said. And this is only in the federal government, not state or local government, not in the private sector overseeing critical infrastructure. An enormous workload awaits those charged with keeping ahead of cybercriminals. Its enough to keep you up at night. Or, in the daytime, be extra suspicious of potential malware showing up as a legitimate-looking email. (Jon Talton writes about business and the Pacific Northwest economy in the Sunday Seattle Times. He may be reached at jtalton@seattletimes.com and on Twitter: @jontalton.) 2021 The Seattle Times. Visit seattletimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. After a week of criticism, Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle stood behind his statements made following the murder conviction last week of a police officer and said he works with Police Chief Mark McMurray on a daily basis on how to be a better police department. Battle made his comments Thursday night in an interview with AL.com, the mayors first interview following the guilty verdict returned against Huntsville Police Officer William Ben Darby. Battle referenced both a prepared statement issued by his office last Friday after the verdict as well as a second statement he provided to a grassroots group earlier this week. In his first statement, Battle said, in part, I disagree with the verdict. In his second statement, Battle said, I respect the decision of the jury. I respect Officer Darbys right to appeal. I stand on both statements, Battle said. But the second statement is a good statement. Its basically what I said last week. Both of those are statements I can live with. Statement from Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle on Darby verdict: pic.twitter.com/PO2thFPVum Paul Gattis (@paul_gattis) May 7, 2021 Related: Calls continue for Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle to fire police chief Related: Protest review finds unprofessional behavior, policy violations by Huntsville police Meanwhile, councilman Devyn Keith said he made a mistake in joining the council to approve spending up to $125,000 in taxpayer dollars to cover legal defense expenses for Darby, who shot and killed a man, Jeffrey Parker, who was threatening suicide in his home and holding a gun to his head. Keith said he had not seen the police video body camera footage of the shooting before the vote, which was an integral piece of evidence in the trial last week against Darby. Battle recommended the council cover Darbys defense after having seen the video of the shooting. I made a decision without all the facts, Keith said. Keith spoke following more than an hour of blistering comments from the community, blasting city leaders for an array of policing issues. While such comments have been a part of virtually every council meeting since police brutality protests last June, the tenor of the comments Thursday seemed to have a sharper edge in the councils first meeting following Darbys conviction and statements from Battle and McMurray perceived by critics as giving the police officer undue support. Darby has been placed on paid administrative leave, in accordance with city policy, following his conviction. Citizens have warned you that a cancer was forming and that you all allowed it to grow, thrive and deeply harm Huntsville, Emma Steelman of Huntsville told the mayor and council during public comments. I am truly disgusted that you are in leadership positions and many regret voting for you. You have the choice to do better and actually give a crap about us and our lives. Please cut out the cancer you are allowing to fester, that is killing us. And if you dont, we will. About 25 people addressed the mayor and council, virtually all hammering city leaders on police issues. Speaking of the Darby situation, Eva Melendez of Huntsville said, How can you ask us to trust you with our safety when an officer can walk into an already tense situation with no prior knowledge of what steps had been taken to de-escalate, shoot an innocent man on video in front of witnesses and you all use our tax dollars to fund his defense while the mayor and chief pat him on the back? Battle has met more frequently with individuals and groups regarding calls for police reform since late April when the Huntsville Police Citizens Advisory Council issued its report on police response to protests on June 1 and June 3, 2020. Those events included the release of tear gas on protesters. You listen to everybody, Battle said. You listen to their points. You listen to their conversation. You use your personal knowledge to what you know of the intricacies of the department and then you weigh it out. Then you work with everybody make sure they understand the full ramifications of what they are talking about and they understand and have real facts. Thats the key. Thats the process that keeps going on and on and on. Sometimes as you have conversations, youve got to wait for people to be ready to listen and to understand. We keep having those conversations time and time again. The conversations are good for us. They help us improve the city. They help us improve what we do. When we have conversations, some people agree with me and some people dont. I agree with them sometimes and I dont sometimes. In the council chambers Thursday, there was still a sharp difference of opinion over what city leaders are doing to address concerns that have been raised repeatedly in past months as well as the citys response to the HPCAC report, which was critical of police actions at the protests. No recommendations since the report have been made to the city council for action by the Battle administration. What a disgraceful, shameful showing, Shawn Estes of Huntsville told the mayor and council. Absolute embarrassment. Youve been telling us for months to wait for the report. Well, its here and its telling you exactly what we said it would. Now what are you going to do? Battle has also heard repeated calls to remove McMurray, including from the Alabama Democratic Party, over both his comments following the Darby verdict and the June 2020 protest response. Asked Thursday night where his support for McMurray stood, Battle said, The same place it stood yesterday and the same place it stood this morning. We work with Chief McMurray, we work with him on a constant basis, how to improve the police department, what to do with the police department, how to be a better police department. Thats the key to the whole thing. If were a better police department, were a better Huntsville. Pressed on if those comments indicated support for McMurray, Battle said, We still work with Chief McMurray every day. When you work with somebody, you want to make sure that they do the right things and that they do the right things to make your community a better place. We work with him every day. In a third question about support for McMurray, when it was noted that Battle never used the word support in his answers, the mayor said, Working with, working with is a great word to say. We do work with him every day. I support him. I work with him. Battle suggested that the topic of seeking additional city funds to pay for Darbys conviction appeal had not been considered. We havent had any indication of need for funds or what the funds are left, how much funds are left over from the last one, he said. Theres been no indication of that. The issue of paying for Darbys defense is expected to be one police critics will be watching closely. We clearly need major substantive changes to the way police operate in our community, Tahirih Osborne of Huntsville told the mayor and council. But how can we hope for that when those in positions to do something about it have demonstrated over and over and over again that they dont care? When city leadership speaks in defense of a convicted murderer, what I hear is that you do not care about my safety as a citizen. You dont care about the countless citizens coming to meeting after meeting for months and months on end to tell you what we feel, we experience, the pain of what some of us have lost. Youve made it clear you do not have that capacity for empathy. Carter said he volunteered for both the Table Top Club Games Club and the Acceptance Club, started in recent weeks after three teachers at the school were forced to take down rainbow flags and other material that, according to the school corporation, brought complaints from people who said the flags conflicted with their personal social and/or political beliefs. A Florida politician who emerged as a central figure in the federal investigation into Rep. Matt Gaetz has agreed to cooperate with federal investigators and admits paying an underage girl to have sex with him and other men, according to court documents filed Friday. Joel Greenberg is expected to plead guilty to six federal charges including sex trafficking of a child during a court appearance in Orlando on Monday. His cooperation as a close associate of Gaetz signals a significant escalation in the Justice Departments investigation and potentially raises the legal and political jeopardy the Florida congressman is facing. Federal prosecutors have been examining whether Gaetz and Greenberg paid underage girls or offered them gifts in exchange for sex, according to people familiar with the matter. The plea agreement makes no mention of Gaetz, who has vehemently denied the allegations and any wrongdoing and has insisted he will not resign his seat in Congress. As part of his plea agreement, Greenberg admitted that he recruited women for commercial sex acts and paid them more than $70,000 from 2016 to 2018, including at least one underage girl he paid to have sex with him and others. Prosecutors say Greenberg met the girl online from a website where she was posing as an adult and had a first meeting with her on a boat, paying her $400. He later invited her to a hotels in Florida, where he and others would have sex with her and also supplied the girl and other people with ecstasy, according to the plea deal. In total, prosecutors say Greenberg had sex with the girl at least seven times. Greenberg also introduced the Minor to other adult men, who engaged in commercial sex acts with the Minor, the plea agreement states. The plea deal, signed Wednesday, does not identify the men. Prosecutors say Greenberg also used his position as the Seminole County tax collector to access a state drivers information database to investigate the women he was having sex with and had searched for the underage girl at least once because he had reason to believe the minor was under the age of 18, the plea agreement says. Greenbergs legal problems began last summer when he was arrested on charges of stalking a political opponent. He mailed fake letters to the school where his opponent taught, signed by a nonexistent very concerned student who alleged the teacher had engaged in sexual misconduct with another student, according to an indictment filed against him. Greenberg was charged in August with sex trafficking a girl between ages 14 and 17 and using a state database to look up information about the girl and other people with whom he was engaged in sugar daddy relationships, according to the indictment. Charges on allegations he embezzled $400,000 from the Seminole County tax collectors office were added earlier this year, according to the indictment. Investigators have also been looking at whether Gaetz and his associates tried to secure government jobs for some of the women, the people said. They are also scrutinizing Gaetzs connections to the medical marijuana sector, including whether his associates sought to influence legislation Gaetz sponsored. The people had knowledge of the investigation but spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because they were not allowed to publicly discuss the ongoing investigation. An Alabama state House member has been removed as a Captain with the Mobile County Sheriffs Department due to his political views. State Rep. Shane Stringer, R-Citronelle, is no longer a Captain with the Mobile County Sheriffs Office, a spokeswoman for Sheriff Sam Cochran, a Republican, announced in an email to the media on Friday. Sheriff Sam Cochran made the decisions Wednesday, May 12, because of different political views held by his administration, spokeswoman Lori Myles said. Stringer joined the Cochrans staff in 2018, the same year he was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives. Myles later told AL.com that Stringers sponsorship of legislation supportive of constitutional carry ran afoul of the Sheriffs views on the issue. Stringer has also backed legislation forbidding state and local law enforcement agencies from enforcing new federal gun laws or executive orders, which has been a concern among law enforcement personnel as well. Alabama lawmakers could, during the final day of its legislative session on Monday, vote on a bill that creates a constitutional carry provision in Alabama in which residents would be allowed to carry a concealed pistol without having to obtain a permit or pay a fee for one. The legislation has long been opposed by law enforcement, including the states sheriffs, who argue that permits are a safety tool for them whenever they are making traffic stops, serving a warrant or conducting an arrest. Stringer, in a news release, said he is proud to stand in defense of the Second Amendment gun rights of Alabamians despite being fired by Mobile Sheriff Sam Cochran for his position on the issue. The Second Amendment gun rights of Alabamians are under attack from a liberal federal government that is out of control and even from some factions right here at home, Stringer said. After dedicating my life and career to law enforcement, losing a job because I stand in support of Alabama gun owners is certainly surprising, but nothing will discourage me from defending the constitutional guarantees promised to all of us as American citizens. He said he felt that local sheriffs are opposing constitutional carry legislation because they depend upon the fees the gun permitting process generates for their offices. The U.S. Constitution does not say you have a right to keep and bear arms as long as you pay what amounts to a gun tax in the form of permit fees, Stringer said. It says you have the right to keep and carry firearms ... period. Myles said Stringer was appointed as Captain and that he will no longer hold any position within the Sheriffs Department by the end of the month. I think they agreed to disagree, Myles said of the two. But when you work for a company, you have to abide by the companys philosophies and rules especially when you are part of a staff where everyone answers to the Sheriff. We have to be of one accord. Stringer is a former Satsuma police chief. Myles added, He would be a great hire for someone. Hes been in law enforcement. But at the end of this month, he will end his career being on staff with us. This story was updated at 10:42 a.m. on May 14, 2021, with comments from a Mobile County Sheriffs Department spokeswoman. It was also updated at 12:55 p.m. to include comments from Rep. Shane Stringer. The months-long manhunt for the suspect in the killing of a Yale graduate student ended Friday in Alabama. The U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task force and Montgomery police took Qinxuan Pan, an MIT graduate student, into custody without incident in the 400 block of East Fairview Avenue in Montgomery. He was taken to the Montgomery County Detention Center where he will be held pending extradition. Marshals had offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to Pans arrest. I am extremely proud of the cooperation and efforts of the U.S. Marshals, the Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force, and our state and local partners in apprehending Pan, said U.S. Marshal for the Middle District of Alabama Jesse Seroyer Jr. Once we received information that Pan was in Montgomery, a plan was developed and executed. This is another example of hard work by federal and state partners to arrest violent fugitives. Pan is charged with murder in the killing of Kevin Jiang on a New Haven street on Feb. 6. Jiang, a graduate student at Yales School of the Environment and a U.S. Army veteran, was shot multiple times. Jiang was found lying outside his car and suffering from gunshot wounds around 8:30 a.m. that Saturday, police said. Police have not disclosed a motive in the shooting. The warrant again Pan was obtained on Feb. 26. Authorities said Pan stole an SUV from a dealership in Mansfield, Massachusetts the day of the killing before driving to Connecticut. Marshal officials in March said Pan was last seen in the earl-y morning hours on Feb. 11 driving with family members in Brookhaven or Duluth, Georgia. According to family, Pan was carrying a black backpack and acting strange. The man awaiting trial for last years slaying of a Kimberly police officer has been sentenced to federal prison for an unrelated gun conviction. U.S. District Judge Abdul K. Kallon sentenced Preston Chyenne Johnson, 38, 200 months more than 16 years for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Johnson on Oct. 31, 2019 four months before Officer Nick ORear was killed was in possession of an Anderson AM-15 5.6 mm rifle. He pleaded guilty to the federal charge in January, according to a joint statement issued Friday by U.S. Attorney Prim Escalona and ATF Special Agent in Charge Mickey French. In state court, Johnson is charged with three counts of capital murder, attempted murder and discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle in the death of ORear and the attempted murder of Warrior police Officer Lee Glenn. The shooting happened Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020 on Interstate 65. ORear, a 33-year-old father of two with a child on the way, was struck in the head. He was pronounced dead in early the next morning at UAB Hospital. Kimberly Police Officer Nick O'Rear was shot to death Feb. 4, 20202. At a March preliminary hearing against Johnson, State Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Pete Acosta chronicled what happened that night. Glenn the Warrior officer was parked alongside I-65 and spotted an approaching black BMW. When the driver of the BMW later identified as Johnson spotted the patrol cruiser, he began to drive erratically. Glenn activated his emergency equipment, Johnson failed to stop, and a chase began. As Glenn pursued the black BMW, testimony showed, ORear heard the radio traffic and joined in. When he entered I-65, he was ahead of Johnsons vehicle and Glenn was behind the suspect. Acosta testified that a woman was with Johnson. He had picked her up and was taking her to her mothers house. That woman told police that when Johnson noticed a police officer behind him, he told her to grab a gun. She refused. At that point, she told agents, Johnson reached into the back seat and retrieved a long gun, which court records state was a Norinco Mak-90 AK-47. Johnson, according to the witness, fired through the front windshield at ORears vehicle and then fired through the back windshield at Glenns vehicle. Once they realized there were no more police officers behind them, they exited the interstate and parked the BMW behind a church. Johnson then made some phone calls, and the pair was picked up by another man and woman in a white GMC pickup truck. Johnsons passenger told police they left multiple items in the woods near where they had left the BMW. Acosta said investigators recovered the assault rifle, a Glock 9 mm handgun, a set of keys, a military camouflage jacket, a purse, a backpack and some narcotics. Acosta said investigators had quickly identified Johnson as a suspect because of the vehicles description and law enforcements previous contact with him. A lookout bulletin was issued first to law enforcement only, but later a Blue Alert went out statewide. Authorities were able to determine that Johnson had switched vehicles because the wife of the man who picked up Johnson was tracking him via social media, according to court testimony. The wife said she had called her husband to see if he was coming home and he told her he had to go pick up Johnson who had either had a wreck or was having car trouble. The wife then saw news bulletins that Johnson was wanted, and she called police to tell them that Johnson was with her husband. It wasnt clear in testimony how the woman was tracking her husbands movements, but Acosta said it wasnt through a phone app. Johnson and the other man and two women were taken into custody shortly before 1 a.m. on Feb. 5 on U.S. 78 near Dora. Jefferson County deputies, Adamsville and Sumiton police were among those at the arrest. Johnsons passenger picked Johnson out of a photo lineup as the man she was riding with. After questioning, Johnson was taken to the Jefferson County Jail and the other man and two women were released without being charged. Acosta testified that both police cruisers those belonging to ORear and Glenn were heavily damaged by gunfire. Additionally, ORears vehicle suffered additional damage from crashing into the interstate median after he was shot. ORears rear window was shattered by gunfire, and there was blood evidence throughout the vehicle, including on ORears headrest. Johnson has a lengthy criminal history and federal authorities describe him as an armed career criminal. A state court trial date has not yet been set in ORears slaying. Muscle Shoals police have arrested a 13-year-old in connection with a threat made on social media to Muscle Shoals City Schools. According to police, investigators became aware of the threat through a screenshot at about 10 p.m. Thursday. The juvenile that police believe was responsible for the message was arrested at 10:48 p.m. and turned over to juvenile authorities. Police Chief Clint Reck said the teen was not a Muscle Shoals City Schools student and there was no credible evidence of an active threat toward students or staff. Reck said parents should speak with their children concerning the appropriate use of electronic communication and the consequences of their actions. Muscle Shoals Schools Superintendent Chad Holden said threatening messages posted to social media, even when they are not intended to cause harm, are taken seriously and will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. For the first time since the coronavirus pandemic ravaged the cruise industry, a cruise ship sailed into Mobile on Friday. In a city with a tag line, Born to Celebrate, the massive ship was greeted by a small but festive group of city and tourism officials, and cruising aficionados like 56-year-old James Basler of Mobile. We just wanted to come here to see it, said Basler, who was broadcasting the arrival of the Carnival Sensation on YouTube for a channel of cruising fans. They could pull in today and Id hop on and go back out to sea with em. The Sensation, an upgraded Fantasy-class ship originally launched in 1993, arrived at the Alabama Cruise Terminal so that approximately 110 crew members on board could received a COVID-19 vaccination. The vaccines were administered by medics with USA Health. The vessel is not sticking around for long. It will depart for approximately three weeks before returning with the same crew on board so they can receive a second dose of the vaccine. When regular cruising returns to Mobile is anyones guess, though Miami-based Carnival Cruise Line is working toward a possible July restart in the U.S. with select ships from Florida and Texas. The company is cancelling sailings on all other ships, including voyages aboard the Carnival Sensation out of Mobile, through July 31. Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson said he was unsure when Carnival will restart sailings from Mobile with passengers on board. But he said that he believes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will soon loosen additional restrictions that has kept the industry grounded for over a year. Cruise analyst Stewart Chiron told AL.com this week that he believes there is no chance that cruises will resume in Mobile before October, and predicts that ships might not resume regular sailings until late 2021. The CDC on Thursday released its latest update to its Conditional Sailing Order that allows fully vaccinated travelers onboard cruise ships to walk about freely and gather outdoors without having to wear a face mask. The agency is still requiring masks be worn while people are inside the ship, though passengers can temporarily remove them while eating or drinking. I dont know that portends to the CDC addressing cruising again, but you can speculate that (will happen) in the near future, Stimpson said about the latest CDC announcement. The CDCs guidance on cruising also came on the same day the agency announced that fully vaccinated people do not have to wear a face mask or social distance in any setting. But the cruise industry, which is regulated by the CDC, remains in limbo on how sailings can restart after they were halted in March 2020. Related: No sail, big worries: CDC halt to cruises creates unease in Alabama Last month, the CDC said it was OK for cruise ships to resume sailings in U.S. waters by mid-July as long as 95% of customers and 98% of crew members were vaccinated. Stimpson said he felt the CDCs regulations on the cruise industry have been onerous and heavy handed compared to other travel industries, like commercial aviation where vaccination requirements are not needed. He said that Carnival Cruise Line, in particular, has a commitment to keeping its cruisers safe. Carnival has yet to make any announcements about vaccines requirements. They have everything to gain in keeping their cruisers healthy, said Stimpson. They are at risk if they dont, so they are going to make it work. The CDCs vaccination requirements for the cruise industry has gotten some attention in Florida, the nations No. 1 hub for cruising. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who signed a law last month prohibiting businesses from requiring vaccine passports, said he wasnt planning to make an exception for the cruising industry. Norwegian Cruise Line officials have since said the new law could force their company to suspend Florida departures and move ships. Alabama state lawmakers introduced legislation this spring preventing businesses from requiring COVID-19 vaccines. But the bill has not advanced through the Legislature and appears unlikely to win approval with one day remaining in the session. Florida also has a federal lawsuit against the CDCs Conditional Sailing Order that has grounded cruise ships since the beginning of the pandemic. Texas and Alaska have joined the lawsuit, but there is no indication Alabama will do the same. Attorney General Steve Marshalls Office did not respond to a question on whether the state will consider being added to the Florida lawsuit. Stimpson, asked if Alabama should consider doing so, said his focus is to ensure that Mobile remains a welcoming place for Carnival Cruise Line. Mobile is the only location in Alabama with a cruise terminal. We are focusing to make sure Carnival understands that we are a great partner, Stimpson said. That is our focus. Basler of Mobile said he felt the return of cruising has bene a very slow process and one in which the right hand doesnt know what the left is doing sometimes. And while he said that he and his wife, Debbie, are both fully vaccinated, hes unsure how the cruising industry could police vaccinations. I got my card and took a picture of it and so did my wife, but Ive seen several sold online as scams, said Basler. I dont know how you can say 100 percent of those on board your ship are fully vaccinated. Stimpson said he felt it was a choice for passengers to make. According to New York Times data, only 27% of Alabama residents are fully vaccinated from COVID-19 placing the state just ahead of Mississippi for dead last in the county. Only 25% of Mobile County residents, and 24% of Baldwin County residents are vaccinated, according to the New York Times data. The pandemic-related issues were far from the minds of those who stopped and celebrated the Sensations arrival to Mobile, even if the ships stay was short lived. The festive crowd that gathered outside the GulfQuest Maritime Museum watched the vessels slow arrival into Mobile as the famed Excelsior Band performed its traditional upbeat music while the Azalea Trail Maids outfitted in traditional antebellum-style dresses -- and the USS Alabama Crewmates smiled and waved at the crew members on board. The gathering was a warm-up to a city celebration that will take place next weekend, kicking off next Friday with a Mardi Gras-like parade in downtown Mobile ahead of a commissioning ceremony on Saturday for the USS Mobile warship that was built at Mobiles Austal USA shipyard. If you believe Mobile is Born to Celebrate, then you start today and go to the end of the month with the commissioning of the ship and there is a just a lot to celebrate, Stimpson said, adding he was unsure what kind of crowd hes expecting to show up for the May 21 parade. There is a lot of pent up demand. The 5-week-old Alabama reported missing and then found buried in a rural grave was killed by blunt force trauma, according to newly-released documents. The affidavit against Caleb Michael Whisnand Sr., 32, in the slaying of his infant son, C.J., states the baby died by blunt force trauma to the victims head. No additional details were released. The charging documents says the slaying happened Monday between 3:45 p.m. and 10:49 p.m., the latter time being when Whisnand called 911 from the Circle K on Wetumka Highway to report C.J. missing. The childs father is charged with capital murder because the child is under the age of 14. Court records do not yet list an attorney to comment on his behalf. The mother has not responded to a request for comment. Here is full coverage of the case Earlier documents said the deadly assault happened on Hunter Loop Road in Montgomery, but the newer charge only lists the place of occurrence as taking place in Montgomery. The investigation began late Monday - about 10:49 p.m. when authorities say they received a 911 call from the Circle K on Wetumpka Highway from the 32-year-old Whisnand saying that his son was missing. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, in the early-morning hours of Tuesday, issued a missing child alert in C.J.s disappearance. The disappearance did not meet the criteria of an Amber Alert, mostly because there was no concrete information about a possible suspect and investigators were receiving conflicting information from the start. Caleb Whisnand, Sr., and Angela Gardner, parents of Caleb Michael Whisnand, Jr., ask for help in finding their missing infant son during a news conference at the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, Wednesday, May 12, 2021, in Montgomery, Ala. The father will face capital murder charges in the death of his 5-week-old son. Montgomery County Sheriff Derrick Cunningham said the body of 5-week-old Caleb Whisnand, Jr. was found Wednesday night in a rural area of neighboring Lowndes County. The infants father, Caleb Whisnand, Sr. was arrested shortly after on manslaughter charges. (Mickey Welsh/The Montgomery Advertiser via AP)AP The missing child alert said C.J. had been missing since Saturday, but lawmen were not made aware of it until Monday night. On Thursday, authorities said for the first time that Whisnand told authorities the baby had been abducted from his vehicle while at the Circle K. Authorities, however, have not released a timeline in the case, nor disclosed any other details. We dont know,' Sheriff Derrick Cunningham said Thursday. Were still trying to piece everything together. Its hard to give you definite answer when we dont have definite answers. Whisnand and C.J. mother, 28-year-old Angela Gardner, took part in a press conference late Wednesday afternoon during which Whisnand told reporters, I dont remember a lot, but I did remember I was breaking up, ya know, with the cops. If anybodys got anything, any places that I could have gone, you know who you are. Please, find him please,' Gardner said. Whisnand and Gardner initially said the last time they remember seeing C.J. was Saturday night when the infant was in the bed with his parents and Gardners 2-year-old son in another room. But moments later, Gardner said she was home with her 2-year-old and the baby was with Whisnand on Monday. They provided no explanation for the difference in days, or where C.J. was between Saturday night and Monday night. He went to go pay gas at the gas station and realized he was gone,' Gardner said of her fiance. He let the police know, and me know, that he was missing. It was after the press conference that investigators recovered C.J.s remains in a remote Lowndes County area. According to Margaret Hope, C.J.s grandmother and Gardners mother, the couple lived with Whisnands parents. Gardner was about to leave Whisnand, Hope said, and I think thats the reason he took the baby, she told AL.com. Hope said Whisnand took C.J. while Gardner was asleep Saturday night, and the family has been looking for him since then. She didnt get to have her son on Mothers Day or Monday,' Hope said. Angela is a great mother, and she is overprotective of her kids. She was so happy when she gave birth. I was there when she gave birth to the baby. I cant believe the SOB killed her baby. Hope said the baby was found dead in a wooded area. He knew he done killed that baby and he had to come up with some excuse,' Hope said. A task force of between 50 to 60 investigators from multiple agencies worked around the clock on the investigation, authorities said. The sheriffs office was assisted by the FBI, ALEA, Montgomery police, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Elmore County Sheriffs Office and the Lowndes County Sheriffs Office. Through the joint effort between the agencies, investigative leads, and witness statements, the body of C.J. was recovered. Gardner, the mother, has not been charged in the crime. Asked if anyone else could face charges in the case, Cunningham said, Right now its still early. We still have a lot of leads weve got to follow up on. At the time of his arrest Wednesday, Whisnand was already under indictment in an unrelated case on charges of meth and heroin possession, reckless endangerment and possession of drug paraphernalia. Elmore County prosecutors on Thursday said they are seeking to revoke Whisnands bond in those cases. Documents state that on June 15, 2020, Whisnand was behind the wheel of a Chevy pickup truck that a police sergeant witnessed run off the road. The sergeant turned around and was eventually able to catch up to the truck. Whisnand veered into oncoming traffic, records state, and crossed the double yellow line, swerving at the last minute to avoid a collision. Whisnand drove off the roadway and slammed on his brakes. Gardner was in the front seat and her child Tolouse, who was an infant then but is now 2, was in a car seat. Whisnand told the officers he was on methamphetamine and had not slept in two to three days. Subject was showing the signs of still being under the influence of the drug with profuse sweating, twitching and constant movement, and he stated he was dehydrated,' the officer wrote. Whisnand was arrested and charged with both misdemeanors and felonies, including being in possession of methamphetamine and heroin. Records state he was also in possession of Gabapentin, and anticonvulsant and nerve pain medication used to treat seizures and pain caused by shingles. He was released from jail on June 16, 2020. His trial on those charges is set for October. This is an opinion column I read, with great alarm, the breathless opinion piece by Dr. Ladinsky which vilifies the Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act (SB-10). This legislation aims to protect vulnerable children from the transgender treatment industry that is prescribing puberty blockers, wrong-sex hormones, and even mutilating breast surgery to children. In her opinion piece, Dr. Ladisnky warns that she would be criminalized for providing care to gender confused children. She characterizes the bill as some medieval work of scientifically unenlightened Alabama politicians who have never even met a transgender youth. She claims that government has no business regulating the behavior of doctors. I am a reconstructive surgeon. I served in that capacity in the US Navy for 24 years. I have been in practice in Alabama for 16 years. I have been a physician for 40 years. I have met, and continue to serve persons who are self identified as transgender, and patients who regret the decision and are seeking a way to go back to the sex presentation they were born with. Doctor Ladinsky claims that science is on the side of the transgender treatment industry. It is not. I read the scientific literature on this subject all day long. Virtually all of it is comprised of the lowest form of scientific evidence; small studies, with few patients, followed for short periods, all of them biased by self-selection (the patients who have committed suicide dont come back to answer their vague questionnaires about their sense of happiness). This is NOT evidence based care. It is the least reliable form of evidence, but the transgender treatment industry has been satisfied with it for fifty years now, and dont seem interested in answering the most basic questions about the condition. Doctor Ladinsky doesnt seem to care that there has been an explosion in this diagnosis in the last five years. It used to be that gender confusion was only 0.2% of children, and almost always very young boys. Suddenly there has been a 5,000% increase in the diagnosis, and now it is 80% females in adolescence and young adulthood. How could that possibly be biologically caused? Was there a mass mutation event? Is there something in the drinking water? The transgender industry doesnt seem to care to even ask the question: Why is there an epidemic of gender confused children? The countries that have been offering gender services to children longer than the US are all abandoning this scientifically unsupported care. Just this year, Sweden, after examining the best long term population data found that children are not improved, and has abandoned puberty blockers, and cross-sex hormones for children. Likewise in Finland: no puberty blockers or cross sex hormones. Their guidelines emphasize that psychological support, and family therapy will be (as it used to be) the first line of care. The UKs Tavistock Portman clinic, which was the sole provider of these drugs to gender confused children are no longer at liberty to give puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to children under 16 after a court ruling in a lawsuit brought by a gender confused woman who was given these drugs, and had her breast surgically removed even before she reached adulthood. It is important when reading Dr. Ladinskys opinion piece, that she begins with her most compelling argument, which is no argument at all. She begins with a personal anecdote, which in the world of medicine is the least reliable evidence, second only to a professional opinion. Her anecdote is about a suicidal child who needs care. I couldnt agree with her more, that a child who has attempted suicide three times need love and professional care. What they dont need is permanently life altering drugs and surgery. A person who is depressed and suicidal is so bad at making decisions that they are considered incompetent to give consent for medical care. Add to that the fact that the person making the diagnosis isnt Dr. Ladinsky, it is an anxious, confused, suicidal child. That doesnt change with time. Ultimately the whole long road from social transition, to puberty blockers, to cross-sex hormones, to permanently sterilizing surgical mutilation begins with a diagnosis that was made by a confused child. Dr. Ladinsky has no medical test to prove or disprove the diagnosis, and yet she claims her care is evidence based. Is there a place for Alabama law in this issue. Emphatically yes. We already have such laws protecting children from the harmful effects of sex hormones. If a parent brought their son to Dr. Ladinsky and said, he is suicidal because he has always known on the inside that he is supposed to be an offensive lineman for Alabama, but at age 16 he is skinny and weak, the law prevents Dr. Ladinsky from prescribing anabolic steroids and testosterone. This is no different. If she were making a living prescribing anabolic steroids to high school athletes, she should lose her white lab coat and her stethoscope. Alabama legislators have a duty to protect this vulnerable population of gender confused children. Psychological care, family therapy, and at times the use of certain medications has proven effectiveness. Over 80% of children treated this way abandon their cross-sex idea of themselves by late adolescence. However, if you let them fall into the hands of the transgender treatment industry, virtually 100% will continue to suffer from gender dysphoria, and will ultimately have the same high risk of self-harm, including alcohol abuse, drug abuse, psychiatric hospitalization, and suicide. This is no longer in doubt. This is why Sweden, Finland, and the UK have abandoned the use of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones and surgery in gender confused children. It is time for the Alabama legislature to pass SB-10. It is time for the transgender treatment industry to follow the science. Patrick W. Lappert, MD, of Decatur, is a retired Capt. with the U.S. Navy and a Decatur, and is Board Certified in General Surgery (1992) and Board Certified in Plastic Surgery (1997) Recertified (2008). The appeal notes the states access to cellphone records through a warrant, and whether that evidence should have been suppressed and excluded because it violated Kerners right against self-incrimination; questions the authenticity of voice memos presented as evidence during the trial; questions whether Kerners rights against double jeopardy were violated because of his convictions on two counts of murder and two counts of attempted robbery resulting in serious injury; questions whether the evidence is insufficient to support Kerners conviction on the attempted robbery counts; and suggests that Kerners sentence was inappropriate because he was 17 at the time of the crimes. The latest CDC guidelines for education will put Americas children even further behind the rest of the world in basic learning. Teachers have long known how important it is for children to learn together. After ordering schools closed for over a year, the CDC is finally allowing them to be reopened. Yet now, the CDC is pressuring schools to arrange classrooms so that all the pupils are socially distanced as well as masked and -- it is suggested -- also shielded from one another, as well as from their teacher. Shall we now throw out the window everything we know about child development in favor of social correctness? Toward the end of his career, an obscure Russian psychologist named Lev Vygotsky discovered an extremely important truth about learning: that children absolutely need to work together in order to learn. He called this scaffolding. American teachers learned of his ideas from Mind in Society, a collection of Vygotskys essays translated into English in 1980. Since then, a generation of teachers has applied his theory of the Zone of Proximal Development with great success, seating their pupils in pairs and small groups for lessons that included cooperative activities the students completed together. Enter the appalling learning environment being imposed by the CDC upon the American classroom in the name of social distancing. Pupils are to be masked -- there goes any opportunity for real communication. It also greatly complicates learning for autistic, ESL, and hearing-deprived students. Students are to be spaced at least three or even six feet apart (depending upon the CDC publication) and sit only in their assigned seats -- there goes any real chance for group work. Desks are to face in the same direction rather than facing each other -- there goes any opportunity for pair work. No amount of colorful tape Xs on the floor can help, especially since children are to be admonished not to sit in X zones -- there goes any chance of getting children out of their seats for large-group discovery. Not even equipment or supplies are to be shared -- there goes any opportunity for discovery stations with computers or microscopes or hands-on materials. Woe to any child who does not come to school fully prepared; sharing is to be strictly limited, an exceedingly difficult situation for underprivileged children whose parents do not tend to provide so much as a pencil. Indeed, in my experience, very few children come to school fully prepared, so that this rule impacts them all. What is worse is the fact that these restrictions are to be imposed upon children who have long been absent from their classrooms. In the United States at its peak, at least 55.1 million students in 124,000 public and private schools were kept from attending school in person. Yet 1 in 10 of Americas poorest children has no access to online learning, the supposed substitute for school. Nor have children been allowed to play with the children down the street. Half of American schools remain closed, and others are only partially open. As a retired teacher, I can say with confidence that this also means our countrys children have been held back in their social and cognitive development -- both of which depend upon contact, play, and learning with other children. They desperately need to rejoin their peers, not sit isolated in a classroom, looking longingly at one another. The excuse? The CDC continues to spin the fiction that to do so is to risk disease, and even death. Yet a Public Health England (PHE) study found that children are far more likely to catch coronavirus at home than at school. Discussing the study results, Professor Russell Viner of the UKs Royal College of Pediatricians concludes that children have a near zero risk of catching coronavirus at school. Stating the obvious, UNICEF advises, As we enter the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, no effort should be spared to keep schools open or prioritize them in reopening plans. Children cannot afford another year of school closures. I would add that the returning students absolutely need to return to the warm, inclusive, collaborative classrooms of the past with their paired desks, group tables, shared learning stations and all. Children need each other. To follow the CDC guidelines, to me, amounts to nothing less than child abuse of the most damaging kind. Lynn Corum is a retired classroom teacher with thirty years of experience working with all ages, from three-year-olds through adults. Her favorite years were spent working with elementary students from many different countries as the International Teacher of Miina Harma Gumnaasium in Tartu, Estonia. Inage: Janko Ferlin, Pexels To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. Military officers from two leading democracies have been viciously attacked for warning their fellow countrymen about existential threats. The officers critics claim these leaders ought to remain silent denying fellow citizens of their judgment about the crises before its too late. One hundred and twenty-four retired American generals and admirals published an open letter (May 12th) that begins Our nation is in deep peril. Retired U.S. Navy Admiral Mike Mullen, President Barack Obamas former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, dismissed the letter alleging it hurts the military and the country and contains Republican Party talking points. Retired U.S. Army Major General Joe Arbuckle agreed that Retired generals and admirals normally do not engage in political actions. But he rejects the critics, claiming the situation facing our nation today is dire and we must speak out in order to be faithful to our oath to support and defend the Constitution of the U.S. against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Across the Atlantic, a cohort of French officers warned in two open letters their country was heading for disintegration and civil war. The first of two letters by 23 retired generals (April 21) earned a rebuke from Gerald Darmanin, Frances interior minister, who called the officers appeal a crude maneuver by the far right. The letters were endorsed by Marine Le Pen of Frances National Rally, a conservative political party, and a candidate for the presidency next year. There are at least two ways for citizens to view these rare expressions of public concern from military officers. One is to dismiss them as political hacks as did Mullen and Darmanin, and the other is to embrace their warnings like the idiom of the canary in a coal mine. A singing canary is a good indicator of the build-up of a deadly gas in the mine. Once the bird is weakened by the gas, it stops singing and the miners know to quickly exit the shaft. Both officers warnings ring true for a growing majority of French and American citizens as evidenced by recent polling. Six in ten Americans say the United States is on the wrong track and similarly, 73 percent of Frenchmen agree their nation has lost its way. The American officers warn the will of the people and our constitutional republic are at risk because of election integrity and the fact that the Democratic Party is welcoming socialists and Marxists that threaten our historic way of life. Those officers indicate the Biden administration launched a full-blown assault on our constitutional rights and employed excessive population controls such as lockdowns and censorship. Other issues mentioned in their letter include open borders, cooperating with our Chinese enemy, re-engaging in the flawed Iran nuclear deal, using our military as a political pawn around the U.S. Capitol building, and ignoring the rule of law in some cities. The French officers claim their nation is heading for civil war at the hands of Islamists and leftists. They demand President Emmanuel Macron stop the Islamization of France. A second letter (May 7th) endorsed by up to a couple of thousand active French officers claimed Frances survival is at stake if more isnt done to stop the rot. Some of us lost their comrades, wrote the Frenchmen. They gave their lives to destroy the Islamism to which you make concessions on our soil. That letter called French politicians cowards for failing to address the issues with the Muslim population. They continued, We have seen our suburbs abandoned, accommodation to crime. We have suffered attempts to exploit us by numerous religious communities, for whom France signifies nothing nothing but an object of sarcasm, contempt, even hatred. The active-duty officers denounced Macron as a traitor for collaborating with Islam much like the Vichy French collaborated with the Nazi occupation of France during World War II. Both the American and French officers raise legitimate concerns about their governments, which reflect majority views across their respective countries. However, the pregnant question raised by critics is: Should military officers in a democratic state go public with their criticism? Critics like Professor Peter Feaver of Duke University acknowledge the officers have relevant experience that renders their opinions especially worthy. However, Dr. Feaver writes that these officers lack expertise in a number of issues such as election procedures and to pretend otherwise is to inch along the path patrolled by coup-prone officers in unstable democracies. The professor labels the officers letter a primal scream by several scores of older Republican men who are angry with the electorate that chose Joe Biden for president. Then Feaver concludes: They are entitled to believe untruths The professor stretches his analysis too far. Todays officers are among the best educated and most experienced in political affairs of any cohort of Americans, which includes self-righteous college professors, but hes not alone. The late Samuel Huntington, an esteemed American political scientist and former Harvard professor, endorsed the view that military officers ought to be silent about political issues. Huntington wrote Politics is beyond the scope of military competence The military officer must remain neutral politically. Whats not at issue is that active-duty military personnel are public servants that provide society with a specific set of services. However, they are also among the most experienced patriots (both active and retired) and like most citizens can look across their political landscape and see problems that dont require special discernment, whether it be chaos associated with the Islamization of France or the assault on American civil liberties by the Biden administration. These officers -- American and French -- are simply calling attention to clear failings of elected officials Macron and Biden who appear to abrogate their constitutional duties and reject democratic values to protect their citizens. Uniquely, these citizen soldiers with decades of leadership under the most difficult of circumstances across the world understand better than most the cost of freedom and how this corrupted world works, and most of all they understand threats when they see them within their own countries. Their voice warrants outsized attention and not the unwarranted criticism of those who lack experience and are subject to their own political bias. We should listen to such warnings on both sides of the Atlantic because they are indeed like the canary in the democratic coal mine and should be heeded by citizens concerned about the direction of our respective countries. Never forget canaries stop singing when danger arises, but when senior military leaders -- active and retired -- start singing, they are warning of danger. Image: US Army To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. There is a real upside for schools stemming from the virtual instruction that is currently taking place. Educators have gained a great deal of experience in implementing and providing virtual instruction. I bet many are pretty good at it. We know there is a good chance all students will be able to return to their classrooms this fall. Great! I believe the virtual experience, however, can help schools deal with several major issues: Attendance, Truancy, Illness, Remediation, Suspensions, Graduation Rates and Snow Days. Even though it may be somewhat expensive to keep the entire virtual infrastructure in place in the schools and homes, I believe by allowing the operation to remain in place as an alternative, we could dramatically reduce the amount of instructional time students are losing. I know that some schools already have plans. Why not all districts? Again, only as an alternative when necessary. This could be especially helpful for those districts that are struggling to meet State accountability standards! Wouldnt it be good to know that if a student must be home, he or she would not miss one day of instruction. Just flick a switch! Dont let expense get in the way. A mind is a terrible thing to waste! Today in history, on May 14, 1097, witnessed the first clash between Western Crusaders and Muslim Turks: the siege of Nicaea. In the years following the decisive Battle of Manzikert (1071), which saw the Seljuk Turks defeat the Eastern Roman Empire and conquer that ancient bastion of Christianity, Anatolia (modern-day Turkey), mindboggling atrocities followed. Whether an anonymous Georgian chronicler tells of how holy churches served as stables for their horses, the priests were immolated during the Holy Communion itself, the virgins defiled, the youths circumcised, and the infants taken away, or whether Anna Comnena, the princess at Constantinople, tells of how cities were obliterated, lands were plundered, and the whole of Anatolia was stained with Christian blood -- the same scandalous tale of woe reached the West. As a result, what came to be known as the First Crusade was launched. Paraphrasing Pope Urban IIs famous call at Clermont in 1095, Crusades historian Thomas Madden writes, The message was clear: Christ was crucified again in the persecution of his faithful and the defilement of his sanctuaries. Both needed rescuing; both offered an opportunity to fulfill one of Christs two greatest commandments: Love God with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself (Luke 10:27). Christians from all around Europe hearkened to the call and took the cross. By 1097, the major lords and knights had reached Constantinople, whence they were ferried into the lions den, Turkic-controlled Asia Minor. By May they reached Nicaea, site of Christendoms first ecumenical council (325), where the Nicaean Creed, which is still professed by all major Christian denominations, was articulated. Now the capital of the Seljuk sultanate and occupied by the enemies of the cross, the Crusaders quickly laid siege to Nicaea, 924 years ago on this date, May 14. It was long and brutal, but the Turks held their own; from their high walls, the Muslims shouted their war-like battle-cry in the horrible tones of their language -- the contemporary chronicler, Albert of Aachen, could not decipher the shrill cries of Allahu Akbar! -- and fired poisoned arrows so that even those lightly wounded met a horrible death. Moreover, in order to defend their walls from being struck and shaken repeatedly by the battering ram, the Turks created a combustible mixture and poured it over the walls, which torched the battering ram. Smoke and fire rose as the siege went on. On May 20, Kilij Arslan, the Seljuk sultan and supreme head of the Turks, appeared with a massive Muslim army to deliver Nicaea, his capital. A wild battle ensued. Albert continues: Duke Godfrey and Bohemond did not curb their horses but let them have their heads and flew in the midst of the enemy, piercing some with lances, unsaddling others, and all the while urging on their allies, encouraging them with manly exhortations to slaughter the enemy. There was no small clash of spears there, no small rings of swords and helmets heard in this conflict of the war, no small destruction of Turks. But it was the greater force of the crusader army under the command of Raymond of Toulouse with aid from Robert of Flanders that gave the Muslim army its death stroke, routing them. In this, the inaugural battle of the First Crusade, The Arabs, Persians, and ferocious Turks soon fled; the savage people showed their backs to the Christians. It was a rout... Prodigious was the slaughter of the fleeing army From the third until the ninth hour the destruction, or rather Arabian slaughter, of this battle raged. This triumphant description is not so much invention and bias on the part of Guibert of Nogent as it is a reflection of the fact that this vast Muslim army was not made of professional soldiers but largely consisted of peasants, scum herded together from everywhere. Later Turkish armies would be much more formidable. Having slaughtered countless Muslims, the bloodstained Westerners resumed the siege of Nicaea. As a stark and material reminder to its inhabitants not to hope for deliverance from their coreligionists, the Crusaders lobbed the severed heads of the slaughtered Turks from their throwing-machines and catapults into the city, writes Robert the Monk. There was, of course, a reason that the Crusaders behaved so ruthlessly. Earlier, on first landing in Anatolia, they encountered a horrific sight: Oh, how many severed heads and bones of the dead lying on the plains did we then find beyond Nicomedia near the sea! wrote Fulcher of Chartres. Moved to compassion by this, we shed many tears there. They had come upon the remains of all those European peasants -- men, women, and children -- that were too impatient to wait for the professional knights at Constantinople and crossed into Asia alone. Soon after landing in the Nicaean inland in 1096, they fell into the Turkish ambuscade and were miserably slaughtered, recollected Alexioss daughter, Princess Anna Comnena: So great a multitude of Kelts and Normans died by the Ishmaelite sword that when they gathered the remains of the fallen, lying on every side, they heaped up, I will not say a mighty ridge or hill or peak, but a mountain of considerable height and depth and width, so huge was the mass of bones. Those captured underwent another trial: Some of the prisoners were challenged about their faith, and ordered to renounce Christ, but they proclaimed Christ with steady heart and voice, and were decapitated, writes Guibert. The fate of those kept alive -- as usual, the young and comely -- was often worse: The Turks divided up among themselves some of the captives, whose lives they had spared -- or rather reserved for a more painful death -- and submitted them to dismal servitude at the hands of cruel masters. Some were exposed in public, like targets, and were pierced by arrows; others were given away as gifts, while others were sold outright [and taken to Khorasan and Antioch where] they would endure wretched slavery under the worst masters imaginable. They underwent a torture much longer than that endured by those whose heads were severed swiftly by the sword. How the Islamic lords of Asia Minor must have laughed then! Having annihilated the indigenous Christian population of Anatolia, now European Christians were marching in for the same exact treatment. But they were not laughing now, a few weeks into the siege. Along with the many Muslim heads the Crusaders had lobbed into Nicaea, another one thousand of these heads were sent to the emperor, a present which won his hearty favor -- unsurprisingly so, as these were the same men who had sacked and taken Nicaea from Alexios in 1092. He responded by sending more supplies, including much needed boats for the Crusaders to cut off Nicaeas only supply route. These the Crusaders, during the course of one night, by ropes placed on the shoulders and necks of men and horses, dragged to Nicaea, a distance of seven miles or more, says William of Tyre. Soon thereafter, on June 19, 1097, the now traumatized Turks -- these longtime scourges of Eastern Christendom -- surrendered Nicaea, on condition that they capitulate, not to the heavily armored newcomers from the West who had so terrorized them, but to Emperor Alexios, who had followed the Crusaders with his own army. And so, the First Crusade began with a victory over the Muslims, just as it would conclude. But that is another story. Raymond Ibrahim, author of Sword and Scimitar, is a Shillman Fellow at the David Horowitz Freedom Center, a Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Gatestone Institute, and a Judith Rosen Friedman Fellow at the Middle East Forum. Image: Public Domain To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. At least we don't have a president who sends mean tweets. What's to worry about? It's not like our country is being run by nincompoops, communists, and crackpots. Well, OK. Our country is being run by nincompoops (a president displaying all the signs of early dementia), communists (if you think they're merely "socialists," check what the man who should know said about that), and crackpots (like the Looney Toons "energy healer" deciding whether children can return to school). We now are experiencing the consequences of the Biden regime mishandling everything it touches and creating new problems by implementing policies derived from a brain trust of nincompoops, communists, and crackpots. Does anyone have a clue what the Biden administration will do when our ally Taiwan is attacked by the communist Chinese? Perhaps it will do what it did when our ally Israel was bombarded with hundreds of Palestinian rockets by terrorists financed and armed by Iran that is to say, nothing. Maybe it will do the same as it did when Russians hacked the Colonial Pipeline, resulting in immediate gasoline shortages and automobiles queued up in long lines reminiscent of the last "nice guy" to be president, Jimmy Carter. That is to say, maybe nothing. Again. Indeed, even as the gasoline lines stretched out in southern States, the administration denied there was a shortage. Maybe the Biden administration will do the same as it has done since opening the border, allowing hundreds to thousands of illegal aliens, many of them infected with COVID and known criminals and children without parents. Nothing again. Elections have consequences. Merely six months after voting out a president who was feared by our enemies and upon whom our allies could rely, we now have the quintessential dopey Elmer Fudd presidency. We have a man whose own handlers don't trust him to talk one-on-one with reporters even the fawning left-leaning reporters who helped him get elected. Did I mention that at least we don't have a president who sends mean tweets? The new crises, seemingly one every day, are a double-whammy. First, there is the proven fact that President Fudd...er, Biden, if he responds at all, can be counted on to respond entirely inappropriately, making bad much worse. Here are just a few examples. Exhibit 1: Biden's mishandling of COVID through continual economy-killing, freedom-squashing lockdowns; vaccination coercion; and encouraging Americans not to return to work. Exhibit 2: signaling to riotous wannabe commies in the street that their national government is indifferent at best to the lawlessness. Exhibit 3: the economically destructive trillions-of-dollars spending spree of money the government doesn't have to pay for things the government shouldn't pay for. And that sets up... Exhibit 4: a wave of massive punitive taxes that will further suppress an economy already undermined by... Exhibit 5: paying people not to work. Still, inappropriate responses are after-the-fact problems. The even greater problem is how the Biden administration signals to the world that it is either incapable of addressing or unwilling to address new crises when they arise. Consequently, enemies like communist China and Russia, BLM and Antifa, Iran and drug cartels, to name just a few, see great opportunities to exploit the vulnerabilities of a clueless, short-sighted Mister Magoo White House. For the record, the mean-tweeting president didn't invite such exploitation. Enemies knew he would respond quickly and effectively. They wouldn't dare pull the stunts they've pulled on Biden for fear of retaliation. Does anyone fear retaliation from Joe Biden? Other than American taxpayers, Republicans and faithful Christians, that is. This new White House weakness emboldens bad guys. The Chinese will accelerate their aggression. They've begun building an airbase midway between Australia and Hawaii. The Russians will unleash their hackers. Expect more cyber-assaults like the Colonial Pipeline case. Iran will broaden and intensify Middle East terror. Domestic enemies of our Republic will ratchet up their street violence, their extortion of public and private institutions, and cow growing numbers of the law-abiding. The full spectrum of anti-American, anti-liberty incursions can be expected. Worse yet is that we are only in month four of this cartoonish presidential term. If you think things have spun out of control already, buckle your seat belt. This joyride to hell is just getting underway. But even that is not the worst of it. The worst is that with Mister Magoo or Elmer Fudd or whoever in the White House is in charge, the risks of irreparable damage have increased exponentially. In the old days, nations could assess how far they could push opponents before getting an aggressive push back. And the push back generally could be predicted. No one thought Donald Trump would launch a nuclear attack over China's slave labor, as onerous as that is. Does anyone know what lines would prompt a violent response from the Biden White House? Anyone? Our enemies? Our allies? Congress? Is there a consensus even within the administration? Ask yourself, who is in charge? You know it's not Joe Magoo-Fudd-Biden. If China attacks Taiwan, who's going to decide how the U.S. responds? Will it be decided by committee? A committee of nincompoops, etc.? Kelly Trautner, a Biden "expert" for giving the CDC advice, appears to have no formal medical training, but she is a follower of "an ancient energy healing system" that in 1989 "planted World Peace Crystal Grids at the poles to send peace energy all over the World[.]" Kelly Trautner previously ran an outfit that used "trauma-informed yoga programming" to treat eating disorders. She's an energy healer who apparently heals by "clearing cellular memory." Now she tells the CDC when children should go back to school. Multiply that inanity by the number of positions of authority in the Biden administration. Then remember that nice guy Joe Biden doesn't decide anything. He's told what to say, when to say it, and even to whom he may speak. When the Biden administration decided to redefine sex as "non-biological," do you think he came up with that mind-boggling insight on his own? How confident can anyone be about decisions made by an administration shaped by political patronage without regard to real expertise, but that caters to wannabe commies and the far out? How confident can Americans be that the so-called socialists in the administration will put America's interests above those of their fellow travelers in China? How likely is it that enemies will misjudge the Biden White House by wrongly assuming that rational people are in charge? It's already been a torturous ride. This is just the beginning. Mark Landsbaum is a Christian retired journalist, former investigative reporter, editorial writer, and columnist. He also is a husband, father, grandfather, and Dodgers fan. He can be reached at mark.landsbaum@gmail.com. Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. References to the Queen noticing faults in the US elections of 2020 or of the need to reform US election procedures are misplaced. The Queens Speech announces the legislation programme the Government of the day sets out at the State Opening of Parliament. This is part of the colorful tradition of the opening of each new session of Parliament or the opening of the new Parliament after a general election. Neither the Queen nor her advisers write the speech or contribute any of the contents. That is entirely the responsibility of the Government of the day led by the Prime Minister and his or her Cabinet. No doubt the Queen sometimes reads the speech and does not agree with any or even all its contents. This time, the Queens Speech included the Election Integrity Bill. This has in fact been the subject of considerable discussion following proposals from the Electoral Commission, an entirely independent and non-partisan commission, set up in 2001. It acts as an independent agency regulating party and election finance and sets the standards for the way in which elections should be run. It is also the enforcement agency for breaches of the law and electoral fraud. It conducts research and makes recommendations for changes in electoral law. The Law Commission, another statutory independent body that keeps the laws of England and Wales under review, has also proposed changes to UK electoral law. All these proposals have been open to public consultation and scrutinized by parliamentary committees, as well as the Government, and will not become law without parliamentary approval. The American media and the Guardian in the UK are critical of the proposals for voter ID. But the Electoral Commission conducted two pilot projects and found that over 90% of voters could produce photo ID without any problems. Unlike Continental Europe, carrying photo ID is not a legal requirement in the UK, so a variety of IDs can be used, such as driving licenses, passports, and travel passes (in some areas such as London, these provide senior citizens with free travel). The Commission recommended that local authorities should provide free photo IDs for their residents (although, as the Bill is still unpublished, we can only hope it will be in the Bill). It is also a proposal that states can easily incorporate into electoral reform. America could learn more from the way in which elections are conducted in the UK. As an outsider looking at American elections, I am surprised to learn that registration on polling day is allowed. In the UK, there are set dates for registration, which gives time for checks to be made; for example, by April 20 for the May 6 election this year. Similar rules govern applying for mail-in ballots, which must be in about two weeks before polling day. The ballot papers must be in by 10 pm of polling day. Polling stations are open from 7 am to 10 pm. Theres no nonsense about postal votes being received after polling day, provided that according to the postmark (if you can read it!), the ballot was posted before polling day. Paper ballots are used throughout and postal votes are placed in sealed boxes, which can only be opened by the Returning Officer who oversees the count. That takes place very shortly after the polls have closed, allowing time for the ballot boxes to be driven to the central count, and for the candidates, their agents, and designated party members, all of whom scrutinize the counting agents and the ballot papers. The Returning Officer unseals the boxes and shows all the candidates and their agents that they are empty. No one has ever been thrown out of the count to the best of my knowledge and I fought six Parliamentary elections and, win or lose, I had no reason whatsoever to doubt the result. At the end of the count, the Returning Officer explains the result to all the candidates and their agents. It is possible to ask for a recount then and there. Unless there is some obvious reason for refusing a recount (e.g if the winning candidate clearly has most of the votes), the recount begins then and there. The Returning Officer alone has the authority to announce the result. It is the Officers moment of glory in front of the TV cameras, and then only if the count has been completed and the result agreed by all the candidates and their agents. No one else -- especially not the media -- can announce the formal result. That should be the practice in the USA, especially given the time differences, when voting may not have been completed in some parts of the country. A long hard look at the role of the electoral registration officer and the guidelines laid down by the UK Electoral Commission would be well worthwhile. The details are available on their website, but here are a few significant points: The Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) is a senior local government official charged with keeping the electoral register up-to-date on a monthly basis, as well as conducting an annual canvass for voter registration; that is, house to house inquiries throughout the year. People can register online with their National Insurance numbers (the equivalent of US social security numbers) and can check if they are on the register on receipt of the household notification letter, sent to each household leading up to the next scheduled polls. If they are not registered, they are encouraged to register online. The EROs role is by no means a sinecure but is a demanding, full-time role, paid at a senior local government level. In the USA, that responsibility should probably be carried out at county level. All of this work helps to ensure that the registers are up-to-date, so that, for example, those who have died during the year are removed from the register. An organization is not required to sue, as was the case with the Public Interest Legal Foundation, which finally reached an agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of State to remove deceased voters from the States voter rolls. At least 21,000 dead voters were still on the rolls a month before the election in 2020. The successful lawsuit removed 9,212 voters who had been dead for at least five years, 1,900 for ten years or more. and 197 dead for twenty years or more. Though dead, these determined voters voted in the 2016 and/or 2018 elections. The case depended on the comparison of voter registration database with the Cumulative Social Security Death index. It led to a voluntary agreement to remove them from the register. I have two comments on this: What!? A voluntary agreement! Given the two-party system, the Republicans should contest every seat. Failure to do so, amongst other problems, helps to bring about extreme carelessness at best in the conduct of the election. If there is only ever one partys candidate to vote for, why bother to keep the register up-to-date? That is not the practice of any major political party in the UK. There are fewer obstacles to running for office in the UK, of course, but that is another story. Dr Oonagh McDonald CBE is a former British Member of Parliament. IMAGE: Queen Elizabeth at the Opening of Parliament. YouTube screengrab. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. Even before a ransomware attack shut down Colonial Pipeline, I was thinking about America's energy supply, a concern that escalated when I saw it take only four days for the pipeline stoppage to affect America. What we witnessed when the pipeline shut down is the future the Democrats have planned for us. What got me thinking is that the Indian Point nuclear plant, which had supplied about 25% of Downstate New York's electricity, was shut down last week. Between that and closed gas pumps, I was feeling pretty powerless. One of President Trump's most amazing achievements, one that affected the daily lives of every single American, was his ability to unleash the almost limitless power we have thanks to our abundant supply of oil, coal, and other energy resources. During the Golden Years of the Trump administration, we saw the price of gas, oil, propane, and electricity drop to levels we haven't seen in decades. Even the oligarchs who rule the blue-state gulags like New York were unable to stop the Trump Train as it barreled across the land, generating prosperity and economic freedom for all. Last year for example, I was able to buy heating oil and gas at the lowest prices I could remember, and prices in general for everything else I was buying seemed to be on the low side as well. Fast-forward to May 2021, just six months after an intellectually feeble old man was installed into office by a junta of assorted Marxists, communists, socialists, and Democrats (ah, but I repeat myself), most of whose names we still don't know. On the sixth day of a major U.S. pipeline's shutdown thanks to computer sabotage, the administration still hadn't stepped up to assure Americans that it would be back. Instead, the "administration" insisted that it was most likely the work of Russian hackers you know those same people who colluded with President Trump back in the day. Our entire intelligence and military apparatus the FBI, CIA, and other alphabet agencies are so busy rooting out the white supremacists, domestic terrorists, Trump-supporters, and the like, that they had no idea that such a threat was even on the radar. Throughout the shutdown and its fallout, there was no sign that anyone in D.C. had was particularly concerned about what was happening to millions of Americans who were literally running out of gas. Instead, Colonial was left to work its way out on its own, which it did with a $5-million ransom payment. This brings me back to my main point, and the thing that really terrifies me. It seems to me that the Dems, and whoever is running them, have decided that the best way to really ramp up America's destruction and to make life miserable for the Resistance (and everyone else) is to simply shut off the power. Turn off the electricity and gas, and pretty much end life as we know it. The whole basis for our prosperity is the fact that we have the luxury of pretty much unlimited electricity. I live in a place where we have frequent blackouts because the above-ground power lines go down every so often, and we lose our electricity. No juice means no water, no lights, no heat, no refrigerator. Everyone has a generator, including us, though, so we can survive pretty well for at least a few days, as long as the gas holds out. Between the completely unnecessary closure of Indian Point, the shutdown of the Keystone pipeline, and now the sabotage of the Colonial Pipeline, it seems that the ongoing civil war has just been ramped up to a new level along the power lines. In some blue states, such as New York, where the Dems control everything, versions of the Green New Deal are already the law. Ten years from now, it will be all but illegal for us to get electricity, drive cars, or heat our homes with oil or fossil fuels while wind and solar replacements are a sick joke in the Northeast where our temperatures range from 100 degrees in the summer to 20 below zero in the winter. The Dems' push for electric cars is equally foolhardy, for they seem to have missed entirely the fact that only fossil fuel will provide the electricity needed to fuel those electric cars (cars that, as it happens, fare badly in very cold weather). Through the Colonial Pipeline fiasco, I couldn't help but feel that the administration's anesthetized, disinterested response reflected the fact that it was conducting a bit of an experiment on people in conservative regions (which were the areas primarily affected by the fuel stoppage): how well, they wondered, will people react once the New Green Deal is implemented nationwide? The answer is not well at all because only idiots and leftists would want to return to a premodern world without the benefit of abundant fossil fuel. Image: Lines for gas. YouTube screen grab. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. At long last, the wretched state of public (i.e., government-run) schools is a campaign issue, with the public mobilized in protest over the closing of schools and the imposition of racist indoctrination in the name of Critical Race Theory. Long accustomed to having its way with a public willing to defer to the rule of educrats and teachers' unions, suddenly, the public education colossus is facing anger and resentment over closing schools and teaching race-hatred. The Democrat party is so closely tied to teachers' unions for funding, volunteers, and even writing official policies that finally it cannot escape the negative consequences of public school failures. If the recall campaign targeting six school board members in Loudoun County, Virginia succeeds, Democrats are going to panic. Critical Race Theory, defining Whites as irredeemable racists and Blacks as perpetual victims, is poisonous, and it is being used to indoctrinate our children in racism in many school systems. In Loudoun County, it has led to a recall campaign being launched last March against six school board members. Zoom meeting of the Loudoun County Board of Education. Twitter video screen grab. Loudoun Parents for Education (LPE) announced they were seeking to recall Beth Barts, Denise Corbo, Leslee King, Atoosa Reaser, Ian Serotkin, and Chairwoman Brenda Sheridan for "neglect of duty, misuse of office, and incompetence in the performance of their duties." The six board members were accused of being part of a Facebook group that sought to create lists of parents who opposed CRT or who wanted schools open for in-person learning. On the first day of gathering signatures, 1,300 were obtained by three dozen volunteers. Virginia law requires that a recall petition have signatures from at least 10% of the voters for the office in the last election. The top vote-getter among those targeted for recall was Denise Corbo, who won the at-large seat with 52,767 votes in 2019. On day one, almost one quarter of the necessary signatures were gathered, making it seem likely that the recall will succeed in getting on the ballot. The LPE group just put out an ad, and it is powerful: .@fightforschools releases first ad launching its campaign to recall the Loudoun County School Board. 1500 signatures on day 1, with 3 dozens volunteers braving wind, rain, and even hail. #loudouncounty #criticalracetheory #chardonnayantifa pic.twitter.com/qIrAVJWOCC Ian Prior (@iandprior) May 11, 2021 As the signature drive was starting, video of a Black parent addressing the school board and denouncing CRT teaching went viral: Loudoun County, Virginia, which gave Joe Biden 60% of its presidential vote and which is the richest county in America with a population above 65,000 (413,000, estimated in 2019), home to many highly paid D.C. bureaucrats, might seem an unlikely location for a rebellion against current Democrat party orthodoxy. But parents, especially those who both work, have been severely tested by the unnecessary closure of schools, especially in the face of private schools opening without incident. Add in the poison of CRT, and the prospect of a grassroots rebellion against the schools-unions-Democrat turning into a prairie fire is delightful to behold. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. Imagine lying down to go to bed in a border town in Texas and hearing explosions in the sky. But it isn't the Fourth of July. It's Texas Independence Day, and the explosions aren't fireworks, but incoming rocket fire from Mexico on the anniversary of their defeat in the Texas Revolution. They're still upset about the Texans "taking" Mexico from them. Imagine that Texas already gave them El Paso an olive branch. But El Paso wasn't enough. They want San Antonio, too, and the Alamo. You see, both Texans and Mexicans consider the Alamo site sacred for the Mexicans, the Alamo reminds them of their slaughter of some 200 Texans at the Battle of the Alamo; for the Texans, the site marks the pivotal battle of the Texas War for Independence, which inspired the Texans to ultimate victory at San Jacinto. The sound of exploding rockets in the sky over Texas cities isn't even an unusual experience. Far from it. In fact, there's an air defense system built by the Texans on the Texas-Mexico border called the "iron dome" for the express purpose of intercepting and neutralizing incoming Mexican missiles. The sounds of air raid sirens are as common as illegal border crossings. Imagine that prior to the barrage of Mexican missiles, riots had broken out around the Alamo. Texans were marching to the Alamo to celebrate their independence from Mexico. But dozens of angry young Mexicans had also gathered at the site, shouting, "We will redeem our Alamo." The violent Mexicans threw rocks and bottles at Texas police, who were there to keep the peace. Imagine that one of the rocks thrown by the Mexican mob hit a seven-month-old Texan baby in the head. Seventeen police officers were injured half hospitalized. Eighty-eight Mexicans were treated for injuries sustained from rubber bullets fired by the police. Imagine that the Sinaloa cartel in Mexico demanded that Texas withdraw its police force from the site and set a 6 P.M. deadline to do so. When the Texans refused to withdraw the police from their own city, the cartel began firing missiles hundreds. Texans respond by firing their own missiles into El Paso the territory they won and then gave back to the Mexicans killing the Sinaloa cartel leader. The Canadian government and other world leaders condemn Texas. They accuse Texas of escalating the war. They side with the Sinaloa cartel. Imagine these politicians and reprobates justifying the missile attacks on Texas soil, saying, "Texas has long committed abuses against the Mexicans and they stole the Mexicans' land." Just imagine. We don't have to imagine, because this is what is happening to our friend and ally Israel right now only El Paso is Gaza, San Antonio is Eastern Jerusalem, Texas Independence Day is the Six-Day War, the Alamo is the Al Aqsa mosque to Muslims and the Temple Mount to Jews, the Mexicans are Palestinians, and the Sinaloa cartel is Hamas. Despite being given Gaza, Hamas wants more. They want Eastern Jerusalem to be the capital of their long-desired Palestinian state. But they want more still. They want the Jews to die. There can never be a two-state solution because for Hamas and the Palestinians, the two-step solution is merely a pathway to a one-state solution, which excludes Israel. They hate the Jews. As America deteriorates before our eyes, what is happening in Israel today may not seem of great importance to many Americans. But it is precisely because of what is happening in our own country that what is happening in Israel is of the greatest importance. Because what is happening in Israel is also happening in America. While we are a nation of Americans, we are only nominally so. Some of us embrace the Constitution, while others reject it. The Democrat party may not be launching rockets at conservatives, but they have indoctrinated a generation of Americans to hate America and conservatives. They hate conservatives as much as Hamas hates the Jews. That isn't hyperbole. Just watch CNN or listen to Liz Cheney. Like the Palestinian terrorists and anti-Semites around the world, who blame the Jews for every wrong, the Democrat party blames conservatives for every ill in America. Jews in Israel and conservative Republicans are both scapegoats. The Democrat party views both with antipathy. In Israel, the Palestinians hurl rocks at Israeli police and blame the Jews. In America, BLM and Antifa burn down our cities and blame white supremacy, America, cops, etc. In all cases, the media and Democrats defend the terrorists and attack the innocent. For Democrats, terrorism is justified, terrorists are victims, and self-defense is a crime. But while the Palestinians demand the so-called two-state solution, Democrats demand a one-state solution. We already have a two-state solution in America, and it's the reason we're ripping at the seams. We had a one-state solution under George Washington, when there were no parties or factions only patriotic Americans who embraced freedom and the Constitution. Washington warned against factionalism. But here we are as divided as Hamas and Israel. The Democrat party is as uncompromising as Hamas. Like Hamas, the Democrat Party wants more. Like Hamas, the Democrat Party won't be satisfied until conservatives are defeated and they achieve their ambition of one-party rule in perpetuity totalitarianism. While ignorant and anti-Semitic Americans whine about Israel's alleged abuse of the Palestinians, the American citizen has been abused ten times more by our own government. Our unalienable rights are now subject to our requisite allegiance to the Democrat party and willingness to disavow Trump. Those who resist may find themselves the subject of a criminal investigation by the FBI. "Investigate the innocent and find the crime rather than find the crime and investigate the criminal" is the new motto of the American justice system. Regardless of what the Democrats say, Israel belongs to Israel and America to Americans. Our ancestors shed their blood to transmit to us this great inheritance, just as the Israeli ancestors shed their blood to transmit to them their great inheritance. They'll never give it up, and neither will we. Drew Allen is a Texas-bred, California-based conservative author and speaker, who writes a weekly blog promoting conservative ideals at drewthomasallen.com. Fluent in Italian, Drew has lived and worked in Italy in the fashion industry and in New York City and Los Angeles as an actor, screenwriter, and independent film producer. Graphic credit: Alamo Fireworks by Jeremiah Nichols Art; print available for purchase. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. A year ago, I wondered why Target wouldn't get rid of Hollywood celeb Chrissy Teigen. The famous internet "influencer" and D-list actress was making millions from her cookware line, selling it at Target. Yet she was always doing something disgusting. She had a foul mouth that would sear the paint off lead, for one. She got into scraps with President Trump, who was as grossed out about her words as anyone else. When I first heard of her and looked at her tweets, I was aghast: Teigen's entire Twitter page was like an unflushed toilet, with the foulest of language directed at Trump, interspersed in a hellscape of vulgarities, banalities, and trivialities such as a video of herself in the act of passing gas, if not manically laughing or else posting pictures of her kids accompanied by foul-language observations. It was an open call for eye bleach. Trump must have known who Teigen is in describing her as "filthy mouthed," of all the things he could have done to describe her. But rather than show him otherwise by not being foul-mouthed for a spell, Teigen stepped up the barnyard language, emitting an amazingly vile and vulgar series of tweets: [bad tweets] And Target is shilling merchandise with this vulgarian's name on it? She posed topless with her two-year old son in tow and spread it around on Instagram. She made herself queen of cancel culture, leading a call to boycott Goya Foods because its CEO said kind things about President Trump. Then she was seen using Goya products herself in one of her social media posts, exempting herself from that boycott, but obviously not you. In what should have been the last straw for Target, she shoved $200,000 into a fund for Minneapolis looters who, among other things, had forced the closure of 24 Target stores, and later, the U.S. flagship store downtown, once again due to looting, though they didn't quite say that. At the time, I wondered: Does Target have any self-respect at all? Here's the face of incentivization of looters, and they continue to employ her? Would they continue to employ a cashier who stole from the till, or a backroom-jobber who slipped bales of blue jeans out the warehouse door? How big was the destruction at Target now that the looters have gotten their encouragement from Chrissie? Do normal people encourage the looting of the establishments that pay them? It reminds me of a statement I heard from an old Irish-American reporter from my newspaper days who was a liberal in a largely conservative establishment. He got asked by leftists if he would be a source for their dishonest expose of the company. He told them hell no, saltily explaining: "You don't s--- where you eat. I get my paycheck from this company, right? So that's where I eat. I don't s--- where I eat." Chrissie Teigen, by that logic, s---- where she eats. If Target doesn't confront this enemy within who's effectively encouraging the looting of Target establishments, it's time for the shareholders to step in. How does succoring this person help their bottom line? Target employs celebrities who encourage looting? What a picture. Those musings were in May 2020, a year ago, and they seemed as good a reason as any for Target to say goodbye to this bounder. But somehow, they didn't. Now Teigen's in another revolting stew. Old tweets made in 2011, calling on a then-16-year-old named Courtney Stoddard to commit suicide, and then sending Stoddard creepy private messages, have surfaced. According to Yahoo! News: From 2011 to 2012, Teigen bullied the teenager, making references to her being a "backdoor Teen Mom," and tweeting at Stodden: "Do you have a family?" Teigen also made dehumanizing and oddly disgusting remarks about Stodden' sexuality and body, saying she thought Stodden had "brown urine" and "stinky pee." In one tweet, Teigen bluntly stated, "I hate you." In addition, she insulted a nine-year-old child actress named Quvenzhane Wallis, who'd won well deserved awards, for her work as "cocky" and maybe even worse. Teigen knew that the Stoddard business was bad stuff and apologized, saying she was just an attention-seeking troll at the time, not exactly different from what she is now, which kind of rendered the apology useless. But that stew coincides with Target finally pulling the plug on her. According to the New York Post: The retailer is no longer offering Teigen's line of cookware on its website, TMZ reported Thursday, a poorly timed revelation given the multi-hyphenate's ongoing drama with Courtney Stodden. However, the site's sources note that the scrub actually occurred last month and that while the cookware line was initially exclusively offered through Target, "late last year, they decided to end the exclusivity." Target confirmed the move to Page Six: "We made the mutual decision in December to no longer carry the cookware line, given our continued focus on brands we develop and that can only be found at Target." It's a muddled explanation, but it's quite possibly true that it wasn't this latest scrap that did it. If it's been months in the making, then the bankrolling of looters of Target stores ought to have made Target officials madder. Too bad they didn't say the truth of things, given Teigen's awfulness. Like most corporations, they were likely intimidated by the movement. But to have this person as a company ambassador was obviously worse as time went on. This is the kind of person who chases customers away, not someone who actually brings them in. In any case, keeping her on was just going to lead to more embarrassment and lost sales. Getting woke, going broke, as so many other corporates have learned. Well, better late than never, Target, and certainly, good riddance. Image: Logo, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. Here are some facts you may not have known. On May 25, 2020, Derek Chauvin and three other Minneapolis officers arrested George Floyd for trying to pass a counterfeit twenty-dollar bill at a small grocery store in South Minneapolis. The officers, all four of them, tried to place Mr. Floyd into a police car, but Floyd, a large, powerful man, resisted. Mr. Floyd complained during the encounter that he couldn't breathe. The officers, aware that breathing difficulties are a symptom of fentanyl overdose and that Floyd had overdosed on fentanyl a few months before, called an ambulance. Floyd fell to the ground and, at that point, was still thrashing around, so Chauvin and another officer restrained Floyd. Chauvin used a prescribed technique from the Minneapolis Police Department's training handbook: kneeling on the suspect's back and neck to control the suspect when "handcuffed subjects are combative and still pose a threat to themselves, officers or others, or could cause significant property damage if not properly restrained." The other officer held Floyd's legs. Reporting from the Chauvin trial indicates that George Floyd died of a heart attack about two and a half minutes before the ambulance arrived. Had the ambulance arrived three minutes earlier, would Officer Chauvin have been charged with murder? Had Mr. Floyd not battled officers, even while handcuffed and on the ground, would his heart attack have happened three minutes later than it did? Had Officer Chauvin not been distracted by the crowd who was taunting him, or by the two rookie officers who were observing, would Officer Chauvin have been more aware of how long he had been kneeling on Mr. Floyd and gotten up before Mr. Floyd expired? If Officer Chauvin had gotten off Mr. Floyd five minutes before he did, would Officer Chauvin still have been charged with murder? In Minnesota, second-degree murder is unintentional death in the commission of a felony. What was Officer Chauvin's felony? The felony was kneeling too long on Mr. Floyd's back. The initial kneel was a prescribed tactic from the Minneapolis police handbook; when did it turn from a prescribed tactic into a felony? After one minute? After five minutes? After seven minutes and thirty seconds, when Mr. Floyd expired? Officer Chauvin was a 19-year veteran of the Minneapolis police force. To put that in perspective, he was an officer for approximately 2,280,000 minutes. He held George Floyd down for approximately three minutes too long. Expecting police officers to make exquisite timing decisions while trying to keep a muscular, combative suspect, who, by the way, was more than 80 pounds heavier than Officer Chauvin, subdued is asking a lot of ordinary humans. Apparently, asking ordinary politicians not to exploit the situation for their own selfish political purposes is also asking a lot. Democrat Governor Walz and Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey almost immediately poisoned the well by pronouncing Officer Chauvin guilty of the murder of Mr. Floyd. The Minneapolis City Council jumped in by awarding Mr. Floyd's family $27 million in a settlement while juror selection was ongoing. The prospective jurors entered the courthouse in roundabout ways, out of the public eye. It seems impossible to believe that the political pronouncements, the huge negative publicity and negative publicity stunts, and the impact of the entrance and exit procedures into and out of the courthouse didn't have a powerful effect on the jurors' objective assessment of the situation. Hosea 8:7 reminds us that "they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind." Just as it is impossible to believe that the entire jury pool wasn't tainted by the entire pre-trial situation, it is also impossible to believe the Minneapolis police force hasn't also been affected. Many officers have retired. The police force in Minneapolis is down approximately 200 positions, and candidates are not lining up to apply for the job openings. One can be certain that remaining Twin Cities officers will weigh the political consequences of any encounter they have with the public. They understand that in the current political climate, they, too, could make a three-minute mistake and wind up in prison as sacrificial lambs to advance the political careers of the Democrat hierarchy. The whirlwind is coming. Image: Gaspartacus via Pixabay. Pixabay License. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. Nearly six months into the Biden-Harris administration, ordinary Americans are increasingly wondering who is really running the country. Joe Biden is ostensibly the president, yet he continues to show signs of cognitive impairment despite the controlled media insistence that all is well and there is nothing to see here. A politician for more than 40 years, Biden is still able to read prepared remarks in front of a teleprompter but appears to have difficulty answering impromptu questions fumbling ordinary words, forgetting what he's speaking about mid-sentence, sometimes even ceasing to speak altogether. After a number of high-profile gaffes, the White House press office recently conceded that Biden's handlers don't want him answering unscripted questions from the media. Yet now the issue of presidential authority has taken a more ominous turn. On May 11, a group of 124 retired U.S. military admirals and generals signed a letter questioning Biden's fitness for office and seemingly challenging the outcome of the 2020 presidential election. "Recent Democrat leadership's inquiries about nuclear code procedures send a dangerous national security signal to nuclear armed adversaries, raising the question about who is in charge," the letter said. "We must always have an unquestionable chain of command." The letter is referring to a recent call by House Democrats that Biden give up sole control of U.S. nuclear weapons. In a letter written by Rep. Jimmy Panetta of California, the Democrats demanded that Biden change the command-and-control structure surrounding America's nuclear arsenal so that he no longer has the sole authority to launch weapons. The retired admirals and generals also questioned the legitimacy of the 2020 election, a topic that the nation's corporate media have declared off-limits from any public discussion. The "Constitutional Republic is lost" without "fair and honest elections that accurately reflect the 'will of the people,'" the retired flag officers wrote. "The FBI and Supreme Court must act swiftly when election irregularities are surfaced and not ignore them as was done in 2020." The corporate media have declared any questioning of the 2020 election to be a "big lie," a phrase taken from World War II. The expression was coined by Adolf Hitler in his autobiography Mein Kampf and is used to mean "a gross distortion or misrepresentation of the facts, especially when used as a propaganda device by a politician or official body." Yet Republican leaders have turned the phrase itself against the corporate media, insisting that it is the corporate media, rather than ordinary Americans, that are engaged in overt propaganda. The recent example they point to is the media narrative of the January 6 "insurrection" by an "armed mob" that "killed police." After months of investigations, it now turns out that law enforcement did not find a single weapon on any of the protesters; video surveillance footage reveals that most were comically peaceful; and the sole policeman who died at the time was a victim of a stroke, not of any attack as the media repeatedly and falsely reported. As a result, federal prosecutors are now backtracking on their original claims because proving treason and "insurrection" is looking increasingly impossible. As for the public at large, polls show that many ordinary Americans continue to question the results of the 2020 election despite being ordered not to by the corporate media. According to Rasmussen Reports, "voters are not letting go of their belief that the 2020 presidential election was a fraud-filled nightmare." By a margin of 51% to 44%, voters said it is "likely" that cheating affected the outcome. That included 74% of Republicans and 30% of Democrats. The corporate media and Democrat politicians claim that cheating rarely happens and that there is no evidence of "widespread" voter fraud. Yet due to the "winner take all" Electoral College voting system, "widespread" cheating would not have been necessary. As journalists Jonathan Allen and Amie Parnes claim in their new book, Lucky: How Joe Biden Barely Won the Presidency, Biden only won the election with a slim cumulative margin of about 50,000 votes in four key swing states. In addition, a month after the election, Time Magazine published an article that described how a "well-funded cabal" of corporate elites, far-left activists, and media organizations launched what the magazine called a "conspiracy to save the 2020 election" and ensure that Trump would lose his re-election bid. According to the article, this powerful group of corporate and media elites succeeded by "working together behind the scenes to influence perceptions, change rules and laws, steer media coverage and control the flow of information." The recent letter from 124 retired U.S. military admirals and generals shows that doubts about a corporate takeover of the American government persist, despite the U.S. media's insistence that even questioning the results of the election is somehow illegal and should be banned outright as "misinformation." At the very least, polls show that the overwhelming majority of Americans believe that the tactics Democrats used to win such as mass use of mail-in ballots and, in some states, no ID required to vote should be outlawed, as they are in almost all other developed nations. According to Rasmussen, most voters say it's "more important to prevent cheating in elections than to make it easier to vote and, by more than a two-to-one margin, they reject claims that voter ID laws are discriminatory." Robert J. Hutchinson writes about the intersection of politics and ideas. He is the author of What Really Happened: The Lincoln Assassination. Image via Picryl. To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here. The Anschlussdenkmal, or Anschluss Monument, in the Austrian town of Oberschutzen, is a Nazi monument erected to commemorate the bloodless coup of 1938 by which Austria was annexed into Nazi Germany. The monument was designed by Styrian architect Rudolf Hofer and was made to appear like a temple with pillared arcades. A two-meter high gilded imperial eagle stood inside the rectangular structure on a high pedestal on which were engraved the Nazi inscription Ein Volk! Ein Reich! Ein Fuhrer! (One People, One Empire, One Leader) and a large swastika. The sculpture itself was surrounded by fire cauldrons. It is the largest remaining Nazi memorial in Austria. The Anschlussdenkmal. Photo: Walter Reiss The Anschluss After the First World War, Austria was reduced to a rump state with most of its former empire stripped away leaving only the German-speaking part behind. When Hitler came to power, many German-Austrians began to look forward to their new leader. With the Nazis growing influence, a group of Austrian Nazis attempted to seized the Austrian chancellery and proclaim a government. The coup failed but not after they had assassinated the chancellor, Engelbert Dollfuss. Dollfuss's successor Kurt Schuschnigg followed a political course similar to his predecessor, but the political factions and unrest left him with little popular support. In early 1938, under increasing pressure from pro-unification activists, Kurt Schuschnigg agreed to hold a referendum on a possible union with Germany. Fearing rejection from the populace, Hitler threatened to invade and pressured Schuschnigg to cancel the referendum and resign. The state of Europe after the end of WW1. On the morning of 12 March 1938, troops of the German Wehrmacht crossed the border into Austria with little resistance. On the contrary, they were greeted by cheering Austrians. That afternoon, Hitler rode across the border in a car and drove to his birthplace, Braunau am Inn. Hitler himself was surprised at the enthusiastic welcome he received because he, like most other people, had believed that the majority of Austrians opposed Anschluss. The overwhelming reception caused Hitler to change his plans and absorb Austria into the Reich instead of leaving it as a satellite state. The seizure of Austria demonstrated Hitler's aggressive territorial ambitions, and the failure of the British and the French to take action against him for violating the Versailles Treaty only emboldened him toward further aggression. Austrian citizens gather in the Heldenplatz to hear Hitler's declaration of annexation. Photo: Heinrich Hoffmann/Wikimedia Commons It would be wrong to assume that there was no opposition to Hitler in Austria. On the contrary, opposition was suppressed. Tens of thousands of people were arrested. Authorities rounded up Social Democrats, Communists, other potential political dissenters, and Austrian Jews, and sent them to concentration camps. When a plebiscite was organized to ratify the annexation, more than 360,000 people including political enemies, Jewish and Gypsies were denied the right to vote. The results were manipulated to indicate that more than 99 percent of the Austrian people wanted the union with Germany. Anschlussdenkmal The Anschlussdenkmal as it appeared after its completion. Photo: Spotlight 51/Wikimedia Commons The Anschlussdenkmal was erected shortly after Austrias annexation. During the Nazi era, the monument was used for a number of ceremonies and political rallies. After the end of the Second World War and the fall of the Nazi rule, the imperial eagle that stood in the middle of the building was demolished. The base inscription and the fire pylons were dismantled. Only the stone pillars remained. There were repeated discussions about tearing down the monument, but this never happened because of the complicated ownership structure of the land the monument stood on, among other things. In the years that followed, the building was used in different ways, mostly as campfire sites and in photo shoots, but in general, it was considered taboo because of its origins. There wasn't much talk about the building in the community, until 1997 when the municipality attached a plaque to the memorial. The inscription on it read: You are here: Arts Muslims in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region celebrated Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, on Thursday. After visiting mosques in the early morning, Muslims of various ethnic minorities danced in places such as the square in front of Id Kah Mosque in Kashgar and the International Grand Bazaar in Urumqi to celebrate. The cheerful music and dancing attracted many tourists to join in the celebration. Many local residents went to stalls and supermarkets to purchase festival foods. "We are taking a day off on Eid al-Fitr. We can fully enjoy the holiday and visit our relatives and friends thanks to effective epidemic prevention and control measures," said Nurbiya, a resident in Turpan. With about 20 million Muslims in China, the event was also celebrated in other regions such as Qinghai, Gansu and Ningxia. During Ramadan, the ninth month of the year in the Islamic calendar, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. Children, elderly people and the weak do not have to observe the fast. Qualcomm is the latest major company to withdraw from this years Mobile World Congress (MWC) in-person exhibitions. The chipmaker has confirmed that it will only participate in the event virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic concerns. While we appreciate the health and safety measures being put into place by the GSMA for MWC Barcelona, we have decided that it is in the best interest of our employees and customers for Qualcomms participation to be virtual this year, Qualcomm said in a statement to TechCrunch. However, despite skipping the in-person exhibitions, the company plans to make some announcements and virtually demonstrate its latest 5G advancements at the upcoming tech show in Barcelona. We look forward to engaging with the ecosystem through Cristiano Amons virtual keynote on June 28th and through our latest announcements and 5G demonstrations, the official statement read. MWC 2021 will begin on June 28 and end on July 1. Advertisement Qualcomm to skip in-person MWC 2021 as well Qualcomm isnt the first company to withdraw from the MWC 2021 in-person exhibitions. Samsung and Lenovo confirmed their withdrawal earlier this week, with both opting to participate in the event virtually. Google, Nokia, Ericsson, Sony, and Oracle, meanwhile, have decided to completely pull out of the show this year. The reason, of course, is the COVID-19 pandemic. MWC Barcelona usually takes place at the end of February. However, the still-ongoing global health crisis has pushed back this years edition to June. The events organizing body GSMA is promising strict precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. It is requiring all attendees to have had a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of their arrival. The organizing body is also promising measures to control crowd density at the event. However, quite clearly, many big companies believe these measures will not be enough to prevent the risks of the conference being a potential COVID-19 hotspot. Over the past couple of months, several big names have withdrawn from the event one after the other. Many others will likely announce similar steps in the coming weeks considering how rapidly the second wave of the coronavirus is spreading across the world. Advertisement To recall, MWC 2020 was canceled last year because of the pandemic. GSMAs hybrid approach this year means the 2021 edition of the conference may go on. However, theres an increasing chance that it would be virtual-only. With around six weeks to go for the event, we might see some sort of announcement from the organizers soon. A new documentary film about the short-lived National Southwest Associated University (NSAU) premiered on May 8 to remember legendary figures who were the pillars of China's revival. Director Xu Bei speaks at the premiere of "One Day When We Were Young" in Beijing, May 8, 2021. [Photo courtesy of Shanghai Dax Pictures] "One Day When We Were Young," directed by Xu Bei, attracted more than 100 descendants of NSAU alumni to its premiere in Beijing, and will be released nationwide from May 29. At the premiere was a special guest: Wang Wenjun, an alumnus from the university's department of civil engineering, who at 102 was the event's oldest attendee. The filmmaker interviewed a total of 16 prominent figures from the university for the film, including Chen-Ning Franklin Yang, a Nobel laureate in physics; Pan Jiluan, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; Wang Xiji, a top Chinese aerospace engineer awarded the Two Bombs, One Satellite Meritorious Medal; novelist Ma Shitu; and renowned translators Xu Yuanchong, Yang Yi and Wu Ningkun. They are all in their 90s. Left-to-right and top-to-bottom: Nobel laureate Chen-Ning Franklin Yang, aerospace engineer Wang Xiji, and renowned translators Yang Yi, Xu Yuanchong and Wu Ningkun are among those to share their stories about the NSAU in the documentary "One Day When We Were Young." [Image courtesy of Shanghai Dax Pictures] The NSAU was a coalition between Peking and Tsinghua universities in Beijing and Tianjin's Nankai University during the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. The university was opened in Changsha, Hunan province on Nov. 1, 1937, and moved further south to Kunming, Yunnan province in 1938. It was home to some of the most famous scholars and professors in Chinese history, including Wen Yiduo, Zhu Ziqing and Feng Youlan. Now part of the modern campus of Yunnan Normal University, it has become a must-visit site for people. Xu Bei, who has a master's degree in social anthropology from the University of Cambridge, first made a five-episode documentary series on the NSAU in 2018. Titled "Lianda: A Chinese University in War and Revolution," it achieved the extremely high score of 9.4/10 on China's review site Douban. Zheng Guang, grandson of Professor Zheng Tianting of the NSAU, presents flowers to director Xu Bei at the premiere of "One Day When We Were Young" in Beijing, May 8, 2021. [Photo courtesy of Shanghai Dax Pictures] "I realized that many of them were actually talking to us about their lives and experiences for the final time in their life," Xu said emotionally. When these legendary figures granted her permission to film them, Xu felt an enormous burden on her shoulders. "They deserve to be seen on the big screen with perfect sound in the best film-watching environment. We should let the audience, silently but with huge respect, watch them tell their stories," she said, explaining her motivations for making the film. Professor Gu Chunfang of the School of Art at Peking University believes that documenting the NSAU's history is of special significance, "I think this should remain in our memory forever and become an important legacy of the Chinese national spirit." Despite only being in existence for about nine years, the university has been influencing China for eight decades, producing two Nobel Prize winners, five acclaimed scientists, eight key contributors to China's atomic bomb and satellite development, 172 academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and more than 100 key cultural figures. Xu explained that the short-lived university has had a lifelong impact on the alumni and that these old people share a lot of common characteristics. "Many people went through real hardships and experienced unbearable things during that special period in history. But when you meet them face to face, you can still see their pure hearts." For Xu, the film shows their defiant youths, their confusion, romances, the paths they took, and their dedication to the country during wartime. "I feel like we can still resonate with them, and they're actually the mirror of us." A poster for the documentary "One Day When We Were Young." [Image courtesy of Shanghai Dax Pictures] The film also shares many personal moments with those who took part. For example, after her interview, renowned translator Yang Yi started listening to her Walkman. "This is my hobby," Xu remembered Yang telling her. She overheard the song was "One Day When We Were Young" from the movie "The Great Waltz" (1938) and immediately decided to use it as the title of her film. Making a film about this period has allowed Xu to reflect on herself more. "This is fertile soil. Over the past few years, I feel that a new me has grown from this soil. We don't expect this film to be able to influence a generation, but we hope that individuals can draw strength from it." (ANSA) - ROME, MAY 14 - US Special Presidential Climate Envoy hailed Italy's role in efforts to address the climate crisis after talks with Premier Mario Draghi in Rome on Friday. "I had the honor to meet with Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi," Kerry said via Twitter. "Thank you for your commitment to our common challenges in view of the #G20 and #COP26. "Italy's leadership is critical to tackle the climate crisis". Italy holds the duty president of the G20 this year and it is co-hosting the COP26 UN climate conference with the UK. The Italian premier's office said Draghi and Kerry discussed the importance of close collaboration between the United States and Italy in tacking the climate emergency effectively via all multilateral fora. (ANSA). China's Ministry of Commerce on Thursday stressed that China and the United States should address each other's reasonable concerns through dialogue and consultation on the basis of mutual respect and equality. Gao Feng, spokesperson for the ministry, made the remarks at a press conference when asked to comment on U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai's recent expression of expectations to meet Chinese trade officials in the near term. The essence of economic and trade relations between China and the U.S. is mutual benefit, Gao said. "China's stance on tariff issues is very clear. Imposing additional tariff measures unilaterally is not beneficial to China, the United States or the whole world," he said. Blame for the actions which sparked a protest against immigration detentions in Glasgow lies squarely with the Home Office, Scotlands Justice Secretary has said. Police Scotland released two men detained by Border Force officials in Kenmure Street, Pollokshields, after people surrounded the van they were being held in and prevented it from leaving on Thursday. Demonstrators blocked the immigration enforcement van for several hours, with one even lying underneath the vehicle, before a senior Police Scotland officer decided to release the detained men on public safety grounds. During an urgent questions session in the Scottish Parliament on Friday, Justice Secretary Humza Yousaf was asked about the Scottish Governments response and its engagement with the Home Office. Mr Yousaf said he and the First Minister had spent a significant amount of time on Thursday speaking to the Home Office and Police Scotland to find a safe solution. Humza Yousaf said both he and the First Minister tried to find a safe solution (Andrew Milligan/PA) He said: The actions of the Home Office yesterday were at best, utterly incompetent, at worst intended to provoke. Either way they were completely unacceptable. He said Police Scotland had been placed in an invidious position, and he had urged the Home Office to abandon the forced removal. The Justice Secretary said it had been reckless to take the action during an upsurge of Covid cases in Glasgow, as well as during the festival of Eid. MSPs also quizzed the Justice Secretary on the role of Police Scotland in the demonstration. Mr Yousaf said police did not routinely accompany Border Force agents to forced removals, but would attend when called out. He added: The blame for yesterdays actions lies squarely on the shoulders of the Home Office and the reckless action they took in the heart of Scotlands Muslim community. The two men were eventually released on public safety grounds (Andrew Milligan/PA) Scottish Green Party co-leader Patrick Harvie told the chamber: I would hope that it wont take (Police Scotland) as long in future to ensure that releasing people in such a circumstance is the right call. Mr Yousaf also said the governments advice was for people to avoid large gatherings due to Covid-19, following reports of events planned in Glasgow over the weekend. Earlier, one of the organisers of the protest spoke to the PA news agency about its success in freeing the detained men, who are both Indian nationals. Mohammad Asif, director of the Afghan Human Rights Foundation, said he texted hundreds of people encouraging them to join the protest. He said: People are fed up with a climate of fear it was the peoples revolution, led by the people ordinary people of Glasgow in Pollokshields. He added: The Home Office shouldnt act like the Mafia, they should have a more humane way of removing people. We dont say every person should come to the UK and live here, but weve been watching these dawn raids myself for the past 20 years. The Home Office does it in a very brutal way its like youve committed murder or rape there are different ways to remove people without taking them from their bed. The van was surrounded by police (Andrew Milligan/PA) A Home Office spokeswoman said on Thursday: The UK Government is tackling illegal immigration and the harm it causes, often to the most vulnerable people, by removing those with no right to be in the UK. The operation in Glasgow was conducted in relation to suspected immigration offences and the two Indian nationals complied with officers at all times. The UK Government continues to tackle illegal migration in all its forms and our New Plan for Immigration will speed up the removal of those who have entered the UK illegally. Television presenter Rachel Riley has lost the latest round of a libel battle with a political blogger and Jeremy Corbyn supporter over an article which alleged that she engaged in a campaign of online abuse and harassment against a teenager on Twitter. Ms Riley, 35, the numbers expert on the Channel 4 show Countdown, sued Mike Sivier after he published an article on his website Vox Political in January 2019 with the headline: Serial abuser Rachel Riley to receive extra protection on grounds that she is receiving abuse. Mr Sivier defended what he had published, arguing that it was substantially true, honest opinion, and a matter of public interest. A High Court judge had ruled in favour of Ms Riley and struck out Mr Siviers defences. Mrs Justice Collins Rice concluded that he had no prospect of succeeding at a trial. But Mr Sivier on Friday won an appeal. Ms Riley sued a political blogger over an article he published (Stefan Rousseau/PA) Three Court of Appeal judges ruled that Mr Siviers public interest defence should be assessed at a trial. I would allow the appeal, said one appeal judge, Lord Justice Warby, in a written ruling. I would set aside the order striking out the defence of publication on matter of public interest. He added: In my view, the appropriate course is for the public interest defence to be assessed at a trial. The two other appeal judges, Lord Justice Henderson and Dame Victoria Sharp, said they agreed. Ms Riley is waiting to hear whether she has won a separate damages fight after suing a former aide to Jeremy Corbyn for libel. She sued Laura Murray, 32, over a tweet posted two years ago. A High Court judge finished overseeing a three-day trial at the High Court in London earlier this week. Mr Justice Nicklin is expected to publish a ruling in the near future. Ms Rileys dispute with Mr Sivier centres on tweets posted as part of an online debate on anti-Semitism in the Labour Party, some of which were exchanged between Ms Riley and a Twitter user who identified herself as a 16-year-old called Rose. The TV presenter has told how she is Jewish, has a hatred of anti-Semitism, speaks out against it and thinks the Corbyn-led Labour Party was fostering anti-Semitism. Ms Riley, who studied mathematics at Oxford University, had asked Mrs Justice Collins Rice to strike out Mr Siviers defences before the case went to trial. Mrs Justice Collins Rice granted her application, and said that, contrary to allegations in Mr Siviers article, Ms Rileys online discussion with Rose was a straightforward, rational and respectful exchange of views. The judge also said there was no evidence that the presenter had encouraged any of her 600,000 followers to harass Rose, and she was not responsible for any abuse the teenager received. Lawyers representing Mr Sivier say his article addressed matters of public interest online bullying and harassment, and the power of an adult celebrity compared with the relative powerlessness of a vulnerable child suffering anxiety, mental health and anti-Semitism. Appeal judges said a defendant relying on a public interest defence must establish a belief that publishing a statement was in the public interest, and that the belief was reasonable. They concluded that the appropriate time and place for an evaluation of issues raised was at a trial. Mr Siviers appeal against the dismissal of his truth and honest opinion defences was dismissed. Portugal has confirmed it will reopen its borders to UK tourists from Monday. The announcement follows concern that tens of thousands of trips booked after the country was put on the UK Governments green travel list would be cancelled. The uncertainty was caused by Portugals ministers deciding on Thursday to continue its current level of coronavirus lockdown restrictions until May 30 at the earliest. (PA Graphics) But tourist body Visit Portugal said the minister of state for foreign affairs has confirmed that UK tourists who have had a negative PCR test within the previous 72 hours will be welcomed from Monday. UK holiday firms have experienced huge demand for trips to Portugal since the UK Government confirmed holidaymakers from England will not be required to self-isolate on their return from visits to the country. EasyJet has added 105,000 extra seat to its flights serving green-tier destinations, while Tui plans to use aircraft which normally operate long-haul routes to accommodate the surge of people booked to fly to Portugal. Paul Charles, chief executive of travel consultancy The PC Agency, said: Its green for go from Monday. To view this content, you'll need to update your privacy settings. Please click here to do so. Overseas travel will restart as scheduled in the Prime Ministers road map and well done to Portugal for making it happen. Travel can be done safely and responsibly. We now need to see a wider green list from the start of June. EasyJet said in a statement: We welcome the decision from the Portuguese government meaning that those travelling from the UK will be allowed to travel safely to Portugal from Monday. We look forward to reuniting friends and family and taking customers on a long-awaited holiday this summer. But Simon Cooper, chief executive of online travel agent On the Beach, said the situation illustrates precisely why now is not the time to encourage new holiday bookings for this summer. The company stopped selling summer holidays on Wednesday due to a lack of certainty or clarity in relation to travel rules. Thousands of British football fans are hoping to travel to the Portuguese city of Porto for the all-English Champions League final between Manchester City and Chelsea on May 29. Uefa previously confirmed that 6,000 tickets would be made available to each of the finalists, with the final capacity limit at the Estadio do Dragao still to be fixed. The ban on overseas leisure travel will be lifted for people in England and Wales from Monday. Portugal is among 12 countries and territories on the quarantine-free green travel list. Many popular destinations, such as Spain, France, Italy and Greece, are on the amber list, meaning returning travellers will be required to self-isolate at home for 10 days. Scotland will permit foreign holidays from May 24. Non-essential travel from Northern Ireland to the Common Travel Area which consists of the UK, Republic of Ireland, Channel Islands and Isle of Man, will be allowed from the same date. JERUSALEM Samira Dejani, a Palestinian teacher, held back tears as she stood in the courtyard of her home in the east Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah, recalling years spent living here with her parents, children and grandchildren. Her family is among several that face eviction from the neighborhood after a decadeslong legal battle with Jewish settler organizations that say they have valid title to the land dating to before Israel was a state. The conflict has helped spark one of the most consequential escalations in fighting between Israelis and Palestinians since 2014. With nowhere else to turn, Dejani, 60, is appealing directly to America's president for help. "Oh, Joe Biden, think, think, think about humanity, please!" she said this week. "Please put yourself in our shoes if you are a human being, think that we are also human beings." Her appeals are being taken up by parts of the international community and even left-wing members of Biden's party, who are demanding that he speak up in behalf of Palestinians. But the rising violence challenges Biden, who has spent the past three months burnishing his progressive bona fides, to pick a side in a conflict that has brought his predecessors little but disappointment. Like his predecessors, Biden is having to adapt his policies in real time as events on the ground quickly outpace the best-laid plans. Late Wednesday, Arab and Jewish mobs beat people and torched cars in a wave of communal unrest. As the conflict intensified and the death toll grew to at least 90, political leaders in Israel urged an end to the "anarchy" on the streets of mixed-ethnicity towns across the country. At least 115 Palestinians, including 27 children, and eight Israelis have been killed, officials on both sides said, as the Israeli military bombards the impoverished Gaza Strip and the militant group Hamas continues its rocket attacks on Israel. On Friday, Israeli ground forces joined in shelling Gaza, representing a major escalation of the conflict. 'No mention of Sheikh Jarrah' Now, substantial pressure on Biden to act is coming not only from human rights organizations and pro-Israel Republicans, but also from the left wing of the Democratic Party. In a call Wednesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Biden "condemned the rocket attacks by Hamas and other terrorist groups, including against Jerusalem and Tel Aviv," the White House said in a readout of the conversation. Biden also "conveyed his unwavering support for Israel's security and Israel's legitimate right to defend itself and its people, while protecting civilians," it said. The administration's response did not sit well with a handful of progressive Democrats who have tried to elevate support for the Palestinian cause from the fringes to the mainstream. Image: A pro-Israel gathering in Times Square in New York (Timothy A. Clary / AFP - Getty Images) Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., who in the past has said "we have a negotiating partner in the White House," was scathing about the Biden-Netanyahu conversation. "No mention of Sheikh Jarrah. No mention of the Al-Aqsa raid," she wrote in a tweet referring to ongoing evictions of Palestinians in east Jerusalem and Israel's storming last week of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Omar's comments reflect the anger caused by the expansion of Jewish settlements in Sheikh Jarrah, which is on land that helps form the final link in a settlement circle surrounding east Jerusalem an area that Palestinians hope will be the capital of a future state. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. "No mention of the ongoing occupation of millions in an open air prison," she added, referring to the tiny, blockaded Gaza Strip, home to 2 million Palestinians, from which Hamas has launched more than 1,500 rockets at Israel. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., another outspoken member of the left, has also criticized Biden's stance. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. And Tuesday, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., the first Palestinian American woman in Congress, told NBC News' Ayman Mohyeldin that Israel was "promoting racism and dehumanization" under an "apartheid system." Israel rejects accusations that it enforces a form of apartheid, which under international law is considered a crime against humanity. Americans still favor Israel by wide margins, but recent polls show that they are warming to the Palestinians. A Gallup poll published in March found that 30 percent of Americans held a favorable opinion of Palestinians, up from 21 percent in 2018. Among Democrats, 53 percent want the U.S. to pressure Israel more the first time a majority has taken that position. A slap in the face Ben Rhodes, a deputy national security adviser in the Obama administration who focused on the Middle East, has said it was unlikely that Biden would break with previous American administrations in his approach to Israel. "You have yet to see the Biden team invest in a different approach to promote Palestinian statehood," he said, referring to moribund talks to establish an independent country alongside Israel. "It feels like that's an issue that they see as a political loser or perhaps as an impossible job at this point." And after four years of President Donald Trump's extravagant support for Israel's right-wing prime minister, Biden has inherited a conflict that is even more lopsided than it was under President Barack Obama. Biden has already rolled back many of Trump's restrictions on hundreds of millions of dollars in U.S. aid to the Palestinians. But he has said he will not reverse Trump's boldest diplomatic moves, such as his recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital. And as Iran eclipsed Israel as the primary threat to Arab leaders, the Trump administration helped negotiate formal diplomatic relations between Israel and four Arab states. Trump was also the first president to legitimize Israeli settlements on occupied Palestinian land, ending decades of U.S. policy that had said they were illegal. But on the question of such settlements, like Dejani's home in Sheikh Jarrah, Biden is in a once-bitten, twice-shy situation. Eleven years ago, when he was on a vice presidential trip to Israel to promote peace, Israeli authorities approved a large expansion of a settlement in east Jerusalem called Ramat Shlomo. The timing of the announcement was widely seen as a slap in the face to the Obama administration. "It was incredibly frustrating, because we were trying to get meaningful peace talks going between Israelis and Palestinians," Rhodes said. "Announcements of settlement expansions were always the most provocative thing on the Israeli side." 'Rethink in Washington' Ramat Shlomo was first developed in the 1990s, mostly by American Jews of the Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidic movement. About 20,000 ultra-Orthodox Jews live in tightly packed villas on neat streets that wind up at a northeastern Jerusalem hillside land Israel annexed after its 1967 war with Jordan. Unlike Jews, Palestinians who held titles for what was Ramat Shlomo's undeveloped land before the 1967 war said they have been unable to claim them back. Dejani's situation in Sheikh Jarrah dates back even further, to 1948, when Jordan gave the land to Palestinian refugees who had fled their homes in what was then the new state of Israel. But after Jordan lost the territory in the 1967 Six-Day War, settler groups launched legal campaigns to claim the area, arguing that it was Jewish property. Image: Relatives of Palestinian Izz al-Deen Helles during his bid farewell at Al-Shifa Hospital (Fatima Shbair / Getty Images) Even if he wanted to, Biden would not be able to reverse the Abraham Accords, which were brokered by Trump and sealed diplomatic ties between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, eventually leading to deals between Israel and Sudan, Morocco and Bahrain. Most of those states, along with Israel's other Arab diplomatic partners, have released statements appealing to Israel to end provocations against Palestinians. But their outrage has been largely restrained many Arab Gulf leaders are far more worried about the long, destabilizing reach of homegrown Islamist militants and Iranian nuclear and regional ambitions than they are about Israel. Indeed, the strongest pressure on Biden still comes from within his own party. "I think what happens in the last 72 hours might cause some rethink in Washington," said Yossi Mekelberg, an associate fellow with the Middle East and North Africa Program at London's Chatham House think tank. Conditions are ripe for a so-called third intifada, or Palestinian uprising, he said, and U.S. officials may decide that "this place is too crazy to leave it on its own we need to do something.'" Ziad Jaber and Matt Bradley reported from London, and Lawahez Jabari reported from Jerusalem. (Reuters) - Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine won approval for use in children as young as 12 from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration this week - but do not expect schools to require shots for students anytime soon amid public hesitation and political hurdles. State governments for the most part can order that a vaccine be required for a child to attend a K-12 public school, said Dorit Rubinstein Reiss, a University of California-Hastings law professor who researches school mandates and the legal issues around vaccines. In all but a handful of states, Reiss said, a measure must pass the full legislature to be added to the mandatory vaccine list. No state government had mandated immunizations for schools, she added. There is increased hesitancy over the shots because some of them rely on the newer mRNA technology and have been authorized on an emergency-use basis. Early studies also indicate children are far less susceptible to grave health complications from COVID. Reiss said it is highly unlikely state legislatures will push through mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for children this year. "It takes political capital, and my bet is that legislators will not even try until they can do it for children aged 5 and up," she said. "They will not want to go through the process twice." It's clear proponents of mandates could face opposition. Even before vaccinations were approved for tweens, Republican lawmakers in dozens of statehouses filed bills seeking to block COVID vaccination mandates, mostly arguing the vaccines are too new to force people to take against their will. In Kansas, Republican state Senator Mark Steffen, an anesthesiologist, crafted a bill that would strip the state's department of health of its power to add a new shot to the existing list of required vaccines. The bill remains in committee. "It's a vaccine that is experimental, a vaccine that is gene-manipulative," Steffen said during a March hearing on the bill. "Its long-term dangers won't be fully known for decades." Researchers from Harvard, Northeastern, Northwestern and Rutgers universities who are part of the COVID States Project surveyed nearly 22,000 people nationwide in April and found that over a quarter of mothers were "extremely unlikely" to vaccinate their children. Because of such reluctance, education leaders should not focus on mandating shots, said Randi Weingarten, president of the 1.7 million-member American Federation of Teachers union. "Right now it's about convincing people of their efficacy," she said of vaccines. "We have to build trust and confidence, particularly amongst our Black and brown parents who have borne the brunt of COVID." YEARNING FOR NORMALCY Weingarten and others representing school leaders and staff noted wide agreement that vaccines are key to a more normal school experience. The Los Angeles Unified school district, the second-largest in the country with nearly 650,000 students, has been among the most proactive on vaccines for pupils. Fifteen vaccination clinics are located in L.A. schools. Superintendent Austin Beutner said during a Monday news conference that he wants a vaccine available to every middle and high school student as soon as possible. Some private schools are moving ahead with mandates. In Connecticut, students attending the 5th-12th grade St. Luke's school in New Canaan learned Tuesday that they must take the COVID-19 vaccine to attend in the fall. Mark Davis, the head of St. Luke's, said the mandate was made in conjunction with a health task force, largely composed of parents who are physicians. Key to the policy was guidance from the Centers for Disease Control that fully vaccinated people don't need to quarantine if exposed to coronavirus. That means kids would almost certainly remain in the classroom full-time if they got the shot. Davis said most parents of the school's nearly 600 students overwhelmingly support the mandate, but that four or five families expressed concerns. Davis said he understood COVID-19 has set off pitched debates, but pointed to the long history of mandated vaccines for diseases such as polio and whooping cough and the benefits of in-class learning for kids. "It's such a shame that the issue of vaccines has become politicized," Davis said. "It's a critical step toward a much-needed return to the school experience that we all yearn for." (Reporting by Brad Brooks in Lubbock, Texas; Editing by Donna Bryson, Aurora Ellis and Gerry Doyle) Chinese telecoms giant Huawei on Thursday launched an innovative AirPON optical access solution to help Hungary meet its goal of providing high-speed network connections to 95 percent of households in a "Gigabit society" by 2030, the company said in a press release. On the occasion of World Telecommunications Day, Huawei launched its AirPON technology at an event titled "2021 World Telecommunications and Information Society Day" at Szechenyi Istvan University in Gyor, western Hungary. "AirPON technology accelerates the construction of a Gigabit Society," said Karoly Solymar, Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Innovation and Technology of Hungary. "In order to maintain social and economic development and competitiveness, Hungary continues to prioritize the development of fast, low-latency data transmission and the Internet, which require both wired and wireless technologies." Colin Cai, CEO of Huawei Technologies Hungary, said: "Huawei AirPON technology has greatly shortened the time of fiber to the home, realized rapid and low-cost construction of fiber optic networks, accelerated the popularization of gigabit broadband networks, and made important contributions to the digital transformation of the Hungarian Gigabit Society." Huawei had a total investment of 1.5 billion U.S. dollars in Hungary since it began operations in the country in 2005, according to the release. Hungary now hosts Huawei's largest supply center outside of China, which serves over 50 countries. U.S. goods exports to China rebounded strongly in 2020growing by nearly 18 percentpropelled by the Asian country's market openings, tariff exclusions and early recovery from the pandemic, the U.S.-China Business Council said on Wednesday. But U.S. services exports to China, which include travel, education and financial services, declined 3 percent in 2019, the first time in more than a decade that the category has fallen, a clear indicator that strained relations between the two countries took a toll on cross-border exchanges. Notably, U.S. trade with the rest of the world contracted by 15 percent, according to the USCBC, a trade association representing more than 200 U.S. companies doing business in China. "Combined exports of goods and services to China still supported nearly 1 million U.S. jobs in 2019, the most recent year for which data are available," the USCBC said in the 2021 State Export Report. "These exports mean support for American businesses and families, which could not be more important right now," said USCBC President Craig Allen. "Ultimately, though, the best remedy for boosting trade and creating more U.S. jobs is for both the United States and China to permanently remove tariffs," Allen said. Ministry of Commerce spokesman Gao Feng said China's stance is clear: Increasing tariffs unilaterally is not in the interests of China, the U.S. or the rest of the world. The essence of China-U.S. economic and trade relations is mutual benefit and win-win results, he said at a news conference in Beijing on Thursday. The two sides should resolve each other's legitimate concerns through dialogue and consultation on the basis of mutual respect and equal treatment, he added. Gao denied the claims made in a Wall Street Journal report that China was considering changing the head of its side in the China-U.S. comprehensive economic dialogue. The annual report, which chronicles each U.S. state's trade with China over the past decade and details how many jobs that exports supported, offers a clear clue on how soured relations, including the lingering trade war, have impacted trade between the world's top two economies along with job creation in the U.S. For example, the strained relations between the two countries, a slowdown in visa processing and a decline in the number of Chinese students and visitors in the United States crimped exports of services to China even before COVID-19 led to a pause for the travel industry. Visiting Chinese students have been a significant boost to university revenues across the U.S. For three statesCalifornia, New York and Massachusettsthese students contribute more than $1 billion in tuition, fees and local spending, according to the report. But in 2019, exports of education-related travel alone fell by about 3 percent, or $422 million, negatively affecting school budgets across the United States. While most data in the report were updated to 2020, those for services lag by a year and do not include the COVID-19 pandemic's effects. Overall, China fell from the U.S.' third- to fourth-largest services export market, but it has remained the fastest-growing destination over the past decade, as it has been for U.S. goods exports. Since 2011, U.S. services exports to China have more than doubled, registering the highest average annual growth rate of 11.6 percent, the report said. By comparison, the top two markets of the United Kingdom and Canada grew by an average of less than 4 percent over the last 10 years, it said. Ireland now takes the third spot in U.S. service export growth. With regard to exports of goods, China remained the third-largest goods export market of the U.S. in 2020, following Canada and Mexico. "The stark contrast between the growth in exports to China and that to the rest of the United States' top trading partners in 2020 can largely be attributed to China's tariff exclusions and early economic recovery post-COVID-19," the USCBC said in the report. It said that China's tariff-exclusion process, which began in March 2020, facilitated a more normal flow of goods from the U.S. The tariff exclusion, together with efforts by China to further open its markets and increased market demand following its robust recovery from the pandemic, helped to stoke U.S. exports, according to Allen. In 2019, the U.S. exported just under $105 billion in goods to China. Last year, that number jumped to $123 billion, the second-highest total in a decade. The USCBC said exports to China benefit nearly all U.S. states and industries, with many states also generating "substantial economic value" from exports of services. In late October, U.S. Congressman Rick Larsen, who is from the Pacific Northwest state, said of the trade war's impact on his constituents: "When the U.S.-China relationship sneezes, Washington state gets a cold." Asked to comment on the lawmaker's remarks, the USCBC's Allen said Congress regulates tariffs under the U.S. Constitution. "The tariffs kill jobs, kill productivity and are bad for the American economy and ... they should be removed, and we're hopeful that Congress people who see their job numbers in their states will support the administration" in the negotiating process with China on market access and getting rid of those tariffs, Allen told China Daily. The phase-one trade deal that Beijing and Washington signed on Jan 15, 2020, does not eliminate many of the tariffs already put in place by both sides, including the 25 percent import taxes on $250 billion in Chinese goods that started in 2018. "We continue to urge both governments to fully implement the agreement, to fast-track to future negotiations, and to address the remaining barriers and also to remove or draw down as much as possible the tariffs," Allen said. He also said China has made "significant progress" in implementing the phase-one deal in terms of trade and regulatory changes, resulting in "tangible benefits" for U.S. business. The decision for higher spacing between two shots comes amid speculation that it has been done in view of shortage of the vaccines This is the second time the gap between the two doses of COVISHIELD is increased after it was earlier permitted for 4-8 weeks of spacing. (Photo: AFP) New Delhi: In a significant decision, the Centre on Thursday increased the gap between the two doses of COVISHIELD, anti-COVID-19 vaccine from existing 6-8 weeks to 12-16 weeks. There is no change in the gap between the other vaccine COVAXIN. This is the second time the gap between the two doses of COVISHIELD is increased after it was earlier permitted for 4-8 weeks of spacing. India on Thursday had about 3.63 lakh new cases of COVID-19 and 4,120 deaths due to it and there is huge rush among people to get vaccinated to escape harsh effect of the COVID infection. The decision for higher spacing between two shots comes amid speculation that it has been done in view of shortage of the vaccines. However, the Union Health Ministry said the decision to increase time was based on the recommendations of the COVID Working Group and was completely science based decision. This Working group has also said that those who test positive for COVID-19 should not go for vaccination for six months after recovery. Based on the available real-life new evidences that have come from Oxford, the COVID-19 Working Group agreed for increasing the dosing interval to 12-16 weeks between two doses of COVISHIELD vaccine. No change in interval of COVAXIN vaccine doses was recommended, ICMR chief Dr Balram Bhargava adding in the coming days more scientific data in this regard will be presented. NITI Aayog Member Dr VK Paul underlined there was no pressure from any side to increase the gaps. It was done in good faith without any pressure with the sole purpose of providing protection cover to the people of India. It was felt that otherwise breakthrough infections will increase. Reviewing the vaccine doses is constant and dynamic process. Several other countries are doing it. UK and WHO has already increased space between Covishield and other vaccine like Pfizer but many countries did not change the vaccination pattern. We have taken a scientific decision, Dr Paul said. He added that there will be no impact on efficacy of the vaccine due to this extension and the single dose itself is good very strong. Facing criticism for shortage of vaccines in several States, the Centre tried to clarify its position saying States have been given the flexibility to buy from vaccine manufacturers directly and also take supplies from Centre. He said Delhi has been so far given 75 crores of COVAXIN and part from that the UT government has procured 1 lakh and private sector has bought 20 lakh doses. Delhi Government has stopped giving COVAXIN shots citing shortage of doses. Dr Paul said in the coming six months more than 200 crore doses of various vaccines will be available in the country to significantly boost the vaccination drive as COVID-19 vrius has started spreading in to rural areas now. Production of vaccines in India is being ramped up due to which more than 200 crore doses of COVID vaccines will be available between August to December this year. Those doses would include 75 crore of AstraZeneca's vaccine produced in India by Serum Institute of India, 55 crore doses of COVAXIN made by Bharat Biotech, 30 crore doses of the shot developed by India's Biological E (which is Phase 3 of trials), 20 crore doses of Novavax from Serum Institute, 15.6 crore doses of Sputnik V, 10 crore doses of Bharat Biotech's nasal vaccine (single dose vaccine), 5 crore from Zydus Cadila (in phase 3 trial stage and will apply for license soon), and 6 crore doses of Gennova vaccine, said Dr Paul. He added by the first quarter of the next year, the number is likely to be 300 crore. Dr Paul further said a consignment of Russia's Sputnik vaccine has arrived in India, and is expected to be available in the market from next week. There should be no doubt that vaccines will be available for all as we move forward... Any vaccine that is approved by FDA (US Food and Drug Administration), WHO can come to India. Import license will be granted within 1-2 days. No import license is pending. We are also pursuing Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson and Johnson (JJ) for their vaccines at a very high diplomatic level and hopefully the JJ vaccine should come to India along with transfer of technology under Quad agreement, Dr Paul said. Meanwhile, the Drugs Controller General of India on Thursday approved Phase II and III clinical trials of COVAXIN in the age group of 2 to 18 years. Bharat Biotech will conduct these trials on 525 healthy volunteers. In the trial, the vaccine will be given by intramuscular route in two doses at day 0 and day 28. You are here: China East China's Anhui province on Thursday reported two confirmed COVID-19 cases from two localities, local health authorities said. The two new cases were reported from the city of Lu'an and Feixi county under the provincial capital Hefei. One patient, a 29-year-old woman in Lu'an, tested positive for the novel coronavirus during a regular nucleic acid test of patients at a hospital and was later diagnosed as a confirmed case, the city's health commission said in a statement. The other confirmed case was a 27-year-old woman who arrived in Feixi county on May 8 from an unspecified place outside Anhui, according to the county's health commission. The two patients had close contact during a training section at a photo studio in Lu'an, the Lu'an health commission said. A total of 178 people in close contact with the two have been placed under quarantine. The epidemiological investigation is underway. Share This: The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced on May 11, Brian Larry, 59, of Clarks Summit, PA, was convicted following a seven-day jury trial held before U.S. District Court Judge Malachy E. Mannion of mail fraud, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and false statement offenses. According to Acting U.S. Attorney Bruce D. Brandler, Larry was charged with defrauding his former employer, a Wilkes-Barre-based automobile warranty company, from approximately January 2014 through October 2018. Larry was convicted of stealing the personal information of warranty policy owners and providing it to his coconspirators, who created false invoices for nonexistent automobile repair work supposedly performed at various garages in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, including by forging the policy owners signatures on the paperwork. The false and forged documentation was then sent to the warranty company, where Larry approved payment of the invoices. During the course of the scheme, Larry and his coconspirators obtained approximately $400,000 paid out by the warranty company pursuant to the false invoices, including thousands of dollars in repair work for Larrys personal vehicle that he charged to other policy owners. The evidence at trial showed Larry then falsified internal warranty company documents in an attempt to conceal his crimes. The jury returned a guilty verdict after approximately two hours of deliberation. Larry was convicted of every count in his indictment: one count of conspiring to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, four counts of wire fraud, two counts of mail fraud, five counts of aggravated identity theft and one count of making a false statement to the FBI when he denied receiving cash kickbacks in exchange for his participation in the scheme. Three of Larrys coconspirators previously pleaded guilty in connection with the scheme, and are awaiting sentencing. Matthew Gershkoff, 64, of North Providence, RI, pleaded guilty to... Originally produced from 1968 to 1970, the Super Bee is very collectible for the way it looks, relatively low production numbers, and Mopars on-track success. For the 1970 model year, for example, only 15,506 examples were delivered with the 383 Magnum, 440 Six Pack, and 426 HEMI.As the name implies, the 7.2-liter motor in this Plum Crazy-painted coupe combines three Holley carburetors with two-barrel layouts. Officially rated at 390 horsepower (395 PS) and a HEMI-matching 490 pound-feet (664 Nm) of torque, the numbers-matching engine drives the original Dana 60 Track Pak rear axle with 3.54 gearing for the Sure-Grip differential. The four-speed manual box is original as well according to the selling vendor.Reconditioned at great expense by Magnum Auto Restoration, the muscly coupe listed by RK Motors Charlotte features new floor pans, quarter panels, and a fresh trunk pan. Accented by the period-correct black roof, Ramcharger dual-scooped hood, and C-stripes, this magnificent piece of Mopar history earned 517 out of 520 points at the 2015 Mopar Nationals.Professionally rebuilt by Opel Engineering, the big-block V8 is complemented by an old-school washer tank, a red-cap battery, a Chrysler-branded voltage regulator, and a varied selection of reproduction parts. The engine burbles away through 2.5-inch pipes, an H-shaped crossover, and OE mufflers while stopping power comes courtesy of rebuilt drum brakes.15-inch steelies wrapped in 235/60 Radial T/As add to the cars visual appeal, and a matching spare can be found in the fully restored trunk. The no-frills interior brings the point home with Rallye telemetry, a Hurst pistol-style shifter, Fratzog-branded horn, and a solid-state radio.Fully sorted and ready to roll, this jaw-dropping car is listed at $99,900. Some of you may already be aware that Boeing is presently working on a trainer aircraft for the U.S. Air Force . Its called T-7A Red Hawk, an evolution of the Boeing T-X concept developed by Boeing together with Swedish company Saab.And by developed, we dont only mean designed. The aircraft, expected to enter service shortly, was not only penned by the two companies but it is also being put together in different parts of the world.Using model-based engineering and 3D design, the two companies were capable of constructing two parts of the airplane with perfect precision. That allows Boeing engineers in U.S. to quickly mate the aft section of the Red Hawk, made 4,500 miles (7,200 kilometers) away in Sweden, with the front fuselage, in just 30 minutes.According to the airplane makers reps, the methods used for the creation of the Red Hawk allow for 50 percent improvement in production quality and 98 percent reduction in drilling defects.This particular aircraft is the one Boeing will use for static tests. Five more airplanes, the engineering and manufacturing development jets, will follow shortly. When all the testing is done, USAF will field 351 Red Hawk trainers, each rocking a General Electric turbofan engine capable of generating 17,000 lbf (76 kN) of thrust with an afterburner.Production of the aircraft began in February this year when Boeing showed a rendering of the planes in the colors of the Tuskegee Airmen, the unit of the 477th Bombardment Group responsible in World War Two for 1,578 combat sorties and the destruction of around 260 enemy aircraft. Citrus County Fire Rescue tells Fox13 that the man had just filled four 5-gallon (19-liter) containers with gasoline at a gas station in Homosassa, Florida when his car caught fire. He had placed all the canisters in the back of the car.When the fire rescue arrived at the scene, the vehicle was completely engulfed in flames. It took first-responders 10 minutes to extinguish the blaze but the Hummer is a loss despite the quick response.Some online reports claim that the man basically filled his Hummer with gasoline and then lit up a cigarette as he was driving. There is no confirmation of that as of this moment: in fact, Citrus County Fire Rescue stresses that the investigation into the cause of the fire is still ongoing. Its best not to jump to conclusions, then.That said, the incident serves as a sharp (and expensive) reminder that gasoline should always be stored and transported properly. Last weekend, the largest pipeline in the U.S., Colonial Pipeline, was hit by a ransomware attack that shut it down, and its yet to resume full operations. That has led to supply shortages across the East Coast, with panic buying adding to the shortage.The other day, federal agency United States Consumer Product Safety Commission urged car owners to use only approved containers for gasoline and never ever fill plastic bags with it . This Hummer driver did not go as far as to use plastic bags, but he clearly didnt follow through with proper safeguards.Fire safety laws in the United States note that, in addition to using only special canisters with a lid to store and transport gasoline, youre allowed to travel with a maximum of 6 gallons (22.7 liters) in a spare container. Simple math would put the Hummer owner on the wrong side of the law . The good news is that, at the very least, he wasnt injured badly: the report notes that EMTs urged him to go to the hospital for a checkup, but he refused, saying he was ok. Behind the wheel of the Korean crossover was none other than Australian rally driver Brendan Reeves, who started his journey with the Nexo from the Essendon Fields in Melbourne. After driving as efficiently as possible for 501 miles (807 km), he arrived in Broken Hill with plenty of range still available according to the vehicles trip computer.He then continued driving to Silverton, an outback town on the outskirts of Broken Hill, which, fun fact, was where the 1980s post-apocalyptic action movie Mad Max 2 was filmed. Once there, he continued for another some 37 miles (60 km) before the Nexos hydrogen tank was actually depleted, as the car stopped on the Wilangee road, beyond Eldee Station.This latest run easily exceeded the previous world record of 483 miles (778 km) set by French aeronaut Bertrand Piccard, who drove across France from Sarreguemines to Le Bourget.Whats interesting is that a separate GPS unit inside the Nexo registered a total of 561.3 miles (903.4 km) traveled, while Google Maps indicated 562.3 miles (905 km). However, for this test, the crossovers trip computer was used as the official distance recorder.Being a rally driver, Ive always wanted to achieve a world record, but I could never have guessed it would come about this way, said Reeves. As we set out from Essendon Fields in the early morning, I found Nexo immediately familiar and easy to drive the controls are intuitive and easy to use, the driving position excellent and seats very comfortable.Reevess journey took 13 hours and six minutes, as he averaged a speed of 41.6 mph (66.9 kph). The Nexos low fuel warning first lit up at 426 miles (686 km), at which point the car still had over 124 miles (200 km) of range. That indicator started flashing after 494 miles (796 km), with 56 miles (90 km) of real range remaining.According to Hyundai, the Nexo utilized a total of 6.27 kg (13.8 lbs) of hydrogen for this trip, at a rate of 0.706 kg/100 km (1.55 lbs/62 miles), thus purifying 449,100 liters (15,860 cu ft) of air. Thats enough for 33 adults to breathe in a day. Furthermore, it also emitted zero CO2, whereas a normal internal combustion engine vehicle would have emitted about 126 kg (278 lbs) of CO2 over that same distance. AMG Back in January 2014, during a tech session, chief engineer Maurizio Reggiani told the media that five percent of Gallardo customers opted for the six-speed transmission with a Ferrari-inspired gated shifter. Chief executive officer Stephan Winkelmann intervened pretty much immediately, correcting the engineer by mentioning close to zero percent.In addition to Lamborghini, the Prancing Horse of Maranello said arrivederci to manuals in favor of dual-clutch setups. To whom it may concern, the F430 is the final mid-engined Ferrari with a stick shift, along with the 599 series and California if you prefer front-engined grand tourers.Aston Martin represents the last bastion of the high-performance manual car alongside Porsche, but come 2022, the stick shift may be discontinued for good from the British automakers lineup. Despite a previous commitment to keep the manual alive for as much as possible, chief executive officer Tobias Moers told Motoring.com.au the exact opposite.Why did the ex-head honcho take a 180-degree turn from its predecessor, Andy Palmer ? The reasons mentioned earlier, for starters, and something that became apparent right after the Dieselgate scandal. Just like Lamborghini and Ferrari, the British automaker will embrace electrification as a means of cutting down emissions. Hybrid powertrains and manuals dont really mix unless youre the first-generation Honda Insight, and that will be that for Aston Martin customers that wax lyrical about the manual.Looking at the bigger picture, Tobias cant be really blamed for his decision. Aston Martin is struggling to get back into a financially stable position, which is why developing a three-pedal gearbox or adapting the outgoing seven-speed manual for upcoming applications would be a financial strain.At the present moment, the peeps at Aston Martin dont even offer a manual option. The final manual-equipped Aston Martin is the sold-out Vantage AMR that you can admire in the photo gallery, which numbers 200 examples worldwide at $204,995 per unit before destination charge and optional extras. This 558 ft. (170 meters) long TBM, which weighs 2,000 tons, is new on the job, helping to dig 10 miles (16 km) of tunnel under the Chilterns, next to the M25 in Buckinghamshire, UK, for an upcoming high-speed rail (HS2). A total of 10 TBMs will be used to dig 64 miles (103 km) of tunnel for the projects Phase One, but this one is the first, so shes special.Her name is Florence. Florence and The Machine is what comes to mind (remember the band?), but the name was actually inspired by Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. Local students suggested this name due to the fact that she lived in the area, and when people all over the UK participated in the poll to select the machines name, Florence came first.Described by the HS2 project as a self-contained underground factory, Florence is not just digging the tunnel, but also paving it with concrete wall segments, that are made on site. The TBM manages to cover around 49 ft. (15 meters) per day. And she works at it non-stop. Which is why the 17-people crew that operates her works in shifts and more than 100 people are coordinating everything on the surface.Florence was actually born in Germany, at the Herrenknecht (TBM manufacturer) factory, together with her twin sister, Cecilia. Then, it took over 300 separate shipments to get these 2 giant machines from Germany to the UK . Here, they had to be reassembled, tested and commissioned.Florences work has just begun and will continue for the next 3 years. Cecilia will start next month, in order to excavate a second tunnel. The 10 TBMs in the HS2 project are the largest ever to be used on a UK rail project. Genocide accusations against China Sinophobic propaganda, says former UN expert Xinhua) 08:29, May 14, 2021 -- Genocide is a well-defined crime under the 1948 Genocide Convention and Article 6 of the Statute of the International Criminal Court. Using the term requires a high level of proof, particularly as to the "intent" to "destroy in whole or in part" a group of people. -- It is not the first time Washington has targeted a country with false accusation. "If you look at the organizations that have been peddling this kind of information, they are mostly United States-based think tanks or non-governmental organizations directly or indirectly financed by the United States." -- "The nonsense takes a degree of respectability when it's peddled by supposed 'independent' experts, among them Gay McDougall" who made the claims "without backing it up with any evidence." -- "Nobody really cares about the human rights of Uygurs in Washington. The allegation is a geopolitical weapon, a useful Kalashnikov in the propaganda war." GENEVA, May 13 (Xinhua) -- The accusation of genocide against China is not supported by credible evidence and constitutes propaganda for war and Sinophobia, said a former UN expert. Such an allegation is also contravening Article 20 of International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and is a "geopolitical weapon" against China, said Alfred de Zayas, former United Nations (UN) independent expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order, in an exclusive interview with Xinhua. ILL-FOUNDED ACCUSATION Noting that genocide is a well-defined crime under the 1948 Genocide Convention and Article 6 of the Statute of the International Criminal Court, de Zayas said using the term requires a high level of proof, particularly as to the "intent" to "destroy in whole or in part" a group of people. It is irresponsible to use the term loosely and without giving opportunity to the other side to contradict the allegation, he said. "I was surprised. I am American, and I would expect that the U.S. (2020) Country Reports on Human Rights (Practices) would be professional," he said, describing the report as "shoddy." In the 2020 report issued by the U.S. State Department late March, Washington accused China of "genocide," without, however, substantiating the claim. In his latest interview with CBS News, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken again accused China of so-called "genocide." "This (2020) report was prepared, of course, in the Trump years, but I am not about to absolve the Biden administration of issuing this propaganda pamphlet. Blinken is himself a lawyer, and his advisors should have dissuaded him," said de Zayas. "It diminishes our authority and our credibility to make allegations that are not backed up by solid evidence," he said. Foreign diplomats visit the International Grand Bazaar in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, March 30, 2021. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) It is not the first time Washington has targeted a country with false accusation. In his interview with Xinhua, de Zayas recalled propaganda used by former U.S. President George W. Bush to prepare the assault on Iraq in 2003. "We had (former U.S. secretary of state) Collin Powell appear before the UN Security Council. He lied to the United Nations, he lied to the American people," he said. "If you look at the organizations that have been peddling this kind of information, they are mostly United States-based think tanks or non-governmental organizations directly or indirectly financed by the United States. They work in collusion with a compliant corporate media that has its own geoeconomics interests," he added. "If you look at the sources of their financing, you see the role of the National Endowment for Democracy and United States Agency for International Development," said de Zayas. "So their objectivity and their independence is very much in question." CONCOCTION OF FAKE NEWS "The nonsense takes a degree of respectability when it's peddled by supposed 'independent' experts, among them Gay McDougall," de Zayas said, referring to a U.S. member of the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) who claimed in 2018 that there were credible reports about 1 million Uygurs being kept in "concentration camps." McDougall made the claims "without backing it up with any evidence," de Zayas stressed, adding that after solid investigative journalism by American independent news website Grayzone, McDougall's claim was "pulled apart, and there is nothing behind it but propaganda." "It was not a statement by the United Nations, nor was it a statement by the CERD. It was a statement by Ms. Gay McDougall, the American member in the CERD," he said. According to the CERD's official website, the committee is "the body of independent experts," not UN officials. "And this statement was taken by Reuters, and beautifully reported in the New York Times, Washington Post, in the entire world's press, (using) big words like '1 million Uygurs being subjected to forced labor,' '1 million Uygurs being kept in concentration camps'," he said. The Grayzone report also revealed that McDougall made the allegation without providing any source to back up her explosive claim, and mainstream media tried to substantiate the story by referring to reports made by a China-bashing group based in Washington that depends heavily on U.S. government grants. Foreign diplomats visit a resident in Nazarbagh Town of Kashgar, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, March 31, 2021. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) "That is serious, because the failure here is not just that of one individual, Ms. Gay McDougall. She should have known better," said de Zayas. "In my entire career as a UN expert, as a Rapporteur, as a senior officer of the Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights, never did I make a statement I could not back up." "The more worrisome aspect of it is that it was picked up by the mainstream media, it was magnified by the mainstream media, and it was disseminated worldwide to create the impression that if there is smoke, there must be fire, so the situation in Xinjiang must be horrendous," said de Zayas. TRUTH BEHIND LIES Anti-China forces have done more than fabricating facts. They refuse to recognize social and economic development and progress in human rights protection in Xinjiang, and turn a blind eye to crimes conducted by separatist groups which threaten peace and security in Xinjiang and other parts of China. Washington removed the East Turkistan Islamic Movement (ETIM), a UN-listed terror group, from its terror list last year. The ETIM voiced support for an attack in China's southwestern city of Kunming in 2014 that killed 29 people and injured another 143. In de Zayas' view, East Turkistan separatists have engaged in "criminal activities," for "they have demonstrably committed terrorist acts throughout Xinjiang, and not just now, but for the last 35 years." "Obviously, because you have the obligation as a State to protect law and order, you have the obligation to take appropriate actions proportionate to the danger. I believe that is what was done (in Xinjiang)," he said. After years of efforts in fighting violence, counter-terrorism and de-radicalization, Xinjiang, which suffered thousands of terrorist attacks between 1990 and 2016, is now at its best time in history, enjoying a stable society and a fast growing economy, and all ethnic groups there are living together in harmony. Children have fun on Dove Lane in Hotan City, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, May 27, 2020. (Xinhua/Sadat) Over the past 40 years, the Uygur population in Xinjiang has doubled from 5.55 million to over 12 million, while the gross domestic product (GDP) there has surged by more than 200 times in the past six-plus decades. The lastest official data shows that from 2014 to 2019, Xinjiang's GDP increased from 919.59 billion yuan (about 142 billion U.S. dollars) to 1.36 trillion yuan (about 210 billion dollars), with an average annual growth rate of 7.2 percent. "To those who claim that China is destroying the Uygur culture, I say, prove it, because there are thousands of mosques in China and they function," de Zayas said. Worshippers pray in the Ak Mosque in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, April 13, 2021. (Xinhua/Sun Shaoxiong) "One thing that I noticed for Xinjiang is that even the money is in Uygur language, so it's not like minorities are being deprived of their language. The street names are both in Chinese and Uygur, so they do have minority rights," he added. Accusing China of committing genocide without evidence, in the eyes of de Zayas, is "an insult, a lack of respect, a lack of compassion vis-a-vis the victims of genocide and their survivors, their families." "Nobody really cares about the human rights of Uygurs in Washington. The allegation is a geopolitical weapon, a useful Kalashnikov in the propaganda war," he said. "It is 'fake news', vulgar Sinophobia, and at the same time dangerous sabre-rattling, which is prohibited by Article 20 of International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights," he said. (Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Liang Jun) Muslims in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region celebrated Eid al-Fitr on Thursday, marking the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. After visiting mosques in the early morning, Muslims of various ethnic minorities held celebratory dances in public places, such as the square in front of Id Kah Mosque in Kashgar and the International Grand Bazaar in Urumqi. The cheerful music and dancing attracted many tourists, who joined in the celebrations. Meanwhile, many local residents visited market stalls and supermarkets to purchase food for the festival. Nurbiya, a resident of Turpan, said, "We are taking a day off on Eid al-Fitr. We can fully enjoy the holiday and visit our relatives and friends thanks to effective epidemic prevention and control measures." With about 20 million Muslims in China, the event was also celebrated in other regions, such as Qinghai, Gansu and Ningxia. During Ramadan, the ninth month of the year in the Islamic calendar, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. Children, elderly people and the weak do not have to observe the fast. In the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou, Muslims also gathered at the Saad Bin Abi Waqqas Mosque in the downtown area on Thursday. Muslims were granted entry to the mosque after presenting their reservation codes and having their temperatures taken. QR codes were scanned at the entrance, providing worshippers with information on their allocated prayer mats. Wang Wenjie, president of the Guangzhou Islamic Association, said, "To ensure the health of all participants, masks should be worn at all times during the service, and everyone is spaced one meter apart." The mosques and temporary worship venues across the city received a total of 5,987 Muslims on the day. "Thanks to China's efforts on epidemic control, the mosque was able to hold the event as scheduled this year and allowed foreign Muslims to enjoy their religious life as well, for which we are very grateful," said Rashed Ahmed from Bangladesh. In northwest China's Gansu Province, nearly 1.8 million Muslims belonging to multiple ethnic groups observed Eid al-Fitr on Thursday. At 8 a.m., nearly 800 Muslims attended a service in the Nanguan Mosque in Lanzhou, the provincial capital. The Eid al-Fitr celebration was suspended last year but resumed this year. "The epidemic has not completely finished. Protecting ourselves is as important as attending the ceremony," said Imam Ma Ruiping during the service. EV But one thing is for sure, though. The global chip shortage teaches everybody in the industry a few important lessons, and Hyundai and Samsung have apparently received the right message.The two companies have joined forces for a partnership whose purpose is to help deal with the chip shortage and work together on a series of tech products to be used on cars.For example, the new agreement signed on May 13 with the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, the Korea Automotive Technology Institute, and the Korea Electronics Technology Institute, is supposed to help the two companies build application processors, semiconductors, image sensors, and battery management chips for cars.Needless to say, Samsung will use its know-how in the tech field, as the company is already a leader in the manufacturing of mobile chips, while Hyundai will contribute with resources related to the implementation in the automotive sector.Samsung is betting big on new-generation chips, as the South Korean tech behemoth also plans to develop its very own custom processor that will be used on laptops. Based on Exynos, the in-house chip already used on mobile devices, the upcoming silicon would allow for important performance boosts and more efficient power usage.Samsung and Hyundai, however, dont plan to start the production of chips right away, as the tech company needs to prepare its semiconductor lines for the automotive industry. At this point, Samsung builds chips using 12-inch wafers, while cars require an 8-inch design. Therefore, the company first needs to prepare production lines and only then help Hyundai boost its presence in theand autonomous vehicle market. However, even they realized the Holden Commodore VL Turbo was something special, despite the fact that it only had six cylinders, all lined up one after the other. Featuring a 3.0-liter displacement, the straight-six was actually borrowed from Nissan when the switch to unleaded 91 octane gasoline was made. Adapting the old engine already in use in the model wasn't feasible anymore.Straight-six, Nissan , turbochargerthis has a definite Skyline GT-R vibe about it. Well, the RB30ET didn't receive that kind of honor, being a variation one could only find in Holden's model. However, non-turbocharged versions of this unit did power the R31 Nissan Skyline GTS1 and GTS2, back when the Skyline name didn't bear the same weight it does now.With a weight of 2,760 lbs (1,250 kg) and a power output of 201 hp, the Holden Commodore VL Turbo was actually quicker than its V8 counterpart, and that's before you even consider how easily tuned these Japanese engines are. Many people did consider that, which is why seeing these cars with over three times the stock power isn't exactly an event.The thing with getting more power is that it also comes with greater responsibility attached, and not everyone is equipped to deal with that, even if they might not realize it. Case in point, the driver of this Commodore VL captured on the dashcam of what looks to be a Honda Civic Type R (you see, not only Teslas can have "Sentry Mode").According to the video description, the driver had just come out of a performance shop, which suggests he might not have adjusted fully to the new power output of his vehicle. Obviously, knowing that, you wouldn't instantly attempt a monster burnout on a narrow street lined with cars on either side. Then again, you're not this guy.Anyone who's watched clips from cars & coffee-type events is used to the sight of an out-of-control Mustang going sideways, slamming into parked cars. What makes this clip special is just how quickly and nonchalantly the driver makes his getaway. Not only that, but he even does a milder burnout on his way out.Sadly for the Ken Block wannabe, what he didn't realize (or at least not until he got out of the car) was that his front license plate had fallen off following the crash, leaving the most obvious of breadcrumbs for anyone looking to find him. And with a severely damaged Honda Civic Type R, you can bet your last cent the owner was very much interested in making him pay. ARM Checking ships and submarines for damage is not an easy task. And its not cheap, either. It takes considerable effort for divers to actually go and inspect ships , and it can only be done when they are not at sea. The military needed a better solution for damage inspection and routine maintenance that are performed underwater and this is how a new project was born.Researchers from the Biorobotics Lab at Carnegie Mellon University developed an interesting solution for the Department of Defense, through a grant they received from the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing () Institute. CMUs snakebot concept was already famous, they just had to teach it how to swim.The new ship inspector doesnt have the friendliest-sounding name - Hardened Underwater Modular Robot Snake (HUMRS) but its harmless. Unlike other similar submersible robots, this one is slim and flexible, which means it can swim into narrow spaces and reach difficult corners. Its made from the same type of watertight modules as previous versions of the snake robot, with added turbines and thrusters that make it maneuverable underwater Thanks to these features, the swimming robot snake can easily inspect submarines and ships while they are at sea, which saves precious time and allows the crew to know immediately when there is critical damage. Plus, information regarding the ships condition can be transmitted before it returns to port, also saving time and increasing efficiency.But this robot inspector is great not just for the military, but other industries as well. It can check underwater pipes, offshore oil rigs and liquid-filled tanks. And who knows whats in store next, for the HUMRS? No matter how advanced the tech keeping airplanes safe is, humans still need to see stuff with their own eyes. It makes them feel safer, and at times it can even save lives if the history of air crashes taught us anything. But would pilots feel just as comfortable flying an airplane with no windows, one that uses screens instead?If you have been watching NASAs struggle to make civilian supersonic flight over land a reality, then you know by now of the X-59 research aircraft or the QueSST X-Plane. You might also be aware that NASA said two years ago that the thing would not have windows, not even for the pilot, but it will rely on a 4K monitor instead.The reason for that is not some quirk of the NASA engineers, but a necessity born from the shape of the aircraft. Its long airframe and the 30-foot-long (9 meters) nose are not exactly window-friendly, so another solution had to be envisioned.It took two years for the company selected to make this design a reality, Collins Aerospace , to come up with a solution, one it presented this week.What the company is offering is something called Large Format Display. It will deliver to the pilot images captured by two cameras outside the aircraft and combine them with available terrain data and visual aids for airport approaches, landings, and takeoffs to create the perfect situational awareness for whoever will be flying the thing.Collinss hardware comprises a touchscreen with multi-function windows, HUD capability, and communication radios. The system also includes something called a multi-spectral enhanced vision system that will allow the pilot to land in nearly all weather conditions using advanced visual sensors and multiple wavelength, infrared technology.Theres more than a year left until the X-59 is scheduled for its first flight. NASA plans to have it airborne over unnamed American cities and see if the idea it had for reducing sonic boom sound levels actually works. Secretary of State Tony Blinken told Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita in a phone call on Friday that the Biden administration would not reverse President Trump's recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over the Western Sahara, at least for the time being, two sources familiar with the call told me. Why it matters: Trump's recognition of the Western Sahara as part of Morocco reversed decades of U.S. policy regarding the disputed territory, and was part of a broader deal that included the renewal of diplomatic relations between Morocco and Israel. The U.S. decision last December was a long-sought diplomatic breakthrough for Morocco. The kingdom was concerned it could be reversed once Biden took office. Israel was also concerned that a reversal of the policy would harm the normalization process with Morocco. The U.S. is the only Western country to recognize Morocco's sovereignty over the Western Sahara, which was annexed by Morocco in 1975 after former colonial power Spain surrendered control. The backstory: There had been almost no contact between the Biden administration and the Moroccan government over the first three months of the new administration. Ten days ago, Biden's Middle East advisor, Brett McGurk, spoke to Bourita and gave the impression that there would be no change in the U.S. policy on Western Sahara, a source familiar with the call told me. The State Department readout of Blinken's call with Bourita on Friday didn't mention Western Sahara, but two sources familiar with the call confirm that it was discussed and that Blinken said the Biden administration would not reverse Trump's policy for now. According to the State Department readout Blinken "welcomed Moroccos steps to improve relations with Israel and noted the Morocco-Israel relationship will bring long-term benefits for both countries." The state of play: Senior White House and State Department officials have held multiple discussions on this issue over the last few weeks. Polk Countys auditor failed to give Korolina Ogle credit for voting in Novembers election, according to information Axios confirmed with the Iowa Secretary of State. The mistake resulted in Ogle receiving a "no activity notice" last month, the first step toward cancelling her voter registration under a law signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds in March. Why it matters: 294,147 other voters in Iowa roughly 13% of the state's registered voters received similar notices last month. Critics contend that many inactivity notices are like Ogles and based on erroneous data or flawed methodology. What's happening: The new law requires the secretary of state to move voters who didnt cast ballots in the most recent general election to "inactive" status. Previously, it required not voting in two consecutive general elections. Voter registrations will be canceled after four more years of inactivity. County auditors have the sole responsibility of entering the information, Molly Widen, an attorney for the secretary of state told Jason. Zoom in: Ogle was issued an absentee ballot, but instead voted in person. That was not tracked in a state voter system known as I-VOTERS. Be smart: Iowas new law is part of a nationwide push by Republicans in dozens of states. Between the lines: Some believe the no-activity notices may have unintended consequences beyond simple filing mistakes. As many as 121 "unverified citizens" could potentially vote in Linn County because of the notices, auditor Joel Miller said in an April 30 notice. Canceled registrations of 492 deceased voters were erroneously changed by the states vendor, Arikkan. The state fixed that error, the secretary of state told the AP. At least 400 notices were sent to 17-year-olds who could not yet vote in 2020. That group may be excluded from future notices. The other side: Polk County auditor Jamie Fitzgerald did not respond to multiple requests for comment that Jason made over the past two weeks. Fitzgerald could be fined up to $10,000 for technical infractions under the new law. How it ended: Ogle responded to a mailing from the secretary of state, and her voter registration was made active again. She wants to know how widespread her situation is and whether counties will reconcile voter records for others like herself. Editor's note: An earlier version listed an incorrect name for Polk County auditor Jamie Fitzgerald. Most police agencies in recent federally court-ordered reform agreements saw violent crime rates skyrocket immediately, according to an Axios examination of departments under consent decrees since 2012. Why it matters: The increases in violent crime rates in one case by 61% suggest that there can be unintended consequences, at least in the short term, to the policing changes many Americans have demanded in the year since George Floyd's death. They've also given police unions another argument in their campaign against reforms. By the numbers: An Axios review of FBI and Justice Department data on all 12 agencies under consent decrees since 2012 found that seven of them experienced jumps in violent crime rates in two years compared to the two years before they entered into the consent decrees. Data: FBI Uniform Crime Reports/ DOJ; Chart: Axios Visuals Seattle saw a 27% surge in its violent crime during that period following its consent decree in 2012. Albuquerque, N.M., a city that saw violent protests in 2014 following the shooting of a white homeless man, later experienced a 36% increase in its violent crime rate. Before its consent decree, the city had seen a 30-year low in crime. Los Angeles County, a region of 10 million people, saw a colossal rise of 61% in its violent crime rate following a consent decree with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department an agency with a troubled history among Latinos and Black residents. Yes, but: Municipalities with less than 50,000 people that entered into consent decrees saw violent crime rates decline. Ferguson, Mo., a city of 21,000 outside of St. Louis that saw heated demonstrations after the police shooting of Michael Brown in 2014, saw its violent crime rate drop by 7% during the same two-year comparison. Warren, Ohio, and East Haven, Conn., also experience noticeable declines during the same period following their consent decrees. Data for two larger cities under consent decrees Portland and Newark, N.J. couldn't be compared since they are missing key crime numbers. The intrigue: Attorney General Merrick Garland announced last month that the Department of Justice would launch "pattern or practice" investigations into the Minneapolis and Louisville police departments, following the deaths last year of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. Depending on the findings, both cities could be forced into consent decrees to overall their departments. The investigations come after the Trump administration refused to launch similar investigations into police departments for four years despite pleas from reform advocates. Between the lines: No one knows why violent crime rates spike after departments enter into consent decrees, according to criminal justice scholars. Stephen Rushin, associate professor of law at Loyola University Chicago, says only anecdotal evidence exists that suggests disruptions in department leadership or changes in tactics may contribute to the increases. However, the crime surges may be short-lived. Rushin said his study into 31 cities that operated under federal oversight between 1994 and 2016 showed temporary increases in crime, followed by a steady drop. Rushin said his study into 31 cities that operated under federal oversight between 1994 and 2016 showed temporary increases in crime, followed by a steady drop. "What it does is it suggests that those consent decree measures don't just go away after a year or two. They're normally (in place) pretty long-term. Then crime falls." But, but, but: That hasn't stopped police unions and police advocates from using the early data to urge cities to pull back from oversight. In an upcoming Albuquerque mayoral election and a special election for that district's House seat, conservatives are urging the federal government to end its consent decree and say the city should turn its focus to fighting crime. "Right now we are in crisis. Albuquerque is burning, and it seems like politicians are just playing the fiddle. We've got to be able to deal with this criminal element that has taken over the city right now," GOP House candidate Mark Moores told the PBS news show New Mexico in Focus recently. Even some families of those killed by excessive police force cases say crime in Albuquerque is too high. "But you can do both. You can fight crime and train officers better so they don't abuse their power," Stephen Torres, who lost his 27-year-old son, Christopher, in a police shooting, told Axios. The big question: Will the reform movement inspired by the killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor be able to withstand the backlash against rising crime that has halted other changes to police departments? Azerbaijans armed forces have invaded Armenian territory. They must be immediately withdrawn, Macron wrote on his Facebook page shortly before midnight. To the Armenian people, I once again say: France stands in solidarity and will remain so, he added in an Armenian-language post. Macron commented on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border standoff after speaking with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian by phone. The President of the Republic recalled France's commitment to the territorial integrity of Armenia and stressed the need for an immediate withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops from Armenian territory, Macrons office said in a statement. It said he also expressed hope that the UN Security Council could help to restore stability and security in this region. According to an official Armenian readout of the phone call, Pashinian thanked Macron for his friendly attitude towards Armenia. It said the two men discussed ongoing efforts to end the standoff sparked by Azerbaijani troop movements along some sections of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. Azerbaijani forces reportedly advanced several kilometers into Armenias Syunik province early on Wednesday. According to the Armenian Defense Ministry, they also breached two other sections of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border on Thursday. Azerbaijan insisted later in the day that its troops did not cross into Armenia and simply took up positions on the Azerbaijani side of the frontier which were not accessible in winter months. The Foreign Ministry in Baku also said that the border between the two South Caucasus states has not been demarcated ever since the Soviet breakup. The conflicting statements came as Armenian and Azerbaijani military officials met on the border to try to resolve the dispute. Representatives of Russian troops deployed in Syunik also reportedly took part in the negotiations that lasted for several hours. No concrete agreements were announced afterwards. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov discussed the rising tensions with his Armenian and Azerbaijani counterparts in separate phone calls. Meanwhile, the United States urged both sides to show restraint in de-escalating the situation peacefully. We are closely following reports of increased tensions along a non-demarcated portion of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, tweeted Ned Price, a U.S. State Department spokesman. Armenian Foreign Minister Ara Ayvazian and acting U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Philip Reeker discussed the situation by phone. Located in east China's Zhejiang province, the city of Yiwu is known as the world's largest wholesale market for daily commodities, and is home to more than 15,000 foreign merchants from over 100 countries and regions. While constantly improving its business environment, Yiwu also invites its foreign residents to participate in social governance and help develop a more attractive international commercial city. Gholamhossein Dehghani, an Iranian businessman, came to Yiwu in 2003. Impressed by the city's inclusiveness and hospitality, he decided to settle down and started a foreign-trade company. "All residents are treated equally in Yiwu, regardless of their nationalities and ethnic groups," Dehghani said in an interview on Wednesday. "Though living abroad, I have a strong sense of security here." Dehghani now lives at the Jimingshan residential community, along with more than 1,380 expats from 74 countries and regions. The multicultural community is often compared to the United Nations by locals. Fluent in six languages, Dehghani helps resolve disputes between people from different countries. In 2014, he was invited to work as an "international laoniangjiu" by the community. In the Zhejiang dialect, "laoniangjiu" means someone who is good at mediating disputes. Dehghani said disputes are common and unavoidable when people from diverse cultural backgrounds live and work alongside one another, and most of the issues he handles arise from language barriers. He added that the number of new disputes has been in decline since the community began offering free mandarin classes for foreign residents. Through the community's volunteer station, Dehghani also takes an active part in various public service activities, such as security and fire inspections. When finding Chinese and foreign residents are having difficulty communicating, he is often on hand to help interpret for them. Negotiations are going on, but as of now we have no final results, Avinian told reporters during a visit to Syunik province where Azerbaijani troops reportedly advanced several kilometers into Armenian territory early on Wednesday. I believe that we will reach a resolution in one way or another, he said. Its very clear that the Azerbaijani armed forces have crossed into Armenias sovereign territory. We definitely want to resolve the situation peacefully and are ready to hold discussions in a calm manner. Having said that, we must be prepared for possible bad developments and also be ready to defend our sovereign territory. In the event of such a bad scenario we expect the support of our allies. But I hope that we will avoid any bad scenario and solve all problems through negotiations, added Avinian. Armenian and Azerbaijani military officials met on the border on Thursday to try to resolve the dispute. Representatives of Russian troops deployed in Syunik also reportedly took part in the negotiations that lasted for several hours. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian claimed later on Friday that during those talks the Azerbaijani side agreed to withdraw from Armenian territory occupied by it but has still not honored that pledge in full. Since yesterday the Azerbaijanis have left some places but their presence in our territory continues, Pashinian said during an emergency session of the Armenian parliament. He did not specify those locations. Pashinian also said Armenian, Azerbaijani as well as Russian officers held fresh talks on Friday. The talks were interrupted and will resume on Saturday, he added. Azerbaijan insisted late on Thursday that its troops did not cross into Armenia and simply took up positions on the Azerbaijani side of the frontier which were not accessible in winter months. The Foreign Ministry in Baku also said that the border between the two South Caucasus states has not been demarcated ever since the Soviet breakup. Echoing statements by Pashinian, Avinian said that Azerbaijani military commanders on the ground are producing false maps to justify their actions. Pashinian stated in this regard that maps brought by Russian negotiators also show that hundreds of Azerbaijani soldiers remain within Armenias internationally recognized borders. Yerevan will use this fact as further proof of the violation of Armenias territorial integrity, he said. Pashinian suggested on Thursday Baku may be intent on provoking an armed clash with Armenia six months after a Russian-brokered agreement stopped the war in Nagorno-Karabakh. He noted that the Azerbaijani military is scheduled to start large-scale exercises on Sunday and pointed to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyevs recent threats to forcibly open a corridor connecting Azerbaijan to its Nakhichevan exclave via Syunik. The Armenian prime minister went on to announce that Yerevan will ask the Collective Security Treaty Organization to invoke Article 2 of its founding treaty which requires the Russian-led military bloc to discuss a collective response to grave security threats facing its member states. Pashinian told lawmakers on Friday that he has also written to Russian President Vladimir Putin to formally request Russian military assistance in line with bilateral Russian-Armenian defense treaties. The two men spoke by phone on Thursday night. According to Pashinian, Putin too thinks that the Azerbaijani forces crossed into Armenia and must be withdrawn. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close FILE - In this April 23, 2021, file photo, California Attorney General Rob Bonta speaks in Sacramento, Calif. California's new attorney general on Tuesday, May 11, 2021, promised more action on hate crimes, saying there is "a state of crisis" because of increases in attacks on Asian Americans since the coronavirus entered the U.S. after originating in China. Aquarium Asks Help Spotting Distressed Porpoise on N. Oregon Coast Published 05/13/21 at 4:55 PM PDT By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Gearhart, Oregon) Seaside Aquarium is asking for the public's help in reporting any sightings of a stranded porpoise on the north Oregon coast one which they have concerns about. The harbor porpoise may be ill and thus disoriented, but it's also possible the creature has made it safely back into the wild. (Photos courtesy Seaside Aquarium) Tuesday morning, Seaside Aquarium received a call about a stranded harbor porpoise at Sunset Beach at Gearhart. The aquarium's Tiffany Boothe said it was in some amount of distress, and staff attempted to get it back into the surf. However, it kept re-stranding itself, wandering back onto the sands. Unable to get the four foot porpoise out past the surf, it was decided that his best chance of survival was to get him into the deeper, calmer waters of the Necanicum River mouth, Boothe said. Once in the deeper channel he seemed to swim around quite well but he did come back ashore a few more times. Since then, he was last seen Wednesday near the mouth of the river. Now, Boothe and the rest of the crew are hoping for the best, but asking for help in tracking the porpoise. We are hoping that he got enough rest in the estuary that he was able to make it back out to the ocean, she said. If you do see a harbor porpoise in the Necanicum River, please call us the aquarium. There is also the chance that this guy was suffering from an infection that went to his brain and that in the end he will not make it. If that is the case, while sad, it is important for us to recover him so that we can preform a necropsy to confirm what happened. The aquarium number is 503-738-6211. Do not call 911. Aquarium manager Keith Chandler told Oregon Coast Beach Connection it is possible the creature made it out to sea and has gone miles up or down the coast, but if it's ill enough it may strand itself again, even die out there and then wash up. It is possible it could do so farther south, such as Manzanita, Rockaway Beach - or far north, perhaps into the southern Washington coast. Harbor porpoises are the most commonly seen cetacean on the Oregon coast, Boothe said. On calm days, harbor porpoises can often be seen feeding in the Seaside Cove. Commonly traveling alone or in pairs, when ocean conditions are 'just right' they can form much larger aggregations of 100 or more. They are often mistaken for dolphins when seen swimming offshore, or even when stranding as in this case. They live in the waters of the Pacific from southern California to Alaska, and they are the smallest cetacean (meaning of the whale family) seen along the Oregon coast. Seaside Aquarium is part of the Marine Mammal Stranding Network. Among the reasons for the Marine Mammal Network's response to these situations is the scientific exploration of what happens when these creatures wash up and how they died, but also because marine mammals can carry diseases which are transmittable to both humans and animals. It's important to pick the carcasses up off the beaches for public safety. MORE PHOTOS BELOW Hotels in Seaside - Where to eat - Seaside Maps and Virtual Tours MORE PHOTOS BELOW Below: more porpoise strandings from Seaside Aquarium back in 2013 More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on BeachConnection.net All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright BeachConnection.net Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Entergy is rescheduling an outage for Bolivar Peninusla after storms throughout last week interrupted its planned work on May 17. Most of Bolivar Peninsula was supposed to see a day-long blackout as Entergy Texas worked to start up a new key piece of infrastructure for the beachside communities along the coast. The work is supposed to continue at a later date that will be announced by the utility. Entergy has said the new High Island Substation started in March 2020 will replace the older Himex Substation, doubling the amount of electric service available to the area and increasing stability during periods of peak demand or strain on the system. Crews must wait until the older substation is de-energized before they can make the switch, which will require the extended outage. We understand that any time without power is inconvenient, and we make every attempt to limit customer interruptions, Ron Fletcher, Entergy Texas customer service manager, said in a statement. We appreciate the patience and understanding of our customers as our crews safely work to implement reliability improvements to serve you better. More electrical demand on the Bolivar Peninsula has followed the trend of growing development in the area in the past several years as more holiday home-buyers and rental companies have taken interest in the beachside communities. For one resident, its a change that didnt seem possible after the devastation of Hurricane Ike in 2008. Anne Willis, who has been a Crystal Beach resident for more than 60 years and is a board member of the Bolivar Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, said the area has been on a gradual upswing, growing from about 400 homes a few years ago to about 6,000. Its just been a constant wave of growth, Willis said. Weve seen companies buy up some of the empty lots left after Ike, but there is also building on places that didnt have development before. In the wake of Ike, damage reports estimated that around 62% of the structures across the Bolivar Peninsula had been destroyed or severely damaged by the 13- to 17-foot storm surge. More than a year later, an early population assessment found that only 40% of the areas permanent residents had returned. The population of the Bolivar Peninsula was at more than 3,800 people in 2000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, but dipped down to 1,959 by 2014. Since then, the number of people living along that stretch of coast has risen 2,549, according to a 2019 population estimate. Willis said she remembers the months without power after the September storm and how grateful she felt when the lights finally came back on in December. I remember there had been some linemen sent down from Missouri and they just spent day after day working here until it was finally done, she said. By the time the lights were finally on, I think they were as happy as we were. She said she feels the coming infrastructure upgrade is a good sign for her community, both because of the stability it will bring and the sign of progress it represents. jacob.dick@beaumontenterprise.com twitter.com/jd_journalism More than a dozen states quickly embraced new federal guidelines that say fully vaccinated Americans no longer need to wear masks indoors or out in most cases. But other states and cities and some major businesses hesitated amid doubts about whether the approach is safe or even workable. As many business owners pointed out, there is no easy way to determine who has been vaccinated and who hasn't. And the new guidelines, issued Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, essentially work on the honor system, leaving it up to people to do the right thing. Labor groups and others warned that employees at stores, restaurants, bars and other businesses could be left exposed to the coronavirus from customers and could be forced into the unwanted role of vaccination police. But in Malvern, Pennsylvania, owner Sean Weinberg took down the mask signs Friday at Restaurant Alba, which he runs with his wife. He also emailed his employees to let them know they can forgo masks at work if they are fully vaccinated. Its just a headache we dont want to have to fight any more, Weinberg said. Several major chains, including CVS, Home Depot, Macy's and supermarket giant Kroger Co., said they are still requiring masks in stores for the time being, though some said they are reviewing their policies. But Walmart, the worlds largest retailer, Costco and Trader Joe's said Friday that they wont require vaccinated shoppers to wear a mask in U.S. stores, unless state or local laws say otherwise. Vaccinated shoppers can go maskless immediately, Walmart said. Vaccinated workers can stop wearing them on May 18. As an incentive, the company said it is offering workers $75 if they prove they have been vaccinated. Both Costco and Trader Joe's said they would not require proof of vaccination, but employees at the grocery chain will still need to cover their faces. Half the states had mask requirements in place for most indoor spaces when the CDC issued its recommendations amid tumbling cases and rising vaccination rates. Nearly 47% of the U.S. population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and cases have dropped to their lowest level since September, at an average of about 35,000 a day. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky noted in making the announcement that the vaccine has proved powerfully effective in preventing serious COVID-19 illness. Michigan, Nevada, Oregon, Ohio, Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, Kentucky, Washington, Maine, Vermont, Connecticut, North Carolina, Kansas, Colorado and Rhode Island announced plans to fall in line with the CDC guidance either immediately or in the coming weeks. Some cities, including New Orleans and Anchorage, did the same. Oregon Gov. Kate Brown said the new approach makes clear that vaccines are the fastest way to get back to doing the things we all love. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear called the guidance a game-changer." And Washington Gov. Jay Inslee said the change is a heck of a benefit. Other states, such as California, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Hawaii and Massachusetts, and cities like Minneapolis and St. Paul kept mask rules in place for the time being. We're frankly not there yet, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said. And Hawaii Gov. David Ige said, We are unable to determine who is vaccinated and who is not vaccinated. The best mitigation measure is for everyone to wear a mask. Industry leaders warned of the potential for confusion and hard feelings among customers because of the varying rules from place to place. Even in states that have dropped mask mandates, stores and other businesses can still require face coverings if they want. Confusion over the guidance extended to the White House, where press secretary Jen Psaki said, I think were still figuring out how to implement it." The CDC and the Biden administration had faced pressure to ease restrictions on fully vaccinated people in part to highlight the benefits of the shots and motivate other people to get inoculated. Restaurant workers in places where mask mandates remain are finding themselves caught in the middle, said Jot Condie, the president of the California Restaurant Association. He said his phone has been blowing up with reports of increasingly belligerent customers. The person who is not wearing a mask will say, My president just told me that the CDC just issued guidance and Ive been vaccinated and Im not going to wear a mask,' he said. Scott Dolch, executive director of the Connecticut Restaurant Association, said owners are concerned about being put in a difficult position. Theyre like, OK, now I have to deal with the honor system, hoping that that person that told me theyre totally vaccinated is telling the truth, Dolch said. The CDC announcement sent airline stocks soaring, though the guidance still calls for masks in crowded indoor settings such as planes, buses, trains, hospitals, prisons and homeless shelters, and says people should obey all local and state regulations. Republican Rep. Dusty Johnson, South Dakotas lone congressman, marked the announcement by sharing a video demonstrating how cast-off masks can now be used for things like suit pocket handkerchiefs, bookmarks or beer cozies. It seems too wasteful to just throw them away, he said. I think Ill have my mother make them into a quilt. Shelby Lofton, a reporter for WKYT-TV in Lexington, Kentucky, tweeted: So, I guess Ill start wearing lipstick again. Also need to work on my poker face. In Detroit, a fully vaccinated Christoph Cunningham, 28, wore a mask as he rode an electric scooter to a bar for lunch and said he agrees with the relaxed guidelines. I have confidence in the science behind it all, said Cunningham, who runs a catering business. Ill eventually take my mask off more and more. The president of the American Federation of Teachers, Randi Weingarten, said the 1.7 million-member union is still trying to sort out what the change means for schools. Many school districts already ditched mask requirements in recent weeks, as had many states and cities, as virus numbers fell. That meant the CDC announcement didnt mean much in places like the tourist town of Branson, Missouri, which dropped its mandate early last month after several mask supporters were voted out of office. I think it just further supports the decision we made to lift the mask mandate, said the town's new mayor, Larry Milton. It was dividing our community. We heard loud and clear from voters that they wanted the mask mandate repealed. ____ Associated Press writers Sara Burnett in Chicago, Ed White in Detroit, Zeke Miller in Washington and Rachel La Corte in Olympia, Washington, contributed to this report. In this photo taken on May 7, 2021, bullet holes pock a house in Krong Pinang, a village in southern Thailands Yala province, where two insurgents spent the last hours of their lives before being killed during a standoff with government forces three days earlier. Time was running out for the two separatist fighters and they knew it. Bullet holes riddled the corrugated metal wall of the house where they hunkered down during their final hours. Dozens of Thai government security personnel surrounded it and the men inside had already shot dead 27-year-old Nopparit Sukson, a paramilitary ranger from northern Thailand. His body lay meters away on a forested slope at the edge of Krong Pinang, a village in Yala, a province in Thailands troubled Deep South. An imam had been called in to persuade the combatants to surrender; a third man had already done so. Soon after, a military press release would quote him as saying that his two former compatriots had been involved with drugs. The two men holed up in the house had decided not to surrender. Instead, they began making video calls. Speaking casually, they asked friends and family members how their day went, as if this were a regular conversation instead of a farewell call, according to people who spoke to the pair, who were killed in a gunfight with Thai security forces on May 4. Ilyas Woka, 32, and Ridwan Cheksoh, 31, also asked for forgiveness, or ma-af, an important concept in Islam and a common request among friends and family, especially during the month of Ramadan, when Muslims fast from dawn to dusk. They told people whom they telephoned not to worry about authorities tracing the call, because they would make sure to destroy their phones and SIM cards. But someone began recording one of the calls on another cellphone. Soon, footage of the two men was circulating on social media albeit with no accompanying sound. Different versions proliferated, with stirring music added in, along with captions like the martyrs last smile and alleged final messages exhorting the people of Patani to keep fighting the colonizers from Siam. In the footage, the men one holding an AK-47 appear remarkably calm, smiling and laughing, providing a rare glimpse of fugitive combatants that, to some viewers, was humanizing. Its not easy for people who choose to take up arms, to walk down this path, taking into account the hardship, life on the run, and perhaps imprisonment or death, reflected Nualnoi Thammasathien, a journalist in Pattani, another province in the Deep South, after viewing the footage. After a three-hour standoff, the men were shot dead as they tried to make a run for it by dashing up the hill toward deeper woods. The local community deemed them martyrs and buried them as such. Local residents sit at Ilyas Wokas gravesite, May 7, 2021. [Don Pathan/BenarNews] The videos made an emotional connection with local Malay residents across the southern border region, where more than 7,000 have died from insurgency-related violence since January 2004 Thats when a new generation of separatist militants surfaced to pick up where the previous generation had left off a decade earlier. Hundreds of thousands of baht were donated to the families of the two men within the first three days after their funeral, village elders and relatives said. Well-wishers, averaging nearly 1,000 a day, strolled through the dead mens homes. The house where the two positioned themselves during the standoff, and the sites where they were gunned down, also drew visitors. The display of moral support to combatants killed by security forces is nothing new, said Sukriffee Lateh, president of PerMAS (The Federation of Patani Students and Youth). Its just that this video call that went public generated so much sympathy and support from the local residents. Local people were no longer afraid to show their feelings, said Sukriffee, who led a group of about 15 college students to visit the gravesites and the families of the two deceased men. The video and open outpouring of support jolted security officials, who wanted to know if the two insurgents were deliberately pursuing their own deaths as a publicity stunt, and if this would be the start of something new in the conflict. Meanwhile, local people were outraged when ISOC-4, the militarys regional command, linked the two slain insurgents to the brutal killing on April 28 of three members of a Buddhist family in the Sai Buri district of Pattani province. An ISOC-4 press release gave no evidence; neither man was listed in an arrest warrant related to the incident, the local people said. Sources wouldnt say plainly how long the men had been members of the Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), the highly secretive armed insurgent group and the largest among rebel organizations in the border region. Both had been on the run for about two years, but would often slip back home to visit family. Ilyas did drugs as a teenager and spent time in prison in his early 20s, but came out wanting to learn more about his people and the predicament of this region, friends and family said. He had a wife and three children aged eight, five and three. Ridwan taught tadeka, weekly classes where young children learn about Islam and the Malay identity. He was single, and tried to call his father to say goodbye. A young cousin who picked up the phone became hysterical when she realized his situation. The footage of their final moments seemed to strike a chord in Thailands Malay-speaking far south, in a way that the official BRN spokesman who issues a YouTube video statement once or twice a year was unable to achieve in almost two decades. The message to the Melayu people was clear: keep on fighting for independence, said Asmadee Bueheng, an executive member of The Patani, a local political action group advocating the right to self-determination for the people of this region. This is a challenge for the current crop of political activists who would like to see a political settlement with the Thai state through non-military means, Asmadee added. The next round of peace talks between the government and the BRN, had been tentatively slated for late May. But on May 4, the day of the standoff at Krong Pinang, Malaysian facilitator Abdul Rahim Noor stated that the two sides could not agree on whether the next meeting should be held in person or virtually, and therefore it would be postponed. Meanwhile, an informal video dispatch from the front lines gave unexpected resonance to what otherwise would have been just another killing in the low-grade separatist conflict that grinds on year after year. Don Pathan is a Thailand-based security analyst. The opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and not of BenarNews. Troops prepare to secure a roadway near the town of Datu Paglas in Maguindanao during an attack by Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters members, May 8, 2021. The transitional autonomous government in the southern Philippines needs more time to control militants linked to the Islamic State (IS) but has begun talks with them, its leader told lawmakers on Friday. Ahod Balawag Ebrahim, chief minister of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), told senators during a legislative inquiry that he had asked for a three-year extension for his government because normalization in the restive south would take longer than the three years granted to the interim administration. The normalization is not a failure. The problem is really that it is not completed. That is why we are asking for an extension, in order to complete the transition and the normalization," said the leader of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which used to be a separatist group before it signed a peace deal with the government in 2014. Ebrahim is popularly known as Murad Ebrahim, the name he used as the leader of MILF. Our strategy [to deal with militants] is, we opened [a] dialogue with them and we tried to convince them to end the violence, Murad told the senators during online deliberations. Murad said in January that he had made preliminary contact with the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) as well as the Abu Sayyaf Group in efforts to persuade them to come into the fold of the law. BIFF is a faction that broke away from the MILF and refused to sign the peace agreement. One BIFF faction has continued to fight for an independent Muslim state in the southern island of Mindanao. Another faction of BIFF and Abu Sayyaf, which also operates in the southern region of Mindanao, have both pledged their allegiance to IS. We have influenced a bit the faction of Ismael Bongos, then some [in] the group of Karialan, Murad said. He was referring to BIFF commanders Ismail Abubakar, or Bongos, and Ustadz Karialan, whose forces faced off with military troops last weekend after they briefly took over the small southern town Datu Paglas. Karialan has not come out openly to pledge support to IS, but as a group, BIFF has not censured IS attacks that advance their own goals. A third, more radical faction, led by Abu Turaife, has openly pledged support to IS. Murad said hundreds of militants have already turned their backs on BIFF. In fact, 900-plus from these groups have registered with us. They joined back with MILF, he said. Murad has been under pressure to rein in BIFF. President Rodrigo Duterte flew to the south earlier this week to meet with BARMM and military officials. Duterte warned BARMM leaders that if they did not convince BIFF forces to stand down, he would order the military to launch an all-out offensive. The monkey wrench in the whole situation now is the BIFF and they continue to inflict not just small violence, Duterte said on Tuesday. They continue to burn, ambush and detonate bombs, really full-blown terrorism. Transitional government extension On Friday, Murad asked the senators to pass a law that would postpone regional elections set for May 2022 and allow BARMM leaders to retain power until 2025. Under the current law on the BARMM, the transitional government is supposed to step down in May 2022. This is to give the regional government more time to establish reforms and stamp out remaining militant groups, BARMM officials have said. The officials were appointed in 2019 by the central government in Manila rather than by a vote. A panel of senators questioned the BARMM regional governments performance, noting that many of the reforms outlined in the peace deal with the central government have yet to be delivered, including the elimination of militants and armed groups in the perennially strife-torn Mindanao region. The senators asked officials from BARMM and Manilas peace process office whether incidents like last weekends attack in Datu Paglas town in Maguindanao province, and another fight on Wednesday when five suspected BIFF members were killed, indicated a failure in the normalization or process. The normalization process is not a magic formula, said Mohagher Iqbal, BARMMs education minister and one of the MILFs top leaders, MILF leaders have said three years was too short a time to establish a strong regional government, noting the COVID-19 pandemic severely hampered their efforts. We are still pushing for extension because we believe it is the only way to complete the normalization process, Murad said. Peace Process Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. backed the BARMM governors. Limiting factors, including the pandemic, and the consequent reallocation of funds meant for the normalization effort, were reasons for the regional government appearing to have underperformed. While the BARMM interim government has done a remarkable job with such a short period of time, we believe that the three-year transition period is still not enough to accomplish what it had set [out] to do, Galvez said. Besides, elections tend to be divisive and what the Bangsamoro region in Mindanao needs most is unity, he said. Mark Navales in Cotabato City contributed to this report. Indigenous students wearing traditional garb join a sit-in protest at the University of the Philippines in suburban Manila to call on authorities to respect academic freedom, Jan. 28, 2021. Police in the southern Philippines freed seven tribal leaders, students and teachers on Friday after prosecutors dropped charges against the group who were arrested three months ago for allegedly training children as combatants for communist rebels, their lawyer said. The seven tribespeople had been charged with kidnapping, human trafficking and other offenses after their arrest during a police raid on Feb. 15 at a makeshift school they had set up at the University of San Carlos, a church-run campus in central Cebu City. All told, it appears that there is insufficient evidence to support any of the alleged crimes of kidnapping and serious illegal detention, human trafficking and child abuse, Davao del Norte provincial prosecutors said in a statement issued May 5. Even when there are indications of acts committed by the said respondents that would fit the elements of the above-mentioned crimes, these acts either happened at Davao City or at Cebu City, outside the territorial jurisdiction of this office, the statement added. The document identified the seven as Chad Errol Booc, Roshelle Mae C. Porcadilla, Benito Dalim Bay-ao, Segundo Lagatos Melong, Jomar Benag, Esmelito Paumba Oribawan and Moddie Langayed Mansimoy-at. The prosecutors also ordered the Cebu-based Police Regional Office 7 and other facilities where the seven were detained to immediately release them as far as these cases are concerned. King Anthony Perez, an attorney with the National Union of Peoples Lawyers (NUPL) said his group only received the document on Friday and that all seven were released at 6:30 p.m. An informant, who claimed to be a former teacher, alleged that he and the seven had taught minors the ideologies and methodologies of the CPP, according to the prosecutors statement, referring to the outlawed Communist Party of the Philippines. Video of the incident The NUPL said 21 people were taken into custody during the February raid, adding that 14 children were released to social workers or eventually released to their parents. The police justified their action as a legitimate operation to rescue the children from being indoctrinated into the communist movement. NUPL said the dismissal validates our firm assertion that the persistent red-tagging efforts on lumad schools by the state forces are baseless and unfounded. Red-tagging is a term that activists use to describe a military practice of accusing activists of having links to the Philippine communist party and its armed wing, the New Peoples Army. The indigenous people and their leaders have been victims of state terrorism because of their long history of struggle against the exploitation of their ancestral lands, the NUPL said in a statement. State security forces have accused schools set up by religious and civil society groups in rural areas of the Mindanao region for the lumad the collective term for non-Islamized indigenous groups of being run by rebels or their front organizations. In 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte warned that he would destroy schools in Mindanao educating lumad children, and told them to leave the area. He also ordered the military and police to investigate their alleged links to the communist insurgency. I am telling the lumads now, get out of there. I will bomb those schools. I will include your structures, Duterte said in July 2017. The military has not carried out the presidents threat. United Nations Special Envoy to Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgener (left), talks with Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha during a meeting at Government House in Bangkok, May 14, 2021. The U.N.s special envoy on Myanmar met behind closed doors with Thailands leader Friday, trying to find solutions to the Burmese crisis, as ASEAN dithered on naming its emissary to the coup-ridden country, which has already blocked the proposed visit. Christine Schraner Burgener, the United Nations envoy, told Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha in Bangkok that she hoped Thailand could work with Myanmars junta to restore peace in that country, where close to 800 people have been killed since the military overthrew an elected government in a February coup. I held very constructive talks today in [Bangkok] with Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai on a peaceful solution in Myanmar in the interest of the people, Schraner Burgener said via Twitter. According to a Thai government spokesman, the U.N. envoy said she was meeting Prayuth as part of her ongoing negotiations on Myanmar with officials from countries in the region. Last month, Schraner Burgener held talks with leaders including Burmese junta chief Min Aung Hlaing on the sidelines of a special summit on Myanmar convened in Jakarta by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. She said she hoped that Thailand would seek cooperation from Myanmars armed forces to find a peaceful solution, Anucha Burapachaisri, the government spokesman, said in a statement. Prayuth told the U.N. envoy that Thailand supports attempts to ease the situation in Myanmar, the statement said. Prayuth, a former army chief who engineered his own coup in 2014, is said to be close to the Myanmar military. Thailand and Myanmar are both members of the 10-nation ASEAN bloc. U.N. envoy Schraner Burgener has been in Thailand since early April to monitor the situation in neighboring Myanmar and speak to ASEAN members on how best to end the post-coup violence. Myanmar security forces have killed at least 788 people mostly anti-coup protesters since the Feb. 1 military takeover, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, a Thailand-based Myanmar human rights group. ASEAN envoy nowhere to be seen Meanwhile, there is no sign of an ASEAN envoy, three weeks after the blocs members agreed to appoint a special emissary to go to Myanmar to talk to all parties involved in the turmoil. At their meeting in the Indonesian capital on April 24, ASEAN leaders and top diplomats hammered out a so-called consensus on Myanmar. In addition to naming an envoy and agreeing to allow that person to visit Myanmar, the ASEAN consensus called for an immediate end to violence, constructive dialogue among all parties and the provision of humanitarian assistance coordinated by the bloc. But the consensus began to unravel almost immediately. The Myanmar junta did not stop the violence and has continued to turn its guns on protesters. On April 26, the junta chief said he would act on the ASEAN agreement only after there was stability in the country. The next day, the parallel civilian government said it would not participate in talks with the military unless the more than 3,000 political prisoners were freed. No one from the parallel government was invited to the ASEAN meeting on Myanmar. Then on May 7, Myanmars junta said it would not agree to a visit by the ASEAN envoy until it could establish stability in the country. On Tuesday, Singapores top diplomat said the bloc needed to immediately implement the consensus reached in Jakarta. This will not be an easy process. The cooperation of the Tatmadaw [the Myanmar armed forces] will be needed, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said while answering questions in parliament, according to an official transcript. The juntas contemptuous response to the ASEAN agreement shows the limits of the consensus-based decision-making process that the bloc prides itself on, said Marzuki Darusman, former chair of a United Nations fact-finding mission on Myanmar. While ASEAN was giving Min Aung Hlaing the red-carpet treatment in Jakarta, people were still dying on the streets defending democracy, he wrote in an op-ed piece in the Bangkok Post earlier this week. An ASEAN envoy to Myanmar is nowhere to be seen, nor is the purported dialogue involving the opposition, Darusman said. If Myanmar is the ultimate test for ASEANs ability to solve crises, it is one it is currently failing. On Friday, the Bangkok Post echoed that criticism in an editorial. The world is once again looking to ASEAN to see how it will respond to this challenge, the editorial said. So far, there has been no significant move by the bloc; rather, a collective silence which is a letdown. If anything, it might give Snr Gen Min Aung Hlaing the false impression that the region condones his behavior. Still, ASEAN must forge ahead with naming an envoy and put the ball in the court of the military leader, Ong Keng Yong of the Nanyang Technological University Singapore, said during an online discussion held by the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore on Friday. An envoys visit to Myanmar has to happen soon, Bruneian Foreign Minister II Erywan Yusof said at the discussion, in pre-recorded remarks. He did not say how long it would take to name an envoy. He did not say either that the ASEAN chair and secretary general would visit Myanmar in the coming days, as some regional news sites had reported. Prayuth and the Burmese military Separately, a report in Japans Nikkei Asia on Wednesday cited an unnamed high-level source as saying that Thailand has maintained back channels, and [Prayuth and Min Aung Hlaing] can communicate without having to meet. The reference was to criticism of Prayuth having skipped the special ASEAN leaders meeting on Myanmar on April 24. Many analysts had said the Thai PM did not go to the meeting because he was close to Myanmars junta chief. The PM does not have to attend the ASEAN summit to engage with [Min Aung Hlaing], the source told Nikkei Asia. Prayuth chose Myanmar as the first foreign country to visit after he seized power in May 2014, and four years later, Thailand awarded Min Aung Hlaing a royal decoration. Some analysts said this this week that if anyone could convince Myanmars junta to stop the violence, that would be Prayuth. Prayuth should use these links to make clear that the price of Tatmadaw intransigence is too high for Thailand and ASEAN. He should pressure Min Aung Hlaing to back down, John Blaxland, professor of International Security and Intelligence Studies at Australias ANU College of Asia and the Pacific, said on Twitter. Prayuth has agency. He just needs resolve. If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. Acting Features Editor Jennifer Huberdeau is the acting features editor. Prior to The Eagle, she worked at The North Adams Transcript. She is a 2020 New England First Amendment Institute Fellow and a 2010 BCBS Health Care Fellow. Voters in Alford will be asked at Tuesday's annual town elections to consider a measure that would ban adult recreational marijuana establishments from locating within the town's borders. Clarence Fanto can be reached at cfanto@yahoo.com , on Twitter @BE_cfanto or at 413-637-2551. Divers and searchers from the Massachusetts State Police, Environmental Police and the Berkshire County Sheriffs Office scan Pontoosuc Lake in a search operation Wednesday. On Thursday afternoon, a man's body was recovered from the lake, the victim of an "apparent drowning." Turmoil from the battle between Israel and Hamas has spilled over into the West Bank and sparked the most widespread Palestinian protests in years China-South Asia interactions are being enriched day-by-day due to Beijing's integration drives underpinned by the Belt and Road Initiative, its investments in infrastructure for connectivity, and its comprehensive plan involving trade, tourism, science, technology, health, and education to boost economic recovery in the post-pandemic era. Fresh manifestation of China's diplomatic policy in South Asia came to the limelight after China hosted a foreign ministers' meeting with five South Asian nations including Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal in late April. The six foreign ministers decided unanimously to keep tabs on the COVID-19 situation in India, and expressed their willingness to continue to provide needed support through respective channels in consultation with India. China's robust integration and engagement with South Asian countries is centered on shared peace and green development by pursuing co-existence, equality, and rule of law. To push forward practical cooperation in many fields, China announced plans to establish a China-South Asia emergency supplies reserve, set up a China-South Asia poverty alleviation and cooperative development center, and hold a China-South Asia forum on rural e-commerce poverty reduction cooperation. The meeting became a high-profile platform to thwart any attempt to politicize the issue of pandemic's origin and vaccine production and distribution. Most South Asian countries supported Chinese President Xi Jinping's statement on making vaccines a global public good, and China's vaccine cooperation with other countries in a flexible manner, including co-production of COVID-19 vaccines. The five foreign ministers from South Asia agreed to deepen BRI cooperation, keep industrial and supply chains stable and secure, and give a stronger boost to economic recovery and the improvement of people's lives in the region. The foreign ministers also stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation in poverty reduction, food security, and other non-traditional security matters to protect the livelihood of people with special attention to the most vulnerable groups. China's commitment for Asia's ascent was also demonstrated at the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2021. Asian economies will remain an "anchor" for multilateralism and play a key role in bolstering pandemic control, keeping industrial and supply chains efficient and stable, and promoting trade and investment, said Li Baodong, secretary general of the Boao Forum for Asia. Yang Ying, vice-president of Deloitte China stated at the Forum, "Specifically, businesses believe expansion and upgrading of the consumer market as well as technological innovation will mainly drive China's sustainable growth, which will also help boost the whole regional economy and contribute to global economic development. She then added, "China's steady economic recovery will also boost the economic development of countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative." On the future connectivity spectrum with South Asian Countries, China plans to build an important passageway to South Asia through Tibet Autonomous Region. This plan is envisaged in the outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-range Objectives Through the Year 2035. Active and robust Chinese diplomacy in South Asia has encouraged many countries in the region to boost their collaboration with China in various sectors. Abdul Hamid, president of Bangladesh, said during a meeting with Chinese Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe that China is one of the most important development partners of Bangladesh, and exchanges between the two countries are gradually expanding in various fields, including trade and investment. He mentioned that Chinese investment in various sectors, including infrastructure and communication, is playing a very significant role in the socio-economic development of Bangladesh. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, president of Sri Lanka, emphasized the necessity of working together with China to promote the development of the Belt and Road Initiative. Talking to China's new ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong, Rajapaksa said that Sri Lanka would always remember the firm support from China in the country's fight against terrorism and its post-war reconstruction. He is determined to study China's development path and model, and strengthen cooperation with China in key areas related to people's livelihood, such as rural development, science and technology, education, and investment. In a meeting with Chinese ambassador Nong Rong, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi spoke highly of China for its unwavering commitment in helping Pakistan to bolster its economy. Seeking opportunities in accessing the Chinese market, the foreign minister also stressed the need to speed up the completion of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects. He pointed out that CPEC is a transformative program and hoped that the Chinese ambassador, with his experience in trade and infrastructure development, will fast track CPEC projects and promote industrialization in Pakistan. South Asia is geographically significant as a region where cultures gather. Now it has entered an active stage for economic progress. Today, South Asia is seeing significant changes ranging from growing partnerships and unfolding opportunities to perceptible uncertainties. China's robust engagement with the region integrates pragmatism and reciprocity. Chinese diplomacy in South Asia, as well as its global diplomacy, is based on the concept of peaceful development and common prosperity. From the bitterness and suffering from war and poverty, the Chinese people have learned the value of peace and the pressing need of development. They see that only peace allows them to live and work in prosperity and contentment and that only development can bring them quality of life. Therefore, the central goal of China's diplomacy is to create a peaceful and stable international environment for its development. In the meantime, China strives to make its due contribution to world peace and development as a major country. It never engages in aggression or expansion, never seeks hegemony, and remains a staunch force for upholding regional and world peace and stability. China has been seeking cooperation as a way to pursue peace, promote development, and settle disputes. It seeks to establish and develop cooperative relationships of different forms with other countries and effectively meet growing global challenges by constantly expanding mutually beneficial cooperation with other countries, and work with them to solve major problems that affect world economic development and human survival and progress. Yasir Habib Khan is special correspondent of China Today in Pakistan. He is also founder and president of Institute of International Relations and Media Research (IIRMR). Flash China on Thursday expressed strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to a so-called video meeting on human rights in China's Xinjiang, held by the United States, Britain, Germany and several non-governmental organizations (NGO). "The meeting was full of shameless lies and misinformation, which was just another clumsy performance and outright political farce by the United States and a few other countries that have no bottom lines," said Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying at a regular press briefing. "In fact, it has been firmly resisted by the vast majority of member countries of the United Nations," she said. Their groundless accusations against China are a reflection of the historical crimes, misdeeds and dark minds of themselves, Hua said. Hua reviewed the dark history of human rights abuses in the countries that participated in the virtual meeting held Wednesday in New York. U.S. history is witness to systematic ethnic cleansing and genocide against the American Indians, with racism still persisting in the United States, Hua said. She also drew attention to crimes against humanity perpetrated by Britain and Germany in history. Lashing out at the hypocrisy of these countries on the issue of human rights, Hua said if they really care about human rights, they should immediately take effective measures to ensure free breath of every single member of their ethnic minorities, stop wantonly killing innocent people in overseas military operations and bring perpetrators to justice, and ensure the equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines globally. NGOs at the meeting, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, are always full of prejudice and they are known for spreading lies, Hua said, adding that the World Uygur Congress at the meeting is an outright anti-China separatist organization. These are the so-called "witnesses" and "scholars" that the U.S. side has repeatedly used to spread rumors and lies against China, she said. Concerning accusations that China refused UN High Commissioner for Human Rights free entry into Xinjiang, Hua said China welcomes unbiased people from all countries to visit Xinjiang but opposes any so-called "investigation" with the presumption of guilt based on rumors and lies. "I would like to ask that if someone accuses and frames you with lies and then brutally and unreasonably demands you open your door unconditionally and allow them to go to your home and rummage through your closet, will you allow that? This is not about facts, but about sovereignty and dignity," Hua said. Reiterating China's firm opposition to foreign interference in its domestic affairs on the pretext of human rights, Hua said China is against any activities that undermine the stability and development of the country. China hopes and believes that the international community can see through the nature of these people and will not be deceived by their rumors and lies, Hua said. GRANGEVILLE - On Tuesday, May 11, 2021, at approximately 6:34am, the Idaho State Police were dispatched to a serious injury crash on North Meadow Street at East Main Street in Grangeville, Idaho. According to a release from the Idaho State Police, a 26-year-old Grangeville city employee, M. Alder, was making a left hand turn onto Meadow Street off of East Main Street when they struck two pedestrians in the crosswalk. The two victims struck by the vehicle were identified as 93-year-old Mr. B. Hazelbaker, 93, and 91-year-old Mrs. K Hazelbaker, 91, both of Grangeville. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hazelbaker suffered serious injuries and were transported to Syringa Medical Center in Grangeville. Due to their injuries, both were subsequently airlifted to Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho. An update on their status was not provided. The Idaho State Police would like to thank Grangeville Police Department and Syringa Ambulance for their assistance. The investigation is on going. SPOKANE - 31-year-old Silas James Enick was sentenced this week after pleading guilty on February 10, 2021, to Assault Resulting in Substantial Bodily Injury to a Spouse, Intimate Partner, or Dating Partner in Indian Country. According to court records from 2019, Enick was a resident of Worley. United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Enick to a time-served sentence of 376 days imprisonment, to be followed by a 3-year term of court supervision. According to information disclosed during court proceedings, this case arose in February 2020 when Enick struck his girlfriends face at their residence on the Colville Indian Reservation. Enicks girlfriend suffered a broken jaw requiring her to undergo surgery and have her jaw wired shut for almost two months. Acting United States Attorney Harrington said, The United States Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Washington works closely with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to ensure that Native American women and families are protected from violence such as this. This case was investigated by the Spokane Resident Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Colville Tribal Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Michael L. Vander Giessen, Special Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington. BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) North Dakota taxpayers are on the hook for nearly $3 million in rent over the next two years for unused office space for a state agency that intends to allow most of its more than 400 employees to work from home indefinitely. The North Dakota Information Technology Departments 85,000-square-foot leased space in a newly remodeled, privately owned office building in north Bismarck is unoccupied, except for about a dozen employees, said Greg Hoffman, the agencys director of administration. It is the largest and most expensive leased office space in the state, North Dakota Capitol Facilities Manager John Boyle said. Boyle said each lease has an appropriation clause that allows the state to get out of it if the Legislature doesnt provide funding. Hoffman said agency officials inquired about having lawmakers cut funding for the lease but were told by the state attorney generals office that would cause a legal battle with the buildings landlord, who lives in Fargo. Liz Brocker, spokeswoman for the attorney generals office, said her agency would not comment on legal strategy with a state agency. Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem did not return telephone messages. Most state employees have returned to their offices since being told to work from home last spring as the coronavirus pandemic took hold in the U.S. Gov. Doug Burgum allowed most state government offices to reopen to the public in a limited capacity last May. Burgum had said some 7,000 state employees at about 1,600 facilities across North Dakota had been part of a remote workforce under his orders since March 2020 due to COVID-19. Hoffman said the agency favored teleworking even before the coronavirus pandemic hit and will continue to do so. The agency began allowing people to work remotely while its rented space underwent a two-year renovation, beginning in 2018. The Republican governor has promoted working from home as a way to cut costs and promote workplace flexibility as a recruiting tool," Burgum spokesman Mike Nowatzki said. Nowatzki did not know how many North Dakota state employees are currently working from home. Boyle estimated 70% of the 1,800 employees at the state Capitol have returned to their offices. Shawn Riley, who heads the Information Technology Department, has sometimes worked remotely from his home in southeast Minnesota since Burgum hired him 2017 with the governors blessing, Nowatzki said. It has not hampered Rileys ability to do his job or communication with the Burgum administration, Nowatzki said. The governor has been in hundreds of hours of online meetings with Shawn, Nowatzki said. Riley told The Associated Press he has spent 90%" of his time in North Dakota since being hired, including officing in person. Nowatzki said the governor is aware of the agencys near-vacant space. He said it could be made available to other agencies, if needed. The leased space for the agency would occupy more than eight floors of the 19-story state Capitol building in Bismarck. In addition to leading the states cybersecurity efforts, the agency supports the information technology needs of state government, K-12 education and higher education. The Legislature this year approved a $275 million two-year budget for the agency, and increased of its workforce from 402 people to 479. Included in the budget is funding for the agencys palatial digs, at about $2.9 million over the next two years. Documents obtained by the AP show the state pays more than $10 million in rent for agencies at about 170 locations statewide, at an average rate of $13.33 a square foot. The IT agencys original 10-year lease expires in 2025. Hoffman said the agency will still need some physical space but I dont think well be asking for as much in the future. JERUSALEM (AP) The Latest on the stepped-up fighting between Israel and Gaza's militant Hamas rulers (all times local): GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip An Israeli airstrike on a house in Gaza City has killed at least seven Palestinians. The airstrike early Saturday in the western part of Gaza City recorded the highest number of fatalities in a single hit. The militant group Hamas reported the number is likely to rise as efforts to recover casualties from under the rubble of the house on the edge of Shati refugee camp are still ongoing. There was no immediate update from the Health Ministry and its spokesman did not answer calls for comment. Said Alghoul, who lives nearby, said Israeli warplanes dropped at least three bombs on the three-story house without warning its residents in advance. I saw the bodies of four people, including children, being rushed to the hospital, he said. I could not endure and ran back to my home. He said rescuers called a bulldozer to dig up the rubble as they looked for survivors or bodies. Shortly afterward, Hamas said it fired a salvo of rockets at southern Israel in response to the airstrike. ___ JERUSALEM The Israeli military says it has identified three rockets fired from Syria toward Israeli territory on Friday. The military said in a statement that one of the rockets landed inside Syria in the evening hours. There was no immediate comment from Damascus. The incident comes amid a violent escalation between Israel and Gazas militant Hamas rulers this week that has been compounded by an eruption of ethnic clashes inside Israel as well and violence in the occupied West Bank. Israel appears to be looking to inflict intensified damage on the Islamic militant group Hamas, which controls Gaza and has fired hundreds of rockets into Israel. ___ JERUSALEM Israeli police are saying that nine people were injured during violent unrest surrounding the arrest of a senior Islamist leader in northern Israel. That's a higher toll than media reports had earlier. Four are reported to be in serious condition. Police said on Friday that during the arrest of Kamal Khatib, officers encountered violent resistance from residents who blocked roads, burned objects, threw stones and opened fire at officers. Israels public security minister, Amir Ohana, said police and Shin Bet agents made a series of important arrests of people responsible for inciting violence there in recent days, including Khatib, the deputy leader of the Northern Branch of the Islamist Movement in Israel. The group was outlawed by Israel in 2015. Israeli media reported earlier in the evening that five people were injured in the town of Kafr Kanna. ___ BEIRUT The powerful Lebanese Hezbollah says a young man killed by Israeli gunfire along the Lebanese-Israeli border was a fighter with the militant group. The man, 21-year-old Mohammad Tahhan, died of wounds sustained on Friday when he was struck during a protest at the border. Palestinian and Lebanese youth had gathered in the border area as part of a rally against the Israeli military campaign in Gaza. A small group later breached the fence and crossed the border into Israel, triggering the shooting. The Israeli military says troops fired warning shots toward the group after they sabotaged the fence and crossed over briefly. After sunset a dozen protesters still lingered by the fence, prompting tear gas from the Israeli side. Lebanese President Michel Aoun strongly condemned the crime committed by Israeli forces when they opened fire at the group. ___ JERUSALEM Israeli media are reporting that five people were injured from gunfire in violent clashes between protesters and police in a northern Israeli town following the arrest of an Islamic leader there. Police and agents from Israels internal security agency, the Shin Bet, arrived in Kafr Kanna to arrest Kamal Khatib, deputy leader of the Northern Branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel, according to Israels Channel 12. Amateur video footage from the town of Kafr Kanna shows Arab protesters throwing rocks at police, who responded with tear gas grenades. Israel police did not respond to requests for comment. ___ UNITED NATIONS -- The U.N. chief is appealing for an immediate halt to fighting between Gaza and Israel. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Friday that the conflict could "unleash an uncontainable security and humanitarian crisis and to further foster extremism, not only in the Palestinian territory and Israel but also elsewhere in the region. A U.N. spokesman said Guterres is urging the parties to allow mediation efforts to intensify and end the fighting more quickly. Stephane Dujarric says the U.N. is actively involved in those mediation efforts. Guterres also reiterated his commitment to support Palestinians and Israelis in resolving the conflict, including through the so-called Quartet of Middle East mediators the U.N., the U.S., the European Union and Russia. - RAMALLAH, West Bank The number of Palestinians killed by Israel in the occupied West Bank has risen to 10. That's according to Palestinian health officials after rising tensions signaled a new wave of violence from the Israel-Gaza confrontation. Earlier, seven were reported killed on Friday. Then the Palestinian health ministry reported the death of an eighth man, shot in the head in al-Rihiya. He was taken to Yatta Governmental Hospital. Later on Friday evening, health officials said a ninth Palestinian was killed in Salem and a tenth died after being shot by live bullets in the head in Asira al-Qibliya, near the city of Nablus. Those deaths come hours after after the Israeli army reported that one person was killed after attempting to stab an Israeli soldier. That came after six other Palestinians were killed by Israeli army fire in the occupied West Bank earlier in the day. The West Bank violence signals a new wave of unrest there as part of the Israel-Gaza escalation. ___ BEIRUT A Lebanese police official and the country's official news agency say a Lebanese protester who was hit when Israeli troops fired shots at the Lebanese-Israeli border has died of his wounds. The official said the 31-year-old protester died on Friday, a few hours after he was shot at the border where Palestinian and Lebanese youth had gathered as part of a rally against the Israeli military campaign in Gaza. A small group of them later crossed the border into Israel, triggering the shooting. The Israeli military says troops fired warning shots toward the group after they sabotaged the fence and crossed over briefly. There was no immediate comment from Lebanese officials or the military on the incident. The police official spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. Zeina Karam in Beirut ___ GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip Israeli aircraft have leveled a multistory building housing a bank affiliated with the Hamas militant group in Gaza City. It was the third Hamas bank destroyed in Israeli airstrikes in this week's deadly escalation and fighting. The Israeli military also said on Friday that it had struck Hamas weapons production and naval sites in recent strikes on the Gaza Strip. The Hamas armed wing released a video showing what they said was a drone attack the group launched targeting an Israeli chemical plant near a kibbutz in southern Israel. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli army on the drone attack. - JERUSALEM The number of Palestinians killed in the West Bank has risen to seven. The Israeli army says one was killed after attempting to stab a soldier. Palestinian health officials confirmed that death and said six other Palestinians were killed by Israeli army fire in the occupied West Bank. The health ministry said five were killed in stone-throwing clashes with Israeli forces in several locations, and a sixth was killed during an attempt to stab an Israeli soldier on Friday. A seventh was killed in Nablus. The West Bank violence comes as Israel unleashed a heavy barrage of tank fire and airstrikes on the Gaza Strip on Friday. Israel said it was clearing a network of militant tunnels ahead of a possible ground invasion. The West Bank violence signals a new wave of unrest there as part of the Israel-Gaza escalation. ___ PRAGUE The Israeli flag has been flying over the seat of the Czech presidency. A spokesman said on Friday that Czech President Milos Zeman has ordered the flag flown over the Prague Castle as a sign of unequivocal support and solidarity with Israel during its clash with militant Hamas leaders in Gaza. It was Zeman's latest statement of support for Israel during the current round of violence. He had previously stood by Israel in a letter to his Israeli counterpart, President Reuven Rivlin. The Czech Republic has been one of Israel's staunchest allies in the European Union. ___ ISTANBUL Hundreds of Muslims in Turkey have rallied, urging Palestinians to continue resistance against Israel. They shouted support for militant Hamas leaders on Friday at a symbolic funeral prayer for Palestinians killed in the spate of violence this week between Israel and the Gaza Strip. About 300 Muslims at the event hollered slogans in Turkish, including Greetings to Hamas, continue resistance. They called on Turkish soldiers to go to Gaza to help fight Israel and sang of the domed mosque in contested Jerusalem: Al-Aqsa will be saved if blood flows in streams. Some also waved Palestinian flags and chanted slogans in Arabic. People in Turkey have been demonstrating against Israel this week, gathering without much interference from the police despite a strict lockdown to curb COVID-19 infections. ___ JERUSALEM Israeli defense forces have fired warning shots toward a group of protesters who crossed from Lebanon as part of a rally against the Israeli campaign in Gaza. The army said some two dozen Palestinian and Lebanese youth had gathered at the border gate separating the two countries for a protest on Friday. A few of those involved crossed the border into Israel. The Israeli army says the group sabotaged the fence and set a fire in the area before returning to Lebanese territory. Al-Manar TV station, owned by Lebanons militant Hezbollah group, said one Lebanese person was wounded in the incident. The report could not be immediately confirmed. The Lebanese military had no comment. ___ JERUSALEM Israels army says a soldier has shot and killed a Palestinian who tried to ram his car into a military post in the occupied West Bank, then got out and attempted to stab the soldier. The incident took place on Friday north of the city of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. The Palestinian health ministry confirmed the death, but no other details were immediately available. Rights groups have complained about past shootings of Palestinians by the Israeli military under questionable circumstances. In recent years, Palestinians have carried out a series of stabbings, shootings and car-ramming attacks that have killed or wounded Israeli soldiers and civilians. Military checkpoints in the West Bank are a frequent target. The military, responding to criticism of excessive force against Palestinians, say soldiers must make split-second decisions in life-or-death situations. ___ JERUSALEM Israeli Justice Minister Benny Gantz has called on the chiefs of big social media platforms to quickly remove content from their sites that incites violence or spreads disinformation. A spokesman for Gantz said he told executives of Facebook and Tik Tok during a Zoom meeting Thursday that the current round of violence is being intentionally stirred through social media by extremist elements sworn to damage Israel. Gantz called the current round of fighting, a moment of social emergency, and we expect your assistance. The spokesman said the executives expressed their commitment to act quickly and effectively to prevent incitement on their networks. ___ JERUSALEM The head of Israels Shin Bet says the service wont tolerate ethnic violence by Arabs nor by Jews after nightly clashes this week in some of the countrys cities. Chief Nadav Argaman said Friday that Shin Bet will not allow violent lawbreakers to carry out terrorism on the streets of Israel." He spoke after consecutive nights of apparent revenge attacks by Arab and Jewish mobs in Lod, Jaffa, Haifa and elsewhere inside Israel. Argaman said Shin Bet is working with Israeli police and Border Patrol in those mixed cities. The effort is aimed at identifying, catching and prosecuting whoever tries to hurt Israeli citizens, Jews and Arabs, until peace returns to the streets of the country. ___ BERLIN - Chancellor Angela Merkels spokesman says Germany wont tolerate anti-Semitic demonstrations amid tensions in the Middle East. Anti-Israel protests in several cities this week have drawn concern and condemnation, particularly a protest outside a synagogue in Gelsenkirchen. A video showed dozens of protesters waving Palestinian and Turkish flags and yelling expletives about Jews. Merkel spokesman Steffen Seibert said Friday that anyone who uses such protests to scream their hatred of Jews is abusing the right to demonstrate. He added that our democracy will not tolerate anti-Semitic demonstrations. Seibert said Merkel condemns Hamas' ongoing firing of rockets at Israel and nothing can justify such terror. He said the rocket attacks must stop immediately. In neighboring Austria, Chancellor Sebastian Kurz tweeted that the Israeli flag was raised over his office on Friday as a signal of solidarity. DHAKA, Bangladesh Thousands of Muslims led by activists from an Islamic political party have demonstrated in Bangladeshs capital to denounce attacks by Israel against Palestinians. After the end of Eid al-Fitr prayers at Dhakas main Baitul Mokarram Mosque Friday, activists from the Islamic Andolan Bangladesh, or Islamic Movement Bangladesh, began protesting and were joined by thousands of others. Muslim-majority Bangladesh celebrated the key festival in a subdued manner after the government urged people to avoid large gatherings. Authorities arranged prayers in phases at the Baitul Mokarram Mosque, where devotees maintained distancing to avoid spreading the coronavirus. Afterward, protesters crowded together outside, carrying signs reading Boycott terrorist state Israel and chanting Down with Israel. The current eruption of violence between Israelis and Palestinians began a month ago in contested Jerusalem. The clash surged on Monday into the most severe outburst of hostilities since the 2014 Gaza war. - GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip Palestinians living along Gaza's northern and eastern borders are fleeing intense Israeli bombardment. Families toting supplies sought refuge on Friday in temporary shelters in central Gaza City as Israeli artillery pounded northern Gaza in an attempt to destroy a vast network of militant tunnels. The assault brought the front lines closer to dense civilian areas and paved the way for a potential ground invasion. Fleeing families arrived in pickup trucks, on donkeys and by foot at schools run by the United Nations, hauling pillows and pans, blankets and bread. Men lugged large plastic bags and women carried infants on their shoulders, cramming into classrooms. One mother who fled to a downtown school with her children said "nothing remains for us back home in the northern town of Beit Lahiya. Her son, Othman, said he had felt the family's house shake up and down, adding that everyone was running. Flash The death toll of Palestinians killed in Israel's strikes on the Gaza Strip climbed to 103 on Thursday, as the Israeli-Palestinian clashes continued unabated. The death toll included 27 children and 11 women, while 580 others have been wounded by the Israeli airstrikes and artillery shellings on the Palestinian coastal enclave since Monday, according to the Health Ministry run by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas). On Thursday evening, the armed wing of Hamas, known as al-Qassam Brigades, and other less-influential militant groups fired barrages of rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israel. Eyewitnesses said the Israeli military in the late afternoon intensified its air and ground strikes in the town of Beit Hanoun and the Jabalia area in northern Gaza, leaving at least 11 Palestinians killed and dozens of others wounded. The al-Qassam Brigades said its militants had fired more than 1,700 rockets at northern, central and southern Israeli towns since Monday. Meanwhile, an Israeli military spokesman said Israeli troops had struck 750 different targets in the Gaza Strip since the fighting began on Monday. The targets included 33 underground tunnels, 160 embedded rocket launchers, four high-rise buildings, and 60 terrorist operatives. Senior Hamas officials were also targeted by Israeli air raids, according to the spokesman. On Thursday night, Abu Obeida, spokesman of the al-Qassam Brigades, said in a short text message that its militants launched a barrage of 90 rockets at once at the Israeli cities of Ashdod and Ashkelon. "Firing the 90 rockets was in response to the enemy's targeting of safe civilian homes and the killing of children and women in the afternoon in northern and southern Gaza Strip," Obeida said. The tension between Israel and Gaza militants threatens to further escalate as the Israeli government is reportedly drafting a plan for a possible large-scale ground offensive in Gaza, similar to the one waged in 2014. Obeida said in another text message that his group had warned Israel against carrying out any ground military operation in the Gaza Strip. "In light of the enemy is threatening to wage a ground military operation, we say any ground incursion into any area in the Gaza Strip will be an opportunity to increase our harvest of the enemy's dead bodies and prisoners (captives)," he said. "We are ready to teach the enemy harsh lessons with the support of God," the spokesman added. The latest wave of violent clashes between Israel and the Palestinians, the worst since 2014, was mainly sparked by an Israeli plan to evict some Palestinian families from a neighborhood in the disputed East Jerusalem. The last two wild jaguars born in the United States died in 1963 and 1964 in Arizona the male in a federally set trap, the female shot by a private hunter. Now a new scientific paper says jaguar reintroduction to the same region where Mexican gray wolves were reintroduced and where the Center for Biological Diversity was founded would help make its ecosystems whole again. Male jaguars disperse from Mexico to the U.S. Southwest in search of new territory; since 2015 several wild jaguars have been observed roaming southern Arizona. But none live in the 20-million-acre area of the Mogollon Plateau where a separate study found suitable habitat for up to 150 of the great, spotted cats. Because female jaguars dont roam as far as males, said the Centers Michael Robinson, who was one of the studys authors, reproduction isnt happening north of the border. But the Center is taking the long view, seeking to protect the verdant streamsides of the Mogollon Plateau as critical habitat to provide cover and ample prey for future jaguar families. Please help us save jaguars and other species with a gift to our Saving Life on Earth Fund. Do it now and your gift will be matched. Mainly Jem's Birding & Ringing Exploits in the Eastern Province & Ringing Trips to Bahrain South Africa's gas potential, and interest from investors, meant government was under pressure to forge ahead with its legislative reforms needed to address upstream issues - which, until yesterday, have been in limbo. Megan Rodgers, director, Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr Second significant gas discovery in SA waters Total has made a significant gas condensate discovery on the Luiperd prospect, located on Block 11B/12B in the Outeniqua Basin, 175kms off the southern coast of South Africa... Slow progress on petroleum bill is hampering development Last month, Africa Intelligence reported that Total's plans to develop the offshore block 11B/12B is conditional on publication of petroleum bill... In a media statement released on 13 May 2021, the Ministry in the Presidency announced that Cabinet has approved the submission of the draft Upstream Petroleum Resources Development Bill to Parliament.The Upstream Petroleum Bill was first published in the Government Gazette on 24 December 2019. Written submission from industry stakeholders were submitted by 21 February 2020. Government consultations on the industry submissions were conducted by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy and the Petroleum Agency between April and May 2020. In September 2020 Government verbally presented its proposed amendments to the Upstream Petroleum Bill to industry stakeholders, which amendments aimed to address the concerns of raised by industry stakeholders, says Megan Rodgers, director at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr (CDH) and head of the firm's oil and gas sector.A significant and welcomed amendment to the Upstream Petroleum Bill, would be the introduction of the petroleum right, which will govern the key terms of both the exploration and production phase. We expect to see the introduction of a retention permit which is to be granted in instances where development and production of petroleum not possible owing to unfavourable market or economic conditions and to enable a petroleum right holder to undertake gas market development, if so applicable. We also expect to see the end of granting of technical cooperation permits.We hope to see black-owned oil and gas companies having the right to dilute both shareholding equity and participating interest in order to raise funding to meet its participating share of costs, said Rodgers.She added that CDH would like to see recoverability on the state carry with a percentage of the states annual share of production to be allocated for repayment of its proportionate share of exploration and production costs. We also hope to see all references to production bonus and petroleum rent tax removed from the Upstream Petroleum Bill, given these fiscal terms had not been fully formed and created investor uncertainty." The learnings from the Covid-19 global pandemic have highlighted the need to ensure that the long-term resilience of the health system to respond to future outbreaks. Health minister, Zweli Mkhize Phase 2 of Covid-19 roll out Pilot programme Globally, the lesson from the impact of Covid-19 has emphasised the necessity of investing in long term resilience and sustainability of health systems to enable us to better respond to future health emergencies and crises," health minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, said when he tabled the Department of Health's Budget Vote during a mini-plenary of the National Assembly.The Covid19 pandemic caused significant health seeking deterrence and various results have pointed to this challenge. The mandates set out in the performance agreement that I signed with the president for the period of June 2019 to April 2024, indicate the need for innovation to close these service delivery gaps.Mkhize said key amongst these include the establishment of the National Health Insurance (NHI) Fund, implementing the recommendations of the Health Market Inquiry Report, building human resource capacity, quality improvement, expansion of health infrastructure, risk management, uprooting corruption and ensuring clean governance as well as building partnerships through social compact.Mkhize said, meanwhile, that South Africa will begin phase 2 of its vaccination programme on Monday.This as the country emerges from a tumultuous year of 2020, which resulted in 1.6-million positive Covid-19 cases and 54,968 people losing their lives.Our country is set to begin phase 2 of the vaccination programme on 17May 2021, targeting 130 sites in the public sector to be active next week, focusing on the population aged 60 and above and vulnerable groups, using Johnson and Johnson and Pfizer vaccine; as vaccination of the remainder of healthcare workers is being concluded.Private sector sites will open later next week, he said.Mkhize said over the medium term, the departments most urgent focus is combatting the coronavirus through governments comprehensive local intervention programmes, for which R9bn has been allocated.We continue to play our strategic roles as co-chair of the ACT-Accelerator and Covid-19 champion of the African Union, following President Cyril Ramaphosas outstanding leadership in his capacity as chair of the AU in 2020.Mkhize said, meanwhile, that the department will, come June, be piloting 16 quality learning centres, defined as a cluster of health facilities at different levels of care servicing the same population.He said the pilot cluster will comprise 80 hospitals and 64 primary healthcare facilities.After incorporating the learnings from the pilot phase, the programme will gradually expand until all facilities belong to a quality learning centre.R13.7bn has been allocated for supporting tertiary healthcare services which are offered at tertiary and central hospitals to service patients from different provinces.The grant compensates the provinces that suffer inequality that results from this arrangement. This job expired on 26 May 2021. This job expired on 27 May 2021. Senior Paid Media Manager - Social Remuneration: CostToCompany Benefits: Great office space, flexibility, amazing coffee, brilliant colleagues and much more Location: Cape Town, Foreshore Education level: Degree Job level: Senior Type: Permanent Company: Incubeta Job description Works closely with Internal Country Consultants on strategic digital strategies Closely interacts with International Media Buying Consultancy and Account Management teams Must have a passion for digital marketing and wanting to build a career within the digital space Minimum two year experience in buying media via demand side platforms as well as social platforms Experience with working on ad-servers - eg. Campaign Manager, Sizmek, Adform Experience in management of digital accounts with a ROI focus Experience in managing digital campaigns with performance driven goals Experience with managing digital campaigns for video and mobile Must know how to work with budgets and how to allocate them effectively across different types of online media Experience with Google Analytics and how to implement and interpret data Ability to troubleshoot tech issues within buying platforms and present solutions Must have the ability to understand and interpret the strategy and execute this within the applicable platforms Ability to analyze campaigns and implement strategy based on findings Ability to conduct post-campaign analysis and to present that to country teams/client Ability to build reporting templates which is suited for client Outstanding ability to think creatively, strategically, and identify and resolve problems Ability to work closely with senior team members and consultants to take direction with campaigns Very diligent staying on top of the details Ability to succeed in a fast paced, entrepreneurial environment Strong organizational and time management skills Excellent written and verbal communication skills Bachelor's degree or diploma in Marketing Experience working in a Media Agency within PPC/Google Ads/Search Experience within Google Campaign Manager (CM) Experience with working in a SSP or exchanges Experience within the affiliate/Lead Generation sector Experience within Google Tag Manager 360 or any other tag management tool Good technical communicator - be able to turn complexity into simplicity Passion for online advertising technology Autonomous, proactive and resourceful Self-motivated and driven individual Cool under pressure Being able to take direction & working closely with team members and consultants Being able to share knowledge with team Employ Strategic Campaign set up with sufficient research and following direction given by country consultant Working closely with internal & external Consultants, Account Managers and Clients to develop and implement Media Buying strategies Working closely with CM team to ensure seamless integration with full GMP stack clients Being able to troubleshoot issues within CM and presenting solutions Build and traffic campaigns in DSP platforms including desktop, mobile, video - platforms are not limited to just one Analyse campaign performance and make recommendations for optimization Regular review of performance of campaigns across revenue, performance and pacing Ensure campaign delivery against revenue goals and Key Performance Indicators as established with the client and consultants Daily reporting and monitoring of campaigns to ensure performance goals and revenue objectives are met To ensure best practice RTB & buying techniques are employed at all times Being able to interpret data outside of programmatic and delivering holistic overview to client Ability to check different channel behaviour and impact of various channels on digital campaign performance eg. how does paid search influence performance on display / social Proactively seek new opportunities within programmatic space Ensure all correct revenues and media costs are reported on a monthly basis. Ensure all administration is accurate and up to date Being able to motivate oneself and to continue self development Close daily collaboration with consultants and client manager to understand clients goals and needs, communicating campaign metrics and performance to Sales and Client as needed; Campaign performance analysis and presentation to client manager and / or consultant for all campaigns First level of troubleshooting and triage on technical and performance related issues Provide feedback and support to product management based on usage of NMPi MG proprietary technology platforms to help drive improvements and quality Work regularly with R&D team on giving real-time product improving feedback as well as collaborating with them on new campaign optimization techniques Exceptional communication skills both written and verbal skills both written and verbal Display professional and example behaviour at all times at all times Specialized knowledge - have worked in a serious, thoughtful and sustained way to master the specialized knowledge needed to succeed in their fields; and that they keep this knowledge up-to-date, so that they can continue to deliver the best work possible. - have worked in a serious, thoughtful and sustained way to master the specialized knowledge needed to succeed in their fields; and that they keep this knowledge up-to-date, so that they can continue to deliver the best work possible. Competency - Professionals get the job done. They're reliable, and they keep their promises. If circumstances arise that prevent them from delivering on their promises, they manage expectations up front, and they do their best to make the situation right. Professionals don't make excuses, but focus on finding solutions. - Professionals get the job done. They're reliable, and they keep their promises. If circumstances arise that prevent them from delivering on their promises, they manage expectations up front, and they do their best to make the situation right. Professionals don't make excuses, but focus on finding solutions. Gets the job done with a can do attitude Displays honesty and integrity at all times at all times Be accountable for their actions even when making mistakes for their actions even when making mistakes Show respect for the people around them, no matter what their role or situation. for the people around them, no matter what their role or situation. They exhibit a high degree of emotional intelligence (EI) by considering the emotions and needs of others, and they don't let a bad day impact how they interact with colleagues or clients. (EI) by considering the emotions and needs of others, and they don't let a bad day impact how they interact with colleagues or clients. Project a positive attitude at all times towards clients team members and motivate team members when they are less positive. at all times towards clients team members and motivate team members when they are less positive. Display strong interpersonal skills. Ability to build strong relationships with clients and colleagues; display a strong team spirit. skills. Ability to build strong relationships with clients and colleagues; display a strong team spirit. Maintain the highest standards of delivery, productivity and effectiveness at all times of delivery, productivity and effectiveness at all times Organized and detail oriented Display focus and dedication at all times Be approachable and open to constructive criticism Exceptional time management skills and ability to prioritize high volume of projects simultaneously in a fast paced unpredictable environment. Ability to remain calm and thrive under pressure Strong problem solving skills Display a high level independence. This includes but is not limited to taking decisions independently while staying within the company guidelines; Proactive attitude; staying self-motivated; being self-reliant; continuous self-development without expecting to be taken by the hand. Display a hunger for knowledge and a willingness to learn for any situation Respect, appreciate and contribution towards decision making The media manager will be spending our clients digital budgets wisely within the real time bidding (RTB), paid social and paid search environment. Traders are required to know where best to buy inventory/online audiences for clients using demand side platforms/social platforms/paid search platforms and ensuring that client goals & ROIs are met.Media Managers are responsible for maximising our advertisers digital budgets according to their required goals. Simply, Media Managers will be responsible for defining / creating digital RTB, paid social and paid search strategies, implementing this in platforms, and spending a predetermined budget - all to ensure clients digital goals are met & that they see a full return on digital investment. You will need to understand how to buy inventory via various technologies at what price, inventory, audiences and programmatic strategies that will result in a successful campaign that meets the clients overall business goals. This position is one of the few around South Africa and will be a major step in your online career.The Media Buyer is able to independently set up and execute online campaigns for all international customers, in close accordance with the responsible client executive.If you believe you fit the criteria for this role, please email your CV together with your cover letter to Natasha at moc.atebucni@astnelat . Take note that if you do not receive feedback on your application within two weeks of submission, your application has been unsuccessful.Posted on 14 May 13:22 GMP Tech Advisor Remuneration: CostToCompany Benefits: Amazing offices; awesome people and culture; great coffee Location: Cape Town, Foreshore Education level: Diploma Job level: Mid Type: Permanent Company: Incubeta Job description Reports to the head of tech and services in the global ops team. Works internally with the media managers, T&S team, media consultants, commercial team and externally with clients. GMP tech advisor: Streamlining GMP stack integrations Providing clients with ad hoc or ongoing support (ranging from, but not limited to: network and campaign setup, tech support, troubleshooting, reporting, analysis and optimisations) Training and onboarding of clients and colleagues Taking charge of projects and up- and cross selling opportunities (initiating, documenting, testing, executing, analysing results and distributing knowledge to the team and assisting team members) At least three to five years' experience within the digital industry Tech-savvy: you pick up new technology quickly and have intermediate knowledge and experience with programmatic media buying Experience and passion for online marketing Strong knowledge of and practical experience in the majority of the GMP stack (CM, DV360, SA360, Google Ad Manager and Ad Exchange) Knowledge on GMP product integration An understanding of API integrations and external reporting platforms is beneficial Knowledge of Google Ads preferable Able to operate within grey areas and without clear direction Experience in stabilizing high-pressure situations and tight deadlines Experience in working within a fast-paced global team Experience in working directly with operational and commercial teams. A clear understanding of digital commercial models and being able to work with commercial teams Outstanding ability to think creatively and strategically within the digital marketing space Project Management experience - You can work independently and prioritise multiple projects You are a great communicator, with the ability to talk with clients and other partners You are a self-starter that seeks knowledge and expertise in digital media buying Thinking ahead abd being able to identify areas of improvements within for clients Ability to understand the customer's key business and marketing challenges and translate this into how you can achieve these goals by working with the media buyers, media consultants and publishers Ability to be entrepreneurial and to create own opportunities Strong ability to prioritise and manage own time as well as assisting teams where needed Good technical communicator - be able to turn complexity into simplicity Exceptional communication skills both written and verbal and display professional and example behaviour at all times skills both written and verbal and display at all times Specialised knowledge - have worked in a serious, thoughtful and sustained way to master the specialized knowledge needed to succeed in their fields; and that they keep this knowledge up-to-date so that they can continue to deliver the best work possible. - have worked in a serious, thoughtful and sustained way to master the specialized knowledge needed to succeed in their fields; and that they keep this knowledge up-to-date so that they can continue to deliver the best work possible. Competency - Professionals get the job done. They're reliable, and they keep their promises. If circumstances arise that prevent them from delivering on their promises, they manage expectations upfront, and they do their best to make the situation right. Professionals don't make excuses but focus on finding solutions. - Professionals get the job done. They're reliable, and they keep their promises. If circumstances arise that prevent them from delivering on their promises, they manage expectations upfront, and they do their best to make the situation right. Professionals don't make excuses but focus on finding solutions. Displays honesty and integrity at all times at all times Be accountable for their actions even when making mistakes for their actions even when making mistakes They exhibit a high degree of emotional intelligence (EI) by considering the emotions and needs of others, and they don't let a bad day impact how they interact with colleagues or clients. (EI) by considering the emotions and needs of others, and they don't let a bad day impact how they interact with colleagues or clients. Display strong interpersonal skills. Ability to build strong relationships with clients and colleagues; display a strong team spirit. skills. Ability to build strong relationships with clients and colleagues; display a strong team spirit. Maintain the highest standards of delivery, productivity and effectiveness at all times of delivery, productivity and effectiveness at all times Organized and detail-oriented Be approachable and open to constructive criticism Exceptional time management skills and ability to prioritize a high volume of projects simultaneously in a fast-paced unpredictable environment. Attention to detail Strong problem-solving skills This includes but is not limited to taking decisions independently while staying within the company guidelines; Proactive attitude, strategically minded, consultancy focussed. Continuous self-development without expecting to be taken by the hand. Display a hunger for knowledge and a willingness to learn for any situation Contribute towards decision making A clear understanding of digital commercial models and being able to work with commercial teams. Thinking ahead anf being able to identify areas of improvements within for clients - this is from a performance point of view as well as tech. Self-motivated and driven. Very diligent staying on top of the details and understanding how they fit into the big picture A GMP tech advisor is responsible for advising our international clients on the Google ad technology platforms that DQ&A resells to them (campaign manager, search ads 360, DV360, Google Ad Manager and Ad Exchange).You will assist clients with product integration as well as advise on best practices and recommended setups. Furthermore you should be able to traffic campaigns, troubleshoot various issues within the different platforms as well as train clients and colleagues from beginners to advanced level. As a GMP tech advisor, you work closely both with the account teams, as well as with the clients directly.Great communication skills are extremely useful when liaising with international colleagues, clients and publishers over email, Slack, Google Hangouts and through our ticketing system. By following our processes and workflows, the team stays organised and can easily keep track of the different client needs while sharing the workload.If you believe you fit the bill, please send your Cover letter and current CV through to Natasha Veldsman at moc.atebucni@astnelat . Please note that if you do not receive a response within 2 weeks of applying, please consider your application as unsuccessful. Posted on 14 May 15:46 Africa Communications Media Group welcomes new COO Africa Communications Media Group (ACG) has appointed Linda Weaver as its new chief operations officer (COO). In her new role, Weaver will lead the agency's operational strategic plan, which includes business development, financial management and organisational growth throughout Africa. Weaver has more than 30 years of working experience, 12 of which have focused on communications and marketing activities for the private sector as well as government communication and media management. She was most recently the COO at Weber Shandwick Africa. Flash A United Nations senior relief official in South Sudan on Thursday condemned the killing of an aid worker in Budi region of the country. Alain Noudehou, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan, said an aid worker was killed on Wednesday when criminals fired at a clearly marked humanitarian vehicle that was traveling to a heath facility. Noudehou said the vehicle was part of a team of international non-governmental organizations and South Sudanese government health workers. He said the team was driving from Chukudum to Kapoeta in an area that has seen several roadside ambushes this year and called on the government to strengthen law enforcement along these roads. The UN official called for authorities and communities to ensure that humanitarian personnel can move safely along roads and deliver assistance to the most vulnerable people in the country. "I am shocked by this violent act and send my condolences to the family and colleagues of the deceased. The roads are a vital connection between humanitarian organizations and communities in need, and we must be able to move safely across the country without fear," he said in a statement issued in Juba. In 2020, nine aid workers were killed, according to reports. RTHK: Israel bombards Gaza in response rocket fire Israel bombarded Gaza with artillery and air strikes on Friday in response to a new barrage of rocket fire from the Hamas-run enclave, but stopped short of a ground offensive in the conflict that has now claimed more than 100 Palestinian lives. As the violence intensified, Israel said it was carrying out an attack "in the Gaza Strip" although it later clarified there were no boots on the ground. Israeli security forces have also been scrambled to contain deadly riots between Jews and Arabs, and projectiles have been fired on Israel from Lebanon. The United Nations said the Security Council would meet on Sunday to address the conflict, while the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington was "deeply concerned about the violence in the streets of Israel". "We believe that Israelis and Palestinians deserve equal measures of freedom, security, dignity and prosperity," Blinken said. The Israeli army clarified early on Friday that its troops had not entered the Gaza Strip as it had earlier stated, blaming an "internal communication" problem for the confusion. There were intense artillery exchanges Thursday night, and AFP reporters saw Israeli troops assembling at the security barrier. Balls of flames rose high into the sky after strikes smashed into densely packed Gaza. Dozens of rockets were fired from Gaza towards the southern Israeli coastal cities of Ashdod and Ashkelon, and in the vicinity of Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airport. Israeli army spokesman John Conricus said the country was "prepared, and continue to prepare for various scenarios", describing a ground offensive as "one scenario". In Gaza, AFP photographers said people were evacuating their homes in the northeastern part of the enclave ahead of possible Israeli attacks, with Hamas, the Islamist group that controls Gaza, warning of a "heavy response" to a possible ground incursion. With the conflict showing no signs of easing, Israel has been rocked by an unprecedented wave of mob violence, in which both Arabs and Jews have been savagely beaten and police stations attacked. Defence Minister Benny Gantz ordered a "massive reinforcement" to suppress the internal unrest. The heavy bombardments coincided with the start of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, and saw the faithful pray at mosques and amid the rubble of Gaza's collapsed buildings. Israel's air force launched multiple air strikes, targeting locations linked to Hamas, with the air force saying jets had struck a "military compound" of the group's "intelligence headquarters". At least 103 people have been killed since Monday, including 27 children, and more than 580 wounded, the health ministry in Gaza said. Heavy bombardments have brought down entire tower blocks. Inside Israel, seven people have been killed since Monday, including one six-year-old, after a rocket struck a family home. The Israeli military said earlier it had hit targets in Gaza more than 600 times while 1,750 rockets were fired from the enclave. Hundreds of rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome air defence system. Three rockets were also fired from southern Lebanon towards Israel, landing in the Mediterranean Sea, Israel's army said. A source close to Israel's arch-enemy Hezbollah said the Lebanese Shiite group had no link to the incident. The military escalation was triggered by weekend unrest at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound, which is sacred to both Muslims and Jews. The disturbances, in which riot police had repeatedly clashed with Palestinians, has been driven by anger over the looming evictions of Palestinian families from the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood of east Jerusalem. The surging tensions sparked clashes in many of Israel's mixed towns where Jews live alongside Arabs, who make up about 20 percent of the country's population. Nearly 1,000 border police were called in to quell the violence, and more than 400 people were arrested. Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said inter-communal violence in multiple towns was at a level not seen for decades, and that police were "literally preventing pogroms". Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said police were increasing their use of force, warning of the "option" of deploying soldiers in towns. Israeli far-right groups have clashed with security forces and Arab Israelis, with television footage Wednesday airing footage of a far-right mob beating a man they considered an Arab in Bat Yam, near Tel Aviv, leaving him with serious injuries. In Lod, which has become a flash point of Arab-Jewish clashes this week with an Arab resident shot dead and a synagogue torched, a gunman opened fire on Thursday at a group of Jews, wounding one. Netanyahu said the violence was "unacceptable". "Nothing justifies the lynching of Arabs by Jews, and nothing justifies the lynching of Jews by Arabs," he said, adding Israel was fighting a battle "on two fronts". Amid the rocket fire, Israel's civil aviation authority said it had diverted all incoming passenger flights headed for Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airport to Ramon airport in the south. Hamas announced it had also fired a rocket at Ramon, in a bid to stop all air traffic to Israel. Israeli media said the rocket missed its target, but a number of international airlines cancelled flights amid the aerial onslaught. (AFP) This story has been published on: 2021-05-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Israel, Hamas continue to trade blows on third day of intense fighting Xinhua) 08:34, May 14, 2021 Photo taken on May 13, 2021 shows explosions following Israeli airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah. Thursday was another day of intense fighting between Israel and Hamas, as more than 1,700 missiles have been fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel in the last three days while the Israeli military has conducted hundreds of airstrikes in Gaza. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua) JERUSALEM, May 13 (Xinhua) -- Thursday was another day of intense fighting between Israel and Hamas, as more than 1,700 missiles have been fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel in the last three days while the Israeli military has conducted hundreds of airstrikes in Gaza. Health officials in Gaza said almost 90 Palestinians, including women and children, have been killed and hundreds injured in the fighting, while the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said seven Israelis have been killed. According to media reports, mediation efforts by Egyptian officials have yet to bear fruit. Israeli officials have indicated no preparedness to discuss a cease-fire. "It will take time but with great decisiveness, both defensively and offensively, we will achieve our goal to restore quiet to Israel," said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he visited an aerial defense system battery in the center of the country. "Hamas has initiated this round and took a risk with us," said a senior security official in a briefing for foreign journalists. "We must respond." The senior official, who asked to remain anonymous, said the humanitarian situation in Gaza has sharply deteriorated since the beginning of the current round of hostilities. "Hamas rockets have destroyed three power lines in Israel that supply electricity to the Gaza Strip," said the official, adding Gaza's coastal fishing zone has been blocked by the Israeli navy. Crossings that control the passage of goods from Gaza into Israel have also been closed in the past few days. On Wednesday, Israeli media reported that the security cabinet authorized a widening of the military operation Guardian of the Gates. Thousands of reserve soldiers have been called for duty in recent days, raising speculation on whether the Israeli government is planning a ground invasion into the Gaza Strip. (Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Liang Jun) You are here: World Flash African countries have acquired 38.03 million COVID-19 vaccines so far, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) disclosed on Thursday. The Africa CDC, the specialized healthcare agency of the 55-member African Union, said 22.4 million COVID-19 doses have been administered, out of the over 38.03 million acquired by member states. This figure corresponds to a coverage rate of 1.48 percent at the continental level, with 0.40 percent of the population having received a full vaccine regimen, according to the Africa CDC. According to the Africa CDC, African countries have used close to 58.87 percent of the vaccine supply available. It said five member states that are Morocco, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Egypt and Kenya have administered the most doses of COVID-19 vaccines to their respective populations. The north African country of Morocco comes first administering 10.13 million COVID-19 vaccines, with 11.9 percent of the country's population fully vaccinated. The West African country of Nigeria comes second administering 1.67 million COVID-19 vaccines, with 0.82 percent of the population fully vaccinated. Ethiopia is in third place administering 1.3 million COVID-19 vaccines, with 1.13 percent of the population fully vaccinated. As of Thursday noon, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Africa has reached 4,660,304 as the death toll from the pandemic stands at 125,404 while 4,219,117 patients across the continent have recovered from the disease, according to the agency. The mainstream media (MSM) is going out of its way to promote facial recognition, private corporations and the pandemic. ABC, CBS, NBC and The DailyMail fawned over CLEAR, United Airlines and the Marriot Bonvoy's "A Day Of Families." No one asked the question: what does bringing families separated by the pandemic have to do with facial recognition? Both United Airlines and the Marriot Bonvoy use CLEAR facial recognition. In July of last year, United Airlines partnered with CLEAR by offering "MileagePlus" members free or discounted CLEAR memberships . And the Marriot Bonvoy ties CLEAR facial recognition to loyalty points Hotel chains, like the Marriot, are using Clear's "Health Pass" for booking reservations as MobileID World explains "Those who decide to enroll in Health Pass will be prompted to authenticate through the app by uploading a selfie and pictures of official ID, which will then be compared using facial recognition. From there, each user is prompted to fill out a short questionnaire on symptoms related to the novel coronavirus. This will essentially create a biometric and health status profile." CLEAR's confetti cannons announced the entry of each family credit: Travel & Leisure As NBC News reported , the "CLEAR CONNECTS: "A Day of Families" event brought dozens of separated families together. "The two-and-a-half-hour event, CLEAR Connects: A Day of Families was hosted by the actor Neil Patrick Harris and treated about two dozen families to lunch, live music, photo booths and games." CLEAR's hired gun, actor Neil Patrick Harris, welcomed 100 family members to MetLife Stadium; which has been using CLEAR since 2018 , its proximity to two airports notwithstanding. The thinly disguised "A Day Of Families" is really a facial recognition sponsored festival, complete with food, a Broadway musical , games and CLEAR photo booths. Because what self-respecting facial recognition company wouldn't spring at the chance to use photo booths to ID every family member? There is perhaps no better example of MSM fawning over facial recognition and COVID quite like the Daily Mail who posted 12 pictures of families being reunited at MetLife stadium. As Psychology Today noted , people love free stuff. "Human decision-makers are notoriously bad at withstanding the lure of giveaways. Indeed, the chance of receiving a freebie may appear like a rare reward in a world where people frequently have to pay for visiting public toilets." If more people viewed facial recognition companies as profit-driven, ID hungry corporations, then maybe we would never ever witness another facial recognition sponsored festival where a woman jumps for joy at the prospect of seeing her family. The success of CLEAR's "A Day Of Families" means Americans will see biometric companies use more audacious marketing strategies trying to convince a gullible public that they care about families and privacy. The social credit system took yet another step forwardthis time, from Down Under. Under the guise of a welfare crackdown, Australia moved 25,000 people onto a cashless card system that restricts non-essential purchases. Aussie welfare recipients only access to funds is via a cashless debit card Australias government forced thousands of welfare recipients on to Centrelink, a cashless debit card. Under a massive expansion of the plan and new Federal Budget, immigrants have no access to most kinds of welfare for four years after attaining residency. However, the most crucial aspect of Centrelink is Aussies cannot use the cards for gambling, alcohol, or cigarettes. Only necessities like groceries and food can be purchased with the cards. East Kimberley and Goldfields in Western Australia, Ceduna in South Australia, and the Bundaberg-Hervey Bay region of Queensland trialed the cards beginning in 2016. Under this scheme, 80 percent of welfare recipients Centrelink payment will go directly to the card rather than a bank account. That is supposed to keep recipients from wasting the welfare on unnecessary items. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg unveiled the plan to make the scheme permanent in the trial locations. The plan also includes extending it to 25,000 people in the Northern Territory and Cape York. The Australian governments recent budget includes a $30 million package to upskill people at the trial sites and offer a jobs fund to boost employment opportunities. The plan includes funding for drug and alcohol rehabilitation services in the cashless debit card locations as well. Dont be so quick to judge. This plan is not what it seems Many people will rejoice, happy that the welfare queens can no longer lie about drinking beer and smoking while others toil away at work to pay for those luxuries. However, the truth is that this scheme is much more insidious than it may at first appear. No one wants to pay higher taxes so that those who do not want to work can squander welfare benefits. But knee-jerk reactions that lend support to schemes like this will ultimately lead to a social credit system, UBI, and financial allotmentt entirely controlled by the government. Implementation of these schemes is likely not only in Australia but across the world. What is a social credit system? For those unaware of what a social credit system is, Business Insiders article summarizes it well. In the article China has started ranking citizens with a creepy social credit system heres what you can do wrong, and the embarrassing, demeaning ways they can punish you, Alexandra Ma writes: The Chinese state is setting up a vast ranking system that will monitor the behavior of its enormous population and rank them all based on their social credit. The social credit system, first announced in 2014, aims to reinforce the idea that keeping trust is glorious and breaking trust is disgraceful, according to a government document. The program is due to be fully operational nationwide by 2020 but is being piloted for millions of people across the country already. The scheme will be mandatory. At the moment, the system is piecemeal some are run by city councils, others are scored by private tech platforms which hold personal data. Like private credit scores, a persons social score can move up and down depending on their behavior. The exact methodology is a secret but examples of infractions include bad driving, smoking in non-smoking zones, buying too many video games, and posting fake news online. That system is coming to the United States and the rest of the world soon Brandon Turbeville mentions the coming merger of the social credit and UBI systems here: While most Americans have scarcely noticed their descent into a police state, they are quick to dismiss the idea that such a system could be implemented in the land they still perceive to be free. However, all the moving parts are in place in the United States. They only need to come together to form the Social Credit System here. And they ARE coming together. Social media is a critical method of judging social scores. Mainly because of the willful posting of social media users on virtually every aspect of their lives. Users give away the most personal and intimate details of their lives and do so without charge. This data is extremely useful to governments who monitor and store the freely acquired information. Whether it is political opinions, pictures of yourself and your food, or private conversations, that data is sent directly to the corporation. Respective governments then have access to that data via various means and put that data to good use. In this article, Daisy offers insight into the data collection in the United States. People seem blind to what is coming The UBI, of course, is an old idea and one so old that philosopher/activist Bertrand Russell even discussed it. The UBI, cashless society, and social credit system will soon combine to create the largest, most effective police state ever known to man. A society where any criticism or resistance of the government will result in an immediate shut down of credits and the trespasser being frozen entirely out of society. It may feel good now, but soon it wont. When it no longer does, well, you were warned. About Robert Robert Wheeler has been quietly researching world events for two decades. After witnessing the global network of NGOs and several Revolutions they engineered in a number of different countries, Wheeler began analyzing current events through these lenses. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (R) is exploiting poor people's despair to coerce them into taking Big Pharma's experimental mRNA therapy "vaccines." DeWine announced Wednesday that he's going to raid Ohio's federal COVID relief funds to carry out a multi-million dollar lotto giveaway for adults who get vaxxed. Whoa: @GovMikeDeWine just announced Ohio is using federal COVID-19 relief dollars to conduct a $1 million lotto drawing for those who have received the vaccine pic.twitter.com/2TU2ixArT5 Tyler Buchanan (@Tylerjoelb) May 12, 2021 Two weeks from tonight on May 26th, we will announce a winner of a separate drawing for adults who have received at least their first dose of the vaccine. This announcement will occur each Wednesday for five weeks, and the winner each Wednesday will receive one million dollars. Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) May 12, 2021 The Ohio Department of Health will be the sponsoring agency for the drawings, and the Ohio Lottery will conduct them. The money will come from existing federal Coronavirus Relief Funds. Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) May 12, 2021 "If this is not illegal, it should be," said Alex Berenson. "It's certainly unethical, doubly so because the vaccines have not received full approval." They will probably say the per-person value of the lottery is under $100 and people already get that much to be vaccinated (which is troubling by itself) - but nobody is going to do that math. This is life-changing money for the winners and thus deeply coercive. Alex Berenson (@AlexBerenson) May 12, 2021 Cash award is coercion to receive experimental medical treatment pic.twitter.com/eDt8pF72Dg OneCommonUn1ty (@OneCommonUn1ty) May 12, 2021 This is what passes for "public health policy" in post-America. They locked down everyone's small businesses and put millions out of work and now they're exploiting down and out people's despair by telling them they can strike it rich if they gamble with their life by taking Big Pharma's experimental mRNA therapy "vaccines." Our "leaders" are truly depraved. Follow InformationLiberation on Twitter, Facebook, Gab, Minds, Parler and Telegram. After blocking two statements at the UN Security Council on the ongoing Israeli violence against Palestinians, the US objected to a planned meeting on the Israeli bombing campaign in Gaza that was to be held publicly on Friday. The US suggested that the meeting should be held next Tuesday, but after a compromise, the Security Council agreed to discuss the matter on Sunday. When asked about the delay, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he hopes pushing the meeting back would "give some time for the diplomacy." Via Jerusalem Post "We are open to and supportive of a discussion, an open discussion at the United Nations. I think were looking at early next week," Blinken said at a press conference. "This, I hope, will give some time for the diplomacy to have some effect and to see if, indeed, we get a real de-escalation and can then pursue this at the United Nations in that context." Reuters detailed further that: The 15-member council has met privately twice this week about the worst hostilities in the region in years, but has so far been unable to agree on a public statement, diplomats said. Such statements are agreed to by consensus, and the United States did not believe it would be helpful, they said. The issue with Blinkens reasoning is that the Israelis show no sign of seeking a de-escalation. On Wednesday night, Israel rejected a truce offer from Hamas and chose to intensify airstrikes indefinitely. Bombs pounded Gaza throughout Thursday. Over 100 Palestinians have been killed so far, including dozens of children. In the mid-70s, the US government launched a full-scale campaign to vaccinate mass numbers of Americans against what was supposed to be the deadliest flu pandemic that never actually occurred. As a result of the government push for widespread inoculation, many were harmed by the rushed vaccines. This government-led campaign was widely viewed as a debacle and put an irreparable dent in future public health initiative, as well as negatively influenced the publics perception of both the flu and the flu shot in this country. Rebecca Kreston, writing for Discover Magazine After a soldier named David Lewis died from a newly emerged form of influenza, then-US Secretary of Health F. David Mathis announced that this virus indicated a return of the 1918 flu virus that is the most virulent form of flu, and in extension the most deadly pandemic since the start of the 20th century. The CDC decided that in order to prevent another pandemic, 80% of Americans would have to be vaccinated immediately. Ultimately, 46 million Americans received the vaccine for a virus which never actually emerged. Resulting from what Rebecca Kreston believes to be then-President Fords increasingly politically motivated election campaign was that over 450 mostly elderly folks came down with a rare neurological disorder called Guillain-Barre syndrome, an illness that causes full-body paralysis and of which there is no cure. Remember the swine flu scare of 1976? That was the year the U.S government told us all that swine flu could turn out to be a killer that could spread across the nation. And Washington decided that every man, woman and child in the nation should get a shot to prevent a nationwide outbreak, a pandemic. Well, 46 million of us obediently took the shot, and now 4000 Americans are claiming damages from Uncle Sam amounting to $3.5 billion, because of what happened when they took that shot. By far the greatest number of the claims, two-thirds of them are for neurological damage or even death, allegedly triggered by the flu shot. ~Mike Wallace, 60 Minutes An old 60-minutes reel exposed the vaccine failure: United States government agencies including the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have a history of exaggerating the seriousness of viral pandemics such as the Swine Flu Pandemic of 1976. This scare-mongering about non-existent and exaggerated outbreaks is not only a modern tradition in American government, but has occurred several times since 1976. Another swine flu pandemic which never fully came to be was pushed in 2009; Ebola was a big scare in 2014; and in 2018 there was a supposed outbreak of the bubonic plague which never actually spread. Is the coronavirus another example of an exaggerated pandemic? Many believe so, including world-renowned doctors and scientists such as Dr. Roger Hodkinson and Dr. Aji Joffe of Canada, former president of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons Dr. Lee Merritt, holistic health practitioner Dr. Cassone, Doctors Dan Erickson and Dr. Artin Massihi of California, Dr. Wolfgang Wodarg of Germany, over 500 more German doctors and scientists who spoke out in unison about the exaggerated viral pandemic, and many, many more. The numbers surrounding our current coronavirus pandemic have been put in question on multiple occasions due to concerns over the federal government providing hospitals additional money for registering patients as covid-19 positive, the CDC rolling back collection of flu data, and the mass social media censorship which has occurred throughout the entire pandemic for anyone who dares speak in opposition to the claims of the World Health Organization (WHO) or CDC, no matter how distinguished and tenured they are. Are we living in another exaggerated pandemic cycle pushed by politicians and public health officials, and are measures such as lock downs, social isolation, masks, and other restrictions causing more harm than good? Perhaps, but one thing is known for sure. It certainly would not be the first time United States government agencies have hyped up a pandemic to the detriment of the general public, and it likely wont be the last. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Phillip Schneider is a staff writer and assistant editor for Waking Times. For more of his work, you can visit his Website, Facebook Page, or follow him on the free speech social network Minds. This article (The U.S. Has Been Through a Vaccine Rollout Like This Before Heres What Went Wrong) as originally created and published by Waking Times and is published here under a Creative Commons license with attribution to Phillip Schneider and WakingTimes.com. With the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic hitting the province hard, the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba's leadership has decided to cancel the Manitoba Summer Fair for the second year in a row. Advertisement Advertise With Us With the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic hitting the province hard, the Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba's leadership has decided to cancel the Manitoba Summer Fair for the second year in a row. It's the second event the organization has had to cancel for two years running, with the 2020 and 2021 editions of the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair also cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To make up for the cancellation, Provincial Exhibition of Manitoba president Greg Crisanti said COVID-friendly events are being developed for when the summer fair usually runs. More information on this will be announced next week. He said the exhibition is currently 37 per cent toward this year's $350,000 fundraising goal. This is the amount the organization needs to raise in order to pay bills and stay afloat. While Crisanti said he's proud of the hard work the organization's staff has put in for fundraising, he said the organization isn't out of the woods yet. The Love A Fair fundraising campaign has been hard at work, running several events to bring in much-needed cash. Current fundraising efforts include wine and meat packs sales for the May long weekend, an online 50/50 draw, a GoFundMe campaign and the Your Name in Stone at the Dome campaign, where individuals and businesses can pay to have their names and logo engraved on one of the stones on the pathways outside the Dome Building. Engineering company Atco is currently matching all donations made through the Love A Fair campaign up to $20,000. The Kinsmen Club of Winnipeg is also matching donations dollar-for-dollar up to $100,000 for the campaign. Crisanti is hopeful that with more and more Manitobans getting vaccinated, they will still be able to run the Manitoba Ag Ex later this year. The Brandon Sun The nursing shortage in the Prairie Mountain Health region is in dire straits, according to NDP Opposition Leader Wab Kinew who tabled a Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) document in the legislative assembly on Wednesday showing vacancies from March 2019 to March 2021. Advertisement Advertise With Us The nursing shortage in the Prairie Mountain Health region is in dire straits, according to NDP Opposition Leader Wab Kinew who tabled a Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) document in the legislative assembly on Wednesday showing vacancies from March 2019 to March 2021. The document shows 61 empty nursing spots in Brandon, or a 15 per cent vacancy. Manitoba nurses are feeling overlooked, discarded and mistreated, Manitoba Nurses Union president Darlene Jackson said. (Winnipeg Free Press/File) "When you have that many positions that are supposed to be caring at the bedside instead are sitting empty, its gonna impact the care patients receive," Kinew said in an interview with The Sun by telephone. In a release on Wednesday, the NDP shared those numbers with the media in an effort to shine a light on the lack of nurses not only in Prairie Mountain Health, but the entire province. "The PC government failed to prepare for the third wave by refusing to hire more nurses and health-care staff," the release said. The NDP released documents that show alarming nurse vacancies at the Grace Hospital ICU and across Prairie Mountain Health on Wednesday to draw attention to nursing shortages that have plagued the province since before the pandemic struck. "And that should be a big concern for everyone in the Brandon area, for sure," Kinew said. But because Brandon has an intensive care unit and forms part of our overall response, it should concern everyone in the province, Kinew pointed out. "Because if Brandon is understaffed, that impacts the whole provinces ability to respond to COVID. Its performing below the level we need." Kinew is worried that if the hospital system is overwhelmed, "it means people are going to get sicker and were going to be under restrictions longer." Manitoba Nurses Union president Darlene Jackson echoed Kinews concerns. "Manitoba nurses are feeling overlooked, discarded and mistreated," she told The Sun in an email. "Were in a critical nursing shortage, and this pandemic is just driving nurses further than theyve ever thought they would go." Jackson said mentally, physically and psychologically, it has been exhausting for nurses. "Not to mention, providing the standard of patient care that nurses know Manitobans require and deserve is no longer possible," she said. Jackson asked the question: "What is it going to take for this government to make patients and those nurses who care for them a priority?" "This week is historically a week of celebration. National Nursing Week is meant to honour our nurses. But truth be told, we arent feeling very celebratory," she said. The Brandon Sun reached out to Prairie Mountain Health for a comment and was directed to Shared Health, which then directed The Sun to the press secretary for Health Minister Heather Stefanson. There was no comment provided by the minister at press time. kkielley@brandonsun.com, with files from Drew May A wildfire burned about one-third of Slave Lake in northern Alberta in May 2011. Nearly 400 homes and businesses, including an apartment complex, were reduced to ash and rubble when fierce winds whipped flames through town with little warning. Burned-out homes from a wildfire are shown in an aerial view of Slave Lake, Alta., on July 6, 2011. A fire burned about one-third of the town in May 2011. Nearly 400 homes and businesses, including an apartment complex, were reduced to ash and rubble. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward A wildfire burned about one-third of Slave Lake in northern Alberta in May 2011. Nearly 400 homes and businesses, including an apartment complex, were reduced to ash and rubble when fierce winds whipped flames through town with little warning. Here are five things we've learned about that fire 10 years ago: How did the wildfire happen? The Slave Lake wildfire burned through the town from May 14 to May 16, 2011. Officials with the Alberta government announced in November 2011 that an unknown arsonist recklessly or deliberately ignited the forest fire. Damages were pegged at $700 million one of the country's costliest disasters. How long did it take to clean up? Mayor Tyler Warman says many milestones were reached within two years. The government centre and about 80 per cent of homes were rebuilt. But Warman says it took another four years to finish roads and sidewalks. "We waited a couple years for people to finish construction." Warman says there was a list of projects and they slowly checked them off. "When I look around the community, I see things rebuilt. I see new investment. I see new businesses." How did it affect the town's residents? Warman says the population hasn't changed a whole lot since the fire. The No. 1 factor that saved the community, he says, was temporary housing that was built for residents while they rebuilt their homes. "It was the difference between success and failure. Without it, we would have been decimated." Warman says some single people and young couples who were living in the apartment complex left, but school enrolment numbers were steady the next fall. "There was a pretty strong indication that the people were still here." Research done after the fire showed some residents with psychological stress symptoms particularly children. The study suggested children involved in disasters be offered counselling and assistance in recovery. What have we learned about wildfires? Mike Flannigan, a renewable resources professor at the University of Alberta, says the Slave Lake fire has left a legacy. "Fire management in Canada is among the best in the world and Alberta is among the best in Canada," he says. "What has become clear is that events like Slave Lake aren't isolated events. "One of the politicians of the day was in the paper saying it was a one-off. It was a fluke. It won't happen again. I said the day after ... expect more events like this, unfortunately.' "It's all about the extreme conditions." He says the fires in Slave Lake, Fort McMurray, Alta., and Kelowna, B.C., led to politicians paying attention. Did anything change afterward? Flannigan says there has been more federal funding for wildfire research. "Things have changed, but we still need to do more," he says. "It's not going away with climate change." He says more structures will be at risk if development continues in the boreal forest. Warman adds those developments need to be prepared for emergencies and for recovery after disasters. "A good plan is better than a quick plan." This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 9, 2021. The Australian sharemarket finished a rollercoaster week with a 0.5 per cent gain, rallying on Friday as the Commonwealth Bank set a record high price and its Big Four rivals also rose. The ASX 200 snapped a three-session decline to close 31.5 points higher at 7014.2. Wall Streets lead was strong, with cashed-up investors pushing inflation fears aside to pile back into the market. The ASX 200 added 0.5 per cent on Friday, but slipped 0.9 per cent for the week. Credit:Luis Ascui Jitters over rising consumer prices still meant the local benchmark lost 0.9 per cent for the week, with the high-growth tech sector - and especially Afterpay and Xero - losing heavily. Any joy from Tuesday nights Federal Budget was drowned out by fears central banks will be forced to lift interest rates to keep a lid on inflation, a scenario that usually takes the gloss off equities. However, JPMorgan global markets analyst Kerry Craig said the fears that fuelled the three-day tumble from Mondays record high appears to have abated, for now. He said rising yields and surging commodity prices perhaps gave investors an excuse to take a breather after Mondays run to all-time highs. It often happens, when things hit a peak, investors immediately look at that and decide right there whether it is going to continue or reverse, Mr Craig said. Broadly, global equity markets have run so strongly for many many months now, investors were probably waiting for a reason to take profits. However, Mr Craig said Fridays rebound indicated investors are still seeing momentum in the economy, and the market. There was the realisation - as is always the case - if you have good economic growth, and inflation for the right reasons, all that actually stacks up for positive earnings and equities actually looking pretty good, which probably explains the move (on Friday), he said. Mining stocks lost ground on Friday, dragging the market from its session highs as iron ore futures sagged. BHP fell 1.6 per cent to $49.57, Rio Tinto lost 2 per cent to $125.43, and Fortescue Metals dropped 2.8 per cent to $22.79. Iron ore hit record highs this week but - instead of boosting materials stocks - heightened concerns inflation had taken hold. Afterpay bounced off a seven-month low on Friday to rise 2.2 per cent to $86.35, though Xero continued its poor week with a 4.2 per cent drop to $112.50. Commonwealth Bank rose 0.6 per cent to set a new closing high of $96.58. Among the other banks, Westpac added 0.9 per cent to $25.41, NAB jumped 1 per cent to $26.22, and ANZ was also 1 per cent higher at $27.42. Macquarie Group added 2.3 per cent to finish at $158.34. Mr Craig said he would be looking for further confirmation next week that the nations economic momentum remains strong, and that it has not been outpaced by equity markets. The highlight will be data on wages and employment, while the RBA May board meeting minutes will be released on Tuesday. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size In 1885, a 22-year-old Dutch woman named Johanna Bonger met Theo van Gogh, the younger brother of the artist, who was then making a name for himself as an art dealer in Paris. History knows Theo as the steadier of the van Gogh brothers, the archetypal emotional anchor, who selflessly managed Vincents erratic path through life, but he had his share of impetuosity. He asked her to marry him after only two meetings. Jo, as she called herself, was raised in a sober, middle-class family. Her father imposed a code of propriety and emotional aloofness on his children. Jo had set herself up in an unexciting career as an English teacher in Amsterdam. She wasnt inclined to impulsiveness. She said no. But Theo persisted. He was attractive in a soulful kind of way and eventually won her over. In 1888, a year-and-a-half after his proposal, she agreed to marry him. After that, a new life opened up for her. It was Paris in the belle epoque: art, theatre, intellectuals. Theo was not just any art dealer. He was at the forefront, specialising in the breed of artists who were defying the realism imposed by the Academie des Beaux-Arts. Most dealers wouldnt touch the Impressionists, but they were Theo van Goghs clients and heroes. Theo talked incessantly of the future, and also of things like pigment and colour and light. But one subject dominated. From their first meeting, he regaled Jo with accounts of his brothers tortured genius. Their apartment was crammed with Vincents paintings. Vincent, who spent much of his career in motion, in France, Belgium, England, the Netherlands, was churning out canvases at a fanatical pace olive trees, wheat fields, peasants under a Provencal sun and shipping them to Theo in hopes he would find a market for them. When, a little more than nine months after their wedding, Jo gave birth to a son, she agreed to name the boy Vincent. As much as he looked up to his brother, Theo fretted constantly about him. Vincents mental state had already deteriorated by the time Jo came on the scene. Just before Christmas in 1888, Vincent was in Arles cutting off his ear following a series of rows with Paul Gauguin. One day a canvas arrived that showed a shift in style. Vincent had been fascinated by the night sky in Arles. He tried to put it into words for Theo: In the blue depth the stars were sparkling, greenish, yellow, white, pink, more brilliant, more emeralds, lapis lazuli, rubies, sapphires. He became fixated on the idea of painting such a sky. Advertisement Vincent sent the finished painting to Theo and Jo with a note explaining that it was an exaggeration. The Starry Night continued his progression away from realism; the brush strokes were like troughs made by someone who was digging for something deeper. Theo found it disturbing: he could sense his brother drifting away, and he knew buyers werent likely to understand it. He wrote back, I consider that youre strongest when youre doing real things. Then, in the spring of 1890, news: Vincent was coming to Paris. Jo expected an enfeebled mental patient. Instead, she was confronted by the physical embodiment of the spirit that animated the canvases that covered their walls. Before me was a sturdy, broad-shouldered man with a healthy colour, a cheerful look in his eyes and something very resolute in his appearance, she wrote in her journal. The only known photo of Vincent, aged 19. Credit:Jacobus Marinus Wilhelmus de Louw. Courtesy of the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam (Vincent van Gogh Foundation) What happened next was like two blows of a hammer. Theo had arranged for Vincent to stay in the village of Auvers-sur-Oise to the north of Paris, in the care of Dr Paul Gachet. Weeks later came news that Vincent had shot himself. Theo arrived in the village in time to watch his brother die. Theo was devastated. Less than three months after Vincents death, he suffered a complete physical collapse, the latter stages of syphilis he had contracted from earlier visits to brothels. His agony was tremendous and ghoulish. He died in January 1891. The brothers dying so young Vincent at 37 and Theo at 33 could have ensured that Vincent van Goghs work would subsist eternally in obscurity. Instead, his name, art and story merged to form the basis of an industry that stormed the globe. That happened in large part thanks to Jo van Gogh-Bonger, whose full story has only recently been uncovered. It is only now that we know how van Gogh became van Gogh. Long before COVID-19, Hans Luijten was in the habit of likening Vincent van Gogh to a virus. If that virus comes into your life, it never goes away, he said when we first spoke in 2020. Luijten is 60, with wire-rimmed glasses and floating tufts of gray hair. He majored in Dutch literature and minored in art history. After getting his doctorate, he heard that the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam wanted to develop a new critical edition of the 902 letters in the Vincent van Gogh correspondence, including those that he and Theo exchanged. In 1994 he was hired as a researcher and spent the next 15 years on that work. Advertisement The end result is Vincent van Gogh: The Letters. It runs to six volumes and more than 2000 pages and was published in 2009. Leo Jansen, who toiled alongside Luijten for those 15 years and now works at the Huygens Institute for the History of the Netherlands, told me that as they neared the end of the van Gogh project, he sensed that Luijten was beginning to formulate a new idea. I think Hans realised that, while we were at last delivering Vincents letters, that project was only just a start, because Vincent wasnt even known at the end of his life. I started to see that [Jo] was the spider in the web. She had a strategy. Which raised a question that had never been completely answered: how exactly did the tortured genius become one of the most beloved figures in the history of art? Jo van Gogh-Bonger was previously known to have played a modest role in building the painters reputation. Still, there were intriguing indications for those interested enough to look. Luijten searched the museums library and archives and found photographs and account books. He corresponded with archives in France, Denmark and the United States. He began to formulate a thesis: I started to see that she was the spider in the web. She had a strategy. There was another source, which he believed might advance his thesis. Luijten knew Jo had kept a diary. His interest was piqued in part by the very fact that he hadnt been able to read it: the van Gogh family had kept it under lock and key since her death in 1925. The diary remained under embargo until, in 2009, Luijten asked Jos grandson, Johan van Gogh, if he could see it, and Johan granted his wish. In 2009 Luijten began writing a biography of Jo; it took him 10 years. The book, Alles voor Vincent (All for Vincent), was published in 2019. Because its still available only in Dutch, it is just beginning to percolate into the world of art scholarship. Its massively important, says Steven Naifeh, co-author of the bestselling 2011 biography Van Gogh: The Life and author of the forthcoming Van Gogh and the Artists He Loved. Advertisement It shows that without Jo there would have been no van Gogh. Art historians say Luijtens biography is a major step in what will be an ongoing reappraisal not only of the source of van Goghs fame but also of the modern notion of what an artist is. For that, too, is something Jo helped to invent. Jo was at a loss after Theo died. When a friend from the Dutch village of Bussum suggested she come there and open a boarding house, it seemed soothing. Bussum had a lively cultural scene, and with income from guests she would be able to provide for herself and her child. Theo van Gogh, art dealer and younger brother of Vincent. Credit:Courtesy of the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam (Vincent van Gogh Foundation) Before leaving Paris, she corresponded with the artist Emile Bernard, to see if he might be able to arrange an exhibition in Paris of her late brother-in-laws paintings. Bernard urged her to leave Vincents canvases in Paris, reasoning that the French capital was a better base from which to sell them. Had that happened, Vincent might have developed some renown. But Jos instincts told her to keep the paintings with her. She declined his offer. Over the next weeks, she settled into her new home. She seems to have spent the greatest amount of her time deciding precisely where to hang her brother-in-laws paintings. Eventually, virtually every inch of wall space was covered with them. Then, she returned to her diary, which she had begun in her teens. She had set it aside the moment she started her life with Theo; now she was back. In it, she identified the two responsibilities that Theo had given her. Advertisement As well as the child, she wrote, he has left me another task Vincents work getting it seen and appreciated as much as possible. In addition to Vincents paintings, she had inherited the enormous trove of letters that the brothers had exchanged. In Bussum, she pored over them. Nearly all, it turned out, were from Vincent, which her husband had carefully kept. Details of the artists daily life and tribulations his insomnia, his poverty, his self-doubt were mixed with accounts of paintings he was working on, techniques he experimented with, descriptions of paintings by other artists he drew inspiration from. She did a lot of other reading as well, undertaking what amounted to a self-guided course in art criticism. As well as the child, he has left me another task Vincents work getting it seen and appreciated as much as possible. By the end of her first year on her own, Jo had experienced a kind of epiphany: Van Goghs letters were part and parcel of the art. They were keys to the paintings. The letters brought the art and the tragic, intensely lived life together into a single package. The letters also pointed to the audience Vincent had intended. Vincent had desperately wanted to make art that reached directly into the hearts of common people. No result of my work would be more agreeable to me, he wrote to Theo, quoting another artist, than that ordinary working men should hang such prints in their room or workplace. Johanna van Gogh-Bonger thought the letters between her husband and brother-in-law were key to understanding Vincents art. Credit:Courtesy of the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam (Vincent van Gogh Foundation) Vincents letters and paintings seemed to reinforce Jos own long-standing convictions about social justice. Just before agreeing to marry Theo, she visited Belgium, and the minister whose family she was staying with took her to see the conditions of workers at a coal mine. The experience helped fuel a lifelong dedication to causes ranging from workers rights to female suffrage. She counted herself as one of the ordinary people Vincent had written of, and she knew that he had considered himself one as well. Advertisement Domina Stan, from Friday* The figure of Livia Drusilla looms large in the history of Rome. For 50 years the wife of Julius Caesars adopted son, the emperor Augustus Caesar, she gave birth to another emperor, Tiberius, and from her line followed Caligula, Claudius and Nero. In between she became Romes most powerful empress. Of course, that makes things sound a good deal simpler than they were. And, as this handsome new drama series makes plain, none of it might have happened at all had Livia not been such an extraordinary woman in her own right. However many men you kill and I have had to kill many you never forget your first, the older Livia (Kasia Smutniak) reflects as the camera acquaints us with her younger self. Kasia Smutniak as Livia Drusilla, the wife of Julius Caesars adopted son, the emperor Augustus Caesar, in the sword and sandal epic Domina. Credit:Stan That younger Livia (Nadia Parkes) is just 15 when we meet her in the aftermath of Julius Caesars assassination. Shes so inexperienced that her lifelong friend and household slave, Antigone (Colette Dalal Tchantcho), is trying to give her an explicit demonstration of what will be expected of her on the night of her wedding to her much older and rather awful cousin Tiberius Claudius Nero (Enzo Cilenti). In just a matter of weeks the Berejiklian governments majority has dissolved, with scandal after scandal forcing Coalition MPs to the crossbench or out of Parliament altogether. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklians government has been plunged into minority. Credit:James Alcock March 3 - John Sidoti Liberal member for Drummoyne and former sports minister John Sidoti announces he will move to the crossbench after the Independent Commission Against Corruption confirms it will hold a public inquiry into his conduct. Mr Sidotis move reduces the Berejiklian governments majority to just one seat in the Legislative Assembly. The leader of a Melbourne neo-Nazi group will spend the night in jail after being arrested by counter-terrorism police over an alleged armed robbery in central Victoria. Thomas Sewell, 28, and a 22-year-old man were arrested in early morning raids on their Rowville homes in Melbournes south-east, police said. Thomas Sewell. Credit:YouTube Mr Sewell was charged with ten offences including armed robbery, criminal damage, affray with a face covering, assault with a weapon, violent disorder, common law assault and committing an indictable offence while on bail. In a short hearing via video link in the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday evening, Mr Sewell did not ask for bail and was remanded in custody. The Victorian government says its hotel quarantine program is ready to receive travellers returning from coronavirus-ravaged India as the first chartered repatriation flight prepares to land in Darwin on Saturday. About 900 Australians in India who have been identified as vulnerable will be prioritised for the repatriation flights with one flight leaving every seven to nine days until the end of June, as agreed at national cabinet last week. The first repatriation flight was due to return from New Delhi, India to Australia on Saturday. The first official repatriation flight is not scheduled to land in Victoria until May 27, when 150 people from India will arrive in Melbourne and enter hotel quarantine. However, it is likely that the opening of loophole routes via third countries such as Qatar means Victoria will begin receiving people from India sooner, providing they can afford seats and can secure them. This option is allowed by the expiry on Saturday of the biosecurity order that threatens hefty fines or jail time for people who enter Australia via a third country. Beijing: The Chinese governments latest attempt to counter accusations of human rights abuses in Xinjiang was on display when Muslim leaders from the region rejected Western allegations of suppressed religious freedom. The event for foreign diplomats and media at an Eid al-Fitr reception at the end of the holy month of Ramadan, came a day after human rights groups and Western nations met and demanded unfettered access for UN human rights experts to the region. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had also condemned China for crimes against humanity and genocide against Muslim Uighurs during the release of an annual report on international religious freedom. Abdureqip Tomurniyaz, who heads the association and the school for Islamic studies in Xinjiang, speaks during a government reception held for the Eid al-Fitr festival in Beijing. Credit:AP The Uighurs are a mostly Muslim ethnic group in Xinjiang, a remote north-west region where China has been accused of mass incarcerations, forced labour and forced sterilisation in recent years as it imposed a strict security regime after a series of militant attacks. Echoing the government line, the president of the Xinjiang Islamic Association said China had eradicated the breeding ground for extremism by improving livelihoods, teaching people about the law and setting up vocational training centres. Foreign analysts say the centres are part of a detention system that has locked up an estimated 1 million people or more. London: Boris Johnson urged Scott Morrison to sign up to net zero emissions by 2050 during a phone call held on the same day the British Prime Ministers climate chief said it was time to consign coal power to history. Johnson and Morrison spoke on Friday evening, Australian time, ahead of the G7 summit in the United Kingdom next month. Scott Morrison and Boris Johnson will meet again at the G7 in Cornwall next month. Credit:PA Morrison has been invited to the elite gathering as a guest participant and will be pressured by Johnson and other world leaders to do more on climate change. Britain has been privately urging the Morrison government to be more ambitious in its emissions reduction targets, however, on Friday it released a statement which, for the first time, revealed Johnson had asked Morrison to embrace a national policy of net zero by 2050. Gaza City: Palestinians grabbed their children and belongings and fled neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Gaza City on Friday as Israel unleashed a heavy barrage of artillery fire and airstrikes, killing a family of six in their home. Israel said it was clearing a network of militant tunnels ahead of a possible ground invasion. The attack on the border of the densely populated zone was the Israeli militarys strongest show of force yet in the worsening hostilities as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a video vowing to continue the operation as long as necessary. The crisis threatens to up-end the fragile agreements Israel has struck with Arab nations in the past year and destabilise peace in the Middle East, as international calls for de-escalation were ignored and the bitter feud broke into the worst fighting since 2014. Rockets are fired in both directions in the early hours of Friday as Israeli troops massed on the Gaza border. Credit:AFP As the United States stands by its ally Israel and truce efforts proposed this week by Egypt have been rejected by both sides, the United Nations (UN) has called a public meeting of its Security Council for this Sunday. Hyundai plans to invest USD 7.4 billion in US by 2025 Hyundai plans to invest USD 7.4 billion in the U.S. by 2025 to make electronic vehicles, enhance production facilities and invest further in smart mobility solutions. Hyundai Motor Group, which includes Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Corp., said Thursday that Hyundai and Kia will invest in growing its electronic manufacturing footprint to scale production and satisfy U.S. market demands. Hyundai Motor will offer a variety of American-made electric vehicles to U.S. consumers starting next year. Hyundai Motor Group will create a subsidiary in Washington D.C. to spearhead its urban air mobility businesses. In addition, Hyundai and its partner Aptiv will use their joint venture, Motional, to commercialize driverless technology. Motional received a driverless license in Nevada and plans to commercialize robotaxi service there in 2023 along with its partner Lyft. Motional has started testing Hyundai's all-electric IONIQ 5 equipped with advanced autonomous driving technology on public roads. (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.) rival Koo is in discussions with investors to raise funding and hopes to close a deal in the next 3-4 months, Koo co-founder Aprameya Radhakrishna said. Koo, which has over the past few months seen a massive surge in user base in the country, is looking at raising "more than what was raised in the last round". In February, Koo said it had raised USD 4.1 million in series A funding from Accel, Kalaari Capital, Blume Ventures and Dream Incubator, and 3one4 Capital. In all, it has raised about USD 10 million in total funding through multiple tranches. "We raised some money in January and we are in talks with folks who are quite interested to invest money. Talks are on, we will see what works out," Radhakrishna told PTI. He added that the company is pretty hopeful of closing a transaction in next 3-4 months. While Radhakrishna remained tight-lipped about the amount of funding Koo is looking at raising, he said the platform would want to raise more than what it had raised in the previous round. "The kind of appetite for is being seen in the VCs," he said. Koo, which has about 60 lakh users on its platform, sees a lot of headroom for growth and is investing on expanding its infrastructure and strengthening its headcount. "Koo is a platform, which needs to be built over the next decade or so. We will have stages of raising money and different amounts at different stages based on our performance," Radhakrishna said. Koo had unveiled its new logo on Thursday. The new logo is a continuation of the yellow bird but with a fresh new look. The platform - which is looking at significantly scaling up its user base on the platform, especially driven by vernacular subscribers - is aiming to hit the 100 million downloads. India remains a critical market for Internet like Facebook, WhatsApp and with its large population base and burgeoning Internet adoption. The country is the world's second-largest telecom market and the biggest consumer of data. Over the past many months, there have been clarion calls for expanding the ecosystem of homegrown digital platforms. Interestingly, homegrown social media platform ShareChat had last month raised USD 502 million (about Rs 3,725 crore) in funding led by Lightspeed Venture Partners and Tiger Global, valuing the homegrown social media platform at over USD 2.1 billion. - an existing investor in ShareChat had also participated in the funding along with Snap Inc (which owns photo-messaging app Snapchat) and India Quotient among others. The pandemic has provided a major boost to digital platforms with a sharp increase in consumers opting for e-services. This is also driving greater investor interest in these businesses. In the past few weeks, a number of startups in the country including Meesho, Groww, ShareChat and Cred have raised funding and entered the Unicorn Club ( with valuation of over a billion dollar). (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.) Early-stage investors platform Mumbai Angels Network has invested an undisclosed amount in Nemo, a cloud-based neobank for small businesses. The freshly infused funds will be utilised by the startup to accelerate its product development, hiring, and customer acquisition. A brainchild of IIM Ahmedabad alumni Ashish Deswal and Jeevan Gopisetty, Hyderabad-based Nemo is on a mission to create a first-of-its-kind business through its banking platform that aims to simplify the financial aspect of business for Indias micro entrepreneurs and empower them with the right tools, resources, and networks that large corporations have access to. The next decade will be a golden period for neobanks. While user experience across all other sectors such as e-commerce, logistics, food delivery, education, has seen disruptions, the has been relatively slow in adopting technological advancements and continues to follow a traditional approach. We are now witnessing a growing demand from business customers of banks for a better banking experience that is on par with that of other industries, said Gopisetty. Nemo is currently piloting with a small cohort of selected customers and plans to scale up over the next 12-18 months. MSMEs are the backbone of the Indian economy. But they often face multiple challenges when it comes to access to banking and finance. As the fintech industry grows exponentially in their offerings and footprint, our investment will help a fast-growing platform such as Nemo scale and expand to empower the countrys MSMEs with the required access to financial services, said Nandini Mansinghka, co-promoter, and CEO of Mumbai Angels Network. The angel investor platform witnessed around 36 exits that included startups like Purplle, Unocoin, Exotel and Mcaffiene last year. The platform is looking at around 50-60 new investments this year. Ltd owned which recently, commenced production of medical at its facility in Tamil Nadu has faced a 'technical snag' in a cold box leading to a suspension of production, the company said on Friday. The facility began production of medical and the first set of medical tankers was dispatched to the beneficiaries on Thursday from the Tuticorin plant, located about 600 kms from here. In a statement on Friday, the company said, "a technical snag has developed in the cold box at our oxygen plant in Tuticorin, leading to a temporary pause in production." The company said it anticipated a 'minor technical fluctuation' since the plant remained unattended for three years. A technical expert group has been onsite from day one to monitor the situation and to provide real-time solutions to resume production at the earliest. "We plan to return to stabilised production soon," the company said. On Thursday, the company said with the production of medical oxygen, it would initially dispatch two oxygen tankers on a daily basis and later it would be 'scaled up' by ramping up production. The oxygen supplied is of 98.6 per cent purity and has received the necessary certifications for its use. The Sterlite copper smelter plant was given approval by the then AIADMK government on April 26 at an all-party meeting to produce medical oxygen at its facility for a period of four months at the facility in Tuticorin. The unit was sealed by the state government in May 2018, days after 13 agitators who were part of a protest against the company over environmental concerns were killed in police firing during a violent anti-Sterlite stir in the southern district. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The on Thursday called for global tenders for procuring COVID-19 vaccines. Speaking to the media, Andhra Pradesh Medical and Health Principal Secretary Anil Kumar Singhal said that the last date for filing bids is June 3, 2021. He further said that the pre-bid meeting is likely to be held on May 20 or May 22. "Other states are following the decisions taken by Andhra Pradesh in the fight against like calling global tenders for purchase of vaccines, gearing up for giving permissions for production of vaccine in the state, and requesting Center to let 45 plus people inoculate both the doses at first before providing vaccine to 18 to 45-year-old people," he said. Singhal said that many state governments are coming forward to implement the decisions taken by Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. Health Principal Secretary further said that additional beds in German hangers are being provided in government hospitals where beds are already full. "As of now 38 locations are identified and German hangers with beds are set up in 6 locations. The remaining 32 locations will be provided with the facilities in few days. Meanwhile, facilities for seating and drinking water are being arranged at vaccination centres," Singhal said. He further said that the state government has decided to cover all COVID-19 patients getting treatment in private hospitals under the ArogyaSri scheme and provide cash-less treatment for them. He said there are 39,749 beds in private hospitals all over the state. 26,030 of them are getting medical services under ArogyaSri. This number will increase much more in next week. Singhal informed that medical staff is deployed more than last year. This year 3025 general duty medical officers, 5493 staff nurses, 2472 sweepers are appointed. A total of 600 staff are taken in this one year alone. "As per the guidelines of the Central government, services of medical students can be used for COVID-19 services. 1,143 PG students, 1,294 house surgeons, 954 MBBS students and 638 dentists are identified and intimated. They will join duties in two three days," he added. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday said the temporary pause on flights from India to will end at May 14 midnight and facilitated commercial flights by the Australian Government will resume as promised, with a strict pre-flight testing regime. In a Facebook post, Morrison said, "At midnight tonight, the temporary pause on flights from India to ends and facilitated commercial flights by the Australian Government will resume as promised, with a strict pre-flight testing regime to keep Australians safe." "The pause gave our quarantine system much-needed breathing space to minimise the risk of COVID-19 getting out of quarantine into the community and having a third wave here." The which came into effect on May 3 was put in place due to a record rise in COVID-19 cases in India. Earlier, the move sparked outrage as officials warned that people who tried to enter after being in India within the prior 14 days could face jail or fines. The Australian PM further informed that a flight packed with medical supplies and equipment to support India took off from Sydney earlier on Friday. "This flight was carrying another 1056 ventilators, 60 oxygen concentrators and other essential supplies. It adds to the more than 1000 ventilators and 43 oxygen concentrators we sent last week." "The plane used to carry these supplies to India today will then act as a Government-facilitated flight for Australians to return home from India, focusing on the most vulnerable Australians," he added. Passengers will have to return both a negative COVID-19 PCR test result and a negative rapid antigen test result prior to departure. Since COVID-19 hit, the Australian government has helped nearly 20,000 Australians return from India, including on 38 government-facilitated flights, he added. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The central government will supply 19 million vaccine doses to states in the next two weeks (from May 16 to 31) free of cost for the vaccination of 45-plus age group, health care and frontline workers, the health ministry said in a statement. Of the total doses, 16 million will be that of Covishield and almost 3 million of Covaxin. The delivery schedule for this allocation will be shared in advance. States have been requested to direct the officials concerned to ensure rational and judicious utilisation of allocated doses and minimise the vaccine wastage, the health ministry said. In the past two weeks, the Centre has supplied 17 million vaccine doses free of cost to states. The health ministry said more than 44 million doses were available for direct procurement by the states and private hospitals in May. The government has so far procured 356 million doses Covishield 276 million and Covaxin 80 million. Of these, 160 million 110 million Covishiled and 50 million Covaxin doses were part of the third phase of procurement starting May till July. Almost 4 million adults in the age group of 18-44 have received their first dose. The maximum doses were given in Maharashtra to more than 630,000 beneficiaries, followed by Rajasthan (over 590,000). Maharashtra is leading the states with over 19 million vaccinations. Delhis Health Minister Satyendar Jain said on Friday, Delhi is facing an acute shortage of sufficient doses, wherein the stock for Covaxin has finished for the 18-44 age group, and the centres administering it have been temporarily shut down. The government recently said India had been the fastest country in the world to reach the mark of giving 170 million doses in 114 days ahead of the US, which did the same in 115 days and China in 119 days. India has so far given the first dose of vaccine to 32 per cent of its 45-plus population. The picture varies across the country with 14 states having achieved the single-dose coverage ranging between 14 and 28 per cent in the 45-plus age bracket. Another 23 states have performed better than the national average vaccinating 33 to 85 per cent of the same age group with at least one dose. Vaccine doses acquired through PM-CARES Fund and the GAVI Covax facility were received in full and already utilised. Besides, the Centres procurement of 160 million doses is in the pipeline under direct purchase by states and private hospitals. Amid a political war of words between the Centre and the Delhi government over the availability of sufficient vaccines to inoculate all adults in the national capital, the central government on Thursday said it will provide all possible assistance to all companies willing to manufacture the to ramp up the supply. It, however, flagged the non-availability of a sophisticated laboratory with most makers that is necessary to produce the indigenously developed Covaxin jab. The Centre also rejected Delhi government's claim that Covaxin maker Bharat Biotech has refused to provide "additional" doses to the Delhi government, saying the national capital has received over 15 lakh doses of the vaccine and its role is to facilitate the states. On Tuesday, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had alleged the Covaxin manufacturer in a letter said it cannot provide the Delhi government vaccines due to unavailability, under instruction of government officials concerned. "It means that the central government is controlling supply of the vaccine," Sisodia, who is a senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, had said. Addressing a briefing of the Union Health Ministry, Niti Aayog Member (Health), V K Paul said Government of India's role is to facilitate. "We refute (the charge) that there is any pressure on anybody not to supply to any particular state," he said, adding that such charges affect the morale of vaccine manufacturers. "It is because of them that we are in the position of not asking others (countries for vaccines)," Paul said. He said Bharat Biotech is also ramping up its capacity and has already roped in three public sector undertakings. Earlier, Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the Centre should share the vaccine formula of Covaxin and Covishield with other capable pharmaceutical companies to scale up production in the country. On increasing production of Covaxin, Paul said Bharat Biotech has already welcomed the move of ramping up production of doses by involving other players. "They also reached out and under this initiative, our PSUs have been connected to this process," he said. Last month, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), under Mission COVID Suraksha, spelt out a plan to ramp up production of Covaxin and double it by May-June by roping in three public sector companies (PSUs). The PSUs are Haffkine Biopharmaceutical Corporation Ltd, Mumbai, a PSU under the Maharashtra government; Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL), Hyderabad, a facility under National Dairy Development Board; and Bharat Immunologicals and Biologicals Limited, Bulandshahr, a PSU of the Department of Biotechnology, to increase the capacity of vaccine production. "The current production capacity of indigenously developed Covaxin will be doubled by May-June 2021 and then increased nearly 6-7 fold by July-August 2021, i.e. increasing the production from 1 crore vaccine doses in April 2021 to 6-7 crore vaccine dose/month in JulyAugust. It is expected to reach nearly 10 crore doses per month by September 2021," the DBT had said. Reacting to this, Kejriwal on Thursday tweeted, "A very welcome step by central government. It will help in ramping up production." "I also urge the Centre to directly procure vaccines from foreign companies rather than each state bidding against each other in international market," he tweeted. Giving details about Covaxin, Paul said that it is made by inactivating a live virus. "This happens only in the BSL3 (Biosafety Laboratory-3) laboratory which is very sophisticated. Such laboratories are mostly not there in other companies. It is not something that every company has. Those companies who want to do this, we give an open invitation and we have already reached out from our side to make it together," he said. "Still our request is, those who want to make this vaccine, the government will provide full assistance to ramp up the capacity," Paul said. During the briefing, Paul said that 75,000 Covaxin doses have been given to Delhi in May. "In January-May, 13,91,000 Covaxin doses were received by Delhi. The state has procured 1 lakh doses, while private (institutions) have got 20,000 doses," he said. According to the vaccine bulletin issued by the Delhi government, the Centre has provided 13,91,000 doses of vaccine to the Delhi government and it has procured 1,50,000 doses from Bharat Biotech. So far, it has received 43,20,490 doses of Covishield and Covaxin. Following the allegations levelled by the Delhi government, Joint Secretary in the Union Health Ministry Lav Agarwal had denied that the Centre had any role to play in the purchase of vaccines by states. Bharat Biotech on Wednesday had said it is quite disheartening to listen to some states complaining about the company's intentions regarding supply of Covaxin. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At a time when the whole world is seeking solution to get rid of the Covid pandemic, former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said the virus is a "living organism and it deserves to live". Rawat's unusual video statement went viral on social media in which he said that the pandemic is a living organism like human being so that it also has the right to live. His remarks triggered stinging barbs from Opposition leaders who had described his statement as not just "insensitive", but also "foolish". "If we talk from a philosophical angle, is also a living organism like us. We (human being) consider ourselves most intelligent, but that organism also wants to live. And it also deserves to live," Rawat said. Rawat continued in the widely-circulated video clip, saying, "We are out to eliminate the virus. So, it is constantly mutating to keep itself alive". "Hence, we now have to keep our distance from it. It is also moving, and we are also moving, but we have to move faster than it so that it gets left behind." The Congress moved fast to take potshots at Rawat after he got trolled on social media for his observation on Covid. The BJP leader's remarks came at a time when India is passing through a worst phase of the second phase of Covid-19 with India registering 3,43,144 fresh cases and 4,000 deaths in the past 24 hours. "What Rawat, who was the state's CM, has said, is nothing but foolish and nonsense. He has lost his mind and has no vision because of which he was replaced abruptly by his party," Uttarakhand Congress vice president Suryakant Dhasmana said. "The virus is a living organism, so was Ravana, Kansa and Mahishasura. But they all were killed by different gods because they were destroying the world just like this virus which has killed lakhs... Rawat is just uttering sheer nonsense." AAP's Uttarakhand spokesperson Amarjeet Singh Rana said that Rawat's remark was a reflection of his wisdom. "This shows his and the BJP leaders' wisdom. They are making Uttarakhand a laughing stock," Rana said. Rawat hasn't issued a clarification on his comments yet. The BJP's counter to the Opposition's barbs was a counter-attack, accusing the Congress and the AAP of indulging in a blame game rather than working for humanity in the pandemic. This is not the first time that the former Chief Minister, who was abruptly replaced by T.S. Rawat in March this year, has been ridiculed for his comments. He stunned people in 2019 when he claimed that the cow is the only animal that inhales and exhales oxygen. In March this year, the BJP abruptly dropped him. (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 World Health Organization Chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, issued a grim warning on Friday, saying that the Covid-19 pandemic is on track to be deadlier than 2020. "We're on track for the second year of this pandemic to be far more deadly than the first, he said. "In January, I spoke about the potential unfolding of a moral catastrophe," Tedros said in a press conference. "Unfortunately, we're now witnessing this play out. In a handful of rich countries, which bought up the majority of the supply, lower-risk groups are now being vaccinated. "The chief asked countries to stop vaccinating kids and to donate to poorer nations instead. "I understand why some countries want to vaccinate their children and adolescents, but right now I urge them to reconsider and to instead donate vaccines to Covax," he said. "Because in low and lower-middle income countries, vaccine supply has not been enough to even immunise healthcare workers, and hospitals are being inundated with people that need lifesaving care urgently." A plea has been moved in the to constitute a special investigation team (SIT) to conduct the investigation into over 100 corpses, found floating in the river in Bihar's Buxar, and Uttar Pradesh's Ghazipur and Unnao districts, amid the ongoing second wave of Covid-19 pandemic. The plea, filed by lawyers Pradeep Yadav and Vishal Thakre, urged the top court to issue direction the state government cconcerned to conduct post-mortem of the dead bodies. "The act of the states is inhuman as they failed to provide facilities for decent burial/cremation of dead bodies and to keep a check on pollution of the holy river, Ganga, by such indecent act either of individuals or of authorities," the petition said. The petitioners emphasised that the recovery of decomposed bodies from the river is a matter of serious concern, noting that the river was a source of water for many areas, and if these bodies were of Covid-19 patients, then there is a possibility of spread of infection through water in the villages of both Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. The petitioners also cited the Pt Parmanand Katara case, wherein the apex court had held that the right to dignity and fair treatment under Article 21 of the Constitution, was not only available to a person during lifetime, but also to the body after death. The plea also alleged that in the present case, the state has also failed to monitor the crematoriums, which exorbitantly charged people for last rites during the pandemic. The petitioners have claimed that the state governments, till date have not taken any effective measure to purify the water, and this was a violation of Article 21. --IANS ss/vd (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.) India on Friday reported a net reduction of 5,632 in active cases to take its count to 3,704,893. Indias share of global active cases now stands at 20.80 per cent (one in 5). The country is second among the most affected countries by active cases. On Friday, it added 343,144 cases to take its total caseload to 24,046,809. And, with 4,000 new fatalities, its Covid-19 reached 262,317, or 1.09 per cent of total confirmed infections. Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor Indian drugmaker Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd said on Friday it expects to get 36 million doses of Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine in the next couple of months under its contract with Russia's sovereign wealth fund. India's catastrophic second wave of the pandemic has led to huge demand for vaccines, which in turn has left the country, the world's biggest vaccine producer, low on stocks. "We are in discussions with the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) to import the vaccine towards the end of May," a senior Dr. Reddy's executive said on a post-earnings press conference. "Our total commitment contracted from RDIF is 250 million doses, of which the initial 15%-20% is expected through imports," the executive, M V Ramana, added. The company expects to use the doses to vaccinate 125 million people in the next 8-12 months. As of Friday, India had vaccinated just over 2.9% of its population of about 1.35 billion, according to government data. Sputnik V is a two-dose shot which has been found to be 91.6% effective in preventing people from developing COVID-19, a higher efficacy rate than the two vaccines currently approved in India. Earlier in the day, Dr. Reddy's said the first dose of Sputnik V was administered in Hyderabad as part of a limited pilot. The vaccine will be priced at 995 rupees ($13.58) per dose. The company is also working with six local manufacturing partners to scale up production, with doses for commercial use expected from July. The drugmaker on Friday reported a 27.6% drop in fourth-quarter consolidated net profit, compared with a year earlier. Revenue, however, rose 6.7%. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Inoculation of people in the age group 45 and above in was halted for three days from Friday following a revision in the COVID-19 vaccination schedule after the Centre's decision to increase the gap between two doses of Covishield, the state government said. However, during these three days, vaccination will continue for people in the age group of 18 to 44 years who have already registered themselves and received SMSes, said a state government release. The Centre on Thursday approved extending the gap between the two doses of the Covishield vaccine from 6 to 8 weeks now to 12 to 16 weeks following a recommendation from a government panel. As the vaccination schedule is to be revised following the Centre's decision, those in the 45 and above age group will not be inoculated on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, said the release. The vaccination for this group will resume on May 17, it added. As per the latest figures, around 1.47 crore people have been vaccinated so far in the state. While 1.09 crore people have been given the first dose, 37.89 lakh have received the second dose of COVID-19 vaccines in till date. Covishield, manufactured by the Pune-based Serum Institute of India, is the mainstay of Indias vaccination drive. Bharat Biotech made Covaxin, the other vaccine being administered during the drive, is being given to a relatively small population. (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.) Chief Minister on Thursday urged farmers to suspend their protest against farm laws amid the Covid-19 situation, claiming that their movements to and from dharna sites were spreading the infection in villages. While addressing the press conference, CM Khattar said, "In view of the Covid-19 pandemic, I once again appeal to the farmer leaders to suspend their protests. The only goal, of all of us, should be to save the lives of people in the time of this crisis. There is nothing more than human life." Following these protests, the Chief Minister informed that in many villages, hotspots have emerged because from there, people are regularly coming and going back from dharna sites. "A month ago, I appealed to farmer leaders to suspend protest amid Covid-19 spread and can resume it after the situation is under control. Now, it has emerged that these dharnas have made a few villages hotspot as villagers travelled back and forth to protest sites", said CM ML Khattar. "Covid Hotspots have been identified in rural areas. 8,000 teams of the Health Department will go door-to-door in the villages to conduct health check-ups of the people", he said. "The government will provide free insurance of Rs 2 lakh on the death of a person up to the age of 50 from poor families. The premium of Beema Yojana will be deposited by the state government in their accounts and from the same account, the amount of premium will be deducted", Khattar said. Meanwhile, in wake of the pandemic, the government on May 10 announced a lockdown in the state till May 17. The farmers have been protesting at different borders of the national capital since November 26 last year against the farm laws passed by the Centre. They have been protesting against the three farm laws: Farmers' Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act 2020, the Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Act 2020 and the Essential Commodities (Amendment) Act 2020. (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.) Dramatically ramping up COVID-19 vaccination drive is key to ending the crisis in India and extending the gap between two doses of Covishield is a "reasonable approach," White House chief medical adviser Dr Anthony Fauci told ANI in an exclusive interview on Thursday. "When you are in a very difficult situation, the way you are in India, you have to try and figure out ways to get as many people vaccinated as quickly as you can, so I believe that it is a reasonable approach to do," Fauci said. On Thursday, the Government of India announced that the gap between the first and second doses of the Covishield COVID-19 has been increased to 12-16 weeks - from the existing 6-8 weeks. This is for the second time in three months that Covishield dosage intervals have been widened and this move has once again garnered criticism, as a cover-up for not having enough vaccines for the people in India. However, Dr Fauci said that this "extended interval" is beneficial even from the efficacy standpoint. "The fact that you delay it that long, it is very unlikely that it would have a negative effect on the efficacy of the I would not refer to it as a cover up when you don't have enough vaccines," Fauci told ANI. India is most likely to roll out Russia's Sputnik V against the to be administered to citizens starting next week. With this, India will now have three vaccines to boost its mega vaccination drive which was recently opened for those above 18 years. When asked about the efficacy of the Sputnik V Vaccine, "I've heard about the Sputnik, is that, it seems to be quite efficacious, at a high level of close to 90 per cent or so," Fauci responded. Read More: Vaccinate 7 mn a day to help mitigate the next Covid wave: Faheem Younus Last year, when the US was battling with the surge of COVID-19 cases, the Department of Defense docked two naval warships--USNS Mercy and USNS Comfort--on the coasts of New York and Los Angeles to step up the efforts in combating the virus. Dr Fauci, one of COVID's most trusted names, suggests that India should step up the role of the armed forces in combating COVID-19. "You can use the military sometimes to get things done quickly that you otherwise in the private sector would not be able to, for example, I know that there's a shortage of hospital beds right now that people who need to be in a hospital or not getting into a hospital because of the shortage of the beds, you can get the military to put up field hospitals, the same way they would during time of war, that could serve as a substitute for the classic hospital." Fauci told ANI. While replying to a query on resuming travel to India amid the pandemic, Fauci said, "It really is going to depend on the level of infection right now. India has a very very high level of infection. And that would mean that it would be very very difficult to resume travel there right now." As more people around the world become vaccinated and the summer travel season is approaching, countries around the world are scrambling to get digital health certification programs or Vaccine passports in place. However, Fauci says that US borders will not have the vaccine passport mandate. "Several of the airlines may say you're not going to be able to fly on our flight, unless you have a verification that you've been vaccinated, in essence- a vaccine passport, but again to repeat that at least in the United State-that is not going to be mandated from a federal standpoint." India is currently experiencing a devastating surge of COVID-19 with record-breaking cases, hospitalizations and deaths. The country's health care system is teetering on the edge of collapse as hospitals are overcrowded and much-needed medical supplies are in low supply. (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.) Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Thursday informed that the Centre had increased the state's supply from 965 metric tonnes (MT) to 1015 MT. However, he said that the state is getting only 765 MT daily. While addressing a press meet, CM Yediyurappa said, "Centre increased our supply from 965 MT to 1015 MT. We are getting 765 MT within the state. We are trying to get from other states as well." "We have got 100 tons from Kuwait, 400 tons from Bahrain and 120 tons from Jamshedpur. We have installed 120 oxygen plants", the Chief Minister said. "Under the chairmanship of Dr Devi Shetty, a task force has been formed to tackle the third wave of Covid-19", said CM BS Yediyurappa in the conference. Meanwhile, Revenue Minister, R Ashoka informed about the availability of oxygenated beds in private medical hospitals. "We did a reality check in private medical college hospitals to know about bed availability. General beds had been converted to oxygen beds, but it was shown to us as general beds. We got 2216 beds after doing a reality check", he informed. Meanwhile, in wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Karnataka Government on Thursday ordered that one year salary of all state cabinet ministers will be donated to the Covid-19 relief fund. As per the state health bulletin, Karnataka reported 35,297 new Covid-19 cases, 34,057 recoveries and 344 fatalities on Thursday. Active cases of Covid-19 stand at 5,93,078. TO curb down the affects of the pandemic, the state government, on May 9, announced for a lockdown in the state from May 10 till May 24. (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.) Reversing over the month-long trend, new Covid cases in declined to 35,297 in a day, while deaths due to the infection reduced to 344 during the day, said the state health bulletin on Thursday. "Against 39,998 positive cases on Tuesday, new cases registered on Wednesday declined to 35,297, taking the state's Covid tally of cases to 20,88,488, including 5,93,078 active cases, while recoveries rose to 14,74,678, with 34,057 discharged in the last 24 hours," said the bulletin. As epi-centre of the pandemic in the state, Bengaluru reported 15,191 fresh cases, taking its Covid tally of cases to 10,14,996, including 3,59,565 active cases, while 6,46,305 recovered, with 16,084 discharged during the day. Deaths due to the infection also declined to 344 in the last 24 hours from 517 on Wednesday across the state, taking its death toll to 20,712, while 161 patients succumbed to the virus in Bengaluru, taking its toll to 9,125 since the pandemic broke out in mid-March a year ago. Among districts where positive cases were above 1,000 are 1,865 in Ballari, 1,798 in Tumakur, 1,260 in Mysuru, 1,153 in Mandya and 1,079 in Bengaluru Rural, with the rest spread in the remaining 25 districts across the state. Out of 1,27,668 tests conducted across the state during the day, 10,311 were through rapid antigen detection and 1,17,357 through RT-PCR method. Positivity rate marginally dipped to 29.64 per cent and case fatality rate to 0.97 per cent across the state on Wednesday. Meanwhile, 68,658 people, including 37,724 above 45 years of age and 24,135 in the 18-44 years age group were vaccinated across the state during the day. "Cumulatively, 1,09,76,189 beneficiaries, including healthcare workers, frontline warriors and senior citizens above 60 years of age received the jab since the nationwide vaccination drive was launched on January 16 across the southern state," added the bulletin. --IANS fb/rs (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bharatiya Janata Party chief J.P. Nadda has asked Goa's Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Health Minister Vishwajit Rane to keep aside their differences and focus on controlling the Covid pandemic in the state. Amid the worsening situation in Goa, differences between Sawant and Rane over Covid management have come to the fore. The central leadership of the party believes that it will harm the BJP a year ahead of the state Assembly polls. The Assembly polls are likely to be scheduled in the first quarter of next year. Taking note of reports of differences between the Chief Minister and the Health Minister, Nadda spoke with them and suggested that they reconcile their differences and avoid expressing them in public. A well placed source in the BJP said that party chief Nadda had a word with both the leaders (Sawant and Rane) over their differences and advised that instead of publicly airing their differences they must concentrate on controlling the situation in the state. "Nadda's advice is loud and clear that they must leave their differences and work for controlling the situation to save lives of people. He said that their only priority is to work for Goans and everything coming in the way of serving the people must be kept aside. They have been asked to work in coordination without creating any new controversy," he said. A senior saffron party leader, who is aware of the happenings in Goa, said that the Chief Minister and Health Minister should talk less and work more. "Differences between Sawant and Rane are not new. It is a clash of egos rather than differences over handling of the Covid situation which has created a controversy, showing cracks in the government. Hope that acting on the advice of the party chief they will work together in controlling Covid in Goa," he said. The differences between Sawant and Rane came out in the open over Goa's Covid management. A senior party leader said that the differences have deepened after the death of Covid patients at the Goa Medical College, a state government managed health facility. --IANS ssb/sdr/bg (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.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the Covid-19 pandemic was spreading fast in rural areas and urged people to be extra cautious and take all precautions against the invisible enemy. I want to warn you about Covid. This pandemic is spreading fast in villages. Every government is making efforts to stop this. Awareness about this among rural people and cooperation of panchayat institutes are equally important, Modi said. You have never disappointed the nation. We hope this time too, to protect yourself and your families, all necessary precautions are taken, he added. The prime minister was speaking at the release of the eighth instalment of financial benefit under the PM-Kisan scheme via videoconferencing. ALSO READ: 2 billion Covid-19 doses a long haul, but most will be covered by December Modi said that after 100 years, such a terrible pandemic was testing the world at every step. In front of us, we have an invisible enemy, which is multiform. We have lost close ones to this enemy. "The pain that many people have gone through, I have felt the same pain, he said. We are fighting with all our might. We are overcoming obstacles in resources in the fight against the second wave of corona We will fight and we will win. Modi said the government was working on a war footing to combat the second wave and setting up new hospitals and oxygen-generating plants while augmenting supplies of medicines and vaccines. He asked states to crack down on blackmarketing of medicines and other essential items. He urged people not to ignore Covid symptoms like cold and fever, and immediately consult a doctor and start medication. Get the test done, isolate yourself and start medication on time, he said. After vaccination too, people should not forget to follow the Covid-appropriate behavior, he added. Unlike the first wave in 2020, when the virus had largely impacted urban centres, data and reports show that in April 2021, rural areas of the country contributed more than half of the all new cases. The trend has remained the same in the first fortnight of May 2021. Rural areas are usually categorised by much poorer health infrastructure compared to cities. India reported more than 300,000 daily infections for 22 consecutive days. Thirteen more Covid-19 patients died at the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in the early hours of Friday, a senior health department official said, taking to 75 the number of people who have succumbed at the government-run facility here in the last four days. The horror at the GMCH is continuing even as the Goa bench of the Bombay High Court is hearing petitions related to deaths during the "dark hours" at the premier hospital. While the state government has not revealed the exact cause of recent deaths at the GMCH, it has told the HC that there were "logistic issues" related to supply of medical oxygen to patients. On Thursday, Advocate General Devidas Pangam had told a bench of Justices Nitin Sambre and Mahesh Sonak that there were logistical issues involved in maneuvering the tractor which carries the trolleys of oxygen and in connecting the cylinders to the manifold (group of large gas cylinders)." The senior official confirmed that 13 more patients, admitted in various Covid-19 wards in the GMCH, died during the wee hours of Friday. The number of patients who have died during the "dark hours (between 2 am and 6 am) at the hospital has touched 75 in the last four days. As per state government statistics, 26 patients had died at the GMCH during the wee hours of Tuesday, followed by 21 on Wednesday, 15 on Thursday and 13 on Friday (total 75). The HC is hearing a bunch of petitions on recent death of Covid-19 patients at the GMCH allegedly due to lack of medical oxygen. The Goa government had told the HC on Thursday that during the process of attaching the oxygen manifold there was some interruption, which results in fall of pressure in the supply lines of oxygen to patients." "We were explained that during this process there was some interruption, which resulted in fall of pressure in the supply lines of oxygen to the patients. "It was pointed out that it is basically on account of these factors some casualties may have taken place," the bench had said. "We expect the state administration to find out ways and means to overcome these logistical issues so that precious life is not lost on account of any deficiencies in the matter of supply of oxygen to patients," the HC had said. Reacting to the deaths, Goa Forward Party president Vijai Sardesai said the high court should "take over the affairs of the state as there is collapse of governance". (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.) Russias Sputnik V vaccine for Covid-19 will be priced in India at Rs 948 per dose with an additional 5 per cent GST and could be cheaper when it is manufactured domestically, said Dr Reddy's Laboratories on Friday. India will import Sputnik V frozen form from Russia this quarter. Hyderabad-based Dr Reddy's is responsible for ensuring that the vaccine remains stable and sanctity of the cold chain is maintained from the manufacturing site in Russia to its cold chain point and eventually to all parts of India. The first consignment of the imported vaccine landed in India on May 1 and has received regulatory clearance, said Dr Reddy's in a statement. "The imported doses of the vaccine are presently priced at an MRP of Rs 948 + 5% GST per dose, with the possibility of a lower price point when local supply begins" The company said is working with six manufacturing partners in India to supply the vaccine. As part of a limited pilot, the soft launch of the vaccine has commenced and the first dose of the vaccine was administered in Hyderabad today on May 14, 2021, the company said in a regulatory filing with the bourses. Sputnik V, a vaccine with 91.6 per cent efficacy--the highest among Covid vaccines available in India--requires a temperature range of -18 degrees C to -22 degrees C to remain stable. Supply chains for the vaccine manufacturers must be kept open and unbridled as the entire world is in dire need of the shots, union commerce and industry minister told US Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai in a virtual meeting. A week after the US backed a temporary waiver of intellectual property protection for Covid-19 vaccines to help end the global pandemic, Goyal and Tai discussed measures to increase vaccine availability in an inclusive and equitable manner to fight the pandemic. Had a fruitful discussion with US Trade Representative AmbassadorTai focusing on India & US working together on Trade-Related aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) waiver. This will ensure affordable COVID-19 vaccines for all, Goyal said in a tweet on Friday. The proposal of India on waiver of certain Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) provisions to increase global vaccine production in order to take on the challenge of vaccinating the poorest of the poor and saving lives was also discussed, an official statement said. In October last year, India and South Africa had submitted a joint proposal for waiving some sections of the TRIPS agreement, including copyrights, patents, to help more countries, especially middle and low income nations to access vaccines, amid the Covid-19 crisis. The developed nations have opposed the proposal that has received the support of three-fourth of all the member nations at the WTO till now. West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankar on Friday accused Chief Minister of remaining "silent when there was bloodshed" during alleged post-poll violence in the state. Dhankhar also said the TMC government could have easily prevented the situation from deteriorating by providing compensation and rehabilitation to affected families and through area domination to prevent violence. "There was bloodshed in the state. I should not say much as the matter is under investigation but the Chief Minister's silence is a matter of concern and worry for me", the Governor said after visiting the Ranpagli camp in Assam's Dhubri district where people from Cooch Behar in have allegedly taken shelter after announcement of election results. The Governor had yesterday visited villages affected places in Cooch Behar district. "Apprehending that the administration will not help them, these people had to flee from their homes and there cannot be anything more shameful for me and the government than people having to take shelter in another state to save their lives," Governor Dhankar said. People at the shelter claimed to have fled their homes in Bengal after the poll results were out on May 2. They also alleged that their houses were "ransacked by Trinamool Congress goons". Post-poll violence in has claimed 16 lives, with all parties including the ruling TMC complaining of attacks by rivals. Chief Minister has promised strict corrective action and announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for each of those killed, after assuming office on May 5. She has blamed a lax administration under the watch of the Election Commission compounded by a series of transfers of state and district police chiefs ordered by the electoral watchdog, for the state of affairs. Dhankar alleged "she (Banerjee) provoked her supporters, particularly women, to oppose central forces by various means. It is extremely painful to me that a Chief Minister should do this as this is antithetical to the rule of law. "Is it not evident who are the victims and who are the perpetrators of crime?" he asked after visiting the Ranpagli camp. He said a government should be positive and progressive but "I don't understand this government's constant conflict with all - the Centre, Governor, Election Commission of India and the central forces. Urging the government to shun confrontation, he said "we are going in a very wrong direction from which it will be very difficult to return." Dhankar also defended the centres track record in distributing vaccines and said that distribution is done on the basis of gravity of situation in a state. The TMC government has accused the Centre of discrimination over distribution of vaccines, claiming that some states were being given preference at the cost of others. The run-up to the visit was marked by a war of words between the Governor and Mamata Banerjee with the chief minister writing a letter on Wednesday claiming the visit violated established norms as it was being undertaken unilaterally without consultations with the state government. Banerjee also pointed out to the Governor, that he was by-passing the state council of ministers and dictating directly to state officials, which she held was violative of the constitution. Dhankhar wrote back saying his visit to Cooch Behar was to share the pain and agony of the people suffering from post-poll violence. The governor travelled to the camp in Assam's Dhubri district by road from Cooch Behar as his helicopter could not take off owing to bad weather. He was accompanied by the BJP MP for Cooch Behar, Nisith Pramanik, raising eyebrows. Dhankar, however, justified the presence of Pramanik in his entourage during his two-day visit contending that an MP is not of a particular party but of the whole constituency. Earlier on Thursday, Governor Dhankar was shown black flags at Sitalkuchi, where four villagers died after firing by central forces during the elections, while "go back" slogans were raised at Dinhata during his visit to Cooch Behar district to meet people allegedly affected in post-poll violence. "He is trying to instigate unrest when the situation in the state is peaceful since May 9," TMC Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Sekhar Roy said. The Trinamool Congress claimed that Dhankhar has been acting at the bidding of his political bosses in Delhi. Accusing the governor of being partisan, Roy pointed out to reporters that Dhankhar did not visit the houses of those killed in firing by central forces at Sitalkuchi or of TMC workers who died in violence in Cooch Behar district. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India's exports in April jumped nearly three-fold to USD 30.63 billion from USD 10.36 billion in the same month last year, according to government data released on Friday. Imports too rose to USD 45.72 billion last month as against USD 17.12 billion in April 2020, the data showed. Trade deficit widened to USD 15.10 billion as against USD 6.76 billion in April 2020. Exports in April last year had plunged by a record 60.28 per cent due to the COVID-19 pandemic induced lockdown. In March this year, exports grew by 60.29 per cent to USD 34.45 billion. Due to the low base effect, exports in April 2021 recorded a growth rate of 195.72 per cent. Oil imports stood at USD 10.8 billion as compared to USD 4.66 billion in the corresponding month last year. Major export commodities which have recorded positive growth in April include gems and jewellery, jute, carpet, handicrafts, leather, electronic goods, oil meals, cashew, engineering, petroleum products, marine products and chemicals. (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.) Prime Minister will release the 8th installment of financial benefit under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) on Friday at 11 am via video conferencing. "This will enable the transfer of more than Rs. 19,000 crores to more than 9.5 crores beneficiary farmer families", informed a release by the Prime Minister's Office. Prime Minister will also interact with farmer-beneficiaries during the event. Union Agriculture Minister, Narendra Singh Tomar will also be present on the occasion. Under the PM-KISAN scheme, a financial benefit of Rs. 6000/- per year is provided to the eligible beneficiary farmer families, payable in three equal 4-monthly installments of Rs.2000/- each. The fund is transferred directly to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries. In this scheme, Samman Rashi of over Rs. 1.15 lakh crores has been transferred to farmer families so far. "Prime Minister ji, on 14th May at 11 AM, under PM-KISAN yojana. will dedicate 8th installment of the financial benefit to 9.5 crore farmers. Rs. 19,000 crores will be transferred through DBT", informed Union Minister of Agriculture, Narendra Singh Tomar in a tweet yesterday. (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 (RBI) decided not to sell 10-year bonds in Fridays auction, signalling it will not accept yields above 6 per cent. The rejection of the bids brought down yields by 2 basis points and the 10-year bond closed below 6 per cent again at 5.99 per cent. The RBI had scheduled to auction Rs 14,000 crore of bonds on Friday. The underwriters were paid for the auction, but the RBI decided not to sell to them either. This was part of a Rs 26,000-crore primary auction. In Fridays auction, the central bank also introduced a new 3-year bond at 4.26 per cent. The RBI routinely cancels the 10-year auction, or curtails it, as it targets the 10-year segment as the rate signal. Therefore, whenever the 10-year rates inch up, in this case above 6 per cent, the RBI refuses to sell it, say experts. On May 20, the RBI will buy Rs 35,000 crore of bonds from the market as part of its government securities acquisition programme (G-SAP) where it will also buy the 10-year bonds. The cancelling of auctions, along with secondary market purchase of the 10-year bonds, keep the yields soft, which the RBI hopes will work as a signal for the market as well as banks. US President said that the country's fuel supply will take time to normalise as the operator of a key fuel pipeline has restarted operations after a cybersecurity attack. "This morning Colonial reported that fuel is beginning to flow to a majority of the markets that they service and they should be reaching full operational capacity as we speak," Biden said at a White House briefing on Thursday. "We'll not feel the effects at the pump immediately. This is not like flicking on a light switch. This pipeline is 5,500 miles long," Xinhua news agency quoted the President as saying. He added that it will take "some time" for the pipeline to fully return to normal operations. "We expect to see a region by region return to normalcy beginning this weekend and continuing into next week." Biden urged Americans not to engage in panic buying while gas stations in the southeastern US continue to face significant outages. "Don't panic, number one. I know seeing lines at the pumps or gas stations with no gas can be extremely stressful. But this is a temporary situation. "As I said, we expect the situation to begin to improve by the weekend and into early next week, and gasoline supply is coming back online. And panic buying will only slow the process," the President added. As of Thursday afternoon, 69 per cent of all gas stations in North Carolina, 51 per cent in Virginia and 49 per cent in Georgia were without any fuel. The Colonial Pipeline Company temporarily halted all pipeline operations after the cybersecurity attack involving ransomware was detected on May 7. The Colonial Pipeline is the largest refined-products pipeline in the US, transporting more than 100 million gallons of fuel daily on the East Coast. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm tweeted on Thursday morning that the restart of the pipeline "went well overnight", and "this should mean things will return to normal by the end of the weekend". --IANS ksk/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Colonial Pipeline paid nearly $5 million to Eastern European hackers on Friday, contradicting reports earlier this week that the company had no intention of paying an extortion fee to help restore the countrys largest fuel pipeline, according to two people familiar with the transaction. The company paid the hefty ransom in difficult-to-trace within hours after the attack, underscoring the immense pressure faced by the Georgia-based operator to get gasoline and jet fuel flowing again to major cities along the Eastern Seaboard, those people said. A third person familiar with the situation said US government officials are aware that Colonial made the payment. Once they received the payment, the hackers provided the operator with a decrypting tool to restore its disabled computer network. The tool was so slow that the company continued using its own backups to help restore the system, one of the people familiar with the companys efforts said. A representative from Colonial declined to comment. When Bloomberg asked President if he was briefed on companys ransom payment, the president paused, then said: I have no comment on that. Over 100 people have died in airstrikes on Gaza as tensions between and Palestine escalated even as Egyptian negotiators held in-person mediation talks with the two sides to diffuse the violence. Gaza's health ministry has said that a total of 103 people, including 27 children, have been killed since the Israeli airstrikes began from Monday. Over 580 others have been wounded, reported Al Jazeera. has begun firing barrages of artillery shells into the north of the Gaza, destroying houses in air raids. The four days of cross-border violence showed no sign of abating as Palestinians marked the first day of the Eid al-Fitr religious holiday on Thursday. On the other hand, the Israeli military said that at least three rockets have been fired from south Lebanon towards "A short while ago, three rockets were fired from Lebanon into the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of northern Israel," tweeted Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The source of the rockets fired at Israel is unclear, and the investigation continues. The rockets that were fired towards northern Israel came from the vicinity of the Rashidieh refugee camp, Al Jazeera reported. A heavy barrage of dozens of rockets targets the cities of Ashdod and Ashkelon, with many intercepted by the Iron Dome air-defense system, reported The Times of Israel. Earlier in the day, Israel closed Ben Gurion Airport to incoming passenger flights, diverting them to Eilat's Ramon Airport. Hamas said it subsequently targeted that airfield as well. The ongoing violence between Israel and Palestine marks a dramatic escalation of tensions linked to the potential eviction of Palestinian families from East Jerusalem by Israeli settlers and access to one of the most sacred sites in the city, which is a key hub for Islam, Judaism and Christianity. With ramping up of rocket attacks and airstrikes from both sides, concerns have emerged that the conflict is likely to evolve into a full-blown war. About 1,750 rockets have been fired from the Gaza Strip toward Israel since the conflict escalation, the Israeli military said on Thursday, reported Sputnik. "To date, approximately 1,750 rockets have been launched from the Gaza Strip into Israel, of which approximately 300 launches were unsuccessful, the rockets exploded in the Gaza Strip," the military said in a statement. The conflict escalated after Israeli forces raided the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem amid eviction protests, which left scores of Palestinians and police officers wounded. Palestinian resistance groups in Gaza vowed to retaliate for Israeli assaults on Al-Aqsa and Jerusalem's Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood. Over 70 Palestinians in total are set to be evicted from Sheikh Jarrah in the coming weeks to be replaced by right-wing Jewish Israelis, reported The Times of Israel. (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.) Israeli Prime Minister said that the continued fighting with the Islamic Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip "will take time" to end. In a statement on Thursday, he said Israel's airstrike campaign against Hamas in Gaza is not nearing an end anytime soon, reports Xinhua news agency. "It will take time, but with great firmness, both defensively and offensively, we will achieve our goal to restore peace to the State of Israel," he said during a visit to an Iron Dome air defence batter. Meanwhile, combat troops have moved along the fence separating between the Gaza Strip and Israel amid "various stages of preparing ground operations", Jonathan Conricus, a spokesman with the Israel Defense Forces, told reporters. "The Chief of Staff is inspecting those preparations and providing guidance," he said. Israel has been pounding Gaza with hundreds of massive air strikes since Monday. On Thursday, the army said in a statement it destroyed a fourth multi-storey building that was used by Hamas. Israeli war jets and aircraft struck a military compound containing three anti-tank missile launchers belonging to Hamas and bombed and killed at least four squads of anti-tank missile operatives, according to the military. Overnight, Israeli strikes targeted militant infrastructure in the residence of Iyad Tayeb, the commander of the Hamas "Central Camps" Battalion. In addition, strikes killed "a number of terrorists belong to the Hamas naval force," according to a military statement. Rockets from Gaza have continued on Thursday, targeting mostly southern Israel. At midday, militants in Gaza fired barrages of dozens of rockets at Tel Aviv and other locations in central and southern Israel, authorities said. According to a statement by the emergency health services, two people were reportedly injured by shrapnel. Israel and Hamas have been fighting for four days in the most severe flare-up of conflicts between the two sides since 2014. At least 103 Palestinians and eight Israelis have been killed. --IANS ksk/ (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) U.S. cant just get away from it all in Afghan issues 09:57, May 14, 2021 By Zhong Sheng ( People's Daily Photo taken on May 9, 2021 shows the books of students who were killed in a car bomb attack in Kabul, capital of Afghanistan. (Photo by Rahmatullah Alizadah/Xinhua) Recently, over 80 people were killed in successive explosions outside a girls high school in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, most of the victims were girl students. This outrageous act once again highlighted the complexity and vulnerability of the security situations in Afghanistan. The international society believes that the U.S. and NATO might cause greater security risks for the country if they don't withdraw their troops from it in a responsible manner. It must be underlined that any act of terrorism is an unforgivable crime, regardless of when and where it happens, for what reason it is committed, or whoever commits it. The successive explosions in Kabul this time were astonishing. Such a violent crime was a severe challenge against human civilization, and shall be strongly condemned by the international society. Sadly, this attack was not uncommon. Considering domestic politics, the White House declared last month to withdraw all the remaining U.S. troops from Afghanistan by Sept. 11, so as to get out of the War in Afghanistan that has lasted 20 years. The decision soon impacted the situations in Afghanistan. Since the U.S. and NATO officially kicked off the withdrawal on May 1, bomb attacks frequently happened in the country, which has seriously threatened the peace and stability of Afghanistan and the security of its people. The Wall Street Journal said in an editorial that the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan might make humanitarian disaster more immediate. A U.S. presence cant thwart every horrific attack, but leaving means accepting there will be more of them, it said, adding that the attack on the school in Kabul is a likely preview. The wars arbitrarily launched by the U.S. have brought disasters to a number of countries and regions, and the War in Afghanistan is one of them. It is reported that since entering Afghanistan in October 2001, the U.S. troops caused the deaths of more than 30,000 civilians, injured more than 60,000 civilians, and created about 11 million refugees. Today, to get rid of the war, the White House seems urgent to withdraw the American troops. However, the security risks are still on the Afghan people. According to New York Times, the Taliban have started offensives in the south and the north after the start of the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO troops. At least 44 civilians and 139 government forces were killed in Afghanistan in the past week, the highest weekly death toll since October Afghan issues are complicated, and must be solved with joint efforts from both in and out of the country, or it would be counterproductive. The international society shall uphold justice and do as much as it can to promote peace through talks, so as to contribute more positive energy to the Afghan peace and reconciliation process. At present, the U.S. is the biggest exterior factor of the Afghan issues. The White House shall not duck its responsibilities and get away from it all. Its withdrawal must be implemented in an orderly and responsible manner, and aim at preventing further escalation of violence in the country and preventing terrorist forces from ramping up and creating trouble. It shall create a favorable exterior environment for the Intra-Afghan Negotiations, not the other way around. (Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by Peoples Daily to express its views on foreign policy.) (Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Liang Jun) Israels forces fired artillery into the Hamas-run Strip on Friday and kept up a blistering five-day air assault that has so far failed to quell militant rocket attacks, sweeping aside international appeals for de-escalation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that an extended campaign was in the offing. The decision to attack with heavy aircraft, tank and artillery fire came at a uniquely sensitive time, though, as Israel grapples with the worst outbreak in years of violence between Arabs and Jews inside its borders. The death toll and devastation from the fighting mounted. At least 120 Palestinians, including children, and nine Israelis have died, with hundreds of buildings damaged or in ruins. An envoy from Egypt, which traditionally has been involved in ending Israel- violence, arrived to talk to both sides as part of a broader international peace effort. I said that we will exact a very heavy price from Hamas, Netanyahu wrote on Facebook. We are doing so and will continue to do so with great force. The last word hasnt been said and this campaign will continue as long as necessary. Underground tunnels Israel struck over 150 targets in the northern Strip overnight to destroy kilometers of underground tunnels dug by Hamas, the military said. The barrage was intended to send a message that Israel will deal with the supposedly secretive infrastructure, but not necessarily a sign that an invasion is imminent, said Ram Yavne, a retired general in Israels army. Israels considerations to invade or not are much broader than the tunnels, Yavne said. Most signs point in the opposite direction because neither the public nor the politicians want a ground war. Authorizations have been granted for the call up of 9,000 more reservists as Israel considers scenarios including a possible incursion by troops. The army said that no soldiers had been sent into Gaza. Three rockets launched from Lebanon crashed into the Mediterranean off Israels northern coast late Thursday, raising the specter of a second battleground with Iran-backed Lebanese Hezbollah militants. is about to attempt something that only the United States and (very briefly) the Soviet Union have done before: successfully land a spacecraft on the surface of Mars. Having orbited the planet since February, the Chinese craft, called Tianwen-1, is expected to send a landing vehicle on a difficult descent through the thin Martian atmosphere, possibly as soon as Saturday. If all goes well, that vehicle and the land rover it is carrying will join three Nasa spacecraft that are already surveying the planet. The Chinese may seem less sexy than Nasas latest, since it is essentially repeating feats that the Americans accomplished decades ago, but it represents another milestone in Chinas ambition to make itself a great space power. More potential milestones lie ahead. Heres what to know about them. The Moon In January 2019, became the first country to land a probe on the far side of the moon, the part that perpetually faces away from Earth. It was Chinas second successful moon landing, after one in 2013. That year, it put a rover on the moons surface that still operates today, far beyond the three months it was expected to last. In December, sent yet another craft to the moon. It scooped up nearly four pounds of rocks and soil near a volcanic feature called Mons Rumker and brought them back to Earth the first lunar samples since the ones collected by the Soviet Unions Luna 24 mission in 1976. A rival space station Chinas launch in April of the main module for its newest orbiting space station drew more international attention than expected for the wrong reasons. After reaching orbit, the main rocket booster tumbled ominously back to Earth in what is called an uncontrolled re-entry. The debris landed in the Indian Ocean in May, narrowly missing the Maldives and spurring criticism of how China carries out the launches of its heaviest rocket, the Long March 5B. More launches like it are coming anyway. The mission was the first of 11 needed to build Chinas third, and most ambitious, space station by the end of 2022. The International Space Station, jointly developed by the US, Russia and others, is nearing the end of its intended life in 2024. What happens after that is unclear. If the station is decommissioned, Chinas could be the only game in town for some time. Mars and beyond Chinas Mars mission, called Tianwen (Questions to Heaven) after a classic poem, is trying in one go to complete a trifecta of feats that Nasa accomplished over a number of years. It is already in orbit around the planet, and the next step is to land a craft on the surface, which will release a rover. Chinas Tianwen orbiter has been surveying Mars and the intended landing site is Utopia Planitia, a large basin in the northern hemisphere. If it nails the landing, it will conduct a number of experiments studying the planets atmosphere. @2021 The New York Times News Service Covid zero countries find reopening harder than taming virus Some countries tamed the at breathtaking speed as they swung into action, unlike others, by imposing harsh restrictions, sealing borders and closing travel. It paid off. Nations like New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, and Hong Kong have had fewer deaths from a pandemic that has claimed almost 3.3 million lives worldwide. But, how for long can these countries persist with this strategy of aggressive lockdowns in order to report fewer cases remains a question, for it involves heavy costs. With rapid vaccinations, many countries are now reopening and tolerating some infections as they realise that virus is not going anywhere. Continued isolation is the price safe havens will have to pay to maintain this approach in the longer term, as other parts of the world learn to tolerate some infections as long as medical systems arent overwhelmed. Read here Let's look at the global statistics Global infections: 161,188,177 Global deaths: 3,344,737 Nations with most cases: US (32,852,998), India (24,046,809), Brazil (15,433,989), France (5,902,343), Turkey (5,083,996). Source: John Hopkins Research Center (https:// jhu.edu/map.html) Hong Kong-Singapore travel bubble in doubt A long-awaited quarantine-free travel corridor between Hong Kong and Singapore due to kick off later this month after several false starts may not go ahead due to a recurrence of coronavirus cases in Singapore. Both territories have taken strict, zero tolerance approaches to the virus, imposing curbs aimed at stamping out infections when outbreaks swell to levels that in other parts of the world would seem low. While an infection surge in Hong Kong failed the earlier travel corridor plans, this time it is Singapore that is seeing a recurrence in Covid cases, with restrictions that will return the city state to the lockdown-like conditions it last imposed a year ago. Read here A milestone in pandemic fight: US lifts mask mandate for vaccinated in most places In the clearest sign yet that the pandemic might be nearing an end in the United States, the CDC has said that Americans who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus can stop wearing masks or maintaining social distance in most places. The advice came as welcome news to many Americans who were weary of restrictions and traumatized by the past year. It was also a surprise to many businesses and officials about how the guidelines would be carried out. Permission to stop using masks also offers an incentive to the many millions who are still holding out on vaccination. Read here New Zealand mulls reopening options after a year of closed borders As vaccination continues around the world, the New Zealand government has begun providing glimpses of how the country will eventually reopen its borders. But theres no immediate end in sight, even for expats who have received vaccinations overseas. New Zealand has been closed to most visitors for more than a year now. Anyone entering the country except via recently-opened travel bubbles with Australia and the Cook Islands is required to spend two weeks in government-run isolation. Read here For the second straight year, the gems and jewellery industry is set for almost a washout of business on as only about 10 per cent of pre-COVID sales of 2019 are expected on Friday amid the raging pandemic sapping footfalls and purchasing power of people. In a normal year, the industry does business of 25-30 tonnes on Akshaya Tritiya, but this year, it expects a maximum of 3-4 tonnes of sales as offline sales have been badly impacted. Some organised players like Kalyan Jewellers did online bookings of gold which will be physically delivered later. "The second wave of the pandemic is turning out to be much worse than last year with huge loss of life across the country. This has created an overall negative consumer sentiment," All-India Gems & Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC) chairman Ashish Pethe told PTI. He said lockdowns are imposed in almost 90 per cent of the states, where retail jewellery stores are closed and no delivery is allowed. This year, Pethe said, the business on the is expected to be around 3-4 tonnes compared to 2-2.5 tonnes last year and 25-30 tonnes during the pre-Covid times. The jewellery industry is witnessing token digital and tele bookings, where the customers are purchasing or booking the bullion and asking for delivery when things improve at the ground level, he said. "Jewellers are expecting only 10-15 per cent sales this in places where the is not imposed or there are partial shutdowns. Mostly coins, bars and small jewellery items are getting booked for this auspicious day," he added. India's COVID-19 tally of cases climbed to 2,40,46,809, while the death toll rose to 2,62,317 with 4,000 fresh fatalities, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday. During the ongoing second wave of the COVID-19 infections, many states have imposed lockdowns or lockdown-like restrictions as a desperate measure to restrict the spread of the virus. India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA) director and PNG Jewellers Chairman and Managing Director Saurabh Gadgil opined that even as there have been digital bookings taking place since morning, the overall consumer sentiment is negative due to the second wave of the pandemic raging across the country and lack of liquidity. "Last year, the overall sales had been around 2.5 tonnes and this year we are expecting around 1-1.5 tonnes, which is even less than last year and only 5 per cent of the normal 25-30 tonnes business of pre-Covid level," he stated. "Once things settle down, the consumer sentiment will pick up as gold prices are expected to go up from the current levels," he added. Echoing a similar view, Kalyan Jewellers Executive Director Ramesh Kalyanaraman said the business is expected to be minimal as only 20 per cent of the company's showrooms are open with limited 3-4 hours restrictions. "Akshaya Tritiya is mainly big in the southern states, which are under Only in 2-3 states, retail showrooms are allowed to open from morning 6 am till 10 am, which is odd hours for the customers," he added. However, the company, which had launched the Kalyan Jewellers Gold Ownership Certificate during last year's lockdown, continues to see some traction this season, he said. Suvankar Sen, CEO of Kolkata heaad-quartered Senco gold, stated that as most are under lockdown, business is only taking place though tele or digital mode. "We are getting booking and enquiries mainly for coins, bars, small as well as wedding jewellery. Lack of delivery on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya has been a major deterrent for the digital sales industry. We expect delivery to begin from June onwards. However, our regular clientele have continued to book bullion," he added. World Gold Council Managing Director, India, Somasundaram PR said Akshaya Tritiya is celebrated under the shadow of Covid pandemic for a second year in a row. "Amid lockdowns in several parts of the country and an uneasy air of fear that hangs, consumer sentiment remains muted and offline sales have been severely impacted, particularly in major cities and gold consuming states like Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and West Bengal," he noted. Many organised jewellers have, however, adopted digital and omnichannel strategies to reach out to their consumers, learning from the experience of 2020, he said. "Coupled with decent pre-bookings before lockdown, these steps could redeem the festival from being a complete washout and present a slightly improved picture than last year," he added. Precious metals trading platform Augmont Director Ketan Kothari said the country is going through the worst phase in the second wave, but during the pandemic, another method of saving or buying the yellow metal has been gaining immense popularity which is in the form of Digital gold. "In 2020, we had sold around 0.01 tonne of Digi Gold on Akshaya Tritiya and in 2021, the same volume is increased by almost 150 per cent as Augmont sold around 0.03 tonne of gold till 1430 hours. Gold coins and gold bars in the range of Rs 3,000-4,000 is more preferable for buyers this year," he added. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Shares of Ambalal Sarabhai Enterprises were locked in the upper circuit of 20 per cent for the second straight day, in an otherwise weak market, at Rs 40.05 on the BSE in Friday's session. Till 12 pm, around 2,89,000 equity shares had changed hands on the counter on the BSE. There were pending buy orders for 3.57 million equity shares, representing 4.6 per cent of the total equity of the company, the exchange data shows. The stock of the smallcap pharmaceuticals company was trading at its 52-week high level. In the past two trading days, it has rallied 44 per cent after the company said its subsidiary Synbiotics has ramped up the manufacturing capacity to meet the requirement of its most effective anti-fungal antibiotic in the post-Covid crisis. In comparison, the S&P BSE Sensex was down 0.29 per cent at 48,551 points. In the past one month, the market price of Ambalal Sarabhai Enterprises has zoomed 111 per cent in comparison to a 0.10 per cent rise in the benchmark index. The stock is listed only on the BSE. India is witnessing an outbreak of Mucormycosis - a very fast-spreading fungal infection especially as part post-COVID infection and recovery because of the low immune system in the patients. The most recommended treatment for this infection is Amphotericin B injection. Synbiotics, a subsidiary of Ambalal Sarabhai Enterprises, is the only manufacturer of the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) Amphotericin B in India and looking at the current outbreak of the disease and expected requirement, Synbiotics has ramped up the manufacturing capacity to meet the requirement of the same, the company said in BSE filing on Tuesday, May 11, 2021. Earlier, on May 3, the company had informed that CoSara Diagnostics Private Limited (CoSara), a joint venture of a subsidiary of Ambalal Sarabhai Enterprises Limited and Co-Diagnostics, Inc, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA has been featured in the recent press, highlighting its actions to provide much-needed Covid-19 diagnostics as a wave of infections has led to the world's worst outbreak since the pandemic began. CoSara's partners and distributors have also assisted in setting up nearly a dozen Molecular labs from the ground up. It forms an integral part of our mission to bring high-quality, affordable molecular diagnostics solutions to the world, the company said. Ambalal Sarabhai Enterprises produces a range of bulk drugs pharmaceutical preparations and electronic instruments. The company operates in two segments, namely pharmaceuticals and electronics. The pharmaceuticals segment is engaged in the manufacturing of drugs and formulations while the electronics segment is engaged in the production of electronic instruments and services. Shares of hit a new high of Rs 728.80, up 5 per cent, on the BSE in intra-day trade on Friday after the company reported a healthy 72 per cent year-on-year (YoY) jump in its consolidated net profit at Rs 1,065 crore on the back of strong operational performance. The global provider of sustainable agriculture products and solutions had posted a profit of Rs 617 crore in the year-ago quarter. The stock is trading higher for the fourth straight day and has gained 16 per cent during this period, while in the past three weeks, it has rallied 24 per cent on the BSE. At 09:27 am, it was trading 4 per cent higher at Rs 720, against a marginal 0.01 per cent rise in the S&P BSE Sensex at 48,696 points. In Q4FY21, the companys revenue from operations increased 15 per cent YoY to Rs 12,797 crore. It logged volume growth of 18 per cent and a price increase of 1 per cent. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) rose 31 per cent YoY to Rs 2,839 crore. The strong margins and cost synergies have augured well for EBITDA margins expansion of 270 basis points (bps) to 22 per cent during the quarter. The management said the strong volume growth in Latin America, up 40 per cent YoY, was helped by the catch-up of a delayed season in Brazil. However, the depreciation in the Brazilian Real more than offset the volume and price increases. "The management commentary during the call sounded bullish on the global agrochemicals market, led by better farm economics on account of rising global agri-commodity prices which would drive agrochemical consumption. This, coupled with lower channel inventory, is also expected to bode well for strong demand in the Agrochemicals sector in FY22. The company further expects to take price hikes in FY22 owing to an increase in raw material prices. It remains confident that this would be absorbed by the farmers owing to their higher agri-commodity prices," Motilal Oswal Securities said in the results update. Meanwhile, the board has recommended a dividend of 500 per cent i.e. Rs 10 per equity share on equity shares of Rs 2 each, subject to the approval of members at the ensuing Annual General Meeting (AGM), the company said. Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor On a consolidated basis, Dr Reddy's Laboratories' net profit dropped 28% to Rs 553.50 crore on 7% increase in revenues to Rs 4,728.40 crore in Q4 March 2021 over Q4 March 2020. Profit before tax jumped 13% to Rs 807.10 crore in Q4 FY21 as against Rs 714.20 crore in Q4 FY20. EBITDA rose 13.15% to Rs 1,133 crore in Q4 FY21 over Q4 FY20. EBITDA margin stood 24% in Q4 FY21 higher than 22.6% in Q4 FY20. Revenue in the Global Generics (CG) segment rose 6% to 3873.70 crore in Q4 FY21 over Q4 FY20. The YoY growth was driven by branded markets (India and emerging markets), while Europe was partly offset by decline in North America Generics (NAG). Pharmaceutical Services and Active Ingredients (PSAI) segment revenue rose 10% to Rs 791.50 crore in Q4 FY21 over Q4 FY20. Selling, general & administrative (SG&A) expenses for Q4 at Rs 1427.90 crore, YoY increase of 17% and QoQ decline of 1%. Research & development (R&D) expenses for Q4 stood at Rs 410 crore, down 2% YoY. R&D expense as % to revenues stood at 8.7%. The company's net profit slipped 2% to Rs 1,949.80 crore on 9% fall in revenues to Rs 17,460 crore in FY 2021 over FY 2020. The board has recommended a payment of dividend of Rs 25 per equity share for the year ended 31 March 2021 subject to approval of members. Commenting on the Q4 results, G V Prasad, the co-chairman and managing director (MD) of Dr Reddy's Laboratories, has said that: "In FY21, we continued to grow across all our businesses, enhance productivity and strengthen our development pipeline. We are prioritizing our efforts to launch Sputnik V vaccine across India while working on the development and commercialization of several drugs for the treatment of mild to severe COVID-19 infections." Meanwhile, Dr Reddy's Laboratories announced that the first dose of the Sputnik V vaccine was administered in Hyderabad today on 14th May 2021. Further consignments of imported doses are expected over the upcoming months. Subsequently, supply of the Sputnik V vaccine will commence from Indian manufacturing partners. The imported doses of the vaccine are presently priced at Rs Rs 948 (plus 5% GST) per dose, with the possibility of a lower price point when local supply begins. The company said it is working closely with its six manufacturing partners in India to fulfill regulatory requirements to ensure smooth and timely supply. Dr Reddy's Laboratories is an integrated pharmaceutical company. Through its three businesses - pharmaceutical services & active ingredients, global generics and proprietary Products. Shares of Dr Reddy's Laboratories gained 0.30% to Rs 5,318 on BSE. The stock traded in the range of Rs 5,233.60 to Rs 5,398 so far. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Infosys Ltd is quoting at Rs 1314.55, down 0.94% on the day as on 13:19 IST on the NSE. The stock jumped 101.53% in last one year as compared to a 60.44% rally in NIFTY and a 93.37% spurt in the Nifty IT index. Infosys Ltd dropped for a fifth straight session today. The stock is quoting at Rs 1314.55, down 0.94% on the day as on 13:19 IST on the NSE. The benchmark NIFTY is down around 0.26% on the day, quoting at 14658.75. The Sensex is at 48666.45, down 0.05%.Infosys Ltd has eased around 3.4% in last one month.Meanwhile, Nifty IT index of which Infosys Ltd is a constituent, has eased around 1.89% in last one month and is currently quoting at 25855.45, down 1.3% on the day. The volume in the stock stood at 26.3 lakh shares today, compared to the daily average of 75.08 lakh shares in last one month. The benchmark May futures contract for the stock is quoting at Rs 1317.7, down 0.85% on the day. Infosys Ltd jumped 101.53% in last one year as compared to a 60.44% rally in NIFTY and a 93.37% spurt in the Nifty IT index. The PE of the stock is 31.41 based on TTM earnings ending March 21. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Westlife Development rose 1.64% to Rs 428.70 after the company reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 2.09 crore in Q4 FY21 as against a net loss of Rs 16.66 crore in Q4 FY20. Total revenue increased by 6.3% year-on-year (YoY) to Rs 357.59 crore during the quarter, despite regulatory headwinds, lockdowns, curfews and capacity limitations witnessed across markets. The company also reported a positive same-store sales growth (SSSG) of 10.5%. Sales were driven by an almost complete recovery in dine-in and an impressive 142% growth across the company's convenience channels. Revenues from McDelivery and Drive Thru saw a YoY growth of 26% and 81% respectively. Even after dine in opened across the market, the company did not see a slowing down in its out of restaurant consumption. The company recorded its highest ever McDelivery Sales in March 2021 and the sales through the on-the-go channel grew over three times in the last three quarters. This strong sales acceleration was coupled with cost leadership that aided a 91-bps growth in gross margin on a YoY basis and landed at 66.5%. Fixed cost reduction coupled with a judicious control resulted in a significant improvement in the company's Operating EBITDA. Operating EBITDA jumped 65.7% to Rs 32.45 crore in Q4 FY21 from Rs 19.58 crore in Q4 FY20. Restaurant operating margin touched a five year high of 16.4% during the quarter, a 527 bps growth. Westlife Development reported a consolidated net loss of Rs 74.45 crore in the year ended 31 March 2021 as against a net profit of Rs 24.14 crore in the year ended 31 March 2020. Total revenues declined 36.3% to Rs 986.03 crore in FY21 over FY20. The strong momentum over the last two quarters helped the company wipe away 100% losses of 1st half. The company exited the year with a positive cash flow and a strong net debt position that puts the company in strong stead to navigate uncertainties and challenges that lie ahead. Amit Jatia, Vice-Chairman of Westlife Development, said, We are pleased to be closing FY21 on a strong note with a robust business recovery. It was a challenging but inspiring year that gave us a chance to consolidate our strengths and create new competitive advantages. We did some exemplary work on the cost leadership front and strengthened our omni-channel strategy. We believe we are stronger than ever and have all the arms in our arsenal to confidently navigate in this volatile uncertain complex and ambiguous world. Westlife Development focuses on setting up and operating Quick Service Restaurants (QSR) in India through its subsidiary Hardcastle Restaurants. The company operates a chain of McDonald's restaurants in West and South India, having a master franchisee relationship with McDonald's Corporation USA, through the latter's Indian subsidiary. Powered by Capital Market - Live News (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) TVS Motor Company (TVS), owner of The Norton Motorcycle Co. Ltd. (Norton), is announcing the appointment of Dr. Robert Hentschel as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Vittorio Urciuoli as Chief Technical Officer (CTO) of the historic Solihull - based motorcycle brand. The announcement forms the next key phase of the historic marque's transformation, as it builds on its newly re-established foundations and prepares for the revitalisation of the brand for the future. * Sudarshan Venu, Joint Managing Director of TVS Motor Company (TVS), announces new Norton leadership to deliver next phase of the historic marque's revitalisation under TVS ownership * TVS - one of the top five two-wheeler manufacturers in the world - underscores its position as one of the leading India-based businesses investing in the UK with the creation of new skilled engineering and manufacturing jobs at Norton * Norton is undergoing a comprehensive transformation since being bought out of administration by TVS and is now being positioned for future growth and to take the brand into the future * Dr Robert Hentschel is appointed CEO and Vittorio Urciuoli will take up the newly created position of CTO. Both roles will be pivotal in delivering the TVS vision for Norton * The new leadership team brings exceptional global automotive leadership and engineering experience, including senior roles at Ricardo, Ferrari and Lotus * The announcement represents another strategic milestone for Norton under TVS ownership, building on the move to a new Solihull-based factory HQ announced earlier this year * After playing a key role in stabilising the company, John Russell will end his tenure as Interim CEO as the business transfers smoothly to the new leadership team * High-res images available to download: (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1hKdvKopjUHSeXfcGmjMwVXln2oK9QrfF) Hentschel and Urciuoli will take up their new positions as John Russell steps down from his role as Interim CEO. Dr Robert Hentschel joins Norton from Valmet. Automotive Holding GmbH & Co. KG, where he has served as Managing Director since 2017. Before that, he headed Ricardo Deutschland and Hentschel System and was also Director of Lotus Engineering. Vittorio Urciuoli's former key roles within the global automotive industry include Director of URVI Ltd., Head of Powertrain at Lotus Cars and Project Leader at Ferrari and Aprilia Racing. Sudarshan Venu, Joint Managing Director of TVS Motors, said, "TVS has created a plan for Norton to transform into the future. The brand will retain its core values which will be interpreted in a modern way for the customers of today and tomorrow. As part of this we are excited to welcome on board a new management team led by Robert to lead this next phase of the journey." "His passion for customers, brands and the future of mobility will be of immense value to Norton. Vittorio has a tremendous commitment and track record of creating world class products, which is key to the future of the brand. Both of them are strong engineers with pedigree on the world stage. Along with the entire TVS team, I look forward to working together with them for the revitalisation of one of the world's most storied brands." "Over the last 12 months, we have ensured that our clear strategy for the transformation of Norton has been delivered with significant improvements to the product and the creation of a world class manufacturing facility in record time. Now, Norton is ready to move to the next phase of its journey." "I would like to take this opportunity to thank John Russell for his accomplished leadership, experienced judgement and clear vision that he has displayed during his time as interim CEO of Norton. Under John's tenure, with investment and support from TVS, Norton has returned to a firm footing and made marked improvements to engineering and product quality, which will be seen in the updated V4SS that will be launched soon. In addition, we have established a new, state-of-the-art global design, engineering, manufacturing and sales and marketing HQ in Solihull. Thanks to John and many other colleagues' exceptional endeavour, Norton is poised to move to the next stage of its rebirth and deliver significant growth." Shortly after TVS acquired Norton in April 2020, Russell was appointed to stabilise the company and create a platform that now enables Norton to begin making and delivering advanced technology motorcycles worthy of the iconic marque to a growing global customer base. Dr Robert Hentschel said, "It is an honour to take over the stewardship of Norton at this exciting time in the company's remarkable 123-year history. To help restore such an iconic and much-loved marque to its rightful place on the global stage is a once-in-a-lifetime career opportunity. Under the strategic direction of TVS Motor, Norton has already achieved incredible success which includes being rescued from administration and beginning the rebuilding process. A highly motivated team has been assembled, bringing around 100 new skilled jobs to the region, to which we will be adding more in the future as the business grows. Norton is once again poised to build the finest motorcycles in the world." Vittorio Urciuoli said, "The Norton name has such a special place in the heart of every motorcycle enthusiast around the globe. Being the first manufacture to win the famous Isle of Man TT race in 1907, no other motorcycle has such an evocative name and superlative history. It's every engineer's dream to work for a company of such rich heritage. Now though, our sights are set firmly on the future. With the backing of TVS and the opening of the new state-of-the-art manufacturing process, everything is in place to take Norton to the next stage." John Russell, outgoing Interim CEO at Norton Motorcycles said, "I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to guide Norton into a new era, having long admired the historic brand as an icon of British motorcycles. In my time at Norton we have made many improvements including moving the company into a state-of-the-art new headquarters, which came as a result of the investment and support from TVS Motor Company. I wish the new leadership team well and am confident they will take Norton forward to future success." Norton Motorcycles was founded in 1898 as a manufacturer of fittings and parts to the two-wheel trade. Norton Motorcycles went on to become one of the most iconic British motorcycle brands, manufacturing famous models such as the 650SS, Atlas, Commando, Dominator, Manx, Navigator and more - constantly innovating in motorcycle technology, with features advantageous for lightness and strength in motorcycle racing. Norton Motorcycles has an unrivalled history in motorsport and the brand name is synonymous with Isle of Man TT racing. In April 2020, Norton Motorcycles was acquired by TVS Motor Company, India's third-largest motorcycle manufacturer. Under the leadership of TVS, Norton is based out of a new manufacturing facility in Solihull, West Midlands, building British bikes in England using traditional hand-crafted techniques with modern day machinery for consistently high quality. This story is provided by NewsVoir. 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 Centre has said that it is in talks with three global manufacturers including Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson to supply coronavirus vaccines in the country. However, the manufacturers have said that they would be able to open discussions only in Q3 2021. The government said that nevertheless, over 2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines would be available in India between August and December this year as per estimates given by the manufacturers. Dr VK Paul, head of India's Covid-19 Task Force said, "We have contacted manufacturers and sought information on the availability of vaccine for August-December... In this period, 216 crore doses would become available in India. The vaccine will be made available for all as we move forward..." Paul said that the government has 'formally' approached Pfizer, Moderna and J&J to provide doses to India. He said that the government also held a discussion with the companies. He said, "We told them that we would find partners and would assist them. We also asked them if they want to fill and finish." The companies have, however, indicated that they do not immediately have free capacity and would be able to talk only after a few months. "We have good relations but they have said that they are moving according to their plan; and on vaccine availability they said they will talk in Q3 (third quarter) of 2021," said Paul adding that the discussion has intensified and they hope that the companies will come forward to increase availability of vaccines in India. Dr Paul also said that he hopes the three manufacturers might possibly transfer their technology to domestic manufacturers to increase availability of vaccines. Also read: Tamil Nadu clarifies list of essential industries allowed to operate amid COVID-19 lockdown Also read: Covid-19 vaccination: India vs the world Delhi government has written to Pune-based Serum Institute of India to "come to its rescue", adding it has a week's stock of Covishield for 18-44 years. The letter further mentioned that vaccination centres will have to be shut down due to the non-availability of vaccines. This letter came after Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech stated it cannot supply more vaccine doses to Delhi. The Serum Institute replied to this and said that they are doing their best to meet countrywide vaccine requirements. "We rely on your support for provision of sufficient quantities of vaccine in a time-bound manner. Delhi has a limited stock of Covishield for 18 to 44 years which will finish in one week and vaccination centres will have to be closed due to non-availability of vaccines," Director of Family Welfare in Delhi Government Dr Monika Rana wrote in the letter to SII. Also read: 50 Bharat Biotech employees test positive for COVID-19 Dr Rana further wrote that to prevent this situation, the pharma giant must "come to our rescue" and provide more vaccine doses urgently. Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs at Serum Institute of India Prakash Singh responded to this and said the company is working tirelessly under the leadership of its CEO Adar Poonawalla to produce Covishield and "is committed to further ramping up the production to its maximum rated capacity in coming two three months to meet the COVID-19 vaccine needs of our country." Singh added that SII is working to its best possible potential to fulfil the vaccine requirements of the Centre, state governments and private hospitals across India as per the Central government's directions. This, however, is not the first time that the Delhi government has flagged the issue of COVID-19 vaccine shortages. Also read: Kejriwal urges Centre to share Serum, Bharat Biotech's vaccine formula with other companies "Only 2 companies are producing vaccines. They produce only 6-7 crore vaccines a month. This way, it'll take over 2 years to vaccinate everyone. Many waves would've come by then. Important to increase vaccine production on war footing and frame national plan to vaccinate all", Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal stated in his letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this week. Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia had claimed earlier this week that Bharat Biotech has refused to supply more doses of Covaxin to Delhi. Sisodia added Delhi's reserve of COVID-19 vaccine is exhausted and the Centre should stop all exports to fulfil the domestic demand. Edited by Mehak Agarwal Also read: Bharat Biotech has declined to supply any more vaccines to Delhi, says Manish Sisodia With a unified, modern authentication platform, Thales has expanded its access management solution across all applications or services in any IT environment, including APIs, cloud and non-standard apps The broadened scope of Thales SafeNet Trusted Access brings agility and flexibility to secure its customers increasingly complex IT environments Thales has announced an expansion of its SafeNet Trusted Access solution, offering customers full access management protection across all applications or services in any IT environment. Whether its in the cloud, on-premise or through an API, Thales customers will now be able to benefit from modern authentication capabilities to ensure applications can only be accessed by those authorised to do so. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210512005414/en/ Thales On-Premises lingers as API and Cloud adoption rises With the growing use of cloud computing, access management has broadened its scope to address authorisation and authentication beyond human identities. Businesses are increasingly relying on APIs to integrate services and utilise the exchange of data. However, increased reliance on unvalidated APIs can leave businesses vulnerable to an unauthorised or compromised API accessing their applications and services. With SafeNet Trusted Access, customers can authenticate API access, reducing the threat surface within an organisations IT environment. While API adoption is on the rise though, many organizations still rely on fundamental systems on-premise to run their business (for example, HR and ERP systems), making consistent access management and authentication increasingly complex while also impacting negatively on the user experience, the organisations risk profile and administrative overheads. Many organisations face the challenge of applying uniform modern access management and authentication to these legacy apps. SafeNet Trusted Access reduces the risk of data breach by providing organisations with a broad range of authentication and policy based access. This gives businesses the agility to provide flexible security and authentication across their entire environment. Many organisations face growing complexity in their IT environments, said Francois Lasnier, vice president of access management solutions at Thales. Their footprint of data and applications is growing, making it more tricky to secure and manage. SafeNet Trusted Access offers organisations the flexibility and agility to secure hybrid and multi-cloud environments. Combined with best in class access security and authentication, they can now overcome complexity, reduce access silos and thrive as they undergo their digital and cloud transformation. 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. PLEASE VISIT Thales Group Market page View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210512005414/en/ WIPRO News Summary Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO), a leading global information technology, consulting and business process services company, today announced the appointment of Ms. Tulsi Naidu, a widely respected business leader, to its Board of Directors for five years effective July 1, 2021, subject to the approval of shareholders. Reducing the amount of carbon dioxide emitted during power generation and the production of industrial materials is regarded as crucial for China to meet its commitment to bring its overall emissions of the greenhouse gas to a peak by 2030 and to net zero by 2060. Photo: VCG Chinas state planner has pressed seven provinces to use energy more efficiently after they missed key targets in the first quarter, as the central government looks to bring the power and industrial sectors in line with its climate commitments. Liu Dechun, director of Environmental Protection and Resource Conservation at the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), reaffirmed to officials from Zhejiang, Guangdong, Yunnan and Qinghai provinces and the Guangxi, Ningxia and Xinjiang autonomous regions that they must work earnestly to meet annual energy consumption aims, according to a statement (link in Chinese) published Thursday on the planners website. Energy consumption and intensity had risen, not fallen, in those areas during the first three months of the year, the statement said. Reducing the amount of carbon dioxide emitted during power generation and the production of industrial materials like steel is regarded as crucial for China to meet its commitment to bring its overall emissions of the greenhouse gas to a peak by 2030 and to net zero by 2060. But emissions curbs or the threat of them are also producing side-effects, such as helping to sustain high prices for commodities like aluminum that take vast amounts of energy to make. According to the statement, Liu said in a video conference that the provinces must put more effort into Chinas so-called dual controls, which aim to rein in both power consumption and energy intensity. The latter term refers to carbon dioxide produced per unit of GDP. He urged provincial representatives to better manage their energy budgets, tighten audits of fixed-asset investment projects, strengthen energy conservation checks, and better monitor the power consumption of key work units. Additionally, Liu encouraged the delegates to promote energy-saving and carbon-reduction projects; speed up the low-energy transition in the electricity, steel, ferrous metals, construction, petrochemicals and chemical engineering industries; and upgrade buildings and transportation so that they use less energy. The meeting follows recent orders from Beijing to certain provinces to crack down on energy-intensive industries. Last month, the northern region of Inner Mongolia moved to cut its production capacity of steel, coking coal and ferro-alloys through 2023. Inner Mongolia also said in March that it would suspend approvals for energy-intensive projects. The resource-rich region was the only province in China that failed to meet its annual energy targets in 2019, according to Reuters. Data from last year is a poor comparison given the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the power and industrial sectors. Contact reporter Matthew Walsh (matthewwalsh@caixin.com) and editor Michael Bellart (michaelbellart@caixin.com) Download our app to receive breaking news alerts and read the news on the go. Get our weekly free Must-Read newsletter. remaining of Thank you for reading! This is your last free article before you will be asked to subscribe. Already have a paid subscription? Sign in This car needs little introduction. You, your relative, your friend, or at least someone you know own one. Its a vehicle that transcends so... Ultraman, the kaiju-fighting superhero, is getting his first cg-animated feature, 55 years after first appearing on Japanese tv screens. The film is in development at Netflix. In a new storyline, baseball star Ken Sato picks up the mantle of Ultraman, only to end up having to raise a kaiju (monster) baby. On top of the challenge of being a father, Sato also has to contend with his own estranged father and the conniving Kaiju Defense Force. Netflix will produce the film with Tsuburaya Productions, which owns the franchise. Industrial Light & Magic will provide the animation. The director is Shannon Tindle, an Emmy-winning designer, story artist, and filmmaker who created Laikas Kubo and the Two Strings, and is writing and executive-producing Netflixs upcoming Lost Ollie. The Ultraman film will be his feature directorial debut. Staff who worked on Evangelion: 3.0+1.0: Thrice Upon a Time have faced threats and acts of slander, according to the studio behind the anime feature. How has the studio responded: Tokyo-based Studio Khara released a public statement condemning these acts, which it links to misinterpretations of the film content and related press articles. The studio has vowed to prosecute crimes against its staff. We will strongly protest slander, threats, comments that suggest criminal intentions, it wrote, and any other actions that undermine the dignity of the individuals involved in the work that stem from personal interpretations, inference, or dissatisfaction with content that does not meet individual wishes. The statement warns that the studio will take legal action over statements that constitute defamation, death threats and other threats, and related crimes. It will report domestic cases to the National Police Agency in Japan, and overseas incidents to the relevant investigative agencies in those countries. Australias federal government has committed new funding for kids content, including animation, in its budget. The funding includes AUD$11.9 million (USD$9.2M) over four years for the Australian Childrens Television Foundation (ACTF), which supports the development, production, and promotion of kids programming. The foundations CEO Jenny Buckland said the first group of shows to be supported with that money will be unveiled next month. Animated series supported by the non-profit in the past include The Dukes of Broxtonia (which aired on Disney XD in the U.S.), Little J & Big Cuz, and Kaboodle. The new funding comes on top of the USD$14M over two years that the ACTF was awarded last year. Photo: Contributed As we approach the May long weekend and warmer weather settles in, more and more we are outdoors enjoying the beauty of our surroundings in Kelowna-Lake Country. Many residents are contacting me to seek updates on the progress of potentially completing the Rail Trail specifically a seven-kilometre portion between Lake Country and Kelowna. This was one of the first issues I looked into after becoming your MP and Im continually corresponding with all stakeholders. Part of this issue stems from the federal governments delay administering an Addition to Reserve on part of the CN rail line. I wrote the Indigenous Services Minister asking him to look into this and provide an update. Due to the lack of response from the Minister, this was one of the first issues I brought forth in the House of Commons when Parliament returned in September 2020 after the governments shutdown through prorogation. When I questioned the Minister, he gave no information, and promised to sit down with me at a later date. Instead, he sent a note that stated, the Addition to Reserve process is nearing its final stage. I raised this issue in the House of Commons at an evening adjournment debate and have again recently written the Minister on this important community issue. This was one of several issues that were shared with me in the responses of two recent community surveys I sent out during the past couple of months. Clearly, the residents of Kelowna-Lake Country are very engaged as I received more than 1,000 responses with more still arriving. I appreciate everyone who took the time to send their feedback and write detailed notes as this helps me to better serve our community in Ottawa. It is also clear that protecting free speech is of critical importance to our residents based on the feedback Ive received on Bill C-10. This proposed legislation seeks to make overreaching regulatory changes to the Broadcasting Act, as well as many forms of media including online and social media. This legislation is an unacceptable attempt by the Liberals to target the freedoms of individual internet users in Canada. It would give sweeping new powers to the Canada Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to regulate the internet, with no clear guidelines as to how that power will be used. Its been suggested by experts that this bill would even allow the CRTC to regulate what individuals can or cannot post online. Conservatives have been opposing this bill in its present form and we will study any potential amendments carefully. If one hasnt arrived already, you should be receiving your census questionnaire shortly, which all residents of Canada are legally required to complete. The census provides important information for policy makers and all levels of government for decisions including funding for our community. You can do your census online using the secure access code that should have been mailed to you, or by calling 1-877-885-2021 to request a paper version. Go to www.census.gc.ca for more information. Canada lost 200,000 jobs in April a massive backward step for businesses and workers due to this third wave. Provinces pleaded for months for more vaccines, and the Trudeau government failed to act to keep COVID variants out of Canada from hotspot areas. It was International Fire Fighters Day on May 4, and I paid tribute to my dad and all firefighters who serve or have served. May is Asian Heritage Month and it was wonderful to participate in the OCCAs Community Association virtual Opening Forum, the first of many events this month. If you need any assistance with federal programs or have any thoughts to share, please feel free to reach out anytime. Stay well. 250-470-5075 / [email protected]parl.gc.ca / TracyGrayMP.ca Photo: The Canadian Press A bullet hole is seen in the windshield of an RCMP vehicle approximately 4 km from Vancouver International Airport after a one person was killed during a shooting outside the international departures terminal at the airport in Richmond, B.C. on Sunday, May 9, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck British Columbia's solicitor general says a meeting with representatives from police agencies is an opportunity to get a full sense of the "intolerable" situation facing Lower Mainland communities amid a gang conflict. Mike Farnworth met with police representatives Thursday following a recent spate of shootings that have left gang members dead or injured on streets, in mall parking lots and at Vancouver's airport. At a news conference earlier in the day, Farnworth said the meeting would be a chance to hear about how the different law enforcement agencies are working together. "It's also an opportunity to identify any potential gaps," he said. "Police said it's not about resources so I also want to make sure there's not any other areas we need to be focusing on." The public needs to know that "every tool and every resource" is brought to bear on this recent upsurge in gang violence, he said. "The police are doing everything we can," Farnworth said. "The message to the public is that we are all focused on this." Supt. Dave Chauhan, officer in charge of the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team, said this week that there could be many reasons for the conflict, including personal vendettas or drugs and territorial disputes. The police are seeing more young people forming gangs and there are splinter groups from those leading to multiple ones, he said. Premier John Horgan said this week the government wants to make sure they're "focused like a laser" on addressing criminality. "The first order of business of course is to stop the flow of young people into the gang lifestyle," he said Tuesday. "But clearly the brazen nature of the violence we've seen over the past two weeks requires law enforcement intervention." The comments come after a 28-year-old gang member was killed outside the departure terminal at Vancouver's airport on Sunday. Someone in the getaway vehicle later fired shots and hit a pursuing police cruiser. Police announced on Monday that Ahmed Tahir has been charged with first-degree murder for the shooting in Burnaby on Saturday that left Toni Dalipi, 19, dead and injured the bystander. Re: It's not about the masks Yes we have given up all our rights as citizens thanks to Hogan, Dix, Henry, Tam and Trudeau. Seems to me the powers that be think we must go to zero cases before they ever lift the restrictions. Ridiculous. The latest is that ICBC can refuse to give you a drivers license if you don't pay a fine you were given. Control, control. Then there's the grandparents who can't go see their grandson who just went through three years of chemo and wanted to be there for him at the coast. Seriously. What does the government consider essential travel? It goes back to the song from the 70s. Signs, signs everywhere a sign can't do this can't do that can't you read the sign. What a joke. Dianne Dueck This ridiculous government just reinforces how stupid and controlling they are. Had a more extensive PCR test in Mexico, required another one when arriving at airport with negative results in 10 hours, but required to pay for three nights hotel in Vancouver. Trudeau is an idiot and penalizing travellers. This is all fear mongering and scaring people into accepting a vaccine. Stop listening to the lies and wake up people. Donna and Marcel Knights Photo: Ryan Stelting A silver BMW was sprayed with gunfire Thursday night at Market Crossing mall in Burnaby. Multiple gunshots rang out in a Burnaby shopping mall parking lot as more gang-related violence hit our city on Thursday night - with one person dead and two wounded. Burnaby RCMP's gang enforcement unit has responded to a shooting at Market Crossing shopping centre on Marine in South Burnaby. The shooting took place in the area between Canadian Tire and Cactus Club restaurant. In the dashcam video tweeted out below, you can hear multiple gunshots. A silver BMW is pictured above with its windshield shot multiple times. Burnaby RCMP have warned the public to avoid the area as they investigate. The two people who were injured were taken to Royal Columbian Hospital. Multiple media outlets are reporting the victim was a member or linked to the Brothers Keepers gang. This follows a 20-year-old man being charged with first-degree murder in what police say was a gang-linked shooting in Burnaby Saturday. Toni Dalipi, 19, was shot to death outside a vape store on Sixth Street near 13th Avenue at about 7 p.m. On Monday morning, the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team announced charges had been laid against 20-year-old Ahmed Riyaz Tahir. IHIT confirmed an innocent bystander had also been injured in the brazen daylight shooting but sustained non-life-threatening injuries. Supt. Graham De la Gorgendiere, the acting officer in charge of the Burnaby RCMP, said he was troubled that an innocent bystander had been hit by gunfire in his city. This violence should not be happening in our streets, and I want to assure the public we are doing everything that we can to stop this, he said. I hope residents will find some comfort in knowing that charges have been laid and an arrest has been made in this case. Another Vancouver gang shooting Cactus Club Byrne Rd in Burnaby. One dead another wounded. pic.twitter.com/EroAYYJukt Shawn Miller (@DailyShawn) May 14, 2021 Photo: The Canadian Press The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says people fully vaccinated against COVID-19 no longer need to wear masks outdoors and in most indoor settings, but one of Canada's top public health officials suggests a different approach would be taken here. "We have more of what I'd call a collective or community approach," Dr. Howard Njoo, deputy chief public health officer, told a briefing in Ottawa on Thursday. "So it's not about what an individual should be able to do with one or two doses." He said even as more Canadians get their shots, public health measures such as physical distancing, mask wearing and frequent hand washing remain key. Njoo added the rate of new infections, the number of new cases resulting from each infection, test positivity rates and impact on the health-care system are all factors that should be weighed. "If all that is looking good at a certain point in time along with high vaccine coverage that's the point I think that certainly local health authorities will be able to consider loosening restrictions on what Canadians are able to do." Njoo said 40 per cent of eligible Canadians over the age of 18 have now received one vaccine dose good, but not maximum, protection. More than 46 per cent of the U.S. population has been given at least one dose and more than a third given both. Njoo made his remarks after Ontario announced it's keeping its stay-at-home order in place until at least June 2 in order to have the "most normal July and August possible." In Ottawa, the military officer in charge of Canada's vaccine rollout said 655,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine have been received from COVAX, the global vaccine sharing alliance. The doses aren't being immediately distributed, but provinces are invited to put in orders, said Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin. "We want to assure everyone that sufficient supply will be available for those who want a second dose of AstraZeneca or who cannot take an mRNA vaccine (made by Pfizer BioNTech or Moderna)," he said. Njoo said that Canada has confirmed 18 cases of an extremely rare blood clotting condition in patients who received the AstraZeneca shot and that 10 more are under investigation. British Columbia is monitoring its second case of the vaccine-induced clotting condition. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says the man in his 40s is stable. B.C. diagnosed 587 new cases of COVID-19, as its infection rate continued to trend downward. Photo: The Canadian Press Aurora Cannabis Inc. is on the hunt for savings again after reporting a $164.7-million net loss in its latest quarter. The Edmonton-based company unveiled Thursday a plan to accelerate between $60 million and $80 million in annualized cost efficiencies over the next 12 to 18 months, as its third-quarter loss topped the $139.3-million loss it reported in the same period last year. Aurora said its plan will target production costs, facility and logistic expenses, organizational efficiencies and insurance and capital markets spending as it hopes to gain more traction when COVID-19 lockdowns have been lifted. "We are not simply waiting the process out in anticipation of normalization followed by an eventual rebound," Aurora's chief executive Miguel Martin told analysts Thursday. "We are determined to continue pulling the levers that we can to reduce our cost structure and extract further efficiencies from our operations." Martin's talk of efficiencies comes as he will mark one year at the helm of Aurora in the fall. Much of that year was spent laying off workers and closing facilities as part of a broad restructuring Aurora embarked on in February 2020 to deliver $300 million in total annualized expenses. Martin signalled the dramatic moves were tapering off last quarter when he announced the company was "back on offence." But he still has his work cut out for him. The company's third quarter showed its consumer cannabis net revenue plummeted to about $18 million, down from roughly $38 million at the same time last year. Its total cannabis net revenuebefore provisions slipped by 19.5 per cent year-over-year to reach $58.4 million. The quarter was hampered by provincial pot distributors, who cut the amount of product they had on hand and retailers that were forced to switch to curbside pickup to quell the spread of COVID-19, said Martin. He called market conditions "competitive," but noted many of them are "temporary." "There is a glut of what I would describe as low-cost flour in the market and that's causing some irrational pricing, but I do believe having talked to the provinces and talked to retailers, that there is an interest in holding margins up and people actually making money," he said. "Maybe it'll take a little bit longer than people would have wanted because of just the situation we're in with COVID." While the pandemic rages on, Martin appears to be focusing on the company's medical cannabis business, which generated a 17 per cent increase in net revenues in the latest quarter. Like most Canadian pot companies, he's also keeping an eye on the U.S., which is edging toward federally legalizing recreational cannabis and introducing legislation to make it easier for pot companies to bank south of the border. Photo: The Canadian Press Dr. Bonnie Henry COVID-19 immunizations are starting to make a difference in British Columbia and a gradual loosening of restrictions is being considered as the summer months approach, health officials say. Government data is showing reduced community transmissions as more people receive their first doses of vaccine, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said Thursday. "We are in a place where we are in a good direction," she said at a news conference. "We need to keep it up until at least the end of the May long weekend. We can see a future where we don't have COVID-19 ruling our lives." But Henry said any movement to relax current health restrictions on large gatherings and other activities won't be under consideration until after the Victoria Day weekend and likely not until at least Canada Day. She said any reopening plan will be small and gradual, "not a flick of the switch." B.C. government restrictions on non-essential travel, group exercise and indoor dining are in place until May 24. "What we are doing in B.C. is working," said Henry. "We look to brighter days ahead." Henry discussed government data that tracked 79,480 positive COVID-19 cases and the impact of vaccines between Dec. 27, 2020, and May 1, 2021. More than 98 per cent, or 78,020 COVID-19 cases, were diagnosed in people who were not vaccinated or had received their first dose less than 21 days before testing positive. She said of those who had received a first vaccine dose and 21 days had elapsed, 1.7 per cent or 1,340 people tested positive for COVID-19. Of those who received a second vaccine dose and were tested after seven days, less than half of one per cent or 120 people tested positive for COVID-19, said Henry. "While there have been some infections among vaccinated people, anyone who has received a vaccine is lower risk than unvaccinated people," said a government briefing document released at the news conference. Health Minister Adrian Dix said more than 50 per cent of eligible people in B.C. have received their first vaccine dose, but he urged more people to register for their shot. "Let's face it, 500 to 600 cases a day is still way too high," he said. Henry reported 587 new infections Thursday and five deaths, bringing the total number of fatalities to 1,632 people. Henry also confirmed a second person in B.C., a male in his 40s in the Fraser Health region, suffered the rare blood-clotting disorder after receiving a first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, but he's listed in stable condition in hospital. "We are following this carefully," she said. "It is rare but it is also serious." Photo: The Canadian Press Republicans vaulted Rep. Elise Stefanik into the ranks of House leadership Friday, electing an ardent Donald Trump defender in hopes of calming their searing civil war over the deposed Rep. Liz Cheney's unremitting combat with the former president. Stefanik, R-N.Y., a moderate turned Trump loyalist who's given voice to many of his false claims about election fraud, was elected as expected to the No. 3 post that Cheney, R-Wyo., held for over two years. Backed by Trump and the Houses top two Republicans, Stefanik defeated challenger Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, by 134-46 in a secret ballot vote conducted behind closed doors. A member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, Roy was a prohibitive long shot whose candidacy seemed a signal to GOP leaders that hard-right Republicans expect a robust voice moving forward. Stefanik, 36, gives Republicans a chance to try changing the subject from the acrimonious fight over the defiant Cheney by installing a Trump loyalist and one of the partys relative handful of women in Congress in a visible role. But GOP schisms are unlikely to vanish quickly. Many hard-right conservatives have misgivings about Stefaniks centrist voting record, tensions remain raw over Trumps taut hold on the party and Cheneys rancorous ouster, and Cheney has said she will remain a vocal foe of Trump. At a time when Cheney and other anti-Trump Republicans are trying to pull the party away from him, Stefanik reaffirmed her view of his importance, underscoring his continued sway within the party. Voters determine the leader of the Republican Party, and President Trump is the leader that they look to," she told reporters after the vote. She added, He is an important voice in the Republican Party and we look forward to working with him. Stefanik thanked her colleagues after her election, citing the Revolutionary War battlefield at Saratoga, New York, near her home. Describing themes similar to those Republicans often emphasize, Stefanik said Americans there fought for liberty, freedom and a limited government, according to a person who provided the comments on condition of anonymity. Trump issued a statement congratulating Stefanik, adding, The House GOP is united and the Make America Great Again movement is Strong!" Roy had said he was running because Stefanik's voting record was too moderate and he didn't want Republicans to affirm the party leader's chosen candidate without a fight. After the vote, he downplayed GOP divisions. We had a great spirited debate," he told reporters. He added, Now were going to get busy, pointing out how the Democratic Party is destroying America. Republicans booted Cheney out of leadership this week for repeatedly rebuking Trump for encouraging supporters who attacked the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 and for his lie that his 2020 reelection was stolen from him by fraudulent voting. She has defiantly said she will continue lambasting Trump, who remains potent within the GOP, and would work to defeat him should he mount a 2024 bid to return to the White House. Photo: The Canadian Press People walk past businesses on Spadina Avenue in Chinatown in Toronto on Thursday, May 13, 2021. Restaurant owners are concerned about operations as subsidies begin to wind down, even as provinces like Ontario extend stay-at-home or lockdown measures. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette Restaurant owners are voicing concerns they'll be able to keep operating when federal subsidies begin to wind down, even as provinces like Ontario extend stay-at-home orders or lockdown measures. A group representing Canada's foodservice industry is seeking an exemption from the federal government's scheduled phase-out of the wage and rent subsidy programs, both of which will gradually be decreased as vaccinations become more widespread. Half of the country's restaurants face the risk of closure if subsidies are scaled back too soon, Restaurants Canada says. "As the hardest hit sector, we need these subsidies to continue to support us; measures like this that keep people at work," said Olivier Bourbeau, Restaurants Canada's vice-president for federal and Quebec. The government programs currently provide businesses a subsidy of up to 75 per cent of paid wages and up to 65 per cent of rent. Beginning July 4, both will be scaled back to 60 per cent before being phased out later in the summer. Bourbeau said that even with widespread vaccinations and reopened businesses by September which isn't a certainty restaurants will still not be operating at full capacity because of safety measures like distancing. "We are not up and running 100 (per cent), so it will be difficult for us even though we are open," he said, adding that an average restaurant will need 12 months after reopening to return to profitability. Katherine Cuplinskas, press secretary for the Minister of Finance, said in an email that businesses may be able to benefit from other government support measures such as the Canada Recovery Hiring Program and the Small Business Financing program when the wage and rent subsidies wind down. "The federal government actively assesses its support measures to ensure workers and businesses have the support they need," said Cuplinskas. Restaurants Canada said there will likely be additional job losses in the industry as some provinces extend or increase dining restrictions. "The current situation with British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec is really, really difficult for us because everything's closed," said Bourbeau. On Thursday, Ontario extended until June 2 its stay-at-home order, which restricts in-person service and patio dining at restaurants. With this latest extension, the majority of the provinces restaurant dining rooms will have been closed for a total of 362 days since the pandemic started, Restaurants Canada noted. "Our industry definitely won't be back when they start to cut things in July," said James Rilett, the group's vice-president for central Canada, in a statement after the announcement. According to its survey data, more than eight in 10 Ontario restaurants are operating at a loss or barely scraping by. Rilett said Ontario's extended lockdown "exasperates everything" and the wage subsidy "means nothing" to businesses that have had to cut down on employees during the pandemic. He said Restaurants Canada hopes the subsidies would be kept in all provinces as restaurants still have been accumulating debt and still face restrictions throughout the summer. "Taking that support away right now doesn't make sense," said Rilett. Photo: The Canadian Press Bullet holes are seen in the windshield and door of a vehicle in the parking lot of a shopping complex after one person was killed and two others were injured during a shooting in Burnaby, B.C., Thursday, May 13, 2021. Homicide detectives have identified the latest victim of Metro Vancouver's deadly gang conflict as 23-year-old Jaskeert Kalkat. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck Police have mounted an all-out, joint effort to end the "scourge" of gang violence in Metro Vancouver that has seen deadly shootings in public places in recent weeks, British Columbia's solicitor general says. Mike Farnworth said Friday, a day after meeting with top police officials, that they assured him they would use all available tools to end gang violence. "They are absolutely committed to suppressing this cycle of violence," he told a news conference from his home in Port Coquitlam. "This is job No. 1. This is their top priority." He made the comments just hours after another public shooting that left one person dead and two others hurt in the parking lot of a busy shopping area in Burnaby, B.C. Integrated Homicide Investigation Team spokesman Sgt. Frank Jang said Friday that all three people were believed to be the targets of the shooting. The victim, Jaskeert Kalkat, 23, was known to be affiliated with gang activity, he said. The two people injured, a man and a woman in their 20s, remain in hospital with serious injuries. "They wage war on us, the community, and all that is decent about our community when they open fire in North Langley at a skating complex where there's a daycare, putting young children and parents in danger," Jang said. There have been 11 shootings in B.C.'s Lower Mainland in less than a month, seven of them deadly and many of them in public places, including shopping centre parking lots, outside restaurants and outside the international departure terminal at Vancouver's airport. Three fatal shootings have occurred in the past week, two of them in Burnaby. Police have laid a first-degree murder charge in the death of a man in Burnaby on Saturday. On Sunday, an RCMP officer in a police cruiser caught up with a getaway vehicle in the airport shooting, but suspended the chase when someone fired shots, hitting the police vehicle. "We don't want further violence, but let us be clear. For those who are involved in this, we are coming after you. We are coming after every single one of you. And if you are complicit, you are aiding and abetting," Jang said. Despite many of the victims being known to police, or being known to have gang affiliations, Jang said he wouldn't classify this as a "gang war." He said the term "war" should be used with respect for soldiers who go off to a real war. "This is not a war. These are reckless young men who happen to have access to very dangerous weapons, who are using our public streets to conduct revenge killings based on money, drugs, (and) other motives." Farnworth said police chiefs told him the RCMP, municipal forces and gang, homicide and crime units are working together to "deal with this scourge that is taking place right now." "These gangsters, there's only two ways this is going to end. It's either jail or they're dead. If they're dead they're not mourned by anybody but their family because they're forgotten by everybody else." A joint statement released Friday and signed by a dozen police leaders says the partnership with policing agencies in the region on the gang-violence issue is unprecedented. The statement says an intelligence-led enforcement effort is underway, which includes overt and covert operations, targeting people who pose the highest risk to public safety and increasing interaction with those involved in gangs. Farnworth urged citizens who had any information about gang violence to contact police and warned gang members they face a dark future of incarceration or death. While not speaking directly to the most recent murder, Jang said too many times during such investigations police have seen instances where suspects in one gang hit are the victims in another. "It really speaks to this tit for tat, back and forth, 'you shoot me I shoot you' mentality with these reckless young men." Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley acknowledged that the brazen nature of the shootings has left many people feeling on edge. "What is happening in our region, right now, is completely unacceptable. We will not tolerate this," he said. "This cycle of violence must end." Ascension Day - Thursday, May 13, 2021 Holy Day of Obligation ARTICLE 6 "HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN AND IS SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER" 659 "So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God." 531 Christ's body was glorified at the moment of his Resurrection, as proved by the new and supernatural properties it subsequently and permanently enjoys. 532 But during the forty days when he eats and drinks familiarly with his disciples and teaches them about the kingdom, his glory remains veiled under the appearance of ordinary humanity. 533 Jesus' final apparition ends with the irreversible entry of his humanity into divine glory, symbolized by the cloud and by heaven, where he is seated from that time forward at God's right hand. 534 Only in a wholly exceptional and unique way would Jesus show himself to Paul "as to one untimely born", in a last apparition that established him as an apostle. 535 660 The veiled character of the glory of the Risen One during this time is intimated in his mysterious words to Mary Magdalene: "I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God." 536 This indicates a difference in manifestation between the glory of the risen Christ and that of the Christ exalted to the Father's right hand, a transition marked by the historical and transcendent event of the Ascension. We ask you, humbly: don't scroll away. Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you. Help Now > 661 This final stage stays closely linked to the first, that is, to his descent from heaven in the Incarnation. Only the one who "came from the Father" can return to the Father: Christ Jesus. 537 "No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man." 538 Left to its own natural powers humanity does not have access to the "Father's house", to God's life and happiness. 539 Only Christ can open to man such access that we, his members, might have confidence that we too shall go where he, our Head and our Source, has preceded us. 540 662 "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." 541 The lifting up of Jesus on the cross signifies and announces his lifting up by his Ascension into heaven, and indeed begins it. Jesus Christ, the one priest of the new and eternal Covenant, "entered, not into a sanctuary made by human hands. . . but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf." 542 There Christ permanently exercises his priesthood, for he "always lives to make intercession" for "those who draw near to God through him". 543 As "high priest of the good things to come" he is the center and the principal actor of the liturgy that honors the Father in heaven. 544 663 Henceforth Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father: "By 'the Father's right hand' we understand the glory and honor of divinity, where he who exists as Son of God before all ages, indeed as God, of one being with the Father, is seated bodily after he became incarnate and his flesh was glorified." 545 664 Being seated at the Father's right hand signifies the inauguration of the Messiah's kingdom, the fulfillment of the prophet Daniel's vision concerning the Son of man: "To him was given dominion and glory and kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed." 546 After this event the apostles became witnesses of the "kingdom [that] will have no end". 547 IN BRIEF 665 Christ's Ascension marks the definitive entrance of Jesus' humanity into God's heavenly domain, whence he will come again (cf. Acts 1:11); this humanity in the meantime hides him from the eyes of men (cf. Col 3:3). 666 Jesus Christ, the head of the Church, precedes us into the Father's glorious kingdom so that we, the members of his Body, may live in the hope of one day being with him for ever. 667 Jesus Christ, having entered the sanctuary of heaven once and for all, intercedes constantly for us as the mediator who assures us of the permanent outpouring of the Holy Spirit. - The Catechism of the Catholic Church Egypt's government set to put the brakes on cement production 14 May 2021 The Egyptian government has decided to take direct action to curb the excess production in the country's cement sector. In an attempt to ease the flow of cement, the government has proposed that cement producers reduce their production by 10 per cent. The government itself has contributed to the oversupply with the creation of its 13Mta military plant in Beni Suef cement plant in 2018, which has seen its sales fall by half, according to military executives. Under the formula proposed last month, each cement maker would cut production by a base amount of 10.52 per cent. They would cut an additional 3.71 per cent for each production line and 0.65 per cent for each year they have been in operation, said one executive. That would amount to a cut of at least 14 per cent, and possibly more than double that for older and bigger plants. Cement executives from competing companies have spoken out against the proposal, arguing that their plants have existed for longer in the market. Speaking to Reuters, one anonymous cement producer executive said: "Its very welcome by the industry that there is some sort of intervention by the government," said the second executive. But he added: "We dont think (the formula) is particularly fair, its biased towards some local players at the moment." Cement companies complained of over-production even before the US$1.1bn Beni Suef plant was built. Egyptian cement capacity has risen to 85Mta to 87Mta in the last three years. Annual cement sales fell to 41.7Mt in 2020 from 43.8Mt in 2019, according to central bank statistics. Moreover, it stood at 49.5Mt in 2017, the year before Beni Suef went online. The severity of the situation is so critical that, as reported on CemNet, Lafarge Egypt CEO, Solomon Baumgartner Aviles, recently said that five or six companies were likely to leave the sector in 2021 due to the large surplus production. Foreign companies feeling pushed out Many foreign cement firms are operating in Egypt's cement sector, including Germany's HeidelbergCement, France's Vicat, Switzerlands LafargeHolcim, Greeces Titan Cement and Mexico's Cemex. These multinationals have invested heavily in Egypt after a privatisation drive that began in the 1990s. Domestic producers, including the military, have since been adding new capacity. Relations between foreign cement producers operating in Egypt and the state have been tested in recent months with Spanish companies Cementos La Union and Aridos Jativa having had their lawsuit against the Egyptian state rejected last November. The foreign producers had argued that the Egyptian state had not upheld its international obligations and that the state took measures that had allegedly caused damage to their investments in the country. Greenfield construction continues Meanwhile, another 2Mta plant will come on-stream this year in Sohag, 400km south of Cairo. The US$285.79m facility, owned by Egyptian Steel, will operate as Egyptian Cement Co. It began trial production in the last few weeks and is due to start shipping soon. The plant has been built by Sinoma-CDI of China and will use the parent company's slag in its cement production. Keeping utilisation rates under control A glimmer of hope that the situation might be starting to improve was noted in March this year when cement sales reached 4.99Mt, up 22 per cent MoM and 15 per cent YoY. The utilisation rate also increased to 74 per cent from 60 per cent in February. The average factory utilisation rate was 59 per cent, according to local sources. The government's attempts to bring supply back in line with demand are long overdue, but it is not clear how this proposal can be accepted by the industry, as longer-term incumbents will be unfairly penalised. A more equitable approach would be to apply progressive environmental targets across the industry and allow the competitive forces eliminate the laggards over time. Published under This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact The Chanute Tribune office at 620-431-4100 if you have any questions Two men are in police custody to face felony murder charges connected to the December 2020 shooting death of Jordan McDougle, 22. On Dec. 24, 2020, McDougle, a resident of Cartersville, was dropped off at a hospital in Calhoun, Ga., suffering from a gunshot wound. He later died from his injuries, and an investigation determined that the shooting happened in Dalton. The Dalton Police Department began an investigation with the assistance of the GBI of a shooting that happened on 4th Avenue with shots apparently being fired at the apartment buildings at 626 4th Ave. There were no other victims of that shooting. Investigators determined that McDougle was shot during that incident and developed information that two suspects were involved: Gregory Brent Grier, 27, and Issac Hickman, 27, both of Atlanta. The Dalton Police Department obtained warrants for their arrest on Feb. 12. Grier was already incarcerated in the Clayton County Jail at that time and was extradited to the Whitfield County Jail on the Dalton charge on May 12. Hickman is in custody in Fulton County on a probation violation and will be extradited back to Whitfield County soon to face his charge in the case. The Tennessee Historical Commission has announced winners of this years annual Certificate of Merit competition. These awards are presented each May during National Preservation Month. The Commissioners Special Commendation category went to Steven Smith in Soddy Daisy, for authoring four books. Since 1975, THCs Certificate of Merit Program has recognized exemplary work by individuals, groups, organizations, corporations, or governmental entities to further promote historic preservation or the study of history in Tennessee. Nominations are solicited from the public in December of the preceding year and judged by category. The Historic Preservation category recognizes excellence in the preservation, restoration, or rehabilitation of a historic or archaeological site, preservation leadership, preservation planning, publications related to historic preservation, public programming, or research. The 2021 awards in this category go to: Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park in Elizabethton, for the historic paint finishes study, funded by a Historic Preservation Fund grant, that confirmed much of the Carter Mansions exposed interior surfaces are rare and irreplaceable original 18th century finishes. Claiborne County Historical Society in Tazewell, for completing a multi-phased restoration of the 1819 Old Jail with HPF grant funds. Dunbar Rosenwald School Foundation in Loudon, for using a HPF grant and rallying community partners to restore the roof and siding on a 1923 African American school building. John H. Allen Company in Jackson, for rehabilitation of the neon-lit landmark Art Moderne Greyhound Bus Station using Historic Tax Credits. Kemmons Wilson Companies, Bologna Consultants, Bounds and Gillespie Architects, and LRK Architects in Memphis, for using Historic Tax Credits to rehabilitate a 1914 railroad station with appropriately designed restaurant and gathering spaces. Walk-Off Properties, LLC and LRK Architects in Memphis for the rehabilitation of the 100,000 square foot 1924 Medical Arts Building, now known as The Commonwealth, for use as retail space with apartment and office spaces above, using Historic Tax Credits. Perry County in Perry County, for using HPF funds to clear invasive trees, vines, and lichen that threatened the structural integrity of the limestone battered walls that comprise the Historic Cedar Grove Furnace and Spring House. Friends of South Cumberland State Park near Tracy City, for creating a new interpretive area that tells the story of the village that housed nearly 200 members of the Civilian Conservation Corps Company 1475 at Grundy Forest. Camille Westmont, Visiting Assistant Professor of History at the University of the South in Sewanee, for archaeological research conducted at Grundy Lakes coke ovens in South Cumberland State Park and the site of the Lone Rock Stockade, where Lone Rock prisoners burned coal in the ovens to produce coke used in ironmaking. Timothy Henson in Adams, for the preservation publication, the Adams Enterprise, which has documented local history for a quarter century. Sam Hall in Chattanooga, for the digital preservation publication, ChattanoogaHistory.com, which provides access to rarely accessible historic resources. The Book or Public Programming category recognizes notable achievements toward advancing the study of Tennessee history through certain types of books or public programming. The sole award recipient in this category is the Sgt. Alvin C. York State Historic Park in Pall Mall, for restoring the York farm and creating Living History public programming that interprets the roles of agriculture, industry, isolation, and poverty on the residents of the Wolf River Valley. The Commissioners Special Commendation category recognizes achievements that relate to the promotion of historic preservation or history, but do not satisfy all the criteria for a Historic Preservation Award or a Book or Public Programming Award. The 2021 awards in this category go to: Steven Smith in Soddy-Daisy, for authoring four books, establishing the Soddy, Daisy, and Montlake Historical Society and the Good Old Days Museum, and for his leadership in the annual Pioneers Day event at the reconstructed Poes Tavern. Taylor Weiss in Dickson, for making the Governor Clement Centennial Birthday Celebration a public and financial success during the pandemic. The Mel Malone Family Historical Foundation in Cemetery, for their effort to preserve and restore the Cemetery Community, which includes the original Cemetery Elementary School and Malone Homestead. Ann Toplovich in Nashville, for her role in preserving Tennessee history and service as executive director of the Tennessee Historical Society. To learn more about the high level of achievement recognized by THCs Merit Award program or download an application and submit a nomination for the 2022 competition, go to https://www.tn.gov/historicalcommission/about-us/merit-award-program.html or contact Susan McClamroch at susan.mcclamroch@tn.gov. Several years ago, I penned a commentary, Reforming the Reformers. It was a response to failed policies that I considered hurtful to public education. More accurately, I wrote that education reform is no longer focused on students or teachers. It is focused on ancillary issues, folks who profit off the system. That is often still the case. I stated: When we watch policymakers grasp at the complex issues facing public education, we realize that outside influences and political donations are having greater influence over our classrooms and often fail to connect the educator with the policy. We over-test our students and put a tremendous workload burden on educators in the name of accountability. In efforts to drive up student academic performance, we should never disregard an experienced educators insights into their students academic and social, and emotional growth. We acknowledge that Tennessee has done some rather remarkable things in public education of late. It may not pay off immediately, but it should benefit future generations. Our commitment to reading, writing, and math moving forward will give Tennessee children an advantage over other states. Especially if we remain committed to helping those who cannot master proficiency in those areas. We cannot simply keep pushing kids through the system when they cannot grasp the building blocks of key subjects like reading and math. I give Governor Lee, Commissioner Schwinn, and the Tennessee General Assembly credit for recognizing that truth. Teachers have been speaking out on this for decades. Finally, someone listened. Too many education reforms are proposed or pursued with very little evidentiary basis. Look at the millions of dollars spent by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in Tennessee to shape our state policies. The Gates Foundation is deeply rooted in several advocacy groups here in the state and virtually have a media outlet to trumpet their causes. Yes, money from the Gates Foundation is influencing our classrooms. Whether that influence is positive or negative is up to you to decide. I do believe we should require a disclaimer when any person or institution who advocates for education policy is funded by the Gates Foundation or other philanthropic organizations. The Gates Foundation doesnt have much to show for their spending. Many policies such as Common Core, were advocated by Gates money and have been rolled back in Tennessee. The Washington Post described the $575 million project partly underwritten by the Gates Foundation that used student test scores to evaluate teachers failed to achieve its goals of improving student achievement as in, it didnt work. The Gates Foundation has been involved in Shelby County since at least 2009. The average student reading on grade level there in 2020 was 16%. The teacher evaluation system implemented in Memphis, created for the Gates grant application became our state law. So, the foundation impact became the basis of all personnel decisions, from tenure to dismissal across our state. To borrow a phrase from that journalist, Valerie Strauss, put this in the they-were-warned-but-didnt-listen category. If the Tennessee General Assembly has its way, the teacher evaluation system is likely to see changes next session. We already know who opposes those changes and where the money will be coming from to oppose them. Here in Nashville, the most recent organization to try and shape education policy in Tennessee is a group called Education Trust. It is currently headed by a former Obama education official---now Gubernatorial candidate in Maryland---John King. It is directed statewide in Tennessee by Metro Nashville Public Schools board member Gino Pupo-Walker. The Education Trust according to Mercedes Schneider, writing for the Huffington Post, is profoundly a Gates-funded, test-driven-reform machine. Schneider adds, For all of the corporate reform nonprofits that I have researched for accepting Gates operating support money, none has exceeded the millions of dollars Gates has paid to Education Trust. It is astutely pointed out that top-down, test-driven reform will forever have a gap to try to close. So, they will always have an issue to champion, or as I previously pointed out, a way to continue to profit off the system. Capital One, in their well-known advertising tagline, likes to ask: "What's in your wallet?" Perhaps we should look at WHO is paying to influence our education policy, and ask WHY? It has long been acknowledged that a strong educational system is essential not only to the successful functioning of democracy but also to its future. Educators understand that an engaging and challenging education is the proven path to prosperity and a life-long love of learning. Children should not be at the tip of the spear in our culture wars. Many educators simply wish they could teach their students and subjects without a political agenda. However, in the name of reform and federal dollars, we have often chased ideas that didnt serve our children or educators very well in Tennessee. When will we learn? JC Bowman Executive Director of Professional Educators of Tennessee Most United States citizens consider ourselves fortunate to live in a modern, mature democracy. We appreciate the great freedoms and abundant material things our democracy affords us. But while we all know the old adage that freedom is not free, neither is democracy. Our system depends on citizens being in ultimate control of the government through a written constitution with checks and balances, frequent elections, term limits, free speech, free press, the right to petition the government, the right to bring lawsuits against the government, referendums, recalls, and more. Unfortunately, too few of us take the time to actively participate in our democracy. Which brings up another adageyou only get as much out of a thing as you put into it. So, how much are we putting into our democracy? How much are we as a country investing in making sure our citizens are informed, knowledgeable, and prepared to fully participate in our continuing experiment in self-government? Our Current Investment in Civics Education Schools can help prepare our youngest citizens for their critical role in our democracy. In fact, public education in the United States historically had the three related purposes of preparing students to participate in life as citizens, to engage in adult work and careers, and to become functioning members of their communities. The first goal is essentially civics education. What value do we place on achieving this goal today? Governments at all levels have given little support to developing civics education over the last thirty years, according to the March 2, 2021, Educating for American Democracy report sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the U.S. Department of Education. At the federal level, we spend five cents on civics education per student each year, significantly less than the fifty-four dollars per student for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics education. Danielle Allen, Director of the Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics at Harvard University, discussed this disparity in an Oct. 8, 2020, interview on Harvard EdCast titled The Role of Education in Democracy. Her point was not that less money should be spent on STEM, but that the lack of support for civics education results in an inability for young people to understand democracy, be motivated to participate in it, [and] to have the skills and tools they need to participate effectively in democratic self-government. The Cost of Neglecting Civics In a wonderful, wide-ranging discussion sponsored by the Center for Strategic and International Studies on April 14, 2021, titled Civics as a National Security Imperative, United States Supreme Court Justices Sonya Sotomayor and Neil Gorsuch discussed the importance of civics from their perspective as judges of the highest court in our country. Justice Sotomayor cited the wide disparity on STEM and civics spending discussed above. Both Justices discussed the troubling lack of knowledge about how our government functions, the low rate of participation in government, the surprisingly large number of people who disapprove of democracy, and how pervasive false information is in our society, especially as spread by social media. The Justices identified these dangers as resulting from a lack of civics knowledge, which equips citizens to discern false information regarding our government and its functioning. Justice Gorsuch noted that more often in history, democracies fall not from external threat but from internal discord. He noted democracy is not an automatic thing. Recently, foreign enemies capitalized on our internal divisions and discord to further divide us, and Justice Gorsuch noted, it is no surprise that a lot of the false misinformation spread on social media is deliberately spread by our enemies to sow disagreement internally in the country. Our democracy suffers when we as citizens are unable to fulfil our responsibility as the ultimate control of government. We have to make reasoned decisions at the ballot box and in the other means of exercising our power. We cannot fulfill this responsibility when we do not know how our government functions. As Justice Gorsuch stated, when we are uninformed, not only do we allow unresponsive and dysfunctional government, but we also allow foreign and domestic threats to endanger our democracy. Among the strengths of the American legal system are civility, civil discourse, constructive disagreement, critical thinking, and respectful dialogue. Both Justices spoke of how society at large could use these principles, practiced every day in our courts, to bridge the divides we now face. By failing to educate our young people and ourselves on our government and our civic responsibilities, we risk losing the freedoms we value so highly. We may have well-educated STEM students, but if we lose our democracy, in what kind of country will they live? In that event, we will all have to ask ourselves, did we pay the appropriate price for democracy? Curtis L. Collier United States District Judge Chair, Eastern District of Tennessee Civics and Outreach Committee Carrie Brown Stefaniak Law Clerk to the Honorable Curtis L. Collier Immediate Past President, Chattanooga Chapter of the Federal Bar Association Eliza L. Taylor Law Clerk to the Honorable Curtis L. Collier * * * In the recent opinion What is the Price of Democracy?, the authors advocate a return of basic civics in the education curriculum. I wholeheartedly agree and thank them for their advocacy. However, I find it somewhat disturbing the learned authors used the term democracy 15 times, but not once used the term Republic in their writing. Both terms are necessary to accurately substantiate and better explain the authors advocacy. To illustrate, the opening paragraph should have read Most United States citizens consider ourselves fortunate to live in a modern, mature democratic Republic. We appreciate the great freedoms and abundant material things our democracy affords us. But while we all know the old adage that freedom is not free, neither is democracy. There are other places in the opinion where Republic rather than democracy is the proper term to describe our country. By using the noun Republic appropriately to accurately describe the United States, and the use of democracy to describe the political process used to operate our Republic, the authors would demonstrate the difference and help inform a reader who may not have the benefits of a Civics class. Ironically, the misused terminology helps to show the need and necessity to return a course in United States civics to our Republics education curriculum. Bryan Bowen U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn introduced legislation to reinstate the Migrant Protection Protocols. This legislation will require aliens seeking asylum at the Southern border or without proper documentation to return to Mexico to wait for their immigration proceedings. President Bidens failed immigration policies have created a crisis at our southern border, said Senator Blackburn. Over half a million illegal aliens have been apprehended at our southern border since Biden was sworn into office. Biden repealed President Trumps successful policy that forced migrants to remain in Mexico while seeking asylum. My legislation will stop Bidens decision to catch and release migrants into our communities and reinstate President Trumps Remain in Mexico program. Click here for additional information on the legislation. While visiting my son at college, I was able to join him for a chapel service. During the service, a faculty member introduced a video that consisted of excerpts from a 60 Minutes broadcast. It was a segment entitled, The Lost Boys, a story about children who were victims of a civil war in Somalia during the early 1990s. Government troops had entered villages, destroying them and killing the villagers, and leaving the children behind. These children began to wander as the lost boys of Somalia, and eventually created what was referred to as a river of children wandering the countryside, taking care of each other. They numbered in the thousands. They suffered hunger, disease, and many perils of nature as they traveled, trying to survive as best they could. For 12 years, the displaced children were taking care of one another, and taking on life in as raw a form as we can ever image. Following the video presentation, three of these boys, now students at the university, came forward and told first-person accounts of their story. They each gave compelling testimonies of their incredible experiences, and of their faith. I left chapel that day overwhelmed with thoughts about their ordeal. As I recount this experience, it reinforces how privileged we are to be a part of a community, a childrens department, a stakeholders network, a Department of Childrens Services coalition. All of these coalition partners are comprised of dedicated staff who are intensely engaged in assisting our own river of children navigating the foster care system. Foster children, and their families of origin, have been emotionally and even generationally wounded by trauma. These wounds may never fully heal. These children and their families (families who are often victims caught in the jaws of addiction and mental illness) suffer from lack of belonging, lack of hope, lack of community connection, guilt, shame, and a host of other emotional issues too numerous to mention. In an effort to keep foster children safe, they are placed into a foster system that may unintentionally reinforce the idea that they are different. They lose power and control over their lives, becoming sheltered within a system of regulations that can hinder rather than encourage normal development. Many are separated from their communities, schools, and even their siblings and other extended family members, due to a lack of foster homes. Additionally, foster children often move from home to home, school to school, and family to family trying to find their wayA River of Children. We all, within our own realm of influence, have been given an awesome responsibility to help shape the lives of these special children and their families and we do just that, in spite of this imperfect system within which we serve. Each of us contribute and strive to better fill the cup of every child that comes our way. Every staff, every probation worker, every DCS family case manager, every community citizen, all contribute to the collective care of our lost children. Thanks to these efforts, we have some amazing success stories in our communities. For this we want to thank all who contribute to foster children and their families of origin, and for the enduring commitment each has made. The river of children still flows. There is work to be done. But because of each of you, their future is a little brighter, and their trauma is increasingly diminished. Kristine Nunn, LMFT Manager of Child and Family Services at Centerstone, a not-for-profit health system providing mental health and substance use disorder treatments to people of all ages In the Sunday editions of the Chattanooga Times Free Press the editors will often include a feature on fake news, or News Thats Not but I dont suspect them to include themselves in the junk report this weekend. The Chattanooga newspaper once again stumbled Thursday when they had an embarrassing lead story on the front page. The headline read, DA accused of marrying employee, hiring wifes brother. Well, yes, thats very accurate but so what? Even President Biden would yelp, Cmon, Man! And most know that Neal, after he got to know the combat-wounded Kerry Clewell who fought in Iraq and suffered a serious head injury during heavy action in Afghanistan has become an integral part of Pinkstons award-winning department. Kerry was involved in military law enforcement and intelligence after he volunteered for the Army the week after the 9-1-1 attack. Today he is a top investigator for the Hamilton County District Attorney Generals office. Everybody in Hamilton County/Chattanooga government circles knows that Attorney General Neal Pinkston and his current Chief of Staff, Melydia Clewell, have been married for several years.And most know that Neal, after he got to know the combat-wounded Kerry Clewell who fought in Iraq and suffered a serious head injury during heavy action in Afghanistan has become an integral part of Pinkstons award-winning department. Kerry was involved in military law enforcement and intelligence after he volunteered for the Army the week after the 9-1-1 attack. Today he is a top investigator for the Hamilton County District Attorney Generals office. To even hint that Neal Pinkston has done one thing that isnt totally above board or cast aspersions in the slightest way of any impropriety or misjudgment is downright wrong. To publicly humiliate Melydia, who I have known since she came here as a TV anchor about 30 years ago, is especially distasteful after she spent about 20 years as a news director for Channel 3 and Channel 9. My longtime pal was classy then and is classy now. Further, to ridicule her brother for what? being her brother? is garbage. When I first glanced at the story, I figured it was the start of pre-election slime, that a contender for the DAs office had triggered such poppycock. Pinkston will run for re-election this time next year in a primary if need be. The main election will be in November of 22 but that makes little to no sense to challenge Neal. Pinkston is the same crowd of untouchables like County Court Clerk Bill Knowles, Mayor Jim Coppinger, Juvenile Court Judge Rob Philyaw, and darn near every sitting judge weve been as blessed with in this community. Sure, there needs to be some clean up on the County Commission (i.e., Joe Graham has been sorely missed) and there is excitement over Sheriff Jim Hammonds pick of Chief Austin Garrett to run that office. Hammond is retiring after a sensational run and hiring Garrett will assure a brilliant transition. Good things beget good things. Just you wait until I tell Uncle Nonya about this. Ole Nonya is the best friend of every person who works in the public realm because when a sensationalist newshound gets too close in ones vigor over a spouse, the families, or dogs, the accused needs only to put the idiocy of innocuous questions in his hands, Thats Nonya business! More often than not, Nonya is an after statement in a plea the reporter behaves to industry, and humanitarian, standards. The newspaper reported Thursday that Pinkston divorced two years prior -- hired Melydia six years ago and that after about two years the two-coworkers developed a love interest. For the record, that is hardly a new coincidence for mankind. A statement from the DAs office read that Pinkston said, "After working for years together, Melydia Clewell and I discovered we had more than simply our shared interest in our jobs," the statement read, "As many other people have discovered, a mature love can develop over time between friends, and that is what happened in our lives. Marriage is a private matter, but as I plan to seek re-election as district attorney, I'm happy to tell you that Melydia and I have committed our lives in marriage. We are blessed." While the marriage is quite clearly Nonya business, the newspaper stooped to a further low by admitting its reporters had prepared a 30-question form they demanded the district attorney fill out and return. The newspaper has sent a list of more than 30 questions that remain unanswered to Pinkston's office, including when the romantic relationship began and whether the supervisory relationships comply with state law. The newspaper has also asked a number of questions about the recruitment process for both of the Clewells' jobs. What is the purpose of such tripe? If Pinkston has committed some egregious violation of state law I feel certain that is a matter between Pinkston and State Attorney General Herbert Slatery and one that can easily be resolved. But to taunt the newspapers readership with the page one headline, DA accused of marrying employee, hiring wifes brother, runs in total counter to founder Mr. Ochs vow, To Give The News Impartially, Without Fear or Favor. Put me down as a longtime subscriber who is ashamed of the newspaper. You owe Chattanooga and Neal Pinkstons family an apology. The Cleveland State Community College Foundation held its annual board meeting on Thursday where new changes were made for the upcoming year. The boards mission is to raise funds for students that support student and academic success. Chair Gary Fuller has been leading the board in doing so for three years and now he passes the gavel to a new Chair.Mr. Fuller is thankful for the opportunity to work on the board and serve as chair since 2018.Its been great working with you all, and I appreciate you all making this journey with me for the last three years, he said.Mr.Fuller and his wife, Pat, were awarded the Community First Award for Philanthropy in 2019. Theyre known for having a personal hand in supporting many causes such as the Boys and Girls Club, United Way and the Ca-Ira Childrens Village in Haiti. During the meeting, CSCC President Dr. Bill Seymour, recognized Mr. Fuller with the Leadership Appreciation Award for his dedication to serving the community and the colleges Foundation.Gary is a true servant leader, said Dr. Seymour. The recent success of Cleveland State has much to do with the relationship with our Foundation. Garys leadership took us from our most successful capital campaign, to the first new buildings on our campuses in 46 years, and through a worldwide pandemic.As Mr. Fuller is ending his term as chair, the board has approved Mike Griffin as the new chair to begin July 1, 2021. Mr. Griffin has served on the foundation board since 2016. Mr. Griffin serves the community as the president and CEO of the Cleveland Bradley Chamber of Commerce. He also serves in the leadership role of the Rotary Club of Cleveland.Mr. Griffin said, Ive committed myself to chair for the next two or three years, depending on how long they want to keep me. However, I plan on committing seriously to this job and Im really excited about it.Dr. Seymour and other members of the board agreed that Mr. Griffin will continue to be a great leader for the foundation.Dr. Seymour continued, We continue a pattern of strong leadership with Mike Griffin as our new foundation board chair. I dont know of anyone with more experience leading non-profit and civic organizations in our region. He is well known and brings instant respect to the foundation and the College.The foundation board also welcomed a new board member, Margaret Schenck, who was elected at the meeting. The 26-member board was established in 1971 as a separatenot-for-profit entity. As a result of fundraising efforts, the foundation has awarded over $6.3 million in scholarships to over 7,500 students. The Hamilton County Health Department on Friday released the latest figures on its Say Yes! COVID Test At-Home Testing Challenge, which provides households within Chattanooga and throughout Hamilton County with access to free, rapid COVID-19 test kits that they can self-administer in the comfort of their home to reduce virus spread and keep the community healthy. The program update reveals that since its May 4 launch, Say Yes! COVID Test has placed more than 15,000 test kits into the hands of community members. Limited tests are available, and the opportunity will conclude at the end of May, while supplies last. Hamilton County residents are encouraged to place their order online for doorstep delivery at CovidTestChattanooga.org, or pick their test kit up in person by visiting one of the many pick-up locations, including the health department. Our Say Yes! COVID Test community partners have been working tirelessly across Hamilton County to get test kits in residents hands and keep our community safe, said Becky Barnes, Health Department administrator. Lets keep the momentum going for a strong and healthy Chattanooga. Encourage your friends and neighbors to get their kit, share their story, and keep testing to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The At-Home Testing Challenge aims to identify COVID-19 infection early by offering free tests for frequent testing to mitigate virus spread. Each free test kit supports home testing for two household members, who are asked to test three times a week, regardless of symptoms, for the best chance of identifying infection early. The entire testing process can be done privately at home, and tests only require a quick swab inside each nostril. No lab is required, and results can be read in just 10 minutes. Individuals who have not yet received the COVID-19 vaccine or who have the highest risk of exposure to COVID-19, such as people working or going to school outside the home, are ideal candidates for participation. To make the most of this opportunity to make a dent in the pandemic, we need to bring the whole community together and ensure participating household members are all testing three times a week consistently, said Dr. Fernando Urrego, interim health officer. If we wait until we have symptoms to test, we will miss the chance to stop virus spread. Get your tests today and commit to join the At-Home Testing Challenge for a healthier Chattanooga. Hamilton County residents can also choose to take part in an optional research study to complete surveys and earn up to $50 in gift cards. For more information on the optional study and to order test kits, visit CovidTestChattanooga.org. Residents can also pick up test kits in-person at any of the following upcoming distribution events (visit the website for a full list of distribution sites and hours of operation): Chattanooga Market Sunday 1829 Reggie White Blvd. Chattanooga, TN 37408 Sunday, May 16: 10 a.m.4 p.m. Governor Bill Lee announced he will kick off Tennessees yearlong celebration commemorating 225 years of statehood with a musical appearance by Country Hall of Fame members The Oak Ridge Boys in downtown Jonesborough on June 1. As we reflect on 225 years of statehood, Im honored to welcome the legendary Oak Ridge Boys to historic Jonesborough, said Governor Lee. These remarkable musicians have contributed greatly to our states heritage, and we look forward to celebrating with our fellow Tennesseans. The celebration begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Washington County Courthouse on June 1, Tennessees 225th birthday, and will include an address from Governor Lee followed by the Oak Ridge Boys performance. In this year of celebrating our great state, it is an awesome honor to be invited by Governor Lee to be a part of the very first event, said Joe Bonsall of The Oak Ridge Boys. All of us love Tennessee, and we look forward to the event in Jonesborough. This event is free and open to the public. Tennesseans are invited to arrive early to enjoy dinner at local Jonesborough restaurants on the square and bring chairs or picnic blankets. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP at www.facebook.com/GovBillLee. Governor Lee will visit all three of Tennessees grand divisions the first week of June, including stops in Knoxville, Nashville and Memphis. Additional events will be announced as they are scheduled. The Tennessee Supreme Court on Friday issued an Order that will continue to ease the current restrictions on in-person proceedings. Fridays order reduces the required space between people in the courtroom from six to three feet; lifts any courtroom capacity limits still in effect; and lifts the facial coverings requirement. The order provides judicial districts and judges discretion to require courtroom capacity limits as health and safety conditions necessitate. The order also still encourages facial coverings in compliance with CDC guidelines and allows any person to wear a facial covering. Finally, the order encourages courts to continue to use alternative means to in-person hearings, including video and teleconferences. The order also still encourages facial coverings in compliance with CDC guidelines and allows any person to wear a facial covering. Finally, the order encourages courts to continue to use alternative means to in-person hearings, including video and teleconferences. Statewide, the courts have done a tremendous job staying open under these trying circumstances for over a year and the Supreme Court commends their innovation, dedication, and perseverance in following our orders, CDC Guidelines, and state and county health directives, said Chief Justice Jeff Bivins. It is time to allow courts more flexibility in managing their caseloads and courtrooms while still being cognizant that the virus is still out there. This is the 10th order the court has issued related to the COVID-19 pandemic. From March 2020 to June 2020 and again from December 2020 to March 2021, many types of in-person proceedings were suspended and strict precautions were mandated for any permissible in-person proceedings. Courts turned to video and audio conferences, outdoor locations, staggered dockets, and other innovative ideas to keep cases moving and constitutional and other rights preserved. Overall, courts have held more than 18,692 video proceedings on Zoom licenses managed by the Administrative Office of the Courts. On March 15, the most recent suspension of non-jury in-person proceedings was lifted, and on March 31, the suspension of jury trials was lifted. Read the order here. Ciara Duggan from Below Deck Sailing Yacht and Jessica More from Below Deck Mediterranean seemed to be building a friendship bond until now. More and Duggan worked together on yachts over the winter but now the friendship seems to be completely over. Duggan took to Twitter to air her grievances with More. Its disappointing when you think someone is your friend and then it takes a drastic turn because of their own psychotic insecurities. #sorrynotsorryjess, Duggan tweeted. Madison Stalker from Duggans season of Below Deck Sailing Yacht added to the tweet, Same same, but different. But then Duggan shared why she is no longer friends with More and it seems to have a lot to do with an incident involving her sister. Parker McCown, Madison Stalker, Ciara Duggan, Paget Berry from Below Deck Sailing Yacht Season 1 | Karolina Wojtasik/Bravo Why did Below Decks Ciara Duggan fall out with Jessica More? Duggan did not provide additional context other than there seemed to be an issue with Duggans sister. A fan asked if they could repair their friendship. Thats when Duggan replied, Nope not when she assaults my own sister! Theres no forgiving that. In Feb. More and Duggan joined Elizabeth Frankini from Below Deck for a game of pool. Duggan retweeted the images and the trio looked extremely happy. Girls night @liveandsetsail @bettabird except we let @bgcola28 join us, More tweeted. RELATED: Below Deck Sailing Yacht: Dani Soares Didnt Plan to Go Public With Her Pregnancy Duggan also joined Alex Radcliffe and More during the Christmas holidays. At the time she was still together with Paget Berry. I know Im a little late to the party but I hope everyone had a fantastic Christmas, Hanukkah and a Happy New Year, she shared on Instagram. It was strange being separated from @pagetberry over the holidays, but we will be reunited soon hopefully! Anyways, lets pray this year goes better than the last!!! Jessica More from Below Deck Med shared her raw and real struggle with anxiety and depression More shared some extremely raw and heartbreaking images on Instagram earlier in May. She admitted she was struggling and eventually flew to Costa Rica to join Radcliffe as a retreat. After a very real and emotionally gut wrenching conversation that I desperately needed with @aubertbastiat I was encouraged to get more real, she shared. More real with myself, my relationships/friendships and my life and to have the courage to share this with yall in an attempt to help normalize the folks who go through hurt, grief, anxiety, depression, thoughts of suicide, feelings of unworthiness the list goes on ..the ugly sh*t were all so good at hiding. A slew of cast members replied with words of encouragement and support. Good on you for letting people see the real side of things and your vulnerability. Sounds like youre on the right path, Jenna MacGillivray from Below Deck Sailing Yacht replied. Frankini added, Right there with you, angel. Ill always support you Im finding myself on a similar path. Winds of change. Not easy but will be worth it. Love you. Its crazy to think , we all watch the same sun set. pic.twitter.com/jJ1i6EJezn Jessica more (@Jessicamore180) May 13, 2021 RELATED: Below Deck Sailing Yacht Boat Crash: Alli Dore Was Terrified When Production Put Down Their Cameras More shared videos and photos from Costa Rica, alongside Radcliffe who has remained a close friend. She has yet to respond to Duggans tweet. Julia Stiles has opened up about her possible involvement in the Dexter revival. Showtime announced in 2020 that it was bringing back the hit crime drama, which trekked a forensic analyst moonlighting as a serial killer for eight seasons between 2006 and 2013. Many fans naturally wondered which actors would be back, including Stiles. But it looks like she might not. Michael C. Hall in a scene from Dexter | Christian Weber/CBS via Getty Images A quick look back at Julia Stiles work on Dexter Stiles built her career with movies like 10 Things I Hate About You and Save the Last Dance. But she later transitioned to TV, snagging her first major role in the fifth season of Dexter. Stiles played Lumen Pierce, a role that earned her critical acclaim and an Emmy nomination. Pierce, a surviving victim of killer Boyd Fowler, befriended Dexter after catching him attacking her assailant. The two eventually became partners and then lovers, but they split up when Lumen realized she and Dexter no longer shared the same darkness. Lumen was one of Dexters last love interests before the end of the show, which concluded with Dexter infamously leaving Florida, moving to Oregon, and starting anew as a lumberjack. RELATED: Dexter: The Alternate Ending Makes So Much More Sense to Viewers The Dexter revival will pick up several years after that The revival will continue Dexters story, but its jumping ahead to the present day. It appears the namesake character has since left Oregon for New York, specifically a fictional small town called Iron Lake. There, according to TVLine, hell face villain Kurt Caldwell (Clancy Brown), who is the towns unofficial mayor. The character description for Caldwell says he realized the American dream by going from driving big rigs, just like his father did, to now owning several trucks and the local truck stop. Powerful, generous, loved by everyone hes a true man of the people. If hes got your back, consider yourself blessed. But should you cross Kurt, or hurt anyone that he cares for, God help you. So far, Michael C. Hall (Dexter Morgan) is only actor confirmed for the revival. But theres been plenty of speculation that past cast members might pop up. When Forbes caught up with Stiles and asked her whether shes involved, she suggested she hadnt been asked back. I have absolutely no idea about that, Stiles, 40, told the outlet. But Im sort of open to anything if it is done well. RELATED: Dexter: Everything the Original Cast Members Have Said About the Revival Actor James Remar (Harry Morgan) claimed in a video post that none of the original actors have been invited back for the revival. But the Dexter team has yet to confirm or deny his claims. The show is now filming in Massachusetts with plans to wrap it in July, according to The Boston Globe. Theres no set release date for Dexter Season 9 just yet, but it is expected to premiere in the fall of 2021. If you asked a dozen parents right now what their favorite childrens show is, the majority of them would probably mention Bluey. This animated series is blowing up in popularity thanks to the memorable characters and positive themes. Plus, its enjoyable for both kids and adults, unlike some of the other television aimed at young viewers. It may seem strange to compare a contemporary cartoon about a dog to the legendary sitcom Seinfeld from the 90s. But it turns out Bluey and Seinfeld have more in common than television viewers realize. Bluey became a smash hit on Disney+ RELATED: Seinfeld: Larry David Threatened to Quit Over the Iconic Chinese Restaurant Episode Kids and parents just cant get enough of Bluey, the animated short from Australia. The series depicts life for a 6-year-old Blue Heeler pup named Bluey and her family, including her mom Chili, dad Bandit, and younger sister Bingo. The premise sounds just like any other kids show. But viewers know that Bluey offers something special, including themes that go beyond the typical cartoon. The characters play pretend all the time and even simple games become fun and exciting. Gender norms are out the window and the parents are always engaging with their kids. It also helps that the episodes are very short and easy to watch. No wonder Bluey won the International Emmy Kids Award. Bluey is a show about nothing, just like Seinfeld Bluey | Disney+; Seinfeld cast | George Lange/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images Bluey is heartfelt while Seinfeld was bitter and sarcastic. But the brilliant thing detail these shows both had in common was exploring very simple concepts and presenting them in a unique and interesting way. Youll never find complicated storylines on either show, and fans love them all the more for it. Jerry Seinfeld always rejected the claim that his comedy was a show about nothing. However, based on the success of the series, it was actually a compliment to describe it that way. Its infinitely harder for writers to create intrigue from basic everyday situations. Somehow Seinfeld and Bluey are both more interesting thanks to their lack of complex storylines. The beauty of Bluey comes from simple messaging One of the most popular episodes of Bluey is called Keepy Uppy and revolves around the family attempting to keep a balloon from touching the floor. Its a game most people have played at some point but doesnt seem substantial enough to merit an entire episode. Yet on Bluey, this storyline is mesmerizing, exciting, and hilarious. Writers on Seinfeld tackled the same types of topics. One of the best episodes, which co-creator Larry David threatened to quit over, was all about the four friends waiting for a table at a Chinese restaurant. Its a similar idea in that it doesnt appear to be enough content to support a full episode. But the unique angle made this episode memorable and funny. Seinfeld fans adored it and even now it remains one of the best-known on the series. At first glance, Seinfeld and Bluey dont have any similarities. But these two popular shows share the most important element of all: fans cannot get enough of them. B Positives Drew and Gina are finally going in for the kidney transplant surgery. Also, a lot is changing in the relationships on the show. Drew says something unexpected to Gina at the end of the episode. Heres what happened last time on B Positive. Warning: This article contains spoilers for B Positive Season 1 Episode 18. Eli asks Gina a big question on B Positive Thomas Middleditch with Annaleigh Ashford on B Positive | Michael Yarish/CBS via Getty Images At the beginning of B Positive Season 1 Episode 18 (titled Life Expectancy), Gina (Annaleigh Ashford) tries to figure out where she will live once Drews kidney transplant is over. She and Drew (Thomas Middleditch) had an agreement that she would live with him while he underwent treatment for kidney failure. This is so that Drew can watch after her and makes sure shes eating the right foods and taking care of herself. However, after the transplant, the expectation is that she will move out. Gina has plans to move back in with her friend, Gabby (Kether Donahue). The only problem is, Gabby lives a party lifestyle, and Gina isnt into that kind of life anymore. Living with Drew changed her for the better. She now makes wiser decisions. Eli (Terrence Terrell) offers to let Gina move in with him, but she doesnt think thats a good idea. Gina likes how things are going between them and shes afraid that a big move like this might not be good for the relationship. I like us a lot, says Gina. I dont want to mess this up by rushing into anything. Adriana changes her plans Adriana and Drew have a lot to talk about on B Positive | Bill Inoshita/CBS via Getty Images Drew and Adriana had plans to go to Switzerland together. Drew was going to delay his kidney transplant so he could accompany Adriana while she participated in a cancer drug trial. However, Adriana decides to change the flight date and travel to Switzerland without Drew. This caught him by surprise. Adriana joked (it probably wasnt a joke) that she would dump him when she returned from her trip. Drew asked if this was goodbye, and Adriana said it was just see you soon. Its probably safe to say theyre not going to be a couple when she returns from Switzerland. Drew and Gina have a moment Gina lets Drew know how much she appreciates him. You completely changed my life, says Gina. She later admits she had a meltdown when she was looking for apartments with Gideon. She tells Drew she feels like her life doesnt have direction now that shes preparing to move out. She doesnt know whats next for her. She feels like a balloon thats flying around aimlessly. Drew then gives Gina a gift for being his kidney donor. He gives her a key to his home and says she can stay as long as she wants. Truth is, I dont want you to leave, says Drew. Youve completely changed my life, too, he admits. And I cant imagine what this house will be like without you. I cant imagine what I will be like without you. Gina accepts the gift and tells Drew how much of an impact he has had on her life. Being here with you makes me feel safe, says Gina. And because of you I feel like my life means something. Later, Drew rents a limo to take them to the surgery. When they arrive, Drews dialysis buddies are waiting at the hospital to cheer him and Gina on. Before Drew and Gina go into surgery, Drew tells Gina he loves her. Follow Sheiresa Ngo on Twitter. So many things happened in the Katey Sagal Rebel TV Series Episode 5, Heart Burned, so viewers need a quick recap. Annie Rebel Flynn Ray Bello continues to fight for Helen Petersons (Mary McDonnell) life. She pushes Julian Cruz (Andy Garcia) to negotiate the recall of the faulty heart valve from Stonemore. Meanwhile, her daughter, Cassidy (Lex Scott Davis), and private investigator Lana (Tamala Jones) attempt to help Luke Chapman (Sam Palladio) when his personal life interferes with his career. The Rebel cast gives it their all for this heart-wrenching episode. Katey Sagal in the Rebel TV series Episode 5 with Mary McDonnell and Daniella Garcia | Karen Ballard/ABC/ Getty Images Rebel TV Series Episode 5 Recap: Good Morning Intimacy When Rebel Episode 5 opens, it seems everyone is having sex. Ziggy (Ariela Barer) walked in on Grady Bello (John Corbett) and Rebel during an intimate moment. While she wanted them to reconcile their marriage, thats not exactly what she had in mind. Cassidy gets a strange text while she and Amir (Mo McRae) are cuddling after their intimacy. Lukes ex-girlfriend sent hardcore porn to everyone on his contact list. She wants both money and revenge and continues to threaten to send more videos. Cassidy and Lana attempt to help Luke resolve things with his ex, Talia (Tricia Munford). Luckily, they come up with a solid plan. The women create a video later in the episode that would destroy Talias Instagram following. Rebel TV Series Episode 5 Recap Heart Burned: Helen is dying RELATED: A Million Little Things: Season 3 Finale Ends on Another Massive Cliffhanger As Helens condition worsens, Rebel does everything she can to fight for her. Benji Ray (James Lesure) meets with Cruz to discuss a settlement. However, the two cannot agree on the terms. Cruz insists that Stonemore take the valve off the market, but the CEO of the Medical Corporation, Mark Duncan (Adam Arkin), refuses. While Rebel is visiting Helen in the hospital, the doctors receive an email not to perform her surgery to remove the faulty heart valve. She owes the hospital $150,000 in past medical bills that must be paid before her surgery, even though the doctor is performing it pro bono. Cruz gets closer to Angela Foyer (Sharon Lawrence), and it makes Rebel nervous. It turned out that her gut is correct because this new woman works for the other side Benji Ray (James Lesure). A quick recap from the Katey Sagal Rebel TV series episode 4 might help you recall that Benji wanted Angela to get close to Cruz to help their case. Sharon Lawrence as Angela Foyer, John Corbett as Grady Bello and Katey Sagal in the cast of Rebel | Karen Ballard/ABC/Getty Images RELATED: Station 19 Season 4 Finale is Coming Sooner Than You Think While on the date, Angela encourages Cruz to help inspire his clients to choose the outcome that relaxes him. The settlement would help his firm with its financial problems. Later on, in the Rebel TV series Episode 5, we find out that Angela tapped his phone. Rebel TV Series Episode 5 Recap: To settle or not Cruz informs his clients that Stonemore offered a settlement of $3 million which would give each person roughly $100,000. However, the corporation wont recall the heart valve, and all of the clients must sign a non-disclosure agreement. Maddie (Daniella Garcia) votes to settle, and then her water breaks in the conference room. While at the hospital, she cannot calm down because she is so worried about her mother. Rebel promises Maddie she will do everything in her power to get her mother that surgery. Ziggy offers her college fund to save Helen. She also tells Rebel that she wants to become a lawyer to get inside the system and change it. Dr. Nelson (Abigail Spencer) removes Helens heart valve. Meanwhile, Maddie delivers her baby which wont live long because of her faulty Stonemore heart valve. Does Angela know who shes messing with? Thanks for watching #Rebel. pic.twitter.com/0Th35NRoKS Rebel (@rebelabc) May 14, 2021 RELATED: Greys Anatomy Will Bokhee Have an Episode About Her Life Before the Series Ends? Dr. Nelson notices deterioration in the heart valve, but when she goes to pick it up to study it, the valve is missing from the hospital. It turns out Angela listened to the phone call between Cruz and Rebel and went to the hospital to steal the heart valve. We find out more when the Katey Sagal Rebel TV series returns on May 20, 2021, to ABC. Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, are expecting their second child, a daughter. The baby will be the Sussexes last child, and she will join their son, Archie Harrison, who just turned two. The couple announced their pregnancy on Valentines Day and revealed that they were expecting a little girl shortly thereafter. The newborn baby Sussex will be a rainbow baby for the couple who experienced pregnancy loss in the summer of 2020. Since the Sussexes are now living in California, outside of the British royal family traditions, we dont expect to see a formal birth announcement or photos. However, the couple has opened up about this exciting time in their lives. In fact, royal fans are convinced that the couple is naming their baby girl Poppy. Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex | Chris Jackson/Getty Images When will Meghan Markle and Prince Harrys daughter be born? During their CBS interview with Oprah Winfrey on March 7, the Sussexes announced that they were expecting a baby girl and that she would be born this summer. To have any one or any two, but to have a boy and then a girlwhat more could you ask for? Harry told Oprah. Gender can typically be accurately determined between 18 to 21 weeks of pregnancy so at that point Meghan was more than halfway done with her pregnancy. Moreover, following Prince Philips death on April 9, 2021, Prince Harry flew to the U.K. to attend the funeral. However, Meghan did not receive clearance from her doctor to fly. Pregnant women are typically not advised to fly after 36 weeks. However, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic adds another layer of precaution. A spokesperson for The Duke and Duchess of Sussex: We can confirm that Archie is going to be a big brother. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are overjoyed to be expecting their second child. The photo was taken remotely by longtime friend and photographer Misan Harriman. pic.twitter.com/qbi1TeUgRr Emily Nash (@emynash) February 14, 2021 RELATED: Meghan Markle Was in a Straightjacket in the British Royal Family, Biographer Says Meghan Markle chose not to have a baby shower for her daughter Meghan is reportedly already on maternity leave. However, unlike the New York City baby shower she had in 2019 when she was pregnant with Archie, the duchess has decided not to have a baby shower for her baby girl. Meghan doesnt feel a big baby shower with gifts is appropriate right now. There is too much strife in the world, US Weekly reported. She and Harry have been so involved with humanitarian issues, they both feel their time and resources can be used for a better purpose. Still, were sure the Sussexes already have a new nursey and lots of adorable clothes ready for their new bundle of joy. Women, and especially women of colour, have seen a generation of economic gain wiped out. Since the pandemic began, nearly 5.5million women have lost work in the US, and 47million more women around the world are expected to slip into extreme poverty. Duchess Meghan, #VaxLive pic.twitter.com/EU7QENYxYr Omid Scobie (@scobie) May 9, 2021 Are Prince Harry and Meghan Markle naming their daughter Poppy? Though Meghan is currently on maternity leave, she shared a pre-recorded message during Global Citizens Vax Live concert on May 8, which she and the prince co-chaired. She referenced her unborn daughter during her speech. My husband and I are thrilled to soon be welcoming a daughter, she said. Its a feeling of joy we share with millions of other families around the world. When we think of her, we think of all the other families around the globe who must be given the ability and support to lead us forward. Now, fans are convinced that the Sussexes will be naming their baby girl, Poppy. During her speech at Vax Live, Meghan wore a $1,690 red poppy Carolina Herrera dress which fans believe is an Easter egg for a baby name. It should be noted that poppies are a symbol of support for the Armed Forces community. Prince Harry is a retired Captain in the British Army, The Marvel Cinematic Universe is in Phase Four, and with it comes new characters and more developed storylines about previous characters. One show that deeply explores two existing characters storylines is The Falcon And The Winter Soldier, starring Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan. Even though they play superheroes, Mackie and Stan also lead everyday lives. And Stan proved that by walking into Starbucks dressed as his TFATWS character Bucky Barnes. Sebastian Stans roles before Bucky Barnes Sebastian Stan | Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Roadside Attractions RELATED: Is Sebastian Stan Single? Stan started acting from a young age. He and his family relocated from Romania to Austria before finally settling in New York. By the time the star got into high school, he knew that theater was his passion. Stan performed in plays such as Little Shop of Horrors and West Side Story, which allowed him to hone his acting skills while setting his sights on formal acting classes. After graduating from high school, Stan attended Rutgers University Mason Gross School of The Arts to focus on his craft. Shortly afterward, he started catching the eye of many talent agencies. The actor landed his big break when he appeared in Black Swan. He then appeared in Rachel Getting Married and in Once Upon a Time, where he played Jefferson, aka the Mad Hatter. In 2011, Stan debuted as Bucky Barnes in Captain America: The First Avenger, thus marking his entry into the MCU. He played Captain Americas friend (thought to be dead), who later turns out to be a killing machine. Whenever he wasnt playing Bucky, he kept himself busy by appearing in films like The Bronze, I, Tonya, Logan Lucky, Ricki, and The Flash, The Martian, and Im Not Here. He also partnered up with his MCU colleague Tom Holland in the 2020 film The Devil All The Time. Sebastian Stan shows his versatility when playing Bucky RELATED: The Falcon and the Winter Soldier: Anthony Mackies Entire Plot Was Inspired by 1 Line in Endgame When Bucky Barnes first appeared on Captain America: The First Avenger, he was a charming ladies man who had gotten drafted into the war. When the war ended, Steve Rogers thought Bucky had died in battle only for him to appear as a modified supersoldier. Buckys modifications made him an unpleasant and ruthless brainwashed assassin. Stans latest project in the MCU is the Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. In the series, Bucky tries to adjust to his new life without his best friend, Steve Rogers, while dealing with his past misdoings. The show also focuses on Mackies character, Sam Wilson, as he fights with his feelings about being the new Captain America. In 2019s Avengers: Endgame, Steve Rogers handed Falcon his Captain America shield, thus giving him the title. TFATWS delves into the implications of Wilson, a Black man, carrying the shield and him questioning how he can represent a country that doesnt care about him. Stan had an interesting choice of outfit for his coffee run RELATED: How Much Does Sebastian Stan Make From Marvel? Stan enjoys his MCU character, and it clearly shows. In 2020, the star posted a photo wearing a mask with a caption that made a subtle nod to his character Bucky. His post was meant to encourage his fans to stay safe during the pandemic. Recently, Stan was spotted casually entering a Starbucks wearing his characters outfit. Fans on Reddit went wild over the photo posted on the platform, with many dissecting the costume. One fan said, TIL Bucky wears suspenders under his leather jackets. Other fans joined the conversation, noting that the outfit was accurate since Bucky technically comes from the 40s. In 1969, a three-day music festival took place in a muddy field outside Woodstock, NY. The event was a chaotic mess, with way more people showing up than expected, and not enough services for them. Despite this, Woodstock became a defining event of the generation. The performers included legends such as Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Arlo Guthrie, Joe Cocker, Joan Baez, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, and many more. Many of them spoke out against the Vietnam War, a stance that most of the crowd strongly supported. But none of this would have happened without the man who rented them the field. And he wasnt who youd expect to host such an event. Woodstock | Archive Photos/Getty Images The plan behind Woodstock RELATED: Woodstock at 50: When Jimi Hendrixs Star-Spangled Banner Rocked the Festival According to Time, in 1969, four men came up with an idea to raise money to build a music studio near Woodstock. They would sell tickets to a music festival that would last three days. They figured theyd be able to sell about 50,000 tickets, and so they set about finding a place to host the event. They struggled to find a venue until they found Max Yasgur, who owned a 600-acre dairy farm about 50 miles from Woodstock. Yasgur was an unusual person to partner with the free-spirited, youth-oriented event. He was nearly 50 years old, a staunch conservative, and he supported the Vietnam War. But Yasgur also believed in free expression, and as he said, If the generation gap is to be closed, we older people have to do more than we have done. On top of that, there had been an unusual amount of rain that year. He was facing a big bill because he was going to have to buy hay for his cattle, instead of growing it. The rental fee would help him out too. Woodstock was a surprise sensation 'I think one of the most fantastic things of this decade was Woodstock. People are always saying what a terrible decade it was usually the Blue Meanies because its the end of their regime. We think Year One starts in 1970, and that this decade was the beginning.' pic.twitter.com/mPqKbkGgst John Lennon (@johnlennon) February 7, 2021 RELATED: Why Carlos Santana Thought His Guitar Was a Snake at Woodstock On August 17, 1969, the Woodstock Music Festival kicked off. History reports that the organizers expected about 50,000 attendees, but by the time the weekend arrived, they had sold over 186,000 tickets. Even that number turned out to be less than half of how many actually showed up. Nearly 500,000 people descended on Yasgurs farm, and the scene was chaos. It rained that weekend, and the concertgoers were covered in mud. There werent enough bathrooms or first aid stations, and basic goods like food and water were scarce. Some of Yasgurs neighbors tried to capitalize on the situation by selling water to the crowd, but he thought it was wrong to profit off a basic need. He posted a large sign on his barn, letting people know they could get free water there. The aftermath All wrapped up in love at #woodstock : Burk Uzzle pic.twitter.com/bY3j2DChEV WOODSTOCK (@woodstockfest) February 10, 2021 RELATED: The Woodstock Guitarist John Lennon Felt Couldnt Play in the Real Sense Even before the event, Yasgurs neighbors werent happy about it. Some posted signs reading Dont buy Yasgurs milk. He loves the hippies. When huge crowds showed up, they were even less thrilled. According to The Telegraph, having nearly half a million people living in muddy fields with no bathrooms left behind a terrible mess. Yasgurs neighbors were so upset about the damage to their nearby properties that they sued him for hosting the event. Yasgur himself eventually received a $50,000 settlement to repair the damage to his farm. He was approached about hosting another music festival the next year, but he turned the opportunity down that time. Nonetheless, he reportedly never regretted having the festival on his property. Sued for standing on his Christian convictions, the Colorado baker shared his redemption story as he continues to live his life honoring the Lord Jesus Christ. Jack Phillips wrote a book about his experience when his refusal to bake a cake for a gay couple in 2012 took him to the Supreme Court and won. Though he is still facing another lawsuit for declining to create a cake for a gender identity transition of a gay lawyer, the baker is firm in his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Speaking to Faithwire, Phillips shared about his upcoming book, "The Cost of My Faith: How a Decision in My Cake Shop Took Me to the Supreme Court," his faith and his views on the future of religious freedom in the country. He said that he never thought of becoming famous. In opening the cake shop, he only wanted to help people celebrate occasions, create artistic cakes, make a living and enjoy what he is doing. The baker decided to write the book so that his kids and grandchildren would understand the real story behind the case that reached the Supreme Court, noting that some information online do not really translate the whole truth. Asked about the media's misconceptions that he does not serve the people in the LGBT community, Phillips replied that he serves everybody in his cake shop, regardless of who they are. He said that a gay man named Mike Jones even testified for him during a trial in March, proving that he serves and treats everyone with respect. The baker pointed out that he just can't create "every cake people ask [him] to create." He went on to share about how he became a Christian. Phillips stated that he grew up in church but did not really have a personal relationship with the Lord, until one day in his mid-twenties when the Holy Spirit spoke and confronted him that he needed a Savior. He knew that Jesus Christ was the only Savior and his only source of salvation. He surrendered his life to the Lord that very moment. He said that his decision was both an easy and difficult choice at that time since he had to explain to his wife about the sudden change in his life, thinking it would not go well. But he revealed that the conversation turned out to be "interesting and life-changing." The baker was inspired to have his own cake shop out of his love of working in such. It began when he worked at a bakery near his home right after high school. Not long after, the owner opened another bakery, bringing in "some cake decorators." With his love for art and baking, he started his own bakery, specializing on artistic cakes. "You wouldn't come to my shop looking for a loaf of bread or a pie. You would hopefully come in looking for an artistic cake, and that was my goal: to help people celebrate by using the cake as a canvas," he declared. "Another part of that 'Masterpiece' reminds me - even to this day - every time I write 'Masterpiece Cakeshop' that Jesus' Sermon on the Mount said, 'No man can serve two masters,' and so, when I come in each day, I think, 'Who am I gonna serve today?' And I want my life to reflect my serving of Jesus Christ in everything I do," Phillips further stated. He said that God has been using the bakery as a blessing for them, helping his family grow together. Through his shop, he was also able to share his faith to curious people who would come just to see it. The baker felt "incredibly awesome" with the Supreme Court's decision to look upon his case, out of thousands of petitions. He realized that his case was a way "to help every American have the right to work and live according to their conscience without fear of punishment from the government." Moreover, he stated that the Supreme Court's ruling, siding with him on the case "was tremendous." Phillips said that religious freedom in America should be protected, adding that the government's job is to protect the constitutional rights. He also stated that the people's responsibility is to make sure that it is done. When not in his cake shop, he enjoys spending time with his three grandchildren, as well as going hiking and being outdoors. When questioned about his legacy, the baker responded that he wanted to be known as a faithful follower of the Lord who lived his life reflecting his love for God. "I would like for them to look and not say that I was a big political guy but that I was a follower of Jesus Christ and did my best in my work and family and life and all of my relationships to reflect that relationship with the savior of the world," Phillips concluded. Christians beheaded in Indonesia terror attack Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Four Christian men were beheaded in a horrific terror attack in Indonesia on Tuesday, Open Doors reports. The attack occurred in Kalimago Village, Poso Regency in Central Sulawesi, and has been blamed on Islamist extremists belonging to the terrorist group, East Indonesia Mujahidin. Two victims were members of the Mamasa Toraja Church. Another came from Toraja Church and one from a Catholic Church in the area. They were aged between 42 and 61. Their murders come just half a year after four other Christians were killed at a Salvation Army outpost in Sigi, Central Sulawesi. Open Doors' local partner in Indonesia Ari Hartono whose name has been changed for security reasons said, "Central Sulawesi locals are still traumatized from the terrorist attack in Sigi last November and have not recovered yet. We're not sure if the attack is religiously motivated even though the victims are Christians." "It could be an act of survival. After the Sigi incident, the terrorists in Central Sulawesi have been increasingly pressed by the police and the Army," he added. "Their logistics is exhausted. The only way to survive is to rob people of food. In this area, there are many farmers who live in the forest far from the village and they were the ones targeted by the terrorists." Indonesia is ranked No. 47 on Open Doors' World Watch List, an annual ranking of the 50 countries where Christians face the most extreme persecution. Ari is asking Christians to pray for the peace of God in the area. "Fear and intimidation are trying to take over people's hearts, but God's power is more powerful," he said. "Pray for protection over God's people in Poso and Central Sulawesi. As long as these terrorists are not caught, the threat lingers. "People are afraid to go to their field, therefore they cannot work and produce crops. This will affect their economic situation. The Madago Raya Task Force are hunting this terrorist group. We pray for their protection, strength and wisdom to do their job, and pray that they will catch these perpetrators." Christians have been targeted in parts of Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim-majority country, in recent years. In Makassar, South Sulawesi, 20 worshipers were injured in a suicide bomb attack as they left a Palm Sunday church service marking the start of Holy Week. Dozens were killed in a church suicide attack in Surabaya, East Java, in 2018. Originally published at Christian Today Shameless lie: Xavier Becerra denies existence of law banning partial-birth abortion HHS secretary dodges questions on 'illegal, utterly inhumane' practice Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The nations top health official denied the existence of a federal law that bans partial-birth abortions nationwide during a congressional hearing this week, receiving criticism from a prominent pro-life activist organization. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., asked Health & Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra during Wednesdays House Energy and Commerce Committees Health Subcommittee hearing if the administration would uphold legislation banning partial-birth abortion. Bilirakis also asked Becerra, the former attorney general of California and former member of Congress, if he believed the practice was illegal. We will continue to make sure we follow the law. With due respect, there is no medical term like partial-birth abortion, and so I would probably have to ask you what you mean by that to describe what is allowed by law, Becerra said. Roe v. Wade is very clear. It [set a] precedent that a woman has a right to make decisions about her reproductive health and we will make sure that we enforce the law and protect those rights. When Bilirakis asked again if he agreed with the law banning partial-birth abortion, Becerra responded that there is no law that deals specifically with the term partial-birth abortion. We have clear precedent in the law on the rights that women have to reproductive health care. .@RepGusBilirakis: Will you uphold the law banning Partial-Birth Abortions?@SecBecerra: There is no such law Stop lying. The law passed & Supreme Court upheld it. This law bans killing a child when it is already partially born. You voted AGAINST this law. Shame on you. pic.twitter.com/vESTylewGS Susan B. Anthony List (@SBAList) May 12, 2021 When further questioned on the topic by Rep. John Joyce, R-Pa., Becerra said that his question is not so much with the term partial-birth abortion, [it] is with what the rights are of the woman I will make sure we are providing women with the protections they need on their reproductive rights. He further argued that while the term partial-birth abortion is "recognized in politics, it is not a medically recognized term." "Perhaps if you were to talk about what you probably know as dilation and extraction, which is a procedure used by OB-GYNs like my wife to care for a woman who is having a difficult pregnancy where there is a chance the fetus will not survive, then we can talk about that," he stated. "But what I am saying to you is that under the law, a physician or any provider of healthcare much make sure that he or she abides by the law." Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of leading pro-life advocacy group Susan B. Anthony List, said in a statement that Becerra has no excuse to plead ignorance on the partial-birth abortion topic and said his avoidance of the question was a shameless lie. During his confirmation hearings, Xavier Becerra dodged questions about his stance on partial-birth abortion when an unborn child is partially delivered and then killed deflecting with repeated claims that he would follow the law as head of HHS, Dannenfelser said in a statement. Now the top health official in America, Becerra outright denies the existence of a law banning partial-birth abortion since 2003. Becerra voted against the bill when it passed in the House in 2003 by a vote of 231 to 142. Because of that, Dannenfelser argues that Becerra can hardly plead ignorance on this topic. Additionally, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the law in 2007. This shameless lie is standard for the most radical pro-abortion administration in history, she contends. It should not be hard to recognize that partially delivering a baby and then suctioning his or her brain is not only illegal, but utterly inhumane. The Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003, signed by President George W. Bush, prohibits physicians from deliberately and intentionally performing partial-birth abortions. The legislation argues that a moral, medical, and ethical consensus exists that the practice of performing a partial-birth abortion is a gruesome and inhumane procedure that is never medically necessary and should be prohibited." In a partial-birth abortion, the physician will partially deliver a child and killing it before the full delivery from the mother. The law describes partial-birth abortion as an abortion in which a physician deliberately and intentionally vaginally delivers a living, unborn childs body until either the entire babys head is outside the body of the mother, or any part of the babys trunk past the navel is outside the body of the mother and only the head remains inside the womb. The bill states that the overt act usually results in the puncturing of the back of the child's skull and removing the baby's brains. In a Senate hearing in February, Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, asked Becerra why he voted against the partial-birth abortion ban. Most people would agree that partial-birth abortion is awful, Romney said. Becerra responded by saying that he understands that people have different deeply-held beliefs on this issue, and I respect that. I understand that we may not always agree on where to go, but I think we can find some common ground on these issues, he said. Everyone wants to make sure that if you have an opportunity, you are going to live a healthy life. I think we can reach common ground on many issues, but on partial-birth abortion it sounds like were not going to reach common ground there, Romney responded. At the time, Sen. Mike Braun of Indiana asked Becerra if the administration would commit to not using tax dollars to fund abortions. We will follow the law when it comes to the use of federal resources, he said. There I can make that commitment that we will follow the law. Dannenfelser, who served as the co-chair of the 2016 Trump campaigns pro-life coalition, argued that Becerras responses further reveal the extremism of Biden-Harris Democrats. Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life, said, Becerras answers were disingenuous, evasive at best. The members attempts to have Secretary Becerra clarify his stance on the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act were more revealing of the Secretarys position than the Secretarys ambiguous answers during his Senate confirmation hearings, Tobias said in a statement. As a member of Congress, Secretary Becerra voted against passage of the 2003 Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act. The law passed and was found to be constitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2007. JD Greear, Paul Tripp identify No. 1 issue facing the Church and how pastors should address it Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Paul Tripp and J.D. Greear said that identity is the number one issue facing the Church today and challenged pastors to have joyful courage while speaking biblical truth to a generation that has abandoned these fundamental categories. I think that the number one issue [facing the church] is identity, said Tripp, pastor, author and head of Paul Tripp Ministries, to Greear, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, during a recent episode of the Gospel Coalition podcast. I think the further we get away from a biblical worldview, the further we get away from these wonderful categories that God has given us that help us make sense of who we are and who we are in relation to one another, who we are, gender, sex ... you have this horrible loss of those categories and then people grabbing for categories. I think its one of the reasons why we have all the tribalism that we have now because being part of a tribe gives me identity. This is who I am. This is what Im about. This is the meaning of my life. ... I just think we have to do better at talking about that issue in the way that really speaks to the lostness of people, he added. Tripp called the loss of identity terrifying, adding: I think were going to see that in families, younger children. I think we just exploded things that are fundamental for understanding life, and the church better be ready to deal with that. When it comes to dealing with the issue of identity, Tripp advised pastors to quit assuming that people come into our churches with that in place. I think you go back 50 years, you could make that assumption: People sort of knew who they were. They knew where they fit in Gods economy, he added. People just dont anymore. And theres a way in which, say youre preaching through a passage of scripture, you have to have that in your background. That passage may assume things that you cant assume of your congregation. You have to fill things in, in order to make this particular moment in preaching make sense because of what the people youre preaching to have brought into the room. Greear, pastor of The Summit Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, noted that many large churches and seeker-friendly ministries have a tendency to dumb down Christianity to practical life lessons. But it behooves pastors, he said, to preach the whole counsel of God while also equipping and empowering people to go out and become disciple-making disciples. I think that dichotomy between deep preaching and relevant preaching is youre going to see that go away, not just in the minds of theologians but in the minds of the seekers themselves, he said. Tripp urged pastors to have joyful courage as they address a generation that has abandoned these fundamental categories. Whatever that person is experiencing, its addressed by this incredible Gospel story, he said. Greear added that the Church is going to be challenged to decide who they really are in terms of identity themselves. Christians are Gospel people, and that means that theres a lot of important things that have to give way to the most essential thing, he said. And I think, ... youre just going to find churches that are going to group together around certain political advocacy, certain political things that, again, are good, but theyre just not the most essential Gospel thing. A recent study from Barna found that two-thirds of teens and young adults (65%) agree that many religions can lead to eternal life, compared to 58% of teens and young adults surveyed in 2018. Additionally, 31% of teens and young adults strongly agree that what is morally right and wrong changes over time, based on society, compared to just 25% in 2018. In an interview with The Christian Post, Mark Clark, founding pastor of Village Church in Vancouver, Canada, said that in light of these statistics, the onus is on Christian parents and teachers to have a clear, full picture of Jesus, as the next generation is going to reject Christianity based on how Christians live their lives and the hypocrisy and divisions they see in the church. Depending on our ideological bent, we'll home in on different aspects of Jesus and then ignore other aspects, he said. Yes, Jesus was all about the Golden Rule, but He was also about the scandalous idea that you have to give up your family life if its an idol in order to follow Him. We focus on Jesus saying, I'm the truth and forget that He loved, served, and gave His life for the people and loved the poor and the marginalized and that Christianity actually flourishes among the margins. We need to see Jesus clearly and fill in the pieces weve gotten wrong." Church director, seminary student set to wed in November arrested for child pornography Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Andrew Shiira, once the director of worship planning at Lake Shore Church, was getting ready to graduate from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary on Saturday. A few months later in November, he was expected to move on to wedded bliss with his fiancee, but his life was upended Thursday when he was arrested on 10 counts of child pornography. Shiira, whose father is president of the Hawaii Baptist Academy, was being held at the Orleans Parish Prison after his arrest, according to Baptist Press. Officials there told The Christian Post Friday morning that he was no longer in custody. In a statement released on their website, the NOBTS said they were made aware of criminal online sexual misconduct allegations against Andrew Shiira and were in complete cooperation with law enforcement. We offered any assistance we might provide to complete the investigation. Currently, we have no evidence of any physical harm or sexual harassment pertaining to our campus population by Mr. Shiira, the seminary said in their statement. It further noted that Shiira was dismissed from the school where he previously worked but had resigned before he was criminally charged. A spokesperson told BP that the Master of Divinity degree he would have received on Saturday would no longer be conferred because he failed to meet the degrees requirements. The New Orleans Police Department could not immediately confirm details of the charges Friday, but NOBTS President James "Jamie" K. Dew said the seminary was shocked by the news. We are shocked and grieved to receive this news and will continue to cooperate with law enforcement in this matter. Our counseling services are always available to assist any student, faculty, or staff members impacted by this shocking news and encourage anyone in need of counseling or other forms of assistance to let us know how we can help. We grieve and pray for those who are often overlooked as victims of online sexual crimes. We also pray for everyone who is negatively impacted by this situation, Dew said. An email cited by BP from Lakeshore Church stated that Shiira was not part of their pastoral staff and had no contact with children or students at Lakeshore Church. His work with the church also ended on April 30, and they have no evidence of any physical harm or sexual harassment pertaining to our church congregation by Mr. Shiira. We take this matter very seriously, Lakeshore Church elders said. And will cooperate with appropriate parties throughout any further investigation or review. Church leaders are expected to address the congregation further on Sunday. In a Pacific Connector report in the summer of 2019, Shiira also talked about how he became The Gatherings first worship leader in 2016 when the church started a new Honolulu campus called Citywide. When Pastor James first approached me about planting a church in Honolulu, geared towards college students, I was both excited about the idea and confused that he would ask me, Shiira said. Ive been part of a few church plants before but never in the actual planting and visioning phase. So it was a brand new experience for me, and Im not going to lie, it was hard. When he started his Master of Divinity at NOBTS, Shiira said he felt Gods call toward collegiate, high school or pastoral ministry. You get out of seminary what you put in, Shiira said. You can come to class do your work and pass or you can come to class, do your work and dive deeper, ask questions, seek mentorship and advice and fully immerse yourself where you are, and come out equipped. Pelosi praises Vatican letter on communion for pro-abortion politicians Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., a Roman Catholic, has rejected calls from Catholic bishops to refrain from communion due to her support for abortion, asserting that she can use her own judgment when assessing her worthiness for the Eucharist. At her weekly press conference Thursday, Pelosi was asked by a reporter to react to the fact that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops doesnt want you to receive communion. No, they dont, she replied. I think I can use my own judgment on that. She remarked that she was pleased with what the Vatican put out on that subject, asking the reporter if he read it. When the reporter summarized the document as leaving the matter of whether to give communion to Catholic politicians who support abortion up to the individual priests, Pelosi characterized the message differently. No, it basically said dont be divisive on the subject, she asserted. The exchange comes after Luis Ladaria, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith of the Catholic Church, wrote a letter this month addressing the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The conference had announced that it was considering putting out national guidance advising priests to withhold communion from Catholic politicians who engage in pro-abortion advocacy. Ladaria warned that establishing a national policy on the matter could become a source of discord rather than unity within the episcopate and the larger church in the United States. Ladaria argued that local Ordinaries should engage in dialogue with politicians within their jurisdiction who adopt a pro-choice position regarding abortion legislation, euthanasia, or other moral evils, as a means of understanding the nature of their positions and their comprehension of Catholic teaching. Additionally, Ladaria stressed that any national policy would need to express a true consensus of the bishops on the matter, while observing the prerequisite that any provision of the conference would respect the rights of individual ordinaries in their dioceses and the prerogatives of the Holy See. He also encouraged the bishops to avoid giving the impression that abortion and euthanasia alone constitute the only grave matters of Catholic moral and social teaching that demand the fullest accountability on the part of Catholics. According to Archbishop Joseph Naumann, the chair of the USCCBs Committee on Pro-Life Activities, having a Catholic president who engages in abortion advocacy presents a unique problem for the Catholic Church that the draft document hopes to address. Earlier this month, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, who oversees the Archdiocese of Pelosis hometown of San Francisco, released a letter expressing his view that pro-abortion Catholic politicians should not receive communion. While he did not mention the House speaker by name, Cordileone directed a message to all Catholic politicians who engage in abortion advocacy. If you find that you are unwilling or unable to abandon your advocacy for abortion, you should not come forward to receive Holy Communion, he stated. To publicly affirm the Catholic faith while at the same time publicly rejecting one of its most fundamental teachings is simply dishonest, he added. And please stop pretending that advocating for or practicing a grave moral evil one that snuffs out an innocent human life, one that denies a fundamental human right is somehow compatible with the Catholic faith. It is not. As the Catholic Churchs Code of Canon Law teaches, those obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to holy communion. The debate about whether or not pro-abortion politicians should receive communion has caused division among Church officials. In 2019, a priest in South Carolina refused to give Biden communion as he campaigned in the state, citing his abortion advocacy. But Cardinal Wilton Gregory, who oversees the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, said that he would allow Biden to receive communion despite his position on abortion. A recent poll from the Pew Research Center found that two-thirds of American Catholics agree with Gregorys position, while 29% think that Bidens position on abortion should disqualify him from receiving communion. Pope John Paul II would be 'firmly against' cancel culture: papal expert Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Forty years after the unsuccessful assassination attempt against Pope St. John Paul II, a writer who extensively studied his papacy is encouraging the faithful to embrace the late popes model of forgiveness and reject cancel culture, which he characterized as the opposite of forgiveness. Thursday marked the 40th anniversary of the assassination attempt against Pope St. John Paul II, which took place just six weeks after the newly elected president of the United States, Ronald Reagan, was shot. In an interview with The Christian Post, Patrick Novecosky, a Catholic public speaker and journalist who wrote the book 100 Ways John Paul II Changed the World, reflected on the legacy of John Paul II as well as the state of the Catholic Church and Western society today. As Novecosky explained, on May 13, 1981, Pope St. John Paul II was hit four times, twice in the abdomen, and the [bullets] that struck him in the abdomen were within millimeters of a major artery, so he lost a lot of blood. Despite the pain he was suffering, John Paul II immediately forgave Mehmet Ali Agca, the man who attempted to kill him. As he was being rushed to the hospital, he told his aides, I forgive my assailant, I forgive him from my heart. And he reiterated that ... he actually called him my brother.' I forgive my brother who did this, Novecosky recalled. As he was recovering, he actually lobbied the Italian government to pardon this guy. In addition to forgiving the man who shot him, the late pope later visited him in prison and called for his pardon. He brought a camera crew and a photographer to the Italian prison and instructed the prison that Agca was not to be handcuffed, Novecosky said. He wanted to show the world that forgiveness is not only possible, but its necessary. After John Paul II spent years praying for his assailants conversion, Agca went through a great conversion and became a Christian, and expressed interest in becoming a priest, Novecosky said. After his release from prison, Agca placed white roses at the grave of the man he attempted to kill decades earlier. Novecosky contrasted John Paul IIs spirit of forgiveness with the phenomenon of cancel culture, which he described as the opposite of forgiveness. Cancel culture, he said, Its saying I dont agree with you, I dont want to dialogue with you, I dont want to understand you, I just want you to go away. John Paul II, I believe, if he was alive today, would stand very firmly against that, Novecosky asserted. He would be writing and speaking against that because that is certainly not from God and its certainly from the evil one, because it does not lead to dialogue, it doesnt lead to understanding, it doesnt lead to peace, it leads to division. Were seeing more and more of that in our culture, where the lines of division are being enhanced instead of erased. Cancel culture is not the only source of division within contemporary Western society and the Catholic Church today. Robert Moynihan, the editor of Inside the Vatican magazine, spoke about his conversations with the Vaticans former ambassador to the United States, Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, in a recent interview with CP. Moynihan highlighted Viganos concern about doctrinal abuse within the Catholic Church, which he described as an effort by some Church officials to change the teaching on life issues, on moral issues, on the sacramental issues, and even on the divinity of Christ. He lamented the trend of compromising the Catholic faith in order to reconcile with the pluralistic society of the United States as opposed to upholding the traditional teachings of the Church. In response to this doctrinal abuse, Novecosky said, I think its tragic that some people who call themselves Catholic are divorcing themselves from the teachings of the Catholic faith. He asserted that having people in the Church who are openly hostile to the teachings of the Church sows division. Regarding the ongoing and intensifying debate over whether Catholic politicians who publicly support abortion should receive communion, Novecosky said that by openly advocating for the destruction of human life, these politicians have placed themselves outside of the Church because human life is unique and precious and endowed with an immortal soul from God. He maintained that advocating for its destruction constitutes a serious sin that requires people who have separated themselves from the Body of Christ by taking that position need to refrain from taking Holy Communion. Elected pope in October 1978, John Paul II served as the Bishop of Rome until his death at the age of 84 in April 2005. Novecosky, who met John Paul II five times, recounted his formative first encounter with the late pontiff. Novecoskys meeting with the pope was made possible after he received the grand prize at a 1996 Christmas party, which was a trip for two to Cancun. He told CP that I didnt want to go to Cancun; I wanted to go to Rome. Novecosky traded the tickets to Cancun for a ticket to Rome. His employer at the time, the Marians of the Immaculate Conception in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, suggested that he do some work for them in his capacity as a journalist for the order of priests and brothers magazine. Novecosky accepted an offer from the order to meet with the pope and got to attend a mass with John Paul II in his private chapel, which held about 30 people. Additionally, Novecosky made a presentation to him of my work after that. After meeting the late pope, Novecosky started following him more closely, most recently by publishing his book last year in honor of what would have been the long-serving pontiffs 100th birthday. Novecosky hopes that people will remember Pope St. John Paul II for his passion for evangelization. His work to establish a new evangelization, which was new in ardor, methods, and expression and sought to express the same concepts in a different way that connects with the modern world, was the first of the 100 ways that John Paul II changed the world, as compiled by Novecosky. In his public speaking, Novecosky has stressed the need to usher in an age of heroic Catholicism to replace the age of casual Catholicism. Novecosky told CP that in order for such an age to emerge, we need more people like John Paul II, who are steeped in their faith, who understand it and are able to articulate it to a broad audience with passion and zeal and with charisma. We need more voices to convince the culture that Christianity is the only way that our planet will survive, that humanity will survive because if we are separate from God, then were detached from reality because God is the ultimate reality and the ultimate truth. Jesus said I am the way and the truth and the life. And if you separate yourself from Christ, then its very difficult to recognize truth, its very difficult for someone who is living, in a sense, in an alternate reality because they dont know God. Senior CPC official urges educating political, legal personnel Xinhua) 10:21, May 14, 2021 HANGZHOU, May 13 (Xinhua) -- A senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) has urged efforts to educate the judicial, procuratorial and public-security personnel, as well as to rectify their wrongdoings. Guo Shengkun, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks during an inspection tour to east China's Zhejiang Province from Monday to Thursday. Guo called for stronger capabilities to perform duties, stressing solid legal services to support the country's high-quality development. He also stressed efforts to innovate community-level governance and punish those who damage the ecological environment, in accordance with law. (Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Liang Jun) Christian leaders and pastors are calling on the faithful to offer prayers as the unrest between Israel and Palestine continues in the Middle East. The attacks on Israel that began earlier this week have escalated in waves almost every day since Monday, with Palestine's Hamas attacking Jerusalem with a barrage of rockets. Israel has responded with ground- and air strikes, eliminating a number of top Hamas leaders. The casualties of what the United Nations believe could escalate into a "full-scale war" has risen to over 600. Labeled the worst since 2014, the conflicts between Israel and Palestine began as riots on May 10 at a holy site in East Jerusalem, the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is revered by both Jews and Muslims, BBC reported. The Hamas military group demanded Israeli police to move out of the holy site known as the Temple Mount, but the Israeli refrained, causing the Palestinians to launch an attack. It quickly escalated into a raging exchange of Palestinian rocket fire and Israeli airstrikes. By Thursday evening, Israel's military had eliminated Gaza targets that included intelligence buildings and establishments used by Hamas militants. Gaza's health ministry reported at least 103 people dead amidst the Israel and Palestine conflict, including 27 children. In Israel's Sderot city, a 6 year old boy was killed when a rocket hit his home. The Israeli military is working on a ground attack against the Palestinian Hamas militant group. The unrest between Israel and Palestine's Hamas has caused the cancellation of the historic Jerusalem Day Flag March, which celebrates Israel's unification in 1967. The celebration of the Muslim holiday Eid al-Fitr on May 10 was also met with bleakness in Palestine. Now, several Christian leaders and pastors are calling for prayer among the religious. The Christian Post reported that on Wednesday, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland called for an immediate halt to the tensions between Israel and Palestine, saying that it's "escalating towards a full-scale war." "The cost of war in Gaza is devastating [and] is being paid by ordinary people," Wennesland took to Twitter to say. "UN is working w/ all sides to restore calm. Stop the violence now." Wennesland also called upon the "political, religious and community leaders on all sides to stand firmly against violence, incitement and inflammatory rhetoric," warning that if they let the Israel and Palestine conflict remain "unaddressed," it would "spiral out of control." Meanwhile, Christian leaders and pastors in the U.S took to social media to condemn the conflicts and urge the faithful to pray for Israel. Pastor Tony Evans of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas recounted how he once visited the Middle East and met "many wonderful people," for whom he requested prayers amidst the conflict. Fellowship Church Pastor Ed Young in Grapevine, Texas urged the faithful to "Pray with me. For protection of the innocent. For peace. For loved ones lost. For our leaders. In Jesus name." Evangelist and Samaritan's Purse CEO Franklin Graham took to Facebook to share that he had many friends in Israel who are on both sides of the conflict as Jews and Arabs. The 68-year-old son of the famed evangelist Billy Graham wrote, "People have been killed, families are cowering in fear in bomb shelters, and they need our prayers. As we are commanded in the Scriptures, let us 'pray for the peace of Jerusalem' (Psalm 122:6)." National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference's Pastor Samuel Rodriguez and Harvest Christian Fellowship Pastor Greg Laurie in California also shared similar calls to action to pray for peace in Israel and the Middle East. ELCA becomes first mainline denomination in US to elect transgender bishop Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A regional body of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has elected the first openly transgender bishop in the liberal mainline Protestant denominations history. The Rev. Megan Rohrer, who uses the pronouns of they and them rather than gender-specific terms, was elected Saturday to head the California-based ELCA Sierra Pacific Synod. Rohrer won on the fifth ballot during the online synod assembly, receiving 209 votes and narrowly defeating the Rev. Jeff R. Johnson of Berkeley, California, who received 207 votes. According to a statement released Monday, Rohrer will be installed as synod bishop on Sept. 11 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Walnut Creek, California. The first council of Nicaeas first action was to try to limit the leadership roles of trans pastors and bishops. Im grateful the Lutherans of the @sps_elca are beginning to dismantle this and some of the [] other hurdles BIPOC and LGBTQ pastors encounter, tweeted Rohrer on Sunday. Rohrer presently serves as pastor of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in San Francisco and also serves as Community Chaplain Coordinator for the San Francisco Police Department. All of us are proud of our colleague, Bishop-elect Megan Rohrer, who made history as the first openly transgender person elevated to the role of Bishop by a major Christian denomination in the U.S., tweeted the San Francisco Police Department. Congratulations, Rev. @mmrohrer! Keep doing great things! Others, among them the theologically conservative blog Exposing the ELCA, denounced the election of Rohrer as a complete slap in the face to God. The ELCA is thumbing its nose at God, His Word and Truth and effectively showing that they are part of the uber left and its rejection of Christianity, stated the blog. How can God-fearing, Bible-believing individuals remain in the ELCA? How can churches remain? Mark Tooley, president of the theologically conservative think tank Institute on Religion & Democracy based in Washington, D.C., critiqued the Council of Nicea reference Rohrer made in response to being elected. Claims of suppressing transgender clergy are elusive to history. Rohrer did not cite sources. But presumably Rohrer is referencing Canon 1 from the council declaring eunuchs can be priests unless they castrate themselves, wrote Tooley. Bishop Rohrer says shes glad her liberal Mainline Protestant denomination is beginning to dismantle the injustice at the Council of Nicaea. No doubt much more dismantling must be done before true justice and knowledge can prevail against the external authority of revelation proposed by historic Christianity. Or so the Gnostics, yesterday and today, always proclaim. Although the largest Lutheran denomination in the U.S., the ELCA has had many congregations leave due to its increasingly progressive stances on theology and politics. In 2009, for example, when the denomination voted to allow openly gay individuals to be ordained, hundreds of congregations left the ELCA in protest. In 2013, the Rev. R. Guy Erwin became the first openly gay bishop in the mainline denomination when he was elected to lead the ELCA Southwest California Synod. At the time, the ELCA estimated that it had around 4 million members. According to the announcement of Rorhers recent election, the ELCA has about 3.3 million members. Is the Bible anti-woman? Fox News anchor Shannon Bream responds to misconceptions, explores powerful biblical wisdom Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Fox News @ Night host Shannon Bream is on a mission to shed light on the incredible women who appear throughout the Bible and to respond to any misconceptions people might have about the treatment of females in the New and Old Testaments. Breams new book, The Women of the Bible Speak: The Wisdom of 16 Women and Their Lessons for Today, is one of the most popular and bestselling books in America right now. SUBSCRIBE: LISTEN TO EDIFI WITH BILLY HALLOWELL ON YOUR FAVORITE PLATFORMS I feel like the Lord brought me this opportunity and Im so grateful, Bream recently told the Edifi With Billy Hallowell podcast. The anchor and legal analyst said she was deeply inspired as she dove into biblical stories and noticed some fascinating similarities between womens struggles then and now. Listen at the 18-minute mark to hear Bream break down her take on women in the Bible: When I really started to dig into them I found such solace and encouragement in these womens stories, she said. Their problems really arent that different from what were facing. Queen Esther is among the women whom she explored. Esther, who became queen of the Persian Empire, faced some difficult and life-threatening circumstances, yet persevered. The queen, who was Jewish, stood up and bravely defended her people from annihilation. I love the story of Queen Esther she was an orphan. She was raised without parents, Bream explained. The Jewish people are about to be annihilated. I forgot how many twists and turns there were getting to the end of her story. As for those who believe the Bible is anti-woman, Bream said she hopes to show them evidence that will change their minds, as she covers stories in the Old Testament and the events surrounding Jesus and His treatment of women in the New Testament. We see in the New Testament that women were part of His inner circle they were valued in His sight, Bream said. And He went to people, men and women who were outcasts. She specifically mentioned Jesus showing mercy to the woman who was about to be stoned for adultery as well as His conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well. In both instances, Jesus shows love, kindness and compassion for these women. He esteemed women and respected them, and I think thats all through the Old and the New Testaments about how God favors these women and uses them, Bream said. You can see how God weaves together these stories for good. Bream addressed her Christian faith as well, telling Edifi that she needs the strength of my Savior every day. She said she started becoming stricter with her quiet time and Bible reading during the COVID-19 pandemic, refusing to dive into her phone or email until she spent time reading and in prayer. Bream, who grew up in a Christian home, made her faith her own back in middle school. She then said she realized Jesus is the one who is going to cover my sins. She has been a Christian ever since, adding that its been a rollercoaster, but that God has been with her throughout all of the dark valleys and the good times. Check out Breams new book, The Women of the Bible Speak for more on this topic. Army chaplain punished after Facebook post on transgender military ban appeals reprimand Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A decorated U.S. Army chaplain is appealing actions taken against him that could end his career after he voiced support on his personal social media page for a military policy preventing trans-identified individuals from serving in the military. Chaplain Maj. Andrew Calvert is contesting the reprimand from the U.S. Army after he commented on a Jan. 25 news article about the Biden administrations intentions of dropping President Donald Trumps ban on trans-identified men and women serving in the military. Calvert was issued a General Officer Memorandum of Reprimand (GOMOR) on April 22 after anonymous screenshots were sent to the 3rd Forces Assistance Brigades Facebook account of his Jan. 25 comments. An investigating officer from the brigade determined that he had violated a Defense Department directive and suspended him from his duties. The legal nonprofit First Liberty Institute is representing the chaplain and insisted in a Wednesday letter to commanding officer Lt. Gen. Robert P. White that the chaplain did nothing wrong, particularly because his post included a disclaimer indicating that these were his personal opinions and not to be taken as representative of the U.S. Army or Department of Defense. But Calverts attorney argues that the adverse actions taken against Calvert violated Defense Department regulations and the U.S. Constitution as it was a retaliation for expressing a religious viewpoint on a matter of public concern. It is wildly inappropriate and offensive for Colonel Trotter, Headquarters Commander for 3d SFAB, to state his personal opinion that this has nothing to do with violating or infringing on [Chaplain Calverts] religious beliefs as the basis for issuing a GOMOR, First Liberty Institute General Counsel Mike Berry wrote in the May 12 letter. Although Chaplain Calverts sincerely held religious beliefs might overlap with what some view as political issues, service members are permitted to express their opinions on such matters. As a reminder, Chaplain Calvert merely expressed his sincerely held religious belief that was, at the time he expressed it, wholly consistent with DoD policy. The letter argued that the action is duplicitous given how active duty service members marched in uniform, carrying gay pride and transgender flags in a 2019 parade to oppose the Trump-era prohibition. Clearly, if uniformed, active duty service members are permitted to express political opposition to their commander-in-chiefs policy, an active duty chaplain may express support for that same policy, Berry asserted. First Liberty requested that the reprimand be withdrawn and vowed to take the legal steps to defend Calverts rights if the reprimand is not lifted. Calvert is a recipient of the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal. In the Facebook post in question, Calvert asked: How is rejecting reality [biology] not evidence that a person is mentally unfit [ill], and thus making that person unqualified to serve." There is little difference in this than over those who believe and argue for a flat earth, despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary," Calvert wrote in a Jan. 28 comment, according to Army Times. The motivation is different but the argument is the same. This person is a MedBoard for Mental Wellness waiting to happen. What a waste of military resources and funding! According to First Liberty Institute, the investigation into Calvert's online activities concluded that Calvert violated Army policy banning "online misconduct" for making disparaging terms to discriminate against transgender persons. In addition, the investigation found that he violated a Defense Department directive limiting political activity by active-duty troops. The Army Times, which obtained a copy of the reprimand, reports that the investigating officer pointed to other Facebook comments posted by Calvert. However, it is not clear what he wrote in those posts. Survivor wants Atlanta spa shooter charged with killing 8 to be ultimately judged' by God Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Elcias Hernandez-Ortiz, the only person to survive being shot by Robert Aaron Long, 22, during a March shooting spree that left eight people dead at three massage parlors in Georgia, says he wants him to be ultimately judged" by God after a prosecutor announced she plans to seek the death penalty for his crimes. I dont want the world to hear me saying that he should or shouldnt die, Hernandez-Ortiz told WSBTV Wednesday through his translator and attorney Doug Rohan. Hernandez-Ortiz said he was at Youngs Asian Massage in Cherokee County on March 16 when he came face to face with Long. I heard the shots fired as I was inside the room. I opened the door. I could see the victims. I saw the attacker and I looked at him eye to eye. I begged him not to shoot me, he said. Long reportedly shot Hernandez-Ortiz in his face and the bullet traveled through his throat and lodged into his stomach. People dont typically get shot in the face and survive, without there being a miracle. So I want him to also understand the miracle of God, and ultimately be judged by that God, Hernandez-Ortiz said. I dont have any hate in my heart toward the attacker, but certainly at the end of the day, I want to see justice done. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis announced at a news conference Tuesday that she plans to get justice for four of Longs victims killed at two of the Atlanta-area spas: Suncha Kim, 69; Soon Chung Park, 74; Hyun Jung Grant, 51; and Yong Ae Yue, 63. "Last year, I told the voters of Fulton County that I could not imagine a circumstance where I would seek [the death penalty]," Willis said during a press briefing Tuesday cited by ABC News. "Unfortunately, a case has arisen in the first few months of my term that I believe warrants the ultimate penalty, and we shall seek it." Willis also noted that she would seek hate crime charges in the case because six of the victims were Asian women, while two were white. Long was further indicted by a separate grand jury in Cherokee County Tuesday for the shooting at Youngs Asian Massage that claimed the lives of Xiaojie "Emily" Tan, 49; Daoyou Feng, 44; Delaina Yaun, 33; and Paul Michels, 54. Hernandez-Ortiz was the only shooting victim to survive. Six others were present at the time of the shooting but were not hurt. The Washington Post reported that Gold Spa, one of the businesses attacked, had been the subject of prostitution stings by the Atlanta Police Department. The newspaper obtained police reports indicating that police conducted seven undercover stings at Gold Spa and made 10 arrests during a two-year period from 2011 to 2013. A spokesperson for the Cherokee County District Attorney D.A. Shannon Wallace told WSBTV that she will make a decision on whether to pursue the death penalty before Longs arraignment. Cherokee has traditionally been very conservative, and the death penalty is viewed as a conservative issue, so I have every expectation that Cherokee will likely announce they are going down the same path, said Rohan. Dana Toole whose sister, Delaina Yaun, was killed at Youngs Asian Massage, said if the death penalty is the best option for justice in this case, and she will not oppose it even though she knows Longs death wont bring her sister back. It wont bring her back, I just put it in Gods hands, because its not my choice to take another life, Toole told WSBTV. What is justice in this case? Making sure he stays where hes at. If the death penalty is proceeded forward, then so be it. Prior to the shootings, Long was a devout member of Crabapple First Baptist Church in Milton, Georgia, where he worshiped with his family and was a youth leader years earlier. Tyler Bayless, who said he lived with Long in an Atlanta halfway house for recovering addicts named Maverick Recovery in late 2019 and early 2020, said the former youth worker confessed to struggling with sexual sins he committed at massage parlors and doesnt believe his actions were racially motivated. I lived with Robert Aaron Long for a few months. I can tell you right now that this is not racially motivated killing, but the product of an emotionally disturbed young man who was religious to the point of mania and who felt deep shame about why he frequented these places, Tyler Bayless revealed in a Facebook post in March. I wonder how this would have gone if he had been in an environment where he wasnt repeatedly told how sinful he was for the things that drove him. What a tragic loss of life, and a kid that was all around one of the sweeter people youd meet. Shortly after the shooting, Crabapple First Baptist Church announced that they rescinded Longs church membership. We want to be clear that this extreme and wicked act is nothing less than rebellion against our Holy God and His Word, a statement from the church said. Aarons actions are antithetical to everything that we believe and teach as a church. In the strongest possible terms, we condemn the actions of Aaron Long as well as his stated reasons for carrying out this wicked plan. The church did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Christian Post Thursday on the death penalty being sought for Long. Children's hospital study: Excessive screen time changes brains of kids Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment New research out of a prominent children's hospital in Ohio has found that too much time in front of digital screens fundamentally changes parts of the brain. Published in JAMA Pediatrics, researchers from the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center conducted the study on 47 healthy local children ages 3 to 5 through cognitive testing and magnetic resonance imaging of their brains. The research did not show how excessive use of digital devices where kids are in front of screens changed the brain, but it did reveal that skills like brain processing speed were affected. Screen-based media use is prevalent and increasing in homes, childcare and school settings at ever younger ages, said Dr. John Hutton, who authored the study and is the director of the Reading & Literacy Discovery Center at Cincinnati Childrens Hospital. "These findings highlight the need to understand effects of screen time on the brain, particularly during stages of dynamic brain development in early childhood, so that providers, policymakers and parents can set healthy limits, he said. The researchers assessed screen time using the guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics, which recommends that children younger than 18 months should avoid all screen media except for video chatting and that parents should actively monitor digital media intake and watch it with their children. "The children in the Cincinnati study completed standard cognitive tests and a special test called diffusion tensor MRI, which estimates white matter integrity in the brain," Cincinnati.com reported. "Researchers gave the parents in the study a 15-item screening tool based on the AAP's media recommendations. Those scores were matched to the cognitive test scores and the MRI measures, controlling for age, gender and household income." The research found that those who received higher scores on the screening tool were significantly associated with lower expressive language, ability to name objects quickly processing speed and early reading skills. Higher scores also were linked with lower brain white matter integrity, which affects organization and myelination. Myelination is the process whereby myelin sheaths form around the nerves to allow impulses to move more quickly, in brain tracts involving language, executive function and other literacy skills. While we cant yet determine whether screen time causes these structural changes or implies long-term neurodevelopmental risks, these findings warrant further study to understand what they mean and how to set appropriate limits on technology use, Hutton stated. He added that follow-up research is underway including a study showing the positive links between home reading practices and brain development in preschoolers, research that builds on other studies his team has published since 2015. The study on very young children comes as psychologists have been warning for several years about the mental health crisis besetting teens and young adults. A July 2017 article in Psychology Today documented that relevant survey data shows that approximately half of Generation Z, sometimes referred to as iGen, are addicted to their phones. The article's author, Glenn Geher, chair of the psychology department at SUNY-New Paltz, conducted a study with one of his students in which he surveyed 200 students. Fifty-nine percent of them reported having at some point been diagnosed with a psychological disorder, he noted. Technology is partly to blame, he believes, considering: the kind of communication that takes place on it is often mean-spirited and hurtful, cell phones are indeed addicting, and technology takes kids away from outdoor activities, all of which compound the problem. "A standard finding in the social psychological literature is that people act in a relatively anti-social manner when their identities are covered up when they are acting anonymously," Geher said, adding how easy that is to do on the Internet. Democrats slam 'unjustifiable' Hamas rocket attacks on Israel: 'Must be condemned' Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment American politicians on both sides of the aisle have voiced support for Israel after Hamas missile attacks on Monday were met with airstrikes on the Gaza Strip following a day in which hundreds of rioters were injured in clashes with police in Jerusalem. Islamic militant group Hamas fired hundreds of rockets into Israel, killing at least three people and wounding dozens. An Israeli Defense Forces spokesperson called the Hamas airstrikes a blatant, severe attack." In response, airstrikes by IDF targeting militants in Gaza killed at least 28 people, including 10 children and some civilians. Dozens of the Hamas-fired missiles were intercepted by Israels Iron Dome air defense system. RAW FOOTAGE: This is the moment the Iron Dome intercepted a barrage of rockets over Tel Aviv and central Israel. pic.twitter.com/8jl8OTgWCl Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) May 11, 2021 Hamas also fired missiles into Jerusalem for the first time since 2014, as the city was celebrating Jerusalem Day and the unification of the Holy City. The Hamas attacks came after a weekend of escalating tension and violence in Jerusalems Old City, the home to some of the holiest sites for Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Israelis and Palestinians both claim Jerusalem as their capital. U.S. House Minority Leader Kevin, R-Calif., defended Israels retaliation against the Hamas missile attacks and assured that the U.S. stands with Israel. Israel has every right to defend itself against violence and the barrage of rockets from Hamas, McCarthy tweeted on Monday. The United States unequivocally stands with our ally Israel and the Jewish people. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., who has been historically supportive of Israel, also tweeted in Israels support after the missile attacks. Israel unequivocally has the right to defend itself & its people, & I condemn today's unjustifiable attacks by Hamas against innocent civilians, Hoyer tweeted. Israelis & Palestinians both deserve a future of peace & security, & I hope both sides take positive steps to promote that end. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued a statement calling out politicians and the Biden administration, who have at times falsely, shamefully, and without justification singled out Israel for blame. "The United States must stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the people and government of Israel, and I will work with my colleagues to ensure they have the support they need as they defend their sovereignty and respond to these attacks, Cruz wrote. Former Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang and candidate for mayor of New York City also tweeted in support of Israel. I'm standing with the people of Israel who are coming under bombardment attacks, and condemn the Hamas terrorists, he wrote. The people of NYC will always stand with our brothers and sisters in Israel who face down terrorism and persevere. Cruz commended Yang for opposing the rabidly pro-Hamas & anti-Israel attacks of two Democratic congresswomen. President Joe Biden has not made a statement regarding the attacks. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters that the White House has serious concerns about the situation and is closely monitoring the violence. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan spoke with his Israeli counterpart, Meir Ben-Shabbat, on Sunday. Psaki stated that Sullivan "reiterated concerns about the potential evictions of Palestinian families from their homes, and they agreed that the launching of rocket attacks and sending incendiary balloons from Gaza towards Israel is unacceptable, and must be condemned." Some Democrats, however, such as Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich. and Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., have criticized Israels retaliation against the Hamas attacks. Omar called Israels airstrikes that killed civilians an act of terrorism. Tlaib, a Palestinian American, tweeted that the aid Congress sends to support the IDF should be conditioned, accusing Israel of committing human rights violations. The Israel military called up 5,000 reservists for active duty as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Israel would increase both the intensity of the attacks and the rate of attacks, NBC News reported. IDF tweeted on Tuesday that for the past 18 hours, Hamas, an Iran-supported Palestinian terrorist organization that controls the Gaza Strip, had fired one rocket into Israel every three minutes as the attacks continued. IDF responded to the Hamas attacks by bombing over 100 targets in Gaza, including a Hamas commanders home. The traditional Jerusalem Day Flag March had to be rerouted Monday due to the riots and violence near the Temple Mount and a weekend of escalating tension. Hamas said the rocket attacks were in response to Israeli crimes and aggression in Jerusalem. Idaho defunds Planned Parenthood, abortion providers; Gov. Little signs pro-life law Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Idaho has adopted a new law defunding abortion providers and banning them from receiving contracts to teach sex education in public schools, ensuring that no state and local dollars are allocated to promote or perform abortion. House Bill 220, No Public Funds For Abortion Act, was signed into law Monday by Gov. Brad Little, a Republican. The measure defunds outfits such as Planned Parenthood but excepts publicly-funded hospitals and abortions funded with Medicaid. The measure also bars school districts and public colleges from entering into contracts for abortion organizations to teach sex education and also stops public colleges and universities from providing abortifacient drugs to end a pregnancy after conception. Such drugs and abortion counseling are presently offered at Boise State University, the University of Idaho and Idaho State University through their student health centers, according to the social conservative activist group Family Policy Alliance of Idaho. Family Policy Alliance of Idaho Executive Director Blaine Conzatti praised the bills signing. Defunding Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers was one of our top priorities when legislative session began earlier this year, Conzatti said in a statement emailed to The Christian Post. Idahoans dont want their state or local governments sending their hard-earned money to abortion providers and they certainly dont want abortionists providing services and promoting abortion in our public schools and universities. Conzatti added that abortion should never be subsidized with our tax dollars and Idaho public school students should never learn about sexuality from the abortion industry. The No Public Funds For Abortion Act protects students, vulnerable women, and hard-working taxpayers from the Big Abortion lobby, the pro-life activist argues. We are excited that Gov. Brad Little signed this important pro-life reform that protects taxpayer assets from abortion providers who have benefitted from government largesse for too long." Opponents of the bill argue that it will prohibit many women from getting cancer screenings, birth control and other forms of health care because it could shut down clinics affiliated with abortion organizations. Idaho is a state with healthcare shortages, Democratic Rep. Chris Mathias said, according to The Associated Press. We dont have enough primary care physicians. We dont have enough nurses. We dont have enough hospitals in the right places. We dont have enough beds. We dont have enough people with health insurance or enough health insurance to get them the adequate care that they need. Rep. Bruce Skaug sponsored the legislation in the House of Representatives. The bill was passed through the lower legislative chamber by a vote of 55-14. Three Republicans and 11 Democrats voted against the measure. We anticipate, with the new presidential administration, that Title X [family planning] funds will start flowing to abortion-friendly counseling centers, family planning-type clinics, and this would prevent that, Skaug said, according to Life News. Its going to save some children from abortion. I have no doubt about that. If I could save all the children from abortion with a bill, I would do it. But the political and legal realities will not allow us to have a bill to pass and be successful for that. The new law also prohibits the city of Boise from contracting with organizations that provide abortion-related services after a transitional report issued to Mayor Lauren McLean last year recommended that the city offer free contraception, abortion and reproductive healthcare for all of its residents. Planned Parenthood is the largest abortion provider in the United States. Its latest annual report documents that the group performed a record 354,871 abortions in 2019, representing approximately 41% of procedures nationwide. Tenn. gov. signs bill requiring burial, cremation of aborted babies' remains Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has signed into law a bill requiring the burial or cremation of aborted babies' remains, one of many pro-life bills enacted in the state in recent years. Lee signed the "Unborn Child Dignity Act" into law last week. The bill declares that final disposition of fetal remains from a surgical abortion at an abortion facility must be by cremation or interment. The mother has the option to decide where she wants the remains disposed but if she declines to state a preference, the decision is left to the abortion facility. The legislation, which will go into effect July 1, requires abortion facilities to pay for and provide for the cremation or interment of the fetal remains from a surgical abortion performed at that facility unless the aborted babys mother requests that the remains be disposed at a location other than one provided by an abortion facility. In a statement following Lees approval of the Unborn Child Dignity Act, Republican state Sen. Janice Bowling, who sponsored the Senate version of the legislation, remarked: Its a tragedy in Tennessee that we regulate how veterinarians properly dispose of the remains of animals, but there are no regulations regarding human babies. These are the remains of human beings and should be treated as such. This new law corrects that oversight and ensures that the remains of unborn children are treated with dignity. Last month, the bill passed the Tennessee Senate by a vote of 27-6 and the House of Representatives approved it by a vote of 69-22. The pro-life group Tennessee Right to Life praised the bills enactment as an example of how life continues to win in the great state of Tennessee. Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and North Mississippi raised concerns that the Unborn Child Dignity Act would create trauma for our patients and additional, unnecessary post-surgical steps and costs for our affiliate. The abortion provider and advocacy group characterized the bill as a clear attempt to shame people choosing abortion. Francie Hunt, the executive director of Tennessee Advocates for Planned Parenthood, slammed the legislation as nothing more than targeted regulation at abortion providers aimed at closing @PPFA and it gives extremists a way to make every patient feel ashamed about their decision. In a separate tweet, Hunt described the Unborn Child Dignity Act as an example of Tennessees forced birth agenda. Tennessee is not the first state to enact a law requiring the humane disposal of aborted babies' remains. When former Vice President Mike Pence served as governor of Indiana, he signed into law a measure that required the cremation or burial of aborted babies. The Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals struck down the law as unconstitutional, however. In 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed the lower courts decision, allowing the Indiana law to remain in place. Late last year, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed into law a similar measure in his state that was later blocked by a judge just a day before it was scheduled to go into effect. In addition to the fetal remains bill, Tennessee has enacted several other pro-life laws in recent years, most notably a ban on the abortion of babies based on a diagnosis of Down syndrome or race or sex. The law included a provision that would ban abortions after a babys heartbeat can be detected, usually around six weeks gestation. The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals allowed the law to go into effect, reversing an order by a lower court preventing the state from enforcing it. Previously, in 2015, Tennessee implemented a 48-hour waiting period for those seeking abortions that was later credited for reducing the abortion rate by 6%. While the law found itself subject to court challenges, the Sixth Circuit ruled just last month that it could go back into effect, reversing a lower court decision. The Revival We Need Oh, that You would rend the heavens! That You would come down! That the mountains might shake at Your presence! (Isaiah 64:1) Our space-time universe is held together by a spiritual universe at its core. In that spiritual realm, Scripture reveals the existence of an epic battle. The battle rages between good and evil, light and darkness, God and the devil, angels and demons. That fierce battle in the invisible supernatural realm spills over into our visible natural realm every single day. Revival remains one of the mightiest weapons in Gods arsenal. Since there has been no nationwide American revival in about a century and a half, our institutional memory of the subject is understandably dim. Perhaps I can shed a little light on it with a first-hand description. This is taken from the journal of an uneducated farmer named Nathan Cole. Cole describes his reaction upon hearing that George Whitefield would soon be preaching. Its a long quote, but really gives you an idea of the intensity of revival. [Spelling and grammar remain largely uncorrected.] Now it pleased God to send Mr Whitefield into this land. I longed to see and hear him... and then one morning all on a sudden there came a messenger and said mr whitefield is to preach at Middletown this morning at 10 o'clock. I was in my field at work. I dropt my tool that i had in my hand and run home and throu my house and bade my wife to get ready quick to go and hear mr whitefield preach... and run to my pasture for my horse with all my might fearing i should be too late to hear him and took up my wife and went forward as fast as I thought the horse could bear and when my horse began to be out of breath i would get down and put my wife on the saddel and bid her ride as fast as she could and not stop or slack for me except i bade her, and so i would run until I was almost out of breath and then mount my horse again... fearing we should be too late to hear the sermon for we had twelve miles to ride dubble in little more than an hour. i saw before me a cloud or fog i first thought of from the great river but as i came nearer the road i heard a noise something like a low rumbling thunder and i presently found out it was the rumbling of horses feet coming down the road and this Cloud was a Cloud of dust made by the running of horses feet. It arose some rods into the air over the tops of the hills and trees and when i came within about twenty rods of the road i could see men and horses slipping along - it was more like a steady streem of horses and their riders scarecely a horse more than his length behind another -- i found a vacance between two horses to slip in my horse and my wife said law our cloaths will be all spoiled see how they look ["Lord, our clothes..."] - and when we gat down to the old meeting house thare was a great multitude it was said to be 3 or 4000 and when i looked towards the great river i see the fery boats running swift forward and backward - when i see mr whitefield come up upon the scaffold he looked almost angellical a young slim slender youth before thousands of people and with a bold undainted countenance and my hearing how god was with him everywhere as he came along it solemnized my mind and put me in a trembling fear before he began to prach for he looked as if he was Clothed with authority from the great god and a sweet solemnity sat upon his brow and my hearing him preach gave me a heart wound and by god's blessing my old foundation was broken up and i see my righteousness would not save me.1 This is what happens in times of revival. Satan cant hold back the flood of interest in the gospel of Christ. Unusual crowds, displaying divine intensity, rush to salvation, and the consequence is a radically transformed culture. The burden of this book is that our culture has passed a tipping point. We have lurched into the land of godlessness. I lay much of this cultural rot at the feet of the church. I dont think anyone or anything can fix us, apart from the power of God in revival. When God reawakens the church, he breaks through the hardness of heart that rationalizes a life with God on the periphery. He points to sins embraced and excused, and he brings about repentance. He convicts of broken relationships, bitterness, vengeance, racism, sexism, greed all the sins that push people apart and damage a world already in trouble. In revival, God reawakens the Christian conscience. He fast-tracks the divine purposes of grace-inspired repentance, grace-powered holiness, reconciliation, and restoration. Revival starts here, in the church. But it isn't revival until lots and lots of people are getting saved. Yes, God first awakens his church, but revival doesnt stop there. Revival impacts the world. I am suggesting that revival is our only hope to counteract the levels of chaos we see. Americas three Great Awakenings Planted the seeds to eventually abolish slavery Turned addicts and alcoholics into faithful fathers and mothers Strengthened families Ushered in child labor laws Emptied out the saloons Emptied out the brothels Instilled a work ethic into society And on and on Biblical Christianity created the kindest, most generous, most life-affirming culture history has known, despite its many imperfections. Revivals set America on a biblical and Christian foundation, and that foundation created the most free and affluent nation in the history of the world. The more we turn our backs on our Christian foundation, the faster we will race downhill toward a societal cliff. In this chapter, Id like to think through some theological issues around the topic of revival. What Causes Revival? There has been a long-running tug of war over what causes revival. In the 1800s, an evangelist named Charles Finney burst on the scene. Finney is the preacher who paved the way for evangelists a century later like D.L. Moody, Billy Sunday, and even Billy Graham. Finney was trained as a lawyer, so when he preached, he knew how to make his case. Together with several other evangelical leaders, his religious views led him to promote social reforms, such as anti-slavery and equal education for women and African Americans. He was president of a college which accepted students without regard to race or sex. Under his leadership, the faculty and students were activists for abolition of slavery, for the Underground Railroad, and for universal education. In 1935, Finney published his very influential Lectures on Revivals of Religion. Finney presented a controversial view of revival. He said that revival is the predictable outcome of the church taking predictable steps. If Christians do xyz, God sends down revival. He writes, You see why you have not a revival. It is only because you do not want one. Because you are neither praying for it, nor feeling anxious for it, nor putting forth efforts for it. I appeal to your own consciences: Are you making these efforts now, to promote a revival? Finneys views represented a radical change in the understanding of revival. His views are called revivalism, which is not the same as revival. Finney argued that revival comes through the consecration and prayers of the church. He maintained that revival was the predictable outcome of certain steps that Christians can take. By inference, he argued, if there is no revival, it is because Gods own people are not taking the required steps. That was a major shift in thinking. Before Finney, revivals were largely understood as the sovereign work of God. Only God could decide when and where to send a revival. We could and should pray and prepare and consecrate, but, in the end, it is always Gods choice. One author describes the earlier view, and in my theology, the correct view, like this: Therefore, they preached the gospel, pleaded with sinners, and prayed for fruit like they had for years; and for reasons known only to God, he sometimes blessed these labours remarkably, and sometimes he didnt. These revivals, in other words, were neither planned by men nor achieved by men. They did not involve any unusual or novel evangelistic techniques. They were understood, therefore, to be gifts of God.2 What Causes Revival? A revival is the sovereign choice of God, given to turn around a nation, or a society in the grip of Satans lies, and deliver them to awakened levels of faith and remarkable inflow of new believers in Jesus. Its Gods call. We cant manipulate it. We cant manufacture it. We cant schedule it. We cant work it up. Pray for revival? Yes. Long for revival? Yes. But its Gods call, not ours. Revivals yes. Revivalism, no thank you. What is the Core of Revival? What I suggest here will be a surprise to most readers. The burden is on me to make the case biblically. The burden is on you to think about it and to decide for yourself. Heres my thesis: The core of Revival is the coming of Jesus in power and glory. Let me illustrate. When you go to the movies, before the featured attraction starts, you will endure or enjoy twenty minutes of coming attractions. Coming attractions are mini-previews of upcoming movies. They are supposed to make you excited about the main event. Applied to revival, the main event is the Second Coming of Christ. That day is coming. We believe Jesus is coming again. He is coming in clouds of glory, and his coming will be amazing. I suggest that every revival is a mini-preview of the Second Coming of Jesus in power and glory. And, like a movies coming attraction, revival is supposed to make you excited for the main event. In an earlier chapter, I described what I see as the demise of interest in the Second Coming. I called it an eschatology appendectomy. It could be that revival tarries because the church isnt interested in the main event. Why should God show us the previews if weve already decided the movie isnt worth watching? This tie-in between revival and the return of the Lord also explains why so many Bible verses about the second coming of Christ can do double duty as prayers for, or promises concerning revival. Oh, that You would rend the heavens! That You would come down! That the mountains might shake at Your presence-- (Isaiah 64:1) Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the LORD, Till He comes and rains righteousness on you. (Hosea 10:12) And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants, I will pour out My Spirit in those days. And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: Blood and fire and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD. And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved. (Joel 2:28-32) The Day of Pentecost Joels prophecy makes the case for my premise. After Jesus died and rose again, he issued final teachings to those earliest believers. Then he ascended, rising up into heaven before their sight, and waving goodbye to his tiny, fledgling church. Fifty days later, the Jews celebrated one of their most important festivals, called the Feast of Pentecost. For this feast, Jews traveled from all over the world to come to Jerusalem. At this time, they were still scattered throughout countless nations, and though they were Jewish, they spoke countless different languages. Early that day, about 120 believers in Jesus gathered in a small upstairs room, called the Upper Room. All of a sudden, this happened: And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues [languages], as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:2-4) May I remind you of our definition of revival: Revival is a sudden and intense work of God in the church so startling that it grabs the attention of the onlooking world, resulting in unusually large numbers of lost people coming to faith in Christ. Revival starts when God does something remarkable in the church, among his own people, among us. That is exactly what he did on the day of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit came down with power on the early believers. This was not the first time Gods people encountered the Holy Spirit, but Ill save that for another book. They started speaking in tongues, which, in this case, means languages. These were recognizable languages the believers had never studied, never learned, and never before knew how to speak. This work of God in the church was so startling that it grabbed the attention of the onlooking world. And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and was confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs--we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God. So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, Whatever could this mean? Others mocking said, They are full of new wine. (Acts 2:5-13) God did something to Christians that grabbed the attention of non-Christians. Lord, send revival! What might he do today? A miracle like a new knowledge of unstudied languages is not out of the question. Or a new spirit of sacrifice and love. Or of grace and generosity. Of holiness, empowered by grace. Of wisdom in proclaiming the gospel. Of boldness in proclaiming the gospel. Of humility and fear of the Lord. Of the church being distinctly different in our morality, purity, and love. I dont know what it will take for our generation. But for the Acts 2 generation, the world took notice. Peter stood up to preach. But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: And it shall come to pass in the last days, [emphasis added] says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. (Acts 2:16, 17) Peter goes on to quote the whole paragraph from Joel, eight centuries earlier. Over here are Christians speaking in tongues, over there are unbelieving Jews from all across the known world, and overall of it is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, even as Peter quotes a verse about the last days, about the time of the Second Coming of Christ, and saying, this is that This is what Joel was speaking about. But wait, wasnt Joel speaking of the last days? A revival is, at heart, a mini-preview of the coming of the Lord. And that is why the same Scriptures that speak of Christs return also do a great job describing revival. The most overlooked truth of Acts chapter 2, and the day of Pentecost, is that this is above all else, a revival. The key figure in revival is not the Holy Spirit, but the Lord Jesus Christ. We do not pray for the coming of the Spirit, as is so often seen in our churches today. We already have the fulness of Gods Spirit. Instead, we pray and work that the name of Jesus Christ would be exalted and lifted up. This is exactly what Peter preached on the day of Pentecost. He preached Christ. The consequence was magnificent: Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. (Acts 2:41) To my mind, the salvation of three thousand souls in a day is a far greater miracle than 120 souls speaking in tongues. The eternal consequences are of infinitely greater magnitude. It isnt revival until unusually large numbers of lost people come to faith in Christ. This is what happened at Pentecost. This is the wonder of Acts 2. It is the wonder of every revival. Imagine those 3,000 new believers, fanning out across the globe as they returned home, telling and retelling the story of the gospel of grace in all the tongues of Pentecost. Please, God, send revival. Wouldnt it be amazing to see God reach down into your life, and my life, and our church, and our land? Wouldnt it be amazing to live through a moment in which God did such a work of purifying, and empowering, and emboldening that we could not help but speak the wonderful works of his grace? Can you imagine a church so on fire for grace and truth that in one day, 3,000 souls are added to the family of faith and thousands more are influenced by their testimony? What Keeps Revival on Course? We need revival. Lord, send revival. But before God sends revival, he has to send something else, or else the revival brings more shame to the name of Christ than it brings glory. That something else is a return to Biblical foundations. This is the passion and purpose of Veritas School of Biblical Ministry. We live in an era when the biblical foundations of the church have been shaken and fractured in so many ways. Biblical illiteracy is at an all-time high among church people. Emotionalism. Activism. Experientialism. Subjectivism. A weird and irrational concept of tolerance. An increasing mash-up between Christian truth and secular error, mixed up in a stew called syncretism. Postmodernism, the opiate of liberal theologians, has stretched its tentacles everywhere. Wokeness is invading our churches and our seminaries, redefining the gospel, choking evangelism, and swamping the teaching of Gods Word. The consequence is the chaos we see in culture, and the doctrines of demons spread everywhere, like candy. Revival has a cousin, and that cousin is called Reformation. Reformation is the work of God as he rebuilds the biblical foundations of the church, tears down demonic structures of deception and error, and restores the authority of Scripture and the knowledge of the gospel among his own people. To summarize, Revival is somewhat emotional, Reformation intellectual. Revival is heat, reformation is light. The first urgent requirement to deliver the church from her chaotic condition is a thoroughgoing theological Reformation. We stand in desperate need of a penitent return to the Bible and our first principles. Revival is like a fast-flowing river. Reformation provides the banks that keep the river in check and prevent destruction. I pray for revival. I preach and teach for revival. But that revival must be founded on, and be the fruit of, a theological reformation that will hem in its excesses. I shudder to think of a revival without a reformation, especially in our loosey-goosey theological times. This is why Veritas School exists. Our Urgent Need I see no other solution to the chaotic condition of the world today than a divine intervention in the form of reformation and revival. I have never been part of a revival. I have never seen one. My late colleague, Paul Edwardson a statesman-evangelist of my denomination spoke often of some precious experiences of revival. There is a palpable work of God, unusual in impact and feel. There are tears. There is renewed consecration. Relationships are restored. Reconciliation effected. Sins renounced. Long-forgotten truths embraced. A path of spiritual growth toward maturity is embarked upon. A newfound zeal for evangelism is born, and so many people come to Christ that the region is changed, and the change is long-lasting. As Martyn Lloyd-Jones taught us, The church has ordinary days and extraordinary days. Most of them are ordinary. When the extraordinary becomes ordinary, it ceases to be extraordinary. So much for the teaching of continual revival. Theres no such thing. Most days are ordinary. In those ordinary days, we preach, we minister, we serve, we pray, we strive, and we grow. In ordinary days, we must stay faithful. But we can hope and pray for extraordinary seasons because thats when a downpour of reformation and revival changes everything. 1 [Arnold Dallimore, George Whitefield, vol 1, p. 541]. 2 Finney, Lectures of Revival on Religion (1835). # # # This is an excerpt from the book Chaos: As Goes the Church, So Goes the World, by Bill Giovannetti *The Veritas School Master of Ministry Certification offers the same masters level instruction taught in other schools. This program is not certified by a certifying agency. Israel is working on a major ground offensive against the Hamas military group on the Gaza frontier following non-stop rocket attacks in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) recounts that as of writing time, there have been more than 1,700 rockets fired into Israel since the attacks began on Monday. This marks the first time missiles were fired into Jerusalem since 2014. According to the Christian Post, Israel's military is considering a ground campaign in the Gaza Strip, which was presented to the IDF General Staff on Thursday. The IDF confirmed both air and ground offensive troops attacking the Gaza Strip via Twitter as of early Friday morning. Over 9,000 reservists were also called to action by Israel's Defense Minister Benny Gantz, AP reported. Meanwhile, the Hamas militant group continues to target Jerusalem and Tel Aviv with rockets. On Thursday, the Palestinian launched another wave of a hundred rockets as tensions escalated. In retaliation, IDK launched airstrikes into the Gaza Strip, killing 16 Hamas leaders. The latest death toll as of Friday morning is 109 Palestinians, with 28 children and 15 women and over 600 wounded in the conflicts. Israel claimed a small victory when forces eliminated top Hamas commander Iyad Fathi Faik Sharir during an air strike. "We just killed the commander of the Hamas anti-tank missile unit, Iyad Fathi Faik Sharir. He was in charge of carrying out anti-tank missile attacks on Israel," the IDF took to Twitter to announce on Tuesday. "Our aircraft are currently striking additional terror targets in Gaza." The IDF also took to Twitter to share a collage of several top Hamas and Islamic Jihad leaders and terrorists, all of which have been eliminated. The IDF declared, "They were responsible for the rocket attacks against Israel in the last 72 hours. They will never plan another terror attack again." Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared via Twitter his commitment to defending the nation, saying, "We are continuing to strike Hamas while defending our citizens. It will take time, but with great decisiveness, both defensively and offensively, we will achieve our goal - to restore quiet to the State of Israel." Glory of Zion Jerusalem founders and "Joy in the War" authors Daniel and Amber Pierce spoke to CP, recounting how Israel's "unfortunate reality of life" is that its communities are "trained" for situations such as these: warfare and political unrest. The Pierces, who are now based in Texas and have not yet been able to return to Israel due to COVID-19 restrictions, hopes that "Israel would be represented properly." "Israel just has to defend itself and has to make a decision to do what is best for the nation and for the people," Amber Pierce said. In America, the Biden administration's hands-off approach to the Hamas attacking Jerusalem and Tel Aviv in Israel has divided Democrats, who have called to condemn Israel's attacks on Palestine. The Washington Post reported that the White House has made over 25 calls to Israeli and Palestinian leaders this week, but President Biden maintains that he hopes the conflict will be "closing down sooner than later." Current situation The conflict between Israel and Palestine continues as Hamas keeps on attacking, but the IDF keeps on stopping the terrorist group's attempts to cause harm to the Israelis. The IDF, providing real-time information as to what's happening via Twitter, announced two hours prior to this report that they were able to stop a "Hamas terror squad" from launching more rockets from Gaza into Israel before the Palestinian terrorists could. Earlier than this, the IDF was also able to strike a number of launch sites and observation posts used by Hamas in Gaza. The Iron Dome Aerial Defense System, which stopped a barrage of rockets fired by Hamas, also "intercepted a Hamas UAV" that tried to cross the border between Gaza and Israel. Here's a thread of tweets explaining what's happening in Israel and Palestine at the moment: Only evangelical womens college in US to shut down amid declining enrollment, financial difficulties Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The board of trustees at Judson College in Alabama, which claims to be the only evangelical womens college in the United States, has voted to close down the 183-year-old institution after failing to resolve its multi-million dollar financial deficit. We know this was the right decision, but there is not a person here whose heart isnt broken over this, Judson College President W. Mark Tew said in a statement. I share the heartbreak of this decision that is felt by generations of Judson students, faculty, and friends. Judson College, an all-womens Christian college in Marion, Alabama, affiliated with Alabama Baptist Convention, was founded in 1838 when it was rare for women to receive formal education. The news of the schools closure is a somewhat unexpected end to the five-month emotional roller coaster after the board released a hopeful report for the schools future on April 2. Judsons declining enrollment, budget deficits and economic burdens from the COVID-19 pandemic led to the schools financial situation. Mary Amelia Taylor, Judson's associate vice president for marketing & communications, told The Christian Post in an email that the staff is proud of and thankful for the students during this transition. "They are strong, resilient women who have weathered the nightmare of this past year with hope and grace, continually reminding each other and the rest of campus to cherish the time and gifts weve been given," Taylor wrote. "From arranging prayer times to lifting each other up with scripture, encouraging cards, emails, and social media posts, these Judson women have led our campus community in taking our every next step in the compassion and joy of the Lord. In December, Tew appealed to Judson's community to financially support the colleges reopening in January 2021 amid declining enrollment as the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the schools financial situation. Around 80 students planned to return in the fall, and only 12 new students had confirmed their fall 2021 enrollment. During a special April 2 board meeting, the 24-member board of trustees voted 14 to 5 to approve the 2021-2022 budget to continue operations into the next school year. The board launched a campaign to raise $5 million for future financial support on March 3. College administrators launched an All in for Judson campaign and raised awareness through print and digital media and an aggressive advertising campaign across Baptist media outlets. Fuller Higher Ed Solutions, a firm that provided insight for Judsons path forward, said Judsons two choices were to close with dignity or invest in turnaround. Judson Board Chair Joan Newman addressed the students following the April board meeting to thank them and alumnae for their fundraising efforts. At the time, she said she was thrilled to tell you that Judson will be around for a long time. Despite its optimism and aggressive attempts to raise money to continue operations, Judsons efforts fell short. Judson has served the cause of Christ through Christian higher education for young women with uninterrupted dignity, Tew said. We want to be as God-honoring in these last days as we were in the very first. Judson College will end academic operation after the summer term concludes on July 31, and residence halls will close after the May 2021 summer term. Tew said an orderly shutdown with a small number of employees will take place in the coming months. The board will form a five-member committee from its executive committee to work with administration and bankruptcy counsel during its transition to closure. The Judson campus is still processing this devastating news, but we assure our Judson community that we will find ways to honor our Colleges amazing 183-year-old legacy in the coming days, the university said in a statement. Judson held its 183rd and final commencement ceremony on April 30, where 41 graduates received degrees. In an email sent to campus on Sunday, Judson's Student Government President Anna Johnson encouraged the campus community. She said she has "held close" to Psalm 13 through the semester to remind her that there is still reason to rejoice despite difficulties. As we transition into the new chapters of each of our lives, I urge you to continue the Judson legacy through your actions and through the life you choose to live," Johnson wrote in the email transcript obtained by CP. "Judson has instilled in all of us the beautiful values of a person who pursues Christ: love for your neighbor, accountability for your sisters, service to those around you, pursuit of education, and more. Continue to look for what Judson has taught you and what you want to have forever instilled in you. Judson may stop its operations and close its doors, but we have the gift to continue its legacy through our own lives." "... God has beautiful, bountiful stories to continue writing through our lives," Johnson continued. "Our time at Judson may be abruptly ending, but He is going to do amazing things with us." The college was initially called the Judson Female Institute and was named after Ann Hasseltine Judson, one of the first American women to serve as a foreign missionary. In 1904, the institution changed its name to Judson College. The school was founded to give young women the same quality education as young men at Harvard and Yale, according to its website. Man stabs wife in brutal attack in argument over attending church on Mothers Day Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A Texas mother was repeatedly stabbed in a brutal attack by her husband during an argument over attending church on Mothers Day and he is now on the lam, police say. In a statement released Monday, the Nacogdoches County Sheriffs Office said they are now seeking help from the public in apprehending the womans husband, 43-year-old Rodolfo Madera Gonzalez, for aggravated assault with a weaponfamily violence, which is a first-degree felony. Authorities said they responded to a call about a woman who had been stabbed on Sunday evening in the 300 block of Cr. 6108. Gonzalez was later identified as the suspect who stabbed his wife several times with a screwdriver. The suspect in the investigation was identified as Rodolfo Madera Gonzalez who got into an argument with his wife on Mothers Day because she wanted to go to church. The argument escalated, and Gonzalez is accused of stabbing his wife with a screwdriver numerous times in the front and back of her body, the police statement said. Gonzalezs wife was rushed to a hospital where she's in stable condition. Her husband reportedly escaped in what police believe to be a 2007 Gray Dodge Ram half-ton pickup truck bearing Texas license plate number BS9-9021. He's also accused of violating a protective order. Nacogdoches County Sherriff Jason Bridges told The Christian Post Wednesday that they are unable to release more specifics about the case because it remains an active investigation. There was an argument she wanted to go to church, an argument erupted. Im sure there were some other things involved but he ended up stabbing her. We cant release any more information on the case because it is an ongoing criminal investigation and we are still attempting to get the suspect into custody, Bridges said. He condemned Gonzalezs actions, saying the attack was brutal. We have a mother that was stabbed by her husband. Regardless of what the argument was over or wasnt over, it was a brutal attack and it shouldnt happen no matter what theyre arguing about, he said. A recent report released by the National Commission on COVID-19 and Criminal Justice shows that domestic violence incidents in the U.S. increased by 8.1% following the imposition of lockdown orders during the 2020 pandemic. The studies used data, from logs of police calls for service to domestic violence crime reports, emergency hotline registries, health records, and other administrative documents. While the authors of the study couldnt say exactly what factors were driving the increase in domestic violence incidents, they believe the lockdowns along with the economic fallout from those actions plus stress from unemployment and increased financial insecurity likely played a role. Our analysis confirms the initial fears we had at the outset of the pandemic, Alex R. Piquero, chair of the University of Miami Department of Sociology and the reports lead author, said in a statement. While further research is needed to help us better understand the web of factors underlying this rise in domestic violence, our findings demonstrate that the pandemics isolating impacts increased risk for potential victims. Thomas Abt, director of the National Commission on COVID-19 and Criminal Justice, noted that the pandemic has thrown many of the most vulnerable people in our society into especially challenging circumstances, so these findings should not surprise us. Policymakers and researchers should work to further understand the impacts of the pandemic and provide additional resources for domestic abuse prevention and victim services, particularly to those who are most isolated and at risk, he added. Anyone with any information about Gonzalez's whereabouts is being asked to contact the Nacogdoches County Sheriffs Office at 936-560-7777 or Crime Stoppers at 936-560-4636. Most pastors strongly oppose legalizing recreational marijuana, survey finds Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Most pastors feel strongly that marijuana should remain illegal even as an increasing number of states legalize medical and recreational use and public perception shifts regarding the plant-based drug, a new study of over 1,000 Protestant pastors has found. The study released Tuesday from the Nashville-based Lifeway Research found that fewer than one-in-five pastors (18%) say marijuana should be legalized throughout the United States for any purpose. About 76% of pastors either somewhat or strongly disagreed with the idea of legalizing marijuana for any purpose, including 59% who disagree strongly. Only 6% said they are not sure. There are about as many opinions on marijuana as there are ways to consume it, said Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research. When asked about legalizing all such uses, the majority of pastors are strongly opposed. The study of 1,007 Protestant pastors was conducted from September 2, 2020, to October 1, 2020. The results show that mainline pastors (43%) are more likely to believe marijuana should be legalized for any purpose than evangelical pastors (10%). Methodist (37%) and Presbyterian Reformed (35%) pastors are more likely to back legalization than Restorationist movement pastors (21%), Lutherans (15%), Pentecostals (10%) and Baptists (7%). Seventy-eight percent of pastors agree that getting high smoking marijuana is morally wrong, while 17% disagree and 5% said they are not sure. Overall, evangelical pastors are almost twice as likely as mainline pastors to see smoking marijuana to get high as morally wrong (89% to 47%). Public opinion regarding pot legalization has rapidly changed over the years. A recent Gallup Poll found that 68% of Americans supported marijuana legalization, the latest record high. Additionally, a report from Pew Research found that most Christians support marijuana legalization, with 53% of Catholics and 60% of Protestants (including just over 50% of evangelicals) saying they support legalization. Currently, recreational marijuana is legal for adults in 17 states and Washington, D.C., while medical marijuana is legal in 36 states. Pastor Craig Gross, who sells and promotes marijuana for Christians through a new venture called Christian Cannabis, told The Christian Post that marijuana use should not be an issue if used by responsible adults. He believes marijuana should be treated similarly to alcohol. The third day, God created the plants before He created us, Gross said. This was created before us for us. Yes, it can be abused. Yes, it can be taken the wrong way. Do I think a kid should use this? No. There have been so much studies on that, on the underdeveloped mind. Im talking about legal, responsible adults. Gross also said he believes the Church should try to stay ahead of the conversation on marijuana. My end goal with Christian Cannabis is that it shouldnt take me 18 years to see these kind of conversations with this topic, he stated. Well be way too late if we wait 18 years. The time is now. Start this conversation. Its going to be legal, where you have a church and people in your church are going to have questions. But many evangelical and Christian leaders have voiced their opposition to pot use and legalization. Russell Moore, president of the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, recently said he opposes marijuana use. Most of the young evangelicals I know seek to minister to friends who have been harmed by marijuana culture, he told The Wall Street Journal. This isnt theoretical to them at all. In an op-ed for The Christian Post, John Stonestreet and Roberto Rivera of BreakPoint cited a report highlighting the links between cannabis, psychosis and suicide, especially with teenagers and young adults. They warn that America has been sold dangerous lies about marijuana. Despite what we know about the effects of marijuana use on teenage brains and the genetic-related danger to some, we are committed to playing Russian Roulette with young lives, the authors warned. And media outlets loudly proclaim legalization as inevitable and part of our expanding freedom, even while stories about the hazards go underreported. Woman killed after attending church without husband for first time in 36 years Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment An Illinois husband is now grieving after his wife was killed in a hit-and-run accident after she attended church without him for the first time in 36 years on Mothers Day. Annette Odneal, 62, had just attended service at Abounding Life Church of God in Christ Sunday when she was killed as she left the service. What am I to tell my grandkids? O.B. Odneal, her surviving husband, told WGN. This is hard for me to explain. Posen Mayor Frank Podbielniak said the grandmother was pulling out from the church building at about 12:30 p.m., at Mozart Avenue and 147th Street, when the driver of a stolen Dodge Charger crashed into her vehicle, killing her upon impact, according to the Chicago Tribune. She was transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn where she was pronounced dead at 1:33 p.m. It was a traumatic accident, Podbielniak noted. The impact was so grave just horrible. Police say a 17-year-old boy who was driving the stolen Dodge Charger remains hospitalized with a broken femur. He is expected to be taken into custody as soon as he's released from the University of Chicago Medical Center. The driver of the Charger will be charged, likely with reckless homicide, Podbielniak added. Abounding Life Church of God in Christ did not immediately respond to calls from The Christian Post Wednesday for comment, but a woman who identified herself as Annette Odneals daughter-in-law said the family was busy making funeral arrangements and described the loss as tremendous. Its been all over the place. Its been hard, she said. In an earlier interview with WGN, Cierra Odneal, Annettes daughter, said her mother didnt deserve to die the way she did. She didnt deserve what happened to her, she said. She was on her way to my house. I just saw her on Saturday, and I never thought it would be the last time seeing my mom. She further added in an interview with the Tribune: She was very into church and the Lord. She prayed for everybody, she loved everybody, she did right by everybody. Anthony Odneal also described his mother as rich in faith and said her death was particularly difficult because she was killed on Mothers Day. Hes now demanding justice. If it were your mother, youd want the same. Yall took her from us on Mothers Day, he said. O.B. Odneal told ABC7 that his wifes death had ripped his family apart. "My kids, my son, my daughter, and my grandkids, she won't ever see them grow up and be grown," he said. "It's horrible. It's just horrible. They tore the family apart." The family could not immediately say what led Annette to attend church without her husband for the first time on Sunday. A vigil to remember her life was held at Abounding Life Church of God in Christ on Tuesday. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment For days now weve been living with endless rocket attacks in Israel. For me, this has meant days of identifying the nearest bomb shelter any time I leave my home. Days of putting my four children to sleep, reminding them that if they hear a siren in the middle of the night they need to run quickly to the bomb shelter, and that I will be holding their youngest brother so they need to make it there on their own. Days of nightmares both while asleep, and while awake. Do you know what it is like to be scared to take a shower because a code red siren might go off, leaving you with 30 seconds to seek shelter? Have you ever been scared to drive to work for fear of a rocket siren going off when you are driving? Can you imagine staying home from a much-needed trip to the grocery store because there might not be a shelter at the store, and the risk is just too high? Over half of the people of Israel have been facing this reality all week. I spoke to a friend in the U.S. who downloaded an app on her phone that alerts her each time a terrorist rocket is launched at Israel. I had to turn it to silent, she said. I couldnt sleep because it kept going off all night. I too barely slept for two nights straight, and it was not just the rocket barrages and worrying about my family that kept me up. Though Im not a paramedic, police officer, or soldier, I feel an enormous responsibility to protect the people of Israel in situations like this. The organization I lead, the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (The Fellowship), is the largest provider of emergency basic needs in Israel. We have donated equipment to help fight the fires caused by incendiary terror balloons, trauma centers to treat terror victims, protective gear for our heroic first responders, and specially outfitted ambulances to treat the wounded. In the past 15 years, The Fellowship has built more than 2,800 bomb shelters on Israels borders, and implemented programs to secure all of Israels residents Jews, Muslims, Bedouins, and Druze. But what keeps me up at night is the knowledge that despite all the tremendous work weve done that is saving lives at this very moment, its not enough. My phone has lit up with endless notifications, and its not just the code red alerts coming through. Its messages from hospitals, social workers, single mothers, and soup kitchens begging The Fellowship for help. Were doing all we can to fill those needs. This week, The Fellowship placed three mobile bomb shelters at Barzilai Hospital, the largest hospital in southern Israel, which treats all casualties in the region. Two days ago, we witnessed a terrifying scene: dozens of mothers at a crowded park running to a shelter with their children, as a code red siren sounded. This week, The Fellowship placed 13 bomb shelters across the rocket-torn city of Ashkelon, including at local parks. In the past two days The Fellowships amazing staff hasnt left the war zone; we have taken action to help now. We have been going house to house, visiting the elderly who are alone and terrified. We have gone from bomb shelter to bomb shelter delivering food and water, packed our trunks with first responders gear and distributed it to the heroes in the field, placed bomb shelters at the most vulnerable locations, and paid for hotels and basic needs for families whose homes were destroyed by rockets. I am of the generation who was raised on Mr. Rogers. I clearly remember him giving wise advice to children in scary situations. Whenever youre scared, he said, just look for the helpers. Theyre always there. I feel blessed to be leading an organization of helpers in this time of conflict and war. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Last fall, the Black Lives Matter organization quietly deleted a section of its website in which it professed an intention to disrupt the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure requirement. The statement was removed after public backlash, but the sentiment behind the statement seems to endure among some activists. Earlier this week, The National Council on Family Relations hosted a webinar entitled Toward Dismantling Family Privilege and White Supremacy in Family Science. According to researchers, structures of public life in the United States such as government support, healthcare, and education that implicitly advantage nuclear families (two people committed to by marriage raising children) disadvantage other family arrangements. For these scholars, this is an example of privilege rooted in white supremacy. These scholars are correct in noting that families with a married mom and dad raising their children tend to fare better. In fact, kids with married parents are far less likely to experience poverty, social problems, emotional problems, and even incarceration. The problem is why these outcomes exist. A Christian worldview contends that these benefits are inherent to a nuclear family because it is Gods design for the family. Stronger bonds, better social outcomes, better health, and higher rates of happiness are more common in the context of these relationships because that is how He created humans to do life together. However, within a worldview that sees everything in terms of oppressor/oppression, these outcomes must be the results of a system that advantages some and disadvantages others. This increasingly influential worldview is derived from Marxist philosophy, which denies the idea of a given human nature. Human behavior, Marx believed, is determined by the structures (particularly the economic structures) of a society. These structures tend to be oppressive. So if the nuclear family tends to be the given arrangement of the bourgeoisie, it is bad by definition and oppresses other arrangements. Whats not considered are the implications if there is such a design to human relationships, given by our Creator. For example, the nuclear family works for the good of women. No amount of webinars on dismantling family privilege can erase the fact that women exclusively bear children and women are disproportionately disadvantaged when families break down and they are left to care for children on their own. Why would these webinar scholars want to disadvantage women on purpose? Of course, those who wish to dismantle the nuclear family would agree that women raising children need support. If the most natural and obvious source of that support is old-fashioned, oppressive, and dismantled, then this support must come from somewhere else. Obviously then, this becomes the state: a disastrously poor substitute for family. This reminds me of a progressive woman who tweeted: If abortion is illegal then men abandoning their child should also be illegal. If this was a permanent decision for me then it is for you as a father also. To which someone replied: Congratulations, you invented marriage. Eliminating families as antiquated or even (somehow) racist is not merely illogical for pragmatic reasons. Its cultural suicide. Its an idea that sociologist and philosopher Philip Rieff might call a deathwork, one that exclusively tears down. It cannot build anything. It offers nothing in place of the family. Accordingly, we can and must distinguish between helping those in tragic family situations and incentivizing these situations as alternative family arrangements. The answer is to recognize the truth about reality, truth that is available not only in Scripture but in everything we know about how families function and work. The goal is to do family better and to welcome more people into it, not to dismantle it. The Church should be the loudest voice celebrating and defending marriage and the family as God intended it. To do so is not to make an idol of it, as some claim, but to point to what is true and good. The Church of today lives by lies when it pretends that Gods design isnt important. We can celebrate this very good gift of God while also encouraging and supporting single parents and children in other situations. We can walk and chew gum at the same time. Indeed, we must. Originally published at BreakPoint School chaplain reported as terror threat for opposing LGBT curriculum challenges firing Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A school chaplain lost his job at a Christian school and was reported to the government's counter-terrorism watchdog, Prevent, after telling students they were not compelled to "accept an ideology they disagree with," his lawyers say. The Rev. Bernard Randall, 48, is taking Trent College to court for discrimination, harassment, victimization and unfair dismissal. He says he preached a sermon on the biblical view of gender identity and same-sex relationships after being approached by students who were confused and upset by some of the material being taught in a new LGBT-inclusive curriculum at the school. The curriculum was introduced at the independent school after a visit by Elly Barnes, founder of Educate & Celebrate, an LGBT education charity. Barnes held training with staff on how they could "embed gender, gender identity and sexual orientation into the fabric of your school," he says. Randall said he became alarmed when staff were instructed during the training session to chant "smash heteronormativity," and told that gender identity is a protected characteristic under the Equality Act. He says that when he raised concerns, he was told by the head teacher that he would be involved in any decision on whether the school would implement the Educate & Celebrate program, but he discovered at the following staff training day in January 2019 that it had already been adopted. When he asked why he had not been included in discussions, he says it was because he "might disagree." In a sermon called 'Competing ideologies,' Randall presented the Christian view on gender identity, encouraged debate and told the students, aged 11 to 17, that no characteristic in the Equality Act was more protected than another. He also told the students that they could make up their own minds about gender identity and sexuality. The following week, he was told that his sermon had hurt people's feelings and that he was being suspended pending an investigation. He was also reported to Prevent, which deals with terrorism threats, and the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO), the point of contact for child protection allegations. In August 2019, he was informed by the school that he was being dismissed for gross misconduct. Although his dismissal was overturned on appeal, he says he was forbidden from speaking on topics "likely to cause offense or distress to members of the school body," and was told not to "publicly express beliefs in ways which exploit our pupils' vulnerability." He says the school also required that he submit a draft sermon in advance for approval and that an observer be present during services. Randall said he was "terrified" and unabled to sleep when he found out he had been reported to Prevent. What was I supposed to tell my family? Being reported as a potential terrorist, extremist and a danger to children are arguably the worst crimes you could be accused of," he said. "When I found out that they had reported me without telling me, my mind was blown trying to comprehend it. I had gone to such lengths in the sermon to stress that we must respect one another no matter what, even people we disagree with. I am not ashamed to say that I cried with relief when I was told that the report to Prevent was not going to be taken further. "Yet I ended up being told that I had to support everybody else's beliefs, no matter what, while my Christian beliefs, the Church of England's beliefs, were blatantly censored." He continued, "I don't think the Church of England is an extremist organization. "I was doing the job I was employed to do. I wasn't saying anything that I should not have been able to say in any liberal secular institution. Everyone should be free to accept or reject an ideology. Isn't that what liberal democracy means?" Randall was placed on furlough during the first national lockdown in March 2020 but was later made redundant last December. "My story sends a message to other Christians that you are not free to talk about your faith. It seems it is no longer enough to just 'tolerate' LGBT ideology," he said. "You must accept it without question and no debate is allowed without serious consequences. Someone else will decide what is and what isn't acceptable, and suddenly you can become an outcast, possibly for the rest of your life. "I one hundred percent see what has happened to me in Orwellian terms. Truth matters, but increasingly powerful groups in our society do not care about the truth. "My career and life are in tatters. I believe that if this is the Cross that I have to carry to help prevent others from experiencing the same as me, I have no choice but to pursue justice." East Midlands Employment Tribunal is expected to hear his case on June 14. Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, which is defending Randall, said: "When an ordained Church of England minister can't give a simple sermon in a Church of England school without being reported as an extremist and hounded out of his job then who is safe? "For many years Bernard Randall has worked in education motivated by his love for God and others," Williams added. "When someone like him is pursued and punished it's an attack on us all. It's time to stand up and speak up for these freedoms. "Is this the kind of behavior we expect from those with the care and protection of our children? Now is the time for ordinary people to wake up and contend for vital freedoms," she continued. "All those that said it couldn't happen punishing and criminalizing a Christian minister for preaching from the Bible need to take a long, hard look at the story of Bernard Randall. "Who are the extremists in this story? The moderate school chaplain with an intelligent, mild-mannered and thoughtful sermon or Educate and Celebrate encouraging staff to smash heteronormativity?" Originally published at Christian Today Vatican weighs in on US bishops debate over denying communion to pro-abortion politicians Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment The Vatican sent a letter to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops giving advice and warnings regarding a possible move by the American leadership to deny communion to pro-abortion Catholic politicians. In recent times, there has been much debate within the Catholic Church about whether to deny communion to elected officials who support or advocate for abortion despite identifying as Catholic. Cardinal Luis F. Ladaria, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith of the Catholic Church, sent a letter to USCCB President Archbishop Jose H. Gomez on the issue, which was first reported by America magazine on Monday. Ladaria warned that having a blanket policy to deny communion to pro-abortion politicians could present problems when seeking to maintain unity in the Church. the formulation of a national policy was suggested during the ad limina visits only if this would help the bishops to maintain unity, wrote Ladaria, as reported by America magazine. The congregation notes that such a policy, given its possibly contentious nature, could have the opposite effect and become a source of discord rather than unity within the episcopate and the larger church in the United States. The cardinal recommended that the bishops talk with politicians within their jurisdiction who adopt a pro-choice position regarding abortion legislation, euthanasia, or other moral evils, as a means of understanding the nature of their positions and their comprehension of Catholic teaching. Following dialogue among themselves and the politicians, Ladaria explained that if they draft a document on the matter, it would need to express a true consensus of the bishops on the matter, while observing the prerequisite that any provision of the conference in this area would respect the rights of individual ordinaries in their dioceses and the prerogatives of the Holy See. it would be misleading if such a statement were to give the impression that abortion and euthanasia alone constitute the only grave matters of Catholic moral and social teaching that demand the fullest accountability on the part of Catholics, added Ladaria. In June, the USCCB will hold a national meeting to consider a draft document that, if approved, would recommend that pro-abortion Catholic politicians be denied communion. Even if the document is approved, however, it would only recommend the denial of the Eucharist, with local dioceses still being allowed to make their own rules on the issue. Archbishop Salvatore J. Cordileone of California released a pastoral letter earlier this month in which he directly told pro-abortion Catholic politicians that they should not receive communion. Your Catholic ideals inspire you in your work to help those who experience discrimination, violence, and injustice, and you deserve the gratitude of your fellow Catholics and our nation for this service. But we cannot empower the weak by crushing the weakest, wrote Cordileone. If you find that you are unwilling or unable to abandon your advocacy for abortion, you should not come forward to receive Holy Communion. To publicly affirm the Catholic faith while at the same time publicly rejecting one of its most fundamental teachings is simply dishonest. On the other hand, Bishop Robert McElroy of San Diego said in February that denying communion to Catholic officials over their support for abortion was a very destructive idea. I do not see how depriving the President of other political leaders of Eucharist based on their public policy stance can be interpreted in our society as anything other than the weaponization of Eucharist, stated McElroy, as reported by CRUX Now. Time for the private sector to rev its engines and manufacture some innovative ways for businesses to vet who's been vaccinated and who hasn't. That's after Centers for Disease Control Director Rochelle Walensky and President Biden's senior pandemic advisor, Dr. Anthony Fauci, announced today that fully vaccinated Americans i.e. those two weeks out from their second Pfizer or Moderna dose or their single-dose Johnson & Johnson shot can safely move about maskless in most indoor and outdoor locations. Exceptions to the guidance include medical settings and transportation hubs, and even those who are fully immunized are cautioned to mask up and get tested if they start feeling Covid-like symptoms. It's also noteworthy that the guidance is subject to, in the CDC's wording, "federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance." The facial recognition site PimEyes is one of the most capable face-searching tools on the planet. In less than a second, it can scan through more than 900 million images from across the Internet and find matches with startling accuracy. But its most distinguishing trait is who can use it: Anyone. While most facial recognition tools are reserved for police or government use, PimEyes is open to the masses, whether they're hunting down U.S. Capitol riot suspects or stalking women around the Web. The search tool stands at the frontier of a new era of facial recognition surveillance: Powerfully sophisticated and available to anyone, with added abilities for those who pay. And without public oversight or government rules controlling facial recognition use, researchers expect that sites like PimEyes will multiply, capitalizing on the Internet's vast bounty of photos and videos - and making it possible for strangers to keep tabs on people's personal lives. "What is stopping them? Literally nothing," said Stephanie Hare, a technology researcher in London. "The people who put those pictures on the Internet - with their children, their parents, the people who might be vulnerable in their life - were not doing it so they could feed a database that companies could monetize," she said. There's no clear way to fight back, she added: "I can leave my phone at home. What I can't leave is my face." Facial recognition has become an increasingly widespread investigative tool for government authorities and law enforcement; airports, stores and schools also use it to verify visitors' identities and boost security. But PimEyes has made it easier than ever for the general public to tap its artificial intelligence power: When a user submits a photo of someone's face, the site will return a catalogue of images linked to other places where that person appears around the Web, including old videos, news stories, photo albums and personal blogs. The search results don't include exact names, but they offer a detail and precision that has left some people stunned. Pete, a 40-year-old man in Germany who asked that only his first name be used, said he ran a 17-year-old photo of himself drinking a beer on a train and was blown away when it returned a link to a recent video of him on YouTube. "How did it even work? I'm older, it's a different facial expression, even a different position of my head," he said, comparing the two photos. "It's very creepy and way too powerful. This should not be in the public, available for everyone." PimEyes says in its online "manifesto" that it believes searching for one's face online should be a basic human right open to anyone, not just corporations and governments, and that the company's work is, counterintuitively, a boon for privacy. PimEyes sells subscription packages to people who want to find where their photos have been posted online or get alerted when they're posted somewhere else. Though they've built a search engine devoted to unraveling online mysteries, the developers won't say practically anything about themselves. A representative for the company - who declined to share their name, said they'd talk only over email and asked to be referred to only as "the director" - declined to answer questions about how PimEyes works, who is involved with the company or even where the company is based. "Staying completely anonymous is very important to us," the director said. The company has defended itself against criticism - and data-privacy laws like the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation, which restricts facial recognition use - by saying it is to be used only by people uploading their own images. But PimEyes enforces that rule with a single checkbox that anyone can easily click to circumvent. The company has no other rules in place to prevent anyone from scouring the Web for someone else. "The most valuable resource is information . . . [and] we allow people to find, monitor, and protect pieces of information about themselves," the director said. "We don't encourage people to search for other people - it is their own decision to break the rules." The tool has become wildly popular among strangers looking to "essentially stalk" women around the Web, said Aaron DeVera, a security researcher in New York. On 4chan and other anonymous forums, PimEyes subscribers with deeper search capabilities than unpaid users - subscriptions start at around $30 a month - routinely create threads offering to search out any photo and relay back the results. Almost all of the photos are of young girls and women pulled from their social media accounts, their dating-app profiles or "creepshots" stealthily photographed without their consent. The people searching often hope to find other photos or learn more personal details "so they can creep on them further," DeVera added: "Something like this that is so off-the-shelf really does lower the barrier to entry for nefarious activity." In one PimEyes thread on 4chan from October, an anonymous user posted a digital collage, titled "Complete Exposure" and a woman's name, filled with sensitive details of their personal life. It was unclear whether all the photos had been surfaced by PimEyes, or even whether they were all of the same woman. But the collage was scarily comprehensive, including photos of her standing in the middle-school classroom where she teaches, her driver's license, school badge, wedding announcement, the outside of her home and her home address. (The woman, through her husband, declined to comment.) The director said PimEyes should not be blamed for how it's used by people on a forum like 4chan: "You will probably find some content there that shows how to use Google, a car, or just a plate or any other tool to hurt someone." Most facial recognition tools, such as Clearview AI, look for matches to an image among photos in a giant database. But PimEyes works more like Google, using bots known as "spiders" to crawl the Web, scanning for photos of faces and then recording those images as numerical code. If the search tool is later shown a photo that resembles one of those images, it will return a direct link to where the image can be found. PimEyes said last year in a since-deleted webpage that it had analyzed 900 million unique faces - nearly three times the U.S. population - from 150 million websites and processed 1 terabyte of images everyday. PimEyes said it does not search images on social media, but photos from those sites are regularly among the results, and in a test last year by the German digital-rights blog Netzpolitik, journalists said they found results from Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and TikTok. The company did not offer an explanation, the journalists wrote, adding, "The more we confront PimEyes with questions, the more the company contradicts itself." PimEyes' bots do, however, catalogue the images on pornographic websites, and people who have used the site said they've often stumbled across those look-alike results when searching for someone else. The company director said the site scans porn images so its customers can find nonconsensual "revenge" porn postings or attempt "to erase the mistakes of youth." One customer who creates sexual content, the director added, uses the tool to find websites that steal their work. Launched in 2017 by a Polish start-up, PimEyes advertises itself as "an advanced self-monitoring, self-protection and self-image management tool." A Polish blog in 2019 said the site was started by two graduates of the Wrocaw University of Science and Technology, Lukasz Kowalczyk and Denis Tatina, who built it as a hobby project and later monetized it upon seeing the user interest - the greatest of which, they said, came from the United States. In 2020, the PimEyes brand was transferred to Face Recognition Solutions Ltd., a company with no real online presence and a corporate address registered to a single room in the Seychelles, the island nation in the Indian Ocean that has become a popular offshore haven for companies wanting to obscure their ownership and corporate details. The same room is also listed as a registered address for start-ups in advertising, finance and cryptocurrency, corporate records show. The PimEyes director said the company chose the Seychelles "because of the good incorporation environment." The director also offered little about how PimEyes's facial recognition algorithms work, saying only that they are "built in-house." Hundreds of such algorithms have been developed around the world, each with varying features and error rates that can affect how well they work: In a 2019 federal test, the least-accurate algorithms were up to 100 times more likely to misidentify people of color. Users have been surprised when PimEyes found not just their own photos, but photos they hadn't even realized they'd been captured in. A French journalist ran a webcam photo of himself through the site and found a photo he had no memory of, in which it looked like he'd fallen asleep during a news conference. Another man said the site had found a photo of him from 25 years ago. Some have also been alarmed by the ease of use: One man tweeted that he had taken screenshots of people's faces while on Zoom calls, then ran them through PimEyes, saying "the results were startling." If he'd wanted, he added, he could have paid to get notifications any time a new photo of them was put online. The service, though, could suffer from the same issues that plague many facial recognition tools, including wide swings in accuracy depending on the skin color of who's being searched. Some Twitter users have complained that the search engine returned only porn actors who looked nothing like them. The company declined to answer questions about its development team, finances, customer base, photo index and expansion plans. In March, the company offered to connect The Washington Post with some of its clients, saying "we have many customers who are satisfied with our service," but after several weeks reversed course and said none would agree to talk. "We help our customers solving sensitive cases, so they might not be willing to share their stories," the director said. Any PimEyes user can see some limited search results. But only paying "Premium" subscribers can perform unlimited searches, unlock the full image details and get email alerts whenever the site detects a face they've uploaded somewhere else on the Web. For $29.99 a month, a user can search 25 times a day, while $299.99 a month can unlock unlimited searches. An online pricing calculator suggests some users may want to conduct up to 100 million searches a month - a gargantuan number for a business that says users should search only for their own images. PimEyes has advertised itself as a law-enforcement investigative tool, saying last year in a since-deleted post that it "is actively involved in the fight against online crime." But the company director said that none of its customers are law enforcement agencies. That crime-fighting claim, the director said, is nevertheless "true in some way" because the tool can be used to find illegally used images. PimEyes allows anyone to request a photo's removal using an online form, one image at a time. But to completely block those photos from showing up in PimEyes's search results, a user needs to pay $79.99 a month for the "PROtect" package - in essence, paying the same company that uncovered the images to also take them down. PimEyes's widespread use in the pursuit of Capitol rioters, by an online crowdsourced collective of "sedition hunters," has also worried researchers like Hare, the technology researcher, who believed it could be easily misused to target the wrong people or turn untrained sleuths into digital vigilantes. "Are citizens cops? No. But tools like these can turn anyone into a cop," she said. "If you give people something that can be used as a surveillance tool, people are going to use it as one, and they're not going to feel the need to have an ethical conversation about it." A tool for amateur detective work, Hare added, can also easily be transformed into a weapon of state surveillance. Before PimEyes, there was FindFace, a similar face-search engine developed by the Moscow tech start-up NtechLab. Russian authorities now use the software to track opposition activists, journalists, protesters and others captured by Moscow's more than 189,000 cameras. PimEyes said that instances of abuse tied to the search tool were not the company's fault, adding that any "service can be used against the purpose it was created for." Of the "sedition hunters," the director said, "People who misused our search engine did that for a good cause, but it doesn't mean they won't face the consequences of their actions." But even some fans of the service think it goes too far. Conor Nolan, a photo researcher in London, spent hours on PimEyes attempting to identify members of the mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, believing the information could prove invaluable to the FBI. On one of his first searches, PimEyes pointed to one suspect's decade-old mug shot - an investigative breakthrough in a single click. Nolan said it's scarily accurate and "a technology I'm not comfortable with at all," adding that he thinks governments should regulate such tools before they are made available to the general public. But in the meantime, he said, he intends to keep using it, just because it works so well. "Ethics aside, it was well worth it," Nolan said. "I'd use it again if I had the need." In the U.S., PimEyes and other facial recognition companies have few laws to worry about. While members of Congress from both parties have talked about freezing government use of the technology, and federal watchdogs at the Government Accountability Office last year urged them to strengthen face-scan laws, the business is still entirely unregulated at the national level. Half a dozen states and roughly two dozen cities have banned or restricted the technology for public use; another dozen state legislatures are slated to discuss similar bills this year. But such legislation almost always addresses use by police or public authorities, not companies or private individuals. That regulatory void has led even the technology's biggest developers to call for stronger laws: Amazon last summer halted its sale of facial recognition technology to police for one year to give lawmakers "enough time to implement appropriate rules," while Microsoft said it would not sell the technology to police until a federal law is enacted that is "grounded in human rights." Some AI researchers expect PimEyes won't be the last site to attempt unbounded facial search. The rise of "open source" AI has allowed outside developers to easily fold facial recognition software into their own applications: With enough computing power, anyone can use them to play around with the seemingly infinite photo and video data of the Web. One AI data scientist using the online name "Patr10tic," who spoke in a phone interview on the condition of anonymity to candidly discuss the development of similar tools, said PimEyes's functionality can be closely mimicked using freely available tools such as FaceNet, an open-source facial recognition system developed by Google researchers in 2015 and now widely emulated around the Web. After the Capitol siege, he used an open-source "face extractor" tool to pull out facial images from more than 40,000 videos uploaded to the heavily pro-Trump social network Parler. He then built a cluster map of those faces, as well as a detailed location map pinpointing where the videos had first been made. Developers, he said, have a "real duty" to build tools with guardrails against their own misuse. But he's not surprised that such AI uses are expanding rapidly - and he believes that, in many cases, it's already too late to rein in a type of technology that's widely proliferated around the world. "You're not going to be able to stop people from 'spidering' the Web on their own and using open-source code to build pipelines like this. It's just impossible to enforce," he said. "That's where the world is going. Like the physicists of the 1940s, we can already effectively create a Manhattan Project. All these tools can be used, so to speak, for peace or for war." - - - The Washington Post's Julie Tate contributed to this report. The 2021 International Religious Freedom Summit, scheduled for July 13-15 in Washington, D.C., will bring together advocates for the persecuted church from across the globe. This year's theme states: "Standing for religious freedom for everyone, everywhere, all the time." About 300 million Christians worldwide are being persecuted for their faith. The summit began with the aim of bringing together resources and encouraging citizens to speak up for those who have been oppressed in the world. "The purpose of the conference is to put together a coalition of organizations and individuals working for religious freedom so we can continue the momentum of the past three years and put together a network of information, support and action," said former Senator Sam Brownback, Co-Chair of the summit. Brownback hopes this conference can include a bipartisan framework to advocate for the world's marginalized believers, in partnership with Gayle Manchin, former Chairperson of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom and wife of Sen. Joe Manchin. Sen. Chris Coons and Sen. James Lankford, who serve as co-chairs of the Senate, and U.S. Reps. Henry Cuellar and Chris Smith, co-chairs of the Honorary House, are among other prominent politicians participating at this Summit. The Alliance Defending Freedom, Family Researcher Council, Open Doors, the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, the Religious Freedom Institute, the Philos Project, Samaritan's Purse, International Christian Concern and other concerned agencies are among the major international organizations that will be participating. "We are looking forward to a fruitful time of network building, information exchange and following through on the momentum that has developed," says Brownback. "We are asking believers to pray for the conference, let your churches and other groups know, sign up, support and help us as we watch God raise up help for the hundreds of millions suffering for the cause of Christ." In 2018 and 2019, the Trump administration, with the help of then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, launched the Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom, a two-year special conference in which foreign ministers and international representatives meet for dialogue on important international issues. During this meeting, almost 80 foreign ministers and government leaders, along with dozens of groups in favor of humanitarian relief, religious liberty and other causes, met in a large tent in the middle of the U.S. Department of State. Those present negotiated and developed a basis for a universal religious freedom system in order to further a cause dear to the then-president. Around this time, Trump made an address to the United Nations, where he, along with the secretary general, called for an end to the oppression of Christians and others. Brownback, a longtime senator and governor of Kansas who was newly named envoy for International Religious Freedom, established the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. The Frank R. Wolf International Religious Freedom Act served as the inspiration for the idea. The U.S. government commissioned this body to report on religious freedom worldwide each year and act on it as well. The conference registration page can be found at irfsummit.com. Houston isn't the first city to come to mind when you think of a tech hub, but that soon may change. Utilizing data from Linkedin, Axios reports that young engineers and recent college grads are looking to move to places like Miami, Philadelphia, and Houston to start their careers, instead of traditional tech hubs like San Francisco, New York and Seattle. Nearly half of tech workers moved during the pandemic, according to an April survey by non-profit One America Works, and Houston has seen an increase in its own base of workers employed in technological fields. The shift for tech workers comes as the pandemic brought quality of life issues to the forefront for employers. As first reported by John Egan at CultureMap, Houston ranks second among 14 major U.S. labor markets for the number of relocating software and IT workers between March 2020 and February 2021 compared to a year ago. MOVING TO TEXAS: These tech workers left California for Austin. They don't regret it. "Issues we used to think of as secondary, like quality of life, are increasingly primary," she said. "We're seeing that drive the dynamic around the tech sector nationwide," CEO of Tech:NYC, Julie Samuels, told Axios. Linkedin data also shows that more workers in the software and IT services sectors have moved into Miami, Houston, Dallas, L.A., and Denver between March 2020 and February 2021 than in the previous year. Houston is second behind Miami in gaining software and IT employees in the last year, increasing its population of tech-oriented workers by 10.4 percent. But this is no surprise Houston is on its way toward truly becoming a tech hub. Rebecca Carballo at the Houston Chronicle reported in March that Houston is home to "more than 50 SDOs, including The Cannon, Downtown launchpad, East End Maker Hub and the soon-to-open Ion, the Rice University project that will anchor a 16-acre innovation district in Midtown." The Greater Houston Partnership's March Tech Report mentions that "Houston has been a center for world-changing innovations in energy, life sciences and aerospace for over a century. With science and engineering breakthroughs ingrained in the fabric of Houstons economy, the region has become a thriving hub of digital technology talent and companies thanks to our access to customers and expertise." BRIDGING THE GAP: Trae the Truth gives back with new technology for low-income apartments Whether Houston is next up to become America's preeminent tech hub remains to be seen. "I clearly see momentum building and it's hard for me to imagine that the pandemic won't be a permanent accelerant of people moving to places that have been historically overlooked," AOL co-founder Steve Case told Axios. "But it's still hard to predict the two or three cities that will be the next truly viable tech hubs." "It's a shake-the-snowglobe moment." MANISTEE Parents and guardians wishing to protect their children over the age of 12 from COVID-19 soon can do so. Following the recent authorization and recommendation by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), District Health Department #10 (DHD#10) and Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department will start vaccinating children ages 12-15 years old with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Appointments can be scheduled at www.dhd10.org/schedule. Walk-ins are also welcomed at any DHD#10 office on Tuesdays and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1:30-6:20 p.m. Some DHD#10 offices are hosting off-site clinics on May 14 and will not be hosting walk-in clinics at the office. Anyone interested, should call first on Friday. Children 12-15 years old must have a parent or legal guardian present during their vaccination. Children ages 16 or 17 must have written consent from their parent or legal guardian to be vaccinated. We encourage all families with adolescents over the age of 12 to get them in for their COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible, said Kevin Hughes, Health Officer for the DHD#10 in a news release. Vaccination is our best line of defense against getting and spreading COVID-19. The Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department is offering walk-in vaccinations at all their clinics or people can make an appointment. Residents can choose the date and location, and at certain clinics, which of the three vaccines they want to receive. Find information on clinic locations and make an appointment at www.bldhd.org. The vaccine is safe and highly effective and provides our children excellent protection against COVID disease, said Dr. Josh Meyerson, Medical Director with the Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department in a news release. The results of the clinical trials show that our younger adolescents, 12-15, had very similar responses in fighting off COVID-19 compared to older adolescents and adults. Side effects such as soreness at the injection site and low-grade fevers were the most common side effects and were generally mild and well tolerated." In April, about 24% of the 425 reported cases in Benzie and Leelanau counties were in the 019 year old age group, with the majority being related to school age children. DHD#10 is offering pop-up vaccine clinics from 2:30-6:30 p.m. on May 20 at Iron Fish Distillery in Thompsonville and from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on May 26 at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee. Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department has a pop-up vaccine clinic slated for 1-4 p.m. on May 15 at St. Ambrose Cellars in Beulah. The clinic will offer the Johnson and Johnson and Moderna vaccines. Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department is offering a clinic for walk-in or appointment from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 15 at Benzie Central Gymnasium, located at 9222 Homestead Road in Benzonia. Moderna, Johnson and Johnson and Pfizer vaccines will be given. The clinic is open to 16 or older; a parent or guardian must accompany minors. To schedule an appointment visit https://ph-benzieleelanau.as.me/covidimms2nd022105. DHD#10 is hosting several pop-up vaccine clinics in various communities open to the public; including the following: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 15, Blessing of the Bikes in Baldwin; 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 15, Newaygo County Hazardous Waste Day, Newaygo County Road Commission in White Cloud; 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on May 19, Double JJ Resort in Rothbury; 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on May 24, Coldwell Banker Complex Parking Lot in Hart; 9 a.m. to noon on May 26, June 9 and June 30, True North Food Distribution in Fremont; and 4-7 pm. on June 22, July 13, Aug 10, New Era Farmers Market in New Era. On Wednesday, federal health advisers endorsed vaccinating children as young as 12, days after the Food and Drug Administration cleared the expanded use of Pfizer's shots. The most important thing we can do right now is to make vaccines available for whenever someone is ready, Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the state's chief medical executive and chief health deputy, said during a news conference. We know that patients trust their doctors and when they are ready to get vaccinated, we want you to have vaccine on hand. Michigan health officials on Wednesday urged primary care physicians to enroll to administer COVID-19 vaccines, as the state prepared to quickly begin vaccinating 12- to 15-year-olds following U.S. authorization. The push to make doses available in physicians' offices will complement the state's focus on taking mobile clinics to places such as churches, and vaccinating people who are homebound. Manistee County has 49.6% of its population completely vaccinated against COVID-19, according to the states data from Wednesday. In Benzie County, 53.6% of the residents are completely vaccinated. In Manistee County, 73.4% of residents over the age of 75 have been completely vaccinated, with 75.8% of residents 65-74 completely vaccinated; 56.2% for the 50-64 age group; 35.2% for the 40-49 age group; 30.4% for the 30-39 age group; 18% for the 20-29 age group; and 19.4% for the 16-19 age group There have been about 7.5 million vaccine doses administered in Michigan; 43.6% of the states eligible population is completely vaccinated. For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine, go to www.dhd10.org/covid-19-vaccine. Janet Allen Batchelor announces the publication of a timely and unifying childrens picture book, Al and the Owligator. A mishap between two engaging critters, still in their respective eggs, starts a chain of events that present a challenge to Al and the Owligator on their first day post-hatch. It was simple mistake; one that could happen to anyone, but this little slip has a most interesting complication. The characters use their newfound powers of observation and imagination to remedy the problem and embark on the adventures of a lifelong friendship, despite their obvious differences. Batchelor is a proud native Texan who lives in rural Montgomery County with her husband, Tom, two border collies and an ornery feral cat. Between them, she and Tom have six children, 11 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. She has had human interest and travel articles published in local, regional and national magazines. Janets Texas accent, and tendency to talk to animals, turned a conversation with a critter on her porch from a lizard into a tiny owligator. It sounded funny and they both come from eggs. If you use your imagination, it could happen. The saga of Al and the Owligator was born. Follow Al and the Owligator on alandtheowligator.com. Its available for purchase online at Barnes and Noble, Amazon and Walmart. Janet Batchelor is available to read her book to children in public schools or libraries. Contact her at janet@alandtheowligator.com. Book 2: Princess, Fred Frog, and the Thing on the Log is being illustrated and will be available later this year. In Southeast Texas we deal with snakes, racoons, possums, moles and armadillos. By no means is this a complete list but these are the major ones that we get the most inquiries about. Due to rapid urbanization, proximity to natural areas and the addition of large rain events, the potential for snake encounters increases. There are several things to know and a few preventative techniques that can keep your encounters friendly or without incident. This week I will discuss snakes. Next week, I will discuss the four-legged critters. We encounter snakes and other critters while walking trails, camping or just doing yard work around the house. In Texas, there are around 75 snake species, however, only about a dozen are venomous. Common non-venomous species found throughout Texas include garter snakes, which people also refer to as garden snakes; rat snakes, also known as chicken snakes; and bull snakes. Common venomous snakes include western diamond-backed rattlesnakes, copperheads and the cottonmouth, also known as the water moccasin. Even though most species are non-venomous, the best advice is to just avoid contact with any snake. Snakes are typically not aggressive and will flee the area when someone approaches them. Its just a good idea to give them plenty of room and let them go on their way. Snakes are cold-blooded and prefer to sun and/or stretching out on warm surfaces when temperatures are cooler. However, as we move into the summer, they prefer shade. On cool mornings, expect them to be out and visible. As the day heats up, expect them to be in the shade or under items to avoid the heat. They like high grass, brush and debris. If it can be done trimming the lower branches on bushes and trees will go a long way in reducing the places a snake might hide. Make sure to teach children not to reach inside crevices and under bushes with low-hanging limbs. It is just a good idea to be aware and prepared. It is also a good idea to remove places where their food sources (mice and rats) like to hide. Cleaning around the house and other structures to remove trash, which is shelter for small prey animals, helps to keep snakes away. Most snake bites to humans occur at the feet/lower leg or the hands. Its best to stay calm and get to a hospital as quickly as possible. Do not try to kill it the snake, typically doctors will need a description of the snake, or a photo of it. So dont send a buddy to get the snake. We do not want two people getting treated for snake bites. Dr. Maureen Frank-Assistant Professor and Extension Wildlife Specialist says, Tourniquets and suction devices or using other mythologized methods to remove snake venom could do more harm than good and hospitals have anti-venom on hand to deal with bites. Just focus on getting to the hospital quickly but safely, she said. If you get bit, first try to identify the snake species. This is especially important for coral snakes because the treatments are different than those to treat copperhead, cottonmouth or rattlesnake bites. Second, you should remove clothing from the bite location/area. For instance, remove socks if bitten on the foot and items like rings on fingers if bitten on the hand because of swelling. If you have pets, try to minimize their interaction with snakes as well. Christine Rutter, DVM, clinical assistant professor at the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at Texas A&M University and emergency/critical care specialist, College Station, said snake bites to pets are very common, but the majority of cases are not lethal when the owner seeks immediate care. To help prevent encounters, turn on lights at night, check the yard and/or making noise to announce your presence. Lastly, keep control of your pet on or off leash will also help. So, to avoid a bad situation, look at your yard and identify potential snake harboring locations and just be aware of where you step or reach. Personally, I always like to announce my presence. I like to carry and 3-4 stick of some type to rattle the bushes before I begin doing any weed pulling, digging or other yard work. It is just always good idea to be prepared and safe. Dont forget to send your garden questions to Plant Answers at 9020 Airport Rd., Conroe TX 77303 or e-mail me at mpotter@ag.tamu.edu . At Fridays Community Assistance Center 2021 Legacy Awards Luncheon keynote speaker Liz Murray asked those gathered if they really knew in their heart the difference they were making to others and to their community. To her, people who cared and were willing to help, made all the difference in her life. Her story of going from a homeless teen in New York City to going to Harvard has been the focus of many interviews and was the subject of the 2003 movie The Liz Murray Story: From Homeless to Harvard. She is now an author, inspirational speaker and founder of The Arthur Project which helps at-risk youth. Murray shared her story at Fridays celebrate in an effort to help the CAC volunteers and community leaders know that their support does matter and even small acts of kindness can lead to big things in the life of the person theyre helping. Community Assistance Center is a nonprofit, social service agency providing resources to meet basic needs and improve quality of life for our neighbors in Montgomery County. CAC provides case management and assistance services such as food, clothing, emergency shelter, rental and mortgage assistance, utilities, and education to promote self-sufficiency. During its last fiscal year, CAC provided services to over 39,300 residents of Montgomery County through its various programs and services. The organization began as Montgomery County Emergency Assistance in 1981 seeking to help those in crisis in the county. Since 1981, we have served our neighbors in need and will continue to meet the growing needs of Montgomery County. I am excited to play a small part in this organizations history, said Jennifer Landers, CEO of Community Assistance Center. The role of CAC has been especially important in recent years as the community has weathered Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and the pandemic and winter storm in the past year. Our world has looked very different during the COVID-19 pandemic, said luncheon emcee Nelda Luce Blair. Many families and individuals were already in need and the pandemic exacerbated that. Businesses closed and many were furloughed or lost their jobs. So we did what Texans do and we banded together to bring financial, in kind and volunteer support for the CAC program. On Friday the CAC recognized those who have played a significant role in both the short term and long term goals of CAC. Buckalew Chevrolet and Woodforest National Bank were recognized with Corporate Partner Awards for their support of the program and in the community. The Montgomery County Food Bank, which served 11 million meals in the past year, recieved the Community Partner Award. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints received the Faith Partner Award. Blair said the partnership between CAC and volunteers from LDS goes back to the early years of the organization and includes support for all areas of CAC. In 2017, LDS volunteers provided clean up kits following Hurricane Harvey and helped to muck and gut flooded homes. This year, LDS volunteers answered the call when nearly 20,000 pounds of food came through the LDS Charities Humanitarian Aid of Salt Lake City, Utah. The food was delivered by Godfrey Trucking with Scott Godfrey, the companys owner, making the nearly 1,000-mile drive to bring the donation himself. Approximately 30 missionaries and volunteers from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated their time to volunteer to assist with unloading the truck and lining the hallways of CAC with donations that exceeded what could fit in the pantry. CAC Board Member Paula Odom was recognized with a Distinguished Service Award for being a driving force for Entergys Power to Care program and for her support of the United Ways Under Cover Project, Earth Day Green Up and Sam Houston Elementarys Junior Achievement Program. Bev and Mac Schard were also recognized with a Distinguished Service Award. The couple celebrated their 65th anniversary last June and has supported CAC in a number of ways in addition to serving with April Sound Church and volunteering at the Conroe hospital. Former Precinct 1 Commissioner Mike Meador was recognized with the CAC Legacy Award. Meador is Montgomery Countys longest-serving commissioner being elected in 1993. He stepped down in December 2020 but has supported the community in a variety of ways and through a variety of organizations. Murray then told those gathered her story in order to show those gathered that just one person or just one action can have an impact. Murray was born in the Bronx to loving-but-drug-addicted parents. She described how her family had 12 holidays. Each one was the first of the month when their check from the government came. Most of the check was used to buy drugs and about $35 was used for food that was supposed to last the family of four the whole month. When she and her sister, Lisa, got hungry, theyd knock on neighbors doors hoping their neighbors could spare a meal. School and education wasnt a priority when they didnt know where their next meal would come from. The family unraveled when Murray was 13. Her parents developed HIV and her mother spent most of her time in a hospital, her father was in a shelter and her sister went to a family member. Murray went to a group home but became homeless at the age of 15. At 16, her mother died and it became a turning point in her life. She had a desire to return to school and heard no over and over before English and drama teacher Perry at the Humanities Preparatory Academy in New York City finally told her yes. She finished high school in two years doing four years worth of work. She never told anyone she was homeless. She was awarded a New York Times scholarship for needy students and was accepted into Harvard University. The paper did a story on her and she began to receive support from her Bronx community and from around the country. Suddenly she didnt feel alone in her situation. One day, about two months before her high school graduation, a woman named Terri approached Murray and asked if she could help Murrays laundry. Shed then take her once a week to do her laundry. She told me I might not be able to do much, but at least I can do this, Murray said. She left those gathered with that challenge that they might not be able to do much, but to do what they can for others. For more information on the Community Assistance Center, visit https://cac-mctx.org/. shernandez@hcnonline.com Brittany N. Gaddy/AP NEW YORK Walmart, the worlds largest retailer, said Friday that it wont require vaccinated shoppers or workers to wear a mask in its U.S. stores, unless state or local laws say otherwise. Vaccinated shoppers can go maskless immediately, the company said. Vaccinated workers can stop wearing them on May 18. As an incentive, Walmart said it is offering workers $75 if they prove theyve been vaccinated. CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) Three high school students from West Virginia have been named 2021 U.S. Presidential Scholars, officials said. Kendra Goeddert from Greenbrier East High School, Nicholas Murphy from Parkersburg South High School and Zara Zervos from John Marshall High School were among 161 high school students across the nation recognized for their accomplishments, U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona said in a statement Thursday. SANDERSVILLE, Ga. (AP) Seven people have been arrested and two more are wanted after a shooting injured a woman in the parking lot of a middle Georgia restaurant. The predawn Sunday shooting at a Sandersville Waffle House injured Kayiah Faulkner, 20, who was taken by helicopter to an Augusta hospital. COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) The family of Andre Hill, a Black man who was fatally shot by a white Ohio police officer in December, will receive a $10 million settlement from the city of Columbus. Hill, 47, was fatally shot by officer Adam Coy on Dec. 22 as Hill emerged from a garage holding up a cellphone. Coy was fired and has pleaded not guilty to murder and reckless homicide charges. Some settlements in police killings are kept private. Often a settlement includes money but specifies there was no admission of guilt. Some such lawsuits end up in court where a jury can award massive settlements that are reduced on appeal. Here is a look at other high-profile cases of police killings of Black and brown people and the settlements: GEORGE FLOYD In March, the city of Minneapolis agreed to pay $27 million in what the attorney for George Floyds family said was the largest pretrial civil rights settlement ever. The settlement was announced during jury selection in the trial of Derek Chauvin, a white former city police officer, who was convicted of murder and manslaughter in Floyd's death on May 25 last year. Attorney Ben Crump said it sent a powerful message that Black lives do matter and police brutality against people of color must end. BREONNA TAYLOR The city of Louisville, Kentucky, agreed last year to pay Breonna Taylors family $12 million and reform police practices. Taylor was shot to death by officers acting on a no-knock warrant. The settlement stipulated reforms on how warrants are handled by police. No one has been charged in Taylors, though three of the officers involved, including the one who took out the warrant, were fired for their actions. LAQUAN McDONALD Seventeen-year-old Laquan McDonald was shot dead by Chicago police in 2014. Dashcam video showed Officer Jason Van Dyke shoot McDonald 16 times. A jury found Van Dyke guilty in October 2018 of second-degree murder and aggravated battery in McDonalds shooting. He was sentenced to six years in prison. McDonalds family sued for $16 million a million for every bullet but settled for $5 million. FREDDIE GRAY Six Baltimore officers were charged in the April 2015 arrest and in-custody death of Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old Black man who died after being injured in a Baltimore police van, touching off weeks of protests. Three officers were acquitted and prosecutors dropped all remaining charges in July 2016 following a hung jury. Grays family agreed to a $6.4 million settlement with the city in September 2015. PHILANDO CASTILE Jeronimo Yanez, an officer in St. Anthony, Minnesota, was acquitted of manslaughter in the 2016 fatal shooting of Philando Castile, a Black motorist. The case garnered attention because Castiles girlfriend streamed the aftermath live on Facebook. Castiles mother reached a $3 million settlement and his girlfriend was paid $800,000 by the city of St. Anthony and others. TAMIR RICE Tamir Rice was 12 years old when he was fatally shot by a white Cleveland police officer in a recreational area in November 2014. The boy had a pellet gun tucked in his waistband and was shot after the officers cruiser skidded to a stop just feet away. A grand jury declined to indict patrolman Timothy Loehmann, who fired the fatal shot. The city settled the Rice familys lawsuit for $6 million. MICHAEL BROWN Michael Brown, an unarmed Black 18-year-old, was fatally shot by a white officer, Darren Wilson, in August 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. A grand jury declined to indict Wilson, and the U.S. Justice Department opted against civil rights charges. The death of Brown led to months of sometimes violent protests and became a catalyst for the Black Lives Matter movement. His family received $1.5 million. ERIC GARNER Eric Garner, 43, died in July 2014 in New York City after a white officer placed him in a chokehold during an arrest for selling loose cigarettes. A grand jury declined to indict that officer, or any others involved in the arrest. The Justice Department declined to file civil rights charges after a yearslong investigation. The city agreed to pay a $6 million civil settlement. JERUSALEM (AP) Israel and Hamas know that a fourth Gaza war, like the three before, would be as inconclusive as it is devastating for the impoverished territory's 2 million Palestinians. But in the days or weeks before an inevitable truce, each will aim for something it can call a victory. For Israel, that might mean assassinating a top Hamas commander, or destroying enough tunnels, rocket launchers and other infrastructure to say it mowed the lawn" a phrase widely used by Israelis to describe the temporary suppression of militants before the next confrontation. For Hamas, the biggest prize would be capturing Israeli soldiers it could later trade for imprisoned Palestinians. A close second would be scoring a few more long-range rocket hits on Israeli cities to display the Palestinian organization's military prowess in confronting a much stronger enemy. Of course, the assassination of a Hamas kingpin or the capture of an Israeli soldier would trigger a major escalation, likely resulting in the deaths of large numbers of Gaza civilians. But neither side assumes it can use military means to secure its larger goals. Both expect the same eventual resolution - an internationally brokered informal truce like the ones that ended Hamas-Israeli wars in 2009, 2012 and 2014. To overthrow Hamas, Israel would need to reoccupy Gaza in a prolonged and bloody operation that would provoke international condemnation. Not even the most hawkish Israelis are suggesting that course. By the same token, Hamas has no expectation of lifting the Israeli-Egyptian blockade imposed on Gaza when it seized power from rival Palestinian forces in 2007. The rockets Hamas has fired into Israel have brought waves of Israeli airstrikes, and about a fourth of the Palestinian projectiles have fallen short, landing in Gaza. At least 126 Gazans have been killed, including 31 children and 20 women, while at least 900 people have been injured and homes and businesses left in ruins, deepening the misery in the isolated territory. The rockets have killed seven Israelis and sown panic as far away as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. But in the cruel calculations governing so much of the Middle East conflict, the ability to fire or not fire rockets gives Hamas leverage it can use to attain more limited goals. The militant group in recent years observed a shaky, informal cease-fire with Israel, trading calm for an easing of the blockade and hundreds of millions of dollars in aid from Qatar that was delivered regularly through Israels Erez crossing. The death and destruction from the air raids are horrific," said Tareq Baconi, an analyst with the Crisis Group, an international think tank. But for Hamas, "that kind of suffering is inevitable when Palestinians are resisting Israeli occupation. The rockets also allow Hamas to rally support by portraying itself as a liberation movement fighting for Palestinian rights and defending claims to Jerusalem, the emotional center of the decades-old conflict. Hamas banners now hang outside Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque, where heavy clashes between Israeli police and Palestinian protesters earlier this month along with efforts by Jewish settlers to evict Palestinian families triggered the latest violence. Hamas can also revel in the outbreak of Arab-Jewish violence inside Israel, which in some ways resembles the kind of Palestinian uprising the militant group has long called for. My sense is that both sides would like to end this and go home, Amos Harel, a longtime military correspondent for Israel's Haaretz newspaper, said. Hamas achieved more than it dreamed" by launching long-range rockets at Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and helping to ignite violence in Israeli cities, Harel said. If they continue, then they will risk more casualties, more damage and hardship to Gaza. Ron Ben-Yishai, a veteran Israeli war correspondent, also thinks Israel is unlikely to send in ground forces unless Hamas carries out a catastrophic attack. If, for example, they send a big missile and this missile hits a kindergarten in Israel, there would be a ground attack," Yishai said. Hamas has also scored a major win against its rivals in the increasingly unpopular and autocratic Palestinian Authority, whose authority is confined to parts of the occupied West Bank, and which has little to show for years of close security ties with Israel and billions of dollars in international aid. Last month, President Mahmoud Abbas called off the first Palestinian elections in 15 years amid signs his splintering Fatah party would suffer an embarrassing defeat to Hamas. The militant group's stature has only grown since then, with Abbas largely sidelined by the conflict. Israel, meanwhile, derives certain advantages from maintaining the status quo that prevailed in Gaza before the latest fighting. It routinely blames the failure of the peace process on Hamas, which does not recognize the country's right to exist and is considered a terrorist group by Israel and Western nations. But Harel says that for many Israelis, Hamas is the preferred enemy because it rejects a two-state solution. That allows Israel to isolate Gaza from the larger conflict while consolidating its control over east Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank with little if any resistance from the docile Palestinian Authority. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has never said it publicly, "but one would suspect he is actually quite comfortable with Hamas," Harel said. Israel captured east Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza in a 1967 war, territories the Palestinians want for their future state. It withdrew soldiers and settlers from Gaza in 2005. But the Palestinians and much of the international community still view Gaza as occupied territory that should be part of an eventual Palestinian state. More than half of Gaza's population are the descendants of refugees from what is now Israel, which controls the territory's airspace, territorial waters, population registry and commercial crossings. Any larger resolution to the conflict appears further out of reach than ever. There have been no substantive peace talks in more than a decade, and Israel's expansion of settlements and its plans to eventually annex parts of the West Bank has recently led two well-known human rights groups to accuse it of practicing apartheid. Israel rejects those allegations. Either way, there seems no end in sight to Hamas' rule in Gaza or the blockade Israel says is needed to contain it. Ground offensive or no ground offensive, ultimately it does not matter," analyst Baconi said. The broader strategy is going to remain one which Israelis call mowing the lawn, he said. That means maintaining the status quo, and every time Gaza becomes a bit too powerful, hit it. ___ Associated Press writers Karin Laub in the West Bank and Laurie Kellman in Tel Aviv, Israel contributed. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has fully embraced the LGBT community's push for inclusivity in lieu of the Bible's teachings on genders, and has placed a transgender in a key leadership position, reports say. The Western Journal noted that as the abandonment of biblical legitimacy within hierarchical Christian organizations becomes more common, one of the major Christian churches in the United States has just elected the country's first transsexual bishop. According to Religion News Service, the Rev. Megan Rohrer of Grace Lutheran Church in San Francisco was the first transgender to be ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in 2006. Rohrer became the first to work as a pastor after being assigned to Grace Lutheran in 2014. The ECLA is one of the biggest churches in America, with over 3.3 million adherents and 8,900 congregations throughout the country. Rohrer would be the first transgender to act as bishop of a large Christian denomination in the United States. Rohrer told RNS in a written statement: "It's an honor to be called to serve the Sierra Pacific Synod. During this time when some imagine trans people at their worst, Lutherans have once again declared that transgender people are beautiful children of God. Thank you to everyone who has been praying for me and my family as I accept this call." The 41-year-old "Bishop-elect" Rohrer is a trans woman who does not seem to classify as male or female and prefers to use the pronoun "they." In 2017, Rohrer also became the first LGBT chaplain for the San Francisco Police Department. Due to appearances on "Queer Eye" and in the pages of Time and Cosmopolitan, Rohrer has been a minor celebrity. She is lawfully married to a woman. When she came out as bisexual, Rohrer said that "she was bullied by Christians and kicked out" of her youth group. Her ordination to the ECLA in 2006 was eventually approved in 2010, after a procedure "designed to sidestep" the denomination's policy on LGBT ministers. She tweeted to critics of her ordination, "If my election confuses you, may that confusion inspire you to notice all the other wonderful things God is up to that you may have missed. God's call extends to more people than you'd expect, in more places than you'd expect and more often than you'd expect." She is also active in homeless initiatives and LGBT "street activism" and has written several books. Rohrer will be the next bishop of a denomination named for one of the great fathers of sola scriptura theology, Martin Luther. The Western Journal correspondent Lisa Cox opined: "While it sounds like Rohrer has a very big heart for what she does, it is not her capacity to serve or her value in the eyes of the Lord that is on trial here -- it is her ability to teach, and adhere to, biblical Christianity." She argued that the heart and soul of the gospel is the redemption and not the glorification of the things mankind had struggled with before Christ. The world spun madly on as followers of its second-largest religion practiced the traditions of Islam's holiest month, at times under circumstances that demanded as much courage as faith. Ramadan is a period of intense prayer, dawn-to-dusk fasting and nightly feasts. But between April 12-13, when this year's observance started, and the month's end Thursday with the Eid al-Fitr holiday, Muslims in many parts of the world carried out the comforting rituals while confronting tragedies and tremendous upheaval. In mostly-Muslim Turkey, the month of fasting kicked off amid record levels of COVID-19 infections and the country's strictest lockdown of the pandemic. The restrictions prohibited residents from leaving their homes except to shop for groceries or to meet other essential needs, and are in place until after the three-day Eid holiday, normally a time for family reunions. The coronavirus pandemic shaped Ramadan in other ways for a second year in a row. In Indonesia, the worlds most populous Muslim-majority nation, worshippers wearing masks joined communal prayers in the streets of Jakarta and passed through disinfection chambers before entering the Al Mashun Great Mosque compound in North Sumatra on Thursday. For members of India's Muslim minority, the holy month coincided with the country's uncontrolled and lethal COVID-19 outbreak. Muslim cemeteries started running out of space and people to dig graves within days of Ramadan's start, while families that had looked forward to celebrating together buried loved ones instead. Grief also gripped the Gaza Strip, where Israeli airstrikes emptied streets that Palestinians ordinarily throng ahead of Eid al-Fitr to shop for new clothes and treats. Instead, Hamas urged the faithful to mark communal Eid prayers inside their homes or at the nearest mosques instead of out in the open. Throughout it all, many Muslims held fast to tradition, praying and breaking their daily fasts wherever they found themselves. For a group of security forces in Egypt, that meant the site of passenger train derailment that killed at least 11 people and injured about 100 more. For a young Syrian couple and their 18-month-old daughter, it was an informal refugee camp in Lebanon. Coal miners in Bosnia broke their fasts by helmet-light, relying on watches and smartphones to know when it was sunset and they could sit down to eat together. WASHINGTON (AP) Secretary of State Antony Blinken is headed to Europe and North Atlantic islands next week to put the Biden administrations stamp on climate change policy in the Arctic and warn Russia against interference in the United States, Ukraine and elsewhere, the State Department said Friday. Blinken will visit Denmark, Iceland and Greenland starting on Sunday to stress the U.S. commitment to green technology and preserving environmental stability in the Arctic, the department said. His message to a meeting of the Arctic Council in Iceland will be a marked change from the Trump administration, which had urged the group to take commercial advantage of global warming. SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) California Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to use a sliver of the state's massive budget surplus to give poor people money each month with no rules on how they spend it. Newsom's budget proposal, announced Friday, includes $35 million over five years to pay for universal basic income pilot programs. The idea is to give poor people money each month to help ease the stresses of poverty that can make it harder to find full-time jobs and stay healthy. It's believed to be the first statewide funding for such programs, which are gaining traction in cities across the country. Newsom said his goal is to support these local programs so they can produce data to help policy makers decide if the idea will work at a larger scale. He says he wants California to be a catalyst for conversations all across the country." The idea has been around since at least the 18th century. Even the U.S. government experimented with it in the 1960s and 1970s under President Richard Nixon. It's gotten new life in recent years thanks to former Stockton Mayor Michael Tubbs, who launched a privately funded guaranteed income program in his Northern California city in 2019. Since then, mayors across the country have started their own programs, including one in Oakland earlier this year that pledges to give up to 600 families $500 each month. Last month, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced the city would spend $24 million to provide $1,000 per month to 2,000 households a year with no questions asked. Newsom's proposal would not create a statewide guaranteed income program. Instead, it would help pay for local governments to start their own programs. Local governments would have to help pay for it either using local taxpayer money or finding private donors and the programs must target low-income families. Critics of these programs say they offer a disincentive for people to work. That narrative has played out over the past year as the federal government has increased the amount of monthly unemployment benefits during the pandemic. Employers have reported labor shortages as the economy reopens, blaming the increased benefits for preventing people from seeking work. But an independent review of the guaranteed income program in Stockton found full-time employment increased among people who got the money during the first year of the project. At the start, 28% of people who got the money had full-time jobs. After one year, 40% did. The state proposal is a milestone for Tubbs, who has said guaranteed income programs will only work long-term if they are run by the federal government. His goal has been to demonstrate that these programs work in the hopes of convincing Congress to pay for one nationwide. Getting state funding to commit to those programs is a big step toward that goal, as until now most of these local programs have been privately funded. This support from (Newsom) for local governments to test ideas to strengthen our safety net, provide economic security, and end poverty is needed to truly make the golden state golden for all, said Tubbs, who lost his reelection bid last year and joined the Newsom administration in March as an unpaid special advisor. LOS ANGELES (AP) Counties in California are waiting for guidance from the state after the federal government on Thursday said fully vaccinated people can quit wearing face coverings and social distancing in most situations whether outside or inside. California's Department of Public Health did not respond to questions about whether and when the state would adopt new guidance announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC still calls for wearing masks in crowded indoor settings, such as buses, planes, hospitals and prisons, and says residents should follow local rules. Gov. Gavin Newsom says the state is on track to fully reopen its economy next month, signaling an end to most pandemic restrictions as infection rates stay at record lows and more people get vaccinated. On Thursday, the state began allowing children 12 to 15 to receive the vaccine. The CDC's announcement raised more questions for some health officials, including Dr. Barbara Ferrer, public health director for Los Angeles County, home to about one-quarter of the state's nearly 40 million people. I think that the question thats top of mind for many people is: What does this mean when people are going around their day-to-day business? she said. The big issue that were facing is making sure were still able to protect our workers." At least 60% of residents 16 and older are partially vaccinated in California. But the percentages of people vaccinated vary widely by county and across the country. There's also no way to know who is vaccinated or who is just saying they are. I think this is early, Marin County public health officer Dr. Matt Willis said on San Francisco's KGO-TV. Frankly, the idea of people not covering their faces indoors when theyre gathered together, it's concerning that there would be ongoing transmission. In California, people who are fully vaccinated do not need to wear a mask outdoors unless at crowded events. But they still have to wear a mask indoors outside their own home unless meeting with other vaccinated people. The state has a number of other rules for businesses and other public places that vary by county based on the prevalence of the virus. Newsom said earlier this week that in June residents will not be wearing face coverings except for at large-scale indoor convention events. But the next day, he said the state is likely to have guidelines and mandates for wearing masks indoors after the state fully reopens. Disability rights activist Sascha Bittner, 47, has cerebral palsy, uses a wheelchair and survived lymphoma. She plans to keep wearing a mask and stay away from people she doesn't know unless she is certain she's in a place where everyone else is vaccinated. She wishes the Biden administration had waited until more people had been vaccinated nationally. I will mask up and keep socially distanced for as long as I see fit. I also wont be around people lax in their protocols yet, the San Francisco resident said by email. Im just not there yet, and I REALLY hope people will see we arent quite there yet. Berkeley resident Justin Grant says he wishes the federal government had loosened outdoor masking rules earlier, given that all the scientific research he has seen shows that outdoor masking is completely unnecessary." He waited Thursday at a Walgreens pharmacy with his 13-year-old daughter, who had just received her vaccination. She wanted the shot so she can hang out with her friends, he said, and he had no hesitation letting her get the vaccine, given that he trusts the science. San Francisco's Department of Public Health, which has been among the strictest in the country in mandating masks and social distancing, cheered the announcement as great news" on social media, saying that it underscored the efficacy of the vaccine. The department said it must wait for the state to adopt new guidelines, as will Riverside County. Jose Arballo Jr., a spokesman for the county Department of Public Health, spoke Thursday from a vaccination site in Moreno Valley, where about 1,000 people had come to get their shots by midday, including a handful of children between 12 and 15, he said. All of the young people arrived with their immediate families, he said. They talked about wanting to be like the rest of their family. They wanted to get vaccinated as a group so they could go out and travel and do things together, Arballo said. ___ Har reported from San Francisco. BERLIN (AP) A German court on Friday officially declared billionaire Karl-Erivan Haub dead, more than three years after the head of retail group Tengelmann went missing in the Swiss Alps. Haub, who was 58, was training for a ski mountaineering race when he disappeared under Switzerlands famous Matterhorn peak, located on the southern border with Italy. Even before studying the arts in college, Gary Williams, Jr. remembers his father always carrying a camera around, taking pictures everywhere he went. His dad was a hobbyist, but Williams wanted to pursue work in a creative field full-time. Its fitting, then, that after seven years as a government contractor, Williams met his now-business partner Tamon George. Together, they formed what is now Creative Theory Agency an award-winning marketing firm that focuses on helping companies craft more inclusive and authentic brand identities. Small but mighty, their team of around 20 has brought on powerhouse clients from Facebook and Google to Netflix and YouTube. Now, Williams and George are taking their passion for promoting diversity IRL with a new concept called Gift Shop. Opened in the Union Market District earlier this year, Gift Shop provides a brick-and-mortar shopping location featuring a rotating collection of Black-owned brands and products. Leather goods ad accessories from Journacy Gift Shop We believe in supporting Black businesses, George says. We believe in supporting Black entrepreneurs, and the same way that we kind of had to take a leap of faith, our thought is that if we can do anything in our power to help people, take that same leap it is our responsibility to do so. That was kind of how we extended ourselves into the Gift Shop. Gift Shop features home goods, clothing, wallets, candles and more. Some highlights include work by the Nigerian fashion concept brand RiverisWild, which sells clothing that is a constant exploration of esoteric Africa. For dads, Gift Shop sells special leather backpacks made by Journacy. Once you open the top flap, theres a message to Black fathers, which is really cool, Williams says. After people open that flap and they read the message on it its like the selling point, most people buy the bag after that, and its very well made. An innovative space, Gift Shop doesnt just serve as a shop. It also functions as the headquarters for Creative Theory Agency, and both co-founders speak passionately about how they envision the space as a community pillar. Gift Shop Its always been part of the mission, to make the Gift Shop a community space. What we really have fallen in love with is this idea that people feel that they belong in this particular place, says George. We know were in a neighborhood that is changing rapidly, and one of the things that were combating, even by simply existing here in this space, is showing folks that we belong we have a place we have a place to call our own, and we have a place to celebrate and exist the way that we see fit. Ultimately, were just going to make sure that our community knows that this place exists, and that everybody has an equal share, equal investment, and a right to exist here in this way. An equal right for makers to take up space in the Gift Shop is a part of the companys ethos, and anyone interested in submitting their brand to display in the space is encouraged to do so. Its this feeling of inclusion and encouragement that George says is what he loves about the Washington, DC, community. Its really apparent here that people not only have big dreams that theyre willing to work towards they also show up for the people around them and make sure that everybody knows, and has an opportunity to thrive. This article was featured in the InsideHook DC newsletter. Sign up now for more from the Beltway. The post DCs New Gift Shop Is a Stylish Incubator for Black-Owned Brands appeared first on InsideHook. RENO, Nev. (AP) Nevada fire officials say the worst drought conditions the state has seen in two decades should make for an early start to the wildfire season in the coming weeks. But they have hope that the worst threats will subside when the usual summer monsoon season that was absent from much of the Pacific Southwest the last two years is expected to materialize in July. Gov. Steve Sisolak joined state and federal managers this week to provide wildfire outlook across Nevada, where 95% of the state is in severe, extreme or exceptional drought, according to the National Weather Service. While wildfires are a natural part of Nevadas landscape, the fire season is staring earlier each year and ending later, Sisolak told reporters Thursday. As the impacts of climate change continue to compound, wildfires are predicted to increase in both frequency and intensity in the coming years, he said. Warmer spring and summer temperatures, reduced snowpack and earlier spring snowmelt are creating longer and more intense dry seasons. Gina McGuire, a fire meteorologist for the Great Basin Coordination Center, said total snowpack is generally about 30% of normal and overall precipitation is well below normal statewide. We have not seen conditions this severe in the last 20 years, she said. We are currently in a state of exceptional drought which is the worst, most severe drought classification over southern and eastern Nevada. Fire experts are expecting even drier fuel conditions that will likely peak early and then be on the decline, McGuire said. We will see some storm systems over the next couple weeks in May that bring us occasional periods of some showers and storms and cooler temperatures. But these will be fairly short-lived. And we are expecting, especially toward June, to see those warmer temperatures really dry out our fuels and rapidly melt the rest of the snowpack, she said. As we move toward July and August, theres still big concerns over the eastern portion of the state, but also part of Sierra front is in this above normal fire potential concern, she said. McGuire said theyre optimistic about the return of the monsoon season that historically provides some rain to Nevada and much of the region. We are expecting that to develop this year, which is a big change from the last two years when we really have not had much monsoon moisture ... But that remains to be seen, she said. Until this moisture arrives, we are still in an enhanced state of fire potential especially across the southern and eastern portion of the state. Sisolak said hes hopeful a new Nevada Wildfire Awareness campaign will help combat a recent spike in human-caused fires. May traditionally has been targeted as Nevada Wildfire Awareness Month but he recently signed a proclamation extending the effort through October. Theres not a lot we can do about lightning strikes and those sort of things, but we need to do more to prevent fires, to take precautions, he said. Whether its shooting or campfires, if we could eliminate or greatly reduce the number of fires that are caused as a result of human behavior, that will go a long way. Of the 801 fires that burned a total of 434 square miles (1,124 square kilometers) in Nevada last year, 68% (542) were human-caused. Thats an all-time high in Nevada, where that figure is typically closer to 40%, said Gwen Sanchez, fire manager for the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. She said the interagency team involved with the awareness campaign is currently touring the state to meet with local communities and educate the public about ways to be fire safe and generally fire conscious when recreating outdoors. I cant say enough how important prevention will be going into this fire season, she said. COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) A medical researcher and professor who pleaded guilty to what prosecutors called a sophisticated scheme to transfer U.S.-backed research to China was sentenced Friday to 37 months in federal prison. Song Guo Zheng, 58, who had been working most recently at Ohio State University, will also have to pay $3.4 million in restitution to the National Institutes of Health and nearly $414,000 to the college. DENVER (AP) A former aide to U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn of Colorado alleges in a lawsuit that the Republican congressman disregarded coronavirus safety protocols in his Washington office even after he and staff members were infected, let one of his sons live in the basement of the U.S. Capitol and ordered staff to run personal errands for his family. The lawsuit, filed by Brandon Pope in federal court in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, contends that Pope was fired after raising concerns about safety conditions in the workplace, The Denver Post reported. Lamborn spokeswoman Cassandra Sebastian issued a statement strongly denying Pope's allegations and said the congressman looks forward to full vindication as all facts come to light. On Friday, the eight-term congressman from Colorado Springs told Colorado Public Radio the lawsuit consists of a tissue of lies, and he allowed his son to stay at the Capitol as his guest because of the tight housing market in Washington. According to the lawsuit, Lamborn repeatedly claimed the coronavirus was a hoax" and needlessly exposed his congressional staff in Washington by keeping his office open and not allowing them to socially distance. Lamborn tested positive for the virus in November, and the lawsuit claims he did not alter course afterward. The lawsuit also alleges that Lamborn told a staffer who was going to wear a mask, Well, I dont care about you guys getting it and that his wife also wouldnt wear a mask because no one was going to tell (her) what to do. Pope also claimed that one of Lamborn's sons was allowed to live rent-free for weeks in a storage area of the U.S. Capitols basement after relocating to Washington and that staff were ordered to help him apply for federal jobs. The staff also were required to run personal errands for Lamborn's family, including loading furniture to be moved to their vacation home, picking up personal mail and carrying personal legal documents, according to the lawsuit. The House Ethics manual forbids lawmakers from using staff for anything other than official congressional duties. Staff were also made to believe that accepting invitations for family events, including meals with the Lamborn family, was required in order to remain employed, the lawsuit alleges, adding that aides also were compelled to give Christmas and birthday gifts to Lamborn and his wife. Emails obtained by The Denver Post between staff members show requests for donating money for Christmas gifts and notes about running personal errands for Lamborn's wife. One email from Dec. 9, 2019, was sent to Lamborns all-staff list by Lamborn Chief of Staff Dale Anderson with the subject line Christmas Gift to Lamborns. It looks like we are able to get a gift certificate for the Kennedy Center so they can put toward their favorite concert/show, Anderson wrote. $10 from each of us will give them some flexibility in deciding what they want to attend. Pay me cash or send it through Venmo, he added. Anderson did not respond to calls Friday seeking comment. A second email from one of Lamborns assistants and schedulers, Linda Rutzen, has the subject line Leaving for lunch/errand. Team I am leaving now to run an errand for Mrs. Lamborn, then I will take my lunch hour, she wrote in the Jan. 9, 2020, email. Pope is seeking a trial and unspecified monetary compensation for emotional pain and suffering, according to the lawsuit. ATLANTA (AP) The family of an 18-year-old who died in a Georgia jail said in a lawsuit that his death was the result of medical neglect by health care workers at the facility. WXIA-TV reports that Tyrique Tookes died after about six weeks in the Fulton County Jail. He began to complain of chest tightness with constant intense aching pain rated 10/10 on pain scale and aggravated by laying down, palpating chest and worse after eating in late April 2019, the lawsuit says. A physicians assistant at the facility, who was employed by the private correctional healthcare company NaphCare, said Tookes could be experiencing possible heart burn. According to the suit, the physicians assistant recommended Ibuprofen, Tums, ice packs and fluids and to follow up if symptoms worsened. It says no medical doctor or other supervisor signed off on the assessment. Jail records showed that Tookes was given antacids and compresses over the next four days. A scheduled follow-up appointment was canceled on release, the lawsuit says, even though he wasnt released. Tookes wasnt evaluated by any healthcare worker the next two days and was found unresponsive on May 4, 2019, according to the suit. It was noted that his pupils were fixed, no pulse, muscle stiffed and non-moveable and his skin was cold to touch. An autopsy said there wasnt evidence of injuries and that toxicology came back negative, the lawsuit says. Tookes cause of death was ruled Cardiac Tamponade due to ruptured ascending aorta. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, cardiac tamponade results from blood or fluid building up and putting pressure on the heart. WXIA reports that more than a dozen defendants are named in the lawsuit, many of which are NaphCare workers employed at the jail. The Fulton County Sheriffs Office isnt listed. It said in a statement that the office doesnt comment on pending cases, according to the station. The "ethnic dog whistle" remark about the term "Christian" as quoted in a New Yorker article is gaining traction on social media after it was used to introduce the write-up on Twitter Thursday. The Blaze noted the full quotation which states: "The greatest ethnic dog whistle the right has ever come up with is 'Christian,' because it means 'people like us,' it means white." The outlet reports that the quotation is credited to Samuel Perry, a sociologist at the University of Oklahoma, in a recent New Yorker cover article by Eliza Griswold on "Christian nationalism." Perry's words were quoted following a statement from left-biased New Yorker's Griswold, saying "The election of Donald Trump intensified certain strains of Christian nationalism. He fanned fears of pluralism with Islamophobic and anti-immigrant rhetoric. He often invoked Christianity, albeit in terms that were largely about ethnic identity rather than faith." Though the New Yorker article does address broader religious and sociopolitical questions, Perry's provocative "ethnic dog whistle" quote caused a social media buzz. The quote from Perry, who also co-authored "Taking America Back For God: Christian Nationalism in the United States" with fellow sociologist Andrew L. Whitehead, drew immediate critique from netizens. Comments range from a rebuke of the assumption that "Christians" are just "white," thus implying an erasure of other ethnicities who are under the banner of the same faith to a mini-lesson about the origin and meaning of the word "Christian." One unequivocally pointed out: "This is a terrible take as the future of Christianity actually lies in Africa and Asia. The Christian populations are growing on those two continents while they shrink in North America and Europe." Another user remarked: "Christian' literally means follower of Christ. It's not an 'ethnic dog whistle' invented by the right, not does it have anything to do with politics, race or nationality. It's disgusting to use it as a slur against people of faith or a cudgel against your political opponents." Others made off-hand comments about "made-up" writings while others maintain objectivity like the one who wrote: "Christianity isn't 'ethnic'. Neither is degeneracy. One cannot *rationally* demonize a whole group of people based on their skin-color or beliefs." "Individuals are responsible for their own *actions*--not the actions of anyone else who may seem to look or think similarly," the commenter continued. The Blaze noted that Perry retweeted the New Yorker tweet that starts with his quotation, but he hasn't replied to critics or explained his comment as of Thursday afternoon. To be fair with the The New Yorker article and the White Christian population, author Eliza Griswold noted that "many white evangelicals reject the Christian-nationalist label." She also included remarks from Rev. Franklin Graham in defense of the state of Christianity in the U.S. "Christian nationalism doesn't exist," Griswold claimed the evangelical leader told her, adding that according to him, it's "just another name to throw at Christians." "The left is very good at calling people names," Graham was also quoted saying. Other ministers, such as Bert Farias, founder of Holy Fire Ministries, are inclined to keep reminding Christians of the greater power struggles behind the scenes. HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) The federal judge who outlawed intelligent design from being taught in public schools and struck down Pennsylvania's ban on same-sex marriage will leave the bench to become the president at Dickinson College, the school said Friday. John E. Jones III, the chief judge of the U.S. Middle District of Pennsylvania, will resign this summer to take a two-year term as interim president of the Carlisle-based Dickinson. Jones, 65, graduated from Dickinson in 1977 and chairs the school's board of trustees. Members approached him about serving as the interim president after Margee M. Ensign, the current president, notified them that she would be leaving, he said. It was a difficult decision to leave the bench, Jones said. It took me a couple of days to really get my brain around it and I concluded that it was such an outstanding opportunity that it made perfect sense to do it, Jones said in an interview. After serving on the college's board for almost 13 years and chairing it for four years, Jones said he won't need a lot of on-the-job training. Im pretty much 24-7 Dickinson when Im not a federal judge, he said. Ensign will resign June 30, and return to Nigeria to become president of American University of Nigeria, the post she held before becoming president of Dickinson in 2017, the school said. Jones was appointed to the federal bench by then-President George W. Bush in 2002, after serving as chairman of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board under then-Gov. Tom Ridge. In 2005, Jones barred Dover School District in southern Pennsylvania from teaching intelligent design in biology class, saying the concept is creationism in disguise and unconstitutional. The ruling resounded across the county, and was one of the biggest courtroom clashes between faith and evolution since the 1925 Scopes Monkey Trial. In 2014, Jones threw out Pennsylvanias ban on gay marriage, a decision that made same-sex matrimony legal throughout the state, a year before the U.S. Supreme Court made it legal across the nation. Jones' decision took effect immediately, setting off celebrations across Pennsylvania, as marriage applications began flooding in to county offices within hours. We are a better people than what these laws represent, and it is time to discard them into the ash heap of history, Jones wrote in his decision. Jones also had a front-row seat to Pennsylvania's state government's biggest corruption cases in recent years. He sentenced two former state treasurers, Rob McCord and Barbara Hafer, and John Estey, a one-time chief of staff to former Gov. Ed Rendell. Estey had become ensnared in an FBI corruption sting after leaving the Rendell administration and went on to record his conversations for federal investigators for years. Jones also threw out the charges in the related bribery trial of a wealthy suburban Philadelphia investment adviser, Richard Ireland. Ireland's trial had hinged on four days of testimony and hours of recordings by McCord, who had taped conversations for the FBI as Pennsylvanias sitting treasurer before resigning and pleading guilty to two extortion counts in 2015. Still, the Ireland trial motivated Jones at the time to slam Pennsylvania's campaign finance laws, which he said allow unbridled and unlimited contributions from people who want business from the state. ___ Follow Marc Levy on Twitter at www.twitter.com/timelywriter MILLSBORO, Del. (AP) Fire officials in Delaware are investigating fires they say were set at two unoccupied homes in Sussex County. News outlets report that the Delaware Office of the State Fire Marshal announced that fires broke out at two homes next to each other on Oak Orchard Road in Millsboro this week. LANCASTER, N.H. (AP) A former New Hampshire state senator has been convicted of domestic violence, criminal mischief and simple assault charges. Jeff Woodburn, 55, of Whitefield, pleaded not guilty in 2018 to nine misdemeanor charges. A Coos County jury on Thursday acquitted him of five counts and convicted him of four, the Caledonian-Record reported. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) Dreading your eventual return to the office? The federal government is making available for free some waterfront workspaces with killer views that are sure to entice. But there's a catch. The General Services Administration says the U.S. Coast Guard has decided it no longer needs four of the nation's most picturesque lighthouses, and it's inviting certain types of organizations to take them over at no cost. The GSA, which has been getting rid of its large inventory of obsolete lighthouses, said Thursday that Beavertail Lighthouse in Jamestown, Rhode Island America's third-oldest lighthouse, and a beacon that defeated British forces torched out of spite in 1779 as they withdrew from the new nation is up for grabs. So are Watch Hill Light in Westerly, Rhode Island, not far from Taylor Swift's beachside mansion; Cleveland Harbor West Pierhead Light in Ohio; and Duluth Harbor North Pierhead Light in Minnesota. Conditionally, that is: The government says it'll make the historic lighthouses and their outbuildings available free of charge to federal, state and local agencies; nonprofit organizations; educational and community development agencies; or groups devoted to parks, recreation, culture, or historic preservation. Beavertail Light "has been determined to be excess to the needs of the United States Coast Guard, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security, GSA spokesperson Paul Hughes said in a statement. Beavertail Light has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places since 1977. The 64-foot (19.5-meter) granite lighthouse faces south where Narragansett Bay and Rhode Island Sound meet, offering drop-dead-gorgeous ocean vistas. All that remains of the original lighthouse is its foundation; it was constructed in 1749 and burned down by British soldiers leaving the Newport area in 1779. The current lighthouse was built in 1856 along with six additional structures totaling 5,171 square feet (480 square meters.) Hughes said the government is asking interested groups to formally express their interest in the next 60 days, and the National Park Service will review the applications. Perched on a peninsula, Watch Hill Light is a three-story granite block tower with a cast iron and glass lantern on top. It's attached to a two-story brick keepers dwelling built in 1935. Outbuildings on the 4.5-acre complex include an oil house built in 1855-1856. Cleveland Harbor West Pierhead Light, built in 1911 to guide ships in Lake Erie approaching the Port of Cleveland, housed a Coast Guard Station until 1976. It's best known for its annual transformation into a majestic ice castle when winter temperatures freeze the surf that sprays its facade. A sister lighthouse, Cleveland Harbor East Pierhead Light, was sold a few years ago for $10,000. Duluth Harbor North Pierhead Light, built in 1910 and perched at the westernmost tip of Lake Superior, also is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. (The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) Jennifer Gordon, Iowa State University and Sara Marcketti, Iowa State University (THE CONVERSATION) Walk into any department store, and youll get a sense of the powerful brands built by high-end American designers: Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan. They created veritable fashion empires by leveraging their names to create lower-priced lines and sign profitable licensing agreements. But before them all, there was Roy Halston Frowick better known by the singular appellation Halston. The subject of an eponymous Netflix miniseries starring Ewan McGregor, Halston became one of the earliest American designers to extend his brand to multiple price points. In doing so, he made designs that were normally out of reach for everyday Americans available to the masses. But as fashionhistorians, well often tell Halstons story as a cautionary one. Though he made style seem effortless, his relationship with the fashion industry was anything but uncomplicated. Attuned to the mood A born-and-bred Midwesterner, Halston found early success in hat design working as a custom milliner for Bergdorf Goodman. Halston soon became known as a trendsetter, and, in a notable triumph for the young designer, first lady Jacqueline Kennedy wore one of Halstons signature pillbox hats at her husbands inauguration. Later in the 1960s, Halston made the foray into dress design. His success was equal parts talent and serendipity, and he once described his approach as editing the mood of whats happening. Although overt simplicity may seem incongruous with grandeur, Halston garments were both understated and luxurious. Halstons body-skimming silk chiffon caftans, jersey wraparound dresses and long cashmere sweaters were often constructed using just one piece of fabric. They covered the body fully, but through careful manipulation of the fabric wrapping, draping and twisting Halstons pieces were sensuous and flattering. Halston was even able to turn Ultrasuede a soft, synthetic, machine-washable faux suede into a status symbol, molding it into elegant shirtdresses and coats. These became popular despite or maybe because of their utter plainness. His garments were fitting for the 1970s, when a shaky economy made flagrant displays of wealth unseemly. Yet the designers social life was the opposite of understated. In fact, the image of fashion design as a glamorous and exciting profession owes much to Halston. During his heyday, he was at the top of the fashion show-biz heap, as Womens Wear Daily publisher John Fairchild once wrote. At the legendary Studio 54, he mingled with Bianca Jagger and Andy Warhol. The world-famous disco club became both a showroom for Halstons designs and a stage for the man himself, and Halston was often accompanied by an entourage of beautiful women known as the Halstonettes. Halston the businessman As his stature grew, Halston always looked for ways to expand his fashion empire. Early in his career, he experimented with whats known as brand diffusion which is companies use of the same brand name on items at varying price points. His high-end line was Halston Ltd., a made-to-order, ready-to-wear business. Located on New York Citys Madison Avenue, it catered to an exclusive list of private clientele that included film and television stars like Lauren Bacall, Greta Garbo, Liza Minelli and Elizabeth Taylor. Meanwhile, the Halston Originals boutique sold dresses to department stores across the country, with prices ranging from US$150 to over $1,000. And with Halston International, the designer created component knit pieces not outfits, but singular garments, turtlenecks, sweater sets, shirts and coats that consumers could mix and match to their delight. After the business conglomerate Norton Simon Inc. acquired the Halston businesses in 1973, Halston remained lead designer of his many collections. He worked at a frenetic pace, creating all of the uniforms for the winter and summer 1976 U.S. Olympic athletes and making costumes for Martha Grahams ballet production Lucifer. Products bearing his name included perfumes, luggage, home linens, coats, rainwear and even wigs. By 1983, Halston Enterprises was generating an estimated $150 million in annual sales. Perhaps emboldened by his success or motivated by his heartland roots, Halston signed with JCPenney in 1983 for the creation of an exclusive line that was, as he put it, for the American people. With items priced from $24 to $200, the III line marked a new era in fashion and retailing. While high-end fashion designer Pierre Cardin pioneered this form of licensing in Europe, the project of pairing a high-fashion designer with a mass merchandiser best known for selling Levis, hardware and household goods was unusual in the United States. While Halston contended it was immensely successful, claiming it generated $1 billion in sales, JCPenneys executives were less enthusiastic. By the mid-1980s, industry insiders were suggesting that the garments were not selling as well as expected. The JCPenneys deal ultimately proved to be damaging for Halston. Wary high-end retailers, including his early employer, Bergdorf Goodman, were fearful that the prestige of the Halston name was sullied by its presence on the racks of a mass-market merchandiser. Bergdorf Goodman eventually dropped his line altogether. Meanwhile, Halstons growing reputation of excessive spending and erratic behavior increasingly left his brand to the decisions of businessmen and creative control to other parties. Halston was relegated to the sidelines, and his corporate deals effectively cost him the right to his own name. In 1988, Halston was diagnosed with AIDS. He lived out of the public eye until his death in 1990. Others follow Halstons lead Despite its eventual failure, Halstons pairing with JCPenney was truly ahead of its time. Citing the importance of creating practical, easy-care leisurewear for working women and young mothers, Halston tried to offer a fashionable wardrobe at reasonable prices that nearly everyone could afford. Contemporaries such as Anne Klein, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren and Kenzo Takada would immediately try out similar diffusion lines. All pulled it off without suffering the extraordinary professional cost that Halston endured. These designers corporate and creative decisions were arguably more tightly controlled than Halstons devil-may-care diffusion. Acquisitions of these companies by larger conglomerates occurred much later than Halstons, often decades into the brands existence. Perhaps this gave additional time for these brands to arrive at a more singular vision. Maintaining a consistent direction over such a diverse array of lines proved unfeasible for Halston, and something was lost along the way: the cachet and the allure that made a Halston a Halston. Halstons successes and ultimate downfall have provided a cautious inspiration. Isaac Mizrahis 2003 collaboration with Target 20 years after Halstons pairing with JCPenney became a boon for both parties. It was not, however, without trepidation. In 2019, Mizrahi reminisced that the partnership was a very scary thing. Halston was my idol and he had failed. [Get the best of The Conversation, every weekend. Sign up for our weekly newsletter.] Relationships between designers and retailers are now commonplace in a climate where the most fashionable and visible of women freely mix and match mass market and luxury items, and designers deftly jump between discount retail and the runway. Halstons brand lives on, but resuscitating it has been a long process. Fashion heavyweights Kevan Hall and Marios Schwab, as well as style figures Rachel Zoe and Sarah Jessica Parker, have lent their creativity and business acumen to the brand, with limited success. With the release of Netflixs Halston, a new revival is at hand: not of the line, but of the personality that for a comparatively brief but glittering moment, ruled the fashion world with devastating simplicity. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/halston-the-glittering-rise-and-spectacular-fall-of-a-fashion-icon-160847. KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii (AP) The death of a Washington state tourist has been ruled a homicide, more than a year after her body was found in a Hawaii bay, police said. Smriti Saxena and her husband Sonam Saxena were vacationing on the Big Island in February 2020 to celebrate their eldest daughter's birthday, West Hawaii Today reported. Although an autopsy was conducted shortly after the 41-year-old woman's body was found on the southern shoreline of Anaehoomalu Bay, police at the time said more testing was needed. Detectives told the Kailua-Kona newspaper on Thursday that her death was caused by homicidal violence of undetermined means. Sonam Saxena, of Bellevue, Washington, told the newspaper last year he loved his wife and asked for the public's help. He said they took an evening walk to a remote beach after having drinks when his wife suffered an asthma attack. She stayed behind as he left to fetch her inhaler but when he returned, there was no sign of her, he told the newspaper. Police later arrested him on suspicion of second-degree murder but he was released less than 48 hours later for further investigation. The newspaper was unable to reach Sonam Saxena for comment Thursday. Police are renewing their request for information from anyone who might have seen the couple during that time or spoken to them. (The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) William Petri, University of Virginia (THE CONVERSATION) When COVID-19 first began spreading, public health and medical experts began talking about the need for the U.S. to reach herd immunity to stop the coronavirus from spreading. Experts have estimated that between 60% and 90% of people in the U.S. would need to be vaccinated for that to happen. Only about 35% of the population has been fully vaccinated, and yet the CDC said on May 14, 2021 that fully vaccinated people can lose their masks in most indoor and outdoor settings. An important question now arises: What happens if we dont reach herd immunity? Dr. William Petri is a professor of infectious diseases at the University of Virginia who helps lead the global program to achieve herd immunity for polio as the chair of the World Health Organizations Polio Research Committee. He answers questions here about herd immunity and COVID-19. What is herd immunity? Herd immunity occurs when there are enough immune people in a population that new infections stop. It means that enough people have achieved immunity to disrupt person-to-person transmission in the community, thereby protecting nonimmune people. Immunity can result from either vaccination or prior infection. Herd immunity may exist globally, as it does with smallpox, or in a country or region. For example, the U.S. and many other countries have achieved herd immunity for polio and measles, even though global herd immunity does not yet exist. Has herd immunity been achieved globally for other infections? This has happened only once on a global scale, with the eradication of smallpox in 1980. This was after a decadelong worldwide intensive vaccination campaign. We also are also approaching global herd immunity for polio. When the Global Polio Eradication Initiative was formed in 1988 there were 125 countries with endemic polio and over 300,000 children paralyzed annually. Today, after 33 years of immunization campaigns, Afghanistan and Pakistan are the only countries with wild polio virus, with only two cases of paralysis due to wild poliovirus this year. So herd immunity can be achieved worldwide, but only through extraordinary efforts with global collaboration. It seems as though the goal posts for herd immunity keep changing. Why? Experts estimate that between 60% and 90% of the U.S. population would need to be immune for there to be herd immunity. This wide range is because there are many moving parts that determine what is needed to achieve herd immunity. Factors influencing whether the target is 60% or 90% include how well vaccination and prior infection prevent not only illness due to COVID-19, but also infection and transmission to others. Additional considerations include the heightened transmissibility of new variants of SARS-CoV-2 and the use of measures to interrupt transmission, including face masks and social distancing. Other important factors include the duration of immunity after vaccination or infection, and environmental factors such as seasonality, population sizes and density and heterogeneity within populations in immunity. What is the biggest barrier to herd immunity in the U.S.? Two factors could lead to failure to achieve high enough levels of immunity: not every adult receiving the vaccine because of vaccine hesitancy and the likely need to vaccinate adolescents and children. The FDA cleared the emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for adolescents 12 to 15 years of age on May 10, 2021, so that could help. But an added barrier is the constant pressure of reintroduction of infection from other countries where vaccination is not as readily available as in the U.S. Achieving herd immunity to the extent of totally blocking new infections is therefore, while a laudable goal, not easily achievable. I think that for COVID-19 at this time, it will be possible only with the concerted global effort over years, similar to what led to smallpox eradication. Why are there vaccine hesitant individuals? People may be vaccine hesitant for several reasons, including lack of confidence in the vaccine, the inconvenience of receiving the vaccine, or complacency that is, thinking that if they get COVID-19 it will not be severe. Lack of confidence includes concerns for vaccine safety or skepticism about the health care providers and public health officials administering them. Complacency reflects a personal decision that vaccination is not a priority for that individual because she or he perceives that the infection is not serious or because of competing priorities for time. Convenience issues include the availability and complexity, such as having to get two doses. [Understand new developments in science, health and technology, each week. Subscribe to The Conversations science newsletter.] Since herd immunity will not be reached, what will our lives look like? At least into 2022 and likely for much longer, I do not expect there will be herd immunity for COVID-19. What there will be, probably by the end of this summer in the U.S., is a new normalcy. There will be far fewer cases and deaths due to COVID-19, and there will be a removal of social distancing and year-round masking, as evidenced by the CDCs new guidelines issued May 13, 2021, that vaccinated people do not have to wear masks in most places. But there will be a seasonality to coronavirus infections. That means there will be less in the summer and more in the winter. Well also see outbreaks in regions and population subgroups that lack adequate immunity, short-lived lockdowns of cities or regions, new and more transmissible variants and a likely requirement for vaccine booster shots. We cannot let down on the research and development of treatments and new vaccines, as studies show that COVID-19 is here to stay. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/herd-immunity-appears-unlikely-for-covid-19-but-cdc-says-vaccinated-people-can-ditch-masks-in-most-settings-160228. WATERVILLE, Maine (AP) A Maine man has been charged with killing a woman who disappeared 34 years ago in Waterville on Christmas Eve, police said Friday. Gerald Goodale, 61, was indicted Thursday for murder in the death of Janet Brochu of Waterville, officials said. He's already in the Maine State Prison serving a sentence for murdering another woman, Geraldine Finn, in 1988. JERUSALEM (AP) Early Friday, just after midnight, the Israeli military put out an ominous statement to the media: IDF air and ground troops are currently attacking in the Gaza Strip. The vaguely worded statement set off frenzied speculation that Israel had launched a ground invasion of Gaza a much-feared scenario that would mark a bloody escalation of this weeks operation against Hamas militants. Some reporters were even told outright the incursion had begun. Hours later, the military issued a clarification. There were no troops inside Gaza. But by then, several major news outlets had erroneously reported the ground offensive was under way. While the army attempted to play down the incident as a misunderstanding, well-placed Israeli military commentators said the media had been used as part of an elaborate ruse to lure Hamas militants into a deadly trap that may have killed dozens of fighters. They didnt lie, said Or Heller, a veteran military correspondent on Israels Channel 13 TV. It was a manipulation. It was smart and it was successful. This is how it unfolded: Late on Thursday, after days of airstrikes, Israel announced it was calling up thousands of reservists and amassing troops along the border ahead of a possible ground invasion. In another sign of escalation, Israel began firing artillery shells across the border at targets inside Gaza, according to residents. In previous rounds of fighting, ground incursions have resulted in widespread destruction in Gaza and heavy casualties on both sides. That set the stage for the late-night deception. According to Heller, Israel began scrambling forces along the border in what appeared to be final preparations for an invasion. Then came the announcement to the media, issued simultaneously in Hebrew and Arabic on Twitter. There followed alerts in major outlets, including the New York Times, that the invasion was under way. The Israeli moves sent Hamas fighters rushing into defensive positions in an underground network of tunnels known as the Metro, according to Heller and other Israeli reports. Israel called in 160 warplanes and bombarded the tunnels for 40 minutes, the military said. Heller said it was his understanding that scores of militants had been killed, though he said it was impossible to say. What we saw tonight was a very sophisticated operation that had a media aspect to it, Heller said. Hamas has not commented on the incident, and it was impossible to confirm the Israeli reports. Heller said veteran Israeli correspondents, who have close ties to the military and in many cases have served themselves, knew that there was no way Israel was sending troops across enemy lines at this stage. Heller and other military correspondents even put out statements on Twitter assuring the jittery public that there was no ground operation. The Associated Press, based on its analysis of the armys statement, phone calls to military officials and on the ground reporting in Gaza, concluded there was no ground incursion and did not report there was one. But others said the military had misled them or even lied when asked to clarify the initial statement and its ambiguous use of the word in. Some felt the foreign media had been turned into an accessory of sorts. Felicia Schwartz, correspondent for The Wall Street Journal, said she alerted news of a ground offensive after receiving explicit confirmation from Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, a military spokesman. In a statement posted on Twitter, she said Conricus told me directly, `There are ground troops in Gaza. That was the basis for a first story saying so. He retracted that statement two hours later and I changed the story to reflect that, and that is noted in the text and will be corrected. Speaking to reporters on Friday morning, Conricus blamed an internal miscommunication. These things can sometimes happen in the midst of a complex operation with many moving parts and with an unclear picture of what was happening, he said. As soon as I understood that I had the wrong information, I updated the relevant people with a clarification. But some correspondents still had questions. If they used us, it's unacceptable. And if not, then what's the story and why is the Israeli media widely reporting that we were duped? said Daniel Estrin, NPR's correspondent in Jerusalem, who was also told by the military that an invasion had begun. Militaries around the world have long used deception and trickery against their enemies. Two years ago, the Israeli military reportedly faked the injuries of soldiers at the scene of a Hezbollah missile strike, going so far as to evacuate them in bandages to a hospital in a helicopter. According to reports at the time, the army staged the injuries to trick Hezbollah into thinking it had inflicted casualties and therefore agree to a cease-fire. Fridays misleading statement further strained what has often been a rocky relationship between the IDF and the foreign media. Peter Lerner, a former military spokesman to the foreign media, said the Israeli public in general has long felt the international media focus too heavily on the Palestinian side of the story while minimizing Israeli concerns and suffering -- and the army is similarly inclined. Lerner said he felt it was unlikely the military intentionally lied, but damage was done regardless. Your currency is credibility, he said. I think this is a crisis of that credibility in the way its being portrayed. GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) Turmoil from the battle between Israel and Hamas spilled over into the West Bank on Friday, sparking the most widespread Palestinian protests in years as hundreds of young demonstrators in multiple towns clashed with Israeli troops, who shot and killed at least 11 people. Israel's bombardment of the Gaza Strip continued into early Saturday, when an airstrike on a house in Gaza City killed at least seven Palestinians the highest number of fatalities in a single hit. That strike came a day after a furious overnight barrage of tank fire and airstrikes that wreaked destruction in some towns, killed a family of six in their house and sent thousands fleeing their homes. The Israeli military said the operation involved 160 warplanes dropping some 80 tons of explosives over the course of 40 minutes and succeeded in destroying a network of tunnels used by Hamas to elude airstrikes and surveillance. Israel appeared determined to inflict as much damage as possible on Gazas Hamas rulers before international efforts for a cease-fire accelerated. Since Monday night, Hamas has fired hundreds of rockets into Israel, which has pounded the Gaza Strip with strikes. In Gaza, at least 126 people have been killed, including 31 children and 20 women; in Israel, seven people have been killed, including a 6-year-old boy and a soldier. Houda Ouda said she and her extended family ran frantically into their home in the Gaza town of Beit Hanoun, seeking safety as the earth shook in the darkness. We even did not dare to look from the window to know what is being hit, she said. When daylight came, she saw the destruction: streets cratered, buildings crushed or with facades blown off, an olive tree burned bare, dust covering everything. The latest airstrike targeted a three-story house on the edge of a refugee camp. Said Alghoul, who lives nearby, said Israeli warplanes dropped at least three bombs on the home without warning residents in advance. I could not endure and ran back to my home, he said. Rescuers called a bulldozer to dig through the rubble for survivors or bodies. Shortly afterward, Hamas said it fired a salvo of rockets at southern Israel in response to the airstrike. The conflict, which was sparked by tensions in Jerusalem during the past month, has reverberated widely. Israeli cities with mixed Arab and Jewish populations have seen daily violence, with mobs from each community clashing and trashing each others property. New clashes broke out Friday in the coastal city of Acre. In the occupied West Bank, on the outskirts of Ramallah, Nablus and other towns and cities, hundreds of Palestinians protested against the Gaza campaign and Israeli actions in Jerusalem. Waving Palestinian flags, they trucked in tires that they set up in burning barricades and hurled stones at Israeli soldiers. At least 10 protesters were shot and killed by soldiers. An 11th Palestinian was killed when he tried to stab a soldier at a military position. In east Jerusalem, online video showed young Jewish nationalists firing pistols as they traded volleys of stone with Palestinians in Sheikh Jarrah, which became a flashpoint for tensions over attempts by settlers to forcibly evict a number of Palestinian families from their homes. On Israel's northern border, troops opened fire when a group of Lebanese and Palestinian protesters on the other side cut through the border fence and briefly crossed. One Lebanese was killed. Three rockets were fired toward Israel from neighboring Syria, but they either landed in Syrian territory or in empty areas, Israeli media said. It was not immediately known who fired them. The spiraling violence has raised fears of a new Palestinian intifada, or uprising, at a time when the peace process has been virtually nonexistent for years. The tensions began in east Jerusalem earlier this month, with Palestinian protests against the Sheikh Jarrah evictions and Israeli police measures at Al-Aqsa Mosque, a frequent flashpoint located on a mount in the Old City revered by Muslims and Jews. Hamas fired rockets toward Jerusalem late Monday, in an apparent attempt to present itself as the champion of the protesters. In the conflict that spiraled from there, Israel says it wants to inflict as much damage as it can on Hamas military infrastructure in Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that Hamas would pay a very heavy price for its rocket attacks. Israel called up 9,000 reservists Thursday to join its troops massed at the Gaza border. An Egyptian intelligence official said Israel had turned down an Egyptian proposal for a one-year cease-fire that Hamas had accepted. The official, who was close to Egypts talks with both sides, spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the internal negotiations. On Friday, the U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state for Israel-Palestinian affairs, Hady Amr, arrived in Israel as part of an attempt by Washington to de-escalate the conflict. U.S. President Joe Biden gave a show of support to Netanyahu in a call a day earlier, saying there has not been a significant overreaction in Israels response to Hamas rockets. He said the aim is to get a significant reduction in attacks, particularly rocket attacks. Hamas has fired some 2,000 rockets toward Israel since Monday, according to the Israeli military. Most have been intercepted by anti-missile defenses, but they have brought life to a standstill in southern Israeli cities, caused disruptions at airports and have set off air raid sirens in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Rafat Tanani, his pregnant wife and four children, ages 7 and under, were killed after an Israeli warplane reduced their four-story apartment building to rubble in the neighboring town of Beit Lahia, residents said. Four strikes hit the building, Rafats brother Fadi said. The buildings owner and his wife also were killed. It was a massacre, said Sadallah Tanani, another relative. My feelings are indescribable. When the sun rose Friday, residents streamed out of the area in pickup trucks, on donkeys and on foot, taking pillows, blankets, pots and pans and bread. Thousands took shelter inside 16 schools run by the United Nations relief agency UNWRA, agency spokesman Adnan Abu Hasna said. Mohammed Ghabayen, who took refuge in a school with his family, said his children had eaten nothing since the day before, and they had no mattresses to sleep on. And this is in the shadow of the coronavirus crisis, he said. We dont know whether to take precautions for the coronavirus or the rockets or what to do exactly. Israeli military officials cheered the operation as a successful blow against the tunnel network. Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, a military spokesman, said 160 warplanes operated in a synchronized manner for about 40 minutes as part of the operation. He said the military aims to minimize collateral damage in striking military targets. But measures the military takes in other strikes, such as warning shots to get civilians to leave, were not feasible this time. Military correspondents in Israeli media said the military believed dozens of militants were killed inside the tunnels. The Hamas and Islamic Jihad militant groups have confirmed 20 deaths in their ranks, but the Israeli military said the real number is far higher. We turned the tunnels which they thought were death traps for our soldiers into traps for them. Reserve Air Force Col. Koby Regev said on Israeli television. ___ Keath reported from Cairo. Associated Press writers Isabel DeBre in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Samy Magdy in Cairo also contributed to this report. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced Thursday that Americans who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are no longer required to wear face masks or practice social distancing indoors or outdoors in most scenarios. This is the latest set of guidelines to come from the office. Americans who have taken two shots of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or have taken the single-shot Johnson and Johnson vaccine may now return to normal life and forego wearing masks and social distancing except when they are in health care settings, at businesses that require them, or on airlines, the CDC noted. "We have all longed for this moment when we can get back to some sense of normalcy," CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said during the Thursday media briefing, as per NBC News. She said that the new guidance for those who are fully vaccinated came about "based on the continuing downward trajectory of cases, the scientific data on the performance of our vaccines and our understanding of how the virus spreads." According to The Blaze, the new CDC guidelines also indicate that those who have been fully vaccinated, meaning that two weeks have passed since their final dose of the two-dose vaccine or the single dose vaccine, are now allowed to participate in large or small indoor and outdoor activities without having to wear a face mask or practice social distancing. Calling the new guidelines an "exciting and powerful moment," Dr. Walensky paid tribute to the medical frontliners who helped in the "rapid administration of three safe and effective vaccines." About 154 million Americans or 46% of the population have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The new CDC guidelines are applicable to over 177 million Americans, who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Another milestone was achieved this week in the fight against COVID-19, as the FDA and the CDC this week approved the use of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 12 to 15, a separate report from The Blaze revealed. Thursday marked the eligibility of children aged 12 and older to get the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. However, some parents remain reluctant to get their children vaccinated. "It's a perfectly normal thing to be concerned about your children and to question. And that's the reason why you want to get them as much information as you possibly can," Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's leading disease expert said. While he acknowledged that children are at low risk for getting severely ill from COVID-19, some kids are still at high risk, which is why he believes that parents should get their children vaccinated. Just as new CDC guidelines for fully vaccinated Americans was released, a new poll by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has revealed that only 52% have "a great deal of trust" in the CDC. NPR reported that the poll also showed only 37% of Americans said they trusted the National Institutes of Health or the Food and Drug Administration. While the survey did not delve into the reasons behind the public's distrust, the poll's conductors believe it is critical to find out why and improve public trust as the country bounces back from the pandemic. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) At age 17, Krista Cruz was still in foster care when her second son, James Dunklee Cruz, was born. The New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department knew Krista well she had been a ward of the state for seven years after experiencing physical abuse, neglect, excessive discipline and educational neglect at home. Yet over the next four years, her young son James lived in danger, himself a victim of abuse and neglect before he was beaten to death in late 2019, allegedly by one of his mothers male friends, according to a wrongful death lawsuit filed Tuesday by a personal representative for the boys estate. Had state child protective services sought to remove James from his mother after investigating multiple allegations of abuse and neglect, he would be alive today, according to the lawsuit filed against CYFD. Instead, the agency spent years trying to keep the two together, at the boys peril, the lawsuit alleges. For instance, CYFD had received three reports of abuse or neglect of James before he was 7 months old. At age 3, the child would wander alone in the middle of the night outside his mothers Albuquerque apartment, and once was found huddled in the dark under the stairs at the apartment complex clutching two teddy bears. In the months before he was killed, CYFD learned that the boy had reported he had been physically and sexually hurt and that he slept in a closet at the home of his mother, whom he called Miss Krista. CYFD received more than 10 reports from the community, including his mothers friends and family, of physical neglect and abuse, including sexual abuse. But unlike in the case of his mother, CYFD never sought to legally remove him from his mother so he could live in a safe home. This was preventable in that this case was on their (CYFD) radar in so many directions, Albuquerque attorney Sara Crecca told the Albuquerque Journal. CYFD did not respond to a request for comment. As Kristas former legal guardian, CYFD had years of institutional knowledge of her mental health issues, history of trauma due to sexual abuse, involvement in domestic violence relationships, and inability to regulate her emotions and parent a young child, the lawsuit alleges. CYFD knew James was in danger beginning just days after his birth (in January 2015) and continuing throughout the four years of his life, the lawsuit says. James died on Dec. 10, 2019, minutes after arriving at University of New Mexico Hospital with multiple injuries to his head and chest. A friend Krista had left him with, Zerrick Marquez, is jailed on a no-bond hold awaiting trial in Albuquerque on a charge of felony first-degree child abuse resulting in death. Krista has not been charged. Cruz lost custody of her first-born son in 2014 after the boys paternal family filed a civil action alleging she was an unfit parent. Krista, who couldnt be reached for comment, spent ages 11 through 18 in the custody of CYFD. Her mothers parental rights were terminated in 2009 after CYFD received at least 22 referrals of abuse and neglect and urged she be removed from the home. Yet after James was born, Krista and her infant child were allowed to move in with her mother, the lawsuit alleges. Kristas mothers own history of abuse and neglect should have precluded her approval as a caregiver, but instead of enforcing its own policy, CYFD concluded there were No Threats Identified, the lawsuit says. The lawsuit alleges CYFD received a referral alleging inadequate supervision of James and emotional abuse by Krista within days of his birth in January 2015. CYFD tried repeatedly over the years to get his mother to adhere to a safety plan to improve her parenting skills but failed to enforce it, the lawsuit says. CYFD employed a risk assessment tool to determine the boys safety with his mother. But the lawsuit alleges CYFD investigators improperly used the tool, which underestimated the level of risk to the child. I dont know what barrier there was to plain old common sense, Crecca added. The department never initiated custody proceedings in Childrens Court, as was its clear obligation, the lawsuit says. If they had, the judge would have seen what was going on and the mother would not have been able to retain custody, attorney Rachel Berenson said in an interview. The lawsuit paints a long-running portrait of abuse. After one referral, police and CYFD arrived at Kristas apartment and found the odor of feces and cat urine so overwhelming a CYFD investigator had to back out before vomiting. The boy, then 3, was observed to be living barricaded in his room by animal gates with a brown substance smeared on the wall. A quarter-size bruise was noticed on the right cheek of his face. Six months before his death, CYFD received another report that he had bruises on his back and on his leg. He had not been potty-trained. He was full of anger and disclosed he had been hit with a shoe while in his mothers care. He became very upset when her name was mentioned. Krista said that a boyfriend spanked her son on multiple occasions and that she had to pull the boy away. She didnt report the incidents to authorities due to her financial status and high level of stress. CYFD investigators noted that in an interview with James he disclosed he was not safe with Miss Krista, was scared of her friend and that he had been hit with a hanger and a brush on his butt. Sometimes Cruz would drop off James with friends and left him alone at times. When she told a CYFD investigator her son would often leave in the middle of the night, the investigator advised her to get a sliding lock to keep him from finding his way out, the lawsuit alleges. In August 2019, someone notified CYFD that the boy was seen wandering around an apartment complex on a daily basis for hours at a time, asking people for food. During an October 2019 interview, he revealed his mother sometimes didnt feed him. CYFD was still investigating earlier referrals when his mother in October 2019 took James to an urgent care center after he sustained multiple injuries, including an injured shoulder, bruising on his penis and a black eye. The boy disclosed to a source who then called CYFD that his mothers boyfriend had touched him inappropriately while he was in the shower. And the boy added, he took lots of showers with the man. Cruz said the man was her ex-boyfriend and explained her sons injuries as due to a fall in the park. She told CYFD she knew nothing about a sexual assault. Ultimately, CYFD lost contact with Cruz and her son. The lawsuit seeks monetary damages, but also asks that new policies and procedures be instituted and wants CYFD investigators to be trained to address repeated failures presented in this case. BOISE, Idaho (AP) A Boise man who was convicted of soliciting the murder or kidnapping of a little girl who he was later convicted of sexually abusing has been sentenced to up to 30 years in prison for one of the crimes. Byron Ely, 62, was sentenced Tuesday for the charge of lewd conduct with a minor. Fourth District Judge Patrick Miller said Ely would be eligible for parole after serving at least 15 years. POINT PLEASANT BEACH, N.J. (AP) A Newark man who stabbed two New York men during a Labor Day beach brawl at the Jersey Shore last year has pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated assault and a weapons offense, authorities said. Juwan Roman, 18, entered his pleas Thursday as part of a deal with the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office. He faces up to seven years in state prison when he's sentenced July 9. SAN DIEGO (AP) A 68-year-old man has been charged with killing his wife, whose severed legs were found in a San Diego County dumpster nearly two decades ago, authorities announced Friday. Jack Potter was arrested Wednesday at his home in Rancho Cucamonga, according to a statement from the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. Potter has been charged with first-degree murder and was being held without bail. It wasn't immediately clear whether he had an attorney to speak on his behalf. Potter is accused of killing his former wife, Laurie Potter, 54, of Temecula. Her legs were found in October 2003 in a dumpster behind an apartment complex in Rancho San Diego, a suburb east of San Diego. The woman wasn't identified until last December, when genetic genealogy was used to find her adult son, who provided a conclusive DNA sample, authorities said. Genetic genealogy involves using DNA taken from a victim or a crime scene and information on public genealogy websites in order to identify a victim or suspect by tracking down potential relatives. The sheriff's Cold Case Team also used the technique last year to identify suspects in a 1984 killing and a 1978 killing, although both suspects had died, authorities said. Genetic genealogy has increasingly been used to track down unidentified criminal suspects and help solve scores of cold cases in recent years, some of them more than a half-century old. It unmasked the Golden State Killer, Joseph DeAngelo, who pleaded guilty to 13 murders and 13 rape-related charges that spanned much of California between 1975 and 1986. DETROIT (AP) The murder conviction of a man who was accused of setting a fire that killed five children in suburban Detroit could be in jeopardy years later after a new prosecutor said Friday that she's gravely concerned about tactics used by her office. Juwan Deering's defense attorney wasn't told that three informants got substantial benefits from helping authorities at the 2006 trial, said Karen McDonald, the Oakland County prosecutor. Separately, McDonald announced an investigation of any case related to those informants. Fairness and transparency are paramount, McDonald, who was elected in November, said in a written statement. We must always do the right thing, even if it exposes our own office, even when its not easy. Deering, 50, is serving a life sentence for murder in the deaths of five children in a house fire in Royal Oak Township in 2000. Authorities at the time said the fire was revenge for drug debts, though Deering repeatedly declared his innocence. No one could identify him as being at the house. The Innocence Clinic at University of Michigan law school had sought a new trial for Deering, arguing that the fire analysis was based on junk science, but it wasn't successful in the state's appellate courts. McDonald, a former judge, said problems with the informants emerged during her review of the case. She said the informants had charges dismissed or sentences reduced based on their cooperation. Greg Townsend was the assistant prosecutor who prosecuted Deering. He's now a Michigan assistant attorney general and part of the team handling an alleged kidnapping plot against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. As prosecutors, we have an ethical duty to disclose information that bears on the guilt or innocence of the accused," McDonald said. We also have a duty to disclose to juries what, if anything, an informant was given in consideration for their testimony. Based on the evidence I reviewed, I am gravely concerned that this was not done in the case against Juwan Deering. Townsend was reassigned from his docket after the attorney general's office was informed about developments in the Deering case, spokeswoman Lynsey Mukomel said. An email seeking comment was sent to Townsend. The evidence here is truly overwhelming, said Imran Syed, an attorney at the Innocence Clinic. We plan to present the prosecution with legal pathways for Mr. Deerings release and it is my hope that we will be able to reach an agreement. ___ Follow Ed White at http://twitter.com/edwritez JACKSON, Miss. (AP) Mississippi will remain in the minority of states without a medical marijuana program after the state Supreme Court on Friday overturned an initiative that voters approved last fall a decision that also limits other citizen-led efforts to put issues on the statewide ballot. At the heart of the ruling is the fact that initiatives need signatures from five congressional districts to get on the ballot, but because of Mississippis stagnant population, the state only has four districts. Six justices ruled that the medical marijuana initiative is void because the state's initiative process is outdated. Three justices dissented. The initiative process was added to the Mississippi Constitution in the 1990s as Section 273. It requires petitioners trying to get any initiative on the ballot to gather one-fifth of signatures from each congressional district. Mississippi had five congressional districts at the time that was written. But the state dropped to four districts after the 2000 Census, and language dealing with the initiative process was never updated. Whether with intent, by oversight, or for some other reason, the drafters of section 273(3) wrote a ballot-initiative process that cannot work in a world where Mississippi has fewer than five representatives in Congress," Justice Josiah Coleman wrote for the majority in the ruling Friday. "To work in todays reality, it will need amending something that lies beyond the power of the Supreme Court. In a strongly worded dissent, Justice James Maxwell wrote that he believes the secretary of state correctly put Initiative 65 on the ballot. Maxwell wrote that the majority opinion confidently and correctly points out that the Supreme Court cannot amend the state constitution. Yet the majority does just that stepping completely outside of Mississippi law to employ an interpretation that not only amends but judicially kills Mississippis citizen initiative process, Maxwell wrote. About 1.3 million people voted in Mississippi in November, and more than 766,000 of them voted in favor of Initiative 65, which required the state Health Department to establish a medical marijuana program by the middle of this year. The department had been working to create a program as the legal fight continued. People also have started investing money in businesses related to medical marijuana in Mississippi. A cannabis cultivation supplier announced in April that it was leasing a warehouse in Jackson with plans to open this summer, WLBT-TV reported. Mississippi was among about three dozen states to have approved medical marijuana, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. To get Initiative 65 on Mississippi's statewide ballot, organizers gathered signatures from the five congressional districts that the state used during the 1990s. They did that based on legal advice issued years ago by the state attorney generals office. Madison Mayor Mary Hawkins Butler filed a lawsuit days before the election, contending that the signature-gathering requirement is mathematically impossible with four congressional districts. She opposed Initiative 65 because it limits a citys ability to regulate the location of medical marijuana businesses. The city is pleased that the Supreme Court followed the plain language of the Mississippi Constitution and recognized that, unfortunately, the current voter initiative process is broken, Butler said in a statement to The Associated Press on Friday. Ken Newburger, executive director of the Mississippi Medical Marijuana Association, said the justices overturned the will of the voters. Patients will now continue the suffering that so many Mississippians voted to end, Newburger said. State attorneys said Mississippi has two sets of congressional districts one set used for congressional elections and one set used for other purposes. An attorney for Butler argued that the only purpose of a congressional district is to have boundaries for electing U.S. House members. Chief Justice Michael Randolph said during last month's hearing that seven bills have been filed over the years to update Mississippis initiative process to remove confusion about signatures coming from old or new congressional districts, and legislators have not made the change. Legislative leaders have not said clearly why they have not updated the initiative process in the 20 years since Mississippi lost a congressional district. The problem with five districts versus four has existed first with Democrats in control at the Capitol and now, for many years, with Republicans in control. People are gathering signatures for several other proposed initiatives, including one to authorize widespread early voting and another to expand Medicaid. Justices on Friday did not mention two other ballot initiatives that Mississippi voters approved in 2011, after the state dropped from five congressional districts to four. Initiative 27 requires people to show government-issued photo identification before voting. Initiative 31 limits the use of eminent domain the practice of governments taking private property for other uses. During the legislative session that ended in April, the Senate tried to create rules for a state medical marijuana program, but the House defeated the effort. Republican Sen. Kevin Blackwell said the proposal was a backstop to have a program in place in case the Supreme Court invalidated Initiative 65. But supporters of Initiative 65 balked at the proposal, saying they saw it as an attempt to usurp what voters approved. ___ Follow Emily Wagster Pettus on Twitter: http://twitter.com/EWagsterPettus. JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) Missouri is set to become the last state to require out-of-state online stores to collect sales taxes on residents' purchases after the GOP House gave its approval Friday. House members voted 145-6 to send an online sales tax bill to fellow Republican Gov. Mike Parson, just hours before lawmakers 6 p.m. deadline to pass legislation. Parson appears likely to sign the bill. Hes called on lawmakers to pass such legislation in the past. Bipartisan proponents have argued that its unfair that local Missouri stores have to charge sales taxes while out-of-state online retailers dont. We had to have a level playing field for them, Democratic St. Louis Rep. Steve Butz said Friday. Missouri is the only state with a sales tax that that hasnt approved some kind of requirement that out-of-state online stores collect taxes on items sold to residents. Buyers are still required to pay that tax, but many people don't know that, and its challenging to enforce without the help of retailers. Diane Yetter, president and founder of the Sales Tax Institute, said that meant Missouri lost out on potential revenue during the coronavirus pandemic as many people opted to buy online. The budget impact of the pandemic was really probably hardest felt by Missouri because they didnt have that, Yetter said. The legislation would require out-of-state retailers with at least $100,000 of annual sales in Missouri to collect state and local taxes beginning in 2023. It also would require online marketplace facilitators to collect Missouris taxes on sales made through their sites, beginning in 2023. The Missouri Municipal League described the legislation as a big win for cities and local businesses. The unfair advantage out-of-state vendors had is now fixed, said Chuck Caverly, a Maryland Heights council member and president of the municipal association. "They will simply pay the same level of taxes that our local businesses have been paying for decades, and that money goes directly to critical services such as first responders, street repair, park maintenance and so much more. As part of a deal to boost tax collections from online sales, lawmakers agreed to cut state income taxes. The individual income tax rate would fall by one-tenth of a percentage point in 2024 and could fall by two additional one-tenth percentage point increments in subsequent years if Missouris net general revenues grow by $150 million. Maysville Republican Rep. J. Eggleston, a top negotiator for the bill, said including the income tax cut was a top Republican priority to make sure that this was not accidentally harmful to our citizens." Another provision would create a state tax credit for lower income working families modeled after the existing federal earned income tax credit. That tax credit would start in 2023 and could increase in size in subsequent years, but only if Missouris revenues grow by at least $150 million. The legislation also would exempt federal coronavirus relief payments from state income taxes. ___ Associated Press writer David A. Lieb contributed to this report. FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (AP) A woman on Friday formally accused a North Carolina appeals court judge of nearly striking Black Lives Matter protesters in downtown Fayetteville last month with an SUV. A criminal court summons orders Court of Appeals Judge John Tyson to appear in a courtroom next month to answer a charge of assault with a deadly weapon, The Fayetteville Observer reported. Myah Warren said she gave a magistrate a statement about what happened on May 7 during a Fayetteville Activist Movement demonstration against fatal police shootings. Warren said previously that she and another protester had to jump out of the way to avoid Tyson's vehicle. Warren also said she was holding a Black Lives Matter sign. It caused me to literally have to jump out of the way to avoid being hit, Warren said, according to The News & Observer. He was going so fast he jumped up on the curb. Warren received a court witness information document that tells her to appear in court. Tyson is listed as the defendant, the Fayetteville newspaper said. An emergency dispatcher received a call about protesters in the roadway near the Market House, according to a Fayetteville Police Department document. Tyson didn't return a phone message left at his Court of Appeals office late Friday. He didn't immediately respond to a social media message seeking comment. Tyson told the newspaper earlier this week he wouldn't make a statement but would rely on information from 911 logs. He said he made a call after he went around the Market House with a car beside him. They were in the roadway, he said. I pulled in front of my building and made the call. Tyson, a registered Republican, served on the North Carolina Court of Appeals from 2001 through 2008, then returned to the court in early 2015. His current term ends next year. KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) Nepals ousted prime minister, who lost a vote of confidence in Parliament earlier this week, will stay in office as the leader of a minority government after political parties couldn't agree to a coalition. Khadga Prasad Oli still must prove he has majority support of lawmakers within a month a struggle since his own party has split and other parties are unwilling to support him. CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) Nevada lawmakers are considering a massive energy infrastructure proposal that would encourage the construction of renewable energy transmission lines and electric vehicle charging stations and hasten the state's transition away from fossil fuels. Sen. Chris Brooks, a Las Vegas Democrat, introduced a bill on Thursday that would encourage the utility provider NV Energy to prioritize building new transmission lines that can facilitate renewable energy use in homes and businesses throughout the state. The bill calls for a $100 million investment in transportation electrification through five programs that would install electric vehicle charging stations in cities and on highways throughout Nevada. Brooks said building out transmission lines would allow Nevada to purchase and sell renewable energy throughout the region and prevent blackouts and shortages like those that occurred in Texas this winter. We could develop transmission lines across the state of Nevada and be able to access wind in Wyoming, solar in the Southwest, hydropower in the Northwest and provide power to our neighbors in southern California and central California, Brooks said. At a Thursday roundtable, Gov. Steve Sisolak said Nevada's clean energy economy had already created thousands of jobs in the solar industry and, if the proposed infrastructure projects are built, will likely generate more. Clean energy is intrinsically linked to Nevadas job recovery and economic opportunities, in addition to prioritizing reliable electricity and stable rates, he said. The Nevada proposal mirrors similar legislation under consideration throughout the region, including in Colorado. It also dovetails with President Joe Biden's plans to increase the use of renewable energy, modernize the country's aging electrical grid and incentivize drivers to trade their gas-powered vehicles for electric ones. Brooks said Nevada was well-positioned to be a leader in renewable energy for several reasons: It neighbors the economic juggernaut state of California, already has solar, wind and geothermal energy facilities and has vast public lands that will make it easier to build transmission lines. He said his bill would allow the state to use federal infrastructure funds toward electrification, transmission and other infrastructure. This is creating the pipeline by which we can funnel that money into projects, he said. The proposal encourages further use of rooftop solar and offers tax rebates to companies building energy storage facilities that hold power produced through renewable sources like wind, solar or hydropower. It also directs investment toward low income and minority communities. Under current law, at least 5% of utility expenditures must go toward energy efficiency programs for low-income customers. If Brooks proposal passes, the requirement will be doubled to 10%. We know already that Black and Latino families and communities are disproportionately affected by the harms of pollution. That means that marginalized groups are more likely to live in areas that are negatively affected by climate change, said state Sen. Fabian Donate, a Las Vegas Democrat. This bill will also allow us the opportunity to invest in neighborhoods that dont already have access to clean energy technology and infrastructure. We can finally begin to place charging stations in parts of East Las Vegas or even start to install solar panels in mixed housing units that need this the most. ___ Sam Metz is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues. Former President Donald Trump's Ambassador For Religious Freedom is reported to be "hopeful" and "encouraged" over President Joe Biden Administration's statements on the matter. The Christian Post (CP) said Sam Brownback, Trump's former Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom for three years, appreciated the statements of U.S. Department of State Secretary Antony Blinken that religious freedom is a "co-equal right." Brownback was actually reacting to the annual report released by the State Department this week. Brownback was former governor of Kansas before he became Trump's ambassador. Brownback also worked with Biden before when he was still a senator and, during that time, was supportive of religious freedom. "When (President Joe Biden) was Senator Biden and I was working with him in the Senate, Joe was good on religious freedom issues and worked and supported them. So, I know personally that's his viewpoint. My hope is the administration aggressively steps up. I thought the report Secretary Blinken put out today was strong. I thought his statements were strong in support of religious freedom. So, I'm hopeful myself. I'm hopeful," Brownback told CP in an interview. Brownback also pointed out that Biden has continued the sanctions Trump implemented against China such as what happened on Wednesday where the Chinese Communist Party was sanctioned for the mistreatment of religious minorities. U.S. State Department called it a "blatant disregard for religious freedom." The U.S. State Department also gave importance to religious freedom on Wednesday, through its International Religious Freedom Office Director Daniel Nadel who called it a "universal human right." Blinken and Nadel called on Burma, Nigeria, Russia, and Saudi Arabia in addition to China for their abuses on religious freedom. Blinken stressed the United States' commitment to defending religious freedom and focused on the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment that enshrines the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. "Religious freedom is a human right. In fact, it goes to the heart of what it means to be human, to think freely, to follow our conscience, to change our beliefs as our hearts and minds lead us to do so, to express those beliefs in public and in private," Blinken said. "Religious freedom is co-equal with other human rights because human rights are indivisible. Religious freedom is not more or less important than the freedom to speak, assemble, participate in the political life in one's country, to live free of torture or slavery or any other human right," he stressed. "Indeed, they're all interdependent. Religious freedom can't be fully realized unless other human rights are respected." According to the US Department of State website, the report was submitted to the International Religious Freedom in "compliance" with the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998. The report is said to describe describes the "status of religious freedom, government policies violating religious belief and practices of groups, religious denominations and individuals, and U.S. policies promoting religious freedom in nearly every country and territory throughout the world." The latest report to Congress, "2020 Report On International Religious Freedom," covers the period January 1 to December 31 of the "previous calendar year." The report reinforces the "Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief," among others, and resolves to "adopt all necessary measures for the speedy elimination of such tolerance in all its forms and manifestations and to prevent and combat discrimination on the ground of religion or belief." ESTANCIA, N.M. (AP) The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico and the New Mexico Immigrant Law Center on Friday sued a private prison company over the treatment of nine immigrant detainees at the Torrance County Detention Center. The lawsuit centers on the use of pepper spray by guards last year as the immigrants protested poor living conditions and what they said were inadequate COVID-19 precautions. They also complained that status updates on their immigration cases were being withheld. The lawsuit alleges that the detention center operator, CoreCivic, violated the immigrants' rights to be free from excessive or arbitrary force. Our clients, who came to the United States seeking safety from persecution, were peacefully demonstrating against dismal living conditions and treatment, said Nadia Cabrera-Mazzeo, a staff attorney with the ACLU. "Rather than treating them with dignity and compassion, guards chose to spray them with chemical agents and subject them to further trauma." She described the incident as a gross abuse of power, adding that the immigration system is in need of change. CoreCivic in a statement said it has followed federal guidelines regarding COVID-19 and that guards were forced to take action after the detainees became disruptive and refused to comply with verbal orders. The Torrance County Commission also is named as a defendant for allegedly failing to care for the people being detained at the lockup. The county attorney did not immediately return a message seeking comment. Attorneys for the immigrants say the incident began May 11, 2020, when the nine plaintiffs began a hunger strike over conditions at the detention center. Three days later, they alleged that guards equipped with shields and gas masks deployed multiple canisters of pepper spray in a confined area. The detainees began coughing. Some lost consciousness. The lawsuit contends that CoreCivic staff failed to properly decontaminate the plaintiffs or provide them with medical care, resulting in harm for days. Several of them tested positive for COVID-19 within days, and two who have a history of mental illness attempted suicide in the aftermath of the incident. CoreCivic said detention center staff tried to deescalate the situation but were unsuccessful, so that's when the spray was used. The detainees then became compliant. The company said medical staff reviewed all individuals involved in the protest and that no injuries occurred as a result of the incident. SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) New Mexico has adopted guidance on face masks from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that says fully vaccinated Americans no longer need to wear masks indoors or outside in most cases, under a revised public health order issued Friday. The state Department of Health announced that masks are no longer required of fully vaccinated people in many public settings, though businesses and workplaces may still make face coverings a requirement for all regardless. Individuals, including those who are fully vaccinated, should continue to wear well-fitted masks where required by localities, tribal entities, and individual businesses, the agency said. Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller said it's important to keep a mask on hand, but he also sounded a celebratory note. I cant tell you how much Im looking forward to seeing the smiles of friends and neighbors across our city again, he said in a statement. New Mexico is among more than a dozen states to quickly embrace new federal guidelines on masks. Schools will continue to require staff, teachers and students to wear masks at all times except when eating or drinking, the Public Education Department announced separately. The mask requirement is unchanged for school settings for now due to the potential spread of COVID-19 among unvaccinated students, the agency said in a statement. The state has been gradually relaxing aggressive restrictions on gatherings in public, workplaces and recreational facilities based on each county's coronavirus infection statistics. A broad economic reopening has been linked to a 60% statewide vaccination rate among eligible residents ages 16 and over, a goal state health officials hope to reach before the end of June. As of Thursday, 51% of eligible residents have been fully vaccinated, not including youths under 16. Getting vaccinated is the ticket to a safe and healthy COVID-free future, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said in a statement. We are close and getting closer. But that all depends on New Mexicans continuing to protect themselves and their community by getting vaccinated." Masks are still required regardless of vaccination status in health care settings and at correctional facilities, homeless shelters and on public transportation. The state's revised public health order still says that all New Mexicans should be staying at their homes for all but the most essential activities and services. Health officials say fully vaccinated status comes two weeks after the final shot of a single- or double-dose vaccine. (The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) Teresa Sosa, IUPUI (THE CONVERSATION) Gun control. Hallway decorations. Hairstyles. Those arent the things I expected to be stumbling blocks for three Latina educators that I helped prepare to become schoolteachers in recent years. But each situation came up in their classroom or in the course of their jobs at various elementary and middle schools in the state of Indiana, where I teach. Their situations are indicative of a time in our society when we are called to more closely pay attention to issues of racism and social justice. Im tracking these former students along with three others as part of a study I am doing on the first-year experiences of Latina teachers. As an educator who helps prepare future school teachers, I believe these experiences help shine light on some of the expectations that students, parents and school administrators might sometimes have of classroom teachers. Conversely, my research also shows some of the culturally dicey situations that schoolteachers may have to navigate once they get a classroom of their own. On a broader level, my research shows the complex interactions that can take place within schools with student bodies that are becoming increasingly diverse. With that in mind, here are three examples based on the experiences of three former students of mine in their first year of teaching. All names in the following examples are pseudonyms. Gun control When Ms. Raymond, a sixth grade social studies teacher, discussed the Second Amendment, Mary, a white female student, expressed her view that Democrats wanted to take everyones guns away and that people needed guns in their home for protection. Ms. Raymond clarified that some people want to see laws passed that make guns less accessible. That same day, Marys parents reached out to Ms. Raymond and insisted she meet with them in person. After Ms. Raymond refused to meet in person due to COVID-19 restrictions and her own sense of safety, the parents refused to meet via Zoom or discuss it over the telephone and instead explained their concerns via a messaging app the school uses for teachers and parents to communicate. Marys parents claimed in their messages to Ms. Raymond that Mary felt Ms. Raymond is biased against her opinions and prevents her from stating them by not calling on her. They said Ms. Raymond should allow all students to speak their opinions, even if she doesnt agree with them, which Ms. Raymond believes she does. They also insisted Ms. Raymond not speak to their child individually because she feels threatened by Ms. Raymond. They asked that the homeroom teacher, a white male teacher, be present during any further one-on-one interactions with Mary. The principal agreed that the student should be accommodated in order to make her feel more comfortable. Ms. Raymond believes this is a move to undermine her position as a teacher. It also serves to uphold the stereotype of Latinas as being loud, hot-tempered and volatile, as indicated in the suggestion that she made the student feel threatened. Hallway decorations Ms. Sanchez teaches in a school district where the dual language program is prominently featured on the districts website. And with good reason. The teachers in this program have gone above and beyond to make the students feel welcomed and part of the school community. Behind the scenes, however, the principal told the teachers in the program including Ms. Sanchez that they couldnt do certain activities, such as decorating the school hallways with student work, unless they involved the other teachers in the same grade level but who are not part of the program. This happened after those teachers veteran white teachers complained that they werent being invited to participate in dual language program activities. As a practical matter, Ms. Sanchez says this means the dual language program has to involve white teachers who know neither the students nor the program. The irony of the situation, according to Ms. Sanchez, is that the non-Spanish-speaking teachers were always welcome to participate in the dual language program activities they just didnt want to stay after school to do it. In effect, while the district promotes the dual language program on its website to create an image of diversity and inclusion, the dual language program in Ms. Sanchezs school has little autonomy, and she feels it is subjected to white surveillance and control. Hairstyles During a sixth grade science lesson that was fully online due to the pandemic, several Black girls began to comment on the hair of a white student, Amy, because her hair was braided in small cornrows with beads, seemingly in emulation of a hairstyle typically worn by Black girls. Ms. Gonzales, do you think Amy is culturally appropriating right now? one Black female student asked. Rather than address the matter on the spot, Ms. Gonzales told her students that these types of conversations are important and that they would address it two days later. That day, Ms. Gonzales spoke with her team and the principal. Her team concluded that this is a conversation that obviously matters to their Black female students and that waiting two days to talk to them was too long. The principal agreed, adding that racial equality is a key part of their school and the only way to show students this is by hearing their voices. She also spoke with Amy, the white student who explained that she just loved her friends braids and wanted to style her hair the same way, so she had her aunt do her hair. After watching a couple of videos and reading a book with Ms. Gonzales about Black hair, Amy came to realize how it could offend some of her Black peers. Ms. Gonzales also spoke with Amys mother, who was supportive and understood why Black students were offended. Before getting into the full conversation of cultural appropriation, the class discussed what it meant to pull people in kindly to these kinds of conversations and not singling people out. Ms. Gonzales also discussed a bit of how Black womens hair has been discriminated against, historically as well as in contemporary times. She also brought in opinions from Black friends and colleagues on how they feel about white people wearing Black hairstyles, as well as Tik Tok videos of persons of color explaining why its cultural appropriation or not. At the end of the meeting, which her mother also attended, Amy decided to make a statement which in part said, I understand that I had my hair done and it offended some of my peers of color. I love the Black culture and I wanted to respect it. I didnt know I would be offending the Black culture, and I thought I would be called out in a positive way and not a negative way. Ms. Gonzales said she received a lot of backlash from co-workers outside of her team who told her that having such conversations is wrong. Ms. Gonzales defends her actions, saying she sees it as important to provide a space where all students can voice their feelings and learn about issues such as cultural appropriation. As these three accounts indicate, teachers in their first year of teaching must navigate various concerns and sometimes concerns that conflict among parents, students and administrators. Knowing this in advance can help teachers better prepare for the various cultural dilemmas they are likely to face in todays classroom and beyond. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/new-teachers-face-complex-cultural-challenges-the-stories-of-3-latina-teachers-in-their-toughest-moments-158605. BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) The North Dakota Supreme Court has ordered a new civil trial for a driver who caused a Bismarck expressway crash that killed two women, injured a third and produced a jury award of more than $1 billion in damages. The 2015 crash killed 21-year-old Taylor Goven, of Mandan, and 22-year-old Abby Renschler, of Lincoln, and caused a traumatic brain injury to 21-year-old Shayna Monson, of Dickinson. Jordan Morsette, 28, who had a blood alcohol content more than three times the legal limit, was sentenced to 25 years in prison after pleaded guilty to criminal vehicular homicide and criminal vehicular injury. A civil court jury in November 2019 awarded punitive and compensatory damages to Monson and the families of Renschler and Goven that topped $1 billion. The district court later reduced the total damage award to about $690 million, according to Supreme Court documents. Morsette appealed to the Supreme Court after a district judge last June denied his request for a new civil trial. Morsettes attorney, Kay Nord Hunt, in February argued that the district judge was wrong to admit evidence of Morsettes intoxication because he had already admitted liability for the crash, the Bismarck Tribune reported. Nord Hunt also argued the judge should not have allowed a plaintiffs motion to add punitive damages and erred in instructions to the jury. She also maintained the jurys verdict was excessive. The Supreme Court justices concluded in a decision released Thursday that evidence of Morsettes intoxication was irrelevant, that the district court did err in its instructions to the jury, and that it abused its discretion by allowing the claim for punitive damages. There was no evidence indicating that Morsette acted with ill will or wrongful motive and intended to injure Monson, Goven, Renschler, or any other person, the justices wrote. Although Morsettes conduct while intoxicated can be characterized as grossly negligent or extremely reckless, there are no special circumstances, such as an intent to injure or personal ill will toward the Plaintiffs, to support a finding of actual malice. The new trial will be on compensatory damages only, according to the Supreme Court order. HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) Schools, businesses and other organizations in Pennsylvania may still require masks, even as the Wolf administration loosened its mask mandate to exempt people who are full vaccinated, the state Department of Health said Friday. Pennsylvania adopted new guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that said fully vaccinated people dont have to wear masks in most places. But the state is leaving the ultimate decision to businesses and schools. If you are fully vaccinated, it is an incentive to be able to remove your mask, but businesses and workplaces may still require this added layer of protection for their employees or customers that may have underlying conditions that continue to make them vulnerable to this virus," Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam said in a statement. Pennsylvania's mandate that unvaccinated people continue to wear masks in public will remain in place until 70% of the adult population is vaccinated. Businesses are already arriving at different policies for people who are fully vaccinated, or at least two weeks past their last required COVID-19 vaccine dose. The Gerritys supermarket chain in northeastern Pennsylvania said it will no longer require customers and employees who are fully vaccinated to wear a face covering, though people who aren't must still wear them. Throughout the pandemic, we have tried to do our best with the information provided and this situation is no different," said Joe Fasula, co-owner of Gerritys. However, there are no perfect answers. I hope people will understand the difficult position that all businesses are in." Giant Eagle supermarkets, by contrast, said it would continue to require everyone to mask up. Similarly, Knoebels Amusement Resort said Friday that while people who are fully vaccinated can go maskless outside, masks will still be required indoors. But Hersheypark said it won't require people are who fully vaccinated to wear them at all. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) Nine people were wounded Thursday evening in Rhode Island's capital in what police there believe to be the largest shooting in city history. Of the nine, three had serious injuries and were maybe critical," Providence Police Chief Col. Hugh T. Clements told reporters at the scene. He said multiple guns were used and it involved an ongoing feud involving two groups known to authorities. He said the shooting began with gunfire emanating from a vehicle, targeting a home. A person or people inside the home then returned fire. He described the participants as young men." The shooting took place just before 7 p.m. in the southeastern neighborhood of Washington Park, which Clements described as a typically quiet neighborhood. Clements said an estimated several dozen shots were fired. Evidence markers showing where more than a dozen shell casings littered the ground could be seen in the distance. Police sealed off the area. No arrests have been made. Clements stressed the investigation was in its early stages. Detectives were at the hospital interviewing the victims, who are between the ages of 19 and 25. Further details about their identities were not released. He said police have made strides to get guns off the streets and thus called the shooting very disappointing. The suspects and the victims might be one and the same, he said, without providing further details. There'll be names you may recognize; we certainly know from police work, Clements told reporters. Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza also addressed media at the scene, fielding questions in both English and Spanish. I've spoken with a number of the neighbors, and everyone is shaken, he said, adding that he's promised extra patrols and security in the neighborhood for the coming days. Prior to this shooting, Providence had seen 19 gunshot victims and seven homicide victims by gunfire in 2021, Clements said. Elorza also exhorted city residents to stop using gun violence to settle feuds, and criticized the ready availability of guns. This has to stop, Elorza said. "The young people involved, believing that the way to solve their disputes is with a handgun I mean, that can't be the way." TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) Power has been restored to millions of people in Taiwan after an equipment failure at a power plant set off rolling blackouts across the island. After blackouts started around 3 p.m. Thursday, power was restored gradually starting at 8 p.m., Taiwans official Central News Agency said. MOSCOW (AP) Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday harshly criticized Ukrainian authorities for what he described as their crackdown on the Moscow-friendly opposition amid simmering tensions between the two neighbors. Putin's statement comes a day after Viktor Medvedchuk, who heads the Opposition Platform for Life party, the largest opposition force in parliament, was placed under house arrest on treason charges that he denied. Medvedchuk has close personal ties with Putin, the godfather of his daughter. SAN FRANCISCO (AP) San Franciscos iconic cable cars remain sidelined by the coronavirus pandemic but officials said Friday the citys historic streetcars will start rolling again this weekend. As tourists start trickling back into San Francisco and the city reopens more of its economy, it plans to restore service Saturday of the vintage streetcars that run along Market Street and the Embarcadero, the mayors office said in a statement. We brought you this tragic story three years ago this week. It is my profound hope and prayer that people with teenage drivers will take a moment, grasp this, and forward it to help others. Nobody thinks he or she will lose a child. I didn't think so either, but I was wrong. You could be too. Kailee was in the back seat of a car and unbuckled her seat belt to take a "selfie" with the other girl sitting next to her. This is the heartbreaking story of 16-year old Kailee Mills, as told by her parents. -Jerry Reynolds, The Car ProIn the blink of an eye, our 16-year-old daughter was gone. She had just left our home with her friends to go to a Halloween party. She was riding in the back seat, and they were only traveling a mile away from our home to a friend's house. They were only a few blocks away from our home when the car she was riding in veered off the road. The car rolled over, Kailee was ejected from the back seat of the car, and died instantly. Her three friends walked away with only minor cuts and bruises. Kailee was the only one in the car not wearing a seat belt. That was October 28, 2017-a day that we will never forget. Just seconds before the crash, Kailee had removed her seat belt to slide over in the back seat to take a selfie with her friend, and it was that split second that shattered the hearts of so many. You hear stories all the time about crashes that happen in your neighborhood and people who were injured or killed and weren't wearing their seat belts, and you hear it so often you almost become numb or indifferent to it. We never thought it would happen to us-to our daughter. We know that if she had been wearing her seat belt, she'd still be here. Instead, the girl we called our "ray of sunshine" is gone. Kailee was very good about wearing her seat belt. In fact, we can't recall one single time that we had to remind her to wear her seat belt and never caught her without it on. Her friends were all in shock because she was the one who always made sure everyone was buckled up and never put her car in drive until all of her passengers were buckled up. As a backseat passenger, close to home, not going far, she just let her guard down and had her seat belt off at the wrong time. These types of things happen in the blink of an eye and when you least expect it. Kailee was a 4.3 GPA student at Klein Collins High School in Spring, TX, North of Houston and enjoyed spending her time helping other people and volunteering. She was someone you could meet just one time, and never forget her. Her laugh and her smile were contagious. She never met a stranger, and had a gift for making people feel comfortable. She took pride in her sense of humor and she always went out of her way to make sure everyone was having fun and laughing. Aside from playing volleyball, she was very active in the church youth group and in Young Life, she loved volunteering for National Charity League and Legacy League, and had a heart of gold. She was already taking 4 college classes as a high school junior and had plans to attend Texas A&M University to pursue a career in biomedical science. She was going to be a dermatologist one day. We will never get to see her walk across the stage and collect her high school diploma, or walk her down the aisle at her wedding. What hurts the most is that we will never get to make new memories with her, or squeeze her in our arms and tell her we love her, or hold her child in our arms as our grandchild. All we are left with are memories and an emptiness that can never be filled. In the weeks after the crash, we looked up statistics on seat belt use and traffic crashes. What we found not only surprised us, but made us sick to our stomachs as well. We learned how many people die each year on our roads because they weren't buckled up, and how many lives could be saved. So many of these fatalities are completely preventable had they been wearing seat belts, and we are doing everything we can to change these statistics. Car accidents are the leading cause of death in this country for people ages 1-54, and it doesn't have to be that way. Each one of those fatalities leaves behind family and friends who must find the strength to carry on without them, and that deep loss is difficult and painful beyond words. We know that pain first-hand because we live with it every day. Even though surveys show that the seat belt use rate in this country has topped 90 percent in recent years, that still leaves over 35 million people who do not wear their seat belts! We want our daughter's story to serve as a reminder to others about the importance of wearing seat belts. Our goal is to prevent other families from having to go through the same pain and loss that we are going through, and carry out Kailee's legacy in a way that she would have wanted by helping others. We chose to honor our daughter by focusing our energy on something positive and raise awareness about the importance of seat belt use. We hope that what we are doing will inspire others to choose to do something positive with the tragedies in their lives. From two heartbroken parents, to you reading this now, here is our message: Always put on your seat belt-whether you are the driver or a passenger-BEFORE the vehicle is in motion. Make sure everyone in your vehicle is buckled up too! Talk to your children and CONTINUE talking to them about the importance of wearing a seat belt and what the risks are when you do not wear a seat belt. Parents, the responsibility behind the wheel is on us, too. How often do we, as adults, get in a hurry to get to our destination and not buckle up? It only takes three seconds to fasten your seat belt. Those three seconds can change your life and the lives of those who know and love you. How often do we unbuckle our seatbelts when we get close to our destinations? It takes NO effort to keep your seat belt on until you arrive safely. Drive responsibly. It's not worth your life or your passenger's life. Finally, know that if you have children, you are setting the driving example every time you get in the car, so PLEASE buckle-up, every trip, every mile! Florida Governor Ron DeSantis was reported in saying he will pardon anyone disobeying local mask and social distancing mandates. DeSantis was actually referring to a couple owning a fitness center in Florida's Broward County that was imprisoned for violating the governor's strict mandates, Faithwire reported. DeSantis was interviewed by Fox News on the case of Fitness 1440 franchise owners Mike and Jillian Carnevale. Faithwire reported that the Broward County's strict guidelines led to the Carnevale's repeated arrest due to mask mandate violations, particularly refusing to have patrons wear masks while exercising. DeSantis condemned the Broward County officials for the "total overreach". DeSantis said in Fox News that he will "sign a reprieve" about his order, which will delay the case filed against the couple for another two months. "This is exactly what we ordered against last summer. I'm glad you have Mike and Jillian on, and I'm also glad to be on to be able to say that, effective (Thursday) morning, I'm going to sign a reprieve under my constitutional authority," DeSantis said. "The fact is, it's not even right to be wearing masks when you're exercising. The World Health Organization advises against it. It's not healthy to be doing that in the first place, so it was a bad restriction," he pointed out. DeSantis added that Florida's clemency board will "issue pardons not only for Mike and Jillian, but for any Floridian that may have outstanding infractions for things like masks and social distancing" when they meet on June 16. In his Twitter account, DeSantis explained in a post on Thursday that as soon as he learned that the couple were "facing criminal penalties" just because they did not require the use of masks for their patrons while at the gym, he "stepped in to shield them from this local government overreach." He stressed that "Floridians should not be penalized" just because they rejected local authorities for their "overreach" on the mask mandates. The Carnevales created a campaign against the lawsuit filed by the Broward County against them. The campaign is meant to "fight corruption" born from their experience of "harassment" from the County along with their imprisonment and financial ruin because of it. The campaign intends to fight for small businesses and for health and wellness. In their website, the Carnevales narrate the incidents that took place from their first imprisonment to the changes that DeSantis initially made in September 25, 2020 after their third imprisonment where "personal files and business closures relating to mandate violations" were negated. Mike was first arrested in July 27, 2020. He spent 12 hours in jail at the time. He was arrested a second time less than a month later on August 6, and was forced to spend another 12 hours in jail for refusing to close his business for 96 hours for not requiring face masks. The following day, after being released, Mike continued operating his gym. In order to comply with the 96-hour closure, however, he and his wife Jillian brought out the gym equipment to the parking lot. Broward County police then came and arrested both of them for "seemingly no reason" and put them in jail for nine hours. The Broward County nonetheless seized the couple's gym in October 15, leaving the couple jobless and bankrupt. This action "negatively impacted the wellness of their 2,000+ member community." The couple then created a fundraiser through GoFundMe for the amount of $25,000 for their campaign. As of writing, the couple has already raised more than half of their goal. More than a year after Illinois first faced tightened pandemic restrictions, the state is one step away from reopening. Today marked the start of a bridge phase for all of Illinois. It is the final stage before a full reopening. Restrictions will be eased and capacity limit increased for businesses and gatherings, as well as for dining establishments. Barring any significant reversals in key indicators, such as a rise in COVID-19 hospitalizations, Illinois could reopen as soon as June 11, according to Gov. J.B. Pritzkers office. The state will continue to follow U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance on use of masks. Illinoisans have worked so hard over the past year and a half to keep their families and neighbors safe, and reaching bridge phase means that were closer than ever to a return to normalcy, Pritzker said. To keep up this progress, I urge every eligible Illinoisan now including 12- to 15-year-olds to get vaccinated as soon as possible. More than 10.3 million vaccine doses have been administered to Illinoisans since January. Beginning today, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine will be available to those ages 12 to 17. Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are authorized for those 18 or older only. Rochelle Eiselt SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) A federal appeals court has ruled that a wrongful death lawsuit can proceed against a former South Bend police officer who killed a young mother when he ran a red light and plowed his patrol car into her vehicle. Wednesday's decision by a three-judge panel of the Chicago-based U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a federal judge's March 2020 ruling that Justin Gorny could not be held liable under federal law for the death of Erica Flores, 22, the South Bend Tribune reported. But the appellate court found that the claims in the lawsuit Flores family filed in 2019 against Gorny and the city of South Bend meet the legal threshold. That lawsuit alleges that South Bend officers working a night shift communicated over the radio about a van speeding through a patrol area on the morning of the July 2018 collision. It alleges no officers in the immediate area signaled the situation was an emergency or requested additional help. Gorny, who was 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) away, began driving toward the speeding van without activating his sirens and reached speeds of 98 miles per hour (158 kilometers per hour) while not continually activating his emergency lights, the suit alleges. The resulting crash killed Flores, a mother of two young daughters, as she was returning home from work. City attorneys argued that Gornys view of Flores vehicle at the intersection was obstructed, meaning the suit could not prove Gorny intended to harm Flores. But the appellate court found that her family's lawsuit can continue because a jury could potentially find that Gorny acted with deliberate indifference. Gornys reckless conduct, unjustified by any emergency or even an order to assist in a routine traffic stop that five officers had under control, allows the inference that he subjectively knew about the risk he created and consciously disregarded it, the court wrote. Steve Phillips, an attorney for Flores' family, said if the city does not admit wrongdoing and adequately compensate the family, the case will continue with discovery and go to trial. We believe the 7th circuit made the correct ruling and that the city of South Bend and officer Gorny need to take responsibility for the death of Erica Flores, he said. A message seeking comment was left Friday for attorney Peter J. Agostino, who is representing the city and Gorny. Caleb Bauer, a spokesman for South Bend's mayor, declined to comment, saying the city does not comment on pending litigation. A grand jury declined to indict Gorny in the fatal crash, but the citys public safety board fired him in November 2018. MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) A Texas man suspected of killing a person by pushing them out of a moving car has been arrested in Tennessee, the U.S. Marshals Service said. Demario Montague was arrested Thursday by a fugitive task force in Memphis, the Marshals Service said in a news release. HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) A fugitive wanted in the killing of a Yale graduate student in Connecticut in February was arrested Friday in Alabama, U.S. marshals said. An international arrest warrant had been issued for Qinxuan Pan on murder and larceny charges in connection with the killing of Kevin Jiang on a New Haven street on Feb. 6. Marshals offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to Pans arrest. It was not immediately clear if Pan, 30, has a lawyer who could respond to the allegations. U.S. marshals said Pan was taken into custody without incident Friday morning in Montgomery and brought to the county detention center. Authorities did not release details of how they found him, or when Pan would be brought before a judge. Law enforcement officials are expected to seek his extradition back to Connecticut. Once we received information that Pan was in Montgomery, a plan was developed and executed," Jesse Seroyer Jr., the U.S. marshal for the Middle District of Alabama, said in a statement. "This is another example of hard work by federal and state partners to arrest violent fugitives. Pan is accused of shooting Jiang, 26, multiple times in New Haven, home to Yale. Jiang was found wounded and lying outside his car at about 8:30 a.m. that day. Police have not disclosed a motive in the shooting. An arrest warrant obtained by Connecticut officials for Pan is sealed from public view until next month. Jiang, who grew up in Chicago, was a graduate student at Yales School of the Environment who had recently become engaged to be married. He was an Army veteran who graduated from the University of Washington in Seattle in 2016 with a bachelor's degree in environmental studies, according to an obituary prepared by his family. Pan is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and was working as a researcher in MIT's computer science and artificial intelligence laboratory, according to his Facebook page. He is a U.S. citizen who was born in Shanghai, China. His last known address was in Malden, Massachusetts. Jiang's fiancee, Zion Perry, graduated from MIT last year. Law enforcement officials have not disclosed any connections between Pan, Perry and the killing of Jiang. U.S. marshals allege Pan stole an SUV from a dealership in Mansfield, Massachusetts, the day of the killing before driving to Connecticut. In the days after the killing, authorities said Pan was seen in the Atlanta suburbs driving with relatives and acting strange. Interpol last month issued a red notice about Pan asking member countries to arrest him on murder and larceny charges. The successful apprehension of Qinxuan Pan this morning in Montgomery, Alabama, marks the culmination of countless hours of investigation and is a testament to the dedication of all the investigators involved, Lawrence Bobnick, acting U.S. marshal for Connecticut, said in a statement. ___ This story has been corrected to show Jiang grew up in Chicago, not Washington state. He attended college in Seattle. VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) A high school principal in Vancouver accused of favoritism and allowing racist language has resigned but will become a principal on special assignment within the same district. Matt Johnson said this week in a statement that his resignation comes after collaborative conversations with the district, Oregon Public Broadcasting reported. Johnson had led Mountain View High School since 2014 but had been on paid administrative leave almost two months. MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) Lawmakers in the Democrat-controlled Vermont Legislature and Republican Gov. Phil Scott have different visions of how the state should spend about $1 billion from the American Rescue Plan. Its unclear how those differences will play out as the Legislature wraps up its work and prepares to adjourn for the year, possibly next week, but it's possible Scott could veto the budget. The governor wants to spend the federal money on housing, economic recovery initiatives, water and sewer, universal broadband, and climate change initiatives. He says the state has to begin using that money now. I feel strongly that we cant squander this opportunity, that we need to utilize this to transform Vermont, Scott said this week. The legislature agrees with many of Scotts goals, but they also want to use some of the funding to prop up the state colleges, workforce development, and mental health. They say the state has four years to spend the money so there is no rush. We dont want Vermonters to feel like were going to lose an opportunity. We have time to get this right, Senate President Pro Tem Becca Balint, a Democrat from Windham County, tells WCAX-TV. Federal officials this week released new guidelines of how the money can be spent and legislative economists are analyzing how that could affect their spending plans. Democratic House Speaker Jill Krowinski, of Burlington, said they are hoping for the best. If that doesnt happen and it ends with a veto, then were going to have to end with a veto override or a compromise to get us to a shared goal to get us through this crisis, she said. WASHINGTON (AP) What insurrection? Flouting all evidence and their own first-hand experience, a small but growing number of Republican lawmakers are propagating a false portrayal of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, brazenly arguing that the rioters who used flagpoles as weapons, brutally beat police officers and chanted that they wanted to hang Vice President Mike Pence were somehow acting peacefully in their violent bid to overturn Joe Biden's election. One Republican at a hearing Wednesday called the rioters a mob of misfits." Another compared them to tourists. And a third suggested the sweeping federal investigation into the riot which has yielded more than 400 arrests and counting amounts to a national campaign of harassment. Its a turn of events that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, another target of the rioters, called appalling and sick, and it raises the possibility that the public's understanding of the worst domestic attack on Congress in 200 years an attack that was captured extensively on video could become distorted by the same kinds of disinformation that fueled former President Donald Trump's false claims of a stolen election. It was the lie about the election that motivated the rioters in the first place. I dont know of a normal day around here when people are threatening to hang the vice president of the United States or shoot the speaker, or injure so many police officers, said Pelosi, who has pushed for a bipartisan commission to investigate the riots. The hearing Wednesday was supposed to be the latest dive by congressional investigators into the chaos of Jan. 6 the missed warning signs, confusion and delays that allowed the rioters to terrorize the Capitol for an entire afternoon. But several Republicans used their rounds of questioning not to pepper the witnesses with questions, but to downplay the brutal assault on America's seat of democracy. Lets be honest with the American people it was not an insurrection, and we cannot call it that and be truthful, said Rep. Andrew Clyde, a Republican from Georgia serving his first term. Clyde said one video feed of the rioters looked like they were on a normal tourist visit. Those in the video, taken in Statuary Hall, were able to enter the building after rioters broke through glass, pummeled officers and busted through the doors as lawmakers were frantically evacuated. They were headed to the House chamber where they tried to beat down the doors with lawmakers still inside. Clyde wasnt the only Republican making that argument. Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar portrayed a woman who was shot and killed by Capitol Police as she tried to break through a door next to the House chamber as a martyr. He said Ashli Babbitt was executed and noted she was an Air Force veteran who was wearing an American flag. The Department of Justice decided after an investigation not to charge the police officer who shot her. The Justice Department, Gosar said at one point, is harassing peaceful patriots across the country as federal prosecutors file charges against hundreds of people who stormed the Capitol and participated in the riot. The massive investigation, one of the largest in American history, remains ongoing with federal agents continuing to serve search warrants and attempting to locate dozens of other people still being sought for questioning. Georgia Rep. Jody Hice also painted the rioters as the victims, noting that they were four of the people who died, including Babbitt. The other three suffered medical emergencies while part of the crowd laying siege to the Capitol. It was Trump supporters who lost their lives that day, not Trump supporters who were taking the lives of others, Hice said. A fifth person, Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, collapsed immediately after the insurrection and died the next day. Video shows two men spraying him and another officer with a chemical, but the Washington medical examiner said Sicknick suffered a stroke and died from natural causes. The men have been charged with assaulting the officers. Two other officers took their own lives in the days afterward, and dozens more were hurt including one officer who had a heart attack and others who suffered traumatic brain injuries and permanent disabilities. The union that represents the Capitol Police said some of the officers may never return to work. The attempt to defend the insurrectionists came on the same day that House Republicans voted to oust Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney from their leadership team for repeatedly rebuking Trump for his false claims that the election was stolen. Cheney voted with Democrats to impeach Trump for telling his supporters hours before the Jan. 6 attack to fight like hell to overturn Bidens win. Trumps lies about widespread election fraud were rebuked by numerous courts, election officials across the country and his own attorney general. Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin, who led the Democrats impeachment prosecution and sits on the Oversight Committee, said after the hearing that he believes that Republicans were emboldened and emancipated by Cheneys ouster earlier in the day. They have declared themselves to be on the side of Donald Trump and the big lie, and the big lie now has spread outwards to include denial of what happened on Jan. 6, Raskin said. Timothy Naftali, a professor of history and public service at New York University, says it is deeply cynical to set aside the insurrection as if it didnt happen. He compares it to political elites in Southern states after the Civil War who failed to examine its causes, which he says prevented racial reconciliation and healing and still affects the country to this day. Political amnesia never helps, Naftali said. Its a source of poison. Given the extensive record of the attack, captured in video and photos seen the world over, defending the insurrectionists required some creative omissions. One point Clyde emphasized was that the rioters never made it to the House floor even though they tried, only to be held back by police officers with guns drawn. Some lawmakers were taking cover in the gallery of the chamber as they tried to beat down the doors. I can tell you the House floor was never breached and it was not an insurrection," Clyde said. "This is the truth. The mob did break into the Senate minutes after senators had evacuated, some carrying zip ties and tactical equipment. They rifled through desks and hunted for lawmakers, yelling where are they? They walked into Pelosis office, stealing a laptop and calling out her name while some of her staff huddled quietly under furniture. Other Republicans some quietly, some publicly have made clear they dont agree with their colleagues. I was there, said Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, who was caught in security video being diverted away from the rioters by a police officer. What happened was a violent effort to interfere with and prevent the constitutional order of installing a new president. And as such, it was an insurrection against the Constitution. It resulted in severe property damage, severe injuries and death. Illinois Rep. Mike Quigley, another Democratic member of the Oversight panel, says the Republican denials are wishful thinking that reverberates with their most partisan voters. These folks passionately want what they want to be true, Quigley said after the hearing. So its no longer Ill believe it when I see it. Its Ill see it when I believe it. ____ Associated Press writers Lisa Mascaro, Michael Balsamo and Nomaan Merchant contributed to this report. MADISON, Wis. (AP) Republican legislative leaders have decided to join a multi-state lawsuit seeking a ruling that federal pandemic relief money can cover tax cuts. The GOP-led committee that organizes Senate and Assembly operations voted 6-4 by paper ballot to join the lawsuit. All six Republican lawmakers on the committee voted to join the action. The four Democratic members voted against it. The committee began circulating ballots on Wednesday and released the results Thursday morning. Provisions in the coronavirus aid package that President Joe Biden signed in March prohibit states from using the money to cover tax cuts. A group of attorneys general led by Republican Patrick Morrissey in West Virginia f iled the lawsuit in federal court in Alabama in March arguing the provisions infringe on state sovereignty. Assembly Republicans in Wisconsin passed a resolution last month directing Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul to join the lawsuit. The resolution wasnt binding and Kaul has refused to take part in the action. 3 1 of 3 Provided by Texas DPS Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Provided by Texas DPS Show More Show Less 3 of 3 The Texas Department of Public Safety announced that Jimmy Wolfenbarger has been charged with the 2006 death of a Llano County woman. Wolfenbarger, 57, of Lubbock, was indicted in Llano County on one count of murder in the death of Holly Simmons, 46, of Buchanan Dam. Simmons was reported missing Nov. 28, 2006 by her 17-year-old daughter. Her body was found in a submerged aluminum boat at the bottom of Inks Lake on July 7 ,2009 by a recreational diver. SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) Employees at the New Mexico Public Education Department are completing a three-hour diversity course as part of a plan to address a court order to improve services for students of different cultural, linguistic, and income backgrounds. The virtual training was mandated for all 234 agency employees including Education Secretary Ryan Stewart, a spokeswoman said. Repeat sessions on Thursday and Friday were open to hundreds of teachers and school leaders outside the agency who signed up voluntarily. In my 21 years of doing this work, it is the first time for me that state employees in the education department have been required to attend, said training leader Sharroky Hollie, a former school teacher. Public Education Department spokeswoman Judy Robinson said the diversity training challenged stereotypes and helped participants identify biases. I loved this advice: Your first thought doesnt have to be your last thought, said Robinson, who attended the three-hour training. New Mexico is trying to improve the way the education system serves Indigenous, low-income, and English language-learning students in part because of an ongoing court order to provide them with an adequate education. As a state agency, we have the responsibility of ensuring that all children in New Mexico receive an equitable education while we reaffirm their individual home culture and language, said Lashawna Tso, assistant secretary for Indian education. Diversity training is one component of the department's efforts to tackle the expanding reach of the court's orders. The department is also implementing a plan to measure the speed of at-home internet by collecting connectivity data as part of the school registration process, Robinson said. There is no higher priority than getting every student what they need to succeed, said education secretary Stewart in a statement Monday. The Public Education Department has been working at full tilt since March 2020 to expand student access to digital devices and high-speed internet services, and we continue to push aggressively to expand that work. The court ruled last month that fast internet was part of an adequate education for plaintiffs in the lawsuit barred from attending in-person classes. A handful of schools have remained in remote learning due to COVID-19 concerns including health orders by tribal governments. Separate from this week's diversity course, all school staff will eventually be required to take annual training as part of the Black Education Act passed by state legislators this Spring. The Black Education Act Council established by the law will develop or recommend training that addresses race, racism, racialized aggression and builds skills in creating an equitable culturally responsive learning environment, says Office of African American Affairs director Amy Whitfield. The training could differ from the one offered by the Public Education Department, whose staff are not required by the law to take a course. My hope is that through the Black Education Act, multiple trainings are provided for school personnel that comes from the expertise within New Mexico with a specific understanding of the unique and complex history and connections of marginalized groups in New Mexico, Whitfield said. ___ Attanasio is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues. Follow Attanasio on Twitter. United Express fuel and convenience stores are currently hosting a fundraiser for Special Olympics chapters in Texas and New Mexico. The fundraising efforts began last week at locations in the two states. According to a news release, United Express has been a supporter of the Special Olympics since 2015, helping raise more than $100,000 in that time. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form Express Entry: Couples and the Comprehensive Ranking System ANALYSIS: What partnered immigration candidates should know about Canada's Express Entry system. Michael Schwartz Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif Sans Font Size A A If you are applying for immigration through the Express Entry system with your spouse, you are going to be scored differently from single applicants. Canadas three leading federal economic immigration programs are the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and Canadian Experience Class (CEC). Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) uses a tool called Express Entry to manage applications for these programs. Express Entry uses a points-based ranking tool called the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The CRS evaluates candidates on various factors, which IRCC views as demonstrating a candidates ability to succeed in Canada. These elements include factors such as education, language ability, and Canadian work experience, among others. Calculate Your Express Entry Score A candidate is subject to the CRS whether or not they are single or coupled. However, the way they are scored changes somewhat depending on their status. A coupled person can receive less base points than a single person, but can also gain points from their partner. For the purposes of CRS, an individual is coupled if they are either formally married to someone else, or in a common-law union with someone else, meaning they have lived in a relationship with the same person for at least a year Every application through Express Entry involves a Principal Applicant (PA). The PA is the basis for the immigration and application. It is the PA whom the CRS evaluates and assigns a score. However, the PA can include a spouse and dependent children with the application. When applying as a couple, only one partner can be the PA. The couple can choose which partner is the PA as long as both partners qualify for at least one Express Entry program. This rule is important because it is extremely unlikely that both partners will have the same exact CRS score. One partner will almost certainly have a CRS score higher than the other, and that person would be better suited as the PA. Another important thing to understand is that the scoring system for single PAs and partnered PAs is somewhat different. To account for the partner, the CRS reduces the number of points the PA can get for various factors by a total of 40 points. To make up for that, the CRS also allows the PA to earn up to 40 points through their partners profile. A hypothetical example These concepts can be quite confusing in the abstract. Here is a hypothetical scenario that shows how these principles would apply to prospective applicants: Rajiv and Sonya are married. Rajiv is 29, has a masters degree from abroad, Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 8 across all four categories, and five years of cumulative work experience one year abroad and four in Canada. Sonya is 30, has a bachelors degree from abroad, and a CLB 7 across all four language proficiencies. She has eight years of work experience, six of which were done in Canada. While both Rajiv and Sonya have impressive profiles, Rajivs will be stronger than Sonyas overall due to Rajivs superior English language skills and education, as well as Rajivs slightly younger age. This conclusion applies both whether Rajiv or Sonya is applying as a single person, or if Rajiv and Sonya applied as a couple with either of them as the principal applicant. Rajiv would obtain 494 with him as the PA of the couple. Sonyas strong language skills, good education, and Canadian work experience contribute 29 points to this score. In theory, Rajiv could have applied as a single person and scored 497, just three more points. However, if he did the immigration officer may question why his spouse is not accompanying. If the reason is to gain access to more CRS points, it may not necessarily be acceptable. If the application does go through, Rajiv would have to reside in Canada throughout the entire spousal sponsorship process, since permanent residents cannot sponsor from abroad. Calculate Your Express Entry Score The nitty gritty of the CRS There are four components to a CRS score. Only the first two vary based on whether one is coupled or not. If a person is coupled, they can claim less points than a single person. However, they are eligible to gain points through their partner. A single person by definition cannot claim points through spousal/partner factors. 1) Core/Human Capital Factors: Things like age, language, and education. The maximum score for category A is 460 points for someone in a couple, but 500 points for a single person. 2) Spouse/Partner Factors: Assesses the spouse or partners language, educational, and work experience points. It is only applicable to a person who has a spouse. The maximum score for this category is 40 points. 3) Skill Transferability: Factor combinations that are highly valued. For example, having both Canadian work experience and a post-secondary credential. The maximum score for this category is 100 points. 4) Additional Points: Other things that gain a candidate points, such as having a provincial nomination from an enhanced Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) or having received post-secondary education in Canada. The maximum score for this category is 600 points. The total maximum CRS score a person, either single or coupled, can obtain is 1200 points. As long as each member of the couple meets eligibility requirements for a given program, the couple can decide who will be the principal applicant to maximize the potential score. Get a Free Express Entry Assessment CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options. Eligible family members of the victims of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 and Ukrainian International Airlines Flight 752 can apply for permanent residence. Minister Mendicino announces new PR pathway for families of air disaster victims Eligible family members of the victims of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 and Ukrainian International Airlines Flight 752 can apply for permanent residence. Minister Mendicino announces new PR pathway for families of air disaster victims Eligible family members of the victims of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 and Ukrainian International Airlines Flight 752 can apply for permanent residence. Minister Mendicino announces new PR pathway for families of air disaster victims Eligible family members of the victims of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 and Ukrainian International Airlines Flight 752 can apply for permanent residence. Shelby Thevenot Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif Sans Font Size A A On May 12, Canadas minister of immigration put in a new public policy to allow families of air disaster victims apply for permanent residence. Family members of those whose lives were lost in the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 and Ukrainian International Airlines Flight 752 will be able to apply for permanent residence. The new policy will be in effect until May 11, 2022. For now, the new measure is only available to family members who are currently living in Canada. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is working on further measures to facilitate permanent residence applications for certain members of victims families who are outside Canada, according to a media release. The immigration department says it will make another announcement once the new measures are in place. Learn about Canadian immigration All standard fees, biometrics, and admissibility requirements apply to the new policy. However, applicants are still eligible even if they have lost their status in Canada. IRCC is also extending the original temporary residence public policy for families of victims of the January 2020 downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752. This measure allows the people who were issued temporary resident visas following the disaster, but who did not travel, to still be able to come to Canada. Those who did travel will be able to apply for the new permanent residency pathway, and they will be able to extend their temporary resident status until their application is processed. On March 10, 2019, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashed near the town of Bishoftu, Ethiopia, claiming the lives of 157 people, including 18 Canadians and many others with ties to Canada. Then on January 8, 2020, a passenger jet carrying 55 Canadian citizens and 30 permanent residents was shot down by a surface-to-air missile in Tehran, Iran. Of the 176 people who died on that flight, 138 had ties to Canada. All Canadians mourned the loss of those who died in the tragedies involving Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 and Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752, Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino said in the release. At the centre of these disasters are the grieving families, who need wide-ranging support from the Government of Canada. This new pathway to permanent residence is one of the ways we are helping families of Canadian victims cope, in the hope that they may build their lives in Canada. Ottawa announces permanent residency path for families of Ethiopian & Ukrainian air disaster victims At a news conference in Ottawa, Marco Mendicino, the federal minister of immigration, refugees, and citizenship, announces that eligible family members of th Learn about Canadian immigration CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options. The pandemic is akin to a massive global seismic shock whose reverberations are expected to continue for many years to come. Not only is nothing the same as it was 15 months ago, it is likely there will never be such a thing as normal ever again. So, what does it mean for IT leaders who find themselves at the forefront of continual change? Especially now that organisations no longer see digital as the icing on the cake rather it is the whole cake. Globally renowned speaker, author and serial entrepreneur Peter Hinssen, founder of nexxworks and author of The Phoenix and the Unicorn, spoke about the age of the never normal at a recent IDG Peer to Peer Exchange in partnership with Amazon Web Services. His fast-paced 20-minute presentation outlined the many issues facing IT leaders, including that the pace of change has cranked up considerably, so that now everything is on speed. Companies are also increasingly looking outside their sector to deliver new products and services or as Hinssen put it, nobody is staying in their lane. Amazon is a striking example of this with its division AWS being at the forefront of the global migration to public cloud. The companys presence in New Zealand has grown as a result, with 100 people now working across Aotearoa, with half the local workforce being hired in the past year alone. AWS head of professional services Gayle Webb says the new hires are across a range of disciplines, with a strong emphasis on data scientists, cloud engineers, and solutions architects to assist customers that range from large government departments through to independent software vendors. Its more than enabling innovation, its about working with our partners to negotiate the ever-changing landscape, and provide timely assistance when its required, she says. Hinssen says that while many CIOs may understandably crave a return to pre-pandemic conditions, it is not going to happen. When Fisher-Price puts out a toy called the Work from home playset for pre-schoolers, you can believe that the hybrid working model isnt going away anytime soon. Volatility has toppled stability, complexity is to the fore rather than simplicity, and ambiguity has replaced clarity. The result is that we now exist in a state of discomfort. Hinssen referenced former US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfelds famous observation about the rise of the unknown unknowns those things that havent been accounted for, cant be predicted, but which can cause major disruption. But, as Stephen Hawking put it, intelligence is the ability to adapt to change and in the age of the never normal that can take the form of networking, the idea that everything and everyone is interconnected and that there is no one source of truth that will prevail, says Hinssen. AMP New Zealand chief operating officer Dhaya Sivakumars experience since joining the company is an example of how an organisation can adapt at speed. Sivakumar began at the organisation in August 2018 as CIO, with the mandate to transform the over 160-year-old business from a suit-and-tie workplace weighed down by legacy IT systems. Among the changes hes led are moving to AWS cloud and deploying Amazon Connect for the contact centre. The smartphone app and portal have been upgraded, resulting in a massive jump in usage combined with a high level of automation and simplification enabling greater self-service for clients and a better overall experience. The technology changes have gone hand in hand with cultural transformation, Sivakumar explains. Firstly, the company separated its Wealth Management and Life Insurance business, so that was a structural change which IT needed to enable. We are now more of a localised New Zealand organisation that has greater autonomy in decision making, especially when it comes to technology, he says. Aside from greater independence, Sivakumar says his team were able to move at speed because they put the client at the centre of every decision. Asking basic questions such as how do our customers want to interact with us?, what are their pain points?, and how can we make interacting with us a seamless experience?. Its also about not waiting for permission, having awesome people on the team and then trusting in their experience and skills, and those of our partners too. Then just getting on with it, Sivakumar says. To be honest Ive never been a CIO who mainly cared about laptops and mobile devices. If you are taking care of the clients, then all that stuff takes care of itself. His move to role of COO has provided Sivakumar with an even greater client-centric view, which he says is very powerful as an IT leader spearheading digital transformation. AMPs structural change coincided with a technology refresh and a cultural change that was boosted by COVID-19 lockdowns. During the Peer-to-Peer exchange attendees shared their own experiences. Some were grappling with the aftermath of multiple mergers and acquisitions, while others were facilitating new revenue models where companies saw an opportunity to move into an adjacent line of business. AWS head of territory Haren Sam says that complexity is presenting itself in many forms for end-users in the enterprise and as a result there may be more reliance on partnerships and wider ecosystems than previously. He endorsed Sivakumars approach to being customer-centric and noted that for CIOs that includes internal, as well as external, customers. Relevance, resilience and robustness can all lead to reinvention, says Hinseen, whose latest book The Phoenix and the Unicorn is about companies that have risen from the ashes to be mighty again. Arguably a harder act to pull off than starting from scratch and pushing for an upward growth trajectory. He says companies are urged to think beyond today, and even beyond tomorrow, and look instead to the day after tomorrow if they want to create long-term value. In reality however, 93% of the effort goes into the here and now, with almost no consideration for the future, a situation compounded by legacy issues that continue to plague new innovation. The same thinking will produce the same results, so to thrive in the never normal your strategy needs to be bold on vision and flexible on details. Remember too that you need the creative thinkers as well as the doers, you wont achieve without both, Hinssen says. Hinssen closed his presentation quote from Maya Angelou If youre always trying to be normal you will ever know how amazing you can be, but perhaps his reference to race-car driver Mario Andretti has a greater resonance for IT leaders dealing with continual change: If everything seems under control, youre not going fast enough. For the last four years, the rising left, with few exceptions, has dominated New York City politics. Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Jamaal Bowman dethroned longtime incumbents. Six out of the eight Republican-supporting centrists in the defunct Independent Democratic Conference were driven from office. Two socialists now sit in the state Senate, with four more in the Assembly. Even more will be on the way. But leftists have looked on with despair as the Democratic primary for New York City mayor barrels toward its conclusion on June 22. Independent polls have consistently shown Andrew Yang, the former presidential candidate, with a lead, followed by Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams. Adams may be closing the gap with Yang; no one else, if polling is any indication, has regularly held the top two slots. Neither Democrat uses the term moderate to describe themselves but the label of progressive doesnt neatly apply to Adams, a former Republican, or Yang, who explored the idea of running for mayor as an independent. On key issues, like policing and public safety, theyve recently leaned into the center. In a city that has produced so many victories for the left in the last four years, why are several of their candidates struggling to take the lead? In part, its because Adams and Yang have been able to meet the broad electorate where it is. Each election has its own flavor, its own issues. In 2013, then-Public Advocate Bill de Blasio ran a progressive, anti-Bloomberg campaign that captured the imaginations of Democratic voters, but there is no obvious antagonist, in a city recovering from a pandemic, for left-leaning candidates in 2021. Adams and Yang, with their own bases and name recognition, have been able to dominate the narrative so far. Originally, the Working Families Party, a standard-bearer for the left, chose to endorse three candidates: City Comptroller Scott Stringer, former nonprofit executive Dianne Morales, and Maya Wiley, de Blasios former counsel. After a volunteer accused Stringer of sexually assaulting her 20 years ago, an allegation Stringer denies, the WFP and many left organizations and elected officials withdrew their support for him. But Morales and Wiley are trailing Adams and Yang, and may place nowhere near the top-two on June 22, when ranked-choice voting will determine the winner. The answers are complex. New York Citys Democratic electorate is vastly larger than any others that progressive organizations have managed to dominate. Its possible 800,000 or more people may vote in June. These Democrats are diverse and heterodox. They include young leftists, but also older moderates, church-going Black and Latino voters, Orthodox Jews and whats left of the middle-class white ethnic outer boroughs. No ideal candidate has emerged for the left, either. There is no Ocasio-Cortez, no charismatic outsider with once-in-a-generation political talent. Morales has tried to fill the void, but she has spent much of her career as a well-compensated executive at a social services nonprofit attached to a notorious real estate developer. Morales, who backs defunding the police by $3 billion, slashing their operating budget in half, had little involvement in left politics before 2020. Adams and Yang, though, are clearly connecting with more voters than their opponents are. With shootings and murders on the rise, Adams and Yang may be better tapping into the zeitgeist. The truth is that New York City cannot afford to defund the police, Yang said near the site of the recent shooting in Times Square. New Yorkers are concerned about rising rates of violent crime, petty crime, street homelessness. This is what we are seeing, and we need our citys leaders to step up right now. Adams, a former police captain, has been just as explicit: Were not going to recover as a city if we turn back time and see an increase in violence, particularly gun violence, he said in reaction to the Times Square shooting. In a recent interview, Adams derided the defund the police movement. Now, this is really being led by a different demographic. There are a lot of young white affluent people who are coming in and setting the conversation, he said. Adams isnt quite right: defund the police is a multiracial movement, but the divide between supporters and detractors remains generational, educational and ideological. Supporters tend to be college-educated and reside in gentrifying neighborhoods that may not cast many votes for Adams or Yang. Older voters, both white and nonwhite, are far less fond of the defund movement, which polls dreadfully nationally. Many of these voters recall the high-crime New York City of the 1970s and 80s, when muggings and murders were far more commonplace and the NYPD headcount actually shrunk, thanks to cuts resulting from the fiscal crisis. As President Joe Biden showed in the 2020 Democratic primary, older Democrats far outvote younger Democrats. When Yang spoke about flooding the subway with more cops after crime appeared to rise there, he was met with derision and scorn in progressive circles. But this view, whether valid or not, is not outside of the mainstream for New York Democratic voters who do believe police play a role in maintaining public safety. Putting aside the merits of Yangs position, he paid no apparent political price for it: hes been a frontrunner since January. Similarly, Adams can be a Black former cop who is resolutely against defund the police and maintain his position as a top-tier mayoral candidate. Beyond activist circles, increasing police presence is popular in many predominantly Black or Latino neighborhoods. In heavily Black Southeast Queens, a long-running goal has been to add a police precinct to increase NYPD coverage; they may finally be getting their wish. Ultimately, many residents of these neighborhoods want more effective, less racist and brutal policing that holds murderers to account; they do not want policing to disappear entirely. Even if neither Yang nor Adams wins the primary, the ascendant left in New York must reckon with the fact that, on Election Day, many thousands of working-class voters of Black, Latino and Asian descent will be voting for how Yang and Adams envision policing in New York. They will be choosing candidates who have explicitly rejected the defund movement. Meanwhile, those whove flirted with deep NYPD budget cuts or embraced the idea outright could be on the outside looking in, protesting yet another mayor who is deferential to police power in New York. Stop and frisk hasnt disappeared Bill de Blasios vocal criticism of the NYPDs use of stop and frisk under then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg helped vault him to victory in 2013. In a city of a million issues, it became the issue. Now Maya Wiley de Blasios former counsel, who has many of his allies on her team is hoping to make it an issue again, twice targeting Eric Adams for defending the tactic in the first official Democratic primary mayoral debate Thursday night. Adams, a retired cop, called stop and frisk a great tool in an interview with CBS New York last year and said that the police force under Bloomberg was simply using it wrong. Adams has been saying the same thing for a decade while also loudly, proudly, criticizing the racist abuse of the tactic. Is there room for nuance in this debate, in a city where stop and frisks still happen but the number of stops is down 98% from 10 years ago? Policing and public safety may have been the most-discussed debate topic. It was the first question for the candidates, and half the candidates stuck to it when the time came to question one of their opponents. Adams even asked Andrew Yang where the political newcomer had been following shootings in predominantly Black and brown neighborhoods because Yang showed up so quickly after the Saturday shooting in Times Square. Yang didnt disagree but said the two were aligned on the need for anti-violence units of plainclothes cops. While all the candidates agreed that incoming NYPD officers should have to live in the five boroughs, there are other real areas of disagreement among them and the city is in quite the spot. There have been more shootings reported in New York City at this point in the year 451 than in any year since 2003. The 146 murders in the city this year are the most at this point in the calendar in a decade. But NYPD statistics show that there have been fewer overall crimes reported at this point in the year than in any year since records started being kept in the mid-90s and the movement to reduce the NYPDs budget has entered mainstream political debate. Its a different situation than de Blasio inherited in 2013, but public safety and even stop and frisk may be a central issue once again. By the Numbers 165,000 The units of affordable housing Mayor Michael Bloombergs administration planned to build or preserve during his tenure a number that was raised from just 65,000 units during Shaun Donovans time as commissioner of the city Department of Housing Preservation and Development. Now that Donovans running for mayor, City & States Rebecca C. Lewis looked back at Donovans history on affordable housing as part of the latest entry in our For the Record series, analyzing candidates professional lives before running for office. Howd Donovan do? The Bloomberg administration came very close to hitting that 165,000-unit target, but housing advocate Michael McKee said Donovans record is a mixed bag at best. 2013 de Blasio is giving everyone hope Every mayoral candidate seems to be finding something to like in at least one of the polls that have come out recently. Dianne Morales sent an email calling her the progressive front-runner after an April poll from a hotel workers union PAC showed she vaulted to third place in this race. But Maya Wileys team told donors last week she was consistently the woman at the top of the polls which was actually a step down from the campaigns April claim that she had risen to the top of the polls (despite not a single public poll having shown her in the first or even second place position). Ray McGuires campaign was pretty excited about a new poll from Andrew Yangs campaign showing McGuire tied with Eric Adams (as long as you consider 10% and 11% to be equal.) Shaun Donovan fundraised off a dubious poll that showed him essentially tied for second in the Bronx, and fundraised again off an April GQR poll that showed he was in fourth place the exact position where Mayor de Blasio was at this point in his race. (True, as long as you ignore every other poll that shows Donovan in a lower position.) And is anyone surprised that Yangs team and Adams team are questioning the validity of any poll that shows the other guy in first place? Two call it Post-Traumatic Stringer Disorder Some former employees considered him to be a demanding and mercurial manager. Others praised him, or said he was no worse than any ambitious politician. New York City Comptroller Scott Stringers treatment of his employees has recently come under scrutiny, mainly due to a recent accusation by a former campaign volunteer in 2001 of sexual harassment and sexual assault. So City & State talked to more than a dozen former staffers about their boss whos running for mayor. None of the sources said they had seen or heard of any sexual misconduct, and in fact almost all said they were surprised by Jean Kims allegation but some did share stories of Stringer calling staffers on weekend mornings to berate them, storming out of events when he didnt get a speaking slot and throwing pen caps at an employee. Endorsement Watch Assembly Member Nathalia Fernandez, who is running for Bronx borough president, and Maya Wiley, who is running for mayor, co-endorsed each other Queens borough president candidate Jimmy Van Bramer and mayoral candidate Dianne Morales co-endorsed each other state Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky endorsed Andrew Yang for mayor the Grand Street Dems, after rescinding its endorsement of Scott Stringer for mayor, is backing Kathryn Garcia ranked first and Morales ranked second In the Fight North Brooklyn and the Union of Arab Women also endorsed Morales The United Federation of Teachers announced a new slate of endorsements, including Corey Johnson for comptroller, Alvin Bragg for Manhattan district attorney, Jo Anne Simon for Brooklyn borough president, Carmen De La Rosa for Council District 10 in Manhattan and Julia Forman for Council District 26 in Queens the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators also endorsed Johnson for comptroller the New York State Iron Workers District Council endorsed a slate of candidates, including Elizabeth Crowley for Queens borough president and Antonio Reynoso for Brooklyn borough president and the New York City Police Benevolent Association endorsed another slate of council candidates, including Maud Maron in District 1 in Manhattan. Got tips? Email JColtin@CityandStateNY.com or SKashiwagi@CityandStateNY.com or send a DM to @JCColtin or @SydneyKashiwagi District Data City Council District 39 in Brooklyn, covering neighborhoods including Park Slope, Gowanus and Cobble Hill Current council member: Brad Lander, since 2010, who is term-limited at the end of this year and running for comptroller 2010 census demographics: 65.9% white, 14.2% Hispanic, 12.5% Asian and Pacific Islander, 4.4% Black Housing: 68.9% renter-occupied, 31.1% owner-occupied 2013 general election results: Lander: 91.7%, James E. Murray: 8.1% 2017 general election results: Lander wins unopposed Whos running: Shahana Hanif, Mamnun Haq, Justin Krebs, Matthew Morgan, Briget Rein, Doug Schneider, Jessica Simmons and Brandon West. The race to replace Council Member Brad Lander will likely come down to Schneider, Hanif and West, who are viewed as the strongest candidates in the race, according to Julio Pena III, a district leader in Brooklyn who represents Assembly District 51. Hanif, a former Lander staffer, has the endorsements of progressive groups, including the Working Families Party, state Sen. Jessica Ramos and City Council Member Helen Rosenthal. West has the backing of the Democratic Socialists of America, New Kings Democrats, Cynthia Nixon and progressive lawmakers, including state Sen. Julia Salazar and Assembly Members Marcela Mitaynes and Phara Souffrant Forrest. And Schneider has institutional support from Brooklyn Democratic Party leaders. I think they all have really strong platforms and some following, Pena III said. I think the district is really interesting, theyve elected Brad Lander and (Assembly Member) Bobby Carroll, and I think with ranked-choice voting, I think its going to be a really interesting race to see how the numbers play out in terms of first, second and third choice. Pena, who said Schneider is his first choice, does not know who he will rank in the No. 2 and 3 spots, and said he thinks other constituents feel the same at the moment because of the sheer amount of candidates in the race. Twitter Posting how is it possible that i, a member of the exec board of my democratic club who volunteers for local candidates about 4 times a week, just got a mailer for a candidate running to represent me on the City Council that i've literally never heard of before Joshua Goodman @jshgdmn Gov. Andrew Cuomo offered a definition of sexual harassment on Thursday that contradicts a law he signed in 2019. Harassment is not making someone feel uncomfortable, Cuomo said at a press conference in the Bronx. That is not harassment. If I just made you feel uncomfortable, that is not harassment, that is you feeling uncomfortable. In 2019, New York did away with the law that required discriminatory behavior to be severe or pervasive in order to be considered harassment. Many victims rights advocates considered that standard too burdensome, leaving out a lot of reprehensible conduct and making harassment difficult to prove. It was replaced with the standard that the behavior be more than a petty slight or inconvenience, a much lower bar to clear. It was a change that Cuomo celebrated and something he has taken credit for implementing. Sexual harassment also consists of any unwanted verbal or physical advances, sexually explicit derogatory statements or sexually discriminatory remarks made by someone which are offensive or objectionable to the recipient, which cause the recipient discomfort or humiliation, which interfere with the recipients job performance, reads the model sexual harassment policy posted on the governors website. While not all uncomfortable situations are harassment, harassment is inherently uncomfortable for the victim. Cuomos statement came in response to questions from a City & State reporter about an apology Cuomo offered after Charlotte Bennett, the second of now 10 women, came forward. In the statement, the governor did not specifically deny saying any of the things he was accused of, but apologized if he ever made anyone feel uncomfortable. I now understand that my interactions may have been insensitive or too personal and that some of my comments, given my position, made others feel in ways I never intended, Cuomo said at the time. I acknowledge some of the things I have said have been misinterpreted as unwanted flirtation. Bennett accused Cuomo of asking her questions about her dating and sex life, including whether she would date older men she was 25 at the time and Cuomo is 63. Bennett added that Cuomo told her that he was open to dating much younger women, women in their twenties. According to his own model policy, sexual harassment includes sexually oriented gestures, noises, remarks or jokes, or comments about a persons sexuality or sexual experience, which create a hostile work environment. When asked to square his earlier apology with the state law he signed that says that the intent of the harasser doesnt play into a sexual harassment case, Cuomo doubled down. I never said anything I believe is inappropriate, Cuomo said. He then offered a hypothetical, telling the reporter she could accuse him of harassment. I would say, I never said anything I believed was inappropriate, I never meant to make you feel that way. Cuomos remarks drew sharp rebukes from his accusers and anti-sexual harassment advocates. When @NYGovCuomo propositioned me for sex, he broke the law. It is very simple: the issue is about his actions, it is not about my feelings. He broke the law (you know, the one he signed). Apologies dont fix that, and neither do denials, Bennett wrote on Twitter. Bennetts lawyer, Debra Katz, called Cuomos comments jaw-dropping, in a statement. For someone who signed the law defining sexual harassment in New York State Gov. Cuomo continues to show an alarming degree of ignorance about what constitutes sexual harassment, Katz wrote. And Lindsey Boylan, the first former staffer to accuse Cuomo of harassment, reiterated her call for the governor to be removed from office. The single most powerful man in New York is trying to play devils advocate for himself, contradicting a bill that he himself signed into law, Boylan said in a statement. The Sexual Harassment Working Group, which pushed for the states new harassment laws in 2019, also released a statement lambasting Cuomos comments, saying his defense would flop in court. We accept his original confirmation of Charlotte Bennetts account of him breaking the New York State Human Rights Law he signed, creating a hostile work environment and grooming her for sex, the group wrote. Cuomo, who also is under scrutiny for his handling of COVID-19 in nursing homes and for allegedly covering up nursing home deaths from the disease, is currently the subject of an state attorney general investigation over the sexual harassment allegations. He has in recent weeks cast doubt on the eventual outcome of the investigation. On Thursday, Cuomo said, the truth will be told and the truth is much, much different than what has been suggested, adding that he is eager to tell his side of the story. The Assembly is also in the midst of an impeachment investigation into the sexual harassment claims, nursing home deaths and other scandals enveloping the governor. A Cuomo spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for explanation about the disparities between Cuomos definition of sexual harassment and the law, as well as how he would then define it. Ruth Margalit is an Israeli journalist living in Tel Aviv. By day, she covers the crisis there for The New Yorker. By night, her young family shelters in their buildings stairwell. On this weeks Kicker, how American framing of this weeks violence conflicts with the rest of the worlds; how Israeli military censors lost control of the narrative; and why Netanyahus downfall could be related to his obsession with the media. Margalit in conversation with Kyle Pope, editor and publisher of CJR. SHOW NOTES A Ruinous Obsession, Ruth Margalit, CJR Has America ever needed a media watchdog more than now? Help us by joining CJR today Amanda Darrach is a contributor to CJR and a visiting scholar at the University of St Andrews School of International Relations. Follow her on Twitter @thedarrach. Bilibili Q1 revenues up 68 pct on bigger user base Xinhua) 10:22, May 14, 2021 Cosers from Bilibili, a Chinese online platform for animated video, pose for photos at Times Square in New York, the United States, on March 28, 2018. (Xinhua/Li Ming) SHANGHAI, May 13 (Xinhua) -- China's popular video sharing platform Bilibili posted strong revenue growth in the first quarter of 2021 on a fast-expanding user base. Net revenues reached 3.9 billion yuan (595.4 million U.S. dollars) in the January-March period, up 68 percent year on year, Bilibili announced in its first-quarter financial results Thursday. Average monthly active users (MAUs) reached 223.3 million, and mobile MAUs reached 208.5 million, representing year-on-year increases of 30 percent and 33 percent, respectively, the company said. Revenues from mobile games totaled 1.17 billion yuan, up 2 percent year on year and revenues from value-added services, including the premium membership program and live broadcasting services, hit 1.5 billion yuan, an increase of 89 percent, the company said. Revenues from advertising reached 714.7 million yuan, representing a year-on-year increase of 234 percent, and revenues from e-commerce and other businesses hit 519.2 million yuan, up 230 percent. The company said it expects net revenues for the second quarter of 2021 to be between 4.25 billion yuan and 4.35 billion yuan. (Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Liang Jun) On Wednesday, Youmna al-Sayed, a journalist in Gaza City, was reporting live from a rooftop for Al Jazeera, wearing a large bowl-shaped helmet and a bulky flak jacket with PRESS emblazoned across the front. She was right by the Al-Shorouk tower, which housed at least seven media outlets, including the Hamas-affiliated Al-Aqsa TV and a newspaper associated with the Palestinian National Authorityand which had just come under fire from Israel. These were warning missiles, Sayed said, and right now they should be starting to bring down the entire tower. Soon, that happened: Sayed flinched, said Oh my God, and ducked for cover, continuing to narrate as the camera pivoted to show twin plumes of smoke curling into the sky. The destruction is massive, she said. Later, she added, Targeting such a building, which holds media offices, is a clear message by the Israeli occupation that it does not want any media to tell the truth of what is going on in the Gaza Strip. The Al-Shorouk tower wasnt the first building that Israeli forces bombed this week; the day before, theyd destroyed the Al-Jawhara tower, which was home to at least thirteen media organizations, including the Qatari channel Al-Araby TV, the newspaper Felestin, and the Forum of Palestinian Journalists. The local office of Al Jazeera, in an adjacent building, also sustained damage. The International Federation of Journalists reported that the Al-Jawhara tower was evacuated and that no journalists were injured, though the Committee to Protect Journalists was unable to confirm that and noted that the BBC has reported civilian casualties. Israeli officials said they were targeting Hamas weapons stores and offices, including the military wings public relations department. The Israeli military hasnt attacked journalists just in Gaza City. A week ago, security forces fired rubber bullets at protesters in the Temple Mount Complex in Jerusalem, injuring at least five Palestinian freelancers, including Saleh Zighari, who also reported being hit with shrapnel from a stun grenade, and Atta Awisat, whom officers had also beaten with batons. Three journalists with Anadolu, a Turkish state outlet, were hit with rubber bullets; on Monday, two of them and another colleague were attacked again as they covered a raid by Israeli forces on the Al-Aqsa mosque, where at least six Palestinian journalists inhaled tear gas and another, Fatima al-Bakri, was physically assaulted by officers. (Israeli officials said they support press freedom, but not protesters documenting officers in order to create a journalistic facade.) A reporter named Ibrahim al-Singlawi said that he was assaulted by security forces at least four times while covering protests in Sheikh Jarrah, an occupied neighborhood whose Palestinian residents are facing forced displacement by Israeli settlers. On Wednesday, according to the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate, Hazem Nasser, a photojournalist, was arrested in the West Bank. There have been protests in Sheikh Jarrah and elsewhere for weeks, but the situation became a major international story only on Monday: following a raid at Al-Aqsa, Hamas militants fired rockets into Israel and the Israeli government ordered air strikes on Gaza; so far, at least 119 people have been killed, 31 of them children, and hundreds more have been injured. Early this morning, Israeli ground forces fired shells into Gaza; a spokesperson said that troops also entered Gaza, but later claimed that was a miscommunication. Much of the top-line coverage in the United States has used fuzzy, passive languagewarlike violence erupts; the Israeli-Palestinian crisis, reignitedthat obscures who has done what to whom; after the Al-Aqsa raid, clashes was ubiquitous. This is a straightforward attack by Israel on Palestinians, Jack Mirkinson wrote, for Discourse Blog. Mehdi Hasan, a host on MSNBC and NBCs streaming service Peacock, called the word a journalistic shorthand that personally, I cannot stand. He condemned Hamas for firing rockets, but added that the fundamental, unavoidable reality at the heart of this conflict is that there is an asymmetry of power here. One side is the occupier. The other side is occupied. Palestine/Israel coverage in American media has always been poor, Rowaida Abdelaziz, a reporter at HuffPost, tweeted Monday, but it is actually insane to me how egregious it currently is. Nevertheless, Palestinian voices have made themselves heard in the US. Mohammed El-Kurd, a writer and resident of Sheikh Jarrah, was invited onto MSNBC and CNN, where he called out the press for distorting his experience: when an anchor referred to Kurds possible eviction, he replied, Forced ethnic displacement; when the anchor asked if Kurd supported violent protests in support of his cause, he asked back, Do you support the violent dispossession of me and my family? (There followed an awkward silence.) The clip went viral; Kurd told Vice that this was probably because theres not been this kind of articulation about Empire in the media in recent years. I wanted to make the joke that its because Im good TV, but its not. More often than not, its the fact that what Im saying sounds unprecedented. Vice asked Kurd if he feared repercussions for being outspoken. In addition to the media attention, he said, there have been hundreds of people reaching out to me, saying, may God protect you, please be careful, I hope nothing bad happens to you. Then, on Wednesday, Israeli forces kicked Kurd and his family out of Sheikh Jarrah. Sign up for CJR 's daily email Below, more on Israel and Palestine: Unheard of: The Daily Beast s Maxwell Tani and Lloyd Grove assessed the coverage of MSNBCs Hasan and Ayman Mohyeldin , who, Tani and Grove wrote, have spent the past several days challenging the US-media status quo by doing something practically unheard of on an American television outletdevoting substantial airtime to the Palestinian point of view. (Mohyeldin interviewed Kurd this week.) Their coverage has prompted cheers among some within the network who have been pleased to see MSNBC elevate voices seemingly skeptical of Israeli military force, though it has also prompted some eye-rolling among a few of their NBC colleagues. The regional angle: The BBC rounded up how the weeks events have been covered in Middle Eastern media . The news remains relatively low down the running order of Syrian TV news, and in Iran it only started topping bulletins on Tuesday. In both countrieskey members of the so-called axis of resistance to Israeldomestic issues have taken priority, the BBC reports. Qatari Al-Jazeeras Arabic channel, a traditional supporter of the Palestinian cause, gives the story full coverage. It is also the lead story on Saudi-funded Al Arabiya, which is pressing its guests and correspondents on claims by both sides. Bibi: This weeks events have taken place against the backdrop of another round of domestic political wrangling in Israel, where negotiations to form a new government are in flux, and the ongoing trial of Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister, who stands accused of corruption, including in his dealings with media outlets. Reporters Without Borders has the latest on the trial ; for more background, read Ruth Margalit in CJR . Other notable stories: 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. COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) Sandra Kunz had been worried for her safety while working as a cashier at a Walmart in Aurora, Colorado, during the pandemic, said her sister, Paula Spellman. The 72-year-old had lung disease, Spellman said. She was uncomfortable because so many people (were) coming in with coughs. But Kunz didnt complain to the government agency tasked with protecting workers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Sandys not a complainer, Spellman said. She went out and just purchased her own mask and her own gloves. It wasnt enough. On April 20, 2020, Kunz died from COVID-19 following an outbreak linked to the Aurora Walmart. At least 18 employees got sick and one other worker at Walmart, Lupe Aguilar, died. So did Kunzs husband, Gustavous, who Spellman said fell ill after she did. The Walmart where Kunz worked was one of at least 151 Walmart facilities in 10 states with available data where multiple COVID-19 illnesses were recorded, a reporting consortium led by the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism found. On average, one quarter of the companys stores and distribution centers in those states were affected. In New Mexico, COVID-19 hit nearly every store. Walmart, the nations largest private employer, provides a window into OSHAs performance during the pandemic. Many of the retailers nearly 1.6 million U.S. workers are vulnerable to COVID-19 due to income disparities, racial discrimination or language barriers. They depend on OSHA to guarantee safe and healthy workplaces. But the worker-safety system is fragmented, reporting from the University of Maryland, Boston University, the University of Arkansas and Stanford University found. Responsibility is splintered among federal OSHA, state agencies and even local boards of health. As a result, there is little accountability for the failure of government watchdogs to keep workers safe from COVID-19. The consortium documented that worker safety oversight rarely results in meaningful consequences for companies that arent protecting workers. In Massachusetts, Walmart challenged OSHAs investigation into the death of a worker. The company cited OSHAs pledge to use discretion in holding certain employers responsible for COVID-19 cases in the workplace, and wasnt penalized. When workers submit COVID-related complaints to OSHA, only a fraction lead to inspections, and even fewer result in a citation. As of late March, 3% of closed COVID-19 complaints to federal OSHA offices deemed valid by the agency resulted in an inspection, 12.5% of which led to citations. The average penalty was $13,000; OSHA reduced over a third of the fines. For Walmart, slightly fewer complaints resulted in inspections 2.6%. No inspections led to a citation. The Biden administration proposed an emergency temporary standard April 26 that would give OSHA greater power to enforce COVID-19 workplace-safety rules. Meanwhile, the cost of the 14-month delay since the pandemic began can be tallied in deaths and thousands of worker illnesses. In Grants Pass, Oregon, in 2020, Walmart workers and customers filed over 24 complaints about the lack of COVID-19 safeguards with the state worker-safety agency.Yet between December and March, at least 18 people were infected in an outbreak linked to the Walmart. Karla Holman worked customer service at that Walmart until late January and heard about cases through workplace rumors, never from her employer. Walmart was silent about it, Holman said. Workers in other states also said Walmart concealed COVID-19 cases from employees. Walmart spokesperson Scott Pope said we communicate with associates in stores where there has been a confirmed case. Any time you operate more than 5,000 facilities across the country there is the opportunity for variance in how a recommended process is executed, he said. Since April 2020, OSHA has released an updated list, including company names, of complaints related to COVID-19 that the agency has deemed valid. In Colorado, approximately 98% of workplaces with reported COVID-19 outbreaks did not appear on that list as of March. Twenty-one states have their own OSHA plans overseeing private businesses. They must meet all the federal standards but can impose stricter rules if they choose. In those states, the rate of complaints was five times higher than in states where the federal government exclusively oversees workplace safety. More complaints dont guarantee more inspections. In Oregon, which is among the states with the most COVID-19 complaints for Walmart, only one complaint led to an inspection. As of March 24, at least 10 Walmart locations in the state were linked to outbreaks with over five cases, including a Hermiston distribution center linked to 124 recorded cases, the consortium found. A study in Occupational & Environmental Medicine, a peer-reviewed journal, found that infection rates were significantly higher at a grocery retail store than the surrounding community. Moreover, it said store workers who had direct contact with customers were five times more likely to contract COVID-19 than workers who did not. Rebecca Reindel, the AFL-CIOs director of occupational safety and health, said the public-health response focused on cheaper measures, such as masks and hand sanitizer, which shifted the burden of protection onto workers themselves. It is difficult to know the full extent of COVID-19 in Walmart stores. The company tracks, but does not publicly disclose, COVID-19 cases. Federal OSHA does not track COVID-19 outbreaks. And state agencies responsible for tracking outbreak data rarely disclose it. When they do, state practices vary widely. Only some release names of companies with COVID-19 outbreaks, and there is no consistent definition of how many cases constitute an outbreak. Walmart spokesperson Casey Staheli said the company instituted a range of policies, including mask requirements for associates and customers, limiting store hours and capacity, deep cleanings, screening associates health, installing plastic guards and implementing social distancing in all facilities. Workers said whats on paper often doesnt match the real world. Of 10 Walmart employees in five states interviewed by the Howard Center, just three said they felt safe from COVID-19 exposure at work. Some workers said they face retaliation if they complain about safety conditions. Lorinda Dudley was fired from a St. Albans, Vermont, Walmart in March 2020 after asking her manager for protective gear, according to a lawsuit she filed against Walmart in February. She was frightened after a customer coughed repeatedly at her checkout station. Dudley said her manager rejected her requests, then terminated Dudley when she said she would need to buy her own protection before returning to the register. Walmart tried to block Dudleys unemployment claim, saying she quit, Vermont Department of Labor records show. I just wanted to be safe, Dudley said. Walmart denies Dudleys allegations and plans to defend the company in court, said Pope, Walmarts spokesperson. Federal OSHA has no consistent means to determine if violations reported by state plans are COVID-related, a U.S. Department of Labor spokesperson, who would not be quoted by name, told the Howard Center. As a result, there is no detailed national picture of how well the agency is protecting workers during the pandemic. OSHAs inaction has shifted some enforcement responsibilities onto local health departments, many of which are already overwhelmed. It just became the theater of the absurd, said Shaun McAuliffe, director of the Hopkinton, Massachusetts, Board of Health. They were just dumping onto the local health directors. We didnt have the time We didnt have the training. The Department of Labor spokesperson said OSHA investigates every complaint, but has modified its approach to allow remote inspections and informal methods of enforcement during the pandemic. A February report from the Department of Labors Office of Inspector General compared OSHA results from 2019 to 2020, finding OSHA received 15% more complaints in 2020, but performed 50% fewer inspections. In lieu of on-site workplace inspections, OSHA calls the employer, describes the alleged hazard(s), and then follows up with a fax, email, or letter, the report said. Lani Eklund said her mother, Yok Yen Lee, was scared of contracting the virus. Lee, a 69-year-old Chinese immigrant, was a greeter outside the Quincy, Massachusetts, Walmart store, state workers compensation records show. During the second week of April 2020, Lee wasnt feeling well, Eklund said. On April 20, her daughter said Lee was found unresponsive in her apartment, then was rushed to the hospital and put on a ventilator. She died May 3. OSHA records from May 7 show at least 16 other workers there also contracted COVID-19. Walmart denied responsibility for Lees death and contested her familys claim for workers compensation, according to state records. Pope said there isnt a way to scientifically show that the conditions of any facility definitively led to confirmed cases. Eklund said the company settled months after her mothers death for an amount that barely exceeded her funeral costs. Lees death also triggered an on-site OSHA inspection beginning May 8, 2020 at the Quincy store, which Walmart challenged, according to OSHA inspection records obtained by the Howard Center consortium. The records show phone interviews were interrupted and stopped prematurely by Walmart officials when OSHA asked questions about Lees death. In response to a subpoena issued by regional OSHA investigators, Walmart cited OSHA headquarters own COVID-19 guidance in objecting to any investigation into whether coronavirus cases were work-related, the records show. That guidance, part of an April OSHA enforcement memo, applied to private employers not involved in health care, emergency response nor corrections.It said the employers may face difficulty in determining whether employees with COVID-19 caught it at work, and so OSHA would exercise enforcement discretion. On Dec. 30, 2020, OSHA closed its investigation of the Quincy Walmart. A Department of Labor spokesperson said the inspection identified no violations of OSHA standards and declined further comment. Records show no citation was issued. In a February note to associates, John Furner, CEO and president of Walmart U.S., boasted about the companys amazing increased sales. Thank you for an incredible year! he wrote. About the photo: Shoppers walk out of a Walmart store in Waldorf, Md., May 7, 2021. STRONGSVILLE, Ohio -- The Strongsville Veterans Memorial was conceived to raise public awareness about the extent to which veterans in our local community have protected the freedoms we enjoy. Special recognition is given to prisoners of war, medics and nurses. Its important that we express our gratitude while showing the world how very proud we are of our veterans. Through the Veterans and Friends of Veterans Brick Pavers, you can give community support to maintain this memorial. The pavers dedicated to veterans are located in the inner circle, and friends of veterans pavers are located in the outer circle. Costs are $40 for a 4-inch-by-8-inch paver and $75 for an 8-inch-by-8-inch paver. Pavers honoring prisoners of war and those killed in action during our current War on Terrorism are free. Pavers are placed in the order they are received, unless the purchaser would like to group pavers together. In that case, use the same purchasers name on the applications. The pavers are available for all veterans, including those who served during times of peace. They do make the distinction by brick paver color as to which conflict a veteran was in. Sponsor pavers are available for businesses and organizations. These pavers line the walkway on either side leading to the memorial and are placed in the order they are received. Costs are $250 for a 12-inch-by-12-inch limestone paver, $500 for a 16-inch-by-16-inch limestone paver and $1,000 for a 16-inch-by-16-inch granite paver. Granite benches are placed on the perimeter of the memorial in six locations, and may be inscribed with donors wishes. Cost is $3,500 for the 4-foot-long benches. Cash donations are accepted at various levels. Each level is recognized in its own special way: Bronze Star Level, $1,000 to $2,000; Silver Star Level, $2,000 to $4,000; and Medal of Honor Level, $4,000 and up. All checks should be made payable to VFW Post 3345 Memorial Fund. Remember that no person is ever gone, until they are forgotten. It is our responsibility to ensure that this never happens. We all know that these are not the best of times, but patriotism knows only one level of pride. You can help show not only our own local community, but the entire world just how proud we are of our veterans and the sacrifices they have made for the freedoms we enjoy every day. For more information, go to www.vfw3345.com or contact John Hohne at 440-885-1865. Best high school: Strongsville High School has been named a 2021 U.S. News and World Reports Best High School and earned the No. 41 spot in rankings of Ohio high schools. Strongsville High School has continually improved its ranking over the past four years, ranking No. 115 in 2017, No. 95 in 2018, No. 73 in 2019 and No. 49 in 2020 in this annual list. Strongsville High School also ranks No. 1,255 nationally, up from No. 1,386 in last years listing. U.S. News ranked more than 17,800 public high schools across the United States. A total of 691 Ohio schools earned a place on the list of ranked institutions. These annual rankings take a holistic approach in evaluating schools, focusing on six factors: college readiness, reading and math proficiency, reading and math performance, underserved student performance, college curriculum breadth, and graduation rates. College readiness measures participation and performance on Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams. We are proud to be recognized by U.S. News in their annual rankings. Preparing students for future success is what we strive for at Strongsville High School, said Principal Bill Wingler. Whatever path our students choose for life after graduation -- college, career or military -- we are confident that our teachers and staff are providing meaningful experiences and opportunities. The annual U.S. News rankings are an affirmation of the work being done in our classrooms. Stop the hate: The Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage is proud to announce the 2021 winners of the 13th annual Stop the Hate Youth Speak Out & Youth Sing Out Contest. The contest annually awards $100,000 in scholarships and prizes to middle and high school upstanders speaking out against bias and bigotry through essay writing and songwriting. Winners were announced May 11 on the museums website, www.maltzmuseum.org. Thomas Smyers celebrates his win with Shaker Heights High School principal and teachers. (Photo Courtesy of Maltz Museum) As part of the big reveal, Stop the Hate Committee Chair Darrell McNair surprised the grand prize winner, Thomas Smyers of Shaker Heights High School, at his home. Family, friends, and teachers who were in on the surprise stood on the lawn cheering as Thomas received a giant check for $20,000. Principal Eric Juli accepted an anti-bias education grant for $5,000 to be used for the school in the year ahead. Cleveland.coms Facebook Live reporter, Hannah Drown, captured the event, including when Thomas read his winning essay on the topic of advancing racial justice in America. The video has been viewed nearly 7,000 times in less than 24 hours. To see the complete list of winners, go to www.maltzmuseum.org/STH. Visit the Maltz Museums website to read the emotional and inspiring essays, as well as listen to the empowering songs penned by Northeast Ohio students. Let the Strongsville community know what is going on with your organization, church, school, business or family. Email me at shirleymac48@att.net. Read more from the Sun Star Courier. COLUMBUS, OhioFully vaccinated people in Ohio will no longer be required to wear a mask except when in certain crowded indoor settings, Gov. Mike DeWine announced Friday. The governors announcement that he will amend the states mask mandate comes a day after the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new coronavirus guidance stating that fully vaccinated people dont have to wear masks outside or in many indoor spaces. Until now, an Ohio Department of Health order has generally required people to wear masks while indoors, as well as in crowded outdoor settings such as sporting events, concerts, and parades. DeWine said his administration, per CDC guidelines, will still require mask use in a health-care setting, when people are travelling on airplanes or public transportation, and when they are in a business that chooses to require masks. Ohios mask mandate, along with most other state coronavirus orders, will go away entirely on June 2, DeWine announced Wednesday, citing rising vaccination rates. However, coronavirus rules for nursing homes and long-term-care facilities in the state -- which include mask requirements during visits -- will still remain in place after June 2. Individuals who have not been vaccinated should continue to wear masks, DeWine said in a release Friday. The experience in other states has been that some individuals may choose to wear masks, and many businesses, schools, hospitals, and other employers may choose to require masks in their buildings, the governor said in a statement. That will remain their choice. The CDC directive, by prompting DeWines announcement Friday, effectively ended a key part of Ohios COVID-19 restrictions three weeks early, said Paul Beck, a political scientist at Ohio State University. I think (DeWine) is under enormous pressure to make these decisions and get things back to more or less normal, Beck said. I think that a lot of merchants are just itching to open up. Beck said he doesnt expect authorities will do much to enforce the remaining mask requirements that DeWine is leaving in place, as there are obvious problems with trying to enforce a mask mandate only for people who remain unvaccinated. Of course, (people) can always say, Oh yeah Im vaccinated, and we dont yet have any clear proof of vaccination that people have to show, Beck said. Ohio first flirted with mask mandates in April 2020 when DeWine announced -- then hastily reversed -- a mask requirement for retail customers in the state. Following a surge in cases last summer, DeWine instituted a statewide mask mandate in July of 2020, which has remained in place since. Studies have shown that wearing masks helps to curb the spread of COVID-19. But among mostly conservative critics, the states mask mandate has been one of the most despised of DeWines coronavirus policies. Republican state lawmakers introduced legislation to overturn mask requirements, and one legislator even refused to wear a mask on the grounds that it dishonors God. While the state was on track to remove its mask mandate in less than three weeks, DeWine is continuing a push to get more people vaccinated. Following approval from the federal government, vaccination sites began administering Pfizer doses to children age 12 to 17 this week, including at the Wolstein Center mass vaccination site in downtown Cleveland. Earlier Friday, unrelated to his lifting of the mask mandate, DeWine signed House Bill 6 which, among other changes, expands who can administer vaccines in the state, including podiatrists, pharmacists and pharmacy interns. The governor is also employing more creative techniques to try and get people to get vaccinated, including weekly $1 million giveaways to five Ohioans who have at least started their vaccines as well as a corresponding drawing for five people younger than 18 to receive full-ride scholarships to any Ohio state college or university. On Thursday, DeWine also announced that the state would stop taking payments for enhanced unemployment benefits from the federal government of $300-a-week per person, saying the administration felt unemployment payments were becoming an incentive to people not to return to work. CLEVELAND, Ohio A federal judge who recently struck down an eviction moratorium the presidents administration enacted to keep those financially hurt by the coronavirus pandemic agreed Friday to put her ruling on hold while the case is reviewed by a higher court. U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich wrote in a 10-page opinion that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which enacted the moratorium, has a strong interest in controlling the spread of COVID-19 and protecting public health. The CDC has argued that keeping people in their homes during the pandemic is important to ensure the coronavirus does not spread, and the judge said that outweighs other factors in favor of letting the moratorium lapse. Fridays ruling means the moratorium remains in effect. The CDC in September, when former President Donald Trump was still in office, first enacted its moratorium on eviction people who cannot pay their rent due to the pandemic. Both Congress and President Joe Bidens administration have extended it several times and it is now set to expire June 30. In the Cleveland area, advocates have said the moratorium is a significant reason why courts did not see a wave of eviction lawsuits as workers lost their jobs and struggled to pay their rent. Landlords, meanwhile, have ruled that the moratorium has harmed them financially. Friedrich, a Trump appointee whose courtroom is in Washington, D.C., ruled earlier this month that the CDC does not have the authority to enact such a sweeping moratorium. Other courts across the country have agreed, while others have ruled in favor of the CDC, though Friedrich was the first judge to set the moratorium aside. The Justice Department has asked a federal appeals court in Washington, D.C. to review Friedrichs ruling. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A 32-year-old man pleaded guilty Thursday to murder after police said he killed a 73-year-old laundromat worker who stopped him from attacking a group of women. Carl Sanders, of Cleveland, faces life in prison after admitting to killing David Brown in December 2019 inside the Wash-N-Dry laundromat on Broadway Avenue. He pleaded guilty to murder, felonious assault and weapons charges in exchange for prosecutors dismissing an aggravated murder charge and several counts of attempted murder and felonious assault. Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge John Sutula accepted Sanders plea and will sentence him at a hearing set for June 10. Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael OMalley called Sanders killing of Brown another example of senseless gun violence. I urge everyone to please put down the weapons and stop these irrational attacks, OMalley said. Sanders approached a group of women about 1 a.m. Dec. 2, 2019, inside the laundromat and had a weapon, Maple Heights police said. Police have not said what kind of weapon Sanders had when he approached the women. The indictment that charged Sanders with attempted murder of two of the women accused him of using a firearm during the attack. Brown intervened and stopped Sanders from attacking the women, police said. The two argued and Sanders shot Brown in the head and in his body, according to police. He died at the scene, and Sanders ran away. Maple Heights police arrested Sanders within hours of the attack. Police said in a statement that the women were not injured likely due to the intervention of David Brown. LAKE COUNTY, Ohio -- Lake County Common Pleas Court Judge John ODonnell set bond Friday at $100,000 against a 30-year-old Willoughby man accused of killing his 3-week-old son. William Beasley appeared Friday morning in court and pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, involuntary manslaughter, endangering children and felonious assault in the death of his son, Zachary Beasley, in May 2020. Beasley remains in the Lake County Jail, records say and his next court appearance has not yet been scheduled. The court will appoint an attorney to represent him. The investigation began when EMS workers went to Beasleys home about 1:30 a.m. May 22, 2020 to respond to a report of an infant boy who was having difficulty breathing. Paramedics took Zachary to Cleveland Clinic Hillcrest Hospital in Mayfield Heights, then took him to the pediatric intensive care unit at Cleveland Clinic. Healthcare workers later contacted Lake County Jobs and Family Services, saying Zachary showed signs of possible abuse. County officials contacted police upon learning this information. Zachary died on May 29, 2020. His death was ruled a homicide by the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiners Office. He died from complications of blunt force injury to head, trunk, and extremities with skeletal and brain injuries. Beasley was arrested Tuesday by Willoughby police and members of Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force after a year-long investigation into Zacharys death. Read more crime stories on cleveland.com: Willoughby father charged with murder in death of infant son Man shot to death in Clevelands Collinwood-Nottingham neighborhood, police say Cleveland man serving 9-year prison sentence ordered released after appeals court finds prosecutors waited too long to try him Woman attacks victim with 10-pound log of meat at South Euclid Walmart, police say Suspect in fatal shooting at Akrons Grace Park surrenders to police AKRON, Ohio Police say man walked into a police station and confessed to the fatal shooting of a 58-year-old man Saturday at a downtown park. Hakim Mitcham, 25, surrendered to officers at about 4:45 p.m. Wednesday, police say. He is being held in the Summit County Jail on a charge of aggravated murder. Police say Mitcham was a suspect in the fatal shooting of Randall Proctor on Saturday at Grace Park. Proctor was sitting on a bench in the park at about 5 p.m. Saturday when a man walked up behind him and shot him in the head, according to police. Proctor was pronounced dead at Summa Health Akron City Hospital. The suspect ran from the park after the shooting. After surrendering Wednesday, Mitcham was interviewed and later confessed to the shooting, police say. A weapon that might have been used in the shooting has been recovered. More crime-related content on cleveland.com: Man fatally shot woman in Clevelands St. Clair-Superior neighborhood, police say Man pleads guilty in killing of Maple Heights laundromat worker who stopped attack on women Ex-East Cleveland Mayor Gary Norton and aide get probation for torpedoing covert public corruption probe FBI searching for man who robbed Fifth Third Bank in downtown Cleveland Northfield police officer accuses state trooper of violating his rights in arrest, lawsuit says SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio A Cleveland woman is facing an assault charge after police say she hit another woman in the face with a 10-pound log of prepackaged meat during a fight at a Walmart. Police say officers were called to the Walmart at about 4:20 p.m. Tuesday for a disturbance between two women. Officers learned that the two women knew each other and that one had a protection order against the suspect. The woman who had filed for the protection order reportedly was threatened by the suspect, who threatened to beat her and the womans 7-year-old daughter, police say. The suspect then pulled down her mask and attempted to spit on the woman who had filed the protection order. Police say the suspect then grabbed the log of meat from the womans cart and struck the victim in the face. It is unknown as to what initially led to the beef between the two women, police said in a post on Facebook. The 25-year-old suspect was arrested and charged with assault and violating a temporary protection order. Police did not release the identity of the suspect, but said she has a history of violent behavior and that warrants were out for her arrest. COLUMBUS, Ohio A top official at the Ohio state auditors office told state lawmakers Thursday that his office encountered problems getting reliable information from Ohios unemployment benefits program at a level not seen since the Coingate scandal. Chief Deputy Auditor Bob Hinkles testimony came after State Auditor Keith Faber told cleveland.com that Ohio Department of Job and Family Services officials withheld that they were facing a tsunami of fraudulent unemployment claims from scammers who ended up bilking the system of hundreds of millions of dollars. Hinkle, testifying before the Ohio Unemployment Compensation Modernization and Improvement Council Thursday, said the state auditors office had to issue qualified opinions about internal control weaknesses related to benefits eligibility and claims processing, as well as four qualified opinions regarding non-compliance with federal laws and regulations. This means that we do not have the confidence in the information presented to us, Hinkle said. It is a big deal. Hinkle said that in his 36-year career, the only other time he could recall the auditors office having to issue a qualified opinion was an audit of the Bureau of Workers Compensation in 2006. Thats when the BWC was rocked by the so-called Coingate scandal, when it invested hundreds of millions of dollars in high-risk or unconventional investment schemes run by people connected with the Ohio Republican Party including, most notably, rare-coin dealer and GOP fundraiser Tom Noe. In addition, Hinkle said, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services was unable to provide sufficient documentation to review the unemployment systems security or computer systems. The audit covered a period that ended in June 2020. Hinkle reiterated Fabers assertions to cleveland.com that ODJFS officials didnt tell the auditors office that they were encountering any unusual levels of fraud. It was unfortunate, he said, that Fabers office found out more about the departments knowledge of fraud by listening to then-ODJFS Director Kimberly Henderson testify to state lawmakers. An ODJFS spokesman couldnt be reached for comment Thursday evening. A spokesman for Gov. Mike DeWine, Dan Tierney, said he couldnt provide in-depth comments about Hinkles statement because Fabers office is currently conducting two other audits of the states unemployment system one into its customer-service issues, the other into its response to fraud. When asked Thursday during his news briefing how he could stand by deception from members of his administration, DeWine didnt directly answer the question. Instead, he referred comment to Hendersons successor, interim ODJFS Director Matt Damschroder, who said his office is working closely with Fabers office on the two audits. Both Faber and Hinkle praised Damschroder, saying ODJFS has cooperated more with their office since he took over the department. WASHINGTON, D. C. - U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosis decision to keep masking and physical distancing requirements on the House of Representatives floor despite new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance that fully vaccinated Americans can forgo those precautions has upset Holmes County GOP Rep. Bob Gibbs, who sent Pelosi a letter on Thursday night to protest the policy. CDC guidance states fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask or physically distance in any setting except where required by governmental or workplace mandate, said the letter from Gibbs, signed by more than 30 Republicans including Zanesvilles Troy Balderson, Bowling Greens Bob Latta and Miami Countys Warren Davidson. It is time to update our own workplace regulations. Every member of Congress has had the opportunity to be vaccinated, and you have indicated about 75 percent have taken advantage of this opportunity. The United States Congress must serve as a model to show the country we can resume normal life through vaccination. Lets follow the science and get back to work. Pelosi doesnt believe that 75% rate is good enough. Her office referred reporters to a CNN survey of Congress members that indicated 100% of the legislative bodys Democrats say they are vaccinated, compared with 44.8% of Republicans. CNN says 112 of the 212 Republicans in the House did not respond to its repeated inquiries, while just one Republican - Kentuckys Thomas Massie - said he doesnt plan to get vaccinated because the Pfizer and Moderna trials showed no benefit from the vaccine for those previously infected. House Attending Physician Brian Monahan notified congressional offices on Thursday that the present mask requirement and other guidelines remain unchanged until all Members and floor staff are fully vaccinated. His notification described a fully vaccinated individual as one who has completed all scheduled doses of their coronavirus vaccine (Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson and Johnson) and two weeks have elapsed since the last dose. It said recovery from natural infection is not equivalent to completion of a vaccination, and that individuals who arent fully vaccinated or with medical conditions that increase their infection risk should keep wearing masks and complying with social distancing guidelines. Gibbs, who is vaccinated and not concerned about exposure to unvaccinated colleagues, released a statement that said political leaders should be setting an example for getting back to normal, not cowering in fear in defiance of common sense. Based on sound science, the CDC says those who are vaccinated have an incredibly low risk of becoming infected with coronavirus, his statement said. The House of Representatives is filled with enough political drama. The last thing we should be doing is contributing to vaccine hesitancy with the same Mask-erpiece Theater Congress engaged in during Bidens address to the joint session. I and my colleagues are calling on Speaker Pelosi to reverse these restrictions and allow the Peoples House to resume regular operations. Read more: Marcia Fudge issued Hatch Act warning over political remarks at White House House adopts veterans service dog measure from retiring Rep. Steve Stivers of Ohio Republicans oust Liz Cheney from party leadership with support from Jim Jordan President Joe Biden discusses vaccination efforts with Ohios Mike DeWine and other governors How much money will your city get from the American Rescue Plan? Ohios only majority minority congressional district may lose that status in remapping Northeast Ohio Congress members seek big money for local projects through earmarks HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge launches coronavirus vaccination outreach effort Ohio GOP to vote on censuring Rep. Anthony Gonzalez and other Republicans over Trump impeachment Ohios Richard Cordray gets Biden administration Education Department job overseeing student aid Who will get zapped when Ohio redraws congressional maps? Vice President Kamala Harris boosts public transit in Cincinnati to promote infrastructure bill CLEVELAND -- I recently read a USA Today headline noting Vice President Kamala Harris agreement with a remark by Sen. Tim Scott that America is not a racist country. The merits of the comment aside, this was -- sadly -- the most bipartisan headline Id seen in months. I know I am not alone in worrying about the divisiveness that has overtaken our national discourse, but I think I may be alone, or at least in a distinct minority, in recognizing one of our greatest reasons for unity. Before you get too optimistic, allow me to clarify: I am talking about the national debt. Given the dramatic events weve experienced in recent years, it is not surprising that the national debt doesnt get the attention it did back in the Obama administration when Messrs. Simpson and Bowles were making headlines, albeit below the fold. It is, admittedly, a bit of a damp towel as far as conversation starters go, but the reality is that it remains our greatest national challenge, and the consequences of not addressing it puts each and every American -- regardless of race, color or creed -- in the same sinking boat. Even the most fiscally disinterested would guess that a global pandemic will not do much for the national bottom line. Deficit spending more than tripled in the 2020 fiscal year, and we werent exactly spendthrifts in the Trump era. If the COVID-19 pandemic marked a once-in-a-lifetime spike in government debt, we could deal with it. The 2020 debt-to-GDP milestone of 129%, as calculated from Treasury figures by thebalance.com, most closely resembles debt levels during World War II (which had reached 118% by 1946), and while it took decades to dig out of that hole, dig we did and few would second-guess whether the gains were worth the sacrifices. However, current estimates by the Congressional Budget Office indicate that pandemic spending is just the tip of the iceberg. The nonpartisan budgetary watchdog predicts the U.S. debt-to-GDP ratio will surpass 200% in coming decades if we continue spending even at pre-pandemic levels. Joseph Ptak, pictured in 2019 during a vacation in London. Ptak, a high school economics teacher in Cleveland, calls on Americans to take seriously the growing national debt and to exhort heir representatives in Washington to do more to rein it in. In practical terms, this means the government will borrow more and more money to fund its spending mandates (Social Security and Medicare) and priorities (defense, education, the environment), and will consequently pay more and more interest on that borrowed money. As anyone with a credit card knows, the point at which interest payments alone exceed your ability to pay is known as default. In a January 2011 letter to Congress, then-Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner described a national default as having catastrophic economic consequences that would last for decades. Of all the crises facing our nation today, the debt crisis is unique in the gap between the magnitude of its impact and the lack of concern shown by those in a position to do something about it. Neither the press nor the political class gives it much time. Perhaps this is because they dont think people are engaged on the issue and that tweeting about reining in deficits wont get as many likes as attacking members of the other party. All the more reason that it is we the people, as media consumers and voters, who have the responsibility to get the debt crisis off the back burner. After all, in a democracy, our government will only be as responsible as we demand it to be. Joseph Ptak is a high school economics teacher in Cleveland. Have something to say about this topic? * Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication. * Email general questions about our editorial board or comments or corrections on this opinion column to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com. LAKEWOOD, Ohio -- As we work to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic and look toward the future together, the city of Lakewood is focused on another challenge that will require our collective efforts: protecting our environment. We are proud that Lakewood is among the cities across our state and nation that are leading the charge on this important responsibility. However, environmental stewardship, and with it, utilizing clean energy, is not just a responsibility; it presents enormous opportunity. In 2019, Lakewood City Council passed a resolution establishing a goal for all city facilities to transition to entirely clean energy by 2025, and for the entire community to transition by 2035. Lakewood was the first suburb and the third city in Ohio, following Cleveland and Cincinnati, to adopt such a resolution. Using these ambitious but attainable goals as a framework, City Council moved forward with sustainable initiatives to create local jobs, reduce air pollution, and save our citizens money. Meghan F. George is mayor of Lakewood. One such initiative involves the recent installation and interconnection of solar panels on several of our buildings, producing power for several city facilities. Locally generated energy allows Lakewood to reduce operating costs and moves us toward better energy consumption practices. Lakewood is also in the final stages of securing clean-energy contracts for all city facilities. Additionally, the installation of and conversion to LED streetlights will drastically reduce energy consumption, light pollution, and tens of thousands of dollars in costs every year. Our urban tree canopy is also a priority, and we are proud to tout the success of the citys Forestry Unit, which is working to increase the citys tree canopy and has plans to plant another 400 trees throughout Lakewood in 2021. We have also invested tens of millions of dollars in the Clean Water Lakewood Initiative to restore our Rocky River and Lake Erie borders to their pristine natural beauty. Tristan Rader is a member at-large of Lakewood City Council. Considering all that we have achieved, Lakewood is ready for the next step in the clean energy process a citywide Climate Action Plan that will bring together our environmental goals, initiatives, and projects into one comprehensive document. Learning from the experience of other local governments, this plan will guide Lakewoods climate response and carbon policy for many years to come through sequenced milestones on an achievable timeline. While we are filled with hope and optimism concerning the work that our city is putting into its green initiatives, we are concerned about recent legislation that has been introduced in the Ohio legislature. Ohio House Bill 192 would restrict municipalities ability to limit the use of fossil fuels and promote clean energy in their communities. This bill flies in the face of municipal autonomy and commonsense climate reform and would undo much of the work the city has already put into its environmental initiatives. Lakewood was incorporated as a city over 100 years ago, yet this legislation supported by downstate coal, oil, and gas special interests is attempting to interfere with the home rule principle of local government self-determination. Worse yet, these special interests have openly admitted that their regressive legislation is aimed at stripping away the ability of local communities like Lakewood for deciding our own future. The facts cannot be denied: Clean energy is cheaper and more popular, and is becoming more widely available. And, contrary to popular belief, it provides stable employment for those transitioning out of the fossil-fuel industry. Lakewood, like other communities around the world, is working harder than ever to move forward on clean energy and on protection and preservation of our environment. We will do everything we can to keep Lakewood moving forward on these topics effectively and efficiently and to lead the way for other communities. Meghan F. George is the mayor of Lakewood and Tristan Rader is a Lakewood City Council member at-large. Have something to say about this topic? * Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication. * Email general questions about our editorial board or comments or corrections on this opinion column to Elizabeth Sullivan, director of opinion, at esullivan@cleveland.com. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Theres a midge hatch going on right now in the shallower waters of Lake Erie, sending large schools of walleye into a feeding frenzy. Some fishermen are struggling, though. While trophy walleye are being caught, it seems that the latest crop of two-year-old walleye is rather large in numbers, but a little short when it comes to length. Anglers are reporting that drift-and-cast tactics on and around the island shoals, a very productive way to put a six-fish limit in the cooler, often happens to be where schools of 13- and 14-inch walleye are feeding. Those fish may grow to a legal 15-inch size before fall arrives, but for now they must be carefully released. Fishing guides report that larger walleye are available in the deeper waters along the Ohio-Ontario border of the Western Basin, and trolling diving plugs, or crankbaits, has been the way to connect with them. The windy weather in recent days has made walleye fishing difficult, but not impossible. Instead of getting limits of walleye in just a few hours, it has been taking all day to satisfy a crew of charter customers. Expect the improving weather to wake up the big walleye, many seemingly taking a nap after the big winds. Walleye fishing phenomenal around Central Basin: The fishing from Huron to Cleveland has been outstanding of late, with excellent catches in the shallower 16 to 25 feet of water, as well as at 33 to 48 feet. One surprise has been the walleye still prefer to chase diving plugs. This is usually the time year when trolling spoons begin to work their magic. Fishermen report it has been best targeting walleye that are high in the water column, where theyre feeding more heavily. Childrens Fishing Derby on through Sunday: The week-long Virtual Childrens Fishing Derby hosted by the Cleveland Metroparks on park system waters runs through Sunday, and there are prizes to be won. The derby is open to all children who are 15 or younger, and parents or guardians are allowed to send photos of the stocked catfish and rainbow trout they catch to: md@clevelandmetroparks.com. The best photo not necessarily the biggest fish will win a Cleveland Metroparks gift card. Metroparks Fishing Fund gets boost: The Ohio Central Basin Steelheaders has long supported the Cleveland Metroparks and its fish stockings, as well as volunteering for the Childrens Fishing Derby. This week the steelhead trout group contributed $2,163 to the Metroparks Fishing Fund. Latest Metroparks catfish and trout stockings: To enhance the Childrens Fishing Derby, the Cleveland Metroparks recently released farm-raised channel catfish and hatchery rainbow trout into Wallace Lake in Berea and the Ohio & Erie Canal ponds in Cuyahoga Heights, off East 49th Street. Fly Fair 2021 held at Helen Hazen Wyman Park: The Cleveland Museum of Natural History Trout Club will host Fly Fair 2021 at the Lake Metroparks Helen Hazen Wyman Park Pavilion on Saturday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. The show is a fundraiser for the CMNH Trout Clubs fish conservation programs around Northeast Ohio. Helen Hazen Wyman Parks shelter house is on Big Creek, where it flows into Kelloggs Creek and the Grand River in the Painesville area. An extensive collection of pre-owned fly tackle will be for sale, including rods, reels, flies, fly-tying tools and materials, fly lines, leaders and tippet, vests and packs, artwork and outdoor clothing. Also on the list is a used 17-foot Grumman square stern canoe. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Civil-rights advocates say the Ohio Parole Board unfairly allows confidential letters written by victims family members to play a role in the panels decisions on whether to grant prisoners parole. As a result, inmates and their lawyers cannot challenge the letters or dispute their contents. Advocates say the practice hinders prisoners chances for release. The American Civil Liberties Union and the Ohio Justice & Policy Center filed suit Thursday against the board and the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. The lawsuit cites the cases of two inmates convicted of murder whom the board initially deemed suitable for release. They later were rejected based on letters and information from the victims family members, according to the lawsuit. There is information presented to the board about the person who is up for parole that the person never sees, David Carey, an attorney with the ACLU of Ohio, said in an interview. He stressed that inmates should be permitted to see the information so that they can contest it, correct it or dispute it. A spokeswoman for the parole board and the prison system declined to comment, citing the pending litigation. The lawsuit, filed in Franklin County Common Pleas Court, highlights Shawn Brust and Melissa Grasa, two convicted killers who went before the board for recent hearings. It also offers a broader issue: Should a victims most private and confidential information and a familys thoughts about a crime be released to the perpetrator and made public? During hearings, which are public, victims family members can speak about the impact of the crime and whether the inmate should be released. Brust served more than 23 years of an 18-years-to-life sentence for a slaying in Franklin County. At an initial hearing May 21, 2020, the board voted 8-0 for his release and called him a suitable candidate for parole. At the request of the victims family, a second hearing before the full panel took place in August. The lawsuit alleges that the family submitted letters to the board, seeking to keep him in prison. The contents of those letters were not disclosed to Mr. Brust or his counsel, the document says. After the hearing last summer, the board voted again, 6-4, and denied Brust, 59, his release. He will go before the board in three years for his next hearing. The suit alleges Brust was denied parole based on unknown victim statements, creating a victim veto. " In the filing, attorneys for the ACLU and Ohio Justice & Policy Center allege Grasa, 53, faced a similar fate. She has served more than 25 years of a 20-years-to-life sentence for the slaying of her husband in Butler County. At a hearing June 16, 2020, the board agreed to release Grasa on parole. Three months later, the board rejected her release in a second hearing. The lawsuit alleges that no new information about Grasa came up between the hearings. If the board received any such information, it can only have appeared in victim-related submissions to the board, which the board refused to disclose to Ms. Grasa or her counsel, the lawsuit says. She will go back to the board in 2025. Advocates believe that some of a victims most private details should be sealed. Why should a victims family have to go on a public trial again? said Timothy McGinty, a former Cuyahoga County judge and prosecutor. I vehemently oppose this. Why would you write a letter about personal details about your family that could be mocked? David Singleton, an attorney with the Ohio Justice & Policy Center, said: Loved ones who have had a family member murdered have gone through hell. Were not looking to contest a persons feelings. Were just worried about factual inaccuracies. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 14) Ayala Corporation reported lower year-on-year income for the first quarter, dragged down by weaker performance from its real estate, banking, and water businesses. In a disclosure to the stock exchange on Friday, the conglomerate said it earned 5.4 billion during the period, down 19% from 6.7 billion in the same quarter in 2020. The listed company pointed out in a media statement declines in net incomes of Ayala Land and BPI which saw earnings plummet by 36% and 22%, respectively. Ayala Land logged 2.8 billion in earnings as it continued to take a hit from the COVID-19 pandemic. Residential sales reservations grew annually by 15% but this wasn't enough to offset contractions of 41% and 6% in revenues from commercial leasing and property development, respectively. Meanwhile, BPI posted a 5-billion net income from "a one-time tax adjustments in connection with previously booked loan provisions following the retroactive implementation of the (Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises) law," said Ayala. The bank recognized 3.6 billion in provisions, a 13% year-on-year drop. Its non-performing loan ratio stood at 2.76%, compared to 1.82% in the first quarter of 2020. Manila Water earned 1.3 billion in the opening quarter, 8% less year-on-year. Ayala attributed this to the "combined effect of lower billed volume across the group and lower supervision fees, coupled with recognized net foreign exchange gains that were partially offset by lower equity share in net income of associates." RELATED: Manila Water recognized as public utility, tariff freeze until end-2022 in new concession deal with PH gov't However, telco giant Globe raked in higher earnings at 7.3 billion an 11% growth. The conglomerate cited the drop in non-operating charges, which "fully offset" higher depreciation expenses, and lower taxes due to CREATE. Data revenues, led by mobile data and home broadband, resulted in total service revenues inching up by 3%. The AC Energy group also earned 2.4 billion, a 24% year-on-year surge as both international and local businesses posted higher earnings. AC Industrials, meanwhile, trimmed its net loss to 200 million compared to 564 million the year prior due to "improved contributions across its global manufacturing businesses and local automotive operations." AC Motors also shed losses substantially to 39 million from the 204 million. Ayala President and Chief Executive Officer Fernando Zobel de Ayala noted the challenges and prospects from the pandemic are an "opportune time to recalibrate" the group's portfolio strategy, adding they will "sharpen the components of our portfolio to optimize returns and further strengthen our balance sheet" in the next three years. The group eyes sharper focus on maximizing businesses' returns along with a "disciplined process on capital deployment," said Ayala, adding they will "actively explore opportunities for value realization" to finance future investments. (CNN) A fresh batch of data from a big study of health care workers across the United States helped prompt the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to say fully vaccinated people can go without masks in most circumstances, the agency said Friday. The study found use of the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines provided 94% protection for the frontline workers immunized at the beginning of the vaccine rollout. A single dose provided 82% protection, the CDC-led team reported in the agencys weekly report, the MMWR. This assessment, conducted in a different study network with a larger sample size from across a broader geographic area than in the clinical trials, independently confirms U.S. vaccine effectiveness findings among health care workers that were first reported March 29, the CDC said in a statement. This report provided the most compelling information to date that COVID-19 vaccines were performing as expected in the real world, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said in the statement. This study, added to the many studies that preceded it, was pivotal to CDC changing its recommendations for those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19," she added. More about the study: It involved more than 1,800 workers and compared people who tested positive for coronavirus to those who tested negative. Health care personnel are at high risk for COVID-19, the report reads. The early distribution of two mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) to health care personnel provided an opportunity to examine vaccine effectiveness in a real-world setting, they added. The first U.S. multisite test-negative design vaccine effectiveness study among HCP found a single dose of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines to be 82% effective against symptomatic COVID-19 and 2 doses to be 94% effective," the report continued. Read more updated here. Saturday is a state holiday, the fifth Public Lands Day for Colorado for a commemoration that was the first of its kind when the state legislature passed it in 2016. Events are planned across the state. A list is available by clicking here. The holiday, championed then and now by Sen. Kerry Donovan, D-Vail, encourages Coloradans to learn about and appreciate the abundance of outdoor opportunities and stewardship responsibilities. Donovan presented and unanimously passed Senate Joint Resolution 21-023 Friday to recognize this year's observance. Its easy to take the beauty that surrounds us for granted carving out this day reminds us of how lucky we are to live in this incredible state, but also that we have a responsibility to make sure that beauty is sustained for generations to come, Donovan said in a statement. Her office noted that on Tuesday, Donovan hosted a virtual roundtable on public lands with a panel that included Douglas Vilsack, the state's assistant director of wildlife in the Department of Natural Resources; Beau Kiklis, the public lands advocate at Conservation Colorado; and Dr. Leisl Carr-Childers and Dr. Michael Childers from Colorado State University's Public Lands History Center. You can watch a video of the discussion by clicking here. Senate Bill 21-188 from Sen. Jessie Danielson seeks to build on legislation the Wheat Ridge Democrat championed in 2019 that allows voters with disabilities to access a ballot online. Under Danielson's Senate Bill 19-202, a ballot can then be marked, printed and returned, which allows voters with disabilities to cast a ballot privately and independently. Democratic Gov. Jared Polis on Tuesday indicated he would veto a bill backed by Democrats in the General Assembly seeking to beef up Colorados greenhouse gas reduction plan with enforceable regulations, the latest in a series of terse encounters between Polis administration and lawmakers on climate action. 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! The Missourians Opinion section is a public forum for the discussion of ideas. The views presented in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Missourian or the University of Missouri. If you would like to contribute to the Opinion page with a response or an original topic of your own, visit our submission form 05/14/2021 Photo (c) xia yuan - Getty Images The semiconductor chip shortage is expected to cost the automotive industry $110 billion in revenue this year, according to a new analysis by consulting firm AlixPartners. The firms latest forecast is a significant increase from its January estimate of $60 billion in expected losses. Mark Wakefield, global co-leader of the automotive and industrial practice at AlixPartners, said several factors have led to the increase. The pandemic-induced chip crisis has been exacerbated by events that are normally just bumps in the road for the auto industry, such as a fire in a key chip-making fabrication plant, severe weather in Texas and a drought in Taiwan, he said in a press release. But all these things are now major issues for the industry which, in turn, has driven home the need to build supply-chain resiliency for the long term. Disruptions and delays AlixPartners said these roadblocks are likely to impact the industry for a majority of the year. The industry will likely produce about 3.9 million fewer vehicles than originally planned for 2021, and the ongoing chip shortage could also delay the rollout of some 2022 models, the firm said. Both Ford and General Motors have announced this year that they will produce fewer cars and trucks because of the semiconductor chip shortage. These chips are used in a number of key vehicle components, including infotainment systems, brakes, and power steering. Dan Hearsch, managing director with AlixPartners, said there are up to 1,400 chips in most vehicles today. There are simply going to be instances where they wont be able to get all the parts, he told CNBC, adding that this really is a critical issue for the industry. Hearsche is hopeful that the third quarter of 2021 will see enough chips to get everybody back up and running for the most part. 05/14/2021 Photo (c) Joel Carillet - Getty Images To demonstrate how serious its taking the opportunity to be flying again, Delta Air Lines will require all new employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The airlines move makes it one of the few major corporations to mandate that hiring requirement. Any person joining Delta in the future, a future employee, were going to mandate they be vaccinated before they can sign up with the company, Ed Bastian, the airlines chief executive, said in a CNN interview on Thursday evening. Bastian said Deltas current staff is exempt, but he said 75-80% of employees have already been vaccinated and that he would strongly encourage the others to step up as well. Now that Delta has made the first move, its possible that other airlines may follow suit. But, for the time being, Delta is flying solo in this effort. Uniteds president Scott Kirby floated the idea to employees back in January, but he said the carrier could not realistically be the only company to do so. Vaccination requirements for employees are starting to grow Should or much less, can companies require employees to be vaccinated to get or keep a job? For large corporations, such decisions are thorny, postured the New York Times Niraj Chokshi. On one hand, requiring vaccinations for all employees would lower the anxiety of workers returning to the office and help the country reach herd immunity, which would support the economic rebound. On the other, it raises privacy concerns and could risk a backlash or even litigation. Nonetheless, companies are starting to lean toward a pro-vaccination requirement. A new survey, conducted by Arizona State Universitys College of Health Solutions with support from The Rockefeller Foundation, found that nearly 70% of U.S. and U.K. employers currently perform COVID-19 testing for their employees, and 90% intend to motivate or require vaccination. Those in favor of the requirement say theyve seen one impressive payoff that productivity and morale are up. A majority of employers said their employees engagement and productivity have gone up since the pandemic, and 44% report that employee morale has gone up. Thats compared to 26% indicating that morale went down since the pandemic began. Mental health and employee burnout had a devastating impact during the pandemic. Close to 80% of employers said the mental health of their workers has become a top priority since the pandemic started. Half the employers said theyre stepping up and making available company resources related to mental health. 05/14/2021 Photo (c) Danny Lehman - Getty Images U.S. lawmakers have found a way around Canadas ban on cruising that prevented cruise lines from running Alaskan voyages through its waters. Driven by Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Sen. Dan Sullivans (R-AK) undying effort to save their home state from a cruise-less summer and reverse its $3+ billion loss in tourism revenue, the pair convinced the U.S. Senate to pass the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act (ATRA). The bill provides a way for cruise ships to skirt the Canadian impediment and travel through Canadian waters en route to Alaska. Time to change the law? ATRA might be just the leverage needed for the U.S. to nudge Canada into reframing its 135-year old Passenger Vessel Services Act (PVSA). The act states that foreign-flagged passenger vessels carrying more than 100 people can operate between American ports, but it requires them to include a stop at a foreign destination. For Alaska-bound cruise ships departing from Washington State, this means a stopover in Canada. Most Alaska cruises depart from either Seattle or Vancouver, but Seattle has an edge for Americans because of the convenience of booking flights to and from the city. This shows that the health and restoration of our economy cannot be held up by Canada, especially since Alaska has led with vaccinations in the country and our communities are ready to welcome visitors back, said Sen. Murkowski Our hope is that the House will now promptly follow suit. Given the CDCs much-awaited loosening of mask guidelines today for vaccinated Americans, I am hopeful we will see progress on this front as well, Sullivan added. Cruisers must be patient While cruise lines are probably breathing a sigh of relief, launching a cruise is not as easy as flipping a switch. Before a ship sets sail, a cruise line still needs to market and sell cruises, position ships, and get crews together. Frank J. Del Rio, the president and CEO of Norwegian Cruise Lines, told the Anchorage Daily News that his companys ships would not begin operating in the U.S. until at least August. Ralph Samuels, an executive with Holland America Line and Princess Cruises and a former Alaska state lawmaker, also estimated that it could take two months or more to prepare. Progress is steady with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the passage of a solution to the Passenger Vessel Services Act issue in the Senate, with tremendous leadership from the Alaska delegation, should move things along, Ball said. Poor genomic research Large religious congregations Why Essential Commodities Act has not been invoked against hoarding or black marketing of essential drugs or oxygen? On April 17, after India had overtaken Brazil to become the second worst-hit country in the world, Modi Misplaced priorities in big ticket spending Some of the big ticket spending by the central government include the following, and their timing during the pandemic has been rightly questioned. Two B777 VVIP planes with state-of-the-art missile defence systems called Large Aircraft Infrared Counter-measures (LAIRCM) and Self Protection Suites (SPS) costing Rs.8400 crores were finalized by the central government during this pandemic for the protected use of President, Prime Minister and Vice President. One of them has been delivered on October 1, 2020. Then there is the Central Vista Redevelopment Project. It refers to the ongoing Ironically, the total cost of vaccinating 101 crores of adult population of India with the current Covishield cost to the central government being at Rs.150 per jab, it is less than Rs.16,000 crores! Opposition parties and former civil servants have questioned the need to spend money on the project during a pandemic, even if independent India is turning 75 years in 2022. Information war & Infodemic Many say the government has lost sight of its priorities. As cases soared to record highs in April, the government ordered Twitter and Facebook to remove posts critical of the authorities. Independent journalists have scrambled to identify the massive discrepancies between official figures and actual deaths. The UP government ordered attaching properties of those who spread rumour in social media on the crisis, and the police arrested a young boy desperately pleading all in social media to get oxygen for his out-of-breath grandfather who finally passed away. On the other hand, a series of false narratives have been built in the last two months by the IT Cell of the ruling party to save the face of the government. The Chief Minister of UP had openly and falsely claimed that there was no crisis of beds, drugs and oxygen even when thousands were suffering, and his government was being pulled up by the Allahabad High Court. To the relief of the aggrieved citizens and journalists at work, a Special Bench of Justices DY Chandrachud, L Nageswara Rao and S Ravindra Bhat of the Supreme Court recently said on record that any move by any State to punish citizens who take to the social media to seek help for oxygen cylinders, Covid-19 drugs, beds, hospitalisation, etc., amid a rampaging second wave would attract contempt of court action. Rightly observes the Lancet, India squandered its early successes in controlling Covid-19. India must now restructure its response while the crisis rages. The success of that effort will depend on the government owning up to its mistakes, providing responsible leadership and transparency, and implementing a public health response that has science at its heart. What we now need is not managing perceptions, but managing the actual crisis by coordinating all possible government and non-governmental resources, domestic and foreign support, and correcting the past mistakes noted above, apart from severe restrictions in affected areas for two weeks, while the capacities at every level are enhanced. Rather than wallowing in fault finding, which for accountability is important, we need to move forward with managing oxygen, drugs and beds on one side, and massive national universal free vaccination on the other. *Educationist, columnist, television panelist, working currently as Pro Vice Chancellor of a Kolkata- based university. Click here for first part --- Two chief Mahants of the leading Akharas have died due to Covid, and hundreds of sadhus at Kumbha are infected, many dying with every passing day. Even the former King and Queen of Nepal, who were at Kumbh Mela, returned Covid infected. Earlier in March, the widespread Holi celebrations by the Indians was also misplaced and allowed unhindered by the governments.On April 17, after India had overtaken Brazil to become the second worst-hit country in the world, Modi gloated in a rally in West Bengal that he was elated to see such a large crowd (most of whom in close proximity and without masks). Only five days later, he was forced to suspend all physical rallies due to the surge, Madras High Court admonition of the Election Commission, and widespread media criticisms.Some of the big ticket spending by the central government include the following, and their timing during the pandemic has been rightly questioned.Two B777 VVIP planes with state-of-the-art missile defence systems called Large Aircraft Infrared Counter-measures (LAIRCM) and Self Protection Suites (SPS) costing Rs.8400 crores were finalized by the central government during this pandemic for the protected use of President, Prime Minister and Vice President. One of them has been delivered on October 1, 2020.Then there is the Central Vista Redevelopment Project. It refers to the ongoing redevelopment to revamp the Central Vista. Scheduled between 2020 and 2024, the project first aims to revamp a three kilometre Rajpath between Rashtrapati Bhavan and India Gate, convert North and South Blocks to publicly accessible museums by creating a new common Central Secretariat to house all ministries, a new Parliament building near the present one with increased seating capacity for future expansion, new residence and office for the Vice President and the Prime Minister, and convert some of the older structures into museums. The project began with ceremonial laying of the foundation stone of the new Parliament building in December 2020. The government stated that the entire project costs 20,000 crore, and the parliament building alone costs 971 crore.Ironically, the total cost of vaccinating 101 crores of adult population of India with the current Covishield cost to the central government being at Rs.150 per jab, it is less than Rs.16,000 crores! Opposition parties and former civil servants have questioned the need to spend money on the project during a pandemic, even if independent India is turning 75 years in 2022.Many say the government has lost sight of its priorities. As cases soared to record highs in April, the government ordered Twitter and Facebook to remove posts critical of the authorities. Independent journalists have scrambled to identify the massive discrepancies between official figures and actual deaths. The UP government ordered attaching properties of those who spread rumour in social media on the crisis, and the police arrested a young boy desperately pleading all in social media to get oxygen for his out-of-breath grandfather who finally passed away. On the other hand, a series of false narratives have been built in the last two months by the IT Cell of the ruling party to save the face of the government. The Chief Minister of UP had openly and falsely claimed that there was no crisis of beds, drugs and oxygen even when thousands were suffering, and his government was being pulled up by the Allahabad High Court.To the relief of the aggrieved citizens and journalists at work, a Special Bench of Justices DY Chandrachud, L Nageswara Rao and S Ravindra Bhat of the Supreme Court recently said on record that any move by any State to punish citizens who take to the social media to seek help for oxygen cylinders, Covid-19 drugs, beds, hospitalisation, etc., amid a rampaging second wave would attract contempt of court action.Rightly observes the Lancet, India squandered its early successes in controlling Covid-19. India must now restructure its response while the crisis rages. The success of that effort will depend on the government owning up to its mistakes, providing responsible leadership and transparency, and implementing a public health response that has science at its heart.What we now need is not managing perceptions, but managing the actual crisis by coordinating all possible government and non-governmental resources, domestic and foreign support, and correcting the past mistakes noted above, apart from severe restrictions in affected areas for two weeks, while the capacities at every level are enhanced. Rather than wallowing in fault finding, which for accountability is important, we need to move forward with managing oxygen, drugs and beds on one side, and massive national universal free vaccination on the other. While the second surge of Covid is ravaging India, it is important to dwell upon the reasons of its lethality, for posterity and delineate good governance in public health, hopefully in future. Carrying forward from the first part on this theme, we look into the other issues compounding the crisis.For six weeks now, the entire nation has been reporting lack of oxygen, essential drugs like Remdisivir and ICU beds, with acute situations in Delhi, several cities of UP, Ahmedabad, Pune, Mumbai and Indore. Several media have graphically shown that failure to act, refusing to act, or acting far too late are behind these crises across the nation. The citizens voluntary Covid helplines are proving to be more active in this hour of crisis in reaching out to the masses in distress, while even politicians in Maharashtra and Gujarat have been seen hoarding essential drugs and oxygen to sell to the chosen few and at any costs available, which is illegal.Many in this second Covid surge are dying more due to the lack of oxygen than due to the virus per se. So far, only in Delhi hospitals, more than a hundred have died due to lack of oxygen, including two doctors. Many more outside the hospitals. The Delhi High Court virtually threatened coercive action on central officers to ensure 700 tonnes of oxygen supply to Delhi gasping for breath. Worse situation in many other cities.In October 2020, quite late in the day, Modi government announced 162 oxygen producing units in 150 district hospitals across India, with around Rs 200 crore from the PM CARES fund. But six months later, today, only 33 have been installed. These were to be procured by a central medical supplies process which acted too late too little, whereas in many cases the hospitals and the governments of the states where they are located have been sitting ready with allocation of space and resources.Till date, Essential Commodities Act has not been invoked against hoarding or black marketing of essential drugs or oxygen etc. by the states or the central government and predatory business is on the rise, including charging abnormally by ambulance services for even short distance travel with patients or corpses. These are quick low hanging steps that could have been taken early in the crisis. Only the Chief Ministers of Delhi and Andhra have fixed rates of even private services.The scale of the current crisis may have been driven by more-transmissible variants , though data are limited because of a lack of widespread genomic sequencing. The virus moves quickly through the multigenerational households that account for 4 in 10 Indian homes . Chronic underfunding of the health system over decades has also left hospitals ill-equipped to deal with the surge.B.1.167, the Indian origin double mutant strain of Covid-19, is believed to be behind the current Covid surge. It was detected on October 5, 2020. No immediate genome sequencing was resorted to by the government and its funded bodies to understand the strain better and modify Indian vaccines to counter this deadly strain. But, as late as in January 2021, a Covid Genomic Consortium, INSACOG, network of 10 labs, was set up to speed up genome sequencing with a budget of Rs.115 crores, which was not allocated by the central government and the biotech department of the government had to find money on its own to which it could manage some 80 crores as late as March-April, 2021. Precious time was lost due to a policy paralysis and lack of political will at the highest level.India has a history of successful, large-scale immunization programs for diseases like polio and tetanus, first-rate scientists, highly trained doctors and powerful networks of community health workers . What has been lacking, experts say, is the political will to get ahead of the crisisand to use data and science to its advantage.A team of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology scientists published a paper on their findings SARS-CoV-2 genomics: An Indian perspective on sequencing viral variants. The Hyderabad-based Institute has been studying the evolution of the virus, its mutations and strains ever since the pandemic hit the country. The paper stated, India has so far not been sequencing SARSCoV-2 isolates to full capacity, having deposited only about 6,400 genomes of the over 10.4 million recorded cases (0.06 percent).Rather than intensifying public-health messaging and ramping up interventions like banning mass gatherings and encouraging mask wearing, PM Modi and his government did the opposite. They and other regional parties held mass rallies ahead of elections in Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Assam, and promoted the Kumbh Mela , a Hindu pilgrimage that drew millions of worshippers to a single town, which had anything between 40 to 50 lacs of visitors, and has emerged to be one of the biggest super-spreaders in the world. When a king dies or, worse, starts an incoherent blog , a vacancy opens. The Republican party, torn between doubling down on Trump or moving on, is in the middle of a leadership crisis, and several representatives are trying to emerge as the voice of the future. Some of those representatives are also complete lunatics, and you can probably guess which side they're on. 4 Alumni From Madison Cawthorn's Old School Denounced Him As A Serial Harasser Madison Cawthorn is the youngest member of Congress, because in 2020 North Carolina just couldn't resist the siren song of a 25-year-old college dropout who complained about a journalist working "for non-white males." House Creative Committee He took this personally; his class voted him "whitest male." Continue Reading Below Advertisement He's blended general GOP nonsense (flirting with white supremacy, ginning up the attack on the Capitol, being a writhing collective of misanthropic worms oozed into a suit) with a few unique twists, like lying about qualifying for the Naval Academy (he was rejected) and, after a car accident, repeatedly lying about training for the Paralympics (annoyed Paralympians had no idea what he was talking about). He's the culmination of "elect me and I will piss off the people you hate" politics, a legislator who admits he's more interested in messaging than legislation. This is a man who celebrated his election night victory with the unifying message of "Cry more, lib," then "apologized" for it, then sold $35 t-shirts blaring the message in capital letters. Continue Reading Below Advertisement That Cawthorn tried one semester of political science and got terrible grades before giving up arguably makes him the perfect symbol of the Republican Party, but he sure made an impression at school. 176 current and former students of Patrick Henry College signed a letter accusing Cawthorn of vandalism, misrepresenting himself, and "sexually predatory behavior." Several women specifically accused him of inviting them for a drive, taking them somewhere quiet, locking the doors, and making unwanted advances. Cawthorn's "fun drives" became infamous enough that women passed on warnings about him. There are three kinds of people in the world, a differentiation determined by one's assumed meaning behind three letters - MTG. While if you're former Executive Assistant and/or reformed workaholic like yours truly, the letters evoke wartime flashbacks of scheduling and rescheduling the same meeting over and over and over again, it seems the rest of humanity can be neatly divided, either associating the acronym with the beloved card game, Magic the Gathering or QAnon-supporting Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, an ambiguity it seems Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez learned the hard way this afternoon. Continue Reading Below Advertisement It all started when Greene, who recently went viral for her terrible pull-up form, apparently decided to put her physical prowess, professionalism, and exemplary mental stability to the test, allegedly chasing down AOC throughout the halls of the U.S. Capitol building on Wednesday, Business Insider reported. "You don't care about the American people," Greene reportedly yelled before running after her colleague. Why do you support terrorists and antifa? Marking the second time this year the New York Congresswoman has found herself pursued by right-wing maniacs while attempting to do her job, and a perfect scenario to paraphrase the viral TikTok Dr. Doofenshmirtz line of Wow! If I had a nickel for every time I was doomed by a puppet, I'd have two nickels. Which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice, Ocazio-Cortez was apparently not too happy with Greene's behavior. "I think it's pretty public record that this is a pretty belligerent person that's not in control of themselves," the lawmaker explained the following day, calling upon a tidbit from her pre-congressional life for context. I used to work as a bartender. These are the kinds of people that I threw out of bars all the time. Continue Reading Below Advertisement As wild goose chases through the halls of Congress often do, the fiasco went viral, leading to several tweets surrounding the affair, including one of the above AOC quip comparing Greene, referred to as MTG in the post, to a rowdy pub patron. Friendly reminder to keep generously tipping your bartenders, servers, delivery, venue, and hospitality workers, the lawmaker posted in Thursday. Billy Grahams friend and pastor reflected on his yearslong friendship with the famed evangelist and shared the lessons and values he believes the Church can glean from the life and ministry of a man he said mirrored the very heartbeat of God. Mr. Graham's heartbeat and passion and reflection of the very face of God showed deeply, penetrated my own heart and life, Don Wilton recalled in an interview with The Christian Post. I've never been around a man personally like that, who so deeply and genuinely and consistently reflected the face of God's grace. As a pastor myself, one can only imagine the enormous depth of the blessing that God conferred on me every time I was with him every week. Most Saturdays for 15 years, Wilton, the senior pastor of nearly 30 years at the First Baptist Church in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and founder of the global network, The Encouraging Word, drove to Grahams home in Montreat, North Carolina, to discuss family, politics, sports, and their spiritual lives. In the days before the famed evangelist died in 2018 at the age of 99, Wilton sat next to him, holding his hand. Most people, the closer you get to them, the more you realize they have clay feet, Wilton said. But the closer I got to this man, Billy Graham, the more I realized that he was just full of the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ, and that showed throughout his life and his demeanor. Everything pointed to Jesus. Source:The Christian Post Israels military is considering the possibility of launching a ground campaign in the Gaza Strip as the Israel Defense Forces claim Iran-backed Hamas has fired over 1,500 rockets into Israel since Monday. An IDF spokesperson said that plans for a potential ground operation in Gaza would be presented to the IDF General Staff for approval on Thursday as Hamas continues targeting two major cities of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv with rockets, according to Times of Isreal. Before Monday, missiles had not been fired into Jerusalem since 2014. Hamas launched another round of around 100 rockets on Thursday as the violence and attacks continue to escalate. IDF has launched airstrikes into the Gaza Strip to retaliate against the attacks and confirmed it has killed as many as 16 Hamas figures. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry reported that 87 people have been killed since the fighting began, including 18 children. Over 530 are said to have been injured as of Thursday. Source:The Christian Post A Canadian pastor who was briefly jailed for violating public health orders by holding church services amind ongoing lockdown restrictions has compared his situation to those living in Hong Kong, where Christians are routinely persecuted for meeting for worship. In an interview with Newsmax hours after his release from jail Monday night, Artur Pawlowski, pastor of Street Church in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, said, I just woke up in Hong Kong a few days ago. I mean, I thought I emigrated to our beloved Canada, but I am in Hong Kong, full force. Its insanity arresting pastor[s], shutting down churches. Craziness, Pawlowski added, The Epoch Times reports. Pawlowski and his brother, Dawid Pawlowski, were arrested Saturday for holding an illegal in-person gathering as per COVID-19 restrictions set by a new court order. The two were released Monday night. Source:The Christian Post Following the death of a young man who died during a prayer meeting, one of the most popular churches in western Nigeria is warning against the use of spiritual perfumes. At a prayer meeting held at The Celestial Church of Christ in Lagos on May 3, it's believed that a priest who was leading the gathering sprayed Kayode Badru with a perfume that then caught fire and engulfed him in flames, according to the BBC. He was set ablaze by a candle that was part of the service. Such prayer events include the spraying of perfumes and lighting candles to symbolize good light and aura. Badru succumbed to the injuries he suffered and died at the hospital two days later. The church said in a statement Saturday that spiritual perfumes "should be diluted with water," stressing that "the spraying or pouring of undiluted Spiritual Perfumes in its volatile state with a lighted candle is an imported culture not originally part of the tenets of the Celestial Church of Christ." The statement continued: We are all advised to adhere to this directive, any Parish or member that goes against this directive will be solely responsible for the resultant effect. The Pastor has also directed the Pastor-in-Council to come up with a policy document to curb alien practices that have been introduced into the Tenets and Doctrines of the Church to safeguard the Churchs divine culture as instructed by the Spirit of God through the Pastor Founder. Whether the perfume was diluted with water when Badru was sprayed is unknown. In an interview with BBC Pidgin, Imolemitan Ojo, a senior pastor of the church, said police had arrested both the priest who led the prayer session and some of the elders who were present. As is spoken in Nigeria, Pidgin is an English-based Creole tongue, a common language used across the nation. Those who attend services at The Celestial Church of Christ do so barefoot and wear one-piece white garments. Badru was reportedly a wealthy man who has been living in Dubai and had visited the church, where he is a member, for a thanksgiving ceremony. NgNews247, however, reported Monday that he had flown into the West African nation from the United Arab Emirates for the graduation ceremony for 40 people he had sponsored to attend the Academy For Innovative Art And Technology. The Celestial Church of Christ was founded in 1947 by Samuel Bilehou Oshoffa in Porto-Novo, Benin, and has branches worldwide. Source:The Christian Post Pastors and Christian leaders are calling for prayer and peace as the Middle East continues to see the worst violence in years between Israelis and Palestinians, prompting the United Nations to warn the conflict could mushroom into "full-scale war." What began as riots in Jerusalem on May 10 led to an aerial war over Gaza and widespread civil unrest in less than two days, causing death, injuries, arrests and property damage. The Islamic militant group Hamas has fired more than 1,000 rockets into Israel since the conflict began, most of which landed in civilians areas, The New York Times reports. Hamas' aggression led to retaliatory airstrikes from the Israel Defense Forces toward the Gaza Strip. More than 80 Palestinians have been killed in the fighting, including 17 children and seven women, as of Thursday morning, according to Gazas Health Ministry. And another 480 people have been wounded. Israeli forces also killed a senior Hamas commander and at least 10 top Hamas military figures. Source:The Christian Post Former Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback is encouraged by the Biden State Department's statements on international religious freedom thus far as Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday called religious freedom a "co-equal" right. Brownback, who served for three years as the head of the State Department's International Religious Freedom Office during the Trump administration, praised the release of the State Department's annual report on international religious freedom and expressed some optimism about how the Biden administration will promote the topic. When [President Joe Biden] was Senator Biden and I was working with him in the Senate, Joe was good on religious freedom issues and worked and supported them, Brownback, who left his job as governor of Kansas to become the ambassador at-large, told The Christian Post in a Wednesday interview. So, I know personally thats his viewpoint. My hope is the administration aggressively steps up. I thought the report Secretary [Antony] Blinken put out today was strong. I thought his statements were strong in support of religious freedom. So, Im hopeful myself. Im hopeful. Source:The Christian Post The Vatican sent a letter to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops giving advice and warnings regarding a possible move by the American leadership to deny communion to pro-abortion Catholic politicians. In recent times, there has been much debate within the Catholic Church about whether to deny communion to elected officials who support or advocate for abortion despite identifying as Catholic. Cardinal Luis F. Ladaria, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith of the Catholic Church, sent a letter to USCCB President Archbishop Jose H. Gomez on the issue, which was first reported by America magazine on Monday. Ladaria warned that having a blanket policy to deny communion to pro-abortion politicians could present problems when seeking to maintain unity in the Church. Source:The Christian Post DANBURY Baki Izzat came to Western Connecticut State University with a self-proclaimed identity crisis. But Izzat a first-generation Pakistani American and Muslim woman said she didnt have to tackle this alone. Thanks to small class sizes and one-one-one support from her professors, she said flourished at WestConn. Im graduating into a world of doing what I love, said Izzat, who is set to earn a degree in political science this weekend. Without these hardworking professors connecting with me, I wouldnt have been able to do any of that. But students like Izzat and professors argued those close relationships would be at jeopardy under the faculty contract the Board of Regents has proposed. Roughly 60 people many faculty in red shirts representing their union CSU-AAUP protested the proposals on Western Connecticut State Universitys Midtown campus on Thursday afternoon. It was the final stop on what John OConnor, an associate professor of sociology at Central Connecticut State University and vice president of the CSU-AAUP, called the Board of Regents can go straight to hell tour. Highlighting their point was a 14-foot inflatable skunk, Skunkzilla, with a sign that read Regents proposals stink. The proposals are only a starting point for the Board of Regents and union, said Leigh Appleby, spokesman for the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system. We are confident that we will ultimately come to a reasonable contract that enables our management team, including the campus leaders who helped craft our proposals, to provide excellent education and services that students can afford and that can be sustained in every community, Appleby said in an email. Coming out of the pandemic, it is imperative that we hold down expenses and not increase tuition costs for students. The Board of Regents froze tuition and most mandatory fees for next academic year. Appleby said the boards proposal would not jeopardize the universities accreditation a claim the union has made. Speakers argued the proposal goes against what the vision should be for the CSCU system. Its not really about sabbaticals, OConnor said. Its not about professional development. Its not about raises. Of course, we want all of those things and we deserve all of those things and were going to win all of those things. Instead, the union is fighting to show that the CSCU system belongs to its diverse student body, not the board, he said. The CSCU system is ours, OConnor said. Its not the play thing of some empty suits. It's about students and faculty together. We are not spreadsheets. We are not bottom lines and we are not reserves. We fight because our students deserve nothing less than a first-class university. Speakers suggested the boards plan would limit the amount of time professors have with their students. James Cantafio, who is graduating from WestConn this weekend with a bachelors degree in meteorology, said his professors invested in his growth as a learner, as well his mental health. An educator should always be there for their students, said Cantafio, who is pursuing a master of arts in teaching at Southern Connecticut State University in the fall. We only can expect educators to do that for our students if they are able to commit that time and that energy. But Appleby said some of the unions requests would reduce faculty teaching workload and increase their time away from the classrooms. These demands would not just have a significant negative impact on the students we serve, but would increase costs to run the universities and by extension tuition paid by students and their families, he said. These demands come at a time when neither the state universities or our students can afford such an increase and when the faculty and student engagement is a critical piece to rebuilding our enrollment and serving our students. Hannah Reynolds, an assistant professor in WestConns biology department, conducts research with students on human and animal diseases, among other studies. She said students have gained valuable skills that have helped them in their careers. Researching and teaching at Western are innately intertwined, she said. Howell Williams, assistant professor of political science, said the proposal would prevent professors from exercising academic freedom, which could hurt how they teach political issues. It would also affect him as gay man, he said. I do not leave my identity at home, he said. Its an important part of my teaching. Academic freedom also protects my ability to address social inequality in personal terms without these protections, I would feel vulnerable in my ability to advocate for students from underrepresented backgrounds. President Joe Biden is scheduled to meet Friday with six immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children who benefited from an Obama-era policy that protected them from deportation. The Oval Office meeting comes as Biden looks to press Congress to pass legislation codifying the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program that then-President Barack Obama instituted by executive action in 2012, providing limited protections for immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children. As a candidate, Biden promised to protect those often described as dreamers and their families by reinstating DACA. 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 the protections established under Obama. Former President Donald Trump tried to phase out the program. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled last year that Trump could end it but he did so improperly. Biden has made a broader call for immigration reform that centers on establishing a pathway to citizenship for 11 million undocumented immigrants, an effort that faces tough odds in a closely divided Congress. But he's made clear that passing legislation enshrining DACA which has wide, bipartisan support from the American public should be the floor for action on immigration. If you dont like my plan, lets at least pass what we all agree on, Biden said in his address before the joint session of Congress last month. Congress needs to pass legislation this year to finally secure protection for dreamers the young people who have only known America as their home. Julie Rodriguez, the White House director for intergovernmental affairs, said in a tweet that the DACA recipients Biden will meet with include teachers, health care workers and farm workers who "have been on the frontlines throughout this pandemic keeping our communities safe, educated, and fed. Those invited, according to the White House, include: Maria Praeli, an immigrant rights advocate who moved to the U.S. from Peru when she was 5 so her sister could receive medical treatment. Esmeralda Tovar-Mora, who arrived in Kansas from Mexico when she was only 18 months old. She is attending college while working as a case manager for a mental health center and a medication aide at a nursing home. She is the mother of a 3-year-old and her husband serves in the Kansas National Guard. Astou Thiane, an educator and DACA advocate, who immigrated from Senegal when she was 7 and only learned of her immigration status when she was applying for college. Leydy Rangel, the daughter of migrant farm workers in California. She now works with a nonprofit advocacy group assisting immigrants, farm workers and Latinos in rural California. Jrayut New Latthivongskorn, who came from Thailand when he was 9 and is now a second-year medical resident in San Francisco. Karen Reyes, whose mother brought her to the U.S. from Mexico when she was 2. She is now a kindergarten teacher for students who are hard of hearing or deaf. SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) California is getting $27 billion in federal coronavirus relief, and Gov. Gavin Newsom said Thursday that he wants to give some of that money to small-business owners that were forced to temporarily close during the pandemic. The Democratic governor said he will ask state lawmakers to add $1.5 billion to a program that gives up to $25,000 grants to small businesses that they do not have to pay back. That program already has $2.5 billion to give away, meaning the proposal if approved would put the fund at $4 billion. Newsom said it would be the largest relief program in the country for small businesses, which he said are roaring back as the state reopens its economy. He responded forcefully to recent criticism that California is in decline, a theme pushed by his rivals in recent weeks following news of the state's first-ever population decline and the loss of a congressional seat. "People think our best days are behind it. Youre full of it. You have no idea what this state represents, and what its going to represent to the rest of the world," Newsom said. California Chamber of Commerce President Allan Zaremberg praised Newsom's announcement and urged lawmakers to support it. But he warned them to not pass what he called costly, onerous new regulations, including a measure that would force employers to provide paid bereavement leave and give bonuses to some health care workers, among other proposals. Lets not forget, it is Californias successful businesses that have provided a once-in-a-generation budget surplus that will allow the state to address some of its most pressing needs, Zaremberg said. Thursday's announcement caps Newsom's weeklong tour of the state where he offered previews of how he wants to spend more than a $100 billion surplus money that includes the state's excess revenue and federal coronavirus aid. He announced more than $8 billion in tax rebates for most adults, $12 billion to fight homelessness and $2.7 billion to pay for all of the state's 4-year-olds to go to kindergarten for free. The tour comes as Newsom is preparing for an expected recall election later this year, the culmination of a petition drive fueled by anger over his handling of the pandemic. On Friday, Newsom will deliver his final budget proposal to the Democratic-controlled Legislature, setting off weeks of intense negotiations until the final agreement is signed into law by July 1. Newsom established a grant program for small businesses in December. About 334,000 businesses applied during the first round of funding, requesting $4.4 billion in grants. But the program only had $500 million to spend. In February, Newsom and lawmakers added $2 billion to the program. Now, he wants to include an additional $1.5 billion from federal relief funds. To be eligible for the grants, businesses must have between $1,000 and $2.5 million in annual revenue. They need to have been operating before June 1, 2019, and have a physical presence in California. In another move that will benefit business owners, the state Employment Development Department announced Thursday that Newsom's budget proposal includes $950 million to pay down a portion of the state's unemployment trust fund loan. Businesses contribute to the fund that pays out unemployment benefits. But so many people lost their jobs during the pandemic that the fund ran out of money. California has had to borrow at least $18.5 billion so far, according to the Legislative Analyst's Office. Newsom also announced $147 million to give eligible businesses up to a $1,000 tax credit for each employee they hire; $95 million for Visit California, a nonprofit that promotes tourism; $250 million to help make up for losses in the state's ports; and increasing the CalCompetes tax credit to $360 million, which encourages businesses to relocate to California. The CalCompetes funding builds on a proposal Newsom announced in January. It comes after several high-profile business departures from California, including the headquarters of Oracle and Hewlett Packard. But the independent Legislative Analyst's Office had recommended lawmakers reject that proposal, arguing it would not benefit companies that had been most affected by the pandemic. Taiwan reports 13 new local COVID-19 cases Xinhua) 10:23, May 14, 2021 TAIPEI, May 13 (Xinhua) -- Taiwan Thursday reported 25 new COVID-19 cases, 13 of which were confirmed local infections, the local disease monitoring agency said. Nine of the 13 local cases are contacts of a COVID-19 patient confirmed on May 11 who lives in Luzhou District, New Taipei City. Four other local cases have links to an established cluster involving teahouses in Taipei's Wanhua District. Besides the clusters in Luzhou and Wanhua, Taiwan also reported another cluster associated with an arcade in Yilan County this week. As patients included in the Luzhou cluster had gone to a teahouse in Wanhua, and some in the Wanhua cluster had visited branches of the gaming arcade in Yilan, authorities are investigating whether these three clusters are connected. Taiwan also recorded 12 imported cases of the disease from the Philippines, India, and Uganda. The total number of confirmed cases on the island has risen to 1,256, including 12 deaths, the agency said. (Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Liang Jun) BRIDGEPORT A local man is accused of shooting his cousin in the legs and stealing his money rather than helping him locate his stolen car. George Go Mercer, 24, of Stratford Avenue, was charged with first-degree assault, first-degree robbery and fifth-degree larceny. During Mercers arraignment on Friday afternoon, Assistant States Attorney Felicia Valentino urged Superior Court Judge Peter McShane to set a high bond on Mercer because of the serious nature of the allegations. The judge agreed and ordered Mercer held in lieu of $750,000 bond. He continued the case to May 25. On March 29, police said officers were dispatched to Orange Street on reports of a shooting. When officers got to the scene, police said they found 33-year-old Aaron Freelove lying on the ground in a pool of blood. Freelove was taken to the hospital in critical condition. Police said after recovering in the hospital, Freelove told them he had been shot by a man he identified as his cousin who he only knew by the nickname Go. Police said they were able to identify Go as Mercer from surveillance video. Police said Freeloves 1996 Mercury sedan had been stolen in Waterbury and Freelove told them that Mercer had allegedly volunteered to help him recover the car for $1,000. Mercer later called Freelove and allegedly told him he had found the car and the two agreed to meet to exchange the money for the car, police continued. However, police said instead of producing the car, Mercer allegedly pulled out a handgun and shot Freelove in both legs. Mercer then allegedly took the $1,000 from the victim and fled, police said. Viktoria Sundqvist / Hearst Connecticut Media NEW BRITAIN A man was charged on a federal indictment this week after investigators seized a kilo of fentanyl, hundreds of grams of cocaine and two guns during a search of a city apartment, according to prosecutors. A federal grand jury in Hartford returned a four-court indictment Thursday that charged Jose Miguel Vega-Rivera, 49, a citizen of the Dominican Republic who was recently living in New Britain, with federal fentanyl and cocaine offenses. LOS ANGELES (AP) A Tesla involved in a fatal crash on a Southern California freeway last week may have been operating on Autopilot before the wreck, according to the California Highway Patrol. The May 5 crash in Fontana, a city 50 miles (80 kilometers) east of Los Angeles, is also under investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The probe is the 29th case involving a Tesla that the federal agency has probed. In the Fontana crash, a 35-year-old man was killed when his Tesla Model 3 struck an overturned semi on a freeway about 2:30 a.m. The driver's name has not yet been made public. Another man was seriously injured when the electric vehicle hit him as he was helping the semis driver out of the wreck. The CHP announced Thursday that its preliminary investigation had determined that the Teslas partially automated driving system called Autopilot was engaged" prior to the crash. However on Friday, the agency walked back its previous declaration. To clarify," a new CHP statement said, There has not been a final determination made as to what driving mode the Tesla was in or if it was a contributing factor to the crash." At least three people have died in previous U.S. crashes involving Autopilot. The CHP initially said it was commenting on the Fontana crash because of the high level of interest" about Tesla crashes and because it was an opportunity to remind the public that driving is a complex task that requires a drivers full attention. The federal safety investigation comes just after the CHP arrested another man who authorities have said was in the back seat of a Tesla that was driving this week on Interstate 80 near Oakland with no one behind the wheel. CHP has not said if officials have determined whether the Tesla in the I-80 incident was operating on Autopilot, which can keep a car centered in its lane and a safe distance behind vehicles in front of it. But its likely that either Autopilot or Full Self-Driving were in operation for the driver to be in the back seat. Tesla is allowing a limited number of owners to test its self-driving system. Tesla, which has disbanded its public relations department, did not respond Friday to an email seeking comment. The company says in owners manuals and on its website that both Autopilot and Full Self-Driving are not fully autonomous and that drivers must pay attention and be ready to intervene at any time. Autopilot at times has had trouble dealing with stationary objects and traffic crossing in front of Teslas. In two Florida crashes, from 2016 and 2019, cars with Autopilot in use drove beneath crossing tractor-trailers, killing the men driving the Teslas. In a 2018 crash in Mountain View, California, an Apple engineer driving on Autopilot was killed when his Tesla struck a highway barrier. Teslas system, which uses cameras, radar and short-range sonar, also has trouble handling stopped emergency vehicles. Teslas have struck several firetrucks and police vehicles that were stopped on freeways with their flashing emergency lights on. For example, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in March sent a team to investigate after a Tesla on Autopilot ran into a Michigan State Police vehicle on Interstate 96 near Lansing. Neither the trooper nor the 22-year-old Tesla driver was injured, police said. After the Florida and California fatal crashes, the National Transportation Safety Board recommended that Tesla develop a stronger system to ensure drivers are paying attention, and that it limit use of Autopilot to highways where it can work effectively. Neither Tesla nor the safety agency took action. In a Feb. 1 letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation, NTSB Chairman Robert Sumwalt urged the department to enact regulations governing driver-assist systems such as Autopilot, as well as testing of autonomous vehicles. NHTSA has relied mainly on voluntary guidelines for the vehicles, taking a hands-off approach so it wont hinder development of new safety technology. Sumwalt said that Tesla is using people who have bought the cars to test Full Self-Driving software on public roads with limited oversight or reporting requirements. Because NHTSA has put in place no requirements, manufacturers can operate and test vehicles virtually anywhere, even if the location exceeds the AV (autonomous vehicle) control systems limitations, Sumwalt wrote. He added: Although Tesla includes a disclaimer that currently enabled features require active driver supervision and do not make the vehicle autonomous, NHTSAs hands-off approach to oversight of AV testing poses a potential risk to motorists and other road users." NHTSA, which has authority to regulate automated driving systems and seek recalls if necessary, seems to have developed a renewed interest in the systems since President Joe Biden took office. ___ Krisher reported from Detroit. LOS ANGELES (AP) One alleged drug dealer peddling potent doses of fentanyl warned a customer by text message not to die and added LOL to his message. Another was a nightclub security manager who prosecutors said provided powdered substances to three patrons who overdosed early one morning at the former bar known as the American Junkie. The details were included in federal court documents released Thursday in cases charging a dozen men in 12 fatal overdoses, including the death of a 15-year-old boy. Federal prosecutors used the cases to draw attention to a spike in fentanyl being found in counterfeit drugs in Southern California and a rise in deaths from the opioid. Acting U.S. Attorney Tracy Wilkison said the announcement was a warning to drug dealers they could face severe consequences if a customer dies and warn potential customers of black market drugs manufactured to look like prescription opioids that can be laced with fatal amounts of fentanyl. Fentanyl is increasingly being seen in what customers think are drugs like cocaine and oxycodone, Wilkison said. Most of the victims in these cases had no idea they were taking fentanyl and it cost them their lives. The cases, which are unrelated, are the result of a task force headed by the Drug Enforcement Administration focused on combating fatal overdoses that has led to 20 arrests in the past three years. All the defendants were charged with distribution of narcotics resulting in death. No victims were identified. A conviction on the charge carries a minimum 20-year prison sentence and a potential sentence of life without parole in federal prison. California has not been hit as hard as other states by the nation's opioid crisis. While other states, particularly West Virginia, parts of the Northeast and Midwest, struggled with opiate abuse more than a decade ago from prescription drugs, the problem has now arrived in California in fentanyl produced by Mexican cartels and hidden in counterfeit drugs, DEA Special Agent in Charge Bill Bodner said. Court records show the alleged dealers communicated with text messages and the Snapchat app. At least one was selling drugs on Craigslist, advertising Roxy board short, a street term for oxycodone pills. The cases announced Thursday date as far back as November 2016 when Sean McLaughlin was working at American Junkie in Newport Beach and distributed a fentanyl-like substance that led to three ODs and one death at the club, prosecutors said. McLaughlin, 47, was originally charged by Orange County prosecutors, but federal prosecutors recently took over the case, which carries a stiffer sentence in federal court. His lawyer didn't immediately return a message seeking comment. One defendant, William Fulton, 39, is charged with two deaths over subsequent days in October. Prosecutors said he sold fentanyl to two people staying at hotels in Redondo Beach. The victims were listed only by their initials D.S. and A.L. Fulton, who has two dozen felony convictions, including burglary, car theft and drug possession, is currently in state prison. It wasn't immediately clear if he had a lawyer who could comment. Another case involved a 15-year-old boy who died a year ago after buying what he thought was oxycodone, according to Snapchat conversation with the alleged dealer, prosecutors said. Alexander Declan Bell Wilson, 20, was scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in the boy's death. His lawyer didn't immediately respond to a message seeking comment. Another suspect, Jason Soheili, 26, is accused of mailing a fatal dose of fentanyl to a man who had moved to Utah last fall to go to rehab, but had dropped out of the program in January. The victim, who died Feb. 21, was not identified in court documents. A public defender for Soheili did not return a message seeking comment. An affidavit for Soheili's arrest includes text exchanges with the alleged victim. In one, when asked if he could provide a powder form of fentanyl, Soheili indicated he could and said: "just dont die ... lol. BRIDGEPORT Three teenagers who police said were suspected in a number of robberies and shootings in the citys East End were arrested Thursday on charges they robbed a local landscaper. Avery Humphrey, 18, of Stratford Avenue and two other teens who were not identified because they are younger than 18 and considered juveniles, were charged with first-degree robbery, carrying a pistol without a permit, illegal possession of a pistol in a motor vehicle, criminal possession of a firearm and illegal possession of a large capacity magazine. This was the daytime armed robbery of a man who was just doing his legal job of landscaping, Superior Court Judge Peter McShane said during Humphreys arraignment Friday afternoon. These are very serious charges. He ordered Humphrey held in lieu of $155,00 bond and continued the case to June 3. The two juveniles were turned over to state juvenile authorities. Police said officers were dispatched to Newfield Avenue on Wednesday afternoon for a robbery complaint. The man they met told officers he had been hired to do landscaping by a homeowner and was working on the front lawn of the home when he was approached by three men wearing hooded sweatshirts who, he said, pointed guns at him and demanded his money, according to police. The three fled with the mans wallet containing $1,200 in cash, police said. Police said they turned the investigation of the robbery over to the State Police Gang Task Force which had been investigating similar crimes in the citys East End. On Thursday, police said, task force members, working on information that one of the arrested juveniles was involved in the robbery of the landscaper, pulled over his car on Holly Street. Inside the car they also found Humphrey and the second juvenile, police said. Police said that during a search of the car, they found the landscapers wallet as well as two loaded handguns and a 17-round magazine. Police said Humphrey allegedly admitted taking part in the robbery of the landscaper but claimed the robbery had been the juveniles idea. Thats what these young kids do, police said Humphrey told them. WASHINGTON (AP) A national terrorism alert issued Friday warns that violent extremists may take advantage of the easing of pandemic restrictions to conduct attacks. The alert does not cite any specific threats. But it warns of potential danger from an increasingly complex and volatile mix that includes domestic terrorists inspired by various grievances, racial or ethnic hatred and influences from abroad. Those threats were exacerbated by COVID-19, which spawned conspiracy theories and deepened anger at the government in some quarters over the shutdown of the economy. As virus conditions improve, the alert says new dangers loom. Violent extremists may seek to exploit the easing of COVID-19-related restrictions across the United States to conduct attacks against a broader range of targets after previous public capacity limits reduced opportunities for lethal attacks, the bulletin said. Without naming any specific potential targets, it notes that, historically, extremists motivated by racial and ethnic hatred have targeted religious institutions and businesses or gatherings. The National Terrorism Advisory System bulletin issued by the Department of Homeland Security is an extension of one issued earlier this year in the wake of the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. That alert was expiring Saturday. It reflects a sense of anxiety over domestic extremists, particularly those motivated by racial and ethnic hatred, that has been building for months, even under the previous administration, with repeated warnings from DHS and the Justice Department. Concern over the domestic extremists has to a certain degree eclipsed the focus on foreign terrorist organizations such as al-Qaida and the Islamic State, though the alert warns that both groups still try to inspire homegrown attacks. Added to the mix are adversaries such as Russia, China and Iran, which the alert says are amplifying conspiracy theories about the origins of COVID-19 and calls for violence against people of Asian descent. Todays terrorism-related threat landscape is more complex, more dynamic, and more diversified than it was several years ago," DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in releasing the new bulletin. Both Mayorkas and Attorney General Merrick Garland testified to a Senate committee this week that racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists pose the greatest domestic threat to the country at the moment. The new alert expires Aug. 13. The national terrorism bulletin issued in January warned of the lingering potential for violence from people motivated by antigovernment sentiment after President Joe Bidens election, suggesting the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol may have emboldened extremists and set the stage for additional attacks. That sentiment is still present, with the latest alert noting online calls for violence against politicians, law enforcement, and government buildings. Many of the threats outlined in todays bulletin persist from the long shadow cast by the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol," said Rep. Bennie Thompson, a Mississippi Democrat who serves as chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security. DHS and the FBI are providing guidance and other assistance to state and local law enforcement organizations to deal with the threat. DHS has also established a new domestic terrorism branch within its Office of Intelligence and Analysis and has directed state and local governments to use 7.5% of annual grant money issued by the agency to deal with the threat. ___ This story has been updated to correct that a national terrorism bulletin issued in January was expiring Saturday, not Aug. 13. Getty Images / Contributed WINDSOR A local man will serve more than seven years in prison on cocaine trafficking charges, prosecutors said. Omrys Delgado, 33, was sentenced Wednesday by Judge Vanessa L. Bryan in Hartford to 87 months in prison, followed by four years of supervised release. The stunning announcement Thursday that the University of Connecticut is again looking for a new president raises questions that may not be answered for some time. But regardless of what we learn, this is a major embarrassment for the states flagship university and should bring new scrutiny to the hiring process. UConn President Tom Katsouleas, in a letter dated March 13, told the schools board of trustees he would resign effective June 30, but his tenure may not even last that long. Its hard to believe the news stayed a secret for two months, and it raises questions of what the university has been doing in the meantime to prepare for a transition. No one is going to come out of this situation looking good. Katsouleas arrived at UConn in October 2019 after serving as executive vice president and provost at the University of Virginia. His arrival was only months before the COVID-19 pandemic threw all of society into turmoil, with higher education taking a particularly hard hit. University administrators across America were faced with unprecedented questions of how to maintain safety while emptying campuses and holding remote classes that professors had not prepared for. But UConn was hardly alone in these difficulties, and the university has seemingly weathered the pandemic as well as could be hoped. Theres surely much more at play that led to Katsouleas departure so soon into a five-year contract. Early reporting on Thursday showed Katsouleas frustrated at high labor costs in Connecticut, including complaints the state was losing out on research grants because of Connecticuts historic underfunding of pension and health care benefits. Theres some truth to those concerns, but this is not a situation that has worsened in the past 16 months, so whatever worries he has now were certainly present when Katsouleas accepted the job. If anything, the future is brighter in terms of Connecticut paying its obligations to its current and former work force. Also, the relationship between Katsouleas and UConns Board of Trustees had deteriorated since he was hired. UConn has made great strides in the past generation, to the point that it is out of reach academically even for some high-achieving in-state students. It has continually climbed the national ranks of public universities, and has committed to increasing its research spending to go along with its continuing spate of new buildings on campus. But with so much public investment at stake, the university has an obligation to the rest of the state. A presidents sudden resignation barely a year into a long-term contract is enough to raise questions of whether the university and its leaders know what theyre doing. The next hire, whoever replaces Katsouleas, now takes on even greater importance. The state cant get this wrong twice. Among Connecticuts top calling cards is its highly educated population, and the states namesake public university has a major role to play in our economic future. The progress UConn has made in recent decades is real, but its future status is not guaranteed. Leadership is vital, and that starts with telling the rest of the state how we got where we are. UConn needs to answer some questions. Congress passed the Federal Credit Union Act in 1934. Since then, credit unions have consistently provided their members better pricing and service than banks. So why is credit union market share so small? The answer is field of membership. Even though everyone can join a credit union (at least eight based solely on where they live), according to CUNAs Awareness Research, 40% of consumers dont believe that they can join a single one. This shows that consumers are familiar enough with credit unions to know that they need to be eligible. Fortunately, eligibility itself isnt an insurmountable impediment to growth; we just need to make it easier for consumers to navigate. Finding A Credit Union You Are Eligible To Join Credit unions have done exceptionally well in situations where eligibility is solved for the consumer, such as when a salesperson assists in the process of determining eligibility in the branch or through indirect lending. However, the industry has failed to solve the issue in the most critical place: online. The majority88%of consumers research products and services online before they buy. Credit unions are generally excluded from the websites that consumers use to find solutions to their financial problems. In most states, it is simply too difficult for consumers to find a credit union they are eligible to join. I think this passage from a Vice article captures it best: I was pretty much sold (on joining a credit union) at this point and headed to an online search tool that helps people find credit unions in their community. The list I got back was disappointing: Everything in my area was named something like Epiphany FCU, or else was clearly meant for the Polish population of the neighborhood to the north of mine. I had to ask: Would any of these places even take me as a member? CUCollaborate runs the website creditunionmatch.com, which helps consumers find credit unions they are eligible to join. However, aggregators like LendingTree or NerdWallet cannot support most credit unions because they cant navigate eligibility issues for consumers, and while Credit Union Match is nice, without greater online visibility credit unions wont even be in the running. Joining And Borrowing From Credit Unions Field of membership also has a huge impact on consumers that somehow happen to find your credit unions website and want to join. Unfortunately, most credit union veterans dont realize the significance of the problem because online account opening and loan origination providers dont share that data with the credit union. Let me put it in numbers: 84% of consumers who abandon online account opening with credit unions do so on the step that asks how theyre eligible to join. 40% of consumers complete banks account opening forms compared to only 16% for credit unions. The only meaningful difference between bank and credit union forms? Field of membership. In other words, credit unions spend more than double what banks do to attract a new member through online channels because of field of membership. If you dont think this applies to you because applicants can join the American Consumer Council or some other association to become eligible to join your credit union, think again. Only 7% of consumers will check a box to join an association that makes them eligible, even if there is no cost associated with doing so. How Credit Unions Can Beat Banks Capturing greater market share doesnt require a big budget marketing campaign or perfect messagingconsumers already want to join credit unions. However, consumers will continue to believe that isnt an option if we set them up to continuously fail in their efforts to find and join a credit union. While legislators and regulators may tinker around the edges, field of membership isnt going away any time soon, as good as that would be for consumers and credit unions. So, the only way to take market share from banks is with a solution that makes it easier for consumers to find, join, and borrow from any credit unionnot just your ownbecause credit union is a shared brand, and the industry cant afford it to stand for inaccessibility. The automotive sensors market revenue is forecast to grow at a CAGR of over 12% through 2018 to 2023. This growth is attributed to the increasing demand of automotive, stricter emission standards and the increased demand of safety features in the automotive. In 2017, the market was valued at $26.08 billion with Safety Sensors generating over $5 billion in 2017. The Americas region accounted for a major revenue in the global automotive sensors market generating over 4,068.60 in 2017. With many safety standards being issued, European region is poised to witness a CAGR of 15.25% during the forecast period 2018-2023. The growth in global automotive sensors is attributed to the increasing demand of autonomy, stricter emission standards and the increased demand of safety features in the vehicles. What is an Automotive Sensor? Sensors are type of transducers which detect the difference in its environment due to mechanical change and transfer it as electric or optical signal to the concerned component. In automotive, sensors are used to develop a centralized control system for the vehicle. Sensors are installed in vehicles to increase reliability of the vehicle and safety of the passenger. Various sensors such as pressure sensors, temperature sensors, position sensors, speed sensors, oxygen sensors, NOx sensors and many other sensors are used in automotive. What are the major applications for Automotive Sensors ? The end users are mainly the vehicle drivers like cars, trucks, buses and two wheelers. Sensors are used in almost all the parts like engines, chassis, brakes, clutch, transmission, safety and control. There are different types of sensors like pressure sensors, speed sensors, temperature sensors, Humidity sensors, safety sensors and others. Pressure sensors have their applications in engine, fuel and safety. There are different types of pressure sensors like air conditioning pressure sensor, fuel pressure sensor, oil pressure sensor and manifold pressure sensor. In the engine pressure sensors are used to to regulate power delivered by the engine whenever the vehicle is accelerated or brakes are applied and also monitor the oil and coolant pressure. For safety purpose the pressure sensors adapt to road terrain and prevent skidding of vehicles. Humidity sensors detects and measures water vapor and also detects fogged up wind screens. Automotive Sensors Market Market Research and Market Trends of Automotive sensors Autonomous Driving: Level 2 and Level 3 autonomous driving is currently commercialized. The demand for automotive sensors is expected to experience exponential growth during the forecast period given the rising number of vehicles equipped with autonomous driving. This Vehicle autonomy would be achieved by incorporating efficient micro-controllers and highly precise sensors. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), the technology currently in trend powered by automotive sensors is driving the market. It assists the driver and with continuous research they are progressively excluding human errors which may be due to strong emotions, fatigue or other distractions. Current sensors forecast to experience huge demand: Sensors such as current sensors also play a keen role in diving the vehicle and sensing when and how to charge an electric vehicle, since the battery is the main source of energy for systems in HEVs/EVs, it is essential to have information about its charging and discharging cycles. Current sensors are the main source of information for charging and discharging cycle information by reporting the status of battery SOH to the battery management system. Image Sensors: Images sensors are also now being used to update the road maps and provide other critical directions. For instance, if there is a one way road with no sign boars, the systems updated them onto the cloud along with updating the concerned persons on the requirements of a sign board. This also applies to various other instances where cameras are required such as updating the road conditions, and other such local updates. It has paved the way for automotive manufacturers to use various types of vision sensors in the vehicle to assist the drivers for a safe ride. Research and Development in LiDAR: The most important sensor for an autonomous automotive vehicle is the Lidar sensor, Self-driving vehicles being tested by companies such as Alphabet, Uber, and Toyota rely heavily on Lidar to locate themselves on the detailed maps they need to get around, and to identify things like pedestrians and other vehicles. The Lidar and Radar sensors are currently very high priced costing thousands of dollars and are limited to a niche market. Major players such as Ford and Baidu are investing in self-driving cars, and also have jointly invested $150 million in Velodyne, the worlds leading Lidar supplier to build a production units in San Jose. Consequently Velodyne has achieved breakthrough technologies for building Lidar sensors that could be produced at a very low cost and similarly Quanergy has announced it would be producing solid-state Lidar sensors at a factory in Massachusetts for a targeted price of $250. Who are the Major Players in Automotive sensors Market? The companies referred in the market research report include Denso Corporation, continental Ag, Texas instruments, Infineon technologies AG and others. What is our report scope? The report incorporates in-depth assessment of the competitive landscape, product market sizing, product benchmarking, market trends, product developments, financial analysis, strategic analysis and so on to gauge the impact forces and potential opportunities of the market. Apart from this the report also includes a study of major developments in the market such as product launches, agreements, acquisitions, collaborations, mergers and so on to comprehend the prevailing market dynamics at present and its impact during the forecast period 2018-2024. All our reports are customizable to your company needs to a certain extent, we do provide 20 free consulting hours along with purchase of each report, and this will allow you to request any additional data to customize the report to your needs. Buy Now We also publish more than 100 reports every month in Automotive, Go through the Domain if there are any other areas for which you would like to get a market research study. Market Definition: Inorganic Rheology Modifiers are segmented into type, application, and region. On the basis of the type, the market is segregated into clay, fumed silica, specialty clays, and others. The fumed silica is the most widely used inorganic rheology modifier owing to thixotropic properties, especially in paints and coatings industry. The product is used in the room temperature vulcanizing silicone sealants for water proofing and structural glazing in buildings. Inorganic rheology modifiers are being increasingly used in the skin care products such as for lightening of acne marks, antiperspirant, fragrance, and hair care products owing to inflammability and improved viscosity. Market Scenario and Growth Factors: Based on the technology, the market is segmented into water-based and solvent-based. Clay is made using water-based technology owing to strong heat and sag resistance. Fumed silica and specialty clay are made using solvent-based technology due to shear thinning properties, which makes them suitable for various applications. Get a Free Sample of This Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/6059 Based on the application, the global market is segmented into paints & coatings, cosmetics & personal care products, adhesives & sealants, composites, household and industrial products, pharmaceuticals, printing ink, cable compounds & gels, oil-well drilling, electronics, and others. Paints and coatings accounted for the largest market share in 2017 owing to surging demand from the major end-use industries such as automotive and construction industry. Cosmetics & personal care industry is the second largest application owing to enlarging demand for deodorants and UV protective skin care products globally. Competitive Analysis Some of the key players in the global Inorganic Rheology Modifiers Market are: BASF SE (Germany), Evonik Industries AG (Germany), Jaychemmarketing (India), Cabot Corporation (U.S,) XUNYU CHEM (China), Orisil (Ukraine), OCI COMPANY Ltd (South Korea), ALTANA (Germany), Tokuyama Corporation (Japan), Wacker Chemie AG (Germany). Regional Analysis Based on the region, the Inorganic Rheology Modifier Market Size is segregated into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. Asia Pacific is the fastest growing region in the inorganic rheology modifiers market owing to the increasing demand for cosmetics & personal care products coupled with rising disposable income of the consumers. North America is the second largest region in the inorganic rheology modifiers market with expanding cosmetics & personal care industry as a result of rising need for UV protective skin care products. Additionally, increasing spending on healthcare coupled with rising health awareness and high per capita income of the consumers is likely to propel the market growth. Europe is another significant region in the market due to growing healthcare industry with rising geriatric population. Moreover, surging demand for paints & coating from the reviving automotive industry is driving the market growth. Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are likely to witness a moderate growth during the review period due to rising spending on the cosmetic and skin care products. Access Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/inorganic-rheology-modifiers-market-6059 My late grandmother, one of the last of the Victorians and a crashing snob, used to say that it was most frightfully common, my dear, to use the word 'loo'. As far as she was concerned, the only acceptable term was 'lavatory'. Heaven knows, then, what she would have made of this week's survey by Perspectus Global, a firm describing itself as an 'insights agency' (search me), which finds that calling it the loo is one of the top 40 signs considered by Britons to indicate that a person is 'genuinely posh'. As if this wouldn't horrify her enough, I dread to think how the old lady would have reacted had she lived to hear my own sons, her great-grandchildren, referring habitually to the facility in question as the 'toilet'. This was a word she considered so irredeemably lower-class that it would never have crossed her mind that any descendant of hers would be capable of uttering it. My late grandmother, used to say that it was most frightfully common, my dear, to use the word 'loo'. As far as she was concerned, the only acceptable term was 'lavatory' (stock image) But I am in no position to throw stones. Brought up as I was, I confess that at first it jarred with me when our boys started using that controversial word for the smallest room (another expression my grandmother would never have used), in place of the alternative euphemisms supposedly favoured by the upper crust. At first I tried and failed to negotiate a compromise, telling the boys that they could call it the toilet at school, if that was the accepted word there, but at home it would remain the lavatory or oh, dear the loo (sorry, Grandma). Now that I'm older and wiser, however, it no longer bothers me at all when I hear one of my own flesh and blood announce that he's off to the toilet, at home or anywhere else. But I fear that at least a trace of snobbery remains in me, since I can't quite bring myself to let the word fall from my own lips, except in a mockney accent to mimic my sons. Yes, I know, I know. Sensible readers will flock to inform me that it's stupid and even contemptible to give a damn about such matters, let alone to waste a drop of ink by discussing them in print. It couldn't matter less, they'll tell me, what word people use for the WC, as long as it's not gratuitously offensive. We should judge our fellow human beings by their character and their treatment of others, they'll say, not by their choice of vocabulary or indeed any other supposed indicator of social class. And of course they will be absolutely right. Yet I'd be very surprised if there's anyone in this country, of my generation and privately educated upbringing, who hasn't just occasionally suppressed an involuntary wince when somebody calls a sofa a 'couch', says 'serviette' rather than 'napkin' or pronounces the word 'aitch' as if it has an H in front of it (as in 'Haitch MRC'). It's the same when it comes to clothes or interior decor. How many of my background be honest can resist thinking, 'Oh, dear, how naff' when we see the latest outfit worn by, say, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen or pictures of Donald Trump's flat at the top of Trump Tower? Is it a mark of 'genuine poshness' to have shelves of books? Mitford's character Uncle Matthew (pictured) springs to mind. If I remember The Pursuit Of Love correctly, he read only one book It's not as if my own family ever had the slightest legitimate claim to be thought grand. Take that maternal grandmother, born in 1899, who shuddered at the word loo. Though she liked to play the grande dame and claimed a remote kinship with the Marquess of Ormonde she was in fact the ineffably middle-class daughter of a bank manager, and married to a middle-class journalist. That didn't stop her from reacting with horror when her beloved younger daughter, my mother, fell in love with another journalist, instead of the Lord Right she'd had in mind for her. She was appalled not only because my father was blind, and without any inherited money or aristocratic connections. Worse still, in her book, he had a trace of a Liverpool accent pronouncing the word 'hanging', for example, with two hard Gs though this was later to be drummed out of him by my mother. My grandmother wasn't pleased, either, when I married Mrs U, who was similarly bereft of titles and ancestral acres. I vividly remember her telling me, trying to be nice: 'Well, at least she sounds chateau-bottled.' Playing her own game, I replied: 'Grandma, what a frightfully common expression!' One up to me, I thought. So, no, we Utleys aren't by any means posh. But then isn't it a truism that the sort of petty snobbery I've been describing is a distinctively middle-class vice? Genuine toffs are too grand and assured of their status to care. Even the undeniably posh Nancy Mitford, high priestess of the U and Non-U, wrote about class indicators chiefly for laughs, with more than a hint of disdain for the Hyacinth Buckets of this world, who worry about these things. Meanwhile, proud members of the working class find fretting about status plain ridiculous. Indeed, I suspect it's those of us who are caught in the middle who read this week's survey with the greatest interest. So permit me an observation or two on its findings. Is it really a mark of 'genuine poshness' to have shelves full of books (No 28 on the list)? I would have thought this more an indication that the shelf-owner enjoys reading an activity with which the British aristocracy, with notable exceptions, has never been much associated. Mitford's character Uncle Matthew springs to mind. If I remember The Pursuit Of Love correctly (I've seen only the first instalment of the new BBC adaptation, which has got so many people talking about class), he read only one book. That was Jack London's White Fang, which he liked so much that he never read another. Again, is it posh to call dinner 'supper' (No 13)? As I understand it, the rule is that supper and dinner are different meals. If it's just sausages and mash for the family, it's supper. Again, is it posh to call dinner 'supper'? As I understand it, the rule is that supper and dinner are different meals. If it's just sausages and mash for the family, it's supper (stock image) If it's a more formal affair, with at least three courses and guests, then it's dinner. Oh, and upper-class children and dogs have their dinner at midday, while upper-class adults have it in the evening (and never before 8pm). I reckon other items on the list also need revising. For instance, is 'having a double-barrelled name' (No 32) still a mark of poshness? These days, isn't this far more likely to suggest either that your mum is a feminist or that your parents are unmarried or both? And is it really true that posh people 'never discuss money' (No 6)? I've come across impoverished aristocrats, in my time, who think and talk about little else. As for omissions from the list, how long before voting Labour is seen as exclusively upper class a test of poshness I would fail or at least having children who join demonstrations by Extinction Rebellion and Black Lives Matter, which seem increasingly to be thronged by the pampered offspring of toffs? Let's face it, the truth is that fashions change and class indicators along with them. Indeed, in the course of my lifetime, I've seen many words once considered excruciatingly naff adopted and accepted by the grandest in the land. For example, I was brought up to believe it was common to say 'phone', 'radio', 'bike' or 'stereo' while proper toffs would never say 'mantelpiece' or 'mirror'. The 'correct' words, I was taught, were 'telephone', 'wireless', 'bicycle' and 'gramophone', while a mantelpiece was a chimneypiece, and a mirror a looking-glass. But when was the last time you heard anyone under 50 using the words considered de rigueur by the likes of Nancy Mitford? Never mind the loo. Before we know it, we'll hear even the most inveterate of middle-class snobs calling it the toilet, without a blush. And, all right, this will probably be a less angst-ridden country for that. Market Research Future (MRFR) announces the publication of its research report Nylon Cable Ties Market 2020-2023. Market Highlights: Nylon Cable Ties Market was valued at USD 102.3 million in 2016 and is predicted to grow at low CAGR of 4.24% to reach USD 135.7 million by the end of 2023. As per the industry experts, the market is expected to grow significantly in the coming years due to low entry barriers linked with low initial investment to start production cost. Consumer goods sector comprises the diverse applications; for plastic goods. Therefore, the industry also offers equivalent application scope for nylon cable ties and is has sets its increasing consumption. Nylon ties provide high ease during the use as well as convenience and it is suitable for the range of applications in FMCG sector. Hence, the industry could be an important consumer of nylon ties over the forecast period. Get a Free Sample @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/5233 Market Research Future (MRFR) recognizes the following companies as the key players in the global Nylon Cable Ties market: Ascend Perfomance Material (U.S.), 3M (U.S.), Hellermann Tyton (U.K), Thomas & Betts Corporation (U.S.), Changhong Plasctoc group (China), Yueqing huada Plastic (China), HONT Electrical Co. Ltd (China), (Sweden), KSS (Taiwan) American Elite Molding (U.S.) Segment Analysis: The global Cable Ties Market Size is segmented into type, application, and region. Market segmentation based on type includes nylon 6, nylon6, 6 and others. Entire specialty nylon cable ties market is categorized under others segment and are preferred rarely. Nylon 6 segment dominated the global market and is accounted for 58.23% global shares in 2016. Price effectiveness of nylon 6 over nylon 6, 6 is one of the factor favored for the demand of nylon 6. Naturally, nylon 6 exhibit relatively greater proper tiers that nylon 6 such as abrasion resistance, better bending fatigue and retention of properties on repeated use. Due to which the overall adoption of nylon 6 has been seen increasing and resulting into market domination. Nylon 6, 6, the second largest segment held substantial shares and it is expected to progress in terms of market share in the coming years. This is due to specificity of nylon 6, 6 cable ties in specialized applications. Furthermore, on the basis of application the global market has been segmented into electrical & electronics, building & construction, agriculture, automotive, consumer good, industrial, and others. The major purpose of nylon cable ties is to tie cables together, thus, electronics and electrical industry is a prominent end use industry. The industry dominated global nylon cable ties market and acquired 26% of the global market growing at 4.02% CAGR. Automotive, agriculture, construction and consumer goods are the important end users of nylon cable ties and are contributing equally to the global demand. Consumer goods specifically, is emerging as the largest consumer after electrical and electronics, on account of customized as well as diverse range of applications demanded by this industry. This industry is expanding at 4.94% CAGR as of 2016, which is the third highest growth noted after electrical & electronics and agriculture industry in this market. Regional Analysis: The global nylon cable ties market is divided into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. According to the MRFR analysis, North America was the most promising region in terms of consumption as of 2016. The region has accounted for the largest market share of 35% followed by Asia Pacific at 29%. Proximity to raw material and presence of established plastic industry are the key factors behind the growth of this region. The U.S. is majorly driving the growth in the North America nylon cable ties market. Moreover, increasing construction repair activities across the North America region encouraging the overall demand. Along with this, infrastructural development is also expected to drive the regional demand over the forecast period. The study was conducted using an objective combination of primary and secondary information including inputs from key participants in the industry. The report contains a comprehensive market and vendor landscape analysis of key vendors. This research report provides the insights, on various levels of analyses such industry analysis, market share analysis leading market players and their profiles. This report also helps in studying the target segments by providing views on emerging & high-growth segments and market conclusion. Together the market data comprise and discuss with the basic assessments on the competitive scenarios & strategies, of the Global Nylon Cable Ties, including the high-growth regions and their political, economic and technological environments. Furthermore, the project report also provide the views over the historical market values as well as, pricing and cost analysis of the same. Access Complete Report Details @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/nylon-cable-ties-market-5233 Prince Harry's brutal attack on his dad's parenting ability in a US podcast this week has many royal watchers speculating that relations between Prince Charles and the Sussexes have hit rock bottom. But the heir to the throne remains determined to find a way back into the royal fold for his wayward son and wife Meghan Markle even if it takes years to broker a rapprochement. Allies of the Prince of Wales concede the father/son relationship is currently 'strained to say the least', but they insist Charles is focussed on finding a long-term solution, not Harry's regular verbal missiles. A royal source with insight of Charles' position tells me: 'The Prince of Wales knows he didn't always succeed as a father, but he tried his absolute best. 'Harry has been hurting since he was a little boy. It's not an easy situation. But Prince Charles would much rather his son be by his side. 'Of course, there is disappointment and sadness about the Oprah interview, and the relationship with Harry is strained to say the least. The Prince of Wales during a visit to BCB International, a supplier of protective, medical and defence equipment, in Cardiff today Oprah Winfrey interviews Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on March 7 'But Prince Charles, as the new patriarch of the Royal Family, is very aware of his future role and the need to protect the monarchy. 'An ongoing battle with Harry and Meghan in California is not conducive to that. At the end of the day, above everything else, family always comes first. 'The Prince of Wales would like to find a way to make Harry and Meghan included again, even though that is likely to take many years.' This week's announcement of the shock departure of Jason Knauf as boss of Prince William and Kate's charity foundation at the end of the year has provided a further glimmer of hope. It's not often the exit of a senior royal courtier causes such a public stir. But when the man in question is a close ally of the Cambridges who had accused Meghan Markle of bullying staff members, the ramifications are significant indeed. Royal Foundation chairman Jason Knauf, the former communications secretary to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, attends the couple's wedding at Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018 While there is nothing at all sinister about Knauf's decision to leave at the end of the year his husband is believed to be taking a diplomatic post overseas my sources say it provides opportunities for future king Charles. A royal insider explains: 'Prince Charles and senior royal courtiers are very aware of the bitterness between Harry and Meghan and many of the senior staff who were in post during their time in the Family after their wedding. 'Jason was particularly a lightning rod because he was also the communications secretary to Harry and Meghan, but then wrote the infamous letter accusing her of bullying staff that was leaked to The Times newspaper in the days before the Oprah interview. It's not often the exit of a senior royal courtier causes such a public stir, writes DAN WOOTTON 'It was impossible to imagine any sort of rapprochement while he remained in a senior role at William and Kate's foundation and one of their key advisers.' Royal sources tell me Harry and Meghan will likely be satisfied with Knauf's departure. Another insider explains: 'Things turned very sour between the Sussexes and Knauf once their operations were split with the Cambridges. They felt they could no longer trust him. 'The hope is that bridges will also be easier to rebuild bridges between William and Harry next year with a new team in place. 'That's what Charles wants them to do. He would like there to be a more pleasant atmosphere at family events in the medium-term. 'But once Charles is king, in an ideal world, he would like to think there is a role for Harry.' It is intriguing to note there has now been a changing of the guard in all the senior communications posts from the height of the media battle between the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the rest of the Royal Family. Prince Charles and Prince William's communications secretaries Julian Payne and Christian Jones have both left. Prince William and Kate are pictured together at Kensington Palace in London last month Clarence House and Kensington Palace have hired NHS staff to lead their media operations in what is seen as a sea change from the more combative Harry and Meghan era. Simon Enright will next week join to run Charles' public relations after leaving as communications director for NHS England where he played an essential role throughout the coronavirus pandemic. Running the media operations for William and Kate at Kensington Palace is Victoria O'Byrne, who was director of communications for NHS Test and Trace. They will be hoping for an easier time than Knauf who in October 2018, while communications secretary for the Sussexes, sent an email raising concerns about Meghan's alleged bullying of staff. The note to Prince William's then private secretary Simon Case read in part: 'I am very concerned that the Duchess was able to bully two PAs out of the household in the past year. The treatment of X* was totally unacceptable.' 'The Duchess seems intent on always having someone in her sights. She is bullying Y and seeking to undermine her confidence. We have had report after report from people who have witnessed unacceptable behaviour towards Y.' A Buckingham Palace investigation into the alleged bullying which the Sussexes have dismissed as a smear campaign remains ongoing. But my royal source adds: 'The view is that Jason leaving at the end of the year will take some heat out of the situation.' Something that would please the Queen and Prince Charles after a dramatic and testing few weeks. Here's one of the first things David Cameron will have noticed as the tawdry details of the Greensill debacle have emerged, drip by drip, over recent weeks. Suddenly, the phone isn't ringing with syrupy-voiced requests from the broadcast media to offer his thoughts on the budget, Brexit or the future of Labour after Hartlepool. Rather he's far more likely to be the subject of comments even more derisory than usual on Have I Got News for You or The News Quiz. Former Prime Minister David Cameron giving evidence to the House of Commons Treasury Committee on Greensill Capital David Cameron, left, and Lex Greensill, founder of Greensill Capital, in Saudi Arabia in January 2020 And perhaps calls from 'acquaintances' those who work harder at maintaining contact than you do will start to dry up. This is what happens as you slide from fame to infamy and I remember it too well. Actually, in my case, it wasn't a slide but a straight drop from one day to the next, rather like walking into a lift on the penthouse level and discovering too late it has no floor. You're history. I don't expect Cameron will have the unhappy experience of his barber telling him he is no longer a welcome client, as my New York hairdresser told me days after scandal hit my husband, the newspaper tycoon Conrad Black, and myself more than a decade or so ago. My photograph, having been featured on the salon wall for about 15 years, was then removed like Trotsky from those infamous Red Square podium pics back in the days of the USSR. Worse, when I phoned my 'good friend' and manager of the Manolo Blahnik shop in New York and said I was after a pair of mood-lifting shoes, she retorted 'You've got quite enough' and hung up. Even Ghislaine Maxwell snubbed me at a reception! But what really hurt was when my old school, North London Collegiate, which boasted of me in my glory days as an editor and columnist working on both sides of the Atlantic, removed me from the roster of famous old girls. Post Prime Ministership was never going to be easy for Cameron. His only real-world work experience was in the early Nineties with the media company Carlton Communications he was Vice-President Corporate Affairs which, when I visited back in the day, meant a meet-and-greet as he showed you in, always a pretty oily job. Party in Kensington to celebrate Lord Frederick and Lady Gabriella Windsor's birthdays, Conrad Black and Wife Barbara Amiel attend. Cameron is extremely articulate, the possessor of a First Class Honours degree from Oxford, but a man who cannot resist making absolutely everything he says sound EMPHATICALLY IMPORTANT. He's just that sort of person. Unfortunately, this need to deliver every statement as truly, deeply, sincerely significant makes him sound like a bit of a windbag. Just about bearable when in office; a hell of a handicap when you're out and nothing you say seems to have substance any more. And nothing showcased those qualities plus the skills he learned as a PR, the obfuscation and need to ingratiate himself than his earnest but slippery appearances before two select committees (Treasury followed by Public Accounts) on Thursday, during which he was subjected to four hours of grilling by MPs. He was accused of 'stalking' ministers and officials and of 'demeaning' himself and his position via the barrage of emails and texts he sent as he worked to secure access for Greensill to government Covid emergency loans. I can't get worked up over Cameron's activities. Yes, he stood to benefit financially if Greensill prospered reportedly telling friends that he would make $60m from his shareholdings after the company was valued at $7bn. And the wheedling desperation in the emails and texts made public this week were certainly undignified for a former British PM. 'Call me Dave' (the nickname conferred on him by Mail columnist Richard Littlejohn) now has a new soubriquet; 'Love DC' the sign-off to some of those messages that he will not easily live down. But as far as I can see what he did is not actually illegal and I leave it to others to speculate on where that will all go. My interest extends only to what David Cameron and I share the horrible experience of what happens when you've been 'up there' and then the roof falls in. I can't help feeling some sympathy for him. We're all stuck with what nature and nurture gives us and in Cameron it's provided something of a weak character. You need the right stuff to get through this sort of thing, which it is not too late for him to find. But it manifestly eluded him this week. Dave was as well lit and powdered as a professional politician on Zoom could be as he endured his questioning: lovely really, but still the camera managed to hit that tell-tale bead of sweat. Loss of power brings different losses to its erstwhile owner depending on what made them seek it out in the first place. I understand Cameron's problem of being the Sun King one day and a mere courtier the next hence his need to wheedle telephone numbers from important people he once knew well, so he could call other important people who previously always called him. It may sound trivial but this sidling around for contacts is deeply humiliating, which is why I went into social lockdown after Conrad was sentenced. Such a shutdown would never occur to Cameron who, even now, may not be totally aware of the wretchedness of his present situation. Friends will reassure him (and he will tell himself) that the Press is always horrid and unreliable and that this too will pass. Which it will. But not without some damage. He has lost the gravitas, so becoming in a former PM and essential to maintain one's premier position in the world at large. Not quite so many doors will open to him in the future accessibility to other powerful people being an essential marker of the powerful. Stripped of power, you're left buck naked, twisting in the wind. The people you shunted off to an aide to deal with, the letters you didn't bother replying to, the sarky, clever-at-the time remarks that come back to haunt you. How many times I wished I had been wonderful to everyone and never lost my temper. Cameron will find that nothing is as sweet to those he fobbed off as fobbing him back. The most formidable loser in the power game I ever saw was Middle East fixer, arms dealer and business tycoon Adnan Khashoggi, friend of Arab potentates and U.S. Presidents. He was a shadowy, basically unattractive figure with the allure that three superyachts, a fleet of planes and homes around the world bring. He had throngs of gorgeous women over whom he showered expensive jewels and powdered cocaine. The Economist magazine once estimated his lifestyle cost $250,000 a day at its peak. But then Adnan lost it all after a scandal involving the Iran-Contra arms deal and he had to sell one yacht to the Sultan of Brunei who later sold it to Donald Trump who later sold it to Prince al-Waleed bin Talal these yachts get around and was reduced to about $8 million, which rather took him off-stage. I wondered vaguely how his fall felt and could only come up with my own journey from Chanel to Zara with barely a stop in between but that seemed an inadequate metaphor. Defining power is a scholars' game. I can't understand a word of Foucault but the French philosopher writes tons about it. There's political, economic, financial and social power and the power which Cameron is losing in the aftermath of Greensill has all these elements. Influence and prestige are adjuncts but not the thing itself: Albert Einstein had prestige but not power, a policeman has power but not prestige. Karl Marx was one helluvan influencer but seriously, that beardy nerd sitting scribbling Das Kapital in the British Library couldn't be described as a 'powerful man'. Power is not all about money, although the lack of it renders one invisible as I quickly found. Cheating cyclist Lance Armstrong probably misses the yellow jersey which gave him prestige and Harvey Weinstein must definitely miss the casting couch. I miss having the aura of power that compensated a bit for the lines in my face as I aged. Depending on your sensitivity, you can distinguish between the looks of admiration and envy your power brings and the looks of derision and pointed indifference backs turned sort of thing when you publicly lose it. I'm not certain that David Cameron will be sufficiently sensitive to such nuances. But when you have been a respected prime minister and let's not forget that in 2015 he delivered the Tories' first outright election victory for 23 years there is still an aura, diminished though it might be, after you leave office. Only so long as you behave yourself. In Cameron's case, the Niagara Falls of unpleasant revelations are swamping any teeny flicker of that. Downfall has become something of a popular spectator sport as the #MeToo movement gathers speed. I rather admired Kevin Spacey as a formidable actor, a marvel at the Old Vic with mantelpieces of awards including a KBE. His fall over 20 accusations of sexual harassment both in America and London is said to be terminal. Now he sits, somewhere, battered by affidavits, lawsuits and, I expect, the feeling of spiders crawling all over him a feeling I came to know rather well. But comebacks are possible. Richard Nixon was a power player who resigned from the presidency, drowned by Watergate. Ten years later, he addressed the annual luncheon of American Society of Newspaper Editors in Washington. He spoke for an hour on international affairs and domestic politics, giving predictions that turned out to be extraordinarily accurate. 'He knocked our hats off,' said Kay Graham, owner of the Washington Post, the newspaper that exposed Watergate. She ran a photograph of herself smiling broadly with Nixon on the cover of Newsweek, another of her publications. He was back. It's unlikely but not impossible that Cameron can do it, too. You need a thick skin Nixon had that and the determination that usually comes from fighting your way up from the street rather than strolling through life in a Bullingdon Club waistcoat. Myself? At best I'm planning a very modest return perhaps taking a couple of power suits out of mothballs. My husband, meanwhile, is way ahead of me as several of the bigger media power players including the formidable Rupert Murdoch have acknowledged. I have no idea how Cameron sees himself these days. My vision was too acute for comfort as I watched our power and far worse, our reputations, dissolve. The regaining of any bit takes years, but one thing we didn't lack is tenacity. Tenacity may, at one point, have been all we had. I'd recommend it to the former PM. Barbara Amiel is the author of Friends And Enemies: A Memoir Boris Johnson told Parliament this week there will be a full public inquiry into the handling of the pandemic. Its something many people have been demanding for many months. But the reaction was sceptical at best, cynical at worst. Nobody doubts the need for an inquiry. The Covid death toll in this country has passed 128,000. Only a dozen countries in the world have seen more deaths in relation to the size of their population. That alone demands serious questions being answered by those who led the fight against the virus. The existence of any deadly virus may be an act of God. The way its dealt with is the act of man and Boris Johnson was the man in charge. Not that youd have known it at the very start, judging by the way he couldnt find the time to attend what turned out to be some pretty important Cobra meetings. The inquiry will not report until long after the next election even if this Parliament runs its full term After the Watergate scandal I remember standing on the lawn of the White House on a hot August day in 1974 watching Richard Nixon board the presidential helicopter for the last time We are all only too familiar with the horror of those early days. Covid was already rampaging across many countries while we were still allowing vast crowds to enjoy themselves at Cheltenham and rock concerts. The Government chose to listen to scientific advisers telling them to let it spread through the population for fear that the NHS would be overwhelmed. Herd immunity was the gospel of the day. It wasnt until March 23 last year that the first lockdown was ordered and by then it was too late. We watched aghast as one government fiasco followed another. Thousands of old people were dumped from hospitals into nursing homes to die. There was a desperate shortage of the right equipment to save brave nurses risking their lives every day and, when PPE contracts were handed out, suspicions were raised that ministers were favouring old friends or party donors rather than sourcing them responsibly. Panic had taken over. And greed. Billions were wasted on a test and trace programme that could have nipped the virus in the bud. South Korea and Taiwan had shown how it could be done but we looked the other way. In September, Johnson was being told by his most senior scientific advisers to implement another lockdown. He chose not to. But then the vaccines came to the nations rescue. The programme went almost flawlessly. The virus is in retreat and with some cautious glances over the shoulder at the Indian variant we are daring to think the worst is behind us and normal service is about to be resumed across the land. Until the next time. And there will be a next time. There always is with viruses. One of the reasons we were so hopelessly unready in the early stages of the Covid crisis is that the Government had been preparing for a different war. Its as though, in 1939, we had been primed to defend ourselves against an attack by the Soviet Union rather than by Germany. The potential enemy was meant to be a new form of flu and great efforts were made to build up stocks of new flu vaccines. But Covid-19, as we were to learn to our cost, is a coronavirus, which is very different. Too many assumptions were made that turned out to be baseless. As the philosopher George Santayana put it a century ago, those who do not remember the mistakes of the past are doomed to repeat them. Thats one of the reasons why we must have an inquiry. So how come there was so much scepticism when Boris Johnson made his announcement? Because weve been here before. And this nations history of public inquiries is not one to boast about. Lets assume that the pandemic inquiry does indeed conclude that this government made some truly shocking decisions which meant many people died unnecessarily. Worse, that some of those decisions were taken for party political motives or even favours to old friends rather than purely what was best for the nation. Curtains for Boris at the next election, eh? Well not exactly. Because he will almost certainly have moved to pastures new. The inquiry will not report until long after the next election even if this Parliament runs its full term. Thats not an assumption based on conjecture but on history. Of five major public inquiries over the past couple of decades, the shortest lasted for seven years, the longest 12. That is, quite simply, ridiculous. Worse, its dangerous. Sometimes public inquiries deal with highly complex matters. A classic example is the Grenfell fire inquiry. Every other day it seems to reveal disturbing details about technical shortcomings and sharp practises in the building industry that led to so many completely unnecessary deaths. The urgency is obvious. So it is with Covid. We cannot, and should not, wait for years to learn lessons. Yet what the Prime Minister did not mention this week was that civil servants have already conducted a review. Their findings have not been made public. Why? Arent we entitled to know? Nor did he mention the investigations being carried out by MPs on two important select committees. Their key witness in ten days time will be a certain Dominic Cummings, who was Mr Johnsons chief adviser until he got the boot. If theres anyone who knows where the bodies are buried (or piled high) its him. And he is a man with a grudge. We undervalue select committees. They do an important job holding the powerful to account and they could do much more with more resources. The former Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt, who now chairs the Health Select Committee with real vigour, told me this week they should be able to examine government papers and have the power to force witnesses to appear. Hes right. After the Watergate scandal I remember standing on the lawn of the White House on a hot August day in 1974 watching Richard Nixon board the presidential helicopter for the last time. The most powerful man in the world had been forced to resign after an inquiry in the Senate that had begun little more than a year earlier. Day after day, America watched their presidents most senior aides being grilled mercilessly under oath by well-briefed senators. We could do with some of that here. Something else I remember is standing in the streets of Belfast only hours after the insane policy of internment had been announced. It meant people could be imprisoned without trial. The city erupted in violence. Many protesters, angry at the denial of a basic human right, were shot dead by British soldiers. This week a coroner declared that ten of the dead had been entirely innocent of any wrongdoing. Downing Street said Boris Johnson had apologised unreservedly. They had been the victims of an unjustified use of force. It had taken an unbelievable 50 years for their relatives to get the verdict they deserved. So yes, lets have an inquiry into the mistakes that have been made in handling our pandemic crisis. Those who died are owed nothing less. But lets not meekly accept that it will take many years. The virus is still out there. We deserve to know where our leaders got it wrong so were better prepared next time. And the sooner we know, the better. Turner wins the woke prize Some of the shortlists have made Tracey Emins My Unmade Bed look like a Rembrandt Remember back in the 1970s when the renowned Tate Gallery aroused the anger of the nation by putting on display a pile of old bricks? A few said it was great art. Most said it was, well, just a pile of old bricks. Then along came the Turner Prize, whose ambition seems to have been to shock the greatest possible number of art lovers with the daftest shortlists in the history of art awards. Some of them have made Tracey Emins My Unmade Bed look like a Rembrandt. But this years Turner surely deserves an award itself. Instead of individual artists, it has selected collectives, one of whom is an outfit called Black Obsidian Sound System. They describe themselves as a community of queer, trans and non-binary black and people of colour involved in art, sound and radical activism. And they are not happy with the art industry because it has failed to financially reward collectives, has an in-built reverence towards individuals and regards black, brown, working class, disabled and queer bodies [as] desirable, quickly dispensable, but never sustainably cared for. Makes you quite nostalgic for a minimalist pile of old bricks, eh? A young mother given one year to live after being diagnosed with an incurable form of skin cancer says her only wish is to make precious memories for her beloved son. Meabh Feerick, 25, was busy raising three-year-old Noah in Homebush, in Sydney's inner-west, when her world was shattered by a small lump on the back of her scalp. The bar manager from Mayo, west Ireland, said she saw a doctor about the growth 'at least five or six times' over the past two years, but was repeatedly assured it was nothing more than a wart or cyst, despite it growing and becoming painful to touch. Unconvinced by their dismissals, Ms Feerick pushed for further testing and was devastated to discover her suspicions had been correct when a biopsy in late November revealed the lump to be stage four melanoma. Her condition is incurable. Ms Feerick, who is preparing to return home to Ireland to bring Noah back to her family, said she has been writing letters to her son from her hospital bed so he will remember who his mother was. Meabh Feerick, 25, was busy raising her three-year-old son, Noah, in Homebush, in Sydney's inner-west, when her world was shattered by a small lump on the back of her scalp 'I have a child and I have so much to be here for. It's not good enough and I have been angry, but it's out of my control,' she told Daily Mail Australia. 'I've been writing letters to him while I'm up in the hospital so he can know his mam. 'I'm just trying to embrace the time I have left without being conscious that I'm on a deadline.' In the months before her diagnosis, Ms Feerick said she felt the lump grow bigger and began to experience a 'dull ache' in that area of her head. A few mornings, she said she woke to find blood splattered on her pillow, but otherwise felt fit and healthy. It wasn't until she insisted on having the growth removed by a dermatologist that the reality of her condition was revealed. Ms Feerick (pictured with little Noah) said she has been writing letters to her son from her hospital bed so he will remember who his mother was The bar manager (right, with sister Aisling) is preparing to return home to Ireland to bring her son back to her family A series of scans and a surgery in early December showed cancer had spread into the skull, lymph nodes and almost every bone of Ms Feerick's body, causing lesions so severe that her hip fractured one night while she slept. 'I was taken aback because I'd been repeatedly reassured it was nothing serious,' she said of her diagnosis. 'Two years of going to the doctors, and they kept telling me it was nothing.' Melanoma and other forms of skin cancer are typically associated with excessive sun exposure and poor sun protection, but as Ms Feerick's story proves, this is not always the case. She said she rarely sunbaked and has been to the beach 'about four or five times' in the four and a half years she has lived in Australia. Hers is a form of familial or genetic melanoma, an inherited condition passed down through one of two mutated genes which is notoriously difficult to treat. 'This isn't sun damage - it would have happened just as easily if I was in Ireland or anywhere else,' she said. Ms Feerick (pictured with son Noah as a newborn) hopes to fly home to be reunited with her family in June What is familial melanoma? Familial melanoma is a genetic or inherited condition. This means that the risk of melanoma can be passed from generation to generation. To date, two genes have been linked to familial melanoma: CDKN2A and CDK4. A small number of families have a greater risk of melanoma because they have inherited a change in these specific genes. The number of people who have an inherited risk of melanoma is unknown, but it is thought to be low. It is estimated that roughly eight percent of people with melanoma have a first-degree relative with melanoma and that one percent to two percent of people with melanoma have two or more close relatives with the condition. In areas of higher sun exposure, like Australia and the southern United States, the frequency of sporadic melanoma is higher, so familial melanoma is not diagnosed unless three or more close relatives have invasive melanoma. Signs that mean you should be checked by a cancer screening professional for familial melanoma include: - Melanoma at an early age (the average age of familial melanoma is 33) - A large number of moles (more than 10 on the arms and 200 on the body) - Multiple atypical moles (moles that have an irregular border or slight variation in colour) - Melanoma on areas of the body that haven't been exposed to the sun Source: Australian Cancer Council Advertisement Doctors prescribed a course of immunotherapy that proved unsuccessful in slowing the growth of the tumours in Ms Feerick's body, leaving no other option but a specialised drug known as a BRAF inhibitor that can prolong, but not save, her life. 'They've told me remission is no longer a possibility. They said it's time to think about going home and being with your family,' she said. 'There's no timeline for how long these drugs will work. It could be only three months or it could be a couple of years, but the prognosis is about a year from now.' Despite Australia's international border closure, Ms Feerick's father was granted entry on a compassionate visa so he can care for his daughter and grandson and help them make the long journey home. The hope is that the family will be reunited in Ireland in early June. Ms Feerick (pictured with Noah in hospital) has been given just one year to live A crowdfunding campaign launched by Ms Feerick's sister Aoife had raised $264,070 AUD (EUR 170,214) at the time of writing, with donations intended to pay for travel costs and ongoing treatment. Ms Feerick said she has been 'completely overwhelmed' by the support she has received from the Irish community, both at home and in Australia. 'I cant thank everyone enough for their generosity and kind wishes,' she said. 'I just want to make memories with Noah and take him on trips around Ireland.' Over the past two months, Ms Feerick said she has felt her body grow weak. 'I've really started to feel sick. I'm tired,' she said. Ms Feerick has urged others to be vigilant about their health by seeking multiple opinions about unexplained growths, no matter how insignificant they may seem. 'Just because someone's studied medicine, it doesn't mean they know your body better than you do,' she said. 'When you have a gut feeling, don't ignore it. Even if you feel like you're annoying, keep pursuing it until you get an answer you feel content with.' Donations to the Feerick family can be made through the GoFundMe campaign. For more information about familial melanoma and other types of skin cancer, please visit the Australian Cancer Council here. An Australian clinic is helping hundreds of women to transform their skin from the inside out in as little as five weeks by analysing their sleep, stress and hormonal health. Chakra Face and Body in Doncaster, 16km north-east of Melbourne CBD, takes a holistic approach to beauty, meaning it bases treatment on what's happening inside the body rather than the blemishes appearing on the face alone. Clinic founder Kiki Chakra, 34, believes 'skin is a reflection of our overall health', with issues such as spots and rosacea acting as telltale signs that we are lacking vital nutrients or minerals. Ms Chakra and her team of therapists assess the lifestyle, sleep pattern, gut health and hormone balances of their clients in specialised consultations before prescribing a treatment comprised of edible supplements and topical creams. Client photos taken before and after treatment reveal incredible transformations, with chronic conditions including cystic acne and dermatitis cleared almost fully in just over one month. Scroll down for video A 'natural' Australian clinic is helping hundreds of women to transform their skin from the inside out in as little as five weeks by analysing their sleep, stress and hormonal health Chakra Face and Body in Doncaster, 16km north-east of Melbourne CBD, takes a holistic approach to beauty Therapists assess the sleep pattern, gut health and hormone balances of their clients in consultations before prescribing a treatment of edible supplements and topical cream Client photos taken before and after treatment reveal incredible transformations, with chronic conditions including cystic acne and dermatitis cleared almost fully in as just over a month Since opening her clinic in 2010, Ms Chakra has helped countless clients to restore their skin's natural radiance without leaving them reliant on expensive products or professional facials. After the initial consultation, her therapists often refer clients to naturopaths, Chinese herbalists and integrated doctors so they can address any underlying issues that may be manifesting outwardly on the skin. 'We start clients with a skin consultation about sleep, stress levels, hormonal health, contraception and gut health - everything down to bowel movements,' Ms Chakra told Daily Mail Australia. 'You can't treat externally without treating the internal workings of the skin.' Since opening her clinic in 2010, Ms Chakra has helped countless clients to restore their skin's natural radiance without leaving them reliant on expensive products or professional facials Australian fashion designer Lillian Khallouf (pictured) entrusted Chakra with her skincare routine in the run up to her recent wedding Married At First Sight star Martha Kalifatidis (pictured) is also a regular client Chakra works with skincare companies that produce prebiotic and probiotic supplements, which are prescribed for clients in need of good bacteria in their gut. The clinic is partnered with Australian brand Regul8, which specialises in edible probiotics and gut-cleansing tonics made from traditional Chinese herbs. For topical treatments such as facials and masks, Chakra uses products from DMK, a clinical brand that develops products designed to act like an ecosystem for the skin. Transformations can take anywhere from five weeks to six months, Ms Chakra said, but no client leaves without a lesson on what's needed to care for their own skin. 'We want to give them the skills and knowledge to look after themselves,' Ms Chakra said. 'Every journey is very different, but there's no quick fix - it's about taking care of the relationship between your body and your skin.' Kiki Chakra's tips for healthy skin from the inside out 1. Eat good fats such as ethically sourced salmon, avocado, nuts and high quality essential fatty acid supplements. 2. Keep water intake above two litres per day. 'It's cliched and everyone says it, but it really does flush out toxins,' she said. 3. Take a pre and probiotic tablet twice daily with food. 4. Avoiding foods high in sugar and acid which are not only fattening, but accelerate the ageing process by deepening the appearance of wrinkles. 5. Avoid smoking and limit alcohol intake to prevent skin dehydration. Source: Chakra Face and Body Advertisement Transformations can take anywhere from five weeks to six months, Ms Chakra said, but no client leaves without a lesson on what's needed to care for their own skin The clinic's seven therapists are fully booked, five days a week Chakra boasts a star-studded client list that includes Martha Kalifatidis from Married At First Sight, activewear guru Lorna Jane and fashion designer Lillian Khallouf, who entrusted the clinic with her skin in the run up to her recent lavish wedding. 'We've worked with lots of celebrities but for us it's really about the ordinary people who come to see us all the time,' Ms Chakra said. The clinic's seven therapists are fully booked, five days a week, and Ms Chakra has just signed the lease for a second location that will open at Sydney's Bondi Beach in June. For more information on holistic skin therapy, please visit Chakra Face and Body here. Meghan Markle needs to get involved with 'practical stuff' when it comes to her 'wishy washy' Procter & Gamble deal and can't just rely on 'woke words', a royal expert has claimed. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex's Archewell Foundation announced a multi-year global partnership with American consumer goods firm Procter & Gamble, which will focus on 'gender equality, more inclusive online spaces and resilience and impact through sport'. The couple said they would be working to 'build more compassionate communities' as they are on a mission to bring a more 'just future for women and girls'. Speaking to The Sun, Angela Levin said: 'What they are doing is taking on a huge amount of responsibility. I don't mean actually the work but you've got to give back - for the money you earn you have to give back something.' Prince Harry and Meghan Markle 's Archewell Foundation has announced a multi-year global partnership with an American consumer goods firm. The couple are pictured during their Oprah chat in March Meghan appeared in an interview in 1993, saying she was 'furious' at the advert for P&G's Ivory Clear The couple announced their affiliation with Procter & Gamble by posting this picture on Archewell. They said they will focus on gender equality, more inclusive online spaces, and resilience and impact through sport She continued: 'You can't just keep using the words gender equality and compassion. 'You've got to be able to do things, not say what will be done or how they will be helping and not actually do the practical stuff.' However, the alliance has raised eyebrows due to the company's checkered history, with it being linked to child and forced labour, animal testing and price fixing. Even the Duchess has hit out at the firm previously, having called for it to change a 'very sexist' dish soap advert when she was just 11. The Archewell site said: 'Archewell Foundation believes that with community, and through compassionate service to others, we can unleash systemic cultural change. 'In service of doing this, and building more compassionate communities, Archewell Foundation announced a multi-year global partnership today with Procter & Gamble.' It would 'elevate the voices of adolescent girls' to make sure 'their point of view and lived experience is heard at the tables where decisions are made'. The foundation also pledged to work with men and boys to encourage gender equality. The couple said they would be working to 'build more compassionate communities' as the Sussexes are on a mission to bring a more 'just future for women and girls'. Pictured: Harry at Vax Live on May 2 It said: 'Together we will underscore the importance of engaging men and boys in the drive for gender equity throughout society and encourage shared caregiving at home so everyone in the family can thrive.' But according to Angela, while Meghan may be able to offer some advice on what 'woke people' would like to hear from them, she questioned what sort of influence the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would have through the 'wishy washy' deal. From animal testing to links to child labour: The history of P&G Procter & Gamble is best known for owning major brands such as Crest, Oral B, Gillette, Pampers and Tampax. Its vast business portfolio including baby, feminine and family care, beauty, fabric and home care, shaving products and healthcare. It reported net sales in 2019 of $67.7billion (47billion). The Sussexes move to associate with Procter & Gamble has surprised some due to its checkered recent history. In 2011 the company was slapped with an 211.2million (149million) fine by the European Commission for a price fixing cartel with Unilever and Henkel. Then in 2016 it was widely criticised following a report by Amnesty International into child and forced labour. The report said palm oil provider Wilmar International, which supplied raw materials to Procter & Gamble, made money out of child workers aged eight to 14. P&G did not correct Amnesty's report. Animal rights group PETA also slammed the firm for its links to the practice of testing on animals. It led to the company announcing in 1999 it would limit doing this to food and drug products, which made up less than 20 per cent of its product portfolio. Just three years later, in 2002, it again came in for criticism over adverts falsely suggesting to buyers the drug Prilosec could cure heartburn in a day. Then in 2017 Procter & Gamble made headlines for an advert called The Talk as part of the 'My Black is Beautiful' platform. It shows African-American parents talking to their children about racism through different eras. But some blasted it for only showing mothers talking to their children while others accused it of being 'anti-white'. One shocking clip sees a mother telling her daughter the threat of being pulled over by the police, implying she may be racially profile and killed. The scene was slammed by police officers and police groups in the US for being 'anti-cop'. Most recently the firm was embroiled in a row over a controversial Gillette advert called 'The Best Men Can Be'. It was meant to address men's negative behaviour but was panned and became one of YouTube's most disliked videos. Advertisement She added: 'I think it's all wishy washy as usual. There's a fog around a lot of what they do and I think this is another foggy deal. '[Meghan] has sort of said ludicrous things like "want to elevate the voice of adolescents and girls to make sure their point of view and lived experiences are heard at the table where decisions are made". But she went to ask how she was going to achieve this - adding it just 'doesn't make sense.' Aged 11, Meghan wrote to Procter & Gamble to object to sexism in a dish soap advert which included the line: 'Mothers around America are fighting greasy pots and pans.' She asked them to change the advert to 'people all over America' and the company subsequently amended the language. She appeared in an interview in 1993, saying she was 'furious' at the advert for P&G's Ivory Clear. She added: 'When they heard this, the boys in my class started saying, ''Yeah, that's where women belong - in the kitchen''.' Recalling the letter in 2018, she said: 'Truth be told, at 11 I don't think I even knew what sexism meant.' She continued: 'I just knew that something struck me internally that was telling me it was wrong. 'And using that as my moral compass and moving through from the age of 11, at that age I was able to change this commercial.' She added: 'It really set up the trajectory for me to say, if there was a wrong, if there is a lack of justice, and there is an inequality, then someone needs to do something. And why not me?' Procter & Gamble is best known for owning major brands such as Crest, Oral B, Gillette, Pampers and Tampax. Its vast business portfolio including baby, feminine and family care, beauty, fabric and home care, shaving products and healthcare. It reported net sales in 2019 of $67.7billion (47billion). The Sussexes' move to associate with Procter & Gamble has surprised some due to its checkered history. In 2011 the company was slapped with a 211.2million (149million) fine by the European Commission for a price fixing cartel with Unilever and Henkel. Then in 2016 it was widely criticised following a report by Amnesty International into child and forced labour. The report said palm oil provider Wilmar International, which supplied raw materials to Procter & Gamble, made money out of child workers aged eight to 14. P&G did not correct Amnesty's report. Animal rights group PETA also slammed the firm for its links to the practice of testing on animals. It led to the company announcing in 1999 it would limit doing this to food and drug products, which made up less than 20 per cent of its product portfolio. Just three years later, in 2002, it again came in for criticism over adverts falsely suggesting to buyers the drug Prilosec could cure heartburn in a day. Then in 2017 Procter & Gamble made headlines for an advert called The Talk as part of the 'My Black is Beautiful' platform. It shows African-American parents talking to their children about racism through different eras. But some blasted it for only showing mothers talking to their children while others accused it of being 'anti-white'. One shocking clip sees a mother telling her daughter the threat of being pulled over by the police, implying she may be racially profile and killed. The scene was slammed by police officers and police groups in the US for being 'anti-cop'. Most recently the firm was embroiled in a row over a controversial Gillette advert called 'The Best Men Can Be'. It was meant to address men's negative behaviour but was panned and became one of YouTube's most disliked videos. A beauty salon has developed a microchip which can be embedded onto your fingernail and used as an alternative to paper business cards - with hopes of it being used in the future for contactless payment. Nour Makarem, who is the founder of Lanour Beauty Lounge in Dubai, came up with the initiative after trying to think of an innovative way to use technology to support the beauty services when the pandemic first began. In an interview for CNN Middle East, Nour revealed the salon has the ability to upload any data that a customer wants to the microchip - including a digital business card, Instagram handle or WhatsApp details. Similarly to credit cards and Oyster cards, the chip works by using Near Field Communication technology to connect with mobile devices, and once the microchipped nail is tapped to a smart phone, the data is transferred in a matter of seconds. Despite currently only being able to store a small amount of information, Nour said she hopes to be able to expand it's use in the future to include contactless payment and even restaurant menus. Nour Makarem, who is the founder of Lanour Beauty Lounge in Dubai, has created a microchip that can be placed on manicured nails (pictured) Nour told CNN the beauty salon was inspired to create 'smart nails' (pictured) to support the industry when the pandemic began She also demonstrated how scanning her manicure with her smartphone opens her website within seconds. Nour explained how it was quite challenging to create a microchip that was small enough to fit onto a fingernail, but said the gadget makes a great alternative to business cards - and could also benefit the environment due to a reduction in paper waste. 'We came up with this idea because we were thinking, how to support social distancing in beauty services using technology,' she explained. 'The only challenge was to make it small enough to fit the fingernail. 'We install the information that you want. Like your name, your mobile number, your social media accounts, websites as well.' 'I always forget my business cards, you will not forget your nail.' Nour (pictured) revealed it was a challenge to make the microchip small enough to fit on a fingernail Nour said the microchip (pictured) can be used to upload any information the customer requires - including social media platforms, websites and contact information Nour said people in Dubai like creative ideas and revealed that over 500 customers have happily had microchip manicures so far Lanour Beauty Lounge, who boasts almost 4,000 Instagram followers, began promoting the 'smart nail' manicure service to their customers using the platform in December. A clip shows the small microchip being carefully placed on a fingernail by a manicurist before a layer of glitter nail polish is used to disguise the technology. The salon claims to have completed over 500 microchip manicures so far. The chip has to be placed between one to two centimetres from a smartphone to be activated. Nour added: 'Dubai, it's an innovative city. Usually the people they like the weird and creative ideas. A young mum has shared her frustration after teachers removed the lollies from her son's lunchbox without giving any explanation. The woman, from Queensland, said she has been packing what she considered was a 'very well balanced' lunchbox for her five-year-old boy who has autism, and in which she includes a 'treat' as motivation to get him to eat. The lunchbox contained a ham and cheese wholemeal bread sandwich, yoghurt, Iddy Biddy fruit snacks, mousse, mini Freddo chocolate, gecko-shaped lollies, strawberries, a mandarin, a banana, an apple, peaches in juice and a popper drink. For the past three to four months, the mum said she was 'under the impression' she was sending her child was eating all the nutritionally balanced foods with some 'treats' because he would return home with an empty lunchbox. But she later realised the school had accumulated all the gecko-shaped lollies over the week so they could send them back home at the same time. A mum has shared a picture of the foods she packs for her son - including a ham and cheese wholemeal bread sandwich, yoghurt, Iddy Biddy fruit snacks, mousse, mini Freddo chocolate, gecko-shaped lollies, strawberries, mandarin, banana, apple, peaches and a popper drink Poll Is the lunchbox appropriate for a five-year-old? Yes No Is the lunchbox appropriate for a five-year-old? Yes 305 votes No 83 votes Now share your opinion 'My heart is ripped into two,' the mum wrote in a Facebook group. 'My son has only started prep this year so this whole lunchbox idea is still very new to me. He has autism with a few sensory issues, he also has enlarged tonsils which can make swallowing some foods a little more difficult. 'When my son came home with an empty lunchbox last week I reached a sense of relief I had finally been able to find a lunch that was balanced and he was eating.' The mum said changing the lunchbox contents could 'trigger' him and he won't eat anything else. 'We have come home to notice they've actually held all his gecko lollies at the school and have sent them home in one go. No explanation, nothing,' she said. 'I understand its sugar content is quite high, but is one lolly every second day really that bad? Am I setting him up to fail by letting him have them or am I teaching him that all foods are okay but in moderation?' For the past three to four months, the mum said she was 'under the impression' she was sending her child to prep school with nutritionally balanced foods with some 'treats' because he would return home with an empty lunchbox (stock image) Many parents jumped to the mum's defense, saying she has done nothing wrong because she knows 'what's best' for her son. 'It annoys me so much. My daughter had the same issue when I sent her with a Freddo Frog on Fridays as a treat until I was told she wasn't allowed,' one wrote. Another said: 'I hope the teachers packed him something. Absolutely ridiculous. You packed a great lunch. I'd be having a firm talk to the school.' And one mum added: 'No one should be taking your kids food. That's not okay. I'd be having words with them. If they weren't happy with it they should have spoken to you, not taken your kids treats away each day.' Other mums suggested treats should wait. 'Just give him the lolly at home. My son is autistic and that's what I would do if the lolly is a must-have item. I'd probably say "show me that you ate most of your lunch and when you get home, you can have XYZ",' one mum wrote. Advertisement A quintessential Australian farm building served as the inspiration for one of the nation's most unique country homes. Victorian architect Ross MacKinnon created Orana, a striking four-bedroom in Killingworth, 117 kilometres north-west of Melbourne CBD, to look like a modern woolshed for the property's previous owners in 2008. Mr MacKinnon, from Ancona near Mansfield, used authentic agricultural materials such as galvanised iron and recycled timber in the farmhouse facade to ensure it blends seamlessly with its rural surroundings. Stone and timber feature walls carry that rustic look inside the single-storey home, which boasts contemporary comforts such as open-plan living spaces, quirky chandeliers, a designer kitchen and freestanding bathtubs. A quintessential Australian farm building served as the inspiration for one of this unique country home The striking four-bedroom (pictured) was designed by Victorian architect Ross MacKinnon in 2008 Stone and timber feature walls carry a rustic look inside the single-storey home Floor-to-ceiling windows that wrap around the rear stream sunlight into every room, thanks to the house's north-facing position which keeps it bright and airy from dawn until dusk. Based around the idea of creating unity between the home and its landscape, Orana has been carefully crafted to bring a sense of outdoor living inside. Spread throughout the house are two living spaces, a dining area, a study, a bathroom and multiple outdoor decks, as well as four bedrooms, the largest of which has an ensuite, a walk-in wardrobe and its own private terrace. Orana boasts contemporary comforts such as open-plan living spaces, quirky chandeliers, a designer kitchen and freestanding bathtubs (pictured) Based around the idea of creating unity between the home and its landscape, the house has been carefully crafted to bring a sense of outdoor living inside Spread throughout the house are two living spaces (one pictured) Floor-to-ceiling windows that wrap around the rear stream sunlight into every room Added extras include an outdoor pizza oven, reverse cycle air conditioning and wireless Sonos sound system that make the house the perfect space for entertaining. Also sprawled over the 77-hectare estate is a vineyard and two separate renovated residences that could be used as guesthouses or rented out on Airbnb. A helipad, an orchard, an organic vegetable patch and an enormous car garage with six parking spaces round out all that Orana has to offer. The Goulbourn Valley and Switzerland Ranges provide a breathtaking backdrop to this one-off house. Added extras include an outdoor pizza oven, reverse cycle air conditioning and wireless Sonos sound system that make the house the perfect space for entertaining The house has multiple outdoor decks and a private terrace connected to the master bedroom Also sprawled over the 77-hectare estate is a vineyard (pictured) and two separate renovated residences that could be used as guesthouses or rented out on Airbnb Orana is part of a large farm, which listing agent Nick Myer said has been used by the current owners as a 'prime beef operation' for the past seven years Orana is part of a large farm, which listing agent Nick Myer said has been used by the current owners as a 'prime beef operation' for the past seven years. Mr Myer, who is overseeing the sale of the property for Elders Real Estate, told realestate.com.au it has 'all the comforts of a modern home in a magnificent rural setting'. The house is on the market via an expressions of interest campaign, with price expectations in the region of $8million (AUD). Inspirational speaker Jay Shetty who spent three years living in an Indian monastery has revealed four simple habits to live a better life. The London-born author, 33, explained his time living as a Vedic monk at an ashram in Mumbai taught him 'thankfulness, inspiration, meditation and exercise' are the cornerstones of a happy life. Appearing on Good Morning Britain today from his LA home, Jay, who has rubbed shoulders with Khloe Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez and Will Smith, explained the four principles can be easily incorporated into everyday life - and don't cost anything. Inspirational speaker Jay Shetty who spent three years living in an Indian monastery has revealed four simple habits to live a better life 'You definitely dont need to live like a monk to think like a monk,' he said. 'Four habits that I think are truly integral to monk life and the path that really help are; thankfulness, inspiration, mediation and exercise.' He said that gratitude is a 'huge practise' in everyday life, and advised finding 'one person a day in your life' to be thankful to, which will 'transform how you feel'. Explaining how to seek inspiration daily he went on: 'Waking up and seeking inspiration in the morning, most of us pick up our phones, 80 per cent of us pick up our phones before we see our partner or our kids. 'Actually if we can switch that for a quote we like, a song we love, a piece of art in the morning the first piece of insight you consume in the morning is so important for your mind. Four habits to help you live like a monk Thankfulness - Try and chose one thing or person to be grateful for everyday Inspiration - Instead of looking at your phone on the morning, chose a quote or song that inspires you Mediation - Try and take time to check in with yourself and how you're feeling Exercise - Move your body in any way you choose, whether it be yoga, running or an online workout Advertisement 'Mediation may sound daunting, it may sound difficult and tricky, but really it starts with just scheduling some time for yourself in your diary, so you can spend a little bit of time and check in with yourself. We check in with family and friends, but rarely do we check in with how we feel. 'Exercise we hear about it all the time, movement - whether it's yoga or a virtual work out or going on a run - the idea of movement is so powerful for the mind.' Jay often goes back to visit the monastery, and says that while many of the monks are unaware of his current occupation, those who do know are 'wonderfully encouraging'. 'Most of them have no idea of what I actually do,' said Jay. 'They're not connected to social media. 'But the ones who do understand are so wonderfully encouraging and very happy and supportive of the fact that I'm able to share some of these ideas out there and messages.' Jay was born and raised in London and says he was 'following the usual path' with plans to graduate from university and pursue a corporate career in finance. He first heard a monk speak at the age of 21, and for the next three years spent half his summer vacations working for a large financial firms and the other half living as a monk in India. After three years of back-and-forth, Jay committed to living the life of a Monk full time, for for another three years lived with monks, woke up at 4 am, meditated for 4-8 hours, studied timeless wisdom and served others in nearby communities. After leaving the monastery, Jay began sharing lessons on mental health and life purpose on social media, and told today how the methods he picked up have been 'massively beneficial at mastering the mind'. The London-born author, 33, has dedicated his life to sharing knowledge gained while living as a Vedic monk at an ashram in Mumbai He told hosts Kate Garraway and Ben Shepherd that he often visits the monks - who are pleased he's sharing their ideology with the Hollywood elite 'If you ask my parents they will definitely tell you I thought I was going to do it forever,' he said. 'That was the decision I had made and that came with a lot of challenges and negativity. 'I heard a lot of people say "Jay how will you get a job again and reintegrate", but I was so focused on the path and dedicated to it. 'But I really found those three years were like going to school and almost since leaving trying to apply those principles in the world has been the test, the exam. 'And the methods, the techniques I learned in those years have been massively beneficial at mastering the mind and training my own self to deal with what comes to us in the real world.' Market Research Future Published a Half-Cooked Research Report on Global Microcrystalline Cellulose Market. Market Definition: Microcrystalline cellulose is a partially depolymerized, naturally occurring cellulose form wood pulp. It has properties such as anti-caking, bulking, and texturizing that are majorly required for keeping processed food fresh. The unique properties such as powder porosity, moisture sorption, and swelling capacity. Being a chemically inert substance, it has very less absorption capacity and does not dissolute during digestion. Due to this reason, it is highly used in excipient production in pharmaceuticals and is the major driver of the global microcrystalline cellulose market. The other driver for the global market growth is it being a fat substitute, primarily used in low-fat processed food. Market Scenario: The increasing demand for pharmaceuticals with the growing population consumes a major quantity of microcrystalline cellulose followed by food and beverage industry. The global Microcrystalline Cellulose Market Size growth is also driven by the cosmetic and personal care industry. The unique properties of extender, binder, and texturizer are extensively used in personal care products. The growing demand for personal care products with the concerned grooming and self-care population is expected to increase the market growth. Competitive Analysis Some of the prominent players of the microcrystalline cellulose are: FMC Corporation (the U.S), Mingtai Chemical Co. Ltd. (Canada), DFE Pharma (Germany), Dupont (the U.S.), Avantor (the U.S.), Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (Japan), Asahi Kasei Corporation (Japan), Blanver (Brazil), JRS PHARMA (the U.S.), FrieslandCampina (the Netherlands), Accent Microcell Pvt. Ltd (India), Sigachi Industries Pvt. Ltd. (India), Libraw Pharma (India), Huzhou City Linghu Xinwang Chemical Co., Ltd (China) and Shandong Xinda Biotechnology Co., Ltd (China) among others. Market Segmentation The global microcrystalline cellulose market is segmented as per the raw material, end-user, and region. There are only two raw material sources available, namely wood based and non-wood based. Out of these, the non-wood based raw material source is likely to dominate the market due to the excessive demand for synthetically produced and cheap products. Based on end-user, the market is segmented into pharmaceuticals, food & beverage, cosmetic & personal care, and others. Regional Analysis The global microcrystalline cellulose market is segmented into five key regions namely North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. North America is the major contributor to the market growth due to the increasing food & beverage industries. The increasing number of pharmaceutical and food & beverage industries in this region in expected to fuel the market growth in near future. The regulatory association named the U.S Pharmacopeial Convention has identified microcrystalline cellulose as an excellent excipient, which has propelled the market growth. The U.S contributes significantly to the market share in terms of revenue followed by Canada. Europe is another substantial region contributing to the market growth owing to the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries in this region. Asia Pacific is expected to hold a considerable share of the market in coming years. Countries such as China are concentrated to the production of microcrystalline cellulose due to the low raw material and labor cost. The U.S is the major producer of microcrystalline cellulose followed by China. In Latin America & Africa, the growing medical support and availability of pharmaceutical at ease is expected to fuel the market growth during the forecast period. However, poor health and safety standards may hinder the market growth in this region. BROWSE RELATED REPORT @ https://www.abnewswire.com/pressreleases/fiber-optic-sensor-market-size-and-global-trends-2020-covid19-business-impact-industry-analysis-sales-revenue-opportunities-top-leaders-and-regional-forecast-to-2022_505731.html https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/fiber-optic-sensor-market-size-and-global-trends-2020-covid-19-business-impact-industry-analysis-sales-revenue-opportunities-top-leaders-and-regional-forecast-to-2022-2020-09-07 http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/4797814 https://www.wboc.com/story/42598499/fiber-optic-sensor-market-size-and-global-trends-2020-covid19-business-impact-industry-analysis-sales-revenue-opportunities-top-leaders-and-regional-forecast-to-2022 A fearless toddler enjoys zooming around on his miniature petrol motorbike that can reach speeds of up to 35 mph. Two-year-old Daniel Bartlett, of Birmingham, can often be seen whizzing past on his PW50 Yamaha motorbike but still needs stabilisers on his bicycle. His proud mother Sophie Rodgers, 23, who is a carer, admits it can be scary watching her 3ft 1in toddler speeding around but said her concerns 'disappeared' as he was so confident. A fearless toddler from Birmingham, West Midlands is a natural on his miniature petrol motorbike and can reach speeds of up to 35 mph His proud mother Sophie Rodgers, 23, who is a carer, admits it can be scary watching her 3ft 1in toddler speeding around but said her concerns 'disappeared' as he was so confident The mother-of-two said: 'It's quite funny that Dan can ride a PW50 motorbike but can't ride a pushbike. 'We got him a balance bike when he was one and he was really good. But he soon got bored so we purchased him an electric bike which he loved. 'He loved the speed and once he got used to it his dad Daniel, 25, who rides motor cross bikes all the time, treated him to a petrol bike. 'I was a little apprehensive as he is only 3ft 1in. But my concerns soon disappeared as he was so confident.' Daniel Bartlett, two, can often be seen whizzing past on his PW50 Yamaha motorbike but the speed-loving tot is yet to master a pedal bike She said: 'He loved the speed and once he got used to [his electric bike] his dad Daniel, 25, who rides motor cross bikes all the time, treated him to a petrol bike' Despite being a natural on the motorbike, little Daniel is unable to grasp the use of pedals on a push bike Despite being a natural on the motorbike, little Daniel is unable to grasp the use of pedals. His older sister India, three, loves watching her brother zoom in the park whilst she pedals behind. She adds: 'We got India a pushbike for her 3rd birthday and imagined it would be the same for Daniel. 'However, he seems to have skipped that bike. We are still encouraging him to try and pedal but he will probably find it too slow.' His older sister India, three, (pictured together) got a pushbike for her birthday and loves watching her brother zoom in the park whilst she pedals behind Daniel's parents insist he is always equipped with protective gear such as knee pads and a helmet and have also put on a restrictor to ensure he doesn't speed over 10mph Daniel is always equipped with protective gear such as knee pads and a helmet. His parents have also put on a restrictor to ensure he doesn't speed over 10mph. Sophie adds: 'I try not to think about what could go wrong and focus on how amazing it is. 'He is always with his dad who has done it forever so I know he is in safe hands. He has fallen off once but he was more concerned about the mud on his hands. Motorbike mad Daniel spends his spare time watching motocross videos on YouTube and playing with motorbike toys 'He hates being muddy so once that was wiped off, he jumped back on and away he went.' Motorbike mad Daniel spends his spare time watching motocross videos on YouTube and playing with motorbike toys. Sophie said: 'Both of my children are quite advanced for their age. 'They are both fast learners. 'Daniel was walking at ten months old so it's no surprise that he's on a motorbike already!' Advertisement Miss Universe 2021 contestants made a fashion and political statement during the 'national dress' round of the 69th annual beauty competition on Friday morning. Lola de los Santos Bicco, the official representative for Uruguay, appeared onstage at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Florida donning a multi-coloured ensemble with a powerful message which read: 'No more hate, violence, rejection, discrimination.' Among the others calling for their message to be heard was Miss Myanmar, Thuzar Wint Lwin, who held up a sign which urged for 'prayers' for her country. The Asian nation has been embroiled in unrest since the military carried out a putsch on February 1, disputing the results of an election that resulted in a pro-democracy party winning power. Across Myanmar, citizens have been pushing back against the ruling junta, staging massive demonstrations which have been met with violence by the military and led to the deaths of hundreds so far. Lola de los Santos Bicco, the official representative for Uruguay appeared onstage at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino donning a multi-coloured ensemble with a powerful message which read: 'No more hate, violence, rejection, discrimination' (pictured) Miss Myanmar, Thuzar Wint Lwin (pictured), held up a sign which urged for 'prayers' for her country. The Asian nation has been embroiled in unrest since the military carried out a putsch on February 1, disputing the results of an election that resulted in a pro-democracy party winning power Miss Singapore Bernadette Belle Ong decided to include her powerful message into her actual costume and decided to shine a spotlight on the #StopAsianHate movement through a sequinned bodysuit which included a hashtag on a white and red cape Taking to her Instagram, Bernadette Belle Ong penned: 'This year's national costume is inspired by the Singapore flag. The red of the flag represents universal fellowship, and white purity. These ideals ring true not just for Singapore but also at an international competition like Miss Universe that brings women together to empower each other and address important issues. #stopasianhate' The official representative of Cayman Islands, Mariah Tibbetts, put on a very colourful display in a range of red, orange and blue in her carnival-inspired outfit Looking roarsome! Miss Nicaragua Ana Marcelo made sure she stood out among the other contestants in her eye-catching ensemble (pictured, left and right) Elsewhere, Miss Singapore Bernadette Belle Ong, who donned a pair of thigh-high red boots, decided to include her powerful message into her costume. The beauty contestant shone a spotlight on the #StopAsianHate movement through a sequinned bodysuit which included a hashtag on a flowing cape. Taking to her Instagram, she penned: 'This year's national costume is inspired by the Singapore flag. The red of the flag represents universal fellowship, and white purity.' 'These ideals ring true not just for Singapore but also at an international competition like Miss Universe that brings women together to empower each other and address important issues. #stopasianhate.' She continued: 'Our peaceful social fabric is built on respect for all races, languages and religions. We stand tall and raise our voice for democracy, peace, progress, justice and equality. This is what makes Singapore thrive as a multicultural, inter-religious nation.' Monochrome magic! Miss Great Britain Jeanette Akua put on a memorable display in a black and white sequin down as she took centre stage Miss Denmark Amanda Petri lit up the stage in her breathtaking ensemble which featured lights, feathers and sequins Miss Universe Philippines Rabiya Mateo put on a stylish display in red and blue wings and three stars to represent the colours and symbols of the country's flag Miqueal-Symone, who is the 48th Jamaican woman to represent Jamaica at the Miss Universe, looked powerful in purple as she took to the stage Miss Bahamas Shauntae-Ashleigh Miller, who placed as first runner-up in 2018, donned an air hostess inspired outfit - complete with a plane attached to her back What a way to shellabrate! Miss Panama Carmen Jaramillo donned a costume adorned with a fishing net and shells as she represented her country Miss Universe Ukraine Yelyzaveta Yastremska opted for an intricate dress which took the folk tradition of paper-cutting to monumental levels Other memorable performances included Miss Philippines Rabiya Mateo, who stood out in a pair of red and blue wings and three stars which represented the colours and symbols of her country's flag. The three stars in the Philippine flag represent the country's main island groups which are Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Wearing her dark hair loose and wavy, Rabiya completed her eye-catching ensemble with a pair of mismatched but colour-coordinated heels. Miss Bahamas Shauntae-Ashleigh Miller, who placed as first runner-up in 2018, also made sure she was one to be seen in her glitzy air hostess-inspired outfit - complete with a plane attached to her back. Spring has sprung! Miss Dominican Republic Kimberly Jimenez brought a touch of sunshine to the stage with her daffodil-inspired costume Miss Bolivia Lenka Nemer put on a jovial display to ensure her colourful costume was captured in all its glory Flower power! Ivonne Cerdas Cascante, who represented Costa Rica, donned a floral-patterned gown as she took to the stage to compete in the 2021 beauty contest Making a splash! Miss Mauritius Vandana Jeetah put on a tropical display in a sea-inspired gown which featured an array of different oceanic fish Miss Colombia Laura Olascuaga made sure all eyes were on her in this bright ensemble, complete with feathers, sequins and pom poms Miss Brazil Julia Gama took to the stage in a nude-coloured playsuit and platform heels this morning (pictured) Miss Argentina Alina Akselrad paid tribute to her country's incredible football success in her sequinned kit featuring an image of Diego Maradona, one of the country's greatest sporting legends (pictured, left and right) Miss British Virgin Islands Shabree Frett looked pretty in pink as she opted for a feathered dress complete with flamingo headpiece Spreading the love! Nova Stevens, who was representing Canada, made sure the maple leaf took centre stage of her ensemble - the characteristic leaf of the maple tree is the most widely recognised national symbol of the country Miss Netherlands Denise Spellman proudly represented her country in a red gown which has 'Holland' emblazoned across the front Andrea Meza took to the stage in a bright ensemble in the hope of bringing the third Miss Universe crown home to Mexico Mariangel Villasmil Arteaga, Miss Venezuela (pictured, left and right), looked a vision in blue as she put her best fashion foot forward on Friday morning Cecilia Rossell, who represented Miss Honduras, put on a confident display in a very impressed headpiece complete with cheetah statue Miss Australia Maria Thattil opted for a black and white ensemble as she appeared onstage at the Miss Universe 2021 Miss Ecuador Leyla Espinoza impressed on stage with a gold and black cape at the Miss Universe 2021 Miss Haiti Eden Berandoive opted to make a bold statement as she took to the stage for the 69th edition of Miss Universe 2021 Miss France Amandine Petit had two layers to her big reveal - taking off her white gown to reveal a skimpy silver sequin outfit Chelsea Tayui, the official representative of Ghana, donned a colourful ensemble comprised of the colour's of her country's flag Miss Barbados Hillary Ann Williams brought a splash of colour in bright turquoise as she attended the 69th edition of the beauty competition Lady in red! Miss Albania, Paula Mehmetukaj, opted for a figure hugging bodice, red gown and impressive neckpiece as her turn came to take to the stage Miss Italy Viviana Vizzini put her best foot forward as she took to the stage at Miss Universe 2021 Miss Cambodia Sarita Reth was all smiles when it was her turn to grace the stage and showcase her 'national costume' Miss India Adline Castelino (pictured left) and right, Miss Chile Daniela Nicolas proudly display their 'national costumes' Looking all white! Miss Malta Anthea Zammit looked a vision in a white gown which featured colourful hand prints over the hem An American comedienne living in London has shared her guide to what British people really mean with polite sayings - including how the phrase 'we must get dinner some time' translates to 'please don't come to dinner'. Holly Hudson, who is originally from Ohio and in her 50s, often shares videos showing cultural difference between the UK and the US - with her latest clips racking up more than 100,000 views with British TikTok users branding her '100 per cent accurate'. Titled: What British People Say vs What British People Mean, the comedienne starts by saying: 'You must come for dinner sometime,' which she translates as 'It was nice chatting, please don't'. She went on that hearing 'That's a very bold proposal' actually means 'You're freaking insane'. Titled: What British People Say vs What British People Mean, the comedian starts by saying: 'You must come for dinner sometime,' which she translates as 'It was nice chatting, please don't' (left) She went on that hearing 'That's a very bold proposal' actually means 'You're freaking insane' (right) 'That's so interesting, I would love to hear more,' translates as 'what a load of s****' while 'could we consider some other options means 'your idea sucks'. Keeping up a convincing British accent, Holly went on: 'It's probably all my fault' actually means 'It's entirely your fault'. In a second part, she added that 'with the greatest respect, I hear what you're saying' really means 'You really are an idiot' while 'That's not bad' means 'That's good'. When speaking on the phone, if a British person says 'Oh by the way I did just want to mention, if it's not too much trouble' actually translates as 'this is the only reason we're talking right now'. 'I was a bit disappointed' means 'I'm super annoyed' according to Holly, while 'I might join you later, text me where you'll be' means 'wild horses couldn't drag me away from this house.', Keeping up a convincing British accent, Holly went on: 'It's probably all my fault' actually means 'It's entirely your fault'. She finished the second clip by saying 'honestly, it doesn't matter' in fact means just the opposite. In a third video she explains how 'right then, I really should start about thinking to make a move' means 'I'm bouncing'. People found the clip hilarious with many taking to TikTok to share their thoughts. 'Heard them all in the passive aggressive corporate world,' said one. 'The English passive aggressiveness is unparalleled,' wrote another. 'As a Brit I can confirm the veracity of these translations,' added a third. 'This is 100% accurate,' commented a fourth. 'Not even sarcastically, this is how everyone I know communicates'. A 22-year-old from California is going viral after revealing that her former high school teacher has subscribed to her OnlyFans account. Richelle 'Rara' Knupper has 122,000 YouTube subscribers and is also active on Instagram and TikTok but over on OnlyFans, she posts paid content for subscribers aged 18 and up, including nude images and videos. But while Rara clearly feels comfortable with her body, she wasn't quite so happy to discover that one of her old high school teachers had become a paid subscriber for her R-rated content. Cringe! A 22-year-old from California is going viral after revealing that her former high school teacher has subscribed to her OnlyFans account Risque: On OnlyFans, Richelle 'Rara' Knupper posts paid content for subscribers 18 and up, including nude images and video Ew: The TikToker pictured at her 2016 high school graduation with her parents said her former teacher subscribed and told her he 'always knew I was something special' Last week, Rara shared a video of herself on TikTok that has gone viral. 'Me after one of my high school teachers subscribed to my OnlyFans and told me they always knew I was something special,' she wrote. The video demonstrated how she felt about the development, showing her lip-syncing to a woman saying: 'I think Im uncomfortable. I think I might like try to unalive myself if we do this.' Rara hasn't shared any more details about the teacher or whether she responded to his flirty comment but has said on YouTube that she graduated in 2016 and was glad to leave her 'f***ing abomination of a high school.' Commenters appear to be as uncomfortable as she is with the behavior. Hush: Rara hasn't shared any more details about the teacher or whether she responded to his flirty comment Looking back: She has said on YouTube that she graduated in 2016 and was glad to leave her 'f***ing abomination of a high school.' 'You should tell the school,' wrote one, while another added: 'I know he hasn't broken any laws (that you know of) but seriously tell the school. They should be made aware that he could potentially be looking at high school girls like this. They should at least keep an eye on this guy.' 'I'm so sorry this is so disturbing,' wrote one more. 'It's NOT okay that he sent that creepy message, guys, come on,' yet another commented. Some commenters shared their own awkward experiences, including one who said that the father of her best friend from high school subscribed to her on OnlyFans, and another who said her middle school choir teacher did the same thing. Rara previously went viral in 2019 when she opened up about working as a model, and accused her Los Angeles-based modeling agency of enforcing 'unhealthy' eating habits and causing her hair to fall out in clumps. Gross: Commenters encouraged her to tell the high school about the teacher Commenters called it 'disturbing,' and some even shared similar experiences Rara was scouted soon after graduating from high school, but in a video on her YouTube channel, she said she would never return to the industry due to the unhealthy eating habits she formed. When she was scouted, she said, 'I had been working out and training the hardest I have ever trained in my life. I was in tip top, unbelievable shape. I was feeling really confident.' She signed a two-year contract with the boutique agency and she instantly regretted it. 'I was told by the boutique agency that I was too muscular and that I really needed to lose the muscle and be really skinny,' she said. 'I had been working out like crazy and I looked so good. I had started really counting my calories to the point where it was so toxic and unhealthy because I was counting literally every single calorie on this app on my phone.' She got down to just 115 lbs. for her 5'8'' frame, and confessed to being 'really, really skinny.' Unhealthy: Rara previously went viral in 2019 when she opened up about working as a model, and accused her Los Angeles-based modeling agency of enforcing 'unhealthy' eating habits Damaging mindset: 'I was told by the boutique agency that I was too muscular and that I really needed to lose the muscle and be really skinny,' she said in a video The constant pressure from her agency to lose even more weight forced her to have an 'unhealthy relationship with food.' 'I look back at pictures now and I am kind of like creeped out, honestly,' she said. 'My hair was falling out in clumps, like just clumps and clumps and clumps. I had no energy to do anything. I always felt dizzy, I always felt faint.' She continued: 'Every time I went into the agency they would be like, "Ih my gosh you look amazing, like, your legs are looking so tiny. Keep doing what you are doing,"' she said. Her agents also made her dye her hair multiple times to find out what might work for photoshoots. That became financially and mentally draining, but she was 'punished' if she refused. 'I would be punished by [my agent] not sending me out on castings because I wouldnt get my hair done,' she detailed. Bad habit: She started to count her calories with every food item to lose weight Terrifying: 'It was so toxic and unhealthy because I was counting literally every single calorie on this app on my phone' 'Also during this time I was suggested ADD and ADHD medication to suppress my appetite so I could be even smaller and get my measurements down even smaller, which made me have an even more unhealthy relationship with food,' Richelle continued. Her relationship with the boutique agency hit a boiling point during one test shoot when she decided to leave early. At the time, Richelle was already considering leaving her agency and breaking her two-year contract because she no longer recognized herself. 'I lost it,' she said. 'I was at my breaking point.' Luckily, her agency decided to drop her after she left the photo shoot early which made Rara's decision easy to leave the industry without fighting her agents to break contract. 'So overall my experience was awful,' Richelle said. 'Would I ever model again? No, I would not because I dont want to be put back into that mindset. The pressure to be very, very, very skinny from my agents and their comments.' Vice President Kamala Harris' stepdaughter, Ella Emhoff, ended this week with a bang by graduating from The New School's Parsons School of Design on Friday, while her father and stepmother watched on. The 22-year-old who is the daughter of Harris' husband, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, and Doug's first wife, Kerstin earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the New York City college, and is preparing to launch a career as a designer, having already made her mark on the fashion world with her own knitwear designs and a modeling contract with IMG Models. Ella donned a traditional cap and gown for the ceremony, and was joined by her mother, her father, and her stepmother in New York City for the virtual commencement. Congrats! Vice President Kamala Harris' stepdaughter, Ella Emhoff, graduated from The New School's Parsons School of Design today Dressed up: Ella (pictured with boyfriend Sam Hine) wore a long, pleated black skirt, a white button-down, a black blazer, and a black tie, which she accessorized with black loafers Graduate: The 22-year-old earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the New York City college Not one to let a dowdy cap and gown wreck her style, Ella layered the commencement uniform over her own fashion-forward outfit. A photo shared by her boyfriend, GQ senior associate editor Sam Hine, shows Ella in a long, pleated black skirt, a white button-down, a black blazer, and a black tie, which she accessorized with black loafers. Another photo Sam shared shows Ella riding in a car in her chic outfit and sunglasses, checking her face out in her phone. Though the ceremony was held online, Ella's family turned up to support her in-person for her special day, with both the Vice President and Second Gentleman traveling from Washington, D.C. for the occasions. Her dad proudly shared a photo of them posing together this afternoon. 'My darling Ella, we are such proud parents!' he wrote. 'We love you so much, and are very much looking forward to all you do in the future. And, to the other Class of 2021 graduates out there, huge congratulations!' Past Parsons graduates include Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford, Anna Sui, Narciso Rodriguez, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez, Isaac Mizrahi, Derek Lam, Prabal Gurung, and Jenna Lyons. Several other well-known people have taken courses there without obtaining degrees, including Nicky Hilton Rothschild, Bella Hadid, Sailor Brinkley Cook, Alexander Wang, Donna Karan, and Jason Wu. 'My darling Ella, we are such proud parents!' her father wrote (pictured hugging some of her classmates) 'We love you so much, and are very much looking forward to all you do in the future,' the second gentleman added (pictured with the Vice President and Ella's brother Cole) In student profile on Parsons' website, Ella opened up a bit about what it was like to do virtual schooling during the pandemic. She wrote that she had spent the year studying in an apartment she shares with roommates, and preferred to dress in athleisure for her Zoom classes. She listed her favorite streaming service as Hulu, her go-to pandemic snack as hummus, and her favorite social media app as 'none.' Though she didn't share exactly what her post graduation plans are, she wrote that she is most excited to start her career. She also wrote that her best experience from college was 'meeting my beautiful friends.' Meanwhile, on Instagram, she said that she spent her last year of school 'creating a collection of knitwear/crochet pieces in response to my adolescent diary and childhood photographs using excess yarn from the pants I was making.' 'I will be expanding this collection during the summer with more vests, pants, headpieces, and hopefully sweaters (when I master the art of the sleeve),' she said. Pandemic school: Ella wrote that she spent the year studying in an apartment she shares with roommates and preferred to dress in athleisure for her Zoom classes Ready to go! Though she didn't share exactly what her post graduation plans are, she wrote that she is most excited to start her career On Instagram, she said that she spent her last year of school 'creating a collection of knitwear/crochet pieces in response to my adolescent diary and childhood photographs using excess yarn from the pants I was making' Artistic: Fans who have followed Ella on Instagram are familiar with her sense of style, as well as the knitwear she sells online Fans who have followed Ella on Instagram are familiar with her sense of style, as well as the knitwear she sells online. 'I think the goal is definitely to have my own knitwear brand, label, whatever you call it,' she told Garage. 'Setting up a shop, most likely online of where I can just have a bunch of different pieces that I'm constantly creating and doing my commission-based work and having that all be in a shop. 'Id like to try and stay a one-woman show, but I think as stuff has started ramping up with my knitwear, it's been harder. I'm only one woman, I can only make so many commissions while I'm also trying to just enjoy life.' So far, she's already worked on her own collaboration with Batsheva, whose designs she wore to the Inauguration in January. To start off, they've released just three pieces for pre-order, including a $250 pastel crocheted vest, a $280 ruffle-trimmed corset, and a $150 kaleidoscopic bag at $150. Each item will be made to order with an emphasis on reducing waste. Big moment: Ella has certainly been enjoying her newfound status as a fashion favorite since taking the Inauguration by storm Fancy! She wore mid-length bedazzled wool coat from Italian designer Miu Miu, estimated to cost about $4,950 Head-turning moment! The 22-year-old walked out with her brother Cole, 26, and quickly drew attention with her quirky sense of style Ella pictured walking alongside her dad, her stepmother Kamala, Kamala's niece Meena, and one of Meena's daughters 'I think we had a lot more similarities [than we realized], and it made this process so seamless,' she told Vogue last month. 'A lot of our personal design preferences are aligned. Having the bright colors I love mixed with her traditional silhouettes; it was kind of the perfect melding of styles.' Ella has certainly been enjoying her newfound status as a fashion favorite since taking the Inauguration by storm. For that occasion, she wore mid-length bedazzled wool coat from Italian designer Miu Miu, estimated to cost about $4,950. Underneath, she later revealed she was wearing a burgundy tea dress from independent New York designer Batsheva Hay. And hours before the inauguration, Ella posed for pictures at the Lincoln Memorial with her mom and brother while wearing a collared button-down-shirt with a patriotic red, white, and blue pleated skirt from Thom Browne's Fall 2020 collection. She topped it all off with a chic long coat, a necktie, and a small hand-held bag. Her looks quickly caused a stir in the fashion world, with Teen Vogue calling her the 'cool girl' of the Biden-Harris administration, Vice branding her a 'slow fashion king,' and British Vogue saying the coat was the 'first viral moment' of the new Presidency. Hours before, Ella wowed in a preppy white shirt and tie tucked into a striped Thome Browne pleated skirt in the colors of the US flag as she posed with her mother and brother at the Lincoln Memorial on Instagram Under her statement-making coat was a burgundy dress by designer Batsheva Hay Ella is pictured with her mother, Emmy award-winning film producer Kerstin Emhoff Later that month, it was announced that she had signed with IMG Models. 'It's not really about shape, size or gender any more,' said Ivan Bart, the president of IMG Models. 'Ella communicates this moment in time. There's a cheekiness and a joy she exudes.' He said his response to seeing her at the inauguration was: 'Wow, she's communicating fashion.' Ella said the approach from Bart took her aback, even though she had been dabbling in modeling for a smaller agent. 'I was pretty surprised when everything with IMG was happening because when I was younger, I never saw that as being part of my timeline,' she told The New York Times. 'As someone who, like a lot of young girls out there, had self-confidence issues, it is intimidating and scary to go into this world that is hyper-focused on you and the body.' On her way! Soon after the Inauguration, it was announced that she had signed with IMG Models She said she was encouraged by the diversity of models working today, and the opportunity to be 'part of that change.' 'I've obviously got a bigger platform now, and I'm excited to share a lot of things I really care about, and do some good,' she said, adding that she was 'excited to do things like wear fun clothes' and 'to bring a bit of Bushwick into the high fashion realm'. She also hopes to fundraise for knitwear artists, adding: 'There are a lot of people out there that need a lot of help,' If I can do anything to help with that, I want to, and I think this opportunity will be really beneficial toward that.' Bart told the paper he noticed Ella at a fundraiser for Harris during the presidential primaries, and they began talking about the possibility of her joining IMG last summer. She started booking work in no time, landing her first cover of Dust magazine in February. That same month, she appeared in her first designer fashion show, storming the runway for Proenza Schouler in three different stylish looks. Voila! In February, she appeared in her first designer fashion show, just three weeks after it was announced that she had signed with IMG Models Model moment: She stormed the runway for Proenza Schouler in three different stylish looks According to Proenza Schouler's Instagram, Ella was styled by Brian Molloy, her hair left in her natural curls was done by Mustafa Yanaz, and her makeup was done by Diane Kendal Pumped! Ella hasn't said much about the big debut, only thanking the brand on Instagram with a heart Busy week! She also participated in a Q&A with the designers on February 15 According to Vogue, the fashion show was actually filmed two weeks before the images debuted online, but everyone including designers Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez kept Ella's involvement a secret. Ella's first outfit included oversized gray slacks with a matching, below-the-knee gray coat, which were accessorized with furry shoes and a large tote. She also modeled a black leather trench, and then had the honor of closing the show in a slinky black suit, worn with a button fastened at the chest and her stomach exposed. According to Proenza Schouler's Instagram, Ella was styled by Brian Molloy, her hair left in her natural curls was done by Mustafa Yanaz, and her makeup was done by Diane Kendal. 'Ella, meanwhile, wrote on Instagram: 'Thank you thank you thank you @proenzaschouler, couldnt have worked with a better duo <3.' She also participated in a Q&A with the designers on February 15. COVID-19 vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna reduce the risk of getting sick from the virus by 94 percent, according to real-world data form the largest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study to-date. Only six percent of COVID-19 cases among more than 1,800 health care workers were in people fully-vaccinated with one of the two mRNA shots, according to the new study, released Friday. No one included in the study had had the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The study was only designed to test whether the vaccines prevented people from getting symptomatic COVID-19, but the fact that only a small fraction of the group who tested positive were fully vaccinated suggests that the shots likely prevent infection and transmission - not just illness. 'This report provided the most compelling information to date that COVID-19 vaccines were performing as expected in the real world,' said CDC Director Dr Rochelle Walensky in a statement accompanying the new study. 'This study, added to the many studies that preceded it, was pivotal to CDC changing its recommendations for those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.' It was among the pieces of evidence that the CDC drew upon in updating its guidance for fully vaccinated Americans to say that those who have had all their Covid shots can safely go without masks outdoors or indoors, with a few exceptions including crowded places like planes and buses. Only six percent of COVID-19 cases among more than 1,800 health care workers were in people fully-vaccinated with one of the two mRNA shots, according to the new CDC study The study drew upon a network of more than 500,000 health care workers. Its data was whittled down to 1,843 participating nurses, doctors and hospital staff, all of whom were likely exposed to COVID-19 on the job. Among the group, there were a total 623 people who had tested positive for COVID-19 and had at least one symptom of the infection, and 1,220 people who tested negative. Only 40 out of the 623 people who tested positive had been fully vaccinated. In other words just three percent of people who tested positive had been fully vaccinated, compared to 15 percent of people who tested negative. That suggests (but doesn't prove) that fully vaccinated people are five times less at-risk of getting COVID-19, and translates to a vaccine effectiveness of 96 percent. IN THE GREEN: CDC's updated infographics shows that fully vaccinated Americans can safely do just about anything without wearing a mask However, the study did not include people who tested positive for coronavirus but never showed any symptoms, so it can't prove that the shot prevents infection. Another 64 of the people who tested positive had had a first dose of either Pfizer or Moderna's vaccines, as had 241 people who tested negative. Altogether, this means that even a single dose was 82 percent effective against preventing symptomatic COVID-19. People who tested negative were twice as likely to have had a first dose compared to those who tested positive and had symptoms. That's much better than what was found in Pfizer's own clinical trial, in which a single dose appeared to prevent just 52 percent of symptomatic illness. However, UK data found that one shot prevented about 72 percent of illnesses 21 days later. To-date, more than 36 percent of Americans have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and nearly 47 percent have had at least a first dose. In other words, the risk of getting ill from COVID-19 has been reduced by 94 percent for more than 120 million people, and 155 million are at 82 percent less risk of getting sick. Along with other studies, the new research was enough to convince the CDC that fully vaccinated people can go maskless and be at minimal risk of falling ill from COVID-19. The Biden administration is not planning on imposing a vaccine mandate and will not track who has or hasn't had the shots, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said during a Friday briefing. However businesses and institutions like colleges and universities can, Psaki added. 'Private sector companies may decide that they want to have requirements. That's up to them. we have no plans to change our approach from the federal government,' she said. Rising vaccination rates are allowing the U.S. to look increasingly normal, especially after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said Thursday that fully vaccinated Americans can safely stop wearing masks in most situations. Nearly half of Americans (46.8 percent) have had at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and more than 36 percent have been fully vaccinated. But nearly 20 percent of Americans are vaccine hesitant - with the highest rates among Republicans - and notions if mandates for vaccination or masks have become politically divisive in the U.S. So far, liberal states including New York are using vaccine passports at some events, while conservative states like Texas and Florida have banned companies for asking their employees for proof of vaccination. While public health officials are desperately trying to convince Americans to get vaccinated, they worry that mandates would backfire and only make more people hesitant to get the shots. 'Private sector companies may decide that they want to have requirements. That's up to them. we have no plans to change our approach from the federal government,' White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said on Friday President Biden has never supported a federal vaccine mandate, a position first articulated by Psaki in April. The president also never suggested a federal mask mandate, although he did institute one for federal property upon inauguration. Mandating vaccines would be unprecedented. In the U.S. most public schools do require proof of vaccination, and several are recommended for children, starting at birth, by the CDC. However, it's up to states whether schools require shots or not, and the federal government does not legally require any health interventions, nor proof of them. Back in April, Psaki said: 'The government is not now nor will we be supporting a system that requires Americans to carry a credential.' She acknowledged that private companies and non-profits likely would consider asking their employees to show proof of vaccination, as is their right, but requiring Americans to get the shots was not on the table for the federal government. 'Our interest is very simple from the federal government, which is Americans privacy and rights should be protected so these systems are not used against people unfairly,' Psaki said. Republican governors have been especially adamant that requiring vaccination would be an overstep, and requiring proof of vaccination would be an invasion of privacy. Several have gone so far as to ban vaccine passports or similar credentials. Arizona, Alabama, Montana, Minnesota, South Carolina, Texas, Utah and Florida have all passed laws prohibiting businesses from requiring proof of vaccination. In Democrat-led Hawaii and New York, legislation to allow or encourage the use of vaccine passports is under consideration - but there don't appear to be plans to mandate them outright. Health officials have by and large warned against vaccine mandates. Last month, Dr Anthony Fauci told Politico said it wouldn't happen. 'I doubt that the federal government will be the main mover of a vaccine passport concept,' he said. 'They may be involved in making sure things are done fairly and equitably, but I doubt if the federal government is going to be the leading element of that. He, too, said that it might be different for businesses. 'I'm not saying that they should or that they would, but I'm saying you could foresee how an independent entity might say, 'well, we can't be dealing with you unless we know you're vaccinated,' but it's not going to be mandated from the federal government.' Schools could require proof of vaccinations, as they do for vaccines against diseases like measles, polio and tetanus, but it's unlikely, at least for the next several months. Dr Anthony Fauci said on CBS This Morning on Thursday (pictured) that he is not sure if US schools should require children to get the COVID-19 vaccine before they return for in-person learning. He has warned that vaccine mandates could backfire and make Americans more reluctant to get the shots Dr Fauci said he 'wasn't so sure' schools would mandate the COVID-19 vaccine. 'Whenever you're talking about requiring something, that's always a charged issue,' Dr Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), during an appearance on CBS This Morning. 'I'm not so sure we should be requiring children at all; we should be encouraging them. But you got to be careful when you make a requirement of something, that usually gets you into a lot of pushback, understandable pushback.' The FDA and CDC have only just signed off on vaccinating kids as young as 12 with Pfizer's COVID-19 shot, and parents are split about 50/50 over whether or not they want their teens and tweens to get inoculated. Pfizer's shot is only authorized for emergency use. It's highly unlikely that schools would require the vaccine before it has been fully approved by the FDA. Anyone tuning into David Cameron's less than riveting testimony before the Treasury Select Committee might have concluded that Greensill Capital was a brilliant supply chain finance firm providing technology and innovation to Britain's top companies and Whitehall. As part of his 'due diligence', the former prime minister repeatedly trotted out the blue-chip names of Astrazeneca and Vodafone as good reasons to believe in his Aussie mate Lex Greensill. In seeking to big up Greensill's fintech credentials, he invoked online banks Revolut and Monzo. Just because a company goes into administration, Cameron assured MPs, 'it doesn't mean the whole thing was a giant fraud'. Making a point: Throughout David Cameron's testimony to MPs, the names of Sanjeev Gupta (pictured), Liberty Steel and GFG barely passed his lips Throughout his testimony, the names of Sanjeev Gupta, Liberty Steel and GFG barely passed his lips. This, despite the fact that the empire run by Gupta was Greensill's biggest client and at the core of everything which subsequently went wrong. Cameron may be confident that Greensill's failure was just a bankruptcy like any other, but enforcers take a different view. The Serious Fraud Office reveals it is looking at suspected fraud and money launder ing, conduct of the business of companies within the GFG Alliance, including financing arrangements with Greensill. That's a long list of areas of interest. In addition to the SFO intervention, City regulator the Financial Conduct Authority is pressing ahead with its probes into Greensill Capital UK, Greensill Capital Securities and the oversight of the latter by its 'principal' Mirabella Advisers. Given the allegations, and the number of inquiries now going on into Greensill and its labyrinthine relationship with Liberty and GFG, a former prime minister might have been more circumspect in his assurances of the bona fides of his former associates. The SFO decision to launch an investigation into GFG, and by implication Liberty, will almost certainly speed the impending collapse of firms in the Gupta constellation. It will hasten a race by creditors to gain control of physical assets. Wind-up orders are already before the UK courts. In Australia, Citibank, Credit Suisse and Softbank are among those who have gone to the bench in an effort to protect their interests. There is nothing simple about any of this. In Britain, Liberty tends to be thought of as a coherent group. It actually consists of a loose confederation of as many as 24 firms linked by common ownership and the thread of Greensill financing. Uncertain ownership, a lack coherence and governance at the group are the core reasons for the decision by Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng to refuse an emergency taxpayer loan of 170m. That should not be taken as a sign that HMG is disinterested. Kwarteng's knowledge of the complexities of command, control and credit arrangements within the ramshackle Gupta realm makes intervention tricky. His approach is likely to be piecemeal stepping in if steel capacity is in danger. Main concern would be a collapse of the Stocksbridge plant near to Rotherham. The factory is seen as critical to the Government's levelling up agenda, and it likes the green credentials. If it ends up in the hands of the Official Receiver, as seems likely, Kwarteng would likely support jobs and production pending a rescue. This was the procedure used to keep the British Steel plant at Scunthorpe alive before it was sold to China's Jingye in January 2020. What is most remarkable about the whole Greensill-Gupta scandal is how little attention was paid by Cameron and regulators to warnings flashing red. Auditor of Greensill in the UK was the modest firm of Saffery Champness. Yet the collapsed bank was the fulcrum of a complex set-up that stretched across several Continents, requiring huge skills to audit. In this it had something in common with GFG companies, many of which were audited by the micro firm of King & King, based in a Wembley shopping centre. Having the top four or five audit firms on board offers no guarantee of safety. But reaching right down the ladder, where capacity is limited, offers even less. In recent high-profile cases the SFO has chosen to reach Deferred Prosecution Agreements (DPAs) with the corporations concerned, before going after individuals. That is not the likely approach to the implosion of Liberty where the financial resources for a negotiated settlement don't exist. The British steel industry was plunged deeper into crisis after the launch of a fraud investigation into Sanjeev Gupta's GFG Alliance. The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) said it was scrutinising suspected 'fraud, fraudulent trading and money laundering' at companies in the GFG group. This, the SFO said, includes 'its financing arrangements with Greensill Capital UK'. Under scrutiny: Sanjeev Gupta was hailed as the 'saviour of UK steel' after he snapped up a plant in Newport in 2013 and later went on a spending spree The dramatic development puts 5,000 UK jobs on the line including nearly 3,000 at Liberty Steel, which operates a dozen sites in Britain. Gupta was hailed as the 'saviour of UK steel' after he snapped up a plant in Newport in 2013 and later went on a spending spree that saw him take over factories in Rotherham, Scunthorpe, and Stocksbridge in South Yorkshire, among others. But his empire has been in crisis since its biggest lender Greensill Capital run by Australian financier Lex Greensill and advised by David Cameron collapsed at the start of March. Liberty Steel has been teetering on the brink since then and Gupta has been racing to secure alternative funding. The 49-year-old tycoon had been hoping to secure a 200m lifeline from San Francisco-based White Oak Global Advisors to prop up Liberty Steel's UK operations. But White Oak said last night it had ended all talks. A spokesman said: 'As with any regulated financial institution, we are not in a position to continue discussions with any company that is under investigation by the Serious Fraud Office for money laundering.' The SFO probe is likely to make it difficult for Gupta to strike deals with any potential backers. Ministers are understood to be ready to step in to save Liberty's jobs and factories but not any of Gupta's companies. In March, Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng flatly rejected a request for a 170m bailout, saying he could not be sure whether it would stay in the UK because of GFG's complex structure and opaque accounting. Preparations are being made in case Liberty needs to be put under the control of the Official Receiver as happened when British Steel collapsed in 2019. But this could rack up a huge bill for taxpayers. It cost an estimated 1m a day for the Government to keep British Steel's operations going while it sought a new buyer. The Government wants to save as many jobs as possible and many are also in so-called 'Red Wall' areas, where the Conservatives have taken seats in traditional Labour heartlands. Of particular concern is Liberty's Speciality Steel business, which has plants in South Yorkshire. The Speciality Steel business makes parts for the aerospace sector, including customers such as Rolls-Royce. But it has been hammered by a downturn brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. The GFG Alliance is not a single legal entity, but is a loose collection of businesses that are connected to Gupta and his family. It has sales of 15billion and around 35,000 employees worldwide, it says. Greensill's collapse was connected to its close ties with Gupta which it provided with a complex type of funding called supply-chain financing which caused alarm among its insurers. Banks including Credit Suisse lost billions when Greensill went bust. Aside from steel, GFG works in a number of other industries such as manufacturing, renewable and aluminium. Gupta's deal to buy Scotland's only aluminium smelter made Gupta one of the UK's biggest landowners because it included thousands of acres of land, including the foothills of Ben Nevis. A spokesman for the Community steel union said: 'This is a concerning development and we await the findings of the investigation. However, this must not detract from the complete focus of all parties on securing our members' jobs and protecting these crucial strategic businesses.' Grant Thornton, which is handling the administration of Greensill Capital UK, declined to comment last night. But a spokesman for GFG said it 'will cooperate fully with the investigation' adding: 'As these matters are the subject of an SFO investigation we cannot make any further comment.' The spokesman added: 'GFG Alliance continues to serve its customers around the world and is making progress in the refinancing of its operations which are benefiting from the operational improvements it has made and the very strong steel, aluminium and iron ore markets.' Accountants under fire The Serious Fraud Office investigation into Sanjeev Gupta's GFG Alliance will raise more questions about the accounting firm that signed off the books of dozens of the group's companies. King & King audited around 60 of Gupta's firms in the UK. The revenue generated by these groups some of which are related to Liberty Steel is estimated at around 2.5billion. The two-partner firm is led by Milan Patel, a 58-year-old chartered accountant, and is relatively unknown even in the UK accounting world. It is unusual for such a small firm to handle such a sprawling set of accounts. King & King has two small offices in London. Its audits were crucial to collapsed financing house Greensill lending money to GFG companies. King & King has few other big-name clients, but has handled accounting for a UK entity controlled by Bavaguthu Raghuram Shetty, the Indian founder of Middle East hospital operator NMC Health and finance group Finablr, which previously owned Travelex. NMC and Finablr have both been accused of fraud. The SFO has not said which GFG entities it is investigating. This means it is not clear if any were audited by King & King, which has not been accused of any wrongdoing. King & King was contacted for comment. Agency in the spotlight The investigation into Sanjeev Gupta throws the spotlight onto the Serious Fraud Office and its director Lisa Osofsky. The SFO has failed in recent years to land any notable blows and as a result has faced repeated calls to be disbanded or reformed. Last month the trial of two former executives at outsourcer Serco collapsed after the SFO failed to disclose evidence to the defendants in a blow to the agency. Allegations were that executives Simon Marshall and Nicholas Woods hid millions of profits made from a prison tag contract with the Ministry of Justice between 2011 and 2013. The probe lasted eight years but due to blunders the judge said the trial could not 'safely and fairly proceed'. This week Marshall said the SFO did not have 'anything to do with justice' and should be shut down. In March 2020 three ex-Barclays bankers Roger Jenkins, Richard Boath and Tom Kalaris accused of fraud walked free from the Old Bailey amid further bungled evidence gathering. The year before that the agency dropped two high-profile probes into Rolls-Royce and Glaxosmithkline. The failures have put serious pressure on SFO director Osofsky, the former FBI lawyer who took over in 2018 amid a blaze of publicity. She promised to shake up the organisation, but instead conviction rates have fallen to record lows. Under her tenure Osofsky has frequently taken aim at UK law as the reason for the SFO's many failures and complained about being underfunded and underpowered. Private Equity hawks are circling yet another London-listed company as Britain's pandemic plundering continues. Sanne Group received a 1.3billion offer from Cinven earlier this month, which it quietly rejected on Wednesday. Revealing its approach to the stock market yesterday, London-based Cinven said it was now 'considering its position'. Standing firm: Sanne Group received a 1.3billion offer from Cinven, which it quietly rejected Cinven's pursuit of Sanne, which provides administrative services to the likes of fund managers and hedge funds, marks the fourth approach by a private equity firm for a major British company in less than a fortnight. UDG Healthcare revealed this week that it had agreed a deal with US firm Clayton Dubilier & Rice, which will pay 2.6billion for the FTSE 250. Property developer St Modwen received a 1.2billion offer from US giant Blackstone last week, which it said the board would be 'willing to recommend' to shareholders if the bid was formalised. And John Laing saw its shares surge after confirming that it was in early stage talks with private equity titan KKR. Cinven, which is now taking stock before it makes its next move for Sanne, could decide to raise its offer from the 830p per share price it initially suggested or walk away altogether. But Nicholas Hyett, an equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said Cinven's approach for Sanne was a sign that the UK could turn into a feeding frenzy of private equity deals. He added: 'There have been rumblings that the UK could be on the brink of a deal-making wave for a while, with uncertainty around Brexit lifting and valuations still depressed compared to American peers. 'The offer from Cinven represents a healthy 38 per cent premium to the closing price on Thursday night, and might usually have been seen as pretty tempting. However, the shares were trading at that price on the market four years ago and the board clearly thinks the business is worth more.' But investors were less sure shares were trading below the offer price yesterday, at 731p, meaning some are still worried that Cinven might walk away. Private equity firms specialise in buying businesses and selling them on after five to 10 years for a profit. The latest offers follow a surge of activity during the pandemic. TDR Capital and I Squared Capital won enough shareholder support to go ahead with their 2.3billion takeover of temporary power generator firm Aggreko. And Allied Universal, the North American security business backed by private equity firm Warburg Pincus, clinched the 3.8billion takeover of G4S. Market Definition: Calcium silicate is a powder procured from limestone and diatomaceous earth. It is extensively used across different end-user industries and is likely to witness rising applications in the years to come. Market Research Future (MRFR) has conducted an analysis recently which states that the global calcium silicate market is poised to expand at a moderate CAGR over the assessment period 2016 to 2023. The growth pace of the market can be accredited to the key advantages offered by the product such as passiveness towards the fire. Get a Free sample of This Report @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/5712 Market Scenario and Growth Factors: Calcium silicate has paved its way across the construction sector which is poised to influence the revenue growth of the market primarily. It is anticipated to catalyze revenue creation for the players of the calcium silicate market over the next few years. In addition, the implementation of favorable regulatory laws for protecting the health of the workers at construction sites are also projected to support the expansion of the market in the forthcoming years. In addition, rapid industrialization has also unleashed developmental opportunities to the calcium silicate market. The use of the product for insulation in industries is likely to lead the proliferation of the market in the years to come. Calcium silicate is expected to observe an upsurge in demand for the production of sealants. It helps in sealing micropores which are anticipated to expedite demand generation across the projection period. In addition, it is also likely to gain popularity as an anti-caking agent in food preparation. Also, the product is poised to pave its way across the food & beverage industry as a food additive. These factors are poised to accelerate revenue creation for the participants of the Calcium Silicate Market Analysis over the next couple of years. The product is expected to witness proliferating applications across industries such as paints & coating materials, pharmaceuticals, fertilizers & insecticides, etc. The growth of these industries is anticipated to boost revenue growth over the next few years. Competitive Dashboard: The key players operating in the global Calcium silicate market and profiled in this MRFR report are: Promat International NV (Belgium) American Elements (U.S.) Morgan Advanced Materials (U.K) Spectrum Chemical Manufacturing Corp. (U.S.) Prochem, Inc. (U.S.), Materion Corporation (U.S.) Mil-Spec Industries Corporation (New York) Associated Ceramics & Technology, Inc. (U.S.) Pyrotek (India), ZIRCAR CERAMICS (India), Skamol (Denmark), Industrial Insulation Group, LLC (U.S.) Market Segmentation: The global Calcium Silicate Market has been segmented on the basis of application for a detailed segmental analysis. Based on application, the segments include insulation, building materials, sealants, pharmaceuticals, food additive, and others. Regional Analysis: On the basis of region, the global calcium silicate market has been segmented into five regions viz. Asia Pacific, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East & Africa (MEA), and North America. Asia Pacific is expected to retain the leading position over the next couple of years. The regional segment resonates strong growth potential and is anticipated to strike a healthy growth rate in the years to come. Rapid industrialization and urbanization are the key factors expected to encourage the growth pace of the calcium silicate market in the region across the projection period. Fast-developing nations such as China and India are prognosticated to contribute significantly to the development of the regional segment in the foreseeable future. In addition, the growth of the end-user industries such as paints & coating, construction, adhesives & sealants, etc. is also anticipated to catapult the regional segment on upward trajectory. North America and Europe are also significant growth pockets expected to expand at a substantial pace in the forthcoming years. Technological innovations and increasing consumption levels are forecasted to favorably influence the expansion of the calcium silicate market in these regions. BROWSE RELATED REPORT @ https://www.abnewswire.com/pressreleases/fiber-optic-sensor-market-size-and-global-trends-2020-covid19-business-impact-industry-analysis-sales-revenue-opportunities-top-leaders-and-regional-forecast-to-2022_505731.html https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/fiber-optic-sensor-market-size-and-global-trends-2020-covid-19-business-impact-industry-analysis-sales-revenue-opportunities-top-leaders-and-regional-forecast-to-2022-2020-09-07 http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/4797814 https://www.wboc.com/story/42598499/fiber-optic-sensor-market-size-and-global-trends-2020-covid19-business-impact-industry-analysis-sales-revenue-opportunities-top-leaders-and-regional-forecast-to-2022 Australia has managed to save itself from the horrors of mass deaths and economic ruin from coronavirus... but at almost every other turn, we have failed. Tuesday night's Budget admission that international borders won't open until the middle of 2022 finally exposed the bungled mess we will soon pay for. Opening the borders now when India's air is choked with the smoke from funeral pyres, and 600 a day are still dying in the US is rightly considered a terrible idea. But in six months, the Western world and much of Asia will be largely vaccinated, travelling freely and getting on with life, while we cower behind our moat in fear, cut off from the world, and needlessly losing billions of dollars a week. Opening Australia's borders right now is a bad idea, but in six months the Western world and much of Asia will be largely vaccinated, travelling freely and getting on with life, like these two British tourists on the Greek island of Santorini Unlike this German tourist visiting Arizona in the US earlier this week, we will end up we cowering behind our moat in fear, cut off from the world, and needlessly losing billions of dollars a week Poll Are you desperate to travel overseas? Yes No Don't care Are you desperate to travel overseas? Yes 100 votes No 88 votes Don't care 15 votes Now share your opinion Worse still, the pandemic increasingly exposes insular, selfish aspects of Australia's psyche that are deeply troubling. How this happened may seem hard to understand - by almost any measure, Australia has led the world in its handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, and is not afraid to beat its chest about it. Just 910 deaths, about 22,000 locally-acquired cases, a booming economy, and fewer restrictions than almost anywhere else. But this success has masked serious failures of leadership and planning that threaten to squander all the nation's early gains, and make us an isolated and backward island. The vaccine rollout Prime Minister Scott Morrison's press conference on March 19, 2020, seems like a lifetime ago. That was the day the borders slammed shut and the pandemic got real. Few thought that today, 14 months later, would only be the halfway mark in our isolation from the rest of the world. Using Australia's natural defence - being surrounded by water - was an obvious and prudent solution few would argue with at the time. Mr Morrison has been riding this one crucial decision to boost poll numbers and likely win re-election ever since. Prime Minister Scott Morrison's press conference on March 19, 2020, seems like a lifetime ago. That was the day the borders slammed shut and the pandemic got real There was always an equally obvious downside to this strategy, coupled with zero tolerance for even a handful of cases - when can we open the gates? The promise was the vaccine would free us from captivity, if we just hung in there until the scientists cracked the code. So we video chatted with friends and family overseas, scanned QR codes at the pub, wrote off 2020 as the worst year ever, and trusted the promise of 2021. Just nine months later, there was not just one working vaccine, but half a dozen, and millions of jabs were going to be available. Four and a half months into 2021, just 10 per cent of the country has been vaccinated with no end in sight. By contrast, a third of people in both the US and Britain have received at least one jab thanks to those countries sticking needles in arms on an industrial scale. Watching healthy, young friends overseas flash their vaccine cards on social media when you don't even know when you will be able to book an appointment is nothing short of infuriating. Watching healthy, young friends overseas flash their vaccine cards on social media when you don't even know when you will be able to book an appointment is infuriating This young woman in the US hold up her vaccination card having just got her shot - something young Australians will probably wait up to a year for The final blow for the abandoned October deadline was the AstraZeneca blood clot panic, but the disastrous vaccine program's poor planning and management goes back far further. The federal government put all our eggs in just a few baskets, only making deals with three vaccine manufacturers and crossing its fingers. The biggest gamble was that the vast majority could be immunised by AstraZeneca jabs made in Australia by CSL, despite vaccines having no guarantee of making it through clinical trials, or being problem-free after launch. This backfired as AstraZeneca was ditched for under-50s, University of Queensland's vaccine crashed and burned in trials, and Pfizer can only give us a small fraction of the doses we need. We didn't even bother striking a deal with the highly-successful Moderna until this week, which won't arrive until the end of the year. Novavax, another late addition to the stable, just pushed back its timeline by three months and has no set date for availability here. Many of the delays and disasters were outside Mr Morrison's control, including the EU blocking shipments from outside the block, the failed UQ vaccine, and AstraZeneca's blood clot flaw. But had more deals been made early and more doses ordered from Pfizer, these hurdles could have been overcome and the rollout kept on track. Mr Morrison receives his Covid-19 vaccination during a visit to Castle Hill Medical Centre February 21. There was plenty of optimism that day, but it's been all downhill from there Low case numbers and relatively normal life inside the Australian bubble also led to a lack of urgency in getting on top of the vaccine rollout's logistics. Not enough doses were secured early enough, and the entire strategy felt as it was planned on the go and stuck together with blu-tac. Where are the mass vaccination centres? Why can't medical and quarantine staff get an appointment for weeks? Why was the plan to get GPs to administer vaccines so poorly thought out that doctors immediately flagged numerous problems? Once it finally got up and running, there were inexcusable incidents of patients being given several times the required dose and a needle shortage that wasted thousands of doses. We weren't ready and didn't do enough planning, and it showed. Experts warned about these problems months ahead of time, but don't appear to have been taken seriously enough. Quarantine catastrophes Mr Morrison's one good move, shutting the borders and isolating all returned Australians, came with its own issues. Tens of thousands of Australians overseas were treated with contempt from day one and barely a finger was lifted to help them. First they were told to stay put if they could, then months later told they should have dropped everything and returned home immediately. A few million dollars - peanuts compared to the $370 billion spent on JobKeeper and boosted unemployment benefits - could have financed as many repatriation flights as needed to get everyone home in weeks. Strict arrival limits brought in last month mean the few airlines still flying to Australia cancel many flights because they are not economical Australians trying to get home say they were forced to buy business class tickets on planes with just 30 passengers. Here a child plays in the completely empty economy section Where was Australia's mateship towards the 40,000 countrymen and women stuck overseas, broke and stressed with no idea when they can get back? Instead there were precious few, and last year Indian expats resorted to a daring caper to organise their own charter flights to get out of the country. Australians now have to wait months and have flights costing up to $10,000 cancelled over and over, only to be treated like selfish lepers when they finally arrive. Hotel quarantine is also needlessly terrible. Guests pay $3,000 and receive varying qualities of food and cleanliness depending on where they are dumped. Some of the food looks like it cost about $2 to make. You would feel bad about feeding it to a dog. The government can and should demand a reasonable standard, but it doesn't bother. Then there are deadly oversights in how quarantine is managed - lax protocols, guards allowed to work as Uber drivers, and not enough testing. This infamous photo shows guards at Melbourne quarantine hotels where the Melbourne outbreak began in June 2020. Lax standards emerged in the inquiries to follow Hotel quarantine is also needlessly terrible. Guests pay $3,000 and receive food that looks like it cost about $2 to make. You would feel bad about feeding it to a dog The result is leaks that should not have happened and lockdowns by over-cautious premiers that could have been avoided. Stunningly, we are only just debating regional quarantine hubs away from populated city centres when they were the obvious solution from day one. Howard Springs, just outside Darwin, is not only extremely successful and leak-free, it is comparatively comfortable and tolerable. It should not be the only one of its kind, and building more would have given the hotel quarantine system enough capacity to avoid the flight arrival caps that stranded Australians overseas indefinitely. PM's questionable leadership All the issues that led us to this state of affairs are made worse by the PM's approach since the early days of the pandemic. Leigh Sales had a point when she summed up his approach to all the big moments of his three years in office in a question on Wednesday's 7.30 report. 'You've been the Prime Minister now for nearly three years and so Australians have had a chance to observe how you've responded to various things,' she began. Mr Morrison is not nicknamed 'Scotty from marketing' for nothing - his response to any problem or scrutiny has arguably been to spin, deflect, and make it about someone else 'When it comes to taking responsibility, [Australians] have seen vaccine stumbles, not your fault, "it's a supply issue". Quarantine, "mostly a problem for states". Bushfires, "I don't hold a hose". Brittany Higgins, "I was in the dark". 'Covid deaths in aged care, "mostly the fault of state governments". Christian Porter, "I don't need to drill into the particulars". Minister's breaching standard, "I reject that anybody ever has". 'Doesn't it add up to a tendency to blame shift and duck responsibility wherever possible?' Mr Morrison, with a typically evasive answer, proceeded to do nothing but prove her right. At the beginning of the pandemic, he put himself front and centre by closing the borders and bringing in a national lockdown. Ever since, he has largely avoided the spotlight and let state premiers do the heavy lifting of daily Covid press conferences and pandemic policy making. WA Premier Mark McGowan put up a hard border with the rest of Australia for eight months The result is a patchwork of state governments making it up as they go along, rarely agreeing on anything other than their desire to be re-elected. WA Premier Mark McGowan put up a hard border for eight months and Annastacia Palaszczuk wasn't far behind in Queensland. Daniel Andrews responded to a spiralling outbreak in Victoria with a draconian lockdown and heavy-handed police enforcement. Stronger leadership from Mr Morrison could have reined in at least some of this madness, but he stuck to the shadows and toured coal mines instead. Now, with snap state border closures the norm at the first sign of trouble, no wonder the devastated tourism industry can't even begin to recover. Australia's coronavirus failures VACCINE ROLLOUT Pinned vaccine hopes on jut a few candidates with local production of AstraZeneca the linchpin. This left the program in tatters when its use was linked to a rare blood clotting Failed to mitigate supply issues and order from a variety of sources Glacial start to vaccination program that had far behind targets well before AstraZeneca problems Poorly planned GP and pharmacist program that immediately ran into problems Several patients given five times the correct vaccine dose QUARANTINE PROGRAM Used CBD hotels for quarantine and made no effort to build or repurpose dedicated regional facilities other than Howard Springs Failure to demand decent food and conditions in hotel quarantine Put on very few repatriation fights, leaving at its peak 40,000 Australians stranded overseas Callously abetted the demonisation of returned Australians by telling them to stay put, then blaming them for not returning sooner Lack of quarantine planning left shortfall in available rooms, leading to the flight arrival cap Chose security companies with poorly-trained and paid staff, some working multiple jobs, that along with lax standards led to leaks including the Melbourne outbreak POOR LEADERSHIP FROM THE PM Left most pandemic policy to the states, resulting in constant bickering, border closures, and wildly varying strategies Did not articulate a coherent strategy for dealing with the virus and how many infections were acceptable Consistently avoids setting timetables of any kind so he doesn't have to stick to promises Used public's fear of Covid-19 to justify keeping borders closed and cover up the government's litany of other failures Advertisement We are part of the problem The hardest lesson from the pandemic may be the revelation that many of the values Australians claim to hold appear to be built on lies. Where was the mateship towards the 40,000 countrymen and women stuck overseas, broke and stressed with no idea when they can get back? Instead of compassion, they are abused as 'fairweather Aussies' who dared to leave their homeland, and selfish, entitled whingers who should be left to rot overseas. The 'they should have come home months ago' myth persists despite being largely debunked dozens of times. Australians are even pilloried for wanting to leave the country for family funerals or having a wedding alongside close family who live overseas. Passengers rush to arrive or leave Australia on March 20, 2020, as that night foreigners were banned from entry This was the letter numerous Australians received in reply from the prime minister, offering nothing but platitudes and the implication they should have returned earlier This is even after navigating a needlessly complex exemption process for permission to leave the country, Australia being once again a prisoner island alongside the likes of North Korea. The government now plans to tighten exemption criteria even further because a paltry 134,758 people came and went - many of whom were medical workers, airline crew, and military personnel. Even at home when states walled up their borders to sick kids and grieving family members just wanting to say goodbye or, failing that, attend a funeral, there was an astonishing absence of compassion or basic human decency. But above all, there is fear. Far from the resilient, easy-going, 'she'll be right' folks Australians are supposed to be, we have been revealed as scared children hiding under the bed. It started with anti-Asian vitriol, verbal taunts in the street, and even physical violence early in the pandemic due to the virus starting in China. Soon jokes from Asian friends about desperately stifling coughs weren't funny anymore, and a man was left to die in the street from a heart attack because bystanders were afraid to help him. An Asian man was left to die in the street in Sydney's Chinatown from a heart attack in late January because bystanders were afraid to help him Even if the vaccine rollout was properly organised and on track, conspiracy theories and fear of literal one-in-a-million blood clots mean only 72 per cent of Australians are 'very likely' to get the jab. Those refusing include military, medical staff, and even quarantine workers who were until recently not booted from the job if they wouldn't get vaccinated. Rather than outrage about unnecessary snap restrictions over minimal cases, voters appeared to not mind being locked down even harder and for state borders to stay shut forever. Politicians, for whom fear is their greatest weapon, lapped this up and instead of showing leadership to restore sanity, used it for political gain. Kimberley Brown and her husband Scott, from Ballina, in northern NSW, learned that they had lost their unborn baby after being forced to travel 750kms because of Queensland's border restrictions Emperor McGowan and Comrade Anna cruised to landslide election victories, the former reducing the Liberal opposition to just two seats in March and enjoyed approval ratings in the 90s. The WA leader in particular weaponised fear to convince his subjects that should the hard border be even slightly softened, Perth would look like virus-swamped Melbourne in minutes. His cause was helped immensely by WA's enormous chip on its shoulder towards the eastern states, which he exploited relentlessly with antagonistic jabs at anyone daring to question his heavy-handed style. It became impossible to even have a rational conversation with Western Australian friends about the issue, such was their embarrassing adoration. The federal government, on the other hand, used the public's fear as an excuse to take it easy and paper over its own failings. Families torn apart by closed Australian border Young British woman Charlotte Bolt planned to follow her boyfriend Mike Hawkey to Australia after he got a job at a mining company in January. But the border slammed shut just before she was due to leave, and she is still desperately trying to plead her case. 'Since then our lives have been left in limbo, with no end in sight. We have now spent the last seven months apart,' she said. Young British woman Charlotte Bolt planned to follow her boyfriend Mike Hawkey to Australia after he got a job at a mining company in January - but the border closed before she arrived 'On the day we said goodbye to each other, people still had their Christmas decorations up. Now we have to face the fact we might not be able to spend this coming Christmas together.' Alexandra Skiba flew to California to visit her parents and was stuck there when the border closed, despite her employer begging the government to let her back in. Thousands of stories like these have forced the Australian Border Force to review its compassionate criteria. Advertisement Having dumped his October deadline, Mr Morrison now justifies blowing out his vague timeline for reopening borders by at least eight months by noting voters are too scared to open up anyway. 'I don't see an appetite for that (opening the borders any time soon) at the moment,' he told the Sunday Telegraph hours before the Budget. 'We sit here as an island that's living like few countries in the world are at the moment. 'We have to be careful not to exchange that way of life for what everyone else has.' Mr Morrison flat out refuses to set a date and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg even flagged keeping the border closed beyond mid-2022. He of course fell back on the 'health advice' excuse that is frequently ignored or relied upon when convenient, with no transparency to check what the advice actually is, or how independent it is from political expediency. 'We're unapologetic about putting the health of Australians first. Ultimately, this is primarily a health crisis with a very severe economic impact,' he said at the National Press Club on Wednesday. Real leaders, interested in more than just clinging to power, would shift public opinion to the best policy, or just do the unpopular for the good of the country. Instead the message is: 'You don't want to open up anyway, so it doesn't matter how much we stuffed up - we have time to fix it.' New Zealand travelers embrace at Sydney International Airport on April 19, the day the NZ travel bubble began. Those farther afield will wait more than a year for similar reunions But do they really? Australia is haemorrhaging billions of dollars in lost tourism spending and universities are on the brink after their international student lifeblood was cut off. Furthermore, a Migration Council of Australia study found immigration was forecast to contribute $1.6 trillion to GDP by 2050, and add 15.7 per cent to workforce participation - chunks of which we lose every day the border is closed. The lack of foreign backpackers, told to go home the second the pandemic started, are in such short supply that farmers have no one to pick fruit and do other low-paid, back-breaking jobs Australians have no interest in doing. Then there is the social cost - 30 per cent of Australian residents were born overseas and have close family and friends they have no seen in 14 months. They played by the rules, endured lockdowns, and expected 2021 would bring hope and reunions. Instead, they face another 14 months of agony, while watching the rest of the world get on with their lives. Life is getting back to normal here, UK businesses reveal how they will be keeping us safer as we come out of lockdown Seeing friends, eating out(side) at a restaurant and grabbing a beerthe easing of lockdown restrictions has brought us so much joy these past few weeks. Finally, we can wander around the shops, browsing to our hearts' content, actually seeing what things look like and how they feel before parting with our hard-earned money. But it's only been possible thanks to the hard work done by stores and other businesses that have moved mountains to be able to welcome us back safely. Here, UK businesses tell us about all the measures they've taken to protect us against Covid so we can shop till we drop without worrying. 'WE'RE THRILLED THAT WE CAN REOPEN SAFELY' Just two months after buying a Scottish country-clothing brand in January last year, its new owner was forced to close because of lockdown. But since reopening on May 1, A Hume's managing director Rachel Thomson has seen locals flocking back to the 100-year-old business in Kelso. Staff at Scottish clothing store A Hume say people like to try clothes on before they buy them 'Spring and summer aren't usually our strongest seasons, but there's been such a resurgence of the country lifestyle in lockdown,' says Rachel. 'People have been keen to come in to buy walking boots, wellies and technical coats. We've been really busy. Caroline Joynson, 43, runs Cheerleader PR and lives in Leeds 'I'm not great at online shopping I love physically going to the shops to look for clothes, feel them and see what they look like on me. So when they reopened, I went straight into Mango and was chuffed to find the changing rooms open. I came out with two pairs of jeans and a shirt and felt really safe as everyone had their masks on.' 'We have traffic lights outside each store, which mean that we can limit the numbers of people shopping. And, of course, we have hand sanitisers, floor discs to encourage the two-metre rule and plexiglass screens at the tills.' Crucially, they've been able to keep their changing rooms open with staff on hand to sanitise them after each use. Similarly, any item that's been touched by a customer gets treated with an antibacterial spray and left for several hours before being returned to the shop floor. 'It's a real advantage to be able to try before you buy with these kinds of purchases,' says Rachel. 'And while we still can't give them a cup of tea or let them sit down for a chat, we are thrilled that we can reopen safely while we get back to normal.' 'WE OPENED A NEW RESTAURANT TO ENSURE SOCIAL DISTANCING' When faced with losing a third of his award-winning Belfast chippy's tables because of social distancing, John Lavery made a brave decision. Despite having only been able to serve takeaways during lockdowns for the past year, he decided to invest 60,000 to turn the upstairs of Fish City's premises into a new bar and restaurant. 'We're doing everything possible to provide a welcoming, safe environment': Fish City boss John Lavery 'It became clear pretty quickly that the essential safety requirements would have a serious impact on revenue,' says John. Kriti Sachdeva, 33, a marketing manager at ecommerce start-up Novos, lives in Southend 'I love shopping, so the day shops reopened, I booked half a day off work and visited every single store, coming home with lots of clothes, shoes and things for the home. My husband wasn't very happy! Since then, I've found an excuse to go to the high street every day it's my daily exercise!' 'This led us to look at an extensive space we had upstairs that wasn't being used. We had been considering adding extra tables for some time, and decided to move quickly on this to ensure the continuing success of our business. 'We decided to create a dining room upstairs with a completely different feel virtually a new restaurant. While the seafood theme is still a feature, we've branded it Hook and Anchor Fishermen's Cabin for a different look.' When the restaurant eventually reopens to indoor dining, there will be other safety measures in place. 'We've mounted a digital thermometer at the door, which all staff and customers will be required to pass before entering the premises,' says John. 'Anyone recording a high temperature will be refused admission. 'Hand sanitiser will be readily available at the entrance. In addition, kitchen and front-of-house staff will be required to wear masks and wash their hands regularly. Tables and chairs will be cleaned when each diner has left. 'We are doing everything possible to provide an environment that's both safe and welcoming for customers.' 'CHEERS WE'VE USED OUR GIN TO CREATE OUR HAND SANITISER' Whenever customers visit the Salcombe Distilling Company whether it's to have a drink, buy from the shop or create a unique blend at their Gin School they will be offered free hand sanitiser to use. But it's not just any old hand sanitiser, rather it's been made from the Devon firm's own alcohol, and smells absolutely delightful. 'We can't wait to welcome people back': Salcombe Gin's co-founder Howard Davies 'It has a lovely coastal gin aroma,' says co-founder Howard Davies, 44. 'It's nice and pleasant to use, and is also effective and hugely popular.' It's just one of the ways they will help customers and staff feel safer when they reopen fully on May 17. Another is the twice-weekly rapid Covid tests they've introduced for staff, along with face coverings. Numbers have also been cut back. Whereas before 16 people at a time could enjoy blending their own gin from over 100 different botanicals, this will be limited to six to ensure social distancing. The same is true in the bar where just 25 people will be allowed as long as they've checked in using the app alongside a one-way system and table service. And the shop which has Perspex screens is limited to just six customers. 'It's about protecting the best interests of the guests and staff, but without compromising on the quality of the amazing experience we offer,' says Howard. 'We can't wait to welcome people back we love engaging with people who are passionate about gin.' 'PORTMEIRION NEEDS PEOPLE TO COME TO LIFE' Many people dream of being able to wander on their own around Portmeirion, the Italian-style village in Wales that was the setting for cult TV series The Prisoner. But it's actually crowds of people admiring the unusual architecture and stunning views that make the place what it is, argues location manager Meurig Jones. Meurig Jones says the Italianate village of Portmeirion 'needs people here' to bring it to life 'When we saw the first trickle of people coming back last month, it was lovely,' he says. 'Portmeirion needs people here it's lovely, colourful and inspiring, but it needs people to appreciate it to make it come to life.' Suzanne Fogg, 58, is a toy shop assistant in Perth 'Recently I won a 250 Perth gift card, which can be spent in any of the many lovely independent shops in the city. It arrived earlier this week and I can't wait to spend it I saw a handbag earlier with my name on and I'm going back to get it!' Since last year they've instigated changes to make the tourist attraction even more Covid-safe, with new access to the car parks and separate entrances and exits to the village. 'And we've got pods outside the main hotel,' says Meurig. 'There are six of them with an amazing view over the estuary, and three by the castle. 'They're a new thing for us, and they look great we've put lights in them and they're lovely.' Staff are temperature checked when they come into work and have been on courses about the new regulations. Some shops and cafes remain closed, but the biggest and most popular including the iconic Prisoner store and Italian ice-cream bar are now open. However, guests at the two hotels are being asked to check in later and check out earlier. 'This is so that we can use our misting machine in the rooms to sanitise them and leave them squeaky clean,' says Meurig. 'People don't seem to mind.' 'MY DENTIST TOLD ME THE SECRET OF SAFE REOPENING' It was a routine dental check-up that gave Ann Clarke an idea for how to reopen her gorgeous tea rooms safely. 'My dentist was using an air purifier with HEPA filters,' she says. 'He explained them to me the fan draws air through the filter and purifies it and I thought they would be marvellous for us.' So she bought two for Marlborough institution the Polly Tea Rooms, and never looked back. Clever idea: Ann Clarke of Marlborough institution The Polly Tea Rooms bought air purifiers 'We have them working constantly. They're the best thing we've bought.' Ann has taken on more staff on shorter shifts as there's now so much to do to keep customers safe, even though tables numbers inside will halve to just 22 when they reopen fully on Monday, May 17. 'We've done a lot of staff training,' she says. 'Bowls of sugar have to be thrown away if not used, salt and pepper pots sanitised after each use and tables and chairs, too. 'We are confident we're as safe as we can be.' For more information, go to gov.uk/workingsafely This article is part of a paid-for partnership with the UK Government A schoolgirl who died during a school trip to New York would have survived if she had received antibiotics in the days before her death, an inquest has heard. Ana Uglow, 17, from Redland, Bristol, collapsed in her hotel room and was pronounced dead at Mount Sinai West hospital, New York, on December 19, 2019. Ana, a senior prefect at Bristol Grammar School who had aspirations to attend Oxford University, was on a school trip to Washington, Philadelphia and New York at the time, Avon Coroner's Court has heard. A report by the chief medical examiner of the city of New York concluded that Ana died from bronchopneumonia and sepsis, complicating an influenza upper respiratory infection. And experts have now told the inquest, which is due to last for five days, that Ana would have survived if she had been given antibiotics in the days before her death. Ana Uglow (pictured) 17, from Redland, Bristol, collapsed in her hotel room in New York durig a school trip and was pronounced dead at Mount Sinai West hospital on December 19, 2019 The teenager's parents, David and Natalia Uglow, claimed Ana told her teachers that she thought she had a chest infection and asked to see a doctor two days before her death but this was 'refused'. But the two teachers, Rory Hambly and Ellice Clare, insisted Ana only complained of having a blocked nose and feeling tired, adding that she did not directly ask to see a doctor. On Thursday, two experts told the inquest that the schoolgirl would have survived if she had been given antibiotics in the days prior to her death. Consultant general paediatrician Dr Nelly Ninis said Ana's pneumonia would have been cured if she had received 'high-dose, broad-spectrum oral antibiotics' and taken them as directed on December 17. She added: 'If she had received oral antibiotics, I think that would have prevented the secondary infection.' On December 17, Ana had raised the issue of seeing a doctor with her teachers during a train journey and they took her to a pharmacy that evening, where she bought nasal decongestant and cough syrup. On Thursday, two experts told the inquest, which is due to last for five days, that Ana (pictured) would have survived if she had been given antibiotics in the days before her death The following day, Ana asked her teachers if she could stay in her hotel room rather than going on a walking tour, but ended up going along after speaking to them. The teenager went shopping with a friend that same afternoon before going to the Empire State Building that evening, where she was seen coughing and retching over a bin. Dr Ninis continued: 'If two doses of antibiotics could have been taken and kept down by the evening of December 18, I think it would have slowed down what happened.' She told the inquest that if Ana had attended a hospital 'at any point' that day, she would have been assessed and started on high-dose intravenous antibiotics. 'I believe she would have survived,' Dr Ninis said. Meanwhile, Professor Andrew Lever said that Ana would have survived if she had been given antibiotics on either December 17 or 18. The inquest heard that it is likely Ana had flu when she went on the trip on December 14, with her symptoms worsening and becoming pneumonia between December 16 and 18. The schoolgirl is believed to have developed a secondary bacterial infection, group A streptococcus, around that time and sepsis between December 18 and 19. Ana told her teachers that she felt tired during the trip and asked to stay in her hotel room on both December 16 and 18, rather than taking part in planned activities. In the days before her death, Ana's body was able to 'compensate' for the infection and her symptoms would have fluctuated, the experts also claimed. On December 19, Ana woke Mr Hambly at about 6.15am to tell him she felt unwell, her heart was racing, she had difficulty sleeping, had a sore back and was feeling anxious. The teenager's parents, David and Natalia Uglow (pictured), claimed Ana asked her teachers see a doctor two days before her death but this was 'refused' During the inquest, Prof Lever was asked if he believed Ana would have survived if a paramedic had been called and given her appropriate treatment at that stage, before she suffered a cardiac arrest at 8.15am. The expert on infectious diseases said: 'On the balance of probabilities, the things that influence me to say that she could have survived is that her collapse was a very sudden event. 'In terms of that morning, the fact that she was physically well and walking around and able to go and knock on the teacher's door suggests that things had not reached a critical point.' He added that young people such as Ana were 'very resilient and they do bounce back'. Mr Hambly fetched Mrs Clare, who previously described how she did 'breathing exercises' with Ana to calm her down, before she ate a banana and took painkillers. The teachers, who had both received first aid training and were experienced at taking students on school trips, then walked Ana back to her hotel room so she could get some sleep. Dr Ninis was asked whether it would have made a difference if Ana had been taken to hospital at that point, and she replied that Ana's chance of survival at 6am 'was not zero, it was above zero'. But she added that Ana would have needed to go to hospital, where she would have been admitted to intensive care, at least six hours before her collapse at 8.15am. 'At the point Ana went into cardiac arrest, I think her chance of survival was zero,' Dr Ninis said. 'What I believe is that six hours earlier, it was was above 50 per cent that her life could have been saved.' Dr Nelly Ninis said Ana's pneumonia would have been cured if she had received 'high-dose, broad-spectrum oral antibiotics' on December 17. Pictured: Bristol Grammar School But Prof Lever said he believed some of her physical changes may have been reversed 'if prompt medical attention had been provided when she went to her teacher'. At 7.30am, two students who were sharing Ana's hotel room woke up to discover she had suffered a nose bleed, was pale and her breath was gasping. She was struggling to form words and told her friends: 'I think I'm going mad' and 'I can't feel anything', as well as asking Mr Hambly, who was brought to the room, 'Why is this happening to me?'. Mr Hambly previously told the inquest that Ana was 'lucid, responsive and articulate' when he went to the room, but suddenly collapsed at 8.15am. Prof Lever said there was a 'delay' to Mr Hambly giving Ana CPR before paramedics arrived, as the teacher 'picked her up and put her over his shoulder and carried her to the bathroom' before placing her on the floor. 'If someone collapses, then people who have first aid experience would immediately reach for a pulse then they should start CPR straight away,' Prof Lever said. But Dr Ninis said she did not believe 'there was any delay' in Mr Hambly administering CPR. Paramedics arrived at the hotel at 8.26am and Ana was taken to hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 10am. The inquest continues. Advertisement Frustrated families, airline CEOs and travel companies are demanding Joe Biden remove the ban on travel from the UK as more Americans get vaccinated, mask mandates loosen and more of the world reopens. Since March 2020, entry to America from the UK has been banned for non-citizens. People can enter the UK from America but they have to quarantine for 10 days on arrival and take multiple negative COVID tests before they can leave quarantine. Just over 19million people in the UK have been fully vaccinated - around 28 percent. In America, 35 percent of the population is fully vaccinated. The figures show higher vaccine hesitancy in the US than in the UK; only people aged 40 and above can get the vaccine in most of the UK, but everyone over the age of 16 in America can get it. It is not down to the British population being older - the average age in Britain is 40 and it's 38 in the US. There are growing concerns in the UK about the spread of the India strain of COVID and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is speeding up the country's vaccine program to get ahead of it. But since every adult in America can now get vaccinated if they want to, and amid new advice from the CDC that masks aren't needed indoors anymore, many are demanding to know why travel from the UK is still banned. On Thursday, Delta CEO Ed Bastian told CNN that they had research to prove the risk of getting COVID on a transatlantic flight for a person who is vaccinated is 1 in 5 million - an 'extraordinarily low' figure which adds to the confusion over why it's still banned. 'We know the medical evidence and documentation with respect to where the vaccination rate for our countries - the US and the UK - is, where the infection rates are, and they indicate that it's extraordinarily low risk to travel between the US and the UK provided, you're vaccinated or you can produce a test to show that you're clean on board that flight. 'The Mayo Clinic, who we work with, has put that risk at 1 in 5million,' he said. Since the White House has said it will not enforce vaccine passports, many are asking: what is it going to take? Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg has said he is 'looking' at demands for a UK-US travel corridor but hasn't said anything more precise than that. President Biden needs to lift the presidential order banning travel from the UK along with 26 other European countries to allow it. One person fumed: 'While you dawdle away our families have been separated for most of the last year and we are suffering the mental effects of it. We don't have any time or patience left.' Thousands are sharing their stories online of being separated by the travel ban for the last 15 months. They want to know why travel to the US from the UK and Europe is still banned when vaccines are available to anyone who wants one now over the age of 16 in America Delta CEO Ed Bastian said on Thursday that the risk of getting COVID on a flight is 1 in 5 million for a vaccinated person Domestic travel in the US is allowed, and a flight from the West to East Coast is roughly the same distance as a flight from New York to London. The CEOs of the major US and UK airlines wrote a letter this week demanding that travel be allowed to resume, and asking that the two leaders announce it in June. President Biden won't comment on it and Transport Secretary Pete Buttiegieg hasn't given a straight answer, saying only that the department is 'looking' at it. Now, many frustrated families are now asking what it'll take for the ban to be lifted - especially since the White House has already vowed not to enforce vaccine passports. 'While you dawdle away our families have been separated for most of the last year and we are suffering the mental effects of it. We don't have any time or patience left. 'Lift the ban or give us Vaccine Passports now!' one person who calls themselves 'American in France' fumed on Twitter. Travel from France is also banned. The longer we take to get started, the longer it takes to spool up. There's lost jobs, lost opportunity, there's impact to real lives and livelihoods here Delta CEO Ed Bastian Hundreds have submitted their details to #LoveNotTourism - an international movement seeking to reunite separated couples. They have launched multiple petitions. The airline and tourism industries are also increasing calls for reopening. Dozens of businesses have joined a campaign called Let's Go There to relaunch domestic travel and boost it. Sponsors include Google, Facebook, American Express, Expedia, Marriott and the major US airlines, along with state tourism departments. On a call this week for that initiative, Roger Dow, the head of the US Travel Association, said: 'Travel is severely low risk for who are vaccinated. We're talking about first opening the UK - US corridor. Reopening travel from the UK would revive New York City, which has been financially decimated over the last year with a sudden void in tourism, Delta CEO Ed Bastian said 'We think once we get that open, others will follow so it's important to get that one opened first.' 'Travel is severely low risk for who are vaccinated. We're talking about first opening the UK - US corridor. It's important to get that one opened first.' Roger Dow, President of the US Travel Association They revealed a new poll which shows 77% of Americans are planning a domestic trip this summer - three times as many as this time last year. The major US airlines lost $7billion in Q1 alone in 2021, on top of $35billion in the last year. Reopening a UK-US travel corridor would bring 300,000 jobs back to the market that were suddenly axed last year. 'The UK is the most important market for travel. 'The financial benefits, commercial, the jobs - this is probably about 300,000 jobs. It's not just the airlines this is hotels, service economy, all trying to get its business going again. BRITISH STEPMOM, 40, WILL FLY TO MEXICO, SPEND 2 WEEKS THERE, THEN ENTER US TO GET AROUND TRAVEL BAN Among the dozens of stories of people trying to get around the ban is that of a stepmother in England, 40, who hasn't seen her partner or his children for over a year. She is now having to take months off work, fly to Mexico, quarantine there for 14 days then enter the US to be able to see her step-kids again. The woman did not want to be named or pictured to protect her partner's children in the US. She told DailyMail.com on Friday that she and her partner - who met two years ago - resort to FaceTime meals for her to see his children. 'I was visiting my American boyfriend regularly pre pandemic and had met his children. We had become a family unit because I was able to travel every two months at first. 'The US travel ban stopped us in our tracks. We had made the children so many promises of a stable life and home and obviously weve been apart the entire time.' When the UK lifts its ban on international travel May 17, she will go to Mexico, spend two weeks there quarantining, then enter the US once the 14 day window of when she'd last been in the UK passes. Her boss has given her three months of paid time off to be able to spend time with her family. 'The US keep unmarried partners from flying direct even now the UK is doing much better than places like Mexico. It makes no sense scientifically,' she said. Advertisement 'New York - it'd be a big boom for New York City. 'It's really important strategically but the other benefit is that we're going to show other countries, the avenue - how you do this. 'You do it through a good testing protocol, that you're monitoring the results and you can give people confidence to travel,' Delta's Bastion said on Thursday. Multiple airlines penned an open letter with the US Chamber of Commerce last week urging an announcement and on Tuesday, the CEOs of of Delta, Virgin, British Airways, American Airlines and JetBlue wrote their own letter. They said they need adequate time to plan routes and to staff them after an announcement is made, and that June 11-13 - when the two leaders meet at the G7 in Cornwall, England - would be the perfect time to announce it. Bastian said that the UK-US corridor 'had' to reopen this summer. 'You do it through a good testing protocol, that you're monitoring the results and you can give people confidence to travel. 'I'm not sure we're going to rescue something of the summer but we need to get started this summer. 'The longer we take to get started, the longer it takes to spool up. 'There's lost jobs, lost opportunity, there's impact to real lives and livelihoods here'. Bastian predicted that this would be 'the' summer of domestic travel in the US and next summer there will be a rush in international travel. 'The goal for us here is to have a good summer in the US. We're going to learn about how to reopen borders safely through the corridors. 'Asia is probably next year. I think it's going to take a while. The vaccination rates are in the low single digits. 'The confidence...You're going to see the summer of domestic travel - it's going to be gang busters, people are dying to go somewhere. 'Summer of 2022, I think you're going to see the same on international travel.' British rules have fluctuated but currently, anyone from the US can fly to the UK so long as they quarantine for 10 days upon arrival and take multiple COVID-19 tests. A new report on Tuesday from Airlines for America revealed that in the first quarter of 2021 alone, the major US airlines lost $7billion between them. That is on top of the $35billion they collectively lost in 2020. The report predicted that it will take until 2023 for normal levels of air travel to resume. Between February 2020 and February 2021, the number of US airline employees dropped by 66,000. Globally, it dropped by 46,000. This is how air travel was decimated by the pandemic. The blue line shows how passenger air travel fell off a cliff in April 2020. Airlines have been able to survive with cargo flights The major US airlines lost $7billion in Q1 alone in 2021, on top of $35billion in the last year. Reopening a UK-US travel corridor would bring 300,000 jobs back to the market that were suddenly axed last year All GP practices must offer face-to-face appointments and have an in-person reception desk, NHS England bosses have said. The measures would bring an end to the mandatory 'total triage' system introduced during the pandemic. GPs can use telephone and online consultations where patients benefit from them but physical appointments must also be available from May 17, a letter sent out on Thursday said. All practice reception desks must now be open to patients in a Covid-safe manner. This is so those who do not have easy access to phones or the internet are not disadvantaged when accessing care. It comes after plans to discourage face-to-face appointments in favour of patients having virtual consultations, even after the pandemic, were leaked. Matt Hancock and health chiefs are keen to digitalise the NHS going forward - with critics branding the plans 'not acceptable'. More than 90million fewer face-to-face GP appointments were carried out last year, MailOnline can reveal. NHS Digital statistics show 147.85million in-person consultations happened between April 2020 and this March down from the 238.26million during the same 12-month spell the year before. All GP practices must offer face-to-face appointments and an in-person reception desk, NHS England has said (file image) More than 90million fewer face-to-face GP appointments were carried out last year, MailOnline can reveal A letter from Dr Nikki Kanani, medical director for primary care at NHS England, and director of primary care Ed Waller told doctors patients' preferences must be respected. Due to Covid-19, GP appointments were conducted by telephone, video or online unless it was clinically necessary for a consultation to take place in person. Currently around half of consultations in general practice are being delivered face to face. Before the pandemic, some 70 per cent of appointments were face-to-face and 30 per cent were phone, video or online. This switched to around 30 per cent face-to-face and 70 per cent remote at the height of the crisis. In the letter, the leading medics stated 'patients and clinicians have a choice of consultation mode'. They added: 'Patients' input into this choice should be sought and practices should respect preferences for face-to-face care unless there are good clinical reasons to the contrary.' Dr Kanani and Mr Waller cited the presence of Covid-19 symptoms as an example of a reason to refuse a face-to-face appointment. 'Patients should be treated consistently regardless of mode of access,' they said. 'Ideally, a patient attending the practice reception should be triaged on the same basis as they would be via phone or via an online consultation system.' Dr Kanani and Mr Waller added that to ensure receptions can open safely, patients might be asked to queue outside. GPs can use telephone and online consultations where patients benefit from them but physical appointments must also be available from May 17, a letter sent out on Thursday said (file image) The letter to GPs comes just two days after a report by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) heavily criticised plans to embed total triage into general practice post-pandemic. The report noted that complex conditions - or those of a sensitive nature where a GP might need to pick up on non-verbal queues such as signs of anxiety or indicators of substance abuse - can be easily missed remotely. Professor Martin Marshall, chairman of the RCGP, welcomed the news that the option of in-person services should be available to everyone. He said: 'This is good news and is what patients and GPs want to see. It removes ambiguity and we are particularly pleased that our calls for shared decision-making between GP and patient on the most appropriate method of consultation have been heard. 'We now have a flexible approach decided upon by clinicians and their patients.' Plans to discourage face-to-face appointments prompted anger after they were leaked yesterday. Rachel Power, chief executive of the Patients Association, told MailOnline: 'Access to general practice is clearly extremely difficult for patients at the moment. 'The solution lies in ensuring patients get the care they need: it is not acceptable for the NHS to divert patients down routes that don't work well simply to relieve pressure on the system that's not a solution. 'Remote appointments, which in truth are mostly by phone rather than new online systems, should remain as an option for those who want them. She added: 'But face-to-face appointments with GPs must be restored as the default option.' Dr Jeanette Dickson, president of the Royal College of Radiologists, told MailOnline the drop in face-to-face appointments has meant fewer people are being referred for cancer tests and treatments. Facing backlash in the House of Commons yesterday, senior Tory Jacob Rees-Mogg insisted patients who need face-to-face contact are 'able to get it'. Dr Dickson said: 'Millions fewer people presenting to GPs has undoubtedly meant fewer people being referred for, tested and treated for cancer. 'Polling revealed at the height of the pandemic last year, nearly half of patients in the UK with worrying symptoms did not contact their GP. 'Oncologists have already seen the direct knock-on of the drops in GP cancer referrals, as thousands fewer patients were diagnosed with cancer last year than previously. 'Remote GP triaging is a new experience for many patients, and GPs are working hard to ensure they can provide the same high quality of care and referral via virtual consultations. 'Remote consultations are also not appropriate for everyone. 'They may disadvantage some patients, for example, those with impaired hearing, who do not speak English as a first language or who experience digital poverty and problems with connectivity. GPs are told to screen patients online or by telephone and discourage face-to-face appointments in latest NHS guidance Patients should be remotely screened before being directed to the most appropriate health service for their problem, new NHS guidance says. Doctors are being told the system of 'total triage' must be embedded into general practice, despite the Royal College of GPs' reservations. The method was brought in during the pandemic and sees a person checked by phone, video or online, unless clinically appropriate. It comes despite the RCGP saying patients must be able to access both remote and face-to-face doctor appointments in a post-Covid world. In a new report, general practice leaders said while remote consultations should be an option, they must not become the 'automatic default' for GP care. Currently around half of consultations in general practice are being delivered face to face. Before the pandemic, some 70 per cent of appointments were face-to-face and 30 per cent were phone, video or online; but this switched to around 30 per cent face-to-face and 70 per cent remote during the crisis. The new RCGP study pointed to benefits of online and phone care, including offering patients convenience and flexibility, which may suit people who struggle to take time off work or housebound patients. But it said remote consultations are better suited to more straightforward conditions or queries and where a physical examination is not required. More complex conditions or those of a sensitive nature are better suited to face-to-face appointments, it said. It added: 'In some cases, non-verbal or 'soft' cues such as signs of anxiety, self-harm, or smelling alcohol on a patient's breath, may be more easily missed remotely, or there may be concerns about a patient's safeguarding, capacity or confidentiality.' The report added: 'Every patient is likely to sit somewhere along a spectrum between needing remote and face-to-face care, and this will change according to their needs at any particular time and as symptoms or circumstances change.' The report warned that the long-term impact of greater use of remote care on the general practice workforce is currently unknown, with some GPs reporting 'that remote consultations can often be exhausting, leading to 'Zoom fatigue'.' Some 63 per cent of GPs in a poll said delivering all or mostly remote consultations reduced their job satisfaction and 61 per cent said remote consultations are making the role more transactional. Some 88 per cent of GPs in the snap poll of 600 GPs also thought face-to-face consultations were important for building and maintaining trusting patient relationships. The study said the extent to which patients really have a preference for remote care as the need for social distancing is lifted, is also unknown. The College is calling on the Government to conduct a comprehensive review of total triage platforms and recognise it should not just become the default. Advertisement 'Again, GPs are working hard on the types of appointments they can offer and they can and should be able to accommodate patients face-to-face whenever necessary.' Mr Rees-Mogg spoke in the Commons yesterday after a Conservative colleague raised issues her constituents were having getting an in-person consultation. MP for Kensington, Felicity Buchan said: 'Many of my constituents are telling me that they are finding it difficult to get face-to-face appointments with GPs. 'Whilst I appreciate that telephone and video consultations will become a factor going forward as they are today, will [Mr Rees-Mogg] potentially give a statement to the House saying that face-to-face appointments should be available if they are needed and within a reasonable time frame?' He replied: 'General practice appointment levels are, I am glad to say, now close to pre-pandemic numbers. 'In February 2021, an estimated 23.5million appointments were booked in general practices in England, an average of 1.19million per working day.' Mr Rees-Mogg told MPs that '55.3 per cent of all appointments' in February were face-to-face. He added: 'So people who need face-to-face appointments ought to be able to get them.' The Royal College of GPs (RCGP) called for the idea of more remote consultations to be overhauled. RCGP chair Professor Martin Marshall told MailOnline that while GPs switching to more remote appointments in the early days of the pandemic was necessary for safety, he did not want to see the trend continue after the crisis is over. He said 'the data shows how hard GPs are working, delivering a record number of patient consultations in March'. The 28.4million came on top of taking a leading role in the Covid vaccination programme, with 75 per cent of vaccinations being administered in primary care. Professor Marshall said: 'Post-pandemic, the RCGP does not want to see general practice become a totally or even mostly remote service. 'Face to face consulting is an essential part of general practice, and when is it safe, it needs to be down to GP practices to be able to decide, in partnership with their patients, how they deliver services. 'Ideally, we want patients to have the choice as to how they want to access GP services based on their health needs and preferences. 'GPs and our teams currently facing intense workload and workforce pressures, we urgently need Government and policymakers to address the unsustainable pressures facing general practice, to prevent GPs and our teams from burning out, so GPs can continue to deliver the care and services patients need.' The RCGP said face-to-face visits are necessary for patients and doctors to build proper relationships and reduce 'Zoom fatigue' for GPs. Mr Hancock started the drive towards virtual appointments last year, insisting to the Royal College of Physicians it would make life 'quicker and easier' for patients. But politicians have warned general practice has been on the brink of collapse for years, with patients forced to wait two weeks for an appointment before Covid hit. The problems have been exacerbated by GP practices closing across the country and a soaring population, with patients at surgeries rising by a third from 2018 to 2019.. Around 350,000 patients lost their GP after the closure of 100 surgeries during the same period. Ministers have pledged to solve the recruitment issue. But GPs say not enough has been done to fix the problem. GP guidance in January 2020 stated 'primary care services via online consultations' would be a key part of care moving forward. After Covid struck, these were increased to around 90 per cent of all GP appointments, up from 75 per cent pre-pandemic. Mr Hancock promised to return the NHS back to normal, pledging regular care would return in in April, before U-turning in July to announce all appointments would be digital first. A six-month-old puppy has been euthanised by police after allegedly being deliberately set on fire by its owner while locked in a cage. Emergency crews were rushed to a unit on Wonga Road in Lurnea in Sydney's south-west just after 3.20am on Friday morning after reports of a house fire. The blaze - which caused significant damage to the unit - was extinguished and the puppy was then found in a cage on the balcony suffering from severe burns. Police allege the puppy, believed to be a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, had been set alight by its owner. The puppy has been humanely euthanised, a New South Wales Police spokesman said. A six-month-old puppy, believed to be a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, has been allegedly deliberately set on fire by its owner (file image) A 39-year-old man was arrested and taken to Liverpool Police Station. He has been charged with committing an act of aggravated cruelty upon an animal and damaging property by fire. He was refused bail to appear at Liverpool Local Court today. The puppy was found suffering from severe burns in a unit on Wonga Road in Lurnea in Sydney's south-west after emergency crews extinguished a fire at the apartment just after 3.20am on Friday morning Daily Mail Australia understands the accused told police the puppy was a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Authorities though have yet to verify the exact breed of the puppy. Neighbours had evacuated before emergency crews arrived. There have been no further reports of injuries. A crime scene has been established as inquiries continue. Thousands of Los Angeles residents are in revolt over plans to house the homeless in tents and temporary cabins near popular beaches and parks throughout the city. Councilmember Mike Bonin summitted a motion to add more shelters in areas such as the Los Angeles International Airport, Marina del Rey and Pacific Palisades. Bonin, who represents affluent communities including Venice, Westchester and Brentwood, argues that the 'temporary solutions' will 'get people off the streets and into homes'. But more than 19,000 people have signed a petition to stop the plans. The petition asserts that the proposed camps are not a solution to homelessness and would bring the problems of drugs, mental illness, crime and danger into the communities where the tent cities would rise. A motion to add more temporary housing as proposed by Bonin was passed by the city council's Homelessness & Poverty Committee Thursday, Patch.com reports. That means it will now be assessed for feasibility and funding. Thousands of Los Angeles residents are in revolt over plans to house the homeless in tents and temporary cabins near popular beaches and parks throughout the city. Homeless encampments line the bike path on Venice Beach A motion to add more temporary housing as proposed by Bonin was passed by the city council's Homelessness & Poverty Committee Thursday, Patch.com reports. That means it will now be assessed for feasibility and funding. Pictured is what Bonin says his plans will look like Bonin submitted his motion in March. On Wednesday, facing opposition, he said: 'These are not encampments. 'They are an emergency responsean alternativeto encampments, and they are temporary solutions meant to get people off the streets and into homes' Bonin had submitted his motion at the end of March. On Wednesday, facing opposition, he had said: 'These are not encampments. 'They are an emergency responsean alternativeto encampments, and they are temporary solutions meant to get people off the streets and into homes.' In an email to constituents he wrote: 'Some are claiming I have proposed that the city allow homeless encampments at our parks and beaches. That rumor is not true.' But more than 19,000 people have signed a petition to stop the plans Bonin added: 'On the contrary, what I have proposed is designed to reduce encampments, so that our public spaces can return to full public use. 'What I am proposing is this: While we step up efforts to house people, the city should conduct a feasibility analysis of whether a number of different locations, including LAX land and three beach parking lots, could be used for different types of temporary emergency shelter. Councilmember Mike Bonin summitted a motion to add more shelters in areas such as Los Angeles International Airport, Marina del Rey and Pacific Palisades 'I have also asked that the feasibility analysis consider whether two local parks with existing encampments could restore the bulk of recreational space to public use by designating a certain area for existing unhoused residents. 'In all cases, the proposed solutions would provide security, sanitation and services, and focus on getting people into housing.' Proposed locations include: Will Rogers State Beach's parking lot, Dockweiler Beach's parking lot and Fisherman's Village's parking lot. Westchester resident Erik Laykin said the proposals 'permit the homeless to camp in L.A.s parks where children go'. The Brentwood Community Council also opposes the use of beach and park lots for the camps. Its chair Michelle Bisnoff said Thursday: 'We again recognize our neighbors in Venice and the issues that they have had with regard to safety, cleanliness, crime, including an extraordinary level of arson.' Homelessness in Los Angeles was already on the rise before the coronavirus pandemic The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority says homelessness was up 13 per cent from January 2019 to January 2020, reaching 66,000 in the greater L.A. area. This year's homeless census was canceled because of the pandemic, but tent cities in places such as Skid Row, Hollywood and Venice Beach appear to have grown during the health crisis. Residents of Venice Beach in Los Angeles say soaring crime rates and the exploding homeless population have made life in the elite beachside community unbearable. A 'catastrophic' increase in homelessness in Los Angeles has seen hundreds of tents line the beach's famous boardwalk. Business owners say they are being forced to close their doors and longterm residents are afraid to leave their homes after dark after being subjected to violent attacks and intimidation. Homelessness in Los Angeles was already on the rise before the coronavirus pandemic The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority says homelessness was up 13 per cent from January 2019 to January 2020, reaching 66,000 in the greater L.A. area Homeless encampments line the bike path, as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) disease pandemic continues, on Venice Beach in Los Angeles, California, U.S., April 13 Recent incidents - including a shooting on April 28 and an explosion at a homeless encampment - have left residents and business owners shaken. Fed-up locals have written to city and county officials pleading for them to intervene. According to figures from the Los Angeles Police Department provided to the Venice Neighborhood Council, the violent robberies in the neighborhood are up 177 per cent from last year. The same period has also seen a 162 per cent increase in cases of assault with a deadly weapon involving a homeless person. Videos depicting fires, fights, and harassment are a common sight on social media. In downtown Los Angeles, efforts are continuing to rehouse some 5000 homeless people who live in a permanent encampment known as Skid Row. In April, federal Judge David Carter told LA officials they must offer shelter to the more than 4,600 people living on the streets in Skid Row, by October 18. A convicted murderer who stabbed his parents and teenage sister to death in their home so he could access their $1.2million estate is seeking a royal pardon on the 20th anniversary of their deaths. Sef Gonzales killed his father Teodoro 'Teddy' Gonzales, 46, his mother Mary Loiva Gonzales, 43, and his sister Clodine Gonzales, 18, at their North Ryde home, in northern Sydney, on July 10 in 2001. Gonzales was sentenced to three life terms without parole in 2004, becoming one of the youngest 'lifers' to serve in an Australian prison at the age of 20. He has repeatedly appealed his conviction, maintaining his innocence, though his three bids for freedom have all been knocked back by the NSW Supreme Court. Now he has taken the matter directly to the NSW Attorney General and applied for a royal pardon in hopes of regaining his freedom in time for the 20th anniversary of the triple-murder. A convicted murderer (pictured, Sef Gonzales in 2001) who stabbed his parents and teenage sister to death in their home is seeking a royal pardon on the 20th anniversary of their deaths Sef Gonzales killed his father Teodoro 'Teddy' Gonzales, 46, his mother Mary Loiva Gonzales, 43, and his sister Clodine Gonzales, 18, at their North Ryde home, in northern Sydney, in 2001 'I just want to honour my family on the anniversary of their death,' he said. 'For 20 years, the way they died has been incorrectly recorded in history. I just want to set the record straight.' Gonzales has argued his innocence in a 20 page document that is titled: 'Miscarriage of Justice in the Case of Sef Gonzales', The Daily Telegraph reported. The document draws a comparison to Lindy Chamberlain who claimed her baby daughter Azaria had been taken and killed by a dingo while camping at Uluru in 1980. Ms Chamberlain was wrongly convicted of the murder in 1982 before she was given a pardon by the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory in 1987. 'I want to make sure that it's firstly about the evidence and about setting the record straight about what happened to my family,' Gonzales said. The document challenges key evidence that was used to help convict Gonzales of the crimes. Gonzales initially told police he had discovered the bodies at his home after returning from a night out with his friend. Gonzales was sentenced to three life terms without parole in 2004, becoming one of the youngest 'lifers' to serve in an Australian prison Gonzales has repeatedly appealed his conviction, maintaining his innocence, though his bids for freedom have all been knocked back by the NSW Supreme Court He said he found written across the lounge-room wall in blue paint the phrase 'F**k off Asians KKK'. Prosecutors claimed the same coloured paint had been discovered on his jumper sleeve and that he could have written the phrase to stage the murders as a race-hate crime. Gonzales argues in the document there is no forensic evidence to link him to the graffiti and he firmly denies he wrote it. The document also claims that Gonzales' family was killed by a political enemy of their father Teddy. It states Teddy had been working as a lawyer when the family lived in the Philippines and that he was openly critical of the country's dictator Ferdinand Marcos - who ruled between 1965 and 1986. Gonzales has also challenged a testimony from his aunt Emily Luna who had knocked on the door of the house while her nephew was inside murdering his family (pictured, Gonzales at his family's funeral in 2001) Prosecutors told the court during the murder trial that Gonzales had partly murdered his family so he could gain access to their $1.2million estate The family then moved to Australia in the 1990s and were granted refugee status. The document claims Teddy had come into contact with a former rival and received a threatening phone call sometime before he was murdered. Though the rival named in the document has passed away. Gonzales has also challenged a testimony from his aunt Emily Luna who had knocked on the door of the house at the time the murderer was inside the home. Ms Luna told a court in 2004 that she saw a figure in a dark window and guessed the person inside the house was taller than her. Gonzales claims in the document he could not have been the figure spotted in the window as he is the same height as his aunt. Prosecutors told the court during the murder trial that Gonzales had partly murdered his family so he could gain access to their $1.2million estate. They said he had sold his family's cars and pawned his mother's jewellery before putting down a deposit on a $173,000 Lexus. A miracle dingo pup who was the lone survivor of an emergency C-section is thriving a week after her dramatic birth. Dingo mother Adina was rushed from the Australian Reptile Park to Somersby Animal Hospital eight days ago in a desperate effort to save her babies. Only one puppy was able to be saved in dramatic birth and was named Lucky for her miraculous survival. On Friday morning, reptile park director Tim Faulkner and life sciences manager Hayley Shute entered the enclosure to check on the mother and pup. Lucky was the only puppy to survive an emergency c-section birth to mother Adina Adina was recovering well from the operation and providing milk while Lucky weighed in at 615g and is on track to grow into a healthy pup. When Mr Faulkner and Ms Shute arrived at the enclosure they found Adina had dug a burrow to keep her pup safely away from intruders. 'It was quite a scary day when we had to rush Adina off to surgery for the c-section and we're so blessed to have the outcome that we do,' Mr Faulkner said. 'We have all already fallen head over heels in love with Lucky and I can't wait to see her grow over the coming months.' Mr Faulkner said keepers were trying their best to keep their distance from mother and daughter to let them bond, but needed to make sure they were healthy. 'It's hard because I want to leave her there, she doesn't want us to be looking at her every day but the facts are, she's had an operation and the pup was on the way so we need to be looking at her daily,' he said. He said the pair were progressing well and Lucky was taking to her mother's milk. Lucky weighed in at 615grams today and is on track to grow into a healthy puppy Today marked a milestone meaning Adina and Lucky don't require daily health checks and weigh ins 'We could see Lucky suckling milk from Adina and knew there was special motherly love there. However, we need to make sure they're both healthy,' Mr Faulkner said. Lucky is progressing well enough that only weekly check ups are required going forward, which will help take the pressure off Adina. 'Would you believe in only another week or two Lucky will be out running around, they develop so quickly and we've got a success story,' Mr Faulkner said. In the next few weeks, Lucky will be able to be seen by visitors bonding with her parents n the dingo enclosure at the Australian Reptile Park. The park is a hands-on zoo in the bush on the NSW central coast, about an hour's drive from Sydney or Newcastle. Pictured: Dr Sharlyn Kang after her cancer diagnosis A heartbroken father-of-two will raise his young daughters alone after their mother, who worked as a cancer specialist, lost a five-year battle with the disease that spread from her lungs to her brain and central nervous system. When Sharlyn Kang, from Wollongong on the NSW south coast, started getting headaches and a nasty cough in 2016, she booked herself in for an MRI and was heartbroken when she was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. She was a non-smoker and an oncologist who knew the disease was a death sentence, but threw everything she had at fighting the illness to buy more time with her husband Adrian Waters and their children Ava, seven, and Anara, five. On April 28, just days after her 40th birthday, Dr Kang died in hospital with the love of her life and her eldest daughter by her side. Mr Waters, a former military worker said his 'courageous' wife continued to work in cancer research throughout her gruelling fight with the disease, which eventually left her paralysed. Pictured: Adrian Waters and Sharlyn Kang with their daughters Ava, seven, and Anara, five Adrian Waters and Sharlyn Kang (pictured) got married in 2012 in Newtown, in Sydney's inner-west When she wasn't having brain surgery to remove the metastasis, undergoing radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, back surgery and lung removal surgery, Dr Kang was improving standardised protocols for colon cancer. 'Even while fighting cancer, she worked in colorectal cancer research and the data she worked on has been the source for half a dozen papers,' Mr Waters said. But the research had to stop once the cancer spread to her central nervous system and left her a paraplegic. Mr Waters became Dr Kang's 24-hour carer and had no choice but to sit back and watch the mother of his children deteriorate - something he described as the hardest thing he has ever had to do. Pictured: Sharlyn Kang with her daughter Ava, who is now seven. Ave was in the room when her mother passed away Adrian Waters and Sharlyn Kang met ten years ago and had two daughters, Ava, seven, and Anara, five 'I would give her drugs ... a cocktail of drugs basically to support palliative care and end of life,' he told 7 News. The devoted husband and Ava spent the weeks leading up to her death sleeping by her bedside in hospital. In the moments before she passed, the father and daughter got the opportunity to say goodbye. Mr Waters said his wife gave his life 'meaning and focus' and was 'the single greatest thing that to ever happen to me' and now faces the daunting task of raising his young girls alone. 'In addition to being a great clinician, Shar was a wonderful wife who found the time in her busy life to give me two daughters who are helping me get through the unspeakable tragedy of her passing,' he said. Pictured: Sharlyn Kang with her daughters Ava and Anara. She was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer just after Anara was born Adrian Waters said he knew he wanted to marry Sharlyn Kang (pictured) on their third date ten years ago 'I don't know where I would be without my girls Ava and Anara, but it would be in a darker place than I am now.' He also explained that he knew he wanted to marry her on their third date ten years ago. 'We were sitting down and I hadn't told her I was in the army yet because... it comes with a lot of preconceptions so I was holding that back,' he said. As he went to tell her he would likely be deployed overseas, Dr Kang explained she was about to head to Canada on a medical fellowship for a year. The devoted husband and Ava spent the weeks leading up to her death sleeping by her bedside in hospital. Pictured: Dr Kang on her wedding day in 2012 Mr Waters is shattered by his wife's death, but is trying to raise money to further her cancer research (pictured together) Mr Waters initially thought the 'amazing and beautiful' woman was making the story up to escape him, until she reached over the table and held his hand, looked him in the eyes and said: 'Don't worry, we'll figure it out.' 'And I knew then, I was like, I'm gonna marry this girl.' Mr Waters set up a Go Fund Me campaign to further Dr Kang's life's work. All money donated will go towards cancer research, drug trials, and expanding radiation therapy teams in Australia. A memorial service will be held for Dr Kang at St Stevens Anglican Church in Newtown, where the couple got married in 2012. San Francisco, 14 May 2021: The Report Durable Medical Equipment Rental Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Application, By End-use (Personal/Home Care, Institutes & Laboratories, Hospitals), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2021 - 2028 The global durable medical equipment rental market size is expected to reach USD 35.4 billion by 2028, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 4.8% from 2021 to 2028. The growth is attributable to financial benefits offered by renting durable medical equipment (DME) as it aids in bridging the gap between capital availability and clinical needs. Moreover, before buying, renting DME helps in determining whether or not they are a suitable fit. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the supply chains of various medical devices. The shelter-in-place mandates have led to a shortage in the workforce across the supply chain industry. However, there has been a sudden surge in the demand for respiratory equipment owing to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The DME rental players are fulfilling these demands for hospitals as well as home care patients. Looking at the short-term necessity of these products, and to boost sales, various local manufacturers have come up with a marketing strategy that involves renting out this equipment. Therefore, the market for DME rental is projected to grow with a lucrative CAGR during the pandemic crisis. The rising number of people with disabilities across the globe is boosting the demand for wheelchairs, crutches, walkers, and other such personal mobility equipment and aids. This, in turn, boosts the demand for DME rental. According to the WHO, more than a billion people have some form of disability in the world that accounts for around 15% of the global population. Also, there is a rapid increase in the number of people with disabilities owing to rising chronic health conditions and demographic trends. For instance, over 54 million adults have arthritis in the US according to a study by the CDC. This number is projected to cross 78 million by 2040. The market is also driven by the growing demand for therapeutic and monitoring equipment. This demand is attributable to improving healthcare infrastructure across the globe coupled with continuous technological advancements in durable medical equipment. Renting advanced durable medical equipment helps in keeping up with the changing technology in a cost-effective manner. Moreover, people who need mobility equipment temporarily mostly prefer renting. The rise of financial services for renting DME has been beneficial for various end-users such as hospitals, institutes & laboratories, as well as home care. Moreover, renting equipment confers cost benefits to end-users, as it reduces ownership costs and in turn allows these players to adopt advanced product modules. Medical equipment insurers typically cover around 50% to 80% of the overall cost of durable medical equipment such as a wheelchair. The maintenance and insurance are taken care of by the provider. This, in turn, reduces the risk for end-user and augments the growth of the market. Access Research Report of Durable Medical Equipment Rental Market @ https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/durable-medical-equipment-rental-market Durable Medical Equipment Rental Market Report Highlights The bathroom safety and medical furniture segment accounted for the largest revenue share of 56.4% in 2020 owing to growing technological innovations in such medical equipment The hospitals segment accounted for the largest revenue share of 59.2% in 2020 owing to huge patient footfall in comparison to laboratories and institutes coupled with growing need to keep up with technological advancements North America contributed for the largest revenue share of 32.5% owing to the presence of dominant market players, high healthcare expenditure, and high adoption rate for advanced medical technologies List of Key Players of Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Rental Market Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc. Siemens Financial Services, Inc. Nunns Home Medical Equipment Westside Medical Supply Universal Hospital Services, Inc. Woodley Equipment Company Ltd. N.Y Medical Products Inc. All American Medical Supply Corp. Homepro Medical Supplies, LLC Access Press Release of Durable Medical Equipment Rental Market @ https://www.grandviewresearch.com/press-release/global-durable-medical-equipment-rental-market Australians are in line for more tax cuts worth up to $11,640 in three years' time if Scott Morrison gets re-elected. In July 2019 the Senate passed the Coalition government's three stage tax cut plan with Labor support, with the final phase coming into play in July 2024. The third stage - which mostly benefits high earners - abolishes the 37 per cent tax bracket which kicks in at $120,000 to make everyone earning between $45,001 and $200,000 pay just 30 per cent. This table from the 2019 Budget shows how much less tax people will pay in 2025 compared to 2018 if the stage three cuts are not repealed The 2019 Budget said the cuts would be mean someone earning $200,000 would pay $11,640 less tax in 2025 than in 2018. An Aussie earning $120,000 would pay $4,440 less and someone earning $90,000 would pay $2,340 less. Labor is deciding whether to cancel the stage three cuts if it wins the next election - but the Coalition is insisting the law will not be repealed on its watch. 'These tax cuts have been legislated. The Morrison government's position in delivering fully on our tax cuts is 110 per cent guaranteed,' Finance Minister Simon Birmingham said on Thursday. 'Stage three won't be repealed under a Morrison government. It may well be under an Albanese Labor government and that's what Anthony Albanese needs to clarify,' he said. Labor Treasury spokesman Jim Chalmers said he has not made a decision ahead of the next election which is expected late this year or early next year. In July 2019 the Senate passed a three stage tax cut plan, with the final phase coming into play in July 2024. Pictured: Commuters in Sydney 'These tax cuts don't come in for three years. I'm not in a rush to conclude a view on those tax cuts. Our priorities are people on low and middle incomes,' he said. It comes after Tuesday's federal budget handed ten million Australians a tax cut worth up to $1,080. The extension of the lower and middle-income tax offset gives Aussies who earn less than $126,000 a big boost when they submit their tax returns. Australians earning between $48,000 and $90,000 will get the maximum amount of $1,080 while those earning between $37,000 and $48,000 and between $90,000 and $126,000 will get a smaller amount depending on their salary. Combined with the permanent tax cuts announced in the October budget, it means an Aussie earning $90,000 will pay $7,020 less tax over the four years from 2018 to 2022. Tuesday's federal budget will help small businesses. Pictured: Barista Szilvia Major at Madisons Cafe in Broadbeach, QLD Those earning between $60,000 and $80,000 will pay $6,480 less compared to 2017 tax settings. There were also tax breaks for companies as the government extended for another year the instant asset write-off which allows businesses to write-off the full value of any asset they buy. It means tradies can buy new utes and farmers can buy new tractors and deduct the full cost from their profits. The loss carry-back scheme will also be extended until June 2023, allowing companies to offset previously taxed profits as far back as the 2018-19 income year. Australia must set a firm date for reopening its international borders even if it has to be changed later in case the country gets 'left behind' by the rest of the world, Dominic Perrottet has said. The New South Wales treasurer was adamant we need better 'direction' and 'a roadmap' on resuming international travels, especially incoming flights, to boost economic certainty. His comments come after federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg announced in the Budget that the international border will remain closed until mid-2022 and international students would not arrive until the end of 2021. With Australia's borders set to remain shut until mid-2022, the federal government has announced changes to a number of visa categories in this year's Budget (pictured, Sydneysiders at March 4) One estimate claims international students studying at Australia's top eight universities is worth $18billion to the Australian economy (pictured, students at Melbourne University) Mr Perrottet warned that any sense that our borders were 'closed indefinitely' could see Australia 'meander along' and ultimately be bad for business. 'We do need direction and a roadmap on the opening of international borders, we can't sit here on the other side of the world and be left behind,' he told 2GB. Mr Perrottet's big concern was the impact of the message that Australia's borders remain closed on the the international student business in NSW - which he says is the state's second largest 'export', employing 'tens of thousands' of people. His comments come after it was announced foreign university students will be given special permission to fly into Australia without going into hotel quarantine. The NSW government is planning for international students to be allowed to enter and isolate in purpose-built accommodation in Sydney. The scheme is expected to start in August, with universities helping students cover the cost of their 14-day quarantine. Mr Perrottet believes leaving the borders closed indefinitely could see other nations advantage of students inability to come into Australia to study. 'What we don't to see are the UK and US really get into that market.' NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet was adamant we need better 'direction' and 'a roadmap' on resuming international travels, especially incoming flights Students pictured outside the University of New South Wales in Sydney. NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet has said the state does not need the federal government's approval to move forward with the plan Over 610,000 international students enrolled at Australian institutions in 2020 - thought many were unable to commence because of the pandemic. Commencements were 126,812. Figures from 2018 show NSW had by far the biggest proportion of international students of any Australian state - around 334,000 or 38 per cent. London Economics calculated that foreign students studying at our top eight universities contributed $18billion to the Australian economy. A motorist pulled over for not wearing a seatbelt got far more than a traffic fine after police found $75,000 hidden in his car. The man was charged with dealing with the proceeds of crime after more than $650,000 more in unexplained cash was uncovered in a search of his flat. Highway patrol officers stopped a Toyota Camry in Bella Vista in Sydney's north-west just before 8.30pm on Thursday after spotting the driver without his seatbelt on. Cops searched the man's car (pictured) after pulling him over for not wearing a seatbelt in Sydney's north-west on Thursday More than $750,000 (pictured left) was found in the man's apartment and in his car (pictured right) After stopping the 39-year-old driver's car, cops found the cash concealed in the boot and under the rear seat. A further $650,000 of allegedly dodgy cash was discovered at the man's Bella Vista serviced apartment under search warrant. The Queensland man was arrested and taken to Castle Hill Police Station. He was later charged with knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime and refused bail to appear at Parramatta Local Court on Friday. Investigations are continuing. The 39-year-old driver (pictured) has been arrested and charged with knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime Morrisons has lost a million-pound tax battle after a judge ruled a snack bar based on date fruit is confectionery and not a cake. The supermarket said it had overpaid 1million in VAT to HM Revenue and Customs over 18 types of the bar, which they said had been wrongly rated for tax, between 2014 and 2018. In February Morrisons appealed against HMRC's decision to class Nakd bars as confectionery and its refusal to repay 1,000,163.39. Morrisons claimed it overpaid to HM Revenue and Customs as its Nakd bars should have the zero VAT rating as cakes The supermarket argued the bars, coming in fruit and nut mixes including banana bread and lemon drizzle, are not confectionery and should have the same VAT zero rating as cakes. Morrisons' barrister argued the bars were intrinsically sweet especially due to the main ingredient of dates. But after tasting a selection, Judge Anne Redston found they were confectionery, not cakes. Judge Redston considered sugar content, that the bars tasted sweet and were eaten with fingers in deciding to dismiss the appeal. She said: 'They do not look like typical cakes... they are not held out for sale as cakes. Instead, they are held out for sale as cereal bars to be eaten as snacks.' Morrisons said it was considering whether to appeal. In her ruling, the judge added: 'By way of comparison, KitKats are 51% sugar; Maltesers are 51.7% sugar and Mars bars are 59.9% sugar, while Green & Black's organic dark chocolate contains 28.5% sugar.' The tribunal was also told the bars are now located next to 'healthy snacks' such as yoghurt bars, rather than being next to traditional chocolate biscuits. After tasting some of the bars, Judge Redston described them as having a 'texture similar to fudge'. She said: 'Cocoa Orange tasted like the well-known product by another manufacturer known as a chocolate orange, and Cocoa Delight tasted like liquid chocolate. 'Although I could detect the ginger in Ginger Bread and the lemon in Lemon Drizzle, neither tasted like the related cakes. A judge decided the Nakd bars should be classified as confectionery after tasting them 'In contrast, Bakewell Tart did taste like its namesake, although its texture was entirely different, without the contrast between pastry and filling that is characteristic of the actual tarts.' Judge Redston considered the sugar content, that the bars were sweet to taste, eaten with the fingers and that they were snacks when making her decision to dismiss the appeal. 'It is clear that all the Nakd Bars are confectionery,' she concluded. Making her decision, the judge referenced a previous case about Pringles, where the judges said there was no need for 'over-elaborate, almost mind-numbing, legal analysis' when deciding a food's classification. Morrisons also brought the claim in relation to Organix bars, claiming they had overpaid 97,162.80 in VAT regarding the child-friendly snacks. However, Judge Redston also found they were confectionery and are not cakes. An HMRC spokesperson said: 'HMRC welcomes the decision which confirms that the products in dispute are standard rated confectionery for VAT purposes'. A grieving friend had a tooth and eight crowns torn from his mouth after he arrived at a memorial wearing a necklace belonging to the dead man. The unnamed victim was invited to a memorial for Ricky Daniele at the house of Brandon Duy Quoc Tran in Ferryden Park, a north-western suburb of Adelaide, in October 2019. Mr Daniele died in a car crash the month earlier, The Advertiser reported. The victim was attacked by Tran, Tran's brother Jorden Phong Quac Tran, 26 and Dylan McPherson, 23, shortly after arriving at the memorial because of his chosen jewellery. The men believed the necklace had belonged to Mr Daniele and it was disrespectful to wear it at the memorial. A grieving friend had a tooth and eight crowns torn from his mouth after he arrived at a memorial wearing a necklace belonging to the dead man (stock image) They then launched an attack on the grieving man, which lasted several hours and involved using pliers to remove a tooth and caps from eight other teeth. The victim suffered a split lip and swelling and lacerations to his head during the ordeal, which was filmed by the men. 'The way that the victim was treated by the offenders on this particular night is particularly degrading and the fact of being filmed is a degrading act while in a state of injury and hunched over in the bathroom,' prosecutor Rebecca Schell said. The attackers, who earlier pleaded guilty to aggravated causing harm with intent and aggravated robbery, faced the District Court on Wednesday for a pre-sentence hearing. Court documents said prosecutors were told the men 'blamed' the victim for Mr Daniele's death. The men said that before Mr Daniele was killed, he received a text message from the victim that said he had 'too much meth'. They said Mr Daniele crashed his car when he was on his way to help. Jorden Tran's lawyer Anthony Allen QC said his client was 'set off' after the victim attended the memorial wearing Mr Daniele's necklace as he believed it was a 'disrespectful' move. Brandon Tran's representative Andrew Moffa said his client maintained the victim had 'stolen jewellery from Ricky before his death'. The three men will be sentenced next month by Judge Liesl Chapman. A cabinet minister who stood down over rape allegations was previously blackmailed after ordering a massage to a New York hotel room and found naked outside his Sydney home. Liberal MP Gareth Ward, 39, stood down from the NSW ministry last night after it emerged police were investigating him for alleged violent sex offences in 2013, which he denies. The legally blind member for Kiama, who has albinism, famously hit headlines in 2017 when he fell victim to a 'terrifying' blackmail attempt in the US. CCTV footage (pictured) showed Mr Ward in a hotel lift on the night he was blackmailed after ordering a massage Mr Ward spray-tanned his whole body for Wollongong radio station Wave-FM on the condition listeners helped the station raise more than $1,000 for Surf Life Saving South Coast Mr Ward was on holiday at the Intercontinental Hotel near Broadway when he rang an escort service to order what he described as a 'normal massage' after a long day sightseeing. But instead of the masseur he expected, two men showed up and demanded $1,000 in cash. CCTV footage showed him in the lift with the men moments before he went to a concierge desk for help, prompting them to run away. A police report said he had phoned an escort service number but Mr Ward said he had simply called that number for a massage. 'I'd been walking all day, sightseeing, it was self-funded,' the MP told Daily Mail Australia at the time. 'I have in the past got massages where I've gone because that's what often people will do and there was nothing untoward about what I did.' 'If I was doing anything dodgy, I wouldn't have called the cops,' Mr Ward said. 'From what I gathered, that number was linked to many websites, that's certainly not what I was calling for,' he said, denying he wanted to pay for sex. Gareth Ward's controversies 2017: Blackmailed in New York after ordering a massage to hotel room 2018: Accused of bullying and backstabbing by federal Liberal MP 2020: Found naked outside King's Cross unit after becoming disorientated following surgery 2021: Stepped down as police investigated rape allegation from 2013 Advertisement Describing the terrifying event, he said: 'Look I contacted someone who I thought was a masseur and when he came to my hotel - he brought a friend - it became clear they wanted more. I made it clear that was not what I wanted and asked them to leave. 'They became aggressive and pulled out their phones and began recording and demanding money.' Mr Ward said he told the men he would get them the money and took the lift to the lobby, where he told the clerk while the pair 'bolted.' 'I was terrified, absolutely terrified,' he said. Mr Ward made news once again the following year when a federal Liberal MP accused him of 'bullying, betrayal and backstabbing' after an internal power struggle within the party. Ann Sudmalis, the former MP for Gilmore, told the House of Representatives that Mr Ward 'annihilates anyone who opposes him'. She accused Mr Ward, who hails from the moderate faction of the Liberal Party, of trying to thwart her bid for preselection at the 2019 election. Mr Ward denied bullying, telling Daily Mail Australia: 'There is a big difference between robust internal democracy and claims of bullying.' He said he knew what bullying was like because he suffered it at school on the New South Wales south coast. Mr Ward told Daily Mail Australia he was called a 'pink pig', had his hat taken away and fruit thrown at him by cruel bullies. 'I was given all sorts of nicknames. I used to have my hat taken away from me,' he said. 'People would pass that from one person to another,' he said. In 2019, Mr Ward became the state's first disability services minister to have a disability. In an op-ed addressed to young people with a disability, he wrote: I've walked the darkest valleys but let me assure you, you can experience the dizzying highs. Be bold. Be Brave.' Mr Ward found himself in the headlines again in March 2020 when he was discovered naked outside his unit in Sydney's Kings Cross and had to be escorted home twice. Officers found Mr Ward naked and confused late at night outside the unit block after he became 'disoriented' at home following surgery. They took him inside and an hour later police were again called to the apartment following reports he was wandering around outside in his underwear. Left: Mr Ward on his first day of school. Right: Mr Ward pictured with former Shoalhaven mayor Paul Green The MP's mother Margaret Bowcher (pictured together) recalled how she was in tears after learning other schoolkids had burned her son's hat with cigarettes Mr Ward declined to be transported to hospital on both occasions after officers called paramedics because he 'appeared to be disoriented', NSW Police said in a statement. 'Given the man's state of confusion during the evening, officers attended about 7.30am [the next day] to discuss the incidents and advised the man to discuss further with his general practitioner,' a police spokesperson said. Mr Ward said he became disoriented after being placed under general anaesthetic earlier that day for a medical procedure. 'Last night I became disorientated while at home,' he said in a statement. 'I would like to thank emergency services for returning me to my residence safely.' Mr Ward stood down from the Liberal Party on Thursday night after a journalist told him he was being investigated by police sexual violence incidents that allegedly occurred in 2013. According to reports, the alleged crimes happened in a hotel room against an adult. He was keeping a low profile on Friday and did not answer a call from Daily Mail Australia. In a brief press conference on Friday morning, Premier Gladys Berejiklian said: 'I think all of us were incredibly shocked and distressed by what unfolded yesterday afternoon'. Minister for Families, Gareth Ward, released a statement confirming he'd stepped aside but denied any wrong doing. Pictured with NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian 'None of us will tolerate behaviour that is regarded as completely unacceptable.' The premier added: 'I asked him if he'd done anything wrong. He denied any wrongdoing. 'He was very categoric in saying police had not contacted him as yet.' Last night Mr Ward, who as families minister was responsible for 17,000 vulnerable children, released a statement confirming he'd stepped down as a Liberal MP and will sit on the cross bench. 'Today I have been made aware by a journalist of an investigation into me by NSW Police,' he said. 'I have not been contacted by Police in relation to any allegations. I deny any wrongdoing. 'Until this matter is resolved, it is appropriate I stand aside from my role as Minister. I will also remove myself from the Liberal Party room. 'I will not be making any further comment at this time.' Ms Berejiklian said she has been made aware of the investigation through media reports on Thursday. 'I have subsequently received advice from Minister Gareth Ward of his decision to step aside as Minister and sit on the cross bench while there is speculation about his future,' she said in a statement. 'I support his decision. The Attorney General will act in Mr Ward's portfolio responsibilities.' In a statement, New South Wales Police said: 'Detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad have established Strike Force Condello to investigate allegations of sexual violence-related offences. 'The incidents were reported to have occurred from 2013. As investigations are continuing, no further information is available.' Researchers at a number of top universities have penned a letter saying theories that COVID-19 escaped from a Wuhan lab 'remain viable' and called for further studies to investigate the origins of the virus. Stanford University microbiologist David Relman and the University of Washington virologist Jesse Bloom organized the letter published in the journal Science and signed by 18 prominent biologists from universities like Harvard and Cambridge. Claims that the virus escaped from the Wuhan Institute of Virology have been laughed off as conspiracy theories - but the researchers suggest in the letter that the 'hypotheses' cannot be ruled out until there is more evidence. Relman told The Times of London that 'many who signed this letter feel the same way' that researchers 'simply just don't have enough information.' Researchers at a number of top universities have penned a letter claiming theories that COVID-19 escaped from a Wuhan lab 'remain viable' Claims that the virus escaped from the Wuhan Institute of Virology have been laughed off as conspiracy theories - but the researchers suggest in the letter that the 'hypotheses' cannot be ruled out until there is more evidence David Arnold Relman, left, and Jesse D. Bloom, right, organized the letter for the Science journal which said that the Wuhan lab escape theory can't be ruled out yet 'Anyone who asserts a strong opinion one way or another can't really be basing it on a whole lot of good data,' he said. He added: 'Lets try to refrain from offering speculation where we really don't have a basis for it, especially when were trying to maintain our credibility has purveyors of good science.' The letter reads that 'yet more investigation is still needed to determine the origin of the pandemic.' 'Theories of accidental release from a lab and zoonotic spillover both remain viable. Knowing how COVID-19 emerged is critical for informing global strategies to mitigate the risk of future outbreaks,' the letter reads. The letter blasts the World Health Organization and China for their recent joint study investigating the origins of COVID-19, saying that the theory it came from the lab was 'not given balanced consideration' to the theory it came from natural spillover. The report concluded that it was 'likely to very likely' that a bat had infected an intermediate host but said it was 'extremely unlikely' it was the result of a laboratory accident. 'The information, data, and samples for the study's first phase were collected and summarized by the Chinese half of the team; the rest of the team built on this analysis,' the letter reads, suggesting China had a conflict of interest. The letter noted that 'only 4 of the 313 pages of the report and its annexes addressed the possibility of a laboratory accident.' 'A proper investigation should be transparent, objective, data-driven, inclusive of broad expertise, subject to independent oversight, and responsibly managed to minimize the impact of conflicts of interest,' the letter reads. The researchers demanded public health agencies and research laboratories alike to open their records to the public. Shi Zhengli, the chief scientist for emerging disease at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, called the letter 'not acceptable' in an email to the MIT Technology Review. 'Who can provide an evidence that does not exist? It's really sad to read this 'Letter' written by these 18 prominent scientists,' she wrote in her email. A laboratory technician working on samples from people to be tested for the new coronavirus at "Fire Eye" laboratory in Wuhan in China's central Hubei province in February 2020 The Wuhan Institute of Virology is about 20 miles from the Huanan Seafood Market where the first coronavirus cases are reported to have occurred She said the leak hypothesis is 'just based on the expertise of a lab which has long been working on bat coronaviruses.' 'This kind of claim will definitely damage the reputation and enthusiasm of scientists who are dedicated to work on the novel animal viruses which have potential spillover risk to human populations and eventually weaken the ability of humans to prevent the next pandemic,' she wrote. Relman told the MIT Technology Review that the new letter could get Democrats and the White House 'to join the questioning about the origin of COVID-19.' Last February, during the emergence of the pandemic, The Lancet published a letter from a group of 27 prominent public health scientists that pushed back on suggestions that the virus had come from the Wuhan lab. 'The rapid, open, and transparent sharing of data on this outbreak is now being threatened by rumours and misinformation around its origins. We stand together to strongly condemn conspiracy theories suggesting that COVID-19 does not have a natural origin,' that letter reads. Dr. Anthony Fauci has dismissed the belief from former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield who says he believes that COVID-19 leaked from the Wuhan lab. Redfield had said in an interview with CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta that his opinion was that the coronavirus had spread from the Wuhan Institute of Virology and that it had been spreading in China for months before it was detected. 'I'm of the point of view that I still think the most likely etiology of this pathology in Wuhan was from a laboratory. Escaped. Other people don't believe that. That's fine. Science will eventually figure it out,' Redfield said. Dr. Anthony Fauci dismissed the belief from former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Robert Redfield who had claimed that COVID-19 leaked from a Wuhan lab The former director of the CDC , Robert Redfield, says he believes COVID-19 'escaped' from a lab in Wuhan and may have been circling since September 2019 Fauci, however, shot down those claims when asked about them at a White House COVID-19 briefing - noting that if the virus had been circulating for months it would make the assertion that it came from a lab less likely. 'So when you think about the possibilities of how this virus appeared in the human population, obviously there are a number of theories,' Fauci said in the briefing. 'The issue that would have someone think its possible to have escaped from a lab would mean that it essentially entered the outside human population already well adapted to humans, suggesting that it was adapted in the lab.' However, Fauci said that most public health officials believe that the virus was actually circulating in China for a month or more before they were clinically recognized at the end of December 2019. 'If that were the case, the virus clearly could have adapted itself to a greater efficiency of transmissibility over that period of time up to and at the time it was recognized,' Fauci said. 'So, Dr. Redfield was mentioning that he was giving an opinion as to a possibility. But, again, there are other alternatives others that most people hold by.' Donald Trump's allies were so intent on rooting out a 'deep state' working against him that they employed a British spy to recruit women as 'honeytraps', intent on ferreting out critics of the then-president while on dates at DC restaurants. The spying scheme was orchestrated in part by Project Veritas, according to The New York Times. It targeted members of the FBI, the State Department and even Trump's national security adviser, H.R. McMaster. It's unclear if Trump knew about it when it was going on in 2017 . Former British spy Richard Seddon trained the women at the Wyoming ranch of Erik Prince - Betsy DeVos' brother. Various women were recruited for it, including Texas journalist Tarah Price and former Survivor contestant Anna Khait, who was among Trump supporters at the Capitol on January 6. Their job was to go to dinner with government officials and agents in DC and try to record them disparaging Trump. They'd then report back to Project Veritas. Richard Seddon, a former MI6 agent, hired glamorous women to seduce high profile targets. The Times reports that Price was paid $10,000 to try to seduce McMaster - often seen as more loyal to the country than he was to Trump. Khait was tasked with seducing State Department employees into admitting, on fake dates, filmed undercover, that they disliked Trump and wanted to thwart him. Khait has admitted taking part in the project but says she 'never kissed anyone'. Russian-born pro poker player and former contestant on the television program Survivor, Anna Khait (pictured) was tasked with seducing State Department employees Texas journalist, Tarah Price (pictured), was paid $10,000 to try to seduce McMaster into revealing information to a hidden camera Richard Seddon, a former MI6 agent, hired glamorous women to seduce high profile targets including H.R. McMaster (pictured with Trump in 2017) After the report emerged in the Times on Thursday night, she tweeted that she'd taken part but done nothing wrong. 'It's not illegal to investigate the people who are SUPPOSED to be transparent with the American people,' Khait tweeted on Thursday night. Price didn't respond to the Times' request for comment; a message sent to her social media account by DailyMail.com also wasn't returned. Former Navy SEAL Erik Prince founded the private military firm Blackwater The women were given codenames like 'Brazil' and 'Tiger', and housed in a $10,000-a-month six bedroom Georgetown mansion in Washington DC - a place so secretive they were told to have Ubers drop them off a distance from the residence. Before being selected, they were flown to Wyoming, to a vast ranch owned by the family of Erik Prince, the founder of private military company Blackwater, whose sister Betsy DeVos was Trump's education secretary. Prince's name frequently crops up in relation to Trump - meeting the then-candidate in 2016 to 'talk about Iran policy'; meeting representatives of the UAE and Russia in the Seychelles allegedly on behalf of Trump; and meeting President Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela, potentially at Trump's behest. Prince had hired former British spy, Richard Seddon, to oversee the recruitment of the women, The New York Times reported on Thursday. Prince's sister Betsy DeVos was Trump's education secretary The women were trained on Prince's ranch in Cody, Wyoming Khait, seen at the Capitol on January 6, was recruited to film State Dept officials undercover revealing their thoughts about Donald Trump. Khait with a cut-out of President Trump. She says she did nothing wrong Khait admitted to working for Veritas but said she didn't 'investigate' the FBI as claimed. When asked if she'd been a 'hooker' for them on Instagram, she said she never 'kissed anyone' The pair worked in association with media watchdog Project Veritas, which specializes in undercover sting operations, The New York Times claimed. Project Veritas said the Times was writing a 'smear piece' on them, but did not answer specific questions about the operation. Prince and Seddon asked the women, at the Wyoming ranch, who their dream dinner party guests would be, and where they obtained their news - both questions designed to assess their political leanings. Khait's social media shows her to be avowedly pro-Trump, while Price appears to now write for The Blaze, where she describes herself as: 'love guns, and despise feminism'. The women were then trained in how to entice their targets to speak out, and how to film the results. One role-playing exercise, detailed in documents obtained by The New York Times, involved a trainee being interrogated by a law enforcement officer and having to 'defend their cover' and 'avoid exciting' the officer. Another exercise instructs trainees in how to target a person in an elevator. The students were encouraged to think of their 'targets as a possible future access agent, potential donor, support/facilities agent.' 'The student must create and maintain a fictional cover,' one document read. All the recruits were told to burn the training manual after the course finished. Some of the women targeted FBI agents. Others, such as Khait, went after State Department staff and other targets. Barbara Ledeen, pictured, relayed information about McMaster's schedule Price was told she was 'going to get paid $10,000 to go undercover and set up some big-name political figure in Washington,' according to a May 2018 email sent by her former boyfriend to the website Project Veritas Exposed. Sources told The New York Times that McMaster was the target. McMaster was in the spotlight following a November 2017 BuzzFeed article, which reported that he made disparaging remarks about Trump at a dinner with business executives, calling the then-president an 'idiot' and a 'dope' with the intelligence of a 'kindergartner'. Their work was aided by Barbara Ledeen, an aide to the Senate Judiciary Committee, whose husband wrote a book with Flynn and who herself worked with him to try and find Hillary Clinton's deleted emails. Ledeen, who has since retired, provided details of McMaster's schedule. She met an unknown person, who she believed used a fake name, and handed over the information, showing that McMaster frequently dined at an Italian restaurant, Tosca, in Washington DC. 'Somebody who had his calendar conveyed to me that he goes to Tosca all the time,' she said. She insisted that she was merely a messenger. 'I am not part of a plot,' she told the paper. The plan involved sending the recruited women to talk to McMaster at Tosca whenever he was alone to strike up a conversation with him over a drink and seduce him into making disparaging remarks about the president, which could then be used as grounds to fire him. The operation was abandoned when they got when they wanted, as McMaster resigned in March 2018 in a move which avoiding Trump firing him. It was unclear whether Price ever met McMaster. He has not commented on the report, nor has Price or Prince. But Khait said she was proud of her work. 'I never kissed anyone during a Project Veritas investigation but fake news gonna fake. 'Investigating and keeping our government in check is what JOURNALISTS are supposed to do. Instead, the New York Times attacks those who are doing THEIR job! Unbelievable.' And she mistakenly accused The New York Times of claiming she targeted FBI agents. 'As always the NYT is FAKE NEWS,' she said. 'I never investigated the FBI when I worked undercover for Project Veritas. These baseless accusations are LOL.' Bari Weiss has railed against against so-called 'progressive darlings' for attacking Israel for defending itself against a 'genocidal terrorist organization'. The former New York Times columnist used her blog to denounce the likes of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the Hadid sisters and Dua Lipa for their comments in support of Palestine. Weiss writes: 'When it comes to Israel, memes have replaced morality. 'It appears that standing up for the right of innocent people to protect themselves from a genocidal terrorist organization has become extremely risky to ones brand. 'And so lies have replaced truth. Memes have replaced morality. Hashtags have replaced history.' Weiss' post on Wednesday comes amid escalating tensions in the region, with Israel on Thursday saying it was massing troops along the Gaza frontier and calling up 9,000 reservists ahead of a possible ground invasion of the Hamas-ruled territory. She blasted 'The Narrative' which she argues 'holds that all Hamass violence is the justified reaction to the original sin of Israels existence'. Israel and Hamas have fought three wars since the Islamic militant group seized power in Gaza from rival Palestinian forces in 2007. Weiss adds: 'The big-picture reason this is happening and has been happening for decades is that Hamas and Islamic Jihad are genocidal terrorist organizations that want to wipe Israel...off the map. 'The goal here is the eradication of the Jewish people. That is the bone-chilling truth. That is the core obstacle to peace. Anyone who insists that the ongoing rocket barrage is about a particular Israeli government policy must be made to answer for this.' Bari Weiss has railed against against so called 'progressive darlings' Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the Hadid sisters and Dua Lipa for their comments in support of Palestine Supermodel sisters Bella and Gigi Hadid on Wednesday sparked a firestorm over an Instagram post that said Israel was not a country, but rather a land settled by colonizers 'Squad' member Rep Ilhan Omar on Monday accused Israel of 'terrorism'; Reps Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, pictured, Rashida Tlaib and Ayanna Pressley advocated for Palestinians Supermodel sisters Bella and Gigi Hadid on Wednesday sparked a firestorm over an Instagram post that said Israel was not a country, but rather a land settled by colonizers. Bella, who has nearly 42 million followers on the platform, published the series of cartoons Wednesday that called Israel 'occupiers' and called Palestinians 'oppressed.' Her sister Gigi then liked the post, amplifying the cartoons that critics say were riddled with historic inaccuracies and anti-Semitic tropes to her 66.2 million followers. Their father Mohamed Hadid, 72, is a Palestinian born in Nazareth in November 1948, four months after his city was captured by Israeli forces. The family fled to Syria, and ultimately to Washington DC. He has Jordanian and American citizenship. Dua Lipa - who is dating Anwar Hadid - shared the #SaveSheikhJarrah hashtag. That's in reference to the Jerusalem neighborhood where Palestinians are facing eviction. 'Squad' member Rep Ilhan Omar on Monday accused Israel of 'terrorism'; Reps Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rashida Tlaib and Ayanna Pressley advocated for Palestinians. Bella, who has nearly 42 million followers on the platform, published the series of cartoons Wednesday that called Israel 'occupiers' and called Palestinians 'oppressed.' Her sister Gigi then liked the post, amplifying the cartoons that critics say were riddled with historic inaccuracies and anti-Semitic tropes to her 66.2 million followers Their father Mohamed Hadid, 72, is a Palestinian born in Nazareth in November 1948, four months after his city was captured by Israeli forces. The family fled to Syria , and ultimately to Washington DC . He has Jordanian and American citizenship Israel on Thursday said it was massing troops along the Gaza frontier and calling up 9,000 reservists ahead of a possible ground invasion of the Hamas-ruled territory. The four-day burst of violence has pushed Israel into uncharted territory dealing with the most intense fighting it has ever had with Hamas while simultaneously coping with the worst Jewish-Arab violence inside Israel in decades. The fighting broke out late Monday when Hamas, claiming to be the defender of Jerusalem, fired a barrage of long-range rockets toward the city in response to what it said were Israeli provocations. Israel quickly responded with a series of airstrikes. Since then, Israel has attacked hundreds of targets in Gaza. Gaza militants have fired nearly 2,000 rockets into Israel, bringing life in the southern part of the country to a standstill. Rockets light up the night sky as they are fired towards Israel from Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip on May 14 Rockets are launched from Gaza Strip to Israel, early Friday, May 14 Gazas Health Ministry said the death toll has climbed to 109 Palestinians, including 28 children and 15 women, with 621 people wounded. The Hamas and Islamic Jihad militant groups have confirmed 20 deaths in their ranks, though Israel says that number is much higher. Seven people have been killed in Israel, including a 6-year-old boy. Israel has come under heavy international criticism for civilian casualties in Gaza fighting. It says Hamas is responsible for endangering civilians by hiding and launching rockets from civilian areas. The Remember Me campaign for a Covid memorial at St Pauls Cathedral has received another stunning boost thanks to a 100,000 donation from City grandee and philanthropist Lord Spencer and his wife. Making the generous pledge, the trading tycoon said he and his wife Sarah felt a national memorial to those we have lost is much needed. The former Tory treasurer said they were both so glad to be able to contribute to the lasting tribute, which is backed by the Mail and will honour Covid victims and ensure they are never to be forgotten. Michael Spencer and his wife Sarah donated 100,000 to the cause, putting the total at 1.6million His gift takes the total raised for the memorial, which will feature a grand oak portico, to a magnificent 1.6million putting the campaigns 2.3million target within striking distance. In less than a fortnight, more than 1.1million has flooded in, with our kind-hearted readers donating more than 272,000. Lord Spencer, 65, said last night: The death toll from Covid has touched our whole country. For 130,000 people to die in Britain in this pandemic is a tragedy for each and every family which has been affected. It is always so important that we never forget those we have loved who died before their time due to this awful virus. Almost 105,000 has arrived in cheques from readers and as much as 168,000 has been donated on St Pauls Cathedrals Crowdfunder A national memorial to those we have lost is much needed. Sarah and I are so glad to be able to contribute to this St Pauls memorial, supported by the Daily Mail, which has gathered support from so many who all want this loss of life never to be forgotten. Lord Spencer founded Nex Group, which was formerly known as ICAP, building it from a four-man operation with just 50,000 into one of the worlds largest inter-dealer brokers. A notable philanthropist, he has donated hundreds of millions to charities throughout his career. He gave 250,000 to Mail Force also supported by the Daily Mail to supply PPE to NHS workers at the peak of the pandemic, as well as 1million through his family foundation to our appeal for the British Normandy Memorial. Lord Spencer founded the ICAP Charity Day, an annual event in which royalty and celebrities run trading desks, with the broking firm donating the days revenue to good causes. The Remember Me campaign shifted up a gear yesterday thanks to a stunning 100,000 gift from businessman Mohamed Mansour taking the cash raised by the Mail's drive past 1million The event, which first took place in 1993, has raised an incredible 149million and its proceeds have supported more than 2,200 charitable projects. He says the charity day is his proudest achievement in business, alongside breaking into the FTSE100. His endorsement of our campaign follows major pledges from businessman Mohamed Mansour, Lord Sugar, entrepreneur Matt Moulding and philanthropists Sir Michael Hintze and Sir Tom Hunter. Almost 105,000 has arrived in cheques from readers and as much as 168,000 has been donated on St Pauls Cathedrals Crowdfunder page since the Daily Mail campaign began. More than 3,060 of the Mails special, limited-edition Remember Me candles have been sent out to supporters who have donated 25 or more. The permanent memorial will feature a grand oak portico with the words 'Remember Me' engraved in several languages and is open to those of all faiths and none Together with the 440,000 already raised by the cathedral itself, the campaign total now stands at a stunning 1,612,500. It is hoped that the remainder of the funds can be raised as soon as possible so work on the memorial can be completed in time for the second anniversary of the pandemic next March. The poignant tribute will be the first major addition to St Pauls Cathedral in 150 years and will include a magnificent new entrance with the words Remember Me engraved in several languages. A chapel inside will house screens showing a virtual book of remembrance bearing the names and pictures of those lost directly and indirectly to Covid. The book, which was launched last summer, carries tributes to almost 9,000 victims, with bereaved families encouraged to come forward to ensure their loved ones are also included. Faith leaders along with Prince Charles and Boris Johnson have already given their heartfelt support for the commemorative space, which will be open to those of all religions and none. Mr Johnson said it was a solemn duty... to come together and cherish the memories of those who have been lost. Peter Dutton believes every Australian will be vaccinated against Covid-19 by the end of the year after the country secured 25 million doses of the Moderna jab. The defence minister told the Today show on Friday the only adults who would not be vaccinated by Christmas would be the ones who did not want the vaccine. 'Some people will make a decision they don't want the vaccine and the government is not going to force them to have the vaccine,' he said. 'So let's be realistic, in terms of some parts of society, some people don't want the vaccine.' Mr Dutton said he felt confident in reaching the target after the government had 'stepped up' its vaccine rollout and secured much-needed supplies of the Moderna vaccine. The government believes the only Australians who would not be vaccinated by the expected end date would be the ones who did not want the vaccine US pharmaceutical company Moderna will deliver 10 million doses this year and 15 million booster shots next year - provided the Therapeutic Goods Administration approves both jabs. 'We appreciate the partnership and support from the government of Australia with this first supply agreement for doses of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine and our variant booster candidates,' chief executive Stephane Bancel said. Moderna's vaccine is 94 per cent effective at protecting against infection. Experts agree that so long as there are no more delays to the supply of vaccines from overseas, the country is on track to vaccinate all adults by Christmas. Infectious diseases expert Professor Robert Booy told Today the Moderna vaccine was 'well-tolerated' and key to getting the rollout over the line. 'Moderna is a lot like the Pfizer vaccine, it's safe, it's effective - It could be given as a second after the first Pfizer or completely on its own as a two-dose course,' he said. 'It's well-tolerated and it may be able to be used as a booster so once you've had two doses, six months after that if there is still disease around you can have a follow-up dose to maintain your protection.' Peter Dutton has claimed every Australian will be vaccinated against Covid-19 by the end of the year after the country secured 25 million doses of the Moderna jab The addition of the Moderna vaccine was welcomed as a positive turn in an otherwise bungled vaccine rollout that faced several setbacks since it was launched in February. The government intended to distribute 50 million jabs and vaccinate all Australians by the end of October. Though it was forced to push back the end date after only administering 2.5 million jabs to date. The rollout hit another setback after the Technical Advisory Group advised the federal government that the AstraZeneca vaccine was linked to rare and potentially fatal blood-clotting side effects on April 8. News prompted state governments to hit pause on the distribution of the vaccine as public confidence in it plummeted. Mr Dutton said he felt confident in reaching the target after the government had 'stepped up' its vaccine rollout and secured much-needed supplies of the Moderna vaccine A vaccination centre in Ryde, Sydney's north, was photographed completely empty despite 300 residents reserving a booking for the jab on April 28 A vaccination centre in Ryde, in Sydney's north, was photographed completely empty despite 300 residents reserving a booking for the jab on April 28. Despite hopes to vaccinate every Australian by the end of the year the federal government insists that overseas travel will be off the table until at least mid-2022. Government forecasts released in federal budget documents on Tuesday say inbound and outbound international travel into Australia 'will remain low through to mid-2022'. But officials assume there will then be a 'gradual' return to normal travel after that point. Even when the borders open, Treasury officials admit the number of Australians travelling overseas won't return to pre-pandemic levels for some time. The addition of the Moderna vaccine has been welcomed as a positive turn in an otherwise bungled vaccine rollout that has faced several setbacks since it was launched in February Australians have been banned from leaving the country since March 2020 unless granted special exemptions. Only citizens, permanent residents and some visa holders have been allowed to enter under some of the strictest Covid-19 border rules in the world. The budget documents also say the government expects occasional Covid-19 outbreaks to plague the country throughout the rest of the year. However, they believe they will successfully be contained by authorities. The government also believes there won't be 'extended or sustained state border restrictions' this year. A young Aboriginal mother who was slapped with a $2,000 phone bill by Telstra fought back against the telco giant in a 'David and Goliath' battle that cost the company $50million. Caitlyn Roe, 23, was one of 108 vulnerable indigenous customers 'saddled with obligations' and debt after heading down to her local Telstra shop in Broome, Western Australia, to get a new phone plan. Sales staff at five stores in South Australia, WA and the Northern Territory between January 2016 and August 2018, were found to have taken advantage of First Nations people by pushing them to sign up to complicated mobile plans they couldn't afford. Federal Court Justice Debra Mortimer on Thursday ordered the telco giant pay $50million for 'unconscionable' conduct, making it the second-biggest penalty imposed under Australian consumer law. Caitlyn Roe, 23, (pictured) fought back after being slapped with a $2,000 phone bill from Telsta Ms Roe's nightmare began when she spoke to Testra staff about swapping her phone over from a pre-paid mobile to a plan. She trusted the employees to give her a fair deal and signed the contract, but a few months later she received a phone bill for $2,200. Ms Roe begged Telstra to change the plan and hoped it would wave the debt or offer her a solution, but the negotiations failed. 'They wanted that full amount right or wrong, they wanted it. I was like, Jesus, I'm battling to put away money for food and bills,' she told the ABC. The ordeal left her with 'unbearable stress' and she began to be chased and intimidated by debt collectors. 'I thought I was going to go to jail. It put me in a big, dark place I didn't really want to be,' she said. But Ms Roe wanted to set a good example for her daughter, who was then just two years old, so she decided to fight back. 'I don't want my kids growing up knowing that they've been ripped off and they don't know how to look for the help, when they know there is help,' she said. Ms Roe was one of 108 vulnerable Indigenous customers 'saddled with obligations' and debt after heading down to her local Telstra shop in Western Australia's Broome (pictured) to get a new phone How Telstra exploited vulnerable Indigenous Australians A Federal Court found 108 vulnerable Aboriginal customers were exploited by five Telsta stores in Western Australia, South Australia and the Northern Territory. In most cases customers would come in to buy a cheap phone or start a basic mobile plan. But staff members were found to have sold them complicated premium mobile plans they couldn't afford. Many of the Indigenous people who signed up did not speak English as their first language, and had limited financial and literacy skills to understand the contracts. The average debt was $7,400, the ACCC found. The highest bill was a staggering $19,000. Advertisement The proud mother contacted a local financial counselling firm, where she met Trudi Ridge - a Karajarri Yawuru traditional owner and financial capability worker who spent more than a decade working with the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in Canberra. As time went on she came to find many others in Broome were crippled with massive Telstra debts. In almost every case it was the same story. Ms Ridge said a customer would go in to buy a cheap '$50 flip phone' and walk out with a 'smartphone' mobile plan. She initially thought it was just limited to Broome, but would later find out the predatory policy was also being implemented in other parts of Australia. Many of the indigenous people who signed up did not speak English as their first language, and had limited financial and literacy skills to understand the contracts. Justice Mortimer said this lack of understanding was exploited by Telstra staff, who took advantage of Indigenous people's cultural propensity to express agreement as a means of avoiding conflict. Many were unemployed and relied on government benefits. In some cases, they were misled to believe they would receive phones for free and sold unnecessary add-ons they did not want. Credit assessments were manipulated so people who would not have otherwise passed Telstra's financial approvals process were able to enter into contracts. Telstra last year admitted unconscionable conduct and agreed to pay a $50million fine Each customer ended up owing $7,400, on average. One ended up more than $19,000 in debt, another was worried they would be jailed for missing payments, and one used their superannuation to cover their phone bill. Telstra last year admitted unconscionable conduct. The $50 million figure was agreed between the telco and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, but still required court approval. ACCC chair Rod Sims said Telstra executives failed to act quickly enough to stop these illegal practices when alerted to them. 'We expect much better behaviour from large businesses like Telstra,' he said. 'But all businesses in Australia have a responsibility to ensure sales staff are not breaching consumer law by manipulating or tricking consumers into buying products or services they do not need or cannot afford.' He added steps were taken to waive customers' debts and refund money. Telstra CEO Andy Penn told Daily Mail Australia in a statement he's sorry for what happened. 'I want to apologise to all of the Indigenous customers affected by this. I am deeply and personally disappointed that we have let you down. We should have listened more carefully,' he said. Mr Penn added that a number of steps have now been implemented to make sure it never happens again. One of the measures is a First Nations Connect hotline, set up to support indigenous customers experiencing difficulty. Australians are bracing for the autumn sun to come to a sudden halt this weekend as a cold blast of air sweeps across the country and the mercury plunges as low as -5C. The Bureau of Meteorology has warned a cold front is moving eastwards across the south-east coast - bringing icy, wet and snowy conditions to millions of residents. The chilly conditions will last four days and affect New South Wales, South Australia, the ACT, Victoria and Tasmania, the bureau said. Sub-zero temperatures are expected to hit Tasmania, with snow to hit areas with an elevation as low as 500 metres above sea level. Scroll down for video The cold burst is expected to last the weekend with temperatures becoming more stable next week. Pictured: A snow-covered visitor to the Mt Buller resort in eastern Victoria this week A cold front is moving eastwards across the south-east coast - bringing icy, wet and snowy conditions to millions of residents The bureau said snow will likely fall in Victoria and New South Wales in areas with an elevation of 700m and 900m respectively. Lower than average temperatures have been predicted for the next few days, as a trough and cold front cross the southeast. Luke Johnston from the Bureau of Meteorology told Daily Mail Australia the weather system would hit Tasmania the hardest. A Weatherzone temperature map showed a channel of cold air forecast to pass Tasmania on the western side at Saturday at 1pm. But the meteorologist said the south-east of the mainland will share the same frontal system, with another cold front to hit on Sunday. 'The cold burst is going to last the weekend, but during next week things are becoming more stable and will be dominated by high pressure systems', he said. A Weatherzone temperature map showed a channel of cold air forecast to pass Tasmania on the western side at Saturday at 1pm The Bureau of Meteorology warned of a cold snap sweeping across the east coast this weekend, due to set in on Friday evening Snow will likely fall in Victoria and New South Wales in areas with an elevation of 700m and 900m respectively. Sub-zero temperatures are expected to hit Tasmania, with snow to hit areas with an elevation as low of 500m The first in a series of cold fronts crossed Victoria on Thursday, with further fronts hitting early on Friday, Saturday and Monday. Victorians should brace for showers throughout the weekend, with moderate to strong winds and a potential thunderstorm to hit the south coast on Saturday. Residents in NSW and the ACT will need to rug up this weekend as a high pressure system near Western Australia continues to drift east. 'A cold front will skim across the state's south tonight and Friday, followed by a second front on Saturday bringing markedly cooler conditions to the region', the Bureau said. Residents have been told to rug up this weekend as a 'wintery blast' travels towards parts of NSW. Pictured: an overcast Melbourne sky this week Sydney will see temperatures dip below 10C over the weekend, as will Melbourne, Adelaide, and Hobart. Canberra could see temperatures plummet as low as -5C in the CBD on Sunday as the cold front moves across the nation's capital. The Northern Territory and Perth will see average temperatures throughout the week. A 'blizzard' has lashed Australia's ski resorts on Tuesday night as the nation is plunged into an early winter The stormy weather experienced at the start of the week came as millions of Australians were plunged into an early winter. In the Bureau's outlook for June to August, rainfall this winter is expected to be above average for most of inland Australia but will remain drier than average in western WA and northern QLD. Winter days are likely to be warmer in the north and the south, while winter nights are likely to be warmer than average across the country. Both Thredbo and Perisher ski resorts received a 10cm dump of snow at their village level alone, with much deeper powder at the top of the runs. Temperatures fell to near zero, but even colder weather will see massive snowfall across the NSW snowy mountains over the weekend. Experts are predicting a strong system moving across the area over the weekend, which could result in another huge snow dump to the area. Police have refused to hand over documents about Gareth Ward being found naked outside his unit - despite a watchdog formally finding their decision is 'not justified' Police have refused to hand over a secret file about a bizarre night of nudity involving scandal-prone Families Minister Gareth Ward - despite a watchdog ruling the documents can be revealed to the public. The 39-year-old legally blind albino MP was stood down from NSW Cabinet on Thursday after it was revealed he was under police investigation over allegations of 'sexual violence' against a man in 2013. Now the shock investigation has shifted the spotlight onto Mr Ward's behaviour in office while earning more than $300,000-a-year on the taxpayer dime. Neighbours at Mr Ward's Potts Point unit block were alarmed to find the high-ranking MP standing on their doorstop in the building's common area, disoriented and completely nude one weeknight in March last year. Police were called to the apartment complex twice, as was an ambulance. But the NSW Police Force refused a request under freedom of information laws for police notebooks and records regarding the bizarre incident. That's despite even the state's Information and Privacy Commission finding the refusal was 'not justified.' Mr Ward was found disoriented and completely nude in the corridor of his Potts Point apartment (above) on the evening of Wednesday, March 11, 2020. Police were called twice Neighbours previously told how they rang the police after a nude Mr Ward allegedly banged on the front door of the unit and shouted 'it's me, let me in let me in'. In a carefully worded official statement released at the time, police disclosed: 'Officers from Kings Cross Police Area Command attended a short time later, locating a naked man standing in the doorway of another unit, and after determining that was his residence, escorted him inside.' An ambulance was called but Mr Ward declined to be taken to hospital. But just an hour later police were called back. Mr Ward was found 'walking around the common areas of the building in his underpants,' police said. He was once again taken back to his unit. Neighbours were told by police separately that Mr Ward had allegedly mixed medication with alcohol. He had only recently been under a general anaesthetic for kidney stone surgery and was on morphine at the time. Another neighbour was quoted telling News Corp that Mr Ward reeked of alcohol and was 'as drunk as a skunk'. Mr Ward declined to comment on the drinking allegation at the time, saying he was taking morphine for his medical condition. When Daily Mail Australia sought written and video records about the incident under the Government Information (Public Access) Act, police declined. The police argued it was a 'highly sensitive' matter involving 'unusual and unintended conduct of an individual caused by the effects of a medical procedure'. 'As such its release would be embarrassing for the individual about whom it relates,' police said. But a follow up review by the office of the Information Commissioner found that the police decision to reject the information request was 'not justified' under the law. Regulatory officer Yoko Morimoto said she was 'not satisfied that the agency has demonstrated a consideration of the public interest consideration against disclosure.' Mr Ward was caught up in a massage scandal during a trip to New York in 2017, where two men attempted to blackmail him - leading him to deny receiving a 'special massage' Ms Morimoto suggested the police could release redacted documents which would protect Mr Ward's privacy rights. The watchdog agreed that police were right not to release body-worn video of the incident to the public for privacy reasons - but hinted there was information in the police film which hadn't been revealed publicly. 'There does not appear to be any evidence before me to suggest that the information contained in the body worn video has already been revealed,' the review officer said. The Information Commissioner recommended the NSW Police launch an internal review of their decision not to hand over the police notebooks. But the watchdog doesn't actually have the power to force the agency to release material. A NSW Police InfoLink officer waited the 10 day legal period of consideration before sending the Mail a two-line rejection email riddled with typos. 'The agency does not accept the recommendation in that report and will not be making another decsion (sic),' the officer said. Mr Ward is a moderate faction ally of Premier Gladys Berejiklian, who said on Friday that she was 'shocked and distressed' by the claim against her now former minister The police went on to claim that following the recommendations of the Information Commissioner wouldn't result in the release of fresh 'infromation (sic)'. As of this week, Mr Ward now has other, more pressing issues. Detectives confirmed last night that the sex crimes squad had established a strike force to investigate 'allegations of sexual violence-related offences' by Mr Ward against another man. 'The incidents were reported to have occurred from 2013,' a police statement said. The alleged victim was an adult at the time. No charges have been laid and he stridently denies the claims. Mr Ward announced he was stepping aside from his ministerial role on Thursday. In a statement, the Kiama MP said he was only made aware of the police investigation by a journalist. 'I have not been contacted by Police in relation to any allegations. I deny any wrongdoing,' he said. 'Until this matter is resolved, it is appropriate I stand aside from my role as Minister. I will also remove myself from the Liberal Party room. 'I will not be making any further comment at this time'. On Friday NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she was 'shocked and distressed' to learn of the investigation. Ms Berejiklian said she had spoken to Mr Ward and he had denied any wrongdoing. Mr Ward, who was born with albinism and is legally blind, was elected to state parliament the 2011 election following a stint on a local council on the South Coast. A factional ally of the Premier, he was appointed to the ministry in 2019. As the Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services, he was responsible for the state's 17,000 children in care until yesterday. Do you know more about this story? Contact our reporter on tips@dailymail.com Australia's foreign minister has urged for an end to the violence in the Gaza Strip as the death toll rises amid fears of war. More than 100 people have been killed in the worst violence between Israelis and Palestinians in several years. Marise Payne said the government was deeply concerned about escalating violence in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank. More than 65 people in Gaza and seven people in Israel have been killed in cross-boarder rocket exchanges as violence continues (pictured: rocket launched towards Isarel from Gaza) Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne (pictured) has urged for end to Gaza strip violence as death toll continues to rise 'We've unequivocally called on all leaders to take immediate steps to halt violence, to maintain restraint, and to restore calm,' Senator Payne said at a press briefing in Washington on Friday. After days of violence the Israel Defense Forces have escalated international concern by tweeting: 'IDF air and ground troops are currently attacking in the Gaza Strip'. The minister spoke alongside her US counterpart, Secretary of State Antony Blinken. 'Our strong view is that violence is no solution,' Senator Payne said. Palestinian civil defense teams take part in rescue works to pull out a body from rubble of a building belonging to a Palestinian family after Israeli fighter jet airstrikes in Gaza (pictured) Israel Defense Forces escalated international concern by tweeting they're 'attacking the Gaza strip' (pictured: Israeli forces detain group of Arab-Israelis in the mixed Jewish-Arab city of Lod) Prime Minister Scott Morrison also called for peace as violence continues ont eh Gaza Strip (pictured: Israeli firefighter battles a field fire after a rocket launched from Gaza strip struck) 'Whether they are rocket attacks or indiscriminate acts that fuel the cycle of violence and bloodshed, they are also never justified. 'We have urged all parties to refrain from violent or provocative acts, calling for a halt to any actions that increase tensions.' She said Australia would play an active role if discussions were held by the United Nations, which fears the situation could explode into full-scale war. Attacks flared up after Israeli forces tried to forcibly evict Palestinians from their homes in the neighbourhood of Sheikh Jarrah and stormed the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem. Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday restated the government's policy of a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine, describing Australia as an agent for peace. He urged Australians with ties to the conflict to act with tolerance and respect. 'By all means, people can have concerns and views, and there is a tolerance for that, but at the same time we do not want to import the troubles of other parts of the world into this country,' he said. Victoria has gone three days without any local cases since a Melbourne man was confirmed to have tested positive to COVID-19. The health department said on Friday the only new case was in hotel quarantine, with 21,931 tests conducted in the previous 24 hours. But a further six Victorians may have been exposed to the virus after staying at the same South Australian quarantine hotel where the Melbourne man is suspected of catching COVID-19. Victoria records zero cases in three days after man tested positive for Covid-19 (pictured: stock image of people wearing masks in Victoria) Six Victorians may have been exposed to virus at the Adelaide's Playford Hotel (pictured) and are undergoing testing The Department of Health has identified six people now in Victoria as having left the third floor of Adelaide's Playford Hotel during the potential transmission period. All have been contacted and are now urgently being tested as they undergo another 14-day quarantine stint. SA authorities have issued similar orders for 10 discharged returned travellers still in their state. It comes as the Victorian government cracks down on businesses flouting QR code check-in rules after the state's latest coronavirus scare exposed flaws in the system. Contact tracing efforts were hampered this week as some patrons at the Curry Vault restaurant, where the infected Melbourne man dined on Friday night, failed to use the QR code system. The health department said 21,931 Covid-19 tests conducted in the previous 24 hours (pictured: people queue up for testing in Melbourne) Contact tracing efforts were hampered this week as some patrons at the Curry Vault restaurant failed to use the QR system (pictured: stock image of QR code check in) In response, the state government warned businesses breaking check-in rules will face a new $1652 on-the-spot fine, and further penalties of up to $9913 and prosecution for repeated breaches. Checks last week showed more than a third of businesses are not complying with QR code rules. Authorities have dished out 165 enforcement notices and 300 warnings as part of a three-week blitz of 4000 cafes, shops and restaurants in April. The breaches included a lack of signage, failing to use QR codes, and not having a COVID-safe plan. While most businesses are doing the right thing, Acting Police Minister Danny Pearson said others were 'letting down' the state. The Services Victoria QR code system will become mandatory for businesses from the end of May. An average of 28,000 check-ins is being registered on the system every day, with more than 91,000 businesses signing up. The Services Victoria QR code system will become mandatory for businesses from the end of May (pictured: woman wearing a mask walking in Melbourne) Health authorities, meanwhile, are still awaiting test results for about 30 close contacts of Melbourne's latest virus case. Of the 121 primary close contacts of the infected man from Wollert in Melbourne's north, 90 have returned negative tests so far. Victoria has gone 77 days without a new local infection. A wealthy chiropractor could be jailed for life after smuggling $90million worth of liquid cocaine in 600 white wine bottles that he bought on eBay, leaving his unsuspecting mother to collect the haul. Warren Brian Sipser was charged with importing more than 120kg of cocaine from South Africa to Australia on December 13, 2018, after police raided his BMW, clinic, and home in the ritzy Melbourne suburb of Elwood. The 44-year-old fitness fanatic appeared in the County Court of Victoria on Thursday via videolink from Barwon Prison, and couldn't hold back the tears as he pleaded guilty. Sipser's fall from grace has partly been attributed to his split with socialite and wellness author Andi Lew almost a decade ago. Pictured: Warren Brian Sipser with his ex wife Andi Lew. Ms Lew is a socialite and wellness author Warren Brian Sipser used to be a chiropractor and built his business with his ex wife. They have one son together His lawyer Peter Morrissey told the court Sipser was a school captain and promising rugby player while growing up in Johannesburg, before he moved to Australia in 1999 when he was in his early 20s, the Herald Sun reported. Sipser was described as a 'go-getting businessman' and 'family person' who had a good life before he became a drug mule. In June 2018, the disgraced chiropractor inquired about 600 bottles of African Nederburg wine on eBay with the username 'drwazzie'. He then paid $3,100 for a batch of the same wine using another username, which he set for delivery under the name 'Warren' at Hecho en Mexico restaurant in Bay Street in Brighton - near his chiropractic clinic in Elwood. The owners of the restaurant, which does not have a license to sell alcohol, said they did not know Sipser. The delivery was intercepted by border force officials who tested the bottles and found that 342 were holding pure liquid cocaine. Investigators replaced the clandestine drug cannisters with replicas and let the shipment continue under surveillance. Sipser hid at Crown Casino while he called the courier on July 6 and asked them to change the delivery address from the Mexican restaurant to his clinic. 'He did not want to be present when a consignment he knew to contain cocaine was delivered,' a police statement of facts read. Sipser w as described as a 'go-getting businessman' and 'family person' who had a good life before he became a drug mule. His ex wife Andi Lew is pictured He called his mother to say he wouldn't make it back to the clinic in time for the shipment and left her to receive it, but got 'irritated' with her when she didn't want to leave the boxes sitting on the pavement. His innocent mother did as her son asked and left the boxes alone, before Sipser drove his BMW back to the clinic and spent two hours walking around while trying to subtly check on the wine bottles. When two men in a white ute arrived to pick them up, police swooped in and arrested the pair. The consignment was allegedly destined for Sydney, according to police. During the police raid in December 2018, detectives found 12 packets of cocaine in his home and car that were hidden in freezer bags, a deodorant bottle and inside a Christmas tree shaker. Sipser (pictured with Andi Lew) hid at Crown Casino while the drug shipment was delivered When interviewed by police, he said he didn't remember being at work on the day the wine was delivered. 'I dont remember attending - I was with my son at the casino,' he told police. 'I dont remember going to work. I certainly have not ever touched that what youre showing me here, because I dont recall. I dont remember it, no.' Detectives agreed he didn't touch the boxes because he asked his parents to do it instead. He pleaded guilty to one charge of attempting to import a commercial quantity of a border controlled drug, and one charge of possessing a controlled drug and faces a maximum sentence of life behind bars. A date for his sentencing has not been set. Tucker Carlson on Thursday slammed a Portland State University professor who said 'slavery is still here', branding him a 'low IQ vandal wrecking the school system'. The Fox News host shared a clip of Ethan Johnson, who chairs the black studies department, in conversation with 1619 creator Nikole Hannah Jones. In it, Johnson says: 'One of the things that is really important, I think is, to not frame slavery as our legacy but as it's still here. 'It's legacy suggests that it's over and there's some remnants of it moving forward. And I would suggest that, no, slavery is right here. 'The idea of what a slave is, is still here. And we're living that.' After airing the clip Tucker hit back, telling viewers: 'Ok, so the Civil War never happened. Turns out that your ancestors weren't killed or maimed trying to end slavery. Abraham Lincoln never signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Slavery is still under way. 'That's the view of some guy who is literally claiming to be a college professor. 'But he's not alone, people like that are in charge of the schools now. Low IQ vandals wrecking what they did not build, from the very bottom to the very top. 'They are everywhere.' Tucker Carlson on Thursday slammed a Portland State university professor who said 'slavery is still here', branding him a 'low IQ vandal wrecking the school system' The Fox News host shared a clip of Ethan Johnson, top center, who chairs the Black Studies Department, in conversation with 1619 creator Nikole Hannah Jones, top left, and others In it, Johnson says: 'One of the things that is really important, I think is, to not frame slavery as our legacy but as it's still here. It's legacy suggests that it's over and there's some remnants of it moving forward. And I would suggest that no, slavery is right here. The idea of what a slave is, is still here. And we're living that' After airing the clip Tucker hit back, telling viewers: 'Ok, so the Civil War never happened. Turns out that your ancestors weren't killed or maimed trying to end slavery. Abraham Lincoln never signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Slavery is still under way. That's the view of some guy who is literally claiming to be a college professor' Carlson had earlier blasted Critical Race Theory as 'obviously, aggressively, flamboyantly racist'. That came after three Republican-led states officially banned it in public schools with nearly a dozen others currently trying to pass similar laws. Oklahoma is the latest state to sign into law a ban on teaching critical race theory in public schools, with Gov Kevin Stitt arguing that it will allow history to be taught without labeling a 'young child as an oppressor'. Idaho and Tennessee have already approved similar bans. CRITICAL RACE THEORY: WHAT DOES IT MEAN? The fight over critical race theory in schools has escalated in the United States over the last year. The theory has sparked a fierce nationwide debate in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests around the country over the last year and the introduction of the 1619 Project. The 1619 Project, which was published by the New York Times in 2019 to mark 400 years since the first enslaved Africans arrived on American shores, reframes American history by 'placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of black Americans at the center of the US narrative'. The debate surrounding critical race theory regards concerns that some children are being indoctrinated into thinking that white people are inherently racist or sexist. Those against critical race theory have argued it reduces people to the categories of 'privileged' or 'oppressed' based on their skin color. Supporters, however, say the theory is vital to eliminating racism because it examines the ways in which race influence American politics, culture and the law. Advertisement Other attempts have been floated in New Hampshire, Missouri and Louisiana over the past few months, though those measures are unlikely to pass. North Carolina House Republicans also approved a plan on Wednesday to prohibit public schools from embracing certain ideas that critically examine how race and racism influence American politics, culture and law. Critical race theory highlights how historical inequities and racism continue to shape public policy and social conditions today. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki on Thursday defended American colleges and universities teaching theories of systemic racism as 'responsible' as she was forced to deny allegations that it amounted to 'liberal indoctrination.' The issue has become one of the frontline skirmishes in the country's culture wars in the wake of last year's Black Lives Matter protests. Conservatives allege that students are being taught a warped version of American history that claims the impact of slavery remains present throughout society. Critics say the teachings reduce people to 'privileged' or 'oppressed' based on skin color. But supporters say it is vital to understand how race impacts society in order to eliminate racism. Cases have emerged in recent weeks across the country of teachers and parents saying their children are being forced to learn critical race theory. Parents in America's wealthiest suburb have also released a campaign ad to oust members of a Virginia school district board after it pledged to push Critical Race Theory onto their children. On Tuesday, 'Fight for Our Schools' - a group made up of dozens of parents from the wealthy enclave, where the median household income is $142,299 - released the campaign ad on Twitter. An elderly man took his frail wife out for a walk from her nursing home and attempted to kill both of them to 'end her suffering'. Roy Ernest Morton, 82, grew increasingly exasperated over how his wife was being cared for in the New Zealand facility after she suffered a stroke. On Friday, he was sentenced to four-and-a-half months of home detention for the failed attempt, which he claimed was a suicide pact. The court acknowledged his motivation was to release his wife from what he felt was suffering as she was unable to move or talk. Justice Davison said that while the man clearly cared for his wife she could not have agreed to a suicide pact (stock image) Police caught up with the man after the attempt at nearby Lake Karapiro (pictured) Outside court, Morton said his wife was 'a beautiful mind trapped in a body that's no use to her'. 'I hope, one day, that she'll be able to come home to me because I need her far more than she needs me,' he said, reports Stuff. Morton went to the Waikato care home on October 12 last year, his wife of 57 years being admitted there since her major stroke several weeks earlier. He told staff he was taking her for a walk of the grounds in her wheelchair but instead took her to home where he attempted to take his wife's and his own life but was interrupted by passing motorists. Police were called and caught up with him at nearby Lake Karapiro, with documents submitted to Hamilton High Court stating his wife was not harmed in the attempt. 'Without her, you had no desire to keep going on your own.' Justice Paul Davison QC said. Earlier that day he had emailed his wife's family and close friends detailing his unhappiness with situation and the supposed suicide pact. The woman's sister, who lives in Britain, disputed that there would have been a pact, saying she was shocked and believed her sister would have chosen to live. Justice Davison sentenced the man to four-and-a-half months home detention in Hamilton High Court (pictured) Morton in March plead guilty to attempted murder. On Friday, the court also rejected that there was a pact, finding that the woman was assessed as being unable to effectively communicate. Justice Davison noted that while the man clearly cared deeply for her, the attempt was premeditated on the vulnerable woman. His defence lawyer said the four-and-a-half month detention order was appropriate and that in his opinion the law was deficient in dealing with the nuances of cases like this. Morton will be able to visit his wife with permission and accompanied by a supervisor. A man charged over the death of his mother had been cleaning a gun and left a live round of ammunition in it, a court has been told. Cristian Dino Lawlor, 22, appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday charged with the manslaughter of his mother Giustina Katerina Lawlor. Relatives heard a gunshot then Mrs Lawlor scream inside her Taigum home, in Brisbane, last Saturday. Her body was found on the laundry floor and despite the efforts of paramedics, she could not be revived. The court was told her son, a part-time factory worker, had been restoring an unregistered .22 calibre rimfire rifle at the family home. He had discharged and cleaned the weapon on Friday, May 7, leaving a live round in the chamber. Members of the family involved leave Brisbane Magistrate's Court on Friday morning Police are seen at the house on Muller Road, Taigum where Giustina Lawlor died on Saturday Ms Lawlor's death was not considered suspicious at first until a police investigation began Defence lawyer Nick Dore told the court the gun was stored in the laundry in a bag under a blanket where the weapon discharged when it was moved, striking Ms Lawlor the next morning on May 8. Several family members were at the home when they heard the shot and heard her cry out before finding her body on the laundry floor with fluid around her mouth. An ambulance was called, but she could not be revived. It was only when an initial pathology report was completed that the bullet wound was located, the court heard. 'There is no suggestion that my client has shot anyone - not by any stretch of the imagination,' Mr Dore said. 'My understanding is that this is a case of negligence, by having the gun in the bag where the gun has been stored. 'The mum has moved the bag and been shot. 'There is no suggestion that my client has shot his mother.' Police prosecutor Sergeant Mark Hughes said it was the prosecution case that Lawlor had wilfully shot the gun. This suggestion was disputed by Mr Dore. 'If he had shot her. It would not be manslaughter. It would be murder,' Mr Dore said. He said Lawlor was 'deeply distressed' over his mother's death and had threatened to take his own life after the tragedy. Lawlor is a former student of St Patrick's College at nearby Shorncliffe, where his mother often appeared on the tuckshop roster in 2013 and 2015. Property records also show Ms Lawlor owns another nearby house in the suburb of Taigum. A nearby neighbour of Ms Lawlor's said on Facebook his family were 'very sad' because 'we talked with her often'. Police facts in the case were described as 'confusing' by the Magistrate on Friday Family members present at the house last Saturday heard Ms Lawlor scream before finding her in the laundry with fluid around her mouth Mr Lawlor was denied bail because of the risk of him communicating with family members who witnessed the scene of the fatality Magistrate Suzette Coates described the police facts supplied to the court as 'very confusing' but denied Lawlor's application for bail, saying there was a risk he would approach family members. 'The circumstances of your mother's death related to a weapon that was obviously yours. 'You told the police that on that afternoon, you located the bag and firearm in the laundry basket outside the back door of the laundry. 'You checked the weapon and located a spent shell in the chamber, and removed it. 'The issue is all your family who were home at the time were witnesses in his matter. 'There is a real risk that you may interfere with those witnesses in this matter, and therefore bail will be refused.' Family members were in the arrests court and declined to speak to media afterwards. Lawlor was remanded in custody for a committal mention on June 21. A hairdresser has been charged with the murder of his boyfriend after the couple allegedly came to blows in an underground car park at the apartment block where they were couch surfing. Emergency crews were called to the complex on Kings Cross Road in Rushcutters Bay at about 1.50pm on Wednesday following reports of an assault. Chris Stanmore, 39, was found unresponsive in the basement parking area, with critical injuries. Paramedics began to perform CPR on Mr Stanmore before he was rushed to St Vincent's Hospital, where he died shortly later. Chris Stanmore, 39, was found unresponsive in the basement parking area, with critical injuries. He later died in hospital Emergency crews were called to the complex on Kings Cross Road in Rushcutters Bay at about 1.50pm on Wednesday following reports of an assault Hairdresser Phillip Papaefthymiou, 42, was arrested at the scene of the alleged fight and was later charged with murder. The couple had been staying with another man at the Rushcutters Bay building for a few weeks, The Daily Telegraph reported. They began to argue on Wednesday afternoon and decided to take their dispute to the carpark for privacy. Papaefthymiou allegedly then went back upstairs to tell their new roommate there had been a fight. The two men went back downstairs where they found Mr Stanmore unconscious. Mr Papaefthymiou was arrested at the scene and taken to King Cross Police Station, before being treated at St Vincent's Hospital for facial injuries, and then subsequently charged. Phillip Papaefthymiou, 42, was arrested at the scene of the alleged fight and was later charged with murder The other man, who was given a forensic jumpsuit to wear after going down to the car park in just a towel, was taken to a police station for questioning but was not arrested. Papaefthymiou appeared in court on Thursday and his barrister Paul Bodisco did not apply for bail. Mr Bodisco said his client would be pleading not guilty and he would move to get him released when the case is back in court in a week. A desperate search is underway for a 12-year-old girl missing since heading to her school four days ago. Breeanna Bullock-Black was last seen outside the school on Hosking Street, Cranebrook, near Penrith in western Sydney, about 8am on Monday. Her family reported her missing after she did not return home from school and there has been no sign of her since. Breeanna Bullock-Black was last seen outside the school on Hosking Street, Cranebrook, near Penrith in western Sydney, about 8am on Monday Police and family hold concerns for her welfare due to her age and are frantically trying to locate her. Breeanna is described as Caucasian, about 155cm tall with a thin build, dyed red or pink hair, and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a school uniform including a blue shirt and pants, a blue 'Everlast' jumper, white shoes, and carrying a black school bag. Anyone who sees Breeanna, or believes they know her whereabouts, is urged to contact Nepean Police. Advertisement Americans have been given the all clear to strip off their masks after the CDC eased guidance for fully vaccinated people - and while some say they're excited to finally ditch the face coverings for good, others admit the new found freedom may take time to get used given it has become the 'norm'. In a pandemic milestone that President Joe Biden hailed as 'a great day', the CDC revealed on Thursday vaccinated Americans no longer need to wear masks outdoors in crowds and in most indoor settings. Despite it being a major step towards returning to pre-pandemic life, a handful of Democratic Governors, including New York's Andrew Cuomo, said they would ignore the CDC guidance until fully reviewing it. Some big businesses, including Starbucks and Home Depot, have already said they'll keep mask policies in place for now. Others - like CVS, Walgreens and Macy's - are now reviewing their requirements in light of the new guidance. DailyMail.com spoke to New Yorkers and those in Los Angeles after the CDC's abrupt turnaround after more than a year of urging people to cover their faces to prevent the spread of COVID-19. While most said they were excited to throw their masks away for good, many said they were slightly anxious about unmasking and others said they thought it was too soon. One even admitted that she had 'self-brainwashed' during the pandemic. Americans have been given the all clear to strip off their masks after the CDC eased guidance for fully vaccinated people - and many say they're excited to finally ditch the face coverings for good. Pictured above are maskless people in New York City just hours after the CDC announcement In a pandemic milestone that President Joe Biden hailed as 'a great day', the CDC said on Thursday vaccinated Americans no longer need to wear masks outdoors in crowds and in most indoor settings. Manhattan's Washington Square Park was crowded with people just hours after the announcement Maskless people were spotted out and about in Los Angeles soon after the announcement. Pictured is a family at Santa Monica Pier on Thursday afternoon 'I definitely feel like there's hope for new beginnings,' one woman said from Manhattan's crowded Washington Square Park. 'I think it's going to be a little weird. I am fully vaccinated, I've been waiting for this day to come but it'll still be a little crazy. This has been the norm for so long. 'Obviously we're all still going to be a little uneasy about it.' A Brooklyn man said: 'As long as your fully vaxxed... I think it's getting to that point where I feel comfortable.' 'It's exciting to not have to wear a mask and it's exciting to transition... but I also know it's going to be a transition,' one woman in Brooklyn said. 'In a crowded situation, I'll probably knee-jerk to play it safe.' Despite being fully vaccinated, a woman named Marisa who was dining outdoors in Manhattan said she wasn't yet ready to unmask indoors. 'The idea that now I'm vaccinated I don't need to wear a mask indoors does sound very shocking. I don't know if I'm ready to go indoors without a mask yet,' she said. 'I definitely feel like I have been self brainwashed from reading everything - it's such a big shift and change. I'm definitely ready to be without a mask outside.' Others said they would keep their masks handy and assess the situations they were in. Some said they would always wear a mask now on public transport. 'I'll probably continue indoors but I also have trust and faith in modern science. We feel like it's progress being made,' a woman in downtown Brooklyn said. 'If a business wanted it, I would. I still think people are going to hesitant. At least making people feel like it's an option.' One man in Brooklyn added: 'I see it as kind of a sign of respect. In the past I associated with it being disrespectful. I'll keep it handy just in case.' DailyMail.com spoke to New Yorkers and people living in Los Angeles in the hours after the CDC's abrupt turnaround after more than a year of urging people to cover their faces to prevent the spread of COVID-19 While most said they excited to throw their masks away for good, many said they were slightly anxious about unmasking and others said they thought it was too soon Many New Yorkers were spotted embracing the new CDC guidelines after 18 months of having to wear them. It came as New York Gov Andrew Cuomo said he would have to review the guidance before lifting his state's mask mandate The governor of California, Gavin Newsom, issued a similar statement. Maskless residents were spotted outside on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills soon after the annoucement HOW STATE GOVERNORS RESPONDED TO CDC NEWS: New York's Andrew Cuomo: He said the state's mask mandate would remain in place for now as he and the health department review CDC guidance. 'In New York, we have always relied on the facts and the science to guide us throughout the worst of this pandemic and in our successful reopening,' he said. It wasn't immediately clear what 'science' Cuomo was relying on that would counter that put out by the CDC. California's Gavin Newsom: 'With (the state health department), we are reviewing the new CDC guidance on masking. CA has administered 33 million vaccines and has one of the lowest case rates in the country - we continue to encourage all eligible Californians to get vaccinated as we look to fully reopen on June 15,' Newsom tweeted. North Carolina's Roy Cooper: Indoor mask mandates will remain in place until state health department review's guidance. Kentucky's Andy Beshear: He described the CDC's guidance as the 'news that we have all been waiting for'. ''If you get vaccinated, the C.D.C. says it is safe to take that mask off.' Washington's Jay Inslee: He removed his mask at the beginning of a press briefing, saying the state was immediately incorporating the new guidance. 'This is a heck of a benefit for people who have been annoyed by this mask,' he said. 'This is a really good reason to get vaccinated. That shot is a ticket to freedom from masks.' Advertisement A Brooklyn couple, who put their masks on because they were about to go into a store, said they had only just learned of the new guidance and admitted it would take time to get used to. 'If I was around a lot of people, I would throw it back on - mainly so other people feel safe,' they said. 'I've been wearing it for a year and a half, so wearing it for another month doesn't matter. 'I'm exciting to take it off. Once we get to a certain percentage of vaccinations, I am never going to wear this thing again.' Likewise, the reactions were mixed in California. Los Angeles resident Terry Marx was thrilled with the decision, saying: 'I think it's great. I think it's overdue But I do still intend that if there are businesses that want me to wear a mask indoors, I don't have any problem with that, even though I'm vaccinated, because I actually believe that you have to respect whatever the wishes are of the business or the company you're going into.' Errol Isit, of Los Angeles, said: 'So this is really good news. It's a it's a big milestone, really. When I found out about the news, it's really made me happy.' Tolga Eyidemir, of West Hollywood, said she'd been discussing the news with her friends but the reaction was mixed. 'Some of us are very happy about it because psychologically that things are getting back to normal, which is exciting. And the other part of us feel like we are not sure if it is too soon or not,' she said. 'We are not sure if you're going to be able to walk without masks until the mandate is going to be lifted off. But yeah, it's like 50/50. I will say we are very happy about it but in the meantime, we are very concerned. Maybe too soon.' Some expressed concern that the new guidance meant people could lie about being vaccinated. 'I got my little shot of the Moderna or whatever it is, I had one and then a month later and I still like wearing my mask because I look younger and don't have to worry about lipstick and and honestly, just better safe than sorry,' Felix Caplan, a West Hollywood resident, told Reuters. 'I think a lot of people now will pretend they're vaccinated and they're not wearing a mask and they really didn't get vaccinated so I got to watch out for those people too. 'I like wearing a mask. I don't care. It's, you know, how hard is it? How hard of a task is it to wear a mask? My God.' In Washington DC, Mubarak Dahir, a 57-year-old tourist visiting from Florida, told AFP: 'I'm still going to wear a mask inside. I think it's premature, it's a little dangerous to believe that we are that far already.' Desmond, 67, had the opposite reaction, saying: 'It's great news... we have come a long way in 14 months!' Despite being fully vaccinated, a woman named Marisa who was dining outdoors in Manhattan said she wasn't yet ready to unmask indoors. Meanwhile a man in Brooklyn said: 'As long as your fully vaxxed... I think it's getting to that point where I feel comfortable.' This couple in Brooklyn said: 'It's a new transition for us. Happy to be out here alive without a mask.' 'It's exciting to not have to wear a mask and it's exciting to transition... but I also know it's going to be a transition,' one woman in Brooklyn said. 'In a crowded situation, I'll probably knee-jerk to play it safe.' Despite the news from the CDC, a handful of governors across the country - all Democrats - said their own health departments would be reviewing the guidance before lifting their individual mask mandates, including in California. People are pictured above at the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles The approach from the governors of New York and California, for example, stands in contrast to the celebratory tone from the CDC and the White House Despite the news from the CDC, a handful of governors across the country - all Democrats - said their own health departments would be reviewing the guidance before lifting their individual mask mandates. Among those reviewing the guidance are the governors of Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, California and Virginia. The mayors of New York City and Washington, D.C also said they would review the guidance. 'In New York, we have always relied on the facts and the science to guide us throughout the worst of this pandemic and in our successful reopening,' Gov Cuomo said soon after the announcement. He said the state's mask mandate would remain in place for now as he and the state's health commissioner, Howard Zucker, assessed the new guidance. It wasn't immediately clear what 'science' Cuomo was relying on that would counter that put out by the CDC. 'We have received the newly revised guidance from the CDC regarding mask wearing and social distancing for those with vaccinations and are reviewing them in consultation with Dr. Zucker and our partners and health experts in surrounding states,' Cuomo said. The governor of California, Gavin Newsom, issued a similar statement. 'With (the state health department), we are reviewing the new CDC guidance on masking. CA has administered 33 million vaccines and has one of the lowest case rates in the country - we continue to encourage all eligible Californians to get vaccinated as we look to fully reopen on June 15,' Newsom tweeted. Their approach stands in contrast to the celebratory tone from the CDC and the White House. In an emotional address from the White House, Biden declared a major victory in the battle against the virus that has seen more than 580,000 Americans die. 'I think it's a great milestone, a great day,' he said. 'All of us, let's be patient, be patient with one another,' Biden added, acknowledging some Americans might be hesitant about removing their masks after more than a year. Can the vaccinated ditch their masks or not? Mixed messages as Cuomo and Newsom say they will IGNORE Joe's freedom cry while other governors dump them immediately in line with CDC advice There has been massive confusion following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updating its recommendations for masks as some governors lift their states' mask mandates while others keep them in place and stores are divided about whether or not require customers to wear face coverings. Governors in New York, New Jersey, Hawaii and North Carolina said they are reviewing the guidance and, in the meantime, will keep their face covering mandates in place. Others, in states such as Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky and Minnesota, governors said that in accordance with the new CDC guidelines, they will be dropping mask-wearing orders. This has left many Americans bewildered, grappling with the fact that they may live in a state where they can take off their masks, but go on vacation to another state where they are required to wear masks at all times. What's more, some businesses say they are reviewing their mask requirements and may lift them for customers, but others are refusing to change their policies. This puts federal guidelines directly in conflict with the rules set up at many stores, and creates a challenge for retail workers who may have to confront customers who refuse to wear masks and tell them to keep their face coverings on because the CDC recommendation is not federal law. To add to the confusion, public health leaders are saying the law does not apply to young children. Both Dr Anthony Fauci and CDC director Dr Rochelle Walensky have stated that youngsters should keep wearing masks because the majority of this age group has not been vaccinated yet despite a recent study published just yesterday which found that three-quarters of children will never get ill with typical COVID symptoms such as coughing, fever or shortness of breath. IN THE GREEN: CDC's updated infographics shows that fully vaccinated Americans can safely do just about anything without wearing a mask At least seven states say they are lifting their mask mandates in accordance with the new CDC guidance but at least five stats have no plans to do so Mask mandates have differed across the country during the course of the pandemic with some states requiring them both indoors and outdoors when social distancing is not possible, others only requiring masks in certain scenarios and the remaining states with no mask mandates in place, but simply encouraging them. Most state officials who responded, committed to lifting the mask mandates were Democratic governors whereas most Republican governors had already lifted requirements. But not every state is committing to removing their mask mandate, and were more cautious. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said the state was not lifting its mask mandate yet saying officials 'relied on the facts and the science' to make health-based decisions. But Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, who is lifting the mandate, released a similar statement saying he 'firmly believes in following the science.' Such contradictory statements have confused Americans. Does the science say that the CDC was too rushed in lifting mandates, as implied by Cuomo, or does the science agree with their requirements, as implied by Pritzker. What's more, depending on which states lift or keep their face covering orders in place, it could lead to uncertainty when it comes to Americans' vacation plans. They may live in a state where mandates are lifted but are visiting a state where they have to keep their masks on or vice versa. With no universal messaging, it can be confusing to know which states still require noses and mouths to be covered at all times. Two New South Wales police officers have become a viral sensation online after showing off their wild dance moves at an Eid party while on duty. The officers were called to the recent late night celebrations in Sydney after receiving reports of noise complaints from disgruntled neighbours. The two officers instead ended up joining in the fun and dancing with at least three other guests in a heartwarming display of unity which later went viral on TikTok. Footage shows a male and female officer donning tactical vests letting their hair down as Middle Eastern music blared in the background. The male officer appears delighted at the chance to show off his groovy moves as he joyfully waves his hands in the air. A guest is then seen dragging the officer's blonde colleague into the festivities and linking arms with her as the pair danced. The video has since gone viral on TikTok with more than 280,000 views and more than 1,200 comments within a week. 'Came due to noise complaints, ended up Arab,' the woman captioned the footage. Viewers were full of praise for the officers and described their response to the job as an outstanding example of community policing. 'I actually love this. We never see police in this type of vibe,' one woman wrote. Another viewer added: 'Great to see at the end they are human like us doing a job.' A blonde police officer was captured dancing with guests after being called to Eid festivities following reports of a noise complaint Others mocked the neighbours who complained about the noisy festivities. 'It was a probably a Karen who complained,' a viewer commented. Hundreds of thousands of Australians Muslims celebrated the end of Ramadan this week. During Ramadan, Muslims fast during daylight hours and use the month as a period of introspection and communal prayer. More than 604,000 Australians are Muslims and represent at least 2.6 per cent of the nation's population, according to the 2016 census. A man who went on a violent rampage in Sydney's CBD after murdering a vulnerable woman in a 'cruel, brutal attack' has flashed a smirk and a rock and roll hand signal as he is jailed for at least 33 years. Mert Ney pleaded guilty to the stabbing murder of escort Michaela Dunn, 24, in a Clarence Street apartment on August 13, 2019. The 23-year-old also admitted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm for stabbing Lin Bo during his frightening rampage. In the NSW Supreme Court on Friday, Justice Peter Johnson jailed him for 44 years with non-parole period of 33 years. Mert Ney poses to the camera as he is escorted from the NSW Supreme Court, in Sydney, on Friday Ney was jailed for at least 33 years on Friday over the murder of 24-year-old Michaela Dunn Floral tributes are seen outside the apartment where Michaela Dunn was stabbed to death in 2019 He found Ney was a dangerous man who had had gone into the city to murder a young woman, to use violence and to terrify people. 'The offender is a dangerous man and continues to be a dangerous man,' the judge said. Michaela Dunn (pictured) was stabbed repeatedly by Mert Ney on August 13, 2019 'The position appears bleak in the extreme with respect to the offender's prospects of returning to the community and living a lawful life in the future.' Although he had yelled 'Allahu Akbar' on the street and delivered the Islamic State salute, the judge found he was not a religious zealot and the crimes did not relate to terrorism. Because of Ney's mental health issues, he rejected the Crown's submission that he should be jailed for the rest of his life. Ney was dressed in an orange jumpsuit as he was escorted from the NSW Supreme Court on Friday following his sentencing. He appeared to smirk for the camera and displayed a rock and roll hand signal as he was led into a vehicle and taken away from the court. Joanne Dunn (left), the mother of victim Michaela Dunn arrives at NSW Supreme Court, as Ney is sentenced on Friday Ms Dunn's family and friends wore yellow flowers as they attended court for sentencing, to pay tribute to the young woman's life. Her sister Emily Dunn cried outside court following the proceedings. 'Regardless of the sentence that was handed down today, nothing is going to bring Mickey back,' she said. 'There is always going to be a permanently empty spot at our family dinner table and my little one is going to grow up not knowing how funny and kind her aunty was.' Ms Dunn said she was 'frustrated' in a system that failed to protect her sister. 'I am frustrated with the system. There were so many times they could have and should have stopped what happened on the day that Mickey died. Emily, sister of Michaela Dunn, arrives at NSW Supreme Court on Friday. She cried outside court following the sentencing 'There would have been so many opportunities to have stopped ... the murders of the 62 other women that died at the hands of men in the year that Mickey died.' Ms Dunn added the family are now trying to 'move forward' with their lives. 'But today we're trying really hard to leave some of that frustration behind and attempt to craft our future in a way that honours Mikki,' she said. 'We'll always make time for rich experiences shared with the ones that we love and we'll always prioritise love and laughter in our families. 'It's time now for us to try and move forward.' Ney is led away by officers after he was sentenced in Sydney on Friday The remaining family of a missing Sydney model turned prostitute has welcomed a $1million reward for information about her disappearance 26 years ago. Revelle Balmain, 22, was last seen on November 5, 1994, at Kingsford, in the city's eastern suburbs and is presumed to have been murdered. Ms Balmain's half-sister, Suellen Simpson, said her sibling's disappearance had caused immeasurable grief to her family for a quarter of a century. 'For many years, our family worked tirelessly to find out what happened to my sister - but sadly both our mother and Revelle's father, Ivor, passed away without ever knowing what happened to their little girl,' Ms Simpson said. The family of missing Sydney model turned prostitute Revelle Balmain has welcomed a $1million reward for information about her disappearance 26 years ago. The 22-year-old (pictured) was last seen on November 5, 1994, at Kingsford, in the city's eastern suburbs Ms Balmain's sister Suellen Simpson said her sibling's disappearance had caused grief to her family for 26 years. 'For many years, our family worked tirelessly to find out what happened to my sister.' Ms Balmain is pictured The reward's announcement follows a series of Daily Mail Australia reports about a man previously named as the main suspect in Ms Balmain's disappearance. Gavin Owen Samer was 26 when he hired Ms Balmain to come to his home at Kingsford on the day she disappeared 'Losing someone that is close to you - you're never the same person again. 'I truly hope this reward will prompt someone to come forward with information that will help police find those responsible for Revelle's disappearance. 'It is my personal hope that this reward may also help us find Revelle - so that I may finally put her to rest.' The reward's announcement follows a series of Daily Mail Australia reports over the past three years about a man previously named as the main suspect in Ms Balmain's disappearance. Gavin Owen Samer was 26 when he hired Ms Balmain to come to his home at Kingsford for several hours of sex on the day she disappeared. Ms Balmain has not been seen since that appointment and Samer was named at a 1999 coronial inquest as the main person of interest in her suspected murder. Revelle Balmain, (pictured) 22, was last seen at Kingsford in Sydney's south east on November 5, 1994 Gavin Samer was the last person known to see model turned escort Revelle Balmain alive. Asked if he knew he was still the main suspect in her murder, he said: 'I'm well aware of the situation.' He is pictured playing a poker machine after a court appearance Samer subsequently spent at least 15 years living as a recluse in Tasmania but resurfaced in Sydney in 2018 to plead guilty to old theft charges. After that court appearance Samer told Daily Mail Australia he believed he was still the main suspect in Ms Balmain's murder but insisted he had not harmed her. 'I'm one of the softest, nicest blokes on the planet,' he said when asked about the events of November 5, 1994. 'I'm mellow. I'm totally anti-violence.' While Samer told Daily Mail Australia he did not kill Ms Balmain, he knew he would continue to be linked to the crime. 'I'm not worried about getting arrested over the Revelle thing,' he said. 'I've done nothing wrong. I hired a hooker, that's the only thing I did. Big deal.' Samer was to be the blonde, blue-eyed escort's final client before she intended getting out of prostitution and was the last person known to have seen her alive. Ms Balmain's sister said: 'For many years, our family worked tirelessly to find out what happened to my sister - but sadly both our mother and Revelle's father, Ivor, passed away without ever knowing what happened to their little girl.' Jan and Ivor Balmain are pictured After their appointment, Samer claimed he drove Ms Balmain from his house on McNair Avenue to the nearby Red Tomato Inn about 7pm, but no witnesses came forward to say they saw him or her that night. Ms Balmain's personal property - including a make-up bag, keys and a shoe - were found scattered near her final known location. During the inquest, the possibility that two of Ms Balmain's former employers, Select Companions and VIP Escorts, or their associates could have been involved in her disappearance was investigated. Also considered was a submission from a group of three men about drug-fuelled parties they claimed to have had with Ms Balmain. The submission was later ruled 'unreliable'. Deputy State Coroner John Abernethy eliminated a theory that Ms Balmain had staged her own disappearance, saying there was 'absolutely no evidence' to support it. In his May 1999 findings Mr Abernethy ruled Ms Balmain died on or about November 5, 1994 in New South Wales at the hands of a person or persons unknown. 'Not only is she dead, but I am firmly of the opinion that her disappearance involves her homicide,' he said. Gavin Samer (pictured) is now living in Queensland. He is pictured in 1994 'While Mr Samer certainly had the opportunity to kill Ms Balmain, and rightly in my view is the main person of interest to police, there is no plausible motive proved.' Samer was back in the news when his former flatmate, Rosa Rosaberg, was killed in January last year in an explosion in the home they once shared at Bondi. The now 52-eyar-old had been found guilty of assaulting Ms Rosaberg in late 2019 but that conviction was overturned in December 2020. District Court Judge Siobhan Herbert removed a 12-month community corrections order and $500 fine imposed on Samer for intimidating Ms Rosenberg but let his conviction for that offence stand. Judge Herbert heard Samer had already been punished by media coverage of his association with two dead women, which was entirely coincidental. 'Mr Samer has an unfortunate history in that he was a person of interest in relation to the presumed death of a woman on the 5th of November, 1994, which resulted in considerable media attention,' Judge Herbert said. Samer was back in the news when his former flatmate, Rosa Rosaberg, was killed in January last year in an explosion in the home they once shared at Bondi. Ms Rosaberg is pictured Samer had also been accused of committing sex offences against Ms Rosenberg but those charges were withdrawn when she was killed in the explosion at her home. 'As a result of the media attention Mr Samer himself has suffered mental health issues and was admitted for treatment to the mental health unit of Gold Coast Hospital,' Judge Herbert found. Daily Mail Australia does not suggest Samer was involved in the death of either woman, only that he was named as a suspect in Ms Balmain's disappearance. Last year, a formal review of the Balmain case was assigned to a senior detective from the Central Metropolitan Region for re-investigation under Strike Force Aramac. On Friday police renewed their appeal to the community to come forward with any information that may assist detectives with their inquiries. Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott announced the reward for information to solve the case had been lifted from $250,000 to $1 million. Revelle Balmain was a model and dancer. There is now a $1million $250,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of Revelle Balmain's killer or killers 'Ms Balmain was only 22-years-old, and her sudden disappearance has been deeply felt by her family and friends for more than 26 years,' Mr Elliott said. 'I am optimistic that the significant increase in the reward will help detectives obtain new information relating to Ms Balmains disappearance and hopefully hold someone to account.' Ms Balmain's personal property - including a make-up bag, keys and a shoe - were found scattered near her final known location. State Crime Command Director, Detective Chief Superintendent Darren Bennett, said the re-investigation into Ms Balmain's disappearance was being conducted by a senior detective with significant investigative experience. 'Over the years, the support from the community in the pursuit to locate Revelle Balmain and piece together her last movements has been very beneficial to police,' Detective Chief Superintendent Bennett said. 'With fresh eyes now being cast over more than two decades worth of statements and intelligence reports, as well as physical and forensic evidence, it is our hope that justice will be found.' Strike Force Aramac lead investigator Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Bell welcomed the reward. 'Our team has been working on Revelles case for the past six months and have been utilising new forensic technology to review all available evidence,' Detective Chief Inspector Bell said. 'Revelle's family has been campaigning for justice for more than 26 years and strike force detectives are determined to finally find the answers they are seeking. 'It is our hope that today's reward will encourage those in the community - including Revelle's friends and co-workers at the time - to come forward and speak with police, so we can hold those involved in her disappearance accountable.' A six-month-old puppy who suffered severe burns after allegedly being set on fire by its owner while locked in a cage was shot dead by police at the scene to put it out of its misery. Police and fire crews rushed to a unit on Wonga Road in Lurnea in Sydney's south-west just after 3.20am on Friday morning after reports of a fire. The blaze - which caused significant damage to the unit - was extinguished and the puppy was then found in a cage on the balcony suffering from severe burns. So badly injured was the dog that officers were forced to humanely put him down at the scene, knowing nothing could be done to save his life, a New South Wales Police spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia. 'It was so badly burned it couldn't be taken to a vet,' the spokeswoman said. Police believe the puppy is a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. A six-month-old puppy, believed to be a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, had to be put down after allegedly being deliberately set on fire by its owner (file image) A 39-year-old man was arrested and taken to Liverpool Police Station. He has been charged with committing an act of aggravated cruelty upon an animal and damaging property by fire. He was refused bail to appear at Liverpool Local Court today. Daily Mail Australia understands the accused told police the puppy was a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. The puppy was found suffering from severe burns in a unit on Wonga Road in Lurnea in Sydney's south-west after emergency crews extinguished a fire at the apartment just after 3.20am on Friday morning Neighbours had evacuated before emergency crews arrived and there have been no further reports of injuries. A crime scene has been established as inquiries continue. A huge child exploitation ring has been busted as detectives charge 23 alleged predators with more than 100 horrific offences. Queensland Police and Australian Federal Police established the Cairns Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team (JACET) in mid-2020. They have now issued charges for 148 Commonwealth and State offences to 23 people throughout the Far North and Central regions. AFP Commander Hilda Sirec warned child exploitation is increasing across Australia as the charges were announced. The Cairns Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team have now issued charges for 148 Commonwealth and State offences to 23 people throughout the Far North and Central regions (stock image) 'Child exploitation is a borderless crime,' Commander Sirec said. 'We work closely with our partners at the QPS to protect children here in Queensland, across Australia and internationally.' Police have urged members of the public who have any information on people involved in child abuse to contact Crime Stoppers. Reports can be made online by alerting the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation via the Report Abuse button. Far North District Crime Group Detective Inspector Kevin Goan commended the joint law enforcement investigation in successfully arresting 23 people. 'These arrests show the work being performed by the Cairns JACET team as well as the importance of working with other agency to bring these criminals to justice,' Detective Inspector Kevin Goan said. Detective Inspector Kevin Goan also used the case to remind parents to keep an eye on their children's activity online (stock image) 'We want to also thank the community who continue to play an important role in us stopping, solving and preventing these types of child abuse crimes.' Detective Inspector Kevin Goan also used the case to remind parents to keep an eye on their children's activity online. 'Parents have to be aware of what their children are up to online,' he said. 'If they become aware of something that causes them concern, then they should come to police.' A Qantas repatriation flight bound for Australia from coronavirus-ravaged India could be half empty after 48 passengers tested positive. The plane will be the first to touch down in Australia in several weeks after the federal government imposed a travel ban on flights to and from India, which has recorded more than 300,000 daily coronavirus infections over the past three weeks. The flight is due to leave New Delhi on Friday night and scheduled to touch down in Darwin on Saturday morning after 9am, where passengers will be whisked away onto buses and transported to Howard Springs to undergo two weeks of quarantine. The flight's capacity has been reduced to 150 passengers due to social distancing but 72 will be unable to fly. The figure includes 48 passengers who tested positive for COVID-19 and around 24 close contacts. The first of 10,000 Australians stranded in coronavirus-ridden India (pictured) are expected to leave New Dehli on Friday night and arrive in Darwin on Saturday morning It's understood the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials are now scrambling to fill the flight with other stranded Australians desperate to get home, Nine News reported. Stranded citizens and permanent residents must test negative for COVID-19 twice before getting the green light to board a flight home. Among those booked on the flight were Melbourne man Sunny and his elderly mother, who have been stuck in India for the last 12 months. The pair will be unable to board the flight after Sunny tested positive. 'We just want to know what is going on,' he told the ABC on Friday. 'If I die, the Australian government will be responsible.' Australia's High Commissioner to India Barry O'Farrell is disappointed for those Australians who will be unable to board 'My team has worked hard across India to get them bookings on this flight because they are vulnerable,' Mr O'Farrell told the ABC. 'Regrettably those people will have to return home and deal with the COVID that they have, or continue to isolate to prove that they don't have COVID.' A Qantas plane will bring home the first group of Australians currently stranded in India (stock image) Mr O'Farrell added infected passengers and their family members would still be considered vulnerable and be given priority on future flights once they test negative. Around 10,000 Australians, permanent residents and immediate family members remain stranded in India, desperate to remain home. Around 1,000 of those stranded are identified as 'vulnerable.' A Qantas plane departed Darwin International Airport in the early on Friday afternoon, with just 12 hours to go before the federal government travel ban expires. Prime Minister Scott Morrison stands by the government's travel ban, claiming the controversial weeks-long 'pause' had worked. 'The pause gave our quarantine system much-needed breathing space to minimise the risk of COVID-19 getting out of quarantine into the community and having a third wave here,' Mr Morrison said. 'It's all about keeping Australians safe and ensuring we can keep living the way we are in Australia, which is like few other countries in the world today.' NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner confirmed on Friday the Howards Springs facility will be able to accommodate 2,000 quarantining people a fortnight by the end of June. 'We're expected 450 from India over the rest of May as well as 600 from London and Istanbul,' he told Seven Network. Three repatriation flights are expected to land in Darwin from India during May and early June (pictured, other passengers arriving there in October) Mr Gunner said there was a lot of compassion in Darwin for the Australians and residents trying to get home. The NT took in the first returning Australians in February last year from Wuhan, China, which was then the global epicentre of the Covid-19 outbreak. There have never been any breaches at the facility. 'No complacency,' Mr Gunner said, 'but we've set ourselves a challenge to always get better'. On Thursday, the NT government warned the Covid-19 infection rate among those returning from India could be in the double digits. About 200 repatriated Australians are expected to start their two weeks of quarantine at Howard Springs in the coming week. Australian citizens and permanent residents will spend two weeks at the Howard Springs quarantine facility (pictured) They will be some of the most vulnerable cases among the 9,000 stranded in the Covid-ravaged sub-continent, which is racking up an average of 300,000 new infections a day. NT health officials are preparing for 10 per cent of the passengers on Saturday's flight to be infected - five times more than repatriation flights from other countries. Three flights are expected to land in Darwin from India during May and early June. That will push Howard Springs' population to about 1,200 people and on track to 2,000 by the end of June The facility can handle about 100 positive cases, but AUSMAT and NT Health teams hope to keep that number at 50. About 490 people are quarantining at Howard Springs, where the number of people with coronavirus has fallen to five from more than 50 two weeks ago. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and members of the liberal 'Squad' spoke from the House floor on Thursday night to blast Israel for what they said was its escalating of a conflict with Palestine. During her appearance, Rep. Ocasio-Cortez - popularly known as AOC - compared what Palestinians have experienced in the conflict to that of children at the United States' southern border, according to the New York Post. Children who have arrived unaccompanied at the border with Mexico have been placed into shelters. Ocasio-Cortez said that Americans 'are scared to stand up to the incarceration of children in Palestine because maybe it'll force us to confront the incarceration of children here on our border,' according to the outlet. She also ripped President Joe Biden for comments he made about the latest conflict in which he said that 'Israel has a right to defend itself' from Hamas, the militant Palestinian Islamist group that rules the Gaza Strip. 'The president stated that Israel has a right to self-defense. Do Palestinians have a right to survive?' Ocasio-Cortez reportedly said. Scroll down for video Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Ocasio-Cortez ripped Joe Biden for comments he made about the latest conflict in which he said that 'Israel has a right to defend itself' Rep. Ilhan Omar also spoke on the House floor and accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of being 'a far-right ethno-nationalist' Rep. Rashida Tlaib called Israel and 'apartheid government' Rep. Ayanna Pressley claimed that 'Palestinians are being told the same thing as black folks in America The region has recently seen some of its worst violence since 2014. For weeks now, Palestinian protesters and Israeli police have clashed on a daily basis in and around Jerusalems Old City, home to major religious sites sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims and the emotional epicenter of the Middle East conflict. Jerusalem has been the scene of violent confrontations between Jews and Arabs for 100 years and remains one of the most bitterly contested cities on earth. The latest clashes began a month ago with an Israeli move to block some Palestinian gatherings at the beginning of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, already a time of heightened religious sensitivities. After those restrictions eased, tensions over a plan to evict dozens of Palestinians from an east Jerusalem neighborhood continued to fuel confrontations. Protests had become increasingly violent and Israel stopped some Muslims from accessing the Al-Aqsa mosque complex. Hamas gave Israel an ultimatum to leave the mosque and other areas or face attacks. Hamas then fired rockets at Jerusalem - which set off volleys of rockets and airstrikes between Hamas and Israel being made back and forth. The Biden administration has faced intense scrutiny from Republicans and the Democrats' progressive wing for its handling of the border crisis, in which thousands of unaccompanied migrant children have been crammed longer than legally allowed in temporary holding facilities. Palestinian officials have claimed Israeli forces have detained Palestinian youth in the last few months. Video obtained by NBC in March showed Israeli soldiers detaining two young Palestinian boys, 9 and 12; Israeli police said boys had broken into private property. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a progressive Democrat from Michigan who was the first Palestinian-American woman elected to Congress, called Israel and 'apartheid government' - comparing it to the system of institutionalized racial segregation that existed in South Africa until the 1990s. 'Palestinians aren't going anywhere, no matter how much more money you send to Israel's apartheid government,' she said, according to the New York Post. She added: 'To read the statements from President Biden, Secretary [of State Antony] Blinken, [Secretary of Defense] General [Lloyd] Austin, and leaders of both parties, you'd hardly know Palestinians existed at all.' Rep. Ayanna Pressley, a progressive Democrat from Massachusetts, claimed that 'Palestinians are being told the same thing as black folks in America.' 'As a black woman in America, I am no stranger to police brutality and state-sanctioned violence. We have been criminalized for the very way we show up in the world,' Pressley said. 'Palestinians are being told the same thing as black folks in America: there is no acceptable form of resistance.' The rubble of the Hanadi tower is seen in the aftermath of overnight Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City An injured Palestinian man is being brought to Al-Shifa hospital to receive treatment after an Israeli air strike in Gaza City Palestinians inspect the rubble of the destroyed Al-Shorouq tower after an Israeli strike in Gaza City Palestinians inspect the rubble of the destroyed Al-Shorouq tower after an Israeli strike in Gaza City This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows the rubble of a security compound after an Israeli strike targeted it in Gaza City in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday Rep. Ilhan Omar, a progressive Democrat from Minnesota, called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 'a far-right ethno-nationalist' on the House floor. 'How can we pay lip service to a Palestinian state, yet do absolutely nothing to make that state a reality while the Israeli government we fund tries to make it impossible?' she asked rhetorically, according to the New York Post. President Joe Biden spoke with Netanyahu on Wednesday about calming the fighting and the White House has since released a readout of the call. 'He condemned the rocket attacks by Hamas and other terrorist groups, including against Jerusalem and Tel Aviv,' according to the readout. 'He conveyed his unwavering support for Israel's security and for Israel's legitimate right to defend itself and its people, while protecting civilians.' 'He also conveyed the United States' encouragement of a pathway toward restoring a sustainable calm. He shared his conviction that Jerusalem, a city of such importance to people of faith from around the world, must be a place of peace.' After the call, Biden told reporters: 'My expectation and hope is that this will be closing down sooner than later, but Israel has a right to defend itself when you have thousands of rockets flying into your territory.' Israel on Thursday said it was massing troops along the Gaza frontier and calling up 9,000 reservists ahead of a possible ground invasion of the Hamas-ruled territory, as the two bitter enemies plunged closer to all-out war, the Associated Press reported. Egyptian mediators rushed to Israel for cease-fire efforts but showed no signs of progress. Gaza's Health Ministry said the death toll has climbed to 109 Palestinians, including 28 children and 15 women, with 621 people wounded. Seven people have been killed in Israel, including a 6-year-old boy hit by a Hamas rocket attack. It comes as the U.N. Security Council will publicly discuss the worsening violence between Israel and Palestinian militants on Sunday, diplomats said, reaching a compromise over U.S. objections to a meeting on Friday. Diplomats said the United States had initially suggested a virtual public meeting could be held on Tuesday. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday he hoped waiting a few days would allow for 'diplomacy to have some effect and to see if indeed we get a real de-escalation,' adding that Washington was 'open to and supportive of a discussion, an open discussion, at the United Nations.' 'Hamas is paying a very heavy price': Netanyahu issues new warning as his forces drop 1,000 bombs into Gaza overnight and ground troops fire across the border as Lebanon fires rockets into Israel's north Israel stepped up its attacks on the Gaza Strip overnight with the heaviest bombardment yet by land, sea and air amid fears of a ground invasion with thousands of troops moved to the border. Helicopters, gun boats and artillery pounded northern and eastern parts of Gaza with more than 1,000 bombs and shells overnight Thursday as the IDF said it had carried out a 'complex' operation to destroy Hamas tunnels. There was confusion and panic when the IDF said shortly after midnight that ground forces were 'attacking' in Gaza, and later suggested that boots were on the ground. However, a spokesman later retracted that statement - saying that military operations were conducted along the border, but no Israeli troops had crossed it. An explosion lights the sky following an Israeli air strike on Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip on May 14 as the violence continues A building in Gaza City is seen alight in the early hours of Friday morning But the spectre of invasion now looms large with Israeli troops packing border areas, 9,000 reservists called up, and people told to evacuate from homes along the frontier. Any invasion would mark a major escalation in the violence and likely send the death toll - which currently stands at 115 Palestinians and eight Israelis - soaring. Meanwhile more street clashes took place overnight in the mixed Israeli-Arab city of Lod which has seen nightly rioting ever since hostilities broke out earlier this week - with synagogues, cars and shops torched amid reports that Israelis have taken to the streets armed with guns and bats to protect themselves as police are overwhelmed. A 19-year-old IDF solider was badly beaten in the Tel Aviv suburb of Jaffa, a Jewish family were attacked inside their car in Umm al-Fahm, with far-right Jewish groups called for attacks on Arabs and their businesses in the cities of Beer Sheva and Ramle, according to Israeli news site Ynet. Hamas has also continued to fire hundreds of rockets from Gaza at cities in Israel and was joined overnight by three rockets fired from Hezbollah-controlled Lebanon - though all of them fell short. Despite the rapidly escalating violence and amid calls for urgent deescalation from world leaders, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed today that there would be no let-up in attacks. 'I said we would extract a very heavy price from Hamas. We are doing that, and we will continue to do that with heavy force,' he said. The Israeli Defence Forces said that 160 aircraft flying simultaneously conducted a 40-minute attack on a network of tunnels dug by the Hamas, with 450 missiles dropped on 150 targets in northern Gaza. A graphic shows some of the areas of Gaza that have been targeted by air strikes from Israeli forces and the position of some Israeli weaponry After the air strikes were launched, some 500 artillery shells some flares and some explosive along with 50 tank shells were fired in a follow-up attack. Late on Thursday night and into the Friday morning, two Israelis were injured in the latest barrage of rocket fire launched from Gaza. Five rockets landed in the Israeli city of Ashkelon - one of them hit a residential building and seriously injured a 60-year-old man. Another man, aged 90, sustained light injuries when he was hit in the head on the way to a bomb shelter. Officials ordered everyone living within miles of the border to go to bunkers amid fears of fierce retaliation from Hamas. Fears of an all-out war escalated in the early hours of Friday morning as the military said just after midnight that air and ground forces were 'attacking' the Hamas-run enclave. Rocket barrages from Gaza swiftly followed. IDF spokesmen then appeared to confirm to multiple journalists that boots were on the ground in Gaza, before an urgent clarification was issued saying that no troops had crossed the border and apologising for the earlier mistake which was blamed on 'internal communication issues'. Residents in northern Gaza, near the Israeli frontier, said they had seen no sign of Israeli ground forces inside the enclave but reported heavy artillery fire and dozens of air strikes. Hamas military spokesman Abu Obeida said the group was not afraid of a ground invasion, saying the move would be a chance 'to increase our catch' of dead or captive soldiers. It is not yet clear if any offensive will be to destroy rocket sites or Hamas leaders or part of an extended campaign to invade Gaza. Earlier Israel called up 9,000 reservists to bolster its forces as it deployed troops to the border in preparation for the ground assault. An Israeli 155mm self-propelled howitzer, loaded on a trailer, arrives at a position along the Israel-Gaza border on Thursday Relentless air strikes continued to decimate Hamas strongholds in the Strip on Thursday as their brigades held funerals for slain commanders, including the terror boss of Gaza City and their intelligence chief. Meanwhile three rockets were fired from southern Lebanon towards northern Israel but reportedly fell into the Mediterranean without injuring anyone. Local media said they were fired by one of the Palestinian factions in Lebanon and that it was not the start of Hezbollah getting involved in the conflict. Prime Minister Netanyahu is facing the prospect of a war on two fronts as internal rioting by Jewish and Arab mobs descended into 'lynchings' in the worst civil unrest for decades. Hamas requested a ceasefire on a 'mutual basis' late on Wednesday after firing more than 1,600 rockets into densely populated Israeli neighbourhoods, killing seven civilians including a five-year-old boy. Netanyahu rejected the peace offering despite growing international alarm at the rising civilian death toll after over 600 air strikes on Hamas targets - 103 Palestinians have been killed, including 27 children and 11 women. Chinese self-driving startup WeRide valued at 3.3 bln USD Xinhua) 10:39, May 14, 2021 A woman takes a self-driving taxi at an appointed location on the Daoxianghu Road in Haidian District of Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 14, 2020. (Xinhua/Ren Chao) SHANGHAI, May 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese self-driving startup WeRide announced Thursday that it has closed a Series C round of funding, giving it a valuation of 3.3 billion U.S. dollars. The company did not disclose the exact amount of the latest funding, saying that it was in the hundreds of millions of U.S. dollars. Investors in the round include IDG Capital, CoStone Capital, Cypress Star and K3 Ventures. Tony Han, founder and CEO of WeRide, said the latest investment in autonomous driving came after the company began the trial operation of a self-driving Robotaxi service in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou and further unveiled its self-driving Mini Robobus. The startup will expand its team size, continue the research and development and commercialization innovation of autonomous driving technology, and launch large-scale autonomous driving services as soon as possible, Han said. WeRide is currently conducting autonomous driving tests both in China and the United States. It is working on an upgraded version of its self-driving Robotaxi service and conducting the final verification tests for the launch of its self-driving Mini Robobus service. (Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Liang Jun) Scores of planes have been noisily flying over Sydney's beachside suburbs after a runway reopened for the first time since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Sydney Airport's east-west runway accepted its first flight since April 22, 2020, on Sunday after it was shut down to make way for the extraordinary demand for aircraft parking. The runway accommodated almost 50 grounded aircraft from almost all domestic airlines during the crisis, which saw domestic and international flights grounded in a bid to contain the virus. Confused Sydneysiders took to an eastern suburbs Facebook group to ask why loud planes were suddenly zooming over their homes. Scores of planes have been flying over some Sydney suburbs for the first time in more than a year. Pictured: A plane flying over the city 'I've noticed a lot of low flying planes over Coogee in the last week - I'm sure there weren't so many directly over Coogee before?' one woman asked. 'During the day it's one after the other and it's pretty loud. Does anyone know if there's been a change of route / has noticed this too?' Residents flocked to the comments to share their theories, with some incorrectly claiming flights paths were changed to accommodate for wind direction. 'We are often on the flight path depending on winds... and expect 100 times more planes going over when life gets back to normal,' someone replied. 'The wind... they use a different runway when wind comes from a particular direction,' another added. But others pointed out that Sydney has not had much wind over the past week and told their neighbours about the east-west runway. The east-west runway has reopened, meaning people who live in Coogee and Randwick, Bexley and Hurstville will hear more planes. Pictured: A plane flying over the city's west in February 'It's not temporary, they've reopened the other runway as shut it due to no planes during Covid,' one woman wrote. Another said: 'Through Covid, a lot of the grounded planes were parked on the east west runway. They have now been moved and that runway is back in use which means more planes over Coogee.' Dhruv Gupta, the chief aeronautical officer at Sydney Airport confirmed the sudden noise pollution is a result of new flights paths opening. 'The re-opening of the runway means residents who haven't seen an aircraft overhead for more than a year will notice an increase in traffic,' she said. 'Particularly to the east in suburbs like Coogee and Randwick, and to the west around Bexley and Hurstville.' The move to re-open the runway will help the airport accommodate essential maintenance works on the main north-south runway, while the gradual improvement in domestic air traffic continues. Sydney Airports passenger traffic data for March 2021 showed domestic traffic had recovered to 48 percent of March 2019 levels, but international passengers remain 97 percent down. Cryptocurrency investors are being warned they should be prepared to lose all of their money but there are still some steps that can be taken to cash in on sharp losses. Bitcoin plunged by 16 per cent on Wednesday after Tesla founder Elon Musk declared he would no longer accept it as payment for his electric vehicles. The billionaire argued cryptocurrencies were being 'mined' using high-powered computers requiring fossil fuel energy to continuously solve computational math puzzles. Musk in March bought $US1.5billion of the world's most valuable cryptocurrency, sending its price to a record $US60,000 or $A80,000. Despite this week's fall, Bitcoin has still surged 424 per cent during the past year to be worth $63,830.94 on Friday, albeit below last week's levels above $74,000. Cryptocurrency investors are being warned they should be prepared to lose all of their money but there are still some steps that can be taken to cash in on sharp losses. Bitcoin plunged by 16 per cent on Wednesday after Tesla founder Elon Musk (pictured) declared he would no longer accept it as payment for his electric vehicles Kunal Sawhney, the founder and chief executive of market analytics group Kalkine, said without government regulation, cryptocurrency investors needed to be prepared to lose the lot. 'No doubt, cryptocurrencies hold tremendous potential to create millionaires in no time,' he told Daily Mail Australia. 'However, it is hard to neglect the luck factor and heightened risk levels driving such fortunes. 'So, before getting carried away with the cryptocurrency hype, it is important for investors and traders to understand the fundamental rule of trading in cryptos: one should be ready to lose all their money.' Nonetheless, Mr Sawhney said investors could benefit from cryptocurrencies without being too exposed to losing everything by putting money into exchange traded funds or contracts for difference, tied to the digital stores of money. Like hedge funds on the share market, investors can bet on prices going down. Kunal Sawhney, the founder and chief executive of market analytics group Kalkine, said without government regulation, cryptocurrency investors needed to be prepared to lose the lot. Pictured is a stock image of a Bitcoin token 'Hedging in the crypto space can be undertaken in the form of taking exposure to inverse-bitcoin ETFs wherein investors can hedge against potential bearish moves,' Mr Sawhney said. 'Besides, short-selling and hedging with crypto CFDs can also be looked at, depending on risk profile and return expectation of the investor.' Dogecoin, which Australian Jackson Palmer co-founded as a 'joke' in 2013, has surged in value by an astronomical 17,731.6 per cent to 67.38 cents during the past year. Mr Sawhney expected the social media-driven cryptocurrency to halve to just 32 cents within weeks. 'While the price of Dogecoin has skyrocketed this year, the meme-turned cryptocurrency is forming a very clear bearish divergence on the charts, making it a good candidate for a short-term correction,' he said. Dogecoin, which Australian Jackson Palmer co-founded as a 'joke' in 2013, has surged in value by an astronomical 17,731.6 per cent to 67.38 cents during the past year. Mr Sawhney expected the social media-driven cryptocurrency to halve to just 32 cents within weeks 'Following a sharp rally, the charts suggest that the price of this digital currency may go downhill over the next few weeks, possibly creating a good area for bulls to enter again.' Ethereum, an alternative banking system, known as decentralised finance or 'DeFi' has surged by 1,495.4 per cent during the past year to $4,929.22. But Mr Sawhney said this cryptocurrency, favoured by future-oriented businesses, was on track to surpass the $10,000 mark by the middle of 2021 before potentially sliding. 'Any sort of exposure to Ethereum needs to be carefully evaluated in terms of risks associated with volatility,' he said. As for Bitcoin, Mr Sawhney said that despite recent falls, it had the potential to push the $US100,000 barrier, or $129,000 in Australian dollars within little more than a year 'One needs to consider the privacy, security and consumer protection implications before placing a trade on this crypto asset.' As for Bitcoin, Mr Sawhney said that despite recent falls, it had the potential to push the $US100,000 barrier, or $129,000 in Australian dollars within little more than a year. 'The recent retreat in Bitcoin seems to be a healthy correction after a power-packed rally,' he said. 'While the momentum is not as strong as it was a month back, if Bitcoin acceptance continues to accelerate, market also expects the currency reaching an all-time high of US$100,000 by mid-2022.' Unlike Dogecoin and Ethereum, Bitcoin's circulation is limited to 21million 'mined' cryptocurrencies. A horror school bus crash with another vehicle has left a young woman dead, and multiple people injured, including 17 children. One child and an adult are fighting for life after the smash in rural Queensland on just before 3.30pm on Friday. Paramedics were called to the scene at Wallumbilla, 430km west of Brisbane, after a car collided with a bus with 20 on board on the Warrego Highway. A total of 19 patients have taken to Roma Hospital -including one serious child and two critical adults, following the Wallumbilla bus crash The Toowoomba-based RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter airlifted the injured women to Roma Hospital Queensland Ambulance Service confirmed there were 17 children injured on the bus, and one suffered multiple serious fractures that were considered critical. The remaining 16 were in a stable condition, having suffered injuries 'ranging from cuts, abrasions, lacerations (and) fractures.' The bus driver was also in a stable condition after sustaining minor injuries, The Courier Mail reported. Two women were trapped in the other vehicle for some time before they could be freed. The Toowoomba-based RACQ LifeFlight Rescue helicopter airlifted the injured women to Roma Hospital. A 37-year-old Western Downs woman remains in a critical condition, while the other, a 30-year-old Chincilla woman, has since died. The bus was carrying students from Wallumbilla State School, the Education Department confirmed. Investigations are now underway to determine the cause of the crash. Motorists travelling on the Warrego Highway were warned to expect major delays. Advertisement The Israel Defence Forces managed to trick Hamas into believing a ground invasion was underway last night and then obliterated their tunnel network knowing militants would be hiding underground waiting to ambush tanks and soldiers, reports in Israel claim. There was confusion when the IDF said shortly after midnight that ground forces were 'attacking in Gaza', and later suggested that boots were on the ground. A spokesman later retracted that statement - saying that military operations were conducted along the border, but no Israeli troops had crossed it. However, the announcement was apparently a well-planned ploy to get Hamas to send its fighters into its underground tunnel system beneath Gaza City, before bombarding the area, in the hope of eliminating large numbers of militants in one fell swoop. Soldiers and tanks with drones equipped with night vision lay in wait for survivors as they surfaced, hitting them with aerial and ground fire. Snipers and missile units were also waiting for them on the ground as the IDF said it had carried out a 'complex' operation to destroy Hamas tunnels underneath Gaza City, which the military refers to as 'the Metro'. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday that Israel had no plans on relenting in its attacks after helicopters, jets, boats and artillery pounded northern and eastern parts of Gaza with 1,000 bombs overnight on Thursday. He said: 'They attacked our capital, they fired rockets at our cities. They're paying and will continue to pay dearly for that,' he said following security consultations at the military's headquarters in Tel Aviv. 'It's not over yet.' Neither Israel nor Hamas has yet announced how much of the network was destroyed overnight, but initial estimates said a large number of fighters were buried as the IDF collapsed the tunnel system on their heads, Israel National News reported. The death toll currently stands at 119 Palestinians killed, including 31 children and 19 women, with 830 wounded. Nine Israelis have been killed, including one soldier and a six-year-old boy. In response, Hamas fired 220 rockets from Gaza at cities in Israel overnight, the IDF said, and was joined by three rockets fired from Hezbollah-controlled Lebanon - though all of them fell short. Attacks continued this morning, with Israeli jets striking what the IDF called underground rocket sites in Gaza City and Hamas watchtowers. Meanwhile sirens sounded on the Israeli side of the border as Hamas attacked with suicide drones, while several Israeli troops were injured in a knife attack near the West Bank city of Ofra. Elsewhere, more street clashes took place overnight in the mixed Israeli-Arab city of Lod, with a synagogue burned to the ground. A 19-year-old IDF solider was also badly beaten in the Tel Aviv suburb of Jaffa and a Jewish family were attacked inside their car in Umm al-Fahm. Far-right Jewish groups were also calling for attacks on Arabs and their businesses in the cities of Be'er Sheva and Ramle, according to Israeli news site Ynet. Despite the rapidly escalating violence and amid calls for urgent deescalation from world leaders, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed today that there would be no let-up in attacks. 'I said we would extract a very heavy price from Hamas. We are doing that, and we will continue to do that with heavy force,' he said. A Palestinian man carries the corpse of a toddler, killed in what was believed to have been an Israeli air strike, before his burial in Beit Lahya in the northern Gaza Strip A Palestinian relative mourns over the bodies of four young brothers from the Al-tanani family who were found under the rubble of a destroyed house following Israeli airstrikes A Palestinian woman breaks down as she looks at the bodies of four brothers killed during a night of heavy Israeli bombing Palestinian relatives mourn over the bodies of four brothers from the Al-tanani family who were found under the rubble of a destroyed house following Israeli airstrikes in Beit Lahiya Palestinians gather at the site of destroyed houses in the aftermath of Israeli air and artillery strikes as cross-border violence between the Israeli military and Palestinian militants Damage to buildings in the north of the Gaza Strip is seen on Friday morning after a heavy night of bombing from Israel A Palestinian man looks up through the roof of a destroyed building in Gaza following a night of heavy shelling Palestinians work at the site of destroyed houses in the aftermath of Israeli air and artillery strikes as cross-border violence between the Israeli military and Palestinian militants continues Palestinian women walk at the site of destroyed houses in the aftermath of Israeli air and artillery strikes Palestinians inspect their destroyed houses following overnight Israeli airstrikes in town of Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza Strip Palestinians inspect their destroyed houses following overnight Israeli airstrikes in town of Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza Strip A Palestinian boy sits on debris at the site of destroyed houses in the aftermath of Israeli air and artillery strikes as cross-border violence between the Israeli military and Palestinian militants continues Palestinians inspect their destroyed houses following overnight Israeli airstrikes in town of Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza Strip Netanyahu 'stoking tensions to distract from his political problems' An Israeli-Arab MP has accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of stoking tensions between Muslims and Jews in order to escape his own political problems. Netanyahu was faced with being forced from power last month after he failed to form a coalition government following Israel's fourth election in two years. But on Friday, talks to form a coalition without him collapsed as a key party leader withdrew from negotiations - calling the conflict a 'reality-altering events' and saying he will now seek a broad 'unity government', likely with Netanyahu as the head. Aida Touma-Sliman, a member of the Israeli parliament, had earlier accused Netanyahu of using the conflict to 'divert' people from his political issues. 'There is a political intention by... Netanyahu and his ministers to escalate the situation more and more,' she told the BBC. 'If the debate in Israel under discussion and the tension till last month was between [Netanyahu's] camp and the anti-Benjamin Netanyahu camp, they wanted to divert it into a kind of a war, a citizens' war between Jews and Arabs.' Advertisement The Israeli Defence Forces said that 160 aircraft flying simultaneously conducted a 40-minute attack on a network of tunnels dug by the Hamas, with 450 missiles dropped on 150 targets in northern Gaza. After the air strikes were launched, some 500 artillery shells some flares and some explosive along with 50 tank shells were fired in a follow-up attack. More airstrikes took place this morning, with the IDF saying it is targeting underground rocket launchers and Hamas observation posts. The IDF also said 220 rockets were fired by Hamas in response to the overnight attacks, with targets including the cities of Ashdod, Ashkelon, Beersheba and Yavne. Two women, aged 50 and 80, died overnight from injuries sustained while trying to take shelter from rockets, Israeli media reported. A 60-year-old man was also seriously hurt after a rocket struck Ashkelon. Rocket sirens continued to sound in Ashkelon and other cities near the Gaza strip this morning, with the IDF saying more than 2,000 rockets have now been fired in less than five days. Three rockets were also fired from southern Lebanon towards northern Israel, Israeli security forces said, but were not heading towards populated areas and fell short into the Mediterranean off Israel's north coast. Hezbollah, a militant group allied with Hamas, denied being responsible for the attack - saying instead that it was carried out by a rogue pro-Palestinian group as a show of solidarity. Fears of an all-out war escalated in the early hours of Friday morning as the military said just after midnight that air and ground forces were 'attacking' the Hamas-run enclave. Rocket barrages from Gaza swiftly followed. IDF spokesmen then appeared to confirm to multiple journalists that boots were on the ground in Gaza, before an urgent clarification was issued saying that no troops had crossed the border and apologising for the earlier mistake which was blamed on 'internal communication issues'. Residents in northern Gaza, near the Israeli frontier, said they had seen no sign of Israeli ground forces inside the enclave but reported heavy artillery fire and dozens of air strikes. Hamas military spokesman Abu Obeida said the group was not afraid of a ground invasion, saying the move would be a chance 'to increase our catch' of dead or captive soldiers. Attempts to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis have so far floundered, with Israel refusing calls for a ceasefire put forward by an Egyptian delegation which had travelled to the country to try and negotiate. The delegation has now returned to Cairo, Russian news agency TASS reported today. French President Emmanuel Macron, tweeting in French, English, Hebrew and Arabic, joined calls for calm, saying the 'spiral of violence must stop'. Meanwhile Germany's Angela Merkel struck a different tone, describing rocket attacks from Gaza as 'terrorism' and saying her government supports 'Israel's right to self-defence against these attacks'. Mr Merkel also hit out at protesters who she said had burned Israeli flags outside synagogues, adding: 'Anyone who attacks a synagogue or defiles Jewish symbols shows that for them it is not about criticizing a state or the policies of a government, but about aggression and hate towards a religion and the people who belong to it.' The United Nations Security Council has confirmed that it will convene to discuss the rapidly worsening situation, but will not meet until Sunday. Palestinians living outside Gaza City, near the northern and eastern frontiers with Israel, fled the intense artillery bombardment Friday. Families arrived at the U.N.-run schools in the city in pick-up trucks, on donkeys and by foot, hauling pillows and pans, blankets and bread. 'We were planning to leave our homes at night, but Israeli jets bombarded us so we had to wait until the morning,' said Hedaia Maarouf, who fled with her extended family of 19 people, including 13 children. 'We were terrified for our children, who were screaming and shaking.' In the northern Gaza Strip, Rafat Tanani, his pregnant wife and four children were killed after an Israeli warplane reduced a building to rubble, residents said. 'It was a massacre,' said Sadallah Tanani, a relative. 'My feelings are indescribable.' Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, a military spokesman, said tanks stationed near the border fired 50 rounds. It was part of a large operation that also involved airstrikes and was aimed at destroying tunnels beneath Gaza City used by militants to evade surveillance and airstrikes, which the military refers to as 'the Metro.' Palestinians assess the damage in a building caused by Israeli air strikes, in Beit Hanun in the northern Gaza Strip Damaged caused to buildings in Gaza City by an IDF bombardment overnight is revealed as the sun comes up A Palestinian woman shouts in the street as those living in Gaza assess the damage after a night of IDF bombardment Palestinians assess the damage caused by Israeli air strikes, in Beit Hanun in the northern Gaza Strip An Israeli man takes a photo with his mobile phone at a residential building after a rocket launched overnight from the Gaza Strip hit it in Ashkelon Palestinians riding on a pickup truck flee their homes during Israeli air and artillery strikes as cross-border violence between the Israeli military and Palestinian militants continues Palestinians flee their homes during Israeli air and artillery strikes as cross-border violence between the Israeli military and Palestinian militants continues A Palestinian boy pulls a cart carrying his brother and their belongings as they flee their home during Israeli airstrikes Palestinians carry some of their belongings in Beit Hanun in the northern Gaza Strip, as they flee Israeli air and artillery strikes 'As always, the aim is to strike military targets and to minimize collateral damage and civilian casualties,' he said. 'Unlike our very elaborate efforts to clear civilian areas before we strike high-rise or large buildings inside Gaza, that wasn't feasible this time.' The strikes came after Egyptian mediators rushed to Israel for cease-fire talks that showed no signs of progress. Egypt, Qatar and the United Nations were leading the truce efforts. The fighting broke out late Monday when Hamas fired a long-range rocket at Jerusalem in support of Palestinian protests there against the policing of a flashpoint holy site and efforts by Jewish settlers to evict dozens of Palestinian families from their homes. Since then, Israel has attacked hundreds of targets in Gaza, causing earth-shaking explosions across densely populated areas. Of the 1,800 rockets Gaza militants have fired, more than 400 fell short or misfired, according to the military. The rockets have brought life in parts of southern Israel to a standstill, and several barrages have targeted the seaside metropolis of Tel Aviv, some 70 kilometers (45 miles) away from Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue the operation, saying in a video statement that Israel would 'extract a very heavy price from Hamas.' In Washington, U.S. President Joe Biden said he spoke with Netanyahu about calming the fighting but also backed the Israeli leader by saying 'there has not been a significant overreaction.' He said the goal now is to 'get to a point where there is a significant reduction in attacks, particularly rocket attacks.' He called the effort 'a work in progress.' Israel has come under heavy international criticism for civilian casualties during three previous wars in Gaza, which is home to more than 2 million Palestinians. It says Hamas is responsible for endangering civilians by placing military infrastructure in civilian areas and launching rockets from them. Hamas showed no signs of backing down. It fired its most powerful rocket, the Ayyash, nearly 200 kilometers (120 miles) into southern Israel on Thursday. An explosion lights the sky following an Israeli air strike on Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip on May 14 as the violence continues Fire billows from Israeli air strikes in the Gaza Strip overnight as the IDF stepped up attacks directed at Hamas An Israeli artillery unit fires into the Gaza strip during an overnight operation that the IDF said was aimed at destroying Hamas tunnel networks under Gaza City A building in Gaza City is seen alight in the early hours of Friday morning The night sky on Friday is lit up as rockets are fired towards Israel from Beit Lahia in the Gaza Strip Smoke and flames rise after Israeli forces launched ground, sea and air attacks towards Gaza Strip An image showing Hamas rockets fired from Gaza overnight (right) and blasts as they are intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome defence system (left) Rockets are seen in the night sky fired towards Israel from Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip Smoke and flames rise after an Israeli airstrike in the northern Gaza Strip overnight, in an operation that the IDF said was designed to destroy Hamas tunnel networks Rockets light up the night sky as they are fired towards Israel from Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip An Israeli 155mm self-propelled howitzer, loaded on a trailer, arrives at a position along the Israel-Gaza border on Thursday Shells from an Israeli gunboat are pictured landing in the sea off the Gaza strip today as the bombardment continued An Israeli soldier gets into position during clashes with Palestinian demonstrators near the Jewish settlement of Beit El near Ramallah in the occupied West Bank Israeli forces fire teargas canister at Palestinian demonstrators as the conflict continues to escalate after a huge aerial bombardment An Israeli tank is pictured near Gaza as troops mass on the border amid fears over a possible land invasion Israeli soldiers load a mobile artillery piece with shells as they prepare to fire at targets across the border in Gaza The crew of an Israeli mobile artillery piece wait for orders as fighting escalates with Hamas on Friday Israeli artillery crews move shells towards their gun as the bombardment of Gaza continues today IDF soldiers stationed near the border with Gaza make their way across train tracks on Friday morning IDF soldiers manning a mobile artillery piece take cover as rocket sirens sound amid continuing attacks on Friday An Israeli F-16 fighter jet releases a flare as it streaks through the skies above Sderot, with the air force saying it struck more targets in Gaza City today An Israeli soldier climbs down into an armoured transport vehicle amid a troop build-up along the Gaza border An Israeli soldier stands atop a tank as troops prepare to fire artillery shells towards the Gaza Strip from their position near the southern Israeli city of Sderot Israeli army soldiers gather at the border with Gaza in Israel as fighting with Hamas continues on Friday Thousands protest in support of Palestinians in Bangladesh Thousands of Muslims led by activists from an Islamic political party demonstrated in Bangladesh's capital on Friday to denounce attacks by Israel against Palestinians. After the end of Eid a-Fitr prayers at Dhaka's main Baitul Mokarram Mosque, activists from the Islamic Andolan Bangladesh, or Islamic Movement Bangladesh, began protesting and were joined by thousands of others. Muslim-majority Bangladesh celebrated the key festival of Eid a-Fitr in a subdued manner after the government urged people to avoid large gatherings. Authorities arranged prayers in phases at the Baitul Mokarram Mosque, where devotees maintained distancing to avoid spreading the coronavirus. Afterward, protesters crowded together outside, carrying signs reading 'Boycott terrorist state Israel' and chanting 'Down with Israel.' Bangladesh is one of 28 members of the United Nations that does not recognize the state of Israel. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday urged stronger global action to stop Israeli violence against Palestinians. In a letter to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Hasina said the threatened eviction of dozens of Palestinians from the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem was a severe violation of human rights and international law. 'We unequivocally denounce such acts of terror and violence and urge the international community to take sustainable measures to end such kinds of acts anywhere and everywhere in the world including Palestine,' she wrote. Advertisement The rocket landed in the open desert but briefly disrupted flight traffic at the southern Ramon airport. Hamas has also launched two drones that Israel said it quickly shot down. Hamas military spokesman Abu Obeida said the group was not afraid of a ground invasion, which would be a chance 'to increase our catch' of Israeli soldiers. The current eruption of violence began a month ago in Jerusalem. A focal point of clashes was Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque, built on a hilltop compound that is revered by Jews and Muslims. Israel regards all of Jerusalem as its capital, while the Palestinians want east Jerusalem, which includes sites sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims, to be the capital of their future state. The violent clashes between Arabs and Jews in Jerusalem and other mixed cities across Israel has meanwhile added a new layer of volatility to the conflict not seen in more than two decades. The violence continued overnight into Friday. A Jewish man was shot and seriously wounded in Lod, the epicenter of the troubles, and Israeli media said a second Jewish man was shot. In the Tel Aviv neighborhood of Jaffa, an Israeli soldier was attacked by a group of Arabs and hospitalized in serious condition. Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said some 750 suspects have been arrested since the communal violence began earlier this week. He said police had clashed overnight with individuals in Lod and Tel Aviv who hurled rocks and firebombs at them. The fighting deepened a political crisis that has sent Israel careening through four inconclusive elections in just two years. After March elections, Netanyahu failed to form a government coalition. Now his political rivals have three weeks to try to do so. Those efforts have been greatly complicated by the fighting. His opponents include a broad range of parties that have little in common. They would need the support of an Arab party, whose leader has said he cannot negotiate while Israel is fighting in Gaza. Meanwhile the U.N. Security Council will publicly discuss the worsening violence between Israel and Palestinian militants on Sunday, diplomats said, reaching a compromise over U.S. objections to a meeting on Friday. Diplomats said the United States, a close ally of Israel, had initially suggested a virtual public meeting could be held on Tuesday. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday he hoped waiting a few days would allow for 'diplomacy to have some effect and to see if indeed we get a real de-escalation,' adding that Washington was 'open to and supportive of a discussion, an open discussion, at the United Nations.' Hostilities entered their fifth day overnight, with no sign of abating. Israel fired artillery and mounted more air strikes against Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip amid constant rocket fire deep into Israel's commercial centre. The 15-member council has met privately twice this week about the worst hostilities in the region in years, but has so far been unable to agree on a public statement, diplomats said. Such statements are agreed to by consensus, and the United States did not believe it would be helpful, they said. All council members also have to agree to a meeting under rules guiding the body's virtual operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, the US State Department has urged citizens to 'reconsider travel to Israel' due to the recent surge in violence. The travel advisory level, which had been lowered in recent weeks due to improvement in the country's Covid-19 situation, was stepped up to Level 3, out of a maximum of four. 'Reconsider travel to Israel due to armed conflict and civil unrest,' the department said in a statement. 'Rockets continue to impact the Gaza periphery and areas across Southern and Central Israel, including Jerusalem,' it said. 'There has been a marked increase in protests and violence throughout Israel.' Newly-released satellite images capture a fire at an Israeli oil storage facility near Ashkelon on Wednesday after it was struck by rockets fired from inside Gaza Another image shows the ruins of the Hanadi Tower after it was destroyed by Israeli air strikes targeting what the IDF said were Hamas administrative offices inside Gaza This newly-released handout satellite image released by Maxar Technologies shows smoke from a burning storage tank in Ashkelon Southern Israel on May 12 This handout satellite image released by Maxar Technologies shows an overview of Southern Israel and Gaza City on May 12 Palestinians throw fireworks against Israeli forces during clashes in the West Bank city of Hebron overnight Israeli security forces take aim at Arab rioters during a night of unrest in Hebron, the West Bank Israeli security forces move through the streets of Hebron amid clashes with Arab rioters overnight Palestinians throw fireworks at Israeli security forces during overnight clashes in Hebron, the West Bank Palestinian families are pictured in a street after evacuating their homes east of Gaza City on May 13 due to heavy shelling by the Israeli military Palestinian families are pictured in a street after evacuating their homes east of Gaza City late on Thursday evening amid shelling Israeli firefighters battle a field fire after a rocket launched from Gaza strip struck last night in Ramla Rockets are fired towards Israel from Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip after Israel pounded Gaza and deployed extra troops to the border An explosion lights the sky following an Israeli air strike on Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip last night An Israeli air strike on Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip lights up the sky as the conflict continues to rumble on Smoke and flames rise after Israeli forces launched ground, sea and air attacks towards Gaza Strip overnight Rockets fired from Gaza fly towards Israel, as seen from Gaza City, in response to days of violent confrontations between Israeli security forces and Palestinians in Jerusalem Smoke rises over houses in Ashkelon following a rocket attack launched from Gaza towards Ashkelon, southern Israel Rockets are seen in the night sky fired towards Israel from Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip in the early hours of Friday CCTV reveals the moment Israel's Iron Dome defences destroyed a Hamas rocket during the overnight bombardment An Israeli firefighter battles a field fire after a rocket launched from Gaza strip struck overnight in Ramla, Israel An Israeli firefighter walks in the early hours of Friday around a synagogue, after it was set on fire by Arab-Israelis, in the mixed Jewish-Arab city of Lod China on Friday accused the United States of 'ignoring the suffering' of muslims, after Washington blocked a scheduled UN Security Council meeting aimed at addressing an intensifying conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. The US, Israel's diplomatic shield at the UN, blocked an originally scheduled Friday session despite the deepening bloodshed - but eventually agreed to move it to Sunday, diplomats said. As the crisis has unfurled, China has taken up the Palestinian cause at the Security Council, a venue where it frequently plays its veto card to block motions against its allies. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters the US had single handedly obstructed the Security Council from speaking out on the crisis, 'standing on the opposite side of the international community'. 'What we can feel is that the US keeps saying that it cares about the human rights of Muslims... but it was ignoring the suffering of the Palestinian people,' Hua added. She contrasted America's reluctance at the Security Council with calls by the US, Britain and Germany for China to end repression of its Uyghur Muslim minority - an incendiary issue in US-China relations. 'The US should realise that the lives of Palestinian Muslims are equally precious,' she said. The US, Israel's key ally, has defended the Jewish state's deadly offensive, which comes in response to rocket fire from the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas which controls the Gaza Strip. But President Joe Biden's administration has also voiced alarm over civilian casualties and earlier pushed Israel to hold off on evictions of Palestinians in Jerusalem, the immediate trigger for the flare-up. Hua said Friday that efforts should be made to lower temperatures and prevent the crisis from escalating. She restated that China will push the Security Council to take action soon, as well as reiterate its firm support for a two-state solution. Security Council sessions, held by videoconference due to the pandemic, require support of all 15 members. Palestinian families fleeing from their homes at Al-Shati Refugee Camp, take shelter in a school as Israeli forces continue to pound Gaza Strip Palestinian families fleeing from their homes at Al-Shati Refugee Camp, take shelter in a school as Israeli forces continue to pound Gaza Strip Palestinian families fleeing from their homes at Al-Shati Refugee Camp, take shelter in a school as Israeli forces continue to pound Gaza Strip Palestinian families fleeing from their homes at Al-Shati Refugee Camp, take shelter in a school as Israeli forces continue to pound Gaza Strip The tunnels of death: Inside Hamass underground passages used to move weapons and ambush Israeli forces - who are now obliterating the network with airstrikes Israel claims to have obliterated much of Hamas's network of tunnels in the Gaza Strip in a massive bombardment overnight Thursday. Helicopters, jets, gun boats and artillery pounded northern and eastern parts of Gaza with more than 1,000 bombs and shells as part of a 'complex' operation to destroy Hamas tunnels underneath Gaza City. In an apparent trick, the IDF said shortly after midnight that ground forces were 'attacking in Gaza', but a spokesman later retracted that statement, saying no Israeli troops had crossed the border. However, the announcement was a well-planned ploy to get Hamas to send its fighters into its underground tunnel system beneath Gaza City, before bombarding the area, in the hope of eliminating large numbers of the organisation's operatives in one foul swoop, reports in Israel claim. The IDF has long been trying to destroy the network of Hamas tunnels - established after the Islamist organisation took control of the Gaza Strip in 2007 - because they reach into Israeli territory and are a launch point for the many of the group's attacks. Tunnels were among Hamas's most effective tools during the 2014 war with Israel, with militants using them to move weapons, enter the Jewish state, ambush IDF soldiers, and at times even return to Gaza through the underground passages. Israel claims to have obliterated much of Hamas's network of tunnels in a massive bombardment last night (pictured, Hamas fighters in the underground passages) Helicopters, jets, gun boats and artillery pounded northern and eastern parts of Gaza with more than 1,000 bombs and shells overnight Thursday as part of a 'complex' operation to destroy Hamas tunnels underneath Gaza City The IDF has long been trying to destroy the network of Hamas tunnels, which reach into Israeli territory and are a launch point for the group's attacks (pictured an Israeli officer in one of the cross-border tunnels) The network of tunnels were built after Hamas took power in the Gaza Strip in 2007 and have since been used to launch several attacks on Israel (pictured, Palestinian militants in the tunnels) The first Hamas tunnels were built in 2007 between the Gaza Strip and Egypt and were designed for smuggling consumer goods to bypass the Israeli blockade. However, some rudimentary networks existed in Gaza as early as 2002. One was used to bomb an Israeli outpost within the Strip in 2004. A second tunnel bomb attack on an Israeli outpost took place in December 2004, killing five IDF soldiers. The first cross-border raid by Hamas took place in 2006, when the group kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, holding him captive for more than five years. By 2013, the network had definitively pivoted away from the Egyptian border and towards Israel and there were at least three tunnels under the Israel-Gaza border, two of which were packed with explosives. The underground network now branches dozens of kilometres through the Gaza Strip reaching the towns of Khan Younis, Jabalia, and the Shati refugee camp. They also stretch into Israel. The tunnels are used by Hamas and other Islamist groups in Gaza, including the Islamic Jihad movement in Palestine. The groups use the network to hide rockets and other munitions, facilitate communication within their organisations, conceal militants, and launch attacks. Hamas uses the network to hide rockets and other munitions, facilitate communication within their organisations, conceal militants, launch attacks, and conduct training (pictured, a Palestinian youth crawls in a tunnel during a Hamas graduation ceremony) Israel has long struggled to wipeout the system, despite top of the range military and intelligence equipment (pictured, an Israeli soldier enters a Hamas tunnel) Israel has struggled to destroy the tunnels because they are extremely difficult to detect from the air (pictured, an IDF officer inspects a tunnel in the Philadelphia Corridor, Gaza) The first Hamas tunnels were built between the Gaza Strip and Egypt and were designed for smuggling consumer goods to bypass the Israeli blockade (pictured, a Palestinian smuggler moves a goat through a tunnel from Egypt to Gaza) Who are Hamas? Hamas was founded in 1987 and aims to liberate Palestine and turn it into an Islamic State. It was established as an offshoot from Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, which was active in the Gaza Strip in the 1950s. The organisation rose to power in 2006, defeating the ruling Fatah party in Palestinian elections. It then ousted Fatah officials and seized control of the Gaza Strip in a brief military conflict in June 2007. The conflict resulted in the de facto split of the West Bank and Gaza Strip into distinct Palestinian entities. Hamas has since launched several attacks on Israeli soldiers and civilians, often claiming they are retaliatory. Since 1994, the organisation has frequently stated it is willing to accept a truce if Israel withdraws to its 1967 borders, pays reparations, allows free elections in the territories, and grants Palestinians the right of return. Several Western states including the US, Canada, Japan, and the EU have designated Hamas a terrorist organisation. Advertisement Israel has long struggled to wipeout the system, despite top of the range military and intelligence equipment. This is primarily because the tunnels, which are believed to have cost between $30 million (21.3 million) and $90 million (63.9 million) to build, are extremely difficult to detect from the air. Some of the three dozen tunnels built since the end of the 2014 Israel-Gaza conflict are estimated to have cost $3 million ($2.13 million). The tunnels are reinforced with concrete to protect them from airstrikes and from caving in. Footage from inside the tunnels shows a sweaty and cramped environment, not tall enough for fighters to stand up straight. Hamas first used the tunnels to launch an attack on Israel in July 2014, when 13 fighters used the network to surface near a kibbutz. At the time, Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniya said the tunnels represented 'a new strategy in confronting the occupation and in the conflict with the enemy from underground and from above the ground'. Tensions between Israel and Gaza had been intensifying since June 2014, when three teens were kidnapped and murdered by Hamas, allegedly without the knowledge of the organisation's leadership. Rockets fired by Hamas into Israeli territory and by the IDF into the Gaza Strip then formally sparked the seven-week conflict in July 2014. One of the primary Israeli objectives of the war, known as Operation Protective Edge, was to destroy Hamas's network of tunnels. The IDF reported it had 'neutralised' 32 tunnels along the Israel-Gaza border during the conflict, including 14 which crossed into Israel. The devastating 2014 conflict killed 2,251 Palestinians, while more than 10,000 were wounded and 100,000 were left homeless. On the Israeli side, 74 people were killed, all but six of them soldiers. Though Israel said it levelled 32 tunnels during the conflict, many have been rebuilt by Hamas who continue to use the underground network. Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza say tunnels are needed for defence. In 2015, the Islamist group started using heavy machinery, including bulldozers and tractors, as well as engineering tools to accelerate construction of the tunnels. The reconstruction was largely funded by Iran, the Sunday Telegraph reported at the time citing intelligence sources. The Islamic Republic also provided rockets and missiles to replenish Hamas's arsenal. Tunnels were among Hamas's most effective tools during the 2014 war with Israel, with militants using them to enter the Jewish state, carry out attacks and at times even return to Gaza through the underground passages (pictured, Hamas tunnels identified by the IDF in 2014) The IDF reported it had 'neutralised' 32 tunnels along the Israel-Gaza border, including 14 which crossed into Israel, during the conflict which took place between July 8 and August 26, 2014 (pictured, a 2014 graphic showing tunnels targeted by the IDF in 2014) The first Hamas tunnels were built in 2007 between the Gaza Strip and Egypt and were designed for smuggling consumer goods to bypass the Israeli blockade (pictured, a Palestinian waits to enter a tunnel that runs under the Egyptian border) Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza say tunnels are needed for defence (pictured, armed Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, deploy in the tunnels in Gaza City during the seven-week conflict in 2014) Gazans have long used the network of tunnels to bypass the closed Egyptian border at Rafah to bring in staple goods and fuels as well as shipments of arms (pictured, a Palestinian enters a tunnel that runs between Gaza and Egypt) Some rudimentary tunnels existed in Gaza as early as 2002. One was used to bomb an Israeli outpost within the Strip in 2004 (pictured, an Israeli soldiers inspects a tunnel in the Rafah area in Gaza in 2002) A tunnel bomb attack on an Israeli outpost took place in December 2004, killing five IDF soldiers (pictured, IDF soldiers inspect a tunnel discovered in December 2005 near Israel's Erez Checkpoint, north of the Gaza Strip) All together, the tunnels are believed to have cost between $30 million (21.3 million) and $90 million (63.9 million) to build (pictured, an Israeli officer inspects a Hamas tunnel that was destroyed in October 2017) Several tunnels then collapsed or were destroyed by the Egyptian Army in in 2016 and 2017, killing at least 54 Hamas members. In 2018, the IDF announced it had found and destroyed the longest and deepest tunnel ever dug by Palestinian Islamists Hamas. The tunnel, which Israel says would have 'cost millions to build', allegedly began below the Gaza Strip and went on for 'several kilometres', well into Israeli territory. Israel says the Hamas tunnel came from the northern area of Jabaliya, was being dug in the direction of the Nahal Oz community in Israel, and was connected to several others within Gaza. The IDF said it was made it inoperable by filling it with material days after it was discovered. In 2018, the IDF announced it had found and destroyed the longest and deepest tunnel ever dug by Palestinian Islamists Hamas (pictured, the site of the tunnel in 2018) The tunnel, which Israel says would have 'cost millions to build', allegedly began below the Gaza Strip and went on for 'several kilometres', well into Israeli territory (pictured, an Israeli soldier inspects a disused tunnel in 2018) The Islamic Republic provided rockets and missiles to replenish Hamas's arsenal after the 2014 and supplied engineering equipment to allow fighters to re-build tunnels in Gaza (pictured, a Palestinian militant gets out of a tunnel during a graduation ceremony in 2016) The IDF repeatedly says it is able to make tunnels inoperable by filling them with materials after they are discovered (pictured, an Israeli soldier walks through a tunnel the army discovered and seized in October 2013) Israel has since turned to more creative means of finding and destroying Hamas's tunnels in Gaza - building a massive underground slurry wall along the Strip to stop militants constructing 'attack' tunnels. Construction on the three billion shekel project (640 million) started in mid-2017 and finished in March 2021. The concrete wall, which is accompanied by motion sensors designed to detect tunnel digging, is about eight metres high and spans 41 miles along the Israel-Gaza border. The barrier was built on Israeli territory, east of the existing border fence, near the town of Sderot, off the northern Gaza Strip, and the Nahal Oz area near Gaza City. It also includes an offshore barrier intended to stop sea-based commando attacks. In October 2020, motion sensors on the wall detected a tunnel from the southern Gazan city of Khan Younis that ran several dozen metres into Israeli territory. Israel has since turned to more creative means of finding and destroying Hamas's tunnels in Gaza, building a massive underground slurry wall along the Strip to stop militants constructing 'attack' tunnels (pictured, and Israeli soldier keeps guard next to a tunnel entrance) Since 2014, Israel has turned to more creative means of destroying Hamas's tunnels in Gaza - building a massive underground slurry wall along the Strip to stop militants constructing 'attack' tunnels (pictured, an Israeli soldier leaves a secured Hamas tunnel in 2014) Despite the barrier, which was was built on Israeli territory, east of the existing border fence, near the town of Sderot, off the northern Gaza Strip, and the Nahal Oz area near Gaza City, Hamas has continued to dig new tunnels Several Hamas members were killed in tunnel collapses in 2016 and 2017 (pictured, the organisation's fighters in Gaza City gather to pay tribute to their fallen fellow militants) In October 2020, motion sensors on the wall detected a tunnel from the southern Gazan city of Khan Younis that ran several dozen metres into Israeli territory (pictured, a different Hamas tunnel discovered by the IDF) Advertisement Israel claims to have obliterated much of Hamas's network of tunnels in the Gaza Strip in a massive bombardment overnight Thursday. Helicopters, jets, gun boats and artillery pounded northern and eastern parts of Gaza with more than 1,000 bombs and shells as part of a 'complex' operation to destroy Hamas tunnels underneath Gaza City. In an apparent trick, the IDF said shortly after midnight that ground forces were 'attacking in Gaza', but a spokesman later retracted that statement, saying no Israeli troops had crossed the border. However, the announcement was a well-planned ploy to get Hamas to send its fighters into its underground tunnel system beneath Gaza City, before bombarding the area, in the hope of eliminating large numbers of the organisation's operatives in one fell swoop, reports in Israel claim. The IDF has long been trying to destroy the network of Hamas tunnels - established after the Islamist organisation took control of the Gaza Strip in 2007 - because they reach into Israeli territory and are a launch point for the many of the group's attacks. Tunnels were among Hamas's most effective tools during the 2014 war with Israel, with militants using them to move weapons, enter the Jewish state, ambush IDF soldiers, and at times even return to Gaza through the underground passages. Israel claims to have obliterated much of Hamas's network of tunnels in a massive bombardment last night (pictured, Hamas fighters in the underground passages) Helicopters, jets, gun boats and artillery pounded northern and eastern parts of Gaza with more than 1,000 bombs and shells overnight Thursday as part of a 'complex' operation to destroy Hamas tunnels underneath Gaza City The IDF has long been trying to destroy the network of Hamas tunnels, which reach into Israeli territory and are a launch point for the group's attacks (pictured an Israeli officer in one of the cross-border tunnels) The network of tunnels were built after Hamas took power in the Gaza Strip in 2007 and have since been used to launch several attacks on Israel (pictured, Palestinian militants in the tunnels) An explosion lights the sky following an Israeli air strike on Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip on May 14 as part of a massive bombardment of Hamas's tunnel network A graphic shows some of the areas of Gaza that have been targeted by air strikes from Israeli forces and the position of some Israeli weaponry The first Hamas tunnels were built in 2007 between the Gaza Strip and Egypt and were designed for smuggling consumer goods to bypass the Israeli blockade. However, some rudimentary networks existed in Gaza as early as 2002. One was used to bomb an Israeli outpost within the Strip in 2004. A second tunnel bomb attack on an Israeli outpost took place in December 2004, killing five IDF soldiers. The first cross-border raid by Hamas took place in 2006, when the group kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, holding him captive for more than five years. By 2013, the network had definitively pivoted away from the Egyptian border and towards Israel and there were at least three tunnels under the Israel-Gaza border, two of which were packed with explosives. The underground network now branches dozens of kilometres through the Gaza Strip reaching the towns of Khan Younis, Jabalia, and the Shati refugee camp. They also stretch into Israel. The tunnels are used by Hamas and other Islamist groups in Gaza, including the Islamic Jihad movement in Palestine. The groups use the network to hide rockets and other munitions, facilitate communication within their organisations, conceal militants, and launch attacks. By 2013, the network had definitively pivoted away from the Egyptian border and towards Israel (pictured, Palestinian militants from the Islamic Jihad sit in the tunnels) Hamas uses the network to hide rockets and other munitions, facilitate communication within their organisations, conceal militants, launch attacks, and conduct training (pictured, a Palestinian youth crawls in a tunnel during a Hamas graduation ceremony) Israel has long struggled to wipeout the system, despite top of the range military and intelligence equipment (pictured, an Israeli soldier enters a Hamas tunnel) Israel has struggled to destroy the tunnels because they are extremely difficult to detect from the air (pictured, an IDF officer inspects a tunnel in the Philadelphia Corridor, Gaza) The first Hamas tunnels were built between the Gaza Strip and Egypt and were designed for smuggling consumer goods to bypass the Israeli blockade (pictured, a Palestinian smuggler moves a goat through a tunnel from Egypt to Gaza) Who are Hamas? Hamas was founded in 1987 and aims to liberate Palestine and turn it into an Islamic State. It was established as an offshoot from Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, which was active in the Gaza Strip in the 1950s. The organisation rose to power in 2006, defeating the ruling Fatah party in Palestinian elections. It then ousted Fatah officials and seized control of the Gaza Strip in a brief military conflict in June 2007. The conflict resulted in the de facto split of the West Bank and Gaza Strip into distinct Palestinian entities. Hamas has since launched several attacks on Israeli soldiers and civilians, often claiming they are retaliatory. Since 1994, the organisation has frequently stated it is willing to accept a truce if Israel withdraws to its 1967 borders, pays reparations, allows free elections in the territories, and grants Palestinians the right of return. Several Western states including the US, Canada, Japan, and the EU have designated Hamas a terrorist organisation. Advertisement Israel has long struggled to wipeout the system, despite top of the range military and intelligence equipment. This is primarily because the tunnels, which are believed to have cost between $30 million (21.3 million) and $90 million (63.9 million) to build, are extremely difficult to detect from the air. Some of the three dozen tunnels built since the end of the 2014 Israel-Gaza conflict are estimated to have cost $3 million ($2.13 million). The tunnels are reinforced with concrete to protect them from airstrikes and from caving in. Footage from inside the tunnels shows a sweaty and cramped environment, not tall enough for fighters to stand up straight. Hamas first used the tunnels to launch an attack on Israel in July 2014, when 13 fighters used the network to surface near a kibbutz. At the time, Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniya said the tunnels represented 'a new strategy in confronting the occupation and in the conflict with the enemy from underground and from above the ground'. Tensions between Israel and Gaza had been intensifying since June 2014, when three teens were kidnapped and murdered by Hamas, allegedly without the knowledge of the organisation's leadership. Rockets fired by Hamas into Israeli territory and by the IDF into the Gaza Strip then formally sparked the seven-week conflict in July 2014. One of the primary Israeli objectives of the war, known as Operation Protective Edge, was to destroy Hamas's network of tunnels. The IDF reported it had 'neutralised' 32 tunnels along the Israel-Gaza border during the conflict, including 14 which crossed into Israel. The devastating 2014 conflict killed 2,251 Palestinians, while more than 10,000 were wounded and 100,000 were left homeless. On the Israeli side, 74 people were killed, all but six of them soldiers. Though Israel said it levelled 32 tunnels during the conflict, many have been rebuilt by Hamas who continue to use the underground network. Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza say tunnels are needed for defence. In 2015, the Islamist group started using heavy machinery, including bulldozers and tractors, as well as engineering tools to accelerate construction of the tunnels. The reconstruction was largely funded by Iran, the Sunday Telegraph reported at the time citing intelligence sources. The Islamic Republic also provided rockets and missiles to replenish Hamas's arsenal. Tunnels were among Hamas's most effective tools during the 2014 war with Israel, with militants using them to enter the Jewish state, carry out attacks and at times even return to Gaza through the underground passages (pictured, Hamas tunnels identified by the IDF in 2014) The IDF reported it had 'neutralised' 32 tunnels along the Israel-Gaza border, including 14 which crossed into Israel, during the conflict which took place between July 8 and August 26, 2014 (pictured, a 2014 graphic showing tunnels targeted by the IDF in 2014) The first Hamas tunnels were built in 2007 between the Gaza Strip and Egypt and were designed for smuggling consumer goods to bypass the Israeli blockade (pictured, a Palestinian waits to enter a tunnel that runs under the Egyptian border) Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza say tunnels are needed for defence (pictured, armed Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, deploy in the tunnels in Gaza City during the seven-week conflict in 2014) Gazans have long used the network of tunnels to bypass the closed Egyptian border at Rafah to bring in staple goods and fuels as well as shipments of arms (pictured, a Palestinian enters a tunnel that runs between Gaza and Egypt) Some rudimentary tunnels existed in Gaza as early as 2002. One was used to bomb an Israeli outpost within the Strip in 2004 (pictured, an Israeli soldiers inspects a tunnel in the Rafah area in Gaza in 2002) A tunnel bomb attack on an Israeli outpost took place in December 2004, killing five IDF soldiers (pictured, IDF soldiers inspect a tunnel discovered in December 2005 near Israel's Erez Checkpoint, north of the Gaza Strip) All together, the tunnels are believed to have cost between $30 million (21.3 million) and $90 million (63.9 million) to build (pictured, an Israeli officer inspects a Hamas tunnel that was destroyed in October 2017) Several tunnels then collapsed or were destroyed by the Egyptian Army in in 2016 and 2017, killing at least 54 Hamas members. In 2018, the IDF announced it had found and destroyed the longest and deepest tunnel ever dug by Palestinian Islamists Hamas. The tunnel, which Israel says would have 'cost millions to build', allegedly began below the Gaza Strip and went on for 'several kilometres', well into Israeli territory. Israel says the Hamas tunnel came from the northern area of Jabaliya, was being dug in the direction of the Nahal Oz community in Israel, and was connected to several others within Gaza. The IDF said it was made it inoperable by filling it with material days after it was discovered. In 2018, the IDF announced it had found and destroyed the longest and deepest tunnel ever dug by Palestinian Islamists Hamas (pictured, the site of the tunnel in 2018) The tunnel, which Israel says would have 'cost millions to build', allegedly began below the Gaza Strip and went on for 'several kilometres', well into Israeli territory (pictured, an Israeli soldier inspects a disused tunnel in 2018) The Islamic Republic provided rockets and missiles to replenish Hamas's arsenal after the 2014 and supplied engineering equipment to allow fighters to re-build tunnels in Gaza (pictured, a Palestinian militant gets out of a tunnel during a graduation ceremony in 2016) The IDF repeatedly says it is able to make tunnels inoperable by filling them with materials after they are discovered (pictured, an Israeli soldier walks through a tunnel the army discovered and seized in October 2013) Israel has since turned to more creative means of finding and destroying Hamas's tunnels in Gaza - building a massive underground slurry wall along the Strip to stop militants constructing 'attack' tunnels. Construction on the three billion shekel project (640 million) started in mid-2017 and finished in March 2021. The concrete wall, which is accompanied by motion sensors designed to detect tunnel digging, is about eight metres high and spans 41 miles along the Israel-Gaza border. The barrier was built on Israeli territory, east of the existing border fence, near the town of Sderot, off the northern Gaza Strip, and the Nahal Oz area near Gaza City. It also includes an offshore barrier intended to stop sea-based commando attacks. In October 2020, motion sensors on the wall detected a tunnel from the southern Gazan city of Khan Younis that ran several dozen metres into Israeli territory. Israel has since turned to more creative means of finding and destroying Hamas's tunnels in Gaza, building a massive underground slurry wall along the Strip to stop militants constructing 'attack' tunnels (pictured, and Israeli soldier keeps guard next to a tunnel entrance) Since 2014, Israel has turned to more creative means of destroying Hamas's tunnels in Gaza - building a massive underground slurry wall along the Strip to stop militants constructing 'attack' tunnels (pictured, an Israeli soldier leaves a secured Hamas tunnel in 2014) Despite the barrier, which was was built on Israeli territory, east of the existing border fence, near the town of Sderot, off the northern Gaza Strip, and the Nahal Oz area near Gaza City, Hamas has continued to dig new tunnels Several Hamas members were killed in tunnel collapses in 2016 and 2017 (pictured, the organisation's fighters in Gaza City gather to pay tribute to their fallen fellow militants) In October 2020, motion sensors on the wall detected a tunnel from the southern Gazan city of Khan Younis that ran several dozen metres into Israeli territory (pictured, a different Hamas tunnel discovered by the IDF) Spencer Benbolt Junior, 13, was killed when an industrial bin he was sleeping in with his two friends was emptied by a council worker A mother whose young son was crushed to death as he slept in a skip bin has hit back at trolls harassing her over the devastating accident. Spencer Benbolt Jnr, 13, and two friends aged 11 and 12, were inside the dumpster in Port Lincoln on South Australia's west coast when it was emptied by a council worker at 5.20am on Tuesday. Spencer - known as Budda to his loved ones - suffered catastrophic injuries and died at the scene while the other two boys walked away unscathed. His mother Betts has made a series on Facebook posts since Spencer's death expressing her heartbreak and slamming trolls who have weighed in on the tragedy. 'You don't know sh** so I suggest you all shut your holes and keep your opinions to yourselves,' she wrote on Wednesday. 'My son had a home and had a loving family who cared and worried about him so who gives you any right to speak on my son's name.' Spencer's mother Betts has made a series on Facebook posts since Spencer's death expressing her heartbreak Spencer - known as Budda to his loved ones - suffered catastrophic injuries and died at the scene while the other two boys walked away unscathed Pictured: The scene where Spencer Benbolt Junior, 13, died after he and two friends fell asleep in a bin, which was then collected by a garbage truck Spencer's mother Betts made a series of heartbreaking posts mourning the loss of her son The police investigation into Spencer's death shifted to his family home on Tuesday as officers try to uncover why he was sleeping in a bin when he had his own bed to return to. 'I will never wish this pain my feeling on anyone I loved my son since the doctors plaid him in my arms,' Ms Deborah wrote about her son Spencer (pictured) The trio had been wandering the streets for hours on Monday night before seeking shelter in the bin next to a McDonald's as the temperature fell to 13C and the wind and rain set in. Friends of the youngster have suggested he was supporting his two mates on an 'adventure' that night. Betts hit out at 'trolls' through her Facebook page to reject any idea that Spencer wasn't being properly looked after prior to his death. 'I will never wish this pain my feeling on anyone I loved my son since the doctors laid him in my arms,' she wrote. Her posts have received hundreds of comments from family members and friends supporting the grieving mother and her claims Spencer was well looked after. 'Don't worry about what anyone says my Aunty always remember you and uncle Spencer done a completely good job raising your sons. Gonna miss my baby brother you just focus on your self and block all the negativity out,' a family member replied. 'They are so disgusting and cruel, they don't know sh**. Those who knew him know how loved and cared for he was,' another replied. Betts hit out at 'trolls' through her Facebook page rejecting any idea that Spencer wasn't being properly looked after prior to his death Friends have said Spencer was looking after his two mates in the dumpster when he climbed in Munnalita Kojcic and her son arrived at the scene to lay flowers on Wednesday, explaining they were heartbroken when they learned what happened to Spencer Carlton star Eddie Betts pictured with his wife Anna Scullie. He has rejected the idea the boy was homeless and said Aboriginal communities always have an 'open door to our kids no matter what' One of the provincial city's favourite sons, AFL star Eddie Betts, said the local Aboriginal community was rallying around Spencer's family and rejected the idea the boy was homeless. 'It's important to know that in Aboriginal families we always open the door to our kids no matter what, so the reporting of [him] being homeless is false,' the Carlton forward told The Australian. 'Being a big mob, we all know each other and care for each other and our kids' safety is always important to us uncles, aunties and elders.' South Australian MP Connie Bonaros has called for an independent inquiry to be launched to probe all the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. The probe would look into 'any failures, shortcomings or neglect of obligations and responsibilities' and examine any allegations of neglect or abuse of process by government staff. Friends and family have said the only reason Spencer got into the bin was because he didn't want to leave his two younger mates in there alone. They visited the Grand Tasman Hotel about 12.30am to ask for glasses of water before walking six minutes to the edge of town toward the McDonald's, where they crawled into the skip bin and fell asleep. On Wednesday, Spencer's loved ones began arriving at his family home with supplies of soft drinks and snacks to begin a period of cultural grieving period. A family member said they would stick together as they tried to come to terms with the tragedy. 'There's a certain way we grieve in our culture,' she said. 'We have our family here now and we need to be together.' Britain's chief medical officer has inspired thousands more school leavers to apply for careers in medicine during the pandemic, a new report says. A surge dubbed the 'Chris Whitty effect' saw a record-breaking number of teenagers apply for university courses in the medical field for 2021 entry. Applicant numbers jumped by a fifth compared to the previous year for medicine and a quarter for nursing, data from the Medical Schools Council (MSC) and UCAS shows. This will drive up competition for limited places, despite Matt Hancock last year pledging to lift the cap on medical school spaces available in England. A report by UCAS noted that the arrival of Covid-19 had an 'immediate impact on applicant behaviour', adding this 'continues to unfold as we move into the 2021 cycle.' It named this the 'Chris Whitty effect' after Britain's chief medical officer, who is often seen at the forefront of Covid briefings throughout the pandemic. A surge dubbed the 'Chris Whitty effect' saw a record-breaking number of teenagers apply for university courses in the medical field at 2021 application deadlines. Pictured: Whitty This led an additional 4,400 sixth formers to apply for careers in nursing at the January deadline, up 25 per cent on the previous year, the Where Next? report said. The MSC added a record-breaking number of applicants applied for medicine courses for entry in 2021, noting a jump of 20.9 per cent compared to 2020. There were a total of 28,690 applications, including 24,220 new candidates and 4,470 reapplications. Its report said: 'The consequence of this rise in applications is that the selection criteria universities use in 2021 are likely to be stricter than those used in 2020. 'In any typical year, medicine is a competitive subject for which to gain entry and is heavily oversubscribed. 'The number of places available to study medicine is regulated by the different UK governments and strictly controlled through intake targets.' It added that there will be a 'greater competition than usual for places in 2021', with the number of spaces available remaining the same as in 2020 at around 9,500. Data from the Medical Schools Council (MSC) notes applicant numbers jumped by a fifth compared to the previous year for medicine and a quarter for nursing courses This 11oz Chris Whitty appreciation mug is available on Amazon for 9.99 plus 3.68 delivery A T-shirt referring to Chris Whitty asking for the 'next slide' in press conferences is 13.99 The UCAS report found eight per cent of students said the pandemic had prompted them to apply for a subject leading to the medical profession. Another six per cent opted for a subject leading to a different key worker career. In total, 30 per cent of young people said the pandemic had influenced their choice of subject in some way. The report said this is a 'clear illustration of how external events can, and do, affect student choice.' It added: 'When we ask students about their personal experiences of choosing their degree, it is apparent that decision-making is unique to the individual; with motivations ranging from the consciously rational to the unexplainable, and from logical to emotive. 'Each persons decision-making process differs in how long it can take. Some choices are made over a prolonged period, others are made more quickly. ' Several new medical schools have opened in the UK in recent years with the intention of training doctors in areas where there are shortages of medics. The jump in applications is not the only evidence of Whitty's popularity in the UK, with a range of merchandise recently emerging in appreciation of the physician. Among them is a 10 mug referencing Dub Be Good to Me, saying: 'Hands, face, space, walk jam nitty-gritty; You're listening to advice from Professor Chris Whitty.' There are birthday cards with his face on, with one stating: 'The science is saying that you are one year older' - and another: 'If you've planned anything, unplan it.' A Chris Whitty card for anyone celebrating a lockdown birthday is on sale on Amazon for 2.99 A Chris Whitty cardboard mask with cutout holes for eyes is on sale for 2.89 on Amazon And there is a range of T-shirts and mugs with the phrase 'next slide please' in reference to him asking for a following graphic during the press conferences. Deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van-Tam, who also regularly appears at the press conferences, has also inspired his own range of products from T-shirts to mugs. Among them is an 8.95 mug saying 'J.V. Tea' and a 33.99 hoodie with his face on, saying 'The Prof. Jonathan Van-Tam Appreciation Society'. Mr Van-Tam revealed last month that someone had given him a JVT T-shirt, when shown one by Sun deputy political editor Kate Ferguson. But Mr Whitty is clearly the most popular, with 290 results for 'Chris Whitty' across eBay and Amazon, while 'Jonathan Van-Tam' returns 59 over the two websites. It comes as top medical experts today warned the June end of lockdown will be 'in doubt' if the Indian Covid variant sees a surge in serious illness. Epidemiologist Professor Paul Hunter said that the nation faces an anxious wait to see how serious the outbreaks of the highly contagious strain are and how many people end up in hospital. Epidemiologist Professor Paul Hunter said that the nation faces an anxious wait to see how serious the outbreaks of the highly contagious strain are. Nadhim Zahawi said that the innoculation roll-out would 'flex' to tackle the outbreak, but said that a planned easing of the lockdown would go ahead on Monday. Cases of a coronavirus variant first detected in India are rising in the UK, potentially threatening the lockdown-easing roadmap An emergency meeting will be held by experts at the Government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies committee on Thursday after it was found that India's Covid variant is now dominant in five local authorities in England. There are mounting concerns that it is more infectious than the currently dominant Kent strain Surge testing has already begun in 15 towns including Bolton and Formby and ministers last night approved plans aimed at slowing the spread of the imported strain of Covid-19, after cases doubled in a week. But Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi said that England's inoculation roll-out would 'flex' to tackle the outbreak and the roadmap would continue as planned. He insisted that the jab could control the impact of the virus strain which has led to hundreds of thousands of deaths in India. Step Four, involving the almost complete end to Covid restrictions, is due to take place on June 21 if there are no setbacks. But speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Prof Hunter, who has worked for the World Health Organisation, said: 'The big question is how many people who are getting the Indian variant will end up requiring hospitalisation. 'At the moment the hospitalisation rate doesn't seem to be increasing yet although if this becomes much more common we will almost certainly see some increase. 'So it's certainly a concern. I think Step 4 is in doubt in June now, but we really need to see what impact it has on severe disease before we can really be certain.' Asked why June 21 is in doubt, he said: 'Well, because if the epidemic continues to increase, if the Indian variant of the epidemic continues to increase at the same rate as it has over recent weeks, we're going to have a huge number of cases by June. 'The issue though is that because it seems to be spreading in unvaccinated younger people at the moment and not yet that much more active in older people maybe we'll be able to weather it and we'll still be able to have the step four in June. 'But if that increases cases in elderly and starts to increase hospitalisations, and puts pressure on the NHS again then I think step four would be in doubt.' Older people living in areas of high infection are also to be offered their second dose of the vaccine early to protect them. It means a total of ten million people who are considered to be most vulnerable could have their second doses of the vaccine brought forward to prevent them getting hospitalised if Britain faces a third wave, The Times reported. A gang shootout in Rhode Island's capital has left nine people injured, three critically, in what police said was the largest shooting in city history. Multiple guns were used in the shootout which was the result of an 'ongoing feud' between two groups known to Providence authorities. Chief Col. Hugh T. Clements said the violence began with a drive-by shooting targeting a home. A shooting in Rhode Island's capital has left nine people injured, three critically, in what police said was the largest shooting in city history Evidence markers showing where more than a dozen shell casings littered the ground could be seen in the distance Multiple guns were used in the shootout which involved an 'ongoing feud' between two groups known to Providence authorities Shooters inside the home descrived as 'young men' then returned fire. The shooting took place just before 7pm in the southeastern neighborhood of Washington Park, which Clements described as a typically quiet neighborhood. Several dozen shots were fired and evidence markers showed multiple shell casings littered the ground as police sealed off the area. No arrests have yet been made. Clements stressed the investigation was in its early stages. Chief Col. Hugh T. Clements said the shooting began with gunfire emanating from a vehicle, targeting a home The shooting took place just before 7pm in the southeastern neighborhood of Washington Park Detectives have interviewed the victims aged between 19 and 25 in hospital. The suspects and the victims 'might be one and the same,' police said. 'There'll be names you may recognize; we certainly know from police work,' Clements told reporters. Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza also addressed media at the scene, fielding questions in both English and Spanish. Detectives were at the hospital interviewing the victims, who are between the ages of 19 and 25 'I've spoken with a number of the neighbors, and everyone is shaken,' he said, adding that he's promised extra patrols and security in the neighborhood for the coming days. Prior to this shooting, Providence had seen 19 gunshot victims and seven homicide victims by gunfire in 2021, Clements said. Elorza has pleaded with residents to stop using gun violence to settle feuds, and criticized the ready availability of guns. 'This has to stop,' Elorza said. 'The young people involved, believing that the way to solve their disputes is with a handgun - I mean, that can't be the way.' Celebrity chefs Rick Stein and Michael Caines are among hospitality bosses struggling to hire enough staff as the country's lockdown is eased. A combination of housing shortages, absence of international staff and workers not returning from furlough have been blamed for the problems. On Monday, indoor dining can resume - marking the most significant milestone to date for businesses in England. But restaurants, hotels and pub owners are now facing skyrocketing demand coupled with fewer workers. Jobs lost in hospitality account for 43 per cent of the national total during the coronavirus crisis, with many staff who lost employment moving into retail - and others heading back to their home countries in Europe. Rick Stein Restaurants (pictured, Rick Stein's Padstow restaurant) would normally hire a quarter of their workforce from Europe and rely on international staff, especially during the peak season between May-October Jack Stein, Chef Director of the group, said: 'Staff and customers will have to bear with each other for a while it's an extra challenge to be this busy straight away.' Pictured, Rick Stein As restaurants open back up for a roaring summer trade, bosses have started to feel the shortfall. Rick Stein Restaurants would normally hire a quarter of their workforce from Europe and rely on international staff, especially during the peak season between May-October. Jack Stein, Chef Director of the group, said: 'Staff and customers will have to bear with each other for a while it's an extra challenge to be this busy straight away.' In Exmouth, Devon, Michael Caines is facing similar challenges with fewer international workers in the UK and the population in the South West due to rise exponentially. Fergus Chalmers (right), a newly recruited Chef De Partie for Rick Stein's restaurants in Padstow, Cornwall was offered his job in December but couldn't find anywhere to live. Left, in Exmouth, Devon, Michael Caines is facing challenges with fewer international workers Office for National Statistics data revealed that of the 813,000 decrease in payrolled employees since March 2020 (as shown above), some 355,000 can be attributed to employees working in the accommodation and food service activities sector Data from Indeed UK shows job postings are 16 per cent down on their level before the pandemic, although this is an improvement of 20 points since the Febraury 22 roadmap was announced He said: 'Our local population isn't enough to sustain that amount of work and so we are struggling to get people into jobs.' The Michelin star chef said more needs to be done to attract local people into working for hospitality. He said he doesn't like the Government describing people in the industry as low-skilled. 'Hospitality is not valued as a professional industry but that's not the case we've got some bright people, extraordinary entrepreneurs, it's an important sector that employs so many people and a massive contribution to our GDP here in the South West.' Karen Wisby, from Frontline Recruitment in Weymouth, said she does not know how they are going to change the minds of people to come back. 'Chefs, for example, have gone and become delivery drivers for e-commerce businesses, earning about the same sort of money on a day shift and not on a split shift.' Restaurant kept member of staff through furlough but they've gone to an agency for 6/hour more Matthew Holland, who co-owns Willmore's 1938 in Penarth, South Wales, with his partner Charlotte Court Mr Holland said: 'Right through furlough we kept a member of staff in full time employment, he was almost doing his hours but was on flexi furlough. 'He's been offered a job now with an agency where the pay is considerably more. He can get an extra 5 or 6 an hour at the agency. We made his salary up to the maximum during lockdown so we're a bit frustrated. 'We've been trading right through lockdown with various steps. We've found now that we are struggling to find staff because a lot have moved out of the industry. It is uncertain at the moment. Tips are really good source of income for people, so the salaries tend to be quite low.' He said there were concerns among many workers from the EU and Eastern Europe about their 'long-term employment' prospects in the UK hospitality industry. Mr Holland added: 'There's a lot of people from Eastern Europe who have been working in the hospitality industry. It's the type of employment that crosses over quite easily from Europe to here. 'If you're a barista in Italy, you can do it here. That's a definite concern for not just hospitality, but lots of different industries.' Advertisement Fergus Chalmers, a newly recruited Chef De Partie for Rick Stein's restaurants in Padstow, Cornwall was offered his job in December. While getting a job was easy, he said finding somewhere to live was next to impossible. It took until March for him to find lodgings because the centre of the town was reserved for holidaymakers. 'I had this vision of a small seaside town, I thought it would be quite easy to find accommodation but it just turned out to be very difficult in the end,' he said. 'The whole of the centre of Padstow seems to be let out to tourists.' It comes after some restaurant bosses told MailOnline furloughed staff left to get a better-paid job at an agency, while another said he had not had a single response to an advert for a bar worker on a salary of 22,000 a year. Those trying for a job in hospitality said they were grateful for the 'abundance' of jobs available at the moment, but bosses have 'concern' about the exodus of Eastern European workers following the pandemic and Brexit. Among the chains facing a big recruitment effort is Pizza Express which is trying to hire 1,000 staff to join its 360 sites across the UK before indoor hospitality returns on May 17, having spent much of the past year closed. Wages are on the rise with businesses telling of their struggle to find bar staff despite offering higher rates - and waiters commanding 15 an hour in South East England, equating to nearly 30,000 a year if full-time. Many workers from Eastern Europe are said to have gone back to their home country before the third Covid-19 lockdown with no reason to return to Britain because much of the hospitality industry has remained closed since. And one in five companies with furloughed staff now say they are unlikely to keep all of them on, according to a YouGov study released this week. The UK Government estimates 4.9million workers were furloughed in February. Among the business owners facing recruitment problems is Gordon Anthony, manager of The Park Hotel Ayrshire in Scotland, who said no one has applied for bar positions despite their job adverts highlighting the higher pay. His business is facing having to retrain other staff for bar work if they can't recruit mixologists, and Mr Anthony added that people are leaving hospitality to work in retail instead because it's perceived as a more stable industry. He told MailOnline: 'We did a recruitment drive a couple of weeks ago. We were looking for various positions from waiting staff to chefs and bar staff. 'We had a fairly good response but the difficulty we found is that for bar staff, there were zero applications for the positions we had available and purely I think that's based on the fact that the alcohol restrictions in Scotland have probably been more effective than the food aspect.' Mr Anthony added: 'I think a lot of people have moved from the hospitality sector. Pretty much the bulk of the people have moved to retail because there's a wee bit more stability in the retail industry, but people are very nervous about hospitality. 'We've tried over and above the minimum wage for the position, so we've predominantly focused our advertising on the fact that it's higher paid.' Karen Wisby (pictured), from Frontline Recruitment in Weymouth, said she does not know how they are going to change the minds of people to come back Prem Anand, who runs the Mango Tree vegan restaurant in Taunton, Somerset, said that potential workers have a 'different perspective' in the current climate and it is 'not so easy as it used to be' to hire staff. He also told MailOnline that workers' confidence is down and it is hard to find people who subscribe to his company's vegan-friendly ethos, while he remains concerned about making enough money to pay people immediately when furlough ends. Office of National Statistics data shows four in five people who have lost their jobs since the pandemic began are under the age of 35, and hospitality businesses were the worst hit with 355,000 fewer employees than a year ago. Hospitality's young workforce is also reflected in the figures, with 78 per cent of those leaving payroll employment under the age of 35, and more than half who have lost jobs being under 25. Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, told MailOnline: 'Some sector businesses are experiencing recruitment challenges for some roles, and this is just one of the many negative effects stemming from a prolonged period of closure that hospitality has suffered. 'Whilst furlough has helped protect many sector jobs, businesses that have been haemorrhaging cash or accruing debt during enforced enclosures and trading restrictions have been forced to let staff go and were unable to reopen with full teams intact. 'Some of these workers will have moved to different sectors that have been open and busy over the course of the pandemic.' Schoolchildren are planning a large 'organised fight' in Wales - as police warn parents that 'robust action' will be taken. The brawl is set to take place between two groups of pupils in Gorseinon, Swansea this weekend. Youths from the Sketty area and from nearby Gorseinon will be involved, South Wales Police said. The force wrote a letter to parents, warning that such behavior is 'not acceptable within our society' and that 'robust action' will taken against those involved. The letter, published via Penyrheol Comprehensive School's website, also urged parents to help 'keep your children safe and out of trouble'. It is not the first time such gatherings have happened in Gorseinon. Schoolchildren are planning a large 'organised fight' in Wales - as police warn parents that 'robust action' will be taken. Pictured: In July 2020, around 300 youths poured into a Swansea's Kingsbridge Fields for a mass brawl In July 2020, around 300 youths poured into a Swansea's Kingsbridge Fields for a mass gathering, with underage drinking and fighting reported. One 15-year-old was referred to the youth offending team for a public order offence during the gathering. Schools Community Police Officer Nicola Evans, of Gorseinon Police Station, wrote in a letter: 'Within the last week South Wales Police have received information that youths from the Sketty area and youths from the Gorseinon area of the city will be gathering the weekend of May 14 to 16 in Gorseinon for an organised fight. 'I am sure as a person responsible for a child who may be attending the Gorseinon area you will agree that this is not acceptable within our society. The force wrote a letter (pictured) to parents, warning that such behavior is 'not acceptable within our society' and that 'robust action' will taken against those involved The letter, published via Penyrheol Comprehensive School's (pictured) website, also urged parents to help 'keep your children safe and out of trouble' 'This type of behaviour will not be tolerated and I am writing to you to ask you to speak to your children and if anyone has any information to contact us via 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. 'I must point out that this matter is being investigated and robust action will be taken against the youths identified in the coming days. 'I am appealing to you to help reinforce the message that this type of behaviour can have serious consequences and urge you to help us to keep your children safe and out of trouble. 'We appreciate the last year has been particularly tough, but we'd ask you to consider that any violent behaviour can have a significant impact on our communities and victims. Underage drinking and fighting was reported at the gathering (pictured) last year. One 15-year-old was referred to the youth offending team for a public order offence 'Your child's safety and preventing further issues are a priority and we would like to make it clear that gang violence and threat of violence will not be tolerated.' She urged parents to keep a close eye on their children this weekend. 'As parents or guardians you do have an important and valued role to play and we would ask you, do you really know what your children are up to?' she wrote. 'If your young person is involved in any violence and we contact you please take this seriously, you may feel your young person has not done anything wrong but the impact of their behaviour on others has resulted in this contact from us. 'I would strongly urge you to reinforce the message that they need to behave responsibly when outside of the home to help us keep our communities safe and places for all to enjoy.' Three men and a woman from West Yorkshire and North Wales have appeared in court accused of right-wing terror offences. The four young suspects were accused of being members of a 'terrorist social media' group and making a 3D printed gun. Daniel Wright, 29, Liam Hall, 30, and Stacey Salman, 28, all from Keighley, West Yorkshire, were remanded in custody following a hearing. The suspects appeared in court via video link wearing grey prison-issued clothing. Samuel Whibley, 28, from Anglesey off Wales, was also a part of the alleged terror group that attended the hearing. The first three defendants are all charged with offences of possessing articles connected with acts of terrorism. Arrests were made on May 1 at addresses in West Yorkshire, North Wales and Wiltshire. The two men and a woman will appear in court in London later on Friday charged with terror offences along with another man, police said. Pictured, the road in North Yorkshire where two of those arrested live Hall and Wright are charged with manufacturing a firearm, while Hall is charged with possession of an offensive weapon. Wright is also accused of disseminating three items that would be useful to commit terrorism. Whibley is charged with eight counts, all involved in the creation and dissemination of material that encourages terrorism. They did not indicate a plea during the 10-minute hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court this morning. All the defendants will appear at the Old Bailey later this month. Deputy Chief Magistrate Tan Ikram said: 'I am going to remand you all in custody until your next hearing on May 28 at the Central Criminal Court.' A 16-year-old male from Swindon, who was arrested as part of the same operation, was released from custody without charge a week ago, a spokesman confirmed. They did not indicate a plea during the 10-minute hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court this morning Detective Chief Superintendent Martin Snowden, head of Counter Terrorism Policing North East, said: 'We understand these arrests and police activity have caused considerable concern within our communities, in particular the impact of speculation around them and the ongoing inquiries across social media. 'Public safety remains our number one priority at all times. An extensive and thorough investigation has led to these four individuals being put before courts. 'We would like to thank everyone for their patience, understanding and support and continue to ask for the co-operation of the public in not speculating about the case to avoid any negative or prejudicial impact on the forthcoming court proceedings.' Amazon will create more than 10,000 new jobs in the UK and launch a 10million programme to help employees gain new skills, the online giant announced. The new jobs will include roles at its corporate offices, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and its operations network. Its work force is set to grow to 55,000 by the end of the year - with the new editions based in areas including London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Cambridge. Meanwhile, the firm's latest teaching programme will train up to 5,000 staff 'to meet the UK's future employment needs outside Amazon', the firm said. Employees will have 95 per cent of their course fees funded through Amazon's Career Choice scheme, in partnership with the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). Amazon hopes the programme - which covers up to 8,000 over four years - will 'boost the skills and employability of British workers'. Amazon will create more than 10,000 jobs in the UK to boost the British economy post-Covid (file image) The accredited courses covered under Amazon's scheme range from accountancy to HGV drivers and software developers, the statement said. Practical work experience and mentoring will also be offered, alongside classroom-based learning. Amazon and the BCC will also identify local skill shortages in different parts of the UK to make sure training fits the specific needs of certain areas. The corporate roles on offer - which will be based in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Cambridge offices - under Amazon's hiring drive cover a wide range of fields. These include fashion, digital marketing, engineering, video production, software development, cloud computing and AI. A new fulfilment centre will open in Hinckley, East Midlands, this summer, creating 700 new permanent jobs. The company will also open a parcel centre in Doncaster and new fulfilment centres in Dartford, Gateshead, and Swindon that will each create more than 1,300 permanent jobs later this year. New jobs will also be created in web services and operations networks. Amazon's UK country manager John Boumphrey said: 'We're creating thousands of good jobs across the UK from a diverse range of roles with excellent pay and benefits. The new jobs will include roles at its corporate offices, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and its operations network, the online giant revealed in a statement (file image) 'We're also delighted to be working with the British Chambers of Commerce on a pioneering approach to our Career Choice programme to provide the training, and skilled workers, needed to boost local economies right across the country. 'We're proud of the front-line roles we offer across Amazon, and we also know that they will be a stepping stone for some in their career journey.' Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: 'Amazon's announcement is fantastic news and a huge vote of confidence in the British economy, helping us deliver on our commitment to level up across the UK with a whopping 10,000 new permanent jobs. 'As we build back better from the pandemic, this is a prime investment in our retail sector. 'Over the past year, Amazon's workforce have pulled out all the stops to ensure consumers have had safe access to goods during this challenging time. Meanwhile, the firm will launch a 10million programme to help employees gain new skills (file image) 'Their latest investment will open up a wide range of opportunities for even more workers, helping to develop the skills needed to power tomorrow's economy.' Shevaun Haviland, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: 'This is a great initiative that will not only help Amazon but also provide a much wider benefit to the community, while showcasing how business can be a force for good. 'Providing staff with training to plug the skills gaps that exist within the local business community is going to be a key driver to increasing productivity and boosting the economy as the UK recovers from the pandemic.' Earlier this month, furious locals have slammed developers behind a massive warehouse development - part occupied by Amazon and Kellogg's - after it failed to deliver on the 5,000 jobs promised. Critics of Florida Farm in Haydock claim the site has created less than 10 per cent of the new employment opportunities touted by developers. They say the development, which is home to an Amazon 'sortation' centre, is bringing hundreds of lorries past their home each day. And they claim drivers are using the grass areas around the site as a public toilet - including chucking out bottles of urine from their vehicles. Angela Rayner attempted to calm Labour's explosive civil war today, warning that the party will be out of power until it stops looking like 'bald men fighting over combs'. The deputy leader attempted to draw a line under a factional row with leader Keir Starmer that reopened the wounds between the moderate and Left wings of the party. She insisted that while he 'cheeses me off sometimes' they had a good relationship, after a week of headlines about party infighting. Sir Keir tried to sack Ms Rayner last week in the wake of the party's poor 'Super Thursday' election results before backing down and offering her a more high-profile job in the face of backbench fury. Ms Rayner today blamed the row in the wake of the loss of the Hartlepool by-election on a small group of people 'in a power struggle' and insisted that while she and Sir Keir were 'ying and yang' they had a 'really good relationship'. Speaking to Politico's Westminster Insider podcast she also admitted that the party had lost in Hartlepool 'before we even picked a candidate'. And in perhaps the most eyebrow-raising part of the show the 42-year-old grandmother and former single mum admitted that if she was a teenager again she might vote for Boris Johnson because he is 'a bit spicy' and 'authentic'. The deputy leader attempted to draw a line under a factional row with leader Keir Starmer that reopened the wounds between the moderate and Left wings of the party. In perhaps the most eyebrow-raising part of the show the 42-year-old grandmother and former single mum admitted that if she was a teenager again she might vote for Boris Johnson because he is 'a bit spicy' and 'authentic'. Straight-talking 'Grangela' Angela is a former Stockport teenage single mother and child carer who hauled herself up the political ladder through sheer hard work in her community, after caring for her mother from the age of 10 and having a baby six years later. The flame-haired 42-year-old has drawn on her experience as a one-time struggling teenage mother throughout her political career. She proudly welcomed her own granddaughter at the age of just 37 in 2017 with a tweet jokingly referring to herself as 'Grangela' after son Ryan Ryan became a father to baby Lilith Mae. Ms Rayner was just 16 when she had Ryan, and has told how becoming pregnant so young 'saved' her. She has two other sons aged under 10, Jimmy and Charlie, who was born at 23 weeks and is registered blind. She says Charlie would not be alive today without the NHS. Her teenage relationship with Ryan's father ended quickly and married Unison official Mark Rayner. But they split up last summer. It is not known if she has found love again, but The Sun claimed she had become 'increasingly close' to former Labour campaign chief Sam Tarry, 38. She also acted as a carer to her mother, Lynn Bowen, when just a child. In 202 she opened up about her tough early life, revealing she once had to have her sectioned to prevent her from self-harming. In a joint interview with ITV News, Ms Bowen credits her daughter with saving her, saying she would not have survived without her. 'I was in a very dark place, she used to bath me, look after me, feed me,' Ms Bowen said of her daughter. 'If it wasn't for her I don't think I'd be here today.' Ms Rayner was only elected to Parliament as the Labour MP for Ashton-under-Lyne for the first time in 2015 but she has swiftly risen up the ranks to national prominence. It did not take long for her to be welcomed to the Labour frontbench under the leadership of Jeremy Corbyn as she was made shadow education secretary in 2016. . She swiftly launched a bid for the party's deputy leadership in the aftermath of the car crash poll, standing on a so-called hard-left 'dream ticket' with Westminster housemate and former frontbencher Rebecca Long-Bailey who put herself forward for the top job. However, unlike Ms Long-Bailey, who rated Mr Corbyn' leadership 10/10, she was unafraid to criticise him. In February 2020 she said he failed as Labour leader because he 'didn't command respect' and had not been able to unite the party. Advertisement Sir Keir faced attacks from all sides of the party after he removed Ms Rayner as party chairwoman, which was seen as trying to blame her for the poor election results in the North. It was followed by a botched reshuffle in which she, Annaliese Dodds and Rachel Reeves also shuffled frontbench roles. The moves led to suggestions that Ms Rayner had actually emerged with more power rather than less. Addressing the row she said: 'There is a small group that get the headlines that are just in a power struggle. 'And that's nonsense - because we're not in power in Westminster. And we won't be in power in Westminster for a very long time, until we start realising that we look like bald men fighting over combs!' She added: 'The thing is, me and Keir are like ying and yang, I've said this before. I just like to say it how it is. 'So I go in there like the trade unionist I am and I'm like, right, I'm not happy about this, and what's gone on here? 'And Keirs like this incredibly professional guy. So he's like, oh, OK, this is what I think. And so it's just like the two worlds collide. But I will say this about Keir he is a total professional and he does want to do the right thing. I wouldnt be still with him, as they say, if I didn't think he could do that. 'Do you know what I mean? The trust and the bond hasnt been broken. You know, he might cheese me off now and again, but that's how partnerships are like that, aren't there? You know, you get annoyed with your boss sometimes, it's just - that's how things are.' After two years of Boris Johnson picking up votes in former Laboutr Red wall constituencies, she also admitted that voters liked his style of presentation. 'I think a lot of people like the authenticity. For a long time, people have felt that politicians are just saying what they think they want to hear,' she admitted. 'Or they try to ''triangulate'' is the word that they use, isn't it? Triangulation. I call it magnolia politics. Let's not offend anyone, and have no opinion on anything, sort of thing. And as you are all aware, that's kind of not me.' She continued: 'The Angie Rayner at 18 would have liked someone a bit spicy, and willing to throw a grenade in - not like a real one, you know, Im not actually advocating real violence. 'But, you know, that's why we like soaps, isnt it? We like a bit of like a bit of argy bargy or someone is going to, like, upset what the norm is.' Labour, which had held Hartlepool for half a century, lost the seat last week to the Tories' Jill Mortimer, who picked up a majority of just under 7,000. Asked if it had been a mistake for Labour to pick a Remainer, local doctor Paul Williams, in an area with one of the highest Leave vote sin the UK, she said: 'I don't really think it was that. I think it's an emotional, emotional shift away from Labour that takes time to get back 'I haven't given up on that, because I think the people of Hartlepool are tremendously resilient, and great people that are emotionally connected to our history as a movement. 'But we've got to earn that respect back. We can't just ask them and say, OK, we've got a different leader - now vote for us. It takes a lot longer to earn that respect back.' A depressed and bullied teen who grew into a dark web drug kingpin will serve at least 10 years in prison for his crimes. Cody Ward, 27, pleaded guilty to multiple drug charges carrying a maximum sentence of life in prison before being sentenced on Friday afternoon. NSW District Court Judge Robyn Tupman said the man had 'excellent' prospects of rehabilitation as she sentenced him to 14 years in total, with a decade non-parole period dated back to his February arrest. Cody Ward, 27, pleaded guilty to multiple drug charges carrying a maximum sentence of life in prison before being sentenced on Friday afternoon The earliest he'll be free to walk out of prison is in 2029. Ward operated a dark web drug business from his Callala Bay home on the state's south coast for about four years under the pseudonym of NSWGreat. Following his arrest in February 2019, he was allegedly found with MDMA, 2.5 kilograms of cocaine, amphetamine, 100,000 LSD tabs, Xanax disguised as candy, pills, $80,000 cash, laptops and money counters. Judge Tupman accepted that Ward's social anxiety contributed to him using drugs to self-medicate. Ward adopted the alter ego of a cyber-criminal drug dealer as he played Grand Theft Auto Ward operated a dark web drug business from his Callala Bay home on the state's south coast for about four years under the pseudonym of NSWGreat He adopted the alter ego of a cyber-criminal drug dealer as he played Grand Theft Auto, she said. He started to obtain drugs via the internet. He became obsessed with it, ultimately setting up the drug network. She said his drug offending gave him a community that he did not otherwise have. 'At the time he did not think about the moral implications of what he was doing,' the judge said. 'That is something he has come to understand and accept since going into custody.' The young man has lost 25kg since entering prison, no longer uses drugs, and attends church regularly. Advertisement The 11-month-old daughter of the British woman murdered in Athens laid a flower on her mother's coffin today during her funeral on the Greek island where she grew up. Caroline Crouch was laid to rest in front of hundreds of mourners from Alonnisos on the island's Agia Paraskevi church as her widower Babis paid tribute to his 'beautiful' wife' in front of the islanders who adopted the young Briton as their own. Babis and daughter Lydia had flown by helicopter to the island, where shops and businesses closed as a mark of respect as the funeral takes place. In a moving eulogy, he said: 'I was very lucky that I knew Caroline and that she loved me. I was very lucky for all the moments we shared. 'One thing that makes me even more sad than her death is the fact that our daughter will grow up without remembering her beautiful mother who was the joy of my life. 'But through her daughter, Caroline will always be with me and with all of us. Our loved ones are the most important people to us all.' After wiping away his tears, he added: 'You should always look after your loved ones and enjoy your time together.' During the funeral helicopter pilot Babis carried baby Lydia over to lay a singer flower on her mother's coffin and carried her in his arms throughout the day. The congregation could see him holding her during the moment the pair said their final goodbyes to Caroline as her body was laid to rest in the hilltop cemetery. Caroline's heart-broken parents former British serviceman David Crouch and Filippino Susan Dela Cuesta were supported by friends and relatives in their moment of grief. During the emotional service attended by hundreds of mourners, family members were inconsolable as well-wishers threw flowers on to the coffin. Ms Dela Cuesta had earlier accompanied Caroline's body on the long journey from Athens by road and sea to her final resting place on the picturesque island in the Aegean Sea. Dressed all in black, Ms Dela Cuesta, appeared distraught as she boarded the Skiathos Express ferry at the port of Volos for the five-hour journey to Alonnisos. Her father David, who has been confined to a wheel chair following a surgical procedure, remained on the island to wait for her. A black hearse carrying Caroline's coffin - which was covered with carefully placed white roses - could be seen this morning entering the ferry at Volos. Babis holds 11-month-old daughter Lydia during the funeral of his wife Caroline on the island of Alonissos in Greece on Friday During the funeral helicopter pilot Babis carried baby Lydia over to lay a singer flower on her mother's coffin and carried her in his arms throughout the day Caroline Crouch is carried into the Agia Paraskevi church in an open casket for her funeral on the island of Alonissos Almost every inhabitant of Alonnisos flocked to the island's Agia Paraskevi church to pay their respects to Caroline Crouch, the young Briton who they had adopted as their own Friends and family all wear face masks as they arrive at the Agia Paraskevi church for the funeral of Caroline Crouch Caroline's friends and family arrive at the Agia Parakevi church today for her funeral - many were carrying white flowers as they paid tribute to the 20-year-old mother Burglars broke into the home of Caroline Crouch (left) and husband Charalambos 'Babis' Anagnostopoulos (right), strangled her and then fled with 35,000 in cash and jewellery Mr Anagnostopoulos weeps as he speaks to reporters outside the family home in Athens on Thursday, saying he did not know his wife was dead until police arrived and took his blindfold off Baby Lydia is carried by her grandmother away from the scene of a horrific burglary-turned-murder in Athens on Tuesday Caroline's husband Babis had broken off from helping the police in Athens to be in Alonisso for the funeral, having spoken at length to detectives since the murder. Caroline was strangled during a raid on her Athens home on Tuesday during which her daughter was threatened and her husband tied up - and 30,000 in cash and gems stolen. Officers cannot work out why the robbers killed 20-year-old Caroline after husband Babis had directed them to his stash of money and he and his wife had been tied up as they had apparently already obtained what they came for and gained nothing from her death. Babis was so tightly bound with tape around his neck that he lost consciousness due to lack of oxygen and the gang believed they had also left him for dead. However there was a tiny gap in his tape blindfold that enabled him to find his phone and call the police. The majority of Alonnisos's 2,000-strong population many dressed in black had made their way to the ancient Greek Orthodox Church ahead of the funeral. Old women and old men walked with sticks. Those unable to tackle the steep hill from the port came by taxi. All carried flowers to honour their adopted daughter Caroline. The well wishers outside the church as the waited patiently to be allowed to enter in accordance with Covid 19 protocol. Slowly the streamed down the aisle to lay their tribute. All wore face masks. The majority of Alonnisos's 2,000-strong population many dressed in black had made their way to the ancient Greek Orthodox Church ahead of the funeral. Old women and old men walked with sticks. Those unable to tackle the steep hill from the port came by taxi. Beautiful wreaths are left outside the church today for Caroline's funeral while flowers were left on wooden tables by mourners Wreaths made of white, red, yellow and pink flowers are lined up outside of the church for Caroline's funeral on Friday Friends and relatives of Caroline gathered today and carried flowers as they paid tribute to the murdered mother A man wearing black looks down while carrying a yellow flower as friends and family of Caroline pay tribute to her at the Agia Parskevi church on Friday Friends and family stand next to the hearse carrying Caroline's coffin as they hold flowers outside the Agia Paraskevi church There was silence across the church yard. The only sound were the pitiful sobs of Caroline's devastated mother Susan. An old black hearse had brought her broken to the yellow and salmon pink building directly from the ferry port. The blue and white flag of Greece and the yellow flag of the Greek Orthodox Church flittered gently above it. Children, teenagers, young adults, middle-aged parents and grandmothers wept openly as they shared their grief in public. They hugged each other, held hands and offered each other strength to deal with their collective loss. Before the service family friends had paid tribute to Caroline. The coffin carrying the young British mother killed by burglars in front of her 11-month-old baby is today being taken to the Greek island where she grew up for her funeral A black hearse carrying her coffin - which was covered with carefully placed white roses - could be seen this morning entering the ferry at the port of Volos, central Greece, on its way to the island of Alonisso Almost every inhabitant of Alonnisos flocked to the island's Agia Paraskevi church to pay their respects to Caroline Crouch, the young Briton who they had adopted as their own. Pictured: Caroline with her baby daughter Lydia Kostas Mavrikis, owner of the Alonnisos Museum, told MailOnline: 'Caroline's parents are family friends of mine since many years and my daughter was a fellow student and friend of Caroline at school, they grew up together. 'There were many times that I had a coffee with her mother Susan and the only topic that she would speak about was always Caroline. 'She told me about how happy she was that her daughter was so lucky to have met Babis and to have built such a happy life with him so early in her life. 'She wanted her daughter's happiness to last forever.' Mr Mavrikis added: 'Caroline was present almost at every event at the island. 'She always liked to participate in many different things, she was always cheerful, social and open. 'Many times they went out together with my daughter and with other children of their age and she always had this smiley and friendly attitude towards everyone, something I think she got from her mother.' Mr Mavrikis told how her father David had fallen ill and that his wife Susan took great care of him. 'Following a surgery he had, David is on a wheelchair. 'David, as he was sick during the last years and not able to move he relied a lot on the help of Susan and Caroline. 'Caroline and his grandchild were all his world. And now that Caroline had moved to Athens to study they used every so often to speak on skype. 'David was very happy to see the baby through the camera every day and watch it grow. 'Since the day he learned about Caroline's death only very close family has been able to see him and speak to him. 'Sometimes he screams 'no, no' and his scream is so loud that is heard (is echoing) through the closed doors at the village.' Caroline Crouch, 20 (right), was killed at her home in Athens, Greece, that she shared with husband Babis Anagnostopoulos (left) and their infant daughter (pictured) He added: 'The whole island is shocked. We are all numb. This was a family that everyone knew. 'They might be foreigners but they were very well adapted in the islands life, they had very good friends here they have built their life here and they were adapted in the local society. 'They have built a beautiful house on the old village of the island and they were enjoying life. 'David was not speaking very good Greek when they arrived, Susan spoke better, but they both learned the language. 'I can't even begin to imagine how the life of the parents will be now, as Caroline was their life.' Mayor of Alonnisos Petros Vafinis told MailOnline: 'Caroline grew up here, she was an angel. She used to take part in the activities of the island. 'I know her father pretty well, he is a man that has worked in international companies, he had a big career and then retired on the island because he loved the island. 'He is a quiet and very nice man. What happened to them is really unbelievable. 'I don't think they have come to terms with it yet, it is still too early.' Nothing that has come to light so far shows any evidence that Caroline and husband Babis' home in Glyka Nera wasn't chosen at random. But Athens detectives are still said to be looking into whether the attackers may have been given some inside information from someone who knew Caroline or Babis that would let them know that valuables including 10,000 in cash were in the house. Detectives hope their inquiries with Babis will help to jog his memory for even the slightest details of the horrific attack that will lead them to the perpetrators. Police believe the gang carried out days of surveillance, Greece Prothema news website reported. One line of inquiry is that an Albanian organized crime group that includes Greeks and other nationalities may have been behind the savage killing of the British mother. The criminal gang is believed to be based in the western suburbs of the Greek capital and responsible for a series of extremely violent burglaries in which victims are subjected to vicious beatings, torture and often tied up with ropes. The gang comprises of many members who alternate between burglaries and who avoid main roads to avoid being detection from CCTV, the profilers have concluded. The first test results of samples of DNA taken from the scene including traces of blood and skin taken from under Caroline's finger nails are expected later today. Police have described the crime as the 'most heinous' they have ever investigated, and say it was carried out with a 'brutality' that is rare in Greece. Pictured: the house (right) where the murder took place Police have identified three similar burglaries in the same area in the last six months. In each case the burglars entered via a window and used extreme violence on their victims. The shocking site of Caroline's lifeless body, pale and tied to a pole, with her 11-month-old daughter - Lydia - trying to wake her mother, has been described by the first officers at the scene, Ta Nea newspaper reported. Police Union spokesman George Kalliakmanis said: 'As soon as the police entered the room, they the girl [Caroline] frowning, pale and her legs were white, as a result they realized that she was dead. 'The unfortunate girl's husband was handcuffed, with insulating tape in his mouth and eyes. 'At some stages it is believed that he suffered from lack of oxygen and lost consciousness.' Next to her was her 11-month-old daughter who was 'hitting her mother with her hands and trying to wake her up', according to an officer identified only as Christos, who is himself a father. Baby Lydia was said to be 'half on her, screaming and hitting her mother with her hands to wake her up' when help arrived while her father was tied up, blindfolded and gagged on the floor. Mr Anagnostopoulos, speaking outside the house yesterday, said he did not know Caroline was dead until officers arrived and took off tape that was covering his eyes. He then left the house carrying baby Lydia and found his mother waiting, who took the child in a moment captured by photographers. A neighbour who was the first to be alerted to the tragedy after being called by Babis, described what happened as the baby was brought out. She told MailOnline: 'I came outside and I saw the police were here. Babis was in shock and could not speak. 'Babis was holding the baby. I went inside and got a blanket to wrap up the baby. The grandmother came and took the baby. 'Babis and the baby are being cared for by the mother.' The neighbour added that Babis had been able to raise the alarm by using his nose to dial his phone and call the most recent dialled number, which was hers. She took the early-morning call, but initially could not understand what was being said because Babis had been gagged. She said: 'He was screaming, he was screaming but I could not understand what he was saying because his mouth was gagged. 'I thought it was a medical problem. I went outside to investigate and I saw and then I knew it was much more important. 'Earlier in the night I heard the dog barking but I thought he must be fighting with the cats, they have four cats. 'I only wish I had come to investigate sooner.' The burglars walked through a path (pictured) to the back of the house to access the property before the attack took place Investigators say Tuesday's raid began around 4.30am when the gang approached the couple's house (pictured) and broke a security camera outside As more details of the tragedy emerged today, police continued hunting for the perpetrators including interviewing those with links to criminal networks. It is thought that investigators are trying to track down 300 known gang members who have previously served time for burglary and been released from jail in the last three years to see if they can shed any light on the horrific crime. Meanwhile, extensive DNA testing is being carried out on the victims' clothes as well as items used to bind and throttle the couple - such as a pair of trousers - in the hopes that it will provide more information on the killers. Police point out that the thieves spent more than an hour inside the property demanding the couple hand over money and jewellery - even though Babis quickly gave them the location of 10,000 in cash hidden inside a Monopoly box - and believe they will have left enough evidence behind to identify them. Babis, a helicopter pilot, had earlier given a more-detailed account of the 'nightmare' ordeal, saying he begged burglars not to hurt his family before they held a pistol to his daughter's temple. Babis said he was asleep at his home near Athens on Tuesday alongside Caroline Crouch and baby Lydia when a gang of thieves broke in around 5am. He told the police that the masked raiders - armed with handguns - tied him up on the floor and tied Caroline to the bed before demanding 'where's the money?' in broken Greek. He said the couple had a large amount of cash at home because they had recently bought a plot of land and needed to pay builders for work, and he revealed his hiding spot - inside a Monopoly box - quickly in order to spare his loved ones being tortured. But the thieves demanded more money and jewellery, then pointed a gun at his infant daughter's temple before suffocating Caroline when she started screaming, according to Greek media. 'I heard my wife screaming for help tied to the bed while I was tied to the floor,' Babis is said to have told police. 'We screamed not to be hurt. 'The baby was crying, my wife was crying and someone or some people were looking for the house to find more money and jewelry. Suddenly they left the room and I couldn't hear my wife's voice anymore.' Forensic marks seen on the door and windows in the rear yard of the house where the burglars are believed to have entered The rear of the house shows the attic bedroom where the couple were asleep next to their child when the burglars entered Speaking to Greek TV outside the family home later the same day, Babis added: 'I wish no one ever goes through what we went through last night. It was a nightmare. 'We begged the thieves not to harm us. We told them where the money was and asked them to leave us alone. The police will catch them.' Police were called to the scene by Mr Anagnostopoulos who managed to get to a phone and dial the emergency number with his nose. Police have described the crime as the 'most heinous' they have ever investigated, and say it was carried out with a 'brutality' that is rare in Greece. A 250,000 reward for information has been offered, and investigators are thought to be working on the theory that the gang was well organised, likely surveilled the couple before the raid, and somehow knew they were keeping a large amount of cash at home. Officers are questioning friends, neighbours and relatives of the couple to see if anyone was spotted hanging around the house in the days before the raid, or whether anyone had given away information about them keeping money in the house. Police are also investigating similar burglaries to see if they were perhaps carried out by a single gang, including a raid in the nearby Chalandri suburb of Athens back in December. During that break-in, men speaking 'broken Greek' smashed their way into the lower floor of a house then forced the couple to reveal the location of their money while threatening their daughter with a knife. One of the witnesses in that crime described the men as being Roma. Another theory being worked on by police is that the most-recent burglary was committed by a gang who have spent time in jail, but may have been recently released and returned to their old activities. Investigators say Tuesday's raid began around 4.30am when the gang approached the couple's house and broke a security camera outside. They then removed security pins from a basement window and climbed inside the property, where they found the family's dog downstairs. Police say the husky was strangled using its own leash before its body was hanged from a stair banister. The men then made their way upstairs to an attic bedroom where the couple were asleep next to their child. Babis was attacked first - with the men tying him to a bed post and covering his mouth with duct tape. They then set upon Caroline, a trained martial artist, and tied her up using a t-shirt. Caroline, who is thought to have been born Greece but has a British passport, began dating Babis in 2017, married him in 2019, and gave birth in June last year Caroline was a student at the University of Piraeus, according to Greek media, though it is unclear what she studied. Pictured: Caroline and Babis with their daughter For around an hour they tortured the couple, demanding the location of the family's money and jewellery. It is thought that Babis quickly gave up the location of money he was holding for building works by pointing the thieves to a Monopoly box. But this failed to satisfy the masked raiders, who demanded more money and jewellery. According to news site Ta Nea, Babis told police that the men - speaking in broken Greek - had told Caroline that they would hurt the baby if she did not give them the location of the safe. The men then pointed a gun at the infant, the site reports, causing Caroline to scream for help. She was then suffocated to keep her quiet, possaibly using a blouse or pillowcase. A medical examiner has said he believes Caroline would have suffered a 'slow and torturous death' and if she did fight back against the robbers, her DNA will be found on her finger nails. Grigoris Leos told the To Vima newspaper: 'This crime has a noticeable difference with several others that take place after a robbery, as many times the robbers do not intend to kill. 'But in this case we are talking about a young girl and we are talking about people who were determined to kill this girl and if it is confirmed for a suffocating death we are talking about a slow and torturous death. Therefore, the perpetrator wanted to lead his victim to death.' Mr Leos added: 'They chose a type of killing that requires contact between the perpetrator and the victim. 'All this will have very rich genetic material, the perpetrators will have left fingerprints and if the girl really resisted, genetic material will be found on her nails, as well as in the dog that was killed.' After taking the family's valuables, the men fled. Babis told police that the trio spoke a foreign language among themselves, though he was unable to identify it. At around 6am, Babis managed to reach a phone and called police, who rushed to the scene which has since been cordoned off. Babis and his daughter were taken to hospital, while officers began examining the house for evidence. Social media profiles reveal Caroline and Babis met in 2017 and were married in July 2019 in a ceremony in Portugal. Caroline, who appears to have ties to the UK through her father's side of the family, then gave birth to their first child in June last year. Police say hooded men broke into the home in the Glyka Nera suburb while one stood guard, strangled the family dog, tied up the husband, then tortured and suffocated his wife Caroline was killed in front of her infant daughter after thieves broke into the home she shared with her husband The pair lived in Athens, where Babis worked as an 'air taxi' pilot flying out of Athens international airport and a smaller airfield in nearby Megara. Caroline is believed to have been born in Athens, where her ex-pat parents set up home, while her dad was working for an international oil company following a career in the armed forces. The family moved to Alonnisos when Caroline was eight years old and attended the local school, where she joined a younger class to help her improve her Greek. She graduated from Alonnisos High School aged 18 and was known for her love of sports. She was a member the Hammerhead Kick-Boxing Club. Caroline was also into amateur dramatics and took part in school plays and island entertainment events. She enrolled in the University of Piraeus on the Greek mainland, to study statistics. Caroline met her future husband Babis on Alonnisos where his mother worked as a High School teacher. The helicopter was a frequent visitor to the island to visit his parents. The couple met during the summer of 2016. They married in July 2019. Their daughter Lydia was born in June 2020. In an Instagram post in July last year, Babbis wrote: 'Happy Birthday to my awesome wife, closest friend, and best mom our daughter could have.' A post a month earlier announced the birth of their daughter. Babbis said it was the 'best day in a man's life'. Police say it appears the robbers were experienced, and likely surveilled the couple for some time before the raid. Investigators are now reviewing local CCTV cameras to see how the burglars got away and whether they were in the area before the raid. They are also interviewing the couple's neighbours and friends to see if anyone gave away information about the pair keeping large amounts of cash in the house. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick has vowed to continue the search for missing girl Madeleine McCann who disappeared in Portugal 14 years ago. The Met has so far spent more than 12.5 million since 2011 investigating Madeleine's disappearance as part of Operation Grange. Madeleine, who was aged 3 when she disappeared while on a family holiday in Praia da Luz, Portugal on May 3, 2007. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick, pictured, said this morning Scotland Yard will continue its investigation into the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, who vanished in May 2007 while on a family holiday in Praia da Luz, Portugal German national Christian Brueckner, left, is the prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, right Interviewed this morning on LBC by Nick Ferrari, Commissioner Dick said the investigation will 'continue until there is nothing left do do'. She said: 'We are working closely with Portuguese authorities and the German authorities, and we will continue until there is nothing left to do.' Asked if there are funding issues with the investigation, she said: 'There is not a funding issue. So far (we have) received support every time we have felt there was a line of inquiry to pursue.' To continue the investigation, the Met has to secure a special grant from the Home Office to continue the probe. Detectives received a further 300,000 in March to continue the investigation until 2022. The prime suspect into Madeleine's disappearance is German national Christian Bruekner who is currently serving a sentence for raping a pensioner in Portugal. Prosecutor Hans Christian Wolters, who is leading the McCann investigation in Germany, has previously said he has 'concrete evidence' Christian Brueckner, 43, killed her. Investigators believe convicted child sex offender Brueckner murdered Madeleine, then three, after abducting her from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in May 2007. The disappearance of Madeleine McCann Madeleine McCann, known as Maddie, disappeared from a holiday apartment in Portugal's Praia da Luz on May 3, 2007. She was on holiday with her parents, Kate and Gerry McCann; her two-year-old twin siblings; and a group of family friends and their children. She and the twins had been left asleep at the apartment, while the McCanns and friends dined in a restaurant 55 metres (180 ft) away. The parents checked on the children throughout the evening, until Kate discovered she was missing at 10pm. What followed is widely regarded as one of the most reported on missing person investigations in the world. Portuguese authorities closed their enquiries in July 2008 but Maddie's parents continued with private detectives. Scotland Yard launched their own investigation - Operation Grange - in 2011 and enquiries are ongoing. Advertisement Brueckner referred to as Christian B in Germany due to the country's strict privacy laws was identified as a suspect in June, but prosecutors do not have enough evidence to charge him. At the time, the Met said its active investigation into Madeleine's disappearance, Operation Grange, is a missing person inquiry as there is no 'definitive evidence whether Madeleine is alive or dead'. Brueckner is currently serving a prison sentence for drug trafficking and is expected to remain behind bars until 2026 after losing a bid to overturn a rape conviction. He was last year found guilty of the 2005 rape of a 72-year-old American woman in the same Portuguese resort from which Madeleine vanished and sentenced to seven years in jail, at a court in Brunswick, Lower Saxony. Madeleine had been left sleeping alone with her younger twin siblings while her parents were dining in a nearby tapas restaurant with friends. Authorities hope to be in a position to charge Brueckner by the end of the summer, with a reconstruction soon due to take place in the Praia da Luz resort following a tip-off from a key witness. It comes after Madeleine's parents said this month they 'hang on to hope, however small' that they will see their daughter again as they marked the 14th anniversary of her disappearance alone. In a message shared online, Kate and Gerry McCann noted that this year's anniversary was even more poignant because it would have been missing Maddie's 18th birthday. The message, which was shared on the Find Madeleine website, read: 'Every May is tough a reminder of years passed, of years together lost, or stolen. 'This year it is particularly poignant as we should be celebrating Madeleine's 18th birthday. Enough said.' Advertisement Tens of thousands more people could be hospitalised with Covid this summer if the Indian variant of the virus is a lot more infectious, SAGE models have warned but scientists still don't fully understand the strain. Alarm bells are ringing over the B1617.2 variant, first spotted in India, which has exploded in England in recent weeks from just 77 cases a month ago to 1,313 by Wednesday, May 12. Boris Johnson yesterday admitted he was 'anxious' about the surging new strain, which experts say appears to spread faster than the dominant Kent variant, but insisted the roadmap out of lockdown remains unchanged. The loosening of rules on Monday, allowing indoor socialising and holidays, is still set to go ahead as planned. Scientists advising SAGE this month estimated what a more transmissible strain could do to the country after lockdown is lifted in June and claimed it could trigger up to 20,000 hospital admissions per day in a worst-case scenario. January's peak, which nearly crippled the NHS, was around 3,800 a day in England. A Warwick University modelling team cautioned that if it was 40 per cent more transmissible the next surge could be worse than the second wave, with up to 6,000 daily admissions, and a 50 per cent increase could lead to 10,000 per day. Less grisly numbers from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine suggested a 50 per cent rise could lead to 4,000 per day. But there are still glimmers of hope, with experts saying it remains unclear whether the current variant spreads significantly quicker or whether it is a coincidence it sprung up in places that already had high transmission or simply emerged in clusters linked to people flying into the country from abroad. Vaccines are still likely to work against the strain, research suggests, and there are no signs it is more deadly. But faster transmission means more people getting infected and more opportunities for 'vaccine failure' - when people get sick even after having a jab, which may happen to between five and 15 per cent of people. The variant still only makes up a minority of cases nationwide - around 10 per cent - but it is growing quickly and particularly in hotspots such as Bolton, Blackburn, Bedford and Sefton in Merseyside, where it is confirmed to account for more than half of all positive tests. Local measures have started to be taken in some of those areas already, with door-to-door surge testing set up in Bolton and Formby in Sefton, and health chiefs in Blackburn briefly offering vaccine appointments to all adults yesterday, although they later rolled back on this because it went against NHS policy. It comes as Britain today recorded another 2,193 cases of Covid, down a tenth on the same time last week, while another 17 deaths were recorded. For comparison, hundreds were dying from the virus every day in the darkest days of January. A Warwick University model of a more infectious variant after lockdown is completely lifted on June 21 suggests that any more than a 30 per cent increase in transmissibility compared to the Kent variant could lead to an August peak of daily hospital admissions that is higher than either the first or second wave. In a worst-case scenario with a variant 50 per cent more transmissible, hospital admissions could surge to 10,000 per day or even double that (Thick lines indicate the central estimate while the thin lines are possible upper limits known as confidence intervals) Hospitalisations would be significantly lower if only next Monday's step three was taken and the full relaxation postponed, with the 50 per cent increase leading to a peak of 6,000 daily admissions - up to a possible 14,000 - and 40 per cent to fewer than 3,500, with an upper limit of around 8,000 per day Similar but less grim modelling by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine suggested that a 50 per cent increase in transmissibility could trigger a peak of 4,000 admissions per day in July or August, possibly extending to 6,000 per day The LSHTM model suggested hospitals could have another 30,000 inpatients by the end of July - up to around 45,000 - compared to the current 845 The LSHTM team suggested that there will be 1,000 deaths per day in August if the variant is 50 per cent more transmissible - which would be less than the 1,900 seen at the peak this January An emergency meeting will be held by experts at the Government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies committee on Thursday after it was found that India's Covid variant is now dominant in five local authorities in England. There are mounting concerns that it is more infectious than the currently dominant Kent strain Boris Johnson yesterday admitted he was 'anxious' about the surging new strain but insisted the roadmap out of lockdown remains unchanged (The PM is pictured on a visit to a school to County Durham) SAGE sub-group SPI-M, which advises the Government on how the virus is spreading and is likely to spread in the future, has expressed serious concerns about new variants cropping up as lockdown is eased in the UK. In a report earlier this month it said it was 'optimistic' about the roadmap out of lockdown because vaccines were working so well, adding: 'There is an opportunity to keep the next resurgence very small.' But the big hang-up, the scientists warn, is the potential for a new variant to appear that spreads significantly faster than the currently dominant Kent strain or that can slip past immunity developed from vaccines. It is not yet clear whether the Indian variant is more infectious but scientists fear it might be. SAGE admitted in a meeting on May 5: 'Early indications, including from international experience, are that this variant may be more transmissible than the B.1.1.7 [Kent] variant.' Warwick University scientists on SPI-M warned: 'England remains extremely vulnerable to novel variants with either higher transmission or that can partially escape existing immunity. 'A variant that is 30-40 per cent more transmissible than B.1.1.7 is projected to generate more total hospital admissions than the first wave.' VACCINES 'SHOULD WORK AGAINST VARIANT' The Indian variant's effect on vaccines is 'not particularly concerning', a microbial genomics expert says. Professor Nick Loman, who studies variants for Public Health England, offered a ray of hope to Britons when he said the mutations carried by the strain are not expected to allow it to dodge vaccine-sparked immunity. 'The mutations we see in the genome are not predicted to have a big impact on the shape of the protein and change how antibodies produced by the natural infection or the vaccine will work,' he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. 'And the limited experimental data available on vaccine efficacy is not particularly concerning... The thing that makes it reassuring is that the vaccines work really well and we do have options in, as you say, changing the dosing schedule and changing the way we approach vaccinations.' Advertisement The team modelled possible impacts of a more infectious variant and found an increase of 40 to 50 per cent could have disastrous consequences even if vaccines work. After lockdown is completely lifted on June 21, as planned, they estimated any increase up to 30 per cent would not be enough to push hospital admission rates past the peak of the first wave, around 2,700 in a day. But a 40 per cent increase in transmission could lead to a peak of 6,000 daily admissions in August, with a possible upper limit of 15,000 in a day, while 50 per cent could trigger 10,000 per day and up to 20,000. Hospitalisations would be significantly lower if only next Monday's step three was taken and the full relaxation postponed, with the 50 per cent increase leading to a peak of 6,000 daily admissions - up to a possible 14,000 - and 40 per cent to fewer than 3,500, with an upper limit of around 8,000 per day. Similar but less grim modelling by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine suggested that a 50 per cent increase in transmissibility could trigger a peak of 4,000 admissions per day in July or August, possibly extending to 6,000 per day. The LSHTM model suggested hospitals could have another 30,000 inpatients by the end of July - up to around 45,000 - compared to the current 845. Although the models appear disastrous, they are not specifically about the Indian variant and there is still no evidence that the strain spreads faster than the Kent variant. Public Health England said in its most recent report yesterday: 'There is an increased growth rate compared to B.1.1.7 in the current context and it is plausible that this relates to genuine increased biological transmissibility, but the magnitude of any such change is uncertain.' Professor Nick Loman, a genomics expert at the University of Birmingham who has been tracking the variants, said on BBC Radio 4 this morning: 'We know the virus is growing very fast and particularly in certain regions of the UK, but that does not necessarily mean that the virus is more transmissible. Could this derail the exit plan? What's going on? Cases of a coronavirus variant first detected in India are rising in the UK, potentially threatening the lockdown-easing roadmap. B.1.617.2 has been upgraded by Public Health England from a variant under investigation (VUI) to a variant of concern (VOC). Cases are still relatively low but they are rising, particularly in parts of London, the Midlands and North West. How did it get here? Initial cases last month were linked to overseas travel but the rising number of infections now points to more widespread community transmission. Have people not been quarantining? It is not known how exactly infections are spreading, although there is a suggestion cases have increased through work or religious gatherings. That said, it is only travellers rather than whole households who must quarantine, so family members could unknowingly be spreading the virus. What is the Indian variant? B.1.617 has three strains or sub-types that are genetically similar B.1.617.1, B.1.617.2 and B.1.617.3. It has 13 mutations that separate it from the original Chinese virus, but the E484Q and L452R mutations are of most interest. Scientists believe they have the potential for it to transmit faster and to get past immune cells made in response to older variants. So why is it now a 'variant of concern'? The second sub-type of the Indian variant B.1.617.2 was upgraded to a VOC because of concerns over its spread. While it is hoped the vaccination programme will offer good protection to many, the more cases there are the more severe disease, hospitalisations and deaths there could be in those unable to be vaccinated or where vaccines haven't worked. Is it more deadly? Probably not, but we don't know for certain. PHE said there was insufficient evidence to indicate the Indian variants cause more severe disease, while experts suggest that the high mortality in India is more likely the result of high infection levels and its healthcare system being overwhelmed. What about vaccines? Again, we don't know for sure but the signs are good. Scientists are testing whether the new variant is capable of 'immune escape', meaning antibodies created after vaccination or a prior infection may not stop a person becoming infected. There is some laboratory evidence that the mutations are 'escape mutations' suggesting they could make vaccines less effective. However, scientists say reinfections are likely to be mild compared to primary infections, suggesting the strain is not more deadly. Research has shown current vaccines continue to provide good levels of protection against all the existing variants. BioNTech this week said the Pfizer vaccine will not need tweaking to protect against current variants. And an updated jab by Moderna successfully neutralised South Africa and Brazilian variants in lab trials. What next? Door-to-door testing is under way in infection hotspots such as Bolton to detect further cases in a bid to stop the strain from spreading. Everyone living within specific postcodes is asked to get a PCR test, even if they do not have any symptoms. But while experts say this is finding cases, they are less confident it is enough to stop the spread. Downing Street says it has not ruled out surge vaccinations and ministers also have plans to give booster jabs in the autumn. Advertisement 'Last summer... we imported very large numbers of cases from holidaymakers - predominantly returning from Spain - and that produced the same fast growth rate that we see, but then levelled off. 'Simply because of the propulsive force of having so many imports all at the same time, and that produced that fast growth rate but then it levelled off. And in retrospect we didn't think that that variant was more transmissible.' And even Professor Neil Ferguson - dubbed 'Professor Lockdown' for his grim warnings in March 2020 - said the evidence is still thin on the ground. 'At the moment we have a concerning signal but we can't be completely sure it's indicative of this virus being dramatically more transmissible,' he told The Times. Although there's no agreement on whether the virus will transmit more quickly or not, scientists and politicians remain cautious and Professor Paul Hunter, from the University of East Anglia, today said the June end of lockdown will be 'in doubt' if it continues to spread. It came as ministers revealed teenagers could be offered jabs as authorities battle to bring the outbreaks under control. Surge testing has already begun in 15 towns including Bolton and Formby and ministers last night approved plans aimed at slowing the spread of the imported strain of Covid-19, after cases doubled in a week. But vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi said that England's inoculation roll-out would 'flex' to tackle the outbreak and the roadmap would continue as planned. He insisted that the jab could control the impact of the virus strain which has led to hundreds of thousands of deaths in India. Step 4, involving the almost complete end to Covid restrictions, is due to take place on June 21 if there are no setbacks. But speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Professor Hunter, who has worked for the World Health Organization, said: 'The big question is how many people who are getting the Indian variant will end up requiring hospitalisation. 'At the moment the hospitalisation rate doesn't seem to be increasing yet although if this becomes much more common we will almost certainly see some increase. 'So it's certainly a concern. I think Step 4 is in doubt in June now, but we really need to see what impact it has on severe disease before we can really be certain.' Asked why June 21 is in doubt, he said: 'Well, because if the epidemic continues to increase, if the Indian variant of the epidemic continues to increase at the same rate as it has over recent weeks, we're going to have a huge number of cases by June. 'The issue though is that because it seems to be spreading in unvaccinated younger people at the moment and not yet that much more active in older people maybe we'll be able to weather it and we'll still be able to have the step four in June. 'But if that increases cases in elderly and starts to increase hospitalisations, and puts pressure on the NHS again then I think step four would be in doubt.' Older people living in areas of high infection are also to be offered their second dose of the vaccine early to protect them. It means a total of ten million people who are considered to be most vulnerable could have their second doses of the vaccine brought forward to prevent them getting hospitalised if Britain faces a third wave, The Times reported. Mr Zahawi said today that adults as young as 18 could be offered the jab if they live in multi-generational households. 'The clinicians will look at all of this to see how we can flex the vaccination programme to make it as effective as possible to deal with this surge in this variant, the B1617.2,' he told Sky News. 'They will make those decisions and we will be ready to implement, whether it's vaccinating younger cohorts. 'We have been doing some work on multi-generational households where we vaccinate the whole household, over-18s, and of course the older groups who are already eligible. Cases of a coronavirus variant first detected in India are rising in the UK, potentially threatening the lockdown-easing roadmap. 'Or, bringing forward the second dose - we look at all of that and be guided by the clinicians as to what we do on that.' However, asked about lockdown easing due to start on Monday that includes allowing family members to hug each other again, he added: 'We think that the road map for Monday remains in place, because the vaccines are delivering, and vaccines are keeping people out of hospital and, of course, away from severe infection.' MORE THAN 30% OF COVID CASES IN LONDON ARE DUE TO THE INDIAN VARIANT Almost a third of Covid cases in London are due to the Indian variant, official figures reveal. Public Health England warned in its latest technical briefing that the mutant strain was behind 31.5 per cent of 1,290 cases sequenced by May 12. Only 26 per cent of these, or just 100 infections, were linked to international travel. In the North West, where infection rates are also accelerating, the B.1.617.2 variant was blamed for 25 per cent of cases sequenced. Just seven per cent were linked to international travel. Experts warned today that accelerating cases may be down to a high number of imports of the strain, rather than it being more transmissible. Professor Nick Loman, from Birmingham University and who studies variants for PHE, said the situation could be similar to last summer when many imported cases from Europe - predominantly from Spain - led to an uptick in cases. Boris Johnson has faced criticism for being too slow to place India on the red list, which could have boosted imports of the variant. The technical briefing also offered hope that the strain was still vulnerable to vaccine-triggered immunity. It showed only 13 out of 1,200 cases identified were thought to be possible reinfections - or just one per cent. Reinfections - two positive tests at least 90 days apart - have been spotted for every mutant strain in the country, but they remain at very low levels. The vaccines are based on the old form of the virus, meaning they provide the same level of protection as to people that have suffered a previous infection. 'A small proportion of reinfections have been sequenced through standard national surveillancing,' PHE said. 'This is expected with any prevalent variant; comparative analyses are underway'. Experts say the mutant strains effect on vaccines is 'not particularly concerning' as suggested by early studies. The strain has been split into three types by PHE scientists, but only one - B.1.617.2 - is sparking concern in official circles due to surging infection rates. This carries the L452R and P681R changes which are thought to make the virus more transmissible, but does not have the E484Q change seen in the other Indian variants that could make jabs less effective. Source: PHE Advertisement He added that the Government was 'confident' this could continue but said officials would 'continue to monitor' the situation. So far, most people aged over 65 have had both doses, but only around a quarter of people in their 50s have - leaving more than six million people in this group still without full protection. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said yesterday he was 'anxious' about the 100 per cent increase in cases in some areas, as the national infection rate started to also creep back up. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has also been asked to examine the case for 'targeted vaccinations' of all over-17s in the worst-hit areas. Surge testing for the new coronavirus variant will also be deployed in areas where it is spreading rapidly. Boris Johnson said he was 'anxious' about the variant and refused to rule out local lockdowns to help try to contain it. Government sources also played down the risk that outbreaks of the 'variant of concern' could derail the plans to lift the lockdown on June 21 - as some scientists called for the lifting to be postponed. Mr Johnson's former chief adviser Dominic Cummings also shared on social media warnings by scientists that the roadmap out of lockdown should be delayed. The new variant spreads at an alarming rate, with Public Health England last night revealing that cases in the UK had more than doubled from 520 to 1,313 in a week. But a source said there was no evidence so far that current vaccines would fail to protect against serious disease and death. 'If it is just spreading quicker, that is no reason to change course,' the source said. 'The important thing is that we do not see a rise in hospitalisations and deaths. But we have to be cautious because we just do not know enough about this variant.' Last night's move will see people aged over 50 and those with underlying health conditions offered their second jab earlier if they are living in an area where the Indian variant is spreading fast. Figures yesterday showed the UK had recorded its biggest daily rise in cases since April 27. There were 2,657 new cases of the disease, up from 2,284 new cases the day before. Eleven patients were confirmed to have died within 28 days of a positive test, the same as the previous day. Blackburn with Darwen Council in Lancashire yesterday claimed jabs would be offered to all over-17s, after infection levels doubled in a week, but later changed its mind and said the vaccines would be offered only to those age groups which had been invited to come forward by the NHS. But neighbouring Bolton which has the highest infection rates in the country last night pleaded with the Government to be allowed to administer jabs to all adults. David Greenhalgh, the council's Conservative leader said: 'Send us more vaccinations and allow us to vaccinate 18 years-plus now. That is the answer, not further restrictions.' Other known hotspots include Bedford and Sefton in Merseyside. Britain's national outbreak remains generally flat, with another 2,657 more coronavirus cases and 11 deaths. The Prime Minister said yesterday: 'It is a variant of concern, we are anxious about it.' Speaking at a primary school in Ferryhill, County Durham, he said: 'There is a very wide range of scientific opinion about what could happen. We want to make sure we take all the prudential, cautious steps now that we could take. There is a range of things we could do we are ruling nothing out.' The variant spreads more quickly than the Kent strain, which is currently the most dominant in the UK, although scientists are not yet sure whether it causes more severe illness and hospitalisations. Public Health England confirmed yesterday that several of the areas in England with the highest infection rates are those where the Indian variant is known to be rampant. But scientists remain divided as to whether the variant can be contained locally through increased vaccination and testing or whether the Government should delay the next stage of the easing of restrictions. Zahawi refuses to rule out local lockdowns Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi said 'we will take nothing off the table' when asked if local lockdowns are being considered by officials in areas with a surge of the variant first identified in India. He put himself on a potential collision path with local politicians, who clashed with ministers over a scheme used late last year. He told BBC Breakfast: 'Over a year of dealing with this pandemic suggests that the most effective way of dealing with this, because we have had such a successful vaccination programme, is the surge testing by postcode, the genome sequencing and isolation, so that is our focus, that is our priority. 'But we will take nothing off the table, whether it is regional or national further measures that we would need to take, we will deal with this.' But Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said he would not welcome local lockdowns to combat the spread of the Indian coronavirus variant. He told Sky News: 'My heart sank yesterday when I heard the Prime Minister reintroduce the possibility of local lockdowns; they really didn't work. 'We were under different forms of local lockdown pretty much for the whole of the second half of last year and it took a huge toll on people, obviously on our businesses and our economy. 'We are in a different situation this year because, even though we are seeing spread of the Indian variant in Bolton, we are not seeing the same numbers of people going into hospital because obviously older people are more protected now. 'So we don't need to have the same response that we had last year. We do believe if we move quickly on vaccination we can take away any risk of a local lockdown.' Advertisement Professor John Edmunds, epidemiologist at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and a member of Sage, said that at this stage, efforts should be focused on local measures. He said: 'We should look at whatever we can locally in terms of containing the spread. That's a much better way of doing it. It's still fairly isolated. 'It's only if it gets out there and it becomes more widespread, that more widespread measures might be necessary.' But Dr Deepti Gurdasani, a lecturer in epidemiology at Queen Mary's University of London, told Times Radio: 'If it's growing now, with current restrictions, we can't afford to be easing restrictions. 'We are seeing rapid exponential growth. And if we ease restrictions further, that's leading us straight into another lockdown.' Professor Christina Pagel, the director of the clinical operational research unit and a member of the Independent Sage group of experts, said in The Guardian on Wednesday that the rate at which cases of the new variant were increasing showed the lifting of lockdown restrictions should be delayed. Dominic Cummings then shared a separate Tweet saying that if there was only a 20 per cent chance that Professor Pagel was correct, 'the cost of another big wave is much higher than the cost of delaying the next stage of the Roadmap' - suggesting he supports a delay in lifting lockdown restrictions. Professor Ravi Gutpa, a professor of clinical microbiology at Cambridge University, said it was 50:50 whether restrictions would be eased on June 21. He told Sky News: 'The problem is that (the variant) has seeded so quickly that it's probably spread to other areas. 'So we may get dissemination of the virus before the vaccine has taken effect. It's going to be a difficult decision and it's 50:50 at the moment.' Steve Baker, of the 70-strong Covid Recovery Group of Tory MPs, said ministers should not be considering extending lockdowns. He added: 'Why on Earth would we lock down when the vaccines continue to break the link between cases and hospitalisations and deaths?' The case count was on a par with last Thursday's a 1.7 per cent rise from 2,613 but the number of positive test results have been rising for over a week, with fears growing about the highly infectious Indian variant that is spreading quickly. Deaths were down 15 per cent, continuing three months of decline, and hospital admissions are also still tumbling thanks to the vaccine rollout. A Covid patient in India has died after being raped by a nurse whilst in hospital. The unnamed 43-year-old woman's condition deteriorated rapidly after she told police about the attack at Bhopal Memorial Hospital, in the Madhya Pradesh region. She was put on a ventilator and died later that same evening, police confirmed in a statement on Thursday. The nurse - named as Santosh Ahirwar, 40 - is believed to have also sexually assaulted a 24 year-old member of staff at the hospital and had once been suspended for drinking. The woman was a survivor of the Bhopal gas tragedy - considered to be one of the world's worst natural disasters - which killed thousands and exposed half a million to a toxic gas after a leak from a pesticide plant in 1984. The tragedy happened in Bhopal Memorial Hospital, of the Madhya Pradesh region last month The hospital is part of a collective managed by the government-run group BMHRC. A group representing victims of the gas catastrophe slammed the hospital as being in a 'pathetic condition' and said that BMHRC bosses need to be held accountable. They further claimed that the family of the victim were not aware of the rape. In a letter to officials, the group stated: 'The BMHRC management has done everything in its power to push this heinous and criminal act under the rug and that is precisely the reason why the family of the rape victim was not even informed about the events.' Police stated that the victim had asked them to protect her identity and therefore did not let her family know. Senior police officer Irshad Wali said: 'That is why the information was not shared with anyone except the investigating team.' The group has called for CCTV to be installed in the hospital and for anyone with a history of sexual assault to be barred from working there. Survivors of the Bhopal gas tragedy are seven times more likely to die from Covid than regular citizens. Ahirwar is currently awaiting trial whilst being kept in custody. Britain's 45,000 pubs expect to serve 3 million pints on Monday as lockdown restrictions ease again - but will still be unprofitable until the country is fully opened up. The next step of the roadmap back to normal life happens on May 17, and will see bars and restaurants finally able to serve customers indoors. But there will still be restrictions to service, which include social distancing of at least one metre, table service only and face masks anywhere other than when sitting. It means the pints leaning against the bar are still out and will force drinking venues to operate at just 80 per cent capacity. The British Beer & Pub Association, the leading trade association representing brewers and pubs, said it estimates beer sales for Monday will be 65% - some 1.6 million pints - lower than a normal Monday pre-pandemic. Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the BBPA, said: 'After some questionable weather during the last week or so, we know Brits are looking forward to being back inside the pub once more. 'Our pubs have been preparing for this Monday over the last couple of months. We expect 45,000 pubs to open across the UK and 3 million pints to be served on Monday alone. Emma McClarkin, Chief Executive of the BBPA, wants the government to commit to reopen Greene King chief executive Nick MacKenzie says pubs will only be breaking even until June 21 Indoor drinking is back from Monday after a torrid few weeks outdoors in wet and cold weather 'However, that is 1.6 million pints less than what they would have sold on a typical Monday before the pandemic. This is because 2,000 pubs will still remain closed and pubs that do open are limited in their sales by table service and no standing drinking.' The BBPA has estimated that some 2,000 pubs, 5% of all the pubs in the UK, will still remain closed despite indoor reopening. It wants the Government to commit to June 21 to lift all restrictions, including removal of social distancing and allowing vertical drinking and bar service to resume. It came as as the Nick Mackenzie, the chief executive of pub giant Greene King, warned pubs would not become profitable until full restrictions were lifted. He told Radio 4: 'I think the last few weeks with the teams have been extremely difficult with the weather 'We have only had a small number of our pubs open so we have been taking some money and we have been glad to have customers back but it has been pretty tough so Monday's really important. Scenes like these are going to be a welcome sight as indoor hospitality finally comes back Previously cold and wet drinking and dining was the norm under the government restrictions 'We are going to have nearly 2,500 of our pubs back open again and hopefully we will get some good responses from customer. 'It has been great so far and it has been great to have all those customers coming back and having a good time but next week is really important for us and the next step of us rebuilding our business and rebuilding the sector actually 'We won't be profitable, we know that from last time with the restrictions that we will have on Monday and June 21 becomes really key to us about lifting all restrictions. 'With the social distancing restrictions obviously people cannot stand and drink at the bar, it does restrict capacity so you are at about 80 per cent capacity with the restrictions in place we will have on Monday 'From a profitability perspective that is difficult as well. Most businesses will be at about break even and what we need to get back to is profitability so we can start to invest in our business again and start creating jobs again. 'It has been challenging in our city centres and I think London has been worst hit. It's been a triple-whammy for them, they've lost tourists, they've lost workers coming back into the city centres as well and the general restrictions on people coming out, so it's been much harder for city centres. 'We are calling for local government and national government to try and incentivise people to come back.' Covid has cost pub and restaurant owners 40,000 each on average in lost earnings, according to a study of businesses in the food and drink industry by small business insurer Simply Business. This is more than double the amount that the average small business has lost so far during Covid-19 (15,673) demonstrating the scale of the impact on an industry which has been particularly affected by the various lockdowns and restrictions of the past year. What's more, despite the reopening, owners expect losses to continue with Covid-19 set to cost them 45,470 each in total on average. Emma Taylor, owner of Jack's bar and grill in Stockport, 'We are both excited and anxious to open on Monday. Unlike many others we've had no outdoor space so this is our first opening in months. 'I'm worried the public will expect our staff to be back to their old selves with full confidence straight away. Naturally, it will take a couple of days for us to iron out some cracks. But I can't wait to welcome customers through the door! Not just for the cash flow, just for some normality.' Dobrina Nikolova, owner of Dobby's food, a Bulgarian restaurant in Chatham, Kent, added: 'I know there will be a lot of interest from customers but I'm a bit nervous about it as I've stayed at home for so long. 'I believe we naturally got out of the routine we were used to before the pandemic. We need time to get in full working mode again. But it is exciting that we finally get to open! I'm happy that I will see my staff, my customers. 'It is nice to start doing the thing that defines me. As a restaurant owner, I was in my establishment for 20 hours a day, 6 days a week, it is something that I give all my heart to!' Racing NSW boss Peter V'landys has lost his defamation case against the ABC over a report showing graphic footage of retired racehorses being slaughtered at a Queensland abattoir. While the 7.30 program dubbed The Final Race did not portray the CEO in a positive light, it did not defame him, Justice Michael Wigney said on Friday. Mr V'landys sued the broadcaster and journalist Caro Meldrum-Hanna over the October 2019 program which included the confronting footage from the Meramis abattoir, north of Brisbane. Racing NSW boss Peter V'landys has lost his defamation case against the ABC over a report showing graphic footage of retired racehorses being slaughtered at a Queensland abattoir It also included footage of cruelty to racehorses as they were transported to knackeries for slaughter and commentary by prominent campaigners against cruelty to racehorses. A recorded interview with Mr V'landys was juxtaposed with graphic images of the mistreatment of former thoroughbred horses. He claimed the report conveyed four defamatory meanings. They included that as CEO he 'callously permitted the wholesale slaughter of thoroughbred horses' and 'dishonestly asserted that no racehorses were sent to knackeries for slaughter' in NSW when he knew that was untrue. Mr V'landys said the broadcaster and Meldrum-Hanna acted dishonestly and deceitfully by not showing him the distressing abattoir footage before interviewing him. This was said to have caused his reputation as a regulator to be undermined and his reputation to be brought into public disrepute, ridicule and contempt. But the judge found the report didn't portray Mr V'landys as knowing that thoroughbred horses were being slaughtered in abattoirs and knackeries and that his denials were untrue and dishonest. Rather, Justice Wigney said, the message conveyed was that the slaughter was occurring because the rules that had supposedly been put in place to stop it from occurring were inadequate and ineffective. Mr V'landys sued the broadcaster and journalist Caro Meldrum-Hanna over the October 2019 program They also weren't being effectively policed by the regulators themselves, who were shown to be 'asleep at the wheel'. 'The ordinary reasonable viewer was likely to have been disturbed and even angered by the graphic footage of cruelty to racehorses,' Justice Wigney said. 'The juxtaposition of that footage and Mr V'landys' confident assertions about the effectiveness of Racing NSW's rules made his assertions look rather foolish.' It also tended to convey that the regulators, including Mr V'landys, were ineffective if not incompetent when it came to dealing with the problem of 'wastage' in the racing industry. But it didn't convey he actually knew that racehorses were being slaughtered and that his denials were callous and dishonest. Given that he was a prominent figure in, and a staunch defender of, the thoroughbred racing industry, there could be no doubt that he would have been upset and embarrassed by the report but he was not defamed. If he had been shown the footage, there could be little doubt that he, like any fair and right-minded person, would have roundly condemned the cruelty depicted in the footage. Mr V'landys was ordered to pay the broadcaster's legal costs. A train company has told its conductors to avoid greeting passengers with the words 'ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls' after a complaint by a 'non-binary' passenger. London North Eastern Railway said it would 'review if any further changes need to be made' - and tweeted that it would encourage staff to speak 'with no gender mentioned' to avoid offending passengers identifying as neither male nor female. It comes after the passenger, South Western Railway train guard Laurence Coles, complained about a conductor who greeted travellers with 'ladies and gentlemen'. LNER promised to take action after replying to the tweet by Laurence, who is also a rail union LGBT representative, that they had felt excluded by the announcement. But the response by the Government-owned operator prompted a backlash, with the firm accused of being 'ridiculous' and pandering to 'woke nonsense'. South Western Railway train guard Laurence Coles complained to London North Eastern Railway about a conductor who greeted travellers with 'ladies and gentlemen' LNER promised to take action after replying to the tweet by Laurence (pictured) Laurence stated in their post: 'Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls...' so as a non-binary person this announcement doesn't actually apply to me so I won't listen @LNER.' In reply, the rail operator said: 'I'm really sorry to see this, Laurence, our Train Managers should not be using language like this, and I thank you for bringing it to my attention. The increasing use of non-binary pronouns A gender neutral or gender inclusive pronoun is a pronoun which does not associate a gender with the individual who is being discussed. In the English language, the word 'he' is used to refer to males and 'she' to refer to females. But some people identify as neither gender, or both, which is why it is becoming increasingly common for companies to make it easier for people to choose to be referred to by other pronouns. Instagram, for example, now lets users enter their preferred pronouns on their profile. It is also a common feature of users' Twitter and Facebook biographies. People who are limited by languages which do not include gender neutral pronouns have attempted to create them, in the interest of greater equality. These include the terms zie and zim instead of he/she and him/her. Source: The LGBT Resource Centre. Advertisement 'Please could you let me know which service you are on and I will ensure they remain as inclusive as we strive to be at LNER.' LNER, which said the train manager would not face disciplinary action, confirmed it would 'review' the use of the phrase and was 'committed to diversity and inclusion in all we do'. However a source also said its guidance had not changed, with staff 'encouraged to welcome all customers onboard'. In response to a further tweet from someone saying they were 'looking forward to your announcements including all 100+ genders', LNER said: 'Or just with no gender mentioned. Inclusive.' LNER also said: 'We're not bending over backward to accommodate any one person, we're doing our best to accommodate every person.' Non-binary people do not identify as male or female and use pronouns such as they and them rather than he or she. In their Twitter profile, Laurence claims they are a gay and transsexual rights officer for a local London branch of the Labour Party and the rail workers' union the RMT (National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers). They also state in their profile: 'They them pronouns b/c non binary, ta luv.' Their LinkedIn profile says they have worked as a train guard for South Western Railway since September 2016, and previously worked in food development for McDonald's head office in London. The apology by LNER, which operates services on the East Coast Main Line between London King's Cross and the North East and Scotland, sparked a wave of criticism. Mark Jenkinson, Conservative MP for Workington in Cumbria, said: 'You'd be forgiven for thinking this train manager had unleashed a tirade of abuse. LNER has come under fire after it apologised over a complaint from a non-binary passenger 'He'd actually said, 'Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls'. Identify however you like, but can we stop this nonsense?' Broadcaster Julia Hartley-Brewer of talkRADIO said: 'Stop pandering to this nonsense. Your announcer said nothing wrong. Laurence's complaint is ridiculous. 'No one was excluded or discriminated against. Just do your job of running trains on time and leave the woke politics to someone else with nothing better to do.' Columnist Paul Embery, who is also a trade unionist, added: 'Utterly ridiculous. Do you have any idea how this kind of thing comes across to ordinary people?' Colleague Jarley was with Laurence during the announcement and defended the complaint Others questioned what alternative terms should be used if train managers wanted to welcome their passengers 'inclusively'. One Twitter user said: 'I am concerned that you say train managers should not be using language 'like this'. Can you clarify please? 'Why are you asking the service this person was on? Do you intend telling the train manager that they are not to use normal language that everybody understands?' Another added: 'Well done LNER for sticking up for the Equality Act 2010, can I just ask what conductors are supposed to say though?' An LNER spokesman said: 'We are committed to diversity and inclusion in all that we do for our customers, colleagues and communities, and encourage our on-board teams to welcome all customers. 'Our policies and procedures are reviewed regularly and we will review if any further changes need to be made.' The RMT union and Transport Secretary Grant Shapps have been contacted for comment. It echoes the row which erupted last year after Harry Potter author JK Rowling was accused of being 'transphobic' after insisting only women experience menstruation. She had challenged an article entitled: 'Opinion: Creating a more equal post-COVID-19 world for people who menstruate.' And in 2017, the phrase 'ladies and gentlemen' was removed from announcements on the London Underground, with staff instead told to use greetings such as 'good morning everyone'. A former Labour MP has admitted he told a parliamentary worker he 'loved' her, 'craved her body' and wanted a sexual relationship with her despite being married at the time. Mike Hill, 58, texted the woman, referred to as Ms A at a tribunal, saying he 'craved' her body, was 'in love' with her and described himself as being 'emotionally f*****'. Ms A has accused the former Hartlepool MP of conducting a campaign of sexual harassment and bullying against her over a 16-month period during his four-year term in office. Her claims include Mr Hill 'groping' her and 'rubbing' his penis against her body in his London flat, while the married man also told her if he could propose to her, he would. Mr Hill, who confirmed he was married at the time of the 'embarrassing' messages, today said he 'accepted' that the claimant did not want a romantic sexual relationship, but denies the allegations against him. The former MP was suspended from the Labour Party in September 2019 over the allegations, but was reinstated just a month later and held his seat in that year's December general election. Former Hartlepool Labour MP Mike Hill, 58, is accused of a 16-month period of sexual harassment by a parliamentary worker known as Ms A at a London employment tribunal During cross-examination at the Central London Employment Tribunal, Mr Hill was questioned about text messages he sent Ms A, who suffers with depression and PTSD. In one, which was read out to the tribunal, Mr Hill told her: 'You know that I crave your company and intelligence and conversation all the time. But that I also crave your body too.' Asked repeatedly by the claimant's barrister, Samuel Nicholls, if that meant he wanted to 'have sex' with Mrs A, Mr Hill responded: 'Part of having a relationship would be that.' Extracts of a secretly recorded conversation between the pair, in which the claimant accused Mr Hill of 'rubbing' up against her and 'touching me up', were also read. In another message, Mr Hill said: 'Of course I will escape when I can, I want you to be part of my future. You know how much I love you.' Asked whether he loved the claimant, Mr Hill told the tribunal: 'At some stage, I believe I was in love with her.' He further texted: 'I'm truly sorry, I hope we have a future in the long term. 'Hoping I could look after you and care for you like I have done. Didn't know your feelings were a million miles from that. Sorry. I couldn't cope with a loveless future as I have that now. 'If I could propose to you today, I would. But if you're not interested, then what's the point. I'd end up in torture.' Parts of a secretly recorded conversation between Ms A and Mr Hill were also read out at the tribunal, with the claimant accusing him of 'rubbing' up against her and 'touching me up'. Mr Hill admitted he was married at the time he sent a former parliamentary worker 'embarrassing' messages - telling her he 'craved' her body and was 'in love' with her Mr Hill told the hearing the comments were 'contrived' as Ms A was referring to 'cuddles' that he claimed were 'quite often' initiated by her. Asked what he meant by cuddles, Mr Hill said: 'Ms A was a tactile person and would often want a hug. 'Short hugs mainly, reassuring hugs between friends. They stopped when the individual wanted it.' Mr Hill said he was 'wearing my heart on my sleeve', which was 'not unusual' for him. In a further message, he described himself as being 'emotionally f*****' and told the tribunal that his 'emotions were all over the place' at the time. Mr Hill, who stood down as an MP in March, has denied the allegations of sexual harassment against him. Earlier in the hearing, he said he had received training on the issue of sexual harassment while in a previous role as a regional organiser for the trade union Unison. Mr Hill was suspended from the Labour Party in September 2019 over the allegations, but was reinstated in October of that year to fight the general election. He resigned from his seat in March, triggering the by-election that saw the former red wall seat of Hartlepool swing dramatically to the Conservatives. A YouGov poll today gave the Conservatives a 15-point advantage over the opposition after winning the Hartlepool by-election and major mayoral races in the Tees Valley and West Midlands last month. The tribunal, which is due to last a week and a half, continues. White contractors and even dogs were airlifted to safety before black people during a jihadist attack in Mozambique, survivors have claimed. Rescuers are said to have prioritised the white people in a 'racially segregated' evacuation plan which saw black locals left stranded in a hotel where they had sought refuge, survivors told Amnesty International. Two dogs were also airlifted to safety in helicopters before the locals, according to shocking new testimony. Dozens of innocent people were killed when Islamist insurgents launched a raid in the northern town of Palma on March 24. Horrifying images from the massacre carried out by the Islamic State-affiliated local al-Shabaab group showed bodies scattered across roads and people fleeing from the slaughter. White contractors and even dogs were airlifted to safety before black people during a jihadist attack in Mozambique, survivors have claimed. Pictured: Black people who were evacuated from Palma arrive on a flight in Pemba on March 31 - days after the March 24 attack Horrifying images from the March 24 massacre showed bodies scattered across roads and people fleeing from the slaughter In the days that followed the March 24 attack, South African private military company Dyck Advisory Group managed to rescue some of the people stranded in the Amarula Palma Hotel in Palma. But it has now been claimed that black locals were left behind at the hotel to fend for themselves after white contractors and a few wealthy Black nationals - among them the Administrator for Palma - were rescued. The stranded attempted to flee by ground convoy but were attacked in an ambush by al-Shabaab, Amnesty said. It comes as footage emerged last month from the attack, showing two black people hoping to be rescued standing by a 'Help' and 'SOS' written in stones and white bed sheets on the ground. It comes as footage emerged last month from the attack, showing two black people hoping to be rescued standing by a 'Help' and 'SOS' written in stones and white bed sheets on the ground The nationalities of the 12 people found 'tied up and beheaded' in the northern town of Palma (pictured) cannot yet be confirmed, a local police commander said 'We were about 220 people trapped there in the hotel - we [local black people] were the majority, and the whites were supposed to be about 20. After the rescue and escape, we were about 170 people still alive. Most of the whites were rescued by helicopters, before we left the hotel by car,' one survivor told the rights group. Initially, survivors understood there was a plan to prioritise the helicopter evacuation of women, children, and people with disabilities. However, that plan was apparently abandoned in the days that followed. Another survivor said: 'We didn't want all white people to be rescued, because we knew that if all the whites left, we would be left there to die. We heard them talking about the plan to take all the whites and leave the Blacks.' The rise of ISIS in Mozambique Mozambique is a majority Christian country, with Muslims comprising around a fifth of its population. A religious movement, Ansar al-Sunna, first appeared in 2015 in the north of the country, formed by followers of radical Kenyan cleric Aboud Rogo Mohammed who has been linked to the 1998 US embassy bombings. The group attracted disaffected young men who resented a lack of opportunities in an area of rich natural resources. It started building mosques and religious schools, becoming more and more popular with locals. But in 2017, the group starting launching attacks and became known locally as al-Shabab, although they do not have any known connection to Somalia's jihadist rebels of that name. Militants started posting photos on the encrypted messaging service Telegram posing in front of the ISIS flag and praising its then leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Islamic State then confirmed that jihadis in Mozambique had joined its Central Africa Province division (ISCAP), along with militants in the Democratic Republic of Congo. ISIS have since claimed responsibility for many of the attacks carried out in Mozambique, including brutal beheadings and massacres, often posting photos of the victims online. In an official ISIS news bulletin in June last year, leaders taunted the West and African nations for failing to stop the insurgency in Mozambique, and said its interest there is financial with the country's huge coal and gas reserves. The militants still refer to themselves as al-Shabab but they are now strongly considered to be an arm of ISIS, which was confirmed by US officials in December. Coordinator for counter-terrorism Nathan Sales said: 'What we're seeing today is a committed ISIS affiliate that embraces the ISIS ideology, that embraces the ISIS tactics and procedures, and embraces the ISIS vision of a caliphate with territorial control.' As part of ISCAP, al-Shabab is part of ISIS's formal structure and the jihadi group in the Congo allegedly helps fund its Mozambican counterparts. Attacks have become increasingly sophisticated, using new and advanced weapons which indicate the group's involvement in the militant network. The rebels are mainly active in Cabo Delgado province and their attacks became much more frequent and deadly in the past year as they look to hold strategic towns. In August, they captured the port town of Mocimboa da Praia and nearby villages, one of the first territory gains by ISIS in months. The terrorist group then declared Mocimboa da Praia the capital of ISCAP. The insurgents are fighting against Western and Christian values as they seek to install a radical form of Islam and Sharia law in the country, targeting civilians as security forces struggle to quell their uprising. Their attacks have left an estimated 2,600 dead and caused 670,000 to flee their homes, creating a humanitarian crisis. US special forces arrived in Mozambique this month to train marines in counterinsurgency. Advertisement Survivors have claimed the hotel manager took advantage of the chaotic situation and was allowed to take his two German Shepherd dogs in a helicopter in place of black locals. 'If the dogs hadn't gone, about two or three more people could have gone on the helicopter. That dismayed people because some women didn't get in the helicopter because of the dogs,' one survivor said. The helicopters could only transport six people at a time, and made a total of four trips. For those left behind - including some white contractors -, they risked leaving the hotel in a convoy of cars to Quelinde beach where they had hoped to catch a boat to Afungi. But they were immediately ambushed by the Al-Shabaab fighters who had been lying in wait. Among those killed in the ambush was 50-year-old Briton Philip Mawer. A body matching Mr Mawer's description was pulled from the wreckage of a car destroyed in the attack. It is believed he was fleeing from the siege by ISIS-linked insurgents at the Amarula Hotel. He was working for RA International, a Dubai-based firm that provides living quarters and other logistics for expatriate workers. 'The insurgents - when they saw the cars coming out in the backyard - started shooting. The road was full of holes that the insurgents had dug to prevent the cars from passing,' one survivor told Amnesty. 'They shot at our car; [it] flipped over,' another survivor said. 'I was injured, the bazooka almost hit my head. 'We left the road and stayed in the woods for six days, without eating or drinking water. We managed to get to the beach and catch a boat to go to Afungi, where we got help.' For those who reached the shore, two boat trips transported them from Quelinde to Afungi. The first trip took about 60 people, including all the remaining white contractors; the second trip on the following day took about 70 Black local people, according to Amnesty. Amnesty has since called for an investigation into the 'alarming allegations'. 'These are alarming allegations that the rescue plan was racially segregated, with white contractors obviously receiving preferential treatment,' said Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International's regional director for East and Southern Africa. The rights group said it spoke to 11 survivors out of the 220 people who had been in the hotel, including five who survived an attack as they tried to flee. They all said that the hotel manager and DAG operatives, who were in charge of the rescue attempt, prioritised the safety of white contractors over local Black people. 'Abandoning people during an armed assault simply because of the colour of their skin is racism, and violates the obligation to protect civilians. This cannot go unanswered,' Ms Muchena said. 'The total lack of co-ordination between the Mozambique security forces and Dyck Advisory Group resulted in evacuations that were racist, and must be thoroughly investigated,' she added. Ms Muchena continued: 'Terrified locals knew that the rescue of white people first would mean they were abandoned to face Al-Shabaab by themselves. 'The fact that the hotel manager chose to rescue his dogs instead of people is also extremely shocking, and further proof of the lack of respect for human life that has characterised the Cabo Delgado conflict.' Dyck Advisory Group, the private company which was involved in the rescue operation, told AFP that the allegations were 'not at all accurate' - adding that it would issue a statement later. The shocking claims come after the bodies of 12 beheaded expats were found last month in Palma after the ISIS massacre. Their bodies were found near to natural gas projects worth 43.6billion. They are all believed to be foreigners because they are white, Commander Pedro da Silva said. Standing near to an area of disturbed earth where he said he buried the bodies himself, Commander Silva told state broadcaster TVM: 'They were tied up and beheaded here.' The attack came after dozens were killed after Islamist insurgents launched a raid on Palma on March 24, including 50-year-old Briton Philip Mawer. Those left behind decided to flee but they were immediately ambushed by the Al-Shabaab fighters who had been lying in wait. Among those killed in the ambush was 50-year-old Briton Philip Mawer (pictured) Horrifying images from the March 24 massacre showed bodies scattered across roads and people fleeing from the slaughter. The government has said dozens died in the latest assault that began on March 24, and aid groups believe tens of thousands have been displaced. But the full scale of the casualties and displacement remains unclear. Last month, previously-unseen pictures of the March 24 attack in Palma were released. In shocking pictures obtained by Sky News, the scale and violence of the attack by the Islamic State-affiliated local al-Shabaab group is becoming more clear. The aerial footage shows corpses of those brutally murdered by the insurgents after being pulled from their lorries by the killers in the African nation. Smoke is shown rising from the town's buildings after the ISIS militants rampaged through its streets, killing people that crossed their path. People can be seen running towards rescue helicopters as they desperately flee the key industrial town that was overrun by an estimated 100 fighters. One picture, taken from the air, shows people hoping to be rescued stand by 'Help' and 'SOS' written in stones and white bed sheets on the ground. The true death toll remains unknown, with disrupted internet and mobile phone networks making communication with the region difficult. According to eyewitness reports, the gunmen ruthlessly attacked nearby villages before their main assault on Palma, and even ambushed a convoy of foreigners trying to escape the violence. Thousands have fled the town of some 75,000 people where dozens were killed, according to an early government toll, and French energy giant Total has abandoned a site where a multi-billion-dollar gas project is under way. Bulama Bukarti, a sub-Saharan terror analyst with the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, told The Guardian that the March 24 attack was the first time foreign nationals had been targeted by the ISIS-backed group. He also noted the sophistication of the attack - with the insurgents targeting banks and warehouses for food and money - mimicked actions seen by other Islamist groups in Africa. It is believed that the insurgents infiltrated the town before launching an attack from the inside. A ship, believed to be carrying supplies, was grounded on the shore near the town and used by the insurgents to re-stock as the attack continued. Exclusive satellite imagery obtained by Amnesty from 1 April revealed the extent of damage caused by the attack on Palma, that lasted until 31 March. The assault concentrated on public infrastructure and government facilities, rather than homes. On 9 April, satellite imagery showed 33 more structures - likely homes - had been destroyed since 1 April when the Mozambique security forces had reportedly regained control of the region. In total, 85 structures were visibly damaged, most likely by fire. This aligns with previous Amnesty research that indicated the Mozambique security forces have conducted reprisals against the civilian population once Al-Shabaab have retreated. A body matching the description of missing Briton Mr Mawer was found in April, according to his employers. In a statement on behalf of his family, RA International said: 'It appears that Philip died while trying to escape from the siege by ISIS-linked insurgents of the Amarula Hotel.' Mawer, a contractor from Somerset, had not been seen or heard from since gunmen ambushed a convoy of vehicles fleeing a hotel. His family described him as a 'much-loved son, brother, uncle and friend' while RA international called him 'an ebullient, outgoing character'. Mercenary pilots recovered the body from the wreckage of a car destroyed in the attack, according to The Times. The mercenaries, from the Dyck Advisory Group (DAG), handed over the body to the SAS soldiers after recovering it from a 4x4 which had been spotted on Monday. A decision was made in London for the SAS soldiers not to search the destroyed vehicle themselves, so the mercenary pilots conducted the search instead. His family said in a statement: 'It was the nature of his chosen line of work to be in the more dangerous corners of the world and Philip's career had previously taken him to Somalia, Sierra Leone, Algeria, Afghanistan and Yemen. 'His ability to get things done in the most hostile of environments made him a valued colleague. 'Earlier in his life, Philip overcame a period of compulsive gambling and went on to write the book Overcoming Problem Gambling: A Guide For Problem And Compulsive Gamblers, using his personal experience to help others to overcome this destructive addiction. 'He would often receive letters of thanks from people helped by the book. Debenhams has confirmed the last of its stores will close for the final time tomorrow as it encouraged shoppers to take advantage of any remaining discounts. The department store launched a post-lockdown fire sale before the chain shutters its stores, marking the end of a 242-year presence in Britain's towns and cities. It collapsed at the end of last year, with the closure of all its stores confirmed after Boohoo agreed to only buy its website and brand in a 55 million rescue deal. Its remaining 28 stores will shut for good on May 15 following its liquidation, with earlier closures throughout May seeing an additional 73 shops close. Shoppers can still snap up 80 per cent off fashion and home and up to 70 per cent off beauty and fragrance products until tomorrow. But the department store in Newcastle was empty today on its penultimate day of trading, with bare shelves and huge areas taped off to shoppers. The Debenhams store in Basingstoke, Hampshire, was empty on its penultimate day The department store launched a post-lockdown fire sale before the chain shutters its stores, marking the end of a 242-year presence in Britain's towns and cities. Pictured: Basingstoke Debenhams' collapse into liquidation ended a 242-year history on the UK high street. It tumbled over in the same week as Topshop owner Arcadia, with the two failures putting around 23,000 people out of work. The appalling toll of job losses was on a par with the collapse of Woolworths in 2008, which cost 25,000 jobs. The closure of the two mega-brands also left a gaping hole in the heart of towns up and down the country, where high streets are already in decline. The online business of Debenhams, which was founded off Bond Street in London in 1778, and its brands was sold for 55million to online upstart Boohoo in January. Although the pandemic sealed its fate, the department store's woes had built up over decades as it failed to keep up with changing trends and locked itself into long, expensive leases. Debenhams said the closing down sale was the last chance for customers to say goodbye to their local shop 'before sadly our stores close for good'. Glamour model Gemma Atkinson launches an Ultimo store within Debenhams in Belfast in December 2007 It collapsed at the end of last year, with the closure of all its stores confirmed after Boohoo agreed to only buy its website and brand in a 55 million rescue deal Debenhams is to shut its doors for the final time in its 243-year history. Pictured: Basingstoke The historic department store chain will close its remaining 28 stores across the UK for good on Saturday Stores have closed steadily throughout the month, with 27 shops in England and Wales shutting on May 2 and 4 and another 21 closing on May 12. The chain's 15 Scottish stores and the flagship on London's Oxford Street will not reopen. A spokesman said: 'We are now heading into the final days of our closing down sale and this is the very last chance for our customers to take advantage of some incredible deals. 'With up to 80 per cent off across our remaining stores, customers are urged to shop now while stocks last. Shoppers are seen charging through the doors of a Debenhams department store on the first day of the sales in 1977 'Debenhams will close its doors on the high street for the final time in its 242-year history. 'Our sincere thanks go out to all of our colleagues and customers who have joined us on this journey. 'We hope to see you all one last time in stores before we say a final goodbye to the UK high street.' Which Debenhams stores are closing tomorrow? Here is the list of stores which will close on May 15: Basildon Basingstoke Belfast Birmingham Bullring Brighton Bristol Bromley Cardiff Chelmsford Cheshire Oaks Colchester Coventry Exeter Hanley Lakeside Leeds White Rose Liverpool Manchester Manchester Trafford Meadowhall Merry Hill Newcastle Newry Plymouth Romford Rushmere Sheffield Swansea Advertisement The rise and fall of Debenhams: From modest female outfitters to star-studded fashion launches with Kim Kardashian and Gemma Atkinson... how 242-year-old retail chain met its demise in 2020 By Mark Duell for MailOnline Debenhams has been a mainstay on UK high streets for 242 years, but is now set to shut its doors for good. In 1778 William Clark opened a drapers store on 44 Wigmore Street in central London, selling expensive fabrics, bonnets, gloves and parasols. The business had a modest start in life, with Mr Clark continuing to run the single store until meeting a potential investor. William Debenham formed a partnership with the store owner in 1813, pumping funds into the business which then became Clark & Debenham. Five years later it opened its first store outside the capital, in Cheltenham, and started to dramatically expand. The business became Clark & Debenham, after William Clark opened a drapers store in 1778 on 44 Wigmore Street in London. Mr Clark had initially opened the shop selling expensive fabrics, bonnets, gloves and parasols, before it was renamed Penny Lancaster models Ultimo lingerie at Debenhams on Oxford Street in October 2002 (left), while Kim Kardashian launches her 'True Reflection' fragrance range at a Debenhams store in London ten years later in May 2012 Shoppers browse for bargains at a Debenhams department store at the start of its sale on December 27, 1977 When Clement Freebody invested in the firm in 1851 it was renamed Debenham & Freebody, and continued to grow by snapping up smaller rivals and expanding its wholesale operations. Acquisitions continued into the next century and in 1905 Debenhams Ltd was formed. After the First World War ended, the retailer merged with Marshall & Snellgrove, and in 1920 purchased Knightsbridge retailer Harvey Nichols. Seven years later the Debenham family exited the business as it was listed on the London Stock exchange. By 1950, Debenhams was the largest department store group in the UK, owning 84 companies and 110 stores. In 1985 Debenhams merged to become part of Burton Group, which soon rebranded as Arcadia, before splitting away 13 years later after a period of rapid store expansion and the launch of its first international franchise sites. William Debenham (above) formed a partnership with drapers store owner William Clark in 1813, pumping funds into the business which then became Clark & Debenham. Five years later it opened its first store outside the capital, in Cheltenham Crowds of shoppers pack into the Debenhams on London's Oxford Street for the post-Christmas sales in December 1982 Margot Perry, who was first in line, has her hair set while queuing for the start of the Debenhams sale in December 1977 Bargain hunters burst into Debenhams department store at 9am on December 27, 1977 for the start of the winter sales Following demerger from the Burton Group, Debenhams was listed on the London Stock Exchange until 2003, when it was acquired by Baroness Retail. Baroness, backed by private equity firms CVC Capital Partners and Texas Pacific Group, started to strip the company's assets, including a 450 million sale and leaseback of 26 properties and internal cost-cutting. Three years later, Baroness almost tripled its value as it was floated on the stock market, but the retail group was now weighed down by a portfolio hamstrung with expensive rental agreements. Nevertheless, Debenhams continued to grow, acquiring nine stores from Roches in the Republic of Ireland in 2007 and Magasin du Nord, the leading department store chain in Denmark, two years after. The company also had a partnerships with Michelle Mone's Ultimo bra company in the 2000s, which led to a series of photoshoots with glamour models inside its stores. In 2014, after a decline in company profits, retail tycoon Mike Ashley bought 4.6 per cent of the company's shares. People queue outside Debenhams on Oxford Street ahead of the sale opening on December 27, 1978 Sir Ralph Halpern is pictured in Debenhams Oxford Street in November 1985 after his latest acquisition for the Burton Group A Debenhams store in Manchester is pictured in 1981. In 1985 Debenhams merged to become part of Burton Group, which soon rebranded as Arcadia, before splitting away 13 years later Businessman Sir Ralph Halpern, pictured at Debenhams Oxford Street with store manager David Elliott, in November 1985 The Debenhams store at Luton in Bedfordshire is pictured in July 1987 He steadily increased his ownership of the department store business, expanding it to 29.7 per cent by 2018. However, the business had now felt the full effect of difficult high street conditions and sky-high rents, resulting in a 491 million pre-tax loss in 2018. By April of 2019, the retail giant entered administration and delisted from the stock market. It undertook a major restructuring, designed to restore it to its former glory, but went into liquidation in 2020. Michelle Mone opens the Ultimo lingerie brand's first concession at Debenhams in Liverpool in 2015 A Debenhams fashion campaign in 2010 featuring Shannon Murray who had been using a wheelchair since her teens Lingerie designer Aliza Reger (centre) with models to launch the new lingerie department in the Oxford Street store in 2013 Debenhams chief executive Belinda Earl and finance director Matthew Roberts at their store in London's Oxford Street in 2002 ahead of annual results which saw the company's profits rise to 153.6million from the previous year's 146.1million A person walks past a boarded up Debenhams on Oxford Street on April 16 during the first coronavirus lockdown of the year The 242-year-old department store chain said its administrators 'regretfully' decided to start winding down operations while continuing to seek offers 'for all or parts of the business'. It is understood that the collapse of rescue talks were partly linked to the administration of Arcadia Group, which is the biggest operator of concessions in Debenhams stores. Debenhams had already axed 6,500 jobs across its operation due to heavy cost-cutting after it entered administration for the second time in 12 months. Lawyers for Robert Durst, the subject of HBO true crime documentary 'The Jinx' have filed an emergency motion asking for his murder trial to be delayed indefinitely due to a 'myriad of life-threatening issues' including bladder cancer. Requesting the real estate heir be released on bail into an outside medical facility his legal team say a murder trial is grueling for a healthy individual, let alone a 78-year-old man with serious health conditions.' 'We are very concerned about his health,' Dursts lawyer Dick DeGuerin told CNN.' 'He's really gone down in the last year. He's been in and out of clinics and hospitals frequently.' Robert Durst appears in Los Angeles court during opening statements in his murder trial on March 4, 2020. Durst's attorneys filed an emergency motion to Judge Mark Windham (pictured) requesting he be released on bail into an outside medical facility Lawyer Dick DeGuerin told DailyMail.com: 'His health has deteriorated alarmingly over the past fourteen months since the trial was shut down at the beginning of the Covid pandemic. 'I'm concerned about whether he can withstand the rigors of trial. 'We are continuing our request for mistrial through a Writ to the appellate courts, which means we have appealed the trial court's denial of our latest motion for mistrial.' DeGuerin added that he is concerned about the welfare of the jurors in the high profile trial after the four month commitment has now turned into a likely 18 months, which he said wasn't 'fair'. He added: 'The defense is very concerned about the likelihood that jurors may have been exposed to outside influences during this fourteen month hiatus. 'For example, the Headline News Network has repeatedly run a program on our case on their series Very Scary People, very prejudicial to Bob Durst.' Durst's trial for the killing of his best friend Susan Berman in 2000 is due to recommence on Monday after a year-long break caused by the pandemic. But his lawyers say he is currently suffering from 'bladder cancer, prior esophageal cancer, malnutrition, coronary artery disease with drug-eluting stents, atrial fibrillation, and chronic kidney disease'. Durst is on trial for the December 2000 murder of his best friend Susan Berman (pictured together) Durst was present at his most recent court hearing on March 17 although he looked frail and sounded weak. He is still being held in the Twin Towers correctional facility in Los Angeles. His legal team said they are willing for him to pay for his own security, be subjected to GPS monitoring and have a high bail amount if he is released to a medical facility. In July, a judge denied a request for a mistrial after a delay from the coronavirus outbreak. Judge Mark Windham said Durst's right to a fair trial had not been compromised by putting the case on hold in March just days after it began. Durst is on trial accused of the killing of his best friend, Susan Berman, who was shot in her home in 2000. He has denied any role in her death, but his lawyers acknowledged he sent a note with the word 'cadaver' written on it directing police to her body. Berman was shot dead just days before she was set to be interviewed about the 1982 disappearance of Durst's first wife, Kathleen (pictured on their wedding day). Kathleen's disappearance is still unsolved Prosecutors allege he killed Berman because he feared she was going to tell New York police that she knew he had killed his wife in 1982 and helped him cover up the crime. The body of Kathleen Durst has never been found, though she has been legally declared dead. Durst has never been charged with any crime related to her disappearance and has denied any role in her death. Berman was killed just days before she was to give an interview to New York investigators looking into Kathleen's disappearance. Durst's defense lawyer told the jury in March that his client found her body, 'panicked,' and wrote an anonymous note to the police, which included Berman's address and the word 'cadaver,' leading them to his friend's home. In 2003, Durst was acquitted in Texas of the murder of his neighbor Morris Black, whom he admitted to dismembering after shooting him in self-defense during a struggle inside the Galveston apartment they shared. The trial had been in the works for five years, since Durst's arrest on the eve of the airing of the final episode of The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst. The HBO documentary included interviews with Durst that helped lead to the charges against him. In one pivotal scene, Durst was overheard mumbling to himself, 'Killed them all, of course.' Care homes in Covid hotspot Bolton have been told to hold fire on plans to permit more visitors next week amid surging cases of the Indian variant. Schools in the Greater Manchester borough are also urging pupils and staff to keep wearing masks in classrooms next week, despite the measure due to be scrapped nationally on Monday. The next step in Boris Johnson's roadmap out of lockdown says care home residents will be allowed five named visitors from May 17, up from the two currently permitted. But councillors and public health leaders in Bolton have taken matters into their own hands after the local infection rate more than doubled in the last week week. The Manchester town had the biggest spike in infections in the country in the seven days to May 9, PHE figures show, after cases leapt from 85.2 per 100,000 to 187.8. PHE data suggests the Indian variant is now accounting for 25 per cent of cases across the North West. Local councillors have written to all care homes in the area asking them not to follow England's roadmap. Schools have also been told to keep mandatory masks in place for now. Ministers are so far resisting calls to slow the roadmap anywhere, insisting the current vaccines roll-out is able to cope. They suspect it is even more infectious than the already highly virulent Kent strain dominating in the UK. But are confident the vaccines will work just as well against it. PHE Covid variant expert Professor Nick Loman said evidence suggested the impact the mutant strain would have on vaccine triggered immunity was 'not particularly concerning'. It comes as Britain today recorded another 2,193 cases of Covid, down a tenth on the same time last week, while another 17 deaths were recorded. For comparison, hundreds were dying from the virus every day in the darkest days of January. Care homes in Covid hotspot Bolton have been told to scrap plans to permit more visitors next week, reports suggest, amid spiralling cases of the Indian variant. (Stock) How Bolton's rising infection rate has been triggered by the Indian variant: Public Health England data shows the strain is making up almost 70 per cent of new cases in the Greater Manchester town after its prevalence doubled a month Care home in Bolton have been told not to ease visiting limits on Monday. Pictured is surge testing taking place in the Greater Manchester Bolton EXPERTS SOUND ALARM OVER INDIAN VARIANT The June end of lockdown will be 'in doubt' if the Indian Covid variant sees a surge in serious illness, a top medical expert warned today, threatening to send the Government's unlocking plans into chaos. Epidemiologist Professor Paul Hunter said that the nation faces an anxious wait to see how serious the outbreaks of the highly contagious strain are and how many people end up in hospital. It came as ministers revealed teenagers could be offered jabs as authorities battle to bring the outbreaks under control. Surge testing has already begun in 15 towns including Bolton and Formby and ministers last night approved plans aimed at slowing the spread of the imported strain of Covid-19, after cases doubled in a week. But Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi said that England's inoculation roll-out would 'flex' to tackle the outbreak and the roadmap would continue as planned. He insisted that the jab could control the impact of the virus strain which has led to hundreds of thousands of deaths in India. Scientists are trying to work out if it is more infectious than previous strains. Modelling by the Government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies warned that if it proves to be a lot more transmissible than the currently dominant Kent version then it could result in a third wave deadlier than the second. No10's scientists said it could trigger up to 20,000 hospital admissions per day in a worst-case scenario. January's peak, which nearly crippled the NHS, was around 3,800 a day in England. A Warwick University modelling team cautioned that if it was 40 per cent more transmissible the next surge could be worse than the second wave, with up to 6,000 daily admissions, and a 50 per cent increase could lead to 10,000 per day. Advertisement Bolton councillor Andy Morgan, who also runs a care home, told the Guardian the council had written to its care homes to ask them not to follow the roadmap. 'The Government have said care homes can increase visits to five named people from Monday,' he said. 'But we in Bolton have given guidance to our care homes saying we don't think they should implement that guidance and should stick to two named people for at least the next two weeks until we know what's going on with the variants.' There are 35 care homes for older adults in Bolton, according to the council's website, with space for more than 1,000 people. All residents have been offered at least one dose of the Covid vaccine, which early studies suggest protects against the Indian variant. The requested ban on visits will lead to more heartbreak for many families, who have been unable to see much loved relatives for a year due to Covid restrictions. Labour MP for Bolton South East, Yasmin Qureshi, told the newspaper she was against the clampdown on care homes. 'I don't want any more imposition, but I think I would suggest that people voluntarily exercise their own judgement,' she said. Lockdown-easing plans on May 17 will also see residents allowed to go for medical appointments, day centres, a workplace and educational settings without needing to self-isolate. Minister for care, Helen Whately, said announcing the easing: 'Thanks to the phenomenal success of the vaccine roll out and a reduction in cases across the country, I am pleased we can now take another step towards getting back to normal.' Several schools in Bolton have already asked pupils and staff to keep wearing face masks, Bolton's assistant director of public health, Lynn Donkin, told Manchester Evening News. 'We've been talking to a number of our schools and a number of them have reached out to us actually and they've said they want to continue with face coverings,' she said. 'We absolutely support them in that approach.' Bury council has also sent letters to its schools asking them to keep using face masks until further notice. Its message read: 'Following discussions at the Health Protection Board and with Bury's local director of public health, Bury Council is asking schools to retain the use of face coverings, as per current arrangements, until further notice.' PHE data revealed yesterday that Bolton had the biggest spike in infections in the country last week, after cases leapt from 85.2 to 187.8 per 100,000 residents. This was also the highest infection rate in England. Sanger Institute data showed the Indian variant is now dominant in Bolton, with fears it may be behind the spiralling case rates. Surge testing has already begun in 15 towns including Bolton and Formby and ministers last night approved plans aimed at slowing the spread of the imported strain of Covid. Ten million over-50s are set to be offered their second doses earlier, because they are at higher risk from the virus. Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi confirmed that England's roll-out would 'flex' to tackle emerging outbreaks of the virus and to ensure the roadmap continues as planned. He insisted that the jab could control the impact of the virus strain which has led to hundreds of thousands of deaths in India. Step 4, involving the almost complete end to Covid restrictions, is due to take place on June 21 if there are no setbacks. Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has called for all over-16s in the area to be offered Covid vaccines as soon as possible. Blackburn and Darwen council also pushed forward plans to get vaccines to over-18s yesterday. But they were derailed by Government ministers, who said the area had to stick to the JCVI-approved age-based roll-out. An Australian man has opened up about his 'deep regret' after his mother slipped into a coma from which she would never awake after receiving her second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine in India. Canberra resident Prasad, 55, spoke to his 79-year-old mother in India every day until she received her second jab on May 1. Prasad spoke to his mother Ratna immediately following the injection, but two and a half hours later she fell into a coma and was dead within five days. 'She was holding onto the bench, she called out to my niece twice and by the time my niece got there she was already closing her eyes and went into a deep coma,' he told News.com.au. He believes she died of the rare blood clotting condition known as thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine. It comes as Acting Chief Medical Officer Michael Kidd addressed concerns surrounding the vaccine. Professor Kidd said while the vaccine can cause blood clotting in people with low platelet counts he stressed that the chances of it happening are 'very small'. An Australian man has opened up about his 'deep regret' telling his mother to get the AstraZeneca vaccine before she slipped into a coma and died of a rare blood clotting condition India's seven-day average of new coronavirus cases currently sits beyond 360,000 new infections per day, with more than 4,000 deaths Prasad said he will likely never know if his mother died as a result of the rare blood clotting condition because India's medical system has been so devastated by the virus there likely won't be a proper investigation into her death. 'I should have been a bit more diligent to recommend the AstraZeneca vaccine and I regret it dearly now,' he said. He said he believes the vaccine was a factor in the death of his mother, because an MRI showed Ratna had suffered from a massive brain haemorrhage. The AstraZeneca vaccine is recommended in Australia for people over 50, and 20million doses of the Pfizer vaccine have been ordered as the preferred alternative, due to the rare blood clots, which occur roughly six times per million doses. There have been 2million doses of AstraZeneca adminstered in Australia as of May 1. The country has recorded six cases of the rare blood clotting condition, all believed to be linked to the jab Post-vaccination blood clots - warning signs If you have these symptoms, urgently seek help: A severe headache that won't go away with Panadol OR Breathing difficulties and abdominal pains If you have these symptoms, call 000 central or crushing chest pain lasting more than 10 minutes unconsciousness or a seizure (fit) severe difficulty breathing or turning blue severe bleeding or inability to control bleeding with pressure sudden inability to move or speak, or sudden facial drooping Allergic reactions These occur quickly - usually within 15 minutes of a jab These are common symptoms - and not urgent: Weariness/fatigue A mild fever A moderate headache that responds to your usual painkillers Sources: Burnet Institute/Health.gov.au Advertisement There have been 2million doses of AstraZeneca administered in Australia as of May 1. The country has recorded six cases of the rare blood clotting condition, all believed to be linked to the jab. Professor Kidd has addressed concerns surrounding the vaccine. 'People should be particularly alert to severe persistent headaches occurring four to 20 days after vaccination and which are different to the usual pattern of headaches and do not settle with over-the-counter painkillers,' he said. 'If you received the AstraZeneca vaccine and experience symptoms of persistent headaches or other worrying symptoms four to 20 days after the vaccine, you should seek medical advice. 'The serious risk disease and death from COVID-19, if we experience another severe outbreak, is far greater than the very small potential risk of a very rare clotting disorder associated with the vaccine. 'Cerebral venous thrombosis is a very rare disorder that has previously not been known to be associated with vaccination, however it has been noted as a complication of people who have contracted COVID-19,' Professor Kidd said. 'No cases of central venous sinus thrombosis have been reported in Australia to date, in the time period of concern following vaccination, which is within four to 20 days. 'The TGA has received only one report of a case of thrombosis and thrombocytopenia following vaccination with the AstraZeneca vaccine in Australia but the causal link has not yet been established.' The family of Kristin Smart are suing the mother of the prime suspect in the California college student's killing and the woman's boyfriend, accusing them of moving the victim's body after a police search. Paul Flores, 44, was arrested in April and charged with murder for allegedly killing Smart in May 1996 during a rape attempt. His father, Ruben Flores, 80, has pleaded not guilty to a count of accessory after the murder for allegedly hiding the victim's body. Following the father and son's arrests, an attorney representing Smart's parents filed an intentional infliction of emotional distress lawsuit against Ruben, claiming that he moved Smart's body 'under the cover of darkness' from his property to another location a few days after investigators executed a search warrant in February 2020. On May 7, Stan and Denise Smart's lawyer amended the complaint, additionally naming Paul's mother, Susan Flores, and her current boyfriend, Mike McConville, as defendants. Scroll down for video Susan Flores (right), the mother of Paul Flores, the prime suspect in the killing of Kristin Smart, and her boyfriend, Mike McConville (left), have been accused in a civil lawsuit of helping Paul's father move the California college student's body last year Paul Flores, 44 (left), was arrested in April and charged with murder in connection with Smart's killing in May 1996. Her body was never found The lawsuit alleges that Susan, her boyfriend and Paul's father, Ruben, worked under the cover of darkness on February 9, 2020, to remove Smart's body from this lattice enclosure under his deck in Arroyo Grande, California The revised lawsuit alleges that Susan and McConville helped Ruben remove Smart's body from under the lattice enclosure below his deck. James Murphy, the attorney, told KSBY that witnesses saw Ruben, Susan and her boyfriend working under Ruben's home in Arroyo Grande after hours on or around February 9, 2020, which was four days after the police raid. Smart's body has not been found to this day. The Smarts' civil lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for intentionally causing emotional distress over the last 25 years. Paul Flores pleaded not guilty to murder. His father, Ruben Flores, 80, pleaded not guilty to accessory after the murder 'Had Kristins remains not been hidden, re-hidden and then moved yet again, it is reasonably likely [her parents] could have been reunited with the remains of their daughter and would have been permitted the opportunity to conduct a burial service at which their daughter could be laid to rest in a place of honor and dignity, as opposed to the present circumstances where their daughters body was discarded like human garbage,' the lawsuit said. Paul Flores was the last person seen with Smart on the day of her disappearance in May 1996, at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, where they were both freshmen. Prosecutors said he killed Smart while trying to rape her in his dorm room after he had agreed to walk her home from a party, where she had gotten intoxicated. Paul and his father were both arrested last month after investigators said they found 'biological evidence' indicating Smart had been buried under Ruben Flores deck behind his home in Arroyo Grande and was recently moved, according to a court document. On February 5, 2020, Los Angeles County Sheriff's officers executed a search warrant at Ruben Flores' home in connection with Smart's case. According to the lawsuit, four days later, the victim's body was relocated Investigators were back at the Arroyo Grande property on March 16, 2021, when they deployed ground-penetrating radar and cadaver dogs to conduct the search Police searched Ruben Flores' home again in April following the arrests Investigators had returned to Ruben's home in March to use ground-penetrating radar and cadaver dogs to search the property. They searched the home again in April following the arrests and could be seen dismantling the deck that leads underneath the house. Authorities have not disclosed what was found during that search. Defense lawyers have criticized evidence against the father and son as flimsy and based on hearsay and speculation. The younger Flores, who has long been a suspect in Smart's 1996 disappearance, was a former classmate and the last known person to see Smart the night she vanished Paul remains in jail, while Ruben is out on $50,000 bail. Both suspects are scheduled to be back in court for a preliminary hearing on Monday. Smart's parents sued Paul in civil court back in 1996. A judge has put that case on indefinite hold because the investigation into her death has been ongoing since she vanished. Smart's has long been a mystery on the Central Coast. A billboard featuring her photo and offering a $75,000 reward for finding her has served as a constant reminder of her disappearance in the town of Arroyo Grande. Smart was last seen returning to her dorm at the Cal Poly University campus at about 2am on May 25, 1996, after an off-campus party. A then-19-year-old Flores, who was a fellow freshman at the school, had offered to walk her home from the party. Smart was not reported missing to the Cal Poly Police Department until three days after she was last seen. Her dorm mate at the time said police were initially reluctant to take a missing persons report because it was Memorial Day weekend and she might have left the campus. As the last person to see Smart alive, Flores was under suspicion from the start. During the investigation, four different search dogs trained to pick up the smell of human remains led police to Flores' dorm room. No evidence was ever found in Flores' room. Prosecutors said Paul killed Smart in his dorm room during an attempted rape. Smart was officially declared dead in 2002 The Smart family's lawsuit seeks unspecified damages from Ruben, Susan and her boyfriend for intentionally causing emotional distress by helping Paul cover up the crime Smart was officially declared dead in 2002. Various search efforts have been carried out over the years, including the excavation of three different hillside locations near the campus in 2016. Investigators served over 40 search warrants at 16 locations over the years, collected nearly 200 new items of evidence and used modern DNA techniques to test more than three dozen older pieces of evidence. Flores has remained silent over the decades-long investigation. He has previously invoked his Fifth Amendment right to not answer questions before a grand jury and in a deposition for a lawsuit that was brought against him in relation to the investigation. Four people were arrested in connection with five unprovoked attacks on New York City's subway Friday morning. The suspects were spotted by NYPD Commander Kenny Gorman and Officer Jeffrey Delacruz were spotted leaving the northbound 1-train in the area of 79th Street and Broad around 11:20am, NYPD said late Friday afternoon. The suspects' names or mugshots weren't released, and charges are pending. One man, 48, was stabbed in the eye and needed surgery while three others were slashed in the face in the early hours of Friday morning. Another described waking up to being punched in the face. In one attack, the victim's wallet was stolen, and his phone was thrown on the tracks, police said. The first three attacks happened over a 10-minute span starting at 4:20am on the same train. The fourth attack was reported about 30 minutes later, but police said all four were committed by the same suspects. The brazen acts of violence are the latest of 15 assaults on the subway system this week alone, according to Transit Worker Union boss Tony Utano, and appear to part of the epidemic of violence that has gripped New York City's underground rail lines. Four people were arrested in connection with five unprovoked attacks on New York City's subway Friday morning. Cops at the scene after the attack Between 4:26am and 4:37am, NYPD said two to three men punched and slashed four people, stole money and wallets, and, in at least one attack, threw someone's cell phone on tracks so the victim couldn't call 911 The first attack was around 4:20am, when a 44-year-old man on the southbound 4-train was slashed in the left side of his cheek, police said. He got off at the 14th Street/Union Square station, but the suspects stayed on the train beat two sleeping men about five minutes later, according to police. One man, 41, was woken up with sucker punch to the face, and the second man, 40, was slashed across the face, police said. They got off the train at Astor Place in Manhattan. The suspects continued to wreak havoc on the train by slashing a fourth man, 44, across the face while he boarded the train from the Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall station at 4:30am and threw his phone on the tracks, police said. About 30 minutes later, a fifth victim, 48, told police in the area of Yankee stadium that he stabbed in the eye, slashed in the back and left side of his neck, and robbed of his backpack in the area of 79th Street-Broadway subway station. Utano the blame falls squarely on Mayor Bill de Blasio's shoulders and told the New York City mayor that he should resign in an emphatic statement that put an exclamation point on a Friday afternoon press conference. Sarah Feinberg, interim MTA president, echoed the union boss's sentiment, saying de Blasio created a culture of violence in the subways. These 'very serious' armed robbery and slashing incidents 'all seemingly could have been prevented by a uniformed presence on each of these platforms,' Feinberg said. 'The responsibility for these vicious attacks does not fall on an already strapped police department, it falls on City Hall and the individuals who are taking advantage of the mayor's negligence on the issue,' she said. 'If he needed a wake-up call, this is it. Enough is enough. The mayor is risking New York's recovery every time he lets these incidents go by without meaningful action.' NYPD crime figures show felony assault was up 35.6% in April from last year, murder has increased 15.8% and robbery had soared by 28.6% The blood of these victims is on de Blasios hands: MTA union slams NYC Mayor for soaring violence on the citys subways TWU Local 100 President Tony Utano full statement about subway crisis: 'Since last Sunday there have been 15 serious assaults with knives, razors and fists on New York City transit riders and transit workers. God only knows what the weekend will bring. These incidents are unfortunately no longer about the crimes, or criminals, or the victims. They are about one guy, who could take action, but refuses to do so. And by this criminal inaction, Mayor de Blasio has created a crisis of confidence in our transit system. The blood of these victims is on Mayor de Blasios hands. New York transit riders and transit workers deserve better. When the Mayor takes the subway, he is escorted by NYPD detectives, and he cluelessly declares that the subways are safe. We need a large, visible police presence in the subways riding the trains and patrolling the platforms at all times of the day. When New Yorkers, and visitors to New York, are afraid to use our transit system, everything breaks down, and our City will not recover from the pandemic. The Mayor has obviously checked out on New York. He should resign now and allow someone else, anyone else, to deal with the safety of New Yorkers above and below ground.' Advertisement Utano was joined by Patrick Foye, MTA's chairman and CEO, at the press conference. Foye said they need 600 to 800 uniformed officers on the platforms and in the subway cars plus mental health resources to curtail the unprovoked, random attacks. Bill Neidhardt, spokesperson for de Blasio fired back in a response statement Friday morning, saying New York City pulled cops off desk duty and 'is surging over 500 officers on top of a 2,500-strong transit force to fight subway crime.' 'We're going to keep putting massive resources into this fight to keep our subways safe,' Neidhardt said. 'Meanwhile the MTA sends out statements that point fingers and talk about mayoral politics. Get with the program, help us fight back this crime.' Friday's attack happened two days after four commuters were beaten over the course of three hours in unprovoked subway attacks, including a victim who was spit on and slashed in the face. The unnamed victim was seated on a bench at the Times Square station on the southbound platform for the No. 1, 2 and 3 lines when he was approached by an unidentified man Wednesday morning. He told police the assailant began talking to him, at which point he removed his headphones and asked: 'Are you talking to me?' This week's violence on the subways were the latest in a rash of random assaults in a year-long trend sparked by the pandemic. Police leaders in the city previously say the random street and subway attacks is returning New York to its 1980s nadir, when lawlessness and murder were commonplace. There was a tough crackdown in the 1980s, which lowered crime levels made neighborhoods that were previously known as no-go areas safe to walk around, even at night. But now, there are fears the city is returning to the bad old days, including areas like today's attacks in Midtown Manhattan, which have generally been considered to be safe. In an essay written exclusively for DailyMail.com on Wednesday, Sergeants Benevolent Association president Ed Mullins blamed Mayor Bill de Blasio and fellow officials for New York City's descent into lawlessness. 'As the city burns, more lives are lost, and devastated families mourn, these buffoonish 'leaders' continue to say the police are the problem not the solution,' wrote Mullins. NYPD figures from April show the overall crime index rose 30.4% compared to the same month last year. This was driven by a 166% increase in shooting incidents, a 35.6% increase in felony assault, and a 66% increase in reported thefts. Murder rates in the city have gone up by 15.8% year-on-year, robbery is up 28.6% and rape has increased by 53%, according to official figures from the NYPD. Unprovoked attacks are leaving some residents on edge and even looking for self-defense classes. DailyMail.com contacted Mayor Bill DeBlasio's office for comment. Advertisement Prime Minister Boris Johnson today announced that the NHS's Covid vaccine rollout will be rejigged to try and protect people from the Indian variant which he fears will trigger a third wave before lockdown ends in June. All over-50s will now get their second jab within eight weeks of the first, rather than 12, and vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi said the rollout would 'flex' to get second doses to the 10million vulnerable people who aren't yet fully vaccinated. And as the rollout surges ahead with the PM warning 'the race between our vaccination programme and the virus may be about to become a great deal tighter', the AstraZeneca jab could be back on the cards for young people if infections start to surge and the risks of being unvaccinated outweigh the risks of developing a rare blood clot. Scientists have already suggested that once someone's Covid exposure risk moves to 'medium' or 'high' - an infection rate of around 0.5 per cent of the population per week - the benefits of the jab outweigh the risks for all over-20s. SAGE has warned the Indian variant could cause a huge wave if it's significantly more transmissible than the Kent variant that is currently dominant. The plan to change up the programme comes amid warnings the Indian variant B1617.2, which appears to be causing outbreaks in Covid hotspots in the North West, could lead to a 'substantial resurgence of hospitalisations'. The rollout is not expected to be targeted at those hotspots but at getting high-risk people across the country fully protected if they aren't already. An average of 3.5million vaccine doses are currently being given out each week, suggesting it would take three weeks' worth of supplies to get through the 10m, plus extra for those people in their 40s still getting first jabs. Although most supplies are already going towards booster jabs for people who got their first doses in February and March, around one in three are given to first-timers, meaning up to 1million people per week - mostly in their 30s and 40s - could miss out on their first doses if the rollout is completely shifted. Now, everybody who gets their first dose by June 5 will be owed their second jab before the end of July, which could delay the NHS's plans to get a first jab to everyone by that date. The previous cut-off had been May 8. Here's how the Government could do it: Experts at the Winton Centre for Risk and Evidence Communication at Cambridge University calculated that once the infection rate in a country becomes high the benefits of giving the AstraZeneca vaccine to adults in any age group far outweigh the risk of a possible blood clot WHAT IS GOING TO CHANGE AND WHY? Boris Johnson said the gap between first and second doses will be shortened from 12 to eight weeks for people at high risk from Covid - those over 50 or with health problems. Ministers have refused to budge from the age-based rollout to immunise younger people in hard-hit areas, but will bring forward millions of people's second doses by up to a month to make sure they get fully protected as soon as possible. A large third wave would cause widespread hospital admission and death because of vaccine failure rates. These are inevitable because no jabs are perfect, but they are lower if people have had two doses and significantly lower two to three weeks after the second dose. Mr Johnson said in a Downing Street press conference today: 'It's more important than ever therefore that people get the additional protection of a second dose. 'So, following advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, we will accelerate remaining second doses to the over 50s and those clinically vulnerable right across the country so they are just eight weeks after the first dose, and if you are in this group the NHS will be in touch with you.' Vaccine minister Nadhim Zahawi explained this morning: 'The clinicians will look at all of this to see how we can flex the vaccination programme to make it as effective as possible to deal with this surge in this variant, the B.1.617.2. They will make those decisions and we will be ready to implement, whether it's vaccinating younger cohorts.' Vaccines are being given out working down the age groups because older adults are more at risk of developing severe disease, being hospitalised and dying when they catch the virus. Young people, however, are less likely to die but the most likely to spread the virus and vaccinating them could help to limit local outbreaks. Ministers have not yet said they will switch their approach to the rollout to address this. Boris Johnson today said the gap between first and second doses will be shortened from 12 to eight weeks as he warned: ' WHO ARE THE 10MILLION PEOPLE BEING FAST-TRACKED? Ministers signed off on plans to speed up second doses for all adults over-50 last night amid rising cases of the Indian variant, and urged everyone in their 40s to get a first dose if they haven't already. NHS England figures suggest three quarters of adults in this group have already had their second dose but the remaining one in four - including vulnerable people - are still waiting for second shots. SAGE WARNS OF 'REALISTIC POSSIBILITY' INDIA VARIANT IS 50% MORE INFECTIOUS There is a 'realistic possibility' the Indian Covid variant is far more transmissible than the Kent strain and could lead to up to a thousand deaths a day by summer, the Government's scientists warned tonight. The SPI-M subgroup said it was confident the mutant B.1.617.2 strain was more infectious than the currently dominant variant, and that it could spread up to 50 per cent more easily. It warned that pressing on with easing all lockdown restrictions on June 21, as is currently the plan for England, could lead to more than 10,000 more people being hospitalised with the disease daily by Autumn because 'there are still too few adults vaccinated' to stop its progress. The bleak models were presented to No10 this week after cases of the strain more than doubled in seven days and four people were found to have died from the variant. The fact it's spreading rapidly when the country is still in lockdown and among a highly-vaccinated population has sent alarm bells ringing. England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty told a Downing Street press conference tonight the variant is expected to become the most dominant in the UK. The Government's scientists have said they are confident the strain is not more deadly and that vaccines will work well against it. But they warn the death toll could climb significantly by the fact it is able to infect more people than previous strains and there are still 30million unvaccinated Britons. Surge testing is being deployed in 15 hotspots, mostly in the North West of England, and second vaccine doses are being sped up for over-50s in an effort to contain the strain and pre-empt a deadly third wave. SPI-M scientists advising SAGE this month estimated what a more transmissible strain could do to the country after lockdown is lifted in June and claimed it could trigger up to 20,000 hospital admissions per day in a worst-case scenario. January's peak, which nearly crippled the NHS, was around 3,800 a day in England. A Warwick University modelling team cautioned that if it was 40 per cent more transmissible the next surge could be worse than the second wave, with up to 6,000 daily admissions, and a 50 per cent increase could lead to 10,000 per day. Less grisly numbers from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine suggested a 50 per cent rise could lead to 4,000 per day. But the LSHTM also found that a 50 per cent more virulent variant could lead to 1,000 deaths a day by Autumn, which is about the same as the peak last spring. Deaths peaked at 1,900 this January. Professor Whitty told the Downing Street news conference tonight: 'We expect over time this variant will overtake and come to dominate in the UK in the way that B117 took over and other variants have taken over prior to that.' Despite the warnings, Boris Johnson today said the loosening of rules on Monday, allowing indoor socialising and holidays, is still set to go ahead as planned. But he admitted June 21 could be delayed if SAGE is confident the variant will spiral. SPI-M ruled out surge vaccinations in hotspots because it found it would complicate the vaccine rollout too much and only be slightly more beneficial and is instead going for a national measure. It will shorten the time between second doses from 12 to eight weeks in the over-50s in an effort to get people protected quicker. Advertisement Dr Simon Clarke, a microbial biologist from Reading University, said ministers were right to speed up doses for this group if they feel the Indian variant poses a risk. He added that bringing forward second doses for millions would mean more people had stronger immunity against the virus earlier, which could stop further hospitalisations and deaths. 'Overall, it might mean that a few more people get protected which is fair enough,' Dr Clarke said. Getting jabs to older groups sooner could stop any uptick in hospitalisations and deaths due to the Indian variant. Early studies show it is still susceptible to vaccine-triggered immunity. A Public Health England variants expert said today evidence showed the strain's effect on jabs was 'not particularly concerning'. WHERE WILL THE SUPPLIES COME FROM? The NHS uses vaccine as quickly as it gets delivered and is not moving at maximum capacity, suggesting the rollout is held back by vaccine supply. The one-day record for jabs given is around 850,000 and it is currently managing around 650,000 per day. This means it will have to redirect Pfizer and AstraZeneca supplies being used for first doses to the second dose rollout. Last week 1.05million first vaccine doses were given out, so most of those will likely be used instead in the second dose effort. This is except Moderna supplies which have not been in circulation for long enough for anyone to get a second jab. The Government won't reveal how many of each of the jabs it is using. These, combined with the approximately 2.5million already being used for second jabs, could see the Government get through the remaining 10million people in the next three to four weeks, before the planned end of lockdown on June 21, although Mr Johnson admitted: 'The race between our vaccination programme and the virus may be about to become a great deal tighter.' Dr Clarke said it was likely most over-50s had received the AstraZeneca jab because it is no longer being given to under-40s, but many have also received Pfizer's jab because it was the most available for a number of months. The NHS is understood to have a rolling stock, meaning there is no stockpile it could use to suddenly scale up the programme. WHO MIGHT MISS OUT BECAUSE OF THE NEW STRATEGY? Turbo-charging second doses for over-50s will likely mean younger Britons will have to wait longer for their jabs because of finite supplies. The rollout this week opened to 38- and 39-year-olds, of whom there are around a million, and has been working its way through those in their 40s in the most recent weeks. Around 73 per cent of people in their 40s have got a vaccine so far, meaning the remaining 27 per cent might have to wait longer to get their jab if appointments are limited in the coming weeks. People in their 30s will likely face a longer wait for the rollout to offer their first appointments but it's not yet clear whether the Government is likely to miss plans to get a first dose to everyone by the end of July. Dr Clarke said it was unlikely that people who had already booked jab appointments for next week would have their visits cancelled, but the NHS might close the booking system to first-timers or severely limit numbers in the forthcoming weeks. 'They won't be a cancelling of first doses,' Dr Clarke said, 'But I do think they have probably got enough stuff and are deep enough into the over-50s for this not to be needed.' Redirecting jabs from first appointments to speed up second inoculations will undoubtedly delay jabs for younger adults particularly those aged in their 30s. A Warwick University model of a more infectious variant after lockdown is completely lifted on June 21 suggests that any more than a 30 per cent increase in transmissibility compared to the Kent variant could lead to an August peak of daily hospital admissions that is higher than either the first or second wave. In a worst-case scenario with a variant 50 per cent more transmissible, hospital admissions could surge to 10,000 per day or even double that (Thick lines indicate the central estimate while the thin lines are possible upper limits known as confidence intervals) Hospitalisations would be significantly lower if only next Monday's step three was taken and the full relaxation postponed, with the 50 per cent increase leading to a peak of 6,000 daily admissions - up to a possible 14,000 - and 40 per cent to fewer than 3,500, with an upper limit of around 8,000 per day Similar but less grim modelling by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine suggested that a 50 per cent increase in transmissibility could trigger a peak of 4,000 admissions per day in July or August, possibly extending to 6,000 per day WILL THE ASTRAZENECA VACCINE BE USED FOR UNDER-40s TO STOP THE VARIANT? When the second dose surge for vulnerable groups is completed - now set to be mostly done before the end of June - the UK will want to hurtle through the younger age groups to try and limit the spread of the virus. Medics have been advised not to use the AstraZeneca vaccine on people under the age of 40 is a suitable alternative because of a tiny risk of developing blood clots after the jab. But this advice was formed based on the county having a small outbreak and low case numbers - the current infection rate is 23 cases of coronavirus per 100,000 people - and it could change in the face of a third wave. Experts at the Winton Centre for Risk and Evidence Communication at the University of Cambridge calculated that, for people in their 20s and 30s, the risk-benefit ratio was in favour of offering a different vaccine while the infection rate remained below 42 per 100,000 - as it currently is. Once the infection rate rises to around 140 cases per 100,000 people, the balance tips in favour of giving the AstraZeneca jab to people in their 30s rather than leaving them unvaccinated. And if the rate reaches 419 per 100,000 or higher - which the UK's did during the second wave - adults of all ages should get the jab, they suggested. SAGE advisers have warned the Indian variant, if it is significantly more transmissible than the Kent strain, could trigger a huge wave of infections that could tip the scales and caused the Government to give whatever jabs they can to people of all ages. Experts at the Winton Centre for Risk and Evidence Communication at the University of Cambridge calculated that, for people in their 20s and 30s, the risk-benefit ratio was in favour of offering a different vaccine while the infection rate remained below 42 per 100,000 - as it currently is Once the infection rate rises to around 140 cases per 100,000 people, the balance tips in favour of giving the AstraZeneca jab to people in their 30s rather than leaving them unvaccinated A hard left trade union official branded Priti Patel 'racist' and 'elitist' today as he offered a mealy-mouthed apology for demanding she be deported. Unite's assistant general secretary Howard Beckett - who is standing for the leadership of Labour's largest affiliate - was suspended by the party last night over a tweet he sent. Amid protests in Glasgow over the detention of two men by Border Force officials during Eid he wrote: 'Priti Patel should be deported, not refugees'. But appearing on Sky News today in an attempt to quell the row he doubled down on criticism of the Home Secretary, whose is of Indian heritage. He also attacked Labour saying his suspension was 'inappropriate' and that no one had contacted him to confirm it. Unite is closely linked to Keir Starmer's predecessor Jeremy Corbyn and his hard-Left policies. Mr Beckett told the broadcaster that the tweet 'obviously' was not mean to be taken literally, adding: 'The idea that I would think that the Home Secretary would or should be deported - I am against all forms of deportation. 'It was only two weeks ago that I was at a rally that was moved on by the police on ''support not deport'' with reference to refugees. 'Obviously what I was trying to do was highlight the fact that Priti Patel was taking a position from elitism and privilege, one that is racist. Amid protests in Glasgow over the detention of two men by Border Force officials during Eid he wrote: 'Priti Patel should be deported, not refugees'. Appearing on Sky News today in an attempt to quell the row Mr Beckett doubled down on criticism of the Home Secretary, whose is of Indian heritage. 'The consequence of that is very real for these people in Glasgow who were imprisoned by the police. This is the arm of the state carrying out racist legislation and I wanted to highlight that. 'But obviously I regret the words that were used, some people read it in a literal context and I apologise for those words, I took the tweet down in half an hour.' Huge crowds cheered and applauded yesterday when the two Indian men, initially detained by Border Force officials in the van, were eventually released by police following a stand-off with hundreds of protesters. It sparked an unlikely row as the favourite to take over Britain's largest trade union was suspended by Labour and allegedly reported to the police for a hate crime after he called for Priti Patel to be deported in its wake. In a message posted on Twitter yesterday, the Jeremy Corbyn supporter who says socialism is his religion, was accused of racism and sounding more like a far-right fascist, when he called for the Home Secretary, Britain's most senior ethnic minority politician, to be kicked out of the UK. The tweet, in response to an attempt to deport the two asylum seekers in Glasgow, read: 'Priti Patel should be deported, not refugees. She can go along with anyone else who supports institutional racism. She is disgusting.' Howard Beckett (centre) is running to succeed Len McCluskey as general secretary of Unite, but has been suspended by Labour The detained men raise their arms as they are released by police today following a huge stand-off with protesters in Glasgow Beckett initially refused to back down, before deleting the message and apologising. But it prompted an immediate backlash, with social media users telling Mr Beckett it was 'racist' and warning his remark 'sounded like the BNP'. Police Scotland released the Indian nationals after people surrounded the immigration enforcement van and prevented it from leaving on Thursday. It is understood neither of the men involved in the situation in Glasgow is Muslim. Labour MP Chris Bryant said: 'This is vile. This should play no part in Labour - or in British politics.' A Labour spokesman said the party 'takes these allegations extremely seriously' and promised appropriate action. Tory MP Steve Baker said it was 'an extraordinary, absolutely intolerable remark' which must have a 'robust response' from Labour. Mr Beckett sits on Labour's ruling national executive committee but his suspension would bar him from doing so. The editor of a Chinese state media outlet has delivered a stark warning to Prime Minister Scott Morrison, declaring 'Chinese missiles will fly' towards Australian soil. Hu Xijin, editor-in-chief of nationalist tabloid the Global Times, responded to a story where Mr Morrison said preparing for war with China was an appropriate part of his job. 'Preparing for war? Then build an anti-missile system!' he posted to Twitter, despite China blocking citizens from using the social media platform. Hu Xijin, editor of nationalist tabloid the Global Times, responded to a story where Mr Morrison said preparing for war with China was an appropriate part of his job In recent weeks, discussions over the disputed island territory of Taiwan reached fever pitch, with Australian Home Affairs secretary Michael Pezzullo acknowledging the 'drums of war' are getting louder 'I believe once Australian troops come to Taiwan Strait to combat against the PLA, there is a high probability that Chinese missiles will fly toward military bases and key relevant facilities on Australian soil in retaliation.' AUSTRALIA VS CHINA - MILITARY FORCE BY NUMBERS Place on global Military Strength Ranking 2021: China - 3rd globally Australia - 19th globally Military personnel: China - 3.3 million people Australia - 80,000 people Fighter jets: China - 1,200 Australia - 75 Tanks: China - 3,205 Australia - 59 Rocket projectors: China - 2,250 Australia - 0 Submarines: China - 79 Australia - 6 Fit for service population: China - 617 million people Australia - 8.7 million people Defence budget: China - $233billion Australia - $42billion Labour force: China - 775 million people Australia - 12.5 million people Population: China - 1.4 billion Australia - 25 million Source: GlobalFirePower.com Advertisement Australia's relationship with China has deteriorated rapidly over the past year with Beijing slapping about $20 billion of arbitrary tariffs and bans on exports including barley, wine, beef, copper, coal, cotton and seafood. The campaign of economic coercion began after Scott Morrison's government in April last year called for an independent inquiry into the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic, which first appeared in Wuhan during the end of 2019. The plea for transparency infuriated the authoritarian state and tensions have ramped up as a result of the diplomatic spat. Hu said China should retaliate with 'long-range strikes' if Australia gets involved in a potential military conflict over Taiwan. 'I suggest China make a plan to impose retaliatory punishment against Australia once it militarily interferes in the cross-Straits situation,' he wrote in an opinion piece curated by the Communist Party. 'The plan should include long-range strikes on the military facilities and relevant key facilities on Australian soil if it really sends its troops to China's offshore areas and combats against the PLA (People's Liberation Army).' Hu said it would be important for the Chinese government to send a strong message about the plan for retaliatory military action 'to deter the extreme forces of Australia' from 'committing irresponsible actions'. He warned Australia 'they must know what disasters they would cause to their country' if they were 'bold enough to coordinate with the US to militarily interfere in the Taiwan question'. Hu also claimed while 'China loves peace' and would 'not take the initiative to pick a fight with faraway Australia', he was quick to point out the country has 'long-range missiles with conventional warheads' that could target Australian military objectives. In recent weeks, discussions over the disputed island territory of Taiwan reached fever pitch, with Australian Home Affairs secretary Michael Pezzullo acknowledging the 'drums of war' are getting louder. As part of Australia's strategy to push back against an increasingly aggressive and belligerent China, diplomats have tried to engage with southeast Asian nations who remain under threat from Beijing. Chinese military forces continue to encroach on the sovereignty of its neighbours in the South China Sea including Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei and even Indonesia. This graph shows the differing military capabilities of China and Australia as tensions between the two countries mount and The Global Times calls for possible military intention by Beijing Hu said China should retaliate with 'long-range strikes' if Australia gets involved in a potential military conflict over Taiwan The joint US-Australian intelligence-gathering base at Pine Gap, just outside Alice Springs, the Jindalee Operational Radar Network and signals intelligence facility at Geraldton were nominated by The Australian's foreign editor Greg Sheridan as possible sites China might target to 'hurt the US and its military capability'. 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'. There are grave fears Beijing will militarily force Taiwan to reunify with mainland China under President-for-life Xi Jinping and the country's 'One China' policy. 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 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. A Met Police officer who allegedly hit a Wetherspoons drinker over the head with his baton in an unprovoked attack claims the display of force was entirely proportionate. Pc Jack Wood, 26, denies assaulting Jake Smith, 26, who suffered a gaping gash to his skull following the clash on January 5, last year in Romford, Essex. Pc Wood and colleague Pc Archie Payne, 26, are further accused of striking Mr Smiths friend Scott Rooney, 26, who alleges he was grabbed by the throat and thrown to the ground. Pc Jack Wood, 26, (left) denies assaulting Jake Smith, 26, who was left with a gaping gash to his skull following the bust-up in Romford, Essex. He and colleague Pc Archie Payne, 26, (right) are also accused of assaulting Mr Smith's friend, Scott Rooney, 26, who claims he was grabbed by the throat and thrown to the ground City of London Magistrates' Court was shown CCTV footage of the alleged incident PC Payne and PC Wood deny all charges in connection with the incident from January 2020 PC Wood insisted he had no alternative but to draw his baton and said he was aiming for Mr Smiths shoulder when he hit him on the head. Mr Rooney, a railway engineer, claims he was the victim of an unprovoked attack after trying to take a picture of Pc Wood and his officer number. CCTV footage shown to the court captured the moment one Met Police officer strikes Mr Smith to the head and a second grabs Mr Rooneys throat, pushes him to the wall and lies on top of him. Mr Smith suffered two wounds to his head, 1.5cm and 1cm in length, as well as 6cm of bruising to his chest wall, the court heard. Defending Pc Wood, Robert Morris argued Mr Smith and his friend were binge drinking for ten hours and then rugby tackled other punters outside the pub. He told District Judge Nina Tempia there was no case to answer and claimed the officer had only acted as legally permitted to stop the incident. Mr Morris said: By the time that Pc Payne and Pc Wood were running towards the group, Mr Smith was on his feet and was aggressively moving towards the group. Not on his back, unable to defend himself. Mr Rooney, a railway engineer, alleges he was the victim of an unprovoked onslaught after trying to take a picture of Pc Wood and his officer number His actions were plainly to rugby tackle an individual who was at some distance. Not content with that, Mr Smith throws himself against a woman who was not involved in either group and who seems to have wandered into the mellee and she is then knocked to the floor. What is plain, is that any reasonable person entering that situation would have reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Smith has committed offences of assault and affray. Mr Morris said Pc Wood did not run into the fracas with the baton in hand, instead he took a measured approach and acted proportionately. He said: If he were simply to sit back and do nothing, he would be criticised. In my submission, Mr Wood entered the affray properly, used force that he was permitted to use and the struggling only stopped when the baton was used. Scott Rooney being pinned to the ground by officers following a bust-up in Romford, Essex Its just not true that the first thing that happened is that Mr Wood struck Mr Smith with a baton. Both officers sat in the dock of City of London Magistrates Court today in a navy blue suit as their trial, which earlier ran over its two-day time slot, resumed today. Prosecutor Nicola Shannon has told the court there had been an argument between Mr Rooney and another customer, prompting two security guards to ask them to leave. She said they stayed for one more drink but, upon leaving, realised the man they had clashed with was lurking outside with a number of others. The group was between the pub and the bus stop that Mr Rooney, who lived locally, needed to get to. So the pair asked Pc Wood and Pc Payne, who were outside the pub on patrol, to escort them to the bus stop past the group, the court heard. Ms Shannon continued: The officers declined to do so, telling the group if he was their friend its not their responsibility to help, and returned to their patrol duties. Mr Rooney was attacked by the group... but shortly after that Pc Wood ran into the scene, came behind Mr Smith raised his baton and inflicted between three to four strikes. Jack Smith, 26, was hit over the head with a baton outside a pub in Romford last year The prosecutor said while Mr Smith had his back towards the officer Pc Wood appears to go from right to left with the baton held above his head in an overarm motion brings it down towards Mr Smith. Pc Payne is seen on the footage making a kicking motion at Mr Smith while he was on the ground. The plan was for Mr Smith to take a taxi home with the girls and Mr Rooney, who lived locally, to take the bus. Between that group and the bus stop were those causing trouble inside earlier. While PC Payne and a colleague had their body-worn cameras activated, PC Wood did not activate his until later, said the prosecutor. After Mr Smith was treated in an ambulance the officers returned to arrest him for affray, but the charge was later discontinued, the court heard. District Judge Tempia said she would not accept that there was no case to answer and ruled she would have to hear evidence from the two officers. Following the alleged assault on his friend, Mr Rooney asked to take a photo of Pc Wood's shoulder number. Mr Rooney then went to lift the lapel as the shoulder number was not visible, but Pc Payne told him not to touch Pc Wood, the court heard. Body worn footage showed the drinker moving back and saying 'that's a bit overkill' after which Pc Payne replied 'I'll tell you what, we're going to deal with you'. Prosecutors claim the railway engineer was thrown to the floor by Pc Payne because he did not want his colleague to be challenged about striking Mr Smith's head with a baton. Pc Payne, who retired in November and now works as a train driver, claims Mr Rooney 'tensed up' as if to swing a punch with his other hand after he seized hold of his hand in an attempt to handcuff him. The ex officer said: "The tensing of the arm is to generate power from the other arm. 'I thought I was going to be assaulted.' He said he intended to 'take him to the wall and place him into handcuffs' but lost control after Mr Rooney managed to wriggle his way out of the grip and put him in a headlock. Nicholas Yeo, defending the ex officer asked: 'We see you then end up on the ground, was that your intention at that stage?' He replied: 'No, that wasn't my intention. As I take hold of him to try and put the handcuff on he moves away. 'He then manages to release his arm and then that's how it ends up around my neck. 'I remember him putting pressure back against me and we have both gone down to the floor.' He said Mr Rooney was acting 'aggressively' following the group bust-up outside the pub and had a 'reasonable premise' to arrest Mr Rooney before he flipped Pc Wood's lapel. He added: 'We had to try and diffuse the situation and separate the parties. 'I could hear Rooney shouting "who hit my mate, I want your number." The ex officer said Mr Rooney was screaming, swearing and 'unzipped his jacket aggressively.' He said: 'It was clear that he was intoxicated and wasn't going to listen to any reasoning I was going to do with him. 'At that point I believed we had enough that he was acting drunk and disorderly in the street.' PC Wood, based at Romford Police Station, denies one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm against Mr Scott and one count of assault by beating against Mr Rooney. PC Payne, also based at Romford Police Station, denies one count of common assault against Mr Rooney. The trial continues. Delta Air Lines becomes one of the first major companies in U.S. to require new hires to get the COVID-19 vaccine, but the mandate doesn't apply to current employees. 'Any person joining Delta in the future, future employees, we're going to mandate they be vaccinated before they can sign up with the company,' Chief Executive Ed Bastian told CNN in an interview late Thursday. Bastian noted, however, that employees who are not vaccinated may not be able to work on international flights given possible entry requirements by other countries. 'We know that vaccines are the best tool we have to protect one another and bring an end to the pandemic,' Delta said in a statement on Friday. 'It called the move to require vaccines for new hires important as 'our business recovers and demand for air travel continues to rise.' 'Any person joining Delta in the future, future employees, we're going to mandate they be vaccinated before they can sign up with the company,' Chief Executive Ed Bastian told CNN in an interview late Thursday Chief Executive Ed Bastian told CNN said new hires will be required to be vaccinated, but the mandate doesn't apply to current employees Responses to the news have been deeply divided. Some welcomed the suggestion for the safety of customers, some who may be unable to get the vaccine themselves for medical reasons and rely on healthy people to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Others were outraged that the airline is forcing new recruits to have the vaccine if they want the job. 'What happened to my body, my choice?' one Twitter user, named Grace, demanded to know. Another user, Anabella, hit back that: '"My body, my choice" refers to abortion - a very personal decision. 'Flying in an airplane risks the disease spreading creating another wave of infection which may potentially affect millions of people. Therefore, Delta don't want to be responsible for the spread of a deadly virus.' Ann Coulter sarcastically posted that the move was a 'Great idea!' adding; 'But I don't think there's a vaccine against rude incompetence, @Delta.' During the same interview, the Delta Air Lines CEO said he hopes to get a travel corridor between the UK and the US open for summer. 'We know the medical evidence and the documentation with respect to where the vaccination rates are for both our countries in the US and the UK, where the infection rates of our countries indicate this extraordinarily low risk to travel between the US and the UK,' he said. It comes as American and British airlines begged Joe Biden and Boris Johnson to reopen transatlantic travel to save both economies and reunite families who have been separated for more than a year. Delta's announcement came the same day that the Center of Disease Control said fully vaccinated Americans do not have to wear masks outdoors and in most indoor settings, aside from crowded places such as buses and planes. Part of the decision to lift the guidance was based on a study which found that the COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna cut the risk of getting COVID-19 by 94 percent. But the CDC's recommendation is just that - an unenforceable recommendation - meaning that states and businesses are not required to lift their mask order. Governors in 12 states - California, Delaware Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia - said they are reviewing the guidance and, in the meantime, will keep their face covering mandates in place. Governors in another 13 other states - Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Washington and West Virginia - said that in accordance with the new CDC guidelines, they will be dropping mask-wearing orders. Currently, 13 states say they are lifting their mask mandates in accordance with the new CDC guidance but at least 12 states have no plans to do so Tucker Carlson has blasted a school district board that says To Kill A Mockingbird is 'racist' but has highly sexualized books that talk about 'eating c***ie' on its approved list. The Fox News host hit out at the Loudoun County school board in Virginia in an opinion piece and on his show Thursday night. Carlson aired a clip of middle school teacher Andrea Weiskopf saying at a school board meeting that the Harper Lee novel causes 'racial trauma' to black children due to its 'white saviorism.' He slammed Weiskopf as a 'lunatic' while he said parents pushing back against the teaching of CRT deserve 'an award.' He aired clips of parents reading from books approved by the board including passages saying 'sometimes a girl just needs a big d**k' and 'you ate her c****ie' as he questioned why what he deemed 'sexual propaganda is in.' Loudon County has gained national attention of late as parents in what is America's wealthiest suburb try to oust members of the school district board because they oppose their children being taught Critical Race Theory. Tucker Carlson has blasted a school district board that says To Kill A Mockingbird is 'racist' but has highly sexualized books that include the c-word on its curriculum Watch the latest video at foxnews.com Fox News Privacy Policy In the clip of Weiskopf tells the meeting attendees people who cannot consider the 'racial trauma' To Kill a Mockingbird can cause 'have no business discussing any books.' 'It's funny how they are so afraid of having their children seeing another view of sexuality, gender or religion,' she says. 'If you want to talk about books that are assigned, let's read To Kill a Mockingbird together. 'If you aren't able to consider the racial trauma this assigned book causes black children with its white saviorism, then you have no business discussing any books.' Carlson hit out at the teacher saying she was 'stupid' and 'miserable', claiming she views the book as 'racist... due to the fact there are white people in it.' 'Miss Weiskopf explained how the book 'To Kill A Mockingbird' a book the rest of us assumed was all about why racism is bad is in fact itself racist because it causes something called 'racial trauma,' due to the fact there are white people in it,' he said. 'Can you even imagine what this lady's personal life must be like? Miserable doesn't begin to describe it. Desperate. Hellish.' To Kill a Mockingbird has been deemed problematic by some in recent years due to its repeated use of the 'n-word' and the interpretation that it has a white savior complex. The Fox News host hit out at the Loudoun County school board in Virginia and aired a clip of middle school teacher Andrea Weiskopf saying the Harper Lee novel causes 'racial trauma' to black children due to its 'white saviorism' (above). He slammed Weiskopf a 'lunatic' A map shows Loudoun County in Virginia which is known to be America's wealthiest suburb Explicit passages from Monday's Not Coming Monday's Not Coming is one of the books on Loudon County Public School's High School Diverse Classroom Libraries list. The novel, by Tiffany D. Jackson, is written through the lens of teenage girl Claudia whose friend Monday goes missing one day. It explores issues such as systemic racism, mental illness, sexuality, and media bias. Parents in the county have objected to its sexually explicit passages and language. Here are some of the passages: 'Whatever April. You don't even go to this school. You just here to get some d***' 'Darrell, didn't you f*** my sister?' 'F***ING P***Y!' Michael screamed as the car sped out of sight. 'She sucked my d***. I didn't really want it to happen, it just kinda did' Her top lip curled up. 'Wait a minute, is that what was really going on? She did your homework and you [ate] her c****ie! Is that why you crying? 'Cause Monday's not around to do your homework no more?' I kept dancing, lost in the music until some boy pushed up against me, holding my hips. I froze, looking to Megan for help. She nodded and mouthed an 'it's okay'. It's cool; this is what girls do at parties I told myself and kept dancing - with a boy I couldn't see. The alcohol making my waist wind faster. The boy pulled me tighter to him, heat pulsing off his chest. 'Is she f***ing all of them?' a girl whispered, but loud enough for April to hear. 'Man, f*** you then dumb b****' 'They thawed that b**** out like a f***ing turkey!' 'She didn't have anyone BUT you. And that dude she f**ked.' 'Aye, get off me! I don't know where you been.'... 'So you hit that?' 'She a 'ho, just like her sister, f**ing every dude on the courts' 'Aight, she right. I didn't bang her,' he relented with a slick grin. 'She said she only like doing it with Claudia, 'cause they lesbians!' I tiptoed toward the door, peering through the window at the boy - his pants around his ankles - squeezed between April's straddled legs as she lay on top of a teacher's desk. I mean how could she have sex with someone in a classroom? Didn't she know what people already said about her? 'She wouldn't have had sex with that bamma,' I seethed. They so cooped up, the older brother and sister start having sex. I mean, why would Monday want to read a book like this? A brother and sister having sex? That's nasty. 'Oh snap, dy*e b**ch is back.' The same ones that had cackled at her blond hair, called her a 'ho, then a lesbian. 'I came home early from babysitting and see her coming out of some car, in these tight-ass little shorts, talking fast, telling me she's about to leave me. I grabbed her by the neck and started punching her. She wanted to be all big and bad, trying to face me like a grown-ass woman, she gonna get beat like a grown woman. She started screaming, cursing at me and carrying on... I threw her in the closet for a couple of days. She kept on screaming, begging to be let out, begging for water. Every time she made too much noise I'd walk in and kick her. That last time... she wouldn't get up. I don't know how she got in that freezer. I didn't put her there. I would've let her rot in that closet.' I gripped his arms and flipped him around, pushing him against the wall. His eyes widened, mouth dropping... I took a deep breath before dropping on my shaky knees, the ground cold. 'Whoa... Claudia.' As I reached for his belt buckle, Michael gently pushed my hands away and held my wrist. 'No, Claudia, stop!' But I didn't want to stop. If I do this, they'll stop calling a lesbian, a baby, stuck up. If I do this , I'll catch up to Monday. I won't be left behind. Advertisement The novel, set in 1930s Alabama, focuses on the trial of a black man accused of raping a white woman who is represented by a white attorney at trial. The attorney Atticus Finch is regarded by some as the white savior to black man Tom Robinson. The novel has not been banned from the curriculum at Loudoun County Public Schools and Weiskopf did not call for its withdrawal from the district. In December, she said its reading in the classroom was 'curricular violence' but said this did not mean it should be banned - rather than it 'should not be a central text in the classroom.' However, Carlson contrasted her criticism around the teaching of the classic novel to the district's approval of other books with a sexualized nature. To Kill a Mockingbird has not been banned by the school district 'Have you ever taken a look at the books your kids are being assigned in school? Have you ever read them? Parents in Loudoun County actually did read them,' he said. 'One mother had the temerity to read portions aloud at the Loudoun County school board meeting.' Carlson aired a clip of one mother reading explicit passages from the book #Murder Trending. 'Jasper wasn't even my boyfriend. Just some dude I did some hacking with once in a while. He was pretty basic library-systems, low security s***. Not in my league at all but he had a big d*** and sometimes a girl just needs a big d***,' she reads at the board meeting. Another parent reads a passage from the book Monday's Not Coming: 'Her top lip curled up. Wait a minute is that really going on? She did your homework and you ate her c****ie? Is that why you're crying?' The mother continues to read: 'It's ok. It's cool. This is what girls do at parties I told myself and kept dancing with a boy I couldn't see. The alcohol making my waist wind faster.' The mother is then seen blasting the 'vile reading' and questioning if her children will be taught 'pole dancing in PE.' 'If this is inappropriate for me to read to you, this is inappropriate for our children,' she says. Carlson aired clips of parents reading explicit passages from books approved by the board. One read out 'sometimes a girl just needs a big d**k' from #Murder Trending (right) while another read 'you ate her c****ie' from Monday's Not Coming (left) 'How much did the billion dollar porn industry contribute to LCPS? My question now is if you're going to use the whole language approach to coincide with this vile reading? Are you going to teach pole dancing in PE?' Carlson also pointed to another parent called Brandon Michon who he said 'tried to read more from those books' but they 'tried to shut him up' when they ask him to cover his nose with his face mask. ''She's a ho just like her sister f**king every dude on the courts,'' he reads. 'It's time for LCPS to get their house in order. The curtain has been pulled back and people can now see the deficient leadership in this country. 'My five-year-old is being peddled transgender books in her library, teenagers are being peddled pornography under the guise of literature Do something! Be a leader! The citizens of this country deserve better.' A school board member interrupts the man's argument to ask him to pull his mask up which he is wearing below his nose. 'You're all vaccinated!' the man screams. Carlson showed another mom at the meeting hitting out at critical race theory as 'a tactic that was used by Hitler and the Ku Klux Klan on slavery very many years ago to dumb down my ancestors so we could not think for ourselves'. 'Critical race theory is racist, it is abusive, it discriminates against one's color,' she says. This mom read out a passage from Monday's Not Coming as parents questioned if their kids would be taught 'pole dancing in PE' Carlson showed another mom at the meeting hitting out at critical race theory as 'a tactic that was used by Hitler and the Ku Klux Klan on slavery (left). Carlson also pointed to another parent called Brandon Michon who he said 'tried to read more from those books' but they 'tried to shut him up' (right) Harper Lee Vs Tiffany D Jackson To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Set in 1930s Alabama, it focuses on the trial of a black man accused of raping a white woman and represented by a white attorney at trial. The book was written in 1960, won the Pulitzer Prize and has long been taught in schools as a classic. Controversies The novel has divided opinion over how it addresses race and racism. The book is written from the perspective of white child Scout and so racism from the view of a white outsider. The n-word is repeatedly used in the book. Some have labeled it as having a white savior complex with attorney Atticus Finch the white savior to black man Tom Robinson. Monday's Not Coming by Tiffany Jackson Published in 2018, the book follows the story of two teenage friends Claudia and Monday. One day, Monday does not turn up for school and Claudia tries to find out what has happened to her friend. It focuses on issues such as race, mental illness, sexuality, and media bias. Controversies Parents have voiced concerns at the book being taught in schools as it contains sexually explicit content and swear words. In one passage it describes teens performing oral sex on one another saying 'she sucked my d***.' 'Her top lip curled up. Wait a minute is that really going on? She did your homework and you ate her c****ie? Is that why you're crying?' one passage reads. It also repeatedly uses the word 'f**k' and phrases including 'f**king p***y.' Advertisement Carlson said he believes she 'deserves an award' as he claimed 'hurting people because of their skin color is the entire point of critical race theory'. Critical race theory examines the ways in which race and racism influence American politics, culture and the law. Its entry into the nation's education systems has divided opinion with Democrats typically in favor, while many Republicans vehemently oppose it. Loudoun County has found itself at the center of the national debate in recent months. In March, the school system dropped Dr. Seuss from its annual reading event citing its 'strong racial undertones.' School officials said they wanted to move toward books more 'inclusive and diverse and reflective of our student community.' A group of wealthy parents are now seeking to oust members of the board and launched a campaign Tuesday called 'Fight for Our Schools' on Twitter. The campaign accuses board members of 'plotting war' against parents who oppose CRT and labelling them as racists. Loudoun County Sheriff's office is investigating various allegations of harassment between opponents and supporters of CRT in the community's public schools. Loudoun County Public Schools has not officially made it compulsory to use CRT in their classrooms On Thursday, Carlson also slammed a Portland State University professor who said 'slavery is still here', branding him a 'low IQ vandal wrecking the school system'. He shared a clip of Ethan Johnson, who chairs the black studies department, in conversation with 1619 creator Nikole Hannah Jones. In it, Johnson says: 'One of the things that is really important, I think is, to not frame slavery as our legacy but as it's still here. 'It's legacy suggests that it's over and there's some remnants of it moving forward. And I would suggest that, no, slavery is right here. 'The idea of what a slave is, is still here. And we're living that.' After airing the clip Tucker hit back, telling viewers: 'Ok, so the Civil War never happened. Turns out that your ancestors weren't killed or maimed trying to end slavery. Abraham Lincoln never signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Slavery is still under way. 'That's the view of some guy who is literally claiming to be a college professor. The District Administrative Offices For Loudoun County Public Schools is pictured A group of wealthy parents are now seeking to oust members of the board and launched a campaign Tuesday called 'Fight for Our Schools' on Twitter 'But he's not alone, people like that are in charge of the schools now. Low IQ vandals wrecking what they did not build, from the very bottom to the very top. 'They are everywhere.' Carlson had earlier blasted Critical Race Theory as 'obviously, aggressively, flamboyantly racist'. Three Republican-led states officially banned it in public schools with nearly a dozen others currently trying to pass similar laws. Oklahoma is the latest state to sign into law a ban on teaching critical race theory in public schools, with Gov Kevin Stitt arguing that it will allow history to be taught without labeling a 'young child as an oppressor'. Idaho and Tennessee have already approved similar bans. Tucker Carlson on Thursday slammed a Portland State university professor who said 'slavery is still here', branding him a 'low IQ vandal wrecking the school system' The Fox News host shared a clip of Ethan Johnson, top center, who chairs the Black Studies Department, in conversation with 1619 creator Nikole Hannah Jones, top left, and others CRITICAL RACE THEORY: WHAT DOES IT MEAN? The fight over critical race theory in schools has escalated in the United States over the last year. The theory has sparked a fierce nationwide debate in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests around the country over the last year and the introduction of the 1619 Project. The 1619 Project, which was published by the New York Times in 2019 to mark 400 years since the first enslaved Africans arrived on American shores, reframes American history by 'placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of black Americans at the center of the US narrative'. The debate surrounding critical race theory regards concerns that some children are being indoctrinated into thinking that white people are inherently racist or sexist. Those against critical race theory have argued it reduces people to the categories of 'privileged' or 'oppressed' based on their skin color. Supporters, however, say the theory is vital to eliminating racism because it examines the ways in which race influence American politics, culture and the law. Advertisement Other attempts have been floated in New Hampshire, Missouri and Louisiana over the past few months, though those measures are unlikely to pass. North Carolina House Republicans also approved a plan on Wednesday to prohibit public schools from embracing certain ideas that critically examine how race and racism influence American politics, culture and law. Critical race theory highlights how historical inequities and racism continue to shape public policy and social conditions today. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki on Thursday defended American colleges and universities teaching theories of systemic racism as 'responsible' as she was forced to deny allegations that it amounted to 'liberal indoctrination.' The issue has become one of the frontline skirmishes in the country's culture wars in the wake of last year's Black Lives Matter protests. Conservatives allege that students are being taught a warped version of American history that claims the impact of slavery remains present throughout society. Critics say the teachings reduce people to 'privileged' or 'oppressed' based on skin color. But supporters say it is vital to understand how race impacts society in order to eliminate racism. Cases have emerged in recent weeks across the country of teachers and parents saying their children are being forced to learn critical race theory. Parents in America's wealthiest suburb have also released a campaign ad to oust members of a Virginia school district board after it pledged to push Critical Race Theory onto their children. On Tuesday, 'Fight for Our Schools' - a group made up of dozens of parents from the wealthy enclave, where the median household income is $142,299 - released the campaign ad on Twitter. An elderly man who was coward punched in a crime-plagued shopping strip has urged police to step up their presence in the area. Alex Breuer, 70, was out walking with his wife in Caulfield South, in Melbourne's south-east, when he was viciously attacked in the middle of the day. The motive remains unknown, with the offender not known to Breuer, who was left shaken by the unprovoked attack. Melbourne man Alex Breuer was out walking with his wife in Caulfield South when, without warning, he was punched (circled in red) at random, toppling to the ground 'I was dazed and lucky I got up,' Mr Breuer told A Current Affair. 'I'm (still) a bit shaken. I'm seeing a psychologist to (help) get me over it.' Mr Breuer isn't the only person on edge in the area. A number of local business owners constantly feel in danger, including a pharmacist, a tobacco shop owner and employees in a 7-Eleven service station, which is a target for violent drug users. David Southwick, a local LNP member and shadow police minister, revealed local police were often under resourced, making it difficult to respond quickly to incidents. He added that 'drug dens' in the area were the problem, and warned that if the situation wasn't resolved quickly, someone may be killed. Victoria Police Inspector Katriona Kelly confirmed officers were out conducting regular patrols of the area in Caulfield South in a bid to curb the escalating violence. 'Police are aware that a very small number of residents from nearby rooming houses have been involved in public order or criminal offences,' she said. 'These people are often experiencing personal hardship, including serious mental health issues, which significantly contributes to anti-social or offending behaviour. 'When police become aware areas of concern with the community, we task officers to proactively patrol these locations.' Melbourne man Alex Breuer (pictured) no longer feels safe in an area he has called home for close to 50 years Shootings and lynchings continue across Israel with a synagogue burned down and violent clashes between Arab and Jewish groups, prompting President Benjamin Netanyahu to call for calm. Much of the unrest took place in Lod, but violence was also seen on the streets of Beersheba, Netanya, Acre, Jerusalem, Haifa, Bat Yam, and Tiberias. Thousands of people gathered in Jenin, Hebron, Bethlehem, and Nablus for pro-Palestinian protests in support of Gaza and Jerusalem on Friday morning. At least four were killed in clashes. Responding to the violence, Netanyahu said: 'I don't care if your blood is boiling. So it's boiling. It's irrelevant. 'You can't take the law into your own hands. You can't come to an Arab civilian and try to lynch him, just as we can't see Arab citizens do so to Jewish citizens. This will not stand.' Shootings and lynchings continue across Israel with a synagogue burned down and violent clashes between Arab and Jewish groups, prompting President Benjamin Netanyahu to call for calm Petrol bombs were hurled at police stations and shots were fired between Arabs and Israeli police in Lod overnight, as cars and a synagogue were set alight Most of the violence took place in Lod, where a male medic was shot in the leg, a man was stabbed on his way to a synagogue, and five officers were injured in the riots At least 43 people were arrested in the city of Lod, down from 120 on Thursday, after four nights of violence Israeli soldiers were seen getting into shooting positions during clashes with Palestinian protesters on Friday afternoon. The clashes took place at demonstrations over rising violence along the Israel-Gaza border, and over the eviction of Palestinian residents from their homes in Sheikh Jarrah. The largest protests on Friday took place in Hebron, where hundreds of Palestinians gathered to demonstrate. But, most of the violence took place in Lod, where a male medic was shot in the leg, a man was stabbed on his way to a synagogue, and five officers were injured in the riots. A group of Arab-Israelis were arrested during clashes between Jews and Arabs in the city of Lod on Thursday night Burned Talmud books were scattered around a synagogue in Lod after it was set alight by Arab-Israelis during overnight clashes Israeli soldiers were seen preparing for potential violence by the entrances to the Arab-Jewish town of Lod on Thursday night Another synagogue was burned down in Lod, where five have been torched in recent days. At least 43 people were arrested, down from 120 on Thursday. Petrol bombs were hurled at police stations and shots were fired between Arabs and Israeli police in Lod overnight. Several graves in a Muslim cemetery in Lod were vandalised overnight and in one case, the grave stone was broken with a rock. everal graves in a Muslim cemetery in Lod were vandalised overnight and in one case, the grave stone was broken with a rock Much of the unrest took place in Lod, but violence was also seen on the streets of Beersheba, Netanya, Acre, Jerusalem, Haifa, Bat Yam, and Tiberias, as well as in the West Bank Thousands of people gathered in Jenin, Hebron, Bethlehem, and Nablus for pro-Palestinian protests in support of Gaza and Jerusalem on Friday morning Israeli soldiers were seen getting into shooting positions during clashes with Palestinian protesters on Friday afternoon Shootings and lynchings continued across Israel with a synagogue burned down and violent clashes between Arab and Jewish groups overnight Thursday and into Friday In Jaffa, a teenage soldier was hospitalised with skull fractures and internal bleeding, after being attacked with rocks and pepper spray on Thursday afternoon. He was taken to Ichilov Hospital where he underwent complex neurosurgery on Thursday night. He is now being monitored in the hospital's intensive care unit. Magen David Adom, an Israeli medical emergency service, said the soldier was found while conscious but bleeding heavily from his wounds. Another soldier was treated for light wounds after he was rammed by a car, thrown to the ground, and attacked outside a restaurant overnight. Palestinian rioters hurled rocks towards Israeli security forces during clashes in the West Bank city of Nablus on Friday Palestinians demonstrated against violence in Gaza overnight Thursday following Friday prayer at Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem Clashes took place in Beit El near Ramallah in the West Bank on Friday after the IDF dropped over 1,000 bombs on Gaza overnight Palestinians took used bins to take cover during a protest over rising violence along the Israel-Gaza border overnight Palestinians burnt Israeli flags during clashes between IDF troops and Arab protesters in the West Bank city of Hebron on Friday Palestinians barricaded themselves behind crates and covered their faces during protests against rising violence in Hebron A video has surfaced of a group of Arab men brawling with a lone Jewish man on a bus front of shocked bystanders in Jerusalem Father of two and Lod resident Etyan Meir said: 'Arab rioters shot a 19 year old Jewish medic, burned down another synagogue and continued to throw rocks, molotov cocktails and grenades at Jews. 'We are exhausted because no one has slept for four nights and we are getting ready for another.' Superintendent Micky Rosenfeld said: 'Police responded to incidents that took place in connection with stone throwing at officers and general attempted attacks of officers. 'A strong police presence continues and we are carrying out security assessments. 'We are hoping things will soon get back to normal on a tactical level on the streets. 'We need are speaking to community leaders in all areas. So far, leaders in the Jewish communities have been more receptive to speaking to their communities but we really need the Arab equivalents to weigh in on their side. 'They are not involved enough in speaking out to control the situation. 'We are speaking to Knesset members trying to make that happen and have leaders call for their communities to stand down from the violence.' The three leaders of the Arab parties in the Knesset have so far tweeted calling for an end to violence. Israeli soldiers were seen swinging their batons at Muslim worshippers hen they arrived at Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem for Friday prayer The three leaders of the Arab parties in the Knesset have so far tweeted calling for an end to violence (pictured, demonstrators hurl stones at Israeli forces during a protest in Hawara checkpoint near Nablus) The recent violence has prompted Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu to call for calm, saying 'I don't care if your blood is boiling. So it's boiling. It's irrelevant' Minister for Defence Benny Gantz also called for calm from both Palestinian and Jewish rioters, warned that Israeli internal divisions were 'no less dangerous than Hamas' Several people have been injured in riots across the country in recent days, including a woman who was hurt when rioters pelted her bus in Haifa (pictured, a Palestinian protesters in Hebron) In Haifa, northern Israel, rioters pelted a bus late on Thursday, injuring one woman. In Lower Galilee, a 16-year-old was killed in the rioting and eight people were taken to hospital with injuries. Magen David Adom treated the injured, one of whom had sustained a severe head injury. Four were treated for gunshot wounds and one was intubated. Defence Minister Benny Gantz warned that Israeli internal divisions were 'no less dangerous than Hamas.' Opposition leader Yair Lapid condemned the Jewish lynchings as a 'total loss of control.' Aman Odeh, the Arab leader of the Joint List party tweeted: 'Weeks of violent and agitated repression by the Netanyahu government and the burning of territory in Jerusalem exploded tonight for all of us inside. 'There is no justification for harming innocent civilians. There is no justification for harming any citizen. Especially on such days we must act together, Arabs and Jews against incitement and violence, siege and occupation and for peace and security for all.' Opposition leader Yair Lapid condemned the Jewish lynchings as a 'total loss of control' (pictured, Palestinian protesters in Hebron) Protesters in the West Bank city of Hebron used crates as protection from heavily armed Israeli soldiers A spokesperson for the Israeli Embassy in London condemned attempted to frame the violence as all about religion. 'When you go back and ask what is the reason now for the conflict, according to Hamas, the reason is the holy mosque in Jerusalem is in danger', they said. 'So when they say that, then people are more likely to start hitting their neighbours. When it is about religion, it affects people much more than political or national reasons. 'This is the issue I think and everyone, the police and everyone else wants the violence to de-escalate. 'There are also Jews doing bad things. The difference is that in Israel, everyone condemned them and the police tried to stop them. 'The issue is that they don't condemn on the other side. The Palestinians leaders don't condemn it.' High Court judge ruled in favour of Ms Riley and struck out Mr Sivier's defence Countdown star Rachel Riley has lost the latest round of a libel battle against a pro-Jeremy Corbyn blogger who called her a 'serial abuser' and blamed her for the death threats sent to a 16-year-old girl on Twitter. Ms Riley, 35, sued Mike Sivier, who published an article on his website Vox Political in January 2019 with the headline: 'Serial abuser Rachel Riley to receive 'extra protection' - on grounds that she is receiving abuse.' Mr Sivier defended what he had published, arguing that it was 'substantially true', honest opinion, and a matter of public interest. But a High Court judge ruled in favour of Ms Riley and struck out Mr Sivier's defences in January this year. Mrs Justice Collins Rice concluded that he had 'no prospect' of succeeding at a trial. However Mr Sivier launched an appeal against the ruling, and today won the latest round in the legal battle, after three Court of Appeal judges ruled that Mr Sivier's public interest defence should be assessed at a trial. Countdown star Rachel Riley (pictured left) has lost the latest round of a libel battle against Mike Sivier (right) who called her a 'serial abuser' and blamed her for the death threats sent to a 16-year-old girl on Twitter One appeal judge, Lord Justice Warby, said in a written ruling: 'I would allow the appeal. 'I would set aside the order striking out the defence of publication on matter of public interest.' He added: 'In my view, the appropriate course is for the public interest defence to be assessed at a trial.' The two other appeal judges, Lord Justice Henderson and Dame Victoria Sharp, said they agreed. It comes as Ms Riley waits to hear whether she has won a separate damages fight after suing a former aide to Jeremy Corbyn for libel. She sued Laura Murray, 32, over a tweet posted two years ago. Ms Riley (above) also sued Laura Murray, 32, over a tweet posted two years ago. A High Court judge finished overseeing a three-day trial at the High Court in London earlier this week A High Court judge finished overseeing a three-day trial at the High Court in London earlier this week. Mr Justice Nicklin is expected to publish a ruling in the near future. Ms Riley's dispute with Mr Sivier centres on tweets posted as part of an online debate on anti-Semitism in the Labour Party, some of which were exchanged between Ms Riley and a Twitter user who identified herself as a 16-year-old called Rose. The TV presenter has told how she is Jewish, has a 'hatred of anti-Semitism', speaks out against it and thinks the Corbyn-led Labour Party was 'fostering anti-Semitism'. Ms Riley, who studied mathematics at Oxford University, had asked Mrs Justice Collins Rice to strike out Mr Sivier's defences before the case went to trial. Mrs Justice Collins Rice granted her application, and said that, contrary to allegations in Mr Sivier's article, Ms Riley's online discussion with Rose was a 'straightforward, rational and respectful exchange of views'. The judge also said there was no evidence that the presenter had encouraged any of her 600,000 followers to harass Rose, and she was not responsible for any abuse the teenager received. Advertisement Tourism is starting to reopen across Europe as vaccine drives ramp up and Covid infections fall across much of the continent. From Monday, people from this country will be allowed to go abroad again as a ban on all non-essential foreign travel is dropped. The government is using a traffic light system to determine who will have to quarantine when they get back home, but that is not the only limitation - foreign countries will also have to allow tourists in for holidays to go ahead. So, which European nations will be letting us in, and which will be keeping us out? Portugal Portugal has become much talked-about in recent days: A favourite travel destination of British sun-seekers, it was included on the government's travel 'green list' and initially seemed eager to welcome us from May 17. But that was all thrown into chaos this week when it was suddenly announced that a ban on non-essential travel might be extended until May 30, throwing hundreds of people's plans into doubt. Portugal has now reversed that stance, saying it will accept tourist arrivals from Britain from Monday as originally planned. All arrivals will have to take a PCR test no more than 72 hours beforehand, and bring the negative results with them to be allowed into the country - with those having tickets now in a rush to get the tests sorted. Iceland Visitors from any foreign nation are being allowed into the country provided they can show proof of vaccination or a previous Covid infection. Tourists then have to take a PCR test on arrival and wait in their hotel for the results, but border authorities say this will be no longer than 24 hours and is usually over in five or six hours. Iceland has been welcoming tourists since April, provided they have been vaccinated or previously infected with Covid and submit to a PCR test on arrival There is a complicated list of exemptions for those who are not vaccinated, but it is unlikely that most people will qualify. Iceland also has the benefit of being on the UK's green list which comes into force on Monday, meaning you won't need to quarantine after arriving home. Greece Since April, Greece's borders have been open to foreign arrivals provided they can show a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure or that they have been fully vaccinated with an EU-approved Covid jab. Arrivals also need to complete a passenger locator form including details of where they have travelled and where they are staying so it can be used by test and trace authorities in the case of an outbreak. Croatia Tourists are welcome to travel provided they have taken a negative PCR test within 48 hours of departure, have evidence of previous infection, or are fully vaccinated. Croatia requires visitors to take a PCR test before arrival and prove they have accommodation in the country, but is otherwise welcoming visitors Arrivals will also need to provide evidence that they have paid for accommodation within the country - which can include campsites - or own property there. Travellers are also required to complete a form, which can either be done on arrival or in advance online. Cyprus The Mediterranean island is welcoming tourists provided they have been fully vaccinated, can show evidence of a previous infection or have taken a negative PCR test within 72 hours of departure. Travellers also need to register for a flight pass no later than 24 hours before departure. For those using a PCR test to get into the country, details of the test will need to be entered into the online form, meaning they will have to plan the timing of the test carefully. Turkey Despite the country being in almost-total lockdown, Turkey is allowing tourists in without a PCR test or evidence of vaccination. Turkey is in total lockdown, aside from tourists who are exempt from all rules and welcome without a test or vaccine - though the welcome from locals may not be warm Tourists are largely exempt from the lockdown rules - which have confined Turks to their homes for weeks - while hotels and other businesses involved directly in tourism have been allowed to remain open. However, many other businesses - such as shops and restaurants - remain closed. City streets are also deserted, which could be a blessing or a curse, depending on your idea of a good holiday. Most other European countries either remain fully closed to tourists, or have highly restrictive entry policies that make tourist travel all-but impossible. However, some have started planning for a reopening and have been giving details of when people might be allowed back. Those countries are... Italy Prime Minister Mario Draghi said last week that Italy plans to run its own 'green pass scheme' which would allow tourists in from any country provided they are vaccinated, have previously been infected, or have tested negative. Italy says it will allow visitors from outside the EU to arrive from 'mid-May' using some kind of green pass, though has given no further details or a firm date Mr Draghi said the scheme would be in place by 'mid-May', raising hopes that it might be ready in time for Britain's rules to relax on May 17. But since his initial announcement, no further details have been published leading to frustration and confusion among those hoping to travel. France Emmanuel Macron laid out plans for a gradual reopening of France on April 29, including a date for foreign tourists to return: June 9. Under those plans, all visitors would have to qualify for a Pass Sanitaire, essentially a green certificate with a negative Covid test or vaccination required to qualify. At the moment, the scheme - which French citizens also use - is run through TousAntiCovid, their equivalent of the NHS app. It is unclear how this would be opened up to foreign arrivals. Like the UK's roadmap, France's unlocking requires infections to be falling in order to progress, meaning it could be called off or delayed. Cases are currently declining in the country, though at a very gradual pace. Spain Fernando Valdes, Spain's tourism minister, laid out his plans for reopening the tourist economy last month and predicted the country will be ready to welcome back foreign arrivals in June. Spain has said it will be ready to welcome foreign tourists 'from June', but has not given a firm date or said what the requirements will be Like other countries, entry would be dependent on some kind of green pass scheme requiring evidence of vaccination, a past infection, or negative test taken shortly before travel. Valdes said a pilot scheme would run throughout May and that Spain would be 'ready to receive visitors in June'. No further details have been given. Netherlands An oddball on this list: The Netherlands is allowing tourists into the country but says it strongly discourages people from visiting. If you do decide to go, then the government advice is to stay in your hotel as much as possible and avoid busy places when you do go out. Many hotel facilities, including restaurants and pools, are currently closed, and there is a night-time curfew in place from 8pm until 6am. However, from May 19 restaurant and bar terraces will be allowed to open from midday until 6pm and all non-essential retail is open. Other European nations are currently not allowing tourists in, and have not announced plans to allow it. In Germany, it is currently illegal to visit for non-essential purposes and the country has not announced plans to resume tourist travel This includes Germany, which has made it illegal for companies to transport people there for non-essential purposes. Others nations which ban non-essential travel include the likes of Norway, Sweden, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland. What does the EU say? Currently, the EU has adopted a recommendation for all 27 member states to ban non-essential travel from third countries - though this is non-binding and countries can ignore it if they wish. Just six nations escape the EU's ban due to low infection rates: Australia, New Zealand, Rwanda, Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand. The EU commission last week proposed an update to the guidance which would allow fully-vaccinated citizens of any foreign nation in, provided they have been given an EU-approved jab. The threshold to get on the 'low infection' list would also be raised so more countries can be added, allowing citizens into the EU whether they have been jabbed or not. However, the guidance still needs to be approved and there is no clear indication of when this might happen. Even then, it would not be binding. The Delta Air Lines CEO hopes that they can get a travel corridor between the UK and the US open for summer. Ed Bastian said the vaccination rates being so high and the low infection rates of both countries indicates it is 'low risk' to travel. Speaking to CNN, the airline boss said: 'We know the medical evidence and the documentation with respect to where the vaccination rates are for both our countries in the US and the UK, where the infection rates of our countries indicate this extraordinarily low risk to travel between the US and the UK.' It comes as American and British airlines begged Joe Biden and Boris Johnson to reopen transatlantic travel to save both economies and reunite families who have been separated for more than a year. The Delta Air Lines CEO Ed Bastian hopes that they can get a travel corridor between the UK and the US open for summer Multiple airlines penned an open letter with the US Chamber of Commerce last week urging an announcement and on Tuesday, the CEOs of Delta, Virgin, British Airways, American Airlines and JetBlue wrote their own letter. Mr Bastian added that this 'low risk', which he cited as 'one in five million', was provided the traveller is vaccinated or can provide a negative Covid-19 test on board the flight. He continued: 'The UK is the most important market for travel between the US in terms of UK travellers coming to the US and the US demand wanting to go into the UK.' The airline boss added that they are 'going to show other countries the avenue of how to do this', by having a 'good testing protocol' and 'monitoring the results' in order to give people the confidence to travel. Mr Bastian said the vaccination rates being so high and the low infection rates of both countries indicates it is 'low risk' to travel (pictured: file image of Delta Air Lines) While Mr Bastian is confident there will be a boom in domestic travel in the US this summer, he doesn't think that we will see the same trend with international travel until 2022. He said: 'My view is you're going to see the summer of domestic travel in the US.' Mr Bastian added: 'People are just dying to get somewhere but I don't think they're dying to go to Europe. 'I think they're just dying to go anywhere and they're going to go some place they feel confident getting to and easy to get to. 'Summer of '22 I think you're going to see the same phenomena with international travel.' Earlier this week in a letter, airline bosses said they need adequate time to plan routes and to staff them after an announcement is made, and that June 11-13 - when the two leaders meet at the G7 in Cornwall, England - would be the perfect time to announce it. 'The return of Transatlantic flying would not only have a significantly positive impact on our respective economies but will also reunite those who have been separated from their loved ones for over a year.' He added that the UK is the 'most important market for travel between the US in terms of UK travellers coming to the US and the US demand wanting to go into the UK' (pictured: Prime Minister Boris Johnson) Neither Biden nor Boris Johnson has responded to it yet. Both the US and the UK have vaccinated roughly a third of their populations and travel to and from each country from multiple others is allowed, but free travel between them has been banned since March 2020. Currently, and as has been the case since March last year, a non-US citizen cannot fly directly from the UK into America. British rules have fluctuated but currently, anyone from the US can fly to the UK so long as they quarantine for 10 days upon arrival and take multiple COVID-19 tests. A new report on Tuesday from Airlines for America revealed that in the first quarter of 2021 alone, the major US airlines lost $7billion between them. That is on top of the $35billion they collectively lost in 2020. The report predicted that it will take until 2023 for normal levels of air travel to resume. Between February 2020 and February 2021, the number of US airline employees dropped by 66,000. Globally, it dropped by 46,000. Mr Johnson is scheduled to meet Joe Biden at the G7 next month. The aviation industry says it is the perfect time to announce that open travel can resume between the US and the UK - which has been banned since last March A coalition of airlines including British Airways begged the two world leaders to reopen. The airlines have furloughed or laid off tens of thousands of staff, surviving only through freight flights over the last 14 months The US has been moved onto a list of Amber countries in the UK that includes dozens of others. THE RULES ON UK-US TRAVEL ENTERING AMERICA FROM THE UK No non-citizens can enter the US from the UK without a visa waiver or other special circumstances. The UK is on a list of banned countries along with 27 in Europe, Iran, China, India and South Africa, from which direct travel is banned if it has happened in the last 2 weeks. WHO CAN TRAVEL TO AMERICA? Every other country in the world that is not on the banned list. ENTERING THE UK FROM AMERICA The US is now on a list of 'Amber' countries in the UK which means people can travel from them but upon arrival in the UK, they have to quarantine for 10 days and take multiple COVID-19 tests. WHO CAN TRAVEL TO THE UK? Only countries on the 'Green' list can travel freely to the UK and only from May 17. Those countries are; Australia, Brunei, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Iceland, Israel and Jerusalem, New Zealand, Portugal, Singapore, South Georgia, St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. Advertisement From May 17, only people traveling from 'Green' countries will be able to enter the UK freely. Those countries are Australia, Brunei, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Iceland, Israel and Jerusalem, New Zealand, Portugal, Singapore, South Georgia, St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha. Travel is permitted to the US from every country in the world apart from the UK, Europe, China, Iran, the UK, Ireland, Brazil, South Africa and India. A British national living in America could not therefore return home to the UK, then fly back to America, under the current rules, and an American national living in the UK would only be able to if they quarantined for 10 days when they returned and did COVID-19 tests. Now, airlines say it is time for that to change. The coalition of airlines had 48 co-signees but was led by Virgin. In their letter on May 3 they said: 'We are confident that the right tools now exist to enable a safe and meaningful restart to transatlantic travel, said the letter from 49 industry groups and unions on both sides of the Atlantic. 'Safely reopening borders between the U.S. and U.K. is essential for both countries economic recovery from Covid-19.' White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said last week that there will never be a federally-mandated vaccine passport. It begs the question of what it will take for the US to reopen travel, given that everyone over the age of 16 is now eligible for a vaccine. America will also make children under the age of 15 eligible to receive the vaccine from Thursday. The flight from London to New York was the most lucrative in the world before the pandemic. There were dozens a day, across multiple airlines and flying in and out of various airports. The pandemic crippled the airline industry which had to drastically reduce flight schedules and lay off tens of thousands of staff. A new report on Tuesday from Airlines for America revealed US airlines incurred $7billion in losses the first quarter of 2021 alone, on top of the $35billion they lost throughout 2020. Everyone over the age of 16 is now eligible for a vaccine in America and a third of the country has received at least one dose Bill Gates has appeared for the first time since announcing his divorce, posing for an Instagram picture with his oldest daughter, dampening rumors she and her siblings were 'angry' with him over the decision to split from their mom. Jennifer Gates, 25, posted a photograph with her billionaire father on her Instagram story on Thursday night. The medical student wrote alongside it: 'Nothing better than quality time with family members'. It's unclear where the picture was taken - Bill is an avid golfer and has reportedly been holed up at an exclusive golf club in California where he owns a mansion since news of the split broke. It's the first time Bill has been seen since he announced his divorce from his wife Melinda. The pair have been married for 23 years. Jennifer is the only one of their three kids to address it publicly. She said on Instagram that it had been a 'challenging stretch' for the family. Then, reports emerged that the kids - Jennifer, 25, Rory, 21, and Phoebe, 18 - were angry with their Microsoft founder father. Jennifer Gates, 25, posted a photograph with her billionaire father on her Instagram story on Thursday night Jennifer posted this on Mothers' Day writing: 'Our queen, hero and mom- every day' Pictured L-R: Melinda, Bill, Jennifer, Phoebe and Rory Gates in an Instagram post following Jennifer's graduation from Stanford On Tuesday, The New York Post reported that Gates had been telling friends on the golf course that his marriage was 'loveless'. 'Bill did talk to his close friends on the golf course,' the insider said. 'He told them a while back that the marriage was loveless, that it had been over for some time and they were living separate lives.' It was a claim made by anonymous sources cited by TMZ who said the kids fled with Melinda to a private Caribbean island to escape the divorce drama while lawyers on either side hashed out a financial settlement. Neither Bill nor Melinda has given a reason for the split, saying only in a statement that they can no longer 'grow' together as a couple. Bill, 65, is the fourth richest man in the world with an estimated fortune of $130billion. Melinda, 56, has been given more than $2billion in stocks since they announced their split. Jennifer Gates, 25, responded to the news of her parents' split in an Instagram post earlier this month In a joint statement posted to their Twitter accounts, Bill and Melinda said their work with their foundation will continue but their marriage will not. 'After a great deal of thought and a lot of work, we have made the decision to end our marriage. 'Over the last 27 years, we have raised three incredible children and built a foundation that works all over the world to enable all people to lead healthy, productive lives. 'We continue to share a belief in that mission and will continue to work together at the foundation, but we no longer believe we can grow together as a couple in this next phase of our lives. We ask for space and privacy for our family as we begin to navigate this new life.' The announcement came less than two weeks after the couple appeared together, virtually, at an event for healthcare workers. While the couple have no prenup, it appears a lot of the work of dividing up their estate - which includes properties in five states, a private jet, an astonishing art collection and a fleet of luxury cars - has already been done, as their divorce papers repeatedly refer to a 'separation contract' which both have signed. The contract itself has not been made public. Since the divorce was announced, Bill has transferred billions to Melinda in stocks. Scott Peterson has revealed in a new prison interview that he really believed the jury was going to find him not guilty of murdering his pregnant wife Laci and their unborn son. In a case that garnered worldwide attention, Peterson was convicted in San Mateo, California in 2004 of first-degree murder of his 27-year-old wife Laci Peterson, who was eight months pregnant. He also was convicted of second-degree murder of his unborn son, Connor. Peterson, now 48, is set to have his conviction re-examined after the California Supreme Court last year overturned his death sentence and his attorneys claim they have fresh evidence that proves his innocence. In a new interview with ABC's 20/20 set to air Friday, Peterson spoke out from prison about his initial shock at the guilty verdict. Scott Peterson was convicted in San Mateo, California, in 2004 of first-degree murder of his 27-year-old wife Laci Peterson, who was eight months pregnant. He is pictured with his attorney Pat Harris during the trial 'I kept hoping one of them would say 'I have a second thought' and just realize what they were doing,' he said. 'You know, recognize how wrong this was.' In a new interview with ABC's 20/20 set to air Friday, his defense attorney Pat Harris (above), who is still representing him, said he felt as if he had failed his client His defense attorney Pat Harris, who is still representing him, said he felt as if he had failed his client. 'I'm haunted by the verdict all the time,' Harris said. 'This is what you crave as a lawyer, the opportunity to prove an innocent man innocent... and given that opportunity, I failed.' It comes as his legal team say they have fresh evidences and witnesses that proves Peterson didn't kill his pregnant wife. Peterson has always maintained his innocence. Laci vanished on Christmas Eve back in 2002 from their home in Modesto, California. Her husband told police at the time that he had left that morning to go fishing in Berkley. When Peterson returned home that night, he said he called his mother-in-law to ask if Laci was there before reporting her missing. Prosecutors contended that Peterson dumped his wife's body and the fetus of their baby from his fishing boat into San Francisco Bay. In a case that garnered worldwide attention, Peterson was convicted of killing his 27-year-old wife Laci Peterson, who was eight months pregnant, in 2002 Prosecutors contended that Peterson dumped his wife's body and the fetus of their baby from his fishing boat into San Francisco Bay. Laci was eight months pregnant when she vanished Their remains washed ashore nearly four months later in April 2003. They were found a few miles from where Peterson had said he was fishing. The fetus washed up first and had a nylon rope around the neck and a large cut on the body. Laci's body washed ashore a mile away the following day with tape wrapped around her torso. Both bodies were too decomposed to determine cause of death. Investigators chased nearly 10,000 tips and considered parolees and convicted sex offenders as possible suspects while Peterson helped lead the search. He was eventually arrested after Amber Frey, a massage therapist living in Fresno, told police that they had begun dating a month before his wife's death but that he had told her his wife was dead. The jury found him guilty of first and second degree murder and he was given a death sentence. The Supreme Court overturned Peterson's death sentence last August, citing 'significant errors' in jury selection that meant Peterson did not receive an impartial trial. His legal team say they have fresh evidences and witnesses that proves Peterson didn't kill his pregnant wife. Peterson (pictured left in a 2018 mugshot and right after being found guilty) has always maintained his innocence Investigators chased nearly 10,000 tips and considered parolees and convicted sex offenders as possible suspects while Peterson helped lead the search In a second ruling, the court ordered a San Mateo judge to decide whether the conviction itself must be overturned after it later emerged that a juror, Richelle Nice, failed to disclose that she had been involved in prior legal proceedings. Nice did not disclose that she had filed a lawsuit in 2000 to obtain a restraining order after her boyfriend's ex-girlfriend harassed her while she was pregnant. The juror said in her lawsuit that she feared for her unborn child. Peterson's attorneys said that when asked as a potential juror whether she had ever been a victim of crime or involved in a lawsuit, she responded no. His attorneys have previously claimed Nice deceived the judge to get on the jury for the high profile case and that she was biased toward Laci because they had both been victimized while pregnant. Nice, who was among the jurors to jointly publish a book about the case, has denied those claims that she lied just to get on the jury and insisted she didn't view her history as relevant. Prosecutors have already announced that they will seek to re-impose the death penalty, which will require a new sentencing phase of the trial. Peterson is scheduled to face court again next month for a hearing on his petition for a new trial. '20/20' Airs on Friday, May 14 at 9pm ET on ABC. athan Christopher Lawerence, 29, will serve just 20 months behind bars Two men have been sentenced for their involvement in a vicious road-rage incident that left a Gold Coast tradie fighting for his life. One will spend only 20 months in jail, while the other escaped with a community service order after being sentenced in the Brisbane District Court on Friday. Brock Prime, then aged 29, suffered a severe head injury that left his brain exposed when he was assaulted by a group of men on the side of the M1 motorway near Yatala on February 24, 2018. Jonathan Christopher Lawerence, 29, pleaded guilty to one count of grievous bodily harm while Jordan Jonathan Baklas, 30, pleaded guilty to one count of assault occasioning bodily harm. Brock Prime (pictured) suffered a severe head injury that left his brain exposed when he was assaulted by a group of men on the side of the M1 motorway on the Gold Coast on February 24, 2018 Jordan Jonathan Baklas, 30, pleaded guilty to one count of assault occasioning bodily harm Jonathan Christopher Lawerence, 29 (pictured right) was jailed for 20 months for the vicious assault Charges against 31-year-old Ryan David Hallifax were dropped. Lawerence was sentenced to five years' jail, suspended after 20 months, operational for five years. Baklas was ordered to perform 100 hours of community service. Police at the time said up to 13 people may have been in a white van involved in the incident. Officers reported the van and Mr Prime's black Subaru Forester came close to colliding on the M1 around Coomera, sparking a 'cat and mouse game' during which the vehicles ducked and weaved through traffic in wet conditions before pulling over. The court was told Mr Prime used a concreting trowel to hit the van before the melee erupted, and he was eventually struck with the same trowel. According to social media posts at the time, Mr Prime's family was told by doctors he had suffered a fracture to his skull in the attack. A bikini-clad woman who has been charged with being drunk and disorderly at a Florida motel pool argued that the property manager who called the police on her only did so because she was 'jealous that her body looked good.' The incident took place just before 5pm on May 3 at the Country Inn and Suites in Ocala, where 42-year-old Melody Carr was observed lounging by the pool in her two-piece swimsuit. The manager of the motel contacted the police, reporting that Carr 'was causing a disturbance,' according to an arrest affidavit obtained by DailyMail.com. Melody Carr, 42 (left and right), has been charged with disorderly intoxication over her antics at a Florida hotel. Carr claimed the hotel manager called the police on her because she was 'jealous that her body looked good' The incident took place on May 3 at the Country Inn and Suits in Ocala, where the bikini-clad Carr was spotted at the pool An Ocala police officer who responded to the scene spoke to the manager, who told him that she did not recall checking Carr into the motel, or having her as a guest. According to the manager, when she approached Carr and asked her what room she was staying in, the 42-year-old 'became very irate' and refused to give her room number. She then walked away. The motel manager told police she wanted Carr cited for trespassing, the document stated. The responding officer went looking for the woman and soon spotted her walking a brown dog at another hotel located nearby. Carr became 'verbally aggressive,' insisted she was not doing anything wrong and told the cop to leave her alone. The 5-foot-tall, 90-pound woman further claimed that the manager at Country Inn and Suites only called the police on her because she was 'jealous that her body looked good.' A manager approached Carr at the pool (pictured) and asked for her room number because she did not recall checking her in Carr then went on to allege that her boyfriend was staying at the hotel but they got into an altercation and he stormed off. She said she was still at the hotel only because her car, a white convertible Mustang, was not working properly. After she was instructed to move her vehicle, lest it be towed, Carr jumped a fence to get to her car and burned tires as she pulled into a parking spot at a nearby gas station, according to the document. Carr is pictured in a 2010 mugshot following an arrest on a domestic battery charge, which was later dropped Carr then went into the gas station to talk to a manager about keeping her car there until it could be repaired, but her request was denied, and she got angry and left. When the police officer approached Carr to confront her about her erratic behavior, he noticed that her breath smelled of alcohol when she turned to yell at him. As she was being placed in handcuffs, Carr allegedly admitted to having one drink of an unknown size at 9am at the hotel but could not explain why she still smelled of alcohol and appeared visibly drunk eight hours later. Carr was arrested and booked into the Marion County jail on charges of disorderly intoxication. She was released the next day after posting $2,000 bond. Carr is due back in court for an arraignment on Monday. Court records indicate that she was arrested in 2010 on a domestic battery charge, which was later dropped. A fugitive MIT student wanted for the murder of a Yale graduate student in Connecticut in February was arrested by US Marshals in Alabama on Friday, bringing to a close an intense four-month manhunt. An international arrest warrant had been issued for Qinxuan Pan, 29, on murder and larceny charges in connection with the killing of Kevin Jiang on a New Haven street on February 6. Pan is accused of fatally shooting Jiang, 26, multiple times. Police have not disclosed a motive in the shooting, which they initially believed stemmed from a road-rage incident. Jiang was a graduate student at Yale's School of the Environment and an Army veteran hailing from Washington state who had recently become engaged to be married to his MIT graduate girlfriend of one year, Zion Perry. New Haven Independent previously reported that Pan had crossed paths with Jiang's fiancee while the two attended MIT. Fugitive murder suspect Qinxuan Pan, 29, is pictured in his mugshot after being arrested in Montgomery, Alabama, on Friday Pan (left) was apprehended US Marshals four months after he allegedly shot and killed Kevin Jiang, 26 (right), in Connecticut on February 6 This photo from March 2020 shows murdered Yale student Kevin Jiang's fiancee, Zion Perry (left), laughing with MIT graduate Qinxuan Pan (far right), who is the prime suspect in Jiang's killing Marshals, who previously offered a $10,000 reward for Pan's capture, said a Gulf Coast fugitive task force and Montgomery police arrested the suspect in the 400 block of Fairview Avenue without incident on Friday morning. According to a statement from the federal agency, investigators were acting on unspecified information that revealed the fugitive's whereabouts. Pan was booked into the county jail on a charge of fugitive from justice. No bond has been set as of Friday afternoon. 'I am extremely proud of the cooperation and efforts of the U.S. Marshals, the Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force, and our state and local partners in apprehending Pan,' said US Marshal for the Middle District of Alabama Jesse Seroyer Jr in a statement. Photos showed Pan and Perry interacting at the Lindy Hop Society Bread & Bones Birthday Jam celebration on March 4, 2020. Just days before his death, Jiang proposed marriage to his girlfriend, MIT graduate Zion Perry (pictured on the day of their engagement) One of the photos from the event shows the two smiling broadly while chatting with another man, but no evidence has been presented so far to suggest that Pan and Perry had dated. Pan is a US citizen who was born in Shanghai, China. His last known address was in Malden, Massachusetts. According to his Facebook page, which has been dormant since 2016, Pan worked as a researcher in computer science and artificial intelligence at MIT, where Perry, Jiang's fiancee, was an undergraduate student. Pan graduated from MIT with undergraduate degrees in computer science and mathematics in June 2014 and entered the prestigious school's graduate program two months later. Pan, a Chinese-born computer science researcher at MIT, was seen in the days after Jiang's killing driving in the Atlanta suburbs with relatives and acting strange Perry earned a Bachelor's degree in bio-engineering from MIT in 2016. Marshals allege Pan stole an SUV from a dealership in Mansfield, Massachusetts, the day of the killing before driving to Connecticut. Jiang was found lying outside his Prius and suffering from gunshot wounds around 8.30am on February 6 near the intersection of Lawrence and Nicoll streets in the East Rock neighborhood, police said. Just a week before his slaying, Jiang got engaged and posted a video on his Facebook page that captured the moment he went down on one knee and popped the question to Perry while the pair were on a hike. She said YES!; Jiang wrote ecstatically in a status update on January 30. 'Zion sweetheart - youve really made a huge impact in my life! Ever since I met you, God has been working in my heart and changing my heart for the better, helping me become more generous and kinder to others . You are the most kind, beautiful, forgiving, patient, faithful woman Ive ever met. I love you more than words can say.' According to his LinkedIn profile, Jiang served as a tank operator in the US Army and was in the Army National Guard. Jiang served as a tank operator in the US Army and was in the Army National Guard The 26-year-old veteran earned a degree in environmental studies from the University of Washington before starting his graduate studies at Yale in 2019. He was a member of the Class of 2022. In the days after the killing, authorities said Pan was seen in the Atlanta suburbs driving with relatives and acting strange. Interpol last month issued a 'red notice' about Pan asking member countries to arrest him on murder and larceny charges. The Pentagon has removed about 120 U.S. personnel from Israel amid the ongoing violence there, saying they had been in-country for a planned military exercise. Pentagon press secretary John Kirby confirmed the removal of the U.S. personnel. He said they departed on Thursday on a U.S. Air Force C-17 transport plane. They had been in Israel to plan for a future bilateral exercise. Kirby said the conference they were attending was scheduled to end this week but the exit was accelerated by a few days. In this Monday, March 12, 2018 photo, U.S. Marines and a Israeli soldiers take part in a joint urban warfare exercise at the Mala base, south of Israel. The Pentagon said it pulled 120 personnel out of Israel Thursday amid ongoing violence 'We made this decision to remove these individuals in coordination with our Israeli counterparts,' said Kirby told reporters at the Pentagon Thursday. 'These people from throughout the department were in Israel for a routine planning event,' he added, in reference to the military exercise. He said they were removed 'out of an abundance of caution and good prudence' and that 'we ended that planning conference a little early and got them safely to Germany.' There has been a dangerous escalation this week between Israel and Gaza's Hamas militant rulers. Hamas sent a heavy barrage of rockets deep into Israel on Thursday as Israel pounded Gaza with more airstrikes and shells and called up 9,000 more reservists who could be used to stage a ground invasion. Rockets launched towards Israel from the northern Gaza Strip and response from the Israeli missile defense system known as the Iron Dome leave streaks through the sky on May 13, 2021 in Gaza City, Gaza Smoke and flame rise during an Israeli air strike, amid a flare-up of Israeli-Palestinian violence, in Gaza City May 14, 2021 Israel continued with air and artillery attacks on Gaza Friday, and has positioned troops to the border with Gaza. The move comes amid a series of strikes and counter strikes, plus some misinformation about the complex picture on the ground. The Israel Defence Forces were able to trick Hamas into believing a ground invasion was underway after saying they were 'attacking in Gaza' overnight. They were then able to obliterate a tunnel network knowing militants would be hiding underground waiting to ambush tanks and soldiers, reports in Israel claim. Amid the escalations, the State Department is advising Americans to reconsider any travel they may have planned to Israel and the Palestinian territories due to increasing Israeli-Palestinian violence. In a notice issued Thursday, the department raised its travel advisory for Israel, the West Bank and Gaza to Level 3 - 'reconsider travel.' It had previously been at Level 2, which recommends travelers 'exercise increased caution.' The revised alert cited continuing rocket fire from Gaza into areas across southern and central Israel, including Jerusalem, Israels military response to the attacks and a 'marked increase' in violence and protests throughout Israel. 'Protests and violence may continue to occur, some with little or no warning,' it said. A fake ticket warden could be arrested for impersonating a police officer and issuing fines to commuters. A vigilante living close to Stowmarket train station became so fed up with drivers leaving their cars on residential streets they printed off fake parking tickets. But Suffolk police warned the perpetrator is risking arrest because it is illegal to use the official police masthead. The notices have appeared on cars surrounding the railway station which ferries commuters into London's Liverpool Street Station. A vigilante living close to Stowmarket train station became so fed up with drivers leaving their cars on residential streets they printed off fake parking tickets (pictured) Drivers have been threatened with 1,000 fines on the basis of obstruction of the pavement. But use of the official police masthead on the fake tickets is illegal under the Police Act 1996. The notices have appeared on cars surrounding the railway station (pictured) which ferries commuters into London's Liverpool Street Station Parking enforcement in the town is carried out by West Suffolk Council and police can only get involved if vehicles are blocking the highway or pavement. A Suffolk police spokesman said: 'Police guidance is that the officer will make an evidence based decision as to whether there is an obstruction offence. 'While parking is an issue that is regularly raised to police and we acknowledge the frustration of some members of the public, it needs to be made clear that the key policing priorities relating to criminality do need to take precedence.' Boris Johnson and his Irish counterpart Micheal Martin discussed post-Brexit trade and the Ballymurphy massacre during a meeting at Chequers, No 10 said. The two leaders had a working lunch at the PM's country retreat amid ongoing problems with the Northern Ireland Protocol set up in December's agreement with the EU. Anger in unionist communities over the protocol has been building since the start of the year as it impacted on imports of food and other goods. Last month violence spilled out across the region, particularly in Belfast, with people from both unionist and nationalist backgrounds taking part in riots. Mr Johnson is also facing nationalist anger over the 1971 Ballymurphy massacre, in which 10 innocent civilians were killed by British Army soldiers. A Downing Street spokeswoman today said: 'The leaders reflected on the Coroner's report into the Ballymurphy massacre published this week. They agreed it was profoundly sad that the families of victims had to wait so long for the truth. 'The Prime Minister restated the UK Government's commitment to finding a way forward in Northern Ireland that delivers for victims, aids truth recovery and helps communities in the future. 'They agreed on the importance of working together to uphold the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement and to maintain smooth trade between Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. 'The leaders resolved to continue to work together in our fight against coronavirus and to closely share information in order to enable a better recovery.' The two leaders had a working lunch at the PM's country retreat amid ongoing problems with the Northern Ireland Porotcol set up in December's agreement with the EU. A Downing Street spokeswoman today said: 'The leaders reflected on the Coroner's report into the Ballymurphy massacre published this week. They agreed it was profoundly sad that the families of victims had to wait so long for the truth. There has been additional anger in Northern Ireland over the PSNI's handling of Covid-19 breaches at a Republican funeral. Suspected paramilitary involvement in the riots was attributed to the South East Antrim UDA, reacting to recent police operations targeting its criminal empire. There is also uncertainty over the future of Stormont, with a leadership contest under way in the Democratic Unionist Party. Both candidates, Edwin Poots and Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, have pledged to ramp up opposition to the Northern Ireland Protocol, even if it risks collapsing Stormont. A leadership contest is also under way in the Ulster Unionist Party after Steve Aiken offered his resignation last week. Meanwhile, families of the victims of the Ballymurphy massacre have dubbed a letter of apology from Boris Johnson 'unacceptable'. The Ballymurphy families received a letter from the Prime Minister on Thursday in which he expressed his personal sorrow for the 'terrible hurt that has been caused' by the deaths of 10 innocent civilians 50 years ago. On Tuesday, coroner Mrs Justice Keegan found that those who died in Belfast in August 1971 were 'entirely innocent'. She found that nine of the 10 had been killed by soldiers and that the use of lethal force was not justified. However, the Ballymurphy families, who had gathered for a press conference in Belfast, were left angered by the timing and the content of the letter. Their solicitor, Padraig O Muirigh, broke down as he read out Mr Johnson's letter, saying he had been left upset by the 'disgraceful conduct' of the Prime Minister. A schoolgirl who had been affected by the suicide of her bullied classmate took her own life just weeks after his death, an inquest has heard. Fionnuala Ryan, 14, who attended the 30,000-a-year Windermere School in the Lake District, was found dead at her home in December 2019. Cockermouth Coroner's Court heard how one of her classmates, 14-year-old Pierre Dacosta Noble, had taken his own life just a few weeks earlier in November that year. The court heard how Fionnuala, who was described as one of the school's 'shining stars', had been affected by Pierre's suicide, and went to see the school nurse in a tearful state following his death. Fionnuala Ryan, 14, who attended Windermere School in the Lake District (pictured), was found dead at her home in December 2019 Mother Margaret Taylor told the hearing she believed Pierre had confided in her daughter about the bullying he had been subjected to. He had been a victim of bullies who put faeces on his pillow and in his shoes before his body was found in the school, the court was told. Ms Taylor told the court of her caring and much-loved little girl in a heart-wrenching statement. She said: 'She was my only child. She was my treasure. 'She wasn't spoilt, but she knew if there was anything she wanted, anything she wanted me to do, I'd move heaven and earth to make it happen.' Coroner Andrew Tweddle asked the school about its response after staff became aware Fionnuala had made a ligature at the beginning of the week in which she sadly died. The coroner's court heard this act could have been a 'cry for help'. Detective chief inspector Furzana Nazir expressed her belief that quicker action should have been taken after the 14-year-old's initial attempt. The court heard how Pierre Dacosta Noble had taken his own life just a few weeks earlier in the school grounds. Pictured: GV of Windermere School School nurse Susan Brown said Fionnuala had gone to see her in the aftermath of Pierre's suicide and was upset and tearful. Mrs Brown said: 'She said she couldn't understand why it happened. 'She said she was worried that she would forget Pierre.' Mr Tweddle recorded a verdict of suicide following a three-day inquest into her death. An inquest into Pierre's death in September last year also recorded a verdict of suicide. The independent school has now appointed a full-time designated safeguarding lead following the deaths of two of its pupils. This is in addition to pre-existing safeguarding procedures. In a statement after the inquest, a spokesperson for the school described Fionnuala as 'one of our shining stars'. She had won a scholarship to study at the school, where she 'flourished'. The spokesperson said: 'She was popular with her peers and demonstrated a care and regard for others often lacking in one so young. 'The entire school community continue to mourn her loss.' They continued: 'As part of a root-and-branch review of safeguarding policies, the school has purchased new software, called 'My Concern', so anyone can raise and log a concern which will immediately be shared with the safeguarding team and relevant pastoral staff. 'We have 21 staff undergoing advanced safeguarding training, which will be completed next month, and we are restructuring the provision of pastoral care in the boarding houses so we have more cover in the evenings and weekends. 'The safeguarding and wellbeing of the children in our care is at the heart of everything we do, and we continue to offer all the help we can to anyone who has been affected by these heart-breaking events.' Windermere School is a 157-year-old independent, coeducational boarding and day school in the Lake District with 350 students. For confidential support, call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch. See www.samaritans.org for details Federal prosecutors have dropped 27 charges against Matt Gaetz's wingman in exchange for his cooperation and testimony in their ongoing child sex trafficking investigation into the Republican Congressman. Joel Greenberg had been facing 33 counts with a maximum of life behind bars but his plea deal, filed on Friday, reveals he has reached a deal to plead guilty to just six of those charges; sex trafficking a child, using a fake ID, identity theft, wire fraud, stalking and conspiring to commit a crime against the US. The plea deal doesn't specify what he'll be sentenced to but it does confirm he will cooperate with the ongoing investigation into Gaetz, and testify at court if necessary. The most severe charge he will plead to is paying a 17-year-old girl for sex, trafficking her across state lines and giving her drugs with other men - which is what might implicate Gaetz. The sex trafficking charge has a minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison. The charges that have been dropped include four domestic violence charges, one sex trafficking charge, nine fraud charges, bribing a public official, and a range of lesser identity theft and fraud charges. Prosecutors say depending on how much he assists them going forward, they'll recommend various levels of leniency when it comes to Greenberg's sentencing. Greenberg, a disgraced tax collector, also has to forfeit $650,000. He was arrested last year and immediately started telling the feds about Gaetz and how they 'sex trafficked' together to get himself a deal. It wasn't clear that it had worked for him until now. Joel Greenberg's plea deal reveals he will testify against anyone who is charged as part of the ongoing sex trafficking investigation - which spells trouble for his friend Matt Gaetz Roger Stone, Matt Gaetz and Joel Greenberg pictured in a selfie together in 2017. Matt Gaetz 's alleged wingman Joel Greenberg has reportedly agreed to plead guilty to six felony counts Gaetz (pictured in DC today) is under investigation for allegedly having sex with a 17-year-old girl and trafficking her across state lines. Gaetz has denied the allegations and has not been charged with any crime In March, 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. For prosecutors to agree to reduce the charges from a staggering 33 to just six indicates that Greenberg has handed over information that is of significant value, legal experts told Business Insider on Thursday. Sherine Ebadi, a former FBI agent who worked on the case against the former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, said she expects Gaetz will be 'concerned' about Greenberg's plans. 'What Gaetz would be concerned about is if there's a cooperation agreement in this matter that involves the defendant flipping on him,' she said. 'That gets scary for coconspirators because they know someone who's either aware of their crimes or someone they coconspired with is now working with the government.' Greenberg was first arrested on charges of identity theft and stalking a political opponent last June. An indictment alleged he mailed fake letters to his opponent's school claiming sexual misconduct. The federal investigation into him spiraled and was charged with sex trafficking a girl between the ages of 14 and 17. In March he was further charged with embezzling $400,000 from the Seminole County tax collector's office and fraudulently obtaining COVID-19 relief loans, taking his total charges up to 33 felony counts. It has since emerged that Greenberg has been cooperating with federal prosecutors since December. In April, sources said he had been begging prosecutors to cut him a plea deal in exchange for turning over information on Gaetz. He has reportedly told investigators that both he and Gaetz gave women cash and gifts in exchange for sex. 'I'm sure Matt Gaetz is not feeling very comfortable today,' Greenberg's attorney told reporters last month. Gaetz has sought legal representation as the investigation into him appears to be ramping up. This week, sources said DOJ investigators were trying to flip a former Capitol Hill intern who is the ex-girlfriend of Gaetz. The ex-girlfriend, who is not being named publicly, was on a trip Gaetz took to the Bahamas in 2018 that allegedly involved drug use and arrangements with women, including paying them for sex. It first emerged in March that Gaetz was under investigation by the DOJ for allegedly sex trafficking a minor. Gaetz and Greenberg pictured together at the White House. To reduce charges from 33 to 6 indicates Greenberg has valuable information for prosecutors, say legal experts Gaetz with Trump. Greenberg is said to be cooperating with federal investigators for months amid the probe into the congressman The minor is said to be the same 17-year-old girl at the center of the charges against Greenberg. Investigators are said to be looking into payments made by Greenberg to young women and the 17-year-old girl through Venmo, and claims that Gaetz also paid women for sex via payment apps. 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 last month that Gaetz was expected to be indicted as soon as a matter of weeks after the 17-year-old testified before a Florida grand jury saying she had sex with him before she reached the state's age of consent, which is 18. Greenberg allegedly confessed in a letter to Donald Trump ally Roger Stone that the pair paid for sex with the 17-year-old girl in a bid to get a pardon from the then-President, the Daily Beast reported. 'On more than one occasion, [the 17-year-old] was involved in sexual activities with several of the other girls, the congressman from Florida's 1st Congressional District and myself,' Greenberg reportedly wrote in the letter. One message said to have been sent by Greenberg to Stone allegedly said he was pressured to 'flip' and cooperate with prosecutors. 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. 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. 'The first indictment of Joel Greenberg alleges that he falsely accused another man of sex with a minor for his own gain. That man was apparently innocent. So is Congressman Gaetz,' said Harlan Hill, a spokesman for the lawmaker. Almost 200 migrants crossed the Channel on Thursday making May the busiest month for small boat crossings of the year so far. Despite being just two weeks in, 835 have arrived this month already - surpassing March's 831. The Home Office revealed today that 199 people were intercepted making the dangerous journey in nine boats on Thursday. An estimated 200 migrants successfully crossed the English Channel yesterday Some of the migrants were intercepted by Border Force cutter Speedwell and brought to Dover Marina It was the second highest daily total of 2021 beaten only by April 28 when 209 arrived in nine boats. French authorities also prevented a further 53 migrants from attempting the crossing in three boats on Wednesday night into Thursday morning. Despite downpours of rain, Border Force intercepted the first boat of the day at around 7.30am. Its 20 occupants were brought to shore on the back of cutter Speedwell. More were seen huddling blankets and wearing face masks on the back of Border Force vessel Hunter around 9.30am. The migrants in Dover have been brought to a facility so they can be processed by Border Force officials Immigration Enforcement officers escorted them up the gangway at Dover Marina, Kent for processing. An additional 15 migrants also reportedly managed to land their boat on a beach in Dungeness, Kent. They were seen next to a police van with officers keeping watch while Speedwell continued to taxi migrants into the harbour in Dover. French authorities also had to rescue eight migrants after their boat started taking on water off Dunkirk around 11am. These two inflatables, pictured, were used by some of the migrants to cross the channel The migrants were landed in Dover Marina before being processed by UK Border Force officials The crisis in the Channel shows no sign of slowing down as Tuesday's 186 arrivals now sits at the third highest daily figure for the year heading into the warmer, calmer weather in the summer months. There were no crossings today. But French authorities rescued 14 migrants in difficulty off the coast of Boulogne-sur-Mer around 7.45am and also saved a further four migrants who got into difficulty at Cap Blanc-Nez around 9.30am. A Home Office spokesman said: 'Criminal gangs are putting people's lives at risk through these dangerous and unnecessary crossings. 'We are bringing legislation forward through our New Plan for Immigration which will break the business model of the people smuggling networks and save lives.' A total of 2,943 migrants have arrived so far this year. The last boat carrying almost 30 migrants was intercepted late in the day and brought in for processing around 5pm Advertisement A fashion label whose signature outfits were favourites of the Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Diana has fallen into administration. Amanda Wakeley's eponymous retail brand had about 50 stores internationally in the mid 2010s but it was forced to close its flagship store in London as it struggled during the pandemic. It has hired administrators from insolvency experts Smith & Williamson. Amanda Wakeley launched the brand with its first store in Chelsea in the 1990s and grew the business with the support of famous fans, including Princess Diana. The Duchess of Cambridge, pictured with Prince William, was a fan of the designer Amanda Wakeley which has gone into administration The Duchess of Sussex, picture in an Amanda Wakeley coat, regularly wore the designer's signature designs and gowns The Duchess of Sussex also regularly wore her dresses, as well as the likes of Davina McCall and Vogue Williams. Designer Amanda Wakeley's firm has gone into administration Miss Wakeley said: 'During the pre-administration phase, the company's staff worked tirelessly with me, and Smith & Williamson, to maximise sales and mitigate the impact of insolvency on the company's creditors. 'To this core team and those who have worked at Wakeley over the years, thank you. 'I am also very grateful for the support and expertise of our leading equity investor who has been a valuable partner since 2012. 'To our customers, many of whom have become our friends, thank you for your loyalty. 'It is an honour to design for you and I am deeply touched by the many messages of support concerning my family and the business through the crisis.' Colin Hardman, joint administrator on the process, said that despite 'significant interest' it was unable to find a buyer and therefore decided to place the business into administration. Princess Diana had several outfits by the designer in her wardrobe, including her signature skirt suits (pictured above) 'Our principal objective is to maximise realisations for the benefit of creditors,' he said. 'As well as clothing and accessory stock, the business boasts a newly platformed E-commerce site. 'Whilst a small number of redundancies have regrettably been necessary, Amanda Wakeley and a core team of employees continue to support us with our realisation strategy.' Celebrities such as Amanda Holden were fans of the designer, as well as politicians such as ex-PM Theresa May In 2016 the designer hit the headlines when then Prime Minister Theresa May had a photoshoot at no.10 wearing brown leather trousers which retailed at 995 in an incident which became known as Trousergate. It later came out they were borrowed by the ex-PM. Angelina Jolie wore a gown by the designer for the premiere of Salt in 2010 while Beyonce and Jodie Kidd were also admirers. Lord Dyson last night delivered his crunch report on the Princess Diana Panorama scandal as Martin Bashir quit the BBC. The retired judge handed in the results of his inquiry to corporation top brass at 6pm. It will be published next week. Meanwhile, staff were told the BBC's religion editor had resigned for health reasons. Lord Dyson has spent six months probing allegations that Mr Bashir used rogue tactics to land his Panorama scoop with the princess in 1995. Martin Bashir (pictured in October 2019) has resigned from the BBC for health reasons The corporation commissioned the former Master of the Rolls to investigate last November after the Daily Mail revealed claims Mr Bashir had peddled royal smears and lies to trick Diana into the interview, in which she famously declared 'there were three of us in this marriage'. Last night a spokesman for the inquiry announced: 'Lord Dyson has concluded his investigation and the report has been passed to the BBC for publication in due course.' The bombshell report is expected to examine claims of a cynical cover-up mounted by BBC chiefs in 1996 after the Mail on Sunday revealed how Mr Bashir had used forged bank statements to lure the princess into his trust. Former BBC director-general Tony Hall who only left the post last August is among those whose role has been scrutinised by Lord Dyson. Lord Hall led an initial inquiry in 1996 that was later branded a 'whitewash'. Yesterday Jonathan Munro, the BBC's deputy director of news, told staff in an email that Mr Bashir, who has been on sick leave for months, had 'stepped down' and was 'leaving the corporation'. Princess Diana during her interview with Martin Bashir for the BBC in November 1995 An investigation is now taking place into Martin Bashir's BBC interview with Diana in 1995 He added: 'He let us know of his decision last month, just before being readmitted to hospital for another surgical procedure on his heart. 'Although he underwent major surgery toward the end of last year, he is facing some ongoing issues and has decided to focus on his health. We wish him a complete and speedy recovery.' It is understood Mr Bashir, 58, who sold his London townhouse in November and moved to Winchester, telling colleagues it was a 'sad way to retire', did not receive any payoff. Mr Bashir joined the BBC as a news correspondent in 1986 and moved to ITV in 1999. After a stint in America he rejoined the corporation in 2016 as religious affairs correspondent. Timeline of a scandal 1986: Martin Bashir joins BBC as news correspondent and works on programmes including Songs of Praise, Public Eye and Panorama. November 1995: The famous interview with Princess Diana turns Mr Bashir into TVs hottest property. 1996: The Mail on Sunday reveals claims that Mr Bashir used faked bank documents to persuade Diana to talk. The BBC holds internal inquiry dismissed as a whitewash. 1999: Moves to ITVs Tonight with Trevor McDonald. His scoops include interview with Stephen Lawrence suspects and documentary on Michael Jackson. May 2004: Quits to host ABCs Nightline in US. Suspended in 2008 after making Asian babes remark at Asian American Journalists convention. 2010: Joins NBC News as an MSNBC anchor. He resigns in 2013 after controversial remarks about vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin. 2016: BBC re-hires Mr Bashir as religious affairs correspondent. He is later promoted to religion editor. October 2020: Channel 4 documentary alleges there was elaborate plot by Mr Bashir to trick Diana into talking. November 7: The Daily Mail reveals a shocking dossier held by Dianas brother Earl Spencer revealing alleged royal smears, lies and tricks that Mr Bashir used to land his interview. November 18: BBC orders six-month inquiry by former judge Lord Dyson. May 14, 2021: The BBC announces Mr Bashir has quit on health grounds. Advertisement The former star reporter already knows of any criticisms levelled at him in the Dyson report. He gave evidence to the inquiry, and as part of a formal process known as 'Maxwellisation' he was sent a courtesy letter containing an indication of the judge's findings about him, offering a chance to reply before they were made public. Mr Bashir, Lord Hall and all the other participants including Diana's brother Earl Spencer will be given an opportunity to read the Dyson report two hours before it is made public next week. The delivery of the Dyson report has also thrown into turmoil a plan for Panorama to broadcast a special investigation into itself. The flagship current affairs show had commissioned veteran investigative journalist John Ware to make a programme about the Diana interview scandal and the claims that BBC chiefs had tried to hush it up. The special was originally slated for broadcast a month ago, but was then delayed by the death of the Duke of Edinburgh. A new plan to transmit the programme next Monday has now also been shelved. Mr Ware did not take calls or respond to messages yesterday. A BBC source claimed the Panorama programme had been postponed rather than cancelled, and added that the reason for its delay was because of a 'duty of care issue'. Companies owe a duty of care to their employees, particularly when they are on sick leave. A third source with knowledge of the programme claimed: 'Martin Bashir played the health card aggressively through his lawyers to block the Panorama being aired.' The Dyson inquiry was prompted by revelations in the Mail last November. Diana's brother Earl Spencer told how Mr Bashir had used a ruse involving faked bank statements to trick him into introducing the reporter to his sister. Mr Bashir asked a graphic artist, Matt Weissler, to mock up the statements purportedly showing the earl's head of security was receiving money from newspapers. The BBC journalist was then accused of feeding the vulnerable princess a shocking list of lies to make her believe her own staff were betraying her too by selling information to the papers and the security services. Among the jaw-dropping claims, Mr Bashir allegedly showed Diana a fake abortion 'receipt' for royal nanny Tiggy Legge-Bourke a preposterous slur. He allegedly told the princess her husband was 'in love' with William and Harry's nanny, among dozens of other smears designed to hook Diana into trusting him. To secure his explosive interview, he also allegedly told her that her bodyguard was plotting against her, and MI6 had recorded Prince Charles and his private secretary planning the 'end game'. He was said to have lied that Prince Edward was having treatment for Aids at the Royal Marsden Hospital, and that the Queen was a 'comfort eater' with 'heart problems'. Last November the BBC commissioned former Supreme Court judge Lord Dyson (pictured) to probe allegations that the corporation covered up the trail of deceit by its reporter Diana and Prince Charles, after announcing their engagement at Buckingham Palace in 1981 Earl Spencer kept meticulous notes during the meeting, which he shared with Lord Dyson during his own interview with the former judge. Another conundrum the Dyson inquiry was examining was a burglary Mr Weissler suffered soon afterwards in which the only items stolen were computer disks containing the forged documents. It is understood a number of witnesses have told the former judge they recall how shaken up the graphic artist was after his flat was raided. Mr Weissler was later made the fall guy for the scandal, with the BBC board of governors presiding over a decision he would never work for the corporation again. The BBC said it would not comment ahead of the publication of the Dyson report. New York City families have 30 days to claim the bodies of loved ones who died during the COVID-19 pandemic that are currently being stored in a refrigerated morgue on the Brooklyn pier. Earlier this week, the city's Office of Chief Medical Examiner began its last-ditch efforts to contact a next of kin, but many families ignored city officials' previous calls. Many of the bodies are people who were likely estranged from their families or come from families who can't afford the burial or cremation fees, which can cost between $6,500 and $9,000, The Wall Street Journal reported. There are about 350 unclaimed bodies still in the 'disaster morgue,' which was set up on the 39th Street Pier in April 2020 to aid overwhelmed funeral homes, that have been there for months to a year. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO Brooklyn's 39th Street Pier is storing the bodies of around 350 New York City COVID-19 victims in refrigerated trucks (pictured last Friday) The 'disaster morgue' was set up in April 2020 and was supposed to be temporary to help overcrowded funeral homes and morgues. Pictured: Refrigerated trucks holding the bodies of COVID-19 victims at a Brooklyn pier, last Friday Unclaimed bodies will be buried on Hart Island like they were in this photo last April Families have 30 days to claim bodies of COVID-19 victims that are being stored in refrigerated morgues at a Brooklyn pier, pictured last Friday That number was as high as 3,000 bodies, The Wall Street Journal reported. There were 750 unclaimed bodies last week. Island of forgotten souls: Hart Island - New York's public cemetery for the unknown and unclaimed Hart Island, 131-acre mass burial site in the Long Island Sound on the northeastern edge of the Bronx, has served as New York Citys public cemetery for centuries. Over a million people are buried on the island, most are unknown. Since 1869, prison labor has been used to bury unclaimed and unidentified New Yorkers in mass graves of 150 adults or 1000 infants. The unclaimed bodies will be buried on Hart Island, which is located in the northeastern section of the Bronx NYC Parks and Recreation assumed jurisdiction on December 4, 2019. The Hart Island Project created a database that includes 72,251 people buried on the island since 1980. An estimated 2,666 adults were buried on Hart Island in 2020 and 504 so far in 2021, according to the medical examiner's office. Typically, between 1,000 and 1,200 people are buried there each year. Advertisement If the bodies are unclaimed, they will be buried in New York City's public cemetery on Hart Island, a public cemetery off the Long Island Sound in the northeastern part of the Bronx, Dina Maniotis, an executive deputy commissioner of the medical examiner's office, told The Wall Street Journal on Thursday. That's expected to be completed by August. During normal times, bodies can remain in the city's morgues for up to 60 days before the city usually buries people free of charge in on Hart Island. That policy was paused during the pandemic to lighten the burden on the city's funeral homes and to accommodate victims' families who needed time make final arrangements. The waterfront morgue was open from 8:30am to 10:30pm each day so families would have time to claim bodies. But with the city and society beginning to reopen, Maniotis told the Wall Street Journal that they're resuming its pre-pandemic procedures and is winding down the temporary mortuary. Most families of the victims have requested that their loved ones be buried on Hart Island, a former potter's field in the northeastern Bronx with mass burials. An estimated 2,666 adults were buried on Hart Island in 2020 and 504 so far in 2021, according to the medical examiner's office. Typically, between 1,000 and 1,200 people are buried there each year, with the island believed to have witnessed around a million burials since it was turned into a cemetery. According to an analysis from the Columbia Journalism School's Stabile Center for Investigative Journalism and nonprofit news organization THE CITY, the number of bodies buried since the start of the pandemic is equivalent to about one-tenth of the number of New York City residents who have died from COVID-19. Maniotis said that other families have stopped 'engaging' with city officials, meaning the bodies will likely be buried on Hart Island regardless. 'We will continue to work with families,' Maniotis told the Council's health committee, THE CITY reported. 'As soon as the family tells us they would like their loved one transferred to Hart Island, we do that very quickly.' The unclaimed bodies are expected to be buried or cremated by the end of August. Pictured: Refrigerated truck at a Brooklyn pier holding the bodies of coronavirus victims in November 2020 When the morgue first opened, it operated from 8:30am to 10:30pm each day so families would have time to claim bodies. Pictured: Refrigerated trucks holding the bodies of COVID-19 victims at a Brooklyn pier, last Friday Many families of deceased loved ones in the trucks have asked that they be buried on Hart Island or have stopped contacting officials. Pictured: Refrigerated trucks holding the bodies of COVID-19 victims at a Brooklyn pier, last Friday New York City Council members say they don't understand why the medical examiner's office has been so slow in burying the deceased, some of whom sit in these trucks, pictured last Friday Several Council members, including Mark Gjonaj, a Democrat whose district in the Bronx includes Hart Island, say they don't understand why the city has been so slow in burying the deceased. 'Why do we have these temporary storage facilities?' he asked, according to THE CITY. 'If there is capacity and those families have already expressed the willingness to have their loved ones buried in a public burial at Hart Island, why are we delaying that any longer than we have to?' Since the start of the pandemic, New York City has reported 934,052 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 and 32,760 confirmed and probable deaths. Edwin Poots has been elected as the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, it was announced today. The Stormont agriculture minister, who is an evangelical Christian creationist, beat more moderate Westminster MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson by 19 votes to 17. The vote suggests the party was divided over its future direction, with Mr Poots representing a more conservative wing. He is a 'young earth creationist' who rejects the theory of evolution and believes the world was made by God around 4,000 BC. Critics have also attacked what they see as a long history of attacking LGBT rights in Ulster. He supported Christian bakers who in 2015 were cleared of discrimination after refusing to make a cake for gay rights activists in a case that went all the way to the Supreme Court. He also attracted criticism when Arlene Foster became DUP leader when he said her 'most important job' remained 'that of a wife, mother and daughter'. He has also taken a hardline stance against the post-Brexit 'protocol' for Northern Ireland, which since the start of the year has effectively kept the province in the European customs union and single market for goods. Mr Poorts is a 'young earth creationist' who rejects the theory of evolution and believes the world was made by God around 4,000 BC Mr Poots and Sir Jeffrey ran to replace Arlene Foster, who announced her resignation last month. The Stormont agriculture minister beat more moderate former MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson (above, today) by 19 votes to 17. Young earth creationist and LGBT critic who represents DUP's traditional wing Edwin Poots is a creationist and farmer seen as a political hardliner - who was involved in ousting Arlene Foster. The 55-year-old father-of-four's on LGBT rights have led to criticism - he has opposed gay men and women adopting children or giving blood in the past. He supported Christian bakers who in 2015 were found guilty of discrimination after refusing to make a cake for gay rights activists. But it is another part of his evangelical Christian beliefs that attract the most attention. He is a 'young earth creationist' who rejects the theory of evolution and believes the world was made by God around 4,000 BC. He has also criticised the theory of evolution and outspoken humanist scientist Richard Dawkins. He also attracted criticism when Arlene Foster became DUP leader when he said her 'most important job' remained 'that of a wife, mother and daughter'. Discontent at the DUP's Brexit strategy was a major factor in the move against Mrs Foster, with party rank-and-file laying some of the blame for the emergence of an Irish Sea border at her door. Traditionalists from the party's religious fundamentalist wing also harboured concerns over positions Mrs Foster has taken on some social issues, in particular her decision to abstain in a recent Assembly vote on a proposed ban on gay conversion therapy a proposal the majority of her party colleagues opposed. Advertisement Reacting to his election, Mr Poots, who recently underwent cancer surgery, said the party would 'continue to be the authentic voice of unionism under my leadership', 'It is an immense honour and pleasure to stand here today in this position, it is not a position that I expected to be in some weeks ago. However, things can change quite radically,' he said. 'I'm looking forward to a positive relationship right across Northern Ireland with my party colleagues and indeed with people from other parties. 'I think the opportunities for Northern Ireland are great, the opportunities for us to make Northern Ireland a great place after this 100 years has passed and we move into a new 100 years.' Mr Poots and Sir Jeffrey ran to replace Ms Foster, who announced her resignation last month. She was ousted after pressure by party colleagues unhappy with her leadership and will step down from that role on May 28, and as Stormont First Minister at the end of June. The campaign for the first leadership contest in the DUP's 50-year history has been unusual, in so much as the party prevented both men speaking publicly about their candidature. Only the 36 members of the party's electoral college, made up of its MPs and Stormont Assembly members, were eligible to vote. Sir Jeffrey said: 'What we sought to do was to offer the party a choice and I have no regrets about putting my name forward to give the party a clear choice in the decision they had to make. 'And they have made their choice and I respect that and now the party must consider what that means for our way forward, what it means for the Union that we all cherish and what it means for Northern Ireland, this place that is my home, a place that I love. 'So, my congratulations to our new leader designate and new deputy leader designate and we move forward from here.' Mr Poots has said if he wins the position of party leader he will not serve as first minister, but will delegate the position elsewhere. He was asked about his religious beliefs during a BBC radio interview back in 2007. Asked how old he believes the earth is, he reportedly replied: 'My view on the earth is that it's a young earth. My view is 4000 BC.' Mr Poots was a culture minister at the time of the interview and he was asked by another interviewee: 'You're the culture minister and you don't believe in evolution?' He replied: 'Yes, absolutely. And you're telling me that all of this evolution took place over billions of years, and yet it's only in the last few thousand years that Man could actually learn to write?' Mr Poots hit out at the scientist Richard Dawkins during the same interview, telling the programme: 'He [Mr Dawkins] wants to indoctrinate everyone with evolution.' Glasgow and Moray will stay in a higher tier of lockdown when the rest of the country's restrictions are eased on Monday, Nicola Sturgeon has announced. Scotland's First Minister told MSPs a surge in coronavirus cases needed to be contained to prevent further restrictions. The rest of the country is due to drop to Level 2 from May 17, when those in other parts of Scotland will be able to stay overnight in other people's homes and meet up to six people from three households indoors. Meanwhile Boris Johnson will lead a press conference today in which he is expected to address the outbreak that has struck 15 towns and cities. Ms Sturgeon told MSPs 'pressing pause' would ensure coronavirus measures would not have to be reimposed at a later date. Announcing that both Moray and Glasgow will remain in Level 3 even as the rest of the country moves to Level 2 on Monday, the First Minister said: 'I know how disappointing this will be, but pressing pause for a few days will hopefully avoid a situation in which we have to impose even more restrictive measures over the next few weeks.' Scotland's First Minister (pictured) told MSPs a surge in coronavirus cases needed to be contained to prevent further restrictions People are being advised not to travel in or out of the affected council areas, while the First Minister added she was optimistic that increased testing and vaccination would help to curb the increased spread of the virus. Initially, both areas will remain at Level 3 for a week, with a further decision made at the end of next week. The situation in Glasgow, the First Minister said, is causing even more concern than Moray, with initial research suggesting the outbreak could be being driven by the Indian variant of the virus. Ms Sturgeon stressed that Scotland's battle against coronavirus 'remains good'. She added: 'It is inevitable that as we continue to navigate our way through this pandemic, we will hit bumps in the road, however, if we exercise suitable caution as we're seeking to do today, then even though that is difficult, we are much more likely to stay on the right track overall.' Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson gives an update on the coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic during a virtual press conference inside the Downing Street Briefing Room in central London on May 10 Latest figures published on Friday showed there were 80.4 cases per 100,000 people in Glasgow in the seven days to May 11, pushing it ahead of Moray where there were 68.9. Moray saw a surge in cases which started in April and it had the highest rate in Scotland in recent days. Epidemiologist Dr Deepti Gurdasani has cautioned it would be premature to lift restrictions, and she called for action to prevent the situation worsening amid concerns about the spread of one of the new Indian variants of the virus north of the border. Dr Gurdasani, a clinical epidemiologist and senior lecturer at Queen Mary University of London, told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme on Friday: 'The idea is certainly premature, in fact the Government should be considering the opposite. 'In Scotland as a whole we've actually seen the number of new cases double in the last week, and while the cases are so low it's hard to see exponential rises. A Warwick University model of a more infectious variant after lockdown is completely lifted on June 21 suggests that any more than a 30 per cent increase in transmissibility compared to the Kent variant could lead to an August peak of daily hospital admissions that is higher than either the first or second wave. In a worst-case scenario with a variant 50 per cent more transmissible, hospital admissions could surge to 10,000 per day or even double that (Thick lines indicate the central estimate while the thin lines are possible upper limits known as confidence intervals) 'This is what early exponential rises look like and we're seeing loss of control of the pandemic in many parts of Scotland, and the situation is likely much wider and other places will follow unless action is taken to actually prevent this and pre-empt this now.' She said the arrival of new variants in the UK is not inevitable and is a result of a 'failed border policy', pointing out that areas which have had comprehensive border restrictions such as Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and South East Asia have not imported many of these concerning variants. The coronavirus variant B.1.617.2, first identified in India, has been designated as a 'variant of concern' by Public Health England because it is thought to be at least as transmissible as the variant detected in Kent last year, known as B117, which is now dominant in the UK. Dr Gurdasani said it is too early to say whether it will lead to an increase in hospital admissions. Similar but less grim modelling by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine suggested that a 50 per cent increase in transmissibility could trigger a peak of 4,000 admissions per day in July or August, possibly extending to 6,000 per day The LSHTM model suggested hospitals could have another 30,000 inpatients by the end of July - up to around 45,000 - compared to the current 845 The LSHTM team suggested that there will be 1,000 deaths per day in August if the variant is 50 per cent more transmissible - which would be less than the 1,900 seen at the peak this January She said: 'Given there's always a lag between when infections rise and hospitalisations rise, I would have expected to see a rise in hospitalisations at this point in time so it's hard to make inferences from that. 'Also, we need to remember in England this variant is growing among young people right now, and this is the same pattern as we saw with the Kent variant where first the growth happens in school-age children and young adults then spreads into older age groups. 'If you look at cases in older age groups they're quite flat at this point in time, so we're not really seeing infections in those groups and that might be a vaccine effect or it might just be an effect of lower mixing, we don't know yet.' Scotland has recorded two coronavirus deaths and 215 new cases in the past 24 hours, the latest Scottish Government figures show. It brings the death toll under this daily measure - of people who first tested positive for the virus within the previous 28 days - to 7,664. Meanwhile, SAGE today suggested the R rate for England had risen slightly to somewhere between 0.8 and 1.1, from a possible high of 1.0 last week. If the number is above one it will mean the outbreak is growing. The R rate - the number of people infected by each Covid case - is now almost redundant, however, because it is guaranteed to rise above one as lockdown is lifted and is particularly unreliable when case numbers are low An emergency meeting will be held by experts at the Government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies committee on Thursday after it was found that India's Covid variant is now dominant in five local authorities in England. There are mounting concerns that it is more infectious than the currently dominant Kent strain A total of 228,908 have tested positive for the virus and the daily test positivity rate is 1.3 per cent, up from 1.2 per cent the previous day. Of the 215 new cases, 110 were in the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board area. This was followed by 37 in NHS Lothian, 21 in NHS Lanarkshire, 16 in NHS Fife and 15 in NHS Grampian - which covers Moray. A Scottish Government spokesman said: 'We've been clear since the beginning of the pandemic that we will continue to follow scientific advice. Could this derail the exit plan? What's going on? Cases of a coronavirus variant first detected in India are rising in the UK, potentially threatening the lockdown-easing roadmap. B.1.617.2 has been upgraded by Public Health England from a variant under investigation (VUI) to a variant of concern (VOC). Cases are still relatively low but they are rising, particularly in parts of London, the Midlands and North West. How did it get here? Initial cases last month were linked to overseas travel but the rising number of infections now points to more widespread community transmission. Have people not been quarantining? It is not known how exactly infections are spreading, although there is a suggestion cases have increased through work or religious gatherings. That said, it is only travellers rather than whole households who must quarantine, so family members could unknowingly be spreading the virus. What is the Indian variant? B.1.617 has three strains or sub-types that are genetically similar B.1.617.1, B.1.617.2 and B.1.617.3. It has 13 mutations that separate it from the original Chinese virus, but the E484Q and L452R mutations are of most interest. Scientists believe they have the potential for it to transmit faster and to get past immune cells made in response to older variants. So why is it now a 'variant of concern'? The second sub-type of the Indian variant B.1.617.2 was upgraded to a VOC because of concerns over its spread. While it is hoped the vaccination programme will offer good protection to many, the more cases there are the more severe disease, hospitalisations and deaths there could be in those unable to be vaccinated or where vaccines haven't worked. Is it more deadly? Probably not, but we don't know for certain. PHE said there was insufficient evidence to indicate the Indian variants cause more severe disease, while experts suggest that the high mortality in India is more likely the result of high infection levels and its healthcare system being overwhelmed. What about vaccines? Again, we don't know for sure but the signs are good. Scientists are testing whether the new variant is capable of 'immune escape', meaning antibodies created after vaccination or a prior infection may not stop a person becoming infected. There is some laboratory evidence that the mutations are 'escape mutations' suggesting they could make vaccines less effective. However, scientists say reinfections are likely to be mild compared to primary infections, suggesting the strain is not more deadly. Research has shown current vaccines continue to provide good levels of protection against all the existing variants. BioNTech this week said the Pfizer vaccine will not need tweaking to protect against current variants. And an updated jab by Moderna successfully neutralised South Africa and Brazilian variants in lab trials. What next? Door-to-door testing is under way in infection hotspots such as Bolton to detect further cases in a bid to stop the strain from spreading. Everyone living within specific postcodes is asked to get a PCR test, even if they do not have any symptoms. But while experts say this is finding cases, they are less confident it is enough to stop the spread. Downing Street says it has not ruled out surge vaccinations and ministers also have plans to give booster jabs in the autumn. Advertisement 'Our plans for careful unlocking take account of the improved situation, while also acknowledging the risks we still face. 'While we intend to take the next steps as a nation together where possible, we stand ready to deploy the revised levels at a more local level if necessary - if prevalence of the virus surges in some parts of Scotland but not others.' Meanwhile, another 2,183 daily Covid cases were announced today across the UK, down 12 per cent on last week, and another 17 deaths were recorded, which were up slightly on the 15 last Friday. Experts suggested that easements planned in England for Monday, including allowing people to hug close friends and family, should be postponed as cases of the highly contagious strain doubled. Public Health England revealed this morning that four deaths linked to the Indian variant were reported across Britain between May 5 and 12, out of 97 total Covid deaths. Scientists believe it is even more infectious than the highly virulent Kent strain currently dominant in the UK, but there are no signs it is more deadly or resistant to vaccines. Cases of the B.1.617.2 strain have more than doubled in the past week across the UK, with 1,313 cases detected by May 12, up from the 520 the previous week. Surge testing has already begun in 15 towns including Bolton and Formby and ministers last night approved plans aimed at slowing the spread of the imported strain of Covid-19. The Government's SAGE and Nervtag scientific committees were reportedly met today and Boris Johnson will lead a press conference at 5.30pm in which he is expected to address the outbreak. Mr Johnson's former chief adviser Dominic Cummings is among those calling for caution, sharing on social media which said 'the cost of another big wave is much higher than the cost of delaying the next stage of the roadmap'. A Warwick University modelling team cautioned that if the variant was 40 per cent more transmissible than the UK dominant Kent strain the next surge could be worse than the second wave, with up to 6,000 daily hospital admissions. A 50 per cent increase could lead to 10,000 admissions per day. However, less grisly numbers from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine suggested a 50 per cent rise could lead to 4,000 per day. It came as ministers revealed teenagers could be offered jabs as authorities battle to bring the outbreaks under control, with one pharmacy in Sefton offering walk-in jabs for anyone over 20 today. Ten million vulnerable Britons are also being fast-tracked for their second Covid dose over fears the new strain could spark a deadly third wave. And the Independent Sage group today said: 'In the light of the new variant, we consider that any increase of mixing in indoor spaces (whether domestic or commercial) to be highly inadvisable, particularly in areas with already proven high levels of B.1.617.2. 'Accordingly, local directors of public health should have the discretion to determine when the relaxation of measures can safely occur. 'Additionally, indoor commercial spaces should only be allowed to reopen if they can maintain adequate social distancing and have proper ventilation, with a priority program of inspection developed in co-operation with the Health and Safety Executive.' Earlier, top infectious disease expert Professor Paul Hunter, from the University of East Anglia, warned the June end of lockdown will be 'in doubt' if the variant causes a surge in serious illness, threatening to send the Government's unlocking plans into chaos. Ministers are so far resisting calls to slow the roadmap, insisting the current vaccines roll-out is able to cope. PHE Covid variant expert Professor Nick Loman, from Birmingham University, said the Indian variant's effect on vaccines is 'not particularly concerning'. Two married transgender women prisoners denied phone calls or visits with each other have won a High Court battle after a judge found their relationship had been reduced to 'pen pals'. The two prisoners, neither of whom have been named, brought legal action against HMP Whatton, HMP Stafford and the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) to challenge their decisions to stop the couple from communicating except through letters. The 45-year-old transgender woman who brought the claim was given an imprisonment for public protection (IPP) sentence in 2006 for sexually assaulting a child under 13, with a minimum term of just over one year. Her wife, now 32, was given an IPP in 2009 for offences of possession of indecent images, with a minimum term of 18 months. The transgender women met in HMP Whatton, Nottinghamshire, in 2015. Shortly after the pair married in June 2017, the claimant said she was moved to a different prison without warning and given no chance to say goodbye to her wife. Two married transgender women prisoners denied phone calls or visits with each other have won a High Court battle after a judge found their relationship had been reduced to 'pen pals'. Pictured: The High Court in London Initially, all contact was refused after the move but the pair were later allowed contact by letter, while phone calls and inter-prison visits remained banned. In a judgment on Friday, Mr Justice Morris said the women's video links from their prisons for this court case was the first time they had seen or heard each other in almost four years. The transgender woman who brought the claim argued the bans were an unjustified interference with her right to a private and family life. Mr Justice Morris said the woman did not oppose being observed during the contact, adding she 'would be happy for the prison to monitor phone calls or accompany visits. 'She has no problem with an officer even sitting in the room.' Her lawyers argued the restrictions had been adopted with the objective of splitting up the relationship and not due to an inability to monitor and prevent offences or escalation of risk whilst in custody. However, the prisons and the MoJ argued that the two transgender women pose a risk to each other and the wider community, and that the risk is too great to allow face-to-face or telephone contact. They argued that the transgender woman who brought the claim has psychopathic traits and is controlling, while her wife is highly vulnerable with a continued sexual interest in children, meaning both pose a risk to the community and each other. The transgender women met in HMP Whatton (pictured), Nottinghamshire, in 2015 Mr Justice Morris ruled in favour of the woman, finding the bans were an 'unnecessary and disproportionate' interference with her private and family life. He said: 'Both of them pose challenges for those entrusted with their care within prison. 'Their history of offending potentially poses serious risk to the public and the most vulnerable people in society.' The judge continued: 'Whilst disavowing any such intention, it seems to me that by prohibiting phone contact and personal visits, when combined with moving the claimant to another prison, the defendants have reduced the nature of the relationship between this married couple to, at best, one of 'pen pals'. The two prisoners, neither of whom have been named, brought legal action against HMP Whatton, HMP Stafford (pictured) and the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) to challenge their decisions to stop the couple from communicating except through letters. Shortly after the pair married in June 2017, the claimant said she was moved to a different prison without warning 'Although I inquired, no explanation has been given in evidence as to why, so shortly after they married, it was decided to move the claimant.' Mr Justice Morris found there must be 'firm evidence' of the need for restrictions and that the defendants' explanations were 'various, and at times vague and inconsistent'. 'It is not clear how restricting contact with the claimant is likely to reduce her ongoing sexual interest in children. 'There is no evidence to suggest that it will,' he added. The judge also awarded the claimant an unspecified amount in damages, finding she had suffered 'substantial anxiety, frustration and distress' over the last few years. Rep. Eric Swalwell reportedly dropped an F-bomb on Friday as he and an aide to Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene got into an angry confrontation over the use of face masks on the House floor. The episode comes amid Republican fury that Congress has not followed national guidelines relaxing mask use and public confusion about the latest advice. And it marks the latest example of allegedly disruptive behavior by Greene and her staff. 'I had a mask on as I stepped off the Floor,' Swalwell said in a tweet. 'An aide with @mtgreenee yelled at me to take my mask off. Rep. Eric Swalwell reportedly dropped an F-bomb on Friday as he and an aide to Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene got into an angry confrontation over the use of face masks on the House floor. Scott Wong, a reporter for the Hill, said the aide involved was Greene spokesman Nick Dyer who told Swalwell: 'Biden says you can take off your mask' 'I had a mask on as I stepped off the Floor,' Swalwell said in a tweet. 'An aide with @mtgreenee yelled at me to take my mask off' A witness described the altercation as Eric Swalwell left the House floor wearing his mask, despite CDC guidance can now go mask-free indoors Eric Swalwell (left) reportedly got into a heated exchange with Greene aide Nick Dyer (right) about mask use in Congress, reflecting tensions felt across the country as people get used to new advice on when to cover up 'No one should be bullied for wearing a mask. So I told the bully what I thought of his order. 'Predictably, he went speechless. I regret I wasn't more explicit.' Onlookers suggested he was explicit enough. Scott Wong, a reporter for the Hill, said the aide involved was Greene spokesman Nick Dyer who told Swalwell: 'Biden says you can take off your mask.' Swalwell 'got in his face' and, according to Dyer, responded: 'You don't tell me what to f***ing do!' A year of coronavirus restrictions have seen countless mask confrontations around the country. Conservatives have chafed at what they see as an infringement of personal freedom. But things changed On Thursday, when the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced fully vaccinated people no longer needed to wear a mask indoors. 'If you are fully vaccinated, you can start doing the things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic,' said its director Dr. Rochelle Walensky But the relaxed stance does not apply to lawmakers on the House floor. The attending physician of Congress eased some requirements in the wake of the CDC advice but said masks would still be required on the floor until everyone was vaccinated. Fully-vaccinated Americans can finally stop wearing their masks almost anywhere - indoors or outdoors, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced on Thursday 'Hall Of The House: The present mask requirement and other guidelines remain unchanged until all Members and floor staff are fully vaccinated,' said the updated guidance. Republicans quickly announced their anger. 'It's about control,' House Minority Whip Steve Scalise told Fox News on Thursday. 'She wants to control the House.' The confrontation comes as Greene is accused of launching verbal assaults on Democratic Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez whom she 'aggressively confronted' this week, accusing her of supporting 'terrorists.' A 2019 video also surfaced showing how she had shouted 'stop being a baby' through Ocasio-Cortez's locked office door. Rio de Janeiro's state lawmakers passed a bill that will require police officers and firemen to wear body cameras during active investigations, just a week after 27 suspected drug traffickers and a cop were killed in a shootout. The bill, which had 34 votes in favor, 16 against, and one abstention, calls for cameras to be installed on police aircraft and vehicles within two years, Brazilian online news outlet G1 reported. Authorities will be allotted two years to ensure that at least 50 percent of the cops and firemen will have the cameras on their uniforms. Under the bill, footage of any death recorded on camera must be kept in the system for one year. Cops and any citizen or family involved in an incident will be able to request the footage. 'Could it be that if this law had been approved before, this operation would have happened in this way? Probably not,' one lawmaker said. Residents protest after a police operation against alleged drug traffickers at the Rio de Janeiro favela of Jacarezinho on May 6 A police operation against a drug trafficking ring in Rio de Janeiro left 27 suspects and one police officer dead Weapons, drugs and products seized from a drug trafficking ring in the Rio de Janeiro slum of Jacarezinho on May 6 after a police operation left 27 gang members and a cop dead The Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro were in the midst of an operation against members of the Comando Vermelho when they were met with fire in the slum of Jacarezinho in what turned out to be the deadliest operation in the city's history. Authorities were investigating at least 21 gang members for allegedly recruiting children to commit crimes on its behalf. The minors were tasked with robbing passengers on train cars and platforms, as well as peddling drugs in the streets. Police officer Andre Frias was shot in the head and died at a local hospital. Rafael M. Silva, 33 and Humberto Gomes V. Duarte, 20, were riding inside a Line 2 train wagon when they were shot while the train was stopped at a neighborhood subway station. Silva was taken Salgado Filho Hospital, but abandoned the facility for unknown reasons. Gomes V. Duarte was rushed to Hospital da Marinha and was listed in stable condition. A resident caught in the crossfire was struck in the foot while sitting inside their home. Video footage recorded by a resident showed the moments cops chased after suspects as shots were exchanged. A helicopter with Brazilian online news portal G1 showed armed suspects running away from the police by jumping over the roofs of several buildings in the slum. Security forces recovered six rifles, a machine gun, anti-aircraft ammunition, 14 grenades and 15 guns. During a court hearing Thursday, the state government defended the actions of the military police. Rio de Janeiro police officer Andre Frias was shot dead during an operation against a drug trafficking ring on May 6 A train passenger sits back on a chair awaiting treatment after he was injured during a shooting in the northern Rio de Janeiro slum of Jacarezinho on May 6 Rio de Janeiro's state government denied that it failed to follow an order issued by Brazil's Supreme Court that banned police activity in favelas during the COVID-19 pandemic except under 'absolutely exceptional cases.' According to a court document filed by state attorney general Carlos da Costa, the government claimed that the morning sting was carried out under 'the protection of the life, freedom and dignity of minors, respecting the constitutional precept that establishes the absolute priority of the fundamental rights of children and adolescents.' The Rio de Janeiro state government added that if there were any violations carried out during the operation, 'those responsible will be punished,' Brazilian online news outlet G1 reported. Due to the pandemic, the Supreme Court in June 2020 issued an order that suspended the execution of police raids in favelas. Only under extreme circumstances were large scales operations allowed to take place. Around 1,000 people marched through downtown Rio de Janeiro on Thursday evening holding candles and signs saying, 'Don't kill me, kill racism,' and accusing far-right President Jair Bolsonaro of genocide through police violence. Human rights activists accused the police of 'extrajudicial killings' saying many of the dead where not under investigation. A Supreme Court justice said he saw signs of 'arbitrary execution' in the raid. Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit has cleared the first round of three drug tests needed to avoid disqualification from the second leg of the Triple Crown on Saturday, the Maryland Jockey Club and 1/ST Racing announced in a joint statement Thursday evening. The Bob Baffert-trained horse was required to undergo an additional round of tests along with fellow runners Concert Tour and Beautiful gift after it had tested positive for the banned steroid betamethasone in a post-race test earlier this month. The Maryland Racing Commission took two samples from the horses, one on May 6 and another on May 10 and sent them to Industrial Laboratories in Colorado, according to the release. Kentucky Derby winner Medina Spirit passed the first of three rounds of additional drug tests required after the colt had tested positive for the banned steroid betamethasone shortly after the May 1 race. The results of the final two tests are expected later on Friday. Spirit is pictured with exercise rider Humberto Gomez, practicing on May 13 The third sample was taken by 1/St Racing and the Jockey Club on May 11 and sent to the University of California at Davis Maddy Laboratory. The final two results are expected at around 3 p.m. Friday. '1/ST Racing is committed to achieving the highest level of horse care and safety standards in Thoroughbred racing. We have been an industry leader in instituting processes and protocols that have led to nationwide medication reform and increased accountability and transparency,' Craig Fravel, chief executive officer of 1/ST RACING said in the statement. 'While we acknowledge the challenging circumstances that prompted this further need for transparency, it reflects, above all else, that the principles of integrity, accountability, and safety in our sport are non-negotiable.' Medina Spirit drew the No. 3 post in a field of 10 horses as the 9-5 morning-line favorite. Concert Tour drew the outside 10th post and is the second choice in the wagering at 5-2. Baffert had said initially on Sunday that he was unaware of how the steroid could have entered the colt's system. In a statement issued by his lawyer Tuesday, Baffert (pictured) said Medina Spirit was treated for dermatitis with the ointment once a day leading up to the May 1 race and that equine pharmacology experts have told him this could explain the test results On Tuesday, however, he said that it had been brought to his attention that a veterinarian treated the horse with an antifungal medication to treat dermatitis that includes the steroid betamethasone. In a statement issued by his lawyer, Baffert said Medina Spirit was treated for dermatitis with the ointment once a day leading up to the Kentucky Derby on May 1, and that equine pharmacology experts have told him this could explain the test results. Baffert said the horse tested positive for 21 picograms of the substance, which is typically given to horses therapeutically to help their joints and is a violation even at a trace amount on race day in Kentucky. Preakness officials said Tuesday they are allowing Medina Spirit to enter Saturday's race subject to if the horse passes all three rounds of additional testing Medina Spirit #8, ridden by jockey John Velazquez, (R) crosses the finish line to win the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby ahead of Mandaloun #7, ridden by Florent Geroux, and Hot Rod Charlie #9 ridden by Flavien Prat ,at Churchill Downs Baffert on Monday blamed 'cancel culture' for his situation with Medina Spirit. 'I know when Churchill Downs came out with that statement, that was pretty harsh,' Baffert continued, referring to the Kentucky race track's decision to suspend him on Saturday after one of Medina Spirit's blood samples was found to contain a prohibited amount of the anti-inflammatory drug, betamethasone. 'With all the noise going out, we live in a different world now. This America is different. It was like a cancel culture kind of a thing. So they're reviewing it. I haven't been told anything. We're prepared to run [in Baltimore on Saturday].' Medina Spirit is Baffert's fifth horse known to have failed a drug test in just over a year, but the California-based trainer is insisting that he and his horse are the victims of an 'injustice.' 'How do I move forward from this, knowing that something can happen?' Baffert asked. 'It's a complete injustice, but I'm going to fight it tooth and nail, because I owe it to the horse, I owe it to the owner, and to our industry. 'We're going to do a complete investigation, our own investigation, we're going to be transparent with the racing commission, like we've always been.' Baffert has been immediately suspended from entering any more horses at Churchill Downs. He may also be forced to repay $1.86million in winnings he received Baffert's barn received word Saturday that Medina Spirit had tested positive for an excessive amount of betamethasone - the same drug that was found in the system of Gamine, another Baffert-trained horse who finished third in the Kentucky Oaks last September. Gamine was eventually disqualified from that finish because of that test and Baffert was fined $1,500. Betamethasone is legal under Kentucky racing rules, though it must be cleared 14 days before a horse races. In his defense, Baffert first claimed to have records proving that Medina Spirit was never treated with that particular anti-inflammatory drug. 'One thing about it, in California, everything is documented every day, what the horses get,' he said. 'This horse was never treated with that. He's a great horse. He doesn't deserve this. He ran a gallant race.' Speaking with reporters on Sunday, Baffert suggested that Medina Spirit is the victim of a nefarious plot. 'There's something wrong right now,' Baffert said. 'I've been talking about it, nothing seems to be done about it, but these contamination levels and I'm not a conspiracy theorist, I know everybody's not out to get me, but there's definitely something wrong. Why is it happening to me? There's problems in racing, but it's not Bob Baffert. I just want to get that across to you guys.' When asked to specify his allegations, Baffert declined to go into further detail. 'I'm not going to speculate,' he said. 'I have no idea where it came from. We don't know. We can't believe it's in there. The process has to start. We're going to investigate it thoroughly. That's all I can tell you on that?' The track said failure to comply with the rules and medication protocols jeopardizes the safety of horses and jockeys, the sport's integrity and the Derby's reputation. 'Churchill Downs will not tolerate it,' the statement read. 'Given the seriousness of the alleged offense, Churchill Downs will immediately suspend Bob Baffert, the trainer of Medina Spirit, from entering any horses at Churchill Downs Racetrack.' The husband suspected of killing missing Colorado mother Suzanne Morphew has now been charged with voter fraud after he submitted a mail-in ballot voting for President Trump in his wife's name five months after she vanished. Barry Morphew, 53, was arrested last week on suspicion of murdering his 49-year-old wife after she vanished near their home in Poncha Springs in southern Colorado on Mother's Day in 2020. Morphew, who is already being held without bail, has now been charged with forgery over the mail-in ballot he allegedly submitted in his wife's name for last year's election. A Chaffee County Clerk had alerted authorities in October last year that they had received a voting ballot in Suzanne's name even though she was missing. The ballot was submitted five months after Suzanne, a mother of two adult daughters, went missing. Her body still has not been found. Barry Morphew, 53, was arrested last week on suspicion of murdering his wife Suzanne Morphew, 49, after she vanished in Colorado in May 2020 Authorities say the ballot did not have Suzanne's signature on it but listed her husband as a witness. Morphew, who is already being held without bail, has now been charged with submitting a mail-in ballot in his wife's name in October that voted for President Trump When questioned by an FBI agent in April over the ballot, Morphew said he submitted it because he 'wanted Trump to win'. 'I know she (Suzanne) was going to vote for Trump anyways,' he allegedly told the agent. 'I figured all these other guys are cheating,' he said, adding he thought he would 'give him another vote'. Morphew allegedly said he didn't know submitting a ballot on behalf of a spouse was illegal. 'I didn't know you couldn't do that for your spouse,' he said. It is not clear whether Morphew filed the ballot because he wanted Trump to win or to make it appear as though his wife was still alive. Morphew was taken into custody on May 5 on charges of first-degree homicide, tampering with evidence and attempting to influence a public servant in relation to his wife's disappearance. When questioned by the FBI, Morphew said he submitted the ballot because he 'wanted Trump to win' and that his wife was going to vote for him anyway Morphew allegedly said he didn't know submitting a ballot on behalf of a spouse was illegal Suzanne vanished without a trace on May 10 last year after setting off from her home on a Mother's Day bike ride Suzanne and her husband had two adult daughters together. The mother vanished on Mother's Day last year Suzanne vanished without a trace on May 10 last year after setting off from her home on a Mother's Day bike ride. Morphew has long maintained his innocence. Suzanne's brother and sister have both publicly said they suspected Morphew of murder. Chaffee County Sheriff John Spezze said following Morphew's arrest that they believe Suzanne is dead after conducting over 135 searches across Colorado and interviewing 400 people in multiple states. Morphew's arrest affidavit remains sealed but investigators insist they have a strong case against him. They also suggested they had knowledge of an 'incident' that led to Suzanne's killing but did not elaborate. A week after Suzanne was reported missing, her husband issued a bizarre video online pleading for her to come home and saying: 'Honey, I love you and I want you back so bad.' A week after Suzanne was reported missing, her husband issued a bizarre video online pleading for her to come home Last month, Morphew sold the home he shared with his wife $1.62 million. He also sold a two-acre plot of land in Salida in February that he had bought just weeks after Suzanne disappeared. That plot of land was searched extensively back in September when cadaver dogs picked up the scent of human remains there 'No questions asked, however much they want, I will do whatever it takes to get you back,' he said. Morphew also made a reference to the couple's two adult daughters needing their mother. On the day of his wife's disappearance, Morphew was at a hotel that he left smelling of chlorine and covered in wet towels. Last month, Morphew sold the home he shared with his wife $1.62 million. He also sold a two-acre plot of land in Salida in February that he had bought just weeks after Suzanne disappeared. That plot of land was searched extensively back in September when cadaver dogs picked up the scent of human remains there. During his court appearance last week, prosecutors said they did not object to Morphew from being able to have contact with his two daughters as long as it was civil. The judge allowed the contact but ordered that it could not be harassing. Prosecutors were given 10 days to file charges against Morphew and he is scheduled to appear in court again on May 27. An Egyptian eye doctor who tried to board a flight home with her two children using forged Covid test certificates, received a suspended prison sentence today. Dr. Sohyla Mohamed, 36, of Harborne, Birmingham was supplied the bogus documents by a friend, who downloaded them from the internet. She had a total of three forged certificates to cover herself and her two children. She pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation on April 2, namely producing a false PCR certificate - also known as a Fit to Fly Certificate - at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 2. Authentic PCR certificates require an average fee of approximately 120. Prosecutor David Roberts told Wimbledon Magistrates Court: 'A family of three, this defendant and her two children, presented themselves to check-in to travel on an EgyptAir flight with negative Covid certificates. 'Airport staff were suspicious and checked with the clinic, which was said to have issued the certificate and it was confirmed the defendant had not attended that clinic. An Egyptian eye doctor who tried to board a flight home with her two children using forged Covid test certificates, received a suspended prison sentence today. Dr. Sohyla Mohamed, 36, of Harborne, Birmingham was supplied the bogus documents by a friend, who downloaded them from the internet 'She later attended Heathrow Police Station and when questioned said she asked a friend for the certificate to travel and said she had done the lateral flow test that proved to be negative.' 'She said she didn't really think about the impact of presenting a fake certificate, but knew she was negative from the lateral flow test. 'The offence has raised culpability and potential harm flying, at this time. 'The Heathrow supervisor says there has been a rise in fake PCR test certificates. 'She said a friend produced the Covid certificate for free.' Mohamed entered the UK a year ago when her husband obtained a job here and she is also studying in this country. Probation Officer Howard Gibbs told the court: 'Her work gave her short notice to come back so she was in a hurry to get back to Egypt. 'She says she invited a friend to create the fake PCR test certificate, which was downloaded from the internet and she did not think about the consequences of that. 'She is a doctor and did not think it would be an issue. 'She says she fully understands her actions were wrong and is fully appreciative of what she has done.' Dr Mohamed pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation on April 2, namely producing a false PCR certificate - also known as a Fit to Fly Certificate - at Heathrow Airport's Terminal 2 (pictured) Dr. Mohamed told the court: 'I know I am guilty, but I did not intend to do this, but I was in a rush to go to Egypt and that is why I did this. 'I wanted to make sure I was free of Covid and did that lateral flow test. I did not believe it was a very big issue like this.' She was sentenced to six weeks imprisonment, suspended for twelve months and ordered to perform 60 hours community service and pay 85 costs and a 128 victim surcharge. Magistrate Susan Daniel-Keisler announced: 'The defendant produced false documents at Heathrow Airport and sought to board a flight to Egypt. 'The Covid rules in this country require, in order to travel abroad, one must acquire a PCR test, the lateral flow test is not sufficient. 'Dr. Mohamed knew this was required and found a friend to make a false document. 'She sought to deliberately evade the requirements and she potentially put other people at risk. 'Due to your good character and early guilty plea we will suspend the custodial sentence and it will hang over you.' The wedding industry has 'given up' on Boris Johnson as new rules on ceremonies arrived just days before Monday's easing of Covid-19 restrictions in step three of the roadmap. The new weddings guidance, which only arrived on Thursday and left the sector waiting until just days before next week's restriction changes, allow weddings of up to 30 people to take place from May 17. The Government guidance also advises against dancing, apart from the first dance for the bride and groom, and allows groups of up to six musicians to perform indoors, among other restrictions. But a UK Weddings Taskforce spokesperson claimed the rules are 'unfairly penalising' the sector, adding that the delay in receiving the guidance was 'completely unacceptable'. New weddings guidance, which only arrived on Thursday just days before Monday's restriction changes, allow weddings of up to 30 people to take place from May 17 (stock image) Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed the long-awaited easing of restrictions for May 17 at a Downing Street press conference on Monday - giving the green light to certain holidays abroad, overnight stays, indoor dining at pubs and restaurants and more. Among other elements of the step three road map changes - the much-criticised cap on the number of mourners at funerals will be lifted, while up to 30 people will be allowed at weddings and other life events. But there remains to be confusion within the wedding industry about why certain restrictions are remaining in place for the much-anticipated ceremonies. Sarah Haywood, a UK Weddings Taskforce spokesperson, claimed people are 'giving up' on the Prime Minister and believe he could even do a U-turn on June 21. She slammed the Government for publishing the guidance 'so late', claiming the delay and the lack of clarity in the new rules is 'completely unacceptable'. Ms Haywood added that the new rules have seriously influenced many events which were scheduled for next week due to the fact that they did not arrive earlier. But a UK Weddings Taskforce spokesperson claimed the rules are 'unfairly penalising' the wedding sector, adding that people are 'giving up' on Boris Johnson (pictured on May 10) She continued: 'It's dented consumer confidence. 'People are giving up now, they don't believe the Prime Minister isn't going to do a U-turn over June 21. '(The guidance) kept not coming and not coming and not coming - now it's come out and had a significant impact on events next week. 'This is supposed to be a happy time for people planning their weddings.' What will and won't be allowed at weddings from May 17? The new weddings guidance will allow weddings of up to 30 people to take place from May 17. The rules also advises against dancing, apart from the first dance for the bride and groom, and allows groups of up to six musicians to perform indoors, among other restrictions. It also confirmed that apart from the couple's first dance, dance floors must stay closed unless used for additional seating to comply with social distancing, while close contact with guests remains a personal decision. The government said that further advice on receptions, indoor performances and contact with guests will be issued before May 17. Ministers are hoping that step four of the road map, which is due no sooner than June 21, will see the removal of all limits on life events such as weddings. Advertisement Some couples in the process of planning their weddings have been using the hashtag WhatAboutWeddings to share the problems they are facing amid the Covid-19 pandemic. People are taking to social media to ask questions about the new guidance, including whether babies count towards the limit of 30 people, and why dance-floors must remain closed. And some furious couples have questioned the lack of guidance over what will and won't be allowed at weddings this month - including queries on table service, social distancing measures and whether bride can be accompanied down the aisle. Ms Haywood added: 'It is completely unacceptable that this guidance came out so late, and that now it has, it's not clear and it continues to be unfairly penalising our sector over others. 'We're being penalised because they've got some idea everybody's going to be hugging and kissing. 'We know exactly what's going to happen, when and where everybody's going to be sitting - there is no reason now for us to be left at 30. 'We understand why before, our activities needed to be curtailed, but we don't understand it now. 'At what point are they going to acknowledge that weddings are an important part of society? People want to get married. 'This is serious people running serious businesses, providing a service that's wanted.' Anxious couples who have waited for more than a year for their special day have also slammed the government's lack of clarity on weddings. Lyndsey Hedgecock, 28, is one bride who is set to be wed this month - and having dreamed of her big day since she was 14, she admitted her plans have become 'a joke'. But a growing movement on social media is asking the government for greater clarity and guidance on what will and won't be allowed at English marriage ceremonies from next week. Ms Hedgecock previously said that although there's just a week to go until her wedding, she and her husband-to-be haven't been able to pay their venue until more details have been confirmed. Government guidance also advises against dancing, apart from the first dance for the bride and groom, and allows groups of up to six musicians to perform indoors (stock image) 'We are due to get married next Friday, and haven't even been able to pay our venue in full as they are awaiting guidelines to confirm what to charge us for,' she said. 'I can't speak for other brides, but for myself, the wedding I've been planning since I was 14 is now just a joke. 'I can't wait for this all to be over so I can carry on with my life. I don't care about a wedding anymore, we just want to be married.' While Patrick O'Kelly, 30, from London, is due to marry his fiancee Jodie, 30, on June 5. He said that while he and his partner fully supported lockdown, they 'still find it frustrating that after the announcement we still don't know exactly what we can have on the day - meaning businesses are potentially losing out on our custom'. 'The wedding industry workers have had their livelihoods stripped away without being given the guidance and support in parity with other industries. 'We still aren't 100 per cent certain we can have a band perform to seated guests. 'The timings for the day are still uncertain, and my fiancee doesn't know if her father can walk her down the aisle.' He said they were also still looking for specific guidance on whether they could have a dance floor, a standing drinks reception and a band. A government spokesperson previously said: 'We are working with the wedding sector to facilitate a return to as near as normal as quickly as possible and understand the need for certainty to plan for the summer season. 'As set out in the road map, the government will increase limits for weddings, civil partnerships and receptions to 30 people at Step 3.' The government said that further advice on receptions, indoor performances and contact with guests will be issued before May 17. It also confirmed that apart from the couple's first dance, dance floors must stay closed unless used for additional seating to comply with social distancing, while close contact with guests remains a personal decision. Ministers are hoping that step four of the road map, which is due no sooner than June 21, will see the removal of all limits on life events such as weddings. House Democrats have put a number on the staggering financial costs of the January 6th Capitol riot and are seeking $1.9 billion in emergency supplemental funds to backfill costs incurred by the National Guard and Capitol Police. The funding request, in the form of a supplemental spending request put out by House Appropriations Chair Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), funds physical repairs to the Capitol, pays overtime for D.C. police who came to help shore up over-run Capitol Police, plus $521 million for National Guard forces. The Guard arrived the evening of January 6th, and ended up bolstering Capitol security for months as the Capitol campus became a virtual Green Zone. National Guard troops stand guard along Constitution Avenue as law enforcement responds to a security incident near the U.S. Capitol on April 2, 2021 in Washington, DC. The House Appropriations panel released its $1.9 billion supplemental spending bill in response to the riot The request includes $4.4 million for 'Wellness and Trauma Support, including six new mental health counselors and wellness resilience specialists' for Capitol cops The Guard funding is for 'unanticipated pay and operations costs' for the force. The request includes $66.8 million to reimburse D.C. police 'for costs incurred in their response to the January 6 insurrection and other costs of providing security related to the federal presence in the District.' It also includes $4.4 million for U.S. Capitol Police for 'Wellness and Trauma Support, including six new mental health counselors and wellness resilience specialists and $2.5 million to reimburse for U.S. Marshals Service for trauma support.' Many police who battled rioters have spoken publicly about having recurring issues processing what they went through. It also includes $100 million for screening vestibules at the Capitol and office buildings although lawmakers have chafed at security screening outside the House chamber itself. Another $163 million would go to harden accessible windows and doors after rioters breached them with poles and other devices. The riot came the day Congress met to count the electoral votes. Various agencies sustained millions in costs Trump supporters near the U.S Capitol, on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. The protesters stormed the historic building, breaking windows and clashing with police The bill provides $43.9 million to Capitol Police It provides $250 million for Capitol Security upgrades Items included in $1.9 billion emergency spending bill for responding to Capitol riot $520.9 million for 'unanticipated pay and operations costs' for the Guard $200 million for 'quick reaction force' at Joint Base Andrews $100 million for screening vestibules at the Capitol and office buildings $163 million to upgrade accessible windows and doors $67 million to reimburse D.C. Police for costs incurred $40 million in 'prosecution support' to locate and charge rioters $4.4 million for 'Wellness and Trauma Support for Capitol Police who battled rioters $17 million for security cameras $3.5 million to provide security for members of Congress $10.6 million for security in lawmakers' district offices $8.6 million for body cams for Capitol Police $2.6 million for riot gear $2.9 million for Secret Service 'non-lethal capabilities' including 'expanded electronic control device training and issuance' Advertisement An additional $40 million will go for prosecuting rioters, after a nationwide man-hunt that has relied in part on digital technology to charge and identify hundreds of people, after police made relatively few arrests the day of the incident. To become law, the spending would have to be passed by the House and Senate, but its inclusion in the bill by the Appropriations chair gives it a substantial chance of success. Other funds are for the FBI, the Bureau of Prisons, the bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and even the Library of Congress which housed Guard forces. The committee bill calls for $250 million to harden Capitol security, with funds going for a Capitol landscape architect, retractable or 'pop-in' fencing, and security sensors. Also included is $200 million for a 'quick reaction force' to respond to future events, a suggestion from the Capitol Security Review conducted by Retired Lt. Gen. Russel Honore at the request of Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The force would 'augment' Capitol Police. 'This would be a ground force equivalent of the 113th Wing within the District of Columbia Air National Guard at Joint Base Andrews, which defends National Capital Region airspace,' according to DeLauro's release on the bill. DeLauro said in a statement: 'None of us can, or should, forget the events of January 6th and the attempted ransacking of representative democracy. 'It cannot be conveniently overlooked for political purposes. Institutional and cultural reforms are needed to maintain as safe and open a campus as possible.' Also included would be: $17 million for security cameras; $3.5 million to provide security for members of Congress; $10.6 million for security in lawmaker's district offices; $8.6 million for body cams for Capitol Police; $2.6 million for riot gear; and $2.9 million for Secret Service 'non-lethal capabilities' including 'expanded electronic control device training and issuance.' A woman who fell 80ft to her death days after her boyfriend threatened to 'destroy' her with a revenge porn video may have been pushed, a coroner was told today. Damilya Jossipalenya, 24, died on June 3, 2017, a week after her then boyfriend Alessio Bianchi had threatened to send embarrassing intimate videos of her to her family. But CCTV near her London apartment block shows Ms Jossipalenya falling 'like a brick', said Assistant Coroner Bernard Richmond QC. He added that she had written a suicide note to her Kazakh parents in 'very poor English'. A seven-day jury inquest into what happened is now fixed for July 7, just over four years after her death, a pre-inquest review heard today. The Kazakh student's family will ask jurors to consider whether she suffered an unlawful killing, the court heard. Jurors will also consider her right to life and whether the police met their safeguarding obligations given the background of violence in the relationship. Damilya Jossipalenya (pictured), who fell 80ft to her death days after her boyfriend threatened to 'destroy' her with a revenge porn video may have been pushed, a coroner was told today Bianchi, the Metropolitan police, the Independent Office for Police Conduct and Ms Jossipalenya's family will all be interested parties in the inquest. Bianchi or a lawyer representing him were not present at the inquest, so Mr Richmond issued a summons for him to appear on Tuesday, June 1. The family's lawyer Saba Naqshbandi said: 'You've heard our concerns, in respect to the relationship, the police response to assault and their response on the evening.' 'It's 'did she jump, or was she pushed?' in the starkest terms,' said Mr Richmond. 'The jury are going to have to form a view as to whether or not she formed a settled decision to kill herself, you're asserting that one thing you want to consider is unlawful killing. 'Is she the sort of person who would have taken her own life? Therefore those who knew her best and loved her most are in the best position to form that view. 'This woman was an educated woman and those notes are written in very poor English, given that she was studying at Regents College in English, that would be surprising. 'I also want to know why she was writing to her parents in English, and whether the pen on the bed was tested forensically, because is that the pen one assumes is with which suicide note was meant to be written. 'Otherwise she scrawled notes in the most slapdash fashion, put the pen away neatly and fell, not a great height, but was observed to fall like a brick. 'The pathologist will help with that and whether that is normal for a fall. 'I take the view about inquests that very often the job is to provide a voice to the one person who can't speak. 'If she were here I'm sure she would want to tell us about the context of either doing what she did or what was done to her, these things don't just come out the blue do they?' 'What really matters to the family here is what happened? Did she take her own life? Or was there a darker explanation. Ms Naqshbandi added: 'Of course the jury will have to consider whether this was an accident.' The family were frustrated that the Met have failed to provide a statement about their full position since December 2019. 'We've had nothing, we are keen to make progress,' said Ms Naqshbandi. 'Once we have that we will understand what the Metropolitan Police's response is to family concerns which have been clear for years now.' It is 'regrettable' that concerns voiced about a lack of statement from a person who was also 'at the apartment' had also not been taken into account, Ms Naqshabandi added. Three days before her death 26-year-old Italian Bianchi pushed her out of his Paddington apartment during a row and threw her into the water feature outside. In April 2018, Bianchi was spared jail after admitting disclosing private sexual photographs and films with intent to cause distress and one count of assault by beating. Then-boyfriend Alessio Bianchi (pictured) had threatened to send embarrassing intimate videos of her to her family He was handed a 12-week suspended sentence, ordered to carry out a rehabilitation activity requirement and made to pay 250 costs. Bianchi called 999 shortly before 1am on June 3 to report his girlfriend was in a distressed state. The responding officers were later criticised for spending around 40 minutes chatting to him in his apartment, only arriving at Ms Jossipalenya's home nearby at around 1.30am - ten minutes after she plunged to her death. Bianchi and Ms Jossipalenya had been in a relationship for two-and-a-half years, on and off, leading up to May 2017. She told police that there had been a row at his apartment on 12 May and he had 'grabbed her by the throat, struck her four or five times, spat on her and that she had passed out for a few seconds.' The couple's friends at Regent's University were aware of their tumultuous relationship and Bianchi had reported her to police himself on several occasions, when she had scratched him and she had attempted suicide. She was sent a video recording on WhatsApp of her performing oral sex at a phone booth in north London, on May 25, 2017. Attached was a message saying: 'I am going to keep destroying you.' One of her friends received the same clip from three different numbers, with one containing the threat: 'I will f**k you up next, my love.' When Bianchi's phone was seized by police on 1 June they found WhatsApp messages in which he had asked his friend to send the video to Ms Jossipalenya. She reported the sending of the revenge porn to the police but continued the relationship afterwards. Ms Jossipalenya told police she did not know she was being recorded in the phone booth. 'I found it really insulting and humiliating, I think he's doing this for revenge because of the argument,' she explained. 'I am still in shock and feel broken.' She said she was 'very scared mentally and physically' because Bianchi had threatened to send the porn video, as well as footage of her taking cocaine, to her family. On 1 June the pair went out drinking with friends, arriving back at Bianchi's apartment at around 11.30pm. They had an argument before Bianchi pushed Ms Jossipalenya into the water feature in front of the building. The violence outside the building lasted for over half an hour before the concierge called police and in the early hours of June 2. Bianchi was arrested and had his phone seized. The next day he received distraught text messages, similar to those he said he had received in the past, from Ms Jossipalenya. He called police and rushed to her apartment but found her dead on the ground. She had left a note which read: 'Alessio I love you, sorry.' The sight of his lover crumpled on the pavement has had a lasting impact on Bianchi, who has received treatment at the Nightingale Hospital for PTSD and complex bereavement disorder. Bianchi was born in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where his father works and he moved to London in 2009 to study at Regent's University. A statement from Ms Jossipalenya's family, who are from Kazakhstan, said: 'We cannot describe the pain we feel of losing our beloved Damilya. 'She was such an adorable, wonderful, loving, caring and intelligent girl. 'She loves everyone with all of her heart and tried to see the good in everyone she encountered. 'We are heartbroken to hear the details of the abuse and torment in which our daughter had to endure because of Mr Bianchi. 'She had a bright future ahead of her and had so many dreams and aspirations to accomplish great things. 'While we mourn the loss of a very good girl, we also celebrate her remarkable life and hope that the memory will live on in all that know her.' A full inquest will begin on July 7. For confidential support, call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch. See www.samaritans.org for details. Students have been left in limbo after the deadline for university offers was extended despite having to still apply for funding and accommodation. People usually know where they have been offered a place before they sit their final exams but UCAS extended its offer deadlines due to the pandemic. Some students say they have still not received all of their offers despite the deadline closing next week. The deadline for the universities to reply and accept or decline applications was delayed from the end of March to May 20 A parent from Glasgow said the UCAS deadline for students to put in applications had originally been advertised as January 15 but was delayed to January 31 But they are still being asked to apply for accommodation at university where they do not yet know if they will take up a place as they wait to hear back from their first choice. Meanwhile Scottish funding body SAAS closes for applications in just six weeks. Universities that have opened their applications for student accommodation require students to have accepted an offer before they apply. The situation has left students in limbo and at risk of having less choice as to where they live if they are forced to apply late. Worried parents said it's the 'perfect storm' which is having a 'negative impact' on youngsters. A parent from Glasgow, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said she is concerned for her son who applying for a university place this year. She said the UCAS deadline for students to put in applications had originally been advertised as January 15 but was delayed to January 31 after the post-Christmas lockdown. The deadline for the universities to reply and accept or decline applications was delayed from the end of March to May 20. The concerned mum said: 'It just seems like this is a perfect storm that's really having a negative impact on young people. 'What's resulted is that the deadlines for universities coming back to applicants has been moved. 'The unexpected consequences are that a lot of kids are still waiting for applications from some universities. 'They just can't do anything. 'Meanwhile, we're now at the point where universities are advertising the fact that applications that are open for accommodation. 'A lot of those universities won't accept an application for accommodation until you've actually accepted their offer, which again makes sense but it means that you could get into a situation where all these deadlines are just rubbing into each other. 'My son doesn't know whether he's going to be moving away or not. 'One of his choices was Glasgow, where we live and he's received a decision on that, but he's still waiting for Edinburgh, so he doesn't want to make decisions until we've heard from them - the final piece of the jigsaw. 'SAAS have now opened for applications for tuition fees, so if my son is going to be studying in Scotland, he needs to apply to them for his tuition fees, but he can't apply until he's decided which institution he is going to - but the SAAS deadline is the 30th of June, which doesn't give us a lot of time.' A spokesman for the University of Glasgow admitted there had been 'slight delays' but said most offers were being made on schedule. The situation has left students in limbo and at risk of having less choice as to where they live if they are forced to apply late He added: 'The University's admissions policy published in 2020 is clear and remains unchanged, although there is some flexibility to take account of personal circumstances. 'There has been a large increase in applications this cycle, complicating and delaying decisions for some Scottish applicants to some degree programmes. However, the majority of pupils have received offers while others are in the process of receiving theirs.' A spokesman for the University of Edinburgh said: 'As of Thursday decisions have been made on all but a handful of applications from Scotland, with fewer than one per cent awaiting a decision.' UCAS said the deadline for universities to reply to offers was not delayed from end of March to May 20. A spokeswoman said in previous years universities were encouraged to respond to students by end of March, but it was not a deadline - the deadline for them to do so was May 6. Before Christmas UCAS announced the deadline would be moved from May 6 to May 20. The spokeswoman said 'UCAS has provided continued and extensive support to students throughout the pandemic. 'As part of this, we work closely with government departments, regulators and awarders of qualifications and the sector to ensure students are kept up to date with the latest information regarding their application and the changing environment. 'We have continued to flex deadlines in response to the pandemic. 'Over the past 12 months we have adjusted deadlines, in consultation with the sector, to give students more time to make their decisions. 'The majority of students that applied by the January deadline will have received the decisions from the university or college they have applied to, and for those that have yet to hear, we expect that all decisions will be made by May 20. 'If a student has a question about their application, we would advise they either contact the university or college(s) they have applied to, or a UCAS customer advisor. 'We look forward to final awards being made to students in Scotland by SQA on August 10 and students finding out the confirmation of their university applications. 'In the event a student does not receive the outcome they were expecting, Clearing offers extensive choice, with over 30,000 courses expected to be available. 'We will support those students along the way, and have introduced new features such as Clearing Plus to help them make fully informed choices..' Advertisement SAGE issued a dire warning tonight that the Indian Covid variant could put 10,000 in hospital a day within months, putting the end of lockdown in peril, and leading experts to back regional vaccine surges. Government scientists also suggested it could lead to up to a thousands deaths a day by the summer, admitting there is a 'realistic possibility' it is far more transmissible than the Kent strain. The SPI-M subgroup said it was confident the mutant B.1.617.2 strain was more infectious than the currently dominant variant, and that it could spread up to 50 per cent more easily. It warned that pressing on with easing all lockdown restrictions on June 21, as is currently the plan for England, could soon lead to widespread hospitalisations because 'there are still too few adults vaccinated' to stop its progress. Documents released by the group tonight show how scientists have considered rolling out a surge of jabs in towns and cities worst affected by the Indian variant - although this was ultimately ruled out. The papers read: 'If vaccination reduces the likelihood of transmission for this variant, increasing regional vaccination in areas where it is prevalent could dampen growth in infections, although it takes several weeks for vaccines to provide protection. 'The benefits would need to be balanced against the costs of moving vaccines from elsewhere. JCVI continues to review the evidence on different vaccination strategies.' The bleak models were presented to No10 this week after cases of the strain more than doubled in seven days and four people were found to have died from the variant. The fact it's spreading rapidly when the country is still in lockdown and among a highly-vaccinated population has sent alarm bells ringing. England's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty told a Downing Street press conference tonight the variant is expected to become the most dominant in the UK. The Government's scientists have said they are confident the strain is not more deadly and that vaccines will work well against it. But they warn the death toll could climb significantly by the fact it is able to infect more people than previous strains and there are still 30million unvaccinated Britons. Surge testing is being deployed in 15 hotspots, mostly in the North West of England, and second vaccine doses are being sped up for over-50s in an effort to contain the strain and pre-empt a deadly third wave. SPI-M scientists advising SAGE this month estimated what a more transmissible strain could do to the country after lockdown is lifted in June and claimed it could trigger up to 20,000 hospital admissions per day in a worst-case scenario. January's peak, which nearly crippled the NHS, was around 3,800 a day in England. A Warwick University modelling team cautioned that if it was 40 per cent more transmissible the next surge could be worse than the second wave, with up to 6,000 daily admissions, and a 50 per cent increase could lead to 10,000 per day. Less grisly numbers from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine suggested a 50 per cent rise could lead to 4,000 per day. But the LSHTM also found that a 50 per cent more virulent variant could lead to 1,000 deaths a day by Autumn, which is about the same as the peak last spring. Deaths peaked at 1,900 this January. Professor Whitty told the Downing Street news conference tonight: 'We expect over time this variant will overtake and come to dominate in the UK in the way that B117 took over and other variants have taken over prior to that.' Despite the warnings, Boris Johnson today said the loosening of rules on Monday, allowing indoor socialising and holidays, is still set to go ahead as planned. But he admitted June 21 could be delayed if SAGE is confident the variant will spiral. SPI-M ruled out surge vaccinations in hotspots, however, because it found it would complicate the vaccine rollout too much and only be slightly more beneficial and is instead going for a national measure. It will shorten the time between second doses from 12 to eight weeks in the over-50s in an effort to get people protected quicker. A Warwick University model of a more infectious variant after lockdown is completely lifted on June 21 suggests that any more than a 30 per cent increase in transmissibility compared to the Kent variant could lead to an August peak of daily hospital admissions that is higher than either the first or second wave. In a worst-case scenario with a variant 50 per cent more transmissible, hospital admissions could surge to 10,000 per day or even double that (Thick lines indicate the central estimate while the thin lines are possible upper limits known as confidence intervals) Hospitalisations would be significantly lower if only next Monday's step three was taken and the full relaxation postponed, with the 50 per cent increase leading to a peak of 6,000 daily admissions - up to a possible 14,000 - and 40 per cent to fewer than 3,500, with an upper limit of around 8,000 per day Similar but less grim modelling by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine suggested that a 50 per cent increase in transmissibility could trigger a peak of 4,000 admissions per day in July or August, possibly extending to 6,000 per day The LSHTM model suggested hospitals could have another 30,000 inpatients by the end of July - up to around 45,000 - compared to the current 845 The LSHTM team suggested that there will be 1,000 deaths per day in August if the variant is 50 per cent more transmissible - which would be less than the 1,900 seen at the peak this January An emergency meeting will be held by experts at the Government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies committee on Thursday after it was found that India's Covid variant is now dominant in five local authorities in England. There are mounting concerns that it is more infectious than the currently dominant Kent strain Boris Johnson yesterday admitted he was 'anxious' about the surging new strain but insisted the roadmap out of lockdown remains unchanged (The PM is pictured on a visit to a school to County Durham) Professor Whitty said that experts expected the Indian variant would 'come to dominate in the UK', the way previous variants have done. He warned that if the variant proves to be a lot more transmissible than other variants, the UK could see 'a really significant surge' in Covid-19 cases, adding: 'That's a really critical question to which we do not yet have the answer,' he said. Professor Whitty said the UK might be seeing a delay in the impact of the new variant, saying: 'It could be that it is initially circulating in younger ages, because that's what has always happened previously. 'Younger people mix more and the initial circulation is in younger ages, and then it moves up the age range so maybe it's just a delay because of that.' 'Or maybe it's a delay because the vaccine is actually providing a firebreak, a barrier to reduce the transmission up the ages, into those who are most vulnerable, clearly the second of those is by far the more preferable.' He added: 'But that we cannot say with confidence at this point, and that's the reason we need to look very carefully at this new variant to see how much faster it's growing than the old variant and look at this issue of vaccines in practice.' Vaccines are still likely to work against the strain, research suggests, and there are no signs it is more deadly. But faster transmission means more people getting infected and more opportunities for 'vaccine failure' - when people get sick even after having a jab, which may happen to between five and 15 per cent of people. The variant still only makes up a minority of cases nationwide - around 10 per cent - but it is growing quickly and particularly in hotspots such as Bolton, Blackburn, Bedford and Sefton in Merseyside, where it is confirmed to account for more than half of all positive tests. Local measures have started to be taken in some of those areas already, with door-to-door surge testing set up in Bolton and Formby in Sefton, and health chiefs in Blackburn briefly offering vaccine appointments to all adults yesterday, although they later rolled back on this because it went against NHS policy. VACCINES 'SHOULD WORK AGAINST VARIANT' The Indian variant's effect on vaccines is 'not particularly concerning', a microbial genomics expert says. Professor Nick Loman, who studies variants for Public Health England, offered a ray of hope to Britons when he said the mutations carried by the strain are not expected to allow it to dodge vaccine-sparked immunity. 'The mutations we see in the genome are not predicted to have a big impact on the shape of the protein and change how antibodies produced by the natural infection or the vaccine will work,' he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme. 'And the limited experimental data available on vaccine efficacy is not particularly concerning... The thing that makes it reassuring is that the vaccines work really well and we do have options in, as you say, changing the dosing schedule and changing the way we approach vaccinations.' Advertisement It comes as Britain today recorded another 2,193 cases of Covid, down a tenth on the same time last week, while another 17 deaths were recorded. For comparison, hundreds were dying from the virus every day in the darkest days of January. Alarm bells are ringing over the B1617.2 variant, first spotted in India, which has exploded in England in recent weeks from just 77 cases a month ago to 1,313 by Wednesday, May 12. SAGE sub-group SPI-M, which advises the Government on how the virus is spreading and is likely to spread in the future, has expressed serious concerns about new variants cropping up as lockdown is eased in the UK. In a report earlier this month it said it was 'optimistic' about the roadmap out of lockdown because vaccines were working so well, adding: 'There is an opportunity to keep the next resurgence very small.' But the big hang-up, the scientists warn, is the potential for a new variant to appear that spreads significantly faster than the currently dominant Kent strain or that can slip past immunity developed from vaccines. Warwick University scientists on SPI-M warned: 'England remains extremely vulnerable to novel variants with either higher transmission or that can partially escape existing immunity. 'A variant that is 30-40 per cent more transmissible than B.1.1.7 is projected to generate more total hospital admissions than the first wave.' Could this derail the exit plan? What's going on? Cases of a coronavirus variant first detected in India are rising in the UK, potentially threatening the lockdown-easing roadmap. B.1.617.2 has been upgraded by Public Health England from a variant under investigation (VUI) to a variant of concern (VOC). Cases are still relatively low but they are rising, particularly in parts of London, the Midlands and North West. How did it get here? Initial cases last month were linked to overseas travel but the rising number of infections now points to more widespread community transmission. Have people not been quarantining? It is not known how exactly infections are spreading, although there is a suggestion cases have increased through work or religious gatherings. That said, it is only travellers rather than whole households who must quarantine, so family members could unknowingly be spreading the virus. What is the Indian variant? B.1.617 has three strains or sub-types that are genetically similar B.1.617.1, B.1.617.2 and B.1.617.3. It has 13 mutations that separate it from the original Chinese virus, but the E484Q and L452R mutations are of most interest. Scientists believe they have the potential for it to transmit faster and to get past immune cells made in response to older variants. So why is it now a 'variant of concern'? The second sub-type of the Indian variant B.1.617.2 was upgraded to a VOC because of concerns over its spread. While it is hoped the vaccination programme will offer good protection to many, the more cases there are the more severe disease, hospitalisations and deaths there could be in those unable to be vaccinated or where vaccines haven't worked. Is it more deadly? Probably not, but we don't know for certain. PHE said there was insufficient evidence to indicate the Indian variants cause more severe disease, while experts suggest that the high mortality in India is more likely the result of high infection levels and its healthcare system being overwhelmed. What about vaccines? Again, we don't know for sure but the signs are good. Scientists are testing whether the new variant is capable of 'immune escape', meaning antibodies created after vaccination or a prior infection may not stop a person becoming infected. There is some laboratory evidence that the mutations are 'escape mutations' suggesting they could make vaccines less effective. However, scientists say reinfections are likely to be mild compared to primary infections, suggesting the strain is not more deadly. Research has shown current vaccines continue to provide good levels of protection against all the existing variants. BioNTech this week said the Pfizer vaccine will not need tweaking to protect against current variants. And an updated jab by Moderna successfully neutralised South Africa and Brazilian variants in lab trials. What next? Door-to-door testing is under way in infection hotspots such as Bolton to detect further cases in a bid to stop the strain from spreading. Everyone living within specific postcodes is asked to get a PCR test, even if they do not have any symptoms. But while experts say this is finding cases, they are less confident it is enough to stop the spread. SAGE has ruled out surge vaccinations in hotspots because there is little evidence it would be beneficial and is instead going for a national measure. It will shorten the time between second doses from 12 to eight weeks in an effort to get people protected quicker. Advertisement The team modelled possible impacts of a more infectious variant and found an increase of 40 to 50 per cent could have disastrous consequences even if vaccines work. After lockdown is completely lifted on June 21, as planned, they estimated any increase up to 30 per cent would not be enough to push hospital admission rates past the peak of the first wave, around 2,700 in a day. But a 40 per cent increase in transmission could lead to a peak of 6,000 daily admissions in August, with a possible upper limit of 15,000 in a day, while 50 per cent could trigger 10,000 per day and up to 20,000. Hospitalisations would be significantly lower if only next Monday's step three was taken and the full relaxation postponed, with the 50 per cent increase leading to a peak of 6,000 daily admissions - up to a possible 14,000 - and 40 per cent to fewer than 3,500, with an upper limit of around 8,000 per day. Similar but less grim modelling by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine suggested that a 50 per cent increase in transmissibility could trigger a peak of 4,000 admissions per day in July or August, possibly extending to 6,000 per day. The LSHTM model suggested hospitals could have another 30,000 inpatients by the end of July - up to around 45,000 - compared to the current 845. Public Health England said in its most recent report yesterday: 'There is an increased growth rate compared to B.1.1.7 in the current context and it is plausible that this relates to genuine increased biological transmissibility, but the magnitude of any such change is uncertain.' It came as ministers revealed teenagers could be offered jabs as authorities battle to bring the outbreaks under control. Surge testing has already begun in 15 towns including Bolton and Formby and ministers last night approved plans aimed at slowing the spread of the imported strain of Covid-19, after cases doubled in a week. But vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi said that England's inoculation roll-out would 'flex' to tackle the outbreak and the roadmap would continue as planned. He insisted that the jab could control the impact of the virus strain which has led to hundreds of thousands of deaths in India. Step 4, involving the almost complete end to Covid restrictions, is due to take place on June 21 if there are no setbacks. But speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Professor Hunter, who has worked for the World Health Organization, said: 'The big question is how many people who are getting the Indian variant will end up requiring hospitalisation. 'At the moment the hospitalisation rate doesn't seem to be increasing yet although if this becomes much more common we will almost certainly see some increase. 'So it's certainly a concern. I think Step 4 is in doubt in June now, but we really need to see what impact it has on severe disease before we can really be certain.' Asked why June 21 is in doubt, he said: 'Well, because if the epidemic continues to increase, if the Indian variant of the epidemic continues to increase at the same rate as it has over recent weeks, we're going to have a huge number of cases by June. 'The issue though is that because it seems to be spreading in unvaccinated younger people at the moment and not yet that much more active in older people maybe we'll be able to weather it and we'll still be able to have the step four in June. 'But if that increases cases in elderly and starts to increase hospitalisations, and puts pressure on the NHS again then I think step four would be in doubt.' Older people living in areas of high infection are also to be offered their second dose of the vaccine early to protect them. It means a total of ten million people who are considered to be most vulnerable could have their second doses of the vaccine brought forward to prevent them getting hospitalised if Britain faces a third wave, The Times reported. Mr Zahawi said today that adults as young as 18 could be offered the jab if they live in multi-generational households. 'The clinicians will look at all of this to see how we can flex the vaccination programme to make it as effective as possible to deal with this surge in this variant, the B1617.2,' he told Sky News. 'They will make those decisions and we will be ready to implement, whether it's vaccinating younger cohorts. 'We have been doing some work on multi-generational households where we vaccinate the whole household, over-18s, and of course the older groups who are already eligible. Cases of a coronavirus variant first detected in India are rising in the UK, potentially threatening the lockdown-easing roadmap. 'Or, bringing forward the second dose - we look at all of that and be guided by the clinicians as to what we do on that.' However, asked about lockdown easing due to start on Monday that includes allowing family members to hug each other again, he added: 'We think that the road map for Monday remains in place, because the vaccines are delivering, and vaccines are keeping people out of hospital and, of course, away from severe infection.' MORE THAN 30% OF COVID CASES IN LONDON ARE DUE TO THE INDIAN VARIANT Almost a third of Covid cases in London are due to the Indian variant, official figures reveal. Public Health England warned in its latest technical briefing that the mutant strain was behind 31.5 per cent of 1,290 cases sequenced by May 12. Only 26 per cent of these, or just 100 infections, were linked to international travel. In the North West, where infection rates are also accelerating, the B.1.617.2 variant was blamed for 25 per cent of cases sequenced. Just seven per cent were linked to international travel. Experts warned today that accelerating cases may be down to a high number of imports of the strain, rather than it being more transmissible. Professor Nick Loman, from Birmingham University and who studies variants for PHE, said the situation could be similar to last summer when many imported cases from Europe - predominantly from Spain - led to an uptick in cases. Boris Johnson has faced criticism for being too slow to place India on the red list, which could have boosted imports of the variant. The technical briefing also offered hope that the strain was still vulnerable to vaccine-triggered immunity. It showed only 13 out of 1,200 cases identified were thought to be possible reinfections - or just one per cent. Reinfections - two positive tests at least 90 days apart - have been spotted for every mutant strain in the country, but they remain at very low levels. The vaccines are based on the old form of the virus, meaning they provide the same level of protection as to people that have suffered a previous infection. 'A small proportion of reinfections have been sequenced through standard national surveillancing,' PHE said. 'This is expected with any prevalent variant; comparative analyses are underway'. Experts say the mutant strains effect on vaccines is 'not particularly concerning' as suggested by early studies. The strain has been split into three types by PHE scientists, but only one - B.1.617.2 - is sparking concern in official circles due to surging infection rates. This carries the L452R and P681R changes which are thought to make the virus more transmissible, but does not have the E484Q change seen in the other Indian variants that could make jabs less effective. Source: PHE Advertisement He added that the Government was 'confident' this could continue but said officials would 'continue to monitor' the situation. So far, most people aged over 65 have had both doses, but only around a quarter of people in their 50s have - leaving more than six million people in this group still without full protection. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said yesterday he was 'anxious' about the 100 per cent increase in cases in some areas, as the national infection rate started to also creep back up. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has also been asked to examine the case for 'targeted vaccinations' of all over-17s in the worst-hit areas. Surge testing for the new coronavirus variant will also be deployed in areas where it is spreading rapidly. Boris Johnson said he was 'anxious' about the variant and refused to rule out local lockdowns to help try to contain it. Government sources also played down the risk that outbreaks of the 'variant of concern' could derail the plans to lift the lockdown on June 21 - as some scientists called for the lifting to be postponed. Mr Johnson's former chief adviser Dominic Cummings also shared on social media warnings by scientists that the roadmap out of lockdown should be delayed. The new variant spreads at an alarming rate, with Public Health England last night revealing that cases in the UK had more than doubled from 520 to 1,313 in a week. But a source said there was no evidence so far that current vaccines would fail to protect against serious disease and death. 'If it is just spreading quicker, that is no reason to change course,' the source said. 'The important thing is that we do not see a rise in hospitalisations and deaths. But we have to be cautious because we just do not know enough about this variant.' Last night's move will see people aged over 50 and those with underlying health conditions offered their second jab earlier. Blackburn with Darwen Council in Lancashire yesterday claimed jabs would be offered to all over-17s, after infection levels doubled in a week, but later changed its mind and said the vaccines would be offered only to those age groups which had been invited to come forward by the NHS. But neighbouring Bolton which has the highest infection rates in the country last night pleaded with the Government to be allowed to administer jabs to all adults. David Greenhalgh, the council's Conservative leader said: 'Send us more vaccinations and allow us to vaccinate 18 years-plus now. That is the answer, not further restrictions.' Other known hotspots include Bedford and Sefton in Merseyside. Britain's national outbreak remains generally flat, with another 2,657 more coronavirus cases and 11 deaths. The Prime Minister said yesterday: 'It is a variant of concern, we are anxious about it.' Speaking at a primary school in Ferryhill, County Durham, he said: 'There is a very wide range of scientific opinion about what could happen. We want to make sure we take all the prudential, cautious steps now that we could take. There is a range of things we could do we are ruling nothing out.' The variant spreads more quickly than the Kent strain, which is currently the most dominant in the UK, although scientists are not yet sure whether it causes more severe illness and hospitalisations. Public Health England confirmed yesterday that several of the areas in England with the highest infection rates are those where the Indian variant is known to be rampant. But scientists remain divided as to whether the variant can be contained locally through increased vaccination and testing or whether the Government should delay the next stage of the easing of restrictions. Zahawi refuses to rule out local lockdowns Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi said 'we will take nothing off the table' when asked if local lockdowns are being considered by officials in areas with a surge of the variant first identified in India. He put himself on a potential collision path with local politicians, who clashed with ministers over a scheme used late last year. He told BBC Breakfast: 'Over a year of dealing with this pandemic suggests that the most effective way of dealing with this, because we have had such a successful vaccination programme, is the surge testing by postcode, the genome sequencing and isolation, so that is our focus, that is our priority. 'But we will take nothing off the table, whether it is regional or national further measures that we would need to take, we will deal with this.' But Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said he would not welcome local lockdowns to combat the spread of the Indian coronavirus variant. He told Sky News: 'My heart sank yesterday when I heard the Prime Minister reintroduce the possibility of local lockdowns; they really didn't work. 'We were under different forms of local lockdown pretty much for the whole of the second half of last year and it took a huge toll on people, obviously on our businesses and our economy. 'We are in a different situation this year because, even though we are seeing spread of the Indian variant in Bolton, we are not seeing the same numbers of people going into hospital because obviously older people are more protected now. 'So we don't need to have the same response that we had last year. We do believe if we move quickly on vaccination we can take away any risk of a local lockdown.' Advertisement Professor John Edmunds, epidemiologist at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and a member of Sage, said that at this stage, efforts should be focused on local measures. He said: 'We should look at whatever we can locally in terms of containing the spread. That's a much better way of doing it. It's still fairly isolated. 'It's only if it gets out there and it becomes more widespread, that more widespread measures might be necessary.' But Dr Deepti Gurdasani, a lecturer in epidemiology at Queen Mary's University of London, told Times Radio: 'If it's growing now, with current restrictions, we can't afford to be easing restrictions. 'We are seeing rapid exponential growth. And if we ease restrictions further, that's leading us straight into another lockdown.' Professor Christina Pagel, the director of the clinical operational research unit and a member of the Independent Sage group of experts, said in The Guardian on Wednesday that the rate at which cases of the new variant were increasing showed the lifting of lockdown restrictions should be delayed. Dominic Cummings then shared a separate Tweet saying that if there was only a 20 per cent chance that Professor Pagel was correct, 'the cost of another big wave is much higher than the cost of delaying the next stage of the Roadmap' - suggesting he supports a delay in lifting lockdown restrictions. Professor Ravi Gutpa, a professor of clinical microbiology at Cambridge University, said it was 50:50 whether restrictions would be eased on June 21. He told Sky News: 'The problem is that (the variant) has seeded so quickly that it's probably spread to other areas. 'So we may get dissemination of the virus before the vaccine has taken effect. It's going to be a difficult decision and it's 50:50 at the moment.' Steve Baker, of the 70-strong Covid Recovery Group of Tory MPs, said ministers should not be considering extending lockdowns. He added: 'Why on Earth would we lock down when the vaccines continue to break the link between cases and hospitalisations and deaths?' The case count was on a par with last Thursday's a 1.7 per cent rise from 2,613 but the number of positive test results have been rising for over a week, with fears growing about the highly infectious Indian variant that is spreading quickly. Deaths were down 15 per cent, continuing three months of decline, and hospital admissions are also still tumbling thanks to the vaccine rollout. Ohio's capital city has agreed to pay a $10 million settlement to the family of Andre Hill, an unarmed black man who was shot dead by a white Columbus police officer as he emerged from a garage holding a cellphone. The settlement, which was announced on Friday, will be the largest of its kind in Columbus history. Columbus City Council is scheduled to vote on it on Monday. Hill, 47, was fatally shot by police officer Adam Coy on December 22, 2020. Coy, a 19-year officer on the force, was fired and has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, felonious assault and reckless homicide. Scroll down for video Ohio's capital has agreed to pay Andre Hill's family a $10 million settlement, the largest of its kind in city history, stemming from his December 2020 killing at the hands of Columbus police officer Adam Coy: Pictured: Attorney Benjamin Crump, left, discusses the police shooting alongside Hill's daughter, Karissa, center, and sister Shawna Barnett, on December 31, 2020 Coy (left) was fired and has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, felonious assault and reckless homicide. Hill, 47 (right), was unarmed when he was shot to death 'We understand that because of this former officer's actions, the Hill family will never be whole,' Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein said in a statement. 'No amount of money will ever bring Andre Hill back to his family, but we believe this is an important and necessary step in the right direction.' As part of the settlement, a gym frequented by Hill will be renamed the Andre Hill Gymnasium. Lawyers representing Hill's family praised the settlement and the gym renaming, saying in a statement: 'Now all those involved can begin to heal.' Hill was visiting a family friend when he was shot shortly before 2am. Coy and another officer had responded to a neighbor's nonemergency complaint about someone stopping and starting a car outside. 'He was bringing me Christmas money. He didnt do anything,' a woman inside the house shouted at police afterward. Hill emerged from a friend's garage and was holding is cellphone when he was killed According to the bodycam footage released (above), cops offered no first aid even though Hill was barely moving, groaning and bleeding while laying on the garage floor Body camera footage showed it took Coy a mere six seconds to open fire. The footage does not have audio because Coy did not turn his camera on until after he shot Hill. According to police, this triggered a 'look back' feature on the camera that captures picture but not sound. Coy, pictured in his mugshot, had a long history of complaints from citizens during his 19 years on the force Video shows Coy shining a flashlight at Hill as he exits the garage holding a cellphone in his hand and begins walking towards the officer and his partner. In the moments after Hill was fatally shot, additional bodycam footage shows two other Columbus officers roll Hill over and put handcuffs on him before leaving him alone again. None of them, according to the footage released, offered any first aid even though Hill was barely moving, groaning and bleeding while laying on the garage floor. Hill was rushed to Riverside Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Coy, whose personnel file contained at least three dozen complaints from citizens, was fired December 28 for failing to activate his body camera before the confrontation and for not providing medical aid to Hill. Coy's attorney previously said his client 'honestly believed that he saw a silver revolver coming up in the right hand of the individual.' No gun was found at the scene. Beyond an internal police investigation, the Ohio attorney general, the US. attorney for central Ohio and the FBI have begun their own probes into the shooting. Trevor Phillips will stand in for Sky News' Sophy Ridge as host of her Sunday politics show while she is on maternity leave. The veteran broadcaster and former politician will take over the hot seat of the flagship programme from May 23 after Ms Ridge's final show this Sunday. Mr Phillips, a former head of current affairs at ITV station LWT, won Royal Television Society awards for his journalism in 1988 and 1993. His four-part programme in 1998, marking 50 years since the arrival in Britain of the MV Empire Windrush, won the documentary series prize in 1998. In 2020, he was shortlisted in the British Journalism Awards for comment writer of the year. Veteran broadcaster Trevor Phillips will stand in for Sky News' Sophy Ridge while she is on maternity leave Mr Phillips was also the founding chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission and was elected chairman of the London Assembly. Speaking of his appointment he said: 'Sky News's reputation for original journalism, accuracy and impartiality are well established and I am enormously excited to be joining the team. 'My philosophy on reporting news and interviewing politicians aligns very close to what I have seen from watching the show since it launched in 2017. 'It's a privilege to be invited to keep the seat warm for such an outstanding talent as Sophy. 'What I hope I can bring to the incisive and intelligent analysis of her team is two decades of experience in public office and in business. 'Sky News' standards and professionalism are of the highest quality and I will do all I can to maintain them while in the Sunday morning chair.' Head of Sky News John Ryley said: 'Sky News is delighted to have Trevor join our team and bring his significant journalistic experience and fresh perspective to the news organisation on Sunday mornings. 'The programme is an important weekend appointment for our viewers and we are keen to develop the way we assess the changing political landscape, hold those in authority to account and give clarity in times of uncertainty. Ms Ridge's final show before her maternity leave begins will be on Sunday, with Mr Phillips taking over from May 23 'We wish Sophy all the best in the coming months while she is on maternity leave and look forward to her return.' In April, Mr Phillips wrote about the death of his eldest daughter Sushila, 36, who died after a 22-year-battle with anorexia. The heartbreaking piece in The Times came in the wake of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's interview with Oprah Winfrey. He wrote: 'Though I have thankfully never sunk to the despair described by the duchess our family has spent more than two decades watching helplessly as my older daughter battled a severe eating disorder. 'Hours before writing these words she and I bade farewell on a familiar threshold: the specialist unit to which she admits herself periodically when the daily struggle against her demons proves just too exhausting.' Last month Mr Phillips wrote about the death of his eldest daughter Sushila, 36, who died after a 22-year-battle with anorexia Mr Phillips also recounted in painful detail his struggle to help his daughter through her ordeal. He said: 'I do know what it feels like to have to pin your teenage child to the floor of a speeding car to prevent her throwing herself out of the door. 'I understand what it is to hear that she may not live long enough to go to university.' In March 2020, Mr Phillips was suspended from Labour following allegations of Islamophobia. He defended his statements, saying it was 'nonsense' to define being anti-Islam as racist as Muslims do not identify as a race. Boris Johnson was tonight accused of being 'reckless, misguided and dangerous' for not shutting Britain's borders with India earlier after four people died from the new Indian covid strain. The country was only added to the UK's travel 'red list' late last month, despite earlier concerns over transmission of the fast-growing variant, which has since made its way onto British shores. Some have suggested that Prime Minister was keen to keep relations strong with India, having planned a visit - which subsequently had to be cancelled - as part of efforts to negotiate a post-Brexit trade deal. As a result, while flights were banned from neighbouring Pakistan early last month, borders between the two countries remained open for two more weeks, with as many as 8,000 people from India jetting into Britain on daily flights across that fortnight. Data then shows 122 passengers entering the country from New Delhi and Mumbai between late March and April 26 were carrying the variant. The opposition is now piling pressure on Mr Johnson after it was revealed this morning that the Indian strain has killed four people in Britain between May 5 and 12, Labour's Deputy Leader Angela Rayner tweeted tonight: 'Boris Johnson's decision to yet again refuse to learn from his mistakes and leave the borders open to arrivals from India without hotel quarantine is looking more and more reckless, misguided and dangerous by the hour.' Layla Moran, the Lib Dem MP who chairs the all-party parliamentary group on coronavirus, added: 'Boris Johnson must take responsibility for the failure to prevent the Indian variant taking root in the UK. 'Once again the Government acted too late, and the country is sadly paying the price.' However, the PM used his Downing Street press conference this evening to defend not shutting down travel sooner, saying that between March and April the South Africa variant was of greater concern than the India variant.' Boris Johnson was tonight blasted as 'reckless, misguided and dangerous' for not shutting Britain's borders with India earlier Labour's Deputy Leader Angela Rayner piled pressure on Mr Johnson after it was revealed this morning that the Indian strain has killed four people in Britain between May 5 and 12 SAGE says it's a 'realistic possibility' Indian variant could lead to 1,000 Covid deaths by summer There is a 'realistic possibility' the Indian Covid variant is far more transmissible than the Kent strain and could lead to up to a thousand deaths a day by summer, the Government's scientists warned tonight. The SPI-M subgroup said it was confident the mutant B.1.617.2 strain was more infectious than the currently dominant variant, and that it could spread up to 50 per cent more easily. It warned that pressing on with easing all lockdown restrictions on June 21, as is currently the plan for England, could lead to more than 10,000 more people being hospitalised with the disease daily by Autumn. The bleak forecasts were presented to No10 this week after cases of the strain more than doubled in seven days and four people were found to have died from the variant. Scientists advising SAGE this month estimated what a more transmissible strain could do to the country after lockdown is lifted in June and claimed it could trigger up to 20,000 hospital admissions per day in a worst-case scenario. January's peak, which nearly crippled the NHS, was around 3,800 a day in England. A Warwick University modelling team cautioned that if it was 40 per cent more transmissible the next surge could be worse than the second wave, with up to 6,000 daily admissions, and a 50 per cent increase could lead to 10,000 per day. Less grisly numbers from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine suggested a 50 per cent rise could lead to 4,000 per day. But there are still glimmers of hope, with experts saying it remains unclear whether the current variant spreads significantly quicker or whether it is a coincidence it sprung up in places that already had high transmission or simply emerged in clusters linked to people flying into the country from abroad. Vaccines are still likely to work against the strain, research suggests, and there are no signs it is more deadly. But faster transmission means more people getting infected and more opportunities for 'vaccine failure' - when people get sick even after having a jab, which may happen to between five and 15 per cent of people. The variant still only makes up a minority of cases nationwide - around 10 per cent - but it is growing quickly and particularly in hotspots such as Bolton, Blackburn, Bedford and Sefton in Merseyside, where it is confirmed to account for more than half of all positive tests. Advertisement 'Don't forget everyone coming from India, or indeed anywhere else, had to face very tough quarantine rules,' he added. 'We are concerned about this variant and we do think, I think, that it certainly may cause disruption to our attempts to continue down the road map, but they don't at the moment, change the assessment about about (the next) step.' Mr Johnson urged people to 'think twice' ahead of travelling to areas with higher incidences of the Indian variant and staying with family and friends within those areas and 'exercise their discretion and judgment in a way I'm sure that they have been throughout this pandemic'. Professor Wei Shen Lim, Covid-19 chairman for JCVI, said: 'Due to the rapid rise in cases of the B1.617.2 variant of concern and notable transmission in parts of the country, the JCVI advises that every effort is made to promote vaccine uptake in those who remain unvaccinated in priority cohorts 1 to 9 - these people remain at highest risk of severe outcomes from Covid-19. 'Where vaccine supply allows, particularly in areas where B1.617.2 is a major threat, the second dose of vaccine should be brought forward from 12 to eight weeks. This is only possible because everyone in the Phase 1 priority groups has already been offered a first dose. 'Alongside these measures, the vaccine programme should continue to be rolled out as quickly as possible. The capacity of vaccination centres should be maximised to enable rapid rollout.' It came as the Prime Minister today downplayed the prospects of further countries being opened up to quarantine-free travel as he faced criticism over the import of the Indian variant of coronavirus. Mr Johnson defended existing restrictions on foreign travel, but said he did not expect new nations to be added to the green list exempting the need to isolate 'very rapidly'. The spread of the Indian variant, which Government scientists believe could be up to 50% more transmissible than the Kent strain, has been witnessed in areas including Blackburn and Bolton. The Prime Minister warned the nation that the strain could cause 'serious disruption' to plans to ease restrictions, and could make it 'more difficult' to end them as planned on June 21. Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth said: 'People across the country will be deeply concerned and tonight's news brings into sharp focus Boris Johnson's reckless failure to protect our borders in this crisis. 'Only a few weeks ago we urged Matt Hancock to designate this a variant of concern and respond with speed and resolve.' Mr Johnson warned that border restrictions are likely to remain for the 'foreseeable future' and that new nations are unlikely to be added to the quarantine-free green lists quickly. 'There's a very limited list as you know and we will certainly be making sure that people travelling abroad will be subject to all the tests and constraints to prevent the virus being reimported,' he said. 'That's why it's such a tiny list of countries and I don't expect we will be adding to it very rapidly. 'Indeed we will be maintaining a very, very tough border regime for the foreseeable future, I imagine.' A Warwick University model of a more infectious variant after lockdown is completely lifted on June 21 suggests that any more than a 30 per cent increase in transmissibility compared to the Kent variant could lead to an August peak of daily hospital admissions that is higher than either the first or second wave. In a worst-case scenario with a variant 50 per cent more transmissible, hospital admissions could surge to 10,000 per day or even double that (Thick lines indicate the central estimate while the thin lines are possible upper limits known as confidence intervals) Similar but less grim modelling by the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine suggested that a 50 per cent increase in transmissibility could trigger a peak of 4,000 admissions per day in July or August, possibly extending to 6,000 per day The LSHTM model suggested hospitals could have another 30,000 inpatients by the end of July - up to around 45,000 - compared to the current 845 The LSHTM team suggested that there will be 1,000 deaths per day in August if the variant is 50 per cent more transmissible - which would be less than the 1,900 seen at the peak this January Key questions about the Indian variant How many cases have been detected in the UK? There are 1,313 confirmed cases of the B1617.2 variant in the UK. The cases are spread across the country, with the majority in the North West, mainly in Bolton, Sefton in Merseyside, Blackburn in Lancashire. But there is a 'realistic possibility' that the Indian coronavirus variant could be as much as '50% more transmissible' than the Kent strain, the Scientific Advisory Group for emergencies (Sage) has said, prompting concerns the variant could 'dominate' over the others in the UK. What is being done? Boris Johnson told a Downing Street press conference that second doses - which give people maximum protection against Covid-19 - will be brought forward from the planned 12-week interval to eight weeks. First doses are also being prioritised for anyone eligible who has not yet come forward including the over 40s. But Prof Whitty said local 'surge vaccinations', which would make first doses more widely available by offering them to all over-18s, was not being pursued because there is a 'finite' supply of doses and that younger people were at less risk from the virus. Mobile testing units have been deployed in Bolton and door-to-door PCR Covid-19 testing has been offered to 22,000 residents. A vaccine bus has been set up to increase uptake among those who are eligible and a rapid response team of 100 nurses, public health advisers and environmental health officers has been sent in. Mr Johnson said the army would be deployed on the streets of Blackburn and Bolton handing out tests to help surge testing efforts, while vaccination centres will extend their opening hours. Surge testing has also been deployed in Sefton, after cases of the Indian variant were confirmed in the Formby area, as well as in parts of London. Will bringing forward second jabs help tackle the rise? When the national vaccine programme began in the UK, officials took the bold decision to delay administering booster shots so that elderly and vulnerable people could more quickly receive their first shots. Studies have since shown that giving the second dose 12 weeks after the first, instead of 21 days, can produce a stronger immune response. Thus it remains to be seen whether bringing forward the date of the second dose will help curb rising infections. Mr Johnson said: 'I believe we should trust in our vaccines to protect the public whilst monitoring the situation as it develops very closely because the race between our vaccination programme and the virus may be about to become a great deal tighter and it's more important than ever therefore that people get the protection of a second dose.' Is the B1617.2 variant driving the second wave in India? On Thursday, India recorded 4,000 deaths and 343,144 new Covid-19 infections over the last 24 hours. Scientists believe B1617.2 may be more transmissible than the UK variant (B117), which was first detected in Kent last year, and may be linked to the second wave in the country. Professor Robert Dingwall, who is a member of Nervtag (New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group) - an expert committee which advises the Government on the threat posed by new respiratory viruses, said that while B1617.2 may be capable of becoming the dominant variant in the UK, the risk of a surge in deaths or hospital admissions remains low. Will vaccines still work? At present, there is no evidence the B1617.2 variant is resistant to current vaccines. Although deemed to be more transmissible, it does not feature the E484K mutation found in the South African variant of the virus, which could help the virus evade a person's immune system and may affect how well coronavirus vaccines work. Prof Dingwall told PA: 'This variant seems to be better managed by the vaccines than the South African variant so that vaccinated people have only a very low risk of infection that is likely to be mild.' What other variants of concern have been identified in the UK? All viruses undergo small genetic changes as they make copies of themselves in the host. Most of these mutations are harmless but some can make the disease more infectious or threatening, and evade protection gained through infection or vaccination. PHE has designated the UK, India, South Africa and Brazil (P1) variants as being 'of concern'. Current vaccines have been designed for earlier versions of coronavirus, but scientists believe they should still work, but may be less effective. But experts are confident existing vaccines can be tweaked to better tackle emerging mutations. The UK Government has a deal with biopharmaceutical company CureVac to develop vaccines against future variants, and has pre-ordered 50 million doses. Advertisement Scientists believe the Indian variant is even more infectious than the highly virulent Kent strain currently dominant in the UK - but it is not yet clear by how much. There are no signs it is more deadly or resistant to vaccines. Cases of the B.1.617.2 strain have more than doubled in the past week across the UK, with 1,313 cases detected by May 12, up from the 520 the previous week. Surge testing has already begun in 15 towns including Bolton and Formby and ministers last night approved plans aimed at slowing the spread of the imported strain of Covid-19. Mr Johnson said second doses of coronavirus vaccines will be accelerated for the over-50s and the clinically vulnerable across the country to be given eight weeks after the first dose instead of the current 12 weeks. The PM's former chief adviser Dominic Cummings is among those calling for caution, sharing a post on social media which said 'the cost of another big wave is much higher than the cost of delaying the next stage of the roadmap'. A Warwick University modelling team cautioned that if the variant was 40 per cent more transmissible than the UK dominant Kent strain the next surge could be worse than the second wave, with up to 6,000 daily hospital admissions. A 50 per cent increase could lead to 10,000 admissions per day. However, less grisly numbers from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine suggested a 50 per cent rise could lead to 4,000 per day. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister also confirmed that the army will be deployed in parts of the North West of England to help with surge testing efforts to combat the variant. There will also be 'targeted new activity' in Bolton and Blackburn to accelerate the vaccine rollout, Mr Johnson added. Surge testing is under way in the North West of England where cases involving the Indian variant of coronavirus are on the increase. The 'variant of concern' has been detected in Bolton, Greater Manchester, as well as in Blackburn, Lancashire, and Sefton in Merseyside, which have all seen rates rise rapidly. Mr Johnson tonight warned those living in Bolton and other affected areas that 'there is now a greater risk from this new variant' as he urged people to be 'extra cautious'. 'Our best chance of suppressing this variant is to clamp down on it where it is and we will be throwing everything we can at this task,' he said. Mr Johnson said Colonel Russ Miller, Commander of the North West Region, will be 'deployed to support local leaders in managing the response on the ground.' He told the press conference: 'There will be surge testing, with mobile testing units, and the army will be on the streets handing out tests. 'And there will be targeted new activity in Bolton and Blackburn to accelerate vaccine take-up among eligible cohorts - including longer opening hours at vaccination sites.' Blackburn with Darwen Council initially said on Thursday that it would be offering vaccines to all over-18s from next week following the increase in cases, but later said that, although additional vaccine clinics are being set up, the jab will only be offered to those eligible under current Government guidance. The area's director of public health, Professor Dominic Harrison, said on Twitter that the authority had asked the NHS to 'surge vaccinate' but the request was refused. He tweeted: 'At the moment the Indian variant is surging in a small number of localgov areas. 'These areas have a window of opportunity to control the wider spread across the UK by a mixture of community engagement, surge testing and surge vaccination. 'If the Government stops areas with high IndianVariant cases from 'surge vaccinating' target areas (which will contribute to reduced transmission) - it will reduce our local capacity to control spread.' In Bolton, the area with the highest rate of cases, with 553 new infections in the seven days to May 9, mobile testing units have been deployed and door-to-door PCR Covid testing has been offered to 22,000 residents. A vaccine bus has been set up to increase uptake among those who are eligible and a rapid response team of 100 nurses, public health advisers and environmental health officers has been sent in. In the affluent Formby area of Sefton, new drive-through and walk-through test centres were set up on Friday, specifically to identify the Indian variant. Sefton's director of public health Margaret Jones said: 'Working with Public Health England, in response to a localised outbreak of infections and cases of the variant first identified in India, we have identified sites for test centres in and around Formby. 'We are encouraging everyone aged over 16 who lives, works or studies in Formby to attend one of these dedicated local test sites, once they are open. 'Anyone who has visited any venue in Formby over the last two weeks is also welcome to be tested at these test sites.' Speaking on Sky News, Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi said younger people in areas where there is a surge of the variant could be vaccinated sooner. He said: 'The clinicians will look at all of this to see how we can flex the vaccination programme to make it as effective as possible to deal with this surge in this variant, the B1617.2. 'They will make those decisions and we will be ready to implement.' A gas-hoarding South Carolina woman has suffered burns to her body after her car crashed and burst into flames while she was fleeing from police. Jessica Gale Patterson, 28, was driving through Pickens County in her white Pontiac G6 on Thursday night when an officer attempted to stop her over a stolen license plate. Unbeknownst to the cop, Patterson's Pontiac was loaded up with containers of fuel which she had hoarded amid the current gas crisis caused by the Colonial Pipeline hack. According to statement put out by Pickens County Sheriff's Office, Patterson 'accelerated her vehicle in an attempt to elude law enforcement' before she 'lost control of the car' and it flipped over at the side of the roadway. The vehicle immediately caught fire and multiple explosions were heard inside before Patterson emerged from the Pontiac doused in flames. 'The deputy pushed Patterson to the ground in order to put out the flames," the sheriff's office stated. She was subsequently rushed to hospital, but the severity of her burns has not yet been publicly disclosed. Patterson has admitted to police that she was hoarding gas in the trunk of the car, which they have determined were the 'catalyst for the explosions'. Posted by Sarah Wilson on Thursday, May 13, 2021 A gas-hoarding South Carolina woman has suffered burns to her body after her car crashed and burst into flames while she was fleeing from police. Her burning vehicle is pictured Across the US, thousands of motorists have been stocking up on gas in recent days after the Colonial Pipeline was forced to suspend operations due to the ransomware attack carried out by Russia's DarkSide hackers. More than 10,000 gas stations from New Jersey to Florida have run dry, and thousands more are experiencing shortages. Experts have cautioned drivers against hoarding fuel and keeping it in the trunks of their cars, claiming it is unsafe. On Thursday, gas hoarding caused another vehicle to go up in flames in Florida. On Thursday, gas hoarding caused another vehicle to go up in flames in Florida. A silver Hummer, which was parked by a gas station in Citrus County, had four 5-gallon fuel cans in the back when it exploded The silver Hummer, which was parked by a gas station in Citrus County, had four 5-gallon fuel cans in the back when it exploded. The driver had reportedly just stocked up on the gas before the accident occurred. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden has urged Americans against hoarding gas. 'I know seeing lines at the pumps or gas stations with no gas can be extremely stressful, but this is a temporary situation,' he stated. 'Panic buying will only slow the process.' While the Colonial Pipeline has now resumed operations, it could take two weeks for fuel supplies to return to normal. Panicked motorists have been seen hoarding fuel at gas stations across the southeast, but experts say it poses a safety concern The alleged owner of the escaped Bengal tiger that has run rampant around Houston appeared in court on Friday for a bond hearing on a murder charge. Victor Cuevas, 26, was previously charged with murder in 2017, but was freed on a $125,000 bond, which is now being reconsidered after his arrest for allegedly evading police in Houston. Cuevas, who is accused of shooting and killing a man in July 2017, went in front of a Fort Bend County judge on Friday. Prosecutors argue he should be jailed but a ruling has not yet been made. Meanwhile, the tiger India remains missing after terrifying neighborhood residents earlier in the week. Cuevas was arrested again on Monday night after he allegedly evaded arrest with the tiger propped up on the back of his trunk. He was released on a $50,000 bond two days later. Victor Hugo Cuevas, 26, arrives at the Fort Bend County Justice Center for a bond hearing Cuevas was previously released on bond for an unrelated murder charge stemming from 2017 Michael Elliott, who is serving as Cuevas' attorney, said before the hearing that the tiger does not belong to Cuevas, despite loving it and treating it well. 'Victor Cuevas loved this tiger, loves him very much and really wants desperately to try to find the tiger and get the tiger to a nice, safe home, Elliott said during a presser. 'HPD was in such a hurry to wrap it and find their guy that they just assumed because my client was the one who caught this tiger, who went out and got it and brought it back into safety, everyone is just assuming that he is the owner of the tiger,' Elliott said. Elliott claimed that the nine-month-old tiger belongs so someone named 'D' and that this figure has texted death threats to Cuevas. An Instagram account belonging to Cuevas shows him hanging out with a tiger, but Elliott says that it proves nothing. Elliott didn't even budge when it came to stating who was driving the white vehicle where the tiger was located last weekend, after Cuevas was accused of fleeing with the big cat. 'We are not even sure who is even driving the white vehicle. It leaves. They say Victor Cuevas is the driver and there is a tiger in there, but you can't see it in the video,' Elliott said. Cuevas is seen with his attorney, who claims that Cuevas is not the owner of the missing tiger 'You see him leaving. You don't see any police chasing him. You don't see any red lights. You don't see anybody saying, 'I'm a police officer, you need to stop.' It's not evading. It's not a crime.' A deputy disputed that claim of ownership during the bond hearing, stating that Cuevas claimed he was the owner when coming face-to-face with the tiger on Sunday. 'That is my tiger,' Cuevas allegedly said, according to the deputy. He then proceeded to allegedly kiss it on the collar and corral it back inside of a house. The Houston Police Department has not been able to find the tiger since, telling KHOU that they are 'still waiting for a phone call on its location.' A tiger was on the loose in the quiet residential neighborhood of Ivy Wall Drive in West Houston on Sunday night The tiger approaches a man with a weapon trained upon it in menacing fashion The armed man gestures to residents to stay back as the tiger gets within a few feet of him That being said, police do believe the tiger may be part of an exotic animal trade and has been traded up to eight times, according to KTRK. 'So far he is, he and his lawyer, uncooperative right now. He is in a bond hearing this morning in Fort Bend County to revoke his murder bond,' Commander Ron Borza stated. 'I'm hoping that occurs, and maybe if he goes to jail, he'd be more cooperative with us. We'll see how that goes,' Borza added. 'I think it's still there in Houston.' Police say they've 200 to 300 calls about the tiger since Sunday, along with the animal shelter and adoption center of the city, BARC. Law enforcement officials investigate the house where a tiger was allegedly being kept None of those calls have resulted in a positive location for India. A Houston Police Department told DailyMail.com on Wednesday that there had been no further leads on the big cat's whereabouts - but that they'd issue updates on Twitter as soon as they have any. Carole Baskin of Tiger King fame has offered $5,000 for anyone who helps to find India. Cleveland Armory Black Beauty Ranch has offered to care for the Tiger once it is found. 'If the tiger were out on the street, which I seriously doubt he is, he would probably try to hide, find a spot where he's hidden because that's what most wildlife do to feel protected,' Noelle Almrud said; Almrud is the director of the ranch. In a 54-second clip posted to social media, terrified residents filmed the big cat roaming freely around a quiet suburban neighborhood in west Houston on Sunday. In the video, an off-duty Waller County Sheriff's deputy who lives in the neighborhood is seen pointing his gun at the tiger as it stalks towards him. The deputy backs up a few paces as the tiger gets within a few feet of him. The owner - believed by police to be Cuevas - then drags the tiger back inside a house. He allegedly later fled with the animal in his Jeep when cops arrived. Police pursued the vehicle but soon lost sight of it. The neighborhood where the tiger was filmed is about 18 miles west of downtown Houston and still within its city limits. Cuevas is not facing charges related to the ownership of the tiger at this time. Tigers can be owned in Texas, but not in Houston's city limits. The tiger is reportedly not the only exotic animal which has been spotted at Cuevas' rented property. India, the Bengal tiger, has not been seen by anyone since Sunday, despite numerous tips Neighbor Jose Ramos told ABC13 that he had seen a capuchin monkey at the residence before. 'I figured, 'OK, this is a small animal. It could be domesticated.' But I never thought they would hold a tiger in their house.' Rob Wormald posted video of the encounter between the tiger and the deputy on his Twitter account as well. 'Apparently there's a tiger loose on my parents' West Houston street?' he writes. Cuevas (pictured) is charged with the July 2017 murder of University of Houston dental student Oseikhuemen Omobhude, 20 Cuevas is charged with the July 2017 murder of University of Houston dental student Oseikhuemen Omobhude, 20, outside the Bella Terra shopping mall in Richmond, west of Houston, ABC7.com reported. According to eyewitness accounts, Omobhude was approached by two men on motorcycles and shot several times in his car. He was able to drive a few hundred yards to seek help at a nearby Buffalo Wings Restaurant, but later died at Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital. The motive for the shooting is still unclear, and it is also unknown why Cuevas was on bond after being accused of such a serious crime. Cuevas was arrested two weeks after the murder at an airport while returning from Mexico, KHOU11 reported. He was charged with first-degree murder three years later in 2020 and is currently out on a $125,000 bond. A second man was also arrested in connection with the shooting. The Department of Homeland Security has released a new terrorism alert amid fears violent extremists may take advantage of the easing of pandemic restrictions to conduct deadly attacks. The alert, which was issued by Homeland Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Friday afternoon, came after the DHS consulted with their partners in both the intelligence and law enforcement communities. It does not cite any specific threats, but warns of potential danger from both domestic and foreign terrorists as public spaces start to become crowded once again. 'The United States is facing threats that have evolved significantly and become increasingly complex and volatile,' the warning states. 'Violent extremists may seek to exploit the easing of COVID-19-related restrictions across the United States to conduct attacks against a broader range of targets after previous public capacity limits reduced opportunities for lethal attacks'. The Department of Homeland Security has released a new terrorism alert amid fears violent extremists may take advantage of the easing of pandemic restrictions to conduct deadly attacks. Homeland Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas (pictured) issued the alert Friday 'Violent extremists may seek to exploit the easing of COVID-19-related restrictions across the United States to conduct attacks against a broader range of targets after previous public capacity limits reduced opportunities for lethal attacks,' the warning states. Tourists are pictured at The Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC on Friday The warning specifically asserts that domestic terrorists may be inspired to commit racially or ethnically-motivated attacks. It states: 'Some domestic violent extremists advocate via social media and online platforms for a race war and have stated that civil disorder provides opportunities to engage in violence in furtherance of ideological objectives'. Such threats have been exacerbated by COVID-19, which spawned conspiracy theories and deepened anger at the government in some quarters over the shutdown of the economy. Both Mayorkas and Attorney General Merrick Garland testified to a Senate committee this week that 'racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists' pose the greatest domestic threat to the country at the moment. Without any specific potential targets, the warning notes that, historically, extremists motivated by racial and ethnic hatred have targeted religious institutions and crowded businesses or gatherings. After the lockdowns of 2020, people are once again beginning to gather en masse, sparking new fears of a terror attack. Pictured: Crowds at a boxing event in Texas last week Crowds are seen taking to the streets in Las Vegas after COVID-19 restrictions are eased Meanwhile, domestic terrorists are not the the only threat currently concerning the SHS. The new alert also warns foreign terrorist organizations such as al-Qaeda and the Islamic State may still try to inspire homegrown attacks. Added to the mix are adversaries such as Russia, China and Iran, which the alert says are amplifying conspiracy theories about the origins of COVID-19 and calls for violence against people of Asian descent. The new DHS warning is an extension of one issued earlier this year in the wake of the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. DHS and the FBI are providing guidance and other assistance to state and local law enforcement organizations to deal with the threats. DHS has also established a new domestic terrorism branch within its Office of Intelligence and Analysis and has directed state and local governments to use 7.5 percent of annual grant money issued by the agency to deal with the threat. A Colombian drug kingpin is facing life in prison after he pleaded guilty to trafficking tons of cocaine to the United States with the support of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, the country's largest guerrilla group. Roman Narvaez accepted his culpability during a hearing Wednesday at a federal court in Brooklyn, according to the United States District Attorney's Office in the Eastern District of New York. The 46-year-old, according to court documents, ran a drug trafficking organization based out of the southwestern Colombia department of Cauca and set up laboratories in the region's jungles where workers produced multi-tons of cocaine. Massive loads of cocaine were then transported to ports along Colombia's Pacific coast and most of it was sent to the U.S. by sea. Roman Narvaez pleaded guilty in a New York federal court to overseeing a drug trafficking organization in Colombia that shipped at least five tons of cocaine to the United States However, Narvaez's organization was required to pay taxes to the Revolutionary Armes Forces of Colombia and other paramilitary groups for the right to freely travel through roads that were under rebel groups' control. U.S. federal investigators say that between July 1, 2019 and April 13, 2013, Narvaez conspired with other individuals to produce and distribute five tons of cocaine. Narvaez allegedly averaged profits of at least $10 million 'during one or more twelve-month periods for the manufacture, importation and distribution of cocaine.' His drug trafficking network at one point was the top exporter of cocaine to the United States. Narvaez was in possession of 28 bars of gold when he and five cartel associates were arrested in October 2016 as part of Operation Pacific Pearl II. Overall, authorities arrested 300 people, including Mexican and Ecuadoran nationals, who were employed as traffickers or operators of speed boats. Narvaez was extradited to the United States in October 2019. His sibling Uldarico Narvaez, 41, was arrested in Colombia in September 2019 and turned over to the U.S. in October 2020. He is facing international cocaine trafficking charges. As part of his plea deal with the feds, Roman Narvaez will be required to turn over $20 million. Still image from 2019 shows former senior commanders of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia Supporters of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia demonstrate in Bogota on April 9, 2018 Cops confiscated 28 bars of gold when Roman Narvaez and five cartel associates were arrested in October 2016 in Colombia 'With today's guilty plea, the defendant will face significant punishment for the incalculable harm caused by poisoning our country with huge quantities of cocaine produced by his drug trafficking organization, while amassing substantial illicit wealth for himself,' Acting U.S. Attorney Mark J. Lesko said. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration's 2020 National Drug Threat Assessment, 91 percent of cocaine seized in the U.S. and tested by the agency originates from Colombia. The DEA report found that Colombian drug trafficking networks still 'control the production and supply of cocaine, and rely on partnerships with Mexican (transnational criminal organizations) to smuggle cocaine from Colombia to U.S. markets.' Meanwhile, Mexican transnational criminal organizations 'dominate the wholesale distribution of Colombian cocaine into the United States.' 'Principally, large-scale Colombian TCOs (transnational criminal organizations) work closely with Mexican and Central American TCOs to export multi-ton quantities of cocaine from Colombia every year,' the DEA said in its annual report. 'Largescale Colombian TCOs sell multi-ton quantities of cocaine and smaller quantities of heroin to Mexican TCOs, who smuggle those drugs through the Central American corridor and Mexico for eventual smuggling into the United States. Colombian TCOs also route cocaine and heroin shipments through the Caribbean Corridor where local TCOs receive and transport them into the United States.' Advertisement Israeli troops were fighting on three fronts on Friday night into Saturday as West Bank protests saw their first fatalities, the death toll in Gaza rose past 130, and a Hezbollah fighter from Lebanon was shot dead by IDF forces. Turmoil from the battle between Israel and Hamas spilled over into the West Bank on Friday, sparking the most widespread Palestinian protests in years as hundreds of young demonstrators in multiple towns clashed with Israeli troops, who shot and killed at least 11 people. Israel's bombardment of the Gaza Strip continued into early Saturday, when an airstrike on a house in Gaza City killed at least seven Palestinians - the highest number of fatalities in a single hit. Hamas militants responded by firing more rockets into Israel as their battle entered a fifth consecutive night. That strike came a day after a furious overnight barrage of tank fire and airstrikes that wreaked destruction in some towns, killed a family of six in their house and sent thousands fleeing their homes. At least 132 people have been killed in Gaza since Monday, including 32 children and 21 women, and 950 others wounded, Palestinian medical officials said. In the north of Israel, pro-Palestinian protesters against the Jewish state's assault on the Gaza Strip approached the border from Lebanon on Friday afternoon, amid fears fears of an incursion from Israel's northern neighbour by Iran-backed Hezbollah, Israel's arch-enemy. There, a young Lebanese man was struck by Israeli fire, and later died of his wounds, after a small group reportedly attempted to cross the border into Israel. Hezbollah said the man, whom it named as Mohamad Kassem Tahan, died from his wounds. He was a member of the pro-Iranian Shiite militant group who was taking part in a demonstration, the group claimed. The 21-year-old protester was one of two men who suffered wounds from Israeli shelling during the protest on the frontier, the official National News Agency said. Among eight people dead in Israel so far in the conflict were a soldier patrolling the Gaza border and six civilians, including two children, Israeli authorities said. Earlier on Friday, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to crush Hamas with unrelenting bombardments amid growing fears of a Lebanese incursion into Israel, with residents in the country's northern region told to stay inside their homes. 'They attacked our capital, they fired rockets at our cities. They're paying and will continue to pay dearly for that,' Netanyahu said during a video address on Friday. 'It's not over yet,' he warned. 'I said we would exact a very heavy price from Hamas and other terror groups, and we are doing so and will continue to do so with great force,' the Prime Minister said, before detailing Israel's destruction of Hamas tunnels. 'Hamas thought it could hide there, but it cannot,' he said. 'Hamas leaders think they can escape from our grasp. They cannot escape. We can reach them everywhere all of [Hamas's] people and we will continue to do so.' A Palestinian protester launches flares amid clashes with Israeli soldiers in the city center of Hebron in the occupied West Bank, following a rally for Fateh movement supporters denouncing the Israeli Gaza attacks and supporting Palestinians of Jerusalem, on May 14, 2021 Israeli soldiers take aim during clashes with Palestinian protesters in the city center of Hebron in the occupied West Bank, following a rally for Fateh movement supporters denouncing the Israeli Gaza attacks and supporting Palestinians of Jerusalem, on May 14 Israeli border guards detain a Palestinian youth in Jerusalem on May 14, 2021, during clashes between Israeli far-right extremists and Palestinian Palestinian protesters set up barricades during clashes with Israeli forces in the Shuafat camp for Palestinian refugees, neighbouring the Israeli settlement of Ramat Shlomo, in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem on May 14, 2021 A Palestinian protester lights a molotov cocktail during clashes with Israeli forces in the Shuafat camp for Palestinian refugees, neighbouring the Israeli settlement of Ramat Shlomo, in Israeli-annexed east Jerusalem on May 14, 2021 Rockets are launched from Gaza City, controlled by the Palestinian Hamas movement, towards Israel early on May 15, 2021 An Israeli rocket falls over buildings linked to the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas in Gaza City, amid the escalating flare-up of Israeli-Palestinian violence, May 14, 2021 Smoke rises after airstrikes over Ansar Government Complex building, carried out by Israeli army, on the second day of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Gaza City, Gaza on May 14, 2021 A Palestinian man carries the corpse of a toddler, killed in a reported Israeli air strike, before his burial in Beit Lahya in the northern Gaza Strip, on May 14, 2021 Relatives of three children from the Al-Tanani family, killed in a reported Israeli air strike, mourn at the family residence before their burial in Beit Lahya in northern Gaza strip, on May 14, 2021 Palestinian mourners carry the body of Nidal Safadi, who was killed in clashes with Israeli forces, during his funeral in the West Bank village of Urif, near Nablus, Friday, May 14, 2021 Israeli military accused of using media to trick Hamas Early Friday, just after midnight, the Israeli military put out an ominous statement to the media: 'IDF air and ground troops are currently attacking in the Gaza Strip.' The terse statement set off frenzied speculation that Israel had launched a ground invasion of Gaza - a much-feared scenario that would mark a bloody escalation of this week's operation against Hamas militants. Some reporters were even told outright the incursion had begun. Hours later, the military issued a 'clarification.' There were no troops inside Gaza. But by then, several major news outlets had erroneously reported the ground offensive was under way. While the army attempted to play down the incident as a misunderstanding, well-placed Israeli military commentators said the media had been used as part of an elaborate ruse to lure Hamas militants into a deadly trap that may have killed dozens of fighters. 'They didn't lie,' said Or Heller, a veteran military correspondent on Israel's Channel 13 TV. 'It was a manipulation. It was smart and it was successful.' Advertisement Netanyahu's warning came to fruition as Israel intensified bombardment of the Gaza Strip with a furious overnight barrage of tank fire and airstrikes that wreaked destruction in some towns, killed a family of six in their house and sent thousands fleeing their homes. Residents of Metulla in Israel's northern district were ordered to stay inside, but the order was reversed after a short period of time when officials were assured that the situation was under control. Meanwhile, Israeli military says it has identified three rockets fired from Syria toward Israeli territory on Friday. The military said in a statement that one of the rockets landed inside Syria in the evening hours. There was no immediate comment from Damascus. In Gaza, the toll from the fighting rose to 122 killed, including 31 children and 20 women, with 900 wounded, according to the Health Ministry. The Hamas and Islamic Jihad militant groups have confirmed 20 deaths in their ranks, though Israel says that number is much higher. Seven people have been killed in Israel, including a 6-year-old boy and a soldier. Thousands of Palestinians grabbed children and belongings and fled their homes on Friday as Israel barraged the northern Gaza Strip with tank fire and airstrikes, killing a family of six in their house and heavily damaging other neighborhoods in what it said was an operation to clear the militant tunnels. As international efforts at a cease-fire stepped up, Israel appeared to be looking to inflict intensified damage on Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip and has fired hundreds of rockets into Israel. The Gaza violence increasingly spilled over into turmoil elsewhere. Across the West Bank, Palestinians held their most widespread protests since 2017, with hundreds in at least nine towns burning tires and throwing stones at Israeli troops. Soldiers opening fire killed six, according to Palestinian health officials, while a seventh Palestinian was killed as he tried to stab an Israeli soldier. Within Israel, communal violence erupted for a fourth night. Jewish and Arab mobs clashed in the flashpoint town of Lod, even after additional security forces were deployed. Israeli police said that nine people were injured during violent unrest surrounding the arrest of a senior Islamist leader in northern Israel - a higher toll than media reports had earlier. Israeli soldiers prepare their artillery unit near the border with Gaza Strip on May 14, 2021 in Sderot, Israel Israeli soldiers prepare their artillery unit near the border with Gaza Strip on May 14, 2021 in Sderot, Israel Israeli troops are pictured at their position in southern Israel along the border with the Gaza Strip from on May 14, 2021 A Palestinian woman shouts in the street as those living in Gaza assess the damage after a night of IDF bombardment Smoke rises after airstrikes over Ansar Government Complex building, carried out by Israeli army, on the second day of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, in Gaza City, Gaza on May 14, 2021 Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (pictured) vowed on Friday to crush Hamas with unrelenting bombardments as the death toll in Gaza rose to over 120, including 31 children and 20 women, with 900 people wounded In the north of Israel, multiple pro-Palestinian protesters approached the border from Lebanon on Friday afternoon, and for a second time later on Friday evening, according to the Jerusalem Post. Pictured: People stand together in the southern Lebanese village of Khiam, near the border with Israel, Lebanon May 14, 2021 Israeli soldiers stand guard after firing flares above the northern town of Metula, by the border with Lebanon, following a pro-Palestinian protest across the border in the Lebanese Khiam area, on May 14, 2021 Israel called up 9,000 reservists Thursday to join its troops massed at the Gaza border, and an army spokesman spoke of a possible ground assault into the densely populated territory, though he gave no timetable. A day later, there was no sign of an incursion. But before dawn Friday, tanks deployed on the border and warplanes carried out an intense barrage on the northern end of the Gaza Strip. Houda Ouda said she and her extended family ran frantically into their home in the town of Beit Hanoun, seeking safety as the earth shook for two and half hours in the darkness. 'We even did not dare to look from the window to know what is being hit,' she said. When daylight came, she saw the swath of destruction: streets cratered, buildings crushed or with facades blown off, an olive tree burned bare, dust covering everything. Rafat Tanani, his pregnant wife and four children, aged 7 and under, were killed after an Israeli warplane reduced their four-story apartment building to rubble in the neighboring town of Beit Lahia, residents said. Four strikes hit the building at 11 p.m., just before the family went to sleep, Rafat's brother Fadi said. The building's owner and his wife also were killed. 'It was a massacre,' said Sadallah Tanani, another relative. 'My feelings are indescribable.' Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, an Israeli military spokesman, said the operation involved tank fire and airstrikes, aimed at destroying a tunnel network beneath Gaza City that the military refers to as 'the Metro,' used by militants to evade surveillance and airstrikes. 'As always, the aim is to strike military targets and to minimize collateral damage and civilian casualties,' he said. 'Unlike our very elaborate efforts to clear civilian areas before we strike high-rise or large buildings inside Gaza, that wasn't feasible this time.' A Palestinian throws a rock at a burning tram station during clashes with Israeli forces in the Palestinian neighbourhood of Shuafat, neighbouring the Israeli settlement of Ramat Shlomo, in Israeli annexed east Jerusalem on May 14, 2021 Israeli forces intervene in Palestinians gathered in the town of Issawiya, on May 14, 2021, in the East Jerusalem A Palestinian man injured after Israeli forces' intervention in Palestinian demonstrators is carried by others. Police used rubber bullets and tear gas during a protest against Israeli forces' attacks over East Jerusalem and Gaza Strip, on May 14, 2021 Israeli forces intervene in demonstrators during a protest in front of Nablus city's Havara check-point, against Israeli forces' attacks over East Jerusalem and Gaza, on May 14, 2021, in Nablus, West Bank Palestinians carry the national flag during clashes with Israeli forces near the Hawara checkpoint south of the occupied West Bank city of Nablus on May 14, 2021 A protester waves the Palestinian flag during clashes with the Israeli forces at the Hawara checkpoint, south of the West Bank city of Nablus, Friday, May 14, 2021 Palestinian demonstrators take cover during clashes with Israeli forces at the Hawara checkpoint, south of the West Bank city of Nablus, Friday, May 14, 2021. Health officials say several Palestinians were killed by Israeli army fire, at protests that took place in several locations across the West Bank of Friday Hezbollah supporters wave their group, Iranian and Palestinian flags, during a protest in solidarity with Palestinians amid an escalating Israeli military campaign in Gaza, on the Lebanese-Israeli border in front of the Israeli settlement of Metula, background, near the southern village of Kafr Kila, Lebanon, Friday, May 14, 2021 Palestinians gather during a protest against Israeli forces' attacks over Jerusalem and Gaza, on May 14, 2021 in Bethlehem, West Bank Palestinians stage a demonstration at the Haram al-Sharif, in support of the Gaza Strip, following the Friday prayer in the Al-Aqsa Mosque, in Jerusalem on May 14, 2021 Lebanese protester and Hezbollah fighter killed by Israeli fire A young Lebanese man struck by Israeli fire on Friday while protesting on the border against the Jewish state's assault on the Gaza Strip died of his wounds, state media reported. Hezbollah said the man, whom it named as Mohamad Kassem Tahan, was a member of the pro-Iranian Shiite militant group who was taking part in a demonstration. The 21-year-old protester was one of two men who suffered wounds from Israeli shelling during the protest on the frontier, the official National News Agency said. The incident occurred after a number of "young demonstrators tried to enter the border town of Metulla" in northern Israel, said NNA. The Lebanese army intervened to remove the dozens of young demonstrators from the scene. Lebanon's President Michel Aoun condemned what he called "the crime committed by Israeli forces", while the United Nations peacekeeping force in the border region, UNIFIL, called for "everyone to remain calm and avoid risking more lives". The wounded pair were rushed to hospital in Marjayoun in southern Lebanon. The condition of the second man was not immediately known. The protesters, some carrying Palestinian flags and the yellow colours of Hezbollah - arch-enemy of Israel - had gathered in the Khiam plain opposite Metulla, an AFP photographer said. They later set fire to the area, with the flames spreading all the way to the border, he said. The Israeli army confirmed on Twitter its tanks had "fired warning shots at a number of rioters... who had crossed into Israeli territory". They "sabotaged the fence and set fire to it... before returning to Lebanese territory", it added. Tensions remained high late Friday as two Palestinians tried to cross the barbed-wire border fence, before being repelled by Israeli fire, NNA said. Advertisement The spiraling violence has raised fears of a new Palestinian 'intifada,' or uprising, at a time when the peace process has been virtually nonexistent for years. The tensions began in east Jerusalem earlier this month, with Palestinian protests against the Sheikh Jarrah evictions and Israeli police measures at Al-Aqsa Mosque, a frequent flashpoint located on a mount in the Old City revered by Muslims and Jews. Hamas fired rockets toward Jerusalem late Monday, in an apparent attempt to present itself as the champion of the protesters. In the conflict that spiraled from there, Israel says it wants to inflict as much damage as it can on Hamas' military infrastructure in Gaza. An Egyptian intelligence official said Israel had turned down an Egyptian proposal for a one-year cease-fire that Hamas had accepted. The official, who was close to Egypt's talks with both sides, spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the internal negotiations. On Friday, the U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state for Israel-Palestinian affairs, Hady Amr, arrived in Israel as part of an attempt by Washington to de-escalate the conflict. U.S. President Joe Biden gave a show of support to Netanyahu in a call a day earlier, saying 'there has not been a significant overreaction' in Israel's response to Hamas rockets. He said the aim is to get a 'significant reduction in attacks, particularly rocket attacks.' Hamas has fired some 2,000 rockets toward Israel since Monday, according to the Israeli military. Most have been intercepted by anti-missile defenses, but they have brought life to a standstill in southern Israeli cities, caused disruptions at airports and have set off air raid sirens in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. When the sun rose Friday, residents streamed out of the area in pickup trucks, on donkeys and on foot, taking pillows, blankets, pots and pans and bread. Thousands took shelter inside 16 schools run by the United Nations relief agency UNWRA, agency spokesman Adnan Abu Hasna said. Mohammed Ghabayen, who took refuge in a school with his family, said his children had eaten nothing since the day before, and they had no mattresses to sleep on. 'And this is in the shadow of the coronavirus crisis,' he said. 'We don't know whether to take precautions for the coronavirus or the rockets or what to do exactly.' Israeli military officials cheered the operation as a successful blow against the tunnel network. Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, a military spokesman, said 160 warplanes operated in a 'synchronized manner' for about 40 minutes as part of the operation. He said the military aims to minimize collateral damage in striking military targets. But measures the military takes in other strikes, such as warning shots to get civilians to leave, were not 'feasible this time.' On Thursday night, the Israel Defence Forces managed to trick Hamas into believing a ground invasion was underway and then obliterated their tunnel network knowing militants would be hiding underground waiting to ambush tanks and soldiers, reports in Israel claim. There was confusion when the IDF said shortly after midnight that ground forces were 'attacking in Gaza', and later suggested that boots were on the ground. A spokesman later retracted that statement - saying that military operations were conducted along the border, but no Israeli troops had crossed it. However, the announcement was apparently a well-planned ploy to get Hamas to send its fighters into its underground tunnel system beneath Gaza City, before bombarding the area, in the hope of eliminating large numbers of militants in one fell swoop. Soldiers and tanks with drones equipped with night vision lay in wait for survivors as they surfaced, hitting them with aerial and ground fire. Snipers and missile units were also waiting for them on the ground as the IDF said it had carried out a 'complex' operation to destroy Hamas tunnels underneath Gaza City, which the military refers to as 'the Metro'. Neither Israel nor Hamas has yet announced how much of the network was destroyed overnight, but initial estimates said a large number of fighters were buried as the IDF collapsed the tunnel system on their heads, Israel National News reported. In response, Hamas fired 220 rockets from Gaza at cities in Israel overnight, the IDF said, and was joined by three rockets fired from Hezbollah-controlled Lebanon - though all of them fell short. Attacks continued this morning, with Israeli jets striking what the IDF called underground rocket sites in Gaza City and Hamas watchtowers. Meanwhile sirens sounded on the Israeli side of the border as Hamas attacked with suicide drones, while several Israeli troops were injured in a knife attack near the West Bank city of Ofra. Elsewhere, more street clashes took place overnight in the mixed Israeli-Arab city of Lod, with a synagogue burned to the ground. A 19-year-old IDF solider was also badly beaten in the Tel Aviv suburb of Jaffa and a Jewish family were attacked inside their car in Umm al-Fahm. Far-right Jewish groups were also calling for attacks on Arabs and their businesses in the cities of Be'er Sheva and Ramle, according to Israeli news site Ynet. Despite the rapidly escalating violence and amid calls for urgent deescalation from world leaders, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed today that there would be no let-up in attacks. 'I said we would extract a very heavy price from Hamas. We are doing that, and we will continue to do that with heavy force,' he said. A Palestinian man carries the corpse of a toddler, killed in what was believed to have been an Israeli air strike, before his burial in Beit Lahya in the northern Gaza Strip A Palestinian relative mourns over the bodies of four young brothers from the Al-tanani family who were found under the rubble of a destroyed house following Israeli airstrikes A Palestinian woman breaks down as she looks at the bodies of four brothers killed during a night of heavy Israeli bombing Palestinian relatives mourn over the bodies of four brothers from the Al-tanani family who were found under the rubble of a destroyed house following Israeli airstrikes in Beit Lahiya Palestinians gather at the site of destroyed houses in the aftermath of Israeli air and artillery strikes as cross-border violence between the Israeli military and Palestinian militants Damage to buildings in the north of the Gaza Strip is seen on Friday morning after a heavy night of bombing from Israel A Palestinian man looks up through the roof of a destroyed building in Gaza following a night of heavy shelling Palestinians work at the site of destroyed houses in the aftermath of Israeli air and artillery strikes as cross-border violence between the Israeli military and Palestinian militants continues Palestinian women walk at the site of destroyed houses in the aftermath of Israeli air and artillery strikes Palestinians inspect their destroyed houses following overnight Israeli airstrikes in town of Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza Strip Palestinians inspect their destroyed houses following overnight Israeli airstrikes in town of Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza Strip A Palestinian boy sits on debris at the site of destroyed houses in the aftermath of Israeli air and artillery strikes as cross-border violence between the Israeli military and Palestinian militants continues Palestinians inspect their destroyed houses following overnight Israeli airstrikes in town of Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza Strip Netanyahu 'stoking tensions to distract from his political problems' An Israeli-Arab MP has accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of stoking tensions between Muslims and Jews in order to escape his own political problems. Netanyahu was faced with being forced from power last month after he failed to form a coalition government following Israel's fourth election in two years. But on Friday, talks to form a coalition without him collapsed as a key party leader withdrew from negotiations - calling the conflict a 'reality-altering events' and saying he will now seek a broad 'unity government', likely with Netanyahu as the head. Aida Touma-Sliman, a member of the Israeli parliament, had earlier accused Netanyahu of using the conflict to 'divert' people from his political issues. 'There is a political intention by... Netanyahu and his ministers to escalate the situation more and more,' she told the BBC. 'If the debate in Israel under discussion and the tension till last month was between [Netanyahu's] camp and the anti-Benjamin Netanyahu camp, they wanted to divert it into a kind of a war, a citizens' war between Jews and Arabs.' Advertisement The Israeli Defence Forces said that 160 aircraft flying simultaneously conducted a 40-minute attack on a network of tunnels dug by the Hamas, with 450 missiles dropped on 150 targets in northern Gaza. After the air strikes were launched, some 500 artillery shells some flares and some explosive along with 50 tank shells were fired in a follow-up attack. More airstrikes took place this morning, with the IDF saying it is targeting underground rocket launchers and Hamas observation posts. The IDF also said 220 rockets were fired by Hamas in response to the overnight attacks, with targets including the cities of Ashdod, Ashkelon, Beersheba and Yavne. Two women, aged 50 and 80, died overnight from injuries sustained while trying to take shelter from rockets, Israeli media reported. A 60-year-old man was also seriously hurt after a rocket struck Ashkelon. Rocket sirens continued to sound in Ashkelon and other cities near the Gaza strip this morning, with the IDF saying more than 2,000 rockets have now been fired in less than five days. Three rockets were also fired from southern Lebanon towards northern Israel, Israeli security forces said, but were not heading towards populated areas and fell short into the Mediterranean off Israel's north coast. Hezbollah, a militant group allied with Hamas, denied being responsible for the attack - saying instead that it was carried out by a rogue pro-Palestinian group as a show of solidarity. Fears of an all-out war escalated in the early hours of Friday morning as the military said just after midnight that air and ground forces were 'attacking' the Hamas-run enclave. Rocket barrages from Gaza swiftly followed. IDF spokesmen then appeared to confirm to multiple journalists that boots were on the ground in Gaza, before an urgent clarification was issued saying that no troops had crossed the border and apologising for the earlier mistake which was blamed on 'internal communication issues'. Residents in northern Gaza, near the Israeli frontier, said they had seen no sign of Israeli ground forces inside the enclave but reported heavy artillery fire and dozens of air strikes. Hamas military spokesman Abu Obeida said the group was not afraid of a ground invasion, saying the move would be a chance 'to increase our catch' of dead or captive soldiers. Attempts to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis have so far floundered, with Israel refusing calls for a ceasefire put forward by an Egyptian delegation which had travelled to the country to try and negotiate. The delegation has now returned to Cairo, Russian news agency TASS reported today. French President Emmanuel Macron, tweeting in French, English, Hebrew and Arabic, joined calls for calm, saying the 'spiral of violence must stop'. Meanwhile Germany's Angela Merkel struck a different tone, describing rocket attacks from Gaza as 'terrorism' and saying her government supports 'Israel's right to self-defence against these attacks'. Mr Merkel also hit out at protesters who she said had burned Israeli flags outside synagogues, adding: 'Anyone who attacks a synagogue or defiles Jewish symbols shows that for them it is not about criticizing a state or the policies of a government, but about aggression and hate towards a religion and the people who belong to it.' The United Nations Security Council has confirmed that it will convene to discuss the rapidly worsening situation, but will not meet until Sunday. Palestinians living outside Gaza City, near the northern and eastern frontiers with Israel, fled the intense artillery bombardment Friday. Families arrived at the U.N.-run schools in the city in pick-up trucks, on donkeys and by foot, hauling pillows and pans, blankets and bread. 'We were planning to leave our homes at night, but Israeli jets bombarded us so we had to wait until the morning,' said Hedaia Maarouf, who fled with her extended family of 19 people, including 13 children. 'We were terrified for our children, who were screaming and shaking.' In the northern Gaza Strip, Rafat Tanani, his pregnant wife and four children were killed after an Israeli warplane reduced a building to rubble, residents said. 'It was a massacre,' said Sadallah Tanani, a relative. 'My feelings are indescribable.' Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, a military spokesman, said tanks stationed near the border fired 50 rounds. It was part of a large operation that also involved airstrikes and was aimed at destroying tunnels beneath Gaza City used by militants to evade surveillance and airstrikes, which the military refers to as 'the Metro.' Palestinians assess the damage in a building caused by Israeli air strikes, in Beit Hanun in the northern Gaza Strip Damaged caused to buildings in Gaza City by an IDF bombardment overnight is revealed as the sun comes up Palestinians assess the damage caused by Israeli air strikes, in Beit Hanun in the northern Gaza Strip An Israeli man takes a photo with his mobile phone at a residential building after a rocket launched overnight from the Gaza Strip hit it in Ashkelon Palestinians riding on a pickup truck flee their homes during Israeli air and artillery strikes as cross-border violence between the Israeli military and Palestinian militants continues Palestinians flee their homes during Israeli air and artillery strikes as cross-border violence between the Israeli military and Palestinian militants continues A Palestinian boy pulls a cart carrying his brother and their belongings as they flee their home during Israeli airstrikes Palestinians carry some of their belongings in Beit Hanun in the northern Gaza Strip, as they flee Israeli air and artillery strikes 'As always, the aim is to strike military targets and to minimize collateral damage and civilian casualties,' he said. 'Unlike our very elaborate efforts to clear civilian areas before we strike high-rise or large buildings inside Gaza, that wasn't feasible this time.' The strikes came after Egyptian mediators rushed to Israel for cease-fire talks that showed no signs of progress. Egypt, Qatar and the United Nations were leading the truce efforts. The fighting broke out late Monday when Hamas fired a long-range rocket at Jerusalem in support of Palestinian protests there against the policing of a flashpoint holy site and efforts by Jewish settlers to evict dozens of Palestinian families from their homes. Since then, Israel has attacked hundreds of targets in Gaza, causing earth-shaking explosions across densely populated areas. Of the 1,800 rockets Gaza militants have fired, more than 400 fell short or misfired, according to the military. The rockets have brought life in parts of southern Israel to a standstill, and several barrages have targeted the seaside metropolis of Tel Aviv, some 70 kilometers (45 miles) away from Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue the operation, saying in a video statement that Israel would 'extract a very heavy price from Hamas.' In Washington, U.S. President Joe Biden said he spoke with Netanyahu about calming the fighting but also backed the Israeli leader by saying 'there has not been a significant overreaction.' He said the goal now is to 'get to a point where there is a significant reduction in attacks, particularly rocket attacks.' He called the effort 'a work in progress.' Israel has come under heavy international criticism for civilian casualties during three previous wars in Gaza, which is home to more than 2 million Palestinians. It says Hamas is responsible for endangering civilians by placing military infrastructure in civilian areas and launching rockets from them. Hamas showed no signs of backing down. It fired its most powerful rocket, the Ayyash, nearly 200 kilometers (120 miles) into southern Israel on Thursday. An explosion lights the sky following an Israeli air strike on Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip on May 14 as the violence continues Fire billows from Israeli air strikes in the Gaza Strip overnight as the IDF stepped up attacks directed at Hamas An Israeli artillery unit fires into the Gaza strip during an overnight operation that the IDF said was aimed at destroying Hamas tunnel networks under Gaza City A building in Gaza City is seen alight in the early hours of Friday morning The night sky on Friday is lit up as rockets are fired towards Israel from Beit Lahia in the Gaza Strip Smoke and flames rise after Israeli forces launched ground, sea and air attacks towards Gaza Strip An image showing Hamas rockets fired from Gaza overnight (right) and blasts as they are intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome defence system (left) Rockets are seen in the night sky fired towards Israel from Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip Smoke and flames rise after an Israeli airstrike in the northern Gaza Strip overnight, in an operation that the IDF said was designed to destroy Hamas tunnel networks Rockets light up the night sky as they are fired towards Israel from Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip An Israeli 155mm self-propelled howitzer, loaded on a trailer, arrives at a position along the Israel-Gaza border on Thursday Shells from an Israeli gunboat are pictured landing in the sea off the Gaza strip today as the bombardment continued An Israeli soldier gets into position during clashes with Palestinian demonstrators near the Jewish settlement of Beit El near Ramallah in the occupied West Bank Israeli forces fire teargas canister at Palestinian demonstrators as the conflict continues to escalate after a huge aerial bombardment An Israeli tank is pictured near Gaza as troops mass on the border amid fears over a possible land invasion Israeli soldiers load a mobile artillery piece with shells as they prepare to fire at targets across the border in Gaza The crew of an Israeli mobile artillery piece wait for orders as fighting escalates with Hamas on Friday Israeli artillery crews move shells towards their gun as the bombardment of Gaza continues today IDF soldiers stationed near the border with Gaza make their way across train tracks on Friday morning IDF soldiers manning a mobile artillery piece take cover as rocket sirens sound amid continuing attacks on Friday An Israeli F-16 fighter jet releases a flare as it streaks through the skies above Sderot, with the air force saying it struck more targets in Gaza City today An Israeli soldier climbs down into an armoured transport vehicle amid a troop build-up along the Gaza border An Israeli soldier stands atop a tank as troops prepare to fire artillery shells towards the Gaza Strip from their position near the southern Israeli city of Sderot Israeli army soldiers gather at the border with Gaza in Israel as fighting with Hamas continues on Friday Thousands protest in support of Palestinians in Bangladesh Thousands of Muslims led by activists from an Islamic political party demonstrated in Bangladesh's capital on Friday to denounce attacks by Israel against Palestinians. After the end of Eid a-Fitr prayers at Dhaka's main Baitul Mokarram Mosque, activists from the Islamic Andolan Bangladesh, or Islamic Movement Bangladesh, began protesting and were joined by thousands of others. Muslim-majority Bangladesh celebrated the key festival of Eid a-Fitr in a subdued manner after the government urged people to avoid large gatherings. Authorities arranged prayers in phases at the Baitul Mokarram Mosque, where devotees maintained distancing to avoid spreading the coronavirus. Afterward, protesters crowded together outside, carrying signs reading 'Boycott terrorist state Israel' and chanting 'Down with Israel.' Bangladesh is one of 28 members of the United Nations that does not recognize the state of Israel. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday urged stronger global action to stop Israeli violence against Palestinians. In a letter to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Hasina said the threatened eviction of dozens of Palestinians from the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem was a severe violation of human rights and international law. 'We unequivocally denounce such acts of terror and violence and urge the international community to take sustainable measures to end such kinds of acts anywhere and everywhere in the world including Palestine,' she wrote. Advertisement The rocket landed in the open desert but briefly disrupted flight traffic at the southern Ramon airport. Hamas has also launched two drones that Israel said it quickly shot down. Hamas military spokesman Abu Obeida said the group was not afraid of a ground invasion, which would be a chance 'to increase our catch' of Israeli soldiers. The current eruption of violence began a month ago in Jerusalem. A focal point of clashes was Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa Mosque, built on a hilltop compound that is revered by Jews and Muslims. Israel regards all of Jerusalem as its capital, while the Palestinians want east Jerusalem, which includes sites sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims, to be the capital of their future state. The violent clashes between Arabs and Jews in Jerusalem and other mixed cities across Israel has meanwhile added a new layer of volatility to the conflict not seen in more than two decades. The violence continued overnight into Friday. A Jewish man was shot and seriously wounded in Lod, the epicenter of the troubles, and Israeli media said a second Jewish man was shot. In the Tel Aviv neighborhood of Jaffa, an Israeli soldier was attacked by a group of Arabs and hospitalized in serious condition. Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said some 750 suspects have been arrested since the communal violence began earlier this week. He said police had clashed overnight with individuals in Lod and Tel Aviv who hurled rocks and firebombs at them. The fighting deepened a political crisis that has sent Israel careening through four inconclusive elections in just two years. After March elections, Netanyahu failed to form a government coalition. Now his political rivals have three weeks to try to do so. Those efforts have been greatly complicated by the fighting. His opponents include a broad range of parties that have little in common. They would need the support of an Arab party, whose leader has said he cannot negotiate while Israel is fighting in Gaza. Meanwhile the U.N. Security Council will publicly discuss the worsening violence between Israel and Palestinian militants on Sunday, diplomats said, reaching a compromise over U.S. objections to a meeting on Friday. Diplomats said the United States, a close ally of Israel, had initially suggested a virtual public meeting could be held on Tuesday. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday he hoped waiting a few days would allow for 'diplomacy to have some effect and to see if indeed we get a real de-escalation,' adding that Washington was 'open to and supportive of a discussion, an open discussion, at the United Nations.' Hostilities entered their fifth day overnight, with no sign of abating. Israel fired artillery and mounted more air strikes against Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip amid constant rocket fire deep into Israel's commercial centre. The 15-member council has met privately twice this week about the worst hostilities in the region in years, but has so far been unable to agree on a public statement, diplomats said. Such statements are agreed to by consensus, and the United States did not believe it would be helpful, they said. All council members also have to agree to a meeting under rules guiding the body's virtual operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, the US State Department has urged citizens to 'reconsider travel to Israel' due to the recent surge in violence. The travel advisory level, which had been lowered in recent weeks due to improvement in the country's Covid-19 situation, was stepped up to Level 3, out of a maximum of four. 'Reconsider travel to Israel due to armed conflict and civil unrest,' the department said in a statement. 'Rockets continue to impact the Gaza periphery and areas across Southern and Central Israel, including Jerusalem,' it said. 'There has been a marked increase in protests and violence throughout Israel.' Newly-released satellite images capture a fire at an Israeli oil storage facility near Ashkelon on Wednesday after it was struck by rockets fired from inside Gaza Another image shows the ruins of the Hanadi Tower after it was destroyed by Israeli air strikes targeting what the IDF said were Hamas administrative offices inside Gaza This newly-released handout satellite image released by Maxar Technologies shows smoke from a burning storage tank in Ashkelon Southern Israel on May 12 This handout satellite image released by Maxar Technologies shows an overview of Southern Israel and Gaza City on May 12 Palestinians throw fireworks against Israeli forces during clashes in the West Bank city of Hebron overnight Israeli security forces take aim at Arab rioters during a night of unrest in Hebron, the West Bank Israeli security forces move through the streets of Hebron amid clashes with Arab rioters overnight Palestinians throw fireworks at Israeli security forces during overnight clashes in Hebron, the West Bank Palestinian families are pictured in a street after evacuating their homes east of Gaza City on May 13 due to heavy shelling by the Israeli military Palestinian families are pictured in a street after evacuating their homes east of Gaza City late on Thursday evening amid shelling Israeli firefighters battle a field fire after a rocket launched from Gaza strip struck last night in Ramla Rockets are fired towards Israel from Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip after Israel pounded Gaza and deployed extra troops to the border An explosion lights the sky following an Israeli air strike on Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip last night An Israeli air strike on Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip lights up the sky as the conflict continues to rumble on Smoke and flames rise after Israeli forces launched ground, sea and air attacks towards Gaza Strip overnight Rockets fired from Gaza fly towards Israel, as seen from Gaza City, in response to days of violent confrontations between Israeli security forces and Palestinians in Jerusalem Smoke rises over houses in Ashkelon following a rocket attack launched from Gaza towards Ashkelon, southern Israel Rockets are seen in the night sky fired towards Israel from Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip in the early hours of Friday CCTV reveals the moment Israel's Iron Dome defences destroyed a Hamas rocket during the overnight bombardment An Israeli firefighter battles a field fire after a rocket launched from Gaza strip struck overnight in Ramla, Israel An Israeli firefighter walks in the early hours of Friday around a synagogue, after it was set on fire by Arab-Israelis, in the mixed Jewish-Arab city of Lod China on Friday accused the United States of 'ignoring the suffering' of muslims, after Washington blocked a scheduled UN Security Council meeting aimed at addressing an intensifying conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. The US, Israel's diplomatic shield at the UN, blocked an originally scheduled Friday session despite the deepening bloodshed - but eventually agreed to move it to Sunday, diplomats said. As the crisis has unfurled, China has taken up the Palestinian cause at the Security Council, a venue where it frequently plays its veto card to block motions against its allies. Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told reporters the US had single handedly obstructed the Security Council from speaking out on the crisis, 'standing on the opposite side of the international community'. 'What we can feel is that the US keeps saying that it cares about the human rights of Muslims... but it was ignoring the suffering of the Palestinian people,' Hua added. She contrasted America's reluctance at the Security Council with calls by the US, Britain and Germany for China to end repression of its Uyghur Muslim minority - an incendiary issue in US-China relations. 'The US should realise that the lives of Palestinian Muslims are equally precious,' she said. The US, Israel's key ally, has defended the Jewish state's deadly offensive, which comes in response to rocket fire from the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas which controls the Gaza Strip. But President Joe Biden's administration has also voiced alarm over civilian casualties and earlier pushed Israel to hold off on evictions of Palestinians in Jerusalem, the immediate trigger for the flare-up. Hua said Friday that efforts should be made to lower temperatures and prevent the crisis from escalating. She restated that China will push the Security Council to take action soon, as well as reiterate its firm support for a two-state solution. Security Council sessions, held by videoconference due to the pandemic, require support of all 15 members. Palestinian families fleeing from their homes at Al-Shati Refugee Camp, take shelter in a school as Israeli forces continue to pound Gaza Strip Palestinian families fleeing from their homes at Al-Shati Refugee Camp, take shelter in a school as Israeli forces continue to pound Gaza Strip Palestinian families fleeing from their homes at Al-Shati Refugee Camp, take shelter in a school as Israeli forces continue to pound Gaza Strip Palestinian families fleeing from their homes at Al-Shati Refugee Camp, take shelter in a school as Israeli forces continue to pound Gaza Strip The tunnels of death: Inside Hamas's underground passages used to move weapons and ambush Israeli forces - who are now obliterating the network with airstrikes Israel claims to have obliterated much of Hamas's network of tunnels in the Gaza Strip in a massive bombardment overnight Thursday. Helicopters, jets, gun boats and artillery pounded northern and eastern parts of Gaza with more than 1,000 bombs and shells as part of a 'complex' operation to destroy Hamas tunnels underneath Gaza City. In an apparent trick, the IDF said shortly after midnight that ground forces were 'attacking in Gaza', but a spokesman later retracted that statement, saying no Israeli troops had crossed the border. However, the announcement was a well-planned ploy to get Hamas to send its fighters into its underground tunnel system beneath Gaza City, before bombarding the area, in the hope of eliminating large numbers of the organisation's operatives in one foul swoop, reports in Israel claim. The IDF has long been trying to destroy the network of Hamas tunnels - established after the Islamist organisation took control of the Gaza Strip in 2007 - because they reach into Israeli territory and are a launch point for the many of the group's attacks. Tunnels were among Hamas's most effective tools during the 2014 war with Israel, with militants using them to move weapons, enter the Jewish state, ambush IDF soldiers, and at times even return to Gaza through the underground passages. Israel claims to have obliterated much of Hamas's network of tunnels in a massive bombardment last night (pictured, Hamas fighters in the underground passages) Helicopters, jets, gun boats and artillery pounded northern and eastern parts of Gaza with more than 1,000 bombs and shells overnight Thursday as part of a 'complex' operation to destroy Hamas tunnels underneath Gaza City The IDF has long been trying to destroy the network of Hamas tunnels, which reach into Israeli territory and are a launch point for the group's attacks (pictured an Israeli officer in one of the cross-border tunnels) The network of tunnels were built after Hamas took power in the Gaza Strip in 2007 and have since been used to launch several attacks on Israel (pictured, Palestinian militants in the tunnels) The first Hamas tunnels were built in 2007 between the Gaza Strip and Egypt and were designed for smuggling consumer goods to bypass the Israeli blockade. However, some rudimentary networks existed in Gaza as early as 2002. One was used to bomb an Israeli outpost within the Strip in 2004. A second tunnel bomb attack on an Israeli outpost took place in December 2004, killing five IDF soldiers. The first cross-border raid by Hamas took place in 2006, when the group kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, holding him captive for more than five years. By 2013, the network had definitively pivoted away from the Egyptian border and towards Israel and there were at least three tunnels under the Israel-Gaza border, two of which were packed with explosives. The underground network now branches dozens of kilometres through the Gaza Strip reaching the towns of Khan Younis, Jabalia, and the Shati refugee camp. They also stretch into Israel. The tunnels are used by Hamas and other Islamist groups in Gaza, including the Islamic Jihad movement in Palestine. The groups use the network to hide rockets and other munitions, facilitate communication within their organisations, conceal militants, and launch attacks. Hamas uses the network to hide rockets and other munitions, facilitate communication within their organisations, conceal militants, launch attacks, and conduct training (pictured, a Palestinian youth crawls in a tunnel during a Hamas graduation ceremony) Israel has long struggled to wipeout the system, despite top of the range military and intelligence equipment (pictured, an Israeli soldier enters a Hamas tunnel) Israel has struggled to destroy the tunnels because they are extremely difficult to detect from the air (pictured, an IDF officer inspects a tunnel in the Philadelphia Corridor, Gaza) The first Hamas tunnels were built between the Gaza Strip and Egypt and were designed for smuggling consumer goods to bypass the Israeli blockade (pictured, a Palestinian smuggler moves a goat through a tunnel from Egypt to Gaza) Who are Hamas? Hamas was founded in 1987 and aims to liberate Palestine and turn it into an Islamic State. It was established as an offshoot from Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood, which was active in the Gaza Strip in the 1950s. The organisation rose to power in 2006, defeating the ruling Fatah party in Palestinian elections. It then ousted Fatah officials and seized control of the Gaza Strip in a brief military conflict in June 2007. The conflict resulted in the de facto split of the West Bank and Gaza Strip into distinct Palestinian entities. Hamas has since launched several attacks on Israeli soldiers and civilians, often claiming they are retaliatory. Since 1994, the organisation has frequently stated it is willing to accept a truce if Israel withdraws to its 1967 borders, pays reparations, allows free elections in the territories, and grants Palestinians the right of return. Several Western states including the US, Canada, Japan, and the EU have designated Hamas a terrorist organisation. Advertisement Israel has long struggled to wipeout the system, despite top of the range military and intelligence equipment. This is primarily because the tunnels, which are believed to have cost between $30 million (21.3 million) and $90 million (63.9 million) to build, are extremely difficult to detect from the air. Some of the three dozen tunnels built since the end of the 2014 Israel-Gaza conflict are estimated to have cost $3 million ($2.13 million). The tunnels are reinforced with concrete to protect them from airstrikes and from caving in. Footage from inside the tunnels shows a sweaty and cramped environment, not tall enough for fighters to stand up straight. Hamas first used the tunnels to launch an attack on Israel in July 2014, when 13 fighters used the network to surface near a kibbutz. At the time, Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniya said the tunnels represented 'a new strategy in confronting the occupation and in the conflict with the enemy from underground and from above the ground'. Tensions between Israel and Gaza had been intensifying since June 2014, when three teens were kidnapped and murdered by Hamas, allegedly without the knowledge of the organisation's leadership. Rockets fired by Hamas into Israeli territory and by the IDF into the Gaza Strip then formally sparked the seven-week conflict in July 2014. One of the primary Israeli objectives of the war, known as Operation Protective Edge, was to destroy Hamas's network of tunnels. The IDF reported it had 'neutralised' 32 tunnels along the Israel-Gaza border during the conflict, including 14 which crossed into Israel. The devastating 2014 conflict killed 2,251 Palestinians, while more than 10,000 were wounded and 100,000 were left homeless. On the Israeli side, 74 people were killed, all but six of them soldiers. Though Israel said it levelled 32 tunnels during the conflict, many have been rebuilt by Hamas who continue to use the underground network. Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza say tunnels are needed for defence. In 2015, the Islamist group started using heavy machinery, including bulldozers and tractors, as well as engineering tools to accelerate construction of the tunnels. The reconstruction was largely funded by Iran, the Sunday Telegraph reported at the time citing intelligence sources. The Islamic Republic also provided rockets and missiles to replenish Hamas's arsenal. Tunnels were among Hamas's most effective tools during the 2014 war with Israel, with militants using them to enter the Jewish state, carry out attacks and at times even return to Gaza through the underground passages (pictured, Hamas tunnels identified by the IDF in 2014) The IDF reported it had 'neutralised' 32 tunnels along the Israel-Gaza border, including 14 which crossed into Israel, during the conflict which took place between July 8 and August 26, 2014 (pictured, a 2014 graphic showing tunnels targeted by the IDF in 2014) The first Hamas tunnels were built in 2007 between the Gaza Strip and Egypt and were designed for smuggling consumer goods to bypass the Israeli blockade (pictured, a Palestinian waits to enter a tunnel that runs under the Egyptian border) Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza say tunnels are needed for defence (pictured, armed Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, deploy in the tunnels in Gaza City during the seven-week conflict in 2014) Gazans have long used the network of tunnels to bypass the closed Egyptian border at Rafah to bring in staple goods and fuels as well as shipments of arms (pictured, a Palestinian enters a tunnel that runs between Gaza and Egypt) Some rudimentary tunnels existed in Gaza as early as 2002. One was used to bomb an Israeli outpost within the Strip in 2004 (pictured, an Israeli soldiers inspects a tunnel in the Rafah area in Gaza in 2002) A tunnel bomb attack on an Israeli outpost took place in December 2004, killing five IDF soldiers (pictured, IDF soldiers inspect a tunnel discovered in December 2005 near Israel's Erez Checkpoint, north of the Gaza Strip) All together, the tunnels are believed to have cost between $30 million (21.3 million) and $90 million (63.9 million) to build (pictured, an Israeli officer inspects a Hamas tunnel that was destroyed in October 2017) Several tunnels then collapsed or were destroyed by the Egyptian Army in in 2016 and 2017, killing at least 54 Hamas members. In 2018, the IDF announced it had found and destroyed the longest and deepest tunnel ever dug by Palestinian Islamists Hamas. The tunnel, which Israel says would have 'cost millions to build', allegedly began below the Gaza Strip and went on for 'several kilometres', well into Israeli territory. Israel says the Hamas tunnel came from the northern area of Jabaliya, was being dug in the direction of the Nahal Oz community in Israel, and was connected to several others within Gaza. The IDF said it was made it inoperable by filling it with material days after it was discovered. In 2018, the IDF announced it had found and destroyed the longest and deepest tunnel ever dug by Palestinian Islamists Hamas (pictured, the site of the tunnel in 2018) The tunnel, which Israel says would have 'cost millions to build', allegedly began below the Gaza Strip and went on for 'several kilometres', well into Israeli territory (pictured, an Israeli soldier inspects a disused tunnel in 2018) The Islamic Republic provided rockets and missiles to replenish Hamas's arsenal after the 2014 and supplied engineering equipment to allow fighters to re-build tunnels in Gaza (pictured, a Palestinian militant gets out of a tunnel during a graduation ceremony in 2016) The IDF repeatedly says it is able to make tunnels inoperable by filling them with materials after they are discovered (pictured, an Israeli soldier walks through a tunnel the army discovered and seized in October 2013) Israel has since turned to more creative means of finding and destroying Hamas's tunnels in Gaza - building a massive underground slurry wall along the Strip to stop militants constructing 'attack' tunnels. Construction on the three billion shekel project (640 million) started in mid-2017 and finished in March 2021. The concrete wall, which is accompanied by motion sensors designed to detect tunnel digging, is about eight metres high and spans 41 miles along the Israel-Gaza border. The barrier was built on Israeli territory, east of the existing border fence, near the town of Sderot, off the northern Gaza Strip, and the Nahal Oz area near Gaza City. It also includes an offshore barrier intended to stop sea-based commando attacks. In October 2020, motion sensors on the wall detected a tunnel from the southern Gazan city of Khan Younis that ran several dozen metres into Israeli territory. Israel has since turned to more creative means of finding and destroying Hamas's tunnels in Gaza, building a massive underground slurry wall along the Strip to stop militants constructing 'attack' tunnels (pictured, and Israeli soldier keeps guard next to a tunnel entrance) Since 2014, Israel has turned to more creative means of destroying Hamas's tunnels in Gaza - building a massive underground slurry wall along the Strip to stop militants constructing 'attack' tunnels (pictured, an Israeli soldier leaves a secured Hamas tunnel in 2014) Despite the barrier, which was was built on Israeli territory, east of the existing border fence, near the town of Sderot, off the northern Gaza Strip, and the Nahal Oz area near Gaza City, Hamas has continued to dig new tunnels Several Hamas members were killed in tunnel collapses in 2016 and 2017 (pictured, the organisation's fighters in Gaza City gather to pay tribute to their fallen fellow militants) In October 2020, motion sensors on the wall detected a tunnel from the southern Gazan city of Khan Younis that ran several dozen metres into Israeli territory (pictured, a different Hamas tunnel discovered by the IDF) The fashion designer soon wound up hooked on drink, drugs and rent boys The fashion designer who was known simply as Halston loved nothing better than to throw outrageously extravagant bashes for his famous friends. For Elizabeth Taylor's 46th birthday celebration, he ordered a cake decorated with a picture of her in one of his revealing dresses and served it to guests alongside 46 scantily clad members of the high-kicking Radio City Rockettes dance troupe. On another evening at the same famous location the notoriously debauched and celebrity-infested New York nightclub Studio 54 he arranged for Bianca Jagger, one of his most devoted fans, to mark her 32nd birthday on a white horse which she rode across the dance floor led by a naked man wearing only body paint. The fashion designer loved nothing better than to throw outrageously extravagant bashes for his famous friends. Pictured: Halston in New York City in 1981 And we must not forget another Halston party at the club, when dozens of snow-white doves were released, only for the poor birds to be frazzled in the beam of the powerful overhead lights, raining charred feathers on the glitzy partygoers below. Luckily, few would have been sober enough to notice. And certainly not their host, a man who spent much of his time at Studio 54 snorting cocaine in the DJ's booth. Roy Halston Frowick was once acclaimed as America's greatest fashion designer, specialising in minimalist designs in luxury fabrics and credited with dressing American women for a 'relaxed urban lifestyle'. Unfortunately, the success went to his head not to mention up his nose. The self-made 'king of New York nightlife' in the freewheeling 1970s and master of ceremonies at nightly bacchanals, he soon wound up hooked on drink, drugs and rent boys. And in a city that prided itself on excess and extravagance, Halston who once dispatched a private jet just to fetch his dinner for the evening left the competition standing. But when, in the shadow cast by Aids in the 1980s, New York sobered up, his Faustian fall was as dramatic as his rise. Tragically, after a string of business setbacks that followed his disastrous decision to sell his fashion label at the height of his fame, he died of an Aids-related illness in 1990. Now, though, Halston is back in the spotlight he craved as Netflix releases a five-part drama series (Halston) starring Scottish actor Ewan McGregor as the troubled designer. Based on an alternately fawning and brutal biography Simply Halston by Steven Gaines the series covers his sordid private life and, just like his life, is anything but restrained. There is endless substance use and plenty of explicit sex and outrageous behaviour, including one notable scene in which Halston takes his lover's jock strap to a perfumer as inspiration for his first fragrance. The designer's family, however, have condemned the series as an 'inaccurate, fictionalised account'. Yet if the drama had tried to sanitise Halston's life, he certainly would have been the first to complain. The five-part drama series (Halston) will star Scottish actor Ewan McGregor as the troubled designer At the height of his powers, at Studio 54 and in his spectacular Manhattan home where he would throw dinner parties with champagne, caviar, cocaine and carnality on the menu, the imperious Halston held sway over a court of fawning celebrities, including Liza Minnelli, Anjelica Huston, Truman Capote, Margaux Hemingway, Calvin Klein and Andy Warhol. He was a genius at marketing and self-promotion, with a squad of models dubbed the 'Halstonettes' who accompanied him wherever he went, pouring out of limos dressed in his sexily revealing designs to ensure his entrance was always the most glamourous highlight of any evening. 'Beautiful people attract attention' and, 'You're only as good as the people you dress' are two of his oft-quoted pronouncements. He was 6 ft 2 in and eye-catchingly handsome. Often dressed all in black, he had slicked-back hair and almost always wore sunglasses that hid his piercing green eyes even in nightclubs. While some insisted his arrogance was an act, the man dubbed 'His Highness' behaved so haughtily that even Andy Warhol was said to be intimidated by him. Some of the fashion cognoscenti complain that Halston deserves to be taken more seriously for his contribution to American fashion and it is undoubtedly true that his private excesses often all too easily drowned out his public achievements. Born in Des Moines, Iowa, and raised in Indiana, Halston had an accountant father who was an alcoholic with a tendency to fawn over rich people that he passed on to his son. But Halston was talented and, even as a child, knew that fashion and design were his forte. At the age of seven, he was already making hats on his grandmother's sewing machine. In 1952, he moved to Chicago and took night courses in art while working as a window dresser. By 1953, he had opened his own hat business, with customers including actresses Kim Novak, Gloria Swanson and Deborah Kerr. Then, in 1957, he made the move to the Big Apple, finding work as a milliner, designing for the famous store Bergdorf Goodman. His breakthrough came when he made the signature pillbox hat that Jackie Kennedy wore for JFK's 1961 inauguration. It was an instant fashion sensation although Halston later admitted the design was something of an accident. It had actually started out as a domed hat, only for Mrs Kennedy to dent it as she patted it down to prevent it blowing away. In 1968, Halston opened his own fashion couture house on New York's prestigious Madison Avenue, and soon had America's wealthiest and most glamorous women eating out of his hand lapping up his grand persona and outrageously affected way of speaking. Insiders whispered that he adopted his aloof, languid sensibility only because he thought that was how fashion designers were supposed to behave, and that underneath he was actually a 'sweet, overgrown Midwestern kid'. Magnetically charming, he lavished flattery on clients cleverly downsizing his clothes so customers thought the size 14 they were slipping into was actually a size 10 while affecting a nonchalance about making money that hid his razor-sharp commercial instincts. He described his customers as his 'friends', with whom he'd sit on his store's zebra-striped banquette listening to jazz as they tried on his wildly expensive creations 'just for fun'. Those 'friends' ranged from the wives of American multi-millionaires the Fords, the Astors and the Mellons to film stars such as Raquel Welch, Lauren Bacall, Catherine Deneuve and Ali MacGraw. Between 1968 and 1973, his fashion line was estimated to have earned $30 million ($200 million today) in sales, and he was spending the money just as fast as it came in. Hailed as America's first internationally renowned fashion designer, his weakness for epic self-indulgence threatened to bring his respectability crashing down at any minute. He permanently 'lived on the edge', as his biographer put it, once being arrested for committing a sexual act in Central Park in the 60s. He bought the affections of celebrities with gifts of drugs and sometimes hard cash a typical birthday present from Halston was an orchid (Halston spent 110,000 a year on the flowers) accompanied by a vial of cocaine. He loved to host wild dinner parties for his Halstonettes, for members of Andy Warhol's 'Factory' movement and for male prostitutes at his chic, all-grey home on East 63rd Street. He usually served steak followed by drugs cocaine or Quaaludes, an immensely powerful sedative and sex for 'dessert'. 'Put it this way, they weren't about the food,' one of Halston's guests said of the soirees. The cocaine kept in such huge quantities that it was stored in a safe whose keys were held by Halston's Venezuelan boyfriend, Victor Hugo was presented on silver ashtrays and snorted through matching silver straws. According to biographer Steven Gaines, guests would watch Moroccan-themed sex shows that even featured bestiality and, if the mood took them, indulge in orgies which Warhol reportedly photographed. The industrial drug-taking often caused tempers to flare, and Halston once got into a fight with Elsa Peretti, his muse and later a jewellery designer for Tiffany, who flung a black sable fur he'd given her for Christmas into the open fire. But, 'being trash was venerated,' wrote Gaines of those untrammelled, pre-Aids years. 'The trashier you could be, the more you could get laid, the more drugs you could take.' So, when Studio 54 opened in 1977 instantly becoming the epicentre of New York's night-time hedonism the partying became even more frenetic. Everyone who was anyone from Mick Jagger and ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev to Cary Grant and Salvador Dali came at least once, some many times more. As was the case at Halston's home, there was an 'anything goes' policy as soon as you got through the club's doors. When Halston sidled off to the DJ's booth, he would sometimes find an equally attention-shy Michael Jackson dancing there. The celebrity-obsessed management would dole out drugs to stars virtually as they walked in, or leave discreetly concealed silver sachets of cocaine in the limos they'd send to collect them. When club-goers were too frazzled by drugs to keep dancing, they would go up to the balcony area or down to the basement VIP lounge, where mattresses were tucked away in alcoves for sex. 'It was like Rome before the fall,' recalled one stunned guest. Indeed, there was said to be so much cocaine floating around in the basement air that the cleaners would get high when they arrived the next day to clear up. Among all the revelry, though, was a darker side there have been disturbing claims of promoters encouraging underage girls from local private schools to come to parties. But it was Halston's domain, and its rakish reputation and the endless parade of celebrities who went there only fuelled his fame. He even appeared in an 'I Love New York' advert to promote tourism, lowering his sunglasses to say, 'Especially in the evening!' And yet, even before the club closed abruptly in 1980 following a tax investigation at a time when the ranks of the flamboyant gay men that had packed it out would soon be ravaged by Aids Halston's star was already fading. 'By the end of the 1970s, there was some imperceptible moment, some small threshold of time, when Halston crossed the line of ubiquitousness, when he was too much in the news and at too many parties,' wrote Gaines. In 1973, he had sold his company and the Halston trademark to a retail conglomerate for the then huge sum of $16 million. The deal allowed the company to put the Halston name on clothes he hadn't even designed. Having once said he wanted to 'dress all of America', Halston who received a huge salary and a handsome share of the profits proceeded to design outfits for everyone from the American Girl Scouts to Avis car rental workers and the 1976 U.S. Olympics team. Then, in 1983, he made what proved to be a catastrophic mistake by agreeing a $1 billion deal to make clothing for the High Street chain JCPenney. His glamorous clientele were horrified and shunned him, while ordinary Americans refused to buy the clothes. Revlon bought the Halston name in 1986 and used it for a perfume. Meanwhile, Halston fast disappeared from the social scene. Asked in 1987 why he no longer gave parties, he replied: 'There really isn't much to celebrate.' A year later, Halston tested positive for HIV and moved to California, where he spent his final days being looked after by his family outside of San Francisco. For all his previous ubiquity, he died in relative obscurity in 1990 of complications from Aids-related lung cancer, aged only 57 described at the end as a 'broken man'. Fashion is ephemeral, and Halston learnt the hard way that fashion designers can be, too. HALSTON is available to watch now on Netflix. The family of an RAF engineer killed when a Red Arrows jet crashed during a training exercise on Friday blamed the Ministry of Defence for his death. Corporal Jonathan Bayliss, 41, died when the Hawk T1 aircraft stalled at low altitude after take-off from RAF Valley, on Anglesey, North Wales. Pilot Flight Lieutenant David Stark ejected from the plane 'half a second' before it hit the runway and survived. But an inquiry found he did not have time to warn Mr Bayliss, who remained in the rear cockpit and was killed instantly on impact. On Friday, a pre-inquest hearing, in Caernarfon, north Wales, was told Mr Bayliss could not eject himself from the aircraft. Corporal Jonathan Bayliss, 41, (pictured) died when a Red Arrows Hawk T1 aircraft stalled at low altitude after take-off from RAF Valley, on Anglesey, North Wales on March 20, 2018 His sister, Gayle Todd, said: 'We feel there were systemic problems. The incident could have happened without the loss of life to my brother had better procedures and safety measures been put in place.' Mr Bayliss' father, Michael, told the coroner there was a 'systemic failing' on the part of the MoD, adding: 'They have failed to feed down relevant information to those who need to know.' The jet had taken off from RAF Valley with the intention of simulating an engine failure as part of a practice exercise on March 20, 2018. Charlotte Law, representing Mr Stark, said her client hadn't gone against his training, orders or guidance when conducting the manoeuvre, yet there was a tragic outcome. Instead she referred to safety parameters being 'insufficient', which amounted to a 'systems failure' and posed a risk to the occupants of the aircraft. 'Both occupants of the aircraft were at real and immediate risk to their lives and the MoD ought to have known as such,' she said. Mr Bayliss' father, Michael, told the coroner on Friday there was a 'systemic failing' on the part of the Ministry of Defence and blamed them for his death. Pictured: Red Arrow Hawk T1 aircraft Pilot David Stark ejected from the plane 'half a second' before it hit the runway at RAF Valley (scene pictured) and survived. But an inquiry found he did not have time to warn Mr Bayliss Although the primary cause of the crash was the aircraft stalling, Miss Law added: 'That's not the end of the story. The question has to be asked why that occurred.' Smoke pods fitted to the aircraft could 'mask' a warning vibration in the control column, she claimed. Mr Bayliss' family argued the inquest should be allowed to examine Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which covers cases where the State 'fails to protect the deceased against a human threat or other risk.' Edward Pleeth, representing the MoD, disagreed. He said the tragedy had been caused by the plane stalling and contributory factors identified didn't amount to 'dysfunction in the system.' Katie Sutherland, acting coroner for North West Wales, said she was 'not satisfied' Article 2 was engaged at present but added that would 'be kept under continual review as matters proceed.' She said recommendations that followed the death of another Red Arrows pilot, Flight Lieutenant Jon Egging, 33, in a crash at an air show in Bournemouth, in August 2011, may be examined at the full inquest, which is due to be held this autumn. Mr Stark, who attended the hearing via video link, told the coroner it was important she see inside the Hawk's cockpit and receive a full understanding of the displays and dials for the upcoming hearing. A report from the Service Inquiry Panel (SIP), which investigated the crash, found Mr Stark was fatigued, distracted and experiencing reduced situational awareness prior to the accident. On Friday, a pre-inquest hearing, in Caernarfon, north Wales, was told Mr Bayliss could not eject himself from the aircraft. Pictured: Funeral for Mr Bayliss in April 2018 The inquiry found he generally worked from 7.30am until 5.30pm and his routine did not include 'sufficient time for rest.' He was also distracted by an air traffic control call asking him to confirm the aircraft's landing gear was down shortly before the crash. 'In the panel's opinion, the brief sequence of radio transmissions and checking of the landing gear indications may have been sufficient to distract (the pilot) during a critical stage of flight,' the report, published 17 months later, found. Corporal Bayliss was born in Dartford, Kent, and worked at the Brands Hatch motor racing circuit before joining the RAF in 2001. As an engineer with the Red Arrows, he supported the team in tours of China, the Middle East and Europe. In early 2018, he was promoted to the Circus team, a small group of highly trained engineers who travel with the aircraft and provide technical support away from its base. The five-week-old baby whose body was found buried in the Alabama woods two days after he was reported missing by his parents has died of blunt force trauma to the head, leading to the arrest of his father on a capital murder charge. The Montgomery County Sheriffs Office announced on Thursday that investigators recovered the remains of baby Caleb 'CJ' Whisnand Jr in rural Lowndes County, Alabama, late on Wednesday, two days after his parents appeared at a press conference to beg for their son's safe return. The boy's father, Caleb Whisnand Sr, 32, was initially jailed on suspicion of reckless manslaughter, but officials later said the charge will be upgraded to capital murder based on evidence that was obtained during an autopsy. Scroll down for video Caleb Whisnand Sr, 32 (left), faces a capital murder charge for the death of his five-week-old son, Caleb 'CJ' Whisnand Jr (right), who was killed with a blow to the head Whisnand was arrested on Wednesday night, just hours after taking part in a press conference alongside CJ's mother, Angela Gardner, to appeal for help in finding their child According to charging documents cited by Montgomery Advertiser, CJ died from blunt force trauma to the head on Monday sometime between 3.45pm and 10.49pm. Officials remained tight-lipped about the circumstances surrounding the infant death, citing the ongoing investigation. Whisnand was arrested soon after he took part in a bizarre press conference about CJ's disappearance alongside the child's mother, Angela Gardner. Gardner is not facing any charges over the death of her son. The elder Whisnand said during the news conference that he didnt remember much, and asked the public for information, including where he had been before the disappearance. 'I dont remember a lot. But I did remember I was breaking up with the cops. If anybodys got anything, any place I could have gone,' he said. Gardner, 28, said her youngest son was with Whisnand and he told her that he realized the infant was missing when he went to go pay at a gas station on Monday. 'Please, find him, please,' Gardner told reporters Wednesday afternoon. Montgomery County Sheriffs Office Capt. Trent Beasley said authorities were alerted to the situation after they received a 911 call Monday night from a convenience store about the missing child. Baby CJ's body was discovered in a wooded area on Wednesday. He had been reported missing by his father on Monday night Whisnand said he was paying for gas at this Circle K gas station in Montgomery, Alabama, at 10.45pm on Monday when CJ vanished There is an apparent discrepancy in the timeline, because Whisnand told reporters the family were last together on Saturday night, and a missing child alert stated that CJ was last seen at 9pm on Saturday (Whisnand and Gardner and pictured with their 2-year-old son) However, a missing child alert from the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said the baby was last seen at 9pm on Saturday. And during Wednesday's press conference, Whisnand Sr told reporters the last time the whole family was together was on Saturday night when 'we were all together sleeping.' Moments later, his girlfriend said she was home with her 2-year-old on Monday and CJ was with Whisnand Sr at the gas station on Monday night. Neither the parents nor the authorities provided an explanation for the discrepancy in the timeline, nor addressed the infant's whereabouts between Saturday and 10.49pm on Monday, when Whisnand reported him missing from the Circle K gas station on Wetumpka Highway. According to an affidavit that was filed in the case on Thursday, CJ was killed sometime on Monday, before Whisnand made the call to the police. The man then allegedly buried his slain son in a remote area about 30 miles southwest of the gas station in Montgomery. Whisnand said during Wednesday's news conference he didn't remember much Gardner broke down in tears, pleading: 'please, find him, please' At the time of his arrest, Whisnand was already under indictment on unrelated charges of meth and heroin possession, reckless endangerment and possession of drug paraphernalia stemming from a June 2020 arrest. CJ's maternal grandmother, Margaret Hope, told Al.com that her daughter was about to break up with Whisnand at the time of their child's disappearance and death. Whisnand was booked into the county jail on a count of reckless manslaughter punishable by up to 20 years in prison. His bond was set at $100,000. Priti Patel was accused last night of a 'glaring and flagrant' breach of the Ministerial Code after she lobbied a fellow minister on behalf of a healthcare firm trying to seal a 20million deal for PPE. Labour demanded an inquiry by Cabinet Secretary Simon Case. It comes just months after Boris Johnson allowed the Home Secretary to keep her job despite an earlier finding that she broke the code by bullying staff. Dominic Grieve, the former Tory attorney general, said: 'This is quite astonishing. This Government seems to have no idea of the basics of propriety in procurement.' Home Secretary Priti Patel with Samir Jassal, a two-time parliamentary candidate and Tory councillor in Kent, when he stood for Feltham in west London in the 2017 general election A Daily Mail investigation revealed: Miss Patel lobbied Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove in April last year over a 20million contract for surgical masks for Pharmaceuticals Direct Ltd (PDL) after an approach from her former adviser Samir Jassal; Her efforts failed after Health Secretary Matt Hancock decided the masks were 'not suitable for the NHS'; Weeks later the firm was awarded a no-bid, no-competition deal worth 102.6million to supply a better type of mask; The Home Secretary made no declaration about Mr Jassal's approach, or mention his links to PDL; Mr Jassal, a two-time parliamentary candidate and Tory councillor in Kent, played a key role in negotiating the more lucrative deal, with the masks priced at almost twice the Government's 'benchmark' rate; That deal is now being challenged at a High Court judicial review brought by the Good Law Project and the Home Secretary's role is certain to feature. Miss Patel insists she did nothing wrong. Her spokesman said: 'The Home Secretary rightly followed up representations made to her about the vital supply of PPE. 'During a time of national crisis failure to do so would have been a dereliction of duty.' But Labour's letter to Mr Case, signed by deputy leader Angela Rayner and Shadow Home Secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds, said: 'It is difficult to reach any conclusion other than that the Home Secretary lobbied the Government on behalf of PDL as a favour to her friend, Samir Jassal. Mr Jassal has often been seen with other senior Conservatives including Boris Johnson and his predecessors Theresa May and David Cameron Miss Patel lobbied Michael Gove in April last year over a 20million contract for surgical masks for Pharmaceuticals Direct Ltd (PDL) 'This would represent a glaring and flagrant breach of the Ministerial Code.' They added: 'The Home Secretary was lobbying for huge amounts of taxpayers' money to be spent on PPE that was unsafe for use by frontline NHS staff The public has a right to know why the Home Secretary lobbied ministers on behalf of a client of Samir Jassal, her friend, former 'adviser' and a prominent Conservative Party activist.' The letter said the inquiry 'must include not only the representations made by the Home Secretary on behalf of PDL in this instance, but also any further representations and any impact this or any other lobbying had on PDL being awarded a subsequent contract worth over 100million'. Constitutional expert Sir Jeffrey Jowell QC, former director of the Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law, said: 'A Government minister who makes representations to another minister, with the objective of furthering the financial interests of a former employee and friend, and without disclosing the connection, is in breach of the Ministerial Code.' Mr Jassal, 35, a married father-of-three, has often been seen with other senior Conservatives including Boris Johnson and his predecessors Theresa May and David Cameron, environment minister Zac Goldsmith, Leader of the House Jacob Rees-Mogg and former chancellor Sajid Javid. When he stood for Feltham in west London in the 2017 general election, Miss Patel campaigned with him. She tweeted a photo of them and wrote that she was 'delighted' to join him canvassing. Formerly in property, Mr Jassal now describes himself as a 'healthcare and pharmaceutical partner'. The Mail has revealed previous PPE scandals including the existence of a VIP 'fast lane' for firms referred by officials and politicians but this is the first time a minister has been directly implicated. Early in the pandemic, PDL pitched to supply KN95 masks from China white cardboard coverings that were later deemed unsafe for use in the NHS by the Health and Safety Executive. PDL thought it was close to a 20million deal. But on April 29, it was told it was off prompting PDL's sales chief Surbjit Shergill to write to Miss Patel, after an introduction from Mr Jassal, saying 'trust' had been broken. His letter addressed to 'Dear Priti' began: 'Many thanks for speaking to Samir [Jassal] and allowing me to contact you with my current issue.' She wrote to Mr Gove on May 3 because the Cabinet Office was co-ordinating PPE procurement. She enclosed Mr Shergill's letter and wrote that the cancelled order meant PDL had been exposed to 'financial pressure'. Miss Patel told Mr Gove: 'I would be most grateful if you could review this matter urgently and work with the company to distribute and supply these masks.' A reply came not from Mr Gove but Mr Hancock. He said experts agreed 'the KN95 is not suitable for use in the NHS'. But he added he 'appreciated' the work PDL had done and had asked his team 'to liaise directly with Mr Shergill'. PDL secured its 102.6million contract for higher-quality FPP3 masks in July, with Mr Jassal playing a key role. Government lawyers have told the Good Law Project that after Mr Shergill submitted a quotation, Mr Jassal 'followed up with emails and phone calls'. Senior officials were worried. In emails, they noted that the 'benchmark price' was 2.69 per mask, yet PDL was charging 5.13. The officials insisted David Williams, then the Department of Health's accounting officer, must sign off on the deal. Persuaded that demand was high, he did. Jolyon Maugham QC, the Good Law Project's executive director, said: 'Priti Patel may not have secured PDL a contract when they first tried to get one in April, but we hope to determine whether her representations or those of other ministerial contacts of PDL helped when they were awarded their much more lucrative deal in July.' PDL chief executive Bemal Patel said it had 'met its full obligations' under the contract, while Mr Jassal 'was not employed' by the firm. Mr Jassal did not respond to requests for comment. A Government spokesperson said: 'In response to this unprecedented global pandemic, our absolute priority has always been saving lives. 'Decisions on whether to award contracts for PPE are taken by officials. The decision making process includes whether the offer had cleared seven previous checks including clinical acceptability and financial due diligence. 'We take these checks very seriously. Ministers are not involved in this process. 'We have delivered over 11 billion items of PPE to protect our frontline workers and as the NAO report recognised, all NHS providers they audited were able to get the equipment they needed in time.' A leader of the far-right Proud Boys group lashed out at President Donald Trump, accusing him of abandoning him after he failed to get a pardon for storming the Capitol. Ethan Nordean, who describes himself as 'sergeant-at-arms' for the Proud Boys Seattle chapter, is among more than 400 others who have been arrested in connection to the attack on the Capitol. 'Alright I'm gunna say it. F**K TRUMP!' the 30-year-old from Auburn, Washington, said over the messaging app Telegram. 'F**k him more than Biden. I've followed this guy for four years and given everything and lost it all.' Nordean, like many Trump supporters, believed they would get a pardon from Trump after they sieged the Capitol building hours after the former president's rally calling on his fans to 'fight'. Proud Boy Seattle chapter 'Sergeant-At-Arms' Ethan Nordean (right) on Jan. 6 as he and a group of compatriots walked toward the U.S. Capitol. He is charged with conspiring to impede Congress' certification of the Electoral College vote, obstructing an official proceeding, obstructing law enforcement during civil disorder and disorderly conduct Nordean (above) is seen entering the Capitol building. Facing a potential prison sentence, he later slammed President Trump, saying he misled and abandoned him Prosecutors say messages Nordean sent through the app Telegram such as the one in which he criticized the president (above) further implicated him Nordean, also known as Rufio Panman, is charged with conspiring to impede Congress' certification of the Electoral College vote, obstructing an official proceeding, obstructing law enforcement during civil disorder and disorderly conduct. The Capitol siege: A timeline of events 6 a.m. - Thousands prepare for pro-Trump rally 11 a.m. - The Save America rally begins 12:15 p.m. - President Trump addresses the crowd 1 p.m. - Lawmakers gather for a joint session to certify election results 1:10 p.m. - Rioters begin confronting Capitol police 2:11 p.m. - Rioters breach the Capitol Advertisement Federal prosecutors revealed the messages in response to allegations from Nordean's attorney that they were withholding potentially exculpatory evidence. They are among 1,500 pages of Telegram messages, 43 pages of text messages and several hours of video footage prosecutors say they have uncovered during discovery that tie Nordean to the Capitol attack. 'He led us to believe some great justice was upon us... and it never happened, now I've got some of my good friends and myself facing jail time cuz we followed this guys lead and never questioned it,' he said in the message. 'We are not and always have been on our own. So glad he was able to pardon a bunch of degenerates ahis last move and s**t on us on the way out. F**k you trump you left us on the battlefield bloody and alone.' Prosecutors said the messages only further proved that Nordean had broken the law. 'Far from being exculpatory, when placed in context, these and other Telegram messages produced to defendant Nordean contain additional evidence of the criminal conduct,' prosecutors said in court filings. He and fellow Proud Boy Joseph Biggs are currently being held after a federal judge ruled in April that they were too dangerous to remain free. In his decision, U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly concluded that there are no circumstances which would be adequate to keep Ethan Nordean and Joseph Biggs out of jail. Nordean, like many Trump supporters, believed they would get a pardon from Trump after they sieged the Capitol building hours after the former president's rally calling on his fans to 'fight'.. Trump makes a fist during a rally to contest the certification of the 2020 U.S. presidential election results on January 6, 2021 Prosecutors say Nordean (above center) a 30-year-old from Auburn, Washington was a key instigator in leading his fellow Proud Boys in the Capitol riot Also known as Rufio Panman, a federal judge ordered Nordean be held in April after deeming him too dangerous to remain free. He is currently appealing the decision On the morning of January 6, prosecutors say, Nordean and Biggs, along with Charles Donohue, 33, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and Zachary Rehl, 35, of Philadelphia, led more than 60 other Proud Boys to the Capitol while then-President Donald Trump was addressing supporters near the White House. Nordean and Biggs also allegedly knocked over a police barrier, which Assistant U.S. Attorney James McCullough said sent a signal to their followers that violence was permissible. 'There can be no adequate safeguard against [either's] ability to mobilize his men in support of a new, unlawful objective,' McCullough wrote in court filings earlier this month. He and other prosecutors urged Kelly last month to revoke Nordean and Biggs' release, claiming Nordean endorsed violence in online videos, criticized police and mobilized a '1776-style' revolt on encrypted message groups. They also sought to detain Biggs, who describes himself as a Proud Boys organizer and allegedly forcibly entered the Capitol twice that day, managing to even reach the Senate Chamber, where then-Vice President Mike Pence was presiding. Attorneys for Nordean and Biggs, however, challenged the notion that the two were leaders in the riot, in which nearly 140 police officers were assaulted, according to the Washington Post. 'Unless it is claimed that the defendants had a plan to topple the world's most powerful government in approximately one hour or less (without any weapons), immediately leave the scene without any law enforcement concern and then throw a carefree music party blocks from the scene of the world-historical crime, both of these contentions cannot be true,' David B. Smith, Nordean's attorney wrote in court filings. 'Squad' members are taking criticism in Congress for their comments questioning Israel amid violent clashes between Israel and Hamas forces in Gaza. As the conflict unfolded this week, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) called Israel's airstrikes on Gaza targets in response to a barrage of missile attacks on its homeland an 'act of terrorism.' 'Israeli air strikes killing civilians in Gaza is an act of terrorism. Palestinians deserve protection. Unlike Israel, missile defense programs, such as Iron Dome, dont exist to protect Palestinian civilians. Its unconscionable to not condemn these attacks on the week of Eid,' she said in reference to the Muslim holiday. Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) called Israel's airstrikes on Gaza targets in response to a barrage of missile attacks on its homeland an 'act of terrorism' 'She's out of her mind when she put that there,' said Sen. Marco Rubio, the top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, in an interview on Fox News. 'The Iron Dome wouldn't need to exist if it wasn't for Hamas and Hezbollah,' he said, in reference to Israel's missile defense system. The U.S. government classified Hamas as a terrorist group. Israel launched a series of airstrikes and artillery fire at targets in Gaza after Hamas fired a barrage of missiles into its territory. President Joe Biden asserted this week that Israel has a 'right to defend itself,' going further Thursday when he said there had not been a 'significant overreaction' by Israel. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez compared the situation of the Palestinians to immigrants detained at the U.S.-Mexico border Palestinian demonstrators hurl rocks toward Israeli forces during clashes near the Jewish settlement of Beit El near Ramallah in the occupied West Bank on May 14, 2021 Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) said Omar was 'out of her mind' when she made her comment Following his initial comment, Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) tweeted: 'Blanket statements like these w/ little context or acknowledgement of what precipitated this cycle of violence - namely, the expulsions of Palestinians and attacks on Al Aqsa - dehumanize Palestinians & imply the US will look the other way at human rights violations. Its wrong.' Fellow Democratic Rep. Ted Deutch, a strong supporter of Israel, this week blasted anyone who would defend Hamas, which is believed to have launched more than 1,000 rockets toward Israel. 'Hamas terrorists have launched >500 rockets at Israel hoping to kill civilians,' he tweeted. 'The international community has condemned Hamas for using human shields & launching rockets from in or near schools and hospitals in violation of international law. No one should defend Hamas. Ever.' In comments on the House floor Thursday night, Ocasio-Cortez linked suffering of the Palestinians to the crisis at the border. She said Americans 'are scared to stand up to the incarceration of children in Palestine because maybe it'll force us to confront the incarceration of children here on our border,' she said, in reference to unaccompanied children who are detained at the border. 'The president and many other figures this week stated that Israel has a right to self-defense,' she said. 'This is a sentiment that is echoed across this body. But do Palestinians have a right to survive? Do we believe that? And if so, we have a responsibility to that as well.' Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass) made her own analogy, claiming that 'Palestinians are being told the same thing as black folks in America.' 'As a black woman in America, I am no stranger to police brutality and state-sanctioned violence. We have been criminalized for the very way we show up in the world,' Pressley said. 'Palestinians are being told the same thing as black folks in America: there is no acceptable form of resistance,' she said. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a statement this week: 'I condemn the escalating and indiscriminate rocket attacks by Hamas against Israel. Israel has the right to defend herself against this assault, which is designed to sow terror and undermine prospects for peace.' She continued: 'Every civilian death is a tragedy that we mourn. Hamass accelerating violence only risks killing more civilians, including innocent Palestinians.' Advertisement A new video has leaked showing US Naval personnel having a close encounter with a UFO - this time a spherical object that makes a controlled descent into the ocean. The object was filmed by a camera aboard the USS Omaha as it sailed off the coast of San Diego in July 2019. Two unidentified crew members could be heard exclaiming: 'Wow, it splashed,' after the ball made a controlled flight over the ocean, then splashed into the sea and disappeared underwater. They filmed the object making a controlled flight above the water for an extended period of time before it finally entered the ocean. Investigative filmmaker Jeremy Corbell shared the footage on Friday with Mystery Wire. It was released the same day that a US Navy pilot told of how he and his colleagues saw UFOs off the Virginia coast so regularly they grew used to the ultra-capable aircrafts' presence. Still images from a newly released video show a spherical object diving into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California A map shows the region where fighter jets encountered the UFOs off the coast of Virginia Former Navy Lieutenant Ryan Graves, who regularly witnessed UFOs in restricted airspace, called them a threat to national security Former Navy Lieutenant Ryan Graves - who refers to UFOs as unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) - called them a threat to national security in an interview with 60 Minutes that will air on Sunday. He and his colleagues spotted the objects hundreds of times in protected air space between 2015 and 2017, and also recorded an encounter off the coast of Jacksonville, Florida, during the same time period. The 60 Minutes report comes as the government is expected to release a report in June on UFO sightings after unclassified videos of them were leaked to The New York Times in 2017. Sen. Marco Rubio called for the detailed analysis after he viewed classified briefings on UAP while he was the head of the Senate Intelligence Committee and asked the Director of National Intelligence for an unclassified report. Respected former government officials have conceded that the sightings are credible, and that the UFOs' origins remains unknown. John Ratcliffe, the former director of national intelligence, told Fox News that these are not just eyewitness accounts - they're videos and measurements taken after 'multiple sensors that are picking up these things.' 'When we talk about sightings, we are talking about objects that have been seen by Navy or Air Force pilots, or have been picked up by satellite imagery, that frankly engage in actions that are difficult to explain, movements that are hard to replicate, that we don't have the technology for, or traveling at speeds that exceed the sound barrier without a sonic boom,' he said. John Ratcliffe, the former director of national intelligence, told Fox News that these are not just eyewitness accounts - they're videos and measurements taken after 'multiple sensors that are picking up these things' USS Omaha in 2019 in restricted waters off the coast of southern California (leaked May 2021) The USS Omaha filmed a round object making a controlled flight above the water for an extended period of time before it finally entered the ocean. Investigative filmmaker Jeremy Corbell shared the footage on Friday with Mystery Wire. Still images from that video were first released in April as the Pentagon confirmed that a set of images and videos showing unidentified flying objects buzzing over Navy warships off the coast of California in 2019 'were taken' by branch personnel. Staff could be heard exclaiming excitedly as the object made a controlled, gradual descent into the Pacific Ocean, before disappearing with a splash. No explanation for the spherical object has been given... The USS Omaha filmed a round object making a controlled flight above the water for an extended period of time before it finally entered the ocean One of the images appears to be a pyramid-shaped object while others were thought to be drones or balloons; however, the Navy has listed them as unknowns. In a statement, a Pentagon spokesperson told Mystery Wire: 'I can confirm that the referenced photos and videos were taken by Navy personnel. The UAPTF has included these incidents in their ongoing examinations.' The confirmation came a week after Admiral Michael Gilday, the chief of naval operations, admitted that he has no idea where the swarm of mysterious Tic Tac-shaped drones that menaced four US destroyers in July 2019 originated. Gilday led an investigation into the incident in which a group of what some have called unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) chased the destroyers for up to 100 nautical miles off the coast of California. The Independence Class littoral combat ship USS Omaha (LCS 12) transits the Pacific Ocean F/A-18E Super Hornets assigned to the Tomcatters of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 31 returned to their home base at Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana in Virginia Beach Flight logs revealed as many as six mystery aircraft swarmed the warships close to a sensitive training area at the Channel Islands at speeds of up to 40mph and with a greater maneuverability than US military drones. When asked directly if the Navy had confirmed the identity of the drones at a media event, Gilday responded: 'No, we have not.' The Drive revealed in February that US Navy warships stationed off the coast of Los Angeles had encountered swarms of mysterious drones, which pursued them at high speed in low visibility. The outlet obtained ship logbooks and internal emails from the Navy under the Freedom of Information Act, and eyewitness descriptions from the staff on board, to establish the UAVs had a far greater aeronautical capability than any previously known drones. Former US Navy Lieutenant Ryan Graves in a F/A-18 fighter off the Virginia coast between 2015 and 2017 Graves' F/A-18 fighter squadron spotted the 'maneuverable' spherical objects flying in restricted airspace near Virginia Beach almost every day from 2015 to 2017, he said. 'I am worried, frankly. You know, if these were tactical jets from another country that were hanging out up there, it would be a massive issue,' Graves told 60 Minutes. 'But because it looks slightly different, we're not willing to actually look at the problem in the face. We're happy to just ignore the fact that these are out there, watching us every day.' He said pilots for the U.S. Navy saw UFOs off the coast of Virginia so frequently they got used to them despite them 'watching us' every day Graves' F/A-18 fighter squadron spotted the 'maneuverable' objects flying in restricted airspace near Virginia Beach almost every day from 2015 to 2017 He said that pilots who have witnessed what the government calls 'unidentified aerial phenomena' have speculated that they might be anything from a secret U.S. technology to an enemy spy plane. Graves also conceded the aircraft could be something else entirely. 'This is a difficult one to explain. You have rotation, you have high altitudes. You have propulsion, right? I don't know. I don't know what it is, frankly,' Graves told 60 Minutes while viewing one of the unclassified videos. 'I would say, you know, the highest probability is it's a threat observation program.' A color image shows one of the unidentified aerial phenomena. Their technical capabilities far exceed that of any known aircraft, sparking fears for US national security Pilots have speculated that they might be anything from a secret U.S. technology to an enemy spy plane The outlet noted that Graves did not rule out the possibility they could be some sort of Russian or Chinese technology. Luis Elizondo, a former official with the Defense Department, told 60 Minutes that the UAPs appear to have 'far superior' technology to anything the United States currently has in its known inventory. 'Imagine a technology that can do 600 to 700 G-forces, that can fly 13,000 miles an hour, that, that can evade radar and can fly through air and water and possibly space,' Elizondo said. 'And oh, by the way, has no obvious signs of propulsion, no wings, no control surfaces and yet still can defy the natural effects of Earth's gravity. That's precisely what we're seeing.' Pyramid shaped objects spotted by hovering above the USS Russell, July 2019 (footage leaked April 2021) Footage filmed around the same time as the spherical ball sighting - but released two months earlier - showed multiple pyramid-shaped objects hovering around 700 feet above the USS Russell Navy Destroyer. It is also believed to have been filmed off the southern California coast, although it is unclear why Mystery Wire leaked this sighting before the sphere. The April photos were leaked from a Pentagon investigation of UFOs by the UAP Task Force, which has been gathering evidence for a report for Congress that's due in June, according to Mystery Wire. The image show unidentified objects flying above four US destroyers, including the USS Kidd Navy destroyer. The outlet had also previously released video reportedly taken in July 2019 by naval officers using a night vision device, which showed pyramid shaped objects hovering 700 feet above a Navy destroyer Mystery Wire says the triangular objects are part of the same incident as the spherical object diving into the sea The video was taken in July 2019 by naval officers using a night vision device US Navy pilot made visual contact with object on November 14, 2004 At least six Super Hornet pilots made visual or instrument contact with the UFO on November 14, 2004. The encounters, which are documented in numerous interviews with first-hand witnesses, remain a mystery, and the object's incredible speed and movements have led to speculation that it was extraterrestrial in origin. The original FLIR video from the USS Nimitz encounters leaked online as early as 2007. Witnesses say that clips of the video had been circulated widely on the Navy's intranet - used to communicate between ships in the carrier group - and an unknown sailor in the group likely first leaked it. The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz and the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea in formation during a Strait of Hormuz transit on September 18, 2020 Navy Commander David Fravor and Lieutenant Commander Jim Slaight had been flying about 100 miles off the coast of San Diego (pictured) in each of their F/A-18F Super Hornets (pictured) when they encountered an unidentified flying object described as a 'Tic Tac' The USS Nimitz, a US Navy aircraft carrier, was at the center of a bizarre UFO sighting saga in 2004. The clip became one of the most-touted pieces of evidence in the UFO community when the Pentagon confirmed its authenticity in 2017. In January, Chad Underwood, the former Navy aviator who shot the famous leaked video clip, broke his silence in an interview with New York Magazine. He said the oblong, wingless 'Tic Tac' shaped object was spotted off the coast of Mexico over the Pacific. He also revealed that for about two weeks, the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Princeton, part of Carrier Strike Group 11, had been tracking mysterious aircraft intermittently on an advanced AN/SPY-1B passive radar. The radar contacts were so inexplicable that the system was even shut down and restarted to to check for bugs - but operators continued to track the unknown aircraft. Then on November 14, Commander David Fravor says he was flying in an F/A-18F Super Hornet when he made visual contact with the object, which seemed to dive below the water, resurface, and speed out of sight when he tried to approach it. As Fravor landed on the deck of the Nimitz, Underwood was just gearing up to take off on his own training run. Fravor told Underwood about the bizarre encounter, and urged Underwood to keep his eyes open. He recalls how he suddenly saw a blip on his radar before tracking it on his FLIR camera. 'The thing that stood out to me the most was how erratic it was behaving,' Underwood told the magazine. 'And what I mean by 'erratic' is that its changes in altitude, air speed, and aspect were just unlike things that I've ever encountered before flying against other air targets.' Underwood said the object wasn't obeying the laws of physics and dropped from 50,000 feet altitude to 100 feet in seconds, which he says, 'isn't possible'. He added that he saw no signs of an engine heat plume or any sign of propulsion. The pilot refuses to speculate as to whether the object is an alien spacecraft or not, however. 'That's not my job. But I saw something. And it was also seen, via eyeballs, by both my commanding officer, Dave Fravor, and the Marine Corps Hornet squadron commanding officer who was out there as well.' An ultra-conservative representative flouted COVID-19 safety guidelines in his Washington DC office even after catching the virus, and told his staff he 'didn't care' about their health, a lawsuit claims. The lawsuit, filed by Brandon Pope in federal court in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, contends that Pope was fired after raising concerns about safety conditions in the workplace, The Denver Post reported. Pope says Lamborn, 66, would regularly sleep in his office, ignore mask wearing and social distancing guidelines, say his wife couldn't be expected to wear a face covering. He is also accused of allowing his son to sleep in the basement of the US Capitol while job hunting. Lamborn spokeswoman Cassandra Sebastian issued a statement strongly denying Pope's allegations and said the congressman 'looks forward to full vindication as all facts come to light.' Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colorado is accused of taking a 'reckless' approach to COVID-19, and exposing his staff and himself to the virus Brandon Pope accuses the congressman of taking a 'reckless' approach to COVID-19, and exposing his staff and himself to the virus On Friday, the eight-term congressman from Colorado Springs told Colorado Public Radio the lawsuit consists of a 'tissue of lies,' and he allowed his son to stay at the Capitol as his guest because of the tight housing market in Washington. According to the lawsuit, Lamborn repeatedly claimed the coronavirus was a 'hoax' and needlessly exposed his congressional staff in Washington by keeping his office open and not allowing them to socially distance. 'Lamborn did not require employees in the District Office to wear masks, claiming that he would not allow House Leadership to dictate how he ran his office, and he did not permit all employees to social distance. 'Worse, when Lamborn and other senior members of his staff became infected with COVID-19 in the fall of 2020, Lamborn refused to implement or follow reasonable and responsible COVID-19 protocols,' the suit read. Lamborn tested positive for the virus in November, and the lawsuit claims he did not implement any safety measures afterwards. Pope also tested positive for the virus by November, according to his suit, although it is unclear who he got it from. The lawsuit alleges the congressman, left, seen here with Liz Cheney (R-Wyoming), right, flouted U.S. House safety rules, ignored warnings about unsafe conditions The lawsuit also alleges that Lamborn told a staffer who was going to wear a mask, 'Well, I don't care about you guys getting it' and that his wife also wouldn't wear a mask because 'no one was going to tell her what to do.' Pope also claimed that one of Lamborn's sons was allowed to live rent-free for weeks in a storage area of the U.S. Capitol's basement after relocating to Washington and that staff were ordered to help him apply for federal jobs. The staff also were required to run personal errands for Lamborn's family, including loading furniture to be moved to their vacation home, picking up personal mail and carrying personal legal documents, according to the lawsuit. The House Ethics manual forbids lawmakers from using staff for anything other than official congressional duties. 'Staff were also made to believe that accepting invitations for family events, including meals with the Lamborn family, was required in order to remain employed,' the lawsuit alleges, adding that aides also were 'compelled' to give Christmas and birthday gifts to Lamborn and his wife. The lawsuit states the congressman allowed his son to live in a storage space in the basement of the Capitol for weeks when his son was relocating to Washington Emails obtained by The Denver Post between staff members show requests for donating money for Christmas gifts and notes about running personal errands for Lamborn's wife. One email from December 9, 2019, was sent to Lamborn's all-staff list by Lamborn Chief of Staff Dale Anderson with the subject line 'Christmas Gift to Lamborns.' 'It looks like we are able to get a gift certificate for the Kennedy Center so they can put toward their favorite concert/show,' Anderson wrote. '$10 from each of us will give them some flexibility in deciding what they want to attend.' 'Pay me cash or send it through Venmo,' he added. Anderson did not respond to calls Friday seeking comment. A second email from one of Lamborn's assistants and schedulers, Linda Rutzen, has the subject line 'Leaving for lunch/errand.' 'Team I am leaving now to run an errand for Mrs. Lamborn, then I will take my lunch hour,' she wrote in the January 9, 2020, email. Pope is seeking a trial and unspecified monetary compensation for emotional pain and suffering, according to the lawsuit. Lamborn was elected to represent Colorado's 5th District in 2006. He holds a host of hardline conservative views, including opposition to gay marriage, abortion, an amnesty for undocumented migrants and legalization of marijuana - although recreational weed is already legal in his home state. Two New York brothers whose wedding video company was nearly destroyed by the pandemic became millionaires after investing $7,900 in a cryptocurrency originally set up as a joke. The siblings - who wished only to be known as Tommy, 38, and James, 42, told CNN, they began dabbling in cryptocurrency in December 2020 after a friend told recommended they invest. The brothers put several hundred dollars in a cryptocurrency called Shiba Inu coin - a parodic spinoff of another cryptocurrency called Dogecoin, named after a breed of Japanese hunting dog. Dogecoin was itself created as a joke by two friends, and features the face of the Shiba Inu dog. An image of a gold Dogecoin, which initially started as a joke, but has since soared in value Musk hosted SNL on May 8 and joked about cryptocurrency being 'a hustle' - tanking its value At the time Tommy and James were recommended to invest, one coin was worth a fraction of a cent. 'I kind of thought about Bitcoin - that was once a fraction of a penny and now it's tens of thousands of dollars, and this happens to people, it's possible,' said Tommy. 'I trusted my friend and I figured if it went to zero, that's OK. I thought of it as a lotto ticket that wouldn't expire.' They also brought in their relatives. 'My mother and sister were skeptical but they each put in $100, too,' Tommy told CNN. 'After a few weeks when it was up about 300 per cent they put another $100 in each, and then it kept going up.' In total, the group put in nearly $8,000. While filming a wedding in mid-April, their investment shot up to $100,000, and kept rising. 'We woke up the next morning and it doubled. We were like, 'Oh my god,'' Tommy said. 'Then it went up to $700,000 and I told my brother it's going to hit a million. I kept refreshing my phone.' A Dogecoin, with a picture of the Shiba Inu dog - a Japanese hunting dog The following day, his prediction came true. 'The day it hit a million - my mom and sister, they didn't think it was real.' The family's initial stake of $7,900 is now worth nearly $9 million as of Thursday, CNN Business confirmed. The brothers are yet to completely cash out their investment, and are holding out for the launch ShibaSwap, a decentralized exchange platform that should make it easier for them to do so. 'This has happened so quickly it's hard to even comprehend the things you can do with this money,' Tommy said. 'My parents' house needs a new roof, so I'll take care of that.' The brothers were overwhelmed by their success, but James warned others that it was a highly risky gamble. 'Don't put in any money that you aren't willing to lose,' he said. 'The meme tokens are very high-risk and you really don't know what is going to happen with them. We know this is not what typically happens, although Shiba has changed our lives. 'When you see it fluctuate so much, it does keep you up at night.' Cryptocurrencies exploded in popularity in 2021, in part thanks to the vocal support of businessmen such as Elon Musk - who backed Dogecoin - and celebrities such as Backstreet Boys star Nick Carter, who is seen frequently tweeting the hashtag #Shiba and #ShibArmy. Backstreet Boys' Nick Carter is among the celebrities investing in Shiba Inu Antonio Brown of the New England Patriots is another cryptocurrency enthusiast Earlier this week, the co-founder of Ethereum, the second-largest cryptocurrency after Bitcoin, Vitalik Buterin, made headlines by donating $1 billion worth of Shiba coin to a COVID-19 relief fund in India. 'As an enthusiast and investor in cryptocurrency, seeing the announcement about SHIB and Ethereum creator Vitalik Buterin's donation to India was very exciting,' Carter told CNN Business in a statement. 'I believe there is an incredible future for Crypto - especially knowing how it can be used for good and more importantly, to save lives.' NFL star Antonio Brown tweeted Wednesday to his million followers that he too has invested in this cryptocurrency. 'The Shiba business is booming and crypto is the way to go,' Brown told CNN Business on Thursday. 'It's a new way of investing.' Cryptocurrencies were once all considered a joke, but are gaining increasing acceptance. Companies such as Microsoft, Sotheby's and Pizza Hut all now accept Bitcoin, the most popular and widely-available cryptocurrency. In March, the cryptocurrency hit an all-time high, with prices surging to $60,000. Bitcoin's volatility is well-publicized and has led many investors, including Warren Buffet, to criticize it and other cryptocurrencies as 'risky' and 'worthless.' However on Wednesday Musk, who has championed cryptocurrency, announced on Twitter that Tesla has 'suspended vehicle purchases using bitcoin,' out of concern over 'rapidly increasing use of fossil fuels for bitcoin mining.' The price of Bitcoin dropped about 5 per cent in the first minutes after Musk's announcement. A former top detective who blew the whistle on Scotland Yards shambolic VIP abuse inquiry has vowed to expose the culture of cover-up in the force at any inquiry into the scandal. Paul Settle was widely praised for speaking out against the Mets Operation Midland witch-hunt while still a serving policeman, but says he was driven to the brink of suicide by senior officers. In a bombshell interview, the ex-detective chief inspector said Midland officers acted like the Gestapo when they raided the homes of falsely accused VIPs including ex-Tory MP Harvey Proctor, former home secretary Leon Brittan and retired Armed Forces chief Lord Bramall on the word of serial liar Carl Nick Beech. Retired Met DCI Paul Settle who exposed the farce of the VIP sex abuse inquiry said Midland officers acted like the Gestapo when they raided the homes of falsely accused VIPs Mr Settle revealed that he contemplated suicide several times after being shunned by senior officers over his public defence of Lord Brittan, after bogus rape allegations were made against the Tory peer by a mentally ill Labour activist known as Jane. She was supported by the partys then deputy leader, Tom Watson. As Home Secretary Priti Patel comes under pressure to order a new investigation into the VIP abuse shambles, Mr Settle backed the assertion by Lord Brittans widow in a Daily Mail interview in February that a culture of cover-up and flick away exists at Dame Cressida Dicks force. Two former judges, six ex-home secretaries and other leading politicians have called for a fresh probe and for police to be held to account after a whitewash report by watchdog the Independent Office for Police Conduct cleared five officers. Mr Settle said officers responsible for the VIP abuse fiasco must be brought to book. Confirming that he would testify against ex-colleagues, he said: This had an incredible impact on me, more importantly on my family and those that I love. And if that can be prevented from happening to anybody else, then thats entirely proper. Mr Settle told the Mail+ True Crime podcast that the Metropolitan Police should also explain publicly why two serial liars and criminals known as witnesses A and B, who supported Beechs false allegations, have not been investigated for perverting the course of justice. There are many, many unanswered questions as to why things havent been done, said Mr Settle. Asked why he agreed with Lady Brittans comments about a culture of cover-up in the Met, he said: Because nothings changed. I was ostracised for the best part of three years. And it took an independent High Court judge, Richard Henriques, to point out that Ive done my job correctly. In 2015 Mr Settle, who was sidelined from his job as head of the paedophile investigation squad after Mr Watson intervened in the Jane rape case, was praised by MPs after publicly criticising the VIP abuse inquiry. Paul Settle said said officers acted like the Gestapo when they raided the homes of falsely accused VIPs including ex-Tory MP Harvey Proctor (right) and former home secretary Leon Brittan (left) In his podcast interview, he said the Met was desperate to stop him appearing before the Commons home affairs committee. By that point, I was at my lowest ebb, he said. And I had contemplated suicide several times. I was in a really, really dark place. He retired from the Met on medical grounds in 2017. Earlier this week, Met Commissioner Dame Cressida came under fire over her role in Operation Midland as she admitted to MPs that many mistakes were made but stood by her decision to investigate Beechs credible claims. She told Nick Ferrari on LBC radio yesterday: I do think it has damaged the Met and I wish that it hadnt happened. In the absence of new evidence, it would be wrong for me to start a new investigation. Asked to comment on Mr Settles retirement, Scotland Yard said: The Met does not believe [he] was hounded out of the organisation. When it comes to the humble water tap, weve never had so much choice. This essential, functional object is often overlooked. But to do so is to miss a design trick, as an oversized spout, a striking colour or an unusual finish can lend a contemporary edge to a bathroom or kitchen with minimal effort. Its easy to get into a tap rut of chrome, says interior designer Rita Konig. But I think taps are a great way to up your look. You can get away with paying less for your bath and basin if you invest in good taps. Splash out: Piccadilly slipper bath, 499, Freestanding mixer tap, 129.99, Bathroom Mountain A small touch can make a big difference as anyone who has washed their hands under the swan taps at the Ritz in Paris will concur. The first decision to make when beginning your tap design journey is whether to go classic or contemporary. A touch of class Classic brassware undoubtedly adds a touch of class to a bathroom or kitchen and is still popular. Pillar taps are for diehard traditionalists: the designs lend themselves to small basins so they can still be found in cloakrooms. The Burlington Claremont chrome 3 in basin taps CL1 have traditional crossheads (thats the cross handle you twist) and are good quality and reasonable (109.88, victorianplumbing.co.uk). Purists can purchase original vintage taps from waterandwood.co.uk where a pair of large brass bath taps is about 245. Classic designs can be cleverly incorporated in modern ways. The black ceramic handles on Catchpole & Ryes polished brass wall mounted swan basin mixer with La Fontaine taphead feel luxurious and bling (696); and the fabulous Lefroy Brooks Belle Air bath mixer in chrome are inspired by 1950s American automobiles. The mixer crosshead taps, with ceramic finish and elegant telephone receiver-shaped showerhead, are still a design classic. Crosswaters Belgravia crosshead bath shower mixer kit BL42DDC, in chrome or unlacquered brass are a safe option (from 430, victorianplumbing.co.uk). The trend for brass and copper taps is running through to the kitchen where it can be mixed with dark granite or light quartz. You cant beat a swan neck for elegance; try the Fortuna Bronze tap from Wren Kitchens (159, wrenkitchens.com) or the Butler & Rose Elizabeth twin lever traditional mono kitchen mixer in antique copper (99.99, tapwarehouse.com). Neptunes Bamburgh chrome and enamel swan-necked kitchen tap is a smart choice for those not embracing the copper trend (220, neptune.com). Contemporary cool Straying from the traditional shape and colour of taps is a great way to jazz things up. Minimalist matte black taps are growing in popularity for those who are looking for a sleek modern feel, says Darren Watts, design director of Wren Kitchens. A matt black tap paired with a stainless-steel sink will pack a punch (Perla Black tap 139, wrenkitchens.com). The king of coloured taps is Danish brand Vola, which has an array of 27 shades. Team the pink 590V-25 deck mounted mixer and a fun bowl to brighten up a guest loo (914.40, en.vola.com). Pretty in pink: The Vola 590V tap and bowl from Denmark adds a very colourful twist Wall-mounted taps are increasingly popular in kitchens and bathrooms as they free up space. The two-handled Arezzo brass, wall-mounted 3TH bath tap looks fab on blush-pink tiles (169, victorian plumbing.co.uk). A high-end industrial design aesthetic can be achieved with a four-hole deck-mounted set such as Grohes Essence single-lever bath mixer in warm sunset (1,332.92, grohe.co.uk). A more feminine twist can be created with West One Bathrooms brushed brass 5th Avenue industrial 3-hole wall-mounted basin mixer (792, westonebathrooms.com). The monobloc tap, where everything is incorporated in one tap and all you do is lift and twist, is in demand. Orchard Derwents water basin mixer sends the water out in a waterfall (31.99, victoriaplum.com). Lusso Luxes silk matt white monobloc mixer tap looks striking when teamed with dark colours (140, lussostone.com). For those with deep pockets the latest kitchen trend is the boiling water tap, which provides instant hot water. Quookers Fusion Square is a square tap (from 1,350, quooker.co.uk). A cheaper option is the matt black swan-necked Vellamo Cappa 3-in-1 (629, tap warehouse.com). The quest for the perfect tap is not difficult; finding a compliant plumber however may be more of a challenge When solar winds hit the Earth they are ten times hotter than scientists would expect, and it is due to turbulence in magnetic fields, a new study reveals. Solar physicists from University College London (UCL) created a series of complex supercomputer simulations to map the hot winds coming from the Sun. The solar wind is a stream of charged particles continuously shot out from the Sun into the solar system, greatly impacting the system and constantly hitting Earth. If the solar wind is particularly strong, it can cause problems to satellites, astronauts in space, mobile phones, transport and even electricity networks. The team say understanding how the wind is able to remain so hot can help space weather forecasters better predict when large storms might hit the Earth in future. It leaves the million degree Celsius outer atmosphere of the Sun and is still 200,000 C by the time it reaches the Earth, but based on expected space conditions scientists predicted it would be closer to 20,000 C as it reached our planet. The simulations revealed that the winds hold their heat thanks to small-scale magnetic reconnections forming in the turbulence of the winds themselves, similar to the process that triggers large flares and eruptions on the surface of the Sun. When solar winds hit the Earth they are ten times hotter than scientists would expect, and it is due to turbulence in magnetic fields, a new study reveals It leaves the million degree Celsius outer atmosphere of the Sun and is still 200,000 C by the time it reaches the Earth, but based on expected space conditions scientists predicted it would be closer to 20,000 C as it reached our planet TURBULENCE FROM MAGNETIC FIELDS KEEP SOLAR WINDS HOT THROUGH SPACE The surface of the sun shakes its own magnetic field, launching waves into the million degree Celsius corona At this point the magnetic field lines are like ropes that you shake at their end In the corona, some of these lines are reflected and begin to interact with those that are travelling upwards This interaction creates turbulence that forces the magnetic field to change direction abruptly This turbulence and change of direction generates energy and heat This continues to happen in the solar winds as they spread out towards Earth, keeping them hot Advertisement The British team, with funding from the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), ran and analysed simulations of the solar wind on a powerful supercomputer. The simulations were carried out using the DiRAC High Performance Computing (HPC) facility's Data Intensive at Leicester service, funded by STFC. The team say understanding how the wind is able to remain so hot can help space weather forecasters better predict when large storms might hit the Earth in future. Using simulations, the team deduced that solar wind stays hot for longer because of small-scale magnetic reconnection that forms in the turbulence of the solar wind. This phenomenon occurs when two opposing magnetic field lines break and reconnect with each other, releasing huge amounts of energy. The convection (like in a pot of boiling water) on the Suns surface shakes the footpoints of the Suns own magnetic field,' co-author Daniel Verscharen told MailOnline. 'This launches waves into the Suns corona,' adding that 'In the corona, some of these waves are reflected and begin to interact with those waves that are travelling upwards. This interaction is one way to create turbulence.' To successfully forecast and prepare for such space weather events, a team of scientists are trying to solve the mysteries that space weather holds, including how the solar wind is heated and accelerated The corona is very hot, reaching about a million degrees Celsius, and expands into space as the solar wind, losing a few million tonnes of material every year. 'At the beginning of the space age we started to measure the solar wind and found out it was still very hot and if you imagine it starts as an expanding gas that starts at the atmosphere of the sun, like every expanding gas it should drop in temperature. 'It is ten times hotter than we would expect it to be, so there must be something that heats the solar wind as it makes its way to the Earth, Verscharen told MailOnline. Using simulations, the team deduced that solar wind stays hot for longer because of small-scale magnetic reconnection that forms in the turbulence of the solar wind The convection (like in a pot of boiling water) on the Suns surface shakes the footpoints of the Suns own magnetic field,' co-author Daniel Verscharen told MailOnline The team found that solar wind is very turbulent, with a lot of eddies and fluctuations in the flow speed, density and the magnetic field. 'The idea is that if there is so much energy in this turbulence, can this energy turn into heat in some way and could that be the answer to the hot wind?,' Verscharen told MailOnline. They put the fluctuations into the massive supercomputer and found that the fluctuations interact with each other forming regions with steep changes in the magnetic field direction, launched a process called magnetic reconnection. 'That is a way how energy can be taken out of the magnetic field and put into the heat of the particles,' Verscharen explained. This graphic shows the breakdown of the sun and its makeup, from the inner core to the solar wind surrounding the star 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 '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 turbulence with it and the turbulence is present as fluctuations in the magnetic field and in the speed and density of the solar wind. Lead author Jeffersson Agudelo of UCL said magnetic reconnection occurs almost spontaneously and all the time in the turbulent solar wind. 'This type of reconnection typically occurs across an area of several hundred kilometres which is really tiny compared to the vast dimensions of space. 'Using the power of supercomputers, we have been able to approach this problem like never before. The magnetic reconnection events we observe in the simulation are so complicated and asymmetric, we are continuing our analysis of these events.' To confirm their predictions, the team will compare their data with the data collected by the European Space Agency's (ESA) latest mission, Solar Orbiter. The Solar Orbiter is designed to find the origins and causes of the solar wind and study the workings of our Sun. This orbiter has already seen 'campfires' on the Sun, which are thought to be regions where magnetic reconnection happens, but 'we don't know if it goes through the turbulence yet,' Verscharen told MailOnline. 'We have found the reconnection forms spontaneously in the turbulence, but in the corona it can probably form due to the structure of the magnetic field, it is a bit different but the process is probably the same.' Data being gathered by the solar orbiter confirms that the simulations being produced in the supercomputer match what is actually happening at the sun. Having this understanding of the process behind heating the solar wind will help with space weather forecasts,' Verscharen told MailOnline. 'What we want to do is predict solar weather like a forecast on Earth can predict storms, but we are lacking behind in ur understanding of the physics behind space weather,' explained Verscharen. Something else they have discovered is that everything in the solar wind varies a lot, linked to the 11 year solar cycle where the sun gets progressively more active. 'For example, heat and strength aren't always linked, you can't say that if it is hotter it will always be stronger,' Verscharen told MailOnline. The team are now working on understanding how the actual turbulence works, the nature of the fluctuations giving energy. The findings have been published in the Journal of Plasma Physics. Being in a good mood typically makes people feel like they are on cloud nine, but studies suggests the boost can cloud their judgement. The upbeat sensation can cause people to accept first impressions of others or events, without challenging, which could set them up for failure later down the road. Australian psychologist Joseph Forgas conducted a study where subjects read a short philosophical essay with a picture showing either an older man or a younger woman. The research analyzed whether or not a good mood would have a bias effect on thinking and it did. Those feeling positive enjoyed the essay more when believing it came from the man, while those in the negative category felt about the same for both. Forgas once wrote: 'The same smile that is seen as friendly by a person in a good mood may be judged as awkward when the observer is in a negative mood; discussing the weather could be seen as 'poised' when the person is in a good mood but 'boring' when that person is in a bad mood.' This statement suggests that how we feel determines what we see around us, what memories we revert back to and how we decipher signals, The Wall Street Journal reports. Being in a good mood typically makes people feel like they are on cloud nine, but studies suggests the boost can clout their judgement. The upbeat sensation can cause people to accept first impressions of someone else or an event, without challenging it, which could set them up for failure later down the road Forgas conducted another experiment about judging whether statements were true or completely made up. And those in a bad mood were less likely to believe the stories. 'Whereas positive mood seems to promote creativity, flexibility, co-operation and reliance on mental shortcuts, negative moods trigger more attentive, careful thinking, paying greater attention to the external world,' Forgas wrote in the 2009 study. Not being able to tell a truth from lie or taking things at face value may not sound so bad if that means feeling great, but that lively feeling can also clout your morals. Whereas positive mood seems to promote creativity, flexibility, co-operation and reliance on mental shortcuts, negative moods trigger more attentive, careful thinking, paying greater attention to the external world A study, conducted by a group of German researchers at the Department of Experimental Psychology at Regensburg University, used the classic hypothetical psychology theory of the trolley problem. In the moral dilemma, there is a trolley barreling down the tracks towards five people who cannot move out of harm's way. What is the trolley problem? In its traditional presentation, this thought experiment involves a runaway trolley or a tram, as they called in Britain which is heading towards some points. If no-one intervenes, the trolley will crash and kill five people. The car can be switched onto the other track, however, where only one person would be in its path. The dilemma explores the choice between the greater good sacrificing one person to save five and following the moral principle that actively killing someone is wrong. Advertisement You are on a bridge over the tracks and have the power to stop the trolley and save the people, but only by hurling a fat man who is on the bridge with you onto the tracks. The team found that participants who were in a positive mood were more likely to agree they would push the man to save the others, but were equally as willing to be persuaded not to push. However, the trolley problem illustrates the problem with how one approaches moral reasoning. Utilitarian calculation, associated with English philosopher Jeremy Bentham, suggests that the loss of one life is preferable to the loss of five. While deontological ethics, associated with Immanuel Kant, prohibits killing someone even in the service of saving several others. The subjects, however, were also influenced into feeling a certain way. Participants in the study were given different works of music to which to listen to get them in the desired disposition. A selection of participants listened to W.A. Mozart's 'Eine Kleine Nachtmusic' and were asked to write down a positive memory they were part of the positive mood group. Those in the negative mood group listened to Samuel Barber's 'Adagio for Strings, op. 11,' and were asked to write down a negative memory. 'These findings suggest that the moment-to-moment variability of mood affects the quality of our judgments in ways that we cannot possibly hope to control, researchers wrote for the WSJ. 'This variability or 'noise' should give a pause to anyone who thinks we can make purely objective judgments. If our mind is a measuring instrument, it is a noisy one.' To many, it might just look like a piece of gravel, but this rock has an extraordinary tale to tell. It is in fact a piece of a meteorite, which has been floating around in space for more than four billion years. It fell to Earth in spectacular fashion in February, crash landing in the Cotswolds and sparking a frantic search effort. After being found in a sheep field, the lump was donated to the museum by its discoverers, despite being estimated by external experts to be worth a whopping 100,000. It is now on display at the Natural History Museum, which will reopen to the public on Monday 17 May. Scroll down for video After being found in a sheep field, the Winchcombe Meteorite is now on display at the Natural History Museum The space rock, named the 'Winchcombe meteorite' after the town where it landed, is an extremely rare type called a carbonaceous chondrite. Never previously found in the UK, these often contain organic compounds providing valuable clues to the building blocks of life in space and what planets are made from. It is the first meteorite to be recovered in the UK for 30 years, thanks to the spectacular orange and green fireball which streaked across the sky and was caught on film by home security cameras. Pictured is a new mineral that has been discovered and is also on display at the Natural History Museum The footage, along with thousands of eyewitness accounts, meant scientists were able to predict where it may have landed. One family heard a loud 'shattering' noise and discovered small fragments of black rock and debris at the top of their drive. Their find prompted experts to search the surrounding area. They eventually came across this large piece weighing 103g in a nearby field. Victoria Bond, 57, whose land it was found on, said: 'There were about seven scientists going up and down looking for any larger pieces they were jumping for joy when they found this one near where my sheep were grazing. 'They said it was career-changing for them, and it's surreal and completely magical for me. I never would have known from just looking at it.' Sara Russell, a meteorite researcher at the Natural History Museum, described the meteorite's discovery as a 'once-in-a-lifetime event'. She said: 'This is just the most special meteorite that I've ever seen in my career. Astronomers say the meteorite plunged into Earth's orbit at around 31,000 mph 40 times the speed of sound before burning up. Pictured, the 300g chunk of the space rock, which astronomers are dubbing the 'Winchcombe meteorite' 'UK meteorites are incredibly rare, so we've been anxiously waiting for another one to fall. And it's the most exciting meteorite because it's full of carbon and water and these are the kind of meteorites we think brought life to Earth. 'They're really important for learning about the origin of our planet and the solar system more broadly. 'We're sure it dates from the very beginning of our solar system, which is more than 4.5 billion years old. The meteor is a rare type of rock called a carbonaceous chondrite which contains amino acids the building blocks of proteins and life 'Because we have all of these observations when it landed, we could work out where it had come from the outermost part of the asteroid belt near Jupiter. 'It's come a really long way. The chances of it hitting the Earth, then hitting a little town in the Cotswolds, are incredible.' The meteorite will be on display to the public in the Vault in the Mineral Gallery from Monday, when the museum reopens to the public. An iron sword deliberately bent as part of a pagan ritual has been discovered in a Roman soldier's grave in Greece, an archaeologist has revealed. The deformed or 'folded' sword was buried with an as yet unidentified soldier about 1,600 years ago in the Greek city of Thessaloniki. His 'arch-shaped' grave was found in the underground remains of a basilica a large public building and place of worship dating from the fifth century AD. Along with the sword, the man was found buried with a spearhead and a 'shield-boss' the circular centre of a shield. The sword (pictured) was deliberately bent in some form of pagan ritual, according to a Greek archaeologist The soldier's grave was found in Thessaloniki, Greece during excavation work for a subway line The 'astonishing' findings have been shared by Errikos Maniotis, an archaeologist at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece, who believes the man likely served in the Roman imperial army. 'Usually, these types of swords were used by the auxiliary cavalry forces of the Roman army,' Maniotis told Live Science. 'Thus, we may say that the deceased, taking also into consideration the importance of the burial location, was a high-ranking officer of the Roman army. It's rare to find a 'folded' sword in an urban landscape, let alone in this part of Europe, Maniotis pointed out. Image of the underground remains of the ancient basilica - a large public building and place of worship 'Folded swords are usually excavated in sites in Northern Europe,' he said. 'It seems that Romans didn't practise it, let alone when the new religion, Christianity, dominated, due to the fact that this ritual [was] considered to be pagan.' Archaeologists are yet to assess the remains of the soldier, described as likely a 'Romanized Goth or from any other Germanic tribe who served as a mercenary'. 'We don't know anything about his profile age of death, cause of death, possible wounds that he might have from the wars he fought,' Maniotis said. The soldier's grave was one of seven found in the basilica, but not all of them were found containing artefacts. Along with the sword, the man was found buried with a spearhead and a 'shield-boss' the circular centre of a shield Researchers have called it the 'Sintrivani basilica' after the upcoming station, which itself is named after an Ottoman fountain near the entrance (pictured) According to Live Science, the basilica was discovered in 2010 during an excavation in preparation for construction of a new subway line the Sintrivani station, which is due to enter service in 2023. Researchers have called it the 'Sintrivani basilica' after the station, which itself is named after an Ottoman fountain near the entrance. Allegedly, the basilica was built over a fourth-century chapel, which might be the oldest Christian church in Thessaloniki, according to Maniotis. The church was damaged in the seventh century and abandoned in the eighth or ninth century, he added. Archaeologists have also excavated the basilica's 'beautiful' mosaic floor, which 'shows a vine with birds on its stalks', including a mythical phoenix with a halo. The next SpaceX Starship prototype will be sent into orbit, launching from Texas and making a 'soft ocean landing' off the coast of Hawaii, an FCC filing revealed. The Elon Musk-owned space firm hasn't confirmed when they will launch the prototype, but the filing revealed the flight will last about 90 minutes. SpaceX has completed a number of tests on the 160ft tall rocket, which is about the size of a 16-story building, with the most recent, SN15, landing on the launch pad. The next version will be bigger still, standing at 400ft tall thanks to the the Super Heavy booster that will lift the spaceship into orbit before separating and falling back to Earth, landing in the Gulf of Mexico 20 miles from shore. Scroll down for video The next SpaceX Starship prototype will be sent into orbit, launching from Texas and making a 'soft ocean landing' off the coast of Hawaii, an FCC filing revealed. Pictured is SN15 after it made a safe landing on the pad May 5 A map provided as part of SpaceX's FCC filing shows how the Starship rocket would launch from Texas before reaching orbit The orbital part of Starship, the portion tested so far, will perform a powered, targeted landing after achieving orbit, coming down 60 miles off the Hawaii coast. The FCC filing explains: 'The Starship Orbital test flight will originate from Starbase, TX. 'The Booster stage will separate approximately 170 seconds into flight. The Booster will then perform a partial return and land in the Gulf of Mexico approximately 20 miles from the shore. The orbital part of Starship, the portion tested so far, will perform a powered, targeted landing after achieving orbit, coming down 60 miles off the Hawaii coast 'The Orbital Starship will continue on flying between the Florida Straits. It will achieve orbit until performing a powered, targeted landing approximately 100km (~62 miles) off the northwest coast of Kauai in a soft ocean landing.' A year ago, Elon Musk announced to SpaceX employees that Starship progress was a top priority, with progress accelerating 'dramatically and immediately.' That resulted in a rapid increase in Starship prototypes being built, often with a new prototype ready before the previous one had even been tested. SpaceX completes successful flight and landing of Starship SN15 in Boca Chica, Texas. Starship SN15 is short for 'serial number fifteen' Operating from the Boca Chica launch centre in Texas, the test flights have ranged from static firing the engines, to launching up to six miles into the air and attempting to land back down on the launch pad at Boca Chica. The first time SpaceX achieved a landing without blowing up was on May 5, when the SN15 rocket flew six miles up then returned safely to the landing pad. The orbital flight would last just over 90 minutes and while the exact date hasn't been confirmed, Musk has previously said he wants to reach orbit by July. One of the first phases of this ambitious plan is to ensure Starship rockets are fully reusable - and re-flying SN15 (pictured) could be the start. Musk has calculated that to put one million humans on Mars by 2025, his Starship rockets would need to conducted around three flights a day SpaceX is working with the FCC, US Air Force, NASA and the FAA for the flight to arrange the safest time to launch. One of SpaceX's key goals is to ensure that the Starship rockets are reusable. Musk has calculated that to put one million humans on Mars by 2025, his Starship rockets would need to conducted around three flights a day and a total of 1,000 flights a year. We all know at least one person who metaphorically talks out of their rear end, but it may be possible to literally breathe via your behind, a study has determined. This is a trick employed by certain aquatic organisms like some freshwater catfish, loaches and sea cucumbers to help them survive in low-oxygen conditions. Bypassing lungs or gills, this method sees oxygen absorbed directly into the blood via the intestinal lining. It has long been debated if mammals can do the same. Experts led from the Tokyo Medical and Dental University have demonstrated that mice, rats and pigs can take in oxygen delivered by means of a special liquid enema. Should the findings prove applicable to humans as well, this alternative ventilation method could be used clinically to help stave off respiratory failure. While unusual, this approach could be beneficial in this time of COVID-19, which has seen critical shortages of conventional ventilators in hospitals around the globe. WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT Researchers believe that mechanical ventilation (left) could be replaced with intestinal liquid ventilation (right), in which patients would be given an enema of oxygenated perfluorochemicals Intestinal breathing is a trick employed by certain aquatic organisms like loaches (left) and sea cucumbers (right) to help them survive in low-oxygen conditions 'Artificial respiratory support plays a vital role in the clinical management of respiratory failure,' said paper author and Takanori Takebe of the Tokyo Medical and Dental University and the Cincinnati Children's Hospital. Respiratory failure can result from the contraction of various severe illnesses including acute respiratory distress syndrome, COVID-19 and pneumonia. 'Although the side effects and safety need to be thoroughly evaluated in humans, our approach may offer a new paradigm to support critically ill patients with respiratory failure,' Dr Takebe added. In their study, Dr Takebe and colleagues first designed an intestinal gas ventilation that was capable of administering pure oxygen to mice via their recta. The team demonstrated that, without the ventilation system, mice were not able to survive even 11 minutes in extremely low-oxygen conditions. However, with intestinal gas ventilation, the researchers found that more oxygen was able to reach the mice's hearts, and three-quarters of the rodents were able to survive in the extreme low-oxygen conditions for a whole 50 minutes. The team first designed an intestinal gas ventilation that was capable of administering pure oxygen to mice via their recta (pictured) This gas ventilation system has a drawback in that it works most efficiently when the muscosa the inner lining of the intestinal tract is physically abraded with a brush. This means that such is unlikely to be clinically suitable, especially when dealing with severely ill patients, the researchers conceded. To circumvent this issue, the team developed a liquid-based alternative which makes use of so-called oxygenated perfluorochemicals. This compound has previously been determined to be biocompatible and safe to use in humans, and has been used clinically for airway-based liquid ventilation. The team developed a liquid-based alternative which makes use of so-called oxygenated perfluorochemicals and tested it on mice, rats and pigs in the lab In lab tests, the intestinal liquid ventilation system was also found to provide therapeutic benefits to mice, rats and pigs who were exposed to non-lethal, low-oxygen conditions. The mice were found to be able to better oxygenate their hearts and walk further (managing a mean rate of 9.9cm per minute) in a 10 per cent oxygen chamber than their peers who were not given the treatment (who managed 0.4cm per minute). In pigs, similar results were seen, with the intestinal liquid ventilation resulting in increased bodily oxygen levels and a reduction in skin pallor and coldness, without the production of obvious negative side effects. 'We show the effectiveness of an enteral ventilation approach in attaining systemic oxygenation in both rodent and porcine models,' the team wrote in their paper. 'Intrarectal delivery of a liquid form of O known as conjugated perfluorocarbon [] is highly tolerable and efficacious in ameliorating severe respiratory failure.' In pigs the intestinal liquid ventilation resulted in increased bodily oxygen levels and a reduction in skin pallor and coldness, without the production of obvious negative side effects. Pictured: the process of oxygenating the perfluorochemicals (left), preparing the enema (centre) and delivering it to the pig (right) 'This is a provocative idea and those first encountering it will express astonishment,' Caleb Kelly an internal medicine expert from Yale University who was not involved in the present study wrote in an associated commentary article. 'Yet, as the potential clinical role is considered and the data presented by [the team] is examined, enteral ventilation via anus emerges as a promising therapy deserving scientific and medical interest.' The finding, Dr Kelly added, 'opens the possibility of recruiting the distal gut to aid when mechanical ventilation of the lungs is inadequate.' With their initial study complete, the researchers are planning to conduct further preclinical studies, while also beginning the regulatory steps needed to bring their respiration system to a clinical application that could be used on human patients. Their ongoing work is being supported by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, with the specific goal of helping to combat COVID-19. 'The recent SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is overwhelming the clinical need for ventilators and artificial lungs resulting in a critical shortage of available devices, and endangering patients' lives worldwide,' Dr Takebe said. 'The level of arterial oxygenation provided by our ventilation system, if scaled for human application, is likely sufficient to treat patients with severe respiratory failure, potentially providing life-saving oxygenation.' The full findings of the study were published in the journal Med. Dark matter, which is said to make up 85 percent of the universe, has eluded scientists for more than 50 years, but new research may have solved why. A team of American researchers hypothesize that our galaxy is filled with tiny particles with mass, known as dark photons, and traditional particle physics experiments are unable to detect them. Essentially, dark matter may be too light for current technology to pick up. With this new hypothesis, the team proposes a coin-sized accelerometer made of silicon nitride and a super-thin mirror to bounce light between the two surfaces. If the distance between the two materials changes, researchers would know from the reflected light that dark photons were present because the silicon nitride and beryllium have different material properties - thus revealing the existence of dark matter. The team proposes a coin-sized accelerometer made of silicon nitride and a fixed beryllium mirror to bounce light between the two surfaces to find tiny, light-weight particles that could make up dark matter The idea of dark matter, originally known as 'missing matter,' was formulated in 1933, following the discovery that the mass of all stars in the Coma cluster of the galaxies used about one percent of the mass needed to keep galaxies from escaping the cluster's gravitational pull. Decades later in the 1970s, American astronomers Vera Rubin and Kent Ford found anomalies in the orbits of stars in galaxies. This discovery sparked a theory among the scientific community that the anomalies were caused by masses of invisible 'dark matter,' located in and around galaxies. University of Delaware's Swati Singh gives another explanation to the existence of dark matter. If the distance between the two materials changes, researchers would know from the reflected light that dark photons were present because the silicon nitride and beryllium have different material properties - thus revealing the existence of dark matter When adding up all things that emit light, such as stars, planets and interstellar gas, the total only comes to about 15 percent of matter in the universe, which is why experts say dark matter makes up the other 85 percent. The mysterious substance does not emit light, but researchers are sure it exists by its gravitational effect and they know it is not typical matter such is not ordinary matter, such as gas, dust, stars, planets and us. 'It could be made up of black holes, or it could be made up of something trillions of times smaller than an electron, known as ultralight dark matter' said Singh, a quantum theorist known for her pioneering efforts to push forward mechanical dark matter detection. And now Signh and her colleagues propose the elusive matter is made of up trillions of tiny, light weight particles known as dark photons. The device is a thin piece of silica nitride glass that is stretched into a drum. It is 100 nanometers thick and a millimeter wide. Such extreme ratios of thinness to width make the drum very sensitive to inertial forces while at the same time decoupling it from other environmental disturbances This is a type of dark matter that would exert a weak oscillating force on normal matter, causing a particle to move back and forth. However, since dark matter is everywhere, it exerts that force on everything, making it hard to measure this movement. The team believes they can overcome this obstacle using accelerometers, a tool that measures proper acceleration or vibration. The device is a thin piece of silica nitride glass that is stretched into a drum, along with a fixed beryllium mirror - the same material NASA used on its James Webb Telescope that will study the oldest and mist distant stars. 'It is 100 nanometers thick and a millimeter wide. Such extreme ratios of thinness to width make the drum very sensitive to inertial forces while at the same time decoupling it from other environmental disturbances,' according to the team. 'If the force is material dependent, by using two objects composed of different materials the amount that they are forced will be different, meaning that you would be able to measure that difference in acceleration between the two materials,' said Jack Manley, a UD doctoral student, the paper's lead author. Dalziel Wilson, a University of Arizona assistant professor, describes the device as similar to a miniature tuning fork. 'It's a vibrating device, which, due to its small size, is very sensitive to perturbations from the environment,' he said. The search tool is free to use, thought it offers premium features Despite the controversy surrounding Polish-based facial recognition software PimEyes, an extensive test of the search engine shows that it has trouble identifying ordinary people. Of the more than 25 searches performed by DailyMail.com, the AI-powered system had varying levels of trouble with 70 percent of photos, including rotated images or those that are slightly blurred. Journalists and celebrities seemed to be fairly accurate, but only 25 percent of results were entirely accurate for the average person. However, this is why security experts deem PimEyes a 'serious security risk' - the site provides information to social media accounts. Some of the matches included URL's to the individual's Instagram, TikTok, Tumblr and Facebook, along with personal blogs. Those looking to 'stalk' someone using PimEyes may be able to find their target, but will have to sift through a trove of pornographic images. Approximately 15 percent of search results popped up with explicit images that link back to the original adult content site. Scroll down for video Despite the controversy surrounding Polish-based facial recognition software PimEyes, an extensive test of the search engine shows that it has trouble identifying ordinary people. Most search results were incorrect, except for one from Facebook more than 10 years ago. Other results had varying levels of success -- one return popped up a correct image from Facebook from more than a decade ago, but the rest of the returns were inaccurate. Only 26 percent of returns were entirely accurate, with no apparent reason, as most of the subjects had social media profiles either sparse or set to private The site, which uses more than 900 million images to find people, allows people to perform reverse image searches and find pictures around the web that it believes is the same person. For the free search, it offers a generic site name where the previous picture was found, but notes that it does offer privacy features, including protecting against 'scammers, identity thieves, or people who use your image illegally.' Only 26 percent of returns were entirely accurate, with no apparent reason, as most of the subjects had social media profiles either sparse or set to private. Journalists (pictured) and celebrities seemed to be fairly accurate A search for DailyMail.com journalist Jen Smith pulled up mostly accurate images from Daily Mail links, which all link back to DailyMail content A paid subscription, which can cost as little as $23.99 per month, provides additional detail, such as the link where the picture was found. Despite the lackluster results from DailyMail.com's recent testing, Digital Warfare principal analyst James Knight said the service is 'very open to abuse.' 'Although it is marketed for individuals to search for their own image, anyone can search for your image,' Knight said via email on Friday. 'The main fear is that this will be used maliciously by stalkers to find more information on you.' Knight continued: 'One quick photo taken of someone could be uploaded to reveal potentially hundreds of photos of them, and from there, their name, address, phone numbers, email addresses. This tool is one more level in the eroding of personal privacy.' Despite offering a free service that uses artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms, the company's paid offering goes into further detail, providing the link where the photo came from. It also allows users to set up alerts that a matching image they uploaded is added to the internet. Despite the controversy surrounding Polish-based facial recognition software PimEyes, a recent test of the search engine shows that it has trouble identifying ordinary people. Left is the original photo uploaded and right are PimEyes results Of the more than 20 searches performed by DailyMail.com, it had trouble with 12, including when images are rotated on their side or slightly blurred. Some search results even popped up with pornographic images. Left is the original photo uploaded and right are PimEyes results A paid subscription, which can cost as little as $23.99 per month, provides additional detail, such as the link where the picture was found - which can be seen on the bottom left of the result images. Left is the original photo uploaded and right are PimEyes results One premium account allows users individuals and businesses to pay $29.99 per month for one-month access and 25 searches per day. A more expensive plan, at $299.99 a month, allows 'unlimited' searchers and one-month access. The company also provides a 20 percent discount if plans are billed annually. In order for photos to be removed from the site, a person can request that they can be taken down via an online form. But to truly be removed from the search engine, PimEyes offers a 'PROtect service,' for $79.99 a month that lets users have '4 hours/month of professional services during which our agent endeavors to remove your photos from the source websites.' London-based technology researcher Stephanie Hare told The Washington Post that it's possible for strangers to keep tabs on other people's lives. ORIGINAL: Pictured is another image DailyMail used to test how inaccurate PimEyes was at finding ordinary people on the web RESULTS: Although the results do not show the man in the original, PimEyes was able to produce images with people wearing masks 'What is stopping them? Literally nothing,' Hare told the news outlet. 'The people who put those pictures on the Internet - with their children, their parents, the people who might be vulnerable in their life - were not doing it so they could feed a database that companies could monetize,' she continued. 'I can leave my phone at home. What I can't leave is my face.' DailyMail.com has reached out to PimEyes with a request for comment. PimEyes has been used by people on 4chan and other websites that have paid subscriptions to 'stalk women,' creating threads of them, according to The Post, citing an interview with Aaron DeVera, a security researcher in New York. PimEyes has also come under fire in the past for potentially violating the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) usage of facial recognition. Daily Mail reporters tested the site and found it had limited and temperamental success for a photo of a member of the general public. Pictured, two images that were uploaded. The selfie on the left yielded no matches. The image on the right, from Facebook, did create matches FAIL: Daily Mail tested the site to see how effective it was at finding non-famous people. When a selfie was put into the system, it found no correct matches (pictured) MATCH: When a Facebook profile picture was used and not a new selfie, the site found more pictures which are available online (pictured, the results). However, it is worth noting that two of the results included the exact same image as the profile photo (top left) However, the company says PimEyes was created as 'a multi-purpose tool' that allows people to track down their face on the internet, reclaim image rights, and monitor their online presence. That means if a person inputs a picture of a stranger to the site and sets up an alert for their face, the system will let the customer know when it finds this stranger in a picture posted to Twitter, for example. PimEyes premium allows people to set up to 25 alerts. These could be used for 25 photos of a single person, to increase success odds, or be photos of 25 people. Dave Gershgorn recently reported for OneZero that the site also offers contracts to law-enforcement agencies. When the Twitter display photo of MailOnline health editor Stephen Mathews (pictured) was fed into PimEyes, it found correct matches He reports that the facial recognition software has the ability to scan 'darknet websites' as well as the surface web, and says that PimEyes is incorporated into the app of at least one company, called Paliscope. Paliscope is targeted at law-enforcement agencies to allow them to use facial recognition on images and files, to help identify suspects in a case. Paliscope recently partnered with 4theOne Foundation, an organization which is dedicated to finding trafficked children. PimEyes claims to allow people to protect their privacy and prevent the misuse of their images, but there are no safeguards in place to ensure a person uploads their own face. MATCH: Pictured, the first page of PimEyes results when health editor at MailOnline, Stephen Matthews, used his Twitter profile picture. It correctly matched his face to more than ten results, however six of the results included the exact same photo (pictured) MATCH: Pictured, more results for Stephen Matthews (pictured). These matches are the correct person but they are all variations of two individual photos smiling after receiving a journalism award and a front-on picture used in another MailOnline article. It did not find any surprising or hidden pictures There is nothing to prevent people uploading a photo of a stranger taken without permission and scouring the web for more details on their life. The ability to seek out more images and information on a person from a single photo poses dangers to all manner of people. PimEyes is not the first site to give the public access to facial recognition technology and search for a person's face online. In 2020, Russian search engine Yandex was accused of providing an unregulated facial recognition system and violating personal privacy. Yandex, which claims to conduct more than 50 per cent of Russian searches on Android, allows users to input an image and see results of the exact same person. Another Russian company, called NtechLab, launched FindFace in 2016. This functioned in a similar way to PimEyes and was extremely popular. It was eventually shut down and the tech adapted for state surveillance. The company's founders said at the time that they built the technology to help women find someone to date. The photograph of Piers Morgan holding up a sausage roll yielded several different results of the journalist and TV personality from elsewhere on the internet (pictured) Last year, Comparitech security specialist Brian Higgins told MailOnline that PimEyes poses 'very serious and obvious privacy implications'. 'I seriously doubt the developers are so naive as to think it would only be used for its designated purpose,' he added. 'Unfortunately, the internet is not governed by any blanket privacy protections. Every site or platform will ask users to accept its Terms and Conditions. 'These are almost always many pages long and will include reference to "image ownership" which often allows the provider rights to storage and use of any images. 'The FindFace T&Cs were a prime example of this, yet global uptake was swift and substantial. 'Unfortunately, nobody reads the Terms and Conditions, thus allowing platforms like PimEyes to leverage new and developing technologies to provide potentially unethical products and services. 'The only solution to the problem is for individual internet users to take their own privacy more seriously and take steps to protect themselves.' As recently as June 2020, MailOnline reporters tested the site and found it had limited and temperamental success for a photo of a member of the general public. When used on celebrities however, the site was, unsurprisingly, far more effective. Images of Amanda Holden, Piers Morgan and Boris Johnson all yielded hundreds of correct matches, showing the effectiveness of the technology for a face that is regularly in the public domain. It appears to be more effective on high-resolution images already online, as opposed to new selfies that have not been shared before. Pictured, the image of MailOnline health reporter Connor Boyd which was inputted into the PimEyes system This ability differentiates it from mainstream search engines such as Google, which do not use facial recognition in image searches. Instead, Google's technology looks for similar features such as attire and surroundings. For example, if a white man with brown hair wearing a blue tie in front of a white background uses Google Image search on a selfie, it will provide images that match the description. It does not use data from a person's face. PimEyes however, pulled up images where I was wearing a variety of clothes in different lighting and surroundings, indicating it does indeed use facial recognition. Health editor at MailOnline, Stephen Matthews, used his Twitter profile picture and found the site was moderately successful. MailOnline health reporter Connor Boyd also tested the PimEyes technology. After inputting a clear image, the software was able to correctly identify just one other image of Boyd. This image a five-year-old holiday photo (top left) was surprising as it is a photo with very little prominence online or on social media It correctly matched his face to more than ten results, however six of the results were the exact same photo on different domains. The other results were variations of two individual photos smiling after receiving a journalism award and a front-on picture used in another MailOnline article. It did not find any surprising or hidden pictures. MailOnline health reporter Connor Boyd also tested the PimEyes technology. After inputting a clear image, the software was able to correctly identify just one other image of Boyd. This image a holiday photo from 2015 was surprising as it is a photo with very little prominence online or on social media. However, more readily available images of Boyd were not identified by the software, despite his face appearing in past articles on MailOnline, one of the world's most read websites. All other results were incorrect. For celebrities and well-known people like Tom Brady, PimEye does bring up accurate results A team of scientists have petitioned US Fish and Wildlife Service to reintroduce jaguars to the US in an effort they describe as 'righting a wrong done to America's Great Cat.' Jaguars roamed the central mountains of Arizona and New Mexico for hundreds of years, but humans drove the animals to local extinction by the mid-20th century. A new paper, published by 16 conservation biologists, suggests an area in spanning across the states would include two million acres that is suitable for 90 to 150 jaguars. 'The jaguar lived in these mountains long before Americans did,' said Eric Sanderson, WCS Senior Conservation Ecologist and lead author of the study. 'If done collaboratively, reintroduction could enhance the economy of this region and the ecology of this incredible part of jaguar range.' Scroll down for video A team of scientists have petitioned US Fish and Wildlife Service to reintroduce jaguars to the US in an effort they describe as 'righting a wrong done to America's Great Cat The jaguar is listed as endangered in the US, as well as Mexico. Only seven adult males have been spotted in the wild since 1996 and the last female was killed in 1963 by an Arizona hunter near Big Lake in the White Mountains. Before colonizers stepped on to the 'New World,' jaguar territory stretched from California down to Texas. Reports say the last cat in California was killed on Mt. San Jacinto, in Riverside County, sometime in the 1860s. Jaguars roamed the central mountains of Arizona and New Mexico for hundreds of years, but humans drove the animals to local extinction by the mid-20th century The jaguar is listed as endangered in the US, as well as Mexico. Only seven adult males have been spotted in the wild since 1996 and the last female was killed in 1963 (pictured) by an Arizona hunter near Big Lake in the White Mountains Today, their roam Central America through South America, and as far south as northern Argentina with the core population living in the Amazon River basin. However, a narrow band of occupied jaguar habitat runs north through Mexico and stretches into the US and some sightings have been reported. 'Our world's natural heritage is diminished nearly everywhere; here is a model for who, where, how and why people should invest in restoring it,' reads the For the jaguar, America's Great Cat, the question is when.' The more than a dozen researchers aim to convince the US Fish and Wild Service to take a second look at a 2018 recover plan of the jaguar. That plan considered only habitat south of Interstate Highway 10 (an artificial boundary considering historic jaguar records north of that) and therefore concluded there was habitat for only six jaguars. The two million acres of land had not been mentioned in the previous proposal, which sits to the north, widening the territory for large cats. 'The jaguar lived in these mountains long before Americans did,' said Eric Sanderson, WCS Senior Conservation Ecologist and lead author of the study. 'If done collaboratively, reintroduction could enhance the economy of this region and the ecology of this incredible part of jaguar range.' The paper lays out key aspects of why and how these animals could thrive in the mountains once again. A new paper suggests an area in spanning across the states would include two million acres that is suitable for 90 to 150 jaguars. The region still bears the same ecosystem from when the cats roamed free, along with a large population of potential prey The region still bears the same ecosystem from when the cats roamed free, along with a large population of potential prey. 'Given its elevation and latitude, it may provide an important climate refuge for the species in the future, though further research is required,' the team wrote. A majority of land is managed for public good and is only home to 381,000 people who live mostly in the cities and town, not near the forested areas. Also in this area are two tribal nations, the White Mountain Apache and the San Carlos Apache, which manage nearly 12 percent. The paper provides an example of tribes recovering Mexican wolves in 1998. Eleven wolves were reintroduced that grew to 163 individuals in 37 packs. 'This represents a turning point for this iconic wild cat, identifying a path forward for restoration of the jaguar to its historic range in the United States,' said Sharon Wilcox Ph.D., Texas Representative for Defenders of Wildlife. 'It should serve as the starting point for a renewed conversation among stakeholders.' Advertisement The Algarve in Portugal is the cheapest Eurozone destination for British holidaymakers this summer. That's according to the 2021 Post Office Travel Money Holiday Money report, which also reveals that Portugal - one of the 12 countries on the UK government's 'green list' for travel and accepting Britons from Monday - has earned the highest rating for good value from UK holidaymakers. When British tourists were asked to name the destinations they believed offered good value, Portugal topped the ratings alongside 'amber light' rated Greece and Spain's Costas providing a clue to where they are most likely to book holidays once travel is allowed. The Algarve in Portugal, pictured, is the cheapest Eurozone destination for British holidaymakers, according to the annual Post Office Travel Money Holiday Money report All three scored 89 per cent and that approval rating rose to 90 per cent or more among holidaymakers who had previously visited those countries (Greece - 92 per cent, Spain - 91 per cent, Portugal - 90 per cent). Thailand was named the best-value long-haul destination with a score of 81 per cent, rising to 92 per cent among past visitors. However, according to the annual report's Worldwide Holiday Costs Barometer of 46 destinations, Sunny Beach in Bulgaria - currently on the government's 'amber light' list - for the fourth consecutive year is the destination where holidaymakers will actually find the lowest prices for a range of eight tourist staples: a three-course evening meal for two with wine, a bottle of beer, a glass of wine, a can of Coca-Cola, a large bottle of water, a cup of coffee, suncream and insect repellent. It says that prices at Sunny Beach were already at rock-bottom, but have fallen a further 14 per cent since last spring. It's now possible to buy the eight tourist staples for just under 28, making Sunny Beach a quarter cheaper than runner-up Turkey. Barometer costs in Marmaris have also fallen by around 14 per cent year on year to 37, but this is entirely thanks to the weak Turkish lira, says the Post Office. Sunny Beach, Bulgaria, pictured, which is currently on the government's 'amber light' list, is the destination where UK holidaymakers will actually find the lowest prices for a range of eight tourist staples Costs in Marmaris, Turkey (pictured), which is the second-cheapest destination overall, have fallen by around 14 per cent year on year Bali, pictured, is the cheapest long-haul destination for Britons thanks to a 13 per cent fall in barometer costs The Algarve (44) completes the top three, with a 16.5 per cent fall in barometer costs, helping it consolidate its long-established position as the Eurozone's cheapest resort area. The price fall has helped Portugal to pull away from Spain's Costa del Sol, which is 31 per cent pricier at 58. The Costa has fallen from fifth to seventh place in the barometer top 10 after registering a three per cent price rise. Another Portuguese destination, Madeira (62, 10th), is one of two new entrants to the top 10, edging out Cyprus (67, 13th). Tables showing the prices in the 14 cheapest destinations analysed by Post Office Travel Money The second new entrant to the best value top 10 is Sri Lanka (9th), which replaces Japan, where prices in Tokyo (down from 3rd to 12th in the table) have risen 24 per cent to 66. The 16 per cent reduction in prices to 59 in Sri Lanka is a consequence of the weak rupee, since local prices remain on par with a year ago. Prices for long-haul destinations were provided by tour operator Travelbag. While Thailand was named best-value long-haul destination by UK holidaymakers, the Worldwide Holiday Costs Barometer reveals that prices are lower in both Bali and Vietnam. These tables show the mid-level destinations for value in 2021, from Malta to Dubai Bali (55) has risen up the barometer table to fourth place, thanks to a 13 per cent fall in barometer costs, making it the cheapest long-haul destination surveyed this year. Hoi An in Vietnam (58) takes eighth place after recording a nine per cent price fall. Prices in Phuket (81, 26th) are 42 per cent higher. Cape Town, South Africa (56, 5th), and Czech capital Prague (57, 6th) complete the 10 best-value destinations although prices have risen 11 per cent in Cape Town, one of only seven destinations surveyed to show an increase. Tables showing the most expensive destinations for British holidaymakers out of the 46 surveyed by Post Office Travel Money By contrast, prices have fallen in over three-quarters of the 37 destinations that were listed in last year's Worldwide Holiday Costs Barometer - by over 10 per cent in a third of them. Turning to the outlook for travel, the report's overarching theme, consumer research on attitudes to holidays abroad reveals caution, anticipation and aspiration in equal measure, says the Post Office. Besides obvious concerns about the impact of Covid-19 on holiday cost and safety, with 90 per cent worried that changes to travel rules could cost them money, two-thirds of consumers remain concerned about post-Brexit red tape and delays. When asked what would prompt their future holiday choice, 57 per cent of holidaymakers named scenery, while 43 per cent said it was the chance to see the 'world's great sights' and 37 per cent said they wanted to see wildlife. Australia currently off-limits to UK visitors topped the list when consumers were asked by the Post Office about which destinations they would like to visit the most. Pictured is Sydney Harbour The beautiful Lake Wanaka in New Zealand, which topped the list with Australia as the No.1 bucket list destination This helps to explain their bucket list choices, says the Post Office. Australia and New Zealand currently off-limit to UK visitors top the list and were chosen by 44 per cent of consumers. Canada was third with a 41 per cent vote, while Iceland (38 per cent) was the highest-placed European destination. However, the healthy performance of sterling against most holiday currencies could prove the tipping point in their decision making. Analysis by Post Office Travel Money reveals that sterling is currently stronger than a year ago against over three-quarters of its top 30 currencies. The most significant gains of more than 20 per cent are against the Turkish lira, Costa Rican colon and Jamaican dollar. Sterling has also risen noticeably against the US dollar and Caribbean currencies. Nick Boden, Post Office head of travel money, says: 'Sterling's strength against the majority of holiday currencies means it really ought to play an important part in decisions about where to travel abroad. 'The purchasing power of the pound means people changing 500 into US dollars or East Caribbean dollars, the currency for Antigua, St Lucia and Grenada, will get the equivalent of around 61 extra.' Those Who Wish Me Dead (15) Rating: Verdict: For she's a Jolie good fellow The Secrets We Keep Rating: Verdict: Derivative thriller Some Kind Of Heaven Rating: Verdict: Funny, sad documentary To believe in the almost impressively porous plot of Those Who Wish Me Dead, you have first to believe in Angelina Jolie as a 'smoke-jumper', a specialist firefighter who parachutes out of planes to deal with rampaging forest blazes To believe in the almost impressively porous plot of Those Who Wish Me Dead, you have first to believe in Angelina Jolie as a 'smoke-jumper', a specialist firefighter who parachutes out of planes to deal with rampaging forest blazes. Then you have to buy the idea that Jolie's character, Hannah, the only woman in a close-knit band of alpha males, might be the loudest, wittiest and hardest-drinking of them all, able to parry the merest hint of a suggestive remark with a wisecrack like a punch to the windpipe. Hannah has lips and cheekbones like no smoke-jumper in living memory, but her macho colleagues have evidently been trained not to notice them. If they do, they will surely dive into an inferno far worse than was ever ignited by a carelessly tossed cigarette end. Unfortunately, beyond the laddish banter, all is not well with Hannah. She is assailed by post-traumatic guilt, blaming herself for the loss of three young lives, having failed to suss the wind direction. Now, you'd think that her inevitable redemption, amid loads of terrifying footage of fires raging through Montana's forests with incredible, devastating swiftness just 50 yards slower than Hannah's top sprinting speed, in fact might be enough to sustain Taylor Sheridan's thriller. But no. It is an adaptation of Michael Koryta's novel of the same name, which means another weighty layer of plot involving a nosy accountant on the run from two ruthless assassins (Aidan Gillen and Nicholas Hoult, perpetuating the curious Hollywood rule that villains, even when they're given American accents, generally have to be played by actors from our side of the Atlantic, not theirs). All we know is that the poor chap has passed his seismic secrets, on an old-fashioned piece of paper almost as if the internet age never happened, to his cute 12-year-old son, Connor (Finn Little) Anyway, the accountant has discovered something so incriminating that the assassins seem prepared to commit mass murder, to torture a pregnant woman and to burn down half of Montana to stop it getting out. We never learn what it is. All we know is that the poor chap has passed his seismic secrets, on an old-fashioned piece of paper almost as if the internet age never happened, to his cute 12-year-old son, Connor (Finn Little). So, in a dispiritingly tinny echo of Peter Weir's 1985 classic Witness, the baddies' target becomes the kid. Can Hannah, into whom Connor unsurprisingly bumps while belting through a forest, save him? Heck, can she also save the forest? Well, it's Angelina Jolie, so anything is possible. The same is not so of Sheridan, whose credits include some terrific films (he scripted 2016's Hell Or High Water, one of my favourite modern-day westerns). Alas, my high hopes for this movie when I saw his name attached as director and co-writer were soon extinguished, leaving just a small, gently smouldering pile of expectations. The Secrets We Keep is another ropy thriller, set in Eisenhower-era smalltown America The Secrets We Keep is another ropy thriller, set in Eisenhower-era smalltown America. Noomi Rapace plays Maja, a Romanian immigrant leading a wholesome suburban life with her kindly doctor husband (Chris Messina) and their young son, until the day she thinks she spots the former SS man who raped her and murdered her sister towards the end of the war, awakening terrible memories. This fellow, Thomas (Joel Kinnaman), turns out to be a European immigrant like her, but Swiss with a record of having worked throughout the war as a clerk in Zurich. Maja is certain he's lying, and by now has done what anyone would do in her circumstances (if only in films like this); belting him in the face with a hammer, bundling him into the boot of her car, and keeping him prisoner in the basement until he confesses to his crimes. Her nice husband is understandably more than a little nonplussed by all this, while Thomas's sudden disappearance sends his own wife frantic with worry. As Those Who Wish Me Dead is to Witness, so is The Secrets We Keep to Roman Polanski's 1994 film Death And The Maiden, dimly resonant but not remotely comparable. It is a thriller fatally devoid of thrills, and the occasional tension feels manufactured. At one point, writer-director Yuval Adler allows his camera to rest on a cinema showing Alfred Hitchcock's North By Northwest. Presumably, his intention is to fix the year as 1959. But the effect is to remind us of a filmmaker who knew how to electrify rather than anaesthetise an audience. Ironically, the new release least likely to have you slumping on the sofa is Some Kind Of Heaven, a documentary about the world's largest retirement community. There are 130,000 residents of The Villages, in Florida, which is billed as 'Disneyland for retirees'. Lance Oppenheim's film follows a few of them, as well as an elderly rascal who lives elsewhere but hangs out there on the lookout for affluent widows. He had no joy in the bars or the churches but found rich pickings at the swimming pools, in pursuit of his own inflatable version of the American Dream. Those Who Wish Me Dead is in cinemas from Monday. The Secrets We Keep is on Sky Cinema; Some Kind Of Heaven on digital platforms, from today. Time to make a date with King Kong at your cinema.. Much fun was poked at Frances McDormand's on-stage ululations at the Academy Awards last month, but she let rip a quieter, yet much more resounding, cry when she appealed for people to go to cinemas to watch this year's Best Picture, Nomadland; the film that also won her a third Best Actress Oscar. I don't suppose her cri de coeur played very well with the folk at Disney Plus, the home-viewing platform on which Nomadland has been available since April 30. But it must have sounded like sweet music to the beleaguered cinema industry. From Monday, UK cinemas are reopening those that have survived the latest lockdown and are able to re-impose social-distancing measures. Most of the films nominated for Best Picture will be available in the multiplexes, among them Chloe Zhao's Nomadland (), which I didn't adore as much as some, but is the big-hearted tale of an impoverished widow who, without a shred of self-pity, becomes an economic migrant in her own country. It is definitely worth seeing on a big screen. I also recommend Sound Of Metal (), about a heavy-metal drummer who goes deaf, for its warmth and observational excellence, and stunning performances by a pair of Brits playing Americans, Riz Ahmed and Olivia Cooke.Judas And The Black Messiah () is also superbly done; see it for yet another transplanted Brit, Daniel Kaluuya, who won an Oscar for his performance as 1960s Black Panther leader Fred Hampton. I'm in a minority regarding another Oscar-winner, Minari (), the story of an immigrant Korean family in 1980s Arkansas. I thought it sweet but overrated. I wasn't wild about Godzilla vs Kong () either, but if you're looking for a film that suits cinemas more than any other, that would be a good one to celebrate the unveiling at long, long last of the silver screen. B.V. Selma Blair cheekily reenacted her Cruel Intentions kiss with a life-size cardboard cutout of Sarah Michelle Gellar. She and her beau Ron Carlson were seen emerging from a sale in Los Angeles this week and she carried along the replica of Sarah Michelle. And in a good-humored touch Selma, who has stayed friends with Sarah Michelle in real life, was seen puckering up in front of the cardboard face. Having a laugh: Selma Blair cheekily reenacted her Cruel Intentions kiss with a life-size cardboard cutout of Sarah Michelle Gellar Selma and Sarah Michelle locked lips in the 1999 teen drama Cruel Intentions which also starred future spouses Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe. Sarah Michelle's character teaches the young teen played by Selma how to kiss while they have a picnic, assuring her: 'How else do you think girls learn?' After they lightly kiss once Sarah Michelle says: 'Okay let's try it again, only this time I'm gonna stick my tongue in your mouth and when I do that I want you to massage my tongue with yours, and that's what first base is.' Selma cheerfully agrees and closes her eyes for a much longer lip-lock, which won them an MTV Movie Award for best kiss. On the go: She and her beau Ron Carlson were seen emerging from a sale in Los Angeles this week and she carried along the replica of Sarah Michelle Legging it: And in a good-humored touch Selma, who has stayed friends with Sarah Michelle in real life, was seen puckering up in front of the cardboard face Selma subsequently took to Instagram to have fun with her exciting new acquisition. She explained that the person holding the estate sale had let her have the cardboard cutout of Sarah Michelle for free 'seeing as we are friends'. Selma, who wore a zip-up hoodie and a pair of JEN7 Jeans by 7 For All Mankind for her outing, then joked that given the Buffy star is 'always working' having her likeness in her home was 'the only option' she had of spending time with her. Then she shared images of the cutout hanging out with her nine-year-old son Arthur in his bedroom. She's home: Selma subsequently took to Instagram to have fun with her new acquisition. She explained that the person holding the estate sale had let her have the cardboard cutout for free Funny: She then joked that given the Buffy star is 'always working' having her likeness in her home was 'the only option' she had of spending time with her In on the joke: Then she shared images of the cutout hanging out with her nine-year-old son Arthur in his bedroom. Just last June Sarah Michelle visited Selma for her birthday and they reprised their Cruel Intentions kiss for Instagram. Mindful of the coronavirus, Sarah Michelle wore a mask with rhinestone lips on it and kept it on allowing Selma to kiss the face covering. Selma reignited her romance with Ron near the beginning of last year after her breakup with her British boyfriend David Lyons. Remember when: Selma and Sarah Michelle locked lips in the 1999 teen drama Cruel Intentions which also starred future spouses Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe Lead-up: Sarah Michelle teaches Selma how to kiss while they have a picnic, assuring her: 'How else do you think girls learn?' Mwah: After they lightly kiss once Sarah Michelle says: 'Okay let's try it again, only this time I'm gonna stick my tongue in your mouth...' In the moment: Selma cheerfully agrees and closes her eyes for a much longer lip-lock, which won them an MTV Movie Award for best kiss She shares Arthur with her fashion designer ex Jason Bleick whom she broke up with in 2012. 'People come into our lives. And sometimes they go. Or you go. And you go on. And you try to put the pieces together in your mind to make sense of it,' wrote on Instagram around the time she took up with Ron again. 'And sometimes, when you are ready, you may find that person again. Unexpectedly, loving them in ways you couldn't before. I have had really good people in my life.' Big time: The dynamic duo are pictured reprising their kiss at the MTV Movie Awards in a throwback grab Sarah Michelle posted to Instagram Selma announced that she has multiple sclerosis in 2018 so that the public would not see her symptoms and assume she had relapsed into alcoholism. 'I didn't want people to think that I was drunk, because I have a history of that. I'm sober and I'm so proud of that,' she said at the Time 100 Health Summit in 2019. 'So that's really the reason. I'd rather someone think: "Oh, she's going to be in a wheelchair," rather than that I'm up in the minibar.' David Campbell's fans have rushed to his defence after he was trolled for announcing his gender pronouns on Instagram. The Today Extra host, 47, was forced to block dozens of trolls on Thursday after he received negative comments for putting the male 'he/him' pronouns in his bio and encouraging others to do the same. 'This is a step forward for all! Thanks for the nudge,' gushed one fan. Supportive: David Campbell's fans have rushed to his defence after he was trolled for announcing his gender pronouns on Instagram. Pictured on April 30 in Sydney Many others personally thanked the Nine presenter for making them aware of Instagram's new feature, which allows users to specify their pronouns in their bio. 'This is awesome. Thanks for the heads-up,' one wrote. 'Thats so cool. Just did mine. Thanks for the heads up,' another commented. While David was forced to delete all the negative comments, including one that said his pronouns 'should be simp', he did leave one comment up that questioned his decision to delete those who disagreed with him. Cisgender: The Today Extra host was forced to block dozens of trolls on Thursday after he received negative comments for putting the male 'he/him' pronouns in his bio 'You are blocking people because they disagree with you??? Hope Im reading your words wrongly?' the critic wrote. 'No I am blocking ignorant people who choose to rant here,' David responded. The backlash started on Wednesday when the father of three posted a screenshot of his Instagram bio with his updated pronouns in the bio circled in a giant red marker. 'I love that Instagram now allows you to add your pronouns,' he wrote. 'Crush the patriarchy!' In 2017, David made headlines for dressing his twins, who were two years old at the time, in feminist T-shirts for an anti-Trump rally 'This makes the space more inclusive and allows acceptance for all. Its easy to do. Edit your page to try it.' David then confirmed in the comments section he'd been busy blocking trolls. 'This has been very helpful to see who I need to block,' he wrote. The theatre performer is known for his progressive views. Woke: The Today Extra personality and theatre performer is known for his progressive views. Pictured with co-host Belinda Russell Claim to fame: The 47-year-old has been the co-host of Today Extra since 2012 In 2017, he made headlines for dressing his twins, who were two years old at the time, in feminist T-shirts for an anti-Trump rally. Betty had a 'crush the patriarchy' T-shirt while her brother Billy wore an outfit with the slogan 'feminism is for everyone'. David is known as a proud ally and advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community. In March, he waved a rainbow flag during a Today Extra segment to celebrate Mardi Gras. He's also been an outspoken advocate for the transgender community, and has often voiced his support for transgender children on social media. 'The themes of feminism and refugees are beautifully handled': The performer has also thrown his support behind more inclusivity and diversity in Hollywood 'Protect trans kids': He's been an outspoken advocate for the transgender community, and has often voiced his support for transgender children on social media The performer has also thrown his support behind more inclusivity and diversity in Hollywood. 'Wow #CaptainMarvel such a leap up for superhero films,' he gushed after watching Marvel's female-fronted movie Captain Marvel. 'The plot is dense and twists and turns on a dime. The themes of feminism and refugees are beautifully handled. Thank you @brielarson I cant wait to show my daughter your performance.' Broadway and television star Sutton Foster has kept the shipboard musical Anything Goes afloat. She has taken over from Megan Mullally, who's had to withdraw from the show bound for the Barbican, just weeks before rehearsals, because of a foot injury. Mullally was to have starred as Reno Sweeney, the evangelist turned nightclub siren, opposite Robert Lindsay, Felicity Kendal and Gary Wilmot in Cole Porter's effervescent romantic comedy that will still begin previews from July 23. Mullally, who won awards for her role in Will & Grace, said in a statement yesterday that she's 'heartbroken to miss the opportunity to work on this amazing classic musical'. Broadway and television star Sutton Foster (centre) has taken over the role of Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes over from Megan Mullally after Mullally was injured. Foster won a Tony award when she played Reno in the Broadway production back in 2011 (pictured) 'Honestly, I burst into tears at the thought of being on the stage again. It's overwhelming,' Foster told me 'My body has informed me (mainly while at tap class) that I need to have a few rods replaced before I can get back on stage,' she said. 'Hopefully that will be as soon as possible.' But not soon enough for London. Luckily, though, director Kathleen Marshall has found a life jacket in the form of Foster, 46, who was a sensation when she played Reno in the Broadway production she staged back in 2011. Both won Tony Awards (as did the show, for best musical revival). A couple of years ago the pair discussed putting on a new version in the West End. But ocean currents were against them at that time, thanks to Foster's other stage commitments, as well as the shooting schedule for her TV series Younger (about a 40-year-old divorcee passing herself off as a 26-year-old to land a job). When Foster got a call from Marshall saying: 'We're sort of in a bind . . . would you be interested?' she didn't hesitate. 'I'm like 'Whaaaaat?!' ' she joked. Foster (right) recently completed the seventh and final season of Younger (about a 40-year-old divorcee passing herself off as a 26-year-old to land a job) The actress recently completed the seventh and final season of Younger, so 'amazingly' she had a window in her schedule between June 14, when rehearsals begin, through to October 10, when she has to be back in the States to start work with Hugh Jackman on The Music Man on Broadway. (Producer Howard Panter will have to find someone else to play Reno for the show's final week, before it heads off on tour). Megan Mullally (back left), who won awards for her role in Will & Grace (pictured), said in a statement yesterday that she's 'heartbroken to miss the opportunity to work on this amazing classic musical' due to an injury She's clearly over the moon about the unexpected job offer. 'Honestly, I burst into tears at the thought of being on the stage again. It's overwhelming. Our entire industry has been non-existent for the last year.' She's also 'intrigued' to see what it'll be like, revisiting a role she redefined when she was 36, now that she's 'older and a little more tired'. Foster said she'd doubled her exercise regimen during the pandemic. Which is good, because Marshall's choreography is daunting. The musical star agreed. 'Anything Goes! That number especially. Where you have 30 people, all facing the audience, all tap-dancing at the same time! 'I will say that it's the hardest thing I've ever done physically,' Foster said of the show. And that was before she became mother to Emily, aged four, who will accompany her to London. Dad, screenwriter Ted Griffin, is coming, too; as is the family's Dorkie pooch Mabel. (The family's other dog, Brodie, a lively Westiepoo, will go to a farm in Connecticut 'where he can run around', she told me.) Watch Will & Grace on Stan in Australia. Huawei launches job recruitment program for Kenyan graduates Xinhua) 10:52, May 14, 2021 Photo taken on Sept. 3, 2020 shows a view of the booth of Huawei during the 2020 IFA fair in Berlin, capital of Germany. (Xinhua/Shan Yuqi) NAIROBI, May 13 (Xinhua) -- China's telecommunication giant Huawei Technologies on Wednesday announced the launch of a program to facilitate recruitment for jobs and internship targeting Kenyan university students. More than 30 jobs and internship opportunities will be available to local youth with advanced training in ICT under the program that is also supported by China Telecom, one of China's three largest telecom operators. Joe Mucheru, cabinet secretary in the Ministry of ICT, Innovations and Youth Affairs, hailed collaboration with Huawei to boost digital skills among Kenyan youth and hasten realization of the country's quest to become a knowledge economy powerhouse. "With programs such as Huawei ICT Academy and Huawei management trainee program, the ICT local talent and broader ecosystem will be boosted," said Mucheru. The jobs and internship recruitment program for Kenyan graduates was launched at Huawei Job Fair that was held virtually on Wednesday and was graced by senior government officials, industry executives and scholars. Potential employers will advertise vacancies to a pool of highly qualified ICT graduates under the innovative public-private partnership model that is expected to revitalize Kenya's digital economy. Will Meng, CEO of Huawei Kenya, said that improving the digital skills of Kenyan youth is key to prepare them adequately for future jobs besides enhancing their contribution to the country's socio-economic transformation. "With the evolving technology we need to make sure as employers, we keep transferring skills to lecturers and students, so they are prepared for these jobs," said Meng. He said Huawei has rallied behind Kenya's digital economy blueprint whose core pillars include e-government and technology driven commerce. Johnson Kinyua, dean of Students Office at the University of Nairobi, said that career and internship opportunities are key to improving competence and visibility of ICT graduates. (Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Liang Jun) Holly Hagan has reportedly been left devastated after being forced to postpone her wedding to fiance Jacob Blyth in Ibiza. Sources said the Geordie Shore star, 28, decided to put her wedding plans on hold due to travel restrictions introduced during the Covid pandemic which meant guests would have to complete a ten day quarantine upon returning to the UK. It comes after Holly was branded 'rude' by her fans after she demanded they stop asking whether her wedding will be able to go ahead admitting she'd found it 'impossible and draining' responding to her followers' questions. On ice: Holly Hagan, 28, has reportedly been left devastated after being forced to postpone her wedding to fiance Jacob Blyth in Ibiza A source told The Sun: 'Like so many other brides Holly has been really put through the ringer with her wedding and she is hugely upset. 'Holly has started telling people about the cancellation now. So much goes into planning a wedding and obviously Holly is just desperate to marry Jacob. She just wants to be his wife but also wants the wedding she has dreamt of for years. 'They are hopeful it won't be too long until they can say 'I will' but for now all plans are on ice.' MailOnline has contacted representatives for Holly Hagan for comment. Delayed: Sources said the Geordie Shore star has decided to put her wedding plans on hold due to travel restrictions introduced during the Covid pandemic The government unveiled its traffic light system on Monday ahead of lifting the ban on international travel next week. Anyone visiting a country on the Amber List must isolate for 10 days upon returning to the UK, provide proof of a negative test before flying home, and complete two PCR tests on days two and eight of their island. Last week Holly was branded 'rude' by fans as she asked them not to send their questins about if her upcoming Ibiza wedding can still go ahead. She took to her Instagram Stories on Friday to share a slide of details surrounding her upcoming nuptials with Jacob Blyth. As news of the 'Green List' of places for British people to travel to was revealed, she shared that the Balearics, where her Ibiza wedding was due to take place, still remained on 'amber'. Can I go on holiday from May 17? The Government has announced the green, amber and red lists for international travel. -Who is on the green list? It consists of Portugal, Gibraltar, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Brunei, Iceland and the Faroe Islands, plus several small remote islands which are British Overseas Territories. - So I can go on holiday to anywhere on that list? Not quite. Entry to Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Brunei and the Faroe Islands is severely restricted. - Where can I go? Portugal plans to welcome UK tourists who have had a recent negative test, have recovered from the virus and therefore have antibodies, or had both doses of a vaccine. Gibraltar will not require UK visitors to be tested or vaccinated, whereas Israel will initially reopen its border on May 23 only to groups of foreign tourists who have had both jabs. None of these destinations will require arrivals to quarantine. - What about the amber list? That covers the most popular holiday destinations such as Spain, France, Italy and Greece. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said 'you should not be travelling to these places right now' - What if I go against that guidance? People returning from amber countries must take two post-arrival tests. They are also required to self-isolate at home for 10 days, although they can reduce that time if they take an additional negative test on day-five. - How about the red list? Those returning from a red list country must stay in a quarantine hotel for 11 nights at a cost of 1,750. - Will the lists change? The lists can be amended at any time, but wholesale changes are not expected to occur until the situation is reviewed at a 'checkpoint' on June 28. - What about vaccine passports? Grant Shapps confirmed that people in England will be able to demonstrate they have had both doses of a vaccine through the NHS app. Advertisement Bride to be: Last week Holly was branded 'rude' by fans as she asked them not to send their questins about if her upcoming Ibiza wedding can still go ahead This means visitors would be required to quarantine, but she remained positive at the time that the wedding could still go ahead as the situation would be reviewed every three weeks. Holly said it was 'impossible and draining' trying to get back to all of her fans on their wedding questions so she put the details in one place. She penned: 'Hey! We've obviously had so many messages regarding the wedding. It's impossible and draining trying to get back to everyone so I'll just leave this here for everyone. Happy couple: She defended herself after she shared a slide of details surrounding her upcoming nuptials with Jacob Blyth (pictured together) Honest: Holly said it was 'impossible and draining' trying to get back to all of her fans on their wedding questions so she put the details in one place 'Spain is on the amber list as it has been for awhile now. We were thinking Balearics would be in a separate grouping however it doesn't seem to be the case. 'There is a review every three weeks which could mean Balearics move to green before the wedding but it's so close we can't really chance that so we have to move ahead with the assumption that Ibiza is amber for the foreseeable future.' The bride-to-be continued: 'Now regardless of the amber/green result today we still have absolutely no idea if weddings can go ahead in Ibiza and if so to what capacity. 'Until that announcement happens we are still in limbo. We're hoping to hear more from Ibiza soon on that but until then it's still a waiting game for us and we will be flying out regardless.' Hitting back: The star then posted a video to tell fans their 'love and support wasn't necessary' as it appeared her matter-of-fact statement annoyed some social media users Holly added at the end: 'Please don't message about how gutted and sorry you are for us, we're fine, what will be will be.' (sic) The star, whose fellow co-star Charlotte Crosby will be her bridesmaid, then posted a video as it appeared her matter-of-fact statement annoyed fans. She turned the camera on herself as she looked typically glam with a full face of make-up and a V-neck grey top in the clip. Alongside some text on the screen, Holly said: 'Apparently I was rude for asking people not to send their condolences. Come on guys it's a wedding'. 'We are both happy and healthy': She turned the camera on herself as she looked typically glam with a full face of make-up and a V-neck grey top in the clip What's next? Holly then shared a series of helpful tips for any other couples who were in a similar situation with planning weddings abroad The text read: 'Apparently I was rude for asking people not to send their condolences. 1 - We are still in limbo and no idea if it is cancelled or not. '2 - We are absolutely fine and I cba replying to the same dm's over and over although I do appreciate everyone's love and support, it's not necessary. '3 - There's so many more people who need your love and support out there over us.' Holly continued chatting to the camera and said: 'I'm not dying. There are far more people in this world who need your love and support than us for a postponed wedding.' She concluded her video with the statement: 'It's a potential postponed wedding. We are both happy and healthy and couldn't be more blessed than that.' In December, Holly revealed she had postponed her wedding, admitting she had become overwhelmed with the pressure of planning so decided to 'put it off a little bit'. Jacob proposed during a sunset dinner date at the chic Cotton Beach Club in Ibiza on their second anniversary in June 2019. Holly told OK! magazine: 'We were planning on doing it in 2021 in summer but do you know what? It's so much hassle and just so much stress that I'm thinking we might put it off a little bit. 'There's no rush, we are only 27 and I think if we rushed through it and then it's done, it's like, oh what's next, so I think we're going to just enjoy being engaged for a while and then see where we're at next year.' Justin Bieber leaned in for the kiss toward his wife Hailey in an artfully dimly lit Insta Stories snapshot he posted on Thursday. The 27-year-old music star showed off his sprawl of tattoos by going shirtless while Hailey was wearing a plunging top. Earlier that day he also posted a heartwarming snap of himself as a child - with at least one of his ears already pierced. Looking fab: Justin Bieber leaned in for the kiss toward his wife Hailey in an artfully dimly lit Insta Stories snapshot he posted on Thursday His latest posts come the day it emerged that he will be one of the many celebrity guest stars on the upcoming Friends reunion special for HBO Max. Names ranging from Lady Gaga, Kit Harington, BTS and Cindy Crawford to David Beckham and Malala Yousafzai will be joining him. Justin and Hailey tied the knot at a courthouse wedding in New York in 2018 and threw a full religious ceremony in South Carolina the following year. 'Definition of a bad b**** aka strong, confident, independent loyal.. still cant believe you chose me @haileybieber,' he gushed on Instagram a couple of weeks ago. So sweet: Earlier that day he also posted a heartwarming snap of himself as a child - with at least one of his ears already pierced This March he sang his song Lonely about the turmoil of being a celebrity to a group of inmates at California State Prison. One inmate could be seen moving his head to the beat as Justin sang: 'Cause I've had everything but no one's listening and that's just f***ing lonely.' During his visit to the jail he was companied by his wife and fellow devout Christian Hailey who has since described the experience as a 'life changing day.' A California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation spokesperson told TMZ that Justin visited the prison in aid of religious initiatives. Wow: His latest posts come the day it emerged that he will be one of the many celebrity guest stars on the upcoming Friends reunion special for HBO Max Justin recently set his fans aflutter by surprise-dropping a new EP called Freedom on Easter just two weeks after the release of his album Justice. Then last month Justin delighted staff and students at a downtown Los Angeles elementary school with an outdoor concert. In a show of support, Hailey was also seen in the audience making sure to keep her mask on as her husband performed. Sizzling sensation: Justin and Hailey also recently starred in this sizzling modeling shot that brought back memories of the 1980s The concert was part of the Welcome Back With Baby2Baby event in conjunction with Amazon hosted by Kelly Rowland. As the month wore on Justin livestreamed a 15-minute mini concert from the rooftop and interior of the Hotel De Crillon in Paris. Justin's French concert venue, where he performed selections from Justice, is currently owned by a Saudi prince. Ronnie Ortiz-Magro has announced that he's stepping back from Jersey Shore: Family Vacation to address 'mental health issues.' The 35-year-old reality star shared a statement to his Instagram Stories on Thursday in which he said he would be seeking 'medical treatment' with the support of the 'team at MTV.' Earlier on Thursday, TMZ reported that he wouldn't face felony charges for a domestic violence arrest in April, though he could be found in violation of his parole. Off the show: Ronnie Ortiz-Magro, 35, said on Instagram Thursday that he is stepping back from Jersey Shore: Family Vacation to get 'medical treatment for mental health issues'; seen in 2017 In his text-only post, Ronnie wrote: 'After talking to the team at MTV, we have mutually agreed that I will step away from the show while I seek medical treatment for mental health issues that I've ignored for too long.' Ronnie added that his family was a major factor in his decision to seek treatment. 'My number one goal now is facing my struggles head on. This process will be difficult, but my #1 priority is to get healthy and be the best man and the best father I can for my daughter,' he concluded. Although he filmed scenes for the upcoming second half of Jersey Shore: Family Vacation's fourth season, he didn't appear to be featured in the recently released trailer, and it's unclear if his scenes will be cut. Ortiz-Magro's statement didn't clarify if he was seeking treatment again for alcohol abuse, as he previously did in early 2019, or if he'll also be getting behavioral treatments in the wake of his multiple domestic violence incidents. In treatment: He claimed he had 'ignored' his issues 'for too long,' though he didn't specify if he would be getting behavior treatments to curb his long-running domestic violence incidents Ortiz-Magro had previously been booked in October of 2019 for kidnapping the three-year-old daughter he shares with his ex Jen Harley. Harley reportedly ran out of a Los Angeles Airbnb the couple were staying in after alerting the police to their argument, at which point Ortiz-Magro chased after her while brandishing a knife and carrying their young daughter, according to TMZ. After he dropped the knife and gave up on chasing Harley, he locked himself inside the Airbnb with their daughter and refused to open up once police arrived. After police broke the door down the reportedly tased him when he refused to come along peacefully. The violent confrontation allegedly occurred after Ortiz-Magro had been using cocaine. Frightening: In October 2019, Ortiz-Magro chased his ex Jen Harley with a knife while carrying their three-year-old daughter, then had to be tased by police after he barricaded himself in their LA Airbnb with his daughter; seen in 2019 in NYC He got a mix of good and bad news earlier on Thursday when it came to his most recent incident of alleged domestic violence. The reality star won't be facing any charges over an alleged incident with his girlfriend, Saffire Matos, in late April, but he will have to head to court over violating his probation. In the incident last month, Saffire contacted authorities and alleged that Ortiz-Magro had gotten physical with her following an argument. The Los Angeles City Attorney's Office informed TMZ that the reality star would not be charged with a misdemeanor over the alleged incident. Legal woes: Ortiz-Magro won't be facing any charges over an alleged incident with his girlfriend in late April, but he will have to head to court over violating his probation, according to TMZ on Thursday (Pictured 2018) However, since Ronnie was on probation at the time of his arrest from a previous brush with the law, the City Attorney said he will have to head to court in June. The outlet previously reported that the District Attorney's Office declined to charge Ronnie with a felony due to insufficient evidence. Despite facing no charges over the ordeal with Saffire, Ronnie could still find himself behind bars due to the potential probation violation. Good and bad: The Los Angeles City Attorney's Office informed TMZ that the reality star would not be charged with a misdemeanor, however, since Ronnie was on probation at the time of his arrest from a previous brush with the law he will have to head to court in June 'We are very happy that after further investigation both the LA County District Attorney's office and the LA City Attorney's office determined that criminal charges were not warranted against Ronnie related to the incident that occurred in April,' Ronnie's attorney, Scott Leemon told TMZ. 'We will review the alleged violation of probation claim and deal with it accordingly,' he added. Leemon went on to say that Ronnie was in the process of getting treatment for 'psychological issues that he has ignored for a long time.' 'His only present goal is to address these issues professionally and make himself and better person and the best father he can be to his loving daughter,' the lawyer said. Incident: In April, Ronnie's girlfriend phoned cops claiming she'd been physically harmed by Ronnie and police, citing injuries on Matos, took Ortiz-Magro into custody on suspicion of felony domestic violence In April, Ronnie's girlfriend phoned cops claiming she'd been physically harmed by Ronnie and police, citing injuries on Matos, took Ortiz-Magro into custody on suspicion of felony domestic violence. Matos later took to Instagram Stories with a statement clarifying her take on the incident, and seemingly solidarity with Ortiz-Magro. 'Ronnie and I are fine there is a lot misleading information floating around out there,' she said. 'With anybody who reached out with concern I appreciate it with all my heart, but everything that's being portrayed out there are not facts. 'I don't think it's fair that people are using false accusations to gain attention. Please leave Ron and I alone. You don't know what someone is going through at the end of the day. Don't believe everything you hear or read online.' 'We are very happy that after further investigation both the LA County District Attorney's office and the LA City Attorney's office determined that criminal charges were not warranted against Ronnie related to the incident that occurred in April,' Ronnie's attorney, Scott Leemon told TMZ. In his statement, Ortiz-Magro thanked his 'real friends' for standing by him amid the troubled times. 'Thank you for being by myself the last few [weeks],' he said. 'I take all experiences as lessons. You learn who really cares about you when [you're] down and out and [then] you see who doesn't! But I guess they call it the weeding process. Thank you to my real friends who haven't left my side and haven't betrayed me!' Prior to this incident, Ronnie was on probation stemming from a separate domestic violence case he was involved with October 4, 2019 involving his ex-girlfriend Jen Harley, 32, with whom he shares daughter Ariana Sky, three. In that case, the MTV personality made a plea deal, entering a guilty plea to seven misdemeanors in the incident, including domestic battery and resisting arrest. He's back in New York City after spending time in Italy filming The House of Gucci for Ridley Scott. And on Thursday, Jared Leto kept it casual as he enjoyed an outing in the East Village. The actor, 49, paired a tie dye t-shirt with pink tracksuit bottoms and blue slides. Eclectic: Jared Leto opted for a pink ensemble of tie dye t-shirt, tracksuit bottoms and trucker hat along with a matching face mask as he headed out in New York City on Thursday He added a pink trucker hat cap and a pink face mask and carried a plaid shirt in his hand. His long hair was loose and he flashed the peace sign as he got his picture taken. Last week he had celebrated his return to the Big Apple with an Instagram photo showing him posed against the city backdrop. Upbeat: The actor, 49, wore black socks with blue slides and flashed the peace sign as he got his picture taken in the East Village Back home: Last week Leto had celebrated his return to the Big Apple after filming The House Of Gucci in Italy with an Instagram photo showing him posed against the city backdrop The star-studded House Of Gucci movie tells the story of the famous Italian fashion family and the murder of Maurizio Gucci in 1995 in a murder-for-hire plot orchestrated by his ex-wife Patrizia. Adam Driver plays the ill-fated Maurizio and Lady Gaga plays Patrizia, who ended up spending 16 years in prison for her crime. Leto plays Maurizio's cousin Paolo Gucci, the son Of Aldo Gucci played by Al Pacino, and shots from the location sets in Italy show Leto completely unrecognizable thanks to prosthetics and makeup. Chameleon: Shots from location sets in Italy show Leto completely unrecognizable as Paolo Gucci in the film by Ridley Scott that explores the fashion family's real-life murder scandal His art: He revealed this week it took five hours to transform into the character with the help of prosthetics and makeup (he's pictured with co-stars Adam driver and Lady Gaga in Rome) Leto told Canada's Global News this week that it had taken five hours to transform him into the character. 'It was unforgettable and transformative,' he shared. 'I fell in love with the character. And I got to work with Al Pacino, he played my dad, and Ridley Scott, who was one of my favorite directors ever, and I learned so much. I was so excited just to be on that set and of course, working with Lady Gaga and Adam Driver was a dream. He added: 'I didnt know the Gucci history, and its quite incredible. This story is fascinating, so I learned a lot about that.' True crime: Scott's movie recounts the murder of Maurizio Gucci as the result of a murder-for-hire plot orchestrated by his ex-wife Patrizia in 1995 (the couple are seen in an undated photo Meanwhile, members of the extended Gucci family have expressed their disappointment that Oscar--winning filmmaker Scott has pressed ahead with the movie project. Patrizia Gucci, a second cousin of the murdered Mauricio, expressed their worries that the film will sensationalize the crime and exploit the famous family's private lives. 'They are stealing the identity of a family to make a profit, to increase the income of the Hollywood system,' she said. 'Our family has an identity, privacy. We can talk about everything. But there is a borderline that cannot be crossed.' He's the Hollywood actor who has called Australia home for the past few months. And it seems Matt Damon is picking up some local habits after stopping by a famous Brisbane pub for a schooner last Friday morning, reports The Courier Mail. The Good Will Hunting star, 50, visited The QA Hotel at 10am for a drink and a flutter before his surprise appearance at a charity lunch. An honorary Aussie: Matt Damon is picking up some local habits after stopping by a famous Brisbane pub for a schooner last Friday morning. Pictured with pub manager Andrew Potter Pub manager Andrew Potter said Matt arrived right as he was opening the venue for the day. 'We'd just opened the pub. A man was having trouble with the Covid sign-in app so I went over to assist. As soon as I got over there I could see who it was,' he said. 'He said he was going to a meeting. They wanted to have a quick punt and a beer. He was really friendly.' Popular: The Good Will Hunting star, 50, visited the QA at 10am for a drink and a flutter before his surprise appearance at a charity lunch. Once word got around Matt was at the pub, women came rushing down from the function rooms upstairs (pictured) Mr Potter added: 'Once word got around that Matt Damon was in the pub, the girls came rushing down from the function rooms upstairs. They asked for photos and he was very obliging.' Drinking earlier in the day is considered more socially acceptable in Australia than America, which has an unofficial 'five o'clock' rule that states alcohol should only be consumed after work hours. Matt had decided to stop by the pub before he and his wife, Luciana Barroso, 45, made a surprise appearance at a charity luncheon in Brisbane. Contribution: Matt had decided to stop by the pub before he and his wife, Luciana Barroso, made a surprise appearance at a charity luncheon in Brisbane. He is pictured with Denise Hunter, the founder of domestic violence charity Safe Haven, to which he donated $10,000 The event raised funds for domestic violence charity Safe Haven, to which the Ocean's Eleven star personally donated $10,000. Matt has been in Australia since the start of the year, and has a small role in Thor: Love and Thunder, which is being filmed at Sydney's Fox Studios. He is reprising his comedic cameo from the 2017 Thor installment, Thor: Ragnarok. Australian swimwear designer Leah Madden has candidly revealed what it was like working with top model Kendall Jenner. Speaking to Daily Mail Australia this week, Leah recalled the time she cast the 25-year-old in a campaign for her brand White Sands. The design director and founder said that at the time of booking Kendall for the job, the reality star was just 15 years old and determined to make a name for herself in the modelling industry. EXCLUSIVE: An Australian swimwear designer behind the brand White Sands has revealed what Kendall Jenner is really like to work with - after booking the model to front a campaign as a fresh-faced teen. Kendall is pictured recently Leah said that despite not knowing who Kendall was at the time and the success of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, she knew straight away that Kendall had that star quality. 'Way back then in 2010, was when I first saw her, I was in Miami casting for our runway show as part of Fashion Week and the coming collection,' Leah explained. 'And I saw this girl on the board... I knew I was looking for someone very, very fresh. It was a very feminine collection and I saw this face, this beautiful, beautiful girl and on her model card she was smiling... and I said, "she is amazing, I would love her, who is that?" And they all laughed at me.' Candid: Leah Madden (pictured) is the design director and founder of White Sands and booked Kendall when she was just 15 Fresh-faced: The design director and founder said that at the time of booking Kendall for the job, the reality star was 15-years-old and determined to make a name for herself in the modelling industry. Pictured posing for the brand Leah said she was told about Kendall's link to the Kardashians, but had never once watched the show and thought the brunette was 'genuinely so beautiful'. 'I do try to book models who are 16, it's swimwear, so we organised to shoot as close to her 16th birthday as we could,' she said. 'But it was a really easy process,' Leah explained. Star quality: Leah said that despite not knowing who Kendall was at the time and the success of Keeping Up With The Kardashians, she knew straight away that Kendall had that star quality She added: 'She was obviously very driven and really serious about her modelling career. Straight away, I knew she was going to be big from then' She described Kendall as 'softly spoken,' 'professional' a little 'nervous,' but 'friendly.' 'She turned up ready to go, she was very friendly, very professional, she's a softly spoken person, very demure, really impeccable manners, so lovely and friendly,' Leah recalled. 'She was nervous... she was very, very new to the industry. They were booking her for the upcoming fashion week in LA. She was really nervous about that. She took direction well. 'She was obviously very driven and really serious about her modelling career. Straight away, I knew she was going to be big from then.' Kendall has since carved out an incredibly successful modelling career and is said to be one of the highest paid models. She has walked for the likes of Chanel, Oscar de la Renta and Vera Wang and has posed for the likes of Vogue. 'She turned up ready to go, she was very friendly, very professional, she's a softly spoken person, very demure, really impeccable manners, so lovely and friendly,' Leah said Leah founded White Sands in 2008 and is celebrating 13 years of the brand. White Sands will be showcasing their new collection at the Afterpay Australian Fashion Week next month at Sydney's Carriageworks. Leah said it's a rather 'personal' collection and she feels like she's 'getting back to her roots' with the new range. 'I'm happy to be back and showing again, it's a lot of work,' she said. 'It's very Australian inspired, I travel a lot and I'm usually inspired by those destinations... this past year I found myself appreciating our beautiful country and those destinations I've taken for granted for so long, like Byron Bay.' She said she started the brand as a 'passion project' at first because she could never really find swimwear she liked in Australia that was 'surf-focused'. The brand has gone from strength to strength ever since and has been worn by the likes of models Georgia Fowler, Miranda Kerr and even Kendall's sister, Kylie Jenner. While many fans were quite surprised to learn Ellen DeGeneres' upcoming 19th season, her co-host and sidekick Stephen 'tWitch' Boss was not surprised. The 38-year-old dancer and choreographer opened up about Ellen's exit in a new interview with ET Canada on Thursday. Ellen revealed on Wednesday's episode that she always knew the 19th season would be her last, with Boss adding that he's excited to see what she does next. Not surprised: While many fans were quite surprised to learn Ellen DeGeneres' upcoming 19th season, her co-host and sidekick Stephen 'tWitch' Boss was not surprised Opening up: The 38-year-old dancer and choreographer opened up about Ellen's exit in a new interview with ET Canada on Thursday When asked what the end of the show meant to him, Boss said, 'It's celebratory,' adding, 'Ellen has done incredible, incredible things over the years.' 'Ellen herself and also the show has put in so much inspiration and changed people's lives, and with this 19th season coming up, the finale season, that's a time to celebrate and continue do to those things as well,' he added. 'We have another year left to continue to bring inspiring stories, to dance, to laugh and do all of that, and take a look back,' he added. Celebratory: When asked what the end of the show meant to him, Boss said, 'It's celebratory,' adding, 'Ellen has done incredible, incredible things over the years' Another year: 'We have another year left to continue to bring inspiring stories, to dance, to laugh and do all of that, and take a look back,' he added 'Im proud of my friend, Im excited for her and Im excited for her next chapter. And Im excited to celebrate the show,' Boss said. When asked if the announcement came as a surprise to him, tWitch added, 'No, not really,' adding that, two years ago she signed on for three more years and, 'this upcoming year was the third year. Boss became Ellen's co-host and sidekick in 2014 and he's been with her ever since, even joining Ellen on her NBC series Game of Games. Proud: 'Im proud of my friend, Im excited for her and Im excited for her next chapter. And Im excited to celebrate the show,' Boss said When asked how he thinks he's grown professionally, Boss said there have been, 'so many different things.' 'With my new role as co-executive producer, I feel like I really get the full 360 degree experience of being with the show, not only in front of the camera but behind camera,' he added. He said that getting to be a part of the meetings deciding who will be on the show and the other experiences have been 'incredible.' Grown: When asked how he thinks he's grown professionally, Boss said there have been, 'so many different things' Experience: 'With my new role as co-executive producer, I feel like I really get the full 360 degree experience of being with the show, not only in front of the camera but behind camera,' he added When asked if a tWitch show is in the future, hosting it on his own, Boss said with a smile, 'those are the conversations we're having right now.' He added he's guest-hosting Ellen yet again, which will air later this summer, revealing it will be his 20th time guest-hosting. 'I'm having a really good time in the chair, I'm really falling in love with the process, so absolutely,' he said. tWitch show: When asked if a tWitch show is in the future, hosting it on his own, Boss said with a smile, 'those are the conversations we're having right now' She recently underwent surgery to remove a potentially cancerous lump from her neck. And Demi Jones appeared to be recovering very well on Thursday night as she joined glam sisters Jess and Eve Gale for a girls' night out at Hart lounge, North London. The Love Island star, 22, flaunted her curves in a pale grey ruched mini dress as she posed up a storm with the twins during the outing. On the mend: Demi Jones appeared to be recovering well from her surgery on Thursday night as she joined glam sisters Jess and Eve Gale for a girls' night out at Hart lounge, North London Demi's tiny dress featured a cut-out detail at the front and long sleeves, while the thigh-skimming length allowed her to perfectly show off her tanned pins. She finished her look with a taupe jacket and strappy orange heels, while she stored her essentials in a nude handbag. Despite her recent cancer scare, the reality star appeared in great spirits as she dressed to impress for the night, while styling her auburn tresses in sleek waves. Not to be outdone, Eve, 22, slipped into an off-the-shoulder brown top and matching leggings, over which she donned a loose-fitting cream shirt. Looking good: The Love Island star, 22, flaunted her curves in a pale grey ruched mini dress as she posed up a storm with the twins during the outing The beauty boosted her height with clear heels and accessorised her look with a Louis Vuitton clutch bag. Meanwhile, her twin Jess rocked a similar outfit, with a nude camisole worn beneath a white satin shirt, which she matched with skintight black PVC leggings. Like her sibling, she also donned towering clear heels and rocked a designer handbag, with both sisters allowing their blonde locks to cascade over their shoulders. Dressed to impress: Demi's tiny dress featured a cut-out detail at the front and long sleeves, while the thigh-skimming length allowed her to perfectly show off her tanned pins Chic: Not to be outdone, Eve, 22, slipped into an off-the-shoulder brown top and matching leggings, over which she donned a loose-fitting cream shirt Demi's outing comes after she had her 'potentially cancerous' neck lump removed earlier this month. She took to Instagram to share a post-surgery selfie as she explained she was 'very sleepy' and that the procedure was 'painful'. Demi looked tired in the picture as she sat in her hospital bed in a gown and told fans she would catch up with them soon. Work it: Meanwhile, her twin Jess rocked a similar outfit, with a nude camisole worn beneath a white satin shirt, which she matched with skintight black PVC leggings Girls' night: Despite her recent cancer scare, Demi appeared in great spirits as she strutted down the street with her fellow reality star pals She wrote: 'I did it - very sleepy and painful, catch up soon.' Before the procedure the beauty shared another picture as she prepared to head to hospital, writing: 'Thank you for all your messages. Signing off now. I'll update you all after my surgery.' Earlier in April Demi revealed she had found a lump in her neck and had to have it removed as doctors feared it could be cancerous. Post-surgery: Demi's outing comes after she had her 'potentially cancerous' neck lump removed earlier this month After the revelation she thanked fans and said she was 'overwhelmed with support' and said she had received 'thousands of kind messages'. Posting a gorgeous snap of herself sporting a full face of glam and wearing an off-white sweatshirt, the reality star penned: 'I'm so overwhelmed with support.' 'I had thousands of kind messages yesterday.' Signing off her post on a happy note, Demi added: 'I feel positive today. Thank you.' A day earlier, Demi emotionally shared the news with her followers on her Instagram Stories after receiving some test results. Emotional: Demi emotionally revealed in April she had to have the lump removed which doctors fear could be cancerous Demi wiped away tears as she revealed she would have the lump removed in the next few weeks so that medics could determine whether it is cancerous. Sat in her car after receiving the results, Demi told fans: 'I went to get my results today for my lump. And they think it could be cancerous so I have to have it operated on and removed in the next couple of weeks. 'Nothing is for certain but I'm really worried. I'm sure it'll be fine. It's a shock because you don't think, I was sat there in this waiting room and it was full of old people and I was the only young one there. I thought I'm so young for god's sake. News: Sat in her car after receiving the results, Demi told fans: 'I went to get my results today for my lump' 'I know loads of women go through this,I'll be fine. It might not even be cancer but they've got to cut it out to find out. I'm shocked at the moment. 'I'll be ok, when I get it removed it'll be fine.' Demi then shared a post which encouraged her followers to get any lumps checked if they are worried. She wrote: 'Please don't put off getting lumps checked, if appointments keep getting cancelled then you need to chase it up. I was supposed to have this appointment six months ago. 'At my scan they said "everything looks fine" and went to send me on my way. I challenged it and asked if they could do more, in which they said 'oh well we can test the fluid if you want us to?' 'Thank god I asked as it was the fluid that can be potentially cancerous. Always push!' David Bowie's daughter Lexi shared an 'appreciation' post to her supermodel mother Iman on Instagram on Thursday. The 20-year-old uploaded a throwback snap from her childhood which showed Lexi and Iman, 65, hugging. Lexi captioned the photo: 'Appreciation to my mutha. Love you to bits' (sic). 'Appreciation to my mutha. Love you to bits': David Bowie's daughter Lexi shared an 'appreciation' post to her mother Iman on Instagram on Thursday Iman showed off her model looks in the stunning photograph and cut a glamorous figure in a patterned one-shouldered top. Her hair was styled in Hollywood curls and she beamed with joy as Lexi wrapped her arms around her for the photograph. Lexi is a budding artist based in California and previously shared her heartache about not being able to see her mum for six months due to the pandemic because Iman was in New York. Famous parents: Lexi is the daughter of the Space Oddity hitmaker and the Somali fashion model, who first met in 1990 at a dinner party Lexi is the daughter of the Space Oddity hitmaker and the Somali fashion model, who first met in 1990 at a dinner party. After her birth, it was said that she helped her father put his workaholic attitude 'into perspective' and give him the will to stay healthy after his first heart attack. David also had a son, Duncan Jones, from a previous marriage while Imran shares her daughter Zulekha Haywood with a former love. It has been five years since David shockingly passed away at the age of 69, on January 10, 2016, after an 18-month battle with cancer. Adorable: Back in January, Lexi paid tribute to her late father on what would have been his 71st birthday with this throwback snap Iman married the English rocker in a romantic ceremony in Lausanne, Switzerland in April 1992 which was later formalised in a wedding hosted in Florence in June. She previously revealed how she did not want Lexi to follow her into modelling or becoming a superstar child of a famous couple, like many of her peers. In a 2018 interview with Net A Porter, Iman, 64, said: 'Every agency, every designer, called me to say: "If she wants to, we'd love for her to model for us." 'I said: "No, she doesn't." I know why they wanted to her to model it's because she is David Bowie's daughter. 'She says I am overprotective. But I told her, this can all wait, it isn't going anywhere. 'Have a life that is private while you can, because one day soon it is going to be public, so enjoy this.' Jaden Smith is opening his first restaurant to provide homeless people with vegan meals for free. The activist, 22, has already been helping feed disadvantaged communities since the launch of his I Love You food truck in the Los Angeles Skid Row area back in 2019. Speaking about his new project with Variety, Jaden explained that anyone can order from the eatery but if a customer is not homeless they'll have to pay 'more than the food's worth so that you can pay for the person behind you.' New project: Jaden Smith is set to open his first restaurant to provide homeless people with vegan food for free (pictured in January 2020) The son of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith told the publication: 'It's for homeless people to get free food. 'But if you're not homeless, not only do you have to pay, but you have to pay for more than the food's worth so that you can pay for the person behind you.' Jaden launched his I Love You food truck in 2019 when he turned 21, saying the movement is 'about giving people what they deserve, healthy vegan food for free'. It has since helped to feed thousands of people in Los Angeles' Skid Row area and in Harlem in New York City. Activist: The star, 22, Jaden launched his I Love You food truck in 2019 saying the movement is 'about giving people what they deserve, healthy vegan food for free' (pictured at the launch) Jaden has been involved in several projects, with the activist also owning the JUST Water company that put in a water filtration system in Flint, Michigan two years ago. He is also heading 501CTHREE.org's Water Box project to provide access to clean water to communities, which is featured in New Balance's We Got Now campaign. The initiative was also seen in Netflix documentary Brave Blue World, which also featured Matt Damon, with Jaden showcasing his Water Box creation. His website details the locations of four Water Boxes in Flint, where the main water system was contaminated with lead. Helping out: Jaden has since helped feed thousands of people through the food truck in Los Angeles Skid Row area and Harlem in New York Jaden has also put a Water Box in New Jersey as well as one in New York. It comes after Jaden's father Will Smith admitted that he is in the 'worst shape of my life' after months of lockdown restrictions. The 52-year-old actor took to Instagram on Tuesday to share a Boomerang snap of himself in nothing but a pair of tiny black boxer briefs. However Jaden told Variety he wasn't surprised by his father's Instagram posts, having seen the changes happen at home. He said: 'We joke around with him in the family. It wasnt really a surprise to us. Weve seen him evolve into that.' Making changes: Jaden has been involved in several projects, with the activist also owning the JUST Water company that put in a water filtration system in Flint, Michigan two years ago 'It really wasn't a surprise': Elsewhere in his interview Jaden revealed that his family had joked around with dad Will Smith over the weight he'd put on during lockdown (also pictured is Will's eldest son Trey, 28) Earlier this week, Will revealed that he is on the verge of beginning his fitness journey and that it will all be documented for an upcoming YouTube project. Will captioned the post to his near 53million followers writing: 'This is the body that carried me through an entire pandemic and countless days grazing thru the pantry. 'I love this body, but I wanna FEEL better. No more midnight muffinsthis is it!' Will previously had a series with Facebook, Will Smith's Bucket List, and his wife Jada has a successful chat program with the social network titled Red Table Talk. The actor concluded the post with a message of positivity as he said: 'Imma get in the BEST SHAPE OF MY LIFE!!!!! 'Teaming up with @YouTube to get my health & wellness back on track. Hope it works! [anxious face, camera emojis]: @westbrook @aidan' She launched her own swimwear brand Kimberley London back in 2013. And Kimberley Garner looked sensational as she showed off her enviable figure while enjoying a day out at the beach in Miami, Florida, on Thursday. The former Made in Chelsea star, 30, put her toned abs on full display in a plunging purple bikini that also showed off her peachy posterior. Beach babe: Kimberley Garner showed off her toned abs and peachy posterior in a plunging purple bikini as she enjoyed a day out at the beach in Miami on Thursday Kimberley's barely-there bikini top showed off a generous glimpse of her cleavage and it also featured wrap-front detailing. Her bikini bottoms, meanwhile, were tied high on her waist to accentuate her slender legs as she strutted her stuff on the beach. The blonde bombshell styled her locks into a sleek, straight style that fell over her back, and she accessorised with a pair of chic shades. Kimberley also wore a white blouse while she not soaking up the sun, and she also wore a matching mini-skirt when she headed home. Wow! Kimberley's barely-there bikini top showed off a generous glimpse of her cleavage and it also featured wrap-front detailing Model: Kimberley's bikini bottoms, meanwhile, were tied high on her waist to accentuate her slender legs as she strutted her stuff on the beach Fashionista: Kimberley also wore a white blouse while she not soaking up the sun, and she also wore a matching mini-skirt when she headed home Glamorous: The blonde bombshell styled her locks into a sleek, straight style Earlier this year, Kimberley jetted to the Caribbean after flying out to Miami with her boyfriend in late December, after spending Christmas in Barbados and is now back in Florida. But it hasn't all been carefree partying as she recently took to Instagram to defend herself from backlash over her international travel. The TV star said she jetted out of the UK on December 14 a week before London moved into Tier 4 to 'check on my apartment'. Looking good: Kimberley also accessorised with a pair of chic shades Delighted: Kimberley was seen beaming while chatting on the phone with someone Minimalist: Kimberley accessorised with a silver bracelet so that all attention remained on her swimwear instead The London native said at the time: 'I bought my place here this time two years ago. 'It was a massive achievement, still really can't believe it sometimes. I run a business - I'm not an influencer. 'I am here, but I am very very strict still. I see people in Tulum and all over going to parties and it doesn't feel right to me. Soaking up the sun: Kimberley's ensemble highlighted her sun-kissed skin Topping up her tan: Kimberley appeared to stay on the beach for a tanning session Jetsetter: Earlier this year, Kimberley jetted to the Caribbean after flying out to Miami with her boyfriend in late December, after spending Christmas in Barbados and is now back in Florida 'I haven't been out to any parties and turned down invites from friends as feel it's just not right to be in a crowd - it's not OK at the moment. 'I'm really lucky to be in the sun and outdoors, and am valuing that totally, but not going to live normally as it's not a normal world at the moment. 'I really think and feel for everyone home at the moment, it really sucks, please be brave, please be kind to each other.' Defence: Kimberley recently took to Instagram to defend herself from backlash over her international travel, saying she jetted out of the UK in December to 'check on my apartment' Yazmin Oukhellou sent temperatures soaring as she posed up a storm in white lingerie for a new shoot on Friday. The former TOWIE star, 27, - who now lives in Dubai - put on a busty display in the matching set from PrettyLittleThing. Yazmin showed off the results of all her rigorous workouts in the underwear as she flaunted her toned abs and lithe legs in the sizzling snaps. Stunning: Yazmin Oukhellou sent temperatures soaring as she posed up a storm in white lingerie for a new shoot on Friday The brunette beauty wore her dark tresses up in a sleek ponytail and opted for a typically glamorous makeup look as she posed with her morning coffee. The star kept her accessories minimal to keep the attention on her incredible physique but did have on a gold pendant and an array of bracelets. Yazmin also took to her Instagram Story to show off the lingerie look as she posed in the mirror at her swanky Dubai apartment. Incredible: The former TOWIE star, 27, - who now lives in Dubai - put on a busty display in the matching set from PrettyLittleThing Pretty: Yazmin showed off the results of all her rigorous workouts in the underwear as she flaunted her toned abs and lithe legs in the sizzling snaps It comes after her ex James Lock was spotted getting cosy with Love Island's Rachel Fenton last Saturday night. The TOWIE star, 34, departed Jin Bo Law rooftop bar at the Dorsett City hotel in London in the company of the blonde beauty, 28, with the pair seen holding hands as they left in a taxi together. The pair were joined by a group of friends on the night out including James' TOWIE co-star Pete Wicks. James and Rachel were seen in close conversation outside the venue, with Rachel placing her hand on the reality star's waist. However, a source told MailOnline: 'They are just friends, James is single and not dating anyone.' Close: It comes after her ex James Lock was spotted getting cosy with Love Island's Rachel Fenton last Saturday night MailOnline has also contacted representatives for James and Rachel for comment. It comes after James' ex Yazmin hinted she's in a new relationship as she captured her romantic weekend in the UAE after being lavished with gifts for her 27th birthday. The star clinked a champagne glass with a mystery man before taking a ride in a Lamborghini and sitting down for dinner at the Burj Khalifa. In the first telling photo uploaded to her Instagram account on Bank Holiday Monday, Yazmin showcased her sensational figure in a Dior swimsuit as she posed next to her collection of luxurious birthday gifts. Who is he?: But Yazmin recently hinted she's in a new relationship as she captured her romantic weekend in the UAE after being lavished with gifts for her 27th birthday Yazmin wrote alongside the picture: 'I woke up like this [birthday party emoji]. Feeling so grateful and blessed today best birthday feel truly spoilt. [confetti emoji].' (sic) One follower commented: 'It's all about the designer. I like you have found happiness with your new boyfriend moved on quick but it is what it is.' A second quipped: 'Anyone else wondering who the fella is?' while a third penned: 'You deserve it! '. Wow: Yazmin showcased her sensational figure in a Dior swimsuit as she posed next to her collection of luxurious birthday gifts Later that day, Yazmin relaxed on decking by the Dubai waterfront with her mystery male companion. The duo clinked their champagne flutes, while the gentleman flashed his inked arm and diamond encrusted watch. On an episode of TOWIE last month, James admitted he doesn't want to have kids with 'the wrong person' as he reflected on being single after the pair's split. Treats: The star clinked a champagne glass with a mystery man before taking a ride in a Lamborghini and sitting down for dinner at the Burj Khalifa MailOnline revealed James and Yaz mutually agreed to cut ties after their relationship turned toxic in February, with James flying home and Yazmin staying in the UAE. A source previously revealed to MailOnline: 'James and Yazmin haven't been in a good place for a while now and living together in Dubai only put further strain on their relationship.' 'Arguments between them have intensified and turned nasty, resulting in the couple deciding between them to go their separate ways and this time, for good.' A spokeswoman for Yazmin said: 'I can confirm James and Yazmin have split up. 'It's an amicable split and both of them are certain that it's time to move on with no animosity.' The Essex couple had experienced a tempestuous relationship, splitting up and reconciling on a number of occasions after they first started dating in 2017. He's a doting husband to wife Erin McNaught and father to their two sons, Evander, six and Ennio, three. And Example proved he's a very busy man as he revealed that he's double booked himself next weekend - with the musician set to perform at the Big Pineapple music festival in Woombye, Queensland, on the same day his spouse turns 39. The star, 38, whose real name is Elliot John Gleave, shared a sizzling bikini snap of the Australian model to Instagram on Friday as he excitedly looked forward to the celebrations. Wow: Example shared a sizzling bikini snap of his wife Erin McNaught to Instagram on Friday as he excitedly looked forward to performing at a sold out festival on her birthday next week In the snap, Erin could be seen sitting on the floor as she flashed a sultry look at the camera and held onto a beer bottle. The beauty showed off her washboard abs and toned figure in a tiny yellow bra and lilac knickers. Erin wore her glossy locks down, pushing her tresses over one shoulder as she seductively tilted her head for the picture. Example also shared the Big Pineapple music festival's poster to his Instagram Stories, telling fans that he 'can't wait' to get on stage. Loved-up: The musician, 38, is a doting husband to the Australian model and father to their two sons, Evander, six and Ennio, three Busy times ahead: Example explained that he's playing the sold out Big Pineapple music festival in Woombye, Queensland, next Saturday Posting the line-up, which also features Australian acts such as DJ Alison Wonderland as well as bands The Amity Affliction and Dune Rats , Example penned: 'A week tomorrow 12,000 people. Sold out. Can't wait to perform.' He then followed up with the snap of Erin, writing: 'And it's this one's birthday the same day as the festival.' The festival had been pushed back in May 2020 to October amid the coronavirus pandemic, reports NME. The outdoor event's website explains that the 2021 festival will happen in a Covid safe environment, adding that performances will be stopped if people are not practising safe social distancing. Love: The musician, who regularly posts pictures with his stunning wife, previously shared the same snap of Erin back in March Praise: Captioning the bikini snap, Example praised not only his wife's physique but her ability to inspire as he declared he was 'amazed' by what the human body is capable of They add: 'Feel free to wear a mask at the festival however it is not mandatory at this stage.' Example previously shared the same snap of Erin back in March as he praised her for 'inspiring women to 'push themselves' and lauded the model's incredible physique as he said: 'Shes had two kids and looks like this'. He wrote: 'It isnt international womens day because for me it should be that every day. This incredible being I call my wife is off again tomorrow for another long adventure... more info on that soon... 'She constantly amazes me with what the human body is capable of and - judging by your comments and DMs to her - is constantly inspiring women everywhere to push themselves even further. Cute: Example married Erin in 2013 and they are parents to both Evander, six and Ennio, three 'Yeh shes had two kids and looks like this (its not essential but it works for her!!), yeh shes drinking a beer and yeh she can do more pull ups than me (also Im available for fashion shoots.' Erin has previously discussed her love of fitness, telling Daily Mail Australia in 2018: 'Working out for me, that 20 or 30 minutes a couple of times a week, it was like my church. 'For me, after I had my baby, the workout aspect really was more for my own sanity. 'You really sacrifice a lot of your own, everything, really. You are so relied upon on from these little humans that you barely have any time for yourself so working out... It was that time that I had that was completely and utterly mine and mine alone.' Celebrity Big Brother winner Stephen Bear has been charged in connection with revenge porn allegations. The 31-year-old reality star from Loughton, Essex, was arrested at Heathrow Airport in January after being accused of recording himself having sex with his ex-girlfriend Georgia Harrison, 26, without her knowledge. Now the reality star has now been charged with voyeurism, disclosing private, sexual photographs and films with intent to cause distress, and harassment without violence. Bear is due to appear at Colchester Magistrates' Court on July 2. Charged: Stephen Bear has been charged in connection with revenge porn allegations (pictured in 2017) Bear's ex Harrison previously claimed the star released a sex tape of her online and that the alleged tape had been shared on WhatsApp. The couple dated briefly in 2018 after meeting on MTV show The Challenge. Bear previously dismissed Harrison's revenge porn claims as 'silly rumours' in a now-deleted video he posted online in which he accused her of 'fake crying.' Following his arrest on January 15, Bear was then accused of breaking lockdown rules. He was pictured shopping at Marks & Spencer the day after arriving back in the UK - despite government rules at the time stating those returning from the United Arab Emirates must isolate for ten days. The reality star was seen with his then-girlfriend Tia McAlister, 18, a beauty therapist from Slough, they have since split. Ex-girlfriend: Stephen Bear was arrested at Heathrow Airport in January after being accused of recording himself having sex with his ex-girlfriend Georgia Harrison without her knowledge The charge comes after Bear reportedly moved back in with his parents following his revenge porn arrest. In images obtained by The Sun, the reality TV star was seen outside of his mother and father's home, where he is believed to be 'keeping a low profile' after fleeing his home over death threat fears. On living with Stephen Snr, 69, and mum Linda, 66, a source told the publication: 'Hes been keeping quite a low profile since hes been back home. 'Its very different to the person you seen on his YouTube videos where he acts like hes king of the hill. If it wasnt for that stupid over-sized car of his, youd not know he was about. 'Were all keeping our heads down during lockdown so theres not a lot we can do and hes no different.' Family first: Stephen reportedly moved back in with his parents following his revenge porn arrest and death threat fears (pictured with his mum and dad in 2017) Stephen found fame on Shipwrecked in 2011 then went on to appear in the MTV reality show Ex on the Beach in 2015, and then again in 2016. The same year, he won the eighteenth series of Celebrity Big Brother. His ex Georgia first appeared on TV in TOWIE back in 2014 and then appeared on the 2017 series of Love Island. The reality star is currently living in Dubai after moving to the UAE last year. It was revealed earlier on Friday that Married At First Sight's Jake Edwards has split with his girlfriend Sophie Guidolin. And while the exact reason for the break-up is unclear, personal trainer Sophie, 32, took a savage swipe at Jake, 33, when responding to a fan's comment on Instagram. When asked on Friday whether they were still dating, Sophie shed light on their split, wishing him 'all the best' in getting 'the help he needs' in a now-deleted post. Vocal: Sophie Guidolin (pictured) took a SAVAGE swipe at her Married At First Sight ex Jake Edwards, when responding directly to an Instagram fan on Friday, after news of their split 'Are you and Jake still together? Your media hype of the both of you together has died so I was curious,' the follower asked Sophie directly on Instagram. 'No, his values and character certainly do not align with my own and I wish him all the best to get the help he needs,' Sophie responded. Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Jake for comment. Response: When asked on Friday whether they were still dating, Sophie shed light on their split, wishing Jake (pictured) 'all the best' in getting 'the help he needs' in a now-deleted post Not to be: 'His values and character certainly do not align with my own and I wish him all the best to get the help he needs,' Sophie responded directly to the fan in the now-deleted post A source close to the couple confirmed their split on Friday. Daily Mail Australia understands no third parties were involved and no cheating was suspected. Sophie had been the target of trolling since going public with Jake last month, and this may have put a strain on their romance. 'It's sad because they seemed really in love, but they just couldn't make it work,' the source said. Splitting up: A source close to the couple confirmed the split on Friday. Daily Mail Australia understands no third parties were involved and no cheating was suspected Scrutiny: Personal trainer Sophie, 32, had been the target of trolling since going public with Jake, 33, last month, and this may have put a strain on their romance Jake is still following Sophie on Instagram and has kept photos of the former couple on his page, while Sophie has unfollowed. Sophie had deleted all photos of Jake from her account before they broke up as the posts were being spammed with abusive comments. Jake has now moved back to Melbourne, after previously relocating to the Gold Coast to live with the mother of four. Interesting: Jake is still following Sophie on Instagram and has kept photos of the former couple on his page, while Sophie has unfollowed Discreet: The pair first met on March 10 and started dating weeks later. Jake had to keep their relationship under wraps to begin with because his 'marriage' to Beck Zemek (right) was still playing out on MAFS The pair first met on March 10 and started dating weeks later. Jake had to keep their relationship under wraps to begin with because his 'marriage' to Beck Zemek was still playing out on MAFS. In a now-deleted episode of her podcast, Flourish & Fulfilled, Sophie told listeners Jake had surprised her recently by getting her name tattooed on his body. The former AFL player later revealed he'd had 'Sophie' inked quite prominently across the right side of his stomach. Tatt's dedication! In a now-deleted episode of her podcast, Flourish & Fulfilled, Sophie told listeners Jake had surprised her recently by getting her name tattooed on his body Advertisement She recently parted ways with her treasured Cornwall mansion for a multi-million pound fee, after living in it for 15 years. And Dawn French regularly gave her fans intimate glimpses of her treasured harbourside abode, which sits in the charming town of Fowey, over the years before she packed up and moved on. Sources recently revealed to The Mail On Sunday that the Vicar of Dibley star, 63, opted to sell the grand abode, which she shared with daughter Billie and husband Mark Bignell, because the area had become 'too trendy'. Move: Dawn French recently parted ways with her beloved Cornwall mansion for a multi-million pound fee, after living in it for 15 years Stunning home: She owned Point Neptune House, which boasts huge, arched windows and stunning sea views, for 15 years The Welsh-born star often took to Twitter to share an insight into her idyllic life on the coast, including time with her beloved pets and the bountiful flowers that decorated the home, called Point Neptune. And while her adorable pets and sweet and savoury treats were often the subject of her posts, her spacious kitchen, light-flooded living room and art-covered walls often stole the show. Boasting views of the harbour, Dawn was also able to take advantage of the West Country's abundant sunshine, with a sprawling outdoor dining area. Although the three-storey home was clearly grand in stature, it boasted a relaxed feel, with the screen star's pet pooches and cat regularly seen lounging around the house on the furniture. Furry family members: Although the three-storey home was clearly grand in stature, it boasted a relaxed feel, with the screen star's pet pooches and cat regularly seen lounging around the house on the furniture Breathtaking: The Vicar of Dibley star gave her fans intimate glimpses of her treasured harbourside abode, which sits in the charming town of Fowey, over the years before she packed up and moved on Life's a beach: The Welsh-born star often took to Twitter to share an insight into her idyllic life on the coast, including time with her beloved pets and strolls along the golden shoreline Despite all the charm of the home, it was recently revealed that Dawn planned to move out of the rural idyll of Fowey at a time when it has become too cool and trendy. The Mail on Sunday revealed that the comedienne had sold her treasured home, dramatically set on a windswept bluff, and has decamped to a more low-key area, while remaining within Cornwall. She had owned Point Neptune House, which boasts huge, arched windows and stunning sea views, for 15 years. The property is widely considered one of the most desirable houses in the town, but it is clearly visible to the growing hordes of tourists that visit. A source said earlier this month: Yes, Dawn is selling up, but shes very much staying in Cornwall. She just wanted a change. Stealing the show: While her beloved pets and sweet and savoury treats were often the subject of her posts, her spacious kitchen, light-flooded living room and art-covered walls often stole the show Too cool for school: Despite all the charm of the home, it was recently revealed that Dawn planned to move out of the rural idyll of Fowey at a time when it has become too cool and trendy Also fresco delights: Boasting views of the harbour, Dawn was also able to take advantage of the West Country's abundant sunshine, with a sprawling outdoor dining area Dawn is low-profile and private. The fact that Fowey has recently become cool and trendy isnt what she finds appealing per se. 'It can get very busy now during summer. Dawn will always love Fowey and had 15 wonderful years living there. She will miss all the locals who made her feel so welcome. During an interview with Fern Cotton back in 2018, Dawn said of her home: 'It was in a bit of a state and I thought "Oh, I'm going to need a bit of dosh to do this up". 'I called Jennifer [Saunders] and I said, "Look I've seen this place and I know I want to live there but we've got to go on tour, how about it?" And she said something like "Oh yes, I'm doing my conservatory, OK yes."' Fowey, a charming harbour town where writer Daphne du Maurier once lived, has been described as a millionaires playground and is popular with London buyers. Moving on, staying local: The Mail on Sunday revealed that the comedienne had sold her treasured home, dramatically set on a windswept bluff, and has decamped to a more low-key area, while remaining within Cornwall Say it with flowers: One overriding theme in Dawn's snaps of her home was her love of fresh flowers adorning the property Art pieces: A selection of quirky and personalised art adorned the walls and other areas of the tastefully decorated property It voted last year to ban newly built houses being sold as second homes amid an influx of city-dwellers pricing locals out of the market. The summer season sees the town overrun with tourists, particularly recently now that foreign travel is largely off the cards. Several trendy London restaurants have opened outlets on its narrow and previously quiet streets in recent years, with queues around the block. The source said that Dawn doesnt see herself in that celebrity, flashy tribe. Shes a low-key resident. Its actually not like her to have a visible, ostentatious home in the centre of town. Safety first: At the height of lockdown last year, the comedienne shared her tongue-in-cheek solution for hugging loved ones In the midst of the bustle: The property is widely considered one of the most desirable houses in the town, but it is clearly visible to the growing hordes of tourists that visit Change: A source recently said, Yes, Dawn is selling up, but shes very much staying in Cornwall. She just wanted a change' Oops! The star revealed that a wood pigeon accidentally flew through one of her glorious windows, braking it in the process Dawn, who starred as Geraldine Granger in The Vicar of Dibley, moved into the Grade-II listed building in 2006 with her then-husband Lenny Henry and their daughter Billie. The couple divorced in 2010. In 2013, she married therapist Mark Bignell in the coastal resort of Mawgan Porth. The sale of Point Neptune House is believed to have been a multi-million-pound off-market sale through the luxury property agent Jonathan Cunliffe. He said of the sale: We cannot say who Dawn sold Point Neptune to, only that she has bought again in Cornwall. Big move: Dawn, who starred as Geraldine Granger in The Vicar of Dibley, moved into the Grade-II listed building in 2006 with her then-husband Lenny Henry and their daughter Billie. The couple divorced in 2010 Husband: She now lives with her therapist husband Mark Bignell, who she wed in the coastal resort of Mawgan Porth in 2013 Busy: The summer season sees the town overrun with tourists, particularly recently now foreign travel is largely off the cards Former Married At First Sight star Hayley Vernon turned her back on a career as a finance broker to work as an OnlyFans model. And on Friday, the 33-year-old urged others in an Instagram Stories post to be 'mindful' of the super competitive rates they are selling their content for, as it's 'undercutting' the industry and 'driving our prices down'. After copping some backlash, Hayley used a car analogy to reiterate her point, saying that just like a luxury vehicle, you wouldn't sell your private parts for '50 f***ing cents'. 'Set standards!' Married At First Sight's Hayley Vernon (pictured), 33, called out fellow OnlyFans stars who set their prices too low, in an Instagram Stories post on Friday Hayley brought up the subject by re-posting fellow OnlyFans star Billie Beever's Instagram post, choosing to 'support' and 'stand' with Billie. Billie called out those in the industry who sell videos for as low as $5, meaning that they are unable to sell their own videos at a much higher rate. Hayley, who has been working as an OnlyFans model for nearly a year, said that like other professionals in the industry, she goes to 'big lengths' to get their content. Getting her point across: Hayley urged others to be 'mindful' of the super competitive rates they are selling their content for, as it's 'undercutting' the industry and 'driving our prices down' 'We fly people in from interstate, we have some of the best venues in Australia that we film at. And it's a trend I've noticed of late [that] everyone wants to jump on the OnlyFans bandwagon,' she mused. While she encouraged others to have a go, she urged them to be 'mindful' of those already working in the industry, and to 'do it right' by selling for 'adult standards'. 'Have some respect for the people in the industry that are putting out great content and doing it for adult standards, price wise, because it is undercutting an industry. It's driving our prices down,' she stated. Vocal: 'Have some respect for the people in the industry that are putting out great content and doing it for adult standards, price wise, because it is undercutting an industry. It's driving our prices down,' she stated Analogy: After copping some backlash, Hayley used a car analogy to reiterate her point: 'If you're selling a picture of your 'f***ing f***y, it should be the same price as around the same mark as everyone else's. Don't go putting it out for 50 f***ing cents!' she said 'Set a standard for yourself. Don't be selling things for five bucks. It's a bit of a joke within itself,' Hayley added. After copping some backlash online, Hayley used a car analogy in another Instagram Stories post to stress her point. 'If you're selling a picture of your 'f***ing f***y, it should be the same price as around the same mark as everyone else's. Don't go putting it out for 50 f***ing cents!' she said. Hayley rose to fame on last year's season of Channel Nine's Married At First Sight where she was paired with David Cannon. Rise to fame: Hayley rose to fame on last year's season of Channel Nine's Married At First Sight where she was paired with David Cannon New career move: Since then, she has become very popular on subscription-based adult site OnlyFans, charging fans $7.50 for their first month for exclusive content Since then, she has become very popular on subscription-based adult site OnlyFans, charging fans $15 for their first month for exclusive content. During an Instagram Q&A, Hayley was asked if she'd started a new job since moving from Melbourne to Brisbane earlier this year. 'I just do my OnlyFans and I'm in the top 0.02 per cent of all earners, so I'm laughing!' she said with pride. Sam Faiers looked typically stylish on Friday when she stepped out for a shopping trip in London with her husband Paul Knightley and their three-year-old daughter Rosie. Keeping warm in a chic off-white camel coat, Sam, 30, teamed the piece with a pair of denim jeans alongside a beige zip-up hoodie. Opting for comfort, the former TOWIE star donned a pair of crisp white trainers and she held her little girl's hand while strolling through the capital. Shopping trip: Sam Faiers, 30, looked typically stylish in a camel coat on Friday when she enjoyed a London shopping trip with her husband Paul Knightley and daughter Rosie Doting mother: Opting for comfort, the former TOWIE star donned a pair of crisp white trainers and she held her little girl's hand while strolling through the capital Sam wore her hair swept back into a ponytail and accessorised with beautifully simple stud earrings. She toted shopping bags in both hands and wore a luxury leather rucksack on her back. Little Rosie was kitted out in dusty pink tracksuit bottoms and a matching sweatshirt, while Sam made sure the tot stayed warm by wrapping her up in a white gilet. Doting dad Paul teamed a smart pair of sweatpants with a navy coat and sweetly carried his daughter in his arms when Rosie got tired. Stylish: Keeping warm in a chic off-white camel coat, Sam teamed the piece with a pair of denim jeans alongside a beige zip-up hoodie Radiant: Sam wore her hair swept back into a ponytail and accessorised with beautifully simple stud earrings Treating herself: She toted shopping bags in both hands and wore a luxury leather rucksack on her back It comes after MailOnline exclusively revealed the Mummy Diaries star is teaming up with Tesco to launch her own products for children in a multi-million pound deal. It is understood that Tesco acquired exclusive rights to sell Sam's brand after an intense bidding war among three other major retailers. Her children's body care brand is expected to earn her more than 3million in the first year, and Knightley's Adventures will launch with a range of 10 products. Doting father: Doting dad Paul teamed a smart pair of sweatpants with a navy coat and sweetly carried his daughter in his arms when Rosie got tired Her children's range will be released in every Tesco store in the UK in early May, and it is understood to be the largest deal the retailer has signed with a celebrity pre-launch. In March, Sam told beau Paul Knightley she wants a third child in 'one more year' despite him admitting he is 'not having' another anytime soon. The couple are already parents to Paul Jr, five, alongside Rosie, and Sam is thinking about expanding their brood as she doesn't want her next baby to be too apart in age from their siblings. On an episode of The Mummy Diaries, the couple were kept up until 4am as they tried to get Rosie to sleep in her own bed. Speaking about their current nighttime difficulties, Sam said: 'It's not going to happen overnight. You need to get them into a routine. She's older and wiser so it's going to take a bit of time.' The conversation then moved to the couple expanding their family, with Sam admitting she wants another child sooner rather than later. Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck rocked their fans last week when photos of them emerged on a romantic getaway in Montana where they could get to know each other all over again after calling off their engagement 17 years ago. And even though the two are now on separate coasts at the moment - Ben is in Los Angeles as Jennifer is in Miami - the relationship is gaining ever more momentum with intimate phone calls, it has been claimed. 'Jennifer is in touch with Ben every day,' a source told People on Friday. 'They are making plans to see each other.' Bennifer, the sequel: Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck rocked their fans last week when photos of them emerged on a romantic getaway in Montana where they could get to know each other all over again after calling off their engagement 17 years ago. Hot for each other: And even though the two are now on separate coasts at the moment - Ben is in Los Angeles as Jennifer is in Miami - the relationship is gaining ever more momentum with intimate phone calls, it has been claimed. In 2002 And the source hinted that distance has not cooled her feelings. 'Jennifer is still very excited about how things are going with Ben,' said the friend. Spending time with Oscar-winning Ben in the future will not be difficult. Both have their own mansions in Los Angeles, where Ben co-parents his three kids - Violet,15, Seraphina, 12, and Samuel, nine - with ex-wife Jennifer Garner, 49. As far as Jennifer's children - twins Max and Emme, 13, whom she shares with ex-husband Marc Anthony - she is presently with them in Miami, the source confirmed to the site. She is thrilled: 'Jennifer is in touch with Ben every day,' a source told People on Friday. 'They are making plans to see each other.' Seen in 2003 'She is spending time with her kids in Miami. She has been working, too,' it was added. Lopez is in pre-production on the action-thriller Netflix film Mother where she play a deadly female assassin who comes out of hiding to protect the daughter that she gave up years before, according to Deadline. Lopez dropped a clue on Thursday night that her mind is on her famous 'Bennifer' days. J.Lo took to Instagram to say her favorite album so far is the one she made in 2002 when she was engaged to Ben. She and the Argo star were together from 2002 until 2004. Mom duty: 'She is spending time with her kids in Miami. She has been working, too,' it was added His kids: Ben co-parents his three kids - Violet,15, Seraphina, 12, and Samuel, nine - with ex-wife Jennifer Garner, 49; seen in 2019 She posted several images from her hit album This Is Me... Then which featured Jenny From The Block. Ben starred in the music video, memorably caressing her bottom while on a yacht. 'All of my albums are very special to me, but This Is MeThen is my favorite album I've ever doneso far!' she said in her caption. 'I know a lot of you have heard me say that before, so in honor of my #JLovers helping it re-enter the album charts AGAIN after 19 yearshere is a lil #TBT.' At the time, she dedicated that album to Affleck. In the liner notes she shared: 'You are my life ... my sole inspiration for every lyric, every emotion, every bit of feeling on this record.' Loving the Bennifer days: Lopez dropped a clue on Thursday night that her mind is on her famous 'Bennifer' days. J.Lo took to Instagram to say her favorite album so far is the one she made in 2002 when she was engaged to Ben. She and the Argo star were together from 2002 until 2004 Very loved up in 2003: At the time, she dedicated that album to Affleck. In the liner notes she shared: 'You are my life ... my sole inspiration for every lyric, every emotion, every bit of feeling on this record' This comes after it was claimed by People on Thursday that Lopez is 'in a different place' since the last time she dated Affleck. The Hustlers star has been spending time with the 48-year-old following her split from Alex Rodriguez, and sources have said the pair have both grown since their break-up. An insider said: 'It doesn't seem possible that [Jennifer] would ever get back with Alex, but I can't say that about Ben. Time has passed, and they are each in a different place with children.' Jennifer reportedly wants to spend 'as much time as possible' with Ben, but sources insist they aren't rushing into anything just yet. The early days: On set of Gigli in 2002. The source added: 'She wants to spend as much time with Ben as possible to see where this could go. They are certainly not making any plans about the future' The source added: 'She wants to spend as much time with Ben as possible to see where this could go. They are certainly not making any plans about the future.' Ben think their current arrangement is 'good for both of them'. Speaking to People magazine, the source said: 'Whether they end up together or not it's good for both of them now. And not that surprising.' The way she was: With ex fiance Alex Rodriguez and his kids Natasha and Elle as well as her twins at Jennifer Lopez: All I Have final performance celebration in Las Vegas in 2018 Meanwhile, another insider recently said Jennifer, 51, is 'happy' spending time with the 'Argo' star, after they took a quick getaway to Montana together. They said: 'She had a great time with Ben. She is happy with him and enjoys spending time with him.' Jennifer and Ben - who were pictured in a car together near a resort in Big Sky - are believed to have rekindled their romance and have a 'strong connection' with one another. Another source said: '[Jennifer] spent several days with Ben out of town. They have a strong connection. It's all been quick and intense, but Jennifer is happy.' The actress got engaged to her Gigli co-star in 2002 and they were due to marry in 2003 but postponed the ceremony just days before it was due to take place and officially split in January 2004. Samira Wiley made an appearance on Thursday's episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! During her sit-down with the show's host, the 34-year-old actress opened up about the inspiration behind the name of her daughter, George Elizabeth, and elaborated on the background behind the choice. The Orange Is The New Black actress shares her baby with wife Lauren Morelli to whom she has been married since 2017. Opening up: Samira Wiley spoke about the decision to name her daughter George during her appearance on Thursday's episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! Wiley began the conversation by telling the program's 53-year-old host that she and her spouse had welcomed their daughter a mere 'four and a half weeks ago.' The performer went on to speak about how she had made an ambiguous Instagram post that, although it was meant as a reference to her role in The Handmaid's Tale, many of her fans took as an understated announcement of the arrival of her child. Kimmel then asked the actress about the decision to name her baby George, and she expressed that she wanted to normalize redefining naming practices for children. She remarked, 'We got to teach the new generation about this because I wish that I had some really in-depth story to tell people about George, cause I know that's what people want, and you got to give the people what they want.' Recent arrival: The Orange Is The New Black actress told the show's host that she and her wife, Lauren Morelli, had welcomed their daughter 'four and a half weeks ago' Reasoning: Although Wiley noted that many of her fans reacted to her naming choice with confusion, she told Kimmel, 'I just really like the name, I think it's really cute' Wiley then bluntly stated, 'I just really like the name, I think it's really cute.' She also remarked that she had looked into the history behind her daughter's moniker and learned that it was used for girls over a century ago. 'I tried to do some research, I found out in the 1800s, it was a girl's name but people don't believe me when I say that,' she recalled. The Primetime Emmy-winning actress then expressed that the female best friend of popular children's book character Nancy Drew was named George, although both she and Kimmel admitted to having never read any stories with the detective. Wiley shares her daughter with her wife, Lauren Morelli, whom she met while the two were working on Orange Is The New Black. Doing the homework: The performer then noted that she had researched the name and found that may girls had been named George in the 1800s Happy parents: Wiley and Morelli first met in 2012 when they were both working on Orange Is The New Black; they are pictured in January of 2020 Although the actress' 38-year-old spouse instantly felt a connection with her future wife, she was married to her husband, Stephen Basilone, at the time. Morelli eventually filed for divorce from her former partner in 2014 and began dating the performer, who popped the question two years into their relationship. The couple went on to tie the knot in 2017 during a dreamlike ceremony in Palm Springs, California. In 2019, Wiley hinted that the two were planning to start a family in the near future, although they never confirmed anything. Earlier this month, the actress surprised many of her fans by announcing the arrival of George Elizabeth through a post made to her Instagram account. Maggie Gyllenhaal was spotted out in bustling NYC on Thursday afternoon as she chatted with a pal. The 43-year-old actress and sister of Jake Gyllenhaal looked cheery as she leaned into spring in the city, draping a white blazer over her frame while going about her day. She is set to make her directorial debut, recently wrapping production on a psychological thriller The Lost Daughter for A24 with Normal People's Paul Mescal and Dakota Johnson. Spring in the city: Maggie Gyllenhaal, 43, embraces springtime in the city as she looks cheery while jaunting around the city with a pal The longtime NYC resident offset the city's signature shade of black with a chic white blazer which she draped over her shoulders. And for her day out and about she looked smart in silky black trousers and a simple T-shirt which she wore tucked in. Opting for comfort she slid into a pair of Adidas's sneakers which were adorned with olive green stripes. The Secretary star slung a leather purse over her frame and sported light accessories that included delicate hoop earrings and a pair of black sunglasses. Pop of color: The actress-sister of Hollywood mainstay Jake Gyllenhaal offset the city's signature shade of black with a chic white blazer which she draped over her shoulders. Directorial debut: Despite rising to fame as an actress, the Los Angeles native is set to make her directorial debut with a film called The Lost Daughter which recently wrapped production She and her friend appeared to talk business as her colleague carried what looked to be a work-related document while crossing the street in a pair of clogs. And as she was seen without a face covering, it could be assumed that she is fully vaccinated against COVID-19. As of Thursday May 13, the CDC and President Joe Biden announced that fully vaccinated citizens no longer have to wear a mask indoors or outdoors. Breaking into Hollywood as an actress in the early nineties, Maggie has continued to receive praise for her roles including a Golden Globe win for The Honourable Woman in 2014. Leading lady: Breaking into Hollywood as an actress in the early nineties, Maggie has continued to receive praise for her roles including a Golden Globe win for The Honourable Woman in 2014; pictured October 2019 Short film: In quarantine she teamed up with husband of over a decade Peter Sarsgaard as she directed him in a short film for Netflix called Penelope But she has now made the jump from on-screen starlet to director with her new film The Lost Daughter which is based on a book of the same name by Elena Ferrante. The movie wrapped production on the Greek island of Spetses in recent months. The Colombia University graduate spoke about being attracted to the story's 'secret truths,' in a statement: 'I find that the script has attracted other people interested in exploring these secret truths about motherhood, sexuality, femininity, desire. And I'm thrilled to continue my collaboration with such brave and exciting actors and filmmakers.' And in quarantine she teamed up with husband of over a decade actor Peter Sarsgaard as she directed him in a short film for Netflix called Penelope. The two have been married since 2009 and share two children together. Alec Baldwin once again slammed the concept of cancel culture. The 62-year-old actor took to Twitter to call out social media users who want to 'destroy the undeserving and deserving alike.' In a heated message, he wrote: 'Cancel culture is like a forest fire in constant need of fuel. Functioning objectively. No prejudice. No code. Calling out cancel culture: Alec Baldwin, 62, once again slammed the concept of cancel culture for its unrelenting nature, taking to Twitter to call out social media users who hold people in power accountable for their past actions; the star is seen in 2019 TweetL 'Cancel culture is like a forest fire in constant need of fuel. Functioning objectively. No prejudice. No code,' he wrote in a heated message on the platform 'Just destroy. The deserving and the undeserving alike,' the 30 Rock star added. On Thursday evening he tweeted: 'There appears to be a zero tolerance policy for bad behavior everywhere except where it matters most: the US Congress.' The pointed message comes months after his wife Hilaria's heritage fell under question when a social media thread pointed out inconsistencies in stories she had told the media about her upbringing. A number of her childhood peers said she grew up in Boston under the name Hillary Hayward-Thomas, and did not speak with a Spanish accent in those years. She was seen in a 2015 Today show clip seemingly forgetting the world 'cucumber' in a cooking segment, which became a social media focal point as the scandal contained to make headlines. Controversy: The pointed message comes months after his wife Hilaria's heritage fell under question when a social media thread pointed out inconsistencies in stories she had told the media about her upbringing; the couple appear in 2016 She told The New York Times of the scandal, 'There is not something I'm doing wrong, and I think there is a difference between hiding and creating a boundary.' 'I was born in Boston. I spent time in Boston and in Spain. My family now lives in Spain. I moved to New York when I was 19 years old and I have lived here ever since,' she told the paper. 'For me, I feel like I have spent 10 years sharing that story over and over again. And now it seems like its not enough.' Hilaria apologized on Instagram for misleading her followers, saying on social media, 'The way I've spoken about myself and my deep connection to two cultures could have been better explained - I should have been more clear and I'm sorry.' 'I'm proud of the way I was raised, and we're raising our children to share the same love and respect for both.' Apology: Hilaria apologized on Instagram for misleading her followers, saying on social media, 'The way I've spoken about myself and my deep connection to two cultures could have been better explained - I should have been more clear and I'm sorry' In March, Alec posted a 14-minute video rant on Instagram, hitting out at cancel culture and defending due process amid sexual misconduct allegations leveled at New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Woody Allen. He lambasted social media users - this time targeting those who are eager to 'cancel' famous men on the basis of unproven allegations. Although he did not mention any names specifically, Baldwin appeared to be referring to both Cuomo and Allen. He began the clip by stating: 'I do have a few people going at me for defending people who have been accused of crimes... Well, I'm not defending someone who is guilty of something. I'm choosing to defend someone who has not been proven guilty of something.' Not the first time: In March, Alec posted a 14-minute video rant on Instagram, hitting out at cancel culture and defending due process amid sexual misconduct allegations leveled at New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Woody Allen; they are pictured on set together in 2011 Cuomo has been accused of sexual harassment by numerous women, while Allen has been accused of sexually molesting his adopted daughter, Dylan Farrow. Baldwin told his followers that immediately condemning such men without evidence was an example of cancel culture. 'The cancel culture thing has revved up during COVID. They [people] have a lot of times on their hands... They want to get on their computer and they want to take on people like me and they want to say every horrible thing that you can possibly imagine about defending someone whose been accused of a crime,' he said. 'The COVID has exacerbated everything bad in our society. People are angry and bitter. They're p**ed off'. Baldwin said he would no longer defend those who had been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. 'If it was proven beyond a reasonable doubt that this person was guilty, I would certainly be open to changing my tune and even apologizing to victims,' the star declared. , 'I'm all in favor of tough laws on people who sexual harass or abuse, but it has to be proven.' Alec clearly has a love-hate relationship with Twitter. He has quit the social media platform multiple times this year, as well as in 2017, 2014, 2012 and 2011. Also in March, he shared a 10 minute Instagram rant after deleting his Twitter account. He claimed that Twitter 'is where all the a**holes in the United States and beyond go to get their advanced degrees in a**holiness.' He added: 'The problem with Twitter is, Twitter is a lot of haters.' Nicki Minaj has broken her silence over the tragic hit and run that killed her father Robert Maraj, 64, back in February. The rap icon, 38, took to her website to speak out about the 'devastating' loss but admitted that she still 'can't really bring myself to discuss the passing of my father as yet,' in an emotional post on Friday. Robert Maraj died on February 12 when he was struck by a car between Roslyn Road and Raff Avenue in Nassau County, New York, with the driver of the vehicle that hit him allegedly fleeing the scene. Heartbreaking loss: Nicki Minaj finally spoke out about the death of her father Robert Maraj in an emotional post on her website on Friday 'Tho I can't really bring myself to discuss the passing of my father as yet; I can say it has been the most devastating loss of my life,' Nicki penned on her website. 'I find myself wanting to call him all the time. More so now that he's gone,' the star continued. 'Life is funny that way. May his soul rest in paradise. He was very loved & will be very missed.' At around 6pm on Friday February 12, 2020, Nicki's father Robert had been walking down the road in Mineola when he was struck by a 1992 white Volvo station wagon. The 64-year-old was taken to a local hospital and succumbed to his injuries the following day. 'Tho I can't really bring myself to discuss the passing of my father as yet; I can say it has been the most devastating loss of my life,' Nicki penned on her website The driver of the vehicle that that hit Robert fled the scene an was arrested several days later by the Nassau County Police Department after turning himself in. Charles Polevich, 70, surrendered to police after officers tracked him down to his home in Mineola and found his damaged car in the garage. He was charged with charged with two felonies, including leaving the scene of an incident involving death of a person, and tampering with or suppressing physical evidence. 'He was absolutely aware of what happened,' Detective Lt Stephen Fitzpatrick said at the time. 'He looked at the deceased and made the conscious decision to leave instead of dialing 911, instead of calling an ambulance for the man. He went home and secreted the vehicle, so he is well aware of what he did.' Incident: At around 6pm on Friday February 12, 2020, Nicki's father Robert had been walking down the road in Mineola when he was struck by a 1992 white Volvo station wagon; The 64-year-old was taken to a local hospital and succumbed to his injuries the following day Police said that had Polevich stayed at the scene and was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time, he would have avoided criminal charges. Subsequently, Nicki's mother, Carol Maraj, filed a $150million lawsuit against Charles Polevich over the hit and run. Nicki and her late father had a fraught relationship throughout her life and she has previously spoken out about her difficult childhood and Robert's substance abuse. While Minaj has accused her father of being an abusive alcoholic and crack addict in her youth, but eight years ago she said that he was trying to clean up his act. She never puts a foot wrong with fashion. And Kelly Brook looked effortlessly stylish in a check midi skirt and hoodie on Friday as she arrived for work at Global Radio studios. The radio host, 41, completed her casual yet chic look with a black longline coat as she entered the building ahead of her Heart FM show. Work ensemble: Kelly Brook looked effortlessly stylish in a check midi skirt and hoodie on Friday as she arrived for work at Global Radio studios Opting for comfortable footwear, she sported white trainers while adding a touch of glamour with gold jewellery. Kelly swept her chocolate tresses back in a sleek ponytail and she highlighted her delicate features with a soft make-up look. The outing comes after the former glamour admitted that she would like beau Jeremy Parisi, 36, to propose, laughing as she added: 'Not hinting or anything!' The model also branded herself 'a bit of a nag' while giving an insight into their home life together during lockdown. Best fashion foot forward: The radio host, 41, completed her casual yet chic look with a black longline coat as she entered the building ahead of her Heart FM show Speaking to OK! Online, Kelly said: 'At the moment there are no wedding plans or engagement plans. I think we've just had quite a massive year as a couple.' She explained that they had 'kept each other going' amid the coronavirus pandemic and joked they'd focused on 'trying not to kill each other' but insisted they were stronger than ever and happy as they are, at the moment. The radio host continued: 'I'm all up for women proposing to their partners, I don't think there's anything wrong with that, however, I would ideally like Jeremy to propose to me if he wanted to... 'Of course that'd be lovely... Not hinting or anything Jeremy,' added the brunette beauty, with a giggle. Fleck of gold: Opting for comfortable footwear, she sported white trainers while adding a touch of glamour with gold jewellery Natural beauty: Kelly swept her chocolate tresses back in a sleek ponytail and she highlighted her delicate features with a soft make-up look Kelly also described herself as being 'a bit of a nag' at home, which she put down to being a 'clean freak.' The Heart Radio presenter revealed that Jeremy has become a better cook during lockdown and praised him for having sumptuous meals ready for her to come home to. She also revealed that she longs for more time back on her Kent farm, confessing: 'I've been living in London for the past two years and that's starting to take its toll. City life is way too fast paced,' adding that she feels 'time poor' at the moment. Not hinting!? In a recent interview, Kelly admitted that she would like beau Jeremy Parisi, 36, to propose, laughing as she said: 'Not hinting or anything!' (Pictured in 2020) Kelly admitted she always thought she would retire from showbusiness aged 30 because models didn't have a long shelf-life. The interview comes after Kelly revealed she was considered proposing to boyfriend of six-years Jeremy on the next leap year. Tradition dictates that women propose on leap years, and specifically the leap day itself, with the next one set to fall on February 29, 2024 And it seems the presenter had a plan in place if she isn't engaged by then, as she'll take matters into her own hands. Speaking to Hello! magazine in April about the last leap year - which they spent in Italy - she mused: 'I've missed that window so I'll just have to wait another four years!' The actress also cleared up any confusion surrounding the diamond band that she is often seen wearing on her ring finger. Although the jewellery was a gift from Jeremy - which has their names and date engraved on the back - it isn't to symbol an engagement, with Kelly revealing: 'I wear the ring on that finger because it's the only one that fits!' Kelly has been in a relationship with model Jeremy since April 2015, and said although she would love to get married and have children with him, neither are 'high on her list' of priorities right now. A former American Idol contestant was arrested for domestic violence. Doug Kiker, 28, competed on season 18 of the hit reality competition series in 2020, and impressed the judges as the show's resident singing garbage man. Now he is in police custody in Alabama after law enforcement officials said he was involved in a domestic violence incident on Thursday, according to TMZ. Arrested! Doug Kiker, 28, who competed on season 18 of American Idol in 2020 and impressed the judges as the show's resident singing garbage man, was arrested for domestic violence on Thursday Former Idol contestant: Kiker is in police custody in Alabama after law enforcement officials say he was involved in a domestic violence incident on Thursday, according to TMZ Kiker was arrested for misdemeanor domestic violence and he's now sitting in jail on $1,000 bond, Mobile Police lieutenant Matthew James told the outlet. He was taken into custody after officers responded to a report of domestic violence on Thursday night. The incident allegedly involved the reality television star and an unnamed adult woman who called 911. The nature of their relationship is unclear. Charges: Kiker was arrested for misdemeanor domestic violence and he's now sitting in jail on $1,000 bond, Mobile Police lieutenant Matthew James told the outlet What happened: He was taken into custody after officers responded to a report of domestic violence on Thursday night involving the reality television star and an unnamed adult woman who called 911 The responding officers allegedly investigated and determined there was probable cause to arrest Kiker. At the time of his appearance on Idol, he lived in Mobile, Alabama, and he currently remains in Mobile Metro Jail. Doug did not make it to Top 20 on his season of the hit series, but he charmed the judges during his audition with his unassuming nature, work-callused hands and lack of performing experience. He said he was auditioning for his then-two-year-old daughter Eliana, wanting to show her that 'if you put your mind to it, there's nothing you can't do.' Idol experience: Doug did not make it to Top 20 on his season of the hit series, but he charmed the judges during his audition with his unassuming nature, work-callused hands and lack of performing experience Standing ovation: Doug earned a standing ovation from the judges for his cover of Rascal Flatt's Bless This Broken Road The judges sent him outside to practice in front of a crowd, and when he returned, he impressed everyone with a cover of Rascal Flatt's Bless This Broken Road. Doug earned a standing ovation from the judges, and even brought Katy Perry, 36, to tears. He hugged the judges as they gave him his golden ticket, embarrassed that he was 'a little sweaty' in front of Katy, whom he'd called 'really pretty.' His audition became an viral sensation and was watched by 200 million people worldwide. Tears: Kiker brought Katy Perry, 36, to tears and aid he was auditioning for his then-two-year-old daughter Eliana, wanting to show her that 'if you put your mind to it, there's nothing you can't do' Hugs: He hugged the judges as they gave him his golden ticket, embarrassed that he was 'a little sweaty' in front of Katy, whom he'd called 'really pretty' Ending his run: Unfortunately the fan favorite didn't make it beyond Hollywood week, where he said: 'I just don't want to let my family down... I've been a good man my whole life' Unfortunately the fan favorite didn't make it beyond Hollywood week, where he said: 'I just don't want to let my family down... I've been a good man my whole life.' At first, Doug sang the wrong song, but he quickly corrected to the right one: a performance of Ain't No Mountain High Enough. The crowd clapped for him, but he had trouble staying in the right key and was sent home. Backstage, Doug called a friend, and said, 'I think I did pretty well for it being my first time.' After finishing his time on the program, he got his noticeable jagged smile fixed, and returned for the finale to perform Bless The Broken Road with country trio Rascal Flatts. During the episode, he said he'd grown to believe in himself enough to sing in front of other people, adding, 'I'm about to go do somebody's birthday party, through my video channel, due to the COVID-19.' Jennifer Lopez shared some new photos to Instagram on Friday where she was promoting her shoe line for DSW. The Hustlers actress, 51, had on a skintight neon green cat suit as she said she was 'ready for summer.' There was another image as well where she showed off her very toned legs while dressed in a romper. This new posting comes amid claims her ex-fiance Alex Rodriguez is 'not thrilled' that the Bronx beauty has been spending time with her former love Ben Affleck. He also is reportedly suffering from a 'hurt ego.' A knockout: Jennifer Lopez shared some new photos to Instagram on Friday where she was modeling her shoe line for DSW. The Hustlers actress, 51, had on a skintight neon green cat suit as she said she was 'ready for summer' Miffed: This new posting comes amid claims her ex-fiance Alex Rodriguez is 'not thrilled' that the Bronx beauty has been spending time with her former love Ben Affleck In the new images Jennifer has her hair pulled up into a tight top knot as she wears deep red lipstick. The green suit makes the most of her hourglass curves that stay in check with daily gym visits. In another image she wears a white strapless top as she holds up the flat sandals she designed for the shoe company. That same day People claimed Alex 'was pretty surprised' about Jen going back to Ben. The two were at the same VAX Live concert and he was seen visiting her home in LA. Then he swept the star away to Montana. Red alert: In the new images Jennifer has her hair pulled up into a tight top knot as she wears deep red lipstick 'Alex is not thrilled,' the source shared. 'It definitely hurt his ego.' The source added: '[Alex] was under the impression that he and Jennifer would go on as friends, but he is acting so needy that Jennifer cut him off. 'Jennifer seems very happy. She tried for a long time to get her relationship with Alex to work. She feels good that she decided to break it off. She just doesn't trust him and didn't want to waste any more time.' Gym rat look: Her legs were on display showing off her incredible muscle tone It was reported earlier this week: 'It doesn't seem possible that [Jennifer] would ever get back with Alex.' Bennifer rocked their fans last week when photos of them emerged on a romantic getaway in Montana where they could get to know each other all over again after calling off their engagement 17 years ago. And even though the two are now on separate coasts at the moment - Ben is in Los Angeles as Jennifer is in Miami - the relationship is gaining ever more momentum with intimate phone calls, it has been claimed. 'Jennifer is in touch with Ben every day,' a source told People on Friday morning. 'They are making plans to see each other.' The way she was: With Rodriguez and his kids Natasha and Ella as well as her twins at Jennifer Lopez: All I Have final performance celebration in Las Vegas in 201 And the source hinted that distance has not cooled her feelings. 'Jennifer is still very excited about how things are going with Ben,' said the friend. Spending time with Oscar-winning Ben in the future will not be difficult. Both have their own mansions in Los Angeles, where Ben co-parents his three kids - Violet,15, Seraphina, 12, and Samuel, nine - with ex-wife Jennifer Garner, 49. As far as Jennifer's children - twins Max and Emme, 13, whom she shares with ex-husband Marc Anthony - she is presently with them in Miami, the source confirmed to the site. Bennifer, the sequel: The duo emerged on a romantic getaway in Montana where they could get to know each other all over again after calling off their engagement 17 years ago She is thrilled: 'Jennifer is in touch with Ben every day,' a source told People on Friday. 'They are making plans to see each other.' Seen in 2003 'She is spending time with her kids in Miami. She has been working, too,' it was added. Lopez is in pre-production on the action-thriller Netflix film Mother where she play a deadly female assassin who comes out of hiding to protect the daughter that she gave up years before, according to Deadline. Lopez dropped a clue on Thursday night that her mind is on her famous 'Bennifer' days. J.Lo took to Instagram to say her favorite album so far is the one she made in 2002 when she was engaged to Ben. She and the Argo star were together from 2002 until 2004. Mom duty: 'She is spending time with her kids in Miami. She has been working, too,' it was added His kids: Ben co-parents his three kids - Violet,15, Seraphina, 12, and Samuel, nine - with ex-wife Jennifer Garner, 49; seen in 2019 She posted several images from her hit album This Is Me... Then which featured Jenny From The Block. Ben starred in the music video, memorably caressing her bottom while on a yacht. 'All of my albums are very special to me, but This Is MeThen is my favorite album I've ever doneso far!' she said in her caption. 'I know a lot of you have heard me say that before, so in honor of my #JLovers helping it re-enter the album charts AGAIN after 19 yearshere is a lil #TBT.' At the time, she dedicated that album to Affleck. In the liner notes she shared: 'You are my life ... my sole inspiration for every lyric, every emotion, every bit of feeling on this record.' Loving the Bennifer days: Lopez dropped a clue on Thursday night that her mind is on her famous 'Bennifer' days. J.Lo took to Instagram to say her favorite album so far is the one she made in 2002 when she was engaged to Ben. She and the Argo star were together from 2002 until 2004 Loved up in 2003: At the time, she dedicated that album to Affleck. In the liner notes she shared: 'You are my life ... my sole inspiration for every lyric, every emotion, every bit of feeling on this record' This comes after it was claimed by People on Thursday that Lopez is 'in a different place' since the last time she dated Affleck. Jennifer reportedly wants to spend 'as much time as possible' with Ben, but sources insist they aren't rushing into anything just yet. The source added: 'She wants to spend as much time with Ben as possible to see where this could go. They are certainly not making any plans about the future.' Ben think their current arrangement is 'good for both of them'. Speaking to People magazine, the source said: 'Whether they end up together or not it's good for both of them now. And not that surprising.' ABC has announced that hit sitcom The Goldbergs is coming back for a ninth season. The network renewed the comedy series which stars Wendi McLendon-Covey, Sean Giambrone, Hayley Orrantia, Troy Gentile, Sam Lerner and Jeff Garlin. On March 23, the series was struck with a tragic loss when co-star George Segal passed away at 87 years of age after complications from bypass surgery. Coming back: ABC has announced that hit sitcom The Goldbergs is coming back for a ninth season Segal played Albert 'Pops' Solomon, the beloved father of McLendon-Covey's character Beverly, on the show. Set in the 1980s, The Goldbergs based on creator Adam F Goldbergs childhood experiences with his family. Goldberg stepped down after season six and writer-producers Chris Bishop and Alex Barnow were named showrunners heading into season seven and the current eighth season. Sad: On March 23, the series was struck with a tragic loss when co-star George Segal passed away at 87 years of age after complications from bypass surgery The Goldbergs paid tribute to Segal on April 7's episode, which was his last. The show aired a special video tribute to the actor. Some of the show's cast members paid tribute on social media. Tribute: The Goldbergs payed tribute to Segal on April 7's episode, which was his last Tribute: The show aired a special video tribute to the actor, while some of the show's stars paid tribute on social media The Goldbergs typically finishes each episode with throwback footage from series creator Goldberg's family that he shot as a child, though the April 7 episode honored Segal. The tribute, which was shared on The Goldbergs Twitter after the episode aired, began with, 'Dedicated to Our Friend, George.' The video featured shots of Segal combing his hair and spraying some Binaca in his mouth before he did a little dance. Dance: The video featured shots of Segal combing his hair and spraying some Binaca in his mouth before he did a little dance He was also seen in a full Ghostbusters costume alongside his on-screen grandson, played by Giambrone, as he humorously botches the catch-phrase with, 'Who are you gonna telephone? The Ghost Fellas!' Pops is also seen having a talk with his grandson, telling him that, 'Some women like a sensitive man.' The video goes on to show other memorable shots of Pops, ending with him giving everyone in the Goldbergs family a hug. Ghost fellas: He was also seen in a full Ghostbusters costume alongside his on-screen grandson, played by Sean Giambrone, as he humorously botches the catch-phrase with, 'Who are you gonna telephone? The Ghost Fellas!' Sensitive: Pops is also seen having a talk with his grandson, telling him that, 'Some women like a sensitive man' Hugs: The video goes on to show other memorable shots of Pops, ending with him giving everyone in the Goldbergs family a hug 'If you just believe in yourself like I do, you can't lose,' he says, as a final title card reads, 'We will miss you, George' as the video comes to an end. McLendon-Covey, also shared tributes to Segal on Twitter. 'Tonight's episode was the last that George filmed, but not the last of our season. We had no idea at the time we filmed it, that it would be our last with him,' she said. Miss you: 'If you just believe in yourself like I do, you can't lose,' he says, as a final title card reads, 'We will miss you, George' as the video comes to an end No idea: 'Tonight's episode was the last that George filmed, but not the last of our season. We had no idea at the time we filmed it, that it would be our last with him,' she said McLendon-Covey added in another tweet, 'We had so much fun filming this episode, and George was still game for anything. Always a total pro and a joy to be around! #TheGoldbergs.' Orrantia, who plays Erica Goldberg in the series, retweeted the video message, adding, 'We love and miss you so much.' Series creator Goldberg also quote-retweeted another McLendon-Covey tweet where she made it clear they would 'NEVER replace George in the role of Pops. If we get a season 9, we will address it then.' Fun: McLendon-Covey added in another tweet, 'We had so much fun filming this episode, and George was still game for anything. Always a total pro and a joy to be around! #TheGoldbergs' Love: Hayley Orrantia, who plays Erica Goldberg in the series, retweeted the video message, adding, 'We love and miss you so much' Goldberg added in his quote retweet, 'Tonight is Georges last episode. Fans are asking whats planned for Pops. Even though my input and stories have not been used this season, I know the way to address this loss is to use my real experience of losing my Grandpa to honor George and my Pops. Hope Im welcome S9! #JTP' With the show now renewed, fans can expect to see how The Goldbergs handles the loss of Pops next season. Last year, just a week ahead of Diwali, Aakanksha Singh was looking forward to visiting her family in Jaipur. And then she got a call telling her that her parents-in-law and three other relatives had tested positive for COVID-19. But that did not stop her from going to Jaipur. My husband (Kunal) and I decided to go ahead with the trip, she says. They stayed at a hotel and coordinated with doctors regarding the treatment and hospitalisation of their loved ones. It was one of the toughest phases, recalls Aakanksha. Coordinating with doctors, checking up on your family, ensuring that all is well with them, answering relatives calls about their condition it was all extremely stressful she says. The actress is currently back in Jaipur, since no shootings are taking place. She was supposed to be in Hyderabad for a script narration, but with the Telangana government imposing a lockdown she has postponed her trip. Explaining that she had come to Jaipur to be with her family during these tough times, Aakanksha says she is quarantining herself as a precaution. We are living in unprecedented times, and the situation outside is very scary, the Devadas actress points out. During the crisis, Aakanksha has been trying to do her bit. She has been putting up items from her personal wardrobe for sale, to raise funds for COVID-19 relief. I will put in an amount equal to the sale price, she shares, adding that she had wanted to start such an initiative long back, but the present situation made it happen. And the response has been great. The actress reveals that the gown which she wore for the audio launch of her first film was recently sold. It was an emotional moment, but I was happy that it for a great cause, she says. The items will be shipped to the buyers after the lockdown is lifted. Commenting that she couldnt wait for 2020 to end, Aakanksha says the second wave is even scarier than the first, and notes that these difficult times are taking a toll on peoples mental health. I personally experienced what families go through when their loved ones get the disease. I know how tough it is, and I dont want others to go through it. I am doing my best possible, she says. Gandhi Hospital is getting it with its own funds and treating three such patients. PTI HYDERABAD: Gandhi Hospital is receiving severe cases of black fungus infection from some private hospitals which are not ready to treat them. The medicine Amphotericin B needed to treat the condition is expensive. Gandhi Hospital is getting it with its own funds and treating three such patients. Medical education director Dr Ramesh Reddy said: "Private hospitals must treat their own patients and not send them to Gandhi Hospital. We are treating cases of black fungus and the government is paying for the costly medicine. But severe cases are being sent by private hospitals which is not fair." The Police at the Pullur Toll Plaza was scrutinizing the papers of the ambulances carrying seriously ill patients. (Representational Image/AFP) KURNOOL: Two Covid-19 patients died in ambulances as the Telangana state police stopped the vehicles at Pullur toll plaza on the inter-state border at Andhra Pradesh near here on Friday. A seriously ill patient has been admitted to the General Hospital here after the denial of entry into TS. The dead were reportedly from Kadapa and Nandyal towns. At least 60 ambulances have been returned since the midnight of Thursday, a source said. It was a day of hope against hope at Pullur toll plaza. Ambulances carrying critically ill patients were stopped from going to Hyderabad as the cops at Jogulamba-Gadwal strictly implemented the TS Chief Secretarys orders which laid down entry norms like producing an e-pass and prior hospital bed confirmation for the patients-in transit. However, Kurnool SP Kaginelli Fakkeerappa said no one died while waiting at the border checkpoint. In all, 14 ambulances got struck out here, of which six were with patients and eight empty. Four patients were shifted back to various hospitals in Kurnool and they are stable." He said, This information is authentic as it was verified from all sources. After the TS High Court issuing a stay of operation of the TS Chief Secretarys orders effecting curbs on ambulances, the Jogulamba-Gadwal SP Ranjan Ratan Kumar said the status quo continues at the Pullur toll plaza. We have not received any order to ease the flow of ambulances. The SP who visited the toll plaza earlier in the day asked the police manning the border checkpoint to be fully vigilant and not allow any ambulances. When asked the SP as to why there was a strict vigil on patients visiting Hyderabad, he disconnected the call. It was chaos at the Pullur toll plaza on Friday as TS police stopped ambulances. The Gadwal police scrutinised ambulances for documents. At least 60 ambulances have been sent back from midnight of Thursday till Friday afternoon. It is said two critically ill patients on oxygen support in ambulances died at the toll plaza as they were kept waiting for permission to cross the border. One more critically ill patient, denied permission, was admitted in Kurnool GGH. Kurnool MLA MA Hafeez Khan requested the border police to allow patients to proceed. The cops, in turn, cited the CS order. Jogulamba Gadwal district SP Ranjan Rathan Kumar visited the toll plaza and reviewed the situation. Hafeez Khan got to know in the morning that dozens of ambulances were stranded at the Pullur toll plaza. He rushed to the place and found patients in varying degrees of seriousness on the wait for entry to TS. He managed to send two ambulances to Hyderabad based on the extremely serious nature of the condition. Meanwhile, TD Kurnool unit president Somisetty Venkateswarlu and BJP district president P Rama Swamy reached the toll plaza and entered Telangana side and started a street protest. Demanding that the TS police allow all ambulances to go through, they said the restrictions must be withdrawn immediately. The TS police drove them back to Andhra Pradesh's side. You agitate from Andhra's side only. Not here, cops told them. YSRCMLAs Katasani Rambhupal Reddy and Arthur also reached the spot but failed to convince the cops to relax their stand. Soumya, who hailed from Kerala's Idukki district, worked as a caregiver attending to an old woman at a house in the southern Israeli coastal city of Ashkelon. (Photo: Twitter) Tel Aviv: The mortal remains of a 30-year-old Indian woman, Soumya Santosh, killed in a rocket attack by Palestinian militants from Gaza, was sent to India on Friday evening. The jet carrying her body left from Ben-Gurion airport at around 7 PM on Friday and is likely to arrive in Delhi Saturday morning. An aircraft carrying the mortal remains of Soumya Santosh has taken off for Delhi, the Indian embassy in Israel said in a tweet. Minister of External Affairs V.Muraleedharan would be personally present to receive the remains. It will be sent to her hometown in Kerala from Delhi on Saturday itself. "The mortal remains of Ms Soumya Santhosh, who was killed in rocket attacks from Gaza, are being repatriated today from Israel to Kerala through Delhi. They will reach her native place tomorrow," Muraleedharan said in a tweet. "I will personally be receiving the remains in Delhi. May her soul rest in peace," he further said. Soumya, who hailed from Kerala's Idukki district, worked as a caregiver attending to an old woman at a house in the southern Israeli coastal city of Ashkelon. She was talking to her husband Santhosh over a video call in the evening on Monday when a rocket fired from Gaza directly hit the house where she was working. The Indian caregiver was living and working in Israel for the last seven years. She has a nine-year-old son whom she had left with her husband in Kerala. Her 80-year-old elderly charge survived the direct hit on the house and was hospitalised. The rocket shelter was at least a minute's run away from the woman's home and the pair could not manage to reach it in time. The home lacked a fortified room of its own. Some media reports said that a technical glitch with an Iron Dome battery (an all-weather air defence system that intercepts and destroys short range rockets) during the massive rocket barrage towards the Israeli coastal city prevented some rockets from being intercepted and may have been responsible for the casualties and deaths. Ashkelon's Mayor Tomer Glam said that some 25 per cent of the residents do not have access to a protected area when rockets are fired at the city. It is impossible when normal life becomes a state of emergency within minutes, Glam told Army Radio. There are houses from the 1960s where there is no basic protection. It is time for treasury officials and decision-makers to understand what is happening here in the city, he stressed. Israel's Ambassador to India, Ron Malka, condoled the death of the Indian woman on Twitter Wednesday. On behalf of the state of Israel, I convey heartfelt condolences to the family of Ms. Soumya Santosh, murdered by Hamas indiscriminate terror attack on innocent lives. Our hearts are crying with her 9 years old son that lost his mother in this cruel Terrorist attack, he said in a tweet. Nine Israelis and 119 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed so far since violence erupted on Monday that has spread across Israel, Gaza and the West Bank. Praising her for her initiative to train 170 tribal women farmers in her village, the PM opined that major parts of country would be greener if everyone followed her example. (Photo: PTI) ANANTAPUR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lauded a woman farmer practising natural farming as a role model for farmers across the country. He also noted the dalit woman earns four times investment. Praising her for her initiative to train 170 tribal women farmers in her village, the PM opined that major parts of country would be greener if everyone followed her example. The Kisan (Prime Minister's Kisan Samman Fund) 2021-22 Scheme was launched by the Prime Minister on Friday through a video conference and he interacted with a few farmers from different parts of the country on the occasion. Vannuramma, a woman farmer from Duradakunta village in Kalyanadurgam mandal, was among those who had the opportunity to interact with the Prime Minister. She had four children and lost her husband a few years ago. Though the family had four acres of dry land, she eked out a living as a farm labourer till two years ago, leaving the land for nearly 10 years as they could not bear losses. Her life took a positive turn after she started practicing natural farming in 2 acres. She succeeded to get yields throughout the year. She also showed the PM the vegetables grown in the land. "The government gave me four acres of assigned land. That land had been barren for ten years. I did nature farming in 2 acres. I grew three types of crops millets, peanuts and vegetables. The total investment for the 3 crops was Rs 27,000 and I could make a profit of Rs 1.07 lakh per acre, a beaming Vannuramma briefed Modi. Confident of sustained yields through this farming, she was training around 170 tribal women from the Tanda (tribal village) next to her village in nature farming. Impressed by her successive story, the Prime Minister appreciated her for taking to natural farming. "The country is getting a boost of confidence from the farmers. The nature farming you have done as a Dalit woman stands as an ideal for other farmers. I sincerely salute you, Modi said. Collector Gandham Chandrudu specially congratulated Vannuramma on briefing the Prime Minister on her successful journey as a progressive farmer. Mumbai: Bhima Koregaon case accused Hany Babu has tested Covid positive, his family informed on Friday. The family has asked the Maharashtra government to shift him to a multi-speciality hospital. Babu was admitted to the state-run JJ hospital on Thursday for the follow up treatment of his eye infection. At about 7.30 pm [on Thursday], when Hanys mother arrived at JJ Hospital to meet her son, she was informed by a nurse that Hany had tested Covid Positive. We are yet to receive any official information either from the prison or from the NIA. Despite requests we have not received any information regarding his CT count, his vital statistics and the results of any tests conducted, the family said in a statement. Urging the Maharashtra government to shift Babu to a better hospital, the family said, It is an injustice that he had to suffer due to the negligence [of] state officials. We are dealing with an opaque and callous system which is deaf to our cries and blind to our pain. Earlier, his family had said that Babu, lodged at Taloja Prison in neighbouring Navi Mumbai, was suffering from acute eye infection and should get proper treatment. Babu was arrested by the National Investigation Agency in July 2020. The Elgar Parishad case relates to alleged inflammatory speeches made at a conclave held in Pune on December 31, 2017, which the police claimed triggered violence the next day near the Koregaon-Bhima war memorial. Pune Police claimed the conclave was backed by Maoists. Later, the case was taken over by the NIA. Several other activists including Sudha Bharadwaj and Varavara Rao were arrested in the case. It is significant that Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, at his first press conference after taking office, made it clear his government would seek NRC re-verification. PTI Guwahati: Assam state NRC coordinator Hitesh Dev Sarma has moved the Supreme Court seeking a comprehensive re-verification of the draft National Register of Citizens as well as its supplementary list. Following the decision of the outgoing and present BJP government, the NRC coordinator in the petition pleaded for an appropriate direction from the court on the process to be undertaken under Clause 4 (3) of the Schedule of the Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules 2003. Mr Sarma sought re-verification under the supervision of a monitoring committee, preferably represented by the respective district judge, district magistrate and superintendent of police. Major irregularities have been detected in the lists of the NRC in Assam and a comprehensive re-verification should be conducted. Irregularities have been detected in the final draft as well as the supplementary list. While ineligible names were included, many eligible names have also been excluded, he said in his petition. So far, the verification process has helped in the detection of only forged documents, he said, and not any manipulation or manufactured secondary document used to procure the main document. For example, a name in the electoral roll may be verified through back-end verification, the petition argued. But office verification cannot detect whether it was entered fraudulently with the help of forged or manipulated documents. This is because there had been no back-end verification in the preparation of electoral rolls, the petition read. The office verification process could however be still a very effective tool for verification if it was properly and effectively combined with the Family Tree Verification process," it added. The NRC coordinator also pleaded that in the Original Inhabitants category and the Persons from other States category, several errors had been detected. Mr Sarma, in his plea before the court, argued that the preparation of a correct and error-free NRC was integral to national security too. It is significant that Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, at his first press conference after taking office, made it clear his government would seek NRC re-verification. Our view on NRC is very clear. We want 20 per cent re-verification of the list in districts bordering Bangladesh and 10 per cent re-verification in other districts. If after that, the NRC is found to be correct, the state government would accept it and take the process forward. But if the NRC is found faulty even after the re-verification, we want the Supreme Court to view this issue critically, the chief minister told reporters at his first press briefing. If the NRC data is found correct, then we shall do nothing, but if there are discrepancies we will ask for the Supreme Courts guidance. We have been saying this for a while and we stand by this, he added. CAA is a law that was passed by the Parliament and, as it stands, the state government has nothing much to do in this regard, as the rules are yet to be framed. Since, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the exercise to frame the rules is on hold, that is where the matter lies, the CM added. The state government, after taking K. Raghu Rama Krishna Raju personal attacks on the CM and the state government in good faith, finally said enough was enough and submitted a requisition to the Lok Sabha to disqualify him from its membership. (Photo: Facebook @K. Raghu Rama Krishna Raju) Vijayawada: Narasapur MP K. Raghu Rama Krishna Raju was arrested by the AP CID sleuths at his residence in Hyderabad on Friday. The MP has been allegedly promoting hatred among certain communities with his speeches and had also been continuously targeting state government, Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and other leaders. His criticism turned even personal against the CM and he was making unsavoury remarks on every activity, be it the implementation of several welfare schemes or Covid-19 management and vaccination. Raju has for long been carrying out a campaign against the state government. The state government, after taking his personal attacks on the CM and the state government in good faith, finally said enough was enough and submitted a requisition to the Lok Sabha to disqualify him from its membership as he had been indulging in anti-party activities despite getting elected on the ticket of YSR Congress. Additional DG-CID, P.V. Sunil Kumar, ordered a preliminary inquiry against the MP and found that he was making speeches on a regular basis to create tensions among various communities and was also targeting the government dignitaries, causing a loss of public faith in them. His hate speeches against the communities and the state government dignitaries are being circulated in social media groups and he allegedly entered into a conspiracy with a section of media to promote his speeches causing a disturbance in public order. A case was booked under sections 124 A, 153 A, 505 read with 120 B of IPC and was arrested. Earlier, when the CID sleuths arrived at his residence in Gachibowli to arrest him, his security personnel (CRPF) called the local police to confirm whether the sleuths from AP were from the CID. Based on confirmation by the Gachibowli CI G. Suresh, the CID personnel were allowed to arrest the MP. Reacting to the incident, minister Balineni Srinivasa Reddy justified his arrest, saying that it should have been done earlier. The people would not tolerate it if the state government and the CM were commented upon badly. He found fault with the MP for failing to visit his Lok Sabha constituency to inspect developmental works. Another minister Ch. Sriranganatha Raju asked for disciplinary action by the party leadership against the MP and also felt the need for taking up an inquiry into the cases booked against him in Narasapur limits. The Hindi word for the two-toed, flightless largest living bird known as the ostrich is shuturmurg. I bet you didnt know that! Well, India is full of shuturmurgs right now, most of them working for the government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi cant seem to make up his mind -- to be a peacock or an ostrich. Which is maybe why he plays both, depending on the occasion. Of course, the ostrich in him makes sure he sees nothing and says nothing, while he watches India being turned into the worlds biggest funeral pyre. Ostriches are known to run really fast when they are being chased by enemies (real or imaginary). Since our PM is staying put and not running, its safe to assume he has zero enemies chasing him. The peacock in him makes sure his rare public appearances are perfectly colour coordinated and his flowing snowy beard well-groomed. He is now beginning to resemble the biblical Moses rather than Tagore or an Indian sage. But, unfortunately for citizens, he doesnt bear tablets in his hands nor an iPad with 10 or 20 or even 100 commandments. He says nothing at all. For a man known to like the sound of his own voice (six years of Modinama), one wonders about the stony radio silence. Meanwhile, home minister Amit Shah stays in purdah as meme-makers go into overdrive (Students union files a missing persons report for Amit Bhai). With two of the most important men in India not around during the countrys biggest crisis, we are stuck with a headless chicken (the absentee government) in charge. In charge of WHAT, you ask. Hello! In charge of us: the hapless citizens of this great nation. Guys -- get this clearly -- we are adrift, minus life jackets. There is no sighting of the captain who seems to have abandoned the ship. So please dont stress over minor issues and keep asking: Wheres the roadmap for the future? How do we tackle the acute vaccine shortage? What happens when the third wave hits India? Bhagwan ka naam lo -- and hope for the best. The roadmap doesnt exist. A distraught friend from Jaipur was close to tears when he said: People are dying on the streets. But the government reports only six deaths, while the funeral homes report 57 -- thats how wide the gap is. From all corners of India, citizens are sending out pathetic appeals for oxygen cylinders, beds, oximeters, vaccines -- anything to save their loved ones. There is only a stone wall in front of them. Isnt it unbelievable and horrifying that our PM keeps mum through such an unprecedented tragedy? Why? Its an absolute mystery! Why has the Great Communicator not expressed sympathy, reassured citizens and calmed an agitated nation? Forget an apology. Forget owning up his responsibility. Forget taking charge. Such a cavalier and heartless attitude speaks of bad politics and terrible image management. Heres a man who rose to the pinnacle of power through image manipulation. He understands the impact of optics, hes the master of the social media game -- and yet he refuses to pacify his countrymen and countrywomen. Unless we are overlooking the arrogance of megalomaniacs through history -- those who cruelly control their own people through fear, terror tactics, severe punishment and the threat of death. At this point, death is at our door regardless whats left to fear? Experts are warning us the times ahead will be a lot worse. In a masterly, timely and balanced essay Dr Devi Shetty gives readers a no-frills, straight-up perspective on what awaits us. The picture is far from pretty. That we are woefully short of ICUs is known. But so far, these were meant for adults. The third wave is likely to affect our infants and children -- hospitals are simply not geared to meet this challenge. As always, Dr Shetty doesnt merely paint a grim picture and leave it there, he also offers strategic solutions. Why doesnt our PM induct him to lead a crack Covid team and stall the inevitable disaster? All along, India wasted precious time and resources not enforcing Covid-19 protocols strictly. An old clip of Assams then BJP health minister (who is now chief minister) Himanta Biswa Sarma is doing the rounds. In that he tells a persistent reporter that masks are not necessary as theres not even a single Covid-19 case in his state. Thats the level of brazenness, plus a lack of education of our elected representatives. This week former Uttarakhand CM Trivendra Rawat said: Corona is also a creature and has the right to live. Insane!! D.V. Sadananda Gowda, another brilliant minister (chemicals and fertilisers) asks unnecessarily: If vaccines are not produced yet, should we hang ourselves? To which netzines retorted: What an idea, Sirji! Chief ministers are callously playing with the lives of citizens, sitting back and averting their eyes from the pileup of corpses. Unless, of course, those corpses are found floating in the holy Ganga! Thats when a few politicians sit up and ask for an inquiry. Kyon? Because the holy Ganga has been polluted -- not because those who threw the half-burnt, plastic-wrapped bodies into the river may have been left with no other choice! We are running out of firewood for pyres. We will soon run out of space for graves. These are humanitarian issues. Our leaders lack humanity. They dont have to be scientists or Covid experts. They just need to be human. And tell people that no matter what, help will reach them. Instead, all energies are focused on completing the Rs 20,000-crore Central Vista construction in New Delhi: Prime Minister Modis pet project. Imagine the irony: a man the world admired for rising to the highest position in the country after starting his life as a humble chaiwalla and sleeping on a hard floor now wants to reside in an opulent multi-crore palace, financed by us! Today, there are any number of Indians who are demanding the Prime Ministers resignation (as would happen in any other civilised country) and holding him directly responsible for this unspeakable tragedy. Others are seriously nominating an actor (Sonu Sood) for PM, in recognition of his sustained work during the pandemic. Rather an actor who delivers and feels the pain of his fellow citizens than a wannabe superstar who has forgotten his dialogues. Instagram handle: @ShobhaaDe; Twitter: @DeShobhaa A 52-year-old man has been charged in connection with an attack on a police officer's car in Dungiven last month, as well as a number of terrorist-related offences dating back to 2016. He will appear before Belfast Magistrates Court today charged with 5 offences, including preparatory acts of terrorism, possession of articles for use in terrorism as well as three separate charges of possession of explosive devices with intent to endanger life. The charges are in connection with the discovery of improvised explosive devices at Ballyquin Road, Dungiven on 19th April 2021 and Skeoge Road, Londonderry on 9th July 2016, and the discovery of an improvised mortar bomb device at Church View, Strabane on 7th September 2019. He was arrested in Derry/Londonderry on Wednesday in connection with the attempted murder of a female member of police staff, who is also a part time police officer, following the discovery of a viable explosive device beside the young mothers car in Ballyquin Road, Dungiven on Monday 19th April and as part of Op Ledging, targeting the New IRAs bomb making activities as well as the groups storage of explosive devices and equipment. Two other men, aged 23 and 62, arrested in Derry/Londonderry on Wednesday in connection with the attempted murder of a female member of police staff, who is also a part time police officer in Dungiven have been released following questioning as the investigation continues. Derry man Gregory Campbell will find out later today if he is successful in becoming deputy leader of the DUP. The East Derry MP and former Derry city councillor is one of three candidates seeking to succeed Nigel Dodds who announced earlier in the month that he would not be seeking re-election. MLAs Paula Bradley and Paul Frew, who represent North Belfast and North Antrim respectively, are also contesting the position. Nominations for the DUP leader and deputy leader posts closed at 5pm on Thursday last, with the election taking place tomorrow when the DUPs electoral college of 28 MLAs and eight MPs will vote by secret ballot. The election will also take place tomorrow to find the party's replacement for Arelene Foster who has resigned as both party leader and First Minister. MLA Edwin Poots and MP Jeffrey Donaldson, who both respresent the Lagan Valley constituency, are contesting the post, with Agriculture Minister Poots the slight favourite to win the fight. Each nominated candidate for the leader of the party will be given 10 minutes to speak to an online meeting and each candidate for deputy leader will be given five minutes to speak, before the vote will take place by secret ballot at 11am, with the results expected by 5pm. All the candidates for both positions have been banned by the DUP press office from doing interviews about the contests. Three men who were being questioned by police in connection with the murder of an RUC officer in Derry in 1993 have been released. The men, aged, 48, 59 and 62, were arrested in Derry on Wednesday as part of the investigation into the murder of Constable Michael Ferguson. Constable Ferguson, from Omagh, was shot twice, at close range, in the back of the head by an IRA gunman in Shipquay Street on January 23, 1993. The 21-year-old Catholic policeman was on duty at the time and was taken to Altnagevlin Hospital but died from his injuries. One man was jailed in 2015 in connection with the murder. Hyderabad: Online education is likely to continue for another academic year in the state, owing to the current pandemic situation, and in anticipation of a third wave of Coronavirus in the country, government sources told this correspondent. An official in the state education department said students and parents should be prepared to further adapt to the lack of physical, face-to-face classes at least until the end of this year for the academic session of 2021-22. "Even with the first wave of the pandemic that was only half as deadly as the second wave, educational institutes were not opened in February. As we prepare for a third wave now, online education is the only way," said the official. The new academic year in the state is so far scheduled to begin from mid-June, once schools reopen after summer vacations on June 1. Some private schools' bodies like the Telangana Recognised Schools' Management Association (TRSMA) are demanding that the government releases an academic calendar soon so as to prepare teachers as well as students in time. On Monday, the central and state education ministries will hold a meeting to discuss the future of online education and the expenditure required to set up further facilities. Sources told this newspaper that education secretaries of all states, with Union Education Minister Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' and Education Secretary to GoI Anita Karwal will hold an interactive session to discuss how to make online education the priority for all expenditure even under Samagra Shiksha programme. A protest will be held in Derry's Guildhall Square tomorrow afternoon. It has been organised by the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign in response to the ongoing violence in Gaza and Israel. The protest will start at 3pm and organisers have asked anyone attending to observe social distancing guidelines. Speaking at a meeting yesterday of Derry City and Strabane District Council's Health and Community Committee, People Before Profit councillor Shaun Harkin said he hoped people's 'right to protest' would be respected at tomorrow's event. He put forward a proposal stating that the council calls for the right to protest at Saturday's socially-distanced emergency action for Palestine to be respected. When put to a vote, Cllr Harkin's proposal was supported by nine councillors and opposed by two councillors. Two councillors abstained from the vote. For many years Omans mobile market was a duopoly between the incumbent telco Omantel and its challenger Ooredoo Oman. In February 2021, Vodafone Group and Oman Future Telecommunications consortium secured a license to operate the Sultanates third network, with services being under the Vodafone Oman brand. The new operator will be able to extend its reach based on a tower leasing arrangement signed in 2020 with Oman Tower Company. Oman has established a modern mobile sector which comprises substantial coverage of both 3G and LTE networks. In February 2021 Omantel launched commercial 5G services, while Ooredoo Oman's parent group has signed a 5G framework agreement with Ericsson. The Covid-19 pandemic has caused a spike in mobile data traffic, which prompted Omantel to upgrade a number of sites from 3G to LTE, as well as build a number of additional 5G sites. While Omans fixed broadband infrastructure penetration is considered low, it is being improved with the building of fibre-based networks as part of Omans Vision 2040 program. Oman has also established itself as an important communications hub in the Middle East, with access to numerous submarine cables including the 2Africa submarine cable, which should become available during 2023-2024. The 9,800km Oman Australia Cable running from Muscat to Perth, with the potential for a branch line to Djibouti, is making progress and is expected to be completed in December 2021. This additional infrastructure will provide considerable additional bandwidth. BuddeComm notes that the outbreak of the Coronavirus continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally. To various degrees, the telecom sector during the coming year is likely to experience a downturn in mobile device production, while it may also be difficult for network operators to manage workflows when maintaining and upgrading existing infrastructure. Overall progress towards 5G may be postponed or slowed down in some countries. On the consumer side, spending on telecoms services and devices is under pressure from the financial effect of large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes. However, the crucial nature of telecom services, both for general communication as well as a tool for home-working, will offset such pressures. In many markets the net effect should be a steady though reduced increased in subscriber growth. Although it is challenging to predict and interpret the long-term impacts of the crisis as it develops, these have been acknowledged in the industry forecasts contained in this report. The report also covers the responses of the telecom operators as well as government agencies and regulators as they react to the crisis to ensure that citizens can continue to make optimum use of telecom services. This can be reflected in subsidy schemes and the promotion of tele-health and tele-education, among other solutions. Key developments: MVNOs gaining a small market share; Vodafone Oman receives its licence as Omans third MNO; Telecom regulator concludes significant telecom competition review; Ericsson secures 5G network deal with Ooredoo; Omantel launches commercial 5G service; Report update includes operator data to Q4 2020, regulators market data to December 2020, Telecom Maturity Index analyses and charts, assessment of the global impact of Covid-19 on the telecoms sector, recent market developments. Get a Full Copy of this Report Developing Telecoms market report summaries are produced in partnership with BuddeCom, the worlds largest continually updated online telecommunications research service. The above article is a summary of the following BuddeCom report: Report title: Oman - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses Edition: March 2021 Analyst: Sebastien De Rosbo Number of pages: 116 Companies mentioned in this report: Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel), Oman Mobile, Ooredoo Oman, Oman Broadband Company (OBC), FRiENDi, Majan Telecom (Renna), Integrated Telecommunications Oman (TeO), Awasr-Oman, Oman Future Telecommunications (OFT) consortium, Vodafone Group, Oman Tower Company (OTC) Single User PDF Licence Price: US$750 For more information or to purchase a copy of the full report please use the following link: https://www.budde.com.au/Research/Oman-Telecoms-Mobile-and-Broadband-Statistics-and-Analyses/?r=83 Guatemalas telecom infrastructure has suffered from years of underinvestment from state and provincial governments. The poor state of fixed-line infrastructure has led to Guatemala having one of the lowest fixed-line teledensities in the region. In many rural regions of the country there is no fixed-line access available, and so mobile services are adopted by necessity. Private investment has been supported by government and regulatory efforts, resulting in a steady growth in the number of fixed lines which has supported growth in the fixed broadband segment. However, delays in launching LTE services left the country lagging behind in the development of mobile broadband and the benefits which it can bring to the country's social and economic growth. Two new submarine cables are due for completion by 2022. Improved international connectivity should drive further uptake of both fixed and mobile broadband services. Key players including Millicom (operating as Tigo Guatemala) and America Movil are regional and global powerhouses which can tap into expertise and financial resources to bolster their Guatemalan businesses. The acquisition of Telefonicas Guatemala business by America Movil in 2019 created a strong competitor to Millicom, which dominates the mobile sector. Intense competition among the operators has helped to improve services and lower prices for end-users. Given the commercial impetus of operators, insufficient government financial investment has resulted in many regional areas remaining with poor or non-existent services. Nevertheless, the country benefits from one of the most open regulatory frameworks, with all telecom sectors having been open to competition since 1996. America Movil controls about 85.1% of the fixed-lines market through its subsidiaries Claro and Movistar. Mobile telephony is the most developed telecom market sector in Guatemala, accounting for 90% of the 22.6 million telephone connections in the country. Mobile penetration is on a par with the regional average, though the slower growth in the mobile subscriber base suggests a level of market saturation, with the emphasis among operators being on generating revenue via mobile data services. Key developments: Telecom regulator approves the reorder of some spectrum in the 700MHz bandwidth; Guatemala to auction 60MHz in the 700MHz band later in 2021; America Movil spins off its tower operation; Conecta Guate free internet program advancing despite delays due to pandemic; Pacific Cable should be ready for service later in 2021; Guatemala to connect to the Aurora cable system in 2022; Report update includes the regulators market data to June 2020, operators data to Q4 2020, Telecom Maturity Index charts and analyses, recent market developments. Get a Full Copy of this Report Developing Telecoms market report summaries are produced in partnership with BuddeCom, the worlds largest continually updated online telecommunications research service. The above article is a summary of the following BuddeCom report: Report title: Guatemala - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses Edition: March 2021 Analyst: Henry Lancaster Number of pages: 106 Companies mentioned in this report: America Movil (Movistar, Claro, Telgua), Tigo (Millicom), Telefonica, Guatel, Cablenet, Unitel, Comcel, A-Tel, Columbus Business Solutions, Ufinet, Convergence Communications. Single User PDF Licence Price: US$750 For more information or to purchase a copy of the full report please use the following link: https://www.budde.com.au/Research/Guatemala-Telecoms-Mobile-and-Broadband-Statistics-and-Analyses/?r=83 The leading Kenyan mobile operator and mobile money pioneer Safaricom has had a tough year during the pandemic, suffering its first profit decline in a decade. Could a deal with online retail giant Amazon provide a welcome revenue boost? Safaricom complied with central bank requests to remove all charges on small peer-to-peer transfers in March 2020 for the remainder of the year. Coronavirus-related price cuts helped to encouraged cashless payments and limit unnecessary contact during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the earnings of both Safaricom and many Kenyan banks took a big hit while the charges were removed. Now, according to Bloomberg, Safaricom is holding talks with Amazon about the use of its mobile money service M-Pesa on Amazons platform. This could help Safaricom to expand its reach and bounce back from a difficult year. With about a third of Safaricoms revenue coming from M-Pesa, it seems Safaricom thinks a lot more could be done with the service. Indeed, Safaricom already has partnerships with a unit of Chinas Alibaba Group Holdings Ltd and Paypal Holdings Inc. Its true that M-Pesa began life as a fairly low-tech service operating on basic phones. However, in Kenya, as in many other African countries, affordable smartphones are changing the payment landscape and, with whole generations of Kenyans now used to paying and saving by smartphone, theres a vast potential market to target. Theres also an existing relationship. Bloomberg points out that Safaricom and Amazon already work together on web services and Safaricom runs local cloud sales for the US company. stc Bahrain, owned by the Saudi Telecom Company, has announced an exclusive offer for fibre customers of internet service at up to six times faster. stc Fibre provides home broadband at up to 1 Gbps. With this upgrade, stc Bahrain is offering its most advanced fibre without a contract. "Moreover, customers can also enjoy free OSN as part of Jawwy Tv box included in all plans starting from BD 15," said a press release from the Manama-headquartered telco. "stc Bahrain aims to build a better life for every Bahraini and resident in Bahrain. Therefore, the new upgrade comes in line with this direction to provide the best of what technology can enable to enhance all aspects of life for both consumers and businesses," the release claimed. Though the packages starting from BD 15 per month, stc Bahrain also offers unlimited packages starting from BD 22. Additionally, customers can subscribe through Eshop or they can visit their nearest store, said the release. Last month, stc Bahrain rolled out 'Camouflaged Small Cell Solution' that will provide coverage improvement to 4G and 5G networks across several areas in Bahrain. This new technology enables customers with faster data services to meet the growing data traffic demand in hotspots areas in Bahrain. The new Camouflaged Small Cell Solution provided by stc Bahrain is built to support the wireless communications in high traffic areas such as school campuses, business districts, etc. where it will increase densification of networks, hence, improving overall network, performance, and capacity. Brazil became the second South American country, after Argentina, to join Chile's 14,810km trans-Pacific submarine cable project, which will connect South America, Oceania, and Asia. The "Humboldt" fiber-optic cable project is an initiative is under the responsibility of Chilean state-owned company Desarrollo Pais (former Fondo de Infraestructura), which will lead an alliance of interested countries and private technology and telecommunications companies. The 14,810-kilometer cable, composed of eight optical fibers with an initial data transmission capacity of up to 400 gigabits per second (Gbps), will connect Valparaiso (Chile) with Sydney (Australia), passing through Auckland (New Zealand). Brazils entry was announced at a videoconference between Brazils communications minister, Fabio Faria, and foreign minister Carlos Franca, with their Chilean counterparts, Gloria Hutt and Andres Allamand. A Reuters report cited Chiles foreign minister Andres saying that Brazils decision to formally join the initiative was critical to making the cable project a reality. The incorporation of Brazil to this project gives it a definitive economic viability, and at the same time a definitive political viability as well, Allamand said. Argentina has already joined the effort, and Allamand said he expected Paraguay, Uruguay, and Bolivia to also sign-on. The connection from Australia to Asia is via five cables that are already in operation. Brazilian officials also said the total investment will be about US$400mn, and the expected public-private concession will probably have a 25-year term. The mobile operator Orange Slovensko has launched a high-speed 5G network in Slovakia. It is available for residents of Bratislava's Petrzalka district and residents of a selected part of Banska Bystrica. It will be gradually expanded to other parts of Slovakia. According to Alexandra Piskunova, Orange Slovakia spokeswoman, the arrival of the 5G network is successful completion of a large three-year investment in the modernization of the mobile network for 144 million euros. A report by Forbes quoted Mari-Noelle Jego-Laveissiere, Orange Group's Deputy Director for Europe as saying: "The current crisis has shown us how important connectivity is for our economies. I am glad that Orange Slovakia has set out on a path that will enable it to bring new services and innovations to customers in the future." The local media reports say that Orange currently offers 11 smartphones that support 5G: Huawei P40 Pro and Mate 40 Pro, OnePlus 9 Pro and Nord, the Samsung Galaxy S21 (5G, Plus 5G and Ultra 5G), and the Galaxy A32 5G, Xiaomi Mi10T Pro, Mi10T Lite and Wed11. The operator will of course quickly expand its range of devices and there will be no shortage of 5G smartphones. The Samsung A32 5G is already the best-selling cell phone in its range, the reports pointed out. "You dont have to change the SIM card on your mobile phone. An older 3G or 4G SIM card is also sufficient," it said. The 5G network from Orange promises customers high transfer speeds (at the level of 1300 Mbps for downloading and 130 Mbps for uploading. However, these are still only the maximum theoretical parameters, in reality, customers currently reach speeds of around 600 Mbps for downloading and about 70-80 Mbps when "uploading". Subscriber content preview As Colonial starts to reopen its pipeline, gas crunch continues on the East Coast Nearly 70% of North Carolina's gas stations on Thursday were still without fuel amid panic-buying. By TOM FOREMAN JR., JEFF MARTIN and BEN FINLEY Associated Press CLEMMONS, N.C. Gas pumps remained shrouded by plastic bags Thursday at thousands of service stations across more than a dozen U.S. states, but the situation could improve as a pipeline company reported substantial progress in resuming operations after a computer hack led to its shutdown. Nearly 70% of North Carolina's gas stations on Thursday were still without fuel amid panic-buying, as were about half the stations in South Carolina and Georgia, GasBuddy.com reported. . . . login or purchase a To read this story in fullor purchase a subscription. Subscriber content preview KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. (AP) A minimum-security state prison in southern Oregon that was slated to close in 2022 will remain open. Gov. Kate Brown told the Lake County Prison Committee this week that the Warner Creek Correctional Facility will stay open through the rest of her term, The Herald and News reported. . . . Subscriber content preview RICHLAND (AP) The U.S. Department of Energy and its regulators have proposed extending the deadline to ship waste contaminated with plutonium off the decommissioned Hanford nuclear reservation in Washington state. The proposal moves the deadline back 20 years from 2030 to 2050 to ship the waste to a national repository in New Mexico for permanent disposal, the Tri-City Herald reported Wednesday. . . . The import of vaccine apart from allowing more companies to manufacture Covaxin along with Bharat Biotech dominated the discussions at the task force meeting. Facebook Hyderabad: In a major relief to states facing acute shortage of vaccines, the Centre has hinted at allowing import of vaccines approved by WHO directly by the states. In this context, Telangana would invite global tenders to procure vaccines while Andhra Pradesh has already called for quotations. It is learnt that the states can directly release new vaccines without further trials to test efficacy in Indian environs. Keeping in view the supply position in the next two months, TS will complete the second dose vaccination to those above 45 years on a top priority basis in May and June. An in-principle decision on this was taken by the task force headed by minister K.T. Rama Rao here on Friday. Sources said TS will also focus on initiating a vaccination drive for super-spreaders like delivery personnel, banking staff and cab/auto drivers in these two months itself depending on vaccine availability. The vaccination for the 18-45 agegroup will have to wait till July. The import of vaccine apart from allowing more companies to manufacture Covaxin along with Bharat Biotech dominated the discussions at the task force meeting with the representatives of several vaccine manufacturers at Pragati Bhavan. Senior officials Jayesh Ranjan, Vikas Raj, Rajasekhar Reddy, Rahul Bojja were among those who took part. Rama Rao who inquired about the progress of vaccine- making by other companies, promised full help from the government to expedite the commercialization of Covid vaccines. While exploring all possible ways to procure more stocks of C-vaccines, the minister advised the task force to draw up a long-term vaccine policy. On import of vaccines, the task force decided to study the availability, the manufacturers existing commitments etc. Representatives from Natco Pharma, Biological E Ltd, Bharath Biotech, Serum Institute, Sanofi India, Virchow Biotech, Zydus Cadila, Hetero Drugs, Gland Pharma, Indian Immunologicals, and Dr Reddys Labs took part in the meeting. Subscriber content preview SEATTLE South Lander Business Park, at 2454 Occidental Ave. S., sold for a bit under $16.5 million, according to King County records. The sellers were three local investors who acquired the property in 1996 for about $2 million. . . . Subscriber content preview BURIEN The Westerly, at 11923 First Ave. S. in Burien, sold for a little over $6.1 million, according to King County records. The seller was 11923 1st Ave S LLC, which acquired the property in 2011 for $2.1 million. . . . * Username This is the name that will be displayed next to your photo for comments, blog posts, and more. Choose wisely! Justice Hima Kohli came down heavily on the government for issuing the circular, which indirectly restrained treatment to Covid patients of other states in hospitals in Hyderabad. (Photo: DC) Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Friday stayed the implementation of a circular issued by the state government on May 11, with guidelines to streamline the influx of ambulances carrying Covid-19 patients from other states into Telangana for hospitalisation. The court made it clear that the orders would come into effect forthwith, as against the police waiting for receipt of an order copy from the court. The court directed the Advocate General and principal secretary, health, who was present, to immediately communicate the orders to the government and said the instructions should immediately be passed to the police authorities along the borders, as not to stop ambulances carrying Covid patients from other states. Because of Id-ul-Fitr and other holidays the order copy could be delayed, the court directed them to pass necessary orders at the field level. A division bench comprising Chief Justice Hima Kohli and Justice B. Vijaysen Reddy was dealing with an urgent case of PIL filed by Garimella Venkata Krishna Rao, who challenged the circular issued by the TS government. Justice Hima Kohli came down heavily on the government for issuing the circular, which indirectly restrained treatment to Covid patients of other states in hospitals in Hyderabad. Chief Justice Kohli observed, The Telangana government circular is nothing but an override of Constitutional rights by restricting citizens entry into the state and restraining medical treatment, overreach of National Highway Authorities Act by stopping ambulances at the borders without approval of the Central government and overruling of the Supreme Court`s recent orders, which clearly stated as that no patient shall be refused admission in a hospital on the ground of his residence. The Chief Justice further observed that the state had done indirectly what it could not do directly. Suspending the implementation of the circular, the court warned the Telangana government not to take any further step to issue fresh orders or guidelines or circular to circumvent or put the pedals on inter-state movements of ambulances carrying Covid-19 patients from neighbouring states. The court also directed the government not to insist the patients or their attendants coming from other states to apply in a prescribed format to the control room set up by the government. In case, if a patient or attendant applies to the said control room, they should be assisted in securing hospital admission. The High Court made it clear that there was no requirement of any authorisation from the control room for an ambulance carrying a Covid-19 patient seeking hospital admission anywhere in Telangana or Hyderabad. Justice Vijaysen Reddy observed that it was the choice or risk of the patient, who came from faraway places to get admission in any particular hospital. They will take care of their lives, despite their admission into hospital or not, let them get into the state, Justice Reddy said. Defending the circular, Advocate-General B.S Prasad explained to the court that the government had taken this measure honestly considering the best interests of Telangana state citizens. Further, he submitted that the circular did not prohibit any ingressions of other state people or treatment to them in Telangana. It was just streamlining the influx so as not to create havoc on the ground that the oxygen supply and medicines are not sufficiently allocated to Telangana State by the Union government. Moreover, the allocations promised were also not fully supplied, Prasad submitted. Syed Ali Murtuza Rizvi, principal secretary, health, submitted that 45 per cent of beds of all hospitals in Hyderabad was occupied with other state patients and 86 per cent of beds with patients other than the GHMC area. It would be problematic for the patients residing under GHMC limits to get an emergency bed. Other states like Maharashtra and Delhi are prohibiting entry from other states. We didnt issue any such order. By considering the issues at ground level, the circular was issued, Rizvi submitted. Andhra Pradesh Advocate General, Sriram, submitted that issuance of such a circular in these circumstances would further compound the problem as the patients needed timely medical help. Sriram further submitted that the so-called regulations issued in the circular under Epidemics Act and Disaster Management Act violating the Articles 19, 21 of Indian Constitution and the said Acts must be in harmony with the fundamental law. Dammalapati Srinivas, senior counsel representing the petitioner submitted that the state governments had the authority to issue Disaster Management Policy, but it should be in conformity with the national policy. Here the Telangana state government is restricting the floating on its own, despite the Central policy being in force, which specifically mentioned that no inter or intrastate borders be closed, Srinivas said. By issuing notices to the Chief Secretary of Telangana and others to file a counter-affidavit, the case was adjourned to June 17. Dundalk nurse Anita Roddy has been honoured for her hard word and dedicated. Anita was announced last week as joint winner of the INMOs annual Gobnait OConnell award for her exceptional contribution to the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation over the year. Anita, a Public Health Nurse in the Louth Community Care Area was nominated for the award by her fellow PHNs from around the country. The prize was also awarded jointly to staff nurse in Intellectual Disability and Laois resident, Ailish Byrne. The award is in recognition of their work to support the INMO, fellow union members, and professions. It was announced at the INMOs online Annual Delegate conference, attended by hundreds of nurses and midwives from around Ireland. Dundalk's Anita said: "Im hugely honoured to have been nominated by my section and colleagues this year. "Its been a tough year, but we have definitely seen the strength of teamwork and solidarity in all our workplaces, and Im delighted to have been able to support other Public Health Nurses at a time when their work has been so important. Taoiseach Micheal Martin, a friend of the late Gobnait OConnell, after whom the award is named, noted the significance of the award in an address to the INMO conference, saying: Gobnait epitomised the progressive nature of your profession and Im glad that you still honour her memory and contribution with your annual award recognising outstanding nurse reps. INMO president Karen McGowan said: This prize is a very important part of the INMOs history of recognizing members outstanding contributions and were delighted to award this prize to Anita in the year of her retirement. All of our reps go above and beyond to support INMO members every year, but this year saw an unprecedented number of nominations. "Nurses and midwives are really keen to recognize their colleagues efforts over the past year and the work theyve done to support each other and keep each other going through unprecedented personal and professional challenges. A student with no previous convictions who acted as a money mule was at the lower end of an elaborate scheme and in the end didnt benefit from his role, Dundalk District Court heard last week. After being asked by a friend, Damilola Ekundayo (20) Rockfield Manor, Hoeys Lane, Dundalk, handed over his bank card and allowed his account to be used to transfer money. He admitted one count of engaging in converting/transferring/ handling/acquiring/ possessing or using property that was the proceeds of criminal conduct, to wit 10,000 credited to his bank account, while knowing that or being reckless as to whether the said property was the proceeds of criminal conduct, within the State, on May 25th last year. The court was also told the defendant had also been threatened not to go to the guards. A detective outlined how the financial controller of a Dublin hotel sent 96,000 to what he believed was the account of a builders providers. However, the details of the account had been compromised and 10,000 was subsequently transferred to Mr. Ekundayos bank account. Sums of 1,500 and 600 were withdrawn from this account at ATMs, and a further 2,100 was transferred to another account. The defendant did not realise anything was wrong until he was informed that his bank account was being closed. He was not the individual on CCTV footage withdrawing money from the cash machines. The remaining 5,800 was recovered from his account. The detective said another man threatened the accused not to go to the guards. A friend had asked him initially. He did not make any money out of it. When Judge McKiernan asked the detective Do you believe that? he replied that the defendant made little or no money. He came voluntarily to Pearse Street Garda station in Dublin city centre and he has no previous convictions. During cross examination by Defence counsel the detective said this was an elaborate scheme. The court heard an email had come from Africa to defraud the company and students were generally targeted as money mules. The judge asked: Why would you do it? He had to know it wasnt right but the barrister explained that his client thought he was doing this for a legitimate end although he acknowledged he ought to have asked the question. He was reckless enough to turn a blind eye. He was promised a few hundred euros but got nothing. The lure of easy money was too great. The court heard the first-year student at TUD, Blanchardstown, came from a good family, had shown remorse and had co-operated with gardai. After being told the case could have implications for his credit rating. Judge McKiernan said: He should have thought of that. The judge added: A message has to go out. When we were in college we worked for money. The judge said the best she could do was remand the defendant on continuing bail for a year to May fourth 2022 and the Probation Act would be applied if there was no trouble in the meantime. "The only reason (for this) is because he has a future ahead of him." Artificially bred Yangtze alligators released in Anhui Xinhua) 10:55, May 14, 2021 Photo taken on May 13, 2021 shows a Yangtze alligator at a release point of the Anhui Chinese alligator national nature reserve in Jingxian County, east China's Anhui Province. The nature reserve on Thursday released 51 artificially bred Yangtze alligators, also known as Chinese alligators, into the wild, with another 479 planned to be set free at different release points in the reserve. The nature reserve has begun reintroducing the endangered reptiles into the wild since 2003, and as of 2020, a total of 508 Chinese alligators have been released in 16 batches. (Xinhua/Han Xu) (Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Liang Jun) Decode Your Future with an Online Computer Science Degree from Drexel Drexel University's online computer science programs are designed to prepare you for work on the cutting edge of technology. The curriculum is designed for students with any level of experience or previous knowledge. Choose the program thats right for you. Learn More. Back when e-commerce first emerged as a viable solution for business-to-customer sales, there were platforms such as Shopify, Amazon and eBay that allowed e-commerce merchants to set up websites and inventory digitally and sell items and goods online in a unique way. These days, most of that is old news to us, but there are still markets that are making that shift. While pharmaceutical distribution may vary from country to country, all of them are subject to factors that make competition in the digital health market a complicated matter. Medications are one of the newest categories of goods that can be sold online, but there are a few marked differences between this and other goods for sale in the e-commerce space. There is more bureaucracy, fewer buying and selling options, and more restrictions on what certain entities can sell without running afoul of regulations. Recognizing those differences and harnessing them to your benefit will go a long way in anticipating and responding to the evolution of the old pharmaceutical supply chain, which has been underway since 2018 when Amazon acquired PillPack for $753 million -- which prompted sharp falls in the share value of companies such as CVS, Walgreens and RiteAid. PillPack's market appeal was due to the fact that the company had obtained a license to sell prescription drugs in all 50 of the United States and was designed to be digital from the start; something few of its competitors were poised to tackle. Opportunities and Regulations As the digital health e-commerce space continues to expand, new opportunities are emerging that enable companies to act in the public good by making healthcare accessible online -- which is even more important now than ever! Before we dive into the emerging opportunities available in this industry, it's important to understand the dynamics that have, historically, made it difficult to enter the digital health e-commerce space. Regulatory issues and HIPPA compliance are the largest factors that complicate the delivery of telehealth services. When Congress adopted the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act in 1996, it was intended to protect patient records. However, HIPPA also complicates a patient's ability to access their own health records and transfer providers. These requirements, as much as they seem riddled with red tape, are hurdles that are quickly being overcome by an environment now rapidly trending toward a patient-centric model. Earlier this year, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT adopted new federal data sharing rules that enable patients to access their health information and share it with third-party apps. This, more so than any other factor, will drive a patient-facing telemedicine economy and make it easier for direct-to-consumer (DTC) companies to capitalize on this trend. Leverage Niche Market Limitations With the onset of the Covid-19 crisis, consumers in nearly every industry moved online. E-commerce activity surged across all industries and platforms, from food and beverage to home improvement and maintenance. The healthcare sector is no exception; the recent global challenges have driven the development of new healthcare delivery, including not only pharmaceuticals, but also telehealth options like appointments, consultations and diagnoses. The challenges associated with this particular e-commerce niche is that, unlike general e-commerce, there is more red tape associated with the digital health space. Depending on any number of factors, prescriptions can't be filled or delivered, or doctors can't be contacted to prescribe certain medications. All of this provides a barrier to consumers who are looking for immediate solutions to their health concerns. Despite these limitations, the digital health industry continues to boom, though anyone invested in this form of e-commerce must be aware of the regulations and official procedures that accompany the launch of these products. For those entering the e-commerce space who are interested in marketing within the digital health niche, it's important to be aware of how one can leverage these limitations to turn a profit while not running afoul of regulations. Building End-to-End Solutions Selling directly to patients through a DTC telehealth brand sounds attractive; but starting without a base knowledge of the resources needed can be daunting, solely because of all the components that need to be considered when beginning this kind of venture. Building the solution is by far the trickiest part -- but is by no means impossible. Pharmaceutical companies typically delegate key areas of the customer journey to other parties, both because of legal concerns and because these areas lie outside the pharmaceutical company's area of expertise. In order to be successful, an end-to-end solution must encompass telehealth, distribution, prescription, digital marketing and experiences, and omnichannel capabilities. Ultimately, a DTC telehealth organization serves as the intermediary between a patient and a doctor. It is these companies that work with patients and providers to acquire and distribute the medication or resources needed to improve patient quality of life, whether that's through skincare, prescriptions or appointments. Now, more than ever, it's easier to overcome this complexity by providing a fully-integrated patient solution and moving to direct marketing and e-commerce-specific ad units. Many digital health companies are focused on subscription prescriptions, a model where pharmaceuticals are distributed to customers on a regular basis (usually monthly or quarterly). While this is the most popular option, there are a whole host of factors that need to be considered, including but not limited to shipping and tracking, HIPPA compliances, patient portals and other software, and state-specific certifications. That said, capturing a product that requires consistent customer renewal is a great way to enter the digital health e-commerce space and can pave the way for entrance into complementary areas. Expanding Horizontally After designing and building a DTC telehealth brand -- and all the software and infrastructure it demands -- expanding brand offerings through strategic marketing is easier than you might think. Exploring alternate forms of pharmaceutical intake, such as working with compound pharmacies to create gummies, patches, alternate flavors, gels and creams, is one lucrative option many digital health e-commerce brands choose to pursue. Others elect to expand within a certain space, such as women's health or men's skincare. The important thing to consider when seeking horizontal expansion is the longevity of your customer base. Expanding in accordance with your core customers' needs and interests is paramount in order to ensure the longevity of your brand. For digital health e-commerce companies in this area, the direct-to-consumer space is likely the future of the pharmaceutical industry. While the barriers to entry are higher due to large corporations like Amazon, that can be leveraged in your favor because your brand will be more easily differentiated among the rest. Then, once you establish your core brand, branching out to adjacent niches will be far easier than you think! Cathy Tie is the CEO and founder of Locke Bio, a plug-and-play platform for enterprises to launch DTC telepharmacy services. Before founding Locke Bio in 2019, Cathy was a Partner at Cervin Ventures, a $100M technology investment fund based in Silicon Valley. Prior to Cervin Ventures, Cathy was the CEO and co-founder at Ranomics, a venture backed company known for its gene variant synthesis platform that enables antibody optimization, drug target validation, and enzyme, protein and organism engineering. Education Minister apologises after abuse inquiry The Education Minister has apologised to families after the conviction of a former youth worker was caught with indecent images of children. An inquiry was launched by The Isle of Man Safeguarding Board launched an inquiry after the conviction in March 2018 The man had been commissioned to paint a mural at St Mary's Primary School in Douglas. Before his conviction the man had an association with the Department of Education, Sport and Culture (DESC). An inquiry was launched after parents raised serious concerns having read about the court case in the local media. All affected parents have now received a general overview of the inquirys findings and recommendations from the Safeguarding Board, which focusses mainly on school safeguarding procedures, as they were at the time, but identified opportunities to improve practice, policy and procedures across relevant departments to improve services. The Minister for Education, Sport and Culture is currently writing to the families affected to apologise for the anguish this has caused them. Warning follows unlicensed heath burning prosecution People are being warned about the consequences and dangers of unlicensed burning of registered heath, after a local man was prosecuted. Henry Joseph Bridson, 42 and from Dalby, admitted setting fire to an area of registered heathland, without a license, near Dalby Mountain on 10 February. Mr Bridson is the first person to be prosecuted under the Heath Burning Act 2003 and was fined 1,200 at Douglas courthouse on Monday. Under the legislation a licence must be obtained from the Isle of Man Government to burn or destroy registered heath. Registered heath covers around 12% of the Island and is characterised by low growing shrubs such as heather, blaeberry and western gorse. The Isle of Man was the first jurisdiction in Britain to regulate prescribed burning by way of licensing and the maximum fine for burning or destroying registered heath without one is 10,000. Martyn Perkins MHK, political member for Environment, Food and Agriculture, said: Our upland heath provides valuable and internationally significant habitat for a variety of threatened and endangered species such as breeding hen harrier and curlew. Upland peat soils are also the Islands largest carbon store and this important resource can be damaged by inappropriate burning. This prosecution is the first relating to this legislation and sends out an important message about the importance of protecting our Biosphere. Anyone wishing to carry out prescribed burning should first contact DEFA to apply for a licence and can do so by calling 01624 695701 or by emailing forestry@gov.im. Kevin Groom, Chief Fire Officer, said: Licensed burning can only be carried out at the right time of year and with safety precautions in place to avoid unnecessary risks. If anyone is planning such work and has a licence they should follow the advice given in the Heath Burning Code to ensure that all relevant authorities are fully aware of the details at the location. A poorly planned or ill prepared approach to prescribed burning can quickly get out of control and endanger people, wildlife and the environment. Additionally, a developing heathland fire can very quickly cause an impact upon the limited staff and resources of the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service. It's turning out to be another duly eventful year for crypto. In the span of five months, meme currency Dogecoin has seen prices spike, PayPal has opened cryptocurrency trading and Tesla performed a u-turn on Bitcoin payments. Adding to the volatility, conflicting reports claim the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, Binance, is under investigation by the US Department of Justice and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). According to Bloomberg, officials interested in how crypto is being used for money laundering sought information from those familiar with Binance's dealings. However, the publication did not confirm whether the investigations were tied to criminal violations, claiming that not all inquiries stem from "allegations of wrongdoing." Binance's CEO Changpeng Zhao was quick to interject with his side of the story. Without explicitly naming the article, he tweeted that the "news" painted his company in a negative light. According to Zhao, Binance had collaborated with law enforcement agencies to fight bad players, adding that the story made that "look like a bad thing." However, the fact is the cryptocurrency exchange which is banned from operating in the US has been fielding money laundering allegations for a while now. A recent report from blockchain forensics firm Chainalysis said Binance was a top destination for illicit cryptocurrency in 2019. Regulators are also investigating whether Binance permitted Americans to make illegal trades, sources told Bloomberg. It's prohibited from doing business in the US because it offers securities that aren't registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Though the company has repeatedly rejected the claims, crypto news sites have said its restrictions on Americans can easily be bypassed. Bloomberg adds that Binance also previously advised Americans to use a VPN to hide their location when seeking access to its exchange. The company's entanglement with federal law enforcement arrives amid growing regulatory scrutiny of cryptocurrencies. US officials worried about the lack of oversight over digital assets fear they are being used to cover up illegal transactions, including drug deals. Meanwhile, the IRS has reportedly been expanding its ability to track individuals who owe taxes based on cryptocurrency investments. If you ask experts, they'll tell you that lawmakers are facing the eternal dilemma of playing catch-up with technological innovation. Binance was founded in China, but was forced to move out of the country in the wake of a ban on crypto trading in 2017. It is now incorporated in the Cayman Islands, according to Bloomberg, a notorious tax haven used by corporations and the wealthy to hide their finances. Yesterday, the company issued a statement on Twitter asserting its compliance with US laws. "We take our legal obligations very seriously and engage with regulators and law enforcement in a collaborative fashion," Binance said. "We have worked hard to build a robust compliance program that incorporates anti-money laundering principles and tools used by financial institutions to detect and address suspicious activity." The company continued: "We have a strong track record of assisting law enforcement agencies around the world, including in the United States." Ireland's national health service has been hit with a ransomware attack, prompting it to shut down its computer systems. The Health Service Executive (HSE) described the step as a "precaution" aimed at containing the issue while it assesses the situation with security partners. According to The Irish Times, the HSE is investigating the breach with support from Ireland's national police, the Gardai; the Defence Forces; the government and cybersecurity experts. COVID-19 vaccinations were not affected by the attack and will proceed as normal, the HSE said. But, widespread delays to appointments and consultations are expected as health workers are having to switch from electronic records to pen and paper, reports the Independent.ie. Outlining the severity of the attack, the HSE's chief exec Paul Reid said it had impacted all national and local health systems on Friday morning. He added that there had been no ransom demand at this stage and that the health service is currently in the containment stage. Though the origins of the malware have yet to be confirmed, a professor at Ireland's Rotunda hospital told the Independent.ie that it had suffered a Conti ransomware attack. In cybersecurity circles, Conti is described as a human-operated double extortion ransomware that steals and threatens to expose information as well as encrypting it. The gang behind the malware has published data stolen from at least 180 victims on its leak site. The HSE breach is the latest example of the growing threat to vital healthcare and infrastructure operations from hacking-for-ransom gangs. It follows a large-scale cyberattack on the UK's National Health Service in 2017, which resulted in 19,000 medical appointments being canceled after computers at hundreds of surgeries were shut down. A subsequent government report said the WannaCry attack could have been prevented through basic IT security. In the US, officials are still grappling with the effects of the Colonial Pipeline breach last week, which forced the gasoline supplier to shut down its systems for several days. Reports claim the company paid nearly $5 million to hackers believed to be from the Darkside group operating out of Eastern Europe. The Pentagon may be using commercial data to track Americans without due legal process, according to a letter from Senator Ron Wyden shared with Vice News. Wyden had queried the Department of Defense (DoD) about mobile location and other data it had purchased from commercial sources, following reports in The Wall Street Journal and elsewhere. The DoD replied to some questions, but several responses were redacted. "I write to urge you to release to the public information about the Department of Defense's warrantless surveillance of Americans," Wyden replied. Various US law enforcement agencies have been purchasing electronic cellphone and other location data from apps installed on Americans' phones to track alleged terrorists, illegal immigrants and other groups since at least 2017. "I have spent the last year investigating the shady, unregulated data brokers that are selling this data and the government agencies that are buying it," the letter reads. In February 2020, media reports revealed that US government agencies are buying location data obtained from apps on Americans' phones and are doing so without any kind of legal process, such as a court order. I have spent the last year investigating the shady, unregulated data brokers that are selling this data and the government agencies that are buying it. It's illegal for government agencies to directly surveil Americans under the US Fourth Amendment without a warrant. Furthermore, the US Supreme Court asserted in 2018 that it was also illegal for law enforcement to access cellphone location data without a court order (Carpenter). According to Wyden, however, the DoD's spy agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), has adopted the position that those rules don't apply to commercial data "that the government buys." To that end, Wyden wanted to know if the DoD as a whole had signed off on that "legal theory." He also asked which other DoD agencies "are, without a court order, buying and using data acquired about Americans." That includes location and automobile telematics data, along with internet metadata including so-called netflow and DNS records. The DoD replied to Wyden that it's up to each agency to ensure it's following the law. The other responses were redacted, but Wyden thinks they should be made public. "Information should only be classified if its unauthorized disclosure would cause damage to national security," he wrote. "The information provided by the DoD in response to my questions does not meet that bar." Under the Trump administration, the US extended the Patriot Law allowing warrantless surveillance (despite the Edward Snowden revelations) and it was recently re-approved by the courts under Biden. However, it's still a legal grey area as to where data purchases would fall in such rules. Now, Wyden and others are proposing new legislation called "The Fourth Amendment Is Not For Sale Act" which would force law enforcement to obtain warrants for location and other data purchased by law enforcement agencies. Programming a computer to understand and navigate roads designed for human drivers is hard. Just ask Elon Musk. Rarely, however, do we get to see just how many things can go wrong when an autonomous vehicle encounters a situation it doesn't know how to tackle. A 35-minute video from Joel Johnson (via Autoblog), a YouTuber who shares clips of his trips with Waymo One in Arizona, offers a rare glimpse into a perfect storm of errors. About 12 minutes into the video, Johnson's car wants to turn right onto a multi-lane street. Unfortunately for Waymo Driver, the rightmost lane was closed, with construction cones marking the obstruction. After the car stalls, unsure of what to do next, a Waymo representative contacts Johnson to tell him Roadside Assistance is on the way. Before help arrives, the car suddenly moves to complete the turn, only to stop between lanes. It then makes the situation worse by backing up a few feet. "Now it's blocking the whole lane instead of half of it," Johnson says dryly of the development. At this point in the video, a construction worker in a flatbed truck comes to collect the cones that had confused Waymo Driver. Right as support arrives, the car darts away from the situation only to encounter more cones and send out another call for help. Before a human driver can finally board the car and drive Johnson to his destination, Waymo Driver tries to dart away again. Waymo claims employees can't remotely control a car. Instead, they can only offer Waymo Driver suggestions on how to navigate a tricky situation. After encountering an "unusual situation" (the construction cones) and asking for help from a remote specialist, the company says, "the Fleet Response team provided incorrect guidance." That's what led to the situation escalating in the way it did. "While the situation was not ideal, the Waymo Driver operated the vehicle safely until Roadside Assistance arrived," the company said in a statement to Johnson. "Throughout, Waymo's team was in touch with the rider, who provided thoughtful and helpful feedback that allows us to continue learning and improving the Waymo Driver." If there's a silver lining to the episode, it's that Johnson got a free ride (and an entertaining video) out of it. Waymo, meanwhile, says it's already studied what happened to improve "our operational process." Fans may have figured out what Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are going to name their daughter, whom they will be welcome in the next few months. Some of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's fans believe she already dropped a massive clue of what their daughter's name is going to be thanks to her wardrobe of choice during an appearance for VAX Live. The 39-year-old wore a $1,690 red Carolina Herrera dress that featured floral prints of poppy, which prompted many fans to think that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have decided to name their daughter Poppy. A Twitter user shared her observations on social media, writing, "During the broadcast, Meghan was seen wearing an absolutely gorgeous @carolinaherrera tie-waist shirt dress, covered in ... poppies. POPPY!?!!! What do we think?!! I've always loved the name and think it could be a perfect fit - given the backstory of the distinctive red flower." In the UK, poppies are a symbol of support for the Armed Forces community, a community where the Duke of Sussex was once part of. It is widely known that Prince Harry served two tours of Afghanistan and later became the Captain in the British Army. A different Twitter user believed that the poppies on Meghan Markle's outfit choice at the VAX Live appearance was an "easter egg" about their daughter's name. She wrote, "I hope Meghan names the new princess Poppy and this was an easter egg." Several fans believe that the flower choice on the Duchess' dress was a "shout-out" to the couple leaving behind their glitzy royal life in the UK for freedom in California, US. One Twitter user explained, "It just occurred to me that Meghan's POPPY DRESS gave a HUGE nod to where she and Harry are. CALIFORNIA!" "She wore the CALIFORNIA POPPY. When she married H she had CW flowers + poppies embroidered in her veil & the Q allowed the RF minions to chase her away. CALIFORNIA BABY!!." Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex, as campaign co-chair for #VaxLive shares a message at tonights concert. #MeghanMarkle pic.twitter.com/fjRQI8LdbM Meghanpedia (@meghanpedia) May 9, 2021 Another social media user pointed out, "So the golden poppy is the official state flower of Cali, but I'd like to think Meghan Markle is reppin' & showing some #californialove to her home state by wearing that poppy dress." There wouldn't be much drama without adding other members of the British royal family into the mix. One fan thought it was Meghan Markle's way of "shading" the British family she left behind, following Her Majesty's February statement that the Sussexes are stepping down from their senior royal duties forever. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's second child will be arriving this summer, so royal fans will have to wait and see if the guesses about the name "Poppy" are real. READ ALSO: Melinda Gates' Billion-Dollar Divorce Payout Plans Revealed Ahead of First Hearing on Friday Meghan Markle's Baby Shower If during her first baby shower Meghan Markle celebrated the event with luxury and lots of VIP guests, this time, she is reportedly skipping the festivities in favor of using the resources to up their charitable causes. An insider revealed to Us Weekly that the Duchess of Sussex doesn't think a "big baby shower" with lots of gifts is considered appropriate, given the strife in the world. The insider shared that both Prince Harry and Meghan "feel their time and resources can be used for a better purpose." READ MORE: Aaron Rodgers Returning As Jeopardy! Guest Host Confirms He's The Next Permanent Host? See Now: Famous Actors Who Turned Down Iconic Movie Roles Ellen DeGeneres is losing her popularity little by little, and Dakota Johnson seemingly became the root cause. Amid DeGeneres' decision to end her "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" in 2022, the internet began celebrating and credited Johnson for taking a step forward. For what it's worth, the host asked the "Fifty Shades of Grey" actress how her birthday party was without her since she was not invited. Johnson hit back and told on air that DeGeneres was a liar and that she invited her. "No, last time I was on the show, last year, you gave me a bunch of **** about not inviting you, but I didn't even know you wanted to be invited," the "Peanut Butter Falcon" actress said, referring to her appearance on the show last time. The 31-year-old actress added more fuel to the fire by saying that she does not even know whether DeGeneres even liked her. Although the host assured her that she likes her, Dakota did not give up on explaining that DeGeneres did reject her. Now that the 63-year-old nears saying goodbye to the show, the internet started to thank Johnson for roasting DeGeneres. One Twitter user said, "dakota johnson has done more for society by ending ellen degeneres than most of your faves have in their careers and it shows." "dakota johnson shutting down ellen degeneres in that interview is a moment that forever lives rent free in my head," another one added. Another one penned, "nepotism is bad but without it dakota johnson would've never been able to take down ellen degeneres so thank you for this one thing nepotism." Ellen DeGeneres' Epic Fail Moments Apart from Dakota, several instances led to DeGeneres' downfall even more. In 2018, The New York Times published the article "Ellen DeGeneres is Not as Nice as You Think." This claimed that the host actually has a different persona off-screen. READ ALSO: Ellen DeGeneres Calls Herself 'Kind Person' Despite Toxic Workplace Allegations [VIDEO] DeGeneres also garnered criticisms for sitting next to former President George W. Bush during a Cowboys game. The host seemingly showed a close relationship with him although he promoted an anti-LGBTQ policy and baggage of the war in Iraq. In 2020, more people came forward to share their bad experiences with the host, including the show's very own employees. According to the staff, DeGeneres and the team created a "toxic work environment" based on bullying and fear. READ MORE: Ellen DeGeneres to Appear in Bombshell Tell-All Interview With Oprah Winfrey Following Talk Show Ending See Now: Famous Actors Who Turned Down Iconic Movie Roles 2021-05-14 Maeci Ecological Transition Minister Roberto Cingolani, Foreign Affairs Minister Luigi Di Maio and U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry met on May 13, 2021, in Rome. They released the following statement: We resolved to work closely together over the next months toward a successful meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, to be held in Glasgow in November 2021. As part of that, we intend to rally Parties to the Paris Agreement, particularly those in the G20 -- which will meet this year under the chairmanship of Italy -- to strengthen their climate ambition. We recognized the urgent need for global climate action to combat the climate crisis. In this context, we committed to work ourselves, and urge other countries to do likewise, to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions no later than 2050 and to take actions in the 2020s aligned with keeping a 1.5 degree C temperature limit within reach. These actions should mitigate emissions using current technologies, as well as lead to the development of new technologies required to prevent future emissions. Our efforts will span sectors from power to transportation to industry and agriculture. We also resolved to work with other countries and with the private sector to help the worlds most vulnerable adapt and respond to climate impacts. We also resolved to work together to help scale up finance and private investment for both mitigation and adaptation. ATS 2021, New York, NY - Individuals with asthma who live in redlined neighborhoods have worse lung function than those in locales that excluded Black people and benefited from decades of inequitable wealth accumulation at the expense of Black communities in the United States, according to research presented at the ATS 2021 International Conference. Alexander Schuyler, MD/PhD candidate, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and Sally Wenzel, MD, director, Asthma & Environmental Lung Health Institute, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, sought to examine the connection between residence in historically redlined communities and the impact on lung function and asthma outcomes. Redlining is a form of institutional racism and discriminatory mortgage lending practice enacted by the Home Owners' Loan Corporation in the New Deal era that resulted in racialized economic deprivation and segregation. These historically validated and geographically defined mechanisms contribute to current environmental inequities, and, as the authors propose, to worsening asthma outcomes in Black neighborhoods across the U.S. "Lung health in Black people is impacted by converging legacies of institutional racism, including racist mortgage loaning practices like redlining, and associated environmental inequities," stated Mr. Schuyler. "Racist housing policies have had a long-term negative impact on diseases like asthma. In addition, the clinical and research convention of applying a race correction to lung function measurements may have accentuated these effects, underestimating the impact of racism and environmental inequities on lung health." Race-based correction for spirometry was constructed in the 1840s by White supremacist physician and enslaver Samuel Cartwright, who used research to justify Black enslavement and to fabricate arguments that Black people were inferior to White people, including having lower lung function. These adjustments continue today, and are considered accepted medical practice. The authors state that the sickest Black patients with asthma may be undertreated because the results of their breathing tests are "adjusted" and may appear to have better lung function than they actually do. To examine the impact of institutional racism on asthma outcomes, the researchers looked at the lung health of 326 Pittsburgh residents with asthma localized by zip code to determine if they lived in redlined neighborhoods. Patients were identified by the University of Pittsburgh Asthma and Environmental Lung Health Institute at UPMC's patient registry. Study participants were given spirometry lung function tests and questionnaires. The researchers determined that residence in redlined neighborhoods was independently associated with lower forced expiratory volume (FEV1 -- the maximum amount of air a person can forcibly exhale in one second) after theoretical adjustment for several variables used to "normalize" lung function in research and clinical practice. Supporting these differences, they found that despite no difference in life-threatening asthma episodes, an increased prevalence of co-occurring diseases (co-morbidities) was present in asthmatic adults living in more redlined neighborhoods, independent of race. "Race is a social construct," said Mr. Schuyler. "We propose that race-based corrections of spirometric values, a multiplicative scaling factor applied to height, age, and sex-adjusted FEV1 and FVC (forced vital capacity--maximum amount exhaled forcefully after breathing in deeply) values on the basis of race, should be abolished. Redlined neighborhoods experience persistently poor air quality, supporting a link with environmental inequality. The use of race-based corrections for spirometric values suggests that observed variations (if any) in lung function across racial groups are related to differential biology when, in fact, disproportionately higher exposure to pollution likely contributed to these differences." He added, "Clinicians should not use spirometric values alone to make medical decisions, without including the clinical or socioenvironmental context." The authors explained how spirometric values are adjusted for Black asthma patients: "The equations used to correct spirometric values are generated in reference to a White population. Thus, for this equation White people are artificially assigned a correction factor of 1, while Black people, Asian people, and other racial groups are assigned a correction factor of less than 1. Black people have a correction factor that is typically 85-90% of that used for the White population. "Applying this correction factor to Black folks compresses the difference between the actual and 'predicted' values in liters to a higher degree than in White people, meaning, in those with severe disease, their lung function appears numerically better than it is. This could lead to clinical decisions to undertreat Black patients. In contrast, there is no recentering of the 'predicted' value in liters in White people. Lower than normal lung function in White people may promote earlier treatment, as they would have lower percent predicted values compared to 'otherwise identical' Black people. Everyone will benefit more if asthma care is driven by the best possible percent predicted values for all people, regardless of race." Since submitting this ATS 2021 research abstract, Mr. Schuyler and Dr. Wenzel expanded their study to include 1,034 adults with asthma residing in Allegheny County, which includes Pittsburgh. "This gives us a much more detailed view and helps provide better context for each patient." They state that this expanded analysis has helped them determine that residence in redlined neighborhoods, in addition to lower FEV1, is associated with uncontrolled and/or severe asthma. Their additional research also found persistently poor air quality in redlined neighborhoods, linking it strongly with environmental inequity. VIEW ABSTRACT ### Anthocerotibacter panamensis, a newly discovered species of cyanobacteria, can help researchers study the dawn of oxygenic photosynthesis ITHACA, NY, May 13, 2021 -- Cyanobacteria are one of the unsung heroes of life on Earth. They first evolved to perform photosynthesis about 2.4 billion years ago, pumping tons of oxygen into the atmosphere - a period known as the Great Oxygenation Event - which enabled the evolution of multicellular life forms. Led by BTI faculty member Fay-Wei Li, researchers have discovered a new species of cyanobacteria, Anthocerotibacter panamensis, which could help illuminate how photosynthesis evolved to create the world as we know it. The work was published in Current Biology on May 13. "We never intended to discover a new species," said Li. "It was a total accident." His lab was working on a project to isolate cyanobacteria from hornwort plants, and noticed something weird in a sample from a rainforest in Panama. The researchers sequenced the cyanobacterium's DNA, and found that it belonged to a group called Gloeobacteria, which is extremely rare. "Prior to this discovery, only two species of Gloeobacteria had been isolated," Li said. "There is also a third group of uncultured species from the Arctic and Antarctic regions, but no one knows how many species are in that group." Gloeobacteria diverged from the more commonly studied Phycobacteria about 2 billion years ago. The two groups have many differences, and A. panamensis shares some traits with each. Similar to other Gloeobacteria, the new species lacks thylakoids - the membrane-bound compartments that are the site of the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis in Phycobacteria and plants. "Now we can be pretty sure that the thylakoid evolved in Phycobacteria," Li said. On the other hand, A. panamensis makes carotenoids - a group of compounds that help protect an organism from sun damage - in a fashion similar to Phycobacteria and plants, but different from the other Gloeobacteria. "These results suggest that this particular carotenoid biosynthesis pathway evolved in the ancestor of all cyanobacteria, and then was lost in some Gloeobacteria," said Li. Li said one of the more interesting findings is that A. panamensis has very few genes that encode the proteins that perform light-dependent reactions. The researchers found that the new species could still perform photosynthesis, but very slowly, which could be of interest to synthetic biologists. "If you want to build a complete set of photosynthetic machinery with the fewest necessary components, then this species could inform how to do that," said Li. "Anthocerotibacter has a minimal set of photosystem subunits, but it still functions." ### Li is also an adjunct assistant professor of plant biology at Cornell University. Co-authors on the paper included researchers from National Taiwan University in Taipei and Laval University in Canada. The work was partially funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (grant no. DEB1831428). CITATION: Nasim Rahmatpour, Duncan A. Hauser, Jessica M. Nelson, Pa Yu Chen, Juan Carlos Villarreal A., Ming-Yang Ho, Fay-Wei Li, A novel thylakoid-less isolate fills a billion-year gap in the evolution of Cyanobacteria, Current Biology, 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.04.042. About Boyce Thompson Institute: Boyce Thompson Institute is a premier life sciences research institution located in Ithaca, New York. BTI scientists conduct investigations into fundamental plant and life sciences research with the goals of increasing food security, improving environmental sustainability in agriculture, and making basic discoveries that will enhance human health. Throughout this work, BTI is committed to inspiring and educating students and to providing advanced training for the next generation of scientists. BTI is an independent nonprofit research institute that is also affiliated with Cornell University. For more information, please visit BTIscience.org. Increasingly, businesses rely on algorithms that use data provided by users to make decisions that affect people. For example, Amazon, Google, and Facebook use algorithms to tailor what users see, and Uber and Lyft use them to match passengers with drivers and set prices. Do users, customers, employees, and others have a right to know how companies that use algorithms make their decisions? In a new analysis, researchers explore the moral and ethical foundations to such a right. They conclude that the right to such an explanation is a moral right, then address how companies might do so. The analysis, by researchers at Carnegie Mellon University, appears in Business Ethics Quarterly, a publication of the Society for Business Ethics. "In most cases, companies do not offer any explanation about how they gain access to users' profiles, from where they collect the data, and with whom they trade their data," explains Tae Wan Kim, Associate Professor of Business Ethics at Carnegie Mellon University's Tepper School of Business, who co-wrote the analysis. "It's not just fairness that's at stake; it's also trust." In response to the rise of autonomous decision-making algorithms and their reliance on data provided by users, a growing number of computer scientists and governmental bodies have called for transparency under the broad concept of algorithmic accountability. For example, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union adopted the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in 2016, part of which regulates the use of automatic algorithmic decision systems. The GDPR, which launched in 2018, affects businesses that process the personally identifiable information of residents of the European Union. But the GDPR is ambiguous about whether it involves a right to explanation regarding how businesses' automated algorithmic profiling systems reach decisions. In this analysis, the authors develop a moral argument that can serve as a foundation for a legally recognized version of this right. In the digital era, the authors write, some say that informed consent--obtaining prior permission for disclosing information with full knowledge of the possible consequences--is no longer possible because many digital transactions are ongoing. Instead, the authors conceptualize informed consent as an assurance of trust for incomplete algorithmic processes. Obtaining informed consent, especially when companies collect and process personal data, is ethically required unless overridden for specific, acceptable reasons, the authors argue. Moreover, informed consent in the context of algorithmic decision-making, especially for non-contextual and unpredictable uses, is incomplete without an assurance of trust. In this context, the authors conclude, companies have a moral duty to provide an explanation not just before automated decision making occurs, but also afterward, so the explanation can address both system functionality and the rationale of a specific decision. The authors also delve into how companies that run businesses based on algorithms can provide explanations of their use in a way that attracts clients while maintaining trade secrets. This is an important decision for many modern start-ups, including such questions as to how much code should be open source, and how extensive and exposed the application program interface should be. Many companies are already tackling these challenges, the authors note. Some may choose to hire "data interpreters," employees who bridge the work of data scientists and the people affected by the companies' decisions. "Will requiring an algorithm to be interpretable or explainable hinder businesses' performance or lead to better results?" asks Bryan R. Routledge, Associate Professor of Finance at Carnegie Mellon's Tepper School of Business, who co-wrote the analysis. "That is something we'll see play out in the near future, much like the transparency conflict of Apple and Facebook. But more importantly, the right to explanation is an ethical obligation apart from bottom-line impact." ### AMES, Iowa - The field photos show the hard, rough country that some glaciers slide over: rocky domes and bumps in granite, rocky steps and depressions in limestone. The glacier beds dwarf the researchers and their instruments. (As do the high mountains pictured on the various horizons.) During their trips to glacier beds recently exposed by retreating glaciers in the Swiss Alps (Rhone, Schwarzburg and Tsanfleuron glaciers) and the Canadian Rockies (Castleguard Glacier), four glaciologists used laser and drone technology to precisely measure the rocky beds and record their very different contours. The researchers turned the measurements into high-resolution digital models of those glacier beds. Then they went to work with manageable but representative subunits of the models to study how glaciers slide along the bedrock base. "The simplest way to say it is we studied the relationship between the forces at the base of the glacier and how fast the glacier moves," said Neal Iverson, a professor of geological and atmospheric sciences at Iowa State University and the study leader. Small force changes, big speed changes The resulting glacier "slip law" developed by the team describes that "relationship between forces exerted by ice and water on the bed and glacier speed," Iverson said. And that slip law could be used by other researchers to better estimate how quickly ice sheets flow into oceans, drop their ice and raise sea levels. In addition to Iverson, the study team included Christian Helanow, a postdoctoral research associate at Iowa State from 2018 to 2020 and currently a postdoctoral researcher in mathematics at Stockholm University in Sweden; Lucas Zoet, a postdoctoral research associate at Iowa State from 2012 to 2015 and currently an assistant professor of geoscience at the University of Wisconsin-Madison; and Jacob Woodard, a doctoral student in geophysics at Wisconsin. A grant from the National Science Foundation supported the team's work. Helanow is the first author of a paper just published online by Science Advances that describes the new slip law for glaciers moving on bedrock. Helanow's calculations - based on a computer model of the physics of how ice slides over and separates locally from rough bedrock - and the resulting slip law indicate that small changes in force at the glacier bed can lead to big changes in glacier speed. Measuring to inches The researchers used two methods to collect high-resolution measurements of the topographies of recently exposed rock glacier beds. They used ground-based lidar mapping technology to take detailed 3D measurements. And, they sent up drones to photograph the beds from various angles, allowing detailed plotting of topography to a resolution of about 4 inches. "We used actual glacial beds for this model, in their fully 3D, irregular forms," Iverson said. "It turns out that is important." Previous efforts used idealized, 2D models of glacier beds. The researchers have learned such models are not adequate to derive the slip law for a hard bed. "The main thing we've done," Helanow said, "is use observed, rather than idealized, glacier beds to see how they impact glacier sliding." A universal slip law? The work follows another slip law determined by Zoet and Iverson that was published in April 2020 by the journal Science. There are a few key differences between the two: The first slip law accounts for the motion of ice moving over soft, deformable ground, while the second addresses glaciers moving over hard beds. (Both bed types are common beneath glaciers and ice sheets.) And, the first is backed by experimental data from a laboratory device that simulates slip at the bed of a glacier, rather than being based on field measurements of former glacier beds and computer modeling. Even so, the two slip laws ended up having similar mathematical forms. "They're very similar - whether it's a slip law for soft beds or hard beds," Iverson said. "But it's important to realize that the processes are different, the constants in the equations have quite different values for hard and soft beds." That has the researchers thinking ahead to more numerical analysis: "These results," they wrote, "may point to a universal slip law that would simplify and improve estimations of glacier discharges to the oceans." ### Read the paper "A slip law for hard-bedded glaciers derived from observed bed topography," Science Advances, May 14, 2021 Ishikawa, Japan - Today, many well-studied materials in various fields, such as electronics and catalysis, are close to reaching their practical limits. To further improve upon modern technology and outperform state-of-the-art devices, researchers looking for new functional materials have to push the boundaries and explore more extreme cases. A clear example of this is the study of low-dimensional materials, such as monoatomic layers (2D materials) and monoatomic chains (1D materials). It has been proved time and time again that low-dimensional materials exhibit exotic properties that are absent in their 3D bulk counterparts. For example, monoatomic chains of metals like gold and platinum (Pt) can exhibit the contribution of certain quantum phenomena, such as magnetic order or thermal transport, in ways that could find practical applications. However, it is very difficult to experimentally observe what goes on in monoatomic chains composed of five or less atoms, and the mechanical properties of single-atom bonds remain elusive. To tackle this issue, a research group lead by Professor Yoshifumi Oshima from Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST), Japan, is pioneering a novel and promising technique to measure the strength of individual atomic bonds. Their latest study, which was published in Nano Letters and showcased their strategy, involved researchers from JAIST (Dr. Zhang, Dr. Ishizuka, Prof. Tomitori, Prof. Maezono and Prof. Hongo), as well as Prof. Arai from Kanazawa University and Prof. Tosatti from the International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA) and The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP). This new technique, which Oshima named the "microscopic nanomechanics measurement method," combines transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with a quartz length-extension resonator (LER). TEM is a widely used imaging technique with incredibly high spatial resolution--enough to make out individual atoms--whereas the LER is a device that can oscillate at incredibly small amplitudes of a few ten trillionths of a meter and serves as a force sensor. The researchers devised an experimental setup in which a small Pt juncture was stretched to its absolute breaking point, that is, when the two pieces of Pt were linked by a monoatomic chain of two to five atoms. By carefully aligning the pieces in the TEM, they observed the formation and breaking of the monoatomic Pt chains in real time. Moreover, using the quartz LER, they measured the conductance across the chain and its stiffness, from which the strength of individual Pt bonds was calculated with success. "We found the bond strength of 25 N/m in the monoatomic Pt chains to be remarkably high, especially compared to the 20 N/m normally found in bulk Pt crystals," comments Zhang. ""Moreover, these single-atom bonds could be stretched about 24% of their regular distance, in stark contrast to the 5% that bonds between Pt atoms in bulk can be stretched," he adds. The results of the study showcase the potential of this novel technique to probe monoatomic chain bonds, which could lead to a better understanding of the interfaces or surfaces of low-dimensional materials. "Our method could greatly contribute to the design of advanced materials and catalysts as well as shed light on nanoscale phenomena in terms of surface or interface nanomechanics," highlights Oshima. In turn, more sophisticated materials and a better understanding of their surface properties will undoubtedly advance the fields of electronics, chemistry, and nanotechnology, paving the way to innovative and hopefully sustainable designs. It's very likely that the expression "hanging by a thread" will soon get a more positive meaning in nanomaterials science! ### About Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Japan Founded in 1990 in Ishikawa prefecture, the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST) was the first independent national graduate school in Japan. Now, after 30 years of steady progress, JAIST has become one of Japan's top-ranking universities. JAIST counts with multiple satellite campuses and strives to foster capable leaders with a state-of-the-art education system where diversity is key; about 40% of its alumni are international students. The university has a unique style of graduate education based on a carefully designed coursework-oriented curriculum to ensure that its students have a solid foundation on which to carry out cutting-edge research. JAIST also works closely both with local and overseas communities by promoting industry-academia collaborative research. About Professor Yoshifumi Oshima from Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Japan Yoshifumi Oshima received Ph.D. and Master's degrees from Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan, where he worked from 1995 to 2010 as an Assistant Professor. He joined JAIST in as an Associate Professor in 2014 and become a full Professor in 2018. He currently leads the Oshima Lab, which specializes in thin-film surfaces and interfaces, solid-state physics, nanomaterials, and nano-contact physics. He has about 200 published papers and authored two books. Funding information This work was supported by JSPS KAKENHI (grant nos. 18H01825 and 18H03879). The computations in this work were performed using the facilities of the Research Center for Advanced Computing Infrastructure at JAIST. Jiaqi Zhang acknowledges financial support by the Sasakawa Scientific Research Grant from The Japan Science Society and the Exchange Research Grant Project from Marubun Research Promotion Foundation. Erio Tosatti acknowledges support by ERC ULTRADISS Contract No. 834402, and the Italian Ministry of University and Research through PRIN UTFROM N. 20178PZCB5. What The Study Did: This is a qualitative study that evaluates a crowdsourcing open call to gather community input for engaging the university community in COVID-19 safety strategies. Authors: Suzanne Day, Ph.D., of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, is the corresponding author. To access the embargoed study: Visit our For The Media website at this link https:/ / media. jamanetwork. com/ (doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.10090) Editor's Note: This article includes funding/support disclosures. Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support. ### The full study is linked to this news release. Embed this link to provide your readers free access to the full-text article This link will be live at the embargo time http://jamanetwork. com/ journals/ jamanetworkopen/ fullarticle/ 10. 1001/ jamanetworkopen. 2021. 10090?utm_source= For_The_Media&utm_medium= referral&utm_campaign= ftm_links&utm_term= 051421 About JAMA Network Open: JAMA Network Open is the new online-only open access general medical journal from the JAMA Network. On weekdays, the journal publishes peer-reviewed clinical research and commentary in more than 40 medical and health subject areas. Every article is free online from the day of publication. The ability to visualize transparent objects such as biological cells is of fundamental importance in biology and medical diagnostics. Conventional approaches to achieve this include phase-contrast microscopy and techniques that rely on chemical staining of biological cells. These techniques, however, rely on expensive and bulky optical components or require changing, and in some cases damaging, the cell by introducing chemical contrast agents. Significant recent advances in nanofabrication technology permit structuring materials on the nanoscale with unprecedented precision. This has given rise to the revolutionary field of meta-optics that aims to develop ultra-compact optical components that replace their bulk-optical counterparts as for example lenses and optical filters. Such meta-optical devices exhibit unusual properties for which they have recently drawn significant scientific interest as novel platforms for imaging applications. In a new paper published in Light Science & Applications, a team of scientists, led by Professor Ann Roberts from the University of Melbourne node of the Australian Research Council Center of Excellence for Transformative Meta-Optical Systems have developed an ultra-compact, nanostructured microscope coverslip that allows the visualization of unstained biological cells. The device is referred to as a nanophotonics enhanced coverslip (NEC) since it adds phase-imaging capability to a normal microscope coverslip. In their study the researchers demonstrated that by simply placing biological cells on top of the NEC, high-contrast pseudo 3D images of otherwise invisible cells are obtained. The scientists used the example of human cancer cells (HeLa cells) to demonstrate the potential of this new phase-imaging method. The method not only enabled visualization of the general shape of the cancer cells but also made details of the cell nucleus visible. This capacity is crucial since the detection of changes in the structure of biological cells underpins the detection of diseases as for example in the case of malaria. The version of the NEC presented in the publication differs from a normal coverslip through the addition of a thin-optical film and a nanometer spaced grating. The research team, however, envisage more complex variations of this concept to further extend the capabilities of the method to operation at different wavelengths and integration into highly-specialized optical imaging or microfluidic systems. In conclusion, this research has demonstrated an entirely new phase-imaging method that carries significant potential to be part of future biological imaging systems and mobile medical diagnostic tools. The scientists summarize the potential of their phase-imaging method: "We designed a nanostructured microscope coverslip that allows us to visualize otherwise transparent biological cells simply by placing them on top of the device and shining light through them. This is an exciting breakthrough in the field of phase-imaging, since our method requires neither the use of bulk-optical components, chemical staining or computational post processing as it is the case with conventional methods." Prof. Roberts explained. "The unavailability of medical diagnostic tools in many developing nations is regarded a reason for infectious diseases like malaria and tuberculosis to still be a leading cause of death. Our approach has significant potential to become an inexpensive, ultra-compact phase-imaging tool that could be integrated into smartphone cameras and other mobile devices to make mobile medical diagnostics broadly available." Dr. Wesemann added. ### WOODS HOLE, Mass. and La Parguera, P.R. - A team of researchers led by Loretta Roberson of the Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, has installed the first seaweed farm in Puerto Rico and U.S. tropical waters. The research array furthers the design and development of a system for offshore cultivation of tropical seaweeds to support large-scale production of biomass for biofuels and other valuable bioproducts. "Puerto Rico has stable warm temperatures and ample sunlight year-round, as well as a wide range of exposure to prevailing winds and waves. These conditions make its southern coastline an ideal test bed for exploring how environmental conditions influence the biological, physiological, and chemical properties of cultivated macroalgae, as well as the impact of seaweed farms on the surrounding environment," says Roberson, the lead principal investigator on this research effort. Additional farms are being tested in Florida and Belize to assess scalability. As the site is the first of its kind in the region, authorizations were required from numerous agencies including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources. "Facilitating research of this nature will be key for the development of sustainable aquaculture in this area," says Roberson. "We have tested similar farm designs in New England and Alaska, but this will be the first test of the array in warm tropical waters where we expect higher fouling rates from other marine organisms, UV damage, and threats from hurricanes." Unlike kelp cultivation, which is usually seasonal, tropical seaweed farming can support year-round harvesting. The research team includes experts in ocean farm systems design, modeling of nutrient dynamics in ocean systems, environmental impact assessment and stakeholder engagement, and economic analysis. The team members are affiliated with an additional 16 organizations: Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System, University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez, University of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, C.A. Goudey & Associates, Tend Ocean, University of Connecticut Stamford, Cascadia Research Collective, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute Merida, Makai Ocean Engineering, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Rutgers, The Nature Conservancy, Two Docks Shellfish LLC, University of California Irvine, and University of California Santa Barbara. The researchers are currently targeting commercially valuable red algal eucheumatoid species, which are primarily cultivated in East Africa and Asia. To date, eucheumatoids have been difficult to propagate in a cost-effective manner and production has been limited to easily accessible areas near shore. In addition to developing the best methods for cultivating these species in offshore environments, the project team seeks to further quantify the ecosystem services associated with the farming activities. These likely include habitat provision for a variety of marine species and the improvement of water quality through removal of excess nutrient and buffering of pH. MBL received funding for this research from the U.S. Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) competitive Macroalgae Research Inspiring Novel Energy Resources (MARINER) program. The MARINER program seeks to develop the tools to enable the United States to become a leading producer of macroalgae, helping to improve U.S. energy security and economic competitiveness. For additional information about MBL and this project, please visit: mbl.edu/tropical-seaweed/ ### The Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) is dedicated to scientific discovery - exploring fundamental biology, understanding biodiversity and the environment, and informing the human condition through research and education. Founded in Woods Hole, Massachusetts in 1888, the MBL is a private, nonprofit institution and an affiliate of the University of Chicago. MIT has released an ambitious new plan for action to address the world's accelerating climate crisis. The plan, titled "Fast Forward: MIT's Climate Action Plan for the Decade," includes a broad array of new initiatives and significant expansions of existing programs, to address the needs for new technologies, new policies, and new kinds of outreach to bring the Institute's expertise to bear on this critical global issue. As MIT President L. Rafael Reif and other senior leaders have written in a letter to the MIT community announcing the new plan, "Humanity must find affordable, equitable ways to bring every sector of the global economy to net-zero carbon emissions no later than 2050." And in order to do that, "we must go as far as we can, as fast as we can, with the tools and methods we have now." But that alone, they stress, will not be enough to meet that essential goal. Significant investments will also be needed to invent and deploy new tools, including technological breakthroughs, policy initiatives, and effective strategies for education and communication about this epochal challenge. "Our approach is to build on what the MIT community does best -- and then aspire for still more. Harnessing MIT's long record as a leader in innovation, the plan's driving force is a series of initiatives to ignite research on, and accelerate the deployment of, the technologies and policies that will produce the greatest impact on limiting global climate change," says Vice President for Research Maria Zuber, who led the creation and implementation of MIT's first climate action plan and oversaw the development of the new plan alongside Associate Provost Richard Lester and School of Engineering Dean Anantha Chandrakasan. The new plan includes a commitment to investigate the essential dynamics of global warming and its impacts, increasing efforts toward more precise predictions, and advocating for science-based climate policies and increased funding for climate research. It also aims to foster innovation through new research grants, faculty hiring policies, and student fellowship opportunities. Decarbonizing the world's economy in time will require "new ideas, transformed into practical solutions, in record time," the plan states, and so it includes a push for research focused on key areas such as cement and steel production, heavy transportation, and ways to remove carbon from the air. The plan affirms the imperative for decarbonization efforts to emphasize the need for equity and fairness, and for broad outreach to all segments of society. Charting a shared course for the future Having made substantial progress in implementing the Institute's original five-year Plan for Action on Climate Change, MIT's new plan outlines measures to build upon and expand that progress over the next decade. The plan consists of five broad areas of action: sparking innovation, educating future generations, informing and leveraging government action, reducing MIT's own climate impact, and uniting and coordinating all of MIT's climate efforts. MIT is already well on its way to reaching the initial target, set in 2015, to reduce the Institute's net carbon emissions by at least 32 percent from 2005 levels by the year 2030. That goal is being met through a combination of innovative off-campus power purchase agreements that enable the construction of large-scale solar and wind farms, and an array of renewable energy and building efficiency measures on campus. In the new plan, MIT commits to net-zero direct carbon emissions by 2026. The initial plan focused largely on intensifying efforts to find breakthrough solutions for addressing climate change, through a series of actions including the creation of new low-carbon energy centers for research, and the convening of researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers to facilitate the sharing of best practices and successful measures. The new plan expands upon these actions and incorporates new measures, such as climate-focused faculty positions and student work opportunities to help tackle climate issues from a variety of disciplines and perspectives. A long-running series of symposia, community forums, and other events and discussions helped shape a set of underlying principles that apply to all of the plan's many component parts. These themes are: The centrality of science, to build on MIT's pioneering work in understanding the dynamics of global warming and its effects; The need to innovate and scale, requiring new ideas to be made into practical solutions quickly; The imperative of justice, since many of those who will be most affected by climate change are among those with the least resources to adapt; The need for engagement, dealing with government, industry, and society as a whole, reflecting the fact that decarbonizing the world's economy will require working with leaders in all sectors; and The power of coordination, emphasizing the need for the many different parts of the Institute's climate research, education, and outreach to have clear structures for decision making, action, and accountability. Bolstering research and innovation The new plan features a wide array of action items to encourage innovation in critical areas, including new programs as well as the expansions of existing programs. This includes the Climate Grand Challenges, announced last year, which focus on game-changing research advances across disciplines spanning MIT. "We must, and we do, call for critical self-examination of our own footprint, and aspire to substantial reductions. We also must, and we do, renew and bolster our commitment to the kind of paradigm-shifting research and innovation, across every sector and in every field of human endeavor, that the world expects from MIT," notes Professor Lester. "An existential challenge like climate change calls for both immediate action and extraordinary long shots. I believe the people of MIT are capable of both." The plan also calls for expanding the MIT Climate and Sustainability Consortium, created earlier this year, to foster collaborations among companies and researchers to work for solutions to climate problems. The aim is to greatly accelerate the adoption of large-scale, real-world climate solutions, across different industries around the world, by working with large companies as they work to find ways to meet new net-zero climate targets, in areas ranging from aerospace to packaged food. Another planned action is to establish a Future Energy Systems Center, which will coalesce the work that has been fostered through MIT's Low-Carbon Energy Centers, created under the previous climate action plan. The Institute is also committing to devoting at least 20 upcoming faculty positions to climate-focused talent. And, there will be new midcareer ignition grants for faculty to spur work related to climate change and clean energy. For students, the plan will provide up to 100 new Climate and Sustainability Energy Fellowships, spanning the Institute's five schools and one college. These will enable work on current or new projects related to climate change. There will also be a new Climate Education Task Force to evaluate current offerings and make recommendations for strengthening research on climate-related topics. And, in-depth climate or clean-energy-related research opportunities will be offered to every undergraduate who wants one. Climate and sustainability topics and examples will be introduced into courses throughout the Institute, especially in the General Institute Requirements that all undergraduates must take. This emphasis on MIT's students is reflected in the plan's introductory cover letter from Reif, Zuber, Lester, Chandrakasan, and Executive Vice President and Treasurer Glen Shor. They write: "In facing this challenge, we have very high expectations for our students; we expect them to help make the impossible possible. And we owe it to them to face this crisis by coming together in a whole-of-MIT effort -- deliberately, wholeheartedly, and as fast as we can." The plan's educational components provide "the opportunity to fundamentally change how we have our graduates think in terms of a sustainable future," Chandrakasan says. "I think the opportunity to embed this notion of sustainability into every class, to think about design for sustainability, is a very important aspect of what we're doing. And, this plan could significantly increase the faculty focused on this critical area in the next several years. The potential impact of that is tremendous." Reaching outward The plan calls for creating a new Sustainability Policy Hub for undergraduates and graduate students to foster interactions with sustainability policymakers and faculty, including facilitating climate policy internships in Washington. There will be an expansion of the Council on the Uncertain Human Future, which started last year to bring together various groups to consider the climate crisis and its impacts on how people might live now and in the future. "The proposed new Sustainability Policy Hub, coordinated by the Technology and Policy Program, will help MIT students and researchers engage with decision makers on topics that directly affect people and their well-being today and in the future," says Noelle Selin, an associate professor in the Institute for Data, Systems, and Society and the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences. "Ensuring sustainability in a changed climate is a collaborative effort, and working with policymakers and communities will be critical to ensure our research leads to action." A new series of Climate Action Symposia, similar to a successful series held in 2019-2020, will be convened. These events may include a focus on climate challenges for the developing world. In addition, MIT will develop a science- and fact-based curriculum on climate issues for high school students. These will be aimed at underserved populations and at countering sources of misinformation. Building on its ongoing efforts to provide reliable, evidence-based information on climate science, technology, and policy solutions to policymakers at all levels of government, MIT is establishing a faculty-led Climate Policy Working Group, which will work with the Institute's Washington office to help connect faculty members doing relevant research with officials working in those areas. In the financial arena, MIT will lead more research and discussions aimed at strengthening the financial disclosures relating to climate that corporations need to make, thus making the markets more sensitive to the true risks to investors posed by climate change. In addition, MIT will develop a series of case studies of companies that have made a conversion to decarbonized energy and to sustainable practices, in order to provide useful models for others. MIT will also expand the reach of its tools for modeling the impacts of various policy decisions on climate outcomes, economics, and energy systems. And, it will continue to send delegations to the major climate policy forums such as the UN's Conference of the Parties, and to find new audiences for its Climate Portal, web-based Climate Primer, and TILclimate podcast. "This plan reaffirms MIT's commitment to developing climate change solutions," says Christopher Knittel, the George P. Shultz Professor of Applied Economics. "It understands that solving climate change will require not only new technologies but also new climate leaders and new policy. The plan leverages MIT's strength across all three of these, as well as its most prized resources: its students. I look forward to working with our students and policymakers in using the tools of economics to provide the research needed for evidence-based policymaking." Recognizing that the impacts of climate change fall most heavily on some populations that have contributed little to the problem but have limited means to make the needed changes, the plan emphasizes the importance of addressing the socioeconomic challenges posed by major transitions in energy systems, and will focus on job creation and community support in these regions, both domestically and in the developing world. These programs include the Environmental Solutions Initiative's Natural Climate Solutions Program, and the Climate Resilience Early Warning System Network, which aims to provide fine-grained climate predictions. "I'm extraordinarily excited about the plan," says Professor John Fernandez, director of the Environmental Solutions Initiative and a professor of building technology. "These are exactly the right things for MIT to be doing, and they align well with an increasing appetite across our community. We have extensive expertise at MIT to contribute to diverse solutions, but our reach should be expanded and I think this plan will help us do that." "It's so encouraging to see environmental justice issues and community collaborations centered in the new climate action plan," says Amy Moran-Thomas, the Alfred Henry and Jean Morrison Hayes Career Development Associate Professor of Anthropology. "This is a vital step forward. MIT's policy responses and climate technology design can be so much more significant in their reach with these engagements done in a meaningful way." Decarbonizing campus MIT's first climate action plan produced mechanisms and actions that have led to significant reductions in net emissions. For example, through an innovative collaborative power purchase agreement, MIT enabled the construction of a large solar farm and the early retirement of a coal plant, and also provided a model that others have since adopted. Because of the existing agreement, MIT has already reduced its net emissions by 24 percent despite a boom in construction of new buildings on campus. This model will be extended moving forward, as MIT explores a variety of possible large-scale collaborative agreements to enable solar energy, wind energy, energy storage, and other emissions-curbing facilities. Using the campus as a living testbed, the Institute has studied every aspect of its operations to assess their climate impacts, including heating and cooling, electricity, lighting, materials, and transportation. The studies confirm the difficulties inherent in transforming large existing infrastructure, but all feasible reductions in emissions are being pursued. Among them: All new purchases of light vehicles will be zero-emissions if available. The amount of solar generation on campus will increase fivefold, from 100 to 500 kilowatts. Shuttle buses will begin converting to electric power no later than 2026, and the number of car-charging stations will triple, to 360. Meanwhile, a new working group will study possibilities for further reductions of on-campus emissions, including indirect emissions encompassed in the UN's Scope 3 category, such as embedded energy in construction materials, as well as possible measures to offset off-campus Institute-sponsored travel. The group will also study goals relating to food, water, and waste systems; develop a campus climate resilience plan; and expand the accounting of greenhouse gas emissions to include MIT's facilities outside the campus. It will encourage all labs, departments, and centers to develop plans for sustainability and reductions in emissions. "This is a broad and appropriately ambitious plan that reflects the headway we've made building up capacity over the last five years," says Robert Armstrong, director of the MIT Energy Initiative. "To succeed we'll need to continually integrate new understanding of climate science, science and technology innovations, and societal engagement from the many elements of this plan, and to be agile in adapting ongoing work accordingly." Examining investments To help bring MIT's investments in line with these climate goals, MIT has already begun the process of decarbonizing its portfolio, but aims to go further. Beyond merely declaring an aspirational goal for such reductions, the Institute will take this on as a serious research question, by undertaking an intensive analysis of what it would mean to achieve net-zero carbon by 2050 in a broad investment portfolio. "I am grateful to MITIMCO for their seriousness in affirming this step," Zuber says. "We hope the outcome of this analysis will help not just our institution but possibly other institutional managers with a broad portfolio who aspire to a net-zero carbon goal." MIT's investment management company will also review its environmental, social, and governance investment framework and post it online. And, as a member of Climate Action 100+, MIT will be actively engaging with major companies about their climate-change planning. For the planned development of the Volpe site in Kendall square, MIT will offset the entire carbon footprint and raise the site above the projected 2070 100-year flood level. Institute-wide participation A centerpiece of the new plan is the creation of two high-level committees representing all parts of the MIT community. The MIT Climate Steering Committee, a council of faculty and administrative leaders, will oversee and coordinate MIT's strategies on climate change, from technology to policy. The steering committee will serve as an "orchestra conductor," coordinating with the heads of the various climate-related departments, labs, and centers, as well as issue-focused working groups, seeking input from across the Institute, setting priorities, committing resources, and communicating regularly on the progress of the climate plan's implementation. The second committee, called the Climate Nucleus, will include representatives of climate- and energy-focused departments, labs, and centers that have significant responsibilities under the climate plan, as well as the MIT Washington Office. It will have broad responsibility for overseeing the management and implementation of all elements of the plan, including program planning, budgeting and staffing, fundraising, external and internal engagement, and program-level accountability. The Nucleus will make recommendations to the Climate Steering Committee on a regular basis and report annually to the steering committee on progress under the plan. "We heard loud and clear that MIT needed both a representative voice for all those pursuing research, education, and innovation to achieve our climate and sustainability goals, but also a body that's nimble enough to move quickly and imbued with enough budgetary oversight and leadership authority to act decisively. With the Climate Steering Committee and Climate Nucleus together, we hope to do both," Lester says. The new plan also calls for the creation of three working groups to address specific aspects of climate action. The working groups will include faculty, staff, students, and alumni and give these groups direct input into the ongoing implementation of MIT's plans. The three groups will focus on climate education, climate policy, and MIT's own carbon footprint. They will track progress under the plan and make recommendations to the Nucleus on ways of increasing MIT's effectiveness and impact. "MIT is in an extraordinary position to make a difference and to set a standard of climate leadership," the plan's cover letter says. "With this plan, we commit to a coordinated set of leadership actions to spur innovation, accelerate action, and deliver practical impact." "Successfully addressing the challenges posed by climate change will require breakthrough science, daring innovation, and practical solutions, the very trifecta that defines MIT research," says Raffaele Ferrari, the Cecil and Ida Green Professor of Oceanography. "The MIT climate action plan lays out a comprehensive vision to bring the whole Institute together and address these challenges head on. "Last century, MIT helped put humans on the moon. This century, it is committing to help save humanity and the environment from climate change here on Earth." ### Written by David L. Chandler, MIT News Office HOUSTON - (May 14, 2021) - Rice University bioengineers are fabricating and testing tunable electrospun scaffolds completely derived from decellularized skeletal muscle to promote the regeneration of injured skeletal muscle. Their paper in Science Advances shows how natural extracellular matrix can be made to mimic native skeletal muscle and direct the alignment, growth and differentiation of myotubes, one of the building blocks of skeletal muscle. The bioactive scaffolds are made in the lab via electrospinning, a high-throughput process that can produce single micron-scale fibers. The research could ease the burden of performing an estimated 4.5 million reconstructive surgeries per year to repair injuries suffered by civilians and military personnel. Current methods of electrospinning decellularized muscle require a copolymer to aid in scaffold fabrication. The Rice process does not. "The major innovation is the ability to prepare scaffolds that are 100% extracellular matrix," said Rice bioengineer and principal investigator Antonios Mikos. "That's very important because the matrix includes all the signaling motifs that are important for the formation of the particular tissue." The scaffolds leverage bioactive cues from decellularized muscle with the tunable material properties afforded through electrospinning to create a material rich with biochemical signals and highly specific topography. The material is designed to degrade as it is replaced by new muscle within the body. Experiments revealed that cells proliferate best when the scaffolds are not saturated with a crosslinking agent, allowing them access to the biochemical cues within the scaffold matrix. Electrospinning allowed the researchers to modulate crosslink density. They found that intermediate crosslinking led to better retention of fiber alignment during cell culture. Most decellularized matrix for muscle regeneration comes from such thin membranes as skin or small intestine tissue. "But for muscle, because it's thick and more complex, you have to cut it smaller than clinically relevant sizes and the original material properties are lost," said Rice graduate student and lead author Mollie Smoak. "It doesn't resemble the original material by the time you're done. "In our case, electrospinning was the key to make this material very tunable and have it resemble what it once was," she said. "It can generate fibers that are highly aligned, very similar to the architecture that one finds in skeletal muscle, and with all the biochemical cues needed to facilitate the creation of viable muscle tissue," Mikos said. Mikos said using natural materials rather than synthetic is important for another reason. "The presence of a synthetic material, and especially the degradation products, may have an adverse effect on the quality of tissue that is eventually formed," he said. "For eventual clinical application, we may use a skeletal muscle or matrix from an appropriate source because we're able to very efficiently remove the DNA that may elicit an immune response. We believe that may make it suitable to translate the technology for humans." Smoak said the electrospinning process can produce muscle scaffolds in any size, limited only by the machinery. "We're fortunate to collaborate with a number of surgeons, and they see promise in this material being used for craniofacial muscle applications in addition to sports- or trauma-induced injuries to large muscles," she said. "These would include the animation muscles in your face that are very fine and have very precise architectures and allow for things like facial expressions and chewing." ### Jeff Falk 713-348-6775 jfalk@rice.edu Mike Williams 713-348-6728 mikewilliams@rice.edu Co-authors of the paper are Rice graduate student Katie Hogan and Jane Grande-Allen, the Isabel C. Cameron Professor of Bioengineering. Mikos is the Louis Calder Professor of Bioengineering and Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. The National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation and the Ford Foundation supported the research. Read the abstract at https:/ / advances. sciencemag. org/ lookup/ doi/ 10. 1126/ sciadv. abg4123 . This news release can be found online at news.rice.edu. Follow Rice News and Media Relations via Twitter @RiceUNews. Related materials: Grooves hold promise for sophisticated healing: http://news. rice. edu/ 2020/ 02/ 04/ grooves-hold-promise-for-sophisticated-healing-2/ Molecular bait can help hydrogels heal wounds: http://news. rice. edu/ 2019/ 06/ 05/ molecular-bait-can-help-hydrogels-heal-wounds-2/ Mikos Research Group: https:/ / www. ruf. rice. edu/ ~mikosgrp/ Biomaterials Lab: bml.rice.edu Rice Department of Bioengineering: https:/ / bioengineering. rice. edu George R. Brown School of Engineering: https:/ / engineering. rice. edu Images for download: https:/ / news-network. rice. edu/ news/ files/ 2021/ 04/ 0405_SCAFFOLDS-1-WEB. jpg Aligned myotubes formed on electrospun extracellular matrix scaffolds produced at Rice University. The staining with fluorescent tags shows cells' expression of myogenic marker desmin (green), actin (red) and nuclei (blue) after seven days of growth. (Credit: Mikos Research Group/Rice University) https:/ / news-network. rice. edu/ news/ files/ 2021/ 04/ 0405_SCAFFOLDS-2-WEB. jpg Aligned fibers produced via electrospinning can be used to form a tunable scaffold for growing new muscle, according to Rice University bioengineers. These fibers were fabricated with decellularized skeletal muscle extracellular matrix on a mandrel spinning at 3,000 rotations per minute. (Credit: Mikos Research Group/Rice University) https:/ / news-network. rice. edu/ news/ files/ 2021/ 04/ 0405_SCAFFOLDS-3-WEB. jpg Samples of electrospun decellularized skeletal muscle extracellular matrix created by Rice University bioengineers. Such scaffolds can be used to regenerate injured muscles. The natural scaffold material degrades as new muscles take over. (Credit: Mikos Research Group/Rice University) https:/ / news-network. rice. edu/ news/ files/ 2021/ 04/ 0405_SCAFFOLDS-4-WEB. jpg A sample of decellularized extracellular matrix created by Rice University bioengineers. The electrospun scaffolds can be used to regenerate injured muscles. The natural scaffold material degrades as new muscles take over. (Credit: Jeff Fitlow/Rice University) https:/ / news-network. rice. edu/ news/ files/ 2021/ 04/ 0405_SCAFFOLDS-5-WEB. jpg Rice University graduate students Katie Hogan, left, and Mollie Smoak prepare to fabricate a scaffold with an electrospinner. The scaffolds derived from decellularized skeletal muscle are designed to promote regeneration of injured skeletal muscle. (Credit: Jeff Fitlow/Rice University) Located on a 300-acre forested campus in Houston, Rice University is consistently ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has highly respected schools of Architecture, Business, Continuing Studies, Engineering, Humanities, Music, Natural Sciences and Social Sciences and is home to the Baker Institute for Public Policy. With 3,978 undergraduates and 3,192 graduate students, Rice's undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio is just under 6-to-1. Its residential college system builds close-knit communities and lifelong friendships, just one reason why Rice is ranked No. 1 for lots of race/class interaction and No. 1 for quality of life by the Princeton Review. Rice is also rated as a best value among private universities by Kiplinger's Personal Finance. The mysteries of sexual attraction just became a little less mysterious - at least for moths. A team of six American and European research groups including Tufts University has discovered which gene expressed in the brain of the male European corn borer moth controls his preference for the sex pheromone produced by females. This complements a previous study on the gene expressed in the female pheromone gland that dictates the type of blend she emits to attract males. The study was reported today in Nature Communications. The implications go beyond making a better dating app for bugs. Now scientists can begin to ask why mating signals and mating preferences change in the first place, which is a long-standing paradox since any change could reduce the ability of an organism to successfully mate. Knowledge of these two genes will provide a better understanding of how the pheromones of the 160,000 moth species have evolved. Of course, one important role for mating preferences is to make sure you are not matching up with a completely different species. The signal sent by females must be preferred by males of the same species to ensure that like mates with like--a mechanism called assortative mating. The European corn borer is interesting because there are two types, called E and Z, with assortative mating within each type. Even though the two types can be mated to each other in captivity, E mostly mates with E, and Z with Z in the field. For this reason, the European corn borer has been used as a model for how one species can split into two, ever since the two pheromone types were first discovered 50 years ago. "That means we now know - at the molecular level - how chemical matchmaking aids in the formation of new species. Similar genetic changes to pheromone preference could help explain how tens of thousands of other moth species remain separate," said Erik Dopman, professor of biology in the School of Arts and Sciences at Tufts and corresponding author of the study. Different aspects of the research were conducted by the three co-first authors Fotini Koutroumpa of University of Amsterdam, Melanie Unbehend of the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, and Genevieve Kozak, a former post-doctoral scholar at Tufts University and now assistant professor at University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth. "Our study's success can be attributed to a team with a common vision and strong sense of humor that helped make the science worthwhile and fun," said Dopman. One of the surprise discoveries made by the team was that while females may vary their signals in the blend of pheromones they produce, preference in the male is driven by a protein that changes their brain's neuronal circuitry underlying detection rather than affecting the receptors responsible for picking up the pheromones. Preference for a particular cocktail of pheromones is determined by any of hundreds of variants found within the bab gene of the male. The relevant variants of bab are not in parts of the gene that code for a protein, but in parts that likely determine how much of the protein is produced, which in turn affects the neuronal circuits running from the antennae to the brain. The researchers were able to determine anatomical differences in the male, including the reach of olfactory sensory neurons into different parts of the moth brain, and link them to their attraction to E or Z females. "This is the first moth species out of 160,000 in which female signalling and male preference genes have both been identified," said Astrid Groot of the University of Amsterdam, who also helped identify the gene controlling the pheromone difference in E and Z females. "That provides us with complete information on the evolution of mate choice and a way to measure how closely these choices are linked to evolving traits and populations." The ability to predict mating could also help control reproduction in pest insects. The European corn borer is a significant pest for many agricultural crops in addition to corn. In the U.S., it costs nearly $2 billion each year to monitor and control. It is also the primary pest target for genetically modified "Bt corn" which expresses insecticidal proteins derived from the bacterium, Bacillus thuringiensis. While Bt corn remains an effective control of the corn borer moth in the U.S., corn borers in Nova Scotia are now evolving resistance to another variety of Bt corn. "Our results can help to predict whether Bt resistance could spread from Nova Scotia to the Corn Belt of the U.S., or whether assortative mating could prevent or delay it", said co-author David Heckel at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, who also studies how insects evolve resistance to Bt. "Bt corn has enabled a huge reduction in the use of chemical insecticides, and it should be a high priority to preserve its ecological benefits as long as possible." ### Plants have evolved unique immunity mechanisms that they can activate upon detecting the presence of a pathogen. Interestingly, the presence of some nonpathogenic microorganisms can also prompt a plant to activate its systemic immunity mechanisms, and some studies have shown that pretreating agricultural crops with such "immunity-activating" nonpathogenic microorganisms can leave the crops better prepared to fight off infections from pathogenic microorganisms. In effect, this means that immunity-activating nonpathogenic microorganisms can function like vaccines for plants, providing a low-risk stimulus for the plant's immune system that prepares it for dealing with genuine threats. These are exciting findings for crop scientists because they suggest the possibility of using such pretreatment as a form of biological pest control that would reduce the need for agricultural pesticides. However, before pretreatment with nonpathogenic microorganisms can become a standard agricultural technology, scientists need a way to screen microorganisms for the ability to stimulate plant immune systems without harming the plants. There is currently no simple method for evaluating the ability of microorganisms to activate plant immune systems. Conventional methods involve the use of whole plants and microorganisms, and this inevitably makes conventional screening a time-consuming and expensive affair. To address this problem, Associate Professor Toshiki Furuya and Professor Kazuyuki Kuchitsu of Tokyo University of Science and their colleagues decided to develop a screening strategy involving cultured plant cells. A description of their method appears in a paper recently published in Scientific Reports. The first step in this screening strategy involves incubating the candidate microorganism together with BY-2 cells, which are tobacco plant cells known for their rapid and stable growth rates. The next step is to treat the BY-2 cells with cryptogein, which is a protein secreted by fungus-like pathogenic microorganisms that can elicit immune responses from tobacco plants. A key part of the cryptogein-induced immune responses is the production of a class of chemicals called reactive oxygen species (ROS), and scientists can easily measure cryptogein-induced ROS production and use it as a metric for evaluating the effects of the nonpathogenic microorganisms. To put it simply, an effective pretreatment agent will increase the BY-2 cells' ROS production levels (i.e., cause the cells to exhibit stronger immune system activation) in response to cryptogein exposure. To test the practicability of their screening strategy, Dr. Furuya and his colleagues used the strategy on 29 bacterial strains isolated from the interior of the Japanese mustard spinach plant (Brassica rapa var. perviridis), and they found that 8 strains boosted cryptogein-induced ROS production. They then further tested those 8 strains by applying them to the root tips of seedlings from the Arabidopsis genus, which contains species commonly used as model organisms for studies of plant biology. Interestingly, 2 of the 8 tested strains induced whole-plant resistance to bacterial pathogens. Based on the proof-of-concept findings concerning those 2 bacterial strains, Dr. Furuya proudly notes that his team's screening method "can streamline the acquisition of microorganisms that activate the immune system of plants." When asked how he envisions the screening method affecting agricultural practices, he explains that he expects his team's screening system "to be a technology that contributes to the practical application and spread of microbial alternatives to chemical pesticides." In time, the novel screening method developed by Dr. Furuya and team may make it significantly easier for crop scientists create greener agricultural methods that rely on the defense mechanisms that plants themselves have evolved over millions of years. ### Reference Titles of original papers: An efficient direct screening system for microorganisms that activate plant immune responses based on plant-microbe interactions using cultured plant cells Journal: Scientific Reports DOI: https:/ / doi. org/ 10. 1038/ s41598-021-86560-0 About The Tokyo University of Science Tokyo University of Science (TUS) is a well-known and respected university, and the largest science-specialized private research university in Japan, with four campuses in central Tokyo and its suburbs and in Hokkaido. Established in 1881, the university has continually contributed to Japan's development in science through inculcating the love for science in researchers, technicians, and educators. With a mission of "Creating science and technology for the harmonious development of nature, human beings, and society", TUS has undertaken a wide range of research from basic to applied science. TUS has embraced a multidisciplinary approach to research and undertaken intensive study in some of today's most vital fields. TUS is a meritocracy where the best in science is recognized and nurtured. It is the only private university in Japan that has produced a Nobel Prize winner and the only private university in Asia to produce Nobel Prize winners within the natural sciences field. Website: https:/ / www. tus. ac. jp/ en/ mediarelations/ About Associate Professor Toshiki Furuya from Tokyo University of Science Dr. Toshiki Furuya, D.Eng., is an Associate Professor within the Department of Applied Biological Science of the Faculty of Science and Technology. He completed his undergraduate and postgraduate education at Waseda University. His key research interests are the biotechnology applications of microorganisms and enzymes, and his work has earned him various awards, including an Excellent Paper Award from the Japanese Society of Biotechnology. He has authored 35 peer-reviewed papers, 17 other papers, and more than 100 conference presentations, and he holds a patent related to the bioproduction of valuable chemicals. Funding information This study was supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and the Institute for Fermentation (Osaka, Japan). University of Alberta scientists have identified a receptor in cells that could be key to preventing permanent hearing loss in childhood cancer survivors who are being treated with the drug cisplatin. The researchers believe by inhibiting the receptor, they may be able to eliminate toxic side-effects from the drug that cause the hearing loss. Cisplatin is an incredibly effective chemotherapeutic when it comes to treating solid tumours in children, contributing to an 80 per cent overall survival rate over five years, according to U of A researcher Amit Bhavsar, an assistant professor in the Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology. The problem has always been with the side-effects. Nearly 100 per cent of patients who receive higher doses of cisplatin show some degree of permanent hearing loss. The ability to prevent this side-effect would dramatically improve the quality of life of childhood cancer survivors after they recover from the disease. As Bhavsar explains, many researchers look at cisplatin's damaging side-effects from the angle of genetics, trying to determine underlying risk factors for hearing loss or examine how it works as a chemotherapeutic. A fair amount was known about the progression of hearing loss as a side-effect, but it was the initial spark--the instigating factor kicking everything off--that remained a mystery. Bhavsar and his team thought outside the box and took things all the way back to the periodic table with their approach, getting some clues from the chemical composition of cisplatin itself and eventually identifying a particular receptor that was getting turned on. The receptor in question is Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), which is involved in the body's immune response. TLR4 works by crossing the cell membrane, sticking a portion of itself outside the cell to sample the environment and to look for different signals that indicate damage or danger of some sort. "It's a receptor that your body normally uses to detect when there's some sort of issue, like an infection. This receptor will turn on, and it'll start producing these signals that tell the cell it's under stress. Unfortunately in the case of cisplatin, those signals ultimately lead to the death of the cells responsible for hearing." The cells affected by TLR4's signals are located within the cochlea of the ear, where they play a crucial role in hearing, translating vibrations in the ear into electrical impulses. Cisplatin also accumulates in the kidneys, but the difference is that it can be flushed out and diluted in that area of the body; in a closed system such as the ear, it accumulates and damages the cells. "These cells don't renew. You really only get one shot and if they're gone, you're in trouble. The hearing loss is permanent," said Bhavsar. The only way to prevent the damage is to stop the signals TLR4 produces that lead to the accumulation of cisplatin. To confirm the efficacy of inhibiting the TLR4 receptor, Bhavsar and his team looked at zebrafish models, with the help of Ted Allison, an associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences and member of the U of A's Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute. They examined neuromasts, which are sensory cells within zebrafish that behave similarly to the human hair cells typically damaged by cisplatin. Bhavsar was able to prove that inhibiting TLR4 led to an inhibition of the damage on the sensory cells. Bhavsar, a member of the Cancer Research Institute of Northern Alberta (CRINA), the Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology and the Women and Children's Health Research Institute (WCHRI), is collaborating with CRINA member Frederick West and Allison to refine an inhibitor that can disrupt this sampling process, removing the function that causes the toxic side-effect while still keeping the immune sensor function intact so patients don't become immunocompromised. "It really does open the door for potential therapeutics," said Bhavsar. The study, "Toll-like receptor 4 is activated by platinum and contributes to cisplatin-induced ototoxicity," was published in EMBO Reports. The work received support through operating grants from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation through WCHRI, as well as funding from the Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology. ### While it has been said that the eyes are a window to the soul, a new study shows they could be a means for understanding diseases of the brain. According to new research by scientists at the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, retinal scans can detect key changes in blood vessels that may provide an early sign of Alzheimer's, while offering important insights into how one of the most common Alzheimer's risk genes contributes to the disease. "The most prevalent genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease is a variant of the APOE gene, known as APOE4," said lead author Fanny Elahi, MD, PhD. "We still don't fully understand how this variant increases risk of brain degeneration, we just know that it does, and that this risk is modified by sex, race, and lifestyle. "Our research provides new insights into how APOE4 impacts blood vessels and may provide a path forward for early detection of neurodegenerative disease." Studies in mice have explored the effect of APOE4 on capillaries in the brain. Elahi, an assistant professor of neurology and member of the UCSF Memory and Aging Center (MAC), has long suspected these tiny blood vessels may play a significant role in Alzheimer's disease, since they deliver nutrients and oxygen, carry away waste, and police immune system responses through the protective shield known as the blood-brain barrier. Damage to these blood vessels could cause a host of problems, she says, including the protein buildup and cognitive decline seen in individuals affected by Alzheimer's disease. Because the technology does not exist to visualize individual capillaries in living people's brains, Elahi and colleagues turned to the eye. In the new study, which published May 11, 2021, in the journal Alzheimer's and Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring, Elahi and her team have shown that APOE4-associated capillary changes can be detected in humans through an easy, comfortable eye scan. As a light-penetrating tissue that shares biology with the brain, the retina, researchers believe, may help determine what APOE4 variants may be doing to similar capillaries inside the brain, even in those without dementia. The team - which includes Ari Green, MD, a neuro-ophthalmologist, professor, and director of the UCSF Neurodiagnostics Center, and Amir Kashani, MD, PhD, associate professor of ophthalmology at the Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute - used an advanced retinal imaging technique known as optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) to peer into the eyes of aging people with and without APOE4 mutations to evaluate the smallest blood vessels at the back of the eye. The team leveraged the well-characterized cohorts of people enrolled in ongoing studies of brain aging and neurodegenerative disease at the MAC. By adding OCTA scans to existing MRI and PET scan data, they gain comparative insights without putting volunteer participants through additional discomfort. "That's the beauty of this technique," Elahi said. "It's very easy, noninvasive and participant-friendly." Analyzing the retinal scans, the researchers found reduced capillary density in APOE4 carriers, an effect that increased with participant age. To test whether those scans accurately reflected what was happening in the brain, the team then compared the abnormalities seen in OCTA scans of retinal capillaries to measurements of brain perfusion, or the flow of blood through the brain, as measured via MRI. They found that people with higher retinal capillary density also had greater blood flow in the brain. Finally, the team looked to participants with prior PET scans of beta-amyloid, the protein associated with Alzheimer's disease, to see how their retinal capillary measurements related to the burden of amyloid plaques in the brain, which is the major focus of Alzheimer's disease diagnosis, research and treatment to date. They found that capillary density did not differ between groups with and without amyloid plaques, nor did it vary along with amyloid burden. According to Elahi, that independence suggests that capillary abnormalities are unlikely to be driven by amyloid pathology, or that their relation may at most be indirect. "This is the first time that we have demonstrated in living, asymptomatic humans that the smallest blood vessels are affected in APOE4 gene carriers," said Elahi. That's important, she added, because it suggests that the increased risk of brain degeneration and Alzheimer's disease in APOE4 carriers may be through its effect on blood vessels. Elahi and her colleagues plan to follow their study participants to better understand blood vessel dysfunction at a molecular level. That work could help detect the onset of Alzheimer's disease before significant damage occurs to the brain and identify new vascular targets for early treatment. "This is just the beginning," Elahi said. "But the implications for early detection and possible intervention can be significant in combatting Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. It's much harder to regenerate neurons than to stop their degeneration from happening in the first place. Similar to cancer, early detection can save lives," ### Additional co-authors on the paper include Daniel Bennett, Samantha Walters, Renaud La Joie, PhD, Amy Wolf, Yann Cobigo, Adam Stafferoni, Howie Rosen, MD, Bruce Miller, MD, Gil Rabinovici, MD, Joel Kramer, PsyD, and Ari Green, MD, from UCSF. For additional authors and funding information, please see the paper. About UCSF: The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is exclusively focused on the health sciences and is dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. UCSF Health, which serves as UCSF's primary academic medical center, includes top-ranked specialty hospitals and other clinical programs, and has affiliations throughout the Bay Area. UCSF School of Medicine also has a regional campus in Fresno. Learn more at ucsf.edu, or see our Fact Sheet. Follow UCSF ucsf.edu | Facebook.com/ucsf | YouTube.com/ucsf High-precision noble gas analyses indicate that solar wind particles from our primordial Sun were encased in the Earth's core over 4.5 billion years ago. Researchers from the Institute of Earth Sciences at Heidelberg University have concluded that the particles made their way into the overlying rock mantle over millions of years. The scientists found solar noble gases in an iron meteorite they studied. Because of their chemical composition, such meteorites are often used as natural models for the Earth's metallic core. The rare class of iron meteorites make up only five percent of all known meteorite finds on Earth. Most are fragments from inside larger asteroids that formed metallic cores in the first one to two million years of our Solar System. The Washington County iron meteorite now being studied at the Klaus Tschira Laboratory for Cosmochemistry at the Institute of Earth Sciences was found nearly 100 years ago. Its name comes from the location in Colorado (USA) where it was discovered. It resembles a metal discus, is six cm thick, and weighs approx. 5.7 kilograms, according to Prof. Dr Mario Trieloff, head of the Geo- and Cosmochemistry research group. The researchers were finally able to definitively prove the presence of a solar component in the iron meteorite. Using a noble gas mass spectrometer, they determined that the samples from the Washington County meteorite contain noble gases whose isotopic ratios of helium and neon are typical for the solar wind. According to Dr Manfred Vogt, a member of the Trieloff team, "the measurements had to be extraordinarily accurate and precise to differentiate the solar signatures from the dominant cosmogenic noble gases and atmospheric contamination". The team postulates that solar wind particles in the primordial Solar System were trapped by the precursor materials of the Washington County parent asteroid. The noble gases captured along with the particles were dissolved into the liquid metal from which the asteroid's core formed. The results of their measurements allowed the Heidelberg researchers to draw a conclusion by analogy that the core of the planet Earth might also contain such noble gas components. Yet another scientific observation supports this assumption. Prof. Trieloff's research group has long been measuring solar noble gas isotopes of helium and neon in igneous rock of oceanic islands like Hawaii and Reunion. These magmatites derive from a special form of volcanism sourced by mantle plumes rising from thousands of kilometres deep in the Earth's mantle. Their particularly high solar gas content makes them fundamentally different from the shallow mantle as represented by volcanic activity of submarine mid-ocean mountain ridges. "We always wondered why such different gas signatures could exist at all in a slowly albeit constantly convecting mantle," states the Heidelberg researcher. Their findings appear to confirm the assumption that the solar noble gases in mantle plumes originate in the planet's core - and hence signify solar wind particles from the centre of the Earth. "Just one to two percent of a metal with a similar composition as the Washington Country meteorite in the Earth's core would be enough to explain the different gas signatures in the mantle," states Dr Vogt. The Earth's core may therefore play a previously underappreciated active role in the geochemical development of the Earth's mantle. ### The research was funded by the Klaus Tschira Foundation. The results of the intricate, high-resolution noble gas measurements were published in the journal Communications Earth and Environment. A researcher from the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry in Mainz also assisted with the project. Artificial intelligence, combined with citizen science, will provide real-time detection of the tiger mosquito and will allow faster control of this desease transmitter. The deep learning algorithm is able to correctly identify 96% of the photographs Researchers from Mosquito Alert (who belong to CEAB-CSIC, CREAF and UPF) together with researchers from the University of Budapest have shown that an artificial intelligence algorithm is capable of recognizing the tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) in the photos sent by Mosquito Alert users. The results of the study published in Scientific Reports have been obtained by applying deep learning technology or deep learning, an aspect of artificial intelligence that seeks to emulate the way of learning of humans and that has previously been used in the health field to interpret medical images (X-rays of patients with COVID19 to detect pneumonia, or facial features to detect heart disease, among others). Deep learning needs a lot of training data for the machine to learn. John Palmer: "The initial idea is to get the machine to classify the simplest photos, and leave the task of identifying the most problematic images that require consensus to the experts". In the case of the Mosquito Alert app, these images have been sent by the public and labeled by the project experts as "tiger mosquito" or "no tiger mosquito" for years. Specifically, the study used 7,168 classified photographs of mosquitoes that the project participants had sent between 2015 and 2019. After training, the algorithm has been able to correctly classify 96% of the photographs of this insect. "The initial idea is to get the machine to classify the simplest photos, and leave the task of identifying the most problematic images that require consensus to the experts. As the artificial system learns from the classifications of the experts, we will be able to expand the range of automatically cataloged species ", explains John Palmer, UPF researcher and co-director of Mosquito Alert. More predictability This milestone can mark a before and after in the surveillance and monitoring of the tiger mosquito and other mosquitoes capable of transmitting diseases. "We are training a social immune system against these mosquitoes. The faster the threat is detected, the faster it can be acted upon ", comments Frederic Bartumeus, co-director of Mosquito Alert and ICREA researcher at CEAB-CSIC and CREAF. On the one hand, the citizen science of Mosquito Alert allows anyone to be part of this new social immune system and contribute a massive number of photos of mosquitoes, on the other, artificial intelligence allows, to accelerate the classification process of the received photos and thus help public health experts make better and faster decisions about mosquito management. "In times of greatest need, such as in the months of greatest mosquito activity or in a context of epidemiological crisis, artificial intelligence can help us so that the system can absorb a greater amount of information, controlling its quality at all times, which it is key if the data is to be used for decision-making in public health ", adds Frederic Bartumeus. Automating saves lives The presence of the tiger mosquito in Spain poses a threat to public health. Millions of people are affected by its presence and are exposed to the risk of transmitting diseases such as dengue or chikungunya. In Europe, the tiger mosquito has been implicated every year since 2007 in small locally transmitted outbreaks of these viral diseases for which no vaccines are available. The only preventive measure is to control the mosquitoes that transmit them. Assessing the risk and the necessary action measures to mitigate it requires having accurate information on tiger mosquito populations, a costly and laborious task that requires manual placement and inspection of traps and their subsequent analysis in the laboratory where the insects are identified. A methodology that is not feasible to cover large geographic areas. Mosquito Alert's citizen science methods, which allow anyone to report the presence of a mosquito through a mobile application available on Android and iOS, is an alternative that makes it easy to cover large geographic areas throughout the mosquito season. Since 2015, the initiative receives thousands of photographs every year that help estimate the abundance of mosquitoes. However, this large volume of photographs continues to be classified by visual examination by expert entomologists, a task that requires time and years of experience. Integrating artificial intelligence into this process can speed up classification and thus develop near-real-time hazard maps that improve tiger mosquito management. Roger Eritja, CREAF scientist and Mosquito Alert entomological director, clarifies the limitations of artificial intelligence: "It will take time until a machine can have the same capacity as an expert eye, especially for other less characteristic species than the tiger mosquito. In Spain, 62 species of mosquitoes have been described, many of which currently cannot be classified from an image, but must be examined under a microscope. In some other cases, even a genetic analysis is required to identify them ". ### The study is part of the Versatil Emerging infectious disease Observatory (VEO) project coordinated by Marion Koopmans from the Erasmus Universitair Medisch Centrum (EMC) Rotterdam, The Netherlands,, and funded by the European Commission's Horizon2020. Reference work: Balint Armin Pataki, Joan Garriga, Roger Eritja, John R. B. Palmer, Frederic Bartumeus & Istvan Csabai (February 2021) "Deep learning identification for citizen science surveillance of tiger mosquitoes". Scienfific Reports 11, art num. 4718 U.S. tariffs have led to a sharp decline in Chinese imports and significant changes in the types of goods Americans buy from China, new data show, with purchases of telecommunications gear, furniture, apparel and other goods shifting to other countries. Nearly two-thirds of all imports from Chinaor roughly $370 billion in annual goodswere covered by tariffs imposed by the U.S. in 2018 and 2019. Tariffs now cover just half of Chinese exports to the U.S., or about $250 billion in goods annually, as U.S. companies buy more from other countries, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis of information from Trade Data Monitor. The Trump administration imposed the levies in 2018-19, aiming to boost U.S. factory production by making Chinese imports more expensive for the American companies that bring them in. That so-called re-shoring of manufacturing hasnt happened in any appreciable way, economic data show, as U.S. companies instead turned to other countries in Asia for supply. Vietnam has been an especially big beneficiary. It now ranks No. 6 globally for imports to the U.S., up from 12th as recently as 2018. If the goal was to reduce imports from China then it succeeded, said Craig Allen, president of the U.S.-China Business Council, which represents U.S. companies that do business in China. But if the goal was to increase manufacturing employment in the United States I dont see any evidence that thats happened. If the goal was to increase imports from other countries in Asia or increase manufacturing employment in Vietnam, its succeeded. Semiconductors are a prime example of an item targeted early in the trade war that has been on the decline from China, but seen strong growth from Vietnam, Taiwan and Malaysia. Of the Chinese goods hit by tariffs, the biggest impact has been in telecom equipment and computer accessories, where imports are down about $15 billion each from their peaks in 2018, the Journal analysis found. Tariff revenue paid to the U.S. Treasury by importers has dropped as a consequence. The U.S. collected $66 billion from tariffs in the 12 months ended in March, down from a peak of $76 billion in February 2020. Imports of non-tariffed items from China have begun to pick up in recent months, after a global downturn in trade triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic. Even so, imports from China overall were at $472 billion for the 12 months ended March 31, compared to a peak of $539 billion in 2018. The trade war has had a more enduring negative impact [on Chinese imports] than the pandemic, said Adam Slater, the lead economist for Oxford Economics. The effects of the pandemic are starting to wear off, but the longer-term impact of the trade war remains. The U.S. and China signed an agreement to end the trade war in 2020, but the U.S. kept tariffs in place as leverage to ensure compliance with the pact by Beijing, which also retained its tariffs on U.S. exports to China. Beijing has pressed for dropping the tit-for-tat tariffs. Though the levies are paid by U.S. companies, Chinese factories can lose out on business in favor of rival factories in countries including Vietnam, Malaysia and Mexico. The trade war took direct aim at Beijings ambitions to become a leader in advanced manufacturing technologies such as semiconductors and electric vehicles. At a hearing Wednesday, senators pressed U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai on whether the Biden administration plans to continue the tariffs, with some saying the levies were hurting businesses in their districts. Ms. Tai was also asked to restore a now-expired process in which companies could seek to have tariffs waived on certain products. Ms. Tai said her office was conducting a top-to-bottom review of tariffs that would include the exclusion process, and that companies will be able to engage and tell us exactly what their concerns are and what their plans are. In a March interview with The Wall Street Journal, Ms. Tai said the administration wasnt ready to lift tariffs on Chinese imports in the near future. No negotiator walks away from leverage, right? she said. The Trump administration imposed the tariffs in four waves, known as tranches. Each tranche listed thousands of imports that would be subject to the duties. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said the tariffs affected $370 billion in annual trade, but it hasnt updated those figures as trade changed. The first and second tranches went into effect in July and August of 2018, covering $34 billion and $16 billion of goods, respectively, based off contemporaneous trade figures. The 25% duties targeted items such as telecommunications equipment, metal alloys, semiconductors and electrical apparatusgoods that tend to be purchased by businesses as intermediate or capital inputs, but not directly by consumers. In the 12 months through March, the U.S. imported about $22 billion worth of items in the first tranche and $9 billion in the second, a decline of 36% and 43%, respectively, from their original values. The third trancheoriginally aimed at slightly over $200 billion of importscame after a summer of escalating trade tensions and took effect in September of 2018. In this phase, the Trump administration targeted some significant categories of consumer goods, such as furniture and apparel, as well as auto parts and many electrical components such as those used in televisions. The tariffs for this third tranche of goods began at 10% but were later raised to 25%. Over the past 12 months, such imports totaled $119 billion, a decline of 43%. In some cases, the tariffs motivated businesses to accelerate movement that was already under way out of China. In furniture, for example, many U.S. importers were increasingly turning to Vietnam even before the trade war. Other places are going to be less costly suppliers than bringing it back to the United States, said Chad Bown, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. In some industries, the tariffs pushed out businesses in a way that complemented what the Chinese were going to do anyway, said Mr. Allen of the U.S.-China Business Council. Prices for Chinese factory workers are really going up. A lot of manufacturers were moving abroad anyway. Smartphones are one example. The U.S. didnt impose tariffs on these, sparing Apple Inc. and others that have their phones assembled in China. Cellphone exports from China still declined, as the worlds largest smartphone maker, Koreas Samsung Electronics Co. , left the market anyway, citing rising Chinese labor costs and a desire to diversify its supply chain. The fourth and final tranche of tariffs hit in September 2019. The list fell heavily on computers and accessories, apparel, televisions and footwear. A Journal analysis at the time found those tariffs would hit about $111 billion worth of goods; the USTR office later said the tariffs were aimed at about $120 billion of goods. Following a trade truce struck in January 2020, the tariffs on these items were lowered to 7.5% from 15%, and trade in the items hasnt fallen as dramatically. In the past 12 months, it stood at $97 billion, down about 13%. Josh Zumbrun : wsj.com In a low-key appearance in front a Texas Senate committee last week, the interim CEO of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the states electric grid operator, appeared to make a surprising admission. Brad Jones said the operators decision during Februarys winter storm to set prices for wholesale electricity at the highest level for 32 hours longer than may have been necessary overrode the ERCOT protocols. The move cost CPS Energy and other Texas utilities billions of dollars. The market rules themselves werent changed, but what is important to know is that the market rules were not followed, Jones said May 4 to the Senate Business and Commerce Committee. This was a deviation from the ERCOT rules. His comments were a departure from testimony previous CEO Bill Magness gave in late February defending ERCOTs pricing decision. And Jones statements could bolster CPS lawsuit against ERCOT, which seeks to shield the utility from high ERCOT charges during that 32-hour period. He is pointing out there were problems. I think those were huge steps in talking about the rules not being followed, CPS chief executive Paula Gold-Williams said. This was the first time that I thought there was clarity about that from leadership at ERCOT. On Feb. 15, soon after the storm blew into Texas, the Public Utility Commission which oversees ERCOT ordered the grid operator to set prices at the highest level as rolling blackouts began. The controversy began late Wednesday, Feb. 17, when ERCOT stopped ordering outages but maintained the price at $9,000 per megawatt hour. Without that intervention, prices would likely have fallen in wholesale power markets, the states independent market monitor concluded. Wholesale prices typically run about $25 per megawatt hour. But when electricity is scarce statewide and demand is high, ERCOTs computer algorithms raise the price to encourage power plant operators to produce and sell as much power onto the grid as possible. . On the night of Feb. 17, however, ERCOT officials decided to override the algorithms and hold prices at the $9,000 per megawatt hour cap for the next 32 hours. Typically, prices in ERCOT only hit the $9,000 maximum for intervals of 15 minutes or so. When some of CPS power plants either seized up or stopped functioning properly during the long cold snap, the utility spent about $300 million for power on the ERCOT market at those sky-high prices. Potomac Economics, an independent market analysis firm that monitors ERCOT, said retroactively restoring prices to more normal levels would allow utilities to eliminate about $3.2 billion in charges. However, Magness told lawmakers the grid operator wanted to keep the price high to discourage industrial plants and other large power users from turning the lights back on and increasing demand on the still-fragile system not because too little electricity was available for sale. But Jones, who became ERCOTs interim CEO in early May, said the decision to keep prices at the $9,000 per megawatt hour cap was controversial. On Friday, ERCOT spokeswoman Leslie Sopko said Jones did not make any assertions regarding the decisions that were made during the winter storm. His comments were in reference to the PUC order that allowed the wholesale prices to remain at the level they did, Sopko said. Gold-Williams, however, said the statewide grid was stabilizing after Feb. 17. CPS has argued most power plants werent operating properly during the storm because they lacked fuel or their equipment was malfunctioning because of the freezing temperatures. Setting the price for wholesale electricity at the highest level wouldnt have solved those problems, the utility said. ERCOT got to the $9,000 prices from zero to 60 extremely fast, and then they held, and all of those things I think were really poor steps, Gold-Williams said. I think finally the new CEO is putting the right spotlight on elements of those problems. CPS sued ERCOT in Bexar County District Court in March to prevent the grid operator from declaring the utility in default for not paying its storm-related bills. CPS officials said Jones comments could help the utility in court. He effectively admitted publicly that ERCOT broke its own rules, the utility said. CPS also has sued nearly two dozen natural gas companies for allegedly price-gouging during the storm. The utility is contesting about $700 million in gas charges. Legal experts have said CPSs price-gouging claims dont apply to natural gas prices, which are set by the market and arent governed by consumer protection laws. diego.mendoza-moyers@express-news.net Oji Martin, co-founder of Fix SAPD, could barely contain herself. She grinned. On the wall-sized screen in a corner of KSATs newsroom, her face beamed. It wasnt quite 7:30 p.m. on Election Day, May 1. The early balloting results showed that 49 percent of voters supported Proposition B, which would strip the San Antonio police union of its collective bargaining rights. So Martins side was losing. Yet San Antonio voters had shown up in force and that in itself was a victory, she told KSAT. It wasnt empty campaign talk, something you tell supporters to prepare them for a long night, to keep them energized and hopeful. Prop B touched an exposed nerve in the city. With Mayor Ron Nirenbergs re-election all but certain and few truly hot City Council races, Prop B drove the biggest turnout of voters for a May election in years. Appearing on the same wall-sized screen within minutes of Martin, Danny Diaz, president of the San Antonio Police Officers Association, was somber and uncertain. He sat alone in a dimly lit office, a sharp contrast to the party atmosphere at the Friendly Spot Ice House on South Alamo Street where Martin was anchored. Just a few months after replacing political street fighter Mike Helle as union head, Diaz told viewers, I was playing catch-up from the get-go. His union was winning at that moment. Unions soft power under siege And as we know, the lead held throughout the night and Prop B failed. But what a lousy victory for the union. The heart of the unions campaign was the lie that Prop B would defund the police. What it actually would have done, of course, was take away law enforcement officers ability to haggle over pay, benefits and disciplinary procedures for bad cops. Like a lot of other police unions, SAPOA historically has excelled at smudging the fact that its an arm of organized labor, with a laser focus on its members economic interests. It wants San Antonians to think of it simply as the citys police force, the ones who keep us safe. If you accept that, its a short step to the conclusion that any measure that cuts against its members interests is an attack on law enforcement. The unions success in cultivating that image is one of the main reasons its had such a firm grip on San Antonio mayors and City Council members over the years. Thats its soft power. Its hard power is the threat that itll run challengers against uncooperative incumbents and mobilize its members and troves of voter data on their behalf. Former City Manager Sheryl Sculley offered a glimpse of how it works in her memoir Greedy Bastards: One Citys Texas-size Struggle To Avoid a Financial Crisis. Well talk about it later Sculley was city manager from 2005 to 2019. Early on, she and her lieutenants concluded that cops and firefighters compensation packages and side benefits eventually would crowd out spending on basic services such as libraries, parks, street repairs, etc. (Important to note: The obstacles to firing law-breaking police officers were nearly an afterthought at the time.) Shortly after Julian Castros 2009 election as mayor, Sculley saw an opening. She asked him to consider changing the citys compensation model for public safety employees. The fire and police unions labor contracts were up for renegotiation that year. From her book: Are you asking me to take on the union that just supported me during my election? Julian replied. Yes, I confirmed. If the timing isnt right now, please give me a chance to make the business case to you for the next contract. Julian agreed. Let me take care of some other things first, and well talk about it later. Castro eventually convened a task force to study police and fire compensation. Little came of it during his tenure. Twelve years later and with a failed run for the Democratic presidential nomination behind him Castro embraced Prop B and went door-knocking in support of it. How could this happen? Billy Calzada, Staff / Staff Photographer For many politicians, its easy to side with the police union when the issue is officers pay and benefits, and not just because of SAPOAs political heavy-handedness. In general, voters dont think the people responsible for maintaining public safety should be nickel-and-dimed. Thats why Sculley enjoyed much more support among San Antonios chambers of commerce for a harder-edge approach to contract negotiations than she ever did on City Council. Bemoaning the threat posed by rich police and fire contracts to the citys sacred triple-A bond rating turned out to be a lame rallying cry. The killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis a year ago wrecked that paradigm. It electrified people and drew them to the streets. In an NPR interview last week, Oji Martin a 34-year-old Northwest Side resident and owner of Backstory Backdrops, a creative design firm for parties and other events talked about her own political awakening a year ago. Like so many other Americans, sitting in my home, I was just watching the television screen wondering how could this happen and what can we do about it? she said. And it began with the kitchen table conversation with my brother that led to us doing more investigation on a Washington Post report that San Antonio was No. 1 in the nation for rehiring fired officers. She and other organizers of Fix SAPD want the city to be able to fire bad officers and keep them fired. Thats not justice, but its approaching justice. Damaged despite victory The surprisingly close fight over Prop B showed that nearly half the voters who showed up for the May 1 election were willing to rip out the unions heart its collective bargaining rights to secure that reform. Few of them were thinking about the prosaic issues of police compensation and benefits. Despite its win, SAPOA comes out of this election damaged, its political standing in question. Early election night, Danny Diaz must have known that in his bones. That might explain why he was so downbeat on the cusp of victory. greg.jefferson@express-news.net Editors note: This story has been updated to reflect that the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administrations cited United Restoration and Preservation Inc. for the 2019 scaffolding collapse on East Martin Street., not Big City Access Inc. St. Marks Episcopal Churchs lawsuit against the two contractors said OSHA had cited Big City Access. About 230 feet of scaffolding toppled onto St. Marks Episcopal Churchs downtown campus from a nearby building during a 2019 storm that brought 60 mph winds. Piles of heavy metal scaffolding pierced the parish buildings roof in several places. The steel also crushed the chiller for the churchs heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system, causing a flood of water to pour down through four floors of the building. Offices, classrooms, rehearsal rooms and gathering space were all wrecked. Brickwork was damaged, as well. Altogether, the church says it suffered an estimated $14.5 million in damages. It now wants those it believes were responsible to pay. On ExpressNews.com: Repairs underway at San Antonio church damaged by scaffolding accident St. Marks this week sued two subcontractors that were hired to perform work related to restoration of the facade of the 14-story AT&T office building across East Martin Street, where the scaffolding collapsed. Named in the suit are Georgia-based United Restoration and Preservation Inc., hired to perform exterior renovations, and Gulf Coast Access Inc., formerly known as Big City Access Inc., which allegedly erected the scaffolding for United Restoration. Representatives for both companies didnt immediately respond to a request for comment Friday. Big City Access was acquired by BrandSafway of Georgia in December. St. Marks says the scaffolding collapsed during high wind gusts about 9:30 p.m. Sept. 19, 2019. But it adds that weather conditions were not severe enough to have caused the incident without an underlying defect in the scaffolding. The church says its $14.5 million loss was due solely to the negligence and carelessness of United Restoration and Big City Access. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration earlier opened an investigation into how the scaffolding fell off the side of the AT&T building. OSHAs website shows the federal agency in January 2020 reached a $12,145 informal settlement with United Restoration. The company was cited for a serious initial violation. SA Inc.: Get the best of business news sent directly to your inbox OSHA found that United Restoration allegedly violated federal law by not having a competent person qualified in scaffold erection, moving, dismantling or alteration. The citation added scaffold wall tie-ins were altered during the restoration activities, exposing employees to fall hazards. The lawsuit makes no mention of whether the churchs insurance covered any of the damage. In October, the Express-News reported repairs and renovations to the church were expected to take longer than a year and cost upward of $7 million. The Rev. Beth Knowlton, the churchs rector, said at the time it had good insurance and that it would not have to raise money to cover the costs. Knowlton was at a conference Friday and not available for comment. An attorney for the church didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. Scaffolding covered part of the parish Friday. It couldnt be determined whether it was erected as part of the repair work. St. Marks sanctuary, completed in 1875, went largely unscathed in the 2019 incident. The church was established in 1858. pdanner@express-news.net INDEPENDENCE, M o. (AP) When director Kurt Graham arrived at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum in July 2015, he immediately dove into a new project. And as we got into it with the staff and the board and the other stakeholders in the community and people in the museum industry, Graham says, we realized that we werent just remodeling or refreshing the galleries. We were re-imagining the Truman Library from top to bottom. The Truman Library & Museum, closed since July 2019, is poised to reopen this year, with a 3,000-square-foot addition and new ways to make the story of Truman and his presidency relevant to whats happening today, radio station KCUR-FM reports. Over the last few decades, the museum experience has changed a lot, in part due to technological advances and visitor feedback. When I was growing up, going to a museum was almost a liturgical experience, says Patrick Gallagher, president of the museum planning and design firm, Gallagher & Associates. Dont talk, dont touch, and stay in single file lines. These days, he says, visitors are encouraged to read, watch, listen, or interact. Gallagher & Associates has designed projects like the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville, the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C. It also has been adding presidential libraries to its portfolio. FDR, Reagan, Johnson, Ford, and now Truman, Gallagher says. I guess Ive become a little bit of a presidential library junkie. Presidential libraries used to focus on the years of an administration, he says. But now they take a broader view. Going deeper into whos the person what molded that person, whats their contemporary relevance? How are they remaining relevant today?, Gallagher says, so that we can find a reason for visitors to say yes, there is a legacy here thats really important to my life. Visitors will be greeted by a new sense of arrival and flow. The entrance is now on the east side of the building through a 3,000-square-foot addition. And Trumans life story is all on one level. This museum is set up in a chronological flow, Gallagher says, so theres a very directional flow to how visitors go through. Truman was thrust into the presidency in April 1945 with the death of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. I think people will see that, yes, he was just an ordinary man, but he got launched on an extraordinary journey and had to make decisions that few people in human history have ever had to confront, says director Kurt Graham. And I think that is what people will appreciate about him is that notion of character, that notion of integrity. As with other presidents, Gallagher says, decisions defined Trumans presidency especially ones he was confronted with in the first four months. Then you turn the corner and youre at this first four months, Gallagher describes, as he walks into a hallway. So the idea of creating compression for the visitor. So all of these incredible moments are weighing on the shoulders of Truman. Moments like the end of the war with Germany, the decision to drop atomic bombs on Japan, and the end of the war in the Pacific. Gallagher described creating a sense of motion for visitors where, with each turn, you had a dramatic vista to either an artifact or graphic or something that basically leads you through. Artifacts include an upright piano that belonged to Harry Trumans aunt and uncle (Truman played throughout his life). And a light tower with the words Dear Bess and reproductions of letters in a cursive script that Truman wrote to his wife, Bess. His relationship with his wife, cementing that relationship from the beginning was very important to us, Gallagher says. So the fact that he, they saved these letters and theyre still here is a great moment in finding that personal connection again. The redesigned library includes immersive theaters. One features Trumans service in World War I. Another focuses on the Red Scare; its a red-lit space about the fear and suspicion around spying during the Cold War. There is a theater to all this, says Gallagher, and making each space have its own character and dimension is important. He reads some of the questions illuminated on the walls: What are you hiding? Who can you trust? Youre underpinning that sense of paranoia and that encourages people to sit down and really dig in on the interaction. Artifacts were pulled out of storage, classified documents were de-classified, and video and audio were uncovered to add new layers to Trumans story. As Gallagher puts it Trumans thumbprint on history still resonates today, from civil rights to foreign aid to health care and Social Security. So the narrative continues and thats part of what a good presidential library does is shows that the legacy is as significant as the years they served, he said. And thats what people are going to see here. San Antonio Police Department A San Antonio police officer was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, the department said Friday in a news release. Demarius Holmes, 24, was taken into custody at 2:36 a.m. Friday in the 8300 block of Blanco Road on the North Side and later charged with DUI, the news release said. A former Kerrville man and his girlfriend who were accused of forcing their way into the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 with other rioters allegedly fled Texas and tried to stay off the grid to evade the FBI, federal prosecutors said. Bradley Stuart Bennett turned himself in 20 days after the FBI went to the Kerrville home he shared with then-girlfriend Elizabeth Rose Williams to arrest them both. His lawyer, Al Watkins, asserted during a hearing in Washington, D.C., that Bennett was not trying to elude authorities. Watkins said Bennett was moving from Texas to his home state of North Carolina after breaking up with Williams. Bennett and Williams are charged with violent entry and disorderly conduct and knowingly entering a restricted building. In charging documents, prosecutors allege the pair were seen on video wandering around the Capitol Crypt and the Senate Chamber gallery after storming the building with thousands of other supporters of then-President Donald Trump. The couple posted on social media or shared videos they recorded showing their entry into the Capitol, prosecutors contend. Prosecutors presented evidence recently that days before the FBI moved in to arrest them, Bennett drove a rental car one way from Kerrville to North Carolina, threw away an iPhone, couch-surfed for almost a month, and used public wifi to transmit messages to others using an encrypted system called Telegram all so he wouldnt be found. It wasnt until April 12, under pressure from agents and some friends, that he turned himself in to federal marshals in North Carolina, prosecutors argued. A judge found that Bennett who actively pushed QAnon conspiracies online and on podcasts was a flight risk and ordered him detained pending trial. Watkins said Bennett, like many of the Capitol riot suspects that he represents, heeded Trumps call to march on the Capitol and got carried away. I think anyone who went into the Capitol, they had a special kinship to President Trump, Watkins said. It was like he was speaking to them, and they felt for the first time that their voices were being heard, that they were not going to be treated like the red-headed stepchild. Before their federal cases, Bennett and Williams used blogs for social media influencing. Williams was a self-described life coach, while Bennett billed himself as a credit mentor and trainer of skills to live off the grid. Bennett also was a follower of QAnon, and believed in what he called a deep state cabal. Bennett appeared on the show of a Houston podcaster a month before the Jan. 6 riot. He claimed various conspiracy theories, including that China released the coronavirus to take down Trump and the U.S. economy. Bennett also pushed debunked claims of the enigmatic Q, who has gained millions of followers by posting conspiracy theories that nefarious Democratic actors are involved in child-trafficking rings. Theres a lot of people implicit in this, Bennett said on the Jesus Ortiz podcast on Dec. 5. There are leaders, and Congress, and actors and celebrities and sports players. I do know a lot of them are implicit in this problem. Bennett claimed military intelligence was making secretive child-trafficking arrests, and Q was informing the public. Its very real, Bennett said. I dont know if its a person or a group of men or whatever. It doesnt matter, but its been doing Q drops since Oct. 17 and its been informing people whats going on, on how evil people are being taken out and its all coming to a culmination or a peak right now. On Jan. 2, Bennett changed his profile page to state: FAIR WARNING. IF THIS ELECTION IS STOLEN FOR BIDEN . . . PATRIOTS WILL GO TO WAR, court records said. He and Williams went to Washington on Jan. 6 for Trumps rally before Congress certified electoral college votes. Videos the FBI recovered during the investigation identified Bennett and Williams in the Capitol. On social media after the riot, Bennett said he Stormed the Capitol and it was OUR HOUSE!, court records allege. TODAY WAS A REVOLUTIONARY MESSAGE. WE WONT GO AWAY. WE WILL FIND VICTORY. In one video, Williams was seen hollering with him inside the Capitol. The FBI arrested Williams on March 23, but Bennett was not found. The feds did not seek Williams detention and she is free on bond. Since news of their charges were announced, both have either taken down their social media accounts and blogs, limited who can see them, or stopped posting updates. In a new court memorandum seeking Bennetts detention, federal prosecutors said he left Kerrville in a rented car on March 13 and returned the car in Pineville, N.C., the next day. He was apparently picked up by someone else. On March 25, agents got a warrant to track his cellular device, but found Bennett had stopped using his cell network to communicate, opting instead to use Wi Fi connections, had turned off his phone, and/or kept the phone in airplane mode. Over the next eighteen days, agents received very few leads on Defendants whereabouts, the memo said. From what they learned, Defendant was in the Charlotte, North Carolina area, usually in fast-food or business areas with free Wi Fi. Agents believed that Defendant had received notice of his codefendants arrest, suspected he was wanted, and began taking steps to avoid his detection and arrest. The memo said evidence showed it was clear Bennett knew he was wanted, but used some of the techniques he appeared to publicize on his blog, Battleborn.live. Defendant reported that they (the FBI) were probably looking for him next and Defendant was laying low, the memo said. Defendant advised that he could not stay on the phone long because he assumed the FBI was looking for him. Defendant advised he had starting using the encrypted social messaging app, Telegram, to communicate because of all the stuff they got going on on the national level. Agents later found that he had thrown away his $1,000 iPhone because he claimed it was broken. In arguing for detention, prosecutors told the judge that Bennett relied on friends who would not report him, and that he prided himself on living off the grid. He is essentially homeless and a couch jumper, the prosecution memo said. Defendant already hid from law enforcement for 20 days. No condition or combination of conditions will not prevent him from cutting an ankle monitor and disappearing again. But a relative of Bennett said in a court filing that Bennett broke up with Williams in February and moved back to North Carolina before his arrest warrant was issued. Watkins said Bennett was not hiding, but simply trying to get a new place to live. Once he learned he was wanted, he consulted with lawyers who arranged for his surrender, and that prosecutors have since acknowledged that, Watkins said. He cautioned against labeling all who appeared at the Capitol on Jan. 6 under one moniker but asked the public to look at each individually to see who they are and what was in their hearts and minds. Some entered the Capitol after it had already been compromised and former Vice President Mike Pence and members of Congress were no longer in harms way. These are not morons, Watkins said. These are our neighbors, our colleagues, members of our communities. They went because President Trump asked them to come and support our country... They thought in good faith that they were heeding the call of the president. guillermo.contreras@express-news.net | Twitter: @gmaninfedland The number of new coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths reported in Bexar County each day has remained relatively steady for the past couple of months, and those figures could soon start dropping to new lows as more people including some children get vaccinated. San Antonio took another step toward that outcome Thursday when officials announced that kids ages 12 to 15 can start getting vaccinated at several local sites. Anything we can do to get more people, especially this age group, vaccinated will help bring us closer to ending the pandemic, Anita Kurian, assistant director of the Metropolitan Health District, said in a city news release. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized the Pfizer vaccine for emergency use in children 12 and up on Monday and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention followed suit on Wednesday. Children must have permission from a parent or legal guardian to get the shot. On ExpressNews.com: 'Great day for America': Vaccinated can largely ditch masks The announcement about some children becoming eligible for the vaccine came on the same day that CDC officials said fully vaccinated people can stop wearing masks in most outdoor and in indoor settings. Bexar County officials said they will start developing new guidelines on mask use for public buildings. For those that have been reticent to get the vaccination, you should really have no excuse, County Commissioner Trish DeBerry said at the city-county coronavirus briefing. This is one more reason why you should go and get vaccinated because now you don't have to wear a mask. To date, more than 955,970 Bexar County residents have gotten their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine or 64 percent of the eligible population. An additional 719,770 residents, or 48 percent of those eligible, are fully vaccinated, officials said. As those figures have continued to climb albeit at a slower pace than earlier this year San Antonios positivity and transmission rates have been contained, so far preventing a third major surge in cases and deaths. That trend continued Thursday as officials reported significantly improved hospitalization numbers in the area. San Antonios hospitals were treating 200 patients with COVID-19, down from 206 on Wednesday. Of the total, 55 patients were in intensive care nine fewer than on Wednesday and 26 patients needed a ventilator to breathe, also down nine from Wednesday. In January, when the pandemic was at its worst in Bexar County, there were more than 1,100 patients with COVID-19 in area hospitals each day, and hundreds of them required intensive care. On ExpressNews.com: FAQ: When and where Texans can get the COVID vaccine Officials on Thursday reported 265 new virus cases. The seven-day rolling average of new cases now stands at 202, about the same as one week ago. There were no new deaths to report on Thursday. Since the coronavirus began circulating in the area more than a year ago, 220,517 Bexar County residents have tested positive for the virus and 3,404 have died of COVID-19. City and county officials continue to stress the importance of vaccinations in the effort to slow the spread of the coronavirus, and many of the areas vaccination sites are now offering vaccines on a walk-in basis no appointment necessary. Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller encouraged residents to get the shot it can help restore the intimate sense of community that churches and the city as a whole have been missing throughout the pandemic, he said. It is really a very beautiful gift to be vaccinated, Garcia-Siller said at the briefing. It is true that it is a personal benefit, but it is also helping others. ... We can build a better society if we assure that we are taking care of our health. University Health is offering the Pfizer vaccine to children 12 or older at the Wonderland of the Americas mall Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7:45 p.m. Appointments are available but not required. The Alamodomes drive-through clinic is also offering the shot without appointments beginning Friday. The site is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The San Antonio Express-News offers detailed information updated daily about vaccination locations, vaccine supplies and how to make appointments in the print edition and online. andy.picon@hearst.com | Twitter: @andpicon Jenn Longoria spent the pandemic-plagued year of 2020 on the front lines of U.S. presidential politics. At the beginning of the year, the San Antonio-based operative served as state director of Elizabeth Warrens Texas primary campaign. In the summer and fall, she was deputy state director for Joe Bidens general election team. At the end of the year, there was a lot for Longoria and her fellow Democrats to reflect on. Biden not only won the national election, he received more Texas votes than any Democrat in this states history (5.26 million) and came closer to carrying the state than any Democratic presidential candidate since Bill Clinton in 1996. At the same time, Republicans clearly stepped up their turnout game and Democrats failed to make the kind of congressional and legislative gains party leaders had anticipated. After the 2020 election, I went hard on the rest, Longoria told me Thursday. I got to stick around home with family and just decompressed a little bit. It was a little bit of a sigh of relief, knowing we accomplished what we needed to and kind of looking back at what we still needed to accomplish in Texas. The question of what progressive Texas Democrats need to accomplish gained a sharper focus this week when Longoria accepted a position as director of programs for Jolt Action and its sister organization, Jolt Initiative. Jolt was formed in 2016 by labor activist Cristina Tzintzun Ramirez, in response to Donald Trumps presidential victory that year. Ramirez, who went on to mount a 2020 campaign for the U.S. Senate, envisioned Jolt as a progressive civic-engagement organization that could build the political power of young Texas Latinos. Its a mission thats right in Longorias wheelhouse. An Edinburg native (and 1993 Edinburg High School graduate), Longoria moved to San Antonio in 1996 and pursued a solid, quiet career as a librarian. In 2007, while working in the library at University of the Incarnate Word, she volunteered for the presidential campaign of a young Democratic upstart named Barack Obama. It wasnt until six years later, however, that she gave up library work to go full-time on politics. It wasnt an election campaign, per se, that drew her to a political career. It was the chance to work for Battleground Texas, a then-new organization dedicated to the long-term process of connecting with disengaged Texans and registering them to vote. Thats what I originally wanted to work on, Longoria said. Making sure that every voice was heard in Texas and that everyone had a seat at the table through voting. So my work with Jolt is really going to be a return to that. Jolts programs include Poder Quince, which places voter-registration tables and Jolt speakers at quinceaneras across the state; Arriba Las Mujereas, a summer program for college-age Latinas; and the Levantate Leadership Institute, which trains people in the art of organizing. Longoria has established a reputation among Democrats as someone who is uniquely gifted at both field organizing and handling election data. Thats what prompted state Rep. Diego Bernal, D-San Antonio, to commend Jolt for a smart, sharp hire. Longorias political passion is such that even during her decompression phase after the 2020 presidential election, she managed to work on four local campaigns in varying roles. All four of her candidates won. She worked as field director for Councilwoman Ana Sandoval, did data operations for Councilwoman Melisa Cabello Havrda and managed the San Antonio Independent School District campaigns for South Side trustee candidates Leticia Ozuna and Arthur Valdez. I am a sucker for municipal elections, she said. I love being able to help people who are running locally and doing good work in San Antonio. Longoria said the message she gleaned from San Antonians during the recent city elections was that voters are ready to move forward a little bit. She added, Theyre willing to keep those people in office, but we really need to have more conversations about how we move forward. Longoria is moving to Jolt at a crucial time for the Democratic cause in Texas. On the one hand, Democrats have made some notable strides over the past two statewide election cycles. On the other hand, theyre still far from breaking the GOP stranglehold on political power. Anytime youre working on Democratic politics in Texas, were really talking about turnout and making sure people are coming out to the polls, getting registered and engaging in some way, she said. For a long time, we didnt have that engagement on the Democratic side. So I think this is just an extension of that. Im really excited that this is reaching out to young Latinos. When youre looking at how can we grow, how can we expand, Jolts mission is right on target. They are headed exactly where the potential voters are going to be. ggarcia@express-news.net | Twitter: @gilgamesh470 National Weather Service There is the potential for scattered thunderstorms this weekend in San Antonio, according to the National Weather Service. After 1 p.m. Saturday, there will be a 50 to 60 percent chance for rain through the rest of the day, the NWS said. The area is expected to see similar conditions on Sunday, when chances for rain increase to 60 percent after 1 p.m. but drop to 30 percent at night. In Child Protective Services offices across Texas, 339 children have slept on the floor for at least one night since August. Under the states care, 23 children have died since July 2019. Last week, a new court-ordered report in the decadeslong lawsuit against the foster care system in Texas cited alarming, dangerous conditions for foster children under the states care, including reports of insufficient care and supervision and allegations of sexual assault and violence at Bexar County facilities. Once again, the Texas foster care system is in crisis. Despite meaningful improvement by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, or DFPS, and providers, as well as substantive investments by the Legislature in 2017, these continued challenges make clear we desperately need a transformative change in our child protection system and overall state systems. For too long, our state has poured money into strategies that react to crises rather than support safety and well-being. While we must address the crisis in front of us, we also need to follow what science and economics make clear: Investing in prevention saves dollars and makes sense. We need to make investments in the Prevention and Early Intervention Division at DFPS that supports communities in building effective prevention networks proven to keep children out of the child protection system. We must leverage federal funding available through the Family First Prevention Services Act to increase access to substance use treatment, parenting support and mental health care for families at risk of removal. We must consider how economic support to families and access to health care can keep more children safe with their families. When families have access to evidence-based supports at the right time, we can avert crises and, in most cases, ensure that families can stay together safely. Prevention programs, which only make up 5 percent of the DFPS budget, produce cost savings for the state, maintain childrens safety and keep families together. In fact, preventing just 3 percent of removals would save the state $20 million. When we invest in families and children, Texas taxpayers benefit. Taxpayers would be paying for the outcomes we want instead of paying for the problems we had the power to prevent. The cost of child abuse and neglect is paid across a lifetime. It impacts the health care systems, child welfare system, education system, criminal justice system, and economic productivity of the entire state. Prevention costs less and works better. Commentary: Audit Texas child welfare system Investing in prevention is the long-term, upstream fix we need so children stop coming into the system at all. However, we must also address the crisis at hand. For kids in care, we must do more and do better. There are immediate things that can be done to stabilize the system. To ensure no victim of child abuse or neglect has to sleep in a state office after removal from their home, or face abuse or neglect while in state care, we need to advocate for the following: Appropriate funding and oversight for services and providers to ensure safe and high-quality placements are available when needed. Manageable caseloads for workers in the system so they can provide effective support to families and children. Slowing the rate of children and families who come to the front door of our child protection system. There are several bills in Legislature right now aiming to address these immediate needs. As a state, we cannot stay in reactive mode to the foster care crisis we find ourselves in once again. If we dont invest in prevention and act now to protect children in care, we will only perpetuate this crisis at the cost of childrens lives and well-being. Texas goal should be ensuring that few if any children ever experience abuse, neglect or removal from their families. We know this is possible because we know child abuse is preventable. We also know that when children and families thrive, so will Texas. Sophie Phillips is the CEO of TexProtects, a nonprofit and nonpartisan child advocacy organization in Texas. There are a lot of plans swirling around Washington on how to fix the border crisis. But then, as the notorious boxer Mike Tyson once said: Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth. The former heavyweight champ had it right. In the immigration debate, the best-laid plans get sidetracked by harsh realities. President Joe Biden is getting creamed by reality. In a recent Washington Post/ABC News poll, 53 percent of respondents disapproved of Bidens handling of the surge in Central American migrants at the U.S. Mexico border. Only 37 percent approved. Heres another reality: A plan only gets you so far. Politicians get handed a solution, and they search for a problem. The goal is to first do no harm to keep the issue from harming them. Beyond that, its a bonus if they can use the issue to hurt their opponents and raise campaign funds. Meanwhile, as a Mexican American columnist, readers often challenge me to put up my own immigration plan. No thanks. While I do have a 20-point plan that could help break the immigration logjam, I mostly keep it to myself. Journalists are paid to cover the horse race. Thats hard to do when you have your own horse in the race. No worries. Suddenly, Washington which hasnt cared about fixing the immigration system in decades is filled with plans to do just that. Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., have proposed a bipartisan immigration bill that doesnt really deserve to be called a reform bill. Its a Band-Aid on the current border crisis. The Cornyn/Sinema bill promises to resolve asylum claims in a timely manner while also deterring migrants from venturing to the United States in the first place. If you believe immigration is a mess that needs to be wiped up so lawmakers dont slip and fall, this is the bill for you. GOP pollster Frank Luntz has an immigration plan that intends to give each party what it wants most without getting entangled in things that drive the parties apart. It gives Democrats a citizenship path for Dreamers brought here as children and offers Republicans tighter border security. But Luntz got the politics wrong. Many Democrats see citizenship as a way to recruit voters. There are only about 1 million Dreamers, a fraction of the more than 10 million undocumented immigrants estimated to live in the United States. And while Republicans support border security, so do Democrats including Biden. Thus, the Luntz plan offers little. Finally, there is the Casa Blanca. Besides issuing executive orders to undo some of the punitive evil done by his anti-immigrant predecessor, Biden sent to Congress a piece of legislation called The U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021. This act offers an eight-year pathway to U.S. citizenship, and the permanent legal residency of a green card after just five years if applicants undergo a criminal background check and pay back taxes. The bill also promises to increase the number of visas, keep migrant families together, and make it easier for high skilled workers to enter the United States. The Biden bill was dead on arrival. U.S. citizenship is a non-starter for Republicans. Many of them have been racist jerks toward foreigners, so theyre not eager to give more of these people the right to vote. The bigger problem with the Biden bill, however, is that its been orphaned. Immigration advocates are frustrated that the White House doesnt seem to be applying any pressure on Congress to adopt the plan, according to a recent report on NPR. Contrast that hands-off approach with what President George W. Bush did during the battle over the Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act of 2007. Bush put Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff in charge of pushing the bill. Along with Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, Chertoff made weekly visits to Capitol Hill to twist arms on Bushs behalf. Thats how leaders roll. And Biden isnt doing it. With an issue as explosive as immigration, you cant just drop a bill on Congress and then run off like youre leaving a baby on the doorstep of a firehouse. Biden acts like he is fleeing the scene of a crime. The immigration issue paralyzes him with fear because its a lot tougher, more complicated, and more dangerous politically than he ever imagined. Thats the baffling part. Biden has spent nearly 50 years walking along the railway tracks of American politics. Yet, he didnt see this train coming? ruben@rubennavarrette.com The battle over gun legislation in Texas was already dividing some Republicans, but now the head of the Republican Party of Texas is picking a fight with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick over it. Party Chairman Allen West took to social media on Thursday, accusing Patrick, an ardent supporter of the 2nd Amendment, of adding poison pills to the so-called constitutional carry legislation to sink it. West said Dan Patrick and Senate Republicans had tried to kill the legislation that would allow Texans, 21 years of age and older, to carry handguns without any license or required training. The legislation is a top priority of Republican gun rights activists. Patrick returned fire on Twitter later on Thursday, saying in part that despite an avalanche of misinformation and just plain lies from outside agitators, we are on track for a big #2A win. Patrick didnt mention West by name, but Allen Blakemore, a political adviser to Patrick, was more direct. Undermining @TexasGOP again @allenwest feeding his own political ambition. Now hes lying about HB1927 to divide conservatives and kill #2A carry bill. No poison pill. No clue, Blakemore tweeted. This is becoming par for the course for West who took over the leadership of the Republican Party in the summer of 2020. West, a former Florida congressman who is originally from Georgia, has now publicly criticized each of the top three Republicans in state government, Gov. Greg Abbott, House Speaker Dade Phelan and now Patrick. While Wests tactics have brought praise from some GOP activists, other Republicans say hes stirring up internal GOP fights to revive his own political career. Whatever the reason, West made clear that he sees Patrick as the problem on the permitless carry of handguns. If it werent for Lt. Gov. Dan Patricks poison pill amendments this bill HB 1927 would already be on the way to Gov. Abbotts desk instead of having to go to a conference committee, West said. The House originally passed the bill back in mid-April, but Patrick announced then that the Senate didnt have the votes to pass it. Law enforcement has repeatedly testified against the legislation. As a compromise, the Senate added several amendments aimed at settling opposition from police. It worked, in that the bill passed the Texas Senate. The amendments, among other things, would stiffen penalties for felons carrying guns, as well as for others caught with guns who shouldnt be carrying them, such as domestic violence offenders. Another amendment would prohibit people from carrying firearms in public while intoxicated. But late Wednesday night, House Republicans refused to accept the amended version of the bill and instead called for a conference committee for the House and Senate to work out differences over the legislation in closed-door sessions among a handful of lawmakers. If they strike a deal, the bill would go back to a vote in both chambers. If it passes then, it goes to Abbott, who has already said he wants to sign a bill to allow permitless carry in Texas. The bill already has language to assure people with a criminal history would not be eligible to carry. About 20 other states allow permitless carry in some form, but Texas would be by far the largest state to adopt such a law. Its not just West trying to apply pressure to Patrick. Texas Gun Rights is running digital ads calling on supporters to call Patrick to demand he FIX Constitutional Carry. When people click on the ads, it takes them to a page that declares they tell lawmakers: No compromises. No delays. No excuses! jeremy.wallace@chron.com Most of us are aware of the Texas Triangle,whose three points are the teeming blobs of Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and Austin-San Antonio. As a brand, the Triangles origin story starts with attorney Herb Kelleher and investment banker Rollin King, a pilot, meeting over drinks in the bar of the St. Anthony Hotel in downtown San Antonio in 1966. They were tossing around ideas for a business when King noted that in-state airfares between Dallas, Houston and San Antonio were outrageous. It was often cheaper for Texas executives to shuttle between the cities in chartered planes. King drew a triangle on a cocktail napkin to represent the then-imaginary links between the three cities, and the Texas Triangle concept was born. So was Southwest Airlines, that most Texan of corporations entrepreneurial, eager and cheap. On ExpressNews.com: Cisneros: Texas Triangle is our future The napkin doodle was a necessary touch. A great origin story glides on details like that. But its fictitious King didnt actually draw it. The Texas Triangle: An Emerging Power in the Global Economy, a new book co-authored by former HUD Secretary and San Antonio Mayor Henry Cisneros, starts with that bar scene and debunks the napkin myth. An economic Godzilla Cisneros wrote the 335-page book with former Express-News business columnist David Hendricks, J.H. Cullum Clark of the Bush Institute-Southern Methodist University Economic Growth Initiative and William Fulton of Rice Universitys Kinder Institute for Urban Research. The point they drive at is that the states largest cities and their metro areas, taken together, are a very big deal among the nations eight pre-eminent mega-regions. Those include Northern and Southern California, the Pacific Northwest and South Florida. The authors demonstrate that the Triangle is an economic Godzilla, with strong business ties between its big cities and a nation-leading export trade. And it has important advantages over the other mega-regions: relatively cheap housing, low taxes, light-touch regulations, lower costs of doing business and a decent highway system. The result: huge population growth. Outsiders are pouring into Texas from across the country, most notably California, and almost all of them are landing in the 35 counties that make up the Texas Triangle, as geographically defined by Cisneros and company. The educational attainment of its people is one of the Triangles weak spots. But these newcomers are better educated than the average Texan, so theyre boosting our stats. On ExpressNews.com: Triangle cities are the economic guts of Texas More than other U.S. mega-regions, the Texas Triangle has been importing the highly educated workforce that has been powering its economic growth from other parts of the United States and abroad, the authors write. Which is easier than spending all that money to properly educate Texas children and young adults. It all goes back to state leaders historic small-government credo: Keep a lid on taxes and regulation, keep services at a minimum and build highways, and businesses will come running. Voila! The Texas Miracle. The miracles dark side is that Texas has the highest rate of uninsured residents in the country, in addition to lagging educational results and median incomes. But theres no arguing with the states triumph in the business world. Excuse me the Triangles triumph. Bridging vastness of Texas The Dallas area alone is home to 20 of the countrys Fortune 500 companies. With a gross domestic product of $1.3 trillion, the Texas Triangle is the fifth largest of the worlds 19 leading mega-regions, according to the authors analysis. The Northeast Corridor (which includes the New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, D.C., metro areas) tops the list with a GDP of $3.7 trillion. The Urban Midwest (anchored by Chicago, Detroit and Pittsburgh) is No. 3 with $1.9 trillion, and Southern California is fourth with $1.5 trillion. Early in the book which was released Tuesday by Texas A&M University Press the authors make their case for the Triangles enormous potential with layer upon layer of statistics, largely drawn from the U.S. Census Bureau and the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. Its a grind at times, but its convincing. The authors work hard to show that the Triangle is a big dog among the nations mega-regions. They have to work hard because nobody thinks of Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Austin and San Antonio as a sleek business machine with interlocking parts. To the extent we think of the Triangle, its about driving three to five hours to get to Dallas or Houston, or grudgingly paying airfare if were in a time crunch. In other words, its about the vastness of Texas and the difficulty of getting from Point A to Point B. Linking the Triangle cities with inexpensive flights was Kellehers and Kings stroke of genius. Its a pity their vision didnt have room for commuter rail. More idea than reality Then there are the sharp economic and cultural differences within the Triangle. Dallas specializes in finance, logistics and professional services. Its smug and self-righteous. Houston is one of the worlds oil and gas capitals and a medical powerhouse. Its a truly global city thats more racially diverse than any other urban center in the United States. Austin is fueled by tech, state politics and the University of Texas, and its smart and creative in a show-offy way. San Antonio relies largely on the military, tourism and health care for its livelihood, and its struggling to catch up to its Triangle siblings. Its the Fredo Corleone of the family, the one who hasnt caught many breaks lately but is trying really hard. The family members dont talk much about regional transportation planning, strengthening business ties or much of anything else. So, at this stage, the Texas Triangle clearly is more of an idea than a reality. Cisneros acknowledged as much in an interview, saying, Its a bit of a stretch today, but its going to be real going forward. Boiled down, the book highlights a simple fact: Texas is a state of big cities. Its unruly cowboy image is nothing but nostalgia and has been for many decades. Just as in California and other states, the rural parts of Texas are losing people to the Triangle. That falls in line with the argument Jane Jacobs made in her 1969 book, The Economy of Cities. To that blessed urbanist, cities were hotbeds of intellectual cross-pollination, brimming with creative energy and innovation, and they welcomed transients. Cities matter most in a countrys economic life. The Texas Triangle authors enlisted the Southwest Airlines twins to make that point, writing: They grew up elsewhere Kelleher in New Jersey and King in Ohio but headed to Texas as young men to make their fortune. They went not to a rural area or a small town but to a big city. Misunderstood cities The villains in this story are state leaders, such as Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who hammer big cities in order to thrill their base conservative, largely white voters in the countryside and suburbs. Annexation? Youre big enough as it is. Lobbying state lawmakers for urban-friendly policies? A waste of tax money. And while were on this topic, lets make early voting a lot harder. City dwellers vote too much and usually for the wrong party. As the authors point out, eight of the Triangles 35 counties voted for Democrat Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential contest. Those included the biggest counties: Dallas, Tarrant, Harris, Travis and Bexar. Donald Trump, of course, carried the state, albeit by the narrowest margin for a Republican presidential candidate since 1996. To purposefully attack cities and limit their powers it reflects a lack of understanding of whats going to pull this state forward, Cisneros told me. To create that understanding that Texas future rides on its big cities is why he wrote the book. Given the states brutish political realities aside from the lack of collaboration between Texas largest cities the book is an act of will. Cisneros and his co-authors are trying to write the Texas Triangle into existence as a cohesive, globe-straddling power. But itll take a different kind of political leadership in Texas, one that embraces cities and all the diversity packed into them, to make that a reality. greg.jefferson@express-news.net From sourdough to feta pasta, much of the last year at home has been food-focused. And one driver of these delectable fads is the social media platform TikTok. Many people have embraced cooking during the pandemic, when theyve been home, bored, looking to try something new. TikTok was ready to fill the gap as a foodie paradise, and has seen more than 15 billion food posts. Its my bedtime routine, Lori Jackson, 54, of Lynn, Massachusetts, said of watching TikTok cooking videos. Ive taken ideas Ive seen on there and made them. One of the burgeoning TikTok celebrity chefs is Harry Heal, a 26-year-old who lives in Dubai. Heal has a distinct baritone, an English accent, and has garnered about a million followers in the six months hes been posting cooking videos. He isnt a chef by trade, though he learned some cooking skills when working in the French Alps as a teen. From then on, I have been a huge cooking enthusiast and loved being in the kitchen, Heal said. His most viral video 13.3 million views is a Valentines Day dish with seared chicken breast, roasted garlic, sliced mushrooms and cream. Like most TikTok videos, its set to music and has the feel of something professionally crafted. Tri Phan of Arlington, Virginia, has amassed 1.5 million followers since he began posting workout and healthy cooking videos in November. The 23-year-old, who is working on his masters degree in data and business analytics at American University, often does two versions of his content, one in English and one in Vietnamese; about 60 percent of his followers are Vietnamese, he says. When I first started, it was me wanting to share with the world Vietnamese cuisine, Vietnamese food, he said. Now I want to take this TikTok further to really help people learn to cook healthy meals that they could eat and they could eat for the rest of their lives. Phans love of cooking came despite being told by his traditional mother to stay out of the kitchen. My mom never wanted the only boy in the family to be in the kitchen, he said. And because of that, I always wanted to cook. Now that hes TikTok famous, he says his mother doesnt quite grasp what that means. "Shes like, Oh, good job, son. Very good. But your finance major, hows that going? About one year ago somewhere near the Tiger King phase of the pandemic a whipped coffee drink made the rounds on the internet, starting its viral journey on TikTok. The drink originated in South Korea, where its called a dalgona coffee. All it required was instant coffee, sugar and hot water to construct a luscious-looking beverage resembling a soft-serve ice cream cone. The hashtag #whippedcoffee has amassed more than 2.3 billion views. Theres a lot of variety on food TikTok. You can learn to perfect a hamburger or ferment kimchee, make old-fashioned Japanese candy or fry frog legs. The video-only platform lends itself to cooking demonstrations, said Crystal King, a social media professor at Boston-based marketing software firm Hubspot. Other social media platforms have multiple features lots of text or static photos that can divide a users attention. TikTok, however, "sucks people in really easily, she said. The format is simple, easily understood and it connects people into a global understanding of food really quickly. The vast array of content is a leading attraction of food TikTok, fans say. Many people, like Julie Vick, a 44-year-old writer and college instructor in the Denver area, look there for new ideas. The videos are a little mesmerizing at times, Vick said. Ive liked watching the tortilla ones, where people put four different ingredients in different sections of a tortilla and then fold it up and cook it in a skillet. Although they're generally not hands-on, TikTok's short videos do create interest in cooking skills, says Geeti Gangle, co-owner of Create a Cook culinary school in Newton, Massachusetts. If we engage younger people in learning to cook, they will start making food for themselves one day, Gangle said. And they might become interested in learning the skills later on. The link between good nutrition and knowing how to cook has been well established. But until the pandemic, cooking skills were on the decline for young people and not frequently taught in school. Camden Allard, a 21-year-old student in Seattle, has made several recipes from TikTok: bread recipes, the feta tomato pasta that recently broke the internet, trifles, cinnamon rolls and the quarter quesadilla. TikTok videos are great to watch because I am able to get the overall information about a recipe like what it makes, the ingredients, how you cook it in about a minute, he said. I can quickly determine if its something that I would be interested in doing. Allard, who has been cooking for about eight years, said he enjoys making meals with his girlfriend and family, and TikTok has made it easy for them to expand their repertoire. Quarantine has made life bland and repetitive with us staying at home, and having new meals to try out has added some excitement, he said. That has made making dinners less of a chore and more an exciting thing. ___ Amanda Lee Myers in Los Angeles contributed to this report. COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Ohios capital city will pay a $10 million settlement for the family of Andre Hill, a Black man who was fatally shot by a white Columbus police officer in December as he emerged from a garage holding a cellphone, the Columbus city attorney announced Friday. It's the largest such settlement in city history. Hill, 47, was fatally shot by officer Adam Coy on Dec. 22 as Hill emerged from a garage holding up a cellphone. Coy was fired and has pleaded not guilty to murder and reckless homicide charges. No amount of money will ever bring Andre Hill back to his family, but we believe this is an important and necessary step in the right direction," Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein said in a statement. As part of the settlement, a gym frequented by Hill will be renamed the Andre Hill Gymnasium. At a news conference Friday afternoon surrounded by Hill's family, attorney Ben Crump said, We come here to applaud the city leadership in saying Andre Hills life matters, and to send a message that we're better than this America. Hill's daughter, Carissa Hill, held her 3-year-old daughter as she called it a a very big day for me and my family. Were just sad we cant share that with our dad being here, she said. As she once did, her daughter will visit the gym her father loved. The difference is, when I went, I was going with my dad, Hill said. When she goes to the gym, it will just be for my dad, in my dads name. Andre Hill's older sister, Shawna Barnett, said that, "the money is a good thing; but having Andre here would be better, Barnett said. Hill was visiting a family friend when he was shot. Coy and another officer had responded to a neighbor's nonemergency complaint about someone stopping and starting a car outside. He was bringing me Christmas money. He didnt do anything, a woman inside the house shouted at police afterward. The shooting was recorded by Coy's body camera, but without sound because Coy hadn't activated the camera on what started as a nonemergency call. A 60-second look-back function on the camera captured the shooting. Coy, who had a long history of complaints from citizens, was fired Dec. 28 for failing to activate his body camera and for not providing medical aid to Hill. He was initially charged for dereliction of duty for not activating the camera, but those charges were dropped. Coys attorneys successfully argued the officer didnt violate any duty because he was on a nonemergency run that didnt require the cameras to be activated. Beyond an internal police investigation, the Ohio attorney general, the U.S. attorney for central Ohio and the FBI have begun their own probes into the shooting. Following Hills death, Mayor Andrew Ginther forced out Police Chief Thomas Quinlan in January, saying hed lost confidence in the chiefs ability to make needed changes to the department. The city is narrowing a list of finalists for the new chief, with an announcement expected by months end. All candidates are external, with Ginther saying an outsider was needed to enact broad cultural changes in the department. The department is under scrutiny for recent fatal shootings of Black people by white officers, including the death of 16-year-old MaKhia Bryant on April 20. And earlier this month, a federal judge ordered the city to alter the way it responds to mass protests, saying officers ran amok during protests over racial injustice and police brutality last summer. Ginther and other officials invited the Justice Department last month to review the agency for deficiencies and racial disparities in several areas. Chenelle Jones, a Franklin University dean and chair of its public safety program and a member of the new Columbus Civilian Police Review Board, said no amount of money is going to bring Andre Hill back. It's not going to solve the bigger issue of the need for transformation within the Columbus Division of Police, she said. The settlement announcement follows other large payouts in recent months by cities over the killing of Black people by white officers. In March, the city of Minneapolis reached a $27 million settlement with the family of George Floyd ahead of the trial of Derek Chauvin, the white former officer charged in Floyd's death. Chauvin was convicted in April of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter for pressing his knee against Floyds neck for about 9 1/2 minutes as Floyd said he couldnt breathe and went motionless. In September, the city of Louisville, Kentucky, agreed to pay Breonna Taylors family $12 million and reform police practices. Taylor was shot to death by officers acting on a no-knock warrant. ___ Associated Press writers Dan Sewell in Cincinnati and Mark Gillispie in Cleveland contributed to this report. The strike of thousands of nursing home workers is off, but the standoff continues even with the crisis eased. The states largest health care union has reached a deal with just one of the nine nursing home companies targeted. The union is prepared to take that deal to the remaining operators to get them to agree to new four-year contracts that include significant wage increases and enhanced benefits for workers. Until then, Service Employees International Union District 1199 New England is not declaring victory. The reason why reaching an agreement with iCare is critical for the strike is that now we expect every operator to follow that contract to the letter, Pedro Zayas, spokesman for District 1199, said by phone Friday, referring to iCare Health Network, the company that agreed to the contract. The strike had been set for 6 a.m. Friday but the union called off the picket lines Thursday evening, just hours before the work stoppage was to begin, as a sweeteened deal brokered by Gov. Ned Lamonts top aides made it possible for both parties to get back to the table. Now the union, the workers, the companies involved and state officials are looking back at a strike threat that raised awareness of the plight of workers and nursing home operators coming out of the pandemic and looking ahead at solutions they hope are lasting. The workers really wanted a victory, Zayas said. They really wanted to make a statement and they feel they have done so. But its not final yet, he added. New strike notices were issued for 26 nursing home facilities and 2,800 workers for June 7 - a place holder to make sure we get everything in writing with every operator, Zayas said. And more than 1,200 workers at 13 nursing homes issued strike notices for May 28, which remain in effect, bringing the total potential strike threat to 4,000 frontline workers at 39 homes, the union said. iCare Health Network, which operates 11 of the homes, became the first company to reach agreement with District 1199. The union announced the agreement late Thursday evening, saying the new four-year contract would set historic minimum wages of $20 per hour for certified nursing assistants and $30 per hour for licensed practical nurses. Low-wage workers would also see their rates increased, Zayas said, a major demand from the union to help attract more people to work in the industry and address long-standing staffing shortages. We have CNAs whove been working for 20 years who are not making $20 per hour yet, he said. The agreement with iCare also includes a meaningful victory for racial and economic justice for the workers, who are predominately black and brown women, Zayas said, as it declares June 19, known as Juneteenth, which marks the announcement of abolition of slavery in Texas, as an employee holiday. iCare said through a spokesman Friday that the final details of the deal are still being worked out. We are very pleased that the Lamont administration saw the value in joining with us and investing in our dedicated workforce and a in vision for long term care over the next four years, David Skoczulek, vice president of business development for iCare, said by email Friday. Were still crafting the final details of the deal at this point and so we are working from a postponement of the strike date. Industry representatives also applauded the news. In a statement released Thursday evening, Matt Barrett, president and CEO of the Connecticut Association of Healthcare Facilities, singled out Lamont and his leadership team for providing a policy and budgetary framework of wage and benefits enhancements and pandemic-related increased support financial support that jumpstarted the discussions that led to the strike being averted. The $267 million offer from the state, which initially proposed spending $280 million, includes a 10 percent boost to the Medicaid reimbursement, worth $86 million, which would last from July until next March, to help the nursing home industry recover financially from pandemic-related occupancy declines and increased costs. Thats in addition to wage and benefits increases financed by Medicaid: 4.5 percent in the first fiscal year, starting July 1, and 6.2 percent in the following year. It also includes a 10 percent boost to the Medicaid reimbursement, worth $86 million, which would last from July until next March, to help the nursing home industry recover financially from pandemic-related occupancy declines and increased costs. While not a direct party to the negotiations, the state got involved as the major payer to the nursing homes through the state-federal Medicaid system. While the deal averted Fridays strike, at least temporarily, it did not stop millions of dollars from being spent on strike contingency costs. The nursing home companies had hired replacement workers, many coming from out of state, and made other arrangements much of which is billable to state and federal taxpayers through Medicaid. And more strike threats are still on the horizon. In total, workers at 51 nursing homes are working under expired contracts, Zayas said. julia.bergman@hearstmediact.com WASHINGTON (AP) The Biden administration vowed Thursday to stand by Australia in its worsening trade and other disputes with China. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told his Australian counterpart that the U.S. will not leave Australia alone on the field or maybe I should say alone on the pitch in the face of economic coercion by China. That's what allies do," he said. "We have each other's backs so we can face threats and challenges from the position of collective strength. Like the United States and China, Australia and China are in the midst of several major disputes as Beijing seeks to apply pressure over commerce and influence. Blinken said the the United States and Australia are bound together by deeply held shared values that no other nation, including China, can uproot. Blinken and Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne both said that presenting a united front to China is key and called for a more thorough and complete investigation into the origin of the coronavirus pandemic that first emerged in China in 2019. China last week suspended an economic dialogue with Australia, stepping up a pressure campaign that began over Australian support for a probe of the coronavirus and has disrupted exports to Chinas biggest foreign market. Relations between the two have plunged to a multi-decade low since Beijing blocked imports of Australian coal, wheat and other goods over the past year. But it has failed to force Prime Minister Scott Morrisons government to offer concessions. The suspension follows Australias decision in April to cancel two deals signed by the state of Victoria with Chinas multibillion-dollar Belt and Road construction initiative. Beijing warned then it might respond, which it did when it suspended the China-Australia Strategic Economic Dialogue, accusing Australia of abusing so-called national security reasons to severely restrict and suppress economic and cultural cooperation projects. WARSAW, Poland (AP) Europe's four Visegrad countries on Friday lifted travel restrictions between the Czech Republic and Hungary for people vaccinated against COVID-19 and discussed how to cooperate to boost tourism. The foreign ministers' meeting in Lodz, central Poland, was hosted by Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau and included foreign ministers from the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. Poland currently holds the rotating annual leadership of the four Visegrad nations. Hungary will take over on July 1. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said close cooperation of the four economies, which had been among Europe's most vibrant before the pandemic, will assure a quick restart of our economies. Szijjarto said vaccinated people can travel between the Czech Republic and Hungary starting Saturday. Such travel is already possible between the Czech Republic and Poland. Vaccination gives us security and such people should be able to have normal lives and travel," Szijjarto told reporters. He said Hungary, which has been criticized by the European Union for policies that it has called undemocratic, is a supporter of a strong Europe that respects Christian values and a sense of unity. He spoke, however, against U.S. President Joe Biden's plan for a global corporate tax, saying Hungary will never contribute to the introduction of any kind of global minimum tax. "We will not raise taxes due to international pressure and we insist that tax policy will remain a national guarantee of competitiveness, Szijjarto said. Czech Foreign Minister Jakub Kulhanek said the ministers also talked about wider European Union virus certificates that would allow travel across the 27-member bloc. Rau said the talks confirmed that one of the Visegrad Group's priorities was to "support the Eastern Partnership countries and the Western Balkans both in the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic and to continue to support their general Euro-Atlantic direction in security and economic development. The Eastern Partnership nations cooperating with the EU are Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. He stressed that cooperation with the United States and NATO was "one of the main pillars of our joint security. Rau spoke at a time when neighboring Russia has increased military activity along its Western borders. Before the meeting, Rau said climate policy and introducing new, environment-friendly technologies was another big theme In March, the ministers held talks with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Brussels. The ministers also marked 30 years of the Visegrad Group, a way to increase political and economic cooperation in the region. ___ Follow all AP coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic. Scottish Machinery Ring Association's partnership with Case IH has again benefited farmers with the value of the 2020 rebate scheme standing at nearly 174,000. Over the last 10 years the partnership between the two organisations has returned more than 1.5 million to Scottish farmers and crofters. This year, the deal is worth 173,894, and it is expected there will be an even larger return next year as new dealerships in South West Scotland and Eastern Scotland come on stream. Since Case IH and SMRA entered a marketing agreement in 2009, by which Case IH would pay members a fixed rebate on their purchases in exchange for marketing and promotion of products. Andrew Whiley from Case IH, who has been managing the scheme said: "At its inception, I thought that perhaps the scheme would last for four or five years at most before petering out of favour. How wrong was I? The scheme has gone from strength to strength, and although the overall numbers have levelled out, Case IH still pay out big rebates and annual bonus amounts." Farmers who want to participate in the rebate scheme have to be a member of a Scottish Machinery Ring. The Scottish Machinery Ring Association has member rings across Scotland, serving more than 7,000 farmers and other rural businesses. The egg industry has urged the government to pledge more action on defending British producers' standards following the launch of its Action Plan for Animal Welfare. Defra has published what it says is the first plan of its kind which, it adds, will 'revolutionise the treatment of animals in the UK and introduce measures to protect the welfare of animals abroad.' Regulation will be strengthened, such as recognising animals as sentient in law along with a new range of welfare measures for pets and livestock. Measures to improve farmed animal welfare include ending live exports for fattening and slaughter, and new rules to improve welfare during transport. The plan received a cautious welcome from the British Egg Industry Council (BEIC), but it wants to see standards under which farmers were required to operate applied also to foreign egg producers under trade agreements. Mark Williams, BEIC chief executive, said during the recent online Pig & Poultry Forums: We keep telling government that if you want to further raise our standards in this country on bird welfare that does add cost and you must not leave our back door open to lower standard eggs and egg products. "Im pleased to say that government does have that message and within the new Action Plan for Animal Welfare that has been reflected. "Government has said it will not undermine the UKs high welfare standards, so thats good news. We now expect to see the proof in the pudding, so to speak, in various bilateral trade agreements. Mr Williams has previously warned that in the past only EU tariffs have protected British egg products from lower priced and lower welfare equivalents from countries like the US and India. British producers have to comply with regulations on the environment, animal welfare and food safety, which raise production costs by an estimated 16 percent. Mr Williams told those watching the online forums: "We already have some of the highest standards anywhere in the world, and we continue and will continue to in the future push government to appreciate and acknowledge that our standards are already high. During this years NFU Conference, Mr Eustice referred to the egg industry specifically when questioned about a consultation on animal welfare during transport. The Farm Animal Welfare Committee has proposed a number of restrictions on transport in planned changes to the current regulations. Defra Secretary George Eustice was asked by Wyn Evans, the NFUs livestock board chairman in Wales: Will you be putting to bed some of the ridiculous recommendations in the animal transport consultation? Mr Eustice said that the government had some concerns about the transportation of layers at the end of their productive lives. He said: In terms of journey times and the requirement for ventilation, the issue that we were most concerned about - and I do think its something where action is needed - is in some of the poultry sectors, particularly laying hens where you get de-population at the end of their useful life. "There were some quite worrying signs and statistics, you were getting high mortality on arrival at the abattoir. I dont think any of use can feel comfortable about that. "I think there are in some poultry examples, there is undoubtedly, I think, a case for doing something in this area, particularly around ventilation and temperatures. That was the main tension of that part of the consultation." During the Pig & Poultry Forums, Mark Williams also took up the issue: Poultry transport is something thats really come to the fore in the last winter when Defra and the Scottish government launched a consultation, and that sort of proposed new standards for day old chicks and also for poultry. Really worrying for our sector and for other animal sectors was the temperature proposal. That was any journey where the ambient temperature was less than five degrees of more than 25 degrees couldnt take place. "BEIC and other organisations have responded very robustly to that so we do hope government sees sense. Mr Williams also touched on the issue of stopping the use of beak trimming, something that government has been pressing for a number of years. We have done a lot of work and continue to do a lot of work to help industry on that track towards stopping beak trimming some time in the future. "Government would like unto do it tomorrow if we could, and certainly in a shorter period than I feel we are able to," he said. "We are different to other northern European states - we have 26 million free range hens, for example. We are predominantly brown hybrids as well. He said the government should acknowledge the progress that was being made and accept that one day the industry would stop beak trimming, but only when bird welfare could be protected. British exporters will have the opportunity to showcase high-quality UK pork to the valuable Chinese market at Asias largest food and beverage show. Exports will have a presence at next week's SIAL China a major exhibition which sets the benchmark for overseas companies stepping into the Asian marketplace. The three-day event provides agri-exporting businesses with valuable market insight, trends and innovations of the country's food industry. It also presents a significant networking opportunity for UK exporters looking to grow their business in the all-important region. The value of pork exports to China has risen dramatically over the last few years, rising 46% in 2020 up from 191 million in 2019, to a staggering 279 million. Representatives of AHDB will be attending the show to add value to British farming businesses by seeking to boost red meat exports to the country. The organisation's export manager Susan Stewart said: This is a hugely important event which provides valuable networking opportunities for UK exporters and allows us to showcase our pork to a number of key influencers and importers. China remains a key market for our pork exports and despite the challenges of the last year, AHDB is committed to exploring all potential opportunities within this region." As part of its export activities, AHDB will be hosting a media event on 21 May which will see members of the Chinese press sample four British pork dishes. As well as tasting pork, attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about pork production in the UK. Lesley Griffiths has been reappointed as Wales' farming minister following the announcement of the new Welsh government ministerial team. Ms Griffiths stays in her role as Minister for Rural Affairs following First Minister Mark Drakeford's cabinet reshuffle. Julie James and Lee Waters have also been appointed to the new positions of Minister for Climate Change and Deputy Minister for Climate Change, respectively. Responding to the appointments, NFU Cymru said the Welsh government must now deliver a 'productive, profitable and progressive' agricultural industry. The union's president John Davies said: "There can be no doubt that the sixth round of Senedd elections and the formation of the new Welsh government come at a crucial time for Welsh agriculture. "We are also emerging from what has been a very difficult 14 months, with the coronavirus pandemic having impacted on each and every one of us. Agriculture plays a vital role in the Welsh economy, underpinning a food and drink sector worth 7.5bn which in turn employs 229,500 people." He added that Ms Griffiths now faced 'significant tasks' following her reappointment, including designing a 'comprehensive and fully integrated food and farming policy'. The NFU Cymru president also called on the minister to ensure that Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) levels would continue for next year. "The stability provided by the Basic Payment Scheme has been essential in helping achieve this during a time of such upheaval," Mr Davies said. "I look to the minister to now provide certainty that the BPS funding will be maintained at current levels for 2022 to help ensure that we can continue to keep the nation fed at this challenging time." He added: We will now seek to meet with the ministers at the earliest opportunity in order to discuss the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for Welsh farming. Sheep farmers have welcomed new powers for the police to respond more effectively to the most serious incidents of livestock worrying. The government has published this week an action plan that seeks to 'revolutionise' animal welfare, including a tougher stance on sheep worrying crimes. It follows new legislation in Scotland that sees dog owners facing fines of up to 40,000 and possible prison sentences for the most serious of offenders. The National Sheep Association (NSA), which welcomed the government's new action plan, said it hoped the UK would soon be an equal playing field for legislation. NSA was pleased to welcome the announcement this week that the police are to be given new powers to respond more effectively to the most serious incidents of sheep worrying," chief executive Phil Stocker said. "NSA has worked tirelessly to raise awareness and part of this has been efforts to achieve a change in legislation in England and Wales protecting sheep farmers more effectively from dog attacks." It comes as the group's #LeadOn campaign highlighting the impact of sheep worrying by dogs comes to a close on Friday (14 May). This years campaign attracted interest from a wide range of national broadcasters and press including BBC Breakfast, ITV Good Morning Britain and The Times. The NSA said it hoped that an increase in awareness and understanding of the countrys dog owners on the seriousness of the problem could finally be achieved. Mr Stocker said: Although NSA is pleased with the success of #LeadOn we are under no illusion that our work on this issue is done. "NSA is committed to ensuring the public develops a better understanding of the stress and suffering that any dog, no matter its breed, can cause to sheep. "It is a serious animal welfare issue that puts both sheep and much loved pets at risk. #LeadOn began at the end of April with the launch of NSAs survey results that revealed a concerning increase in cases of sheep worrying by dogs over the past year. More than two thirds of sheep farmers experienced an increase in attacks with each farmer on average experiencing seven separate incidents during the past year. Farmers completing the survey also reported feelings of anxiety, anger, upset, stress and frustration as a result of sheep worrying by dog attacks. The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you, we are excited to offer 4 weeks FREE Digital & Print access to all subscribers new and returning alike. We are dedicated to continuing providing reliable, high quality journalism. This is possible with the trust and support of our subscribers in the community we are proud to serve. 2020 was a year marked by hardships and challenges, but the Fauquier community has proven resilient. The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you for your continued support, wed like to offer all our subscribers -- new or returning -- 4 WEEKS FREE DIGITAL AND PRINT ACCESS. We understand the importance of working to keep our community strong and connected. As we move forward together into 2021, it will take commitment, communication, creativity, and a strong connection with those who are most affected by the stories we cover. We are dedicated to providing the reliable, local journalism you have come to expect. We are committed to serving you with renewed energy and growing resources. Let the Fauquier Times be your community companion throughout 2021, and for many years to come. Category Select Category Apparel/Garments Textiles Fashion Technical Textiles Information Technology E-commerce Retail Corporate Association Press Release SubCategory Select Sub-Category Days after Amitabh Bachchan wrote about all his charitable efforts following online criticism and trolling, the actor has thanked the government of Poland, the Mayor of the City of Wroclaw, the Ambassador of India at Warsaw and the LOT Polish Airlines in his latest blog. His gratitude comes in the wake of his ordering 50 oxygen concentrators to help battle the second wave of COVID-19 in India. Bachchan has revealed that the Indian Consul in Wroclaw wanted to send him a portable O2 concentrator for his personal emergency use but the actor asked them to donate the same to institutes in India that needed it more urgently. It was then that the Indian Consul in Wroclaw gave him details of a Polish company that is making oxygen concentrators. I immediately placed an order for 50 Oxygen Concentrators, which were blocked for me by him, since the equipment was in short supply and was being manufactured and sold out rather rapidly, the actor informed his fans. Besides these 50 oxygen concentrators, Big B has also placed an order for 20 ventilators. 10 of these will be delivered to the BMC and a few Municipal Hospitals and the other 10 will be delivered by the end of the month. Aadar Jain and Tara Sutaria have been almost as secretive about their relationship as B-town's other famous alleged couple, Disha Patani and Tiger Shroff. Sutaria had also attended Jain's brother's wedding and the two of them had proceeded to make their relationship Instagram official last year. The couple has indulged in some social media PDA and leave sweet comments on each others' social media posts from time to time. Now, Jain has spoken about his relationship with the SOTY 2 actress and said that he likes to keep his personal and professional life separate. The only thing I will say about me and Tara is that we are in a very happy space right now," he told ETimes. The actor was also asked if he plans on getting engaged to his lady love anytime soon but his only response was that he is a "happy" man. I can't say anything until the makers announce it," he also said when asked if Tara and he will feature in any upcoming projects together. FRANKFURT, GERMANY / ACCESSWIRE / May 12, 2021 / Iconic Funds' Physical Bitcoin ETP (ISIN: DE000A3GK2N1; Ticker: XBTI) will be listed and begin trading on Deutsche Borse's Xetra on May 12, 2021. The exchange traded product ("ETP"), physically backed by Bitcoin, becomes the most cost-effective way for investors to gain exposure to Bitcoin on Xetra with a total expense ratio of 0.95%. The ETP is issued by Iconic Funds BTC ETN GmbH, a subsidiary of Iconic Funds GmbH (collectively branded as "Iconic Funds"). Structured as a traditional ETP, comparable to Xetra Gold, the Bitcoin ETP aims to remove the technical complications of investing in and holding Bitcoin for investors in an industry-leading cost-effective manner. Each fully Bitcoin-collateralized Note of the ETP represents a claim on a specified amount of Bitcoin, less applicable fees. With the confirmation of listing on Xetra, the Iconic Funds team has begun exploring international listings of the ETP. "Iconic's mission is to drive the adoption of crypto assets by creating trustworthy investment vehicles for investors to seamlessly gain exposure to the evolving asset class," said Patrick Lowry, CEO of Iconic Funds and publicly traded Cryptology Asset Group. "We are elated to see our Bitcoin ETP listed on Germany's flagship market and look forward to working with our partners and regulators to bring more products forward for crypto-hungry investors." Michael Geister, Iconic's newly appointed Head of Crypto ETPs, said "Iconic is a pioneer in the crypto asset ecosystem due to its history as an investor in blockchain and crypto companies and as regulated manager of crypto investment products. To me, it's a natural step for Iconic Funds to expand its product range by offering physically backed crypto ETPs. Our Crypto ETPs are designed to meet the highest standards in terms of security, trust and cost efficiency. We have teamed up with the most reputable partners to ensure the most robust structure and maximum level of transparency." Iconic Funds is perpetually at the forefront of driving crypto asset adoption, investing in the crypto space since 2017 and having issued one of the EU's first fully licensed crypto asset index funds in early 2020. By issuing a physically backed Bitcoin ETP - and one of the most cost effective of its kind - Iconic further cements itself as one of the most innovative asset management groups in the world. Product name Iconic Funds Physical Bitcoin ETP Ticker Xetra / Bloomberg XBTI / XBTI GY ISIN / WKN DE000A3GK2N1 / A3GK2N Total Expense Ratio 0.95% Product Currency USD Product Structure Physically replicating Securities Lending No Lending Domicile Germany Issuer Iconic Funds BTC ETN GmbH Administrator State Street Bank International GmbH Security Trustee Bankhaus von der Heydt GmbH & Co. KG Custodians Fidelity Digital Assets Ltd Coinbase Custody International Ltd Market Maker Flow Traders B.V. Authorized Participant(s) Flow Traders B.V. Jane Street Financial Ltd. DRW Europe B.V. Enigma Securities Ltd. Xetra Listing date May 12, 2021 Important Notices: This notice does not constitute an offer to sell securities, nor is it a solicitation or an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful. This notice does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States and the securities referred to in this notice may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration. This notice may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, including with respect to the expected offering size, the terms of the Notes including the anticipating timing for the pricing and settlement date and the listing of the Notes on the regulated market of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Forward looking information is based on a number of assumptions and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Iconic Fund's control that could cause actual results to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking information. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, capital markets conditions and the ability to successfully market the Notes, global and local economic and business conditions. All forward-looking information in this notice speaks as of the date of this notice. Iconic Funds does not undertake to update any such forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as required by law. Additional information about these assumptions and risks and uncertainties is contained in Iconic Fund's filings with securities regulators, including its latest annual information form and MD&A. These filings are also available at Iconic Fund's website at https://funds.iconicholding.com. The price performance of cryptocurrencies is highly volatile and unpredictable and past price performance is no guarantee of future price performance. The approval of the Prospectus should not be construed as an endorsement of the securities offered or admitted to trading on a Regulated Market. Prospective investors should read the Prospectus before making any investment decision in order to fully understand the potential risks and rewards of deciding to invest in the securities. The prospectus and all supplements to the prospectus is available at https://funds.iconicholding.com/xbti-iconic-funds-physical-bitcoin-etp. About Iconic Funds BTC ETN GmbH: Iconic Funds BTC ETN GmbH is a wholly owned subsidiary of Iconic Funds GmbH and the issuer of a physically backed Bitcoin Exchange Traded Product ("ETP") (ISIN: DE000A3GK2N1; Ticker: XBTI). Iconic Funds GmbH is the holding company of a series of subsidiaries that manage and issue crypto asset investment products. Collectively, Iconic Funds GmbH and its subsidiaries are branded as "Iconic Funds." Iconic Funds is a joint venture between Iconic Holding GmbH and Cryptology Asset Group p.l.c. (ISIN: MT0001770107; Ticker: CAP, formerly 4UD). Iconic Holding is a portfolio company of FinLab AG (WKN 121806 / ISIN DE0001218063 / Ticker: A7A), leading German-VC group High-Tech Grunderfonds ("HTGF"), Cryptology Asset Group p.l.c. (ISIN: MT0001770107; Ticker: CAP), founded by Christian Angermayer and Mike Novogratz, and Titania Investment Group OU. Press contact: Iconic Funds BTC ETN GmbH: Syuzanna Avanesyan contact@iconicholding.com https://funds.iconicholding.com SOURCE: Iconic Funds View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/646478/Iconic-Funds-Physical-Bitcoin-ETP-Listing-on-Deutsche-Brses-Xetra Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 13, 2021) - Advantagewon Oil Corp. (CSE: AOC) (OTC Pink: ANTGF), (the "Corporation", or "Advantagewon") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a letter of intent (the "LOI") with Greenfield Investments Ltd., an arm's length private company ("Greenfield"), to acquire all of the assets that comprise Greenfield's "Vivo Cubes" brand. Pursuant to the terms of the LOI, Advantagewon will effect an acquisition (the "Acquisition") of: (i) all rights, title and interest to the "Vivo Cubes" brand; (ii) an assignment of a licensing agreement between Greenfield and a third party with respect to certain intellectual property relating to the Cubes (the "Licensing Agreement"); (iii) an assignment of an exclusive manufacturing agreement between Greenfield and a third party manufacturer for the production of the Cubes (the "Manufacturing Agreement"); and (iv) an assignment of an initial purchase order for 50 Cubes (the "Initial Purchase Order") (collectively, the "Assets"). As consideration for the Assets, Advantagewon will issue a certain number of common shares ("Common Shares") to Greenfield, with the exact number of Common Shares to be settled upon following the completion of mutual due diligence. Vivo Cubes ("Cubes") are a 100% mobile modular cube that use solar power to charge a variety of electric vehicles. The intellectual property underlying the Licensing Agreement (the "Licensed IP") has been developed and commercialized by the arm's-length third party licensor in a variety of other applications, including embedding solar modules into prefabricated dwellings that are entirely self-powered and into prefabricated greenhouses used to provide remote communities with high quality fresh fruit and vegetables. The Licensed IP does not require additional research and development to be applied towards the production of the Cubes, and consequently the Corporation expects that the Licensing Agreement, along with the Manufacturing Agreement and the Initial Purchase Order, will permit the Corporation to commence production and distribution of Cubes immediately after the closing of the Transaction. With the Corporation's recent investment into Starvolt Power Inc. ("Starvolt"), a developer of proprietary technology based upon flexible solar panels that it intends to leverage to become an electric vehicle designer and supplier, the Corporation intends to position itself in the near-term as a leading provider of solar charging solutions for electric vehicles, and, upon the successful development by Starvolt of its technology, a leading designer and supplier of electric vehicles for urban commuting and transportation. The Corporation notes that the Starvolt technology is not directly complementary to the Cubes, but is anticipated to provide marketing synergies in the longer term. As part of the Acquisition, Advantagewon plans to complete a private placement (the "Private Placement") offering of units (each a "Unit") to raise gross proceeds of between C$10,000,000 and C$20,000,000 through the issuance of Units at a price of C$0.30 per Unit. Each Unit will consist of one Common Share and one Common Share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire an additional Common Share at a price of C$0.75 per share for a period of two years. If the daily volume weighted average trading price of the Common Shares on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") for any 10 consecutive days equals or exceeds $1.50, the Corporation may, upon providing written notice to the holders of the Warrants, accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants to the date that is 30 days following the date of such written notice. The Acquisition is an arm's length transaction and will constitute a "fundamental change" for Advantagewon pursuant to Policy 8 of the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE"). Accordingly, Advantagewon will seek CSE approval for the Acquisition, and if required, Advantagewon will prepare and file a CSE Form 2A listing statement or other principal disclosure document with the CSE, providing comprehensive disclosure on Vivo Cubes and the Acquisition in connection with CSE approval for the Acquisition. The LOI includes a number of conditions to closing and execution of a definitive agreement, including but not limited to, the following: the completion of satisfactory due diligence reviews by both the Company and Greenfield; conditional approval of the CSE; a change of name of the Company, which is currently expected to be "Starvolt Innovations Corp." (the " Name Change "); "); a reconstitution of the Company's board of directors such that it is comprised of four directors, with each of Greenfield and the Company being entitled to appoint two nominees; the approval of the shareholders of the Company; and the completion of the Private Placement. The Corporation also advises that the proposed Name Change and change of its trading symbol to "ERUN" (the "Ticker Change") announced in its May 12, 2021 press release will now occur concurrently with completing the Acquisition. Further details concerning the Acquisition will be provided in a comprehensive press release if the parties enter into a definitive agreement. Correction to February 19, 2021 Press Release The Corporation would also like to correct an error in its February 19, 2021 press release. This press release incorrectly stated that The Corporation had acquired approximately 30% of the issued and outstanding shares of Starvolt Power Inc. in consideration for 9,166,667 Common Shares at a deemed price of $0.12 per share. In fact, the Corporation issued only 8,390,000 Common Shares, and did so at a deemed price of $0.135 per share. This correction does not affect the remainder of the disclosure in the February 19, 2021 press release. About Advantagewon Oil Corp. Advantagewon's Common Shares are listed on the OTC Markets in the United States and on the CSE in Canada. Advantagewon is a member of the CSE Composite Index (CSE: AOC). For more information please visit www.aoc-oil.com. For further information please contact: Mr. Paul Haber Chairman & Director Advantagewon Oil Corp. T: (416) 318-6501 Mr. Frank Kordy Secretary & Director Advantagewon Oil Corp T: (647) 466-4037 Further 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. Investors are cautioned that any information released or received with respect to the Acquisition in this news release may not be complete and should not be relied upon. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities to be issued in connection with the Acquisition and Private Placement 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 state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. Investors are cautioned that any information released or received with respect to the Acquisition may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of Advantagewon should be considered highly speculative. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, which may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the Company completing the proposed Acquisition, completion of the Private Placement, the satisfaction of various closing conditions, and associated transactions, including statements regarding the terms and conditions of the Acquisition and the Private Placement, the business plans and objectives of the Company upon completion of the Acquisition and approvals of regulatory bodies. Although the Company and Greenfield believe in light of the experience of its directors and officers, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate and that the expectations reflected in this forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on them because the Company and Greenfield can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Any such forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "projects", "plans" and similar expressions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements depending on, among other things, the risk that a closing condition to the Acquisition is not satisfied or is not satisfied on a timely basis, including, without limitation, the Company's failure to complete the Private Placement, the parties' ability to satisfy closing conditions and receive necessary approvals. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. Although such statements are based on management's reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that the Acquisition will occur or that, if the Acquisition does occur, it will be completed on the terms described above. The Company and Greenfield assume no responsibility to update or revise forward-looking information to reflect new events or circumstances unless required by applicable law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/84035 St. Albert, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - May 13, 2021) - Enterprise Group, Inc. (TSX: E) (the "Company" or "Enterprise"), a consolidator of services to the energy sector; focused primarily on specialized equipment rental; today released its Q1 2021 results. Three months March 31, 2021 Three months March 31, 2020 Revenue $ 5,859,287 $ 6,986,550 Gross margin $ 2,726,358 $ 2,849,296 Gross margin % 47% 41% EBITDA(1) $ 2,392,768 $ 2,306,444 Net income and comprehensive income $ 93,639 $ 504,695 Income per share $ 0.00 $ 0.01 (1) Identified and defined under "Non-IFRS Measures". The downturn in the energy industry, compounded by COVID-19, has significantly reduced activity throughout Enterprise's business sector. Reduced activity from COVID-19 began at the end of the first quarter of 2020, continued throughout 2020 and into 2021. Although COVID-19 protocols have allowed Enterprise's customers to return to work, activity levels have not yet returned to pre COVID-19 levels. Enterprise's customers have also modified their behaviours and requirements due to COVID-19. Over the past few years, Enterprise has been updating and modernizing its systems and processes to be effectively used in a cloud computing environment. The Company's fleet tracking, business intelligence and finance systems have all been modernized and, as a result, Enterprise was able to work effectively and adapt to COVID-19 protocols with respect to the workplace, social distancing and working remotely. Revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2021, was $5,859,287 compared to $6,986,550 in the prior period, a decrease of $1,127,263. Gross margin for the three months ended March 31, 2021, was $2,726,358 compared to the prior period of $2,849,296, a decrease of $122,938. However, on a percentage basis, gross margin for the three months increased 6 percent over the prior period to 47%. EBITDA was $2,392,768 for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to $2,306,444 in the prior period, an increase of $86,324. The Company is utilizing the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy Program as in tended, keeping employees working and on payroll during the COVID -19 pandemic. The Company continues to monitor changes to all government programs and will alter its cost structure accordingly if required. Utilizing the CEWS and CERS programs, the Company recorded $300,656 ($126,370 - March 2020) against direct costs for the three months ended March 31, 2021. Utilizing the CEWS and CERS programs, the Company recorded $346,614 ($140,570 - March 2020) against EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The Company generated cash flow from operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021, of $1,389,470 compared to $646,229 in the prior year. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company purchased and cancelled 468,000 shares at a cost of $94,289, reducing the share capital account by $672,160. Since the initiation of the share buyback program, the Company has purchased and cancelled 6,527,500 shares at a cost of $1,221,134 and as a result, the Company's share capital account has been reduced by $9,418,141 over the entire share buyback program. Enterprise believes its stock remains undervalued and will continue to re-invest positive cash flow to buy-back shares to enhance shareholder value. The Company continues to utilize a combination of cash flow and debt to right-size and modernize its equipment fleet to meet customer demands. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company purchased $1,446,751 of capital assets, primarily for natural gas power generation equipment and upgrading the energy efficiency of existing equipment. The Company also sold equipment during the quarter and received $663,912 of proceeds from those sales which were re-invested in new equipment. In addition to the use of government programs, Enterprise is actively controlling and reducing costs through layoffs, compensation adjustments, premises consolidation, limiting business expenses and travel, contract re-negotiations and postponement of bonuses. It is uncertain if existing government programs will continue or if new programs will be put in place. The Company continues to monitor changes to all government programs and will alter its cost structure accordingly if required. About Enterprise Group, Inc. Enterprise Group, Inc. is a consolidator of services to the energy sector. The Company's focus is primarily on specialized equipment rental. The Company's strategy is to acquire complementary service companies in Western Canada, consolidating capital, management, and human resources to support continued growth. More information is available at the Company's website www.enterprisegrp.ca. Corporate filings can be found on www.sedar.com. For questions or additional information, please contact: Leonard Jaroszuk, President & CEO, or Desmond O'Kell, Senior Vice-President 780-418-4400 contact@enterprisegrp.ca Forward Looking Information Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. The Company's Annual Information Form and other documents filed with securities regulatory authorities (accessible through the SEDAR website www.sedar.com) describe the risks, material assumptions and other factors that could influence actual results and which are incorporated herein by reference. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be expressly required by applicable securities laws. Non-IFRS Measures The Company uses International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"). EBITDA is not a measure that has any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and is therefore referred to as a non-IFRS measure. This news release contains references to EBITDA. This non-IFRS measure used by the Company may not be comparable to a similar measure used by other companies. Management believes that in addition to net income, EBITDA is a useful supplemental measure as it provides an indication of the results generated by the Company's principal business activities prior to consideration of how those activities are financed or how the results are taxed. EBITDA is calculated as net income excluding depreciation, amortization, interest, taxes and stock based compensation. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/84034 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 13, 2021) - Constantine Metal Resources Ltd. (TSXV: CEM) ("Constantine" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has signed a binding letter agreement (the "Agreement") with a prospector to acquire an undivided 100% interest in 106 contiguous federal mining claims (886 hectares) that make up the Bouse copper-gold property (the "Property"), located in La Paz County Arizona, USA. The Property is located about 12 miles east-northeast of the Copperstone Mine with 500,000 ounce gold in past production (Black et.al., 2018) and within a newly recognized geological environment in Arizona that hosts deposits such as the Equinox Mesquite Mine with 4.65 million ounce gold past production in southeast California (Davis et.al., 2020). Readers are cautioned that mineral deposits on adjacent or similar properties are not indicative of mineral deposits on the Company's property and there is no certainty of the same or similar deposits on the Company's property. Bouse Agreement Terms Pursuant to the Agreement, Constantine has five (5) years to evaluate and, if considered warranted, purchase the Property. The Agreement provides that Constantine has the right to purchase a 100% interest in the Property at any time while the Agreement is in effect for an aggregate price (the "Purchase Price") of US$5,000,000, less any cash payments to the prospector ("Payments") that have been made at the date the Purchase Price is paid. Alternatively, Constantine may pay US $3,995,000 and issue up to 2,500,000 shares in stages over the 5 year term, which may be accelerated at the Company's discretion. Constantine has the right to pay all or a portion of the share payments by paying cash in lieu. The Agreement contains no underlying royalty payments or work commitments. The Agreement is the result of a due diligence letter agreement signed in August 2020, which gave Constantine the right to select one or more of 5 copper-gold properties covered by the Agreement. Constantine conducted a one month field due diligence program in October-November 2020 that included the collection of 225 rock samples on all 5 properties with 105 samples collected on the Bouse Property. Additional acquisitions are potentially planned based on the due diligence sampling and the ongoing data review program. The Agreement, including the issuance of shares of Constantine thereunder, is subject to regulatory approval required by any provincial, state or federal regulatory bodies having jurisdiction over such share issuances , including acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange. Bouse Geology Overview The shallow east dipping Plomosa fault separates the Property geology into Upper Plate and Lower Plate rocks. Historic exploration has focused on the Upper Plate rocks that are host to 12 small past producing copper-gold mines during the first half of the 20th century (Strickland 2017). The small mines are hosted in steep to moderately easterly dipping specularite-quartz-carbonate-barite-fluorite veins and fracture systems with gold and copper oxide mineralization. These Upper Plate host rocks have been recently recognized for Iron Oxide-Copper-Gold ("IOCG") potential. The Lower Plate is an intensely silica-albite altered (peraluminous) intrusive granite complex with areas of extensive brecciation that hosts widespread gold and copper oxide mineralization. During the Company's field visit in late October 2020, fifty-five (55) surface grab samples were collected from the Upper Plate and fifty (50) surface grab samples were collected over a 4 mile (6.4 km) extent from the Lower Plate. Results of the rock sampling are provided below. No. of Samples Cu % Au g/t > 0.5 g/t Au Upper Plate 55 0.02 - 3.09% nil - 9.62 g/t 14 samples Lower Plate 50 <0.01 - 4.20% nil - 7.27 g/t 8 samples Twelve of the fifty lower plate surface grab samples were collected from a 400 x 500 meter area at the north end of the Lower Plate altered intrusive complex returned nil to 1.82 g/t gold and 0.02 to 1.42% copper. Previous sampling in the area (33 grab samples) returned nil to 6.26 g/t gold and trace to 4.21% copper. Garfield MacVeigh, President of Constantine stated, "The Bouse property represents an exceptional, early stage, copper-gold exploration opportunity with evidence of widespread copper-gold oxide mineralization in surface rocks that has received limited modern exploration with drill ready targets. The previously unrecognized potential of the lower plate rocks that have a Mesquite deposit type pedigree have not been drill tested to our knowledge and are the initial high priority target for Constantine." Historical exploration by US Borax (Corn-Ahern, 1987) for copper-gold mineralization in Upper Plate rock included 475 surface rock samples and 18 widely spaced reverse circulation holes (8,795 feet). The wide spaced vertical drill holes established that thick tectonic breccias contained gold and copper mineralization including: Hole B1 - 0.20 ppm gold and 0.05% copper over 40 ft; Hole B2 - 0.11 ppm gold over 60 ft; Hole B11 - 0.56 ppm gold over 30 ft and 0.23 ppm gold over 80 ft; Hole B16 - 0.41 ppm gold over 20 ft; 0.18 ppm gold and 0.19% copper over 30 ft; and 0.15% copper over 150 ft. Hole B18 - 0.36 ppm gold and 0.14% copper over 30ft. (The historical US Borax sample results are from selected holes and have not been verified or validated by the Company) In 2018, Newmont focused on the IOCG potential in Upper Plate rocks that host widespread, mainly structurally controlled gold and copper oxide mineralization and completed heli-borne magnetics-radiometric survey, remote sensing work, gravity geophysics, and rock geochemistry. No drilling was completed. Assay results from grab samples (outcrop) are selected samples and are not necessarily representative of the mineralization hosted on the property. Grab sample weights range from 0.8 kg to 3.4 kg. Sample procedures Rock grab samples were collected in plastic bags in the field and delivered by the Company in secure bags to ALS Global in Reno, Nevada, USA, an accredited mineral analysis laboratory. All samples were analyzed for gold using a standard 30g fire assay technique and 33-element ICP analysis. Samples returning over 10 g/t gold were analyzed using fire assay-gravimetric method. Samples returning over 10,000 ppm Cu were analyzed for high grade copper using 4-acid ICP AES. Qualified Person Statement The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Michael J. Vande Guchte, P.Geo., VP Exploration for Constantine Metal Resources Ltd. and a "qualified person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, of the Canadian Securities Administrators. About the Company Constantine is a mineral exploration company led by an experienced and proven technical team with a focus on the Palmer copper-zinc-silver-gold-barite project being advanced as a joint venture between Constantine (50.04 %) and Dowa Metals & Mining Co., Ltd. (49.96 %), with Constantine as operator. A positive preliminary economic assessment was completed on the Palmer project in 2019 at conservative metal prices relative to today's markets. In 2019, Constantine successfully spun-out its gold assets into HighGold Mining Inc. that included the high-grade Johnson Tract project in south-central Alaska and the Munro-Croesus Gold property which is renowned for its high-grade mineralization in the Timmins area, Ontario. In 2020, the 100% owned Big Nugget Gold project, located 8 kilometers east of our flagship Palmer Joint Venture Project, was recognized as a potential gold lode source area, immediately upstream from the +80,000 ounce Porcupine Gold Placer operations and is as an attractive drill target opportunity. Management is committed to providing shareholder value through discovery, meaningful community engagement, environmental stewardship, and responsible mineral exploration and development activities that support local jobs and businesses. On Behalf of Constantine Metal Resources Ltd. "Garfield MacVeigh" President & CEO For further information please contact: Garfield MacVeigh, President or Michael Vande Guchte, VP Exploration Phone: 604-629-2348. Email: info@constantinemetals.com Disclaimer: 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. References: Black et. al. (2018): National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report: Preliminary Feasibility Study for the Copperstone Project, La Paz County, Arizona, USA, prepared for Kerr Mines Inc by Hard Rock Consulting LLC. Corn-Ahern (1987): Private Summary Report on the Bouse Prospect for work carried out between 1984 and 1987. Davis et al (2020): Technical Report on the Mesquite Gold Mine, California, USA, prepared for Equinox Gold Corp. by AGP Mining Consultants. Newmont (2019): Private Bouse Summary Report Strickland, Evan (2017): PhD Thesis, Geology of the Footwall of the Northern Plomosa Mountains Footwall Core Complex, West Central Arizona. Forward looking statements: This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively "forward looking statements")." Forward-looking statements include predictions, projections and forecasts and are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "forecast", "expect", "potential", "project", "target", "schedule", budget" and "intend" and statements that an event or result "may", "will", "should", "could" or "might" occur or be achieved and other similar expressions and includes the negatives thereof. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release are forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Company's expectations include actual exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause such actions, events or results to differ materially from those anticipated. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and accordingly readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/84041 Contact: Oak Fund Services (Guernsey) Limited Company Administrator Attn: Mark Woodall Tel: +44 1481 723450 Eurocastle Releases First Quarter 2021Interim Management Statementand Announces Annual General Meeting on 16 June 2021 Guernsey, 14 May 2021 - Eurocastle Investment Limitedhas released its interim management statement for the quarter ended 31 March 2021. Q 1 202 1 BUSINESS HIGHLIGHTS Adjusted Net Asset Value ("NAV") 1 of 16.3 million, or 8.77 per share2, up 0.31 per share vs. 8.46 per share at 31 December 2020 (after payment in Q1 2021 of 0.54 per share of 2020 capital distribution) due to: Valuation increases: 0.27 per share increase (7%) in the valuation of the remaining three real estate fund investments. 0.04 per share increase (7%) in the valuation of the remaining three NPL and other loan interests. Q4 2020 NAV Q1 Cash Movement Q1 FV Movement Q1 2021 NAV million per share million per share million per share million per share Real Estate Funds 7.4 4.01 (2.8) (1.51) 0.5 0.27 5.1 2.77 Italian NPLs & Other Loans 1.2 0.67 (0.0) (0.01) 0.1 0.04 1.3 0.70 Net Corporate Cash3 8.0 4.32 1.8 0.98 - - 9.8 5.30 Adjusted NAV 16.7 9.00 (1.0) (0.54) 0.6 0.31 16.3 8.77 2020 Capital Distribution (paid in Q1 2021) (1.0) (0.54) 1.0 0.54 - - - - Adjusted NAVafter 2020 Capital Distribution 15.7 8.46 - - 0.6 0.31 16.3 8.77 CASH & MARKET OUTLOOK The Company received 2.8 million from its investments in the quarter comprising (i) 0.4 million final material distribution from Real Estate Fund Investment I (~43% above its Q4'20 NAV), (ii) 0.5 million from Real Estate Fund Investment II (~22% of its Q4'20 NAV) and (iii) 1.9 million from Real Estate Fund Investment V (~39% of its Q4'20 NAV). The Company's current assets comprise: Interests in two real estate redevelopment funds where construction is fully completed. Apartment sales have continued despite lockdowns. The majority of the assets in Real Estate Fund Investment II have been sold with the remaining assets representing 1.9 million of NAV, while more than 75% of the assets in Real Estate Fund Investment V have been sold with the remaining assets representing 3.2 million of NAV. Both developments offer luxury residential apartments with high specification furnishings in Rome. Residual minority interests in three predominantly secured NPL & Other Loan pools. Net corporate cash of 9.8 million, comprising corporate cash net of liabilities and additional reserves. STRATEGIC REVIEW UPDATE The Board announced on 5 March 2021 that it has decided to undertake a review of the Company's strategic options, including the use of available capital. The strategic options are under ongoing review by the Board, with the outcome of the review anticipated to be announced to shareholders during the second half of 2021. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The Company will hold its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, 16 June 2021, at the Company's registered office at 2:00 pm Guernsey time (3:00 pm CET). Notices and proxy statements will be posted on 27 May 2021 to shareholders of record at close of business on 26 May 2021. NOTICE: This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of the Market Abuse Regulation 596/2014. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION For investment portfolio information, please refer to the Company's most recent Financial Report, which is available on the Company's website). ABOUT EUROCASTLE Eurocastle Investment Limited ("Eurocastle" or the "Company") is a publicly traded closed-ended investment company, focused on Italian performing and non-performing loans, Italian loan servicing platforms and other real estate related assets in Italy. On 18 November 2019, the Company announced a plan to realise the majority of its assets with the aim of accelerating the return of value to shareholders. The Company will not currently seek material new investments from the proceeds of the realisation but will continue to support its existing investments to the extent required in order to optimise returns and distribute cash to shareholders when available (the "Realisation Plan"). For more information regarding Eurocastle Investment Limited and to be added to our email distribution list, please visit www.eurocastleinv.com. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements may relate to, among other things, future commitments to sell real estate and achievement of disposal targets, availability of investment and divestment opportunities, timing or certainty of completion of acquisitions and disposals, the operating performance of our investments and financing needs. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of forward-looking terminology such as "may", "will", "should", "potential", "intend", "expect", "endeavor", "seek", "anticipate", "estimate", "overestimate", "underestimate", "believe", "could", "project", "predict", "project", "continue", "plan", "forecast" or other similar words or expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions, discuss future expectations, describe future plans and strategies, contain projections of results of operations or of financial condition or state other forward-looking information. The Company's ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is limited. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, its actual results and performance may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results in future periods to differ materially from forecasted results or stated expectations including the risks regarding Eurocastle's ability to declare dividends or achieve its targets regarding asset disposals or asset performance. 1 In light of the Realisation Plan announced on 18 November 2019, the Adjusted NAV reflects additional reserves for future costs and potential liabilities, which have not been accounted for under the IFRS NAV. The IFRS NAV as at 31 March 2021 is 32.1 million, or 17.29 per share. 2 Per share calculations for Eurocastle throughout this document are based on 1,854,535 shares. 3 Reflects corporate cash net of liabilities and additional reserves. DGAP-Ad-hoc: Travelex Issuerco 2 Plc / Key word(s): Forecast Travelex Issuerco 2 Plc: Revised Forecast for 2021 Financial Performance 14-May-2021 / 08:30 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. Travelex Issuerco 2 Plc Revised Forecast for 2021 Financial Performance Travelex Issuerco 2 Plc 14 May 2021 THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION AS DEFINED IN ARTICLE 7 OF THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION NO. 596/2014 ("MAR"). UPON THE PUBLICATION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT, THIS INSIDE INFORMATION IS NOW CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN Travelex Issuerco 2 Plc ("Travelex" or the "Company") 14 May 2021 Revised Forecast for 2021 Financial Performance The Company announces that it expects the Travelex group's EBITDA for the financial year to 31 December 2021 to be in the range of 15 - 25 million below the financial forecast announced on 8th February 2021. The shortfall predominantly relates to the slower than expected easing of travel restrictions particularly in Asia and ANZ regions where conservative government policies and closed borders are driving a six-month delay in recovery. UK and European markets are expected to recover first but still with a delay of up to three months against previous expectations. The Company is taking all necessary measures to improve the Travelex group's performance for the financial year 2021. This announcement is made with reference to information currently available. The Company will release its Q1 results on 17th May 2021. Enquiries: Travelex For investor related queries: Victoria.Benis-Lonsdale@travelex.com Lan.Tang@travelex.com For other enquiries: Press@travelex.com -END- This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com. LONDON, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Abstract House - the UK destination for handmade art and picture frames - is thriving. The demand for premium British-made products has grown rapidly in recent years, with Abstract House becoming a haven for art lovers and home renovators. At Abstract House, all art prints and frames are handmade by a dedicated team of expert craftspeople in their Greater London headquarters. You can expect unrivalled quality and beauty with every single piece - and Abstract House is only getting bigger and better. After investing in infrastructure including a move to a larger, 5,500 square foot premises in Isleworth this April, operations run even more efficiently thanks to the latest technology. A small yet mighty team is fulfilling more orders faster than any other art retailer. "It is an incredibly exciting time for the business. Our customers love the quality of our products, and our mission is to make high-quality art and picture frames more affordable than ever before. We now have a dedicated space to present our artwork in our stunning showroom as we expand our collections. By introducing our pioneering same-day click and collect service, we are giving our customers the greatest choice of delivery too", says Omar Obaid, CEO & Founder of Abstract House. The move has also created new jobs for the community in manufacturing. Abstract House is proud to be supporting the local economy in a sustainable way; all while creating beautiful artwork as the perfect finishing touch for your home. Abstract House was founded in 2017 on this very premise: bringing affordable art without compromising on quality or impacting the environment. Championing handmade British goods, at Abstract House you will find superior, authentic products to enjoy in your home for years to come. Sourcing FSC certified materials from sustainable forests, is just one way Abstract House reduces environmental impact. Sustainability is at the heart of the business. Every frame and print is made to order, cutting back on excess wastage and storage space to minimise greenhouse gas emissions. The white mount board that is hand-cut to fit their wooden picture frames is also FSC certified and handmade in the Lake District. Part of Abstract House's commitment to sustainability involves using zero-plastics throughout the production process, including real solid glass for their frames and 100% recyclable packaging materials; the only art retailer in the UK to do so. AbstractHouse.com Press images can be sourced here . Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1510201/Abstract_House.jpg Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 14, 2021) - Tevano Systems Holdings Inc. (CSE: TEVO) (FSE: 7RB) ("Tevano", or the "Company"), announced today that it has completed the deployment of multiple Health Shield devices at Surrey Honda, the largest volume Honda dealer in British Columbia for retail sales. Surrey Honda has been in operation for more than 20 years and employs over 65 people. "Our priorities are to make sure our staff and customers are safe and secure when at our premises," said Tim Van Dyke, Sales Manager, Surrey Honda. "Having Health Shield at our entrances gives people reassurance, letting them know that they're coming into a safe environment. This is the new normal for our business, and because of that, Health Shield will be in place here forever. We aren't about to let our guard down." See how Surrey Honda deployed Health Shield devices here. Health Shield devices have been installed at multiple entrance points used by significant numbers of customers and staff. Using thermal imaging, the Health Shield device can carry out split second temperature sensing of visitors with near perfect accuracy. AI-powered facial detection ensures face mask compliance and alerting options -- including SMS, localized alarms, detailed on screen messaging and turnstyle lockdown -- can be customized by operators to ensure specific safety protocols are met and backed up by recorded data. "Surrey Honda is another great example of a company that has taken a strong, proactive role in protecting its teams and customers and the long term sustainability of its operations through the integration of our Health Shield technology," said David Bajwa, Tevano CEO. "Although deploying health monitoring devices at entrances is straightforward, it can be the difference between maintaining a thriving business and being faced with a forced closure, which is the nightmare scenario." A recently announced public health order, which took effect in early April, permits inspectors to expedite closures of workplaces where three or more employees have tested positive for COVID-19, and transmissions have been confirmed at the workplace. Owing to this, the stakes for businesses in doing everything they can to ensure safe workplaces, are increasingly high. About Tevano Tevano is the developer of cutting-edge electronics products that provide innovative solutions to business and consumer challenges. It is the creator of Health Shield, an innovative AI-driven electronic device that provides instant body temperature scanning and notifies users if they need to wear a face mask. Health Shield devices can be placed at all entrances that patrons and/or employees use to again access to buildings. The Health Shield device is supported by a cloud software solution that can be used to manage multiple devices and provide detailed reporting and analysis. Tevano benefits from an equity-based relationship with kiosk and screen-based technology leader, Nevatronix. Management believes the relationship provides Tevano with access to highly robust supply chains and gives the company a unique capacity to react to and service evolving commercial markets for innovative screen-based technologies. For more information, please visit www.tevano.com For media requests, please contact josh@sjspr.co or call 416-628-7441 On behalf of the Board of: TEVANO SYSTEMS HOLDINGS INC David Bajwa, Chief Executive Officer davidb@tevano.com 778 388 4806 CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING 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. More particularly and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements and matters. The forward-looking statements and information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by management of the Company. Although management of the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements and information since no assurance can be given that they will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements and information are provided for the purpose of providing information about the current expectations and plans of management of the Company relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such statements and information may not be appropriate for other purposes, such as making investment decisions. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, the Company's ability to raise further capital and the Company's ability to obtain regulatory and exchange approvals. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and no undertaking is given to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Neither the CSE 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/84025 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 14, 2021) - Bam Bam Resources Corp. (CSE: BBR) (OTC Pink: NPEZF) (FSE: 4NPB) ("Bam Bam" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the very encouraging results from the core drill holes MHB-7, MHB-8, and MHB-9 drilled at the 100% owned Majuba Hill property located in the Majuba Hill District, Pershing County, Nevada. The Resource Estimation for the large Copper Oxide and Enrichment Zone in the upper part of the Majuba porphyry system is in-progress and will be reported in a NI43-101 update when completed. Porphyry copper and supergene characteristics noted in MHB-7 and MHB-9 drill holes provide good geologic controls for quantifying the higher-grade, enriched zones within the known oxide mineralization. Drill hole MHB-8 stepped out 1700 feet (518 meters) south from the oxide/enrichment zone to test a deep Induced Polarization (IP) chargeability high. The 1635 foot (498.4 m) long hole intersected over 1200 feet (366 m) of chalcopyrite in veins, stockworks, and disseminated with tourmaline, below the zone of oxidation and enrichment. Figure 1 To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6332/84007_bambam1.jpg Copper and silver in this chalcopyrite-sulfide zone included: 65 feet/19.8 meters of 0.35% Copper (Cu) and 13.9 grams/ton (g/t) Silver (Ag) for a Copper Equivalent of 0.49% Copper (Cu) from 865 to 930 feet (263.7-283.5 m) with 5 feet/1.5 meters of 1.22% Copper (Cu) and 53.1 g/t Silver (Ag) The broader interval of copper and silver returned: 470 feet/143.2 meters of 0.1% Copper (Cu) and 4.04 g/t Silver (Ag) for a Copper Equivalent of 0.14% Copper (Cu) from 830 to 1300 feet/253.0-396.2 meters Figure 2 To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6332/84007_bambam2.jpg David Greenway, President and CEO of Bam Bam, commented: "It is extremely exciting to get drill results showing the thick zones of porphyry copper mineralization in the deep sulfide zone that further indicates the potential for a large sulfide copper deposit below the known oxide. The advancement and identification of the outcropping, supergene copper enrichment zones in the oxide mineralization points out why Majuba Hill will be an important copper district for many years. I am looking forward to the completion of our first compliant resource calculation. It's going to be exciting to take all of Bam Bam's drill data as well as the historic drill data and apply this data against the results of the Deep Induced Polarization Survey being undertaken, as well as the results of our Drone Magnetic Survey." Supergene Copper Enrichment Drill hole MHB-9 (1812 ft/552.3m) was drilled at -45 to the Northwest. As shown on the cross section, MHB-9 was drilled below the copper zones mined from the historic Middle Adit at Majuba Hill and above the high-grades drilled in historic core hole DDH-8 that intersected 420 feet (128.0 m) of 0.28% Cu from 240-660 feet (73.2-201.2 meters). MHB-9 demonstrates good continuity across a 980 foot (300 meter) zone extending from outcropping, high-grade copper in core hole MHB-2 which intersected 43 feet (from 91 - 134 feet) of 4.0% Cu and 204.4 g/t Ag down to the deep copper mineralization in DDH-8. MHB-9 intersected a zone of sporadic native copper that occurs as fracture coatings, stockwork, and as disseminations from 942 to 1061 feet (287.1 -323.4 m). The native copper metal indicates that MHB-9 may have cut the supergene enriched/oxidized zone drilled by historic drill hole DDH-8, which was collared at the historic Lower Production Adit. Figure 3 To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6332/84007_bambam3.jpg Historic assay records show DDH-8 intersected: 420 feet (128.0 m) of 0.28% Cu from 240-660 feet (73.2-201.2 m). The logging describes cuprite from core that returned: 5 feet (1.5 m) of 2.87% Cu from 413-418 feet (125.9-127.4 m). In MHB-9 the zone of native copper includes 34 feet (10.4 m) of 0.31% Cu and 1.9 g/t Ag for a Copper Equivalent of 0.33% Cu from 977 feet to 1011 feet (297.7-308.1 m) Hole MHB-7 was highly leached. The only significant copper and silver values (noted in the table below) occur with narrow chalcopyrite veins. Molybdenum was also noted in MHB-7 on thin molybdenum-quartz veins and as rims on breccia fragment. This hole intersected a long, interval of Auld Lang Syne (ALS) metasedimentary roof pendant rocks. The drilling and geologic compilation indicate that the MHB-7 ALS roof pendant is fault-bound, and these faults are important for localizing the extensive supergene mineralized blocks. Faults mapped on the surface and underground provide distinct controls that correspond to the high-grade, outcropping supergene copper drilled in MHB-2 that intersected 43 feet (91 - 134 feet) of 4.0% Cu and 204.4 g/t Ag and was mined in the historic underground mine. These faults are bounding broad corridors that have 800 to 1000 feet (243.8-304.8 m) of vertical extent which are important for the zone of supergene mineralization. Ongoing thin section analysis of the surface and drill core at Majuba Hill suggests that two zones of enrichment can be distinguished. Chalcocite with associated copper carbonates and oxides are prominent starting on the surface and extending downward 300 ft to 500 feet (91-152.4 m). Below 500 feet the chalcocite is commonly found with chalcopyrite and pyrite. However, a deeper zone oxide/enriched copper, including native cooper, is found about 900 feet (274 meters) below the surface indicates the possibility of two supergene enrichment events in the Majuba Hill District. Three dimensional supergene enrichment shapes have been outlined and incorporated into the model for the maiden resource calculation that is currently underway. Significant Drill Intervals The three core holes drilled a total of 4920 feet (1499.6 meters). Hole Azimuth Inclination Length (ft) Length (m) MHB-7 0 -90 1473 449.0 MHB-8 125 -70 1635 498.3 MHB-9 315 -45 1812 552.3 Following are the significant intervals for MHB-7, MHB-8, and MHB-9. Drill Hole Interval feet (Note 1) From feet To feet Interval meters From meters To meters Cu% Ag g/t Cu/Ag Cu% equivalent (Note 2) MHB-7 5.0 581 586 1.6 177.0 178.6 0.11 5.50 0.16 2.0 973 975 0.6 296.6 297.2 0.21 9.30 0.30 5.0 1418 1423 1.5 432.2 433.7 0.11 3.90 0.15 MHB-8 5.0 208 213 1.5 63.4 64.9 0.78 42.60 1.19 15.0 545 560 4.6 166.1 170.7 0.17 6.10 0.23 10.0 690 700 3.0 210.3 213.3 0.12 4.60 0.16 20.0 745 765 6.1 227.1 233.2 0.14 5.60 0.19 235.0 830 1065 71.6 253.0 324.6 0.18 7.10 0.25 30.0 830 860 9.1 253.0 262.1 0.11 4.20 0.15 65.0 865 930 19.8 263.7 283.5 0.35 13.90 0.49 5.0 875 880 1.5 266.7 268.2 1.22 53.10 1.74 45.0 935 980 13.7 285.0 298.7 0.17 7.50 0.24 25.0 995 1020 7.6 303.3 310.9 0.15 6.00 0.21 30.0 1035 1065 9.1 315.5 324.6 0.11 4.20 0.15 10.0 1240 1250 3.0 378.0 381.0 0.10 4.00 0.14 10.0 1290 1300 3.0 393.2 396.2 0.10 3.10 0.13 10.0 1559 1569 3.0 475.2 478.2 0.13 3.90 0.17 MHB-9 52.0 636 688 15.9 193.8 209.7 0.11 22.10 0.32 25.0 856 881 7.6 260.9 268.5 0.10 0.60 0.11 35.0 898 933 17.4 273.7 291.1 0.18 2.70 0.21 34.0 977 1011 10.4 297.7 308.1 0.31 1.90 0.33 24.0 1349 1373 7.3 411.2 418.5 0.18 4.60 0.22 Note 1: Intervals are length-weighted and calculated using a 0.05% Cu cutoff; interval can include no more than 2 intervals <0.05% Cu. Drill density is not yet sufficient to determine the true width of mineralization. Note 2: Cu% equivalent is calculated using USD$3/pound copper and USD$20/ounce silver. About Majuba Hill Property Majuba Hill is a large contiguous land position controlling the emerging Majuba Hill Copper District, located Northeast of Reno, Nevada. The "Majuba Hill District" is comprised of extensive mineral and surface rights held by private ownership, patented mining claims, and Federal Lode Mining claims that are 100% controlled by Bam Bam Resources Corp. The land package is approximately 15.1 square miles (39.2 square km)/9,678 acres (3,917ha). The property is easily accessed by 23 miles of well-maintained roads leading from U.S. Interstate 80. Reno and Elko are the major supply centers for exploration and mining activities in Nevada. The existing highways are sufficient for transportation of exploration-size heavy equipment. Development logistics would use the 4 lane Interstate 80 highway, Union Pacific railroad tracks and adjacent power, natural gas, and fiber optic transmission lines in the rail - highway corridor. Mining is a common occupation in the area with several small to world class mines operating in the Winnemucca - Lovelock area over the past several decades. A well-trained and experienced mining workforce pool is available in Nevada when labor and expertise are required. The excellent location of Bam Bam's Majuba Hill District, with already existing mining friendly infrastructure, will significantly reduce costs for exploration programs and future mining activities. Qualified Person The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed by E.L. "Buster" Hunsaker III, CPG 8137, a non-independent consulting geologist who is a "Qualified Person" as such term is defined under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43- 101"). About Bam Bam Resources Corp. Bam Bam Resources Corp. (CSE: BBR) (OTC Pink: NPEZF) (FSE: 4NPB) is engaged in the identification, review and acquisition of latter stage copper and copper/silver/gold assets. This is in direct response to the growing worldwide demand and lack of supply for precious metals fueled by the Green New Deal in the US and most other developed nations with similar programs aimed at addressing climate change. Such programs are heavily reliant on silver, gold and especially copper to produce Electric Vehicles and other renewable power sources, as well as building infrastructure to provide clean and affordable electricity. The flagship project is the Majuba Hill copper, silver and gold District located 156 miles outside Reno, Nevada, USA. Management has been mandated to focus on safe, mining friendly jurisdictions where government regulations supportive of mining operations. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. On Behalf of the Board of Bam Bam Resources Corp. "David Greenway" David C. Greenway President & CEO For further information, please contact: Joel Warawa VP of Corporate Communications E: jw@bambamresources.com P: 1 (855) 475-0745 Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking" statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although Bam Bam Resources Corp. believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of Bam Bam Resources Corp. management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by law, Bam Bam Resources Corp. undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. ### To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/84007 The Golomoti solar plant is expected to come online by the end of the year. The plant will be used to provide grid stability and reduce national dependence on diesel generators and hydroelectric generation.Chinese inverter manufacturer Sungrow will provide its MV solar-plus-storage solution, which included inverters, MV stations, all-in-one power conversion systems, battery containers, and energy management systems, for a large-scale solar-plus-storage project in Malawi. The company said the 20 MW Golomoti solar plant will be linked to storage capacity of between 5 and 10 MWh and will begin commercial ... 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. Herzliya, Israel and Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - May 14, 2021) - Innocan Pharma Corporation (CSE: INNO) (FSE: IP4) (OTCQB: INNPF) (the "Company" or "Innocan"), is pleased to announce today that a recent study conducted in mice based on Innocan's licensed CBD-loaded liposome platform technology (LPT) for injectable CDB solutions demonstrated a prolonged release of cannabidiol (CBD) into the mice's' bloodstream for at least 50 days following two injections. This study was led by Dr. Ahuva Cern, a senior researcher in the lab of Prof. Barenholz of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. These results are significant in comparison to oral or inhalation-based intake methods, in which CBD is found to remain in the bloodstream for a maximum-period of 36 hours following a single dose. These results open the door to a wide range of exciting therapeutic possibilities. Innocan Israel, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, has entered into a worldwide exclusive research and license agreement with Yissum Research and Development Company ("Yissum"), the commercial arm of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, with respect to the design, preparation, characterization and evaluation of hydrogels containing CBD (or other cannabinoids) loaded liposomes. The research and development initiative is led by Professor Chezy Barenholz, head of the Membrane and Liposome Research Department at The Hebrew University, which is the inventor of over fifty-five patent families, two of which underlie Doxil, an FDA-approved drug for breast cancer treatment. This unique liposome platform technology may have a wide range of applications, such as epilepsy, pain relief, inflammation and central nervous system disorders. A patent was filed covering this technology on October 7, 2019. "I believe that the results of this animal study showing the prolonged release of CBD into the bloodstream is an extremely important milestone", stated Professor Chezy Barenholz, "The results can open a wide range of clinical applications that may allow for the maintenance of a certain level of CBD to remain in the blood for a longer period of time, thereby improving patient compliance". Iris Bincovich InnoCan's CEO added, " Administration of CBD loaded liposome could be used for a wide range of different conditions. We expect to release more details and data about these studies in the foreseeable future. This marks another positive and exciting result in our ongoing injectable-CBD research. This major milestone for Innocan demonstrates the ability of having sustained release, in an effective way, of the CBD loaded into the LPT and its potential to address a number of conditions". About Innocan The Company, through its wholly owned Israeli subsidiary, Innocan Pharma Ltd. ("Innocan Israel"), is a pharmaceutical tech company that focuses on the development of several drug delivery platforms combining cannabidiol ("CBD"). Innocan Israel and Ramot at Tel Aviv University are collaborating on a new, revolutionary exosome-based technology that targets both central nervous system (CNS) indications and the Covid-19 Coronavirus using CBD. CBD-loaded exosomes hold the potential to help in the recovery of infected lung cells. This product, which is expected to be administrated by inhalation, will be tested against a variety of lung infections. Innocan Israel signed a worldwide exclusive license agreement with Yissum, the commercial arm of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem to develop a CBD drug delivery platform based on a unique-controlled release liposome to be administrated by injection. Innocan Israel plans, together with Professor Berenholtz, Head of the Laboratory of Membrane and Liposome Research of the Hebrew University, to test the liposome platform on several potential indications. Innocan Israel is also working on a dermal product that integrates CBD with other pharmaceutical ingredients as well as the development and sale of CBD-integrated pharmaceuticals, including, but not limited to, topical treatments for relief of psoriasis symptoms as well as the treatment of muscle pain and rheumatic pain. The founders and officers of Innocan have commercially successful track records in the pharmaceutical and technology sectors in Israel and globally. For further information, please contact: For Innocan Pharma Corporation: Iris Bincovich, CEO +972-54-3012842 info@innocanpharma.com Lytham Partners, LLC Ben Shamsian New York | Phoenix Telephone: 646-829-9701 shamsian@lythampartners.com NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER HAVE REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. Caution regarding forward-looking information Certain information and statements set forth in this news release, including, without limitation, information regarding the markets, requisite regulatory approvals and the anticipated timing for market entry, are forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively "forward-looking information"). By its nature, forward-looking information is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond Innocan's control. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by Innocan, including expectations and assumptions concerning the therapeutic applications resulting from the LPT animal study, the range of clinical applications that may result, the outcome of further injectable CBD research, the potential of LPT to address certain health conditions, the potential benefits of CDB loaded exsomes, the benefits of the products, satisfaction of regulatory requirements in various jurisdictions and satisfactory completion of requisite production and distribution arrangements. Forward-looking information is subject to various risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or expectations expressed in this news release. The key risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: general global and local (national) economic, market and business conditions; governmental and regulatory requirements and actions by governmental authorities; and relationships with suppliers. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/84063 Golden Ocean Group Limited will publish its financial results for the first quarter of 2021 on Thursday 20 May 2021. In connection with the release, a teleconference/webcast will be held as described below: Teleconference and webcast A conference call will be held at 03:00 P.M. CET (09:00 A.M. New York Time) on Thursday May 20, 2021. The presentation will be available for download from the Investor Relations section at www.goldenocean.bm (under "Presentations") prior to the teleconference/webcast. In order to listen to the presentation you may do one of the following: a. Webcast Click the "Webcast" link on www.goldenocean.bm b. Conference Call PARTICIPANTS DIAL IN TELEPHONE NUMBERS International Dial In/UK Local #: +44 (0) 2071 928000 United Kingdom (toll free): +44 (0) 8003 767922 Norway Toll Free #: 800 518 74 US Toll #: +1 631-5107-495 Participants will be asked for their full name & Conference ID. The Conference ID is 9661474. Please download the presentation material from www.goldenocean.bm in order to follow the presentation slides while listening to the conference. REPLAY DETAILS Replay Access Number: 9661474 International Dial In/UK Local #: +44 (0) 3333 009785 Norway #: +47 21 03 42 35 USA Toll #: +1 917-677-7532 Participant list information required: Full Name & Company May 14, 2021 Hamilton, Bermuda This information is subject to the disclosure requirements of section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. Young female beautician, hairdresser runs booming business in Xinjiang's Hotan People's Daily Online) 10:57, May 14, 2021 Photo shows Amina Mahat applying eye shadow for a customer at her beauty salon. (Photo/People's Daily Online) Amina Mahat, a young woman who used to provide training related to hairdressing and beauty services, now runs a thriving business at a beauty and hair salon situated in the old town of Tuancheng in Hotan city, a famous scenic spot in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Mahat decided to start her own salon business three years ago in Hotan after she provided training for some women in the city at a friend's invitation. "My beauty salon soon became the first choice for women who wanted to improve their appearance and hairstyles," Mahat, who was busy applying eye shadow for a customer, told Peoples Daily Online. Mahat's booming business can be attributed to her superb skills and the beautiful scenic spot where her beauty salon is located. Mahat also teaches her skills to other local women who have a keen interest in the beauty and hairdressing industry. Photo shows stores with local distinctive characteristics in the old town where Amina Mahat's beauty salon is located. (Photo/People's Daily Online) Kmenisa Amar, a 23-year-old from Haitiqi village in Hotan county, is one of these enthusiastic women. Amar, whose goal is to open up her own beauty salon, has been apprenticing in Mahat's barbershop for more than two years. "Now my salary has reached 4,000 yuan ($620) per month, and my makeup and hairstyles frequently win praise from other women in my village," said Amar, with a confident smile on her face. Mahat is one of many who run shops in the old town of Tuancheng in Hotan city. Beijing has supported the renovation of the old town by investing 153 million yuan in a bid to promote the development of tourism and help locals increase their incomes. So far, the housing units of 97 households previously without shop space have been renovated with 125 shops. Eighty percent of these shops have already been rented out, generating an average annual return of about 50,000 in rental income for each household. (Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Liang Jun) LONDON, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Diageo, maker of Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff and Guinness, ahead of UN Global Road Safety Week, has today launched a new hard-hitting, anti-drink driving learning experience to help people understand the consequences of drink driving, and support the company's global ambition to change the attitudes of five million people towards drink driving by 2030. With recent figures estimating there has been the highest number of casualties from UK drink-driving in a decade1 and 5-35% of all road deaths worldwide believed to be alcohol related2, 'WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD' is a unique, interactive experience that allows people to have a conversation with a real drink driver to help them understand the effects of alcohol, and the shame and stigma that comes with drink driving. "It is never acceptable to drink and drive," said Dayalan Nayager, Managing Director GB, Diageo."This is a real opportunity for drivers to learn about the consequences of drinking alcohol and getting behind the wheel. We're confident the participants will connect with the real-life case studies and their compelling stories. Every single accident caused by drink driving is preventable." UK Government Transport Minister Baroness Vere said: "Drink driving is illegal, puts lives at risk, and there are tough penalties and rigorous enforcement in place for those who choose to do it. This Government has made a commitment to continue working tirelessly to reduce the number of incidents of drink driving on our roads, and our award-winning THINK! campaign continues to challenge social norms and attitudes towards drink driving, particularly among younger drivers. I am pleased to see Diageo engage with young drivers on this crucial issue as we continue our work to prevent future tragedies." The experience, developed together with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), presents a series of real-life scenarios with three, pre-recorded drink drivers in the format of a video-call, including drink driving after a party, and the morning after consuming alcohol. As each story unfolds, the resource invites the participant to ask increasingly raw questions such as "did you feel pressure to drive?", "what was going through your head?" and "how did your family react?". At the end of the module, participants are shown a summary of learnings and directed towards other online resources that can offer additional advice and support. Estrella Merlos, Global Head of UNITAR's Road Safety Training Initiative said: "We're delighted to be continuing our work with Diageo to bring this innovative new tool to young people across the world. At UNITAR, we strive to work with partners to reduce road traffic deaths and shape a better future, and we are positive that this tool will go some way towards contributing to this major objective and the UN's Second Decade of Action for Road Safety targets." David, a case study participant commenting on his first-hand experience said: "This is a real issue with serious consequences. I hope that by sharing my real-life experience, in an open and honest way, I will encourage people to think about themselves and their friends and make the right decision to never drink and drive." Diageo has a long-standing commitment to promote positive drinking through moderation and tackling the harmful use of alcohol. The company has a history of supporting initiatives aimed at reducing traffic deaths and improving road safety globally. This latest initiative is part of an evolving approach that promotes changes in attitudes as a way of tackling drink driving and supports the company's 10-year sustainability action plan, Society 2030: Spirit of Progress. Launching in Great Britain in May 2021, the experience will be rolled out to North America, Kenya, South Africa and India over the next 12 months, with users in each market able to select from a series of real drink driver case studies based in their own country or region who speak their local language. Notes to editors: The 'WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD' learning experience can be accessed here: https://drinkdriving.drinkiq.com/ For more information contact the Diageo press office on press@diageo.com or +44 (0) 7803 856 200. About Diageo Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B, Buchanan's and Windsor whiskies, Smirnoff, Ciroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness. Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO). For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice. Celebrating life, every day, everywhere. About UNITAR An autonomous UN body established in 1963, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (www.unitar.org) is a dedicated training arm of the United Nations System, and has the mandate to enhance the effectiveness of the UN through diplomatic training, and to increase the impact of national actions through public awareness-raising, education and training of public policy officials. 1 Reported road casualties in Great Britain, provisional estimates involving illegal alcohol levels: 2019 https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/reported-road-casualties-in-great-britain-provisional-estimates-involving-illegal-alcohol-levels-2019/reported-road-casualties-in-great-britain-provisional-estimates-involving-illegal-alcohol-levels-2019 2 WHO Global Status Report on Road Safety (2018) https://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/road_safety_status/2018/GSRRS2018_Summary_EN.pdf Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1510258/DIAGEO_UNITAR_Wrong_Side_of_The_Road.jpg TOKYO (dpa-AFX) - Toshiba Corp. (TOSYY.PK, TOSBF.PK) said that it plans to establish a strategic review committee to examine options for the business. It also plans to return an additional 150 billion yen to shareholders. Toshiba said it has appointed UBS as financial advisor to work on the strategic review for the Japanese conglomerate facing a possible private equity bidding war. Toshiba will consider potential offers. Toshiba reportedly said it is investigating a claim by the hacker group DarkSide that it broke the conglomerate's computer systems. The group is claiming to have stolen information on management, new businesses and personal information. 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. Standard Life Investments Property Income Trust Limited (an authorised closed-ended investment company incorporated in Guernsey with registration number 41352) LEI Number: 549300HHFBWZRKC7RW84 (The "Company") 14 MAY 2021 NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Notice is hereby given that the 2021 Annual General Meeting of the Company will be held at the offices of Dickson Minto, 16 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh, EH2 4DF on 16 June 2021 at 09:00am. The Notice of AGM together with the Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020 has been posted to shareholders. As set out in the Annual Report and Accounts, the Board has been monitoring closely the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic upon the arrangements for the Company's upcoming AGM. Elements of the National Lockdown remain in place and shareholder attendance at AGMs is not legally permissible. Therefore, in order to provide certainty, whilst encouraging and promoting interaction and engagement with our shareholders, the Board has decided to hold an interactive Online Shareholder Presentation which will be held at 11.00 a.m. on Friday, 4 June 2021. At the presentation, shareholders will receive updates from the Chairman and Manager and there will be the opportunity for an interactive question and answer session. Following the online presentation, shareholders will still have time during which to submit their proxy votes prior to the AGM and the Board encourages all shareholders to lodge their votes in advance in this manner. Further information on how to register for the event can be found at https://www.workcast.com/register?cpak=4594420195653739. The AGM on 16 June 2021 will, by necessity, be a functional only closed AGM. Arrangements will be made by the Company to ensure that the minimum number of shareholders required to form a quorum will attend the meeting in order that the meeting may proceed and the business be concluded. The Board considers these arrangements to be in the best interests of shareholders given the current circumstances. The Board strongly discourages shareholders from attending the AGM and entry will be refused if Government guidance so requires or if the Chairman considers it to be necessary. Instead, shareholders are encouraged to exercise their votes in respect of the meeting in advance. Any questions from shareholders who are unable to join the Online Shareholder Presentation may be submitted to the company secretary at: Property.Income@aberdeenstandard.com. The Board and/or the Manager will seek to respond to all such questions received either before, or after the AGM. The Board would like to thank shareholders in advance for their co-operation and understanding and looks forward to presenting to as many shareholders as possible at the Online Shareholder Presentation. In accordance with Listing Rule 9.6.3, the Notice of Annual General Meeting, proxy form and accounts have been submitted to the National Storage Mechanism and will shortly be available for inspection at: https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism Enquiries: Northern Trust International Fund Administration Services (Guernsey) Limited The Company Secretary Trafalgar Court Les Banques St Peter Port Guernsey GY1 3QL Tel: 01481 745001 END WOOD GROUP (JOHN) PLC - Result of AGM John Wood Group PLC ("Company") LEI: 549300PLYY6I10B6S323 Annual General Meeting - Voting Results Issued share capital at meeting date: 688,339,369 Number of votes per share: 1 vote per share At the Annual General Meeting of John Wood Group PLC held on 13 May 2021, all resolutions put to shareholders were passed on a poll with the required majorities. The full text of each resolution is contained in the Notice of Annual General Meeting, which is available on the Company's website www.woodplc.com/investors/annual-general-meeting The final vote received in respect of each resolution was as follows: Votes For (Including Discretionary) % Votes Against % Total Votes (excluding Votes Withheld) Votes Withheld* % of Issued Share Capital Voted ** 1 Report & accounts 558,489,351 99.99% 49,216 0.01% 558,538,567 875,785 81.27% 2 Remuneration report 544,291,523 97.74% 12,591,917 2.26% 556,883,440 2,530,912 81.27% 3 Re-elect Roy A Franklin 551,351,345 98.63% 7,672,749 1.37% 559,024,094 390,258 81.27% 4 Re-elect Thomas Botts 551,405,353 98.64% 7,627,054 1.36% 559,032,407 381,945 81.27% 5 Re-elect Birgitte Brinch Madsen 551,323,709 98.63% 7,654,708 1.37% 558,978,417 435,935 81.27% 6 Re-elect Jacqui Ferguson 551,311,933 98.63% 7,670,141 1.37% 558,982,074 432,278 81.27% 7 Re-elect Adrian Marsh 551,245,267 98.62% 7,722,635 1.38% 558,967,902 446,450 81.27% 8 Re-elect Nigel Mills 551,339,737 98.64% 7,620,956 1.36% 558,960,693 453,659 81.27% 9 Re-elect Robin Watson 558,798,501 99.95% 299,765 0.05% 559,098,266 316,086 81.27% 10 Re-elect David Kemp 558,213,939 99.85% 848,513 0.15% 559,062,452 351,900 81.27% 11 Elect Brenda Reichelderfer 558,717,396 99.96% 242,165 0.04% 558,959,561 454,791 81.27% 12 Elect Susan Steele 558,718,099 99.96% 242,889 0.04% 558,960,988 453,364 81.27% 13 Re-appointment of KPMG LLC as auditors 557,819,430 99.75% 1,410,044 0.25% 559,229,474 184,878 81.27% 14 Authorisation of auditors' remuneration 558,990,525 99.96% 239,129 0.04% 559,229,654 184,698 81.27% 15 To authorise the Company and its subsidiaries to make political donations and incur political expenditure 543,268,127 97.40% 14,514,182 2.60% 557,782,309 1,632,043 81.27% 16 Authority to allot shares 488,098,503 87.51% 69,659,037 12.49% 557,757,540 1,656,812 81.27% 17 Disapplication of pre-emption rights 552,237,514 99.05% 5,315,924 0.95% 557,553,438 1,860,914 81.27% 18 Disapply pre-emption rights for acquisitions and other capital investment 517,536,933 92.81% 40,102,180 7.19% 557,639,113 1,775,239 81.27% 19 Authority to purchase own shares 557,523,397 99.72% 1,583,245 0.28% 559,106,642 307,710 81.27% 20 Notice of general meetings 511,296,212 91.41% 48,020,103 8.59% 559,316,315 98,037 81.27% * A vote withheld is not a vote in law and is not counted in the calculation of the proportion of votes 'For' or 'Against' a resolution. ** Votes withheld are included in the percentage of issued share capital voted calculation Resolutions 17 to 20 were considered and passed as Special Resolutions. These votes are also available on the Company's website at: www.woodplc.com/investors/annual-general-meeting In accordance with LR 9.6.2, those resolutions passed at today's AGM which are required to be made available for inspection will shortly be available to view at: https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism . Notification authorised by: Martin J McIntyre Company Secretary LONDON, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- illycaffepresents the new illy Art Collection by Ai Weiwei, a personal interpretation of the renowned series of art cups by the Chinese artist who is one of the 21st century's most influential people. This illy Art Collection has been inspired by Ai Weiwei's famous Coloured Vases, which he created in 2006, taking ancient Neolithic vases and dunking them into industrial paint tins to reshape their look and function. Using a process of appropriation and destruction, Ai Weiwei takes ordinary objects away from their daily context and transforms them into works of art. "To express yourself needs a reason, but expressing yourself is the reason," the perfect summary of the life and the art of Ai Weiwei, which are closely entwined and have seen him become a conceptual artist, sculptor, painter, performer, photographer, architect and urban designer, collector, film director, actor, musician, writer and editor, blogger and selfie professional, investigative journalist, human rights activist and dissident.... a kaleidoscope of experiences and perspectives. In his illy Art Collection, Ai Weiwei echoes all of this in a familiar object and, with one of his typical unsettling acts, he invites us to explore our "position" and the perspective from which we look at the world at a given point in space and time, even just for the time it takes to enjoy a coffee. "I am very happy to be a part of illy Art Collection. I think it is very important to give power to art and design while drinking good coffee, because it affects everybody's life. We should enjoy it." - Ai Weiwei "The project with Ai Weiwei is an exceptional event," said Massimiliano Pogliani, illycaffe CEO, "and we have celebrated it with a particularly valuable and refined illy Art Collection. From a great personality, that has had a huge impact on culture in recent years, speaking out about the complexity of contemporary society, often ironically, we get an optical illusion, a hidden beauty which becomes manifest if we learn to see without the misconception of using one single perspective only. To us, this is what the illy Art Collection project is: art providing an insight through beauty, and Ai Weiwei's artwork is new and brilliant evidence of this." The collection by Ai Weiwei is available from May in the following formats: 4 espresso cups (decorated in gold, black, orange and green) 77.49 4 cappuccino cups (decorated in gold, black, orange and green) 94.99 2 espresso cups (decorated in gold and black) 42.49 2 cappuccino cups (decorated in gold and black) 50.99 Please find further imagery here to preview and download on Dropbox. About illy Art Collection illy Art Collection began in 1992, based on an idea of Francesco Illy: it includes numbered art cups by over 100 international artists. Great artists such as Marina Abramovic, Michelangelo Pistoletto, Louis Bourgeois, Mark Quinn as well as young creative talents. As everyday objects, the cups designed by Matteo Thun are a blank slate and the protagonists of contemporary art get their inspiration, so that drinking an espresso becomes an experience involving both the senses and the mind. About Ai Weiwei Ai Weiwei was born in Beijing in 1957 and currently resides and works in Europe. He is renowned for making strong aesthetic statements that resonate with timely phenomena across today's geopolitical world. From architecture to installations, social media to documentaries, Ai uses a wide range of mediums as expressions of new ways for his audiences to examine society and its values. Please see the illycaffe boilerplate here. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1510010/illycaffe_x_Ai_Wei_Wei_Art_Collection.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1499472/illy_Logo.jpg SHENZHEN, CHINA, May 14, 2021 - (ACN Newswire) - On April 28, E-House China Enterprise Holdings Co., Ltd. (2048.HK) announced it had acquired an 85% stake in Tmall Haofang, through an issue of 248 million new E-House shares to Alibaba (NYSE: BABA; 9988.HK). At HK$ 7.50 per share, it was the equivalent to an acquisition at HK$ 1.86 billion.At the same time, Alibaba, E-House founder and chairman Zhou Xin, and Alibaba's Yunfeng Fund invested HK$ 990 million, HK$ 1 billion and HK$ 500 million respectively at the price of HK$ 7.50 per share to subscribe to 132 million, 133 million and 66.67 million new shares of E-House.On completion, Tmall Haofang will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of E-House, while Alibaba will continue to grant exclusive Tmall permits to Tmall Haofang including the name, domain name, trademark and other brand attributes, and simultaneously provide technical, product, data, operational and other means of support.In terms of shareholding ratio, Zhou Xin will hold 22.84% shares of E-House to remain its largest shareholder, while Ali with 22.57% becomes the second-largest shareholder, and Yunfeng Fund 2.86%. Zhou Xin, as Chairman of the E-House Board of Directors, officially wrote an open letter "Hello, Tmall Haofang!" A few words were highlighted for the outside world: "After cooperation and upgrading, E-House will emphasize the three pillar businesses of Tmall Haofang: new housing transactions, a new housing agency and Kerry Big Data."This means that E-House will venture into the Internet transaction platform as a new housing agency and real estate big data and consulting service. It isn't an exaggeration to say Alibaba has provided E-House with more than support, not only in the transfer of Tmall Haofang, but also by increasing its E-House shareholding, and by providing exclusive authorization, technology, products, traffic and many other means of support. It is evidence of Alibaba's belief in the prospects of E-House successfully transforming imagination into market reality.In fact, we see from experience with Lianja's Shell Search online real estate brokerage that platforms are valued against their potential to develop, as seen by higher valuations in the capital market. According to the data, Lianjia's annual sales were RMB 1 trillion in 2017, but by 2020, sales with Shell's ACN (Asian Cooperative Network) reached RMB 3.5 trillion, and Lianja's market cap exceeded USD 60 billion.Real estate transactions have exceeded 20 trillion yuan nationwide. Yet there remains much potential and opportunity for integration, and another big player is venturing in. Zhou Xin said in his open letter, "This is an important milestone for the domestic real estate service industry and E-House." When "There are good houses on Tmall" has changed to "To buy good houses on Tmall", E-House strategy has evolved into an online real estate transaction platform, and the digitalization of real estate has also accelerated.01. Build a new digital infrastructure of real estateSince its founding more than two decades ago, E-House has been deeply involved in the real estate industry, from a new housing agency service initially to a real estate big data consulting service and then to a real estate brokerage platform. For most of that time, E-House's core business was traditional real-estate agency services. According to the 2020 financial report, 32.9 million sq.m were successfully brokered via E-House for sales of RMB 405.6 billion, accounting for about 40% of E-House revenues.However, from 2016 it was gathering a large number of medium and small to micro brokerage firms on the Fangyou platform, while launching a series of products such as the Youfang market resources sharing platform and Youfangtong and E-House Fangyou Management System vigorously promoting online and interactive new and pre-owned housing brokerage business, stimulating a rapid increase in the proportion of e-revenue.2020 was the turning point for E-House. With the COVID-19 pandemic, online real estate transactions were ascendant. In November 2020 E-House completed the acquisition of Leju Holdings Ltd (NYSE: LEJU), a digital real estate media and online transaction platform, which had become a key ecological link for E-House in building a closed loop in which to complete real estate transactions.And then came Alibaba. Working together with deep cooperation for online and offline real estate transactions, digital marketing and post-transaction services, E-House and Ali jointly launched the "Real Estate Transaction Collaboration Mechanism" (ETC), which is equivalent to, but more open and efficient than ACN brokerage system of Shell. From the results of promotion and operation across China, a new win-win brokerage ecological system is growing rapidly.According to statistics, during 2020 double eleventh festival, a total of 41,775 transactions were cumulatively achieved via the ETC collaboration mechanism with transaction volume of 93.1 billion yuan in 236 cities nationwide.It is understood that around real estate transactions, E-House faces real estate developers, intermediaries and asset proprietors, and promotes the digital upgrade of real estate transactions and operations with the help of Cree Big Data, Fangyou brokerage platform, Leju, etc. and strives to gradually build new infrastructure in the domain of real estate.Under the background of "three red lines", it is more difficult for developers to yield profits, and even the marketing expenses of some projects have been as high as 5%. The digital new infrastructures have brought a new possibility for the whole industry. All these are regarded as the efforts of E-House in real estate digitalization, and gradually reveal the unique value of E-House in the domain of real estate. The cooperation between E-House and Ali shows E-House's professional and resource advantages in the domain of real estate transactions, which directly paves the way for E-House to acquire Tmall Haofang to venture into the real estate online transaction platform.02. Layout of real estate internet transaction platformThe real estate transaction platform is a more valuable and imaginative domain. An evidence is the striking transformation from Lianjia to shell platform, which lays a direct foundation for a higher premium in the capital market.From the perspective of industry scale data, the huge real estate transaction market will continue to grow up to approximately 25 trillion yuan in the coming three years according to the National Bureau of Statistics. If the marketing expenses of new and pre-owned housing is calculated at the rate of 2.5% and 1.5% of the transaction volume respectively, the overall market capacity of real estate marketing expenses will reach 500-600 billion or so.The cooperation between Tmall Haofang and E-House marks that a new pioneer will be ushered to the broad market. The advantages of both sides open a window for complementary win-win cooperation to bring great expectations to the entire industry.In fact, many intermediaries and developers expect to build their own real estate transaction platforms. However, due to the difficulty in seeking customers, insufficient housing resources, real and false housing resources, interest conflict among brokers and many other challenges, it is difficult for most of them to set up a large real estate transaction platform.However, Tmall itself is a B2C mall, with monthly active users over 50 million. The sufficient traffic is helpful to alleviate the difficulty in seeking customers. From Ali's practice in the vertical field, it has successfully built Ali Health and Tmall Haofang is regarded as another practice of Ali in the vertical field of real estate, attracting more optimistic expectations from the outside world.Tmall Haofang has built a real estate transaction platform to address the problems that exist in the transaction process by using Ali's system and technical solution. Small, medium and micro-stores, brand owners, property service providers, etc. can participate in the transaction service, chain commission sharing and fund supervision online, so that the transaction will be "simple, efficient, fair and open".While E-House gives full play to the advantages of housing and brokerage companies. For E-House, E-House has been dedicated to the domain of new housing service for many years, and established a good relationship with developers as well as vast small and medium-sized brokerage stores.Among them, the close ties between E-House and real estate enterprises can be confirmed from the shareholders when E-House went public. As shown in the prospectus, 26 out of the top 100 real estate enterprises in China subscribed for their shares respectively. By the end of 2017, the first-hand housing sales network of E-House has covered domestic 186 cities, and entered into long-term strategic partnership with dozens out of the top 100 real estate enterprises.Meanwhile, for medium, small and micro brokerage firms across China empowered by asset-light strategy, E-House has built an overall resource pool for 10,000+ stores, 30,000 channels and 10,000 communities. In addition, the E-House ETC model is more open and fair: customers can have access to the housing resources directly so efficiency can improve significantly; channel dealers expand customer resource channels and find solutions to lost orders, commission sharing and various other problems; and buyers will have improved efficiency of housing inspection and an optimized transaction process.It is undoubted that the difficulties in building a large platform for real estate transactions have been solved little by little under the joint efforts of E-House and Ali. The prospects of this acquisition rely more on the capacity of implementation. As Zhou Wei said in his open letter, Tmall Haofang will "build a new digital infrastructure for real estate marketing, empower brokerage firms and millions of brokers, and contribute to promoting the digitalization and intelligence of the real estate industry in an all-round manner, so that no difficulties will exist in real estate transactions".For this reason, after reaching a deal with Ali, Zhou Xin set in his letter to employees the target of 3 million DAU, 2000 billion GTV2 and 50 billion yuan revenue in the next three years. From his target, Zhou Xin is confident in the prospects of Tmall Haofang.As indicated in 2020 annual report of E-House, the GTV of real estate agency service and real estate brokerage network service reached 513.4 billion yuan, with a total income of 8.0515 billion yuan and a profit of 439.2 million yuan in 2020. GTV and revenue are expected to increase fourfold and sixfold respectively in the next three years. It means that the compound growth rate of E-House's revenue in the coming three years will be 84.2%. Compared with this growth rate, E-House's current estimated value of more than 40 times is obviously underestimated.It is not difficult to imagine that with the investment and promotion on Tmall Haofang, the income composition and profit structure of E-House will change accordingly in future. And meanwhile, the valuation system will be reconstructed after the quantitative change finally leads to qualitative change.Media ContactHaolu Wang, PeanutmediaE: wanghaolu@czgmcn.comWebsite: Peanutmedia.comSource: PeanutMediaCopyright 2021 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via InvestorWire -- Hunter Technology Corp. (TSX-V: HOC; OTCQB: HOILF; WKN: A2QEYH, FSE: RWPM, ISIN: CA4457371090) ("Hunter" or the "Company"), a developer of digital marketplaces for global energy trading, today announced that it will conduct a webcast to discuss the company strategy, product status and roadmap on Monday, May 17, 2021 at 4:30pm Eastern Time (ET). The webcast will be hosted by Florian M Spiegl, CEO. Investors and analysts interested in participating in the call are invited to register their participation via the company website www.huntertechnology.comand submit questions prior to the call via the registration page or by sending an email to ir@huntertechnology.com. About Hunter Technology Corp. Hunter Technology Corp. develops interactive software platforms powered by blockchain technology that digitalize and streamline physical oil trading throughout the transaction lifecycle. With its solutions, Hunter delivers more favorable economics and fair market access for all and promotes the transition towards a more environmentally and ethically responsible ecosystem. Its flagship product OilEx will connect independent oil producers, buyers, and traders in a trusted digital marketplace to optimize prices, simplify processes, improve transparency, and support a reduced carbon footprint. Through its data analytics capabilities, Hunter will offer real time supply chain management tools for tracking the origin, transhipment, and processing of hydrocarbons and the environmental, social and governance (ESG) compliance during their life cycle. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Florian M Spiegl Chief Executive Officer (888) 977-0970 Wire Service Contact InvestorWire 212.418.1217 Office Editor@InvestorWire.com VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 14, 2021 / Hannan Metals Limited ("Hannan" or the "Company") (TSXV:HAN)(OTC PINK:HANNF) is pleased to announce the initiation of baseline studies and permitting to undertake advanced exploration work, including diamond drilling, at its 100% owned Tabalosos Copper-Silver Prospect at the San Martin Joint Venture Project in Peru. Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation ("JOGMEC") has the option to earn up to a 75% beneficial interest from Hannan in the San Martin Project by spending up to US$35,000,000 to deliver to the joint venture ("JV") a feasibility study. Highlights: Hannan has received approval from two local hamlets at Tabalosos to initiate work for an Environmental Impact Statement (Declaracion de Impacto Ambiental, or "DIA") study. The DIA is the primary environmental certification required to allow low impact mineral exploration programs, that include diamond drilling, to proceed in Peru; The area for the DIA allows for 40 drill platforms and covers an area approximately 9 kilometres long and 3 kilometres wide (2,700 hectares), including the main target areas across both hamlets of Cunchiyacu and Pucayoc at Tabalosos East; Baseline studies for the DIA will take approximately 3 months to be completed and will involve up to 12 specialist consultants during May and June undertaking socio-economic and environmental baseline studies, environmental monitoring, archaeological investigations, community workshops and liaison activities. Final DIA and other approvals are anticipated during early 2022. Michael Hudson, CEO, states: "Our detailed work over the last months finding high-grade copper and silver outcrop discoveries at Tabalosos has allowed for the next key step of permitting initial drill programs. We are very appreciative of the support shown by the local people in the area to allow this work to proceed, and will continue to work in an open and transparent manner for the benefit of all stakeholders." The DIA is the primary environmental certification required to allow low impact mineral exploration programs, that includes drilling programs, to proceed in Peru. Work for the DIA will include professional archaeological investigations, community workshops and liaison activities to collect appropriate information necessary to make submittals for approval to the General Directorate of Mining Environmental Affairs of the Ministry of Energy and Mines, Peru. Final DIA and other approvals are anticipated during early 2022. Hannan continues to explore, derisk and develop drill targets within the large area at Tabalosos. Eight geologists and additional team members are in site performing BLEG stream sediment sampling, prospecting, mapping, rock chip sampling, trenching and detailed soil sampling. About the San Martin JOGMEC JV Project (Copper-Silver, Peru, 88 mining concessions for 660 sq km) The San Martin Project is located in north-eastern Peru. Project access is excellent via a proximal paved highway, while the altitude ranges from 400 metres to 1,600 metres in a region of high rainfall and predominantly forest cover. Hannan has staked a total of 88 mineral concessions for a total of 65,600 ha (656 sq kms), covering multiple trends within a 120 km of combined strike for sedimentary-hosted copper-silver mineralization. A total of 43 granted mining concessions for 329 sq km have been granted, while the rest remain under application. The Tabalosos project is located 80 kilometres north of Sacanche where earlier work by Hannan at San Martin has identified a 20 kilometre strike trend which includes channel samples such as 2.0 metres @ 5.9% copper and 66 g/t silver, 0.6 metres @ 8.7% copper and 59 g/t silver and 3.0 metres @ 2.5% copper and 22 g/t silver. On November 30, 2020 Hannan announced that it had signed a binding letter agreement for a significant Option and Joint Venture Agreement (the "Agreement") with JOGMEC. Under the Agreement, JOGMEC has the option to earn up to a 75% beneficial interest in the San Martin Project by spending up to US $35,000,000 to deliver to the joint venture ("JV") a feasibility study. The Agreement grants JOGMEC the option to earn an initial 51% ownership interest by funding US $8,000,000 in project expenditures at San Martin over a four-year period, subject to acceleration at JOGMEC's discretion. JOGMEC, at its election, can then earn: an additional 16% interest for a total 67% ownership interest by achieving either a prefeasibility study or funding a further US $12,000,000 in project expenditures in amounts of at least US $1,000,000 per annum (for a US $20,000,000 total expenditure); and, subject to owning a 67% interest, a further 8% interest for a total 75% ownership interest by achieving either a feasibility study or funding a further US $15,000,000 in project expenditures in amounts of at least US $1,000,000 per annum (for a US $35,000,000 total expenditure). Should JOGMEC not proceed to a prefeasibility study or spend US $20,000,000 in total, Hannan shall have the right to purchase from JOGMEC for the sum of US $1, a two percent (2%) Participating Interest, whereby Hannan's Participating Interest will be increased to fifty-one percent (51%) and JOGMEC's Participating Interest will be reduced to forty-nine percent (49%). At the completion of a feasibility study, JOGMEC has the right to either: purchase up to an additional ten percent (10%) Participating Interest from Hannan Metals (for a total 85% maximum capped Participating Interest) at fair value as determined in accordance with internationally recognized professional standards by an agreed upon independent third-party valuator; or receive up to an additional ten percent (10%) Participating Interest from Hannan (for a total 85% maximum capped Participating Interest) in consideration of JOGMEC's agreement to fund development of the project, by loan carrying Hannan until the San Martin Project generates positive cash flow. After US $35,000,000 has been spent by JOGMEC and before a feasibility study has been achieved, both parties will fund expenditures pro rata or dilute via a standard industry dilution formula. If the Participating Interest in the Joint Venture of any party is diluted to less than 5% then that party's Participating Interest will be automatically converted to a 2.0% net smelter royalty ("NSR"), and the other party may at any time purchase 1.0% of the 2.0% NSR for a cash payment of US $1,000,000. Hannan will manage exploration at least until JOGMEC earns a 51% interest, after which the majority participant interest holder will be entitled to act as the operator of the joint venture. Initial exploration activities will focus on the collection of the geological, geophysical, and geochemical datasets in the JV project areas. Sediment-hosted stratiform copper-silver deposits are among the two most important copper sources in the world, the other being copper porphyries. They are also a major producer of silver. According to the World Silver Survey 2020 KGHM Polska Miedz's ("KGHM") three copper-silver sediment-hosted mines in Poland are the leading silver producer in the world with 40.2Moz produced in 2019. This is almost twice the production of the second largest producing mine. The Polish mines are also the sixth largest global copper miner and in 2018, KGHM produced 30.3 Mt of ore at a grade of 1.49% copper and 48.6 g/t silver from a mineralized zone that averages 0.4 to 5.5 metres thickness. About Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC) JOGMEC is a Japanese government independent administrative agency which among other things seeks to secure stable resource supply for Japan. JOGMEC has a strong reputation as a long term, strategic partner in mineral projects globally. The mandated areas of responsibilities within JOGMEC relate to oil and natural gas, metals, coal and geothermal energy. JOGMEC facilitates opportunities with Japanese private companies to secure supply of natural resources for the benefit of the country's economic development. About Hannan Metals Limited (TSXV:HAN)(OTC PINK:HANNF) Hannan Metals Limited is a natural resources and exploration company developing sustainable resources of metal needed to meet the transition to a low carbon economy. Over the last decade, the team behind Hannan has forged a long and successful record of discovering, financing, and advancing mineral projects in Europe and Peru. Hannan holds 1,864 square kilometers (186,400 hectares) of granted mineral concessions and applications in Peru making it a top ten in-country explorer by area. Mr. Michael Hudson FAusIMM, Hannan's Chairman and CEO, a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure contained in this news release. On behalf of the Board, "Michael Hudson" Michael Hudson, Chairman & CEO Further Information www.hannanmetals.com 1305 - 1090 West Georgia St. Vancouver, BC, V6E 3V7 Mariana Bermudez, Corporate Secretary, +1 (604) 685 9316 info@hannanmetals.com Forward-Looking Statements Certain disclosure contained in this news release, including the Company's expectations regarding the Agreement and the payments and earn-in upon the successful completion of certain milestones, may constitute forward-looking information or forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. These statements may relate to this news release and other matters identified in the Company's public filings. In making the forward-looking statements the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to the potential impact of epidemics, pandemics or other public health crises, including the current coronavirus pandemic known as COVID-19 on the Company's business, timing and successful completion of the baseline study, permitting and planned drill programs. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news. SOURCE: Hannan Metals Ltd. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/647356/Hannan-Receives-Local-Approval-and-Initiates-Environmental-Baseline-and-Permitting-Programs-at-Tabalosos-Peru VILNIUS, LITHUANIA / ACCESSWIRE / May 14, 2021 / Trend Innovations Holding Inc. (OTC PINK:TREN), a company engaged in information technology based on AI, reports on the study of materials on the news preferences of users' audience and the further formation of application development strategies. Back in March this year, the board of Trend Innovations Holding Inc. formed a roadmap for the development of Thy News app for 2021. Thy News is a news aggregator that allows users to follow news from around the world through a variety of sources. Every time, thanks to real-time updates, users receive only the latest news from the sources of their interest. Following the development plan, the project team is engaged not only in implementing the planned functionality but also studying global trends in news consumption. Those who want to understand how the preferences and habits of news audiences around the world are changing need to follow Digital News Report annual publications. This research is conducted by Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at Oxford University. After reviewing the 2020 Digital News Report, the team would especially like to highlight and comment on the following: Looking to the future, publishers are increasingly recognizing that long-term survival is likely to involve stronger and deeper connection with audiences online, which is why we have also examined the growing importance of emails and podcasts, formats that are being deployed in greater numbers to increase engagement and loyalty Consumption of printed newspapers, has fallen as lockdowns undermine physical distribution, almost certainly accelerating the shift to an all-digital future Some publishers have been reporting significant increases in referrals from mobile apps Thy News allows to follow plenty news sources from around the world. The application collects information of users' interest in one place, without limiting them with pre-installed sites. Additional news sources can be found and add in the application, however today the database already consists of 149,000 news sources. Based on the information about the preferences of users' audience and the functionality of Thy News app, the board of Trend Innovations Holding Inc. concludes that the chosen strategy for the app development is correct. In the near future, Thy News will provide the ability to integrate RSS feeds. With this feature, the application can become more attractive to anyone working in a narrow topic or industry. Going forward, this refinement can help attract its own unique audience. Thy News, a mobile news aggregator, follows the trend for an online audience. The app invites users to read quality content from reputable publications and discover new sources of information. About Trend Innovations Holding Inc. Trend Innovations Holding Inc. (OTC Markets: TREN) is an expert in the field of information technology based on artificial intelligence. Thy News application is one of the key projects of the company. Thy News is a worldwide application for processing news from multiple sources. It is created for users who value their time and desire to keep up with the latest world news. The app provides the user with the opportunity to create their own news feeds, only from those sources that are of interest to him, as well as to make several such feeds by dividing them into topics. All the company's news: https://trendinnovationsholding.com/news/ The company's website: https://trendinnovationsholding.com Forward-Looking Disclaimer This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and information, as defined within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is subject to the Safe Harbor created by those sections. This material contains statements about expected future events and/or financial results that are forward-looking in nature and subject to risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements by definition involve risks, uncertainties, and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Trend Innovations Holding, Inc. to be materially different from the statements made herein. CONTACT: Mikhail Bukshpan Trend Innovations Holding Inc. +15404950016 news@trendinnovationsholding.com SOURCE: Trend Innovations Holding Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/647273/Trend-Innovations-Holding-Inc-Reports-on-The-Study-of-Materials-on-the-News-Preferences-of-Users-Audience-and-the-Formation-of-Application-Development-Strategies Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 14, 2021) - Better Plant Sciences Inc. (CSE: PLNT) (OTCQB: VEGGF) (FSE: YG3) ("Better Plant") or (the "Company"), a wellness company that makes and sells plant-based products, is ramping up production at its Victoria, BC production facility to fulfill incoming orders from seven Whole Foods Market in Ontario, Canada ("Whole Foods"). Better Plant Ramps up Production to Fulfill Orders from Whole Foods Markets in Ontario, Canada To view an enhanced version of this image, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6377/84022_947985ee845d7afb_001full.jpg Earlier this year, Better Plant received notice that Whole Foods would be listing 14 of its Jusu Face products at seven of its Eastern Canadian Store locations starting this August. Three of the seven stores are in Toronto, with the others in Ottawa, Oakville, Mississauga, and Markham. Jusu Juices are also currently stocked at the Whole Foods Market in Victoria. The order includes three face cleansers, four face creams, four face oils, two serums and one face mask. The deal was brokered by Better Plant's broker partner, Thank You Merci. "Our Jusu face products are a perfect fit for Whole Foods, and we are excited to grow our relationship with the store," says Amber Allen, Head of Sales for Better Plant. "Whole Foods' standards for beauty and body care products are extremely high and they have banned over 100 commonly used ingredients including parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde donors, oxybenzone and EDTA." Jusu products fit well with the trends predicted in 'Whole Foods Market Predicts Clean Beauty Trends For 2021', published by the Retailer's Trends Council. One of the trends identified is "Juiced-Up Skincare", which is aligned with Jusu as its skincare is formulated with densely nutritious ingredients that are healthy to consume and beneficial for the skin. A recent online survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Whole Foods Market found that 85% of consumers who simplified their beauty routines over the past year plan to continue their new practices. Transparency remains as important as ever, too. More than half (57%) of consumers surveyed said they are interested in learning more about what ingredients are in the beauty products they are buying. About Whole Foods: For 40 years, Whole Foods Market has been the world's leading natural and organic foods retailer. As the first certified organic national grocer, Whole Foods Market has more than 500 stores in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. To learn more about Whole Foods Market, please visit https://media.wholefoodsmarket.com. About Better Plant: Better Plant harnesses plant intelligence and leverages modern science to offer sustainable, plant-based products that are better for health and better for the earth. It makes and sells over 90 proprietary products, all made with 100% natural ingredients, under the brands Jusu, Urban Juve and Wright & Well. Better Plant operates Jusu Bar, a quick serve restaurant alternative in Victoria, BC, which serves up fresh, healthy, and nutritious options with a focus on Jusu cold-pressed juices. Jusubar.com offers home delivery of refrigerated plant-based beverages consisting of cold-pressed juices and packaged juice cleanses. Through its Shopify enabled eCommerce sites getjusu.com and urbanjuve.com, Better Plant sells plant-based personal care products, including skin care, hair care and body care. Jusu also has a line of plant-based all-natural home cleaning products that are sold to cleaning companies, retailers and directly to consumers. Better Plant also offers operational, financial, and other services to companies with businesses that align with Better Plant's mission to help create a better world. For more information on Better Plant, visit betterplantsciences.com or follow @betterplantsciences on Instagram. Penny White, President & CEO penny@betterplantsciences.com 1-833-515-2677 Investor Relations: Alexandra Dumanski invest@betterplantsciences.com 1-833-515-2677 Sales Inquiries: Amber Allen, Head of Sales amber@betterplantsciences.com 604-808-8118 The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this news release. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes forward-looking information and statements (collectively, "forward looking statements") under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates, forecasts, beliefs and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and factors include, but are not limited to: risks related to the development, testing, licensing, brand development, availability of packaging, intellectual property protection, reduced global commerce and reduced access to raw materials and other supplies due to the spread of COVID-19, the potential for not acquiring any rights as a result of the patent application and any products making use of the intellectual property may be ineffective or the company may be unsuccessful in commercializing them; and other approvals will be required before commercial exploitation of the intellectual property can happen. Demand for the company's products, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals where applicable, and the state of the capital markets. Better Plant cautions readers not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements provided by Better Plant, as such forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future results or performance and actual results may differ materially. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and Better Plant expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements containing any forward-looking information, or the factors or assumptions underlying them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/84022 The "Germany Data Center Market Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2021 2026)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The German data center market was valued at USD 5.63 billion in 2020, and it is expected to reach USD 7.33 billion by 2026, registering a CAGR of 4.69% during the forecast period (2021-2026). Big data and IoT technology will increase investments in the data center market as enterprises in Germany are observing high data generation across industries, such as BFSI, IT and Telecom, Healthcare, and Government and Defense. The implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) also acts as a driver for data center investment and regional cloud network development in Germany. For instance, Microsoft opened its cloud region in Switzerland (2018), Germany (2019), and is planning to open a cloud region in Norway (2020). Similarly, Google has announced to open a cloud region in Frankfurt, Germany, in 2020. Hence, the implementation of data protection and privacy policies in Europe will contribute to the global data center market growth. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a subsequent need to enforce social distancing in response to the lock-down. Due to this, there is a real drive across the public sector in Germany to shift from traditional channels to digital channels to enable citizens, businesses, and public sector staff to access public services and securely share data from remote locations. The COVID-19 Coronavirus crisis has reinforced the importance of data centers and what they do. Also, demand for cloud services is soar in some sectors but wither in other verticals as they shift into survival mode. All the above factors are enablers for the steady growth of the market in the short term as well as long time. Key Market Trends Increase in Colocation and Hyperscale Investments To Drive the Growth The primary factor driving the growth of data centers in Germany is the increased investment by colocation service providers in the Europe colocation market. The increasing cloud service providers and the information technology industry is boosting the data center market in Germany. An increase in data generation every year is forcing many companies to double their on-premise storage from time to time. More companies are opting for the data center as it addresses their storage issues without substantial upfront costs. Companies have big-budget, and those who need more space for storing data are going for wholesale data center colocation. For instance, Vantage acquired Etix to expedite wholesale data center capacity delivery for hyper-scale and enterprise customers looking to expand in Frankfurt. The company is planning to invest USD 2 billion across five markets in Europe, including a "crown jewel" 55MW greenfield campus under construction in Offenbach, Germany, just outside of Frankfurt. The rising number of smart hospitals in Germany owing to rising investments in digital healthcare infrastructure in the country, increasing investments in communication and technology is also boosting the market growth of data center colocation in Germany. Growing IT Infrastructure to Fuel the Market Growth Germany is the fifth-largest digital economy in the world. Over 80% of enterprises in the manufacturing sector in Germany plan to digitize their value chain by 2024. Increased digital economy initiatives along with factors such as high industrial tech spend and growth in smart cities initiatives, are leading to increased edge data center deployment Public cloud services dominate the data centers market in Germany. Government agencies are grown by private cloud services as they plan to make greater use of cloud services in public administration during the forecast period. However, hybrid cloud services have more substantial growth potential than private and public cloud services. The increased adoption of Big data and IoT technology across various industries in Germany led to high data generation across the region. Such trends are creating a need for efficient IT infrastructure to manage the enormous amounts of data and thus provides growth opportunities for the data center market in Germany. Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich are the leading three smart cities in Germany using IoT for business and commercial purposes. Over 80% of enterprises in the manufacturing sector in Germany plan to digitize their value chain by 2024. Increased emphasis on digitization from connectivity to data and service architectures is also leading to increased growth of data centers in Germany. However, the high cost associated with data centers acts as a hindrance to the growth of the market. Competitive Landscape The German data center market is highly concentrated due to higher initial investments and low availability of resources, which present challenges to this market. Some of the key players in the market are Cisco Systems Inc., IBM Corporation, and Huawei. Companies Mentioned Atos Arista Networks Broadcom Inc. Cisco Systems Dell Technologies Hewlett Packard Enterprise Huawei IBM Corporation NetApp Arup Group Callaghan Engineering Etix Everywhere Lupp Group ABB Eaton Corporation For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ll07yy View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210514005221/en/ Contacts: ResearchAndMarkets.com Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 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. All economic and financial indicators are positive: Consolidated turnover of 352.4 million (+11.2%); EBITDA of 59.6 million (47.6 million in 2020); EBIT of 47.9 million (38.0 million in 2020); Profit before tax amounts to 47.6 million (33.9 million in 2020). Today, the Board of Directors of Reply S.p.A. [MTA, STAR: REY] approved the results as at 31 March 2021. Since the beginning of the year, the Group has recorded a consolidated turnover amounting to 352.4 million, an increase of 11.2% compared to the corresponding data for 2020. All indicators are positive for the period. In the first quarter of 2021 the consolidated EBITDA was 59.6 million compared to 47.6 million in 2020, equal to 16.9% of the turnover. EBIT, from January to March, was 47.9 million (38.0 million in 2020), and is equal to 13.6% of the turnover. The profit before tax, from January to March 2021, was 47.6 million (33.9 million in 2020), equal to 13.5% of the turnover. The net financial position of the Group on 31 March 2021 is also positive by 227.9 million. The net financial position on 31 December 2020 was positive for 158.7 million. ""The first quarter of 2021 stated Mario Rizzante, Reply's Chairman was very positive, both in terms of revenue and margin growth. These results were possible thanks to our exclusive focus on new technological specialisation niches and the resilience of our network model. The combination of these two factors allowed us to quickly compensate for the slowdown in activities related to the most affected sectors, such as transport, manufacturing and tourism." "Today continues Mario Rizzante the evolution of the pandemic is still influencing economic performance. Entire sectors are still at a standstill and the dynamics of the markets will depend, mainly, on the completion of vaccination campaigns the subsequent national reopening plans." "The next few months concludes Mario Rizzante will be crucial for the recovery of the economy and Reply will work alongside its clients helping them to exploit technology, not only to emerge more quickly from the crisis, but also to seize the new business opportunities brought by a much more digital, connected and automated world than the one we knew twelve months ago." The manager responsible for preparing the company's financial reports, Giuseppe Veneziano, states in accordance with Paragraph 2 of Article 154-bis of the Consolidated Finance Act, that the accounting information contained in this press release corresponds to the company's records, ledgers and accounting entries. Reply Reply [MTA, STAR: REY, ISIN: IT0005282865] specialises in the design and implementation of solutions based on new communication channels and digital media. Reply is a network of highly specialised companies supporting key European industrial groups operating in the telecom and media, industry and services, banking, insurance and public administration sectors in the definition and development of business models enabled for the new paradigms of AI, cloud computing, digital media and the Internet of Things. Reply services include: Consulting, System Integration and Digital Services www.reply.com This press release is a translation, the Italian version will prevail. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210514005237/en/ Contacts: Media Contacts Reply Fabio Zappelli f.zappelli@reply.com Tel. +390117711594 IR Contacts Reply Riccardo Lodigiani r.lodigiani@reply.com Tel. +390117711594 Michael Lueckenkoetter m.lueckenkoetter@reply.com Tel. +49524150091017 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 14, 2021 / BTU METALS CORP. ("BTU" or the "Company") (TSX:V:BTU)(OTC PINK:BTUMF) announces drilling is now underway and the current drilling is designed to test various new targets at the TNT area on the Dixie Halo properties near Red Lake, Ontario (see https://www.btumetals.com/?news=108). The drill targets have been defined using all available geological information as well as all available geophysical data including from recently completed surveys. All newly developed geochemical data and analysis was also used in the extensive re-interpretation of the area to develop the new targets. The TNT copper silver gold discovery was highlighted in a press release on December 16, 2019 (see https://www.btumetals.com/?news=64). Investors are encouraged to view our new video with BTU personnel discussing the outcome of the past 12 months geological work and interpretations as well as rationale for the drilling that is now underway. TNT Technical video can be viewed at www.btumetals.com/tntinterp CEO interview from May 11, pre-drilling announcement https://youtu.be/9Uq89e3nygE Bruce Durham, P. Geo., a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 has reviewed and approved the technical information in this press release. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD "Paul Wood" Paul Wood, CEO, Director pwood@btumetals.com FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Andreas Curkovic, Investor Relations Telephone 1-416-577-9927 BTU Metals Corp. Telephone: 1-604-683-3995 Toll Free: 1-888-945-4770 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, 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 using information currently available to the Company. Investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, and they 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 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: BTU Metals Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/647392/BTU-Commences-Drilling-New-High-Priority-Targets-South-of-The-TNT-Copper-Silver-Gold-Discovery U.S. Oil & Gas plc - Rematerialisation of Share Certificates May 14, 2021 U.S. Oil & Gas Plc. ("US Oil" or the "Company") Rematerialisation of Share Certificates U.S. Oil & Gas Plc, ("USOIL" or the "Company"), the oil and gas exploration company with assets in Nevada, makes the following announcement: As a result of Brexit, Euroclear UK & Ireland, a UK-incorporated company, will cease to provide Issuer Central Securities Depository (CSD) services to Irish corporate securities via the Crest system as of 30 June 2021. Irish companies were presented with two alternative courses of action they could take in response to this development: corporate securities could be migrated from Euroclear UK & Ireland to Euroclear Bank (Belgium). Or, a company could choose not to migrate and instead require shares to be rematerialised as physical share certificates to be held by the shareholder or their registered agent such as a broker. The Board of US Oil and Gas Plc has decided that the Company will not seek to have its shares migrated to Euroclear Bank but will instead require them to be rematerialised as certificates and delivered to registered holders. This course was decided upon due to the significant legal and other costs involved in the migration option. Rematerialisation is expected to be completed by the end of May 2021. Shareholders are advised to consult their broker or financial advisor for further information on the background to this development and to determine what arrangements they may need to make to ensure the security of their physical share certificates. The Board of US Oil regrets the inconvenience this change may cause shareholders but believes the heavy costs involved in migration could not be justified when the company is focussed on financing its next drilling operations. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS The statements in this communication reflect the current thinking of the Board and the Company's present plans. The Company reserves the right to alter plans in the light of developing knowledge and circumstances. Shareholders' attention is drawn to the note below concerning Forward-looking Statements. This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information". Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: business plans and strategies of US Oil and Gas; operating or technical difficulties in connection with drilling or development activities; availability and costs associated with inputs and labour; drilling and exploration costs; the speculative nature of oil exploration and development; diminishing quantities or quality of reserves; synergies and financial impact of completed acquisitions; the benefits of the acquisitions and the development potential of properties of US Oil and Gas; the future price of oil; supply and demand for oil; the estimation of reserves; the realization of reserve estimates; costs of production and projections of costs; success of exploration activities; capital expenditure programs and the timing and method of financing thereof; the ability of US Oil and Gas to achieve drilling success consistent with management's expectations; net present values of future net revenues from reserves; expected levels of royalty rates, operating costs, general and administrative costs, costs of services and other costs and expenses; expectations regarding the ability to raise capital and to add to reserves through acquisitions, assessments of the value of acquisitions and exploration and development programs; geological, technical, drilling and processing problems; treatment under governmental regulatory regimes and tax laws. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements THE DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CONTENTS OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT Neither this announcement nor the information contained herein constitutes an offer or solicitation by U.S. Oil and Gas Plc for the purchase or sale of any securities nor does it constitute a solicitation to any person in any jurisdiction where solicitation would be unlawful. For further information contact: Brian McDonnell, Chief Executive Officer +353 (1) 631 9022 About U.S. Oil & Gas: U.S. Oil & Gas plc is an oil and gas exploration company with a strategy to identify and acquire oil and gas assets in the early phase of the upstream life-cycle and mature them. The Company's main asset is in Nye County, Nevada where it holds the entire share capital of US-based company, Major Oil International LLC ("Major Oil"). Major Oil has acquired rights to exploration and development acreage in Hot Creek Valley, Nye County, adjacent to the oil and gas rich Railroad Valley area of Nevada, both of which are part of the Sevier Thrust of central Nevada and western Utah, USA. For further information please refer to our website at: www.usoilandgas.us BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - At 7:30 am ET Friday, the European Central Bank publishes the account of the monetary policy meeting of the Governing Council held on April 21-22. Ahead of the release, the euro traded mixed against its major counterparts. While it retreated against the pound, it rose against the franc. Against the yen and the greenback, it held steady. The euro was worth 1.2116 against the greenback, 132.48 against the yen, 1.0958 against the franc and 0.8607 against the pound at 7.25 am ET. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann. BOSTON, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Renowned international architect, urban planner, educator, and Pritzker Architecture Prize Laureate Balkrishna Doshi to receive an Honorary Doctorate and deliver The Boston Architectural College's primary speech at its virtual commencement Friday, May 28. "It is an immense honor to have Balkrishna Doshi deliver the BAC's commencement address to the graduating class this year," said President Mahesh Daas. "His legendary work has made outstanding contributions to the world culture, transformed communities and inspired generations of designers?including me. As with all timeless buildings and cities, Doshi's work defines and elevates human condition through design excellence." President Daas recalls Prof. Doshi's own words that "Building should evolve to express time." Influenced by 20th-century architectural giants Le Corbusier (Charles-Edouard Jeanneret) and Louis Kahn, Prof. Doshi's 70-year legacy is one of education, thought leadership, and ethics. Prof. Doshi's work respects Eastern culture while cutting across genres and socio-economic boundaries. His approach to architecture has always provided a unique perspective-embracing culture and creative form. As Prof. Doshi once said, "The whole environment is alive and constantly moving. You cannot see air but the moment we see the leaves moving we are aware of its presence." Prof. Doshi is uniquely suited to address the BAC's latest generation of design leaders as they continue the institution's commitment to furthering spatial justice and design excellence. In anticipation of the event, Prof. Doshi was "...truly humbled in accepting this Honorary Doctorate from The Boston Architectural College, and sends heartfelt gratitude to the trustees, students, faculty members and alumni of The Boston Architectural College." Beginning architecture studies in 1947 at the Sir J.J. School of Architecture Bombay (Mumbai), Prof. Doshi founded his own practice, Vastushilpa, in 1956-renamed Vastushilpa Consultants. In 1962, he founded the School of Architecture, CEPT Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (now CEPT University) in Ahmedabad, India, where he taught until 2008. He established Vastushilpa Foundation for Studies and Research in Environmental Design in 1978 to evolve indigenous design and planning standards for built environments appropriate to the socio-cultural and environmental milieu of India. Prof. Doshi was Founder, former Director and former Chairman of the School of Architecture and Planning (Ahmedabad, 1966-2012), which was renamed CEPT University in 2002. In 2014, the first comprehensive exhibition of Prof. Doshi's Work, Celebrating Habitat: The Real, the Virtual and the Imaginary, curated by architect Khushnu Panthaki Hoof, opened at the National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi. A comprehensive touring exhibition of his work Balkrishna Doshi: Architecture for the People, which was curated by Khushnu Hoof and coordinated by the Vitra Design Museum, opened in 2019. Prof. Doshi has been announced as the Foreign Honorary Member of American Academy of Arts and Letters (2021); Recipient of the Pritzker Architecture Prize (2018); Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters of France (2011); Global Award for Lifetime Achievement for Sustainable Architecture, Institut Francais d'Architecture, Paris (2007); Prime Minister's National Award for Excellence in Urban Planning and Design, India (2000); Aga Khan Award for Architecture (1993-1995) for Aranya Community Housing; Gold Medal, Academy of Architecture of France (1988); Gold Medal, Indian Institute of Architects (1988); and Padma Shree National Award, Government of India (1976). Prof. Doshi is a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects and the Indian Institute of Architects, and an Honorary Fellow of the American Institute of Architects. He served on the Pritzker Prize Jury from 2005-2007, and on selection committees for the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts and the Aga Khan Award for Architecture. About the BAC Founded in 1889, The Boston Architectural College (BAC) is a recognized institution with a diverse student population representing 35 countries. Providing excellence in practice-integrated design education, the BAC was Ranked #1 for Best Graduate School and #4 for Best Architecture School Offering Bachelor's Degrees in the U.S. in 2020 by GradReports. The BAC offers bachelor and graduate degrees in architecture, interior architecture, landscape architecture, design studies as well as offering continuing education certificates and courses. In 2005, the BAC became the first institution in the U.S. to offer an accredited online degree in architecture. The BAC upholds the importance of inclusive admission, diversity, innovation, dedicated faculty, and the intrinsic value of both academic and experiential education. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1510093/Boston_Architectural_College_Laureate_Balkrishna_Doshi.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/682491/Boston_Architectural_College_Logo.jpg Travala.com Smart program subscribers receive 12-month Zomato Pro subscription for use in Portugal; Zomato Pro members receive 12-month access to travel discounts and loyalty rewards on Travala.com LONDON, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Travala.com, the world's leading cryptocurrency-friendly online travel agency (OTA), and Zomato , a global platform for restaurant discovery, today announced a strategic partnership for Portugal that gives travelers and diners more flexible and cost-effective options as global travel slowly picks back up. The partnership brings direct benefits for premium paid subscribers of both companies: Travala.com Smart program members will receive a 12-month subscription for Zomato Pro in Portugal , and Portugal's Zomato Pro members will gain 12-month access to the Travala.com Smart Lite program, which includes discounts and loyalty rewards for travel bookings on the OTA's platform. Zomato Pro is the company's premier all-encompassing membership that unlocks amazing privileges and discounts at the best restaurants across dining out and delivery. With a 12-month subscription to Zomato Pro in Portugal, Travala.com Smart members will now enjoy: Additional discounts on their order, over and above other offers. Discounts available on "It In- or Takeaway" Up to 40% off the total bill value, no cap on discount No daily, weekly or monthly limits on Access to 1,100 Zomato Pro restaurant partners across Portugal "Global travel is rebounding in a serious way as a year of pent-up demand has driven millions of people to make up for lost time," said Juan Otero, CEO of Travala.com. "To help our most loyal users take advantage and do so in a cost-effective way, we partnered with one of the world's largest and most respected restaurant aggregators to bring them great benefits across highly rated restaurants in one of Europe's most popular destinations. We expect Portugal to be just the beginning of a long-term partnership that will expand, and bring significant savings, to travelers across Europe." The Travala.com Smart program is the company's premier membership program designed to give travelers deep discounts, loyalty rewards. With this new partnership, Zomato Pro Portugal users will gain 12-month access to Smart Lite benefits, including: Up to 2% Smart discount on listed prices at the time of booking Up to 2% loyalty rewards back after completing your trip Up to 3% discount when booking with AVA, Travala.com's native cryptocurrency Access to Travala.com's massive supply of over 3 million travel products Zomato Pro Portugal users are not eligible for the Smart program's bonus rewards "We share a deep passion with Travala.com to empower people to discover new experiences no matter where they are, and this new partnership gives Zomato Pro and Travala.com Smart program members just that," said Steven Murray, country manager, Zomato Portugal. "As people begin to travel again, doing so with flexible, cost-effective options is critical. We're thrilled to open our Pro membership in Portugal to Travala.com's Smart program users and provide our subscribers fantastic travel discounts, enabling users of both companies to ultimately deliver amazing experiences." Food delivery and aggregator apps like Zomato have seen surges in both users and revenues over the past year , as shelter-in-place orders caused by the pandemic have driven millions of users to order food from home. Zomato, founded in India in 2008, is the largest restaurant aggregator in Portugal and one of the most popular aggregators and food delivery service providers in the world. Its technology platform connects customers, restaurant partners and delivery partners. Customers can search and discover restaurants, read and write customer generated reviews and view and upload photos, order food delivery, book a table and make payments while dining out. Backed by industry giant Binance, Travala.com offers over 3 million travel products worldwide, including stays, flights and activities, all bookable via 40 supported cryptocurrencies (including Bitcoin) and fiat. Last week, the company launched " Concierge ," a premium, personalised service for high-net-worth travelers, and earlier this year added over 400,000 tours and activities through a partnership with Viator . In April, Travala.com saw a record revenue growth of 12,593% year-over-year, with a record4,200+ room nights booked. For more information on this partnership, please visit travala.com About Travala.com Founded in 2017, Travala.com is the leading cryptocurrency-friendly travel booking service with 3,000,000 travel products worldwide, including stays, flights and activities. Backed by industry-giant Binance, Travala.com is a champion of cryptocurrency adoption, accepting over 40 leading cryptocurrencies in addition to traditional payment methods. AVA bolsters the Travala.com value proposition. As the native cryptocurrency of the platform, AVA can be used for payments, receiving loyalty rewards, discounts and bonuses, among several other use cases. In addition to unbeatable prices via its Best Price Guarantee, Smart users on Travala.com can also enjoy additional discounts and loyalty rewards for eligible bookings made on the platform. About Zomato Zomato is a restaurant review, restaurant discovery, food delivery and dining out transactions platform providing in-depth information for over 1.5 million restaurants across 24 countries and serves more than 70 million users every month. press@zomato.com CONTACT: travala@shiftcomm.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1457582/Travala_com_logo.jpg DRAPER, UT / ACCESSWIRE / May 14, 2021 / Flexpoint Sensor Systems, Inc. (OTC PINK:FLXT) is pleased to announce that they have formalized a Joint Development and Supply Agreement between Flexpoint Sensor Systems, Inc" and De Amertek Corporation. The companies will work together and collaborate to develop electronics with integrated sensor technologies for an occupant classification system and other automotive products. De Amertek is a leading designer and manufacturer of microelectronics and one of the most specialized sources of custom-made electronic modules. Headquartered in Chicago, IL, its world-class manufacturing facility and supply chain network exceeds customer expectations in quality, delivery, service, and time to market. De Amertek is making way for futuristic developments and setting trends in the technology world. Flexpoint President Clark Mower stated, "We are excited to be involved with a company of the caliber and with the complementary skills of De Amertek. We feel strongly that their complementary skills will provide us not only with the capabilities we have been looking for, but also will provide De Amertek with the ability to expand their current business offerings by adding our technology. This should provide increased opportunities for both companies to expand their client base and grow their businesses. We are currently involved with them in developing applications utilizing our Bend Sensor Technology with Fortune 100 Automotive Manufacturers." Please visit http://www.flexpoint.com/ for more information. About Flexpoint Sensor Systems, Inc. Flexpoint Sensor Systems, Inc. (FLXT) is an innovative technology firm specializing in developing products that feature the Company's patented Bend Sensor and related technology. The Bend Sensor is a groundbreaking sensing solution that is revolutionizing applications in the automotive, safety, medical and industrial industries. The Bend Sensor single-layer, thin film construction cuts costs and mechanical bulk while introducing a range of functions and stylistic design possibilities that have never before been available in sensing technology. Flexpoint's technology and expertise have been recognized by the world's elite business and academic innovators. The company is setting a new standard for sensing solutions in the "smart" age of technology. About De Amertek Corporation, Inc. De Amertek Corporation, Inc (DAC) specializes in advanced embedded controls, sensors, and system technology for the automotive, consumer, and industrial marketplaces. The company works in close collaboration with its customers to develop custom controls and systems utilizing the most advanced technologies found in today's products. With over 45 years of design and supply to leading Fortune 100 companies, De Amertek is well acclimated to introduce leading edge technologies through its own in-house engineering teams along with collaboration with selective partners to bring best-in-class products to its customer-base. Please visit http://www.deamertek.com/ for more information. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that certain statements in this release are "forward-looking statements" and involve both known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors. Such uncertainties include, among others, certain risks associated with the operation of the company described above. The Company's actual results could differ materially from expected results. Contact Information: Flexpoint Sensor Systems Clark Mower, President 801-568-5111 Brokers and Analysts Chesapeake Group 410-825-3930 SOURCE: Flexpoint Sensor Systems, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/647266/Flexpoint-Sensor-Systems-Announces-Strategic-Alliance-with-DeAmertek-Corporation-to-Provide-a-Production-Ready-State-of-the-Art-Occupant-Classification-System While the US presents itself as an advocate of expanding vaccine supplies, the world is rapidly becoming more dependent on China for vaccines as the COVID-19 pandemic makes it difficult for India to fulfill its vaccine supply agreement. "Not only has China become the largest exporter [of COVID-19], but in many countries, China has become the only option," said Yanzhong Huang, a China expert and senior fellow for global health at the Council on Foreign Relations. While the epidemic is out of control in India, Brazil and other countries, and foreign aid from the United States and the European Union is slow, the reliability of Chinas vaccine supply is gradually becoming prominent. India, the worlds third-largest supplier after China and the European Union, has exported 67 million doses to nearly 100 countries and territories, but the devastating outbreak has led India to halt most deliveries in recent weeks. Indias epidemic crisis has caused vaccine supplies to dry up, prompting many countries to turn to China. Indonesia, for example, recently received a shipment of Chinese vaccines. Pandu Riono, an epidemiologist at the University of Indonesia, said: "In general, after Indias export ban, Indonesias need for vaccines from China is greater." Against this backdrop, the US, which for months has focused on domestic vaccination, has come under intense criticism for "hoarding vaccines without regard for the world". In the meantime, countries have no choice but to use Chinese vaccines. In the past few weeks, leaders of some of the worlds most populous countries have been reaching out to China for more vaccines. The World Health Organization is evaluating Chinas vaccine data, and many countries are waiting for this authorization. If the World Health Organization (WHO) allows developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America to obtain vaccines through the COVID-19 Vaccine Implementation Programme (COVAX), then the demand for Chinese vaccines will increase further. China carries hope for global vaccine supply which may be affecting the h2328, which means that the h2328 market is changing rapidly. These changes are indicators of market rising. Bearings are an important part of modern machinery and equipment, and its downstream is widely used in industrial automation, high-end equipment, robotics, automobile manufacturing and other fields. In recent years, due to the decline in demand from downstream industries such as automobiles and machine tools, as well as the adjustment of industrial structure, the phase of transformation and upgrading, the phasing out of backward production capacity has changed the relationship between supply and demand. The number of bearing industries has declined. If you are looking for h2328 or get more information about h2328, please send an email to sales@ericbearing.com Due to changes in consumer demand, import and export conditions, and various investigations on the development of h2328, the cost of h2328 is constantly changing. Taking into account the current market macroeconomic parameters, value chain analysis, channel partners, demand and supply, the cost of h2328 will also be affected to a certain extent. It is estimated that the cost of h2328 will increase slightly from next month. The price of h2328 continues to be affected by factors such as market decline momentum, various opportunities and challenges. However, during the forecast period from 2022 to 2025, the global h2328 sales market is expected to continue to be above average. The growth rate will continue to increase. It is expected that In the second half of this year, the price of h2328 will increase to a certain extent. The market trend of h2328? The cost of raw materials is still the biggest concern for manufacturers. Raw materials account for approximately 60-62% of bearing manufacturers revenue. The price of raw materials for bearings fluctuates continuously according to market economic conditions. Such fluctuations in raw material prices are becoming a real challenge for companies to maintain competitiveness and ensure sustainable profits. As high-grade steel and alloy steel are the main raw materials used to manufacture h2328, bearing prices are highly correlated with global steel price trends. Therefore, fluctuations in the price of raw materials have brought challenges for bearing manufacturers to compare prices and quality to manufacture bearings. In addition, the bearings require regular maintenance to avoid failures and extend their service life, which further increases maintenance costs. Therefore, factors such as raw material price fluctuations and regular maintenance costs are expected to hinder the growth of the bearing market. The market demand of h2328? The global bearing market value in 2020 is 123.34 billion U.S. dollars and is expected to reach 153.62 billion U.S. dollars by 2027, and the compound annual growth rate will also increase steadily. A bearing is a mechanical element that supports relative movement and helps reduce friction caused between moving parts. Bearings are widely used in various industries such as automobiles, wind turbines, construction machinery, mining machinery, agricultural equipment, and machine tools. It is used in automobiles to ensure smooth driving of automobiles, electric vehicles (EV) and other types of vehicles (such as light commercial vehicles and heavy vehicles such as trucks). Due to the increasing utilization of bearing h2328 in various end-use industries, rolling mills and electric vehicles, the global h2328 market has become more and more important. The development of technology has improved the overall efficiency of bearing products in the field and extended the product shelf life. About Eric Bearing Limited Since the establishment of ERIC BEARING LIMITED in 2011, Eric Bearing Co., Ltd. has established partnerships with some distributors who have authorized world-renowned manufacturers, such as Swedish SKF bearings, German FAG and INA bearings, and so on. Compared with other competitors, our price is very competitive, 30% lower than the customer local market. We have set up multiple branch warehouses in Hong Kong Free Port, Shanghai Port and Guangzhou Port. We have more than 8 years of export experience can help you find the ideal purchasing solution. Various brands of bearings have abundant stocks, if you are interested, please feel free to contact us. Looking for the h2328 or get more information about any other bearings, please send an email to sales@ericbearing.com JERUSALEM (dpa-AFX) - Israel intensified airstrike of Gaza in response to relentless rocket attacks from the Hamas-led militants in the Palestinian enclave defying calls by the United Nations to end conflict. Amid reports that Israeli forces crossed the Gaza border and launched a ground war, Israeli army clarified that currently there are no IDF ground troops inside the Gaza Strip. CNN reported from inside Gaza that Israeli forces have carried out dozens of airstrikes and heavily bombarded the panic-stricken northern Gaza with ground and naval forces. Gaza was reportedly targeted by the heaviest Israeli bombardment yet overnight. Dozens of families living near the border have fled their homes and taken refuge at UN refugee camps amid fears of an incursion. The panic was reportedly created after the Israeli army tweeted, 'IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) air and ground troops are currently attacking in the Gaza Strip.' Militants have fired more than 1,750 rockets into Israel since the fighting erupted on Monday, that resulted in eight deaths. Casualties on the other side of the border crossed 100, including children and women, in Israel's counter attacks. Clashes between Israeli Arab mobs and Jews continued to rock Israeli cities. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees appealed to all parties to exercise maximum restraint and comply with their obligations under International Law to protect women and children. In a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, U.S. President Joe Biden reiterated the right of Israel to defend themselves. 'In our view, rocket attacks from Hamas into civilian neighborhoods is not self-defense,' the White House said. In view of the tensed situation in Israel, several airlines have suspended flights to that destination. Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, Lufthansa and British Airways have canceled flights to Tel Aviv. 'Like other airlines, we have canceled our flight to and from Tel Aviv today. The safety and security of our colleagues and customers is always our top priority, and we continue to monitor the situation closely,' British Airways said in a statement. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 14, 2021 / Silver Elephant Mining Corp. ("Silver Elephant" or "the Company") (TSX:ELEF, OTCQX:SILEF, Frankfurt:1P2N) announces it is planning to spin out Flying Nickel Mining Corp. and Nevada Vanadium Mining Corp., two Canadian companies wholly owned by Silver Elephant. Doing so will return Silver Elephant to being a dedicated silver investment vehicle. John Lee, CFA, Silver Elephant's Chairman states: "Silver Elephant is moving toward a pure silver play with proposed spinouts of its non-silver assets. The Company will focus on resource expansion and environmental permitting of our flagship Pulacayo silver project in Bolivia. Pulacayo hosts 107 million oz of silver in the indicated category according to Mercator technical report dated October 13, 2020. $35 million has been invested at Pulacayo with over 100,000 meters of drilling. Silver Elephant is returning to its silver roots and will be moving away from diluting silver assets with non-silver purchases, as exemplified by other silver explorers and miners such as First Majestic and Fortuna Silver this year. Bolivia is opening up to foreign investment, in stark contrast to growing anti-foreign-mining sentiment in Peru. Silver Elephant's team in Bolivia has been operating peacefully at Pulacayo since 2005 with strong support from the local community. While Silver Elephant is still working out the timing to effect the dual spin outs (which are non-binding at this stage), we feel it's important to communicate the company's future direction." In the following weeks, the company will provide procedural briefings and updates on its management additions, and banking advisory appointments. Vanadium and nickel prices are trading at or near a multi-year high. Descriptions of Silver Elephant's subsidiaries are provided below. Additional information can be found at www.silverelef.com. Flying Nickel Mining Corp (FNI) FNI will own the Minago nickel sulphide project. It is located in the Thompson nickel belt (TNB), which is the fifth-largest nickel-bearing geological belt in the world. TNB had over 5 billion pounds of nickel production since 1958. Both Manitoba provincial highway 6 and a high-voltage (230 kV) transmission line transect Minago. In 2011, an Environmental Impact Assessment was approved for a 10,000-tonnes-per-day open-pit operation at Minago. FNI is undertaking to renew the EIA in 2021. Over $35 million has been invested at Minago with over 74,000 meters of historic exploration drilling. Nevada Vanadium Mining Corp (NVV) NVV will own the Gibellini vanadium project, designed to be an open-pit, heap-leach operation in Nevada, USA. Nevada was ranked by the Fraser Institute as the world's #1 mining investment jurisdiction in 2018 and 2020. The Gibellini project development achieved an important milestone in July 2020 when the Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement ("EIS") was published in the Federal Register. A final Record of Decision on EIS is expected in 2021. The U.S. government has designated vanadium as one of 35 critical minerals to the national security and the economy. Vanadium alloys and catalysts are used in the aerospace, defense, energy storage, and infrastructure sectors. Over $35 million has been invested at Gibellini to date. About Silver Elephant Silver Elephant Mining Corp. is a premier silver mining and exploration company. Further information on Silver Elephant can be found at www.silverelef.com. SILVER ELEPHANT MINING CORP. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD "John Lee" Executive Chairman For more information about Silver Elephant, please contact Investor Relations: +1.604.569.3661 ext. 101 ir@silverelef.com www.silverelef.com Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Toronto Stock Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this news release, including statements which may contain words such as "expects", "anticipates", "intends", "plans", "believes", "estimates", or similar expressions, and statements related to matters which are not historical facts are forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements, which reflect management's expectations regarding Company's future growth, results of operations, performance, and business prospects and opportunities, are based on certain factors and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release and the documents incorporated by reference herein are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct. In addition, although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events, or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events, or results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. In addition, forward-looking statements by their nature involve risks and uncertainties, and there can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate or true. In particular, there is no assurance that the Company will be able to proceed with its plan to spin out(s) in a timely fashion, or that it will be able to obtain the necessary approvals to do it at all. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by law. SOURCE: Silver Elephant Mining Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/647391/Silver-Elephant-Proposes-a-Return-to-Pure-Silver-Miner-with-Nickel-and-Vanadium-Spin-Outs Thunder Bay, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 14, 2021) - Benton Resources Inc. (TSXV: BEX) ("Benton" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement offering (the "Private Placement") for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $2,250,000 in flow-through units of the Company (the "FT Units") at a price of $0.20 per FT Unit. Mr. Eric Sprott has indicated his intention to subscribe for $2,000,000 into the Private Placement. Each FT Unit shall be comprised of one common share of the Company that will qualify as a "flow-through share" within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Tax Act") (a "FT Common Share") and one-half of one common share purchase warrant of the Company (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant shall entitle the holder thereof to purchase one additional common share of the Company (a "Warrant Share") at an exercise price equal to $0.25 at any time up to 36 months from closing of the Private Placement. The gross proceeds from the sale of FT Units (other than the minimal amount allocable to the Warrants) will be used for exploration expenses on the Company's mining projects as permitted under the Income Tax Act (Canada) to qualify as Canadian Exploration Expenses ("CEE") as defined in the Tax Act. The FT Common Shares and the Warrant Shares to be issued under the Offering will have a hold period of four months and one day closing of the Private Placement. In connection with the Private Placement, the Company will pay a finder's fee in units of the Company on the same price and terms of the FT Units pursuant to the Private Placement and/or finder's warrants in accordance with the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange. The issuance of the FT Units and payment of the finder's fee is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. About Benton Resources Inc. Benton Resources is a well-funded Canadian-based project generator with a diversified property portfolio in Gold, Silver, Nickel, Copper, and Platinum group elements. Benton holds multiple high-grade projects available for option which can be viewed on the Company's website. Most projects have an up-to-date 43-101 Report available. Parties interested in seeking more information about properties available for option can contact Mr. Stares at the number below. For further information, please contact: Stephen Stares, President & CEO Phone: 807-475-7474 Email: sstares@bentonresources.ca CHF Capital Markets Cathy Hume, CEO Phone: 416-868-1079 x251 Email: cathy@chfir.com Website: www.bentonresources.ca Twitter: @BentonResources Facebook: @BentonResourcesBEX THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE HAS NOT REVIEWED AND DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES. The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to gold price and other commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. These forward looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/84073 Edmonton, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - May 14, 2021) - TrustBIX Inc. (TSXV: TBIX) ("TrustBIX" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has engaged the services of Red Cloud Securities Inc. for Market Stabilization and Liquidity Services ("Market Maker") for its common shares listed on the TSX Venture Exchange. Under the terms of the Agreement, which is effective May 15, 2021, TrustBIX will pay the Market Maker a monthly fee of $5,000 for market making services which will continue until either party has terminated the agreement with thirty (30) days' notice. About Red Cloud Securities Inc. Red Cloud Securities Inc. is a 100%, principal-owned Canadian based IIROC investment dealer focused in the junior resource sector. Our primary businesses include investment banking, equity research, and market stabilization and liquidity services. Red Cloud was founded by capital markets professionals with extensive experience in the junior mining industry. Our goal is to become the leading global investment boutique in junior resources. About TrustBIX (TSXV: TBIX) As an innovative leader, TrustBIX provides agri-food traceability. By addressing consumer and agri-food business demands, the Company has a goal to become the most trusted and largest source of third-party food traceability and sustainability information globally - Gate to Plate. TrustBIX Inc.'s focus is to create a world where we trust more, waste less and reward sustainable behaviour. The Company's proprietary platform, BIX (Business infoXchange System), is designed to create trust without compromising privacy through innovative use of data and technology. Extensive R&D has allowed TrustBIX to create a new blockchain-derived technology to complement its mature and proven traceability systems. By leveraging BIX and its unique use of incentive solutions, the Company can deliver independent validation of food provenance and sustainable production practices within the supply chain. ViewTrak Technologies Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary, provides a suite of hardware and software solutions to the livestock industry in Canada, United States, Mexico and China, such as Auction Master Pro, Market Master, Feedlot Solutions and pork grading probes. For more information, visit www.trustbix.com, or follow us on Twitter twitter.com/@TrustBIX_Inc, Facebook at www.facebook.com/BIXSco, or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bixsco-inc-/. Forward-Looking Information This press release contains certain forward-looking information and reflects the Company's present assumptions regarding future events. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, levels of activity, performance, and/or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Certain statements contained in this document constitute forward-looking statements and information within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. When used in this document, the words "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "intend", "plan", "propose", "anticipate", "believe", "forecast", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions used by any of the Company's management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the Company's internal projections, expectations, future growth, performance and business prospects and opportunities and are based on information currently available to the Company. Since they relate to the Company's current views with respect to future events, they are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. 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. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update any such factors or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments except as required by applicable securities legislation, regulations or policies. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Hubert Lau President and CEO Telephone: (780) 456-2207 Email: info@trustbix.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 of accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/84015 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 14, 2021) - Kuya Silver Corporation (CSE: KUYA) (OTCQB: KUYAF) (FSE: 6MR1) (the "Company" or "Kuya") is pleased to announce that it has acquired three mineral concessions located in Acombabilla, Huancavelica Department and Chongos Altos, Junin Department. The Company has entered into three separate agreements represented by the same parties (the "Agreement") to acquire the Carmelita 2005, Carmelita 2005 I, and Carmelita 2005 II concessions ("Carmelita" or the "Project"). The three properties total 800 hectares and are strategically located less than three kilometers west of Kuya's Bethania Mine. The Project provides the Company with additional high-priority exploration targets, including a potential strike extension of the high-grade silver-polymetallic vein system that has been identified at Bethania. Located on the land package is the Carmelita Mine, an artisanal mine approximately 3.6 kilometers west of the Bethania Mine. The Project also borders Kuya's Chinita I concession to the west (see figure 1). With this acquisition, Kuya now holds 2,545 hectares of mineral concessions in the Bethania district. Kuya's President and CEO, David Stein stated, "We are very pleased to acquire this exciting Project, located along strike from the Bethania vein system and only a short distance to the mine. Apart from Bethania, we feel that Carmelita is the most advanced prospect in the district, and the veins here bear a striking similarity to mineralization that has been produced from the Bethania mine. It is our intention that if economic mineralization is discovered at Carmelita, it would be run as a satellite mining operation feeding the Bethania mill." Carmelita Mine Kuya recently conducted due diligence on the Project where review focused on the Carmelita Mine area, which has experienced recent small-scale production, targeting silver-polymetallic veins. During the Company's visit, Kuya geologists observed five veins outcropping on surface and took several samples of the near surface vein system, that can be traced in outcrop over one kilometer in strike length (see figure 2). Access to the Carmelita mine includes three separate adits corresponding to three different veins. Highlights of Kuya's sampling included: 15.75 oz/t silver (490 g/t), 8.2% lead and 0.9% zinc (22.8 oz/t silver eq.*) from Veta Victoria 6.30 oz/t silver (196 g/t), 2.6% lead and 1.7% zinc (10.0 oz/t silver eq.*) from Veta Esperanza 2.58 oz/t silver (81 g/t), 2.4% lead and 6.2% zinc (10.8 oz/t silver eq.*) from a stockpile at the Esperanza adit *Silver equivalent calculated using $27.00/oz silver price, $2,800/t zinc price and $2,000/t lead price. A total of 6 rock chip samples were collected. The coordinates of the locations of each sample were recorded, and the samples dispatched to the SGS laboratory in Lima for geochemical analysis. The analyses were carried out using the following methods: FA313 - Fire Assay for gold, ICP40B - ICP-AES Multi-acid digestion for 36 elements, and AAS41B - Atomic Absorption, multi-acid digestion for Ag, Pb, Zn over detection limit. SGS Laboratories in Lima has international certifications OHSAS 18001, ISO 14001 and ISO 9001 and is accredited by INACAL under the NTP-ISO / IEC 17025. Terms of Agreement Kuya has agreed to pay, subject to Canadian Securities Exchange (the "Exchange") approval, USD$200,000 on signing of the Agreement; USD$250,000 on or before the 12-month anniversary of signing the Agreement; and on the 18-month anniversary of signing the Agreement, the value of USD$400,000 in common shares in the capital of the Company (each a "Common Share"). The Common Shares will be issued at a deemed price per Common Share equal to the 10-day average closing price of the Common Shares on the Exchange, ending on the day prior to issuance. The Common Shares will be subject to a hold period expiring four months and one day from the date of issuance. Figure 1: Carmelita concession map To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5945/84070_c2b1b84994472b3c_001full.jpg Figure 2: Carmelita structural map showing veins as observed by Kuya geologists To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5945/84070_c2b1b84994472b3c_002full.jpg National Instrument 43-101 Disclosure The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Dr. Quinton Hennigh, P.Geo., Chairman of Kuya and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. About Kuya Silver Corporation Kuya is a Canadian-based silver-focused mining company that owns the Bethania Project, which includes the Bethania mine, located in Central Peru. The Bethania mine was in production until 2016, toll-milling its ore at various other concentrate plants in the region, the Company's plan is to implement an expansion and construct a concentrate plant at site before restarting operations. The Bethania mine produced silver-lead and zinc concentrates from the run of mine material, until being placed on care and maintenance due to market conditions and lack of working capital. For more information, please contact the Company at: Kuya Silver Corporation Telephone: (604) 398-4493 info@kuyasilver.com www.kuyasilver.com Reader Advisory This news release may contain statements which constitute "forward-looking information", including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company, its directors, or its officers with respect to the future business activities of the Company. The words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future business activities and involve risks and uncertainties, and that the Company's future business activities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but 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 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/84070 Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO), a leading global information technology, consulting and business process services company, today announced the appointment of Ms. Tulsi Naidu, a widely respected business leader, to its Board of Directors for five years effective July 1, 2021, subject to the approval of shareholders. Tulsi Naidu will serve as an Independent Director on the Board and bring a wealth of experience to Wipro, having spent 25 years in the global financial services sector. Ms. Naidu is CEO Asia Pacific of Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich) and a member of Zurich's Executive Committee. She joined Zurich in September 2016 and was named the CEO of the UK business in November 2016 where she implemented an extensive transformation program reshaping the business, simplifying the structure, improving technical and digital capabilities, and positioning it for growth in its core markets. Before joining Zurich, Ms. Naidu spent 14 years at Prudential in various executive positions across their UK and Europe business. Her last position with Prudential was Executive Director, UK Offshore. She was previously Chief Operating Officer for Prudential UK Europe, and prior to that held several general management roles in the company focused on driving strategic transformational change. Welcoming Ms. Naidu to the Board, Rishad Premji, Chairman, Wipro Limited said, "I am excited to have Tulsi join our Board. Her knowledge of the global financial services sector together with her proven experience in driving large transformational change and understanding of technology will hugely benefit Wipro." Commenting on her appointment, Tulsi Naidu said, "I am delighted and honored to join the Board of Wipro. I have deep respect for the company, its technology leadership, and its values led approach to business. I look forward to contributing towards its next phase of growth." Ms. Naidu holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Management from the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad and a bachelor's degree in Mathematics, Economics and Statistics from Nizam College, Hyderabad. About Wipro Limited Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO) is a leading global information technology, consulting and business process services company. We harness the power of cognitive computing, hyper-automation, robotics, cloud, analytics and emerging technologies to help our clients adapt to the digital world and make them successful. A company recognized globally for its comprehensive portfolio of services, strong commitment to sustainability and good corporate citizenship, we have over 190,000 dedicated employees serving clients across six continents. Together, we discover ideas and connect the dots to build a better and a bold new future. Forward-Looking Statements The forward-looking statements contained herein represent Wipro's beliefs regarding future events, many of which are by their nature, inherently uncertain and outside Wipro's control. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Wipro's growth prospects, its future financial operating results, and its plans, expectations and intentions. Wipro cautions readers that the forward-looking statements contained herein are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results anticipated by such statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding fluctuations in our earnings, revenue and profits, our ability to generate and manage growth, complete proposed corporate actions, intense competition in IT services, our ability to maintain our cost advantage, wage increases in India, our ability to attract and retain highly skilled professionals, time and cost overruns on fixed-price, fixed-time frame contracts, client concentration, restrictions on immigration, our ability to manage our international operations, reduced demand for technology in our key focus areas, disruptions in telecommunication networks, our ability to successfully complete and integrate potential acquisitions, liability for damages on our service contracts, the success of the companies in which we make strategic investments, withdrawal of fiscal governmental incentives, political instability, war, legal restrictions on raising capital or acquiring companies outside India, unauthorized use of our intellectual property and general economic conditions affecting our business and industry. The conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic could decrease technology spending, adversely affect demand for our products, affect the rate of customer spending and could adversely affect our customers' ability or willingness to purchase our offerings, delay prospective customers' purchasing decisions, adversely impact our ability to provide on-site consulting services and our inability to deliver our customers or delay the provisioning of our offerings, all of which could adversely affect our future sales, operating results and overall financial performance. Our operations may also be negatively affected by a range of external factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic that are not within our control. Additional risks that could affect our future operating results are more fully described in our filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, Annual Reports on Form 20-F. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. We may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by us or on our behalf. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210514005291/en/ Contacts: Vipin Nair Wipro Limited vipin.nair1@wipro.com COSTA MESA, CA / ACCESSWIRE / May 14, 2021 / Charlie's Holdings, Inc. (OTC PINK:CHUC) ("Charlie's" or the "Company"), an industry leader in both the premium, nicotine-based, e-cigarette space and the hemp-derived, CBD wellness space, announced today that Matt Montesano has been appointed Chief Financial Officer effective May 10, 2021. The Company also announced that David Allen, the Company's former CFO, will step down from his daily management duties and will now serve on Charlie's Board of Directors. Since 2014, Matt Montesano has served as the CFO of Charlie's Chalk Dust, the Company's largest and most profitable operating division; beginning in 2019, he also served as the CFO of Don Polly, the Company's hemp-derived products division. Mr. Montesano has extensive experience in financial and operational strategy, control system implementation, and all aspects of financial and SEC reporting. Prior to joining Charlie's, Montesano worked for L'Oreal USA in a variety of corporate finance positions for the company's Professional Products and Salon Centric divisions. Earlier, Mr. Montesano worked for KeyBanc Capital Markets as an investment banker where he focused on debt, equity and merger and acquisitions transactions in the industrials space. "We are very pleased to name Matt Montesano our new Chief Financial Officer at this exciting juncture in our Company's history. Matt helped create, and is already leading implementation of, the Company's strategic plan" said Brandon Stump, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Charlie's. "Matt's extensive and proven leadership capabilities, his financial acumen, capital markets knowledge, and his experience overseeing the Company's regulatory investments make him the ideal executive to assume the role of Charlie's Holdings' Chief Financial Officer." Mr. Stump continued, "We are also pleased to announce that the Board of Directors has unanimously voted to appoint David Allen to fill one of the two vacant seats on the Board of Directors of Charlie's. Having served as Charlie's CFO since we became a publicly traded company through a share exchange in April 2019, David Allen brings more than 24 years of experience as the Chief Financial Officer of public companies. Now, as he steps back from day-to-day management responsibilities, we are very pleased that Dave has agreed to join Charlie's Board. We are confident that in this new role Dave will continue to provide excellent guidance and counsel to the executive management team and he will contribute substantially in the next chapter of Charlie's growth." Prior to joining Charlie's, Dave Allen served as Chief Financial Officer of Iconic Brands, Inc. (ICNB). Prior to that, from December 2014 to January 2018, Mr. Allen served as the Chief Financial Officer of WPCS International, Inc., a design-build engineering firm focused on the deployment of wireless networks and related services. From June 2006 to June 2013, Mr. Allen served as the Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Administration at Converted Organics, Inc., a company organized to convert food waste into organic fertilizer. In June 2019, Mr. Allen was appointed to the Board of Directors and serves as audit committee chairman of MariMed, Inc. (MRMD). About Charlie's Holdings, Inc. Charlie's Holdings, Inc. (OTC PINK:CHUC) is an industry leader in both the premium, nicotine-based, e-cigarette space and the hemp-derived, CBD wellness space through its subsidiary companies Charlie's Chalk Dust, LLC and Don Polly, LLC. Charlie's Chalk Dust produces high quality vapor products currently distributed in more than 90 countries around the world. Charlie's Chalk Dust has developed an extensive portfolio of brand styles, flavor profiles and innovative product formats. Launched in June 2019, Don Polly creates brands and products in the hemp-derived marketplace aimed to meet the needs of the ever-evolving wellness consumer. Don Polly's premium quality CBD products derive from single-origin-sourced hemp and are processed in a proprietary air extraction facility. For additional information, please visit our corporate website at: CharliesHoldings.com and our branded online websites: CharliesChalkDust .com and PachamamaCBD.com. Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including but not limited to statements regarding the Company's overall business, existing and anticipated markets and expectations regarding future sales and expenses. Words such as "expect," "anticipate," "should," "believe," "target," "project," "goals," "estimate," "potential," "predict," "may," "will," "could," "intend," variations of these terms or the negative of these terms and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond the Company's control. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including but not limited to: the Company's ability to successful increase sales and enter new markets; the FDA's decision with respect to the Company's PMTAs; the Company's ability to manufacture and produce product for its customers; the Company's ability to formulate new products; the acceptance of existing and future products; the complexity, expense and time associated with compliance with government rules and regulations affecting nicotine and products containing cannabidiol; litigation risks from the use of the Company's products; risks of government regulations; the impact of competitive products; and the Company's ability to maintain and enhance its brand, as well as other risk factors included in the Company's most recent quarterly report on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and other SEC filings. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and were based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections as well as the beliefs and assumptions of management. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no duty or obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this release as a result of new information, future events or changes in its expectations. Investors Contact: IR@charliesholdings.com Phone: 949-418-4020 SOURCE: Charlie's Holdings, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/647372/Charlies-Holdings-Names-Matt-Montesano-CFO-and-Appoints-David-Allen-to-the-Board-of-Directors Increased Budgetary Spending at U.S. K-12 Schools Continues to Accelerate Deferred Revenue and Backlog Conference Call Scheduled for Today at 9:00am ET TOCCOA, GA / ACCESSWIRE / May 14, 2021 / Galaxy Next Generation, Inc. (OTCQB:GAXY), a provider of interactive learning technology solutions, today announced the Company's operating and financial results for the fiscal third quarter and nine months ended March 31, 2021. Key Financial Highlights for Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 Cash increased 280% to $742K Revenue increased 123% to $777K Deferred revenue of $800K Product Gross Margin improved to 54% Inventory increased to $2.2 million Accounts Receivable increased to $1.3 million Receivables are collected on as product ships/installs and we have been successful in collecting ~half of the open AR subsequent to quarter end thus far Total Assets increased to $6.6 million Total Liabilities decreased by $0.6 million With another $1 million decrease subsequent to quarter end with the elimination of legal settlement Backlog ~$1.9 million with product due in this month for order fulfillment prior to June 30. Key Business Highlights for Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 Announced partnership with ROYBI, Inc to bring AI technology into the learning environments of our schools Launched G2 Visual Alerts, a safety and security alert system for Schools and other verticals Partnered with CB&A, a marketing firm to assist in messaging and building the G2 brands Awarded Richland County School District Two Catalog Bid Awarded Charlotte County Public Schools Catalog Bid Received additional order under a supply agreement with OEM customer, will be shipping order in current quarter Australian Partner awarded major contract with New South Wales Awarded St Johns County Schools in Florida Catalog Bid Continued to expand our presence in Thompson County Schools, CO with additional orders, and even 3 additional orders in current quarter Achieved record day for purchase orders with $1 million in single day Awarded 5-year contract with Allen Independent School District in Texas Hired a new Regional Sales Manager for the West Coast region Hired a new Chief Operating Officer with years of experience in the Ed Tech segment Announced our elimination of all Convertible Debt instruments Established a non-toxic equity stock agreement with institutional investor Summary Snapshot of 3 months Y/Y and Q/Q Q3 2021 Q3 2020 Q2 2020 (Previous Q) Cash on Hand $742,382 $194,702 $372,591 Accounts Receivable $1,302,764 $599,146 $1,231,807 Inventory $2,207,885 $929,210 $1,473,749 Total Assets $6,662,043 $3,943,798 $5,624,872 Revenue $777,457 $349,247 $798,793 Gross Profit $420,726 $218,633 $327,730 Operating Loss ($1,279,034) ($3,492,047) ($930,188) Nine Month Numbers or Year to Date Total Revenue ~2.8 million an increase of 1 million from 2020 Gross Profit ~1.09 million an increase of ~$0.4 million from 2020 Management Commentary "We continue to successfully build upon a solid year, with 123% revenue growth quarter over quarter from Q3 2020 to 2021, led by interactive panels, Our Bell, Paging, and Intercom product line, G2 communication software(s) and our related OEM partnerships," commented, Gary LeCroy, Galaxy's Chief Executive Officer. The three months ending March 31 2020 was our lowest revenue quarter last year, so to see such a growth in the same three month period in 2021 is very encouraging. We continued to execute on our strategy for growth and and have made some strategic hires this quarter leading to increased sales and more influence in the ed tech community. Galaxy is continually expanding its reseller community and its brand awareness while maintaining strong supply chains and increasing our turn-around time to better service the orders we are receiving. We continued to experience strong demand for our products and services. We remain confident in our strategy and we are executing against our innovation roadmap. We believe our understanding of high-performance interactive technology products position us to effectively capitalize on the industry transition to remote classrooms." Galaxy's Chief Financial Officer, Magen McGahee, stated, "We continue to experience growth in our sales, as well as, our entire financial reports. As Gary mentioned, Q3 was our lowest reported revenue quarter last year so having the increase in sales of 123% is a great indicator of whats to come. This year has continued to have unique challenges related to school closures and logistical issues within supply chains and shipping delays. However, we remain confident in our strategy and that strategy is starting to reflect hard on our financial statements. We believe that the increase in school budgets will have the biggest impact on revenues in the Q4 and Q1 reporting periods for Galaxy. Our education customers have began to see their new budgets and have began placing larger orders and creating new projects to fulfill their needs over the upcoming summer months." McGahee, concluded, "Our assets continue to increase and remain strong, while our liabilites are decreasing as we strive to make it a continued goal to reach a net positive asset balance sheet. Our remaining reported debt is associated with related parties (i.e, executives, officers, insiders, or family members of executives/officers) or traditional banking forms such as our business line of credit or our accounts receivable financing. Subsequent to March 31 quarter end date, we have eliminated another ~$1 million in legal settlement liabilities (making the balance $0) and another ~$500K in aged Accounts Payable. We have applied for and exceed the requirements to be granted forgiveness on our PPP loan from 2020 and therefore hope to report that as less ~$330K in liabilities soon as well. Our equity line of credit has allowed for us to raise money to assist with these improvements, at the company's discretion and when most appropriate for the maximum return on value." The details for the conference call can be found below. Shareholder Update Conference Call Date: Friday, May 14, 2021 Time: 9:00 AM ET Dial-in: 1-888-506-0062 (Domestic) 1-973-528-0011 (International) Entry Code: 412414 If you would like to submit a question, please send an email with your question to IR@GalaxyNext.us prior to the call. Galaxy will do their best to answer all questions. Webcast: https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/2559/41335 For those unable to participate during the live broadcast, a replay of the call will also be available through May 28, 2021 by dialing 1-877-481-4010 (domestic) and 1-919-882-2331 (international) and referencing the replay pin number: 41335. Financial Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021: Revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $0.8 million, an increase of $0.4 million or 123%, as compared to $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. Additionally, deferred revenue amounted to $0.8 million as of March 31, 2021. Gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $0.4 million, an increase of $0.2 million or 92%, as compared to $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. The resulting gross margin was 54% for the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to 63% for the three months ended March 31, 2020. General and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2021 were $1.7 million, a decrease of $2.0 million or 54%, compared to $3.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. Operating loss for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $1.3 million, a decrease of $2.2 million, or 63%, compared to $3.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. Other expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2021 were $1.6 million, a decrease of $0.2 million, compared to $1.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. For the three months ended March 31, 2021, this was mainly comprised of $1.8 million interest expense related to Equity Purchase Agreement, a non-cash expense and recorded due to GAAP accounting. Net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $2.9 million, a decrease of $2.4 million, or 45%, compared to $5.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020. The resulting loss per share for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was ($0.001) per diluted share, compared to ($0.15) per diluted share for the three months ended March 31, 2020. Non-cash contributing factors for the net loss incurred for the three months ended March 31, 2020 is as follows: a) $2,350 and $48,034 represent consulting fees and employee compensation paid through the issuance of stock for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively; b) Interest expenses related to equity purchase agreement of $1,805,687 and $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020 c) Impairment charges taken of $0 and $2,000,287 for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020 Financial Results for the Nine Months Ended March 31, 2021: Revenue for the nine months ended March 31, 2021 was $2.8 million, an increase of $0.9 million or 49%, as compared to $1.9 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2020. Gross profit for the nine months ended March 31, 2021 was $1.1 million, an increase of $0.4 million or 49%, as compared to $0.7 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2020. The resulting gross margin was 40% for the nine months ended March 31, 2021, compared to 40% for the nine months ended March 31, 2020. General and administrative expenses for the nine months ended March 31, 2021 were $7.1 million, a decrease of $1.2 million or 14%, compared to $8.3 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2020. Operating loss for the nine months ended March 31, 2021 was $6.0 million, a decrease of $1.6 million, or 20%, compared to $7.6 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2020. Operating loss for the nine months ended March 31, 2020 included $2.8 million of non-cash stock-based compensation. Other expenses for the nine months ended March 31, 2021 were $17.8 million, an increase of $15.3 million, compared to $2.5 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2020. For the nine months ended March 31, 2021, this was comprised of $3.2 million negative change in fair value of derivative liability, $0.8 million interest accretion, $6.8 million interest expense related to Equity Purchase Agreement and $7.2 million interest expense. These were all non-cash expenses and recorded due to GAAP accounting. Net loss for the nine months ended March 31, 2021 was $23.8 million, an increase of $13.8 million, or 135%, compared to $10.1 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2020. The resulting loss per share for the nine months ended March 31, 2021 was ($0.008) per diluted share, compared to ($0.47) per diluted share for the nine months ended March 31, 2020. Non-cash contributing factors for the net loss incurred for the nine months ended March 30, 2021 is as follows: a) $2.8 million and $2.1 million represent consulting fees and employee compensation paid through the issuance of stock for the nine months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively; b) amortization of intangible assets for the nine months ended March 31, 2021 totaling $0.2 million; c) change in fair value of the derivative liability related to convertible notes payable of $3.2 million and positive $2.7 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020; d) Interest of $14.7 million and $5.2 million related to convertible notes payable and equity purchase agreement for the nine months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020. About Galaxy Next Generation, Inc. Galaxy Next Generation (OTCQB: GAXY) is a provider of interactive learning technology solutions that allows the presenter and participant to engage in a fully collaborative instructional environment. Galaxy's products include Galaxy's own private-label interactive touch screen panel as well as numerous other national and international branded peripheral and communication devices. Galaxy's distribution channel consists of 22+ resellers across the U.S. who primarily sell the Company's products within the commercial and educational market. Galaxy does not control where resellers focus their resell efforts, although generally, the K-12 education market is the largest customer base for Galaxy products - comprising nearly 90% of Galaxy's sales. For additional information, please visit our website at: www.galaxynext.us 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 the 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. 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. Investors Contact: IR@GalaxyNext.us p888-859-1274 SOURCE: Galaxy Next Generation, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/647403/Galaxy-Next-Generation-Reports-Revenue-Increase-of-123-for-its-Third-Quarter-Ended-March-31-2021-Fiscal-Year-2021 REDDING, Calif., May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new market research report, "Industrial Wastewater Treatment Market by Treatment Technology (Membrane Separation, Activated Sludge, Clarification, Membrane Bioreactor, Sludge Digestion), and Application (Manufacturing, Power, Energy, Mining) - Global Forecast to 2027", published by Meticulous Research, the market is expected to reach a value of $77.6 billion by 2027, at a CAGR of 7.2% during the forecast period of 2020-2027. Download Free Sample Report Now @ https://www.meticulousresearch.com/download-sample-report/cp_id=5170 The growth of this market is mainly attributed to rapid population growth & urbanization, rising industrialization, growing emphasis on water quality & public health, and increasing prevalence of waterborne diseases. Additionally, the growing demand for energy-efficient and advanced water treatment technologies is expected to provide significant growth opportunities for industrial wastewater treatment system providers in the coming years. However, the high installation, maintenance, and operational costs are expected to hinder the growth of this market to a certain extent. The aging of existing water infrastructure is also one of the major challenges for the growth of the industrial wastewater treatment market. Growing focus on industrial wastewater treatment in countries like the U.S., China, and India to provide opportunities for market players Wastewater discharges from industrial sources may contain pollutants at levels that could affect the quality of receiving waters or interfere with Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs) that receive those discharges. Water pollution in the U.S. is a growing problem with the development of mechanized agriculture and mining. However, laws and regulations are put in place to improve water quality in many water bodies. For instance, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issues industrial water pollution control regulations, also called effluent guidelines and standards, for industrial water discharges to surface waters and publicly owned treatment works. These guidelines, issued under the Clean Water Act, prevent more than 700 million pounds of pollutants from discharging into U.S. waters each year. Speak to our Analysts to Understand the Impact of COVID-19 on Your Business: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/speak-to-analyst/cp_id=5170 In recent years, China has increased its efforts toward combating high levels of environmental pollution due to the country's accelerated economic growth. However, China's most recent environmental report remains bleak, suggesting that 61.5% of groundwater and 28.8% of key rivers were classified as "not suitable for human contact." Industrial and agricultural industries largely cause the contamination. Ultimately China's water pollution problems pose serious threats to human health and economic growth. While there are no quick solutions to the country's water pollution crises, wastewater to biogas could address China's main source of water pollution and open a potentially successful source of renewable energy. Around the world, the demand for water suitable for drinking, industrialization, and agriculture is accelerating. The Indian and Chinese economies' renewed efforts to mitigate water stress and pollution is propelling environmental expenditure in the region. Government initiatives, favorable policies, subsidies, and expanded investments in textile and pharmaceutical industries are the key drivers for the industrial water market. Thus, the growing focus on industrial wastewater treatment will provide significant opportunities for players operating in this market during the forecast period. Based on technology, the industrial wastewater treatment market is segmented into membrane separation, activated sludge, clarification, sludge thickening & dewatering, wastewater pre-treatment, chlorination, industrial demineralization, sludge drying, membrane bio-reactor, sludge digestion, sludge incineration, ozonization, activated carbon, electrochemical water treatment technology (electrocoagulation & electro-oxidation and electrochemical scale treatment system), and other treatment technologies. The membrane separation segment accounted for the largest share of the overall industrial wastewater treatment market in 2020. The large share of this segment is mainly attributed to the rising demand for low-energy-consuming water treatment processes and the growing emphasis on reducing the usage of chemicals in water treatment. However, the Membrane Bio-reactor (MBR) technology segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR, as it has emerged as an efficient, compact technology for industrial wastewater treatment. Quick Buy -Industrial Wastewater Treatment Market Research Report: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/Checkout/94441085 Based on application, the industrial wastewater treatment market is segmented into manufacturing, pharmaceuticals & chemicals, power, energy, pulp & paper, mining, petrochemical, semiconductors, and other applications. The manufacturing segment accounted for the largest share of the industrial wastewater treatment market in 2020. The large share of this segment is mainly attributed to the rapid urbanization, technological growth, and increasing manufacturing units that create strong demand for processed water. However, the energy segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The rapid growth of this segment is mainly attributed to the rising demand for clean water and energy. The global industrial wastewater treatment market is divided into five major regions: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. These regions are further analyzed at their respective country level. In 2020, the Asia-Pacific region commanded the largest share of the global industrial wastewater treatment market. The large share of this region is mainly attributed to the increasing population, rising demand for advanced residential water treatment, development of membrane technology, environmental deterioration, declining availability of clean water, increasing public-sector investment in water infrastructure, and increasing R&D expenditure. In 2020, China accounted for the largest share of the Asia-Pacific industrial wastewater treatment market. The growing industrialization, rising untreated sludge, large wastewater discharge, increasing industrial wastewater pollution, and growing focus and efforts towards combating the high levels of environmental pollution are some of the factors driving the growth of the Chinese industrial wastewater treatment market. The country is moving towards greater use of separation, membrane and disinfection technology and equipment, and the need for sludge treatment equipment and water reclamation technologies are also expected to increase. Different technologies have been applied in different wastewater treatment plants. Physical-chemical and biological processes are widely used to treat industrial wastewater across the country, including sedimentation, filtration, anaerobic and aerobic activated sludge, which also provide potential opportunities for foreign equipment suppliers. The key players operating in the global industrial wastewater treatment market are Suez Environment S.A. (France), Xylem, Inc. (U.S.), DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (U.S.), Evoqua Water Technologies Corporation (U.S.), 3M Company, Inc. (U.S.), Pentair plc (U.K.), United Utilities Group PLC (U.K.), Kingspan Water & Energy (U.K.), The Dow Chemical Company (U.S.), Kemira Oyj (Finland), BASF SE (Germany), Calgon Carbon Corporation (U.S.), Kurita Water Industries Ltd. (Japan), Bio-Microbics, Inc. (U.S.), Trojan Technologies Inc. (Canada), Aquatech International Corporation (U.S.), ASIO, spol. s r.o. (Czech Republic), Orenco Systems, Inc. (U.S.), Scinor Water America, LLC (U.S.), Elgressy Engineering Services Ltd. (Israel), Outotec Oyj (Finland), and Blue Eden CleanTech Solutions Inc. (Canada), among others. To gain more insights into the market with a detailed table of content and figures, click here: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/industrial-wastewater-treatment-market-5170 Scope of the Report Industrial Wastewater Treatment Market, by Technology Membrane Separation Reverse Osmosis (RO) Membranes Ultrafiltration (UF) Membranes Micro-Filtration (MF) Membrane Nano-Filtration (NF) Membrane Other Membrane Separation Technology Activated Sludge Clarification Sludge Thickening and Dewatering Wastewater Pre-Treatment Chlorination Industrial Demineralization Sludge Drying Membrane Bio-reactor (MBR) Sludge Digestion Sludge Incineration Ozonization Activated Carbon Electrochemical Water Treatment (EEC/EEO) Electrochemical Scale Treatment System (E.S.T) Other Technologies Industrial Wastewater Treatment Market, by Application Manufacturing Pharmaceuticals and Chemicals Power Energy Pulp and Paper Mining Petrochemical Semiconductors Other Industrial Applications Industrial Wastewater Treatment Market, by Geography North America U.S. Canada Mexico Europe France Germany U.K. Italy Spain Poland Belgium Switzerland Denmark Sweden Rest of Europe (RoE) (RoE) Asia-Pacific (APAC) (APAC) China Japan India Indonesia Australia South Korea Malaysia Thailand Vietnam Philippines Singapore Taiwan New Zealand Rest of Asia-Pacific (RoAPAC) (RoAPAC) Rest of the World Latin America Brazil Chile Argentina Rest of Latin America (RoLATAM) (RoLATAM) Middle East & Africa & Saudi Arabia UAE ( United Arab Emirates ) ) Kuwait Iran South Africa Rest of the Middle East ( RoME ) Download Free Sample Report Now @ https://www.meticulousresearch.com/download-sample-report/cp_id=5170 Amidst this crisis, Meticulous Research is continuously assessing the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on various sub-markets and enables global organizations to strategize for the post-COVID-19 world and sustain their growth. Let us know if you would like to assess the impact of COVID-19 on any industry here- https://www.meticulousresearch.com/custom-research Related Reports: Water and Wastewater Treatment Market by Product and Service (Services, Delivery Equipment, Treatment Chemicals, Instrumentation), Treatment Technology (Membrane Separation, Membrane Bio-Reactor), and Application (Municipal, Industrial) - Global Forecast to 2027 https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/water-and-wastewater-treatment-market-5026 Tertiary Water and Wastewater Treatment Technologies Market by Type (Membrane Filtration, UV Radiation, Chlorination, Ozonization, Activated Carbon, and Ion Exchange), and Application (Municipal and Industrial) - Global Forecast to 2027 https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/tertiary-water-and-wastewater-treatment-technologies-market-5185 About Meticulous Research Meticulous Research was founded in 2010 and incorporated as Meticulous Market Research Pvt. Ltd. in 2013 as a private limited company under the Companies Act, 1956. Since its incorporation, the company has become the leading provider of premium market intelligence in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. The name of our company defines our services, strengths, and values. Since the inception, we have only thrived to research, analyze, and present the critical market data with great attention to details. With the meticulous primary and secondary research techniques, we have built strong capabilities in data collection, interpretation, and analysis of data including qualitative and quantitative research with the finest team of analysts. We design our meticulously analyzed intelligent and value-driven syndicate market research reports, custom studies, quick turnaround research, and consulting solutions to address business challenges of sustainable growth. Contact: Mr. Khushal Bombe Meticulous Market Research Inc. 1267 Willis St, Ste 200 Redding, California, 96001, U.S. USA: +1-646-781-8004 Europe: +44-203-868-8738 APAC: +91 744-7780008 Email- sales@meticulousresearch.com Visit Our Website: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/ Connect with us on LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/company/meticulous-research Content Source: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/pressrelease/386/industrial-wastewater-treatment-market-2027 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1213534/Meticulous_Research_Logo.jpg SEATTLE (dpa-AFX) - Amazon said Friday that it will create more than 10,000 new permanent jobs in 2021, taking its total UK workforce to more than 55,000 people by the end of year. The announcement comes a day after the e-commerce giant revealed plans to add 75,000 jobs in the United States and Canada. Amazon said Friday that it will invest 10 million pounds over three years in training up to 5,000 employees in new skills to meet the UK's future employment needs outside of Amazon. The company is partnering with the British Chambers of Commerce and local businesses to identify regional skills shortages to focus training on local needs. The 10,000 new permanent jobs Amazon will create in the UK this year will include roles at its corporate offices, Amazon Web Services and operations network. Corporate roles will be available in offices in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and Cambridge across a wide range of fields including fashion, digital marketing, engineering, video production, software development, cloud computing, AI and machine learning, and more. In operations, Amazon will open a parcel receive center and four new fulfilment centres, as well as continue to expand its delivery station network, creating thousands of new permanent roles on teams including engineering, HR and IT, health and safety, finance, and those that pick, pack and ship customer orders. Pay for Operations roles starts at a minimum of 10.80 pounds per hour in the London area and 9.70 pounds per hour in other parts of the UK for all full-time, part-time, temporary, and seasonal roles in Amazon's fulfilment centers, sort centers, and delivery stations. Employees are offered benefits package, including private medical insurance, life assurance, income protection, and an employee discount - which combined are worth more than 700 pounds annually - as well as a company pension plan. Amazon said it will open a new fulfilment center in Hinckley, East Midlands, this summer creating 700 new permanent jobs. The company will also open a parcel receive centre in Doncaster and new fulfilment centers in Dartford, Gateshead, and Swindon that will each create more than 1,300 permanent jobs later this year. The announcement adds to the 1,000 full-time apprenticeships Amazon will create in the UK in 2021. Amazon said that, to date, it has created more than 40,000 jobs and invested over 23 billion pounds in its UK operations since 2010 to provide convenience, selection and value to UK consumers. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX AMAZON-Aktie komplett kostenlos handeln - auf Smartbroker.de Pietari Inkinen, KBS Symphony Orchestra's new music director / Courtesy of Kaupo Kikkas By Park Ji-won KBS Symphony Orchestra's new music director, Pietari Inkinen, portrays Koreans as "one of the world's most passionate" audiences. "Korea has one of the most passionate and warm-hearted audiences around the world. I always felt very welcome in Korea," he said during a news conference held online on Wednesday. "The commitment from the audiences is unique. I wish further to cement KBS Symphony Orchestra's reputation in Korea as the leading symphony orchestra, and to bring wonderful music not only to Seoul but to the entire country." The 41-year old Finnish maestro and violinist participated in the press conference via Zoom because he is currently in Zermatt, Switzerland. Inkinen will take the helm in January next year. He will lead the KBS Orchestra until the end of 2024. He replaces Israeli musician Yoel Levi, who left the position in 2019. Inkinen is also serving as the chief conductor of the Deutsche Radio Philharmonie and the Japan Philharmonic Orchestra. He is tasked with directing six concerts or more during his term with the KBS Symphony Orchestra, which ends on December 31, 2024. Inkinen has also been asked to expand the orchestra, which will face a renewal of its contract with KBS in 2025. In the agreement, the orchestra receives 1.08 billion won ($9.56 million) in financial support from the state-run broadcaster every year. Stressing his past collaboration with KBS, Inkinen said, "In the last concert we did (in October), I was very impressed by the quality, the commitment and the drive of the orchestra. I felt a great chemistry and the end result was excellent in my opinion. We have wonderful potential in the future to grow together that is a lot about trust. In general, in the role of music director, I want to know as much as possible about the organization, potential problems and things to improve. It is a very organic process usually." He has led the orchestra as a guest conductor several times in the past: in July 2006, June 2008 and October 2020. When asked why the orchestra had picked the Finnish conductor, Park Jung-ok, president and CEO of the organization said, "He is young but has 26 years of experience as a conductor. That's why he is being called 'maestro,' due to his experience and ability. Above all, his passion working with the orchestra, along with its performance, had impressed the board members and nomination committee. So we decided to name him to the position." His appointment will fill the position that had been left vacant for the past one and a half years. As the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra has also been led by Finnish conductor, Osmo Vanska, since January 2020, the country's main orchestras have both ended up being led by two maestros from Finland. Inkinen studied at the Cologne Music Academy with Zakhar Bron, and then went on to study conducting at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki. When asked what has contributed to Finnish conductors leading international orchestras, he stressed that Finland's music education is "inexpensive" for many citizens, while financial support is available to musicians, and there are many music conservatories and academies, even in small cities, that offer young conductors like him opportunities to conduct. Launch of Psychedelics DNA Test Kit Phase 1 clinical trial for DMT progressing as planned Pre-clinical In Vivo work scheduled to start at Israeli CRO Strengthened expertise focused on driving initiatives forward Upgraded OTC Listing Financial Update Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 14, 2021) - Entheon Biomedical Corp. (CSE: ENBI) (FSE: 1XU1) (OTCQB: ENTBF) ("Entheon" or the "Company"), a biotechnology company focused on developing psychedelic medicines to treat addiction, is pleased to provide a corporate update on its operations and progress on its strategic initiatives, including an update on its financial position and near-term revenue generation opportunities resulting from the launch of HaluGen's Psychedelic Genetic Test kit. HaluGen Test Kit Launch: HaluGen Life Sciences, Entheon's wholly-owned subsidiary, launched its psychedelics pre-screening platform and DNA test kit in Canada on April 6, 2021 and expects the kits to be available for sale in the US market by the end of May. The first of its kind psychedelics test kit provides genetic, personal and familial insights to better inform one's psychedelic assisted therapy experience. Entheon is pleased to report that the ordering platform for the test kits is fully functional and sales have commenced. The Company is also exploring direct-to-consumer marketing partnerships with several commercial partners to accelerate awareness and growth of sales in multiple jurisdictions. "Not only does this kit represent a huge step forward for personalized medicine as it relates to psychedelic therapy, it is also Entheon's first revenue stream. We anticipate strong market demand for this product; we're currently working to develop commercial partnerships for the mass uptake of this test that will drive sales and revenue," said Timothy Ko, Chief Executive Officer of Entheon. "The commencement of commercial sales of the DNA test kits continue to advance our mission: to play a market leading role in developing psychedelic assisted therapies and tools to treat substance use disorders, simultaneously creating and growing shareholder value." Entheon strongly believes the DNA test kits will assist patients and physicians make better informed choices around psychedelic treatment, resulting in improved patient outcomes. The HaluGen test kit is a relevant example as it is applicable to all psychedelic drugs and further signals Entheon's interest in working beyond DMT and more broadly within the entirety of the psychedelic sector as it continues to evolve. As such, the Company is committed to the development of tools, products and services that span Ketamine, psychedelics and other drugs. Strategy Partnerships in EEG and Ketamine Therapy: Entheon's partnership with Divergence Neuro Tech continues to progress well. The team at Divergence has received and is processing key EEG data from Entheon's academic partners and is developing AI and Machine Learning based models and biomarkers to better understand the neurophysiological characteristics of the DMT experience. Entheon is also seeking to expand the scope of Divergence's investigation to include other drugs, ultimately to inform Entheon's EEG biomarker platform to assist physicians overseeing the care of individuals receiving psychedelic therapy. As per its release, dated January 4, 2021, Entheon announced a US$200,000 investment in Heading Health for a 5% stake for direct exposure to the ketamine-assisted therapy space, including Spravato, an FDA approved Ketamine product that is eligible for insurance reimbursement. Entheon believes in investing in industry leaders and is excited about further research collaborations with Heading Health to advance its product development. Clinical Trial Updates: Led by Dr. Andrew Hegle and a team of world-renowned researchers and scientists at the forefront of psychedelics research, Entheon's science arm is focused on clinically advancing the DMT molecule. Entheon's clinical trial for DMT in humans is progressing as planned and remains on track to start toward the end of 2021. Being conducted by the Centre for Human Drug Research ("CHDR") in The Netherlands, the study will evaluate the pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and safety of target-controlled intravenous infusion of DMT in humans to determine the efficacy of DMT in the treatment of substance use disorders. In recent months, milestones critical to the trials successful advancement have been achieved, including the amendment of CHDR's opioid licenses required to conduct the trial, which was announced on February 2, 2021. In addition, preclinical work is scheduled to begin in late Q2 at Israeli-based CRO, Science in Action. Ethics approval for this 14-day in-vivo study was announced on February 22, 2021. "With those milestones and other necessary preparation, we continue to coordinate and prepare for the start of the Phase I clinical trial for DMT," continued Timothy Ko. "This Phase I trial will underpin the further development of DMT to treat substance use disorders. We chose CDHR for its expertise as a CRO in running these early trials, and we are confident in our partnership with them. At the same time, we have taken additional steps to further deepen Entheon's base of knowledge as an operational biotech company." Executive Team Expansion: Entheon also strengthened its management and advisory team with the addition of two well-established pharmaceutical executives with deep expertise and knowledge developing successful products and creating significant growth and value. On Feb 16, 2021, Entheon announced the addition of Dr. Brian Jahns as Chief Business Officer to develop a commercialization and post-market strategy for Entheon's therapeutic protocols. With more than 20 years of business leadership and biopharma expertise, his guidance is expected to provide critical insight and drive the success of product launches and other initiatives. On March 3, 2021, Entheon announced Nancy Maher, Senior Pharmaceutical & Technology Executive and Current SVP, Chief Information Officer, North America at Kyowa Kirin International plc., joined Entheon's Advisory Board, to provide expertise and direction on the development of the Company's data strategy, study design and regulatory relationships. Ms. Maher has previously held executive positions at IBM, Schering Plough, Merck and Gilead. On March 8, 2021, Shimon Lecht, PhD., currently Chief R&D Officer at CannRX, joined the Entheon team as preclinical project leader. With a local presence, Dr. Lecht will act as a direct liaison with Science in Action, the Israeli-based CRO which is preparing to carry out a 14-day In Vivo Toxicology study of DMT. Previously of Izun Pharmaceuticals & Ci Therapeutics, Dr. Lecht has extensive expertise in interdisciplinary pre-clinical and clinical drug R&D, and the management of large-scale projects related to drug candidate screening, pre-clinical proof-of-concept studies, human clinical trials, and in leading interactions with regulatory agencies. "These additions to our team add critical depth of expertise. While the psychedelics industry is relatively new, navigating commercialization, regulation and other challenges requires bench strength," said Timothy Ko. "I believe it is the accumulation of these milestones - financial, regulatory and organizational - that is helping us organically grow our brand awareness and solidify our position as a quality researcher and developer of psychedelic assisted tools and therapies." Upgraded OTC listing: On May 5, 2021 the Company successfully upgraded from the OTC pink sheets to the OTCQB. The shares trade on the OTCQB under the trading symbol "ENTBF". The Company's shares continue to trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) under the symbol "ENBI" as well as the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE) under the symbol "1XU1". This U.S. listing provides the Company with access to a broader base of U.S. and international retail and institutional investors, ultimately providing investors with increased access to data, transparency and liquidity. Financial Update: With Entheon's most recent equity raise, a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of $3.17 million in December 2020, the Company currently has $4.3 M CAD, and believes it is well positioned to carry out business objectives and is on a clear path to near term revenue. About Entheon Biomedical Corp. Entheon is a biotechnology research and development company committed to developing and commercializing a portfolio of safe and effective Dimethyltryptamine based psychedelic therapeutic products ("DMT Products") for the purposes of treating addiction and substance use disorders. Subject to obtaining all requisite regulatory approvals and permits, Entheon intends to generate revenue through the sale of its DMT Products to physicians, clinics and licensed psychiatrists in the United States, certain countries in the European Union and throughout Canada. On Behalf of the Company, "Timothy Ko" Timothy Ko, CEO For more information, please contact the Company at: Entheon Biomedical Corp. Joseph Cullen, Investor Relations Telephone: +1 (778) 919-8615 Joe@entheonbiomedical.com https://entheonbiomedical.com/ For media inquiries, please contact Crystal Quast at: Bullseye Corporate Crystal Quast Telephone: +1 (647) 529-6364 Quast@BullseyeCorporate.com Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Information This news release includes certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements with respect to HaluGen's genetic testing kit, potential market, generation of revenue by the Company, the efficacy of the products, the timing and results of any research and phase I clinical trials and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by words such as "pro forma", "plans", "expects", "will", "may", "should", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "potential" or variations of such words including negative variations thereof, and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, the Company being able to follow through with anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, completion of the milestones in connection with the issuance of the Compensation Shares, the ability of the Company to obtain sufficient financing to fund its business activities and plans, delays in obtaining regulatory approvals (including of the Canadian Securities Exchange), changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting the Company's operations and the Company's limited operating history. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this presentation or incorporated by reference herein, except as otherwise required by law. The Canadian Securities Exchange has not approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/84042 QuantumScape Corporation, (NYSE: QS, or "QuantumScape") today announced that it has entered into an agreement with Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. to select the location of their joint-venture solid-state battery pilot-line facility by the end of 2021. The companies currently contemplate Salzgitter, Germany for the location. The pilot-line facility, QS-1, will initially be a 1-gigawatt hour (GWh) battery cell commercial production plant for electric vehicle batteries. QuantumScape and Volkswagen intend to expand production capacity by a further 20 GWh at the same location. "Our goal has been to bring our solid-state lithium-metal batteries to market as soon as possible," said Jagdeep Singh, CEO and co-founder of QuantumScape. "This joint venture brings together QuantumScape's core battery technology with Volkswagen's deep understanding of high-volume, high-quality production, and maximizes our ability to bring this technology into industrial production." QS-1 will follow QS-0, QuantumScape's planned pre-pilot line. In its Q1 Shareholder Letter, QuantumScape highlighted progress on that front as well, securing a facility in San Jose to house the QS-0 line. To fulfill the strong inbound interest in its technology, the company also recently announced it was doubling the initial QS-0 capacity to over 200,000 cells annually, enough for hundreds of test vehicles each year. In March, QuantumScape announced an additional $100 million in funding from Volkswagen after Volkswagen confirmed through tests at its labs in Germany that QuantumScape cells met the established technical milestone. About QuantumScape Corporation QuantumScape is a leader in developing next-generation solid-state lithium-metal batteries for use in electric vehicles. The company's mission is to revolutionize energy storage to enable a sustainable future. For more information, please visit www.quantumscape.com. Forward-Looking Statements The information in this press release includes a "forward-looking statement" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of present or historical fact included in this press release, including, without limitation, regarding the development, timeline and performance of QuantumScape's products and technology are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are outside QuantumScape's control and are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include but are not limited to the ones listed here. The Company faces significant barriers in its attempts to produce a solid-state battery cell and may not be able to successfully develop its solid-state battery cell. Building high volumes of multi-layer cells in the commercial form factor and with higher layer count requires substantial development effort. The Company could encounter significant delays and/or technical challenges in replicating the performance seen in its single-layer cells and four-layer cells and in achieving the high yield, reliability, uniformity and performance targets required for commercial production and sale. The Company may encounter delays and other obstacles in acquiring, installing and operating new manufacturing equipment for automated and/or continuous-flow processes, including vendor delays and challenges optimizing complex manufacturing processes. QuantumScape cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. Additional information about factors that could materially affect QuantumScape is set forth under the "Risk Factors" section in the registration statement filed by QuantumScape with the SEC on March 25, 2021 and available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, QuantumScape disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statements, all of which are expressly qualified by the statements in this section, to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release. Should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results and projections could different materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210514005303/en/ Contacts: For Investors John Saager, CFA Head of Investor Relations ir@quantumscape.com For Media media@quantumscape.com VANCOUVER, BC and BREDA, THE NETHERLANDS / ACCESSWIRE / May 14, 2021 / Organto Foods Inc. (TSXV:OGO)(OTC PINK:OGOFF)(FSE:OGF) ("Organto" or "the Company"), an integrated provider of non-GMO and organic fruit and vegetable products today announced that they will host a shareholder update webinar on Thursday, May 20, 2021 at 11:00 AM EDT. Steve Bromley, Chair and Co-CEO and Rients van der Wal, Co-CEO and CEO of Organto Europe B.V. will provide updates on market trends, commercial initiatives, current operations and strategic growth plans. After opening remarks there will be a question & answer period. To join the meeting, please click on the following URL in advance of the meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4472792457 Meeting ID: 447 279 2457 One tap mobile +13462487799"4472792457# US (Houston) +16468769923"4472792457# US (New York) Dial by your location +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 646 876 9923 US (New York) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) Meeting ID: 447 279 2457 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbCVUSMaR4 ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD Steve Bromley Chair and Co-Chief Executive Officer Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. For more information contact: Investor Relations info@organto.com ABOUT ORGANTO Organto is an integrated provider of branded, private label and distributed organic and non-GMO fruit and vegetable products using a strategic asset-light business model to serve a growing socially responsible and health-conscious consumer around the globe. Organto's business model is rooted in its commitment to sustainable business practices focused on environmental responsibility and a commitment to the communities where it operates, its people and its shareholders. SOURCE: Organto Foods Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/647354/Organto-Announces-Shareholder-Update-Webinar-for-May-20-2021-at-1100-AM-EDT NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AUSTRALIA, JAPAN, THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND OR SOUTH AFRICA OR TO U.S. PERSONS Weiss Korea Opportunity Fund Ltd. (the "Company") (a closed-ended investment scheme incorporated with limited liability under the laws of Guernsey with registered number 56535) LEI 213800GXKGJVWN3BF511 Publication of Net Asset Value ("NAV") Date of Release 14thMay 2021 Name NAV per share (Pence Per Share) ISIN NAVDATE Weiss Korea Opportunity Fund Ltd. 276.82 GG00B933LL68 13th May 2021 Commentary: As at 13thMay 2021, the Company's net assets were 224.27 million. The NAV per share is being provided for the information of shareholders, as the redesignation of participating Ordinary Shares as Realisation Shares, pursuant to the Company's Realisation Opportunity, is occurring today. Important Notice: The Net Asset Value figure in this announcement is an estimate, and is based on unaudited estimated valuations. Estimated results, performance or achievements may differ materially from any actual results, performance or achievements. No person has authority to give any representations or warranties (express or implied) as to, or in relation to, the accuracy, reliability or completeness of the information in this release, and all liability therefor is expressly disclaimed. Accordingly, none of the Company, the Investment Manager, the Administrator, or any of its/their respective members, directors, officers, agents, employees or advisers take any responsibility for, or will accept any liability whether direct or indirect, express or implied, contractual, tortious, statutory or otherwise, in respect of, the accuracy or completeness of the information or for any loss, howsoever arising, from the use of this release. Except as required by applicable law, the Company expressly disclaims any obligations to update or revise the above estimates to reflect any change in expectations, new information, subsequent events or otherwise. Dividends: As noted in the Admission Document, dividends from Korean preferred shares are not accounted for or accrued in the NAV until dividends are received by the Company. Recent changes to dividend policies of certain companies owned by the fund, such as increasing dividend levels or more frequent dividend payouts, may make it more difficult to accurately estimate dividend amounts in a given period prior to that dividend being received by the Company. As a result of the foregoing, the NAV published above may not reflect all income contractually due to the Company as at the stated NAV date. The Company estimates that issuers in the Company's portfolio have declared dividends that would add approximately 0.12 pence per share to the NAV, but this amount has not yet been received, so they are not included in the above NAV. Please refer to the Admission Document for more information regarding the announcement and payment of Korean dividends. Enquiries: Northern Trust International Fund Administration Services (Guernsey) Limited Samuel Walden Tel: +44 (0) 1481 745385 VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 14, 2021 / Core Assets Corp., ("Core Assets" or the "Company") (CSE:CC)(Frankfurt:5RJ WKN:A2QCCU) today announces that Nick Rodway P.Geo., a director of the Company, has been appointed President and CEO of the Company. Mr. Rodway's appointment follows the resignation of Scott Rose as President and CEO. Mr. Rose has resigned his positions to pursue other interests but remains a director of the Company. Mr. Rodway holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in geology from Memorial University of Newfoundland, a Masters Degree in Exploration and Mining Leadership from Queens University, and is a member of the Association of Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia. He has worked intensively with publicly-traded companies for the past ten years, where he has played strategic roles in company building, financing, investor communications, property acquisitions, and project management. Most recently Mr. Rodway served as Founder and President of Exploits Gold Corp., a private company based in Vancouver that was purchased in mid 2020 by Exploits Discovery Corp., a publicly traded company listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange. Nick is still very involved with Exploits and sits on Exploits' Advisory Board. Nick was also one of the founders of Core Assets Corp. and has been a director since December 2019. Mr. Rodway also serves as a director of Saville Resources Inc., Rain City Resources, and is VP of Corporate Development for Crest Resources Inc. "I'd like to personally thank Mr. Scott Rose for all of his efforts and involvement in steering this company in the right direction early on, especially in the efforts to bring Core Assets public," said Rodway. "I look forward to working with Scott as we move towards discovery with Core Assets." "Additionally, it is a great pleasure to become the leader for Core Assets and what I think is an extremely undervalued exploration asset. After technical assessment of the Blue Property in 2018, I quickly became captivated by the excitement of the project and searched to find the right model to fit what we were seeing in the field. The Blue Property checks all the boxes to become a district scale Carbonate Replacement Style exploration camp. Using new technology, backed by a world class technical team, I believe we are in a great position to pave a straight road to discovery." About Core Asset's Blue Property The Blue Property consists of two main high grade mineral prospects (Laverdiere and Silver Lime) in a total contiguous land package of approximately 16,115 Ha (161.12 Km). The project is located 48 km southwest of the town of Atlin, British Columbia. In 2018, the Company sent a geological team to the Blue Property for preliminary surface sampling. Three areas of skarn exposure with massive and disseminated sulfide were observed along the western side of the Llewellyn Fault Zone, known as the Laverdiere Prospect. A total of 28 grab samples were collected and sent for analysis with values of up to 8.46% copper, 1.57 g/t gold and 46.5 g/t silver reported. The Silver Lime Prospect is located just 10 km southwest of the Laverdier Prospect. The Silver Lime Prospect encompasses two significant mineral occurrences, the Falcon and Jackie showings. The Falcon showing was discovered by Carmac Resources in 1990 and consists of two northwest trending limestone beds. Mineralization consists of galena, sphalerite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite and stibnite. The system is exposed in multiple areas on the property with one more significant outcrop that is visible for 25 metres with strike extensions covered by talus. Individual pods are up to 2.2 metres wide. To the northwest, a quartz-feldspar porphyry breccia contains smaller quartz veins with semi-massive arsenopyrite and stibnite. Sample 88339 taken from a 2.20 metre vein system assayed 3.3 g/t gold, 2,641 g/t silver, 0.15% copper, 2.5% lead and 3.32% zinc, 5.0% arsenic and 2.56% antimony (ARIS 21162*). In 2018, Zimtu Capital Corp., as part of a helicopter reconnaissance program, prospected the Silver Lime Prospect and collected eight samples. The results confirmed the historic work of Carmac (1990), having returned values of 1.16 g/t gold, 913 g/t silver, 12.45% zinc and >20.0% lead. The Silver Lime Prospect may represent a carbonate replacement deposit model (CRD). Massive sulphide pods occur in limestone and biotite-muscovite-sericite schists near the contacts between the units. Large zones of limonite alteration, cut by alaskite and hornblende porphyry dikes, surround these pods. The lenses appear to be widest near the porphyry dikes. Several faults follow the general direction of the dikes, suggesting structural control on the mineralization. Sulphides comprise galena, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite and pyrite. The pods are up to 30 metres long and 6 metres wide. The smaller pods host sphalerite and galena mineralization and the larger pods vary mineralogically along length. Galena, quartz and calcite dominate the northwest changing to pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite and pyrite in the centre and border areas (Minfile 104M 031*). NI 43-101 Disclosure Nicholas Rodway, P.Geo, is a Director, CEO and President of the Company, and qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Rodway supervised the preparation of the technical information in this news release. *Historical technical numbers are not compliant with NI 43-101 and are provided as an indication that mineralization is present. Historical information is relied on by the Company only as encouraging further exploration and assessment of the properties. All references listed under Minfile and ARIS can be found at the following British Columbia database links: Minfile: https://minfile.gov.bc.ca/searchbasic.aspx ARIS: https://aris.empr.gov.bc.ca/ About Core Assets Corp. Core Assets Corp. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition and development of mineral projects in B.C., Canada. The company currently holds the Blue Property, which covers a land area of 16,115 Ha (161.12 km). The project lies within the Atlin Mining District, which is a well-known gold camp. The Atlin Mining District has been the focus of Core Assets' exploration efforts since 2018, with increased exploration activities forecasted in the area continuing into 2021. On Behalf of the Board of Directors CORE ASSETS CORP. "Nick Rodway" Nicholas Rodway President & CEO Tel: 604.681.1568 Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange 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. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS Statements in this document which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Forward looking statements in this news release include that the Blue property has substantial opportunities for a discovery and development; that work on the Blue Property could potentially lead to a new porphyry/CRD style discovery; and that there may be a commercially viable gold or other mineral deposit on our claims. It is important to note that the Company's actual business outcomes and exploration results could differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include that further permits may not be granted timely or at all; the mineral claims may prove to be unworthy of further expenditure; there may not be an economic mineral resource; methods we thought would be effective may not prove to be in practice or on our claims; economic, competitive, governmental, environmental and technological factors may affect the Company's operations, markets, products and prices; our specific plans and timing drilling, field work and other plans may change; we may not have access to or be able to develop any minerals because of cost factors, type of terrain, or availability of equipment and technology; and we may also not raise sufficient funds to carry out our plans. Additional risk factors are discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis for its recently completed fiscal period, which is available under Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. Except as required by law, we will not update these forward looking statement risk factors. SOURCE: Core Assets Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/647333/Core-Assets-Appoints-Nick-Rodway-as-CEO NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / May 14, 2021 / One Hundred Black Men of NYC (OHBM) has announced a pair of powerful initiatives to mark Juneteenth 2021. The first is a citywide cultural competition for high school students from the five boroughs. The second is a virtual teach-in, the Juneteach Virtual Village, exploring the intersection of racism and politics. Geared to high school and college students, it will be held Friday, June 18. "While African American families have celebrated Juneteenth since the late 1800s, the real significance of the holiday has only recently gained mainstream awareness," said Courtney A. Bennett, OHBM's executive director. "Our goal in creating these two events was to help our community's future leaders explore and reflect on the true meaning of Juneteenth, both through a historical lens and in the context of critical issues that continue to impact Black Americans today." High School Creative Competition Through June 6 OHBM is inviting high school students from New York City's five boroughs to submit original creative works to help advance the public's understanding of Juneteenth. Contestants are asked to create an original work that expresses freedom in the form of a dance, song, drawing, poem, or other style of art, and post it to TikTok, tagging @OneHundredBlackMenNYC. The deadline for posting entries is June 6. Winning entries will be announced and featured at the Juneteach event. For more information, visit ohbm.org/juneteenth/. Juneteach Virtual Village: The Intersection of History, Racism, and Politics June 18, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., EDT Focusing on history not covered in the traditional school curriculum, this free event is geared to New York City high school and college students and their parents and will explore the two-party political system in the U.S., and the importance of youth voice on the impact of Black history. Speakers will include political leaders, artists and other luminaries from the Black community, among them Jamal Joseph and Michele Jones-Galvin. One of the Panther 21, a group of Black Panther Party members who were famously acquitted of conspiracy charges in 1971. Joseph is a full professor and former chair of Columbia University's Graduate Film Division, the artistic director of the New Heritage Theatre Group in Harlem and executive artistic director and founder of Impact Repertory Theatre. Jones-Galvin is a community service leader, descendant of Harriet Tubman and co-author of Beyond the Underground: Aunt Harriet, Moses of Her People. In addition to live and recorded presentations, there will be small-group discussions on individual topics like mental health, racism, the Black church and politics, and online games to keep participants engaged. Registration for the teach-in at ohbm.org/juneteenth/. Participants will also learn about OHBM's Junior Hundred Program, a leadership and business entrepreneurship training program for high school juniors and seniors. Junior Hundred scholars explore various industries and career paths as they develop character and gain financial literacy, college readiness and business and life skills. One hundred percent of Junior Hundred scholars graduate high school and go on to college, with 95% completing college within four years. About One Hundred Black Men of New York City One Hundred Black Men of New York City (OHBM) was founded in 1963 as a non-profit organization of like-minded leaders who met to advocate for improvement in conditions in their communities. Today, it leverages the collective talents, abilities and energy of its members and corporate partners for the intellectual development of youth and the economic empowerment of the Black community. based on the following precepts: respect for family, spirituality, justice, and integrity. To learn more about OHBM and its initiatives, visit www.ohbm.org. # # # Media Contacts: Mary Gendron 212.980.9065 MGendron@mower.com SOURCE: One Hundred Black Men of NYC View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/647256/Juneteach-Virtual-Village-One-Hundred-Black-Men-of-NYC-presents-a-Juneteenth-challenge-to-local-students-with-a-cultural-competition-and-virtual-teach-in Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 14, 2021) - PharmaDrug Inc. (CSE: BUZZ) (OTC Pink: LMLLF) ("PharmaDrug" or the "Company") a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the research, development and commercialization of controlled-substances and natural medicines such as psychedelics, cannabis and naturally-derived approved drugs, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a supply agreement (the "Supply Agreement") with an emerging Eurozone cannabis extractor for medical grade THC oil to be sold under PharmaDrug's own brand. The Company expects to receive product and begin selling in Germany by September of 2021. Pursuant to the Supply Agreement, the Company's licensed German distributor, Pharmadrug Production GmbH ("Pharmadrug Production") will purchase PharmaDrug branded medical cannabis from the Eurozone cannabis extractor. The cannabis extractor recently had its EuGMP inspection from their local regulator with no noted major deficiencies. The Company expects them to receive their certification in this current quarter. Pharmadrug Production has already performed an initial inspection, but will perform a final inspection June to satisfy the company's own GMP supply chain requirements. The Company has already finalized the final specs of the product with the extractor and expects to register the product with German authorities in July. PharmaDrug expects initial shipments and sales to begin in September of this year. The company plans to have a twofold strategy for the PharmaDrug THC oil. Firstly, it will supply local German cannabis wholesalers while also selling directly to the Company's own pharmacy distribution network. Pharmadrug Production recently hired a senior 20-year veteran German pharmaceutical sales executive to continue to expand the sales team and carry out this strategy. As previously disclosed, PharmaDrug's primary obstacle to the significant growth of its cannabis distribution business is the lack of supply. As such, management sought to increase its supply through additional channels of already approved product. The Company announced a supply agreement with a Canadian based multinational cannabis company in February. Pharmadrug Production received its initial shipment of product and has already begun sales and shipments. The short-term strategy will be to use this new line to increase revenue and expand the Company's own direct pharmacy network. PharmaDrug also anticipates carrying the LP's THC oil line in the second quarter. The Company will also seek out more relationships with Global LPs to be able to add to their lines of third party branded medical cannabis products. Management is continuing to negotiate agreements with suppliers for Medical Cannabis flowers to be sold under PharmaDrug's brand. On that note, the Company is seeing the natural shift away from flowers to oils that eventually happens as cannabis markets continue to evolve. Regardless of that shift, the synthetic THC oil is still commanding a significant market share and the company is in talks to develop its own brand of synthetic THC oil. Chairman and CEO Daniel Cohen commented, "We are extremely excited to sign this agreement to finally launch medical cannabis in Germany under our own brand. The company is making several movers to significantly increase its presence and volumes in the German medical cannabis market. Our focus will continue to be on market share growth with a keen eye on revenue growth and profits. These goals can only be achieved through increased product lines, developing of our own brand, and expanding our market presence." On a final note, the company has received its shipment of initial PharmaDrug branded CBD oils. As previously mentioned, the company will seek to distribute the product via distributors and e-commerce platforms. With an established supply chain in place and final consumer packaging now finalized, management will be able to test the market out and determine its strategy for CBD oils in Germany and potential other Eurozone countries. About PharmaDrug Inc. PharmaDrug is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on the research, development and commercialization of controlled-substances and natural medicines such as psychedelics, cannabis and naturally-derived approved drugs. The Company owns 80% of Pharmadrug Production GmbH, a German medical cannabis distributor, with a Schedule I European Union narcotics license and German EuGMP certification allowing for the importation and distribution of medical cannabis to pharmacies in Germany and throughout the EU. The Company also owns 100% of Super Smart, a Dutch company building a modern adult use psychedelic retail business with an elevated and educational focus. PharmaDrug recently acquired Sairiyo Therapeutics, a biotech company that specializes in researching and reformulating established natural medicines with a goal of bringing them through regulatory and research driven clinical trials. For further information, please contact: Daniel Cohen, Chairman and CEO dcohen@pharmadrug.co (647) 202-1824 Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information: THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE HAS NOT REVIEWED NOR DOES IT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. This news release may contain forward-looking statements and information based on current expectations. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results of the Company. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. Although such statements are based on management's reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be correct. We assume no responsibility to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. The Company's securities have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or applicable state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold to, or for the account or benefit of, persons in the United States or "U.S. Persons", as such term is defined in Regulations under the U.S. Securities Act, absent registration or an applicable exemption from such registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in the United States or any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. Additionally, there are known and unknown risk factors which could cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information contained herein, such as, but not limited to dependence on obtaining regulatory approvals; the ability to locate additional supply of medical cannabis, owning interests in companies or projects that are engaged in activities currently considered illegal under United States federal law; changes in laws; limited operating history, reliance on management, requirements for additional financing, competition, hindering market growth; regulatory and political change. All forward-looking information herein is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and the Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking information or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/84080 OAK BROOK (dpa-AFX) - Fast-food giant McDonald's said it will be raising hourly wages for more than 36,500 hardworking employees at McDonald's-owned restaurants by an average of 10 percent to make it among the industry-leading pay and benefits package. These increases, which have already begun, will be rolled out over the next several months. 'Our first value is taking care of our people, and today we are rewarding our hardworking employees in McDonald-owned restaurants for serving our communities,' said Joe Erlinger, President McDonald's USA. The wage raise will include shifting the entry level range for crew to at least $11 to $17 an hour, and the starting range for shift managers to at least $15 to $20 an hour, based on restaurant location. Based on this trajectory of the current marketplace, McDonald's expects the average hourly wage for its company-owned restaurants to increase to $15 an hour in a phased, market-by-market approach. The average hourly wages are expected to reach $15 an hour by 2024. However, some of the restaurants have or will reach an average hourly wage of $15 an hour in 2021 itself. Through this action, McDonald's has showed its commitment to evaluating competitive wage data and the evolving legislation and regulatory environment to determine the appropriate wage ranges on a market-by-market level. The move comes two weeks after U.S. President Joe Biden issued an executive order raising the minimum wage for federal contract workers in the U.S. to $15 per hour from the current rate of $10.95, starting in January next year. The world's largest burger chain is now looking to hire 10,000 new employees over the next three months as it enters into the busy summer season with dining rooms re-opening where it is safe. The world's largest burger chain said the increases announced come in addition to the competitive benefits package offered to eligible employees in McDonald's-owned restaurants. These include paid time off to recharge, access to education, employee assistance in times of need, 401k plan, perks for working under the Arches. Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX MCDONALDS-Aktie komplett kostenlos handeln - auf Smartbroker.de First Quarter Revenue Increases 180 Percent With Year-to-Date Sales of $12.5 Million CHICO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / May 14, 2021 / AmeraMex International, Inc. (OTCQB:AMMX), a provider of heavy equipment for logistics companies (stevedoring/shipping), infrastructure construction, and forestry conservation reported financial results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2021. Highlights for the First Quarter of 2021 Revenue increases 180 percent. Revenue was approximately $4 million, a 180 percent increase when compared to revenue of $1.4 million for the 2020 period. Gross profit increases 260 percent. Gross profit was approximately $1.2 million, a 260 percent increase when compared to gross profit of $444,211 for the period ended March 31, 2020. Net profit increases 350 percent. Net profit was $365,829 a 350 percent increase when compared to a net loss of for the first quarter ended March 31, 2020. Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Appreciation (EBITDA) were $1.2 million. Balance Sheet Total Assets on the Balance Sheet were $13.5 million an increase of $1 million when compared to the December 31, 2020 period. Total Liabilities increased from $11.5 million, an increase of $597,317 when compared to the December 2020 period. The Company's sales, administrative, and accounting employees are now working from home 50 percent of the time and alternating their days in the office. Shop employees are servicing contracts with our customers and we continue to limit the number of customers in our facility. This will increase as customers and employees are vaccinated. COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact AmeraMex's international customers due to travel restrictions and a reemergence of the virus in several countries. It is expected that, once more countries inoculate their citizens, rules will begin to relax. Here in the US, it is business as usual for the most part. April 7, 2021, AmeraMex was offered and accepted an increase in the COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan from $150,000, which was received in 2020, to $500,000. The remaining $350,000 is expected to be funded in the next few weeks. The Company is also working with the SBA on a new loan program that is based on the difference between gross earned revenue compared between 2020 and 2019. AmeraMex meets the qualifications and is eligible to receive $5.6 million. The application will be submitted when the SBA begins the submission process. AMERAMEX INTERNATIONAL, INC. UNAUDITED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AS OF MARCH 31, 2021 AND MARCH 31, 2020 MARCH 31, 2021 MARCH 31, 2020 REVENUES Sales of Equipment and Other Revenues $ 3,245,982 $ 912,315 Rentals and Leases 783,714 526,154 Total Revenues 4,029,696 1,438,469 COST OF SALES Sales of Equipment and Other Revenues 2,690,787 745,952 Rentals and Leases 167,201 248,306 Total Cost of Revenues 2,857,988 994,258 GROSS PROFIT 1,171,708 444,211 OPERATING EXPENSES Selling Expense 139,189 88,833 General and Administrative 244,303 268,523 Total Operating Expenses 383,492 357,356 Profit From Operations 788,216 86,855 OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) Interest Expense (267,057 ) (261,110 ) Loss from Early Extinguishment of Debt (12,333 ) - Other Income 10,078 - Total Other Income (Expense) (269,312 ) (261,110 ) INCOME BEFORE PROVISION for INCOME TAXES 518,904 (174,255 ) PROVISION (BENEFIT) for INCOME TAXES 153,075 (46,176 ) NET PROFIT (LOSS) $ 365,829 $ (128,079 ) Weighted Average Shares Outstanding: Basic 14,549,155 15,068,318 Diluted 14,549,155 15,068,318 Earnings (loss) per Share Basic $ 0.03 $ 0.00 Diluted $ 0.03 $ 0.00 AMERAMEX INTERNATIONAL, INC. UNAUDITED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF MARCH 31, 2021 AND DECEMBER 31,2020 MARCH 31, 2021 DECEMBER 31, 2020 ASSETS Current Assets: Cash $ 337,600 $ 407,881 Accounts Receivable, Net 1,763,281 768,371 Inventory 6,630,817 5,873,569 Other Current Assets 232,291 198,531 Total Current Assets 8,963,989 7,248,352 Property and Equipment, Net 968,972 1,035,840 Rental Equipment, Net 3,114,425 3,624,376 Deferred Tax Assets, Net - 158,124 Other Assets 435,862 453,410 Total Noncurrent Assets 4,519,259 5,271,750 TOTAL ASSETS $ 13,483,248 $ 12,520,102 LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Liabilities: Accounts Payable $ 1,253,413 $ 620,200 Accrued Expenses 347,316 231,329 Joint Venture Liability 594,747 439,500 Lines of Credit 5,165,554 5,749,801 Notes Payable, Current Portion 1,026,552 911,265 Convertible Note 194,686 150,683 Total Current Liabilities 8,582,268 8,102,778 Long-Term Liabilities Deferred Tax Liability (4,249 ) - Notes Payable - Related Party 239,412 226,659 Notes Payable, Net of Current Portion 2,707,258 2,597,935 Line of Credit - - Total Noncurrent Liabilities 2,942,421 2,824,594 TOTAL LIABILITIES 11,524,689 10,927,372 Commitments and Contingencies (Note 11) STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY: Stockholders' Equity shares issued and outstanding - - 14,548,851 at December 31,2020 14,549 14,549 Additional Paid-In Capital 21,545,614 21,545,614 Accumulated Deficit (19,601,604 ) (19,967,433 ) Total Stockholders' Equity 1,958,559 1,592,730 TOTAL LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 13,483,248 $ 12,520,102 - - AMERAMEX INTERNATIONAL, INC. UNAUDITED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW AS OF MARCH 31, 2021 AND MARCH 31, 2020 MARCH 31, 2021 DECEMBER 31, 2020 CASH FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net Profit (Loss) $ 365,829 $ (128,079 ) Adjustments to reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Depreciation and Amortization 220,810 337,673 Provision/Benefit for Deferred Income Taxes (4,249 ) (46,176 ) Loss on Early Extinguishment of Debt 12,333 - Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities: Accounts Receivable (994,910 ) 110,486 Inventory (757,248 ) (1,943,023 ) Other Current Assets (16,212 ) 25,417 Accounts Payable 633,213 107,097 Accrued Expenses 115,987 (25,232 ) NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES (424,447 ) (1,561,837 ) INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Payments for Property & Equipment (6,501 ) (20,416 ) Payments for Rental Equipment 362,510 (18,589 ) Proceeds from Sale of Equipment - - NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES 356,009 (39,005 ) FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from Notes Payable 700,940 2,900,600 Payments on Notes Payable (286,537 ) (129,950 ) Payment on Note Payable - Related Party 12,753 (4,568 ) Joint Venture Liability 155,247 (17,500 ) Net Borrowing Under Line of Credit (584,246 ) (1,075,247 ) NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES (1,843 ) 1,673,335 NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH & CASH EQUIVALENTS (70,281 ) 72,493 Cash, beginning of period 407,881 114,504 Cash, end of period $ 337,600 $ 186,997 SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION: Cash Paid for Interest $ 201,278 $ 259,808 Cash Paid for Income Taxes $ - $ - SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF NON CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Transfer of Inventory to Rental Equipment $ 508,000 $ - Equipment Financed Under Capital Leases $ 197,186 $ - Transfer of Rental Equipment to Inventory $ 964,600 $ - AMERAMEX INTERNATIONAL, INC. UNAUDITED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) AS OF MARCH 31, 2021 AND DECEMBER 31,2020 Total Additional Stockholders' Common Stock Paid-in Treasury Accumulated Equity/ Balance Shares Amount Capital Stock Deficit (Deficit) Dec. 31, 2019 15,068,318 $ 15,068 $ 21,519,435 $ - $ (19,384,743 ) $ 2,149,760 Net Income (128,079 ) (128,079 ) March 31, 2020 15,068,318 15,068 21,519,435 - (19,512,822 ) 2,021,681 Stock for Services 40,000 40 25,620 - 25,660 Purchase & Retire Stock (559,163 ) (559 ) 559 - Net Income (454,611 ) (454,611 ) Dec. 31, 2020 14,549,155 $ 14,549 $ 21,545,614 $ - $ (19,967,433 ) $ 1,592,730 Net Income 365,829 365,829 Feb. 28, 2021 14,549,155 $ 14,549 $ 21,545,614 $ - $ (19,601,604 ) $ 1,958,559 14,549,155 14,549 21,545,614 - (19,601,604 ) 1,958,559 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 or Marty@McCloudCommunications.com SOURCE: AmeraMex International, Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/647381/AmeraMex-International-Reports-Revenue-of-4-Million-For-the-First-Quarter-Ended-March-31-2021 MONTREAL, QC / ACCESSWIRE / May 14, 2021 / Tarku Resources Ltd (TSX-V:TKU) (FRA:7TK) (the "Company" or "Tarku") provides investor update and highlights on its recent Q & A regarding the companies Silver Strike Project in Arizona. During this call, the President & CEO Julien Davy commented on the company's objectives and gave insight into the recent exploration results. The conference call was held in English over Zoom, and Mr. Davy replied to questions submitted by investors registered with the company's newsletter. The highlighted portion of this conversation is available below: Question 1: Mr. Davy could you give us a brief overview of Tarku Resources and its mission? Answer 1: Tarku is a Canadian-based junior exploration company with a focus on making substantial discoveries through the acquisition and exploration of highly prospective projects. Our current focus is on silver, gold and other base metal projects of high merit in mineral-rich Canadian and US jurisdictions. Discoveries in mineral exploration aren't trivial to come by but what differentiates Tarku from its peers is its industry-leading team's innovative exploration techniques throughout various areas. We look for geologically fertile ground, not only on its historical results, but also for its underexplored and or overlooked potential. Good exploration projects combined with a favourable capital structure are what gives Tarku, in today's bull market, the right strategy to create value for the company and its shareholders. Question 2: What current project best fits this exploration approach? Answer 2: Tarku has several projects in its portfolios. We have excellent early stages projects in both Quebec and Arizona; however, Silver Strike Project located in the famous Tombstone District in Arizona merits attention. Arizona is in the top 10 most attractive mining jurisdictions in the world according to the last Fraser Institute report. The Tombstone District is one of the earliest silver mining areas in the western United States that produced numerous silver mines in 1877. During the 38 years of production in the early 1900's of this area, 32M oz of Silver was produced on small by hand productions, averaging 26 oz/t Ag, from surface to a maximum depth of 200m. they were typically running after high-grade Silver veins of 1 to 2 ft wide because Silver was around 1$/oz at that time. Today, Silver is trading over 27$/oz. Tarku has already located several targets and we have started our 10,000 ft. drilling program to test these targets. Question 3: We noticed your most recent news release had some impressive early results. The market didn't seem to react too much. Can you clarify what exactly the results showed? Answer 3: The results announced were very good news for us ! These were results of the first 5 holes on our 20-hole program and they came back with the same historical high grades. In this drilling program, we are looking for a silver vein-type deposits, which are typically 1 or 2 feet in width and typically reported to average 800g/t Ag (26oz/t Ag) or more. In hole #004 we announced the intersection of 10.7 m grading 79.8 g/t Ag, including 213.5 g/t Ag and 3.9% Mn over 3.0 m, showing the high-grade potential of the Lucky Cuss veining system and showing similar results as they used to previously get historically. In the other holes, we also received encouraging results showing we intercepted the structures with wide halos of lower grade mineralization and specific alterations showing we are very close to target zones. These discrepancies in the values could be typical of veining systems. Question 4: For a project like Silver Strike, what result is considered good and economical? Answer 4: To be consider as a good project, there are many factors to be taken under consideration, but at the end of the day, it usually comes down to volume and grades. For example, geological environment affects the metallurgy, that affects the recoveries of mineralized zones. Width and depth of the zones are also important and of course the volume and the grades are the most important criteria. There are a number of active silver mines in the same geological environment as Silver Strike and we also know that the zones are starting at shallow depths, with is also good. We see producing mines in the US starting with reserves of 5-6 million oz Ag and averaging grades of 200-250g/t Ag. As mentioned, our results shows that we are beginning to intersect similar g/t numbers at Silver Strike. And the beauty with the Silver Strike project is that we see other metals associated with Silver. It is still early in terms of understanding their source, but we have traces of Copper, Zinc, Lead and Gold, on our large land package and those elements could potentially add a lot of value in the company's future economic evaluation. Question 5: Can we expect additional more results soon? Answer 5: Yes, most certainly. We received 20% of the total results of our program and the drilling continues as we speak. We should finish our drilling program by the end of May and have all the results within 5 to 6 after that. This is the first drill program on the project in a long time. This project will require additional drilling to understand where the mineralized zones are exactly, but we are confident that this first overview or picture of the project gives us sufficient data for the next steps. Question 6: What are the next steps? Answer 6: We know that we have high-grade silver veins, and with the evidence of Copper, Lead and Zinc results received so far, it is letting us think that what is now geologically understood is just the tip of the iceberg of a much larger potential porphyry system that brought other base metals together. For us, it's the start of a systematic exploration program on the project. We'll use simultaneously 2 levels of exploration in our approach: we'll first use the results of this ongoing drill program to define where the prioritised zones should be worked for resource estimates, and at the same time we need to work regionally with geophysical and geochemistry surveys to better understand the deposit model we have on the project. Our goal is to have a core drilling rig operating during the fall season on the project. We have sufficient targets and areas to have the rig running nonstop, allowing us to provide news updates more often. Question 7: Can you give us more detail regarding Tarku's Capital Structure? Answer 7: Tarku currently is listed on both the TSX Venture under the symbol TKU and on the Frankfurt exchange under 7TK. We have also applied to be on the OTCBQ in United States. Being listed in Europe and in the US will give us an excellent opportunity to expand our investor base beyond Canada. Our capital structure is quite attractive as we now have 56 million shares outstanding that is relatively tightly held. Management holds about 10%, we have several strategic major shareholders which represents 30% of the float. These shareholders include Mr. Eric Sprott and his group whose attention was caught by the potential of discovery on our Silver Strike Project. About Tarku Resources Ltd. (TSX.V:TKU - FRA:7TK) Tarku is an exploration company focused on making new discoveries in favourable mining jurisdictions as Quebec and Arizona. In Quebec, Tarku owns 100% on the "Three A's" exploration projects, (Apollo, Admiral and Atlas Projects), in the Matagami greenstone belt, which has been interpreted by management as the eastern extension of the Detour Belt, and which has seen recent exploration successes by Midland Exploration Inc., Wallbridge Mining Company Ltd., Probe Metals Inc. In Arizona, in the Tombstone district, Tarku owns the option to acquire 75% on 20km2 in the Silver Strike Project. Tarku Contact Information: Email: investors@tarkuresources.com Website: www.tarkuresources.com Please follow @TarkuResources on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 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 press release may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and activities to vary materially from targeted results and planning. Such risks and uncertainties include those described in Tarku's periodic reports including the annual report or in the filings made by Tarku from time to time with securities regulatory authorities. SOURCE: Tarku Resources Ltd View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/647404/Tarku-Provides-Highlights-of-its-Q-A-Conference-Call-with-President-CEO-Julien-Davy gettyimagesbank By Anna J. Park This summer will be replete with major companies' initial public offering (IPO) events, as Hanwha General Chemical, Hyundai Heavy Industries and Lotte Rental all plan to go public around August this year. According to the investment banking industry, Hanwha General Chemical is slated to file for a preliminary review for its IPO at the bourse operator Korea Exchange (KRX) later this month. Hanwha General Chemical is aiming to use a fast-track course, as it eyes to go public at the nation's benchmark KOSPI market in the summer. With the fast-track course, the KRX's preliminary review period shortens the entire IPO process by about a month, as the procedure allows the KRX to complete the preliminary review round in 20 business days rather than the usual 45. Then Hanwha General Chemical could make its offering at the KOSPI as early as August. Hyundai Heavy Industries is also expected to go public in early August, as the company filed for the KRX's preliminary review for the IPO last Thursday. The company's preliminary round at the KRX will take the usual 45 business days, as the firm failed to meet the fast-track requirements of recording an annual net profit. Hyundai Heavy Industries logged an annual revenue of 8.31 trillion won ($7.35 billion) and operating profit of 32.5 billion won, yet its annual net profit last year remained negative. Considering the remaining procedures for the IPO, including securities registration filing, survey for the stock's demand among institutional investors and general stock allotment subscription process, the company could make its debut in early August. Another major company targeting an August IPO is Lotte Rental. The company is also planning to use the KRX's fast-track procedure to complete the public offering by the summer. Market watchers say their rush for an August IPO probably aims to avoid unnecessary collisions with the public offering of LG Energy Solution the secondary battery unit split off from LG Chem which is expected to go public during the second half of this year. However, due to similarities among the three companies, they will have to arrange their IPO schedules to draw out the maximum demand from local institutional investors, according to a market insider. The three companies not only share a similar timeline for their IPOs, but also their public images somewhat resemble one another, as they are major conglomerates' subsidiaries targeting to go public with a part of the reasons related to the conglomerates' complicated management controls. "The market awaits a big-time IPO by global game maker Krafton in late June, followed by IPOs of major Kakao subsidiaries such as Kakao Bank and Kakao Pay in July. Thus, the three companies eyeing an August IPO definitely seem to need mutual arrangement for finalizing their KOSPI debuts," the market insider said. PRESS RELEASE Paris: EUR ANNUAL ORDINARY GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF MAY 19, 2021 APPOINTMENT OF THE SCRUTINEERS PARIS, France, May 14, 2021: in connection with the holding of the annual ordinary general meeting of shareholders of EURO Ressources S.A. ( EURO or the Company ) (Paris: EUR) which will be held on May 19, 2021, the Company wishes to detail the specific conditions of the appointment of the scrutineers to this meeting. It is recalled that pursuant to the powers granted to him by the Board of Directors, the Directeur General decided on April 14, 2021 that, in consideration of the administrative measures in force limiting or prohibiting the movements or the collective gatherings for health reasons, the general meeting of the shareholders convened by the Board of Directors on February 18, 2021 to be held on May 19, 2021 shall be held without the attendance, physically or by telephone or video conference, of the shareholders and of the other persons having the right to attend to such meeting. In this respect and in accordance with article 8 I 2 of the decree n2020-418 dated April 10 2020, two scrutineers had to be appointed among the ten shareholders holding, to the knowledge of the Company, the greatest number of voting rights. Based on last the registered shareholders list of the Company available, it has been proposed to the above ten shareholders to be appointed scrutineer. These shareholders had a period expiring on May 12, 2021 8:00 PM (Paris time) to accept their appointment. It is specified that, in case of receipt by the Company of acceptance of the appointment as scrutineer of more than two shareholders, the two scrutineers actually appointed had to be those having validly answered and having the greatest number of voting rights. Given the answers received within the above period, the two scrutineers appointed to the general meeting of shareholders on May 19, 2021, are: - IAMGOLD France SAS; and - SARL Jean Claude Grand Finances. About EURO EURO is a French company whose main assets are a royalty on the Rosebel gold mine production in Suriname (the "Rosebel royalty"), a royalty on the Paul Isnard concessions, and marketable securities. The Rosebel gold mine is 95%-owned by IAMGOLD Corporation ("IAMGOLD"), and is operated by IAMGOLD. The royalty on the Paul Isnard concessions is a net smelter returns production royalty on future production of the Paul Isnard concessions and an area of interest surrounding the concessions in French Guiana, owned under a joint venture agreement between Orea Mining Corp. and Nord Gold SE. EURO has approximately 62.5 million shares outstanding. On April 30, 2021, IAMGOLD France S.A.S. ("IAMGOLD France"), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of IAMGOLD, owned approximately 89.71% of all issued outstanding shares of EURO. As at April 30, 2021, IAMGOLD France held 56,058,191 shares representing 112,116,382 voting rights or circa 94.25% of the voting rights of EURO. Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information: Some statements in this news release are forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and involve risks and uncertainties.There can be no assurance that future developments affecting the Company will be those anticipated by management. Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States. The securities referred to herein have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to a U.S. person absent registration, or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Additional information relating to EURO Ressources S.A. is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com . Further requests for information should be addressed to: Tidiane Barry Directeur General Tel. : +1 450 677 0040 Email : tbarry@euroressources.net (mailto:tbarry@euroressources.net) Sophie Halle Directeur General Delegue Tel. : +1 450 677 0040 Email : shalle@euroressources.net (mailto:shalle@euroressources.net) Attachment ENCINITAS, CA / ACCESSWIRE / May 14, 2021 / Encinitas, CA based Simon White SEO would like to reach out to the wider public and share information about the state of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) in 2021. Given his position as a long-standing expert in the field, White's insight can help peers and clients alike reexamine their strategies in the new future. SEO refers to the process of changing and adjusting a company's website design and content to make them more visible to search engines like Google and Bing. SEO factors in how search engines work, the algorithms that control search engine behavior, the things that people search for, common keywords and search engine preferences. It then makes use of this information to optimize a company's website to rank at the top of Search Engine Results Pages (SERP). SEO can increase a website's traffic as long as it is properly utilized. It can also increase the likelihood of customers returning because it improves their online experience. However, the benefits that SEO services can bring are not instantaneous. Many agencies in the field say that it usually takes around 4-6 months before results of any SEO efforts can be seen. However, companies should keep in mind that SEO results actually grow over time. The results that they may see around the 6-month mark are usually significantly smaller than what they will see at 12 months. As with any other marketing strategy, White observes that companies like tracking the performance of the SEO services that they use. There are a handful of important SEO performance metrics that companies can look at to see whether or not their SEO is working. These metrics, according to White, are impressions, traffic from organic search, number of pages ranking, number of backlinks, references from other websites, domain and page authority, mark mentions and conversions. He says, "You will know if your SEO efforts are working if you start to see positive signs like high income to traffic ratio, improved ranking on SERP and an increase in actual sales revenue." Some companies may be worried about the stability of SEO in 2021 due to everything that is going on in the world right now. After all, some of the traditional marketing methods are currently unstable. Fortunately, SEO is here to stay in 2021 and beyond. It continues to be a potential major driver of traffic and with an estimated value of more than 70 billion dollars, SEO is not bound to go anywhere soon. There may be multiple changes to occur over the years due to things such as the decline of click-through rates or adjustments to Google's algorithm. However, these factors will only drive SEO to evolve. In fact, SEO could become even more concise, accessible, and personalized in the future. This means that companies can rest assured that SEO is still a good investment in 2021. There are eight primary industries that can get the most return on investment from the use of effective SEO services in 2021 and beyond. These industries include professional services, home repairs and renovations, medical practices and so on. By including SEO efforts in their marketing strategies, companies in these industries can quickly see positive results. This is especially true for the short term, as SEO can be quickly effective and give companies the immediate boost that they need. Even though the effects of SEO are not instant, they are still relatively fast. However, it is important to take note that the benefits of SEO are not limited to only short-term results. One of the major advantages that SEO has over other traditional marketing strategies is its potential to deliver stable positive results in the long run. Companies that do not belong to the aforementioned industries can still largely benefit from the use of SEO. Even small personal businesses can reap such benefits. However, it may be more practical for small businesses to handle SEO themselves than to hire an agency. Fortunately, learning the basics of SEO is not incredibly difficult. It only takes around 1-3 months for an individual to understand the basics of SEO. However, learning its various concepts (especially the more advanced aspects) still requires dedication, time and effort. Fortunately, there are a wide range of online resources that people can use to learn SEO. Those who wish to learn more about SEO may find more resources at the following link: Simon White San Diego. More information can also be found on Simon White SEO's official website. For more information about Simon White SEO, contact the company here: Simon White SEO Simon White 7605252160 simon@simon.bz 245 Meadow Vista Way Suite 101 Encinitas CA 92024 https://simonwhiteseo.com SOURCE: Simon White SEO View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/647482/Simon-White-SEO-Discusses-Role-Of-SEO-In-2021 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 14, 2021) - Contact Gold Corp. (TSXV: C) (OTCQB: CGOL) (the "Company" or "Contact Gold") is pleased to announce its financial and operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2021. The Company would also like to remind all Contact Gold securityholders to vote and take action with their common shares and warrants in advance of an Annual and Special Meeting to be held May 25, 2021. Selected Q1 2021 financial data Details of financial results as at and for the three months ended March 31, 2021, are described in the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto (the "Interim Financial Statements") as prepared in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("US GAAP"), and MD&A for the corresponding period, copies of which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The following selected financial data is derived from the Interim Financial Statements. Unless otherwise stated, the information herein, and in the tables below, is presented in Canadian dollars. Three months ended Attributable to shareholders: March 31, 2021 March 31, 2020 March 31, 2019 Loss for the period $ 1,709,113 $ 2,702,007 $ 1,777,295 Other comprehensive loss (gain) for the period $ 485,285 $ (3,367,024 ) $ 817,979 Comprehensive loss (gain) for the period $ 2,194,398 $ (665,017 ) $ 2,595,274 Basic and diluted loss per share $ 0.01 $ 0.04 $ 0.04 Losses attributable to shareholders for the three months ended March 31, 2021 of $1.71 million (2020: $2.70 million; and 2019: $1.78 million), reflect primarily (i) exploration and evaluation of the Company's exploration property interests ($0.92 million), (ii) costs incurred for professional, legal and advisory fees, administration & office expenditures, wages and salaries, and investor relations activities (in aggregate, $0.71 million), and (iii) non-cash stock-based compensation expense of $0.15 million, net of a fair value adjustment recognized on the embedded derivatives within the Preferred Shares (gain of $0.11 million). Losses for the three-month period ended March 31, 2020 reflect similar activities and a fair value adjustment. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, exploration and evaluation expenditures were predominantly related to activity at the Green Springs property, including the evaluation and review of data generated through 2020 and planning for the commencement of the 2021 program. Approximately $0.91 million in expenditures had been incurred through March 31, 2021 for exploration at Green Springs and at Pony Creek (in aggregate through March 31, 2020, $0.32 million; 2019: $0.50 million). Other comprehensive loss attributable to shareholders for the three-month period ended March 31, 2021 was $0.49 million (three months ended March 31, 2020: gain of $3.37 million, and in 2019: a loss of $0.82 million). The other comprehensive loss or gain in a given period reflects primarily the foreign currency impact arising on the post-acquisition carrying value of the Company's U.S. entity which holds the exploration property portfolio, whereby the gain or loss reflects the relative value of the Canadian dollar (the Company's reporting currency) compared to the United States dollar (the currency in which the value of the exploration property portfolio is recorded). Net cash operating outflows for the three-month period ended March 31, 2021 of $1.07 million reflects primarily (i) ongoing exploration activity, (ii) investor relations and head office costs, and (iii) the settlement of balances due to service providers and vendors at year end (March 31, 2020 $0.50 million, and 2019: $1.14 million). As at March 31, 2021 As at December 31, 2020 Cash $ 3,718,210 $ 4,753,148 Working capital $ 3,324,439 $ 4,750,446 Total assets $ 34,348,638 $ 36,081,596 Current liabilities $ 641,547 $ 412,498 Shareholders' equity $ 32,024,911 $ 33,961,885 The Company has elected to capitalize mineral property acquisition costs, and expense exploration expenditures as incurred. Total assets at March 31, 2021 comprise primarily: exploration and evaluation assets of $30.28 million, and $3.72 million in cash. At December 31, 2020 total assets primarily comprise exploration and evaluation assets of $30.76 million, and $4.75 million in cash. Total liabilities at March 31, 2021 include non-current liabilities of $1.68 million (December 31, 2020: $1.71 million), and payables and accruals of $0.64 million (December 31, 2019: $0.41 million). Accumulated other comprehensive loss of $2.53 million at March 31, 2020 (December 31, 2020: $2.05 million) is the aggregate foreign currency impact on the translation to Canadian dollars of the value of the Company's U.S. entity and its portfolio of exploration properties. Repatriation Transaction - Annual and Special Meeting On April 21, 2021, the Company announced that it planned to complete an internal reorganization designed to redomicile the Company back into Canada (the "Repatriation"). See the Company's news release dated April 21, 2021 for particulars and rationale. The Repatriation is subject to approval at the Company's Annual and Special Meeting of shareholders to be held May 25, 2021, the Supreme Court of British Columbia, and the TSXV. In connection with the Repatriation a "Letter of Transmittal" has been mailed to each person who was a Registered Shareholder on April 20, 2021 (the "Record Date"). A Letter of Transmittal has also been mailed to each Registered Warrantholder. Each person who is a Registered Shareholder or Registered Warrantholder prior to the Repatriation Transaction taking effect MUST forward the properly completed and signed Letter of Transmittal, along with the accompanying Common Share certificate(s) and/or Warrant certificate(s) as in instructed in the relevant Letter of Transmittal in order to receive replacement securities of Contact Gold. Registered Warrantholders in the United States MUST also return the relevant U.S. tax forms attached thereto in order to comply with U.S. federal income tax provisions, including those related to withholding taxes. It is recommended that Registered Shareholders complete, sign and return the Letter of Transmittal, along with the accompanying common share and/or warrant certificate(s), to Computershare Investor Services Inc. as the depositary, as soon as possible. Shareholders whose Common Shares are registered in the name of a nominee (bank, trust company, securities broker or other nominee) should contact that nominee for assistance in depositing their Common Shares. About Contact Gold Corp. Contact Gold is currently a Nevada-incorporated entity. The Company is focused on advancing the Green Springs and Pony Creek gold projects in Nevada, both of which host extensive and robust Carlin Type gold systems. Green Springs is located near the southern end of the Cortez Trend of Carlin-type gold deposits in Nevada, east of Fiore Gold's Pan Mine and Gold Rock Project, and south of Waterton's Mount Hamilton deposit. The Green Springs property is 18.5 km2, encompassing 3 shallow past-producing open pits and numerous targets that were not mined. Pony Creek is strategically located immediately south of Gold Standard Ventures' Railroad-Pinion Project, on the Southern Carlin Trend, and totals 81.7 km2 underpinned by a Carlin-type system with historic gold resources. Additional information about the Company is available at www.contactgold.com. For more information, please contact (604) 449-3361 for either: John Wenger, Chief Financial Officer wenger@contactgold.com John Glanville Director, Investor Relations glanville@contactgold.com Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of this release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate, among other things, to the anticipated completion of the Repatriation Transaction, the, associated receipt of all requisite corporate, shareholder, court and applicable regulatory approvals, including approval of the TSXV and timing therefor, planned expenditures through the remainder of the year, and the anticipated exploration activities of the Company at Green Springs or Pony Creek. These forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Company at the time such statements were made. Actual future results may differ materially as 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 materially differ from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors, among other things, include: impacts arising from the global disruption caused by the Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; fluctuations in spot and forward prices of gold, silver, base metals or certain other commodities; fluctuations in currency markets (such as the Canadian dollar to United States dollar exchange rate); change in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments; 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 and flooding); inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability of increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development (including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government authorities); and title to properties. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/84136 ST. LOUIS PARK, MN / ACCESSWIRE / May 14, 2021 / Ackerberg Family Sholom West Campus is pleased to announce that they are offering a unique opportunity in partnership with AmeriCorps this coming summer. AmeriCorps, also known as the domestic Peace Corps, is a voluntary civil society program dedicated to assisting others and providing the critical needs of the community. To better respond to the challenges that COVID-19 continues to bring, ServeMinnesota has formally partnered with AmeriCorps to create the Emergency Response Initiative (ERI) program that is being administered by Reading & Math, Inc. The ERI has positions that are available through Ackerberg Family Sholom West Campus. Those who become members of the ERI will receive support in meeting the educational needs of students, addressing food and housing insecurity, reaching out to those in social isolation, and more. They are expected to serve 35 hours per week for 10 weeks at various community partners. ERI members will receive a perks package valued up to $5,000 dollars. This includes a stipend of $750 every two weeks, an additional of up to $1,311 for tuition or student loans, federal student loan forbearance & interest repayment, and individual health insurance with the monthly premium fully paid for. The most important qualification for becoming an ERI member is a desire to serve the community. However, there are still some minimum qualifications that people need to meet in order to qualify. ERI members have to be a citizen, national or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. They need to be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or equivalent. Applicants must also be dependable, able to understand and follow instructions and speak, read and write English fluently. They are also expected to have a good attendance history as well as basic computer skills such as email and online navigation. Those who wish to become ERI members will also have to agree to and successfully complete a background check. New ERI members will serve from June 7 to August 14. For those interested in joining the ERI and making a difference, registrations for the ERI are open at the Ackerberg Family Sholom West Campus website. Ackerberg Family Sholom West Campus provides a wide spectrum of elderly care and works with individuals and their families to provide the most comfortable and enjoyable living environments. They also work in partnership with the local community to provide the best support possible. The facility looks forward to hearing from those interested in joining their ERI program to do their part for the community. For more information about Sholom, contact the company here: Sholom Jamie Maddeaux - Vice President of Marketing and Sales 651-894-4242 JMaddeaux@SHOLOM.com 3620 Phillips Parkway, St. Louis Park, MN 55426 SOURCE: Ackerberg Family Sholom View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/647550/Ackerberg-Family-Sholom-West-Campus-Announces-Unique-Partnership-With-AmeriCorps Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 14, 2021) - Matica Enterprises Inc. (CSE: MMJ) (FSE: 39N) (OTCQB: MMJFF) ("Matica" or the "Company") and Matica subsidiary, West Island Culture Inc. ("West Island") are pleased to introduce our newest cannabis brand to the market CITOYENTM . CITOYENTM is a more accessible brand of quality cannabis to come out of Montreal's West Island, The People's Flower. All CITOYENTM flower products are craft grown, quality cannabis offerings at lower entry prices and with greater volumes in comparison to our premium OuestTM products. There are currently two product families in the CITOYENTM brand. CITOYENTM Gold Star products are high THC craft products. The CITOYENTM Red Star craft products have a mid to high THC range. Both sets of products still offer the strong bag appeal found with the QuestTM brand stemming from our focus on rich terpene profiles and attractive visual attributes. The CITOYENTM brand strives to provide a greater number consumers with a taste of what a high quality bud in the legal market should be. Image 1 To view an enhanced version of Image 1, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3200/84160_48c8e001d4974b1d_002full.jpg Image 2 To view an enhanced version of Image 2, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3200/84160_48c8e001d4974b1d_003full.jpg To learn more about The People's Flower please go to citoyencannabis.ca Please follow us to for more updates on our exciting new ranger of cannabis products from CITOYENTM and their availability in your province. Partnership Dispute As per Matica press release dated November 16, 2020, Matica increased its position in its subsidiary, RoyalMax Biotechnology Canada Inc. DBA West Island Culture ("RoyalMax"), from 70% to 99.97%. In March 2021, the Company was served with a nuisance lawsuit by 9076484 CANADA INC., seeking principally an order declaring that it is a 14.5% owner of RoyalMax Biotechnology Canada Inc. The Company believes the claim is frivolous and without merit. The Company will aggressively defend itself and seek all available remedies under the law. Further, the Company was served a 2nd nuisance lawsuit by Cannatechnologie Inc. The Plaintiff is seeking payment of $200,000 which Matica acknowledges are owed, but, owed to parties other than Cannatechnologie Inc. Also, Cannatechnologie Inc. is seeking an order overturning RoyalMax' issuance of shares to Matica as per the aforementioned press release of November 16, 2020. The Company believes each of these 2 lawsuits is without merit and were commenced in order to seek a payment via a settlement. The Company will aggressively defend itself, and seek all available remedies under the law. 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/84160 DGAP Voting Rights Announcement: QIAGEN N.V. QIAGEN N.V.: Release according to Article 40, Section 1 of the WpHG [the German Securities Trading Act] with the objective of Europe-wide distribution 14.05.2021 / 22:04 Dissemination of a Voting Rights Announcement transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. The AFM (the Netherlands Authority For the Financial Markets) has informed us on May 11, 2021 that a notification related to our institution has been released by the AFM. The following notification has been disclosed in the relevant register on the AFM website: Date of transaction: 07 may 2021 Person obliged to notify: BlackRock, Inc. Issuing institution: Qiagen N.V. Registration Chamber of Commerce: 12036979 Place of residence: VENLO Distribution in numbers Type of share Number of shares Number of voting rights Capital interest Voting rights Manner of disposal Settlement Ordinary share 31.466.641,00 33.839.555,00 Real Real Indirectly - BlackRock, Inc. Contract for difference 330.911,00 330.911,00 Potential Potential Indirectly - BlackRock, Inc. In Cash Ordinary share 1.594.473,00 1.594.473,00 Potential Potential Indirectly - BlackRock, Inc. Physical Delivery Distribution in percentages Type Total holding Directly real Directly potential Indirectly real Indirectly potential Capital interest 14,47 % 0,00 % 0,00 % 13,63 % 0,83 % Voting rights 15,49 % 0,00 % 0,00 % 14,66 % 0,83 % QIAGEN N.V. is not responsible for the accuracy and correctness of the notification above. The content has been taken from the relevant register of the AFM: https://www.afm.nl/en/professionals/registers/meldingenregisters/substantiele-deelnemingen/details?id=111798 14.05.2021 The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.dgap.de VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 14, 2021 / Sativa Wellness Group Inc. (CSE:SWEL)(OTC PINK:SCNNF) ("Sativa Wellness" or the "Company") announced today it has filed amended and restated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 (together with an amended corresponding management's discussion and analysis) (collectively, the "Amended Financials") in order to reflect the correct adjustments related to the share exchange arrangement on the acquisition of Sativa Group. These amended financials are in line with the recently published December 2020 Year end Financial Statements, which already incorporated these amendments. The following is a summary of the impact of the restatements on the previously reported unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements issued on January 15, 2021. It should be noted that the previously reported unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements were reported in Canadian dollars, and the restated unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements are now presented in British Pounds (GBP) to reflect the more relevant presentation currency of the Company. Any changes in figures not related to the adjustments to the share exchange arrangement are solely due to foreign exchange translation. Previously Reported September, 30 2020 C$,000 Previously Reported September, 30 2020 ,000 Adjustments September, 30 2020 '000 As Adjusted September, 30 2020 '000 Statement of Financial Position Plant & Equipment 5,792 3,380 (44) 3,336 Intangible Assets 79 46 787 833 Goodwill 9,704 5,663 (4,948) 715 Deferred Tax - - (152) (152) Shareholders Equity 20,454 11,935 (4,252) 7,683 Statement of Net Loss and comprehensive Loss Revenue 2,087 1,218 (20) 1,198 Cost of Sales (921) (537) 8 (529) Total Expenses (6,397) (3,733) 23 (3,710) Net Loss and Comprehensive Loss (5,231) (3,052) 11 (3,041) Statement in Changes in Equity Reverse Acquisition 17,880 10,444 (4,259) 6,185 Net Loss (5,135) (2,997) (139) (3,136) Statement of cashflows Loss before Income Taxes (5,560) (3,244) (21) (3,265) The Amended Financials are available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The Amended Financials replace and supersede the previously filed original financial statements and related management discussion and analysis. Such previously filed original financial statements and management discussion and analyses should be disregarded. The directors of the Company accept responsibility for the contents of this announcement. On behalf of the Board of Directors, Marc Howells Chief Executive Officer Sativa Wellness Group Inc. +44 (0) 20 7971 1255 enquiries@sativawellnessgroup.com www.sativawellnessgroup.com Anne Tew Chief Financial Officer Sativa Wellness Group Inc. +44 (0) 20 7971 1255 enquiries@sativawellnessgroup.com www.sativawellnessgroup.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and may also contain statements that may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are not representative of historical facts or information or current condition, but instead represent only the Company's beliefs regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of Sativa's control. Generally, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes" "plan is" or variations of such words and phrases or may contain statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "will continue", "will occur", "will be achieved" or "shortly". The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to information concerning the Amended Financials.. Although Sativa 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. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this press release, and Sativa does not undertake to update any forward-looking information and/or forward-looking statements that are contained or referenced herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. SOURCE: Sativa Wellness Group Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/647370/Sativa-Wellness-Group-Announces-Filing-of-Amended-and-Restated-Financial-Statements VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 14, 2021 / Majestic Gold Corp. ("Majestic" or the "Company") (TSXV:MJS)(FSE:MJT) is pleased to announce that its operating subsidiary, Yantai Zhongjia Mining Co. Ltd., has received governmental approval to resume operations at its Songjiagou North Underground Mine following the successful completion its cautionary safety inspection. The Company further anticipates receiving governmental approval to resume mining operations at the Songjiagou Open Pit Gold Mine by early June 2021. The Company had announced on March 1, 2021, the mandated closure by the Shandong Provincial Government of all non-coal operations in the province pending governmental cautionary safety inspections. Majestic has operated the Songjiagou Open Pit Gold Mine and Songjiagou North Underground Mine accident-free since commencing production. About Majestic Gold Currently focused solely in China, Majestic Gold Corp. is a British Columbia based company engaged in commercial gold production at the Songjiagou Gold Mine in eastern Shandong Province, China. Additional information on the Company and its projects is available at www.sedar.com and on the Company's website at www.majesticgold.com. For further information, please contact: Stephen Kenwood, P.Geo., President and CEO Telephone: (604) 560-9060 Email: info@majesticgold.com Website: www.majesticgold.com FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of the word, "will" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information relating to the anticipated date for filing the annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020 and related management's discussion and analysis. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to the Company. The Company cautions the reader that the above list of risk factors is not exhaustive. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to the Company. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws, or as otherwise may be disclosed in this news release. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. 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. Newswire Services or for dissemination in the United States. Any failure to comply with this restriction may constitute a violation of U.S. securities laws. SOURCE: Majestic Gold Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/647567/Mining-Operations-to-Resume-at-Songjiagou-North-Underground-Mine VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 14, 2021 / Commerce Resources Corp. (TSXV:CCE)(FSE:D7H0)(OTCQX:CMRZF) (the "Company" or "Commerce") is pleased to announce that it has signed a one year contract with 121 Group Ltd., publishers of The Assay Group Mining Magazine. 121 Group Ltd. is based in Hong Kong, and the USD $15,000 annual fee is for a package that includes feature profiles in 4 editions of The Assay, weekly newsletter profile features, up to 4 Assay TV interviews, and select Commerce news releases to be covered by content writers, social media channels and The Assay Weekly. The Assay is a 121 Group initiative that provides a print and online platform for leading fund managers and analysts to share their investment outlooks and market insights. Each edition of The Assay showcases a range of exploration, development, and production assets, providing both private and publicly listed companies' year-round global exposure to the institutional mining investor community. The agreement with 121 Group Ltd. is subject to approval by the TSX Venture Exchange. About Commerce Resources Corp. Commerce Resources Corp. is an exploration and development company with a particular focus on deposits of rare metals and rare earth elements. The Company is focused on the development of its Ashram Rare Earth Element Deposit in Quebec and the Upper Fir Tantalum-Niobium Deposit in British Columbia. For more information, please visit the corporate website at www.commerceresources.com or email info@commerceresources.com. On Behalf of the Board of Directors COMMERCE RESOURCES CORP. "Chris Grove" Chris Grove President and Director Tel: 604.484.2700 Email: cgrove@commerceresources.com Web: http://www.commerceresources.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the expectations of management regarding coverage and investor relations to be done by The Assay. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements including that: the Exchange may not approve the contract; The Assay may not complete what has been contracted; and those additional risks set out in the Company's public documents filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Except where required by law, the Company 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: Commerce Resources Corp. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/647578/Commerce-Resources-Corp-Announces-Agreement-with-121-Group-Ltd TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / May 14, 2021 / Gratomic Inc. ("Gratomic", "GRAT" or the "Company") (TSXV:GRAT)(OTCQX:CBULF)(FSE:CB82) wishes to advise that an employee at its Aukam site, working in the sanitary department, tested positive for Covid-19. There has recently been a resurgence of COVID cases in Namibia, as the country braces for a next wave of the virus. The employee and all employees with whom she came in contact have been required to self- isolate in their homes, with pay, and will not be returning to the worksite for a minimum period of 10 days starting from May 12, 2021. All staff will be required to present a negative Covid-19 test result before returning. The Company is in the process of thoroughly disinfecting all facilities on the mine site. The Company had implemented all necessary precautionary measures recommended by worldwide and local health authorities in order to minimize the transmission of Covid-19 when activities resumed at the Aukam site in mid-2020. All employees are required to wear masks, protective eyewear, maintain social distancing and practice proper cleaning habits and comply with all local government protocols relating to Covid-19. The Company had also implemented a system whereby employees worked within designated limited groups, departments or bubbles further limiting potential exposure to its workforce. Due to the extraordinary steps the Company has taken to limit the spread of COVID, several other departments at the Aukam site that had no contact with the department which currently poses a COVID risk continue to operate. The Company's main focus has been to ensure the safety of the employees exposed to Covid-19 and ensure that its Aukam site is safe for all other employees and contractors working at the site. Arno Brand, President and CEO of the Company stated, "we are hoping for a speedy recovery for the employee who has tested positive. We will continue to monitor our Covid-19 protocols to ensure the safety of our employees". The Company does not anticipate that this incident will have a significant impact on the completion of its processing facility. Drilling and manufacturing will be able to continue on site as these operations were not affected. The engineering team will continue to work remotely. The Company will be hiring temporary workers and adding additional shifts to maintain operations. About Gratomic Gratomic?is focused on?introducing an exceptional anode material?to?the?global?Electric?Vehicle?and Energy Storage supply chains.?The Company?aims to achieve full operational capabilities in 2021, with further plans to take its Aukam Graphite Project fully solar by 2022.? Large quantities of its naturally high-quality graphite have been shipped for testing to confirm its viability as an anode material. Gratomic is confident that the results will provide a unique competitive advantage in its desired target markets. The Company's recent collaboration agreement with Forge Nano has advanced the developments on its graphite finalization phase for?the?micronization,?spheronization, and the patented ALD coating?of its Aukam vein?graphite for use in lithium-ion batteries. Forge Nano is?a?global leader in surface engineering and precision nano-coating technology, using Atomic Layer?Deposition. GRAT has two outstanding off-take purchase agreements with TODAQ and Phu Sumika with contract fulfillment slated to begin in 2021.??Gratomic?plans to deliver mine-to-market traceability through its partnership with deeptech company TODAQ by providing documented tracking on all graphite generated at its flagship?Aukam?Graphite Project. For more information: visit the website at?www.gratomic.ca?or contact:?? Arno Brand abrand@gratomic.ca? (416) 561-4095?? Subscribe at gratomic.ca/contact/ to be added to our email list.?? "Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release." Forward Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements, 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: Gratomic Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/647583/Gratomic-Announces-Response-to-Covid-19-Exposure-at-Aukam Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum attends a meeting on the government's coronavirus response at the government complex in Seoul, May 14. Yonhap Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum said Friday that he will work toward pursuing national unity in the face of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, as he began his official term as the administration's third prime minister. "I will become a prime minister who thoroughly aims for national unity," Kim said while arriving at the government complex in Seoul on his first day as prime minister. "The current struggle can be overcome only if we work together," Kim added, referring to the ongoing new coronavirus pandemic. The new prime minister's official term began Friday, as President Moon Jae-in approved his appointment at 7 a.m. The National Assembly dominated by the ruling Democratic Party passed Kim's confirmation bill on Thursday night amid protest from the main opposition People Power Party over Cheong Wa Dae's apparent move to press ahead with the appointment of three nominees for the oceans, science and land ministries, despite alleged ethical lapses. On Thursday, Oceans Minister nominee Park Jun-young, who came under fire for his wife's alleged smuggling of European porcelain ware, resigned in an attempt to resolve the political stalemate over Kim's confirmation vote. Amid renewed partisan tensions over the new Cabinet picks, Kim also said he will reach out to both the ruling and opposition parties and ask for their support. "To both the ruling and opposition parties, I will sincerely explain to them the situation and plea for their help," Kim said. When asked about his economic policy vision, Kim said he will "level-headedly prepare" it to bring confidence to the public. The prime ministerial seat had been vacant for nearly a month after predecessor Chung Sye-kyun stepped down on April 18 to run for the presidency. Deputy Prime Minister for Economy Hong Nam-ki had been acting as prime minister, chairing the daily interagency meeting on the coronavirus fight. While chairing his first coronavirus response meeting, Kim said he prioritizes implementing and enforcing antivirus measures instead of strengthening current social distancing guidelines. The new prime minister also asked the public to actively follow distancing rules and participate in the public vaccination program with a sense of hope and encouragement toward one another. (Yonhap) BELLEVUE, WA / ACCESSWIRE / May 14, 2021 / Trilogy International Partners Inc. (TSX:TRL) (the "Corporation" or "TIP Inc.") an international wireless and fixed broadband telecommunications operator, is pleased to announce the results from its Annual General and Special Meeting of Shareholders (the "Meeting") held on May 14, 2021. By resolution passed by ballot vote, all of the seven nominees proposed by management for election to the Board of Directors at the Meeting and listed in the Corporation's Management Information Circular dated March 31, 2021, were elected. The Directors will remain in office until the next annual meeting of shareholders, or until their successors are elected or appointed. The results of the vote on the election of the Board of Directors are as follows: Board of Directors Votes in Favour Votes Withheld Number of Votes Percentage (%) Number of Votes Percentage (%) John W. Stanton 44,672,723 99.169% 374,297 0.831% Bradley J. Horwitz 44,672,723 99.169% 374,297 0.831% Theresa E. Gillespie 44,672,723 99.169% 374,297 0.831% Mark Kroloff 44,502,303 98.791% 544,717 1.209% Alan D. Horn 44,302,042 98.346% 744,978 1.654% Nadir Mohamed 44,464,539 98.707% 582,481 1.293% Reza Satchu 44,066,342 97.823% 980,678 2.177% The next item of business at the Meeting was to appoint Grant Thornton LLP, Chartered Accountants, as auditors of the Company for the ensuing year and to authorize the directors to fix the remuneration of the auditors. By resolution passed by ballot vote, Grant Thornton LLP, Chartered Accountants, were appointed as the auditor of the Company for the ensuing year. Votes by securityholders and proxyholders received with respect to the reappointment of Grant Thornton LLP, Chartered Accountants, were voted as follows: Votes For Votes Withheld Number of Votes Percentage (%) Number of Votes Percentage (%) 47,043,551 99.922% 36,864 0.078% The final item of business at the Meeting was to approve the adoption of the amended and restated articles of the Corporation to permit virtual shareholder meetings as permitted by applicable law (the "Amendment"). By special resolution passed by ballot vote, the Amendment was approved. Votes by securityholders and proxyholders received with respect to the Amendment, were voted as follows: Votes For Votes Against Number of Votes Percentage (%) Number of Votes Percentage (%) 45,010,920 99.920% 36,100 0.080% About Trilogy International Partners Inc. Trilogy International Partners Inc. is the parent company of Trilogy International Partners LLC ("Trilogy LLC"), a wireless and fixed broadband telecommunications operator formed by wireless industry veterans John Stanton, Theresa Gillespie and Brad Horwitz. Trilogy LLC's founders have an exceptional track record of successfully buying, building, launching and operating communications businesses in 15 international markets and the United States. Trilogy LLC currently provides wireless communications services through its operating subsidiaries in New Zealand and Bolivia. Its head office is located at 155 108th Avenue NE, Suite 400, Bellevue, Washington, 98004. For more information, visit www.trilogy-international.com. Contact Ann Saxton 425-458-5900 Ann.Saxton@trilogy-international.com Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Development SOURCE: Trilogy International Partners Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/647579/Trilogy-International-Partners-Inc-Announces-Results-of-Annual-General-and-Special-Shareholders-Meeting Cazoo Holdings Limited ("Cazoo" or "the Company"), the UK's leading online car retailer, which makes buying a car as simple and seamless as purchasing any other product online and Ajax I ("AJAX") (NYSE: AJAX), a publicly-traded special purpose acquisition company ("SPAC"), today announced that a preliminary proxy statement/registration statement on Form F-4 has been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") in connection with the previously announced business combination transaction between Cazoo and AJAX. The filing can be accessed at https://ajaxcap.com/ or by searching for AJAX I on the SEC's website at https://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml. While the information in the preliminary proxy statement filed today is subject to change, it provides important information about AJAX's proposed business combination with Cazoo. AJAX currently anticipates holding a shareholder meeting with respect to the business combination in the third quarter of 2021. As previously announced on March 29, 2021, upon closing of the business combination, AJAX will be renamed "Cazoo" and is expected to remain listed on the New York Stock Exchange under a new ticker "CZOO." As part of the deal, Cazoo will retain its highly experienced management team, led by Founder and CEO Alex Chesterman OBE. This transaction will support Cazoo's mission to continue to transform the car buying experience across Europe, with the proceeds funding the further build out of its brand and infrastructure. With its best-in-class and unique consumer proposition and fully integrated model, Cazoo is well positioned to take advantage of the shift to online car buying and disrupt the huge and highly fragmented European car buying market. The transaction includes an $800 million fully committed PIPE at $10.00 per share led by the AJAX sponsor team and D1 Capital Partners, and joined by new and existing investors including Altimeter, funds accounts managed by BlackRock, Counterpoint Global (Morgan Stanley) and Fidelity Management and Research Company LLC, Marcho Partners, Mubadala Capital, Pelham Capital, Senator Investment Group and Spruce House Partnership. The AJAX sponsor team, led by Dan Och, and including Glenn Fuhrman, Steve Ells, Jim McKelvey, Kevin Systrom and Anne Wojcicki have committed $200 million to the PIPE. Assuming no redemptions and after accounting for cash proceeds payable to the existing Cazoo shareholders, the transaction will deliver approximately $1.0 billion in gross cash proceeds to the combined company, enabling Cazoo to further build out its brand and infrastructure and supporting Cazoo's mission to continue to transform the car buying experience across Europe. About Cazoo www.cazoo.co.uk Cazoo's mission is to transform the car buying experience for consumers across the UK and Europe by providing better selection, quality, transparency, convenience, flexibility and peace of mind. Cazoo aims to make buying a car no different to any other product online today, where consumers can simply and seamlessly purchase, finance or subscribe to a car entirely online for either delivery or collection in as little as 72 hours. Cazoo was founded in 2018 by serial entrepreneur Alex Chesterman OBE, has a highly experienced management team and is backed by some of the leading global technology investors. About AJAX www.ajaxcap.com AJAX is a blank check company whose purpose is to effect a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses. AJAX was founded by renowned US investor Dan Och in partnership with Glenn Fuhrman and strategic advisors including Steve Ells (founder, Chipotle), Jim McKelvey (co-founder, Square), Kevin Systrom (co-founder, Instagram) and Anne Wojcicki (co-founder, 23andMe). Additional information and Where to Find It This communication relates to a proposed business combination among Cazoo Holdings Limited ("Cazoo"), Ajax I ("AJAX") and Capri Listco ("Newco"). In connection with the proposed business combination Newco has filed a registration statement on Form F-4 that includes a preliminary proxy statement of AJAX in connection with AJAX's solicitation of proxies for the vote by AJAX's shareholders with respect to the proposed business combination and a preliminary prospectus of Newco. The proxy statement/prospectus will be sent to all AJAX shareholders and Newco and AJAX will also file other documents regarding the proposed business combination with the SEC. This communication does not contain all the information that should be considered concerning the proposed business combination and is not intended to form the basis of any investment decision or any other decision in respect of the business combination. Before making any voting or investment decision, investors and security holders are urged to read the registration statement, the proxy statement/prospectus and all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed business combination as they become available because they will contain important information about the proposed transaction. Investors and security holders may obtain free copies of the registration statement, proxy statement/prospectus and all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC by AJAX and Newco through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. In addition, the documents filed by AJAX may be obtained free of charge from AJAX's website at https://ajaxcap.com or by written request to AJAX at 667 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10065 and documents filed by Cazoo may be obtained free of charge from Cazoo's website at https://www.cazoo.co.uk or by written request to Cazoo at 41-43 Chalton St, Somers Town, London NW1 1JD, United Kingdom. Participants in Solicitation AJAX, Newco and Cazoo and their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from AJAX's shareholders with respect to the proposed business combination. You can find information about AJAX's directors and executive officers and their ownership of AJAX's securities in AJAX's final prospectus relating to its initial public offering, dated October 27, 2020, which was filed with the SEC on October 28, 2020 and is available free of charge at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov. Additional information regarding the participants in the solicitation of proxies from AJAX's shareholders and their direct and indirect interests will be included in the proxy statement/prospectus for the proposed business combination when it becomes available. Shareholders, potential investors and other interested persons should read the proxy statement/prospectus carefully when it becomes available before making any voting or investment decisions. You may obtain free copies of these documents from the sources indicated above. No Offer or Solicitation This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or exchange, or the solicitation of an offer to buy or exchange any securities, or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, sale or exchange would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of section 10 of the Securities Act, or an exemption therefrom. Forward-Looking Statements This communication contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws with respect to the proposed business combination, including statements regarding the benefits of the transaction, the anticipated timing of the transaction, the services offered by Cazoo and the markets in which it operates, and Cazoo's projected future results. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words "believe," "project," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "strategy," "future," "opportunity," "plan," "may," "should," "will," "would," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this communication, including but not limited to: (1) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the proposed business combination; (2) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against AJAX, Cazoo, Newco or others following the announcement of the proposed business combination and any definitive agreements with respect thereto; (3) the inability to complete the proposed business combination due to the failure to obtain approval of the shareholders of AJAX, to obtain financing to complete the proposed business combination or to satisfy other conditions to closing; (4) changes to the proposed structure of the proposed business combination that may be required or appropriate as a result of applicable laws or regulations or as a condition to obtaining regulatory approval of the proposed business combination; (5) the ability to meet stock exchange listing standards following the consummation of proposed business combination; (6) the risk that the proposed business combination disrupts current plans and operations of AJAX or Cazoo as a result of the announcement and consummation of the proposed business combination; (7) the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the proposed business combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of the combined company to grow and manage growth profitably, maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and retain its management and key employees; (8) costs related to the proposed business combination; (9) changes in applicable laws or regulations and delays in obtaining, adverse conditions contained in, or the inability to obtain regulatory approvals required to complete the proposed business combination; (10) the possibility that AJAX, Cazoo or the combined company may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; (11) the impact of COVID-19 on Cazoo's business and/or the ability of the parties to complete the proposed business combination; (12) Cazoo's estimates of expenses and profitability and underlying assumptions with respect to shareholder redemptions and purchase price and other adjustments; and (13) other risks and uncertainties set forth in the sections entitled "Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in Newco's preliminary proxy statement/prospectus relating to the proposed business combination, dated May 14, 2021. The foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described in the "Risk Factors" section of AJAX's Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and other documents filed by AJAX from time to time with the SEC and the registration statement on Form F-4 and proxy statement/prospectus discussed above. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Cazoo, AJAX and Newco assume no obligation and do not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. None of Cazoo, AJAX or Newco gives any assurance that any of Cazoo, AJAX or Newco will achieve its expectations. Nothing in this communication should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that any of the contemplated results of such forward-looking statements will be achieved. Any financial and capitalization information or projections in this communication are forward-looking statements that are based on assumptions that are inherently subject to significant uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond the control of AJAX, Newco and Cazoo. While such information and projections are necessarily speculative, AJAX, Newco and Cazoo believe that the preparation of prospective financial information involves increasingly higher levels of uncertainty the further out the projection extends from the date of preparation. The assumptions and estimates underlying the projected results are inherently uncertain and are subject to a wide variety of significant business, economic and competitive risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the projections. The inclusion of financial information or projections in this communication should not be regarded as an indication that AJAX, Newco or Cazoo, or their respective representatives and advisors, considered or consider the information or projections to be a reliable prediction of future events. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210514005551/en/ Contacts: Media: Cazoo: Lawrence Hall, Group Communications Director, lawrence.hall@cazoo.co.uk Brunswick: Chris Blundell Simone Selzer +44 20 7404 5959 cazoo@brunswickgroup.com AJAX: Gagnier Communications, Dan Gagnier Jeff Mathews +1 646-569-5897 ajax@gagnierfc.com Investor Relations: ICR for Cazoo-cazoo@icrinc.com TORONTO, ON and NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / May 14, 2021 / GlobeX Data Ltd. (OTCQB:SWISF)(CSE:SWIS) ("GlobeX" or the "Company"), the leader in Swiss hosted secure communications and secure data management, is pleased to announce the closing of a private placement offering for a total of 6,973,259 Units (as defined below) at a price of CA$0.30 per Unit for total gross proceeds of CA$2,076,837.68. Each Unit consists of one common share (a "Share") priced at CA$0.30 per share, and one-half of one share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each Full Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase a Common share at a price of $0.50 per share for a two-year term (the "Warrant Term"). The offering has been fully subscribed and is now closed. Corporate finance advisory fees of CA$122,000 were paid in the form of cash. Net proceeds to the Company were CA$1,954,837.68. The proceeds of the financing will be allocated to accelerate the marketing of the Company's Sekur encrypted email and messaging solutions to the US mass market, and for general purposes. Alain Ghiai, CEO of GlobeX Data said: "We are very pleased with the demand we have received from our investors for this private placement. This additional placement gives the Company extra capabilities as we deploy our solutions to the US mass market in in the coming 24 months. Our solutions are ready to be deployed the US mass markets, and we are in an excellent position to move forward as planned. We plan to increase our USA marketing budget to US$700,000 for the remainder of 2021, and possibly increase it more, depending on the results of our media and marketing efforts. The company has all the cash to execute its plan for 2021 and looks forward to bring true Swiss privacy and security to US consumers and businesses." About GlobeX Data Ltd. GlobeX Data Ltd. is a Cybersecurity and Internet privacy provider of Swiss hosted solutions for secure communications and secure data management. The Company distributes a suite of encrypted e-mails, secure messaging and secure communication tools, cloud-based storage, disaster recovery, and secure document management tools. GlobeX Data Ltd. sells its products through its approved wholesalers and distributors, and telecommunications companies worldwide. GlobeX Data Ltd. serves consumers, businesses and governments worldwide. On behalf of Management GLOBEX DATA LTD. Alain Ghiai President and Chief Executive Officer +1.416.644.8690 corporate@globexdatagroup.com For more information please contact GlobeX Data at corporate@globexdatagroup.com or visit us at https://globexdatagroup.com. For more information on Sekur visit us at: https://www.sekur.com. Forward Looking Information This news release contains certain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). All statements other than statements of present or historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "achieve", "could", "believe", "plan", "intend", "objective", "continuous", "ongoing", "estimate", "outlook", "expect", "project" and similar words, including negatives thereof, suggesting future outcomes or that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations; they are not guarantees of future performance. GlobeX cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond GlobeX's control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to the future of the Company's business; the success of marketing and sales efforts of the Company; the projections prepared in house and projections delivered by channel partners; the Company's ability to complete the necessary software updates; increases in sales as a result of investments software development technology; consumer interest in the Products; future sales plans and strategies; reliance on large channel partners and expectations of renewals to ongoing agreements with these partners; anticipated events and trends; the economy and other future conditions; and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in GlobeX's prospectus dated May 8, 2019 filed with the Canadian Securities Administrators and available on www.sedar.com. Accordingly, actual and future events, conditions and results may differ materially from the estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, GlobeX undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information. SOURCE: GlobeX Data Ltd. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/647594/GlobeX-Data-Ltd-Announces-Closing-of-Non-Brokered-Private-Placement VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 14, 2021 / Lucky Minerals Inc. (TSXV:LKY)(OTC PINK:LKMNF)(FRA:LKY) ("Lucky" or the "Company") announces it has accepted the resignations of Adrian Rothwell and Paul Pint as Directors of the Company, effective May 31, 2021, due to personal obligations and time constraints. In their respective letters to the Board of Directors, Messrs. Rothwell and Pint expressed continuing strong commitment to the Company. Lucky's CEO, Mr. Francois Perron, stated: "While it is disappointing, the Board positively accepts Adrian and Paul's resignations, and we understand that there are other professional obligations at present on which they must concentrate. We very much appreciate each of Paul's and Adrian's contributions to Lucky and wish them every success in their future endeavours." Lucky and the Board are currently evaluating alternatives with respect to appointing new Directors. Francois Perron, Lucky's President and CEO will take on the role of Interim Chairman of the Board. About Lucky Lucky is an exploration and development company targeting large-scale mineral systems in proven districts with the potential to host world class deposits. Lucky owns a 100% interest in the Fortuna Property. The Company's Fortuna Project is comprised of twelve contiguous royalty-free 550 km2 (55,000 Ha, or 136,000 Acres) exploration concessions. Fortuna is located in a highly prospective, yet underexplored, gold belt in southern Ecuador. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD "Francois Perron" Chief Executive Officer Further information on Lucky can be found on the Company's website at www.luckyminerals.com and at www.sedar.com, or by contacting Francois Perron, President and CEO, by email at investors@luckyminerals.com or by telephone at (866) 924 6484. 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 Statement Regarding Adjacent Properties and Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the future operations of the Company and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the future plans and objectives of the Company are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: uncertainties related exploration and development; the ability to raise sufficient capital to fund exploration and development; changes in economic conditions or financial markets; increases in input costs; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; technological or operational difficulties or inability to obtain permits encountered in connection with exploration activities; and labor relations matters. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the Company's forward-looking information. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations also include risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. 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 as expressly required by Canadian securities law. SOURCE: Lucky Minerals Inc. View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/647590/Lucky-Minerals-Announces-Resignations-of-Board-Members Guru Capital has reached an agreement for the acquisition of substantially all the assets of UK based Fintech company Oval Money Ltd. Oval will be acquired by and integrated into the UK based online CFD Broker ETX Capital, a Guru Capital portfolio company. In addition, Guru Capital is in the process of negotiating the acquisition by an associated fund of 100% of the shares of Oval Money Ltds Spanish regulated investment firm subsidiary, Oval Marketplace A.V., S.L. These acquisitions will help accelerate business growth and client engagement by supporting clients in setting smart rules for defining their savings habits and investment goals, making payments, and tracking spending as well as trading in the financial markets through a single mobile app. Launched in 2017, Oval operates a mobile app that has over 100,000 active users, enabling them to save and invest through their marketplace of financial products, automatically and on a recurring basis. Founded in 1965, ETX is an online CFD and Financial Spread Betting brokers providing online trading services primarily to UK and European clients with access to over 5,000 markets including Stocks, Indices, Commodities, Forex and Cryptocurrencies. FinSMEs 14/05/2021 Lieef, a Los Angeles, CA-based startup investment firm focused on sustainability, closed its seed funding round of undisclosed amount. The company intends to use the funds to scale operations and hire additional investment professionals. Founded by Brad Kavin in February 2020, Lieef is an alternative investment platform focused on leveraging software traditionally used in the aerospace industry to amplify the capabilities of investment professionals and optimize the alternative investment business model. It focuses on partnering with both family offices and institutional investors wanting exposure to the emerging sustainable infrastructure asset class. The firm is focused on supporting the institutional maturation of proven emerging infrastructure projects and companies and will not invest in situations with technology risk. Lieef can make control and minority investments in both companies and infrastructure projects. Geographically, the initial focus is investment opportunities in North America. The firm only invests in projects or companies accelerating our transition towards a more sustainable future. Investment size can range from $10m to over $500m or more, based upon risk and return profile. Prior to this, Kavin spent nearly a decade supporting the launch of two sustainable investment platforms from inception at BlackRock and Cowen Investment Management, which collectively grew to over $30 billion dollars under management during his tenure. The founder has led or been involved in 19 sustainable private equity investments totaling $1.5 billion dollars of fund capital deployments in the United States, Canada, Japan, and Mexico. FinSMEs 14/05/2021 Vella Bioscience, Inc., a Los Angeles, CA-based femtech company, closed a $7m seed II funding round. The round, anchored by Aaron Fleck & Associates, was raised at over $50m post-money valuation. The company intends to use the funds to advance a product portfolio of science-driven innovations, further strengthening the promise of sexual empowerment for all women. Led by Chief Executive Officer Nial DeMena, and Chief Operating Officer Carolyn Wheeler, Vella Bioscience provides Pleasure Serum, a clinically demonstrated pre-play topical serum that promotes increased arousal and lubrication, and intense, orgasms. Co-founded by Dr. Harin Padma-Nathan, the lead Principal Investigator for Viagra and Cialis, the companys proprietary nano-encapsulated CBD technology delivers CBD beyond the skin to relax vaginal and clitoral smooth muscle to encourage arousal and orgasm. FinSMEs 14/05/2021 SpaceX, the company founded by Elon Musk, has announced a new partnership with Google Cloud. Under the partnership, Starlink, which is a low-earth orbit satellite network, will soon have ground stations linked to Google data centers, to bring secure, low-latency, and reliable delivery of data. At the moment, Starlink has about 1500 satellites in low-earth orbit. Once SpaceX builds up Starlink ground stations within Google data center properties, the Starlink network will be able to leverage Google Clouds high-capacity private network to deliver global internet service. This partnership will mainly benefit Starlink clients such as public sector agencies and businesses who have a presence at the network edge. It will also benefit those who are operating in rural or remote areas, who require access to cloud, or to cloud services like analytics, artificial intelligence, or machine learning. Starlinks integration with Google Cloud is expected to come online for enterprise customers in the second half of 2021. Commenting on the launch, Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX President and Chief Operating Officer said: South Korea is considering ways to hold bilateral consultations with Japan on Tokyo's planned release of radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant, the foreign ministry said Friday. A local news outlet reported earlier that the two countries agreed to form a consultative group to exchange information and views on risks, verification and legal issues and other details related to the Fukushima water release. South Korea has expressed concerns about potential health risks after Tokyo said it would start releasing over 1.2 million tons of Fukushima's tritium-laced water into the Pacific Ocean. Seoul has called for Japan to share more information transparently. "The government's position is that aside from the verification process through the IAEA, bilateral consultations are necessary so that we can deliver our position and receive additional information," the ministry said, referring to the International Atomic Energy Agency. "We are reviewing ways to hold bilateral consultations for that matter," it said. The foreign ministry said earlier it plans to request Japan hold joint consultations of experts from both countries on the issue and to ensure that South Korean experts can take part in the IAEA monitoring. (Yonhap) Paxton, IL (60957) Today Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 69F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 69F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Korea Defense Veterans Association (KDVA) Korea Chapter President Lee Seo-young, second from right, gives a KDVA membership card to outgoing U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) Commander Gen. Robert Abrams, fourth from right, during a farewell event in Seoul, Thursday. The KDVA, founded in 2017, is a nonprofit organization based in Virginia that advocates the Korea-U.S. alliance by supporting former and current military service members. Courtesy of KDVA Traveler, Perfumer and Photographer: Christele Jacquemin Fragrance Reviews I first learned about Christele Jacquemin last year when Impermanence Christele Jacquemin was shortlisted for the Art & Olfaction 2020 in the Artisan Perfumes category (link). Probably most of the Fragrantica readers learned about her at that same time. If you take a look at her website, you will find out that she is well known among professional photographers and has won several prestigious awards for her work. The fragrances on the site look like an addition to her excellent series of photographs - one fragrance per series of photographs. The four fragrances of Christele Jacquemin are four examples of synesthesia; olfactory sketches created to more fully convey the spectrum of emotions from four places around the world: Taipei, Barcelona, Jin Ze (a suburb of Shanghai), and the village of Valliguieres in southern France, where Christele is from. Judging by the fact that Christele loves to travel and has been in 50 countries since the 70s, her collection will not be limited to these four fragrances. Moreover, she has loads of experience in the perfume world - she used to work for Iberchem, the Spanish Flavors and Fragrances company, for 17 years, in Sales and Marketing, before she took her 9 months training at Cinquieme Sens in Paris. Impermanence I decided to start my acquaintance with the Christele Jacquemin collection of fragrances with its most famous fragrance, Impermanence, the very one noted by the jury of Art & Olfaction-2020. "I stayed for a month in Jin Ze, a village on the outskirts of Shanghai (China), in an artist residency. It was a month of pure happiness and well-being to wander in the early morning along the canals which traversed this village still preserved from tourism. Back from China, I translated into scent the feelings of harmony and tranquility that I felt during this stay." It's surprising that a scent of harmony and peace would be called Impermanence. But not if you think about it; the position of the Sun and the Earth changes, the wind changes, clouds run, something grows, something collapses - we do not always see these slow movements. But if you start recording the life around, filming the same place at regular intervals, then you will notice that everything around is impermanent; everything changes. Nature gives us signs - changing while staying in a harmonious state. Always. Impermanence Christele Jacquemin is a fresh scent based on citrus and Japanese hinoki cypress. This unusual salty-woody note manifests itself as soon as the citrus accord of ginger and bergamot allows it. Hinoki takes the maximum attention with her peculiarness - and next to her, meanwhile, palmarosa breathes with a bright, lively geranium-lemon scent; rosemary breathes its coniferous spirit; a rose blooms in salty crystals. Some greenish celery-and-vetiver smoke creeps up insinuatingly. To me, the fragrance of citrus, geranium, and hinoki seems to be oceanic - it is so unusually salty. Impermanence Christele Jacquemin Top notes: Hinoki, Bergamot and Ginger; Middle notes: Palmarosa, Rosemary and Rose; Base notes: Vetiver and Mate. Meandering Soul "I spent a month in Taipei, the capital city of Taiwan. It was a chaotic month seeking to escape the noise and frantic pace of this Asian New York. My respite: going out at night, wandering in peace according to my inspiration, and reconnecting with nature, which I missed so much. Back from Taiwan, I worked to translate into scent the calm felt during these nocturnal walks." Oh, it doesn't even smell of calm in the beginning - it's rather an explosion and chaos! No wonder the fragrance is called Meandering Soul. Freshness and sweetness, spice and smoke - the perfume hits you in the first minutes in a cascade of simultaneous impressions. After a couple of minutes, you begin to spread your impressions on the shelves and realize that the spices are cinnamon and clove, that there's a kind of fleeting transparent vegetable-like freshness, and that the sweetness, on the contrary, is dense, rich, and floral-gourmand. From somewhere in the floral background, there is a warm and dark shade of something roasted, like malt and coffee. From underneath, a sweet anise wave reminiscent of Pastis rolls out, to be replaced by an immortelle (rather, Sotolone) note - the sweet accord brings peace and calm. This peacefulness comes from a brown and rough, sweet smoke, evoking a childhood memory. Meandering Soul Christele Jacquemin Top notes: Fennel and Hinoki; Middle notes: Cinnamon, Narcissus, and Ylang Ylang; Base notes: Caramel and Tobacco. Memory Lane "Valliguieres is a village in Southern France where I lived until 16. I walked away early, hoping to be reborn different elsewhere. After more than 30 years of avoidance behavior, it became clear that the only way to end up with my old ghosts was to face them. Past these few decades, I translated into scent the feeling of my childhood." This is the newest fragrance in the collection; our own Stefanie recently announced its launch. It's an intense and harsh green wave - a lot of sweetness, a lot of magnolia with its fruity greens, a lot of white spices. The beginning feels very nervous and anxious, unbalanced, even panicky to me. A strange white sweetness with a bitter almond vibe develops underneath the second layer but gradually comes to the fore and becomes the heart of the fragrance. This sweetness works from a distance, calming and comforting like eating some candy on an airplane, but from close up, it has a sharp, bitter taste... After the clove and vanilla I smell in the heart, an earthy, rough shade and some resin appear in the woody-smoky base, giving the desired feeling of reality. From the panic and anxiety, only a slight excitement remains; the perfume helps to bring back a calm head and is very beautiful with its special, atypical beauty (besides, this is the first scent with parsley oil I've smelled in my life!). Memory Lane Christele Jacquemin Top notes: Meringue accord, Myrrh, and Parsley; Middle notes: Magnolia, Nagarmotha; Base notes: Vanilla and White oud. Underworld "I lived in Barcelona for a few months in a students' residence. The Murcia chapter in Southern Spain that lasted seventeen years was over. A new chapter was in the making, between shadows and lights, between Barcelona and Paris. After these few months, I worked to translate this feeling of intertwined fears and hopes into a scent." After these few months, I worked to translate this feeling of intertwined fears and hopes into a scent." The most masculine of the four fragrances, Underworld reveals itself as a spicy woody fougere. A tight and solid start of spices, a green fougere heart of geraniums and carnations, some dark earthy patchouli, some vetiver, and the leather shade of the base - it's a real macho lover, no perfume for weak men. The light powder, sunblock shade, and green floral tuberose tint in the heart do not interfere with the overall masculinity but only add a more dashing and seductive pose to this handsome heartthrob. The use of tuberose in a masculine fougere scent is a great idea! I agree with Miguel; the perfume is really great! "What does the underworld have to do with it?" you may ask. I think this has to do with the fact that the roots in the ground cannot hide there forever - life will force them to sprout, grow leaves, create blossoms, and bear fruits. If you look at the scent pyramid, you'll see it's also built like a plant; from the roots and resin in the base notes to the leaves, flowers, and seeds in the heart and top. Underworld Christele Jacquemin Top notes: Cardamom, Pepper and Cumin; Middle notes: Carrot seeds, Tuberose and Mimosa; Base notes: Frankincense, Patchouli and Vetiver. The four Christele Jacquemin fragrances are amazing because they open up new categories that borderline with flavors: salty citrus, dark caramelly anise, tuberose fougere... I urge you to try them if you are looking for some really new ideas. They are available in 15, 30, 50, and 100 ml Eau de Parfum bottles priced at 48, 88, 148, and 288 EUR on the official website of the brand (along with collections of limited edition artwork). Samples of 3 ml cost 8 EUR. Dickey's Barbecue Pit Makes its Highly Anticipated Japan Debut World's largest barbecue concept set to open its doors in Tokyo on May 12 Dallas, May 13, 2021 // GLOBE NEWSWIRE // - Tokyo is about to get Japans first taste of Legit. Texas. Barbecue. from Dickeys Barbecue Pit when the worlds largest barbecue franchise opens overseas today, May 12! The Texas-style barbecue brand partnered with Sunsheng (Jason) Lin, owner of Japan Barbecue Franchise Company (JBFC) Co., LTD to open its first Japan location in the Kamiosaki District in Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo. The new restaurant will offer third-party delivery, takeout and limited dine-in seating for on-the-go guests seeking a quick, savory meal. Located just walking distance from Meguro Metro Station, Dickeys is in the perfect location for Tokyo locals and visitors alike to experience delicious, slow-smoked meats and southern sides for the first time. We are thrilled for Dickeys first Japan restaurant to open in such a well-known metropolis, said Roland Dickey Jr., CEO of Dickey's Capital Group. Working with Jason enables us to continue driving our international expansion efforts and rapidly grow as the worlds largest barbecue concept. With so many different, convenient ways to order at the new Tokyo restaurant, we are confident that people in Shinagawa-ku and its surrounding communities will become big fans of Dickeys pit-smoked barbecue. Dickeys is on the fast-track to expand even further across Japan with its second location projected to open this fall. The brands ultimate goal is for Dickeys to be present in every city in Japan. In addition to the location in Tokyo, Dickeys Franchise currently has eight other international partnerships in Abu Dhabi, Australia, Brazil, Dubai, Egypt, Pakistan, Singapore and Republic of Georgia. The brand attributes its success to its ability to replicate its original menu and its flexibility to add other proteins to suit local preferences while still preparing it with the same Texas barbecue flavors. SOURCE Dickeys Barbecue Restaurants, Inc. ### Comments: Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Disqus Protesters hold signs demanding heavy punishment for the woman indicted on charges of abusing her adopted daughter to death, outside the Seoul Southern District Court, Friday. The court sentenced the mother to life in prison. Yonhap A woman who abused her adopted daughter to death was sentenced to life in prison Friday in a fatal child abuse case that shocked the country. The Seoul Southern District Court ruled that the woman, surnamed Jang, intentionally harmed her daughter, named Jung-in, dismissing her claim that the baby's death was an accident. The 16-month-old toddler was adopted in February and died in October last year of severe abdominal injuries and internal bleeding that were caused by "strong external force," according to an official autopsy. Signs of prolonged abuse, such as fractured bones and bruises in various stages of healing, were also found on her body. "It looks like the adoptive mother stamped on the victim's abdomen," the court said. "She could have predicted that impacting another blow to the victim's already damaged abdomen could lead to her death." "The accused started to abuse the victim habitually about a month after adopting her and caused her death with unimaginable brutality," the court said. "As the accused ruthlessly trampled upon the victim's dignity and honor as a human being, it is only reasonable to separate the accused from society indefinitely." The woman's husband, surnamed Ahn, was sentenced to five years in prison for child abuse and aiding and abetting Jang's violence toward their adoptive daughter. The court reprimanded the husband for making implausible excuses that he did not know Jung-in had been physically assaulted by his wife, even though he "was in a position where he must have known" what was going on inside their home. Jang was initially indicted on charges including child abuse resulting in death. But prosecutors later added a murder charge after reevaluating the cause of her death with forensic experts after suspicions arose that Jang might have had an intention to kill the baby, or at least might have been aware that the girl could die from the suspected beatings and other abusive behaviors. An investigative report aired earlier this year was a catalyst for bringing renewed attention to her case and shed a spotlight on how the police and child welfare agencies failed to prevent the tragedy despite a series of glaring warning signs. The nation's police chief subsequently apologized over the agency's botched initial response and inadequate investigation. There were three reports in the span of five months about suspected abuse toward Jung-in. (Yonhap) Hiring Surge Happening in Oregons Life Science and Biotech Sectors Career Match Event to Link Seekers With Areas Largest Industry Firms QuantumScape and Volkswagen Sign Agreement to Select Location for Joint Venture Pilot-Line Facility If you're looking for something cool to do tonight or next weekend make sure you... Government needs to offer tax favors, deregulation President Moon Jae-in came with an ambitious plan to set up the world's best semiconductor production facilities for South Korea to lead the global supply chain of the chips. During a ceremony at the semiconductor plant of Samsung Electronics in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, Thursday, he also pledged to provide relevant companies with diverse incentives in terms of tax, financing and deregulations. Toward that end, he unveiled a plan to set up the so-called "K-Semiconductor Belt" and help foster chip-related human resources. This move, albeit belated, is desirable as the government and businesses began collaborative efforts to nurture the crucial chip industry. Well reflecting the significance of the plan, the event drew representatives from leading chip manufacturing companies, research institutes, universities and ranking government officials. Semiconductors have been a mainstay of Korea's industry, accounting for 20 percent of its total exports. Recently there have been growing calls to pay more heed to the chip industry as it has faced various difficulties including intensifying competition with the United States and China coupled with the worsening supply shortage. Against this backdrop, major chip makers like Samsung Electronics and SK hynix vowed to invest more than 510 trillion won ($450 billion) over the coming 10 years to help boost the government's plan. Yet, it is not certain whether they will be able to press ahead with the plans. This is because the government has failed to boost their competitiveness with regulations without offering feasible assistances to them. For instance, it took more than five years to resolve the problem with electricity supply to Samsung Electronics' Pyeongtaek plant. In addition, the plan for construction of SK hynix's Yongin plant has hit a snag due to administrative stereotypes involving environmental feasibility. In contrast, the U.S. has decided to invest 56 trillion won in the semiconductor sector over the eight years to come while China has been carrying out its investment of some 173 trillion won from 2015 until 2025. These compare Korea's plan to assist only 2.5 trillion won by 2019 including 1 trillion won for the development of future-generation chip technology. The U.S. has been taking a leading role in establishing a semiconductor supply network while China has decided to raise its self-sufficiency rate of chips to 70 percent. The European Union has also secured 68 trillion won (or 50 billion euros) to support its chip manufacturers. All these come since chips have already become essential to national security as well as industry. The Moon administration should take more concrete measures to help the chip companies sharpen their competitive edges and tackle the toughening global competition. Regulatory barriers in the way of promoting businesses should be removed immediately so the firms can establish facilities within a possible early date and invigorate research and development activities as well as diverse tax incentives. It needs to legislate a special law to help boost the semiconductor companies. Chinese consumers spend nearly 700 bln yuan during nationwide online shopping festival Xinhua) 10:59, May 14, 2021 Workers sort out packages at a sorting center in Lianyungang, east China's Jiangsu Province, Nov. 11, 2020, on the occasion of an annual online shopping spree. (Photo by Geng Yuhe/Xinhua) BEIJING, May 13 (Xinhua) -- Chinese consumers spent 692.8 billion yuan (about 107.22 billion U.S. dollars) over the course of a 15-day online shopping festival, official data shows. This represents a year-on-year growth of 26.7 percent, commerce ministry spokesperson Gao Feng told a regular press conference on Thursday. The online shopping festival, jointly launched by the Ministry of Commerce and other offices, is a nationwide campaign designed to boost quality consumption. The sales revenue of physical commodities surged 25.9 percent year on year to 562 billion yuan during the festival, with Chinese brands accounting for 73.8 percent of total sales, the data shows. Sales of travel packages soared 330 percent from a year ago during the online festival, and catering services sales surged 51.1 percent. (Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Liang Jun) gettyimagesbank By Kim Bo-eun The country's three major telecom companies saw their profits grow in the first quarter, backed by new business ventures in non-telecom sectors as they seek opportunities within new fields of information and communication technology such as artificial intelligence, big data and cloud computing. This may have pleased management at the mobile carriers, but they are facing increasing criticism for low internet speeds a fundamental problem they need to remedy as this is part of their core business. The controversy was ignited by a star YouTuber who claimed the actual upload and download speed of his 10 gigabit-per-second internet connection plan was only 100th of what was promised by his provider, KT. This "expose" snowballed, prompting the government to launch an inspection into the three telecom companies' internet speeds. Lawyers for consumers are now seeking to file a class action lawsuit against KT for substandard internet quality. Complaints over 5G speed have also continued in the two years since the "commercialization" of the latest generation telecommunication services in April 2019, as users have found quality issues with services not matching the pricey plans they are paying for. In addition, access to 5G services still largely depends on region, as provincial areas lack the necessary infrastructure. Services offered through 5G are supposed to be 20 times faster than those using the standard Long Term Evolution (LTE) network. But, at best, users are currently only getting 4.5 times the speed. This is due to a dire lack of base stations that can transmit at 5G speeds. Data show that the total number of base stations fell as of the first quarter of 2021. In 2018, the three mobile carriers submitted plans to set up 45,215 base stations using the 28 gigahertz bandwidth within three years. The 28 gigahertz stations enable faster speed than the 3.5 gigahertz stations that are used to offer current services and are crucial for the 20 times faster than LTE speeds as promised. But there are currently only around 100 such stations. The 28 gigahertz frequency enables greater speed, but has a shorter range, which requires more stations to be set up within shorter distances. This raises the cost for the telecom firms. "Investment into the 28 gigahertz infrastructure will speed up when businesses' need for faster speeds grows, as they set up facilities such as smart factories," a telecom firm official said. A Samsung Electronics employee introduces functions of its new Galaxy Book laptops to customers at the firm's store in Seoul, Friday. Courtesy of Samsung Electronics By Baek Byung-yeul Samsung Electronics has released new laptops under its new brand Galaxy Book to ride on the soaring demand for notebook PCs amid the ongoing stay-at-home trend caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The firm said Friday it rolled out three Galaxy Book laptops the Galaxy Book Pro 360, a convertible laptop that can be converted from a laptop to a tablet; the Galaxy Book Pro, an ultra-light laptop; and the Galaxy Book, a cheaper version of the Pro model. The Galaxy Book Pro 360 and the Galaxy Book Pro are available in 13.3-inch and 15.6-inch screen sizes with both models using OLED screens. The Galaxy Book series has been officially launched not only in the Korean market but also other countries including the United States, the U.K. and Germany on the same day. Samsung held a global launching event last month for the Galaxy Book products. This was the first time that the tech giant hosted an independent event promoting its laptops. Given its small share in the global laptop market, Samsung has not had any major promotional events for notebook PCs in the global market. Market researcher TrendForce said the number of notebook computer shipments in 2020 surpassed 200 million for the first time. With various countries imposing border control and lockdown measures to reduce the virus spread, the research firm estimated the figure to grow to 217 million this year, an 8.1 percent growth year-on-year. One of the good things about the new laptops is the Galaxy ecosystem, which lets Galaxy Book users connect with their Galaxy devices such as phones, tablets and wearable devices easily and quickly. Samsung said it could see an increasing demand for its laptops as the number of presales for the Galaxy Book Pro series from April 29 to May 10 were three times higher compared with its previous laptop models. By Kim Bo-eun Major conglomerates stated Friday they are not involved in human rights issues relating to China's Uyghur minority centered in the region of Xianjiang. Their remarks came after the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) requested Korean companies clarify their transactions with China-based firms employing forced labor by the ethnic minority. In a recently unveiled letter to the Korean government, the OHCHR stated companies such as Samsung, LG Electronics, LG Display, Hazzys and Fila are possibly involved in human rights violations through supply chains in China and Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The body separately reached out to the companies in March for their responses to the allegations. "We express our grave concern that the rights of minority workers from the Xianjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, especially Uyghur, are not upheld in line with international human rights and labor rights standards," the letter said. "We are concerned that these workers who are allegedly forcefully relocated across the country are subjected to forced labor." With regard to the allegations, LG stated its main electronics unit is not being supplied by any vendors in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The OHCHR stated LG Display had two vendors in question, but the display maker stated it had no transactions with one of the two companies, while deals with the remaining other came to an end in 2020. Samsung also refuted the allegations but declined to provide further details. "Samsung as a global company is adhering to international standards and we continue to monitor supply chains for possible issues," a Samsung Electronics official said Friday. "We do not understand why the letter to the government was unveiled at this point, given we already responded last month to the OHCHR regarding their inquiry," an official of one of the mentioned companies said. But there is a possibility that the companies are involved with human rights violations given allegations that foreign entities sourcing from factories in China are unable to access these factories for proper oversight and due diligence, due to what is seen as the influence of Chinese authorities. The U.N. body sent out the same letters to 14 countries, requesting governments to look into business' possible involvement with the Xinjiang Uyghur human rights issue. Regarding the issue, the foreign ministry said on Thursday, "The government provided explanations of our efforts regarding law and policy to ensure the protection of human rights by our companies." Former Asiana Group Chairman Park Sam-koo, center, enters Seoul Central District Court in Seoul, May 12, to attend his arrest warrant hearing. He was arrested on May 13 on charges of masterminding unfair financial transactions among group affiliates. Yonhap By Yi Whan-woo The latest arrests of former Asiana Group Chairman Park Sam-koo and Eastar Jet founder Lee Sang-jik illustrate the rise and fall of two airline business moguls. The two came from different backgrounds, with Park being the second generation of a chaebol family and Lee being a self-made entrepreneur. For both, it was an airline that allowed them to accumulate wealth and fame, before they ended up getting arrested Park on May 13 and Lee on April 28 on embezzlement and other charges. The Park family-controlled conglomerate began as a taxi business in southwestern Korea in the 1940s and it grew and prospered by advancing to multiple sectors, including the bus transport, tire, airline and petrochemical fields. It once ranked as the country's seventh-largest business group after Park Sam-koo took over the chairmanship in 2002. Established in 1988, Asiana Airlines was particularly noted for contributing to the conglomerate's revenue and brand image. In fact, the conglomerate renamed itself from Kumho Group to Kumho Asiana Group in 2003. However, excessive business expansion, such as the acquisitions of Daewoo E&C and Korea Express, triggered a liquidity crisis, which forced the conglomerate to enter a debt workout program and sell off key affiliates. Under these circumstances, Park, 76, resigned as the group chairman in 2019, taking responsibility for unfair financial transactions among the group's affiliates, including the country's No. 2 carrier, Asiana Airlines. Park has been accused of taking more than 130 billion won ($115.1 million) in low-interest loans without collateral, from nine group companies in order to support Kumho Buslines. This decision allegedly resulted in huge gains for him and his family. Asiana Airlines now awaits a merger with rival Korean Air possibly by the end of 2022. Independent lawmaker Lee Sang-jik was arrested on April 28, on embezzlement and other charges while leading the country's low-cost carrier, Eastar Jet. Korea Times file Government TechnologyIn this installment of the Innovation of the Month series, we explore NowPow, a Web-enabled mobile app developed in partnership with research and policy center Chapin Hall and used by researchers at the University of Chicago to assess the use of technology to improve care for families engaged with child and family services systems.MetroLabs Executive Director Ben Levine sat down with Dr. Stacy Lindau, Professor of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Medicine-Geriatrics at the University of Chicago, and Founder and Chief Innovation Officer of NowPow; and Dr. Dana Weiner, Policy Fellow at Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago, to learn more.: Could you please describe what NowPow is? Who is involved in this project?: NowPow refers to the suite of technological tools in use by health care, child welfare, and other social and human services systems to expedite the identification of service referrals and improve accessibility of community-based services. NowPow, inspired by the idea that knowledge is power, is the name of the IT company founded by Dr. Lindau to continue the work of a federal Health Care Innovation Award (HCIA).: NowPow is an information technology company that was founded by me, along with MAPSCorps, a 501c3, to sustain an innovation called CommunityRx. CommunityRx was created with HCIA funding from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to enable health-care professionals to systematically match patients to community-based programs and services to support self-care, chronic disease management and caregiving. NowPows multi-sided technology platform, building on the CommunityRx experiment, is used across the U.S. to build and manage high-functioning digital community resource referral networks. Use of the system generates powerful data-driven insights to inform investments in and the development and optimization of referral networks. Chapin Hall and researchers at the University of Chicago are using a Web-enabled mobile application, developed by NowPow with Chapin Hall, to assess use of the technology to improve care for families engaged with the child and family services system.NowPow makes it possible for case managers and social workers to e-prescribe community resources in the same way care professionals e-prescribe medicine. NowPow helps address their clients social determinants of health through referral matching and closed loop referrals.: What conditions motivated you to develop this particular technology approach?: The current collaboration between Chapin Hall and University of Chicago researchers focuses on case managers who support intact families engaged with the child and family services system. These individuals routinely draw on community-based programs and services to support the adults and children in the families they serve. We are studying the feasibility of using Web-enabled mobile technology to make it easier for case managers to match families with services and to track these referrals. Child welfare systems across the country are being encouraged to shift resources toward community-based prevention services, often without the requisite tools for quickly identifying and accessing these services. Chapin Hall provides strategic consultation to many of these systems, and hoped that this effort to evaluate the impact of the tool on staff time use and work flow would yield important information that can inform transformation in other systems. The University of Chicago team is studying how information about community resources can be optimally delivered to people who need it and how the flow and spread of this information can impact both individuals and communities. The field of research focused on scalable solutions to address unmet basic and social needs largely envisions health-care systems as the driver; in this study, children and families are at the center of the ecosystem. We are interested to learn how optimizing community resource referral activities can impact that important ecosystem.: How did the partnership between Chapin Hall and the University of Chicago come about? Were any government and community organizations involved in the process?: In 2004 I developed the Illinois Statewide Provider Database, and later served as a consultant to the University of Chicagos 2012-15 CommunityRx experiment led by Dr. Lindau. Now a policy fellow at Chapin Hall, I collaborated with Michael Stiehl and Nucha Isarawong to compete in and win the Booth School of Business App Challenge in spring of 2017, with a prototype mobile app for child welfare resource referrals. Chapin Hall allocated their winnings to iterate the NowPow tool as a mobile-optimized technology customized for child welfare users, and proposed with Dr. Lindau to test the new tool with support from the Chapin Hall-University of Chicago Joint Research Fund (JRF). We [Lindau and Weiner] were awarded a grant from the JRF to study the feasibility of iterating the CommunityRx solution to support child and family services. Partners on this effort include the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Intact Family Services Program (Julia Miller and Anne Gold) as well as OMNI Youth and Family Services (Doryce McCarthy).: What was the most surprising thing you learned during this process?: First, child welfare systems have evolved outside of many of the technological advancements that have improved health-care service delivery. Substantial efforts are needed to help tech developers understand the dynamics of the child welfare service delivery context and processes, and to develop modifications that work within that context. Similarly, the second lesson is that as child welfare providers shift to using technology (e.g., tablets, new software) the other protections put in place may impede the functioning of technology. Just as we check for contraindications and drug interactions when prescribing medications, so must we inventory existing technology to ensure that the tool we prescribe can function effectively on a platform that also protects privacy and transmits sensitive information to and about families.: We also learned that it is feasible, in a relatively short time frame, to partner with a child welfare agency to implement a mobile technology to facilitate the community resource referral workflow. Implementation required engagement between researchers, government and frontline caseworkers; iteration of the technology to fit with caseworker workflows and needs; a brief training and availability of ongoing support; and bidirectional communication between the implementation team and frontline end users.Similar to Dr. Weiners point, we learned how relevant and applicable a technology solution that better connects clients to resources in their community is across sectors. Built initially to serve health-care institutions, this partnership has shown that access to a comprehensive resource directory that also captures key eligibility and intake processes is applicable and can be implemented far more broadly.: Where will this project go from here?: Data analysis is currently underway. Our next steps will be to share findings back with OMNI Youth and Family Services, the partnering agency, and to disseminate findings via presentation and publication. Our current study establishes the feasibility of working together with an agency and case managers engaged in supporting intact families involved with the child and family welfare system. Based on these findings, our aim is to extend and expand our research to understand the mechanisms through which a community resource referral solution impacts care and outcomes for these families. Chapin Hall routinely receives inquiries from child welfare systems interested in leveraging the technology to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery. Chapin Hall is working with NowPow on collaborative presentations to these jurisdictions to ascertain interest and customize plans. Arkansas Colorado Washington Eight states are in the early stages of a collaboration with the National Governors Association that could enhance their ability to use and share health-care data enterprise-wide, ultimately improving operations and services to residents.On June 13, NGA, which works with governors on public policy and governance issues, announced a health policy partnership around data best practices with the states of Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Vermont and Washington. The 16-month initiative, which is called "Harnessing the Power of Data to Achieve State Policy Goals: The Foundation for State Success in Improving Quality and Reducing Costs," is still formative; and while state officials have connected via telephone, their first of two convenings wont take place until October.Already, however, health-care officials around the nation are looking in earnest at areas in their governments where existing laws and procedures could do more to enable a fuller and better use of the countless health-care data streams they collect and maintain. The initiative may last less than two years, but state and NGA officials said they expect it to have a lasting impact that could even extend beyond health care.Hemi Tewarson, health division director for NGA's Center for Best Practices, said it has contemplated how to assist states in improving their data systems for years, raising value while reducing costs and simultaneously addressing the whole person and understanding how residents health issues may drive how they use health care. The states selected differ in size and makeup, but share a desire to focus on cross-sector data sharing, linking intra-state data systems more effectively and building the governance to make that happen.When I say governance, that means data-sharing agreements and figuring out standards that work across, perhaps, different systems that currently dont talk to one another. These eight states really were all focused on wanting to make improvements in their data systems in a way that we thought was very complimentary to the work that we wanted to help them with in this project, Tewarson said.Considerable interagency teamwork around health-care data already exists in three states contacted by, but as staffers in Colorado put it, assessing the opportunities for improvement requires a view across programs, including sharing and integrating data.The state of Arkansas hired its first chief data officer, Richard Wang, in July, and Adita Karkera, Arkansas deputy state chief data officer, said the state is interested to engage health-care systems, public- and private-sector partners, and drive collaborations to the state CDO network, learning from peers during the NGA project and potentially educating them as well.What states accomplish could positively impact their Medicare and Medicaid systems; Karkera said Arkansas has a need to eliminate Medicaid payments to state prisoners who should have become ineligible but continue to receive benefits. Manual work has already generated a cost-savings for the state, and the deputy CDO said automating the process and drilling down on identity matching should yield additional results and enhance partnerships with other agencies.I think our overarching long-term goal is to create some sort of a uniform and secure method of data exchange, for exchanging information between the health-care sector as well as law enforcement. Were hoping to create some sort of strategic governance model that can be used to integrate these two sensitive and highly regulated data sets, Karkera said.The states first NGA-related project will likely focus on better identifying so-called frequent fliers in its crisis stabilization unit, which works to keep residents experiencing mental health crises out of prison when possible. Any new policy for a secure data exchange methodology, she added, would need the blessing of the CDOs data and transparency panel.In Colorado, the eHealth Commission and the Governors Office of eHealth Innovation (OeHI) developed the online Health IT Roadmap to coordinate intra-state health IT. The state also offers the Two-Generation Program, a view across multiple age groups; the Government Data Advisory Board, centered on intra-state data sharing and governance; and is partnering with the University of Denvers Evaluation and Action Lab to evaluate health and human services programs across programs.Officials including state Chief Data Officer Jon Gottsegen and members of the OeHI, who responded collectively by email, said these and other initiatives reflect recognition of a general need to improve the way data and systems may be leveraged and integrated to provide more effective services to Coloradans while ensuring data security and privacy. Their specific objectives in joining the NGA project are to develop common data-sharing policies, including with counties; a data-sharing infrastructure; and to effectively utilize integrated data to inform state policy and practice. The states interest also includes achieving cost efficiencies by improving health-care delivery and highlighting inefficiency or fraud.Currently, it is acknowledged that state personnel often spend significant amounts of time in responding to data requests and developing the necessary data-sharing protocols, but the state does not have a clear measure of the magnitude of effort spent in these data-sharing scenarios, the officials wrote.Colorado will do initial process mapping of some data sharing using a lean approach to quantify the time spent and likely make it more efficient by identifying the most time-consuming steps. While likely not visible to residents, their NGA collaboration will yield improved outcomes, the officials said.In Washington state, officials work frequently in cross-sector data, with health care, social services and criminal and juvenile justice information, Thea Mounts, the state's All-Payer Claims Database Program Director and NGA project coordinator, said. But joining the NGA initiative should help the state identify methods for cross-sector data sharing and drill down on issues outside health care that affect its outcomes, including housing, transportation, food security, employment and education.The state hopes to address existing needs around enterprise data governance, infrastructure, an enterprise privacy and security framework and sustainability of its efforts, specifically exploring the possibility of a federated data system where information can be more easily linked and shared. Like their counterparts in Arkansas, they're looking at options for identity matching, including master data management, that could serve as groundwork for any future universal ID efforts.The idea about linking and sharing and using the data for research is to support policy development and program development. And then another piece of that would be the focus on the security and the privacy of the data. It would hopefully be beneficial to the citizens of Washington, Mounts said, noting, as did her peers in other states, that their efforts may not quickly yield visible results but should result in a road map of where data sharing may be headed. Schoolchildren dance during a music class at a primary school in Awati Township in Kashgar in western China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, April 19. Xinjiang had the sharpest known decline in birthrates between 2017 and 2019 of any territory in recent history, according to a new analysis by an Australian think tank. AP-Yonhap Mayor Tubbs office has partnered with the Reinvent South Stockton Coalition and the Economic Security Project co-chaired by Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes to launch the Stockton Economic Empowerment Demonstration (SEED). Starting in early 2019, 100 Stockton residents will receive $500 a month for 18 months. The goal is to document the effect of a guaranteed income on their quality of life.Natalie Foster, co-chair of the Economic Security Project, first met Mayor Tubbs at a conference last year, where he told her that he had been interested in universal basic income since reading Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.s book,, in which the civil rights leader advocated for guaranteed income as a solution to poverty.SEED is supported by a $1 million grant from the Economic Security Project and about $200,000 more in private donations. In Oakland, a UBI trial was funded by Sam Altman, the president of Silicon Valley accelerator Y Combinator. There, a group of about 100 families received $1,500 a month from September 2016 to September 2017. Soon after, Altmans company announced plans to expand the program to include 3,000 people across two states who will receive money for up to five years. San Francisco is also working to develop and raise funding for a universal basic income pilot.Foster says that the tech community's interest in universal basic income "started with people worried about robots and the rise of automation and the impact of artificial intelligence on the workforce."But we realized one doesnt need to look to the future to make a case for radically rethinking our economy and guaranteeing everyone an income floor," she says. "One needs to just look at today where you have a quarter of the American workforce on public assistance.The common criticism of universal basic income is that it will incentivize citizens to stop working, and that the cost is not financially feasible.Economist Ioana Marinescu of the University of Pennsylvania has researched the effects of universal basic income and said many studies find no statistically significant effect of an unconditional cash transfer [or universal basic income] on the probability of working.The evidence shows that an unconditional cash transfer can improve health and educational outcomes, and decrease criminality and drug and alcohol use, especially among the most disadvantaged youths, she says.As for the cost concerns, a study from the left-leaning Roosevelt Institute last year determined a "full universal basic income" system that gives every citizen $1,000 a month or $12,000 a year would grow the economy by $2.5 trillion by 2025.Similarly, political scientist Charles Murray argues that a UBI system would just re-allocate the current funds we use for welfare services.On the other side, however, a study this year by the investment management firm Bridgewater Associates reported that a basic income program paying every American citizen $12,000 a year would cost taxpayers $3.8 trillion.A widespread UBI system is likely a while away, but SEED Director Lori Ospina says projects like the one in Stockton even if they are small help to build a body of evidence that can be used to support the idea and make it more viable.Interest is already growing: Foster says she has spoken with a number of mayors who might want to test the concept. And last year, Hawaii became the first state to pass a bill in favor of basic income. It requires state agencies to convene a working group that will "identify and analyze options to ensure economic security, including a partial universal basic income, full universal basic income and other mechanisms."Meanwhile, Stockton is still in the development phase, according to Ospina. They are finalizing the selection criteria for applicants and hope to pick the participants by the end of the year and begin the disbursement by early 2019.Recognizing that universal basic income is a radical shift, Foster and other UBI supporters also advocate for states to expand eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which already exists on the federal level and in 29 states plus the District of Columbia. They want to give a $1,200 to $2,500 annual tax credit to people earning $75,000 a year or less. They also advocate for broadening the EITC definition of work to include students, caregivers and others who may be outside the workforce for reasons beyond their control. Looking to the Feds for Help in Fighting Cybercriminals Cybercriminals are unrelenting in their attacks on state and local government computers, and the states are looking to Congress for help. Privacy and Cybersecurity Facing Challenges In this age of hackers and cybercriminals, every state has a top security official focused on preventing breaches and protecting the vast amounts of data it collects. Now, a growing number also are hiring a top official to make sure that the privacy of residents personal data is protected as well.Many large companies have employed 'chief privacy officers' for years, but they were rare in state government. A decade ago, there were only a few; today, at least eight states have them Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, South Carolina, Utah, Washington and West Virginia, according to the National Association of State Chief Information Officers. Arkansas hired its first in June.I expect we will see more states doing this in the future, said Amy Glasscock, a senior policy analyst at the association. Its good to focus on privacy rather than just security because of the sensitive information that state governments have on citizens. Educating state agencies how to keep things private is very important.States collect reams of confidential information from residents, such as Social Security numbers, health records, tax forms and credit card numbers. Much of it is stored digitally and some states also use the cloud, remote servers that can be accessed over the internet instead of on a computer hard drive.Chief privacy officers are tasked with ensuring that state agencies safeguard that information and comply with privacy regulations. That means state employees who handle data must know how to protect sensitive information when they use or share it.South Carolina created its chief privacy officer position, for example, after a major data breach at the state Department of Revenue in 2012 that compromised the personal information of nearly 4 million taxpayers.Chief privacy officers typically create statewide privacy policies that apply to every agency and require that staffers be trained. They meet regularly with state agencies privacy teams and evaluate new technology to make sure it doesnt conflict with privacy protections. Some also offer services to consumers to educate them about protecting their privacy.Its a great idea to have state privacy officers, said Lee Tien, senior staff attorney for the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a San Francisco-based digital civil liberties group. Governments must understand that in their information and data operations they can actually do bad things when it comes to privacy.Alex Alben, Washington states chief privacy officer, said his office is rolling out a privacy checklist app for state and local governments with dozens of topics employees can search, such as how to assess the impact of a program on privacy or protect location-tracking data on mobile devices.His office also has created a privacy guide for residents and does public outreach.You dont want to just live in this bubble in the state capitol, Alben said. Its important to know what residents concerns are about privacy and how their data is being used. We respond to peoples questions and try to be advocates for them.State chief privacy officers work closely with chief information security officers, who oversee cybersecurity. Cybercriminals are constantly scanning state computer networks seeking out vulnerabilities. In recent years, they have stepped up their attacks If theres been any sort of infiltration of a system, privacy is very important, said Sallie Milam, West Virginias chief privacy officer. We need to know what individuals are affected, what data was impacted, and what is the risk of harm.In a 2016 survey of state CIOs, 65 percent said recent cybersecurity incidents had changed the way they approached oversight of privacy issues . Still, only 11 percent said their state had an executive-level chief privacy officer.The CIOs said they were concerned there was a lack of awareness in state agencies about the importance of privacy.If youre really focused on security, its easier not to give as much attention to privacy issues, said Glasscock, of the chief information officers association.And chief privacy officers dont just deal with external threats. Sometimes, breaches occur when state employees inadvertently release data that contains personal information, email a confidential document in an unsecured format, or dont securely store it.As long as we have humans in these jobs, mistakes can happen, Milam said.A major challenge for chief privacy officers is ensuring that state vendors follow the proper privacy procedures. That can be difficult, given their numbers and the fact that many are small businesses.A lot of vendors, I imagine, just sign the document, and are not engaged in extensive compliance, Milam said.Washington states Alben said he worries about who is overseeing contractors to make sure theyre abiding by privacy rules.What are their privacy policies? How do you know theyre enforcing them? What happens when the contract ends? he said. These are all things we need to know about.Chief privacy officers also must make sure their efforts dont impede the publics right to know. A lot of data collected by states isnt private; its public information that should be accessible to anyone.Glasscock, of the chief information officers group, said many states havent bothered to create chief privacy officer positions because they dont want to spend the money.You need buy-in at the executive level and from the governor, she said. You need people who feel really passionate about the issue.But that may be changing. I think there is a growing trend toward governors caring about this issue and considering it as a priority, she said.Milam, who was appointed in 2003 and was the nations first state chief privacy officer, agrees the concept is gaining momentum in state capitols.There will have to be more of us in the future, she said. Privacy officers understand the rules and risks around the release of data. You have to have someone with that expertise, or youll lose your public trust. Following increased restrictions on British travel to Turkey, Formula 1 has taken the decision to cancel this year's planned Turkish Grand Prix and host two races in Austria. In recent weeks there has been growing concerns over rising cases of the coronavirus in Turkey and the UEFA Champions League was also moved to Portugal as a result of travel restrictions imposed by the UK government. With Turkey now on the red list F1 have also taken action bringing forward the French Grand Prix by a week and the Styrian Grand Prix taking place on the 25-27 of June. The Austrian Grand Prix will keep its original slot the week later. Turkey was initially a replacement for the Canadian Grand Prix but with the last restrictions on travel to the county F1 were forced to take action. BREAKING: Due to travel restrictions, it is unfortunately not possible to race in Turkey in June As a result, France moves a week earlier (18-20 June) and Austria will host a double header (25-27 June and 2-4 July)#F1 pic.twitter.com/T6u2uqfYDM Formula 1 (@F1) May 14, 2021 Toto Wolff has issued a clear message to British authorities that he would like to see Formula 1 race on the streets of London. Previously, former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone championed the idea of the sport heading to the British capital, but it never materialised due to bureaucratic complexity and the high cost. Mercedes boss Wolff tells the Evening Standard newspaper that London should not endanger Silverstone's place on the annual F1 calendar. "I would like that we have a grand prix in Silverstone as this is what the fans love and Silverstone is part of the traditional circuit of races in Formula 1," he said. "But racing in London would top everything and I hope that the mayor of London and (prime minister) Mr Johnson read this and we get that going." Wolff said Formula 1 and London are the perfect combination. "We have the most efficient hybrid engines in the world and the current superstar is a British guy so racing in London showcasing our technology and our innovative capability, let's go," he said. (GMM) Hyundai Motor Group (HMG), which includes Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation, plans to invest $7.4 billion in the US by 2025 to produce future EVs, enhance production facilities and further its investments in smart mobility solutions. HMGs investment will enhance overall product competitiveness by prioritizing future mobility technologies, including electrification and hydrogen energy. Hyundai and Kia will invest in growing its EV manufacturing footprint to scale production and satisfy US market demands. Hyundai Motor will offer a suite of American-made electric vehicles to US consumers starting next year. Hyundai and Kia will monitor the market conditions and US government EV policy to finalize its plan to enhance its US production facilities and gradually expand its local EV production. Hyundai Motor Group looks forward to working with the US government and other business partners to expand the US hydrogen energy ecosystem. Hyundai Motor Group signed an MOU with the US Department of Energy in February 2020 to cooperate in hydrogen fuel cell technology innovation and global expansion. This included the installation of a hydrogen refueling station and providing NEXO SUVs. Later this year, Hyundai will proceed on demonstration project in preparation for commercialization of fuel cell electric trucks. Hyundai Motor will also work with local partners to conduct a hydrogen refueling demonstration project for fuel cell electric trucks and provide logistics between port and inland warehouses by utilizing fuel cell electric trucks. Hyundai has previously made an agreement with Cummins to accelerate deployment of fuel cell electric systems in the US market. Urban Air Mobility (UAM), robotics and autonomous technologies. Hyundai Motor Group will launch a subsidiary in Washington, DC to spearhead the Groups UAM businesses. The subsidiary will focus on creating an UAM ecosystem and revolutionizing the mobility experience. The Group also will firmly establish its presence in the robotics field through Boston Dynamics. The Group announced last year that it agreed to acquire a controlling 80% interest in Boston Dynamics in a deal that values the mobile robot firm at $1.1 billion. In addition, Hyundai Motor Group has created the joint venture, Motional, in partnership with the leading US mobility technology firm Aptiv. Focused on commercializing driverless technology, Motional has obtained the industrys first driverless license in the state of Nevada and plans to commercialize robotaxi service in 2023 along with its partner Lyft. Motional has started testing Hyundais all-electric IONIQ 5 equipped with advanced autonomous driving technology on public roads. Together, the Hyundai Motor Group and Motional will enhance its autonomous driving technology in preparation for Lyfts robotaxi launch in 2023. On Thursday, Washington state Governor Jay Inslee vetoed legislation that would have set the first state-legislated 2030 phaseout target for automotive combustion engines in the country. (Earlier post.) The Clean Cars 2030 package passed the legislature as an amendment to E2SHB 1287a bill mandating electric utility preparation for an all-EV future. Governor Inslee signed the bulk of 1287, vetoing the Clean Cars amendment package due to its linking electrification to the implementation of a road usage charge program. In his veto statement, Governor Inslee said: Section 6 of the bill [the Clean Cars package] ties a very important goal of electrifying our transportation sector to the implementation of a road usage charge program. Transportation is our states greatest source of carbon emissions and we cannot afford to link an important goal like getting to 100% zero-emission vehicles to a separate policy that will take time to design and implement. The Clean Cars 2030 legislation would have set a goal for the state that all publicly owned and privately owned passenger and light duty vehicles of model year 2030 or later that are sold, purchased, or registered in Washington state be electric vehiclesonce the road usage charge (or tax based on vehicle miles traveled or equivalent charge) was in effect in the state with at least 75% of registered LDVs participating. Electric was defined as vehicles that use energy stored in rechargeable battery packs or in hydrogen and which rely solely on electric motors for propulsion. The all-electric mandate would apply to on-road motor vehicles with a scale weight of up to 10,000 pounds and three or more wheels. Emergency services vehicles would be exempt. Matthew Metz, founder and co-executive director of Coltura, an organization that had championed Clean Cars 2030, said that Coltura will continue to work with the governors office to advance vehicle electrification policy in the state. An Israeli artillery unit fires toward targets in Gaza Strip, at the Israeli Gaza border, Thursday, May 13. AP-Yonhap Israel said Friday it sent ground forces into action and pounded Gaza in response to a new barrage of rocket fire from the Hamas-run enclave in a conflict that has now claimed over 100 Palestinian lives. "Israeli planes and troops on the ground are carrying out an attack in the Gaza Strip," the Israeli army said in a brief message. The escalation was confirmed by army spokesman John Conricus, although he did not specify the scale of the operation. As the violence intensified, Israel security forces scrambled to contain deadly riots between Jews and Arabs, with projectiles also fired on Israel from Lebanon. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington was "deeply concerned about the violence in the streets of Israel", voicing support for a United Nations Security Council meeting "early next week" on the crisis. "We believe that Israelis and Palestinians deserve equal measures of freedom, security, dignity and prosperity," Blinken said. There were intense artillery exchanges Thursday night, and AFP reporters saw Israeli troops assembling at the security barrier. Balls of flames rose high into the sky after strikes smashed into densely packed Gaza. Dozens of rockets were fired from Gaza towards the southern Israeli coastal cities of Ashdod and Ashkelon, and in the vicinity of Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airport. "We are prepared, and continue to prepare for various scenarios," Conricus said, describing a ground offensive as "one scenario". In Gaza, AFP photographers said people were evacuating their homes in the northeastern part of the enclave ahead of possible Israeli attacks, with Hamas, the Islamist group that controls Gaza, warning of a "heavy response" to a possible ground incursion. Israeli soldier arms artillery shells next to an artillery unit at the Israeli Gaza border, May 13. AP-Yonhap 'Massive reinforcement' With the conflict showing no signs of easing, Israel has been rocked by an unprecedented wave of mob violence, in which both Arabs and Jews have been savagely beaten and police stations attacked. Defense Minister Benny Gantz ordered a "massive reinforcement" to suppress the internal unrest. The heavy bombardments coincided with the start of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, and saw the faithful pray at mosques and amid the rubble of Gaza's collapsed buildings. Israel's air force launched multiple air strikes, targeting locations linked to Hamas, with the air force saying jets had struck a "military compound" of the group's "intelligence headquarters". At least 103 people have been killed since Monday, including 27 children, and more than 580 wounded, the health ministry in Gaza said. Heavy bombardments have brought down entire tower blocks. Inside Israel, seven people have been killed since Monday, including one six-year-old, after a rocket struck a family home. A satellite view shows a closer view of burning storage tank in southern Israel, May 12. Reuters-Yonhap OMAHA, Neb. (AP) Canadian National sweetened its offer to buy Kansas City Southern railroad Thursday and derailed rival Canadian Pacific's bid for the railroad that handles traffic in the United States and Mexico. Kansas City Southern said Thursday that it determined Canadian National's revised $33.6 billion offer was better than the $25 billion agreement it had with Canadian Pacific. CNs latest offer still includes $200 in cash for each Kansas City Southern share, but the Canadian railroad is now also offering 1.129 shares of its stock. Previously, Canadian National had been offering 1.059 shares of CN common stock for each share. The transaction also includes about $3.8 billion in Kansas City Southerns debt. Canadian National President and CEO JJ Ruest said the combined railroad will connect Canada with the United States and Mexico and take advantage of the expected growth in trade between the three countries. Our proposal offers a clear path to completion and is structured in a way that gives KCS shareholders both greater immediate value and the opportunity to participate in the future upside of the combined company, Ruest said. Kansas City Southern has been reviewing both bids and holding talks with its Canadian suitors since CN joined the bidding last month. Canadian Pacific officials have said they believe the Canadian National deal would have trouble getting approved by regulators who are concerned about its impact on competition. Canadian Pacific reiterated Thursday that it doesnt plan to increase its bid for Kansas City Southern, and officials with that railroad said they still believe their combination is the most likely to be approved by regulators. CP said it would respond to Kansas City Southern within the next five days. It is not surprising that CN would raise its offer, and it only highlights CNs recognition of the significant regulatory risk/challenges associated with its anti-competitive bid, Canadian Pacific said in a statement. Canadian Pacific has said combining Kansas City Southern and Canadian National would hurt competition because both those companies have rail lines that compete for business between the Midwest and the Gulf Coast. Canadian Pacifics network connects to Kansas City Southern near its headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri, but those two railroads dont overlap elsewhere. Canadian National has said it doesnt believe its merger with Kansas City Southern will hurt competition, and it is confident it could address any competitive concerns later in the review process. CN officials said every other major railroad has a north-south route somewhere in the country that could compete for traffic. Canadian Pacific will still have a chance to revise its bid in response within the next five days or walk away with a $700 million breakup fee. U.S. regulators havent approved any major railroad mergers since the 1990s, and officials have said that generally any deal involving one of the six largest railroads must enhance competition and serve the public interest. The Surface Transportation Board has also said it would consider whether any deal would destabilize the industry and prompt additional mergers. The board adopted tough rules for major railroad mergers after service problems developed after railroad mergers in the 1990s. Canadian National plans to set up a voting trust that would acquire Kansas City Southern and own the railroad, so it could continue operating independently while the Surface Transportation Board reviews the deal to determine whether to approve it. That review could take more than 18 months. If regulators ultimately reject the deal, then the voting trust would sell off Kansas City Southern, so it could remain independent. Its not yet clear whether this Kansas City Southern deal will trigger a new round of railroad mergers. Some analysts have said that Canadian Pacific may seek another partner if it loses out on Kansas City Southern. Canadian Pacific tried to acquire Norfolk Southern five years ago, but it abandoned that roughly $30 billion bid after it encountered strong opposition from Norfolk Southern, politicians, rail customers along the route and other railroads. GREENWICH Greenwich Hospital is looking to establish itself as a regional cancer-care center in coming years, as part of a long-term plan to treat rising rates of cancer and capture a greater market share of the regional health care field. President Diane Kelly outlined the ambitious strategy behind a major expansion of the medical facilities for Greenwich planning commissioners this week, spelling out the new kinds of specialties that the hospital is looking to provide. Kelly said the hospital administrators had looked long and hard at medical data and cancer statistics as part of its expansion plan. She said the institution was looking to attract patients that are now going to other facilities around the northeast, as well as to ensure residents of Greenwich and nearby communities who use the hospital could seek care closer to home. We are very data driven in our decisions in what services we are going to provide, Kelly told the Planning and Zoning Commission, and the hospital had embarked on a detail-oriented plan for a new facility to accommodate a growing number of cancer specialties. Kelly said the hospital had already begun to add staff, thanks to an an ongoing and deepening partnership with Yale Medical School and Yale-New Haven Health. A brain-cancer specialist had been hired, she said, and had recently purchased a home in Greenwich, while maintaining a teaching position at Yale Medical School. The hospital was also making commitments to improve its offerings in cancer treatment for tumors of the lung, colon, ovaries and prostate, she said, as well as other related fields in oncology. In all of our areas, we are broadening the services that we have, Kelly said. The hospital was also adding capabilities to its hallmark treatment for breast cancer, the president said, and it is looking to do more clinical trials that would be extremely beneficial to patients facing aggressive forms of the disease. The new Smilow Cancer Center, as it is being called, measuring some 55,000 square feet on Lafayette Place and Lake Street, would be two stories tall and accommodate the new specialty practices and various support services. The hospital has been losing many cancer patients in its service area, a population of around 500,000 people stretching from the communities in and around Stamford through Greenwich and into a wide swath of Westchester County, N.Y., according to the administration. Cancer patients are going to other medical facilities in the New York City area, Boston, or other parts of Connecticut, Kelly said, the new addition is aimed at reversing that trend. The more we are bringing in these specialists, people find them, the hospital president said. We need space for that. We can attract top talent, and we can get top equipment, when we have the right plan for it, and hoping we have a community that can support that. According to hospital data, some 464 people in the Greenwich Hospital service area were diagnosed with cancer over a recent one-year period, and only 164 came to Greenwich Hospital for treatment. For brain cancer and cancers of the nervous system, 84 new cases were diagnosed, and only 15 came to Greenwich Hospital for treatment. For prostate cancer, which is expected to rise 11 percent in the market area in the next ten years, 79 cases were treated in Greenwich, out of a total of 661 new cases, Kelly said. The expansion will also benefit the local community. We strongly believe people should not have to drive more than 30 minutes for cancer care, she said, This takes a lot out of someone. If youre sick, and you need to do this, two three or four times a week, its a big deal. If you can do it locally, you should. Roughly 40 percent of the patients at Greenwich Hospital live in town, the rest come from other communities nearby. There is no hospital that could actually survive on a population of 60,000 people. We draw people from different areas, Kelly noted, and attracting and maintaining a steady caseload was an imperative for institutional success. Dr. Dickerman Hollister, director of medical oncology at the hospital, said the proposed additions and new staffing had been generating a sense of excitement. With the new cancer center, its a nice building, but its really the people, the physicians, that are going to make this thing fly, he said. Lori Contadino, director of the Greenwich Commission on Aging, said improvements to the local medical facilities would be a welcome addition to Greenwich seniors. Older adults do have a strong preference for getting medical care, whether routine or serious, here in town, she wrote in an email. Besides having a local hospital offering a wide range of medical services, she said, it was also important to have a comprehensive continuum of health services that provide optimal care to older adults, so they can stay in their homes. Having high-end medical services within a short distance was a definite plus, Contadino continued. Access to top-notch health care and specialty care enhances the well-being of the patient, support for the family and strengthens the overall health of a community, she said. Jill McDonald Halsey, vice-president of the the Connecticut Hospital Association, said hospitals had to adapt to changing circumstances in the healthcare field. Connecticuts communities count on their hospitals to respond to changing healthcare needs, and hospitals are evolving to address those changing demands. As life-saving treatment options continue to expand for serious illnesses like cancer, patients appreciate the comfort of being able to access those essential services closer to home, she said. Well-resourced hospitals were always a benefit to the region and the communities they served, she continued. Strong hospitals and health systems are an asset to the communities they serve, providing skilled care and emergency response, employment, and critical economic development. According to the hospital administration, the hospital expects to break ground on the new building in 2022 and have it operational in three years, should approvals follow as expected. Review by the towns Planning and Zoning Commission is ongoing. rmarchant@greenwichtime.com Contributed / Getty GREENWICH Local police arrested a 30-year-old Bronx, N.Y., man Friday behind the wheel of a Mercedes allegedly stolen out of New York City. Greenwich police said Officer Matt Swift was off-duty when he saw the man attempting to engage a group of young females in conversation in a parking lot on Sound Beach Avenue, a press release said. BOSTON (AP) A former Massachusetts mayor first elected at the age of 23 by touting himself as a successful entrepreneur was convicted Friday of stealing money from investors in his start-up to bankroll his lavish lifestyle and soliciting bribes from marijuana vendors who wanted to operate in the struggling mill city. Jasiel Correia was found guilty of extortion, fraud and filing false tax returns after 23 hours of jury deliberations over four days in a trial that highlighted Correia's swift rise and fall in Fall River, where he had dazzled voters at a young age with his promises to turn the city around. Correia, now 29, was also acquitted on three counts, including accusations that he forced his chief of staff to give him half of her salary in order to keep her city job. Correia, who insisted he was innocent and attacked the charges as politically motivated, never took the stand. After leaving Boston's federal courthouse fitted with a electronic-monitoring bracelet, Correia told reporters that his fight is not over" and predicted he would win on appeal. Eventually the real truth will come out, Correia said. "I will be vindicated and my future will be very long and great. Acting U.S. Attorney Nathaniel Mendell called the verdict a fitting end to this saga. Correia made a lot of promises, a lot of bold statements in business, in politics and in government," Mendell said. "The jury found today, in its verdict, the truth. Correia's lawyer had argued his client wasnt a criminal, but merely an inexperienced businessman who believed that he was free to use investors money as he deemed fit while he was producing the smartphone app. Before Correia became mayor, prosecutors say he lured investors to support his app called SnoOwl by falsely claiming that he had previously sold another business for a big profit. Prosecutors say he used nearly two-thirds of the almost $400,000 he took from investors on himself and spent it on things like fancy hotels, casinos, high-end restaurants and expensive gifts for his girlfriend. Investors who took the stand told jurors they handed over their cash because they believed Correia was bright, trustworthy and headed for great things. One investor said he thought Correia was a boy wonder and that Correia assured him he wasnt going to take a dime out of the company so all the money could go to the development of the app. Instead, prosecutors say Correia looted a bank account filled with investor money to pay for things like a helicopter tour of Newport, Rhode Island, a Mercedes, a $300 bottle of cologne and a $700 pair of Christian Louboutin shoes for his girlfriend. These werent occasional purchases, this is shameless continued stealing without any regard for the fact that he is betraying people who trusted him, Assistant U.S. Attorney Zach Hafer said. Throughout the trial, prosecutors portrayed Correia as a serial liar, who they said misled voters in order to get elected just like they said he duped investors. In a clip shown to jurors from a 2015 debate during the race for mayor, Correia promised taxpayers that he would take your money and spend it wisely because he said thats what he had done in his business. His lie about how he previously sold another app for big money allowed him avoid questions about how he could afford such a lavish lifestyle on his $17,000 annual salary as a Fall River city councilor, prosecutors said. After the Democrat took office as mayor in 2016, prosecutors say Correia quickly turned to old school pay-to-play political corruption, by soliciting bribes from marijuana vendors seeking to operate in Fall River. Marijuana business owners, who were given immunity to testify against Correia, told jurors about how Correia or middlemen negotiated bribes in exchange for letters of approval from the city they need in order to get a license. Correias lawyer attacked the credibility and sought to shift the blame onto the governments witnesses who had cooperation agreements with prosecutors, suggesting they were lying in an effort to help themselves. One man, who pleaded guilty in the extortion scheme, told jurors about how he collected an envelope filled with $25,000 in cash that a middleman had put in a shed behind his home. The witness, Hildegar Camara, said he opened the envelope in front of Correia and got spooked, telling the mayor, If you take this or I take this, were going to go to jail. Another man, who was hoping to operate a marijuana business in Fall River, described how Correia showed up at his familys store and asked for $250,000, saying he needed it for legal defense fees. After Correia and Charles Saliby eventually agreed on a lower bribe, Correias chief of staff told Saliby: Youre family now, according to Salibys testimony. Correia was acquitted of two extortion counts related to a scheme involving a Rolex watch and one count of bribery stemming from accusations that he convinced his chief of staff to kickback part of her salary to him. Correias lawyers argued it wasnt a bribe but a loan from a mother-like figure to Correia. And though his chief of staff pleaded guilty to charges including extortion and bribery, she never took the stand to testify against Correia. He's scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 20. LONDON - Prince Harry talked about inherited suffering and compared his former royal life to a mixture of being on "The Truman Show" and living "in a zoo," in his first interview since his bombshell broadcast with Oprah Winfrey in March. In a 90-minute recording with the Armchair Expert podcast, the prince - who decamped to California last year - talked about struggling as a member of the British royal family and said he did not want to pass his emotional pain on to his children. "I don't think we should be pointing the finger or blaming anybody, but certainly, when it comes to parenting, if I've experienced some form of pain or suffering because of the pain or suffering that perhaps my father or my parents had suffered, I'm going to make sure that I break that cycle, so that I don't pass it on," he said. Harry's father, of course, is Prince Charles, heir to the British throne. His mother, Princess Diana, died in a car crash in Paris in 1997, while being chased by paparazzi. Harry added: "There's a lot of genetic pain and suffering that gets passed on anyway. We, as parents, we should be doing the most we can to try and say, 'You know what? That happened to me. I'm going to make sure that doesn't happen to you.' " He was speaking ahead of his upcoming mental health documentary series, with Winfrey, on Apple TV Plus. It is also Mental Health Awareness Week in Britain. When podcast co-host Dax Shepard likened life in the British royal family to "The Truman Show," the 1998 film in which a man discovers his life is a reality TV show, Harry responded: "It's a mixture between being on 'The Truman Show' and being in a zoo." Harry credited his wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, for encouraging him to seek out therapy. "She saw it straightaway," he said. "She could tell that I was hurting and that some of the stuff that was out of my control was making me really angry. It would make my blood boil." But he countered the notion that Meghan was responsible for his decision to quit royal life. Harry, 36, said he had considered giving it all up even earlier, in his 20s. He recalled thinking: "I don't want to be here. I don't want to be doing this. Look what it did to my mom." The interview was splashed across many front pages on Friday in Britain. The headline in the Daily Mail read, "Just how low can Harry go?" The Sun tabloid paraphrased: "Dad passed his pain to me. I will not do that to my kids." On social media, reaction was mixed. While many praised the prince for once again talking openly about his mental health and the intensity of life in the spotlight, others accused him of using the platform to criticize the royal family or questioned whether he understood true struggle. Shepard, the podcast co-host, suggested to Harry that it was possibly "easier for Oprah to come from where she came from and tell you about her trauma" than for Harry, with his privileged background, to do so. Harry acknowledged that in "certain corners of the media, it's very much like, 'You're privileged. How could you possibly be suffering?' " But he said "it's about sharing your story, knowing how relatable it is, because I guarantee you by sharing the vulnerabilities and experiences that you have had growing up" that "you're going to have a positive impact on someone's life." He described three moments when he felt especially helpless, which he called his "Achilles' heel." "One, when I was a kid in the back of the car with my mom being chased by paparazzi, two was in Afghanistan in an Apache helicopter, and then the third one was with my wife. And those were the moments in my life where, yeah, feeling helpless hurts. It really hurts, and that's when you think to yourself, 'S---, like, I got the privilege. I got the platform. I got the influence, and even I can't fix this. I can't change this.'" Harry and Meghan sensationally stepped down as senior members of the British royal family in January 2020. They have a son, Archie, who recently turned 2, and are expecting a daughter. Harry said when they arrived in Los Angeles, it was like a "feeding frenzy," with "helicopters, the drones, the paparazzi cutting the fence. It was madness." They now live an hour outside Los Angeles, in Montecito, where he suggested his family feels more liberated. "I can actually lift my head, and I feel different." he said. "My shoulders have dropped; so have hers. You can walk around feeling a little bit more free. I can take Archie on the back of my bicycle. . . . I would never have had the chance to do that." - - - The Washington Post's Jennifer Hassan contributed to this report. SANTA FE, N.M. -- New Mexico has adopted guidance on facemasks from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that says fully vaccinated Americans no longer need to wear masks indoors or outside in most cases. Under revisions Friday to the states emergency public health order, masks are no longer required of fully vaccinated people in many public settings, though businesses and workplaces may still make face coverings a requirement for all. Public schools are still bound by universal mask requirements with allowances for meals, as the state gradually relaxes aggressive restrictions on public gatherings and some business operations. Dustin Safranek/AP New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said that getting vaccinated is crucial to a safe future, with the statewide vaccination rate recently surpassing 50% for eligible residents 16 and over. We are close and getting closer. But that all depends on New Mexicans continuing to protect themselves and their community by getting vaccinated, she said in a statement. ___ THE VIRUS OUTBREAK: States, business sort out what new CDC mask guidance means Delta Airlines will require new hires get vaccinated against virus UK jubilant as lockdown restrictions to be lifted next week Disney CEO says more people allowed into parks ___ Follow more of APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine ___ HERES WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING: JUNEAU, Alaska Alaska legislative leaders have voted to make mask-wearing optional at the state Capitol and then shed their own face coverings after the vote. The decision by the Legislative Council followed new guidelines the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The council is composed of House and Senate leaders. Under the new policy, masks are optional in legislative facilities, with some exceptions. For example, lawmakers can require masks in their respective offices. The policy also further eases testing rules. ___ BATON ROUGE, La. --Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards has further eased the states mask requirements. Edwards largely dropped the state mask mandate on April 27, but there were exceptions. Fridays order drops the requirement for entry into state office buildings for people who are fully vaccinated. Masking is still required by the state in educational facilities from early childhood classes to universities, and at state correctional facilities and health care facilities. New Orleans, which had a tougher mask mandate than the states, also did away with the mask mandate for fully vaccinated people Friday, with similar exceptions. ___ Word from federal health officials that vaccinated people dont have to wear masks in most situations may be leading to confusion among travelers. Masks are still required under a Transportation Security Administration rule that will run into mid-September unless it is revoked before then. The Federal Aviation Administration, which regulates airlines, felt the need to remind passengers of the TSA rule. It issued a statement late Friday to remind the traveling public that at this time if you travel, you are still required to wear a mask on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States, and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations. ___ NEW YORK Walmart, the worlds largest retailer, said Friday that it wont require vaccinated shoppers or workers to wear a mask in its U.S. stores, unless state or local laws say otherwise. Vaccinated shoppers can go maskless immediately, the company said. Vaccinated workers can stop wearing them on May 18. As an incentive, Walmart said it is offering workers $75 if they prove theyve been vaccinated. Walmart said it wont ask shoppers if theyve been vaccinated. Workers, however, will need to tell the company if theyve been vaccinated in order to go maskless. ___ JUNEAU, Alaska The acting mayor of Anchorage says Alaskas largest city is revoking its mask mandate, starting May 21. Acting Mayor Austin Quinn-Davidsons office says masks no longer will be required in indoor or outdoor settings but that people who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 are encouraged to wear masks. The decision follows guidance released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday for people who are vaccinated. Quinn-Davidsons office says applying a mask mandate only to those who are not vaccinated in Anchorage would have created enforcement challenges and issues for businesses. Meanwhile, in Juneau, city officials ease mask wearing rules for people who are fully vaccinated. ___ LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Arkansas capital city is dropping its requirement to wear a mask to combat the coronavirus following loosened federal guidance and a new state law that will ban local mandates, Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott said Friday. Scott said the citys mask mandate will end Saturday, though private entities, hospitals and churches can still enforce their own requirements on employees and patrons. People entering City of Little Rock indoor facilities will still be required to wear a mask, the mayor said. We strongly encourage residents to continue wearing face coverings in public until we reach the desired vaccination rate in our city, as outlined by healthcare professionals, Scott said in a statement. The decision comes a day after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention eased mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated people, allowing them to stop wearing masks outdoors in crowds and in most indoor settings. Arkansas dropped its mask mandate in March, but the governor allowed local governments to enforce their own. A new state law, however, takes effect in July that will ban any state or local mandates. ___ ATLANTA Georgias 26 public universities and colleges do not currently plan to require students, faculty or staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in the fall, according to guidance issued by the University System of Georgia. The 340,000-student university system in March asked all campuses to plan for resuming normal operations for the Fall 2021 semester. Thursdays guidance says fully vaccinated people wont have to socially distance or wear masks, while unvaccinated people are strongly encouraged to continue socially distancing and wearing a mask inside. The universities are supposed to make sure vaccinations are available, but schools wont be responsible for assessing current COVID-19 vaccination rates for their institution. The university system said it had made the decisions in concert with the state Department of Public Health and that they were subject to change. The Board of Regents insisted on at least some in-person instruction in the fall and spring semesters. Those moves came despite resistance from some employees. ___ ATLANTA Georgias 26 public universities and colleges do not currently plan to require students, faculty or staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in the fall, according to guidance issued by the University System of Georgia. The 340,000-student university system in March asked all campuses to plan for resuming normal operations for the Fall 2021 semester. Thursdays guidance says fully vaccinated people wont have to socially distance or wear masks, while unvaccinated people are strongly encouraged to continue socially distancing and wearing a mask inside. The universities are supposed to make sure vaccinations are available, but schools wont be responsible for assessing current COVID-19 vaccination rates for their institution. The university system said it had made the decisions in concert with the state Department of Public Health and that they were subject to change. The Board of Regents insisted on at least some in-person instruction in the fall and spring semesters. Those moves came despite resistance from some employees. ___ ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Maryland is ending its statewide mask mandate this weekend, following guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Gov. Larry Hogan announced Friday. The mask mandate will end effective Saturday, the Republican governor said at a news conference. In alignment with CDC guidance, face coverings will still be required on public transportation, and in schools, child care and health care settings, Hogan said. The Maryland Department of Health has issued a public health advisory strongly recommending that all non-vaccinated individuals over the age of 2 continue to wear face coverings in all indoor settings and in outdoor settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained. Private businesses and workplaces can put in place their own policies. Local jurisdictions may continue to use their own emergency powers on these matters. Earlier this week, the governor announced the lifting of restrictions on indoor and outdoor venues, including restaurants, that also will take effect on Saturday. ___ NEW ORLEANS -- People fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can take off their masks in most of New Orleans. And they can celebrate by dancing. Mayor LaToya Cantrell announced the easing of the city mask mandate Friday following this weeks new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In New Orleans, masks will still be required in city government buildings, hospitals and K-12 schools, as well as on public transportation. City health director Jennifer Avegno said more than half of city residents who are eligible have received the required number of vaccine shots. Avegno also announced easing of another city restriction, saying vaccinated people can now dance at public venues. ___ DOVER, Del. Democratic Gov. John Carney said Friday that he will lift Delawares mask-wearing mandate effective May 21 after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said people who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 do not need to wear masks or practice social distancing. The move comes after the CDC issued new guidance Thursday saying that people who have been vaccinated can resume activities without wearing a mask or social distancing. The relaxed guidance does not apply to health care settings, prisons and homeless shelters, and it still calls for wearing masks while using public transportation. The announcement prompted governors of several states, including North Carolina, to relax state mandates on mask wearing. The lifting of Delawares mask mandate coincides with the easing of other COVID-19 restrictions effective next Friday that Carney formalized in an order he signed Wednesday. That order eliminated most business capacity restrictions and lifted a distancing requirement on school buses, while stilling requiring masks indoors. - LONDON British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says second doses of coronavirus vaccines will be accelerated in response to the rise of the virus variant first identified in India. Johnson says people over age 50 can receive their second COVID-19 shot eight weeks after their first, rather than the previous 12 weeks. Current vaccines are expected to be effective against the virus variant known as B.1.617.2. I believe we should trust in our vaccines to protect the public whilst monitoring the situation as it develops very closely, because the race between our vaccination program and the virus may be about to become a great deal tighter, Johnson said. And its more important than ever, therefore, that people get the additional protection of a second dose. On Monday, Britain will ease lockdown measures for pubs and restaurants. Johnson couldnt say for sure whether the final easing of all measures on June 21 will go ahead as planned. Scottish authorities say Glasgow and the island of Moray wont engage in the reopening on Monday because of higher infection levels. ___ CINCINNATI National grocery store chain Kroger says it will continue to require masks in its stores. The Cincinnati-based company operates some 2,760 stores nationwide, including under other banners such as Ralphs, Dillons, Frys and King Soopers. Spokesperson Sheila Regehr says in an email: As we have throughout the pandemic, we are reviewing current safety practices, the CDCs latest guidance, and soliciting feedback from associates to guide the next phase of our policy. Kroger offers its workers $100 to get vaccinated. ___ ATLANTA Delta Air Lines will require new employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 starting on Monday. The airline wont impose the same requirement on current employees, of whom more than 60% are vaccinated, a spokesman said Friday. The airline says the policy for new hires is designed to protect other employees and passengers as travel demand recovers from last years pandemic low levels. Meanwhile, some airline stocks rose after the CDCs new guidance for people who are fully vaccinated. United Airlines was up 4% in early Friday trading, and other U.S. airlines rose by smaller amounts. The federal requirement for wearing face masks on planes remains in place. A spokesman for trade group Airlines for America says carriers will continue to enforce the rule. The Transportation Security Administration announced 1.74 million people passed through U.S. airports on Thursday, a new pandemic-era high. However, those airport crowds were still 33% smaller than on the comparable day in 2019. ___ BERLIN Germany is putting the Britain back on a list of risk areas because of the emergence there of cases of a coronavirus variant first detected in India. Britain currently has a lower rate of coronavirus infections than Germany. But Germanys disease control center, the Robert Koch Institute, says the United Kingdom is going back on the list effective Sunday because of the at least limited appearance of the variant known as B.1.617.2. The institute says Spains Canary Islands, a popular tourist destination, and the Spanish exclave of Ceuta in North Africa were being removed from the list of risk areas, the lowest of three levels of risk classification. Under new rules this week, fully vaccinated people dont need a test to enter Germany or to go into quarantine -- unless theyre coming from somewhere designated as a virus variant area such as India or Brazil. Others coming from a risk area can avoid a mandatory 10-day quarantine by showing a negative test result. ___ BOSTON Neither Massachusetts nor Rhode Island made any immediate changes to their mask regulations after the CDCs decision Thursday suggesting fully vaccinated Americans no longer need to wear masks or practice social distancing in most settings. A spokesperson for Republican Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said he welcomes the new CDC guidance and will be updating Massachusetts COVID restrictions in the near future. In the meantime, the current mask order remains in place. Massachusetts requires people to cover their faces while in indoor public places and outdoors if they are unable to maintain 6 feet of distance from others. We are going to review the CDCs updated guidance on social distancing and masking and determine what the best approach is for Rhode Island, state Health Department spokesperson Joseph Wendelken said. Currently, the state requires people to wear masks in indoor public places, and outdoors when within 3 feet of others not in their immediate circle. A new release published by Italys Antitrust Authority calls out Google for its abuse of dominant position and fined Google for 100 million on the grounds that Google excluded Enel Xs app JuicePass, an app that helps drivers find and reserve spots at charging stations. The case against Google is that the Authoritys investigation found Google excluded the JuicePass app from the Android Auto Platform for more than two years. According to the Authoritys findings, Google did not allow Enel X Italia to develop a version of its JuicePass app compatible with Android Auto. Android Auto The Authority found that although Google doesnt yet offer reservation and payment of charging stations through Maps, it is hindering Enel X chances of building a solid user base at a time of significant growth in sales of electric vehicles. Italys Antitrust Authority issued a cease-and-desist order to Google with details on how it should respond in order to stop the abuse and avoid the negative effects of the exclusion of Enel X Italias app from Android Auto. Google is ordered to allow Enel X Italia on the platform, as well offer tools to other app developers who want to make apps for Android Auto. In Googles defense, the reason for why JuicePass hasnt been approved for Android Auto is not mentioned. A spokesperson for Google Italy told Reuters that Google respectfully disagrees with the Authoritys decision. Google prioritizes safety on Android Auto and it has strict guidelines on which apps it supports, according to the Google spokesperson. Meanwhile, Enel X is aware of the decision and hopes that the outcome will grant a level playing field with Google Apps for JuicePass and all recharging app developers. Source Via Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte / Reuters-Yonhap Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has rebuffed a call from China to withdraw vessels from disputed areas of the South China Sea and said he would not bow to pressure, even if it jeopardizes his friendship with Beijing. The Philippines has boosted its presence in contested areas of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), including Thitu island, near to Chinese military installation, in defiance of the months-long presence of hundreds of Chinese boats it believes are manned by militia. Duterte's remarks in a televised address aired on Friday come as pressure builds on him to abandon his pursuit of close ties with China and stand up to what his defense chiefs say are blatant provocations. "We have a stand here and I want to state it here and now again that our ships there ... we will not move an inch backward," Duterte said. China last month said the Philippines must "stop actions complicating the situation and escalating disputes" in response to a rare maritime exercise conducted by the Philippines. "I do not want a quarrel, I do not want trouble. I respect your position, and you respect mine. But we will not go to war," Duterte said. "I will not withdraw. Even if you kill me. Our friendship will end here." There was no immediate response to a request for comment from the Chinese embassy in Manila. Duterte has been criticized for refusing to press China to abide by a 2016 arbitration ruling on the South China Sea that went in Philippines' favor. He drew flak last week for saying the landmark award was just a "piece of paper" he could throw in the trash. In his televised address, he said he "believes in the entirety" of that ruling. (Reuters) Google has been playing it safe with the Pixel line for the past couple of generations or so, but it looks like this year it's finally ready to shake things up in the mobile world again. A new leak purports to show us renders depicting the upcoming Pixel models. Yes, models plural, and that's the first change compared to last year when the 'flagship' line consisted of only one phone, the Pixel 5. Not so this time around: we're getting both a Pixel 6 and a Pixel 6 Pro. And... just look at them. Google Pixel 6 (left) and Pixel 6 Pro (right) The Pixel 6 seems smaller and has only two cameras in that huge and unique island on the back, we wouldn't be surprised if one of those was a normal wide sensor while the other one was an ultrawide. The Pixel 6 Pro, on the other hand, seems bigger and adds a third sensor - hopefully a telephoto, although by the looks of these renders it won't be a periscope type thing, so don't expect more than 3x optical magnification. Google Pixel 6 and Pixel Watch Hopefully Google will also update the sensors it uses, which are getting kind of old now. Cameras aside, if this leak is accurate (and a second source confirmed that the design is in fact accurate, while the colors shown aren't), then Google is finally ready to step up its game again and not reuse the same boring design one more time (for its higher-end devices at least, the Pixel a series will keep the last generation's looks according to previous leaks). Google Pixel 6 Pro The renders aren't straight-up leaked from Google or anything like that, but were created by a third party based on real-life images of the phones. Google Pixel 6 Pro On the front, the selfie camera's hole-punch cutout is now centered like in Samsung phones, and the bezels are almost entirely gone. You can watch the entire video above for a full view of all the angles of the upcoming phones. For now we'll just say that we're finally excited about a Pixel launch again. What remains to be seen is when these phones will actually get official, because the fall (when Google usually announces a new high-end Pixel) is pretty far away still. Via These are the best offers from our affiliate partners. We may get a commission from qualifying sales. GAUTIER, Miss. -- Gautier city officials cut the ribbon this week on two new amenities at Shepard State Park. The first is a new welcome center facing Graveline Road, created from a historic two-story log cabin. The other is a new marshwalk pier, which takes visitors on an educational and scenic journey through the secluded 400-acre park. With the help of $250,000 in Tidelands funding, provided through the Legislature and the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, the two amenities will add new experiences for visitors to the city-managed park. The beautifully renovated log cabin is full of character and sets the tone for visitors entering Shepard State Park, said city manager Paula Yancey. It will serve as a welcome center, meeting/classroom space and a general store for Shepard State Parks campers. Were especially proud to name the general store in honor of state Rep. John Read, who has championed improvements at the park over the years. The log cabin was built in the early 1920s by Walter Alfred Cox, a nurseryman and real estate businessman, in what is now Gulfport, approximately one mile north of Interstate 10. The cabin was constructed of Southern yellow pine logs cut from the property. The Cox family lost their home during the Depression, and it was subsequently purchased by Joel Pinson Wilson, who continued to use it as a nursery business and operated it as Wilson Farm Nurseries. The business was ultimately inherited by the only son, Clarke Wilson, and his wife, Marjorie Welch Wilson. After their deaths, the house was sold and relocated to save it from destruction. It was moved to Allen Road in Gautier in 1993, where it was operated as The Wilson House Inn Bed and Breakfast. The log cabin was later donated to the City of Gautier and moved to Shepard State Park, where it was overhauled to become the welcome center. Farther into Shepard State Park, the new marshwalk connects the festival/pavilion area to the northernmost camping area. The marshwalk allows visitors to get a closer look at the local marsh habitat, view birds and other wildlife, and enjoy scenic views of Lamotte Bayou. It includes approximately 1,000 feet of pedestrian boardwalk that zigs and zags across the beautiful marsh, creating a variety of views and opportunities to appreciate nature. The boardwalk includes lighting and interpretive panels to teach visitors about marsh birds, salt marshes, sea grasses, crab and shrimp, maritime forest and alligators. OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. -- The Mississippi Department of Transportation said this week work on the Ft. Bayou Bridge remains on schedule for the bridge to reopen to traffic, one lane each way, on May 21. The bridge closed to all traffic on March 14 as part of a $20 million repair and restoration project. Initially, the shutdown was to last no more than 45 days, but in early April MDOT announced the necessary repairs to the 36-year-old bridge would be more extensive than anticipated and the bridge would remain closed to traffic until late May. According to engineers, all four bearings have been reinstalled and the bridge is back on its foundation as crews work to install the span locks, which hold and secure the two bridge spans together. Work to reconstruct the bridges control box is also underway. Thank you to the public for being patient with us, said project engineer Jason Winders. We know it is a burden to Ocean Springs and the St. Martin community, so I just want to thank everyone for their patience. Right now the bridge is operating on a temporary hydraulic system, thats so we can get the bridge back into working order so we can get it back open to traffic, but by no means are we through with the project. Once the bridge reopens, traffic will be limited to one lane each way and Winders said motorists should expect overnight closures of the bridge until the project is complete, expected in late 2021. The bridge remains the Ft. Bayou Bridge, as it has been called since its inception, but come July 1 it will officially become the Mark M. Seymour Sr. Memorial Bridge, as designated by the state legislature earlier this year in honor of the City of Ocean Springs first city engineer. BTS is set to appear as one of the guest stars on the reunion special of "FRIENDS." What is FRIENDS? "FRIENDS" is an American television sitcom that was broadcast from 1994 to 2004, having a total of 10 seasons. It presents the personal and professional lives of six friends aged between 20 and 30 who are living in New York City. Over the 10 years and seasons, the six characters go through family, friendship, love, comedy, and drama. The show received praises throughout its run, becoming one of the most well-known television programs of all time. "FRIENDS" is once again gaining popularity after it hit various streaming platforms in 2015. In 2019, Warner Bros TV revealed that a reunion for the sitcom was in the works. It was even reported at that time that HBO Max is paying 425 million USD to rerun the series for five years. BTS Revealed as One of the Guest Stars on FRIENDS Reunion Special On May 13 (local time), HBO Max unveiled the official teaser video for the forthcoming "FRIENDS" reunion special, featuring the six original cast members: Lisa Kudrow, David Schwimmer, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, Jennifer Aniston, and Matthew Perry. HBO Max also released the list of guest stars for the reunion - and BTS is one of them! It has not yet been announced what role the seven members - RM, Jin, Jungkook, Suga, V, Jimin, and J-Hope - will take in the event. Several famous actors and musicians will join BTS as guest stars in the upcoming "Friends" reunion, such as David Beckham, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Cindy Crawford, Thomas Lennon, James Corden, and more. Some of these guests appeared on the American sitcom while others are fans. The "FRIENDS" reunion special will be a "real-life unscripted celebration" of the iconic show, according to HBO Max. The event was initially planned to take place in May last year but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. The reunion show is now scheduled to be broadcast via HBO Max on May 27. BTS Talks about Their Music Resonating with the Youth in an Interview with Rolling Stone On May 13, Rolling Stone published an interview with renowned K-pop group BTS. In their interview, BTS members Suga, Jimin, RM, J-Hope, V, Jungkook, and Jin discussed the themes of their music starting from their debut back in 2013. In their early days, BTS wrote about the resentment of South Korean youth who deal with pressure and competition in school and work. Their singles "No More Dream" and N.O." are two of the examples. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: BTS, BLACKPINK, and SEVENTEEN Receive Nominations at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards BTS leader RM shared that the songs they wrote were not purposely created to reach out to people around the world but rather to express what they feel and are experiencing when they were teenagers. While this is the case, other youth worldwide just happened to have the same thought and emotion, and so it led to BTS being recognized. BTS's music encompassing a wide range of ideas such as self-love, mental health, self-confidence, struggles of everyday life, and more, has allowed them to resonate with the youth not only in South Korea but also overseas. Can't wait for BTS's guesting on "FRIENDS" reunion special! Are you also looking forward to it? Tell us in the comments! For more news updates about other K-Pop news, always keep your tabs open here at Kpopstarz. Owned by Kpopstarz. Written by Mhaliya Scott Haiti - FLASH : The Brazilian and English variants detected in Haiti Dr. Marie Greta Roy Clement, the Minister of Public Health informs the population that two variants of Covid-19, Brazilian and English have been detected on the national territory. The Ministry's National Public Health Laboratory continues to investigate to assess the extent of the problem, given the high spread of these two variants. Formal instructions were passed to the Technical and Normative Departments for the strengthening of epidemiological surveillance activities, particularly at the level of ports, airports, border towns as well as the follow-up of contact cases. Minister Clement is counting on everyone's collaboration in order to limit, as much as possible, the spread and consequences of Covid-19 and its variants and urges the population to strictly apply the barrier measures recommended previously, namely: 1. Compulsory wearing of a mask; 2. Systematic hand washing; 3. The obligatory temperature measurement before entering public spaces; 4. Respect for physical distance, at least 1.50m between each person, especially when holding face-to-face meetings. In addition, Dr Laure Andrien, Director General of the Ministry of Public Health informs that according to available data a considerable increase in the number of suspected cases, positive cases and hospitalized patients has been observed since the beginning of the month of May 2021. Let's recall that Haiti is one of the 4 countries in the world (out of 192 countries contaminated by Covid-19) not to have started to vaccinate its population against the coronavirus (according to the WHO). Our Dominican neighbors have already carried out more than 2.8 million injections of vaccine doses and nearly a million Dominicans have already received their 2 doses. The Government of President Abinader has accelerated the pace for a few days, 150,000 doses of vaccine are injected daily. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-33713-haiti-covid-19-haiti-special-report-419.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-33656-haiti-covid-19-haiti-is-still-not-ready-to-receive-vaccines.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-33495-haiti-covid-19-the-refusal-of-the-astrazeneca-vaccine-donation-could-cost-haiti-millions-of-dollars.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-33448-haiti-health-the-minister-of-health-wants-another-vaccine-than-astrazeneca.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-33423-haiti-flash-haiti-refuses-a-donation-of-756-000-doses-of-the-who-astrazeneca-vaccine.html HL/ SL/ HaitiLibre Login or sign up to follow actresses, movies & dramas and get specific updates and news Login Sign Up Email Password Password Username Your E-mail will only be used to retrieve a lost password. Stay logged in Help A billboard put up on U.S. Highway 2 East in Havre by Trap Free Montana calls on people to protect beaver. As local conflict over the future of beaver population management in Beaver Creek Park continues, a billboard sponsored by Trap Free Montana Public Lands has been set up on U.S. Highway 2 at the east end of town. The Hill County Park Board's Rules and Regulations Committee has been holding a series of meetings meant to gauge the public's opinion on the long-controversial issue of beaver trapping, which some argue is the only efficient way of controlling beaver populations in Beaver Creek Park. Others have argued that lethal trapping is inhumane and alternatives exist, though many question their efficacy or cost efficiency. Trap Free Montana Board President K.C. York said her organization promotes non-lethal alternatives to animal trapping, responsible stewardship of land and respectful coexistence with wildlife. York said she was told about the ongoing issue in Beaver Creek Park by Renelle Braaten, a frequent attendee of the meetings, former member of the Beaver Creek Park Board and advocate for non-lethal alternatives to trapping. Braaten said she's donated to the organization in the past and she's glad to see the sign up, though she said she didn't know they were planning to put up a billboard. "I think the community needs some education about different options than trapping," she said. However, she said, based on the meetings she's not very hopeful that there will be substantial changes to Beaver Creek Park's trapping situation. Trap Free Montana has put up signs across the state regarding trapping in general, but this is the first beaver-related billboard, which York said she hopes will be the first of many around the state. However, not everyone was happy to see this sign go up. "It sucks," said Fran Buell a member of the Montana Trappers Association and a cabin owner on Beaver Creek Park. Buell said she thinks Trap Free Montana, which began as a ballot initiative committee set up by Footloose Montana, is attempting to influence the discussion in Havre and manipulate people who are not informed about what's going on in the park. Buell said she has seen people from Footloose Montana at meetings of the Park Board as well as at the Montana Legislature and characterized the organizations as intensely hostile not just to trapping, but to trappers. "They're not nice people," she said. Buell said a recent Montana Trappers Association event in Dillon was ended prematurely due to a bomb threat by someone who was anti-trapping. Footloose Montana said in a Facebook post that the call did not come from anyone associated with them. "Who made the phone call? No one we know," the post said, "... Trappers will do anything for attention." Buell said she's also received personal threats from anti-trappers, including a letter with blood on it. Buell said the organization has supported efforts to further regulate or eliminate trapping and their agenda is hurtful. "They try to influence people who don't know what is going on," she said. "... If you dig down into what they're really after, it's not a pretty picture." "If the community gets behind them, we won't have a Beaver Creek Park as we know it," she added. Buell said trapping, when done correctly, is safe and humane, and organizations like the Montana Trappers Association teaches trappers how to do their jobs ethically. She said traps are designed to catch only one kind of animal and catching non-target animals is rare, especially when they are set underwater, which those on Beaver Creek Park are. She said traps used on the park include snares that lock around a beaver's neck, foothold traps that can be released, and body grip traps. Body grip traps, also known as conibear traps, are designed to close around the animal's body, breaking their neck and strangling them as quickly as possible, and ensuring no escape. Buell said these traps are humane when used correctly, but organizations like Trap Free Montana don't want to listen to her. York said body grip traps can crush the animals and depending on how the trap is entered can inflict a great amount of pain on the animals, and her organization does not consider them humane. She said her organization does oppose trapping on moral grounds, but there are also practical reasons to examine alternatives like beaver deceivers. Beaver deceivers, pond levelers and other non-lethal devices designed to mitigate damage from beaver have been a subject of discussion at previous meetings, and Buell said her personal experience with them has been entirely negative. She said she made her own beaver deceiver, similar to one used by the Montana Beaver Working Group, as well as a pond leveler to deal with a beaver on her own property with no success, and the animal has since caused a great deal of damage to her property and the surrounding area including flooding her outhouse and cutting down trees. "So when I see this sign that says 'protect beaver' and I come to my mountain retreat and I see what this beaver does the protection part just kinda flies out of my head," she said. However, York said. beaver deceivers and devices like them need to be installed by experts who have experience with the devices and she's skeptical of any claim made that the devices don't work when it's not coming from an experienced user of them. Unfortunately, she said, the park board declined a grant from the Elinor Patterson Baker Trust that would have paid for a demonstration of these non-lethal alternatives and their efficacy last year, and she thinks they should have at least explored the possibilities. York said it's hard to know how her position would change if it was determined that non-lethal alternatives like beaver deceivers would not work on the park. She said it would depend on who made the determination, if there were any natural predators in the area, and information like that. She said if none of the alternatives were viable she would still prefer relocation to lethal trapping. York said she sees trapping as creating a vicious cycle as the removal of beaver from an area creates a vacuum that will inevitably be filled in short order, requiring even more trapping. Trapping in the past has been used to reduce the number of beaver but has not in the last century removed all beaver from the park. Hill County Commissioner Mark Peterson said at a recent meeting of the Hill County Park Board Rules and Regulation Committee that, whatever method is used, the park board is not looking to eliminate beaver. York said non-lethal methods, if used correctly, can be a more long-term solution. "It's past time to look at other methods," she said. She said she's been keeping up with the situation in Beaver Creek as best she can from afar and that she had originally planned to come up to talk to people directly, but the pandemic made it very difficult to arrange anything like that until recently. She said she wants to engage with people in the area and find a solution that doesn't involve killing beaver, but also manages their effect on the park. "How can we make this a win-win?" she said. Attendees to the recent meetings regarding beaver management have cited concerns about damage to their property and campgrounds as the reason that the beaver population needs to be significantly reduced. Buell said she's been trapping since she was 8 years old and even back in 1957 she and her father took 88 beaver out of an area over a few months without eliminating all the beaver. Others have cited concerns about the changing water ways affect on fish populations, tree cutting, and changing waterways cause by damming. While many attendees have advocated for non-lethal methods, the majority who spoke at the last meeting said they think the population is out of control and needs to be reduced via trapping. York said people tend to think of the animals only in the context of cutting down trees and flooding waterways, but the animals have significant benefits to the environment that should also be acknowledged. She said the animals create extremely biologically productive wetlands that increase bio-diversity and support a massive number of other species, many of them endangered, including waterfowl that need wetlands to survive. She said their dams can also protect downstream spawning areas for fish and prevent sedimentation as well as decrease rapid runoff from heavy rain and snowmelt. York said if managed properly even their tree cutting can create firebreaks. She said people tend to change their minds when they learn more about beaver and their environmental significance. "We find that once people understand they care and once they care," she said. Buell said beaver may have beneficial effects in certain places, but Beaver Creek Park isn't one of them. The wastewater treatment plant in Chinook is in search of funding for preventive measures to stop water from the Milk River from reaching the plant. Right at the moment, its just creeping closer to our plant. Thats all, really. So were looking for some funding at the moment to maybe stabilize the bank, so it doesnt slough off any closer, Wastewater Treatment Plant Manager Eric Miller said. Greg Jergeson, a member of the state St. Mary Rehabilitation Working Group looking to rehabilitate the system that diverts water from the St. Mary River to the Milk River, said he first learned of the situation during a discussion with Chinook Mayor Keith Hanson after a visit to the Legislature to discuss funding for rebuilding the St. Mary diversion dam. He said people in Helena were saying Chinook could use the ARPA funds as a match for funds for work on the diversion. The people in Helena were saying, They got all that money, they can put that up as match and then you can fully fund your project. Well, the problem that I was trying to explain was, when Chinook looks at what things need to be done with that amount of money theyre getting, thats about equivalent to what the engineers told the mayor that the cost would be to keep the banks from collapsing and thereby endangering the sewer plant, Jergeson added. Jergeson said, as he understood it, the total amount of money Chinook would be receiving from the ARPA water/wastewater funds would be about $300,000. Miller said the figure to stabilize the river bank would be in the area of $300,000. I think thats the number our engineer came up with, actually. Miller said. It could cost that much for putting rock and getting the permits. Youd have to get cranes and dozers involved to get back behind to the river. So, yeah, it could probably be that expensive to stabilize the bank. Jergeson said those needs have to be looked at when Chinook considers what to do with ARPA funds. The mayor has to figure out what does he have to deal with first. The city cant afford to lose that investment weve got in that sewer plant out there. So he wont have anything to match the other way, the way that the great minds in the Legislature said he should. So they were setting up a situation in Helena at the Legislature that is going to be difficult, if not absolutely impossible, to meet, to come up with resources to redo the diversion dam at St. Mary, Jergeson said. When asked if the situation was a crisis, Miller said it was kind of in the middle right now. Miller said the collapsing of the banks has been becoming an annual problem over the last four to five years. Chinook Mayor Keith Hanson agreed. Thats just typical of the Milk River. I mean, its been occurring since the Milk Rivers ever been around. The river switches and changes course, Hanson said. The banks are all sand and they move constantly. I mean, that river changes course constantly, Hanson added. Hanson said any work to be done is going to be preventative to stop damage that could occur. Miller said the focus right now is on funding and permits. Right now, preventative work, there is no real preventative anything. Its just like trying to get ahead of it before it does start eating power poles and chain link fence and maybe a building and that kind of thing, Miller said. Jergeson said the diversion dam is a critical piece of infrastructure that needs to be rebuilt, in order for Chinook to have domestic water. However, he felt addressing the collapsing river banks should be at the top of the mayors to-do list. That has to come first. If its not crisis, its more immediate than the other problem. Clearly, the St. Mary thing is also, Jergeson said. But weve got millions tied up in the sewer plant in Chinook and you cant operate a city without an effective sewer plant. If the stream bank is going out, if, if the river bank is going, thats got to be your first priority. Landscapers step up to mow Shepherd Memorial Park for free Sam Byrnside and Aaron Owensby pose at Binion's Roadhouse, where they took their crew for lunch on Friday, the day after the mowed the overgrown Shepherd Memorial Park cemetery. Henderson County residents who have family members buried at Shepherd Memorial Park had become increasingly distressed at the condition of the cemetery. Children and grandchildren who visited the graveyard on Mothers Day to pay respects were greeted by knee-high weeds and grass that nearly obscured headstones. Word spread on social media and WLOS-TV reported on the aggrieved families who wondered who is taking care of the memorial park. (State regulators last November suspended the license of Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Service, the cemetery owner, as a result of a complaint that still awaits a final resolution.) Enter Sam Byrnside and Aaron Owensby, owners of L&S Landscaping and A to Z Landscaping respectively. Both Henderson County natives, Byrnside and Owensy dropped a day of paid work and brought a crew of six to mow and weedwhack every blade of grass. "Well, Henderson County gave us so much support by calling us with landscaping needs," Byrnside said. "As small business owners, we wanted to show our support to our community. We felt the need to step up (and show) that we're here for everyone." Byrnside, 31, said as far as he knows he has no family members at the cemetery; most of his are at a family plot on Old Union Church Road in the Edneyville community. "There was a lot" of land to cover, he said. "We had three mowers up and running and we had three weedeaters at the same time." "We've been gone about 30 minutes," he said at 6:30 Thursday evening. A few people who saw the crew working stopped by to thank the workers and the gratitude from families was spreading as fast as the grievances had. "We thank them for all the kind words," Byrnside said. "It really means a lot to us." Owensby, a 23-year-old East Henderson High School graduate, had a similar explanation for the act of paying back. "We were just try to give back to the community that's given us everything we had," he said. "We felt like it was right to give back and try to do some good in a world that's so negative right now." Among the challenges is the gas shortage. Owensby said he was lucky to get gas early Thursday. "We burnt through 10 gallons." "l felt like it was right to give back to the community," he said. "I felt like I gain more not really by losing money but helping people out more than anything." Byrnside and Owensby say they don't if they can continue to mow the cemetery but they're trying to figure out how they might. "We're actually sitting down and eating some lunch tomorrow to see what we can come with," Owensby said. "It would be hard for us to let go of a day every week to do it. We're going to sit down tomorrow and try to get a game plan." Like Byrnside, Owensby he's not aware of any kin at Shepherd Memorial Park. His family goes back generations in Henderson County. "Actually my great-grandpa was the one that built the stairs at Chimney Rock," he said. With so many yard services in the county, maybe each could take a week? "That's definitely a very good idea if we could all come together and do that," he said. County honors school nurses School nurse supervisor Kim Berry poses with Megan Sales, who was named School Nurse of the Year. School nurses were honored by Henderson County Public Schools on National School Nurse Day Wednesday for the role they play in keeping students and staff safe. Megan Sales of Hendersonville Middle School was named the 2020-21 School Nurse of the Year for Henderson County as part of the ceremony. Sales was nominated by her peers for the care she provides every day for her students and school. To be given the title of School Nurse of the Year truly is an honor after this challenging year during the Covid-19 pandemic, Sales said. I believe we have an amazing team of school nurses who embody the definition of this title each time they step on their own school campus. I am proud to be a Henderson County school nurse. In a typical year, school nurses care for students bumps and scrapes, perform vision screenings and manage the day-to-day needs of children with chronic illnesses along with many other duties. But in the past year, school nurses have been even more vital to keep schools open during the Covid-19 pandemic, carrying on additional duties to keep students and staff safe. During yesterday's recognition ceremony at Henderson County Public Schools' central office, Superintendent John Bryant recognized that the school nurses' responsibility of delivering the often-unwelcome news about positive Covid-19 tests, contact tracing and quarantining determinations over this past year had to have taken an emotional toll on school nurses. But despite high tensions, unrelenting cases in the community, and increased workloads, school nurses continued to be the ones to relieve stress and anxiety in other people's lives, Bryant said. "You've been the ones that have said, 'We're going to be your steady hand,'" Bryant said. "How awesomely fortunate we are as a school system to have each of you serving and supporting our kids. As superintendent, and more importantly, just as a member of this community, I am so grateful to each of you." A native of North Carolina and graduate of A-B Tech and Western Carolina University, Sales went into home health after nursing school, working with the pediatric population. After two years, Sales friend encouraged her to apply for a school nurse position in Henderson County. Before beginning the job, Sales could count on her hands the number of times she had been to Hendersonville her whole life. But now, she said, it is difficult to imagine being anywhere else other than Henderson County. Words cannot express how grateful I am for the opportunity to work with my staff and students at Hendersonville Middle School each day and call myself a Bearcat, she said. I could not ask for a better staff and administration to stand behind me as I help my school nurse team represent what it means to be a public health nurse, caring for our students and staff day in and day out. School nurses who nominated Sales called her a team player who is always willing to help others. From case managing a terminally ill student who is one of her friendly faces to helping out in a girls group at the school, stories were shared about the love Sales has for her students. Megan has had a year for the books and in my opinion, she is one of the best nurses I have ever met, one school nurse said in her nomination of Sales. I have watched Megan give to her community, school, and to her students unconditionally for the last three years. This year specifically, Megan was pushed to her limits and she rose to the occasion with grace, compassion, and empathy. There are 18 full-time school nurses employed by the Health Department who work throughout each public and charter school in Henderson County. In addition to National School Nurse Day, May 6 through 12 also marked National Nurses Week to honor all who work in the profession. RTHK: Blinken backs Australia in China dispute US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday that the United States would not leave Australia alone in the face of economic coercion from China, and that such behaviour towards US allies would hamper improvement in US-Sino relations. Washington has repeatedly criticised what it says are Beijing's attempts to bully neighbours with competing interests, and US President Joe Biden has sought to bolster ties with allies in the Indo-Pacific to counter China's growing power. "I reiterated that the United States will not leave Australia alone on the field, or maybe I should say alone on the pitch, in the face of economic coercion by China," Blinken said at a press briefing with visiting Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne. "And we've made clear to the PRC how such actions targeting our closest partners and allies will hinder improvements in our own relationship with China," Blinken said, using the acronym for the country's official name. China has imposed a series of trade sanctions on Australian exports ranging from wine to coal as the two countries tensions have worsened in recent years. Successive Australian trade ministers have been unable to secure a phone call with Chinese counterparts since diplomatic tensions worsened in 2020, and last week Beijing suspended all activity under a bilateral economic dialogue with Australia. Australia was one of the first countries to publicly ban Chinese tech giant Huawei from its 5G network over security concerns, and last year angered Beijing with its calls for an independent investigation into the origins of Covid-19. Payne told journalists Australia had been clear that it wanted constructive ties with China. "But we won't compromise on our national security or our sovereignty and we'll continue to act to protect that," she said. (Reuters) This story has been published on: 2021-05-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Hong Kong reports 3 new COVID-19 cases Xinhua) 11:05, May 14, 2021 HONG KONG, May 13 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong's Center for Health Protection (CHP) reported three new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, taking the total tally to 11,817. According to the CHP, two of the new cases were imported, which arrived in Hong Kong from France and Indonesia respectively. The local case was epidemiologically linked with another local case confirmed earlier. A total of 59 cases have been reported in the past 14 days, including eight local cases, of which one had an unknown infection source, the CHP said. Hong Kong launched a COVID-19 vaccination drive on Feb. 26. Official data showed some 1,830,800 vaccine doses have been administered in Hong Kong as of Wednesday, with about 718,700 people fully vaccinated against the virus. (Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Liang Jun) A Dispatcher is an hourly, non-exempt employee who, under the supervision of the Terminal Manager, is responsible for communicating with drivers, school district personnel and parents for daily routes, trips and extra curricular activities of students for our clients. Duties: Follow company policies regarding pupil/client management and relations with parents, teachers, guardians, and the public in general. As requested by the Manager, verify route turn for turn sheets and note any route changes with written notes. As requested by the Manager, make additional directional or landmark notations on bus route sheets to assist future new or substitute bus, observe and track route timing, such as total time on-route; time between stops; loading and unloading drivers. As requested by the Manager times or any other requested information for the purpose of establishing route efficiency. Keep records and submit reports as required. This includes all documentation for complaints, accidents, routing changes, etc. Assist manager with monthly billing, payroll, account receivables, account payables and month end requirements. Assist manager in implementing driver recruitment programs to ensure coverage of daily home to school routes and sufficient substitute personnel. Assist manager in all driver disciplinary matters and overseeing yearly road test evaluations. Assist manager in ensuring all drivers complete all necessary job related training and planning driver safety meetings. Responsible for carrying out all STA policies and State & Federal applicable regulation. Knowledge and implementation of contents of School District contracts. Answering phones and two way company radios in a professional and courteous manner. Communicating with schools regarding calendars, complaints, bus incidents. Communicating with parents regarding issues and concerns. Communicating with drivers and aides. Provide professional and courteous customer service to parents, school districts, drivers, monitors and external parties. Assist manager in development of charter business during non-school days and summer months. Ability to start very early mornings and/or work later afternoons. Terminal Manager will assign schedule on a weekly basis. All other various and miscellaneous duties as assigned by Management. May be required to cover School Bus routes on an as needed basis. Qualifications: High School Diploma or equivalent. Six months to one year related experience in Dispatching or equivalent combination of education and experience. Written and verbal communication skills, and customer service skills are essential. Ability to deal with problems and find solutions. Must have knowledge of Federal and State regulations. Scheduling and setting priorities for work to be accomplished. Working knowledge of computers and electronic data processing to include Excel, Word, Windows and Internet experience. Wiliness to obtain a CDL drivers license and meet all STA driver hiring requirements. Proficient reading, writing, grammar, and mathematics skills. Strong geographical knowledge of the Schenectady area Please apply via our website: www.stacareers.com Student Transportation of American is an Equal Opportunity Employer. recblid 2nxm0vpccf1h0emalipiel02kni3h9 House OKs bill easing liquor regulations RALEIGH A bill advancing decades of work to reform the states liquor regulations passed in the N.C. House and heads now to the Senate. House Bill 890 is an all-encompassing measure that aims to help distillers to succeed in a crowded, growing and competitive industry. It also works to level the proverbial playing field for distillers, making rules more consistent with those governing breweries and wineries. Lawmakers voted 110-10 to move the bill forward. Nine Republicans and one Democrat voted against the measure. Many of the alcohol reform bills in recent years were guided in the House by Rep. Chuck McGrady, R-Hendersonville, who retired. The biggest alcohol-reform proponent in the Senate, Rick Gunn of Alamance, has also retired. Sen. Todd Johnson, R-Union, is sponsoring Senate Bill 453, which is similar to H.B. 890 but less comprehensive. Rep. Tim Moffitt, a Henderson County Republican and McGrady's successor, is one of the House leaders in efforts to reform the 80-plus-year-old N.C. Alcoholic Beverage Control system and is a sponsor of H.B. 890. Its likely the much-debated bill will continue to change as it moves through Senate committees, as was the case in the House. North Carolina is synonymous with hospitality, said Moffitt, chairman of the House ABC Committee and author of the bills. The success of the thousands of small businesses in this industry is a cornerstone of a thriving economy. This past year, these folks have been challenged in unprecedented ways so it makes sense that we move forward in creative ways to provide a lifeline to them however we can. The bill, which incorporates some measures that by themselves cleared one chamber of the General Assembly, would allow people to order online and pick products up from state ABC stores, double the size of growlers from two liters to four, loosen rules for tours in N.C. distilleries and allow distillers to sell their products at festivals. Moffitt also sponsored a bill entitled "Bring Business Back Downtown," which lets cities create outdoor zones where alcohol is allowed. That bill also passed in the House and went on to the Senate. Under the Legislature's crossover rule, bills had to pass either the House or Senate by Thursday to be eligible for consideration during the two-year legislative session that ends next year. As it stands, distilleries can open only when a local ABC is open. This bill changes that, allowing distilleries to offer tours, tastings and cocktails from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. The bill would also establish a spirituous liquor council, similar to the N.C. Wine and Grape Council. In a committee meeting this week, Moffitt said hes trying to work within the states three-tiered distribution system to find ways to offer more flexibility to producers and consumers alike. The Distillers Association of N.C. supports the bill as a needed step toward alcohol parity and believes it would greatly help the states 90-plus distillers to succeed and to prosper. Huntington, WV (25701) Today Scattered thunderstorms this evening becoming more widespread overnight. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms this evening becoming more widespread overnight. Low 67F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%. Position title: ETL Developer, IT Senior Engineer Position #: 126011 The ETL Developer will report directly to the Business Intelligence Manager in the Decision Support Services (DSS) unit within the Division of Information Technology (DIT). This is an opportunity to join a newly formed unit (DSS) and contribute to a strategic initiative to improve data-driven decision-making on campus. The ETL Developer will be responsible for the design, implementation and maintenance of a new ETL process to support the creation of a new Enterprise Data Warehouse (EDW) and data platform. This includes using cloud-based technologies, establishing best practices and procedures for ETL development, implementing ETL processes, and documentation. The ETL Developer will collaborate with the DSS team on a day-to-day basis and receive technical guidance from the Data Warehouse Architect and Business Intelligence Manager. The emphasis of this position is the technical hands-on activities for the creation and evolution of a new ETL process. Of utmost importance is the ability to select and implement the appropriate ETL or ELT techniques and storing all data as structured files for subsequent usage in a data warehouse or Big Data analysis; prior successful ETL implementations and experience are essential, as is SQL experience. Clear communication, demonstrated organizational skills, and the ability to collaborate with non-technical stakeholders, create clear and concise technical documentation, and make critical decisions are requirements to be successful in this position. Minimum qualifications EDUCATION Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in computer science, information systems, or related discipline. EXPERIENCE 4-6 years of experience in designing, implementing and maintaining ETL processes, including experience with SQL. Experiencing creating ETL processes in an industry standard ETL tool such as Informatica, SSIS, etc. for enterprise wide projects. ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES Knowledge of data privacy practices and laws. Skill in creating technical support documentation. Ability to conduct research into database issues, standards and products. Ability to present ideas in user-friendly language. Ability to communicate effectively orally, and in writing. Ability to persuade and lead others to think critically in discussions. Ability to lead design sessions with technical and non-technical users. Preferences Experience with various ETL platforms, ideally including Informatica. Experience with Python or Java Experience with JSON. Experience with OLTP and OLAP data models. Must be self-motivated, energetic, detail oriented and a team player. Experience with Amazon Redshift or other MPP database platforms. Experience using AWS for data applications (e.g. EC2, S3, Redshift, RDS, Data Pipeline) Experience with Oracle. Experience with data related Monitoring tools. Experience with Business Intelligence Tools. Additional information: this position does not provide sponsorship for visas. Physical demands: sedentary work. Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Repetitive motion. Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers. The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading. Must have the ability to walk short distances to attend meetings on campus. Best consideration date: 05/26/2021 or open until filled Please apply at: https://ejobs.umd.edu/postings/82658 [ejobs.umd.edu] EOE/AA recblid 71w5dv599267012rw319x310gpbglg OSITION TITLE: Weld Studding & PEM Inserter Operator I or II (First Shift) STRONGARM Designs provides the ideal HMI solution to the healthcare, biopharmaceutical, food, and other industries. We are diligently seeking to hire a candidate for our metal fabrication department. This department provides solutions and fabricated parts to support our entire line of products including CleanMount, Vertica, Mobile Stations, and SuiteStations. Join a team and company with endless innovative vision in rapidly growing, leading industry! JOB DESCRIPTION: Operate the weld stud gun machine to weld studs to sheet metal. Operate the PEM inserting machine to insert a variety of pressin hardware into sheet metal. This position works closely with the welding area and pressbrake area. This position is for first shift 7:00am3:30am WHAT WE HAVE TO OFFER THE RIGHT INDIVIDUAL IS THE FOLLOWING (BENEFITS): Competitive compensation based on experience PTO, Sick, and personal days 401K, Health insurance Continuous improvement company philosophy STRONGARM swag Biannual employee reviews A place to grow professionally and personally Additional incentive programs based on departmental goals 25 coke machine REQUIREMENTS Ability to read prints Able to use and read a tape measure, calipers, etc. Highenergy individual who is able to stand and walk for 2+ hours at a time Must be able to lift up to 50lbs Mechanically inclined with an eye for detail Prior machine operation experience a plus Knowledge of thread sizes (i.e. 832, 1032) required RESPONSIBILITIES: Clock in and out of travelers using the bar code system. Set up and operate weld stud gun to weld studs to various types of sheet metal based on given instructions. Set up and operate PEM inserting machine to press in various types of hardware into sheet metal. Maintain equipment as required by the operator manual and company maintenance schedule. Track stock of hardware to ensure adequate levels of inventory. Perform work within the perimeters of the company policies and procedures. Ensure design tolerances are met Ensure quality standard are maintained Fill out quality documentation for nonconforming materials and parts DESIRED SKILLS: A willingness to learn and take direction Continuous Improvement professionally and personally Works well with others and with little supervision Positive attitude and driven STRONGARM SAFETY PROTOCOLS FOR COVID19: Safety protocols at STRONGARM include disinfecting high touch areas every day, every two hours: door handles, bathroom stalls, etc. They include mandatory masks, social distancing, and temperature checks. Hand sanitizer is available at every workstation. Employees are encouraged to stay home if they experience any related symptoms and the company offers up to 2 weeks COVID pay on top of normal PTO. recblid vusree9wwcvkno79fg21x86dvo8ua8 Required Application Type: Teacher / Admin Salary/Pay Scale: Per Teacher's Contract Job Description The North Rose-Wolcott Central School District is seeking candidates for the following anticipated position for the 2021-22 school year: 1.0 FTE Social Studies Teacher Job Qualifications Certification: Social Studies 7-12 The North Rose-Wolcott Central School District is located in Central New York, on the south shore of Lake Ontario. The school district covers 162 square miles. North Rose and Wolcott are both rural, agricultural communities with a diverse population. Many residents commute to the Rochester and Syracuse regions for work. North Rose-Wolcott Central Schools enroll approximately 1,200 students. Students in grades pre-K through four attend NRW Elementary School. Leavenworth Middle School serves students in grades five through eight. Students in grades nine through 12 attend NRW High School. The mission of the North Rose-Wolcott Central School District is to prepare each student for a successful future. recblid u2txa3zkc3wphh6l9ib85byas83fcx First person On Thursday evening, as I was just about to close my computer, I saw the news alert from The New York Times: Breaking News: At least 15 people are dead and dozens are injured after a stampede at a religious celebration in Israel. A surge of panic ran through my body and I felt like I was going to collapse. I stopped reading because I knew this happened at Mount Meron, the site of the tomb of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, where over 100,000 Hasids and other Jews had gathered to celebrate Lag bOmer. This tragedy would have been upsetting in any circumstances. But my terrified reaction was deeply personal: I knew that my 21-year-old son was there. Horrifying thoughts ran through my head. What kind of devastating things had he witnessed? Was he injured? I couldnt bear to let myself think beyond that. The Friday before, my son had shared with me that his yeshiva in Jerusalem was providing a bus for students who wanted to celebrate Lag bOmer at Mount Meron. I was so excited for him. During the eight months hes been in Israel, he hasnt been able to leave Jerusalem very often due to COVID-19 restrictions. Now he was getting to travel and have an opportunity to participate in a unique experience that I knew he would find deeply spiritual. My son and I are both deeply passionate about Judaism, but our practices differ enormously: I am a Reform rabbi and he is haredi Orthodox. I myself had been to Mount Meron on Lag bOmer some 25 years ago, and I still remember it well the thousands of Hasidic men dancing and singing; the 3-year-old boys getting their first haircuts; the bonfires and the joyful celebration. While as a non-Orthodox female I experienced Lag bOmer on Mount Meron more as a voyeur, watching with great interest as the Hasidic men celebrated, I knew that my son, although he is not Hasidic, would fully engage in the spirituality and joy of the celebration. But now, here I was at home in Philadelphia feeling helpless and terrified about my son on Mount Meron. It was after 8:30 p.m. way past the time Id ever normally call him, as Israel is 7 hours ahead of us but this night was different in every way. Fingers trembling, I reached for my phone and dialed, but I couldnt get through. Nightmare scenarios raced through my brain. As I sat there, practically unable to move, my phone rang I saw that it was my husband, who wasnt home at the time. He was calling to let me know that he had reached our son and he was safe. He described sensing trauma in my sons voice (how could there not be?), but at that moment only one thing mattered to me: He was alive! I was so relieved, so grateful. Though I wasnt able to speak with my son the cell system went down soon after my husband reached him I knew that he was safe. I learned the next day that the death toll was 45, and more than 150 people were injured. I was finally able to talk to my son before Shabbat began in Israel, and he told me that two young men from his yeshiva were still missing. He shared this news with great concern, and I felt incredibly sad thinking about what Shabbat would be like for all of the young men at the yeshiva, and even more so for those two young mens families the uncertainty, the fear that in all likelihood their worst nightmares were going to come true. Throughout Shabbat, all I could think about was what happened at Mount Meron. Forty-five human beings; 45 families that had lost loved ones. I was so grateful that my son was alive, and at the same time felt this terrible pain for the parents, grandparents, siblings and children who werent so fortunate. I could have been one of them and I still cant stop thinking about this. I havent been able to bring myself to read a single article about what happened, though I see the headlines and I hear people talk about it. I envision the crush of people and innocent people dying of asphyxiation. All Ive read on the topic are the emails from my sons yeshiva. Yesterdays email informed us that there was a funeral for one young man from the yeshiva on Saturday night, after Shabbat ended; there were two more on Sunday. My son said that all three of those who died one was married, the other engaged and the other was 21, just like my son were very well liked and known to be really good people. Because my son is on a religious path thats so different than mine, I often think about how dissimilar our family is from those of his haredi peers. We have three children, while many of them have 10 or 12. Our understanding and observance of Jewish law is very different. But these past few days, I cant stop thinking about how similar we are; how much all Jews and all humans, for that matter love their children. Haredi parents may have more children than I do, but I know that losing one of them is every bit as tragic for them as it would be for me. Just as my worst fear for a brief time on Thursday evening was that something might have happened to my son, for some of these families, their worst fear has come true. My heart is broken for the families of the victims, but their hearts are truly broken forever. While we are deeply grateful that our son is physically unharmed, my husband and I worry that he could be suffering from PTSD. Fortunately I am incredibly impressed with how his yeshiva, which I have always respected but usually feel I cant relate to, is handling this devastating situation. It has provided for all kinds of counseling for those who want the young men even make anonymous phone calls to a counselor if they prefer and is working hard to get entry permits to Israel for those parents who want to visit their sons. If the yeshiva is able to pull this off, my husband is going to go for a couple of days to see my son, to check in on him and see how hes doing. I cant go because I have responsibilities here, including caring for our other two children. But part of me (OK, all of me) wants to fly over to Israel just for a day, even an hour, just to see my son and hug him. Knowing that my son is in good hands and that my husband may see him in person soon gives me comfort. Yet I just cant move on from what has happened. No matter what Im doing, my mind drifts to Mount Meron, imagining that horrific evening that my son was lucky enough to survive but many others werent. As I go about my day, I find myself constantly fighting back tears, although sometimes I dont bother to hold them back. I will continue to pray and mourn for all the families who lost loved ones, with the humble acknowledgement that we are far more alike than we are different. May the memories of these 45 souls be a blessing. This article first appeared on Kveller. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of JTA or its parent company, 70 Faces Media. Sad and disturbing ... Our own wonderful KEITH DVORCHIK, head of our Federation and Roth Family JCC, posted the following on computer: "Being Jewish is so much more than individuality. It is a communal identity. Jews around the world connect and bond because we truly are a family. As we prepare for Shabbat this week, let's remember our global family members who lost their lives, who lost their loved ones. Let's say kaddish for those who have not yet been identified and whose immediate family cannot do it for them. Let's appreciate what being Jewish really means and the global family we are a part of." Sadly, he was referring to the recent Lag Ba'Omer ceremony that took place in the northern part of Israel on Mount Meron, "a tragedy occurred," he informed us, "45 people were killed and over 150 were injured as people celebrating the holiday, slipped, fell, and were trampled as they tried to find a way out." (How horrific! How awful! Maybe it will be a little easier to bear if you read his last statement first as he actually wrote it.) A little easier to read about ... I just had the pleasure of watching the movie "Top Hat" starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers on TV. (What else is there to do during this pandemic?) They were both such talented dancers, and this movie featured songs written by Israel Beilin (oops, you must have known him as Irving Berlin!) Irving was born in Siberia, the son of a cantor. He and his family arrived at Ellis Island in New York City in 1813. They were escaping pogroms. Irving was only 5 years old at the time. The movie featured "Let's Face the music and dance," "Cheek to Cheek," and others. Actually, Irving Berlin wrote more than 1000 songs, many of them (more than 25) became No.1 hits on the song charts including "There's No Business Like Show Business," "White Christmas," "God Bless America," "Easter Parade," "Alexander's Ragtime Band," and on and on. And, I never knew this, but Fred Astaire's father, whose family name was Austerlitz, was Jewish. (What a fabulous, talented people we are!) I've been to the Vatican ... (It was one of the most outstanding places I've ever been to and that is saying a lot!) I read this in a recent World Jewish Congress digest and pass it along: "During a private virtual meeting, WJC and Vatican officials expressed a strong commitment to strengthening ties between Jewish and Catholic communities globally. The forum featuring a conversation between Cardinal KURT KOCH, President of the Pontifical Commission for Religious Relations with Jews, and CLAUDIO EPELMAN, WJC's Commissioner for Interfaith Dialogue and Executive Director of the Latin American Jewish Congress. Speaking on the warming of relations between Jews and Catholics, and the spirit of positivity resulting from the onset of dialogue between the two faiths 45 years ago, Cardinal Koch offered, "It is my impression that in these years, many old prejudices and enmities have been overcome, reconciliation and cooperation have been developed, and personal friendship has been deepened. It is with profound gratitude that we recall all those who have been and continue to be committed to this important dialogue and have aspired to strengthening mutual trust and respect." He continued, "With our shared patrimony, we have a common responsibility to work together for the good of humankind, refuting antisemitism and anti-Catholic and anti-Christian attitudes, as well as all kinds of discrimination, to work for justice and solidarity, reconciliation and peace." Epelman shared that this past year "has shown us the true power of human fraternity, and that we have more in common with one another than meets the eye. We have learned that there is nothing that can stop us when we work together to confront our shared challenges head on." The Roth Family JCC ... There are only a few K3 and K4 spots still open for the Early Childhood Learning Center. The experience offers much summer fun, including crafts, exploration, music, science and much more. For further information or to register, phone 407-645-5933. Here we go again ... (I must mention my very favorite show many, many times, especially since this is also the birthday of one of my very favorite people!) On Saturday, May 22, at 6 p.m. (doors open at 5 p.m.) there will be a "Dazzling Diva" show at the VFW, 1520 Ronald Reagan Blvd, Longwood. Irving Berlin All those beautiful and shapely divas, (I used to be beautiful and shapely. What the heck happened??) will be entertaining us and there will also be a birthday bash for KENNY LEE!) The cost is $15 and it is well worth it. (After such a miserable pandemic, we should be able to smile and laugh once again.) One for the road ... A young man brought his pants to a tailor to have them altered. The next day, he was called to London on a last-minute job assignment. He returned home five years later. While dressing, he reached into his jacket pocket and found the tailor's receipt for his pants. He went to the tailor's shop, handed him the receipt, and asked, "Are my pants here?" "Yes," said the tailor. "They'll be ready next Tuesday." The duality of Shavuot is undeniable: the yom tov exists, or rather coexists, with distinctly different facets. On the one hand is its status as an agricultural festival marking the wheat/barley harvest and the related celebration of the precociousness of the Land of Israel and another aspect is its historic commemoration of the most remarkable event in the origin story of the Jewish People - the Revelation of the Torah at Mount Sinai. Passover and Shavuot are connected by family ties as much as they are the Counting of the Omer that ends with Shavuot. That is, Nachshon, a hero of the Seventh Day of Passover, and Ruth's husband Boaz. Nachshon who entered the Red Sea - as the ancient Midrash revealed, up to his nose - was the grandfather of Boaz and we remember the splitting of the Sea on the Seventh Day of Passover holiday each year. It is passed down to us from ancient Jewish wisdom that the story of Ruth and Boaz is to be read aloud during the Shavuot services every year. Nachshon was, also, the brother-in-law of Moses's brother Aaron, and Nachshon is mentioned by name in the Book of Ruth. The duality of Shavuot is prominent in the Book of Ruth. The timing of the story is during the harvest and also there is Ruth's personal decision to accept the Torah as law - exactly as the Jewish People did at Sinai on the first Shavuot in our history. What is more, Passover and Shavuot are connected not only by, but through Jerusalem. We may not proclaim "Next Year In Jerusalem!" at Shavuot but Jerusalem as much as Sinai is the center point of not just Shavuot but of Judaism. Shavuot is one of the three pilgrimage holidays that is named in the Torah where the Jewish People are directed to travel to the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and offer sacrifices in the one location on Earth where G-d decreed that sacrifices be made to Him. And who built that Holy Temple? Boaz's great-great-grandson, Solomon (Shlomo HaMelech). Solomon, the direct male descendent of Nachshon and the son of David. In America it is a true tragedy that the magnificence of Shavuot has degenerated for many into synagogue board member installations, cheesecake recipes, and confirmation graduations. But it is also a tragedy that the dual nature of the yom tov is unseen even by those who more traditionally observe Shavuot. Of course, the night long studying of Torah that many engage in is a good and a beautiful thing. But there is much more to Shavuot for us in our time. In order to properly internalize the full context of Shavuot, it is very instructive to take a close look at what made the men of Nachshon's and Boaz's family so distinctive. The most distinguishing character trait of this family is the ability of their members to show complete disregard for their own individual wellbeing and step forward into the face of danger. Consider: Judah (Yehuda), the son of Jacob (Yakov), stepped forward, when no one else would, and saved the life of his brother Joseph (Yosef) when his other brothers had murder in their hearts. Nachshon stepped forward, when no one else would, and entered the Red Sea and demonstrated a genuine faith that we recall until today. Boaz stepped forward, when no one else would, at great risk to his reputation and took responsibility for Ruth, a convert from Moab, when it was known that Jewish women were prohibited from marrying Moabite men. David, while still a boy, stepped forward, when no one else would, and on the field of battle faced Goliath. Goliath had taunted the soldiers of Israel for 40 days with insults and David took the giant's life with a single smooth stone from his sling. And in the Book of Ruth we also find out how those other members of this illustrious family who ran from their inclination to step forward suffered for this. Ploni Almoni, Boaz's kinsman, who would not take responsibility for Ruth, loses his place in Jewish history and we do not even know his name from the Book of Ruth. Ploni Almoni is biblical Hebrew jargon for "so and so." But Ruth's first father-in-law, Elimelech, fares far worse than Ploni Almoni. When Elimelech left the Land of Israel for Moab he was a community leader. When the times were rough, due to a drought, Elimelech took his wife, Naomi, and his sons and chose exile rather than stepping forward and providing our people with leadership. He was never to return to Israel. Elimelech and his sons died in Moab and no future generations would come from their family line. The lessons are clear. Those who are blessed with the necessary talent and fortitude to do what is necessary to help a fellow Jew, whether many people or an individual, must heed the call. And, also the Land of Israel is precious and must be treasured. This is not just a Zionist belief it's a Jewish imperative. This is Shavuot. This is Judaism. This is Zionism. When Herzl stepped forward and initiated the Zionist movement, he heard the call. When Jabotinsky stepped forward and proclaimed it was time to leave behind the character of the ghetto Jew and showed young Jews it was far better to take a stand, he heard the call. When the resistance fighters in the Warsaw Ghetto stepped forward to battle the Nazis, they heard the call. When the soldiers of the various Zionist undergrounds and militias stepped forward to defend the newly born Jewish State in 1948, they heard the call. When the Refuseniks and the Jewish activists of the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s stepped forward against the totalitarian Soviet Union, they heard the call. When Israeli intelligence operatives in the 1980s went into the heart of Africa and covertly evacuated Ethiopian Jewish refugees to Israel, they heard the call. What other nation in history ever went into Africa with the sole purpose of bringing Africans out to freedom, honor, and safety? Israel did that. This is Zionism. This is Judaism. This is the love of a brother being responsible for a brother. This is beautiful and it is eternal. Let us be worthy of listening for today's calls and step forward. This is what Shavuot demands of us. And the rewards are far sweeter than cheesecake. Moshe Phillips is national director of Herut North America's US. division. Herut is an international movement for Zionist pride and education and its U.S. website is https://herutna.org. (JTA) Tensions among Jewish groups allied with the Biden administration blew into the open this week when a Democratic pro-Israel group briefly called a longtime Jewish leader an enabler of antisemitism a sign of how potent a debate over a definition of antisemitism has become. Nancy Kaufman led Bostons Jewish Community Relations Council for 20 years, from 1990 to 2010. She has also led the National Council for Jewish Women. Many progressive Jewish leaders have said she would be a good choice for President Joe Bidens antisemitism monitor, a position she has said interests her. Then, on Monday, the Democratic Majority for Israel, which backs Democrats who hew to traditional pro-Israel orthodoxies, tweeted about Kaufman: Too often she has enabled, rather than battled, antisemitism. The Boston group Kaufman helmed called for an apology and a retraction. This is reprehensible and uncalled for, it said in a tweet. Kaufmans 20 years leading our JCRC are evidence of her deep commitment to the welfare of the Jewish people and her yeomans work combatting antisemitism. Following a hailstorm of outraged calls from an array of liberal Jewish groups for a retraction, DMFI deleted the tweet and acknowledged its error. Nancy Kaufman is a forceful advocate for the Jewish people, DMFI said. Nonetheless, we would oppose her nomination to be our antisemitism ambassador. We were wrong to suggest she supports antisemitism and we apologize for any such implication. The DMFI attack was an expression of an increasingly fraught debate between mainline pro-Israel groups who want Biden to hew to a standard that keeps publicly expressed criticism of Israel to a minimum and progressive groups that want the administration to openly ratchet up pressure on Israel. The battle has expressed itself in Congress recent months with competing legislative initiatives all launched by Democrats. Some call for increased pressure on Israel; some say that aid to Israel is sacrosanct; some argue for a full speed ahead reentry into the Iran nuclear deal; some counsel wariness. AIPAC, the pro-Israel powerhouse, backed the more traditional pro-Israel initiatives. DMFI and AIPAC have no formal affiliation, but an array of Democrats who routinely appear at AIPAC conferences are on DMFIs board and staff. So far, the influence of the pro-Israel and Israel-critical factions among Democrats on the Biden administration has amounted to a split decision. Biden officials have rejected any calls to pressure Israel on peace issues, but they are pushing ahead with talks to reenter the Iran deal. The tone of the DMFI attack reflected how high the stakes are for both sides. DMFIs tweet ostensibly had to do with Kaufmans bid to be the Biden administrations antisemitism monitor. It was attached to a month-old Forward story about progressives backing Kaufman. But the timing was odd: The administration is no closer to selecting a nominee from an array of candidates for the job, insiders close to the administration have said, and Kaufman is not believed to be on the shortlist. Before retracting the tweet, a DMFI spokeswoman would not elaborate on the record what it was about Kaufman that enabled antisemitism. Kaufman did not reply to a request for comment. Jewish Middle East policy groups are waging an intense battle over how best to define antisemitism. Multiple definitions advanced by various organizations overlap, but differ on how to apply the term when it comes to Israel. Much of the Jewish establishment backs the definition embraced by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, which includes this phrase: Applying double standards by requiring of [Israel] a behavior not expected or demanded of any other democratic nation. A number of liberal Jewish scholars and organizations, including several that back Kaufman in her antisemitism monitor bid, say the IHRA double standards language is too broad and have published definitions this year that allow for harsh definitions of Israel as not being antisemitic. Kaufman told the Forward in the article attached to the DMFI tweet that she sees value in all the varied definitions. I think there should be lots of discussions about what is the best way, she told the newspaper. Democratic Majority for Israel backs the IHRA definition and has attacked progressives for opposing it. DMFI, which has an affiliated political action committee, spars frequently with progressives on social media and elsewhere. It has come under fire from progressives who say it expends more energy attacking other Democrats than it does getting Democrats elected. Open Secrets, a group that tracks election spending and donations, shows the DMFI political action committee spending about a third of its money as of May 2020 attacking fellow Democrats. Sometimes the exchanges get personal. A DMFI board member apologized last month after complimenting the wordplay of another Twitter user who mocked the Arab name of a fiance of a founder of IfNotNow, a progressive Jewish group critical of Israels occupation of the West Bank. DMFI sees itself as a bulwark against elements on the progressive left who it says seek to delegitimize Israel, and aims to preserve the close ties that endured for decades between Democrats and the pro-Israel community. We will work to maintain and strengthen support for Israel among Democratic leaders including presidential and congressional candidates as well as with the grassroots of progressive movements, it says in its mission statement. Instead of strengthening support for Israel among Democrats, DMFIs broadside against Kaufman alienated a rafter of groups that otherwise share its stated mission of advancing progressive causes while preserving the Israel-U.S. relationship. Rabbi Jonah Pesner, who leads the Reform movements Religious Action Center, called the DMFI attack unfounded. We can debate about how to best fight rising antisemitism at home and around the world, he said. But theres no debate that attacks on a respected Jewish professional are unfounded and unbecoming. Rabbi Jill Jacobs, who directs Truah, a rabbinical human rights group said after DMFI posted its retraction tweet that the group is an outlier among liberal Jews and among Democrats. The actual majority of Jews in the US oppose white nationalism, and support human rights for both Israelis and Palestinians (which includes an end to occupation and a state for both peoples), she said. DMFI does not represent Democrats or the majority. As Boston JCRC director, Kaufman oversaw an often fractious community where left-right divides run deep. She worked closely with Republican and Democratic administrations in the state. After leaving the JCRC in 2010, she led the National Council of Jewish Women for nearly a decade. It is egregious to accuse someone with a record as strong as Nancy Kaufmans as being insufficiently opposed to antisemitism, Kaufmans successor at NCJW, Sheila Katz, said in a statement. Its a blatant lie easily disproven by the countless actions and statements she has made throughout the years both in her role as CEO of NCJW and beyond. As the National Council of Jewish Womens CEO in 2018, Kaufman pulled the group out of the Womens March because of allegations of antisemitism in the movements upper reaches, but she later appeared on a panel with two of the accused women leaders and said she credited them with reaching out. J Street, the liberal Jewish Middle East policy group, which like DMFI has an affiliated PAC and has often sparred with the group, called its attack on Kaufman disgusting. Kaufman, J Street said on Twitter, has spent her impressive career fighting for the Jewish community and our democratic values. (JNS) The American Jewish Committee released on Tuesday an updated and expanded edition of Translate Hate, the groups widely used glossary of common antisemitic terms and tropes. According to AJC, the date of the 2021 editions release commemorates the second anniversary of the fatal attack on Chabad of Poway, Calif., and includes more than 40 terms and expressions that are examples of antisemitism, explaining their nature when used in certain contexts and their origins. The illustrated glossary has been widely downloaded and disseminated to politicians, law enforcement and other leaders, according to the release. It also recommends actions to take against hate speech. The first edition was issued in November 2019. According to the release, it was downloaded tens of thousands of times and shared by AJC staff with key political leaders, including members of Congress. 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, AJCs U.S. director for combating antisemitism. The need for the glossary was reinforced by AJCs 2020 State of Antisemitism in America report, which indicated that while 53 percent of Americans are familiar with the term and know what it means, nearly half do not; 21 percent have never heard of the word; and 25 percent have heard the word antisemitism but dont know what it means. These results were called a stunning lack of awareness about antisemitism. 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, noted Huffnagle. FBI officials requested copies for agents during a meeting in January with AJC staff experts, and in February, AJC staff presented the guide during a virtual training session of the National Association of Attorneys General. McPherson College is seeking a full-time Admissions and Financial Aid Counselor. This position is a full-time, 12-month, exempt position. This position reports to the director of admissions and is eligible for college benefits. Individual will actively seek, develop and expand avenues for recruiting prospective students. This counselor will provide information to students and their families about admissions, enrollment and financial aid. The ideal candidate must have an enthusiastic understanding of the McPherson College philosophy on entrepreneurship and liberal arts and the ability to successfully promote them at a wide variety of outreach events. Bachelors degree required; 1-2 years experience in a small college setting preferred. Ideal candidate will be skilled at communicating with a diverse range of individuals, energetic in reaching out to prospective students and determined to set and achieve high recruiting goals. Frequent travel required, including some nights and weekends. Please complete the on-line application below with a cover letter, resume and one letter of professional reference recblid bktegkovnml2za3kb2pyvsvyolep3e On Thursday, May 6, an antisemitic group called the Goyim Defense League stood across the street from The Roth Family JCC with signs and megaphones, ranting their propaganda to protest against the Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center of Florida. They also attempted to hand out flyers to cars as they stopped at traffic lights at Maitland Avenue and Maitland Blvd. Their van, decorated with Holocaust denial and hate-filled messages, tried to come onto the JCC property. However, the JCC security staff were aware of their presence in Florida and were prepared for any arrival. The ADL stated on its website that this group is a loose network of individuals organized by six people and was founded in California. They spews their contempt for Jewish people in California, Colorado, Florida and New York. GDL operates GoyimTV, a video platform that streams antisemitic content, and shares their antisemitism by way of the Internet, propaganda distributions, street protests. Jewish Federation CEO Keith Dvorchik was notified by law enforcement in advance and the group was denied entry to the JCC property but stood across the street from the JCC on Maitland Ave. and had signs posted on Maitland Blvd. Campus Security Director Jake Silverman, the campus security guard, the Maitland Police Department and Orange County Sheriff's Office made sure the campus remained secure during their protest. Silverman, law enforcement and the Secure Community Network will continue to monitor the situation and provide additional support to the campus if necessary. Because of everyone's quick response, activities at the JCC were able to continue. (JNS) In recent days, conflicting reports have emerged over the ongoing negotiations in Vienna to revive the 2015 nuclear deal, leading to questions over to what extent the United States will undo Trump-era sanctions against Tehran. Richard Goldberg, a senior adviser at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, as well as an expert on Iran negotiations and sanctions, told JNS that he believes the reports coming out of Iran reflect leaks that the Islamic regime is already declaring victory at the negotiating table with the United States giving into 90 percent to 95 percent of the sanctions relief the Iranians had been seeking. Goldberg said it appears that the administration has offered to lift a wide range of sanctions imposed on Iran by the Trump administration, including those placed for its sponsorship of terrorism and its ballistic-missile program. Reportedly, he said, among sanctions that U.S. negotiators might agree to lift may include those on Irans central bank, national oil company, a tanker company and a petrochemical company in exchange for Iran re-entering the nuclear deal. On Sunday, Biden administration officials pushed back against reports in Iranian state media that America and Iran have reached an agreement to remove sanctions against the Islamic Republic as part of indirect talks between the two nations to restore the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, appearing on This Week with George Stephanopoulos on ABC News, contradicted reports from Iran that talks last month had closed in on an agreement. Theres still a fair distance to travel to close the remaining gaps, he said, adding that work will continue in the coming weeks. Additionally, the U.S. also rejected claims from Iran that it had reached a deal for a prisoner exchange. Their pleas are falling on deaf ears in Washington Goldberg said that the United States may be giving up more than its getting in its effort to return to the original deal. The Iranians are agreeing to come into compliance with a deal that is already expiring in their favor with sunset clauses that have already begun, starting last year with the international arms embargo lifting, said Goldberg. It really makes no sense from a U.S. negotiation posture. Were giving up historic leverage in exchange for compliance with an already flawed deal that is already expiring. The relief of sanctions, he said, would also go against policy instituted during the Obama administration that allowed the United States to impose economic sanctions on Iran for Iranian belligerence unrelated to its nuclear-weapon pursuits, such as supporting terrorism, and developing and proliferating long-range conventional missiles. Throughout the current negotiations, Iran has stated that it would not rejoin the JCPOA unless these sanctions, which were put in place during the Trump administration and not part of the original nuclear deal, were also removed. Goldberg said that the Biden administration is now claiming that these sanctions are illegitimate under the nuclear deal, something even U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken did not agree with during his Senate confirmation hearings. So a real question then is, if the Biden administration is going to lift terrorism and missile sanctions on Iran, rejoin a nuclear deal thats expiring and not require Iran to declare all of its undeclared nuclear activities, how is this in any way in the best interest of U.S. national security? posed Goldberg. On top of all of that, we see a Middle East today that has changed fundamentally from where it was in 2015 thanks to the Abraham Accords and the prospect of further normalization between Arabs and Israelis, he continued. That Middle East is speaking with one unified voice, very loudly and clearly to Washington: Do not go back into the nuclear deal. Do not lift sanctions. But it appears their pleas are falling on deaf ears in Washington with a Biden administration that is dead set on returning to the nuclear deal and lifting sanctions. Last Friday, U.S. President Joe Biden told Mossad director Yossi Cohen that the talks still have a long way to go to reach an agreement. Senior Israeli officials had been in Washington last week to relay their concerns about a possible return to the 2015 nuclear deal. Barbara Slavin, director of the future of Iran Initiative at the Atlantic Council, told JNS that she remains cautiously optimistic that the talks in Vienna will lead to a mutual resumption of compliance with the JCPOA by Iran and the U.S. The Biden administration has pledged to remove all sanctions inconsistent with the deal, and I interpret that to mean sanctions on the Central Bank of Iran, Irans national oil company and shipping, and other important economic entities such as Irans automotive industry, she said. The Trump administration made this harder by sanctioning these organizations and sectors under non-nuclear authorities but the intentto prevent a return to the JCPOAwas clear. Slavin believes that while the deal remains controversial in both Washington and Tehran, she is confident that it will be restored. Upping the ante in terms of more sanctions relief Goldberg said the capitulations to Iran show desperation on behalf of U.S. negotiators to re-enter the deal, which he believes is fundamentally the wrong approach. Tehran, he said, can drive up the price, such as demanding more sanctions be lifted than fall under the purview of the nuclear deal, such as the previous administrations still-in-place sanctions on Irans metal industry, construction sector and financial holdings of its leaders. Iran will also be looking for the United States to remove the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to be removed from the list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations, which it was added to in 2019. Even if an agreement was reached to bring Iran back into the nuclear deal, he said it remains questionable whether Iran would actually be in compliance with the deal. The International Atomic Energy Agency is investigating Iran for concealing undeclared nuclear activities and materials, which not only is a breach of the JCPOA, but of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. While theres not much constituent support for the Iran deal, the Biden administration may just want to get the Iranian threat off the table and concentrate on other parts of its agenda. To accomplish this, said Goldberg, the United States has to play into Irans racket. Iran extorts the international community through malign activities. There is a dollar amount placed on Iran temporarily suspending some of those activities, and if you pay that dollar amount, you will get some limited temporary change in behavior, he said. So you could have a White House that simply wants to kick the can down the road, pay the Iranian racket and make this issue go away for a few months. In the April 16 Heritage article Laurie Cardoza-Moore: Get Holocaust education into schools, anti-Semitism out, the source of Chairwoman of the Florida Holocaust Education Task Force Barbara Goldsteins quotes was not included. She made these statements in an article written by Robbie Gaffney, titled New Holocaust Education Resource Guide Coming to Florida School Districts, Aug 6, 2020. In the same article, Cardoza-Moore and her own task force were invited (not appointed) to participate in the review of Holocaust material standards for Florida. The task force is comprised of key Holocaust scholars: Dr. Sandra Alfonsi, PJTNs senior academic Fellow and global expert on the Holocaust and antisemitism; Dr. David Patterson, Hillel Feinberg Distinguished Chair in Holocaust Studies, Ackerman Center for Holocaust Studies, University of Texas at Dallas; and Emanuel Rund, International Holocaust scholar and American, Israeli and German producer of 30 films about the Holocaust as well as the initiator of the annual Jan. 27th International Holocaust Day. Heritage Florida Jewish News is accepting nominations for the 2021 Heritage Human Service Award, which will be presented at the annual meeting of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando this summer. For more than 30 years, individuals who have made major, voluntary contributions of their talent, time, energy and effort to the Central Florida community have been honored with the selection and presentation of this award, said Jeff Gaeser, editor and publisher of the Heritage. Last years recipient was Hank Katzen. Former recipients have included Sarah Stern (2017), Howard Lefkowitz (2011), and Nina Oppenheim (2013). According to Gaeser, Each recipient chose their own path, but made considerable and long-lasting contributions to the Jewish community. Nominees for the 2020 award are individuals who do not look for recognition, but perform tikkun olam repairing the world out of internal motivation. Nominations should be emailed to news@orlandoheritage.com with the subject Human Service Award, or typed on 8 1/2 x 11 paper and sent by mail to Heritage Florida Jewish News, Human Service Award, 207 OBrien Road, Suite 101, Fern Park, FL 32730. Included should be the name and phone number of the nominee, a documented list of his or her accomplishments, and the name and phone number of the nominator(s). The Heritage is accepting nominations until Friday, June 11. Within a year, in the Orlando area several of our beloved Jewish young adults died due to an accidental drug overdose. Statistically, it is likely that someone close to you will suffer from a substance use disorder in the coming years. How will you recognize the signs? Are there signs? And if you sense something is wrong, what do you do? If you are sure someone you love is dealing with substance use disorder, whom do you turn to for help? An upcoming panel discussion on Thursday, May 27, sponsored by a newly formed group of community leaders called B'ri'ut (Hebrew for acceptance and wellness) will address these questions and more. Even recreational drug use has its risks; one time can kill. Approximately 100,000 people have died from an accidental drug overdose in 2020. More overdose deaths than from car accidents. An undisputed truth exists: Substance use disorders are growing and are significantly worse than they were in the past. Many drugs, including street marijuana are laced with fentanyl and other substances. Today taking drugs is like playing Russian roulette, only all of the chambers are loaded. There is an 80 percent chance that those who take drugs may have a psychotic episode or worse, die from ingesting fentanyl. Michal Osteen lost her 29-year-old son, Ari, last November to an accidental overdose. She has shared on Facebook and in J Life magazine (Spring 2021 edition) her agonizing story. Ari had been clean for a long time. However, to ease his anxiety, he took a drug that was laced with Acetyl-fentanyl (fentanyl times six). He died instantly. That was all it took. Ari's autopsy showed there were no other drugs in his system. Young adults experimenting with drugs have no idea what they contain and they maybe laced with this dangerous drug. Still there's a stigma against substance use disorders within our Jewish community, just as there is in the society at large. Substance use disorders are seen as a shanda, and as result, they are not talked about openly within Jewish community. This results in both the Jewish person who is struggling with substance use disorders and their family going to great lengths to hide their problems. Realizing that statistically, only 10 percent of the general population of those with substance use disorders will receive treatment, the percentages may be lower with Jewish users. Substance use disorders are seen as a moral failing or character flaw, despite overwhelming evidence that it's an illness not unlike diabetes or other chronic illnesses. A substance use disorder is defined as a disease by most medical associations, including the American Medical Association and the American Society of Addiction Medicine. Scientist estimate that genetic factors account for 40 to 60 percent of a person's vulnerability to substance use disorders. The fight to end the stigma has been multifaceted and can be found in many manifestations. One of the more subtle actions is that the former, more emotionally-laden and stigmatizing terms of "addiction" and "abuse" have been replaced in the professional community with the more descriptive and more accurate term of "substance use disorders." Accidental overdose is reaching epidemic proportions. Since the pandemic lockdown deaths from overdoses has increased by 43 percent. NARCAN is an antidote for an opioid overdose. It is approved for civilian use and can save a life. Project Opioid is providing NARCAN to participants in this program at no charge. They will be handing out packages of two doses. For those attending via Zoom, NARCAN will be made available through their website Projectopioid.org. B'ri'ut was formed by leaders in the Jewish community - rabbis, cantors, educators and executive directors from 14 local Jewish organizations - to educate the community about substance use disorders. An initial meeting was held in March in which certified and licensed clinical psychologists provided orientation and education about how to recognize substance use disorders and how to treat them. This was followed by a second presentation held for agency and organization leaders who have the most contact with people who may have substance use disorders, to give them the tools and strategies to help others seek and find professional help. These leaders want to share this information with the community because it is a Jewish community problem. The Talmud teaches, "He who saves a single life, saves the world entire." (Jewinthecity.com/2013) B'ri'ut will host this community-wide meeting on Thursday, May 27, at 78:30 p.m., in-person at The Roth Family Jewish Community Center and virtually via Zoom. A panel comprised of Michal Osteen, Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma, Houston Spore of Project Opioid, and recovering users Jonathan Lebron and Dr. Biff Kramer will discuss the issue of substance use disorders within our Jewish community. Michal Osteen will share her perspective on this issue in light of her personal loss. Ashlyn Douglass-Barnes, LCSW, clinical director of Jewish Family Services will moderate the discussion. This will be an educational session for all members of the community, individuals, families with children, middle-school and high-school teenagers, college students, and seniors. Everyone is invited and encouraged to attend this free and important meeting. In-person registration is limited to 50 people due to COVID restrictions. For more information, contact Marisa at The Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando at 407-645-5933. Registration is required for both live and Zoom. Registration link and additional information can be found at JFGO.org. Look under "This Week's Events." Please see a related article on JFS Orlando's substance use disorder counseling. The registration link is https://orlandojewishfed.secure.force.com/default/CnP_PaaS_EVT__ExternalRegistrationPage?event_id=a2d2L0000017FILQA2 (JNS) A mass grave of Holocaust victims has been discovered near the village of Logoza in Belarus, the Daily Mail reported on Friday. Photos from the excavation site show that officials uncovered bone remains, full skeletons (some with bullets in their skulls), fragments of clothing and childrens shoes, in addition to ammunition from ditches that are as deep as five meters. Personal objects were found as well, including a key and a broken comb. The mass grave is located about 22 miles from the capital, Minsk. Experts from the countrys State Forensic Examination Committee are working on the excavation site in partnership with a group from the general prosecutors office. Everything removed from the site has been inspected and recorded, and they will work to identify the excavated bodies. While this is the initial state of work, judging by what we see this is a civilian population, said Dmitry Gora, chairman of the investigation committee under the prosecutors office. Much more will be found in the future. The excavation was conducted as part of a criminal investigation into an alleged genocide of Belarusians during and after World War II. Some 1,214 bodies were discovered in May 2019 in a mass grave in the Belarus city of Brest, where the Jewish ghetto was located during the Holocaust. Previous mass graves were discovered in Brest in 1950 and in 1970, and in both instances, hundreds of victims were buried at cemeteries. Some 1.6 million Belarusian civilians were killed by the Nazis during the occupation in World War II, including between 500,000 to 550,000 Jews, according to the Daily Mail. Most of the victims were women, children and the elderly, reported the Belarus news agency BeITA. (JNS) - Israel's President Reuven Rivlin has announced that Yair Lapid will now receive the mandate to form the country's next government. Rivlin made the announcement in a televised statement from his official residence, saying that his "main consideration" was who was the best choice to form the next government. "From the number of recommendations, it is clear that MK Yair Lapid could form a government that has the confidence of the Knesset, despite there being many difficulties," Rivlin said, noting that returning the mandate to the Knesset would "be a misapplication of the law and could result in a fifth round of elections before all possibilities for forming a government had been exhausted. "We will do everything to create an Israeli unity government," Lapid wrote in a statement on his Facebook account. The decision to give the mandate to Lapid, who heads the Yesh Atid Party and also serves as opposition leader, comes as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to muster enough support to form a government by last night's deadline. Netanyahu had been endorsed by 52 Knesset members from his right-wing religious bloc but needed 61 to form a coalition. In consultations with Rivlin, Lapid was endorsed by 56 MKs, up from 45 in the previous round of consultations. Lapid gained the recommendations of Gideon Sa'ar's New Hope Party, as well as several Arab MKs from the Joint Arab List, who refrained to recommend a candidate last month. Lapid also has the support of the Blue and White, Labor, Meretz and Yisrael Beiteinu parties. Despite Rivlin's endorsement, it remains unclear how Lapid could bring together the disparate group of parties spanning the entire Israeli political spectrum from the left, right, religious, secular and even Arab parties, who have never backed an Israeli government. The only clear objective uniting all these parties, who have been dubbed the "change coalition" appears to be removing Netanyahu from power and little else. One option that has emerged is a rotational premiership, with Bennett serving first and Lapid going second. Both sides have been negotiating in recent weeks about this rotation, as well as the composition of the cabinet and various ministerial portfolios. In a statement before Rivlin's decision, Bennett called for a unity government. While he acknowledged that he preferred a right-wing coalition, he said that "Netanyahu slammed the door on us." He said there are two options, further elections which would "destroy the country" or the formation of "broad emergency government ... that will get the wheel out of the mud." However, the recent failure of "unity" government between Netanyahu and Blue and White leader Benny Gantz serves as a reminder of the challenge of bringing ideologically opposed factions together. In the meantime, Netanyahu will continue to serve as prime minister under a caretaker government, while he faces trial under charges of corruption and bribery. If Lapid fails to form a government within his 28-day mandate, Rivlin will send the mandate to the full Knesset, where any MK can get the endorsement of 61 others to become the next prime minister. However, if that fails, the Knesset automatically dissolves and heads to new elections, likely in the late summer. Tensions are rising and rocket fire is constantly changing as Sderot, Ashkelon and Tel Aviv are under fire. In Jerusalem, the Temple Mount riots are escalating. The central Israeli city of Lod was placed under emergency lockdown on Tuesday night to clamp down on violence undertaken by Arab residents there. The population of about 80,000 Jews and Arabs saw rioting and looting on Tuesday night. Arab mobs were seen throwing stones, Molotov cocktails and fireworks at police, while also burning trash cans and tires. They also firebombed the Maoz yeshivah, with a synagogue and dozens of cars belonging to Jewish residents set on fire. Lod, in central Israel, is adjacent to Israel's Ben-Gurion International Airport, which was temporarily shut down earlier in the evening due to incoming rockets from the Gaza Strip. Mansour Abbas, the head of the Arab Ra'am Party, called for calm in Lod and neighboring Ramla, saying that while he understood the anger "things are developing in very dangerous directions, as peaceful popular demonstrations have turned into direct clashes which threaten the lives and safety of our youth." Early Wednesday morning, a rocket fell in Lod and killed two people - a woman in her 40s and a 7-year-old girl. With news changing constantly, weekly reports are not enough. Heritage will run updates daily on the website at http://www.heritagefl.com. Shavuot is a mysterious holiday. This commemoration of receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai isnt given a specific date for its celebration; instead we are told in the Book of Exodus to schedule it seven weeks from the second night of Passover. The tradition is to enjoy four sumptuous meals over the two days of the holiday and ensure that at least a few of them feature dairy foods. Evidently, at Mount Sinai, we received the laws of kashrut but didnt have time to master proper slaughtering practices, so eating dairy was safer. Another reason for cheesecake at this time of year: the gematria of the word chalav (milk) is forty, paralleling the number of days Moshe spent on the mountain. Shavuot offers a welcome respite after the semi-mourning of Sfirat Haomer. One highlight is the custom of staying up all night to learn Torah, called Tikkun Leil Shavuot, the healing of the night of Shavuot. One reason Shavuot has no set date is because the essence of Torah is outside of time and space. Whereas sanctifying food requires a new blessing with every meal, the blessing over Torah study need only happen once a day. We dont just study Torah. We live Torah. This blessing finishes with the words, Who gives us Torah, stated in the present tense. Shavuot is less an anniversary than a celebration of the continuous flow of Revelation. I have certain rabbis with whom I really connect rare individuals who see the big picture, possess both academic and Torah backgrounds and live their learning. One year, one of those individuals was coming to lead the study. Shavuot with Rabbi Simcha Weinberg featured almost continuous learning over a three-day weekend, starting on Friday night. By the final class Sunday night, I felt like I was opened up, firing on all cylinders, with new enthusiasm for the same ole prayers and new eyes to see the colors of life. Just like the glory of the revelation of Torah led to a cataclysm with the golden calf, so, too, did our communal holiday celebration end in disaster. The next day, I sat down to check my email. Two caught my eye, both with the heading Baruch Dayan HaEmet (Blessed is the True Judge). These are the emails I never want to read. These are the words Jews utter automatically when hearing shocking news, usually about someones death. This stock phrase counters the tendency to respond, Oh, its not fair or, How could God let this happen? Jewish tradition insists God knows exactly what is going on and even though we might not understand, this tragedy is also Gods will. Two of our close friends had lost their wives. Both were young mothers; beautiful women in every way; beacons of charity and kindness. Two agonizing funerals were followed by intense shiva minyanim (prayers during the first week of mourning). When visiting with their guests, the husbands would bravely tell anecdotes about their wives and then convulse again in misery. Speechless family and friends watched as prepubescent kids struggled with Kaddish. These calamities occurred the day after we celebrated the giving of Torah. I struggled, as did many in our community, with this stark contrast on the one hand, the holiday emphasizes that everything happening to us is directed by God and like the Jews at Sinai, its our job to respond with acceptance and allegiance. But Im human, and I was grieving, and part of me struggled to accept the horrible events handed to people whom I really cared about. The same God Who arranged for these two women to pass on this week, is the same God Who created the universe, Who gave us Avraham and Sarah, Who freed us from slavery in Egypt and gifted the Torah 3500 years ago on the very first Shavuot. This is the Makom, the Omnipresent, Who will help my now single-father friends cope and bring them and their children healing. We are always receiving divine messages, heavenly love notes, holy whispers of Oral Torah. We may not always understand them. Shavuot is here to open our hearts to this communication. Perhaps Shavuot has no set date so we make every single day a celebration of receiving Gods Instructions for Living. May the words of our beloved Torah always be sweet on our lips. May these two families feel the shelter of the wings of the True Judge; may the Omnipresent comfort them, together with all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem. Sam Glaser is a performer, composer, producer and author in Los Angeles. He has released 25 albums of his music, he produces music for various media in his Glaser Musicworks recording studio and his book The Joy of Judaism is an Amazon bestseller. Visit him online at http://www.samglaser.com. Join Sam for a weekly uplifting hour of study every Wednesday night (7:00 pm PST, Zoom Meeting ID: 71646005392) for learners of all ages and levels of knowledge. (JNS) As ecstatic songs rang through the hills, I tried to enter the stadium around the grave of the Mishnaic sage and spiritual luminary, Shimon bar Yochai. It was packed rock-solid with people. Thats OK, lets listen outside, I sighed to my staff. Earlier, as our bus of gap-year students climbed toward Mount Meron, I was constantly receiving Shabbat meal request messages. For 39 years, this has been my life; I quickly arranged as many connections as I could, while yearning to return to the festive atmosphere in the bus. Who knew that many of those meals would be canceled, including one requested from Yeshivat Shaalvim? Years ago, on Lag bOmer, some gap-year students and I danced right in front of the holy grave of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai. We felt such joy and saw all kinds of Jews celebrating. This year, we couldnt enter. Perhaps this was a blessing. Our bus parked miles from Meron and we boarded a shuttle, excited for the adventures ahead. Our students were all trustworthy, so when we arrived, we allowed them to split into smaller groups connected through WhatsApp. I stayed with my staff so as not to get lost, and enjoyed the elated crowds outside the stadium. Between each song, a voice in Hebrew with a Yiddish accent boomed: Too many people! Then anxiety filled the air. Police were clearing the way for ambulances, setting up barricades and ordering us to leave. I was separated from my staff, so I grabbed my phone, only to find my son calling. Abba, are you OK? he asked. Then I realized what had happened. People were tumbling out of the stadium in a faint. A man was on a stretcher. In front of us, Magen David Adom and Hatzalah paramedics were saving lives. To my relief, I spotted my staff and some of our students. One student, Ayden Wells, had entered the stadium with friends. Thank God they were saved. Wells later recounted: The area became so tight that my feet left the ground and it was difficult to breathe. Still, I was unafraid, and everywhere people had smiles, dancing joyfully. However, the mass of people began to move, until we found ourselves near an exit stairwell. People grabbed the stairwell railing, which collapsed, pinning my leg. I was trapped while being pushed by the unstoppable torrent of people, just waiting for my leg to snap. By some miracle, I squeezed out from the rail and from that crowd. Looking back, I saw the horror: people falling on each other; police trying to block off the area while people inside were still straining to exit. The paramedics did everything they could All those lives May their memories be a blessing. Thank God I was freed. Our group congregated at the gas station, while helicopters and ambulances roared by. I told the students to immediately call their families. A couple of parents replied that they knew me from 20 years ago, saying, If youre with Seidel, were not worried. They had no idea how worried Seidel was! I can only thank God for the strength to care for our students. All shuttles had vanished, and our driver couldnt leave the lot, so we had to walk. After a two-hour trek, an officer flagged a bus, which drove us the rest of the way to the lot. Boarding the bus, we heard people had died, and then shock set in. The scenes flashed through our minds. Had we arrived earlier, we could have been trapped. I must praise the counselors, who gathered the students and led us toward our bus, called to confirm everyone was alright, and who are extending professional help to distressed students. They showed tremendous kindness and concern for their students. Finally, I must praise the gap-year students, who waited patiently for each other, and made the late-night trek. They didnt panic, even when fear was appropriate. Still, I wonder what God is trying to tell us. Lag bOmer celebrates the day when the students of Rabbi Akiva stopped dying from a plague. Our sages say the metaphysical cause of those deaths was that they did not honor each other. Do we still need to learn this lesson, perhaps? When asked how, for decades, Ive constantly assisted and made connections between Jews, I admit I have not helped enough. Look around and see, there are always people who need information, a personal connection, a Shabbat meal, an educational experience. There are always young people in Israel yearning to own their Jewish heritage. Ultimately, this was a night of unity a night of respect, connection and helping others. Our students never blamed the police or the Chassidim. They showed concern for everyone. One student, Sammy Korol, summed it up: Sitting at the bottom of the mountain, my arm around my sobbing friend, I felt the swell of great, communal sadness. It rose up like a terrible cry, an endless wail, which I knew every Jew in Israel was hearing. Theres no explanation, no logic to explain this suffering amid a day of joy. The only constant is the shared love, support, and feeling that every Jew has in their heart. If, while walking to work, you saw someone you could benefit, would you hesitate? Isnt it obvious? Wouldnt you support someone who was fainting? Wouldnt you help a student find a Shabbat meal? Isnt it obvious that each of us needs to honor others no matter who they are, and that this is the only constant? Jeff Seidel is a prominent figure in the Jewish world, introducing thousands of students to Shabbat, giving free tours and classes through his Jewish Student Centers across Israel, and welcoming all to Israel. He is the author of The Jewish Travelers Resource Guide. Full Time Employment Available Monterey Mushrooms Inc., the largest grower, shipper, and marketer of Fresh Mushrooms is in search of individuals to fill full time positions at their Temple, PA Packing Facility. Shipping & Receiving Coordinator Salary Full time, Salary position, Tuesday-Saturday 8 am to 5 pm most days, Full benefits offered. recblid 5ei27dlb9r3re6mcpbbum8dj2af502 The word folly has become associated with only one policy decision in all of our nations history. That policy decision was to purchase Alaska from Russia immediately after the end of the Civil War. The primary advocate of the purchase for $7,000,000 was then Secretary of State William H. Seward. After much heated public debate and opposition, the sale was ratified by the U.S. Senate and consummated by Mr. Seward who was ridiculed and heavily criticized at the time in the American press. The purchase, coming so close to the end of the Civil War, was seen as a needless and foolish government expenditure and became known as Sewards Folly. Fortunately, for the U.S. and for Mr. Sewards legacy, gold was discovered in Alaska some 33 years later; and as subsequent history would prove Sewards Folly became his genius. The Biden Administrations foreign policy initiatives in the Mideast start out with a default premise that the Trump Mideast policy was macroscopically flawed, and needs immediate reversal in many areas. Without seeking concessions from the Palestinian Authority regarding its continuing Slay for Pay policy of compensating families of terrorists killed or jailed, the U.S. government is seeking to unconditionally re-establish U.S. financial aid to the P.A., ignoring the Taylor Force Act which prohibits such compensatory payments as a condition of U.S. aid. The Biden administration has already resumed financial support to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian descendants of refugees. This aid was cut off by the Trump administration because this agency had become a conduit for antisemitic and delegitimizing Israel propaganda through its hate-laced text books used in its schools. The resumption of financial aid was based on a flimsy future promise to eliminate this kind of content in its Palestinian-run elementary, middle and high schools throughout the Mideast. The Trump Administration closed the PLO diplomatic office in Washington, D.C., because the PLO was not fulfilling its obligation to participate in direct negotiations with Israel; to engage in good-faith diplomacy; to discourage and not engage in terrorist acts; and to abandon charges for war crimes against the U.S. and Israel before the International Criminal Court, a court which has no jurisdiction over either nation. The re-opening of the PLO office by the Biden Administration is without any pre-condition demand to withdraw these charges or to fulfill its obligations that led to the original opening of a PLO diplomatic mission in our nations capital. The Biden administration has rejected the Trump Initiative for Peace between the Palestinians and Israel and resurrected the failed and unrealistic two-state solution. While giving lip-service support to the Abraham Accords, the gratuitous reversal of the Trump polices toward the Palestinians in fact undermine these accords; and restores false hope that the Palestinians can achieve statehood without compromising their rigid goal of making Israel disappear. During the four years of the Trump Administration, the Palestinians and their terrorist partners were relatively quiet, with terrorist activities at a low level despite the U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as Israels eternal capital, recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and legal recognition under International law of the Jewish settlements in Judea and Samaria. The wholesale reversal of the Trump Mideast policies absent a single concession by the Palestinians, was meant as a goodwill gesture to entice the Palestinians back to the negotiating table. On the contrary, we have seen a steady increase in Palestinian terrorism and riots in both Jerusalem and Israel and in the self-governing areas of Judea and Samaria. The foreign policy Mr. Biden is pursuing in the Mideast will prove his folly in that region, and unfortunately for America and Israel, time will not morph Mr. Bidens Folly into genius. If you wish to comment or respond you can reach me at melpearlman322@gmail.com. Please do so in a rational, thoughtful, respectful and civil manner. Mel Pearlman holds B.S. & M.S. degrees in physics as well as a J.D. degree and initially came to Florida in 1966 to work on the Gemini and Apollo space programs. He has practiced law in Central Florida since 1972. He has served as president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando; was a charter board member, first vice president and pro-bono legal counsel of the Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Central Florida, as well as holding many other community leadership positions. Once only found on the extreme fringes of society, Holocaust denial, revisionism and antisemitism have seeped into our communities, houses of worship and, sadly, into our schools. When the principal of a public school in Boca Raton told a parent that, Not everyone believes the Holocaust happened, it made international headlines, and he was fired. It also led many parents and School Board members to ask how the Nazis systematic murder of 6 million Jews was being taught in our schools. The K-12 Floridian Holocaust Standards are currently up for review. A task force of concerned acade... After one of the officers' defense lawyers said that prosecutors coerced the medical examiner who conducted George Floyd's autopsy, a Minnesota judge on May 13 postponed the trial of three former Minneapolis officers involved in the arrest of Floyd last year. According to court documents, J. Kueng, Thomas Lane, and Tou Thao will stand trial on March 7, 2022, a six-month break from the previous date. Per The Epoch Times, local media reported that Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill said at a pretrial hearing in Minneapolis that he needed to allow federal prosecutors time to investigate a case against the three men. Read Also: Derek Chauvin Lawyer Wants New Trial, Says Cop Not Given Fair Trial in George Floyd Death Trial for 3 Ex-officers in George Floyd case hits a snag The trio and Derek Chauvin, the other former officer involved in George Floyd's case, were charged by a federal grand jury last week. The judge believes the officers violated Floyd's constitutional rights when they handcuffed him on the ground outside of Cup Foods, where he was accused of using counterfeit money. Floyd eventually stopped breathing and was pronounced dead a short time later. Chauvin was charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter and was convicted in April. He may be sentenced to up to 40 years in jail. Lane, Keung, and Thao have been charged with aiding and abetting murder and manslaughter. The first offense holds a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison. The federal charge on which the former officers were indicted carries a maximum life sentence in prison, with the death penalty being possible in some circumstances. According to KARE 11, a state prosecutor told Cahill that he disagreed with delaying the trial until next year and wanted it to start in August. Cahill also heard two other matters. Lane's lawyer requested that the judge order Minnesota officials to produce all use-of-force files from the past 50 years "where force was used by a Minneapolis police officer in making an arrest and another officer, either verbally or physically intervened in the use of force by his or her fellow officer." The trial's postponement was announced at the pretrial motions hearing on Thursday. The delay was decided by the defense lawyers representing all three former officers. The state, through Assistant Attorney General Matthew Frank, opposed the delay. At Thursday's motions hearing, it was unclear who had requested the amendment initially, as per Daily Mail. After media reports that Chauvin had agreed to plead guilty a year before and claims that they haven't revealed details regarding the suspected intimidation of a witness, Cahill weighed a motion that prosecutors be sanctioned on Thursday. Lane, Kueng, and Thao's lawyers have asked the court to order trial prosecutors to file affidavits under oath, stating that they are not responsible for the media release. Thao's lawyer also claimed in a late Wednesday filing that the Hennepin County medical examiner was forced to include "neck compression" in his findings and that prosecutors were aware of it. Related Article: Derek Chauvin Trial: Jury Returns a Guilty Verdict but Ex-Cop Still Eligible To Keep His Pension @YouTube @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. In a recently published article in Market Watch, a day after TESLA CEO Elon Musk said that they are suspending the use of Bitcoin as a mode of payment in purchasing its Electric Vehicles, many believed that Musk would now be using Dogecoin. According to a published report in Yahoo News, different news outlets reported that Elon Musk is now working with the development team of Dogecoin to improve the efficiency of its transaction. Elon Musk has long been promoting cryptocurrency, most especially Dogecoin. Dogecoin will fully fund his SpaceX mission to the moon. Elon Musk's decision to suspend the use of bitcoin is due to its impact on the environment. Read Also: SpaceX to Launch Dogecoin-Funded Moon Satellite Dogecoin Price Immediately Jumps After Elon Musk tweeted that he is now working with the development team of Dogecoin, its price in the trading market immediately jumps up, according to ForexTV. It confirms how influential Elon Musk is, most especially in promoting Dogecoin. The different cryptocurrencies plummeted yesterday after the announcement of Elon Musk suspending the use of Bitcoin in purchasing TESLA electric vehicles. Many believed that he would use the ADA Cardano because of its environment-friendly mining process. Since yesterday, many have been waiting for the tweet of Elon Musk so that they can decide where to put their investments. Just hours ago, the TESLA CEO tweeted and wrote, "Working with Doge devs to improve system transaction efficiency. Potentially promising." Working with Doge devs to improve system transaction efficiency. Potentially promising. Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 13, 2021 Dogecoin, Now Fourth-Largest Cryptocurrency by Marketcap Dogecoin, which was nearly useless in late 2020, has risen to become the fourth-largest cryptocurrency by market value, according to CoinMarketCap.com. It has increased more than a hundredfold this year as speculators piled into the asset class. Dogecoin DOGEUSD, 20.72 percent rates suddenly soared after bitcoin BTCUSD, 1.12 percent suffered a significant drop in the aftermath of Musk's Wednesday announcement. Tesla's TSLA -3.09 percent $1.5 billion bitcoin acquisition and adoption of the blockchain as a payment choice was seen at the time as a symbol of growing institutional acceptance of crypto. Although bitcoin has been regarded as a possible payment choice since its conception, Dogecoin was conceived primarily as a prank. However, the cryptocurrency has seen a remarkable rise since Musk embraced it as a meme and started tweeting about it earlier this year, including significant increases last week before the billionaire's guest-hosting appearance on Saturday Night Live. A day after announcing that Tesla Inc. would no longer accept bitcoin as payment for its vehicles, Tesla CEO Elon Musk suggested on Thursday that another cryptocurrency, Dogecoin, could be converted into a suitable replacement. Dogecoin, a cryptocurrency, surged up to 20 percent on Friday after Musk said he was working on improving the token's transaction efficiency. Immediately after the tweet, the price of Dogecoin increased from around $0.43 to $0.52 on the Binance cryptocurrency exchange and is expected to increase further in the coming days. Related Article: Elon Musk Says TESLA Will No Longer Accept Bitcoin for Vehicle Purchases @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Millions of Americans continue to panic with the gas shortage caused by the Colonial Pipeline hack, with 10,000 gas stations running out of fuel and thousands more suffering long queues and severe shortages. Desperate Americans rush to hoard fuel amid gas crisis Anxious motorists are lined up for gasoline in more than a dozen states throughout the Southeast, with many attempting to hoard whatever is left in the pump. Those behind them, who had been waiting for hours to fill up their vehicles, became enraged by photos posted on social media of others filling buckets and giant barrels under cover of darkness. What came first, gas hoarding or the gas shortage? pic.twitter.com/lnrbFVHoGv K. Renae P. (@KRenaeP) May 12, 2021 As one Twitter user linked the gas crisis to the first 20 minutes of a disaster movie, fights broke out at several stations. Another said he never wanted to see vehicles lined up for gas in the United States, comparing it to "Ethiopia," as per Daily Mail. From Washington, D.C., to Florida, gas stations have posted signs stating that they are short of gasoline, while companies with reserves are raising their rates to a whopping $9.99 per gallon. Desperate Americans were seen loading huge containers and transporting them from the stations on the back of their pickup trucks in several states. Although some sympathized with the motorists for stockpiling supplies, some chastised them for what they saw as self-centeredness. Read Also: Colonial Pipeline Resumes Operations; Consumers Resort To Storing Fuel in Plastic Bags Amid Gas Shortages Price-gouging gas stations as fuel costs soar amid shortages On Tuesday, a gas station in Richmond, Virginia, was seen selling regular, unleaded gasoline for $6.99 per gallon, one of many stories of price gouging resulting from gas shortages in several states. The allegations of price gouging came after the Colonial Pipeline was shut down on May 7 due to a ransomware attack. The pipeline, which operates 5,500 miles between Texas and New Jersey, supplies 45 percent of the gas to the East Coast. Fuel shortages have been recorded at Colonial's vast chain of stations, with at least 12,000 stations reporting that they are out of fuel. According to GasBuddy, 65 percent of stations in North Carolina were out of gas as of Wednesday afternoon, while over 43 percent were empty in Georgia, Virginia, and South Carolina. Many gas stations clogged with cars from the Northeast to the South, like Florida, although the state is not on the pipeline. States of emergency have been declared by the governors of Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, Newsweek via MSN reported. Some companies take advantage of distressed drivers. On Tuesday, GasBuddy posted an average price of $2.83 per gallon in the Richmond area. According to local reports, a BP station on Williamsburg Road near Parker Street in the city charged $6.99 per gallon for regular gasoline. Gas shortages to last until Memorial Day The gas crisis that has afflicted most of the Southeast is likely to continue until at least Memorial Day, as Colonial Pipeline reportedly pays $5 million to the hackers who perpetrated the attack. Gas stations along the East Coast were forced to close due to gas shortages following the cyberattack, which former House Speaker Newt Gingrich called an "act of war." After a ransomware attack on Friday evening, Colonial Pipeline, which carries 2.5 million barrels of gas per day between Texas and New Jersey, was shut down. The pipeline was up and running as of 5 p.m. Wednesday, but authorities estimate it will take a few days for operations to return to normal, as per The Sun. The ransomware attack that caused the chaos is reportedly the work of a Russian criminal organization known as "DarkSide." It holds big companies' ransom by stealing their private data and refusing to release it before the ransom is paid. According to Bloomberg, Colonial Pipeline paid the hacker community nearly $5 million on Friday to release their servers. Related Article: Colonial Pipeline Cyber Attack: More States Declare Emergency Over Gas Shortage @YouTube @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The tension between Israel and Gaza continues to intensify, and the violence and missile attacks have already destroyed buildings and claimed numerous lives. Recently, the violence even intensified. Israeli Defense Forces Confirm the Presence of Its Ground Forces According to a published article in The Hill, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that its ground forces have already joined the recent attacks at the Gaza Strip. It was announced after the missile attacks between the Israeli Forces and Hamas. An Israeli spokeswoman told The New York Times, "There are ground troops attacking in Gaza, together with air forces, as well." However, she also clarified that the ground troops did not yet enter the territory of Gaza but only a possible artillery attack. Another Israeli Defense Forces said, "Clarification: there are currently no IDF ground troops inside the Gaza Strip. IDF air and ground forces are carrying out strikes on targets in the Gaza Strip." Read Also: Syria Launches Missile Towards Israel, IDF Responds With Airstrikes Death Toll Continues to Increase As the war raged on and the death toll surpassed 100, civic figures called for an end to the "anarchy" on the streets of Israel's mixed-ethnic cities. The number of deaths is expected to grow as the tension and airstrike attacks continue, according to a published report in NBC News. On Thursday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to restore order with an iron fist if possible. He said, "It makes no difference to me that your blood is boiling. You cannot take the rule into your own hands." According to officials from both sides, at least 103 Palestinians and seven Israelis have been killed as the Israeli military and the militant group Hamas begin to trade barrages of airstrikes and missile attacks. Meanwhile, the Gaza Health Ministry said that 18 Palestinian children were killed in the Israeli airstrike. According to Israeli officials, one of those who died in the missile and rocket attacks was a little boy. Israel Forces Target Sites Related to Hamas Israel claimed it has been attacking Hamas-controlled areas in Gaza while attempting to reduce civilian casualties. It has demolished three high-rise buildings that it claimed housed Hamas facilities since Monday, after urging civilians to flee. According to the group's military arm, at least one top Hamas leader was among those killed. A military spokesman said that Israel has mobilized offensive forces along the Gaza border and is in "various stages of planning ground operations." There has been no announcement of a land invasion of Gaza. Tensions, Riots, and Arrest Continue to Escalate Meanwhile, tensions and riots that erupted in Jerusalem a few weeks ago have swept through Israel in a surge of rage as the crisis in Gaza escalates. Dozens of people were arrested in towns across the country, where rioting and fighting erupted. In Lod, near Tel Aviv, gangs of Jewish and Arab residents defied a nighttime curfew and clashed on the sidewalks, hurling stones and Molotov cocktails. According to police, two people were shot, and one Israeli Jew was stabbed there. Related Article: Militant Group Launches Rocket at Jerusalem, Israel Says They Will Respond With Great Force @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Last week, Melinda and Bill Gates shocked the nation by announcing the end of their 27-year marriage. Melinda Gates started talking to divorce attorneys in 2019, the same year that the New York Times revealed her husband and Jeffrey Epstein had met several times. The following is how the convicted sex abuser and the Microsoft cofounder were connected. The link between Bill Gates and Jeffrey Epstein? Epstein first met with the group three years after pleading guilty to soliciting prostitution from an underage teen, becoming a licensed sex offender, and serving 13 months in prison. The pair met in 2011 at Epstein's Manhattan home to propose philanthropic ideas after Epstein tried hard to reach the Microsoft co-founder, according to the New York Times, which cited records and interviews with more than a dozen people acquainted with the two men's relationship. According to a Gates spokeswoman, the email was about Epstein's "unique decor" and spontaneous way of welcoming friends to visit his guests. According to recent reports in The Daily Beast, Melinda Gates is still haunted by the meeting. Per Business Insider, Bill Gates and Epstein met again in 2011 and were pictured with a senior JP Morgan executive and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's science adviser. The three got together at Epstein's mansion in New York City. According to the Journal, Melinda Gates told her husband shortly after that she was unhappy with Epstein and was furious about Bill Gates' involvement with him. Read Also: Bill Gates Reportedly Tells Golf Friends Marriage to Melinda Loveless, Hides to His Luxurious Golf Club for 3 Months Bill Gates urged to give evidence to Ghislaine Maxwell's case Bill Gates has been encouraged to testify over his links to Jeffrey Epstein after it was disclosed that he purchased a home near the disgraced financier and one of his billionaire associates. According to The Sun, attorney Spencer Kuvin, who represents nine Epstein victims, Gates should volunteer some details about the suspect or his associates that might help the Ghislaine Maxwell investigation. During all of Gates' encounters with Epstein, he has always denied witnessing any misconduct. Prince Andrew has already stated that he is innocent of any wrongdoing. Although documents indicate that Gates flew on Epstein's infamous Lolita Express in 2013, he says he had no idea who owned the jet. Melinda Gates was allegedly upset by her husband's then-friendship with the wealthy Epstein in 2013, telling friends that she felt uncomfortable in his company and had "nothing to do with him," as per Daily Beast. The timing of the split, which is thought to have begun in 2019 by Melinda at the time of Epstein's conviction on human trafficking charges, "does seem suspicious," said Kuvin. He urges Gates to come forward to authorities and hand over whatever evidence he has about Epstein and his partners to the Ghislaine Maxwell prosecutors. "Remember, Ghislaine Maxwell is the subject of an open investigation. So, if Mr. Gates has any details that could help with that investigation, I would advise him to come forward," Kuvin said. Related Article: China Freaks Out Over Bill and Melinda Gates Divorce as Chinese Interpreter Denies Rumors of Being the Reason for Split @YouTube @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeye early warning aircraft is the eyes and ears of the Carrier Strike Group in the sky. Sent up to determine if there are aerial threats that can threaten the Naval Task Force. E-2C Hawkeye EW planes are crucial defense linebackers Flying as high as 25,000 feet altitude, the E-2C will be part of a network that relays information to a battle network that includes target data to interceptor like the high-speed Tomcat or the F/A-18 Hornets on combat air patrol (CAP). CAPs are groups of fighters specialized for interception and air to air combat connect to the Hawkeye's information link, reported Naval Technology. Another function of the surveillance aircraft is to coordinate strike command and control, tracking for adversaries, also search and rescue missions for down planes and personnelone of the most modern communication systems on the E-2C. Before 1973, the US Navy did not have this capability, but its introduction revolutionized naval warfare. The Hawkeyes are high-value targets for adversaries to turn a maritime group blind in battle, have the most advanced electronic countermeasures in any military force. The Block II aircraft, or upgraded version, which had a better engine and radar, went into service in 1992 and was received in 2001. It is being used by Egypt, France, Israel, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, and the US Navy. The Mexican Navy acquired three ex-Israeli Air Force E-2C Hawkeye early warning aircraft, the first two received in June 2004 and the third in November of that year. Read also: India Navy Gets Latest P-8I Submarine Hunters Aircraft to Boost its Anti-Submarine Warfare One of the most significant buys is 180 EW E-2Cs for the US Navy, one of its most prolific users. Other nations got 30 of them due to a high price tag. US Naval Reserve has assigned six of them for drug interdiction and homeland security operations. The aircraft is flown by a five crew that includes the pilot and co-pilot on the flight deck and the combat control center, air control, and radar operator stations in the rear fuselage right under the rotodome. Carrier operations specialist They are designed for landing and take-off on carrier decks from the start. It has an attachment for the steam catapult (CATOBAR) and has the arresting gear to catch the cable when landing on the Flat top, noted Military Wikia. The wings retract to lie flat on the fuselage for space in the hangar. To reduce getting seen by radar, a particular cross-section is made of light metal, and parts of the tailfin are made of a composite building frame. Improvements to its propeller are digitally controlled, not mechanically controlled, that is in use since May 2004 on the USN Hawkeye 2000. The new propellers had reduced vibration and less noise. The new propellers earned their first carrier certification on the USS John F Kennedy in November 2003. Systems of the E-2C The Hawkeye has a 24ft diameter circular antenna radome, AN/APA-171 antenna spinning at 5rpm to 6rpm. This Lockheed Martin AN/APS-145 radar spin can sense about 2000 objects with 40 hostile inbounds to the fleet's safe zone, mentioned military aerospace. To prevent getting fooled or spoofed by electronic countermeasures, it can see past attempts to deceive the E-2C Hawkeye early warning aircraft can detect planes are 550 km or more. Related article: India, Russia to Improve the Brahmos Missile to Attack AWACS Aircraft @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Paralyzed man writes using his mind to write text messages with microchip brain implants from neck down. The device allows assisting communication to enabled computers. After a spinal cord injury in 2007, a man who had lost all mobility below the neck could write a Paralyzed man communicates with computers via a brain implant He was able to communicate text to a computer with his mind, reported USA Today. When the man thought to write on an imaginary notepad with his paralyzed hand, the machine converted his thinking into text on a computer screen. According to a study released last Wednesday in the peer-reviewed journal Nature, Stanford University scientists employed artificial intelligence software and a brain-computer interface to help a man with incapacitated limbs interact via text. In 2017, Dr. Jaimie Henderson, a Stanford professor of neurosurgery, inserted two microchips the size of baby aspirin and around 1 millimeter in size into the brain. Electrodes on the chips register neurons in the motor cortex, the brain area that governs hand movement. 2 He added noted Science Focus, "This approach allowed a disabled person to compose sentences at speeds that were nearly equivalent to those of able-bodied adults of the same age typing on a smartphone," says the study. Saying, "The aim is to use text-based communication." The individual, known only as T5 in the research, texts at a rate of about 18 words per minute. On a mobile, a person of the same age with full use of their hands can text at a pace of 23 words per minute. Paralyzed man writes using his mind to connect with microchip brain implants. Read also: Are Ghosts Real: Skeptic or Believer, Science Can Explain it, or Can't it? He made about one error out of every 18 or 19 characters writing in his mind. Researchers used an autocorrect feature similar to that used on most smartphones; error rates declined to under 1% when copying text and slightly more than 2% when composing something original. Dr. Frank Willett, a study author and neuroscientist at Stanford, said, "It's interesting to speed up the pace of these kinds of devices to the extent that I think it could be very useful for someone who is severely paralyzed." "It's similar to writing on a notepad or typing on a phone." Scientists didn't know that a person could retain motor skills after putting them into action until now. The scientists are enthusiastic about the groundbreaking technology and the implications of their findings for future studies. Researchers hope to adapt the technology so that people who cannot speak can simulate conversation by writing. Before the study's results can be successfully implemented into real-world applications such as tablets, smartphones, or computers, additional work needs to be done. Willet said," We had no clue how a person who hasn't even moved his hands in 10 years might do if asked to write." He remarked that fine movements would be remembered inside the brain, with machines that can decode thoughts. Another scientist, Krishna Shenoy, professor of electrical engineering part of the study, said, "Although handwriting can reach up to 20 words per minute, typically talking at a rate of about 125 words per minute, and this is an exciting new path that complements handwriting." Paralyzed man writes using his mind has implanted computer chips to translate thoughts into actual messaging. Related article: Construction Worker Finds Brain Wrapped in Foil on Wisconsin Beach @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Ousted Republican Liz Cheney did not take it well when the GOP rejected her leadership in House. She said that Donald Trump would not win in 2024, even running against him if needed. Liz Cheney, who fist-bumped Biden, gets bumped out Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., says she will do "whatever it takes" to keep former President Donald Trump out of the White House after being removed from her leadership place in the House, reported Newsmax. She is willing to even hint at running against Trump in 2024, who has one of the largest followings in the Republican party. On occasion, she would side with the Democrats that disturbed the GOP on many occasions, leading to getting kicked out. In an interview on NBC's "Today" anchor Savannah Guthrie, she said a statement. Guested on the show before the vote on Wednesday and aired on Thursday morning. Saying, "That Trump is an unfit president and should never be voted again into the Oval Office." Guthrie asked her," How far do you want to go with this? "Would you consider running for President?" "I believe it is the most important issue we are facing as a country right now, and we are facing a wide range of problems, so he must never ever be anywhere near the Oval Office," she said, quoted by NBC Bay Area. Republican Liz Cheney," I'm going to do whatever I can to stop that from happening, as well as to guarantee that the Republican Party returns to substance and strategy." Read also: House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy to Vote on the Ousting of Liz Cheney on May 12 During the interview, the host pushed the congresswoman, who mentioned several essential points to her. SHE REMARKED THAT the GOP should be a party for truth and fundamental principles that are conservative and pro-Constitutionstating that she won't let a former president or anyone else destroy American democracy. Her statements contradicted what the Biden administration is doing, yet she impeached Trump in a farcical trial after his presidential term with unsubstantial evidence presented by the Democrats. In the interview, Cheney also denounced House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., for his lack of principles in his support of Trump. McCarthy pushed the vote to expel her from her chair seat forward that no Republican representative gave no support. "Leaders of my party have decided to embrace the former president for reasons I don't grasp," She said of McCarthy, who is anticipated to become House speaker should Republicans win the chamber in the 2022 midterm elections. Ousted for her divisiveness in the GOP, she would instead break party vote to join the Democrats, including blaming Trump for the Capitol's January 6 incident. McCarthy denied that anyone in the Republican Party is "questioning the legality of the presidential election" after a bipartisan meeting with Joe Biden at the White House to discuss infrastructure legislation. Cheney disagrees with the support of her fellow Republicans support of Trump. Despite Trump's threats to advocate for another Republican to defeat her in the primary election, the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney insisted she would not switch political parties and will seek reelection to her congressional seat. The ousted Republican Liz Cheney will be replaced with Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-New York, expected to be elected to the conference chair position. Related article: Pelosi Ignores Maxine Waters' Inflammatory Behavior, Liz Cheney Speaks Out @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Supreme North Korean leader Kim Jong Un orders farmers to give 2 liters of urine daily as a quota to be monitored. It came as a shortage of fertilizer followed after China stopped supplying North Korea. Kim Jong Un orders farmers to give 2 liters of urine daily for fertilizer material The North Korean leader just commanded that farmers and workers should give two liters of urine each day. It came after China, which supplies North Korea with massive amounts of fertilizer, suspended all commerce with the hermit nation at the beginning of the pandemic last January, reported Express UK. Pyongyang has been compelled to look for other options because few countries are unwilling to trade with it, said Radio Free Asia. As the government begins the critical planting season, things needed to rush. "Farms in North Hamgyong province have been instructed to produce fertilizer so that the farms can have a supply of fertilizers," a source in the agricultural industry told RFA. As the country starts its planting season, things needed to move fast. It prompted the agricultural leaders to develop a novel plan for generating compost to satisfy this year's grain production targets. According to the provincial rural management commission, which commanded these farms to produce fertilizer from humus, they told farmers to add their daily urine quotas to be mixed in with compost. Before planting season, farms in North Hamgyong have been told there is no fertilizer available, which is serious as farming will be seriously affected. Kim Jong Un orders farmers to give 2 liters of urine daily or else be reprimanded. Read also: Kim Jong Un's Boat at Private Island Signals Military Activity, Possibly Submarine Construction To make it worse, the authorities left them to figure out a solution between themselves not giving support, said the source, noted the Daily Star Post. "In some cooperative farms, workers are expected to bring two litres of urine per person per day to be added into the compost pile until the production target is met," they said. A daily quota of donated urine will be monitored and marked in a record book; all farmers and workers should comply with the directive or face reprimand. The news broke out after the ruling Korean Workers' Party held a rare meeting. Kim is said to have lauded the country's founding Juche self-reliance philosophy during the session. However, following the authorities' tried to paint the plan as a revolutionary struggle, the farmers believe that the situation is ludicrous since the strategy depends on producing urine in record amounts for the fertilizer crisis. "Some farm workers complain they are in a reality where they can't help laughing because they're continuously being chided for not providing enough urine for their individual quote daily." the source said. In the northern province of Ryanggang, a source mentioned that farmers and workers are chaffing over the impose strict urine quotas. "At the Eighth Party Congress in January, the Highest Dignity (Kim Jong-un) reiterated that the agricultural sector of the economy main goal was to achieve food self-sufficiency," the second source said. Farmers are told to mix their urine and fecal waste to mix with hummus and complete batches of compost for planting. They were stealing others' excrement from their outhouses and struggling to control public toilets due to this massive goal. Those with money will pay money instead. Kim Jong Un orders farmers to give 2 liters of urine daily, causing relative chaos to produce scarce fertilizer. Related article: Kim Jong Un Develops Suicide Drones for Spying, Remote Attacks @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Car accidents usually result in a high number of death casualties. It can also leave you in a state of discomfort amounting to huge medical bills. Car accidents tend to bring a lot of change in the life of the victims. Some may end up being traumatized, feeling neglected by family members and the community at large. All this could be brought about by another driver failing to observe traffic laws putting one's life in a critical stage. In case such events may occur, you need all the help you can get. As such you need someone you can count on, someone who establishes a strong and trustworthy relationship with you. You will need a car accident lawyer. A car accident lawyer will help you for the following reasons: To estimate all your medical bills and expenses encountered during your recovery period: A car accident lawyer who is good at what he does will consult with your medical doctors to determine the cost of your treatment. This will come in handy especially when you are being compensated. This is done so that you get your full settlement. Negotiate with the insurance company of the driver who's at fault: Insurance firms major on minimizing output while maximizing input. They will do all they can to settle you for a less amount while increasing their profits. Finding the best Orlando car accident lawyer helps you get a lawyer who stands firm on ensuring that you get your full settlement as a victim with no shortcuts taken. Determines all the persons responsible for your accident: A car accident lawyer will lay out all the factors leading to the accident. This is to determine whose fault it was. Whether it was a manufactures fault or the driver's fault. The person or firm found guilty will take responsibility. They will be held responsible for your injuries and as such your settlement. With a car accident lawyer, you get to have all the ample time you require to recover. Your lawyer will deal with the debts that you have incurred. Time is saved: With a car accident lawyer, you don't need to go to court to seek your settlement. He knows his way around the court system, the laws, and the rules. With him, you get a settlement at a faster rate. Free consultation fees: Car accident lawyers offer free consultation fees. This makes it easier to approach a firm for legal advice. Other costs incurred will be paid upon completion of your settlement. Times are changing, filing systems are more in order. You don't have to go through the aftermaths of a car accident alone. There are car accident lawyers who are ready to help. You are only required to extend a hand and you will get all the help you deserve. No one should go scot-free for a mistake that disrupted a life. Alone you may be inferior but with a car accident lawyer, they won't stand a chance. @ 2021 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Description Center for Science and Democracy Union of Concerned Scientists Washington D.C. or Cambridge, MA The Position The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) is an independent national nonprofit that uses science to protect our health, safety, and environment. We are scientists, engineers, economists, activists and everyday people who develop and advocate for innovative, practical solutions to some of our planet's most pressing problems-from combating global warming and developing sustainable ways to feed, power, and transport ourselves, to fighting misinformation, advancing racial equity, and reducing the threat of nuclear war. The Center for Science and Democracy (CSD) at UCS advocates for the role of independent science and civic participation in public policy. We work on a wide range of issues including scientific integrity, environmental justice, chemical safety, democracy reform and regulatory policy. We also strive to build a movement of scientist activists to advocate for science-based public policies that are just, equitable and protective of public health, safety, and the environment for all people. We do this through the UCS Science Network, which is home to thousands of scientists, engineers, economists, public health specialists, and other experts throughout the country who want to put their knowledge to work in protecting our health, safety, and environment. Responsibilities Design, implement, and evaluate campaign engagement strategies that advance policy change on issues of environmental justice, democracy reform, and equitable public health and safety protections. Develop online and offline grassroots and grasstops organizing strategies and tactics to cultivate activists, scientists, and partners towards our change-making goals. This includes leadership development and dynamic action opportunities that cultivate advocates who share our equity values and supporting their ability to take ownership of local engagement on CSD campaigns, tailored to their state or region. Foster and manage collaborations to work closely with both national coalition and local partners in targeted locations that harnesses our unique strengths to build collective power for campaign goals and take the lead from those on the frontlines. Lead efforts to build partnerships with Latinx advocacy groups with shared issue interests, and develop bilingual products, tools, and engagement opportunities directly responsive to partners' needs. Lead our evolving approach to cultivation, training, and leadership development that fosters scientists as advocates, partners, and local leaders to help grow the movement for equity-grounded scientist activism. Create engagement and political education materials that inspire and guide action on our campaigns and in support of our partners, including action alert emails, fact sheets, talking points, social media content, and action guides. Work closely with a team of research, policy, and communications efforts that harnesses the collective strength of the diversity of perspectives and expertise towards our campaign impact. Help sustain the CSD Organizing Team's culture of collaboration, creativity, and collective growth by actively participating in opportunities for learning and critical reflection on our work and impact, integration of our values in our practices, and support of one another's development as organizers. Requirements Qualifications and Experience Position requires five to seven years of relevant and comparable experience in an outreach, organizing, campaign, or advocacy position. Ability to conceive, plan, and implement effective campaigns and initiatives to develop advocate leaders is a must. Advocacy experience and experience building and maintaining relationships with key constituencies such as scientists, policymakers, and grassroots activists, with an emphasis on racial/social justice organizations is strongly preferred. Strong written and oral communication skills, and personnel/team management skills, are also required, including a commitment to transparency and inclusivity. The ability to work independently, balance a multitude of tasks, and collaborate as a member of a multidisciplinary team is essential. Fluency in in the Spanish language strongly preferred. Little or no exertion required. May spend extended periods at computer. Some travel required. UCS is an equal opportunity employer actively seeking to diversify its staff. In particular, we're dedicated to broadening opportunities for individuals from demographic groups that are historically underrepresented in the sciences and in environmental advocacy. We're also committed to building an inclusive workplace culture where talented people of widely diverse backgrounds can thrive. We believe the inclusion of culturally diverse perspectives will improve our work and produce better societal and environmental outcomes for all, including historically disenfranchised communities. Benefits Details: This is a full-time position based in UCS's Washington, DC or Cambridge, MA offices. For those who meet all position requirements, the salary is around $59,000. UCS offers excellent benefits and a rewarding work environment. Information about the organization is available at http://www.ucsusa.org. Comparable training and/or experience can be substituted for degrees when appropriate. More about the team: Our team is made up of a dedicated group of researchers, scientists, communicators, campaigners, and advocates from wide-ranging backgrounds and experiences. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and a collaborative and supportive work environment where all staff can thrive. We continually strive to create an environment which is a welcoming place for the LGBTQ+ community, people of color, parents, empty-nesters, and people with a wide variety of interests and backgrounds. A note on the pandemic: During the coronavirus pandemic our staff are working from home. We will resume working from our offices, travel, and in-person meetings when it is safe to do so. To Apply: We know there are great candidates who won't check all of these boxes, and we also know you might bring important skills that we haven't considered. If that's you, don't hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself. Please upload a cover letter and resume. In the cover letter, please confirm that the listed salary meets your expectations. Upload materials in Word or PDF format only. No phone calls, please. Deadline: June 11 or until filled. Pipeline 14 May 2021 Mondrian Shoreditch London will open in a few months' time following a major overhaul and redesign of the former The Curtain hotel, headed up by design studio Goddard Littlefair. The news following Accor's acquisition of sbe's hotel brands in Q4 2020 and its planned joint venture with Ennismore, which will see the creation of 'one of the world's largest and fastest growing lifestyle operators' later this summer. The building is owned by the Reuben brothers who inked a deal with former operator Michael Achenbaum. He then left the business in September 2020 when the pressures of Covid put a strain on his firm. Mondrian Shoreditch London will mark the return of the Mondrian brand to London when the new hotel launches in spring 2021 and will be the sixth property in the global portfolio. The Mondrian brand exited London in January 2019 as sbe handed over the reins of the 359-bedroom Mondrian London hotel to the Lore Group. It's been confirmed that Bibo by Dani Garcia will be the replacement for Red Rooster by Marcus Samuelsson, previously housed at what was The Curtain. Garcia, an Andalusian chef, is best known for his eponymous three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Marbella, which he closed in 2019. Bibo currently comprises four sites in Madrid, Marbella, Cadiz, and Doha and is known for its raw bar, steaks, burger and Spanish tapas. Appointment 14 May 2021 Commonwealth Hotels is pleased to announce the hiring of Nicole Estep as the new Dual Director of Sales of the Residence Inn and Courtyard Cincinnati Airport. Estep comes to the Cincinnati market after spending the vast majority of her career leading hotel sales efforts outside of Detroit. Estep takes the sales lead at the two Marriott properties after an extensive background with major hotel brands, including Marriott. She most recently opened the Hyatt Place Detroit/Royal Oak prior to moving to Northern Kentucky. Appointment 14 May 2021 Knowland, the leader in AI-powered group business data for hotels, convention and visitor bureaus, conference centers and other meeting venues, announced today the selection of Rob Landon as its vice president of engineering. Over the last 25 years, Landon has developed a reputation for excellence in engineering and results-centric product development, leading high-performance teams in both startups and large enterprises. Prior to Knowland, Landon was VP of engineering at Cendyn (formerly The Rainmaker Group,) where he focused on sales and revenue management applications for hospitality. He holds a B.S. in computer science from Louisiana State University and an M.B.A. from the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia. Job Title: Custodial Foreman School Year: 2021-2022 This is the application for the following positions: SW1 custodial foreman, SW3 custodial foreman and SW5 custodian foreman. The following are the steps in the custodial position application process: Upload your current resume. Complete general employment questions (10-20 minutes) Advance to a recommended pool which principals will consult to hire for school-based openings. Custodian applicants for the 2016-17 school year are required to hold at least a high school diploma or a GED. Custodial foreman applicants must have at least 5 years of verified related work experience. This position is a safety-sensitive position. All safety-sensitive positions are subject to mandatory pre-employment drug testing in accordance with the Child and Youth, Safety and Health Omnibus Act of 2004. If you are tentatively selected for this position, you will be required to submit to testing for illegal drug use prior to employment, and your employment shall be contingent upon negative test results. If you are appointed into this position, you shall be subject to mandatory random drug and alcohol testing throughout your employment. 1995-2020 Hospitality Net All rights reservedHospitality Net is powered by Hsyndicate Press Release 14 May 2021 LONDON, UK: The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), which represents the global Travel & Tourism private sector, announces the departure of Gloria Guevara after four years leading the global tourism body. Advertisements The former Tourism Secretary of Mexico, Guevara, joined WTTC in August 2017, has led WTTC and its Members through a transformational agenda over the past years, including the sectors significant impact from the COVID-19 pandemic. Guevara was the strong voice in leading the global Travel & Tourism sector through its the most difficult year in history and has helped unite the sector and define the path for the recovery. WTTC is delighted to announce the appointment of International Airlines Group (IAG) Executive Committee Member, Julia Simpson, as its President & CEO, effective August 15th. Simpson brings extensive experience of the Travel & Tourism sector, having served on the boards of British Airways, Iberia and most recently as Chief of Staff at International Airlines Group. She previously worked at senior levels in the UK Government including advisor for the UK Prime Minister. Carnival Corporation President and CEO, Arnold Donald, who was recently appointed as Chair of WTTC, paid tribute to Gloria Guevara and welcomed Julia Simpson to her new role. Arnold Donald said: I would like to first thank Gloria for her dedication and commitment to WTTC, especially in these difficult times. Her contributions have been immeasurable, from helping to unite the sector as it manages and recovers from the pandemic, to providing a clear voice and direction for the safe restart of international travel. And I and the entire executive committee are grateful for Glorias continued help through this transition and her support to WTTC. "I am delighted to welcome Julia Simpson, an exceptional leader with experience both in the private sector and in government, to help guide WTTC at this critical juncture of the Travel & Tourism sector. I look forward to working with Julia in my role as Chair, to continue building on WTTCs many successful initiatives. Gloria Guevara said: It is with a heavy heart that I leave WTTC. I am very proud to have led this diverse and talented team and to have worked with so many amazing industry leaders, who are WTTCs Members, and built strong relationships with government heads of tourism around the world. I leave WTTC after completing my mandate, in a stronger position as the voice of the private sector and the leader of the global agenda. I know that under Julias solid leadership, WTTC will continue to build on this legacy and lead it into its next chapter, championing the entire global Travel & Tourism sector to its recovery. Julia Simpson said It will be a great privilege to lead WTTC as it emerges from the worst crisis in our history. Travel & Tourism plays a critical role to our economies across the globe, accounting for 330m jobs in 2019. In many communities it is the backbone of family run businesses that have been left devastated. "The Travel & Tourism sector has shown real leadership in reopening the world safely and securely; and I look forward to shaping and driving the sectors ambitious agenda to achieve long-term sustainable and inclusive growth. Download the press release. Supplier News 14 May 2021 While 2020 may have been the strangest year for travel yet, it didnt stop new hotels around the world from continuing to pop up and open their doors to travelers. Now that a sense of normalcy begins to return and international travel is on the horizon again, no doubt youll be looking for inspiration on where to head off to. Let this list of the Hottest New Hotels, according to Tripadvisor travelers, be your guide. From a gorgeous seaside paradise in Santorini to a cultural art haven in Kyoto, these newly established boltholes are what vacation dreams are made of. But you dont have to travel across the world to visit these stunning and chic places: three of the Hottest New Hotels for 2021 are here in the U.S.! This was a year of stiff competition, and the Best of the Best Awards only recognize less than the top 1% of hotels around the world, so to be recognized especially in a year like this where travel was so altered is a massive achievement. Below are the Top 10 (here are the top 25), here are high-res images (browse through and youll be certain why these are the winners!), and here is the official press announcement. 10 Hottest New Hotels in the World for 2021 Arinna Cappadocia - Goreme, Turkey A cave hotel with views of Goreme and the iconic Cappadocia balloons, its no wonder this hotel has travelers buzzing. Armenaki Santorini - Santorini, Greece Perched on Greeces most mystical volcanic island and rugged Caldera cliffs, this luxury boutique hotel has breathtaking views you usually only see in movies. Anttunina Pousada Spa - Maragogi, Brazil A beautiful space uniting the beauty of the sea with impeccable environmental preservation Anntunia features bungalows with a heated pool and whirlpool. Peridot Grand Hotel & Spa by AIRA - Hanoi, Vietnam An oasis of tranquility in the hustle and bustle of Hanoi Old Quarter, the 5-star boutique hotel stands out as an artistic and urban-chic place, fusing natural elements, yet combining sophisticated luxury with captivating grandeur and uncompromising service. Hotel Bidaia - San Sebastian - Donostia, Spain The hotel is located in a unique villa in the central Gros neighborhood, designed in 1912 by the architect Lucas Alday. Upholding the history and part of life from those days, each room still uses the original materials. Oludeniz Blu Luxury Unique Hotel - Oludeniz, Turkey All shades of blue are united in Blu, this is how the personalized superior service is created. Emeline - Charleston, South Carolina, United States Emeline is a clever and thoughtfully designed retreat crafted for the curious traveler in mind charting their own course. Emelines charming rooms, each complemented with contemporary touches, provide a warm welcome after a busy day exploring all the notable points of interest that lie just outside its doors. Mandarin Eastville Hotel - Pattaya, Thailand Pattaya is a touch of Thai luxury in the city. Rooms feature elegant touches of the oriental art of Zen & Classic western style, with decor designed to aid in relaxation. Ace Hotel Kyoto - Kyoto, Japan Ace Hotel Kyoto lives in a part new build and part historic structure that was once home to a beloved landmark telephone company. Now in the cultural epicenter of Japan, a place revered for its abundance of art, craft and nature, Ace Hotel has an inspired Lobby with a dedicated art gallery. The Rockaway Hotel - Rockaway Park, New York, United States The Rockaway Hotel is your urban beach getaway with a new view of New York City. Their unparalleled focus on high service, amenities and recreational relaxation creates an accessible respite whether you are a lifelong New Yorker or just in town for a visit. Methodology The 2021 Travelers Choice Best of the Best Awards for Hotels celebrate the most highly rated hotels in the world, based on the millions of reviews and opinions collected from travelers globally in 2020. The awards take into account the quality and quantity of traveler reviews and ratings. The Hottest New Hotels were determined with an algorithm analyzing non-large chain hotels that opened July 1, 2019 or later and have received a high volume of positive reviews and ratings. To see all Travelers Choice Best of the Best Hotel winners for 2021, across all subcategories, visit: tripadvisor.com/TravelersChoice-Hotels. Opinion Article 14 May 2021 An elderly Mexican psychoanalyst was attending a psychoanalytic convention, but a cold was making her so miserable that she wanted to return home early. Advertisements This seemed an excellent call in many ways. The Royal Palace was only two miles away. It was my first visit, always a delight, and I planned to introduce myself to the management. Finally, the ladys stuffy ears dominated her concerns, so I probably wouldnt have to deal with a demand for antibiotics which Latin American doctors prescribe for colds as often as we do. Everything proceeded smoothly. I finished my traditional lecture on preventing ear pain when flying: generous use of nasal sprays. I gave her a bottle; she expressed gratitude and laid down an American Express card. American Express charges a larger service fee than other credit cards, so some companies that handle transactions dont cover them. That includes mine, but I wasnt concerned. So far everyone has had cash or another credit card, but on learning that I only accept Visa or Master Card, she expressed dismay. She only used American Express, she explained. Her plane left the next morning, and all she had was cab fare. While I considered my next move, she snatched the phone, dialed the front desk, and poured out her distress. The doctor they recommended wouldnt take her credit card; she had no money, and she needed help. I cringed at this terrible P.R. Luxury hotels will advance money and add it to the bill, but the Royal Palace was not in that class. The desk clerk suggested she find an ATM. Begging my forgiveness, she swore that when she returned to Mexico City she would phone with the number of an acceptable credit card. I had no other suggestion, so I brushed off her apologies, and we parted on good terms. That happened years ago. All I received was a monthly email from her psychotherapy group with what seemed like mental health advice, although I wasnt certain because it was in Spanish. Having worked with music industry giants from Drake to Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Mally Mall has enjoyed a long and successful career as a record producer. However, things haven't been looking too good for Mally Mal since his house raided in 2019 following accusations of human trafficking and harboring exotic animals. Following the raid and his subsequent arrest, the decorated producer eventually plead guilty in the federal Las Vegas prostitution case. He was originally scheduled to be sentenced in 2020, but last year, Mally Mall reportedly endured a pretty nasty case of COVID-19 last year, which ultimately delayed the final sentencing in his case. Now, news has broken that the accomplished producer has reportedly received his sentence. According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Mally Mall has been sentenced to two years and nine months in prison, which tallies up to 33 months behind bars. As previously reported, the Hip-Hop producer had previously pled guilty to one count of using of an interstate facility in aid of unlawful activity, but prosecutors claimed that Mally Mall had contacted one of the victims as recently as this week and pushed for a max sentencing under the plea rather than the 24 months proposed by Mall's attorney. According to the LVRJ, the presiding judge, U.S. District Judge Gloria Navarro, warned the producer that this was his last opportunity to turn over a new leaf, saying, "I hope this really takes. I hope you get this message. Youve just been really lucky. You will spend the rest of your life in prison if you do this again." Mally Mall reportedly has until August 13 at 2 p.m. to surrender, and immediately after his prison term, he will face three years of supervision. Stay tuned for more updates. [via] The list of retailers pulling down mask requirements for vaccinated customers continued to grow after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revised its guidelines last week. Target, joining Walmart, was the latest chain to announce Monday it would no longer require vaccinated customers and employees to wear masks. The large chains joined smaller retailers and entertainment venues such as SeaWorld in San Antonio in relaxing requirements in the wake of the new policy. Face coverings will continue to be strongly recommended for guests and team members who are not fully vaccinated, Target said in a statement, and well continue our increased safety and cleaning measures, including social distancing, throughout our stores. On HoustonChronicle.com: Frontline workers fear mask chaos as statewide mandate ends The CDC altered its guidelines Thursday for what vaccinated people can safely do, saying fully vaccinated people can resume prepandemic activities without masks and social distancing. The revised guidance sent the latest tectonic shift of the pandemic into motion. Vaccinated customers will no longer need masks at Starbucks, Home Depot and Costco. We will not require proof of vaccination, Costco CEO Craig Jelinek said in a letter on the companys website, but we ask for members responsible and respectful cooperation with this revised policy. CVS, too, rolled back mask requirements in its stores Monday, stipulating employees will still be required to wear them. Kroger and Ulta both said last week they would continue requiring masks for customers. H-E-B said only it was evaluating its policies in light of CDCs revisions. SeaWorld San Antonio eliminated mask requirements for vaccinated guests over the weekend and dropped social distancing rules on rides, at shows and restaurants. The new policies are a dramatic reversal of rules put in place when the theme park reopened in late June 2020 after a three-month shutdown. For some local retailers, the CDCs latest instructions unburdened them of a fight with customers they never wanted to have. For the family-owned Phoenicia Specialty Foods, with locations downtown and in West Houston, policing masks in the stores posed challenges for the business and its staff. Owner Haig Tcholakian said these fights resulted in arguments and negative online reviews. On HoustonChronicle.com: Texas records zero COVID-19 deaths for first day in over a year Now, staff is no longer asking unmasked customers to leave, he said. We just feel weve kind of reached the point where everyone that wanted a vaccine has pretty much been vaccinated, he said. That CDC ruling, it kind of opened the door. Augie Bering, owner of Berings Hardware, said after the CDCs latest missive he removed signs requiring masks at his stores on Bissonnet and Westheimer. He said hes noticed a shift since last week. Before, everyone wore a mask; we didnt really have to ask, he said. Now, were seeing more people not wearing a mask and coming in. And were just not saying anything to them. Randy Diamond contributed to this report. amanda.drane@chron.com Twitter.com/amandadrane HUNTSVILLE John Davidhizars business, a Christian camp and retreat in the open spaces of Sam Houston National Forest, has struggled for years with the lack of access to reliable, high-speed internet. It has made it harder to attract campers and staff, market the business and manage reservations. But heres what really stings. When his adult children including a son, a doctor, and a daughter, studying for a masters degree come to visit, they dont stay very long because they need to get back to a better connection for their work. They (internet providers) just say we dont have any service out there, and thats it, Davidhizar said. Were just remote. There just arent enough potential customers out here to make it worth the investment. Rural America has long been bypassed by the broadband revolution, but the coronavirus pandemic has accelerated a digital divide that has kept communities beyond metropolitan areas from fully joining the 21st century economy. In urban areas, workers shifted to Zoom meetings, businesses cranked up e-commerce offerings, and schools went virtual. The transition for their rural counterparts proved far more difficult. Rae Rosenkranz, 30, a florist who lives in a wooded area on the outskirts of New Waverly, proper, relies on a mobile phone hot spot and a wireless cell router, which connects to her mobile network, for internet. But it is slow and spotty, and it cut out frequently when her children shifted to virtual classes. It was very glitchy and almost impossible, Rosenkranz said. There were several times I had to text the teacher and say Im sorry, I cant. Its just not working. Jason Massey, 50, lost his job last April and has been in and out of shelters ever since, most recently landing at a shelter in Huntsville. Its so hard to find public WiFi that he sold plasma to help pay for a $45-a-month data plan so he could apply for jobs on his mobile phone. Its such a pain, Massey said. But you gotta do what you gotta do. On HoustonChronicle.com: Feds send $15 billion to Texas. Heres where it will go. The effort to connect rural areas has stretched over years, if not decades, with limited results. As part of its $2 trillion infrastructure proposal, the Biden administration wants to spend $100 billion to connect every American to affordable high-speed internet, including the more than 35 percent of rural Americans who lack access to broadband at minimally acceptable speeds. Texas is trying to catch up, too. The state Senate and House passed separate bills in April that would create a broadband development office to map parts of the state with slow or limited connections and award grants and low-interest loans to telecommunications companies to extend broadband there. Senate and House negotiators are ironing out the differences in a conference committee. About one in three households in Texas do not have fixed broadband, such as DSL, fiber or cable, because often they cant afford the costs or the service is not available according to the Census. Texas rural areas are especially underserved, said Jennifer Harris, the state program director for Connected Nation Texas, an organization that measures internet access and advocates its expansion. Rural counties make up about 88 percent of areas that lack infrastructure for broadband, according to the organization. Rural Texans in many areas are getting a double hit, Harris said. Infrastructure can be lacking, and affordability and other barriers can be an issue as well. Over the years, the economic landscape of rural America has changed. As farming became industrialized and manufacturing automated, rural jobs vanished. After the Great Recession of more than a decade ago, employment in rural areas barely increased, growing just half percent a year, compared to nearly 2 percent in urban areas. Younger workers moved away for the opportunities of metropolitan areas. High-speed internet can help businesses grow and create jobs, according to a 2019 report from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Amazon. The report estimated that increased access to the internet could generate nearly $6.7 billion in increased annual sales for rural Texas businesses over three years, while creating more than 23,000 additional jobs. Sorely disadvantaged Davidhizar receives his internet service, but it is slow, spotty and prone to outages, especially when the weather turns bad. Even on sunny days, processing online registrations is laborious as staff navigate slow responses and frequent crashes. Its a particular problem for teachers at the independent Christian camp and retreat center, who need to download materials for lesson plans. Today, more than half his customers say they learned about the camp online, Davidhizar noted. He worries it doesnt reflect well on the business when customers must deal with long response times for downloads and online inquiries. We have to be able to communicate with people. Our ministry begins when the phone rings, or when they log into our website, Davidhizar said. If you don't have a broadband connection, you are sorely disadvantaged. The disadvantages are experienced throughout Walker County. About seven of 10 households have unreliable internet service, according to a survey by Connected Nation Texas. On HoustonChronicle.com: A tale of two economies The lack of connectivity has long been a problem for the county. When Jimmy Henry was first elected to the Walker County Commission in 2015, his constituents already were pleading for more reliable internet with higher speeds. These pleas only intensified during the pandemic, when many residents were forced to work from home and schools shut down, requiring to children to take classes remotely. Many rely on satellite internet, which users complain is expensive, has long lag times and frequently goes out. It also doesnt help that much of Walker County is covered by national forest, which blocks the signals, Henry said. Many residents use mobile hotspots, which often come with data caps and become slow and congested as more people sign on. But convincing internet providers to lay the fiber and build the broadband connections isnt easy. When you have people in rural area, but they have to run it out 4 miles to an area that only serves 10 people, Henry said. Its cost-prohibitive for the internet companies. Henry learned that there is federal money to subsidize the cost of bringing broadband to rural areas, but first had to conduct surveys to show areas with slow or no internet connections. Ironically, the surveys needed to be completed online. Henry put together a committee, and they hit the pavement. They circulated flyers in local businesses, reached out to civic groups and worked with libraries and schools, not only to get out the word, but to make sure people had internet access to fill out the surveys. We just kept pushing everybody and reminding everybody, Henry said. We didnt leave any stones unturned. The survey, conducted between January and November 2020, found that one in four Walker County households did not have internet service. About 60 percent said it was due to a lack of available service, and 26 percent cited cost. A need to communicate Rachel McPhail, the librarian at the Huntsville Public Library, didnt need a survey to find out about the limited access to the internet in the county. After the library closes, all she has to do is look out in the parking lot, where people in cars fire up computers to piggyback onto the WiFi signal. Four internet providers will receive $3.3 million in federal subsidies for the construction of a broadband network, pending final approval by the Federal Communications Commission. Internet providers CCO Holdings, LTD Broadband, Rural Electric Cooperative Group, and Windstream Services will provide high-speed internet to about 3,000 homes and businesses in Walker County. More people are moving to Walker County, a trend accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic as employers embrace remote working arrangements and workers, now able to avoid long-commutes, leave congested cities for wider-open spaces. To keep growing, Henry said, the county will need broadband. I have five subdivisions coming into my precinct, and the people moving there will want internet, Henry said. You need it for telemedicine, you need it for school, and well need if we have a COVID (outbreak). We have to able to communicate with each other. On HoustonChronicle.com: Verizon 5G data boxes appear without notice The project is expected to take about five years. In the meantime, paying bills, doing schoolwork, and applying for jobs will continue to be challenge for residents. Elbert Pardue, 57, first moved to Huntsville in 2019 from the Dallas area to be closer to his daughter. He quickly ran into obstacles because he couldnt find reliable internet service. Potential employers, for example, had trouble getting in touch with him because he had limited access to email. He took a job as a janitor at Huntsville Memorial Hospital in part because it gave him access to a WiFi connection that allowed him to complete the application for his job onsite. When he could, he went to the Texas Workforce Commission office to search and apply for jobs online. But the limited time he had narrowed his options, he said. Im not able to do any research on the job. I know that you need to (research), but I just didnt have the access, said Pardue, now working as a night manager at the Good Shepherd Mission, a nonprofit that provides social services. So, I just end up taking any job. becca.carballo@chron.com Greg Perez breathed a sigh of relief on Thursday hours after federal health officials announced fully vaccinated people do not need to wear masks in most public places. It was just a matter of time, said Perez, whose hotel bar Space Cowboy opened in the Heights last month. Its a breath of fresh air. Anyone who is fully vaccinated can participate in indoor or outdoor activities safely without wearing a mask or social distancing, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The new guidelines were announced Thursday by CDC Director Rochelle Walensky during a live White House press briefing. You can start doing things you stopped doing because of the pandemic, Walensky said. We have all longed for this moment when we can get back to some sense of normalcy. While the current Harris County threat remains at Level 1, signifying a severe and uncontrolled level of COVID-19, Rafael Lemaitre, a spokesperson for County Judge Lina Hidalgos office, predicts it will lower in the coming days. Level 2 advises Harris County residents to minimize all contact by avoiding any medium or large gatherings, and to only visit businesses that follow public health guidance. At this level, fully vaccinated people are able to gather in certain situations without wearing masks, such as outdoors or in small groups, but in crowded settings and venues, masks should continue to be worn. The county updates its public health guidance to align with the CDC recommendations, Lamaitre said. The most important thing I can tell you right now is that we urge everyone in Harris County to follow CDC recommendations on wearing masks, Lemaitre said. Some Houstonians were skeptical of the CDCs announcement. Luke Schumann, 27, said he was concerned the guidance would cause more unvaccinated people to forgo masks and social distancing. The CDCs recommendations are for those who are fully vaccinated, but Schumann feared they will be misinterpreted. The recommendations seem irresponsible, said Schumann, a local graduate student. Especially because everyone should know how politicized COVID still is and how things like this can be twisted. Perez, owner of Space Cowboy, said there was some concern when Gov. Greg Abbott rolled back the states mask mandate earlier this year. Texas at that time had vaccinated less than 7 percent of its adult population compared with 40 percent today. The big gripe was the lack of vaccine availability, Perez said. But more and more bar owners and workers are vaccinated now. Youre going to start seeing things shift back to normal. The number of Texans hospitalized for COVID-19 has remained below 3,000 each day for a month, the longest stretch of such a low number since June, according to a Houston Chronicle analysis. And the number of newly reported cases across the state is hovering slightly above 2,000 also the lowest since June. On HoustonChronicle.com: How vaccine skepticism in Texas Trump country threatens herd immunity Dr. George Delclos, a professor of epidemiology at UTHealth School of Public Health, said the CDC is letting science and real data drive its recommendations while remaining cognizant of peoples desire to return to normalcy. In Thursdays announcement, the CDC cited three studies two from the U.S. and one from Israel that show Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are extremely effective at preventing illness caused by COVID-19. Newer research shows the vaccines are also effective at preventing asymptomatic transmission, Delclos said. We didnt know initially if that was the case with these vaccines, which led us to tell people to wear masks even if theyre fully vaccinated, Delclos said. Now the science is dynamic and accumulating: If youre fully vaccinated, you can go and not wear a mask in a majority of situations. There will still be some exceptions. The announcement came a day after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave emergency approval to Pfizer to vaccinate anyone 12 and older, a major step in the countrys journey toward herd immunity, said Dr. James Versalovic, interim pediatrician-in-chief and pathologist at Texas Childrens Hospital. Health care facilities, including hospitals in the Texas Medical Center, will still require everyone to wear a mask while inside. And while the CDC is a federal agency, it defers to state, local, tribal and territorial rules and regulations for masks, including local business and workplace guidance. While Texas statewide mask mandate ended in early March, cities and school districts can continue to require face masks indoors. Delclos doesnt expect everyone to stop wearing masks in public. And thats OK, he said. Its incredible that numbers have decreased in cases, hospitalizations and death, and we want them to go lower, Delclos said. We need to be rewarded for doing our part in getting vaccinated and doing other safe practices that we have done until now. If people are concerned about the new mask guidelines, he recommends they call their health care provider for advice. He said a medical professional is the most trustworthy source of information during a pandemic and after it. Even with things like vaccine hesitancy, people like to get advice from a health care provider, Delclos said. Discuss the issues and concerns and get good advice. Jordan Rubio contributed to this report. julie.garcia@chron.com Twitter.com/reporterjulie Robert.Downen@chron.com Twitter/com/RobDownenChron The pandemic took half of Sameera Faridis business. After 17 years of operating her Poshak Fashion & Style boutique specializing in bridal, Faridi, like many fashion designers, found herself with few customers and an unsettling reality about the future of fashion. Weddings canceled. Some shops closed permanently. To adjust, she relocated her boutique and her Sameera Faridi Design Studio, both focused on South Asian fashion, to a nearby space on Hillcroft with lower rent and more square footage. That was something positive, Faridi said. But there many negatives. Everyone was so doubtful. Were lucky to have survived the wave, she said. Faridi, a native of Pakistan, will be one of four designers featured in Houston Firsts AAPI Amplified Fashion Show May 22 in front of the George R. Brown Convention Center to celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage month. Others participating designers are Danny Nguyen of Danny Nguyen Couture, Tina Zulu of Kimono Zulu and Nicholas Phat Nguyen of Mysterious By NPN. With whats happening in the nation and the attacks on Asians and Asian Americans, this is the perfect time to showcase these designers, said Sydney Dao, director of retail for Houston First. Its time to amplify voices who feel like they havent been heard in a positive way. There have always been Asian designers, but many have been in the background for so long. AAPI Amplified Fashion Show When: 5-8:30 p.m. May 22 Where: Avenida Plaza in front of the George R. Brown Convention Center Details:Houston First celebrates Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage month with cultural performances, market, food trucks and fashion show. Admission is free. See More Collapse In the past two decades, more Asian Americans have taken the helm of fashion houses, heading up their own companies, including Jason Wu, Alexander Wang, Derek Lam, Phillip Lim and Prabal Gurang. Of the 500 members of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, nearly 50 identify as Asian; about 20 identify as Black and 30 as Latino. Dao believes more Asian parents are allowing their children to pursue creative careers over traditional ones, such as medicine or engineering. They are recognizing fashion design as a viable career path. Still, its a tough business thats known for its lack of diversity. Designers need strong financial support, a steady clientele and the ability to weather a storm or a pandemic. For Faridi, that has meant creating a more affordable collection ($500-$1,500), compared with her custom bridal designs ($2,000 to $6,000). Its a different world, she said. People dont want to spend $5,000 on a wedding dress, but I think well see some return to normal. The wedding industry never dies, she said. Tina Zulu, who is Filipino and owns Kimono Zulu, a collection of reimagined vintage kimonos, said the pandemic spurred her to get even more creative. Now shes reimagining robes. My sister had a baby during the pandemic, so I decide to give her a kimono robe and matching mask. I posted it on Instagram and it became a big seller. It took a pandemic for people to want a nice robe. Zulu has partnered with a number of local artists on kimonos, including David Adickes, Matt Manalo, Gonzo247 and Judy Masliyah. NEWSLETTERS Join the conversation with HouWeAre We want to foster conversation and highlight the intersection of race, identity and culture in one of America's most diverse cities. Sign up for the HouWeAre newsletter here. The AAPI Amplified Fashion Show is among the citys first major runway events after a year of virtual fashion. Designers are ready to get back to work. Nicholas Phat Nguyen, owner and designer of Mysterious By NPN, said he never imagined hed be creating his collection, which is made in Vietnam, over Zoom. Typically, he visits Vietnam twice a year to produce his designs. Travel restrictions prevented that. Right now, Im still designing but not producing, he said. The demand hasnt been there. But after not being dressed up for a while, its time to bring back glamour. Im ready to get back to work. Thats what Danny Nguyen, owner of Danny Nguyen Couture, plans to do, too. At the start of the pandemic, he was creating stylish masks, as many designers did. But months later when the demand for masks narrowed to a trickle, Nguyen turned his focus to advertising and marketing his fashion collections on social media. I couldnt rely on those events that would sustain us, and people werent doing custom designs. It really pushed me to look at other options, the Vietnam native said. Nguyens latest venture is an art gallery to support young, emerging artists. Its a passion project that is more about amplifying creatives than making money something hes fine with right now. I realize I dont care what people say. I have to do what inspires me, Nguyen said. The only way I defy the odds is to prove them wrong. joy.sewing@chron.com The traditional experience of planning for your future can be a very boring experience that none of us relish doing. David W. Weygandt of Weygandt Law is nothing like the traditional and stereotypical attorney you may have met somewhere in life. He embraced his background and is changing the legal landscape - one client at a time. In The Woodlands, David is commonly known as The Singing Lawyer, a moniker first coined by his late-grandfather, Bill Weygandt. He received his Juris Doctorate, magna cum laude (with high honors/top 10 percent) from South Texas College of Law in Downtown Houston. As a professional trained singing actor, he sings professionally and at community events, and continues to maintain a small piano & voice studio in The Woodlands. Weygandt received his Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the Eastman School of Music in upstate New York. If you attend any Chamber event, you may hear Weygandt bust out in song to promote his law firm instead of a delivering the typical 60-second commercial. What is most interesting is that he typically changes the lyrics to a commonly known song, and rarely recycles creative material. Davids firm, Weygandt Law, focuses on providing excellent and cost-conscious proactive legal planning to families and business owners, as trusted advisors, and as zealous advocates, when necessary. The firm handles estate planning (including special needs and asset protection planning), business planning (including entity formation, contracts/agreements, hiring & firing, intellectual property protection, and outsourced corporate counsel services), probate & estate administration, and civil litigation (resolving personal & business disputes). His specialty in the community is his entertaining approach of educating how to keep your family in tune so you can have peace of mind. You have an opportunity to taste some wine (or whiskey) as a prelude to the interactive presentation, which is designed to help you plan for the inevitable. Weygandt Laws Wine & Wills (and Wills & Whiskey), entertaining & educational workshops, are offered monthly in The Woodlands. Seating is limited so RSVP is required online at www.WeyLaw.com/workshops Our approach allows people to ask those thought provoking questions in a low pressure and informal atmosphere. It is easier to consider serious matters while sipping on an adult beverage. Most people do not enjoy pondering questions like, what happens if you die without a will? What will happen to my children if something happens to me? Why an estate plan is important, even if you dont have many assets? He can also help with business planning. I believe the onslaught of free and low cost online-based legal services and the unlicensed keyboard warrior experts on social media have created huge risks for entrepreneurs and small business owners. If entrepreneurs use these free (or low -cost solutions), they think they are protected-in many circumstances with a false sense of security. Eventually they will likely learn that the cost of speaking and working with a local attorney is vastly cheaper in comparison. Im trying to make it a no brainer to build a relationship with a local attorney, said Weygandt. He believes in protecting entrepreneurs and small business owners so much, he is currently filing LLCs for FREE if you: (1) take care of the filing fees (just like the other guys); and (2) schedule & attend a Foundation Session. David loves arming business owners with information about what can happen if you are not proactive with your business planning. This education is so essential to the attorney-client relationship at Weygandt Law that the foundation session is a complimentary private conversation (60 minutes:35-45-minute personalized presentation plus an additional 15 minutes for Q&A). The Foundation Session is dedicated to walking through the most common legal building blocks, how they may be used to proactively protect you and your business and finding ways to help make your business become more efficient, profitable, or valuable for the long-term. I like to call it a legacy life plan, because it needs to be reviewed regularly (and changed if necessary) as you move through life. The more the merrier, I have found that those that attend Wine and Wills or (Whiskey and Wills) with friends, their spouse or a family member have a lot more fun. And attending W&W is less stressful than any typical meetings with a lawyer. Come to learn and have fun, and youll leave with more knowledge about what you need to do to protect your family (or your business), said Weygandt. Weygandt Law has been an active member of The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce since January 2018. In April, a large group of family, friends, and the business community gathered for a ribbon cutting celebration, which commemorated its new office space at 26118 Oak Ridge Drive. David shares this office with Kodie McCuller, his Client Services Representative. McCuller is responsible for making the entire client experience-from start to finish-a personal & professional one. He helps with both sides of Davids practice, from the proactive (business and estate planning) to the reactive (litigation and probate matters). Learn more about Weygandt Law at www.WeygandtLaw.com or follow his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WeygandtLaw. Call 713-489-5900 to schedule an appointment or schedule a free 15-minute call with David online. Xi visits resettled residents of China's mega water diversion project Xinhua) 11:08, May 14, 2021 Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, learns about the resettlement of people relocated because of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, and measures to develop specialty industries and boost the incomes of resettled residents in Zouzhuang Village, Xichuan County, Nanyang, central China's Henan Province, May 13, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Ye) ZHENGZHOU, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Thursday visited people relocated because of a mega water diversion project and thanked them for their contribution to the country. Xi made the remarks during an inspection tour in the village of Zouzhuang in Xichuan County of central China's Henan Province. The South-to-North Water Diversion Project is the largest of its kind worldwide. In six years, it transferred 40.8 billion cubic meters of water from the south to dry areas in the northern regions, benefiting more than 130 million people. Residents of Zouzhuang are among the people relocated due to the construction of the project. At Zouzhuang, Xi and the villagers exchanged greetings as the villagers lined the roadside and cheered. "I have always paid close attention to the construction and operation of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project and the resettlement of residents," Xi said. "We very much care about how you live now," Xi said, hailing their spirit of sacrifice and wishing them a better life. He said the resettled residents deserve the thanks from those who benefit from the water diversion project and people across the nation. (Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Liang Jun) SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) California's new attorney general said Thursday his office will review the fatal shooting of a San Francisco Bay Area man, who police say they initially thought was carrying a handgun in his waistband but actually had a hammer. Attorney General Rob Bonta repeatedly criticized Solano County District Attorney Krishna Abrams for not conducting her own review of last year's death of 22-year-old Sean Monterrosa by Vallejo police, saying she was fully capable but chose not to do so. Bontas predecessor, Xavier Becerra, had declined to take up the investigation for the same reason. I made it clear that she should conduct the investigation, Bonta said. In the absence of her doing so, we will do so because fairness requires a complete process not a process that ends with an investigation and a file thats gathering dust on someones desk somewhere, but a review of that investigation, and a decision. Abrams had asked the attorney general's office to take over the investigation, saying in June that an independent review is needed at this time to restore public trust and provide credibility, transparency and oversight." In a statement Thursday, Abrams accused the attorney general of playing politics with one of the most critical and divisive issues in our communities today officer involved fatalities." Bontas office said local officials' investigation into Monterrosas death was completed March 10 and given to Abrams office for review. But Abrams, it said, attempted to turn the file over to the attorney generals office without invitation or notice. Abrams, however, said she spoke with Bonta Thursday morning, and Mr. Bonta stated that his department would not be reviewing the case due to funding not being available until July 1st. Within an hour of my telephone conference this morning with Mr. Bonta, he notified me that his department would be reviewing the case, completely reversing himself. In response, Bonta's office said that during their call, the attorney general had made clear that the DA should be reviewing the investigation" but Abrams refused to conduct the review. A law that goes into effect in July will require the attorney general to investigate officer-involved shootings of unarmed civilians. But Bonta said it doesnt apply in this case. Monterrosa, of San Francisco, was killed June 2 by an officer who fired five times through a police car windshield, hitting Monterrosa once. He was suspected of stealing from a pharmacy amid national protests over killings by police. Vallejo Police Chief Shawny Williams initially said Monterrosa dropped to his knees and put his hands above his waist, revealing what the officer took to be the butt of a handgun. He later said a detective described seeing Monterrosa turning towards the officers in a crouching-down, half-kneeling position, as if in preparation to shoot. But it turned out to be a 15-inch hammer in the pocket of his sweatshirt. He was killed when Vallejo Police Officer Jarrett Tonn fired five times through the windshield from inside an unmarked police vehicle. Civil rights attorney John Burris, who is representing the Monterrosa family in a wrongful death lawsuit, said he is thankful Bonta will review the case. The Vallejo police command staff knew or should have known that this was Tonns fourth shooting in five years and by failing to discipline officers for misconduct, Vallejos police command staff essentially ratified the bad conduct, Burris said in a statement. The windshield, considered a key piece of evidence, was destroyed, leading city officials to seek a criminal investigation into how that happened. The Vallejo police department has come under repeated criticism in other cases as well. Separately, in July, Williams said he was starting an independent investigation after two people in the department said officers had their badges bent to mark on-duty killings. The department has had several other controversial slayings by police, including that of Willie McCoy, 20, of Suisun City, in February 2019. McCoy was killed after he fell asleep with a gun in his lap in his car in a Taco Bell drive-thru. Six Vallejo officers fired 55 shots. Vallejo agreed in November to pay $750,000 to settle a civil rights lawsuit by Carl Edwards, a handyman who was left bloodied after he was beaten and choked by Vallejo police in 2017. Bonta said there is no timeframe for completing what he said would be an impartial and thorough investigation of Monterrosa's death. Wherever the facts and the law lead, thats where well go, he said. If there is wrongdoing, well bring it to light. If the facts do not lead to a charging decision, we will explain it. State Sen. Bill Dodd, a Democrat from nearby Napa, praised Bontas decision, saying he had wanted an independent investigation all along. Its crucial that we have a thorough and impartial review of the facts and get accountability for any wrongdoing, Dodd said in a statement. Kit Bredimus, chief nursing officer at Midland Memorial Hospital, was recognized as one of 20 nurses in Texas who went above and beyond during the Year of the Nurse. The award was given by the Texas Nurses Foundation and Texas Nurses Association to 20 nurses for their dedication, perseverance, compassion and commitment to Texans during an exceptional year. The World Health Assembly designated 2020 the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife in honor of the 200th anniversary of Florence Nightingales birth and to celebrate nurses after a year serving during the COVID-19 pandemic. I am humbled and truly honored to be named one of the 2020 Year of the Nurse recipients, Bredimus said in an acceptance speech posted online by the Texas Nurses Association. I can confidently say the Year of the Nurse did not go as planned and was what many of us will say is one of the most challenging years we ever experienced. Bredimus served as chief nursing officer and vice president of nursing during the coronavirus pandemic, and frequently delivered updates and answered questions during the hospitals daily then weekly press conferences. He also organized events for the community to encourage nurses and help staff stay motivated and spoke before the Midland City Council about recommended COVID-19 protocols. In a year of disruption, fear and uncertainty, nurses stepped up and epitomized compassion and courage, Bredimus said in his speech. Finding the power in our purpose is what gives our lives meaning and provides us with the strength to get up every day and keep fighting I know that our devotion to helping others is what enables us to endure all the pain and suffering we are exposed to. Bredimus is a native Midlander who has been with MMH since 2008 when he started as a nurse in the emergency department. He received a doctorate in executive nursing from the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and has previously received the Modern Healthcares Rising Star in Nursing Award, American Organization for Nursing Leadership Early Careerist Award and AONL Professional Young Voices Award. A law enforcement crackdown on a pattern of armed robberies targeting affluent communities in Houston has so far netted 10 arrests, police announced Friday. Police arrested 10 suspects earlier this month in connection with a number of robberies in Houston's Midwest, southwest and Galleria districts that appear to fit the same pattern, said Chief Troy Finner during a news conference. Authorities will charge some of the suspects in federal court and others in county courts. Many of the suspects were gang members with violent records, Finner said. "When I was appointed last month, I said one of my No. 1 priorities was going to be to go after violent criminals, our trigger pullers, " Finner said. "And this is what were doing. We have arrested 10 suspects who have been out terrorizing our community." SUBSCRIBE TODAY: Stay informed with accurate reporting you can trust on HoustonChronicle.com Special Agent in Charge Fred Milanowski said the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is assisting police with investigations. We will do everything we can at the federal level to take shooters off the streets, to take armed robbers off the streets, and to try to get these violent criminals in custody before somebody really gets hurt or gets killed in these robberies," Milanowski said. During the news conference, officials played a surveillance video showing two men armed with guns lunging from a car and robbing a victim who tries to escape through the revolving door at a business. Police did not provide the location of the robbery but said the suspects remain at large. The suspects typically troll parking lots looking for people driving luxury and exotic cars, wearing expensive jewelry or visiting high-end shops and restaurants, police said. Two men were arrested last Friday when police caught them following a green Lamborghini from a Johnny Dang & Co. jewelry store. NEWS IN YOUR INBOX: Sign up for breaking news email alerts from HoustonChronicle.com here Investigators in January began to notice a trend in these types of robberies, sometimes called "jugging." Houstonians should remain vigilant and call police if they believe someone is following them home from a shop or restaurant, Finner said. Houston ISD expects to get at least $800 million in federal stimulus funding soon and it wants help figuring out how to spend it. District officials plan to solicit feedback from parents, students and other community members in the coming weeks as they finalize plans for doling out the huge influx of cash. While the funds come with some modest strings attached, school districts across the country have wide latitude over how to spend the money to address fallout from the pandemic. Many Texas school districts are expected to devote large sums of money to several key areas, such as hiring more staff, adding time to the school day or year, increasing tutoring opportunities, boosting staff training, giving retention bonuses and fixing ventilation systems. However, districts have not yet decided how much to spend on each approach. HISD officials said they plan to launch online surveys for the community, possibly as soon as Friday, and have started meeting with principals to gauge interest in spending plans. District administrators hope to provide survey results to school board members by the first week of June, then spend several more days refining plans before presenting a proposal. Im hoping by June 10 we can start to nail down some of the costs of what were really going to do, but we do need to make sure we get our public input back before we come and say, This is what were doing, this is how much it costs, HISD CFO Glenn Reed said. Texas public schools are in line to receive about $18 billion in federal stimulus money from three packages passed by Congress in the past year. Gov. Greg Abbott pledged last month to deliver $11.2 billion from the third package directly to districts, while roughly $5 billion remains in limbo and more than $1 billion already has been spent. Districts with larger percentages of children from lower-income families will receive more money. For example, HISDs $800 million haul equals roughly $4,100 per student, while the more affluent Katy ISD will net about $800 per student. HISD and other districts must spend funds from the third stimulus package by September 2024, a relatively short timeline given the large amount of money. HISDs operating budget typically totals about $2 billion per year. Educators across the state warn that many students have struggled academically, behaviorally and emotionally over the past 14 months, requiring a multi-year investment. HISD officials said about 20 percent of grades given out in the fall 2020 semester were Fs, double the rate of the prior year. The districts Black, Hispanic and lower-income students saw some of the largest increases in failure rates. HISD Trustee Anne Sung called the planned surveys an incredible opportunity to engage with families. We have almost a billion dollars here. We want your input on how to help your kids, Sung said. District officials also voted Thursday to approve a one-time, $750 bonus for employees as a reward for their work during the pandemic. The stipends, which total about $21 million, will not directly come from the federal stimulus money. jacob.carpenter@chron.com A driver was injured and cases of beer were spilled across Highway 35 in Aransas Pass early Thursday morning, the Aransas Pass Fire Department reported. In a Facebook post, the fire department said the wreck occurred on the 35 Bypass near Moore Road when a car appears to have pulled out onto the highway in front of an 18-wheeler. Everyone is familiar with homeschooling these days. Virtually any family who isnt homeschooling their own children knows numerous other families who are. The U.S. Census Bureau reports that between the spring of 2020 and the fall of 2020, homeschooling roughly doubled across the United States. The survey asked about true homeschooling rather than virtual learning through a public or private school. In Texas, homeschooling nearly tripled, rising from 4.5 percent to 12.3 percent. By far, the largest growth was among minority families. These families homeschool for a plethora of different reasons ranging from academic needs to bullying to learning disabilities to racism in the local schools. Homeschooling is likely the fastest growing form of education in America, and it has been since long before the pandemic. Yet, homeschool students remain the only major student type without access to adequate extracurricular options. In fact, in a 2019 survey by the Texas Home School Coalition, families reported extracurricular opportunities as the No. 1 type of opportunity they most needed better access to. Whereas public, private and charter school students all have campuses and student bodies that allow for extracurricular leagues, many homeschool families do not have adequate options. A quarter of homeschool families live in rural areas. For these families, often, there are literally no local options. Ive spoken to many homeschool families who drive more than three hours one-way to reach the nearest extracurricular program for their children. Homeschool families in metropolitan areas can create some extracurricular options, but these private options are often extremely expensive. This is significant since a large percentage are low-income families, leaving many of them no affordable extracurricular alternatives. Homeschool families in Texas currently save the state billions of dollars per year by paying taxes to the local school district but then educating their children at home. However, these families are not allowed to participate in University Interscholastic League activities at their local school. Thirty-five other states, dating back more than 50 years, have solved this problem by granting homeschool students access to public school extracurricular activities in their local school. The Texas Legislature is currently considering doing the same thing with House Bill 547 and Senate Bill 491. That legislation passed a vote in the House this week. Texas is one of a handful of states that has not granted homeschool students equal access to these activities, even though the track record of success for the policy is strong. Families who homeschool their children do so because they believe the model best meets the needs of their student. Currently, Texas is forcing these students to choose between the model of education they are best suited for and the extracurricular activities where they can develop their talents, pursue their passion, and even obtain scholarship and career opportunities. Homeschooling has become a mainstream form of education. These hard-working students should have the same equal access to extracurricular activities as their peers. In 2021, Texas can solve that problem. The Legislature should pass HB 547 and SB 491 to finally provide homeschool students equal access to UIL extracurricular activities. Newman is the director of public policy for the Texas Home School Coalition. Much has been reported on the causes of the February power outages. What we know for sure is that more than 4 million Texans were without power and left in the cold. The storm disrupted lives and caused $200 billion in damages, and nearly 200 of our fellow Texans died. There were no winners, only losers. Some natural gas companies have reported making billions in profits from the storm. But before and during the storm, natural gas production fell by half, gas suppliers canceled contracted deliveries to customers, critical gas equipment failed, pressures on pipelines dropped and gas prices skyrocketed. Now, that same industry is trying to stop Texas lawmakers from requiring measures to bolster its infrastructure and prevent another energy crisis. You see, gas companies benefit from the dysfunction of their own system. The Texas Legislature needs to act now on common-sense solutions that will address the energy issues experienced during Winter Storm Uri. The main cause of the power outages was a failure of the integrated natural gas and power systems. My company knows a little about the subject we are the largest electricity generator in Texas and one of the largest purchasers of natural gas. We need that gas to fuel our power plants that, in turn, power the critical gas infrastructure when it works, it is a virtuous cycle. That cycle broke down during the storm, turning into a vicious circle, partly because some gas companies failed to do the paperwork that would have kept their facilities from having power curtailed. Despite generating more electricity than our market share and more than any other generator in Texas over those perilous days, we lost $1.6 billion due to the failure of the gas and power cycle. Something is wrong when profits or losses are the result of rampant dysfunction in the system. Unfortunately, instead of working together for Texans to prevent another weather-driven crisis, big-money interests now seem more intent on deflecting blame and defending the indefensible. No matter how hard we all worked to prepare and perform during the storm, there is nothing to celebrate. But we can learn and solve. At Vistra, were now focused on taking meaningful actions and bringing ideas forward to reduce risks and protect Texans. All companies that contribute to the states grid, from power generators to transmission and distribution utilities to natural gas providers, should come together to support real market solutions. Vistra is also one of the largest retailers of electricity in Texas, through our flagship brand TXU Energy, and we did not pass the extraordinary increase in prices during the storm onto our residential customers. I wish we could say the same for those on the natural gas side. We remain hopeful that the Legislature will take the necessary actions to ensure this never happens again the Texas economy and people cannot afford it. In addition to the failure by some companies to register natural gas infrastructure to keep power from being cut during the storm, some gas companies voluntarily curtailed their operations so they could sell their electricity and profit instead of performing their critical function. Also, some vital gas and power assets were not properly weatherized. These facts are not in question, but for some reason, we cannot seem to agree on simple solutions. An event like this should bring us together to understand what happened and to make it right. Regrettably, this does not appear to be happening. Powerful interests are fighting bills in Austin requiring registration of gas infrastructure as critical to avoid potential outages and properly weatherizing equipment. Registration only requires filling out a simple, two-page form. Opposition to weatherization also is perplexing, given it is routinely performed all over the world at producing locations without fanfare, including in volatile climates like North Dakota, Canada and Alaska. Lets not allow big-money interests to get in the way. Times like this require action for the people. We are optimistic the Legislature will act so we can tell Texans we fixed this. Lets come together and make it happen. Morgan is CEO of Vistra Corp., based in Irving. WASHINGTON U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert defended people arrested for storming the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, calling the vast majority of them peaceful Americans during an hourlong speech on the floor of the House of Representatives. The Tyler Republican and former judge pointed to some defendants being held for weeks in jail in Washington awaiting trial, calling them political prisoners held hostage by their own government. You could call it a conspiracy because these people are working to silence anybody who supported Donald Trump, Gohmert said, referring to the Justice Department and federal judges who have denied bail for some defendants and arguing they should have been let out of jail. GOP INFIGHTING: Republican Party of Texas chairman slams Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick over gun bill The overwhelming number of people caught up in this unprecedented investigation theyre actually nonviolent, peaceful Americans, Gohmert said. Their only crime was supporting Donald Trump and concern about the fraud Democrats have been telling us about in elections for many years. The Justice Department has announced charges against more than 440 people accused of taking part in the Jan. 6 riots at the Capitol in which five people died. At least four dozen of those charged so far are Texans as the state leads the nation in accused insurrectionists. More arrests are expected. Meanwhile, the top Democrat and top Republican on the House Homeland Security Committee on Friday announced a deal to create a bipartisan commission to investigate the insurrection. Gohmert spent much of his time on the floor Friday reading at length from articles published by conservative media. He alleged that people in leadership positions were refusing to release all video footage from the day, which he said could really establish what all went on, calling it a cover-up. And Gohmert stressed that none of the accused insurrectionists has been charged for bringing a gun to the Capitol, taking issue with those who have called it an armed insurrection. In court records, the Justice Department accuses a number of the alleged rioters of wielding tomahawks, bear spray, firecrackers and more against Capitol Police. About 140 police officers were assaulted during the riot, the federal prosecutors have said. Texas Take: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox Most did not come here to cause trouble, Gohmert argued. Most came here to protest in the manner that Ive advocated for years and that is the effective manner that Dr. King advocated for. So much more is done by peaceful protest. Gohmert also tore into President Joe Biden for calling the riots the worst attack on our democracy since the Civil War, pointing to Pearl Harbor, 9/11 and other incidents as more of an attack on democracy. I just want the president to understand there have been things worse than people without any firearms coming into a building, he said. ben.wermund@chron.com Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing the Biden administration over its decision to rescind a Medicaid waiver extension that would ensure billions in emergency care funding to the states hospitals over several years. Federal health officials revoked the extension in April, saying the Trump administration, which had approved it in its waning days, failed to allow for public comment. They have welcomed the state to reapply before the current waiver lapses in the fall of 2022. In a suit filed Friday, Paxton argued that the officials lacked authority to overturn the decision, and said the state and its health care providers had already made long-term financial decisions based on the approval. Not only does this violate agency regulations and threaten to rip a $30 billion hole in Texass budget, it was clearly intended to force our state into inefficiently expanding Medicaid under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Paxton said in a statement. This would be a disaster for our state, and yet President Biden seems intent on thrusting his bloated model of government on everyoneincluding Texas. Federal health officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the litigation. The administrations reversal was widely seen as an attempt to pressure the state into expanding Medicaid under the ACA, a move most other states have made since the law passed in 2010. TEXAS TAKE: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox Republican leaders have declined numerous proposals to expand the safety net coverage, including in the current legislative session, explaining they are focused on other health care priorities. Lawmakers in the House voted down an amendment this week to even study the potential benefits of Medicaid expansion. The Senate has yet to hold preliminary hearings on smaller measures passed by the House and aimed at improving access for new moms and kids. Proponents of expansion say it will lower hospital and county expenses, boost the states economy and create access to preventive care for up to a million low-income Texans. The state has the highest uninsured rate in the country. The waiver in question has been used for years to shore up the cost of providing emergency care in hospitals to the millions of Texans who are currently uninsured. The decision to circumvent the public comment period last year was ostensibly because of the pandemic, a reason that health advocates have questioned given the current waiver was still in place nearly two years. In an exchange earlier this week with U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw of Texas, Health Secretary Xavier Becerra said officials remain committed to working with the state on a new extension. Were trying to make sure that were transparent and we show accountability, because we have to make sure were following the law, he said. And were working with your leadership in the state and along with your delegation, try to make sure that as Texas moves forward, if it wants to continue the waiver, were going to be working with you to make sure we can see that happen. Health care advocates called the suit ironic since Paxton, a Trump-aligned Republican, has been fighting for years to overturn the ACA, which has resulted in coverage for millions of previously uninsured Americans. Its just way more evidence of how out of touch our leadership is with what people actually want, said Patrick Bressette, who heads the Childrens Defense Fund of Texas. In surveys, most Texans support expanding Medicaid. This signals to me the misplaced priorities, Bressette said. Theyre spending resources fighting the administration instead of working on bipartisan solutions that Texans want. jeremy.blackman@chron.com The Montgomery Job Corps Center is seeking self-motivated individuals who promote a positive and desirable atmosphere for our students. The following positions are available: Registered Nurse-Assists the Health and Wellness staff in planning, implementing, and evaluating an efficient Wellness program consistent with student needs and Job Corps goals and requirements. Participates in the medical examination of students. Screens patients and refers them to Center Physician, Dentist, Health and Wellness Manager or Career Counselor. Observes, records and reports patient vital signs, symptoms and behavior. Performs first aid treatment as needed. Assists the physician with patient examination; prepares patients for tests and examinations. Provides guidance to students in matters of personal health and hygiene. Prepares and administers prescribed medications as directed. Maintains medical equipment and inventory of supplies and medications. Maintains accurate medical records. Provides input for case management of student health issues. Promotes projects that support health and safety throughout the Center. Oversees CMHC schedule. Must possess active state RN License. One-year health care experience preferred. recblid 2tsc7h1wjc7ftcct34u6svuwqtsczp Subscribing to our services is a three step process. First you have to create an account and then you have to pick if you want to subscribe to digital and or print. Some people only want to be a digital subscriber to get access online and others want to also receive the print edition. If you are already a print subscriber and want online access, it is free, you simply have to create an online account and then attach your print subscription account number to the online account you create. The Arizona Daily Star seeks an innovative, motivated, results-focused Sales Executive to join our Sales team. This position will serve as one of the primary sales representatives for digital advertising and print. You will work with clients to determine the best products in the market to advertise their business and work closely with our Amplified Digital team and designers. We seek a candidate who will tenaciously identify opportunities, exceed customer expectations, and maximize market potential. This position requires great organizational skills, uncommon creativity and a proven track record of managing and motivating client groups. This position will drive and grow revenue by identifying segment opportunities, executing sales strategies in the assigned segments, working with other sales managers and account executives to execute print and online goals, and present and implement innovative sales initiatives and programs. The role requires a highly personable, intelligent individual with the ability to lead digitally focused sales efforts while maintaining an energetic, strategic and entrepreneurial spirit. As an Arizona Daily Star Sales Executive, youll partner with clients to provide a broad set of solutions to include: Build Their Presence: Website, SEO, Local Listings, Reputation & Social Media and Print. Drive Awareness & Leads: Search Engine Marketing, Social, Display, Video, and Mobile Advertising Grow Audience and Connect: Brand Content Solutions, Social Media Marketing Manage Leads and Customers: Lead Alert, Engagement and Tracking Tools Know What Works: Reporting, Mobile Tools, Insight Solutions We are dedicated to helping our clients grow based on their unique needs. When they win, we win! As a Marketing Solutions Sales Executive, you will: Be equipped with the regions best marketing services and solutions, empowering you to deliver unparalleled results to your customers Develop partnerships with large local businesses and assist them in reaching their goals through integrated marketing plans and comprehensive media solutions Identify customer needs to develop and execute account plans and custom client solutions that differentiate the Arizona Daily Star/Tucson.com from competitors Help businesses maximize their online presence with a custom approach to digital marketing Leverage multiple Arizona Daily Star/Tucson.com resources and partners to develop optimal client solutions across our suite of products, with an emphasis on digital Network and be actively participating in local business events with local Chambers of Commerce What you need to do to be successful in this role: Pursue and close new business and revenue streams Retain, manage, and grow clients in the ever-changing digital landscape Work within a team to manage the client relationship and retain and build account revenue You will identify and understand market potential, develop and execute sales strategies across multiple platforms, including digital, mobile, targeted niche publications and the core newspaper Articulate and present our suite of products to business decision makers Communicate with customers proactively via phone, email and in person Conduct face-to-face customer meetings, presentations, proposals and demonstrations Manage a specified sales pipeline and develop a strategy for long-term sustained success Conduct client check-ins, upsell/cross-sell accounts, and address client market share concerns Utilize CRM (Salesforce) effectively and efficiently recording all sales activity Requirements: Experience in a high acquisition, consultative, B2B sales role Aptitude or acumen for Digital Marketing Bachelors degree preferred, or equivalent practical experience Passionate solution-seeker Competitive nature and a winning team spirit Problem solver who thrives on challenges and can simplify the complex Excellent communication and presentation skills Willingness to continuously learn, try new things and adapt to change Proficient in MS Office Suite including Excel, Word, Power Point and Outlook This role requires a valid driver license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by law Here's what we have to offer: We offer a competitive salary and career growth opportunities. We also offer you a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, Paid Time Off, Company Paid Holidays, employee discount program and domestic partner benefits. Company 401K. About us: The Arizona Daily Star in Tucson, Arizona is the only local newspaper covering local breaking news. It has a tradition of serving the residents of Southern Arizona for over a century. As the home of the University of Arizona, Tucson also is rich in cultural diversity and a commitment to educational excellence. #LI-SM1 #Gan.Sales #Sales #Remote Children living in poverty are still recovering from the pandemic: 3 impactful ways you can help The Retired Investor: A Labor Shortage Solution The hiring boom that was expected in April 2021 fizzled. Last Friday's nonfarm payrolls report came in at 266,000 jobs gained compared to over a million expected. It was the biggest miss in decades. Politicians and many corporations were quick to provide a ready scapegoat for that failure. They blamed it on the weekly payments of $300 in federal unemployment aid through September 2021, on top of the regular unemployment benefits paid out by the states. In short, the fault apparently lies with the Biden administration's stimulus package. If the president and the Democrats had not provided these overly generous benefits, more workers would be thrust back into the work force in order to eat and pay their bills. Hogwash! Many of these complaints are coming from service providers in the restaurant and retail trade where the median wage is around $11 a hour versus more than $20 a hour in other occupations. Non-partisan economists can find no evidence to support these wild claims, but there are two factors that could explain the lack of available workers. Fear of contracting the coronavirus is one reason. Many millions of Americans avoided hunting for jobs in April because they were afraid they might be infected with the coronavirus. In the restaurant and retail business sectors (where the accusations are loudest), there is a much higher risk that can occur. Disruptions in schooling and child care also contributed to the anemic job hires, since 2 million or more women specifically were prevented from looking for work because of caring for children at home. A third explanation involves economic theory. The economy has suffered, and continues to suffer, from a severe shock. As in all such shocks, growth and hiring are not likely to evolve smoothly, like clockwork. The economic data will be choppy, reflecting the fits and starts of an enormous economy coming back to some semblance of normalcy. Surging consumer confidence has fueled demand as Americans want to buy, eat, travel, and shop. Many companies have been caught flat-footed by this sudden explosion in new business. They somehow expected that workers would magically appear just because they decide to reopen their business after months of lockdowns and hesitation and fear. But business owners have been spoiled by decades of cheap available labor, especially in the U.S. services sector, which now represents about 70 percent of the American workforce. In times like these it is easy to fall back on all the old myths about the American workforce and their failings. I am hearing comments like "Why work when you can get more staying home?" or "stimulus and unemployment benefits are killing the workforce," and of course the old tried and true racially motivated "people just do not want to work." Let me put an end to this crap. The U.S. is the most overworked, developed nation in the world. Today, 70 percent of American children live in households where all adults are employed and 75 percent of those women are working full time. In the U.S. 85.8 percent of males and 66.5 percent of females work more than 40 hours a week. And women make 87 cents for every dollar a man makes. Productivity per American worker has increased 400 percent since 1950. All the net gains in April's job growth went to men. Women, as a group, lost jobs. My solution to the nation's dilemma of finding more workers is not to reduce unemployment benefits. That would simply lock our antiquated attitude toward labor. It is obvious to me that American companies, especially in the service sectors, need to pay higher wages to attract the workers they need. If they cannot do that and still make a profit, they should not be in business at all. The search began on Tuesday. The district attorney's office confirmed at 7 p.m. that the body recovered from Pontoosuc Lake on Thursday was that of a missing New York man. The individual's name is being withheld until next of kin can be notified. Pittsfield firefighters recovered the body after three days of intensive searching by local and state authorities. Pittsfield Police are still investigating what is being described as an "apparent drowning." The State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Berkshire District Attorney's Office and Colonie (N.Y.) Police are assisting in the investigation. Authorities have not found any evidence to suggest anyone else was involved or evidence of foul play. ___________________________________________________________________________________ Update: Pittsfield Police are currently recovering a body from Pontoosuc Lake. According to Lt. Gary Traversa, Police were "in the midst of the recovery process" around 1:00 p.m. According to scanner reports in the late morning, police found a male under the water near the docks at the Rusty Anchor. It has not been confirmed to be the body of the New York man they have been searching the southern portion of the lake for since Tuesday. Cruisers are currently staged in the Rusty Anchor parking lot. Traversa said any further media inquiries will be coordinated through the District Attorneys Office. Story developing... _______________________________________________________________________________________________ Original Post, Wednesday, May 12, 2021, 2:05 p.m. PITTSFIELD, Mass. The Pittsfield Police Department is coordinating a search operation for a missing New York man on and around the southern portion of Pontoosuc Lake. The man's identity and where in New York he was from has not been released. A State Police truck and boat trailer was parked at the boat ramp. Several officers were in a yellow boat with equipment slowly moving through the south part of the lake on Wednesday. Several other boats were also being used. The search commenced Tuesday morning with assistance from the Berkshire County Sheriff's Office, Environmental Police, and State Police. After searching the water for seven hours, it was determined that additional resources and equipment would be required to continue. The search resumed on Wednesday. The police first received a report of a suspicious vehicle in Blue Anchor Park off Pontoosuc at about 2:23 p.m. on Monday. Initial responding officers determined that the vehicle may have been abandoned, as it was revealed that the registered owner of the vehicle was reported missing out of New York State on May 5. Further investigation lead police to believe he had not left the area and searchers turned to the lake. Police said the search of Pontoosuc Lake will be active until a recovery is made, those involved have reached their daily limitation, or the suspected missing party is located by other means. The PPD asks that the public avoid the area of Blue Anchor Park and the Pontoosuc Lake boat ramp in order to allow public safety partners to maneuver freely. PITTSFIELD, Mass. The Pittsfield Police Department is coordinating a search operation for a missing New York man on and around the southern portion of Pontoosuc Lake. The Health Department has come up with a plan to address health questions regarding the South Street cell tower. Pittsfield Residents, Officials Frustrated With Cell Tower Action Plan PITTSFIELD, Mass. Residents, City Council members, and health officials are frustrated with the unfolding situation concerning a Verizon cell tower at 877 South St. The tower was erected in August 2020 and has since driven large amounts of public comment in the open microphone segment of City Council meetings. Alma Street resident Courtney Gilardi has been the primary spokesperson for the cell tower opposition and has had her 12-year-old daughter Amelia call into the meetings to speak about the symptoms she is experiencing such as nausea and sleep disturbances. At Tuesday's City Council meeting, Health Director Gina Armstrong presented an official four-step alternative plan to address these concerns without the help of the state Department of Public Health, which offered the services of a Bureau of Environmental Health representative and then backed out. Wednesday night at the Board of Health meeting, Armstrong expressed that the Health Department was "disappointed" with DPH's lack of participation in the investigation after offering to help. The action plan that was unanimously approved by the Board of Health on Monday includes: A panel presentation on EMF safety from a "range of views" for the next Board of Health meeting in June; compiling a summary of health concerns reported to the Health Department to include with a letter to the legislative delegation, the governor's office and DPH in support of Senate Bill 2418 to form a special commission to research the impact of EMR and RFR on consumer protection, public health, and technology in the commonwealth; obtaining an engineering consultant to measure the radio frequency power transmitted from the cell tower and evaluate compliance with Federal Communications Commission radiation limits; Federal Communications Commission radiation limits; researching resources for conducting an epidemiological study of the health concerns reported from residents in this neighborhood. "Board members and I reviewed the email communications from residents and EMF experts, the Nov[ember] 2020 New Hampshire legislature's Final 5G Investigation Commission Report and other resource material; consulted with the City Solicitor as well as Dr. Alan Woolf of Boston Children's Hospital as recommended by MDPH," Armstrong wrote in a communication to the council. Ward 4 Councilor Chris Connell feels that, in his experience as a councilor, he has "never had to go through this much to try and get a response back from any department." Connell originally submitted a petition to investigate the cell tower concerns with Ward 5 Councilor Patrick Kavey on Jan. 20. Next week, Armstrong's team will then be working on the letter to the legislative delegation and sending the summary of health concerns and will be working toward the panel presentation. A Pittsfield resident who has been following this story in the media called in to voice her opposition to this plan as a whole. "It seems in general, 'we have to research it, we have to come up with a plan, it has to be a rigorous study before they can do anything, now, maybe let's hire an engineer to check the radiation of the tower and see if it's in code' and I asked myself: 'so if it's too high, Pittsfield's going to ask them to down the power, if it's too low, let's crank it up, if it's just right, let's forget the whole thing? I don't understand the purpose of going down the road," Ann Carey of Oliver Drive said. "And until you can figure out how to do it, simply unplug it, turn their power off, the only moral thing to do until you can assure that it's safe, that's my plea that you have a heart and you do the right thing." The French, the third largest consumers of seafood in Europe, are unaware of the harmful impacts of aquaculture A new report from Changing Markets foundation ranks eight French retailers on how they are addressing the sustainability implications of the farmed seafood they sell Almost one fifth of the global fish landings is used to produce fish meal or fish oil (FMFO) to feed livestock and farmed fish in aquaculture. As this industry expands, it is increasingly putting pressure on certain fish stocks used to produce FMFO. In West Africa, small pelagics stocks, especially sardinella, traditionally caught by artisanal fishermen, processed by women and consumed by the local population, are increasingly been overfished to supply fishmeal factories in Mauritania, Senegal and The Gambia, putting food security of the region at risk. To raise awareness on this issue, the Changing Markets foundation published in October 2019 an in-depth report on the catastrophe of fishmeal production in the world, including the case of The Gambia. It stated that fishmeal industry was precipitating the collapse of fish stocks, compromising food security, and destroying the social and economic fabric of communities living adjacent to historic fishing grounds. Following this report, the Foundation has carried out studies scoring how supermarkets in different Western countries (Germany, UK, Austria) tackled the use of wild in their aquaculture supply chains and they conclude that consumers are largely unaware on the social and environmental impacts of aquaculture. For example, UK consumers unknowingly consumed 172g of wild fish for every 100g of farmed fish eaten, almost all of which could have been eaten directly by people. French are the third largest consumers of seafood in Europe, yet supermarkets lack transparency and it is very difficult to know the production method or the country of origin of many products. However, through its previous research, the foundation found that the two largest producers of farmed salmon, the Norwegian companies Mowi and Lery, source large quantities of fishmeal and fishoil (FMFO) from West Africa and Peru, where there are numerous environmental and social issues related to FMFO including the collapse of fish populations, illegal fishing practices and the depletion of fish stocks. The report suggests alternative methods of fish feed such as insect-based and concludes with several recommendations for retailers, consumers and fish farmers, calling them to eliminate FMFO from wild-caught fish from their supply chains by 2025. Supermarkets have considerable power to influence, said Juan-Felipe Carrasco, author of the report. In their role as intermediaries between aquaculture producers and consumers, they are the most powerful players in the market. CFFA Theme(s): Fisheries Development and Aquaculture. New weighing at pier rules are an absolute disaster for Ireland fishermen May 14,2021 | Source: Irish Examiner New rules requiring all fish catches to be weighed by the pier side have left fishermen in Ireland reeling as they scramble to access weighing scales that are in short supply. The new requirement follows an EU decision last month to revoke a previous derogation, allowing catches to be weighed in factories and processors, on foot of audits suggesting that catches were being manipulated and misreported. Fishing industry groups have refuted the audit findings and say the issue lies with the regulatory process, the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the European Commission. The findings were not made available, there was no advance warning of the April decision, and the required infrastructure to weigh straight from boats was not in place, they said. Chief executive of the Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation (ISWFPO), Patrick Murphy said the situation was an absolute disaster, which had led to a waiting list for weighing scales that have to be calibrated by a state agency. Fishermen with refrigerated boats, Mr Murphy said, were now expected to unload already iced and packed catches at the pier side for weighing and then repack the fish in fresh ice. Those landing pelagic species, such as mackerel and herring, which are kept in water, must now de-water their catches before weighing the fish. The new requirements, fishing representatives said, pose contamination and spoilage risks, which the SFPA was not taking into account, despite the fact it has health and safety responsibilities for produce. Mr Murphy, who is based in Skibbereen, said it was like asking a dairy farmer to pump milk from a refrigerated tank into a barrel to be weighed and then transferring the product to a new tank. This applies to every single pier and jetty, every part of the country where a box of fish is landed, and every type of fish. Every single fish now has to be weighed on the pier, he told the Irish Examiner. It is absolutely crazy, he said, adding the SFPA must go back to Brussels and the lunacy must end. The SFPA said it had held meetings with producer organisations and industry representatives in recent on the required changes and would continue to engage with the industry on this matter. The immediacy of the EUs decision means that fishers may now need access to additional weighing facilities at piers that may not yet have been approved by the SFPA, a spokesperson said. Consequently, as an interim measure up to the 1st June weigh systems can be used once they have a calibration certificate issued within the last six months by an authorised verifier, they added. Irish Examiner Ltd, Linn Dubh, Assumption Road, Blackpool, Cork. Theme(s): Fisheries Development and Aquaculture. US Congressmen introduce bipartisan bill to combat IUU fishing, human rights abuses May 14,2021 | Source: Perishable News Representative Jared Huffman (D-CA), Chair of the Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife, and Representative Garret Graves (R-LA) introduced the Illegal Fishing and Forced Labor Prevention Act to combat illegal, unregulated, and unreported (IUU) fishing and human rights abuses in the seafood supply chain. This legislation would link IUU fishing to forced labor in the seafood supply chain and make seafood import monitoring more effective. It would also increase transparency and traceability from catch to plate, strengthen enforcement against IUU fishing and forced labor, improve interagency cooperation, and increase pressure on other countries to tackle IUU fishing and human rights abuses. IUU fishing is an environmental and humanitarian crisis, and the U.S. should be a global leader in solving it, said Rep. Huffman. Illegal fishing operations damage ocean ecosystems and healthy fisheries, and are often the same ones that rely on atrocious, illegal practices like human trafficking and forced labor. Our new legislationtackles IUU fishing to protect human lives, promote responsible fishing around the world, and level the playing field for U.S. fishermen. Not only do we need to ensure an ethical seafood supply chain, but we also need to stop IUU products from entering our markets and competing with those who follow the rules and who keep our domestic fishing industry sustainable. Generations of Louisianas fishing families have made our state one of the top seafood producers in the country. It is an important part of our economy and jobs. The combination of great chefs and our seafood has resulted in Louisiana being a foodie destination. However, hurricanes, government regulations, the pandemic and unfair competition from foreign fishing fleets are threatening the future of these hard-working men and women and threatening the sustainability of fisheries around the globe. It has evolved from an environmental issue to an economic issue to a national security issue, Rep. Graves said. I want to thank Cong. Jared Huffman for his leadership on the IUU issue. His partnership on this bill will help ensure Americas fishers have a fighting chance and our children and grandchildren have fish to catch. The Illegal Fishing and Forced Labor Prevention Act would: -- Expand the Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP) to all species; increase data requirements for SIMP, including consideration of labor conditions; improve detection of imports at risk of IUU fishing and labor violations; and increase interagency coordination and data sharing. -- Establish seafood traceability and labelling requirements; increase outreach on seafood safety and fraud; and improve seafood inspections and federal enforcement of seafood fraud. -- Strengthen international fisheries management, including expanding U.S. authority to revoke port privileges for fishing vessels associated with IUU fishing and expanding IUU determination criteria to include human trafficking, forced labor, and other labor rights violations. -- Update the responsibilities of the IUU Interagency Working Group. -- Authorize funding for new Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) on vessels and amend requirements for where AIS must be used by U.S. vessels in federal waters and on the high seas. 2021 | Phoenix Media Network | All Rights Reserved Theme(s): Fishing Craft, Gear and Fishing Methods. WTO aims for agreement on fisheries subsidies in July 2021 May 14,2021 | Source: IISD World Trade Organization (WTO) members reviewed work undertaken in March and April to advance negotiations on an agreement to curb harmful fisheries subsidies. WTO members are aiming to reach an agreement in July 2021. The WTOs 11th Ministerial Conference (MC11) and SDG target 14.6 give negotiators the task of securing an agreement on eliminating subsidies for illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and to prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies that contribute to overcapacity and overfishing by the end of 2020. In March 2020, the COVID-19 crisis resulted in the suspension of in-person meetings, and members used online meetings and written exchanges to continue negotiations. Despite their efforts and almost daily meetings in late November, WTO members were unable to finish negotiations by the 14 December informal meeting of the Trade Negotiations Committee (TNC). WTO members committed to build on their 2020 progress and reach a resolution in 2021. During an April meeting on fisheries subsidies of the Negotiating Group of Rules, the Chair of the negotiations, Ambassador Santiago Wills of Colombia, reported on progress since mid-March, noting genuine attempts at compromise. The 12-16 April cluster of meetings addressed: a possible exemption for subsidies to subsistence, artisanal or small-scale fishing; due process requirements for IUU fishing determinations; the approach to the prohibition of subsidies contributing to overcapacity and overfishing; and the prohibition of subsidies related to overfished stocks, with an emphasis on how to ensure coherence with other fisheries subsidies disciplines. On due process requirements for IUU determinations, the Chair observed that members seem to have common concerns but with different views on how we approach them. He noted a positive dynamic and new suggestions on the topic. The Chair said discussions on overfishing and overcapacity focused on an exchange of views on the list of subsidies that would be presumptively prohibited, which are now reflected in the draft consolidated document. On sustainability, members considered whether a member may maintain or grant subsidies under the overfishing pillar if the country demonstrates implementation of measures to ensure sustainability of fish stocks. Some members suggested limiting this provision to a particular period or geographic area and/or designing a capacity-building or technical assistance mechanism to help developing members ensure sufficient data to apply the sustainability standards. Members also considered whether high-level attention was necessary to advance negotiations. WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala welcomed Ambassador Wills assessment that heads of delegations had engaged in constructive dialogue, and shared her reflections on how the process could proceed over the next few months. She emphasized the WTO will ask ministers to meet virtually in July 2021 to focus on fisheries subsidies and possibly one or two other topics. She said ministers should expect to review a very advanced, hopefully final, text with few options and brackets. To present ministers with a complete and clean text on which to take decisions, the WTO Director-General called on members to pick up the pace and engage in text-based negotiations that result in compromise landing zones on all of the outstanding issues. She said consultations will be convened frequently and in whatever configuration is necessary depending on the topic, with the aim of deepening clarity on key issues and views and identifying such landing zones. Okonjo-Iweala stressed inclusiveness and transparency will continue to guide the process, explaining that although no delegation will be invited to every meeting, all voices will be consulted and heard, the Chair will continue to report on all activities, and no decisions will be taken behind closed doors. Okonjo-Iweala underscored the role of Heads of Delegations in the final stages of the negotiations. She said the final hurdles will need to be dealt with at the political level, and called on all delegates to be ready to roll up your sleeves to work. She praised a new spirit in the negotiations, and urged Heads of Delegations to come with open ears and ready to exchange concrete ideas on how to bridge differences to ensure the negotiations reach an outcome by July. Okonjo-Iweala concluded by reminding delegates of the importance of protecting fish and protecting the millions of fisher men and women who depend on fish, stressing fishing sustainability makes socio-economic sense. 1990-2021, IISD Theme(s): Post Harvest Technology and Trade. The people of the remote island of Iranaitheevu in Northern Sri Lanka have an important story to tell the world. But journalists are being denied access, writes Ruki Fernando. Article 14 (1) (a) of the Sri Lankan constitution guarantees freedom of speech and expression, including publication, and article 14 (1) (h) guarantees freedom of movement. While Article 15 specifies that these can be restricted for limited number of specified reasons on the condition that such restrictions are prescribed by law. As a writer to newspapers and websites, as well as being an educator and speaker at forums related to rights and reconciliation, the necessity of access and travel for my work is a critical feature of my work. However, I have encountered arbitrary restrictions on movement several times in the past, mostly in the former war affected Northern and Eastern provinces. Such restrictions negatively impact my freedom of speech, expression and publication of critical information. This year, I encountered fresh restrictions while trying to travel to Iranaitheevu, a remote island in the Kilinochchi district in Northern Sri Lanka. For about 25 years, during Sri Lankas war and even for nine years after the end of the conflict, its inhabitants were prohibited from residing there by the Sri Lankan Navy. It began when a 1992 navy offensive during the war forced all 650 of Iranaitheevus residents to flee by boat across the Palk Strait to Iranaimaatha Nagar on Sri Lankas mainland. This prohibition violated article 14 (1) (h) of the constitution which permits any person to reside in a place of their choice. Despite continuous protests, discussions and communication with government officials and politicians over the years, Kilinochchis inhabitants were not allowed to return to their island, which remained occupied by the navy. Finally in April 2018, Iranaitheevus people re-claimed their homeland through a daring landing on the island. Since then and despite various difficulties, people have resided there, engaging in fishing, religious services in their church and other activities related to civilian life. Iranaitheevu island comes under the Poonekary Divisional Secretariat and Kilinochchi District Secretariat, and government officials from these offices and others have been visiting the island, indicating the island is part of Sri Lanka, served by government officials and subject to the highest law in the country, the constitution. I visited Iranaitheevu people during their displacement, I joined them when they re-claimed their island home and I have visited them ever since that time. Earlier this year, the residents started to protest peacefully against the government announcement that Covid-19 dead from rest of country would be buried in Iranaitheevu. To learn more and write about this, two journalists from two national newspapers and I travelled overnight from Colombo and arrived in Iranaimathanagar, in Mulankavil around 9am on March 5 to travel to the Iranaitheevu island. Yet when we arrived, Navy personnel at a small camp checkpoint on the beach prevented us from boarding a boat to the island and informed us they had been instructed by their superiors that only residents were allowed to travel to the island and showed us a list of names given by a government official. All others, including journalists, were not allowed. Straight away, I informed the Jaffna branch and head office of the Human Rights Commission and the District Secretary (Government Agent) of Kilinochchi about the unexpected restriction to our movements. The (HRCSL) promised to look into this, but the District Secretary said there was nothing she could do if we were stopped by the navy. She also said no travel restrictions to Iranaitheevu had been imposed by her or anyone working under her. I informed the Free Media Movement (FMM), which contacted the Minister of Mass Media and the Director General of the Government Information Department. Both said they didnt know of any restrictions on journalists. By 4pm that day, we finally gave up and left. The villagers and Parish Priest of Iranaitheevu church, who were waiting for us to visit, were obviously disappointed and several villagers said that this undermined their protest as media could not cover it. I came to know that on the same day, as well as in previous days, the navy had stopped other journalists and activists from also visiting Iranaitheevu. Its not the first time that media and others have been blocked from visiting Iranaitheevu. On January 9, 2019, a media team from BBC and I were stopped by the navy at the same camp check point and prevented from boarding our boat. But that day, the HRCSL intervened swiftly and told us that the Area Commander for the Navy based in Thalaimannar assured there were no restrictions to travel to Iranaitheveu, and we were able to commence travel to the island within about an hour. Even during Covid-19 related lockdowns and curfews, journalists have been allowed to visit public places all over the country and inform the public in Sri Lanka about the situation on the ground. But more than two months after the incident, my complaint to the HRCSL is still pending. The HRCSL sought responses from the District Secretary and the Navy, and within days, forwarded me a written submission by the District Secretary confirming that there were no restrictions from her office. Im not aware if the Navy has responded to the HRCSL. But the day we were waiting to travel to the island earlier this year, a navy spokesperson Captain Indika De Silva had confirmed to us that travel restriction to both Sinhala and English media. However on March 16 , he told media that the navy had commenced an inquiry to investigate the matter seriously. We are yet to hear any outcome. Freedom of movement is critical to exercising freedom of expression. These rights become even more important during times of crisis. Ruki Fernando is a Sri Lankan writer, educator and rights activist. He is an executive committee member of IFJ affiliate, the Free Media Movement of Sri Lanka. The Israeli military has intensified its targeted attacks against media offices in Gaza. On 13 May, Israeli forces bombed the Al-Shorouk Tower, which hosts the offices and headquarters of 15 media institutions. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) deplores the systematic attacks on media by the Israeli military and urges the international community to hold Israel accountable for its crimes against media freedom. Palestinians assess the damage in a building caused by Israeli air strikes, in Beit Hanun in the northern Gaza Strip. Credits: MAHMUD HAMS / AFP According to the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate (PJS), the media tower hosts the offices of several international and regional media, including: Russia Today, Russia Today English, ZDF- Germany, Dubai TV, Aljazeera English, Press TV, Al Hayat Aljadeedah Newspaper, Al Aqsa TV, Al Aqsa Radio, Al Quds Today TV, Dubai Channel 12, Al Aqsa Visual, Tayf media company, Huna Al Quds Media company and the Palestine Company for Media Production. The moment of the targeted bombing was caught by cameras on the ground. It is the second time the Israeli military has deliberately targeted media premises since it launched its offensive in the Gaza strip. On the night of 11 May, the Israeli military bombed the Al-Jawhara towerwhich hosts the offices of 13 media institutions and NGOs. The IFJ strongly condemned the attack and called on the international community to take urgent action to hold Israel accountable for its crimes against journalists. In addition to the targeted bombings, the Israeli authorities have beaten and arrested media workers reporting across the West Bank. Violence against journalists is also affecting Israeli media workers. The IFJ condemned an attack on journalists working for Israel's public broadcaster Kan News were beaten by Jewish extremists in Tel Aviv on Thursday, May 13, according to media reports, The IFJ has repeatedly called on the Israeli government to investigate attacks and targeted killings of Palestinian media workers. The IFJ also denounced the situation to the United Nations, submitting formal complaints to the Special Rapporteurs in December 2020. The IFJ believes that the lack of transparent investigations and the rampant impunity for those who commit these crimes are a breeding ground for continued attacks against media across Palestine and Israel. IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger, said: The targeted bombing of media facilities is a shameful attempt by the Israeli military to silence media reporting of its violence in the Gaza strip and it violates international law. The deliberate and systematic targeting of media workers must stop. The impunity which those who deliberately attack journalists enjoy means media workers face an imminent further threat of being targeted. The IFJ will demand justice and an end to the threats in all local, regional and international spheres to ensure that none of these crimes go unpunished. Marawi masons trained by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority with support from Holcim Philippines are leading the reconstruction of their community. Marawi housing project supported by UN-Habitat, Holcim Philippines and TESDA Close to 500 houses for families displaced by the conflict in Marawi have been built as part of the partnership to support the citys rehabilitation by leading building solutions provider Holcim Philippines, Inc., the United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN-Habitat) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). By the end of April 2021,491 of the 1,057 housing units planned for the first phase of the project were either completed or under construction. Holcim Philippines has supplied close to 72,000 bags of general purpose cement Holcim Excel to the project sites in Marawi through its plant in Lugait, Misamis Oriental. Additional 85,000 bags of Holcim Excel will be used for the rest of the houses. The reconstruction is being led by Marawi residents, 116 of whom were trained and certified by TESDA under Holcim Philippines galing Mason program. The masonry skills and certification from TESDA will enable beneficiaries to explore job opportunities in other areas after completing the construction projects in Marawi. Holcim Philippines Vice President for Communications Cara Ramirez: We are pleased that this partnership project with the UN-Habitat is progressing well and helping the City of Marawi rise again. This wonderful update is a welcome development as we join the nation for the celebration of Eid al-Fitr. The continued recovery of Marawi is a testament to the resilience of Filipinos, and shows how our products are making a difference in the lives of our countrymen and the progress of the nation. UN-Habitat Country Programme Manager Christopher Rollo: Eid Mubarak to our Muslim brothers and sisters! The Rebuilding Marawi Project, funded by the People of Japan, is steadily moving forward towards its goal of providing permanent houses to 1,057 families affected by the 2017 Marawi Siege. The ongoing permanent shelter construction in four resettlement sites and the turnover of Hadiya Village to 109 families are project milestones made possible by various partnerships forged along the course of project implementation. UN-Habitat is grateful for the strong partnership it has built with Holcim Philippines access to cement is one major aspect of the partnership that kept the construction of houses unhampered amidst the mobility restrictions posed by Covid-19 pandemic. The project is part of a multi-sector effort to rebuild Marawi after a devastating conflict there several years ago that displaced nearly 80,000 families. In addition to UN-Habitat and TESDA, the project is supported by the Government of Japan, the Task Force Bangon Marawi, and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development. Imperial Valley News Center This Month in History - History Matters Washington, DC - History Matters: A biweekly feature courtesy of The Grateful American Book Prize Showing our children that their past is prelude to their future. May 16 to May 31 The Lincoln-Douglas debates pushed the possibility of a Lincoln presidency into inevitability. Positioned against Senator Stephen Douglas of Illinois in a sequence of debates during re-election year, Douglas insisted the legality of slavery should be determined by the states and territories. Lincoln argued for its abolition. Douglas kept his seat and Lincoln lost the argument, but his rhetoric raised his profileand that of the unshaped Republican party. Two years later, on May 18, 1860, Lincoln was the partys nominee for the presidential election. He faced off with Douglas; Southern Democrat John C. Breckinridge; and Constitutional Union candidate John Bell. Lincoln won 40% of the vote and became the first Republican President of the United States. It was a victory that activated the secession of southern states, the creation of the Confederacy, and--the Civil War. The Grateful American Book Prize recommends Lincoln and Douglas: The Debates that Defined America by Allen C. Guelzo. --- At 7:52 in the morning of May 20, 1927, Charles Lindbergh, lifted off in his monoplane, The Spirit of St. Louis, from Roosevelt Airfield in Long Island, New York in a win-it or- die-trying 3,610-mile transatlantic bet. At first, getting airborne was difficulthe had a heavy fuel load--but eventually, he did. Thirty-three and a half hours later, Lindbergh landed at Le Bourget Airfield, Paris; more than one hundred thousand people; droves of reporters, and correspondents, awaited the arrival of the first pilotever--to make a nonstop U.S. to Europe crossing. The news generated headlines around the world, about Lucky Lindy and The Lone Eagle. In addition to the acclaim, Lindbergh earned a cash award for his feat, the equivalent of more than $500,000 in todays currency. The Grateful American Book Prize recommends Lindbergh by A. Scott Berg. Imperial Valley News Center Customs and Border Protection Seizes Fake Cartier, Van Cleef, Louis Vuitton Jewelry Cincinnati, Ohio - On May 5, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Cincinnati seized a shipment of jewelry deemed to be counterfeit by CBPs Centers of Excellence and Expertise. The package originated from Guangzhou, China, and was headed to a private residence in Akron, Ohio. Although it had a declared value of $80, the package held 383 items of jewelry bearing trademarks from Cartier, Van Cleef and Arpels, and Louis Vuitton. The jewelry would have been worth $866,120 had they been real. Intellectual property is an important component of the U.S. economy, and Cincinnti Port Director Richard Gillespie emphasized the necessary role CBP plays in protecting the economy and consumer safety and health. We continue to enjoy unprecedented growth in e-commerce, and this growth serves as an ever-larger driving force behind the U.S. and world economies. Its extremely important that as our trade avenues expand, our focus on enforcing intellectual property rights violations expands with it. Our officers are working hard day and night to guard our frontline against defrauders expecting to make money selling fake merchandise. There are several steps that consumers can take to protect themselves when shopping online. Purchase goods only from reputable retailers and be wary of third-party vendors. Check seller reviews and verify there is a working phone number and address for the seller, in case you have questions about the legitimacy of a product. CBP has also established an educational initiative to raise consumer awareness about the consequences and dangers associated with purchasing counterfeit and pirated goods online or in stores. More information about that initiative is available at www.cbp.gov/fakegoodsrealdangers. Imperial Valley News Center CBP Announces April 2021 Operational Update Washington, DC - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) today released operational statistics for April 2021. CBP continues to see a large influx of illegal migration along the Southwest Border, said CBP Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner Troy Miller. In order to disrupt criminal organizations that have little regard for human life, CBP is leading the way alongside external law enforcement partners through Operational Sentinel. Day after day, CBP rescues migrants abandoned in harsh terrain, left for dead with no food or water. CBP is committed to enhancing the security of the U.S. border and helping save the lives of vulnerable migrants. CBP Enforcement Numbers In April 2021, CBP encountered 178,622 persons attempting entry along the Southwest Border. This total represented a 3 percent increase over March 2021. Single adults continue to make up the majority of these encounters. In April 2021, CBP expelled 111,714 individuals under Title 42. CBP continues to expel single adults and family units that are encountered pursuant to CDC guidance under Title 42 authority; 62.5 percent of total encounters resulted in a Title 42 expulsion for the month. Unaccompanied Children Encounters along the Southwest Border of unaccompanied children and single minors from Northern Triangle countries dropped by 12 percent this month, with 13,962 encounters in April 2021 compared with 15,918 in March 2021. In March 2021, during the height of the challenge at the Southwest Border, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas made it clear that although it would take some time, the Department, and the Administration, was in the process of implementing a comprehensive plan to address migration flows. Just over a month later, in April 2021, the average number of children in CBP custody has decreased to 2,895 from 4,109 in March 2021 with the number of children in CBP custody at 455 on May 11. In March, unaccompanied children spent an average of 115 hours in CBP custody. Now, unaccompanied children are being held in CBP facilities for an average of 28 hours. This progress is a result of the steps DHS took to reengineer processes and mobilize personnel Department-wide, including designating FEMA to lead a whole of government effort to assist the Department of Health and Human Services with establishing temporary facilities that provide a safe, sanitary, and secure environment for unaccompanied children as well as dedicating more than 350 officers from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to more efficiently and effectively verify claimed sponsors to support the reunification process. Operation Sentinel In April 2021, CBP launched a new counter-network targeting operation focused directly on transnational criminal organizations (TCO) affiliated with smuggling migrants into the United States. Operation Sentinel is a collaboration with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the U.S. Department of State, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Drug Enforcement Administration of the U.S. Department of Justice. The new anti-smuggling effort targets all personnel and identifiable resources that TCOs require to operate. Operation Sentinel utilizes the full breadth of domestic and foreign authorities, interagency data, and CBP analytic capability to map the organizations networks; target their members, associates, and assets; and employ a series of targeted actions and sanctions against them. To date, Operation Sentinel partners in the State Department have revoked more than 130 visas associated with TCO members and their associates. CBP is currently targeting hundreds of other TCO members, their associates and their affiliated businesses for additional actions such as visa revocations and suspension and debarment. The operation is also actively working to decimate TCOs ability to send and receive the financial proceeds of their illicit activities. Life-saving Rescues CBP performed more than 873 rescues nationwide in April 2021. The number of rescues continues at a fast pace, with more than 5,787 individuals rescued this fiscal year, compared to 5,255 migrants for all of Fiscal Year 2020. Drug Seizures CBP officers, Border Patrol agents, and Air and Marine Operations agents continue to interdict the flow of illicit narcotics across the border. Nationwide, drug seizures were up 6 percent in April from March 2021. Cocaine interceptions decreased 41 percent. Seizures of methamphetamine decreased 16 percent. Seizures of heroin increased 97 percent and seizures of fentanyl increased 34 percent. So far in Fiscal Year 2021, fentanyl seizures have already surpassed those from all of Fiscal Year 2020, with 6,494 through April 2021 compared to 4,776 for all of Fiscal Year 2020. Effects of COVID-19 on CBP Personnel The safety of our workforce, our communities, and individuals in our care is a top priority. CBP personnel put themselves and their families at risk with every encounter at the border. Since the start of the pandemic, more than 8,600 CBP employees have tested positive for COVID-19, and 31 have passed away. CBP collaborated closely with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Homeland Security to get COVID-19 vaccines into the arms of our frontline personnel. Through this effort, we were able to directly vaccinate 33 percent of our eligible workforce in addition to facilitating community vaccine access for the remainder of CBP employees. Trade and Counterfeit Seizures CBP continues to collaborate with federal partners and the trade community to facilitate the importation of legitimate medical supplies and other goods necessary for the COVID-19 response, while also verifying that those goods are authorized and safe for use. As part of that effort, CBP is interdicting fraudulent and unauthorized goods that could harm the health and safety of Americans. Between January 1, 2020, and April 30, 2021, CBP seized: Imperial Valley News Center CBP Intercepts Live Beetle, Wood Boring Insects and Snails in Shipment of Terracotta Tiles San Francisco, California - U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agriculture Specialists (CBPAS) in San Francisco discovered an infestation of hitchhiking pests while examining a shipment of antique terracotta roof tiles from France. CBP Agriculture Specialists discovered an infestation of wood boring pests while examining a shipment of antique terracotta roof tiles from France. Agriculture Specialists found fresh frass, a fine powdery sawdust-type material produced by the activity of boring insects, on the wood packaging material in the shipment. Upon closer inspection the team extracted a live beetle, later identified as Arhopalus sp. (Cerambycidae), or longhorn beetle. Untreated or improperly treated wood used as packaging for international shipments can carry a host of damaging pests and pathogens, said Richard F. Di Nucci, CBP Director of Field Operations in San Francisco. Wood boring pests have the potential to cause billions of dollars in damage to U.S. forestry and lumber industries. In addition to the beetle, CBPAS also found Psychidae (bagworm moth) larvae, and adult Xerotricha conspurcata, a species of land snails native to the Mediterranean. Both are pests that can be detrimental to U.S. agriculture. CBP has issued an Emergency Action Notification to the importer/broker, requiring the entire shipment to be re-exported. Imperial Valley News Center San Diego Sector Agents Apprehend 37th Sex Offender in FY21 Boulevard, California - U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested a man early Sunday morning who had been convicted of sex crimes in New York. At approximately 1 a.m., agents in East County San Diego encountered a man they believed had entered the U.S. illegally. While questioning the man, they determined he was unlawfully present in the U.S. Taking him to a nearby Border Patrol station for processing, record checks revealed that the Mexican national had been previously convicted of Sexual Abuse in the 1st Degree by Forceable Compulsion. The man also was a registered sex offender in New York State. The 38-year-old man was subsequently expelled to Mexico. "This year there has been an alarming uptrend in the apprehension of convicted sex offenders," said U.S. Border Patrol San Diego Sector Chief Patrol Agent Aaron Heitke. "Thankfully, our agents are continually on the alert for bad actors who attempt to cross the border illegally." To prevent the illicit smuggling of humans, drugs, and other contraband, the U.S. Border Patrol maintains a high level of vigilance on corridors of egress away from our Nations borders. To report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol, contact San Diego Sector at (619) 498-9900. Businesses just got the message they've waited more than a year to hear: The CDC just gave vaccinated individuals the OK to stay inside--mask free. On Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the nation's top health and medical regulator, changed public guidelines, allowing vaccinated individuals to resume regular activities without wearing a mask or staying six feet apart. There are some caveats: Vaccinated individuals will still need to mask up in places where a mask is required by federal, state, and local guidelines. They'll also need to do so while traveling, and in certain places like hospitals, nursing homes, and prisons. The decision comes as Covid-19 cases in the U.S. continue to drop and the rate of vaccinations increases. As of May 13, nearly 118 million Americans are fully vaccinated, or 35 percent of the population, according to the CDC's vaccination tracker. In March, the agency announced that vaccinated individuals can gather indoors with other vaccinated individuals in small groups and unvaccinated people from the same household. Then on April 27, the CDC announced that fully vaccinated individuals no longer need to wear masks outdoors. While the guidance is great for individuals ready to get back to pre-pandemic life, it may pose some issues for small businesses, which can continue to require individuals to wear masks on company property as they see fit. Businesses can ask to see proof of vaccination and may choose to do so with vaccine cards, surveys, or the use of a vaccine passport. However, customers may feel hesitant to share information or use the technology because of privacy concerns, Judi Korzec, founder and CEO of VaxAtlas, a vaccine management company, tells Inc. To juice vaccination rates and get employees back to work, some companies are opening their own vaccination clinics. Doing so isn't simple; nor is it even possible for many businesses, as the laws regarding employer vaccination drives vary by state. But if you're in a state where it's legal, hosting your own drive can help overcome potential distribution barriers and reduce overall hesitancy. Just ask Chuck Surack, the founder and CEO of online musical instruments retailer Sweetwater. In April, just after his home state of Indiana began allowing businesses with more than 1,000 employees to administer Covid-19 vaccines directly to staff in the workplace, the Fort Wayne-based business held three on-site Moderna vaccination drives. In addition to offering jabs to the company's more than 2,000 workers, Surack allowed their spouses and eligible dependents to get them too. Surack says the drives have made getting his staff vaccinated much easier, removing any barriers or concerns about taking time off or scheduling appointments. "For us, the key benefit we saw in offering on-site vaccinations was to minimize any stress or worry for our employees when it comes to accessibility," says Surack. "We firmly believe that those who want to receive the vaccine should have the opportunity to do so without having to sacrifice time or convenience." It makes business sense too. While the cost of hosting a vaccination drive will vary based on the number of employees you have and your location, it may be lessened as the cost of the vaccines themselves and administration fees are covered by the U.S. Department of Health. In Sweetwater's case, the state supplied the vaccines and syringes and everything else at no charge. The company bought a freezer for $4,000, and the rest of the cost was simply manpower, says Surack. Also, it's worth noting that the cost of workers getting sick--or worse--is far steeper. The math makes sense enough for companies like Amazon to both incentivize workers to get jabs and to host their own clinics. The e-commerce giant offers existing employees a $40-per-dose benefit to get a jab. More recently, the company announced it will provide those who've already been inoculated a $100 hiring bonus, as it plans to hire as many as 75,000 new employees, ahead of its June Prime Day sales event. It also began offering mass, on-site vaccination events at fulfillment centers in Missouri, Nevada, and Kansas in late April. Since then, the company has held vaccination events at fulfillment centers, sort centers, delivery stations, and data centers in more than 29 states. "Offering vaccinations on-site makes it faster and easier for our employees to get a shot in the arm," Brian Huseman, vice president of public policy at Amazon, told the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which spearheaded a vaccines-at-the-workplace initiative, dubbed Rally for Recovery. "In some locations, we've been able to partner with local authorities to open our vaccination program to our employees' entire household, helping to further safeguard their health both in the workplace and at home." Barriers to entry While you may not have the bankroll that Amazon does, it is getting easier to sponsor your own vaccination site. CVS Health announced on Wednesday that it will expand Return Ready, a Covid-19 testing solution that now includes vaccination options. The company says it will now allow small businesses with more than 48 employees to sponsor an on-site clinic with Covid-19 vaccines administered by CVS Health for eligible populations. States are also starting to relax their rules around satellite clinics. Earlier this year, clinics were closed in New York State for deviating even minimally in vaccine administration or giving extra doses, and doctors were punished or suspended, says Vino Palli, a medical doctor and founder of MiDoctor Urgent Care in New York City. Now that supplies are outweighing the demand, he says, officials are loosening their grip. After Massachusetts suspended its employer vaccination program in February, because of short supply, the state reversed itself on Wednesday. Starting Monday May 17, 2021, companies will be able to book a block of appointments at mass vaccination sites, and employers with more than 35 workers can request to host a vaccination clinic at their offices. "We're doing a ton of work in Massachusetts," says Eva Sadej, CEO of Medbar, a New York City-based on-demand Covid testing and vaccination service. Best practices Besides checking if your state or municipality allows in-office vaccination drives, which you can often find listed on your government's website, you'll need to make sure your medical records hygiene protocols are on point. There's a risk of exposing confidential medical information, notes Mark Kluger, an employment attorney and partner at Kluger Healey, a Lincroft, New Jersey, based law firm. He adds that you may face liability risks should something go wrong at the office and an employee has an allergic reaction or gets seriously ill after getting a jab. If you're going to provide vaccinations in the office, you need to get more than just a legal team on board. It might help to contact your insurance broker or a part-time consultant to help navigate the logistics, says Sadej. One of the best ways to ensure you're following the proper protocols is to partner with a nearby urgent-care facility, or other local health center that is offering vaccinations, says Palli. Ideally, the centers will be well-versed in local procedures and can handle setting up the clinic, as well as the intake of any required medical information. If you want to hire an organization to conduct a vaccination clinic, you can check to see if the organization has pledged to follow CDC guidelines and provide safe and effective vaccines. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a checklist for all satellite, temporary, or off-site vaccination locations that should be followed. The checklist ensures that vaccines are handled properly, the right personnel are present, and the clinic is set up for privacy and safety. In the end, for most small businesses, hosting a workplace clinic is probably more effort than it's worth, say Sadej and Kluger. They agree that for most, and especially for those in urban areas where vaccines are more readily available, there's enough local supply that holding a satellite clinic isn't necessary. Instead, Sadej says, book a time slot or two at a clinic during work hours for people to get a vaccine and orchestrate transportation if necessary. Elon Musk has been one of the most public advocates of cryptocurrency, regularly posting about it on Twitter. Musk even said that Tesla had purchased $1.5 billion in Bitcoin, and announced--on Twitter, of course--that you could use the currency to buy a new car. You can now buy a Tesla with Bitcoin -- Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 24, 2021 At the time, I argued that the move didn't really make a lot of sense. The biggest problem was that the only reason anyone would buy a Tesla with Bitcoin is if they were betting against the cryptocurrency. If you think the value is going to decrease, using it to buy an expensive electric vehicle might look like a good deal. On the other hand, if you think Bitcoin's value is going to continue to climb, a belief likely held by anyone with enough of it to buy something as pricey as a Tesla, there's no way you'd use it for that purpose. You'd hold on to it. Using it to buy a Tesla would--if the value continues to rise--end up being very expensive. There are plenty of stories of people who made ordinary purchases years ago with Bitcoin that would now be worth thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of dollars today. For Tesla, the opposite is true. The only reason to accept Bitcoin is if the company thinks the value is going to continue to appreciate. There was another reason I mentioned why this seemed like a strange move for Tesla. Why would a company whose entire mission is to "accelerate the world's transition to sustainable energy" link itself with something that consumes roughly the same amount of energy every day as all of Sweden? Now, it appears Musk agrees. In a statement, also posted to Twitter, Musk explained the move this way: We are concerned about rapidly increasing use of fossil fuels for Bitcoin mining and transactions, especially coal, which has the worst emissions of any fuel. Cryptocurrency is a good idea on many levels and we believe it has a promising future, but this cannot come at a great cost to the environment. Which, is true, but not exactly new information. Then again, Musk followed up with a Tweet that highlighted a chart showing the exponential growth of Bitcoin's energy consumption, so perhaps it finally got to a point that was no longer sustainable for the company, no pun intended. Energy usage trend over past few months is insane https://t.co/E6o9s87trw pic.twitter.com/bmv9wotwKe -- Elon Musk (@elonmusk) May 13, 2021 Musk did say that Tesla won't be selling any of its share of Bitcoin, and plans to resume using it for transactions once mining moves to renewable energy solutions. In that sense, perhaps this change of heart is entirely in line with the companies values. I was thinking about how we were going to get out Was I going to die? Was I going to bleed out? Where did I get shot? Why am I bleeding from my face? Why cant I see out my eyes? This is Sam Fuentes speaking; shes a survivor of the 2018 school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High in Parkland, Florida. Her best friend, 17-year-old swimmer Nicholas Dworet, was shot right in front of her by someone with swastikas etched into his ammunition. Ironically, as she tells the cameras in Kim A Snyders documentary Us Kids, it happened during a history class studying the Holocaust. Her young life, and the lives of her fellow surviving classmates, have been irreparably altered by the events of 14 February, when 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz opened fire with a semi-automatic rifle, killing 17 people and injuring 17 others. It was the deadliest school massacre in US history, worse than the Columbine High School massacre that killed 15 in 1999, and worse than the 1996 Dunblane massacre, where Thomas Hamilton shot and killed 16 students and one teacher in the deadliest mass shooting in Britains history. While Scotlands Dunblane shooting would go on to inspire two new Firearms Act amendments outlawing the private ownership of most handguns in the UK, gun control in the US remains a deeply polarising subject. In the US alone, it is estimated that 35 per cent to 42 per cent of households have at least one gun, according to the Pew Research Center. While there are a few conditions around who may buy and sell guns in the US, opponents of gun control frequently cite the US constitutions Second Amendment the right to bear arms. They argue, too, that restricting that right would leave citizens unable to protect themselves in their daily lives. Meanwhile, gun control advocates point to troubling statistics: according to Everytown for Gun Safety, more than 100 people in the US are killed with guns and 200 more are shot and wounded, while the gun homicide rate is 25 times higher than that of other developed countries. Sam Fuentes in Us Kids (Greenwich Entertainment) Snyder, who also directed a 2018 short documentary about Dunblane, says it was happenstance that brought her into producing so much work around the issue of gun violence. It was never the issue per se that compelled me, but rather, the emotional terrain of trauma. I was inspired by films like Ordinary People and Adam Egoyans The Sweet Hereafter. In the months since the Parkland shooting, Fuentes and a handful of other classmates David Hogg, Cameron Kasky, X Gonzalez (formerly known as Emma), Jaclyn Corin, and more sprang into action, calling for swift gun reforms and calling out legislators for accepting donations from the National Rifle Association. They also organised the student-led March For Our Lives demonstration. Drawing between 1.2 and 2 million participants, it became one of the largest protests in American history. In her documentary Us Kids, which saw its premiere at Sundance last year and will see wider distribution on 14 May, Snyder chronicles the March For Our Lives movement, following the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High students as they join forces with fellow gun reform activists like Alex King and Bria Smith. Bria Smith and Alex King appear in Kim A Snyders Us Kids documentary (Greenwich Entertainment) Making a film about gun violence is not exactly new territory for Snyder, who also directed 2016s Newtown, about how the Connecticut community came together in the wake of its own mass shooting of schoolchildren. I really had no intention of making another movie, Snyder tells me over Zoom. [But] what I couldn't let go of from that experience of spending three years in [in Newtown] was the idea of kids in trauma. And this question, Is the country really looking at the cost of a nation of traumatised youth? Unlike previous generations, the now-college-aged Parkland survivors have grown up with teachers and other authority figures guiding them through active shooter drills, which became commonplace in 2012, after the Newtown shootings. They have never known a world without 9/11, without terrorism, and without the constant, looming possibility that someone could burst into their school classroom and open fire. So it should come as no surprise that after someone did that very thing, the students began to organise and protest for gun control in the US. On the one hand, Hogg, Gonzalez, Kasky, Corin, and Fuentes are typical youngsters they sing to themselves to pass the time, they joke around while driving around town, they scroll on their phones. I was a normal-ass kid doing normal-ass things, Fuentes says when Snyder asks her about life prior to the shooting. But a horrific event has also thrust them into adulthood. And now theyre left wondering, what are actual adults doing about this? And why wont the adults in the room take them seriously when they lobby for change? Parkland survivor David Hogg protests for gun reform in Us Kids (Greenwich Entertainment) Ageism goes both ways, Snyder observes. There's a lot of assumptions that are made about young people. One of them might be, a kind of impatience... I walked into this as a much older person than [the kids] with this truly open mind, [thinking], I've been on the earth longer, but you've grown up in a different time. So, we have a lot to learn about each other, our generations. As different generations spent time together in the wake of the Parkland shootings and the subsequent March For Our Lives movement, so too did young people from communities across the country. As Us Kids documents, the Parkland kids began organising with Milwaukee gun reform activist Bria Smith and Chicago student-advocate for gun reform Alex King. They spoke about how gun violence is an everyday issue in their communities. Together, King, Smith and the Parkland kids launched the 2018 March For Our Lives rally in Washington, DC, toured the country to advocate for gun control, and spoke directly with local lawmakers and community members. As the Parkland students became supercharged with anger and indignation at being targeted in their own classrooms, there is a note of chagrin from Smith, who is shown leading cameras around her Milwaukee neighborhood where city blocks are dotted with small, makeshift memorials for children who have died from gun wounds. What about the kids of colour who are being shot every single day? she asks. This begs the question: as he teamed up with the Parkland students to advocate for common-sense gun laws, has King ever felt similarly frustrated that this issue has seen a spike in national media attention only after it affected a majority white community? I found myself wrestling with those thoughts more than once, he admits, speaking to me over Zoom from his home. Between the tour, coming back, speaking with families, speaking with friends, I was telling myself that I was basically being used as the face of colour. But at the end of the day, if the spotlight is here now, why wouldn't you try to get inside it? If someone is handing you the spotlight, why wouldn't you step forward? Let me tell you about Chicago. Let me tell you what we go through on a day-to-day basis. Bria Smith and Kelly Choi in Us Kids (Greenwich Entertainment) The things the Parkland students have done in the years since the shooting are extraordinary. Organise a historic march. Do speaking engagements. Tour the country. Give interviews to the press. Directly challenge lawmakers to stop accepting donations from the NRA. And yet, even with the media attention and national spotlight, Us Kids demonstrates the troubling realities this group of young people have had to absorb as a result of their activism. Hogg, for example, was one of the most outspoken advocates for gun reform after Parkland. And yet, hes been dubbed a crisis actor by conservative media sources. His home was swatted (ie, targeted by a hoax emergency call to law enforcement). Us Kids even depicts him being heckled by drivers as they pass him on the street. As an observer and documenter, Snyder says she has a deep respect and empathy for the students and all theyve been. As someone older, a different generation, you invariably think about, OK, what was I doing the summer of 17 to 18? I would think about what I had the freedom to do, on all levels, emotionally. The things I didn't have to worry about as much. Making the documentary, she adds, I was watching history. I was watching Patriots. I was watching young Patriots. So many people who've changed the world have been Alex's age. And so I felt privileged to watch history unfold and had no doubt that this would be historic in hindsight. And yet, the issue of gun violence persists. In 2021, there have been a recorded number of 147 mass shootings in the US, according to CNN. As an activist for gun reform, how does this sit with King? How does he get through the days when it can feel like profound change is impossible? It drives me to push harder, King says without missing a beat. When I hear about another shooting, I'll think, OK, what positive message could we put out to the light today to, to drain out this negative story? Like, we see shootings all the time on the news, but we don't see the block club parties. We don't see the trucks that come in and around Thanksgiving, around our holidays. Clothes drives, food drives and all of that. King also stresses the importance of looking out for yourself and others, and points to a scene in Us Kids where the student organisers step in for one another when it looks like someone is struggling to get through the day. Some of us had our days where we couldn't go up on the stage [to speak], he says. We were just overwhelmed. There was no, You have to do this. You can't help anyone if you can't help yourself. Just understanding that were in this together and knowing that we will create change, whether we see it or not, it will be created. Snyder, meanwhile, is optimistic that those in Kings and the Parkland students generation will be major arbiters of change as they get into positions of power. Theres this line at the end [of Us Kids] where [Gonzalez] says, We have a lot more years than these guys are going to live, Snyder says. Its true. There has to be a generational shift because this generation is too traumatised for them not to make [change] when they get in positions of power. I think they just can't make the same decisions because the experiences they've had have been too traumatic. Ellen DeGeneress former staffers have spoken out about the hosts talk show coming to an end, with one saying its about time. It was revealed earlier this week that The Ellen DeGeneres Show will be finishing next year, after the conclusion of its 19th season. The star has since claimed that media coverage of allegations of a toxic workplace behind the scenes of her talk show felt too orchestrated and very misogynistic, but denied that the decision to end her show was a result of the controversy. Fox News has since spoken to three employees who worked on shows starring DeGeneres. One former crew member employed by Disney in the Nineties who provided security for the studio where the sitcom Ellen was filmed said the shows end had been a long time coming. When the Ellen sitcom ended, a lot of people on set were relieved. It caught me off guard when the talk show started, he said. I was like, Isnt anybody aware whats going on that the staff at the Ellen show had seen? I thought, Why is this continuing? He added that DeGeneres failed to acknowledge many staffers: She didnt give a damn about anybody. It was all about her. The staffer described DeGeneres as not a very nice, cordial person and unpleasant, saying her apology during her season 18 opener last September came too late. She didnt get ahead of it, he continued. It wasnt a heartfelt apology because she really did hurt a lot of people. For my taste, I think that at that point youre in survival mode and I felt like that was where she was at. I dont know why she didnt address it sooner. Ellen DeGeneres and Jennifer Aniston on the first episode of The Ellen DeGeneres Show (YouTube/TheEllenShow) Tom Majercak, the bodyguard whose job it was to protect DeGeneres when she hosted the 2014 Oscars, claimed to Fox News that she was cold to him and failed to say hi. He has spoken out before about DeGeneress conduct. On her show ending, he said: Im not surprised. I hope that I was somewhat of a catalyst to giving others support to allow them to feel comfortable enough to step up and say, You know what? I felt this too. He added: Its about time. With the cancel culture out there, people are getting cancelled for the silliest of things, but this person can manipulate people and treat people the way they want, day in and day out, because of their title or status. Majercak said some people set their lives up around what she recommends and he hopes they now realise there was some not-so-honest persona taking place in front of our eyes. A third former staffer who worked on The Ellen DeGeneres Show set for two years from 2016 said: It was just not the greatest place to work. You always felt like there was something different when you walked on that set. Everyone was stressed. There was a toxic element, and its because people are so on edge, and its because of her. He claimed crew members didnt have the freedom to talk or be yourself because of whatever controlling issue she had. The source added that when he tried to speak to DeGeneres once on set, he was reprimanded. I was told after that in no way, shape or form that I was supposed to speak to her directly, he said. He concluded: Hopefully she sees the error of her ways and shell change her behaviour in the future and treat people normally, kindly and nice. Nobody likes to see a show end or their paycheck stop, but Im sure a lot of people on that set are probably relieved that its over. The Independent has contacted DeGeneress representatives for comment. In little over a decade, bitcoin has risen from a fringe technology popular with cryptographers, to the world's ninth most valuable asset by market cap. The cryptocurrency's dramatic ascent has created millionaires, reimagined money, and launched a multi-billion dollar industry inspired by its revolutionary decentralised technology. But it has also brought with it some unwanted side effects. The computing power required to support bitcoin's underlying network now requires nearly as much energy as the entire country of Argentina, leading to criticism about its environmental footprint. Analysis by the University of Cambridge suggests the bitcoin network uses more than 121 terawatt-hours (TWh) annually, which would rank it in the top 30 electricity consumers worldwide if it were a country. The energy demands have been fuelled by the surging price of bitcoin in recent months, which has seen it rise from below $5,000 (3,600) last March to close to $50,000 today. Concerns about bitcoin's energy demands have been around since the very beginning, with crypto pioneer Hal Finney tweeting about potential future CO2 emissions on 27 January 2009 just two weeks after receiving the first ever bitcoin transaction from the cryptocurrency's pseudonymous creator Satoshi Nakamoto. The amount of energy bitcoin's network consumes did not rise to serious prominence until 2017, when a major price rally drastically pushed up its energy needs to the level of a small country. As the market cooled off in the years following, so did the energy demands, but the latest all-time high hit this week is more than double that of three and a half years ago. And this time its energy requirements are even greater. "Bitcoin's energy consumption has more than quadrupled since the beginning of its last peak in 2017 and it is set to get worse because energy inefficiency is built into bitcoin's DNA," Charles Hoskinson, CEO of leading cryptography firm IOHK, tells The Independent. "Bitcoin's carbon footprint will get exponentially worse because the more its price rises, the more competition there is for the currency and thus the more energy it consumes." Bitcoin's environmental impact is exacerbated by the fact that a majority of miners are based in China, where over two thirds of power is from coal. The mining process required to generate new units of the cryptocurrency involves solving complex but arbitrary mathematical equations, which currently requires vast amounts of computer processing power. Bitcoin miners therefore gravitate to where electricity is cheapest, meaning the fundamental issue is not with bitcoin but with a lack of cheap renewable energy production. View more Fortunately, there are solutions being put in place, with some eco-friendly mining facilities already operating at a massive scale. In Iceland and Norway, where nearly 100 per cent of all energy production is renewable, cryptocurrency miners are taking advantage of cheap hydro-electric and geothermal energy to power their machines. The low temperatures in the countries also help reduce costs by cooling the computer servers naturally. Last year, the University of Cambridge's third Global Cryptoasset Benchmarking Study found that 76 per cent of cryptocurrency miners use electricity from renewable sources in their operations. This figure was up from 60 per cent from the same benchmarking study in 2018. Read more: This trend is expected to continue, according to projections from the International Renewable Energy Agency, which reported last year that renewable energy sources are increasingly more cost-efficient than fossil fuels. "In its current status, the infrastructure that supports the bitcoin protocol cannot be sustained, but the beauty of the protocol is that the incentive structure will force miners to adopt the cheapest form of electricity, which in the near future will be renewable energy," Don Wyper, COO of DigitalMint, tells The Independent. "I think the latest University of Cambridge study is misguided, as bitcoin is acting as a 'digital gold' and therefore should be compared to the energy consumption of other store-of-value-assets... The gold mining industry consumes 475 million GigaJoules worth of electricity annually. "And if bitcoin can become the digital currency it was initially envisioned, we'll need to consider all the electricity consumed via currency creation, destruction, transmittance, securitisation, loss, etc. I personally believe climate change is one of the most important issues in our world today, but people who say bitcoin will lead to even more environmental destruction don't understand that bitcoin is actually acting as an accelerant to helping our environment. Bitcoin mining computers are pictured in Bitmain's mining farm near Keflavik, Iceland (Reuters) Alternative cryptocurrencies have also sought to solve bitcoin's current environmental issues by altering the underpinning technology in order for it to require less power. One of these is Cardano, which Hoskinson claims is 4 million times more energy efficient than bitcoin thanks to its 'Proof-of-Stake' blockchain that validates transactions based on how many coins are held by a network participant rather than the amount of computational processing power they possess. "Cardano is being built to scale to meet the needs of global businesses and consumers, at higher volumes and faster speeds than existing global financial infrastructure despite the entire global network using no more energy than a large family home," Hoskinson says. If bitcoin's transition to renewable energy sources does not happen quickly, Hoskinson is among several experts who predict that investors and consumers will look to other cryptocurrencies that are less environmentally damaging. "I believe the power of fear over climate change is far greater than the fear of missing out (FOMO) that drives this new wave of institutional and retail investment in bitcoin," Blockchain consultant Scott Morgan tells The Independent. "Bitcoin can do incredible good in the world. It is a technological asset. [But] other cryptocurrencies use less energy." Our first sighting of land after three weeks aboard Greenpeaces ship Arctic Sunrise was a welcome change from the unbroken horizon of the Indian Ocean. The Republic of Maldives was first visible as if a mirage; as we got closer, it was clear that the islands were flush to the ocean without hills or mountains - unsurprising, as the flattest country on earth - and for many of the islands, the tallest points were the tips of palm trees, holiday cabins, or a handful of high-rises in the capital Male. Over 80 per cent of the Maldives 1,000 plus islands are less than 1 metre above sea level. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has predicted that the seas will rise by up to 1.1 metres by the year 2100, meaning that the very existence of these islands is threatened. Rising sea-level also interacts with other climate factors, such as more intense storms, leading to eroding coastlines, reduced fresh water supply, and loss of habitats. The inhabitants of the Maldives are of course acutely aware of this risk, with ex-President Mohammed Waheed Hassan stating we are one of the most vulnerable countries on earth. There are two approaches to addressing the impacts of the climate crisis that go hand-in-hand: mitigation and adaptation. Mitigation is acting now to limit global heating and its impacts. For countries like the Maldives who do very little to contribute to the climate crisis, there is limited scope for mitigation at the country level. Instead, in the interconnected systems of our world which dont respect country borders or the nation state, there is a global responsibility to act. Actions which reduce the heating (and therefore the expansion of water) of the oceans, and melting ice-sheets and glaciers, could limit sea level rise to just 30 centimetres under best case scenarios. This requires concerted, coordinated and committed action by nations who are driving these processes through excessive use of fossil fuels: action which is currently lacking. As climate breakdown is already impacting communities and ecosystems across the planet, adjusting to current and expected risk is necessary: this is adaptation. Since the late 1990s, the Maldives have been pumping sand from the seafloor to create the artificial island of Hulhumale, in response to the threat posed by the climate crisis. Currently, around 50,000 people live on the island, with ambitions to house a quarter of a million by the mid-2020s. Climate-resilient design has been incorporated from the start, including wider streets to increase wind flow and reduce air-conditioning use, electric buses and bike lanes, and urban planning which reduces car-use by placing schools and parks in close proximity to homes, a significant proportion of which are social housing. The city also aims to utilise extensive solar power and to harvest rainwater. Faced with social, ecological, political or economic pressure, migration is also a reasonable adaptive response to the climate crisis. Projections suggest between 25 million and 1 billion environmental migrants will move within and across borders by 2050, the majority of whom will be within Latin America, the Caribbean, South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Those who cannot move away from an area of climate risk - known as trapped populations - remain highly vulnerable to the direct and indirect impacts of the climate crisis, such as extreme weather events, health risks, and food insecurity. In early 2020, a landmark ruling by the United Nations human rights committee paved the way for protections - including the ability to migrate - for people whose lives and wellbeing are threatened by the climate crisis. Kiribati, like the Maldives, is a small island developing state which faces similar challenges, including a growing population in limited space, susceptibility to extreme weather events, and the threats posed by sea level rise. Ioane Teitiota, a man from Kiribati, applied for asylum in New Zealand, stating that his familys life was at risk due to salt water intrusion and crop failure, climate related health threats, and social violence and tensions where sea level rise had caused other islanders to migrate. While the UN found that Teitiotas deportation from New Zealand had not been unlawful because he didnt face an immediate danger, it recognised that the climate crisis can represent a serious threat to life, and opens the door to future successful asylum claims where the effects of climate change may expose individuals to a violation of their rights. Small island developing states are our canary in the coal mine when it comes to the climate crisis. At the sharp end, they are the first to feel the effects, and as a result, are understandably ambitious with adaptation measures. But adaptation also comes at a cost. Reclaiming land and building artificial islands has significant impact on the local environment and ecosystems: dredging up sand destroys reefs, and the sediment produced blocks out sunlight, which limits corals ability to feed, grow and reproduce. Healthy oceans and coastal habitats, like mangroves and wetlands, offer great protection from floods and storms - and they keep carbon safely locked away, helping to slow climate breakdown. For communities living by the sea, protecting these habitats is often a simple way to boost resilience while also supporting livelihoods and food security. To tackle the climate crisis we must deploy both adaptation and mitigation measures. To mitigate effectively, we need strong, immediate, decisive action to be taken by all nations - especially those with the highest historical emissions who have benefited most, like the UK. This November, the UNs climate change conference Cop26 is being held in Glasgow, offering the UK the opportunity to lead by example and enact policies which are a lifeline to countries like the Maldives, and to all of us who rely on a healthy planet for survival. Dr Rita Issa is an NHS GP and onboard medic for Greenpeaces boat Arctic Sunrise. This is the fifth article in her series from the Indian Ocean for The Independent: read the others here In the autumn of 1992 I stumbled upon a novel that changed my writing career. This encounter took place in an used bookshop, hidden away in a backstreet of a deeply unbookish metropolis: Kansas City, Missouri; a town best known for its blues bars and barbecue restaurants, not for its emporia of published words. Yet browsing through a book warehouse, I happened upon a novel by a then largely forgotten American novelist named Richard Yates. Now, Yates is finally perceived as a key postwar American writer, thanks to a brilliant biography (by Blake Bailey) and Sam Mendess very fine film of Revolutionary Road. This tale of a suburban marriage coming asunder marked Yates as the Flaubert of the Eisenhower years; he peeled away the veneer of postwar plenty and saw the empty chasm beneath. Unlike Updike and Cheever his more successful contemporaries Yates never played the elegiac card. His much-praised first novel sold badly, and with good reason. His vision of all-American self-entrapment and self-loathing was so fiercely realised that it was judged almost too painful to read. A tax investigation into the murky financial affairs of the disgraced former king of Spain has prompted a political row over the public funding of Juan Carloss life of luxury in exile. In what is believed to be the first such inspection carried out on a Spanish monarch, investigators will look into a fund which paid for private jet flights taken around the world by the 83-year-old and, at times, his former mistress. It casts fresh light on the cloud of scandal which prompted Juan Carlos to flee to Abu Dhabi where he has been living in exile since August. Jill Biden is earning praise for her fashion choices after carrying a Valentino purse painted with portraits of her and Joe Bidens German shepherds, Major and Champ. The first lady stepped off Air Force One wearing the purse on Thursday, upon her arrival in Charleston, West Virginia, where she visited a vaccination centre alongside Jennifer Garner. For the visit, Dr Biden opted for a white dress, which she paired with a pink blazer, and a pair of multi-layered pearls. According to CNN White House correspondent Kate Bennett, the first lady accessorised the look with the custom $2,200 Valentino Rockstud purse featuring Major and Champs faces, as well as her initial J, painted in white. @FLOTUS arrives in Charleston, West Virginia, greeted animatedly by actress Jennifer Garner (photo 1) Perhaps more importantly, however, for me, Jill Biden has a custom Valentino bag with pictures of Champ and Major and her initials painted on the outside (photo 2), Bennett wrote alongside a photo of the bag. This is not the first time the first lady has been seen wearing the purse, as she was also photographed holding the bag earlier this month during an outing with the president. On Twitter, the accessory was met with praise, with many, including the fan Twitter account dedicated to Major and Champ, expressing their approval of Dr Bidens dog-centred purse. Our mom @FLOTUS loves us so much that she likes having us around even when were not physically there. Like today, in Charleston, West Virginia, where she wore a custom Valentino purse featuring hand painted pawrtraits of our furry, goofy selves, a tweet from the account reads, which has been liked more than 5,000 times. Thats the darndest, cutest thing ever!! She loves her fur boys, one person tweeted in response, while another said: So cute! I get it. My pups face is on my credit card and checks. Fortunately for those who want their own version of the purse, Valentinos customisable pet purses are available to order online, with Vanity Fair noting that anyone who orders the $2,200 Valentino Rockstud Pet bag can upload photos of their pet and have them hand-printed by illustrator Riccardo Cusimano. Jill Biden has used the accessory multiple times over the last month (Getty Images) Dr Bidens tribute to the White Houses furry residents comes after she recently confirmed that she and the president will soon be welcoming a cat into the executive mansion. Hospital bosses in Bolton have told The Independent they have seen a rise in patients being admitted sick with coronavirus, some needing intensive care. The Bolton NHS Foundation Trust medical director said a majority of the sick patients had not been vaccinated but would have been eligible for the jabs. Dr Francis Andrews urged everyone in the area who was offered the vaccine to have it. He said: Whilst the numbers of people in the hospital with Covid-19 are still currently low compared to previous peaks, we have seen a modest increase in patients admitted with confirmed Covid-19 over the last week. A small number are requiring intensive care. The increase in admissions is seen across the age range from 35-65. The majority of patients have not received a vaccination dose, but many would have been eligible. Bolton has seen a 97 per cent jump in coronavirus cases over the last seven days, with the total number of cases reaching 473 on Thursday. Scientists have called for surge vaccinations in the affected areas to try and curtail the spread of the Indian variant, designated B1.617.2 which is thought to be more transmissable than the dominant Kent variant which emerged in England last year. The government has said 3,500 extra Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine doses will be sent to Blackburn-with-Darwen council from next week. Staff working at the hospital told The Independent more Covid patients had been admitted via A&E in recent weeks. The Independent understands around 20 Coronavirus patients are being treated by the hospital, up from 11 on 27 April. One doctor said: I think it is already going off locally. Lots of resources going into BL3 postcode. It's a race between the vaccination of the younger age groups and the seemingly increased transmissibility of the Indian variant playing out, and as with every other wave social deprivation is going to be a key determinant. Coronavirus patients at The Royal Bolton Hospital are being kept on a single ward or cohorted together to try and limit the spread of the virus within the trust. Dr Andrews added: It is essential that everyone who is being offered the vaccine has it, as it offers excellent protection against Covid-19. We urge everyone to continue to follow the latest government guidance. Everyone must get tested if they develop symptoms or have come into contact with a someone who has tested positive, or if they are asked to take part in screening. It is crucial that everyone continues to wear masks and maintain social distancing. All of these measures will help prevent further spread of Covid-19 and illness. The murder conviction of a man who was accused of setting a fire that killed five children in suburban Detroit could be in jeopardy years later after a new prosecutor said Friday that she's gravely concerned about tactics used by her office. Juwan Deering's defense attorney wasn't told that three informants got substantial benefits from helping authorities at the 2006 trial, said Karen McDonald, the Oakland County prosecutor. Separately, McDonald announced an investigation of any case related to those informants. Fairness and transparency are paramount, McDonald, who was elected in November, said in a written statement. We must always do the right thing, even if it exposes our own office, even when its not easy. Deering, 50, is serving a life sentence for murder in the deaths of five children in a house fire in Royal Oak Township in 2000. Authorities at the time said the fire was revenge for drug debts, though Deering repeatedly declared his innocence. No one could identify him as being at the house. The Innocence Clinic at University of Michigan law school had sought a new trial for Deering, arguing that the fire analysis was based on junk science, but it wasn't successful in the state's appellate courts. McDonald, a former judge, said problems with the informants emerged during her review of the case. She said the informants had charges dismissed or sentences reduced based on their cooperation. Greg Townsend was the assistant prosecutor who prosecuted Deering. He's now a Michigan assistant attorney general and part of the team handling an alleged kidnapping plot against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer As prosecutors, we have an ethical duty to disclose information that bears on the guilt or innocence of the accused," McDonald said. We also have a duty to disclose to juries what, if anything, an informant was given in consideration for their testimony. Based on the evidence I reviewed, I am gravely concerned that this was not done in the case against Juwan Deering. Townsend was reassigned from his docket after the attorney general's office was informed about developments in the Deering case, spokeswoman Lynsey Mukomel said. An email seeking comment was sent to Townsend. The evidence here is truly overwhelming, said Imran Syed, an attorney at the Innocence Clinic. We plan to present the prosecution with legal pathways for Mr. Deerings release and it is my hope that we will be able to reach an agreement. ___ Follow Ed White at http://twitter.com/edwritez Over-50s will be given their second vaccination after 8 weeks instead of 12 as alarm grows over the Indian Covid variant, Boris Johnson has announced. The prime minister has rejected calls by local leaders to vaccinate all young adults in hotspots, in favour of speeding up second jabs for older people across the whole country. At a Downing Street press conference, Mr Johnson also warned of some hard choices if the variant proved to be significantly more infectious. I have to level with you, this new variant could pose a serious disruption to our progress and could make it more difficult to move to step 4 in June, he said. However, he said that at this stage, there is no evidence of increased cases translating into unmanageable pressure on the NHS, the prime minister said. I do not believe that we need, on the present evidence, to delay our roadmap and we will proceed with our plan to move to step 3 on Monday, he told the press conference. But, on step 4 planned for 21 June he added: The truth is that at this stage we simply cant say for certain as things stand. Mr Johnson denied he had fatally dragged his heels on closing the border to flights from India, insisting: At that stage, India was not identified as having a variant of concern. Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer, warned the Indian variant was poised to replace the Kent variant which caused the devastating Covid surge after Christmas. We expect that, overtime, this variant will overtake and come to dominate in the UK, he said. He defended the decision not to bend the rules to vaccinate younger adults in hotspots as demanded by local leaders in Lancashire and by Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor. This would lead to a net disadvantage, he argued, because people who have just reached adulthood are at far less risk of serious illness or death. The sensible thing to do is to prioritise the vaccines to the people most at risk, Professor Whitty said. Mr Johnson also appeared to dash hopes that many more countries will be added to the quarantine-free green list of countries for overseas travel, in the weeks to come. I dont expect that we will be adding to it very rapidly, he warned. Brexit tensions and Northern Ireland's troubles past and present are set to dominate discussions between Boris Johnson and Taoiseach Micheal Martin on Friday. The pair of leaders are set to meet at the Prime Minister's Chequers estate in Buckinghamshire for a long-arranged meeting. Mr Johnson has been hit by criticism this week over his response to an inquest finding that 10 people shot dead by the British army in the Ballymurphy area of west Belfast in 1971 were "entirely innocent". No.10's original claim that the prime minister had apologised on behalf of the British state in a phone call with Northern Irish politicians was dismissed by families of the victims as a "third-party apology". Then an apparently hurried template letter sent by Downing Street to victims families was branded "unacceptable". Mr Martin, who replaced Leo Varadkar as Irish premier in June 2020, last week raised concerns about UK government moves to unilaterally bar prosecutions of British soldiers involved in the Troubles. This policy would reportedly see a statute of limitations on prosecutions that would apply to the vast majority of killings in conflicts with the length set to put the Troubles beyond the limit. This would violate the 2014 Stormont House Agreement, under which the British and Irish governments set up a new independent investigation unit to examine any killings but shied away from a complete amnesty. "Any unilateral move from that would be a breach of trust, as far as we are concerned," Mr Martin said earlier this month. Elsewhere, the UK's unilateral moves to overwrite parts of the Brexit agreement signed just last year are likely to be a major source of tension. The Northern Ireland protocol devised by Boris Johnson and the EU has disrupted trade between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 10 June 2021 A woman walks her dogs as the incoming tide begins to wash away the heads of G7 leaders drawn in the sand by activists on the beach at Newquay, Cornwall AP UK news in pictures 9 June 2021 Adam Chamberlain, 45, general manager of Big Tree pub in Sheffield, has put up over 500 flags, taking 36 hours, in preparation for Euro 2020, which kicks off this weekend Tom Maddick / SWNS UK news in pictures 8 June 2021 REUTERS UK news in pictures 7 June 2021 A pedestrian wearing a face covering walks over Westminster Bridge near the Houses of Parliament in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 6 June 2021 Isobel Salamon, founder of the Edinburgh Cinema Club, poses alongside the Leith Trainspotting murals in Quality Yard, Leith, Edinburgh, for the programme launch of the Cinescapes Festival which starts on July 4 with a Trainspotting 1 and 2 double bill PA UK news in pictures 5 June 2021 A long exposure photograph captures the rotation of the earth as the stars blur into circles over Knowlton church ruins in Dorset Nick Lucas/SWNS UK news in pictures 4 June 2021 Balloonists take flight during the opening of the Midlands Air Festival in Alcester, Warwickshire PA UK news in pictures 3 June 2021 Members of the Household Cavalry during the Major General's annual inspection of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment in Hyde Park, London PA UK news in pictures 2 June 2021 Hannah Vitos of the Blenheim Art Foundation, poses for a photograph next to artist Ai Weiwei's Gilded Cage (2017) sculpture in the grounds of Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, Britain Reuters UK news in pictures 1 June 2021 People swim in the Sky Pool, a transparent swimming pool bridge across two exclusive residential blocks standing next to the US Embassy in Nine Elms, in London, Tuesday, June 1, 2021 AP UK news in pictures 31 May 2021 People enjoy the hot weather at Brighton beach Reuters UK news in pictures 30 May 2021 People venture into the sea as they enjoy themselves during a hot day on Brighton Beach AP UK news in pictures 29 May 2021 Swimmers at the Stonehaven Open Air Pool in Aberdeenshire, which reopens after lockdown restrictions were eased PA UK news in pictures 28 May 2021 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson gestures as he meets Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban at Downing Street in London REUTERS UK news in pictures 27 May 2021 White Pelicans in the sunshine in St James's Park, London PA UK news in pictures 26 May 2021 Boats are seen at Southsea Moorings in Portsmouth Reuters UK news in pictures 25 May 2021 York Glaziers Trust employees Kieran Muir (left) and Emily Price (right) remove a stained glass window panel at the start of a new five year, 5m project to conserve York Minsters South East Transept and its medieval St Cuthbert Window PA UK news in pictures 24 May 2021 Dark rain clouds above an oast house at Bewl Water reservoir near Lamberhurst in Kent during one of the rainiest Mays on record, with the UK seeing 131 per cent of the usual months rainfall already PA UK news in pictures 23 May 2021 The Premier League trophy with the Manchester City club colour ribbons on, at Etihad Stadium, prior to the last Premier League match of the season. City will finally pick up the trophy after they won the league on 11 May Getty UK news in pictures 22 May 2021 Gary Kenny lifts the Buildbase FA Vase Trophy after Warrington Rylands won the FA Vase Final against Binfield at Wembley Stadium Getty UK news in pictures 21 May 2021 A family buffeted by the wind whilst crossing the the Millennium Bridge in London, with wind and rain forecast to ravage the UK on the first Friday that people have been allowed to meet in large groups outside in England PA UK news in pictures 20 May 2021 Devon And Cornwall Police Demonstrate Their Skills For Policing The G7 Summit Getty Images UK news in pictures 18 May 2021 An employee stands before a costume for the Queen of Hearts by Bob Crowley on display at the Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London PA UK news in pictures 17 May 2021 Passengers prepare to board an easyJet flight to Faro, Portugal, at Gatwick Airport after the ban on international leisure travel for people in England was lifted following the further easing of lockdown restrictions in England PA UK news in pictures 16 May 2021 Emergency workers at the scene of a suspected gas explosion, in which a young child was killed and two people were seriously injured, on Mallowdale Ave Heysham which caused 2 houses to collapse and badly damaged another PA UK news in pictures 15 May 2021 Pro-Palestinian activists and supporters let off smoke flares, wave flags and carry placards during a demonstration in support of the Palestinian cause as violence escalates in the ongoing conflict with Israel, in central London AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 14 May 2021 Member of staffs tighten screws and paint a Marlin skeleton, before it goes on display at the Natural History Museum in London, as the museum prepares to reopen to the public on 17 May, following the further easing of lockdown restrictions in England PA UK news in pictures 13 May 2021 A worshipper at the Baitul Futuh Mosque in Mordon, south London, ahead of Eid al-Fitr. The celebration marks the end of the Muslim month of fasting, called Ramadan. PA UK news in pictures 12 May 2021 A couple have wedding photos taken in Westminster, London Getty UK news in pictures 11 May 2021 The sun rises on Coquet Island, off Amble on the Northumberland coast, where as many as 35000 seabirds cram onto this tiny island to breed PA UK news in pictures 10 May 2021 Newly elected for a second term Mayor of London Sadiq Khan during his signing in ceremony at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre on Londons Southbank PA UK news in pictures 9 May 2021 People mill around St. Michael's tower on top of Glastonbury Tor as it is seen through blooming yellow rapeseed on a day of mixed weather in Glastonbury, Somerset PA UK news in pictures 8 May 2021 Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford elbow bumps newly elected MS Labour candidates Elizabeth Buffy Williams, Rhondda, left, and Sarah Murphy, Bridgend & Porthcawl Labour, right, as they meet in Porthcawl, Wales PA UK news in pictures 6 May 2021 A group of five Sisters from Carmelite Monastery in Dysart cast their vote in the Scottish Parliamentary election at Dysart Community Hall, West Port, Dysart PA UK news in pictures 5 May 2021 Leader of the Labour Party Sir Keir Starmer (centre) with West Midlands Metro Mayor candidate Liam Byrne (far right) and Labour Deputy Leader, Angela Rayner (far left) during a visit to Birmingham, whilst on the election campaign trail PA UK news in pictures 4 May 2021 Artists Heather Ackroyd and Dan Harvey stand within 100 oak saplings which form part of a living art installation entitled Beuys' Acorns by the UK-based artist duo, outside the Tate Modern in London PA UK news in pictures 3 May 2021 Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie feeds the Gentoo penguins during a visit to Edinburgh Zoo on the campaign trail for the forthcoming Scottish Parliamentary Election on May 6 PA UK news in pictures 2 May 2021 Chelsea players celebrate their fourth goal during the Womens Champions League semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich, at Kingsmeadow Stadium in south west London. The Blues won the game 4-1, (and the tie 5-3 on aggregate) sending them through to their first Champions League final AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 1 May 2020 Demonstrators during a march through London during a 'Kill the Bill' protest Angela Christofilou UK news in pictures 30 April 2021 Shoppers queue outside Primark in Belfast as shops reopen and hospitality is able to open outdoors in Northern Ireland where lockdown restrictions have begun to gradually ease PA UK news in pictures 29 April 2021 Specialist operators at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford, near Telford, Shropshire, clean the Hawker Hunter aircraft displayed within the museum's National Cold War Exhibition, during annual high-level aircraft cleaning and maintenance PA UK news in pictures 28 April 2021 Millions of tulips in flower near Kings Lynn in Norfolk, as Belmont Nurseries, the UK's largest commercial grower of outdoor tulips, offers socially-distanced visits to its tulip fields at Hillington to raise funds for local charity The Norfolk Hospice Tapping House PA UK news in pictures 27 April 2021 Paula Laughton checks one of the newly installed Lego models in the new Lego Mythica land at Legoland Windsor Resort PA UK news in pictures 26 April 2021 A red panda rests on a tree at Manor Wildlife park, which reopened its doors as lockdown restrictions continue to ease, in Tenby, Wales Reuters UK news in pictures 25 April 2021 Sheep climb the hillside as flames from a moor fire are seen on Marsden moor, near Huddersfield AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 24 April 2021 Supporters protest against Manchester United's owners, outside English Premier League club Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium in Manchester AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 23 April 2021 People enjoy the warm weather at City Hall near Tower Bridge in central London PA UK news in pictures 22 April 2021 Uyghurs during a demonstration in Parliament Square, London, which is being held ahead of a House of Commons debate, bought by backbench MP Nus Ghani, on whether Uyghurs in China's Xinjiang province are suffering crimes against humanity and genocide PA UK news in pictures 21 April 2021 People walk at the Taihaku Cherry Orchard in Alnwick REUTERS UK news in pictures 20 April 2021 People stand in front of anti Super League banners outside Anfield as twelve of Europe's top football clubs, including Liverpool, launch a breakaway league Reuters Northern Ireland has seen civil disorder partly related to the effects of the protocol, and partly attributed to anger at a decision not to prosecute senior members of Sinn Fein for alleged Covid-19 breaches at the funeral of a senior republican in Belfast. Northern Irish unionism is also in turmoil, with both DUP leader Arlene Foster and UUP leader Steve Aiken having recently resigned. An Irish Government spokesman said on Wednesday: "The lunchtime meeting, which was scheduled some time ago, is expected to cover the response to Covid-19, a range of issues relevant to peace and stability in Northern Ireland and the broader British-Irish relationship." Plans to further lift coronavirus in restrictions in June could be delayed by the spread of a new more virulent variant from India, the government has indicated. It comes as a leading viral disease expert raised doubts over whether restrictions could be eased in line with the government's roadmap. Professor Paul Hunter from the University of East Anglia's Norwich Medical School said step four was "in doubt" and there could be a "huge number of cases" by June at the current rate of increase. "I think the big question is how many of people who are getting the Indian variant will end up requiring hospitalisation," he told BBC Radio 4. "And at the moment the hospitalisation rate doesn't seem to be increasing yet, although if this becomes much more common we'll almost certainly see some increase, so I think it's certainly a concern. "I think the step four is in doubt in June now, but we really need to see what impact it has on severe disease before we can really be certain." Under step four all legal restrictions on social contact would be removed - reopening nightclubs for the first time since the start of the pandemic, and lifting restrictions on live events and performances. Public Health England has recorded 1,313 UK cases of the India variant, with the Thursday figures more than double the 520 cases recorded up to 5 May. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has said there is "no firm evidence yet to show this variant has any greater impact on severity of disease or evades the vaccine". But ministers have suggested vaccinations could be brought forward and reallocated to the worst-hit areas to try to minimise the spread and impact of the variant. I think the step four is in doubt in June now, but we really need to see what impact it has on severe disease before we can really be certain Professor Paul Hunter, UEA And a minister on Friday morning said new local lockdowns or further national restrictions were on the table to control the situation. Vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi on Friday morning told LBC radio: We have got to break the cycle of infection, because one of those big tests was infection rates have to be suppressed, and the other big test is variants. If those cause a problem, then the tests will fail. The four tests have to be met for June 21. Asked why a delay in lifting restrictions could be necessary, Professor Hunter added: "Well, because if the epidemic continues to increase, if the Indian variant of the epidemic continues to increase at the same rate as it has over recent weeks, we're going to have a huge number of cases by June. "The issue though is that because it seems to be spreading in unvaccinated younger people at the moment and not yet that much more active in older people maybe we'll be able to weather it and we'll still be able to have the step four in June. "But if that increases cases in elderly and starts to increase hospitalisations, and puts pressure on the NHS again then I think step four would be in doubt." The disease expert cast doubt on whether reallocating vaccines would be effective, stating that the "downside" was "who do you take the vaccines from". "It does take a couple of weeks to work, so if you're moving vaccines away from areas where they currently don't have much Indian variant and that is increasing, by the time you start getting round to vaccinating that group again when maybe the epidemic, the Indian variant, is increasing rapidly again, probably you might well have been able to stop that if you hadn't diverted vaccine to surge areas," he explained. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 10 June 2021 A woman walks her dogs as the incoming tide begins to wash away the heads of G7 leaders drawn in the sand by activists on the beach at Newquay, Cornwall AP UK news in pictures 9 June 2021 Adam Chamberlain, 45, general manager of Big Tree pub in Sheffield, has put up over 500 flags, taking 36 hours, in preparation for Euro 2020, which kicks off this weekend Tom Maddick / SWNS UK news in pictures 8 June 2021 REUTERS UK news in pictures 7 June 2021 A pedestrian wearing a face covering walks over Westminster Bridge near the Houses of Parliament in central London AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 6 June 2021 Isobel Salamon, founder of the Edinburgh Cinema Club, poses alongside the Leith Trainspotting murals in Quality Yard, Leith, Edinburgh, for the programme launch of the Cinescapes Festival which starts on July 4 with a Trainspotting 1 and 2 double bill PA UK news in pictures 5 June 2021 A long exposure photograph captures the rotation of the earth as the stars blur into circles over Knowlton church ruins in Dorset Nick Lucas/SWNS UK news in pictures 4 June 2021 Balloonists take flight during the opening of the Midlands Air Festival in Alcester, Warwickshire PA UK news in pictures 3 June 2021 Members of the Household Cavalry during the Major General's annual inspection of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment in Hyde Park, London PA UK news in pictures 2 June 2021 Hannah Vitos of the Blenheim Art Foundation, poses for a photograph next to artist Ai Weiwei's Gilded Cage (2017) sculpture in the grounds of Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, Britain Reuters UK news in pictures 1 June 2021 People swim in the Sky Pool, a transparent swimming pool bridge across two exclusive residential blocks standing next to the US Embassy in Nine Elms, in London, Tuesday, June 1, 2021 AP UK news in pictures 31 May 2021 People enjoy the hot weather at Brighton beach Reuters UK news in pictures 30 May 2021 People venture into the sea as they enjoy themselves during a hot day on Brighton Beach AP UK news in pictures 29 May 2021 Swimmers at the Stonehaven Open Air Pool in Aberdeenshire, which reopens after lockdown restrictions were eased PA UK news in pictures 28 May 2021 Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson gestures as he meets Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban at Downing Street in London REUTERS UK news in pictures 27 May 2021 White Pelicans in the sunshine in St James's Park, London PA UK news in pictures 26 May 2021 Boats are seen at Southsea Moorings in Portsmouth Reuters UK news in pictures 25 May 2021 York Glaziers Trust employees Kieran Muir (left) and Emily Price (right) remove a stained glass window panel at the start of a new five year, 5m project to conserve York Minsters South East Transept and its medieval St Cuthbert Window PA UK news in pictures 24 May 2021 Dark rain clouds above an oast house at Bewl Water reservoir near Lamberhurst in Kent during one of the rainiest Mays on record, with the UK seeing 131 per cent of the usual months rainfall already PA UK news in pictures 23 May 2021 The Premier League trophy with the Manchester City club colour ribbons on, at Etihad Stadium, prior to the last Premier League match of the season. City will finally pick up the trophy after they won the league on 11 May Getty UK news in pictures 22 May 2021 Gary Kenny lifts the Buildbase FA Vase Trophy after Warrington Rylands won the FA Vase Final against Binfield at Wembley Stadium Getty UK news in pictures 21 May 2021 A family buffeted by the wind whilst crossing the the Millennium Bridge in London, with wind and rain forecast to ravage the UK on the first Friday that people have been allowed to meet in large groups outside in England PA UK news in pictures 20 May 2021 Devon And Cornwall Police Demonstrate Their Skills For Policing The G7 Summit Getty Images UK news in pictures 18 May 2021 An employee stands before a costume for the Queen of Hearts by Bob Crowley on display at the Alice: Curiouser and Curiouser exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London PA UK news in pictures 17 May 2021 Passengers prepare to board an easyJet flight to Faro, Portugal, at Gatwick Airport after the ban on international leisure travel for people in England was lifted following the further easing of lockdown restrictions in England PA UK news in pictures 16 May 2021 Emergency workers at the scene of a suspected gas explosion, in which a young child was killed and two people were seriously injured, on Mallowdale Ave Heysham which caused 2 houses to collapse and badly damaged another PA UK news in pictures 15 May 2021 Pro-Palestinian activists and supporters let off smoke flares, wave flags and carry placards during a demonstration in support of the Palestinian cause as violence escalates in the ongoing conflict with Israel, in central London AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 14 May 2021 Member of staffs tighten screws and paint a Marlin skeleton, before it goes on display at the Natural History Museum in London, as the museum prepares to reopen to the public on 17 May, following the further easing of lockdown restrictions in England PA UK news in pictures 13 May 2021 A worshipper at the Baitul Futuh Mosque in Mordon, south London, ahead of Eid al-Fitr. The celebration marks the end of the Muslim month of fasting, called Ramadan. PA UK news in pictures 12 May 2021 A couple have wedding photos taken in Westminster, London Getty UK news in pictures 11 May 2021 The sun rises on Coquet Island, off Amble on the Northumberland coast, where as many as 35000 seabirds cram onto this tiny island to breed PA UK news in pictures 10 May 2021 Newly elected for a second term Mayor of London Sadiq Khan during his signing in ceremony at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre on Londons Southbank PA UK news in pictures 9 May 2021 People mill around St. Michael's tower on top of Glastonbury Tor as it is seen through blooming yellow rapeseed on a day of mixed weather in Glastonbury, Somerset PA UK news in pictures 8 May 2021 Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford elbow bumps newly elected MS Labour candidates Elizabeth Buffy Williams, Rhondda, left, and Sarah Murphy, Bridgend & Porthcawl Labour, right, as they meet in Porthcawl, Wales PA UK news in pictures 6 May 2021 A group of five Sisters from Carmelite Monastery in Dysart cast their vote in the Scottish Parliamentary election at Dysart Community Hall, West Port, Dysart PA UK news in pictures 5 May 2021 Leader of the Labour Party Sir Keir Starmer (centre) with West Midlands Metro Mayor candidate Liam Byrne (far right) and Labour Deputy Leader, Angela Rayner (far left) during a visit to Birmingham, whilst on the election campaign trail PA UK news in pictures 4 May 2021 Artists Heather Ackroyd and Dan Harvey stand within 100 oak saplings which form part of a living art installation entitled Beuys' Acorns by the UK-based artist duo, outside the Tate Modern in London PA UK news in pictures 3 May 2021 Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie feeds the Gentoo penguins during a visit to Edinburgh Zoo on the campaign trail for the forthcoming Scottish Parliamentary Election on May 6 PA UK news in pictures 2 May 2021 Chelsea players celebrate their fourth goal during the Womens Champions League semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich, at Kingsmeadow Stadium in south west London. The Blues won the game 4-1, (and the tie 5-3 on aggregate) sending them through to their first Champions League final AFP/Getty UK news in pictures 1 May 2020 Demonstrators during a march through London during a 'Kill the Bill' protest Angela Christofilou UK news in pictures 30 April 2021 Shoppers queue outside Primark in Belfast as shops reopen and hospitality is able to open outdoors in Northern Ireland where lockdown restrictions have begun to gradually ease PA UK news in pictures 29 April 2021 Specialist operators at the Royal Air Force Museum Cosford, near Telford, Shropshire, clean the Hawker Hunter aircraft displayed within the museum's National Cold War Exhibition, during annual high-level aircraft cleaning and maintenance PA UK news in pictures 28 April 2021 Millions of tulips in flower near Kings Lynn in Norfolk, as Belmont Nurseries, the UK's largest commercial grower of outdoor tulips, offers socially-distanced visits to its tulip fields at Hillington to raise funds for local charity The Norfolk Hospice Tapping House PA UK news in pictures 27 April 2021 Paula Laughton checks one of the newly installed Lego models in the new Lego Mythica land at Legoland Windsor Resort PA UK news in pictures 26 April 2021 A red panda rests on a tree at Manor Wildlife park, which reopened its doors as lockdown restrictions continue to ease, in Tenby, Wales Reuters UK news in pictures 25 April 2021 Sheep climb the hillside as flames from a moor fire are seen on Marsden moor, near Huddersfield AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 24 April 2021 Supporters protest against Manchester United's owners, outside English Premier League club Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium in Manchester AFP via Getty UK news in pictures 23 April 2021 People enjoy the warm weather at City Hall near Tower Bridge in central London PA UK news in pictures 22 April 2021 Uyghurs during a demonstration in Parliament Square, London, which is being held ahead of a House of Commons debate, bought by backbench MP Nus Ghani, on whether Uyghurs in China's Xinjiang province are suffering crimes against humanity and genocide PA UK news in pictures 21 April 2021 People walk at the Taihaku Cherry Orchard in Alnwick REUTERS UK news in pictures 20 April 2021 People stand in front of anti Super League banners outside Anfield as twelve of Europe's top football clubs, including Liverpool, launch a breakaway league Reuters Asked whether local lockdowns as seen last year were being considered, Mr Zahawi said "we will take nothing off the table". He told BBC Breakfast: "Over a year of dealing with this pandemic suggests that the most effective way of dealing with this, because we have had such a successful vaccination programme, is the surge testing by postcode, the genome sequencing and isolation, so that is our focus, that is our priority. "But we will take nothing off the table, whether it is regional or national further measures that we would need to take, we will deal with this." DC Metropolitan Police officer Michael Fanone, who was brutally assaulted while defending the US Capitol during the 6 January insurrection, lashed out at Republicans who have sought to downplay the violent assault. Those are lies. And peddling that bullshit is an assault on every officer that fought to defend the Capitol. Its disgraceful, Mr Fanone told CNNs Don Lemon on Thursday. The officers comments come as several Republican members of Congress have tried to rewrite the history of the deadly assault on the seat of the US government. At a congressional hearing on Wednesday, Republicans likened the insurrection to a normal tourist visit and questioned whether the rioters were, in fact, supporters of Donald Trump. Earlier this week, newly-released body camera footage revealed the moment Mr Fanone was tased on the steps of Capitol. The rioter could also be heard on the video saying I got one. Mr Fanone, at one point in the footage, can be heard pleading with the insurrectionists to let him go. He is heard saying I have kids. As Mr Fanone screamed in pain, another rioter seemed to interrupt. Dont hurt him. We are better than this. But this comment didnt really help Mr Fanone and he claims that he was knocked unconscious during the scuffle. He was beaten up and tased, and his badge, gun and taser were taken during the attack. The US Department of Justice on Wednesday said that they have charged a New York man named Thomas Sibick for taking Mr Fanones badge and radio. The body camera footage was first revealed on CNNs Tonight with Don Lemon on Wednesday. Mr Fanone during the attack on January 6 suffered a heart attack and a concussion and he is now dealing with traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder. He told CNN: I experienced the most brutal, savage hand-to-hand combat of my entire life. Let alone my policing career, which spans almost two decades. It was nothing that I had ever thought would be a part of my law enforcement career, nor was I prepared to experience. In a letter to the elected representatives of the country, on 5 May, Mr Fanone detailed his experience of defending the US Capitol on January 6. He wrote: I struggle daily with the emotional anxiety of having survived such a traumatic event but I also struggle with the anxiety of hearing those who continue to downplay the events of that day and those who would ignore them altogether with their lack of acknowledgement. He added: The indifference shown to my colleagues and I is disgraceful. Meanwhile, during the House hearing on Wednesday, Republicans dismissed the 6 January violence and said that the attackers were just tourists and patriots. Some Republicans used the time during the House committee hearing to defend the rioters and even tried to portray rioters as victims instead of the perpetrators of violence. When Mr Fanone tried to talk to the Republican House minority leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Ca) about the 6 January attack, he says, his office hung up on him and refused to talk to him. Mr McCarthy went on to call Mr Fanone a liar when representative Eric Swalwell (D-Ca) tweeted about it. A five-week-old baby in Alabama who was reported missing and then found buried in a rural grave was killed by blunt force trauma to the head, court records show. The affidavit concerning 32-year-old Caleb Michael Whisnand Sr and the murder of his infant son CJ revealed no further information. The charging documents state that CJ was killed on Monday between 3.45pm and 10.49pm, AL.com reported. The latter time was when Mr Whisnand called 911 from a gas station to report his son missing. The father has been charged with capital murder as the victim is younger than 14. Court records don't yet show if he has a lawyer. The Monday 911 call prompted the start of the investigation, with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency issuing a missing child alert on Tuesday morning. The alert said the child had been missing since Saturday, but authorities didnt become aware of it until Monday night. Law enforcement said on Thursday that Mr Whisnand had said that CJ had been abducted from his vehicle while he was at the Circle K gas station where he made the 911 call. Sheriff Derrick Cunningham said on Thursday: Were still trying to piece everything together. Its hard to give you [a] definite answer when we dont have definite answers. Mr Whisnand and the childs mother, 28-year-old Angela Gardner, took part in a TV press conference on Wednesday. Mr Whisnand said: I dont remember a lot, but I did remember I was breaking up, ya know, with the cops. If anybodys got anything, any places that I could have gone, you know who you are. Please, find him please,' Ms Gardner said. The couple said at first that the last time they saw CJ was on Saturday when he was in bed with them and Ms Gardners two-year-old son was in another room. But just moments later, Ms Gardner instead said that she was home with her two-year-old and that Mr Whisnand was with CJ on Monday. They gave no explanation for the discrepancy in dates or where Mr Whisnand had been between Saturday night and Monday night. He went to go pay gas at the gas station and realised he was gone,' Ms Gardner said. He let the police know, and me know, that he was missing. After the press conference, investigators found CJs remains in a remote part of Lowndes County, southeast of Montgomery. According to Ms Gardners mother, Margaret Hope, the couple lived with Mr Whisnands parents. CJs grandmother told AL.com that her daughter was about to leave Mr Whisnand and I think thats the reason he took the baby. Ms Gardner has not been charged. When asked if anyone else could face charges, Sheriff Cunningham said: Right now, its still early. We still have a lot of leads weve got to follow up on. Mr Whisnand was already under indictment in an unrelated case when he was arrested on Wednesday. Hes facing charges for meth and heroin possession, reckless endangerment and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released from jail on those charges on 16 June 2020, and his trial for those alleged crimes is scheduled to take place in October. Two deputies fired for their inaction in a Florida school shooting that left 17 people dead must be reinstated with back pay, a judge has ruled. Broward County deputies Brian Miller and Joshua Stambaugh were fired in the wake of the 2018 massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Now Broward Circuit Judge Keathan Frink has decided that arbitrators last year were correct in ruling that the fired deputies should get their jobs back. Both deputies should also be paid for sick and vacation time, overtime and off-duty detail pay, among other benefits that they would have received if still on the job, the judge confirmed. Under Florida state law any discipline against law enforcement officers must be carried out within 180 days of the completion of any investigation. One arbitrator ruled last May that Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony was two days late in firing deputy Miller and reinstated him. And another arbitrator ruled that Sheriff Tony was 13 days past the limit when he fired deputy Stambaugh. An arbitrator has not yet ruled on the case involving a third fired deputy, Edward Eason. State investigators found that Mr Stambaugh had been working an off-duty shift at a nearby school when the shooting began at Stoneman Douglas. His body camera footage showed that after driving to the school he got out of his truck, put on his bulletproof vest and remained in cover for five minutes after hearing shots fired. He then drove to a nearby highway rather than towards the school. Investigators found that Mr Miller, who was the first supervisor to arrive at the school, heard three or four shots but slowly put on his bulletproof vest and hid behind his car. Mr Eason is accused of running the other way as shots were fired, before slowly putting on his bulletproof vest and body camera. It is also claimed that he failed to make an official report when he received a 2016 tip that suspect Nikolas Cruz was making violent threats against the school in 2016. Mr Cruz, 22, is awaiting trial and faces the death penalty if convicted. A man in Mississippi will continue to serve out a life sentence handed down to him for marijuana possession after the states Court of Appeals upheld the harsh term. The court ruled on Tuesday that Allen Russell, 38, would see out the sentence handed to him in Forrest County because his previous convictions made him a repeat offender. Russell received life imprisonment in 2019 after a jury found him guilty of possessing more than 30 grams (1.05 ounces) of the drug. This weeks ruling comes as states across the US are softening laws around recreational marijuana use, often with an eye towards increasing racial equality. Black people are more than three times as likely to be arrested for marijuana infractions as white people, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. Under Mississippi law, possession of between 30 and 250 grams (1.05 and 8.8 ounces) of marijuana can carry a punishment of up to three years in prison, a $3,000 fine, or both. State law also dictates that a defendant can be sentenced to life without parole after serving at least one year in prison on two separate felonies. In 2004 Russell was convicted of two home burglaries. In 2015, he was found guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm. After being sentenced in 2004 Mr Russell served eight and a half years. Following that, he pleaded guilty to possession of a weapon as a convicted felon in October 2015 and served two years. Appealing the decision, Russell said that the sentence was a cruel and unusual punishment and is grossly disproportionate The appeals court, however, voted against the appeal on a majority. Several dissenting judges made points in favour of judges being able to consider individual cases and make exceptions. The purpose of the criminal justice system is to punish those who break the law, deter them from making similar mistakes, and give them the opportunity to become productive members of society, Judge Latrice Westbrooks wrote. The fact that judges are not routinely given the ability to exercise discretion in sentencing all habitual offenders is completely at odds with this goal. Reporting by the Associated Press Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm says the nation is over the hump on gas shortages following a ransomware cyberattack that forced a shutdown of the nations largest gasoline pipeline. Problems peaked Thursday night, and service should return to normal in most areas by the end of the weekend, Granholm said Friday in an interview with The Associated Press. The good news is that ... gas station outages are down about 12% from the peak as of Friday afternoon, with about 200 stations returning to service every hour, she said. Its still going to work its way through the system over the next few days, but we should be back to normal fairly soon.'' A cyberattack by hackers who lock up computer systems and demand a ransom to release them hit the Colonial Pipeline on May 7. The hackers didnt take control of pipeline operations, but the Georgia-based company shut it down to prevent malware from affecting industrial control systems. The Colonial Pipeline stretches from Texas to New Jersey and delivers about 45% of the gasoline consumed on the East Coast. The shutdown has caused shortages at the pumps throughout the South and emptied stations in the Washington D.C., area. President Joe Biden said U.S. officials do not believe the Russian government was involved, but said we do have strong reason to believe that the criminals who did the attack are living in Russia.'' As Colonial reported making substantial progress Friday in restoring full service, two people briefed on the matter confirmed the company had paid a ransom of about $5 million. Granholm, like other Biden administration officials, urged drivers not to panic or hoard gasoline. Really, the gasoline is coming,'' she said. If you take more than what you need, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy in terms of the shortages. Lets share a little bit with our neighbors and everybody should know that its going to be okay in the next few days.'' Granholm's agency is leading the federal response to the ransomware attack. She said the incident shows the vulnerability not only of U.S. infrastructure, but also personal computers. Her 86-year-old mother recently suffered a ransomware attack on her iPad, Granholm said. So its just happening everywhere,'' she said. All these cybercriminals see an opportunity in the cloud and in our connectivity. And so we all have to be very vigilant. That means weve got to have security systems on our devices and individually we shouldnt be clicking on any email with attachments from people you dont know. I mean its just around us.'' Biden signed an executive order on cybersecurity this week, and the Energy Department and other agencies are working to protect critical infrastructure, she said. Much of the U.S. pipeline infrastructure, like Colonial, is privately owned. The chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which oversees interstate pipelines, said this week that the U.S. should establish mandatory cybersecurity standards for pipelines similar to those in the electricity sector. Simply encouraging pipelines to voluntarily adopt best practices is an inadequate response to the ever-increasing number and sophistication of malevolent cyber actors,'' said FERC Chairman Richard Glick. We definitely have to look at it, Granholm said Friday, adding that pipeline organizations have voluntary standards. Even though it may be privately owned, the public uses it. So I think we have to look at that, making sure that they abide by the latest and greatest.'' John Stoody, a spokesman for the Association of Oil Pipe Lines, declined to comment on Glick's proposal. The industry historically has opposed government mandates on cybersecurity. The ransomware attack should play a role as Congress considers Biden's $2.3 trillion infrastructure proposal, Granholm said. Obviously pipelines should be considered part of that,'' she said. Cybersecurity should be considered part of that. Energy infrastructure, including transmission grids, should be part of that. We need to upgrade across the board, and hopefully there will be some interest in a bipartisan fashion to see an upgrade in the nations infrastructure.'' Drug company executives exchanged emails mocking pillbillies as a devastating opioid crisis raged through West Virginia and other rural American communities, Mountain State Spotlight reported . The emails came to light on Thursday during a landmark federal case in Charleston brought by one of the worst-affected communities of the crisis against three drug distributors. Cabell County and the city of Huntingdon are seeking more than $2bn in damages from the Big Three distributors Cardinal Health, McKesson and AmerisourceBergen. Those companies are accused of being responsible for shipping almost 90 per cent of the 109.8 million doses of opioids hydrocodone and oxycodone to the county between 2006 and 2014. In one of the emails revealed in court, a staff member of AmerisourceBergen wrote in response to an email about new regulations on opioid distribution in Kentucky: One of the hillbillys must have learned how to read :-). The emails were revealed during the testimony of Chris Zimmerman, senior vice president of regulatory affairs at AmerisourceBergen. The reference to pillbillies was contained in the lyrics of a parody song shared by Mr Zimmerman that was supposed to be sung To the tune of Beverly Hillbillies. The email read: So they loaded up the truck and drove speedily South, that is. Pain Clinics, cash n carry A Bevy of Pillbillies. The emails were sent in 2012, at a time when the opioid crisis in West Virginia was near its peak. A flood of opioid pills into communities across the state had fuelled an epidemic of addiction and overdoses. When the deliveries of those drugs were reduced, addicts turned to illicit drugs like heroin. Just a few years later, West Virginia had the highest overdose rate in the country. When questioned in the courtroom, Mr Zimmerman said: I shouldnt have sent the email. But he added that his comments were taken out of context, reported Mountain State Spotlight. The lawyer for the plaintiffs said the language demonstrated a pattern of conduct by those people charged with protecting our community and theyre circulating emails disparaging hillbillies. The release of the emails comes near the end of the second week of the trial in Charleston, West Virginia. The trial is expected to last for 12 weeks. Representative Liz Cheney, who was ousted from her GOP congressional leadership post on Wednesday, has called for a criminal investigation into former president Donald Trump for inciting the deadly Capitol insurrection on 6 January. In an interview with Savannah Guthrie on NBCs Today Show on Thursday, Ms Cheney said she was not surprised by her removal as the chair of the Republican conference. She added that the GOP now finds itself in a moment where we have to decide whether we as a party whether we are going to embrace the truth. She described the grip that Mr Trump had on the Republican party as dangerous and a cult of personality, saying it was a betrayal to see him try to burn down the party and American democracy in an attempt to regain power. Its a real betrayal. Hes going to unravel the democracy to come back into power, Ms Cheney said. Despite facing removal from her leadership post after her Republican colleagues voted her oust her, Ms Cheney said she still had affection for most of her colleagues. Ms Guthrie then asked what had changed since the last Republican vote testing Ms Cheneys leadership, which the GOP congresswoman won 145 to 61. For reasons I dont understand, the leaders within my party have decided to embrace the former president who launched that attack, Ms Cheney said of the insurrection. Ms Cheney said she supports a criminal investigation into Mr Trump. I think the American people have to know, she told Guthrie. And certainly any president who did what we know this former president did has got to be investigated criminally. Far-right US Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene has repeatedly antagonised Democratic lawmakers, from pledging to kick that b**** Nancy Pelosi out of Congress to calling the elections of Muslim congresswomen an Islamic invasion all before she was elected to office. The Georgia congresswoman who embraced Pizzagate and QAnon rhetoric before her election in 2020 sought to impeach Joe Biden on his first day in office and, on her first day on the floor of the House of Representatives, wore a face mask reading Trump won. But perhaps no other lawmaker has been on the receiving end of her rage more than US Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, held up by Ms Greene, right-wing media and former president Donald Trump and his allies as a socialist nemesis in their grievance-filled culture wars. On 22 February 2019, Ms Greene then a right-wing activist posted a since-deleted Facebook Live video of her speaking through the mail slot outside AOCs office, telling her to get rid of your diaper. Im an American citizen, I pay your salary through the taxes that you collect for me through the IRS because Im a taxpaying citizen of the United States, Ms Greene says in the video. So you need to stop being a baby and stop locking your door and come out and face the American citizens that you serve If you want to be a big girl, you need to get rid of your diaper and come out and be able to talk to the American citizens instead of having to use a flap, a little flap. Sad. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez makes impassioned speech against Biden policy on Israel crisis That day, she also brought a petition to House Speaker Nancy Pelosis office to impeach the California Democrat for treason. In since-removed social media posts from 2018 and 2019, Ms Greene appeared to endorse the killings of Ms Pelosi and prominent Democrats, as well as false flag conspiracies involving school shootings and the 9/11 terror attacks. She also moderated a far-right Facebook page that became a forum for death threats and conspiracies. A month after her primary victory, Ms Greene posted a photo on Facebook showing her posing with a rifle next to photos of AOC and congresswomen Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar with the words squads worst nightmare. The post was shared hundreds of times before it was removed. Following the Capitol insurrection on 6 January, fuelled by a false election fraud narrative supported by Ms Greene, she said she condemns ALL violence but accused AOC and Democrats of being accomplices to Antifa/BLM terrorism. Those who stoke insurrection [and] spread conspiracies have blood on their hands, said Ms Greene, apparently referring to Democrats and not the Republican lawmakers who sympathised with rioters and amplified baseless election conspiracy theories. They must be expelled. In February, Ms Greenes resurfaced Facebook posts and videos prompted House lawmakers to vote to strip her from her committee assignments. Before the vote, she sent a fundraising email to supporters in which she falsely claimed that AOC told demonstrators to punch a cop and that the vote on her removal was because I dared to stand up for you instead of the DC elites. In recent weeks, the Georgia lawmaker has obsessed over a debate between her and the New York congresswoman over the Green New Deal, a congressional resolution that would provide a guiding framework for the US to tackle the climate crisis. Marjorie Taylor Greene claims working out is her 'Covid protection' After she approached Ms Ocasio-Cortez on the House floor, she announced on Twitter that she would schedule time to debate after reading all 14 pages of the resolution, which she called a Communists manifesto. She also called AOC a a scared little girl that is pretty stupid as well as a a chicken for refusing to debate her. This week, Ms Greenes antics escalated once again. On 12 May, two reporters from The Washington Post observed Ms Greene shouting for AOCs attention outside the House chamber and accusing her of supporting terrorists and antifa. You dont care about the American people, she shouted. Shes a chicken, she doesnt want to debate the Green New Deal, she told reporters and onlookers. These members are cowards. They need to defend their legislation to the people. Thats pathetic. We hope leadership and the Sergeant at Arms will take real steps to make Congress a safe, civil place for all Members and staff especially as many offices are discussing reopening, AOC spokesperson Lauren Hitt said in a statement following the harassment from Ms Greene. Ms Ocasio-Cortez, a former bartender in New York City, relied on her earlier experience in a retort to Ms. Greene. These are the kinds of people that I threw out of bars all the time, said Ms Ocasio-Cortez. Speaker Pelosi and House Democratic Caucus Chair Hakeem Jeffries have also called for a House Ethics Committee investigation into Ms Greenes behaviour. Ms Pelosi called Ms Greenes harassment egregious. This is beneath the dignity of a person serving in the Congress, the House speaker said. Republican US Rep Adam Kinzinger also said that the House was created to debate emotional issues professionally, and it seems some just want attention or cannot handle their emotions. In response, Ms Greene mocked the Iraq War veteran as little Adam. I asked @AOC to debate me in the chamber, to debate her destructive socialist policies. But Sandy doesnt know how to work with Republicans. Neither do you, she said on Twitter. Ms Greene also mocked AOC for raising safety concerns after the incident, calling her a fraud [and] a hypocrite who lacks the courage [and] intelligence to debate her. She then called AOC and Reps Omar and Tlaib the #JihadSquad. After CNN published resurfaced footage from Ms Greenes February 2019 visit to AOCs office, AOC said on Twitter on Friday: The fact that Kevin McCarthy, the House [Republican Minority Leader], stripped Justin Amash of all committee seats for criticizing Trump, but has worked to protect this person from consequences (including pretending he doesnt see it) tells you this is happening with the support of GOP leadership. Asked on the steps of the Capitol later on Friday about Ms Greenes comments, the New York congresswoman said: This is a woman thats deeply unwell and clearly needs some help. Her kind of fixation has lasted for several years now. At this point, I think, the depth of that unwellness has raised concerns for other members, as well, she said. This is an assessment that needs to be made by proper professionals. Asked about Ms Greenes insistence on a debate between the two women, Ms Ocasio-Cortez said: She does keep discussing this but its not a thing. Im concerned about her perceptions of reality. In an interview outside the Capitol on Friday, Ms Greene accused Democrats of being the party of aggression and violence. Theres nothing wrong with me pushing things out there, asking questions, pushing for debate thats exactly what I should be doing, she said. Asked directly whether she believes Mr Biden is the legitimate winner of the 2020 presidential election, she said: I have a lot of questions about the election and theres nothing wrong with asking questions. Scientists in Ukraine were alarmed last week to encounter unexpected fission reactions erupting deep within the bowels of the abandoned Chernobyl power plant, scene of the worlds worst nuclear disaster when a spectacular meltdown occurred on 26 April 1986, leading to mass evacuations and a failed Soviet cover-up. Experts from the Institute for Safety Problems of Nuclear Power Plants (ISPNPP) in Kiev reported a 40 per cent increase in neutron emissions from 2016 levels in a chamber rendered inaccessible by the catastrophe. The activity is seemingly the fault of the New Confinement Shelter that was erected to cover the former reactor site five years ago, a giant steel arch structure that, unlike its shoddier predecessor, prevents rainwater entering, unwittingly eliminating a key element that turns out to have played a role in suppressing the neutrons. The ISPNPP is now engaged in monitoring the situation and assessing whether a potentially dangerous intervention might become necessary to prevent a further explosion at the site if stability is not restored. This might involve drilling into what was once Subreactor Room 305/2 to soak the smouldering uranium fuel masses buried within with gadolinium nitrate or sending in robots capable of withstanding the still-glaring radiation and humidity to install neutron and temperature sensors or boron cylinders to act as control rods, sopping up the neutrons. But how effective might such efforts be and what are the dangers? The suggested measures are proportionate and in principle should be implementable, Professor Neil Hyatt of the University of Sheffield told The Independent. However, this will not be without hazard. He continues: The sarcophagus is partially collapsed in some areas, with considerable debris and obstructions, which, combined with the high radiation field and radioactive dust, means that human access and robot deployment are challenging to accomplish. By introducing the neutron absorbers, either in a liquid (such as gadolinium nitrate spray or foam) or solid form (such as boron steel bars, or ball bearings), the neutron production can be very significantly suppressed. Either approach is compatible with a hole drilled into the room for access, which would also allow camera observation of the fuel debris material for the first time At the moment the potential benefit of these interventions would not seem to outweigh the risk of human intervention, it is certainly necessary that the situation continues to be closely monitored, but it would be sensible to consider how such an intervention should be made, given that very careful planning will be required. Professor Hyatt, whose team has studied the corrosion of the lava created by the original meltdown, believes that Chernobyl is a problem stabilised, not a problem solved and that while the new shelter at the site offers approximately a century of further protection: It is very important that European governments in particular scale up their technical and financial support for Chernobyl decommissioning. Dr Jonathan Cobb of the World Nuclear Association agrees, telling The Independent that: Installing neutron or temperature sensors would help characterise what is happening better, if that is required. He points out that spraying gadolinium nitrate is a technique that has already been used at Chernobyl in the past to great effect and could be again. But for Dr Paul Dorfman of University College Londons Energy Institute and the Nuclear Consulting Group, the new reactions constitute a very real problem and the responses proposed so far are unconvincing. Radiation affects robotics, Dr Dorfman told The Independent. Which means any robotics could get stuck. Also, if things are happening quickly, there may not be enough time to deploy and service robotics. Any intervention will, without doubt, be both technologically difficult and deeply risky, he cautions. And the issue (like all nuclear risk) is complicated. While much remains unknown about the current stability of Subreactor Room 305/2 and how the situation might develop, the stakes involved could not be clearer. An abandoned childs seesaw at a former park in the nearby ghost town of Pripyat (Getty) The original blast at the sight was caused by human error, a mishandled safety experiment that saw staff at the plants Unit Four reactor shut down its power-regulating and emergency systems, also withdrawing most of the control rods from the core while leaving the reactor running at seven per cent power. These steps inadvertently sparked a chain reaction that sent the core out of control, with several explosions triggering a large fireball that blew off the heavy steel and concrete lid of the reactor as the core itself went into meltdown. An ensuing fire in the graphite reactor core duly released large amounts of radioactive material into the atmosphere, where it was carried great distances across continental Europe on the wind. The population of the neighbouring city of Pripyat had to be swiftly evacuated and the zone has been off-limits ever since, reclaimed by the natural world. The disaster was recently revisisted in the 2019 HBO drama series Chernobyl, starring Jared Harris, Stellan Skarsgard and Emily Watson. Irelands Health Service Executive has been targeted in a significant ransomware attack, causing it to temporarily shut down its IT systems. The HSE said the decision had been taken as a precaution and that Covid-19 vaccination appointments were not affected by the attack. Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said that international criminals appeared to be behind the attack, adding that the impacts could continue into next week, while junior minister Ossian Smyth labelled the incident possibly the most significant cybercrime attack on the Irish State. In a tweet, HSE Ireland said: There is a significant ransomware attack on the HSE IT systems. We have taken the precaution of shutting down all our IT systems in order to protect them from this attack and to allow us fully assess the situation with our own security partners. We apologise for inconvenience caused to patients and to the public and will give further information as it becomes available. Vaccinations not effected are going ahead as planned. It added that the national ambulance service continues to function normally with no impact on call handling or dispatch. HSE boss Paul Reid told RTEs Morning Ireland: Our first priority is to contain the issue. This is a major incident for us. As the morning progressed well gain greater clarity on the impact of this. Hospital equipment has not been affected by the attack, which he said is an IT system issue. Mr Reid encouraged people to continue to attend vaccination appointments. The HSE is being supported by the government, cyber security experts and the Gardai and the defence forces. Although vaccinations have not been affected, the Rotunda maternity hospitality in Dublin has been forced to cancel appointments due to the attack. The hospital said that all outpatient visits are cancelled on Friday, except for patients who are 36 weeks pregnant or beyond. All gynaecological clinical have been cancelled for the day. It advised that people with urgent concerns should attend as normal. Founded in 1745, the Rotunda hospital is the oldest continuously operating maternity hospital in the world. Dozens of people from Lebanon stormed border fences and briefly entered Israel, as hundreds in Jordan attempted the same along the countrys eastern frontier in another escalation of the crisis engulfing the region. Extraordinary footage broadcast live on social media platforms showed crowds, make for the Israels northern and eastern borders fences waving Palestinian flags. The Israeli army said that its tanks fired warning shots towards a number of what it called rioters who crossed from Lebanon into Israeli territory. The suspects sabotaged the fence and set a fire in the area before returning to Lebanese territory. Israeli media said there were dozens in the crowds. At the same time Jordanian riot forcibly dispersed hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters trying to do the same along the border which crosses into the Israeli-occupied West Bank to the south and east. Witnesses said police fired tear gas and shot into the air to halt about 500 young demonstrators near to Allenby Bridge/ King Hussein crossing into the West Bank. Demonstrators hold Palestinian flags during a protest to express solidarity with the Palestinian people, in Karameh, Jordan valley, Jordan (REUTERS) Social media commentators said the Jordanians had cut through border fences to gain access to the West Bank. The crowds broke away from the scheduled route of a march near the borders organised to protest Israeli attacks against Palestinians. Cristiano Ronaldos mother, Dolores Aveiro, claims she will persuade him to return to Sporting CP this summer. Sporting won their first Portuguese league title since 2002 this season and Aveiro spoke to jubilant supporters from her balcony window in Lisbon. Ill talk to him [Cristiano] to bring him back, she said. Next year he will play in Alvalade [Sportings stadium]. Ronaldo began his career at Sporting in 2002 before glittering spells at Manchester United and Real Madrid, where he cemented his place among the all-time greats. Despite still scoring 35 times in 42 appearances at Juventus this season, the Serie A side have endured a disappointing game both domestically and in Europe, with speculation that Ronaldos departure could free funds to overhaul Andrea Pirlos squad. However, Juventus vice-chairman, Pavel Nedved, attempted to quieten rumours in March, insisting the 36-year-old will see out the final year of his contact in Turin. For me, Ronaldo cant be touched, Nedved said. He has a contract until June 30, 2022 and will stay. What happens after that remains to be seen. Nedved reiterated that stance this week and added that Pirlo will continue to lead the first team despite their underwhelming campaign. Iraq has long been synonymous with war. But 18 years on from the devastating conflict that overthrew Saddam Hussein, Iraqis are grappling with a whole series of post-conflict crises. Bel Trew, The Independents Middle East correspondent, has been travelling around the country to delve into the underreported problems currently shaping the countrys country a special series of reports funded by our Supporter Programme. The award-winning journalist has covered everything from Iraqs Covid crisis to crippling pollution in the south to the battle for the northern border region after the collapse of the so-called Islamic State. She spoke to our Middle East analyst Patrick Cockburn and answered readers questions at a virtual audience event about the realities of modern-day Iraq and her special reports on the country. Having recently returned from the restive Sinjar region in the north, Trew said conflict between different factions is brewing and displaced families are being forced to return home, despite saying they feel unsafe. Watch the event in the video below Behind the poisoned clouds of Iraq Its turned into an international battle ground that hasnt been reported on very much, she said. I was speaking ... to people whose loved ones are still missing because of ISIS. Security is still hard, but I was able to go down to the south of the country where there is a major problems with pollution, also with unemployment and with Shia militias, often referred to as the Iranian proxies. Cockburn told the audience: I find it very tragic to read Bels pieces because when I first went to Iraq in the 1970s the country had a lot going for it ... Iraq had rather disappeared from the top of the news agenda its very important to know whats happening there. Asked what sort of impact Joe Bidens election in the US might have on Iraq, Cockburn said: The [Biden administration] doesnt want to get involved in Iraq. I think Biden wants to keep out of disputes in the Middle East. But remember this Obama had exactly the same idea and yet they complained afterwards they spent 80 per cent of their time talking about the Middle East. You can watch the virtual discussion on Iraq above, and read Bel Trews recent articles here. Join The Independents health correspondent Shaun Lintern and science correspondent Samuel Lovett for our next free virtual event, What lies beyond the Covid crisis, on May 26. Tourist season is ramping up in Southern Rhode Island but, for local hotels, the news is not all positive as an industry-wide staffing shortage is making keeping up with the increased demand incredibly difficult. Despite a recent move by the state to allow many who return to work to collect the federal unemployment benefits and earn more money before losing some portion of their state benefits, local hotels owners, managers and industry experts said the situation affecting the industry is exceptionally dire right now. South County is the perfect embodiment of this perfect storm, Sarah Bratko of the Rhode Island Hospitality Association told The Independent this week. With that in mind, do you believe Rhode Island should do more to encourage the unemployed to return to the work force? Let us know in this weeks poll question below. You voted: White House chief medical adviser Dr Anthony Fauci feels India extending the gap between two doses of Covishield is a "reasonable approach". This statement comes a day after India accepted the Covid-19 Working Group's recommendation to extend the gap between the two doses of the Covishield vaccine from 6-8 weeks to 12-16 weeks. Dramatically ramping up COVID-19 vaccination drive is key to ending the crisis in India, Dr Anthony Fauci told news agency ANI in an exclusive interview. Agencies Reasonable approach "When you are in a very difficult situation, the way you are in India, you have to try and figure out ways to get as many people vaccinated as quickly as you can, so I believe that it is a reasonable approach to do," Fauci said. Covishield dosage intervals widened twice in 3 months Agencies This is for the second time in three months that Covishield dosage intervals have been widened and this move has once again garnered criticism, as a cover-up for not having enough vaccines for the people in India. However, Dr Fauci said that this "extended interval" is beneficial even from the efficacy standpoint. "The fact that you delay it that long, it is very unlikely that it would have a negative effect on the efficacy of the vaccine. I would not refer to it as a cover up when you don't have enough vaccines," Fauci told ANI. Russia's Sputnik V roll out next week India is most likely to roll out Russia's Sputnik V vaccine against the coronavirus to be administered to citizens starting next week. With this, India will now have three vaccines to boost its mega vaccination drive which was recently opened for those above 18 years. When asked about the efficacy of the Sputnik V Vaccine, "I've heard about the Sputnik, is that, it seems to be quite efficacious, at a high level of close to 90 per cent or so," Fauci responded. Agencies Last year, when the US was battling with the surge of COVID-19 cases, the Department of Defense docked two naval warships--USNS Mercy and USNS Comfort--on the coasts of New York and Los Angeles to step up the efforts in combating the virus. India should step up role of armed forces Dr Fauci, one of COVID's most trusted names, suggests that India should step up the role of the armed forces in combating COVID-19. "You can use the military sometimes to get things done quickly that you otherwise in the private sector would not be able to, for example, I know that there's a shortage of hospital beds right now that people who need to be in a hospital or not getting into a hospital because of the shortage of the beds, you can get the military to put up field hospitals, the same way they would during time of war, that could serve as a substitute for the classic hospital." Fauci told ANI. Agencies While replying to a query on resuming travel to India amid the pandemic, Fauci said, "It really is going to depend on the level of infection right now. India has a very very high level of infection. And that would mean that it would be very very difficult to resume travel there right now." As more people around the world become vaccinated and the summer travel season is approaching, countries around the world are scrambling to get digital health certification programs or Vaccine passports in place. US borders not to have vaccine passport mandate However, Fauci says that US borders will not have the vaccine passport mandate. "Several of the airlines may say you're not going to be able to fly on our flight, unless you have a verification that you've been vaccinated, in essence- a vaccine passport, but again to repeat that at least in the United State-that is not going to be mandated from a federal standpoint." India is currently experiencing a devastating surge of COVID-19 with record-breaking cases, hospitalizations and deaths. The country's health care system is teetering on the edge of collapse as hospitals are overcrowded and much-needed medical supplies are in low supply. Daily cases of Covid-19 in India continued to fall after hitting a peak last week but deaths remained high with close to 4,000 fatalities recorded on Thursday. India reported 3,43,122 fresh cases on Thursday, down from 3,62,720 reported on the previous day. Delhi Adds 10,489 COVID Cases In 24 Hours, Lowest In Over A Month On Thursday the Delhi Government's daily COVID-19 bulletin said that the city added 10,489 new cases in the past 24 hours. BCCL With this, the total number of COVID-19 cases in Delhi so far has risen to 13,72,475. Kerala Logs 39,955 New COVID-19 Cases, 97 Deaths Kerala on Thursday logged 39,955 fresh COVID-19 cases, taking the overall tally to 20,20,834, while 97 deaths pushed the toll to 6,150, the state government said. PTI As many as 33,733 people were cured of the infection, taking the total recoveries to 16,05,471. Karnataka To Float Global Tender To Procure 2 Crore Covid Vaccines The Karnataka government on Thursday decided to float a global tender to procure 2 crore additional Covid vaccines to bridge the gap between demand and supply. AFP "We have already placed a purchase order for 3 crore vaccine doses, 2 crore doses of Covishield and 1 crore doses of Covaxin," Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa told reporters, adding that Karnataka will float a global tender to procure for 2 crore additional doses. Maharashtra Lockdown Restrictions Extended Till June 1 On anticipated lines, the Maharashtra government on Thursday announced that ithas decided to extend the ongoing stringent lockdown-type restrictions across the state till June 1. BCCL The move by the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government comes amid rising Covid-19 cases and fatalities in many districts in the state, though Mumbai and parts of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region are currently in a better shape. India Receives Shipment Of Ventilators, Remdesivir From EU Amid the COVID-19 crisis in India, an aircraft carrying a shipment of ventilators, Remdesivir and medical equipment from EU member states, arrived in New Delhi on Friday. MEA External Affairs Ministry (EAM) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi acknowledged the continued solidarity shown by European countries including Germany, Netherlands, and Portugal. Open Community Kitchen, Provide Dry Ration And Transportation For Migrant Workers, Says SC The Supreme Court Thursday directed Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to open community kitchens in the NCR for stranded migrant workers amid the current wave of COVID-19 pandemic and facilitate transportation for labourers who want to return home. Reuters Passing a slew of interim directions to ameliorate the miseries of migrant workers facing difficulties in wake of the recent surge in COVID-19 cases and restrictions imposed in several parts of India, the apex court directed that dry ration be provided to them in the national capital region (NCR) under Atma Nirbhar Bharat Scheme' or any other scheme by the Centre and governments of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. In a shocking incident, a COVID-19 positive woman who was sexually abused by a hospital staffer died within 24 hours of the assault. The incident was reported from the Bhopal Memorial Hospital and Research Centre in Bhopal, a facility dedicated to the survivors of the 1984 gas tragedy. BCCL Rape incident happened on April 6 The 43-year-old woman, a survivor of the worst industrial accident in history was admitted to the hospital after testing positive for COVID-19. She was raped by a ward boy on April 6 and the victim had narrated her ordeal to a doctor at the hospital while identifying the culprit. The woman's heath deteriorated later and even after being put on life support, she died on April 7. The doctor recorded the statement of the woman and sent it to the police. The accused was arrested the same day. BCCL It is alleged that the hospital tried to cover up the sexual assault and her relatives were not informed about the incident. The incident came to light only after some activists working for the survivors of the 1984 tragedy were informed about it. In a letter to the chairman of a committee for medical rehabilitation of Bhopal gas tragedy victims, the activists had narrated the incident along with other complaints of the lack of facilities for the patients there. "The BMHRC management has done everything in its power to push this heinous and criminal act under the rug and that is precisely the reason why the family of the rape victim was not even informed about the events," the letter said. BCCL It is also alleged that the ward boy, identified as 40-year-old Santosh Ahirwar had also sexually assaulted another staff member a 24-year-old lab technician of the same hospital. After the letter was made public, the police which confirmed the incident said the culprit was arrested on the same day. They also claimed that the incident was not made public as the victim, in her statement has asked to do so. At a time when India is grappling with a shortage of COVID-19 vaccines to administer to the wider public, Hyderabad-based Dr Reddy's Laboratories has began the rollout of the Russian-made Sputnik V in the country. According to Dr Reddy's, they received regulatory clearance for Sputnik V from the Central Drugs Laboratory at Kasauli in Himachal Pradesh on May 13. AP As part of a limited pilot, the soft launch of the vaccine has commenced and the first dose of the vaccine was administered in Hyderabad today on May 14, 2021, the company said in a regulatory filing. Priced at Rs 995 The imported doses of the vaccine are presently priced at an MRP of Rs 948 + 5% GST making the cost Rs 995 per dose, with the possibility of a lower price point when local supply begins. The company is working closely with its six manufacturing partners in India to fulfill regulatory requirements to ensure smooth and timely supply. Reuters The first consignment of imported doses of Sputnik V vaccine had reached India on May 1 and further consignments of imported doses are expected over the upcoming months. The company also said that the supply of the Sputnik V vaccine from Indian manufacturing partners, will follow, and that could bring down the prices. Earlier, Indian envoy to Russia Bala Venkatesh Varma said India expects between 150,000 to 200,000 ready-made vaccines to be available very quickly in the early part of May. India is expecting 5 million vials of Sputnik vaccines by next month. AP The development comes as several states across the country are suspending the mass vaccine rollout due to the shortage in supply. Other vaccine makers struggling to meet demand The two other vaccine makers Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech are struggling to meet the demand from the states after the Centre allowed them to procure the doses directly to vaccinate those in the age group of 18-45. As the shortage in supply shows no signs of improving many states have announced that they will import the vaccines from the global market. BCCL Last month, the Narendra Modi government had fast-tracked emergency use approval for eligible foreign-produced shots. This means that the pre-condition for foreign manufacturers to undertake phase 2 and phase 3 clinical trials in India for those vaccines that have already been granted approvals by relevant regulatory bodies in the US, the European Union, the United Kingdom and Japan as well as by the World Health Organisation will be waived off. Xi stresses striving for people's well-being Xinhua) 11:10, May 14, 2021 ZHENGZHOU, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said the Party's 100-year history is a history of dedication to people's well-being and aspirations. Xi made the remarks when visiting the village of Zouzhuang in Xichuan County of central China's Henan Province, on Thursday. Xi inspected the village and went into the home of villager Zou Xinzeng. Zou expressed his gratitude to the Party for the life improvement over the past few years. Noting that this year marks the 100th anniversary of the CPC, Xi said the Party was founded to ensure that the people enjoy a happy life, not to seek its own interests. The people are the state. The CPC's governance is for the purpose of ensuring the people's happiness and meeting their aspirations, Xi said. (Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Liang Jun) Covaxin, the first indigenous vaccine against COVID-19 was developed by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech, with technical support from the Indian Council of Medical Research and the National Institute of Virology, Pune. While Bharat Biotech has been manufacturing and selling it to the Center followed by states and private hospitals, there has been growing call from various corners to waive off patent protection of the vaccine and allow other drugmakers in India also to manufacture it to meet the rising domestic demand. AFP Good move On Thursday NITI Aayog member (Health), Dr VK Paul said, "People say that Covaxin should be given to other companies for manufacturing. I am happy to say that Bharat Biotech has welcomed this when we discussed it with them." He however said that Covaxin can only be manufactured in the Biosafety level 3 (BSL3) labs. BCCL "Covaxin is made by inactivating a live virus. This happens only in the BSL3 laboratory which is very sophisticated. It is not something that every company has. We give an open invitation and we have already reached out from our side to make it together," he said, adding that the government will provide full assistance to ramp up the capacity. A very welcome step by Central govt. It will help in ramping up prodn. I also urge Centre to directly procure vaccines from foreign companies rather than each state bidding against each other in international mkt https://t.co/arqGWR4fKM Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) May 13, 2021 Last month the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), under Mission COVID Suraksha, spelt out a plan to ramp up production of Covaxin and double it by May-June by roping in three public sector companies (PSUs). The PSUs are Haffkine Biopharmaceutical Corporation Ltd, Mumbai, a PSU under the Maharashtra government; Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL), Hyderabad, a facility under National Dairy Development Board; and Bharat Immunologicals and Biologicals Limited, Bulandshahr, a PSU of the Department of Biotechnology, to increase the capacity of vaccine production. BCCL "The current production capacity of indigenously developed Covaxin will be doubled by May-June 2021 and then increased nearly 6-7 fold by July-August 2021, i.e. increasing the production from 1 crore vaccine doses in April 2021 to 6-7 crore vaccine dose/month in JulyAugust. It is expected to reach nearly 10 crore doses per month by September 2021," the DBT had said. AFP Kerala government which was among those who demand that the formula of the vaccine should be shared with other companies had proposed to make the doses in the state using the vaccine production facility of Kerala State Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (KSDP) a state-owned PSU to make COVID-19 vaccines. AM Arif, an MP from Kerala had written to Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan requesting his support for the initiative, which he said will help in easing the vaccine shortage and ensure a low-cost supply of the doses to more people. For millions of Indians these days, Srinivas BV is nothing less than an angel sent by God. That is because the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) leader has been at the forefront of helping those in distress - from arranging hospital beds to oxygen cylinders at home and emergency medicines. Even by any conservative estimate @srinivasiyc has been tagged multiple times more than all the government handles put together by those in distress seeking help. Twitter This includes celebrities, politicians and the common man from across the country. And his work has not gone unnoticed. Questioned by Delhi Police's Crime Branch Srinivas BV on Friday said the Delhi Police's Crime Branch questioned him about the assistance being provided by him to people during the COVID-19 pandemic. Twitter "Police called me this morning and came to my office around 11.45 am. They questioned that how you are doing it," he said. However, the Delhi Police said the questioning has been done following a Delhi High Court order. The high court has directed the city police to conduct an inquiry into politicians involved in the distribution of COVID-19 medicines and other items, and take steps for lodging of FIR in case of offence, a senior police officer said. Name :- @srinivasiyc Crime :- Saving Lives His first reaction:- we are not scared. We will continue our relief work.#IStandWithIYC pic.twitter.com/xC8xPSV5SP WB Youth Congress (@IYCWestBengal) May 14, 2021 In compliance with the directions of the high court, an inquiry is being conducted into several people, the officer said. Acting as per high court order On May 4, the Delhi High Court had asked the police to examine the instances of politicians allegedly procuring and distributing Remdesivir, used in the treatment of COVID-19 patients, in the national capital and take steps for lodging of FIR in case of offence. Srinivas and his team of volunteers have been running a war room of sorts to monitor SOS calls for COVID-19 since last year. You have two hands at this moment, One to help yourself & the second to help others#SOSIYC pic.twitter.com/Pm36xngIqS Srinivas B V (@srinivasiyc) May 10, 2021 While Srinivas and his team have been widely praised and thanked by millions for their work, they had recently caused a major embarrassment to the government. This was after two foreign missions in Delhi New Zealand and Philipines embassies sent out SOS calls on Twitter tagging Srinivas requesting Oxygen cylinders. We have reached New Zealand High Commission with oxygen cylinders. Please open the gates and save a soul on time. #SOSIYC pic.twitter.com/xQYSRSvk0N Srinivas B V (@srinivasiyc) May 2, 2021 Though the two foreign missions got the help they sought on time, a miffed Foreign Minister S Jaishankar went on a tirade on Twitter, suggesting that it was an unsolicited supply, and called it a cheap publicity stunt. Jairamji, MEA never sleeps; our people know across the world. MEA also never fakes; we know who does. Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) May 2, 2021 Reacting to Delhi Police questioning Srinivas, the Congress said it was nothing but harassment of its volunteers. Congress national media in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala slammed the government for targeting the IYC members who have been providing help to the people amid the brutal Covid wave. As Israeli Defense Force and Hamas militants in Gaza continue to exchange rocket fire and airstrikes. Screams and flying debris enveloped the city as Israeli forces has carried out hundreds of airstrikes in the crowded coastal enclave of Gaza. According to Gaza's health ministry, over 103 people were killed, including 27 children and 11 women, while 580 people have wounded since Monday. Here are some images that show how fear among citizens in bomb-hit Gaza grows amid conflict with Israel. As Israeli Defense Force and Hamas militants in Gaza continue to exchange rocket fire and airstrikes. During this conflict, many people have died as Israeli forces has carried out hundreds of airstrikes in the crowded coastal enclave of Gaza. From New York and London to Paris, thousands of people have gathered in big cities across the world to protest against Israeli attacks on Gaza and show their solidarity with Palestinians. A man in San Francisco who was arrested for riding in the back seat of his Tesla has bought another one after his vehicle was impounded by the cops. Unfazed by his arrest and subsequent release, Param Sharma, bought a new car of the same model and repeated the same stunt after his short stint in jail. In an interview with Fox News affiliate channel KTVU, he said his driving isn't dangerous and boasted that he got home by doing what we've come to know him for: riding in the backseat of a car. KTVU After being released from jail on Tuesday, he told the channel that he had bought a new Tesla Model 3 because the other was impounded. Also, he is "very rich." "I have unlimited money to blow on Teslas. If you take away my Tesla, I will get another Tesla. That's how it works," Sharma said. While his actions have come under serious criticism, he maintains that he wants to show that self-driving vehicles are not only the future, but the present as well. The 25-year-old often shares videos showing him sitting in the backseat of cars on autopilot on Instagram. Sharma was arrested on Tuesday by The California Highway Patrol for reckless driving and disobeying a peace officer. The arrest came after videos circulated online of Sharma riding down the highway in the back seat. He had been cited for the same offense in April, police said. Still, Sharma said he has no plans to stop riding in the back seat of his car, despite the clear dangers the stunt poses to pedestrians and other drivers. "I feel like by mid-2022 the backseat thing will be normal. And I think right now people are just taking it out of proportion," he said. Also read: Shocking Footage Shows Tesla's Driver & Passenger Both Sleeping With The Car On Autopilot The incident is just the latest to spark scrutiny around how some Tesla drivers abuse the company's driver-assistance features. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened investigations into more than two dozen Tesla crashes. Earlier in April, a Tesla was involved in a crash in Texas that killed two people; no one was behind the wheel at the time of the accident. Also read: Dashcam Footage Shows Tesla's Autopilot Smoothly Dodging A Moose Crossing The Road Given the scary times we're living in no one is ready to handle "one more" moment of pain or trauma in their lives. It's only worse if it involves oneself or a loved one. That is what a 24-year-old mother thought when she discovered a 'hole' in the mouth of baby. For a moment, Becky Stiles, from Essex in southeast England, felt her entire world came crumbling down. She panicked and started crying. Credit: Triangle News "I tried to touch it but he just screamed at me, so I made his dad rush over and see it. I'm shaking, sweating and holding back the tears, Becky said. Also Read: Watch: Twin Baby Girls Get Scared When Dad Approaches Them After Shaving His Head And Beard Off She called her husband to come and check the hole in the mouth of the baby. The toddler wasn't letting the mother come closer and inspect, LADbible reported. As the woman and her husband tried to figure out what to do next, the woman called her mother who suggested she take the baby to the hospital. Also Read: Indonesian Man Names Newborn Baby 'Department Of Statistical Communication' The couple dashed to the hospital and reached out to the medics for immediate attention. All the while the young mother was inconsolable. Credit: Triangle News Once the nurses took in baby for examination, they kind of had a sense that the matter wasn't as serious as it first seemed, especially considering the fact that the little boy didn't seem to be in any major pain or discomfort. Also Read: Police Constable Wins Hearts By Taking Care Of Baby While Its Mother Goes Inside A Polling Booth To Cast Her Vote When the nurses examined the mouth of the little boy more closely they found no hole but "a sticker". Yes, you heard it right - a sticker. All the while what the young mother believed to be a hole inside the mouth of her son turned out to be a sticker. When one of the nurses took the sticker out and showed it to the couple, the whole room, full of medical staff, burst out laughing. The couple was relieved no doubt. An employee moves a medical oxygen cylinder to be loaded in an army truck bound to the Sardar Patel Covid-19 Care Center in Delhi Cantonment, at a private medical oxygen refill center in New Delhi on May 12, 2021. (Prakash Singh/AFP via Getty Images) File photo ofU.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi during a hearing before the House Intelligence Committee on Capitol Hill Nov. 20, 2019 in Washington, DC. The Indian American congressman on May 2 participated in a panel discussion, hosted by the U.S.-India Political Action Committee, to address violence against Asian Americans, saying: It is deeply disturbing, this rise of hate. (Samuel Corum - Pool/Getty Images) Crew members load medical oxygen and ventilators onto a cargo plane bound for Delhi, India at Helsinki airport in Finland on May 11, 2021 under an EU aid scheme. The relief efforts of the American India Foundation, an Indian American nonprofit, has touched $25 million. (Sam Kingsley/AFP via Getty Images) Rarely have so many Philadelphia-area restaurants from high-end, high-volume spots to low-key corner bars been seeking workers all at once. Help-wanted signs are ubiquitous and, in a move toward transparency, job postings increasingly include the hourly rates workers can expect. To entice more applicants, some employers are offering signing bonuses. Others are bumping up wages and adding automatic gratuity to customers checks. Less common are businesses openly touting health insurance and other benefits. Still, the shortage doesnt seem to be shifting. The easiest explanation, one cited by some owners in the industry and many spectators on the sidelines, is that continued unemployment benefits discourage workers from returning. But others are quick to point to the industrys long-standing drawbacks low wages, long hours, a lack of benefits as causes of or contributing factors to the shortage. To get a better understanding, The Inquirer is asking restaurant workers to share their take on this complex situation. Whats factoring into the labor shortage, and what would motivate workers to come back? We invite industry workers to fill out our survey. After serving three years in prison for selling a small amount of Xanax pills, Charles Thompson found even worse accommodations upon his release in 2015: the sand under the Atlantic City Boardwalk. I couldnt get housing and I hated shelters, said Thompson, 60, of Atlantic City. So I slept for months with the possums, raccoons, and squirrels. There was no General Assistance to help me. People convicted of felony drug distribution in New Jersey cannot receive GA, a program that gives low-income adults with no dependent children a monthly stipend of $185, as well as job training. Thanks to a strange quirk of law, anyone who completes a prison sentence for a non-drug distribution felony including a violent crime can get GA. People convicted of drug possession may receive GA. They need to get rid of the GA ban for drug felons, said Thompson, who now lives in an apartment after getting help from Legal Services of New Jersey, as well Jewish Family Service of Atlantic and Cape May Counties. A person comes home from jail after doing a little something like selling some pills, and he cant get help? he said. There are people running around raping people, and they can get GA when they leave prison. Thompsons call for a change has support. In fact, Gov. Phil Murphys proposed budget contains nearly $7 million in funding to eliminate the GA ban for those convicted of drug felonies. And the state Legislature is working on a bill to end it as well, with hearings scheduled Tuesday. During his administration, former Gov. Chris Christie vetoed two bills that would have upended the ban, said Renee Koubiadis, executive director of the Anti-Poverty Network of New Jersey in Bordentown, Burlington County. These days, some 75 social-service and advocacy organizations are supporting an end to the ban. Meanwhile, Koubiadis added, nobody Im hearing is against the bill at this point. Getting rid of the ban is part of efforts by the Murphy administration to support social justice in its continued efforts to build a stronger, fairer, and inclusive state, Sarah Adelman, acting commissioner of the states Department of Human Services, said in a statement. The change gives more individuals the assistance and new start they need, she added. The ban disproportionately affects people of color, said Ed Martone, policy analyst for the National Center for Advocacy and Recovery for Behavioral Health, headquartered in Robbinsville, Mercer County. Whats so pernicious about the ban, Martone said, is that its for a lifetime, which means you never complete the punishment for your crime, even though you served your prison sentence. Though the benefit is small, it can be enough to allow a person to rent a single room, or compensate a relative for providing a bed or couch, advocates say. The anticipated changes in GA rules come at a time when President Joe Biden has been urging states to help people reentering society after being imprisoned. His administrations American Families Plan, which offers increased support to parents and children, and helps combat poverty, includes a proposal to facilitate reentry for formerly incarcerated individuals by making sure they have access to food stamps, now know as SNAP, for the federally funded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Individuals convicted of a drug-related felony are currently ineligible to receive SNAP benefits unless a state has taken the option to eliminate or modify this restriction. As it happens, both New Jersey and Pennsylvania already allow those convicted of drug felonies to receive SNAP benefits. But GA is a different program, funded by states, not the federal government. Pennsylvania no longer has GA. Overall, 13,496 New Jersey residents are receiving GA benefits as of the last count, state figures show. That number rose 33% during the pandemic, according to Maura Sanders, chief counsel at Legal Services of New Jersey, headquartered in Edison, Middlesex County. Advocates estimate that nearly 1,000 people who had been convicted of felony drug distribution were rejected for GA benefits in 2020. By punishing those who deal drugs more than those who have committed violent crimes, the ban illustrates an outsize enmity toward drug-related crime, advocates say. In most cases, people were convicted of dealing small amounts of drugs, often to supply their own addictions, Sanders said. We are not seeing El Chapo applying for General Assistance, she said. These are not convicted drug kingpins but people with addiction problems who may have been very low-level dealers. Now its years later and most want to get into drug treatment and job training, all of that connected to receipt of General Assistance. They break down in tears when I say they cant get assistance. They tell me, I cant even afford a toothbrush right now. Precluding these people from GA only perpetuates misery for those reentering everyday society after being incarcerated, said Ali Coles, 55, of Camden. A former drug dealer who served four separate prison sentences, Coles now unloads trucks for a supermarket after receiving support from Volunteers of America Delaware Valley. Getting GA would have been a start for me, and it would have kept me from being homeless the last time I got out of prison, he said. It would prevent you from going back to selling drugs just to survive. With their eyes on possible movement in the Legislature on the anti-ban bill, advocates are hopeful people in Coles predicament wont have to suffer much longer. Theres a lot of support to make this change, Martone said. The legislative process is long, even if youre pushing a bill for kittens and rainbows. But Im optimistic. A spate of gun violence across the city claimed the lives of seven people and injured 18 over the weekend, making it one of the deadliest stretches of crime in decades, Philadelphia Police Department officials said Monday. The violence which included a quintuple shooting, two triple shootings, and three double shootings pushed the citys homicide count as of Monday morning to 185 victims, more than 30% higher than at this time last year, according to department data. You all know it was a pretty horrific weekend. We had a lot of violence. Detectives are working around the clock, Chief Inspector Frank Vanore, head of the Investigations Bureau, said during an afternoon news conference at police headquarters. Ive been working here over 31 years. Ive seen a lot of violence. This is more violence than Ive ever seen. ... So were very concerned. We need people to put down the guns. Homicide Capt. Jason Smith said some of the bloodshed was fueled by drug turf battles, arguments, robberies, and retaliation for previous killings a motive police believe was behind three of the weekend killings. Smith said investigators need the publics help to solve the crimes the arrest rate for slayings this year is just 46%. Its up to the community, he said. Its up to these individuals who are committing these acts of violence. They have to take a step back and say: Wow. Is it really worth it? Are we going to continue going in this direction? Smith asked anyone with information about the crimes to notify the police at 215-686-3334, 215-686-3335, or 215-686-TIPS. Tips can also be left at phillyunsolvedmurders.com, he said. Those who provide tips that lead to the arrest and conviction of a suspect will receive $20,000 from the city, officials said. So far, no one has been arrested in any of the seven slayings and one man was arrested in one of the nonfatal shootings, said Vanore, who added that detectives are culling through video evidence from the various scenes. An arrest warrant has been issued in one of the slayings, but the suspect remains at large. The shootings claimed 25 victims in 14 incidents. The victims, 22 males and three females, ranged in age from 17 to 64, and detectives recovered 121 bullet shell casings, officials said. The weekends first fatal shooting happened just after 9 a.m. Saturday on the 1600 block of Granite Street. Police found Tyree Roundtree, 31, lying in the street with a gunshot wound to the back. He died shortly afterward. Police have issued an arrest warrant for Naheem Williamson, 25, who is on probation, has eight previous arrests, and an active warrant for domestic robbery and probation violations, Smith said. Roundtree and Williamson worked at the same construction company, and police believe Williamson learned that the victim had about $1,500 to pay the companys day laborers, and killed him for the money. Williamson is still at large, Smith said. The second slaying took place at 7:54 p.m. on the 1700 block of West Ruscomb Street in Olney, where police found Sebastian Brown, 20 suffering from gunshot wounds to the head and face. Smith attributed the killing, which remains unsolved, to group-related violence in the area. A lot of retaliation. One murder leads to another murder and its a continual cycle of violence, he said. The third fatal shooting was a triple shooting in which two people were killed at 1:39 p.m. Sunday in the 2800 block of North 21st Street in North Philadelphia. Police found three young men inside a bullet-ridden 2000 Nissan. Khalil Burgess, 18, a passenger in the rear drivers side seat, was shot fatally in the head. Nazir Veasy, 19, who was in the rear passenger side seat, was fatally shot multiple times in the torso. He was pronounced dead at 3:30 a.m. Monday. The third victim, an 18-year-old man who was in the front passenger seat, survived a gunshot wound to the left arm. The lone gunman was in a car that pulled alongside the Nissan and opened fire, Smith said. The fourth fatal attack claimed the most victims five and two of them died. The shooting happened Sunday at 4:18 p.m. in the 100 block of East Albanus Street in Olney. The motive is believed to have been retaliation, Smith said. The two victims who died were found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds on the porch of a home. They were identified as: Markel Amir Smith Rafi, 23, and Samir Lindsey, 17. The three gunshot victims who survived were transported by private vehicles to hospitals, where they were treated for injuries. The fifth fatal shooting took place Sunday at 11:37 p.m. in the 800 block of East Allegheny Avenue, where a man was killed in front of a store and two women were shot and wounded. Aaron Parker, 26, was shot multiple times in the torso and died of his injuries. Parker was the intended target, and the motive is drug-related, police said. Smith said police believe some of the weekends shootings may be linked to earlier homicides. Individuals in these groups decide to take matters into their own hands rather than relying on us to do the job, rather than providing us with information that will help us solve these homicides, he said. Thats why we find ourselves in this continuing cycle of violence. Lou Barletta, a former congressman from Pennsylvania, fierce critic of illegal immigration, and vocal ally of former President Donald Trumps, is moving toward a potential run for governor by forming a political group focused on state issues. The new group, ChangePA(C), aims to emphasize Barlettas views on Pennsylvania government, he said. It will also allow him to raise money and his political profile as he considers another run for office in 2022. Barletta, the GOP nominee for U.S. Senate in 2018, blasted Democratic Gov. Tom Wolfs handling of the coronavirus pandemic, a flash point for many conservatives. As a lifelong Pennsylvanian, Ive been disappointed in the leadership out of Harrisburg for the last eight years, but its been especially horrifying in the last year alone, Barletta said in a statement announcing the formation of the political action committee and shared first with The Inquirer. Governor Wolfs handling of the coronavirus response has been shameful. He cited the Wolf administrations policy ordering that COVID-19 patients be readmitted into nursing homes though its unclear if that policy led to an outbreak hammered the states vaccine rollout, and said businesses were crushed by draconian lockdowns. People are demanding change in Harrisburg, and Ive had a lot of encouragement to get involved, Barletta said. A Muhlenberg College poll this month showed a sharp divide on Wolfs handling of the pandemic: 40% approved, and 41% disapproved. The web site for Barlettas new PAC emphasizes issues such as fighting illegal immigration and environmental regulations, supporting police and the coal and gas industries, and tightening election laws, citing widespread mistrust, in elections mistrust fueled by false claims by Trump and his supporters. Barlettas new PAC mirrors a step taken by former U.S. Attorney Bill McSwain, who is also moving toward a run for governor in what could be a crowded GOP field aiming to replace Wolf, who is term-limited. READ MORE: Pat Toomey's retirement makes the 2022 elections in Pennsylvania a total free-for-all Barletta first made his political brand as mayor of Hazleton in Northeast Pennsylvanias Luzerne County, drawing national attention for his hard-line stands against illegal immigration. He was one of the first members of Congress to endorse Trump and later became a prominent surrogate, often referred to by the president as half of his thunder and lightning team in Pennsylvania. But Trumps backing wasnt enough for Barletta in his 2018 run against Sen. Bob Casey. Amid a Democratic wave, Barletta lost by 13 percentage points and struggled to raise money. National groups largely wrote off the race, despite Pennsylvanias usually competitive politics. Barlettas allies argue that as a former statewide candidate who won 2.1 million votes (43% that year), he starts with name recognition that gives him a jump on the rest of the GOP field. They contend it will be hard for others to break through given the vast collection of Democrats and Republicans competing for voters attention in gubernatorial and Senate races next year. It is still very early, with few voters tuning in to a race some 18 months away. But Barletta topped a field of five potential Republican candidates for governor, according to a February poll from the Harrisburg-based Susquehanna Polling & Research. Barletta had support from 20% of Republican voters, the survey found, and State Sen. Doug Mastriano ranked second with 11% support. The sample included just 272 registered Republicans and the vast majority, 60%, were undecided. READ MORE: A Pa. senator gets a political boost from pushing Trumps false election claims with 2022 in sight Some 67% of Republican voters were familiar with Barletta, according to the poll, though about half of the people who knew of him had no opinion of him. Overall, 23% of Republicans saw him favorably. The governors seat is attracting a wide range of Republican interest. McSwain and Mastriano are seen as potential contenders, and party insiders are also watching U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, former Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley, and others. State Attorney General Josh Shapiro is widely seen as the early Democratic front-runner for governor. We lost Mom twice this year. First on Feb. 7, three days before her 93rd birthday. Then, as if the annus horribilis couldnt get any worse, for six weeks when the U.S. Postal Service lost her remains. Dad would call for updates, sometimes several times a day. Have you heard anything about the package? hed ask. He is 95, her partner for 75 years, and husband for 73. Theyd lived on their own in a sunny Florida apartment with views of the ocean and MSNBC blaring from each room. There was nothing new to tell Dad. Cremations By The Sea had sent her off on Feb. 17 for next-day delivery, and we were going to keep her until the pandemic ebbed and we could gather in the Massachusetts cemetery where her parents await. I wasnt sure how I would feel about having the package in the house. A couple times this year Mom had mentioned that I was never that good at facing reality when it came to death, and Im sure this came in part from lack of practice all four of my grandparents lived long enough to dance at our wedding. Mom was a counselor more than 30 years advising women of their choices since before Roe v. Wade. She relished chewing on a problem. We loved to argue. When she brought up my history, Id counter that she was remembering a boy who had to grow up a long time ago, whod covered wars and bombings and seen things that toughen the skin. Over this past pandemic year I was so insistent on defending myself that I didnt realize she was intimating her own mortality. Her hearing had declined, so our conversations had become more speeches than debates, and her part was talking about the doctors appointments she had coming up the ones we didnt cancel because we didnt want her to take unnecessary risks during a plague. I never really grasped what bad shape she was in. I hadnt seen her since March 2020, when I scooted down to Florida, knowing there was a good chance I wouldnt get to see them for a while. She went into the hospital after the kind woman who had been helping Mom with meals noticed Moms hands were blue. Her CO2 level was high. Her heart was working too hard. Her breathing was labored. She lasted a week there, and we all got to FaceTime and call, and leave texts and favorite family photos. And then we said goodbye, Mom being ready and telling us it was time to let her go. The last thing she told my sister was Keep exercising. By phone and email the man from the cremations company told me how sorry he was. Two other shipments sent that day were long-delayed but had found their way to a home, and that left just Mom, somehow lost in the mail. The tracking info was frozen at Feb. 17. He was a persistent advocate, pleading to supervisors in Florida and Philadelphia. For the longest time there just werent answers. Then he got someone to consult a physical shipping log in West Palm Beach and learned that the Postal Service had handed the package off to its partner FedEx, which had flown it to Memphis, where it likely still was. I updated my father. She always wanted to go to Tennessee, Dad said. I got a call a few weeks later from an older gentleman in Memphis. He worked for the Post Office there and his name was Philip same as my dads. He said hed found Mom. She was in a bin for packages that had been damaged in transit. He told me how he repacked and boxed her, affixed the old label to the new container, and placed it on the truck for delivery himself. I talked to him again a week later, when Mom still hadnt arrived. A supervisor in the Philly office of the Postal Service was at an equal loss to explain why the trip from Memphis was taking so long. Then on March 29 Mom arrived, after 40 days and 40 nights. I put the package on the buffet in the dining room. I couldnt bring myself to inspect the damage. We tucked it under the dining room table, and a couple days later, I started talking to it, just Hey, Mom, and I miss you at first, then easy conversations, or speeches, that surprised me at how easy they were. My wife figured we could do better by Mom than the plastic bag and cardboard box she came in. Mom was a fashion plate she used to tell me she had her Ph.D. from Filenes Basement. My wife shopped for a cabernet-red velvet bag and a little plain pine box for Mom, and transferred the contents of the Postal Service package. Moms back on the buffet now, awaiting some better day when we can all gather again. Each time I walk past I sweep my hand over the pine boxs smooth surface and say something light. Mother love serves a boy well, long after hes ready for the world. Happy Mothers Day. Thirty-six years to the day after Philadelphia police dropped a bomb on the MOVE rowhouse in Cobbs Creek, killing 11 people, including five children, and razing 61 homes, the pain is fresh on Osage Avenue. There are a lot of thoughts running through my mind, said Mike Africa Jr. with a heavy sigh, looking out to the crowd of 200 dressed in white at Osage Avenue and Cobbs Creek Parkway. Before we get to those, we have to say their names. Rhonda Africa. Theresa Africa. Frank Africa. Conrad Africa. John Africa. Tree Africa. Delisha Africa. Netta Africa. Little Phil Africa. Tomaso Africa. Raymond Africa. Those gathered solemnly marched to Malcolm X Park, chanting on a move, and the names of those killed on May 13, 1985, when police dropped a bomb on the rowhouse belonging to MOVE, a West Philadelphia-based Black liberation and activist group, as officers attempted to evict them. As the march passed by, residents peered out windows and doors, some raising fists in solidarity. Theres a lot of love on this block for MOVE people, member Pam Africa bellowed into a megaphone on Osage Avenue. Thirty-six years later, members said, the pain of the bombing and fire has sharpened, as new information around the mishandling of the remains of one of the youngest victims believed to be 14-year-old Tree Africa came to light in April. Hours after the city announced the resignation of Health Commissioner Thomas Farley over the mishandling of more MOVE members remains, Africa Jr. addressed supporters, fists up, in Malcolm X Park, a sign reading The power of truth is final, at his feet. We have to rise up and fight the system, and push for accountability, because if this system is allowed to do what theyre doing to us, and we do not push for accountability, what makes us believe that they will not do this again? he said. READ MORE: Philly health commissioner resigns over cremating MOVE victims without telling family; Kenney apologizes Before the event began, MOVE members and event organizers gathered, tearfully hugging. Following drum beats, they recounted an oral history of the day of the bombing. In 1985, the house and surrounding neighborhood was set aflame when police besieged the MOVE rowhouse for hours after harassment complaints from neighbors, firing rounds of bullets, water cannons, and smoke grenades, and pumping tear gas into the home, before eventually dropping a bomb on its roof. The city then let the fire burn to destroy the bunker atop the home as the then-fire commissioner promised that his firefighters could control the blaze. But the fire engulfed the house and spread to 60 others, decimating the predominantly Black neighborhood. The city of Philadelphia dropped a bomb on MOVE. Oh, they should definitely be ashamed. They should be a lot of things, Africa Jr. said. But the fact is this. They should not be allowed to do this. They should not be allowed to get away with murder. The bombing was one of many police confrontations with the activist group founded in the 1970s. Police raided the groups original headquarters in Powelton Village multiple times after health hazard and harassment complaints from neighbors, before MOVE relocated to Osage Avenue. Africa Jr.s parents Debbie Sims Africa and Michael Africa Sr. were among the MOVE 9 who were arrested and charged in the death of Police Officer James J. Ramp during the 1978 standoff at the groups house. MOVE members have contested that Ramp was accidentally killed by another officer. In April, the treatment of one of the child victims remains by two museums came into question after freelancer and activist Abdul-Aliy Muhammad brought to light their custody in an op-ed in The Inquirer. For years, without MOVE members knowledge, a pelvic bone and femur bone believed to have been from Tree Africa were transported between the University of Pennsylvania and Princeton University. The new information led to outrage and protests, and the museum said the use of the bones for anthropology study was a serious error in judgement. The remains have since been turned over to a West Philadelphia funeral home. Thursdays anniversary marked the first since Philadelphia City Council officially apologized for the bombing, and established May 13 as an annual day of observation, reflection and recommitment. Councilmember Jamie Gauthier who represents the area called for a full accounting of the mishandling of the familys remains, and said the Africa family deserves monetary restitution, from the city and the University of Pennsylvania. The original incident was horrible. Its one of the most atrocious acts that have ever happened in the country, Gauthier said. And now to know that there was further disrespect of a Black life through the way that these remains were handled. Its just utterly disgusting. In May 2020, W. Wilson Goode Sr., who was mayor at the time of the bombing, called on the city in 2020 to issue a formal apology. In a statement Thursday, Mayor Jim Kenney called the bombing a horrific, disgraceful tragedy that we must continue to commemorate not just on anniversaries like today but year-round, adding that he was in active conversations about how the city could respectfully commemorate MOVE going forward. This week, MOVE members Pam Africa and Ramona Africas faces were among those of local Black women activists added to the Crown murals by artist Russell Craig on the Municipal Services Building across from City Hall. As night fell on the park Thursday, Black Lives Matter organizer Krystal Strong called on the group to recite the names of the bombing victims once more. Candles burned at the base of the temporary stage near a community altar to those lost in MOVE, decorated with flower bouquets and oranges. Ashe, they said in unison. When I was born in the heart of anthracite coal country in the 1950s, coal mines were still operating. Their prospects todayparticularly after the United Mine Workers of America union just announced their support for a transition away from coal look different. Coal has long had a storied history in northeastern Pennsylvania. The region grew fast and rich from the 18th to the mid-20th centuries, with anthracite (hard) coal noted in the area by John Jenkins, Sr. on a map in 1762. An agent of William Penn reported back to London in 1765 that coal was present, noting in an understatement that this may sometime be a thing of great value. Obadiah and Daniel Gore burned the curious black rock in their blacksmith shop in 1769, and by 1807, the first 50-ton shipment of hard coal had been floated down the Susquehanna River to Columbia, in Lancaster County. In 1808, in a tavern in Wilkes-Barre, Judge Jesse Fell demonstrated a way to kindle this stone coal in a simple grate without the forced draft of a bellows. Together with a Western Pennsylvania bituminous (soft) coal find in 1752, the Coal Age in America had begun. READ MORE: Schuylkill County and coal country keep Pa. politics unpredictable | Opinion But the legacy of coal mining in that region was mixed from early on. By the late 19th century, it had financed the rapid growth of two soon-to-be bustling cities Wilkes-Barre and Scranton bringing industry and commerce to the Valley and attracting waves of immigrants from Wales, Germany, Poland, Ireland, and later, Italy. The earliest American members of my family arrived in 1853 and 1865, from Germany and Russia. Yet this prosperity for some in the 19th and 20th centuries was built on the backs of hard labor, available for a pittance. Once underground mining became established, miners were beset by emphysema and black lung diseases, and mining accidents became regular occurrences. One near Pittston in 1896 took 58 lives. The last big mine collapse occurred in 1959: the Knox Mine Disaster under the Susquehanna River. An illegally dug and inadequately supported mine shaft and galleries under the river were created at the direction of corrupt mine bosses, including the mineworkers union president. These collapsed, an enormous hole opened in the riverbed, and a vortex of water inundated the mine, killing twelve miners. The hole took three days to fill with dozens of railcars and tons of rock and mining debris. The accident marked the beginning of the end of King Coal in Northeastern Pennsylvania, and deep mining largely ended within 15 years. There remained, however, coal minings environmental damage. The strip mines left extensive scars on the landscape, still unhealed in some places. There were left mountains of coal waste, down which we would slide much to our mothers chagrin. These leached pollutants into waterways for decades. At the same time, stormwater entered the old mines through boreholes, and the toxic effluent found its way to streams and rivers stained orange from sulfuric acid and iron oxide, ravaging water quality. The Susquehanna along whose shores we played (again, to our parents dismay) often smelled terrible, the river regularly carrying dead fish and depositing them along the same banks where wed find arrowheads and fossils. We would rarely see a boat, and never a fisherman. The coal used to heat our homes and businesses, while cleaner-burning than soft coal, still polluted the air through the long winter. READ MORE: Trump didnt bring back coal in Pa. But that doesnt mean miners are backing Biden. The boom and bust cycle adversely affected the regions economy for two generations after the mines closed because, crucially, there was no planning or transition created for what would come next. Fifty years later, the rivers and streams are just now recovering from the pollution that nearly killed them. Theyre still bringing the coal-scarred landscapes back to life, for billions of dollars of effort. Dont get me wrong. As much as I can tell from afar, progress is being made in the region. New jobs outside of coal are arriving, and incomes long depressed seem to be rising, albeit slightly and slowly. There is commerce, industry, and a strong government services sector in the Valley. Modern federal and state air and water pollution laws are having some positive environmental effect. But the coal-created economy much as it caused a fever that burned for more than 150 years was dirty in innumerable ways. Miners benefitted. They also suffered. The region grew, then shrank. Hard carbon came out of the earth, and the waste ended up on the land and in the water, air and, eventually, the atmosphere. It is time for a new age leaving coal behind, in Pennsylvania and everywhere. Lee Epstein is an environmental lawyer with four decades of practice in the public, private and non-profit sectors. Pennsylvanias next primary election is Tuesday, May 18, with statewide judicial and Philadelphia district attorney candidates on the ballot. Our state is one of just nine with closed primaries, meaning only registered Democrats and Republicans can weigh in on their respective partisan races, and independents just get a say on the ballot questions. State Rep. Chris Quinn (R., Delaware County) has introduced legislation to open primaries to the nearly 900,000 independent and nonpartisan voters in the state, but that wouldnt open primaries for those already registered to a party. READ MORE: 2021 primary election: Endorsement guide Some argue that primaries should be fully open for a democratic system, while critics counter that such an approach wont lead to the strongest candidates to represent constituents. Two Inquirer opinion staff writers debate: Would Philly benefit from fully open primaries? Yes: Everyone should get to vote in Philadelphia elections Over 6,200 Philadelphia Republicans switched parties ahead of the district attorneys race. While its hardly new to see otherwise staunchly Republican voters register as Democrats in order to vote in local elections, this years influx is bigger than ever, representing roughly two-thirds of Beth Grossmans 2017 primary vote, per city data. While many progressive Philadelphians may see these voters as unwelcome party guests, the party switchers are behaving according to Philadelphias political reality: If you want a meaningful say in who governs you, who writes your laws, or who sits on the bench, you need to belong to the Democratic Party. In the last 30 years of the citys general elections, only 1999s John F. Street vs. Sam Katz and their 2003 rematch have qualified as genuinely contested citywide contests. In the others, while the Republican Party may have been able to secure a candidate, they simply havent had the civic stature or funding to create a competitive race. This is not likely to change anytime soon. READ MORE: Philly Voter Guide: May 18, 2021 Is it really democratic to have an elections system where only the subset of society that belongs to the dominant party has a meaningful say in who wins? Is this process producing fair outcomes? Defenders of the current system say that political primaries are private party events where outsiders shouldnt have a voice. They would also note that antiurban sentiment emanating from conservative media and anti-Philadelphia rhetoric from Republicans in Harrisburg are driving forces behind the GOPs marginalization in the city. Thats fair. But local Republicans arent exactly in a position to change any of that. Theres only one Philly Republican in Harrisburg, representing the farthest periphery of the city. Even the Charter-designated seats for minority parties that are meant to serve as a voice for local Republicans have been lost to a faction of local progressives. Philadelphias at-large system had previously succeeded in offering city Republicans a roughly proportional voice in local government: three seats out of 17, or 17.6% of the seats on City Council, for a party that routinely takes about 17% of the vote. But Working Families Party member Kendra Brooks won one of the seats that typically goes to a Republican, leaving the City GOP with 2 for 17. Is it any surprise that, with potential to lose even this small voice, Republicans are taking another path to make themselves heard? In Philadelphia, this would mean that instead of just Democrats choosing our next DA, the entire city would be invited to decide. Daniel Pearson Of course, none of this would be necessary if Philadelphia used a system for local elections that included all voters regardless of party. In states as different as California and Georgia, voters can pick between all options, with the top two candidates going on to a runoff in which the entire electorate can choose between them. In Philadelphia, this would mean that instead of just Democrats choosing our next DA, the entire city would be invited to decide. Not only would this be more democratic for the citys Republican, nonaffiliated, and third party voters it would also ensure that citywide candidates actually secure a majority of the vote in the election that matters. As things stand, candidates can win with less than 40% of the vote. In any self-professed democracy, let alone the cradle of liberty, it is important that all people have an equal chance to be heard, shape public policy, and elect representatives who can voice their concerns. Philadelphia Republicans are looking at a future where their only opportunity to do any of this is a general election that is a foregone conclusion. Philadelphia should find a system that enfranchises all of its citizens, not just its Democrats. Daniel Pearson is a staff writer for The Inquirers opinion team. No: Fully open primaries wont select the best candidates. Its a bummer to be a Republican in Philadelphia. Chances are your vote wont be the one that decides an election. Philadelphia is a one-party town: Since the city adopted the Home Rule Charter in 1951, no Republican has been elected mayor, and the last time Philadelphia had a Republican district City Council member who wasnt Brian J. ONeill was in 1990. Philadelphia incumbents are very confident in reelection no mayor has lost their bid since the charter. The city is also corrupt, with some pointing to party in-dealing as the reason. Is the solution to Philadelphias one-party rule problem as simple as: If you cant beat them, join them in an open primary? Probably not. Primaries are a party, not state, function and there is value in that. In primaries for competitive general election races such as the 2020 presidential Democratic primary party members have a chance to vet candidates and ideas, and develop a bench of future candidates. READ MORE: Philly and Pittsburgh primaries are referendums on progressive politics | Opinion Proponents of open primaries argue that, on the state level, closed primaries lead to more extreme candidates. But looking at Pennsylvania-wide elected officials Tom Wolf, Bob Casey, Pat Toomey, Josh Shapiro the word extreme doesnt come to mind. Another argument in favor of open primaries is that they will give an opportunity for Republicans to participate meaningfully in city elections. Maybe they would be able to tilt the balance toward candidates they prefer. I do see the value of a partially open primary for unaffiliated voters, in which people who are independent can participate. That is a way to protect peoples privacy and include those who dont support a partys apparatus. But partisans should stay in their lane or switch parties. As a noncitizen who cant vote, I get what it is like to feel left out of the process. But the last thing that politics needs is more incentive for voters to vote strategically instead of with their conscience. The decision inevitably will become: Who is the Democratic nominee that a Republican can most easily vote for? That is a recipe for disaster. Philadelphia Republicans shouldnt get to have an opportunity before the general election to act as spoilers. If there is a candidate that they deeply support in the Democratic primary, they should change their party registration a relatively quick process that many chose to do this year. If local Republicans were willing to invest in this level of political organizing, maybe Philadelphia wouldnt be a one-party town. Abraham Gutman The numbers also dont really add up. In the 2019 primary, Mayor Jim Kenney won about 84,000 more votes than the Democratic runner-up, State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams. The Republican on the ballot, Bill Ciancaglini, won 17,000 votes in his primary. To influence this election, nearly five times more Republican voters would have had to come out and vote and all for Williams. In the low turnout 2017 Philadelphia DA race, one many Republicans would have loved to shift, the Republican on the ballot got 9,500 primary votes. Had Republicans coordinated to vote in unison for the Democratic candidate endorsed by the Fraternal Order of the Police, Rich Negrin, they would have had to persuade nearly 40,000 voters to show up, without a single one voting for another candidate. If local Republicans were willing to invest in this level of political organizing, maybe Philadelphia wouldnt be a one-party town. But most fundamentally, if Republicans want to win power in Philadelphia, they should question the gap between their platform and the Philadelphia electorate. If the party continues to be anti-immigrant, anti-abortion, anti-gun control, or anti-trans rights, to name a few issues, they wont win Philly elections no matter the system. Abraham Gutman is a staff writer for The Inquirers opinion team. Read more Inquirer pro/cons: Pennsylvania ballot questions: Should voters give more disaster declaration control to the legislature? Should local election boards be nonpartisan? Is it time to ditch Phillys iconic cobblestones? The U.S. Supreme Court closed the books on Pennsylvanias 2020 election Monday, rejecting an appeal of a Republican congressional candidates unsuccessful challenge of the states mail-ballot deadlines. The case was the last of a torrent of litigation challenging the administration of Pennsylvanias election, which drew intense scrutiny and several appeals to the Supreme Court. But the court repeatedly declined to intervene in the Pennsylvania cases, even as some conservative justices signaled potential interest. On Monday five months and 16 days after Election Day, and three months into Bidens presidency the court vacated the previous judgment of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, returned the case to the circuit court, and instructed it to dismiss the case as moot. No justices were listed as dissenting from the decision. The ruling means the state can count about 10,000 mail ballots that had arrived after Election Day. They were far too few to change President Joe Bidens 81,000-vote victory in Pennsylvania but those votes hadnt been included in the states certified vote count, leaving thousands of voters technically without a voice in the election. The Pennsylvania Department of State is now reviewing the options for those ballots, a spokesperson said Monday. The case resolved Monday, Bognet v. Degraffenreid, was one of several focused on the Pennsylvania Supreme Courts 2020 ruling that extended mail-ballot deadlines until three days after Election Day. That ruling was meant to address concerns that mail delivery delays would prevent votes from arriving on time. But Republicans expressed outrage that the states high court had overstepped its bounds; one of them, Jim Bognet, a congressional candidate from Luzerne County, filed a lawsuit. None of the legal challenges to those deadlines was ultimately successful. In February, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the other major challenges to how Pennsylvania ran the election, leaving only Bognet. Unlike the other cases, Bognet sought not only to challenge the state Supreme Courts decision saying it violates the U.S. Constitution, which gives state legislatures the power to determine how elections are run but also federal court rulings on who can bring such election challenges and when. Ultimately, none of the judges who considered the case on appeal weighed in on the merits of the legal argument. The circuit court had upheld a lower courts decision that, among other things, Bognet lacked standing to bring the lawsuit. The Supreme Courts decision vacates that decision. David H. Thompson, the lead lawyer for Bognet, said he was pleased the high court tossed out the lower court decision, which he said means any future election challenge can be litigated against a blank slate. While all elections are highly charged and divisive, last year brought unprecedented attention to election administration how votes are cast and counted as former President Donald Trump helped spread false conspiracy theories around voter fraud and election rigging. Those claims were often conflated with legal and procedural concerns around the election, and the result was a record amount of election litigation, including after Election Day. Over and over, those lawsuits failed, as judges across the country and ideological spectrum rejected challenges to the election. We are pleased that yet another court ruling has affirmed the accuracy and integrity of Pennsylvanias November 2020 election, Pennsylvania Department of State spokesperson Wanda Murren said in a statement Monday. Pennsylvanians can be proud of the work done in every county election office to ensure that every voters ballot was cast and counted fairly. Some Republicans had hoped to reverse the election outcome, giving Trump the win, while others sought to establish new legal doctrine and rules for future elections. Lawmakers have turned their attention once more to legislation. In Washington, Democrats have proposed legislation intended to dramatically expand access and set nationwide voting standards. At the state level, legislatures have pursued a variety of proposals, including Republican measures that proponents say would increase election security but in some cases by severely restricting access to the ballot. A major new voting law in Georgia, for example, has drawn controversy. Pennsylvania legislators have introduced a number of proposals, but legislative leaders havent advanced them yet, instead holding a series of hearings in the House and Senate before proposing overhaul legislation this summer. State regulators in New York will soon draft rules that will require employers to protect workers from airborne infectious disease. A new state law tasks state labor and health officials with coming up with minimum workplace standards around things like the availability of personal protective equipment, social distancing and quarantine requirements. Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the bill into law last week. Employers in New York will have to come up with safety plans that comply with the yet-to-be written state standards and provide them to workers. Employers who dont comply could face fines. Workers could also sue for up to $20,000 from employers who dont follow safety standards or retaliate against workers for reporting non-compliance. The law was intended to help people like Maritza Ovalles, who has worked in the nail salon industry for over two decades but left her job when the COVID-19 pandemic struck and left her exposed in a workplace that she said lacked adequate health and safety protections. When the pandemic began, the level of risk of not having proper protections was life or death, said Ovalles, who advocates for better working conditions as a member of the NY Nail Salon Workers Association. Knowing this, I could not risk returning to work where conditions did not take into account my life or the life of my family. Some small businesses are concerned about the cost of complying with the law, according to Greg Biryla, senior state director for the New York chapter of the National Federation of Independent Businesses. He called the law a magnet for predatory litigation. Contrary to what proponents have been highlighting, this bill will have an outsized impact on small businesses who are hanging by threads because of the pandemic and resulting economic conditions, he said in a statement. Cuomo signed the bill into law, but said lawmakers had agreed to tweak it through additional legislation. He said that, among other things, the amendments will limit lawsuits to scenarios where employers are failing to correct violations. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Commercial Lines New York Business Insurance With federal regulators missing from the field and state leaders scrambling to manage the COVID-19 crisis, Massachusetts 351 overtaxed local boards of health were unwittingly thrust into a new role last year overseers of workplace safety. The challenge created by forcing that responsibility on the municipal agencies, some staffed with only one or two people, may have contributed to at least one chairmans heart attack and highlighted the fragility of the workplace-safety landscape in Massachusetts. Its brutal. Its brutal. Its off the charts, said Michael R. Hugo, government affairs director for the Massachusetts Association of Health Boards. There is so much egregious behavior going on by businesses that nobody has time to do it all. The Bay States crisis illustrates the perils caused by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administrations retreat from its duties in recent years, as states, labor unions, worker-advocacy organizations and other stakeholders strove to fill in the gaps. OSHAs absence pressured an understaffed Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards, which oversees public-sector workers, to step in. But it could not manage its statewide workload and pandemic workplace-safety compliance on its own, according to interviews with more than a dozen state officials, health directors and worker-safety advocates. Those twin failings reached a critical peak in May 2020, as Republican Gov. Charlie Baker prepared to allow some businesses to reopen after a two-month shutdown. Workplace-safety enforcement largely fell to local boards of health already grappling with scores of mandated duties from monitoring communicable diseases to ensuring a clean community water supply. It just became the theater of the absurd. They were just dumping onto the local health directors, said Hopkinton Board of Health Director Shaun McAuliffe. We didnt have the time. We didnt have the training and we had no one else to roll it down to. We were at the bottom of the hill. A collaboration among the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at the University of Maryland, Boston University, the University of Arkansas and Stanford University found that the national workers safety system is splintered and communication is muddled. As a result, there is little accountability for the failure of government watchdogs to keep workers safe from COVID-19. OSHA, the federal agency responsible for ensuring worker safety in the private sector, was asleep at the switch for the duration of the pandemic under the Trump administration, said Rick Claypool, a research director for Public Citizen, a consumer-rights advocacy group. The consortium also found that oversight of worker safety in the U.S. rarely results in meaningful consequences for companies who arent protecting workers. When workers try to sound the alarm to OSHA by submitting COVID-related complaints, only a fraction lead to in-person inspections, and even fewer result in a citation. As of late March, 3% of closed COVID-19 complaints to federal OSHA offices deemed valid by the agency resulted in an inspection, 12.5% of which led to citations with an average penalty of $13,000. OSHA has reduced over a third of penalties. OSHA has yet to issue an emergency temporary standard covering workplace COVID-19 infections. Because of that enforcement gap, Baker could issue guidelines for local health boards and DLS to use existing legal powers to enforce workplace-safety rules for all employers, a Baker spokesperson said. But with not enough inspectors and staff working remotely, DLS was overwhelmed. It was a pass the buck. The state didnt have the capacity, so they shifted that responsibility to the local boards of health, said Jodi Sugerman-Brozan, executive director of the Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health (MassCOSH). Learning they were front-line enforcers for pandemic workplace safety jolted health directors since the Baker administrations 2019 Blueprint for Public Health Excellence noted the boards were already struggling to meet existing mandates, including overseeing water and sewage systems, animal and insect-borne hazards, and emergency preparedness. Board directors learned of their new duties the same day Bakers 19-member Reopening Advisory Board announced the new state guidelines by memo. We had no say in crafting the guidance, which all was done at the cabinet level, said Royalston Board of Health Chair Philip Leger. But all the dirty work was dumped on us. The multilayered Massachusetts workplace-safety landscape got more confusing, creating an inadequate and disjointed response to COVID-19, Sugerman-Brozan said. Besides OSHA and DLS, other state and municipal agencies, including the state Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission, all have a hand in workplace-safety enforcement in Massachusetts. The Attorney Generals Office, which oversees fair labor but not workplace safety laws, accepted worker complaints while DLS set up a system, Attorney General Maura Healey said. I think DLS maybe was overwhelmed, Healey said. Bakers administration has issued dozens of COVID-19 related orders. I would say 100% of the governors orders are enforced by the Board of Health, which is time-consuming because we only have one or two people to try to enforce 100 orders, said Yarmouth Health Director Bruce Murphy. Plus theres sub orders, and then (the DLS) has their own orders. The Reopening Advisory Board failed to include a single local public-health board chair, and the reopening guidelines also lacked an anonymous complaint line for frightened workers. Besides contact tracing for COVID-19 cases, Massachusetts boards of health must enforce the state sanitary code, monitor tobacco sales to minors, make sure citizens are immunized and more. Some of them are just so overworked that they cant do their core functions, Hugo said. By mid-April, according to DLS data, there were over 1,600 complaints for both public-sector and private employers dating to May 2020, with about half resulting in violations. Employers flouting the rules include big-box stores, country clubs, nail salons, grocery stores, restaurants, a police department and even a local health board, the data shows. Inspections revealed employers lying about being closed, telling customers to enter back doors or working with COVID-19 symptoms. We are having a VERY difficult time with them and their employees, wrote one local health inspector in June 2020 about one business. They are not abiding by the quarantine requirements, challenging our authority to order people to quarantine. Their employees are reporting to work in violation of the quarantine orders. We were getting almost 100 phone calls a day, said Nantucket Health Director Roberto Santamaria. Ive been yelled at, sworn at, hung up on, said Leger, attributing his December heart attack to the stress. When they took me off the (work) email list, I could feel a weight lift. All of us have gone through a level of hell, McAuliffe said, adding his colleagues are leaving in droves. DLS declined several requests for an interview. A spokesperson issued the following statement: The Department of Labor Standards remains committed to ensuring workplace safety and adherence to COVID-19 health and safety protocols. Before the pandemic started, DLS had an existing hotline and email address for workers and the public to file complaints, and established an additional online form to respond to the greater importance of workplace complaints during the pandemic. DLS and other state agencies have provided training and support for local health departments throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, including twice-weekly virtual forums and one-on-one support. DLS was honored to be named the (Massachusetts) Health Officers Associations 2020 Hilliard Award winner for its collaborative work with local health departments to support public health in communities across the Commonwealth throughout the pandemic. Health directors said their new duties did not come with extra staff, training or funding. None. Zero. It was very much the wild west for a little bit, Santamaria said. It took a good three or four months before we actually had some guidance as to how to enforce some things. The May 18 guidelines also excluded broad categories of public-sector workers, let employers self-certify they were compliant and lacked information about respiratory protection. They also didnt mandate local health departments report complaints to the state and directors said they are not regularly doing so. A March 5, 2021, MassCOSH letter to the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education said the DLS data does not include the complaints that have gone directly to local public health officials, OSHA and the Attorney Generals Office which are estimated to be 10-20 times the amount that have gone to DLS, the letter states. Department of Public Health data released April 28 shows Massachusetts residents working outside of their homes last year were more than twice as likely to test positive for the virus as those who did not. A 2020 study of state death-certificate data revealed racial disparities in COVID-19 worker deaths. The state continues to violate a June 2020 law requiring it to make public data on the occupation of those contracting or dying of COVID-19. DLS, in its statement, said: Every effort is made to collect all demographic information, including occupation, but it could be missing for a number of reasons, including the person contacted refused to provide the information. But according to Sugerman-Brozan: We will never, ever in Massachusetts know the true impact that workplace exposure has played in the spread of this virus. Shannon Iriarte, Shwetha Surendran and Maggie Mulvihill reported for Boston University in collaboration with the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at the University of Maryland. Editors Note: This story was produced by Boston University in collaboration with the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at the University of Marylands Philip Merrill College of Journalism. The Howard Center is an initiative of the Scripps Howard Foundation in honor of the late news industry executive and pioneer, Roy W. Howard. Topics Massachusetts Britains financial services sector wont get access to the European Unions markets for the foreseeable future following Brexit, industry officials said on Thursday as a row with France simmers. Britain fully left the EU on Dec. 31, 2020 and the City of London has been largely cut off from providing services in the bloc. Billions of euros in daily derivatives and share trading have left the City for the EU and New York, with no sign that Brussels will reinstate UK access under its equivalence regime. I dont think equivalence is particularly an issue as we dont think there is going to be any equivalence being granted by the EU, Nick Collier, the City of Londons representative in Brussels told the UK Trade and Business Commission of lawmakers and industry representatives. The EU wants to build up its own capital market, Collier said. France is seeking to delay the ratification of a cooperation agreement in financial services between the EU and Britain due to disputes over fishing rights. The agreement is seen as helping to rebuild the trust necessary for any future market access. The EU has only granted equivalence to allow the blocs banks to continue clearing euro derivatives in London, but only until the middle of next year. Emma Reynolds, managing director at TheCityUK, which promotes Britain as a financial center, said the EU was pursuing an agenda of onshoring jobs from the City. The big question is have we hit rock bottom? Or are there further restrictions? Our member firms are not optimistic about further equivalence being granted, Reynolds said. Equivalence would require Britain to avoid diverging from financial rules in the EU, but the Bank of England has warned that the UK should not become a taker of the blocs rules. I dont see really the point in the UK cleaving to exactly what the EU is going to do, there isnt that much advantage in that, Reynolds said. The advantage to the UK to now being outside the EU is that regulators and the government have that agility to tailor regulation to the UKs market, she added. (Reporting by Huw Jones; editing by Susan Fenton) Topics Europe Uk COPENHAGEN, Denmark Danish lawmakers agreed Wednesday to set up a task force to look into a 1990 ferry fire that killed 159 people, which could lead to a new police investigation into one of Scandinavias worst peacetime maritime disasters. Justice Minister Nick Haekkerup said the task force would focus on the shipowner and the vessels insurance. The Social Democratic government said in a statement that we owe this not least to the victims, but also to the survivors, who to this day continue to be left with unanswered questions. Haekkerup added that the aim is to find out whether there are grounds for the police to launch a further investigation. The Scandinavian Star was engulfed in flames on an overnight run from the Norwegian capital of Oslo to Frederikshavn, northern Denmark. Many of the mostly Norwegian passengers died huddled together in cabins or trapped in corridors. Norwegian police initially concluded that the fire started around 2 a.m., on April 7, 1990, and was probably set by a 37-year-old Danish truck driver who died in the blaze. It is believed that the ferry had been carrying 395 passengers and 97 crew. A later probe determined that there were several separate fires and that several people would have been needed to start them. Relatives claimed that the fire had been started by crew members and the motive was insurance fraud. The ship had been allegedly insured for twice its value shortly before the fire broke out. In 2014, the investigation was reopened and the Danish truck driver who had three previous convictions for arson was posthumously cleared of having started the blaze. The first report concluded that the 20-year-old Bahamas-registered ferry had been unfit to sail. A Danish shipper had taken over the Scandinavian Star ferry on March 30 and sailed on its new route two days later with a new crew. The report also concluded that the ferrys fire alarms were difficult to hear, the crew lacked safety training, and the captain abandoned ship when he should have been leading rescue efforts on board. Safety equipment such as sprinklers, that could have prevented the disaster, were missing. The shipowner has since died and the company that operated the ferry doesnt exist anymore. Photograph: The Danish Parliament is located at Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Legislation This wrap-up of international People Moves details recent appointments at Oneglobal Broking, Africa Specialty Risks, AXA XL and SiriusPoint. A summary of these new hires follows here. Oneglobal Broking, the London based broker, announced the appointment of Nicolau Daudt as CEO, Latin America, with responsibility for all countries outside of Brazil. Daudt will report directly to Oneglobals Group CEO Mike Reynolds. Daudt most recently was deputy CEO of Marsh Brazil. Previously, he was CEO of JLTs Brazilian insurance and reinsurance operation, which he grew from a start-up to a market-leading specialty re/insurance broker over a decade. As well as developing Oneglobals retail specialty presence in key Latin American markets, [Daudt] will also be working closely with our Miami team to strengthen our relationships with clients in the region, commented Reynolds. Oneglobal Broking is a specialist international broking company focused on the placement of open market and delegated authority business, across marine, aviation, property, casualty and specialty lines. The broker recently established operations in Hong Kong, Singapore and Bermuda. (Daudts location has not yet been decided, said a Oneglobal representative). Owned by financial services private equity business JC Flowers, the business was founded in 2018 following the merger of the SSL and Endeavour insurance broking houses. *** Africa Specialty Risks (ASR), the pan-African focused reinsurance group, announced the launch of its liability capacity, alongside the appointment of Martin Boreham as head of Liability Underwriting. Boreham has over 30 years experience within the insurance industry and joins ASR after eight years at MS Amlin, where he was the product lead for International Casualty. Prior to this role, he was portfolio manager at QBE and London casualty business leader at GE Insurance Solutions. Boreham is a Fellow of the Chartered Insurance Institute and a Chartered Insurer. The launch of the liability business line follows the launch in April of the groups construction line and the appointment of James Cronje as head of Construction Underwriting. He joined the company from AXA XL, where he was construction underwriting manager UK and Ireland for more than two years. ASR will specialize in offering liability solutions cover over liability, professional indemnity, directors and officers and financial lines. It offers tailored liability insurance throughout Africa across a wide range of industries. The liability division will write products proportionally or non-proportionally. ASR was launched in September 2020 by Helios Investment Partners LLP, in partnership with Mikir Shah, former CEO of AXA Africa Specialty Risks, and Bryan Howett, former CEO of Old Mutuals pan-African reinsurance operations. The group announced in February that it had secured an additional multi-year binder capacity of up to $25 million per risk through a partnership with GIC of India and annual capacity from Peak Re. *** AXA XL announced it has appointed Anish Jadav as chief underwriting officer (CUO), Retail Property/Casualty (P/C), UK & Lloyds market, effective in July. In his new role, Jadav will be responsible for developing and executing AXA XLs retail P/C underwriting strategy and optimizing product offering and profitability. He will lead a team of underwriters in London and report to Luis Prato, chief underwriting officer, UK & Lloyds market. Jadav will join AXA XL from Zurich Insurance Ireland, where he has held the position of chief underwriting officer since 2018, overseeing underwriting for the companys general insurance business in Ireland. He had previously been chief underwriting officer for Zurich Insurance Singapore, Zurichs Asian hub for commercial insurance. Prior to that, Jadav held several senior underwriting and actuarial roles in Zurichs business in the United Kingdom. He is also a Fellow of the UKs Institute and Faculty of Actuaries. *** SiriusPoint Ltd., the Bermuda-based specialty insurer and reinsurer, announced that Larry Hallett has joined the company as senior vice president of Casualty Underwriting. Reporting to Warren Trace, head of U.S. and Canada, Americas Reinsurance, Hallett will focus on casualty underwriting, including traditional and structured reinsurance, and on strategic initiatives involving casualty insurance. He will be based in the New York area. With 40 years experience in the North American reinsurance and insurance markets, Hallett has vast experience in casualty treaty reinsurance, alternative risk management, captives, runoff and fronting arrangements. He joins the company from RFIB Americas where he oversaw business development and servicing intermediary operations for the North American operations of the brokerage. Prior to RFIB, Hallett was managing director of 2 Wings Risk Services, where he was a reinsurance consultant and intermediary specializing in alternative risk entities. Hallett started his career at the Constitution Reinsurance Corporation in New York, before joining Western Atlantic Reinsurance Corp and subsequently, Swiss Re. In 2000 he assumed a leadership role at XL Financial Solutions in Stamford as senior managing director for the structured indemnity team. Topics Excess Surplus Mississippi AXA XL A fire on May 11 caused extensive damage at a strip mall in Fargo. The three-alarm fire broke out in Bodyworks Physical Therapy in the afternoon and spread to Gigis Playhouse which serves individuals with Down syndrome, according to authorities. Fire officials said a firewall between Gigis and another business slowed the fire from spreading further. Damage beyond the firewall was limited to a mechanical room. According to officials, the blaze burned through the roof at the two businesses and caused heavy water damage elsewhere. Crews from West Fargo and Moorhead, Minnesota were also called to the fire. Fargo fire officials said one firefighter suffered a minor injury, but no civilians were hurt. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics North Dakota National Flood Services announced the appointment of Lindsey Erickson as its chief executive officer. Erickson replaces interim CEO George Ruhana, who will continue in his role as operating partner. Erickson has been with National Flood Services for more than 20 years. She most recently served as managing director of Strategic Initiatives and before that as managing director of Operations. Under her leadership, she developed client engagement strategies, built industry partnerships with Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Flood Insurance Program, and served as a regulatory and compliance strategy resource. Today, the company manages $1.4 billion of annual premiums and more than 1.5 million policies, in partnership with the FEMA, the NFIP, and Write Your Own (WYO) carriers. National Flood Services is a portfolio company of PEAK6, a Chicago-based company that invests in technology firms. Aon Hires Three for National Healthcare Practice Aon announced the addition of three senior members to its national healthcare practice: Audrey Greening, Heather McClure and David Eiermann. Greening, based in Washington, D.C., joins Aon as chief broking officer within the firms healthcare practice. She has more than three decades of experience in the industry, most recently focusing on developing risk financing solutions for her suite of clients. She returns to Aon after holding several leadership positions at Gallagher and Integro. McClure, based in Dallas, joins Aon as chief risk advisor for its healthcare practice. McClure, who specializes in legal issues, most recently served as the chief risk officer of OU Health at the University of Oklahoma. She was responsible for the combined operations of the risk, claims and insurance divisions for all entities of the health system as well as more than 2,500 faculty physicians, resident physicians and medical students. While serving in this leadership position, McClure was named Captive Reviews U.S. Risk Manager of the Year for 2020 and was named #27 on its Power 50 list. Eiermann, based in Tampa, joins Aon as a senior member of the broking team within its healthcare practice. Eiermann most recently worked at Berkley Health, where he was vice president and senior underwriter. Prior to Berkley, he was employed by Aon as a broker. He joins the Aon National Healthcare team as a professional liability broker. State Auto CFO Retires State Auto Financial Corp. announced that Steven E. English, senior vice president and chief financial officer, intends to retire after a 21-year career with the company. English will remain with the company through Dec. 31, 2021. An executive search firm has been retained to assist in identifying a successor English joined State Auto in 2001 as part of the companys affiliation with Meridian Insurance Group, where he served as chief financial officer and treasurer. Prior to joining Meridian in 2000, English was vice president of planning for Conseco, having begun his career with Coopers & Lybrand in 1982. State Auto Financial Corp. is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Barg Joins Ascot as Chief Claims Officer, North America Ascot has named Marina S. Barg as chief claims officer, North America. In the newly created role, Bargs responsibilities include the leadership and management of all claims operations. She will work with Ascot executives across Bermuda, U.S. insurance and Ethos Specialty business units, while collaborating with the Lloyds claims team in London. With more than two decades of legal and claims experience, Barg joins Ascot from W.R. Berkley where she was head of Claims for its corporate segment, managing complex and high exposure matters across multiple operating units. Prior to W.R. Berkley, she spent six years at Navigators, first on U.S. casualty claims before being promoted to chief claims officer. She has also worked at Starr Companies and AIG. Barg will report to Matt Kramer, CEO, Ascot U.S. In the United States, Ascot sells specialized insurance products to small and mid-sized business as well as underwriting services to carrier and syndicate partners through its MGU, Ethos Specialty. Ascot Group is owned by CPP Investments, whixh invests the assets of the Canada Pension Plan. Topics Claims Auto Flood Aon Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt on May 7 signed into law legislation creating new penalties for workers compensation fraud. The legislative summary for House Bill 2236 states that anyone failing to report to an employer, insurance carrier, or third-party administrator any earned income while receiving temporary total disability benefits, could be subject to felony charges. The measure also revises qualifications for employment in the states Workers Compensation Fraud Investigation Unit. It requires personnel to be certified as a peace officer by the Oklahoma Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training in lieu of a minimum of 3 years of certified law enforcement experience. The new law goes into effect on Nov. 1, 2021. Topics Workers' Compensation Fraud Oklahoma Environmental Protection Agency officials met with Jackson leaders Tuesday to discuss severe issues with the water system in Mississippis capital city. They said fixing the system will take years and cost millions of dollars, but for now, its OK for people to drink the water. The water is safe to drink in the immediate time frame, said Carol Kemker, director of the Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division for the EPA, according to the Clarion Ledger. Wed like to try and minimize the boil-water notices. The meeting was the first time Jackson officials have met with EPA officials publicly since an inspection a year ago found severe violations at the citys two water treatment plants. Deficiencies included a shortage of operators and malfunctioning equipment. It raised immediate concerns about the reliability of the system to provide safe drinking water, Kemker said. She said the EPA particularly wants to keep an eye on the level of turbidity, or cloudiness, and sediment in the water system that can contain or conceal bacteria and viruses. Jackson is under a Safe Drinking Water Act emergency order. Kemker said the order is meant to prevent an impending dangerous condition from materializing or reduce or eliminate a dangerous situation. The city will be under the order until the EPA determines Jacksons water system no longer has violations. Neither Kemker nor city officials could give a timeline for when it might be lifted. It will take several years to complete work necessary to repair and rehabilitate the drinking water system here, she said. Earlier this year, Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba requested $47 million from the state to address specific deficiencies listed by the EPA. It has also applied for federal grants. The city was recently awarded over $43 million from the federal government as part of the American Rescue Plan, and that could be used toward water system improvements. Jackson has about 161,000 residents. A winter storm that coated large parts of the South in snow and ice in February caused machinery at one of Jacksons water treatment plants to freeze. That left parts of the city without water for weeks, and the entire city remained under a boil water notice for a month because of low pressure. Some residents lost water again for a short period of time late last month and were under boil notice after a fire at the water treatment plant. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Pollution Oklahoma Mississippi A data expert testifying at a landmark opioid trial in West Virginia said Tuesday that the potency of prescription drugs sent to local communities increased over time, but the three large drug distributors being sued tried to discredit his analysis. Cabell County and the city of Huntington argue that AmerisourceBergen Drug Co., Cardinal Health Inc. and McKesson Corp. created a public nuisance by flooding their areas with prescription pain pills and ignored the signs that the community was being ravaged by addiction. While consultant Craig McCann of Washington, D.C., focused his Monday testimony on how many doses of hydrocodone and oxycodone were shipped to the area overall, The Herald Dispatch reported that he zeroed in Tuesday on specific pharmacies. He compared the number of opiates sent to single pharmacies and three family pharmacies Fruth, CVS and Rite Aid at four stores each. Charts showed that these pharmacies received opiates at a disproportionate rate compared to the U.S. average between 2006 and 2014. The single pharmacies received the drugs at an even higher rate. More powerful opioids were sent to Cabell County as time went on, McCann said. Morphine milligram equivalent, a doctors tool to compare different drugs, was used to make the comparison. Oxycodones potency is about 1.5 times that of morphine, for example, but theyre on the same level based on the morphine milligram equivalent. AmerisourceBergen attorney Joe Mahady said McCann wasnt an expert on medical needs or a doctor who could determine how many prescriptions should have been sent out across the country. He said McCann made his own calculations based on an equation he found online, not with information from the Drug Enforcement Administrations pill data. McCann said data shows AmerisourceBergen and Cardinal Health were responsible for about 98% of the 14.8 million hydrocodone and oxycodone dosage units sent to four Fruth Pharmacies in Cabell County. Four Rite Aid stores in the county received 8.8 million units, and while the company sent 63% of the doses itself, McKesson sent larger, stronger amounts of the drug. Two-thirds of the shipments received by four CVS stores came from Cardinal Health, McCann said. McKesson attorney Paul Schmidt and Mahady said the plaintiffs were focusing on the highest numbers from the data that support their case and changing the scales on graphs to make them appear more impressive. The distributors said they asked the DEA for access to its pill data for over a decade. According to Schmidt, the companies were only granted access to data for the previous six months starting in 2018. The Big Three have continued to placed the blame on the DEA for its lack of communication and the pill quotas it set, as well as a rise in prescriptions written by doctors. Similar lawsuits have resulted in multimillion-dollar settlements, but this is the first time the allegations have wound up at federal trial. The result could have huge effects on hundreds of similar lawsuits that have been filed across the country. Huntington was once ground zero for the addiction epidemic until a quick response program that formed in 2017 drove the overdose rate down. But the pandemic undid much of the progress. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Virginia Drugs West Virginia Two men who relocate gopher tortoises are suing Floridas wildlife commission, saying they should be awarded at least $500,000 in damages because the agency violated due process by prematurely revoking their companys license for less than three weeks. The lawsuit names the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and one of its employees, Claire Sunquist Blunden. It was filed in Leon County Circuit Court by Kaiser Consulting Group LLC, Drew Kaiser and John Wilson, The Daytona Beach News-Journal reported. Gopher tortoises are listed as threatened and must be relocated prior to land development. The state accused Kaiser and Wilson of failing to report dead tortoises, overstocking pens for the tortoises and not maintaining a pen that was in disrepair. According to the lawsuit, the agency warned Kaiser on March 19 that the licenses would be revoked if they didnt request a hearing. That same day, the agency posted on its website that the pairs licenses had been revoked. The agency then reinstated them on April 7, describing the abrupt revocation as a procedural error. It was a fundamental constitutional violation of their rights, said Kenneth G. Oertel, their Tallahassee attorney. He said the agency put his clients out of business without a hearing or a chance to question or challenge the action. They just took it without any notice, without any process, without anything, Oertel told the newspaper. They just wrote them a letter saying `your license is terminated. Well, Florida law doesnt allow an agency to do that. Youve got to give whats called due process. The wildlife agencys spokeswoman Carli Segelson, told the newspaper she couldnt comment. This is an ongoing investigation and we will release additional details when available, Segelson said in an email. Oertel said the agency described finding fragments of tortoise shells on large ranches, and said his clients didnt know about those remnants. The rule says you have to report tortoises that you actually discover, Oertel said. You cant report what you dont know. The lawsuit accuses the agencys employees of a purposeful and malicious effort to put them out of business. Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Lawsuits Florida Ryan Black, 45, formerly of Fair Oaks, Calif., and Curtis Davis, 53, of Penryn, were both charged this week with three felony counts of workers compensation fraud after allegedly underreporting payroll and employees by more than $30 million to save on workers compensation insurance premiums. The underreporting resulted in an approximate loss of $3.8 million to three insurance companies, according to the California Department of Insurance. Black and Davis were owners of Apex Industry Solutions Inc., a flooring installation company in Sacramento. In October 2017, Apexs insurance carrier at the time reportedly discovered that two individuals working for Apex were performing floor installations without a license and were receiving 1099 forms as independent contractors instead of W-2 forms as employees. However, Black identified the two workers, along with two additional workers, as employees of Apex. The CDI launched an investigation after receiving a report of suspected fraud from Apexs insurance carrier in April 2018. The investigation reportedly revealed Black had a large number of flooring installation employees, and had reported minimal to no flooring installation payroll to the carrier. The investigation also found Black and Davis conspired to underreport payroll to two additional insurance companies who had been their previous carriers. Over the span of five years, from 2013 through 2018, the underreported payroll totaled roughly $30 million, which resulted in an approximate loss of $3.8 million to three insurance companies. Black, who now resides in Cleveland, Tenn., was arraigned on Wednesday, and Davis was arraigned on May 5. The case is being prosecuted by the Sacramento County District Attorneys Office. Topics California Workers' Compensation Fraud Abuse Molestation Burma Armed Revolution Spreads in Myanmar's Central Regions and on Chin Hills Civilian resistance fighters in Kale, Sagaing Region on March 27. / CJ Unable to tolerate the violence of Myanmars military regime which has killed some 800 people since the Feb. 1 coup, ordinary citizens have taken up any weapons availablefrom air guns to traditional firearms and homemade bombsand are fighting back the regime. Since late March, people from Chin State and Sagaing, Magwe and Mandalay regions have repulsed the military regimes troops. Civilian resistance fighters rarely have access to modern weapons, and most of them only have traditional firearms used in hunting. Despite the fact that they only have 19th Century weapons, they have killed and injured dozens of junta troops. As the number of casualties has significantly increased while we were staging protests, we thought we have to put up armed resistance if we are to win our fight for democracy. So, we took up arms, said a resident of Sagaings Kale, one of the very first townships to present an armed resistance to the juntas troops. Besides their commitment to democracy, another factor that gives them an advantage is their knowledge of the terrain of those regions. Except for Mandalay and Magwe, Chin and western Sagaing are hilly areas with forests, posing logistical challenges to the regime. In April, six junta troops were killed by local residents using percussion lock firearms in Tamu, a border town on the Myanmar-India border. Having seen the power of percussion lock firearms, junta troops are now seizing them and are arresting and prosecuting those who keep them. Armed Revolution begins in Kale Though Kale is seeing only guerilla-style home-made bomb attacks recently, the town in Sagaing Region was the first in Myanmar to put up armed resistance against the military regime with traditional firearms during Spring Revolution. The town took up arms when an anti-regime protester was shot by junta forces on March 2, and died the following days. Locals then set up barricades and protest camps, resisting the regime troops with air guns and traditional firearms. Junta forces attacked the protest camp in Kales Tar Han ward on March 28, shooting anyone on sight. At least five civilian resistance fighters died in the attack and dozens were arrested. Since then, Kale residents have carried out guerilla-style attacks on junta troops, also intercepting reinforcements sent to the town. Clashes were the fiercest in late March and early April. Young local people formed the Kale Civil Army to repulse the junta troops. However, the resistance was largely crushed after dozens of youths were arrested after April 7. Thus far, some 30 young resistance fighters have died and more than 30 others are being detained. The military junta has also deployed large numbers of troops in Kale and the adjacent towns of Tamu and Gangaw. Armed resistance spreads to Yinmarbin and Kani in Sagaing Junta forces raided Thabyay Aye village in Sagaings Yinmarbin Township on April 2. Their target was the abbot of the village monastery, who had been at the frontline of anti-regime protests in the town. Locals repulsed the raid with their traditional firearms. Junta forces retreated after suffering heavy casualties. On April 15, junta forces returned to Yinmarbin, with larger numbers of troops and more lethal weapons this time. Villagers from several villages were forced to flee. Junta forces searched for percussion lock firearms house by house and villagers holding firearms were arrested. There were shootouts between local resistance fighters and junta forces until April 20 in Yinmarbin, with both sides suffering casualties. Locals from nearby villages in Kani and Mingin townships rendered help as residents in Yinmarbin were attacked. On April 15, local resistance fighters were patrolling on Monywa-Kalewa road when a vehicle refused to stop and drove away. As they chased the vehicle, a Myanmar military major who was behind the wheel shot them before running into the forest. Locals then set the vehicle on fire. Then, junta troops based in Monywa came down to Kani, leading to clashes with local resistance fighters. Local resistance fighters in Kani have carried out guerilla-style attacks on junta forces. There were eight attacks on May 6 and 7 in which 16 junta troops and seven civilian resistance fighters died, according to local residents. Junta forces also carried out attacks, using drones to search for civilian resistance fighters hiding in forests and attacking them with explosives. They also forced villagers to guide them to hideouts of resistance fighters in the forests. Those raids have forced over 13,000 people from more than 20 villages in Kani to flee into the forests. Between May 8 and May 12, junta forces arrested more than 40 villagers including 12 civilian resistance fighters. All of this was triggered by the military regime. They arrested and used live rounds on peaceful protesters. They attempted to arrest the abbot. And they attacked the locals who are providing security for their regions. And finally, they bullied us with weapons, said a Monywa resident. Both sides suffered casualties in armed clashes, and dozens of local residents were arrested. Junta troops, as they have before in Myanmars ethnic states, looted livestock and food from villagers. They also tortured some of the residents. Not only Kale, Kani and Yinmarbin, but also Tamu, Taze, Pale, Salingyi, Mingin and Pinlebu townships in Sagaing Region are mounting armed resistance against the military regime. In the attacks in Tamu on April 2, six junta troops and a striking police officer died. Some houses and a bridge were burned. In Taze, hundreds of thousands of people had gathered daily against the regime. On April 7, locals intercepted some 300 junta forces who had come to disperse the protest. Twelve locals died in the shootout and more than 20 were wounded. On May 10, civilian resistance fighters in Taze ambushed some 60 junta troops on their return from transporting prisoners to a labor camp in Maha Myaing Forest. Two junta troops died and some were wounded. People in Sagaing resisted the regime on their own volition and were not initially linked with Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), a body representing elected lawmakers of 2020 general elections, and the National Unity Government (NUG), a shadow government formed by the CRPH to rival the military regime. On May 11, more than 100 junta troops attempted to enter Talokmyo village-tract in Myingyan Township, Mandalay Region, and found themselves fighting with local residents. In the evening, about 400 more soldiers from Myingyan, Taungtha and Natoegyi arrived and opened fire on the villages until 1 a.m. on May 12. Junta troops took control of the villages early on the morning of May 12. Three junta troops died and several others were wounded in the shootouts. Nearly 100 villagers including six university students from Myingyan who were at Talokmyo helping the villagers were arrested. Armed resistance on Chin Hills In Chin State, armed resistance has mainly taken place in Mindat and Hakha. Seven anti-regime protesters were arrested in Mindat on April 24, and a shootout occurred when police refused to release them later that evening. Three policemen died in the incident. Civilian resistance fighters attacked a military convoy on April 26 in Mindat. Junta forces arrived for retaliation the following day but suffered heavier casualties than the civilian side. The military council then suspended attacks and released the detained protesters. We have been undergoing intensive military training. Because they can attack us anytime, we have prepared ourselves to fight back. We are resisting not because we have weapons. We are resisting because we have faith, said a Mindat resident. Members of the Mindat defense force said they have started to work together with the CRPH and the NUG, and will be able to have greater bargaining power over the military regime if they receive weapons from Peoples Defense Force formed by the NUG. They might not have thought people would take up arms against them. We people have shown many times that we deserve democracy. As they dont restore what we deserve, we will take it back using any means. People have chosen to take up arms, said a civilian resistance fighter from Mindat. At least ten junta troops died in the fighting with local resistance fighters from May2 to May 4 in Chin States Hakha. Since Wednesday evening, the shootouts between the military troops and Midat Defense Forces have resumed, after their ceasefire agreement broke down. The ceasefire collapsed because the military regime failed to release all five detainees in exchange for 17 vehicles carrying around 270 junta troops being allowed to pass through from Matupi Township. During the clashes, an ethnic Chin teenager was killed and six other members of Chin States civilian resistance forces were injured when the junta bombarded the resistance town from nearby Kyaukhtu Town in Magwe Region on Thursday. On the same day, the regime declared Mindat under marital law, heralding possible future crackdowns. The CRPH said on March 14 that people have the rights to defend themselves when they are attacked by the military regime. Any response made by individuals or wards or villages or townships to defend their lives will not constitute crimes, said the CRPH. In retaliation, the regime on Saturday declared the CRPH, NUG, PDF and their affiliated local defense teams to be terrorist organizations. You may also like these stories: Myanmar Junta Frees Detained Japanese Journalist ChinTeenager Killed as Myanmar Regime Bombards Resistance Town Myanmar Regime Wants to Welcome Back Chinese Tourists Burma Civilian Fighters Killed; Shootouts Continue Amid Martial Law in Myanmars Chin State Mindat town in Chin State Ignoring a declaration of martial law, Chin States civilian resistance forces engaged in intensive shootouts with junta troops in the mountainous town Mindat on Friday. Two more members of the civilian resistance forces were killed in the fighting. Two of our members died in the shootouts at the east side of the town. One was killed by an artillery shell and another was shot dead by a junta sniper, a member of Mindat Defense Force said. Local residents said that they are not able to retrieve the two dead bodies or rescue the wounded since the junta troops that have deployed in the town are opening fire on anyone who appears on the streets. The junta troops are trying to enter into the town via both the west and east entrances while we are protecting our town. Fighting at the east side of the town is intensifying. Shootouts also occurred downtown, the civilian resistance fighter said. The civilian resistance fighters also reportedly seized about six military vehicles from Kyaukhtu that were approaching Mindat during the shootouts. A viral video on social media shows weapons and provisions on about six vehicles abandoned by the fleeing junta troops being taken by the ethnically Chin civilian resistance fighters. Local residents also said that at least five junta troops were reportedly killed during the shootouts on the east side of the town. Fighting between junta troops and the Mindat Defense Force restarted Wednesday night after a ceasefire in late April broke down. The military regime declared martial law for Mindat on Thursday night after bombarding the town with artillery in response to the residents week-long resistance. Under martial law, those who commit one of 23 offenses in the town will be tried in military counts and face penalties ranging from death, indefinite jail terms with labor and the maximum possible punishments under existing legislation, said orders signed by the military regimes secretary Lieutenant-General Aung Lin Dwe. The 23 offenses also include high treason, sedition, obstruction of military personnel and civil servants performing their duties, possession of weapons, ties to unlawful associations and violence. However, the martial law declaration has had no effect on the town since 60 percent of Mindat is under the control of its residents, said a member of Mindats People Administration. Our people do not accept the marital law. Currently, we are concentrating on the shootouts. We can govern the whole town, except the police station and some places, a civilian resistance member said. Since about 6 p.m. on Thursday, shootouts started on the Mindat-Matupi highway, which is located on the west side of the town. Civilian resistance fighters conducted defensive actions against about 11 vehicles transporting 250 junta troops that were approaching Mindat for a raid. Meanwhile shootouts have been happening on the highway connecting Chin States Mindat and Magwe Regions Kyaukhtu on the east side of the town since Thursday morning. Civilian resistance fighters there are fighting against about 180 junta troops from Kyaukhtu of Magwe Region that are approaching the town. Also, civilian resistance fighters resisting junta troops at the east side of the town have also been attacked by artillery based in Kyaukhtu, Magwe Region, 33 kilometers to the east, members of Mindat Defense Force told The Irrawaddy on Friday. Mindat Defense Force said in its statement on Friday that the military has used reinforced troops, heavy explosives, artillery, rocket propelled grenades and automatic machine guns in the shootouts with civilian resistance fighters. In the firefights, most civilian resistance fighters are using traditional percussion lock firearms, a kind of hunting rifle. The firearm uses technology dating back to the early 19th century. On Friday, residents were suggested by the Mindats People Administration to dig bomb shelters as two military helicopters were hovering over the town. On Thursday night, shootouts between junta troops and resistance fighters occurred at Mindats police station near the headquarters of the militarys Battalion 274. After the small firefights, junta troops continued random shooting in the downtown that night. In Thursdays conflicts, an ethnically Chin teenager was killed and six other members of Chin States civilian resistance forces were wounded by junta artillery. Armed resistance by Mindat residents started on April 26 with an attack on the police station after junta forces broke promises to release seven young anti-regime protesters. On April 26 and 27, the newly formed Mindat Defense Force attacked military reinforcements approaching the town using homemade percussion lock firearms, leaving at least 20 junta troops dead. The military casualties led to talks with residents and a ceasefire in April. You may also like these stories: Myanmar People Fleeing Conflict Wont Be Pushed Back by Thailand Coup Leader Brought Myanmar to Its Knees to Sustain a Failed Political Dream Fighting Between KIA and Junta Forces Intensifies in northern Myanmar Burma Family Says Myanmar Junta Fabricating Weapons Case Against Shan State Pair The two detained protesters. Two young anti-regime protesters were arrested by junta forces in Shan States Muse on Tuesday. The junta forces said the two were arrested along with weapons, a claim family members said was fabricated. Maung Hein Aung Hset, 20, and Maung Ye Thu Wai Lin, 17, were arrested as they were returning home from an anti-regime protest on Tuesday by junta forces wearing plain clothes. State broadcaster MRTV, which is now controlled by the military regime, reported on Wednesday that interrogations of the duo led to the seizure of five M-22 guns, five magazines, 16 bombs and 315 rounds of 7.62-mm ammunition. He is a matriculation student. When he was arrested, there was only a motorbike with him. It is totally false that weapons were seized from him. He is wrongly accused, said a family member of Maung Ye Thu Wai Lin. Relatives said they were allowed to meet the two at the Muse Township police station. Their faces were swollen due to beatings, they said. Family members are concerned the two will face serious charges. Daw Phyu Phyu Win, a lawyer acting for the pair, said she would ask that Maung Ye Thu Wai Lin be released on bail and tried at the juvenile court, as he is not yet 18. They have been remanded in custody only for incitement, and have not yet been charged with possession of arms. A man from the house where the weapons were reportedly seized has gone into hiding, and police have requested an arrest warrant for him. For the time being, the two are only charged with incitement. But they could still face more serious charges, the lawyer said. The court will hear their case on May 26. Sai Naung, a friend of the two, said: We have always taken part in protests together. It is totally wrong that they kept weapons. They have no links to the house where the weapons were seized, and the two have nothing to do with those weapons. The Irrawaddy was unable to obtain comments from the General Administration Department or Muse Township police about the arrests. At least 50 young people have been arrested in Muse since Feb. 1 for participating in anti-regime protests. More than 3,800 people have been detained nationwide since Feb. 1, and most of them face incitement charges. But in some cases, the military regime has filed high treason and sabotage charges. You may also like these stories: Armed Revolution Spreads in Myanmars Central Regions and on Chin Hills Myanmar Junta Frees Detained Japanese Journalist ChinTeenager Killed as Myanmar Regime Bombards Resistance Town Burma Fighting Between KIA and Junta Forces Intensifies in northern Myanmar Kachin Independence Army Soldiers. / Jinghpaw Movement Fighting between the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the military regime has intensified in Mansi Township, Kachin State after the junta reinforced its troops in the area. Clashes have been going on in Mansi Township for three days. On Thursday, the junta twice launched airstrikes against Madan Yang village, where the fighting has been taking place. The fierce fighting comes after the KIA launched an attack on Tuesday against regime troops in an attempt to seize a base on a major road connecting Mansi with Namkham in northern Shan State. KIA information officer Colonel Naw Bu said that the KIA had to try and seize the base because more junta troops have deployed there. The clashes have intensified since early morning Friday, he added. Local residents claimed that by Friday morning the KIA had already seized a junta outpost near Madan Yang village. But Col Naw Bu said that he was unable to confirm the exact situation on the ground because of poor communications. Myanmar military troops have been deployed at Madan Yang village since 2013, when they forcibly drove around 2,000 villagers away from their homes. A blast also took place on Wednesday around 11am at the General Administration Department office in Momauk Township, injuring four staff members. Fighting was also reported in Momauk Township near the Alaw Bum base on Friday morning. The KIA seized the strategic Alaw Bum base close to the border with China from regime forces in late March. The military has since launched several airstrikes to try and recapture the base from the KIA. However, the KIA still occupies the base and over a hundred regime soldiers, including a battalion commander, have been killed during the heavy fighting. You may also like these stories: Myanmar Junta Raids Civilian Resistance Fighters Camp Family Says Myanmar Junta Fabricating Weapons Case Against Shan State Pair Armed Revolution Spreads in Myanmars Central Regions and on Chin Hills Burma Myanmar Junta Frees Detained Japanese Journalist Yuki Kitazumi raises a three-finger salute, a symbol of Myanmar's anti-coup movement, in this undated photo. / Yuki Kitazumi's Facebook page / Kyodo A Japanese freelance journalist detained by security forces in Myanmar in mid-April and accused of spreading fake news has been released and was taken to Yangon International Airport on Friday. Yuki Kitazumi, 45, was arrested in Yangon on April 18. A military spokesman said Thursday night he had been moved from prison to a police facility. The Japanese Embassy in Myanmar said its staff spoke with Kitazumi by phone on Wednesday and found he has no health issues. The embassy confirmed the militarys plan to release him. Read more. Burma Myanmar People Fleeing Conflict Wont Be Pushed Back by Thailand Karen villagers displaced by fighting between the regime's troops and KNU wait on a riverbank to flee Thailand in March. / The Irrawaddy Prime Minister Prayut Chan-Ocha pledged Friday to UN Special Envoy to Myanmar, Mrs. Christine Schraner Burgener, that Thailand will not push back people fleeing from conflict in Myanmar. Prayut gave the guarantee during the meeting at the Government House with Burgener Friday morning. He also took the opportunity to congratulate Burgener, whom he met previously when she served as the ambassador from Switzerland (2009-2015), and lauded her diplomatic ability, which led her to be tasked with overseeing the situation in Myanmar. Prayut said that Thailand will do everything possible to ensure that the situation in Myanmar moves in the right direction. On humanitarian assistance, he said that the country has long been providing such assistance to neighboring countries. We will not push back people fleeing conflicts if they face danger, he emphasized. Following the coup in Myanmar on Feb. 1, there were reports of sporadic fighting between various armed ethnic groups based along the Thai-Myanmar borders, which have caused thousands of peoples to flee the areas opposite Mae Sot, Tak province and cross over to the Thai side. According to the Ministry of Defense, most of those who fled Myanmar have returned to their villages because the situation has returned to normal. Burgener, who has been in Bangkok since April 9, has met with Bangkok-based diplomats and stakeholders to exchange views and learn about the situation in Myanmar. Before she arrived in Bangkok, she urged the UN Security Council on March 31 to consider potentially significant action to reverse the course of events as a bloodbath is imminent. On the sideline of the Association of South East Asian Nations Leaders Meeting in Jakarta at the ASEAN Secretariat, she had the opportunity to meet for one-hour and a half with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, chief of the State Administrative Council. She also made another request to visit Myanmar with Min Aung Hlaing. During the meeting with Burgener, Prayut told the special envoy that Thailand fully supports the five-point consensus agreed at the leaders meeting in Jakarta. He also reiterated Thailands position of Myanmars crisis through the D4D principles, which calls for de-escalation of violence, delivery of humanitarian and medical assistance, discharge of political detainees and dialogue participation. These four Ds, he said, would lead Myanmar back to normalcy and sustainable development. The D4D principles were put forward by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai at the ASEAN meeting. Don spoke on behalf of Prayut as his special envoy. At the meeting, he also proposed the setting up Friends of the Chairs, which will allow the ASEAN chair to appoint representatives to help out with the challenge facing the bloc. Thailand shares a 2401 kilometer porous border with Myanmar, which has yet to be demarcated. Currently, there are approximately 100,000 displaced persons from Myanmar living in nine camps along the Thai-Myanmar border. As of the first quarter of this year, Thailand hosts more than 2.3 million migrant workers from Myanmar who have registered with the Ministry of Labor. You may also like these stories: Coup Leader Brought Myanmar to Its Knees to Sustain a Failed Political Dream Fighting Between KIA and Junta Forces Intensifies in northern Myanmar Myanmar Junta Raids Civilian Resistance Fighters Camp Queensland-based customer-owned bank Heritage Bank plans to open two new branches in New South Wales this year one at Macquarie Park in north-west Sydney, and one at Tweed Heads. Heritage Bank says that while "the other banks keep on downsizing their total branch numbers" it is maintaining the size of its network by investing in new branches to help provide a personal connection for members, alongside state-of-the art online services. The bank opened new branches at Castle Hill and Parramatta in late 2019 to kick-start its interstate expansion program, initially targeting Sydney and then looking to Melbourne. The COVID-19 pandemic put the expansion plans temporarily on hold, but CEO Peter Lock said the time was now right to resume the program. Heritage is bucking the industry trend by opening new branches and maintaining the size of our branch network. At times we may need to change the spread of our branches, but if we close in one area we look to open in another. I firmly believe branches still play an extremely important role in providing customers with the personal connection theyre craving, he said. The big banks are continuing to close down branches and reduce the size of their networks. When your main focus is on maximising profit, thats the kind of decision you make. But with a customer-owned bank like Heritage, our focus is on serving our members. We know many people appreciate the convenience of digital banking channels, but also love the personal connection they enjoy at a branch. Its not one or the other branches are still very important as part of the omni-channel experience that customers demand these days. Heritage says the move into Sydney has been a success, despite the impacts of COVID. Lock said the Castle Hill and Parramatta branches had together attracted a significant number of new members - $30 million in mortgage lending and more than $100 million in deposits in their first year, even though COVID struck soon after opening - and the third Sydney branch would build on that success. Lock said the Macquarie Park branch would be located in the Macquarie Centre Shopping Centre, within 20 kilometres of Heritages Castle Hill and Parramatta branches. This will create a cluster of branches in Sydney that can support each other operationally and generate greater awareness. Macquarie Park is an extremely attractive suburb given its demographics and location, with the business park and university creating plenty of opportunities for us to build a presence. Similarly, the new branch at Tweed City Shopping Centre will form a cluster with existing Gold Coast branches on the Queensland side of the border, but will open up our ability to target growth in the booming northern New South Wales corridor. Our long term plans remain to open more branches in Sydney, and eventually Melbourne as well. For the time being however, we will focus on getting these two new branches up and running, and especially making our Sydney cluster hum, before we look further afield. The Macquarie Park Branch is due to open in late September and the Tweed Heads Branch in mid-October this year. The executive order on cyber security issued by the US on Thursday will be judged by whether it can stop the next attack similar to the Colonial Pipeline attack or the SolarWinds supply chain fiasco, the head of a security firm says. Amit Yoran, the chief executive at security outfit Tenable, said the Colonial attack underlined how critical the new executive order was to the national security of the US. The order lists measures to be taken across software suppliers and purchasing, sharing of threat information, modernising the federal government's cyber security posture, and improving the security of software supply chains. "The question on everyone's mind is whether the executive order will stop the next SolarWinds or Colonial Pipeline attack," said Yoran, who is also a founding director of US-CERT in the US Department of Homeland Security. "Make no mistake no one policy, government initiative or technology can do that. But this is a great start." He described the executive order as "one of the most detailed and deadline-driven" documents he had seen from any administration. "In the wake of a seismic attack, like SolarWinds, this is incredibly encouraging to see," he added. Yoran said within the next year, all software vendors for the Federal Government would need to have an established software development lifecycle. All security vendors going through the Executive Order and trying to put together their marketing plans for it :-) pic.twitter.com/cZhwIxW0H4 Augusto Barros (@apbarros) May 13, 2021 "This speaks directly to the gaping supply chain security issues that SolarWinds brought to attention one broken chain link can bring down the entire fence. While these practices won't prevent all supply chain breaches, it's an important step forward," he said. "Part of the new guidelines includes breach notification requirements for software suppliers. This forces much-needed transparency and accountability across the private sector which have been avoided for too long. This should be a welcome change by all technology vendors, government agencies and end-users. "However, the next and arguably most important step is implementation. While we're encouraged to see cyber security play a prominent role in President [Joe] Biden's policy initiatives, we must now focus our attention on making this executive order actionable." James Hayes, vice-president for Global Government Affairs at Tenable, said: "As more and more organisations look to zero-trust security as the way forward, this executive order takes a bold step forward in making sure the days of bolting security onto critical systems as an afterthought are upended. "This detailed order will require federal agencies and their private sector partners to share information and double down on the cyber security basics to successfully drive a zero-trust framework throughout the federal enterprise. "The past year exposed significant vulnerabilities within our digital infrastructure. We are still learning the full scope and scale of these cyber attacks, and it's becoming clear that, in order to prevent something like this from happening again, the Federal Government and the private sector must partner together to implement smart cyber policies and best practices." Andrew Rubin, chief executive and co-founder, micro-segmentation provider Illumio, said: "Cyber complacency has been plaguing the federal system for decades, as recently evidenced by the catastrophic breach involving SolarWinds. This new executive order acknowledges that we fundamentally need to change the way we think about cyber resiliency and it starts with zero trust. "Globally, we spent US$173 billion (A$223.8 billion) on cyber security last year. Yet in the past year alone we've seen more catastrophic breaches than at any other time in history. Despite our failing strategy and terrible outcomes, the US has continued to take the same approach to federal cyber security as we did 20 years ago." He said that the new administration had changed that by finally acknowledging the failings of an outdated federal cyber security model, and laying bare the first iteration of a new security design founded on zero trust. "Cyber complacency isn't just an American problem, or a federal problem, or a policy problem it's a global problem. That's why I welcome this executive order with open arms. It's a call to action to the world that we need to change the way we protect ourselves," Rubin said. "This is the first time in history that a US president has acknowledged that we cannot stop all security incidents. Signing this executive order mandating zero trust and segmentation has become a public demonstration that detection does not work 100% of the time. "Our complete reliance on detection to find and stop bad things is no longer an option. With bad actors and nation-states operating at all-time high levels of sophistication, a failure to recognise this will result in a small incident turning into a catastrophic attack with the potential to impact human lives. "We need segmentation and we need zero trust and the government has now publicly declared this vital." This Week in Review A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more. Teton County Reporter Previously the Scene editor, Billy Arnold made the switch to the county beat where he's interested in exploring Teton County as a model for the rest of the West. When he can, he still writes about art, music and whatever else suits his fancy. AlixPartners advised automakers to adopt a more proactive approach to safeguard their supply-chain against future chip crunches. The consultancy also urged the car industry to develop direct relationships with semiconductor makers. The industry has been reluctant in the past to make such long-term commitments due to the associated financial liabilities involved, but AlixPartners argued that this year has made it clear that the risk of future supply scarcities is even greater. Verdict has previously reported how brands like Tata Motors Jaguar Land Rover and BMW-owned Mini have at times halted production of new vehicles as a result of the chip scarcity. However, the car industry is not alone in feeling the squeeze. Smartphone, tablet and other gadget manufacturers using chips are also struggling because of the paucity of resources. For instance, Apple expects to miss out on up to $4bn in sales this quarter because of it while Samsung has said its also experiencing disruption to its production because of the global semiconductor shortage. Samsung may be able to catch its breath somewhat, though, thanks to the South Korean government announcing a $451bn support package to help the nations semiconductor industry weather the storm, The Register reported. The Seoul-headquartered firm would be one of the over 150 semiconductors companies that would qualify for the programme. The government also plans to raise tax deduction ratio for semiconductor R&D from 30% to 40% and aims to double deductions for facility investments to 6%. Incidentally, the news follows an announcement from Samsung that it would invest over $151.4bn into its own semiconductor business to accelerate development of new chips and the construction of a new production facility. The investments into its System LSI and Foundry businesses would run through 2030. The entire semiconductor industry is facing a watershed moment and now is the time to chart out a plan for long-term strategy and investment, said Kinam Kim, vice chairman and head of device solutions division at Samsung Electronics. Thematic Reports Are you worried about the pace of innovation in your industry? GlobalData's TMT Themes 2021 Report tells you everything you need to know about disruptive tech themes and which companies are best placed to help you digitally transform your business. Find out more President Joe Biden announced a similar $50bn support package for US-based chip manufacturing this week. The package is pending senate approval and would be put to help businesses overcome the global semiconductor shortage. If actioned, Samsung is also likely to be one of the industry stakeholders to compete for a slice of the US subsidies. Other potential recipients include Intel and TSMC. The news comes as TSMC is exploring opportunities to up its previous commitment to invest into cutting-edge chip factories in the US by tens of billions of dollars, according to sources familiar with the matter speaking with Reuters. The semiconductor manufacturer had previously announced plans to invest between $10bn and $12bn into a facility in Phoenix. The factory has previously been said to be the first of six planned plants. The first plant on the site would reportedly produce 5-nanometer chips. The added cash injection from TSMC could be put to upgrading subsequent plants to enable them to produce more advanced 3-nanometer chips. This would be more costly, hence the added investment. Reuters sources estimated that the more advanced facility could cost between $23bn to $25bn. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Morrisons, one of the UK's 'big four' supermarket chains, has come under fire from investors who argue it is lagging behind rivals when it comes to the sale of healthy The H&M Foundation says while many fashion companies speak of transformation, many start-ups struggle to get the necessary support to bring their ideas to the scale required to truly change A court in Venezuela on Thursday sentenced a police officer to 25 years in prison over the murder of a youth during a demonstration against President Nicolas Maduro in 2017. Around 100 people died during mass protests against Maduros government in 2017. The court in the northeastern Anzoategui state convicted former officer Onan Josue Pereira Irigoyen of treacherous homicide and the improper use of weapons in killing Cesar Pereira in Lecheria, a town east of the capital Caracas. In 2018, the International Criminal Court (ICC) opened an investigation into possible crimes against humanity by the Maduro regime, notably for the repression of those 2017 protests. Earlier this month, Venezuela sent a report to the ICC rejecting the accusations, with Vice President Delcy Rogriguez branding them a farce. Weve been dismantling (the accusations) case by case based on the reality of the facts, she claimed. Former attorney general Luisa Ortega petitioned the ICC in 2018 to open an investigation into alleged murders and torture, accusing Maduro and his government of systematic and general attacks on the civilian population. At the beginning of this month Venezuelas Attorney General Tarek William Saab announced the indictment of 12 members of the National Guard over the death of a 20-year-old man in Caracas in 2017 from the impact of a tear gas cannister. Some 156 years after the official abolition of slavery, a vote adopted on April 14 by the US House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, could lead to establishing a 15-person commission to offer a national apology for slavery, study its long-term effects and submit recommendations to Congress on how to compensate African Americans. Any federal reparations bill faces long odds of being enacted due to Republican opposition, but this is the furthest this effort has advanced since a similar bill was first introduced over 30 years ago. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee, Democrat from Texas, called it a needed step on the path to restorative justice. As the U.S. debates reparations for descendants of U.S. slavery, looking to Africa might help clear a path forward, according to my research on African history and the African diaspora. South Africas incomplete reparations In the U.S. and globally, arguments for reparations mostly revolve around financial restitution. But a closer examination of the actual reparations efforts illustrates the limits of programs solely focused on financial restitution. In South Africa, Nelson Mandela and his ruling political party, the African National Congress, created a Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 1995 upon coming to power. The commission investigated human rights crimes during nearly five decades of apartheid, the system of legislation that upheld segregationist laws and perpetrated racist violence. The commission also established a reparations program, recommending in its 2003 final report that victims of apartheid receive roughly US$3,500 over six years. But the commission stipulated that only those who had testified to the commission about apartheids injustices about 21,000 people could claim reparations. Some 3.5 million Black South Africans suffered under apartheid rule. Mandelas successor, Thabo Mbeki, issued the one-time $3,900 payments in 2003. South African governments have since made no additional payments to those who testified or other apartheid victims. Nor have any post-Mandela governments put the perpetrators of the apartheid system on trial. The power structure that upheld apartheid has remained largely undisturbed. South Africa is the worlds most unequal society, according to the World Bank. Whites make up the majority of wealthy elites while half of the Black South African population lives in poverty. Dismissing the wider social and economic damage caused by apartheid high-income inequality, unreturned lands seized by whites, poor community infrastructure has kept millions who suffered violence from qualifying as victims. They may never see reparations. Sierra Leones underfunded effort Around the same time that South Africa created its Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the West African nation of Sierra Leone undertook a similar effort to confront the aftermath of its 10-year civil war. Sierra Leones civil war, from 1991 to 2002, killed at least 50,000 people and displaced another 2 million. In 2004, its Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommended reparation measures for survivors. It recommended pensions, free health care and education benefits for amputees, those severely wounded, those widowed by the war and survivors of sexual violence. Sierra Leone governments long ignored these recommendations, but in 2008 pressure from the countrys largest survivor organization, the Amputee and War-Wounded Association, and a $3.5 million grant from the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund restarted reparation efforts. Instead of implementing the TRCs more comprehensive reparation measures, however, the Sierra Leone government in 2008 provided each of the 33,863 registered survivors a single $100 payment. The UN later provided some small payments, loans and vocational training to other survivors in subsequent years. After interviewing survivors of the Sierra Leone civil war, the nonprofit Peace Research Institute Frankfurt concluded in 2013 that Sierra Leones reparations program failed. It pointed to the high numbers of victims, limited funding and public health epidemics like Ebola that made reparations less a priority. Reparations through the courts In other African countries, survivors of colonial atrocities have sought redress through the courts. In 2013, Kenyan survivors of British colonial atrocities brought a legal suit to the British high courts demanding reparations. The British government recognized that Kenyans were subject to torture and other forms of ill-treatment at the hands of the colonial administration and agreed to pay 19.9 million $27.6 million in compensation to some 5,000 elderly survivors. But the government stalled payments, and Kenyans later demanded more than what was offered. A similar court case in Germany demanding reparations for the Germans 1904-1908 massacre of the Herero people in colonial Namibia remains contested. And negotiations over payments and other forms of redress continue. Rethinking reparations through Africa Groups representing African and Caribbean nations have offered alternative ways of thinking about the colonial slavery and racial violence driving such reparations efforts. In 2019, the African Union a regional policy body made up of 55 African countries defined reparative justice as redress for losses suffered under any circumstances where human rights have been violated. That includes financial reparations its policy document emphasizes material support for rebuilding homes and businesses damaged by oppressive colonial regimes. But it also called for member countries to think beyond money to consider reparations measures aimed at healing trauma and establishing broad social justice. Much of the African Unions thinking aligns with the Caribbean-based Caricom Reparations Commissions 10-point reparation plan, established in 2013. It includes debt cancellation for Caribbean countries built on colonial slavery and the right of African descendants worldwide to return to an African homeland, should they wish to, via an internationally supported resettlement program. For these groups, reparations isnt just about money its a plea for collective restoration, to retrieve something on behalf people who lost their labor or life to powerful white governments and institutions. Through slaving and colonial rule, Africa lost people. But the continent also lost skilled labor, creativity and innovations. Those benefits were transferred to colonial societies and their recovery remains at stake for Africa and African descended people worldwide. Kwasi Konadu is John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Endowed Chair and Professor at Colgate University, where he teaches courses in African history and on worldwide African histories and cultures. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons licence. It has been slightly modified Justice Info with the authors permission. Read the original article. Public Security Minister Bill Blair said that Ontarios Prime Minister Doug Ford recently called on the federal government to further restrict travel in and out of Canada in a letter to divert peoples attention from sweeping the province for the third time. The impact of the pandemic wave. Blair said to the guests: I encourage the Prime Minister to look at his data, listen to his health experts, and let us act on the facts. Frankly speaking, we have seen efforts to divert and distract people from serious concerns for everyone in Ontario. Host David Common on CBC News. Power and politics Thursday. I know they have some serious problems in their workplaces and social gatherings, but their data tells us Yesterday, 2,320 cases were reported in Ontario. Of these, zero cases were related to travel, so frankly, I disagree. . The Ford administration this week sent another letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, reiterating the requirements in the previous letter. The provincial government said it hopes that Ottawa will reduce the number of international flights allowed into Canada, require Canadians to conduct pre-departure tests before conducting domestic flights, and extend quarantine measures at Canadian airports to the land border with the United States. Blair rejected the proposal to further restrict international flights, saying that all unnecessary travel to Canada ceased 14 months ago. He also said that international travel has been reduced by 96% and that Canadians return home from abroad because they have the right to do so. Regarding Fords requirement that domestic passengers must undergo polymerase chain reaction tests for COVID-19 (usually called PCR tests) before traveling, Blair said that the federal government is willing to help, but internal travel restrictions are the provinces responsibility. Blair said: If General Ideal implements measures to restrict travel into Ontario from anywhere in Canada, he has the right to do so, and we are very happy to work with him. Land border measures are working: Blair On February 22, the federal government implemented new quarantine measures at the airport, requiring all air passengers returning home from non-essential travel to be quarantined in federally designated facilities while waiting for the FBI (PCR) test results. Up to 72 hours upon arrival. A three-day compulsory quarantine at a federally designated agency may cost as much as US$2,000 per person. Ford said he hopes to extend these measures to land borders. Blair said: This country has 117 land border crossings, many of which are hundreds of kilometers away from the nearest hotel. The safest and most effective way to manage people arriving at our border by land is to establish the system we have established. Blair said that Canadians and their families were kept in cars and returned home from the United States overland. After two weeks of laboratory isolation, returning home directly is the safest way to manage these people. He said: All requirements for testing before arrival, testing after arrival and 14-day quarantine are strictly enforced at our land border. In fact, our compliance rate is 99.6%. And when people dont comply with this regulation. At that time, serious consequences and fines will be imposed. New Chinese ambassador arrives in PNG Xinhua) 11:24, May 14, 2021 SYDNEY, May 14 (Xinhua) -- The new Chinese ambassador to Papua New Guinea (PNG) Zeng Fanhua has arrived in the country's capital Port Moresby. He was greeted by officers from the PNG's Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade at the airport on Thursday. Zeng said he was honored to be the 15th Chinese ambassador to the PNG, adding that the bilateral ties between the two countries have maintained vitality and continued to grow since the establishment of diplomatic relations 45 years ago. The new ambassador said he would work with the PNG friends to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, deepen friendly exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and facilitate the continuous development of the China-PNG comprehensive strategic partnership. The PNG side extended warm welcome to Zeng, pledging all necessary assistance to his work. It said China is a key strategic partner for the PNG, and the PNG always attaches great importance to the relationship with China, and will continue to work with the Chinese side to promote the development of bilateral relations. (Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Liang Jun) PRESIDENT Joe Biden has warned that anyone receiving unemployment who is offered a reasonable job must take it or face losing their benefit payments. Biden issued the warning in a speech from the White House on Monday, shortly after releasing a disappointing government report that found the US economy added just 260,000 jobs in April. That figure fell well below the more than million new jobs that had been projected. Republican critics have said expanded unemployment benefits passed under Bidens $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan are to blame, claiming Americans can now earn more by staying at home rather than working. Biden rubbished those claims in his address, insisting that Americans want to work. But for those attempting to game the system, the president said there will be consequences. Were going to make it clear that anyone collecting unemployment, who is offered a suitable job must take the job or lose their unemployment benefits, Biden said. The president continued there are a few Covid-19 exceptions to the rule so that nobody is forced to choose between their basic safety and a paycheck, but otherwise, thats the law. I know theres been a lot of discussion since Friday, since Fridays report, that people are being paid to stay home rather than go to work. Well, we dont see much evidence of that, he added. I think the people [who] claim Americans wont work, even if they find a good and fair opportunity, underestimate the American people. Read our stimulus live blog for the latest on Covid relief money Police said as many as nine people were shot dead in the mass shooting in Rhode Island. The shooting occurred on Carolina Avenue in Providence on Thursday night. 1 piece Many people were shot and killed in Providence on Thursday At a press conference after the shooting, the police said that three people were admitted to the hospital due to critical illness. Providence police said the gunfire returned after the shooting. The authorities said that the shooting did not happen randomly, and the group involved has been known to the police. After the shooting, the police did not disclose any information about the arrest at the press conference. Over the past two decades, as the global population of billionaires rose more than fivefold and the largest fortunes rocketed past $100bn, I started tracking this wealth. Not for the voyeuristic thrill, but for warning signs. Rising inequality was becoming ever more of a political issue, threatening to provoke popular backlashes against capitalism itself. The pandemic has reinforced this trend. As the virus spread, central banks injected $9tn into economies worldwide, aiming to keep the world economy afloat. Much of that stimulus has gone into financial markets, and from there into the net worth of the ultra-rich. The total wealth of billionaires worldwide rose by $5tn to $13tn in 12 months, the most dramatic surge ever registered on the annual billionaire list compiled by Forbes magazine. The billionaire population boomed last year as well. On the 2021 Forbes list, which runs to April 6, their numbers rose nearly 700 to a record total of more than 2,700. The biggest surge came in China, which added 238 billionaires one every 36 hours for a total of 626. Next came the US, which added 110 for a total of 724. The top 10 gainers in the US and China each saw already vast fortunes grow in just one year by sums that not long ago would have seemed impossible in a lifetime: from $25bn to more than $150bn for Tesla founder Elon Musk. Already these numbers are fuelling the anger of prominent progressives such as Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, who have been calling on America to tax billionaires out of existence. Though President Joe Biden has not joined these calls he has begun to hum a similar tune, citing the billionaire class windfall during the pandemic as reason to tax the very rich more heavily and redistribute wealth to the middle class. I started tracking billionaire wealth in my home country, India. Back in 2010 anger against the new wealth elite was growing, and my first parsing of the Forbes lists helped explain why. Although India is relatively poor, billionaire wealth had soared to the equivalent of more than 17 per cent of gross domestic product, one of the highest shares in the world, with most of the gains accruing to a narrow set of families in industries prone to crony capitalism. Since then I have refined my reading of the Forbes billionaire data into a system for anticipating which nations are most at risk of anti-wealth revolt a threat that has never loomed larger than right now. It is geared towards pragmatists interested in knowing where the wealth of billionaires is coming from, and assessing their contribution to the economy. To pinpoint the most and least bloated national billionaire elites, I calculate billionaire wealth as a share of GDP. To identify entrenched, family-based elites, I tally the share of billionaire wealth that comes from inherited fortunes, which are far less widely celebrated than self-made fortunes. Most important, I distinguish good from bad billionaire elites by calculating the share of their wealth that comes from generally clean, productive industries particularly technology and manufacturing as opposed to industries such as real estate or oil. No doubt, this miscasts many oil or real estate tycoons. But in general those industries are less productive, more prone to corruption and enjoy less goodwill, and thus the sight of too many billionaires rising in those fields is more likely to incite populist backlashes. In contrast to India, Americas billionaire class looked surprisingly well balanced in the early 2010s, given the reputation of the US as the home of trickle-down capitalism. Billionaire wealth totalled about 10 per cent of GDP at that time, which was in line with the average for wealthy countries. More importantly, relatively few of the leading US tycoons got their start by inheriting fortunes, or built their wealth in bad industries. By 2015, the picture had changed dramatically on one of my three key measures. Billionaire wealth had surged to 15 per cent of GDP. That year, Sanders became the first American presidential candidate to campaign against the billionaire class, and many others have since joined in billionaire-bashing. The stock market gains of 2020 flowed largely to tech companies and their usually self-made founders. The share of billionaire wealth held by family scions and bad billionaires fell even further. Good billionaires still rule the class. But the sheer scale of US billionaire wealth mushroomed in the space of one year to nearly 20 per cent of GDP. My analysis focuses on 10 of the top emerging and 10 of the top developed economies, and the American billionaire class is now the second most bloated among its peers. The most bloated is surprise in Sweden, which many progressives still mischaracterise as a social democratic utopia. In the past five years Swedens population of billionaires has risen from 26 to 41, 10 of them popping up just last year, when their wealth leapt up as a share of GDP from 20 per cent to near 30 per cent. A similar trend is unfolding in traditionally left-leaning France, where billionaire wealth had risen steadily to 11 per cent of GDP when the pandemic hit, and jumped to 17 per cent last year. In the UK, by contrast, billionaire wealth has remained relatively flat as a share of GDP, inching up slightly last year to 7 per cent. Thus the stereotypes of anything-goes Anglo capitalism versus French and Swedish levelling dont yield much insight on the fortunes of the ultra-rich. Sweden has long abandoned central elements of the social democratic agenda, including wealth and inheritance taxes, as impractical. They did not generate the expected revenue, and Swedes had no desire to drive away the founders of their widely admired, globally competitive corporations. When the billionaire founder of Ikea, Ingvar Kamprad, died in 2018, one newspaper wrote that short of the king, Bjorn Borg and a few others, it would be hard to name a more popular Swede. The stock market gains of 2020 flowed largely to tech companies and their usually self-made founders Similarly, China is no longer as statist as admirers of Chinese state capitalism think. Not only did its billionaire population explosion dwarf all others in 2020 but together they added nearly $1tn to their collective fortunes, which nearly doubled as a share of GDP to 15 per cent. The changes on Chinas billionaire list reflect the recent decline of the old economy, dominated by commodity and real estate companies, and the rise of a new economy, led by companies in sectors such as ecommerce and pharmaceuticals, which are generating most of the wealth. Whether a boom of this scale is stabilising or destabilising depends in part on where the wealth is coming from. In China, as in the US, most of the new billionaires are rising in dynamic, highly productive industries, led by technology and manufacturing. Among the 10 top emerging economies on my list, China is in a virtual tie with Taiwan and South Korea for the leading share of billionaire wealth that comes from good industries, at a bit more than 40 per cent. That is nearly twice the emerging country average. China seems conflicted about how to square vast fortunes with whats left of Maoist values. Before the 2010s, Beijing seemed to be enforcing an unwritten rule that no fortune should surpass $10bn. Tycoons whose net worth approached that mark tended to find themselves cut down suddenly by government investigators. As big internet companies took off, the net worth of their founders shot up and, perhaps before authorities could react, surpassed $10bn for the first time in 2014. Chinese internet tycoon Jack Ma has a net worth of $48bn AP Just seven years later there are more than 50 Chinese deca-billionaires. In their recent efforts to rein in leading internet tycoons, such as Jack Ma of Ant Group (net worth $48bn), Beijing appears to be reasserting control. But since Chinas aim of replacing the US as the worlds leading economy depends on its tech prowess, it may be loath to push too hard. Americas relationship with its billionaire class is no less complex. Built on the premise that anyone can get fabulously rich, the US has rarely been inclined to target those who realise the dream. Only in periods of extreme inequality, such as the robber baron age of the early 20th century, were magnates such as John D Rockefeller targeted as public enemies. Despite talk of a new gilded age, until recently top tycoons were more likely to be celebrated than vilified. It helped greatly that many were self-made entrepreneurs, philanthropists or such as Bill Gates and Warren Buffett both. Broadly speaking, the sources of American billionaire wealth still look less questionable than those of their peers. A third comes from good industries, the highest in the developed class, compared to about a quarter for the runner-up, Australia. Only about a quarter of their wealth derives from inheritance, well below the class average of more than 40 per cent and far below the more than 60 per cent share in Sweden, France and Germany. From this perspective, the traditional image of the US as a new world relatively free of corrupt political and family ties seems to have some foundation. The scale of American wealth is also worth considering in context. As the worlds richest man, Jeff Bezoss $177bn may seem mind-boggling. But at 0.8 per cent of GDP, it is far from Rockefeller wealth, which at his peak amounted to 1.6 per cent of GDP. There are, however, many real Rockefellers in other countries, including five in Sweden, two each in Mexico, France, India and Indonesia, and one each in Spain, Canada, Italy and Russia. Top of the Rockefellers list are self-made fashion king Amancio Ortega of Spain, telecom titan Carlos Slim of Mexico and Bernard Arnault of France; each has a fortune equivalent to more than 5 per cent of his home countrys GDP. Carlos Slims wealth equates to 5.3% of Mexicos GDP Getty Images Still, the scale of mega-billionaire fortunes, and their growing number, is bringing down political wrath on the entire class, no matter what their accomplishments or contributions. Heads and founders of the American tech giants have been hauled before Congress to defend themselves, cast in the role of grasping, all-powerful monopolists. In 2016, Sanders was willing to concede that there were some great billionaires, citing Gates. Four years later he was hammering the fact that the bottom half of American families had a combined net worth lower than the top three which at the time was a reference to Gates, Bezos and Buffett. Increasingly, big is synonymous in the American political mind with bad, and it is likely no coincidence that soak-the-wealthy tax proposals from progressives have strong support, even among some Republicans. The experience of Germany offers a telling counterpoint. It has been boom times for German billionaires too. Their number rose by 29 to 136 last year, but their total wealth edged up only slightly as a share of GDP. Most keep a low profile, avoiding the superyacht scene in St Tropez, and there are no budding Rockefellers among them. The average wealth of the top 10 is $23bn, compared to $105bn for their American peers. Many large German fortunes classify as inherited, but often those tycoons arise from the Mittelstand; family-run, often small to medium-sized companies, which are the backbone of German industry and still a source of national pride. There is no equivalent of the American anti-billionaire movement in Germany. Also, for now the US backlash is being constrained by the lingering popularity of its many good billionaires despite their 12-figure fortunes. Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk at a rocket launch at Nasas Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, 2018. The business magnates fortunes grew last year from $25bn to more than $150bn New York Times/Redux/eyevine Many millennials see a figure such as Elon Musk as a visionary hero, building the battery-powered economy that will save us from global warming, and his 53m Twitter followers may not begrudge the fact that his fortune grew six-fold last year. One wonders, however, whether Sweden will continue to embrace its vast family fortunes as fundamentally good, now that the boom of 2020 has solidified its status as the land of the new Rockefellers. France, too, having recently repealed wealth taxes, may face pressure to reconsider, given that its billionaire class scores poorly for scale, inherited fortunes and a small share of good billionaires. Although the British billionaire class looks well balanced on the whole, it does flash red on one indicator: second-worst in class for bad billionaires, behind Australia, thanks to a recent bonanza for real estate companies. Russia has long occupied a special place on my lists, as the world capital of bad billionaires. It lost that mantle recently to Mexico, but with only 13 members the Mexican billionaire elite is tiny. A 2020 surge took Mexicos bad billionaire wealth share up to 75 per cent, leaving Russia second worst among the big developing nations, at 60 per cent, or three times the average for emerging nations. The Russian list is surprisingly long for a not-so-big economy, at nearly 120 names, and in the past studies showed that an overwhelming majority of them live in and around Moscow. At the same time they were earning a reputation for showy global display. Among the emerging nations, Russia scores poorly for the scale of billionaire wealth, and bad billionaires. It does score well for low inherited wealth but this is misleading: Russia adopted elements of capitalism only after the fall of Soviet communism, too recently for families to build generations of wealth. So far the Moscow authorities have been able to smother festering discontent, but the same cant be said in Mexico. Anger over inequality helped bring leftwing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to office, and deteriorating scores for the sources and family origins of its billionaire wealth could increase pressure on Lopez Obrador to act. At the other end of the scale, Japan may score almost too well. It has lots of good billionaires, few bad ones and relatively little inherited wealth. But the class as a whole is so small, with wealth equal to barely 4 per cent of GDP, it would appear to symbolise long-term stagnation. In any case, Japan is not ripe for revolt against a class that is barely present there. The pandemic accelerated many economic and social trends that were already in motion. The billionaire classes grew at a record pace, raising the threat of anti-wealth backlashes. In rich countries these stirrings are as yet focused almost entirely on clawing back wealth through taxation, without addressing the fundamental driver of the market and thus the billionaire boom: easy money pouring out of central banks. Easy money is as popular as higher taxes among progressives, as another way to pay for social programmes. So wealth inequality is likely to continue widening until the monetary spigots are turned off. What happens next in terms of the publics attitude towards wealth creation depends in part on how the boom evolves from here. To date, the biggest gains have accrued to self-made entrepreneurs in productive industries such as tech and manufacturing. The good times for good billionaires may be helping to keep anger over wealth inequality in check. But the billionaire lists should be watched for warning signs. Ruchir Sharma is chief global strategist at Morgan Stanley Investment Management. He is the author of The Ten Rules of Successful Nations Data visualisation by Keith Fray and Steve Bernard Follow @FTLifeArts on Twitter for our latest stories first Lawyers are trying to exclude prison phone recordings from the three Georgian men suspected of killing Ahmed Abery. One of the men said, good behavior is not punished. I heard former police officer Gregory McMichael told his brother in a phone call cited in the court that no kind behavior will be punished, saying that he was arrested for Arberys death in 2020. 4 Hearing Gregory McMichael telling his brother no good deeds will be punished Image Credit: News 12 NBC 26 4 McMichael and his son and neighbor allegedly killed Arbery in February 2020 Credit: Refer to the title Although the context of the conversation is not clear, McMichaels lawyer told the judge at the pre-trial hearing on Thursday that the use of such calls would mislead the jury. This is not what Mr. McMichael meant, McMichaels attorney Franklin Hogue (Franklin Hogue) argued that this was one of many requests being considered at the hearing. He meant to patrol nearby and try to capture a suspect. This is a good deed in the area, and he was punished because he was accused of murder. 61-year-old McMichael and 35-year-old son Travis are accused of killing Arbery with their neighbor, 61-year-old neighbor William Roddie Bryan on February 23, 2020. 4 When Travis McMichael admitted to shooting him, the three tried to arrest a citizen. Credit: Twitter 4 Travis and Gregory McMichael and William Roddie Bryan will stand trial this fall Credit: AP When they were jogging on a residential road in Georgia, they chased and ambushed Arbery when the three tried to arrest them. Travis argued that in his fight with Arbery, he shot the 25-year-old in self-defense. The three men will face trial in the fall. High Court Judge Timothy Walmsley did not immediately adjudicate Hoggs arguments, who demanded the exclusion of 1,500 recorded prison calls or other motions for all three suspects. Prosecutors said that prisoners were told to record their phone conversations before each call, so privacy should not be expected. The prosecutor wrote in a statement: The defendant tried to increase the imprisonment rate and provide an optional courtesy and convenience for the imprisoned defendant so that he would be protected by the Constitution, such as his person, house, paper, and objects. Court filing. Live blog Killer teenagers A 13-year-old girl was stabbed to death when accused by the police of murdering a 14-year-old classmate find you The Fucci troll who claimed to be involved in the girls death may go to jail Royal family Harry warned Joe Rogan to watch out what comes out of his mouth after poking comments Pure evil Mother caught in witchcraft fatally deprived the baby of life and stabbed her daughter 50 times Back to normal Except on public transportation, vaccinated people do not need to wear a mask indoors or outdoors exclusive Increase the bill Bill Gates urges evidence to prove his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and close friends Walmsley will also decide whether to allow Arberys Criminal record and mental health issues In trial. Albury was on probation when he died. He pleaded guilty to carrying a gun into the high school campus in 2013 and pleaded guilty to stealing TV from Walmart in 2017. The Philadelphia Health Commissioner, Dr. Thomas Farley, submitted his resignation on Thursday as an ongoing investigation into the disposal of the remains in the MOVE bomb explosion in 1985. Unexpected news is the 36th anniversary of the deadly bomb attack in West Philadelphia. dIn the notorious siege of the Black Liberation Organization compound, the police C4 explosives were dropped on the property from a helicopter, destroying dozens of rows of houses and destroying the community of John Africa, the founder of the organization. Eleven people died, including five children. Mayor Jim Kenney said he learned that Farley was inappropriate on Tuesday afternoon Without notifying the African family, the cremation and disposal of the body of the MOVE victim after taking office was approved. In the decades since the bomb attack, the Philadelphia Medical Examiners Office has kept it and attracted the attention of the health department. Farley, 63, took over as Director of the Philadelphia Department of Health in 2016. The cremation was carried out sometime in 2017 under the direction of Farley. Kenney said that his government didnt know what happened, but if he was told, things would be different. The time the body was stored in the warehouse. A full investigation is still ongoing to determine how many victims of the MOVE bomb explosion were cremated in 2017, and other circumstances have led Farley to decide not to consult with surviving relatives. The officials did not say what was done with the cremated remains or where they might be currently. Farley has been the public face of the citys response to COVID-19, and has received Kenneys full support throughout the pandemic, despite the fact that the health department was also affected by the botched vaccine partnership against Philadelphia earlier this year. Strictly reviewed. Tumar Alexander, the managing director of Philadelphia, said he could not arbitrarily discuss the thought process that Farley followed when he decided to cremate his body. Farley is expected to make a statement later on Thursday. . Kenny said that the search for new health commissioners across the country will begin immediately. The city does not expect the transition period to have a significant impact on the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination efforts in Philadelphia. The following is a statement from Mayor Kenny: Earlier this week, I was informed that a very disturbing incident occurred during the first term of the Philadelphia Public Health Department. The Health Commissioner, Dr. Thomas Farley, revealed that a few years ago, he learned He was a victim of the MOVE bombing in 1985. He did not fully identify the remains and returned them to his family, but decided to cremate and dispose of them. This action lacked sympathy for the victims, their families, and the MOVE bombing has caused deep pain in our city for nearly four decades. As a result, I asked Dr. Farley to resign with immediate effect. In addition, my government has Putting medical examiner Dr. Sam Gulino on administrative leave pending a full investigation. Dr. Cheryl Bettigole has been appointed as the Acting Health Specialist, and we will conduct a nationwide search for the remainder of my tenure to fill this position. In addition to these administrative decisions, I also want to make sure that the African family learns about this incident directly from me and in front of the general public. Today, I have the opportunity to meet with members of the African family and have a The way and how New York City has treated them in the past five years apologized. I also assure them that the external review of the incident and the handling (or mishandling) of all the remains of each MOVE victim will be completely transparent. The team investigating this incident will include We will make every effort to solve this problem and make MOVE satisfied with the personnel specially approved by the African family. Although Dr. Farley publicly accepted the responsibility and resigned, it is imperative to understand my knowledge and actions of others in my administration. In addition to identifying these people, my goal is that this investigation report and final report should Provide a complete picture, which has been lost for too long and brought some comfort and care to the victims family. My government has appointed Dechert LLP to conduct this review. I cant imagine what this means, but I also express a formal apology to African families and movement members on behalf of Philadelphia. This is not only for this shameful incident, but also for the governments repeated administrative failure to do this. 1985 The heinous act of May 13 atonement and continued to humiliate the victims. I apologize for the incredible pain, injury and loss caused by that terrible day. Today is 36 years since 11 black Philadelphians (including children) were killed by their own government. We cannot rewrite history, but we pledge to use this latest revelation as an opportunity to greet the victims, their families and everyone. With dignity and respect for the Philadelphians who suffered from the MOVE explosion. We are actively working with local stakeholders in an appropriate and meaningful way to commemorate MOVE, and we will share more of our plans in the coming weeks. Tensions escalated to the MOVE bombing out of an armed protest against the imprisonment of 9 MOVE members. All these members were sentenced for the murder of Philadelphia policeman James Ramp in 1978. The MOVE committee of former Mayor Wilson Goode ultimately considered the incident to be unreasonable. A civil lawsuit filed by MOVE survivors resulted in Philadelphia paying $1.5 million to the relatives of the identified victims in 1996. Settlement gold. Mayor Kenny met with members of the African family on Thursday, and they asked them to seek their own lawyers. The mayor said that this is a decision made by the family to make an announcement on the anniversary. After both the University of Pennsylvania and Princeton University were discovered, Farleys role in the disposal of the remains was revealed. Apologies for covering up the bones of an unidentified MOVE bombing victim In the Pennsylvania Museum for decades. In Princeton and Pennsylvania, the remains of these children were used for teaching purposes, where President Amy Gutmann (Amy Gutmann) hired an external investigator to determine how to allow the remains to be insensitive, not Professional and unacceptable use. Kenny said that Paynes remains and the investigation were separate from the investigation under Farleys leadership. City officials will not speculate on whether the investigation might prompt information about the cremation of the remains to resurface this week. South Philadelphia is home to many historic neighborhoods, where there are multi-storey houses, adjacent to new construction, waiting for Philadelphia residents to find life south of the central city. The Lenape land, originally acquired by William Penn, eventually developed into one of the worlds largest shipping and trade centers. In 1854, the city government merged the area into Philadelphia. Over time, many Irish, African Americans, Italians, Poles and other immigrants came to settle in South Philadelphia, and the foundations of these cultures are now active in these areas. When experienced first-time homebuyers visit nearby Philadelphia, Prevu Real Estate A list of the most searched communities in South Philly was compiled. Passyunk Square If the Phillies wandered south from the central city, they would eventually pass by Little Saigon and find themselves in Passyunk Square. The exterior walls of many houses are made of bricks, and there is a backyard space for the homeowner to rest after a days work. Buyers like this neighborhood because it commutes to West Philadelphia and Central City, so it borders South Broad Street to the west, Washington Avenue to the north, 6th street to the east and Tasker Street to the south. Passyunk has a place in the hearts of many local residents and tourists because it is the birthplace of the famous Philadelphia cheese steak. In the 1930s, Pats King of Steaks introduced the restaurant until Genos Steaks opened a shop on the opposite side of East Passyunk Avenue, and the restaurant owner began to rule. In addition to cheese steaks, Philadelphia residents can also find many boutiques, restaurants, and other shopping venues along the East Passyunk Avenue shopping corridor that runs through the entire community. Community explorers can also find some fine Italian food at the Italian market in the north and the deli on 9th Street. Browse Passyunk Square homes for sale Girard Manor If aspiring home buyers explore southwest Philadelphia, they will find Girard Estates located between I-76 and Passyunk Avenue. Part of the film was shot in the 2300 block of South Lambert Street, and Rocky Balboa fans will immediately recognize the name. The name Girard Estates comes from 481 rental houses built between 1906 and 1916, including the original Girard Estates. These houses have colonial revival, missionary and bungalow-style houses, giving the block a distinct curb charm, which is different from the common row house-style buildings in Philadelphia. In the 1950s, private buyers were allowed to purchase real estate, and the house sold out within two years. However, if diligent home buyers pay close attention to the market, they can still find listings from time to time. Girard Manor attracts many Philadelphians who are interested in historic buildings, but shoppers will love the neighborhood because Quartermaster Plaza is located in the southern part of the district, where buyers can find large retailers. Like most neighborhoods in South Philadelphia, SQ Philips Steaks provides residents with a place to frequent cheese steaks. Browse Gillard Estates for sale Grace Ferry If Philadelphia residents roam northwest from Girard Estates, they will find Grays Ferry by the river. The owner of Grays Ferry is located on the edge of the Schuylkill River, and there are various parks just a stones throw from the waterfront. Established in the 1700s, Grays Ferry hosted three ferry terminals that took residents from Schuylkill to Philadelphia. Some schools and recreational buildings in the area are so old that they have been included in the National Register of Historic Places. After leaving the ferry terminal, Grays Ferry became part of the Schuylkill River Trail. Residents can wander around the water or watch skateboards. At the Grace Ferry Skate Park next to the Grays Ferry Avenue Bridge (Grays Ferry Skatepark) Surfing. Every year, the local community organizes the Odunde Festival, where local residents celebrate the African diaspora through food, dance, historical costumes and costumes. The community is located to the south of the University of Pennsylvania, and the University Avenue Bridge brings residents into the University City. I-76 also provides commuters with a convenient passage to the west of the central city. Buyers heading to the Grays Ferry will find that many two-story brick row houses are located on tree-lined streets and there are new building options. Browse Grace Ferry properties for sale Pensport On the east side of South Philly, community explorers will find Pennsport situated along the vast Delaware River. The area was eye-catching in the 1800s, when shipyards used the docks to build fleets of merchant ships and warships. Dockers settled in nearby areas, and today, buyers can still find houses built in 1815. These brick row houses are located by the water, separated from the I-95 overpass. Residents can travel along the Delaware River Trail and wander in the park at Pier 68 to enjoy the scenery of passing ships. Locals can also shop at Walmart behind the Columbus Crossing Shopping Mall park on Tasker Street. Despite the splendid waterfront scenery, many Philadelphia residents head to Pennsport to Irish-themed bars and restaurants, which are all over South 2nd Street, commonly known as Two Streets. There are many places in the area to shop, dine and watch the performing arts of the local performance club, which is an exercise in Mummers Parade. Music performers known as mummies are members of these clubs and participate in the mummy parade over 100 years old each year, which usually runs along Broad Street or Market Street in the city center. Although mummies can be seen, many Philadelphia locals have moved to Pennsport to develop a vibrant coffee and food culture, attracting locals to cafes like Grindcore House, Cake and Joe, and Gooey Looies. Browse Pennsport homes for sale After the former commander, Admiral Hayden Edmundson, left earlier this year for alleged sexual assault and misconduct, the Canadian military appointed another senior officer in charge of personnel command. The acting head of the Secretary of Defense announced the news on Friday as part of a broader adjustment of senior personnel. Part of the reason for this change is the ongoing crisis of sexual misconduct, which has caused the agency to suffer losses and left many major commands to the acting commanders. Lieutenant General Steve Whelan (Let.-Gen.Steve Whelan) was promoted to commander-in-chief and chief of military staff, and permanently replaced Edmundson. Edmundson took about six weeks of paid leave, while the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service investigated the rape allegation, which dates back to the 1991 Royal Canadian Navy. Pile of suspected incidents. Stephanie Viau, a retired leading seaman, said that Edmundson showed herself to her on board several times during a naval exercise abroad. She said that his behavior escalated, and he raped her when the ship was anchored in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Edmundson denied the allegations and said that he never has sex with anyonewithout mutual consent. Watch | Stephanie Viau shared her story about sexual assault: Viau said that Admiral Haydn Edmundsons misconduct was escalated into the rape of the HMCS Provider decades ago 9:17 DND reviews requests for police investigation Vio said that she hopes that the police will investigate her case because she no longer trusts the military police after the sexual assault occurred in advance. The Ministry of Defense stated that it has been looking for other investigation options. If Viaus case is transferred to the Royal Mounted Police or other police forces, it will set a precedent for future sexual assault cases in the armed forces. This is a delicate matter that we take very seriously, so we need to take some time to ensure that all options are explored while respecting the integrity of the investigation process, the wishes of the victims, the military justice system and the jurisdiction of other police forces. A statement to CBC News said. Jody Thomas, the deputy minister of the department, called the Vio case a complicated historical event. She said that the provost in charge of the military police is working hard to study how to provide support to Ms. Vio. Thomas said at a press conference on April 29: What we have to do is to be able to do the right thing so that justice can be done. It looks like it is under investigation now. DND said there are no plans for Edmundson to return to work. Whelan will serve as deputy major general. The respected Air Force officer Lise Bourgon (Lise Bourgon). The announcement formalizes the key appointments for the number of senior women An obvious omission on the list of Director-General and Flag Officer released today is the lack of mention of the status of General Wayne Ayer. After the current Secretary of Defense General Art McDonald voluntarily resigned in February, Eyre assumed the post of top military commander. He was previously informed that he was under investigation by the military police for sexual misconduct. Brigadier General Jose Kurz, who recently commanded the NATO task force, will take over as the commander of the Royal Military Academy. (Mike Den Baker/Canada Press) Eyre is still the leader of the agent, and the head of army continues to be represented by an agent. Michel-Henri St-Louis (Michel-Henri St-Louis), commanded the last Canadian combat team in Kandahar. Todays announcement also officially announced the promotion and appointment of some senior women to key positions in the army. With the appointment of a lieutenant. After Jennie Carignan assumes the newly established position of character and professional leader, the military officially announced today that Brigadier General Joee Kurtz, who recently commanded the NATO task force, will take over as the Royal Military The commander of the academy. Many survivors and sexual assault experts cited this culture at the Military Academy in Kingston, Ontario. And St-Jean of Que. Is the main factor leading to the crisis of misconduct. At the same time, Major General Nancy Tremblay was appointed to a new temporary position as the Chief Materiel Program, which was part of the team that purchased military equipment. And Lieutenant General Jocelyn Paul (Jocelyn Paul) was promoted to NATO Deputy Commander of the Joint Forces Headquarters in Naples. Paul is also a former member of the Kandahar Fighting Group and is the highest-ranked indigenous member of the army. Rancho San Diego, California-Nearly two decades after the body parts were found in the Rancho trash can in San Diego, the authorities said they have identified the victim and arrested a suspect who is believed to be related to the murder. Detailed information about the development is expected to be shared by the San Diego County Sheriffs Department at 1 pm on Friday. The department said on Thursday that its homicide department used investigative genetic genealogy to resolve the case, noting that this is the first time the technology has been used locally to identify victims and was subsequently arrested. The bodys location has never been publicly identified, and was found in a trash can in the Rancho residential area of ??San Diego off the Hilton Head Courthouse in 2003. Retired Sheriffs Department homicide detective Pete Carrillo told FOX 5 that a certain percentage of people feel very comfortable. They can live in a murdered community. They feel like they are. But the technology is getting better, and the detective is getting better, Carrillo said. Their time is up. There will be justice. Carrillo said that the process of genetic genealogy has become common people discover more about their families. It also creates important links that can be used by law enforcement agencies. He said: They may take samples from the remains and freeze them for future use. Decades have passed, and the technology has become better and better. We are able to obtain a complete DNA profile of tiny microscopic samples. The cold situation is only for a reason: For years, there have been more questions than answers, but Carrillo said the work has never really ended. He said: Even if there are 100 cases, prioritize them in terms of resolvability and work with the case with the best evidence first. You reduce to the last one. You just dont give up. B.1.617.2 The emergence of variants of the coronavirus has led some scientists to call for the postponement of the reopening. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that the country will speed up its COVID-19 vaccination program to try to contain a fast-spreading variant first discovered in India, which may put the reopening of the economy on track. The UK provides one of the fastest vaccination campaigns in the world. Approximately 70% of the adult population was vaccinated for the first time and 36% of the adult population was vaccinated for the second time, helping to reduce infection rates and deaths. He said at a press conference on Friday: So its more important than ever for people to get the extra protection of the second dose. He said: Therefore, according to the recommendations of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization, we will accelerate the remaining second dose of vaccine to those clinically vulnerable people in the 1950s and across the country, so these doses are only eight months after the first dose of vaccine. Week starts. The emergence of B.1.617.2 variants in parts of northern England and London has prompted some scientists to call for the postponement of reopening and reconsideration of the speed of vaccine rollout. Johnson said at a press conference: I believe we should trust our vaccines to protect the public, while closely monitoring the situation, because the competition between our vaccination program and the virus may become closer. The spread of this variant may disrupt Britains progress due to lock-in, making it more difficult to enter the final phase of the staggered reopening of the economy in June. He said: It is now obvious that we will have to live with this new variant of the virus for a while, so let us work hard together and exercise caution and common sense, he said. Johnsons goal is to lift all restrictions on June 21, after allowing the British on Monday to hug again, meet indoors in small groups and travel abroad. Englands chief medical officer Chris Whitty said that he is now confident that the transmission capacity of B.1.617.2 is stronger than the mutation first discovered in Kent, which contributed to the second wave of infections in England. He said that B.1.617.2 may dominate the UK. Public Health England said on Thursday that there were 1,313 cases of B.1.617.2 in the UK within a week, more than double the number of the previous week, and four of them had confirmed deaths. Whitty said that so far, there has been no significant increase in the number of hospitalizations for this variant, which may be due to people who have received more vaccines. But both Johnson and Whitty said it is still in its infancy, and scientists need to carefully examine the data in the next two to three weeks before they can really see the impact of this variant. The United Kingdom listed India as a travel red list in April, which means that all immigrants from India-are now suffering worldwide. Worst wave COVID-19 costs-a 10-day quarantine fee must be paid in a government-approved hotel. Media reports at the time indicated that because the quarantine requirements were announced four days in advance, many people sought to fly in advance. The UK has a large South Asian community. Even with new variants, the government may want to avoid repeating the regional restrictions used last year, which ultimately failed to prevent two further national blockades. According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (ONS) on Friday, the infection rate remains low across the country and has fallen for the fifth consecutive week in England. As coronavirus disease (COVID-19) restrictions continue to ease, employees of Loxleys Restaurant participated in a new tasting and training menu before reopening on Monday, May 17 [Reuters] Newest: Manitoba reported a single-day high of 560 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, as the third wave of pandemic showed no signs of abating in the province. Even if the previous three cases were deleted due to data correction, the net increase exceeded Previous highest 546 The case last November. Prime Minister Brian Pallister said: As the number of people increases, the main challenge we face now is that we must get everyone vaccinated, we must comply with public health rules, and shorten the third wave. wave. The number of patients with COVID-19 in the intensive care unit remained at a record 62.The average percentage of patients who tested positive in the past five days was Provincial 12%. The three deaths reported on Thursday are one day after the grim milestone of 1,000 deaths from COVID-19 in Manitoba. -Excerpted from Canadian Press, the latest update time is 7 am Eastern Standard Time What happened in Canada Watch | COVID-19: How much protection does the first dose of vaccine provide? Two infectious disease doctors answered questions from the audience about the COVID-19 vaccine, including how much protection people get from the first dose of the vaccine and how the variants can change this situation. 8:03 As of early Friday morning, Canada had reported 1,312,414 confirmed COVID-19 cases, of which 75,475 were active cases. The total number of deaths on CBC News is 24,825. In Atlantic Canada Nova Scotia Reported 110 new COVID-19 cases On Thursday, including leading to Halifax shipyard closed. New Brunswick Reported 16 new COVID-19 cases On Thursday, health officials said that the province will no longer provide the first dose of AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine to the public. Newfoundland and Labrador Reported Seven new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday Prince Edward Island Reported A new case Among daycare workers. Quebec On Thursday, 781 new cases were reported, with another 5 deaths. In Ontario, family standby orders have been Extend to at least June 2. This means that many businesses and outdoor recreational facilities will be closed on Victoria Day weekend. The latest news from Prime Minister Doug Ford is that the province has reported 2,759 new cases of COVID-19 and 31 deaths. According to data from the provincial dashboard, the number of hospitalizations due to COVID-related diseases was 1,632 and 776 in the ICU. Saskatchewan,at the same time, 223 new COVID-19 cases Five more people died. in Alberta Officials report on Thursday 1,558 new COVID-19 Cases and 9 new deaths. According to the province, a total of 722 people were hospitalized, including 177 in intensive care units. Throughout the north, Nunavut 12 new cases of COVID-19 were reported on Thursday, and North-west region A new case was reported. As the Yukon did not release any updates on Thursday, Network outage the day before. British ColumbiaS top doctor reported on Thursday 587 New Infection And five people died. -From CBC News and Canadian News Agency, the latest update time is 7:05am Eastern Time What happened around the world On Friday, a woman received Chinas Sinovac COVID-19 vaccination in Quezon City, Philippines. (Aaron Favila/Associated Press) According to Johns Hopkins Universitys tracking tool, as of early Friday morning, more than 161.2 million COVID-19 cases have been reported worldwide. The reported global death toll exceeds 3.3 million. inside Asia Pacific In the region, the President of the Philippines has relaxed the coronavirus lockdown in the bustling capital and neighboring provinces to fight economic recession and hunger, but this month when many Roman Catholic summer religious festivals are held, the Philippines still bans public gatherings. The Prime Minister of India has warned people to take extra precautions because the countrys devastating coronavirus outbreak is rapidly spreading to rural areas, where nearly two-thirds of the countrys nearly 1.4 billion people live in rural areas. As COVID-19 cases continue to overwhelm the health system, a closed market showed a sign during the lockdown to curb the spread of the coronavirus in Hyderabad, India. (Mahesh Kumar A./Associated Press) Since the relaxation of the lockdown last year, Singapore announced the strictest restrictions on social gatherings and public events due to an increase in local infections and the formation of new populations in recent weeks. inside AmericasCounties in California are awaiting guidance from the state government, after the federal government said on Thursday that in most cases, people who are fully vaccinated can withdraw from facial coverings and stay away from society. The state is expected to reopen the economy on a large scale next month, marking the end of most pandemic restrictions. Counties such as San Francisco and Riverside said they expect the state to provide the latest guidance. After 12-year-old Rafael Maeder Moreira received a COVID-19 vaccine clinic for newly qualified children aged 12 to 15 at the Annenberg Foundation in Los Angeles, Take a photo in front of the balloon spelling #Vaxed. (Lucy Nicholson/Reuters) in AfricaThe Egyptian Ministry of Health said on Thursday that Egypt had received more than 1.7 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine through the COVAX program and had shipped 500,000 doses of the national medicine vaccine from China. inside middle East, Oman will end the curfew on Saturday, but shops and commercial activities will be banned from 8pm to 4am in Europe, Italy has relaxed the COVID-19 quarantine requirements for tourists from the European Union, Israel and the United Kingdom in order to bring the pandemic-damaged tourism industry into the peak season. The Minister of Health Roberto Speranza signed a decree on Friday to allow visits without quarantine and to test negative for the virus starting Sunday. -From Reuters and Associated Press, the latest update time is 7:05 AM EST Some health experts questioned Canadas decision to accept thousands of doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine from the Global Vaccine Sharing Alliance, only to let them sit in the freezer of an Ontario warehouse. Through the COVAX program, more than 655,000 doses of AstraZeneca-most provinces have now decided not to use these drugs-arrived in Canada. This was the first time that the vaccine was shipped to Canada, and it was not immediately distributed to the provinces and territories, because Ottawa is not yet clear who wants the vaccine. Major General Dany Fortin, who manages vaccine logistics for the federal government, said on Thursday that the Public Health Agency of Canada is waiting for provinces to order these doses of vaccines before they are distributed. However, most provinces have now decided not to give AstraZeneca the first dose, and are still considering whether to use it as a second dose or provide a second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine. Dr. Irfan Dhalla, an internal medicine expert in Toronto, said that it is unreasonable to sit on these doses and must choose to use these doses immediately or send them to the country where they will be used. On Friday, due to a large number of artillery and air strikes launched by Israel, the Palestinians hijacked their children and property, fled the residential area on the outskirts of Gaza, and killed a family of six. Israel said it was clearing the militant tunnel network before a possible ground invasion. As the fighting with Palestinian militants including Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, intensified, Israel has assembled an army along the border and 9,000 reservists. Palestinian militants fired about 1,800 rockets, and the Israeli military launched more than 600 air strikes that collapsed at least three high-rise apartment buildings and deployed some tanks near the border. Despite the efforts of the international community to ceasefire, Israel and Hamas were on the brink of full-scale war, and community violence broke out in Israel for the fourth night. Even after Israel sent additional security forces, Jewish and Arab mobs clashed in the flashpoint town of Lorde. The Gaza Ministry of Health said that the number of casualties caused by the fighting has risen to 119, including 31 children and 19 women, and another 830 injured. Hamas and Islamic Jihad have confirmed 20 deaths, although Israel says the number is much higher. Seven people were killed in Israel, including a 6-year-old boy and a soldier. Palestinians living on the outskirts of Gaza City and close to the northern and eastern borders of Israel fled fierce shelling Friday. The family arrived at the United Nations-run school in the city by pick-up truck, donkey and on foot, dragging pillows, pans, blankets and bread. Hedaia Maarouf (Hedaia Maarouf) fled her 19-person family, including 13 children. He said: We originally planned to leave home at night, but Israeli jets bombed us, so we had to Wait till morning. We were shocked for our children, they screamed and shook. Residents say that in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, Rafat Tanani, his pregnant wife and four children aged 7 and under were killed after Israeli warplanes razed his four-story apartment building to rubble . Rafats brother Fadi said that at 11 oclock in the evening just before the family was about to go to bed, four strikes struck the building. The owner of the building and his wife were also killed. Another relative, Sadallah Tanani, said: This is a massacre. My feeling is indescribable. On Friday, Israeli soldiers fired a 155mm self-propelled howitzer into the Gaza Strip from their location near the southern Israeli city of Sderot. (Menahem Kahana/AFP/Getty) The military spokesman of the lieutenant colonel Jonathan Conricus (Jonathan Conricus) said that the tank stationed near the border fired 50 rounds. It is part of a large-scale operation, which also involves air strikes. The aim is to destroy the tunnels used by militants below Gaza City to escape surveillance and air strikes. The military calls it the subway. He said: As always, the goal is to hit military targets and minimize collateral damage and civilian casualties. Unlike our efforts to clean up civilian areas very carefully before striking high-rises or large buildings in the Gaza Strip, this time its impossible. Okay. No progress in negotiations The strike took place after the Egyptian mediator rushed to Israel to negotiate a ceasefire, and the strike showed no signs of progress. Egypt, Qatar and the United Nations led the truce efforts. Fighting broke out late on Monday when Hamas launched a long-range rocket into Jerusalem in support of Palestinian protests against the maintenance of law and order in a shining holy site and Jewish settlers efforts to expel dozens of Palestinian families. . Since then, Israel has attacked hundreds of targets in Gaza, causing earth-shattering explosions in densely populated areas. According to the Israeli military, of the 1,800 rockets launched by Gaza militants, more than 400 failed to reach their targets or failed. The rocket paralyzed parts of southern Israel, and some barrage aimed at the seaside metropolis of Tel Aviv, about 70 kilometers away from Gaza. Watch | The threat of war in the Middle East is growing: Eid al-Fitr was supposed to be a happy time, but this year it was one of fear and bloodshed in Israel and the Palestinian territories. As rockets and air strikes continue, the threat of ground warfare is growing. 3:08 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue his actions, stating in a video statement that Israel will extract a very heavy price from Hamas. In Washington, U.S. President Joe Biden said that he had talked with Netanyahu about the pacification fight, but also said that there was no major overreaction to support the Israeli leader. He said that the goal now is to achieve a substantial reduction in attacks, especially rocket attacks. He called the work in progress. On Friday, an Israeli man walked past the scene of a Palestinian rocket attack in the southern city of Ashkelon. (Jack Gates/AFP/Getty Images) Israel has been severely criticized by the international community for civilian casualties in the previous three Gaza wars, where there are more than 2 million Palestinians. It said that Hamas is responsible for endangering civilians by placing military infrastructure in civilian areas and firing rockets at them. Hamas shows no signs of backing down. It fired Ayyash, the most powerful rocket for nearly 200 kilometers, into southern Israel on Thursday. The rocket landed in the open desert, but briefly interrupted flight operations at Ramon Airport in the south. Hamas also launched two unmanned aircraft, which Israel said quickly shot them down. Hamas military spokesman Abu Obedada said that the organization is not afraid of ground invasions and this will be an opportunity to increase our capture of Israeli soldiers. The current outbreak of violence began in Jerusalem a month ago. The focal point of the conflict was the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, which was built on top of a hill and is revered by Jews and Muslims. Israel uses the entire Jerusalem as its capital, and the Palestinians want East Jerusalem (a holy site for Jews, Christians and Muslims) to become the capital of its future nation. New volatility At the same time, violent conflicts between Arabs and Jews in Jerusalem and other mixed cities in Israel have added new turbulence to the conflict, which has not been seen in more than two decades. The violence lasted all night, until Friday. In Lorde, at the center of the disaster, a Jew was shot and seriously injured. Israeli media said that the second Jew was shot and killed. Near Tel Aviv in Jaffa, an Israeli soldier was attacked by a group of Arabs and was hospitalized in a serious condition. Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said that 750 suspects have been arrested since community violence broke out earlier this week. He said the police had a night clash with people in Rhodes and Tel Aviv, and they threw stones and bombs at them. On Friday, Israeli soldiers from an artillery unit gathered near the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip. (Emil Cohen/Reuters) The fighting deepened the political crisis and made Israel worry about four uncertain elections in just two years. After the elections in March, Netanyahu failed to form a government coalition. Now, his political opponents have three weeks to try to do so. Fighting makes these efforts very complicated. His opponents include a wide range of parties with little in common. They will need the support of an Arab political party. The leader of the Arab political party stated that when Israel was fighting in Gaza, he could not negotiate. Why is the tension between Israel and Syria so high? The economic or cultural ties between Israel and Syria are limited, and Syria is still an active member of the Arab boycott of Israel. Israel and Syria fought in three major wars: the Arab-Israeli War of 1948, the Six-Day War of 1967 and the Yom Kippur War of 1973. When the State of Israel was established in 1948, the Arab countries in the region refused to recognize it, and war ensued. The new Israeli armed forces conquered more territories during the war-including the western half of Jerusalem. In 1967, in the next war, Israel further expanded its control, pushing Jordan, Syria, and Egypt back into its hands. It occupied the rest of Jerusalem and the surrounding West Bank-as well as the Gaza Strip and Golan Heights on the Syrian border. Despite the ceasefire arrangement between the two countries, relations between the two countries have been tense since the beginning of the Syrian civil war in 2011. Authorities said that Tesla, which had a fatal car accident on a highway in Southern California last week, was using autopilot at the time. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating a car accident in Fontana, 80 kilometers (50 miles) east of Los Angeles on May 5. The investigation is the 29th case involving Tesla that the agency has responded to. A 35-year-old man was killed when he hit an overturned semi truck on the highway at 2:30 am local time (09:30 GMT). The name of the driver has not been made public. When the electric car hit him, another man was seriously injured while he was helping the driver of the semi-autonomous car to escape from the sunken ship. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) announced on Thursday that the car has been running Teslas Autopilot, part of the autopilot system, which has been involved in multiple car accidents. The Fontana crash marks at least the fourth time in the United States involving autopilot deaths. The agency said in a statement: Although the CHP center does not usually comment on ongoing investigations, the Department of Defense recognizes that there is a high level of concern surrounding crashes involving Tesla vehicles. We think. This information provides an opportunity to remind the public that driving is a complex task that requires the drivers full attention. The federal security investigation happened just after the Center for Health Protection arrested another man. Authorities said the man was sitting in the back seat of Tesla. Tesla was driving on Interstate 80 near Oakland this week, and no one was driving. CHP has not disclosed whether officials have determined whether the Tesla in the I-80 incident was running on Autopilot, a feature that allows the car to be centered in the lane and maintain a safe distance behind the vehicle in front of it. But it is likely that the driver is operating the autopilot or fully autonomous driving in the back seat. Tesla allows a limited number of car owners to test its autonomous driving system. Tesla, which has disbanded its public relations department, did not respond to an email seeking comment on Friday. The company stated in the owners manual and its website that neither autonomous driving nor fully autonomous driving is completely autonomous, and drivers must be aware of and be prepared to intervene at any time. Sometimes, the autopilot has trouble handling fixed objects and the intersection in front of Tesla. In two Florida crashes in 2016 and 2019, a car using an autopilot drove under a crossover tractor trailer and killed the person driving the Tesla. In a 2018 crash in Mountain View, California, an Apple engineer driving an autopilot was killed when Tesla hit a highway guardrail. Teslas system uses cameras, radar, and short-range sonar, and it also has trouble handling emergency vehicles that have stopped. Tesla has hit several fire trucks and police cars, which are parked on the highway with emergency lights flashing. For example, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) sent a team to investigate after a Tesla car on autopilot crashed into a Michigan police car on Interstate 96 near Lansing. The police said that neither the soldier nor the 22-year-old Tesla driver was injured. After fatal traffic accidents in Florida and California, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommended that Tesla develop a more powerful system to ensure driver attention and restrict autopilots on highways that can work effectively use. Neither Tesla nor the safety agency took any action. NTSB Chairman Robert Sumwalt (Robert Sumwalt) in a letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation on February 1, urging the department to formulate regulations to supervise driver assistance systems such as autonomous driving and testing of autonomous vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) mainly relies on voluntary vehicle guidelines and adopts a non-intervention approach, so it will not hinder the development of new safety technologies. Sam Walter said that Tesla is using car buyers to test self-driving software on public roads with limited supervision or reporting requirements. Since NHTSA does not require it, manufacturers can operate and test vehicles almost anywhere, even if the location exceeds the AV [autonomous vehicle] Limitations of the control system, Sumwalt wrote. He added: Although Tesla includes a disclaimer, Currently enabled features require active driver supervision and cannot make the vehicle self-driving. However, NHTSAs self-driving method cannot supervise audio-visual testing, which is important for drivers and other roads The user constitutes a potential risk. NHTSA has the right to adjust the autopilot system and seek a recall if necessary. Since U.S. President Bibi took office, NHTSA seems to have developed new interest in the system. The Ministry of National Defense is about to conduct a long-term commitment investigation of survivors of sexual assault and misconduct among serving and retired military personnel-six months later, Defense Secretary Harjit Sajjan stated that obtaining their feedback is important for the military The vital rights of the victims enshrined as the Holy Spirit are incorporated into Canadian military law. Internal department documents obtained by CBC News show that a version of the investigation will be published on the Defense Wide Area Network (DWAN) (the Department of Defense internal computer network used for training) and will focus on collecting those who have experienced sexual assault and misconduct. Other versions will be made available to the public through the Serving Victims and Survivors of Crime page on the DND website. As the crisis of sexual misconduct has swept the military, critics have repeatedly pointed out that the Liberal government failed to fully enact the C-77 bill, which inserted the victims bill of rights into the armed forces separate judicial system. Separation and inequality Nearly two years after the Senate passed the bill, the law has not yet entered into force because new regulations have not yet been drafted. For a long time, military victims of crime have been denied the same rights as civilians, including the right to know the status of complaints or accusations, because they are subject to a separate judicial system. This is a problem that C-77 should correct. Watch: The military suffers a morale crisis due to sexual misconduct The resignation of a respected senior female police officer will only exacerbate the morale crisis in the Canadian Armed Forces over allegations of sexual misconduct, and it will continue to be unable to fight gender discrimination in the force and to ensure the safety of women. 2:35 Many critics say that the delay in drafting legislation to support legislation is unreasonable, especially after many sexual assault survivors have recently told a congressional committee about the heartbreaking stories of the military justice systems indifference. In November last year, Sajjan told the House of Commons committee that the department needed the help of victims and survivors to move forward. The minister said on November 2, 2020: I hope these regulations can be completed almost immediately, but we also promise to consult with the victims in order to formulate the regulations appropriately. Take no action A critic of Michel Drapeau, a retired colonel, said that since 2015, military justice reform has been fully carried out without consultations and no new regulations, which is shocking. Failing to act in accordance with this important piece of legislation gives the impression that the Air Force in general, and the military justice system in particular, is not concerned with fulfilling the will of Parliament in a meaningful way, nor is it concerned with ensuring that key improvements are achieved. Implementation. This is to make CAF members better. Military legal expert Drapeau said that he has been pushing for the inclusion of the victims bill of rights into national defense law for ten years. Although they were promised import opportunities when C-77 was drafted, the victims quickly received limited opportunities, telling their stories before the Senate committee shortly before the bill became law. In support of Sajjans public comments last fall, DND argued that it had consulted with the Militarys Sexual Misconduct Response Center (SMRC), its external advisory committee, the Justice Departments Policy Center, and the Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Crime Victims. However, DND admitted in a statement last November that it has plans to finally launch an online investigation. De Labo said that there are dozens of military lawyers on the National Defense Forces salary scale. This shouldnt be a difficult task for the attorney generals office to formulate supporting regulations. Draper said procrastination is an insult to victims of crime and military misconduct. He added that this also violates an important democratic principle: Parliament speaks by enacting legislation. He said: However, the delay of nearly two years is still shocking, and the result is that the will of the Parliament has played the second largest role. This is why [Office of the Judge Advocate General] Should no longer be responsible for the supervision of the military justice system. UPDATE (5:30 p.m. May 13): According to Port Barre Police, the person of interest in a school threat investigation has been released from custody. Chief Deon Boudreax said that the detained person was interviewed and let go "due to the lack of evidence to support the claim" that the person threatened a shooting at the school. According to PBPD, a student told school leaders that he passed the person on the way to school. The student said he heard the man say something regarding "shooting up a school" Weve canvassed the area, viewed multiple home surveillance videos and interviewed multiple people but found no evidence to support the claim," Boudreaux said. UPDATE: A suspect is in custody. Charges are pending investigation. The school lockdowns have been lifted. Port Barre - All four schools in the town of Port Barre are under lockdown as police investigate a possible threat. According to Port Barre Police Chief Deon Boudreaux, a student walking to Port Barre High School this morning told administrators he heard a man threatening to shoot at the school. Boudreaux didn't name the man, but said he's a local man known to police who has a history of mental-health and substance-abuse issues and has no fixed address. Police are currently searching for the man while Port Barre High/Middle School, Port Barre Elementary along with a Head Start center and Montessori school remain on hard lockdown. Boudreaux says he's consulting with St. Landry Parish Superintendent Patrick Jenkins about whether to dismiss the schools for the day or place them on soft lockdown, during which there would be a police presence on campus but the schools would otherwise go about their normal routines. Oh In Bum (Jung Yong Hwa) tries to reconcile with Hong Ji Ah (Jang Na Ra), so he starts looking for more information regarding the death of his uncle to prove his innocence. Oh In Bum Reunited with His Grandmother after a Longtime The former con man decided to pay a visit to the grave of his uncle but during his stay, his grandmother also appeared making them reunite again. Oh In Bum went home with his grandmother and ate lunch together. She confessed that there were men looking for him the other day and also mentioned that Hong Ji Ah visited the house. He immediately went to his room and looked for the things that caused Hong Ji Ah to know more about his identity. The next morning, Oh In Bum's grandmother handed him a box full of memories from his uncle. It has lots of letters and even found the suspicious letter where his uncle Oh Sung Sik (Kim Dae Gon) wrote 20 years ago, confessing what he did for the sake of the Dohak Construction. This gave Oh In Bum a confirmation about the involvement of his uncle in the death of Hong Ji Ah's mother. Meanwhile, Dohak Construction's president Do Hak Sung (Ahn Kil Kang) had a business meeting with a politician and was bothered about the residents who don't want to evacuate in the building that they want to redevelop before the election happens. Do Hak Sung was losing all his credibility as a businessman. Hong Ji Ah Always Remembers Oh In Bum Anywhere She Go "Sell Your Haunted House" Episode 9 gave the viewers a series of new events of how Hong Ji Ah looked for the culprit behind the death of the condo tenant. She found out that the unrested spirit was murdered in the parking lot of the building and the woman, whom Heo Ji Chul (Kang Hong Suk) dates, was the next target of the culprit. This time she called his previous psychic Hyung Sik (Choi Woo Sung) to escort her with her new client. But the detective tried to butt in and almost failed to give the unrested spirit the freedom she deserved. She still thinks of Oh In Bum from time to time. Fortunately, they settled down the problem. Going back to the Real Estate office, Oh In Bum meets Hong Ji Ah to personally apologize for what his uncle did to her mother. But the lady exorcist was still cold towards her psychic. Have you watched the latest "Sell Your Haunted House" episode? What can you say about it? Don't forget to share your thoughts with us in the comments! For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at Kdramastars. Kdramastars owns this article. Written by Shai Collins Another onscreen couple Choi Tae Joon and Girls' Generation member Sooyoung are making a buzz with their romantic chemistry in the ongoing series "So I Married an Anti-Fan." Look at the new stills of the drama! Hoo Joon and Lee Geun Young are Becoming Concerned for Each Other In the previous episode, Hoo Joon (Choi Tae Joon) and Lee Geun Young (Sooyoung) started a virtual wedding program, and while shooting together, they displayed their nervous chemistry. The following days, Lee Geun Young was sent out by her mother from their house and decided to stay in Hoo Joon's penthouse for a while. On May 14, iQIYI released new stills for the upcoming "So I Married an Anti-Fan" episode. The snippets showed the current situation of Lee Geun Young and Hoo Joon, drinking inside the house. The anti-fan asks various questions to the male idol and Hoo Joon patiently answers all of it. Meanwhile, Lee Geun Young listens to all Hoo Joon's grievances in life, and suddenly finds a wound on his hand. She handed a band-aid to cover it, but looks like Lee Geun Young starts to feel something strange when she is already carefully attaching the band-aid for she is also holding Hoo Joon's hand. In the next photo, Hoo Joon radiates a warm charm to Lee Geun Young who fell asleep on the table, covering her with a blanket and genuinely looking at her. However, Lee Geun Young was not really sleeping at that time and is confused by what Hoo Joon did to her. These small but genuine gestures of the two protagonists in the drama project their blossoming romance towards each other. One of the official representatives of the drama shared that for this week's broadcast, a subtle romance between Lee Geun Young and Hoo Joon are about to arise. The official also added that viewers should look forward to the warm feelings that the actors are starting to show. Here's Where and When You Can Watch "So I Married an Anti-Fan" "So I Married an Anti-Fan" can be watched through various platforms such as iQIYI, Naver TV, V Live, Viki, and Amazon Prime Video JP in Japan. Available every Friday and Saturday at 6:00 p.m. (KST). Each episode has 30 minutes running time. Are you also watching "So I Married an Anti-Fan"? What can you say about Sooyoung and Choi Tae Joon's chemistry? Don't forget to share your thoughts with us in the comments! For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at Kdramastars. Kdramastars owns this article. Written by Shai Collins MEDFORD, Ore. Construction on a block of affordable housing units intended to serve local veterans is now complete, local mental health organization ColumbiaCare announced on Friday. ColumbiaCare broke ground on the housing complex in July of last year. Now, the 16-unit supportive housing program at the corner of Stewart and Columbus is ready to welcome in local veterans who were otherwise homeless, or at risk of being homeless. We are thrilled to be adding this much-needed housing to our existing Veterans services continuum said Joseph Chick, Veterans Services Director. We know just how important housing is for peoples safety, health and wellbeing; and that also, unfortunately, there isnt currently enough available. These apartments are going to help fill that gap. The Stewart Avenue Apartments will include an on-site Resident Manager to welcome new residents and support them while they live in the buildings, and features an office and community room for tenants to engage in social activities or classes once COVID-19 restrictions have eased. ColumbiaCare said that the veterans "could not be more excited" to get keys for a place of their own. All of the units are already accounted for, and the veterans should be moving in as early as Monday. While it is very exciting that we are opening a new apartment complex, I think the most important stories are those of each individual Veteran; their sacrifice and service, the commitment and courage they have shown in addressing challenges in their lives, and now the hope and possibility that comes with having their own place to call home," said Chick. "This is going to change their lives for the better, and it could not be a more deserving group. ColumbiaCare thanked the state and local partners that helped support and fund the project, particularly the City of Medford and Oregon Housing and Community Services. SALEM, Ore. Oregon will adopt newly-loosened CDC guidance on mask and physical distancing requirements for fully vaccinated people, Governor Kate Brown said in a video statement on Thursday afternoon. "Starting today, Oregon will be following this guidance, which only applies to fully-vaccinated individuals," Brown said. "That means Oregonians who are fully vaccinated no longer need to wear masks or social distance in most public spaces." Brown highlighted the exceptions outlined by the CDC. Even vaccinated individuals are asked to continue wearing masks and observing physical distancing on public transportation, in hospitals and clinics, in correctional facilities, and in long-term care facilities. Oregon will keep requirements in place for those settings, the Governor said. "Immuno-compromised people should continue to follow the recommendations of their health care provider when it comes to personal protective measures," Brown continued. "Nothing is changing for schools this school year, and I expect education staff and students to continue to wear masks and physically distance, as outline in our Ready Schools, Safe Learners guidance." Brown indicated that the Oregon Health Authority would be issuing updated guidance for businesses and employers about how to lift masking and distancing requirements "after verifying vaccination status." Businesses that prefer to avoid the change can continue operating with current precautions in place. "Oregonians now have a choice of how to protect themselves and others from COVID-19; either get vaccinated, or continue wearing a mask and following physical distancing requirements," Brown said. The Governor's announcement came shortly after Oregon Senate Republicans urged state officials to embrace the CDC guidance. However, it remains unclear whether the change will immediately overturn or amend OSHA's permanent rule for COVID-19 requirements in the workplace, adopted in the beginning of May, or if the rule will remain in place until restrictions are lifted for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. At nearly every turn, Oregon has moved the slowest to follow the science. On reopening our schools, our economy, and now masks. The science is clear that vaccinated people do not spread the virus and do not need masks. The Governor should immediately direct OSHA to update their permanent mask mandate to come in line with this guidance, said Senate Republican Leader Fred Girod. On Wednesday evening, the scientific advisory group organized by West Coast states confirmed approval of the Pfizer vaccine for youth ages 12 to 15. As of Thursday, that vaccine is now available for people 12 and older in Oregon, though the other two vaccines remain for people 18 and older only. SALEM, Ore. The Oregon House of Representatives passed a bill on Thursday that bans the "gay panic" or "trans panic" defense and their ilk in criminal court proceedings, taking aim at a tactic traditionally used to deflect blame from a defendant accused of violent crimes onto the victim's sexual orientation or gender identity. Defendants use these defenses in an effort to avoid full accountability on the grounds that the actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity of the victim is reasonable in and of itself to be considered adequate provocation, said one of the bills chief sponsors, Democratic Rep. Karin Power. The passage of this bill will send a strong and proactive message that the perpetrator of a second-degree murder will not be able to excuse the crime simply based on who their victim is. House Democrats cited the Human Rights Campaign, which reported that 2020 was the "most violent year on record" for crimes against transgender and gender non-conforming people since it began tracking these crimes in 2013, with 44 recorded fatalities. A 2018 FBI report found an increase of more than 500 percent in reported in hate crimes against people who identify as transgender since 2013, Democrats said, the largest rate of growth in any category. "LGBTQ+ Oregonians deserve to feel safe, and know that the state does not excuse violence perpetuated against them because of their gender or sexual orientation, said Rep. Rob Nosse, also a Democrat. This bill sends a strong message to LGBTQ+ Oregonians that our state does not stand for violence based on gender or sexual orientation. It shows them that we care about their livelihood, and that we are willing to act to hold attackers accountable. It shows them that we see them, and we are working for them. Unlike an insanity defense, LGBTQ+ "panic" defense is not an accepted plea in U.S. law, but a strategy used by some defense teams in criminal cases to bolster other defenses and erode culpability for the crime. Senate Bill 704 passed the House with unanimous support and now heads to Governor Kate Brown's desk for a signature. The bill was first introduced by Basic Rights Oregon. If signed into law, Oregon will become the 14th state to ban defenses of this kind. MEDFORD, Ore. The manslaughter trial arising from a fatal crash near Medford in 2017 neared its conclusion on Thursday with the third and final day of witness testimony. 68-year-old Raleigh Rodrigues faces manslaughter charges for allegedly causing the death of 25-year-old Kevin Mayo in a road rage incident in December of 2017. After more than three years, the trial began on Tuesday. Oregon State Police senior trooper Jeff Walker testified Wednesday regarding his observations of the scene following the crash. The trooper said that Rodrigues' pickup truck showed evidence of contact with Mayo's motorcycle indicating that Rodrigues had actually struck Mayo immediately before the crash that claimed the younger man's life. The OSP investigation found that Rodrigues crossed over into Mayo's lane while swerving toward him, Walker testified. Troopers concluded that Rodrigues was "at fault" in the crash, though Mayo assumed partial responsibility for contributing to the road rage exchange that preceded the crash. With the final testimony on Thursday, the state rested its case against Rodrigues, allowing the defense to call their witnesses. First for the defense was Rodrigues himself. An emotional Rodrigues testified that he had lived in the Phoenix-Talent area since 1964, working as a maintenance supervisor before more recently becoming semi-retired. On the day of the crash, Rodrigues said that he had been fixing his daughter's car, and drove out to pick up supplies at O'Reilly's in South Medford. Rodrigues said that he and Mayo had no interactions until Mayo passed him, and he flipped Mayo the middle finger. Apparently seeing the gesture, Rodrigues said that Mayo came back to him, "shaking his fist." Rodrigues, shaking his fist in return, said that he swerved toward Mayo's motorcycle in the fast lane and came back calling it, in hindsight, "a dumb thing to do." After the first swerve, Rodrigues said that Mayo moved closer, hitting the mirror on Rodrigues' pickup truck. The defendant said he found it "hard to tell" what happened after that. Rodrigues testified that he though Mayo had returned to his own lane, and that he didn't know that stepping on his brake would cause Mayo's death. Following Rodrigues' testimony, the defense called two experts to analyze the crash. When proceedings wrapped on Thursday, it marked the end of witness testimony. When the trial resumes on Friday, the prosecution and defense will deliver their closing arguments before the jury goes to deliberations. British Columbia won't be bringing any more doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine into the province, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said Thursday. A second case of a rare blood clotting disorder associated with the vaccine has been confirmed in B.C., she said. Less: Just look at London, Ont. Same: We hear more bad news. More: Canada is on the right path. Vote View Results 0 Shares Share An excerpt from The Hospital: Life, Death, and Dollars in a Small American Town. Marc Tingle and his daughter, Summer, stood in a bathroom they were tearing apart over in Fayette in Fulton County. They had a problem: taking a cast-iron bathtub out of a room that had been built around the tub was a tactical nightmare. Breaking it made one helluva racket, but with just himself and Summer as crew, Marc decided to beat on the tub with his 30-pound sledgehammer to crack it apart. Marc did that kind of labor all the time. But, after about 20 minutes, he turned to Summer and said, You know, this is kinda tuckerin me out. What do you mean, Dad? Summer said. I dont know, Marc answered. I think I might be comin down with somethin. Marc knelt in a corner of the bathroom and removed his leather hat. Sweat trickled down his face and neck. Then he said, Honey, Im gonna go out and set in the truck for a few minutes. I dont want the client to see me like this. He walked outside into the cold, sat down in the drivers seat, and took some deep breaths. Summer continued hammering for about 10 minutes. Then she walked outside to check on her father. Honey, he said, I wanna go home. I dont feel very good. I must be comin down with somethin. With every breath, Marcs chest felt heavier, as if he had to force air into his lungs. This cold must be a doozy, he thought. It came on so fast. He hoped it wasnt the flu. Summer drove. At a certain point, they had a choice to make. Fayette was just across the eastern border of Williams County, Ohio. Edgerton was on the far west side of the county. Partway into the trip, Marc turned to Summer and said, Honey, something isnt right. Lets head to Bryan. Five minutes later, about five miles outside of Bryan, he felt better. Nah, he said. Lets just go home. But within seconds, Marc felt his arm go numb. Hed heard about heart attack symptoms and arm numbness. Were going to the hospital, Dad, Summer said, pressing her foot hard on the accelerator. Marc warned her about getting pulled over. She ignored him. By the time they rolled into the Community Hospitals and Wellness Centers parking lot by the front doors, Marc was struggling for air. He eased out of the truck and walked as fast as he could through the lobby, with Summer trailing behind, and then picked up the red phone outside of the ER. Hello, he said. My name is Marc Tingle, and I think Im having a heart attack. The security doors swung open, and Heather Gaylord showed them to Room 7. Take off your shirt, she said and handed Marc a small nitroglycerin tablet. He swallowed it. Dr. Marv Stalter entered the room and took a preliminary look. He didnt like what he saw. Marc Tingle was 54, a contractor from out in Edgerton, near the Indiana state line. He looked fit and healthy, but hed been sweating even though it was 27 degrees outside. Stalter also noted Tingle wore dentures. He thought to himself that 54 was pretty young to be wearing a complete set of dentures. Tingle had probably hosted a fair amount of gum disease. Over the years, a payload of bacteria could have drifted from his mouth into his arteries, aggravating cardiovascular plaque and leading to clogged blood vessels. So Stalter told Gaylord that Tingle merited close monitoring while she collected data and he turned his attention to other patients in the ER. Dr. Stalter, we need you! Stalter may not have heard, or may not have registered, the urgency of Gaylords shout. He was across the ER in Exam Room 3 with another patient. Dr. Stalter, we need you! Now! she yelled, as Tingle emitted an Arrrggghhh! that boomed through the ER. Without waiting for an answer, a nurse shoved back the curtain at the entrance of Room 7 and ran through the central staff station. Stalter, hustling in the opposite direction, nearly bumped into her. V-fib! somebody shouted. Nurses converged on Room 7. Stalter pictured Marc Tingles heart quivering like a Jell-O mold at a hot summer picnic just quivering, not pumping and therefore dying. The steel-band pain in Tingles chest tightened again. Accckkkk! Tingle exclaimed from under an oxygen mask, sounding like gears being stripped on an old Mack truck. Gaylord stood to one side of Tingle, her eyes her face blank with concentration as she began handling equipment. Shayla Carlisle, short and usually petite but now about seven months pregnant, climbed almost on top of Tingles body. She pressed her hands up and down, up and down, against his chest as hard as she could. Her breath came in loud bursts as if she were trying to breathe for him. Respiratory to ER immediately! Clear! Stalter barked. Shock him with 300! Tingles body arched off the bed. He released a tremendous grunt of pain and surprise, but his heart continued to quiver. Carlisle resumed: up and down, pressing hard, perspiration beginning to bead on her forehead. Tingles daughter, Summer, wanted to be in the room, but she was terrified of being in the room. She stepped in and witnessed the building chaos around her father, then stepped out into the hallway. She just couldnt think. Her hands shook. She sobbed. She held a cellphone to her ear, but why? What would she tell her mother, who was on the other end of the line? She was standing there as the respiratory team rushed past her pushing a big cart equipped with 21st-century machinery and supplies. ER chief Barb Rash swept into the room in a smear of pink and purple sneakers, T-shirt and yoga pants. Shed left her ID badge and her scrubs upstairs in the staff workout room where shed heard the announcement. Rash was a veteran ER nurse with a veterans cool. She sat down on a vacated stool at Marc Tingles feet and helped coordinate the teamwork. Every syringe, every tube, every unsealed drug bottle every single item carried a small sticker with a barcode printed on it. Before letting the envelope or wrapper or box fall to the floor, the nurses and Rash peeled off the stickers. Whether Tingle lived or died, all those barcodes would be scanned so the price of every item could be recorded for billing. Within seconds, Rashs T-shirt was decorated with small stickers. Tingle had health insurance through his wifes work as a county employee, but a silver plan family deductible was $1,600 and hed be responsible for 25 percent of whatever all this was costing on top of that. More people crowded into Room 7. Stalter ordered injections. Gaylord and the other nurses ripped open slender plastic envelopes to release syringes. Pieces of plastic and paper and sections of tube floated to the floor: a snow of medical garbage. Stalter relieved Carlisle, who was sweating now. She wanted to keep going she recognized Tingle, because they attended the same church over in Edgerton but shed used up her strength. She stepped around the curtain, breathing hard and looking grim. Carlisle saw Summer, frozen except for her tears. Were doing everything we can, she told her. She put her arm around Summers shoulder and guided her into an empty exam room across the hall. Call the cath lab! Stalter ordered, and a nurse called up to the third floor. A young nurse stood just outside Room 7 there was no more space inside and pulled a syringe out of its packet. He held a small drug bottle up to the needle, but his hands shook. He was a good nurse but still new. A man was dying. Everything had to happen fast: right now, and all at once, but with precision. Give him another! Stalter barked, unleashing another frenzy and another blizzard of litter. Ready, somebody said. Clear! Marc Tingles body arched. He groaned, yet his heart did not stop quivering. About two minutes had ticked away on the clock: It was a little after four in the afternoon. For Gaylord, Marc Tingles V-fib was an oh-shit moment of indelible clarity. After 12 years of nursing two and a half in the ER she knew what to do. The ER staff was a veteran bunch. So she was confident. But people dont go into V-fib every day in the Bryan, Ohio ER, and now her patient had gone and done it. Brian Alexander is a journalist and author of The Hospital: Life, Death, and Dollars in a Small American Town. Image credit: Shutterstock.com Delta Air Lines is requiring new employees to get the Covid-19 vaccine, making it one of the largest US companies to issue a mandate. 'Any person joining Delta in the future we will mandate to get vaccinated before they can sign up with the company,' CEO Ed Bastian told CNN's Richard Quest in an exclusive interview. Bastian said that he would 'strongly encourage' Delta's existing 75,000 employees to get the vaccine and help them 'understand the risk to not get vaccinated.' Those who opt out of being vaccinated might face restrictions, such as not being able to work international flights, he said. More than 60% of the airline's current employees have had at least one shot and it expects that about 80% of employees will be fully vaccinated, he said. The Atlanta-based company created a vaccination center in February at its museum near the airport. In addition to Delta employees, their friends, families and eligible children can receive their vaccine at the facility. Bastian said it's administering roughly 5,000 shots per day. 'It signals confidence that we're doing everything we can to keep them safe as well as to keep our customers safe because customers knew Delta employees were being tested all throughout the process,' Bastian said of the airlines' testing and vaccination procedures. As the country moves toward fully reopening and vaccinations become more readily available, businesses are exploring whether they can legally mandate new or existing staff to be vaccinated. In December, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced companies can legally mandate employees and new hires be vaccinated. But there are two exemptions companies must allow for, according to the EEOC: a disability or religious reasons. More than 70% of acurrent or recent CEOs at major companies said in March they're open to requiring vaccines. But some of the country's largest employers have shied away from making it a policy for their employees. Instead, they're offering incentives to get the shot. American Airlines is giving employees who get vaccinated an extra day off next year and $50 in the company's employee recognition program. Target is giving its workers free Lyft rides to vaccination sites. --CNN's Richard Davis contributed to this report. Today is Tax Day in the United States -- about a month later than usual. Here's what's changed besides the filing deadline. Here's what you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On with Your Day. (You can also get '5 Things You Need to Know Today' delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up here.) 1. Mideast violence A cycle of sirens, bombs, injuries and deaths continued as yesterday marked the deadliest day in the weeklong conflict in Gaza. Israel bombed a house there where a family was celebrating the end of Ramadan, as well as a building housing international news media. Meanwhile, Hamas missiles rained down on Tel Aviv. The escalation across Israel and the Palestinian territories is the worst violence since the 2014 Gaza War. The UN Secretary General said he's 'dismayed' by the rising civilian casualties. President Biden spoke Saturday with Israel's Prime Minister and the Palestinian Authority President. Beyond the regional crisis, the conflict has created a rift among Democrats, who disagree over what the US should do and what its response might say about Biden's commitment to human rights and social and racial justice. 2. Coronavirus Leaders of all but one of India's 36 states and territories have imposed coronavirus restrictions as cases keep mounting and calls grow for a second nationwide lockdown. Experts say a 10- to 15-day pause would give the health system time to recoup material and manpower, but the central government is resisting, even as UK researchers say early data gives 'a degree of confidence' that existing vaccines work against the variant first spotted in India. China, meantime, suspended climbing at Mount Everest over Covid-19 fears. And Taiwan -- an early success story -- limited the size of gatherings in its capital as it battles its biggest outbreak since the start of the pandemic. In the US, experts warn about the unintended consequences of new mask guidance. With much of the country still unvaccinated, many more Americans may now be shedding their masks than the CDC recommended. 3. Capitol riot The top Democrat and the top Republican on a key House committee have struck a deal to create a bipartisan commission to investigate the January 6 attack on the Capitol. The agreement breaks a monthslong logjam between House leaders about how to structure the independent panel, which would be modeled after the 9/11 Commission. House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy, who's been sparring with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi over the proposal, is still reviewing it. GOP Rep. Fred Upton yesterday called out an effort by some of his GOP colleagues to downplay the Capitol insurrection, saying their 'bogus' claims about the deadly attack show the need for a commission. The Justice Department has charged more than 400 people in the riot so far. 4. US policing City council members in the Minneapolis suburb where Daunte Wright was killed have voted to drastically reduce the power of their police force. Wright, 20, died after he was shot by an officer who said she thought she was holding her Taser. The case prompted a fresh round of protests over police use of force against people of color. Under the new measure, all emergency calls related to physical or mental health or social need will go to a new community response unit instead of the police. Traffic enforcement also will be handled by a separate, unarmed force, and police will only be allowed to issue citations -- not conduct arrests or searches -- for nonmoving traffic infractions and other non-felony offenses. Meanwhile, organizers of New York City Pride have banned the NYPD from participating in the annual June parade, saying their appearance threatened members of the community who are 'most often targeted with excessive force.' 5. Tigray The US condemned Eritrea and Ethiopia for coordinating their troops to close off a key aid route to Ethiopia's war-torn Tigray region. The move follows an exclusive CNN investigation that found Eritrean soldiers were blocking critical humanitarian aid to starving and wounded civilians. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken this weekend demanded both nations ensure their forces in Tigray cease and desist 'this reprehensible conduct' and allow in humanitarian assistance. The top representatives on the House Foreign Affairs Committee have called on the Biden administration to use all diplomatic tools, including sanctions, to respond to the human rights abuses. Thousands of civilians are believed to have been killed since Ethiopia's Prime Minister launched a military operation in November against the region's ruling party. BREAKFAST BROWSE Here's who stole the show at last night's MTV Movie & TV Awards 'To All the Boys: Always and Forever' and 'WandaVision' took home top honors. Mexico's Andrea Meza was crowned Miss Universe She reigned at the pageant, which was delayed last year due to Covid-19, with Miss Brazil as runner-up and Miss Peru as second runner-up. The search for a tiger that went missing in Houston is finally over India, a 9-month-old male, 'appears to be in very good health,' police said, and is now headed to a Texas sanctuary. A pickle-flavored hard seltzer is coming after an April Fool's joke Actually making the icky-sounding beverage teased for a laugh quite a way to get yourself out of a ... well, you know. A rapper made his debut in an African basketball league the same weekend his album dropped J. Cole has taken overachieving to a new level. A roller coaster stalled out in Phoenix, stranding riders 20 feet in the air After they were saved, a rescuer said, 'Overall, they were in good spirits.' (And probably in need of some good spirits.) HAPPENING NOW A key Trump-related government memo may be released The Justice Department has until today to decide to appeal a federal judge's ruling or release a redacted DOJ memo recommending then-President Trump not be charged with obstruction of justice following the Mueller investigation. The memo, if released, would likely put new scrutiny on then-Attorney General William Barr's handling of the special counsel's probe. TODAY'S NUMBER 81% The proportion of filling stations in Washington, DC, that were out of gas yesterday, as the Colonial Pipeline got back up and running after a six-day shutdown. The pipeline flows at just 5 miles per hour, meaning it could take days or even weeks for gasoline, diesel and jet fuel to flow through to most places and replenish nearly empty storage facilities. TODAY'S QUOTE There was an affair almost 20 years ago which ended amicably. Bill's decision to transition off the board was in no way related to this matter. A spokesperson for Bill Gates, responding to a report in The Wall Street Journal that Gates' 2020 resignation from Microsoft's board of directors came after an investigation of a romantic relationship he had with a Microsoft employee. Gates' wife filed for divorce this month. TODAY'S WEATHER Check your local forecast here>>> AND FINALLY (Click here to view.) EUGENE, Ore. Its a race to vaccinate in order to loosen up COVID-19 restrictions in Oregon. Gov. Kate Brown announced this week that counties must reach a 65% vaccination rate in order to enter lower risk with looser rules. Lane County Public Health spokesman Jason Davis said the county needs to vaccinate another 19,000 people in order to get to the target. So far, they have vaccinated 188,000 residents. The county estimates reaching the goal in a few days thanks to the new eligibility group of 12 to 15-year-olds. Davis said they typically see a steep curve in vaccinations when a new group becomes eligible. However, a plateau does follow. So they are going to continue to push those who have not had their shot yet to do so. "It's more about those things that we need to feel like we're an actual community, a functioning community and we need that," said Davis. "That's important and we need that but we need to go beyond that. We need to get that 70 to 75% so we can actually achieve that health goal preventing large scale outbreaks in our community." Davis estimates to get to that 70 to 75% goal, we would need to vaccinate about 44,000 more people. Below are the mass vaccination clinics planned for this weekend: Friday, May 14 Florence: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Pfizer) Fairgrounds: 3p.m. to 7 p.m. (Johnson & Johnson) Autzen: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. (Pfizer) Saturday, May 15 Fairgrounds: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Pfizer) Autzen: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Pfizer) Sunday, May 16 Fairgrounds: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Pfizer) Autzen: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Pfizer) Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are still recommended. To find out more about participating, CLICK HERE. PORTLAND, Ore. A Eugene man who went missing from downtown Portland nearly two weeks ago has been found dead in the Willamette River near the Fremont Bridge, the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) said Thursday. Michael Watts, 37, a performer who went by the stage name "Freddie Hollywood," was last seen Saturday, May 1, while in town to perform his Freddie Mercury impression at a local venue. His sister, Karlee Dash, told NBC's Dateline that Watts and his fiancee had been talking on FaceTime while he was walking to his hotel the night he disappeared. Dash said at one point, Watts appeared to be out of breath and his fiancee asked him what was wrong. Watts reportedly mumbled something and then dropped the phone. The call was cut off and no one could get in touch with him after that. Its like he just vanished, Dash said. His family and loved ones spent days in the Portland area searching for Watts and passing out fliers to help find him. They also offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to his whereabouts. In a news release, PPB said river patrol deputies with the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office recovered the body from the Willamette River on Tuesday. The police bureau said the cause and manner of death are still being determined. Anyone who may have seen Watts the night he went missing or has information about this case is asked to email missing@portlandoregon.gov. EUGENE, Ore.-- The University of Oregon announced Tuesday, a new diversity, equity, and inclusion initiative to create a more community-oriented police department. The first step is to create a committee, made up of students, staff, and faculty from the university. They will oversee implementations on ways to create more diversity, equity, and inclusion in UOPD. An outside auditor recommended the department work on hiring and retention, employee training, and bolstering engagement with outside community groups. On top of that, UOPD is in the process of hiring 12 new unarmed community service officers, which will replace seven current police officer positions. Back in November of 2020, President Michael Schill announced UOPD would transition some positions to community service officers. These officers will not wear traditional police-style uniforms and mainly patrol campus buildings. They will also respond to non-emergency calls that do not require an armed officer. The university plans on having these positions filled and community service officers on the force by the start of next school year. By Steven Ariong A group Karimojong cattle rustlers has raided the farm of the chairman army General Court Martial Gen. Andrew Guti and made off with 130 livestock. The incident happened last evening after a peace meeting between the three Karimojong clans, the Matheniko of Moroto, Jie of Kotido, Bokora of Napak and Turkana of Kenya which was held in Naitakwae ground in Moroto Municipality. The rustlers are said to have taken advantage of the heavy downpour when the Local Defence Unit personnel guarding the Generals farm were all asleep. Major Peter Mugisa the UPDF 3rddivision spokesperson confirms the raid but says so far 100 animals have been recovered from Kautakou village as the rustlers headed to Moroto District. By Ritah Kemigisa International relation experts have spoken out about President Musevenis outburst during his swearing in for the 6th term on Wednesday. The tough speaking Museveni said he did not want foreign powers to lecture him about democracy because they do not have the moral authority to do so. Speaking to KFM, Julius Lebbo says the presidents words are just a political gimmick done by many African leaders who want to be perceived as strong and prove they were democratically elected. However according to Lebbo, such remarks should not be taken seriously because behind the scenes there will be a lot of shuttle diplomacy to water down the effects of his words. Lebbo meanwhile says foreign powers can not relent from preaching about democracy since they support most of the African nations. Shuttle diplomacy is mediated communication, where there is movement of diplomats between countries whose leaders refuse to talk directly to each other, in order to try to settle an argument. By Benjamin Jumbe Uganda is ready to support Burundi to exploit the oil prospects since Uganda and Burundi have the same characteristics. The commitment was made by President Museveni during his bilateral meeting with Burundis president Evereste Ndayishimiye who is in the country on a two-day official visit. President Museveni also pledged to look for investors to support Burundis iron ore industry. Meanwhile, Burundis president who is due to assume the EAC chair says he is confident that president Museveni will continue to advise his country so that it can be at the same level with the other partner States. He also underscored the need for a meeting of the joint commission to work together as brothers and sisters expressing confidence that with support from President Museveni, he will be able to win against poverty in Burundi. According to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Sam Kutesa, trade between Burundi and Uganda increased from $40 million per annum to $59million of exports from Uganda to Burundi, mainly for Iron and steel products, maize, tobacco vegetable oils and others while imports from Burundi to Uganda are $33.8million largely from gold, raw hides and skins and scrap iron. By AFP Israel bombarded Gaza with artillery and air strikes on Friday in response to a new barrage of rocket fire from the Hamas-run enclave, in an intensification of a conflict that has now claimed more than 100 Palestinian lives. Days of deadly violence have seen Israeli soldiers massing on the edge of the territory, although the army stressed there had been no ground incursion despite an earlier statement that troops were carrying out an attack in the Gaza Strip. Israeli security forces have also been scrambled to contain deadly riots between Jews and Arabs, and projectiles have been fired from Lebanon. Images early Friday showed large balls of flame turning the night sky orange in densely packed Gaza, while rockets were seen tracing through the air towards Israel. The United Nations said the Security Council would meet on Sunday to address the conflict as the world bodys Secretary General called for an immediate de-escalation and cessation of hostilities. Too many innocent civilians have already died, Antonio Guterres tweeted. This conflict can only increase radicalization and extremism in the whole region. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington was deeply concerned about the violence in the streets of Israel, and the State Department urged citizens to reconsider travel to Israel. Several international airlines including KLM, British Airways, Virgin, Lufthansa and Iberia. Irish language signs were once a common sight on shopfronts in towns and villages across Kilkenny, but they are an increasingly rare sight, with many a reminder of a shop long since closed. Some emerge during renovation and other works to existing shops a reminder of a past life for a building. A new fund seeks to bring these old, often faded signs back to their former glories. Following his recent announcement of 3 million for 85 built heritage projects across the country under this years Historic Structure Fund (HSF), Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan has invited new applications to the scheme under the Irish-language shopfront stream. This stream, announced last year by Minister of State Noonan alongside Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin, and the Government Chief Whip and Minister of State for Sport and An Ghaeltacht Jack Chambers boasts joint funding of 100,000 to support the conservation of traditional Irish-language shopfronts. Individual grants of between 15,000 and 50,000 will be made for eligible projects which include refurbishment and conservation works to historic shop facades, windows and signage. To qualify, structures must be included, or eligible for inclusion, in the Record of Protected Structures of the relevant local authority. The conservation of historic shopfronts is a cause close to my heart and, of the 85 awards I announced recently under this years HSF, I was delighted that seven of these were to shopfronts in the English language," said Minister of State Noonan. "Todays reopening of applications to Irish language shopfronts will, I hope, encourage projects which preserve both our built and linguistic heritage in Gaeltacht regions and beyond. Minister Martin said: This scheme is an excellent way of increasing the visibility of the Irish language and I am delighted that owners of historic Irish shopfronts will have another opportunity to apply for funding under this years HSF. My department is looking forward to working with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on this exciting and innovative scheme. Minister of State for Sport and An Ghaeltacht, Jack Chambers, TD, added: My department and our state agencies offer wide-ranging supports to the business community in respect of the Irish language and this initiative to preserve Irish-language shopfronts is a wonderful addition to these. I would encourage any eligible shop owners, or owners of premises that were once shops, to apply and look forward to seeing the results of the projects funded under this stream. Owners of eligible structures should apply through their local authority. Further details may be found at www.housing.gov.ie and from local authority Architectural Conservation Officers and Heritage Officers. Here's what made the front page of the Kilkenny People 50 years ago this week - May 14, 1971 As acts of vandalism continue in Kilkenny, Mayor Margaret Tynan has appealed to the people of the city to help stamp out the problem. It is time we faced up to the fact that a considerable amount of vandalism exists, she said, and it is time we did something about it. We cant close our eyes to the problem. Miss Tynan wondered if the people of the city fully realised that every act of wanton destruction meant higher rates due to malicious injury claims. Whether people realise it or not, vandalism is really hitting them where it hurts - in their pockets. By being civic minded and trying to stop vandals at work they would really be guarding their own interests. I wonder how many people realise that. Miss Tynan appealed to the public to report to the Gardai any acts of vandalism they saw and, if necessary, go to court and give evidence so the wrongdoers would be punished. However, she had one reservation in making the appeal. Personally, she said, I feel the courts are too lenient in dealing with cases of vandalism and hooliganism. The sentences or fines are not great enough to make people afraid of committing acts of vandalism. Recently I noticed that in England a scheme has been introduced which forces convicted vandals to work a certain amount of hours each day for the offended party until the courts feel they have paid their debt to the full. I would like to see something like that being introduced here in Ireland. I think it is a very practicable way of making vandals repay society and it is much better and more effective than a fine. After a couple of hard working stints these people might be slow about doing damage in the future. One point she wished to emphasise was that the present trend was not just a Kilkenny problem. It was happening in every town and city in Ireland. However, she stressed, just because something exists elsewhere is no reason it should be tolerated here. It is up to us, the ordinary people of Kilkenny, to ensure that it is not. Discipline must be enforced and psychologists now agree that this is necessary. Problem young people are produced by lack of discipline as children and from these develop problem adults. While I dont advocate physical punishment for anyone, a clip in the ear would not go astray with some people. Footnote: Miss Tynans company, the Kilkenny Motor Company, has not escaped in the present wave of vandalism. The hoses on petrol pumps have been slashed on several occasions. STUDENTS SUSPENDED Five Leaving Certificate students from the Convent of Mercy Callan were suspended this week for leaving the convent grounds and going to a carnival dance in Piltown. It was reported that the girls left the convent through a window at the back of their boarding school and did not return until almost 3am when they entered through the same window. However, their escapade was discovered by one of the nuns, and the three girls were suspended indefinitely. Five students were sent home for leaving the school at night to go dancing, said Rev Sister Marie Theresa, a member of the school community. This action was taken in the interests of discipline and in view of the effects this behaviour had on their studies and on those of their companions. The action was taken with the approval of the entire staff. WON FASHION CONTEST A young Kilkenny girl has won first prize of 100 in a premier fashion competition in Dublin. Miss Kathleen Noonan, daughter of Mrs Mary and the late Thomas Noonan, Woodsgift, took the top prize in the Nairn fabrics fashion competition. Miss Noonan is a student of the Grafton Academy, Dublin. COOLBAWN AMBUSH The 50th anniversary of the death of Sean Hartley and Nicholas Mullins, who were killed by the Crown forces in the Coolbawn Ambush on June 18, 1921, will be commemorated with a special Mass at the memorial in the Abbey Hall grounds, Graignamanagh on Sunday, June 27 at 4pm. The Army will take part. TEENAGE TYCOONS Over 40 American teenage business tycoons, called the Junior Achievers, who arrived in Kilkenny on Tuesday for a two-day visit were entertained at a medieval banquet in Kyteler's Inn. All members of the party have shown outstanding ability in the business and industrial world of the US and are sponsored by major American industries. The idea is to give young people, who have proved their ability in specific fields and proven their business acumen, a knowledge of how big business works on a small scale. The group, who selected Kilkenny as their provincial stop over, were led by Thomas Dunne, Mayor of Elizabeth, New Jersey. The group will also visit Dublin and Cork while two of the achievers will appear on the Late Late Show this weekend. Admission charges to all fee-paying open OPW heritage sites in Kilkenny are being waived in line with the Governments recovery and reopening plan outlined in The Path Ahead. Outside access is open at both Jerpoint Abbey and Kells Priory. Kilkenny Castle is open to self-guided tours while the tearooms are open outdoors and Covid protocols are still in operation in the playground, which is open. With inter-county travel possible once again and museums and galleries allowed to reopen earlier this week, this measure aims to support the domestic tourism industry and local businesses relying on it. The measure is effective immediately and will remain in force until the end of the year. Local Fine Gael TD John Paul Phelan has welcomed the announcement from Minister for the Office of Public Works (OPW) Patrick O Donovan which will support the tourism industry and businesses in Kilkenny by incentivising people to discover, enjoy and cherish the many OPW heritage sites spread across the county. This is great news for the tourism industry in in Kilkenny and Carlow as well as for those who are exploring their staycation options this summer. With a growing list of open heritage sites and the easing of travel restrictions, we have a renewed opportunity to explore the treasures which the OPW holds in trust for the nation," said Deputy Phelan. Before Covid-19, OPWs visitor attractions would have welcomed over 9 million visitors a year many of them international visitors contributing significantly to cultural and heritage tourism in Ireland. 2021 will be different, as all easing of restrictions at OPWs sites is done carefully and in line with public health guidelines. However, there are already 54 out of 90 OPW sites with visitor services open either in part or fully around the country, meaning there is something for everyone to discover and enjoy. This is now the second year in a row that the Government has acted to capitalise on, and contribute to, our historical and cultural destinations by making all of the OPW heritage sites that would normally have an admission fee free for all citizens looking for an enjoyable way to spend their holidays in 2021. The economy has suffered a huge shock because of Covid-19, and the pandemic has posed an unprecedented challenge to the Carlow and Kilkenny tourism sector where many people depend on a strong visitor economy to provide them with jobs. Government continues to support businesses in the tourism sector and the OPW heritage sites will play a part in the path to recovery by making it attractive cost-wise for individuals and families to visit. As a society, weve all endured a huge amount in the past few months and Im hoping this measure will remind people of whats on their doorstep here in both Kilkenny and Carlow as well as further afield, and encourage them to help our tourism industry to make it through 2021. Id encourage everyone to get out there and see what Ireland has to offer, and I hope people will discover something new or maybe even relive a childhood experience of visiting one of our iconic monuments with their own families this summer, concluded Deputy Phelan. Expectant mothers and their partners were among those who took part in a protest at St Lukes Hospital campus at the continued ban on partners attending appointments. The organisers of the protest, The Irish Birth Movement, are calling for partners to have unrestricted access so they can support the birthing person at all times. "We are asking for restrictions in maternity hospitals to be lifted. We want the birth partners to stay with the birthing person through all of labour and birth. Partners are not visitors! They are essential to the well being of the war birthing person and the baby. We also call for restrictions to be lifted during antenatal appointments, scan appointments, on hearing sad news and on visiting their child/children in the NICU unit," a spokesperson said. In a statement issued on behalf of the hospital, , the Ireland East Hospital Group (IEHG) said that restrictions on maternity partners at St Luke's Hospital in Kilkenny cannot be eased due to restrictive infrastructural challenges. The IEHG says that national guidance is being adhered to by all maternity units in the Ireland East Hospital Group, and this includes advice provided by the local hospital infection prevention and control teams specific to the hospital. "With the exception of the National Maternity Hospital, the three Regional Maternity Units in IEHG are part of a general hospital campus and are therefore not standalone maternity hospitals," says the IEHG. "As a consequence these hospitals have specific infrastructural challenges where social distancing cannot be sufficiently met within the Covid guidelines while facilitating partners to attend with the maternity patients. Restrictions are in place to ensure that the hospitals are protecting all patients who may be required to attend the hospital, this includes a large number of patients who have not yet been vaccinated, including our maternity patients and their partners. ROCHESTER, Minn. - If youre fully vaccinated you can now walk around mostly mask-free in Minnesota. Gov. Tim Walz is ending the states mask mandate after federal health officials recommend that fully vaccinated people dont have to wear masks in most situations. Businesses are able to make their own decisions about whether to ask customers or employees to mask up. At Chesters Kitchen & Bar in Rochester staff will follow the updated guidelines. Previously the mask mandate was set to expire in Minnesota on July 1st or when 70% of Minnesotans older than 15 have received at least one shot of vaccine. Executive chef Derek Jensen says the lifted restrictions caught everyone a bit off guard but the restaurant will be fine with employees and customers taking off masks as long as they are fully vaccinated. He says that will be monitored on the honor system. While Chesters is allowing the mask-less potion Jensen believes people will still opt to wear them. He explained, For us specifically, in the shadow of the Mayo Clinic, a lot of people are coming here with illnesses and they're going to be concerned. I still think we'll see a lot of masks going forward. I wouldn't be surprised. I've talked to a couple of people who are vaccinated; they still plan on wearing their mask. Minnesota health officials are still encouraging mask-wearing among those who are not fully vaccinated although that guidance doesnt have the legal force of a mandate. Cathleen Johnson from Chatfield spoke with KIMT about the change and after excitedly ripping off her mask she said, What I do hope is the people who aren't vaccinated will respect those who are and continue to wear the mask to protect themselves and others but those of us that are vaccinated I just feel like it's time. Preet Sidhu from the Twin Cities also said hes looking forward to having the option to take his mask off after being fully vaccinated and hopes others will see the new guidelines as an incentive. He explained, It should encourage people who are not vaccinated to join the crowd and wear no mask inside or the risk themselves. So, I think it's a good idea. Were, of course, not getting rid of masks entirely. The CDC says regardless of vaccination status masks should still be worn in crowded indoor settings like airplanes and hospitals. ALBERT LEA, Minn. Electric scooters will soon be on the streets of Albert Lea. City Government says it is partnering with Bird Rides to provide e-scooters for riders 18-years-old and above. The scooters will have a maximum speed of 15 miles per hour and city officials say they provide a safe way to get around during the pandemic and offer residents without automobiles another transportation option. A statement from the City of Albert Lea says Bird Rides is offering the following programs to those who qualify: Community Pricing - Birds Community Pricing Program offers a 50% discount to low-income riders, Pell grant recipients, select local nonprofit and community organizations, veterans, and senior citizens. Its designed to be the most inclusive micromobility discount program available anywhere. To sign up for the Community Pricing Program, download the Bird app, create an account, and email your proof of eligibility to access@bird.co. Free Rides for Healthcare Workers and Emergency Personnel - Bird is proud to offer free rides to healthcare workers and emergency personnel. To sign up, simply email a copy of your medical identification card along with your name and phone number to together@bird.co. Eligible riders will receive two free 30-minute rides per day for as long as it takes to help our communities to recover from this global health crisis. Albert Lea residents with any questions or concerns about e-scooters may contact Bird rides at 1-866-205-2442 or hello@bird.co. More information about the company can be found on their website and on their blog. ST. PAUL, Minn. Governor Tim Walz says he will sign an executive order Friday morning to end the states mask mandate. The move comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended fully vaccinated people no longer needed to wear masks outdoors in crowds or in most indoor settings. Walz says Minnesotans who are not fully vaccinated are strongly recommended to wear face coverings indoors. Private businesses and local municipalities may still put in place face-covering requirements and the state's Safe Learning Plan, along with the existing face-covering guidance for schools and child care settings, remain in effect. This great day is possible because vaccines have proven to be effective, says Governor Walz. Once you are fully vaccinated you are protected. You can confidently return to the people you love and things that you miss all without a mask. The message is clear get vaccinated and lets put the pandemic behind us once and for all. This is an important day for Minnesota and the country, says Minnesota Department of Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm. With millions of doses administered, we are seeing that vaccines work and are effective. But you need to roll up your sleeves and get the shots to get the protection. Minnesotans who arent protected should continue to wear a mask and stay safe. Olmsted County Public Health issued the following statement on the new CDC guideline: At this time, Olmsted County will continue to follow the Governors order requiring mask-wearing indoors until July 1, 2021 or until the State of Minnesota hits a 70% vaccination rate. We will continue to update our residents on any changes that may come from the Governor. Olmsted County Public Health continues to be grateful to our residents for their help to put an end to this global pandemic. Mayo Clinic also issued a statement on mask-wearing: Mayo Clinic is aware of the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions additional guidance for people who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The new guidance loosens restrictions associated with wearing masks indoors in certain settings and does not include health care settings at this time. At Mayo Clinic, the requirement for masking in health care facilities remains in effect, and infection control is reviewing and updating our policies continuously. MASON CITY, Iowa - Lace up your walking shoes and limber up! The annual Walk MS in Mason City will take place virtually on Saturday. Using the theme 'Moving Forward Your Way', participants are encouraged to form a team and plan their route while raising money to end multiple sclerosis. Team FROG captain Jen Gogerty has participated in the walk for nearly 15 years, a few years after she was diagnosed with MS. Despite not being held in person this year, she says the virtual walk still holds the same purpose. "You can make your route, do it when you want, how you want, get creative as you want, but it still has the same purpose of coming together, moving forward to create a world free of MS." An Iowa couple has thrown down the gauntlet - if $40,000 is raised by this Sunday, they plan to donate another $10,000 to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. "That's really exciting and generous of someone. Hopefully with the Upper Midwest chapter of Iowa, Minnesota, North and South Dakota, if we can pull that together, that would be really amazing." Nearly 1 million people live with MS in the United States, according to a study funded by the National MS Society. To participate in this Saturday's walk, or if you would like to donate, click here. KIMT NEWS 3- Since the early days of the pandemic, landlords have not been allowed to evict Minnesotans. During a virtual discussion on Friday morning, U.S. Senator Tina Smith and Minnesota Housing Commissioner Jennifer Ho, discussed with representatives from non-profits about keeping a pause on evictions. Through RentHelpMN, an emergency assistance program, struggling Minnesotans can get caught up on overdue rent and utilities. "What's really unique about this program is you can pay it forward for three months," said Ho. If you apply and your eligible, you can actually prepay and that's an extraordinary feature of the program. " One of the non-profit representatives who attended the discussion was Brenna Bailey. Bailey who is Chief Program Officer for Pillsbury United Communities is thankful for the ongoing assistance. "My colleagues here have said that this provides stability to keep families in their homes," said Bailey. "We are just endlessly grateful for the support. It's going fairly smoothly so far." An estimated 53,000 Minnesota households are behind on their rent by an average of nearly $3,000. Anyone who thinks they are eligible for the program can apply here or call 211. ALBERT LEA, Minn. The annual Independence Day parade will return to Albert Lea in 2021 and someone very special will be leading the way. The Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce says the parade grand marshal will be Marion Ross, the Albert Lea native and star of TVs Happy Days. The parade will be held July 3, starting at 6 pm, and the Chamber says the 2021 theme is Happier Days Ahead. ST. PAUL, Minn. Starting Monday, the State of Minnesota will work with private health plans to improve equity and access to COVID-19 vaccines. Participating health plans include Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, HealthPartners, Hennepin Health, Itasca Medical Care, Medica, PreferredOne, PrimeWest Health, South Country Health Alliance, and UCare. They will work with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) to identify residents most impacted by the coronavirus and face barriers getting vaccinated to connect them with vaccination opportunities. Immunizing for impact requires us to measure our success not only by how fast we are able to get the most Minnesotans vaccinated but also by how we are reaching communities at highest risk for COVID-19 who have already been hardest hit by the pandemic, says Dr. Nathan Chomilo, COVID-19 vaccine equity director for MDH and Medicaid medical director for DHS. Our Minnesota health plans have found unique ways to support their members and communities health and this partnership will allow all of us to expand our resources, coordinate efforts to get more Minnesotans connected to lifesaving vaccines and continue to build a more just and community-driven approach to health. State officials say the partnership will work to reach those enrolled in Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCPs), such as Medical Assistance (MA) and MinnesotaCare, who live in ZIP codes with high social vulnerability index (SVI) scores and have not been vaccinated for COVID-19. The health plans will work with the state to contact members and provide information on vaccination, assist with scheduling appointments and help plan for their vaccination, including arranging transportation or other services, if needed. This commitment to vaccinate the most at-risk populations will not only go a long way toward beating back COVID-19, but help us close other health disparities that are far too prevalent in Minnesota, says Lucas Nesse, president and CEO of the Minnesota Council of Health Plans. Minnesotas health plans are continually looking for strategies to best reach vulnerable communities, and we look forward to working with the state on this critical initiative. An analysis done last year by the State Health Access Data Assistance Center of 2018 data showed that approximately 44% of African American, 39% of Native American, 31% of Hispanic and 20% of Asian Minnesotans under the age of 65 rely on MHCPs for health care coverage. ROCHESTER, Minn. - After an easing of masking guidance by the CDC, Med City Mayor Kim Norton is asking community members to not let their guard down against coronavirus. "Be smart, be safe, get vaccinated, and let's get back to normal," Mayor Norton told KIMT. Norton says while Thursday's updated guidance comes as exciting news, she and other local leaders will continue encouraging residents to roll up their sleeves. The mayor adds many in our community are still at risk of serious illness from coronavirus, it's important to be considerate of those who remain concerned. "We need to be cognizant of the fact that there are still unvaccinated people for a variety of reasons." She continued, "there will be some people who will want to continue to mask, and I think we just need to give people a little bit of grace here, be respectful that they're doing that for their health or someone else's heath." Mayor Norton says keeping everyone safe will also benefit local businesses, which have been waiting patiently for a return to normalcy. "We do have a world renowned healthcare facility caring for people with fragile health. And all the services, all the businesses, downtown and throughout our city, will only be able to thrive if we continue to have Mayo Clinic and all of our businesses open." With vaccination rates on the rise and percent positivity dropping, Norton says there's a noticeable sense of optimism around Rochester, and she's hopeful people will get out and shop local safely. "Show those local businesses your love, and that'll really boost the economy. They've all been waiting for that, and they would be very appreciative if people would come to visit them." MINNEAPOLIS - The Minnesota Twins announced Friday that fans at games are encouraged but not required to wear masks. "Effective immediately, all guests at Target Field are strongly encouraged, but not required, to wear face coverings while in the ballparks outdoor spaces, except when actively eating or drinking. Per current City of Minneapolis ordinance, face coverings remain mandated for guests ages two (2) and over while in Target Fields indoor dining, bar and retail areas, unless actively eating or drinking," the Twins said. : attractive (attractive), : LeisureTime : the demise of a start-up : BBS (Fri May 14 11:46:27 2021, ) Loconomics, a startup that offered shared services to freelancers, became a darling of academics and allies interested in platform cooperativism. But while academics secured grants, Loconomics struggled to gain traction. Appearances at conference panels and in magazine features never translated to enough funding or users to scale. So, after six years of bootstrapping, product pivots, and one big break that didnt pan out, Loconomics came to an end in 2020. The original idea was to create a sharing economy platform that put the workers first. We started out by incorporating as one of Californias first benefit corporations. But we didnt feel like people, planet, profit went far enough. Sure, I had no guilt in making a market salary but I didnt want to be a millionaire off the backs of labourers. But for service professionals, there was nothing that strong to say that we were offering anything vastly different than say TaskRabbit, other than maybe commissions would have been less. So I went back to the drawing board. Id known about co-operatives, but not how it would apply to a technology platform, so I went to a free legal clinic put on by Janelle Orsi who founded the Sustainable Economies Law Center. She and I hit it off and brainstormed how that would look. We wanted to do something the other platforms werent doing giving ownership to the workers and have that written into its bylaws. We revised the articles of incorporation to become, what I think, was the USs first technology platform co-operative in June of 2014. Certainly early on Janelle Orsi was a great supporter and cheerleader. I was part of the LGBT and San Francisco startup scene and found many people who said Wow, thats a really great idea but didnt understand the business model very well. I also went to many events in Oakland that were much more impact-oriented at the local level. Their mission statements were much clearer and more tangible, but they heard my idea for Loconomics and said Wow, why doesnt that exist? Somehow, though, I or Loconomics didn t quite fit in. Maybe six months after we converted to a co-op, Nathan Schneider started writing about Loconomics and then we got a lot of attention from academics most of the attention was from academics, people in the social impact space, and some entrepreneurs that respected what I was doing. They all tried to help in their own way. And no one told me it was a dumb idea. I validated that there was a need for Loconomics, for sure, but coordinating a ton of people that are interested in it and not having the funding to actually hire anybody I think that was the toughest part. Its great having volunteer help but pulling it all together into a tangible product, that was really hard. I dont know who possesses that expertise but I didn t. Its still everything I believe in politically, socially, and philosophically, and I hope someone figures it out. It was mostly academics and people in Janelles circle, in sustainable economics, and there were tons of fans who saw the need for Loconomics as a solution to the perils of the gig economy but it was not the workers, the service professionals. I think the platform co-op movement wouldnt have started without an example like Loconomics, and I got so many interviews and so much fanfare from it, but it needed to be the people who were actually going to use the platform. I think on paper its the perfect solution, but its a little bit more complicated for the workers who actually power the platform to understand how they benefit, which is what really matters, and it was harder to reach those people as they werent going to the conferences or reading whatever publications we were in. -- :attractive May 14 12:25:22 2021 [FROM: 47.] :WWW mitbbs.com [FROM: 47.] Jason Armey of the Steuben County Health Department assembles a partition for use in the observation area of the new COVID-19 vaccine clinic being assembled in the Steuben Community Center, 317 S. Wayne St., Angola. The new clinic will open on Tuesday after the Health Department vacated the vaccine site at the Steuben County Event Center at Crooked Lake. Job market for college grads going smoothly China Daily) 14:25, May 14, 2021 A graduating student searches for job opportunities at a job matching fair at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China, March 16, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua] The employment situation for China's new college graduates has been progressing smoothly this year thanks to joint efforts by central and local governments and universities, the Ministry of Education said on Thursday. China is expected to see a record 9.09 million college graduates this year, 350,000 more than last year, the ministry said. Wang Hui, director of the ministry's department of college student affairs, said although the stable economic recovery in the first quarter has laid a solid foundation for sound employment, the COVID-19 epidemic still has an impact on college students' employment and the situation remains complex and challenging. Since last autumn, the ministry has worked with other departments to launch a campaign to help graduating students find jobs or start businesses, Wang said. Measures have been taken to help graduates find jobs in the public sector, such as government institutions, State-owned enterprises, armed forces and public schools, he said. The ministry launched a 24-hour online campus recruitment service last year to help graduates find jobs amid the epidemic and the service has provided 14.5 million job postings this year, with graduates submitting resumes 37.6 million times, Wang said. It also organized 35 livestreaming sessions on the employment situation and policy, career development, industry analysis and interview skills, which have been viewed 108 million times, Wang added. Liu Yuguang, director of China Higher Education Student Information and Career Center, said a recruitment promotion week will be held nationwide from May 17 to 23 to provide both job opportunities for the new graduates and chances for universities and employers to better match candidates with open positions. Each provincial-level region will organize at least two large-scale job fairs during the week, Liu said. More than 60 universities and more than 120 major enterprises are expected to attend the offline event at China Agricultural University and another 100 universities and more than 300 enterprises will meet online, he said. Wu Aihua, deputy director of the ministry's department of college student affairs, said that many graduates were born after 2000 and they might have more employment choices, such as delaying employment and starting business, and the ministry will offer more specific employment services to graduates. Emerging industries have also created many new jobs and there are more graduates choosing flexible employment, he said.Job market for college grads going smoothly By ZOU SHUO | China Daily | Updated: 2021-05-14 09:43 A graduating student searches for job opportunities at a job matching fair at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China, March 16, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua] The employment situation for China's new college graduates has been progressing smoothly this year thanks to joint efforts by central and local governments and universities, the Ministry of Education said on Thursday. China is expected to see a record 9.09 million college graduates this year, 350,000 more than last year, the ministry said. Wang Hui, director of the ministry's department of college student affairs, said although the stable economic recovery in the first quarter has laid a solid foundation for sound employment, the COVID-19 epidemic still has an impact on college students' employment and the situation remains complex and challenging. Since last autumn, the ministry has worked with other departments to launch a campaign to help graduating students find jobs or start businesses, Wang said. Measures have been taken to help graduates find jobs in the public sector, such as government institutions, State-owned enterprises, armed forces and public schools, he said. The ministry launched a 24-hour online campus recruitment service last year to help graduates find jobs amid the epidemic and the service has provided 14.5 million job postings this year, with graduates submitting resumes 37.6 million times, Wang said. It also organized 35 livestreaming sessions on the employment situation and policy, career development, industry analysis and interview skills, which have been viewed 108 million times, Wang added. Liu Yuguang, director of China Higher Education Student Information and Career Center, said a recruitment promotion week will be held nationwide from May 17 to 23 to provide both job opportunities for the new graduates and chances for universities and employers to better match candidates with open positions. Each provincial-level region will organize at least two large-scale job fairs during the week, Liu said. More than 60 universities and more than 120 major enterprises are expected to attend the offline event at China Agricultural University and another 100 universities and more than 300 enterprises will meet online, he said. Wu Aihua, deputy director of the ministry's department of college student affairs, said that many graduates were born after 2000 and they might have more employment choices, such as delaying employment and starting business, and the ministry will offer more specific employment services to graduates. Emerging industries have also created many new jobs and there are more graduates choosing flexible employment, he said. (Web editor: Liang Jun, Bianji) ROME, MAY 14 - Italy's COVID-19 Rt reproduction number has fallen to 0.86, down from 0.89 last week, according to the weekly coronavirus monitoring report of the health ministry and the Higher Health Institute (ISS). The incidence has fallen to 96 COVID cases for every 100,00 inhabitants, compared to 123 cases in last week's report. None of Italy's regions are classed as being high COVID risk and the proportion of intensive-care places occupied by coronavirus patients is over the critical threshold of 30% in only three regions. As a result of the improved contagion data, the government is likely to class the whole of Italy as a moderate-risk yellow zone in the nation tiered system of virus-linked restrictions. At the moment three regions, Sardinia, Sicily and Valle D'Aosta, are medium-high risk orange zones, while the rest of the country is yellow, where the restrictions are much less stringent. (ANSA). ROME, MAY 14 - A preliminary hearings judge in Catania on Friday cleared League leader Matteo Salvini of accusations that he effectively abducted 131 migrants who had been rescued at sea by refusing to allow the Gregoretti.coast guard ship that they were aboard to dock for several days when he was interior minister in July 2019. The judge upheld requests from both the defence team and prosecutors to drop the case and not send Salvini to trial. The State attorney had said no crime had been committed as Salvini "did not violate any national and international convention" and his choice to refuse a landing berth was a policy agreed on with the rest of the government of the day. Salvini, who was interior minister from June 2018 to September 2019 in ex-premier Giuseppe Conte's first government, has repeatedly said he acted in the national interest. The case is one of several stemming from Salvini's former closed ports policy against migrant-rescue ships during his 14-month stint as interior minister. Salvini said the case should never have gotten this far after the Senate voted to strip him of his parliamentary immunity in relation to it last year in order for it to proceed. "The judge studied the case, worked and took on his responsibilities," Salvini said. "I'm just sorry about the cost of these days (in court) for the Italian citizens. "Italy is the only country in the EU where the political left sends a minister to trial, not for acts of corruption, but for the decisions of government. "We have the most retrograde left on the European continent, which uses the judiciary to win elections that it cannot win at the ballot box". (ANSA). ROME, MAY 14 - A Romanian man was arrested by Carabinieri police on Friday for allegedly trying to burn his pregnant partner to death in the town of Vellezzo Bellini, in province of Pavia, sources said. The woman, who is two months pregnant, is being treated at Milan's Niguarda hospital after suffering burns on 50% of her body. The man allegedly covered the woman in alcohol and set her alight. He face charges of attempted homicide. (ANSA). ROME, MAY 14 - US Special Presidential Climate Envoy hailed Italy's role in efforts to address the climate crisis after talks with Premier Mario Draghi in Rome on Friday. "I had the honor to meet with Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi," Kerry said via Twitter. "Thank you for your commitment to our common challenges in view of the #G20 and #COP26. "Italy's leadership is critical to tackle the climate crisis". Italy holds the duty president of the G20 this year and it is co-hosting the COP26 UN climate conference with the UK. The Italian premier's office said Draghi and Kerry discussed the importance of close collaboration between the United States and Italy in tacking the climate emergency effectively via all multilateral fora. (ANSA). ROME, MAY 14 - Italy's birth rate is set to continue on a downward trend this year, with births going under the 400,000-mark for the first time in the post-war period, the head of national statistics agency ISTAT said on Friday. "There were 404,000 births in 2020," ISTAT President Carlo Blangiardo told a conference organized by the Forum of Italian Family Associations. "It is estimated that there will be between 384,000 and 393,000 in 2021". (ANSA). New quarantine measures introduced by the Ministry of Health in Sri Lanka with effect from 6 June 2021. For further information in English Colombo, May 14: Sri Lankan authorities have decided to quarantine all inbound travellers for 14 days even if they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a new variant has been spreading across the island nation, according to the Health Ministry. In a statement on Thursday, the Ministry said that all travellers including Sri Lankan citizens, foreigners, tourists and diplomats, will have to undergo the mandatory 14-day quarantine period in designated centres in order to detect any virus carriers, reports Xinhua news agency. Sri Lanka Bans All Indian Travellers Until Further Notice To Curb Spread of Indian COVID-19 Variant In addition, all incoming passengers would also be subjected to a PCR test on arrival, as well as at the end of their quarantine period. Children below the age of two years would be exempted from the PCR tests, the Health Ministry said. Sri Lanka has been facing a rapid rise in COVID-19 infections this month due to the emergence of the new variant, infecting younger people. Health authorities warned that the rising number of infected patients might overburden the country's health system, as hospitals and Intensive Care Units were filled to the maximum with severely ill patients. The Army has said it would put up temporary treatment facilities in the worst-affected areas with more beds to assist the health workers to treat the growing number of patients. With health experts warning that the situation might worsen in the coming weeks, Sri Lankan authorities declared a strict islandwide travel restriction that started from 11 p.m. Thursday until 4 a.m.on May 17. According to official figures, during the month of May over 20,000 new cases have been reported with an average of 2,500 patients being detected daily. Sri Lanka has so far reported 135,796 coronavirus cases and 892 deaths. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 14, 2021 12:03 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). The hackers responsible for the Colonial Pipeline attack had received nearly $5 million in ransom, according to a U.S. official with knowledge on the matter. However, the U.S. official did not specifically say how or when the company paid the ransom. Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden had commented over the matter, saying that the ransomware attack on the U.S.'s largest gasoline pipeline had come from Russia, according to an Aljazeera report. Biden said that they have a strong reason to believe that the criminals behind the attack are Russians. However, the Federal Bureau of Investigation concluded that the Russian government was not involved in the hack, adding that the federal government has contacted Russian officials about what steps to take against the ransomware attacks. READ MORE: Romney Warns Next Cyberattack Could Disrupt U.S. Food and Water Supply Colonial Pipeline Attack The Colonial Pipeline runs 8,851 kilometers to New York from oil refineries in Texas. It slowly resumed its operations on May 12. The system is primarily gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel pipeline catering to the East Coast. Before restarting operations on Wednesday, it warned that some markets could experience some service interruptions. GasBuddy's senior petroleum analyst Patrick De Haan warned that it may take weeks until gasoline supply returns to normal despite the system getting back online. De Haan noted that the situation has gotten out of control. He added that it might be three to four weeks before operations go back to normal, according to a Yahoo Finance report. The petroleum expert also said that consumers who are hoarding gas are worsening the situation. De Haan said that panic buying is causing the gas shortage and not supply issues. Meanwhile, the ransomware at Colonial had put a light on the country's critical infrastructure. It has been a target of several cyberattacks. Cities, schools, and hospitals across the country have been targeted by cybercriminals, according to a CNET report. Ransomware Attacks The FBI has discouraged American ransomware victims from paying hackers, stating that payment is not guaranteed to work, and it encourages criminals to continue attacking others, according to an NBC News report. Anne Neuberger, the White House's deputy national security adviser for cyber and emerging technologies, echoed the FBI's sentiment on the matter. Neuberger said that they discourage the payment of ransoms as it encourages more cases of ransomware. Brett Callow, a threat analyst with the antivirus firm Emsisoft, said that prohibiting ransomware payments is the fastest way to end ransomware attacks. Callow added that attacks occur because they are profitable, according to an NPR report. Attacks from airports and hospitals to schools and local governments have also been escalating. In September 2020, United Health Services was attacked, which cost the Pennsylvania-based hospital $67 million before taxes. The U.S. Coast Guard facility also fell victim to a ransomware attack in 2019, which caused their operations to shut down for more than 30 hours. Colonial had tapped the services of cybersecurity company Mandiant to address the ransomware attack. Mandiant spokesperson said that the company does not directly pay ransomware groups on clients' behalf. However, they acknowledged that the victims can choose to do so. READ NEXT: FBI Gets Involved as Russian Cyberhackers Suspected Behind High-Risk US Government Hack WATCH: Colonial Pipeline paid ransom to hacker group DarkSide: Source - from CNBC Television The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new face mask guidelines intended for fully vaccinated people. The agency made the announcement on Thursday while pointing out some reservations fully vaccinated people should abide. The agency's new guidelines followed President Joe Biden's announcement of a partnership between ride-sharing companies and the White House that will aim to reach 70 percent of adult Americans having one vaccine dose by Independence day. READ NEXT: Time to Be More Liberal on Indoor Mask Mandates: Says Fauci as Vaccine Rates Rise What Are the New CDC Guidelines for Fully Vaccinated Americans? Under the new CDC Guidelines, fully vaccinated Americans can attend indoor and outdoor activities without wearing a face mask and maintaining at least six feet of physical distancing. The agency noted that the decision was made because the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection is "minimal" for fully vaccinated people, as well as the transmission from fully vaccinated people to unvaccinated people. "We have all longed for this when we can get back to some sense of normalcy," said CDC Director Rochelle Walensky in CNBC, emphasizing that fully vaccinated people can attend indoor or outdoor activities no matter the size. Walensky also acknowledged the efforts of those behind the "rapid administration of three safe and effective vaccines." However, there are still instances fully vaccinated people will have to wear their face masks. CDC pointed out that face masks should be worn if required by the state, local, territorial laws, rules and regulations, and workplace and local businesses guidance. The agency also underscored that fully vaccinated people should wear their face masks on airplanes, trains, busses, and other public transportation. Will Travel Restrictions Also Ease for Fully Vaccinated People? There were also some changes in the travel restrictions for fully vaccinated Americans. For domestic travel, CDC noted that fully vaccinated travelers do not need to get a viral test before and after the destination unless the testing is required by the state or territorial health authorities. For international travel, fully vaccinated individuals coming from the U.S. do not need to get viral testing before leaving the country unless it is required by the country they are headed to. Meanwhile, all travelers coming from abroad should have a negative SARS-CoV-2 viral test result or documentation of recovery and take the viral test once again three to five days after the travel. How About the Unvaccinated Individuals? Walensky emphasized that unvaccinated people should continue to wear their masks because they remain at risk for mild and severe illness, death, and risk of spreading the notorious disease to others. Walensky also added that the agency can change the guidance again once the pandemic worsens or additional variants emerged. President Joe Biden Celebrates Over New CDC Guidelines ABC News reported that on Thursday, President Joe Biden celebrated the new guidance issued by the CDC, dubbing it as a great milestone. "If you're fully vaccinated and can take your mask off, you have earned the right to do something that Americans are known for all around the world: greeting others with a smile," said Biden. The president gave his remarks without wearing his masks. ABC News shared that the new facemasks guideline from the CDC comes while President Joe Biden was meeting with Republican senators. The attendees removed their face covering midway through the meeting. READ MORE: California Mask Mandate to Ease by June 15 - Gov. Gavin Newsom WATCH: CDC: Fully-vaccinated people don't need to mask, physically distance in most cases - from CNBC Television Colombia protests that stemmed from a tax reform proposal have now entered their third week, resulting in fuel and food shortages in the city of Cali. Known as the third-largest city of Colombia, Cali became the center of unrest as the anti-government demonstrations continue. It can be recalled that Cali faced a surge in violence between police officers, protesters, and armed civilians in the past days. And now, three weeks into the mass protests, BBC reported that Cali faces shortages in some supplies of food and even gasoline. RELATED ARTICLE: Colombia's Finance Minister Quits After Tax Reform Plan Withdrawn Shortages Emerge in Cali The shortages in some items in Cali stemmed from the blockades placed on the city's major highways. BBC reported that young, masked protesters blocked the roads with branches and wires as they protest for "a different country." Because of this, the supply of gasoline and food is disturbed. Residents were reported to queue or line up for 12 hours for fuel. In an interview with BBC, a trader shared about the shortage of potatoes. Others said they had received delivery, but the price is 30 percent higher than the usual rate. "Some supplies or limited supplies are not enough," said Cali City Mayor Jorge Ivan Ospina. The mayor added that the city depended on food from the neighboring towns to feed its residents. Why Do Mass Protests in Colombia Still Continue? Other cities in the country also experienced the road blockades that Cali experienced as the demonstration entered its third week, Al Jazeera reported. Gimena Sanchez, the director for the Andes at the Washington Office on Latin America, noted that the protests in Colombia go beyond the anger at equality and COVID-19. The tax reform only sparked demonstrations in the country. But protest leaders claimed that they also call for a basic income scheme, free tuition at public universities, and police reform. Meanwhile, researchers underscored in NBC News that "inequality and undelivered promises on social issues," were also an explosive mix during moments of crisis. Researchers further noted that the tax reform only spurred the social unrest that has been fueled by violence, noncompliance with peace agreements, unemployment, and hunger caused by the mismanagement in the pandemic. "The Colombia protests are not just about COVID, they are about anger towards (President Ivan) Duque for police repression from 2019 onwards, not advancing to the 2016 peace accord," Sanchez told Al Jazeera. Death Toll From Colombia Protests Human rights organization have kept their tally on the death of the protesters while calling out to the government to stop the use of excessive force. NBC News reported that the human rights ombudsman in Colombia had confirmed at least 42 deaths. On the other hand, local and international rights groups noted that the death toll from Colombia protests might be higher as they blamed the police for the violence. READ MORE: Colombia Mass Protests Continue, Police Deploy Tear Gas WATCH: Vigilantes and Anti-Government Protesters Clash in Colombia - From Bloomberg Markets and Finance Authorities in Brazil are allegedly targeting indigenous leaders after police initially launched a probe on two prominent critics of President Jair Bolsonaro's government, according to human rights activists in the country. The Guardian reported that Sonia Guajajara, the head of Brazil's largest indigenous organization, the Association of Indigenous Peoples (APIB), and Almir Surui, had been put under investigation last month. The indigenous leaders had launched a social media campaign, raising awareness of the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic to Brazil's indigenous communities. But the cases against the two indigenous leaders were dropped after federal judges ruled that there were no grounds for investigations. The judges dubbed the situation as an "illegal embarrassment." READ NEXT: Bolsonaro Rejects National Lockdown Calls in Brazil Amid Case Rise Indigenous Leaders in Brazil Guajajara, 47, earlier said that the federal police had summoned her for an investigation in connection with the "Maraca series." The Maraca series, available on the APIB website, is part of a pro-indigenous people campaign supported by around 200 celebrities, according to France 24. Guajajara became known to be a defender of native rights. She's from Arariboia indigenous land in northeastern Maranhao. APIB has accused the government of Jair Bolsonaro of genocide of native people during the pandemic. The group has claimed that more than 1,000 native people had died due to the pandemic. Natalie Unterstell, the founder of the think tank Politica por Inteiro, said that the investigation launched against the two indigenous leaders exposed how the government is fostering violence against indigenous people. Unterstell noted that these are not isolated circumstances, adding that the police have called others due to the same incident. Unterstell said the levels of civic freedom in Brazil are going down, Common Dreams reported. Other groups such as Global Witness and Amazon Watch have expressed support for Guajajara. COVID-19 Cases in Indigenous Population Raphaela Lopes, a lawyer with Justica Global, said they have been seeing the end of indigenous peoples as indigenous communities dying - without any successors, NBC News reported. Indigenous communities have been widely affected by the coronavirus. Experts earlier warned that it would be disastrous. According to the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil, around 50,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 were recorded in indigenous communities in March. Those who have died were in the health care, traditional healing, politics, and education. Chiefs and leaders of their own tribes were also among those who died. In February, the last male indigenous leader of the Juma people, Aruka Juma, died from COVID-related complications. The Juma people date back to the 18th century. Bitate Uru-Eu-Wau-Wau confirmed his grandfather's death. He was part of the Jamari village. Uru-Eu-Wau-Wau claimed that it's what the federal government wants - to diminish indigenous tribes and lands for agribusiness. He added that they are facing a great challenge in countering this. Brazil COVID-19 Cases The death toll in the country had reached 425,540 on Tuesday. The Ministry of Health reported 2,311 additional deaths from the pandemic in just a day. They also detected 72,715 new COVID-19 cases in just one day. A total of 15,282,705 people in the country have been tested positive for the COVID-19. After the United States, Brazil has the world's second-highest COVID-19 death toll. READ MORE: Parts of Amazon Rainforest in Brazil Are Being Illegally Offered for Sale on Facebook Marketplace WATCH: COVID-19 in Brazil: Amazon Tribes Turn to Traditional Medicine Amid Lack of Government Aid - From FRANCE 24 English A Minnesota judge has delayed until next year the trial for three former Minneapolis cops involved in George Floyd's death due to various concerns. Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill ordered the postponement of the state trial for Thomas Lane, 37; Tou Thao, 34; and J. Alexander Kueng, 26, to March 2022. The three former Minneapolis cops were originally set to face trial on Aug. 23, 2021 on charges they aided and abetted both murder and manslaughter, Crime Online reported. Cahill said this move would allow the publicity surrounding Derek Chauvin's case to subside, as well as to prioritize the federal trial involving the former Minneapolis cops. The co-defendant of the three ex-cops, Derek Chauvin, was convicted in April of murder and manslaughter. All four Minneapolis cops are also charged for violating George Floyd's civil rights during his arrest on May 25 last year. Cahill further noted that he needed to put a gap between the three ex-cops trial and Chauvin's because of the high-profile nature of the case, according to an Associated Press report. The defense attorneys of the former Minneapolis cops all agreed to the postponement. However, Assistant Attorney General Matthew Frank did not support the delay. Frank represents the state in the case. Former federal prosecutor Mark Osler said the delay could suggest that the ex-cops are talking about a plea deal since their respective attorneys supported the delay, while the prosecution is against the idea. Osler, now a professor at the University of St. Thomas School of Law, said the defense attorneys could be hoping for lower penalties for their clients and dismissing the state charges. Meanwhile, Earl Gray asked Cahill to order the state to release all use-of-force reports over the past 30 years. Gray, who represents Lane in the case, filed the request in a separate motion. But Frank argued that the request should be denied as it is overly broad. Cahill said he would look into the matter. RELATED ARTICLE: Court Thinking to Reinstate Third-Degree Murder Charge vs. Derek Chauvin George Floyd's Death Derek Chauvin will be sentenced on June 25, and it would likely cause a new wave of publicity in the case. Chauvin kept his knee pressed on George Floyd's neck for about nine minutes. The convicted former Minneapolis cop never removed his knee despite the Black man's plea, The New York Times reported. Hennepin County prosecutors added a more serious second-degree murder charge against Derek Chauvin and also charged the three other former Minneapolis cops involved in Floyd's murder. There were arguments about the duration of time Chauvin fatally pressed his knee on Floyd's neck. Jamar Nelson, who works with the families of crime victims in the state, said that it does not make any difference, adding that it was long enough to kill Floyd. A day after George Floyd's death, protests started. The next day demonstrations have spread in other cities, including Los Angeles and Memphis, ABC News Go reported. Peaceful protests in Minneapolis turned violent, with fires and looting breaking out. Police officers tried to disperse the crowd with rubber bullets and tear gas. On May 28 last year, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz had signed an executive order deploying the Minnesota National Guard. Governors from other states started to follow suit as the tension began to rise. On Jun. 3, 2020, all officers were charged with George Floyd's death. READ MORE: George Floyd Suspect Derek Chauvin Beats 3rd-Degree Murder Charge Against Him WATCH: Trial Delayed For 3 Other Ex-Officers Charged In George Floyd's Death - From MSNBC A tree trimmer from Butte County, California was charged with murder after police reported that the suspect slashed the throats of his victims. The heinous crime prompted a multi-agency investigation between the Butte County Sheriff's Office and Tehama County Sheriff's Office. The new charges were filed in Butte County Superior Court on Thursday by Butte County District Attorney Mike Ramsay and Tehama County District Attorney Matte Rogers. READ NEXT: Authorities Arrest Ohio Mom's Date for Killing Her While 2 Kids Present at the Scene California Tree Timmer Faces Additional Charges Authorities identified the suspect as Ryan Scott Blinston, 37, of Butte County. Blinston was charged for the murders of Loreen Severs, Sandra George, and Vicky Cline. The said victims were 88, 82, and 57 years old, respectively. Apart from the murder charges, People reported that Blinston was also accused of the alleged arson of Cline's car and attempted murder of Homer Severs, 91, the husband of victim Loreen. In a press release, the Butte County District Attorney's Office said the charges against Ryan Scott Blinston were filed while he was already in jail for a different attempted murder on June 14, 2020, KIRO 7 reported. Ramsay and Rogers further noted that the collaboration between the two counties would enable "to seek justice" while ensuring that "no one else will be harmed." How Did the Suspect Murder His Victims? The investigation revealed that Ryan Scott Blinston was working for a tree-trimming service on May 18, 2020, at the Severs' Los Molinos home. On May 23, 2020, Blinston allegedly killed Loreen Severs and attempted to kill her husband as the suspect forcefully entered their residence. Both victims had cuts on their throats, leaving Loreen Severs dead while her husband survived the incident. On June 4, 2020, Blinston also took part in a tree-trimming job in the home of Sandra George. On the same day, the tree trimmer returned to George's residence and killed her by slashing her throat. On June 6, 2020, an acquaintance of Blinston, Vicky Cline, was last seen alive with him in downtown Oroville. Blinston allegedly set Cline's car on fire later that night. Cline's body was found by a fisherman in the Feather River on June 21, revealing damage to her throat just like the other victims. The investigation also led the authorities to discover blood and DNA evidence on the suspect's car that matched with Cline. On June 14, 2020, the Butte County Sheriff's Office SWAT team, serving an arrest warrant to Blinston, discovered another attempted murder when the cops heard a man's muffled screams and loud banging as they approached the motorhome Blinston was residing. The motorhome resident later told cops that he was asleep in his bed when Ryan Scott Blinston suddenly attacked him and cut his throat. Luckily, the resident was able to kick the tree trimmer out of the motorhome and lock the door. And as Blinston tried to get back again inside the motorhome, the SWAT team coincidently arrived. The tree trimmer from northern California is set to appear in court on Thursday. READ MORE: Missing Las Vegas Toddler Found Dead; Mom's Boyfriend Charged With Homicide WATCH: California Tree Trimmer Charged in Deadly Throat Slashings - From Vanguard News COVID vaccine rollout in Guatemala has caused discontent and frustrations among individuals, which was mainly attributed to pandemic management and alleged corruption issues. The problem with the Latin American country's vaccine rollout was initially about getting supplies in the country. This evolved to getting doses to people before they expire, according to an Aljazeera report. Guatemala is among the Latin American countries that lag behind vaccination efforts. Oscar Chavez, the director of Laboratorio de Datos, said that there are political and technical reasons for Guatemala's COVID vaccine rollout problems. Chavez said that it is a management crisis, noting that the problem was when there were no vaccines, the government did not prepare cold storage, vaccine centers, and personnel to handle the efforts. READ MORE: People Found in Houston Smuggling Operation Are COVID Positive Guatemala COVID Vaccine Rollout Since February, the country has gotten 658,200 total vaccine doses in five shipments. Over 90 percent of the vaccines that the country received were AstraZeneca's Covishield vaccine. It also received vaccine supplies from Israel and India. Last week, Guatemala received Sputnik V vaccine doses. Guatemala's government procured 16 million doses from Russia for US$79.6 million. Guatemala paid half the amount, while Russia offered to deliver 100,000 doses in the last week of April. However, the arrival of the vaccines was delayed, according to a Channel News Asia report. The Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Bureau has opened an investigation into the reported anomalies in the Sputnik V procurement process. Monica Posada, a primary school teacher, admitted that she does not have any confidence in the government. Health sector workers also protested from different regions to Guatemala to City. Union leaders said that many of the issues they protested about were not resolved, which include labor rights violations and inadequate personal protective equipment. Noemi Gonzalez, a nurse and community health union leader from the Quetzaltenango department, said that resources do not reach them. COVID Cases Guatemala had banned the entry of all travelers from Brazil, the United Kingdom, and South Africa after the discovery of new and more transmissible COVID variants, according to The Brazilian Report. Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei addressed the nation regarding the matter, saying that the restriction will remain in place until the end of April. Giammattei confirmed the donation of Spain, which is equipment for five field hospitals. Health Minister Amelia Flores said that the donated structures could hold 250 ICU beds. Guatemala has surpassed 213,000 COVID cases and 7,200 deaths. El Salvador has been considered to be more successful in handling the COVID-19 pandemic as compared to its neighboring countries Honduras and Guatemala. El Salvador's president had sent 34,000 doses of COVID vaccine to seven towns in Honduras on Thursday as response to video pleas from Honduran mayors posted on social media, according to an Independent report. President Nayib Bukele met with White House Special Envoy Ricardo Zuniga. Seven refrigerated trucks left El Salvador for Honduras carrying doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Amable de Jesus Hernandez, mayor of San Jose Colinas, said in a video that the people are dying of COVID and the government does not address the issue that is why they are calling for Bukele. READ NEXT: Brazil Senate to Probe Jair Bolsonaro's Handling Of COVID-19 Crisis WATCH: Guatemala: Moderna COVID vaccine doses donated by Israel land in the capital - from Ruptly The much-awaited "Friends" reunion is finally coming this month, with the original six characters hitting the screen again, together with several celebrity guests. The reunion of the cast of the iconic NBC comedy series, "Friends," will be aired on HBO Max on May 27. In addition to the main cast members, Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow, Courtney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, David Schimmer, and Matthew Perry, "Friends: The Reunion" will also feature guest appearances by Justin Bieber, Reese Witherspoon, Malala Yousafzai, David Beckham, international Korean boy group BTS, and Lady Gaga, among others, The Guardian reported. HBO Max said that Tom Selleck, who played Monica Geller's former boyfriend Richard, and Maggie Wheeler, known for her character Janice, will also appear on the show. "Game of Thrones" actor Kit Harington is also among celebrity guests who would make cameo appearances. The Friends reunion trailer was released on social media with the six original cast members walking arm-in-arm across the Warner Bros. Studio lot. A caption described the Friends reunion special as "The One Where We Get to See Our Favorites Back Together Again." It was accompanied by the show's theme song, "I'll Be There for You," by The Rembrandts. READ NEXT: Together Again? Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck Spent Week Alone in Montana Friends: The Reunion at HBO Max Courtney Cox or Monica Geller of the show said that this kind of thing does not happen every year or even 10 or 15 years. Cox added that she feels blessed to have a chance to be reunited with her friends. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Friends' cast returned to the original soundstage, Stage 24, on the Warner Bros. Studio lot for a real-life unscripted celebration of the beloved show. Ben Winston directed the Friends reunion special and executive produced with Friends executive producers Kevin Bright, Marta Kauffman, and David Crane. Rumors of the Friends reunion started going around in November 2019. The Friends reunion special was reported to initially air in May 2020. However, it was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, BBC News reported. Jennifer Aniston shared the trailer on Instagram on Thursday, with a caption, "It's official! The #FriendsReunion premieres May 27th on @HBOMax - could we BE any more excited?!" TV Series 'Friends' "Friends' first aired on NBC in 1994. It closed its final episode in 2004. The show has become a popular American television sitcom. It has won six Emmy Awards, which includes the outstanding comedy series, according to Britannica. In its eight-season, it has earned the number one top spot. The sitcom revolves around the characters' individual and collective experiences - from commitment, relationships, and friendships. Monica Geller is a chef who often changes jobs and boyfriends, while her brother Ross is a paleontologist. Ross was known to be the recipient of jokes about his earlier marriage to Carol, who was a lesbian. Rachel Green was Monica's high-school friend and has always been a crush of Ross. She initially started working as a waitress at Central Perk and eventually landing a job with Ralph Lauren. Phoebe Buffay is a masseuse and known to be the one among the group to have a quirky personality. Joey Tribbiani started as a struggling actor until he landed a role in the "Days of Our Lives" as Dr. Drake Ramoray. The group is completed with Chandler Bing, who has an unlucky touch when it comes to women. He then later developed feelings for Monica, and eventually, they became a couple. READ MORE: Kim Kardashian Is Being Courted by Royals, Billionaires Amid Kanye West Divorce WATCH: FRIENDS Reunion Special (2021) Teaser Trailer | HBO MAX - From Screen Culture Regional Assam: 2 killed in grenade blast; chief minister orders probe GUWAHATI, MAY 14 (AGENCIES): | Publish Date: 5/14/2021 2:11:45 PM IST At least two persons have been killed and as many injured in a suspected grenade blast at Tingrai Market in Tinsukia district of Assam, The Assam Tribune report stated. Union Home Minister Amit Shah enquired about the situation over telephone from chief minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma. Shah also condoled the death of the two civilians. Meanwhile, Sarma has directed the Assam Police to launch investigation immediately and nab the culprits. Meanwhile, the banned ULFA (I), in a press statement, has denied its involvement in the blast. CM orders probe: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed concern and condemned the grenade blast at Tingrai Market in Digboi. He has directed Assam DGP Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta to nab the miscreants and deal with the situation sternly. In a statement, Samra said, This act of violence is a sign of desperation and cowardice. State government will never tolerate such kind of highhandedness leading to the loss of precious human lives. He also Sarma directed DIG (Range) to rush to the site, inquire in to the incident and nab the miscreants involved in the incident. Meanwhile, Sarma condoled the death of the persons succumbed to their injuries perpetrated by grenade blast and wished speedy recovery of those who sustained splinter injuries. Chipotle Mexican Grill and McDonalds both have announced plans to increase average hourly pay amid restaurateurs struggling for manpower as pandemic restrictions are lifted. Chipotle this week announced it would be hiking its average hourly pay to $15 nationally. McDonald's Thursday announced it would be raising hourly wages for more than 36,500 employees by an average of 10%. The move comes as at least one regional Chipotle location has been struggling to stay in daily operation for the past several weeks. Chipotle, 4743 Freemansburg Ave. in the Madison Farms shopping center in Bethlehem Township, continues to close its doors for the lunchtime crowd with a sign on the front door saying it will now operate from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week. In recent weeks, the front door, however, was locked even after 2 p.m. and an employee told a few patrons waiting outside reduced staff couldnt keep up with the demand. Inside, some employees were seen taking meal breaks. The restaurant that day planned to reopen in about an hour, the male employee said. Erin Wolford, a spokeswoman for the chain, confirmed to lehighvalleylive.com Thursday hours have been readjusted at a few select eateries nationally as a result of the lack of manpower. In a few minor instances, there have been challenges with available labor so we made adjustments in these restaurants to temporarily accommodate the needs of the business, she said. Chipotle is hoping the offer of a starting wage of $11 to $18 an hour by the end of June will entice more workers to come aboard in the increasingly tight U.S. labor market. The location in Bethlehem Township has a sign on its front door for the past several weeks indicating cut operating hours. A chain spokeswoman Thursday, May 13, 2021 told a lehighvalleylive.com reporter it is due to reduced staff keeping up with customer demand. At McDonalds, the average hourly wage for its company-owned restaurants will increase to $15 an hour in a phased, market-by-market approach. Some restaurants have, or will, reach an average hourly wage of $15 an hour in 2021, and average hourly wages are expected to reach $15 an hour by 2024, the chain said. Several major restaurant chains and independent mom-and-pop owners after the March 2020 shutdown were forced to pare down staffing when the coronavirus pandemic limited service to curbside takeaway, delivery, and drive-thru orders. After the restrictions were lifted, employers were faced with the challenge of finding staff for open jobs, especially in lower-paying frontline sectors. This is coupled with childcare issues and the need to supervise children who remain remote learning, especially women. The nations unemployment rate last month rose to 6.1% from 6% as more Americans sought work, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics April report. The Department of Labor & Industrys occupational wage data, last collected in May 2019, shows employees in food preparation and serving-related occupations made an average of about $25,000 annually. The scale is skewed by head chefs and supervisors, who make about $59,000 and $38,000 annually, respectively. Most other jobs in the field -- short order cooks, bartenders, waiters and waitresses, dishwashers and more -- make between $20,000 and $25,000 annually, sometimes less and sometimes more depending on experience level. Chipotle says its crew members can advance to a restaurateur, the highest general manager position, in as little as three and a half years, with average compensation of $100,000 while leading a multi-million-dollar growing business. Marissa Andrada, chief diversity, inclusion and people officer at Chipotle, said in a statement the chain hopes to attract talent by showcasing the potential income that can be achieved in just a few years. Were looking for people who are authentic, passionate and want to help cultivate a better world through real food and real personal development, Andrada added. Upward financial growth Chipotle and McDonald's seem to be thriving financially following the hurdles of 2020. During Chipotles latest quarterly earnings call, CEO Brian Niccol said as COVID-19 vaccines roll out and Chipotle gets closer to moving past the pandemic, the chain is well positioned for growth. Overall revenue increased 23% to $1.7 billion and restaurant sales increased by 17% in the first quarter of 2021 for the chain, according to the quarterly report. McDonald's first quarter 2021 report showed global comparable sales increased 7.5%, including a 13.6% increase in the U.S. and 0.6% increase in the International Operated segment, as well as 6.4% in the International Developmental Licensed segment. Our first value is taking care of our people, and today we are rewarding our hardworking employees in McDonald-owned restaurants for serving our communities, said Joe Erlinger, president McDonalds USA, in a statement Thursday. These actions further our commitment to offering one of the leading pay and benefits packages in the industry. Chipotle additionally has introduced a $200 employee referral bonus for crew members and a $750 referral bonus for apprentices or general managers. Chipotle needs to staff an estimated 200 new restaurants it plans to open this year nationally. It plans to hire 20,000 new workers nationally. All open Chipotle positions can be found here. Benefits include a college tuition reimbursement program, mental healthcare and emotional support, a 401K savings plan, and free food. McDonald's has plans to hire 10,000 new employees nationally. All open McDonald's positions can be found here. Benefits include Paid Time Off, short-term counseling services, a 401K savings plan, cash incentives, and free meals. Swaying job-seekers Chipotle and McDonalds are among the first restaurant chains to increase average pay rates following the ease up in pandemic restrictions. In Pennsylvania, Gov. Tom Wolfs administration is lifting all restrictions on businesses and gatherings on May 31, pennlive.com reports. In New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy announced that, as the states COVID-19 numbers improve and vaccinations increase, businesses will be allowed to operate at full capacity May 19 as long as they can maintain six feet of social distancing between patrons and groups, according to nj.com. Some other chains, though, are on the bandwagon to at least sway potential job seekers with perks. Taco Bell on April 21 converted its restaurant parking lots into job fairs. The goal was to hire at least 5,000 new team members nationally during what the chain described as a hiring party. Prior to the McDonald's pay hike announcement, a McDonalds operator in Tampa, Florida offered job candidates a $50 cash teaser to get them in the door, businessinsider.com reports. The federal minimum wage has stayed at $7.25 an hour for more than a decade. Some larger corporations, though, have slowly been increasing pay for low-wage workers in recent years amid the Fight for $15 campaign, which began with protests by fast-food workers in 2012. After opening its first restaurant in Denver, Colorado in 1993, Chipotle now has more than 2,800 restaurants across the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France and Germany. It is the only restaurant company of its size that owns and operates all its restaurants. Aside from Bethlehem Township, there are regional Chipotle locations in the Allentown area, Whitehall Township, and Lower Macungie Township. Another location was approved for the Northampton Crossings shopping plaza in Lower Nazareth Township. McDonalds serves nearly 25 million customers daily across all of its locations. Ninety-five percent of McDonalds nearly 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local business owners. There are McDonalds locations in Easton, Palmer Township, Bethlehem Township, the Bethlehem area, Hellertown, Lower Nazareth Township, Whitehall Township, and the Allentown area. All regional McDonalds locations can be found here. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. A man accused of raping a girl and sexually assaulting two others in the Lehigh Valley was arrested Friday. Manuel Luis Santiago, 33, who lives in Catasauqua but previously lived in Easton, was wanted in the case since May 4. U.S. Marshals arrested Santiago Friday morning at a home in Northampton Borough, Lt. Matthew Gerould confirmed for lehighvalleylive.com. Santiago was arrested without incident by the marshals, and he was then taken into custody by Easton police and arraigned, Gerould said. Santiago was charged Friday with 16 counts, including rape of a child, statutory sexual assault, and three counts of aggravated indecent assault of a child. Santiago was sent to Northampton County Prison without bail. District Judge Daniel Corpora said it was not possible to ensure the safety of minors in the community if Santiago was released. Easton police began investigating last fall, according to court records. Police said they were contacted in November by the Children, Youth and Families division after two girls reported Santiago sexually assaulted them. The older girl was 11 when Santiago allegedly began touching her in 2015 or 2016; the younger was 12 when the assaults allegedly began in 2017 or 2018, the affidavit says. During the investigation, police said they learned of a third victim, who was 13 when Santiago allegedly began assaulting her in 2018. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Sarah Cassi may be reached at scassi@lehighvalleylive.com. A person was shot early Friday morning in the 400 block of Allen Street in Allentown, city police report. The victim was treated at the scene following the 12:15 a.m. gunfire and taken by Allentown EMS to an area hospital, Capt. James Gress said in a news release. The victim is not cooperating with police and the investigation is continuing, Gress sad. There have been several shootings recently in the city, including a homicide on Monday night. Police are asking anyone with information on Friday mornings shooting to call city detectives at 610-437-7721 or the police desk at 610-437-7753 (Ext. 1). Anonymous text tips can be sent by the Tip411 app available on the department Facebook page or website. Promise Neighborhoods of the Lehigh Valley is holding a community peace walk at 8 p.m. Saturday starting at Bucky Boyle Park in the city. Allentown police Chief Glenn Granitz said the department will be there. On Friday, Granitz held a Facebook Live near where one person was killed and another wounded earlier this week in the 700 block Lehigh Street. Officers were doing a community follow up in the neighborhood, in addition to the criminal investigation into the shootings, the chief said. Gun violence is something that our nation, our state and our city (are) unfortunately not a stranger to, but we are going to approach it head on here, he said. Were not alone in this. Were a city, we are the third largest city in Pennsylvania. Were going to have these issues, but its how we respond to it together that gets us through them...we hope that you work with us. 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. Convicted rapist Seth Mull, already facing a prison term that will likely keep him behind bars for the rest of his life, received additional time in a sentencing connected to a guilty verdict on promoting prostitution charges. The 33-year-old, who was charged after it was discovered he was using a tablet rented from the prison to prostitute a 27-year-old woman, received a sentence of 19 months to seven years in prison, according to a release from the Northampton County District Attorneys Office. The sentence will run consecutive to his current sentence of 75 years to life, imposed in 2018 following a conviction in the rape of multiple women and human trafficking. Prosecutors said the Northampton County Prison notified them of the tablet misuse in January 2019, and Mull was charged the following month. Mull started using the tablet in late 2018 to prostitute the woman. The money went towards Mulls prison commissary account. Northampton County Judge Samuel Murray said the sentence was longer than the standard sentencing. I have to consider the protection of the community, he said, per the release. In addition to the sentencing, the release also noted that the Superior Court of Pennsylvania denied Mulls appeal regarding his previous trial. Mull claimed in his appeal that the cases against him should not have been tried together. He also addressed concern with regard to the admission of evidence. Today, we succeeded in protecting our community by incarcerating a very dangerous man for a long period of time, Northampton County District Attorney Terence Houck said in the release. Although this may only be a small comfort to his many victims, I am confident a great deal of future harm has been averted, and their courage to speak out is the main reason for that. Mull first came to the attention of local police in October 2017, when a woman reported he raped her and forced her to use drugs in a Bethlehem hotel. Mull was arrested, when other women came forward to report he raped or sexually assaulted them, police said. Prosecutors at that time said Mull used websites such as Plenty of Fish, Facebook and Tinder to lure women he allegedly forced into a sex trafficking ring. He went to trial in Northampton County for incidents from September and October 2017 at hotels in Bethlehem; Hanover Township, Northampton County; and Philadelphia. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Connor Lagore may be reached at clagore@njadvancemedia.com. A 34-year-old Northampton man wanted after authorities seized nearly $1 million in methamphetamine in late April from his apartment was arrested Thursday, the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office reports. Agents from the attorney generals Bureau of Narcotics Investigations, along with U.S. marshals and Pennsylvania State Police, took Christopher Alan Weikert into custody in Bowmanstown, Carbon County, a spokeswoman said. Weikert avoided arrest on April 28 when he and Tara Gallucci, 34, drove past their apartment at 326 E. Eighth St. after a search warrant was served there, authorities said at the time. Weikert drove off and then ran from borough police, eventually getting away as Gallucci was taken into custody, authorities said. More than 21 pounds of suspected methamphetamine, valued at $968,200; 25.5 grams of suspected fentanyl, valued at more than $4,000; several pounds of suspected marijuana, paraphernalia consistent with drug sales, six functionally assembled ghost guns in addition to five rifles, three handguns and $6,668 in cash were recovered after the warrant was served, the attorney generals office said at the time. The drugs all drew positive field tests, court papers say. Ghost gun parts, along with Nazi paraphernalia, were also found, the news release said. A ghost gun is either homemade or is altered to lack a proper serial number. Nearly $1 million in drugs and several guns were recovered April 28, 2021, when the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office and state police served a search warrant in Northampton.Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office Both Weikert and Gallucci were charged with possession with intent to deliver drugs (four counts), possession of a controlled substance (three counts), possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a firearm when prohibited (14 counts), the attorney generals office said. Gallucci is being held in lieu of $1 million bail pending a preliminary hearing scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday before District Judge Robert Hawke, records show. Weikert was arraigned Thursday afternoon before Hawke and also held in lieu of $1 million bail, records show. Weikert was housed in Northampton County Prison pending a preliminary hearing tentatively scheduled 9 a.m. May 28 before Hawke, records show. It wasnt clear if Weikert had an attorney. 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. UPDATE: Frank Sherman was located in Florida and arrested by U.S. marshals, Bethlehem police reported May 18, 2021. INITIAL POST: Bethlehem police are searching for a sexually violent predator who failed comply with his registration requirement under Pennsylvanias Megans Law, authorities say. Frank Sherman, who the state Megans Law site lists as recently living in the 300 block of State Street in the city, was convicted in October 2013 of unlawful contact or communication of a minor in April of that year, records show. He was required to register information such as his current address as of January 2014, records show. Sherman also has previous convictions for indecent assault and interference with the custody of children, records show. He is as well wanted on a probation violation out of Bucks County, police said. Sherman stands 5 feet, 10 inches tall, weighs 195 pounds, is bald and has blue eyes, the Megans Law site says. Anyone with information on where Sherman might be can call the police departments tip line at 610-691-6660, email bethlehempolice@bethlehem-pa.gov or call a Northampton County communications nonemergency number 610-865-7187. 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. International Colombian Foreign Minister resigns amid protests Claudia Blum BOGOTA, MAY 14 (IANS): | Publish Date: 5/14/2021 1:41:04 PM IST Colombian Foreign Minister Claudia Blum has stepped down amid the ongoing violent anti-government protests in the country. Blum did not give a reason for her resignation in a Thursday video message, but media reports cited criticism of her crisis management, reports dpa news agency. Deputy Minister Adriana Mejia will be her successor, according to the reports. Colombia has witnessed violent protests for the past two weeks, including some that turned into riots. At least 42 people have died and 168 others are missing, according to the latest figures from the national ombudsmans office. The demonstrations were initially against a controversial tax reform that has since been withdrawn. Economy Minister Alberto Carrasquilla has already resigned over the issue. Most of the protesters are now focusing on other issues, such as opposing a planned health reform and advocating for the fragile peace process. The UN and the European Union expressed alarm at reports of excessive police violence, which the Colombian Foreign Ministry strongly rejected. Colombia is the second most populous country in South America, after Brazil, and an important ally to the US in the region. A civil war raged in the country for more than 50 years, killing 220,000 people and displacing millions. In 2016, the Colombian government made peace with the FARC guerilla movement, and the country experienced an economic upswing and a tourism boom. A 25-year-old Catasauqua woman is charged with poisoning her 14-month-old son with vape oil in February at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Salisbury Township, the Lehigh County District Attorneys Office reports. Alexia Tretter, of the 1000 block of Third Street, was arraigned Wednesday afternoon before District Judge Michael Joseph Pochron on charges of aggravated assault (two counts) and endangering the welfare of a child and released on $25,000 unsecured bail pending a preliminary hearing tentatively scheduled 1:30 p.m. May 27 before the same judge, records show. The baby initially arrived with her mother at 12:05 p.m. Feb. 26 in the emergency room and was suffering from trouble breathing or asthma, court papers say. The baby was treated and cleared for discharge by the next morning, court papers say. But baby soon went into distress, with Tretter telling medical personnel that he was coughing, gagging and vomiting, court papers say. When medical staff came back in the room several minutes later, they saw the child had been put back on oxygen and Tretter was still in the room, court papers say. A relative arrived a couple of hours later and said the baby was lethargic and not himself as Tretter went outside to vape and call her mother, court papers say. The baby was changed and slept throughout the visit, which ended about 2:30 p.m., court papers say. Just after 3:30 p.m., the baby suffered seizures, coughing, gagging and throwing up, court papers say. A toxicology specimen was taken and would later show a nicotine level of 299 ml in the babys system, court papers say. After a pediatric intensive care team alert, the baby was moved to an ICU, court papers say. Tretter was exhibiting odd behavior around the baby, but the 1-year-old was perking up and responding well, court papers say. About 6:15 p.m., Tretter notified staff that oxygen was removed and the baby had begun to vomit again, court papers say. The babys heart rate jumped to 190 beats per minute, authorities said. There was a strong fruity smell in the room and Tretter was asked if she gave something to the baby or had lotion, court papers say. She initially denied both but later told another nurse that she had used lotion, court papers say. A nurse asked Tretter if she gave the baby vape oil to drink and Tretter denied it, saying, No, that would kill him, court papers say. The baby was intubated and Tretter began moving equipment and videotaping, court papers say. She adjusted a camera on an EEG machine and was told to stop touching equipment, court papers say. Early the next morning, toxicology samples were twice taken from the baby and they later showed deadly high levels of nicotine and cotinine -- specifically vape oil -- in the baby, court papers say. These high levels were a direct result of ingestion of vape oil by the baby, court papers say. Tretter was ordered removed from the room and the baby recovered with no more incidents, court papers say. The baby was released March 3, court papers say. Tretter was confronted about why she did this to the baby and she began to cry, court papers say. Ultimately, the defendant admitted to poisoning (the baby) with vape oil, court papers say. Tretter doesnt have a listed phone number and couldnt be reached for comment. She is being represented by the county public defenders office but a specific attorney had yet to be assigned, court records show. 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. Slate Belt Republicans are cutting ties with an elected official, in a political battle surrounding a controversial plan for a 725-acre industrial park. The Slate Belt Republican Association announced Thursday its members voted unanimously Tuesday to remove as a member in good standing Upper Mount Bethel Township Supervisor John Bermingham. The association also wants the Northampton County Republican Committee and Republican Party of Pennsylvania to call for Berminghams resignation as a county Republican committeeman for Upper Mount Bethels Williamsburg voting district. Should he decline to resign, we would ask the NCRC and PAGOP to move forward with the process of removal procedures as designated in the bylaws of both organizations, Slate Belt Republican Association Chairman Tegwyn Hughes said in a news release. Bermingham is up for re-election in next Tuesdays Republican primary, along with Supervisor Anthony DeFranco. The primary is uncontested, with the two Republicans and two Democrats Stavros Barbounis and David Friedman seeking their respective partys nomination for two six-year terms on the township board of supervisors. The association based its vote, in part, on Berminghams open support for Friedman on Tuesday: A Committee Member who openly opposes Republican candidates - is subject to being removed from the committee, the Slate Belt partys release states. This is the first Im hearing of it, Bermingham told lehighvalleylive.com on Friday when told of the vote. I have no plans of resigning. What kind of day and age are we in where were not allowed to work with Democrats or Democrats are not allowed to work with Republicans? The Slate Belt Republicans also accused Bermingham of responding to social media posts in a disparaging or derogatory (manner) with regard to other board members, according to the release. Bermingham said his support for Friedman pivots on developer Lou Pektors River Pointe Logistics industrial park plan along River Road in the township. The board of supervisors last September approved a text amendment to the townships industrial zoning districts, crafted with input from the developer, with the stated hope that the changes will favor manufacturing for the park over warehouses. Bermingham cast the lone vote against the text amendment, which is being challenged in Northampton County Court by a group of concerned citizens that includes Friedman. I voted no against the text amendment because it gives the developer too much control, Bermingham said Friday. My thought is we need supervisors who are looking out for the best interests of Upper Mount Bethel, and thats the sense I get from David Friedman. DeFranco, Berminghams fellow Republican incumbent on Tuesdays ballot, called Berminghams public support for Friedman very unethical. As for the text amendment, the River Pointe Logistics property has been zoned industrial since the 1970s, DeFranco said. The changes give the developer more flexibility to custom-build facilities for manufacturers looking for locations closer to their end users in the northeastern United States. The goal is a manufacturing park with thousands of new jobs, on property accessible via River Road to Interstate 80 without having to pass through residential neighborhoods, DeFranco said. We feel were doing whats best for the future of the township, not whats best for two dozen people who are complaining, he told lehighvalleylive.com. Friedman, following publication of this article, said at least 500 people signed a petition against the text amendment. He also noted its not unprecedented in the Slate Belt for members of different political parties to run together. Candidates for supervisor in Lower Mount Bethel Township did so in 2019, he said. Bermingham responded to the Slate Belt Republicans vote by saying hes a lifelong member of the party, and that hes disappointed he was unable to give his side of the story before Tuesdays vote. I hold my Republican ideologies strong, and Ive donated to the Republican Party, but this isnt about national politics right now, he said. Its about whats best for Upper Mount Bethel Township, and thats why I crossed party lines. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. The former municipal tax collector for three Warren County municipalities was sentenced Friday to prison, and ordered to pay nearly $925,000 in restitution, Warren County Prosecutor James Pfeiffer said. Rachellyn (nee Edinger) Mosher, 50, of Lopatcong Township, was the tax collector for Harmony, White and Lopatcong townships. She pleaded guilty March 24 in New Jersey Superior Court in Hunterdon County to one count of official misconduct. A Hunterdon County grand jury had indicted her March 11 following a two-year investigation into the misappropriation of around $824,000 in property tax payments by residents of the three townships between 2013 and 2018. According to a news release from Pfeiffer, Judge Angela Borkowski in Hunterdon County sentenced Mosher to: five years in New Jersey State Prison, four of which must be served before she is eligible for parole. $924,813.28 in restitution to cover the theft and related expenses. a lifetime ban on public employment. total forfeiture of her public pension. Pension credits Mosher had earned will be forfeited to the New Jersey Division of Pension and Benefits, while Moshers own contributions will be surrendered as payments toward the restitution total during her incarceration, Pfeiffer said. Mosher, instead of depositing residents cash payments into the townships bank accounts, would keep the money then tamper with the subsequent entries into the municipal computer systems, according to the indictment. Forensic audits by each township revealed Mosher misappropriated approximately $124,000 in Harmony, $166,000 in White and $534,000 from Lopatcong. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Vaccinations have brought optimism for Laois businesses reopening after a third lockdown this week and next, but they need continued support says Laois Chamber of Commerce. The CEO Bernie Everard said that businesses are more optimistic that this will be the last reopening after a Covid-19 lockdown. There is more certainty now, it is a difference landscape now that the most vulnerable agegroups are vaccinated. We are cautiously optimistic. Customers are more confident, she told the Leinster Express. She said that the Government's commercial rates waiver must continue to support traders. The hardest hit are retail and hospitality. They will have challenges reopening, to find staff and convince them to come off PUP payments. Some left and went to London when that opened back up first, she said. "Chambers Ireland has been lobbying for supports not to be pulled from those sectors, to have a plan in place for the rest of 2021, so that business can reopen and stay open. "Businesses have been very creative and inventful, with initiatives like click and collect. Who'd have thought that Penneys would have a booking system, everyone is really thinking outside the box. "We want to ensure that people buy into outdoor eating for summer, including local government, the business community and customers," she said. As to whether some businesses have shut down, Ms Everard said most are reopening. "There are new coffee shops opening in Portlaoise in premises where businesses had closed, the queue outside the Wandering Elk is crazy. There are all these positives to take. We will continue to support businesses and I wish them all the best of luck, the Laois Chamber CEO said. While Laois has suppressed the Covid-19 virus down to just two new cases per day, schools here and across Ireland have been told not to hold large graduation ceremonies for sixth year students. Leaving Cert students are advised not to celebrate until their exams are finished and parents are not to come to the school for ceremonies, the HSE has advised. Dr Tony Holohan said that the precautions must be taken so students can sit leaving Cert exams. "Many of us have fond memories of our time in school, particularly the traditional celebrations that mark the formal end of in-school learning like graduation ceremonies for sixth-year students. I am aware that this is an important time in the lives of young adults as they take a break from studying for an evening to celebrate with friends. "Unfortunately, this year, it is not possible for events of this nature to take place. It is very important that all students preparing to sit state exams in June take the necessary precautions now to ensure you do not contract COVID-19, particularly in the last remaining days before the commencement of the Leaving Cert. Do not attend graduation ceremonies or events. Take this time to restrict your social contacts and continue to follow the public health advice." Dr Abigail Collins is a Consultant in Public Health Medicine with the HSE. "Schools have been advised that they should not have end of year graduation ceremonies for sixth year students in whole year groups or facilitate the attendance of parents or other family members either on the school premises or in any other locations. "It is very important not to carry out any activities that may put sixth year students at risk of exposure to COVID-19. Schools are also asked to strongly encourage students to act responsibly and not to attend any social events or gatherings which greatly increase the risk of spreading COVID-19." The update this Friday May 14 does not include county breakdown figures, but the Laois incidence rate yesterday was the lowest in Leinster, at 41.3 per 100,000 population. It is the sixth-lowest 14-day incidence of the virus in Ireland at present due to 35 new cases in the past two weeks. The national incidence is 129.3 per 100 k. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has today been notified of 4 additional deaths related to COVID-19. Of the deaths notified today: 2 occurred in May, 1 occurred in February, 1 occurred in January. There has been a total of 4,941 COVID-19 related deaths in Ireland. As of midnight Thursday 13 May, the HPSC has been notified of 425 confirmed cases of COVID-19. There has now been a total of 254,870* confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ireland (*denotification of 5 confirmed cases). Of the cases notified today: 202 are men and 223 are women, 78% are under 45 years of age, 4% are over 65 years of age and the median age is 29 years old. The latest update on vaccines shows that as of last Tuesday May 11 there have been 1,922,913 doses of COVID-19 vaccine administered in Ireland: 1,408,105 people have received their first dose and 514,808 people have received their second dose. The long awaited handover of keys to a new special needs school building in Laois has taken place this week. The Department of Education has formally handed over the key of the school they funded, to the St Francis School principal John Moran and the Board of Management. The state of the art school in Portlaoise replaces an outdated poorly insulated building and prefabs, used by staff and almost 100 students aged 5 to 19 who have mild learning disabilities. Fr Paddy Byrne Chairperson of the Board of Management told the Leinster Express of the delight the school community is feeling. "There is a sense of great joy that we have a campus now fit for purpose. It is like moving into a five star hotel. We have a great sense of appreciation, excitement. "We thank the Department of Education. While it took time to build, we worked well and a big thanks to all concerned," he said. The big question now is when can the students move in. "All the technical equipment and interactive boards will be installed over the weekend, so by mid June the school will open," Fr Paddy said. The death has occurred of Michael (Mick) Byrne Moone, Kildare Michael (Mick) Byrne, Snipestown Cross, Moone, Co. Kildare who died on 13th May 2021, beloved son of the late Murth and Julia, and brother of the late Adrienne. Deeply regretted by his loving wife Fiona, stepdaughter Emma, brothers Jayson, Declan, Patrick and Nigel, sisters Judy, and Philomena, brothers in law, sisters in law, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Funeral arriving at the Church of the Most Holy Trinity, Moone, on Saturday morning for 11am requiem Mass, burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. Family flowers only, please, donations, if desired, to St Brigid's Hospice, The Curragh. Due to current guidelines regarding public gatherings, a private funeral will take place restricted to 50 people in the church. Those who would have liked to attend the funeral but due to current guidelines cannot, please feel free to leave a message of condolence for Michael's family at the bottom of the page, the Funeral Mass will be live streamed on https://narraghmoreandmoone.ie/ ''May Mick Rest In Peace'' The death has occurred of Angela Murtagh (nee Dowling) Old Greenfield, Maynooth, Kildare Murtagh (nee Dowling), Angela, Old Greenfield, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, May 13th 2021, peacefully at St. James's Hospital, deeply regretted by her loving husband Michael, son Jason, daughter Emma, Emma's partner John, granddaughter Chloe, brothers Johnny and Martin, sister Annie, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, relatives, neighbours and friends. Rest In Peace Due to current government guidelines, a private family funeral will take place for Angela (limited to 50 persons). Those who would have liked to attend the funeral, but due to the current restrictions cannot, please leave a personal message for the family in the condolence's section below. Angela's Funeral Mass can be viewed on Monday morning at 11am by clicking on the following link : https://www.churchservices.tv/maynoothparish Oliver Reilly Funeral Directors accept no responsibility for any live webcam interruptions or issues. Angela's Funeral Cortege will be leaving Reilly's Funeral Home, Leinster St., Maynooth on Monday morning at approx. 10:30am, travelling via Angela's residence in Old Greenfield to arrive at St. Mary's Church, Maynooth for 11am Funeral Mass, followed by burial in Laraghbryan Cemetery. Those who would like to line the route, may do so in a safe and socially distanced manner. The death has occurred of Mary Imelda (Delma) Walsh (nee D'Arcy) Laurence Avenue, Maynooth, Kildare Walsh (nee D'Arcy), Mary Imelda (Delma), Laurence Avenue, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, peacefully after a long illness in the care of Our Lady's Hospice Harold's Cross, beloved wife of Des and wonderful mother to Kevin, Aideen, Fergal and Declan. Sadly missed by her son-in-law Paul, daughters-in-law Laura and Linda and her adored grandchildren Oisin, Sorcha, Kyle, Enya, Cliodhna, Ryan, Daniel, Emily and Aaron. Delma is predeceased by her sister Rita and will be deeply missed by her sisters Olive and Catherine and her brothers Gerard and Sean, brothers and sisters in-law, her nephews, nieces, extended family, neighbours and friends. May her gentle soul rest in peace Due to current government guidelines, a private family funeral will take place for Delma. Those who would have liked to attend the funeral, but due to the current restrictions cannot, please leave a personal message for the family in the condolence's section below. Delma's Funeral Mass can be viewed on Saturday at 1pm by clicking on the following link : https://www.churchservices.tv/maynoothparish Oliver Reilly Funeral Directors accept no responsibility for any live webcam interruptions or issues. Delma's Funeral Cortege will be leaving her residence on Saturday at approx. 12.30pm to arrive at St. Mary's Church, Maynooth for 1pm Funeral Mass, followed by burial in Laraghbryan Cemetery. Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, to Our Lady's Hospice, Harold's Cross by clicking on the following link : https://olh.ie/fundraising/ Due to Covid19 restrictions and for the safety of everyone the house will be private. For all enquiries, please contact Oliver Reilly Ltd. Funeral Directors on (045) 868230. The death has occurred of Kathleen (Kate) Scanlon Campion Crescent, Kildare Town, Kildare Very peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family in her 96th year. Predeceased by her loving husband Johnny. Deeply regretted by her loving children John, Ann, Mary, Kathleen, Teresa, Pauline and Martin, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, relatives, neighbours and friends. May Kate Rest In Peace Due to current government guidelines regarding public gatherings, a private family funeral will take place with a maximum of 50 people to attend the church. Those who would have liked to attend the funeral, but due to current restrictions cannot, please feel free to leave a message in the condolence page below. Removal on Saturday morning to arrive at St. Brigid's Parish Church, Kildare Town for Requiem Mass at 11am. Burial afterwards in St. Conleths cemetery, Kildare Town. Kate's Funeral Mass will be live streamed on mcnmedia.tv Family flowers only please. The death has occurred of Robert DUNNE St. Brigid's Terrace, Kill, Kildare / Naas, Kildare Formerly of Patrician Avenue, Naas. Peacefully, in Naas Hospital, after a short illness. Beloved husband of Kathleen father of Kitty, Tony, Brendan and Rose. Sadly missed by his loving wife and family, sisters Betty, Rosaleen and Sally, brother Joe, daughter-in-law Martina, son-in-law Jonathan, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives neighbours and friends. "May Robert Rest In Peace" Due to current Government guidelines regarding public gatherings, a private family funeral will take place on Friday with a Funeral Mass at 11am in The Church of St, Brigid, Kill. Those who would like to join the private funeral service remotely by webcam can do so by clicking on https://www.killparish.ie/. Robert will be laid to rest in St. Corban's Cemetery, Naas, following the Funeral Mass. Those who would have liked to attend the funeral, but due to current restrictions can not, please feel free to leave a message in the condolence page below. The death has occurred of John (Sean) Gillick Rockfield Park, Maynooth, Kildare / Inchicore, Dublin Gillick, John (Sean), Rockfield Park, Maynooth, Co. Kildare and late of Inchicore and Rathcoole, Dublin, May 12th 2021, peacefully at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown. Beloved brother of the late Patrick and Kathleen. Deeply regretted by his loving wife Noeleen, children Martin, David, Declan, John, Yvonne and Linda, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, brother Louis, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Rest In Peace Due to current government guidelines, a private family funeral will take place for John (limited to 50 persons). Those who would have liked to attend the funeral, but due to the current restrictions cannot, please leave a personal message for the family in the condolence's section below. John's Funeral Mass can be viewed on Saturday morning at 11am by clicking on the following link : https://www.churchservices.tv/maynoothparish John's Funeral Cortege will be leaving his residence on Saturday morning at approx. 10:30am to arrive at St. Mary's Church, Maynooth for 11am Funeral Mass, followed by burial in Laraghbryan Cemetery. Those who would like to line the route, may do so in a safe and socially distanced manner. Family flowers only please, donations can be made by clicking on the following link : https://irishheart.ie/ways-to-give/ Former RTE producer Kieran Creaven has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting and sexually exploiting children. Creaven (58), of Adelaide Street, Dun Laoghaire, admitted to sexually exploiting three children at an address in Ireland. He also admitted to sexually assaulting two children and sexually exploiting another child in the Philippines. The accused, who is in custody and appeared via video-link before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on Friday, also pleaded guilty to several counts of possessing child pornography. Creaven pleaded guilty to sexually exploiting three children at an address in Ireland on dates between May 26, 2017 and July 10, 2017. He also pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting two unidentified children at a location in the Philippines on dates in October 2014 and to sexually exploiting an unidentified child via a Skype conversation at a location in the Philippines on July 24, 2017. Creaven entered further guilty pleas to three counts of possession of child pornography at an unknown location in England on November 18, 2017. The court heard these offences related to two videos on an SC card, one video on a mobile phone and one video and one image on a disk. He also pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography at an address in Ireland on November 20, 2017. The court heard this offence related to the contents of a Skype conversation. Lorcan Staines SC, defending, said his client is currently undergoing psychological assessment and is awaiting a report that may take six to eight weeks. Mr Staines said his client does not need to be produced on the sentencing date and the hearing can take place via video-link. Judge Martin Nolan remanded Creaven on continuing remand and adjourned the matter for sentence on July 9. A Castledermot mum, whose three-year-old son had an operation to fix a birth defect last March, has launched a fundraising campaign for a group which helped her family through the ordeal. Gwen Dillon wants to raise funds for Cranio Ribbons Ireland and also to highlight how it helped her son Aaron. Aaron has a condition called Craniosynostosis, which is a birth defect in which the bones in a baby's skull join together too early. This happens before the baby's brain is fully formed, she explained. In Ireland, in most cases, Craniosynostosis are fixed by surgery. The surgeon will cut the skull and reshape it. When the diagnosis came, Aaron was one and half years old. He finally got his surgery in March 2021 when he was nearly three. Cranio Ribbons Ireland is a cause (not a registered charity) that supports parents and children going through the diagnosis of Craniosynostosis, both before and after surgery. They also offer a care package to families for the surgery. The care package includes a toothpaste, toothbrush, shower gel, shampoo, toys, a teddy matching the warriors scar and a cape, pjs for kids, slippers, socks for parents, travel mug, vaseline, and a book/ puzzle book for parents. Cranio Ribbons Ireland has supported Gwen and her family enormously and has been a source of empathy as the organisers are also parents of a Craniosynostosis warrior. For the month of May, Gwen has decided to make her heavenly chocolate bombs with 100% of the proceeds going to this cause. She is hoping that the GoFundMe page will help to bolster donations and allow the cause to continue to help many other families. Click here to make a donation. A man who splattered a launderette with his own blood during a failed attempt to steal cash to buy drugs has been jailed for one year for criminal damage. Peter Little (42) of Drumcairn Parade, Tallaght, pleaded guilty to criminal damage at Alexander House, Tallaght, on September 24 and 25, 2020. He has 24 previous convictions, including ten convictions for theft. Aideen Collard BL, prosecuting, told Dublin Circuit Criminal Court that the damage took place overnight at an automated laundromat at Alexander House in Tallaght over the two dates in September. Garda Andrew Gibbons told Ms Collard that a cleaner arrived in the morning to find smashed glass on the floor and damage to a photo booth and payment machines. Blood was also found throughout the damaged area. Gda Gibbons says he formed the view someone had hurt themselves trying to steal money from the machines. Cleaning up and repairing the damage cost the launderette 730.52. Little was arrested at home after analysis of blood samples identified him as a person of interest, and he was charged at Tallaght Garda Station. Sarah-Jane OCallaghan, BL, defending, said Little has a serious drug addiction which began when he was in his teens. She said he had successfully managed to hold down jobs with Sky and UPS, and spent eight years in Spain detoxing but relapsed after the death of one of his children. He caused the damage in order to get money to get drugs, she told the court. He didnt get money he got injured, she said. Littles GP wrote to tell the court his patient was on a methadone course, receiving 60mg a day. He has dealt with his opiate dependency with significant spirit and fortitude, despite his personal difficulties. His parents are still alive and would be devastated if they heard hes back in court. Theyre hell-bent on getting him to end his offending, said Ms OCallaghan. Little pleaded guilty to criminal damage when he was arraigned at Tallaght District Court on April 30, last. Judge Martin Nolan accepted the offence was at the lower end of the scale for the Circuit Court, but said Little had a pretty long record. Many good people have good things to say about him and that leaves me minded to consider a non-custodial disposition in this case, he said. But his record doesnt allow that. Judge Nolan sentenced Little to one year imprisonment. Little was previously sentenced to a pair of concurrent three-year sentences, with the final year suspended in both cases. Those sentences had not lapsed at the time of the criminal damage to the launderette. Wicklow District Court will consider reactivating the remainder of the suspended sentences when it sits in Bray on Tuesday, May 18, next. Business Paytm provides technological support to Japans payment app PayPay BENGALURU, MAY 13 (AGENCIES): | Publish Date: 5/13/2021 1:58:11 PM IST Indian digital payments firm Paytm is providing technological support to Japans payment app PayPay, which multinational conglomerate SoftBank is aiming to take public. Noida-based Paytm may also get some stake in PayPay. PayPay is a QR (quick response) code-based payment app. It is a joint venture between SoftBank and Yahoo Japan, with Paytm as a technology partner. It was founded in June 2018. PayPay has nearly 40 million users and has witnessed 2 billion annual transactions. We want PayPay to IPO in the future so that they would become independent, said Junichi Miyakawa, who became chief executive of SoftBank Corp last month, at an earnings briefing. So rather than having the dependent business model that they have now, we want them to be independent. And I dont think that would be too far out in the future. SoftBank said PayPay has been growing by 2.5 times year-on-year, and the firm is expected to continue to maintain that momentum. The number of merchants has increased to 3.60 million. SoftBank revealed that PayPays GMV (gross merchandise volume), a measure of transaction volume, reached 3.2 trillion yen in the year ended March. Z Holdings, the parent of Yahoo Japan, will be collaborating with PayPay and expand different businesses.PayPay is expected to become a super app and a gateway to the fintech ecosystem. PayPay Card, PayPay Bank. I mean theres a lot of collaborations that have begun, said Miyakawa. So we will continue to build on this. Investment giant Softbank Group on Wednesday reported an annual net profit of $45.8 billion. This is the best ever result for a Japanese company. It is getting the rewards of tech share rallies to recover from last years record loss. SoftBank has backed top companies in areas ranging from artificial intelligence to biotechnology through its $100 billion Vision Fund. During the fiscal year, the global economic situation was greatly affected by the spread of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) and the pandemic that followed, which continues to this day. Governments around the world are implementing fiscal stimulus and monetary easing measures to counter the economic impacts of the pandemic. Expectations that vaccination programs progress in some countries will encourage greater economic activity have led to a sharp overall market recovery in the second half of the fiscal year, with new capital continuing to flow in. In particular, the technology sector, where the Company focuses its investment strategies, has been positively impacted by the accelerated adoption of digital services to address the pandemic, said SoftBank. Two brothers who attempted to sell three stolen aluminium coils valued at 9,000 to a scrapyard have avoided a jail term. Judge Martin Nolan said the men, Patrick (27) and Anthony (29) Boyle who were charged with possession of stolen property, had seen only profit after getting an offer too good to be true. The men are not alleged to have been involved in the theft of the aluminium coils. Sergeant Shane McHugh told Pieter Le Vert BL, prosecuting, that the owner of a scrap metal company became aware that an inexperienced employee had taken in two loads of aluminium. He inspected the material and when he found it to be new, suspected it was stolen. He watched the CCTV and saw the metal being delivered to the yard and recognised the accused men. Sgt McHugh the aluminium coils had been stolen and had a value of approximately 9,000. The accused men had been paid 2, 386 in two cheques, which they cashed in a nearby shop. The metal company alerted the gardai and the Boyles were interviewed. Anthony has 12 previous convictions for offences including theft and road traffic, while Patrick has 5 convictions for theft, road traffic offences and failing to appear. Patrick and Anthony Boyle both of Cherry Orchard Ave, Ballyfermot, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of three stolen aluminium coils on March 24, 2018. Keith Spencer BL, defending Patrick, said his client had traded in scrap metal for a long time and should have been more scrutinising about the material. He said there was no suggestion his client was involved in the wider theft of the material He said his client was upright and honest in all other aspects and is held in high regard in his community. He said when they were made aware that the cheques they cashed in the shop had bounced the men had paid back the shopkeeper. He said his client also had 1,000 in court. Carol Doherty Bl, defending Anthony, said her client had not benefited financially from the offending and was very sorry for any loss or inconvenience caused. She said he is deeply remorseful and also had 1,000 in court. She said her client was well regarded within his community and engaged well with young people to encourage them not to go down a nefarious route. Judge Martin Nolan said he was assuming the person the aluminium was stolen from got it back, that the cheques were cancelled and that the men gave the money back to the shopkeeper. It seems at this point, no one has suffered a loss, he said, adding it was no thanks to the men. He said the Boyles knew exactly what they were doing after getting an offer too good to be true. They saw a good profit and that's all they saw, he said. He noted the men's record was modest and their pleas were valuable. He took into account their remorse and the fact that they had brought 2,000 between them to court. Judge Nolan imposed a two year sentence on each man which he suspended in full. A Polish man who attempted to murder his wife by hitting her head with a lump hammer while she slept has lost an appeal against his conviction. Lawyers for Andrzej Benko (48) of Ladyswell Road, Mulhuddart, had argued to the three-judge Court of Appeal that his conviction was unsafe. Benko was sentenced to 15 years in prison following a trial at the Central Criminal Court in April 2014 for the attempted murder of his wife, Joanna, at their home on July 5, 2010. Following the assault Ms Benko suffered life changing injuries and now relies on full-time care. Mr Benko's barrister Sean Guerin SC had argued that the trial judge should not have told the jury that an accused person can be presumed to intend the natural and probable consequences of their actions. Counsel said that presumption only applies in murder cases as it arises out of section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1964 which defines murder in Irish law and goes on to state: "The accused person shall be presumed to have intended the natural and probable consequences of his conduct; but this presumption may be rebutted." Delivering judgement on Friday, Ms Justice Una Ni Raifeartaigh dismissed the argument, citing numerous cases where judges had asserted the "presumption" in cases other than murder cases. She said the court is satisfied that the principle applies "across a wide range of offences involving intent". The judge quoted a previous ruling of the Court of Criminal Appeal which stated: Unless an accused has actually expressed an intent, his intent can only be ascertained from a consideration of his actions and the surrounding circumstances, and a general principle with regard to establishing intention has regularly been stated as being that every man is taken to intend the natural and probable consequences of his own acts. Justice Ni Raifeartaigh also dismissed an argument that the trial judge's direction to the jury about the presumption was inadequate. Mr Guerin had argued that the judge should have told the jury that the question for them to consider was: "Was death the natural and probable consequence of the accused's actions?" Justice Ni Raifeartaigh found that the trial judge's direction was "entirely correct in as far as it went" and had correctly stated that the burden of proving that the presumption had not been rebutted lay with the prosecution. She also found, however, that the judge's explanation was "succinct" and "it might have been preferable to give a greater explanation." The court referred, however, to a decision by the Supreme Court which stated that a judge's charge need not be "perfect". "What is required is a clear, accurate and understandable explanation of the legal principles at play so as to enable the jury to perform its function. The judge pointed to various parts of the accused's interviews with gardai where he admitted that he intended to kill his wife. In one extract he said he had the lump hammer because he "wanted to make my justice". When pressed on what that meant he said he wanted "justice to finish my hell" and when asked what would finish his hell he said: "If I would kill my wife." He later said: "The lump hammer was for that purpose, to kill my wife." This was, Justice Ni Raifeartaigh said, "A clear admission of an intention to kill." She dismissed the appeal. Opposing the appeal last year Dominic McGinn SC for the DPP said Benkos lawyers were attempting to over-complicate what was a logical and straightforward concept that the natural and probable consequence of striking a sleeping woman on the head three times with a hammer was death. Mr McGinn said it was a matter of common sense to reach such a conclusion. He deliberately took a heavy weapon and struck a sleeping, defenceless woman three times on the head, Mr McGinn said. The original trial heard the couple had been having marital problems with Benko accusing his wife of taking and dealing drugs and spending all his money. The Department of Health has been notified of four further deaths associated with Covid-19. There have also been 425 additional confirmed cases. There has now been a total of 254,870 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Ireland and 4,941 deaths. Of the four deaths recorded today, one occurred in January, one occurred in February and two occurred in May. More than 78% of today's cases are under the age of 45, with 4% in people aged over 65. The median age was 29. As of 11.30am, there were 39 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in ICU. Speaking at this afternoon's Department of Heath briefing, the Chair of NPHET's Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group Professor Philip Nolan said the epidemiological situation of the virus in Ireland is "stable", adding that there are "strong grounds for optimism". He said data on vaccination shows "not only a reduction in incidence in older age groups" but also "very strong effects" in terms of the extent to which vaccination is reducing the severity of disease, hospitalisations and fatalities. Prof Nolan said while progress is slow, the number of people in intensive care and the number of people ventilated is declining. He said on a typical day there are between zero and one or two admissions to ICU, compared with three to five admissions to ICU per day five weeks ago. Prof Nolan also said the test positivity rate currently stands at 2.4%. "The data also reveals the positive effects of vaccination, not only incidence in the over 65 age groups below the national average and rapidly declining, but we are seeing a very large discrepancy in the probability of being hospitalised or dying," he said. "It is clear that vaccination not only decreases infection but also decreases the severity of any disease that breaks through," he added. Prof Nolan said those in the 75 to 80 year old age group now have a 20% risk of being admitted to hospital from Covid-19. "We're seeing a really significant reduction in the risk of being admitted to hospital in those older people who are now effectively vaccinated." He also described the reduction in mortality as "even more significant". "Up until April, sadly, the risk of dying, if you're aged over 85 and contracted Covid-19 was close to 20%. The risk of dying with infection has fallen off very sharply. So now the risk of dying with Covid-19 in that age group is very low." Meanwhile, Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan said NPHET "strongly recommend against" members of the public applying the use of antigen testing, adding however that antigen testing used in "controlled appropriate circumstances" can have "an important role to play". He said the result gained by the test in general circumstances "cannot be relied upon". Dr Holohan said he has received a recommendation from NIAC, but he has not written to the Minister for Health, giving advice on the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. A woman who directed shocking and disgusting abuse at gardai at a checkpoint was convicted and fined 300. Rosalina Abramian, 5 Shannonville, Dowra, Co Cavan pleaded guilty to threatening, abusive and insulting behaviour at Knockmoyne, Boyle, Co Roscommon. She was stopped by gardai at a checkpoint at a funeral at 9.40am on April 16, last year. Ms Abramian was driving the vehicle and her passenger became frustrated by enquiries at the checkpoint. The defendant became abusive toward gardai calling them f**king c**ts. Gardai were forced to seek assistance from gardai in Boyle to manage the situation. The court heard that gardai had restrained the passenger of the car, the defendant's partner, when Ms Abramian approached and called them "coronavirus infected bast***s". She offered no apology for her behaviour and it was noted that, in the intervening year, the defendant had also offered no apology. A second garda gave evidence noting that she had arrived at the scene to assist other gardai on the date in question noting the defendant was shouting abuse at gardai as was her passenger. She was calling us all c**ts, observed the garda. I directed her to (move away from gardai) but she attempted to drive the car a little bit forward while I was standing in front of it and then got out and started to yell abuse at me. Defending solicitor, Gerry McGovern said that his client had asked him to tender her apology. She has no qualms with the gardai. The situation got out of control, he said. He said that his client had been a few weeks pregnant at the time of the offence and suggested that at the time her hormones had been all over the place and this could have contributed to the situation. Taking the stand Ms Abramian said she was sorry if I came across as rude on the date in question. I thought I should be free to go. I had my boyfriend arrested. He's claustrophobic, she added, noting that when he was placed in the patrol car, she became upset, acknowledging it (the situation) probably got out of hand. Judge Kevin P Kilrane noted that the comments made by Ms Abramian before the court doesn't seem to be a fullsome apology. However, Ms Abramian insisted she was sorry and said that she doesn't want anything to destroy my good reputation. It was noted that Ms Abramian had previous convictions for road traffic offences. Judge Kilrane said he didn't believe Ms Abramian had apologised and added that unless a good reason was given he would be inclined to take a very serious view of the offence. He noted the defendant had received leniency for previous offences and observed, I would have assumed you'd have learned some form of lesson from that. Ms Abramian said (the date in question) went a little bit wrong and informed the court that it was against regulations for gardai to touch her partner. She said that she had been four weeks pregnant at the time and only vaguely remembered some of what happened. What happened to my partner added to everything and it got out of hand, she said. Asked if she had informed gardai of her pregnancy, Ms Abramian said that it was early and she didn't want to tell anyone as it may have been bad luck. I don't think this was a good day at all, she acknowledged. Her solicitor noted that coronavirus had only come into Ireland a short time before this incident adding it did a lot of strange things to people. He asked the judge to take this into account. Judge Kilrane asked the defendant in what way did you think this filthy abuse was protecting your partner? Ms Abramian said she didn't know, adding honestly I do feel bad. Judge Kilrane said Ms Abramian's behaviour raised the question of imprisonment. She behaved in an absolutely disgusting way. The language used on both gardai was shocking and disgusting, he said. He also said that the defendant had given a half apology. On the one hand blaming gardai for taking her partner stating if I came across as... that type of language is a non apology. She's not a bit sorry, observed Judge Kilrane. She's full of fight, full of anger and full of her dislike of the gardai. He then convicted and fined Ms Abramian 300. Also read: Leitrim people urged not to buy supermarket Covid tests Leitrim County Council has been allocated 270,000 for repairs and improvement works on non-public roads in rural communities. The national funding of 10.5 million, announced under the Local Improvement Scheme, will improve access to rural homes and farms, as well as outdoor amenities such as lakes, rivers, mountains and beaches. The focus of the scheme is to support the continued improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities but which represent a vital piece of infrastructure for rural residents. Announcing the 10.5 million in funding, Minister Humphreys said: The Local Improvement Scheme is an important source of funding for small non-public roads and laneways leading to homes and farms as well as outdoor amenities. Since the scheme was re-introduced in 2017, close to 2,400 roads have been funded for repair works. This has made a real difference to the lives of over 10,000 landowners and residents in rural Ireland. Minister Humphreys added: I know there is a significant demand for funding under the Local Improvement Scheme right across the country. That is why I am today announcing increased funding for every county under the scheme, however, I am acutely aware that more is needed. I am working to identify if additional funding can be provided for LIS in 2021 and I would therefore urge each Local Authority to utilise the funding announced today, and complete the repair works on the selected roads, as soon as possible. This would position them well to undertake repairs on additional roads before the end of the year should further funding become available. The allocation to each county under the Local Improvement Scheme for 2021 is set out below. Local Authorities are responsible for identifying and prioritising roads for improvement works under the scheme, in consultation with residents/landowners. The funding provided by the Department of Rural and Community Development will be complemented by a local financial contribution from landowners/householders, as well as Local Authority resources. There will be a cap of 1,200 on the amount that any individual householder or landowner will be asked to contribute towards the cost of repairs to their road. Local allocations under the 2021 Local Improvement Scheme County Amount Cavan 289,254 Donegal 697,456 Leitrim 270,000 Longford 270,000 Roscommon 375,104 Sligo 276,154 A bookkeeper who stole thousands of euro from the family-run business he worked at for over 20 years claimed he did so to save for his child's operation, a court has heard. Derek Moore (48) colluded with three of his employer's customers to give them cheaper materials in exchange for cash payments, which he lodged into his own account instead of the company's, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard on Friday. Moore, with an address at Huntstown Avenue, Blanchardstown, pleaded guilty to five counts of stealing just over 92,700 from his employer, Energy Saver Insulations Ltd, on dates between February and November 2018. He also pleaded guilty to one count of falsifying the accounts at the company, which is located in Dublin 12, on February 15, 2018. He has no previous convictions. Detective Garda Gareth Daly told John Byrne BL, prosecuting, that Moore cashed a total of 48,000 from the three customers on 14 separate occasions during the period in question. The remaining money stolen represented the loss to the company for the discounted materials, the court heard. When questioned by gardai in March 2019, Moore said his child was waiting on a scoliosis operation and they had been let down by the HSE. He said the price of an operation in the US was 30,000 and he also needed funds for travelling and time off work. The court heard the child was eventually treated in Ireland. Mr Byrne told the court that Energy Saver Insulations, a small, family-run business, was hit with a devastating fire in February 2018, which led to a significant loss of documentation. They hired an independent consultant to help reconstitute the documents, which led to financial irregularities being uncovered. Three customers were identified who had not paid the company, despite receiving goods. It emerged Moore, who worked as a bookkeeper for the company for 22 years, met these three men separately on a number of occasions and they paid cash for the goods at a reduced rate. Moore then lodged the money in his personal bank account and doctored the company accounts to cover it up. No charges have been brought against these three customers, although the court heard there are some civil cases pending. Moore has repaid 33,000 of the money he stole. When questioned by gardai, he claimed the arrangement was not his idea and that he was approached by the customers. However, it was unclear whether these customers knew each other, the court heard. Judge Pauline Codd suggested Moore was not helping his case by claiming three separate people approached him and instigated the thefts. Defence barrister, Cathal McGreal BL, conceded his client was the inside man in the operation. He said Moore was remorseful and had expressed his regret for what he had done. Moore had previously been on good terms with the company directors, the court heard. He has since lost his job and is currently unemployed. Mr McGreal said Moore used some of the money for medical expenses for his child. He said Moore did not live in a fancy house or display any signs of wealth. He was not living it up, he said. The court heard Moore was approached by a newspaper in relation to the incident and was photographed on his doorstep. As a result, he is now afraid to show his face, Mr McGreal said. He is also likely to find it difficult to get employment, he added. Judge Codd criticised the media for covering the matter ahead of the sentence hearing, saying the case must proceed by the rule of law, not the rule of tabloids. It's not acceptable, the judge said. She ordered a Probation Report and adjourned the matter to July 26, next, for finalisation. THERE is anger in Corbally with residents claiming they were not consulted by council before plans for a kayak facility were sought. As revealed by the Limerick Leader, the Limerick Kayak Academy (LKA) is seeking to build a 250 square metre hard stand, perimeter fence and storage unit to facilitate the activity in the Shannon Fields Park. The land is being provided by Limerick City and County Council following talks between it and the voluntary group. But locals in the neighbouring Irish Estates are furious, and councillors Frankie Daly and Kieran OHanlon will seek talks with the authority on this. It was underhanded, the way it was done. From the outset, the shock that came was the little sign [seeking planning permission]. The lack of consultation is beyond a joke, said Cllr Daly. Cllr OHanlon said he is in favour of kayaking, but in another part of the city, arguing that the facility would see greenery being lost from the Shannon Fields park, a popular walking spot. He said the facility will happen over my dead body. Residents turned up in big numbers in opposition to the proposals, with Nicky Hogan saying he is concerned for the habitat. It would push the wildlife back even further into an area thats gone even smaller since the Lower Park [housing] development, he said, It feels like trespass. Maxine Murphy, a former international champion rower, suggested the Curragower Falls could be a better location for this facility. She said: Its a fabulous slipway. Big boats can be launched there. There is so much water in there. Why would you want to come out and destroy a nature reserve for this? A council spokesperson rejected the claims of Cllr Daly, saying a planning process will be undertaken, and the application will be rejected or accepted and its merits. Furthermore, any decision to transfer the lands to the club either by sale or lease is a decision for the councillors, they added to the Limerick Leader. TODAY marks the 100 year anniversary of the Dromcollogher Ambush, an incident from the War of Independence that took place on the streets of the village on May 14, 1921. A patrol from the local RIC barracks (the former St Marys Secondary school on the Cork Road) is described by the Irish Military Archives as comprising of sixteen men, RIC, Tans, and Auxiliaries, armed, some with rifles, some with repeating shotguns, and some with revolvers. An engagement lasting about two hours took place during which one of the leading file of the patrol was killed instantly. By 1921, Active Service Unit of the 3rd Battalion, West Limerick Brigade had devised and attempted several ambushes but none had been successful until Con Foley took the Column into Dromcollogher on the night of May 13, 1921 in readiness for a planned attack on a patrol of Tans and R.I.C. at 6pm on May 14, 1921. The column mobilised in Belville and marched to Dromcollogher arriving at 1am on May 14.The column separated, Ben OSullivan and ten men occupying a house owned by Paddy Quaid. Con Foley and another ten men occupied the upper portion of the restaurant owned by Lil Connors in the Square (formerly, the late Josie OCarrolls). It was about 2am by the time the column had settled down for the night. On Saturday, May 14, 1921, the sun shone brightly and a beautiful morning broke over Dromcollogher. D.J. Broderick (Auctioneer) had a Bull Sale in Jack Kielys small field on the North Road. About 10 am that morning three tenders of military and auxiliaries in full war kit appeared in the town. They placed machine guns controlling the exits from town, searched all those entering and leaving the town, searched some houses and backyards, and remained there till 4 p.m. when they left for their H.Q. at Newcastlewest. While in the town, three of the military personnel partook of a meal in Lil Connors restaurant, unaware of the ambush party in waiting upstairs. When the military had left the town, Con Foley and his group in Lil Connors took up their positions. Dan Liston from this section was dispatched down the street to take over the Post Office and prevent telephone communications with the outside world. Ben OSullivan led his men from Quaids house to occupy the public house run by Michael Ahern (now Tastys Chinese restaurant). Egans Pub (now the Kiely family home) on the west side of the Square was also occupied to ensure this house was open and clear to act as an escape route for the ambush party. At the time of the ambush then, four houses in The Square had been occupied: Lil Connors, Michael Aherns, the Post Office, and Egans. It was the procedure for the local R.I.C. to get their milk daily supply from a vendor, Flor Fitzgerald, The Square. Each evening at about 6 p.m. a party of R.I.C. proceeded to the shop to collect the milk. This routine had been observed by the I.R.A. intelligence and an ambush planned on this basis. According to one observer, at about six oclock a party of three R.I.C. constables Deegan, Roche and Bridges proceeded to collect the milk supply. On reaching the milk shop they knocked at the door. Ben OSullivan gave the order Open Fire and immediately from Michael Ahernes, the I.R.A. opened fire. In the first volley Constable Bridges fell dead on the street and Constable Deegan was wounded. The surviving two policemen fled. Constable Roche took shelter in an out-house of Denis Collins (near Coleman OKellys) while the wounded Constable Deegan ran towards the barrack. Two volunteers, Michael Sheehy and Michael Dwane who were armed with the two rifles that the ASU possessed, emerged from M. Ahernes and ran across the Square. Constable Deegan ran up the road in zig-zag fashion and twice the two armed men stopped and each fired two shots after him. They made their way across the Square to Egans pub, firing in turns on their way in the direction of the R.I.C. retreat to barracks. Safely in Egans where Garry ODwyer had secured access, they took up firing positions at an upstairs window of this house, one of the few houses with a clear view all the way to the R.I.C. Barracks on the Buttevant Road. During the lull in fighting, Con Foley, O.C. emerged from Lil Connors and recovered a Webley revolver from the stricken constable. After a short while another patrol approached from the Barracks including Sergeants OConnor, Stephens and the wounded Constable Deegan. Sergeant Stephens returned to the dead man and searched his holster. The sergeant was not interfered with as it was hoped by the ambush party there he would bring along the remainder of the patrol into line of fire again. He evidently got suspicious as he signalled to the patrol to retreat. Fire was opened again by ambush party, and the sergeant and two other members of the patrol were wounded. The enemy patrol retired to Barracks firing at ambush party positions all the time. A machine gun was then brought into action at Police Barracks and trained on the street. Firing from this lasted for about 15 or 20 minutes. Ambush party then decided to retreat as their equipment did not give them much hope of doing anything better. At 8 pm the I.R.A. parties emerged from the occupied houses. Ben OSullivans section marched down the street in the direction of Newcastle West, the riflemen in Egans Pub covering their retreat. They were joined afterwards by Con Foleys section and later that night, they all dispersed to their own company areas. The I.R.A. ambush party were without casualty, with the count on the R.I.C. side of one dead and two wounded. On that Saturday night residents of Dromcollogher experienced a great feeling of uneasiness and an air of tension and fear prevailed. It was the usual experience that wherever an ambush occurred, the Crown Forces, notably Black and Tans or Auxiliaries arrived and wreaked havoc on person and property. Prior to the ambush all roads leading to the town were blocked by felled trees and thus their arrival would be somewhat delayed. When darkness fell Very Lights (distress flares/signals) were sent out from the local Barrack. Prominent supporters of Sinn Fein as well as many local residents evacuated their homes and spent the night in the homes of their country friends. At about 3 a.m. British reinforcements arrived. They immediately knocked at every house in the town and ordered all able male inhabitants to proceed to the Square. Here they made a careful scrutiny and selected the most able bodied, placed them on army tenders and proceeded to where the road blocks were erected. They supplied them with the necessary implements and compelled them to cut the trees and clear the roads. About a week passed without incident and life returned to normal, and the townspeople thought that they had escaped any further retaliation. There was a rude awakening however, when about ten days afterwards a force of about 100 soldiers arrived under an aggressive officer, a Major Peck, who produced an order authorising him to carry out official reprisals. A young lieutenant instructed master OCallaghan not to allow the school children out for lunch. They proceeded to Murrays Drapery (Michael Murray was missing). They gave Mrs. Murray a half hour of notice to evacuate herself and her staff and take with them only a few personal belongings. They then put a mine in the house and exploded it from under Noonans Arch. The Square was strewn with rubble, broken glass and drapery goods, but the military engineers certainly knew their job, since they completely demolished Murrays and did very little damage to the adjoining houses. They next proceeded to the drapery store of Murrays at Kielys Boreen where they blew up the storehouse. They continued on their work of reprisal and destroyed the houses of Eoin OSulllivan, Coolygorman, Broadford, an I.R.A. officer and on the run and John Quaid, a Sinn Fein court judge. They were unable to locate the home of Mark OShea, Ballinlongig (his son, Tim, was local I.R.A. captain and on the run). They returned the following day however and having found the house, they burned it down. The overall punishment for the ambush was the destruction of six houses. The man who died was an RIC constable from Co Roscommon. Thomas Bridges was born on May 23,1899 to Thomas and Rebecca Bridges, Behy, Knockvicar, Boyle, Co Roscommon. He was the youngest of seven children. His three brothers were John, William and James, and his three sisters were Frances, Emily and Rebecca. RIC Constable number 69992 Thomas Bridges had had one year police service having been a farmer before joining the RIC. Thomas Bridges is buried at Ardcarne, Co Roscommon, and was a week short of his 22nd birthday when he lost his life at 6.15pm on the evening of Saturday, May 14, 1921 in the Dromcollogher Ambush. This account of the Dromcollogher Ambush is an extract from the, soon to be launched, Dromcollogher Heritage Trail in which the details have been drawn from numerous sources, mainly witness statements. There were reports this morning of an incident in the northbound bore of the Limerick Tunnel. Traffic was slowing on approach. Please advise caution and use alternative routes if available to you. At 8.42am, the AA reported the incident as 'cleared' - while comfirming that traffic remains busy on the N69. "LIMERICK: An incident has been cleared from the northbound bore of the Limerick Tunnel. Still a bit busy on approach. Busy too inbound on the N69 Dock Rd towards the Shannonbridge R/A. There are the usual inbound delays on Corbally Rd towards Scoil Ide." GARDAI have arrested three men after receiving a report of a number of men attempting to take the catalytic converter from a car in County Limerick. The arrests were made this Friday morning. Shortly before 12.30am, gardai received a report that a number of men were attempting to take the catalytic converter from a car in Murroe. Whilst attempting to take the catalytic converter, the men were disturbed and smashed the windscreen of the car before leaving the scene in a red VW car. A description of the car was circulated to all gardai in the Limerick Division and a similar car was spotted in Castletroy a short time later. Gardai witnessed four men get out of the car and get into another that was parked in Brookfield Hall housing estate. As gardai approached, the men fled the scene. Following a short foot chase three men, aged in their late teens and early 20s, were arrested. They were brought to Henry Street Garda Station where they are currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. A search of the area was carried out in an attempt to arrest the fourth man but he was not located. Following a search of the two cars, gardai seized equipment suspected for use of the theft of catalytic converters. Gardai also discovered that the red VW had false licence plates. Both cars have been seized and sent for technical examination. International Russian Orthodox leader urges fewer abortions to increase population Moscow, May 14 (IANS): | Publish Date: 5/14/2021 2:17:10 PM IST The Orthodox Church in Russia has called on women to refrain from abortions in an effort to help alleviate the demographic problem of the country. Give birth to the child and hand it over to us, the Church, and we will do everything we can to raise it and get it on its feet, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, said in a video address on Thursday. We are a big country and we need to become more, said the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. One way to do this, he said, is to have fewer abortions, reports dpa news agency. Recently, President Vladimir Putin called for more help for families. He sees low incomes as an obstacle to more children being born. Last year, Russias population shrank by half a million to 146.2 million, partly because of the many deaths during the coronavirus pandemic. The numbers have been falling for years because of the difficult economic situation of many families. Parallel to this, the number of registered abortions also declined. Whereas after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1992 about 3.5 million abortions were performed, the number dropped to about half a million in 2020. This development is not least related to better access to contraceptives. Patriarch Kirill assured women who decide against abortion: We accept everyone, regardless of religion and citizenship. He said the church had set up 77 crisis centres between Kaliningrad and Kamchatka for pregnant women in difficulty. A NUMBER of serving Limerick gardai and a retired garda superintendent are to stand trial for attempting to pervert the course of justice over a three-year period. The five defendants were charged last month following a two-year investigation which was led by members of the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation. This morning, Detective Chief Superintendent Walter O'Sullivan of GNBCI gave evidence at Limerick District Court of formally arresting and charging all five at Mayorstone garda station in the city on April 29. None, he said, made any reply to charges which are contrary to common law. The five accused, who all have served in the Limerick garda division, are retired superintendent Eamon O'Neill, aged 54, who has an address in County Clare; Sergeant Anne Marie Hassett, aged 36, who has an address in County Clare; Sergeant Michelle Leahy, aged 45, who has an address in County Limerick; Garda Tom McGlinchey, aged 48, who has an address in County Tipperary and Garda Colm Geary, aged 34, who has an address in County Clare. The alleged offences occurred on dates between October 9, 2016 and September 6, 2019 and all relate to detections for road traffic offences such as speeding, holding a mobile phone while driving, driving without insurance and not wearing a seatbelt. During the procedural hearing, which lasted for just over ten minutes, solicitor Dan O'Gorman said his client, Eamon O'Neill, would be "vigorously contesting" the 30 charges he faces. Tom McGlinchey faces four charges, Anne Marie Hassett faces three charges, Colm Geary faces three charges and Michelle Leahy faces two charges. Judge Patricia Harney was told the DPP has directed trial on indictment in each case and Detective Chief Superintendent O'Sullivan sought a four-week adjournment to facilitate preparation of books of evidence. None of the five defendants were present in court this Friday but they will be required to attend in person on the next date - June 11. BOTHAR'S former CEO David Moloney 'stole' significant quantities of cash donated to the charity to fund his lifestyle over a 21-year period, the High Court has heard. Mr Moloney, in a sworn statement to the court, says he that he was generous with the cash which he spent on things such as family holidays, on his friends, but never lodged the monies in the bank nor has he kept any of the cash taken. He also claims that much of what was misappropriated was paid to others, including the late Bothar founder Peter Ireton, and says that his wife Olive did not knowingly benefit from the monies he took, and was never given any of the cash he took. In a sworn statement, submitted to the court, Mr Moloney said he was deeply sorry, embarrassed and appalled for the damage he has caused. He is currently on welfare, which is his sole income. Bothar does not accept his explanations about what happened to the misappropriated funds, Mr Justice Senan Allen noted when the charity's action against Mr Moloney returned before him this Friday. The court, based on admissions by Mr Moloney, has also agreed to vary the freezing order preventing the former CEO from reducing his assets below 769,000 to a value of 1.1m. The Judge also heard applications by Mr Moloney, and Mrs Moloney to vary the freezing order that was put in place after it emerged Mr Moloney misappropriated the charity's monies. The judge said that he was prepared to make orders allowing Mr Moloney variations on the freezing orders releasing 13,000 from a credit union account allowing him pay some towards his legal fees. He said he was also permitting Mr Maloney make payments out of accounts in his name, the proceedings of which the defendant claims come from his salary, towards what the defendant claimed are "essential" living expenses, These include childcare costs, insurance on his home and an investment property he owns, and mortgages repayments. The judge said while Bothar did not like Mr Moloney's explanation about where the money has gone the court he said his claim that the "stolen cash" had all been spent was plausible. However, the judge dismissed the application by Olive Moloney against whom no allegations of wrong doing have been made, to vary the orders. She had sought orders including that 12,000 be released from a credit union account in her husband's name to pay her legal fees. She also sought an order for the release of moneys from a joint Permanent TSB Account to go towards her and her children's living expenses which include child care for the Moloney's children, and insurance costs and mortgage payments. The judge, who expressed his sympathy to the dreadful situation Mrs Moloney found herself in due to her husband's action, rejected her applications for variations on the grounds that they were misconceived. The money that she was seeking would essentially be coming from Mr Moloney, the judge said. Mrs Moloney, he said, had made claims about interests in marital assets, including the family home, worth 500,000 with just 60,000 remaining on the mortgage, and an investment property worth 150,000 with 90,000 owed on that mortgage. No evidence had been given to the court as to her financial contribution to those assets, the judge added. Bothar, represented by Frank Beaty SC opposed the applications, on grounds including that information and details about their provided to it by the Moloney's was not sufficient to allow the court make the variations to the orders. The judge said that the case was an unfolding tragedy where Mr Moloney had made admissions of taking cash in suitcases from Bothar over a lengthy period of time. Previously Mr Moloney admitted before the court that he and others, including the late Peter Ireton, had misappropriated large amounts of monies donated to the charity for their personal use. The admissions came after Bothar, whose activities including aiding poor farmers in developing nations through donations of livestock, secured a High Court injunction freezing the assets of Mr Moloney, who resigned his post as the organisation's CEO in February. The 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. Mr Moloney also admitted misappropriating 127,000 which was paid to an English company 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 into a pension fund he set up for himself. The matter is the subject of a Garda investigation. Mr Moloney of Clino, Newport, Co Tipperary, worked with Bothar since 1995, and was its CEO for eight years. Bothar claims in its 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." The matter will return before the court next month. LOS ANGELES - It's springtime in Los Angeles - the second spring of the covid-19 pandemic - and Dick Van Dyke, bearded, vaccinated and finished with his morning workout, admits he's antsy. His last singing gig took place on a Saturday night 15 months ago at the Catalina Jazz Club. He packed the house. They even had to cram in extra tables as Van Dyke, backed by horns, a rhythm section and his Vantastix singers, slid through a set that included Fats Waller, Nat King Cole and the title song from "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang." "Oh, God, I knew I liked it, but I didn't know how much I would miss it," he says of performing. "I really miss getting up in front of an audience." The star of one of television's most revolutionary shows is 95. He's slowed down slightly in recent years - nagging arthritis and a gait abnormality known as drop foot force him to think before he skips - but compared with most everyone else, Van Dyke remains a step ahead. At home on this morning, he and his second wife, Arlene, 49, have already moved through sit-ups, stretches and the stationary bike. Bathed in the Malibu sun, Van Dyke talks about a career that's stretched from the Truman administration and the sitcom revolution of the 1960s to his reinvention as a mustachioed, homicide-investigating doctor before coming full circle with that shiver-inducing leap onto a desk in the 2018 "Mary Poppins" sequel. And Van Dyke can't get far without praising his late friend Carl Reiner, the man who hired him in 1961 to put on that crisp suit so he could report to work as television writer Rob Petrie in "The Dick Van Dyke Show." "I got the best damn comedy writing in the world," he says. "And then Walt (Disney) called me about 'Mary Poppins.' " There are many who would say Van Dyke's upcoming Kennedy Center honor is long overdue. Not the recipient. He will often describe his success as a product of coincidence and chance. He even titled his 2012 memoir "My Lucky Life In and Out of Show Business." So Van Dyke remains awed by the honor. "I'm trying to piece that together," he says. "How in the hell did I get to where I am? How did I get to a Kennedy award? You know, I never trained or did anything. I just enjoyed myself." Just enjoyed myself. That's the Van Dyke mantra. The notion that simply by laughing, singing or falling over an ottoman - his trademark move in the original "Dick Van Dyke Show" opening - the energy can pass through any screen, big or small, to generate a smile. "He makes people happy," says Chita Rivera, a friend since they co-starred on Broadway in "Bye Bye Birdie" in 1960. "His job in this life is to make a happier world." "He sets off endorphins," says comedian Jim Carrey, who started watching Van Dyke as a boy in Canada and has incorporated some of his physical bits into his work. "If you can live a life and your name sets off endorphins, and people feel generally better when they hear your name than they did before they hear your name, that's amazing." There was no plan. There was no backup plan. There was only a poor kid from Illinois who never took a dance lesson, dropped out of high school and, after a decade of bouncing between radio and television gigs, had the good fortune of being handed scripts that were so sharp a club sandwich could have delivered the punchlines. Except that last part is a lie. Words on a page don't come to life on their own. Reiner called Van Dyke the "most gifted performer I ever worked with" for a reason. The star could play a suburban husband, a frazzled employee or a gregarious party host without changing his tie. He had elastic limbs, perfect timing and the looks of a leading man. "There's a little Laurel, of Laurel and Hardy, in him. A little Cary Grant in him. A little Astaire," says Norman Lear, the "All in the Family" creator. "I can't think of another Dick Van Dyke." Richard Wayne Van Dyke grew up in Danville, Ill., during the Depression. His father, Loren, earned $25 a week - before taxes - selling cookies to grocery stores for the Sunshine Biscuit Co. It was not ideal. As a traveling salesman, Loren came home only on weekends. Money was tight. One time, Dick, desperate for a bike like the other kids, mowed enough lawns to save up the $7 he'd need. He headed to his savings jar to retrieve it, but the cash was gone. "They had to use it to pay the light bill," Van Dyke says. In Danville, the boy spent a lot of time at the movies. Fifteen cents bought a ticket to the Palace to see Westerns, Bela Lugosi's latest or slapstick comedies with Buster Keaton, the moody pratfall master, and Laurel and Hardy. Stan Laurel, the British-born comic with the bow tie and bowler, was a particular favorite and the young Van Dyke would practice his routines. Years later, after his own rise, Van Dyke tracked down the reclusive Laurel and visited him at home. When Laurel died in 1965, Van Dyke delivered his eulogy with a tearful Keaton sitting in the front row. "God bless all clowns," he said, delivering his hero's favorite poem, "The Clown's Prayer." "Who star in the world with laughter,/ Who ring the rafters with flying jest,/ Who make the world spin merry on its way." A year later, he did the same at Keaton's funeral. - - - Van Dyke's show business career began in 1944, when he dropped out of high school in his senior year and joined the Army Air Forces, working as an entertainer. After World War II, he got a job as a radio announcer and, with a buddy, did a nightclub act that took them to California. That led to a series of small gigs until Van Dyke, now married and with children, bounced from Atlanta to New York, even hosting a talk show for a short time. It was at that last stop that Van Dyke walked into an audition for a new musical being directed by veteran dancer and actor Gower Champion. The show, "Bye Bye Birdie," was inspired by Elvis Presley and his time in the Army. It was his big break, and it almost didn't happen. Early in previews, the show's producers wanted to dump the very green Van Dyke. But Champion fought them. And in the end, Van Dyke won a Tony for his performance as a neurotic songwriter named Albert Peterson. Of more significance, Reiner came to see the show one night. That's how he found his star. Reiner had developed a sitcom, "Head of the Family," based on his experience on Sid Caesar's "Your Show of Shows." In the pilot, he played the lead. But the network wasn't happy and Reiner cast Van Dyke to replace himself. He renamed the show and brought in newcomer Mary Tyler Moore to play Rob's wife, Laura. There were other married men on TV and there were other young couples, but the Petries were not like them. Ward Cleaver did not spring up from the carpet during a dinner party as Van Dyke did in the first episode with his "Drunk Uncle" routine. Harriet Nelson wasn't about to impulsively bleach her hair after discovering a lone, gray strand, or burst into a hilarious, blubbering torrent of tears over it. And Lucy Ricardo, the brilliant trailblazer, didn't don her capri pants often enough to own the look. This wasn't "Leave It to Beaver," "Ozzie & Harriet" or "Father Knows Best." "You didn't know what Robert Young did for a living," says director Rob Reiner, Carl's son. "You heard that Ozzie was a bandleader, but you never saw him do it. This showed the work life. And also there was a sexuality between Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore that didn't exist in the shows that preceded it." Tina Fey, the future "Saturday Night Live" head writer and star, would watch reruns of the show after school. Later, as she crafted her own behind-the-scenes sitcom, "30 Rock," she understood the intangible quality possessed by Van Dyke. "Obviously, he's a super gifted physical comedian," says Fey. "But there is just a warmth and likability that brings that show to life. You can have great jokes, but if they're coming out of a person everyone likes, the jokes are going to play even better." "The Dick Van Dyke Show" would run for 158 episodes and five seasons. Two years into it, Disney cast Van Dyke as Bert, the chimney sweep in "Mary Poppins." His attempt at a cockney accent would be mocked by many - he would later joke that it was the "most atrocious in the history of cinema" - but Van Dyke's charm overcame everything. Julie Andrews, the film's star, still remembers the first day in rehearsals, when Van Dyke took her arm and they began to perform "Jolly Holiday." "He began that huge, leggy step that he does," says Andrews. "His legs are like, what are they like, jelly sticks? I don't know. They bend in all ways." Van Dyke lobbied Walt Disney to also let him play Mr. Dawes, the stooped, humorless bank boss. Disney resisted. He told Van Dyke he would have to audition for the role. So he did. Then he told Van Dyke he would not be paid extra for the part. In fact, if he wanted to be Mr. Dawes, the actor would have to contribute $4,000 to Disney's campaign to fund the California Institute of the Arts. Van Dyke took out his checkbook. - - - Out here in Malibu, in the modest, single-story home he bought from actress Margot Kidder in 1986, Van Dyke has a life-size, silicone Bert in "Jolly Holiday" colors next to the piano and a few keepsakes on display, including a photograph of President Barack Obama adjusting his bow tie during a 2011 event honoring South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Prominently on display is a portrait of Laurel by Van Dyke's grandson Wes and a case containing Keaton's pool cues, a gift from the silent film star. On the patio out back, Arlene Van Dyke, a makeup artist who married Van Dyke in 2012, has done her best to assemble sitting areas so that people can visit during the pandemic. Her husband needs that company. He finds it hard to be isolated. In 2009, Van Dyke's partner of 30 years, the actress Michelle Triola, died of lung cancer at 76. He'd met Arlene at a Screen Actors Guild event, where she was working. "I was talking to Cate Blanchett," he says. "And I saw her go by and I said, 'Excuse me,' and went right over. And then I said, 'Hi, I'm Dick.' That's the only time in my life I ever introduced myself to a strange woman." He had watched his friends, Reiner and Mel Brooks, adapt after losing their wives. He doesn't know how they did it. "I can't be alone," he says. "I couldn't be a bachelor if my life depended on it. I have to have a partner and I found the perfect one." "Put on a Happy Face" isn't just Van Dyke's signature anthem from "Bye Bye Birdie." It's also how he lives, whether onstage or leading an impromptu sing-along of "A Spoonful of Sugar" after getting his vaccine shot. There is nothing fake about this public persona, though it comes with a caveat. Not everything is for public consumption and not every frustration or tension needs to be shared. Which is why there are no stories of Van Dyke brooding in his trailer or storming off a sound stage. In 1974, when he went on host Dick Cavett's talk show and revealed that he was an alcoholic, the general reaction was one of surprise. That's because he drank by himself, never showed up bleary-eyed on set and always maintained his professionalism and, also, when it came to his personal life, his distance. "I want to say it so well that I convey how much I really do adore him," says Andrews. "You never got deeply beneath the surface as one sometimes does with people that you work with. In a way, that's what I mean by being a little guarded. It was something that he had as an ethic, a kind of friendship ethic, a work ethic." To hear Van Dyke describe it, this approach, unruffled even when he's struggling, is just part of his personality. "I think you're born with it," he says. "I seldom get down or depressed. I don't want to waste a minute when I could be enjoying life." Take Van Dyke's short, unpleasant run as a co-star of "The Carol Burnett Show" in 1977. He had signed on after Harvey Korman left the cast and, from the start, something just wasn't right. The writers still seemed to be coming up with material for Korman. Burnett sensed the unrest, yet she didn't hear much complaining. "He was putting on this thing like he was OK and it was all right," says Burnett, explaining how his three months on the show came to an end. "Finally, he said, you know, 'I'm just not happy. I'm not doing for you what I felt I should be doing.' He was very sweet and I said, 'Don't say another word.' " - - - In 1966, Carl Reiner wrapped up "The Dick Van Dyke Show." He wanted to go out strong and he worried that, after more than 150 episodes, the show would grow stale. As much as Van Dyke wanted to continue, he had plenty of movie offers. But what he found quickly is that Bert and Rob Petrie were not easily forgotten. When he made family-friendly films - "Lt. Robin Crusoe, U.S.N." or "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" - audiences responded. When he tried to do something different - Lear's "Divorce American Style" or Reiner's underappreciated masterpiece, "The Comic" - he would be ignored or, even worse, called out by critics for playing a "new" Dick Van Dyke. There was also "The Morning After," a 1974 made-for-television film in which he played an alcoholic. In one scene, Van Dyke crawled on the floor of his bathroom, unshaven and crying uncontrollably. "The Morning After" had special significance. In the early 1970s, Van Dyke and his first wife, Margie, who had gotten married in 1948, were struggling. She didn't want to live in Los Angeles and pressured Van Dyke to retire. They bought a horse ranch in Arizona and moved to the desert. "And I think Dad went nuts," says Chris Van Dyke, the oldest of his four children. "He could not work and he could not entertain and express himself through everything he does." Which led to more drinking and, eventually, the bottom. One morning in 1972, Van Dyke woke up hung over and depressed. He checked himself into a three-week treatment program at a hospital in Arizona. There would be relapses, but by the early 1980s, he had his last drink. He and Margie would also divorce. He went through the same battle with smoking. A doctor took an X-ray that showed Van Dyke on the path to emphysema, which had killed his father. He still chews nicotine gum, but it's been 30 years since his last smoke. "It was an incredibly dark time," says Chris Van Dyke. "His way out of it was to stop drinking, to stop smoking, and he got back to work doing what he loved." It did take time to get his footing. A variety show, launched in 1976, lasted only a year. So did a sitcom, "The Van Dyke Show," he did in 1988 with his son, Barry. Then, in 1991, he played Dr. Mark Sloan in a guest spot on the CBS series "Jake and the Fatman." That led to "Diagnosis: Murder," a series that lasted from 1993 until 2001. "It was just the greatest run for me," Van Dyke says. "I enjoyed every minute of that. I've seldom done anything that I didn't like. And I found out if I don't like what I'm doing, I'm no good." Which is why some of Van Dyke's favorite performances have very little to do with ratings or awards. He thinks about a sketch with Burnett on his short-lived variety show in 1976. He plays an elderly man who's approached by her classic, purse-clutching, old lady character. He's working on an origami duck made of folded newspaper, which he agrees to let her hold. "Be mighty careful with it," he tells her. "It's my most treasured possession. I worked on it for 37 years." The script calls for her to absent-mindedly unfold and ruin his "most treasured possession" and cut to a commercial break. Instead, after the act, Van Dyke declares, "I wish you hadn't have done that," and delivers a left hand below the belt. Burnett punches back and they engage in an all-out, slow-motion brawl, rolling on the ground, smashing into scenery, two minutes of improvised physical brilliance that ends up on the air. "It was not staged, it was not planned," says Burnett. "It was one of those things. It was one of the most fun things I've ever done performance-wise." He is thinking of that now as the country begins to open up. Van Dyke feels great, but he also knows so many of his friends are gone: Mary, Carl, Tim Conway. "It's kind of odd being the age where you can die in your sleep," he says, a rare, dark reference that quickly passes. As he talks, Arlene and one of the couple's assistants bring out mementos and items of significance: a photo with Van Dyke and Astaire posing outside "Birdie," a drawing by Carrey and note ("without you, there might not have been a me") showing the younger comic practicing a pratfall as he watched "The Dick Van Dyke Show," the Keaton pool cues. Van Dyke is mildly interested, but he gets excited when he's asked about performing again. He would like to be up there as soon as he can. It might not be easy to get the Vantastix, his singing group, rolling right away. His baritone moved to Oregon. But Van Dyke has been mulling another idea. "I've got an hour and a half put together like a one-man show," he says. "Gregory Peck went out and did it and Cary Grant did it. Just sit in a chair to have a little footage to show and talk about their lives." Van Dyke, still in his gray exercise sweatpants and purple shirt, pauses as he considers being in front of an audience again. "I've got so much material." - - - "The Kennedy Center Honors" will air at 8 p.m. EDT June 6 on CBS. Click here to read the full article. Robert De Niro is returning home to New York after injuring his leg off-set in Oklahoma while filming Martin Scorseses Killers of the Flower Moon, in which he is starring alongside Leonardo DiCaprio. Variety confirmed that he was injured, but its not known how serious it might be. The injury occurred on his own time, not on the set, according to a source. The Apple Original Films production has been shooting in Bartlesville, Pawhuska and Osage County, Oklahoma. TMZ reported that De Niro flew back to New York on Thursday and will see a doctor Friday. De Niro was already planning to take a few weeks off the production, according to TMZ, and its not known whether he will be returning to the set at a later date. Based on David Granns bestselling non-fiction book about newly-formed Bureau of Investigation, which tries to solve the serial murder of members of the Osage Nation. The project also stars Jesse Plemons, Tantoo Cardinal, Pat Healy and Lily Gladstone. Tulsa World reported this week that the streets of Fairfax, Okla. had been covered with dirt to give it the look of 1919, while antique cars were brought in and De Niro was photographed sporting a pin-striped suit with a fedora. We are thrilled to finally start production on Killers of the Flower Moon in Oklahoma, Scorsese said in a statement when production started last month. To be able to tell this story on the land where these events took place is incredibly important and critical to allowing us to portray an accurate depiction of the time and people. Were excited to start working with our local cast and crew to bring this story to life on screen and immortalize a time in American history that should not be forgotten. Budgeted at close to $200 million, the large scale production released a first-look photo of DiCaprio and Gladstone on Monday. Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Real-estate porn can work for a thriller or against it. Sometimes, its part of a movies mystery and allure: the luxe nooks and crannies where bad vibes can hide. (See Rosemarys Baby or What Lies Beneath.) But in The Woman in the Window, a movie that takes place entirely in one old dark house, the stately Harlem brownstone in which Anna Fox (Amy Adams) resides is a movie set of such gloomy palatial grandeur that the place threatens to overwhelm everything that happens inside it. Anna is a nervous wreck of an agoraphobe who hasnt left the house in 10 months. Its her cocoon, her prison, her stately dream chamber. (It is also, from the look of it, worth $5 to 10 million, so its hard to feel too bad for her.) The high-ceilinged rooms are bathed in a shadowy glow, the muted colors left over from an aging renovation, with a winding wooden staircase that extends so far up it never seems to end. Its a dwelling fit for the Magnificent Ambersons, or maybe a good haunting. But there are no ghosts here. There is just Anna, popping her cocktail of prescription meds (as she guzzles the red wine shes not supposed to be drinking), taking house calls from her terse psychiatrist (Tracy Letts) in an elegant study, and speaking on the phone to the husband (Anthony Mackie) shes separated from (they have an 8-year-old daughter, who lives with him). Anna is a shrink herself a child psychologist who no longer works. Somehow, though, all that splendid neo-Victorian real estate keeps threatening to make her agoraphobia seem like a form of entitlement. The Woman in the Window, directed by Joe Wright (Darkest Hour) and scripted by Letts, adapting A.J. Finns 2018 novel, is a movie that would love to be called Hitchcockian. There are many ways for a thriller to earn that medal of praise. Here are a few ways not to. Do not, in 2021, have your heroine learn crucial information by peering through the big front window of her neighbors home across the street. True, the technique worked for James Stewart in Rear Window (1954), who was looking over the back courtyard of his Greenwich Village apartment. But in the 50s, when folks trusted each other more, that sort of armchair-voyeurism-with-binoculars could feel authentic; today, people committing major crimes tend to close the blinds. In addition, when it comes time to have your heroine witness a murder, do not have the killer wield a kitchen knife just like the one used by Norman Bates in Psycho. As a weapon, that particular utensil has been done to death. Also, do not keep cutting away to DVD clips of famous old black-and-white thrillers, as if to call attention to how much you long to be in their company. Most of all, do not make your heroine a narrator so unreliable that we cant tell where her grand delusions leave off and the films they-did-that? no-they-didnt! contrivances begin. Anna, anxious and depressed, but also restless with curiosity, has begun to spy on the apartment of her new neighbors, who have recently arrived from Boston. The thing is, they keep coming over, introducing themselves with a highly italicized zeal that makes us wonder why theyre acting that way. There is Ethan (Fred Hechinger), just 15, who has the goofy twitchiness of a junior Joaquin Phoenix. Theres his father, a sinister British executive named Alistair Russell (Gary Oldman, in a shock of white hair), who starts off testy and gets angrier with each appearance, until it starts to seem like the fumes of his hostility might blast him into space. Theres Ethans mother, played by Julianne Moore with a laughing overfamiliarity just this side of unhinged. And theres Annas basement tenant (Wyatt Russell), a brusque long-haired millennial musician who has skipped out on his parole and keeps popping up and scaring Anna, even though she invited him to come in whenever he wants to. The essential question raised by this character is: Why would Anna, who has a social-anxiety disorder and owns a house this humongous, bother to rent out the basement? Tracy Letts is a vibrant playwright, but the dialogue in The Woman in the Window is weirdly stilted, like someones chintzy mainstream-movie attempt at Pinter or Mamet. Adams performance is by turns commanding and tremulously self-conscious. And stuff keeps happening thats so overwrought that the film, in its way, becomes a whirlpool of contrivance. Each time Anna tries to explain her actions, either to her husband or to a sympathetic not-quite-by-the-book police detective (Brian Tyree Henry), she seems paranoid and delusional. But, of course, if everything we were seeing was all just happening in her head, that could be its own kind of cheat. So the contrivances may have to be real after all! Reviewed online, May 13, 2021. MPAA Rating: R. Running time: 101 MIN. Production A Netflix, Fox 2000 Pictures release of a 20th Century Studios production. Producers: Scott Rudin, Eli Bush, Anthony Katagas. Crew Director: Joe Wright. Screenplay: Tracy Letts. Camera: Bruno Delbonnel. Editor: Valerio Bonelli. Music: Danny Elfman. With Amy Adams, Gary Oldman, Julianne Moore, Wyatt Russell, Anthony Mackie, Fred Hechinger, Brian Tyree Henry, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Jeanine Serralles, Mariah Bozeman. Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Nobodys votes are being suppressed anywhere across America, in any of the states, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said this week of the Democrats H.R. 1 For the People Act to ensure voting rights, but leaked footage obtained by Mother Jones reveals the opposite is true. The head of the conservative group Heritage Action for America boasted to donors that Republican lawmakers are using the organizations language in a slew of restrictive voting bills across the nation, according to footage obtained by watchdog group Documented and shared with Mother Jones. Former Trump administration official Jessica Anderson who now serves as executive director of Heritage Action for America, a sister group to the Heritage Foundation can be seen telling an audience of donors about how the group is getting Republican state legislators to essentially copy-and-paste the organizations language into new, restrictive voting laws. The recently passed restrictive voting law in Georgia reduces time to request absentee ballots, reduces voting hours, limits the number of ballot dropboxes and bans giving water to voters waiting in line at a polling place. According to Anderson, that bill contained eight key provisions that Heritage recommended. She also bragged about meeting with Georgias Republican governor, Brian Kemp, just days ahead of him signing the bill. Another bill, similar to Georgias, is making its way through the Texas legislature and has 19 provisions from Heritage, Anderson said. Anderson went on to say that sometimes Heritage actually draft[s] the bill for the legislators, or if there is a lawmaker who may not be open to hearing from groups like Heritage, they simply have someone else deliver their message. We have a sentinel on our behalf give them the model legislation so it has that grassroots, from-the-bottom-up type of vibe, she said. Anderson also gloated that Heritage has been doing some of this work in the shadows, referring to Iowas recently signed restrictive voting bill. Iowa is the first state that we got to work in, and we did it quickly and we did it quietly, she said, adding, Honestly, nobody even noticed. My team looked at each other and were like, It cant be that easy. In addition to Georgia, Heritage is spending $24 million in the next two years targeting Florida, Ohio, Texas and other battleground states to pass voter suppression bills, hoping it will give Republicans an electoral advantage. These bills are being authored under the lie, pushed by former president Trump, that Americas elections are not secure and that fraudulent voting is taking place across the country, despite zero credible evidence to prove that claim. Their goal, Anderson said, is to right the wrongs of November 2020, when Biden won. And the way they plan to do that is to disenfranchise American voters in as many states as possible. Now, will somebody please tell Mitch McConnell? City leaders continued to expound the importance of the COVID-19 vaccine in their weekly media briefing, praising the CDC's approval of the Pfizer vaccine to persons 12 and 15 years old. The approval comes as great news, opening up vaccination appointments to a large group of people that had been eagerly awaiting their chance to obtain the vaccine. Census estimates from 2019 show that 33.0% of the population in Laredo is under the age 18. Previous to the approval, only persons over 16 in the age group were allowed to receive the vaccine. While the Moderna and Johnson& Johnson vaccine are still limited to persons over the age of 18, the Pfizer vaccine is immediately allowed to be distributed to the younger age group. "The expansion of age groups that are vaccine eligible will provide greater protection to our community," Chamberlain said. "We look forward to more news further expanding the age limits of persons available for the vaccine." The city health department announced that the Pfizer vaccine will be available through the various vaccine providers in the city, including H-E-B. The City of Laredo will also have doses of the Pfizer vaccine available at a number of pop-up vaccine distribution sites organized by the city in co-operation with the Texas National Guard. This weekend the city will continue hosting a vaccine clinic at the Mall del Norte from 12 to 6 p.m., with a popup also expected to be in operation at the Outlet Shoppes next week. Two Laredo flea markets on Highway 359, BorderTown and Pulga Las Blancas, will also host a vaccine drive from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Discussions are underway with both of Laredo's major school districts to plan vaccine programs for its students. The programs are an example of the city's new strategy to bring the vaccine to the citizens, rather than wait for citizens to self-select themselves. While all persons over the age of 12 are eligible to receive the vaccine, it's important to note that a parent's permission will still be necessary. Parents will be an important partner to end this pandemic. Laredo health authority Dr. Victor Trevino said. Starting May 17, the Pfizer vaccine will also be available through the City of Laredo health department from 2 to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday. WASHINGTON (AP) The House is expected to vote next week on two bills aimed at preventing more attacks on the U.S. Capitol, with one seeking to establish a 9/11-style commission to study what went wrong on Jan. 6 and the other allocating $1.9 billion to address the security problems revealed by the insurrection. The top Democrat and the top Republican on the House Homeland Security Committee on Friday unveiled their plan to form the commission after weeks of delicate negotiations. Modeled after the revered investigation into the 9/11 terrorist attacks, their bill would establish an independent 10-member commission, evenly divided between the two parties, that would have subpoena power and an end-of-year deadline for completing its work. Efforts to stand up the commission had previously stalled amid partisan differences, with Republicans including Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell arguing that its scope should be widened to look at violence in cities around the country in the past year in reaction to the killing of George Floyd while in police custody. But the new bill appeared to be a breakthrough after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the legislation must be bipartisan. The emergency spending bill was also released Friday, a product of months of reviews about what is needed to harden security at the Capitol after the violent mob of former President Donald Trump's supporters pushed past police officers and broke through windows and doors on Jan. 6. That legislation would include money for new retractable fencing around the building, added training and resources for the Capitol Police, and better security for members of Congress, among other measures. Pelosi said that protecting the Capitol and the people who work inside it is of the highest priority, and that a commission is imperative to examine and report upon the facts, causes and security relating to the terrorist mob attack. While both bills are expected to pass the House, it's unclear how much Republican support they would receive. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy said Friday he had not read the details of the Jan. 6 commission bill and did not signal whether he would support it. In a letter to Pelosi earlier this week, McCarthy said that any panel should not have any predetermined conclusions or findings and suggested that money for security should wait until after the commission issues a report. The insurrection is an increasingly fraught subject in the House GOP conference. While almost every Republican member condemned the violent mob that day, and many criticized Trump for his role in egging them on, a growing number of them have downplayed the attack as time has passed. At a House hearing this week investigating the siege, one member denied there was an insurrection at all while another said a woman who was shot and killed by police while trying to break into the House chamber was executed. Many other Republicans have tried to change the subject, saying Democrats should focus on the violence in cities instead. The bill's path forward is uncertain in the 50-50 Senate, where Republicans have been quiet on the commission in recent weeks. McConnell objected to an initial proposal by Pelosi that would have included more Democrats than Republicans on the panel, and said the scope should be widened to investigate the rioting in cities. But he has not spoken about it since Pelosi endorsed the new language that would make the commission an even partisan split. House Democrats negotiated the bill with Republican John Katko of New York, who was one of 10 Republicans who voted to impeach Trump after the insurrection for telling his supporters that day to fight like hell to overturn his defeat. The legislation does have one other prominent GOP supporter: Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, who was kicked out of House GOP leadership this week for calling out Trump for his false claims that the election was stolen from him. Cheney also voted to impeach Trump. In the aftermath of national crises, such as Pearl Harbor, the Kennedy assassination, or September 11th, our nation has established commissions so the American people know the truth and we can prevent these events from happening again, Cheney said in a statement. Like the 9/11 Commission that investigated the terrorist attacks on the U.S., the Jan. 6 commission would be granted authority to issue subpoenas to obtain information, requiring the bipartisan agreement of both the chair and vice chair of the commission, or through a majority vote. The commission would be charged with issuing a final report by Dec. 31, along with recommendations to prevent future attacks. The security spending bill would seek to make security improvements in the meantime, creating a quick-reaction force that could respond quickly in the event of an attack. National Guard troops were delayed for hours on Jan. 6 as police were beaten and overwhelmed by the rioters who broke in. The bill includes money for new fencing either retractable or pop in," according to Democrats that would protect the grounds while removing the dark black fence that has surrounded the Capitol since Jan. 6. The legislation says that the money cannot be used to install permanent aboveground fencing, reflecting the wishes of most members of Congress that the area should be open to the public. Other improvements would be to better secure windows and doors, install new security vestibules and cameras, and protect members with increased security at home and in Washington. There is also money to protect federal judges who are prosecuting the rioters and have received threats. The legislation renames a wellness program for Capitol Police as the Howard C. Howie Liebengood Center for Wellness and adds mental health counselors and resilience specialists for trauma support. Liebengood was a Capitol Police officer who took his own life shortly after the attack. ___ AP Congressional Correspondent Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report. Police seize drugs in China's Yunnan Xinhua) 15:51, May 14, 2021 KUNMING, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Police in southwest China's Yunnan Province busted a drug-trafficking case, seizing over 188 kg of drugs. In late April, police in the city of Lincang noticed a vehicle with suspicious movements and stopped the vehicle at a checkpoint. Police seized over 188 kg of methamphetamine hidden in the vehicle and nabbed one suspect. Further investigation is underway. Yunnan is a major front in China's battle against drug crime as it borders the Golden Triangle known for its rampant drug production and trafficking. (Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Liang Jun) In April, Undercover footage that is very disturbing to watch was revealed from a Spanish research facility that experiments on non-human animals. Cruelty Free International (CFI) released the footage that was recorded at Madrid-based Vivotecnia. It revealed numerous cases of clear cruelty, some of which may have been against the rule. Increasingly, however, scientists are searching for alternatives to such testing. Here are 7 groundbreaking instances. 1. Hormone-like Substances Test The German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R), which is among the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), has initiated a test to help in identifying the effect hormone-like substances have on human cells. There are various chemicals that can disturb or interfere with the hormones of the human body - the endocrine system - and lead to health problems. These are called endocrine disruptors. 2. Wound Healing Study The Department of Biomedical Engineering of Boston University and Harvard's Wyss Institute have developed a model for studying wound healing in humans without using other animals. As Citizens for Alternatives to Animal Research (CAARE) revealed, researchers usually perform " expensive and painful procedures" on rats, pigs, dogs, sheep and mice to experiment about wound healing in humans. 3. Chemicals and Reproductive Health The Technical University of Denmark has introduced a method for identifying chemicals, especially in relation to pesticides, that have a bad impact on the reproductive health of men. The novel technique by scientists at the university's National Food Institute has to do with in vitro methods and computational models. Also Read: Taiwan Finally Puts a Stop to Drowning and Electroshock Tests on Animals 4. Acute Toxicity Test UK-based laboratory XCellR8 claim to introduce "the first actual animal-free preliminary screen for acute oral toxicity in human." Its AcutoX test is a human cell-based technique that has to do with human dermal fibroblasts. It appraises the damage of cell membrane from oral toxicity "as an end point." 5. Testing For the Risk of Cancer Swansea Medicine's In vitro toxicology group (IVTG) has initiated a cell-based test for determining whether chemicals can lead to cancer. In Europe, scientists usually test such likely carcinogenic chemicals on rodents. But IVTG produced an in-vitro model for testing which coupled together "multiple human cell aberrations that are known to be crucial in the development of cancer." 6. Chemosynthetic Livers Dr. Mukund Chorghade in 2014 initiated a detailed in-vitro technology called the "chemosynthetic liver." Scientists made claims that the technology can possibly replace humans' use of other animals in performing drugs tests due to the fact that it is a replacement for metabolic profiling. This profiling ordinarily has to do with researchers giving new drugs to animals in laboratories. 7. Organ-on-a-chip Experts are growing human cells on minute scaffolds in a way that imitates the functioning of organs, called "organs-on-a-chip." These can act like organs such as the lungs, heart, and kidneys. They offer a further possible way to test the effect of drugs and substances on human cells. Related Article: Animals Cut Open Without Anesthesia: Leaked Footage Shows Brutal Animal Testing at Spanish Lab For more news, updates about animal testing and similar topics don't forget to follow Nature World News! After the Pfizer vaccine was confirmed to be eligible for students age 12 and up, LISD and UISD will host a vaccine clinic for those newly-eligible individuals. According to UISD, the vaccine drive will be hosted on Friday, May 14 at the Lyndon B. Johnson High School ninth-grade campus. District officials are asking the community to register at the UISD vaccine portal, which will give them the option of choosing between different hourly spots between 1-4 p.m. Prior to participating, UISD encourages families to print out the UISD vaccine consent forms from their portal to ensure a smooth process on Friday. LISD will also host a drive-thru clinic for students 12 and up on Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Shirley Field parking lot. In order to vaccinate the younger students, parents must be present in order to sign forms and show their ID before the administration of the dose. In addition, the district reminds those that received their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine at Shirley Field, and whose required time has elapsed, that they will return to Shirley Field for their second dose. Furthermore, there will be another clinic at Lara Academy which will provide the second dose to staff, community members and 18-years and older students. The clinic will be hosted at 10 a.m. and run until 2 p.m. on 2901 E. Travis Street. As both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine are two doses, families who participate will receive an email soon after the first dose is administered with information on their second doses date. On Wednesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention authorized the use of the Pfizer vaccine on children between 12-15 years old in an effort to add to the vaccinated population numbers. In a CNN Health report, the CDCs National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases Dr. Sara Oliver said that children between 12-16 continue to be at a severe risk of infection with over 1.5 million reported cases and over 13,000 hospitalizations. With over 90% of the schools district staff members vaccinated, a large push has been seen in the recent previous months to vaccinate students and community members first with the 18 year olds and then with 15 and up.Fridays vaccination clinics are now the next step by both school districts in vaccinating their students against the COVID-19 pandemic. cocampo@lmtonline.com JERUSALEM (AP) The Latest on the harrowing fighting between Israel and Gazas militant Hamas rulers (all times local): WASHINGTON - The State Department is advising Americans to reconsider any travel they may have planned to Israel and the Palestinian territories due to increasing Israeli-Palestinian violence. In a notice issued Thursday, the department raised its travel advisory for Israel, the West Bank and Gaza to Level 3 reconsider travel. It had previously been at Level 2, which recommends travelers exercise increased caution. The revised alert cited continuing rocket fire from Gaza into areas across southern and central Israel, including Jerusalem, Israels military response to the attacks and a marked increase in violence and protests throughout Israel. Protests and violence may continue to occur, some with little or no warning, it said. ___ UNITED NATIONS Norways U.N. Mission says the U.N. Security Council will hold an emergency open meeting on Sunday on the escalating violence between Israel and Palestinians in Gaza. The mission tweeted late Thursday that the meeting was requested by Norway, China and Tunisia with broad support and is confirmed for 10 a.m. EDT on Sunday. The three countries had pushed for an open meeting on Friday but the United States said it wanted a delay until Tuesday. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters in Washington earlier Thursday: We are open to and supportive of an open discussion at the United Nations. I think were looking at early next week. This, I hope, will give some time for the diplomacy to have some effect and see if we get a real de-escalation and then pursue this at the United Nations. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, tweeted: The UN Security Council will meet to discuss the situation in Israel and Gaza on Sunday. The U.S. will continue to actively engage in diplomacy at the highest levels to try to de-escalate tensions. The Security Council has held two closed-door meetings on the crisis, on Monday and Wednesday, but has so far been silent. ___ WASHINGTON The U.S. Defense Department has flown about 120 personnel out of Israel as a precaution in light of the ongoing violence there. Thats according to Pentagon press secretary John Kirby, who said the American personnel departed on Thursday on a U.S. Air Force C-17 transport plane. They had been in Israel to plan for a future bilateral exercise. Kirby said the conference was scheduled to end this week but the exit was accelerated by a few days. There has been a dangerous escalation this week between Israel and Gaza's Hamas militant rulers. Hamas sent a heavy barrage of rockets deep into Israel on Thursday as Israel pounded Gaza with more airstrikes and shells and called up 9,000 more reservists who could be used to stage a ground invasion. ___ WASHINGTON U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the United States is deeply concerned about violence in the streets of Israel as the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians intensifies. He says Israelis and Palestinians both have the right to freedom, dignity, security and prosperity. Both sides, Blinken said on Thursday, should be able to live in peace. He added, however, that Israel has a basic right to protect itself. Blinken described a fundamental difference between Hamas militants who are firing rockets into Israeli territory from Gaza and Israels government, which is going after those who are attacking it. Blinkens comments at a news conference with Australias visiting foreign minister came after President Joe Biden said that he had not seen a significant overreaction from Israel to the rocket fire. ___ WASHINGTON U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the United States is deeply concerned about violence in the streets of Israel as the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians intensifies. He says Israelis and Palestinians both have the right to freedom, dignity, security and prosperity and that both should be able to live in peace. But, he also stressed that Israel has a basic right to protect itself and that there is fundamental difference between Hamas militants who are firing rockets into Israeli territory from Gaza and Israels government which is going after those who are attacking it. Blinkens comments at a news conference with Australias visiting foreign minister came after President Joe Biden said he had not seen a significant overreaction from Israel to the rocket fire. ___ PARIS French President Emmanuel Macron has spoken Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas about the latest Mideast clashes and says he will speak soon with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as well as other regional leaders. A statement from Macron's office on Thursday said the French president expressed condolences for Palestinians killed in the conflict with Israel. But he also condemned attacks by Hamas and urged Abbas to use all means of his influence to restore calm as quickly as possible. Macron urged a return to peace and a decisive relaunch of peace negotiations. Also on Thursday, a few dozen people protested in eastern Paris to show support for the Palestinians. __ JERUSALEM Israels military confirms that three rockets have been fired from southern Lebanon toward northern Israel. The reports said the rockets fell in the Mediterranean Sea on Thursday evening. No injuries were reported. Israeli media reported that the rockets were apparently fired by one of the Palestinian factions in Lebanon and that its not the start of Hezbollah getting involved in the conflict. No air raid sirens were activated in northern Israel, which the military said was in accordance with protocol. The development came as Hamas sent a heavy barrage of rockets deep into Israel on Thursday as Israel pounded Gaza with more airstrikes and called up 9,000 more reservists. ___ JERUSALEM Israels opposition leader says the country faces an existential threat from ongoing violent unrest between Jewish and Arab mobs. Yesh Atid party leader Yair Lapid on Thursday said that if the ethnic fighting doesnt stop, the state is in danger. He vowed to build an alternative governing coalition and end Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus 12-year rule. Netanyahu also has condemned the communal violence. Lapid spoke amid ongoing airstrikes and rocket attacks from Gaza. Earlier Thursday, an Arab man allegedly shot and seriously wounded a Jewish man in the latest incident of ethnic fighting inside Israel. In Jaffa, an Israeli soldier was attacked by a group of Arabs and was hospitalized in serious condition. In south Tel Aviv, two Jewish men attacked a journalist covering a gathering of ultranationalists. Police said officers had arrested at least eight suspects in the northern city of Haifa who were involved in stone-throwing and other violent unrest. Lapid said in his televised address, We are on the brink of the abyss. ___ ISLAMABAD Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has spoken by telephone with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas about the deteriorating situation between Israel and Gaza's militant Hamas rulers. The Pakistani Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that Khan reaffirmed Pakistans support for the rights of Palestinian people. The ministry said Khan strongly condemned the attacks on worshippers in the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, as well as deadly airstrikes by Israel in Gaza. The development came as Hamas sent a heavy barrage of rockets deep into Israel on Thursday as Israel pounded Gaza with more airstrikes and called up 9,000 more reservists. ___ UNITED NATIONS China, Norway and Tunisia say the U.N. Security Council should swiftly hold an open meeting on the escalating violence between Israel and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. The three nations sought a council meeting on Friday. The Security Council has has been silent on the issue, and China said there would be no open meeting. Council diplomats said the United States informed members it couldnt support the request amid ongoing diplomatic efforts. The U.S. said it would support an open meeting on Tuesday. Norways U.N. Mission tweeted that it is working to reach consensus for a Security Council meeting as soon as possible. It urged a halt to the rocket fire, adding, "Please dont let innocent civilians suffer. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters on Thursday that Washington is supportive of an open discussion at the United Nations. I think were looking at early next week. Blinken said he hopes this will give some time for the diplomacy to have some effect and see if we get a real de-escalation." The beginning of the school year when you got to show off your new duds, new cars, new looks! Sports! Playing, cheering, watching high school athletics. The arts: Dramatic arts, musical groups and shows, graphic arts groups, debate, etc. The prom! No dancing the night away or punch bowl antics. The daily interactions. Just being with the group, hanging with friends and classmates. Access to college recruiters and advisors its harder to line up higher education. Walking onstage to get a diploma while all the family is watching with everyone elses family. Vote View Results A rare display of the northern lights was seen in areas of the northern United States early Wednesday as a surprise storm rocked Earth's magnetic field, leaving skywatchers looking upward at pastel hues. There's a possibility that the show will resume Wednesday night, thanks to energetic particles striking the planet's upper atmosphere. The northern lights have been seen in Alaska and Minnesota and in Canada and areas of Europe and the United Kingdom. In New Zealand, they were joined by their southern counterparts. Geomagnetic Storm The geomagnetic storm hit a level 3 on a 1-to-5 scale, according to forecasters at the National Weather Service's Space Weather Prediction Center; level 3 storming will easily bring the lights dancing south into the Lower 48, although the most dramatic storming this time happened during daylight hours on Wednesday. The storm was expected to reach level 1 status, which would limit any aurora observations to Canada and Alaska. Instead, energy coming from the sun has a more direct effect. The Space Weather Prediction Center classifies a level 3 geomagnetic storm as ""strong,"" and one happens daily every 130 days during the 11-year solar cycle. It's unclear if the geomagnetic disturbance will begin to affect the Earth's upper atmosphere on Wednesday night, but the lights could still be apparent. G3 storms have been known to generate slight auroral displays as far north as Boston, Chicago, Seattle, the northern Plains, and the Corn Belt. Related Article: Solar Storm Incoming: A Particularly Intense Geomagnetic Storm Will Hit Earth on May 13 Seeing Space Many people will see any show as a milky-white arc on the horizon, similar to distant city lights. A select few may note playful pillars that glitter like a curtain fluttering in the wind. Canada and Alaska have a greater chance of seeing the lights, while far northern areas will see near-total sunshine. The sun will not set in Utqiagvik, Alaska, previously known as Barrow, until August 2. If and when cloud cover cracks in parts of northwest Europe, where nightfall arrives faster than in North America, viewing opportunities would be enhanced. Better in Pictures It's also worth noting that many photographers use long exposures to film the northern lights, resulting in images of lighter and more vivid colors than can be seen with the naked eye. Even so, if you live in the northern areas of the United States, it's worth looking north; unexpected incidents like this will happen. Caused by a Solar Storm The northern lights are caused by solar radiation escaping into space. The ""solar storm"" is made up of high-energy ions. The interaction of such particles with Earth's magnetosphere, or magnetic field, is determined by their speed, density, and magnetic characteristics. The aurora is created as the Earth's magnetosphere converts potentially toxic electromagnetic radiation into curtains of visible light. The lights will spread farther away from the poles as the noise becomes more powerful. The solar wind is usually weak enough that aurora displays are only seen at high latitudes. However, even those in the middle latitudes will enjoy the display when the conditions are just right. The northern lights' duration and intensity are often linked to an 11-year period on the sun that explains the number of apparent ""sunspots."" Sunspots are tiny, cold spots on the solar disk's surface that erupt and pulse with magnetic energy. Also Read: More Astrological Events to Look Forward to in the 2nd Quarter of 2021 For more Space news, don't forget to follow Nature World News! (Alliance News) - Contango Holdings PLC is nearing an agreement with a potential long-term offtake partner for coking coal produced at its Lubu project in Zimbabwe, it said on Friday. Shares in the London-based natural resource development company were up 8.4% to 6.77 pence in London on Friday morning after the announcement. The unnamed partner in the agreement is a Zimbabwean subsidiary of a Chinese industrial company and one of the world's largest stainless-steel producers, Contango said. As part of the agreement, Contango will focus on extracting bulk samples of the high value coking and metallurgical coals found at Lubu before they are sent to the offtake partner in Hwange for washing. Contango Chief Executive commeneted: "Discussions with the potential offtake partner continue to progress well, and I am pleased we have now reached a clear path to enable formal offtake agreements to be entered into. "Our potential partner is one of the largest companies in Zimbabwe and its parent company is one of the largest steel producers in the world. The synergies between us are evident and I have every belief that upon completion of this brief and low-cost test work we will be able to enter a mutual and highly beneficial arrangement." Contango is confident the two parties will be able to finalise the long-term formal offtake agreement in the near future, it said. By Will Paige; willpaige@alliancenews.com Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. (Alliance News) - UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned that step four of England's road map in June is in jeopardy as scientists said the Indian variant of concern could be 50% more transmissible than the Kent variant. The prime minister told a Downing Street briefing that if the Indian variant turned out to be much more transmissible than other variants, the country could face "hard choices". It comes as minutes released by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies from their meeting on Thursday said "it is highly likely that this (Indian) variant is more transmissible than (Kent) and it is a realistic possibility that it is as much as 50% more transmissible". The experts warned there will be an even faster increase in cases if restrictions are lifted, suggesting a peak of infection can be expected after Monday's easing, and certainly at step four of the road map in June, when all legal limits on social contact are due to end. Sage said: "If this variant were to have a 40-50% transmission advantage nationally compared to (Kent), sensitivity analyses in the modelling of the road map in England indicate that it is likely that progressing with step three alone (with no other local, regional, or national changes to measures) would lead to a substantial resurgence of hospitalisations (similar to, or larger than, previous peaks). "Progressing with both steps three and four at the earliest dates could lead to a much larger peak." During the Downing Street briefing, the prime minister said: "I do not believe that we need, on the present evidence, to delay our road map and we will proceed with our plan to move to step three in England from Monday. "But I have to level with you that this new variant could pose a serious disruption to our progress and could make it more difficult to move to step four in June." Later, he added: "This doesn't mean that it's impossible that we will be able to go ahead with step four. "I don't think that's the case at all. But it does now mean there's the risk of disruption and delay, and delay to that ambition, and we have to be utterly realistic about that." However, the prime minister said there was no evidence that a rise in cases of the Indian variant was translating into unmanageable pressures on the NHS in terms of hospital admissions, which at the moment remain "broadly flat". Data from Public Health England shows a rise in cases of the Indian variant of concern from 520 to 1,313 this week in the UK, with the agency saying infections were "rising in the community". England's Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty, told the briefing the variant was "quite widely seeded in a number of parts of England and indeed elsewhere in parts of the four nations of the UK", and could overtake the Kent strain to become dominant in the UK. He warned that if the variant proves to be a lot more transmissible than other variants, the UK could see "a really significant surge" in Covid-19 cases, adding: "That's a really critical question to which we do not yet have the answer." Prof Whitty said the UK might be seeing a delay in the impact of the new variant or that vaccines were holding it at bay. He said: "It could be that it is initially circulating in younger ages, because that's what has always happened previously. "Younger people mix more and the initial circulation is in younger ages, and then it moves up the age range a so maybe it's just a delay because of that. "Or maybe it's a delay because the vaccine is actually providing a firebreak, a barrier to reduce the transmission up the ages, into those who are most vulnerable, clearly the second of those is by far the more preferable." In a bid to dampen the effects of the surge in cases, Johnson announced that people over 50 and the clinically vulnerable will have their second doses of a Covid vaccine accelerated. Johnson said second doses a which give people maximum protection against Covid-19 a will be brought forward from the planned 12-week interval to eight weeks. He said: "I believe we should trust in our vaccines to protect the public whilst monitoring the situation as it develops very closely because the race between our vaccination programme and the virus may be about to become a great deal tighter and it's more important than ever, therefore, that people get the protection of a second dose. "So following advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation we will accelerate remaining second doses to the over-50s and those clinically vulnerable right across the country so those doses come just eight weeks after the first dose." Whitty said the continued rollout of first doses to younger age groups is not expected to be delayed by accelerating second doses to the over-50s and vulnerable. The PM said the army would be deployed in parts of the North West which have suffered some of the highest rates of the Indian variant, and will hand out tests to help the surge testing efforts. Surge testing is being carried out in several places in England including areas of Bolton, Blackburn, Sefton and London. Johnson also urged people to "think really carefully" about the risk to loved ones, "especially if they haven't had that second dose or if it hasn't yet had time to take full effect." He added: "I want us to trust people to be responsible, and to do the right thing. That's the way to live with this virus while protecting the NHS and restoring our freedoms. "It's very clear now we're going to have to live with this new variant of the virus for some time so let's work together, and let's exercise caution and common sense." The prime minister said that the UK's surveillance data is now so advanced, that it would see well ahead of time if the NHS was likely to come under unsustainable pressure. "That gives us the confidence to continue moving forwards for now," he said. However, he urged people to "think twice" ahead of travelling to areas with higher incidences of the Indian variant and staying with family and friends within those areas. "We want people in those areas to recognise that there is extra risk, an extra threat of disruption to progress caused by this new variant and just to exercise their discretion and judgment in a way I'm sure that they have been throughout this pandemic," he said. Shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth accused Johnson of a "reckless failure to protect our borders". He added: "Only a few weeks ago we urged Matt Hancock to designate this a variant of concern and respond with speed and resolve." UKHospitality's chief executive Kate Nicholls said it was "vital" financial support was offered if step four of the road map was disrupted by any surge of the Indian variant of coronavirus. She said: "The prime minister's statement has introduced an element of doubt surrounding the dropping of restrictions on June 21. "The situation will clearly be closely monitored but should the road map timings slip, it is vital financial supports are forthcoming, and that business rates are postponed until October." By Jane Kirby and Sam Blewett, PA source: PA Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved. LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 14: Labour's Shadow Environment Secretary Sue Hayman poses with an injured dog as she visits RSPCA's Harmsworth Memorial Animal Hospital on February 14, 2018 in London, England. The Labour Party has announced a series of new animal welfare policies, including a ban on live animal exports for slaughter, an end to the badger cull and a new legal right for residential tenants to keep pets. (Photo : Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images) Animal sentience is considered a very touchy topic, but a coalition of about 50 animal charities are looking to use it in a science-backed report that could lead to a vast improvement in animal welfare laws in light of the country's recent break from the European Union. Can UK laws legislate compassion for animals? The report is called Action for Animals and it will provide research and data that will drive policies enforcing better treatment of animals in the UK (while also contributing to the efforts of conservationists worldwide). Among its notable findings include the prescribed sizes for farm animal enclosures, as well as why most British homes are not fit for housing exotic animals (especially primates). The report will also contain information that could hopefully convince lawmakers to finally ban the import of exotic animals as well as animal trophies from overseas big game hunts. In terms of long-term goals, the experts cited in the report all agree that prevailing attitudes which put a low priority on animal welfare and the environment often lead to degradation, poor quality of life as well as an increased spread in zoonotic diseases. It makes a stern case that animals can think and feel independently, and asserts that there is more to be gained by improving their relationship with humans. In total, the report will have 40 recommendations that cover the welfare of animals in all areas (from pet ownership to livestock treatment). By all accounts, it is a determined effort by experts and advocates to show everyone that animals are sentient enough to deserve consideration of both their physical and mental well-being. (It has been reported that even the Queen herself will be speaking about the importance of the animal sentience laws in an upcoming speech.) Also read: Understanding Your Dog Through Eye Contact Britain's independent stand for the rights of animals The report has interesting ties with Brexit as well. Even today, the move to depart the European Union has been met with much skepticism from environmental protection advocates. The adoption of more independent, pro-environment laws was a common promise from Brexit proponents but many critics still think such initiatives lack teeth. Currently, the report has in fact resulted in the government releasing its own Action Plan for Animal Welfare. In its own official statement, the plan aims to present Britain as a first among nations when it comes to the promotion of animal rights. The move is also a subtle critique of the EU's own record in the area, as its own research regarding the welfare of animals is seen as laggard yet still autocratic over its control of its member states' environmental policies. On the other hand, many are still fearing that having more independent control over standards could still lead to abuse or negligence. That is why advocates continue to watch out for any sign of legislative relaxation on bans that could once again contribute to the mistreatment of animals. But hopefully, with the legal acknowledgement of animal sentience, there is now a stronger baseline for future laws to stand upon. Also read: Animals' Ultimate Sensory Tool: How Do Whiskers Really Work? If you're a young kiwi looking at getting into the music, radio, film and photography industries, then you got to check out Crescendo. Based in Tamaki Makaurau, they're a social enterprise and recording studio with a passion for creative arts, helping NZ youth to learn about the industry. The end of the state of alarm has triggered demand for private yacht charters, with the Balearic Islands proving the most popular destination in Spain. Yacht charters proved extremely possible last year and demand has grown again since last May 9. Requests According to the Girona company Top Sailing Charter (TSCH), which specializes in yacht charters, reservation requests have risen from 15 to 60 percent since last Saturday night when the state of alarm was lifted. The Balearics is dominating the market followed by Greece, Croatia and the Costa Brava, all countries in which TSCH operates. The companys turnover decreased by 72 percent last year compared to 2019 due to periods of confinement and mobility restrictions, but looking ahead to the rest of this year, the company aims to recover around 60 percent of its pre pandemic revenue. The executive director of the company, Sergi Alos, said that although before the end of the state of alarm it was already possible to travel locally, now people can do so with more freedom. Last weekend we already began to receive requests via the web and by telephone, from potential clients interested in chartering a yacht this summer and demand has jumped from 15 to 60 percent, he added. Alos is well aware that the 2019 activity levels will not be reached, but he is optimistic and confirms that Minorca, Ibiza and Majorca are the destinations where there is the most interest and there are already weeks that are fully booked. We have noticed the same trend with the Costa Brava, which is usually a popular departure destination for those wanting to sail to Minorca or Sardinia, he said, while stressing that Croatia and Greece offer more affordable prices. Sergi Alos maintains that vaccination is the key to reviving travel and demanded that those who are already immunised be exempted from having a PCR to travel through Europe. We also have many North American and South American clients who are not allowed to come or have to quarantine so we need measures to be lifted or an opening date set so that they can plan their holidays and we increase reservations, he added. A number of yacht chandlers and brokers in Mallorca has also witnessed a surge in demand for charters and sales. It seems that people are still very wary of international travel, going through airport and sitting on planes, so they have decided to purchase a yacht so they can not only keep away from the crowds but also remain in their own bubbles. one source told the Bulletin. We have enjoyed a record year when it comes to sales and most of our clients are from the United States and most of them have had their new yachts shipped over from Majorca. Encouraging So things are looking encouraging for the remainder of this year and the future. Its evident that people are putting a greater value on their health than before and are prepared to invest in security and safety more than ever. Mallorca has already witnessed a number of the worlds largest and most luxurious yachts over the past few months. Balearic tourism minister Iago Negueruela said on Friday that he expects a "strong" start to the tourism season and that it will last longer than usual - "well into autumn". Speaking at the Europa Press Tourism Forum, Negueruela added that "we have to be optimistic", stressing the need for there to be a tourism season so that 200,000 people can get back to work. The rest of May, the minister observed, will be key. It is necessary to maintain the health situation and the good figures in the Balearics. This, allied to a faster vaccination programme and the fact that the Balearics are "open", will allow a start "with the guarantee of offering a safe destination to the whole of Europe". That tourism needs to start as soon as possible is highlighted by the effects of the pandemic on the Balearic economy. Negueruela pointed to a 23% drop in the first quarter of this year and to - at what was the most critical time - there having been 152,000 workers on ERTE furlough terms in the Balearics. At present, there are 29,000. Tourism recovery, he explained, will be based on an increase in mobility that must be standard at a European level. This will include measures such as the vaccination passport. He also referred to the specific Balearic initiative of a 'Safety Pack', which includes repatriation insurance and was "very well received in Germany" earlier this week. Negueruela emphasised the current incidence levels. The Balearics, with 55 per 100,000 for 14 days, have the second lowest incidence in Spain and this is going down. In other destinations, the incidence is higher - Tunisia 170, Turkey 450, Croatia 480. The de-escalation, he insisted, "must continue to be slow", with the second half of May key to opening up to tourism and "to allowing us to start strongly". On bars and restaurants, he said that if the epidemiological situation is maintained, interiors will begin to open. "If the indices hold up, that's the idea." British holidaymakers are on tenterhooks as Portuguese authorities have yet to decide whether the country will allow them to visit from next week even after Britain's government cleared them to go, prompting a surge in bookings. Britain added Portugal to a "green" list of foreign destinations a week ago, allowing Britons to travel there from May 17 without needing to quarantine when returning home. But Portugal has not made clear whether UK tourists will indeed be allowed to enter and under what conditions. Current European Union rules prohibit non-essential travel from outside the bloc - leaving those who have already booked flights and hotels in limbo as to whether they could be turned away at the border. A cabinet meeting today was widely expected to reach a decision on the matter but none was announced. A spokesperson for the interior ministry, which is responsible for border announcements, said the authorities were working on the issue and a decision would be announced when it was ready. The British Embassy in Lisbon said it had no further information on when a decision would be made. Prime Minister Antonio Costa's office declined to comment and the foreign ministry did not respond to a request for comment. Under the new British rules, travellers to Portugal would only need to take one coronavirus test upon returning to the UK. Other popular European holiday spots for Britons like Spain and Cyprus are on the "amber list", meaning travellers would need to quarantine for 10 days upon return and take two tests. Airlines and flight companies including Easyjet, Ryanair and TUI have put flexible booking policies in place in order to assure customers they will not lose their money if flights are cancelled. EasyJet, for example, which over the last week added around 100,000 extra seats to Portugal for the summer, allows customers to change their flights for free up to two hours before departure. Customers will pay the difference if the new ticket is more expensive. Dutch tourists who visit the Balearics will no longer have to take a coronavirus test on their way home, the Dutch ambassador in Spain said on Friday, as his country updates the list of destinations deemed safe. "I am pleased to announce that from tomorrow Dutch tourism will be open to the Balearic and Canary Islands," ambassador Jan Versteeg said on Twitter. The Dutch government will on Saturday revise its travel advice list. The Balearic islands, with 52 cases per 100,000 people over 14 days, and the Canary islands, with 86 cases, are well below the Spanish national incidence of 166 cases. Spain expects foreign tourist arrivals to reach 45 million this year, about half the pre-pandemic level, its tourism minister said this week, inviting potential visitors to start planning their Spanish vacations. Spanish authorities, on the other hand, will still request foreign tourists to show a negative PCR test when flying into the country. INVESTIGATIONS unfolding following the arrest of Tashinga Masinire in South Africa over a gold contraband worth R11 million (US$780 000) have taken a dramatic twist, with Robert Mugabe International Airport officials claiming that the suspect met all airport formalities and procedures. This contradicts South African authorities claims that the suspected smuggler did not have any permits or licenses to be in possession of gold. This, sources said, suggests the involvement of a well-knit syndicate on the Zimbabwean side where top officials facilitated Masinire smooth passage. With the gold smuggling scandal now subject of investigations by Interpol and local police, Masinire, who is Zimbabwe Miners Federation (ZMF) Henrietta Rushwayas former driver, was nabbed by the Hawks on Saturday at the OR Tambo International Airport. He was also in possession of US$952 which has since been seized by South African authorities.On the day of his arrest, Masinire travelled to South Africa and landed at OR Tambo International Airport at 12:45. Airports Company of Zimbabwe acting executive Tawanda Gusha told the Independent that Masinire, as shown by a CCTV footage which is now subject of police investigations, went through airport formalities without any glitches. However, Gusha said it could not be ascertained whether he had the requisite gold export licenses. But a statement released by the Hawks shows that the alleged smuggler failed to declare any items and did not have any permits or licenses to be in possession of gold. Gusha said: What is happening is that the police have been investigating that case since Monday. They are here as we speak. They are checking everything. It is the airport which is being investigated. The police have not given anything on what they have found so far. I am sure the CCTV was active. We have not heard of any report about our system going down. It is active all the time. What I can clarify is that we have two systems which we run concurrently. As far as I am concerned, both systems were working on Saturday. At the moment, we are not privy to what the police have found so far. The accused went through the airport formalities. As far as I am concerned, nothing was irregular about that. But I do not know whether he had the requisite papers. Last year in October, the Military Intelligence Department (MID) swooped on Rushwaya at the Robert Mugabe International Airport as she attempted to smuggle 6kg of gold worth US$366 000 to Dubai. At the time of Rushwayas arrest she was allegedly assisted by state security agents who switched off the CCTV. Rushwaya, later implicated the first lady Auxillia Mnangagwa and her son Collins as the real owners of the bullion. The government issued statements distancing the first family from Rushwaya. Masinires dramatic arrest, the Hawks said, was just the tip of an iceberg and will potentially reveal the vast network and broad syndicates smuggling precious minerals to South Africa and Dubai. He was granted a R100 000 bail by a Kempton Park regional magistrate in Gauteng Province whose terms preclude him from leaving South Africa until the matter is finalised. Hawks spokesperson in Pretoria Lieutenant-Colonel Philani Nkwalase told this publication that investigations will move to establish whether South Africa was Masinires final destination and how he evaded arrest in Zimbabwe. Its still a new investigation; in good time we will know all the answers. He was granted a hefty bail and he paid. Ownership of the gold remains a subject of our investigation. We will work with the police from the country where the suspect came from through Interpol to get the truth and address the syndicate should it be found that this person is not working alone, Nkwalase said. Security sources said the Hawks, although they have not arrested any other person in connection with the crime, say indications were that Masinire was part of a wider network of individuals in Zimbabwe and South Africa and was not acting alone. The Hawks will seek to put the right pieces to the puzzle and have already identified persons of interest whom they seek to interview, said a source. Zimbabwe Republic Police spokesperson senior assistant commissioner Paul Nyathi said authorities were seeking to understand how Masinire left Zimbabwe with the gold contraband. We are waiting for a detailed report from Interpol. Secondly, we are keen to establish how he went through the airport formalities and whether the gold was declared or not? Was he accompanied or not? Nyathi said. Was he acting alone or in cahoots with other people? Basically, the police are conducting investigations from the Zimbabwean side while we are waiting for information from our counterparts in Pretoria. Security sources said although Rushwaya distanced herself and ZMF from Masinire, law enforcement agents were keen to interview her. The similarities and connections relating to Masinires and Rushwayas alleged gold smuggling cases are too glaring for any credible police force to ignore. She is a person of interest in this matter. She certainly will be called for questioning, a source said. Across the Limpopo River, investigations by the Hawks in South Africa, Nkwalase said, would also focus on establishing whether Masinire holds a South African bank account, among a range of issues. He declined to comment on whether Masinire paid bail for himself or it was paid on his behalf citing that we do not give suspects addresses and (the names of) individuals who paid bail for suspects. When Masinire was arrested, the Hawks also seized US$952 from him, apart from the 23 pieces of gold. In the wake of the gold smuggling scandal, Home Affairs minister Kazembe Kazembe told the media this week that when Masinire walked into the airport, he was not carrying any bag. We are going to leave no stone unturned in finding out what happened. We want to know how this man left the country with all that gold, Kazembe said. So far we have established that when he walked in at the RGM International Airport (on Sunday) he didnt have a bag, now we want to establish who gave him that bag, where and how. Investigations are ongoing, as I said, I am confident we will unearth what transpired on the day as soon as possible, working with our Interpol colleagues. The latest scandal has also cast the limelight on the laxity of Zimbabwes security at airports and ports of entry. The entry points and airports are mostly manned by security agents from MID, Zimbabwe Intelligence Corps and the CID Minerals, Flora and Fauna. Zimbabwe Revenue Authority and Immigration officers are also present at the entry points. The Independent has also established that 20 security officers were on duty at the airport when Masinire boarded. In September 2020, Kazembe noted that Zimbabwe was losing gold worth US$100 million per month to smuggling. This translates to US$1,2 billion annually. Fidelity Printers and Refiners (FPR) general manager Fradreck Kunaka said a cabinet committee was set up to devise strategies to curtail gold leakages. The issue is being handled at a much higher level as said by the Minister of Mines and Mining Development (Winston Chitando) that there is a ministerial committee looking into the issue. It will come up with recommendations on the necessary interventions, he said in e-mailed responses. Kunaka declined to comment on whether the leakages were not triggered by the uncompetitive prices paid by FPR, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe Independent Authorities are investigating after a man was found fatally shot in a Lawrence backyard on Friday morning, officials said. Around 8:30 a.m., Lawrence police went to 461 Haverhill St. for a report of a body in the backyard. Officers discovered a deceased man with apparent gunshot wounds, according to a statement from the Essex District Attorneys office. The district attorneys office said no further information was available Friday morning, but that more details would be released when available. Got a news tip or want to contact MassLive about this story? Email newstips@masslive.com or message us on Facebook or Twitter. You can also call our news tips line at 413-776-1364. Of a total 620 new COVID-19 cases reported in Massachusetts schools in the past week, Lawrence saw the largest number of student cases at 37, according to state data. From May 6 to 12, new cases of the virus were reported among 572 students and 48 staff members who were inside a public school building in the seven days before testing positive, according to a weekly report from the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Overall, the percentage of COVID cases in public schools is 0.08% among students and 0.04% among staffers, according to the report. As more residents become fully vaccinated, the number of new cases among staff members has been decreasing since mid-April. Last week, the state reported new cases among 604 students and 65 staff members. From May 3 to 9, the state-funded pooled coronavirus testing program had a positivity rate of 0.71%, according to the department. In that period, 176 districts have participated. There have been 12,763 pools processed with 91 positive results. Brockton reported 23 student cases of the virus, New Bedford had 18, Milford and Springfield both reported 16 and Worcester had 15 student cases. Staff cases were highest among districts in Lawrence with 5. There were 3 staff cases in New Bedford, 2 in Pittsfield and numerous districts reported 1 staff case each. Find numbers for your district or school in this searchable database. If youre having trouble accessing the database, click here. Currently, there are roughly 690,000 students and 135,000 staffers in public school buildings. In April, the state required districts to start providing five days a week of in-person learning for middle and elementary school students. By May 17, the same goes for high schools unless the district has received a waiver. Parents can opt to keep their children home for remote learning through the end of the school year. The American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts on Thursday called for a return to full-time in-person learning in the fall, saying a full reopening is necessary to help students recover from the impact of the pandemic. Related Content: Nearly 28,000 Massachusetts residents are missing out on a combined total of more than $30 million after returning or not claiming or cashing the first round of $1,200 COVID-19 stimulus checks. An Internal Revenue Service spokesperson told MassLive that 27,689 residents either refused to accept, paid back or never cashed the payments approved in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act in March of 2020. The total represents more than $33 million in returned or unclaimed stimulus funds. The Massachusetts residents are among more than 1.2 million Americans across the country who left money on the table, according to IRS data compiled by Newsweek. The uncashed, unclaimed or returned checks amount to about $2 billion, less than 0.8% of the $270 billion sent to Americans last spring. In September, MassLive reported that nearly 188,000 Massachusetts residents were among 9 million Americans who dont typically file tax returns and had yet to claim their CARES Act stimulus checks. The IRS gave them until Oct. 15 to register online to claim their payment. By February, the IRS announced that all legally permitted first- and second-round stimulus checks of $1,200 and $600 had been issued more than 307 million checks totaling $412 billion in accordance with the March 2020 and December 2020 packages approved by then-President Donald Trump and Congress. In addition to the almost 28,000 Massachusetts residents who never took advantage of first-round funds, at least 13,352 Connecticut taxpayers have returned their first stimulus checks to the U.S. Treasury Department or never cashed or claimed them, Newsweek reported. New Hampshire was next with 5,859 residents, followed by Maine with 5,426, Rhode Island at 4,190 and Vermont with 3,169. California, the nations most populous state, topped all others with at least 123,265 uncashed or returned payments. All told, at least 59,685 New Englanders returned or never claimed or cashed the first round of checks. Millions of checks in the first round were mistakenly sent to dead people, prompting the IRS to request returns. Those checks are not included in the recent IRS data on returned or unclaimed checks, Newsweek noted. Anyone who believes they should have received a check that never arrived can still claim a payment on their 2021 tax return, which is due by May 17. The IRS can also re-issue a check that was lost. For more on missing payments, read here. Americans are still receiving the third round of stimulus checks, this time for $1,400, approved in the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan signed by President Joe Biden in March. Another 1 million stimulus checks landed in Americans bank accounts this week, bringing the third round of direct aid to a total of $388 billion since March. The IRS has issued 165 million total direct payments of $1,400 in the third round. Trump signed COVID-19 aid packages that included $1,200 and $600 payments in March 2020 and December 2020, respectively. Nearly 2.2 million people have signed a Change.org petition calling on the feds to send Americans monthly checks of $2,000 including $1,000 payments for children for the duration of the pandemic. Related Content: More than a year following the temporary closure of its rides, Six Flags New England is now open. The theme park reopened on Friday for members and season pass holders and will open to the general public on Saturday for the general public. The park announced opening day last month, shortly after Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker announced expanded capacity limits for amusement parks. We are beyond thrilled that we can reopen our theme park with a full complement of our more than 100 rides, attractions, and unique experiences, Six Flags New England Park President Pete Carmichael said in a statement. Now more than ever families need an escape that is safe, accessible, and fun. The thrill is calling. Amusement parks, theme parks and outdoor water parks are now allowed to operate at 50% capacity after submitting safety plans to the Department of Public Health. Large venues such as indoor and outdoor stadiums, arenas and ballparks will be allowed to increase capacity to 25%. Safety protocols will remain in place at Six Flags. All guests - including members and season pass holders - will need to reserve tickets online to ensure the park doesnt exceed 50% capacity. The park will continue to employ thermal imaging for temperature checks for guests upon arrival at the park and social distancing markers will be located throughout the park. Masks remain mandated for guests and staff. Six Flags New England also has clean teamers, folks who go around and make sure to sanitize and disinfect the common touch points that you would find throughout a theme park, Carmichael told MassLive. We accomplish that through the use of electrostatic guns that spray the sanitization chemicals to ensure that we are sanitizing on a regular basis. The park welcomed nearly 7 million guests in 2020, Carmichael said, despite rides not in operation. Six Flags hosted its annual Holiday in the Park Lights this winter and introduced a new event, Dinosaurs: A Walk Thru Experience, this spring. Now, the parks over 100 rides - including a dozen roller coasters - will be able to reopen the experience will differ than in past years. Guests will be separated by empty rows and/or seats on all roller coasters, rides, and attractions, Six Flags said and rides, restraints and handrails will be cleaned throughout the day. Six Flags New England is ready to reopen, with safety plans in place. But Massachusetts still doesn't allow amusement parks to reopen due to the pandemic. Ive read through all the reopening plans and all their cleaning and disinfecting protocols, they are going above and beyond with what I think they really need to do, Agawam Health Departments Health Agent, Michael Theroux, told MassLive earlier this year. Six Flags is a big part of our community here in Agawam, and theyve been really good to us, he said. They had a testing site there during COVID. Theyve offered up their grounds for vaccination sites if we needed it. Theyve really been a good neighbor of our community. The park retained its full-time staff throughout the pandemic, and plans to employ 3,000 seasonal workers this summer. AGAWAM High school students appear to be responsible for computer attacks that shut down remote learning and internet access at Agawam schools for several days over the past two weeks. Mayor William P. Sapelli confirmed on Thursday that school staff had identified one teenager as a primary suspect. The high school student admitted responsibility, and the investigation has been turned over to the Police Department, he said. Officials are treating the shutdown of the computer networks at all eight Agawam schools as more than a prank, the mayor said. The substantial number of students who are still learning remotely lost several days of classes. Teachers and administrators lost access to online materials and email. Fixing the damage cost tens of thousands of dollars. It has the potential to be a criminal matter, Sapelli said. Its totally inappropriate, and illegal Theres going to be consequences. School officials believe that in addition to the primary suspect, other students were involved in the computer attack, he said. The police investigation was still in progress on Thursday, with no charges filed yet. Superintendent of schools Sheila Hoffman did not respond to repeated requests for comment this week nor did School Technology director Stephen Woicik respond to an inquiry. According to Sapelli, the attackers flooded the schools servers with so many requests for information that they ran out of bandwidth to process legitimate connections with students and teachers computers. The attacks started with sporadic network outages last week, according to a statement released by the schools IT department on May 7. On May 10 and 11, the disruption was severe enough that no work could be done using the network. Teachers and students physically present in the school buildings were able to continue their lessons using traditional materials, but there was no way to reach members of cohort C students whose families opted to continue with remote-only instruction for the remainder of the year. In March, Hoffman said 37% of Agawam High School students are learning remotely through the end of the year. At other Agawam schools, remote learners are between 7% and 15% of the student body. The attacks affected access to the networks, but do not appear to have damaged any hardware or software, or compromised any personal information, Sapelli said. Because of the network disruption, grade 3-4 MCAS tests at Granger School had to be rescheduled. Other schools had already planned on administering the statewide tests at later dates. A former Massachusetts mayor first elected at the age of 23 by touting himself as a successful entrepreneur was convicted Friday of stealing money from investors in his start-up to bankroll his lavish lifestyle and soliciting bribes from marijuana vendors who wanted to operate in the struggling mill city. Jasiel Correia was found guilty by a jury after about 23 hours of deliberations over four days in a trial that highlighted his swift rise and fall in Fall River, where he had dazzled voters with his intelligence and promises to turn the city around. He was found not guilty of three counts, including accusations that he forced his chief of staff to give him half of her salary in order to keep her city job. Correia, who insisted he was innocent and attacked the charges as politically motivated, never took the stand. His lawyer had argued Correia wasnt a criminal, but merely an inexperienced businessman who believed that he was free to use investors money as he deemed fit while he was producing the smartphone app. Before Correia became mayor, prosecutors say he lured investors to support his app called SnoOwl by falsely claiming that he had previously sold another business for a big profit. Prosecutors say he used nearly two-thirds of the almost $400,000 he took from investors and spent it on things like fancy hotels, casinos, high-end restaurants and expensive gifts for his girlfriend. Investors who took the stand told jurors they handed over their cash because they believed Correia was bright, trustworthy and headed for great things. One investor said he thought Correia was a boy wonder and that Correia assured him he wasnt going to take a dime out of the company so all the money could go to the development of the app. Instead, prosecutors say Correia looted a bank account filled with investor money to pay for things like a helicopter tour of Newport, Rhode Island, a Mercedes, a $300 bottle of cologne and a $700 pair of Christian Louboutin shoes for his girlfriend. Records show he spent $27,000 on hotel expenses, $25,000 on dining expenses, and made charitable donations in his name, including $3,000 to the Fall River Childrens Aquarium. These werent occasional purchases, this is shameless continued stealing without any regard for the fact that he is betraying people who trusted him, Assistant U.S. Attorney Zach Hafer told jurors. Throughout the trial, prosecutors potrayed Correia as a serial liar, who they said misled voters in order to get elected just like they said he duped investors. In a clip shown to jurors from a 2015 debate during the race for mayor, Correia promised taxpayers that he would take your money and spend it wisely because he said thats what he had done in his business. His lie about how he previously sold another app for big money allowed him avoid questions about how he could afford such a lavish lifestyle on his $17,000 annual salary as a Fall River city councilor, prosecutors said. After he took office as mayor in 2016, prosecutors say Correia quickly turned to old school pay-to-play political corruption, by soliciting bribes from marijuana vendors seeking to operate in Fall River. Marijuana business owners, who were given immunity to testify against Correia, told jurors about how Correia or middlemen negotiated bribes in exchange for letters of approval from the city they need in order to get a license. Correias lawyer attacked the credibility and sought to shift the blame onto the governments witnesses who had cooperation agreements with prosecutors, suggesting they were lying in an effort to help themselves. One man, who pleaded guilty in the extortion scheme, told jurors about how he collected an envelope filled with $25,000 in cash that a middleman had put in a shed behind his home. The witness, Hildegar Camara, said he opened the envelope in front of Correia and got spooked, telling the mayor, If you take this or I take this, were going to go to jail. Another man, who was hoping to operate a marijuana business in Fall River, described how Correia showed up at his familys store and asked for $250,000, saying he needed it for legal defense fees. After Correia and Charles Saliby eventually agreed on a lower bribe, Correias chief of staff told Saliby: Youre family now, according to Salibys testimony. Prosecutors had Saliby use fake money to show jurors how he says he stuffed $75,000 in cash in a metal box clipboard before handing it to Correia in the mayors city-issued vehicle. Related Content: MUSKOGEE, Okla. (AP) Netflixs Tiger King star Jeff Lowe and his wife are willing to give up their big cats to resolve a Justice Department civil complaint against them over the animals care, their attorney told a federal judge. At a hearing Wednesday where the judge found the couple in contempt for violating a previous order regarding the big cats, attorney Daniel Card said the Lowes want out completely. Jeff Lowe took over the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park from founder Joe Exotic in 2016. Lowe and his wife displayed big cats there until shutting down the park in August. They then moved to a new facility in Thackerville. The civil complaint, filed in November, accused the Lowes of recurring inhumane treatment and improper handling of animals protected by the Endangered Species Act. U.S. District Judge John F. Heil III in January issued an order that, among other things, required the couple to prevent breeding; to relinquish all of their lion and tiger cubs to the federal government; and not to exhibit any of their big cats. The judge in March found that the Lowes had violated his order, and on Wednesday fined them $1,000 per day until they get in compliance, according to The Oklahoman. They dont want to fight this anymore. They dont want to do it, Card told the Heil. They want to give the tigers to a ... sanctuary of their choice and be done with it. Jeff Lowe was one of the central characters in the Netflix series that became a pop culture phenomenon last year. The series focused on Joe Exotic, a pseudonym for Joseph Maldonado-Passage. He is serving 22 years in federal prison for violating federal wildlife laws and for his role in a failed murder-for-hire plot targeting his chief rival, Carole Baskin, who runs a rescue sanctuary for big cats in Florida. The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development last week suspended two of its top directors on allegations they tried to solicit bribes from South African potential investors, Lephalele Mining. The ministrys chief director Mercy Manyuchi, together with the director of the Zimbabwe Geological Survey Forbes Mugumbate, had been fingered in the scam and suspended, but Manyuchi was later exonerated by the CIO, which carried out the investigation, according to a document seen by the Zimbabwe Independnet. They were accused of soliciting bribes from the South African investors led by Lephalele chairperson Cliff Motsepe and chief operating officer Mashile Mokono in a meeting held on March 29, according to the document signed by a top CIO official. Manyuchi was cleared last Friday after a letter from the CIO indicated her involvement was subject to an investigative error stemming from a mix-up of names and use of an old telephone directory. Public service commission chair Vincent Hungwe wrote to Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga on May 11, 2021 lifting the suspension against Manyuchi. The suspected culprits now stand accused of economic sabotage of the Zimbabwe is open for business mantra. In a letter seen by the Zimbabwe Independent, the CIO then clarified the list of suspects. On 21 April 2021, our staff telephoned the MMMD [Ministry of Mines and Mining Development] reception to obtain the name of the director for research, value-addition and beneficiation and they were erroneously informed that it was Dr Mercy Manyuchi. This also happened to tally with the name in the Zimbabwe Government confidential telephone list (the Green Book). We have since found that she was not present in the meeting and is in fact now the chief director mining development, read part of the letter which was addressed to Mines and Mining Development minister Winston Chitando and copied to ministrys permanent secretary, Onesimo Moyo. The meeting in question, according to the letter was attended by the director of non-energy minerals Nelson Munyanduri, who chaired it and Tichaona Makuza, who is the director of research, value-addition and beneficiation. The Public Service Commission will now drag Makuza and Mugumbate for a disciplinary hearing. The mining sector and law enforcement agents have specifically come under spotlight, amid allegations of unprocedural issuance of permits and cases of huge amounts of gold being smuggled through ports, including the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport. Early this week Tashinga Nyasha Masinire (33), was found in possession of 23 pieces of gold worth R11m, which was suspected to have been smuggled through the countrys biggest airport. Last year Zimbabwe Miners Federation president Henrietta Rushwaya was arrested at the same port with 6kg of gold worth US$366 destined for Dubai. In an exclusive interview with Zimbabwe Independent last week, Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) chairperson Justice Loyce Matanda-Moyo singled out the Mines ministry as one of the corruption hotspots, mainly due to the handling of mining claims and grants by senior officials. She said this had been exposed by an investigative report produced by experts at Zacc. Information at hand suggests the Lephalele directors who were present at the meeting raised alarm with authorities, leading to investigations under CIO director-general Isaac Moyo. Attempts to get further information from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and the prospective investors were fruitless. Chitando had not responded to questions since last week. The CIO director-general could also not be reached to give an update on the matter, as his mobile phone went unanswered. Prior to his appointment to head the Presidents department in 2017, Moyo was Zimbabwes Ambassador to neighboring South Africa where the investors came from. Officials at Zacc said they were unaware of such reports, requesting further information. They were unable to give an official comment at the time of going to print, but they indicated the Ministry of Mines was considered, at the commission, to be among the corruption hotspots. Corruption has been cited as among the countrys major stumbling blocks to attracting investment. Zimbabwe Independent You cant successfully negotiate with someone who stakes out his position at the start and is unwilling to move from there. Hoping to find accord with such an individual would be impossible. But if both sides are willing to give a little and get a little in return, theres the chance for success. President Joe Biden met on Wednesday with the so-called Four Corners -- the party leaders from both houses of Congress -- to talk turkey on infrastructure. Going in, the two sides were exceedingly far apart. And while they didnt necessarily seem a whole lot closer coming out, everyone was at least talking a good ballgame. It had been a positive meeting, those involved said afterwards. And that may even have been true. At least to a point. Biden and Democrats in Congress have proposed an enormous infrastructure package totaling $2.3 trillion. The proposal, the American Jobs Plan, construes infrastructure broadly. It calls for work on traditional elements -- roads and bridges and schools and airports -- as well as on more contemporary concerns -- high-speed broadband, most notably. Many from both political parties should be able to agree that theres much on this list that needs to be addressed. But then the trouble begins. Because Democrats are also talking about boosting spending on research and development, expanded home care for the elderly and disabled, and mandating that more of our nations electricity is generated by clean, renewable sources. No matter ones feelings about any of these, as well as a whole host of other parts of the huge plan, its fairly difficult to argue that that they are infrastructure. This, in essence, is why Republicans have been balking. Its with this in mind that Democrats have been considering splitting the American Jobs Plan into two parts, one with the so-called hard infrastructure elements, the other containing the rest. If they were to do this, the thinking goes, Republicans and Democrats could join together in the true spirit of bipartisanship and pass the measure that would fix up our nations roads and bridges and airports, working together like in the good old days. One can imagine this happening, if all goes well. And it would be a breakthrough, to be sure. Going into the weekend, both Biden and congressional Republicans were still speaking in positive terms about what could still come to pass. Heres hoping. GREENFIELD A 59-year-old Northfield woman died Thursday afternoon in a single-vehicle crash on Bernardston Road, according to the Northwestern district attorneys office. DA spokeswoman Laurie Loisel said Brenda Louise Perrea was killed when she drove into a concrete abutment under the Interstate 91 overpass on Bernardston Road. Police were called to the scene by a 911 cal at 3:21 p.m. Perrea was transported by ambulance to Baystate Franklin Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. Greenfield Police and Massachusetts State Police in cooperation with the Northwestern district attorneys office are investigating the crash. The official cause of death will be determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. A former Boston police sergeant and a Boston police officer have agreed to plead guilty in connection with ongoing investigation of overtime fraud at the Boston Police Departments evidence warehouse, federal prosecutors announced on Thursday. George Finch, the 59-year-old former sergeant, and Officer Michael Murphy, 61, were charged with one count of conspiracy to commit theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and one count of embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds. In September, Murphy, Finch and seven other Boston Police officers were arrested and charged for their roles in an overtime fraud scheme that prosecutors say has collectively embezzled more than $250,000 between May 2016 and February 2019. Prosecutors say Murphys alleged fraudulent overtime amounts to more than $16,000; and they say Finch personally collected roughly $11,310 for overtime hours he did not work. Altogether, prosecutors say the loss to the Boston Police Department as a result of the criminal conspiracy exceeds $150,000. Between September 2016 and February 2019, prosecutors say Murphy submitted false and fraudulent overtime slips for overtime hours he did not work at the evidence warehouse. The hours were submitted as part of two shifts the first, called purge overtime, was a 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. weekday shift for the disposal of old, unneeded evidence. The second shift, called kiosk overtime, involved driving to each police district in Boston once a month on a Saturday to collect old prescription drugs, which would be burned. For the purge shift, Murphy claimed to have worked the four hours, but he routinely left at 6 p.m. or earlier, prosecutors say. For the kiosk shift, Murphy submitted overtime slips that claim eight-and-one-half hours of work, but prosecutors say he only worked three-to-four hours of those shifts. According to charging documents, on days Finch and other members of the Boston Police Departments Evidence Control Unit claimed to have worked until 8 p.m., the warehouse was closed, locked and alarmed well before that time often at 6 p.m. or earlier. However, prosecutors allege that Finch and other members of the evidence control unit regularly submitted false and fraudulent overtime slips, claiming to have worked until 8 p.m. It is alleged that supervisors such as Finch, who also left early from this shift, submitted their own false and fraudulent slips and knowingly endorsed the fraudulent overtime slips of their subordinates, prosecutors said. Retired officer James Carnes in April pleaded guilty to charges in connection with $20,000 in overtime fraud at the evidence warehouse, and in March, former police Capt. Richard Evans was arrested over accusations he conspired with officers in the warehouse to steal tens of thousands of dollars during purge overtime shifts by falsifying timecards. Related Content: The man suspected of fatally shooting a Yale graduate student, who was also an Army veteran, has been arrested. Qinxuan Pan, 29, was arrested in Alabama in connection with the fatal shooting of Kevin Jiang, 26, on Feb. 6, New Haven Police Department confirmed to MassLive. He is accused of shooting Jiang multiple times. Jiang was a graduate student at Yales School of the Environment. He was an Army veteran hailing from Washington state who had recently become engaged, the Associated Press reported. Pan is also accused of stealing a car in Massachusetts that he drove to Connecticut, according to the AP. He is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, whose last known residence was in Malden, Massachusetts. In February, Pan was seen in a suburb of Atlanta. Last month, the U.S. Marshals also secured an international warrant for Pan, who is a U.S. citizen. He was born in Shanghai, China. The Interpol red notice had asked member countries to arrest Pan on charges of murder and larceny related to the killing of Jiang, the AP reported. Related Content: BOSTON -- The Red Sox activated starter Nick Pivetta from the COVID-19 injured list and optioned reliever Eduard Bazardo to Triple-A Worcester, the club announced before Thursdays game. On Wednesday, Boston placed Pivetta on the IL because he was experiencing side effects after receiving his second vaccine shot and called up Bazardo. Pivetta is slated to pitch Friday night in Bostons series opener against the Angels. Manager Alex Cora said the club is hopeful he will make that start and it appears exceedingly likely that he will; the Red Sox listed Pivetta as their Friday starter in Thursdays game notes. This is kind of how people react to the shot and hes feeling better, Cora said. The hope, obviously, is for him to start tomorrow. Bazardo, who is ranked by SoxProspects.com as the No. 19 prospect in the Sox organization, tossed two scoreless innings in Wednesdays loss, striking out two batters while walking one. The 25-year-old has now pitched three big-league innings, allowing just the one hit in that span. Bazardo will almost certainly rejoin the major-league bullpen later this season, as he is on the 40-man roster and can be optioned back and forth from Worcester whenever the Red Sox choose. He could be a long-term replacement for a struggling bullpen arm like Austin Brice. Related links: Boston Red Sox place Nick Pivetta on COVID-19 IL (vaccine side effects), recall reliever Eduardo Bazardo from Worcester Triston Casas, Boston Red Sox top prospect, hits 2 homers, drives in 6 runs in monster night for Double-A Portland Boston Red Sox notebook: J.D. Martinez calls vaccination a personal decision, club not yet at 85% threshold; Eduardo Rodriguez shows signs of life vs. As A pair of Road Closed signs bookended Colby Avenue as filming for the television show Dexter continued in Worcester on Friday afternoon. Earlier in the day Friday, crews placed the finishing touches to the set, which began to transform into a winter wonderland on Thursday. Snow-like foam covered the yards of several homes on Colby Avenue. Christmas decorations and lights sat in yards and wrapped around porches. Electricians were on site Friday morning to add lighting from telephone poles. Crews watered down Colby Avenue under Interstate 290 to replicate a slick winter road. Members of the crew, which is comprised mostly of Massachusetts residents, packed the street from Lincoln Street to about Mount Holyoke Avenue. Spotlights were wheeled in under the bridge near an old Ford F-150 truck with at least two people sitting inside. As part of the scene, the truck had New York license plates. The scene is set in the winter despite temperatures rising to about 70 degrees on Friday. Production on the new Dexter series began when crews could use real snow. As filming continues, theyve transitioned to fake snow. Fluffy strips of white stuffing was placed across the neighborhood on Thursday. Most of the scenes were set to be shot inside 29 Colby Ave., however the scenes outside windows needed to replicate winter. The show began filming at the AC Marriott in downtown Worcester early Tuesday morning. Large white tents were set up on the citys common Monday morning and various film crew vehicles and stations are set up throughout downtown. Crews assembled similar tents on Colby Avenue on Thursday. 21 Crews prep Colby Avenue in Worcester for set of 'Dexter' The television show has been in Worcester most of the week. In addition to the shoot at the AC Marriott, it also shot at a home on Denison Road on Wednesday, a source told MassLive. Crews will remain in Central Massachusetts as the show moves to filming in Grafton next week. The series has been filming in several nearby locations including West Boylston, Boylston, Gardner, Lancaster, Shelburne Falls and Sterling. The Dexter revival will be a continuation of the original 2006-2013 crime drama mystery, which centered on a forensics expert in Miami who solved crimes in his public life and murdered serial killers in his private life. Related Content: The EcoTarium announced Friday that Lucy Hale is stepping down from her role as president and CEO this month, leading the Worcester museum to start a nationwide search for its next leader. Hale will leave the position on May 28 as her three-year contract comes to end. As the last year became disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the EcoTarium saw a hibernation period that lasted more than seven months. Now, the museum says it is hard at work trying to create a path forward to advance its mission to inspire a passion for science and nature. Its been a true honor to serve this historic institution and vibrant community, Hale said in a statement. The museum has emerged from the pandemic in a strong position, and the team has a solid plan in place to carefully bring all of our offerings and experiences back online in a financially sustainable fashion, with the long-term health of the museum as the top priority. The decision for Hale to step down came after weeks of productive and thoughtful discussions. The museums board of trustees said it appreciates Hales strong leadership in improving the EcoTariums operations, securing the organizations financial stability, and navigating the challenges of the pandemic, which included a near 80% loss of earned revenue. We thank Lucy for her dedication to EcoTarium for three years, said Sherri Pitcher, the chair of EcoTariums board of trustees. Her clear and unwavering vision for the organization guided us during one of the toughest periods in our nearly 200-year history. On behalf of the board, I extend my heartfelt thanks to Lucy and truly wish her the best in her next endeavor. Hale joined the EcoTarium in 2018 after a career in science museums and zoos in Texas. In Worcester, she oversaw the completion of Wild Cat Station and grew attendance before the pandemic changed daily life last year, the statement said. Now, the board is conducting a nationwide search for its next leader. In the meantime, Kerry Castorano, the EcoTariums vice president of institutional advancement, will serve as acting president and CEO. Castorano has been with the museum since 2017, according to the statement. Last month, the EcoTarium opened its outdoor campus to members and guests and hopes to have indoor exhibits and activities over the summer. The museums regular hours are Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. All tickets are timed and must be purchased in advance with the exception of those using free or reciprocal passes. For more information, see the museums website. Last summer, staff at the EcoTarium called for Hales resignation following the announcement that the museum would temporarily close and that layoffs were expected. The staff cited long-standing concerns and claims of management issues that Hale and then-board president Paul Belsito disputed. Hale was brought in following the departure of former CEO and President Joe Cox in 2017 after he took a job as the president of the Museum of Science and Discovery in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. During the late-20th century and into the 21st, Marcus Margulies has been, in the words of Jean-Claude Biver, one of the main influencers of the Swiss luxury watch segment. At a certain moment he was the biggest and most important agent in the world. Endowed with a genuine love of watches and an understanding of the industry that few before or since have possessed, Margulies became chairman of the UKs largest watch and clock distributor, Time Products, and the brand Sekonda in the late 1970s, after various stints in Swiss watch Manufactures. His knowledge, intuition and unrivalled business sense enabled him to gain traction for many Swiss watch brands such as Blancpain, Breguet, Vacheron Constantin, Piaget, Franck Muller, IWC and Hublot. His British-based company even took over distribution for Audemars Piguet in both the US and Switzerland. Marcus Margulies Marcus Watches By 2002, Marguliess passion became public with the opening of his eponymous London boutique, which prided itself on having the most important collection of watches in world. Over the next decade, it became a dominant force in haute horlogerie, taking on UK distribution for independents from Richard Mille to Urwerk, MB&F and Greubel Forsey. Marguliess personal watch collection is one of the finest in existence. The vintage Piaget jewellery and cuffs in his possession rival those in the maisons archives, and without Marguliess Audemars Piguet collection which he eventually sold to the company in 2016 the new AP museum would be a fraction as impressive as it is. With the watch world changing, Margulies decided it was time to leave traditional retail in 2017, closing his boutique and investing in one of the most prestigious addresses in London: 27 Berkeley Square. Following a three-year renovation, the six-floor townhouse is now an exquisite blend of private club complete with gym, cinema room and magnificent wine cellar and showcase for unique watches, jewellery and art that can all be acquired by a select group of invited clients. *Written by Tracey Llewellyn *On the occasion of GMT Magazine and WorldTempus' 20th anniversary, we have embarked on the ambitious project of summarising the last 20 years in watchmaking in The Millennium Watch Book, a big, beautifully laid out coffee table book. This article is an extract. The Millennium Watch Book is available on www.the-watch-book.com, in French and English, with a 10% discount if you use the following code: WT2021. Order now Philogen Announces First Quarter 2021 Results and Provides Update on Pipeline Progress May 12, 2021 Post your Comments Comments should be on the topic and should not be abusive. The editorial team reserves the right to review and moderate the comments posted on the site. Infection-control science works by identifying the source of microbial transmission in dental offices. The results of the study exhibit the risk for transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory pathogens from aerosolized saliva in dental operatories is moderately low and current infection control practices were adequate to protect dentists and patients in the dental office."Understanding the sources of microbial load in aerosols is important, not only for infection control in dental operatories during the COVID pandemic, but also to inform best practices in aerosol reduction, mitigation and abatement in the long term." said JDR Editor-in-Chief Nicholas Jakubovics, Newcastle University, England.So identify the source of microbial infection in dental offices for infection control and to reduce aerosol for a longer period during practice in the COVID-19 pandemic.Source: Eurekalert Formosa Ha Tinh Steel increased its offer for re-rolling grade HRC (non skin pass) for July shipment by $110-120 per tonne to $1,030 per tonne cif for domestic buyers. Sources said that its export offers were $1,100 per tonne fob.Re-rolling grade HRC with skinpass will fetch an additional $5 per tonne premium, they added.Hoa Phat Steel offered HRC at $1,018 per tonne cif north Vietnam, and at $1,020 per tonne cif central Vietnam. It was also offering HRC at $1,022 per tonne cif south Vietnam. Theres a slight discount for Hoa Phats materials, although many buyers are focusing on Formosas cargoes, a Vietnamese trader told Fastmarkets on Friday. ... Prices for seaborne pulverized coal injection (PCI) material continued to increase in the cfr market in the week to May 14, due to persistent supply tightness and relatively good demand, but remained largely stable in the fob market on a recovery in supply. Premium hard coking coal, fob DBCT : $121.21 per tonne, up $4.12 per tonne Premium hard coking coal, cfr Jingtang : $269.78 per tonne, up $21.52 per tonne Hard coking coal, fob DBCT : $105.71 per tonne, down $1.00 per tonne Hard coking coal, cfr Jingtang : $227.44 per tonne, up $6.66 per tonneIn the cfr coking coal market, most Chinese market participants adopted a wait-and-see stance on Friday after the huge decrease in steelmaking industry futures prices on Thursday and Friday, including for rebar, iron ore, coking coal and coke futures prices.The Chinese government met major steel mills on May 13-14 to survey overheated steel prices and ordered the market to standardize based on actual market supply and demand conditions, market sources said.The notice and meetings do impact market sentiment; now traders wont be as active as previous days in procuring seaborne coking coal at high prices, a trader source from Shanghai said.But some market participants said they believe seaborne coking coal prices will stay strong even on the back of the falling ferrous market prices because of supply tightness, necessary demand and increasing domestic coke prices.If the coking coal production in Shanxi increased, market sentiment may cool downNow high-quality domestic coking coal from Shanxi is equivalent to about $260 per tonne and the tradable resources are very low, a trader source from Beijing said.American premium low-volatility coking coal Oak Grove was traded on May 12 at $270 cfr China, with a laycan in June, along with another vessel with a laycan in July at the same price and brand, various market sources confirmed on Friday.Meanwhile, the continuously growing domestic metallurgical coke price could support domestic coking coal prices and the current steel production curbing policy in north China would lead to a preference for high-quality seaborne cargoes, market sources said.To maximize high output with limited operation rates, mills prefer high-quality raw materials to sustain production, a Tangshan-based trader said.In the fob coking coal market, market sentiment turned positive on the back of vigorous growth in the Chinese steel market. Chinese buyers are accepting ex-Australia coking coal amid good steel margins, while buyers from other markets have shown buying interest for Australia coking coal, market sources said.Steel margins and prices [in China] increased so much previously and this supported global steel prices and most raw materials, a Singapore-based trader said.Another market source from India said demand for steel is good globally amid a recovery in the steel industry, which could support the raw material procurement prices, such as iron ore and coking coal.Yet one mill source from Vietnam said coking coal prices in the fob market may inch down because the overall slip in the futures and spot market in China on Friday has cooled market sentiment.Were not in a hurry to procure today, and the offer level is high for us, the same source said.A 750,000-tonne cargo of premium low-volatility hard coking coal in the HCCA branded segment traded at $125 per tonne fob Australia on May 14 on the Globalcoal platform, various market sources said.For the PCI market in China, falling steel supply chain prices including rebar, iron ore, coking coal and coke futures have not yet negatively affected demand and transaction prices of Russian PCI.Early this week, bids for low-volatility Russian PCI were about $155 per tonne cfr China and inched down to about $140-145 per tonne cfr China by the end of the week, although this was still higher than in the previous week.Currently, the supply of imported low-vol and mid-vol is still very tight and demand is goodand the high coke prices also support prices of PCI cargoes because theyre one of alternative choices [for coke in steelmaking production], a mill source from north China said.A deal of Russia mid-vol PCI was concluded at about $140 per tonne cfr China in early this week, loading at the end of May, with VM 20%, ASH 10%, GCV 7350.Another deal of Russian low-vol PCI was concluded at $165 cfr China on May 13, market sources confirmed on Friday.Fastmarkets index for PCI, low-vol, cfr Jingtang , was $154.12 per dry metric tonne on May 14, up by $15.08 per tonne on a weekly basis.Some traders take PCI cargoes at high prices from miners because they are very bullish on the future market, but it takes time for end users to accept, a Shanghai-based trader said.The fob PCI market remained largely stable in the week to May 14 because there were no significant changes on the overall supply and demand structure, market source said.Demand [for PCI] is weak, but the market is supported by higher thermal coal prices, an India-based trader said.Fastmarkets index for PCI, low-vol, fob DBCT , was $107.22 per dmt on May 14, up by $0.76 per tonne on a weekly basis.The most-traded September coking coal futures contract closed at 1,922 yuan ($297.77) per tonne on Friday, down by 66 yuan per tonne.The most-traded September coke contract closed at 2,614.50 yuan per tonne, down by 114.50 yuan per tonne. Ambassador of Belarus M.Yermalovich presents Letters of Credence to Queen Elizabeth II On May 14, 2021, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Maxim Yermalovich presented his Letters of Credence to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Photo by Yui Mok / PA Media The ceremony took place at the official London residence of the British monarchs Buckingham Palace. The Queen took part in the ceremony via video link. During a short conversation, the sides expressed mutual intention to develop economic and humanitarian cooperation between the two countries. print version Ambassador of Belarus A.Konyuk meets the Acting Minister of Health of Armenia On May 14, 2021, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to the Republic of Armenia Aleksandr Konyuk met with Acting Minister of Health of Armenia Anahit Avanesyan. During the conversation, the parties expressed their commitment to further development of cooperation between Belarus and Armenia in the field of healthcare and the pharmaceutical industry. They also noted the need to intensify interaction in areas of mutual interest and discussed specific steps to implement the planned events. print version Sam and Hannah Baird celebrate commencement together this week. Hannah graduated with the Class of 2020 and Sam is with the Class of 2021. The sisters just bought one cap and gown, so each will wear it for her respective ceremony. Photo: Scott Kissell Miami President Gregory Crawford tells graduates: "Your unwavering courage kept you on the path that led to this moment" By Margo Kissell, university news and communications Sam Baird adjusts Hannah's cap before the Class of 2020's in-person commencement ceremony Thursday in Yager Stadium (photo by Scott Kissell). Sisters Hannah and Sam Baird are both celebrating commencement at Miami University this week Hannah with the Class of 2020 and Sam with the Class of 2021. It absolutely makes it more special, said Hannah, who earned a bachelors degree in education last May when that graduation ceremony was held virtually because of the pandemic. This years commencement ceremonies are in-person at Yager Stadium with Hannahs ceremony held Thursday night and Sams on Friday afternoon. We still have our individual days, which is nice so it still feels like our day. As a family, we can celebrate together instead of apart, Hannah said. Sam, who is majoring in communication design with a minor in photography, said she didnt expect to have an in-person ceremony, so she was thrilled when she received the Miami email announcing the news. The sisters, who are from Hamilton, are 17 months apart in age. They grew up doing a lot together, so it seems fitting that they are celebrating this together. I know she worked hard and deserves a ceremony, too, Sam said. Celebrating the Class of 2020 Miami President Gregory Crawford said at Thursday night's ceremony that it was Miami officials great pleasure to celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2020. You have experienced college in a way that no class before has known and likely, no class will experience again, he said. You were here last year for the abrupt transition to remote learning with its chaos and novelty, he said. Despite uncertainty you have been patient, flexible and triumphant during an unprecedented time. Your unwavering courage kept you on the path that led to this moment, and we admire your perseverance and fortitude. Commencement speaker Carolyn Jefferson-Jenkins a 1974 Western College for Women graduate told members of the Class of 2020 who returned to Yager Stadium that they will find reassurance in the legacy of love, honor, learn for years to come. I am forever tied to Oxford, Ohio, committed to following my passion and sense of purpose as I persevere to make this world a better place, said Jefferson-Jenkins, who was elected as the 15th national president of the League of Women Voters in 1998, serving two terms. She was the first woman of color to be elected president. The Miami experience has empowered you to seek your passion and purpose. It has instilled in you a sense of global responsibility, she said. It has allowed you to succeed and to fail, to deal with the challenges of a global pandemic, remote learning, virtual events, a reckoning with social and racial injustice. This commencement is a testament to the fact that despite any adversity, you have risen to the occasion with purpose and intention. Sam Baird, a member of the Ohio Army National Guard Sam Baird Sam said taking classes during the pandemic was like getting a free trial period for a different learning style. She loved certain aspects of virtual classes, such as having everything for all of her classes in one place. And then there are some aspects that are more challenging, like having a lot more distractions around me, she said, so learning how to separate and designate my time has been a necessary adaptation. Sam joined the National Guard in September 2018 to pay her college tuition and because she developed a general interest in the military after her brother served in the Navy. I feel like I'm getting the taste of military life that I craved, she said, and I still get to have my own life and pursue a career that I love. Immediately after graduation, she will leave for six weeks of annual training in Louisiana with her National Guard unit, then plans to find a graphic design job in the Cincinnati area. Hannah Baird returns to Miami to pursue masters Hannah will be returning to Miami this summer to pursue her master of arts in teaching. She has spent the past year teaching ninth-grade math for Hamilton City Schools and said she loves her job, especially since she is back teaching fulltime and in-person with all of her students. Teaching during the pandemic has had its challenges. When we started, our classes were split in half and we only saw our students two days a week, she said. I so badly wanted to have all of my students in one room! Number of wetland banks in Michigan growing Number of wetland banks in Michigan growing As part of American Wetlands Month, MI Environment looks at Michigan's Wetland Banking Program. The number of public and private wetland bank sites in Michigan has increased by leaps and bounds since the first one was established in 1999, with 42 now in place in all areas of the state. By the end of the year, several more bank sites are expected to be finalized. Wetlands serve as "nature's kidneys" -- absorbing vast amounts of stormwater that would otherwise flood basements and overwhelm sewer systems, providing habitat for wildlife and a nursery for young fish, filtering out pollutants from water as it flows into streams and lakes, and helping control erosion. Wetland banks are new wetland areas, or "banks" established in advance of anticipated losses. Wetlands established in a mitigation bank provide "credits" which can be sold to permit applicants or used by the bank sponsor to meet permit conditions. EGLE's Mitigation Banking Program has several goals: reduce permit processing time and costs and increase certainty regarding the availability of adequate mitigation sites. provide for the establishment of new wetlands in advance of losses. consolidate small mitigation projects into larger, better designed and managed units; and encourage integration of wetland mitigation projects with watershed-based resource planning. Although the availability of mitigation bank credits will not ensure permit issuance, mitigation banking does offer an alternative, and potentially more effective means of complying with wetland permit conditions. Although most of the private bank sites service the southern half of Michigan's lower peninsula which is where the greatest need is, bank sponsors are starting to expand into northern Michigan and the Michigan's Upper Peninsula. This is resulting in an increase in the service area are of bank sites across the state. The bank sites that are currently on the registry total approximately 2000 acres of wetland bank acreage. In addition to an increase in private banking, there are several new private/public partnerships that have recently been established to increase banking for public projects. The Michigan Municipal Wetland Alliance (MMWA) is currently working with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to establish bank sites on DNR land that will service drain commissioners and other public entities (such as road commissions). These banks were designed using grant funding from EGLE's WMBF Program. In addition, the County Road Association of Michigan (CRAM) recently established a banking program for Public Transportation Agencies (PTAs). These PTA's are also working with private bank sponsors to design and manage a some of their bank sites. Wetland banking in Michigan does not appear to be slowing down anytime soon. Several new private bank sponsors have recently submitted proposals to establish additional bank sites. Many of these bank sites are being proposed in watersheds that are currently serviced by other banks so the price of bank credits is likely to decrease in those areas. In addition, news of several large upcoming projects (utility corridors, mine sites, wind farms, etc.) are incentivizing private bank sponsors to establish banks in areas that were formerly less attractive. This will result in an increase in the service area of bank sites resulting in even greater availability of bank credits across the state. Photo caption: Aerial view of wetland bank. Like this content? Follow us on Twitter at @MichiganEGLE or on Youtube.com/MichiganEGLE Take a short survey and let us know what you think about MI Environment. Ogemaw County Resident to Pay Nearly $775,000 After Investigation Finds Alleged Insurance Fraud Ogemaw County Resident to Pay Nearly $775,000 After Investigation Finds Alleged Insurance Fraud Media Contact: Laura Hall, 517-290-3779, halll17@michigan.gov Consumer Hotline: 877-999-6442, Michigan.gov/DIFScomplaints FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 14, 2021 (LANSING, MICH) As a result of a cooperative investigation between the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) Fraud Investigation Unit and the Ogemaw County Sheriffs Office, a West Branch man has been sentenced to 90 days in jail and must also pay restitution of nearly $775,000 for an alleged insurance scam. Darrell Lee Hardenburgh, of West Branch, appeared on April 21 before the Ogemaw County 34th Judicial Circuit Court. He was sentenced to 90 days in jail and three years probation for receiving and concealing stolen property in excess of $20,000. As part of the plea, Mr. Hardenburgh was not charged with several additional counts of insurance fraud but was ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $746,529.21 to Hastings Mutual Insurance Company and $28,339.60 to The Hanover Insurance Group. He was also ordered to turn over all medical equipment used in the scheme to law enforcement. After an auto accident that allegedly left him wheelchair bound, Mr. Hardenburgh was accused of fraudulently receiving attendant care and medical equipment provided by his insurance company. As a result of information gathered by the Ogemaw County Sheriffs Office during an investigation into the theft of a backhoe, Hastings Mutual Insurance Company filed an insurance fraud complaint with DIFS against Mr. Hardenburgh. Working together, DIFS Fraud Investigation Unit investigators and the County Sheriffs Office determined that Mr. Hardenburgh could in fact walk. At that time, Mr. Hardenburgh was facing charges for the backhoe theft and a plea deal was reached that included restitution for the alleged insurance fraud. Fraudulent insurance claims drive up insurance costs for everyone, and I want to thank the Ogemaw County Sheriffs Office for partnering with us to bring Mr. Hardenburgh to justice, said DIFS Director Anita Fox. Suspected insurance fraud can be reported to DIFS easily and, in most cases, anonymously, so we strongly encourage consumers to speak up if they see something suspicious. The conclusion of this case was a joint effort with the Michigan State Police and the Ogemaw Sheriffs Office working hand in hand, along with the DIFS Fraud Investigation Unit, said Ogemaw Sheriff Brian Gilbert. I am pleased that through this investigation, we were able to uncover the alleged fraudulent activity and donate the recovered wheelchairs to the Commission on Aging in Gaylord. The DIFS Fraud Investigation Unit investigates criminal and fraudulent activity related to the insurance and financial markets and works with the Attorney General and law enforcement to prosecute these crimes. Suspected insurance fraud can be reported to DIFS safely, easily and, in most cases, anonymously by calling 877-999-6442 or online by visiting the departments website. The mission of the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services is to ensure access to safe and secure insurance and financial services fundamental for the opportunity, security, and success of Michigan residents, while fostering economic growth and sustainability in both industries. In addition, the Department provides consumer protection, outreach, and financial literacy and education services to Michigan residents. For more information, visit Michigan.gov/DIFS or follow the Department on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn. #### Gov. Whitmer Lowers Flags for Peace Officer Memorial Day Gov. Whitmer Lowers Flags for Peace Officer Memorial Day FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 14, 2021 Contact: Press@michigan.gov Gov. Whitmer Lowers Flags for Peace Officer Memorial Day LANSING, Mich. - Governor Gretchen Whitmer, in accordance with a proclamation issued by President Biden, has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex and upon all public buildings and grounds across the state of Michigan to be lowered to half-staff on Saturday, May 15 in recognition of Peace Officer Memorial Day during Police Week. "Today, we honor the memories of dedicated public safety officials who we have lost in the line of duty," said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. "We owe these fallen men and women a debt that we cannot pay back, and we are grateful for their service to our communities." Peace Officers Memorial Day falls within National Police Week, which was established by Congress in 1962 to recognize law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty and is observed from Sunday, May 10 through Saturday, May 16 of this year. The State of Michigan honors Peace Officer Memorial Day by lowering flags to half-staff. Michigan residents, businesses, schools, local governments and other organizations also are encouraged to display the flag at half-staff. To lower flags to half-staff, flags should be hoisted first to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The process is reversed before the flag is lowered for the day. Flags should be returned to full-staff on Sunday, May 16, 2021. ### CASS CITY In the coming months, the focus will be on upgrades to the Cass City School Districts elementary and daycare facilities. Construction will start as soon as school is out," said Superintendent Jeff Hartel. "The last day is June 4 and construction projects will start on June 7. This summer at the elementary, we will be replacing the ceiling tile and all of the grid work running new pipes so that we have air-conditioning along with heating." We will be able to have air conditioning throughout the building," he said. "There were some AC units for the computer lab and the office, but now there will be AC throughout the whole building. They didnt have that before. Also, approval was given to spend $32,567 for new cafeteria equipment at the junior-senior high school. The money for those projects comes from the $8.68 million bond extension voters approved in 2018. The first round of bids came in lower than expected, noted Hartel. It was estimated the work at the high school would cost about $2,485,900, but bids came in about $600,000 lower. With that unexpected savings, new ceiling and lighting in some of the junior-senior high hallways was installed, three new buses were purchased, and the district replaced the elementary boilers new heating, cooling, and ventilation system. Some of the improvements and upgrades that have already been completed with the bond money include installation of an updated heating and cooling system at the high school, new entrances at the high school and elementary buildings, and replacement of the aging clock and fire alarm system at the high school. In other matters, the teachers contract, which was for three years, will be expiring on Aug. 15. Due to that, board of education members George Batty, Janie Meeker and Alice Zaleskito were selected to serve on the committee that will negotiate a new teachers contract with the Cass City Education Association. Also, the board recognized students for their accomplishments in a recent Michigan career and technical education competition. The students, who are all seniors, are: Mariah Mellendorf, who won a Breaking Traditions Merit Award. She finished in first place in a computer security contest, and is a national competition qualifier. Brandon Witherspoon finished in fourth place in a server administration competition and also qualified for national competition. Gary Janik placed sixth in aLinux (which is an operating system) contest, and he is also a national competition qualifier. LONDON (AP) British, European and American diplomats and donors have voiced serious concerns about how the World Health Organization handled sex abuse allegations involving its own staff during an outbreak of Ebola in Congo, as reported this week by The Associated Press. On Tuesday, the AP published an investigation documenting that senior WHO management was informed of multiple sex abuse allegations involving at least two of its doctors during the epidemic in 2018. A notarized contract obtained by the AP showed that two WHO staffers signed off on an agreement between WHOs Dr. Jean-Paul Ngandu and a young woman he allegedly impregnated in Congo. In it, Ngandu promised to pay the young woman money, cover her pregnancy costs and buy her a plot of land. The contract was made to protect the integrity and reputation of the organization, Ngandu said. The U.K. has a zero tolerance approach when it comes to sexual exploitation and harassment and that extends to all international organizations that we fund, said Simon Manley, the U.K.s ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva. We are speaking with WHO and other major donors as a matter of urgency to establish the facts." Britain is WHO's second biggest donor, after the U.S. In a statement, the U.S. State Department said more must be done to address sex abuse issues at WHO. Asked about the AP investigation, officials said they were requesting more information about the allegations. Those responsible for any abuse must be held accountable, it said. In Congo, the U.N.'s humanitarian coordinator David McLachlan-Karr said he was determined to punish any humanitarian workers found guilty of sexual misconduct like that detailed in the AP report. All these allegations must be investigated and the victims must be heard, he said in a statement. These allegations undermine the trust of the people we serve." WHO has declined to comment on the specific allegations reported by the AP and said it's waiting for the results of a panel created last October to investigate sexual abuse during the Congo outbreak involving WHO staffers. Whats alarming is that WHO seems to be keeping this abuse quiet and not publicly condemning these allegations, said Clare Wenham, an assistant professor of global health policy at the London School of Economics. There's a lot of talk about giving WHO more money but I don't think any government should be committing to that until we know it's an organization we can trust." The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the agency's third-largest funder, said it expects U.N. agencies to conduct thorough investigations into sexual abuse as quickly as possible. Our role as a funder is to hold organizations that receive grants from the foundation to the highest standards of transparency and accountability, the foundation said. Lawrence Gostin, director of the WHO Collaborating Center on Global Health Law at Georgetown University, said the ultimate responsibility for WHOs Ebola response lies with director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The AP found that one of the doctors accused of sexual harassment, Boubacar Diallo, bragged about his relationship to Tedros, who mentioned Diallo during a speech in January 2019. The AP spoke with three women who said Diallo offered them WHO jobs in exchange for sex; Diallo denied the claims. I find it hard to believe Tedros would have known about these allegations and done nothing, Gostin said. (He) must meet the highest ethical standards so we must understand what he knew and when he knew it. ... Dr. Diallo may have used his relationship with Tedros as leverage in sexual exploitation, but it would not be Tedros fault if he wasnt aware of it. Balazs Ujvari, a spokesman for the European Commission, said it would thoroughly monitor the investigations by the AP. He said the commission is ready to review or suspend funding "for any partner who is not living up to the required high ethical and professional rules and standards. The World Bank said it is deeply concerned about the new sex abuse allegations at WHO. The bank paused its negotiations with Congolese authorities for new financing to agencies, including WHO, last year when reports of general sex abuse during the Ebola outbreak surfaced. We review our relationship with any organization whose standards are in question, the World Bank said. Jiress Ngalya, a resident of Beni, Congo, where some of the recently reported sex abuse allegations involving WHO occurred, said it would be a welcome decision if donors reduced their funding to WHO after seeing how the agency handled sex abuse allegations in the country. This should be a lesson to all humanitarian organizations to not abuse innocent women in our region, he said. This would show that they are not untouchable. ___ Jamey Keaten in Geneva, Matthew Lee in Washington and Al-Hadji Kudra Maliro in Beni, Congo, contributed to this report. This story is a part of Hearst Television's series "Hate in the Homeland." Our National Investigative Unit is uncovering the battle against hateful acts in America. Stay with this station for more stories on the fight against Hate in the Homeland. The vast majority of law enforcement agencies are not reporting hate crimes to a key federal database, hampering efforts to contain a rise in hate incidents and leaving communities nationwide in the dark about the prevalence of hate in the homeland, a Hearst Television National Investigative Unit series has found. In addition, almost none of the police departments and sheriffs offices that responded to an exclusive Hearst survey said they have dedicated hate crimes units, raising questions about how seriously Americas law enforcement takes the threat. The most recent data available now indicates at least 20 hate incidents per day in the United States. But experts caution that is likely a vast undercount given the dearth of law enforcement resources, the reluctance of some victims to come forward, and the absence of widespread, mandatory data reporting. Meanwhile, the threat from hate groups and extremists spewing hateful ideologies grows, metastasizing in communities big and small. In 2020, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) said it tracked 866 hate groups. "It is a lot. And it's scary. Yeah, it's a frightening number," said Susan Corke, director of SPLCs Intelligence Project. "I feel like our country is at a reckoning." 'I don't believe the Holocaust happened' The voice of Tristan Webb, 19, is the sound of hate in the homeland. "I think that the Jews, they are just a parasitical race. And I mean, I don't believe the Holocaust happened. I wish it did happen," Webb says in an on-the-record interview for season two of the "Sounds Like Hate" podcast, a lengthy excerpt of which was given exclusively to Hearst Television ahead of the premiere episode's May 12 worldwide release. ABOVE: LISTEN TO EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT OF "SOUNDS LIKE HATE" SEASON TWO The 19-year-old from Michigan, who now lives in a state in the South, is also heard on tape being recruited to join The Base, a white nationalist organization designated as a hate group by the SPLC. "They tried to get therapists to talk to me. They tried to suspend me. They tried to do whatever they could to stop, you know, me, de-radicalize me and everything," Webb recounts on the podcast. "And it just didn't work and just made me more secure in what I was doing. And it worked. I mean, I got a group of people around and got people to wake up." On tape, Webb brags of founding a group called "Aryan Resistance" and resisting his own family when confronted. "Oh, yeah, no, it didn't work at all. I think no one wants to hear, you know, 'oh, you're wrong. You know, you need to stop this. Oh, you know, you're, you know, you're evil, you're radical,' because it just makes you more sure in yourself," Webb said. He declined to do a subsequent on-camera interview. Podcast co-host Jamila Paksima and her team convinced Webb to talk; the sound of his views becoming a canary in very dark coal mine. "My mother is Jewish," Paksima said in an interview for this story, "and I'm sitting here listening to this man talking about the fact that the Holocaust didn't even exist. It was you know, it's infuriating." "I think this is a huge problem in our communities we've avoided talking about and it's time to address it." 'This is a national emergency' In interviews across the country, survivors of hate incidents recalled the horror, agony, and viciousness of attacks. "I didn't know if I was going to make it out alive or not," an African American man said. "They put their hands on me," an Asian American boy remembered. "It's so dehumanizing," another woman said. "I was really at risk for my life," a fourth added. There are more victims every day. In the most recent year for which data is available, hate crimes in America rose to the highest level in a decade. Hate-motivated killings are at the highest in nearly 30 years, FBI data show. And hate crimes targeting Asian-Americans have soared 169%, according to a report from the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University. The disparate hate groups nearly 900 by the SPLCs count span the spectrum of prejudice. "The classic neo-Nazi Ku Klux Klan, there's the white supremacist, white nationalist groups, and then there's the more mainstream groups, the anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim, anti-LGBTQ, anti-Semitic," Corke explained. Because federal hate crimes reporting requirements are voluntary, data experts and anti-hate advocates agree the totals tallied nationally do not capture an accurate portrait of hate incidents each year. "Hate crimes are vastly underreported, most of the vulnerable communities do not feel safe reporting it to the police. That is a national emergency," Corke said. Survey finds hate crimes units rare Greatly contributing to the lack of accuracy in hate crimes totals is that only 14% of law enforcement agencies nationwide report them to the FBIs federal database. So the Hearst Television National Investigative Unit sent a 40-question survey to more than 14,000 police chiefs and sheriffs in all 50 states and asked whether they think federal or state hate crimes reporting should be required. Of those who responded to the questionnaire, 81% said hate crimes reporting should be mandatory; 18% said it should not. Yet four in 10 told us hate crime reporting, in their view, is "insufficient" now. And only 2% of those agencies that responded said they have a dedicated hate crimes unit. Shown those survey results, Allison Padilla-Goodman, the Southern Division vice president for the Anti-Defamation League, said "absolutely" lawmakers in statehouses around the nation need to do more to combat hate incidents. Nearly 40% of states dont require hate reporting According to information provided by the U.S. Department of Justice, three states still do not have a traditional hate crimes law: Wyoming, Arkansas, and South Carolina. Those states, along with 17 more, the Justice Department said, do not require data collection on hate crimes; those include: Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Delaware, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. "Look, we cannot understand truly the landscape of hate and the landscape of hate crimes when we have faulty data," Padilla-Goodman explained in an interview recently in front of the state Capitol in Georgia, which passed a hate crimes law last year. "We need for state lawmakers to really grasp and understand the impact of hate crimes and really commit to getting reporting right," she said. King's 'fierce urgency of now' endures The day before Emancipation Day in Washington, D.C., Susan Corke at SPLC sat for an interview at the Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial on the National Mall. Fifty-eight years after the civil rights leader's March on Washington, his "fierce urgency of now" remains as an effort to counteract the voices spewing hate in our homeland. "We need to find the next Martin Luther King," Corke said. "In each and every one of us, that we're willing to stand up and fight together." See exclusive 'Hate in the Homeland' survey results sent to 14,000 police and sheriffs nationwide Hear exclusive portion of "Sounds Like Hate" podcast Read hate crimes laws in your state WATCH THE HEARST TELEVISION NATIONAL INVESTIGATIVE UNIT SERIES, HATE IN THE HOMELAND: Mark Albert is the chief national investigative correspondent for the Hearst Television National Investigative Unit, based in Washington D.C. April Chunko, Amanda Rooker, Dija Riyal, & Kevin Rothstein contributed to this report. Know of hate in the homeland? Have a confidential tip or inside information? Send information and documents to the National Investigative Unit at investigate@hearst.com. Huron Countys Michigan State Extension will be hosting its annual household hazardous waste collection on June 5 in order to reduce waste going into local landfills. Shelly Sowles, the event coordinator, said that this event brings in about 1,500 pounds of waste that is kept out of landfills. Some of the acceptable items include aerosol sprays, batteries, detergents, bug sprays, pesticides, rat poison, gasoline, paint thinner, roof tar, wood stains, engine cleaners, pool chemicals, thermostats, smoke detectors, syringes, and propane cylinders. A full list is available from the MSU extension. Unacceptable items include latex paint, explosives, flares, weapons, radioactive waste, tires, yard waste, industrial and/or commercially-generated waste, compressed gas cylinders, narcotics, and large appliances. Sowles said that the extension does not give out the location of where the collection happens to the public because people have dropped off unwanted materials overnight. It is only given to the people who register. When people register, they are given a timeframe to stop by the site to drop their waste off. Sowles said the extension does this so they can control the traffic flow going in and out. The MSU extension will be working with a waste management company based in Pontiac, which will takes everything the extension collects and sorts it out so that it can be recycled properly. A second collection will be scheduled for the fall from 2 to 6 p.m. on Sept. 8. To participate, residents must register with the extension office at 989-269-9949 by May 21. JUBA, South Sudan (AP) As South Sudan approaches 10 years of being an independent country, many challenges remain for the worlds youngest state. A 2018 peace deal ending a five-year civil war has faced delays in implementation. A government of national unity was formed only last year. Millions of people remain in need of humanitarian assistance ahead of the anniversary of independence in July. One major problem has been the formation of a unified security force, which has been hampered by lack of funding and political will. More than 25,000 trainees have yet to graduate from centers across South Sudan, many struggling without regular meals, medical care or even a curriculum. Many trainees have abandoned the centers. Life in the centers has been especially difficult for women, who had hoped that serving in the security forces would be a stable way to help provide for their families. Their ambitions reflect those of many across South Sudan who saw lives and livelihoods shattered by the conflict. The Associated Press last year explored the lives of women in the centers and followed up as frustrations mounted about the delayed timing of their graduation. One trainee, Happifanya Ogwon James, told the AP she has been waiting to graduate for almost a year. During that time she became pregnant and found herself begging for larger food portions. She alleged that food is distributed according to ethnicity, a practice that could worsen tensions in a country where intercommunal violence is still a deadly threat. I do not believe that the graduation will be soon, James said. Another trainee, Taban Albert, alleged that they were given expired food. Do they mean to kill us? he asked. He also alleged that funding of the centers is so tight that when a trainee dies, other trainees are told to pay for the burial. Ive been in training for 11 months, so where do I get the money? Albert asked. Trainee Nancy Vincent said that with most people at the centers not receiving any salary, we are washing our clothes with sand in the stream as if we were still in the bush. The frustrations echo among some of South Sudan's security leaders. Col. James Khor Chuol, the deputy chief instructor at the Rajaf Police Training Center, asserted that 38 people there had died, some due to lack of medicine. If somebody is sick, we are going to rush her or him to the hospital, but it will take time, he said. South Sudans defense minister, Angelina Teny, acknowledged issues in implementing the peace deal but defended the agreement. If there is any South Sudanese who thinks there is an alternative to this agreement, theyd better come to their senses, and they really should join us in ensuring its implementation, she told The Associated Press in an interview this week. The defense minister also expressed concern about the training centers. They were not adequately prepared for lactating mothers, for pregnant women, and also people are human beings, you know, some women got pregnant there in the training centers," she said. "This all has not been catered for. We take it now as a lesson for the next phase. Another problem was the lack of screening of people before they were admitted to training centers because there was that pressure that something must happen, Teny said. ___ Maura Ajak is a freelance journalist based in Juba. Her story was developed with support from African Women in Media, in partnership with the European Union delegation to the African Union and the African Union. MIDDLETOWN Wesleyan University will embark on three building projects estimated to cost some $311.4 million, including renovations to the center that houses its economics, government and other offices, a relocation of the art gallery and new science facility. The estimated cost of the Public Affairs Center on Church Street and art gallery projects, including a hot water pipe expansion, is $56.4 million. The new science center, and laboratories renovation, will be approximately $255 million, university spokeswoman Olivia Drake said. The projects are being funded through institutional money and private support. Collections, offices and other portions of the Davison Art Gallery on High Street will eventually be housed at the new location, which will be set between the east end of Olin Library on Church Street and the campus walkway behind Judd Hall. Much of the collection has already moved to the library, Drake said. The gallery closed last January and will remain that way through January 2023, according to the website. The science center is only a work in progress and has not yet been approved by the Board of Trustees. If that happens, work could begin in 2023 and be completed by 2026, Drake said. We were ready to do it, and when the pandemic hit, we paused for a year, President Michael Roth said about the PAC plan at a recent Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce virtual luncheon, where he was guest speaker. The PAC project involves a complete remodel of the current building, which was constructed in 1927 as a dormitory; demolition of its front and back additions, which were added in 1954; and removal of the concrete and brick plaza, constructed in 1984, according to the university. Construction is expected to begin June 1. Its going to be a fabulous building, Roth said at the meeting, adding the structure will include state-of-the-art technology, which will complement the 300 buildings on the universitys 300-acre land, he said. We really want to make sure our campus is more and more energy-efficient. Were replacing our energy infrastructure, which is pretty old-fashioned, the president said. Sustainability is very important to the administration, Roth said. Underground steam pipes, some of which are 100 years old, heat a portion of the colleges facilities. Were replacing them chunk by chunk, Roth said. With these new buildings, and, as were able to replace that infrastructure, we will become a much more sustainable campus from an economic position. The new, three-story brick PAC structure, designed by Newman Architects, of New Haven, will be built atop of the former plaza site, according to the school. It will be connected by an airy, multi-function, glass-walled space, and provide access to the social sciences and study areas, the university said. The new facility will house 15 classrooms, 67 faculty offices, six meeting rooms, two lounges, and ample open space with seating and gathering areas. Classes will resume in the renewed PAC in spring 2024. The proposed, 193,000-square-foot science facility would be built east of Shanklin and Hall Atwater Laboratories, and nestled between Church Street and Lawn Avenue. Designed by Boston-based Payette Architects, the modernized building would replace the 56-year-old Hall-Atwater Laboratory, and include 39 research and support labs, nine teaching labs, seven classrooms, a vivarium, renovated greenhouse, and the Advanced Instrumentation Lab, the university said. Chamber President Larry McHugh applauds these types of signature projects. Any time there is economic activity going on, you put people to work in the construction trades. It creates interest not only in Middletown, but whats going on around our region. HONOLULU (AP) Wildlife officials want people on a Waikiki beach to give an endangered newborn seal and its nursing mother lots of space. Kaiwi, a Hawaiian monk seal mom and her pup, PO2, are nursing and bonding at Kaimana Beach, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Wednesday. State and federal officials want people to go to another beach for swimming and paddling for the next several weeks. Like all mothers, monk seals are very protective of their pups, David Schofield, a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration marine mammal coordinator, said in a release. While they are resting on the beach, they look docile, but once they go into the water they can move very, very fast, like lightning speed. If a mother seal detects any threat to her pup, she is likely to attack and that is a major concern for us. NOAA says monk seal mothers spend about six to eight weeks with pups before weaning. Officials want people to stay at least 150 feet away from the pair and not use drones or flash photography to take pictures. Kristina Dauterman, dispatch and reporting manager for Hawaii Marine Animal Response, said most people have stayed away. Last week, two unleashed dogs approached the seal and pup, Dauterman said. The seal barked at the dogs and scared them away, and there was no contact, Dauterman said. Dogs are not allowed at Kaimana Beach and should be kept away for the safety of both the seals and dogs. As the baby monk seal starts to move around and explore, a perimeter set up by the group may have to be adjusted. We would also appreciate it if people would allow the seals to haul out of the water when they are moving around, Dauterman said. It is important that the pup can come out wherever and whenever he needs to, to rest and nurse. In 2009, a woman from Washington was attacked by a monk seal that was with her pup. The woman was snorkeling off a remote beach on the island Kauai. Earl Miyamoto, a retired state wildlife manager, said the woman suffered a skull fracture and broken bones in her hand after being bitten. This is a wild animal; the ocean is the seals home, Miyamoto said in a statement. If you are out there swimming and it doesnt matter how strong of a swimmer you are, if that seal decides you are a threat, you have no chance of escaping. For Qassim Abdullah, this years Islamic holiday of Eid al-Fitr marked a bit of a milestone: Now fully vaccinated, the 66-year-old finally felt comfortable enough to return to his mosque for the Eid prayer on Thursday, his first time back since the start of the pandemic. It's overwhelming and exciting, the Maryland resident said. It's very nice to see the community. ...It's just a beautiful feeling. There were changes: He wore two masks and didnt stand shoulder-to-shoulder with other worshippers as he normally would have during prayers. But Eid still felt more celebratory than last year. It is definitely much better, he said. I dont think it is very close to normal (yet) but its going that way. At least were going out of our houses. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan when Muslims abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset. Traditionally, people gather for prayers, visit family and friends and huddle together around festive meals. Once again, Muslims are seeking ways to balance the holidays rituals with coronavirus concerns. But for those in America, even as they observe precautions, this years Eid comes as the pandemic eases its grip in the country amid ongoing efforts to put vaccine shots into more arms and chart a path back to normalcy. It's a contrast with many in other countries who are celebrating Eid al-Fitr in a subdued mood for a second year as the pandemic again forces varying restrictions. In Utah, Dunia Wafai said her communitys Eid celebrations are inching closer to normal. Before the pandemic, she said, her family would dress up, go to the mosque for morning prayer and socialize with other congregants and friends. When the coronavirus put a halt to that, Wafais family, like many, got creative. They hosted a COVID-19-safe drive-by celebration and handed out popcorn, cotton candy and goody bags to people in their cars. This year, she and her family are participating in communal Eid prayers and will be hosting a socially distanced celebration in their backyard on the weekend. To have people come and socialize and gather together, eat food together this is really one of the biggest pleasures for us after this month long of fasting, she said. Eid is a really big deal for us. At The Islamic Center of East Lansing, Michigan, the Eid al-Fitr celebration typically draws 4,000 to 5,000 people, so many that the center moves the event to a nearby convention center in neighboring Lansing, the state capital. Last year that was replaced by a virtual ceremony. The center held Eid prayers Thursday with some changes. Masks were required, and peoples temperatures were taken at the door. Worshippers were asked to bring their own prayer rugs and bags for their shoes. Blue tape in the shape of an X marked the socially distanced spaces in which worshippers were to place their prayer rugs. And attendees had to pre-register. Families have been very eager to bring their kids to the prayers, said Thasin Sardar, an Islamic Center trustee. Up until now weve been telling people not to bring kids below 13 years of age, but for the Eid, we made an exception. Doughnuts were available in the centers lobby and children doled out sweets from large bags in the parking lot as worshippers headed back to their cars. Some posed for pictures to mark the moment. People are overjoyed, Sardar said. The sense of community has been rebuilt today. In Philadelphia, the Masjidullah mosque held the Eid prayer with safety protocols such as temperature checks. It's also offering to-go meals and toys and hosting an outdoor Eid Bazaar with vendors. There are some people who have got vaccinated who are like, Lets go back to normal mode,' and then you have others that are still not vaccinated or still, even if vaccinated, are cautious, imam Idris Abdul-Zahir said before the holiday. Normally Masjidullah partners with other mosques to hold one big Eid prayer that draws thousands, but not this year to avoid crowding. Eid is a time to see people you perhaps may have not seen throughout the year, Abdul-Zahir said. Because we are not all together the way we normally are, its going to be somewhat bittersweet. But again, were thankful for the ability to come together in some capacity. In Bergen County, New Jersey, more than 2,000 people gathered at a park to mark Eid. Ather Usmani, president of Darul Islah mosque, said his organization worked closely with the county to get permission for the event. Its a huge, huge difference from the last year, Usmani said before the start of Eid, adding that it helps that many have been vaccinated with the encouragement of the mosques leadership. We are instructing people not to embrace, not to hug, just say, Hello, hi, from 6 feet apart. The schedule also included a remembrance of community members who died of the virus. Its been tough for several families, and we will pray for the people who are still sick, and the message is for unity for the community, Usmani said. For 14-year-old Reem Kirja who lives in Iowa City, Eid normally means buying new clothes, receiving traditional cash gifts, eating out, going to a trampoline park or an arcade after prayers. It means a day where I can just relax and just remember that Im so happy to be a Muslim and Im so proud to be a Muslim. Now she has even more reason to celebrate. The eighth grader has been advocating for years for Eid to be a day off from school, and last month district officials approved two days off next school year to accommodate Eid al-Fitr and the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur, according to the Iowa City Press-Citizen. The decision sent a message, Kirja said, that we, as a community, welcome everyone that lives here. ___ Associated Press journalists Thalia Beaty, Seth Wenig and Sophia Eppolito contributed. Eppolito is a corps members for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support from the Lilly Endowment through The Conversation U.S. The AP is solely responsible for this content. IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) A judge dismissed a rarely used felony leak charge Thursday against a Black Lives Matter activist in Iowa who gave a confidential police document to a local television news reporter. Protester Viet Tran did not break the law when he shared a Des Moines Police Department bulletin during an interview broadcast on WOI-TV, an ABC affiliate, Judge Jeffrey Farrell found. Tran had been charged last summer with unauthorized dissemination of intelligence data, a felony that carries up to five years in prison. The decades-old law, intended to stop law enforcement officials from releasing certain sensitive information, had only been used a handful of times and never in a non-police context. During a protest outside the county jail last July, Tran discussed and displayed the police document in an interview with WOI-TV reporter Eva Andersen. The bulletin included photos of 13 suspects who were wanted for the destruction of a Des Moines police car during a June 20 protest outside a grocery store. Officers and state troopers had carried the bulletins with them while patrolling a July 1 protest at the Iowa Capitol, seeking to identify and arrest those involved. Police allege that activist Alexandria Dea stole one of the bulletins from an officers back pocket during a scuffle between officers and protesters, before Tran obtained it and gave the document to the reporter. Like Tran, Dea was charged with unauthorized dissemination of intelligence data. Civil rights activists argued that Polk County Attorney John Sarcone's office overstepped by filing the charge against protesters, saying they weren't bound by the law. The television reporter was not charged, even though she broadcast the document and posted photos of it on her Twitter account. Farrell ruled Thursday that the document in question did not include any intelligence data, which is defined under Iowa law as information compiled about individuals to prevent or monitor possible criminal activity. He said it only contained criminal investigative data" since it referred to criminal acts that had already occurred. Because the bulletin at issue in this case is not intelligence data, any dissemination of the bulletin is not a crime, Farrell wrote. Farrell noted that the document was labeled an intelligence report and contained a warning that no portion of this communication should be released to non-law-enforcement organizations, the media or the general public. But he said the department's designation does not control how it should be classified, and that criminal laws must be strictly construed in favor of the accused. Farrell said that he didn't need to consider Tran's arguments that persons outside law enforcement have no duty to protect intelligence data, or that the law is unconstitutional on free speech grounds. He ordered the case against Tran to be dismissed and assessed costs against the state. Tran had been jailed for three weeks after he was arrested on the charge last summer and accused of violating his probation in an earlier case. A prosecutor had called him a threat to public safety, saying he had posted threats on social media toward police and television stations. A judge allowed his release on the condition that he wear a GPS monitor. Thursday's ruling is the latest setback for Sarcone, a long-serving Democrat whose office has had a series of cases dismissed or result in acquittal in recent months. A jury in March acquitted a Des Moines Register reporter who was pepper-sprayed and arrested by police on misdemeanor charges while covering a Black Lives Matter protest. Sarcone's office is still prosecuting Dea, 27, on the leak charge and a felony theft charge for allegedly stealing the bulletin and throwing an officer's police radio. She has drawn a different judge and is awaiting trial. Assistant Polk County Attorney Thomas Miller said in a recent court filing that the leak law had only been successfully applied twice, both times against law enforcement officials in the 1980s. The only other known time it was filed was in 2016, when a sheriffs office employee was charged with leaking information to suspects in drug and drunken driving cases but ended up pleading to a lesser offense. The court is not constrained by this limited prior use of this statute, Miller argued. He wrote that the law applied to anyone who disseminated intelligence information and could be used against reporters in certain scenarios. Police used their discretion in declining to recommend charges against Andersen, he said. NEW HAVEN Investigators are trying to determine whether there was any type of hoarding condition at the Valley Street home where a fire claimed the life of a New Haven firefighter and injured three others and a resident, a state official said Thursday. As they consider the factors at hand during the fire, officials are evaluating whether an over-accumulation of combustible materials were on site, Connecticut State Police Sgt. Paul Makuc, part of the Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit, said during a press gathering Thursday. Were looking to determine the origin and cause of the fire, but also... (understand) the incident that led up to the tragic loss of life, said Makuc, noting that responding firefighters would be interviewed in the coming days. Were working around the clock. We will not leave the scene or leave the city until we get all of that work accomplished. Its difficult to tell at this time whether the house featured a hoarding situation, or just a lot of accumulation of combustible materials, Makuc said. He noted state police entered the site for the first time Thursday morning. Part of the structure collapsed, which may have affected where items were distributed, he said. Those type of hoarding conditions certainly can hinder not only our investigation, but the response of the Fire Department, said Makuc. One of the type of things we look for in these type of incidents is to see if there were any contributing factors that (affected) ... firefighters being able to get in there and safely do their job. State police are part of the probe at the request of the New Haven state attorneys office, Makuc said. Makuc and Assistant Fire Chief Justin McCarthy said city residents are asked to stay away from the Valley Street area as the investigation continues. Police are expected to be on scene for days, Makuc said. The effort comes amid an outpouring of support for the Fire Department from across the city and state, officials said, after Firefighter Ricardo Torres Jr. died fighting the fire. Lt. Samod Rankins, also injured in the blaze, was listed in critical condition early Thursday at the Connecticut Burn Center, part of Bridgeport Hospital, according to Marketing Relations Coordinator John Cappiello. McCarthy said just after 1 p.m. that Rankins condition was steadily improving. Fire Chief John Alston was at the hospital with Rankins family, he said. He said Rankins family had asked for continued prayers for his recovery. Firefighters Tyler Skolnik and Tyrone Reed, also injured in the blaze, had been treated and released from the hospital, McCarthy said. Mayor Justin Elicker offered his gratitude to the larger world, saying the city had received an outpouring of support from around the state, government officials and the public safety sector, as did McCarthy. Elicker said the firefighters and city staffers had supported one another in a difficult time with the aid of residents, and continued to come to work in the face of the stress and anguish of the moment. It just makes me very proud at this moment, where theres a lot of pain, to know that so many people are coming together, said Elicker. McCarthy said the department had offered support to its members, including peer support teams, as they continued to work and respond to calls in the wake of the incident. Being at work with their fellow firefighters had helped some, he said. This is a tough time for all of us, and on behalf of the New Haven Fire Department, I just want to say thank you to everyone, said McCarthy. Elicker said he had been in touch with the families of both firefighters, who had shared their gratitude for the communitys support. In response to press questions about potential hoarding conditions at the home, he said it is really important to let things continue with the investigation without drawing immediate conclusions. Initial rumors about an incident are not always true, or reflect a small portion of the truth, he noted. City Building Official Jim Turcio said the only paperwork he had on 190 Valley St. was the original building permit from when it was built in 1938. The only issues he could find any evidence of since then were just some old stuff from LCI, the citys Livable City Initiative, in 2003. LCI Acting Director Arlevia Samuel said the 2003 issue was a plumbing issue. As of 2 Thursday afternoon, a GoFundMe fundraising campaign to aid Torres family, who died fighting the blaze, had raised more than $179,000. Alston said firefighters received multiple calls of a fire in the 100 block of Valley Street around 12:45 a.m. Wednesday. When they arrived, Alston said, firefighters saw heavy fire and flames. He said firefighters rescued two residents who were trapped inside the home. One person was hospitalized for smoke inhalation; the other was treated at the scene, Alston said. The fire was extinguished at 3:23 a.m. During the fire, which was very difficult, a firefighter, later identified as Torres, reported becoming disoriented and lost in the building, Alston said. Torres transmitted a mayday, indicating distress. He and Rankins were found unconscious on the second floor of the building, Alston said. Chief Medical Examiner James Gill said Thursday that the cause of Torres death had not been determined. Further study was pending, he said. McCarthy said that Alston had been referring to the incident as a whole, which included the stress of attempting to rescue stricken firefighters, when he described the fire as difficult. Alston, along with other city officials, spoke to the pain of the day Wednesday. This is a rough time. Firefighters face dangers every day. They stand between natural law and people who are in need. And sometimes when you stand between natural law, we have to respect natural law. We suffered a great loss today, said Alston with emotion in his voice. I read somewhere that no greater love hath a man or woman than they lay their life down for a friend. The New Haven Fire Department understands that today. Local 825 union President Patrick Cannon said Wednesday that Torres was doing the job he always dreamed of doing, Cannon said, and paid with his life. The 1,998-square-foot, two-family house at 190 Valley St. has been owned by the same person since 2005, city records show. Neighbors expressed their shock and sadness at the incident Wednesday. An 84-year-old woman who lived in the Valley Street home was injured in the incident, according to fire officials. Torres was the first New Haven firefighter to die in the line of duty in more than a decade. william.lambert@hearstmediact.com STAMFORD Two defendants are claiming their personal pets were unfairly seized by city police as a part of an investigation into a Stamford dog-running operation, according to a motion filed by their attorney. Devon Sherman, 25, and Nadayea Encarnacion, 23, claim in a motion to return seized property filed on April 30 that their personal pets a French bulldog named Supreme and a dachshund named Bodie were among the 22 puppies seized by police during a crackdown last month on a dog-running scheme being operated out of a Glenbrook home. Since the dogs were in good health and not held for sale, they are not evidence of any crime and should not be disposed of in any manner including by adoption or euthanasia, attorney Phillip Russell, who represents the two, wrote in the motion. Russell wrote in the motion that both defendants cared and were current with veterinary visits for the dogs. He asked the court in the motion to direct the Stamford Police Department to return the two dogs to their owners. Sherman is one of is one of four people Nygel Joseph, 23; Ebony Ayala, 23; and Paul Joseph, 23 accused of using stolen identities to purchase puppies from around the country and sell them out of a Glenbrook home. Sherman was charged with racketeering, first-degree larceny, conspiracy to commit first-degree larceny, nine counts of conspiracy to illegally use a payment card, animal neglect, trafficking in personal identifying information and importing a dog without a health certificate. Encarnacion was arrested by police as they executed a search warrant on the Belltown Road in March. Russell said Encarnacion, who is friends with Sherman, was just leaving the residence when police arrived and demanded that she identify herself. When Encarnacion told police she didnt have an ID on her, according to Russell, police arrested her on charges of interfering with police and failure to carry an operator license. Investigators were first alerted to the alleged dog-running scheme on Feb. 19 when an employee at Cornell University Veterinary Specialists in Stamford reported that a group of individuals had been bringing multiple dogs in and were using stolen credit cards to pay for the nearly $25,000 that they racked up in medical bills, investigators Michael Stempien and Vanessa Lynn wrote in Shermans arrest warrant affidavit. The warrant states the suspects brought nine puppies to the vet in varying states of malnutrition and illness between October 2020 and March 2021. During the ensuing investigation, police discovered a dead young looking, black female toy poodle in the garbage of the suspects Glenbrook home, according to the warrant. A later diagnostic exam revealed the dog had died of bronchopneumonia, the warrant said. In one trip, vets needed to remove the right eye from a 7-month-old shiba inu because of trauma, according to the warrant. In another trip, they brought an 8-week-old French bulldog needed to be euthanized because it arrived comatose and severely emaciated, the warrant said. The warrant said the suspects kept the operation afloat by working together to steal account login credentials of DoorDash and Uber employees and the siphoning off funds into separate accounts. The suspects also illegally purchased peoples identities online, the warrant states. Using these stolen identities, the suspects would then obtain credit cards they used to purchase more dogs from breeders around the country oftentimes leaving the breeders at a loss when the fraudulent purchases were denied, the warrant said. Sherman is next scheduled to appear in court on June 14. Encarnacion is scheduled to appear on June 28. Stew Leonard Jr. was just a kid working in his dads grocery store in 1971. It was the best place for him to be as a 16-year-old, learning the ropes to someday take over the family business. The Norwalk store was bustling one day when Stew Leonard Sr. called his son over to the cash registers. A woman with two cart loads of groceries needed to get everything out to her car. Back in those days, she was just a caterer with a long grocery list. Now, shes internationally known for a whole host of lifestyle brands. So thats how a Connecticut grocer came to be friends with Martha Stewart. I was a kid in the store stocking shelves, and of course, my father was always super nice to her because she had not just one full shopping cart, but two, Stew Leonard Jr. said. So he would always call me over and say hey Stew, heres a great customer, go help her with her shopping carts out to her car, and obviously since we have both had food in our lives, weve always just stayed friends. Shes always been a great supporter to the store and Im a huge supporter and fan of hers. When we talk together, she gets so excited about any food item. She loves trending stuff. While Stewart started shopping at Stew Leonards 50 years ago for her catering business, she now sells products at the store, like her cookbooks and a new series of coffee pods. She lived in Westport, Connecticut, for years and would shop at the store, and then also we do great cookbook signings for her here at the store, Leonard Jr. said. Shes been over to my parents house. We had her over one afternoon and we just sat out and had wine and cheese. Last May, Leonard Jr. made a trip to Stewarts estate in New York where he personally dropped off her grocery delivery. The lifestyle icon made an Instagram post about the visit. It was nice to see him, to offer him an espresso, and to receive such gifts for Mothers Day!!! the fish was so so fresh and delicious! We had the scallops last night! Stewart wrote in the post. And Stewart isnt the only celebrity to grace the hallowed aisles of Stew Leonards. Paul Newman lived here too, Leonard said. We were good friends with him. Leonard Sr. was the person who first set Newman up with a packaging company for the now widespread Newmans Own salad dressing. According to Leonard Jr., Newman wanted to package some bottles of dressing to send to his friends, but packing companies would only take orders with a minimum of 2,000 bottles. When Newman lamented to Leonard that he didnt need 2,000 bottles just for his friends, Leonard offered to sell the remaining bottles in his store. We took the rest of it and brought it over and built a big display and, of course, put a big picture of Paul Newman up, and it went like crazy, Leonard Jr. said. And, obviously, the rest is history. Hed have a luncheon every year for all of his suppliers and friends to thank them for what they did with Newmans Own, and Martha Stewart would be there and hed always put us at the same table as Martha Stewart because he knew we knew her. There are now seven Stew Leonards locations, spanning Connecticut, New Jersey and New York. And if Stewart ever needs to stop by for two carts full of groceries, Leonard is more than happy to help her out to her car. sarajane.sullivan@hearstmediact.com, @bysarajane on Twitter MORRISON, Colo. (AP) Frustrated by an increase in dangerous street racing amid the pandemic, Denver police have deployed the department's helicopter to track races, closed lanes in areas often used by racers and sent officers to places where the groups meet. But law enforcement also has shifted gears to tackle the problem by using a racetrack in the foothills west of the city to provide a safe venue for those who feel the need for speed. The Colorado State Patrol has teamed with Bandimere Speedway to lure racers from public areas to a more controlled environment, even allowing participants to race a trooper driving a patrol car. On a recent day, dozens of drivers lined up to race at the speedway, revving their engines and squealing their tires before hurtling down the quarter-mile track. Most drove highly tuned vehicles, but there was the occasional stock SUV or pickup. This is a great alternative to street racing. You can bring out whatever you have, be it a supercar or mom's minivan, grandpa's Buick. We want to see them all out here. ... And you can race a cop, and do so legally, said State Trooper Josh Lewis, who beat a Toyota SUV in his first race last week by topping out at nearly 89 mph (143 kph). The Colorado State Patrol has been involved in the Take it to the Track event for more than a decade, but its goals have gained new importance and urgency after two recent high-profile street racing incidents in the area. On April 3, police say a mother of two who was delivering food was killed when a street racer broadsided her car with his SUV in the heart of downtown Denver. About a month earlier, hundreds of street racers clogged a stretch of interstate in suburban Aurora, some allegedly blocking the shoulders to keep officers away. Police warned other motorists to avoid the gridlock after reports of guns being waved and fireworks being set off. Lewis said the Take it to the Track program's impact on illegal racing is hard to quantify, but it provides important community outreach nevertheless. We don't necessarily know about data to be able to back it up, but every time we're out here, we always get folks who come up to us and tell us how much they enjoy the program, how great it is, how much fun it is, he said. The event takes place every Wednesday throughout the summer. Ray Propes, 58, of Windsor, said he started street racing as a teen and found himself doing it every time I got in a car, it seemed like. I turned 16, it wasn't six months before I lost my license, he said. I was racing everything and anyone and all the time. He has since traded in those days for the track, in part because the conditions are more predictable and you don't get the tickets that you get on the street. The prepped track. The traction is there. Straight line. You don't have to worry about accidents, animals, kids, birds, anything, he said. Tyler Truini, 28, of Colorado Springs, left work early one day last week to just play around on the track at Bandimere Speedway. He said he steers clear of illegal racing because his 2019 Dodge Charger Hellcat is too fast for the street. A lot of my friends that I hang out with, we always talk about just coming to the track because it's a lot easier, and it's better for the car and better for everyone else's safety, he said. Governor Ned Lamont announced Thursday that Connecticut will follow in the steps of the nation by not require anyone fully vaccinated to wear a mask indoors or outdoors in most circumstances, abiding by recommendations from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. Fully vaccinated people wont be required to wear masks indoors as of Wednesday as part of a scheduled lifting of pandemic restrictions, including the reopening of bars. Masks will not disappear altogether, especially in tight public spaces, such as buses, trains, airplanes, and among visitors to hospitals and nursing homes. Indoor masking will still be required for the unvaccinated for a little while longer, Lamont said. I think thats the right thing to do. Businesses along the shoreline are making their own decisions now that masks soon wont be required. Eileen Banisch, executive director of the Madison Chamber of Commerce, had already heard multiple businesses discussing different plans in regards to masking. We did have an email that went around this morning just for the retail community, and most of them are saying that they will probably continue to wear masks themselves, and gradually change that policy, and request that shoppers adhere to that as well, Banisch said. She thinks the change will evolve slowly as people have grown used to wearing their masks. One shop in Madison that has only three or four employees is leaving it up to their employees to decide, Banisch said. Theyre not requiring that their employees wear a mask, but if their employees feel safer wearing one, at least for the immediate future, theyre letting them do that, Banisch said. Im not sure anyone is going to require it of shoppers. Banisch did note that their businesses are privately owned and the owners have a right to make their own decisions in regards to what guidelines they follow. Karen Ragonese, owner of Splash Boutique in Branford, will not lift her mask mandate. We are going to continue to have a mandatory mask requirement, Ragonese wrote in an email. We cannot determine who is or isnt vaccinated, so to keep everyone safe, we will continue to require masks, and to ask people to sanitize their hands upon entry. Neither the Madison Chamber of Commerce or Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce are taking a position on the matter. Executive Director Judy Sullivan said that the chamber plans to leave it up to businesses to follow CDC guidelines. Sullivan has yet to hear definitely from businesses whether or not they plan to allow maskless customers in their establishments. It happened so quickly yesterday that I dont know for sure, but I would suspect that some will require it and some will be relaxed, Sullivan said. This sentiment was echoed by Banisch, who said that guidelines were just dropped suddenly nationwide Thursday by President Biden. I think the fact that Connecticut was so hard hit ... the New York metropolitan area and Connecticut, New York and New Jersey were really hit harder than the other states, so I think thats possibly, or probably, the reason people will be more hesitant, Banisch said. christine.derosa@hearstmediact.com MIDDLETOWN The Middlesex County Bar Association recently awarded a total of $3,000 in funding to two Middlesex County high school students whose essays on Advancing the Rule of Law Now were among the top submissions. Their academic achievement, service to community and school, monetary need, and the quality of their essays ... recommended them for their awards, Attorney Richard F. Paladino of Old Saybrook, chairman of the scholarship committee, said in a prepared statement. This year, Attorney Helen B. Bennet, Bar Association president, spearheaded the 110-member plus associations effort to continue its tradition of awarding scholarships, not withstanding the challenges of the COVID pandemic, according to a news release. Awards were presented via Zoom May 6, due to the pandemic. The winners are Emma Lindsay, a student at The Morgan School in Clinton, and Mya Darrow, a student at Nathan Hale-Ray High School in Moodus. In her application, Lindsay wrote of her concern for wrongfully convicted or wrongfully acquitted Americans and the need for educated and responsible defenders of justice for those individuals and defenseless children. She plans to become a practicing attorney and then become a law professor to teach of her experiences, the press release said. Darrow wrote that ones race and ones wealth and status should not determine equal punishment and justice. She emphasized those of color are being targeted and these inherent problems in the justice system should be corrected. She plans to get a masters degree to pursue a career in engineering, the release said. Judge Vernon Oliver, administrative judge of the Middlesex Judicial District, introduced and presented the scholarship awards to Lindsay and Darrow. In addressing the Law Day theme, he emphasized that the rule of law needs to continue to be advanced now, and as evidenced by contemporary events, saying no one of us is above the law, according to the release. The association has awarded scholarships since 2008. After nearly a decade pushing for legislation that would alter the way the U.S. military prosecutes sexual assaults, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., finally has the votes to make it happen. Gillibrand, along with Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Republican Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst of Iowa, announced Thursday they have more than 60 cosponsors for a bill that would place the decision to prosecute sexual assaults in the hands of trained attorneys, not line commanders. The 60-vote threshold ensures that the legislation can override a filibuster that would effectively quash it for this Congress. Read Next: Marines Sank a Moving Ship When They Fired a Navy Missile from a Drone Truck Since 2013, Gillibrand has sponsored legislation that would alter military procedures for prosecuting sexual assaults, citing low rates of reporting and prosecutions. On Thursday, she called the movement in the Senate "a defining moment." "For decades, sexual assault in our military has been an uncontrolled epidemic hurting readiness, recruitment and morale," Gillibrand said. "This commonsense legislation will ensure that the justice system works for all service members and enact measures to help prevent sexual assault across our armed forces." Grassley said the momentum "vindicates years of work to secure justice for military survivors." "It's utterly unacceptable that so many of those who serve our country in uniform have dealt with a system that's broken," he said. The senators' announcement comes as more leaders inside the Pentagon have said they are receptive to the move following the recommendations of an independent review panel on the issue. Both Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville said they are open to the idea; Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Russell Smith said Thursday that he personally feels "it's a positive step." "I don't want to get ahead of my chief of naval operations, but we discussed this as well and, in my own opinion, I do feel like it's probably a good step," Smith said during a hearing on Navy and Marine Corps quality-of-life issues. A survey of military personnel conducted in 2018 found that more than 20,000 service members had been sexually assaulted but just one-third had filed a formal report. Reporting of assaults has also increased, up 13% in 2018 and 3% in 2019, according to the Defense Department. Of the estimated 20,000 cases, fewer than 600 accused perpetrators were court-martialed. A commission created to study the issue recommended in March that, for certain special victims crimes, an independent judge advocate who reports to the chief special victims prosecutor should decide whether to bring charges against alleged perpetrators and/or court-martial them. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin received the recommendations and has asked the military services, their secretaries and the Joint Chiefs of Staff to review them. The National Institute for Military Justice, or NIMJ, a nonprofit organization that advocates for fair administration of justice in the armed forces, issued a release Wednesday in support of the changes, but also proposed they go further to address any crimes that carry a punishment of at least one year in prison. "The time has come for this structural change," NIMJ Board of Directors members wrote. "Additionally, commanders should play no role in selecting court-martial members." Gillibrand's legislation, the Military Justice Improvement and Increasing Prevention Act, or S. 1520, is supported by 61 senators, including 41 Democrats, 18 Republicans and two independents. In the House, Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., has proposed legislation that contains provisions similar to Gillibrand's and has the backing of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. Speier's proposed "I am Vanessa Guillen Act" not only would remove the prosecution decisions from commanders, it would criminalize sexual harassment and establish a process by which service members could make claims for negligence and seek damages in cases of sexual assault and harassment. The bill is named for Guillen, an Army specialist who was killed just over a year ago at Fort Hood, Texas, allegedly by a fellow soldier who later took his own life. Guillen had tried to report twice that she had been sexually harassed, but her leadership failed to take action either time. Late last month, retired Air Force Col. Don Christensen, former chief prosecutor of the Air Force and president of Protect Our Defenders, an advocacy group for victims of sexual assault, predicted that Ernst's support would prove pivotal to garnering more votes for the change. Ernst is a retired Iowa National Guard lieutenant colonel who revealed in 2019 that she was raped in college. "The passage of this critical legislation will increase our military's readiness and ability to bring the fight to the enemy. And will finally provide a real opportunity for justice for survivors," Christensen said. In a hearing on Navy and Marine Corps quality-of-life issues Thursday, Rep. Ed Case, D-Hawaii, said he would prefer the military to adopt the change on its own. "I'm sure if we can't get it right, that's where it's going to go [to legislation]," Case said. -- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Monster.com. Follow her on Twitter @patriciakime The Defense Department on Thursday lifted its mandate requiring staff and service members to wear masks following new coronavirus guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Fully vaccinated DoD personnel (who are at least two weeks beyond their final dose) are no longer required to wear a mask indoors or outdoors at DoD facilities," Kathleen Hicks, the deputy secretary of defense, wrote in a memo. The move was announced after federal health officials lifted mask mandates for all fully vaccinated Americans. It follows a year of troops having to wear masks during both typical office work and physically demanding training events. Read Next: After 8 Years of Effort, Senate Has Votes It Needs to Overhaul Military Sexual Assault Prosecutions As of Friday, 614,330 service members and 258,476 DoD civilians, beneficiaries and family members have been fully vaccinated, according to Pentagon data. Pentagon officials have said they will not require service members to get the vaccine as long as it is being administered under an emergency use authorization. The DoD has had 291,757 cases of COVID-19 among its personnel, including 192,464 service members. Of those, 4,040 have been hospitalized; 26 service members have died. Biden set a goal of at least 70% of Americans receiving at least one vaccine dose and returning to relative normalcy by Independence Day. Thursday's announcement marks the most sweeping easing of pandemic restrictions in a year. However, some states and municipalities are maintaining stricter rules. -- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon. Related: Pentagon Tracking 14 Cases of Heart Inflammation in Troops After COVID-19 Shots A former Marine from Jacksonville, N.C., was sentenced last week to 30 years in prison for the sex trafficking of hundreds of women over nearly two decades. Jesse Gabriel Marks, 38, pleaded guilty last September to charges of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina said in a May 7 release. He was sentenced May 7 to 360 months in prison and must pay $249,700 in restitution to several victims, the release states. Read Next: Fort Bliss Soldier Sentenced to Almost 41 Years for Murder, Assault The Justice Department said that for almost 20 years, Marks prostituted hundreds of women, including at least one minor, and used heroin, methamphetamine and other drugs to keep them dependent on him and engaged in prostitution. Many of the women either developed drug addictions or fell further into addiction after meeting Marks, the DOJ said. This ruined their health and, for some, their lives, according to the release. Marks physically and emotionally abused many of his victims and sometimes drugged them without their full knowledge, the DOJ said. He sometimes sexually assaulted the women when they were fully or nearly unconscious, recording many assaults on video, it added. In an email Friday, Eastern District of North Carolina spokesman Don Connelly said that many of Marks' clients were members of the military, and that he also sold drugs to Marines. The evidence, Connelly said, showed Marks used his Marine experience to teach the women he was prostituting how to better target Marines. Connelly said that this case began as a drug-dealing investigation. A Marine was caught with drugs that he bought from Marks, Connelly said, and the Marine told officials Marks was his source. The drugs Marks dealt included cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine, according to Connelly. Chris Little, a Naval Criminal Investigative Service special agent who helped lead the investigation, "spoke at sentencing about how Marks' crimes undermined morale and readiness by luring young soldiers into drugs and prostitution," Connelly said. The details on the military connections of Marks' victims and client base were first reported by Marine Corps Times. Connelly said Marks confessed to prostituting more than 200 victims, but one witness said it was closer to 600. The Onslow County Sheriff's Office, the Jacksonville Police Department and NCIS investigated the case, which was prosecuted by the Justice Department. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune is located in Jacksonville. Marks' service with the Marines was brief and undistinguished. He joined the service in April 2000 and separated in October 2002, not even completing his first enlistment, according to information from his personnel file released by the Marine Corps. He was still an E-1, the lowest enlisted rank, when he separated. His date of rank is listed as occurring in March 2002, nearly two years after he joined the Marines. "Marks' premature discharge and rank at time of separation are indicative of the fact that the character of his service was incongruent with Marine Corps' expectations and standards," Maj. Jorge Hernandez said in an email Friday. Marks had no deployments listed in his record. He was an 0311 rifleman, whose last duty assignment was with 2nd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, at Camp Lejeune. His awards include the National Defense Service Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. -- Stephen Losey can be reached at stephen.losey@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StephenLosey. Related: Senators Demand 'Immediate Action' After Explosive Report on Navy Sex Trafficking Scandal A soldier at Fort Bliss, Texas, has been convicted of murder and other charges and sentenced to nearly 41 years in prison. Pfc. Luis A. Morales-Sanchez, 24, was convicted of one specification of murder in violation of Article 118 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice by a military judge during a court-martial at Fort Bliss on May 10, the base said in a release the following day. He also was convicted of multiple other charges in violation of various UCMJ articles, in accordance with his pleas: five specifications of assault consummated by a battery; two specifications of willfully disobeying a superior commissioned officer; and one specification each of making a false official statement, wrongful use of a controlled substance, simple assault, aggravated assault and extramarital sexual conduct. Read Next: Christine Wormuth Pledges to Defend Army from Navy, Air Force Budget Grabs However, Morales-Sanchez did not plead guilty to the murder charge or several other charges of which he was acquitted. He was found not guilty of two specifications of attempting to violate a lawful order; two specifications of disobeying a superior commissioned officer; and one specification each of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, wrongful discharge of a firearm, aggravated assault, and negligent discharge of a firearm. The judge sentenced Morales-Sanchez to 40 years, 10 months of confinement, and a dishonorable discharge. "1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss [are] committed to maintaining the integrity and impartiality of the military justice system," the release states. The exact nature of the crimes Morales-Sanchez was accused and convicted of remains unclear. Fort Bliss's public affairs office said in an email to Military.com that it was not provided with a charge sheet or a photograph. The base said that Morales-Sanchez was an 88M motor transport operator assigned to 3rd Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment, 1st Armored Division Combat Aviation Brigade. He joined the Army in March 2017, and Fort Bliss was the only place he was ever stationed. Morales-Sanchez's attorney could not immediately be reached for comment. -- Stephen Losey can be reached at stephen.losey@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StephenLosey. Related: Army Investigating Second Set of Skeletal Remains Found on Fort Bliss House leaders are considering spending $200 million to stand up a permanent National Guard quick reaction force to be ready to immediately combat future emergencies in Washington, D.C. The Emergency Security Supplemental to Respond to January 6th Appropriations Act, introduced by Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., includes $1.9 billion in funding to respond to the Jan. 6 insurrection. The bill follows recommendations by a task force that examined the U.S. Capitol's security measures. It includes a large roster of resources for law enforcement and boosted security features. Read Next: Fort Bliss Soldier Sentenced to Almost 41 Years for Murder, Assault "This emergency supplemental appropriation addresses the direct costs of the insurrection and strengthens Capitol security for the future," DeLauro, who chairs the House Committee on Appropriations, said in a statement. "It is also long overdue recognition of the work of the Capitol Police, the sacrifices that they and their families have made, and the changes they need." The package also includes $521 million to cover the ongoing costs of the Guard deployment at the Capitol, which is currently expected to end May 23. There are roughly 2,000 troops involved in Capitol security, according to the National Guard Bureau. "It is the responsibility of Congress to pay for the costs incurred by the National Guard," Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minn., said in a statement. "We also need to be prepared should another attack on our democracy occur and not expect the Capitol Police and the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department to do it alone." The proposal is not specific about what a quick reaction force would look like. National Guard troops have to maintain full-time civilian jobs and are not eligible for child care. For a QRF to work as intended, troops would likely need to be on standby either at a nearby base or on Capitol Hill. It is unclear whether a quick reaction mission would solely rely on the D.C. National Guard or if the mission would need to rotate other states in, putting a new deployment in the list of activations the Guard is juggling, which includes places like Iraq and the Horn of Africa. The president would essentially need to declare a permanent state of emergency in D.C. in order for Guardsmen to earn federal benefits such as the GI Bill if they stay on Title 32 orders. Under Title 32, the federal government picks up the tab, though the troops still fall under command of their respective states. If not, Guardsmen would likely need to deploy on Title 10 orders, usually reserved for deployments abroad and the southern border, which would grant them full pay and benefits. The mission on Capitol Hill has grown increasingly unpopular on both sides of the political aisle. Even Gen. Daniel Hokanson, the Guard's leader, suggested in a memo that the mission is stretching the force too thin, given the lack of specific threats. President Joe Biden's nominee to be the next secretary of the Army believes that the National Guard may be stretched too thin and nearing the breaking point after a year of nonstop activations. "I am concerned about the possibility of unreasonable demands [on] the Guard. I would want to look closely on how that strain is manifesting," Christine Wormuth told senators at her confirmation hearing Thursday. Wormuth's concerns mirror comments made last week by Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville when he told lawmakers that a combination of two decades of war and activations at home might be too much. "Our force has been heavily committed over the past 20 years in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria and around the world," he said during a House Appropriations Committee hearing on the service's budget. "My concern is we want to make sure we reduce the op tempo of our troops, including the National Guard who have been heavily employed, whether that's home or overseas." -- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon. Related: National Guard Needs a Break and Health Care, Top Brass Tell Congress In the handwritten letter Sgt. 1st Class Lindsay Hester sent his wife on March 12, 1962, he sweetly addressed her as "Tweety Doll," told her he felt lonesome and mentioned she must be about 4 months pregnant with their first child. "I still haven't thought of a girl's name yet, so just in case don't do anything till you hear from me," Hester wrote from his military post in California to his wife, Janice, in Shawmut, Alabama. She wrote him the same day, saying she missed him and that she recently felt their baby moving. She closed with, "I will always love you." But her letter came back, stamped "Return to Writer." She got the news from the U.S. Army in a telegram four days after she sent her letter. Her husband was among 93 U.S. troops, including eight from Georgia, who disappeared during a mission to Saigon, Vietnam. Their chartered plane -- Flying Tiger Line Flight 739 -- was reported missing between Guam and the Philippines. This week, Hester's daughter will travel from her home in Canton, Georgia, to Columbia Falls, Maine, for the unveiling of a new monument to the missing U.S. service members, three South Vietnamese troops and 11 crew members who were on board the flight. Wreaths Across America, a nonprofit created to expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, is organizing the Saturday event. A supertanker manned by an Italian crew reported witnessing a midair explosion about where Flight 739 should have been at the time. About 1,300 people on 48 aircraft and eight vessels searched 144,000 square miles. No wreckage was found. The federal Civil Aeronautics Board issued a 16-page report a year later, saying it could not determine the cause of the disappearance, including whether mechanical failure or sabotage were factors. The incident remains one of the most puzzling aviation disasters in history. Hester's daughter, Jan Stephens, was born five months after her father was reported missing. The troops headed to Saigon included highly trained communication and electronic specialists. They were headed to Vietnam at a time when the United States was building up its presence there. Stephens wants to see all their names added to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. "Every year, it never stops," Stephens, 59, said about the anniversary of her father's disappearance. "March 16 -- that whole week -- it is always bad for me." Seeking to build momentum for this cause, supporters have sent letters to federal lawmakers and signed an online petition. In 2019, U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, a Michigan Democrat, introduced legislation to make it happen, but the bill died in committee. He released a statement this week, saying he would continue working on ways to honor the troops. "Our brave men and women were deployed thousands of miles away from home during the Vietnam War," he said. "Many made the ultimate sacrifice in their service to our nation -- including those aboard Flying Tiger Line Flight 739. It is past time that we properly honor those lost." A Pentagon spokesman told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Thursday that he was looking into the issue. Stephens knows about her father from what her late mother told her and the photos, voluminous military records and handwritten letters she collected. On her living room floor sits a dusty footlocker stenciled with his name and destination, "Saigon, Vietnam." Inside are stacked his military dress shirts, still pressed and neatly folded. Stephens has kept the original Western Union telegram the Army sent her mother, informing her the search failed to find any survivors and that her husband was considered "as having perished on March 16, 1962, together with all other passengers aboard the ill-fated aircraft." "The Secretary of the Army has asked me to express his regret at the sorrow this message brings to you," Maj. Gen. J.C. Lambert, then the Army's adjutant general, wrote. Hester worked as a weaver in an Alabama cotton mill before serving with the U.S. Army in occupied Germany after the end of World War II and as a military policeman in Korea before war broke out there in 1950. He proposed to Janice in West Point, Georgia. She called him "Kirb," a reference to his middle name, Kirby. An avid fisherman and photographer, he was analytical and had a playful sense of humor. Hester was 35 when his plane disappeared. Asked about her reasons for visiting the new monument in Maine this week, his daughter grasped for answers. "I just don't know. I might know when I come back. Maybe it is to find people like me because nobody ever talked about it," Stephens said, her voice threaded with emotion. "They gave my mother a flag and did the gun salute, but there is no gravesite. There is no memorial marker. The thing in Maine -- I am going to be able to touch it. I have some sketch pads and some charcoal and I am going to do some rubbings when I get up there." This article is written by Jeremy Redmon from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and was legally licensed via the Tribune Content Agency through the Industry Dive publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@industrydive.com. In the wake of American withdrawals from Iraq and now Afghanistan, one group of U.S. allies whose work constantly put them and their families in harms way face another deadly challenge: being left behind. American troops are worried that the interpreters who helped U.S. and NATO forces during the Global War on Terrorism will face mass reprisals when their primary means of protection head home for good. My fear is they will hunt him down, U.S. Army 1st Sgt. (ret.) Gerald Keen told Michigans WOODTV about a young interpreter he worked with in Afghanistan. Not only him, his family Hell be the last one killed if they find him. Theyll kill his brothers, sisters, kids, wife and then, theyll kill him. And theyll behead him. They have no remorse. Reprisals against interpreters have been a constant fear for Americans deployed overseas, many of whom formed close ties with their trusted interpreters during their time in the wars. Another soldier, Army Col. (ret.) Steve Miska, wrote a new book about his effort to save the lives of his Iraqi interpreters by funneling them to neighboring Jordan in 2007. Baghdad Underground Railroad: Saving American Allies in Iraq recounts Miskas 2007 deployment with the Armys 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division -- also known as the Dagger Brigade. Miska and the Dagger Brigade established a modern-day underground railroad from Baghdad to Amman, Jordan, that would help dozens of Army interpreters escape their untimely end at the hands of the death squads that hunted down and killed interpreters and their families. The book recounts the bureaucratic efforts to provide a special means of helping those interpreters escape to the United States and the broken promises that often accompanied those efforts. Baghdad Underground Railroad also offers readers a detailed explanation of the way interpreters aid American troops overseas, the bonds formed between the interpreters and U.S. troops, and the ways military spouses and mothers have played as sponsors, hosts, friends and advocates to interpreters when they actually do make it to safety in the U.S. In 2007, Iraq was embroiled in a civil war that pitted sectarian militias against one another and against American forces trying to bring stability to the country. Tens of thousands of Iraqis volunteered to help the United States understand the people, the culture and the languages of Iraqs diverse populations. First Lieutenant John Cheatwoodwalks with an interpreter and children during a patrol south of Baghdad. (U.S. Army) Many were wounded in combat and carried no weapons despite facing the same dangers as the American troops with whom they worked alongside. For their effort, they faced assassination, abduction and torture at home. In 2008, Congress created the Special Immigrant Visa Program to incentivize the local population to assist American troops. Between 2016 and 2019, just over 500 visas were granted to Iraqis, according to an NBC News report. At the end of 2020, the Washington Post reported that 100,000 interpreters and at-risk family members remain in Iraq. Another 70,000 await visas in Afghanistan. -- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on Facebook. Want to Learn More About Military Life? Whether you're thinking of joining the military, looking for post-military careers or keeping up with military life and benefits, Military.com has you covered. Subscribe to Military.com to have military news, updates and resources delivered directly to your inbox. SBS-Domain: Living and Working Side by Side The SBS-Domains? focus on forward-thinking organizations, corporates, businesses, entrepreneurs, and professionals who believe in doing well for themselves and doing good for social communities, side by side. The registry will be donating a portion of every SBS-Domain domain registration to a non-profit organization. The SBS-Domain is positioned as a short, thoughtful, three-letter domain extension perfect for social causes, charitable organizations and other philanthropic initiatives, and any progressive business, individual, or community that believes in social and financial inclusion. The SBS-Domain also finds valid applications for productivity platforms, online events, and networking sites where teams can collaborate and share ideas side by side. Serial multi-taskers managing multiple projects, businesses, and tasks side by side can also use the SBS-Domain. The SBS-Domain is ideal for companies that have SBS in their name. Miller SBS can get the miller.sbs. Anyone who offers Small Business Solutions will find an ideal solution in the SBS-Domain, which? shows the product and / or service range of their own company very smartly to the right of the point. Smith Smart Business Solutions LLC can register the domain smith.sbs. Whether you have SBS in your company name or whether you offer Smart Business Solutions, the domain names are always shorter thanks to the SBS-Domain. Short domain names are easier to remember. The retention of these SBS domains is also increased because the domain names reflect the company names, in some cases even mirror them 1: 1. The ability to remember a domain name is a key element in marketing the domains website. The SBS-Domain is launching soon and will be available for trademark holders on May 6th, 2021. This ?Sunrise Period? ends on June 7th, 2021 and then registrants around the globe will be able to register The SBS-Domain beginning at 1400 UTC on June 8th, 2021. ?We?re really looking forward to the launch of The SBS-Domain! We?re confident that The SBS-Domain will enable non-profit organizations and social welfare groups to make a strong impact online,? said Kevin Kopas, COO. ?The SBS-Domain communicates the drive a business has for economic growth coupled with the commitment to supporting and uplifting communities side by side. The SBS-Domain establishes a strong connection with social enterprises, non-profit organizations, community groups, and activists alike.?? ?It?s amazing to witness the support and love we?re getting for The SBS-Domain from our registrar partners and various non-profit organizations,? said Lars Jensen, CEO. ?Being a short, three-letter domain extension, The SBS-Domain is perfect for all types of businesses, brands, individuals, and social impact groups looking to make a strong impact online. Since The SBS-Domain is free of any geographic, linguistic, and industry-related limitations, it makes for the perfect choice to build a memorable presence and to stand out.? Hans-Peter Oswald https://www.domainregistry.de/sbs-domains.html (German) https://www.domainregistry.de/sbs-domain.html (English) Abdruck und Veroeffentlichung honorarfrei! Der Text kann veraendert werden. Secura GmbH ist ein von ICANN akkreditierter Registrar fur Top Level Domains. Secura kann generische Domains registrieren, also z.B..com, .net etc. und daruber hinaus fast alle aktiven Lander-Domains registrieren. 2018 landete Secura beim Industriepreis unter den Besten. Secura gewann 2016 den Ai Intellectual Property Award 2016 als Best International Domain Registration Firm Germany. Beim Innovationspreis-IT der Initiative Mittelstand 2016 wurde Secura als Innovator qualifiziert und wurde beim Innovationspreis-IT der Initiative Mittelstand 2016 im Bereich e-commerce auch als einer der Besten ausgezeichnet. Beim Innovationspreis-IT der Initiative Mittelstand 2012 und beim Industriepreis 2012 landete Secura GmbH unter den Besten. Beim HOSTING & SERVICE PROVIDER AWARD 2012 verfehlte Secura nur knapp die Gewinner-Nominierung. Seit 2013 ist Secura auch bei den Neuen Top Level Domains sehr aktiv. Secura meldet Marken fur die Sunrise Period als Official Agent des Trade Mark Clearinghouse an. ICANN-Registrar Secura GmbH Frohnhofweg 18 D-50858 Koeln Germany Phone: +49 221 2571213 Fax: +49 221 9252272 secura@domainregistry.de http://www.domainregistry.de http://www.com-domains.com CADILLAC, MI A growing Grand Rapids-based distillery has plans to open its third off-site tasting room this summer; it will be its second in Northern Michigan. Long Road Distillers announced it will open a tasting room in mid-June at 412 S. Mitchell St. in Cadillac. The company also has a location coming to Charlevoix and one already open in Grand Haven. Were thrilled with the opportunity to join the downtown Cadillac community, Jon OConnor, co-owner and co-founder, said in a statement. As the gateway to Northern Michigan, were very familiar with the area and have always enjoyed spending time in and around downtown. The tasting room is over a year in the making, OConnor said. Renovating the former fitness center into a bar and retail space took significant investment and involved remodeling inside and rebuilding the parking lot, according to a news release. Upon opening, the tasting room will offer craft cocktails, spirits samples, to-go canned cocktails and bottles for purchase. There will be indoor and outdoor seating areas. RELATED: Long Road Distillers rolls out 3 popular drinks as new canned cocktails A rendering of Long Road Distillers - Cadillac is shown here. It will open in mid-June at 412 S. Mitchell St. in Cadillac. It will offer craft cocktails, spirits samples, to-go canned cocktails and bottles for purchase. There will be indoor and outdoor seating areas.Provided by Long Road Distillers The space is big and bright and will bring a lot of new vibrancy to this portion of downtown, Kyle VanStrien, co-owner and co-founder, said in a statement. Its the perfect setting for enjoying our craft cocktails and a quick bite to eat. While Long Road doesnt plan to offer a food menu at this location, they are working to partner with local food trucks. Event space is also expected to be available for rent in the future. While work continues on the finishing touches in Cadillac, Long Road is hiring bartenders and servers. Apply at longroaddistillers.com/contact/employment. Right now, the company has tasting rooms at its Grand Rapids headquarters, 537 Leonard St. NW, and in Grand Haven, 18 Washington Ave. Long Road spirits, including gin, whiskey, absinthe and vodka, are also available at more than 2,500 retailers throughout Michigan. RELATED: Michigan distiller resurrects absinthe, says Green Fairy is sweet part of its evolution READ MORE: Suburban Detroit family starts new life as alpaca farmers in Northern Michigan Mackinac Bridge Walk 2021 uncertain amid ongoing concerns about COVID-19 Michigans most famous weed strain, Pinconning Paralyzer, eyes comeback after two-decade hibernation See inside Traverse City waterfront resort after $10M renovation, rebranding LANSING, MI A Michigan couple has been charged with several felonies after they allegedly submitted fraudulent loan applications to the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) to pay employees that didnt exist. Adebowale Ajagbe, 46, and Tracy Hall, 38, both from Bloomfield Hills, have each been charged with two counts of false pretenses $20,000 less than $50,000, two counts of using a computer to commit a crime, two counts of uttering and publishing and one county of conspiracy to commit false pretenses. Ajagbe is accused of applying for and receiving $47,500 in PPP funds at the beginning of May 2020 after claiming in a loan application that he had eight employees and a monthly payroll of $19,000 connected to a company called Zuvan Technologies. State officials later learned there were no unemployment payroll withholdings for anyone associated with the company. Hall is accused of applying for $52,000 in PPP funds at the end of June 2020 on behalf of DND Global Marketing, claiming the company had a monthly payroll of $20,800 for 15 employees. Hall ultimately secured $49,010 despite the company having no employees and a business registration that lapsed after having no annual filings since 2010, according to a state news release. Ajagbe is also accused of securing $49,165 in PPP funds for a third business, Mercury Financial Corp., despite the company dissolving in 2008. Financial relief offered to struggling businesses caught up in the devastation created by COVID-19 has been a lifeline to countless Michiganders and people across the country as we continue to navigate this pandemic, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said. My office will not tolerate attempts to take advantage of those funds when so many continue to struggle to make ends meet right now. The couple was arraigned Thursday morning in front of the magistrate at Oakland County 48th District Court. Both received a $50,000 personal recognizance bond, Nessel said. Ajagbe and Hall are scheduled for a probable cause conference May 25 and preliminary exam June 1 in front of Judge Diane DAgostini. BUCKLEY, MI A suburban Detroit family said goodbye to the city life, moved to Northern Michigan and built an alpaca farm from scratch, all in the past five years now they have a herd of dozens and are welcoming the public to meet them. The Gill family is living the dream. Cotton Creek Farms, 11885 Jewell Road in Buckley, is home to more than 60 huacaya alpacas big fluffy ones that love to hum and pose for photos and one rescued llama named Lucy that hangs with the alpacas. In April, in response to demand amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Gills began offering interactive tours that include education, and petting and feeding the alpacas inside their pens. The cost is just $5 per person. They also opened an on-site gift shop carrying a wide-range of alpaca fiber products from yarn to clothing along with keepsakes like mugs. Five years ago, husband and wife Jason and Rebecca Gill realized they only lived in Oakland County for work Jason Gill in the automotive industry and Rebecca Gill in marketing and that wasnt a good enough reason to stay. They began planning a lifestyle change. Some people thought they were crazy, others thought it was a mid-life crisis, Rebecca Gill said of the responses to their plan to move north where theyd always liked to visit and farm something. Although they seem to be experts on the camelids now Jason Gill gives the tours the Gills didnt know much about them a few years ago. It all started when they happened upon a small alpaca farm south of Cadillac. Rebecca Gill fell in love immediately, she said. It was about a year later when her husband found his passion for the sassy herd animals. They waited for their oldest child to graduate high school and then moved to rural Wexford County where they built a house and later added barns, several large alpaca pens and the gift shop. In January 2019, they bought their first five alpacas at least three are needed for a herd. The farm has grown quickly and the Gills have expanded their knowledge through books and mentors. They breed, shear for fiber, show and sell their alpacas although there is a no-sell list of their favorites. Every alpaca at Cotton Creek has a name and the Gills know each one by sight and personality. The social animals have personalities akin to cats, Rebecca Gill said, in that new people have to earn their trust and theyre a bit skittish in response to fast movements, face touches and camera flashes. (Its best to pet their long, slender necks.) But theyre also a bit like middle school students, she said. The males will fight, which involves neck wrestling and spitting, and then will be friends again. The females will bicker, which still involves neck wrestling and spitting, but a bit sassier. You cant tell whos winning until the loser walks away, Jason Gill told a group during a tour earlier this month as they hand-fed veggie pellets to young male alpacas. Shawn and Marcy Eastly, of Sugargrove, Ill., walked into the alpaca pen with bags full of feed, and the group of young male alpacas were eager to take it off their hands literally. Alpacas only have bottom front teeth so visitors are instructed to hold their hand out flat so they can scrape the pellets with their teeth and then scoop with their upper lip. While in the first pen of young males, the Eastlys met Chase, a noisy little alpaca just 70 pounds or so that was bottle fed by the Gills son, 15-year-old, Hunter. Chase will hum to get his point across. In this case, he wanted more food from his visitors. But an alpacas hum, similar to a cats meow, can have many different meanings, Rebecca Gill said, from expressing happiness to distress to a mother and cria calling to each other. By the end of the 2021 birth season late spring to early fall about 20 crias will have been born at Cotton Creek; eight were born in 2020. The youngest resident cria, Sweetie, is now about 7 months old. Even little Sweetie isnt afraid to get up-close-and-personal to let visitors know she wants more treats. Theres no personal space once you go in the alpaca pen, Rebecca Gill told the Eastlys. It wasnt always to the plan to share their alpacas with the world, she told MLive after the tour. During pandemic-related shutdowns in 2020, they were getting five to six calls a day requesting tours. They began allowing people in informally. We were just trying to make people happy, Rebecca Gill said. We didnt realize that alpacas make people as happy as they do we thought it was just us. As demand for tours grew and visitors asked repeatedly about alpaca products, it became clear they needed to create formal tours and build a gift shop so they did, she said. They officially opened on April 2. The gift shop carries all kinds of alpaca fiber products most made by local artisans or Fair Trade businesses including hats, mittens, shawls, scarves, dryer balls, furry alpaca stuffed animals, bird nest balls and yarn. The yarn comes from the Cotton Creek herd and some of it is even labeled with the name of the alpaca that produced it. There are also keepsakes from the farms own coloring book to a Barbie doll. Tours are at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Cost is $5 per person; children under 6 can tour for free. The farm also caters to groups for parties and private tours. Its becoming a popular field trip for local school groups, Girl Scout troops and others. Advance booking is required. Alpaca kisses are optional, the website says. READ MORE: See inside Traverse City waterfront resort after $10M renovation, rebranding Pandemic pups returned to shelter creates overcrowding, need for fosters CDC to announce vaccinated people should be able to gather indoors without masks, in most cases Welcome to The Lawn, new picture-perfect Mackinac Island spot for food, fun Michigan entrepreneur of the year donated coffee to help struggling cafes reopen after pandemic shutdown ANN ARBOR, MI -- An ambitious $120,000 plan to install 160 solar panel became reality for a house of worship with help from Solar Faithful of Ann Arbor. The Genesis of Ann Arbor, a shared space between St. Clares Episcopal Church and Temple Beth Emeth at 2309 Packard St., formed a green team to find ways to save energy by making improvements to the building. Officials met monthly to discuss ways they could get solar panels, Murray Rosenthal, Genesis board president, said. We were really considering borrowing the money, Rosenthal said. But the congregations were adverse to taking out a loan. They didnt like the idea of a religious institution taking out a loan. Rosenthal joined Solar Faithful of Ann Arbor, a project that aims to assist houses of worship and nonprofits with going solar, in 2019. Through that group, he said he heard about an investment model that just might work in this situation. Solar-powered chapel in Ann Arbor hosting open house and tour The investment model starts with gathering those interested in purchasing the solar panels and forming a limited liability company, Rosenthal said. Eighteen investors between both congregations, each investing $5,000 or more, were found, he said. Creating the LLC to pay for the solar panels and installation qualified the project for a federal 30% tax credit, Rosenthal said. The solar panel installation by Homeland Solar began in December 2019. Eighty solar panels were installed on the flat social hall roof and 80 panels were installed on the south-facing gabled roof over the offices, Rosenthal said. These panels are capable of producing 64 kilowatts of electricity, he said. DTE Energy turned the panels on in February. Genesis has saved 138,000 pounds of carbon dioxide and $700 in electrical bills, Rosenthal said. Solar panel permits triple in Ann Arbor under new program We are probably kind of in the center of the seven buildings that have done this in Southeast Michigan, Rosenthal said. Of those buildings, four were assisted through Solar Faithful, Rosenthal said. One of them being the First Congregational Church of Ann Arbor, he said. The group hopes to work with more churches and places of worship in the near future, Rosenthal said. We hope to involve these houses of worship in Ann Arbor in working to improve the energy footprint of their buildings, Rosenthal said. So that would be things like out-putting in LED lights, replacing furnaces and rooftop units as they need to with more energy efficient models like insulation, new windows, and of course, solar and even heat pumps. Those interested in learning more about Solar Faithful can reach Rosenthal by email. Read more: Ann Arbor comes to agreement with DTE over carbon neutrality programs Ann Arbor encourages University of Michigan to adopt carbon neutrality plan Ann Arbor mayor appointed adviser to global committee fighting climate change ANN ARBOR, MI Cartoon and video game-themed masks adorned the faces of kids at the Big House Friday during the first day Michigan Medicine began vaccinating children age 12-15 against COVID-19. A mix of around 600 adults and teens were vaccinated inside the Jack Roth Stadium Club on the third floor of Michigan Stadium Friday, May 14. Clague Middle School graduate Leela Ramaswami recently celebrated her 14th birthday and received a belated present on Friday with her first dose of the Pfizer vaccine. Leelas visit to Michigan Stadium marked her and her familys next step to a return to normalcy, she said. I havent been able to see friends or family, all of our family lives out of the country, so we havent been able to visit, Leela said. Im so excited to be able to get and do all of the things weve been missing out on. For Leela, hanging out with friends from different households has been an activity reserved only for outdoors since the beginning of the pandemic. Even during the winter, they were watching movies out in the cold, her mother, Praveena Ramaswami said. Our teens have been the most responsible through all of this. Leela stayed in virtual classes this school year, but now that she will be fully vaccinated, she and her mother said they are excited she can begin high school in person in the fall. When we found out this was going to be open to 12 plus, it was just jubilation, Praveena Ramaswami said. As soon as those sign-up emails went out it was like Ticketmaster, I was on it, multitasking just so excited to get her an appointment. Pfizer received emergency use authorization for its vaccine this week after being studied in approximately 2,000 kids. The vaccine is exactly the same dose as an adult gets in the first and second shots. Health care professionals acknowledge that some parents are still on the fence about whether to sign their kids up for the vaccine or not. For University of Michigan faculty member Felix Kabo, getting his 12-year-old son, Isaya, vaccinated was an easy choice. For me, its a no brainer. I didnt have anything that would give me cause for concern. The benefits highly outweigh any risks, said Kabo, who has already fully vaccinated. For him, this is a huge step in getting back to that freedom of getting to play with friends without having to sweat through a mask on a 90-degree day. Isaya, who has been doing middle school virtually since the beginning of the pandemic, said hes excited to finally return to school. Ive been waiting a long time to get vaccinated, so, Im ready to get back, Isaya said. Dr. Sharon Kileny, a pediatrics specialist at C.S. Mott Childrens Hospital, said parents should feel confident in the safety and efficacy of the vaccine for their kids. Scientists looked at safety data in comparison to individuals ages 16-25. There was no difference, meaning they saw the same number and same types of side effects from vaccines in 12-15 year old age group, Kileny said. None of the more than 2,000 children who participated in the vaccine trial ended up getting a severe COVID infection, Kileny said, adding that after two months, no adverse effects from the vaccine were reported. Thats a pretty effective vaccine, Kileny said. People can sign up for a vaccination appointment at Michigan Stadium through Michigan Medicines patient portal or by calling 734-763-6336. READ MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS: Census data shows which areas in Washtenaw County lag behind in COVID-19 vaccinations Michigan to follow CDC guidance, no masks indoors for vaccinated people; full mask mandate to end July 1 CDC to announce vaccinated people should be able to gather indoors without masks, in most cases A mask shouldnt have a political party, says GOP leader who thinks he caught COVID-19 at Republican meeting FLINT, MI Over the next several months, a transformation of vacant properties in Flint will take place as dozens of groups will work together to help create change throughout the neighborhoods. Sixty nine community-based groups will clean and green nearly 3,700 vacant properties in and around the city of Flint every three weeks through September as part of the Genesee County Land Banks program called Clean & Green. Block clubs, schools, churches, neighborhood associations, and local nonprofits are some of the many community-based groups participating in the 2021 Clean & Green program, according to a Genesee County Land Bank news release. The program, established in 2004, was created to support innovative community groups and organizations in the cleaning, maintaining, and beautifying of otherwise vacant properties in Genesee County. Each group receives a stipend for maintaining at least 25 properties every three weeks. Ten new groups were selected to participate this season after receiving more applications than ever before. Most of the groups include neighborhood youth, who then create change in their own neighborhoods, per the release. Clean & Green officially kicked off on Thursday, April 28 at its first ever digital kick-off event via Zoom. Representatives from each of the Clean & Green groups gathered together virtually to review program information, guidelines and resources. Darnell Ishmel with the Change Foundation and the Elite Community Growth Collective along with several young adults began work on Tuesday, May 11 to clean up lots in the area between Dupont and Saginaw Street in Flint. Were committed to doing it because it makes a difference. It makes a difference in the community, Ishmel said. It makes a difference in the pockets of the young people who value what that dollar can do for them. The Change Foundation is an organization that focuses on workforce development for young adults who have had some involvement with the court system. The foundation has often partnered with the Elite Community Growth Collective, a nonprofit founded by Dorian Jackson, to work with people who were formerly incarcerated to get career opportunities. Ishmel said for each property the groups maintain they get a stipend of $20. The individuals associated with the programs who engage in community service like the clean and green program use the stipends as a supplement to employment, he added. The Made Foundation has been a participant with the clean & green program for a decade. Oftentimes when the program begins grass at the vacant lots are nearly six to eight inches or more. Ishmel acknowledges the work is important but thinks there should be more resources to impact the effort. I think there needs to be more opportunities for micro-enterprise development for court-involved young people and any other young person who wants to help beautify the community and take care of it to do the work,Ishmel said, adding the work to keep the vacant lots could be a year round effort. Residents can anticipate seeing an impact as Clean & Green volunteers clean, clear and beautify neighborhoods across the city of Flint. Groups often start with an area wide clean up to prep for regular mowing. Residents are encouraged to connect with local Clean & Green volunteers to support the fight against blight efforts. Clean & Green community groups make neighborhoods safer through their work, and the maintenance reduces crime, according to research by the University of Michigan, Youth Violence Prevention Center. Thirty percent fewer assaults than street segments with vacant, abandoned lots without community-engaged greening activities and 40 percent fewer violent crimes overall, per the research. Through the program, community groups seasonally maintain concentrated clusters of vacant properties. Each participating group receives a stipend for maintaining at least 25 properties every three weeks from April to September. Groups are selected to participate in the program through a competitive application process, according to the program organizers. The 2021 Clean & Green program is supported through grant funding from the Ruth Mott Foundation, the Michigan Youth Violence Prevention Center and MSHDA through the Hardest Hit Fund. For more information on Clean & Green email cleangreen@thelandbank.org or call 810- 293-0663. While Clean & Green is open to community-based groups only, the Genesee County Land Bank has created options for those who want to green lots held by the Land Bank who are not eligible for Clean & Green, including individual residents. There are three ways that both groups and individual residents can access lots held by the Land Bank: Adopt-A-Lot, Lease-A-Lot, and Side Lot sales. For more information on the Land Banks Lots Available, visit here or visit the office 452 S. Saginaw St. 2nd Floor, in Flint Read more on MLive: Communities First receives Governors Awards for rehabilitation of Calvin Coolidge school in Flint Automotive supplier to breathe new life into former Delphi East site in Flint with 70 jobs, investment Flint River Watershed Coalition, Kayak Flint getting new home with fishing spots and lookout points GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- Law enforcement officers and community members gathered at Flint Memorial Park Friday to honor Genesee County officers who have died in the line of duty. The Friday, May 14, event was the 61st annual memorial service held in the county. Those in attendance included Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson, Prosecutor David Leyton, along with county judges and representatives from multiple police departments. Officers work day and night to protect residents, Michigan State Flint Post Commander and Lt. Yvonne Brantley said. We are here to memorialize those police officers who made the ultimate sacrifice, and their families -- to honor and say thank you to those police officers who have served honorably and to those who continue to serve today, she said. The names of 20,267 United States police officers killed in the line of duty are etched on the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington DC, Brantley said. In the last 10 years, 1,163 police officers were killed in the line of duty in the United States. Last year 362 officers were killed, a 96 percent increase compared to the previous year, she noted. Felonious assaults against officers resulting in injury has increased over the years, Brantley said. While the number of those assaults increased, police officers continued to do their job. That number is staggering. Look, we are in some difficult times and police officers are not seen in a favorable light right now. However, I challenge you to remember this: The vast majority of us do the right thing when no one is watching. I ask you to join me in keeping them in your prayers, she said. To my fellow law enforcement officers, I ask you to continue to remember who you are and what you represent. I will continue to pray for you as well. To the family of the officers killed in the line of duty, I offer my gratitude and I thank you. Katie MacDonald said she attends the memorial event each year in honor of her brother, Owen Fisher, one of the 19 police officers who have died in the line of duty in Genesee County. Fisher was killed in the line of duty during a high-speed chase in 2005. This year she brought her two young sons, 4-year-old Alex and his older brother Walter, who never met their uncle. I look forward to this each year, MacDonald said. Its important to remember. The service was planned by the Arrowhead Lodge #126, of the Fraternal Order of Police, formerly the Flint and Genesee County Lodges. Read more on MLive: Police ID woman killed in Mt. Morris Township crash with MTA bus 2 teens charged in hit-and-run that left Flint girl critically injured With no officers, future of Thetford Township Police Department up in the air Applications open for expungement fair in Genesee County as clean slate laws take effect Information sought on events leading to 2017 deaths of two women found in Flint park SWARTZ CREEK, MI -- Nearly 500 Swartz Creek Community Schools staffers will all receive a couple hundred dollars in an end-of-year bonus from the district after completing a full school year adjusting to COVID-19 protocols. The Swartz Creek Board of Education approved a resolution on the move at its May 12 meeting, but Superintendent Ben Mainka said the exact amount will not be determined until the second budget amendment meeting in June. Money is not the primary motivator for most teachers, Mainka said. If we can do something for our employees when it is all said and done, wouldnt that way ... be a great way to give them a pat on the back -- to say We see you and appreciate the work that you are doing. Each staff member, regardless of salary, will receive the same amount. It is expected that up to $375,000 in extra funds may be available to distribute among staff members, according to board discussion. The resolution asked whether the board would prefer to recognize staff through a difficult year or set that money aside for next years budget. Five of the seven board members supported the bonus. Trustee Chuck Melki cast the lone no vote and treasurer Michael Ahearne abstained due to a conflict of interest. There is an intentional desire to divide it among the staff equally, Mainka said. The reason for that is the board and I felt like everybody was a part of the team. Swartz Creek Schools has been proactive with their funding during COVID-19, Mainka said. That frugal spending from the general fund is what allows them to reward their staff. Its been a very tumultuous year, Mainka said. Everybody has been doing the best they can and making it through a very difficult set of circumstances. Read more on MLive: Meet the Harvard-bound black belt from Michigan named U.S. Presidential Scholar First walk-in vaccination clinics for ages 12+ taking place today, next week in Genesee County New Flint Community Schools strategic plan to be presented in June Six mid-Michigan colleges, universities to receive combined $94 million in emergency COVID-19 funds GRAND RAPIDS Nearly 400 pieces of clothing and accessories filled the Open Door Womens Center at Degage Ministrie on Thursday, May 13. A womens clothing company, cabi, donated the items and service to women in need. From casual clothing to business wear, the company provided enough clothes to outfit 75 women with up to five items. The event was part of the companys Heart of cabi Foundation Week, where stylists and clients with the company give back to women in need in at least 20 locations across the country, according to cabi coordinator and stylist Margaret Tuori. The event, originally scheduled for last May, had to be postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic. After being screened at the entrance, five women at a time met with a personal cabi stylist who assisted them with different styles and sizes. Women could try on clothes and work with the stylist to coordinate outfits or simply choose pieces they liked. A burgundy sweater, plaid jacket and a jewelry set were among the items that Shawn Roundtree selected at Thursdays event. Roundtree, who was formerly homeless and is currently an employee with Degage, stayed at the ministry for a little over two years before she moved into her own home three months ago. I think the event is wonderful because it gives women a chance to build up their self-esteem, she said. Just cause youre down here doesnt mean you have to look it or dress it. I think it was a real true blessing for (cabi) to come in to help the women down here at Heartside Degage. Degage Ministries Executive Director Thelma Ensink said the shelter was excited to partner with cabi again as the last donation event in 2016 was a success. With cabis partnership, our ladies will be able to have a new outfit which just makes them feel confident when theyre going to those employment interviews, when theyre going to those housing interviews, she said. Its just such a blessing. Im not sure cabi knows what this means to the ladies that we serve, what this means to someone who finds themselves in a difficult situation. And now with this gift, theyre going to have renewed confidence. Christy Braden, a Degage employee transitioning out of homelessness in the next week, said she wanted to come to Thursdays event to find new clothes for a new outlook for a better career. She said she is looking to interview for a job at a hospital. Braden received three tops and a pair of pants among her items. Both Degage and cabi share the goal of empowering women, Ensink said. According to the Heart of cabi Foundation website, the company aims to help restore dignity and hope to women seeking a way out of the cycle of poverty. They essentially provide an open door, leading to a whole new life of freedom. Read more: Michigan entrepreneur of the year donated coffee to help struggling cafes reopen after pandemic shutdown CDC to announce vaccinated people should be able to gather indoors without masks, in most cases Whitmer vetoes broadband internet tax exemption bill GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- The Gerald R. Ford International Airport recently installed a sculpture honoring the long history of American Indians in West Michigan. The sculpture, installed late April, was created by Anishinaabe sculptor Jason Quigno and is called Aankobiisinging Eshki-kakamigak, or Connection to Creation. I made this for the airport and its visitors, but also for my Anishinaabe people, for them to feel proud, Quigno said. One of their own is making a monument to honor them. The Anishinaabe people are a group of culturally related American Indians who lived in Kent County and beyond before they were displaced, often forcibly, by white settlers. The sculpture is carved from black granite and Indiana limestone and includes a number of symbols and elements used in Anishinaabe teachings. The turtle, or mizkeekay, and its shell represent the land we inhabit. She is the base the fire and flames sit upon, Quigno said. Fire, or ishkoday, is important to the Anishinaabek through the fire and smoke, our prayers flow up to the creator. Finally, the four eagles, or migiizis, represent and acknowledge the four cardinal directions. The eagles are said to carry those prayers to the creator. Anishinaabe sculptor Jason Quigno and a portion of his sculpture titled "Aankobiisinging Eshki-kakamigak, or Connection to Creation. (Photo provided by Gerald R. Ford International Airport) The sculpture sits near the baggage claim area and Ford Airport officials say it serves as a beacon for visitors to understand the rich native culture that has been in the area for thousands of years. As the gateway of West Michigan, the Ford Airport is in a unique position to share the culture of our community to visitors, said Tory Richardson, president and CEO of Ford Airport. We are so pleased to welcome Jasons incredible sculpture in our collection as a reminder of the important history of Native Americans in our community. Quigno was born in Alma and became inspired early on by the work of his uncle, who was an artist. Quigno has exhibited his work across the U.S. Locally, it can be seen at the Grand Rapids Public Museum, Grand Valley State University, the Muskegon Museum of Art, in downtown Holland and in numerous private collections, among other places. One of my purposes in life as an Anishinaabe man and sculptor is to honor my ancestors, Quigno said. My intention is to share a portion of the Anishinaabeks beautiful history, our stories and rich traditions in stone. Ford Airport commissioned Quigno for the work about a year ago. Read more: Grand Rapids distillery to open second Northern Michigan tasting room Michigan to follow CDC guidance, no masks indoors for vaccinated people; full mask mandate to end July 1 Judge upholds $15K fine for restaurant owner who defied coronavirus orders ALLENDALE, MI Grand Valley State University has partnered with five other universities across the country to engage students in developing innovative solutions for challenges in higher education like low completion rates, lack of access and racial gaps. The REP4 alliance which stands for Rapid Education Prototyping for Change, Learners, Community, Equity allows students to design and build prototypes for solutions to problems they see in higher education, which the six colleges will implement nationwide, GVSU President Philomena V. Mantella announced this week. The objective is simple: Accelerate innovation and at the same time, allow thousands of learners a transformative experience where they embrace their power to set their course and have control of their own learning journey, Mantella said Thursday during a news conference. The six founding schools collectively serve over 100,000 students across the country. The alliance consists of Grand Valley State, Amarillo College in Texas, Boise State University in Idaho, Fort Valley State University in Georgia, San Jose State University in California, and Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania. The alliance flips the model from learners simply giving feedback, to learners being designers of education, said Ted Mitchell, president of the American Council on Education. Its unprecedented to engage learners directly in the designing experience, and REP4 can serve as a model for higher education nationwide, Mitchell said in a prepared statement. The idea for this alliance stemmed from a GVSU convention in November, when the university brought together over 100 educators, funders, education tech leaders and students, Mantella said. Together, the group discussed the changes that were necessary in higher education, and came up with five shared tenets. First, in order to make high-quality change, we have to put learners at the center of our work, Mantella said. Second, we have to embed equity in our work. Third, we must shape and invest in action-oriented projects built with new directions. Fourth, we must strengthen cross-institutional collaboration, and build a platform that brings voices from around the table for action. And last, we must build collective intelligence across our industry and relentlessly share. From those tenets, the idea for REP4 was born. GVSU first tested out the model this summer, inviting high schoolers to a workshop where they created their own two prototypes. The first was a theme-based curriculum focused on tying high school classes to different career choices, and the second was a life-skills curriculum where college and high school students worked together on topics like financial literacy. After testing out the idea this summer, Mantella set it into motion by bringing on the five other universities across the country to maximize the impact of the educational prototypes. The REP4 alliance formed as a response to a growing number of challenges facing higher education like low completion rates, lack of access and racial gaps, according to a GVSU news release. Mary A. Papazian, president of San Jose State University, said the alliance will be used to ensure equity and inclusivity in education to nurture the creativity and brilliance of all learners. For decades we in higher education have been tinkering around the edges providing patchwork programs and Band-Aid solutions. But our core educational systems continue to perpetuate inequity and injustice, Papazian said. Were excited to partner with and learn from these incredible diverse institutions with different histories and located in different parts of the country, but who share a mission to really ensure that we bring about the kind of change we need. Paul Jones, president of Fort Valley State University a historically Black college that recently partnered with GVSU to diversify West Michigans talent pipeline said REP4 helps underscore his institutions motto: To empower the possible. As an HBCU and land grant institution, weve been doing this work for a long time, Jones said. But I think whats so important about this alliance is it allows us to expand this work. Universities in the alliance will work directly with community partners and local high schools to collaborate. The universities will host a regional summit this summer with 500 participating high school and college students to build dozens of prototypes as part of this initiative. GVSU is partnering with more than two dozen school districts and community agencies, including West Michigan schools like Godwin Heights, Godfrey-Lee, Muskegon Heights, Battle Creek, and the Muskegon and Ottawa intermediate school districts. Chasity Bailey-Fakhoury, a GVSU professor leading the project, said she continues to field inquiries about the partnership every day. In February, GVSU launched a similar problem-solving initiative that brings together the ideas of educators to find solutions for issues in K-12 education. The NextEd Accelerator program provides support for educators to test and implement ideas addressing the mounting needs of the nations K-12 students. RELATED: Grand Valley State launches problem-solving initiative to tackle issues in K-12 education Julian Sanders, a GVSU political science major and REP4 mentor who has been involved with its early stages, said this opportunity for learners to help guide the educational system they use is invaluable, according to a GVSU news release. This is a huge deal for students. This is something that is new, this is something that is unique and I think it really enhances their drive to want to learn, Sanders said in a prepared statement. More on MLive: Michigan couple donates $19M in scholarship funds to Grand Valley State University Business is still the hot career choice for Michigan college students, data shows Michigan colleges can tap into millions in COVID-19 relief funds, see who gets what HOLLAND, MI A judge on Friday, May 14, refused to void contempt-of-court findings against the owner of Marlenas Bistro & Pizzeria who ignored state coronavirus rules. The judge also refused to return $15,000 in fines. Marlena Pavlos-Hackney, 55, was ordered to close her restaurant Feb. 26. Ingham County Judge Wanda Stokes issued a temporary-restraining order prohibiting Pavlos-Hackney from providing food service. The judge later issued a bench warrant for her arrest for ignoring the suspension of her food license. Once the court issued the temporary-restraining order, it was clear that the court was requiring (Pavlos-Hackney) to close down her restaurant and she blatantly refused, Stokes said, in a remote court hearing on Zoom. She noted that the restaurant stayed open despite the court order to shut down and was still open when Pavlos-Hackney stood before the judge in March. The restaurant owner spent four days in jail before she was released after closing the restaurant paying the fines. Stokes said Fridays hearing wasnt to consider the merits of the case that led to Pavlos-Hackney losing her food license but to determine whether she violated court orders to close. Stokes noted that Pavlos-Hackney said publicly before her arrest that she would not comply with orders to close. If they want to arrest me, they can arrest me Im not going to close, she told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press. The judge said Pavlos-Hackney would have to work with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, or MDARD, which took court action to lift her food license, or file administrative appeals. Pavlos-Hackneys attorney, Robert Baker, had argued that his client was treated unfairly in an earlier hearing before Stokes colleague, Judge Rosemarie Aquilina, but Stokes said the judges have been very fair to your client. She said that Pavlos-Hackney was repeatedly warned of the consequences of violating court orders. Its that simple. Pavlos-Hackney was arrested March 19 by state police near her home on Hollands northside. She was told to turn herself in by March 18 but did not and kept her restaurant open. While she was jailed, the restaurant was boarded up. Pavlos-Hackney has many supporters. A GoFundMe account has raised $319,000 so far. Baker said after the hearing that he is working to get the restaurant open. He expects to submit a plan for re-opening to the Allegan County Health Department. He has to talk to his client about the next legal steps. He could challenge the underlying suspension or appeal Fridays ruling or file a lawsuit but said he has to review options with his client. The local health department and MDARD have consistently been ready to work with Marlenas to help them get their food license re-instated, Jennifer Holton, communications director for MDARD, said in an email. The agencies have to be assured that Marlenas will not operate in a manner which continues to pose an imminent public health threat and will operate in compliance with the state Food Law, she said. She said MDARD would work with Marlenas to re-open. A judge would have to lift a preliminary injunction to allow the restaurant to open, she said. Unfortunately, as of yet, the establishment has not agreed to work with MDARD to resolve the instant case or take the steps necessary for reinstatement of their food service establishment license, she said. Read more: Holland restaurant owner who disregarded COVID-19 orders fights contempt ruling in bid to open Jailed Michigan restaurant owner wins freedom How a fake lawyer and conservative outrage made Marlenas Bistro a national symbol of pandemic freedom GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A man who embezzled nearly $820,000 from a Grand Rapids church over more than five years is headed to prison. Christian Bileth, 56, was a former treasurer at St. Johns United Church of Christ, 1934 Bridge St. NW, and handled the churchs investment accounts. He was sentenced Thursday, May 13 to 5-15 years in prison, well above suggested sentencing guidelines that judges use to impose penalties. Kent County Circuit Judge Mark Trusock said the guidelines dont account for the massive amount of money involved or that the victim was a church. I mean you did this every month for 70 months, Trusock said of Bileths siphoning money for his own use. Trusock said the church has 119 members. In essence, you took this from 119 families. And you took this from a church, he said. Bileths attorney, Jeffrey Kirchhoff, said Bileth understands that what he did is about as bad as you can get. Bileth used the money to pay for medical bills related to cancer and to help keep his business afloat, Kirchhoff said. Bileth operated a company called Core Audit Consulting. The embezzlement started in March 2014 and stopped in December 2019. Church officials started to become suspicious in 2019 when a church member, training to become treasurer, realized the churchs investment accounts were not being reconciled to the church books. Bileth told others at the time that he had specific financial knowledge to interpret investment statements and he assured them he was handling the reconcilations. Also, in late 2019, a church member who was supposed to be a secondary signer for the investment accounts died. According to a police report, church leaders told investigators that Bileth early last year was dragging his feet in adding a new secondary signer and was preventing other church members from accessing records for the investment accounts. Ultimately, church leaders discovered that Bileth had written 66 checks from a church account to Core Audit Consulting. Kirchhoff said Bileth understands that using the money for medical bills is not an excuse. It simply is an explanation of how once you start dipping your fingers into the till, it gets a little easier over the years and he let himself go down that slippery slope, he said. Bileth made no comment. Trusock also said there was no excuse for stealing the money. Im sorry you have cancer and Im sorry you have to have treatments, but thats no excuse or justification for what you did, Trusock told him. As part of the sentence, Bileth was ordered to pay $819,245 in restitution. More from MLive $587K skimming scheme at ATMs in Michigan, elsewhere leads to prison Pedestrian struck and killed by semi on U.S. 131 in southern Kent County GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- West Michigan police and families of officers who lost lives in the line of duty gathered Thursday in Grand Rapids for an annual Police Memorial Service. While the service is annual, there was no gathering in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the memorial, one red rose is solemnly placed on a table to represent each officer who died. Individual West Michigan officers carry the roses to the table, accompanied by family of the fallen officer if in attendance. Grand Rapids District Court Judge Jennifer Faber addressed a sizeable crowd of officers and families Thursday, May 13 at the American Legion Boat & Canoe Club at Monroe Avenue and Park Street. She described police as an integral component to society, even as police have come under increased scrutiny in recent years. I truly believe the court system and the police are the very thin line standing between a civilized society and anarchy, she said. We need you, Faber said. At Thursdays service, the mother of slain Kalamazoo Public Safety Officer Eric Zapata was escorted to the rose table by Zapatas son, who is now an officer himself. Eric Zapata, a father of three and 10-year veteran of the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, was shot in an alley off Hays Park while responding to a shots-fired call April 18, 2011. The shooter then turned his gun on himself. Connie Zapata-Bernal, Zapatas mother, said Thursdays event was special because her grandson escorted her. His name is also Eric. It really touched my heart and it really meant a lot. If Eric was here he would be really proud, she said. JACKSON, MI Discussion over communication methods at the city level delayed vote of a proposal to establish a neighborhood association process in the city of Jackson. The Jackson City Council briefly discussed an ordinance that would allow residents to form neighborhood associations affiliated with the city through a chartering process, then be eligible for streamlined information and funds, during its Tuesday, May 11 virtual meeting. Council ultimately tabled the ordinances first reading until the May 25 meeting. Several residents spoke during public comment against the proposal, stating they were concerned the ordinance added extra red tape between the community and government. Some were concerned the city would offer more grant or matching funding to the groups, or that neighborhood associations would be permitted to require fees. But the proposed ordinance forbids dues membership and establishing rules or regulation for private property. Instead, it focuses on how a chartered association could work with city officials. Related: Process to create neighborhood associations being considered by Jackson officials Some residents spoke in favor of the intention behind the ordinance to encourage community cooperation but disagreed that neighborhood associations were the best way to do that. I am for making it easier for neighborhood groups to work with the city instead of an ordinance, Jackson resident Laurie Lewis said during public comment. Lets create a team of citizen advocates (instead). The advocates can help our residents navigate the complexity of working with a municipality. Together we can encourage our neighborhoods to become more involved and work together to make Jackson better. Mayor Derek Dobies, who introduced the ordinance in April, said he wanted to table the discussion to address the concerns some residents had. I guess were struggling to understand some of the consternation or concern from those that it frankly wouldnt affect, if theyre not pursuing chartered neighborhood status, he said. Dobies originally proposed the idea to improve communication between residents and Jackson City Hall. Some residents may have interpreted that as the city was currently withholding information, Ward 3 Councilman Jeromy Alexander said. The proposed ordinance doesnt automatically create neighborhood associations, but rather establishes how a city-recognized group would form by submitting bylaws and annual reports to the citys Department of Neighborhood and Economic Operations. Those chartered groups could then be eligible for a neighborhood empowerment fund, or a budget that can receive appropriations and could be used matching grants to use on local improvement projects. City Council will instead give the ordinance its first reading in two weeks. Read the full proposal online starting at page 337. MORE JACKSON NEWS: Consumers Energy drills well at power plant, city loses significant revenue from largest customer Agreement will install solar power at Jackson elementary schools Notoriously rough Morrell Street is getting long overdue fixes JACKSON, MI A long-running Jackson restaurant needed a new chef, but no one applied for the job, leading the establishment to shut down after 23 years. Here is that headline and some more you might have missed this week. Nobody responded. Unanswered job listing forces Annas Porch Cafe to close after 23 years An unfilled chef position is forcing Annas Porch Cafe to close permanently. The cafe at 401 N. Mechanic St. inside Annas Gifts and Home Decor, will close May 15, after seeing generations of Jackson families at its tables in its 23 years in business. Chef John Jones is leaving the restaurant after 10 years to start a new chapter in his life, owner Anna Kusterer said. She advertised for a new chef, but had no luck. 8-hour planned power outage by Consumers Energy to impact nearly 1,400 Jackson County customers Consumers Energy has scheduled a planned power outage on May 22 for Grass Lake and the surrounding area that will impact nearly 1,400 customers. The planned outage is scheduled to begin at 11 p.m. and last for approximately eight hours, according to a notice from the company. The work is being done then to minimize the inconvenience to residents and schools, according to Terry DeDoes, Consumers Energy senior public information director. Catalytic converter theft suspect arrested after police see him crawl under car at 2 a.m. in Park-N-Ride lot A man attempting to cut off and steal a catalytic converter from a car in a Park-N-ride lot near Albion was arrested when police caught him mid-theft. At 2:18 a.m. Sunday, May 9, a deputy saw a suspicious vehicle near the Park-N-Ride on C Drive North near Albion and kept an eye on it, monitoring what the driver was doing. The deputy then watched the driver, a 43-year-old Big Rapids man, crawl under a parked vehicle at the park and ride lot, prompting the deputy to approach him and ask what he was doing. Former teacher donates $1.1M to help Jackson Catholic Schools attract, retain teachers A $1.1-million gift to Lumen Christi Catholic School will help establish an endowed fund for Jackson Catholic Schools to attract and retain teachers at all four of its schools. The gift came courtesy of a donation from the late Donna Ambs, a lifetime Jackson Catholic Schools educator. Ambs was a 1958 graduate of St. Mary Star of the Sea School, Jackson Community College and Michigan State University. AR-15, handguns seized by SWAT team executing search warrant Officers executing a search warrant in Summit Township Thursday night seized several guns and arrested one person for violating probation, police said. At 8:30 p.m. May 6, the Jackson County Special Response Team raided a home in the 100 block of Hollis Street just outside Jackson city limits to execute a search warrant as part of an ongoing criminal investigation. Former health officer had tense relationship with Jackson County commissioners, emails show As Jackson County was experiencing some of the highest rates of new COVID-19 cases in the nation, county leaders were considering ways to remove the top official responsible for public health guidance, email communications show. Health Officer Rashmi Travis left her post leading the health department on March 19. Emails from County Administrator/Controller Mike Overton, obtained by MLive/Jackson Citizen Patriot through a Freedom of Information Act request, indicate the county Board of Commissioners may have considered forcing Travis out, if she hadnt resigned. We want to get on the bright side of life. New opioid recovery housing open in Jackson When the first tenants moved into Andys Place apartments in December 2020, they found a Christmas surprise -- everything on their wish list. Local drug recovery advocate Mike Hirst said it was a great way to welcome people to the long-term housing program for substance abuse treatment that has been in the works since 2018. Hirsts son, Andrew, died in 2010 of a heroin overdose at 24 years old. Since then, Hirst has fought the issue, starting the nonprofit Andys Angels to educate others about opioid addiction and support those suffering from it. New Leftys Cheesesteak sandwich shop coming to Jackson Hungry Jacksonians looking for a famous East Coast hoagie will soon be able to get their fix. Metro Detroit-based cheesesteak shop Leftys Cheesesteak will soon open its 35th franchise location at 808 W. Monroe St. in Jackson, Chief Operating Officer Carlos Guzman said. The target opening date is June 15. The featured cheesesteak is made with rib-eye steak, grilled onions and a cheese blend of white American and Swiss. But its not your typical cheesesteak, Guzman said. Inmate mail restricted to postcards only now at Jackson County Jail Inmates of the Jackson County Jail inmates are only able to use postcards for their mailing needs thanks to a new rule change. Effective immediately, the jail will only accept pre-postage stamped postcards for inmate mail, the Jackson County Sheriffs Office has announced. Jackson County Jail reports largest COVID-19 outbreak yet, officials say About 50 positive cases of COVID-19 have been detected at the Jackson County Jail -- the largest outbreak in the facility yet, officials said. We had quite a bit from the beginning of this week, said Undersheriff Christopher Simpson. Weve got the number stabilized to where it is now. The investigation to identify the source of the outbreak is still ongoing, Simpson said. GRAND RAPIDS, MI A man convicted in a scheme to steal bank-account numbers at automated-teller machines in Michigan and other states was sentenced Wednesday, May 12, to six years, three months in federal prison. Ioan Georgel Christian Flore was part of a Romanian group that placed skimming devices and pinhole cameras at ATMs in Michigan, Iowa and Nebraska to steal over $500,000, federal prosecutors say. A co-defendant, Marius Mastan, was earlier sentenced to four years, five months in prison. U.S. District Hala Jarbou also ordered Flore to pay $587,529.50 in restitution. Mastan was also ordered to pay the same restitution. Assistant U.S. Attorney Clay Stiffler said that the two were part of a larger conspiracy that used skimming devices to steal customers bank-account information. Financial institutions in Battle Creek, Benton Harbor, Ann Arbor and the Detroit area were among those victimized, authorities said. At one Battle Creek credit union, about 300 debit cards were compromised, the FBI said. The skimming devices were fed into ATM card receptors to obtain information. Hidden cameras, which appeared to be part of the ATMs, captured personal-identification numbers, or PINs. Those behind the scheme usually left devices in the machines for several days to harvest as much data as possible, Stiffler wrote in a sentencing memorandum. They would then download the stolen information onto cloned cards and write the PINs on the cards. Days later, they would withdraw cash on the account, usually taking the daily limit, the prosecutor said. He said Flore was involved in taking cash, installing skimming devices and cloning cards. Marius Mastan is shown with a concealed camera in this photo filed in U.S. District Court for Western District of Michigan. Flore and Mastan targeted credit unions where ATMs were not chip-enabled. They would disable chip readers on others so that ATMs would default to magnetic strips, Stiffler said. Such thefts are rare because criminals need the PIN to steal money. The financial institutions do not even know their customers PINs, he wrote. Because of this, the fraudulent withdrawals often did not trigger the financial institutions fraud-monitoring software, so they did not learn about it until customers began contacting them to complain about the fraudulent withdrawals. By that time, the money was gone from the accounts. Insurance did not cover financial institutions losses because the individual thefts did not meet deductibles, Stiffler said. Ioan Georgel Christian Flore manipulates chip reader at Battle Creek credit union before installing a skimming device, federal prosecutor says in court records. (United States District Court for Western District of Michigan photo) Flore and Mastan were arrested May 22. While skimming, the two were recorded in a white cargo van registered to Flore. The information was entered into a Michigan State Police highway license-place reader program that showed the van had traveled on I-94 on days that the crimes occurred. An alert that was provided to investigators said that the van was headed west on I-94 toward the Indiana border. Police stopped the vehicle in Hobart, Indiana. Flore and Mastan were headed for Chicago after getting cash in the Detroit area using the stolen information, Stiffler wrote. Flore justified the crimes because the only victims were banks, the prosecutor said. He attributed a loss of $587,529 to Flore. Fraud-alert software prevented another $202,000 in losses, he said. Defense attorney Health Lynch disputed the extent of the losses. He said that Flore was wrongly blamed for his co-defendants crimes. Brent Johnson, an FBI special agent, wrote in a criminal complaint that the FBI and Michigan State Police were investigating a large-scale ATM skimming network when Flore and Mastan were arrested. He said the crimes began Sept. 1, 2019. The two were caught on video surveillance making fraudulent withdrawals, he said. U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement determined that Flore and Mastan are from Romania. Flore overstayed his immigration status while Mastan is a lawful permanent resident whose immigration status expires in September 2023, the FBI agent wrote in court documents. Read more: Pedestrian struck and killed by semi on U.S. 131 in southern Kent County Rides to get COVID vaccine, on-demand pop-up clinics part of latest push in Muskegon KALAMAZOO, MI A rise in hate crimes against the Asian American and Pacific Islander community over the past two years has led local activists in Kalamazoo to come together with community leaders to stand together, speak out and listen. With a focus on intersectionality, a Black Lives Matter Supports the AAPI Community No More Hate Rally will take center stage Sunday afternoon, May 16, in downtowns Bronson Park. Co-hosting the event is community activist and former Kalamazoo Public Schools Board candidate Marshall Kilgore and Lily Cheng-Schulting, 2020 Democratic nominee for District 72 state representative. Were both community advocates, Kilgore said. Lily is an attorney and a human rights advocate and also a disabilities rights advocate, so that is sort of our gig fighting for folks who are often counted out or feel like they are voiceless ... so were coming together and focusing on intersectionality to push for unity. Kilgore pointed to a study done by the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University that shows hate crimes are up 150% against the AAPI community in the last two years since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Thats something that concerns him greatly. While it is hard to put a number on it, he said studies have shown hate crimes are also up regionally. Kilgore, director of advocacy with LGBTQ+ community organization OutFront Kalamazoo, said he hopes the rally will empower and uplift those within marginalized communities, while inspiring change and a stronger sense of community. We want to make sure this is a place where all people can live, work and enjoy their lives and thats what we are trying to do, said Kilgore, who holds a degree in political science from Western Michigan University. A rally isnt just for the theatrics of it. It is awesome to see your community come together about one specific issue, but a rally really helps you gather together to help synergize your thoughts, so we have specific action items Among those action items are promoting personal work and growth, advocating for awareness in ones own space such as speaking out against racism and hate at home or at work and holding elected officials accountable. There are numerous elected officials, from state representatives to city and county commissioners, who will be speaking Sunday. Kilgore said he hopes this will allow each of them to address some of the diversity and inclusion efforts they are working on. One of the elected officials who will be present is Kalamazoo County Sheriff Richard Fuller, something that excites Kilgore. Having a sheriff willing to start the conversation and being open to hearing about folks talk about their hate crimes, to show he is ready to listen and ready to do the work, is important because we have a lot of work to do within our law enforcement, Kilgore said. A lot of people dont know what resources are available to them and what to do if someone commits a hate crime against them, Kilgore said, so one thing that will be addressed Sunday is how to report a hate crime. Additionally, Kilgore said, there is still the matter of constitutional rights being stepped on for the Black community, and police reform is still an issue that needs attention. We want to affirm that Black lives still matter, he said. And we want to show that Black Lives Matters stands in unity with the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. The rally is scheduled for 3-4:30 p.m. Sunday, May 16, at Bronson Park in Kalamazoo. Attendees are asked to mask up, adhere to social distancing guidelines and unite together against all forms of hatred, Kilgore said. We want people to be energetic, have some fun with it, listen and learn something, and take something away from the rally that will help combat the crimes that we are seeing, he said. Marshall Kilgore speaks with Mayor David Anderson before a rally at Bronson Park in downtown Kalamazoo, Michigan on Monday, Aug. 24, 2020. Both will speak at a May 16 No More Rate rally in the park.Joel Bissell | MLive.com In addition to Kilgore, Cheng-Schulting and Fuller, the event will feature a number of speakers including Kalamazoo activist TC Custard, Kalamazoo Mayor David Anderson, State Sen. Sean McCann, State Reps. Julie Rogers and Christine Morse and Kalamazoo City Commissioners Chris Praedel and Eric Cunningham. Also speaking will be Kalamazoo County Commissioners Tracy Hall and Zac Bauer, OutFront Kalamazoo Executive Director Amy Hunter, Kentwood mayoral candidate Emily Bridson, HOPE Thru Navigation CEO Gwendolyn Hooker, African American Crisis Coalition founder Tashawna Gill and Rebekka Islam with Asian & Pacific Islander American Vote Michigan. Musician Shin Hoo Yong will close Sundays rally with song. For more information visit the Facebook event page. Also on MLive: Rhetoric helped fuel racism against Asian Americans, legislator says at Grand Rapids anti-hate rally Finding solutions for Kalamazoo homeless include overcoming prior trauma, criminal backgrounds I feel harassed teen says after police shown on video holding her down during arrest Anyone 12 and older can now get vaccinated in Kalamazoo, Allegan counties DELTON, MI -- For the second time in five years, a West Michigan high school band will travel to Hawaii for the Pearl Harbor memorial events. The Delton Kellogg High School Band was invited to the 2021 Pearl Harbor Memorial events, commemorating the 80th anniversary of World War II, according to a press release from the school district. Representing the state of Michigan, the Delton Kellogg band will perform in the Commemorative Concert Series on Dec. 7, in Waikiki, Hawaii, the release said. I am very grateful that another group of students will have this opportunity to learn more about our veterans, what sacrifices they have made, and how they can continue to honor them along with our current servicemembers, Band Director Sara Knight said. The 80th anniversary concert series is a patriotic and musical spectacle that will take place on Historic Ford Island, an active military base at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museums famous Hanger 79. Musical ensembles from across the country are invited to perform at the event for an audience of military veterans, invited guest and spectators in Hawaii, the release said. Currently, Hawaii is requiring a negative COVID-19 test for all travelers, Knight said. Band leaders are monitoring travel restrictions ahead of the December trip, she said. Our travel agency and the concert series authorities are keeping us updated as we go, Knight said. The high school band was selected and performed previously at the event, in 2017, for the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. During their trip to Hawaii, band members will also participate in the 80th anniversary wreath-laying ceremony at the USS Arizona Memorial, and the flag folding ceremony at the USS Missouri. The students will also have tours of the National Cemetery of the Pacific, the USS Arizona Memorial, the Governors Mansion and State Capitol Building, the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum and the Hawaii Army Museum. They will also visit the Polynesian Cultural Center, the release said. Donations are being accepted to help the band attend. It will cost about $140,000 for the entire band to travel, the release said. In 2017, the band raised about 80% of the funds needed for the trip. Students and their families were responsible for any remaining trip costs, Knight said. The same will be true this year, she said, and no funds will come from the school district. Checks should be made out to the Delton-Kellogg Band Boosters, and mailed to Delton Kellogg Bands at 10425 Panther Pride Drive, Delton, MI, 49046. The community can also donate through a special tax-deductible fund at the Barry Community Foundation, online or at 231 S. Broadway St. in Hastings. Also on MLive: Portage schools will ask voters for $175M bond on August ballots From healthcare to welding, virtual event lets Kalamazoo-area students explore career options Community members serving students through pandemic will be honored at annual awards event SAGINAW, MI On a brisk winter morning in 2018, a retired schoolteacher was working in a downtown Saginaw office building when a mentally ill stranger walked in. His mental state further impacted by LSD, cocaine, and alcohol, the stranger proceeded to viciously beat and rob the 65-year-old woman, delivering such grievous injuries that she had to be airlifted to an Ann Arbor hospital. Three years on, the stranger offered his apologies before learning hell be spending up to the next 90 years in prison. Timothy P. Green, 37, on Friday, May 14, appeared for sentencing before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Manvel Trice III. The judge sentenced Green to concurrent terms 60 to 90 years and 10 to 15 years in prison. Trice gave Green credit for 617 days already served and ordered he pay $266 in court costs and fines. A jury in March deliberated for about an hour before finding Green guilty of assault with intent to murder and unarmed robbery. Green was also convicted as a fourth-offense habitual offender. During Greens trial, defense attorney James F. Gust and Saginaw County Assistant Prosecutor Shellbe A. Sanborn agreed Green on the morning of Feb. 6, 2018, walked into the READ Association of Saginaw County office on the fourth floor of a building at 100 S. Jefferson Ave. and proceeded to beat Kathy Rogers and steal her purse. Sanborn argued Green intended to kill Rogers, whereas Gust contended he had not. Rogers testified in the trial that she did not recall the attack that left her with a broken jaw, broken nose, complex concussion, and brain bleed. She had to have three plates put in her face to mend broken bones and has endured long-term effects, such as double vision that required surgeries in June 2018 and March 2019, Rogers said. This is a horrible offense, Gust said on Friday. Its hard to come up with worse facts than in this situation. Gust said Green has suffered from mental health issues all his life, having come from an abusive home. At the time of his attack on Rogers, Green was hearing voices and was deemed psychologically incompetent for trial the following month. Subsequent evaluations resulted in Green being deemed competent in September 2020. Its a very sad case for Miss Rogers and its a very sad case for Mr. Green, Gust said. Forty years ago, Mr. Green would have probably been in some mental health facility, closely monitored, and this wouldnt have even occurred. The state of our mental health care in Michigan is so poor now it causes people like Mr. Green to be out there in the street with little or no supervision or assistance in controlling their mental health issues. Gust asked Trice to consider Green was not in any way acting rationally at the time of the crime. Allowed to speak by the judge, Green said he did not seek out Rogers. I would like to just say Im truly sorry for what happened to Miss Rogers and, you know, I just ask that the Lord forgive me for everything that took place when this crime happened, he said. I feel like I should be punished for my actions but not over sentenced or any of that. He then proceeded to thank Gust, the prosecution, and the judge for the jobs they performed on his case. I apologize to Miss Kathy and let her know that Im truly sorry the attack happened, he continued. I wasnt on any medication at the time. Im not trying to use that as an excuse, but I have dealt with it since I was kid. I feel like if I could rewind time and make it better, I would. Thats what Id like to say. Sanborn said despite the status of Greens mental health, the public needs to be protected from him. Its not lost on me Mr. Green suffers from very apparent and severe mental health issues, Sanborn said. However this case was incredibly horrific. It was very disturbing. I feel the only way for the public to be safe from Mr. Green is for him to be incarcerated. Trice said he received a letter from Green expressing doubt that the jury had enough evidence to have convicted him, adding he also received victim impact statements from Rogers and her daughter. Rogers did not deliver such a statement in person on Friday. I believe there was and is ample evidence in the record to overwhelmingly support the jurys verdict, Trice said. Its not lost on me either that there are some mental health issues that are involved in this particular case. But at some point in time, this court has to do whats in the best interest of the community Ive been tasked to serve. Part of my sentence has to take into consideration protecting society. The judge described the crime as an excessively brutal attack that left a 65-year-old wife, mother of two, retired teacher, and volunteer in a fight for her life. You came into her room and viciously attacked her, Trice told Green. You assaulted her mercilessly and beyond recognition. What happened on Feb. 6, 2018, truly shocks the conscience. When she should have been enjoying her retirement from teaching elementary-age children, she instead was in the hospital to receive medical treatment and care for her severe injuries. She did nothing to deserve this senselessly vicious and despicable attack. Trice also spoke to the emotional toll Greens actions have taken on Rogers loved ones and family members. Regarding Rogers herself, the judge said she is not just a victim but is a survivor. To the victim or, rather, to the survivor you are strong, you are a fighter, you are full of promise and purpose, Trice said. I know that time heals all wounds. I truly believe that youre strong will, coupled with a support system of your family and faith will lead you to fully complete spiritual, mental, and physical healing. Trice then spoke directly to Green. I truly hope that while youre serving your sentence, you will spend that time reflecting on yourself, searching for help and trying to find inner peace. During his trial, Green testified he did not recall much of the days events. He said he had not taken prescribed medication for his mental health and instead ingested beer, cocaine, and LSD, then went for a walk, eventually ending up at the office building and going inside it to use a restroom. Green said he did not remember attacking Rogers but gave conflicting testimony on whether he believed he had done it or not. In a recorded interview with police that was played during the trial, Green said he had been hearing voices in his head telling him to (expletive) somebody up or jump in front of a car. I didnt believe it was me at all, Green said in reaction to seeing surveillance camera footage of himself at the crime scene. I think they clone people out here. I dont know whats going on. It looked like me, but you know, thats what Im responsible for, if it looked like me. I saw it on the news, so I say it probably was me. Green testified he would never intentionally try to kill someone or assault an older person. I wasnt trying to kill her, he said. I dont truly remember assault and battering her. In her opening statement, Sanborn said Green kept encouraging himself to continue with the attack on Rogers once it commenced. Dont stop. Dont stop. Keep going. You can do better than that, Sanborn said. Ladies and gentlemen, those are the words that the defendant said to himself as he violently hit and continuously beat a woman that was almost twice his age when she was alone in her office building in the middle of the day. Read more on MLive: Jury says Saginaw man was trying to kill woman he attacked, robbed in downtown office building Man on trial for beating, robbing woman in downtown Saginaw office says he was hearing voices Trial begins for man accused of beating, robbing 65-year-old woman in downtown Saginaw office Man charged with attempted murder in heinous beating of woman, 65 WEST BRANCH, MI A West Branch man has been court-ordered to repay a six-figure sum to two insurance companies for running a scam. Darrell Lee Hardenburgh, 50, in April appeared in Ogemaw County Circuit Court for sentencing. The presiding judge ordered Hardenburgh to pay $746,529.21 to Hastings Mutual Insurance Company and $28,339.60 to The Hanover Insurance Group. The judge also sentenced him to 90 days in jail, to be followed by three years of probation. Hardenburgh had previously accepted a plea deal that resulted in him being convicted of receiving and concealing more than $20,000 in stolen property. As part of the plea, Hardenburgh was not charged with several additional counts of insurance fraud. The judge further ordered Hardenburgh to turn over all medical equipment used in his scheme to law enforcement. After an auto accident allegedly left Hardenburgh wheelchair-bound, authorities accused him of fraudulently receiving attendant care and medical equipment provided by his insurance company. As a result of information gathered by the Ogemaw County Sheriffs Office during an investigation into the theft of a backhoe, Hastings Mutual Insurance Company filed an insurance fraud complaint with the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (or DIFS) against Hardenburgh. DIFS Fraud Investigation Unit investigators and the sheriffs deputies determined Hardenburgh could, in fact, walk. At that time, Hardenburgh was facing charges for the backhoe theft and a plea deal was reached that included restitution for alleged insurance fraud. Fraudulent insurance claims drive up insurance costs for everyone, and I want to thank the Ogemaw County Sheriffs Office for partnering with us to bring Mr. Hardenburgh to justice, said DIFS Director Anita Fox. Suspected insurance fraud can be reported to DIFS easily and, in most cases, anonymously, so we strongly encourage consumers to speak up if they see something suspicious. The conclusion of this case was a joint effort with the Michigan State Police and the Ogemaw Sheriffs Office working hand in hand, along with the DIFS Fraud Investigation Unit, added Ogemaw Sheriff Brian Gilbert. I am pleased that through this investigation, we were able to uncover the alleged fraudulent activity and donate the recovered wheelchairs to the Commission on Aging in Gaylord. The DIFS Fraud Investigation Unit investigates criminal and fraudulent activity related to the insurance and financial markets and works with the Attorney General and law enforcement to prosecute these crimes. Suspected insurance fraud can be reported to DIFS safely, easily and, in most cases, anonymously by calling 877-999-6442 or online by visiting the departments website. Read more on MLive: Saginaw man heading to prison in 2019 killing says its up to him to turn life around an gets more than 15 years in federal prison for killing cousin in 2018 drunken crash Teen testifies he shot man who was armed with AR-15 in Saginaw apartment complex shootout UPDATE: Michigan to follow CDC guidance, no masks indoors for vaccinated people; full mask mandate to end July 1 Federal health officials have announced new recommendations regarding mask wearing for individuals who have been fully vaccinated, but that doesnt yet mean Michiganders can leave their masks behind. On Thursday, May 14, the director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) eased guidelines to allow for people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to stop wearing masks in most indoor settings. Anyone who is fully vaccinated can participate in indoor and outdoor activities large or small without wearing a mask or physically distancing, said Director Rochelle Walensky. If you are fully vaccinated, you can start doing the things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic. However, the guidance does note exceptions, including where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules and regulations, including business and workplace guidelines. That leaves the door open for states like Michigan, to keep their mask mandate in place. As of Friday, May 14, Michigan still requires a face covering to be worn when two or more people from different households are present in any shared space, including indoor spaces, and outdoor spaces with 100 or more people. The mandate does offer an exception in residential gatherings for people who are fully vaccinated and not experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. Lynn Sutfin, a spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, said the state is reviewing this newly released guidance. As it stands, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has set the threshold to lift the mask mandate at Michigan reaching 70% of its 16 and older population being partially vaccinated. Specifically, that means two weeks after the state gets a first dose to about 5.67 million residents. Given that vaccine update has slowed down over the last four weeks, models developed by the University of Michigan project the state will reach the 70% milestone by late summer or early fall. Related: Yes, we know that COVID-19 vaccines are safe. Heres why. To be fully vaccinated means its been two weeks since your second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or two weeks since your single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. If youre not fully vaccinated, the CDC still recommends you wear a face covering and social distance when around people outside your household. Other current guidance from the CDC for individuals who are fully vaccinated include: If you travel in the U.S., you do not need to get tested before or after travel or self-quarantine after travel. You do not need to get tested before leaving the U.S. on an international trip unless your destination requires it. However, you should still get tested 3-5 days after international travel. If youve been around someone who has COVID-19, you do not need to stay away from others or get tested unless you have symptoms. However, you should get tested if you live or work in a correctional or detention facility or a homeless shelter and are around someone who has COVID-19. Regardless of if youve been vaccinated or not, youre still required to wear a mask in hospitals, prisons and homeless shelters, and on planes, buses, trains and other forms of public transportation, and still must follow masking policies held by workplaces and local businesses. Michigan has administered almost 7.6 million doses of vaccine, as of Thursday, May 13. About 55.6% of the states 16 and older population -- or 4.5 million residents -- has gotten a first dose, and nearly 3.58 million have completed their vaccine schedule. Vaccine appointments, including walk-ins, are available through local health departments, pharmacies and health care providers across the state. For more information, visit the states COVID-19 vaccine website. Read more on MLive: Michigan coronavirus data for Friday, May 14: 75 counties have declining case counts; 67 see drop in positivity rates Michigans surge put COVID-19 vaccines to the test. They passed with flying colors. Doctors, moms recommend COVID-19 vaccine to get kids back to normal life Its going to get worse: Skyrocketing wood prices deter new decks, renovation projects Dr. Dennis Cunningham will continue to wear a mask when indoors and in close proximity with individuals outside of his home for the foreseeable future, despite having been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 since January. So will Dr. William Sims, and Ingham County Health Officer Linda Vail. While Michigan is about to undergo a rule change over who has to wear a mask and where, numerous health officials are in agreement that the state with one of the worst COVID-19 surges in the nation is not yet to a point where it can fully give up on masking. Personally, Ill keep it on when I go to the grocery store until the number of vaccinated people is higher, said Cunningham, medical director of infection prevention for Henry Ford Health System. These vaccines are very good but they arent 100%. Im not quite ready to give it up yet. Over at Beaumont Health, Dr. Sims was in agreement. Im not ready to take mine off in certain settings, he said. The CDC guidelines are a good step in the right direction. Its a necessary step, but I wish we had more people vaccinated in the state before we got there. Related: Michigan to follow CDC guidance, no masks indoors for vaccinated people; full mask mandate to end July 1 Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Friday, May 14, that the states mask mandate would undergo a facelift beginning 9 a.m. Saturday, May 15. Individuals who are fully vaccinated wont have to wear a mask indoors or outdoors, while those who are not yet fully vaccinated will only have to wear a mask indoors. Additionally, the mask mandate is expected to expire July 1. Fridays move was taken to align Michigans policy with that of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which announced the pivot Thursday afternoon. The new guidance does leave the door open for local jurisdictions and businesses to set their own masking rules. Health officials questioned how the state will enforce the new policy, with no real efficient way of determining who is and isnt fully vaccinated. The governors office and state health department hadnt provided any clear answers as of Friday afternoon. Im guessing itll be based on the honor system, which is a little uncomforting because its pretty obvious the people who were adamant about not wanting to wear masks align with those who are adamant that the vaccine isnt necessary, Vail said. So basically, the masks are going to go away for a bunch of unvaccinated people who are at greater risk -- thats whats going to happen and I think everyone knows that. The CDCs guidance also didnt include recommendations for how to enforce the altered mandates. Thats a concern for Dr. Sims, who said Michigan could see an increase in coronavirus cases among the unvaccinated population who also decides its time to shed their masks. I think the people who are a little more cautious, who are already vaccinated, theyll be wearing masks still, Sims said. My fear is if those unvaccinated people stop (wearing masks) theyll still be at risk and its not the people who are vaccinated who will come out behind, its those who arent if they dont follow the mandate. In a more ideal scenario, Vail said the CDC would have included more specific, metrics-based guidelines that would hold off altering the masking mandate until a state or locality drop below a certain threshold for new cases, hospitalizations and positive test rates. As it stands, Michigan remains No. 1 in the nation in new COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths per capita, and is No. 2 in new cases per 100,000 people after leading all other states for weeks. While the latest surge is on the downward trend, Michigan is still reporting 1,790 cases and 59 deaths per day over the last week. Its unfortunate the CDC didnt put context to it but thats where were at, Vail said. Its very difficult to be a state or local health official and say Thats the CDCs guidance but were not following it, especially when weve said for over a year, Listen to the CDC. Regardless of if youve been vaccinated or not, youre still required to wear a mask in hospitals, prisons and homeless shelters, and on planes, buses, trains and other forms of public transportation, and still must follow masking policies held by workplaces and local businesses, according to the CDC. While businesses dont have to require vaccinated people to wear masks, they still can if they want to. Businesses can refuse service to people as long as its not discriminatory toward a protected class -- and anti-maskers arent a protected class. Its private property, its their business, they can always refuse service, said Scott Ellis, executive director of the Michigan Licensed Beverage Association. Its a business owners choice. Similarly, a handful of hospitals have said their masking rules wont change. The same goes for the states courthouses, according to a spokesperson for the Michigan Supreme Court. To date, Michigan has administered more than 7.87 million doses of vaccine. About 55.6% of residents 16 years and older have received at least one dose, and more than 43% are fully vaccinated. Vaccine appointments, including walk-ins, are available through local health departments, pharmacies and health care providers across the state. For more information, visit the states COVID-19 vaccine website. Read more on MLive: Doctors, moms recommend COVID-19 vaccine to get kids back to normal life MHSAA makes no immediate changes to mask wearing for athletes, awaits clarification from MDHHS Vaccinations, reduced mobility among reasons for Michigans declining COVID-19 surge Heres a silver lining of Michigans recent COVID-19 surge: We became Americas test bunny for the nations COVID-19 vaccines and how they perform in a surge propelled by the B.1.1.7. variant. And, in fact, the vaccines held up very, very well, Michigan health experts say. Exceedingly well, said Linda Vail, head of the Ingham County Health Department. Really remarkable, said Ryan Malosh, a University of Michigan epidemiologist. Its an incredible feat that we have the vaccines and they work as well as they do, said Josh Petrie, another U-M epidemiologist. Experts cite numerous examples of the vaccines effectiveness. Michigans nursing homes and prisons, two settings that experienced the worst COVID-19 outbreaks in 2020, saw cases plummet this spring after residents in each were prioritized for vaccinations. The proportion of cases and hospitalizations among senior citizens dropped significantly, a result of high vaccination rates for that age group. Among younger age groups, the proportion of cases dropped for each age cohort as their vaccination rates improved. Its really exciting to see the numbers, said Dr. Jennifer Morse, medical director for 19 counties in northern Michigan. You cant necessarily prove cause and effect but it is really hard to find another reason (for those trends). So its very encouraging. To say the vaccines have exceeded expectations would be an understatement, said Dr. Liam Sullivan, a Grand Rapids infectious disease specialist with Spectrum Health. Thats particularly true considering expectations dating back to a year ago, when scientists were hoping for quick development of a vaccine that was at least 50% effective in preventing severe disease, Sullivan said. Most people thought, OK, were probably going to get in the 60%, 65%, 75% range, and well be ecstatic if we get that, Sullivan said. Then when the mRNA clinical trials came out and both were the mid-90s, everybody was just completely blown away by that. The next thing was, OK, how are they going to work in the real world? Because sometimes you take something out of the clinical trial, and then you go into the real work and things change, Sullivan said. But were now seeing studies that say the effectiveness is still above 90% in the real world. So these vaccines have exceeded our expectations by leaps and bounds, Sullivan said. They are phenomenal scientific achievements, and I think its safe to say that they have completely changed the face of vaccine technology going forward. Marcus Cheatham, head of the Mid-Michigan District Health Department, which includes Clinton, Gratiot and Montcalm counties, noted that the vaccines even held up against the surprises that came along, such as the B.1.1.7. variant thats become dominant in Michigan, he said. Malosh makes a similar point. I study influenza vaccines for a living, Malosh said, and 50% effectiveness is pretty good for flu vaccines. To have 95% effectiveness, even 80% after one dose, plus pretty good effectiveness against drifted strains and variants -- that kind of stuff doesnt happen with flu vaccines. To get vaccines that are effective and safe in this amount of time -- it hadnt been done before, he said. This is really changing whats possible in terms of vaccine approvals and licensure and evaluation. Yes, we know that COVID-19 vaccines are safe. Heres why. Real-world examples The numbers tell the story on the vaccines effectiveness, experts say. The most dramatic example has been Michigans nursing homes. In 2020, the states long-term care facilities reported 21,400 COVID-19 cases and almost 4,900 deaths among residents. Vaccinations in nursing homes began the last week of December. Its estimated that about 80% of residents agreed to be vaccinated. By mid-March, cases had fallen 96% and deaths by 99% compared to the beginning of January, according to the Health Care Association of Michigan, which represents nursing-home operators. Even during the statewide surge in April, case counts at nursing homes stayed low -- peaking at 15 new cases a day compared to 210 cases a day at the height of the fall surge. In past four weeks, 52 nursing homes residents have died from COVID-19. That compares to more than 1,900 in December. Its like a miracle, says Melissa Samuel, CEO and president of HCAM. COVID-19 cases in Michigan nursing homes drop 96%, deaths drop 99% since late December Theres a similar story among Michigan prisons. Like nursing homes, the congregate living situation in correctional facilities means that COVID-19 can spread like wildfire. In December during the fall surge, the Michigan Department of Corrections reported 8,317 coronavirus cases and 36 deaths. Since then, 60% of inmates have agreed to be vaccinated. In April, there were 525 cases and four deaths reported by MDOC, thats 94% drop in cases compared to December and a 89% decline in deaths. While an increase in the number of people with natural immunity may have been a factor in both nursing homes and prisons experts note that previous outbreaks didnt seem to lessen the impact of the surge in December. They also note that both prisons and nursing homes dont have static populations -- there is constant turnover in both settings. I think you can attribute the drastic decline in cases to vaccination, Malosh said. Both of those examples should tell you something, he added. One is that the vaccines really do work. Another is we can get back to achieving something approximate to normal if we can get a high enough proportion of people vaccinated. Another sign that vaccines work: The drop in cases and deaths among Michigan senior citizens, the age group first given broad access to vaccines. During the 12 months of the pandemic, those 70 and older comprised 12% of COVID cases in Michigan. By April, that dropped to 5%. And even as the B.1.1.7. variant spiked cases among younger adults and children to record highs in Michigan during April, cases dropped among those 60 and older compared to December. Moreover, the degree of change by age cohort follows the trendline of vaccinations by age. Source: Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Deaths also plunged among senior citizens in the recent surge compared to December. There were 961 COVID-19 deaths in April among among Michiganders age 70 and older; a 64% drop from the 2,657 in December. Incidentally, experts say that if Michiganders want to see the impact that widespread vaccination can have the general population, they should look to Israel, a country with about the same population as Michigan. In mid-January, Israel was averaging more than 8,400 new cases a day, higher than Michigans peak seven-day average. Since then, Israel has vaccinated 60% of their total population. They are now averaging 43 cases a day, and no longer have a mask mandate. As of May 12, Michigan was averaging 2,139 new cases a day. About 45% of the total population, which includes children, are now partially vaccinated and 35% are fully vaccinated. Breakthrough cases While experts say they are impressed by the effectiveness of the vaccines, they are not perfect. No vaccine is 100% effective. The 95% efficacy rate of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines means that an unvaccinated individual is 19 times more likely to get symptomatic COVID-19 compared to a vaccinated person with the same exposure to the virus. Michigan health officials have been tracking breakthrough cases involving fully immunized people. Breakthrough cases are defined as confirmed COVID-19 occurring in people two weeks beyond their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or their single shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Michigans latest numbers as of May 4: 4,937 confirmed coronavirus cases among those who were fully immunized. Thats about 1.9% of the 260,000 new, confirmed coronavirus cases between Feb. 1 and May 4. 199 fully immunized COVID patients have been hospitalized for COVID. That compares to about 20,000 hospital inpatient admissions since late March. 59 deaths among fully immunized COVID patients who had COVID at the time of their death. That compares to about 2,500 total confirmed COVID deaths since March 1. Breakthrough cases, hospitalizations and deaths were expected, health officials say. But the relatively low numbers during a surge in which a more contagious and lethal variant took hold is considered highly encouraging. Vail said its likely that as investigators look closely at cases in which fully immunized people were hospitalized or died, youd find a good number of people who already were quite ill. Most of the breakthrough cases that we know about are very, very mild cases, she said. New technology The effectiveness of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines is attributed to a new vaccine technology thats been under development for a decade, but never before deployed. To trigger an immune response, most vaccines put a weakened or inactivated germ into our bodies. The mRNA vaccines take a different approach. They get our bodies to produce a protein that is part of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. That creates an immune response which protects us from getting infected if the real virus enters our bodies. The vaccines do not contain any virus, so it cannot give individuals COVID-19. It does not and cannot change your DNA in any way. And, in fact, whats injected breaks fast down and leaves the body within 24 to 48 hours, Sullivan said. While doctors and other medical experts are thrilled that a safe and highly effective vaccine is now available, theyre disheartened by various disinformation campaigns that have made people hesitant to get inoculated. Even though millions of people have been vaccinated in the U.S. and its clear that the vaccines are both safe and effective, theres an organized campaign by a small number to persuade others not to get vaccinated, Cheatham said. And theyre having some success in undermining what we need to do to protect folks. I think is a huge problem and we have to really take it on as a matter of urgent public policy, he said. Morse said its clear that the vaccines work and that theyre safe. The wait and see period is over, she said. I am frustrated there is so much hesitancy. ... (The data) is just extremely encouraging and promising, and we would hope it would encourage more and more people to get vaccinated. More on MLive: I feel lonely: Michigan women navigate pregnancy, motherhood during a pandemic Physicians group says COVID vaccine mandates unnecessary, but Michigan universities sticking to their guns Youre fully immunized against COVID-19. So why do you still need to mask? No, COVID-19 vaccines do not impact fertility Correction: A previous version of this story indicated that the changes apply to all state workers. They in fact apply specifically to non-union workers. The state also reached agreements with several unions to offer the same benefit. As the state continues to push toward its goal of vaccinating 70% of Michiganders over 16, the government making way for its own workers to take the time to get it done. Starting May 16, non-union workers employed by the state will receive eight hours of sick leave for the purpose of COVID-19 vaccination, said spokesperson for the Michigan Civil Service Commission, John Gnodtke. The change was announced Thursday by the commission. The extra sick time is intended as a one-time allowance for use to obtain a COVID-19 vaccine sometime in 2021. Use of the time is subject to the same conditions as regular sick leave and does not take away from any other accrued paid leave, the commission said. The Civil Service Commission on Thursday also officially ended some COVID-19 policies that expired in December 2020, including the addition 80 hours of emergency paid sick leave and child care absences that were needed during the worst of the pandemic. More from MLive.com: Anyone 12 and older can now get vaccinated in Kalamazoo, Allegan counties Rides to get COVID vaccine, on-demand pop-up clinics part of latest push in Muskegon Vaccination of children age 12-15 beginning in Washtenaw County Michigan to follow CDC guidance, no masks indoors for vaccinated people; full mask mandate to end July 1 CDC to announce vaccinated people should be able to gather indoors without masks, in most cases UPDATE: Heres how Michigan will make businesses enforce its newest mask mandate Vaccinated people no longer have to mask up indoors in Michigan starting this weekend a move applauded by many state business leaders. But the move also complicates the mask mandate which still remains in effect indoors for unvaccinated people and brings new questions about how the rule will be enforced. With the Legislature and business leaders speaking out against the idea of vaccine passports, it leaves the new rules subject to the honor system. Business owners say they dont want to check peoples vaccine status at the door and have two different sets of rules for people. Were telling (business owners) to make a good faith effort, said Scott Ellis, executive director of the Michigan Licensed Beverage Association and president/CEO of Michigrain Distillery. When it comes to asking somebody about if theyre vaccinated, were not going to ask for proof. RELATED: Michigan to follow CDC guidance, no masks indoors for vaccinated people; full mask mandate to end July 1 Making employees enforce the mask rule for certain people is too dangerous, Ellis said. Any gray area in the law only makes it harder for employees, he said. Michigan hasnt announced specifics on how the rule will be enforced. My guess is that theyll probably settle on a signage requirement (explaining the rules), said Brian Calley, president of the Small Business Association of Michigan. I dont even think its in the realm of possibility that a business could check retail customers vaccine records. Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, R-Clarklake, hopes businesses wont be required to enforce mask wearing. I hope (Gov. Gretchen Whitmer) will opt to trust people rather than issue a confusing enforcement mandate on law enforcement, business owners or others to pry into citizens private medical decisions, Shirkey said in a statement. The Centers for Disease Control announced on Thursday, May 13, that it no longer recommended masks in indoor spaces for vaccinated people. Within minutes, Michigan restaurants had customers refusing to wear masks, Ellis said. My phone was blowing up last night and today, Ellis said. Theyve already had confrontations, people trying to tell people to wear masks. Theyve already had arguments. Until further guidance is available, the Michigan Retailers Association is telling members to keep following the previous rule requiring everybody to wear masks indoors, MRA spokesperson Jennifer Rook said. Theres been mask drama at some stores since Thursdays CDC announcement, Rook said. She asks customers to be patient. The last thing we want is more confrontations to happen, Rook said. While the mask mandate will end for everybody on July 1, some business leaders and state legislators were critical that Whitmers latest change doesnt go far enough. I encourage the governor to keep going and remove Michigans remaining restrictions, allowing everyone to go back to work and return to their normal lives, House Speaker Jason Wentworth, R-Clare, said in a statement. The Michigan Fitness Club Association is also advocating for lighter rules, saying gyms present essentially zero-percent risk for contracting COVID-19 although health experts disagree. As we remain locked-down to 30% capacity, our future as businesses and the health future of Michiganders remain in clear jeopardy, MFCA Chairman Bryan Rief said in a statement. We ask the administration to look at our data, follow the science and allow the fitness industry to return to serving members at full capacity. Who still has to wear masks? Michigans health orders dont cover rules for workplaces thats left to the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration. MIOSHA is still deciding if it will lift its mask mandate for employees, the agency said in a statement. So until MIOSHA changes its rules, all Michigan employees will be required to mask up unless they can stay 6 feet apart from coworkers or have a barrier in between, as the current rules mandate. RELATED: Offices can reopen May 24 in Michigan but dont expect traffic jams While checking the vaccination status of customers would be a nightmare, its slightly more feasible to do so for employees, Calley said, and allow vaccinated people to be maskless if MIOSHA rules are changed to reflect the health order. Businesses have the right to enforce a mask requirement for all customers and employees if they want, regardless of state orders. Its private property, Ellis said. Its a business owners choice. Meijer and Kroger are among the companies saying theyll continue mandating masks for everybody, regardless of Michigans new order. All Michigan courts will also continue to require masks for all, per the state court administrator. Ultimately, it may be up to businesses to decide their rules. Thats a step in the right direction, Calley said. However, the rule change probably wont encourage many more people to get vaccinated, he said. People that either dont want (the vaccine) or just are flat out against it, I dont think any kind of government order is going to change their mind, Calley said. The new rule has the potential to stir drama at businesses. Ellis asks customers to be respectful. Please do not put the owners and/or servers in the middle of your political opinion, Ellis said. Please do not take it out on them. RELATED STORIES Michigan to follow CDC guidance, no masks indoors for vaccinated people; full mask mandate to end July 1 Political resistance to vaccine mandates and passports continue to gain traction in Michigan Cancel extra $300, federal unemployment programs, Michigan business group urges Unemployed will soon have to prove theyre searching for work or lose benefits Long hours, health risks and ghost applicants lead to desperate staffing situations at Michigan restaurants At the peak of Kenya's third wave of Covid-19 in March, hospitals -- buckling under the strain of the virus -- saw their oxygen reserves fizzle out. Since then, they have been scrambling to increase capacity of the lifesaving element, fearing the nightmare scenario currently unfolding in India due to oxygen shortages. On the roof of the Metropolitan Hospital, a 150-bed private institution that targets the middle class, a brand-new oxygen production unit has just been installed that is capable of producing up to 600 litres of the gas per minute. Metropolitan CEO Kanyenje Gakombe said the hospital accelerated plans to produce its own oxygen after supplies were squeezed to the limit during the height of the third wave, fanned by the variants of the coronavirus first detected in Britain and South Africa. Dr Kanyenje Gakombe says his hospital rushe plans to produce its own oxygen after supplies dwindled the height of the third wave. By TONY KARUMBA (AFP) In April Kenya registered a record 571 deaths, and the health ministry warned hospitals were overrun with fewer than 300 patients in the Intensive Care Unit and fewer than 2,000 hospitalised countrywide. "The reserve dwindled, it decreased to the point where we were collecting oxygen 24/7," recalled Gakombe. At one point "we were down to six hours of reserves and that was a very, very worrying situation." The grey-haired doctor admits that in his 27 years at the helm of the facility, he had rarely worried about the oxygen supply which was "something we took for granted". But where a typical patient uses "two to 15 litres" of oxygen per minute, a Covid patient requires "up to 60 litres", he said. "We wanted to make sure we were self-sufficient, not dependent on third parties to provide us with the oxygen we needed," he said, referring to industry suppliers, like Kenya's gas manufacturer BOC. Crucial medical oxygen So the Metropolitan flew in machines from Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States and China to put together the oxygen production unit, which cost 100 million shillings (nearly 800,000 euros/ $935,000). "Basically the plant takes in atmospheric air and separates the oxygen from all the other components," explains Davis Mareka, director of O2 International, the Kenyan company that installed the machines. Metropolitan Hospital flew in machines from Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States and China to put together its oxygen production unit. By TONY KARUMBA (AFP) The oxygen is "purified and dried to at least a purity level of 95 percent, which is actually the requirement by the World Health Organization". The hospital also built a piping system that delivers oxygen directly to its rooms rather than using cylinders, which are also scarce. Oxygen, which makes up 21 percent of the atmosphere, is vital in this concentrated form to save patients with severe forms of respiratory distress from Covid-19. Several other private hospitals in Nairobi, like the MP Shah facility, have also set up or expanded their own production units. "We have received several requests for different facilities," said Jeremy Gitau, co-founder of the Emergency Medicine Kenya Foundation, which helps Kenyan hospitals equip themselves with oxygen distribution systems. Meanwhile the government launched a call for tenders at the beginning of March to supply 16 counties with oxygen, and has urged the repair of numerous production units that are "no longer working". The availability of medical oxygen has become a critical issue in many countries, especially developing ones, with shortages in DR Congo, price speculation in Peru and a growing black market in Brazil. In India, relatives hunt spare cylinders as their loved ones die waiting for oxygen in overwhelmed hospitals. India 'gets us worried' Kenya has a large Indo-Kenyan community and many citizens see India as a key medical destination for treatments not available at home. The Kenyan government launched a call for tenders at the beginning of March to supply 16 counties with oxygen. By TONY KARUMBA (AFP) "To see ... the Indian healthcare system overrun, overwhelmed, that gets us worried. India is a place we look to for an example of good quality hospital healthcare," said Gakombe. India, like much of Africa, had been seen as spared by the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic, due to relatively low case and death numbers compared to many countries. However, an explosion in cases which has seen India become the second-most infected country in the world, and horrifying scenes of hospitals pushed to breaking point, has put Africa on high alert. The Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention has described what is happening in India as "very, very worrying". Kenya has already detected the B.1.617 variant of Covid-19 that is one of the factors fuelling India's dramatic surge in cases. The East African nation has vaccinated fewer than one million people. President of Artisanal Palm Oil Millers and Outgrowers Association of Ghana, Mr.Paul-Kwabena-Amaning, is urging the government to invest in the palm oil industry to boost the economy. The Ministry of Trade will receive Two hundred and Eighty-two million Ghana cedis ( GHC282,000,000.00) to pursue various interventions in which he said some of the monies should be channeled to the palm oil industry sector to create employment for the Ghanaian youth. Mr. Amaning also noted that if the government invests in the sector, about 1.5 million Ghanaians can be employed which will reduce the unemployment rate in the country. If we are able to contain the palm industry, we can employ about 1.5 million people, it can solve Ghanas unemployment issue, Paul-Kwabena-Amaning exclusively told Kwaku Dawuro on Anopa Nkomo on Accra-based Kingdom FM 107.7 Surprisingly, Ghana imports oil from Malaysia but we have the capacity to produce, I can tell you for a fact that the previous government did not do well in the palm industry because we have the land, the weather is okay so what else? The Association which is the sole distributor of palm oil to all Senior High Schools under the free SHS policy in the country wants the government to intervene by helping farmers and the industry to produce in large quantities to supply to industries as well. ---KingdomfmOnline Chief Abdulai Mohammed Listen to article In his quest to ensure that illegal mining in the country is eliminated to give the country's environmental landscape a new shape, President of the Northern Council of Zongo Chiefs of Mpasatia in the Atwima Mponua District of Ashanti Region, Chief Abdulai Mohammed has passionately appealed to Asantehene Otumfour Osei Tutu II and other influential paramount chiefs in the country to step up the crusade against such activities popularly known as galamsey. Speaking to the Modern Ghana News on a telephone interview, Chief Abdulai Mohammed observed that top chiefs like Otumfour Osei Tutu ll among other paramount chiefs must warn their sub-chiefs. According to him, the sub-chiefs are the ones giving out their lands to illegal miners to destroy the natural environment with harmful chemicals. The Northern chief proposed an instant fine on chiefs who are found releasing lands to illegal miners. He added that such chiefs must be destooled to serve as a deterrent to others who engages in same deals. He commended government for the step being taken to end illegal mining activities and hoped that Ghanaians would support the campaign. For years, they were a disturbing tandem, roaming eastern France in search of virgins to rape and kill. But with the death of her ex-husband Michel Fourniret aged 79 on Monday, Monique Olivier, 72, now faces investigators, and potentially justice, alone. Fourniret, dubbed the "Ogre of the Ardennes", was one of Europe's most notorious serial killers. He was serving a life sentence without possibility of parole and had confessed to 11 murders, but had been linked to other disappearances. He had only been convicted of eight of the killings at the time of his death. The killer's death denies some victims' families long-awaited justice. Fourniret was due to stand trial for the murder of British student Joanna Parrish, found dead in a river in the Burgundy region in 1990 after having been raped and beaten. Ex-wife Olivier is serving a life sentence with no possibility of parole for 28 years for her role in some of the abductions and killings. But now she could face further trials for complicity in four disappearances between 1988 and 2003. "Michel Fourniret is taking his secrets with him," said Richard Delgene, the lawyer of Monique Olivier after his death. "As we still have a lot of cases in progress, Monique Olivier will remain the only one in the defendants' box to be held accountable." Prison meeting to pact The pair met almost 35 years ago -- she was a carer, he was in prison serving a sentence for rape. Left by his second wife, Fourniret placed an ad in a weekly Catholic magazine, looking for a pen pal. Mother-of-two Olivier replied, exchanging hundreds of letters with her future husband -- the beginning of a sordid pact. She agreed to help him find virgins to rape if he killed her husband. He never did. They married when Fourniret was still serving time and she was waiting for him when he was released in October 1987. "I was so lonely at the time," she told the court repeatedly in 2008. "I hung on to someone". Shortly afterwards, the couple dug up stolen gold buried in a graveyard and used the loot to buy a chateau in Fourniret's native Ardennes region bordering Belgium. Fourniret later admitted he sought to entrap a virgin at least twice a year. The chateau's extensive grounds became a burial ground for at least two of his victims. Alibi blown Their first joint attack, barely two months after the murderer's release from jail, set the tone for the others. The couple drove up alongside 17-year-old Isabelle Laville and asked her for directions, persuading her to get into their van and show them the way. She was never seen again. Olivier's presence, sometimes with their baby son, was aimed at allaying suspicion. "For me, she was the spark that set off the powder keg," the lawyer for Laville's family Alain Behr told AFP. "She channelled Fourniret's fantasies, as if she found all the evil in his mind," he added. Once an accomplice, Olivier ended up being Fourniret's downfall. When a girl they kidnapped escaped from his clutches in 2003, Olivier ended up confessing to the police, afraid she could get a heavy prison sentence. They divorced in 2010, by which time they were both behind bars. And in 2019, she shattered Fourniret's alibi in the case of nine-year-old Estelle Mouzin's disappearance. She admitted she was the one who had placed a phone call from their home miles away on the day Mouzin disappeared. Months later she gave a full confession, saying he kidnapped, raped and killed the schoolgirl, renewing hopes of finding the body and prompting fresh searches. Despite intensive efforts, investigators have still been unable to locate Mouzin's body. Olivier has been taken to the sites of the searches in the Ardennes region. Fourniret's death on Monday means the loss of an "asset" in the investigation, the lawyer for the schoolgirl's family Didier Seban said. "But we can progress because there is still Monique Olivier," he added. Two hours by dirt road from the Democratic Republic of Congo's diamond hub Mbuji-Mayi, life is hard for freelance miners. On the way to Lupatapata, abandoned maize fields attest to a decline of the region's once thriving agriculture sector. The town has no major market, no maize depot, just a "mini-market" for diamonds where middle men wait to name their price for the precious stones, standing behind makeshift counters. "Punters aren't coming here anymore, money isn't circulating. Just as the diamond has become rare, everything is difficult here," said one of the buyers, Jean-Claude Basanabo. Diamonds have become rarer in the Democratic Republic of Congo. By Marthe Bosuandole (AFP/File) "Food prices have gone up, workers are going unpaid (and) the roads have really deteriorated," he said. Lupatapata's decline is emblematic of a more general malaise in the region, even though it is a stronghold of President Felix Tshisekedi, who took office in April 2019. The son of historic opposition figure Etienne Tshisekedi won 100 percent of the vote in some Kasai-Oriental towns. His predecessor and arch-rival Joseph Kabila had ruled the poor central African country since 2001. The election led to the first peaceful transition of power in the former Belgian colony's history, but Tshisekedi was forced into a governing coalition with Kabila supporters who at the time wielded a huge majority in parliament. 'People are hungry' Among Tshisekedi's main campaign promises under the slogan "The People First" were boosting youth employment and improving access to public health care. "After the elections, we thought (economic) activity would recover, but there is nothing and people are hungry," one diamond miner said. President Felix Tshisekedi won 100 percent of the vote in parts of the Kasai-Oriental region. By Arsene Mpiana (AFP) "There's nothing concrete, so we try to get by looking for diamonds... rather than wander about waiting for the government to work." Mbuji-Mayi developed under the Bakwanga mining company MIBA, the flagship of the region's economy until the end of the 1990s, its heyday when it was dubbed the DRC's "diamond capital". "Urban roads are practically non-existent... We can't wait anymore," said local activist Nicolas Kazadi, complaining that the province lacks water and electric power. People in Kasai-Oriental have turned back to diamond mining rather than wait any longer for jobs promised by the government. By Marthe Bosuandole (AFP) An opposition bastion for decades, Kasai residents were hoping for a turnaround under Tshisekedi. "We haven't seen much yet" of the campaign promises, said Blaise Kanda, a clergyman active in local civil society. "Now that this opposition is in power, we hope they will do their best so that people can eat and smile again." "We support the president, we pray for him, but the people won't continue to praise him if things don't change," he said. "People can also get tired" of waiting. 'Lazy' In the neighbouring Kasai Central province, local ruling party chief Gabriel Kayembe was more optimistic, blaming Kabila for the region's woes. Since Tshisekedi ended the uneasy alliance with Kabila in December and now has free rein in the region, "we are going to achieve good things," Kayembe said. One local politician blamed handouts from aid groups for making people in Kasai-Oriental 'lazy'. By Arsene Mpiana (AFP) But Mamie Kalubi Tshikele, the mayor of the provincial capital Kananga, warned that people had become "lazy" and were no longer tending the fields because of handouts of flour, oil and clothes from aid groups. For his part, the local head of a party led by opposition figure Martin Fayulu had stinging words for Tshisekedi. "It's an abysmal failure," Elie Mputu said. "Look at the state of the roads in the president's stronghold where he won massively (in the 2018 election). Felix has already failed." France's lower house has voted in favour of a bill that would require companies with more than 1,000 employees to have women in 40 percent of their top management posts by 2030. The National Assembly voted for real economic and professional equality between men and women as part of a bill brought by President Emmanuel Macron's LREM majority. Under the proposed law, companies employing more than 1,000 staff would to have to have at least 30 percent women among "senior managers and members of management bodies" by 2027, and 40 percent by 2030. The companies will initially have to publish yearly data on "the possible gaps in representation" between women and men at senior management level. Failure to reach the goals could lead to fines. France's gender equality minister, Elisabeth Moreno, described the vote as an historic step for our country. Slow progress The draft law comes a decade after the Cope-Zimmermann law which imposed a 40 percent quota for women on company boards. Currently, 44 percent of directors are women. But women's representation in executive management remains low, at just 22 percent. According to the Ethics & Boards Institute, France will not achieve parity for another 33 years. The introduction of quotas would speed up the process, Moreno said. The quota sometimes raises concerns but it is necessary to make up for a delay linked to inequalities deeply rooted in mentalities," she told MPs, adding that society remains patriarchal, sexist and discriminatory in many respects". Breaking the glass ceiling The proposed law was voted unanimously by all 61 MPs present, regardless of political affiliation. Socialist MP Marie-Noelle Battistel said she would have liked to go faster and further", and Mathilde Panot from the hard-left France Unbowed would have preferred a "more ambitious" text. But both gave their support. On the right, Laurence Trastour-Isnart (Republicains) stressed that the text "allows us to continue working on equality between men and women". Marie-Pierre Rixain (LREM), chair of the Assembly's women's rights delegation, and who brought the bill before parliament, was encouraged by the cross-party endorsement. The glass ceiling remains a reality, she said. Women should be recognised as economic entities in their own right. Unnecessary interference Some in the business community expressed reservations. Geoffroy Roux de Bezieux, head of the bosses union (Medef), said there was no need for an extension to the 2011 law. In an SAS (simplified joint stock company), which represents the majority of companies in France today, you are not obliged to have an executive committee, he told journalists last week. "Everyone does what they want. We are interfering in the definition of the governing body, which is in the hands of the company. Under the proposed law, companies that fail to comply with the 40 percent rule in the two years following its introduction in 2030 risk a fine amounting to 1 percent of their wage bill. De Bezieux said he was opposed to any financial sanction. Name and shame is more than enough for large companies that will be singled out when the quotas are published, he said. Beyond quotas In addition to quotas, the draft law includes measures to fight gender bias such as introducing an "equality index" in higher education institutions along with more mixed juries and making it easier for women to secure loans with the BpiFrance public bank. Fifty-five years after women gained the right to have their own bank account, the legislation includes an obligation for wages and social benefits to be paid into a bank account of which the employee is the holder or joint holder". Another measure addresses the 85 percent of single-parent families in France headed by women, providing them with training and reserved places in nurseries. It would also be easier for all women to remote work at the end of their pregnancy. The bill now goes to the Senate and the government hopes to see it passed by the end of the year. Figures on gender diversity in corporate management France ranks first in the world for gender diversity on boards of directors, with 46 percent women, ahead of The Netherlands (39 percent) and Norway (37 percent). Only 12 companies in the SBF 120 (index of top 120 publicly-traded companies) are chaired by a woman (two in the CAC 40); 11 of them have a female CEO (one in the CAC 40). Women hold 22 percent of positions on the executive or management committees of SBF 120 companies. France is in 6th position, behind Norway (28 percent), Sweden (26 percent) and the US (25 percent). Forty-three percent of SBF 120 companies have fewer than 20 percent women on their executive committees, 11 percent have none. Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin has stressed the need for government to allow citizens to express their frustrations over poor living conditions through protests. His admonition comes days after members of a social media movement, #FixTheCountry had to change their plans of demonstrating at the Independence Square after the Ghana Police Service secured an injunction against the protest. In a message to mark Eid-ul-Fitr, Mr. Bagbin surmised that Ghanas challenges will be tackled if the youth are allowed to hold those in power accountable through protests. I wish to commend the youth, both Muslims and Christians, who are demanding a lot more pragmatic measures from the leadership of our country to fix the numerous challenges that confront us at the moment. It is obvious that the majority of the concerns expressed by the Fix Ghana Movement have existed since our independence. However, it is also true that these challenges have become more pronounced in today's Ghana. Our country is failing, and we must work together in a peaceful approach to avoid recourse to violence. A peaceful approach includes acknowledging the rights of individuals to assemble and to demonstrate without any subterfuge calculated at denying the youth of that right. The youth seeking to protest are not misguided law-breakers. They are patriots and citizens; citizens in the sense that the President called for in his first inaugural address, he added in a statement. The movement which was started two weeks ago has been mainly online, with thousands of Ghanaians voicing their frustrations with the Akufo-Addo government. The group has cited dumsor, unemployment, poor healthcare systems as proof of successive governments' mismanagement of the country. Below is the statement from the Speaker SPEAKER A.S.K. BAGBIN'S MESSAGE ON THE OCCASION OF EID- UL-FITR On behalf of the Parliament of Ghana, I congratulate our Moslem fraternity on the occasion of Eid-Ul-Fitr which is Thursday, May 13, 2021. I believe the period of fasting has helped strengthen and renew the faith of our brothers and sisters in Islam. I am persuaded that this renewal of faith will guide all of us to be tolerant of one another and to focus our energies on today's pressing issues that will help us to fix this beloved country of ours. It is with that in mind that I wish to commend the youth, both Moslems and Christians, who are demanding a lot more pragmatic measures from the leadership of our country to fix the numerous challenges that confront us at the moment. It is obvious that the majority of the concerns expressed by the Fix Ghana Movement have existed since our independence. However, it is also true that these challenges have become more pronounced in today's Ghana. Indeed, various governments in our history have attempted to fix these issues without success. The solutions to these problems would require all of us working in concert towards what we aspire to as a nation. They require constitutional changes, review of our institutions, systems, processes and procedures. We can only tackle these challenges with a renewed commitment to the faith that we all profess to, be it Christianity, Islam or Traditional Religion. We can fix this country by reviewing our economic management paradigm that seems to over focus on borrowing. We need to interrogate the relevance of our educational system and make it more responsive to the demands of today. We must relook at the conduct of our politics and religion, and the extent to which they feed into, or detract from our national aspirations. We require bold thinking on fighting corruption, on confronting galamsey, improving our public safety, delivering reasonable and affordable healthcare, creating jobs for our youth and restoring trust between the Ghanaian voter and the political elite. We require bold stance from our religious leaders on the issues that are holding this country back. Our country is failing and we must work together in a peaceful approach to avoid recourse to violence. A peaceful approach includes acknowledging the rights of individuals to assemble and to demonstrate without any subterfuge calculated at denying the youth of that right. The youth seeking to protest are not misguided law-breakers. They are patriots and citizens; citizens in the sense that the President called for in his first inaugural address. On the occasion of Eid-Ul-Fitr, my message to them is this: We hear you, we stand with you and we will work with you to build the Ghana we all dream of a nation that offers succour to all its citizens irrespective of their religious beliefs and political persuasions; a nation that lives up to its mottoFreedom and Justice! Happy Eid-Ul-Fitr! Long live Ghana. Signed: Rt. Hon. A. S. K. Bagbin, Speaker of Parliament citinewsroom French president Emmanuel Macron and the mayor of Strasbourg Jeanne Barseghian hailed the return of the European Parliament to the city more than a year after it was relocated to Brussels due to the coronavirus pandemic. David Sassoli, president of the European Parliament, said the session between 7 and 10 June of the 705 MEPs would be held in the south-eastern city except in a case of force majeure. Brussels, which will hold the monthly plenary session between 17 and 20 May, had been the sole seat since February 2020. Macron had highlighted the importance and relevance of Strasbourg last weekend as he prepared to launch the Conference on the Future of Europe - a citizen consultation via an online platform on the future of the European Union. In an interview with the regional newspaper Dernieres nouvelles d'Alsace before the start of the conference, Macron said: "If Brussels is the capital of Europe's offices, Strasbourg is the capital of its heart and soul: where it is where its values are defended." After Sassoli's announcement, the Elysee said in a statement: "We are pleased to see the return of the sessions of the European Parliament in Strasbourg." Support Jeanne Barseghian, who took over as mayor of Strasbourg in last year's municipal elections, added: "The city of Strasbourg is ready and we will be able to welcome a resumption of parliamentary sessions in very best health conditions," she told France Bleu radio station. However Barseghian, who was voted in on the EELV's ecological manifesto, faces a political conundrum. Normally, MEPs travel from Brussels to Strasbourg once a month for the three-and-a-half day plenary sessions where they debate and vote on legislation. Price Despite claiming to be a carbon-neutral institution, the European Parliament's 12 annual trips between the Belgian capital and Strasbourg was estimated in 2017 to emit between 11,000 and 19,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year - the equivalent of running around 3,000 passenger cars a year. The bill for the toing and froing has been put at 114 million euros per year. Though MEPs have been agitating for a sole seat in Brussels, France has resisted pressure to agree a change to the treaties which located the parliament in the two cities. Alexandr Vondra, of the European Conservatives and Reformists, said: The party's long-standing policy is to have just one seat of the European Parliament: either Brussels or Strasbourg but not both of them. And it's particularly important now when we are trying to reach a carbon neutral Europe and fight global warming. Huudu Harunah, Deputy Krachi East Chief Imam has urged all Muslims to declare their commitment to feed their neighbours as they celebrate Eid-Mubarak. Mr Harunah said this during the Eid Mubarak prayers at Sankis park at Dambai in the Krachi East Municipality of the Oti Region. He said their beloved prophet Muhammad constantly emphasised the importance of giving food to their neighbours and "be either a Muslim or non- Muslim, they must make it a priority to ensure that those around them do not go to sleep hungry." The Deputy Chief Imam stated that, good behaviour towards one's neighbour was one of the characteristics that made a person Godly. He said the "messenger of Allah noted that, he who believes in Allah and the last day, let him not harm his neighbour and he who believes in Allah and the last day, let him show hospitality to his guest." Nana Kwaku Beyornnor II, chief of Dambai called for unity and solidarity among all Muslims in the Municipality and urged them to refrain from discordant behaviour. He said unity among Muslims and other denomination would help find solutions to problems facing the country. Mr Joshua Gmayenaam Makubu, the Oti Regional Minister condemned the unfortunate incident at Wesely Girls and urged authorities in the school to review some of their policies to promote equity and inclusion for Muslim students to fast during Ramadan. GNA UN peacekeepers in Mali on Thursday offered to help bring to justice jihadists behind the amputation of suspected thieves' hands and feet, an apparent revival of a practice that had all but vanished. Speaking on condition of anonymity, local sources in Tin-Hama in eastern Mali said armed men drummed up a crowd on May 2, a market day, and cut the right hands and left feet off three men they paraded as thieves. The gunmen are believed to have belonged to Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), one of the main jihadist groups active in the Sahel region, the UN's Minusma force said in a statement. "This kind of corporal punishment carried out by armed groups outside of any legal order is a serious infringement of human rights," Minusma chief El-Ghassim Wade said. UN forces stand ready to "support continuing enquiries by Malian authorities to fight impunity and ensure that the perpetrators of these acts are brought to justice," he added. Minusma also said it was deploying "significant security resources in the affected areas to step up protection of populations". The amputations "recall the horrors of the 2012 crisis" when jihadists and Touareg rebels took control of much of Mali's north, the UN statement added. At the time, various jihadist groups conducted public amputations, stonings, floggings and executions in major northern cities under their hardline interpretation of Islamic law. Since 2012, jihadist insurgents have spread across Mali's centre and into neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger, with thousands killed and hundreds of thousands displaced in the violence. UN, African and French forces have failed to put an end to the insurgency. Unidentified men killed one soldier when they attacked a Malian anti-terrorist unit near Tominian in the country's centre late Wednesday, while the troops killed three of the assailants, a security official said on condition of anonymity. Ministry of National Security says it has initiated a probe into the allegations by Citi FM and Citi TV Journalist, Caleb Kudah. This was after Caleb Kudah alleged that he was assaulted by some National Security operatives who slapped him severally. The Ministry takes with all seriousness, the allegations of manhandling of the two journalists during the interrogation. The Ministry has therefore initiated investigations into the said allegations, the Ministry said in a statement. Caleb Kudah alleged that his captors kicked him in his groin. They seized my phone and pushed me and I sat on the chair. They [National Security operatives] slapped me from the back. I was trying to appeal to them that they had beaten me enough, but they were just slapping me from the back. I'll be talking to another one and someone will just come and slap me from the back. Caleb Kudah is the latest victim of brutality by security personnel after he was assaulted by some National Security operatives who detained him for filming some grounded MASLOC vehicles parked at the premises. In June 2019, the National Security operatives, in the same Rambo-style, raided ModernGhana.com offices and arrested the Editor, Emmanuel Ajarfor Abugri and his reporter Emmanuel Britwum. Ajarfor alleged that whiles in detention for the two days, he was tortured by his captors for hours. The National Security Ministry denied the allegations but said it was going to probe the allegations which it denied in the same statement it issued. Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said Government was awaiting internal investigations by the National Security before officially commenting on the matter. To the extent that we are having a number of discrepancies in the story that is being told, the primary agency to determine if these accounts are correct or some standard operating procedures or persons rights were breached is the National Security Council Secretariat. Obviously, they may have to do their own internal enquiry to establish the truth or otherwise of the matter and make a determination of the next step. There isnt much that has come out and I want to believe that it is an ongoing exercise and if they find anything untoward, then it can be escalated to the next level. For all these agencies, you start off from an internal enquiry. It is when the preliminary feedback that you are getting from that enquiry does not make sense and then you escalate to the next levelFrom what I have, their internal enquiry has not ended and that is why they have requested for the medical report validation. In the end, we all have a better understanding of what happened, he told Citi FM. Next month will be two years since National Security started its investigations and nothing has been said about it. Ajarfor's laptop, two mobile phones and a tablet are still held to the chest of the National Security for the past two years. He sued the National security coordinator, the IGP and the Attorney General through his lawyers for compensation and any other reward deemed fit by the court for breaching his human rights. The case, which is still in court and was supposed to be heard today May 14, has suffered several adjournments. Criminals masquerading as land guards have invaded some schools in the Kpone-Katamanso Municipality impeding effective teaching and learning as well as associated security risk for both teachers and pupils in the area. The schools included: Zenu KKDA Cluster, Kubekro KKMA, Santeo KKMA basic, Okushibiri KKMA, Appolonia Junior High amongst others within the Kpone-Katamanso municipality. To compound the plight of the pupils and teachers, some traders have also turn parts of the schools into a market, while some churches have also joined the invasion as they use some of the classrooms for religious activities, making the schools unconducive for academic purposes. As part of pro-active measures to deal with the emerging threat to education, the Municipal Education Oversight Committee undertook a field trip to the affected schools to assess the situation and adopt appropriate measures to deal with it. Mr. Jerry Adjorlolo, Assembly Member for the Sraha Electoral Area in Zenu told the Ghana News Agency in an interview after the tour that, there was concern about the activities of traders who have invaded the Zenu Cluster of schools. He said stakeholders were working with the Municipal Assembly to eject the traders from the school compound. According to the Assembly member some people took advantage of the situation and erected containers around the schools for their private businesses. Mr. Adjorlolo further revealed that other developers had also encroached and built their properties around the school. He said the noise from the traders always interrupt teaching and learning in the schools, adding that, both teachers and pupils were at risk as motorists and others often invades the schools compound indiscriminately without paying attention to class hours. The GNA observed during the inspection that some portions of the land allocated to the municipality for educational purposes in Kpone has been taken over by churches. Meanwhile the compound of the Appolonia Junior High school have also been turned into a taxi rank, whilst the entrance of the Kubekro KKMA schools have been taken over by land guards as they lease portions of the land to unsuspecting individuals to erect stores. GNA Mr Richard Kwami Sefe, the Member of Parliament for Anlo constituency in the Volta region on Wednesday May 12 donated some food items to Muslims in the Anloga and Anyanui communities. He extended his helping hand to widows, orphans, people living with disabilities and the less privileged in the Zongos. Mr Sefe in his speech during the occasion stated that Muslims are our brothers and sisters who needed to be supported during such special occasion. He urges them to use the occasion to pray for Allah's intervention in the raging covid-19 in the country. Alhaji Djibril Hamani, the Chief lmam of Anloga Muslims community on behalf of his people expressed his gratitude to Mr Sefe for the kind gesture. He appealed to his Muslim brothers to hold fast to the commandments of Allah for his blessing to remain on them and the country. He said, the thirty days fasting and prayers of Muslims is for fortification and must therefore remain clean since Allah dwells in clean and healthy people. Hajia Suleman Salamatu, a beneficiary in interaction also commended Mr Sefe and appealed to other philanthropists to emulate same. Ghana has received a grant of EUR 35 million from the European Union for the rehabilitation and maintenance of 670 km of feeder and farm access roads in the Upper West Region. The financial support is aimed at improving inter-connectivity between areas of production and marketplaces. According to the Ministry of Roads and Highways, a groundbreaking ceremony will be held at Kpongu on Tuesday, 18th May 2021, for works to commence immediately. In a joint statement released by the Ministry of Roads and Highways and the European Union, the sector minister, Kwasi Amoako-Atta, noted that the support falls in line with the government's vision to provide a better transportation system for farming communities. Today, we are celebrating together the start of the work of three packages of feeder and farm access roads in the Upper West Region. The latter is commissioned under Output and Performance-Based Road Contracts (OPBRC) that are designed to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of road asset management and maintenance. This intervention supports concretely the Ministry's vision to provide a sustainable transportation system responsive to the needs of society, supporting growth and poverty reduction. The European Union Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Diana Acconcia, reiterated the EU's support for Ghana. The European Union is committed to supporting the socio-economic transformation of Ghana, including in the northern regions. The EU looks forward to the completion of these roads to connect remote and disadvantaged districts. This intervention will unlock new economic opportunities in the Upper West Region by increasing access to markets and the trade of commodities, and impact positively on household incomes. Country Director at the World Bank, Pierre Laporte, said the funding from the EU propels an agenda by the World Bank to improve the transport sector in the Upper West Region. This intervention is a great example of partnership between the Dialogue Partners of Ghana coming together to support meaningfully and efficiently the transport sector. The added funding from the EU enhances considerably the World Bank-led 'Transport Sector Improvement Project' (TSIP) with earmarked support for the Upper West Region. Additional details The grant comes under the larger EUR 160 million European Union-Ghana Agricultural Programme (EU-GAP) to develop sustainable agriculture in the Upper West Region. The roads are organized in three packages, as follows: 1. Wa Municipal, Wa West, Nadowli-Kaleo (235 km) 2. Jirapa, Lawra, Daffiama-Bussie (210 km) 3. Nandom and Lambussie-Karni (225 km) This intervention aims at improving inter-connectivity between areas of production and marketplaces in the Upper West Region. The objective is to reduce the travel time on these sections of roads, promote road safety, and strengthen at the same time the institutional management of the transport sector. The feeder roads are commissioned under Output and Performance-Based Road Contracts (OPBRC) managed by the Department of Feeder Roads under the Ministry of Roads and Highways. To maximise the support intervention, the EU funding is administered under a Trust Fund administered by the World Bank as part of the Transport Sector Improvement Project' (TSIP), which finances a larger national transport programme. The Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) has urged government to apply the recommendations by the Emile Short Commission of Inquiry for the dissolution of the SWAT team at the National Security Council Secretariat. According to CDD-Ghana, the actions of the team are not healthy for the security of the country. The group made the call in reaction to the assault of Citi News Caleb Kudah and the Gestapo-style invasion of the premises of Citi FM/Citi TV in a bid to arrest another journalist, Zoe Abu-Baidoo Addo. CDD-Ghana condemned the action and described it as ridiculous and unprofessional. In a Citi News interview, the Director of Advocacy and Policy Engagement at the CDD-Ghana, Kojo Asante, said there is the need to completely review the countrys National Security apparatus. According to Mr. Asante, the actions of the security agency are not in tandem with the 1992 constitution of the country. For me, on the back of the Ayawaso report, I think we need to come back to the conversation around the reform of National Security. Moreover, we just passed a new National Security Act, and we need to look at the behaviour, the culture and the rest. This idea of the operatives of National Security going here and there doing police [work] and all that is something that the State needs to look at very carefully. I dont think that is what the constitution prescribes, but this is what the practice has evolved to be, and it must be looked at carefully. About the raid and arrest Mr. Kudah was arrested at the National Security Ministry on Tuesday for filming abandoned MASLOC vehicles parked at the premises of the Ministry. A team of heavily-armed SWAT police officers subsequently were dispatched to arrest Citi News' Zoe Abu-Baidoo Addo at the premises of Citi FM/Citi TV. This is because Caleb had forwarded some of the footage he captured to Zoe via WhatsApp. Caleb Kudah in an interview with Bernard Avle on The Point Of View on Citi TV indicated that he was slapped several times by the security officers. The Ministry of National Security on Thursday said it has begun investigations into the issue. ---citinewsroom Listen to article National Chief Imam, Sheik Osman Nuhu Sharabutu, has called on the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES) to fast track processes for a lasting solution to the rift between the Muslim community and authorities of the Wesley Girls High School. The Chief Imam says bringing finality to the matter will help defuse tensions. Authorities of the Wesley Girls High School have come under fire for not allowing Muslim students to fast during the Ramadan period. Speaking at this year's Eid ul-Fitr celebration on Thursday, May 13, 2021, the National Chief Imam, through his spokesperson, Sheikh Arimiyaw Shaibu, said his outfit is ready to cooperate in the matter. According to him, peace is always the first option to the National Chief Imam in matters of national interest. Our first choice all the time is peace, and we will cooperate in any step and measures taken by all stakeholders and state authorities to bring finality to the misunderstanding. Meanwhile, President Nana Akufo-Addo has charged all actors in the misunderstanding to let cool heads prevail. The president said educational institutions should not be a place to settle religious scores. According to him, the schools are the first place for young people to socialize and learn more about each other's religious beliefs, dance, languages, and food. We should be proud that our national Constitution simply reinforces these characteristics, and it should, therefore, be easy for us to uphold these basic and fundamental tenets that hold us together. The boarding schools in our country have traditionally served as the training grounds in learning about each other, about tolerance and losing the fear of the unknown. That is where young Ghanaians learn to eat each other's food, that is where they learn songs and dances of the different parts of the country and also where they learn about each other's religion and a place where lifelong friendships are forged. Throughout the years, the schools have by and large managed to find a reasonable, balanced atmosphere to enable our young people to flourish and this has served us well. The schools have evolved and adapted their practices to suit the times and I would urge that we do not turn them into the place to fight ideological battles. President Akufo-Addo made the call on Thursday, May 13, 2021, when he also spoke at Eid ul-Fitr celebration. ---citinewsroom OccupyGhana has expressed fears about the ability of the Ministry of National Security to conduct a proper investigation into the assault on Citi FM/ Citi TV journalist, Caleb Kudah. The group, therefore, believes that the only means to have a holistic probe into the circumstances surrounding the assault is for government to institute an independent commission of inquiry into the unfortunate incident. Caleb Kudah, who is also the host of BackPage, a satirical news show on Citi TV, is the latest victim of brutality by security personnel after he was assaulted by some National Security operatives who detained him for filming some grounded MASLOC vehicles parked at the premises. Another Citi FM journalist, Zoe Abu-Baidoo Addo, was also picked up later at the premises of Citi FM for receiving the videos from Caleb Kudah. In a statement, however, to condemn operatives for poorly handling the issue, OccupyGhana also asked four critical questions that the National Security Ministry must provide answers to ascertain the justification for the assault of the journalist and raid at the Citi FM/Citi TV premises to arrest another journalist, Zoe Abu-Baidoo. We have no faith that the National Security Ministry can provide a satisfactory investigation into the damning allegations and therefore would like to advise the Government to set up an independent body of inquiry into the matter, OccupyGhana said. Touching on the statement by the Ministry of National Security, OccupyGhana was worried that the Chief Director of the Ministry Lt-Col Ababio Serebour (Rtd) indicated his outfits awareness of the allegations but unhelpfully claimed without any timelines that disrespect the intelligence of Ghanaians, the Ministry's willingness to investigate the allegations and revert. We also notice the nonchalance in verbiage and the non-subtle attempt of the Chief Director of the Ministry to brand the serious allegations and the Guantanamo Bay-style assaults as interrogation that clearly did not respect the right of the person to a lawyer, the statement added. Below is the full statement from OccupyGhana OccupyGhana has taken notice of the allegations of assault by National Security operatives on a journalist of Citi FM and Citi TV, Mr. Caleb Kudah. News reports and the victim's testimony allege extra-judicial punishment from National Security operatives including slaps from behind, kicks from booted feet to his groin, molestation and brutalisation of his person while he was handcuffed and could not defend himself. We have also seen footage alleging a raid of Citi FM's and Citi TV's premises by operatives purported to be from the National Security Ministry, to pick up another journalist, Zoe Abu-Baidoo who details how she was ordered to delete photos and videos on her own phone under intimidation by a person identified by both journalists as a Lt-Col Agyeman and an accomplice such as one Chief Inspector Ampadu. We also take notice that the female journalist was not harmed physically, but the gentleman was worked over by the operatives for more than five hours. In no case, we further notice, was any lawyer present for either journalist. We have also seen a letter purported to originate from the National Security Ministry and signed by its Chief Director Lt-Col Ababio Serebour (Rtd) indicating the Ministry's awareness of the allegations and rather unhelpfully claiming without any timelines that disrespect the intelligence of Ghanaians, the Ministry's willingness to investigate the allegations and revert. We also notice the nonchalance in verbiage and the non-subtle attempt of the Chief Director of the Ministry to brand the serious allegations and the Guantanamo Bay-style assaults as interrogation that clearly did not respect the right of the person to a lawyer. It goes without saying that we in OccupyGhana are troubled by these developments, and it is with an iron will that we maintain civil language towards the National Security Ministry in issuing his press release. These allegations, in their very nature, have no place in a civilized democracy, a 29-year-old democratic experiment, and under a republican constitution that touts the rule of law. The allegations outline a bestial culture of impunity, an animalistic disregard for basic human rights, and a demonic manifestation of tendencies that have no place even in a holocaust camp. We are appalled and disgusted, and when proven true by an independent body, we demand that the perpetrators so named be charged with nothing less than the crime of attempted murder, tried, convicted, jailed, and dismissed from the employment of the government without any benefits. Consequently, we ask the following questions: 1. Was Mr. Caleb Kudah, at any point during his accosting by the National Security operatives, informed of what specific Ghanaian law he had breached by his mobile phone documentation of the issue or object that had piqued his journalistic interest? 2. Was the journalist read his rights at any point during Lt-Col Serebour's (Rtd) description of an interrogation? 3. Under what law did National Security operatives coerce both journalists into deleting materials on their personal mobile telephony devices? 4. The Chief Director of the Ministry of National Security alluded to some No Photography rules at restricted security zones. Can he be kind enough to refer us to what law his description of such rules is grounded in? We have no faith that the National Security Ministry can provide a satisfactory investigation into the damning allegations and therefore would like to advise the government to set up an independent body of inquiry into the matter. The allegations of brutalities against journalists are not new, but we are disturbed that the assaults on members of the media keep getting bolder and bolder, and the impunity is assuming hellish proportions. This must stop immediately. If this is what happens to journalists, then we shudder to think of what is happening to other voiceless Ghanaians in the quiet at the hands of security operatives. Even more, concerning for us is the knowledge that Mr. Kudah was documenting vehicles acquired by Government and for which it had been claimed, had been disposed of and not left to rot as at least two investigative journalists had uncovered over the past two or so years. If that was the case, then his cause was just. That his quest to hold government accountable for tax-payer expenses resulted in his alleged brutalization sickens us immeasurably. Once independent investigations confirm this terrible maltreatment of Mr. Kudah, the government must understand the depths of our disgust with its press freedom credentials if any of the perpetrators of these heinous allegations are not made to face the full rigours of the law. We reiterate that we fully support members of the media in the discharge of their lawful duties. We remind the government that it is unpardonable treachery to the citizens when people who are hired with citizens' monies, trained with citizens' monies, paid with citizens' monies, clothed with citizens' monies, fed with citizens' monies, and (painfully) equipped and armed with citizens' monies, would turn round and use those arms to oppress the citizens. And the worst insult to the citizens would be if the perpetrators are successfully sued in court; then citizens' monies would be used to pay the damages awarded. We clearly have learned nothing from the Ayawaso West Woguon incidents, and we strongly demand that government takes immediate and firm steps to end this despicable anti-democratic backslide. Yours, for God and Country. citinewsroom The Paris police prefecture has issued an order banning a Palestinian solidarity demonstration planned for Saturday at the request of the French interior minister, who cited serious security concerns. Pro-Palestinian rallies have been held in the US and are being organised in many countries this weekend following Israel's latest offensive on the Gaza Strip. France's Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin asked the police on Thursday to ban a pro-Palestinian protest in Paris this weekend over the conflict with Israel, fearing a repeat of clashes during a similar situation in 2014. Activists had called the protest in the working-class district of Barbes in northern Paris to demonstrate against Israel's use of force in the Gaza Strip in response to the rocket fire by militant group Hamas at the Jewish state. "I have asked the Paris police chief to ban the protests on Saturday linked to the recent tensions in the Middle East," Darmanin wrote on Twitter. "Serious disturbances to public order were seen in 2014," he added, urging police chiefs elsewhere in France to remain vigilant over demonstrations. In a circular, he also asked local police chiefs to assure the "protection of places of worship, schools, cultural centres and businesses of the Jewish community." Several peaceful Palestinian solidarity demonstrations took place in France in the summer of July 2014 to denounce an Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip. But on 19 July 2014, several thousand protesters defied a ban on a demonstration in the multi-cultural neighbourhood of Barbes and the rally rapidly degenerated into violent clashes that lasted for hours. Mixed reactions The ban on the demonstration brought mixed reactions. Eric Coquerel, an MP with the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI), described Darmanin's decision as a provocation. In doing this Mr. Darmanin is encouraging the risk of violence and clashes he told France 2 television on Friday. Interviewed on LCI television on Friday, former socialist prime minister Manuel Valls said the decision was serious but justified adding that part of the left and hard left were using the conflict as a pretext to justify anti-Semitism. France Palestine Solidarite (AFPS), a leading French Palestinian rights advocacy group, said it was scandalised by the decision. On Wednesday, Paris police detained Bertrand Heilbronn, the head of AFPS for several hours before he was released. Heilbronn was arrested after he met with a French foreign ministry advisor as part of a delegation including members of parliament and representatives of trade unions and organisations, said the AFPS in a statement. The detention of the veteran 71-year-old activist sparked outrage from several activists and political figures on the left, including Jean-Luc Melenchon, the leader of hard-left France Unbowed. Strikes continue for 5th day Israel fired artillery and mounted more air strikes against Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip on Friday amid constant rocket fire deep into Israel's commercial centre. The Israeli military said in a statement that air and ground forces were attacking the Hamas-run enclave. Rocket barrages from Gaza swiftly followed. With no sign of clashes abating, the UN Security Council will publicly discuss the worsening violence on Sunday, diplomats said after the United States earlier objected to a meeting on Friday. More than 100 people in Gaza have died in the clashes, including 29 children, over the previous four days, according to Palestinian medical officials. Seven Israelis have been killed. From Havana to Le Locle and all over the world, cigar aficionados are celebrating 2021 as the 55th anniversary of one of the most distinguished and revered Cuban cigar makers, Cohiba. Now marking its fifth year of collaboration with Habanos and the sixth special edition with Cohiba, Zenith is joining the celebration with a delectable and highly exclusive commemorative edition of the Chronomaster Open. Born from the shared pursuit of excellence through precision, authenticity and tradition, Zenith and Cohiba are marking a new milestone in their partnership tailored for those who seek out precious moments to indulge and savour the work of artisans. Chronomaster Open Cohiba 55th Anniversary Edition Zenith Right on time for Habanos World Days, a three-day online event whose program is similar to the traditional on location festival organized for over 20 years in Havana consisting of thematic conferences, virtual tours of cigar factories and the Habanos World Challenge competition testing the knowledge of avid cigar lovers, Zenith is joining Cohiba in celebrating its 55th anniversary with a special commemorative limited edition watch. Zenith has reimagined its emblematic Chronomaster Open in a manner that immediately evokes Cohibas unique aesthetic. Taking on the striking design codes of the packaging and paper bands that wrap each of its entirely hand-rolled and exquisitely blended cigars, the dial of the Chronomaster Open Cohiba 55th anniversary edition is done in the distinct saffron-yellow tone and white on black checkered motif. A yellow chronograph seconds hand with a star-shaped counterweight completes the look, while the black alligator leather strap harmoniously accentuates the checkered pattern of the dial. Limited to just 55 pieces, the Chronomaster Open Cohiba 55th anniversary edition is completed with a special display back with the special Cohiba 55 logo printed on the interior side of the sapphire crystal. To enjoy the full epicurean experience, each watch will come with a set of 5 special Cohiba cigars presented in an exclusive cobranded porcelain jar. The Chronomaster Cohiba 55th anniversary edition will be available exclusively at Zenith boutiques and select retailers around the world from October 2021. The Gomoa Central District Assembly in collaboration with the Member of Parliament for the Constituency, Hon. Naana Eyiah has donated food items to Muslim Community as they celebrate their annual Eid-Ul Fitr festival. The items made up of 95 bags of rice and 30 cartons of cooking oil were to be distributed to the 26 Moslems communities in the District. Presenting the items at Gomoa Afransi, DCE for Gomoa Central, Hon. Benjamin Kojo Otoo congratulated the Moslem community for going through the 30-day fasting and prayers successfully. He urged them to use the Eid-ul Fitr celebration to pray for His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, his Vice, Alhaji Dr. Muhammadu Bawumia, his Ministers of State and all Government Appointees. " This donation was spearheaded by President Akufo Addo due to his commitment to support the Moslem community in the country. As you celebrate Eid-ul Fitr, be mindful of the Covid-19 pandemic and abide by all the safety protocols. Our honourable Member of Parliament, Hon. Naana Eyiah should have been here with us but equal national assignment has taken her somewhere else. She extend her seasonal greetings to all Moslems in the Gomoa Central Constituency. Let me take this opportunity to thank you for your fasting and prayers which has contributed positively towards the development of the Gomoa Central District" Gomoa Central Nasara Coordinator of the NPP, Alhaji Baba Adam Musa who received the items on behalf of the Moslem community commended President Akufo Addo led NPP Government for the donation. He accordingly thanked Hon. Naana Eyiah and the DCE, Hon. Benjamin Kojo Otoo for their cordial relationship with the Moslem community adding it has brought governance to the doorsteps of the people. Alhaji Baba Adam Musa assured that the items would be fairly shared to serve the purpose of the donor. Gomoa Central Constituency Chairman of the Ruling New Patriotic Party, Alhaji Omar Adam while praising MP, Hon. Naana Eyiah and DCE, Hon. Benjamin Kojo Otoo for their inspirational leadership, encouraged Moslems to sustain the same love and coexistence they exhibited during the Holy Month of Ramadan. " We thank Allah for giving us the strength to go through the fasting period. Let us be mindful of our Islamic teaching and abide by them. Gomoa Central Constituency branch of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) will continue to work hand in hand with the District Assembly to implement government's programmes and policies aimed at improving the lives of the people" Present were the Gomoa Central District Coordinating Director, Dr. Eric Akobeng, Leaders of the Moslem communities in Gomoa Central, Gomoa Central NPP Women's Organizater, Mrs. Dina Aubyn as well as the Constituency Communication Officer, Mr. Edward Mintah. Listen to article As the seething conversation around how a journalist with Accra-based, Citi FM/Citi TV, Caleb Kudah was assaulted by national security operatives during an interrogation continues, a private legal practitioner, has opened up about how a client of his was subjected to a similar ordeal. The account of the lawyer, Yaw Twumasi Ankrah, sought to throw more light on the constant report of physical abuse meted out to citizens by some security personnel, following an attempt by some Ghanaians to downplay or deny Caleb Kudahs harrowing experience. In a post on Facebook titled Blue Gate Encounter, he narrated how state security agencies such as the National Investigation Bureau (NIB), Police, Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) and the National Security itself, have coerced individuals into their custody to confess to crimes they have not committed and assaulted them in the process. If the lawyers decide to give an account of their experiences with the security agencies in this country eeerh, you will have very little or no reason at all to doubt anyone who tells you, they have been assaulted by the BNI (now NIB), police, National Security, EOCO among others, or they confessed to avoid further assaults. Caleb Kudah was at the Blue Gate at the National Security Ministry filming some grounded MASLOC vehicles parked at the premises only to be arrested and brutalized by some national security operatives who did not charge him for any offence stated in Ghanas statutes. In a similar encounter at the same site, however, the lawyer revealed that his client once called to inform him that he had been invited to Blue Gate on a Friday to assist with an ongoing investigation. He however counselled the client to liaise with the officer in charge and reschedule to Monday since he wants to come with a lawyer. Although the officer initially agreed to reschedule, he shortly called back and insisted that the client comes on Friday. In what the lawyer said was to avoid the usual drama, he asked the client to take the lead so that he joins him after a court appointment he had. I strongly counselled him that no matter what they do, he should not put anything on paper until I am present nor should he write anything beyond I am innocent on paper, should he be compelled to (they have a way of compelling you), he posted. The lawyer says when he closed from the court, he quickly rushed to the Blue Gate, and after going through the protocols, he was told his client was being interrogated, and that he cannot be there but would be called later on. After waiting for over two hours amidst agitations and demands to see the superior to report the obvious breach of the right to counsel, the receptionist insisted that she was working on instructions whenever the lawyer raised concerns about the illegality about how the client was being handled. The lawyer says at the point when he finally saw his client, one of the officers boldly told him to advise his client to confess else he will spend the weekend in their cells. This, the lawyer said, is a form of threat that has worked magic on so many people who are now in jail for things they have not done. Being shell-shocked, the lawyer asked the officer if he wanted the client to confess to what he did not do, so you can sign it off, or you will want to know the truth. He said there is no truth, and that if I misbehave they can worry me. Can you imagine that? the lawyer said in his Facebook post. According to the lawyer, he insisted the client had nothing to say beyond the fact that he was innocent. As a result of the lawyers response, the client is said to have been detained at the blue gate for three days. Interestingly, after the conclusion of the investigations, it emerged that the officers could not find any evidence to support the allegations against the lawyers client. The lawyer argued that the operatives only wanted the client to confess to a non-existent act, so it could be relied upon in court to secure a conviction. If you are a nobody you are finished. There several similar encounters with the BNI and Police, but that is for another day, the lawyers post concluded. ---citinewsroom Listen to article The New Patriotic Party IT Coordinator for Asante Juaben constituency in the 2020 General elections, Nicholas Donkor was on Thursday allegedly assaulted severely by the Ahenema Kokoben police. The police officers claimed he took a secret recording of them with his smart phone. Mr. Donkor, popularly known as Ofa Nicho narrating the incident to ModernGhana described the ordeal as a near-death experience. He told ModernGhana after being admitted to the hospital for a while that I was given an injection and some medicines but I feel severe pains in my chest and waist. He said he had been accosted by four policemen at Ahenema Kokoben while on a business trip for not displaying the insurance on his car but he insisted his car was duly insured and they could verify digitally. The police would not take that explanation and insisted it is criminal not to display his insurance on the car, ignoring the Vice Presidents' recent digital advancement promotions. According to him, he knew very well it was money the policemen wanted but ignored them and insisted he had insured his car. After several attempts to convince them to verify digitally failed, they arrested him and took him to the Ahenema Kokoben Police Station where his plight worsened. There was a policewoman on duty identified as Leticia Badu who claimed I was filming her secretly and ordered the men to beat me. And they beat me mercilessly Ofa Nicho recounted sadly. According to him, he opted voluntarily to give them his phone to search whether they would see any such video on it but they refused and just enjoyed the molestation. Unfortunately, Mr. Donkor has refused to report to the police saying if he had any such time to spend, I would rather use that time to curse them at Antoa, showing the growing mistrust in Ghanas law enforcers. The nation has barely digested discussion on a severe assault on a Citi FM/TV journalist and his colleague by some policemen at the National Security outfit. Many say, such unprofessional acts by security men largely dent the image of the government in power, especially when the current president is touted to be a strong advocate of Human Rights. But Ofa Nicho tells this reporter that, it is high time we let such deviants pay for their foolish acts and not smear it on the president or government. The Human Rights Court 1 of the High court has set May 31 for judgement in the discrimination lawsuit between Tyrone Marhguy and the Achimota School. This comes after the court presided over by Her Ladyship, Gifty Adjei Addo, heard the merits of the case. In court on Friday, May 14, 2021, the lawyer for the Board of governors of the Achimota School, Kwesi Fynn and the Attorney General, Godfred Dame argued that the applicant has no cause of action because nothing within the scope of his right to education and religion has been infringed upon. Mr. Fynn also opined that the curtailment of the rights of Tyrone Marhguy via school rules was provided for by article 14, clause 1 of the constitution. Lawyer for Mr. Marhguy, James Gawuga Nkrumah however insisted that his client's rights have been denied him. Meanwhile, the court is preparing to hear another suit between Rastafarian Oheneba Nkrabea against the Achimota School, Attorney General, Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service. Tyrone Marhguy sued the school because he was denied admission at the Achimota School because of his dreadlocks. In his suit sighted by Citi News, lawyers of Marghguy argued that their clients rights were being violated by the school's actions. They want the court to declare that denying the student, Tyrone Iras Marhguy, admission because he keeps dreadlocks is a violation of his right to education guaranteed under Articles 25(1)(b), 28(4) of the 1992 Constitution. They also argued that denying him admission is a violation of his [Tyrone Iras Marhguy's] right to dignity. They also want an order directed at [Achimota School] to immediately admit or enrol the applicant to continue with his education unhindered. In addition, Marhguys lawyers also want compensation for the inconvenience, embarrassment, waste of time, and violation of his fundamental human rights and freedoms. Tyrone Marhguy was denied admission at the school alongside another Rastafarian student, Oheneba Kwaku Nkrabea. The saga has been ongoing since March 19, 2021, during which the two students have not been able to start academic work with their colleagues. They were placed at the school through the Computerized School Selection and Placement System (CSSPS) having satisfied the entry requirement by creditably passing their Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). Tyrone Iras Marhguy's results were attached to the lawsuit to emphasise his academic competence. The school had asked the parents to cut off their wards' hair or find another school for them. Though the Ghana Education Student initially directed Achimota School to admit the students, it backtracked after pushback from the school's stakeholders and further engagements. In defence of the school's decision, the Achimota School PTA said its revised rules and regulations from August 2020 indicate that students must keep their hair low, simple and natural. ---citinewsroom Listen to article The first half of May in Croatia is marked by the anniversaries of two events from the end of the Second World War. With one democratic Croatia, which, if we believe its Constitution, is built on the foundations of anti-fascism (and opposite the so called Independent State of Croatia, established by the Ustasha movement, under the wings of Nazi Germany and fascist Italy) should be proud of, the other would be politically opportune not to mention at all, or keep within the limits of individual commemorations. We are speaking, of course, of Victory Day and the date of the surrender of the remnants of the Ustasha and Home Guard forces, united in the Croatian Defense Forces, on the Bleiburg field, ie the liquidation of still uncertain number od those made prisoners there. The opposite is happening, however. Instead of being proud of the V Day, the official Croatian tries to push it into oblivion, and because it does (still) cannot, makes only certain protocol gestures. And the fact that during WW2 a Croatia existed which was on the side of Nazi-fascism existed and kept fighting to the last day, and even after that, that there was a Croatia which systematically committed war crimes against Serbs, Jews, Roma and Croats political opponents, thus tarnishing the Croatian name, is persistently being pushed in the foreground. With a barely concealed positive context. This is obvious not only from this year, but exactly in this, 2021. it becomes, perhaps, most clear than ever. And this presents the Republic of Croatia as a state that is dangerously turning into the waters of neo-fascism, that is, Ustashaism. Of high representatives of state, Victory Day was personally marked only by the head of State, who laid flowers at the tomb of national heroes, ie. Partisan fighters (representatives of high positioned politicians are not worth mentioning, they were really there just to satisfy form). And yes, one, the only (!) Academy was organized to mark that day by the Alliance of Anti-Fascist fighters and Anti-Fascists (and not the State!). It commemorated the Victory Day, the (almost forgotten) Day of the Liberation of Zagreb, and Europe Day, which is marked on May 9th in order to convey in this way the message that post-war Europe, and that should mean today's Europe too, is built on the foundations of the anti-fascist struggle and on the values of anti-fascism. The current President was not present at that academy. There were two former presidents of the Republic and again - several representatives. The information about this celebration somehow found its way into the media, but that was all. Public television marked this significant day by broadcasting one American and one Russian-Ukrainian film with a theme from the time of the Second World War. And with an unspoken message: that war in Croatia did not rage, and if by some chance it did - there are no films about it (what about some of world-famous movies showing the antifascist struggle in Yugoslavia, such as Neretva or Walter defends Sarajevo?) The other event, the surrender at Bleiburg and everything that happened after that, has been talked about for days. The state (Parliament) and the Church are maximally engaged in the organization of the commemoration of something that is as cynically as hypocritically called the Memorial Day for "Croatian victims in the fight for freedom and independence". Mass celebrations and gatherings will be held in three (!) places in Croatia, and buses (even from Germany) are being organized to bring "pilgrims" to them. And what about pandemic? Everything will be, they say, in line with epidemiological measures and restrictions. They say so and they knowingly and recklessly lie, believing that the public is so stupid, or resigned, that something like this can be served to them with impunity, even on the eve of important local elections. Since 1990, when the surrender at Bleiburg was publicly marked for the first time in Croatia (and when on that occasion the re-named Croatian Radio "shone" with a report, featuring Dinko Sakic, former commander of Jasenovac, one of about 60 concentration camps in the Ustasha state, who categorically stated that - if he lived again he would do everything the way he did, this commemoration turned not into commemoration of those executed without trials after the surrender, but into regret over the defeat of the Ustasha para-state which, in accordance with Tudjman's statement at the First HDZ congress, held in Yugoslav times, was "the realization of the centuries-old aspirations of the Croatian people too . Austria has for years tolerated gathering on Bleiburg field, speeches that were often politically colored, highlighting of the Ustasha symbols and flags (the first white field in the Croatian coat of arms), but then - largely under pressure from Europe denied its hospitality to the, as it was called by a reputable European medium, the largest gathering of radical right-wingers and neo-fascists on the Old Continent. Official Croatia, but also the "Church of the Croats" could not come to terms with that, so last year the "Bleiburg Mass" was held in Sarajevo (probably to remind how Sarajevo was part of the Ustasha state), while this year gatherings organized are being organized, it is worth repeating, on three locations in Croatia, the largest one in Udbina. What message does such treatment of Victory Day and the date of capitulation of Ustasha and Home guard forces (along with other collaborators from Yugoslavia) sends to Europe and to the whole world? Just one thing: as far as Victory Day is concerned, we're not sure whether it should be and how celebrated, because in the meantime we succeeded in transforming the winners into criminals and murderers, and their Supreme Commander as "one of the 10 mega murderer of the 20th century" , and are open to considering the Day of Liberation of the Croatian Metropolis as the day of the beginning of its occupation (this, under the mask of the freedom of public speech can be calmly stated today - as an explanation why the street of May 8th 1945. was abolished . On the other hand, we are very engaged in commemorating those forces and their members who, ignoring the unconditional capitulation of the Third Reich signed on May 8th in Reims and on May 9th in Berlin, continued fighting until mid-May, trying to escape Tito's partisans, knowing that among the partisans there is hardly anyone who has not directly or indirectly felt the Ustasha terror. Official Croatia and the Catholic church are commemorating and mourning their defeat, because they were - as it is written in a stone memorial at Bleiburg field "the Croatian army." Were they really? And what were the Croatian partisans? There is not a single country in the world that would organize commemorations for war criminals executed without trial or sentenced to death (and that there were such people in the Bleiburg field is an indisputable fact). Croatia is an exception - for now. And we have listed these two categories of post-war victims (if that is an appropriate term) because retaliation was not a specific feature of Yugoslavia. It took place, on a larger or smaller scale, for several weeks or several months in all the European countries occupied until then. In France, unofficial estimates list about 100,000 liquidated collaborators, while the leader of the Free France, who would later become the president of the Fifth Republic, General Charles de Gaulle, officially admitted 10,000, with the laconic remark : "Given what they were doing at the time of the occupation, France can live with this. Croatia may soon find itself in the company of several other countries, former Soviet satellites, which are well immersed in historical-revisionist waters, which allow marches of former members of SS units and which - like Ukraine proclaims notorious collaborators (Stepan Bandera) as national heroes. But, will it mean that Croatia is on the right way by (almost) ignoring V-day and by glorifying and mourning the members of the collaborationist forces? Not at all! This will be just be another worrying indicator of the divisions within the European Union and of the abandoning, by some of its young members the ideas and ideals that guided those who conceived the project of a united Europe. That accepting the idea of the possibility of a new war (and the EU should have prevented it for all time) is not just a theoretical possibility, is best seen from the wholehearted adherence of part of the EU to the American policy of confrontation with the Russian Federation (even armed, military drills lasting for several months in Europe just now, demonstrate this). And, finally, lets go back to the name of the Memorial Day in mid-May, mentioned earlier. It is the Memorial Day for the Croatian victims in the fight for freedom and independence. What does that mean? That only Ustashas (Croatian fascists) and Home guards were fighters for Croatian freedom and independence? Given the date, such a conclusion seems only possible. But, if that is the case, then all those Croats (not to mention Serbs from Croatia) who fought in the ranks of the People's Liberation Army were the enemies of Croatian freedom and independence. But, if somehow, we "remembered" what is written in the Constitution, if todays Croatia, democratic and independent Croatia, "generously added Partisans to Ustashe and Home Guard, this would mean the completion and realization of morbid ideas of the first Croatian president Franjo Tudjman who wanted to bury the remains of the victims of fascism and anti-fascist fighters together with those who killed them in the area of the former Ustasha concentration camp Jasenovac. Tudjman then, under pressure from abroad (even from the USA), had to give up copying something that was realized in Spain during his long-term dictatorship by the openly pro-fascist generalissimos Francisco Franco (who in the meantime was "removed" from that memorial complex by democratic Spanish authorities). . His successors went a step further. While Tudjman never attacked the People's Liberation Struggle (he participated in it), nor did he utter an ugly word about Marshal Tito, they "bravely" abolished Marshal Tito Square in Zagreb (and none of the candidates for Zagreb mayor dares to say that he would return the square with that name), they tolerate and even encourage the harshest revision of history (as if learning from Serbian right-wingers, but also the current authorities who marked Victory Day with an academy with pictures of Chetnik leader Draza Mihailovic and partisan leader Josip Broz Tito, claiming the resistance to fascism only for the Serbian people), they are (almost) ignoring Victory Day and glorifying the sacrifice of those who had been on the side of Nazi-Fascism throughout World War II. Does today's Croatia (not only the official) really has a dilemma: either to celebrate the V-day, or to mourn the surrender of quisling forces near Bleiberg, their defeat? Judging by what we are witnessing - no! And his is devastating not only for Croatia, but also for the European Union of which Croatia is a member. (Author is one of the most influential Yugoslav and Croatian journalists, who is covering the international relations for over 50 years and who served as Foreign policy Advisor to Croatian President Stjepan Mesic (2000. 2010. Listen to article The West African region has one of the most burgeoning and exciting creative industries in the world. Led by Nigeria and Ghana, these creatives have been able to harness the power of social media platforms to share their craft, tell their stories, express themselves, build communities and livelihoods, connect with like-minded people and reach a truly global audience. The ongoing Facebook Creators campaign which features eight creative artists from Nigeria and Ghana, has been an interesting expose into the life of some of the creatives, with them sharing insights into their creative process, and how social media has provided the platform to positively impact their audiences. In this interview, Oluwasola Obagbemi, Facebooks Corporate Communications Manager for Anglophone West Africa shares how Facebook is inspiring millions of creatives with opportunities including how people can reach their audience as creatives, and see what is possible with their craft while supporting their operations and aspirations for growth and success with its family of apps. Q. Why is Facebook launching the Creators Campaign? The Facebook Creators campaign is designed to highlight the inspiring stories of leading content creators who have succeeded in various creative industries using the Facebook family of Apps to inspire other creative artists and connect with communities. The campaign spotlights eight creative artists in Nigeria and Ghana who have built, communicated, and scaled their art and craft to the world using Facebook and Instagram. These artists represent several creative industries ranging from Photography, Comedy, Fashion, Dance, and Content Creation. Q. What does Facebook intend to achieve by spotlighting these eight artists from Nigeria and Ghana? One of Facebook's key roles across the continent is supporting and investing in young and diverse creative talent. Through this campaign, we hope to demonstrate Facebooks commitment to providing a platform where Africans, particularly the youth can be recognized and encouraged to aim even higher. We are committed to helping African youth realise their full potential to inspire them to impact their communities better. With the abundance of creative talents coming out from the region and the growing demand for African creative artists footprint on the global stage, we understand that this is the time for African Creatives to share their craft, express themselves, build communities and livelihoods, connect with like-minds, and more. The Facebook Creators campaign gives credibility to and amplifies the incredible talents and works coming out from the burgeoning creative industry in Nigeria and Ghana. It is part of Facebooks efforts to boost the burgeoning creative industry in West Africa, while inspiring millions of creative minds with the endless opportunities that the Facebook family of Apps provides for their talents across Africa. As of today, Facebook's family of apps have become not just a platform for their crafts to reside in, but also gives them an opportunity to tell their story as it is to the world. Through the Facebook family of Apps, African creatives can continue to express themselves, tell their stories, monetize their crafts, and pursue their goals. We are excited about the Facebook Creators campaign that offers content creators unique opportunities to communicate their craft and tell their stories. Q. What are the recurring themes in the stories of the featured creative artists? These creators are selected from several industries in Nigeria and Ghana. They all share the common values of hard work, perseverance, consistency, originality, how theyve remained relevant, how social media has been instrumental to their growth, and some key lessons for aspiring content creators. They all have inspiring and true stories which are very relevant in todays society and for young people. Q. Who are these eight creative artists from Nigeria and Ghana? One of the content creators spotlighted in this campaign is Emmanuel Oyeleke , the talented Nigerian photographer who mastered the art of creating breath-taking posed imagery after quitting his job as a computer programmer. The campaign also features Laud Anoo Konadu, popularly known as Dancegod Lloyd . Known for co-founding the Dance with a Purpose Academy and the Rocc Starss Dance Academy, the Ghanaian dance sensation and choreographer regularly shares videos of his dance routines on Instagram with his over 1.1 million followers. Other creative artists featured in the campaign include FocusnBlur (Ghanaian Photographer) who was awarded Ghanas Best Event Photographer in 2019 and 2020; Funke Adepoju (Nigerian Fashion Designer) who is best known for her premium bespoke ready-to-wear collections; and Kaffy Shafau-Ameh (Nigerian Dancer) who is popularly known for breaking the Guinness World Record for Longest Dance Party at the Nokia Silverbird Danceathon in 2006. Also featured in the campaign are Apaokagi Mariam - popularly known as Taaooma (Nigerian Comedian), who plays multiple roles in her comedy skits, hilariously spotlighting how African mothers discipline their children; and Claudia Lumor (Ghanaian Entrepreneur) who is widely known as the founder of Kollage Media, producers of Glitz Africa Magazine, and also the Ghana Tourism Ambassador for Fashion Development and Dream Catchers Academy (Nigerian Content Creators) who are best known for offering educational opportunities, leadership skills, and a better life for underprivileged girls through dance, drama, music, and visual arts. Q. How can we access these stories told by the creative artists? All the videos of the featured creative artists are on Facebook Africa page. We also partnered with Pulse Africa to showcase the docu-series on their platforms in Nigeria and Ghana. You can also follow the conversations online using the hashtag #FacebookCreators. All the featured creators also have their videos on their pages, you may follow them to see their video teasers and full videos. Q. Where and how long will the campaign run? The inspirational stories will run as a short docu series on the Facebook Africa Page as well as on Pulse Africa platforms.The campaign started in April and will run till May 2021 for five weeks. Q. Do you have any partners for this campaign? Yes we do, our partner is Pulse Africa. We selected them because just like ourselves, they are very passionate about providing a forum where some of Africas greatest untold stories can see the light. Facebook is about meaningful partnerships that have greater impact in the lives of the people and partnerships like these are for the greater good. We will continue to seek like-minded partners as we continue to tell stories of Africans leveraging Facebook to communicate their craft to the world. The Asantehene Otumfou Osei Tutu II has said persons in authority who are fighting the illegal small scale mining (galamsey) in Ghana, know all the miscreants involved in the activities. He said the fight against galamsey will be easy if indeed the authorities are committed to ending the devastation the activities is causing our water bodies and forest reserves. Otumfuo said this at a recent event that most chiefs are aware of the people involved in the illicit trade because they give out the land. He further lambasted chiefs who give out lands to galamseyers to engage in their nefarious activity. Information Minister, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has assured of thorough investigations into the alleged manhandling of a Citi FM journalist and the conduct of operatives of the National Security on the premises of the media house. The Minister, who visited Citi FM and Citi TV on Friday, May 14, 2021, following the incident, said the government is committed to guaranteeing the safety of journalists. His assurance comes after the National Security Ministry said it was investigating the incident. Armed personnel from the National Security stormed the Station's offices in Adabraka ostensibly to arrest one of Citi FMs reporters, Zoe Abu-Baidoo Addo, after her colleague, Caleb Kudah, had sent her videos of grounded MASLOC cars he captured at the National Security office. Caleb Kudah had also been detained by the National Security personnel during which he said he was assaulted while in custody. Mr. Oppong Nkrumah said his Ministry had noted the incident with worry because it doesn't reflect how anybody, be it a citizen or journalist, ought to be treated as part of an interrogation. He added that the government was doing some work to provide a safer environment for journalists to work in. As part of this, the Minister said he expected the National Media Commission to play an active role. We recently just set up an office for them [National Media Commission] principally for the promotion of the safety of journalists, he noted. Though Citi FM has not made a complaint to the National Media Commission, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah said he had told the NMC to get into this matter and be complementary in resolving it. On the trend of journalists being assaulted, the Minister said pending investigations will also receive some attention from the Commission. This is exactly why we have supported the NMC [National Media Commission] to set up an independent office that can even follow up and track all these outstanding investigations or interventions and ensure that the necessary resolution is brought to them, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah explained. On timelines for the investigation into the incident at Citi FM, Mr. Oppong Nkrumah said he expects the National Security Ministry to provide updates in this regard. ---citinewsroom A security analyst, Mr Adam Bonaa has said Rambo-style arrest of journalists should not be happening in a country being governed by a human right activist as president. He described the way and manner the journalist with Citi FM was arrested by the Police on Tuesday May 11 as shameful. Mr Bonaa told TV3s Komla Adom on the Mid Day news on TV3 Wednesday May 12 that This speaks to the core of our democracy. We cannot live in a country where you use sledgehammer to kill flies or insects. That is what is happening at the moment. Whoever deployed these supposedly called National Security operatives should bow down his or head in shame. The president is touted as a human rights lawyer and I called him lawyer president and so these things shouldnt be happening. With internal security operations usually, you will use discretion, 99 per cent of it is discretion. The other part of it, which will be part of the 99 per cent will be commonsense. For his part, private legal practitioner Sampson Lardi Anyenini stated that Ghanas courts have recently ruled that journalist should use straightforward means to obtain their information to feed the public. However, he said, where the journalists being frustrated, they are allowed to use other means to obtain the facts that are in the public interest. The reigning journalist of the year told TV3s Komla Adom in an interview on the Midday news Wednesday May 12 regarding persons who are asking why the Citi FM journalist Caleb Kudah went filming at a security zone, a situation that led to his arrest. He said Our laws say nothing is a crime or nothing is an offence unless it has been prescribed in law and the punishment for it has been so defined in written law. So, if you say you have written somewhere on your wall that this place is a security zone, you dont take photographs, you must show me which law gives you the power to say what you are saying. If you dont show me a law I am not under any obligation to obey it. I am not saying that the journalists can go and walk into any meeting and begin to record it without permission. Our laws and courts have ruled in recent times that journalists should use straight forward means to secure the information they will need. But where they are being frustrated the use of the straightforward means they are allowed to use other means to procure the information which is for the public interest. ---3news.com Aggrieved students of the School for the Blind at Akropong in the Eastern Region have called for the removal of their headmistress, Mahela Narh. The students, who embarked on a demonstration accused Ms Narh of mismanagement, misappropriating funds and selling foods donated to the school by philanthropists. They also accused her of gross disrespect. Additionally, the students say she serves them poor meals. The Students Representative Council (SRC) and Progressive Old Students Association of Akropong School for the Blind have, therefore, presented a joint petition to the Ghana Education Service and demanding the removal of the headmistress. Read the petition below: REMOVAL OF THE HEADMISTRESS OF AKROPONG SCHOOL FOR THE BLIND (MAHELA NARH). The Student Representative Council, the silent majority and the progressive Old Students Association are strongly calling for the removal of the headmistress of Akropong School for the Blind for the following reasons: GROSS DISRESPECT: The headmistress, Madam Mahela Narh has over the years showed gross disrespect and disregard to the dignity of the blind. Examples are as follows: She has over the years disregarded and disrespected the prefectorial board which is the main body that channel issues bothering students, and a number of appointments booked with her are to no avail. The rate at which she raises insults and curses students is alarming. A clear example is the 2015 JHS 3 batch you will all fail your exams and will be miserable in life. These harsh words compelled a former teacher who was a Reverend Minister by the name of Reverend Henry Kwadwo Gyekete to intervene for the headmistress to reverse the curse which she never did. She once told the 2018 assistant boys perfect by name Opare Asante that it is because the behavior that God made you blind. She recently cursed a continuing student by the name of Paulina Osei and the likes of other individual students. So if a special educator can say and sing this way, then what about the ordinary man on the street. MISAPPROPRIATION OF DONATION MONIES: The headmistress secretly lodged donated money which was meant to renovate the schools music unit from a philanthropist into a dormant World Vision Project account with a retired staff member the late Mr. Amofah who was a signatory to that account, without the knowledge of the school Bursar. It took the intervention of the Municipal Internal Auditor, Mr. Allotey before the money was brought to the main school account, which has not been fully used for its purpose. This means that cash donations received from unknown persons and through school activities and outside have never been accounted for. POOR QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF STUDENTS MEALS We are aware and know that there are a lot of donated food items that come from individuals, religious groups, politicians as well as benevolent organization to supplement what the government brings but it will surprise you that the headmistress in connivance with the storekeeper has been taking the majority of food items like bags of rice, gallons of cooking oil, toiletries and any other relevant food items that are for human consumption to prominent people in high offices, family and friends without thinking about the students. The quality of our meals is mostly poor since the quality ones are sent out as gifts in an apparent attempt to grease the palms of people in high authority. Anytime we complain about the quality and quantity of our food, we are told the government has not been paying our feeding grants. If this not true, and she is disgracing the president and the first lady who is the Patron of the school, then the government must take immediate action against her. Apart from the school stores where food items are kept there is a separate room where those food items that are sent outside are kept which only the headmistress have access to the room. POOR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE UNDER HER WATCH: Academic work under her regime has gone down drastically. We are pleading with authorities to analyse the BECE results for the past 10 years and compare them with results before she became the headmistress in 2009. After almost 12 years of her stay in the school, academic performance has fallen. Meanwhile, the vocational craft department and music unit which serve as the heart of the school, where talents are being discovered have not been given much attention since they lack practical materials. Teaching and learning materials, assistive devices like talking calculator, perkin brailler machines, and two hundred (200) pieces of tablets which were supplied by the government and benevolent organizations have been kept at the school stores which some are being destroyed by mice and termites without its usage. LACK OF TEACHING PERSONNEL The school is currently lacking teachers to replaced deceased staff and other teaching staff who have been transferred to different institutions which have become a vacuum thereby hindering effective teaching and learning in the school. For example, the school is having one French and a Twi teacher who teaches from primary to JHS. ACCOMMODATION Visually impaired national service teachers who were past students of the school and were posted to the school to give back to their alma mata were denied accommodation by the headmistress, meanwhile, there are a lot of rooms rotten in the school. Through this, the school lost two (2) ICT teachers to Okuapeman SHS. Meanwhile, ICT Is not given much attention we students. LACK OF MATTRESSES The school is having more than a thousand mattresses which were supplied by the government but as at now most of us are sleeping on old mattresses which have become lean and flatted, with bed bugs infection but the headmistress has decided not to release the new ones for our use which our house masters and mistresses informed her about the development but she wouldnt listen. METAL BED Most of our metal beds are not in good condition which needs to be changed. But it will surprise you those new metal beds supplied by the government that was kept for long without its usage have been sold to scraps which shouldnt be so because it is government property. LACK OF MAINTENANCE Some students are sleeping in cracked buildings which have become a death trap and one day can lead to loss of human lives. Example is the MTN Ghana Foundation Boys Dormitory and the new Girls Dormitory, leakages of the dining hall, an abandoned school bus donated by a philanthropist has been left in the mercy of the weather without its usage. With all these, nothing has been done, meanwhile, we receive cash donations every now and then. NO AFFECTION AND MOTHERLY LOVE FOR STUDENTS Students welfare has not been considered as her top-most priority, since there are a lot of students who need admission in the school to study but were denied due to her discriminative nature. Examples are adult students. Secondly, one little girl who fell into a deep pit was left in the hands of her parents to pay for her medical treatment without the schools concern. Another young girl by the name of Victoria Asem was allegedly raped by an unknown man when she was bathing at the bathhouse due to a lack of security in the school and nothing was done. In conclusion, we are calling all stakeholders, the office of the President, Ministry of Education, the Ghana Education Service, and CHRAJ for the headmistress Madam Mahela Narhs immediate interdiction for proper investigation to be conducted. After the investigation, she should be re-assigned because her continuous stay in the school will not bring peace and academic progress. This is the first step as a sign of respect. Thank you. Sincerely Yours, Archibold Lamptey (Senior Prefect) Godwin Wiafe (concerned student) Bismark Amo Kwadwo (Secretary) (POSA) Tel: 0241359717/0577419048 ---classfm The Volta Regional Vice-Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. George Loh, has warned that the actions of the National Security if unchecked could result in revenge attacks when there is a change of government. The former Member of Parliament (MP) for North Dayi, who condemned the assault on Citi News' Caleb Kudah indicated that he has encountered similar incidents in his work as a legal practitioner. In a yet-to-be-aired interview on Citi TV's The Chamber Show, the former MP for North Dayi called on the government to purge the National Security of party elements. According to him, the activities of these operatives pose great danger to the peace of the country. Maybe, on hindsight, we could have said he should have written officially, but I get the impression that he was going to do some other thing and then saw this one and as a journalist, he wanted to embellish his story, but even if he was caught at the wrong side of the law, is that the way to treat him? Are they common criminals? They are journalists doing their professional duty and a duty to the state because what he was talking about were things of national interest. The vehicles, must we allow vehicles to go bad when we are buying them with the taxpayers money. I have encountered some of these in the line of duty as a lawyer and is not pleasant ones and the earlier we tell ourselves enough is enough, the better for us as a nation. Those guys there are not trained national security operatives but party boys who have been pushed into the system, and they are taking advantage to do silly things. I think that it is time we face them and tell them enough is enough because me when I sleep and wake up, my fear is that NPP will not be in power forever, and some other party will come and if they do, and they also want to pay back what will happen to us as a nation. ---citinewsroom YOAN VALAT POOL/AFP/File Listen to article French President Emmanuel Macron and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern were to hold talks Friday by video conference to advance their two-year-old campaign to curb online extremism. The talks will mark two years since the leaders launched the Christchurch Call, an initiative named after the New Zealand city where a far-right gunman massacred 51 people at two mosques on March 15, 2019 while broadcasting his rampage live on Facebook. The campaign, which aims to bring together governments and top tech platforms, has been boosted by the decision of the administration of new US President Joe Biden to join the initiative after Donald Trump turned his back on the drive. The aim of the talks, due to get underway at 1830 GMT, will be to "reaffirm strong, high-level political support, determine new goals for Christchurch Call signatories and maintain an open but demanding dialogue with digital platforms," the French presidency said. Participants in the Christchurch Call are asked to commit to pledges to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content on social media and other online platforms. It was not immediately clear which tech chiefs and other leaders would be dialling into the virtual talks. According to Macron's office, this initiative now involves 52 states, the European Commission, 10 large companies and global internet platforms and as well as dozen civil society associations. The drive was launched to counter a growing use of social media by extremists, after the Christchurch attacker broadcast live footage on Facebook from a head-mounted camera. The New Zealand leader earned huge international prominence and respect after the attacks by reaching out to Muslim communities at home and vowing a widescale crackdown on extremist content. "Among the priorities I would like to see progressed is a strengthened collective ability to manage crises related to terrorist and violent extremist content online," Ardern said in a statement released by the French presidency ahead of the talks. Macron added: "The work of the Call is ongoing and it remains as important as when it was launched two years ago."/ach The Alliance for Social Equity and Public Accountability (ASEPA) is pushing for the removal of the President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Mr Affail Monney despite his apology for comments about the arrest of Caleb Citi FM's Caleb Kudah. Caleb Kudah, a journalist with Citi FM/Citi TV was arrested on Tuesday by National Security operatives for filming at the National Security Ministry. In a reaction amidst backlash from the public, the GJA president surprisingly stated that Caleb Kudah breached the ethics of the association. But his comments were roundly condemned by many including some executives of the GJA. In the release signed by Executive Director Mensah Thompson, ASEPA has reiterated that Mr. Affail Monney must be removed as President of GJA. Mr. Monney is going into history books as the worst GJA President and a mere apology cannot save him this time, it is time for him to bow out for the GJA to undertake proper reforms that would promote the interests of Journalists in the Country, part of the ASEPA release reads. Another portion reads, We believe it is this ambition of Mr. Monney and his fear that he could lose the support of Government actors in his next bid as GJA President is what motivated him to attempt to whitewash the brutal assault of the Journalist by putting the blame at the doorstep of the Journalist. Read the full press release from ASEPA below: Mensah Thompson of ASEPA writes... MERE APOLOGY CANNOT SAVE THE GJA PRESIDENT THIS TIME ROUND-ASEPA We have received news of an apology rendered by Mr.Affail Monney, President of the GJA this afternoon at Press Conference in Accra with a pinch of salt. The GJA Presidents admission that his comments that the Citi FM Journalist Caleb Kuddah breached the GJAs code of ethics was based on scanty information available to him about the incident at the time clearly exposes the individualist leadership style of Monney. As the GJA President, when issues happen, you are expected to wait and get full briefings on the incident consult the other Executive Members of the GJA and the GJA can collectively issue a statement or take a position on the matter. This clearly shows that what we have served with by Mr.Monneys over 10 years in office as GJA President is a barrage of personal opinion on issues and not the collective voice of Journalists in the Country which was confirmed by the counter comments by another executive member of the GJA refuting the claims of Mr.Monney. Mr. Monney is going into history books as the worst GJA President and a mere apology cannot save him this time, it is time for him to bow out for the GJA to undertake proper reforms that would promote the interests of Journalists in the Country. Mr.Monneys tenure as GJA President has been characterized with enormous abuse of Journalists than any other GJA President. And anytime this abuses have happened, the GJA only issues a frivolous statement on the matter then go to sleep. We have seen the Sampson Adeti example, up till date we dont know what the GJA has done about the matter, Manasseh Azure example and the Ahmed Suale example. A journalist was murdered in cold blood in the Country and till date the GJA under President Affail Monney has not been able to ensure justice for the family of the journalist. Journalists live in continuous fear in the Country and what Mr.Monney is interested in is winning the next elections as GJA President. We believe it is this ambition of Mr. Monney and his fear that he could loose the support of Government actors in his next bid as GJA President is what motivated him to attempt to whitewash the brutal assault of the Journalist by putting the blame at the door step of the Journalist. We therefore describe the apology as mere afterthought following the backlash his reckless comments has received and not borne out of any goodwill to promote the interest of journalists in the Country. We reject his apology outrightly and use this opportunity to intensify our call from his removal from office immediately! Mensah Thompson Executive Director,ASEPA 0542120628 The failure of the lawyer of Oheneba Nkrabea, one of the Rastafarian boys at the centre of the Achimota School saga, to file a letter of consent from his father to stand in as the boy's next friend in a suit against the school and three others on Friday, took centre stage in court. According to the lawyer, Wayoe Ghanamannti, the letter was endorsed by the Registrar of the court and added to the docket of the case. However, the Presiding Judge, Her Ladyship Gifty Adjei Addo, insisted it has to be properly filled and paid for in accordance with court rules. This caused the court to rise for twenty minutes as the lawyers were directed to do so immediately. But due to the failure of the lawyers to file the letter within the stipulated time, the judge adjourned the case to Monday, May 17, 2021, to hear the merits of the case. Oheneba Kwaku Nkrabea was denied admission at the school alongside another Rastafarian student, Tyrone Marhguy. Both of them have gone to court over the matter. In the case of Tyrone Marhguy, the Human Rights Court 1 of the High Court has set May 31, 2021, for judgment. In court on Friday, May 14, 2021, the lawyer for the Board of Governors of the Achimota School, Kwesi Fynn, and the Attorney General, Godfred Dame, argued that the applicant has no cause of action because nothing within the scope of his right to education and religion has been infringed upon. Mr. Fynn opined that the curtailment of the rights of Tyrone Marhguy via school rules was provided for by article 14, clause 1 of the constitution. Lawyer for Mr. Marhguy, James Gawuga Nkrumah, however, insisted that his client's rights have been denied him. ---citinewsroom Listen to article General Secretary of the Small Scale Miners Association, Godwin Armah has urged government to consider the option of naming and shaming in the fight against illegal mining. His call follows the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II's statement at a Regional Consultative Dialogue on small-scale mining in the Ashanti Region on Wednesday, where he challenged the stakeholders to be truthful in the fight against the menace and call out persons involved in the act since they are known. Mr. Armah, in a Citi News interview, however, advised the government to be circumspect in its approach, when it decides to act on the advice. We know the issues. We know people who issue licences for people to mine in foreign reserves. We know those who give licences to some foreigners to work in forest reserves. If we cannot be truthful to ourselves, we cannot win this fight. When we start singling people out, we will start to achieve results in this fight. No one will want their name to be associated with this illegality, especially in the public eye. This will serve as a deterrent to others. But, there is the need for the government to be careful when it decides to name and shame actors in small-scale illegal mining in the country, he added. Currently, the Ghana Armed Forces have commenced the second phase of their security operation to fight illegal small-scale mining. A statement from the Ministry of Information said the exercise, dubbed 'Operation Halt II' is aimed at removing all persons and logistics involved in mining on water bodies. The new phase of the operation focuses on the tributaries of the Pra River, which have also been significantly affected by the activities of illegal miners, the statement added. The Ghana Armed Forces have also commenced armed patrols of the Pra river. The operation is being undertaken by 400 men of all ranks. ---citinewsroom Police in Guinea has arrested an Imam who is alleged to have led Eid-ul-Fitr prayers in his local dialect Madingo instead of Arabic. The self-proclaimed Imam named Nanfo Diaby was arrested in Kankan, Guinea Conakry. Local media reports say Guineas Office of Religious Affairs had previously warned Nanfo to desist from the practice described as blasphemy. Angry protesters are said to have attacked his mosque, causing the police to arrest him along with some of his followers. Listen to article Last Tuesday was a historic day . Something uncommon happened that has brewed a lot of commentaries in the social and public space. The Church of Pentecost donated a prison infrastructure to the Ghana Prisons Service at Ejura in the Ashanti Region. The facility, the first of five, being constructed for the Ghana Prisons Service has Recreational Facilities (footbal pitch), Chapel (which also doubles as a classroom) and Baptistery, Infirmary, Workshop to train prisoners in employable skills and many other facilities . Although some of us expected all and sundry to applaud the efforts of the church and encourage her leadership to do more, it turned out that many have elected to bombard the church with a barrage of unnecessary attacks. Some people including members of the Church of Pentecost have questioned the church on the basis that, she should rather be found giving tuition free scholarship to her members who elect to enrol in her University and not invest in prison missions. I find that view totally unfortunate and ignorant. The church has already instituted a package for members by subsidizing fees for her members. Anyone who understands the cost in running a tertiary institution will not make such absurd claim that members of the church should be educated without paying fees. How would the university be able to run without raising enough funds? Others have also faulted the church on grounds that the church should rather establish companies to employ unemployed youth in the country. This is also untenable. Ironically, many people who are asking the church to build companies are the very ones who over the years have attacked the church for taking offering and tithes from members as if members are complaining to them.The church's mandate is to win souls for God and she does so by doing anything within her powers. The church is not necessarily mandated to create jobs for the unemployed. If she does that, it is good but not doing that does not mean she has failed. The contract to provide jobs for the unemployed was signed with the state and that, we must not lose sight of. It is the government that you pay taxes to not the Church of Pentecost. Even with that, it is instructive to note that the Church of Pentecost has in many ways created jobs for over 3000 people. As at the end of 2015, the Church of Pentecost had directly employed 3, 140 ( Source: God's faithfulness to the Church of Pentecost). The church has hospitals, schools and other entities that have recruited a lot of people. With the building of about five prisons, won't we need prison guards, cooks, teachers, trainers etc? Are these not jobs? The major concern I have heard many people raise is why the church decided to invest in the prison institution and not other sectors. They assert that the gesture of the church promotes deviance and makes the prison attractive. The decision to put up infrastructure for the prison I understand is to help transform life in the prisons with the ultimate purpose of possessing the nations for Christ. The inspiration to care for those in the prisoners is taken from Hebrews 13:3 . The verse reads Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering. An appreciation of the scripture above establishes without any shred of doubt that the church is living the scripture as expected. As a student of penology, I believe it is important to expartiate further why the Church of Pentecost's investment in the prison institution is very important. According to Ghana's most renowned Criminologist and Penologist, Professor Chris Abotchie, the rate of recidivism in Ghana is between 25% to 30%. He further makes a case that "this percentage does not show whether those who have not returned to the prison have committed any further offenses; or whether other penalities than imprisonment have been imposed on a few cases, or the re-offenders might not have been apprehended" . Nobody is immune to the attacks of criminals. If prisoners are not transformed, they will come back and more likely commit heinous crimes which can affect anyone at all. The increasing rate of recidivism has been attributed partly to the abandonment of prisoners by society upon their release . Many prisoners upon release are not able to feed them themselves because they do not have any employable skills. Some are known to commit crimes which will take them back to the prison since they will be assured of food in the prison. Also, those who have employable skills struggle to find jobs in formal sectors. The church's decision to include a vocational training will go a long way to help them to at least begin a career on their return . The recreational center, the conducive shelter and the ultra modern canteen will help the prisoners with psychological needs we cannot take for granted. This psychological benefits will help in their reformation and society at the end will benefit. As a matter of fact, deviance or crimes will not cease. It is part of society. Some people will be sent to prison for just and even unjust reasons. We must therefore learn to care for them and it is in this light that I submit that all and sundry must applaud the Church of Pentecost for their efforts in making the prisons a home for inmates. The church cannot be distracted. She has come too far to be distracted. The church has met fierce opposition and has surmounted them all. She can't allow herself to be dictated to. The church will continuously do that which will help in the furtherance of the gospel as led by the Spirit of God. Let me out of love and concern, advise those who needlessly attack the church to desist because sacred things cannot be understood by carnal minds. Shutting up might save many from curses they cannot contain. Shalom! Bright Agropah Author and Speaker Listen to article Dentaa Amoateng MBE, President of GUBA Enterprise, has been honoured by the African Women in Europe (AWE) Awards. The award is in recognition of her outstanding performance during the Covid-19 pandemic. The African Women in Europe Awards is an initiative instituted to empower, support and connect African women across Europe. Founded in 2008, the awards serve as a platform for networking business support and information. The ceremony saw many accomplished Europe based African women, being honoured for their consistent performance even during the pandemic. The African Women in Europe had earlier awarded Dentaa Amoateng MBE in 2013 for promoting Ghanaian achievement in the United Kingdom through the GUBA Enterprise. In receipt of the awards, Mrs Dentaa Amoateng MBE states: "I am truly grateful for this award. I will like to thank the GUBA Team for their continued support, and the AWE awards team for entrusting me with this honour. This serves as more motivation to continue doing all that I can to help others." The GUBA Enterprise is a social enterprise organisation dedicated to the advancement of diaspora Africans and Africans back home through various socio-economic programs and initiatives. Through the various branches of the Enterprise, GUBA continues to grow, unite and build Africa, which is its overall objective. GUBA Enterprise has become the Diaspora Network Manager par excellence and continues to grow into an impactful social venture network. Listen to article The commitment by the government of Ghana to upgrade its railroad system, including a rail line to Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso indicates an understanding of the importance of infrastructure. Railroads build nations by moving freight, connecting the nation internally and externally, and serve as a spine for manufacturing centers. All progressing economies exist on the foundation of an integrated infrastructure platform. This new railroad from Port Tema to Burkina Faso, discussed in the article below-Go To Ouagadougou!-is an ambitious 1,000 kilometer rail connection, which will become Ghanas first ever rail line beyond Kumase. Prior to 2017, less than 10% of the old British network of 947 kilometers was operational! The Master Plan of the Ghana Railway Development Authority, completed in 2013, envisages a 4,007 kilometer rail network at a cost of almost $21,508,000. Ghanas president, Nana Akufo-Addo, now serving his second term, has been a major drive of this project. This is exactly the bold visionary policy African nations need to develop their economies. Ghana and Cote dIvoire, who together produce the majority of the worlds cocoa beans, can also become the economic drivers of West Africa and the Sahel, through infrastructure investments in rail and energy. New rail lines running north from Cote dIvoires port of Abidjan, the largest port in West Africa, to Burkina Faso, Bamako, Mali, and Guinea, would complement Ghanas expansive rail program. This is how the future of Africa will be built. This is the pathway to industrialization, which can finally eliminate hunger and poverty in Africa! The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has admonished stakeholders in the fight against illegal small-scale mining (galamsey) to do so devoid of greed, dishonesty and hypocrisy. Otumfuo Osei Tutu, who was addressing the maiden Regional Consultative Dialogue on Small-Scale Mining in Kumasi, called for unity and tenacity of purpose as the Government sought to advance legitimate and responsible small-scale mining. The mining sector, he said, had so many prospects for the nation, citing its invaluable contribution to economic growth, especially in the area of wealth creation and poverty alleviation. Therefore, the relevant regulations guiding the sector must be respected, he advised. Otumfuo Osei Tutu said that was necessary in order not to compromise on the sustenance of the biodiversity and ecosystem. He bemoaned the wanton destruction of farmlands, water bodies and forests in the course of illegal small-scale mining, stressing that the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) were expected to tackle the menace head-on. Mining close to water bodies with harmful chemicals and other unhealthy practices that caused damage to the environment must be critically looked at, the Asantehene said. He said the noble idea behind the national crusade to sanitize the small-scale mining sector would not be realized if offenders were not dealt with in accordance with the law. Wrong is wrong and right is right irrespective of the personalities involved, he cautioned. Otumfuo Osei Tutu pointed out that the sophisticated nature in which illegal small-scale mining had assumed called for drastic measures in addressing it. He called for all hands on deck to help repair the damage caused the nation's water bodies and environment. Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, explained that the Regional Consultative Dialogue aimed to decentralise discussion on the way forward for the small-scale mining sector. The objective was to provide input into the national discourse on the regularisation of the sector through coordination of diverse views. It was also to develop appropriate policy options with the overarching goal of improving the operation, regulation, management and good governance of the sector. Sustainable Small-Scale Mining for National Development, was the theme for the Dialogue, which brought together participants from the Ashanti, Bono-East, Bono and Ahafo regions. They included MMDCEs, traditional authorities, Chief Executives of the Minerals, Lands, and Forestry commissions, representatives of political parties, civil society organisations, and organised small-scale mining companies and associations. The 2017 Country Environmental Analysis by the World Bank said environmental degradation costed the nation about US$6.3 billion or nearly 11 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The report, which was part of the Bretton Wood's Institution diagnostic study on the economy, revealed that non-renewable resources such as gold and oil could not sustain growth as resources depleted, while renewable resources like cocoa, timber and other tree and food crops depended on good environmental stewardship. ---GNA The fate of the whistle-blowers, killed because of use of Right to Information (RTI) to expose corruption and to demand transparency, continues unabated, despite the pandemic, with 10 RTI activists having lost their lives, across the country, since March 2020. And what is unnerving is that the cases continue to languish, thanks to apathetic attitude of law enforcing authorities, local authorities, media and society in general. Since the implementation of the RTI Act in 2005, 91 RTI activists have been killed, 175 have been assaulted, 186 have been threatened and 7 have died by suicide, across the country. The increase in the number of attacks on RTI users and activists since March 2020 is very disturbing, to say the least, says Venkatesh Nayak, RTI research scholar and programme coordinator of Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI). Such instances are rampant in Odisha in particular. The increase in the number of activists killed during this period is indicative of the impunity with which vested interests are acting to prevent crucial information of public interest from seeing the light of the day. Pointing to the poor criminal justice system, Mr Nayak says, India has not exactly covered itself in glory by dragging its feet in punishing the culprits. "All in all the authorities across the states where such incidents have occurred, do not appear to be the least bit interested in protecting citizens who seek to realise the national motto Satyameva jayate through their RTI interventions. Meanwhile, rampant corruption, misuse of public funds, illegal diversion and denial of relief meant for the most vulnerable segments of society continues unabated. The lockdown does not appear to act as a check on such illegal activities while law abiding citizens are forced to remain indoors. Senior journalist, Prasannakumar Keskar, co-author of Life and death in the time of RTI - a book based on research and ground level investigation of RTI murders in Maharashtra under a fellowship of CHRI, states, The sheer number of murders of RTI activists is as worrisome as it could be but what I find more disturbing is the increasing tendency of the masses to either overlook, or at times to justify the killings. I vividly remember the shock and outrage expressed from all cross sections of the society when RTI activist Satish Shetty, was murdered, the first such case ever. Such a reaction from the society in general seems to have become almost extinct over the last few years as the entire socio-political atmosphere appears to have become vitiated due to increased polarization. In my opinion, these changing circumstances in the society around us are increasing the risk faced by not only the RTI workers but also journalists and influencers. Following are the RTI activists who were slain or assaulted since March 2020, as per the data uploaded on the www.humanrightsinitiative.org website under the banner Hall of Shame: 1. Rohidas Dastir Date of Incident: 6 April 2021 Type: Killed Location: Ahmednagar, Maharashtra Rohidas Dastir, in his late-40s, was a journalist of a local weekly. He was allegedly kidnapped and was brutally killed in the Rahuri town of Ahmednagar district. There is not much information available except that he was an RTI activist and a case has been registered. 2. Sarbeswar Behura Date of Incident: 27 March 2021 Type: Assaulted Location: Jaipur, Odisha Sarbeswar Behura, an RTI activist, based in Jaipur district in Odisha, was critically assaulted when bombs were hurled at his four-wheeler in which he was travelling. Behura, who is also a political leader belonging to the BJP, consistently used RTI to expose massive corruption and financial irregularities in various government schemes. As per media reports, two months before he was assaulted, he had lodged a complaint with the Odisha Lokayukta, that certain people were conspiring to blow up an irrigation embankment with dynamites that inundated 4,000 hectares of standing paddy crop in seven gram panchayats of Jajpur district. The Lokayukta had asked the state government to probe the matter. 3. Amitabh Chand Date of Incident: 4 March 2021 Type: Harrassed or Threatened Location: Kendrapara, Odisha RTI activist Amitabh Chand too belongs to Odisha. He had used RTI to expose how four members of a family got government jobs with fake certificates, besides other issues and hence he was threatened. On a complaint to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) by one of his colleagues, the NHRC had sought an action taken report (ATR) from the police. 4. Amrabhai Boricha Date of Incident: 2 March 2021 Type: Killed Location: Bhavnagar, Gujarat Gujarat-based Amarbhai Boricha, RTI activist as well as a Dalit rights activist, was hacked to death because he lodged a complaint under the SC/ST Act against several upper caste people who abused him while passing by. He was pressurised to withdraw the case but he did not. The police had provided two home guards to protect him but they too remained mute witnesses to the brutal assault. The attack, which occurred in front of his house, injured his daughter. A case has been registered. In 2019, Kaushik Parmar, an RTI activist from Gujarat had sought information on attacks on dalits in Gujarat. The RTI reply stated that 1,545 cases were filed which included 22 murders and 104 incidents of rape. 5. Barkur Shankar Shanti Date of Incident: 20 February 2021 Type: Assaulted Location: Udupi, Karnataka RTI activist Barkur Shankar Shanti was brutally assaulted in a temple, which has incapacitated him for life. He used RTI to expose corruption in various government departments. The main accused in this assault is a PWD contractor. Though a FIR has been lodged, the accused, as per news reports, continue to go scot free. This case too is languishing. 6. KH Enoch Date of incident: 20 January 2021 Type: Assaulted Location: Senapati, Manipur RTI activist KH Enoch was abducted and assaulted because he sought information under RTI, on the dispersal of funds of various development projects of the autonomous district council of Senapati district, where he resides. As per news reports, the funds meant for Nagas, was misappropriated by leaders of other factions. As a result, he was abducted and kept in a lock-up for 10 days and tortured and pressurised to withdraw his RTI application. He gave in due to this threat and was fined Rs15 lakh for filing his RTI and a Rs1.5 lakh penalty was imposed on his wife for filing an FIR of her missing husband. Enoch had filed the RTI application along with K Johnson, an RTI activist. After seeing Enochs fate, Johnson has moved out of Senapati to Imphal. 7. Nelavelli Rama Rao Date of Incident: 26 December 2020 Type: Killed Location: Khammam, Telangana In this case, N Rama Rao, RTI activist and politician, was allegedly murdered by his close friend because he did not repay a loan of Rs15 lakh. There is no information on his RTI use except that the BJP district chief stated that Rao used RTI to expose corruption. 8. Zulfikar Qureshi Date of Incident: 23 November 2020 Type: Killed Location: Delhi RTI activist Zulfiqar Qureshi was shot dead and his son fatally attacked with a knife. He was also a politician and as per his leaders he used RTI to expose illegal scrap dealers. 9. Ramesh Maan Date of Incident: 4 July 2020 Type: Killed Location: Hamidpur, Delhi Veteran RTI activist Ramesh Mann was beaten to death in Hamidpur village on the outskirts of Delhi as he has sought legal intervention in the High Court against a construction company after he procured some sensational information under RTI. 10. Ramashankar Gupta Date of Incident: 4 May 2020 Type: Assaulted Location: Mahendragarh, Madhya Pradesh A veteran and well respected RTI activist, Ramashankar Gupta was assaulted while he was clicking photos of encroachment in a crematorium. Ever since the implementation of RTI, Gupta has been consistently filing RTI applications on various subjects. As can be seen from the 10 cases of assault, threat and murder, there is little information on the progress of the cases, thus emboldening the antisocial elements to attack and silence the voice of the whistle-blowers! Yes, T took delight in terminating people, and would never miss a chance to wield the chopper. But not always. There was one occasion when T did not terminate a deserving candidate. Hold on it was not because he had a change of heart, took pity on the victim, went soft, or anything like that. He simply could not bring himself to do it. But he got it done anyway. This is the story. T had one great ambition to be a market leader in syndicated loans. To explain, a syndicated loan is a large loan hundreds of millions of dollars to a corporate borrower. Such loans are normally too big for one bank. One bank, the lead manager, structures the loan and brings in several other banks as co-lenders, and they share the loan between themselves. The lead manager also parcels off part, or most, of its own share to smaller banks in pieces of 2 to 5 million dollars, thereby bringing down its own exposure to a relatively small amount. This business can be very attractive because the lead manager gets big fees for arranging and distributing the loan, plus recognition in banking circles as one of the big boys. This business can be very attractive because the lead manager gets big fees for arranging and distributing the loan, plus recognition in banking circles as one of the big boys. Though our bank was a big fish in a smallish pond, we had never done any syndications. T wanted to make the bank a big fish in the international market, and decided to start a syndication business. This business needed an expert to manage it. You had to find a suitable borrower, persuade him to borrow a big chunk of money through you, structure the loan, and find co-lenders. We did not have anyone in the bank who had the knowhow to do this, so T decided to bring in talent from outside. The specifications for this expert were stringent he must be white, must have in-depth experience of arranging syndicated loans, have extensive contacts in both big business and big banking and so on. T found the man he wanted; an Englishman named Jim Connors. Jim was welcomed into the bank with great fanfare. He was given a grand title of director for syndications, a large office, a gori secretary, a Mercedes E240 and a plush villa. T took him around personally to introduce him to all the senior people in the bank, and board of directors downwards. Everyone waited with bated breath for the wonders which Jim was slated to work. Jim set about his task with gusto. With Ts active support he lined up a large Saudi family business and persuaded the owner to borrow $125 million to expand his business. It called for a syndicated loan, with our bank as the lead manager. Hectic activity followed. The terms of the loan had to be negotiated, a loan agreement drawn up, a prospectus prepared for inviting co-lenders and myriad other steps that paved the way to the final glorious moment the signing ceremony. The ceremony is a very formal event. The lead manager invites the borrower and co-lenders to meet at 11am one day. Champagne is served (unless the borrower is Saudi, in which case pomegranate juice is the preferred alternative), copies of the loan agreement are presented to the borrower, the lead manager and all the co-lenders, handshakes all around, the ceremonial signing, and then a sumptuous lunch. The borrower is usually represented by the owner or the chief executive (CEO), and the top honchos from the co-lending banks are present (unless it is pomegranate juice, in which case some CEOs send their deputies), and everyone leaves replete and happy. T was on tenterhooks in the days leading up to the signing ceremony. He went over every detail again and again, bombarded Jim with anxious queries and generally made a nuisance of himself. He even visited Stephanie for a haircut. Everyone gathered in the banquet hall of a 5-star hotel at 11am on the appointed day. Oh! Not everyone - the borrower was missing. Jim had made a fatal mistake. The owner of the borrowing company was very nervous it was his first big loan, and that too a syndicated loan. The loan document ran to over a hundred pages damned if he was going to sign it without his lawyer examining each page of each copy to verify that everything was exactly as had been agreed. Without thinking deeply, Jim had agreed to this. Unfortunately, he had not worked out how long it would take the lawyer to check every page of seven copies of a 100 plus page document. The owner, along with his retinue and his trusted lawyer, had arrived the previous evening and had been ceremoniously escorted to several suites in the hotel. Jim gave the lawyer the final seven copies of the agreement and went through every bit of the signing ceremony, step by step. Both owner and lawyer nodded, and the lawyer started the arduous task of checking the copies of the loan document. Even at 11.10 the next morning, there was no sign of the borrower and his lawyer. People started fidgeting, whispering amongst themselves and looking at their watches. In near panic, T sent Jim off to find out what the hold-up was. Jim came back with disastrous news. The lawyer had managed to check only four copies, three more to go. At the rate he was going the job would not be finished even by 5pm. Worse, the owner had dug in his heels and totally refused to sign anything at all until his lawyer had certified each and every copy. There was going to be no borrower at the signing ceremony. There was no alternative but to inform those present that the loan agreements would have to be signed by the lenders alone, and that the borrower would sign later. This news was met with disbelief at first, and when it turned out to be absolutely true, there was a great deal of laughter and merriment. T did not participate in the fun. Neither did Jim. To rub salt in the wound, the CEO of a rival bank came up to T and said I say, one normally has the borrower present at a signing ceremony, you know. Well, it is your very first syndicated loan, so maybe you didnt know. Just come and meet us, wont you, old chap, if you ever do another syndication? We will be happy to show you the ropes. The CEO sauntered off with a chuckle. It was a miracle that T did not explode, but perhaps he could not decide whether to kill that CEO, or Jim. The next morning T summoned me. Jim must be terminated, he said. I nodded. Do it, he said. What, me? I asked in consternation. He reports to you. How can I terminate him? Just do it, said T. So, I did it. To date I have never figured out why T did not carry out the gory task himself. Was it because he had hired Jim with great fanfare in the first place? Or was it because Jim was a fellow gora? Or was there some other reason? Would you know, dear Reader? Besides the raging COVID, dead bodies (without certificate of origin) floating down the great river brought to the earth by the legendary Ikshavaku King, and questions about the competency of the government to address the unprecedented health crisis facing the nation, the debate on how goods and services tax (GST) relief can be provided to vital aids to fight the virus like vaccines, drugs and oxygen apparatus has been hogging the headlines. It has gained more vigour once the Centre passed the ball of meeting the cost of the vaccination to the states which already are stretched to breaking point fiscally. GST was heralded as a monumental tax reform of this regime. Strangely, when the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government was ready many years back to implement GST, the present prime minister (PM), who then was the chef minister (CM) of Gujarat stridently opposed it! Leaving the unpleasant history behind, the new system, while integrating the national indirect tax grid to a significant extent and relieving the business of handling diverse state taxes, also ended up denuding the states of the key fiscal lever that remained with them and significantly subordinated the states autonomy to Central dominance. With the result, the flexibility that states had, to modify tax rates in emergencies was lost to them, leaving them a slave to the newly created body of GST council that is significantly affected by the dynamics of party politics. During the present crisis, the states are rightly clamouring for tax exemption on essential items needed to fight the COVID at least to partially offset the cost of doing so. The Central government also created much ruckus in disbursing the compensation last year, which almost went down to the wire and thankfully a federal crisis was averted. Finance minister (FM) Nirmala Sitharaman responded to the plea for tax exemption by her tweet If full exemption from GST is given, vaccine manufacturers would not be able to offset their input taxes and would pass them on to the end consumer or citizen by increasing the price. A 5% GST rate ensures that the manufacturer is able to utilise ITC (input tax credit) and in case of overflow of ITC, claim refund. Hence exemption to vaccine from GST would be counterproductive without benefiting the consumer. 11/ If full exemption from GST were given, the domestic producers of these items would be unable to offset taxes paid on their inputs and input services and would pass these on to the end consumers by increasing their price.@ANI @PIB_India @PIBKolkata Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) May 9, 2021 She has repeated this position to every new appeal made from different quarters in the past few days. How correct is the position taken by FM in principle and does she have the authority to take a view when the GST council alone can deal with any changes to the rate or the law? The FM answer falsely gives the impression that exempting the final products will be detrimental to consumer interest as any exemption will result in the manufacturer having to bear the burden of input taxes. In the present scenario, a 5% GST is levied on domestic supplies and commercial imports of vaccines; COVID drugs and oxygen concentrators attract 12% GST. For a wholesale (B2B) transaction, the seller can claim input tax credit (ITC) by setting off the tax liability against the tax already paid. For example, a vaccine manufacturer would have inputs of both goods and services, which would be taxed at different rates (5%, 12% or 18%). These taxes can be claimed as ITC at the time of final supply and if the tax on output is higher than that on inputs, the final seller can claim an ITC refund. If the final product is exempted, the law denies the input credit and thereby cascading of taxes happen that results in the price being jacked up to compensate the cost of unrelieved tax credits. But there is another mechanism in the GST law where the output can be taxed at 0% and still the input taxes are not denied credit. This system is called zero rating, which is prevalent in European Union (EU) and other advanced countries that have GST. The zero rating is typically used for very essential goods and services like life-saving drugs. India has inbuilt this mechanism in GST law and currently operates it for exports and supplies to special economic zones (SEZs). The benefit has not been extended to any goods or services. This is the route the GST council should now adopt to concede the most legitimate requests for tax exemption. With this method, the manufacturers will avail the credit on all inputs and use the same against tax payment on other outputs subject to tax. If they do not have any such, the accumulated credit will be refunded periodically. No manufacturer will lose any money and the customers will get these life-saving items at a lower price. The changes to GST structure would need to be passed as law amendment after approval of the GST council. The right course for the FM is to convene an emergency meeting over video conference, get approval for the law change and get the law issued as an ordinance in the absence of the parliament in session. It is time to act and ask experts for help than keep tweeting incorrect and incomplete answers and waste precious time. (The author is a CA and CS and retired as a partner at EY, Chennai heading tax and regulatory advice.) On anticipated lines, the Maharashtra government on Thursday announced that it has decided to extend the ongoing stringent lock-down-type restrictions across the state up to 1st June. The move by the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government comes amid rising COVID-19 cases and fatalities in many districts in the state, though Mumbai and parts of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region are currently in a better shape. As per the new directives, Mumbai suburban trains will not permit regular commuters but only those engaged in essential services and other pre-notified categories. At the Cabinet meeting presided over by chief minister (CM) Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday, all ministers belonging to Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party-Congress supported the need to extend the lock-down. Following the Cabinet nod, chief secretary (CS) Sitaram Kunte issued the official notification this afternoon extending the lock-down provisions from 7am on 15th May, up to 7am on 1st June. The state also made it mandatory for any persons entering the state by any mode of transport to carry a COVID-19 negative report which is issued within 48 hours prior to his/her arrival. The government has directed the local Disaster Management Authorities to keep tight vigils over rural markets and APMCs to ensure COVID appropriate behavior and if rules are not complied, they can shut these down or impose further restrictions on a case-to-case basis. 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. Ratings agency Moody's has revised India's gross domestic product (GDP) growth forecast for FY2021-22 to 9.3% from 13.7% and to 7.9% from 6.2% for FY21-22 due to negative impact of the second wave of coronavirus (COVID). In a note, the ratings agency says, "Second wave of coronavirus infections would hamper economic recovery and increase risk of longer-term scarring for India. Unlike the first wave where lockdowns were applied nationwide for several months, the second wave 'micro-containment zone' measures are more localized, targeted and will likely be of shorter duration. Businesses and consumers have also grown more accustomed to operating under pandemic conditions. As of now, we expect the negative impact on economic output to be limited to the April to June quarter, followed by a strong rebound in the second half of the year." Moody's also revised India government bond rating to Baa3 with negative outlook. It says, "The credit profile of India is increasingly constrained by obstacles to economic growth, a high debt burden and weak financial system. Policymaking institutions have struggled to tackle and contain these risks, exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. Mutually reinforcing risks from deeper stresses in the economy and financial system could lead to a more severe and prolonged erosion in fiscal strength, exerting further pressure on the credit profile." The negative outlook reflects mutually reinforcing downside risks from stresses in the economy and financial system that could lead to a more severe and prolonged erosion in fiscal strength than Moody's currently project. According to the ratings agency, persistent obstacles to growthincluding weak infrastructure, rigidities in labour, land, and product markets, and rising financial sector riskscontinue to constrain Indias potential. "These structural weaknesses may impair the economys recovery from domestic or external shocks to a greater extent than we presently assume," it says. Moreover, Moody's says, the nature of stress among banks and non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) is still being revealed and may prove deeper and broader than it has assessed so far. "The materialisation of economic and financial system risks would be mutually reinforcing; a deeper and more prolonged credit crunch would constrain GDP growth further, which would increase pressure on financial institutions balance sheets," it added. However, Moody's says, a rating upgrade is unlikely in the near future for India. Nevertheless, the ratings agency says, Indias economic strength provides key support to its sovereign credit profile. "The country's large and diverse economy, and prospects for population growth and productivity catch-up to boost growth potential over the long term all support economic strength." "In particular, India's very large domestic market has provided strong demand-driven growth, fueled by rising incomes, which has helped to shelter the economy from the impact of external demand shocks. Still, incomes and consumption are vulnerable to negative shocks: India's per capita income increased to about $7,000 on a purchasing power parity basis in 2019, from around $3,500 in 2008, but remained much lower than the Baa-rated median of around $27,000. Such low incomes limit households' capacity to absorb shocks, whether domestic, external, or weather related. We expect rising incomes to continue to drive growth through relatively moderate economic cycles, but at a slower rate than in the past," Moody's says. The ratings agency considers India's legislative and executive institutions, civil society and judiciary to be relatively strong. However, in Moody's view, policy effectiveness has been lower than some international surveys, including the worldwide governance indicators, suggest. "While ongoing government efforts to reduce corruption, formalise economic activity, and bolster tax collection and administration should further strengthen institutions over the medium term, there are increasing risks to their ultimate efficacy," it added. Coming back the pandemic, the second wave started in March in the state of Maharashtra, home to the major urban centre of Mumbai, and has since spread throughout the country. As of early May, India's active caseload count surpassed 3.5 million with daily new cases exceeding 400,000. The surge of the virus, which has been driven by a highly contagious variant, has put significant strain on India's healthcare system with hospitals overrun and medical supplies in short supply. Lock-downs and tightened restrictions have so far focused on the most severely impacted states and districts as 10 states or union territories continue to account for around 75% of active cases. The governments latest order on containment measures, which remain effective until the end of May, advises states and Union Territories (UTs) to demarcate containment zones based on a test positivity or bed occupancy threshold; it recommends measures such as night curfews, prohibition of gatherings, closure of recreational facilities and reductions in public transport operational capacity. The re-imposition of lock-down measures will curb economic activity and could dampen market and consumer sentiment. However, Moody's says it does not expect the impact to be as severe as during the first wave. On the fiscal front, the ratings agency says it expects the renewed surge in the virus to contribute to a marginal shortfall in revenue and a redirection of spending toward healthcare and virus response relative to what the government budgeted in February. "As a result, we now expect a wider general government fiscal deficit of about 11.8% of GDP in fiscal 2021, compared with our previous forecast of 10.8% and an estimated 14% in fiscal 2020. We expect the combined impact of slower growth and a wider deficit to drive the general government debt burden to 90% of GDP in fiscal 2021, gradually rising to 92% in fiscal 2023," Moody's say. India began the third phase of its vaccination campaign for those aged 18-44 on 1 May 2021, making the vaccination available to the entire adult population. However, as of early May, only around 10% of the country's population had received at least one dose of the vaccine. Meanwhile, a shortage of vaccines and logistical difficulties in reaching a large rural population (about two-thirds of the population) complicate the vaccine rollout. The international community has recently contributed to India's vaccine efforts with increased medical and vaccine supplies to help address shortfalls. The spread of the virus and the rate of vaccinations will have a direct impact on economic outcomes, the ratings agency says. On 5 May 2021, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced new liquidity measures to support the economy and financial system during the second wave. Measures focused on loan forbearance and liquidity access to households and businesses, including through a restructuring scheme with the extension of a loan moratorium for up to two years. May 14, 2021 Turning The Clock Back To 2001 - CIA, Others Prepare A New Resistance Against The Taliban On September 9 2001 Ahmad Shah Massoud, the commander of an anti-Taliban front in north Afghanistan, was killed by two suicide bombers. Massoud, an ethnic Taijik, had fought against the Soviet occupation, then against rival warlords and finally against the Taliban. Massoud and the groups under his command controlled less than 10% of Afghanistan. They were financed by U.S., French and British secret services. (In the late 1990s Amrullah Saleh, Massouds intelligence chief, received CIA training.) After 9/11 the CIA and U.S. special forces met with Massoud's allies, gave them lots of money to hire more fighters and supported their march on Kabul with massive airstrikes. Two month later the Taliban gave up, went home or retreated to Pakistan. The U.S. installed the various warlords and criminals who had fought under Massoud as the new government. That was a mistake. It had been the utter criminal behavior of those warlords that had led to public support for the rise of the Taliban in the first place. To install the warlords who looted the country as government guaranteed that the Taliban would come back. By 2006 the Taliban were back. Since then they have regained control of more than half of Afghanistan. Despite the enormous amount of 'western' firepower the U.S.and its allies applied they found no way to prevent the reestablishment of the Taliban's rule. Finally President Trump negotiated a ceasefire with the Taliban that would allow a retreat from Afghanistan without taking further casualties. Yesterday the last U.S. soldiers left Kandahar airport, once the largest U.S. base in south Afghanistan: The United States has completed its withdrawal from Kandahar Airfield in southern Afghanistan, once the second largest military base in the country for US forces, officials said Friday. Kandahar province was the birthplace of the Taliban and has in recent months seen intense clashes between the resurgent militants and Afghan forces. US airstrikes were launched from the base just last week to help Afghan forces push back a major Taliban offensive. They have not officially handed over the base to us but I can confirm they left the base on Wednesday, said Khoja Yaya Alawi, a spokesman for the Afghan army in Kandahar. They have handed over all the facilities to Afghan forces, added Massoud Pashtun, the director of Kandahar Airport. The retreat from Afghanistan does not sit well with the CIA and other secret services. They know that the Taliban will soon overwhelm the Afghan government and again rule the country. But they want to keep their foothold in Afghanistan to continue their meddling and to act against various presumed enemies be they Iran, Pakistan or China. There is also the drug business which makes for some nice off-the-books funding. They now think about turning the situation back to September 2001 and to have a do over: Western spy agencies are evaluating and courting regional leaders outside the Afghan government who might be able to provide intelligence about terrorist threats long after U.S. forces withdraw, according to current and former American, European and Afghan officials. ... Among the candidates being considered today for intelligence gathering is the son of Ahmad Shah Massoud, the famed Afghan fighter who led fighters against the Soviets in the 1980s and then against the Taliban as head of the Northern Alliance the following decade. The son Ahmad Massoud, 32 has spent the last few years trying to revive the work of his father by assembling a coalition of militias to defend Afghanistans north. Afghans, American and European officials say there is no formal cooperation between Mr. Massoud and Western intelligence agencies, though some have held preliminary meetings. While there is broad agreement within the C.I.A. and Frances D.G.S.E. that he could provide intelligence, opinions diverge on whether Mr. Massoud, who is untested as a leader, would be able to command an effective resistance. Why the hell do the 'western' secret services want an 'effective resistance' against Taliban rule in Afghanistan? Why can't they, after more than 40 years, at least for once stop messing up that country? Massoud junior was educated in Iran and Britain: After finishing his secondary school education in Iran, Massoud spent a year on a military course at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. In 2012, he commenced an undergraduate degree in War Studies at the King's College, London where obtained his bachelor's degree in 2015. He obtained his master's degree in International Politics from the City, University of London in 2016. Sandhurst and Kings College may give a good education when one prepares to be a high level poodle for the former empire. But it does not qualify to lead anyone in Afghanistan. Unlike his father Massoud junior has never fought in a war or even against a competing warlord. He has zero street cred. Still, some 'western' officials want to support Massoud in the new civil war he envisions: Now, various allied governments and officials have different views of Mr. Massoud and the viability of his movement. The French, who were devoted supporters of his father, see his efforts as full of promise to mount a real resistance to Taliban control. David Martinon, the French ambassador to Kabul, said he has watched Mr. Massoud closely over the last three years, and nominated him for a trip to Paris to meet with French leaders, including the president. He is smart, passionate and a man of integrity who has committed himself to his country, Mr. Martinon said. Washington is more divided, and some government analysts do not think Mr. Massoud would be able to build an effective coalition. Despite that someone is secretly financing him: In recent months, Mr. Massouds rhetoric has grown tougher, lashing out at [President Ashraf] Ghani during a recent ceremony in Kabul, and his efforts to secure international support more aggressive. In addition to reaching out to the United States, Britain and France, Mr. Massoud has courted India, Iran and Russia, according to people familiar with his pursuits. Afghan intelligence documents suggest that Mr. Massoud is purchasing weapons through an intermediary from Russia. Have the 'western' services learned nothing during the last 20 years? What is the purpose of financing a resistance against the Taliban? What please is their desired end state for Afghanistan and is that even theoretically achievable? We may not like the way the Taliban will rule Afghanistan. But they have proven to be the only force that is able to create a somewhat stable and peaceful environment for the people in that country. Why can't we just leave it at that? Posted by b on May 14, 2021 at 17:51 UTC | Permalink Comments If Texans want good barbecue, we're going to have to move to ... Seattle. At least according to one report. On May 12, a professional chef's website that we've never, ever heard of published a piece heralding "America's Best & Worst Cities for BBQ" and boy howdy did they get it so very wrong. Barbecue is part art, part religion in Texas, a cuisine so revered the state's eponymous magazine even has its own barbecue editor for goodness sake. To determine the rankings, the site says it "analyzed TripAdvisor ratings of all BBQ joints in the nations top 75 largest cities and ranked the cities based on their average rating," resulting in a very strange list. Where did Texas rank among the top spots for barbecue? It didn't. Texas's biggest cities actually ranked among the 10 worst. And as for San Antonio? Well, the news is grim. Breaking down the top 10 Ranking as the top city for barbecue is New Orleans, home to some of the best cuisine in the nation, but not this kind of cuisine. Sure, the city dishes out a mean barbecue shrimp, but guess what? That doesn't count. Po'boys? Sure! Etoufees and muffalettas and jambalya? The Big Easy nails it. But am I ordering a brisket to go with my Hurricane? No, I am not. And it just gets worst from there. Second on the best-of list? Oklahoma City. We're assuming they meant to write "Kansas City" and Oklahoma was a typo, so moving on. Third is a three-way tie between Charlotte, which is at least in North Carolina; Virginia Beach, which is close enough to North Carolina that it gets a pass; and Witchita, which we'll allow only because it's within driving distance of barbecue mecca Kansas City. As for the last half of the best-of list, thing just devolve from there. Columbus, Ohio, is No. 6, a hard nope, followed by cold, rainy, damp Seattle at No. 7. Can you even keep a smoker going up there? St. Louis is No. 8, a city that gets no complaints from us. But the No. 9 tie between Miami and Newark, New Jersey, is just offensive. New Jersey! Ordering a sausage hoagie with peppers and onions, maybe. Finding a decent smoked house made sausage with a side of slaw? You're not gonna find that at Wawa, bro. Texas takedown El Paso, No. 12, is the highest-ranked Texas city, coming in right before Irvine, California. Next on the list is Austin at No. 18, likely buoyed because of its proximity to Taylor and Lockhart, and Dallas punches in at a mediocre No. 38. But as for the rest of the big Lone Star cities, they all fell onto the top 10 worst cities for barbecue. Plano, which is literally next-door to Dallas and thus makes no sense, ranked the second worst, followed by San Antonio in the fourth-worst spot. Houston comes in at No. 7 among worst barbecue cities followed by "Forth" Worth, which ranked No. 10. You'd think if they were going to drag a Texas city about being bad at barbecue, they'd at least go to the trouble of getting its name right. Internet is angry Naturally, people are angry and even famous Hollywood directors are weighing on on what can only be the biggest traffic boon ever to this obscure website. The outrage is enough that at one point No Texas was trending on Twitter (though some people thought it was because of other reasons and chimed in about the state being ousted from the union). In the end, we'll leave it to our sister city to sum up the accuracy of this list. The Sewell Family of Cos. The Parks Legado farmers market is back this year after taking a year off due to the pandemic. Farmers markets will be held from 8 a.m. to noon June 12, July 10, Aug. 14 and Sept. 11. The markets have more than 70 vendors with farm-fresh produce, eggs, meats, breads, jam, honey, milk and more. On June 12, Brantley Creek BBQ and Co., LLC and Gillis Mobile Diner will be on site. Live music by VANTA and Capital Limits. The Ellen Noel Art Museum will have activities for kids. Roming Yoga will be on the patio at 8:45 a.m. There will also be free classes by F45 Training Ponderosa West at 10 and 11 a.m. on the patio. There will also be ping pong, cornhole and more activities set up. SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) The Jesuit priest who presided over an inaugural Mass for President Joe Biden has resigned his position as president of Santa Clara University in Northern California, college officials said, after an investigation found he engaged in inappropriate, alcohol-fueled conversations with graduate students. The Rev. Kevin OBrien, at the direction of Jesuit officials, has begun a therapeutic outpatient program to address personal issues, including alcohol and stress counseling. He had been president of Santa Clara University since July 2019 and was placed on leave in March. The university announced O'Brien's departure in a statement to the campus community on Wednesday that included messages from acting President Lisa Kloppenberg and board of trustees Chair John M. Sobrato. O'Brien had notified the board of his resignation Sunday and the trustees accepted it the next day. The private Jesuit institution in the Silicon Valley, founded in 1851 as the first Jesuit university in the West, is ranked as one of the top 25 schools for undergraduate teaching nationwide. California Govs. Gavin Newsom and Jerry Brown are among its alumni. In a letter to the university community dated Wednesday, OBrien wrote that he hopes to return to active ministry as a Jesuit priest after he completes the four- to six-month outpatient program. He did not give details about his conduct, writing only that there had been accounts of my behavior over the past year in certain social settings with adults that did not meet the highest standards of decorum expected of me as a Jesuit. After much prayer and thought and out of deep love for Santa Clara, I have concluded that the best service I can offer to our beloved university is to step aside now," he wrote. OBrien has known the Bidens for about 15 years; they met when he was serving at Georgetown University, another Jesuit college. O'Brien gave the service at Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle, one of the most prominent Catholic churches in Washington, in January for Biden, who is the nations second Catholic president, as well as Vice President Kamala Harris, their families and elected officials before the inauguration ceremony at the U.S. Capitol. He also presided over services for Bidens inaugurations as vice president. This is a challenging time for Santa Clara, but Fr. OBrien has shown both generosity and freedom in wanting to do what is best for the university, said the Rev. Scott Santarosa, head of the Jesuits West Province that conducted the investigation, in a statement. With care for the faculty, staff, students and entire Santa Clara community, he has decided to step down. Sobrato's statement said the investigation found that O'Brien engaged in behaviors, consisting primarily of conversations, during a series of informal dinners with Jesuit graduate students that were inconsistent with established Jesuit protocols and boundaries. The dinners involved alcohol, Sobrato wrote, but no inappropriate behavior was discovered outside of these events. The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, known as SNAP, on Wednesday called for the Jesuits to broaden the investigation to other places O'Brien previously worked, including Georgetown University, to see if other students would come forward. SNAP is alarmed with the limited amount of information that has been provided about the case and wants to see the probe expanded, the statement said. A federal judge refused Thursday to free a Texas man whom authorities have accused of planning an attack on a social media company's facility after he returned home from storming the U.S. Capitol. Guy Wesley Reffitt, one of more than 400 federal defendants charged in the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol, has been identified by prosecutors as a member of a militia-style group linked to the anti-government Three Percenters extremist movement. Reffitt bragged about his actions in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6 during a Zoom meeting with two other militia members four days after the siege, according to prosecutors. A recording of the meeting obtained by investigators captured Reffitt discussing a plan to attack mainstream media, Silicon Valley, and Big Tech, prosecutors said. Prosecutors say Reffitt specifically targeted a prominent social media companys facility in Texas. During Thursday's remote hearing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Nestler didnt name the company that Reffitt allegedly targeted but said it had servers near his home in Wylie, a Dallas suburb. He knew the description of the generator there and how a well-placed sniper shot could take out that generator and how much impact that would have on that company and therefore on American society, the prosecutor said. U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich concluded that Reffitt would pose a danger to the public if she ordered his release from a Washington jail. The judge said she can't dismiss Reffitt's violent rhetoric as mere boasts, pointing to evidence that he planned more attacks. Mr. Reffitt backed up his comments with actions, she said during a remote hearing Thursday. He did, in fact, attempt to recruit new militia members to his cause. And he stated that the events of January 6th were just the preface to what was coming. Reffitt had been threatening to attack social media companies for months before the Capitol siege, prosecutors said. A relative warned the FBI in late December that Reffitt was going to do some serious damage related to lawmakers in Washington, according to prosecutors, who said he took an AR-15 rifle and a pistol with him when and another militia member drove to Washington. Reffitt played a significant and dangerous role in the deadly attack, leading a group of rioters up the Capitol steps to confront law enforcement officers, prosecutors said in an April 28 court filing. Reffitts actions caused the police line guarding the building to retreat closer to the building itself; soon after, law enforcement was overwhelmed, and rioters breached and flooded the building, they wrote. After returning home, Reffitt told his children that they would be traitors if they reported him to law enforcement and warned them that traitors get shot, according to prosecutors. A grand jury indicted Reffitt on charges of obstructing an official proceeding, obstruction of justice and entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds. In March, a federal magistrate ordered Reffitt detained pending trial. Reffitt asked Friedrich to overturn that order. The government just claims that Mr. Reffitt is a threat, but does not identify an articulable one, defense attorney William Welch said Thursday. AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Texas would ban abortions after as early as six weeks before many women even know they are pregnant and allow private citizens to enforce the rule through civil lawsuits against doctors and others under a measure given final approval by state lawmakers Thursday. The Senate vote sends the bill to Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, who is expected to sign it into law. That would bring Texas in line with about a dozen other GOP-led states that have passed so-called heartbeat bills" that federal courts have mostly blocked. The Texas measure is also likely to draw a swift legal challenge from abortion rights groups. The bill would ban abortions after the first detection of an embryonic heartbeat. Advanced technology can detect an electric signal flutter as early as six weeks into a pregnancy, even though the embryo isnt yet a fetus and doesnt have a heart. An embryo is termed a fetus beginning in the 11th week of pregnancy, medical experts say. A unique provision in the Texas bill prohibits state officials from enforcing the ban. Instead, it allows anyone, even someone outside Texas, to sue a doctor or anyone else who may have helped someone get an abortion after the time limit, and seek financial damages of up to $10,000 per defendant. The Texas Heartbeat Act is novel in approach, allowing for citizens to hold abortionists accountable through private lawsuits. No heartbeat law passed by another state has taken this strategy. Additionally, the bill does not punish women who obtain abortions, said Rebecca Parma, Texas Right to Life senior legislative associate. Critics say that provision would allow abortion opponents to flood the courts with lawsuits to harass doctors, patients, nurses, domestic violence counselors, a friend who drove a woman to a clinic, or even a parent who paid for a procedure. And they argue that it would violate state constitutional requirements that civil lawsuits can be filed only by impacted parties. Under the bill, a person filing the lawsuit would not need any personal connection to the abortion in question. The bill has been opposed by medical groups. Texas has now joined the new wave of extreme abortion bans passed this year across the U.S., said Nancy Northup, president and chief executive officer of the Center for Reproductive Rights. This bill essentially opens the floodgates to allow anyone who is hostile to abortion to sue doctors and clinics, consuming their resources and forcing them to shut down. We will pursue all legal options to prevent this law from taking effect. Texas law currently bans abortion after 20 weeks, with exceptions for a woman with a life-threatening medical condition or if the fetus has a severe abnormality. Proponents of these so-called heartbeat bills are hoping for a legal challenge to eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court, where they look for the conservative coalition assembled under President Donald Trump to end the constitutional right to abortion protected under the high courts landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling. Three Jumbo Shrimp Guide to Italian Wines authors, Jacopo Fanciuli, Lan Liu and Lyka Caparas, continued their quest to help people immerse themselves, as well as simplify the complicated and mysterious world of Italian wines. These three wine musketeers are both roommates and work colleagues, maintaining their enthusiasm for Italian wines by sharing their individual pursuits, namely, continuing their wine studies towards certifications, refresher courses, or simply learning for fun during their time off...wine can be intoxicatingly fun after all (pun intended). Three of the Jumbo Shrimp Guide to Italian Wines authors, Jacopo Fanciuli, Lan Liu and Lyka Caparas often spend time in discussion about wine and their studies after work; most recently they pondered the best ways to undertake studying wine and wondered if others have had the same questions or ideas on the matter. For this reason, they put their question to a larger wine community, that of the Vinitaly International Academy (VIA). The initial tiny discussion group of three transformed, opening the mic to many other wine students all over the world, people who were likewise broaching topics that average wine students or professionals ask themselves every day. The discussions that ensued on Clubhouse (the audio-only social media app) encouraged community building through the sharing of ideas, offering practical hacks and the exchange of stories and experiences. To digress back onto the topic of the best ways to undertake studying wine, several VIA community members contributed their answers; the best suggestions made it onto this list. Contributors include Erin DeMara, Paul Bologna, Corrine Keddie, Melissa Sutherland, Deena Altman and Peggy Baudon. The following are seven great tips - some of them might surprise you! 1. The Pomodoro Technique: Peggy Baudon suggested using the Pomodoro Technique. This technique requires you to allocate focus for a specific period of time (like 20 minutes at a time for example), followed by periods of rest. This rest period, or rather shift in focus, will enhance your concentration each time you go back to studying. It is quite exhausting to put in 100% of energy, 100% of the time, but by moderating your efforts into manageable chunks of time, the mind is able to absorb more information. 2. Dont be a Stacker, opt for synthesizing: Melissa Sutherland is an advocate of synthesizing (arranging or harmonizing) a large amount of information. This is done by grouping related research from various books and resources organization can be done by region, by grape, etc. Visual learners can do this too by drafting a mind map to identify obvious connections between one set of data with the other. Corrine Keddie also said that organizing the information is key and she finds excel spreadsheets an efficient tool for this (and no, you dont have to be an excel master to accomplish this!). 3. Create Blind Tasting moments as often as you can: When tasting several wines, placing numbers below glasses with similar tasting wines (e.g., all full bodied reds) is a technique that Erin DeMara often practices. After doing the first round of tasting, he asks his daughter to shuffle the glasses, so he can then guess the wines. Another technique was raised by Corrine. after recognizing taste profiles of each wines, she puts away the remaining wines in 175ml bottles for future blind tasting practice. Lyka Caparas also suggested that using black wine glasses during this process can make this even more challenging! 4. Taste and take notes every chance you get: Jacopo, Corrine, and Paul all agreed that it is important to taste as many wines as possible (it is safe to say, every wine student -everywhere- would whole-heatedly agree with them). Corrine emphasized the importance of creating tasting notes, either manually or digitally, then double checking your blind tasting notes with text book notes. Erin advised seeking help from your local bartender, ask for some samples for wine study, they are likely to oblige! 5. Practice reading back labels (even when grape varieties are not listed): Melissa shared her practice of reading the back labels on wine bottles. If there are no grape varieties specified, she always pays attention to the wine region, then connecting it with possible grapes. 6. Visualisation and spatial recognition also enhances memory: Lan Liu and Melissa Sutherland talked about this method. During their study sessions, they often imagined themselves on a run, a very long one, every region they came to became attached to a memory, an imagined memory, filled with vineyards, mountain ridges, valleys, culture and even different cuisines! Deena Altman did something similar as well. During her studies she visualized information through the maps she collected - even going so far as to paste them all over her hotel room during the VIA course! 7. Different strokes for different folks: Everyone seems to have a different trick up their sleeve when it comes to retaining grape cartloads of information but the key is to identify your own unique way of learning first, specifically, you need to understand whether you learn best through visualisation, storytelling, analogies, syntheses or through some other method. Corrine Keddie, VIA Italian Wine Expert emphasized that whatever method of learning you are comfortable with, the most important thing is to be systematic and consistent. Studying Italian Wine can get complicated at times with so many grape varieties and regions to learn about, but there are some tools out there that are helpful and entertaining. Italian Wine Ambassador, Erin DeMara is a fan of the Italian Wine Podcast and the Jumbo Shrimp Guide to Italian Wine. He has admitted to listening to every English episode released on the podcast (and that is a lot since there are almost 570 episodes at this point!), in particular he recommends: Sarah Heller MWs tasting technique, and Professor Attilio Scienzas native grape discussions to name just a couple. He also enjoys toting his paperback copy of the Jumbo Shrimp Guide around with him for those occasional spare minutes throughout his daily travels. It goes without saying that he highly recommends these resources for Italian wine study or for those just wanting a refresher on the topic. For the original version on PRWeb visit: https://www.prweb.com/releases/seven_top_wine_study_tips_from_the_italian_wine_room_on_clubhouse/prweb17936836.htm WHITE HALL Running into her mothers classroom at North Greene High School, senior Sarah McEvers couldnt wait to share the news Thursday. After checking her email, McEvers found she was selected as one of just 161 students from across the nation to be selected as a U.S. Presidential Scholar. She is one of just three from Illinois. I was in another classroom and I checked my email and I saw it, McEvers said. I just ran to her classroom in shock. I couldnt believe it. The U.S. Presidential Scholar Program recognizes students for their accomplishments in academics, the arts and career and technical education fields. The Commission on Presidential Scholars within the U.S. Department of Education selects students based on academic success, artistic and technical excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, community involvement, leadership and demonstrated commitment to high ideals. U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said those named represent some of the best students in the nation. Being from a small community, McEvers said she didnt believe shed make it. The 2021 Presidential Scholars represent extraordinary achievements for our extraordinary times, Cardona said. I am delighted to join President Biden in saluting these outstanding young people for their achievements, service, character and continued pursuit of excellence. Their examples make me proud and hopeful about the future. Honoring them can remind us all of the great potential in each new generation and renew our commitment to helping them achieve their dreams. Being from a small town, the opportunities to do some things arent always there, so you have to jump and take the opportunities you can get, McEvers said. You have to see what your community needs and do what you can to help. McEvers was nominated by an English teacher at North Greene and narrowed down from more than 6,000 candidates. I was proud when I was chosen as a semi-finalist, McEvers said. I didnt expect to make it as a finalist. I knew I had good things on my resume and I was a good student, but I figured it was a long shot when I first applied. McEvers mom, Amber Nash, works at the school and said she was surprised when her daughter came rushing in. Her dad and I were overwhelmed when she was just named a candidate, Nash said. I am glad that all her hard work throughout high school is being recognized. Shes always worked so hardshes always wanted to make the world around her a better place. Though she said she is well aware of how awesome her daughter is, she said she was surprised by the announcement. I know what an awesome kid she is, Nash said. Im astonished as a mom and overcome with joy and pride for herI didnt think it would be awarded to a kiddo from a small town like White Hall. McEvers said being named a finalist makes her feel as if all her hard work was worth it. In order to be considered, McEvers had to complete more than 16 hours of work on an application, which included six essays, a resume, community service, and recommendations from teachers and community members. It shows people that hard work pays off, McEvers said. When you put your mind to something, you can achieve it. McEvers has been active, both at school and in her community, participating in dance and volleyball, class leadership, student council and National Honor Society. She runs a pop-up boutique store twice a month through the Greene-Calhoun CEO student program and was crowned Miss Greene County Days in 2018. She plans to attend Eastern Illinois University in the fall and study education. That gasoline prices have risen significantly in recent weeks isnt exactly a news flash. According to one economist, the well-publicized pipeline problems in the southeastern United States probably are part of the reason. But a bigger part might be the gradual return to at least some aspects of pre-COVID-19 existence. Basically, gas prices are just returning to where they were pre-COVID, said Colin Corbett, an assistant professor of economics at Bradley University. People got used to cheap gas for a while, but gas at $3 a gallon is pretty normal, he said. We were just spoiled for a while. As of today, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas in Jacksonville was $3.09, according to GasBuddy, which tracks fuel prices nationwide. Statewide, the average price of gas Friday was $3.26 a gallon, the highest since late 2014. The Colonial Pipeline disruption hasnt had a direct effect on gas availability around the region. A cyberattack last week caused the shutdown of the pipeline, which serves much of the south-central portion of the Eastern Seaboard. The pipeline returned to service Wednesday, although normal fuel distribution wasnt expected for a few days. Stations from Florida to Virginia ran out of gas during the shutdown as panic buying ensued. Corbett said the pipeline shutdown probably gave Illinois gas prices a slight nudge. But the recent increase might be more reflective of typical hikes as the summer travel season approaches. Resumption of work commuting and work-related travel, which pandemic stay-at-home mandates disrupted, also appear to be factors. There is simply more demand for fuel as people are entering into the world again, GasBuddys Allison Mac told the State Journal-Register of Springfield. According to AAA, about 37 million Americans are expected to travel during the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of summer. Thats a 60% increase from 2020. Had the Colonial Pipeline issues continued, gas prices nationwide might have been affected more adversely, Corbett suggested. I think that it wont go up as fast as it would have with the pipeline continuing to be shut down, he said. Corbett admits he doesnt pay as much attention to fuel costs as he once did, because he purchased an electric car recently. But most drivers still use traditional vehicles, and gas prices remain a prime conversation topic. But not much more than that, Corbett suggested. One thing we talk about in economics a lot is elasticity how much people react to changes in gas prices, or whatever else, he said. When the price of gas goes up, do people actually drive less? Mostly, they dont react much. What determines how much people drive, theres a lot of things that go into it. But the price of gas doesnt make that much of a difference. The inseparable sisters always stood out identical twins from Twinsburg, Ohio, whip-smart students from the side of town with unpaved streets and no sidewalks, excluded from the gifted track because they were Black. Their friends were white and a classmates comment still stings: I dont even think of you as Black. I said, Thank you. And I felt pride, Brittani James recalls, shuddering. "I believed we were special. I believed other people in our neighborhood werent as good as us, she said. The twins were indeed special they won free rides to the Ivy League, earned medical degrees at prestigious universities, and have thrived in a profession where they are vastly outnumbered by virtue of their skin color. But their mission now is to dismantle the entrenched bigotry behind that classmates backhanded remark. At 33, James and her twin, Brandi Jackson, have taken on the medical establishment in pioneering work to eliminate racism in medicine. Were teaching how to see it and how to undo it, Jackson said. James, a family medicine doctor, and Jackson, a psychiatrist, have developed anti-racist coursework used in two Chicago medical schools. Theyve co-founded the Institute for Antiracism in Medicine, where physicians can earn continuing medical education credit for taking classes on how their profession has made Black patients sicker. Theres more. Theyre seeking federal legislation to require hospitals to reveal outcomes by race, with penalties for those where Black patients consistently fare worse. Theyve helped created an online support group to help like-minded, stressed-out Black doctors heal and strategize. Theyve even hatched a plan to create black coats for doctors. Thats not as radical as it might sound -- black coats were the tradition in the 19th century. Their latest achievement? Helping lead a charge against the American Medical Association and the influential research journal it publishes. The twins are riding a wave and they got there by learning to breathe underwater. Thats how Jackson describes adapting to this constant oppressive pressure" of racism. I remember being young and being told in school that I cant be smart, because of where Im from, being told your hair is ugly, she said. "You learn to live with the kind of pain that comes just for being. Just for walking down the street. You cant name it when youre that young. It does something to your psyche. It can break you, and Jackson and James have had fragile moments of self-doubt. But the pandemic year has fueled their resolve. They say the relentless toll on people of color from the coronavirus and video-documented police violence have laid bare the damage caused by structural racism. It is literally killing us, James said. ___ In recent steps that critics labeled mostly symbolic, the AMA has made an effort to come to grips with its racial history. The group excluded Black doctors from its ranks for over 100 years, and even today, just 5% of all U.S. physicians are Black. Within the past few years, the nation's largest doctors' group hired Dr. Aletha Maybank as its first chief health equity officer and declared racism a public health threat. In February, it removed a statue displayed at its Chicago headquarters of Dr. Nathan Davis, AMAs founder, who promoted racist policies. But later that month, a podcast hosted by the AMAs flagship medical journal caused a stir. The tweet promoting the podcast read, No physician is racist, so how can there be structural racism in health? It was, Maybank said, a gut punch. The sisters institute started a petition in response, demanding that the journal diversify its mostly white editorial staff and ensure that medical research relating to race and racism gets published. The effort has garnered more than 8,800 signatures so far. AMA suspended the journal's chief editor and a deputy editor resigned. AMA also agreed to meet last month to hear demands for change from several Black physicians, including James and New York cardiologist Dr. Raymond Givens, another leading AMA critic. The doctors will be looking to hear how AMA plans to address their concerns at a second meeting, but James says the AMA's anti-racism plan in the works long before the sisters' activism makes her optimistic. In an 83-page document released Tuesday, AMA vowed to dismantle structural racism inside its own ranks and within the U.S. medical establishment with steps that include diversifying its own staff and collaborating with outside groups. The group reached out to James and other physicians to discuss the plan a hopeful sign, she said. We still have to hold their feet to the fire," she said. Part of the problem is doctors deeply embedded identity as healers and good people, Jackson said. "Its hard when youre indoctrinated in that culture to stop and say, Are we really doing good? A racial imbalance in medical leadership perpetuates the problem, James said -- those making decisions and policies dont look like the populations they serve. James treats patients at a clinic on Chicagos South Side and teaches at the University of Illinois-Chicago. Jackson has taught at Rush Medical College and is the behavioral health director at a Chicago health network that treats LGBTQ and other underserved patients. Working with students, medical residents and colleagues, they strive to highlight the harm caused by the disproven idea that there are biological differences in Black people that contribute to health disparities. Some examples: --The longstanding myth that Black people somehow have a higher tolerance for pain, perpetuated during slavery times, has often led to undertreatment. --Medical school instruction on skin diseases typically shows how they appear on white skin, not Black or brown, leading to missed diagnoses. --In psychiatry, impulsive, disruptive behavior in white children is often labeled attention deficit disorder, a diagnosis that often guarantees classroom accommodations. Identical behavior in Black kids is more often labeled conduct disorder, leading to detention rather than accommodations unless they have a really sharp parent who advocates the hell out of it, Jackson said. --A commonly used algorithm for kidney function gauges it differently in Black patients, potentially leading to undertreatment of kidney disease. Rush University Medical Center is among several U.S. health systems that recently stopped using that algorithm. The sisters message isnt new, said Dr. David Ansell, a physician at Rush who has worked with their institute. But their timing is uncanny -- coming at the convergence of a deadly pandemic that has highlighted racial health inequities, a rise in white supremacism, and civil unrest over police brutality. At such a moment, he said, the sisters can make a difference. ___ Their curiosity in science and medicine started young. James remembers taking field notes while spying on people. Jackson remembers turning their mothers blue bead case into a bug hospital. We emptied it and would go under rocks in search of potato bugs, worms. We gave each their own compartments ... then would examine them and took notes when they appeared sluggish. Once, they sprinkled salt on a snail to dry it out when it seemed "too moist. He just curled up and died. I still feel bad about the snail, Jackson said. Their parents were hard-working and supportive, but the twins didnt tell them when they were accepted at Cornell University, knowing the cost was prohibitive. They broke the news when they landed full scholarships. It was during a college summer program that James for the first time saw a Black doctor. She stared. It was like a unicorn, but it planted a seed. They separated for medical school -- Northwestern for Jackson, University of Michigan for James. Surrounded by rich white kids and professors, James struggled. "It was this huge feeling like I dont belong here. None of the professors look like you, what youre learning about people like you is racist and youre getting tested on it. She left school for a year and sank into a deep depression until getting involved in volunteer community health work. Colleagues there encouraged her to go back. In low moments, James says she draws on the strength of ancestors. "Im not being bombed. Im not being hosed, she said. You have to keep getting up. Now, she and her sister serve as mentors to other medical students from nontraditional backgrounds. Medical resident Shan Siddiqi is a Canadian Muslim whose parents are from Pakistan. He works under James guidance at a clinic where James says "the sickest of the sick go for treatment, patients with chronic illnesses worsened by poverty, stress from living in violent neighborhoods and now COVID-19. Siddiqi said hes impressed by her compassion, taking the time to treat them as humans and helping them overcome challenges to getting medication or specialty care. Jordan Cisneros, a third-year medical student who Jackson has mentored at Rush Medical College, says her guidance has helped him get through a tough year. His father died from COVID-19 in January and George Floyds televised death last May felt personal. Ive had run-ins with police. Ive had run-ins with racism. Ive seen things firsthand, he said. In a Zoom class last year, Jackson brought up Floyds death and broke down crying. "Its very taboo to cry in medicine, but Jackson made it seem OK to show emotion and vulnerability, he said. ___ The sisters are extremely close, often finishing each others sentences, but there are differences too. James is married to a white physician, a guy she thought was a math nerd when they met but is now her partner in battle. She tears up when asked what she wishes for their 1 -year-old daughter, Lillian. I dont want her to have to live in a box like I did, James said. I want her to raise her voice so she knows its OK to be everything that she is, especially when the world is trying so hard to make Black and brown girls small and not heard." Jackson is single, loves to cook in her spare time and thinks like a scientist in the kitchen, marveling at how a humble carrot can transform into something sublime with just a little butter and brown sugar. James wears her passion on her sleeve and pours her soul into Twitter, calling out racism every time she sees it. Jackson says she has no appetite for Twitter wars and "tries to be the one who is grounding. I want to come at it with a loving, calm energy, she said. The sisters are hitting their stride in 2021; Jackson calls it the year of Black women: Michelle Obama helped pave the way, now theres Vice President Kamala Harris. It moves me to tears that all of my ancestor Black women who never got to see the day ... that they were in vogue and their voice was listened to, she said. It is Black womens lives that survive and keep surviving." ___ Follow Medical Writer Lindsey Tanner at @LindseyTanner. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content. US vows to stand by ally Australia against China View Photo WASHINGTON (AP) The Biden administration vowed Thursday to stand by Australia in its worsening trade and other disputes with China. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told his Australian counterpart that the U.S. will not leave Australia alone on the field or maybe I should say alone on the pitch in the face of economic coercion by China. Thats what allies do, he said. We have each others backs so we can face threats and challenges from the position of collective strength. Like the United States and China, Australia and China are in the midst of several major disputes as Beijing seeks to apply pressure over commerce and influence. Blinken said the the United States and Australia are bound together by deeply held shared values that no other nation, including China, can uproot. Blinken and Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne both said that presenting a united front to China is key and called for a more thorough and complete investigation into the origin of the coronavirus pandemic that first emerged in China in 2019. China last week suspended an economic dialogue with Australia, stepping up a pressure campaign that began over Australian support for a probe of the coronavirus and has disrupted exports to Chinas biggest foreign market. Relations between the two have plunged to a multi-decade low since Beijing blocked imports of Australian coal, wheat and other goods over the past year. But it has failed to force Prime Minister Scott Morrisons government to offer concessions. The suspension follows Australias decision in April to cancel two deals signed by the state of Victoria with Chinas multibillion-dollar Belt and Road construction initiative. Beijing warned then it might respond, which it did when it suspended the China-Australia Strategic Economic Dialogue, accusing Australia of abusing so-called national security reasons to severely restrict and suppress economic and cultural cooperation projects. By MATTHEW LEE AP Diplomatic Writer Thai PM tells UN envoy he wont push back Myanmar refugees View Photo BANGKOK (AP) Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha promised a United Nations special envoy on Friday that he will not force back people fleeing violence in neighboring Myanmar, where the military ousted a democratically elected government in February. U.N. Special Envoy on Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgener told Prayuth in a meeting in Bangkok that she hopes Thailand will help find ways to work with Myanmars military to ease the crisis, the prime ministers office said in a statement. People across Myanmar have participated in massive protests against the military coup. A violent crackdown by the military has cost hundreds of lives. The military is also battling ethnic guerrilla armies in border regions that are seeking greater autonomy from the central government and support the pro-democracy protesters. Prayuth told Schraner Burgener that Thailand is closely monitoring the situation on the border with Myanmar and has prepared several areas to shelter refugees and provide medical treatment, the statement said. Last month, several thousand villagers from Myanmars eastern state of Karen fled to Thailand following airstrikes by Myanmar military planes in territory held by the Karen ethnic minority. They were allowed to stay for a few days and then returned to Myanmar. Thai officials said they went voluntarily. Refugee workers say most of the refugees hid out in the jungle and did not return to their homes. Close to 50,000 people are estimated to have been displaced by fighting in Karen areas since the beginning of the year. The escalation of violence and the juntas failure to restore order has led to fears that Myanmar could become a failed state, impacting neighboring Thailand and the whole region. Prayuth told Schraner Burgener his government is ready to listen and exchange information about Myanmar, according to the statement. There was no immediate comment from the U.N. envoy. Prayuth, a former army commander who also came to power by ousting an elected civilian government, is perceived to have a close relationship with the head of Myanmars military government, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing. Schraner Burgener has been based in Thailand since April. She says she plans to stay in the region in the coming weeks to remain in close contact with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to support the implementation of a five-point consensus on the Myanmar crisis reached by its leaders at a special meeting in Jakarta on April 24. It calls for the immediate cessation of violence, a dialogue among all concerned parties, mediation of the dialogue by an ASEAN special envoy, provision of humanitarian aid through ASEAN channels and a visit to Myanmar by the special envoy to meet all concerned parties. Min Aung Hlaings government has since indicated it will consider the ASEAN agreement only after reestablishing stability. While the juntas use of lethal force to suppress mass protests has reduced turnouts at protest rallies in Myanmars cities and towns, the level of civil unrest remains high. Some groups of protesters have embraced armed self-defense, often using only air guns, single-shot hunting rifles and homemade grenades and firebombs. On Thursday, the junta announced the imposition of martial law in Mindat township in the western state of Chin, which borders India. The remote area has been one of the most militant in putting up armed resistance to the security forces, who have suffered casualties in almost daily confrontations. - Associated Press journalist Jerry Harmer contributed to this report. By GRANT PECK Associated Press Penpa Tsering elected president of Tibetan exile government View Photo DHARMSALA, India (AP) Penpa Tsering, the former speaker of Tibets parliament-in-exile, has been elected the new president of the exile government, the election commissioner announced Friday. He will succeed Lobsang Sangay, who completes his second five-year term at the end of May, Election Commissioner Wangdu Tsering said in Dharmsala, a northern Indian town where spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has been living since he fled Tibet after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959. Nearly 64,000 Tibetans living in exile in India, Nepal, North America, Europe, Australia and elsewhere voted in the election, which was held in two rounds in January and April. It was the third direct election of the Tibetan exile leadership since the Dalai Lama withdrew from any political role in the running of the exile government in 2011. Penpa Tsering, 53, was elected to its parliament in 1996 and became its speaker in 2008. The 45 people elected to the exile parliament include 10 each from the three traditional provinces of Tibet, two each from the five religious constituencies, two each from Tibetan communities in North America and Europe, and one from the Tibetan community in Australasia. Formed in 1959, Tibets government-in-exile now called the Central Tibetan Administration has executive, judicial and legislative branches. China says Tibet has been part of its territory since the mid-13th century, and its Communist Party has governed the Himalayan region since 1951. But many Tibetans say they were effectively independent for most of their history, and that the Chinese government wants to exploit the resource-rich region while crushing its cultural identity. China doesnt recognize the Tibetan government-in-exile and hasnt held any dialogue with representatives of the Dalai Lama since 2010. India considers Tibet as part of China, though it hosts the Tibetan exiles. Some Tibetan groups advocate independence for Tibet, since little progress has been made in talks with China. Beijing accuses the Dalai Lama of seeking to separate Tibet from China, which he denies. Penpa Tsering supports the Dalai Lamas position. By ASHWINI BHATIA Associated Press Blinken heads to Iceland meeting with Russia on his mind View Photo WASHINGTON (AP) Secretary of State Antony Blinken is headed to Europe and North Atlantic islands next week to put the Biden administrations stamp on climate change policy in the Arctic and warn Russia against interference in the United States, Ukraine and elsewhere, the State Department said Friday. Blinken will visit Denmark, Iceland and Greenland starting on Sunday to stress the U.S. commitment to green technology and preserving environmental stability in the Arctic, the department said. His message to a meeting of the Arctic Council in Iceland will be a marked change from the Trump administration, which had urged the group to take commercial advantage of global warming. While in Reykjavik, Blinken will meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in the first high-level face-to-face talks between Moscow and Washington since President Joe Biden took office. That meeting, which comes amid heightened tensions over Ukraine and cyberattacks from Russia on the United States, will largely focus on preparing for a planned summit next month between Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Despite the focus on Russia, Blinken plans to make climate change a main priority of his participation in the Arctic Council foreign ministers meeting. At the last such meeting in Finland in 2019, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the U.S. delegation raised eyebrows and concerns from other members by embracing the loss of sea ice as a way to boost maritime commerce. Blinken, the State Department said, will use his participation to advance efforts to sustain the Arctic as a region of peace, free of conflict, where Arctic Council members collaborate on shared priorities to protect the wellbeing of Arctic communities and address the ever-growing threat and impacts of the climate crisis. By MATTHEW LEE AP Diplomatic Writer El Salvador donates vaccine to desperate Honduras towns View Photo SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP) El Salvadors president sent 34,000 doses of coronavirus vaccine to seven towns in Honduras on Thursday, responding to video pleas from their mayors posted to social media. The small-scale diplomacy by President Nayib Bukele raised eyebrows in El Salvador and Honduras, but most people agreed that ultimately it would benefit a population in desperate need of vaccine. El Salvador has been more successful than neighboring Honduras and Guatemala in obtaining vaccine, though all lag in vaccinating their people. The highly public move also provided a distraction at a time of growing concern among some Salvadorans and international observers over the consolidation of power in El Salvadors three branches of government by the party led by Bukele, who is highly popular domestically. On Tuesday, the same day Bukele met with White House Special Envoy Ricardo Zuniga, who expressed the U.S. governments reservations about developments in El Salvador, the president received the seven Honduran mayors and told them his government would help. When I saw your videos, what I saw was a little desperation, Bukele told them. I said to the minister and the vaccine people in El Salvador: How can we help? Early Thursday, seven refrigerated trucks left for Honduras carrying the doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. In one video, Amable de Jesus Hernandez, mayor of San Jose Colinas, said, Our people are dying of COVID, our government doesnt respond, thats why we come to you. Carlos Galeano, the mayor of Santa Maria del Real, who also traveled to El Salvador for the vaccines, said Thursday he decided to make his plea because he wanted to help his community and the Honduran government was moving too slowly. We didnt do it to confront the government, nor the political party that is in power, Galeano said, responding to critics who suggested the mayors were trying to embarrass Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez. We arent causing any damage to the country. Rather, we want to save lives. The towns were to divide the doses according to their respective populations. Galeano said his town was getting 4,000 doses that would be given to senior citizens and teachers. El Salvador has given at least a single dose to nearly 1 million people, less than a quarter of its target population, but it is far ahead of its two Northern Triangle neighbors in obtaining vaccine. It already received 1.9 million doses and expects more shipments in the coming days. Honduras, by contrast, had gotten only about 59,000 vaccine doses before Thursdays donation. In March, Mexican customs agents seized 5,700 doses of purported Sputnik V vaccine from a private plane in the Gulf coast state of Campeche. The Russian Direct Investment Fund identified the doses as fake and a Honduran businessman later said he had been trying to obtain vaccine for his employees and their families. Ida Berenice Molina, the Honduran official in charge of the countrys vaccination program, told local media that the government had not received any official information about the vaccine donation, including the type and expiration date. El Salvadors health secretary, Francisco Alabi, supervised the vaccines departure. We hope that in the coming hours our Central American brothers can begin applying this immunization model we are sharing, he said. To a certain point it is a humanitarian act, said Mario Gamero, head of the El Salvador Infectology Association. In the medical field we are more human than political and so we see it from a more human point of view. He added though that the government cant ignore our patients who urgently deserve the vaccine. Amilcar Santillana, a cab driver in San Salvador, had a similar view You have to help your neighbor, but first you have to vaccinate all Salvadorans, said Santillana, a 55-year-old awaiting his second dose. In Honduras, Fernando Anduray, leader of the governing National Party, suggested Bukeles motivation was political, though he wouldnt complain about more vaccine coming to Honduras. Bukele is in his political game there. Hes pressuring for other things and hes probably using this as a small distraction, Anduray said on Frente a Frente, a Honduran news show. Hes scoring a political point for his purposes in El Salvador and in front of international political opinion. Bukele has offered help to neighbors before. Recently, Costa Ricas government asked the Central American Integration System, the regions economic and political organization, for loans of medicine. El Salvador donated 10,000 doses of the powerful painkiller fentanyl, which is used in COVID-19 patients who require intubation. You dont loan help, you give it without conditions, Bukele said at the time via Twitter. They would have done the same for us. Bukele said Thursdays vaccine donation would not hinder El Salvadors vaccination campaign. He said that the government is vaccinating people as quickly as possible and that scheduled vaccine shipments would give the country a margin for some donations. El Salvador has so far tallied more than 70,000 confirmed coronavirus infections and more than 2,100 deaths from COVID-19. ___ Associated Press writer Marlon Gonzalez in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, contributed to this report. By MARCOS ALEMAN Associated Press The U.S. Dept. Of Justice logo View Photo Sonora, CA A Mexican nation has admitted to working an illegal pot grow that used deadly chemicals in the Stanislaus National Forest threatening plants, water and cattle. 37-year-old Eleno Fernandez-Garcia, a citizen of Mexico, pleaded guilty on Thursday to conspiring to manufacture, distribute, and possess with intent to distribute marijuana, relayed Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert. The operation began sometime before March of this year. Found at the site with pruning shears in hand, Fernandez-Garcia was surrounded by 9,654 pot plants and 200 pounds of processed marijuana. The grow site in the Basin Creek drainage area of Tuolumne County was near recreational activities and a natural spring used for bottled water. Besides native plants being cut down to make room for the marijuana cultivation, there was significant damage to the environment. Agents uncovered large amounts of trash, irrigation tubing, lethal restricted chemicals like aluminum phosphide, fertilizer, and a dead raccoon at the operation. It signaled danger to the cattle, say prosecutors, as the site was in a grazing permit area where cows roamed freely and had access to the plants and chemicals. Apart from the guilty plea, Fernandez-Garcia agreed to pay $45,688 in restitution to the U.S. Forest Service for the damage that the cultivation operation had on public land. At his Aug. 6th sentencing date, a judge will decide whether Fernandez-Garcia spends the minimum 10 years or a maximum penalty of life in prison, and a $10 million fine. His entire plea agreement can be viewed here. Beset by virus, Gazas hospitals now struggle with wounded View Photo GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) Just weeks ago, the Gaza Strips feeble health system was struggling with a runaway surge of coronavirus cases. Authorities cleared out hospital operating rooms, suspended nonessential care and redeployed doctors to patients having difficulty breathing. Then, the bombs began to fall. This weeks violence between Israel and Gazas Hamas rulers has killed 103 Palestinians, including 27 children, and wounded 530 people in the impoverished territory. Israeli airstrikes have pounded apartments, blown up cars and toppled buildings. Doctors across the crowded coastal enclave are now reallocating intensive care unit beds and scrambling to keep up with a very different health crisis: treating blast and shrapnel wounds, bandaging cuts and performing amputations. Distraught relatives didnt wait for ambulances, rushing the wounded by car or on foot to Shifa Hospital, the territorys largest. Exhausted doctors hurried from patient to patient, frantically bandaging shrapnel wounds to stop the bleeding. Others gathered at the hospital morgue, waiting with stretchers to remove the bodies for burial. At the Indonesia Hospital in the northern town of Jabaliya, the clinic overflowed after bombs fell nearby. Blood was everywhere, with victims lying on the floors of hallways. Relatives crowded the ER, crying out for loved ones and cursing Israel. Before the military attacks, we had major shortages and could barely manage with the second (virus) wave, said Gaza Health Ministry official Abdelatif al-Hajj by phone as bombs thundered in the background. Now casualties are coming from all directions, really critical casualties. I fear a total collapse. Gutted by years of conflict, the impoverished health care system in the territory of more than 2 million people has always been vulnerable. Bitter division between Hamas and the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority and a nearly 14-year blockade imposed by Israel with Egypts help also has strangled the infrastructure. There are shortages of equipment and supplies such as blood bags, surgical lamps, anesthesia and antibiotics. Personal protection gear, breathing machines and oxygen tanks remain even scarcer. Last month, Gazas daily coronavirus cases and deaths hit record highs, fueled by the spread of a variant that first appeared in Britain, relaxation of movement restrictions during Ramadan, and deepening public apathy and intransigence. In the bomb-scarred territory where the unemployment rate is 50%, the need for personal survival often trumps the pleas of public health experts. While virus testing remains limited, the outbreak has infected more than 105,700 people, according to health authorities, and killed 976. As cases climbed last year, stirring fears of a health care catastrophe, authorities set aside clinics just for COVID-19 patients. But that changed as airstrikes pummeled the territory. Nurses at the European Hospital in the town of Khan Younis, frantically needing room for the wounded, moved dozens of virus patients in the middle of the night to a different building, said hospital director Yousef al-Akkad. Its surgeons and specialists, who had deployed elsewhere for the virus, rushed back to treat head injuries, fractures and abdominal wounds. If the conflict intensifies, the hospital wont be able to care for the virus patients, al-Akkad said. We have only 15 intensive care beds, and all I can do is pray, he said, adding that because the hospital lacks surgical supplies and expertise, hes already arranged to send one child to Egypt for reconstructive shoulder surgery. I pray these airstrikes will stop soon. At Shifa, authorities also moved the wounded into its 30 beds that had been set aside for virus patients. Thursday night was the quietest this week for the ICU, as bombs had largely fallen elsewhere in Gaza. Patients with broken bones and other wounds lay amid the din of beeping monitors, intercoms and occasional shouts by doctors. A few relatives huddled around them, recounting the chaotic barrage. About 12 people down in one airstrike. It was 6 p.m. in the street. Some were killed, including my two cousins and young sister. Its like this every day, said 22-year-old Atallah al-Masri, sitting beside his wounded brother, Ghassan. Hospital director Mohammed Abu Selmia lamented the latest series of blows to Gazas health system. The Gaza Strip is under siege for 14 years, and the health sector is exhausted. Then comes the coronavirus pandemic, he said, adding that most of the equipment is as old as the blockade and cant be sent out for repairs. Now, his teams already strained by virus cases are treating bombing victims, more than half of whom are critical cases needing surgery. They work relentlessly, he added To make matters worse, Israeli airstrikes hit two health clinics north of Gaza City on Tuesday. The strikes wreaked havoc on Hala al-Shawa Health Center, forcing employees to evacuate, and damaged the Indonesian Hospital, according to the World Health Organization. Israel, already under pressure from an International Criminal court investigation into possible war crimes during the 2014 war, reiterated this week that it warns people living in targeted areas to flee. The airstrikes nonetheless have killed civilians and inflicted damage on Gazas infrastructure. The violence also has closed a few dozen health centers conducting coronavirus tests, said Sacha Bootsma, director of WHOs Gaza office. This week, authorities conducted some 300 tests a day, compared with 3,000 before the fighting began. The U.N. Relief and Works Agency, or UNRWA, ordered staff to stay home from its 22 clinics for their safety. Those now-closed centers had also administered coronavirus vaccines, a precious resource in a place that waited months to receive a limited shipment from the U.N.-backed COVAX program. Those doses will expire in just a few weeks and get thrown away, with huge implications for authorities ability to mobilize additional vaccines in the future, Bootsma said. For the newly wounded, however, the virus remains an afterthought. The last thing that Mohammad Nassar remembers before an airstrike hit was walking home with a friend on a street. When he came to, he said, we found ourselves lying on the ground. Now the 31-year-old is hooked up to a tangle of tubes and monitors in the Shifa Hospital surgical ward, with a broken right arm and a shrapnel wound in his stomach. - DeBre reported from Dubai, Untied Arab Emirates. By ISABEL DEBRE and FARES AKRAM Associated Press STARKE, Fla. (AP) The man suspected of shooting and wounding three people in New Yorks Times Square, including a 4-year-old girl, said in a television interview that he did not know anything about it and had been in New Jersey at the time. Farrakhan Muhammad spoke to WCJB-TV at a county jail in Florida, where he was in custody after being arrested Wednesday. I left New York a few days ago I was in (New) Jersey in a hotel, Muhammad said. He said he went to Florida to live with his girlfriends relatives after being evicted. Muhammad, 31, was arrested at a McDonalds in Starke, Florida. In New York, investigators say he wounded three people with stray bullets during some type of dispute involving his brother and others. New York Police Department Chief of Detectives James Essig said that Muhammad was identified as the gunman by his brother, who told officers he was the intended target of the shooting. At a brief hearing Thursday in Starke, a judge gave Muhammad several days to consult with a lawyer on whether he will waive a full extradition hearing and agree to return to New York. Hes expected back in court Sunday, according to the Bradford County court clerk. Also charged is Muhammads girlfriend, Kristine Vergara, who was with him at the McDonalds. She is charged with being an accessory after the fact and was jailed Thursday on $500,000 bail, according to court records. Muhammad and Vergara were ordered to have no contact with each other. She is being appointed a public defender but that lawyers name was not immediately available. Wendy Magrinat, a 23-year-old tourist visiting from Rhode Island, was shot in the leg. A 43-year-old woman from New Jersey was shot in the foot. The 4-year-old girl, from Brooklyn, was also shot in the leg. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said all three victims have been released from the hospital and are expected to fully recover. EXPLAINER: Whats next for pipelines after Colonial hack View Photo WASHINGTON (AP) The nations largest fuel pipeline is flowing again after the company that runs it was hit by a gang of hackers. But long lines remain at gas stations throughout the Southeast. Thats because drivers are buying more gasoline than they need, draining supplies at filling stations. Plus, there are logistical hurdles slowing fuel deliveries from the Colonial Pipeline. The incident was one of a series of wake-up calls about the growing threat hackers pose to the nations critical infrastructure. Ransomware attacks, where hackers demand large sums of money to decrypt stolen data or to prevent it from being leaked online, have hit thousands of businesses and hundreds of health care centers in the U.S. in the past year. Questions remain about what steps companies or government officials should take to buttress defenses against cyberattacks. ___ WHEN WILL FUEL SUPPLIES GET BACK TO NORMAL? Colonial restarted its pipeline late Wednesday, which means fuel is now running between refineries in Houston and Southeast states. But it will take a few days or weeks for everything to get back to normal. Gas stations in the Southeast should be open for business and well supplied next week, but only if the pipeline operates as planned and consumers stop hoarding fuel, said Richard Joswick, global head of oil analytics at S&P Global Platts. When the panic passes, people will have full tanks and demand will drop, but people have to be convinced that they dont have to panic buy, Joswick said. Theres also the matter of getting fuel from the pipeline to the pumps. Different types of fuel including gasoline, jet fuel and diesel are moved through the pipeline system, and they cant all be flowing through the same pipes at the same time. One of the main arteries from Houston to North Carolina moves different grades of gasoline, sending a batch of premium grade followed by regular, Joswick explained. Another artery transports diesel, jet and home-heating fuel. Then theres a labyrinth of storage tanks and smaller pipelines that are loaded and unloaded with different types of fuel. Trucks deliver fuel at different points along the way, but with a national trucker shortage, it isnt easy for trucks to pick up all the slack. The supplies themselves really arent the issue, its more the transportation, said Akshaya Jha, assistant professor of economics and public policy at Carnegie Mellon University. Its really going to be transportation bottleneck. Prices for gasoline have spiked in some areas, and were already on the rise heading into the busy summer driving season, but those local price hikes are isolated and not likely to last, experts say. ___ WHAT HAPPENS NEXT TO COLONIAL PIPELINE? After the dust has settled, Congress is likely to call hearings to question Colonial Pipeline executives and cybersecurity experts to help figure out what went wrong and how events like this can be prevented in the future. An outside audit of Colonials information management practices three years ago found glaring problems. The chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Richard Glick, said the government should create and enforce mandatory pipeline-security standards similar to those that have been required of the electricity sector for more than a decade. And members of the House Energy Committee re-introduced bills this week aiming to strengthen the Department of Energys ability to respond to cybersecurity threats and to encourage more coordination between the federal government and utilities. Some might want regulators to ease permitting procedures so that more pipelines can be built, to boost reliability of supply. But there may be reluctance to facilitate building alternate pipeline routes, since President Joe Biden has made it clear that he wants to transition away from fossil fuels as quickly as possible, in favor of clean energy such as wind and solar. Theres going to be that tradeoff between making the permitting process easier, on the one hand, in order to get these pipelines built and then, on the other hand, should we be building these pipelines at all if we want to move away from fossil fuels? Jha said. When proposals are made on the state or federal level to combat cybersecurity threats, its important to remember that one size does not fit all, said Drue Pearce, director of government affairs at Holland & Hart, and former deputy administrator of the Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration at the Department of Transportation. What fits the bigger players doesnt necessarily work for smaller ones, so its difficult to write policies that work for everyone, she said. Pipelines and other companies that transport hazardous materials get an incredible number of hacking attempts on a daily basis, already, Pearce said. You dont know which ones are ransomware, you dont know which one is a 13-year-old sitting at home wondering if he can break into this thing. ___ WHAT IS THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION DOING? Theres been a lot of activity in the last month aimed at strengthening the countrys cyber-defenses, most notably an executive order signed by Biden on Wednesday that would require all federal agencies to use basic cybersecurity measures and mandate new security standards for software makers that contract with the federal government. The order also establishes a cybersecurity safety review board, creates a pilot program rating system to evaluate the security of software and establishes what officials say will be a standardized playbook for cyber responses. The executive order is meant to fix what a senior administration official on Wednesday described as a laissez faire approach to cybersecurity. It is also intended to address some of the vulnerabilities exposed by recent major breaches, including the SolarWinds intrusion in which Russian hackers compromised federal agencies by targeting the software supply chain. The Justice Department, meanwhile, has created a task force with the FBI to deal with ransomware, and the administration says it is taking steps to protect critical industries like the energy sector. ___ WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE HACK? The FBI has linked the ransomware to a Russian-speaking criminal syndicate known as DarkSide that has been on investigators radar for months. Biden said Thursday said that the administration does not believe the Russian government was involved in the attack but that we do have strong reason to believe that the criminals who did the attack are living in Russia. Thats where it came from. He said the administration has been in touch with Moscow about the need to take action against ransomware operators. And were also going to pursue a measure to disrupt their ability to operate, he added. ___ Bussewitz reported from New York. By CATHY BUSSEWITZ and ERIC TUCKER Associated Press SANTA ROSA, Calif. (AP) A recall campaign against Sonoma Countys district attorney that is being bankrolled by a wealthy developer she prosecuted over his companys actions during a deadly 2017 wildfire has enough verified signatures to qualify for the ballot, officials said. Developer Bill Gallaher has spent nearly $800,000 as the lone donor to recall District Attorney Jill Ravitch, according to the latest campaign finance reports, the Press Democrat in Santa Rosa reported Wednesday. Gallaher launched the recall effort in October 2020, a week after Ravitch announced she would retire when her term ends in 2022. He says she is unfit for elected office. We launched the recall campaign against Jill Ravitch because it is critical that we have steady, competent leadership overseeing public safety in our county, Gallaher said in a statement. He did not respond to an interview request. Ravitch and her supporters say the recall is Gallahers bid for political vengeance. Prosecutors accused Gallahers development company, Oakmont Senior Living, and two affiliated companies of abandoning about 100 residents with no means to evacuate themselves during the Tubbs fire in 2017. The civil complaint also accused the companies of failing to prepare staff to evacuate residents during emergencies and not notifying relatives about the status of their loved ones during the fire. At the end of the day, this recall attempt is about one simple fact: Bill Gallaher is mad we held his business accountable, Ravitch told the newspaper. Recall supporters gathered more than the required 30,056 valid signatures, and an election could be held as soon as mid-September. It will cost taxpayers at least $600,000, Sonoma County Registrar of Voters Deva Proto said. The campaign has cited a range of complaints that Gallaher and others have made about Ravitchs decisions as the countys top prosecutor, including issues of inequality, injustice and fire safety failures. Ravitch called those suggestions unfounded and said she was prepared for a smear campaign full of lies and half truths. The recall campaign began less than two months after one of the Oakmont Senior Living affiliates paid $500,000 to settle the case. In 2018, Gallahers firm reached a separate settlement with the state over similar allegations stemming from an investigation of actions by managers and staff at two of the facilities in Santa Rosa during the fire. Oakmont Senior Living officials acknowledged staff members at the two care homes abandoned elderly and infirm residents as the flames closed in on the pair of facilities, leaving relatives and emergency responders to rush in and evacuate those left behind. In devotion to Trump, House GOP taps Stefanik for a top post View Photo WASHINGTON (AP) House Republicans elevated Rep. Elise Stefanik to a leadership post Friday, highlighting how the party whose lodestar has long been conservative policies increasingly views allegiance to Donald Trump as its indispensable key to electoral success. Stefanik, a Trump stalwart from upstate New York, was elected to the No. 3 leadership job that until this week belonged to Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming. Republicans tossed Cheney from that post for continually calling out former President Trump for helping spur the violent Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection and relentlessly pushing his false claims that voting fraud caused his November reelection defeat. Local officials and judges from both parties around the country have declared there is no evidence Trump was cheated out of a win. Stefanik easily defeated Rep. Chip Roy of Texas 134-46 in a secret ballot that gave GOP lawmakers a distinct choice about where to steer the party. Stefanik has a moderate voting record but strong backing from Trump and other party leaders, including some conservatives, while Roy is in the hard-right House Freedom Caucus and was actively opposed by the former president. In remarks to reporters after her victory, Stefanik underscored how the twice-impeached Trumps clout within the GOP remains potent, a rarity for a defeated former president. Polling shows strong Trump loyalty among Republican voters, giving party leaders little incentive to ostracize him. Voters determine the leader of the Republican Party, and President Trump is the leader that they look to, said Stefanik, 36. She added, He is an important voice in the Republican Party and we look forward to working with him. While the GOP defines itself as conservative, Stefaniks win provided one measure of the diminished role ideology now plays for Republicans. Her lifetime voting score from the conservative Heritage Action for America is 48, one of the most moderate marks of all House Republicans. That compares to Cheneys 80 and Roys 96. The conservative Club for Growth, which backed Roy, gives Stefanik a lifetime mark of 35. That is well below Cheneys 65 and Roys 100, and even beneath Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, a member of the squad of young progressive House Democrats, who scored 38. I would support Stefanik to be the most likely Republican to join the Squad but not Republican Conference Chair, tweeted Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., who nominated Roy Friday. Now, to have credibility in the Republican Party, you have to align yourself with Donald Trump. Everything else is secondary, said former Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla., a Trump critic. He called that a short-term survival strategy, saying Trumps appeal nationally is limited and will fade. Republicans hope Stefanik will help shift attention from their acrimonious purge of the defiant Cheney, and toward their drive to win House control in the 2022 elections. A Trump loyalist who has stood by some of his unfounded claims about widespread election cheating, Stefaniks elevation gives the GOP a fresh spokesperson who is one of the partys relative handful of women in Congress. We are unified working as one team, she said. Yet GOP schisms are unlikely to vanish quickly. Roys candidacy signaled that hard-right conservatives will battle for influence, and tensions remain raw over Cheneys rancorous ouster. She has said shell stay in Congress and use her prominence as a GOP establishment pillar and daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney to try to pry her party from Trump and to work against him if he attempts a White House return in 2024. Cheney, who did not attend Fridays GOP meeting, demonstrated anew that she has no qualms confronting her adversaries. Asked on CNN whether House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California would have let Congress formally certify Joe Bidens presidential election had he been speaker, she said that was a legitimate concern. McCarthy helped engineer Cheneys ouster. She told CNN she would have voted for Roy, not Stefanik, to replace her because the party needs conservative leaders who are committed to the Constitution. And she said in an interview to be broadcast Sunday on ABC News This Week that she regretted voting for Trump in last years election. Cheney was among 10 House Republicans who voted in January for Trumps second impeachment for inciting his supporters Capitol attack. Stefanik has told colleagues shell serve in leadership only through next year, then try taking the top GOP spot on the influential House Education and Labor Committee. Her plans were described last week by a Republican lawmaker and an aide who discussed them only on condition of anonymity. Besides support from Trump, Stefanik was backed by McCarthy and two of the chambers most influential conservatives: No. 2 leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana and Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio. In the past four presidential elections, Stefaniks rural district backed Barack Obama twice but then Trump twice. She was a Trump critic during his 2016 campaign, calling his videotaped comments on sexually assaulting women just wrong and at times avoiding stating his name. She sprang to Trumps attention by defending him in 2019 during his first impeachment over his efforts to pressure Ukraine to produce political dirt on Biden, a Democratic presidential contender at the time. Shes remained a Trump booster. Hours after the Capitol attack, she voted against formally approving Pennsylvanias state-certified electoral votes for Biden. Trump issued a statement Friday congratulating Stefanik, saying, The House GOP is united and the Make America Great Again movement is Strong! Roy, a former aide to conservative Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, voted in January against Trumps effort to overturn his election defeat, infuriating him. Roy ally Buck, asked if Trump might turn his ire on him as well, conceded as much. Ive been looking for an exit strategy for six and a half years, so if thats the exit strategy, thats OK, Buck said. By ALAN FRAM and MARY CLARE JALONICK Associated Press The Latest: Philippine president eases lockdown in capital View Photo MANILA, Philippines The Philippine president has eased a coronavirus lockdown in the bustling capital and adjacent provinces to fight economic recession and hunger but still barred public gatherings this month, when many Roman Catholic summer religious festivals are held. After an alarming surge in infections that started in March started to ease, President Rodrigo Duterte announced in televised remarks Thursday night that Metropolitan Manila and four nearby provinces, a region of more than 25 million people, would be placed under a so-called general community quarantine, which allows essential businesses and tourist destinations to expand operations, in the last half of the month. But he said religious fiestas in Asias largest Roman Catholic nation would remain prohibited. Forgo to congregate, to crowd and to hold, Duterte said, warning village officials he would hold them responsible if quarantine restrictions were breached. You go out, you just go hunting for the virus to enter your body and pass it on and that is a problem. Confirmed COVID-19 infections started to spike in March to some of the worst levels in Asia, surging beyond 10,000 daily and prompting Duterte to impose a lockdown in the capital and nearby regions in April. The Philippines has reported more than 1,120,000 infections with 18,821 deaths, the second highest totals in Southeast Asia. ___ THE VIRUS OUTBREAK: CDC: Fully vaccinated people can largely ditch masks indoors More school nurses, health corps part of $7.4 billion virus plan Britains Johnson concerned about rise of Indian virus variant in UK Nations once lauded for virus successes lag in vaccinations ___ Follow more of APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine ___ HERES WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING: SALEM, Ore. Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has announced that the state will immediately follow guidance from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which ease indoor mask-wearing and social distancing for fully vaccinated people. Brown said in a video statement Thursday that the new CDC guidance means Oregonians who are fully-vaccinated no longer need to wear masks or social distance in most public spaces. She also said the guidance makes clear that vaccines are the fastest way to get back to doing the things we all love and returning to a sense of normalcy. Mask requirements also will remain in place in Oregon schools this school year, Brown added. The Oregon Health Authority in coming days will provide updated guidance for businesses, employers and others to allow the option of lifting mask requirements and physical distancing after verifying vaccinations status. - BEIJING China has reported its first new cases of local COVID-19 transmission in days, both in the central province of Anhui that has largely avoided outbreaks. Another five cases were brought from outside the country. The new cases brings Chinas total number of cases to 90,815 with 4,636 deaths since the virus was detected in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019. China has almost entirely eradicated local transmission of COVID-19 through strict masking rules, electronic case tracing, quarantines and lockdowns in areas where cases are detected. Meanwhile around 325 million doses of vaccine have been administered to the population, while China along with Russia, has been active in providing doses to poorer nations that have struggled to procure enough for their citizens. ___ RENO, Nev. Nevada is adopting the new mask-wearing guidance the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Thursday for fully vaccinated people. It allows them to stop wearing masks outdoors in crowds and in most indoor settings. The updated guidance is effective immediately in Nevada under a directive Gov. Steve Sisolak signed on May 3. It aligned the states mask usage with the CDC recommendations, including any subsequent guidance the center issues. Nevada also started making COVID-19 shots available to children as young as 12 years old for the first time on Thursday after federal health advisers endorsed use of Pfizers vaccine in kids. ___ LOS ANGELES Counties in California are waiting for guidance from the state after the federal government on Thursday said that fully vaccinated people can quit face coverings and social distancing in most situations. Californias Department of Public Health did not immediately respond to questions about whether it would adopt new guidance announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its unclear what Gov. Gavin Newsom plans to do and when. The state is on track to reopen its economy broadly next month, signaling an end to most pandemic restrictions. San Francisco and Riverside are among counties saying they expect updated guidance from the state. ___ U.S. health officials arent allocating any additional doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine for next week, as a Baltimore contract manufacturer thats the key supplier of the shots in the country remains under scrutiny for serious quality lapses. But many states still have remaining supplies of the J&J vaccine because its use was paused for 11 days while health officials investigated unusual blood clots in a tiny number of the millions of vaccine recipients, federal officials said during a call with governors this week. In Maryland, the health department said it was told it may not receive additional J&J shots in coming weeks either. The department said in a statement its asking providers to use about 88,000 remaining doses of the shots. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine has so far accounted for a small percentage of the overall supply of COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S. Those were made at a company-owned factory in the Netherlands. The J&J vaccine has the advantage of requiring just one dose that can be stored in regular refrigerators, unlike the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, which must be kept frozen and require two doses a few weeks apart. Because of its versatility, local officials would like to see shipments of the J&J vaccine resume eventually, said Dr. Marcus Plescia of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. . Johnson & Johnson declined to comment on the supply issues, but said its focused on trying to win clearance of the Emergent BioSolutions factory after the Food and Drug Administration ordered the plant shut down four weeks ago due to serious quality problems. In a statement, Emergent BioSolutions said it has responded to the FDA with a comprehensive quality enhancement plan. ___ SANTA FE, N.M. New Mexico is now administering the Pfizer vaccine to children ages 12 to 15, as state health officials pushed Thursday for more people to get vaccinated. The move by the state Health Department follows authorizations this week by the federal Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The state is encouraging families to register children on its vaccine website. The expanded availability applies only to the Pfizer vaccine, which until now was only available to people ages 16 and older. State officials say more than half of eligible residents are now fully vaccinated. The goal is to hit 60% next month, but vaccination rates for some parts of the state including southeastern New Mexico and other rural areas are trailing because not everyone wants a shot. The state has been trying incentive vaccination. Health officials said employers are entitled to tax credits through the federal government for providing paid leave to employees who take time off related to COVID-19 vaccinations. They also have set up a website where organizations and local groups can request vaccinations clinics. ___ OLYMPIA, Wash. Washington is on track to fully reopen its economy by June 30, and a full reopening could happen even sooner if 70% or more of residents over age 16 have gotten at least one dose of vaccine by then, Gov. Jay Inslee said Thursday. Inslee said the state will stay at 50% capacity for most indoor activities until it moves to full capacity at the end of the June. He said his decision does not mean the state of emergency sparked by the coronavirus pandemic will end on June 30, and he said that if statewide intensive care capacity reaches 90% at at any point, he will roll back activities again. Inslees linking faster easing of COVID restrictions to vaccination rates is similar to what Oregon Gov. Kate Brown recently announced. This week Brown said much of her states economy can reopen when 70% of eligible people 16 and older have received their first vaccine dose. Inslee said that the plateau in COVID-19 activity the state saw a few weeks ago has now turned into a decline, allowing for a full reopening date. ___ MORGAN, Utah A school district in Utah has announced it is going against a continuing public health order and no longer requiring facial coverings in K-12 schools. The Standard-Examiner reported that the Morgan School District school board voted Tuesday to change its mask policy to a recommendation that students and faculty wear masks, instead of a requirement. It is one of at least seven school districts in Utah to scale back mask requirements. The decision came after several residents and students criticized the mandate during public comment. Some educators have argued to keep the mandate because many people rely on others to wear them to stay safe. ___ OLYMPIA, Wash. Washington authorities said Thursday all schools in the state must provide full-time, in-person education for students for the 2021-22 school year and that students and staff will still be required to wear masks. The Washington state Department of Health released guidelines that included mitigation efforts they said were designed to stop the spread of the coronavirus. The mask directive could prove controversial, as the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday moved to ease indoor mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated people. Currently people over the age of 12 are eligible for COVID-19 vaccines in Washington state. About 1.1 million students attend public schools in Washington state. The Washington state schools directive for fall calls for all people in K-12 schools to wear masks indoors as well as outdoors if six feet of distancing cant be maintained. State authorities are recommending COVID-19 vaccinations and testing programs but are not requiring them for in-person instruction in the fall. ___ RENO Nevada started making COVID-19 shots available to children as young as 12 years old on Thursday after federal health advisers endorsed the use of Pfizers vaccine in kids. More than 177,000 Nevada residents are in the 12-16 age group now eligible for the vaccine To date, 10% of Nevadas COVID-19 cases have been in the 10-19 age group. The American Academy of Pediatrics says children account for one-fifth of all COVID-19 cases nationally. A year ago, they made up 3% of the total. Health officials say adolescents and teens typically have more social contacts than adults. So theres a bigger risk that they will spread the virus. ___ CARSON CITY, Nev. The Nevada website the public uses to get information on coronavirus vaccines is packed with more ad trackers and third-party cookies than any state vaccination website in the country. An investigation by technology publication The Markup found Immunize Nevadas website implants third-party cookies and trackers that can potentially be used to track how visitors navigate the internet and collect data on them that can be sold for any number of purposes. The state says most trackers are used to optimize user experience and evaluate their outreach efforts. Privacy experts say the amount of trackers on Nevadas site in comparison to other states goes beyond data-gathering applicable to outreach. ___ LOS ANGELES The city of Los Angeles is launching a bilingual campaign featuring Latino artists encouraging COVID-19 vaccinations. The public service announcement unveiled Thursday is called Vacunate Ya, Los Angeles / Get Vaccinated, L.A. and features artists Angelica Maria, Danny Trejo, Pepe Aguilar, Angela Aguilar and Leonardo Aguilar. The goal of this campaign is simple: to get our hard-hit Latino community vaccinated and help our city and country defeat this pandemic once and for all, Mayor Eric Garcetti said in a statement. The 30-second public service announcements will air on local TV news, starting with the Spanish-language version this week and followed by the English version next week. The PSAs will also appear on social media. ___ WASHINGTON The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is easing indoor mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated people, allowing them to stop wearing masks inside in most places. The new guidance was announced at the White House. It will still call for wearing masks in crowded indoor settings like buses, planes, hospitals, prisons and homeless shelters, but could ease restrictions for reopening workplaces and schools. The CDC will no longer recommend that fully vaccinated people wear masks outdoors in crowds. Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the director of the CDC, says, We have all longed for this moment when we can get back to some sense of normalcy. The more people get vaccinated, the faster infections will drop and the harder it will be for the coronavirus to mutate enough to escape vaccines, according to health experts. This move comes as nearly half of the U.S. population has received at least one dose of vaccine and coronavirus cases are at their lowest rate since September. Also, deaths are at their lowest point since last April. ___ TALLAHASSEE, Fla. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says if smaller cruise lines want to leave the state, their void will be filled. DeSantis made his remarks at a news conference Thursday, saying Norwegian Cruise Line isnt one of the bigger cruise lines. However, the Miami-based Norwegian is the third largest cruise line in the world and has ports of departure in Miami, Port Canaveral and Tampa. But Norwegian has said it might move departures elsewhere over a law that bans businesses from asking for proof of a coronavirus vaccination. Norwegian hasnt operated in the U.S. since the federal government shut down all cruises last year because of the coronavirus pandemic. The federal government is getting ready to let cruises sail again, but only if nearly all passengers and crew are vaccinated against the virus. DeSantis recently signed a bill banning business from requiring proof of vaccination, prompting Norwegian to say it might move Florida departures to other states or Caribbean ports. By The Associated Press Scientists urge restoration of federal gray wolf protections View Photo TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) A group of scientists urged the Biden administration Thursday to restore legal protections for gray wolves, saying their removal earlier this year was premature and that states are allowing too many of the animals to be killed. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service dropped wolves in most of the lower 48 states from the endangered species list in January. The decision was among more than 100 Trump administration actions related to the environment that President Joe Biden ordered reviewed after taking office. The move didnt affect Idaho, Montana and Wyoming, where federal protections had been lifted years earlier and hunting is allowed. But it removed them elsewhere in the lower 48 states, including in the western Great Lakes and the Pacific Northwest that have wolf populations, and others where experts say the predators could migrate if shielded from human harassment. The decision was premature because the species hasnt fully recovered, 115 scientists argued in a letter to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Martha Williams, principal deputy director of the Fish and Wildlife Service. High numbers of state-approved killings since then have caused setbacks, the letter said. Weve been shocked by the way states have been willing to go to all-out war against the wolves, said John Vucetich, a professor of wildlife conservation at Michigan Technological University. Fish and Wildlife Service spokeswoman Vanessa Kauffman said the agency had no update on wolves. The agency has continued defending their removal from the endangered list against lawsuits filed by environmental groups. Wolves were wiped out across most of the U.S. by the 1930s under government-sponsored poisoning and trapping campaigns. A remnant population in the western Great Lakes region has since expanded to some 4,400 animals in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. More than 2,000 occupy six states in the Northern Rockies and Pacific Northwest after wolves from Canada were reintroduced in Idaho and Yellowstone National Park beginning 25 years ago. Wisconsin had a court-ordered hunt in February in response to a lawsuit from a pro-hunting group. Participants killed 216 wolves nearly one-fifth of the states population, far exceeding the states quota of 119. Another hunt is planned for this fall. Idaho Gov. Brad Little last week signed into law a measure that could lead to killing 90% of the states 1,500 wolves with methods such as using night-vision equipment, chasing them on snowmobiles and ATVs and shooting them from helicopters. In Montana, proposed legislation would allow the use of bait, night-vision scopes and snares. The states have clearly indicated that they will manage wolves to the lowest allowable standards, the scientists said in their letter. The recent politicization of wolf management in states like Idaho and Montana puts long-term recovery of wolves in jeopardy by reducing the probability of such dispersals, said Jeremy Bruskotter, a wildlife policy professor at Ohio State University. The Fish and Wildlife Service contends its not necessary for wolves to be in every place they once inhabited to be considered recovered. Livestock farmers and ranchers contend wolf numbers are too high and threaten their livelihoods. Lawyers representing the government and groups suing to restore federal protections agreed this month to a scheduling plan intended to get matter resolved before hunts that might take place this fall. By JOHN FLESHER AP Environmental Writer SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) Californias new attorney general said Thursday his office will review the fatal shooting of a San Francisco Bay Area man, who police say they initially thought was carrying a handgun in his waistband but actually had a hammer. Attorney General Rob Bonta repeatedly criticized Solano County District Attorney Krishna Abrams for not conducting her own review of last years death of 22-year-old Sean Monterrosa by Vallejo police, saying she was fully capable but chose not to do so. Bontas predecessor, Xavier Becerra, had declined to take up the investigation for the same reason. I made it clear that she should conduct the investigation, Bonta said. In the absence of her doing so, we will do so because fairness requires a complete process not a process that ends with an investigation and a file thats gathering dust on someones desk somewhere, but a review of that investigation, and a decision. Abrams had asked the attorney generals office to take over the investigation, saying in June that an independent review is needed at this time to restore public trust and provide credibility, transparency and oversight. In a statement Thursday, Abrams accused the attorney general of playing politics with one of the most critical and divisive issues in our communities today officer involved fatalities. Bontas office said local officials investigation into Monterrosas death was completed March 10 and given to Abrams office for review. But Abrams, it said, attempted to turn the file over to the attorney generals office without invitation or notice. Abrams, however, said she spoke with Bonta Thursday morning, and Mr. Bonta stated that his department would not be reviewing the case due to funding not being available until July 1st. Within an hour of my telephone conference this morning with Mr. Bonta, he notified me that his department would be reviewing the case, completely reversing himself. In response, Bontas office said that during their call, the attorney general had made clear that the DA should be reviewing the investigation but Abrams refused to conduct the review. A law that goes into effect in July will require the attorney general to investigate officer-involved shootings of unarmed civilians. But Bonta said it doesnt apply in this case. Monterrosa, of San Francisco, was killed June 2 by an officer who fired five times through a police car windshield, hitting Monterrosa once. He was suspected of stealing from a pharmacy amid national protests over killings by police. Vallejo Police Chief Shawny Williams initially said Monterrosa dropped to his knees and put his hands above his waist, revealing what the officer took to be the butt of a handgun. He later said a detective described seeing Monterrosa turning towards the officers in a crouching-down, half-kneeling position, as if in preparation to shoot. But it turned out to be a 15-inch hammer in the pocket of his sweatshirt. He was killed when Vallejo Police Officer Jarrett Tonn fired five times through the windshield from inside an unmarked police vehicle. Civil rights attorney John Burris, who is representing the Monterrosa family in a wrongful death lawsuit, said he is thankful Bonta will review the case. The Vallejo police command staff knew or should have known that this was Tonns fourth shooting in five years and by failing to discipline officers for misconduct, Vallejos police command staff essentially ratified the bad conduct, Burris said in a statement. The windshield, considered a key piece of evidence, was destroyed, leading city officials to seek a criminal investigation into how that happened. The Vallejo police department has come under repeated criticism in other cases as well. Separately, in July, Williams said he was starting an independent investigation after two people in the department said officers had their badges bent to mark on-duty killings. The department has had several other controversial slayings by police, including that of Willie McCoy, 20, of Suisun City, in February 2019. McCoy was killed after he fell asleep with a gun in his lap in his car in a Taco Bell drive-thru. Six Vallejo officers fired 55 shots. Vallejo agreed in November to pay $750,000 to settle a civil rights lawsuit by Carl Edwards, a handyman who was left bloodied after he was beaten and choked by Vallejo police in 2017. Bonta said there is no timeframe for completing what he said would be an impartial and thorough investigation of Monterrosas death. Wherever the facts and the law lead, thats where well go, he said. If there is wrongdoing, well bring it to light. If the facts do not lead to a charging decision, we will explain it. State Sen. Bill Dodd, a Democrat from nearby Napa, praised Bontas decision, saying he had wanted an independent investigation all along. Its crucial that we have a thorough and impartial review of the facts and get accountability for any wrongdoing, Dodd said in a statement. By DON THOMPSON Associated Press LOS ANGELES (AP) Counties in California are waiting for guidance from the state after the federal government on Thursday said fully vaccinated people can quit wearing face coverings and social distancing in most situations whether outside or inside. Californias Department of Public Health did not respond to questions about whether and when the state would adopt new guidance announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC still calls for wearing masks in crowded indoor settings, such as buses, planes, hospitals and prisons, and says residents should follow local rules. Gov. Gavin Newsom says the state is on track to fully reopen its economy next month, signaling an end to most pandemic restrictions as infection rates stay at record lows and more people get vaccinated. On Thursday, the state began allowing children 12 to 15 to receive the vaccine. The CDCs announcement raised more questions for some health officials, including Dr. Barbara Ferrer, public health director for Los Angeles County, home to about one-quarter of the states nearly 40 million people. I think that the question thats top of mind for many people is: What does this mean when people are going around their day-to-day business? she said. The big issue that were facing is making sure were still able to protect our workers. At least 60% of residents 16 and older are partially vaccinated in California. But the percentages of people vaccinated vary widely by county and across the country. Theres also no way to know who is vaccinated or who is just saying they are. I think this is early, Marin County public health officer Dr. Matt Willis said on San Franciscos KGO-TV. Frankly, the idea of people not covering their faces indoors when theyre gathered together, its concerning that there would be ongoing transmission. In California, people who are fully vaccinated do not need to wear a mask outdoors unless at crowded events. But they still have to wear a mask indoors outside their own home unless meeting with other vaccinated people. The state has a number of other rules for businesses and other public places that vary by county based on the prevalence of the virus. Newsom said earlier this week that in June residents will not be wearing face coverings except for at large-scale indoor convention events. But the next day, he said the state is likely to have guidelines and mandates for wearing masks indoors after the state fully reopens. Disability rights activist Sascha Bittner, 47, has cerebral palsy, uses a wheelchair and survived lymphoma. She plans to keep wearing a mask and stay away from people she doesnt know unless she is certain shes in a place where everyone else is vaccinated. She wishes the Biden administration had waited until more people had been vaccinated nationally. I will mask up and keep socially distanced for as long as I see fit. I also wont be around people lax in their protocols yet, the San Francisco resident said by email. Im just not there yet, and I REALLY hope people will see we arent quite there yet. Berkeley resident Justin Grant says he wishes the federal government had loosened outdoor masking rules earlier, given that all the scientific research he has seen shows that outdoor masking is completely unnecessary. He waited Thursday at a Walgreens pharmacy with his 13-year-old daughter, who had just received her vaccination. She wanted the shot so she can hang out with her friends, he said, and he had no hesitation letting her get the vaccine, given that he trusts the science. San Franciscos Department of Public Health, which has been among the strictest in the country in mandating masks and social distancing, cheered the announcement as great news on social media, saying that it underscored the efficacy of the vaccine. The department said it must wait for the state to adopt new guidelines, as will Riverside County. Jose Arballo Jr., a spokesman for the county Department of Public Health, spoke Thursday from a vaccination site in Moreno Valley, where about 1,000 people had come to get their shots by midday, including a handful of children between 12 and 15, he said. All of the young people arrived with their immediate families, he said. They talked about wanting to be like the rest of their family. They wanted to get vaccinated as a group so they could go out and travel and do things together, Arballo said. ___ Har reported from San Francisco. By CHRISTOPHER WEBER and JANIE HAR Associated Press SAN FRANCISCO (AP) In a rare police apology Thursday, San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott apologized for a police shooting last week that injured a burglary suspect. The man, 23-year-old Xavier Pittman, was shot in the wrist by a plainclothes officer as he was being arrested. The shooting of Mr. Pittman quite simply should not have happened, Scott said during an online town hall. Im deeply sorry that Mr. Pittman was shot during this incident, and I would like to take this opportunity to apologize. He also apologized to the public, saying we know you expect us to get this right, and we know how traumatic it is to see these types of incidents especially when they should not have happened. The shooting occurred just before 1 p.m. Friday in the citys South of Market neighborhood as officers were tracking a stolen silver Mitsubishi carrying three men they described as known burglary suspects. Police said the car was seen at vehicle burglaries at several tourist areas earlier in the day and they were trying to track down the car. Plainclothes officers spotted the car in an alley, where two suspects from the Mitsubishi were searching and emptying bags, luggage and other items onto the ground. Police said Officer Zachary McAuliffe grabbed Pittman and both fell to the ground when an officer-involved shooting occurred. Pittmans attorney, Adante Pointer, told the San Francisco Examiner that Pittman was unarmed and already being detained when he was hit by gunfire. He said the officer had no reason to think his life was in danger. Essentially he was ready to be brought into custody, but then to be shot, unexpectedly shot, you dont know what is going to take place at that point. He was scared for his life, Pointer said. He said his client wasnt struggling with police as he was being detained. He didnt deserve to be shot, Pointer said. Scott said that because the officers plainclothes status, they were not wearing body cameras. But police have obtained video surveillance from nearby businesses. Pittman has been charged with five counts of auto burglary, five counts of conspiracy, one count of possession of stolen property and one count of committing a felony while out on bail. The San Francisco Police Department and the district attorneys office are investigating the shooting. By JULIET WILLIAMS Associated Press SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) Gov. Gavin Newsoms budget plan would have California pay to send every 4-year-old to kindergarten, give broke college students a place to live, put more homeless people in hotel rooms, provide health insurance for older adults living in the country illegally, start a new polytechnic university, wipe out delinquent traffic tickets for poor people and give cash payments up to $1,100 to two-thirds of taxpaying adults. The governor says it's all possible because the nations most populous state and the worlds fifth-largest economy is sitting on a mountain of new cash a $100 billion surplus fueled by surging tax revenue and federal coronavirus aid. On Friday, Newsom detailed his ambitious $267.8 billion budget that would reverse nearly all of his proposed budget cuts and tax hikes from a year ago at the start of the pandemic one in a series of unrelenting major crises he has faced since taking office in early 2019. His popularity fell amid wildfires, blackouts, soaring unemployment and billions of dollars in fraudulent unemployment benefits paid by the state. Critics of his policies and handling of the coronavirus gained enough signatures to trigger a recall election expected this fall. So on Friday, it seemed Newsom could not help but marvel at his good fortune when he said the state is set up for not just a comeback, but an extraordinary decade, arguably century, ahead. We are trying to do things this state has talked about but never been able to accomplish because weve never had the resources to do it, Newsom said, adding: This is not a budget that plays small ball. But it is a budget on the edge. Nearly all of the $100 billion in extra money is a one-time surplus, meaning it wont be available next year. Newsom and the Legislature have already approved a massive tax cut for small businesses that will reduce revenues by more than $6 billion over the next five years. In the years to come, budget officials predict the states revenue will grow slightly while its expenses keep increasing. For now, they say the two sides of the budget will balance and not cause a deficit. But that leaves no room for error in a time when the pandemic has made it impossible to predict the future. Its enough for Keely Martin Bosler, Newsoms budget director, to remark on how incredibly uncertain things continue to be. We are still mindful that weve only added back about 44% of the jobs that were lost in that March and April period of 2020 when the pandemic began and California issued the nations first statewide stay-at-home order, Bosler said. Theres still a lot of work to do. Newsom had already announced most of his most attention-grabbing ideas, including giving tax rebates to two-thirds of the states adults while also pledging to pay off their unpaid rent and utility bills. But Fridays announcement put an exclamation point on the scope of his plan, with virtually across-the-board increases in nearly all aspects of government. Republicans said Newsom's plan just shows California's taxes are too high and makes grand promises to people the government won't be able to keep. Scott Wilk, Republican leader of the state Senate, said Newsom has been channeling Oprah all week where every studio audience member gets a new car. Unfortunately in about 18 months when the money runs out the car will be repossessed, Wilk said. For many Democrats, the budget is a progressive dream, with many lawmakers hailing it as historic. Most of the criticism from the left focused on pushing Newsom to do more. While the governor agreed to give free health insurance to low-income, older adults living in the country illegally, Joaquin Arambula a Democrat in the state Assembly and a medical doctor said he was deeply disappointed Newsom did not do the same for low-income farm workers and other immigrants who have kept our families fed and cared for during this horrible pandemic. Frankly, it stuns me that they are being left behind and yet are expected to keep doing their jobs, keep food on our tables, keep taking care of us in our homes, hospitals and schools, and keep our economy going, he said. Newsoms announcement isnt the final word on the budget. Now, he must negotiate with the Democrats who dominate the Legislature and sometimes wants to go further than Newsom is willing to go. Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, a Democrat from Lakewood, said lawmakers will try to spend more money on child care and making college accessible and affordable. Toni Atkins, the leader of the Senate, said the state cannot merely focus on 2021. Last year showed us the power of our responsible budgeting habits. Its critical that we embrace that lesson and ensure this opportunity will benefit Californians this year and for years to come, she said. Other challenges lie ahead. After a year of unprecedented unemployment, California has had to borrow billions of dollars from the federal government to continue paying unemployment benefits. The deficit in the state's unemployment trust fund which is funded by a tax on employers will hit $24.3 billion by the end of this year. Newsom wants to spend $1.1 billion to begin paying down that debt, a sum business leaders say is woefully low. The trust fund deficit is the biggest threat to all businesses in California, said Rob Lapsley, president of the California Business Roundtable. Without a significant investment from the state to address the massive UI Fund debt, businesses will be on the hook to pay for debt they didn't create and cannot afford to pay back. California's Employment Development Department, which pays unemployment benefits, has been overwhelmed during the pandemic, processing 22.2 million claims since March and paying $143 billion in benefits. The department estimates it has 11 million items to complete including protests, benefit screenings and identity documentation that could take more than three years to finish. Newsom says he wants to give the department $276.3 million to hire enough contractors to finish the work in a year. And he wants to spend $11 million so the department can begin paying benefits through direct deposit, which could cut down on fraud. BERLIN (AP) Germany's coronavirus infection rate dropped to its lowest level in nearly two months on Friday, while the health minister said the country had the most successful day yet of its vaccination campaign this week. Still, Jens Spahn called for caution as authorities move toward allowing a more normal life, urging officials to hold off on fully reopening restaurants and calling for Germans to choose vacation destinations carefully. The national disease control center, the Robert Koch Institute, said the number of weekly new cases per 100,000 inhabitants stood at 96.5, the first time since March 20 it has been under 100. There are still considerable variations between regions, many of which are still subject to an overnight curfew and other rules that kick in when an area's weekly infections top 100 per 100,000 people. At the same time, Germany's vaccination campaign, which was much criticized for a slow start, is accelerating. Spahn said 1.35 million shots were administered on Wednesday, the highest one-day total so far. There were 408,260 on Thursday, a holiday. Germany has now given at least one dose to nearly 29.9 million people, or 35.9% of its population. And 8.8 million people, or 10.6%, are now fully vaccinated. The improving situation is raising hopes of restaurants, for example, reopening after months of closures. However, Spahn stressed the need for caution, saying that activities outdoors can be allowed but appealing for regional authorities to wait until weekly new cases drop below 50 per 100,000 residents before reopening indoor parts of restaurants. We must all take great care ... to secure what has been achieved and not want too much too quickly, because that could backfire, Spahn said during a visit to a vaccine storage and distribution center. Prospects of summer vacations also are rising. While Germany never banned nonessential travel, the government is still advising against it but expects to relax that advice in time for the summer. I can only advocate choosing and planning on destinations which really are very, very low (in terms of infections) and, in case of doubt, not going on a faraway journey, Spahn said. So ... more the North Sea than the south seas, he added. I understand the longing, but we are still in the pandemic. There are many regions of the world that are still very, very hard hit by the pandemic. Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said there won't be a repeat of the concerted government-arranged repatriation flights in the first phase of the pandemic if something does go wrong somewhere. He told the Funke newspaper group that if the pandemic situation were to worsen in certain countries, that cant surprise anyone anymore today, in 2021, in contrast with last year. TOKYO (AP) An arrested Japanese reporter returned home Friday after being released by Myanmar's ruling junta in what it called a gesture of friendship to Japan. Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said Yuki Kitazumi was released after efforts by Japanese diplomats and others. The reporter boarded a plane at Yangon's airport and landed in Japan on Friday night. Kitazumi, a freelance journalist and former reporter for Japans Nikkei business news, said in brief comments at the airport that he learned of his release the night before and was told to pack his bag in 10 minutes. As a journalist I wanted to stay in Yangon and keep reporting, but I had to come back, and that is my regret, he said. He said he hopes to keep telling the world about whats happening in Myanmar. The military seized power on Feb. 1, ousting the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. It has faced large, constant popular opposition, which it has tried to suppress by using force that has cost hundreds of lives and by muzzling the news media. Myanmar's army-run Myawaddy TV said Kitazumi was arrested on April 18 for inciting anti-military civil disobedience and riots. Although the journalist is a lawbreaker, the case will be closed and he will be released at the request of the Special Envoy of the Japanese Government for National Reconciliation in Myanmar, in view of the close ties and future relations between Myanmar and Japan," the junta said in a statement read on TV. Japan has criticized the military governments deadly crackdown on opposition but has taken a milder approach than the United States and some other countries that imposed sanctions against members of the junta. Kitazumi was also charged with violating visa regulations. He was the first foreign journalist to be charged under a statute which the state press has described as aiming at fake news. He has posted reports and views about developments in Myanmar on Facebook. Hours before his arrest, he posted a video showing Myanmar citizens gathering at a Tokyo temple to pay tribute to people killed by Myanmar security forces trying to quell protests. Kitazumi had been detained briefly by police in late February while covering pro-democracy protests in Myanmar. The announcement that he had been granted clemency came a day after a military court sentenced a Myanmar journalist, Min Nyo, to three years in prison on similar charges. Min Nyo is a correspondent for the Democratic Voice of Burma, an online and broadcast news agency which has continued to operate despite being banned by the junta. A statement issued by DVB said Min Nyo was covering a March 3 anti-junta protest in the town of Pyay, 260 kilometers (160 miles) northwest of Yangon, when he was arrested and severely beaten by police. About 80 journalists have been arrested since the military's takeover. Roughly half are still detained and most of them are being held under charges similar to the one for which Min Nyo was convicted, as are many activists opposed to the military regime. Rights group Amnesty International said Min Nyos case showed the ruthlessness of the junta and the risks faced by journalists reporting on the juntas abuses. Min Nyos conviction must be quashed, and he should be released immediately - along with all other journalists, activists and human rights defenders imprisoned and detained solely for their peaceful opposition to the military coup, the group's deputy regional director, Emerlynne Gil, said in a statement. ___ This story was first published on May 14, 2021. It was updated on May 15, 2021 to correct the name of the journalist on first reference. He is Yuki Kitazumi, not Yuki Kigazumi. DHARMSALA, India (AP) Penpa Tsering, the former speaker of Tibet's parliament-in-exile, has been elected the new president of the exile government, the election commissioner announced Friday. He will succeed Lobsang Sangay, who completes his second five-year term at the end of May, Election Commissioner Wangdu Tsering said in Dharmsala, a northern Indian town where spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has been living since he fled Tibet after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959. Nearly 64,000 Tibetans living in exile in India, Nepal, North America, Europe, Australia and elsewhere voted in the election, which was held in two rounds in January and April. It was the third direct election of the Tibetan exile leadership since the Dalai Lama withdrew from any political role in the running of the exile government in 2011. Penpa Tsering, 53, was elected to its parliament in 1996 and became its speaker in 2008. The 45 people elected to the exile parliament include 10 each from the three traditional provinces of Tibet, two each from the five religious constituencies, two each from Tibetan communities in North America and Europe, and one from the Tibetan community in Australasia. Formed in 1959, Tibets government-in-exile now called the Central Tibetan Administration has executive, judicial and legislative branches. China says Tibet has been part of its territory since the mid-13th century, and its Communist Party has governed the Himalayan region since 1951. But many Tibetans say they were effectively independent for most of their history, and that the Chinese government wants to exploit the resource-rich region while crushing its cultural identity. China doesnt recognize the Tibetan government-in-exile and hasnt held any dialogue with representatives of the Dalai Lama since 2010. India considers Tibet as part of China, though it hosts the Tibetan exiles. Some Tibetan groups advocate independence for Tibet, since little progress has been made in talks with China. Beijing accuses the Dalai Lama of seeking to separate Tibet from China, which he denies. Penpa Tsering supports the Dalai Lama's position. LONDON (AP) Britain hopes to host the U.N.'s delayed COP26 climate summit in person in November despite the challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the U.K. official leading the preparations said Friday. Alok Sharma, the U.K.s president-designate of COP26, said every possible measure was being explored to see how the talks could be held safely, including involving COVID-19 testing and vaccinations. In less than six months time, delegates from across the world are due to arrive in Glasgow for the United Nations annual climate conference. The summit was originally set for November 2020, but the pandemic forced it to be postponed for a year. A year later, there are still issues, and limits on international travel remain in place. For me, it is vital that developing countries are able to sit at the same table, face-to-face with the larger countries, the big emitters, Sharma said. The desire for (an in-person summit) is what Ive been hearing loud and clear from governments and communities around the world. Sharma said the world had not done nearly enough to act on the emission-cutting commitments of the 2015 Paris climate accord. The treaty seeks to limit global temperature rises to 1.5 degrees Celsius compared with pre-industrial times. The president-designate said COP26 was the last hope to keep that commitment. We have come to the moment of truth, Sharma said. This is our last hope of keeping 1.5 degrees alive, our best chance of building a brighter future. future of green jobs and cleaner air. I have faith that world leaders will rise to the occasion, and not be found wanting in their tryst with destiny. Climate activists around the world have remained skeptical about their governments efforts to live up to the Paris agreement, but April saw some of the worlds largest greenhouse gas emitters set out their latest goals for reducing their carbon output. Sharma also said he hoped the conference would be the moment that coal power is left in the past where it belongs. The science is clear that to keep 1.5 degrees alive, coal must go, Sharma said, calling for Group of 7 countries to lead the way and support developing nations in their transitions to cleaner energy. Having previously refused to step in, Prime Minister Boris Johnsons Conservative government in March intervened in plans to build a new coal mine in Cumbria, northwest England. Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick ordered a public inquiry, which is to be held in September, less than two months before COP26, which will run Nov. 1-12. ___ This story corrects the day that Sharma spoke to Friday. ___ Follow all AP stories on climate change at https://apnews.com/hub/Climate. China is stepping up efforts to strengthen data security, especially that to be provided overseas, by legislation to better regulate data processing and safeguard State and personal information security. The Cyberspace Administration of China, the country's top internet watchdog, unveiled on Wednesday a draft regulation on managing data related to automobiles, to intensify the protection of personal and other crucial data generated on the Chinese mainland. The draft applies to operators that design, produce, sell, maintain the service of and manage automobiles on the mainland, when they collect, analyze, store, transmit, inquire about, use and delete personal information and key data. It stipulates that individuals must agree to the collection of their personal data, and personal information or key data should be stored on the Chinese mainland. Data that is to be provided offshore must receive and pass data exit safety assessments by the nation's cyberspace authorities. When operators offer personal information or key data abroad, they will need to take effective measures to clarify and supervise that receivers' use of the data is in accordance with the purpose, scope and manner agreed to by the two sides, in order to ensure data security, according to the draft regulation. The administration released the full text of the draft regulation online for public advice before June 11. On Wednesday night, US car manufacturer Tesla said in a statement regarding the draft regulation on Sina Weibo, China's equivalent of Twitter, that it supports and answers the call to have a more regulated industry, and "the public is welcome to offer suggestions to the authorities". The latest draft follows an earlier draft law on data security that was submitted to the Standing Committee of the 13th National People's Congress, China's top legislature, for a second review in late April. The draft law highlighted the security of outbound data while aiming to promote the development of the data sector. The draft law specifies that those who privately provide domestic data to judicial or law enforcement agencies overseas may face a fine of up to 1 million yuan ($155,000), and it tightens management of operators trying to take data collected or generated on the mainland to overseas areas. Besides operators of critical information infrastructure, more data processors, including those of enterprises and data analysis centers, will also face stricter management if they produce or collect data on the mainland, according to the new draft law. "In other words, the scope of outbound data security management in the latest draft law has been expanded," said Zhang Tao, a lawyer at Beijing Huaxun Law Offices who specializes in the sector. "The move is necessary, as the aim of the legislation is to ensure data activities are safe in each step," he said, adding that security is the foundation of data use and development. How to keep a balance between ensuring data security while promoting the sound development of the sector has become a hot topic in China, as the country has seen a rapid growth of big data and data flow in recent years. Liu Yaohua, a researcher at the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, published an article in China Economic Weekly in April, in which he said China urgently needed to improve rules on cross-border data flow, as the data sector is booming and many new challenges have surfaced. The article cited a survey by the Washington-based Brookings Institution, which found that between 2009 and 2018, cross-border data flow contributed about 10 percent to global GDP growth, and the contribution could exceed $11 trillion by 2025. It also noted that the United States, the European Union and other countries or regions have made different cross-border data flow policies based on their own security and economic growth situations. Liu said a series of high-level policies and rules on cross-border data flow have been implemented at the national, industrial and enterprise levels in China since the Chinese Cybersecurity Law took effect in 2017. He also said China should ensure that data will flow in a legal and orderly manner. Li Guangqian, a researcher at the Development Research Center of the State Council, said that at present, countries have different attitudes toward cross-border data flow, but he believes that protecting personal information and key data for a country is as important as promoting the development of the data industry. "China should deal with the cross-border data flow from the perspective of compliance, and formulate relevant rules in line with our own national conditions," he was quoted as saying by the Financial News in April. Trophies and banners line half the walls inside a small classroom on the southeast side of the Plainview High School campus. Theres a whiteboard filled with important announcements and schedules on another wall. The room pays tribute to the hard work put in by the young men and women who make up the Plainview Independent School Districts Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC). A special note was written on the board on Monday informing NJROTC members of the units 2021 Distinguished designation awarded by the US Navy. Senior Naval Science Instructor Brad Brantley, known as Chief around the JROTC quarters, said the distinction is another testament to the chapters top performance. To qualify for the recognition, units are measured on aspects of citizenship, community involvement and academics. For each category, the unit is awarded points based on information provided. A total of 369 points are possible. The Plainview unit scored 170 points and become one of 27 schools (out of 54 from here to Tennessee) to receive a Distinguished Unit Award. Its an even more remarkable feat considering the unit was on probation last year due to low membership levels, Brantley said. Brantley started the Plainview NJROTC unit in 2008. Theres a common misconception that NJROTC programs push military recruitment. Thats incorrect. The real focus of the program is on leadership and promote good citizenship. Students in the program are held to high standards. A few of the student officers attested to that. It helps build future leaders, said Andrew Holland, commanding officer cadet lieutenant. Mia Garcia, supply officer cadet ensign, said its helped build her confidence, too. Theres a place for everyone, Brantley emphasized citing photos and memories from previous NJROTC members that adorn the fourth wall of the previously mentioned classroom. This is Brantleys first year back in Plainview since leaving the district in 2012. They called me back, he said, and he kind of hit the ground running. The Navy requires units to maintain at least 100 members or it shuts them down. Upon Brantleys return, recruiting cadets was priority No. 1. The unit has 114 members this year. The kids took it from there. Brantley credits the units new designation to them. Nine months later, theyre distinguished, Brantley said. No half measures. The line itself was made famous from the hit television show Breaking Bad, but Mark Marley lived by that code throughout his 51 years of life. My dad just had this mentality that if he was going to do something, he was going to do it right and he was going to do it big, said Dallas Marley, 30. About 25 years ago, the American Cancer Society called Mark in search of somebody to man a grill for the Cotton Barons Ball in Plainview. Marley answered the call helping cook about 600 steaks. It was the first of many cooking and volunteering opportunities Marley would take on. For the remainder of his life, Marley made cooking for others a priority. He, with the help of his son, built a giant trailer to help smoke and grill the meats. His food was a staple at other ACS events in Hale County, including the Relay for Life . In 2012, Marley passed away after a bout with cancer. Those who knew him from his charitable contributions, and ones he made an impact on through those endeavors, wanted to honor his memory. Thus, the Mark Marley GO BIG or GO HOME BBQ Bash was born. Friday marks the start of the eighth annual cookoff in Marleys name at Runningwater Draw Park (Kidsville). The first was in 2013 and the now-three-day event has expanded every year since. Through word of mouth and a group effort to expand the festivities, this year marks the events return after last years was canceled. Dallas admitted that he never thought the cookoff would get to the level it has reached, but he credits those in charge of putting the event together. The amount of work that these guys do to make this event happen is insane, and they do it in the spirit of go big or go home, charity and generosity, said Dallas, who lives in Lubbock with his family. That definitely means something to us, to me and my family. Its not that Dallas didnt think the people running the cookoff were doing a bad job. Rather, he couldnt quite see the vision that people like Scott Snipes and RaeAnne Warren had for it. Snipes, who helps handle logistics for the cookoff, said he and Warren came up with the idea for the cookoff during a conversation they had at the Broadway Brew shortly after Marleys death. It just really flowed to us quite easily that if Mark had a way of contributing, it would be through cooking, said Snipes. Seven months after the idea was initially discussed, the cookoff became a reality. About 19 teams competed in the inaugural event. The next year saw 35 teams travel to Plainview for the cookoff, about the number that are expected to attend this years event. When Scott and I started this, we knew we wanted to make something really big for our community and in memory of Mark, said Warren. I really dont honestly think either of us anticipated it being this big. In the years since the first cookoff was held, the stakes have continued to raise. This years event has three full days of cooking competitions with Saturday being the most heavily-schedule day that includes a number of concerts, horseshoe and corn hole tournaments and the annual car show, which this year will honor the memory of Cody Spencer, formerly of Plainview. This year is very special for us because Cody was a volunteer for both GO BIG and for the American Cancer Society for so many years, said Warren. He was one of our team members, one of our family members. We just felt like this year definitely needed to be in his memory. Spencer, who got into volunteering with his mother, Laura, died in an auto crash on Nov. 9, 2019. The car show will run from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday. Warren said that the organizers try to use the car show as a way to honor the memory of a car enthusiast in much the same way the cookoff honors Marley. Marleys son Dallas, who is a pastor, owns a wedding venue and caters events as well, didnt see himself getting into cooking. Growing up, helping his dad cook felt more like a chore than a passion. No kid wants to wake up every few hours to check on 50 briskets that other people are going to eat. During that time, I didnt understand what my dad was doing, said Dallas, who called himself a heathen in his younger years. They commemorated my dad and I slowly started to understand. Then you get people that are like, Man, you have no idea how much your dad changed my life. You start to talk to people and see the impact my dad had. These guys did all this just to commemorate him. Its a big deal and its a lot. Ive started to see the impact that he had and the way he was able to touch peoples lives. When Mark first got into volunteer work and cooking for others, he and Dallas built a giant trailer to make the job easier. Dallas didnt pick up on the cooking strategy until later in life. Now, he has his own food trucks, selling BBQ favorites in Lubbock on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and comes to the Gebos parking lot in Plainview every Thursday. I never thought it was that fun, Dallas recalls of helping his dad cook as a kid. During the height of the pandemic last summer, Dallas started selling ribs out of his home. What started as a way to pass time and make a little bit of money turned into another full-fledge job. Much like the growth of the cookoff that honors his father, he didnt expect things to take off as quickly as they did. I just thought it was going to be a nice little cookoff, Dallas said of the events early years. Its grown to so much more than that. I didnt think it would become what its become. Over the last few months of Marks life, Dallas said that his father, a successful entrepreneur, turned all his attention away from business. Instead, he wanted to help people and give back. Its just pretty cool because he never did any of the things he did for recognition, said Dallas, who also noted the groups efforts to grow the event with each year. Much like Mark, the team that puts together the cookoff each year follows the motto the event is named after: GO BIG or GO HOME. They do it in the same spirit that my dad did it, said Dallas. Theyre just doing it to do a good thing. San Antonio's two new downtown spots to eat and drink are open and you don't have to leave the property to try them out. House of Ma, a Vietnamese restaurant, and Hugman's Oasis, a tiki bar, are just a few weeks old. A tasting event was hosted on Thursday, giving MySA the opportunity to get a sampling of the menus. Here's a quick list of tips and things to know before you go. What we tasted Madalyn Mendoza for MySA We tried both options of Goi Cuon, the Bo Tai Chanh with beef carpaccio and lime dressing and the mushroom and tofu. I'm a meat lover, so I was partial to the beef dipped in nuoc mam, which is a flavorful, fish-sauce based condiment. The salmon collars drizzled with muoi tieu chanh (salt, pepper and lime) were similar in presentation to Southerleigh's snapper throats. I used my fork to tear through the flaky meat an attempt to maintain my table manners that was futile to its finger-licking goodness. Madalyn Mendoza for MySA I was originally disappointed when I heard the fried catfish on the menu was replaced with bo luc lac, a rib eye, veggies and tomatoes dish (top), but the modification ended up being my favorite. I paired each bite with either the crispy noodles or rice and my carb-loving heart was elated. What we drank I washed all of that down with a Saignon Swing, which is comparable to a paloma. How much are drinks? Madalyn Mendoza for MySA House of Ma has a drink menu separate from Hugman's Oasis with cocktails ranging from $10-$12. E hele kaua (let's party) downstairs Madalyn Mendoza for MySA Hugman's Oasis, the tiki bar beneath the restaurant, also has a drink menu with options ranging from $12 to $15. Though small in space, the bar packs an experience. With decor handpicked by tiki expert Bamboo Ben and locally based Giles Design Bureau, and upbeat music playing, it was an atmosphere I've never seen before in San Antonio. Hugman's Oasis also has patio seating with River Walk views. What do the experts recommend? Madalyn Mendoza for MySA Jeret Pena, who Liquor.com credited for transforming San Antonio into a "Bona Fide Cocktail Town," is serving as beverage director for the bar. When asked for recommendations, he pointed to the Wave of Mutilation and the Painkiller without hesitation. Those who tried the Wave of Mutilation described it as a well-balanced blend of grape fruit and cinnamon with bourbon. I opted for the classic painkiller (pictured), which was a chilly drink with plenty of coconut flavor that made the River Walk feel like a beach. Where can I find the restaurant and bar? Courtesy, Giles Design Bureau Both are located at 135 E. Commerce St., near the just-opened Canopy Hotel and the storied Esquire Tavern, I paid $20 for parking at a nearby garage because I was short on time, but you may be able to snag a cheaper spot. TripAdvisor would like everyone to know they had nothing to do with that whole barbecue map incident, thank you very much. On Thursday, May 13, an obscure chef blog published America's Best & Worst Cities for BBQ, which immediately went viral for placing San Antonio and every other major city in Texas among the worst places for barbecue. In explaining just how it determined the lists, the blog said it used TripAdvisor data, causing some outlets to incorrectly identify the online travel company and review site as the source of the study. "This has done significant brand damage to us," Brian Hoyt, head of global communications and industry affairs, tells MySA. Hoyt, who has lived in Texas and waxes poetic about Franklin Barbecue's brisket, quickly added that TripAdvisor "categorically denies" the findings. RELATED: Texas barbecue is worst in country, says obscure website. No one agrees. "As far as we know, these are two guys in a garage in Australia," Hoyt says of the blog. "They're using our data, but misappropriating it." According to Hoyt, TripAdvisor, who has their own in-house team of data scientists, isn't even sure what the bloggers did to come up with conclusions, which took the internet by storm on Thursday. (For the record, TripAdvisor has their own Best BBQ list, which includes places in Kansas City, Texas, Tennesee, and the Carolinas.) "We think [the blog] owes the state of Texas a big apology," Hoyt adds. Over the past 24 hours, the travel company has continued to navigate the fallout as more media outlets continue to misidentify TripAdvisor as the source of the map, an exercise Hoyt describes as a game of "Whack-A-Mole." "We're a victim here in this story," Hoyt says. READ MORE: Mama's Cafe is reopening in San Antonio after two years. Here's what to know. But what about the reputation of Texas barbecue restaurants? Have they suffered as a result of these egregious claims? Nah, says one expert. "When you know you're number one, you don't care about things like this," says Anna Tauzin, chief revenue and innovation officer for the Texas Restaurant Association. "Texas, Missouri, the Carolinas are varsity, everyone else is JV." Jokes aside, with an industry still reeling from the fallout of the global pandemic, Tauzin says she hopes the list inspires readers to get out and support local restaurants, regardless of where they live. "However you get your barbecue," Tauzin says, "spend that money with local restaurants." WASHINGTON (AP) In a major step toward returning to pre-pandemic life, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention eased mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated people on Thursday, allowing them to stop wearing masks outdoors in crowds and in most indoor settings. Today is a great day for America, President Joe Biden said during a Rose Garden address heralding the new guidance, an event where he and his staff went without masks. Hours earlier in the Oval Office, where Biden was meeting with vaccinated Republican lawmakers, he led the group in removing their masks when the guidance was announced. If you are fully vaccinated, you no longer need to wear a mask," he said, summarizing the new guidance and encouraging more Americans to roll up their sleeves. Get vaccinated or wear a mask until you do. The guidance still calls for wearing masks in crowded indoor settings like buses, planes, hospitals, prisons and homeless shelters, but it will help clear the way for reopening workplaces, schools and other venues even removing the need for social distancing for those who are fully vaccinated. We have all longed for this moment when we can get back to some sense of normalcy, Rochelle Walensky, director of the CDC, said at an earlier White House briefing. The CDC and the Biden administration have faced pressure to ease restrictions on fully vaccinated people those who are two weeks past their last required COVID-19 vaccine dose in part to highlight the benefits of getting the shot. The countrys aggressive vaccination campaign has paid off: U.S. virus cases are at their lowest rate since September, deaths are at their lowest point since last April and the test positivity rate is at the lowest point since the pandemic began. Walensky said the long-awaited change is thanks to the millions of people who have gotten vaccinated and is based on the latest science about how well those shots are working. Anyone who is fully vaccinated can participate in indoor and outdoor activities large or small without wearing a mask or physically distancing, Walensky said. If you are fully vaccinated, you can start doing the things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic. The new guidance is likely to open the door to confusion, since there is no surefire way for businesses or others to distinguish between those who are fully vaccinated and those who are not. Millions of Americans are doing the right thing and getting vaccinated, but essential workers are still forced to play mask police for shoppers who are unvaccinated and refuse to follow local COVID safety measures," said Marc Perrone, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union. Are they now supposed to become the vaccination police?" Walensky and Biden said people who are not fully vaccinated should continue to wear masks indoors. Weve gotten this far please protect yourself until you get to the finish line, Biden said, noting that most Americans under 65 are not yet fully vaccinated. He said the government was not going to enforce the mask wearing guidance on those not yet fully vaccinated. We're not going to go out and arrest people, added Biden, who said he believes the American people want to take care of their neighbors. If you havent been vaccinated, wear your mask for your own protection and the protection of the people who also have not been vaccinated yet." On Capitol Hill, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she is not changing the rules requiring masks on the House floor. No, Pelosi told CNN. Are they all vaccinated? Recent estimates have put the percentage of unvaccinated lawmakers in the House at 25%. That ambiguity over who is and isn't vaccinated led Lawrence Gostin, a public health law expert at Georgetown University, to declare the CDC guidance confusing and contradictory. "The public will not feel comfortable in a crowded indoor space if they are unsure if the maskless person standing next to them is or is not vaccinated," he said. The announcement came as many states and communities have already been lifting mask mandates amid improving virus numbers and as more Americans have been shedding face coverings after getting shots. Dan Witte, a 67-year-old musician from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, stopped wearing a mask after receiving the vaccine two months ago and recently rejoined his band playing gigs at crowded bars and weddings. He was encouraged by the CDCs new guidance, but said it just confirmed his trust that the vaccines offered protection from spreading infections. I went right from being hypervigilant for almost a year to being right in the crowd without a mask, Witte said. To date more than 154 million Americans, nearly 47% of the population, have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and nearly 119 million are fully vaccinated. The rate of new vaccinations has slowed in recent weeks, but with the authorization Wednesday of the Pfizer shot for children ages 12 to 15, a new burst of doses is expected in the coming days. All of us, lets be patient, be patient with one another, Biden said, acknowledging some Americans might be hesitant about removing their masks after more than a year of living in a pandemic that has killed more than 584,000 people in the U.S. and more than 3.3 million people worldwide. The CDC's announcement that Americans could begin to shed one of the most visible symbols of the pandemic stood in stark contrast to other nations, with much of the world still struggling to contain the virus amid global disparities in vaccinations. Just two weeks ago, the CDC recommended that fully vaccinated people continue to wear masks indoors in all settings and outdoors in large crowds. Walensky said that evidence from the U.S. and Israel shows the vaccines are as strongly protective in real world use as they were in earlier studies and that so far they continue to work even though some worrying mutated versions of the virus are spreading. The more people continue to get vaccinated, the faster infections will drop and the harder it will be for the virus to mutate enough to escape vaccines, she stressed, urging everyone 12 and older who is not yet vaccinated to sign up. And while some people still get COVID-19 despite being vaccinated, Walensky said, thats rare. She cited evidence that those infections tend to be milder, shorter and harder to spread to others. If people who are vaccinated do develop COVID-19 symptoms, they should immediately put their mask back on and get tested, she said. There are some caveats. Walensky encouraged people who have weak immune systems, such as from organ transplants or cancer treatment, to talk with their doctors before shedding their masks. Thats because of continued uncertainty about whether the vaccines can rev up a weakened immune system as well as they do normal, healthy ones. The new guidance had an immediate effect at the White House, which has taken a cautious approach to easing virus restrictions. Staffers were informed that masks are no longer required for people who are fully vaccinated. First lady Jill Biden, who was traveling in West Virginia, told reporters that we feel naked as she and her party removed their face coverings. Then she paused. I didnt mean it that way! ___ AP Medical Writer Lauran Neergaard and AP Congressional Correspondent Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report. Thanks to a recent viral marketing campaign, we now know exactly how many Goldfish crackers 74 Dallas Mavericks center Boban Marjanovic can cram into his oversized mitts: 301. But unless hes faster in the snack aisle than he is on the court in the NBA, the 32-year-old big man wont be able to get his hands which are estimated to be the biggest in pro basketball, with a length of 10.75 and span of 12 inches on the new collaboration between Pepperidge Farm and one of Americas most popular hot sauces. Available starting this month while supplies last, limited-edition Goldfish Franks RedHot crackers are a hot item both literally and figuratively. Made with some of the same ingredients that make Franks a popular base for most Buffalo wing sauces, the crackers contain notes of vinegar and cayenne that are balanced out quite nicely by the classic cheddar taste Goldfish deliver. As for the spice level? Based on a heat scale of 0-10, Goldfish Franks RedHot crackers rank at a level of 6.5, Campbell Snacks chief marketing officer Janda Lukin tells InsideHook. A 6.5 is a fairly healthy heat level for a cracker thats a staple of grade-school snacktime. Thats at least partially because, unlike previous collaborations Goldfish has done, the sauce-seasoned crackers werent made with children in mind. This all started with an insight that nearly 50% of Goldfish crackers are actually eaten by adults aged 18 and older, Lukin says. Over the years, Goldfish has had partners including Disney to release fun and kid-friendly limited-edition crackers, but those collaborations werent as totally unexpected as this one. This is our first brand partnership that targets a more mature audience, and we are eager to explore in that space. We never really catered to the older audience palate despite hot and spicy being a highly requested flavor. Were always listening to our fans. It starts with the consumer spark. Spicy Goldfish are going to be a hot seller this spring. Goldfish The amount of requests for Goldfish to make a hot version of their classic cracker isnt too surprising considering that recent survey data has shown spicy snacks are gaining in popularity among consumers. Nearly half of all U.S. adults 52% say they purchase spicy packaged snack foods, such as crackers, chips or popcorn, Lukin says. That percentage is even larger for youth: 73% of Gen Z and 69% of Millennials. Im personally a big fan of Franks RedHot sauce and love making the Goldfish brand more inclusive for everyone in the family, no matter their age. So is there any chance the limited-edition crackers could become permanent editions to the Pepperidge Farm in the same way that Old Bay decided to make its hot sauce a constant condiment choice after seeing overwhelming demand and sales? This was a collaborative and fun project for us over the past several months. Both Goldfish and Franks worked together seamlessly to deliver the best-tasting experience, Lukin says It all really depends on what our fans really want. Were very optimistic about the future of Goldfish and we are excited to keep experimenting with some of the projects we have in the pipeline. Given our affinity for Franks, spicy snacks and all thing cheese, Goldfish has found a fan in this writer. Hook, line and sinker. Sign up for more daily deals and recommendations from InsideHook's, The Goods, delivered straight to your inbox. The post Do the New Franks Red Hot Goldfish Live Up to the Hype? appeared first on InsideHook. SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP) El Salvador's president sent 34,000 doses of coronavirus vaccine to seven towns in Honduras on Thursday, responding to video pleas from their mayors posted to social media. The small-scale diplomacy by President Nayib Bukele raised eyebrows in El Salvador and Honduras, but most people agreed that ultimately it would benefit a population in desperate need of vaccine. El Salvador has been more successful than neighboring Honduras and Guatemala in obtaining vaccine, though all lag in vaccinating their people. The highly public move also provided a distraction at a time of growing concern among some Salvadorans and international observers over the consolidation of power in El Salvadors three branches of government by the party led by Bukele, who is highly popular domestically. On Tuesday, the same day Bukele met with White House Special Envoy Ricardo Zuniga, who expressed the U.S. government's reservations about developments in El Salvador, the president received the seven Honduran mayors and told them his government would help. When I saw your videos, what I saw was a little desperation, Bukele told them. I said to the minister and the vaccine people in El Salvador: How can we help? Early Thursday, seven refrigerated trucks left for Honduras carrying the doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine. In one video, Amable de Jesus Hernandez, mayor of San Jose Colinas, said, Our people are dying of COVID, our government doesnt respond, thats why we come to you. Carlos Galeano, the mayor of Santa Maria del Real, who also traveled to El Salvador for the vaccines, said Thursday he decided to make his plea because he wanted to help his community and the Honduran government was moving too slowly. We didnt do it to confront the government, nor the political party that is in power, Galeano said, responding to critics who suggested the mayors were trying to embarrass Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez. We arent causing any damage to the country. Rather, we want to save lives. The towns were to divide the doses according to their respective populations. Galeano said his town was getting 4,000 doses that would be given to senior citizens and teachers. El Salvador has given at least a single dose to nearly 1 million people, less than a quarter of its target population, but it is far ahead of its two Northern Triangle neighbors in obtaining vaccine. It already received 1.9 million doses and expects more shipments in the coming days. Honduras, by contrast, had gotten only about 59,000 vaccine doses before Thursdays donation. In March, Mexican customs agents seized 5,700 doses of purported Sputnik V vaccine from a private plane in the Gulf coast state of Campeche. The Russian Direct Investment Fund identified the doses as fake and a Honduran businessman later said he had been trying to obtain vaccine for his employees and their families. Ida Berenice Molina, the Honduran official in charge of the countrys vaccination program, told local media that the government had not received any official information about the vaccine donation, including the type and expiration date. El Salvadors health secretary, Francisco Alabi, supervised the vaccines departure. We hope that in the coming hours our Central American brothers can begin applying this immunization model we are sharing, he said. To a certain point it is a humanitarian act, said Mario Gamero, head of the El Salvador Infectology Association. In the medical field we are more human than political and so we see it from a more human point of view. He added though that the government cant ignore our patients who urgently deserve the vaccine. Amilcar Santillana, a cab driver in San Salvador, had a similar view You have to help your neighbor, but first you have to vaccinate all Salvadorans, said Santillana, a 55-year-old awaiting his second dose. In Honduras, Fernando Anduray, leader of the governing National Party, suggested Bukele's motivation was political, though he wouldnt complain about more vaccine coming to Honduras. Bukele is in his political game there. Hes pressuring for other things and hes probably using this as a small distraction, Anduray said on Frente a Frente, a Honduran news show. Hes scoring a political point for his purposes in El Salvador and in front of international political opinion. Bukele has offered help to neighbors before. Recently, Costa Ricas government asked the Central American Integration System, the regions economic and political organization, for loans of medicine. El Salvador donated 10,000 doses of the powerful painkiller fentanyl, which is used in COVID-19 patients who require intubation. You dont loan help, you give it without conditions, Bukele said at the time via Twitter. They would have done the same for us. Bukele said Thursdays vaccine donation would not hinder El Salvadors vaccination campaign. He said that the government is vaccinating people as quickly as possible and that scheduled vaccine shipments would give the country a margin for some donations. El Salvador has so far tallied more than 70,000 confirmed coronavirus infections and more than 2,100 deaths from COVID-19. ___ Associated Press writer Marlon Gonzalez in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, contributed to this report. Unionized nursing home workers agreed to postpone strikes planned for Friday at 26 facilities across Connecticut after Gov. Ned Lamont's administration reached an agreement with union leaders and nursing homes operators that includes $267 million in state funds to help pay for historic wage increases. The workers including nurses, nurses aides, housekeeping staff and laundry workers have threatened to walk out over what they call poverty-level wages and dangerously low staffing levels. Lamont announced during a COVID-19 briefing with reporters Thursday afternoon that his administration had reached a basic agreement with the nursing home operators and the union. While the state is not a party to the talks, it plays a crucial role because it provides the bulk of nursing home revenues through Medicaid payments. Its a good deal. Its a good deal for the front-line nurses, the biggest increase theyve gotten in many a year, Lamont said. I think it shows were keeping faith with the folks who are taking care of our parents and grandparents. District 1199 New England, SEIU, announced it has already reached a tentative four-year contract with iCare Health Network, owner of 11 of the homes, that will set a $20 hourly minimum wage for certified nursing assistants and a $30 hourly minimum wage for licensed practiced nurses. But the union said it has issued new strike notices for the 26 facilities, with roughly 2,800 residents and 2,800 unionized workers, for June 7 to give more time for negotiations on final agreements with iCare, Genesis Healthcare and Autumn Lake Healthcare. Strike notices set previously for May 28 at 13 long-term care facilities, affecting more than 1,200 workers, will remain in place. That list includes seven RegalCare homes. The Connecticut Association of Healthcare Facilities, an association of 150 skilled nursing facilities and assisted living communities, credited the increased financial support with jumpstarting the labor talks. Nursing home residents, their families, caregivers and the operators all can rest easier tonight with this critically important breakthrough achievement said Matt Barrett, the group's president, in a written statement. The governor's announcement of an agreement was made after a slightly revised version of an earlier proposal was released on Thursday. Among other things, the revamped offer extended the labor-management agreement from two to four years and included additional money for health care and pension benefits enhancements. The $267 million in state funds is slightly less than the $280 million the administration first proposed on Monday. Paul Mounds, Lamont's chief of staff, said the nursing home industry ultimately provided more money toward the deal, so less state money was needed. The agreement includes a 10% rate increase in Medicaid payments to nursing homes over nine months, so long as they meet new state public health standards such as hiring full-time infection prevention experts and reducing three- and four-bed rooms to single or double rooms. Nursing homes will be required to assume responsibility for all resident and staff COVID-19 testing beginning July 1. There's also $145 million for wage enhancements for workers, ranging from certified nurses aides to housekeeping, that equate to 4.5% in fiscal year 2022 and 4.15% in fiscal year 2023; $13 million in workforce training, such as helping CNAs become LPNs or RNs. The administration said the proposal is more than four times the average rate increase in workers' wages over the past 14 years. Some of state's share of COVID-19 relief funds will also be used to provide child care to nursing home workers. Beginning Jan. 15, a special child care support line will be available through 2-1-1 for nursing home workers. The threatened nursing home worker strike has highlighted the political pressures the Democratic governor is feeling from the liberal wing of his party, many of whom have accused the wealthy former businessman of not being bold enough in addressing the inequities underscored by the pandemic. Despite Lamont offering a record boost in state funding, both the union and some Democratic state legislators initially said his first proposal fell far short of whats needed to solve the problem of long-standing poverty wages. One lawmaker publicly pinned the blame on Lamont if the threatened walkouts happened. This work stoppage ... is going to lead to widespread, state-sanctioned neglect of our most vulnerable residents and all because of the governors well-known reluctance to invest equitably in Connecticuts workforce and Connecticuts most vulnerable care, Rep. Anne Hughes, D-Easton, a leader in the General Assemblys Progressive Caucus, said Wednesday during a press conference Besides his plan for nursing home funding, Lamont has taken heat from left-leaning Democrats on other issues in recent weeks, especially his opposition to a Democratic tax plan that includes higher taxes on wealthier residents. Lamont predicted he will ultimately coalesce with legislative Democrats around the budget and other issues. Weve got a significant package when it comes to equity and social justice and investments in our most distressed communities, which is important to me and important to many of our legislators, he said. "I think were pretty unified on that. ___ This story corrects that strikes were planned at 11 iCare Health Network homes, not seven. Approval of a COVID-19 vaccine for people as young as 12 offers parents more than the opportunity to protect their kids. It offers them a chance to be a guide. Adolescents might be wondering whether vaccines are safe or even necessary. They also might be struggling with conflicting information from their peers about those very issues. That is why the most important thing a parent can do right now is listen, said Francesca Penner, a clinical psychology resident who will do postdoctoral work at Yale University's Child Study Center in New Haven, Connecticut. "Hearing them out is the biggest thing," Penner said, "because there's just so many influences on what kids might be thinking." On Monday, the Food and Drug Administration approved Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use in children ages 12 to 15. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention followed suit on Wednesday, making the vaccine immediately available to this younger age group. "This official CDC action opens vaccination to approximately 17 million adolescents in the United States and strengthens our nation's efforts to protect even more people from the effects of COVID-19," the CDC's director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, said in a statement. "Getting adolescents vaccinated means their faster return to social activities and can provide parents and caregivers peace of mind knowing their family is protected." Vaccines from Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are still being evaluated for people under 18. Dr. Kristin Moffitt, an infectious diseases physician at Boston Children's Hospital, expects safety to top the list of concerns for young teens. "I think it would be important for them to know that there was a clinical trial that included several thousand 12- to 15-year-olds," and the side effects were very similar to what was seen in the 16- to 25-year-olds, she said. For most, that meant pain or swelling at the injection site. Some also experienced low-grade fever, chills, fatigue or headaches in the 24 to 48 hours after getting the vaccine, particularly after the second dose. That tends to go away within 24 hours and can be treated with acetaminophen or ibuprofen. But sending a clear message about safety might be complicated by peer pressure and social media. "I was talking to one of my teenage patients a few weeks ago who's actually old enough to get the vaccine now, but she's hesitant about it because she's getting misinformation," Penner said. Parents can turn such problems into a learning opportunity, Moffitt said. She's been talking to her own children, who are 11 and 14, about the importance of getting medical information from trusted sources. She recommends the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization or the American Academy of Pediatrics. Information also is available through the COVID-19 Vaccine Education Initiative. "And then beyond that, if they feel that their questions haven't been answered, their pediatricians should be very well educated in these topics and able to further answer questions," she said. Developmentally, adolescents often are primed to listen more to peers and peer-like figures on social media than they do to authority figures, Penner said. Parents can help counterbalance that by setting good examples. If a parent had any hesitancy about getting vaccinated, a child will pick up on that, she said. So a parent can walk through their decision-making, saying, "You know, I was hesitant, but here's what convinced me to actually get it." And while older kids now have a spot in line for vaccination, younger kids might be anxious about having to continue to wait for approval in their age group. If a child of any age is showing signs of anxiety that interfere with their daily life, therapy is an option, Penner said. "If they can't sleep at night, or if they're having trouble sleeping on a regular basis, if you're noticing changes in their appetite, or their ability to complete school or just get through the day without expressing a lot of worries, then that might be a signal." Overall, Penner said, a parent's main job while listening is to hear out the child's thoughts and emotions in a validating way and affirming what's true while correcting what's not in a way that's developmentally appropriate for that child. After all, there are "individual factors about the child that the parent knows better than anyone else." Moffitt said it's good to remind a child that vaccines are meant to help save lives and keep people out of the hospital. Concerns about side effects need to be balanced with the threat of contracting COVID-19 and what that might mean not just to the person getting vaccinated, but to their entire household, she said. They should be reminded that getting vaccinated puts the whole community one step closer to being able to resume all the fun, good parts of being a kid that have been put on hold for safety's sake. "My kids, like so many kids, are desperate to get back to some sense of normalcy, to get back to being able to be in school, be with their friends, participate again in all the activities that have always made them so happy," Moffitt said. "And they very much have come to understand that safe and effective vaccination is a critical part of that path forward." Editor's note: Because of the rapidly evolving events surrounding the coronavirus, the facts and advice presented in this story may have changed since publication. Visit Heart.org for the latest coverage, and check with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health officials for the most recent guidance. If you have questions or comments about this story, please email editor@heart.org. Copyright is owned or held by the American Heart Association, Inc., and all rights are reserved. Permission is granted, at no cost and without need for further request, for individuals, media outlets, and non-commercial education and awareness efforts to link to, quote, excerpt or reprint from these stories in any medium as long as no text is altered and proper attribution is made to American Heart Association News. Other uses, including educational products or services sold for profit, must comply with the American Heart Associations Copyright Permission Guidelines. See full terms of use. These stories may not be used to promote or endorse a commercial product or service. HEALTH CARE DISCLAIMER: This site and its services do not constitute the practice of medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always talk to your health care provider for diagnosis and treatment, including your specific medical needs. If you have or suspect that you have a medical problem or condition, please contact a qualified health care professional immediately. If you are in the United States and experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or call for emergency medical help immediately. The San Antonio branch of Jewish Voices for Peace, a national activist group focusing on the Israel-Palestine conflict, will host a teach-in and conversation surrounding Palestine on Saturday. The organizers are inviting "all allies of Palestine" for the event at 6:40 p.m., beginning with a reading of names in memorial of Palestinians killed during the conflict. RELATED: Israel threatens Gaza ground invasion despite truce efforts "We are calling on the San Antonio community to show up in support of Palestine this Saturday evening," the organization wrote on social media. Amid rising violence in Gaza, the local chapter also held a Tuesday rally in downtown San Antonio in support of Palestine. The group called upon Mayor Ron Nirenberg to dissolve San Antonio's Friendship City agreement with Tel Aviv. "Ron Nirenberg is complicit in those ties to Israel," one organizer said at Tuesday's rally in a video posted to JVFP-SA's Facebook. "Our tax dollars should not make us complicit in the genocide of another people." Friendship Cities are a step toward becoming a Sister City, per the city's website. Though Sister City partnerships must be voted on by each city's respective City Council, Friendship City agreements are signed by respective mayors. San Antonio's agreement with Tel Aviv was first signed by then-Mayor Julian Castro in 2011. The teach-in event will take place at the San Antonio Alliance building in Southtown at 120 Adams St. Face masks will be required for entry and street parking is available for those interested. Yves here. This report about Iran muscling Saudi Arabia through its Yemeni allies is based on a single but credible source, Middle East Eye. Needless to say, having Iran and the Saudis negotiating directly isnt a development the US will like much. But its already tossed its toys out of the pram by withdrawing from the JCPOA and then overplaying its hand in trying to impose conditions for rejoining. By Tsvetana Paraskova, a writer for Oilprice.com with over a decade of experience writing for news outlets such as iNVEZZ and SeeNews. Originally published at OilPrice Iran is looking to persuade its regional rival Saudi Arabia to help it to sell Iranian crude oil on international markets in exchange for limiting attacks from the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen on Saudi oil infrastructure, Middle East Eye reported on Wednesday, quoting Iraqi officials with knowledge of recent secretive Iranian-Saudi talks in Baghdad. Iran is currently negotiating with the signatories to the so-called nuclear deal, as well as indirectly with the United States, to potentially return to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The U.S. withdrew from the deal in 2018 and slapped sanctions on Irans oil exports, which have crippled Iranian crude sales abroad. Despite the U.S. sanctions, Iran has been exporting part of its crude oil, and exports have been estimated at around 500,000 bpd recently. Yet, until the sanctions are in place, Iran is looking for alternatives to have its oil sold on the international markets, and is reportedly looking to negotiate with Saudi Arabia for this. The Saudis, for their part, are looking to end the recent flare-up of attacks on Saudi Aramco oil facilities from the Houthis in Yemen. Saudi Arabia and Iran held direct talks in Iraq last month, the Financial Times reported at the time. The talks reportedly involved the proxy war in Yemen and the recent increase of attacks from the Houthis on oil facilities and oil infrastructure targets in Saudi Arabia. According to Middle East Eyes sources, Iran and Saudi Arabia held another round of talks in Iraq last week, again focused on the war in Yemen. During the talks last week, Iran offered to sell it [the oil] to the Saudis at a price lower than international prices on the condition that the Saudis sell it on the world markets in their own way, a senior Iraqi official close to Iran and familiar with the talks told Middle East Eye. Saudi Arabia demanded an end to the Houthi attacks, and this was their biggest interest in the talks, according to the Iraqi officials familiar with the talks. Yves here. It should come as no surprise that the key Biden Administration measures to tackle climate change, carbon taxes and accelerating the conversion to electric vehicles, are tantamount to rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. Unfortunately, being honest about the degree of lifestyle and economic changes needed to avert the worst climate outcomes is a political career limiting move. And the sad thing is that people assume that sacrifice means misery. Despite her parents losing 97% of their savings and their house to the Great Depression, my mother does not recall it as a bad period: People pulled together and helped each other. Consumption-and-status addled Americans have also lost sight of the fact that once a certain, and not high standard of living has been attained (enough to pay for necessities, some leisure activities, and have a buffer for emergencies), more money does not make individuals happier. In fact, some very poor countries like Nigeria regularly are at or near the top of global happiness indexes. By Gregory Wilpert, Deputy Editor for the Institute of New Economic Thinking. Originally published at the Institute for New Economic Thinking website The Biden administration recently announced that it hopes to achieve so-called net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, to contribute to the goal of keeping global temperatures at no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. But how to get there? The policy proposals vary, but there is widespread agreement that a carbon tax or price on carbon emissions should be part of the policy mix. The idea is to raise the cost of emitting the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) into the atmosphere, thereby encouraging consumers and producers to switch to alternative non-greenhouse gas emitting energy sources. Such a policy, though, raises a number of questions. The most important is how high would the carbon tax have to be to incentivize a strong transition to renewable energy that could actually reach the goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. New School economist Lance Taylor recently looked into precisely this question from a macroeconomic perspective. He has worked on climate change for many years and is well known for his view that it does indeed pose serious problems for economies. (See, for example, his recent discussion in Nature Climate Change.) His most recent study for the Institute of New Economic Thinking looks closely at how effective a carbon tax might be compared to alternative approaches, for example, programs that set technical standards and aim directly to develop new technologies. Non-fossil fuel primary energy supply will have to play a central role, e.g. much less use of oil, coal, and natural gas and much more electricity production based on wind and solar sources. He found that carbon taxes, as they are currently being proposed, as well as a parallel increase in the use of electric vehicles, would not achieve these goals. A key problem is that two-thirds of primary energy output does not feed into economically useful services, to a large extent because of the laws of thermodynamics. Petroleum accounts for one- third of primary production, most of which is used for transportation. This petroleum demand is relatively inelastic. That is, people need to drive a certain amount and to consume gasoline, no matter whether the cost is high or low. As a result, a proposed 50 percent surtax on gasoline would have only a minimal impact on actual gasoline demand. Taking into account the amount of primary energy that is wasted, the same goes for petroleum demand. Using gasoline as an example, Taylor calculates that a 50 percent tax (a high-end of the tax currently proposed) would yield only $52 billion in reduced spending and a reduction of only 3.4 million tons of CO2 emissions per year an insignificant amount relative to the problem. Currently the US emits approximately 1.4 billion tons of CO2 per year. In other words, a 50 percent carbon tax on gasoline would lead to a reduction of a mere 0.25 percent in CO2 emissions. Part of the problem is that one of the ideas behind the carbon tax is that there should be a dividend that would flow back to consumers, so that the program does not to hugely burden average citizens. Not long ago, even Republican elder statesmen James Baker and George Shultz came out in support of such a plan. Taylor calculates that approximately $450 billion dollars per year could return to citizens as a dividend, much less than the income transfers associated with the COVID pandemic. While this might sound like a lot, this transfer produces an income effect stimulating demand for all goods, including gasoline, comments Taylor. But the hope is that a high price for gasoline would also incentivize some consumers to transition from gasoline-powered vehicles to electric vehicles. However, as long as the electricity supply depends mostly on CO2-emitting fuels mainly natural gas and coal transitioning to electric vehicles, even on a fairly large scale, will have a negligible impact on CO2 emissions. According to Taylor, even if one third of all energy used for transportation is transferred from petroleum-powered vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs), Of total carbon emission of 1.39 billion tonnes in 2019, the reduction that EVs might permit is 160 million tonnes [of CO2]. This is a significant number but less than 12% of total emissions. In effect, In the short- to medium-run, raising carbon prices within a politically acceptable range may be efficient at inducing macroeconomically small changes in the structure of the economy and level of emission. But the move will not be effective argues Lance Taylor. Higher carbon prices at most could be a necessary but not sufficient condition, for reducing the US contribution to global warming. To reach the goal of net zero emissions, most efforts should be directed toward new standards and technologies. (Natural News) Look at the featured image. Look who the cop IS trying to stop and look who he is NOT trying to stop. Says it all right there. (Article by Fred T republished from TheRightScoop.com) See, BLM protesters in Plano, Texas are just as intoxicated by the power, attention, and accommodation they get from the national press as the BLM/Antifa/Black Bloc cabal is in every state. And so they came out to block a major intersection used by regular working folks, emergency vehicles, commercial transportation, and all of the normal kinds of traffic that normal people rely on every day for their health, well-being, and income. They block this because they are told every day by the TV networks and Democrats who exploit them, that they are fighting against systemic racism by depriving people with no power of the very roads they need to get by. The cops dont, wont, and cant do much about it. In this case, they did absolutely nothing at all until a fed-up citizen tried to take matters in hand. THEN suddenly the cop is ready to get someone out of the intersection. Punish the righteous? Typical. Thats how it works in America now. At least, it is if you dont have the right skin color. Texas Residents At Breaking Point: Citizens angry with BLM protesters blocking traffic. pic.twitter.com/MvITK943UW New Granada (@NewGranada1979) May 7, 2021 Texas and other states are considering laws like Floridas to finally crack down on the ongoing BLM insurrection. This video is one more reason to pray they succeed. Read more at: TheRightScoop.com (Natural News) My father, raised during the Great Depression, once told an interesting story about his childhood. He one day noticed that a couple of men were following him around. It turned out that there had been a kidnapping threat against him his father was a physician, making him a target in those desperate times and the two fellows were government agents assigned to watch him. (Article by Selwyn Duke republished from TheNewAmerican.com) Question: Were those agents obsessed, in some negative way, with my dads boyhood walks about town? They certainly might have been if we were to apply a certain kind of leftist thinking. A recent piece in the Atlantic reflects such thinking, with writer Adam Harris complaining that Republicans have a Critical Race Theory [CRT] Obsession. Citing New Hampshire legislation designed to protect children from CRT indoctrination, Harris laments that the bill is one of a dozen that Republicans have recently introduced in state legislatures and the United States Congress that contain similar prohibitions. Harris warns that the bills ban practices such as promoting division between, resentment of, or social justice for groups based on race, gender, or political affiliation and compelling students to personally affirm, adopt, or adhere to specific beliefs about race, sex, or religion. The GOP, he further states, has become fixated on an academic approach. If youre thinking Nice try, youre not alone. The Federalists John Daniel Davidson addressed Harriss claim yesterday, writing that critical race theory isnt just an academic approach, and Republicans arent the ones who initiated this battle. Theyre responding rather mildly, given the stakes to an aggressive, long-term campaign on the left to ratchet up racial tension, divide Americans by race, and insert frankly racist ideas into every facet of public life as part of a larger strategy to gain and wield political power. Even if you agree, as Harris seems to, with critical race theory gurus like Ibram X. Kendi and Robin DiAngelo, who teach that people should be treated differently based on their race, the sudden ubiquity of critical race theory and its accompanying jargon white privilege, racial equity, systemic racism isnt because GOP state lawmakers suddenly decided to make a fuss out of it. Its because left-wing ideologues decided to push it in the places most familiar to them: elite private schools and executive boardrooms. But this is a common leftist ploy: flipping the script. The Left originates some new type of social engineering designed to further upend tradition and the social fabric and immediately portrays it as if its the status quo. Any defense of the actual status quo then is treated as if its an offensive (and offensive) action against some established norm; its as if the tradition being assailed is actually the innovation whose worth must be proven for its existence to be justified. Thus will leftists advance some sexual devolutionary social-fabric bomb such as transgenderism and then, when conservatives simply defend longstanding mores, rhetorically exclaim Why are you so obsessed with sex?! Its a bit like arsonists setting a huge blaze and then, when firefighters frantically try to extinguish it, their saying Why are you so obsessed with fire?! Or its like a man viciously reining blows down upon you and then, when you merely raise your arms to block, his shouting Why are you so violent?! And youre supposed to be cowed. The CRT blaze is burning far and wide, too. Davidson points out that the racist theory is pushed by Corporate America, Big Tech, and Hollywood; it has also permeated government inclusive of the military. Yet is CRT which advances the idea, as Kendi puts it, The only remedy to past discrimination is present discrimination. The only remedy to present discrimination is future discrimination really popular beyond pseudo-elite circles? An interesting Yale University study examined this matter. The researchers tried pitching left-wing policies such as the Green New Deal to several groups, using different approaches with each. For one group, they emphasized how the issues would benefit a certain racial group or promote racial equity, relates Davidson. For another, they emphasized benefits for the working class. For a third group, they combined the race and class frames, and for the final group they didnt emphasize any benefits but just described the policies in neutral terms. Unsurprisingly, the class frame was more effective than either the race or the race plus class frames, Davidson informs. With blacks, the race and class frames were about equally effective. Yet there was one group, and only one, for which the race appeal held the most sway: white Democrats. Explanation? These leftists are not only perhaps value-signaling, but also are likely buttressing their self-image: Bearing the new white mans burden is how they convince themselves theyre good people. Dont think this means its all phony, though. While it is in many cases, even more troubling is that the leftist race obsession is often all too real. Consider that Harris quotes a left-wing activist as saying that the anti-CRT bills language could be used more to censor conversations about race and equity. Good! Of course, censor is the wrong word. The worlds Kendis and DiAngelos could still peddle their low-IQ books. The legislation would merely do things such as ban divisive racial curricula and prohibit the government from doing business with race-baiting companies. But Harriss warning vindicates what I wrote long ago: America does suffer from the condition of racism racism-on-the-brain, that is. Racism isnt the end-all and be-all but just a sub-category of one of the Seven Deadly Sins, Wrath, and the United States is actually one of the worlds least racist nations. And visiting racism teaching social engineering, in other words upon schoolchildren is child abuse. It creates problems, too. Its a bit as if everyone were to repeatedly tell a good-looking kid, Hey, you know, youre nose really is a bit too big. Eventually, hell start to believe the lie. A better strategy for dealing with racism is, as liberal actor Morgan Freeman said in 2005, to stop talking about it. Imaginary problems disappear when you stop imagining them. Read more at: TheNewAmerican.com (Natural News) Something has gone off the rails in the worlds approach to the novel coronavirus pandemic, with health authorities in the U.S. and abroad suppressing safe, cheap and effective treatments while promoting experimental vaccines that have received only emergency use authorization, contends Dr. Peter McCullough. (Article by Art Moore republished from WND.com) McCullough, a renowned cardiologist who testified to the U.S. Senate last fall on COVID-19 treatments, pointed out in a lengthy interview with Tucker Carlsons Fox Nation show Tucker Carlson Today that the National Institutes of Health issued a guideline recommending physicians not treat COVID-19 until a patient needs oxygen. This document will go down in history as the most nihilistic medical guidance as Americans are suffering, said McCullough, the vice chief of internal medicine at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. Asked to explain why such guidance would be issued, McCullough said it could be fear driven, but its not in his moral DNA to let people die with no treatment. Around the world, physicians are finding success using treatments such as hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin, but there is no regulatory support in the United States for treating COVID-19 at all, as there would be for any other disease, he said. In November, McCullough was among the physicians who in Senate testimony decried the politicization hydroxychloroquine, invermectin and other treatments. McCullough has 600 peer-reviewed publications to his name. Many have appeared in top-tier journals such as the New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of the American Medical Association and The Lancet. He is the president of the Cardiorenal Society of America, the co-editor of Reviews in Cardiovascular Medicine and associate editor of the American Journal of Cardiology and Cardiorenal Medicine. He has led monitoring safety boards in major drug trials. I have seen things in the last year that I cannot explain as a doctor, he told Carlson. Why are other doctors not helping, with a simple [treatment] these patients avoid hospitalization and death? He noted three cases in which families have had to go to court to force physicians to administer the common antiparasitic drug ivermectin. In each case, the court sided with the family and the patient survived. See the interview: We did the work authorities failed to do Meanwhile, a new peer-reviewed study published by the American Journal of Therapeutics concludes that ivermectin can end the COVID-19 pandemic. Reviewed by a team that includes three top U.S. government senior scientists, the research finds the drug significantly reduces the risk of contracting COVID-19 when used regularly. In February, a study published in the U.S. journal Frontiers of Pharmacology found ivermectin reduces COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations and deaths by about 75%. In more than 30 trials around the world, the drug causes repeated, consistent, large magnitude improvements in clinical outcomes at all stages of the disease, according to the study. The latest study was led by the Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance, or FLCCC, a group of medical and scientific experts who are researching and promoting drugs such as ivermectin and hydroxycloroquine as an effective prophylaxis and treatment for COVID-19. We did the work that the medical authorities failed to do, we conducted the most comprehensive review of the available data on ivermectin, said Pierre Kory, president and chief medical officer of the FLCCC. We applied the gold standard to qualify the data reviewed before concluding that ivermectin can end this pandemic. Paul E. Marik, founding member of the FLCCC and chief of pulmonary and critical Care Medicine at Eastern Virginia Medical School, noted the drug has been approved for use and has been effective around the world in places such as South Africa, Zimbabwe, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Mexico and India. The study shows ivermectin distribution campaigns have led to rapid population-wide decreases in morbidity and mortality. We are calling on regional public health authorities and medical professionals around the world to demand that ivermectin be included in their standard of care right away so we can end this pandemic once and for all, Marik said. A treatable problem In the interview with Carlson, McCullough noted ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine have been shown to be safe while vaccines developed in record-time are being distributed under emergency use authorization. McCullough clarified that hes not against vaccines, noting the COVID-19 vaccines can complement the treatments he recommends. But this idea of scrubbing early treatment in favor of keeping the population in fear in order to potentially accept mass vaccination, I think has done a disservice, he said. The pressure to suppress any hope of treatment is extraordinary. McCullough said the great gamble of the COVID vaccine program is putting all of our eggs in one basket. If were going to put out a vaccine, and were going to say were going to vaccinate the world, we had better be hawks on safety, he said. Carlson asked McCullough to explain the single-minded focus on the vaccines. That question is best asked to those who are not treating people with these drugs, he said. Maybe its all driven by fear, but we are not treating something that is a treatable problem early, he said. We have protocols for treating everything in America. Something is up McCullough said that YouTubes ban of a video in which he presented various treatment options for COVID-19 led to him being invited to testify before the U.S. Senate last November. At that time, he said there was a groundswell of people who began saying, Hey something is up, there is an incredible suppression of early treatment in the medical literature. Carlson responded: That is so dark, its hard to believe that its real. But of all people, you would know. The Fox host asked why physicians, public health officials and politicians would try to suppress information about the treatment of a disease they claim they want to prevent. I testified in the Senate we have seen things we cannot imagine in medicine, he said. The Lancet, the eminent British medical journal, for example, published a fake paper that came from a fake database that implied that hydroxychloroquine hurt people in the hospital. The Lancet later retracted the paper, with no apologies, saying they simply could not verify the findings. But the damage had been done. The paper, McCullough said, influenced Food and Drug Administration staffers who wrote an FDA warning stating hydroxychloroquine causes harm and doctors shouldnt administer it. Doctors all over the country who were prescribing hydroxychloroquine to help their patients had their licenses threatened, he noted. False narrative that you can get the infection twice McCullough pointed out that the FDA, because of safety concerns and cost-benefit analysis, excluded people from the vaccine trials who had recovered from COVID-19 and had antibodies, along with pregnant women and women of child-bearing potential. Thats a huge group of exclusions, he said. Thats a giant part of the health care workforce. McCullough asked: So if they werent eligible for the randomized trials, and the FDA and the sponsors thought maybe there was a problem with safety, or they had no chance of benefit, and only a small chance of these safety events exclude them, why would they electively go into an investigational program now? He insisted its a false narrative that you can get the infection twice. After 17 years, people who had the first SARS virus are still immune, and that virus is about 80% the same as the current SARS virus. And of the 111 million people in the world believed to have had COVID-19, there have been only about 100 cases of claimed reinfection. But in nearly every case of claimed reinfection, McCullough said, its turned out to be a misintrepretation of a PCR test, which commonly delivers false positives. They know you cant get it again, he said of authorities. Theyre not going to have [the previously infected] in a clinical trial and have the clinical trial to go to null. McCullough said pregnant women and others excluded from the trials should not get a COVID-19 vaccine. We never let anything pathogenic into a womans body whose pregnant, he said. All of the vaccines produce a viral spike protein that is pathogenic and can cause blood clotting and damage blood vessels, he explained. Further, there is no information on safety and efficacy for those excluded groups. McCullough reacted to calls for mandatory vaccination. He noted the FDA and CDC state that the vaccines are voluntary, advising people to consult with their physicians. But many universities and colleges are requiring vaccination for students returning in the fall. McCullough said letters are coming in from concerned parents all over, and the first thing he encourages is getting a copy of the policy and the exemptions. Some institutions havent even written a policy yet, he noted. Significantly, McCullough emphasized that people have been vaccinated historically to protect the individual, not to protect another person, because the individual takes on the risk. Carlson interjected that he heard a doctor on CNN, as well as Barack Obama, say people who dont get vaccinated are selfish, because its about protecting society. McCullough explained that thats not the policy in the middle of an active pandemic. Its different in the case of an eradicated disease such as smallpox, he said. But in the middle of an active pandemic, the purpose of vaccination is to protect the vulnerable people who could die of the disease. Noting the risk the vaccines pose to COVID-recovered people, he said a clinical diagonosis of COVID-19 should be enough to confirm immunity. I hope some rational thinking comes down in America to say, Listen, proof of having COVID or proof of being a survivor recovered will be good enough, he said. Because, otherwise, this is getting out of control, referring to the call for so-called vaccine passports. He said that if people who are vaccinated are to get green passports, people who have recovered from COVID should get g0ld ones, because their immunity is certain, whereas the vaccines are not perfect. The COVID-recovered cannot give or receive the infection, he said. Weve got to get to that important conclusion. Carlson wondered why that fact isnt widely known. There is an overwhelming cloud of fear and false narrative, McCullough explained. People say: Oh, there are studies out of Denmark where there were some ambient antibodies here and people got COVID here. You must be able to get reinfected. But those are little red-herring cases. I said, Look at your nursing homes, is grandma going in the ICU over and over again? No. Does it seem like everybody gets it one time? Yes. Theres a lack of common sense. we just have to use our clinical common sense. The immunity is robust, complete and durable. Lets move in. Read more at: WND.com (Natural News) Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida has signed a bill passed by the legislature that prohibits schools throughout the state from forcing Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) injections on students. Under no circumstances will Florida schools ever be allowed to mandate an injection that is pushed during a public health emergency, the bill provisions, effectively protecting students against being human guinea pigs. Furthermore, private businesses throughout Florida will also be prohibited from requiring Chinese Virus vaccines or any other as a condition of entry or participation. Thrilled to sign legislation that prohibits COVID-19 vaccine passports in Florida, DeSantis tweeted. Neither government, nor private businesses, will be able to condition your participation in everyday life on producing private health information. A few days prior to this, DeSantis signed executive orders prohibiting local municipalities from mandating masks. This followed another executive order he signed earlier in the year ending all statewide Wuhan Flu restrictions. Because Chinese Virus injections are experimental gene therapy that has never even been formally approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) not that this really matters since the FDA approves deadly medications all the time there is no jurisdiction whatsoever for the government or anyone else to require them in order to receive an education. Wuhan Flu shots, warned Rep. Tom Leek (R), do not have the same proven history of the same vaccines we require our schoolchildren to get. We must recognize that vaccine hesitancy is real and understandable. In other words, Leek still supports other vaccines like most other politicians do. He only supports freedom of choice for this one because it is experimental and proving to be exceptionally dangerous above and beyond the dangers associated with traditional vaccines. Any Florida school, business, or government entity that tries to mandate Covid-19 injection can be fined up to $5,000 The penalty attached to violating the new law, known as Senate Bill 2006, includes fines of up to $5,000. In Florida, your personal choice regarding vaccinations will be protected and no business or government entity will be able to deny you services based on your decision, DeSantis says. DeSantis is further credited with being the first elected official in the country to take a firm stance against so-called vaccine passports. He believes that every person has a right to participate in society without them asking you to divulge this type of health information. Our legislature has passed what I asked for, and Ill be signing that very soon, DeSantis further revealed. DeSantis has also ensured that state and local governments will never again be allowed to force businesses to close or keep students out of in-person instruction at Florida schools, except for hurricane emergencies, and caps all local emergency at seven-day increments. With all of these new orders and laws in his arsenal, DeSantis now has the authority to invalidate a local emergency order if it unnecessarily restricts individual rights or liberties this being a model that many other states that value freedom and liberty can also follow. Good on Governor DeSantis for sparing a lot of people in his state from having to actively engage their totalitarian inclinations as our illustrious left coast governors out here are, one LifeSiteNews commenter wrote, upset about the fact that things are much different on the opposite coast. At least one of the left-coast governors has been threatening everyone with turning back to some previous phase of their brilliant plan to heroically save us all from the dreaded covid, and the business community reaction seems to be, not pound sand your honorableness but rather well do anything, ANYTHING to have you allow us to get back to something like normal.' Chinese Virus tyranny is showing no signs of abating in our country. To keep up with the latest, check out ChemicalViolence.com. Sources for this article include: LifeSiteNews.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) A new study has found that people who survive a mild case of COVID-19 continue to experience symptoms eight months after they get well. Researchers behind the study noted that one in ten healthcare workers they interviewed reported fatigue, loss of taste and loss of smell even after recovering. These symptoms negatively impacted the personal, social and professional lives of COVID-19 survivors, the researchers added. Scientists from the Swedish Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm collected data from an earlier study in the country that examines post-coronavirus infection immunity. The earlier COMMUNITY study involved the collection of blood samples from more than 2,000 employees at Danderyd Hospital in the Swedish capital. Blood samples were drawn from participating hospital employees in succeeding follow-ups every four months. Participants also answered questions regarding long-term COVID-19 symptoms and how these affected their daily lives. The Karolinska Institutet researchers focused on the third follow-up, done in January 2021, for their study. They looked at 323 health workers who had mild COVID-19 at least eight months before, and compared them with 1,072 employees who had not contracted the disease up to that point. Their findings indicated that 25 percent of those who had COVID-19 in the past experienced at least one symptom that lasted more than two months. A total of 21.4 percent said their symptoms still lingered after four months. Meanwhile, 14.9 percent of those who had mild COVID-19 said their symptoms persisted after eight months. Eleven percent of health workers who contracted mild COVID-19 said the symptoms affected their work, social or home life. This contrasted to only two percent in the control group. Most of the health workers who survived mild COVID-19 reported three long-term symptoms According to the study, loss of smell was the most common long-term symptom reported. It noted that 14.6 percent of participants experienced loss of smell at least two months after they recovered. Meanwhile, nine percent of participants said they experienced loss of smell eight months later. Fatigue and loss of taste rounded out the other long-lasting symptoms reported by those who recovered from a mild bout of COVID-19. Danderyd Hospital specialist physician and COMMUNITY study lead researcher Dr. Charlotte Thalin said in a statement: We investigated the presence of long-term symptoms after mild COVID-19 in a relatively young and healthy group of working individuals, and we found that the predominant long-term symptoms are loss of smell and taste. She added that fatigue and respiratory problems are also more common among participants who have had COVID-19, but not to the same extent as the three main symptoms. Thalin further remarked: We do not see an increased prevalence of physical disorders such as muscle and joint pain, heart palpitations or long-term fever in mild COVID-19 survivors. She also estimated that cognitive issues such as brain fatigue, memory [problems] or concentration impairment occurred in only between one and two percent of volunteers who participated in the study. While the Swedish researchers only reported a small number of volunteers experiencing problems in brain function, a larger review confirmed that cognitive problems are indeed consistent in COVID-19 survivors. Psychology and psychiatry researchers from the U.K. looked at existing published COVID-19 studies and what these studies found. They analyzed these papers for the long-term effects of Wuhan coronavirus infection and any possible short- and long-term mental health issues that recovered patients face. According to the researchers findings, those who survive a bout of COVID-19 reported a wide range of short-term, neuropsychiatric problems. One study found that 95 percent of clinically stable COVID-19 patients reported post-traumatic stress disorder. Affective disorders such as depression were reported in 17 percent to 42 percent of patients. Meanwhile, 45 percent of patients reported short-term attention impairment while 13 percent to 28 percent experienced short-term memory impairment. For the long-term, patients said they experienced affective disorders and fatigue. Long-term attention impairment affected 44 percent of patients, while long-term memory impairment was observed in 28 percent to 50 percent of patients. (Related: 1 in 3 COVID-19 survivors suffer neurological or mental disorders, new research reveals.) In a statement, study author Sanjay Kumar said these problems affect peoples capacity to work effectively, drive, manage finances, make informed decisions and participate in daily family activities. He added: Understanding the neuropsychiatric and cognitive consequences of COVID-19 is important, as millions of people have been affected by the virus, [with] many cases undetected. Visit Pandemic.news to read more articles about the Wuhan coronaviruss long-term effect on mental health. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk JAMANetwork.com IntegrativePractitioner.com FrontiersIn.org (Natural News) Scientists from the University of Adelaide in Australia are leading an $11 million research consortium aimed at converting food waste into high-value products for markets like cosmetics and packaging. The Research Consortium Program for Agricultural Product Development is a joint research effort from the South Australian government, academic institutions and various stakeholders from the agriculture and food sector industries. The researchers will study new techniques to make use of the high volumes of agricultural waste from South Australias primary production. They plan to make sunscreen from mushroom waste, skincare products from apples and berries, and high-tech materials from Brussels sprout stalks, among other things. Up to 40 percent of the total harvest of South Australias primary production can end up as waste, sometimes left to rot in the field or turned into low-value products such as compost or animal feed, said Vincent Bulone, a professor of agriculture at Adelaide and the director of the research consortium. Converting food waste into consumer products Bulone said that food waste contains natural compounds with high-value potential applications. For one, many plants act as prebiotics or antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Meanwhile, carbohydrate-rich foods provide mechanical strength and texturizing properties that can be used for food, lubricants, cosmetics and structural materials. We plan to increase the value of agricultural waste and create new post-farmgate industries worth over $100 million a year to South Australia, said Bulone. The researchers already have several projects underway. In one study, the team will isolate anthocyanins from apples and berries and use these compounds to make skincare products. In another study, they will investigate how cellulose molecules from waste Brussels sprout stalks and other kinds of biomass can be used as replacements for glass fibers in filtration systems. A third project involves extracting vitamin D, beta-glucans and chitosan from mushroom waste for use in nutraceuticals and sunscreen materials. Our research will cover the entire value chain from our local growers to manufacturers of food products and beverages, skin care products and green materials, said Bulone. (Related: Ambitious study looks at converting food waste back into food.) The consortium is partly funded through a $4 million grant from the South Australian governments Premiers Research and Industry Fund, which provides support to the regions research community. Minister for Innovation and Skills David Pisoni inaugurated the research consortiums launch in October last year. Science and research are of enormous value to our economy, our society and critical to South Australias prosperity, said Pisoni. Agricultural waste for removing water contaminants Agricultural waste has diverse applications, and scientists are now beginning to unravel its many uses. In a 2020 study, researchers from Pennsylvania State University and the U.S. Arid Land Agricultural Research Center in Arizona showed that biochar a charcoal-like substance made primarily from agricultural waste can be used to remove pharmaceutical contaminants from treated waste water. The researchers tested the ability of biochar derived from cotton gin waste and guayule bagasse to adsorb (stick to the surface of a material) three common pharmaceutical compounds in an aqueous solution. These are sulfapyridine, an antibacterial medication commonly used in veterinary medicine; docusate, a stool softener; and erythromycin, an antibiotic used to treat infections and acne. Results showed that the biochar from cotton gin waste adsorbed 98 percent of the docusate, 74 percent of the erythromycin and 70 percent of the sulfapyridine. Meanwhile, the biochar derived from guayule bagasse adsorbed 50 percent of the docusate, 50 percent of the erythromycin and 5 percent of the sulfapyridine. The researchers observed that increasing the temperature from 650 to about 1,300 degrees in the process used to convert the agricultural waste materials to biochars drastically enhanced absorption. Lead researcher Marlene Ndoun, a doctoral student at Penn States Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, said that she wants to scale up the technology to create low-cost filters for resource-limited communities. Learn more about the uses of food waste at Products.news. Sources include: Newswise.com News-Medical.net (Natural News) Faster-than-light, or superluminal, travel to other star systems using technology such as warp speed has long been the realm of science fiction. But a new study shows that this kind of travel may one day be possible; it will just take tremendous amounts of energy. American physicist Erik Lentz from the University of Gottingen in Germany is proposing a model for superluminal travel using what he calls a new class of hyper-fast solitons. These are a kind of wave that maintains its shape and energy and can move at speeds much faster than light. Most importantly, these hyper-fast soliton solutions can exist within Albert Einsteins theory of special relativity. New faster-than-light method works within special relativity Einsteins theory of special relativity states that its impossible to go faster than light. But this theory has a loophole that could allow superluminal travel. The theory only states that objects cannot accelerate to speeds beyond the speed of light, which means that objects already traveling at faster-than-light speeds dont contradict the theory. For the longest time, research into superluminal travel has focused on hypothetical particles and states of matter with exotic physical properties. For example, artificial wormholes and the Alcubierre drive all involve an exotic physical phenomenon known as negative mass. This is a type of exotic matter that would have less than zero mass, which would then exhibit weird behavior under gravity that may allow for superluminal travel. (Related: Bending spacetime: How it works for faster-than-light (FTL) travel.) But Lentz paper, published in the journal Classical and Quantum Gravity, offers a potential blueprint for superluminal travel using conventional physics. It moves the question of superluminal travel a step away from theoretical research and a step towards an engineering challenge. A warp drive technology is principally envisioned to speed up transportation in deep space, Lentz said. It can be used to enhance current ambitions for interplanetary and interstellar travel by drastically shortening travel times and widening mission windows. Lentzs model uses hyper-fast solitons which, given a sufficient energy supply, can be configured as a warp bubble with superluminal speeds. In theory, these could enable an object to travel through spacetime without experiencing extreme tidal forces. Superluminal travel requires more energy than we can produce right now The only issue with Lentzs new model is that it would take more energy than we have available right now. The energy required for this drive traveling at light speed encompassing a spacecraft of 100 meters in radius is on the order of hundreds of times of the mass of the planet Jupiter, Lentz said in a press release. The energy savings would need to be drastic, of approximately 30 orders of magnitude to be in range of modern nuclear fission reactors. But this hasnt discouraged Lentz, who is now looking for ways to bring the power required by his model to something more manageable with modern technology. This work has moved the problem of faster-than-light travel one step away from theoretical research in fundamental physics and closer to engineering, he said. The next step is to figure out how to bring down the astronomical amount of energy needed to within the range of todays technologies, such as a large modern nuclear fission power plant. Then we can talk about building the first prototypes. For this, hes looking at energy-saving mechanics proposed in earlier research to see whether they can be modified for his model. He said that these could potentially lower the energy required by his model by nearly 60 orders of magnitude. While the task may be difficult, Lentz feels that it is not impossible. He said that the next phase of theoretical research and development could take place over the next several years. Beyond that, he feels that a fully functional prototype is possible within the coming decade. The first truly superluminal drives may come some decades thereafter, Lentz says. I would like to see this technology in use in my lifetime. For more on superluminal travel, follow Space.news. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com Reuters.com Space.com IOPScience.IOP.org Uni-Goettingen.de (Natural News) Its becoming more obvious why Democrats went all-out including using the courts to prevent Arizona Republicans from conducting an audit of some 2.1 million ballots cast in Maricopa County, the states largest that includes Phoenix, in last falls presidential election. To put it simply and succinctly: Democrats cheated their you-know-whats off and Republicans who are conducting the audit are discovering just how widespread it was. Which means again, of course, that former President Donald Trump was right he did win Arizona, and, most likely, all of the other battleground states he claimed he won. The National File has more: The ongoing audit of ballots cast in Maricopa County, Arizona has uncovered significant discrepancies in the number of ballots versus the supposed number of ballots that were supposed to exist. Political strategist Boris Epshteyn adds that the discrepancies may be as high as 17.5%, and it is likely Joe Biden did not win Arizona. Arizona Senate President recently sent a letter to the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, outlining the major issues discovered already in the audit, and offering to settle them without additional subpoenas or compulsory action. In the letter, says Epshteyn on Steve Bannons podcast, it reveals, Pallet five, batch 2976, 200 pink slip total, actual total 165. They are missing 35 ballots out of that batch. He added, 35 out of 100 is 17.5%. 10 out of 200 is 5%. Do you know how shocking that is? 17.5% discrepancy in a batch is beyond belief, Epshtyne continued. In one theyve got 18 more than theres supposed to be, which is a 9% discrepancy. Again, if we are to have any confidence in elections in this country, how can we possibly be okay with discrepancies of double digit percentages? he said. Its absolutely mind boggling, anything above a tiny fraction of a percentage is unacceptable, by the way, unacceptable according to the Federal Elections Commission. The strategist went on to say that a number of databases that were subpoenaed for the audit have been removed completely, to include files that actually contain election results and the manner in which they were tallied. Theres evidence these databases were removed as recently as March, right before handed over, and while being subject to a subpoena. Thats criminal activity, he claimed. We now know why the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors have been fighting this subpoena so hard, why Perkins Coie has come in, why the Democrats are pushing back, why youve got mainstream media melting down, he explained. Because theyre hiding this. Theyre hiding the disaster in which they handled this election, and likely, the fact that Joe Biden did not win in Arizona. As a reminder, Perkins Coie was the law firm that funneled money from Hillary Clintons failed 2016 Democratic presidential campaign to Russiagate dossier liar Christopher Steele. Meanwhile, Arizona State Senate President Karen Fann has called on Maricopa County election officials to attend a meeting next week to constructively resolve major issues found during the audit thus far, including the deletion of the main database in the Election Management System (EMS), Trending Politics reported. We have recently discovered that the entire Database directory from the D drive of the machine EMSPrimary has been deleted, Fann said in a communique to Jack Sellers, chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. This removes election related details that appear to have been covered by the subpoena. Fann went on to say that the system was missing the Results Tally and Reporting database. This suggests that the main database for all election related data for the November 2020 General Election has been removed, Fann continued. Can you please advise as to why these folders were deleted, and whether there are any backups that may contain the deleted folders? If this doesnt constitute evidence that the 2020 election was indeed stolen from Donald Trump, then what would? Sources include: NationalFile.com TrendingPolitics.com Trump.news (Natural News) Black Lives Matter is not a civil rights organization as much as the Democratic Party and the groups media and corporate shills want us to believe it is. Rather, BLM is a straight-up revolutionary group in the mold of every previous left-wing Marxist/Communist movement weve seen over the past century. And like those organizations that came before it, BLMs founders and propagandist champions are lying about its real intent: To help bring about radical change in America by completely overturning our founding principles and constitutional system because its systematically racist. One of its co-founders, Patrisse Cullors recently outed for spending millions on homes and real estate like a capitalist, not a self-avowed Marxist has admitted as much. In a 2012 video first unearthed and published by The National Pulse, Cullors admits that a book she wrote reminds her of murderous Chinese communist dictator Mao Zedongs Little Red Book. In a speech, she talked about how a young person claimed her book was like Maos Red Book, which Cullors appears to eagerly embrace: She said: I was speaking to this young person from Arizona whos trying to fight SB 1070, and he grabbed a book and he said, Its like Maos Red Book. [Laughter] And I was like man, thats what I was thinking, and it was just really cool to hear him make that connection, and I was like how about you buy 10 to 15 of these books and you all have like a youth organizing group where you talk about it and you really try to engage this. She added, I think I have a really important role in speaking to youth. Maybe its because I came in the movement at 17-and-a-half, so I have just a knack for knowing how to organize young people into this organization. This frank admission actually came before Cullors said during an interview in 2015 that she and another co-founder were trained Marxists. She told the interviewer that she and her colleagues are also super-versed on, sort of, ideological theories. And I think that what we really tried to do is build a movement that could be utilized by many, many black folk, the author of When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir, added. What kind of tome is Maos Red Book? The National Pulse explains: Originally published at the advent of Chinas Cultural Revolution, the Little Red Book contains hundreds of quotes from then-Chairman Mao. Beyond representing the archetype of communist propaganda, the work was widely used by young revolutionaries to justify purges of anyone short of completely devoted to the Chinese Communist Party. Mao, by the way, launched Chinas Cultural Revolution, which lasted 10 years and was responsible for millions millions of Chinese deaths. According to the authoritative Black Book of Communism, an estimated 65 million Chinese died as a result of Maos repeated, merciless attempts to create a new socialist China. Anyone who got in his way was done away with by execution, imprisonment or forced famine, wrote Heritage Foundation scholar Dr. Lee Edwards on Maos legacy which is murder in 2010. For Mao, the No. 1 enemy was the intellectual. The so-called Great Helmsman reveled in his blood-letting, boasting, Whats so unusual about Emperor Shih Huang of the China Dynasty? He had buried alive 460 scholars only, but we have buried alive 46,000 scholars. Mao was referring to a major accomplishment of the Great Cultural Revolution, which from 1966-1976 transformed China into a great House of Fear, Edwards added. This is the man who Cullors and, presumably her other co-founder trained Marxists, revere, which tells you everything about her and the movement she created (and still aligns with to this day). These people arent civil rights leaders; they are murderous tyrants-in-waiting. See Marxism.news for more news stories on the dangers of Marxism. Sources include: Heritage.org NaturalNews.com TheNationalPulse.com (Natural News) The credibility of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is eroding after the agency failed to update its pandemic mask guidance, as well as recent accusations that powerful teachers unions are dictating CDC policy in terms of school reopenings. (Article by Tyler Durden republished from ZeroHedge.com) I think the CDCs credibility is eroding as quickly as the cases of coronavirus are eroding, said Dr. Kavita Patel, a nonresident fellow at the Brookings Institution and former Obama official. Thats not good news, because, we do need workplace guidance, we need school guidance, she added in comments to CNBCs Shephard Smith. There are men and women working on the lines outside on telephone and electricity lines, and theyre still wearing masks because, in the absence of this guidance, were making it up, she added. That actually puts more of us at risk, so this is time to step up. These are the hard parts of government and public health communication, but we desperately need someone to do it. Patels comments echo those of prominent Republican Senators, including Susan Collins (ME) and Lisa Murkowski (AK). I used to have the utmost respect for the guidance from the CDC, said Collins during a Tuesday Congressional hearing on the pandemic response. I always considered the CDC to be the Gold Standard. I dont anymore. And according to Murkowski, federal mask requirements are endangering fishermen. Youre out on a boat. The winds are howling. Your mask is soggy wet, she said during the hearing. Tell me how anybody thinks that this is a sane and a sound policy? Meanwhile, earlier this month emails obtained by the New York Post revealed that the American Federation of Teachers lobbied the CDC and even suggested language for the agencys official school-reopening guidance released in February. The documents show a flurry of activity between CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky, her top advisors and union officials with Biden brass being looped in at the White House in the days before the highly-anticipated Feb. 12 announcement on school-reopening guidelines. Thank you again for Fridays rich discussion about forthcoming CDC guidance and for your openness to the suggestions made by our president, Randi Weingarten, and the AFT, wrote AFT senior director for health issues Kelly Trautner in a Feb 1 email which described the union as the CDCs thought partner. We were able to review a copy of the draft guidance document over the weekend and were able to provide some initial feedback to several staff this morning about possible ways to strengthen the document, Trautner continued. We believe our experiences on the ground can inform and enrich thinking around what is practicable and prudent in future guidance documents. Walensky wasnt on the Feb 1 email, but it was forwarded to her by Carole Johnson, the White House coronavirus testing coordinator. Many emails included Will McIntee, an associate director of public engagement at The White House. -NY Post On Tuesday, CDC Chief Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky responded to criticisms over the agencys response telling Senators that the school guidance changes were due to an oversight and that The back-and-forth was a normal part of the agencys process for drafting guidance, according to the New York Times. Ms. Collins also accused the C.D.C. of using faulty data in its recent mask guidance for the outdoors. The agency announced last month that less than 10 percent of transmission was occurring outdoors, a statistic infectious disease experts said was a misleading exaggeration. Dr. Walensky said that the C.D.C. had used a rigorous aggregation of studies in a renowned medical publication, The Journal of Infectious Diseases, to back that figure. And Ms. Collins quoted pediatricians saying that the C.D.C.s guidance for summer camps in which federal officials said that children could be within three feet of peers in same-group settings but must wear masks at all times was illogical. Dr. Walensky allowed that the guidance would change now that adolescents can receive the vaccine. We have unnecessary barriers to reopening schools, exaggerating the risks of outdoor transmission and unworkable restrictions on summer camps, Ms. Collins said. It matters because it undermines public confidence in your recommendations, in the recommendations that do make sense. Dr. Walensky said that the C.D.C. was working to update its guidance as more Americans get vaccinated and as scientists glean new insight. The agencys drafting process seeking internal and external expert input was collaborative and responsive, she said. -NYT Not very confidence-inspiring to say the least. Read more at: ZeroHedge.com and CDC.news (Natural News) Back in February, CNN did a hatchet job on us. It was nothing but utter lies and nonsense and personal attacks. Then in March, the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) posted their Top 10 list of Anti-Vaxxers that need to be removed from Facebook and Instagram. (Article by Ty Bollinger republished from TheTruthAboutVaccines.com) Yes, you read that correctly! The Center for Countering Digital Hate published a digital hit list. Oh, the irony! Then, the CCCH published their disinformation dozen and released an executive summary (ooh, that sounds really official) which calls for us to be deplatformed from social media. The CCDH has published multiple reports about the dangers of anti-vaxxers but its interesting that if you actually read the reports, youll be struck by the irony that none of the so-called anti-vaxx arguments are actually met by solid pro-vaccine counter arguments or data. As a matter of fact, CCDH does not negate or even debate the accuracy of any of them. It just brushes them aside as misinformation and lies without providing any proof whatsoever, then goes on to slander and lie about the anti-vaxxers and call for all of us to be silenced. Im sorry did we stumble into Communist China? Im happy to report that the communistic techniques of the CCDH actually backfired and one of the good guys actually turned this esteemed group of vaccine freedom fighters into the INFORMATION DOZEN and created a cartoon with the superheroes who are fighting the war against disinformation. ? Over the past few weeks, the medical mafia and their cronies at the Center for Public Integrity have begun targeting our family members to try to dig up dirt to smear us! What an oxymoronic name! The Center for Public Integrity exhibits zero integrity while trolling for dirt. If you havent read it already, our good friend, Mike Adams, wrote an article about this disgusting display of journo-terrorism. At the end of April, Texas Monthly published a propaganda piece titled Why a Former Anti-Vax Influencer Got Her COVID-19 Shot which focuses on Heather Simpson. In the article, Simpson states that she watched a nine-hour self-described documentary on the truth about vaccines produced by Ty and Charlene Bollinger, a hugely influential couple in the world of alternative medicine and anti-vaccine activism. According to the article, I (Ty) is a former bodybuilder with no medical background. Hmmm. Thats an interesting perspective. If we changed the name and description, we could just as easily say Bill Gates is a former software thief with no medical background couldnt we? Then the author goes on to say that we profit from books and videos promoting fake cancer cures (and) disinformation about vaccines. This is a bizarre accusation from a clearly delusional, oblivious, hack journalist. Quick question if a treatment cures a cancer patient, is it fake? Because we have interviews with HUNDREDS of cancer patients who were cured, so I guess all of them were cured with fake cures that somehow worked? Regarding the asinine comment about us promoting disinformation about vaccines well ummm just keep reading. Oh yeah, I almost forgot, we also have other so-called journalists who are in the process of trying to malign our work and slander our character, even trying to dig up dirt from the early 1990s to try to destroy our reputation. They are concerned that we operate a successful business that actually generates revenues, which I guess is a crime in their delusional reality. Meanwhile, thousands across the globe are dropping dead like flies within days of taking the COVID-19 vaccine, but apparently the sellouts in the lamestream media are more concerned about harming the Bollinger family than helping save lives. Theres no doubt that more slanderous, hateful hit piece articles are on the way Then we have insane doctors like Peter Hotez, who equates vaccine skeptics with cyber criminals and calls for an armed counteroffensive run by law enforcement to target and attack all who oppose vaccines, including vaccine-damaged whistleblowers, apparently. According to Mike Adams, Much like an increasing number of hostile doctors and medical researchers who have become dangerous vaccine zealots, Hotez has abandoned any remaining pretense of informed consent and now believes all of humanity should be forced at gunpoint to not merely take all government-mandated vaccines, but to be threatened into silence at gunpoint if they disagree with pro-vaccine propaganda. Of course, none of these journo-terrorists or hostile vaxx-pushing doctors will answer any questions themselves. Theyd rather sit in their ivory towers and launch personal attacks and pejoratives rather than debating the issue at hand and that issue is VACCINE SAFETY!! Thats why I had to write this article. The haters of humanity dont want you to know this information. So here it is. No speculation just FACTS. DOCTOR DEATHS The wife of a Florida doctor who died 15 days after receiving Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine told reporters at USA Today and the Daily Mail that her husband was perfectly healthy before he got the vaccine. Heidi Neckelmann said her husband, 56-year-old Dr. Gregory Michael, sought emergency care three days after the shot because he had dots on his skin that indicated internal bleeding. Michael received the vaccine on December 18th at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach, where hed worked for 12 years as an OB-GYN. He died on Jan. 3rd after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke related to a lack of platelets, a condition called thrombocytopenia. In response to Dr. Michaels death, a study published in February in the Journal of Hematology examined thrombocytopenia (following Pfizer and Moderna vaccination) and researchers could not exclude the possibility that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines had the potential to trigger immune thrombocytopenia. In a story that reveals the boundless levels of surrealism when it comes to these experimental vaccines and related mainstream media narratives, a 48-year-old plastic surgeon is dead after receiving both doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Dr. Thomas Flanigan received the first dose on January 6th and he received the second dose on February 3rd. On his Facebook page, apparently mocking anyone who was concerned with vaccine safety, he posted Second dose. The microchip is working just fine. My mind is slowly being taken over by the hive mind. We are just fine. Resistance is futile. Dr. Flanigan died April 27th. Sadly, he leaves behind a wife and three children ages 10 to 14. MORE VACCINE DEATHS Across the globe, people are dropping dead like flies after taking the COVID-19 vaccine. In the USA, adverse events are reported to the Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System (VAERS). Check out the VAERS data from the CDC below. The adverse events reported in the table above are through April 23, 2021. 3,544 Deaths (24% reported within 24 hours of injection) ** Editors Note: As of the publish date of this article, deaths now exceed 4,100 1, 595 Permanent Disability 8,165 Hospitalizations 16,521 Emergency Room And thats just the tip of the iceberg! But Im sure all these deaths were just COVID vaccine coincidences, right? Im sure its just another coincidence but the VAERS system is very difficult to navigate. So, I figured Id show you how in 7 easy steps 1. Visit the CDC Wonder website and accept the disclaimer at bottom of page. 2. Click on VAERS data search 3. In Section 1, click on Group Results By VAERS ID and by Vaccine Type and by Event Category 4. Under Optional Measures (still in Section 1) check the box for Adverse Event Description 5. Scroll down to Section 3 and under Vaccine Products select COVID19 VACCINE (Make sure it is the only option selected. 6. Scroll down to Section 5 and under event category select Death. (Make sure it is the only option selected.) 7. Scroll to the very bottom and click Send. NOTE: Because there are so many adverse events reported, you may have to segregate between male and female in Section 4 because the system is only capable of producing reports with 10,000 or less rows. Below is the message I received when I tried to update the VAERS results as of April 30th. Wow! So the CDCs own reporting system isnt equipped to handle the number of adverse events being reported! Recent VAERS data includes two more deaths of infants, a 1-year-old and a 2-year-old. A 1-year-old baby boy from Florida (VAERS ID 1261766) took the Moderna shot and died two days later after suffering convulsions and seizures. A 2-year old little girl from Virginia (VAERS ID 1255745) took the Pfizer shot and died five days later. One of the infants who died was apparently in a Pfizer trial, while the other one was apparently in a Moderna trial. Sadly, the CDCs VAERS database showed a total of 152 fetal deaths reported after receiving COVID-19 vaccines through April 23, 2021. But Im sure these deaths were just COVID vaccine coincidences, right? Teenagers are dying too! A 15-year-old female in New Hampshire (VAERS ID 1187918) died from cardiac arrest on April 6, 2021 approximately 3-4 days after the second dose of the Moderna vaccine. approximately 3-4 days after the second dose of the Moderna vaccine. A 17-year-old female in Wisconsin (VAERS ID 1218081) received the Pfizer vaccine on April 2nd, 2021. Patient reported difficulty breathing and chest pain, then suffered cardiac arrest and died 8 days later on April 10th . . A 15-year-old male in Colorado (VAERS ID 1242573) received the Pfizer vaccine on April 18th and suffered heart failure and died two days later on April 20th . . A 16-year-old female in Wisconsin (VAERS ID 1225942) received Pfizer vaccine on March 19th. Patient suffered cardiac arrest at home on March 28th and died March 30th. But Im sure these deaths were just COVID vaccine coincidences, right? See for yourself! Below are several more of the 3,500+ deaths reported to VAERS. Ive hot linked them so you can see for yourself. VAERS ID 930910 AGE 52. FEMALE. Vaccinated 1/8/2021 with Moderna vaccine. Died 90 minutes later 1/8/2021. VAERS ID 938118 AGE 51. FEMALE. Vaccinated 1/5/2021 with Pfizer vaccine. On 1/8/2021 patient taken to ER, cerebellar hemorrhage, stroke, aneurysm. Died 2 days later 1/10/2021. VAERS ID 915682 AGE 85. FEMALE. Vaccinated 12/30/20 @ 5pm with Pfizer vaccine. Died 3 hours later 12/30/2020. VAERS ID 946293 AGE 51. MALE. Vaccinated 1/7/2021 with Moderna vaccine. Became increasingly hypoxic later that day. Transported to ER for acute on chronic hypoxia respiratory failure. Died 1/12/2021. VAERS ID 921768 AGE 58. FEMALE. Vaccinated 1/4/2021 with Pfizer vaccine. Died same day 1/4/2021. VAERS ID 929764 AGE 45. MALE. Vaccinated 12/28/2020 with Moderna vaccine. The patient was found deceased at home about 24 hours after immunization. Died next day 12/29/2020. VAERS ID 933739 AGE 54. FEMALE. Vaccinated 1/8/2021 with Pfizer vaccine. Died 2 days later 1/10/2021. VAERS ID 943397 AGE 28. MALE. Vaccinated 12/23/2020 with Pfizer vaccine. Patient was found unresponsive at work in the hospital. Patient pupils were fixed and dilated. Died 1/14/2021. VAERS ID 941743 AGE 60. FEMALE. Vaccinated 1/12/2021 with Moderna vaccine. Died next day 1/13/2021. VAERS ID 934968 AGE 54. MALE. Vaccinated 1/4/2021 with Pfizer vaccine. Later that day, patient started to vomit and had trouble in breathing. Died 2 days later 1/6/2021. VAERS ID 918518 AGE 50. FEMALE. Vaccinated 12/31/2020 with Moderna vaccine. Died same day 12/31/2020. VAERS ID 923219 AGE 41. FEMALE. Vaccinated 12/30/2020 with Pfizer vaccine. Died 2 days later 1/1/2021. VAERS ID 935511 AGE 56. FEMALE. Vaccinated 1/8/2021 with Moderna vaccine. Died next day 1/9/2021. VAERS ID 942106 AGE 54. MALE. Vaccinated 1/8/2021 with Pfizer vaccine. Died next day 1/9/2021. VAERS ID 914961 AGE 88. FEMALE. Vaccinated 12/30/2020 with Pfizer vaccine. Died 90 minutes later 12/30/2020. I could go on and on, but you get the point right? Oh, I forgot according to the vaccine-pushing maniacs and mainstream media sellouts, these deaths were just COVID vaccine coincidences The FACT is that during the first 4 months of 2021, the US government VAERS database has more reported deaths after receiving COVID-19 vaccines than deaths after all other vaccines COMBINED over the past two decades. Let that sink in! The chart below shows a HUGE uptick in vaccine reported deaths to the VAERS database since the COVID-19 vaccines were released in December 2020. Nevertheless, despite the thousands of deaths and the clear explosion on the graph, the CDC states on their website: Other than rare reports of severe allergic reactions, analysis of VAERS reports has not detected any patterns that would indicate a safety problem with COVID-19 vaccines. Youve got to be kidding me! No patterns that indicate safety issues? Look at the freakin graph! Below is a graph of what has been heralded as the EXPLOSION of Dogecoin cryptocurrency, which recently went from about 4 cents to over 70 cents. Do you notice any similarities in the graphs? Of course you do! Even the boneheads at the CDC can see that the price of Dogecoin has EXPLODED! But when it comes to the VAERS Vaccine Death graph, which is almost identical to the graph of Dogecoin, their official statement is that there is no pattern of increased adverse events. Give me a break! It reminds me of the quote from Jonathan Swift: There is none so blind as he who will not see. Of course, Im sure it has nothing to do with the blatant corruption at the CDC Corruption at the CDC The CDC receives millions from vaccine makers and is also involved with vaccine patents among many other financial benefits. Members of the CDCs ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices) committee actually decide which vaccines are recommended to be added to the CDC vaccine schedules, are often financially involved with vaccine manufacturers. ACIP members may own stock in Big Pharma companies that are responsible for producing the vaccines that the ACIP committee recommends! In fact, the law firm Weltchek Mallahan & Weltchek found over 50 patents connected to vaccines owned or shared by one or more members of ACIP or other committees within the CDC. Since 1995, the CDC Foundation has received over $1.2 billion in donations. Among their list of partners (donors) are GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, Pfizer, and Sanofi Pasteur. CDC Foundation partners also include tech giants Google, Facebook, and Amazon. Hmmmmm could that be one of the reasons for the censorship of vaccine safety advocates? Facebook and Google have large investments and major partnerships with vaccine makers. These pharmaceutical companies also advertise on their platforms, spending billions each year. Interestingly, endowments to the Foundation are unrestricted, which means they can be spent to support the givers vested interests. In other words, Big Pharma can donate money to the CDC Foundation, get a tax deduction for the donation, then the funds can be spent to support Big Pharmas vaccine program. Its a win win for Pharma and the CDC! Meanwhile, people are dying and getting sick from these toxic vaccines Human Lab Rats But not everybody dies from the untested COVID-19 vaccines. Many of the unfortunate human lab rats are just injured. For example, a Utah teen remains hospitalized with three blood clots in and near his brain that developed after he received the first dose of Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine. Everest Romney, 17, received the vaccine April 21st and began experiencing neck pain, fever and severe headaches one day later. After more than a week of symptoms and being unable to freely move his neck, the family got this diagnosis: two blood clots inside his brain, and one on the outside. His mother, Cherie Romney, said The hardest thing was I let him get that shot. And he was healthy and well before. But you question it, you cant help but question it when it all goes wrong. But Im sure this was just another COVID vaccine coincidence, right? Thank the Lord, Everest was released from the ICU May 5th, but has a long way to go. Please PRAY for Everest to make a full recovery from the blood clots in his brain! Australias main drug regulatory body reported its first death from blood clotting that is likely linked to AstraZenecas COVID-19 vaccine. This was announced by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) on Friday, April 16th, after it met to investigate the link between the vaccine and the patients death. According to the TGA, the person who died was Genene Norris, a 48-year-old woman from New South Wales. Norris received the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine on April 9th. She was rushed to the hospital the following day after developing blood clots. She was then placed on dialysis and in an intensive care unit. She never recovered, and she died on April 14th, just five days after receiving the jab. DID YOU KNOW that not a single COVID-19 vaccine is FDA approved? COVID-19 vaccines have only gone through preliminary clinical trials for 2 months. Moderna was 9 weeks and J&J was 8 weeks. These vaccines have been granted Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) status, but not FDA approval. COVID-19 vaccine phase 3 clinical trials are currently in progress. Huh? What exactly does that mean? It means that anyone who receives a COVID-19 vaccine is participating in an experimental clinical trial without any liability from the vaccine manufacturer. Sadly this is the largest human experiment in the history of the world! Check out the completion date of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine trial. Yep, you read that correctly April 6, 2023! In other words, we ARE the guinea pigs! DID YOU KNOW that COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers define effectiveness as reduction in risk of symptoms such as a fever, cough or sore throat? Heck, on the CDCs own website, they state There is some evidence that vaccination may make illness less severe. Also, the term effective was not defined as preventing viral infection or spread of the (SARS-CoV-2) virus to others. This is the reason why vaccinated individuals are still recommended to wear facemasks, socially distance and avoid large crowds. None of the vaccine trials showed that the vaccine prevented people from getting COVID-19. The only difference between those that were vaccinated versus unvaccinated were their severity of symptoms. The trials were also not designed to detect a reduction in severe COVID-19 illness. In other words, COVID-19 vaccine trial results do NOT show that COVID-19 vaccines save lives! DID YOU KNOW that previous coronavirus vaccines were never approved because of serious safety concerns in animal studies? In the past, during animal testing, when animals were exposed to the virus after vaccination, many got extremely sick or died. Animals in these studies ended up getting what is now being defined as Vaccine-Associated Enhanced Disease (VAED). VAED occurs when a vaccine primes the recipients immune system and then at some later time, when exposed to a similar virus, the immune system overreacts. This immune system amplification could potentially cause the body to attack itself, which could possibly lead to severe disease, organ damage and even death. For example, this phenomenon has long been known from various studies with coronavirus vaccines in cats. All cats that initially tolerated the vaccine, later died after being exposed to and catching the SARS virus. This is why coronavirus vaccines have never been approved for use in humans! In previous animal testing, after vaccination, the second exposure to the virus resulted in death. DID YOU KNOW that the CDC recommends that pregnant women get the COVID-19 vaccine based upon well their gut instinct for lack of a better term. Seriously Im not making this stuff up! On the CDC website, it states: Based on how these vaccines work in the body, experts believe they are unlikely to pose a risk for people who are pregnant. Pregnant women are usually warned to avoid many things, such as high mercury fish or deli meats. Yet, a vaccine with limited data about its effect on a pregnant woman or her fetus is being recommended because the experts at the CDC believe its unlikely to harm them. This statement is quite telling, isnt it? It shows that vaccinology is like a religion, as it requires belief in efficacy, despite lack of data. Thats not science. Thats dogma. Thanks to CovidVaccineQuiz.org for some of the above information. Ignoring Inconvenient Data Not surprisingly, the lamestream media sellouts totally ignored Yale Professor of Epidemiology Harvey Risch who revealed that the majority of people now coming down with COVID-19 have been vaccinated and they also conveniently failed to mention that fear of side-effects was the leading reason for vaccine refusal, cited by 45% of those in a March poll conducted by the Delphi Group at Carnegie Mellon University. The elephant in the room is that people are more scared of the vaccine than the virus itself, which as of March 19, 2021 (according to the CDC) has an overall 99.4% survival rate for those aged 50 to 65. According to Celeste McGovern: For those under 18, the coronavirus fatality rate estimated by the CDC is 0.00002, which translates into a 99.98% COVID survival rate. In fact, for those under 18, the lifetime odds of being struck by lightning are higher than the odds of dying of the virus. Earlier this month, an Israeli organization made up of health experts published a report outlining how the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine causes damage to nearly every system in the human body. According to the Israeli People Committee (IPC): there has never been a vaccine that has harmed as many people as the Pfizer vaccine has. The IPC also reported that the the risk of mortality after the second vaccine is higher than the risk of mortality after the first vaccine. It reminds me of a quote from George R.R. Martin: When you tear out a mans tongue, you are not proving him a liar, youre only telling the world that you fear what he might say. Propaganda Pushers Playbook Revealed Have you ever heard of the Vaccine Demand Observatory (VDO)? Probably not but youve definitely heard their propaganda. Theres no doubt about that. On their website, this group states that they are advancing the worlds ability to decrease the impact of misinformation and increase vaccine demand. One of their goals is to mitigatemistrust on all vaccines. The VDO was established primarily by three groups: The Public Good Projects (PGP) which designs and implements large-scale behavior change programs for the public good. UNICEF which has received over $86 million from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation since 2020 And the Gates-subsidized Yale Institute for Global Health. You likely already know about Gates and UNICEF, but what is PGP? According to Celeste McGovern: PGP was founded by Joe Smyser, a public health academic who trained at the CDC and has partnered with Google and Facebook. Its board members include executives from Merck pharmaceuticals, Pepsi, Levi-Strauss, the Advertising Council, Sesame Street, Campbells, and TikTok. PGPs website says that through media monitoring and bots, grassroots social media organizing, or thought leadership, we deploy our considerable resources and connections to communication for change. UNICEF and PGPs Vaccine Misinformation Management Field Guide advises vaccine promoters to consider putting vaccination in a gain frame. Show happy, healthy, productive people in graphics, and if you must show the act of vaccination try to avoid needles and tears. One of its tactics is to badger people to accept vaccination as a social norm. Explain that the majority of people adopt certain behavior and that is what others expect you to do to achieve a common good. DID YOU KNOW that in 2020, the World Health Organization created a new public health field called infodemiology? (Definition: the science of managing infodemics) One of the key functions of the VDO is to create and coordinate the Field Infodemiologist Training Program (FITP) with the stated goal to train field infodemic managers to conduct public health surveillance for misinformation and provide community support in misinformation outbreaks. According to the VDO website, UNICEF, Yale, and PGP will provide in-house and external trainers from a global pool of experts. On October 15, 2020, the World Health Organization issued a technical advisory called Behavioral Considerations for Acceptance and Uptake of COVID-19 Vaccines (2 months before a vaccine was even available). Some of the strategies are sounding very familiar now: Creating an enabling environment. In other words, making vaccination easy, quick and affordable, in all relevant respects. In other words, making vaccination easy, quick and affordable, in all relevant respects. Building timely trust in vaccines. According to the advisory, it is important to focus on building trust in COVID-19 vaccines before people form an opinion against them. This should involve using trusted messengers. According to the advisory, it is important to focus on building trust in COVID-19 vaccines before people form an opinion against them. This should involve using trusted messengers. Leveraging anticipated regret in communications. For example, by asking people how they would feel if they do not get vaccinated and end up contracting COVID-19 or transmitting it to loved ones. For example, by asking people how they would feel if they do not get vaccinated and end up contracting COVID-19 or transmitting it to loved ones. Harnessing social influences especially from people who are particularly trusted by and identified with members of relevant communities. especially from people who are particularly trusted by and identified with members of relevant communities. Emphasizing the social benefits of vaccination. Be sure to tell people that vaccination not only benefits individuals who receive the vaccine, but also protects others in the community. Be sure to tell people that vaccination not only benefits individuals who receive the vaccine, but also protects others in the community. Emphasize the danger of COVID-19. If people perceive that they are at low risk of contracting COVID-19, or that the consequences of becoming infected will not be severe, they will be less willing to get vaccinated. If people perceive that they are at low risk of contracting COVID-19, or that the consequences of becoming infected will not be severe, they will be less willing to get vaccinated. Downplay the vaccine risks. Adverse events are often inevitable when large numbers of people get vaccinated in a short period of time. Neutralize the blow by communicating proactively about uncertainty and the risk of vaccine-associated disability and death. DOCTORS UNITE! From Brian Shilhavy at Health Impact News: In an effort to combat Big Pharma Corporate Media and Big Tech censorship, doctors around the world are frantically trying to warn the masses of the devastating effects of the experimental COVID vaccines about to be mass injected into the unsuspecting public assisted by military forces around the world. What could possibly motivate these doctors, nurses, scientists, and other health professionals to make such an impassioned plea? What do they have to gain by taking the time to educate the public on the hidden dangers of a new class of vaccine about to be inflicted upon the citizens of countries around the world? They have NOTHING TO GAIN, and much to lose, including their careers, and possibly even their lives. So why are they doing this? Why are these doctors and professionals being censored so much if the new COVID vaccines are in fact safe and effective? What is it that the media and the government are hiding that they dont want the public to know? They are doing this because they are doctors and scientists who actually understand the REAL science here, and who know the devastating potential consequences of those who choose to get this very toxic and dangerous vaccine, and they are trying to save as many people as possible from the carnage this vaccine is going to cause, which will include DEATH, brain injuries, life-long autoimmune disease, infertility, and more. Please watch this video and their urgent pleas, and then share it with as many people as you can, because time is short! CONCLUSION By the way, did you realize that the term anti-vaxxer is a bigoted epithet? Some bigoted smears are based on racism and some are based on choices that people have made. The anti-vaxxer term falls into the latter category I have 2 questions for the vaccine pushing maniacs, journo-terrorists, and mainstream media sellouts: How does it feel to participate in the perpetration of what will eventually be seen as a vaccine holocaust? Are you concerned that eventually you will be prosecuted under the Nuremberg Code for committing crimes against humanity? These COVID-19 vaccines are KILLING PEOPLE every day! In the words of Brian Shilhavy, This is genocide: death by injection. Its time to STOP sanitizing this. We need to start using the correct terms. I agree 100% with Brian. The line in the sand is being drawn. Which side are you on? Read more at: TheTruthAboutVaccines.com (Natural News) New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer was the leading progressive Democratic candidate for city mayor until his reputation was destroyed by the leftist establishment last week. False allegations of sexual assault sound familiar? were manufactured out of nowhere, dashing his hopes of being elected. And it was just another day for the establishment Democrat Party. In case you have not figured it out yet, leftists will destroy your life without a second thought if doing so will protect their stranglehold on power. Establishment conservatives are much the same, but leftists seem to have an added penchant for making up wild stories about their opponents, ruining not just their careers but also their livelihoods. The claims made against Stringer, as a recent example, are baseless. Evidence proves this, and yet all the left had to do was claim it as true and the constituency apparently just followed right along. This is Democrat politics in action. as has been seen repeatedly, the prevailing mentality in left-liberal politics is that even grave life-destroying accusations are to be treated as true without the need for any evidence, writes independent journalist Glenn Greenwald about the situation. They casually and with apparent glee ruin peoples reputations and lives without batting an eye the second someone utters an allegation of sexual misconduct. And one is required to mindlessly accept such accusations as truth never ask for evidence if it is true if one wishes to remain in good standing in those circles and to avoid being smeared oneself as an apologist for sexual misconduct. Establishment politics is a life-destroying sport that must be stopped A similar manufactured witch hunt was launched against a challenger to Congressman Richie Neal, a Democrat from Massachusetts who has been in politics since forever. Neal was first elected to the House back when Ronald Reagan was still president and the 72-year-old is now in his 16th House term, occupying the all-powerful position of Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, which is in charge of governing state revenue, taxes, social programs, and tariffs. When 31-year-old Alex Morse, the homosexual Mayor of Holyoke, announced that he was planning to challenge Neal in the primaries Neal has not had a credible challenger in 16 years the Democrat establishment launched the sleaziest of smear campaigns against him. The College Democrats of Massachusetts also participated in the smear campaign, releasing a letter at the perfect time to suggest that Morse was a sex-crazed pervert who solicited students at Amherst College where he used to teach. There were no victims claiming he had coerced let alone assaulted anyone, Greenwald points out about the smear campaign against Morse. But no matter. All of the Democrat groups that had previously claimed to support Morse suddenly switched their tune based on that letter, suggesting that it was a planned assault to keep Neal in power forever. This is how the establishment works, both on the left and the right. Many journalists are also solicited to sabotage credible challengers to political dinosaurs like Neal. This was uncovered by the Center for Public Integrity, which found that journalists are often hired to terrorize family members of vaccine skeptics, which also threaten the establishment. All of this serves as evidence that the political establishment has no principles or values beyond maintaining power at all costs. This was further seen with Christine Blasey Fords false testimony against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, which aimed to not only keep him off the bench but destroy his entire life. The ability to destroy someones life with nothing more than an uncorroborated claim voiced more than eighteen years after the alleged incident is a power with which nobody should be trusted, Greenwald says. More related news about the dirty tactics of the political establishment can be found at Tyranny.news. Sources for this article include: Greenwald.Substack.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) A survey found that more parents have expressed opposition to their children getting Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines. The sentiment followed drug manufacturer Pfizers application for emergency use authorization (EUA) to use its vaccine for younger patients, which would allow it to be used to inoculate children from two years old to 11 years old. The survey, published in the April 2021 edition of the Kaiser Family Foundations (KFF) Vaccine Monitor, found that 19 percent of respondents would not get their child immunized. It also found that 32 percent of parents preferred to wait and see how the COVID-19 vaccines work before having their child immunized. Meanwhile, 15 percent said they would only have their child vaccinated against the Wuhan coronavirus if schools require it. The survey also showed that vaccine hesitancy is strong among Black and White parents. Twenty-nine percent of Black respondents said they would not allow their children to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Twenty-two percent of White parents shared the same sentiment. Only 10 percent of Hispanic parents who joined the survey declined to vaccinate their children. It also that 58 percent of parents themselves who did not plan to get the vaccine at all had the same intentions for their children. The same was observed in 63 percent of parents who took a wait and see approach themselves. Respondents who participated in the survey cited four main factors for their hesitancy regarding vaccination. These included possible short-term side effects, unknown long-term side effects, lack of opportunity for long-term studies and expedited vaccine development. Cincinatti Childrens Hospital pediatrician Dr. Mary Carol Burkhardt said the hesitation is natural as people are naturally cautious with their children. Were certainly seeing both sides of the coin. Some parents want to be first in line and want to get their kids protected. [On] the other side, we have a lot of families who are not hesitant but dont want to be first, she remarked. (Related: US health experts warn about giving coronavirus jabs to children.) Pfizer anticipates a full approval from the FDA to help make mandatory vaccination a reality Meanwhile, the New York Times reported that drug manufacturer Pfizer has applied for an EUA for its vaccine for children aged two to 11 years old. Current authorizations for Pfizers two-dose jab issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) only permit its use on individuals 12 years old and above. During a May 11 earnings call, the company told reports and Wall Street analysts that it plans to submit an application allowing the use of its BNT162b2 vaccine on younger patients. A day before the earnings call, the FDA permitted Pfizer to use its vaccine on children 12 to 15 years old. This effectively amended its earlier authorization from December 2020. (Related: Two-year-old baby DIES during Pfizers Covid-19 vaccine experiments on children.) Pfizer continued that it is applying for a full approval of its vaccine for people aged 16 to 85. Full approval from the FDA will allow Pfizer to directly market the two-dose vaccine to consumers. However, it will take months before the regulator fully approves Pfizers vaccine made in partnership with German company BioNTech. Aside from the Pfizer vaccine, the Moderna and Janssen vaccines have also been granted emergency approval in the U.S. Vaccines approved under emergency use are only allowed on a temporary basis. Their approvals can be revoked once health authorities declare that a public health emergency is over. Full FDA authorization will permit vaccines to remain on the market even beyond the pandemics end. Many entities such as schools and businesses are anticipating the FDA granting full approval to COVID-19 vaccines in a bid to make vaccination mandatory. Two public universities in California have taken the lead in requiring inoculation for community members. The University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) systems announced that students, faculty and staff members must get vaccinated against the Wuhan coronavirus once the vaccines receive full approval. CSU spokeswoman Toni Molle remarked: We are announcing now so that students and employees have time to receive a vaccination. She continued that a formal mandate will depend on the FDA granting full authorization on the vaccines and CSUs discussions with labor unions. Molle roughly estimated that the mandate could come before or after classes begin in the fall. Meanwhile, UC issued a separate statement saying that students who plan to attend classes on campus in the fall to update their immunization records. Their records must reflect that they received a COVID-19 vaccination or a medical reason exempting them from getting the vaccine. The statement warned that students or staff members who fail to comply will be barred from in-person access to campus programs and facilities including campus housing. Visit MedicalTyranny.com to read more about Pfizers plans to inoculate children and other sectors with its COVID-19 vaccine. Sources include: SHTFPlan.com KFF.org USAToday.com NYTimes.com FDA.gov APNews.com (Natural News) The peer-reviewed journal Nature has published a shocking article from Peter Hotez that calls for people who resist vaccination to be tyrannized by medical fascists. Entitled, COVID vaccines: time to confront anti-vax aggression, the article by Hotez ironically calls for aggression against anti-vaxxers to supposedly stop their aggression because saying no to chemical injections is apparently now an act of violence. Anyway, Hotez launches into the usual talking points about the scary Chinese Virus that can only be eradicated if every human being on the planet has his or her DNA permanently altered. Once that happens, Chinese Germs will be gone forever but only if everyone gets jabbed. Since some people do not want to get jabbed, preferring to keep their DNA and immune systems intact, Hotez wants them to be punished because science. Resisting injection is undermining progress, he says, and thus must be confronted directly. So-called scientists but only the ones who support the jabs are having their wee little feelings hurt and we cannot have that. No, anyone who offends the science gods must be punished harshly because this is how we save lives, Hotez contends. The World Health Organization recognized vaccine hesitancy as a top threat to global health before the pandemic, Hotez insists. Even before the pandemic, I had a front-row seat to all of this. I have co-led efforts to develop vaccines in programmes, including a COVID-19 vaccine currently being tested in India. In other words, Hotez has a vested interest in getting you, your family, your friends, your community, and your entire country vaccinated at warp speed. If you refuse, then he basically wants you to be tyrannized with prejudice for daring to make your own medical decisions. The United Nations and the highest levels of governments must take direct, even confrontational, approaches to dismantle anti-vaccine groups in the United States, he writes, trying to sound scientific. Hotez: If you refuse vaccination, you are a terrorist Hotez goes on to suggest that the medical police state delve into the realm of cyber security, law enforcement, public education and international relations as an arsenal of weaponry to combat anti-vax elements that try to teach people to stay healthy through nutrition rather than pharmaceuticals. A high-level inter-agency task force reporting to the UN secretary-general could assess the full impact of anti-vaccine aggression, and propose tough, balanced measures, he further suggests. The task force should include experts who have tackled complex global threats such as terrorism, cyber attacks and nuclear armament, because anti-science is now approaching similar levels of peril. It is becoming increasingly clear that advancing immunization requires a counteroffensive. Hotez, by the way, is a vaccine scientist and author who jabs children at the Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Childrens Hospital in Houston. He recently wrote a book, which we will not name so as not to promote it, that serves as a manifesto in how to deal with those who embrace anti-science, also known as people who do not worship the god of vaccination like Hotez does. Hotez is also president of the Bill Gates-funded Sabin Vaccine Institute, which is waging war on Dr. Joseph Mercola for teaching people how to support their immune systems naturally through the use of vitamin D, zinc and other immune-boosting nutrients. Our freedom of speech has been shredded and will continue to be if we do not push back hard on maintaining our first amendment rights, wrote one of our own about where all this is headed if people fail to take a stand against it. If the first goes dark, all the rest go, too. More related news about Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) tyranny and the Cult of Covidism can be found at ChemicalViolence.com. Sources for this article include: Nature.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) It isnt often that retired U.S. military officers of flag rank (generals and admirals) collectively leap into politics, so when it does happen, its wise for every American to pay attention, regardless of political orientation. Just recently, more than 120 retired flag officers signed onto a letter warning of a day our founders feared might come: Our nation is in serious peril of being relegated to the ash heap of history if patriots dont wise up and rise up to stop it. Recognizing the modern Democrat Party for what it is, a communist-like force hell-bent on revolution, the officers warned that if they arent stopped, America as founded will cease to exist. Under a Democrat Congress and the Current Administration, our Country has taken a hard left turn toward Socialism and a Marxist form of tyrannical government which must be countered now by electing congressional and presidential candidates who will always act to defend our Constitutional Republic. The survival of our Nation and its cherished freedoms, liberty, and historic values are at stake, the letter states. According to The Federalist, there is an impressive list of signatories: The signatories, which include President Ronald Reagans former National Security Adviser John Poindexter, President George W. Bushs former Deputy Undersecretary of Defense William Gerald Boykin, and retired Army Brigadier General Donald Bolduc, who is now running for Senate in New Hampshire, rail against a litany of left-wing pursuits showcased in the first 100 days of the new administration led by President Joe Biden, who has redefined what it means to run a far-left presidency. The retired officers railed at Democrats for their assault on election integrity as well as the Biden regimes open-borders policies. They also lashed out at big tech censorship, the administrations reentering the Iran nuclear deal, reversing President Donald Trumps achieving of energy independence, politicization of the military, gaslighting alleged right-wing threats while ignoring left-wing anarchy, and the recent confusion over procedures for the nuclear codes at the White House. Under a Democrat Congress and the Current Administration, our Country has taken a hard left turn toward Socialism and a Marxist form of tyrannical government, the officers noted correctly. Whats more, the retired officers note, most of these changes have been made via executive order prepared by Bidens Marxist handlers and signed by the mind-addled and weak president despite the fact that there was no mandate for such an agenda during the 2020 election. The officers noted that Biden only won three tipping point states by fewer than 43,000 votes (and those were stolen, we know that), the Senate is evenly divided, and Democrats only control the House by six seats (after they unexpectedly lost more than a dozen seats during the election). The Current Administration has launched a full-blown assault on our Constitutional rights in a dictatorial manner, bypassing the Congress, with more than 50 Executive Orders quickly signed, many reversing the previous Administrations effective policies and regulations, the retired officers wrote, going on to point out that Biden has signed the most orders in the shortest period of time since President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Moreover, population control actions such as excessive lockdowns, school and business closures, and most alarming, censorship of written and verbal expression are all direct assaults on our fundamental rights, they added. The officers are pleading with Americans to toss out these far-left Marxist revolutionaries in favor of federal, state, and local candidates who care about preserving our country as founded and put individual rights, per the Constitution, over those of the collective, a harbinger of communism, as they also call for a new 21st-century Tea Party movement, circa 2010-2012. The survival of our Nation and its cherished freedoms, liberty, and historic values are at stake, they wrote. Sources include: TheFederalist.com Tyranny.news (Natural News) A team of researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) infiltrated a Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) skeptics group recently and discovered that those questioning the official story are more scientific than those accepting it hook, line and sinker. Unlike the Branch Covidians who believe everything Anthony Fauci and Bill Gates tell them, even though none of it makes an ounce of sense, Chinese Virus skeptics tend to look empirically at the scientific data and come to their own rational conclusions. Most fundamentally, the groups we studied believe that science is a process, and not an institution, the team revealed about the findings of their investigation. Indeed, anti-maskers often reveal themselves to be more sophisticated in their understanding of how scientific knowledge is socially constructed than their ideological adversaries, who espouse naive realism about the objective.' This is powerful coming from experts at MIT, one of the worlds most respected scientific institutions of higher education. In a study published about the subject, the researchers further revealed that anti-maskers value unmediated access to information and privilege personal research and direct reading over expert interpretations. Its members value individual initiative and ingenuity, trusting scientific analysis only insofar as they can replicate it themselves by accessing and manipulating the data firsthand. Anti-maskers recognize that official science is biased The difference between anti-maskers and those who believe everything the government tells them is that the former tends toward critical thinking as opposed to blind allegiance and obedience. Just because Fauci says that Chinese Virus injections are healthy and safe does not automatically mean that this is true. To Branch Covidians, though, anything Fauci says is true because Fauci is a doctor and a scientist who gets a lot of airtime on television. [Anti-maskers] are highly reflexive about the inherently biased nature of any analysis, and resent what they view as the arrogant self-righteousness of scientific elites, the MIT experts found about those in the skeptics group. Many of the users believe that the most important metrics are missing from government-released data. One of the users wrote in the group that coding data is a big deal, and that such definitions should be offered transparently by every state. Without a national guideline we are left with this mess, this same user added. Others questioned the lack of government transparency concerning data collection systems, many of which lack honesty and thus erode trust from both government institutions and the datasets they release. In fact, there are multiple threads every week where users debate how representative the data are of the population given the increased rate of testing across many states, the MIT researchers learned about the group. The MIT study clearly states that anti-mask people are grounded in more scientific rigor than the Branch Covidians, not less. These individuals as a whole are extremely willing to help others who have trouble interpreting graphs with multiple forms of clarification: by helping people find the original sources so that they can replicate the analysis themselves, by referencing other reputable studies that come to the same conclusions, by reminding others to remain vigilant about the limitations of the data, and by answering questions about the implications of a specific graph, they further explain. In other words, collective analysis that involves many brains is preferable to anti-maskers than simply accepting what one or two deep state doctors or experts on television claim to be true about the plandemic. You can read more about the MIT study and its conclusions at this link. More of the latest news about Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) skepticism can also be found at Pandemic.news. Sources for this article include: ThreadReaderApp.com NaturalNews.com Norwich Messianic synagogue hit by hate graffiti A Norwich Messianic Jewish Synagogue, which has been running a foodbank for the last 18 months during lockdowns, has suffered an anti-semitic vandal attack. Keith Morris reports. The world stands on the brink of the fourth industrial revolution the confluence of new technologies like cloud computing, big data analytics, and IoT have reached a tipping point where enterprises can successfully process workloads in the cloud like never before. Indeed, 85% of enterprises will have deployed new digital infrastructure in the cloud by 2025, according to industry analyst IDC. In the US, the cloud migration rate of enterprises has exceeded 85% and in EU countries has reached 70%. Governments are a key catalyst for this change, as they push whole economies to digitize to improve whole of society benefits and increase national productivity. However, this step change in compute scalability depends on highly reliable network architecture to ensure end-to-end performance remains high. Enterprises are demanding a low-latency, high-availability carrier network experience comparable to leased line-connections in order to ensure cloud services can be accessed with performance similar to company data centers. However, while carriers have end-to-end network advantages that OTT providers cannot achieve, they still face challenges in monetizing service level agreements (SLAs). The opportunity is certainly there, but as carriers shift from private lines to SLAs, there is a need to very clearly measure and report on key metrics which isnt always simple. Effectively measuring latency and availability Unfortunately, underlying network standards have prioritized architecture over performance measurement, and the solutions that have been developed over time to attempt to measure this are often quite inaccurate. Effective measurement is the absolute key to SLA becoming marketable in pre-sales, deliverable in-sales, and guaranteed after-sales. With an unprecedented degree of automation, deterministic experience, latency control, and high-availability delivery, Huaweis All-optical Autonomous Driving Network (ADN) solution brings the software-defined networking concept to the next level. It allows carriers to deliver private-line connections with a tight focus on SLA delivery, whereas the SLA monitoring of latency and availability, and any adjustment of services that ensures SLA delivery, are all automated and built in. This tight management and reliable delivery of SLAs translates to the ability for carriers to monetize SLAs by demonstrating real business value guaranteed reliable private line experience. Huawei has implemented the industry's only latency measurement mechanism for on-stream services in its iMaster NCE Autonomous Network Management and Control System, providing latency measurement for private lines with an accuracy of up to 0.1ms. Combined with latency mapping and optimum latency path computation policy and real-time latency monitoring, iMaster NCE helps carriers worldwide achieve high-quality leased line services with guaranteed low latency. Huaweis success in implementing this has delivered it 100% market share across more than 70 Optical Transport Network government and enterprise private-line networks in China. The holy grail for operators is monetizing high availability. By monitoring and calculating the availability of fibers, network elements, and service protection, iMaster NCE provides a comprehensive service availability measurement mechanism. Then iMaster NCE helps carriers monetize availability SLAs by using the availability map, availability path computation, and availability real-time monitoring mechanisms. Moving from passive maintenance to proactive optimization Major fiber faults are a core issue in optical transport network maintenance and operation because once they become apparent, a serious network outage has usually already occurred, and a carrier will have failed its SLAs. To be able to deliver on service level agreements, carriers need proactive identification of fiber faults before they occur, through proactive pre-checking and prevention. Doing this level of work manually is onerous, costly, and potentially impossible from a resourcing perspective for large carriers. This is where Huaweis latest-generation autonomous driving network platform is a powerful cornerstone for a carriers network fault analysis. Based on big data analysis of fiber gradient faults, Huaweis iMaster NCE Autonomous Network Management and Control System can detect more than 10 fiber gradient faults, including fiber bends, loose connections, damaged connectors, and aging fibers. This feature helps operators predict fiber faults in advance, reducing fiber faults by more than 30%. Deployment across the globe The iMaster NCE solution has also been put into commercial use across Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, with nearly 400 iMaster NCE transport product sets deployed worldwide. Its new generation brother, the iMaster NCE All-optical Autonomous Driving Network private line solution, has been deployed in more than 70 provinces and cities, including major carriers such as China Mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom. With the continuous construction and enhancement of the iMaster NCE All-optical Autonomous Driving Network solution, carriers around the world can build high-quality OTN private lines. Delivering a low-latency, high-availability private line experience over optical transport networks, with clearly demonstrable SLAs, is now easily deliverable for carriers. This will support high-quality cloud access for thousands of industries around the world, unleashing the dividend of digital transformation that governments worldwide are seeking. Almost all Wi-Fi is potentially vulnerable to flaws that date back to 1997 when it became commercially available, but even the person who discovered the weaknesses says some of them are difficult to exploit. Mathy Vanhoef, a post-doctoral student at NYU Abu Dhabi, has created attacksFragAttacksthat take advantage of the vulnerabilities, but in an academic paper about them, says the most widespread vulnerabilities can be exploited only under specific, rare conditions, and require either user interaction or highly unusual configurations to succeed. Other vulnerabilitieswhat he calls programming mistakes made by vendors in their Wi-Fi productsare easily exploited. Vanhoefs website about FragAttacks says his exploits can enable attackers within radio range to steal user information or attack devices on users networks. The flaws fall into two categories: Those in the Wi-Fi standard itself, and therefore affecting most devices, and those caused by widespread programming mistakes in individual Wi-Fi-product implementations. Among major Wi-Fi vendors, only Aruba/HPE and Huawei have publicly acknowledged the disclosure of the FragAttack flaws. Aruba issued a statement saying that its access points contained the flaws, but that it updated its software prior to this weeks disclosure of them, and provided a document detailing which APs have been patched. Huawei stated that it has launched an immediate investigation, and pledged to provide public updates when it has more information to share. CommScope RUCKUS posted a blog describing the problem and how to deal with it as well as setting up a FragAttacks support page that includes more details and resources including its security-patch release schedule. Cisco and Ubiquiti declined to comment as of Friday afternoon. Vanhoef is issuing his report after nine months of disclosure with Wi-Fi vendors to enable them to fix the problems. A tool to check whether equipment is vulnerable to these flaws is available here for free. The three most wide-ranging and serious flaws can allow attackers to inject malicious frames into a protected Wi-Fi network. This could allow an attacker to trick a client device into using a malicious DNS server or to force traffic through a router, bypassing NAT and firewalls. The weaknesses affect products made by nearly all of the major manufacturers. Fortunately, the [Wi-Fi-standard] design flaws are hard to abuse because doing so requires user interaction or is only possible when using uncommon network settings, according to Vanhoefs site. As a result, in practice the biggest concern are the programming mistakes in Wi-Fi products since several of them are trivial to exploit. The most exploits work because of vulnerabilities in the way Wi-Fi handles frame fragmentation and frame aggregation, according to Vanhoef. Frame aggregation is designed to make network connections faster by combining smaller frames into a larger one, using a system of flags that tells devices whether a given frame is a single frame or an aggregated one. The problem is that the aggregated flag is not authenticated on both ends of the connection and can be spoofed by a bad actor. Fragmentation does the opposite, splitting larger frames into smaller ones for increased reliability. The flaw is that receiving devices arent required to check whether all parts of a split frame have been encrypted using the same keys, meaning that an attacker could steal data from a network by mixing up different fragments. The other vulnerabilities identified by Vanhoef include aspects of Wi-Fis WPA security protocols that dont do enough by default to authenticate and match up all parts of a message, leaving openings that could be used to compromise networks and steal data. Forrester analyst Andre Kindness said the chances of these flaws being exploited in the wild seem remote at best. Is it something that would keep me up at night? Heck no, Kindness said. Its like an Oceans 11 or Mission: Impossible scenarioyoud have to know what someone has. Youd have to encounter the perfect scenario where someone didnt do something right in the firmware for the device or AP, and youd have to be in radio distance. Kindness said that enterprise users should simply ensure all their patching is up-to-date, use the scanning tool, and proceed from there if they discover flaws. Vanhoef is scheduled to present a talk on FragAttack at the USENIX Security Symposium, scheduled as a virtual event Aug. 1113. The Charger Blog Meet some of the exceptional members of the School of Health Sciences Class of 2021 who are looking forward to continuing their education after graduation. By Renee Chmiel, Office of Marketing and Communications Left to right: Yao Doe 21 MPH, Selena Chom 21, Lauryn Bradley 21, and Charine Blackwood 21. Before beginning his Master of Public Health at the University of New Haven, Yao Doe 21 MPH spent nine years working in the healthcare field in Ghana and Togo. Despite his extensive experience, he says he was very shy when he began his time as a Charger. It was the opportunities he had at the University that helped him to come out of his shell while growing as a leader. Yao Doe 21 MPH. Doe particularly enjoyed the debates he was part of in some of his public health courses, as well as the class discussions that, he says, enabled him to become comfortable presenting and speaking in front of groups. A member of the Connecticut Public Health Association and Student Public Health Association at the University, Doe is grateful for the chances he had to network and connect with his fellow Chargers. My greatest and favorite memory of my time as a Charger is the warm reception and inclusiveness on campus, especially from the School of Health Sciences professors, who make every student feel like they belong, he said. I never felt like a stranger at the University, even during the unprecedented time of the pandemic. Doe will accept his degree as part of the Universitys Spring Commencement. He is among the approximately 1,600 members of the Class of 2021 who will be awarded their degrees during two ceremonies on May 17. Made me a better student and individual Lauryn Bradley 21, who will accept her bachelors degree in health sciences, has fond memories of studying at the Universitys campus in Tuscany, Italy, during the fall of her junior year. She volunteered at a local middle school and with the Italian Red Cross. An active member of the Universitys Student Committee of Programming Events (SCOPE), she plans to pursue her Master of Public Health after graduation. My time at the University has prepared me for success in many ways, she said. I have learned to step out of my comfort zone and take the necessary risks to overcome any obstacle because the outcome may be a great one. All of the faculty and staff have helped me and guided me while giving me the foundational knowledge and advice that I need to be successful. Lauryn Bradley 21 studied at the Universitys campus in Tuscany, Italy. Selena Chom 21, also a health sciences major, served as a student ambassador for the health sciences program. A fellow in the Universitys WeEmbody Lab, she worked with lab director Alvin Tran, Sc.D., MPH and their fellow researchers to raise awareness of health inequity in the United States and explore ways to reduce it. She also worked with Dr. Tran to research food insecurity in America among gay and bisexual men. As a member of the Universitys Health Occupation Students of America chapter, Chom also helped increase visibility for health-related topics and organize a food drive. She, too, studied abroad in Tuscany as a junior, which she says was an invaluable learning experience. She will continue her time as a Charger after graduation, and she will begin her Master of Public Health this fall. Working with my peers and professors, especially those from the Health Sciences Department, definitely prepared me for success, she said. Each faculty member gave me a sense of comfort. They offered advice and allowed me to make my own decisions, and that made me a better student and individual. I feel ready for this next step Charine Blackwood 21 was originally a biology major with a pre-med concentration before changing her major to health sciences. As an intern in the WeEmbody Lab, she explored the effects of tanning on sexual minority men and wrote a rapid research proposal. A member of the Universitys Student Conduct Board and a health sciences student ambassador, Blackwood served the University community during the pandemic as a COVID-19 testing assistant. She has also volunteered in the pediatric emergency department at Yale New Haven Hospital. The Universitys community is very warm and welcoming, said Blackwood, who will begin pursuing her nursing degree at George Washington University this fall. The University of New Haven goes above and beyond to ensure that all students are included in the activities on campus such as homecoming, spring weekends, and Charger Days. These are all activities and memories that I will never forget. Doe, the Master of Public Health candidate, also plans to continue his education. He will begin his Doctor of Public Health at the University of California Berkeley, School of Public Health through a Global Public Health Fellowship. My interest in the health sector is in building a strong foundation, not only in Africa but wherever the need may be, he said. The University of New Haven has not only given me the necessary foundation to champion my dream, but also, room to receive more knowledge. I feel ready for this next step, and I look forward to the challenge and the reward. By PTI NEW DELHI: Bharat Biotech on Friday said it has dispatched COVID vaccine Covaxin to various states like Gujarat, Assam, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Odisha. The Hyderabad-based vaccine major, which has come under fire from the Delhi government over supply-related issues, said it has also dispatched Covaxin lots to Kerala and Uttarakhand. "Covaxin goes to Gandhinagar, Guwahati, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru & Bhuvneshwar. thank all our employees @ BHarat bio who worked thru the holy month of Ramzan," Bharat Biotech Co-Founder and Joint Managing Director Suchitra Ella said in a tweet. Earlier in a late night tweet on Thursday, she tweeted informing supply of the much in demand vaccine to Kerala and Uttarakhand. "Covaxin sent to Kerala & Uttarakhand. Thanq for the concern, many offered to help. Our work is highly stringent, realtime & technical,no work from home! All Our employees will be taken care of, won't deter us from our mission! Let's be thankful,helpful & hopeful always," she tweeted. Ella however did not provide details on the quantum of supplies. On May 12, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said that Bharat Biotech has informed the state government that it cannot provide 'additional' Covaxin doses to the national capital. Responding to the criticism, Ella in a tweet said that It was quite disheartening to listen to some states complaining about the company's intentions regarding supply of Covaxin. She said that the company had already dispatched Covaxin lots to 18 states on May 10. By PTI MUMBAI: Global investment banking major JP Morgan Chase has increased its COVID-19 support to the country manifold, taking the total planned aid to close to USD 16 million, of which USD 3.8 million is for supporting its over 35,000 employees in India. The head of the Wall Street major Jamie Dimon had on April 30 had committed an upfront USD 2 million financial aid along with an appeal to its over 2.5 lakh employees globally to chip in which would be matched by an equal amount by the company. In an internal communication on Thursday, which PTI has seen, Filippo Gori, the chief executive of JP Morgan Asia Pacific, said the bank has set aside USD 3.8 million for the care of its over 35,000 India employees, and an additional USD 10 million is being earmarked in phases to support the needy in their pandemic recovery phase. We've committed an additional USD 3.8 million to support our colleagues in India in their fight against the virus in 2021. This money will be used for medical insurance, 24x7 ambulance service, partnerships with our clinical service providers and hospitals for hotel and in-home quarantine, doctor-on-call service; and vaccination reimbursement support, Gori said in the mail. The bank is also working towards increasing access to vaccines, subject to availability and government regulations, he added. This is excluding the already-committed USD 2 million in immediate India-wide coronavirus relief efforts such as providing support to the public health system to improve the capacity of small hospitals, enabling them to provide treatment for greater numbers of affected patients and also providing food and essential items to low-income communities. Besides this, the bank has also committed an additional USD10 million to help the larger already-disadvantaged communities tide over the long-term consequences of the pandemic often those. This is part of JP Morgan's annual USD 32 million philanthropic commitment to building economic resiliencies for these communities, Gori said. This community support and outreach will include support to microbusinesses, particularly those owned by women; helping youth pursue promising careers; and help support inclusive fintech solutions for the post-crisis environment ensuring access to financial tools that will help them weather any future crisis, he said. JP Morgan is also a member of the recently-announced global taskforce on the pandemic response, a public-private partnership providing 1,000 ventilators and a further 25,000 oxygen concentrators to India. Gori said so far, their employees have contributed USD 1.5 lakh towards India aid, and the company will equally match that number. In an email to all the employees on April 30, Dimon committed USD 2 million to Indian non-profits which are in the forefront of the pandemic fight, along with an appeal to its employees to donate with an additional commitment to match their contributions with an equal amount by the company. The total aid, including medical supplies and medical equipments, from the US is reportedly nearing USD 500 million. Chetana Belagere By Express News Service BENGALURU: With Karnataka reeling under the second wave, capital Bengaluru is reaching its peak, and the districts are likely to soon start peaking. A downward trend is expected from May 20 onwards, say experts. According to mathematicians at Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and experts from the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), Bengaluru will continue to peak till around May 17. Just as each state peaks at a different time, districts will too, as per mathematical models. The multi-dimensional partial differential equation model takes into account factors such as vaccination, lockdown and assumption of two unreported cases for every reported case. Experts have projected that the lockdown will bring down the Covid-19 caseload by 28 lakh, to 13.93 lakh in the second week of June. According to Prof Sashikumar Ganesan, Department of Computational and Data Sciences, IISc, We are currently at the peak in terms of daily confirmed cases in Bengaluru. Though its a bit early to say whether the lockdown is effective, our predictions for Bengaluru Urban factoring in no lockdown, 100% complacency, 50% and 75 % scenarios show the current trend is following 100% compliance. The numbers are coming under control in Bengaluru, as per predictions. However, we have to wait for 3-4 days for a proper picture. Senior epidemiologist Dr Giridhara R Babu, who is also a Covid-19 TAC member, warned that reduction in testing from April 20 is not a good sign, and causes confusion between the real peak and apparent peak. He said, At present, case detection is a bit erratic as the number being tested has reduced, especially in Bengaluru. This wont give a clear indication on cases at the peak. According to several mathematical models, we started peaking in the second week of May, as expected, and the districts will start soon. Critical care is still clogged. The number of cases may start falling by the month-end, but we have to wait and watch. Districts are of more concern, he explained. Interestingly, Dr Manjunath CN, Director of Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, points out that it is too early to rejoice over the health departments bulletin. The number of cases appears to be low, but one should look at testing done the day before. Besides, positivity rate has remained the same. We are definitely benefitting from the lockdown but have to wait and see. Testing shouldnt be reduced at any cost, he warns. While the lockdown has helped reduce the number of daily cases, experts also say that a minimum of two weeks is needed to give the healthcare system a breather. Maharashtras way of handling the surge was better than Karnatakas, they say, and recommend that the state extend the lockdown by at least two weeks. However, Prof Sashikumar said a detailed analysis of the situation in Bengaluru and Karnataka will be done on May 20, before a report is submitted to the government. It is important that tough decisions are taken on whether to extend the lockdown or unlock in a graded manner. It will be extremely difficult if the state opens up all activities at once, he said. Dr V Ravi, retired HOD of the Department of Virology, Nimhans, said peoples behaviour needs to be monitored, and if the lockdown is effective, the downward trend will be visible from the last week of May in Bengaluru, and a few weeks later in the districts. By Express News Service CHENNAI: The city city police on Friday intensified the enforcement of the lockdown. Over 100 checkposts are set up across the city and motorists were stopped to check their purpose of travel. Vehicles of those found travelling for non-essential purposes are being seized. While the Tamil Nadu government imposed intensified lockdown on May 10, several people were seen on the streets and the police too were lenient. Media houses and public brought the reality of the lockdown to the government. The DMK Government conducted an all party meeting during which key decisions were made to make the checking of vehicles and scrutinizing the motorists who roam unnecessarily. A press release from the Director General of Police office on Thursday said that from Friday onwards lockdown regulations will be followed strictly and motorists will be penalised if they found roaming with any reason. Sahaya Novinston Lobo By Express News Service CHENNAI: In a major haul, the Chennai Police has seized over 150 vials of Remdesivir drugs smuggled from Bangladesh. The special team led to the arrest of seven people across the state including three in Chennai. The accused were identified as S Vishnu Kumar, 25, from Virudhunagar, Shanmugam, 35, and his brother Ganesan, 30, from Kovilpatti, Praveen Kumar, 28, from Tirunelveli, B Bhuvaneswar, 36, Maduravoyal and R Nishit Bandari, 32, from Kondithope in Chennai. It all started with a tip off received by the Special team of police, East Zone, Chennai. We got information that a person is delivering Remdesivir medicines in the city based on an order on WhatsApp. We called the man and he demanded Rs 26,000 for a vial and Rs 1.6 lakh for six vials, said Ilayaraja, Sub-Inspector of Police, who led the special team. S Vishnu Kumar was working as a pharmacist in a private hospital on the Vandalur-Kelambakkam Road. Police said Vishnu had asked them to come near the Kandigai bus stop for delivery, from where the team nabbed the man. ALSO READ | Are private hospitals in Chennai over-prescribing Remdesivir against ICMR guidelines? Vishnu had spilled the beans that Shanmugam from Kovilpatti had sent him 10 vials through a private courier agency. While three were already sold, the cops seized seven vials. Based on the information, the Joint Commissioner of Police, East, V Balakrishnan informed DSP (Kovilpatti) Kalaikathiravan. On Thursday night, the Deputy Director of Health Services (Kovilpatti) Anita and DSP Kalaikathiravan raided the pharmacy on Maettukaliyamman Temple Street in Kovilpatti. Shanmugam and his brother Ganesan were arrested and 42 vials were seized from them. During interrogation, Shanmugam had said that Praveen Kumar from Tirunelveli had sent him the vials. The information was conveyed to the Tirunelveli police who arrested Praveen Kumar and seized four vials from him. The Tirunelveli Police found that Praveen Kumar had got the supply from one Medistar Health Care Ltd., a pharma company in Maduravoyal. On Friday morning, the city police nabbed company owner Bhuvaneswar and found that he had sent the vials through courier service. On further enquiry, they found that Rajasthan native R Nishit Bhandari, who owns a wholesale distribution unit in Kondithope, had sent the vials to Bhuvaneswar. The police also seized seven vials from Nishit Bandari and 145 vials from Bhuvaneswar and arrested them. Nishit Bandari had received the vials from another pharma company in Hyderabad who had imported them from Bangladesh. V Balakrishnan, the Joint Commissioner of Police, East Zone, said that they have sent the vials to the lab to ascertain if they are original. All the seven men have been arrested and remanded in judicial custody. Omjasvin MD By Express News Service CHENNAI: Standing up to the challenge, final year MBBS students will join the fight against COVID-19 in Chennai from Saturday. This is the first time MBBS students are being recruited for COVID-19 duty in Tamil Nadu. The Chennai Corporation had announced the recruitment of 300 students as trainee medical officers. Corporation Commissioner Gagandeep Singh Bedi said more than 135 students came forward on Friday and will take charge. The roles of these students will primarily be tele-counseling and data entry, but they may also be used in hospital duty and training. Their monthly salary is Rs 40,000 and they will be on duty for three months. In an orientation programme held at the Ripon Buildings on Friday, Chennai Corporation Commissioner Gagandeep Singh Bedi told the students that they will work in two shifts, one from 8 am to 3 pm, and the second shift from 3 pm to 10 pm. ALSO READ: Long queues for hospital beds now a common sight in Chennai "I urge you all to be mentally prepared for the COVID-19 duty. You are all doctors now," he told them, pointing out that it was the first time a civic body had reached out to students for COVID-19 work. About 150 students had come along with their parents to the counseling sessions. Dr Alby John, Deputy Commissioner, Health, Chennai Corporation, during the training session, said that the students will have to make calls to patients in home quarantine and enquire about their SPO2 levels, medicine status and comorbidities, among other things. He said that the student-doctors will be posted in the tele-counseling centres at each of the 15 zones and it was their task to ensure a patient gets a bed. "You have to ensure the patient gets a bed. If O2 levels are less than 90, you should arrange ambulances and refer them to COVID-19 hospitals," he told the students. The students will also ensure that garbage collection and food distribution to positive patients happen regularly. "Sometimes, the field staff may not do their roles of collecting garbage and giving food. So, if a patient raises a complaint to you, pull the staff up and inform the authorities. Ensure the services reach the patient," the Corporation Commissioner told the student. The students were also taught about the basic symptoms of COVID-19 and were sensitized on how to approach patients. They were told not to ignore even smaller symptoms like a mild fever. "As a doctor, a mild fever might be a small symptom for you but for a patient it is a huge one. So, do not ignore any symptoms they mention and talk to them sensitively," Dr. Alby John told them. The students were also instructed to prescribe ORS Sachet mixed with one litre of water for patients who face dehydration. They were also advised to inform patients about the Chennai Corporation's GCC VIDMED app for 24x7 consultations and the emergency contact numbers of 044-25384520 and 044-46122300. ALSO WATCH: India's COVID situation hugely concerning, says WHO | Expert Talk By Express News Service NEW DELHI: Civil society organisation Save the Children expressed its concern about the growing number of children who lost their parents to Covid-19 in the country. The growing number of pleas to adopt orphaned children circulating on social media which have left them vulnerable to trafficking and abuse, it pointed out. While some children who lost their parents are taken in by relatives or guardians, others were left to fend for themselves, putting them at risk of child trafficking. Save the Children urged people not to share details about orphaned children online, and instead to contact 1098- helpline to protect children from falling prey to child traffickers. In order to prevent illegal adoptions, hospitals have reportedly been told to take declarations from sick parents, to confirm who their children should go to in case of their deaths, the civil society organisation pointed out. The organisation has been receiving around 80 distress calls from children in Rajasthan alone where it runs a helpline with the state commission. The helplines provide psychosocial support and redirect cases of children who need protection to the concerned authorities. Children who lose their caregivers and left to fend for themselves are extremely vulnerable to exploitation and abuse, and were doing everything we can to protect them from falling victim to illegal adoption or trafficking, said Sanjay Sharma, deputy programmes director, Save the Children. By ANI MUMBAI: In the wake of the raging second wave of COVID-19 in India, Yash Raj Films head honcho Aditya Chopra has opened up the kitchen at YRF Studios to provide cooked meals to thousands of frontline workers in Goregaon and also feed people at quarantine centres in Andheri. In 2020, India's biggest production house Yash Raj Films completed 50 glorious years and the 49-year-old film producer had grand plans to celebrate this incredible milestone for the company globally. Chopra had earmarked a big budget for these celebrations that would have become huge talking points. With COVID-19's second wave ravaging the country and shutting down the industry again, the 'Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' director has diverted the entire YRF 50 celebration budget to aid the industry and its daily wage earners. YRF is starting a new initiative that will see their foundation provide cooked meals to thousands of frontline workers in Goregaon and also feed people at quarantine centres in Andheri from the YRF Studios kitchen. This is in addition to all the efforts that the studio has already undertaken for the Hindi film industry. Aditya launched the Yash Chopra Saathi Initiative last week, aimed at providing financial support to thousands of film industry workers. As part of the initiative, the Yash Raj foundation will oversee direct benefit transfers of Rs 5000 to women and senior citizens in the industry as well as distribute ration kits to workers for a family of four for one month through their NGO partner Youth Feed India. Before this, YRF wrote to Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray asking if they could purchase vaccines for the 30,000 registered workers of the film industry. YRF also said it would cover all expenses relating to workers getting the vaccine. A veteran trade source revealed, "YRF will not be celebrating its 50th year even if things return to normalcy later as Aditya Chopra has decided to divert this entire fund for COVID relief work. He is clear that the funds need to be used on an urgent basis to restart the industry first as it has been hit the hardest because of the virus." "There was an extensive blueprint of celebrations planned around the world which would have become massive news but all that stands cancelled. Aditya Chopra only wants to concentrate towards helping the industry and the fraternity that has been a support system to YRF for the last 50 years too," added the source. By PTI MUMBAI: Telugu star Allu Arjun's much-awaited film "Pushpa" is slated to release in two parts, the film's producers have said. The multilingual action-thriller chronicles the red sanders heist in the hills of Andhra and depicts the convoluted nexus that unfurls in the course of the narrative of a man who is taken by avarice. Producers Naveen Yerneni and Y Ravi Shankar of Mythri Movie Makers said the first part of the movie is slated to release on August the 13 with the second installment coming out in 2022. "The storyline and the characters took on lives of their own and grew to a span that required the movie to be released in two parts. "The excitement we witnessed for 'Introduction To Pushpa Raj' was phenomenal and we are determined to take it all to the next level by releasing the film as a duology," Yerneni and Shankar said in a statement on Thursday. The producers said they are blessed to have the top stars, artists and technicians on board for the film and they are looking forward to giving the audience a memorable experience in the theatres through this story. Written and directed by Sukumar of "Arya" fame, the film will be released in Telugu along with Tamil, Hindi, Kannada and Malayalam languages. "Pushpa" will also feature Rashmika Mandanna as the female lead opposite Arjun. The film is being produced by Mythri Movie Makers in association with Muttamsetty Media. By Express News Service HYDERABAD: Owing to the lockdown, when the poor are finding it hard to scrape together a wholesome meal, the Gurudwara Saheb, Secunderabad, has come forward to provide free meals to these deprived sections. GSS president S Baldev Singh Bagga said that the gurudwara is providing free meals along with fruits to the needy in front of the gurudwara premises. We realised that there will be migrant, daily-wage workers who may be facing problems in getting food. So it was decided to prepare food packets and distribute the same to the needy in the afternoon, he stated.Volunteers will go around Secunderabad Railway Station, and nearby places to distribute packets, Baldev Singh said. By PTI NEW DELHI: Amid demands by states for increasing vaccine quota, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Thursday said such calls arouse "narrow political passion among the masses which harm the whole-of-government approach to tackle the pandemic". He made these remarks during his interaction with health ministers and principal secretaries or additional chief secretaries of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, and Delhi. On the common demand from several health ministers to increase the quota of vaccines for their states, Vardhan explained the factors that have shaped the vaccination policy, the health ministry said in a statement. "88 per cent of the fatalities were in the age group of 45+ which prompted us to open the vaccination to that group in a gradual manner. However, states depending on their own situation can opt for vaccination of other age groups through direct procurement now. ALSO WATCH: The lack of availability of a second dose has been taken into consideration when guidelines for reserving 70 per cent of vaccines were framed," he was quoted as saying. He also informed about the monthly production capacity of the vaccines and reassured the states that vaccines will be distributed equitably. Production capacity is being steadily ramped up and will touch 8 crore doses by May and 9 crore by June, the statement said. "He stated that this demand for more vaccines from state leadership arouses narrow political passion among the masses which harms the 'whole-of-government' approach to tackle the pandemic. The state health ministers requested for the formation of a common policy of procurement of vaccines from foreign manufacturers," the statement said. Vardhan said that under the Liberalised Pricing and Accelerated National COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy, along with free vaccination under government channel, states can use the non-government channel to have a holistic vaccination coverage of their population. Every month, 50 per vent of the vaccine doses of every manufacturer would be available for direct procurement by the state governments and private hospitals while the Centre would continue to procure its share of 50 per cent of the vaccines and continue to make it available to the states totally free of cost as was being done earlier. He also pointed out that various measures are being taken by the Centre to enhance vaccine availability in the country. Vaccines for COVID-19 have been developed and are being manufactured in foreign countries. Emergency approval for restricted use by USFDA, EMA, UK MHRA, PMDA Japan or listed in WHO (Emergency Use Listing) may be granted emergency use approval in India. During the meeting, Vardhan also noted that the B.1.617 variant of SARS-CoV-2 has contributed to the rise of cases in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Delhi and advised all the states to regularly send samples to INSACOG labs for tracking of emerging variants of the virus. He suggested steps taken by the experts to curb the spread, adding "the strategy remains the same irrespective of the variants". He also stressed on the continued need to follow COVID appropriate behaviour along with renewed and stringent focus on containment measures for addressing the present surge, the health ministry statement said. Vardhan advised the states to have a long-term planning to tackle COVID-19. Many states have been fighting the pandemic for more than a year which has gradually exhausted the medical workforce and the public health machinery, the statement said. The minister suggested that states take a pro-active role in ensuring the rotation of workforce and their regular counselling regarding their duty. Health ministers of Maharashtra (Rajesh Tope), Karnataka (K Sudhakar), Kerala (K Shailaja), Tamil Nadu (M Subramanian), Rajasthan (Raghu Sharma) and Delhi (Satyendra Jain) virtually attended the meeting, the statement said. Dr Sujeet K Singh, Director NCDC, presented the epidemiological findings and a granular analysis of the COVID trajectory in the states. He pointed out that the apparent shift of COVID-19 towards lower age groups is driven by the fact that higher age groups have been vaccinated in considerable proportion by now. He suggested ramping up of testing and vaccination in peri-urban areas as the spread is now going to peri-urban and rural places. He cautioned against the spread of the infection to the rural areas, as the health infrastructure in the rural regions of the country is not adequately equipped to deal with the rising number of cases, the statement said. He also urged the states to send samples for genome sequencing to identify the role of variants in severity and transmission, it stated. Vardhan said "although in the last 24 hours, 3.62 lakh new cases were registered, a net decline of 6,426 cases was recorded in the active caseload. At the moment we have over 37,10,525 active cases. Unfortunately we have lost 4,120 lives in the last 24 hours." Detailing on the performance of states, he noted that Maharashtra continuously struggling from COVID-19 second wave since January although the decline of cases in Mumbai and Pune is significant. At the beginning, only few districts of Vidarbha region were a matter of concern in January. However, now 30 districts are affected including Kolhapur, Satara and Beed registering high transmission rate. Similarly, Ajmer, Jodhpur and Bhilwara in Rajasthan, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Mallapuram, Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, Bengaluru (Urban), Mysuru, Bellary, Tumkur in Karnataka, Chennai, Coimbatore, Chengalpattu, Madurai, Thiruvallur in Tamil Nadu were also flagged as districts of concern, the statement said. While Bengaluru contributes nearly half the active cases in Karnataka, in Madurai 1.48 per cent and in Chennai 1.32 per cent case fatality rate is higher than that of the state and the country. By PTI CHANDIGARH: A 23-year-old woman was gang-raped in Haryana's Palwal after one of the accused allegedly lured her to a secluded area in the district, police said on Friday. In her complaint given to the Palwal police on May 12, the victim has named 20 to 22 people as accused who were involved in the incident. A police official said the woman's family, which belongs to Dehradun in Uttarakhand, was presently settled in Uttar Pradesh. The woman has been living in Delhi's Badarpur area bordering Haryana for some time, SHO of Hassanpur police station in Palwal, Sub-Inspector Rajesh said over the phone. The SHO said the key accused, who has been arrested, had befriended her over a social networking site and promised to marry her. On May 3, she came to Hodal to meet him. The accused and the victim had food and drinks, Rajesh said, adding that he later took her to a village tubewell where some other accused joined them. Later, according to the woman's allegations, she was abducted and taken to a nearby jungle area and gang-raped. The accused later took her to Badarpur the next morning and left her there. The SHO said she later contacted a lawyer and registered the complaint nine days after the incident. "We have arrested the main accused. Efforts are on to nab others involved. An FIR has already been lodged and further investigations were under progress," Rajesh said. The police officer said they tried to contact the woman's parents after the incident. "But the woman said she was not on talking terms with them and they should not be told about the incident," he said. By PTI PUNE: Around 270 cases of Mucormycosis, a rare but dangerous fungal infection, have been reported so far in Pune district, prompting a government task force to come up with a set of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for patient management in hospitals, officials said on Friday. Symptoms of Mucormycosis, also known as black fungus, include headache, fever, pain under the eyes, nasal or sinus congestion and partial loss of vision. It affects the sinuses, the brain and the lungs and can be life-threatening in people who are diabetic or have suppressed immunity. Mucormycosis, whose treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach, has come in focus during the pandemic as it has been detected in some recovering and recovered coronavirus patients. ALSO READ | Amid COVID-19, black fungus presents new menace for Maharashtra as 52 die so far due to fungal infection Saurabh Rao, Divisional Commissioner, Pune division, said so far around 270 cases have been reported in various hospitals in the district. "Our divisional task force member Dr Bharat Purandare has come up with a detailed SOPs for management of Mucormycosis. The SOPs have been vetted by the task force," he said. "The SOPs have been issued to all hospitals in the state. We have asked hospitals to follow the guidelines mentioned in the SOPs," the IAS officer said. The SOPs contain details about clinical management, treatment protocols, patient management, surgical intervention and medication, Rao said. Asked about fatality rate among Mucormycosis patients in Pune district, the senior bureaucrat said they are collating data in this regard. "It is a rare fungal infection. Before COVID-19 also, we used to see such cases, but their number was very low. During the first wave of COVID-19, we came across hardly four to five cases." "But during the second wave of COVID-19, we are seeing quite a number of cases, said Dr Abhishek Ghosh, a microvascular reconstructive surgeon at Noble Hospital. He said so far around 40 cases of Mucormycosis have been reported in his hospital. "For a rare disease like Mucormycosis, the number is very big," said Dr Ghosh. It is more common in patients who are diabetic and whose sugar levels are not under control, said Dr Ghosh, adding COVID-19 patients are more susceptible to Mucormycosis due to prolonged steroid use during their treatment. "If the patient reports early, then his/her vision is not lost. Recovery without an orbital exenteration surgery (removal of the eyeball and surrounding tissues) is possible by using anti-fungal drugs," said Dr Ghosh. ALSO WATCH: However, if the infection is severe and the patient reports late, there is no option but to remove the eye completely to get rid of the fungus, he said. He said they performed an orbital exenteration surgery on a 28-year-old man, who had a severe infection. "We performed the surgery on the same day he was admitted to the hospital and removed his one eye and treated the infection. Post-surgery, he was put on anti-fungal drugs for the next 3 to 4 weeks," Dr Ghosh said. "Yes, there is trauma as he has lost one eye but at the same time, the person is happy that his life was saved," he said. A 48-year-old resident of Baramati tehsil, who was infected with Mucormycosis after recovering from a bout of COVID-19, has lost one eye, but considers himself lucky to have survived the deadly infection caused by black fungus. He underwent a surgery in which his left eye was removed. "Though I have lost my left eye, I consider myself lucky as my life is saved after the surgery," he said. By PTI MUMBAI: As many as 52 people have died due to Mucormycosis, a rare but dangerous fungal infection, in Maharashtra since the COVID-19 outbreak last year, a senior health department official said on Friday. Mucormycosis, also known as black fungus, became a much talked about subject after some recovering and recovered coronavirus patients were found infected with the disease, whose symptoms include headache, fever, pain under the eyes, nasal or sinus congestion and partial loss of vision. As many as 52 people in Maharashtra have died due to the Mucormycosis disease since the COVID-19 outbreak last year. All of them were COVID-19 survivors, but succumbed to the black fungus infection, the official told PTI. For the first time, the state health department has compiled a list of deaths caused by black fungus," said the official who spoke on condition of anonymity. On Wednesday, Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope had said there were 1,500 cases of black fungus in the state, which is in the throes of a severe second wave of COVID-19. Rising Mucormycosis cases, whose treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach, is expected to put a further burden on the state's healthcare infrastructure which is already under a strain. The state will float a tender to procure one lakh Amphotericin-B anti-fungal injections to treat Mucormycosis patients, Tope had said a couple of days back. ALSO WATCH: Blindness due to fungal infections rising in second COVID-19 wave Mucormycosis has a very high fatality rate and this has increased the woes of the health department which has deployed all its resources to combat COVID-19. ALSO READ | Maharashtra requests Centre float common global tender for vaccines, cut down prices of black fungus medicines Mucormycosis was not a notified disease like malaria and hence its cases were not mapped and a database was not prepared, the official said. With the rise in COVID-19 cases and preliminary reports of growing infection of black fungus, the state started creating a database. This exercise revealed that so far 52 people have died due to the black fungus infection, the official said. All the 52 patients died after the coronavirus infection spread in the country. However, very few deaths took place in 2020 in Maharashtra. A sizeable number of deaths have taken place in the current calendar year, he said. As per health experts, Mucormycosis is mostly found among COVID-19 patients who have diabetes, fluctuation in sugar level or increased iron level in the blood. Tope has said patients with suppressed immune system and co-morbidities are vulnerable to contract the disease. As part of a contingency plan to treat Mucormycosis patients, the state government has decided to set up separate wards for them at hospitals attached to 18 medical colleges. The treatment requires multidisciplinary expertise because the fungal infection spreads through the nose, eyes and can reach the brain, Tope has said. The Maharashtra government has already admitted that at least eight patients in the state have lost vision in one eye due to Mucormycosis. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: The Line of Control between India and Pakistan saw a pleasant change on Thursday with the soldiers of both India and Pakistan exchanging sweets and pleasantries on the occasion of Eid. The soldiers met at multiple points in different districts of Jammu and Kashmir. It is being said that this show of bonhomie and harmony will help create an atmosphere of trust on both sides. On the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, the tradition of exchanging sweets between India and Pakistan on major festivals like Eid, Holi, Diwali and respective National days was revived and meetings were held at the Tithwal crossing on Kishanganga River in Tangdhar, Kupwara & Kaman Aman Setu in Uri to exchange sweets and pleasantries, the Indian Army said in a statement. Indian Army and Pakistan Army celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr on the Line of Control (LoC) at Poonch-Rawalakot Crossing Point and Mendhar-Hotspring Crossing Point in Poonch district, the Army statement said. The ceremony is seen as a confidence-building measure, in the backdrop of the recently agreed ceasefire. The gesture was appreciated by both the Armies and is expected to promote goodwill and mutual trust. The two countries agreed to strict observance of ceasefire along the Line of Control and other sectors with effect from February 25. By PTI PUNE: Biovet Pvt Ltd, an associate firm of Bharat Biotech, is confident of making a plant at Manjari in Pune "fully functional" for vaccine production by August- end, a senior administrative official has said. Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech is the manufacturer of Covaxin, one of the two vaccines being used in the nationwide COVID-19 inoculation drive. Pune divisional commissioner Saurabh Rao and district collector Rajesh Deshmukh visited the plant on Wednesday. The Bombay High Court recently permitted Biovet to take possession of a ready-to-use vaccine manufacturing plant, built on a 12-hectare plot at Manjari in Pune, to produce Covaxin. "The plant has a ready infrastructure. Another strength of the company is that it is very competent and has a dedicated team. I do not think there is any need to create any infrastructure to start production. Everything is in place," Rao told PTI on Thursday. Biovet officials, however, are still assessing the infrastructure available at the plant, he said. "Since vaccine manufacturing is a very sophisticated and sensitive subject and the process is absolutely scientific, they can not take any chance. "So they are assessing the entire manufacturing line and other machinery," the commissioner added. Biovet officials have promised that within a week, they would be able to complete assessment of the facility, he said. "With the kind of encouragement and support the firm is getting from the Centre and the Maharashtra government about licencing, permissions, regulatory decisions, etc, they are confident of making the plant fully functional by the end of August and roll out the first batch of the vaccine," Rao said. ALSO READ | Centre says open to facilitate Covaxin tech transfer to ramp up production Recently, the High Court permitted Biovet to take possession of the vaccine manufacturing plant. The HC gave the nod while hearing an application filed by Karnataka-based Biovet, seeking direction to the Maharashtra government to hand over possession of the unit. The HC had said that considering the COVID-19 situation, the authorities concerned should hand over the facility to Biovet. The plant was earlier used by Intervet India Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of Merck & Co, a US-based multinational pharma company, after land was granted to it in 1973 to manufacture vaccine for foot and mouth disease. Intervet is exiting business operations in India and entered into an agreement with Biovet to transfer the land and manufacturing unit to the latter. the central government on Thursday said it will provide all possible assistance to all companies willing to manufacture the vaccine to ramp up the supply. It, however, flagged the non-availability of a sophisticated laboratory with most vaccine makers that is necessary to produce the indigenously developed Covaxin jab. The Centre also rejected Delhi government's claim that Covaxin maker Bharat Biotech has refused to provide "additional" vaccine doses to the Delhi government, saying the national capital has received over 15 lakh doses of the vaccine and its role is to facilitate the states. On Tuesday, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had alleged the Covaxin manufacturer in a letter said it cannot provide the Delhi government vaccines due to unavailability, under instruction of government officials concerned. "It means that the central government is controlling supply of the vaccine," Sisodia, who is a senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, had said. ALSO READ | DCGI approves Phase two, three clinical trials of COVAXIN on children aged two to 18 years Addressing a briefing of the Union Health Ministry, Niti Aayog Member (Health), V K Paul said Government of India's role is to facilitate. "We refute (the charge) that there is any pressure on anybody not to supply to any particular state," he said, adding that such charges affect the morale of vaccine manufacturers. "It is because of them that we are in the position of not asking others (countries for vaccines)," Paul said. He said Bharat Biotech is also ramping up its capacity and has already roped in three public sector undertakings. Earlier, Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the Centre should share the vaccine formula of Covaxin and Covishield with other capable pharmaceutical companies to scale up production in the country. On increasing production of Covaxin, Paul said Bharat Biotech has already welcomed the move of ramping up production of doses by involving other players. "They also reached out and under this initiative, our PSUs have been connected to this process," he said. Last month, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), under Mission COVID Suraksha, spelt out a plan to ramp up production of Covaxin and double it by May-June by roping in three public sector companies (PSUs). The PSUs are Haffkine Biopharmaceutical Corporation Ltd, Mumbai, a PSU under the Maharashtra government; Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL), Hyderabad, a facility under National Dairy Development Board; and Bharat Immunologicals and Biologicals Limited, Bulandshahr, a PSU of the Department of Biotechnology, to increase the capacity of vaccine production. "The current production capacity of indigenously developed Covaxin will be doubled by May-June 2021 and then increased nearly 6-7 fold by July-August 2021, i.e.increasing the production from 1 crore vaccine doses in April 2021 to 6-7 crore vaccine dose/month in July-August. It is expected to reach nearly 10 crore doses per month by September 2021," the DBT had said. Reacting to this, Kejriwal on Thursday tweeted, "A very welcome step by central government. It will help in ramping up production." "I also urge the Centre to directly procure vaccines from foreign companies rather than each state bidding against each other in international market," he tweeted. Giving details about Covaxin, Paul said that it is made by inactivating a live virus. "This happens only in the BSL3 (Biosafety Laboratory-3) laboratory which is very sophisticated. Such laboratories are mostly not there in other companies. It is not something that every company has. Those companies who want to do this, we give an open invitation and we have already reached out from our side to make it together," he said. ALSO READ | Out of Covaxin, Delhi government urges SII to 'come to rescue' and provide Covishield "Still our request is, those who want to make this vaccine, the government will provide full assistance to ramp up the capacity," Paul said. During the briefing, Paul said that 75,000 Covaxin doses have been given to Delhi in May. "In January-May, 13,91,000 Covaxin doses were received by Delhi. The state has procured 1 lakh doses, while private (institutions) have got 20,000 doses," he said. According to the vaccine bulletin issued by the Delhi government, the Centre has provided 13,91,000 doses of vaccine to the Delhi government and it has procured 1,50,000 doses from Bharat Biotech. So far, it has received 43,20,490 doses of Covishield and Covaxin. Following the allegations levelled by the Delhi government, Joint Secretary in the Union Health Ministry Lav Agarwal had denied that the Centre had any role to play in the purchase of vaccines by states. Bharat Biotech on Wednesday had said it is quite disheartening to listen to some states complaining about the company's intentions regarding supply of Covaxin. The government on Thursday dismissed as "completely baseless and factually incorrect" reports in a section of media followed by some tweets alleging delay in licensing for Covaxin and delayed approval for technology transfer for manufacturing the vaccine in the country. The Union government is consistently and pro-actively working to secure and enhance the availability of vaccines, the Health Ministry said, adding that Government of India is pro-actively engaging with foreign vaccine manufacturers like Moderna, Pfizer to apply for emergency use authorisation in India so that these vaccines can be easily imported and made available in the country. Simultaneously, Government of India, along with other like-minded countries, is also stressing on IPR waiver for COVID-19 vaccines. These two interventions, taken in conjunction, will ensure easy availability of vaccines not only in India but globally too, the ministry said in its statement. "There have been reports in a section of the media followed by some uninformed tweets alleging delay in licensing for Covaxin and delayed approval for technology transfer for manufacturing Covaxin vaccine in the country. ALSO READ | 50 Bharat Biotech employees test COVID positive; joint MD's tweet draws bouquets and brickbats "These news reports and the content mentioned in the tweet are completely baseless and factually incorrect," the ministry said in its statement. Government of India, in its new liberalised strategy, has made specific provisions that vaccines which have been developed and are being manufactured in foreign countries and which have been granted emergency use authorization by National Regulators of United States, European Medicine Agency (EU), United kingdom, Japan or which are listed in WHO (Emergency Use Listing), will be granted emergency use approval in India, the statement said. It also provides for post-approval parallel bridging clinical trial in place of conduct of prior local clinical trial as per the provisions prescribed under Second Schedule of the New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules 2019. "This is a radical departure from past allowing rapid and simplified authorisation of foreign vaccines by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI)," the ministry stated. This will ease and facilitate the import of COVID-19 vaccines and ensure increased availability of COVID-19 vaccines in India. The new Liberalized Pricing and Accelerated National COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy aims at liberalised vaccine pricing and scaling up of vaccine coverage to incentivise vaccine manufacturers to rapidly augment their production and to attract new vaccine manufacturers. It would make pricing, procurement and administration of vaccines more flexible and ensure increased vaccine production as well as wider availability of vaccines in the country, the statement said. Government of India, as part of its policy to augment the domestic production of COVID-19 vaccine, has pro-actively encouraged Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) as well as private companies to enter into technology transfer agreements with Indian vaccine manufacturers. Two central government PSUs, namely, Indian Immunologicals Ltd (IIL) and BIBCOL have entered into a technology transfer agreement with Bharat Biotech. In addition, one state government undertaking, namely, Haffkine Institute, has also entered into a technology transfer agreement with Bharat Biotech, the statement said. All these technology transfer agreements have been actively promoted and assisted by Government of India. The Union government has also extended substantial financial assistance to all the above three undertakings. As a result of this pro-active intervention of the central government, Indian Immunologicals Limited will be in a position to start production of Covaxin from September 2021, while Haffkine Institute and BIBCOL will start production of Covaxin from November 2021, the statement said. Government of India presently is also engaged in pro-active dialogue with Bharat Biotech and some other PSUs, as well as private companies to execute technology transfer agreements. This would further enhance and augment the production of Covaxin in the country. Under the new policy, 100 per cent doses of imported and ready to use foreign vaccine will be available for other than Government of India channel comprising state governments, private hospitals and hospitals of industrial establishments. The 'Liberalized Pricing and Accelerated National COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy' also incentivises in terms of prices to attract private manufacturers including offshore vaccine manufacturers to enter the country, the statement added. By PTI LUCKNOW: In a bid to stop people from disposing of bodies in rivers, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday ordered patrolling by the SDRF and PAC. The CM's directions have come as a number of bodies were found floating in the Ganga recently, triggering suspicion that the abandoned corpses could be those of COVID-19 patients. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) should patrol rivers and ensure that no bodies are disposed of in rivers, the CM ordered, according to a statement issued here. He said in areas on banks of rivers, committees including village development officers and village heads should be formed to ensure that no one dumps bodies in rivers. "All those who died deserve cremation with respect. The state government has already sanctioned funds for performing the last rites," the CM said. ALSO READ | COVID horror: More bodies found floating, shallow graves along banks of Ganga in UP "No one should be allowed to dispose of bodies in rivers due to religious traditions," the CM added, stressing that if need be, a fine may be imposed at the local level to prevent it. "The rivers get polluted due to bodies of human beings and animals. The government is also running a special campaign for the cleaning of rivers. Home, urban and rural development departments should make a policy to prevent it," he added. The government has been under fire from the opposition over the issue recently. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday demanded a judicial probe headed by High Court judge into it, saying what is happening is inhuman and criminal. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav too had said the UP government must be held accountable for "failing" its people badly. "Bodies found floating in the Ganga are not statistics, they're someone's father, mother, brother and sister. What has transpired shakes you to your core. He had said. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: The International Religious Freedom Report for 2020, prepared by the US State Department and submitted to the US Congress, has expressed concerns about the discrimination and violence faced by religious and ethnic minorities in India. Among the issues discussed were the Muslim communitys concerns about the CAA, difficulties faced by faith-based NGOs in the wake of amendments to the FCRA, and allegations that Muslims spread the Covid-19 virus, the report noted. It further observed that there were reports of religiously motivated killings, assaults, riots, discrimination, vandalism, and actions restricting the right of individuals to practice and speak about their religious beliefs. The report is an annual document submitted to the US Congress that documents major instances of the violation of religious freedom across the world. It was released by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. According to the section of the report that deals with India, US officials including those from the Embassy, during meetings with their Indian counterparts, have stressed on the importance of religious freedom and the responsibility of democracies to ensure the rights of religious minorities. India has consistently dismissed such reports from the US, claiming there is no locus standi for foreign governments to assess the state of its citizens with regard to rights that are guaranteed and protected by the Constitution. Saying that at least 10 of 28 Indian states have laws that restrict religious conversions, the report states that citizens must practice their religion in a way that they do not adversely affect health, morality or public order. Report praises Modis message of brotherhood The report took note of the message of unity and brotherhood by Prime Minister Narendra Modi after members of the Tablighi Jamaat last year were being targeted in the wake of the first wave of Covid-19. Prime Minister Modi tweeted on April 19, COVID-19 does not see race, religion, colour, caste, creed, language or borders before striking. Our response and conduct thereafter should attach primacy to unity and brotherhood, the State Department noted By PTI KOLKATA: As farmers in West Bengal received the first installment of funds under the PM-KISAN scheme on Friday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee hit out at the Centre, accusing it of dilly-dallying over the transfer of funds to beneficiaries in the state. In an open letter to farmers, Banerjee also said the decision to extend the benefits of the scheme to eligible farmers in Bengal was a result of her government's "continuous fight". "In 2018, the West Bengal government had started the Krishak Bandhu scheme that went on to become a model for the entire country. After this in 2019, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi was launched. Comparatively, the state's programme is better because it offers more benefits to farmers....we are planning to add incentives to our scheme in the near future," she said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday released the eighth installment of over Rs 20,000 crore to more than 9.5 crore farmer beneficiaries under the scheme via video- conferencing. Under the programme launched in 2019, the central government is providing Rs 6,000 in three equal installments to 14 crore farmers annually. The amount is transferred into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries through the direct benefit transfer (DBT) mode. Banerjee had on May 6 written to Modi, urging him to call upon the Union agriculture ministry to release the funds to farmers of the state. "You all were supposed to get Rs 18,000, but have received a very small amount. Even this sum would not have been transferred had we not fought for it. We will continue this fight till you get the entire allocation," the CM asserted. Around 7.55 lakh farmers of the 41 lakh who had registered for the scheme till early May were found to be eligible to receive the funds, sources said. The state government had earlier raised objections over the mode of payment, among other issues, of the central scheme. The Krishak Bandhu scheme provides farmers with one or more acres of landholding an annual amount of Rs 5,000 (minimum Rs 2,000 per annum assistance on pro-rata basis). By Express News Service NEW DELHI: A total of 191.99 lakh doses of COVID-19 vaccines--Covishield and Covaxin--will be supplied to states/UTs free of cost from May 16 to May 31, the Union health ministry said on Friday. The delivery schedule for the allocation will be shared in advance. States/UTs have been requested to direct the officials concerned to ensure rational and judicious utilisation of allocated doses and minimise vaccine wastage, it said. The 191.99 lakh doses include 162.5 lakh Covishield doses and 29.49 lakh Covaxin doses. ALSO READ | Dr Reddy's launches Sputnik V jabs in India at around Rs 995 per dose "The basic objective behind informing the states and UTs in advance of the quantum of free vaccine doses to be made available from Government of India for 15 days is to ensure that they prepare effective plans for judicious and optimum utilisation of these free vaccine doses which are meant for the age group of 45 and above, and for healthcare and frontline workers," the ministry said. In the previous fortnight, that is 1 May-May 15, 2021, a total quantum of more than 1.7 crore vaccine doses has been made available by the Centre to states/UTs, free of charge. In addition, more than 4.39 crore doses were made available for direct procurement by the states as well as private hospitals in the month of May, the ministry said. The cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country is nearly 18 crore (17.93 crore as per the 7 am provisional report on Friday). The COVID-19 vaccination drive has successfully completed 118 days wherein 17.93 crore doses have been administered to identified beneficiaries through collaborative efforts of all states and UTs. India is the fastest country globally to reach the 17 crore target in 114 days. The US took 115 days and China took 119 days to administer the same amount of doses. ALSO WATCH: The 'Liberalised Pricing and Accelerated National COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy' is being implemented from May 1 2021 wherein 50 per cent of the available doses are earmarked for supply to states and UTs, as free of cost supply from Government of India channel, while the remaining 50 per cent is available for direct procurement from the vaccine manufacturers by states and UTs and private hospitals. The allocation of Centre's supplies to states/UTs is decided on the consumption pattern and beneficiary load for second doses during the upcoming fortnight, the ministry stated. Sumi Sukanya Dutta By Express News Service NEW DELHI: A day after Centre's pledge that over 2 billion doses of Covid vaccines will be available in India during the last five months this year, experts expressed scepticism over the projected numbers saying they look impractical, if not impossible. The country as of now produces just 2.3 million doses of Covid vaccine daily, but the figures projected by the government suggest that this will rise by 6-fold between August-December. In a press briefing on Thursday, V K Paul, member, Niti Aayog, who also heads the National Covid task force said that 2.16 billion doses of Covid vaccines are set to be available in the country between August-December, enough to cover nearly 95 crore of Indias adult population. The projected doses include 75 crore doses of Covishield, 55 crore doses of Covaxin and 15.6 crore doses of Sputnik V whose local production will begin from July. The estimates also included 30 crore doses of Covid vaccine by BioE, 5 crore doses of Zydus Cadila vaccine, 20 crore doses of vaccine by Serum Institute of India-Novavax, 10 crore doses of Bharat Biotech-Washington Universitys nasal vaccine and 6 crore doses of Gennova vaccineall of which are still under various phases of clinical trials. Those who have tracked Covid vaccine developments over the years, however, have a major concern -- how can the production be ramped up so quickly? It is a very ambitious target and I would be happily surprised if thats achievedbut I am now sure how that is going to happen, said microbiologist and immunologist Sudhanshu Vrati. According to R Ramakumar, an economist with Tata Institute of Social Sciences, as per the projections, SII will have to raise the production of Covishield to nearly 3 times per day to meet the target. ALSO READ | Centre says open to facilitate Covaxin tech transfer to ramp up production SII is already struggling to meet the promise of 3.3 million doses of Covishield per day by July. How are they going to make 6.4 million doses per day by December?, he asked. To meet the target of 55 crore doses of Covaxin in 5 months, its 3.7 million doses will have to be produced per day, Ramakumar also pointed out, adding that how is that possible given that the three undertakings that the government has tied up with for its production, will not start producing before 8-12 months. Vrati said, given that the undertakings roped in include BIBCOL, a firm which has no experience of vaccine manufacturing, it may take 36, not 6 months, before it can start shelling out the vaccine. ALSO WATCH: India's COVID situation hugely concerning, says WHO | Expert Talk "Even if the work starts on war footing now to create biosafety level 3 labs in these companies, required for Covaxin production, it may take at least 6 months for the vaccine batches to roll out from these plants," he said. But it's not only the experts who are raising doubts. The Union government, in an affidavit to the Supreme Court last week, had said that Covaxin production per day will rise from 0.3 million doses to 3.3 million "in the next 8-10 months". And it's not only these two vaccines whose capacity escalation appear to be difficult, most others -- projected to be available in abundance -- are yet to even prove their efficacy. These vaccine candidates first need to show trial results and get regulatory approvals based on evidence, said K Srinath Reddy, president of the Public Health Foundation of India. On being asked whether the promise of enough vaccines for all by year end looks feasible, Reddy added: The government must have had a discussion with manufacturers before coming up with the projections, so we will have to wait and see." By PTI CHANDIGARH: With the coronavirus pandemic spreading rapidly in rural areas, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Friday urged villagers to only allow COVID-negative people to enter their villages. During a Facebook Live telecast, Singh called for the implementation of strict measures to check the spread of the viral disease in the rural areas over the next two months, which, he said, would be "extremely crucial". "Now the rural areas are seeing a surge in (COVID-19) cases, so we need to be very careful," the chief minister said. "Don't allow (unwell) people to enter (villages). Ask them to bring a (COVID-negative) certificate from the doctor," he said. Singh asked villagers to conduct 'thikri pehra', wherein a few villagers, especially youths, form teams to guard village boundaries to prevent the entry of all outsiders except those providing essential services or government officials. Exhorting people to "save your neighbourhoods and villages to save yourself, your families and Punjab," he stressed that one should visit a doctor as soon as they notice the first symptoms of COVID-19. "We have teams of doctors everywhere, approach them if you feel unwell," Singh said. Noting that there are three stages of the disease, he said the first can be managed at home. "Let the doctor decide the course of treatment, don't get into diagnosis and self-medication," he added. Singh said, "I fail to understand why we are harming the interests of the state and your families in this manner. We do not want Punjab to go the way of Delhi and Maharashtra, which have experienced unprecedented problems amid the second COVID wave. " Urging people to help his government protect Punjab against COVID-19, he said the disease is wreaking havoc all over the world and even the most advanced countries are not immune to it. As of Thursday, Punjab had recorded 4,75,949 COVID-19 cases and 11,297 deaths, according to a medical bulletin. The chief minister expressed happiness over the seamless completion of wheat procurement despite the challenges posed by the pandemic and lauded the state's farmers for this achievement. As against 129 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of wheat procured last year, 132 lakh MT has been procured this year. This has resulted in earnings to the tune of Rs 26,000 crore for the farmers as against Rs 24,600 crore last year, Singh said. By PTI MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Friday urged the sugar cooperative industry to produce oxygen, much needed for hospitals treating COVID-19 patients. He was speaking after attending the virtual inauguration of an oxygen production plant of Dharashiv Sugar Cooperative in Osmanabad district. The sugar cooperative is the first in the state to start oxygen production, an official release said. Thackeray said the state needs to become self- sufficient in oxygen production to beat the second wave of COVID-19. "Our production capacity is 1,200 metric tons (per day)while the demand is 1,700 metric tons. If we produce 3,000 metric tons of oxygen, we will be self-sufficient," he was quoted as saying. Municipal corporations are trying to ramp up their oxygen production and sugar cooperatives should also follow the suit, he said. Union minister Nitin Gadkari, who also participated in thr virtual function, said having their own oxygen plants should be made mandatory for hospitals with more than 50 beds. Every district must be able to meet its oxygen requirement from within the same district, he suggested. The Dharashiv sugar cooperative has converted its ethanol project into oxygen plant which would be producing six tons of oxygen with 96 per cent purity daily. By PTI SHIMLA: The vaccination drive against COVID-19 for the 18-44 age group will begin in Himachal Pradesh from May 17, a health official said on Friday. The state recently received 1,07,620 doses of Covishield vaccine from the Serum Institute of India, Pune for this category, Special Health Secretary Nipun Jindal said. Vaccination for the 18-44 age group will be given only on Mondays and Thursdays, and slots will be visible on the COWIN portal two days prior to each scheduled session, he said. The state has already placed an order for more vaccines for this age group, Jindal added. All the eligible persons will have to register themselves and schedule their appointment for vaccination on the COWIN portal, he added. The health official said the available slots will be visible on the COWIN portal from May 15. HRTC conductors and drivers, fuel pump operators, PDS depot holders, teachers on COVID duty, banks and financial services, chemists, staff of Lok Mitra Kendra, employees in childcare institutions under the WCD department and the workers of pharma industry who are engaged in manufacturing process have now been declared as prioritised group for the anti-coronavirus vaccination, he added. These persons should get themselves certified from the departments concerned and they can avail vaccination in the priority group, he added. Meanwhile, a total of 21,08,857 people in the state have already been vaccinated till May 13. While 16,89,496 persons have been given the first dose, 4,19,361 persons have been administered the second dose. Of them, 81,822 healthcare workers got the first dose, while 68,608 HCWs were administered the second dose. Similarly, 53,761 frontline workers got the first dose, while 41,322 FLWs administered the second dose. In the same way, 8,61,509 persons between 45 and 60 years of age were administered the first dose while 63,939 got the second dose. Besides, 6,92,404 persons above 60 years were given the first dose, while 2,45,492 got the second dose. The COVID-19 death toll in Himachal Pradesh rose to 2,118 on Thursday with 63 more fatalities, while 4,937 new cases pushed the tally to 1,50,673, a senior official said. According to data updated till 7 pm, the number of active cases in the state stands at 40,008. The total recoveries in the state have risen to 1,08,503 with 3,817 more people recovering, the official said. By Express News Service LUCKNOW: Amid dead bodies being found floating in the Ganga in eastern UP districts, shallow graves have also been reported on the banks of the river in central parts of the state even as the Yogi Adityanath government maintains that Covid-19 cases and positivity rate in the state are declining. A few days after reports emerged about dozens of bodies found floating on the banks of the Ganga in eastern districts of Ghazipur, Ballia and Chandauli, at least seven bodies were found on Thursday floating in the river near Sujabad village in Prime Minister Narendra Modis parliamentary constituency Varanasi. Ved Prakash Rai, SHO of the Ramnagar police station of Varanasi district, said: There were seven bodies, many of which were partially decomposed, which were found floating near Sujabad village. All these bodies were retrieved and buried safely as per safety protocol. Meanwhile, sources said in Ghazipur, Ballia and Chandauli districts of east UP, dozens of bodies have been found floating in the Ganga along the UP-Bihar border in the last few days. Ballia district magistrate Aditi Singh said: Village pradhans of nearby villages failed to identify the bodies since these were badly decomposed. The last rites of the bodies were performed by following safety protocols. The local SDM is looking into the matter. Around 450 km away in central UPs Unnao district, dozens of shallow graves have been found. Videos of stray dogs invading and digging these graves have gone viral. Unnao collector Ravindra Kumar said the graves found at Buxar Ghat (Bighapur) are located in Unnao, but are very close to Rae Bareli and Fatehpur district also. "After the matter came to the light, a sub-divisional magistrate was sent to the spot for the probe. He will submit his report," Unnao District Magistrate Ravindra Kumar said. He said the Baksar ghat is on the border of many districts including Raebareli, Fatehpur and Unnao and people go there for the cremation of bodies. "We will take appropriate action after seeing the situation. Directives have been issued that such situation does not arise," the DM said when asked about the alleged burial of bodies on the ghat. SDM Dayashankar Pathak, who visited the Baksar ghat of the river with the circle officer, said they did not find any dead body out in the open. On the exact number of bodies buried on the riverbank, the SDM said he was not aware of the number. People living near the riverbank on Thursday said no dead body was allowed to be buried and all the bodies being brought to the Ghat are being cremated. Meanwhile, the state on Thursday recorded 17,775 fresh COVID-19 cases that pushed the infection count to 15,80,980, while 281 new fatalities took the death toll to 16,646 in the state, officials said. The number of active cases in the state has come down by over 1.06 lakh in the past 12 days, Additional Chief Secretary, Health, Amit Mohan Prasad said. The COVID-19 recovery rate now stands at 86 per cent in Uttar Pradesh, he said. On April 30, there were about 3.10 lakh active cases, and the number currently stands at 2,04,658, the official said. With this, the total number of patients in the state who have recovered from the infection has risen to 13,59,676, Prasad said. In the past 24 hours, while the state reported 17,775 fresh cases, 19,425 people recovered from the disease, he said. Among the fresh deaths, the maximum of 35 were reported from Lucknow, 16 each from Kanpur and Ghaziabad, 12 from Bahraich, 15 from Meerut, 10 each from Mahoba, Jhansi and Ghazipur, nine from Gorakhpur besides other cities, a health bulletin issued here said. As far as fresh cases are concerned, the maximum of 1,070 cases were reported from Meerut, 856 from Lucknow, 775 from Gorakhpur and 772 from Varanasi, it said. So far, over 4.39 crore samples have been tested in the state and it includes more than 2.53 lakh samples tested on Wednesday, Prasad said. Of the fresh cases, 1,45,108 are in home isolation, he added. (With PTI Inputs) Ejaz Kaiser By Express News Service RAIPUR: April 28 was usual in its sameness and grim in its foreboding: A Covid-induced lockdown had forced most residents of Chhattisgarhs capital indoors. Pankaj (5) and Mohan (8) (names changed) were playing with other kids near their one-room rented home in the Kushabhau Thakre area. The kids were told their father was unwell and taken to hospital. Four days later, their mother was admitted to the same hospital. On May 4, their parents died. The kids were not told of the tragedy. The last rites were performed by Raipur Municipal Corporation authorities as per Covid protocol. When their parents were in hospital, neighbours provided food and care to the children. They didnt know how to handle the kids. Nobody knew exactly where the family arrived from to settle in Raipur to work as daily wagers. A day after their death, we knocked on their door, the children came out and started looking for their parents. We comforted them by saying God is there to help. They didnt demand anything except food. They were at ease in our presence and stayed indoors, said Raghu Yadav, a neighbour. Three days passed, and the neighbours still could not muster the courage to tell the kids about the tragedy. The couple was engaged in construction works under the Basic Services for Urban Poor (BSUP) scheme. The BSUP seeks to address the needs of some of the lowest-income and most vulnerable urban dwellers. First, the husband and later the wife fell ill. It was with Covid. The man died and two days later, the wife also succumbed, says Sushila Dheevar, corporator of Raipur Municipal Corporation (RMC). She avoided revealing the names and details of the couple. Our party has told us not to share personal details of patients we support. Such people are unsettled migrant labourers, they stay as long as they remain engaged. I dont know anything about the children, she said. Pankaj and Mohan had some inkling about the virus that has made a lot of people sick. They felt like any other illness, their parents would also be cured of it. Mukesh Srivas, a local social worker, quoted a doctor as saying that the parents were brought late to the hospital. Doctors felt the delay in medical care apparently pushed back chances of recovery, said Srivas, who has helped many during this crisis. Dheevar and others interacted with the kids and got some information about their relatives who could be reached. Finally, the kids paternal grandparents were contacted over the phone. Their grandparents live in some remote village of Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh. They were deeply shocked after learning about the deaths. They came to Raipur and took the children along with them to Allahabad, said Manohar Chand, a resident of the ward. Anuraag Singh By Express News Service LUCKNOW: The high-security barrack of the Chitrakoot District Jail in Uttar Pradesh resonated with sounds of gunfire on Friday morning, as two hardened criminals from UP were allegedly gunned down by a fellow jail inmate in an alleged gang war. The third man was later killed by police. As per an official statement released later, two prisoners, Meraj alias Bhai Meraj and Mukim alias Kala, were shot dead by fellow jail inmate Anshu Dixit. Coming to know about the shootout which happened at around 10 am, a team of local cops and administration, including the Chitrakoot district magistrate and police superintendent rushed to the jail. Subsequently, the third man involved, Anshu Dixit was killed by the police, after he opened fire on the police team, when the cops tried to take him into custody. Mukim alias Kala, a West UP gangster (wanted in over 60 cases of murder, loot and other organized crimes in UP, Haryana and Uttarakhand) was shifted from West UPs Saharanpur Jail to Chitrakoot Jail on May 7, 2021. Meraz, who was accused in 14 cases, including murder, drug smuggling and extortion in Varanasi and Rae Bareli districts of UP, was shifted from Varanasi Jail to Chitrakoot Jail on March 20, while Anshu Tripathi(wanted in many cases in UP and Bhopal) came from Rae Bareli jail in December 2019, after his video of threatening people over phone from the jail premises had gone viral. Meraj was a crucial link between two high-profile and allied UP gangsters Mukhtar Ansari (also a BSP MLA shifted recently from a Punjab Jail to Banda Jail in UP) and Prem Prakash alias Munna Bajrangi, who was shot dead by a fellow jail inmate at Baghpat Jail of UP in July 2018. Importantly, Bajrangis killing in the alleged gang war was the last big killing in a UP jail. The UP CM Yogi Adityanath, meanwhile, sought an immediate report from DG (Jail) Anand Kumar within six hours. Initiating actions, ACS (Home) Avnish Awasthi has already released an order suspending the superintendent and jailer of Chitrakoot prison. According to DG (Jail) Anand Kumar, the Chitrakoot shootout is a very serious matter, particularly as to how the firearm reached the high-security barrack of the jail. Action will be initiated by the evening, while a judicial probe too will be conducted in the entire incident. According to informed sources, the killing of Meraj assumes significance not only because he was a close aide of Munna Bajrangi, but also because he was a key man associated with gangster-turned-BSP MLA from East UPs Mau seat Mukhtar Ansari, who is lodged at the jail in adjoining Banda district. UP police sources in Varanasi-Ghazipur region, whove closely followed the decades-old rivalry between two East UP organized criminals gangs (one led by MLA Mukhtar Ansari and other led by MLC Brijesh Singh) confided to The New Indian Express that Meraj (who originally hailed from Ghazipur district, but made neighbouring Varanasi his area of operation) was a key link between allied Munna Bajrangi and Mukhtar Ansari gangs and used to work as their prime face in Varanasi region in extortion and other illegal business. Since Munna Bajrangis murder, Meraj was handling his remaining business and coordinating with Mukhtar Ansaris aides. His killing is likely to leave the entire field of railway and road tenders/contracts in UP up for grabs for Mukhtar Ansari-Munna Bajrangi gangs rivals, including Brijesh Singh and Dhananjay Singh. Meanwhile, BSP MP from East UPs Ghazipur seat Afzal Ansari (who is jailed MLA Mukhtar Ansaris elder sibling) called the entire gang war and shootout theory an eyewash. Was any railway or road building tender bidding process underway in full public view that a gang war happened. This serious security lapse happened in a high-security barrack of a jail, where the courts had sent three prisoners in judicial custody. How can firearms reach a high-security barrack of a jail? The entire incident needs to be probed by a High Court judge and not any SDM level officer, else a few officials and staff of the jail will be suspended and nothing will happen after that. Ansari further linked the incident to the alleged Yogi Adityanath governments mismanagement of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dead bodies are floating in river Ganga and graves on riverbanks are exposing how the pandemic has been mishandled by the present state government, this incident in Chitrakoot Jail is a perfect incident to divert public attention from the pandemics mishandling. The incident seems to be a perfect movie plot, which was written, directed and executed by powerful people. Two men who were killed in a gang war and the one who allegedly shot them dead are all dead now, so the entire chapter has been very professionally closed, the BSP MP alleged. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: A Delhi Police Crime Branch team on Friday questioned Indian Youth Congress (IYC) president Srinivas BV over Covid-related material, including medicines and oxygen cylinders, being provided by him to people. The team reached the IYC headquarters, questioned Srinivas for about 20 minutes and sought details of the source of his supplies. The questioning was done following a Delhi High Court order, the police said. The court had on May 4 directed the police to examine politicians allegedly procuring and distributing Remdesivir and take steps for lodging FIRs in case of an offence. BJP leaders, including East Delhi MP Gautam Gambhir and Delhi unit spokesperson Harish Khurana, who have also been questioned by police in connection with distribution of relief material, said the issue should not be politicised. The police called me and came to my office. They said someone filed a petition in the court against politicians helping people and providing Covid assistance. Following the courts direction, they have to conduct an enquiry, said Srinivas. We are not scared of anyone. We are not doing anything wrong, we are saving peoples lives. We have nothing to hide. I have answered them orally and am also giving a written statement, he said. Gambhir said he, too, had been questioned. Opposition should not indulge in needless politicisation. Three days ago, Delhi Police came to my office in Jagriti Enclave and enquired about how medicines and other essentials were arranged. I provided all details in writing, like where medicines, oxygen cylinders or concentrators were purchased from. We also shared details of the distribution process. Supreme Court advocate Krishna Kumar Sharma said its a matter of normal questioning and valid in the eyes of the law. But this type of probe acts as a deterrent for people doing selfless work for the public, he said. Police is entitled to enquire and satisfy itself that such actions do not involve profiteering or artificial shortage. However, if they escalate the matter and that prevents those acting for public good from filling the void brought about by the governments failure, it would be unlawful, said Supreme Court advocate K V Dhananjay. By PTI MUMBAI: A 35-year-old woman, who married for a second time post-divorce, was ordered by a 'caste panchayat' of her community to lick spit as punishment in Maharashtra's Akola district, an official said on Friday. The caste panchayat also ordered the woman to pay Rs 1 lakh to it for her act, he said. Showing courage, the woman defied both the diktats and lodged a police complaint. The shocking incident took place last month, but came to light when a case was registered against the unofficial village council, he said. On a complaint of the victim, who stays in Jalgaon district, an FIR under sections 5 and 6 of the Maharashtra Protection of People from Social Boycott (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2016, has been registered against ten members of the caste panchayat, the official said. The FIR was registered on Thursday evening at Jalgaon's Chopda city police station, under whose jurisdiction the woman resides, and later the case was transferred for investigation to the Pinjar police station in Akola where the incident took place, he said. According to the complaint, the incident took place on April 9 at Wadgaon village in Akola, where the caste panchayat was called to take a decision on the second marriage of the victim, he said. The victim belongs to the 'Nath Jogi' community, whose caste panchayat did not accept her second marriage, the official said. The victim got married for the second time in 2019 after taking divorce from her first husband in 2015, the official said. Her first marriage took place in 2011, he said. At the caste panchayat meeting, members discussed the woman's second marriage and called her sister and other relatives, and delivered their "verdict" on the issue (the victim was not present at the meet), the official said. According to the verdict, members of the caste panchayat were to spit on banana leaves and the victim was to lick it as a punishment, the official said. Besides, the caste panchayat sought a payment of Rs 1 lakh from the victim, he said. After fulfilling these demands by the panchayat, the victim was told she can "return" to her community, the official said, quoting from the complaint. The decision of the caste panchayat was conveyed to the victim by her relatives. Shocked by the decision, the victim approached the Chopda city police station and lodged the complaint against members of the panchayat, said Pravin Munde, Superintendent of Police, Jalgaon. As the incident took place in Akola, the case has been transferred there for further investigation, he said. By PTI NEW DELHI: The Congress on Friday accused the Modi government of resorting to "raid raaj" after police questioned its youth wing chief Srinivas B V on distribution of oxygen and medicines to COVID-19 affected, even as the BJP insisted that activists across parties were being questioned due to a court order. The Delhi Police's Crime Branch questioned Srinivas about the assistance being provided by him, and a senior official said it was done as per a May 4 Delhi High Court order. The court had directed police to examine instances of politicians allegedly procuring and distributing Remdesivir here and take steps for lodging of FIR in case of offence. As the Congress questioned the police action, BJP's Amit Malviya said, "Delhi Crime Branch, pursuant to a court order, is questioning activists across parties, who were arranging help for people in need, on the source of supplies when citizens, even some hospitals were struggling. Only those with a history of hoarding and bootlegging are complaining. " Earlier, the Congress had termed as political drama the questioning of Indian Youth Congress chief Srinivas and asked the Modi government to fulfil "raaj dharma" instead of resorting to "raid raaj". "The one who saves is always greater than the one takes it," former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi using the hashtag 'IStandWithIYC'. Its chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said at a press conference that the Congress will neither be "cowed down" nor "bow down", and will continue to serve and help people in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. "This is clearly a political drama, which is aimed at threatening and stopping all those who are trying to help others in need. It is the duty of all Indians today to oppose such raids," he told reporters. Surjewala said at a time when people are craving for help all over the country, the government is wasting its time by indulging in "raid raaj" instead of helping the people. "By raiding the IYC chief, PM (Narendra) Modi and (Union Home Minister) Amit Shah have done a shameful act," he said, asserting that "even foreign embassies are asking for oxygen and help from the IYC". Taking a jibe at the government over its duties towards people, IYC president Srinivas tweeted, "Their (IYC) work is to spread love where ever it reaches." BJP sources said its MP Gautam Gambhir was also approached by police. In a tweet, Gambhir said, "Opposition should not indulge in needless politicisation of due process. Delhi Police has asked for a reply from us and we have provided all details. I will keep serving Delhi and its people to the best of my abilities always!" The Congress, though, was categorical in blaming the government. The entire country is congratulating the works done by the Congress, but this "cruel" government is trying to strangle those who are helping others, Surjewala said. "When IYC is helping people, Modi and Shah are misusing the Delhi Police by raiding the IYC and is snatching away the help offered by it to those in need. Does the Delhi Police not want that people be helped by the Congress," he asked. The government has shown its dangerous face by "raiding" Indian Youth Congress workers and its chief Srinivas, he said. "This is not raj dharma, this is raid dharma that Modi-Shah, and their puppet police are raiding and harassing Congress and youth Congress workers," the spokesperson said. "If helping others and providing life-saving medicines is an offence, we will do this offence again and again and are ready to go to jail," Surejwala asserted. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra tweeted, "Was it a crime to help people when people were losing their lives because of lack of oxygen, hospital beds and medicines." "It is our religion to help the people of the country in difficult times and this also the ideology of the country. I am proud of our youth wing," she said. "If helping someone in need is now a crime, I will commit it again and again. To my mind it's a far greater crime to silently watch and do nothing while people die desperately searching for medicine and gasping for air," Priyanka Gandhi said. Surjewala asked whether the high court had asked for registering an FIR or raid the premises of the IYC. The Congress leader also questioned if the Delhi Police has conducted similar raids on BJP or RSS workers and their offices. Surjewala said the police could have given a notice of investigation, but not raid the premises without permission. "This is a conspiracy to humiliate them and I strongly condemn it," he said, asking whose job is it to stop black marketing of essential drugs and medicines. Surjewala also said the Congress will go to people's court rather than the high court as it has not committed any crime. By PTI JAIPUR: Rajasthan Health Minister Raghu Sharma on Thursday said COVID-19 vaccination in the state is being affected due to the shortage of doses. He said the state government had placed an order for about 3.75 crore doses with the Serum Institute of India (SII) but had only received 6.75 lakh in the first 12 days of the month. Sharma said Rajasthan needs 20 lakh doses for immediate immunisation. Vaccination of people in the 18-44 age group and those above 45 years is being affected due to the shortage of doses, he said. About 2.09 crore people in the state are above 45 years. Accordingly, more than 4 crore doses are required. If there is 10 per cent vaccine wastage, then about 4.5 crore doses are needed for this age group, he said. However, due to the erratic supply of vaccines, the health minister said, only 1.45 crore people across age groups have been inoculated in the state. This number includes both first and second doses. Sharma said Rajasthan has developed the capacity to administer up to seven lakh vaccines per day. As a result, 80 per cent of the people above 60 years have been given the first dose and about 33 per cent have been given the second dose. In the 45-60 age group, 64.4 per cent of the people have been given the first dose and 27.4 per cent have been given the second dose. The Centre is fully responsible for the vaccination of people over 45 years. However, the vaccine supply is not being expedited even for this age group, he alleged. Sharma said there are more than 3 crore people in the 18-44 age group in the state. Therefore, an order for about 3.75 crore doses has been placed with the SII. In the first 12 days of May, only 6.5 lakh vaccine doses were received from the SII. Due to this, the pace of vaccination is slow at most of the vaccination sites in the state, he said. The health department has again spoken to the company officials for the delivery of more than 8 lakh doses but the situation is not clear so far, he added. Sharma said that Bharat Biotech has also been approached by the government but it is also unable to supply vaccine doses. The minister also expressed concern over the rising number of black fungus cases among COVID-19 patients recovering from the disease. Sharma said the state government is cautious about it and instructions have been issued for the purchase of injections used for the treatment of the infection. The black fungus infection, also known as mucormycosis, is caused by a fungus called mucor. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday demanded the Union Health Ministry thoroughly investigate the purchase of defective ventilators made available through the PM CARES Fund. "The Centre had made 1,900 ventilators available to the state from the PM Cares Fund. It was responsible for the installation and maintenance of these ventilators. According to doctors, many of these ventilators have technical shortcomings due to which using them can prove to be dangerous for patients," Gehlot said in a statement. He further said, "The doctors said that there is a pressure drop problem in these ventilators. These ventilators shut down after working for 1-2 hours continuously. There is a problem of sudden decrease in PIO2, failure of oxygen sensor and compressor." He said Dr Lakhan Poswal, Principal of Medical College, Udaipur, had also raised the problem posed by these ventilators in the COVID review meeting held on April 5. Apart from Rajasthan, different problems in these ventilators have also been reported in the media in Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Maharashtra and Gujarat. The Chief Minister said two letters were written by the Government of Rajasthan at the secretary level and one letter at the ministerial level to the Centre to make them aware of the problem of these ventilators and to get them fixed at the earliest. He said that for the maintenance of all ventilators in Rajasthan, the company appointed by the Centre had informed they would send 11 members, but only 6 people are working here. They went to fix ventilators on the complaint but due to lack of experience, they are unable to fix it and doctors are not satisfied, the CM lamented. He said the Union Health Ministry should investigate how such poor ventilators were procured as these can threaten the lives of patients. He also expressed concern over the occurrence of black fungus infection among recovered COVID-19 patients and said the Centre should take it seriously. The black fungus infection, also known as mucormycosis, is caused by a fungus called mucor. "It is very worrying to see cases of mucormycosis disease among patients who have recovered from coronavirus in various states of the country, including Rajasthan. It has been learnt that this disease is affecting diabetics who have recovered from coronavirus more," Gehlot said in a series of tweets in Hindi. "The Centre should take it seriously and conduct research to prevent it. Also, medicines and injections needed for the prevention and treatment of this disease such as amphotericin should be arranged so that there is no shortage," he said. Earlier this month, Niti Aayog member (health) V K Paul had ruled out an outbreak of COVID-triggered mucormycosis and said that the situation was being monitored. In another tweet, Gehlot said instead of states, the Centre should have issued global tenders for the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines amid a shortage in India. "So far, 11 states have issued global tenders to purchase vaccines owing to the shortage of vaccines in the country. Due to this, states will get vaccines at different prices," the chief minister said. It would have been good if the Centre had issued global tenders and made vaccines available to the states in a planned manner, he said. Hitting back at Gehlot, Rajasthan BJP president Satish Poonia on Thursday accused Congress government in the state of mismanagement during the COVID-19 crisis. "The Congress government has been long trying to hide its shortcomings, weaknesses and incapabilities by blaming the Centre," he said in a virtual press conference. "The Centre is ready to develop all facilities in Rajasthan, from oxygen to Remdesivir injections to ventilator. and is doing so. Despite this, Congress leaders are weakening people's morale through their blatant statements," he said. Poonia requested Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot to "follow the spirit of cooperative federalism" in the fight against corona. Referring to a letter written by BJP National President JP Nadda to Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, he said that during the pandemic, the opposition should have played a positive role in the country, by building confidence and boosting people's morale. He further said that through the helplines run by BJP, people and the government were getting help with oxygen and Remdesivir injections. The pandemic on Thursday claimed 159 lives in Rajasthan which registered 15,867 more coronavirus positive cases, taking the total fatality toll to 6,317 and infections to 8,21,525. Jaipur reported the highest number of 47 deaths followed by Jodhpur where as many as 15 people died, an official health bulletin said on Thursday. Bikaner reported 13 deaths followed by Udaipur (12), Sikar (11), Alwar (10), the statement said, adding fatalities were also reported from other districts of the state. Of the fresh positive cases, a maximum of 4,099 cases was reported from Jaipur while 1,074 and 997 persons tested positive in Udaipur and Jodhpur respectively. A total of 6,03,319 persons have recovered from infection and the number of active cases at present is 2,11,889. Manish Anand By Express News Service NEW DELHI: In his first public comment after the second wave of Covid-19 wreaked havoc, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday sent out a message of hope while warning farmers to stay on guard as the pandemic is fast advancing into rural India. This pandemic is spreading fast in rural villages.... Awareness about this among rural people and cooperation of panchayat raj institutions are equally important, he said. A recent report by SBIs Ecowrap said the share of rural districts in new cases increased to 48.5% in May as compared to 36.8% in March. However, Modi added, India is not a nation that loses hope in tough times. This challenge will be overcome with strength and dedication, while interacting with farmers to mark the transfer of the eighth installment of the PM-Kisan Nidhi scheme. Modis optimism came at a time when the Centre and the states are sparring over the availability of vaccines, high fatalities and lack of medical support to the affected people. While he refrained from fixing accountability for the lapses that led to the explosive second wave, he claimed the world is facing an invisible enemy and every government department is working day and night to ease the pain of the nation. By PTI JAIPUR: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday said that the state now has the fourth-highest active COVID-10 cases but oxygen supply is not adequate. He said the situation is "extremely fragile" as there are also constraints in lifting 100 metric tonnes (MT) of allocated oxygen from Burnpur and Kalinganagar in the East and "this quota has not been adequately utilised by us despite best efforts". "Rajasthan has fourth highest active cases at 2.11 lac, which is 5.72% of the total active cases of the country. The present oxygen allocation is 435 MT," Gehlot tweeted. The chief minister has urged to revise the allotment of oxygen from Jamnagar and Hazira immediately as active COVID-19 cases are going down in many states, and also allotment of more imported oxygen at the earliest. ALSO WATCH: Dr K Srinath Reddy By The Sars-Cov-2 virus continues to throw fresh surprises at us and show new tricks, despite 16 months of intense observation by an endangered world. Even as vaccines and drugs are emerging with proof of efficacy against the virus, it periodically displays a Houdini-like talent to escape capture and sends us on a search for fresh clues to uncover its disguises. Three such enigmas have come forth recently in the second wave of the pandemic. Variants of the virus have entered or emerged to alter the dynamics of transmission. Cases of reinfection are being reported after full vaccination which, although very few, are leading to concerns and calls for explanation. Among recovered cases of Covid-19, there have been instances of mucormycosis or black fungus being reported. Each of these needs examination. It is well known that viruses mutate. It is in their nature to do so, because of evolutionary biology. If they have to survive as a species, there are two conditions. They should find ways to become more infective while escaping the effect of host immunity. They should also not completely wipe out the host, lest their own species goes extinct. So there is a trade-off between infectivity and virulence based on how much of the host population is available to the virus at any time. The virus also needs time to experiment with its mutations while in the human body. The longer it can stay, greater the opportunity. Some of the earlier mutations of Sars-Cov-2 are thought to have arisen in immunosuppressed people in whom it lingered long. Young people who overcome the virus fast with their strong immunity will not give the virus the luxury to mutate, while elderly debilitated persons do. People on prolonged ventilation provide a long period for mutation. We now have three variants driving the spread in India. B.1.117 came from Britain. B.1.617 debuted in Maharashtra while B.1.618 emerged in Bengal. They have displaced most of the earlier variants that did not have the speed and strength of these dons. However, they too can be stalled from entering our body by protecting our nose, mouth and eyes with a mask and eye protection. We also need to prevent superspreader gatherings, which give them access to many people. Rapidly vaccinating a large number of people also slows transmission and stalls mutation. Rapid spread of the virus in the second wave, through multiple mutations, is consistent with the view of viruses as complex adaptive systems (read a 2019 book of that title by Ricard Sole and Santiago F Elena). A physician friend who is fascinated by fractals and chaos theory points out that the virus buds in multiple locations and replicates towards infinity like Mandelbrot sets, named after mathematician Benoit Mandelbrot who pioneered fractal geometry. We should not let them proceed in that direction by adopting effective interventions to limit transmission and create pre-emptive immunity through vaccines. Reinfections, occurring even after full vaccination, are also explainable. All vaccines that have been evaluated so far are systemic vaccines that produce systemic immunity to fight the virus, to prevent severe disease and death after a person is infected. Trials have evaluated them for those end points, not against infection per se. As efficacy rates for the vaccines used in India range from 62-81%, severe Covid can still occur in some vaccinated people and mild Covid can occur in more. Hospital staff, who are repeatedly subjected to high viral loads, are more likely to get breakthrough infections. Hence the advice for even vaccinated people to wear masks till a large part of the population is vaccinated. When many people are rapidly vaccinated in a population, such infections will become very infrequent because mild cases do not release many viruses into the circulation to infect others. We are seeing that happen in Israel, the UK and US. These countries had also used mRNA vaccines that have around 95% efficacy against severe Covid. Mucosal vaccines may be able to prevent even the initial infection but trial evidence is still awaited. Mucormycosis is a fungal infection that affects the nose and can spread to eyes and brain. It has been seen in people who were treated with oxygen. They may have been infected by the water through which the oxygen is bubbled. It was not noted during the first wave, because steroids were not being used as standard treatment for patients on oxygen. After the RECOVERY trial showed the benefit of dexamethasone, it became standard therapy during the second wave. Tocilizumab is an even stronger immunosuppressive drug that has been used and misused during the second wave. Fungal infections tend to occur more frequently in immunosuppressed people. Such cases need to be investigated and all sources of infection must be contained. These crossword puzzles set by the virus may be getting solved, but we should be ready for more to come as the wily virus is still to be tamed. (Views expressed are personal) Dr K Srinath Reddy Cardiologist, epidemiologist and President, Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) (ksrinath.reddy@phfi.org) Chetana Belagere By Express News Service BENGALURU: The Union Governments decision to extend the gap between two doses of the Covishield vaccine to 12-16 weeks from the existing 4-8 weeks, following the recommendation of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI), has sparked off a debate amongst the medical fraternity, public health experts and also those who are closely following the vaccine availability and shortage in the country. Many of them felt that the decision, coming at a time when several states are battling a shortage of vaccines, may be viewed as the government inability to tide over the vaccine shortage and create further confusion among people who have already taken the first dose of vaccine and are planning to get the second dose after a gap of four weeks. As a vaccinologist I know about vaccine responses. The first dose is a sensitising one and it can be boosted anytime within one year. But what I fail to understand is why this shortage? Didnt the government order enough vaccines earlier? Are they depending on the manufacturers? There has definitely been a mismatch in the governments planning of the vaccine administration, said Dr John Jacob, renowned virologist and former professor at CMC Vellore. The experts, however, agree that there have been studies published in medical journals like The Lancet and real-life evidence, particularly from the UK, showing that the efficacy of the vaccine is higher when there is a gap of 90 days. A senior doctor said, I agree that some countries like the UK and Canada have done this, but why is it that our government didnt think of it earlier? Just a few days ago, they were speaking about the importance of taking the second dose. Also, the Karnataka government has suspended vaccination for 18-44 year age group, claiming that all available vaccines will be used to inoculate those waiting for the second dose. Arent these SOPs from the government confusing, asked the senior doctor. Explaining that evidence from other countries that a delayed second dose, up to 12 weeks and beyond, is beneficial and showed higher efficacy was available since January, Dr Giridhara R Babu, a member of the state Technical Advisory Committee, pointed out that the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid did not agree to it earlier. I am happy that they have agreed now. It is a decision based on evidence, he said. Dr V Ravi, also part of the Mission Covid Suraksha -- set up by the Union Health Ministry to accelerate development of vaccines, explained that an individuals immune system retains memory from three months to six months. During this time, the maximum interval can be stretched and we have seen studies showing that even after one dose of vaccine, we can get 40 to 50 per cent protection and the severity of the infection will definitely be less, he pointed out. But the panels suggestion of Covid-recovered patients having to wait for six months was questioned by many. Dr Ravi said that for such patients, eight weeks should be the ideal time to take the jab. Six months may be too much and there could be a reinfection, he explained.Some doctors suggested that recovered patients can get an antibody test on the spike protein and decide when to take the vaccine. A senior doctor from a private hospital asked, What if there is a new variant and immunity wanes. By PTI BENGALURU: The Karnataka government on Friday asked those who took the Covishield vaccine not to come to vaccination centres if they have not completed 12 weeks of the first dose, citing advisory of expert groups. In a press release, the vaccination mission director said the second dose of Covishield vaccine should be administered to eligible beneficiaries at 12 to 16 weeks interval after receiving first dose as recommended by the National Technical Advisory Group of Immunization (NTAGI) and National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration (NEGVAC). "Hence, the earlier interval of six to eight weeks of time for Covishield vaccination between 2 doses is revised to 12 to 16 weeks. Citizens are requested not to come to vaccination centres if they have not completed 12 weeks after the first dose of Covishield vaccine," the release said. The release clarified that the revised time interval between two doses is applicable only to Covishield and not Covaxin. The State government recently suspended the vaccination of people between the age group of 18 and 44 due to inadequate stock of vaccine in the state. The government has already placed an order for three crore vaccines and paid money to the vaccine producers. However, only seven lakh vaccines have arrived, according to officials. The government intends to float global tenders to procure two crore vaccines. By Express News Service THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The state crime branch on Friday arrested the gold smuggling accused Swapna Suresh, the former executive secretary at the UAE Consulate in Thiruvananthapuram, in a forgery case. The case pertains to the forging of signatures of 16 women employees of Air India-SATS which were then used to cook up a sexual harassment complaint against an Air India whistleblower. The arrest has been recorded at the Women's prison at Attakulangara. The sleuths have also submitted a petition in the Thiruvananthapuram judicial first class magistrate seeking the custody of Swpana for further interrogation. The court will consider the petition soon. ALSO READ: Post gold haul, more skeletons tumble out of Swapnas cupboard Swapna has been named as the second accused in the case while former Air India-SATS vice-president Binoy Jacob is arraigned as the first accused. Earlier, the crime branch had filed a report in the court naming her as an accused on the basis of evidence that proved that she had forged documents and produced fake witnesses before the Internal Complaint Cell of Air India to implicate one of its staffers in sexual harassment case. She has been charged for forgery, impersonation and cheating. The crime branch is investigating the complaint filed by L S Sibu, a whistleblower in Air India, who had alleged that he was being framed for exposing corruption in Air India. The sexual harassment complaint was signed by 17 female staff of Air India-SATS. However, the Crime Branch found that the complaint was fake and 16 of these signatures were forged. During the hearing before the internal complaint cell, a woman had testified after impersonating as one of the victims of the harassment, the Crime Branch found out. The case was first probed by the Crime Detachment Cell and was later taken over by the Crime Branch. The complainant, Sibu, said the fake complaint had affected his life. By PTI IDUKKI: The body of Soumya Santhosh from Kerala, who was killed in a Palestinian rocket attack in Israel on May 11, will be brought here on Saturday. Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said on Friday that the mortal remains were being repatriated from Israel to Kerala via New Delhi. "The mortal remains of Ms Soumya Santhosh, who was killed in rocket attacks from Gaza, are being repatriated today from Israel to Kerala through Delhi. ALSO READ | Kerala woman working in Israel killed in Hamas mortar shelling They will reach her native place tomorrow," Muraleedharan, who is also from the southern state, said in a tweet. "I will personally be receiving the remains in Delhi. May her soul rest in peace," he tweeted. Soumya,30, hailing from Keerithodu in Idukki district, had been working as a housemaid in Israel for the last seven years. She was killed on Tuesday when the rocket fell on her residence in the city of Ashkelon while she was talking to her husband Santhosh, who is in Kerala, over video call, her family has said. By Express News Service JAGATSINGHPUR: Three migrants who had tested positive for Covid-19 and were isolated at a school at Ghodansh panchayat of Naugaon block, escaped in an inebriated condition on Thursday. Apparently before fleeing, they went to the local market, purchased chicken along with liquor and conducted a feast at the quarantine centre. Later in the evening, the three were nabbed by police hiding in a paddy field. They were lodged at the Mugei Kalidas ME School. Two of them - from Jamudanda - and another from Mugei village under Naugaon police limits had returned from Bengaluru on May 6 and were isolated at the quarantine centre set up on the school premises. They subsequently tested positive and were being provided treatment at the centre. In absence of any security at the quarantine centre, sources said that the three on Thursday morning went to Naugaon Bazaar and bought chicken and liquor. They then returned to cook a feast. After eating their meals and consuming liquor, the returnees in an inebriated condition fled the quarantine centre in a motorcycle. Receiving information, Naugaon BDO Rashmi Rekha Mallick rushed to the centre and informed police. A team of police personnel led by IIC of Naugaon police station Bharat Behera later traced the three who were hiding in a paddy field, a few km away from the Mugei Kalidas ME School. They have been kept in another quarantine centre in a nearby panchayat, the BDO informed. The State government has mandated 14-day institutional quarantine of returnees from other states at temporary medical camps. Aadhithya M S By Express News Service TIRUCHY: The people of Inamkulathur were in for a surprise as a neglected building in the Upgraded Primary Health Centre (UPHC) has been renovated in a day and is ready to house COVID-19 patients thanks to the efforts of the newly elected DMK MLA of Srirangam M Palaniyandi. The building in the campus of the UPHC was utilized as a training centre for health staff twenty years ago. After that, the building was uncared for. Over a period of time, it was surrounded by overgrown bushes. MLA Palaniyandi inspected the UPHC on Thursday to find out if it could be converted into a COVID care centre. The UPHC staff told him about the abandoned building and requested him to take measures to renovate it. ALSO READ: In a first, MBBS students in Chennai to turn COVID-19 warriors from Saturday Actually, there was a plan to convert the maternity ward of the UPHC into the COVID care centre and direct the delivery cases to a nearby PHC. If the building is readied, there is no need for this, said a health staffer there. The maternity ward of the UPHC reportedly attends to at least 15 delivery and family planning cases in a month. After speaking to the staff during his inspection, the MLA immediately ordered the renovation of the unused building. With the help of village panchayat president Vellaiyammal Palanisamy, the work was started at once. About 20 workers were mobilized to clean and remove the bushes around the building using earthmoving vehicles and whitewash it. It was done in five hours. On Friday, along with re-wiring work, new lights and ceiling fans were installed at the six rooms in the building. Plumbing work and repairing of toilets were also underway simultaneously. The workers said that at this rate the building would be completely ready for use on Saturday. Consequently, the health officials have reportedly dropped the plan of converting the maternity ward into a COVID-19 facility. They are going to set up 30 beds in the renovated building. COVID-19 patients with mild symptoms will be housed there for observation while recovering. It will be of great use for us, added the health staffer at Inamkulathur. When asked about it, MLA Palaniyandi said, Currently we are doing these works from my pocket. I do not know how much the total renovation will cost. Only after the completion will we know. The MLA also posted the old and new pictures of the building on his Facebook account which received wide appreciation. T Muruganandham By Express News Service CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government has decided to provide Corona Relief Kits containing 13 grocery items to about 2.11 crore family cardholders in the State to help them cope with the lockdown period. The Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation has floated tenders for this. The kits are likely to be distributed from June 3, the birth anniversary of former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi. ALSO READ | Chennai cops intensify lockdown measures, seize vehicles of those roaming for non-essential work The 13 grocery items in each kit are Wheat flour, free flow iodised salt and rava (1 kg each), sugar and urad dhall (500 grams each), Tamarind and Bengal gram (250 grams each), mustard, cumin, turmeric powder and chili powder (100 grams each), one branded bathing soap (125 grams) and one branded washing soap (250 grams). The civil supplies corporation will receive the sealed tenders from suppliers upto 11 am on May 19. The tender norms said 50% of the Corona Relief Kits should be supplied before June 2 and the rest before June 14. The tenderers should produce samples of the 13 grocery items at TNCSC, head office before 5.45 pm on May 17 in person. Otherwise, the tender will not be considered. Chief Minister MK Stalin had already announced that Rs 4,000 would be given to rice cardholders as relief assistance. The distribution of the first instalment of Rs 2,000 has already started. By Express News Service HYDERABAD: The Telangana government can vaccinate its entire population of four crore within 45 days, but the problem is the lack of availability of the Covid-19 vaccine. We have the capacity to vaccinate more than nine lakh people per day. The problem is availability of vaccine which is the major challenge, said KT Rama Rao, IT and Industries Minister and also Chairman of the State Level Task Force Committee on Covid-19. Rama Rao accepted suggestions and answered questions of the Twitterati in an interactive session on Covid-19 on Thursday. The Minister opined that ideally, 70 per cent of the population should be vaccinated, to break the chain. Of the 2.9 crore adult population, we need to vaccinate 1.9 crore people. Since its a two-dose vaccine, we need 3.8 crore doses. Its a demand and supply challenge, Rama Rao said. According to the Minister, of the total 45-plus population of 92.24 lakh, so far 45.37 lakh people have been vaccinated with first dose. The second dose has been administered to more than 10.3 lakh people so far. More vaccines for India? On importing vaccines, Rama Rao said that none of the US vaccines is currently allowed for use in India. I have heard from some sources that they may be allowed soon. When that happens, we can definitely procure. Whatever is allowed by Drug Controller General of India is what we can procure. So far only three vaccines are available Covaxin, Covishield and Sputnik. Hopefully Pfizer and Moderna will be allowed. By August, I am hearing that, another Indian vaccine may also be available from BE, Rama Rao said. As clinical trials began for Covaxin on children also, Rama Rao said hopefully vaccine could be administered to kids between 5-18 also.Rama Rao further stated that they were in discussions with all three vaccine makers Bharat Biotech, Serum Institute and Dr Reddy Labs and would procure as much as they could. TS better than other States, asserts KTR The IT Minister said that Telangana was performing better than all other States. He said that the government will take the issue of junior doctors and nurses to the notice of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao. On his encounter with Covid-19, Rama Rao advised people to follow the advice of medical experts (not WhatsApp experts). Stay strong mentally; plan ahead for post Covid-19, stop watching news channels and stop reading unnecessary WhatsApp/Facebook posts. Exercise as much as you can and even do walking if you can. Do not self-medicate. Rama Rao said: I had seven consecutive days of low to high grade fever followed by an infection of lungs. As I am a diabetic, controlling blood sugar and hypertension was also a challenge. But I just followed the instructions and while I feel weak now, am almost back to normal. The TRS working president also said that he would donate plasma soon. PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH COVID I had seven consecutive days of low to high grade fever followed by an infection of lungs. As I am a diabetic, controlling blood sugar and BP was also a challenge. But I just followed the instructions and while I feel weak now, am almost back to normal, said the IT Minister By Express News Service HYDERABAD: Taking serious exception to the denial of entry into Telangana for ambulances from Andhra Pradesh, the Telangana High Court on Friday stayed the operation of the guidelines which mandate that all COVID-19 patients should obtain e-passes to enter the state. A division bench of the High Court, after hearings on a lunch motion moved by a retired officer Venkatakrishna Rao, ordered that the stay orders be in force till further notice. The division bench also laid down that the state should not issue any orders in any form on the movement of ambulances across the borders. The division bench, during the hearing, took the state government to task asking whether it did not know that such an action was in defiance of the court's earlier orders. The court, while hearing arguments on the PIL, asked if the government did not know that refusing permission to an ambulance into Telangana was against the Constitution. The court pointed out that no state had so far denied entry to ambulances. It wanted to know who has given the powers to the state government to deny permission to ambulances to enter Telangana. The government should understand that the Constitution has given the right to life to all. The AG, defending denial of permission to ambulances, said the decision was taken keeping in view the lack of availability of beds for people in Telangana who were finding it difficult to get admission in hospitals. He referred to the Delhi government also imposing restriction on admissions to hospitals. He said it had been made clear that patients in other states should come to Telangana only after confirmation of a bed in a hospital. There has been a steady increase in the rush of COVID-19 patients from the neighbouring states of Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, AP and Karnataka. The petitioner prayed to the court to declare the denial of entry into Telangana for ambulances as ultra vires and ensure free passage for them to Hyderabad. By Associated Press KABUL: A bomb ripped through a mosque in northern Kabul during Friday prayers killing 12 worshippers, Afghan police said. Spokesman Ferdaws Faramarz said the mosque's imam, Mofti Naiman, was among the dead. Another 15 people were wounded. The bomb exploded as prayers had begun. No one claimed responsibility for the bombing, but initial police investigations suggest the Imam may have been the target, Faramarz said. An image circulating on social media showed three bodies lying on the floor of the mosque, which showed minor damage. The explosion comes on the second day of a three-day ceasefire announced by the warring Taliban and Afghan government. The pause was for the Islamic festival Eid-al-Fitr, which follows the fasting month of Ramadan. Until now many of the attacks in the capital have been claimed by the local Islamic State affiliate, but both the Taliban and government blame each other. The most recent attack last week killed over 90 people, many of them pupils leaving a girls' school when a powerful car bomb exploded. The Taliban denied involvement and condemned the attack. The relentless violence comes as the U.S. and allied NATO forces continue with their final withdrawal from Afghanistan after nearly 20 years of war. Just this week the last of the US troops left southern Kandahar Air Base, while some NATO troops still remained. At the war's peak more than 30,000 US troops were stationed in Kandahar, the Taliban heartland. By PTI LONDON: The case numbers related to the B1.617.2 variant of COVID-19, first identified in India, have more than doubled within a week in the UK, resulting in further surge testing and enhanced vaccine measures to be deployed in parts of the country where the strain is beginning to spread increasingly rapidly. Public Health England (PHE) said on Thursday that its latest analysis shows the number of cases of the highly transmissible variant first detected in Maharashtra has risen from 520 last week to 1,313 cases this week. Most cases are in the northwest of England, with some in London, and additional measures are being put in place to "rapidly break chains of transmission". UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the health authorities are monitoring the situation very carefully and will not hesitate to take further action if necessary, indicating that the roadmap to lifting all lockdown measures from June 21 may have to be reassessed. This data demonstrates why our swift and decisive measures are in place. Everyone has a part to play in controlling this variant, from participating in surge testing, to following the rules, to getting the jab, said Hancock. We are committed to working with local areas and deploying our world-leading genomic sequencing to get this variant under control. We are supporting areas where the cases of this variant are rising, he said. The minister said it is imperative that people who live in one of the 15 areas currently covered by surge testing processes get a free PCR test and everyone who's eligible needs to come forward and get their vaccine. PHE said that while there is no firm evidence yet to show this variant has any greater impact on the severity of disease or that it evades vaccines, the "speed of growth is concerning". UK Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi said the authorities are looking at how to best utilise the vaccine roll-out to protect the most vulnerable in the context of the current epidemiology, including the possibility of bringing forward the second doses for the most vulnerable in some of the most affected areas. Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Manchester, one of the hotspots of the variant, has also called for a speeding up in the age eligibility criteria for vaccines in the affected areas. The National Health Service (NHS) is now offering a jab to all over the age of 38. Cases of this variant are rising in the community and we are continuously monitoring its spread and severity to ensure we take rapid public health action, said Dr Susan Hopkins, COVID-19 Strategic Response Director at PHE. Testing and isolating when required not only limits spread, it helps us to better understand how the variant behaves in the community which is vital to taking effective and proportionate action moving forward "The way to limit the spread of all variants is the same. Keep your distance, wash your hands regularly and thoroughly, cover your nose and mouth when inside, keep buildings well ventilated and meet people from other households outside, she said. The variant was confirmed as a "Variant of Concern" by PHE on May 7 after a rise in cases and evidence of spread in some areas. Since then across the northwest of England, significant work is underway with local councils and partners. In Bolton, mobile testing units have been deployed and door to door PCR testing has been offered to 22,000 residents. A vaccine bus has been established in the heart of the community to increase vaccine uptake as part of a wider drive. PCR testing, whole genome sequencing and enhanced contact tracing are being used throughout London to target the many small dispersed clusters. All positive tests in London with a high enough viral load are also being prioritised for genomic sequencing to check for variants, and surge testing can begin immediately if it is needed. Taking this community-led approach has already proved effective in reducing transmission of variants in London to date, PHE said. To help identify variant cases, surge testing is being deployed in 15 areas across England to suppress transmission, with more than 800,000 additional PCR test kits distributed. According to the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), over 4,400 cases and over 14,000 close contacts have been traced and instructed to self-isolate. Over 200 existing test sites and 130 schools have distributed test kits, with Mobile Testing Units deployed to provide PCR testing for people without symptoms. The public is also being urged to continue to take up the offer of two free rapid tests a week, to help identify asymptomatic cases. Anyone who does test positive in this way should take a follow-up PCR test, which can be sent for genome sequencing to help catch new variant cases. Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday elaborated China's position on Afghan situation when holding talks with foreign ministers of countries including Uzbekistan and Tajikistan who came to China to attend the second China + Central Asia (C+C5) foreign ministers meeting in Xi'an, capital city of northwest China's Shaanxi Province. Wang said that the current evolution of Afghan situation has drawn great attention from the international community. The Chinese side believes that foreign troops should withdraw from Afghanistan in an orderly and responsible manner to prevent any hasty action from adversely affecting and seriously interfering with the peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan. He said that it is necessary for neighboring countries of Afghanistan, including Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, to coordinate their positions in a timely manner, speak with one voice, and fully support the Afghan domestic peace process to overcome difficulties and move forward. China put forward the following propositions: The peace and reconciliation process in Afghanistan should firstly implement the principle of "Afghan-led and Afghan-owned". This is in line with the requirements of UN Security Council's relevant resolutions and is the political prerequisite for peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. Second, Afghanistan should form inclusive political arrangements to make sure that all ethnic groups and parties could participate in political life in the future and enjoy equal political rights. This is the right direction to achieve peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. Third, Afghan national governance structure in the future should conform to the country's unique national conditions and development needs, and should not simply copy foreign models, so as to avoid inadaptation and new turbulence and chaos. This is a realistic choice to achieve peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. Wang pointed out that regional countries and the international community hope that the future Afghan government could implement the moderate Muslim policy and avoid extremist tendencies, oppose all forms of terrorism and not allow the resurgence of terrorist forces in Afghanistan, develop good-neighborliness and friendship with neighboring countries and become a positive factor in promoting regional peace and stability. As close neighbors of Afghanistan, Central Asian countries should make due contribution to the final settlement of the Afghan issue, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization should also play its due role for the long-term peace and stability in Afghanistan, Wang stressed. By ANI NEW DELHI: Amid the COVID-19 crisis in India, an aircraft carrying a shipment of ventilators, Remdesivir and medical equipment from EU member states, arrived in New Delhi on Friday. External Affairs Ministry (EAM) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi acknowledged the continued solidarity shown by European countries including Germany, Netherlands, and Portugal. "EU solidarity and cooperation continues. Aircraft arrives carrying 223 ventilators, 25000 vials of Remdesivir and other medical equipment from Germany, 30000 vials of Remdesivir from Netherlands and 5500 vials of Remdesivir from Portugal. Value support of our European Union partners," EAM spokesperson tweeted. By PTI BERLIN: Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesman says Germany won't tolerate anti-Semitic demonstrations amid tensions in the Middle East. Anti-Israel protests in several cities this week have drawn concern and condemnation, particularly a protest outside a synagogue in Gelsenkirchen. A video showed dozens of protesters waving Palestinian and Turkish flags and yelling expletives about Jews. Merkel spokesman Steffen Seibert said Friday that "anyone who uses such protests to scream their hatred of Jews is abusing the right to demonstrate." He added that "our democracy will not tolerate anti-Semitic demonstrations." Seibert said Merkel condemns Hamas' ongoing firing of rockets at Israel and "nothing can justify such terror." He said the rocket attacks must stop immediately. In neighbouring Austria, Chancellor Sebastian Kurz tweeted that the Israeli flag was raised over his office on Friday as a signal of solidarity. By AFP WASHINGTON: The top US health agency on Thursday said it was lifting mask-wearing guidance for people who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19, a watershed moment that President Joe Biden called "a great day" in the long pandemic fight. The announcement by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) marked an abrupt turnaround after more than a year of urging people to cover their faces to stem the spread. "Anyone who is fully vaccinated can participate in indoor and outdoor activities, large or small, without wearing a mask or physical distancing," CDC director Rochelle Walensky said during a briefing. "If you are fully vaccinated, you can start doing the things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic." In an emotional address from the White House, Biden declared a major victory in the battle against the virus that has seen more than 580,000 Americans die. "I think it's a great milestone, a great day," he said. The move sparked joyful reactions in some, but others experienced whiplash and said they would continue to wear their masks out of caution. "I'm still going to wear a mask inside," said Mubarak Dahir, a 57-year-old tourist in the capital Washington who was visiting from Florida. "I think it's premature, it's a little dangerous to believe that we are that far already." But Desmond, a 67-year-old in Lafayette Square, said: "It's great news... we have come a long way in 14 months!" Accumulating data shows the extremely high efficacy of authorized vaccines, not just to prevent symptomatic Covid-19 but also asymptomatic infection and onward transmission. Almost 60 percent of US adults now have one or more doses, while cases are falling fast, down to a seven-day-average of 38,000 or 11 per 100,000. And on Thursday, the campaign to vaccinate adolescents aged 12-to-15 began in earnest following the authorization of the Pfizer vaccine in this age group. According to the CDC's website, masks may still be required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States, and in US transportation hubs such as airports and stations. Fully vaccinated international travelers arriving in the United States still need to get tested within three days of their flight, or show documentation of recovery from Covid-19 in the past three months. Walensky said people who are immune compromised should talk to their doctor before giving up their mask. Finally, she added, the guidance was subject to change if the situation worsens. By PTI KATHMANDU: Nepal has permitted special flights to evacuate over 7,000 foreign nationals, including Indians, stranded in the country after it suspended all international flights to check its worst COVID-19 surge amid acute shortages of medical facilities. Tourists from abroad have been anxiously waiting to get out of Kathmandu after the government extended the lockdown by two weeks, and cancelled all flights, except the two weekly bubble services to India, following a surge in coronavirus infections. Foreign embassies have stepped up efforts to repatriate stranded trekkers and mountaineers. More than 7,000 foreigners, including some 2,000 Indians, are estimated to be stranded in Nepal, the Kathmandu Post reported. We have allowed a few evacuation flights based on the request of foreign embassies in Nepal, Rajan Pokhrel, director general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, was quoted as saying by the daily. The evacuation flights began on Friday as Nepali private carrier Shree Airlines flew several Thai nationals and Nepali students to Bangkok. There were around 11 passengers, including Nepali students, said Anil Manandhar, corporate manager of Shree Airlines. We will return with cargo and 24 oxygen concentrator machines gifted by the Thai government and non-resident Nepalis in Thailand. The government has also allowed the Indian Embassy to evacuate its stranded citizens who were using Kathmandu as a transit point to go to Saudi Arabia for employment after a number of countries banned direct flights from India after it was overwhelmed by a second wave. On April 28, the government had banned all foreign nationals from using Nepal to fly to third countries after it was found that several Indian travellers were using Kathmandu as a transit point. According to Pokhrel, there are 2,000 Indian nationals stuck in Nepal. The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal has permitted Nepal Airlines and Himalaya Airlines to conduct seven flights to evacuate Indian nationals to Saudi Arabia. According to Pokhrel, the US Embassy requested three special repatriation flights on May 16, 17 and 25 which will be operated by Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines. Qatar Airways will operate flights on May 16 and 25 while Turkish Airlines will operate on May 17. The Russian Embassy has requested a landing permit for Aeroflot Airlines, the flag carrier and largest airline of the Russian Federation. We will approve the landing permit once it fixes the arrival date, said Pokhrel. Many other embassies may request the government for evacuation flights, according to Nepal Tourism Board officials. Nepal has called for international assistance as it grapples with oxygen shortages and soaring infections threaten to push the healthcare system to breaking point. Nepal ordered a second lockdown on April 29 for two weeks as a public health measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19. International flights to and from Nepal were suspended from May 6 midnight. On Tuesday, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal extended the restriction on scheduled international commercial passenger flights to and from Nepal until May 31 midnight. Two weekly flights on the Kathmandu-Delhi sectorone by Nepal Airlines and another by Air Indiawill continue under an air bubble arrangement between Nepal and India. The prohibitory orders in the Kathmandu Valley that have been in place since April 29 have been extended until May 27. According to the Nepal Tourism Board, there are around 2,000 foreign nationals currently in Kathmandu who are waiting for immediate evacuation. Another 5,000 tourists are estimated to be in different trekking and mountaineering destinations, and they are likely to return in the next two weeks before the monsoon season begins in Nepal, the board said. By PTI LONDON: A group of leading UK and US scientists, including Indian-origin Cambridge University immunology and infectious disease expert Ravindra Gupta, on Friday called for more investigation to determine the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the theory of an accidental release from a lab in the central Chinese city of Wuhan. In a letter published in the journal 'Science', the experts from world leading universities such as Harvard, Stanford and MIT said knowing how COVID-19 emerged is critical for informing global strategies to mitigate the risk of future outbreaks. They caution that hypotheses about both natural and laboratory spillovers must be taken seriously until there is sufficient data. "Theories of accidental release from a lab and zoonotic spillover both remain viable," they write. "As scientists with relevant expertise, we agree with the WHO director-general, the United States and 13 other countries, and the European Union that greater clarity about the origins of this pandemic is necessary and feasible to achieve. We must take hypotheses about both natural and laboratory spillovers seriously until we have sufficient data," they note. The zoonotic spillover refers to the virus jumping from bats to humans. Giving a history of the pandemic, the scientists recall how on December 30, 2019, the Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases notified the world about a pneumonia of unknown cause in Wuhan, China. This led to identifying the causative agent, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In May 2020, the World Health Assembly requested that the World Health Organisation (WHO) director-general work with partners to determine the origins of SARS-CoV-2. In November 2020, the Terms of Reference for a China-WHO joint study were released. The information, data, and samples for the study's first phase were collected and summarised by the Chinese half of the team; the rest of the team built on this analysis. "Although there were no findings in clear support of either a natural spillover or a lab accident, the team assessed a zoonotic spillover from an intermediate host as "likely to very likely', and a laboratory incident as 'extremely unlikely'," they note. "Furthermore, the two theories were not given balanced consideration," they caution. They point to WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus' comment that the report's consideration of evidence supporting a laboratory accident was insufficient and offered to provide additional resources to fully evaluate the possibility. "A proper investigation should be transparent, objective, data-driven, inclusive of broad expertise, subject to independent oversight, and responsibly managed to minimise the impact of conflicts of interest. Public health agencies and research laboratories alike need to open their records to the public," the scientists urge. "Finally, in this time of unfortunate anti-Asian sentiment in some countries, we note that at the beginning of the pandemic, it was Chinese doctors, scientists, journalists, and citizens who shared with the world crucial information about the spread of the virus, often at great personal cost. "We should show the same determination in promoting a dispassionate science-based discourse on this difficult but important issue," they conclude. The origins of the COVID-19 pandemic remain a widely debated topic, with some scientists and politicians maintaining that the possibility of a lab leak of the deadly virus exists. The Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) is near the outbreak's known epicentre of Huanan Seafood Market in Wuhan. So far, the coronavirus has claimed 3,346,881 lives across the world, along with over 161 million cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. ALSO WATCH: WEST HAVEN As part of the citys centennial planning for this year, a boat parade will be held next month to mark the celebration, according to officials. More than 100 boats are expected to take part in the West Haven Centennial Boat Parade, Mayor Nancy Rossi said in a release. The event is set for 1 p.m. June 12, with a rain date of June 13, it said. The event is being presented by the City of West Haven Centennial Celebration Committee. According to the release, the boat parade will follow the city coast from Sandy Point in New Haven Harbor to the Oyster River in Baybrook, West Haven Harbor Master Robert Pimer said in the release. Pimer will help steer the procession, it said. Rossi encouraged residents to watch the parade from the beaches along Beach Street, Captain Thomas Boulevard and Ocean Avenue. I cannot wait for our residents to witness this one-of-a-kind boat parade along our very shore, Rossi said in the release. The mayor is expected to join Pimer as he leads the parade. This event is a tribute to the enduring history and legacy of West Haven as a true maritime community, she said. The procession also will include the West Haven, West Shore and City of West Haven Allingtown fire departments, the release said. Anyone wishing to participate in the parade can meet at the West Haven jetty at 1 p.m. and follow the Police Departments patrol boat throughout the route, John Biancur, an event organizer and member of the centennial committee, said in the release. The committee is reaching out to the boating community to take part in this unique event, Biancur said. We are also inviting as many people as possible to come down to our beaches and see our parade. Those participating in the parade are asked to decorate their boats in patriotic colors, including displaying American, Connecticut or West Haven flags, the release said. Champaign, IL (61820) Today Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 69F. Winds light and variable.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 69F. Winds light and variable. (Newser) Into the Houston tiger mystery has stepped Carole Baskin. The star of the Tiger King has put up a $5,000 reward for the missing tiger's finder, TMZ reports, with several conditions attached. The tiger, India, has to be safely turned over to a sanctuary accredited by the Global Federation of Sanctuaries, Baskin said. And the finder must cooperate with law enforcement in a manner "sufficient to convict both buyer and seller involved in the transfers of the tiger." story continues below India has been missing for several days, as far as local law enforcement can tell. The tiger will not be taken to her Big Cat Rescue in Tampa, Baskin said, but she wants it to go to a sanctuary that will offer India lifetime care. Baskin posted coverage of her offer on Facebook, per the New York Daily News. She's concerned, she said, because "the owners of the tiger have shown a serious lack of responsibility so far." (Read more Carole Baskin stories.) (Newser) Israel escalated its attacks on the Gaza Strip on Friday, but a military spokesperson walked back an earlier claim that ground troops had invaded. Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus said initially that there are ground troops attacking in Gaza, but he later clarified that no such troops had entered Gaza, reports the New York Times. "There are currently no IDF ground troops inside the Gaza Strip," said another spokesperson, per the Washington Post. The troops appear to be close, however. The Wall Street Journal quotes Conricus as saying that "there are ground forces currently deployed along the border area and they are engaging and attacking the Gaza Strip from there." On Thursday, Israel called up 7,000 military reservists and canceled leaves for troops in combat units. story continues below "I said that we would charge a very heavy price from Hamas and the rest of the terrorist organizations," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement. "This operation will continue as long as it takes to restore peace and security to the State of Israel." Fewer than 4,000 troops had been moved to the border, which would suggest something less than a full invasion, should one materialize, per the Journal. Israel had at least three brigades of troops ready, however. A 2014 invasion, thought to be the most recent by Israeli troops, left more than 2,000 Palestinians dead. Gaza's Health Ministry reported that as of Thursday night, 109 Palestinians, 28 of them children, had been killed, while 621 people have been wounded in the attacks. (Fears of a fourth war are rising.) (Newser) Early last year, a woman living in a long-stay hotel in a Chicago suburb had three rabbits, one neutered and an unneutered male and female, animal rescue workers say. What happened next was entirely predictable. Some 47 rabbits, some of them pregnant, were removed from the room after the woman finally decided she could no longer cope with the bunny population explosion, WGN reports. With cleaning services suspended because of the pandemicand a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door at all timesthe hotel was not aware that the number of rabbit residents was steadily increasing. story continues below The rescue was orchestrated by the Red Door no-kill shelter, one of several Chicago-area shelters now seeking new homes for the rabbits, Block Club Chicago reports. The woman "wanted help," says Marcia Coburn at Red Door. "She was afraid to give the rabbits up. She didnt want them to be euthanized." Shelter workers say the woman apparently did her best to care for the rabbits, but as in other bunny hoarding situations, she ended up being overwhelmed. She was allowed to keep the one neutered rabbit. "Rabbits reproduce just like they say they do," the One Tail at a Time shelter said in a Facebook post. "So well meaning people can end up in a really scary mess in a really short amount of time. We're not here to judge, but we are here to help." (Read more rabbits stories.) (Newser) Days before Robert Durst's murder trial was set to resume after a more than yearlong delay, his lawyers are asking for it to be postponed indefinitely. Durst, the heir to a New York real estate empire who is accused of fatally shooting his friend Susan Berman in 2000 and whose story was documented in HBO's The Jinx, has bladder cancer that is not being treated, his attorneys say. "He's really gone down in the last year. He's been in and out of clinics and hospitals frequently," one of them tells CNN. His trial is scheduled to resume Monday, but his team filed an emergency motion Thursday asking for the postponement. They also said Durst, 78 would be willing to abide by strict conditions if released to a medical facility. story continues below Durst, who is suspected of killing Berman to keep her from incriminating him in the disappearance of his first wife, saw his trial suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic after just a few days of testimony in March of last year. He has pleaded not guilty. A criminal trial "is grueling for a healthy individual, let alone a 78-year-old man with serious health conditions, including bladder cancer, prior esophageal cancer, malnutrition, coronary artery disease with drug eluting stents, atrial fibrillation and chronic kidney disease," the motion says, per NBC Los Angeles. Durst has been jailed since 2015. It's not clear whether prosecutors will respond prior to Monday, when jurors are due for an orientation, CBS Los Angeles reports. (Read more Robert Durst stories.) (Newser) An enslaved girl flees a Georgia cotton plantation and its brutal owner, only to be pursued by a bounty hunter spurred by his failure to catch her mother years earlier in The Underground Railroad, a 10-hour limited series debuting Friday on Amazon Prime Video. Just how good is Moonlight director Berry Jenkins' adaptation of Colson Whitehead's Pulitzer Prize-winning 2016 novel of the same name? The 97% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes should be some indication. Four takes: "Yes, you will see atrocities. But you will also see humanity and resistance and love. You will see a stirring, full-feeling, technically and artistically and morally potent work, a visual tour de force worthy of Whitehead's imaginative one," writes James Poniewozik at the New York Times, where the series nabs "critic's pick." That's due in part to its "magnetic" star, Thuso Mbedu. As for Jenkins, "it's as if he has figured out how to funnel more feeling through a camera lens than anyone else." The 10-episode series"hallucinatory, magical, allegorical, and yet permanently in the pursuit of historical and eternal truths, the resurrection of lost perspectives and the uplifting of unheard voices"gets five stars from Lucy Mangan at the Guardian, who urges you not to binge-watch it. "The visual unpacking of every multi-layered scene is a week's work alone," she writes, noting the viewer is whisked to a "slightly alt-reality America" in which the railroad is a literal thing. story continues below "The railroad facilitates a grim tour of the American South, with each stop reinforcingin its own terrifying waythe supremacist delusion at the heart of the nation's darkest legacy," writes Bethonie Butler at the Washington Post. "Pain is abundant, and the series beckons us to grieve," she adds, noting "I used the pause button a lotboth to collect and to brace myself." But it also "depicts the strength and perseverance of Black people, who have endured generations of abuse in a country built on paradoxical notions of freedom." "Once Cora leaves the plantation, the new worlds she moves through often have eerie resonances with the present, in ways that discombobulate viewers who might be tempted to resign these stories to the distant past," writes Emily VanDerWerff at Vox. "I have no idea what white Americans who arent me will make of The Underground Railroad," but it "made me feel things about my own life and personal pain very deeply, while never letting me forget that while I could relate to aspects of this story, it is not my own." (Read more television review stories.) (Newser) Russia is saying not so fast to the plan to have Tom Cruise star in the first narrative action movie filmed in space. In what the Guardian is calling "space race 2," a Russian actor and director will set out for the International Space Station in early October, the same month Cruise is set to arrive with director Doug Liman. Russian space agency Roscosmos put out a call for "a real superhero to go to the stars" in November, shortly after NASA confirmed the plan involving Cruise. It laid out physical requirements, adding that acting experience wasn't a prerequisite. On Thursday, it announced actor Yulia Peresild and actor-director Klim Shipenko will begin training, including flights in zero gravity, by June 1. Actor Alena Mordovina and director Alexei Dudin will serve as "a reserve crew," per Reuters. story continues below Peresild and Shipenko are set to fly to ISS on a Soyuz MS-19 craft on Oct. 5. The timing "suggests an intention to beat the Americans" as NASA has only said Cruise and Liman will arrive sometime in October, per the Guardian. Roscosmos said the pre-flight boot camp would be filmed by Russia's Channel One, which will also be involved in producing the film titled Challenge, along with Roscosmos director general, Dmitry Rogozin. It's described as a "space drama" that aims to "popularize Russias space activities" as well as the profession of cosmonaut. Peresild took home the best actress award at the 2015 Beijing International Film Festival for her role as Soviet Red Army sniper Lyudmila Pavlichenko in Battle for Sevastopol, while Shipenko directed 2017's Salyut 7, centered on the 1985 mission to retrieve a lost Soviet space station in low Earth orbit. (Read more Russia stories.) (Newser) The criminal enterprise that's responsible for the long gas lines in the southeastern US has logged off, saying it lost access to the infrastructure it needs to run its operation. "Servers were seized (country not named), money of advertisers and founders was transferred to an unknown account," says a message from the DarkSide hackers posted in a cybercrime forum. The post is labeled "DarkSide Closed," Krebs on Security reports. Much like other outlaw gangs, the members of ransomware groups sometimes scatter with their loot, drop off the grid, then resurface later under a different name. It wasn't clear if the federal government had a role in the development, per the Wall Street Journal, or whether the DarkSide account is accurate. A message to ransomware allies cited "pressure from the US," per the Washington Post. The website went dark Thursday. story continues below DarkSide's announcement said decryption tools were being made available to companies facing ransom demands that haven't paid. That's too late for Colonial Pipeline, which paid nearly $5 million to be able to restore its service. Parts of DarkSide's message seemed to come from REvil, a ransomware platform, which said it's putting limits on its use by others. Ransom attacks on health care and educational institutions, as well as government sites, won't be allowed, it said. Some experts suspect there was so much attention on ransomware attacksas DarkSide's message suggestedthat the operators decided to disappear. A former Obama administration official said it seems unlikely that it was the government that brought DarkSide down, largely because it happened so quickly. (Ireland reported a cyberattack Friday.) Christoph Cunningham of Detroit said he's fully vaccinated but wore a mask Friday on his way to lunch at a bar. "I'll eventually take my mask off," he says. "I might take it off to make other people comfortable. ... If you don't feel comfortable not wearing a mask, I think you should be able to keep... (AP Photo/Ed White) Christoph Cunningham of Detroit said he's fully vaccinated but wore a mask Friday on his way to lunch at a bar. "I'll eventually take my mask off," he says. "I might take it off to make other people comfortable.... (AP Photo/Ed White) (Newser) Les Moonves, the former CBS chief executive who was forced out after being accused of sexual harassment and abuse in a period spanning decades, has dropped his attempt to recover $120 million in severance pay. Moonves filed for arbitration in January 2019 over the money after the CBS board decided that he was fired for cause after violating company policies, CNBC reports, and did not cooperate with the company investigation. The money has been held in trust since and will return to the company, which is now ViacomCBS. The disclosure came in a filing with the federal government. The statement said a contractor, evidently a law firm involved in the investigation, will cover costs of the settlement, per the Hollywood Reporter. Moonves' share will go to charities, the company said. story continues below Moonves, who had a 24-year career at CBS, was accused of sexual misconduct in 2018. The network ordered its own investigation after one was published by the New Yorker. Among the accusations was that he forced women into sex and retaliated against them in the workplace if they refused. In his last two years on the job, Moonves was paid about $69 million, per Deadline. "The disputes between Mr. Moonves and CBS have now been resolved," the company said in its filing. (Read more Les Moonves stories.) Sorry! This content is not available in your region Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by subscribing or contributing today. An ice jam on the Buckland River has sent water over the village of the Buckland in Northwest Alaska. Buckland, a village of about 400 residents, is 75 air miles southeast of Kotzebue. Photo courtesy of Charles Esmailka The past year was not a good time to be in the airline business. Although vaccination rates today are rising and travelers are returning to the skies, New York Stewart International Airport (SWF) has a long way to go to recovery after the pandemic. What were seeing, says Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Aviation Director Huntley A. Lawrence, is that no small airport or community has escaped the impacts of COVID-19. Many airports have lost all of their air service. Its been a real challenge as the airline industry has seen significant losses in their traffic in the past year. Stewart Airport saw a 90 percent reduction in total passengers and a 64 percent drop in the number of flights taking off in December 2020 compared to the same period the previous year, according to the Port Authoritys traffic report. Though the report didnt quantify the financial impact during this period, Airlines for America (A4A), an organization that advocates on behalf of airlines, reported that U.S. airline operating revenues fell 62 percent from the first quarter 2019 to the first quarter 2021. At its lowest point, the A4A says, passenger volumes were down 96 percent, to a volume not seen since the 1950s, before the dawn of the jet. The airfield at Stewart actually dates back to 1930 when aviation buff Archie Stewart donated 220 acres of land to the city of Newburgh. Used for cadet flight training, the airfield became Stewart Air Force Base in 1948 before expanding steadily as a commercial airport over the years. By 2017, Stewart welcomed its first-ever transatlantic arrival, a Norwegian Air flight from Edinburgh, Scotland. At its peak in 2018, Stewart was home to five passenger airlines and contributed $426 million in economic activity to the region. That translated to 2,390 total jobs and $142 million in annual wages. But the airport has lost three of those five carriers in two years, and one of the two remaining airlines American Airlines suspended service for a period during the pandemic. Norwegian Airlines, which offered affordable nonstop flights to Ireland from Stewart (roundtrips were in the $370 range) initially suspended flights in March 2019 because the Boeing 737 MAX planes it used in these routes were grounded globally due to two deadly crashes. They attempted to continue operating service with replacement aircraft, but ultimately said that the routes were no longer commercially viable. (Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumers plea to Aer Lingus to restore international flights to the airport has so far gone unheeded.) Jet Blue and Delta also ended flights from Stewart last year amid the pandemic. Delta does not have a date to resume service, but says they are continuously monitoring demand trends with plans to rebuild their network. Jet Blue has also not said if and when they will resume flights out of Stewart. American is operating just one route right now, flying once daily to Philadelphia, and Allegiant offers only seasonal flights when people are likely to travel for holidays or over the spring and summer. From Stewart, Allegiant flies twice weekly to Orlando and St. Petersburg in Florida, and Myrtle Beach in South Carolina; the airline will resume service to Punta Gorda, Fla., in June. The airline also recently added service to Savannah, Ga., beginning May 26 in time for Memorial Day weekend. Opportunities for Stewarts future Though the Port Authority, which manages Stewart Airport, has yet to release airport employment data for 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the air transportation industry, which includes both passenger and cargo transport, lost 26 percent of its workforce in the pandemic year, going from a high of 518,500 jobs in March 2020 to a low of 383,200 jobs in June that year. It has since rebounded to 419,000 jobs in April, though 2021 numbers are preliminary. Federal aid has helped keep many in the airline industry employed despite a drop in passenger travel, which is still down roughly 36 percent compared to levels before the pandemic. In March 2020, passenger airlines received $50 billion in pandemic relief, split evenly between loans and payroll grants. Another $15 billion in payroll funding came in December, and President Bidens relief bill this year provided an additional $14 billion to airlines and $9 billion for airports. Of this latest round of aid, Stewart Airport received $2.3 million for operations, personnel, cleaning, sanitizing, and debt service payments, among other things. Many returning employees, including pilots, are still undergoing retraining and recertification processes, suggesting that a return to normal on employment levels is still a ways off. The fact that airline employees are being called back is a good sign of the overall economy, but in the case of Stewart, there may be more reasons to be optimistic. Airline industry analyst Robert W. Mann notes that Stewart has gotten some of its initially canceled service back, and this trend may continue as summer leisure traffic volumes recover. He also likened the potential of the Hudson Valley to Californias wine country in terms of its ability to draw non-local tourists to the area by plane. Theres lots of draw in the Hudson Valley. But it will take a fair amount of effort, both by the state and the Port Authority. Its an unexploited situation and these things bear fruit over time, he says. But the biggest determinant of Stewarts future success hinges on when New Yorkers go back into the office and fly for work again. A critical factor will be the return of business travel, he says. So many secondary and tertiary airports only had services because of the business traveler. Stewart is also considered a Reliever Airport, an airline industry term for a regional airport that provides relief to congested and pricey air travel in major cities. The problem with this model is that airlines dont like to split demand, but with business travel down by roughly 50 percent compared to pre-pandemic levels, there is less demand, period. Enter three key Port Authority initiatives This spring the Port Authority announced several initiatives that they say will re-energize the airport, including an incentive program to attract carriers, a new marketing campaign, and a state-of-the art customs facility, which added 20,000 square feet of space to the existing terminal and also allows additional screening. To attract more airlines to the airport, Stewart is offering airport fee waivers and marketing support for 24 months for any carrier that begins new nonstop service to any destination that is not currently served from Stewart. This is not a new concept smaller airports often use this, and Stewart itself offered one before but the new program incorporates guidance from a consultant for best practices in the industry. Lawrence would be happy with any existing airline that adds new routes to the airport, but what I would love to see, he says, is one of these new start-up airlines like Breeze or others make Stewart airport a focus city. The new marketing campaign, focused on both the airline industry as well as consumers through targeted digital advertising and social media, also includes a new logo featuring a modern-looking apple, which was selected to convey the airports proximity to apple country and New York City. Theyre also working with local tourism partners and area attractions to raise awareness of Stewart as a viable travel option. Hudson Valley Tourism President Amanda Dana points out that growth at Stewart has to come both from attracting more customers in the region who are looking to travel to the destinations that Stewart serves, as well as attracting more tourists to the Hudson Valley. People already view New York City as a destination, she says, so one way to do this is to highlight how close and easy it is to travel an hour north of the Big Apple and get an incredible experience. She also recommends marketing the region to other parts of the country, especially a city in the southeast that Stewart already services, particularly during prime travel times for those areas like July through October. This [would] align very nicely with the Hudson Valley vacation season where we experience an uptick in visitors. Dana adds that the booming local film industry has the potential to boost airport use, too. Many west coast productions are considering the Hudson Valley for their next film, and many top producers directors and actors live in the Los Angeles area. It would be a great asset to have a direct flight to New York Stewart. Pent-up demand, cargo could boost recovery Interest in air travel in recent weeks has picked up, with the number of daily passengers steadily surpassing one million for a 706 percent increase in air travel compared to this time last year. People are ready to go out and enjoy their time with their families and they are ready to go on vacations, Lawrence says. Increased demand is one reason to be bullish on Stewart Airport, but another post-pandemic consideration is the fact many people have decided to leave congested areas like New York City and move to the Hudson Valley and more residents could mean more travelers at Stewart. We know there was an influx of new residents into the county, like the increase post-9/11, says Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus, However, it will be awhile before well be able to quantify this growth. Neuhaus also noted that Stewart is important not only for air passengers but also cargo. Cargo makes up a significant percentage of business at the airport with companies like FedEx, DHL and UPS shipping oversized freight, express packages and livestock on regularly scheduled flights. Domestic freight was up nearly 17 percent in December of 2020 from the same period last year, when it shipped nearly 23,000 tons of freight according to the Port Authority's 2019 airport traffic report. (LaGuardia, by example, shipped less than 7,000 tons in 2019). Stewarts optimal location at the intersection of the New York State Thruway (Interstate 87) and Interstate 84 makes it very attractive for cargo companies and this business could grow, says Mann. Freight going to Rockland County, Connecticut, or the Hudson Valley is better off arriving in Stewart rather than JFK, the regions major cargo hub, he says, because its much less congested both in terms of air traffic and surface roads. The opening of Legoland, the states first major amusement park and adjacent hotel, located in Orange County, is also expected to bring in new travelers. Stewart Airport can and will be a success, Neuhaus says. With attractions in Orange County such as Legoland, Stewart can become a regional destination airport. The Connecticut House of Representatives approved a bill on Wednesday that would declare pizza the State Food and place it in the State Register and Manual. While the bill passed with 131 votes in favor of the bill, there were nine representatives who did not vote in support of the action. Among them was Rep. Craig Fishbein, R-Wallingford, who told Hearst Connecticut via email that he was not in favor of singling out just one of the state's foods. We have many great pizza places here in Wallingford, most especially Amore's Pizza in Yalesville. But we also have some other great worthy foods as well, like the world-famous donuts at Neil's, he said. Michael's Trattoria has fantastic eggplant parmigiana, and in Cheshire there is the most delicious Sweet Claude's ice cream, or how about a nice fresh omelet from Paul's? Along the shore, many a lobster roll is consumed. If at all, why not that which is more indicative of a coastal state? For Rep. Terrie Wood, R-Darien, the issue was not about the food itself it was about other issues the representative finds to be more pressing that pushing for pizza as the State Food. Honestly? I wanted to see if anyone was paying attention to the vote, Wood said in an emailed statement. More importantly, I felt that with all the critical issues facing our state, we should stay hyper-focused on these issues particularly K-12 education and job recovery in the wake of COVID. Fishbein also acknowledged the much more important issues to tackle that have come out of the worst pandemic that our state has seen in 100 or so years. Similarly, Rep. Rick Hayes, R-Putnam, found the sessions inclusion of state food to detract from other legislation concerns. With no firm discussions on a state budget, it was frustrating to me that some of the discussion yesterday was about food, Rep. Hayes said in an emailed statement. Hoping to focus on other action items before the current legislative session ends on June 9, Rep. Geoff Luxenberg, D-Manchester, summed up his vote in an emailed statement. I like pizza just like everyone else but I think the people we represent have bigger fish to fry. Echoing the sentiments of her fellow representatives regarding misplaced priorities, Rep. Anne Dauphinais, R-Killingly issued the following statement through her press secretary. "Where were they when I was fighting against stripping away religious freedom, removing parental rights/choice, government making our medical decisions, more mandates, higher taxes, state takeover of our towns, stripping us of our individual rights, the continuation of one person/party rule, denigration of education, compromising our police force or voter fraud?" Other representatives who did not vote in favor of making pizza the state food were Rep. Mitch Bolinsky, R-Newtown, Rep. Jay Case, R-Winchester, Rep. Doug Dubitsky, R-Chaplin and Rep. Mike France, R-Ledyard. Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, two worst-affected states of Covid-19 in South India, have announced complete lockdown. Karnataka has detected the double mutant variant (B.1.617). Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, being the two worst-affected states of Covid-19 in South India, have now announced complete lockdown. The lockdown in the states has started from 10 May 2021 and will be continuing for the next two weeks, till May 24. Tamil Nadu recorded its biggest single-day spike of Covid-19 cases and fatalities on Friday, with 27,397 infections and 241 deaths. The total case count reached 13.51 lakh and the toll stood at 15,412. The state touched the new spike in just a day after logging a record 26,465 cases and 197 deaths. Karnataka, on the other hand, has detected 86 new cases of the double mutant variant (B.1.617). Owing to this, the state has been reporting more than 35,000 cases every day and more than 400 deaths. As both the states grapple with a heavy spike in cases, they have started facing a shortage of beds and oxygen. Also read: As Covid second wave engulfs South Asia, Xi spins 7 cases lies; What is Chinas covid reality? Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin said a total lockdown which began on May 10 had to be fastened due to a sharp increase in daily infections. The total lockdown will be enforced from 4am on May 10 to 4am on May 24 to further intensify the efforts to curb the spread of the disease, he said. Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa, in the view of the high spike of COVID-19 cases, announced lockdown-like restrictions in the southern state from May 10 in view of spiralling Covid-19 cases. All shops and commercial establishments, hotels, pubs and bars were to remain closed during this period. Both the states, only to exempt essential services like food, medicine, milk, fruits and vegetables will be available from 6 am to 10 am, people have been strictly warned to not come out in public places. The Indian government has unveiled its mega plan to vaccinate everyone by end of 202. Sputnik is expected to hit the Indian market by next week. As states across India report shortage of vaccine, the Centre has unveiled its mega plan to vaccinate everyone by end of 2021. The grand roadmap to vaccinate each and every Indian includes producing about 216 crore vaccines by 2021. The government is already in talks with J&J Pfizer, while Sputnik is expected to hit the Indian market by next week. In total, there are about 8 players in fray to realise the goal of complete immunisation. Looking at the current status of vaccines, about 11 crore doses of Covishield will be produced by July, and reach the goal of 75 crore doses by end of 2021. About 2 crore doses of Covaxin will be produced by July and reach the goal of 55 crore doses by end of the year. Bio E and Zydus Cadila are still under phase 3 trials and are expected to produce about 30 crore and 5 crore doses respectively by end of the year. BB Nasal and Genova are in phase 1 and phase 2 trials and are expected to produce about 10 crore and 6 crore doses respectively. While Sputnik will be available from next week, the approval is sought for SII-Novavax. In an attempt to immediately ramp up the vaccine supply, Zydus Cadila is likely to begin supply in June, Sputnik will be available from next week, Indian institute of science has begin developing vaccine, Bharat Biotech will share Covaxin code. 2 PSUs are already in talks to enter pact to increase Covaxins production. The Centre, on the other hand, has increased the gap between 2 Covishield doses to 12-16 weeks. China's neighbors like India, Japan and South Asian countries are reporting huge surge meanwhile Mainland China has no more 7 cases as far as the Chinese National Health Commission is concerned. Lack of free press and transparency in the Communist regime has make it immensely difficult to find out the truth behind XI's fallacies and narratives. India has been battling the second wave Covid Tsunami and similarly its immediate neighbors have seen a rise in increasing covid cases. Afghanistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan are recording sharply rising infections during the month of April. The Union Health Ministry of India reported as many as 3,43,144 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hrs in the country. The grim realities of acute shortages have left the country in shock. Healthcare and medical infrastructure has collapsed nationwide and doctors and medical team are living on the edge in trying to provide treatment to the covid patients. The World Health Organization (WHO) raised alarm about the B.1.617 of the Covid-19 variant which was first identified in India and designated it as one of global concern that requires more tracking and analysis. However a major concern is that WHO has been blindly trusting whatever China is telling them for the past few months. One country that seems to be showing its hunky dory narrative has reached a new unbelievable threshold, with China claiming during month of April-May 2021, they only reported number of positive cases lesser than 25. This put many things into perspective and why Chinas neighbors like India, Japan and South Asian countries are reporting such huge surge meanwhile Mainland China has no more than 7 cases as far as the Chinese National Health Commission is concerned. As these South Asian countries including India are going through an unforgiving and devastating second wave, China is perfectly claiming Covid positive cases in single digits. The deadly virus which originated from mainland Chinas Wuhan during Oct-Nov 2019 saw the rest of world getting paralyzed last year and still continues to battle the menance. However Chinas compulsive lies strategy and misinformation which has been unprecedented around the world isnt stopping any time soon. Dr Satoru Nagao Visiting Fellow, Hudson Institute exclusively spoke to NewsX and said Japan is in a state of emergency due to surge in covid cases. Many foreign policy and health experts believe that the Chinese official figures that they have mentioned could be several times higher than what China has reported so far. Also Read: US kicks off vaccination drive for 12-15 year old: Huge step in fight against Covid-19 Also Read: Israel-Palestine conflict intensifies, world leaders urge for peace talk Lack of free press and transparency in the Communist regime has make it immensely difficult to find out the truth behind Xis fallacies and narratives. Hundreds of whistleblowers and journalists have been arrested and the world at large do not have a critical objective information regarding the numbers in China. Amid a barrage of rockets fired from Gaza by Hamas and other Palestinian groups, US President Joe Biden declared that Israel has a right to defend itself. The violence in Gaza and Israel this week is the worst since 2014. It was sparked by weeks of Israeli-Palestinian tension in East Jerusalem On the fifth day of hostilities, Israel has escalated its assault on Gaza, as Palestinian militants continue to fire rockets into Israel. According to Israels military, air and ground forces were involved in Fridays attacks but had not entered Gaza city. The night sky was lit up by explosions from Israeli artillery and airstrikes, according to a video from Gaza City. Since the fighting began on Monday, 119 people have died in Gaza, and eight have died in Israel. Meanwhile, Jewish and Israeli-Arab groups have been fighting within Israel, prompting the countrys president to issue a warning about civil war. Defence Minister Benny Gantz has ordered a massive reinforcement of security forces to quell the internal unrest, which has resulted in the arrest of over 400 people. The violence in Gaza and Israel this week is the worst since 2014. It was sparked by weeks of Israeli-Palestinian tension in East Jerusalem, which resulted in clashes at a holy site revered by Muslims and Jews. The Israeli military said it had carried out an overnight operation to destroy a network of Hamas tunnels known as the metro, but no troops had entered Gaza. It went on to say that 220 more projectiles were fired from Gaza on Thursday evening and Friday morning. This escalated into a never-ending barrage of Palestinian rocket fire and Israeli airstrikes. Amid a barrage of rockets fired from Gaza by Hamas and other Palestinian groups, US President Joe Biden declared that Israel has a right to defend itself. During the days-long outbreak of violence that has killed dozens, Biden says he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Earlier, On Wednesday, the US had sent an envoy to Israel amid the harrowing violence in the country. Also Read: Israel-Palestine conflict intensifies, world leaders urge for peace talk What triggered the violence? Days of escalating clashes between Palestinians and Israeli police at a holy hilltop compound in East Jerusalem sparked the violent fighting between Israel and Hamas. The site is revered by Muslims, who refer to it as the Haram al-Sharif (Noble Sanctuary), and Jews, who refer to it as the Temple Mount. Hamas demanded that Israel remove police from the area as well as from the nearby predominantly Arab district of Sheikh Jarrah, where Palestinian families are being evicted by Jewish settlers. When Hamas ultimatum went unheeded, it launched rockets. Palestinian rage had already been stoked by weeks of rising tension in East Jerusalem, exacerbated by a series of clashes with police since the beginning of Ramadan in Mid- April. It was fueled further by the threat of Jewish settlers evicting Palestinian families from their homes in East Jerusalem, as well as Israels annual commemoration of its capture of East Jerusalem in the 1967 Middle East war, known as Jerusalem Day. The US on Thursday took a huge step in the fight against Covid-19 by kicking off worlds first mass vaccination drive for 12-15 year olds. Till now, US and other countries around the world, including India, were and have been inoculating everyone above the age of 18. The move to inoculate teenagers came after CDC and federal governments approval to Pfizer-BioTech vaccine. The vaccine is safe, effective, easy, fast and free, said Joe Biden, while hailing the move to vaccinate the younger population. He further emphasised that as many as 20K pharmacies are ready to start giving the shots and this is one more giant step in their fight against the pandemic. Reports coming in from US suggest that some states such as Georgia have already started vaccinating children. Meanwhile, others are readying to start the vaccination drive. One of the primary challenges that has been observed is vaccine hesitancy. Several parents in the US are waiting it out to book a slot as they view it as experimental. Others are still deciding by weighing in a number of factors. There is also a section of people, including children, who want to get the doses as soon as possible so that life can return to normalcy. The decision to roll out the vaccination drive for children is the need of the hour and should be considered by other countries as well. Children are exposed to the virus as much as adults. While some can grow seriously sick, others can unknowingly spread the virus to vulnerable groups. Even in India, children have been testing positive for Covid-19. Hence, it only seems logical to extend the vaccination drive to all sections of the society, including children. Scientists from the Natural History Museum and ZSL (Zoological Society of London) are part of a new study looking into the potential extinction of Arthroleptides dutoiti, or Du Toits Torrent frog. Known to be currently Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List, Du Toits Torrent frog is a priority species on ZSLs EDGE (Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered) amphibians list, given its Red List status and phylogenetic distinctiveness. There have been numerous surveys to locate Du Toits torrent frog since its last record in 1962, but all attempts have failed to find the species. Du Toits Torrent frog is endemic to Mount Elgon in East Africa, on the borders Kenya and Uganda. They have interesting biological features adapted to living in and around fast flowing streams. Tadpoles have mouthparts adapted to rasping and attaching themselves to rocks, preventing them being flushed down mountain streams and adults also have t-shaped fingertips, presumably to improve their grasping ability on slippery rocks. Co-author Dr Simon Loader, Principal Curator in Charge of Vertebrates at the Natural History Museum has said: There are only three species in the genus that Du Toits Torrent frog belongs to with closest relatives to this genus found in central Africa. These frog lineages are estimated to be separated for many millions of years. If you lose these lineages, you lose a large amount of evolutionary history and thats what makes them important. Its not just losing a species, its losing a particular branch of the evolutionary tree, which we believe to be quite distinct. Du Toits Torrent frog IUCN Red List conservation status will be re-assessed in light of these new findings and are likely to change from being critically endangered to being extinct. Dr Loader and colleagues were able to highlight the worrying decline in this species by combining information from the 1930s, work from the 1960s (Ronalda Keith, AMNH) and ongoing work from the National Museum of Kenya (NMK) to find Du Toits Torrent frog. Over the last 20 years colleagues from NMK, including from first author of the scientific paper Jacob Mueti Ngwava, have carried out numerous field surveys to find this specific frog, sadly to no avail. This decline could be due to many factors including the logging of the forests and the conversion of its habitat to farmland. The authors believe the species is no longer present in Kenya but there may a chance that the species could be found on the Ugandan side, where surveys havent been less intensive. ZSL's EDGE Programme Manager, Olivia Couchman, said: The potential loss of the Du Toit's Torrent frog from Africa's Mount Elgon, which has not been seen since the 1960s, would mean the loss of many million years of evolutionary history - there is quite simply no other species like it on the planet. The paper is published in African Journal of Herpetology on 14 May 2021. ENDS Notes for editors Media contact: Tel: (0)779 969 0151 Email: press@nhm.ac.uk About the Natural History Museum: The Natural History Museum is both a world-leading science research centre and the most-visited natural history museum in Europe. With a vision of a future in which both people and the planet thrive, it is uniquely positioned to be a powerful champion for balancing humanitys needs with those of the natural world. It is custodian of one of the worlds most important scientific collections comprising over 80 million specimens. The scale of this collection enables researchers from all over the world to document how species have and continue to respond to environmental changes - which is vital in helping predict what might happen in the future and informing future policies and plans to help the planet. The Museums 300 scientists continue to represent one of the largest groups in the world studying and enabling research into every aspect of the natural world. Their science is contributing critical data to help the global fight to save the future of the planet from the major threats of climate change and biodiversity loss through to finding solutions such as the sustainable extraction of natural resources. The Museum uses its enormous global reach and influence to meet its mission to create advocates for the planet - to inform, inspire and empower everyone to make a difference for nature. We welcome over five million visitors each year; our digital output reaches hundreds of thousands of people in over 200 countries each month and our touring exhibitions have been seen by around 30 million people in the last 10 years. ZSLs EDGE of Existence programme ZSLs EDGE of Existence programme is the only global conservation initiative to focus specifically on threatened species that represent a significant amount of unique evolutionary history. Using a scientific framework to identify the worlds most Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) species, the EDGE of Existence programme highlights and protects some of the most unique and most wonderful species on the planet. EDGE species have few close relatives on the tree of life and are often extremely unusual in the way they look, live and behave, as well as in their genetic make-up. They represent a unique and irreplaceable part of the worlds natural heritage, yet an alarming proportion are on the verge of extinction. What is EDGE? | EDGE of Existence ZSL (Zoological Society of London) Founded in 1826, ZSL (Zoological Society of London) is an international scientific, conservation and educational charity whose mission is to promote and achieve the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats. Our mission is realised through our ground-breaking science, our active conservation projects in more than 50 countries and our two Zoos, ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. For more information visit www.zsl.org Santander Bank is closing four of its 28 branches in the state, including one in New Haven County, according to a federal agency that charters, regulates and supervises all national banks. Bank officials told the federal Office of the Comptroller of Currency they are closing branches in Plainville, Farmington, East Windsor and Waterbury on August 6. Santander has a branch on East Main Street in Waterbury, in addition to the one at 184 Chase Avenue that is closing. The closing of the four branches is not a prelude to a full-scale withdrawal from the state by Santander, according to a statement by Kerri Beliveau, the banks district executive. I want to emphasize that we are not exiting Connecticut by any means - we are only consolidating branches, Beliveau said. Like many industries, our customers preferences and behaviors are shifting, with more customers choosing to bank with us online. In response to these changes, we are reducing the number of our branches and increasing our investment in digital capabilities, as well as other products and services that are in line with the evolving needs of our customers. Santander, which is based in Spain, broke into the Connecticut market when it acquired Pennsylvania-based Sovereign Bank in 2009. Sovereign had bolstered its Connecticut presence in 1999 when it acquired 278 Fleet and BankBoston branches, including some in Connecticut that those two banks had to sell off to satisfy anti-trust concerns as a result of their merger. The Sovereign branches took on the Santander name in 2013. Santanders U.S. banking operations are based in Boston. The Connecticut banking industry has seen the pace of branch closings that started a decade ago gain momentum. Over the last decade, the number of bank branches in the state has dropped by 201 locations, for an overall closure rate of 16 percent, according to John Carusone, president of the Bank Analysis Center, a Hartford-based industry consulting firm. The national closure rate over the same period was 6 percent, Carusone said earlier this year. In late December 2020, Webster Bank announced it was closing 16 branches in the state, including offices in Cheshire, Bethany and Hamden. Those closings occurred earlier this spring. Webster and some of the other banks that have announced branch closings since then use savings from the branch closures to offering more mobile banking options. luther.turmelle@hearstmediact.com An upcoming Netflix film is reportedly filming in more than just one Connecticut location. The Good Nurse, a Netflix true crime movie starring Eddie Redmayne and Jessica Chastain, already began filming in Stamford in April, but the movie magic is set to continue just up I-95 in Norwalk. NEW HAVEN People from across the community continue to offer donations to support the family of Ricardo Torres Jr., a city firefighter who died after fighting a blaze on Valley Street, and the daughter of Firefighter William McMillian, who died this past weekend. As of 8:30 a.m., the GoFundMe fundraiser for Torres family had raised more than $226,000, while the campaign to support McMillians daughter had brought in $3,950. Lt. Samod Rankins, injured in the same fire that claimed Torres life, was listed in fair condition at the Connecticut Burn Center, part of Bridgeport Hospital, as of Friday morning, according to Marketing Relations Coordinator John Cappiello. McMillians death was announced by the New Haven Firemans Benevolent Association, who noted that he had been a member of the department for four years. The funeral for McMillian was held Friday at Bethel AME Church, 255 Goffe St. Officials with the association said he would be remembered as a loyal, hard working, family man and praised his work. Within his tenure with (the) NHFD he was noted (for) his efforts on multiple responses. One such being a medical alarm in which he performed CPR on a patient that resulted in successful return of circulation to save their life. His tenacity, strength and endurance were credited for this act, Benevolent Association officials said. Within the firehouse, his reserved demeanor opened up and his love of life was expressed through conversation and camaraderie, officials said. McMillian previously served as an EMT with American Medical Response before joining the department, according to the association. McMillian loved his family, especially his mother whom he always made sure was ok. Jamar has always been the man of the house, looking after his sister Brionna and brother Mason. He was devoted to his daughter Madison and has her name tattooed on his arm. He loved her with all his heart. Jamars best friends, Angel and Juwan were more like best brothers, his obituary on Colonial Funerals website said. The fire that led to Torres death and Rankins hospitalization is under investigation by state police, city officials said Thursday. As they consider the factors at hand during the fire, officials are evaluating whether an over-accumulation of combustible materials were on site, said Connecticut State Police Sgt. Paul Makuc. New Haven Assistant Chief Justin McCarthy thanked the community and larger world for its support in the wake of Torres death. He said the department had offered support to its members, including peer support teams, as they continued to work and respond to calls in the wake of the incident. Being at work with their fellow firefighters had helped some, he said. This is a tough time for all of us, and on behalf of the New Haven Fire Department, I just want to say thank you to everyone, said McCarthy. Local 825 union President Patrick Cannon said Wednesday that Torres was doing the job he always dreamed of doing, and paid with his life. The 1,998-square-foot, two-family house at 190 Valley St. has been owned by the same person since 2005, city records show. Neighbors expressed their shock and sadness at the incident Wednesday. An 84-year-old woman who lived in the Valley Street home was injured in the incident, according to fire officials. Torres was the first New Haven firefighter to die in the line of duty in more than a decade. Rankins condition could be re-evaluated later Friday, Cappiello said. McCarthy said Thursday that Rankins condition was steadily improving. Rankins, known by his friends as Nuke, was communicating with his family through a pen and pad as of Thursday, according to retired New Haven firefighter Garry Tinney, the vice president of the International Association of Black Firefighters. william.lambert@hearstmediact.com FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP) A former Army Green Beret who admitted divulging military secrets to Russia over a 15-year period was sentenced to more than 15 years in prison Friday on espionage charges. The sentence of 15 years and 8 months imposed on Peter Dzibinski Debbins, 46, of Gainesville, Virginia, by U.S. District Judge Claude Hilton was largely in line with the 17-year term sought by prosecutors. Defense lawyers sought a 5-year term. Debbins' lawyer, David Benowitz, argued that Debbins caused minimal damage and that Russian agents had blackmailed Debbins by threatening to expose his same-sex attractions in a military era in which don't ask, don't tell was still in force. Debbins, at Friday's sentencing hearing in Alexandria, offered an apology of sorts in which he largely emphasized how he was victimized by the GRU, the Russian intelligence service, and said he's put himself at danger of retaliation at their hands for admitting his service to them. I have suffered in lonely silence for 25 years, Debbins said. As for the danger he faces from the GRU, he said, The GRU does not make threats; they keep promises. Prosecutors, in seeking a 17-year term, said Debbins never told the FBI anything about being blackmailed during 20 hours of interviews. They said he's fabricated the excuse and that his original explanation of his motive is far more likely, that he was bitter about his time in the Army and that he considered himself a "loyal son of Russia." And they said the very fact that a Special Forces soldier agreed to betray his country is just as damaging as any particular information he betrayed. The world has now observed that Russia successfully placed an espionage recruit within the elite U.S. Army Special Forces, a propaganda victory for Russia at the expense of the reputation of the Special Forces, prosecutors Thomas Traxler and James Trump wrote in their sentencing brief. Debbins relationship with Russian intelligence dates to 1996 and spanned 15 years, Debbins admitted back November when he pleaded guilty to violating the federal Espionage Act. It began when he was an ROTC student at the University of Minnesota and on a visit to Russia gave a handler there the names of four Catholic nuns he had visited after a Russian intelligence agent told him the nuns were involved in cult activity. In later years, he provided details about activities of his Special Forces unit overseas and the names of fellow Special Forces members. Debbins entered active-duty Army service in 1998 and by then had already committed in writing to serve the Russians and had been assigned the code name Ikar Lesnikov." In a handwritten confession filed in court, Debbins wrote that in 1997, he gave Russian intelligence a signed statement saying that I want to serve Russia. I had a messianic vision for myself in Russia, that I was going to free them from their oppressive government, so I was flattered when they reached out to me, Debbins wrote. He later joined the Special Forces and served there until 2004, when he was a captain assigned to Azerbaijan. But he was dishonorably discharged for a security violation, specifically for relocating his wife to Azerbaijan and providing her with a U.S. government cell phone. In 2008, he traveled to Russia and gave intelligence agents information about old Special Forces unit's activities in Georgia and Azerbaijan. A damage assessment of what Debbins disclosed was filed under seal Debbins said in sentencing papers that he thought he only gave the Russians information they already knew. Debbins received nominal payments for his information, even though he initially refused an offer of a $1,000 cash payment. In one meeting with Russian intelligence, he accepted a bottle of Cognac and a Russian military uniform as payment, according to the indictment. Raj Parekh, acting U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, whose office prosecuted the case, said in a statement after the hearing that the defendants brazen disclosures to Russian intelligence agents jeopardized U.S. national security and threatened the safety of his fellow servicemembers. This prosecution underscores our firm resolve to hold accountable those who betray their sworn oath and bring them to justice for their exceptionally serious crimes. HAMDEN Hamden firefighters and an animal control officer managed to free a woodchuck that became trapped inside a stove pipe Friday. Firefighters met with the animal control officer, and found the animal with its head stuck in a stove pipe, a post on the Hamden Fire Departments Facebook page said. Authorities disassembled the stove pipe and peeled it apart to free the woodchuck, the post said. The animal was then released. Firefighters did not say where the incident occurred. Woodchucks natural habitat is in forest openings, which has led the animals to adapt to forest edges and fields as humans have cleared woodland, according to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. The rodents are the largest member of the squirrel family in the state. Their range extends as far north as Alaska, and as far south as northern Georgia. The question how much wood could a wood chuck chuck? isnt really accurate. Their English name possibly derives from the Algonquin word wuchak, according to DEEP. HAMDEN The Legislative Council is standing by their approval of a deal that would guarantee a 105-member police force for the next few years, with no cuts allowed. A deal in which Hamden police officer would forfeit holiday pay in return for a freeze on layoffs and a guarantee of 102 sworn positions remains intact, despite a $300,000 error in concessions estimates. Meanwhile, the Council is poised to recommend a budget that funds 105 police officers, up from the current number of 100. The total is three more than the 102 positions the MOU requires. While it seems to stipulate that those positions be part of a bargaining unit, council President Michael McGarry said the police chief and one deputy chief, two non-union positions, count toward that total. Some Legislative Council members had questioned whether the concessions estimates error, revealed one day after the body ratified the Memorandum of Understanding detailing the agreement, necessitated another vote. But after a lengthy executive, or closed door, session about the issue this week, the council proceeded to discuss the police budget as if the agreement were in place. The body voted to add another lieutenant position, an additional requirement of the package. Two council members confirmed that the vote was not invalidated by the error. Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media The council had voted on the package with the understanding that it included an estimated $1.7 million in concessions over the next several years, about two-thirds of it coming from the forfeited holiday pay. But the next day, Finance Director Scott Jackson informed the council the town governments estimate was about $300,000 too high. Town attorney Sue Gruen did not return a request for comment, but McGarry said a statement from Hamdens legal team would be forthcoming. It had not been released as of Thursday. Meanwhile, the council has came out of deliberations with five new sworn officers included in the budget, Chief of Police John Sullivan confirmed. The move comes despite contentious debate and only a year after the same body cut nine positions, as indicated by the council-approved budget for the current fiscal year. Throughout a late night of deliberations this week, some council members cited community concern about safety and last years spike in property crime as reasons to bolster the department, which Councilman Austin Cesare said was at its lowest staffing level since 1984. We have to make sure our police are equipped, said Councilwoman Berita Rowe-Lewis. I want to make sure that we support them, we give them the best we can ... were giving them the tools to address the problems that were having. Others said the towns financial challenges the tax rate this year was 51.92 mills, and large debt payments are on the horizon was good reason not to grow the force. They also questioned whether hiring police officers was the best way to reduce crime. Councilwoman Athena Gary said she did not favor any new officers because police officers normally come to the scene after a crime has been committed. Ben Lambert / Hearst Connecticut Media Councilman Justin Farmer called for a comprehensive approach to crime that considered the effect of economic stressors. Chief of Police John Sullivan said he would use the new positions to spearhead a Police Activities League, a program through which police engage with youths in various mentoring capacities. Some council members praised the initiative, indicating it represented the direction in which the department should keep moving. McGarry, for example, expressed enthusiasm for Sullivans community policing efforts. But Farmer wondered whether money toward such efforts would be better spent directly on youth services, or to hire social workers. Ultimately, an amendment passed reducing the five new patrol officers, as requested by Mayor Curt Balzano Leng, to three. Multiple motions to reduce the number further failed narrowly. The budget proposal suggests six new patrol positions would be new. This appears to be an error, as the proposal indicates 99 police department positions were funded during the current fiscal year, when this years budget and Sullivan indicate the true number is 100. Leng confirmed he requested five new positions. As amended, the budget also includes two new lieutenant positions, one of which was recommended by the mayor. The MOU with the police union requires the addition of a second. The council will have one more round of budget deliberations following a Friday public hearing. Afterward, the budget will go back to the mayor for approval or veto. meghan.friedmann@hearstmediact.com TOKYO (AP) Honda swung into the black in January-March, recording a 213 billion yen ($2 billion) profit despite the lingering impact of the pandemic. The results, released Friday, marked a reversal from 29.5 billion yen in red ink Honda Motor Co. racked up in the same quarter last year. Quarterly sales rose nearly 5% to 3.6 trillion yen ($33 billion). Tokyo-based Hondas profit for the fiscal year that ended in March totaled 657.4 billion yen ($6 billion), up 44% from the previous fiscal year. Annual sales slipped nearly 12% to 13.2 trillion yen ($121 billion), but cost cuts helped support its bottom line. The results were better than Honda's internal forecasts. The company said its vehicle sales rose in Asia in the last quarter but fell in the U.S. and Europe. Motorcycle sales also recovered in Asia. The maker of the CR-V sport utility vehicle, Gold Wing motorcycle and Asimo robot said its adjusting to the semiconductor shortage, which is hurting automakers around the world. There is still a lot of uncertainty ahead because of the COVID-19 surge, Honda's chief operating officer, Seiji Kuraishi, told reporters. He acknowledged some Honda production is being affected by the semiconductor shortage. As vaccination efforts progress, global auto markets are expected to recover, Kuraishi said. In Japan, the pandemic has affected workers commutes, and some dealers around the world had to shut down, shorten hours or reduce services for as pandemic precautions. Honda forecast a profit of 590 billion yen ($5.4 billion) for the fiscal year through March 2022, a decline of 10% on-year. Among Japanese automakers, Toyota Motor Corp. also reported a recovery in January-March, with its profit more than doubling to 777 billion yen ($7 billion). Nissan Motor Co., whose brand has suffered over a scandal involving its former star executive Carlos Ghosn, is trimming its losses but expects to remain in the red for the fiscal year through March 2022. ___ Yuri Kageyama is on Twitter https://twitter.com/yurikageyama NEW HAVEN Injured firefighter Lt. Samod Nuke Rankins isnt allowed to use his voice until his throat heals, so when friend and retired firefighter Garry Tinney suggested a GoFundMe page to help him and his family, Rankins gave an emphatic thumbs-down. Rankins, who will turn 29 on May 22, is a natural born giver, not a taker. But Tinney didnt let the issue drop because so many in the community are reaching out pleading to do something for Rankins, their ailing community hero. For years he has been dedicated to helping those in need both materially and emotionally: those experiencing homelessness, the children, the marginalized in society. Finally, Tinney told close friend, If you dont want the funding you can set up a scholarship, and use it in other ways to help people. Thats when Rankins gave a big thumbs-up, while using Facetime. Friends finally set up a GoFundMe that in a matter of hours had raised $5,010 of a $20,000 goal. The fundraising team is comprised of Tinney and Rankin friends Petisia Adger and Precious DuBose. Peter Hvizdak / Hearst Connecticut Media Rankins is recovering from critical injuries sustained in a fatal fire Wednesday that killed his friend, firefighter Ricardo Torres Jr. Its been a tough week for Rankins, his injuries aside. One of his fellow firefighters, William Jamar McMillian, 27, of Hamden, died May 6, unexpectedly, leaving behind a daughter, 5; then Rankins friend, Torres, died in the same Valley Street fire where Rankins was injured. Torres and his pregnant wife also have a toddler. Rankins was struggling with McMillians death before the fire that killed Torres, said his best friend Maureen Gordon, who was on the phone with him talking about the loss heavy on his mind when at about 2 p.m. Rankins said, Ill call you later, as there was a fire call. It was the call after that, at about 12:45 a.m. Wednesday, to Valley Street that turned tragic. Rankins learned about Torres death after awaking from an induced coma where he was intubated in the burn unit at Bridgeport Hospital. Contributed Tinney said Rankins insisted from his hospital bed Thursday that he was going to attend McMillians funeral service Friday but he didnt get his way. They had just removed Rankins breathing tube to find the good news that Rankins could breathe on his own, although he still has a lot of healing to do. The New Haven Firemans Benevolent Association said McMillian would be remembered as a loyal, hard working, family man and praised his work. Gordon, who said she has adult children about Rankins age, said the two met feeding the homeless in shelters about a decade ago and became fast friends who go to Yale games, skating, out to dinner, and helped the needy in all kinds of ways, including raising money for underprivileged children He silently does small things in the community quietly, for underprivileged kids, Gordon said. I always called him my old soul. He has extreme intuitiveness. Hes even played Santa Claus, Gordon said, chuckling at a vision of Rankins tall, thin frame. When the news spread to the community Thursday that Rankins condition was improving after a dire prognosis, they rejoiced, as some had thought he might not survive. Contributed Tinney told the Register Wednesday that Rankins was clear-headed, answering questions correctly, was giving marching orders to his mom in his classic way, and expressing concern for fellow firefighters. Tinney said Thursday that Rankins has a phenomenal soul, a heart of gold, and has touched lives of people of all colors and ages. Tinney said Friday that Nuke said to tell everyone thank you for their prayers. MILFORD A prosecutor said police are continuing to receive and track tips about the whereabouts of missing Ansonia toddler Vanessa Morales, but none of them have turned out to be fruitful. Supervisory Assistant States Attorney Howard Steins remarks came Friday during a brief pretrial hearing for Jose Morales, the New Haven man accused of killing Vanessas mother, Christine Holloway, in Ansonia in December 2019. Stein told Judge Peter Brown hes still in the process of providing discovery evidence in the case to Jose Morales lawyer, Kevin Smith. The substantial bulk of disclosure has been provided by the state, Stein said. There is still piecemeal disclosure that occurs on a regular basis, as Attorney Smith is aware, with regard to continuing efforts by law enforcement in locating Vanessa Morales. As anonymous tips, tips though the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children are being conveyed to various agencies, extensive efforts are being taken by local law enforcement to run those leads down and they are to this point, of course, all negative, the prosecutor said. Stein said he would continue to pass any new evidence along to Jose Morales lawyer and that the two would discuss the case before a conference with the judge. The state is prepared when the defense is prepared to start to talk about how we are going to dispose of these cases, whether through some type of plea discussions or scheduling a trial on these matters, he said. Thats a fair assessment of where we are, Smith told the judge, noting that he would discuss the case with his client in the meantime. The judge then continued the case to Aug. 25. Fridays hearing was conducted remotely, and so will Jose Morales next appearance. Stein said several members of Holloways family were viewing Fridays proceeding, and that he would report to the judge if any of them had a conflict with the next court date. Morales has been charged with murder and tampering with physical evidence in connection with Holloways death. He has pleaded not guilty to both offenses. He also faces two unrelated felony charges of criminal possession of a firearm, to which he has also pleaded not guilty. Morales was identified early on as a suspect in Holloways death, which was determined to be from blunt-force trauma. During an interview with investigators, Morales claimed he was in the Myrtle Avenue home when he saw men running toward the front door, police said. Morales said he was on PCP and was punched in the face and knocked out as he tried to call 911, police said. While Holloways body was found in her Ansonia residence more than a year ago, the couples young child, Vanessa Morales, has never been found. Morales has not been charged with the childs disappearance. His arrest affidavit indicates Morales told police he had nothing to do with Holloways death or his daughters disappearance. Police in Ansonia say they believe the child will be found and continue to search for her, chasing down leads as far away as California. In January, police released an age-enhanced photo of the girl, who was 15 months old at the time she vanished. A $10,000 reward remains from the FBI to anyone who can lead investigators to Vanessa or who turns her over to police. Ansonia Police Lt. Patrick Lynch said Friday that cops are still working the case. We get tips on a fairly regular basis, Lynch said. We still encourage anyone to call us with information. Hopefully one of them will be the one that leads us to where she is. The Ansonia police investigation into this case began Dec. 2, 2019 when the conducted a welfare check after Holloway didnt show up for work. Officers went to Holloways Myrtle Avenue home and knocked on the door but left when there was no answer, police said. Seven hours later, officers went back to the house and forced their way inside, finding Holloways body. Her daughter was not in the home. Law enforcement officers used witness statements, surveillance camera footage, cellphone data and DNA evidence to charge Morales with murder, according to court documents. Neighbors placed Morales at Holloways home, police said. Surveillance footage supported another neighbors claim that Morales left the house about 30 minutes before officers first showed up to check on Holloway, the arrest affidavit said. The day before police responded to Holloways home, Morales car was seen on surveillance footage near a clothing donation bin in Derby, according to police. Workers sorting the bin in Hamden found several bloodstained items, including a childrens book, a puzzle and a mans shirt. All the items tested positive for Holloways DNA, the affidavit said. Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI New Haven hotline at 203-503-5555 or Ansonia police at 203-735-1885. MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) A judge said Friday that he will decide soon whether to let a lawsuit go forward challenging Alabama Gov. Kay Iveys plan to lease privately owned prisons. Montgomery Circuit Judge Greg Griffin heard arguments in the states request to dismiss the lawsuit that contends the plan violates state law because the massive $3 billion expenditure was not approved by the Alabama Legislature. Griffin indicated he would rule by Monday. Attorney Kenny Mendelson, of Montgomery, filed the lawsuit in Montgomery County Circuit Court on behalf of four plaintiffs Republican State Auditor Jim Zeigler; Democratic state Rep. John Rogers, of Birmingham; Leslie Ogburn, a homeowner near the proposed prison site outside Tallassee; and prisoner rights activist Rev. Kenny Glasgow of Dothan. This is a legislative function. Its up to them to decide whether to fund prisons or not to fund prisons. And what the (prison commissioner) and the governor have attempted to do is say, We are going to go ahead and obligate the state anyway, Mendelson said after court. Much of the arguments on Friday centered on whether the states financial obligation under the leases is a debt. Assistant Attorney General Jim Davis told Griffin that court rulings have made clear that a lease is not the same as a debt. It is not a debt as a matter of law, Davis said. The governor in February agreed to lease two mammoth prisons as a partial solution to the states troubled correction system. The two 30-year lease agreements are with separate entities of CoreCivic, one of the nations largest private prison companies. The governors office is negotiating with another company to build a third prison in Bibb County. Ivey has said new prisons are a crucial first step to overhauling the states troubled and aging prison system and that new facilities will be safer and enable more training and rehabilitative efforts. Critics said the $3 billion plan is unnecessarily expensive and does not address critical issues of training, violence and understaffing. The proposed prisons would be owned by the private companies but staffed and run by the Alabama Department of Corrections. Ogburn said homeowners and businesses in Elmore County have concerns about being near the planned prison that would house about 3,000 inmates. She said the community didnt know about the proposals until surveyors were on the site. The biggest concern is the shadiness. They did all of this behind closed doors, Ogburn said. The governors lease plan has been besieged by setbacks including the withdrawal of finance companies. TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) The Traverse City school district must release a document that carried complaints about a superintendent who lasted less than three months and was paid $180,000, the Michigan Court of Appeals said. The court, 3-0, affirmed a decision by a local judge in a dispute between the district and the Traverse City Record-Eagle. OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt and Republican legislative leaders on Thursday announced an agreement on an $8.3 billion spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year that includes cuts to the corporate and top individual income tax rates. Under the deal, which is expected to be approved by the full House and Senate as early as next week, nearly all state agencies will be spared from cuts or will see increases in their annual appropriations. Public schools will see an increase of $171.8 million, or nearly 6%, above the current year's funding levels, which is designed to trigger mandatory class-size reductions for kindergarten and first-grade classrooms. The proposal also sets aside more than $700 million for the state's savings account, bringing the total state reserves to more than $1 billion, a top priority for Stitt. I'm very, very pleased with how this budget came together," said Stitt, flanked by GOP leaders from the House and Senate. It lowers taxes for every single Oklahoman." Under the agreement, the top individual income tax rate will drop from 5% to 4.75%, which is expected to cost the state $170 million in annual revenue when fully implemented. It also slashes the corporate income tax rate from 6% to 4%, which is expected to cost about $110 million annually. This is going to help us retain corporations here in Oklahoma and also attract new headquarters to the great state of Oklahoma," Stitt said. The deal also restores the refundability of the earned income tax credit, which is designed to help low-income families. While Democrats support the restoration of the earned income tax credit, they expressed skepticism about the plan to cut income taxes, noting a major budget shortfall just three years ago forced lawmakers to raise taxes on cigarettes, fuel and energy production to help balance the budget and boost teacher pay. When were out talking to Oklahomans, nobodys asking for a tax cut for the wealthiest Oklahomans or a corporate tax cut," said House Minority Leader Rep. Emily Virgin, D-Norman. Theyre asking for investment in schools and health care, roads and bridges and other core services that weve never adequately funded." State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister said the $3.2 billion in funding for public schools is a record-high appropriation. After such a very challenging year in the wake of the pandemic, the budget agreement announced today is tremendous news for students, teachers and, in fact, all Oklahomans who benefit from a strong educational system, Hofmeister said in a statement. The plan also funds a voter-approved Medicaid expansion that is expected to cover 215,000 Oklahoma residents and cost the state about $164 million annually. Surplus revenue and additional funding from the federal government is expected to cover most of the costs for the first year, while a fee that hospitals pay is expected to gradually increase from 2.5% to 4% to help cover the costs in future years. Friday's press conference reflected a much-improved relationship between Republican leaders and Stitt, who vetoed the Legislature's budget last year and forced a veto override by members of his own party. WOODLAWN, Md. (AP) Records show the Maryland man who killed three people, set fire to his home and was fatally shot by responding officers last weekend had contacted 911 dispatchers at least 120 times over the last 24 years, The Baltimore Sun reported. The violence erupted after years of disputes with neighbors, who said Everton Brown, 56, believed law enforcement authorities were invading his property. NEW HAVEN Qinxuan Pan, wanted in connection with the February slaying of Yale graduate student Kevin Jiang, was arrested in Alabama, according to Massachusetts State Police. David Procopio, a staffer with media relations for the Massachusetts State Police, said Pan had been taken into custody by U.S. Marshals in Alabama Friday. Massachusetts troopers assisted in the arrest, he said. New Haven Police Department James Stossel, deputy chief of the office of public affairs with the U.S. Marshals Service, said Pan was being held at the Montgomery County Detention Center. Asked whether Pan would be extradited to Connecticut, Stossel said the question will not be answered right now, because there are too many variables involved from many different sides. Pan was taken into custody without incident and taken to the detention center, according to the marshal service. Police in Montgomery, Ala., did not return call or emails seeking comment Friday. I am extremely proud of the cooperation and efforts of the U.S. Marshals, the Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force, and our state and local partners in apprehending Pan, said U.S. Marshal for the Middle District of Alabama Jesse Seroyer Jr., in a release. Once we received information that Pan was in Montgomery, a plan was developed and executed. This is another example of hard work by federal and state partners to arrest violent fugitives. Pan had been seen last in the early morning hours on Feb. 11 driving with family members in Georgia. U.S. Marshal Matthew Duffy, the point of contact for the U.S. Marshals Office in Connecticut throughout the search for Pan, also confirmed Pan was taken into custody. He said he could not provide further details Friday. City police obtained a warrant charging Pan with Kevin Jiangs slaying in late February. The department had named him as a person of interest in the case Feb. 10. Jiang was shot to death on Lawrence Street in the citys East Rock neighborhood Feb. 6. Pan graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was living in Malden, Mass., on the day he allegedly drove to New Haven and killed Jiang. After he fled Connecticut, relatives spotted him in Georgia, the marshals service has said. In a release, Duffy said the office was pleased to announce that the U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force, in conjunction with the U.S. Marshals Middle District of Alabama and the Montgomery Police Department, had arrested Pan. The pastors of Trinity Baptist, where Jiangs funeral was held, expressed gratitude Friday to law enforcement for arresting the man suspected of killing Jiang. We are grateful for the diligent efforts of law enforcement and for the arrest of the suspect. We continue to pray that the truth would be revealed, that justice would be done, and that God would bring healing and comfort to Kevins family and loved ones, Matt Coburn, Greg Hendrickson and Nick Lauer said in a statement. Yale Chief of Police Ronnell A. Higgins said in a statement Friday that Jiang remains in the thoughts of the members of the YPD: we wish peace to his family and friends. This arrest was made possible by the hard work and close cooperation of many law enforcement agencies, Higgins said. From the outset, the Yale Police Department has worked closely with our exceptional colleagues at NHPD, who should be applauded for the excellent police work that contributed to todays good news. New Haven police also noted Pans arrest in a release Friday but did not provide further details. The successful apprehension of Qinxuan Pan this morning in Montgomery, Alabama, marks the culmination of countless hours of investigation and is a testament to the dedication of all the investigators involved, said Lawrence Bobnick, acting U.S. Marshal for the District of Connecticut, in a statement. The unwavering commitment of the men and women supporting this operation was truly remarkable. Further, this arrest exemplifies the routine selfless cooperation between the U.S. Marshals Service, with its network of nationwide fugitive task forces, and state, local, and federal law enforcement entities across multiple jurisdictions and states. Jiangs fellow students and members of Trinity Baptist Church, where he volunteered, raised funds to support his family. He had proposed to his fiancee, Zion Perry, a week before his death. Perry could not be reached for comment Friday. Those who knew Jiang have described him as a person of faith and energy, including his parents, speaking during his funeral at Trinity Baptist Church in New Haven. Kevins life was short but colorful, and brought so much joy, happiness and positivity to those around him, said Linda Liu, his mother. As a mother, I will always miss Kevin, and treasure the blessings he brought me. Although Kevin is gone from us now, Kevin is the most wonderful gift God has ever given me on Earth. I look forward to being reunited with Kevin in heaven in the future. The U.S. Marshals office for Connecticut previously reported Pan, a graduate student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, could possibly be staying with friends or family in the Duluth or Brookhaven areas of Georgia. william.lambert@hearstmediact.com A Federal High Court in Abuja, on Thursday, restrained the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, from inviting, harassing, threa... A Federal High Court in Abuja, on Thursday, restrained the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, from inviting, harassing, threatening to arrest or detain a constitutional lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, for criticising its former Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu. The court, in a judgment that was delivered by Justice Inyang Ekwo, held that serial acts of intimidation and constant invitations the anti-graft agency extended to the senior lawyer, as well as threats to arrest, detain and humiliate him, over publications and speeches he made in respect of the apparent opaqueness and lopsidedness of the corruption fight of the 1st Respondent (EFCC) under the leadership of the 2nd Respondent (Magu), were illegal, unlawful, wrongful, unconstitutional. Justice Ekwo held that the action of the agency constituted a blatant violation of the applicants fundamental rights as enshrined in Sections 35, 37, 39 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and Articles 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12 & 14 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights Ratification and Enforcement Act, Cap. A9 LFN 2004. The judgment followed a fundamental right enforcement suit Ozekhome lodged before the court. Cited as 1st to 3rd Respondents in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/324/2018, were the EFCC, Magu and one of its lead operatives, Abubakar Aliyu Madaki. Ozekhome had in the suit, told the court that EFCC had continued to harass him for being a vocal critic of the lopsided nature of President Muhammadu Buharis anti-corruption war led by Magu. He told the court that aside from repeatedly summoning him to appear for questioning, the agency froze his bank account after he was paid his legal fees totalling the sum of N75 million, by the former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose. Ozekhome maintained that one of the reasons the EFCC made him its primary target, was because he secured many legal victories against it in various hierarchies of courts in the country. He told the court that threats from the respondent was to shut him up from further criticisms of the despicable and unjust manner of their fight against corruption in Nigeria. He said he did not commit any offence to warrant the incessant invitations and threats to arrest, detain or declare him wanted by the respondents. Besides, he told the court that the account from which the N75m was paid to him, belonged to the former governor of Ekiti State, Fayose, who he said had not been convicted by any court to warrant labelling the money as proceeds of crime. Ozekhome averred that it took the intervention of the Federal High Court in Lagos to unfreeze his bank account. Consequently, he prayed the court to, among other things, declare that he was entitled to receive legal fees for professional services he rendered to clients, including to Fayose and that he is not bound or obligated to determine the source of funds used in paying for legal services he rendered. The applicant asked the court to compel the respondents to publish an unreserved apology to him in three prominent dailies for the breach of his right. As well as for an order directing the respondents to jointly and severally pay the sum of N5 billion to him as exemplary damages for wanting violation of his rights. However, the EFCC, in a counter-affidavit that was deposed to by one of its operatives, Usman Aliyu, urged the court to dismiss the suit. The Commission told the court that Ozekhome was being investigated for a lot of cases bordering on money laundering and tax evasion, based on an intelligence report from the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU. It told the court that the applicant received various sums of money at different times from DAAR Investment & Holding Company Limited, Ekiti State Government and the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, without payment of taxes due to both the Federal and Ekiti state governments. The EFCC told the court that further investigation revealed an attempt by the wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience, to launder money through the Applicant in the sum of N1 billion. Delivering judgment in the matter on Thursday, Justice Ekwo said he was satisfied that Ozekhome established a case of intimidation and harassment by the respondents. He held that though the court would always restrain itself from interfering with the functions of statutory bodies like the EFCC, but that is only in so far as such agency is demonstrably shown to be acting pursuant to the veritable spirit of the law, Justice Ekwo added. According to the Judge, Where the act of such a statutory body is shown to be manifestly predicated on ill will, malice and animosity, the law will intervene. The Court will never allow the law to be used as an instrument of vendetta or vindictiveness as established in this case. On the whole, I find that the Applicant has established a clear case of animus by the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Respondents in the manner of incessant invitation to him. This has established the fact that his fundamental rights as enshrined in Ss. 35, 37, 39 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and, Articles 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12 & 14 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights Ratification and Enforcement Act, Cap. A9 LFN are likely to be contravened. In other words, the essence of this case in my opinion is to stop the Respondents from likely contravening the rights of the Applicant by their actions toward him; where the case is that of likely breach, that is, threat on the part of the Respondents. Though the court made consequential orders restraining the Respondents from inviting, arresting or detaining the Applicant, it, however, declined to either award damages in his favour or compel EFCC to apologize to him. It held that such reliefs would only apply, where the case is founded on where the infringement has occurred or is occurring. The United States has expressed dissatisfaction at how Nigerian courts continue to convict citizens of blasphemy, sentence them to long-te... The United States has expressed dissatisfaction at how Nigerian courts continue to convict citizens of blasphemy, sentence them to long-term imprisonment and death. US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, stated this during the release of the 2020 International Religious Freedom Report this week. He also said the Nigerian government has not brought anyone to justice for the massacre of members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria also known as Shiites. In Nigeria, courts continue to convict people of blasphemy, sentencing them to long-term imprisonment or even death. Yet the government has still not brought anyone to justice for the militarys massacre of hundreds of Shia Muslims in 2015, Blinken quoted the report. He further stressed that religious freedom is a human right and the freedom is enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adding that America will continue to defend freedom of faith globally. Religious freedom, like every human right, is universal. All people, everywhere, are entitled to it no matter where they live, what they believe, or what they dont believe. Religious freedom cant be fully realised unless other human rights are respected, and when governments violate their peoples right to believe and worship freely, it jeopardizes all the others, the US State Secretary noted. Significantly, two of the issues prosecution for blasphemy and the Shiites raised by Blinken have been matters of concern in Nigeria of late. For instance, the Shiites have for over five years been regularly taking to the streets particularly in Abuja to demand the release of their leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, and his wife, Zeenat. The couple has been in the custody of governments security agents since December 2015 after a bloody clash between members of the group and soldiers in the convoy of the former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, in Zaria, Kaduna State. Many Shiites members were reportedly killed by soldiers but the Nigerian Army has since denied such allegation. On blasphemy, recall that a Facebook user, Mbarak Bala, was arrested and detained in Kaduna on February 28, 2020 for alleged blasphemous posts about Islam. A 35-year-old atheist, Mubarak Bala, had also spent months in detention without trial for allegedly blaspheming Prophet Muhammed. A Kano-based musician, Yahaya Sharif-Aminu was also accused of committing blasphemy against the Prophet in a song he circulated via WhatsApp in March 2020. He was later sentenced to death by hanging by the Kano Upper Sharia Court. Over the years, many civil society organisations and human rights activists have condemned the sentencing of people for blasphemy by courts but there seems to be no end in sight to the matter as some persons have been burnt to death by mob angered by certain actions termed blasphemous. Ali Ndume, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, has faulted the Southern Governors for banning open grazing in the southern state... Ali Ndume, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, has faulted the Southern Governors for banning open grazing in the southern states of Nigeria. Ndume, speaking during an interview on Channels Televisions Politics Today on Thursday, said he expected the governors to come out with an immediate solution instead of issuing a blanket statement. He noted that their action couldnt be as effective as meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari to address the issues of concern. Im not concerned about what they (the governors) said I was thinking that they would come out with an immediate solution, mid-term solution, and long-term solution to open grazing. Weve serious security challenges in this country that are different in all the geopolitical zones, and I was expecting that the governors will come together and address these issues, come up with the solutions that they have mentioned and discuss with the President in a closed-session as we call it in the Senate, not to come out to the media and issue a blanket statement, Ndume said. Meanwhile, the Southern Governors Forum had on Tuesday urged the Federal Government to urgently convoke a national dialogue to address the widespread agitations in the nation. The 15 members in attendance also called for restructuring of the country, leading to the evolution of state police. Two Nigerian female migrants, bound for Europe were rescued in a shipwreck off the coast of Tunisia. However, 17 other African migrants were... Two Nigerian female migrants, bound for Europe were rescued in a shipwreck off the coast of Tunisia. However, 17 other African migrants were not so lucky. They drowned as they tried to cross the Mediterranean from Libya to Italy, the Tunisian Red Crescent said on Thursday. The Tunisian coastguard rescued the two Nigerian women in waters off the southern town of Zarzis, Red Crescent official Mongi Slim also said. The ship started on Sunday from Zawyia in Libya with 19 migrants on board. The Nigerians were not identified. Last month, at least 40 migrants drowned off Tunisias port of Sfax south of Tunis. The United Nations said at least 300 people have perished in the central Mediterranean crossing this year while trying to get to Europe. The U.N. refugee agency UNHCR said fewer than 23,500 people have made its across the sea to Europe this year, with most new arrivals landing in Italy and Spain from Tunisia and Algeria. The agency estimates 633 people have died or gone missing on the way this year. Meanwhile, Tunisias central maritime guard units (Sfax and Mahdia) thwarted 4 illegal border crossing operations on the night of May 12 to 13, according to the spokesperson for the Sfax maritime guard district, Ali Ayari. The same security source specified that during this operation 55 illegal immigrants were arrested including 14 Tunisians from Mahdia and Sfax aged between 17 and 33 years old. Other migrants arrested were from Senegal, Cote dIvoire, Guinea, Mali and Togo. Ali Ayari said security units seized 5 fishing boats and quantities of fuel that were used in attempted illegal border crossings. Newsfrom Japan Tokyo, May 13 (Jiji Press)--Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa said Thursday that he will visit the International Space Station in December, becoming the first non-astronaut Japanese space traveler. Maezawa, 45, the founder of online fashion mall operator Zozo Inc. <3092>, will travel to the ISS on a three-seater Russian Soyuz spacecraft, together with Yozo Hirano, 35, an executive of a Maezawa-related firm, and a Russian astronaut. The ISS trip will precede his journey to the moon expected for 2023. In 2018, he was chosen as one of the first passengers of a moon flight by U.S. aerospace firm SpaceX. Maezawa has a contract with U.S. space travel firm Space Adventures, which offers space trips using Soyuz. He will receive training for the ISS flight, including in Russia, from mid-June. He has already passed pre-training tests. The Soyuz spaceship carrying Maezawa and the two others is scheduled to be launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Dec. 8. After staying in the ISS for about 12 days, they will return to Earth, landing on the steppe in the same country. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Dozens of teens between the ages of 12 and 15 were among those who traveled Thursday to Hackensack University Medical Center to get vaccinated on the day after the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions approval of the Pfizer vaccine for that age group. The hospital hosted a vaccination clinic to commemorate the expansion of the two-dose vaccines eligibility. With their parents and other relatives, the teens came to get their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine after school hours, hospital officials said. Last month, vaccine eligibility in New Jersey opened up to anyone at least 16 years old. The Pfizer vaccine was previously authorized for use on those 16 and up, and Moderna for those 18 and up. The state has set a goal of having 70% of New Jerseys adults vaccinated by the end of June. A little more than half of the states 6.9 million adults have now been fully vaccinated. 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. Whoopi Goldberg will join Gov. Phil Murphy and several other local officials Friday at a coronavirus vaccination site not far from the actress West Orange home. Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver, First Lady Tammy Murphy, Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo and the Rev. Melvin Wilson are also slated to attend the Grateful for the Shot event in the parking lot of the ShopRite on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard in East Orange. The citys mayor, Ted Green, will also be on hand. A live stream on Murphys YouTube.com channel starts at 12:15 p.m. Murphy figures to be asked more about when he will follow the U.S. Centers for Disease Controls new guidance that said the vaccinated no longer need to wear face coverings indoors in most places. A Murphy spokeswoman said an hour after the federal announcement that the governor and the state department of health are reviewing the new CDC guidance on masking requirements. In neighboring Pennsylvania, health officials immediately updated their guidance to align with the CDC, according to Philly.com. Meanwhile, even though 3,575,287 people who live, work or study in New Jersey are fully vaccinated, the number of people getting shots has fallen in recent weeks. Appointments were hard to get for months but now walk-ins are being taken almost everywhere, including at Fridays event in East Orange. In addition, an estimated 164,121 New Jerseyans have been vaccinated out-of-state. The state has set a goal of having 70% of New Jerseys adults vaccinated by the end of June. More than half of the states 6.9 million adults have now been fully vaccinated. Children from ages 12 to 15 are now eligible for the Pfizer shot. Everyone 16 and older has been eligible for nearly a month. There were 954 patients in the states 71 hospitals with the coronavirus or a suspected case as of 10 p.m. Thursday, the fewest since Oct. 24. Officials say 224 patients were getting critical care with 157 on ventilators. Hospitalizations have dropped about 75% since the second wave peak of 3,873 on Dec. 22. Murphy reported 820 COVID-19 cases and 26 more deaths on Thursday. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. NJ Advance Media staff writer Brent Johnson contributed to this report. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. South Africa: Call for public to report corruption The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has called on the public to report all fraud and corruption activities related to traffic officers and licencing centres. In a statement released on Thursday, the RTMC encouraged the public to report corruption to ntacu@rtmc.co.za. Alternatively, they can use WhatsApp: 0832937989. Information provided will be treated in strict confidence. This comes after a former Tshwane Metro Police Department traffic officer was sentenced to three years imprisonment, suspended for five years, for soliciting a bribe from an under-cover agent from the National Traffic Anti-Corruption Unit of the RTMC. She was further sentenced to 12 months Correctional Supervision which requires her to be under house arrest at her Mamelodi East home except when going to work, church or to do community service. She will also be required to perform 16 hours of community service per month at Stanza Bopape Clinic. The court declared her unfit to possess a firearm and ordered that firearms in her possession as well as competency certificates, licences, permits and authorisations issued to her be seized. RTMC has welcomed the sentence handed down by the Pretoria Regional Court last month to Sebo Mathabatha (44), after the trial dragged for more than five years. [This] clearly demonstrates that traffic officers are not above the law and that corrupt officials will be pursued without fear or favour, RTMC said. On 19 December 2015, on Moloto Road, Mathabatha stopped an under-cover agent and demanded to see his driving licence. When the agent failed to produce the licence, Mathabatha called him to the back of the vehicle where she asked him to give her something. The agent went back to his vehicle and returned to hand Mathabatha a marked R100 note. She was arrested immediately after taking the money. Mathabatha resigned from her employment at the Tshwane Metro Police Department immediately after her arrest. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2021-05-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. BEIJING, May 14 -- On May 11, local time, the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) dispatched inspectors to camps of the 24th Chinese peacekeeping medical contingent to Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). They conducted comprehensive inspections on combat-readiness training, military medical service, weapons and ammunition, security management, vehicle performance and fire fighting facilities of the unit. The Chinese contingent passed the assessment with high standards. While nationwide strikes and walkouts demanding higher teacher pay have transpired in the past few years, New Jersey consistently ranks among the best states for educator salaries. At the top of the salary bracket, New Jerseys highest-paid teachers, often those with advanced degrees and years of teaching experience, average a salary of about $88,000 across all 21 counties thats according to state data analyzed by NJ Advance Media. We want the most talented, most capable people in New Jerseys classrooms teaching our students. One of the ways that you attract those people to the profession and one of the ways you keep those people in the profession is by paying professional wages, Steve Baker, spokesman for the New Jersey Education Association, told NJ Advance Media. New Jerseys average teacher salary hovers around $76,000, about $11,000 more than the national average, according to the National Education Associations Rankings and Estimates report. When it comes to the top earners, the county with the highest paid teacher, by far, is Bergen. Northern Valley Regional, a high school district serving affluent Bergen County communities, shells out more than $113,000 to its top-earning teacher, almost $15,000 more than second-place Passaic County Vocational Districts highest-paid teacher salary. At the bottom of the ranking is Salem Countys Woodstown-Pilesgrove Regional District, whose top-earner salary of about $70,000 is $6,000 less than the statewide average salary. View the map below to see the 21 districts with the highest paid teachers in each county. Is the map not displaying? Click here. As more and more New Jersey districts return students to classrooms, a small group of schools remains committed to virtual learning in the final weeks of the school year, each with a different reason. Four public schools, five charter schools, and three special service schools remain totally remote. At least six have plans to return students to classrooms in May. Three have said they will remain remote through the end of the year, and three did not respond to NJ Advance Medias request for comment. Their reasons for remaining remote range from wanting their entire staff to be vaccinated, to keeping medically fragile students safe, to not having a school nurse. But Gov. Phil Murphy has been pushing to see all districts open their classrooms in some form by the end of the school year, naming the remaining closed districts at a press conference last week. We are continuing to work with the remaining charter, special services, and regular operating districts to have their students return to in-person instruction in some form, Murphy said at a Monday afternoon press conference. Passaic City School District and Pleasantville Public School District have both committed to remaining virtual through the end of the regular school year, but will offer expanded summer school programs in-person for some students. Neither district gave a specific reason for staying closed in their letters to parents, and neither responded to a request for comment about their plans. In Paterson, plans for the remainder of the school year are still not finalized. District officials have not said either way if general education students will be returned to their classrooms by the end of June, but will have a limited reopening for certain English language learning and special education students. The district has announced and delayed return-to-school dates several times, before saying in April schools will stay remote until further notice. And following a call-out by Murphy, Hillside Public School District reversed course after saying in January they would finish the year remote, and reaffirming that decision as recently as April 14. We previously made the decision to remain closed until September but as evidenced by only 5 New Jersey school districts still remaining fully remote, circumstances have drastically changed for the better, the interim superintendent said in a letter sent home to parents. Although the time that we live in is unprecedented, providing an option to return to in person instruction is a positive step towards normalcy. Students can return to the school beginning May 24, although the letter stressed that doing so will be optional. Courtesy bussing will not be provided during hybrid learning, the letter said. Three currently remote charter schools will reopen on May 17: The Village Charter School, Trenton Stem-to-Civics Charter School, and Cresthaven Academy Charter School. Trenton Stem-to-Civics Charter School remained remote until now to allow all teachers to become fully vaccinated, Leigh Byron, the founder and head of school, told NJ Advance Media. Although the school held its first vaccine clinic on April 3, it took an additional six weeks before teachers had the protection of both shots, Byron said. And remote learning was working for them: attendance actually rose this year to 94%, and the school will see a 100% graduation rate this year, he said. Virus safety is also a chief concern at Matheny School, which serves medically complex children in Peapack. Medical-grade PPE will be provided to all at the school, and the school is hoping to resume hybrid instruction by the end of the school year, although no date has been set yet. About 80% of parents have said they want the school to return to full-time instruction, a May 11th letter said. A school official at Cresthaven Academy Charter School told NJ Advance Media the only hold-up in their reopening plans was hiring a school nurse and having enough teachers. Vaccine concerns were not a factor for them, she said. Its unclear if Englewood on the Palisades Charter School, Gray Charter School, or St Josephs School For The Blind will return to classrooms this year. Gray and St. Josephs did not respond to a request for comment, and a school official at Englewood on the Palisades hung up when asked by phone. Remote learning will not be an option for districts next year, Murphy has said. Districts will be required to offer full-time in person instruction, and the only students who can learn virtual voluntarily will be those with medical concerns. In addition to the 12 districts that have yet to open, 380 school districts are hybrid, 372 are fully in-person, 2 are temporarily remote, and 45 districts are using a combination of learning methods. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Katie Kausch may be reached at kkausch@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here. Not even a pandemic has slowed down The Boss. Thursday night, Bruce Springsteen received the prestigious Woody Guthrie Award and during a Q&A with Guthries daughter, Nora, he mentioned his 21st studio LP is coming out soon, as reported by Rolling Stone. He noted the album is largely set in the west and how Californias influence on his recordings since the 90s. This is the first mention of a new album, which would follow the rock icons acclaimed October record Letter To You, his first project with the E Street Band since High Hopes in 2014. But the note of western influence suggests the release may be more closely related to 2019s Western Stars solo album, which was heavily informed by the 60s and 70s country-pop of Glen Campbell. Either way, its big news for fans whove enjoyed a particularly productive period in Springsteens career, which also includes his 236 performances on Broadway between 2017 and 2018. He also performed with the E Street Band on Saturday Night Live in December and played on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington for Joe Bidens Celebrating America inauguration special in January. His last full concert tour came to New Jersey in 2016. On Thursday, Springsteen performed four songs at the virtual Guthrie ceremony, Rolling Stone said: Guthries own Tom Joad and Plane Wreck At Los Gatos (Deportee), as well as his Across The Border and The Ghost of Tom Joad. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Bobby Olivier may be reached at bolivier@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BobbyOlivier and Facebook. Find NJ.com on Facebook. The artistry, excellence and advocacy of the late Cicely Tyson will be spotlighted at Crossroads Theatre Companys annual fundraising gala A Night with Crossroads, to be held virtually on Thursday, May 20 at 7 p.m. T Tony Award-winner Anika Noni Rose will be the galas host and there will be a special virtual appearance by Lenny Kravitz, the late Tysons godson. The live event, which has pivoted to a virtual platform in light of COVID-19, will feature tributes and performances. Crossroads is especially proud to focus the spotlight on Cicely Tyson and the decades of her special brand of artistry that people in the U.S. and abroad have enjoyed, said Crossroads co-founder Richardo Khan. Ms. Tyson is known, loved and revered for her portrayal on stage and screen of strong Black women who tell the stories of who we are and who we are not. Cicely Tysons life, body of work and advocacy rings true to Crossroads mission to create and produce work that tells the stories that examine the African-American experience so that it may be understood and appreciated by all people, added Khan, who is leading the programming for the event. In addition to honoring Tyson, the evening will feature a silent auction, special presentations and performances. A Night with Crossroads will be available live via a website especially designed for the event. Tickets are $42-$1,000. For information, visit anightwithcrossroads.org. Anika Noni Rose will host Crossroads Theatre's virtual "A Night with Crossroads" fundraiser gala 7 p.m. Thursday, May 20.crossroadstheatrecompany.org Send event information to events@starledger.com or submit online at nj.com/myevent Valerie Hall doesnt want to leave Millard E. Terrell Homes, a 275-unit housing complex owned by the Newark Housing Authority that was built in 1946. Too old to make new friends, said Hall, who moved to Terrell Homes in the 1960s and raised her kids there. The laundromat...Everything is in walking distance. The housing authority has plans to knock down and rebuild Terrell Homes, which has been prone to flooding along the Passaic River and has mold issues. In February, Hall and other tenants got a notice from the housing authority informing them all residents would have to leave, according to a letter obtained by NJ Advance Media. But thats not what we agreed to, said Rosemary Horsley, the secretary and interim president of the Terrell Homes Tenant Association. The plan has changed from what Newark Housing Authority Director Victor Cirilo told city council members in June 2019, months before the coronavirus pandemic started. Cirilo said three buildings were going to remain in place and be rehabilitated for those who wanted to stay during the demolition of other buildings. In the first phase of the three-part project, a building was going to be constructed in the parking lot before the first apartments were demolished. The remaining residents would be consolidated into that new building as the project moved forward. On Tuesday, Cirilo told NJ Advance Media a survey was conducted at Terrell Homes which found just 10 to 15 families wanted to remain. Having so few families living in mostly vacant buildings would pose a safety risk to those families, Cirilo said. If I get 15 families to stay, it would be a victory, Cirilo said. Part of the problem is that the complex is in such dire such poor condition that nobody wants to stay at the complex. Cirilo said hes tasked with balancing a budget for thousands of affordable units in the city, as well. Rehabilitating Terrell Homes alone would cost $24 million, but rebuilding would be less, the director added. Staying on the property and not demolishing the whole complex was a sticking point for residents and advocates during meetings with the housing authority in the last several years. The previous housing authority administration had plans to shut down and demolish the complex, and it brought on protests from residents. Terrell Homes sits on valuable land. Its just steps away from the Essex County Riverfront Park in the citys Ironbound section, which is filled with restaurants and is in close proximity to Penn Station. Residents worry they wont be invited back if they leave. They dont want our complexions in the Ironbound section, said Horsley, who has lived in the Terrell Homes for decades. Theyre gentrifying this area. Rosemary Horsely, the interim president and secretary of the Terrell Homes Tenant Association.Rebecca Panico | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com Terrell Homes residents would get a Section 8 voucher to live elsewhere or be able to go to another housing authority property while construction takes place. But residents are concerned when they only hear housing authority officials say former tenants will be preferred to come back. Cirilo reiterated that all residents who move would be invited back once construction is complete. Both the Terrell Homes Tenant Association and the housing authority said little has been put into writing about the plans for the residents, too. Ironbound Community Corporation (ICC), a housing and environmental nonprofit in Newark, has been advocating to have residents stay in their homes. Residents dont want to move around, said Victor Inuk Gavilanes, of ICC. Once you make a home your home, you dont want to be subject to going all over the place. Now, Essex-Newark Legal Services said it is also meeting with residents. Essex-Newark Legal Services supports the tenants of Terrell Homes in their fight to preserve Newarks publicly subsidized housing and for the tenants to be able to stay in Newarks Ironbound neighborhood, said Essex-Newark Legal Services Deputy Director Jose Ortiz. Lets not allow for the continuation of a trail of tears displacing long-term Newark residents from their homes. Cirilo questioned why advocates would help residents stay in homes that are aging, with mold and electrical issues. Superstorm Sandy also made the mold issues worse, although residents say not every unit has mold. I wouldnt be able to sleep at night if Im forcing people to live under those living conditions, the housing authority director said. About 90 families are still living on the property now, the housing authority said. Tenants started moving out in February after notice about plans for demolition to start. Demolition hasnt started yet. But the project received another setback on Tuesday, making the timeline for when families return more unclear. The New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) denied tax credits for Alpert Group, the developer for the first phase of the Terrell Homes project, and the Newark Housing Authority. The project was first denied 9% tax credits in December, but the Newark Housing Authority appealed. Given the highly competitive nature of the tax credit program, the Terrell Homes project did not score sufficiently high enough in the ranking process in comparison to other applications to receive an award and was therefore denied funding in December 2020, a spokeswoman for the NJHMFA said. The NJHMFAs decision was a blow to Cirilo, who said residents were asked to leave in February because construction was supposed to start around this time. He said Terrell Homes is now at the mercy of the NJHMFA. The housing authority now plans to file suit over the denial. Daniel Wiley, Ironbound Community Corporations housing justice coordinator, said he hoped the housing authority had a plan B for funding the originally planned project. You said you were going to do something, Wiley said. Please do it. Local journalism needs your support. Subscribe at nj.com/supporter. Rebecca Panico may be reached at rpanico@njadvancemedia.com. A financial advisor who defrauded Hudson County clients many who were seniors or didnt speak English out of more than $450,000 was sentenced Thursday by a federal judge to more than two years in prison, acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig said. Between May 2015 and January 2018 Ramon Herrera, of Jersey City, used his position as a registered broker and financial advisor at a clearing services company associated with an unnamed bank to meet and learn information about the institutions customers, who he was supposed to be advising. Herrera, who pleaded guilty in 2019, convinced the approximately 40 customers, some who communicated with Herrera in Spanish, to sign blank withdrawal slips that Herrera then completed and presented to bank tellers at various branches of the same bank. Herrera, 37, directed the bank tellers to withdraw the money from the customers accounts in the form of cashiers checks, which he then applied against various personal accounts that Herrera and a family member maintained at the bank. In addition to the prison term of 27 months Herrera was sentenced to three years of supervised release. When her second-grade class was starting to feel drained by virtual learning, Tiffany Kane ordered pizza kits for her students so they could cook and eat together during class. I have done a lot of extra activities with my students that went beyond just what is in the curriculum, Kane said. Kind of like social and emotional learning and just some kind of time to spend together. We had a Zoom pizza-making class or a Zoom cookie-decorating class, little things like that kind of help the kids feel like they were together even though we were apart. It is not hard to see why Kane, a teacher at School 16 on Sussex Avenue, was named the Jersey City School District 2020-2021 Teacher of the Year on May 6. Deputy Superintendent Norma Fernandez said a panel of administrators and last years teacher of the year selected Kane to represent the school district this year. The 36-year-old Kane also volunteers her time in the community and at local churches. In 2018, she founded Family Promises of Hudson County, a non-profit that serves as a shelter for homeless families in Jersey City. Once the organization could afford to hire someone to run the operations, Kane stepped down to maintain her role as a volunteer. She personifies the districts mission of educating for greatness by doing what is best for children, even if it also means helping their family, Fernandez said. Ms. Kane demonstrates her philosophy through the actions she takes within the classroom and the community. Tiffany Kane, who teaches second grade at Cornelia F. Bradford Elementary School, is Jersey City's Teacher of the Year. (Reena Rose Sibayan | The Jersey Journal) Kane says the Teacher of the Year award is a huge honor, and one that was totally unexpected. When they called my name, I had a second where I said Was that my name? That was me? Kane said. Kind of took me a minute. Kane said School 16 teachers are encouraged to go above and beyond the classroom. She does one major activity a month, like the pizza-making class, to help students cope with virtual learning. Like most teachers, Kane, an educator for over 10 years, had to learn to adjust to teaching children remotely after the coronavirus pandemic shut down schools last year. The district reopened its doors to students for the first time in 13 months on April 29. I make a lot of time in my schedule for one-on-one time with students or small group time, so I can interact with them and see who needs what, Kane said. " It has been a year like no other everything kind of got flipped on its head something that worked in person in the classroom might not work remotely. Kane doesnt like to leave things for the last minute, so she plans out what she wants her month to look like for her and her 33 students. She often spends her free time coming up with assignments the kids will be doing down the line. She said she posts a schedule for the next day, so her students know what to expect. When she gets to work in the morning, she thinks about the student, a kid who has been struggling, and how she could help them that day. Kanes school year ended a little early this year when she started her maternity leave Friday in preparation for the birth of her first child. I feel sad today is my last day, Kane said. I definitely will miss the kids and I promised them I would join their Zooms and stay in touch. I am not disappearing at all by any means. A man was shot dead in the area of Merseles Street in Jersey City early Friday morning, the Hudson County Prosecutor said. The fatal shooting is being investigated by the Prosecutors Offices Homicide Unit and Jersey City police. A person in the area told police that they heard five or six shots fired, according to police radio transmissions. Also, police arriving at the scene found windows of a vehicle had been shot out, police said in the transmissions. The homicide is Jersey Citys 10th this year, with an additional suspicious death under investigation. In 2020, there were 16 Jersey City homicides, according to HCPO statistics. City officials list their total at 17, counting a victim from a previous year who died in 2020. The Hudson County homicide total for 2021 stands at 13, with two deaths under investigation as suspicious. Joseph Ahr Sr. sat handcuffed on the front porch of his home for about 13 minutes after being arrested by Trenton police officers last summer. I cant breathe, the 64-year-old said one time. I cant catch my breath, another time. Moments before, officers pulled him from his front door during a brief standoff of wills and took him to the ground and handcuffed him during a struggle in which an officer used pepper spray on Ahr. The officers were looking for his namesake son, who had been outside with Ahr, but had gone back inside, and Ahr was blocking them. A few minutes after his arrest, in between gasps, a contrite Ahr said he was just reacting. Its over now man, an officer replied. I didnt mean to hurt nobody, Ahr said, among other comments. Ahr also told officers he basically had one lung, that one was squelched. A sergeant who had responded to the scene told Ahr they were going to take him to the hospital. Its fine, youre fine, its just a little bit of mace, the sergeant told Ahr. Ahr died 18 days later at a Trenton hospital. Footage of the July 6, 2020 incident from the body cameras of nine officers present was made public Thursday by the state Attorney Generals Office (AG), which is investigating Ahrs death. The investigation, which will be presented to a grand jury, is ongoing and no charges have been filed. The AGs office publicized the footage due to a recent Open Public Records Act; the filer was not identified. The familys attorney, Robin Lord, said she hopes the nine officers are charged criminally. If not, shell do her best with holding them accountable in a forthcoming civil suit, she said. Those bastards are not getting away with killing this man, Lord said. They had absolutely no respect for him whatsoever. A Trenton police spokesperson declined to comment on the case since its under investigation. Last July, the Trenton police spokesperson at the time told the Trentoninan that Ahr had COVID-19. The incident began with 911 calls reporting a domestic incident at a home during which a woman yells repeatedly, Get outta my house! In another 911 call, Ahrs son, also named Joseph Ahr, explains he is on Monmouth Street and was the subject of an earlier call and explains his side to the dispatcher for about 10 minutes. The call ends with Joseph Ahr, the son, asking for police to come to his address because he is not satisfied with the officers who were already on scene. The AGs office identified the officers at the incident as: Jeffrey Donaire, Kozell Hodges, Cornell Huff, Bryan Kirk, Angel Pena, Nicholas Piotrowski, Glendy Quijada, Yajaira Torres, and Acting Sgt. Rosemarie Addar. Piotrowski was the officer who deployed pepper spray. Joseph Ahr Sr. had a large family and was known by his children as Ugg Mugg and friends called him Mookie or Itzy, his obituary says. He worked for Amtrak for over 20 years in New York City, and loved cooking out, fishing with his brother Charlie and watching sports, his obituary says. He rooted for the Green Bay Packers, Philadelphia Flyers and the Baltimore Orioles. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. If you were planning to look up in the sky tonight to catch a glimpse of the NASA rocket that is scheduled to be launched from the Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, youll have to wait again at least one more day. After six delays during the past week most of which were related to unfavorable weather conditions like cloudy skies or upper-level winds NASA has decided to postpone Friday nights scheduled launch as they assess the rocket for potential damage. As of now, NASA is hoping to get its Black Brant XII rocket off the launching pad no earlier than 8:10 p.m. on Saturday, May 15. The rocket will release a chemical that will create two harmless vapor clouds as part of a mission to study energy and momentum in different regions of the atmosphere. NASA says the rocket and the greenish-violet vapor clouds may be briefly visible from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and other eastern states, along with Bermuda the area where the barium vapors are expected to be released into the sky. LAUNCH UPDATE The Black Brant XII launch is now scheduled for no earlier than Saturday, May 15, with the window opening at 8:10 p.m. ET. The team continues to inspect the rocket and launcher after the vehicle came in contact with a launcher support during launch preparations. pic.twitter.com/2IMEkZ8wMn NASA Wallops (@NASA_Wallops) May 13, 2021 The rocket launch was originally scheduled for last Friday, May 7, but the launch was postponed hours in advance because of weather conditions in eastern Virginia, where the Wallops Flight Facility is located. Rescheduled launches on Saturday, Sunday and Monday were each scrubbed by upper-level winds that were deemed unsafe for the mission. On Tuesday night, with the rocket on the launch pad and conditions looking favorable at first, the launch was called off with about 1 minute to go in the 40-minute launch window because skies in Bermuda and at the Wallops Flight Facility were deemed to be too cloudy. NASA postponed the next scheduled launch, on Wednesday night, saying time was needed for an inspection after the rocket came in contact with a launcher support during launch preparations at the agencys flight facility. A NASA official told Newsweek that the support structure involved in the incident was a metal stand that supports the launch rail. In abundance of caution it was decided to inspect the integrity of the motors, umbilical connections and sections between the motors to make sure everything is in the proper condition for flight, the official told Newsweek, adding it is normal for these type of science missions to have delays. This map shows when the NASA rocket may be visible after launch from the Wallops Flight Facility in eastern Virginia. NASA says two vapor clouds will form north of Bermuda about 9 minutes and 30 seconds after launch as part of the mission and may also be visible from the eastern United States and Bermuda.NASA If the launch goes off as scheduled Saturday, it can be watched on NASAs live video stream. If you live in eastern United States, youll need a clear view of whatever section of the sky is in line with eastern Virginia. For New Jersey, thats the southeastern sky. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Len Melisurgo may be reached at LMelisurgo@njadvancemedia.com. The New Jersey Department of Corrections classifies Rae Rollins as a woman, but she is currently locked up in a mens prison. Rollins, who is 25 and transgender, was recently moved from the states only womens facility to New Jersey State Prison in Trenton, according to online prison records. No other person listed as female statewide is incarcerated in a male facility, records show. The transfer comes after Rollins went public with allegations that she was one of several women attacked by staff in January, in an incident that has since led to criminal charges against 10 officers, an outside investigation and calls for the head of the prison system to resign. Two lawyers not involved with the case said the transfer may violate New Jerseys Law Against Discrimination. This is just as simple as it sounds, Celeste Fiore, a partner at Argentino Fiore Law & Advocacy LLC, said about the statute in general. Theres no stretch, theres no legal hurdles you have to jump through, theres no logic puzzles. A state court has considered prisons to be places of public accommodation in the past and the law says public buildings cant discriminate based on someones gender identity or expression. In cases where areas are for only one sex, like bathrooms, residents should be admitted based on their gender identity. Just the fact that they are treating her, someone who identifies as a woman, differently from other people who identify as women just on the basis on genitalia that certainly, arguably, could violate the LAD, said Alexis Karteron, associate professor at Rutgers Law School in Newark, using the acronym for the discrimination law. Rollins said the new location made her feel unsafe, and federal surveys have shown that transgender prisoners report dramatically higher rates of sexual abuse behind bars. The state has wrestled with this issue before. In 2019, a transgender woman said in a lawsuit she endured abuse and harassment from staff and other prisoners as she was shuttled between mens facilities. Officials eventually agreed to move her to the womens prison, but the decision received pushback from corrections unions, who argued that there werent clear policies for how to search or supervise transgender prisoners. That case is ongoing. Other transgender women have been recently held at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women, according to advocates and current and former prisoners. Rollins entered the prison system on a robbery charge almost two years ago, according to state records. She was initially in a mens prison but was moved to Edna Mahan in October, she previously said in an interview. Weeks after the January incident, another altercation with officers led to her hospitalization for a concussion. Her lawyer and a prison spokeswoman previously said that encounter was under investigation. Prison and union officials have disputed parts of her account. Rollins was the aggressor in the latest incident and four officers and a supervisor had to be treated for minor injuries, William Sullivan, president of NJ PBA Local 105, previously said. Rollins sued in March, saying she felt unsafe at the womens prison and asking to be transferred to a county jail. Ten women under state supervision are in county jails, according to prison records. Three other women are also held in facilities out of state. But in April, officials instead decided to move her back to a male prison. In a message to NJ Advance Media, Rollins said she is now kept in a cell all day as a punishment. She said she had no say over the transfer and was restricted from attending a meeting about me concerning the move. The transfer was the result of her speaking up and made her 5 times more vulnerable, she wrote. In one federal survey, more than a third of transgender adults in state and federal prisons reported sexual abuse. In contrast, less than 5% of prisoners overall reported abuse during the same period, according to a U.S. Department of Justice report. The decision to move her was made by the Prison Rape Elimination Act Accommodation Committee, an internal group that decides who is housed where, according to court records. The committee decided April 23 that she should be housed in accordance with her assigned sex, male, a prison official wrote. She was moved a few days later to a facility that housed nearly 1,300 men at the start of the year. Another official disputed that Rollins was blocked from weighing in. Prior to the meeting, Rollins was afforded the opportunity to present her views, but declined to participate, James Haas, a corrections analyst, wrote in a court document. Rollins was also afforded the opportunity to participate in the meeting via telephone, but again declined to participate. A prison spokeswoman declined further comment. We do not provide information on the reasoning for someones transfer, Liz Velez wrote in an email. The state attorney generals office, which represents the prison system in court, initially asked that Rollins lawsuit be dismissed because she was moved out of the womens prison, according to public records. Rollins lawyer, Oliver Barry, pushed back and asked a judge for more time to discuss the transfer. The attorney generals office agreed and the two sides are now discussing Rollins case, according to spokesman Leland Moore. NJ Advance Media staff writers S.P. Sullivan and Joe Atmonavage contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Blake Nelson may be reached at bnelson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @BCunninghamN. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips. An 18-year-old faces up to seven years in state prison after he admitted he stabbed two New York men on the beach in Point Pleasant during a fight over a girl on Labor Day last year. Juwan Roman, 18, of Newark, pleaded guilty Thursday two counts of aggravated assault and a weapons offense, the Ocean County Prosecutors Office said. Roman was 17 at the time of the fight on the beach at Jenkinsons, but later agreed to be prosecuted as an adult in exchange from attempted murder charges being dropped. Mr. Roman is extremely remorseful for the actions he took last year and is grateful that this transgression did not cause any lasting serious harm, his Tinton Fall-based attorney Joseph J. Compitello said. He acknowledges that it was a monumental lapse in judgment that is uncharacteristic of the positive choices he has made in his young life while growing up as a youth in Newark. Roman has been in custody at the Ocean County jail since being arrested following the stabbing, which took place around 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 7. Roman, who had no prior criminal history according to his lawyer, is scheduled to be sentenced July 9. The victims were 18 and 22 at the time of the stabbing and live in West Haverstraw, New York. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. New Jerseys public worker pension shortfall continued to grow last year, adding nearly $3 billion in unfunded liabilities to one of the worst-funded systems in the country. As of July 1, 2020, the seven pension funds that make up the pension system had enough assets to cover just 58% of what they owe to active and retired state and local government workers, according to new Treasury Department reports. The new data are contained in actuarial valuation reports that act like a report card for the pension funds. Its based on the states statutory accounting rules and takes into account the previous years investment gains or losses, changing demographics, contributions being made and checks going out. The gap between the total assets, $103.5 billion, and liabilities, $178.4 billion, was $74.9 billion at the beginning this fiscal year. Thats more than $2.9 billion, or 4%, higher than the year before. A year earlier, the system had $102 billion in assets and $174 billion in liabilities a shortfall of about $72 billion. That ratio of assets and liabilities fell by less than a percentage point, from 58.6% in 2019 to 58% in 2020. Pensions are funded through employer contributions, employee contributions and investment returns. Low investment returns and insufficient funding from the state chipped away at the funding ratio last year. 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: Between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020, which the states investment director described as a challenging global economic and investment environment, the pension fund generated a 1.2% return, far short of its long-range target. The portion paid into by local government employers was 69.3% funded as of July 1, down slightly from 69.6% in 2019. The reason for the decline stems primarily from the investment returns, said Treasury Department spokeswoman Jennifer Sciortino. Because the state has for more than two decades contributed less to the pension system than recommended by actuaries or nothing at all in some years the state portion of the pension fund is much weaker than the one for local government workers as localities are required to make full payments every year. The part of the pension system funded by the state was only 49.8% funded at the end of the last fiscal year, down from 50.7% in 2019. The health of seven individual funds within the pension system also varied, according to the latest actuary reports. The teachers pension fund was 54.4% funded, while the Police and Firemens Retirement System was 67.3% funded, and the Public Employees Retirement System, 56%. Despite record-high contributions under Gov. Phil Murphys administration, the health of the pension funds funded by the state continue to worsen each year it was funded at 58.9% in 2016. Thats because year after year the state is still paying in less than whats recommended by actuaries to avoid piling on new debt. This year, New Jersey will make a $4.8 billion payment, which is 80% of the actuarys recommendation. Murphy has announced plans to make a full, $6.4 billion payment next fiscal year, a year earlier than expected and the first 100% contribution in 25 years. Even so, it will be at least another year before the pension fund begins to show improvement because the administration plans to cut how much the pension system should expect to earn on investments each year from 7.3 percent to 7 percent. As weve continued on the path toward fully funding our pension obligation, the ramp up in contributions has helped minimize the deterioration in the funded ratios, Sciortino said. Now that we are preparing to make the first full pension contribution in over 25 years, we can expect these numbers to finally reverse course if we sustain that level moving forward. When measured according to national accounting standards, which are important for public financial disclosures and for comparing New Jerseys system to other states, the July 1 snapshot looks markedly worse. With $79.9 billion in assets and $208.2 billion in liabilities, the funds unfunded liability reached $128.3 billion and the funded ratio was just 38.4%, according to financial disclosures filed by the state. Thats down from 39.7% a year prior. The Judicial Retirement System would run out of money in 2033, the retirement system for state police would be depleted in 2057, and the teachers retirement system would run out in 2062, under that methodology. The states own statutory methodology, meanwhile, factors in a higher long-term assumed rate of return and recognizes the New Jersey Lottery as an asset of the pension funds. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Samantha Marcus may be reached at smarcus@njadvancemedia.com. Watertown, NY (13601) Today A few passing clouds. Low 56F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A few passing clouds. Low 56F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. I did vote for him, and I would again I did NOT vote for him, but I would now I did vote for him, but I would NOT now I did NOT vote for him, and I would NOT now Vote View Results Virgin Group's idiosyncratic founder, Richard Branson, shoveled dirt with Mayor LaToya Cantrell on Thursday to symbolically mark the start of construction on a new 230-room Virgin Hotel, which is slated to open in 2021. The $80 million project, going up at 550 Baronne St. on the corner of Layette Street in the Warehouse District, is a joint venture with Maryland-based Buccini/Pollin Group, which is also in partnership with Virgin Hotels on a project in Nashville, Tennessee. The New Orleans hotel, which will be managed by Virgin Hotels and jointly owned with BPG, will be the seventh Virgin Hotel to open in the U.S. The group has hotels in Chicago and San Francisco and eight others at various stages of construction or planning. Key to Cantrell's 2019 legislative agenda? Tourism cash to rebuild N.O. S&WB, more. Here's what to know ... Less than a month away from the start of the 2019 legislative session, Mayor LaToya Cantrell's legislative agenda is being shaped by her push "I'm very excited to be standing in a parking lot I've never done that before and to think when we come back here in a couple years time there's going to be a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful Virgin Hotel here," Branson, a self-described "tie-loathing adventurer and thrill seeker," said at the ceremony. Branson's Virgin brand has morphed over the last five decades from a music magazine selling advertising out of a phone booth into a sprawling branding conglomerate, covering industries from financial services to space travel, health care and cruise ships. Cantrell cajoled Branson at the ceremony to start direct Virgin Atlantic Airways flights to New Orleans from the airline's U.K. base. Virgin currently flies directly to 13 U.S. destinations. Branson's Virgin Voyages also is expected to launch next year the first of four cruise ships currently under construction, and the mayor pushed to have that operation add to New Orleans' burgeoning cruise ship traffic. Can't see video below? Click here. "Virgin Atlantic maybe one day will fly here, it would be a lovely thing if we could make the figures stack up," Branson vowed. On Virgin Voyages, he said, "Each one of those ships will have 3,000 people on board, so we can most likely tie in (and) help promote New Orleans through the cruise company." The first ship, Scarlet Lady, is scheduled to be delivered by its Italian builder later this year and be based out of Miami. The hotel project will support 260 construction jobs over the next two years and there will be 230 permanent hotel jobs once it is opened, said Dave Pollin, president of Buccini/Pollin, adding that the hotel is expected to generate over $5.5 million in taxes annually once it's operating. Broadmoor Construction of Metairie is the main contractor; New Orleans-based Mathes Brierre, together with CallisonRTKL of Maryland, are the architects; and Logan Killen Interiors of Magazine Street are designing the hotel's interior to "incorporate a Southern residential feel," Virgin Hotels said in a press release. Next year. The momentum is there! Maybe in 3-4 years. There's always some problem. Not until it's already legal in Texas, Arkansas and Mississippi Somehow, the legislature will criminalize weed for eternity Vote View Results The hard hat of missing Seacor Power crew member Dylan Daspit has been recovered in Port Aransas, Texas, KLFY reports. U.S. Coast Guard Public Affairs Officer Cory Mindenhall of Houma told the news station a beach lifeguard found the hard hat with the last name "Daspit" on it. Daspit is one of seven men still missing from the Seacor Power disaster in April. Scott Daspit confirmed the discovery of his son's hard hat. A spokesperson for Seacor Marine, the boat's owner, did not respond to a message seeking comment. +5 United Cajun Navy leader alleges cyberstalking, extortion by Seacor Power search volunteers The privately organized search for seven missing crewmen from the capsized Seacor Power lift boat fell apart earlier this month in a flurry of Port Aransas is roughly 600 miles from the site of the disaster. The distance shows how challenging search efforts can become in the Gulf of Mexico. The Seacor Power capsized on April 13 off the coast of Port Fourchon, Louisiana. Six of the 19 crew members aboard the jack-up boat were rescued within hours. Six bodies were recovered over the course of the next week. Seven others -- Dylan Daspit, Jay Guevara, Chaz Morales, Gregory Walcott, Jason Krell, Darren Encalade and Cooper Rozands -- remain missing. OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. A Mississippi community college says it's broken the Guinness World Record for the largest-ever jambalaya. WXXV25-TV reports that Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College worked to make the dish as part of a May 1 fundraiser in Ocean Springs for campus food pantries. Event Coordinator Carin Platt told WXXV25 before the event that the college was planning to make around 3,700 pounds of jambalaya. That amount would be enough to beat the current record of 3,371 pounds set by the Jambalaya Festival Association in Gonzales, Louisiana in 2009. Its going to be a lot," Platt told the television station. "It includes 900 pounds of sausage, 900 pounds of ham, more than 620 pounds of rice." This week, Platt said the college had succeeded in its goal, raising more than $3,200 for food pantries in the process. Over 2,000 people in need were fed during the event. Now, all the school needs to do is file paperwork with Guinness World Records. 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 Largest Jambalaya event is the second event of its kind held by the college. The first was Largest Pulled Pork BBQ in 2018. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College's food pantries provide frozen items, dry and canned goods, and personal hygiene products for students in need. They also have pop-up food pantries located around campus with snacks. Platt said food insecurity is much more prevalent on college campuses than most realize. We dont want our students to be worried about where their next meal is coming from and want to make sure that they have what they need to succeed in college, she told WXXV25. Event sponsors included The Pelican, MGCCC Food Pantries, Smithfield Foods, Southern Event & Party, Justin Wilsons Southern Products, Lynchburg Landing, and System Scales Corporation Mobile. Six people were injured in shootings in New Orleans in a 48-hour period, New Orleans police said Friday. The crimes were included in a summary of major offenses reported to New Orleans police between 7 a.m. Wednesday and 7 a.m. Friday. Here's the preliminary information from authorities. Woman shot in Holy Cross area A 21-year-old woman was shot overnight in the Holy Cross area of the Lower 9th Ward, police said Friday. NOPD chief challenges parents to be 'active and engaged' amid flurry of teen arrests After announcing the arrests of two 15-year-old boys, one in connection with a murder and the other in a carjacking that involved an infant, N The shooting was reported at 1 a.m. Friday in the 1000 block of Lamanche Street (map). The woman said she heard gunshots and realized she had been shot in the leg. She went in a private vehicle to a hospital. Her condition was not immediately available. Man shot in Algiers A 29-year-old man was shot Thursday afternoon in Algiers, police said. The shooting reported around 4:30 p.m. at General Meyer Avenue and Carver Street (map). Someone shot the man, police said, and then the injured man was taken in a private vehicle to a hospital. His condition was not immediately available. Man shot in Central City A man was shot Thursday morning Central City, police said. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up The man was found around 8 a.m. on the neutral ground in the 2200 block of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard (map), according to police. He had been shot multiple times and was taken via EMS to a hospital. His condition was not immediately available. No other details were available, including his age, a possible motive in the shooting or a description of a shooter. Driver, bystander shot in Treme A driver and a bystander were shot Wednesday night in Treme, police said. The shooting happened at 7 p.m. on Orleans Avenue at North Tonti Street (map). A 29-year-old man was driving on Orleans Avenue when police say another vehicle cut him off. The people in that vehicle opened fire at the 29-year-old, hitting him several times, police said. A 39-year-old standing in the area was also hit by gunfire, police said. Their conditions were not immediately available. Man shot in the stomach A man was shot in the stomach Wednesday afternoon by the Fair Grounds, police said. The man, whose age was not provided, was dropped off at a hospital around 1 p.m. and taken into surgery, according to preliminary information from police. The shooting reportedly happened in the 1500 block of Verna Street (map). No more details were immediately available. After announcing the arrests of two 15-year-old boys, one in connection with a murder and the other in a carjacking that involved an infant, New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson made an impassioned plea for local parents to be active and engaged in their childrens lives. I am issuing a challenge to parents to know what your kids are doing, Ferguson said Thursday. Be active and engaged in their lives so that we on the criminal justice side do not have to engage with them in a negative way. None of us want to see our kids going to jail. Boy, 15, booked in fatal shooting of 14-year-old boy in Central City, NOPD says A 15-year-old boy has been jailed in connection with the killing of a 14-year-old boy in Central City last month, the New Orleans Police Depar Fergusons remarks were largely fueled by the arrest on Wednesday of a young teen in the fatal shooting of 14-year-old Joel Nichols in Central City last month. Nichols was shot in the 2700 block of LaSalle Street on April 19 and died the following day at University Medical Center, police said. Investigators had obtained a warrant to arrest the 15-year-old suspect when patrol officers spotted him in a car at the corner of Jackson Avenue and Rev. John Raphael Jr. Way in Central City and took him into custody. He faces counts of second-degree murder, armed robbery with a firearm, illegal use of a firearm and theft of a motor vehicle. In a separate incident Wednesday, another 15-year-old boy approached a woman inside a vehicle at the corner of Martin Luther King Jr. and South Claiborne Avenue and yanked her out of the car, police said. A baby girl was in the back seat. 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 teen drove off with the baby, eventually leaving the infant unharmed at a construction site. Officers later arrested the boy in the 7th Police District, which includes New Orleans East and its surrounding neighborhoods, Ferguson said. Both of those cases unfolded less than a week after seven teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17 were hurt while riding in a stolen pickup truck that was fleeing from police and crashed in the St. Claude neighborhood. The young people face counts of possessing a stolen automobile as well as at least three stolen guns, among other alleged misdeeds, police said. Five boys who were a part of that group were later discharged from their hospital stays and booked, Ferguson said. The other two suspects, both girls, remained hospitalized as of Thursday. Ferguson said jailing very young criminal suspects has a limited impact if after they are released their parents dont reinforce the concepts of right and wrong or teach them that actions have consequences. He said he believes teens have had too much idle time on their hands, in part because of virtual instruction during the coronavirus pandemic. We cant arrest our way out of this, Ferguson said. Thats all I can really say. Police didnt release the name of the suspects because they are juveniles. A developmentally disabled Terrytown woman accused of killing her 77-year-old caretaker has been charged with manslaughter, according to Jefferson Parish court records. Courtney Marshall, 32, was charged this week by the Jefferson Parish District Attorney's Office in the death of Barbara Bridges. But Marshall has been ruled too incompetent to proceed to trial and is being treated at the East Louisiana Mental Health Hospital in Jackson, La., court records said. "She's very, very sick," Marshall's defense attorney, Gaynell Williams, said Wednesday. "She needs to be treated." Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joseph Lopinto has said Marshall is non-verbal and has special needs. A family friend and neighbors on Green Oak Drive in Terrytown said she is on the autism spectrum. Bridges, of Harvey, was employed as sitter so Marshall's mother could go to work, authorities said. On the morning of March 12, Sheriff's Office investigators say Marshall attacked Bridges. An autopsy determined Bridges died of a combination of blunt force trauma to the head and compressional asphyxia. Compressional asphyxia means Bridges body was compressed or squeezed to the point that she could not breathe. 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 Neighbor Johnny Guillot said he overheard screaming coming from inside Marshall's home that morning and was worried that something terrible had happened. He described later seeing Marshall with blood on her shirt after deputies were dispatched to the house. Instead of jail, Marshall was taken to the psychiatric ward at University Medical Center in New Orleans, Lopinto said. She was eventually moved to Tulane Medical Center, and a psychiatric evaluation was conducted. In a competency hearing held a week after the attack, Judge Ellen Shirer Kovach of the 24th Judicial District Court found that Marshall was irrestorably incompetent and "incapable of standing trial in the foreseeable future," according to court records. Kovach then remanded her to the state's mental health hospital. The ruling puts a halt on the criminal prosecution as court and mental health officials determine how best to care for and treat her. Barksdale Hortenstine Jr., director of the Mental Health Unit of the Orleans Public Defenders, said after a defendant is found irrestorably incompetent the state Department of Health and Hospitals must decide whether it's appropriate for the person to be civilly committed to a hospital for treatment. To do so, a defendant must meet certain state-mandated criteria, including having a grave disability or being a danger to themselves or others, Hortenstine said. If committed, the defendant is moved to a facility that's more suitable to the person's treatment needs, Hortenstine said. The defendant will remain there until they no longer have the disability or are not a danger. The case is scheduled to return to court Aug. 5 for a status hearing on Marshall's competency. After almost a decade of turning wetland-destroying rodents into high-end dog biscuits, Baton Rouge-based Marsh Dog announced this week it is shutting down. The company did what many had tried and failed to do: Find a market for nutria, the imported, orange-toothed pest that state wildlife managers estimate has eaten away more than 40 square miles of the Louisiana coast in the past 20 years. Marsh Dogs customer base, dog owners willing to pay a premium for treats that helped the environment, appeared to be growing. The company went through a series of expansions, recently landing a competitive contract with a national pet food manufacturer. But Marsh Dogs ambitious plan to expand its reach came just as the coronavirus pandemic struck last year. We were trying a big jump with the national producer, but with a larger volume, you have to make sure you have the distribution, said Hansel Harlan, who started the business in a home kitchen with his sister, Veni Harlan, in 2012. We invested a lot of money and had planned to go to all the trade shows to find more distributors and retailers. The pandemic shut down the shows, leaving the company with a lot more product and not nearly enough buyers. Each 12-ounce bag of nutria treats retailed for about $12. They came in three varieties flavored with blueberries, cranberries, rice and sweet potatoes. Hansel estimated the company removed tens of thousands of nutria from Louisiana marshlands over the past three years. The companys closure is a significant loss for coastal restoration efforts, said Simone Maloz, executive director of Restore or Retreat, a Thibodaux-based environmental advocacy group. Marsh Dog was educating people about the nutria problem and putting a classic Louisiana spin on it, she said. They took something thats ugly and harmful and turned it into something useful for mans best friend. Thats very on-brand for Louisiana. Nutria were brought to Louisiana from South America for the fur trade in the 1930s. When the fur market tanked, many of the semi-aquatic animals were released into the wild, where they thrived at the expense of the states fragile coastal wetlands. Unlike Louisiana's native muskrats, which eat plant tops, nutria gnaw away the roots, leaving little to hold the landscape in place. More than 13,700 acres of coastal marsh were damaged by nutria just last year, according to state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries estimates. Nutria are one of many factors contributing to rapid land loss along Louisiana's coast. The major causes include oil and gas exploration, sea level rise, soil subsidence and the loss of replenishing sediment since the Mississippi River was brought under control with levees. The state offers a $6 bounty for each nutria tail, but last years total of 246,000 represents about only 1% of the Louisiana's nutria population and isnt close to the number of kills needed to curb the animal's explosive growth. Nutria have spread far beyond the Gulf of Mexico and East Coast and are now destroying wetlands in Oregon and California. Last year, the federal government tripled the amount of money available to fight the spread of nutria, making $12 million available each year to all affected states until 2025. 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 But theres a growing sense that government eradication efforts cant tackle the problem alone. The state of Louisiana and nonprofit groups have poured millions of dollars into building commercial markets for nutria products. During the 1990s, they teamed with popular New Orleans restaurants to serve nutria meat dishes. "It's not prime rib, but it's wonderful," famed New Orleans chef Paul Prudhomme said of the meat. Then there was a publicized push 10 years ago to promote nutria as a source of guilt-free fur. Despite Prudhomme adding nutria to his menu and New York fashion shows trotting out nutria-clad models, only Marsh Dog managed to offer a product that consumers were willing to support over the long term. Harlan wishes some of the millions of dollars Louisiana spends on nutria eradication each year went toward promoting nutria products, a solution he said would cost less and rid the state of more nutria. He pointed to the fur industry, which kept the nutria population in check without tax support until demand in fur products evaporated in the 1980s. What's needed is support for new markets for nutria, he said. We built the mouse trap and showed it could work, Harlan said. I wish the government was more proactive in promoting efforts like ours. Harlan, who grew up in Louisiana, got the idea for nutria dog treats when his dog developed chronic food allergies. Most of the dog food out there has corn, soy and wheat that they use as filler, he said. So I was making my own dog food with turkey. And then I heard people say nutria tastes like turkey. I thought, 'Why not try that?' Making a dog treat with nutria took some experimentation, but the business end of things marketing, distribution, material procurement came naturally for Harlan and his sister. The siblings have ties to Edward Charles Edmond Barq Sr., founder of Barqs, the iconic New Orleans soft drink company. They grew up in the booming family business, which was sold to Coca-Cola in 1995. Harlan said his dog biscuits had a loyal customer base, but the base needed to grow exponentially as production ramped up. It was a big change going from buyers who wanted a couple bags' worth to customers who want an 18-wheelers worth, he said. Marsh Dog is selling off its remaining stock at a discount on its website. Harlan said hes open to potential buyers who might want to continue the brand and Marsh Dog's mission of ridding the coast of nutria. The company was never really about making money, he said. His family has other sources of income and Harlan, a lawyer, and his sister, a graphic designer, have other careers. It was a labor of love, Harlan said. We love Louisiana, the environment and we love dogs. It gave us a lot of satisfaction and fulfillment. Edward Paul Bubby Lyons, who is thought to be the only Louisiana politician to serve as mayor of two cities in different parishes, died Friday at his Mandeville home. He was 91. A native of Terrebonne Parish, Lyons was mayor of Mandeville and Houma after holding offices in both cities. He enjoyed public service and dedicated many years of his life to serving the public, said Trilby Lenfant, interim executive assistant to Mandeville Mayor Clay Madden. Lyons was elected Houmas mayor in 1978 after serving on the Terrebonne Police Jury. He went on to serve as parish president, then moved to Mandeville in 1995 to retire and be near his children and their grandchildren. Lyons eventually returned to politics, serving five months on the Mandeville City Council to fill a vacancy. And in October 2009, he was appointed mayor after Eddie Price pleaded guilty to federal corruption charges and resigned. Because Lyons agreed not to be a candidate in the election to fill Prices term, which expired in 2012, he served only about five months. But he made a difference, his daughter, Leslie Patterson, said. The city needed a leader. He lifted spirits and righted the ship. Born in Little Caillou, Lyons was the first member of his family to have English as a native language. The origin of his nickname is a mystery, Patterson said, although she said it is thought that his sister, thinking he resembled a baby in a soap advertisement, called him Bubbles. That became Bubby and, in some circles, Bubba, his daughter said. He graduated from Terrebonne High School and enlisted in the Army. He could type really well, and they needed a typist, his daughter said. He got out as a corporal. He took courses at LSU and Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute, now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, but did not graduate. St. Tammany top stories in your inbox A weekly guide to the biggest news in St. Tammany. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Lyons worked with his father on a bread delivery route for Achee Bakery and for Texaco and Placid Oil. He was a part-owner of Duplantis Truck Lines, Quality Shipyard and Benton Casing Services. In 1988, he ran for the 2nd District seat on the state Public Service Commission but received only 16 percent of the votes in the primary. The eventual victor was Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, who went on to be lieutenant governor and governor. He was a former chairman of Louisiana Energy Power Authority and a former board member of Terrebonne General Hospital and Terrebonne Parish Library. In 1973, Lyons and his wife, Joan Ortego Lyons, bought a weekend home in Mandeville that became their full-time residence in 1995. There he served on the boards of the Florida Parishes Retirement District and the St. Tammany Parish Events District. When Lyons was appointed mayor, he said, Im not just going to keep the seat warm, Im going to act, his daughter said, adding, The city needed a leader. One of his biggest responsibilities was to pick a successor to Tom Buell, Mandevilles police chief, who had been forced to retire after a scandal involving a Christmas toy charity. Lyons picked Rick Richard, who served six years before retiring in 2016. Lyons, who took office when he was 80, reassured city staffers with his folksy, down-home persona and no-nonsense attitude, according to a story in The Times-Picayune. They're smiling around here now," he said in the article. "They've been through some trying times. I might have had a positive effect." In 2014, Lyons was inducted into the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame. His wife died in 2014. Survivors include four sons, Edward Lyons Jr. of Abita Springs, Tommy Lyons of Thibodaux and Jeff and Ben Lyons, both of Mandeville; a daughter, Leslie Patterson of Mandeville; a brother, Jerry Lyons, of Houma; 13 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Chauvin Funeral Home of Houma is in charge of arrangements, which are incomplete. Roseburg, OR (97470) Today Cloudy with rain developing after midnight. Low 52F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Cloudy with rain developing after midnight. Low 52F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. A Minnesota judge on May 13 delayed the trial of three former police officers who were involved in the arrest of George Floyd in Minneapolis last year, after one of the officers defense attorneys argued that the medical examiner who performed Floyds autopsy was coerced by prosecutors. Thomas Lane, J. Kueng, and Tou Thao, according to court records, will now face trial on March 7, 2022, a delay of more than six months from the previous date. Hennepin County District Judge Peter Cahill told a pretrial hearing in Minneapolis that he wanted to give time for federal prosecutors to pursue their case against the three men, local media reported. A federal grand jury last week indicted the trio and Derek Chauvin, the other former officer involved in Floyds death, alleging the officers violated Floyds constitutional rights when they restrained him on the ground outside Cup Foods, where he was accused of using counterfeit money. Floyd eventually stopped breathing and was soon ruled dead. Chauvin was convicted in April of second-degree murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. He faces up to 40 years in prison. Lane, Keung, and Thao face aiding and abetting murder and aiding and abetting manslaughter charges. The first charge carries up to 40 years in prison. The federal charge the former officers were indicted on carries up to life in prison, with the death penalty possible in certain scenarios. Matthew Frank, a state prosecutor, told Cahill he disagreed with pushing the trial back into next year and that he wanted it to proceed in August, KARE 11 reported. Cahill also heard two other matters. Lanes attorney asked the judge to compel Minnesota authorities to produce all use-of-force reports where force was used by a Minneapolis police officer in making an arrest and another officer, either orally or physically, intervened in the use of force by his or her fellow officer, in the last fifty years. Cahill hasnt yet ruled on the matter, but asked prosecutors to get back to him on how many reports over 10 years would be generated under the request to help him decide how to rule. He also asked prosecutors to get Richard Zimmerman, a Minneapolis police officer, to find a report from decades ago that describes when Zimmerman intervened physically to stop a fellow officer from using excessive force on a prisoner who was handcuffed. The other matter was a motion that accused state prosecutors of leaking to The New York Times details of a plea deal with Chauvin that never fully materialized. Cahill said hed deal with the issue during a hearing in August but chastised prosecutors for not submitting filings swearing they didnt leak to the paper, KARE 11 reported. Frank, the only prosecutor to submit such an affidavit, speculated that the U.S. Department of Justice leaked to The New York Times. Defense lawyers said Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison was likely to blame. A bombshell filing submitted to the court the day prior wasnt addressed during the hearing. Thaos lawyer alleged that Dr. Andrew Baker, the Hennepin County Medical Examiner, was directly and indirectly coerced by the State and its agents into altering Floyds autopsy report. On May 26, 2020, Baker told prosecutors that the autopsy revealed no physical evidence suggesting that Mr. Floyd died of asphyxiation and showed no signs of damage to his airways or thyroid, or brain bleeding, bone injuries, or internal bleeding. Findings released to the public three days later said there were no physical findings that support a diagnosis of traumatic asphyxia or strangulation. But the final autopsy report listed neck compression. In the intervening time, Baker spoke to Dr. Roger Mitchell, former medical examiner of Washington, about the autopsy findings. Mitchell decided to write an op-ed critical of Bakers findings in the Washington Post, according to the filing from Thaos lawyer. Mitchell later called Baker again to let him know. In this conversation, Mitchell said, you dont want to be the medical examiner who tells everyone they didnt see what they saw. You dont want to be the smartest person in the room and be wrong. Said there was a way to articulate the cause and manner of death that ensures you are telling the truth about what you are observing and via all of the investigation. Mitchell said neck compression has to be in the diagnosis, according to the filing. State prosecutors later met with Mitchell. What Mitchell did amounts to coercion, a crime under Minnesota law, as state prosecutors knew that a potential expert witness had coerced the States main expert witness/the only expert to perform the physical autopsy in the case of State v. Thao, the former officers lawyer, Bob Paule, charged. Bakers office declined to comment, citing pending litigation. Frank, the assistant attorney general, called the allegations bizarre. The state plans to file a complete response in one week, he said on May 12. From The Epoch Times The new advice arrived just two days after Senate Republicans tore into the C.D.C. for what they called outdated and overly conservative guidance on mask-wearing, accusing the agency at a hearing on the governments pandemic response of losing the trust of Americans looking to return to normal life. Free at last, a maskless Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader in the Senate, said as he left the Capitol on Thursday. The agency said that vaccinated Americans would have to continue to abide by existing state, local or tribal laws and regulations and follow local rules for businesses and workplaces. But many local officials and business operators will be hard-pressed to maintain mask requirements now that the federal agency has spoken. While we all share the desire to return to a mask-free normal, todays C.D.C. guidance is confusing and fails to consider how it will impact essential workers who face frequent exposure to individuals who are not vaccinated and refuse to wear masks, said Marc Perrone, the president of the United Food and Commercial Workers union. About two dozen states currently mandate masking in public. Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Washington State promptly lifted mask mandates on Thursday after the C.D.C.s announcement. Governors in states like New York and New Jersey said they would study the C.D.C. recommendations before making any moves. In some ways, the C.D.C.s mask guidance has now come full circle. In the early days of the pandemic, health experts expressed ambivalence about whether masks were useful outside hospital settings. It was only in April 2020 that C.D.C. officials determined that masks could slow the spread of the virus and urged Americans to wear cloth masks they could make at home. President Trump famously resisted wearing a mask, and many of his ardent supporters followed suit. Still, masking became ubiquitous in many parts of the country, and federal health officials have been relentless in advocating their use. The police are going to be a core, core way for us to address the public safety concerns that so many New Yorkers have. And let me be clear, defund the police is the wrong approach for New York City. We need to evolve to a 21st century form of policing, a new antiviolence and community safety unit that would work with community leaders of plainclothes cops that go into communities and concentrate on getting the guns out and on whats called focused deterrence. Because the fact is, a lot of communities know who the troublemakers are. And if you can bring them in and say, look, if something happens in your neighborhood, youre going to be one of the first people we call, then you can start to get the rates down. Im going to take a billion dollars from the New York City Police Department to shift that money to create trauma-informed care in our schools. Because when we do that, violence goes down and graduation rates go up. Im going to have a civilian police commissioner because we are going to make it a truly accountable police force to the public. I share every New Yorkers desire to live in safety, but the reality of it is that safety is not synonymous with policing. Weve got the largest municipal police department in the nation. If the size and the funding associated with policing equated safety, wed be the safest city in the country. But the reality of it is that our communities are over-policed and under-resourced. By Fang Xiaozhi The European Council agreed to invite the US, Canada and Norway a to participate in the project Military Mobility, according to a statement released by the European Council on May 6. It is the first time the EU invites non-EU countries to participate in the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) joint defense mechanism.This project aims to eliminate administrative procedures and regulatory obstacles that affect the mobility of the EU's military and to achieve rapid deployment of troops and equipment. In September 2016, the EU informal summit discussed in-depth defense integration roadmap issues, including "the establishment of a permanent EU military command," and called for the establishment of a "European Defense Alliance", a joint European military intervention force, and an EU military command. 25 EU member states signed a joint agreement and decided to build a PESCO mechanism to deepen defense cooperation by jointly developing defense capabilities in December 2017. Inviting the US to join its military defense cooperation program runs counter to the goal of independent defense integration cooperation that it has been pursuing. In this regard, the EU and the US have separate considerations. For the US, NATO is an important tool for its global strategy. The US does not allow the EU to establish a military force as powerful as NATO. On November 14, 2020, the then-US Deputy Secretary of Defense David Norquist warned against the EU's new version of its autonomous defense plan white paper, saying that the white paper did not allow the US to participate, which was not conducive to NATO's internal unity. This time, the US seeks to join the EU's military defense cooperation project to penetrate the EU, strengthen the strategic binding between Europe and the US, and interfere with or even destroy Europe's autonomous defense plan. In addition, the US is also profitable in terms of weapons and equipment exports and infrastructure construction. For the EU, on the one hand, its defense integration is still in its infancy. Its current military forces are mainly aimed at local defense operations. They do not have enough delivery, long-range projection, and offensive capabilities, and their logistics support capabilities cannot meet the demand for high mobility levels. As a result, they cannot respond to the increasingly complex regional security situation. In this context, the EU has temporarily postponed the advancement of the defense integration process, tried to win over the US, and made NATO the cornerstone of European collective defense to keep the Western alliance and maintain its status and interests under the existing international system. On the other hand, the EU has responded positively to the repair of US-EU relations. At the EU summit video conference on February 26, leaders expressed that they would strengthen cooperation with NATO, the US, and other regional partners and look forward to strengthening the transatlantic cooperation and establishing defense dialogue with the US. Bringing the US into the military defense cooperation program also shows goodwill of the EU to the US as it intends to improve relations with the US, gain US support and use US power to strengthen its defense capabilities. Although the EU has a strong will and sufficient motivation to build defense integration, it still faces many constraints. Among them, the US-led NATO has always been a topic that cannot be avoided in EU defense cooperation. From the perspective of future development, the US and EU have differences and contradictions in handling regional security affairs, military-strategic guidelines, and military coordination and cooperation. For many years, the US has been trying to hinder the process of autonomous defense in Europe. Actively inviting the US to join the military defense cooperation program will deviate the EU from strategic independence. It can be predicted that with the advancement of EU's defense integration process, the contradictions and differences and strategic games between the US and EU surrounding the dominance of European security affairs will become increasingly fierce. (The author is from the World Military Research Center, College of International Studies, the National University of Defense Technology of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.) The citys housing crisis has become a key issue in the mayors race and not just because two candidates, Ray McGuire and Shaun Donovan, were ridiculed this week after estimating that the median price of a Brooklyn home was about $100,000. (Its actually $900,000). New York City faces a severe shortage of apartments deemed affordable, a longstanding issue that has priced poor tenants out of gentrifying neighborhoods. Nearly half of the citys renters are rent-burdened, meaning that more than 30 percent of their income goes toward rent. The de Blasio administration has committed to creating or preserving 300,000 affordable apartments by 2026, but that has done little to ease the affordability crisis. Safety is not synonymous with police, Ms. Morales said. Yang acted, and was attacked, like a front-runner. Mr. Yang, who was considered among the leaders if not the top candidate in polls, was treated by the other candidates as a front-runner, repeatedly fielding attacks from other candidates. Scott M. Stringer, the citys comptroller, targeted Mr. Yangs lack of governmental experience, saying the city cannot afford a mayor on training wheels. Eric Adams said that Mr. Yangs taking credit for Democrats winning the runoffs for the U.S. Senate race in Georgia was disrespectful and appalling. And it was clear Mr. Yang did not feel like he needed to go on the offensive, as he largely abstained from any attacks, sticking to his agenda and talking points. Maya Wiley came out swinging. Mr. Adams identifies as a progressive, has a record of pushing for changes from within the police force and says he was a victim of police brutality. He also briefly switched parties and became a Republican in the 1990s, and his opponents publicly signaled an eagerness to lace into his record. Eric, you were a self-described conservative Republican when Rudy Giuliani was mayor, Ms. Wiley said. When Mr. Adams objected to the characterization, her campaign blasted out an excerpt from a 1999 New York Daily News article. The debate unfolded as issues of crime and gun violence have become central to the mayors race. Mr. Adams, Mr. Yang and Raymond J. McGuire, a former Wall Street executive who seemed at ease on the virtual debate stage, rushed to Times Square after the shooting to issue stern denunciations of rising violence. Several other contenders have highlighted plans around policing or gun violence this week, including Ms. Wiley; Kathryn Garcia, the former sanitation commissioner, who flexed her policy knowledge at the debate; and the former federal housing secretary Shaun Donovan. In a sign of just how vital the question of public safety has become in the race, it was the first policy topic raised in the debate. Many of the contenders emphasized their interest in both reducing violent crime and combating police misconduct and bias. A year after the rise of the defund the police movement amid an outcry over racial injustice, several of the candidates, including Mr. Yang and Mr. Adams, are plainly betting that the electorate is in a more moderate mood when it comes to public safety, even as they also call for changes to ensure police accountability. Mr. Yang proactively declared that defund the police is the wrong approach, while Mr. Adams said that theres no one on this Zoom that has a greater depth of knowledge around public safety than I do. A number of candidates of color discussed the issue in part through the lens of their personal experiences, whether it was Mr. McGuire describing himself as a 6-4, 200-pound Black man who wants to have the police protect me and not profile me, or Ms. Wiley, who spoke of her racial identity as she called for reallocating $1 billion in New York Police Department funding to create trauma-informed care in our schools. I have been Black all my life, Ms. Wiley said. And that means I know two things: I know what it is like to fear crime, and I know what its like to fear police violence, and we have to stop having this conversation, making it a false choice. Scott M. Stringer said he welcomed an investigation into a sexual assault allegation he is facing from a former campaign worker. Mr. Stringer, currently the city comptroller, said that its important to allow women to step up and say what they have to say when asked by the lead moderator, Errol Louis, whether his argument to voters is please trust me. Mr. Stringer has vigorously denied the allegation and has tried to discredit the allegation from Jean Kim, a lobbyist, who has requested an investigation from the state attorney general. The allegations have roiled Stringers campaign just as he was gaining momentum in the crowded field. Stringer compared his situation to that of President Biden, who was accused of sexual abuse by former aide Tara Reid. This obituary is part of a series about people who have died in the coronavirus pandemic. Read about others here. For nearly four decades, William R. Harris devoted his career to safeguarding his fellow citizens. As an international lawyer and a sought-after consultant, he drafted treaties to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons and reduce the risk of accidental war. He modeled a framework for the government to continue functioning during a national catastrophe. He helped extend Daylight Saving Time to conserve fuel. And he focused officials on protecting the electrical grid from digital sabotage. Mr. Harris practiced what he preached, too, making sure to get his first vaccination for the coronavirus in early February, as soon as he was eligible and the vaccine was available. He completed the regimen by the end of the month. In late March, though, his family said, he received a jarring diagnosis: Covid-19. Mr. Harris also had chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and family members said that a few weeks after learning that he had Covid, he read an article in a scientific journal suggesting that the vaccine might not be fully effective for people with that type of leukemia. Trumps attempt to steal the 2020 election revealed how much our democracy depends on officials at all levels of government acting honorably. Republicans on state boards of election, like Aaron Van Langevelde in Michigan, had to certify the results correctly. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger had to resist Trumps entreaties to find enough missing votes to put him over the top. Republican state legislatures had to refuse Trump campaign pressure to substitute their own slate of electors for those chosen by the people. Congress had to do its job in the face of mob violence and count the Electoral College votes. Trumps rolling coup attempt didnt succeed, but it did reveal multiple points at which our system can fail. Since the election, Republicans, driven by the lie that is now their partys central ideology, have systematically attacked the safeguards that protected the last election. They have sent the message that vigorous defense of democracy is incompatible with a career in Republican politics. (Besides losing her leadership role, Cheney could easily lose her House seat.) Michigan Republicans declined to renominate Van Langevelde to the Board of State Canvassers. Raffensperger will most likely face a tough primary challenge in 2022. As Politico reported, in the next election, there will be secretary of state races in five of the 10 closest battleground states. Republican candidates for those offices will have an incentive to pretend to believe that a great injustice was done to Trump in 2020, and pledge to help rectify it. Republicans in states like Arizona have proposed laws that would allow state legislatures to override the popular vote and choose their own electors. Right now, these bills have little chance of passing, but other measures to involve state legislatures in vote counting and election certification are being enacted. Georgias new voting law, for example, gives the legislature the power to choose the head of the State Election Board a position formerly held by the secretary of state. The board, in turn, will be invested with the power to investigate and replace local election officials. Think about what 2020 would have been like if Trump loyalists had controlled the local and state level counting and certification process. Raffensperger did a tremendous job communicating throughout the vote-counting process his confidence in the processes, his confidence in the results, said Jess Marsden, another lawyer for Protect Democracy who researches state laws. You could imagine that a different person in that role could have very much clouded the public perception of the vote-counting process, in a way that would have validated later efforts by legislators to undo the certification to the extent that state law allows. Some legislatures, she said, might even be prepared to go beyond state law in a way that invites litigation and uncertainty and delay that then invites Congress to step in. Weve already seen how the accretion of lies and confusion about the last election has justified political purges and restrictive new voting laws. Such lies could also give a Republican-controlled Congress a pretext to object to the counting of state electors. Philadelphias health commissioner has resigned under pressure after confiding to city officials that he had authorized the cremation and disposal of remains from at least one of the Black Philadelphians who were killed when the police dropped a bomb on a rowhouse where members of the communal, antigovernment group MOVE lived in 1985. The bomb, which the police had dropped from a helicopter, started a fire in the house, and the police ordered firefighters to let it burn. Eleven people, including five children, were killed, and more than 60 nearby homes were destroyed. The episode has for decades been held up as an example of the citys mistreatment of Black people, and the revelation that unidentified remains from at least one of the victims had been discarded without regard to the familys wishes touched off fresh waves of pain and anger. Many residents and activists believe city officials have never been held accountable for the bombing and burning of a middle-class, mostly Black neighborhood in West Philadelphia. In 1988, a grand jury cleared officials of criminal liability for the death and destruction resulting from the bombing. A former aide to Representative Doug Lamborn, Republican of Colorado, filed a lawsuit on Thursday claiming that he was fired after complaining about his bosss disregard for safety measures meant to protect congressional staff members from the coronavirus, which he said resulted in an outbreak in Mr. Lamborns office. The former aide, Brandon Pope, said in the lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Washington, that he had tested positive for the virus on Nov. 19, one day after learning that Mr. Lamborn and two other staff members had contracted the virus. Calling Mr. Lamborn the source of his own infection, either direct or indirect, Mr. Pope, 35, said his boss had misled his aides and the Office of the Attending Physician for Congress about his exposure. The lawsuit claims that Mr. Lamborn had slept in his Capitol Hill office and had close contact with infected staff members. In the 16-page lawsuit filed against the office of Mr. Lamborn, Mr. Pope said that the representative had mostly barred aides in his district office in Colorado Springs from working remotely last year and made few accommodations to ensure social distancing or the wearing of masks. As United States and Egyptian mediators headed to Israel to begin de-escalation talks, the antagonists were weighing delicate internal considerations before agreeing to discussions on ending the violence. But even before the mediators got to work, Israels caretaker prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, appeared to have calculated that brute force was required first. Early Friday, Israeli ground troops shelled Gaza a potentially major move of escalation against the Hamas militants who have been launching hundreds of rockets at Israel. For the Palestinians, the indefinite postponement of elections last month by the Palestinian Authority president, Mahmoud Abbas, created a vacuum that Hamas is more than willing to fill. Hamas argues that it is the only Palestinian faction that, with its large stockpile of improved missiles, is defending the holy places of Jerusalem, turning Mr. Abbas into a spectator. GAZA CITY On Tuesday evening, Gazans celebrated as they heard the whoosh of rockets sent toward Israel. But by Wednesday morning the cheers had stopped, as Gazans saw the aftermath of what some described as the most intense airstrikes since cross-border Israeli-Palestinian hostilities flared again this week. In one neighborhood, near Zeitoun and Sabra, residents inspected their homes and neighborhoods for damage, and desperately sought information about where the missiles might strike next. I felt that the hits were random, said Nadal Issa, 27, the owner of a bridal shop. Hamas and other militants have been exchanging fire with Israel since Monday. Dozens of Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, including at least 16 children as of Wednesday night, officials said. In Israel, at least six civilians have been killed, including one child. One video taken after the first drone strike and posted on Facebook shows a white-hatted, bloodied man lying face down in an alleyway near the white Skoda, whose roof and right side were punched in as though with a giant fist, its back window shattered. Another video shows clouds of dust hanging over the site, with another man laying on the pavement perhaps 50 yards down the street. A third person can be seen moving toward him, only to be obscured by the tawny dust of the second strike. Later in the day, a photo shows, two of the bodies near the car had been covered with what appeared to be yellow signage. One of the al-Hatus gray suitcases still stood on the sidewalk, handle up. When the first drone struck, shards killed a falafel shop worker and hit Nader al-Ghazali, who ironed womens clothes at the laundry. Bleeding, Mr. al-Ghazali tried to crawl away, witnesses said. The barber, Muawiyah al-Whaidi, who was a friend, ran into the street, trying to help him. That was when the second strike shook everything, the thunder of the blast mixing with screams of shock and the cries of children. Dr. Osama al-Sharafi, 32, rushed out of the pharmacy where he works to try and help, he recalled. He stopped at the first casualty, Mansour al-Draimly, 65, who had been passing through al Mughrabi when he was killed. His body had been pierced in several places by flying fragments. His walking stick lay askew on the pavement next to him. Dr. al-Sharafi tried to stanch the bleeding, he said, but Mr. al-Draimly was soon dead. Around the same time, Dr. al-Sharafi saw another wounded man stagger into the pharmacy, soaked in blood. The choreographer Stephen Petronio is easing into veteran status, having formed his company in 1984 and created a steady stream of dances since. But when he was first figuring things out, Trisha Brown gave him he was the first male dancer in her company what every young dance artist needs. She rented him a space in the basement of her loft. I had 5,000 square feet for a $100 a month for many years, he said during a virtual Joyce Theater discussion in April, and that launched my career. Now he is dedicated to giving back: One way is paying tribute to mentors from postmodern dance, like Brown, by presenting their early works in his companys Bloodlines project. He also started the Petronio Residency Center in Round Top, N.Y., which has hosted bubble residencies this year for his company and other artists. All of this figures prominently in his new digital season, presented by the Joyce Theater and running through May 26. For Pandemic Portraits, a film, Petronios dancers talk about their experiences in bubbles; its not especially enlightening, theyre grateful. A performance of Browns Group Primary Accumulation (1973), filmed by a drone, shows four supine dancers moving in unison on a small bridge over a creek. In each, the theme is clear: The past year has pushed Petronio and his dancers out of their element. But havent we all felt that way? This program is less introspective than repetitive as it addresses by now well-worn ideas: isolation, yearning to touch, craving to make big movements. At times, it veers into sentimentality. Another challenge: To get the most out of the opening three works, it helps to have a fondness for Elvis Presley. And we know from the historical record that improvisation was essential to Bach, Tepfer said. He clearly excelled at it to a unique degree. Of course, for Tepfer to supply his own improvised versions of the missing Bach inventions takes some bravado. That tension is at the heart of any of these projects that Ive done where Ive kind of interacted with Bach and these totemic pieces, he said. But the only way these projects can come alive is if it feels like a true conversation, and in any good conversation people speak in their own voice. That his improvisations are indeed free created with no preconceptions going in, as he put it came through in the performance at Bargemusic, in part because his reinventions sounded nothing like those captured on a video that was made the second time he tried the program out in 2019 in Paris, where he was born to American parents and studied at a division of the Paris Conservatory. Following the sequence of pieces in Bachs score, Tepfer begins with Invention No. 1 in C, a piece every elementary piano student learns, and goes right into the Invention No. 2 in C minor probably the most musically complex of the 15, unfolding as an intricate canon and moving through distant realms of harmony. At Bargemusic, as in Paris, Tepfer played with transparent, articulate touch; a jazz musicians feel for lithe, bouncy rhythms; and tastefully expressive lyrical freedom. Tepfer plays Bach: The Nanny comforts me because: Fran Fine is an effervescent delight. As developed and played by the seriess star, Fran Drescher, the nanny named Fran, as the theme song trills, is ebullient, brave and soothing. Firmly in line with the warmth and intelligence of her fellow sitcom-anchoring stars Brett Butler and Reba McEntire, Drescher embodies an unforgettable heroine. In some ways an inheritor of Maria von Trapps work-to-marriage plotline from The Sound of Music, Fran is a fish out of water figure who is so winsome that the stuffy widower father (Charles Shaughnessy) begins to fall for her, although Fran is freer to assert herself with humor and sass than Julie Andrewss Maria was. Fran manages to be uncompromising in what matters to her while never losing the audiences empathy. Fran is in friendly, quiet collaboration with almost everyone else on the show: namely, the children, in their lovably awkward efforts to become their own selves, and the butler, Niles (Daniel Davis), in his forever campaign against Mr. Sheffields miserably-framed business associate, C.C. Babcock (Lauren Lane). Sometimes arch in response to C.C.s broadly drawn bitterness, Fran is rarely meanspirited. Niles, for his part, is too witty for us to root against; he glories in his spite, and C.C. lobs it back. In direct contrast to her boss stuffiness, Fran is consistently down to earth. She buys things on sale, gets into scrapes and jokes about bodies and their foibles. And shes ahead of anyone who might mock her loud fashion, her nasal voice, her class background or even her Judaism: Drescher has her character get to all of those jokes before almost anyone else does. She often plays to the camera with mock quizzical looks, gently poking fun at the shows world of particularly rarefied privilege. Drescher perfects her own version of Lucille Balls elastic facial expressions and deftly executed pratfalls, as when Fran sinks to the floor after tasting wasabi (a wordless comedic triumph) or when, disguised as a candy striper, she is asked to shave her bosss undercarriage. But through all the slapstick, Fran is also the ethical heart of the show, remaining refreshingly real in her screwball ways. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is finally catching up to the science. For months, research about Covid-19 has pointed to two encouraging patterns. First, the underlying virus that causes Covid rarely spreads outdoors. Second and even more important fully vaccinated people are at virtually no risk of serious disease and only a minuscule risk of spreading the virus to others. But the C.D.C., which has long been a cautious agency, has been unwilling to highlight these facts. It has instead focused on tiny risks risks that are smaller than those from, say, taking a car trip. The C.D.C.s intricate list of recommended Covid behavior has baffled many Americans and frightened others, making the guidance less helpful than it might have been. Yesterday, the agency effectively acknowledged it had fallen behind the scientific evidence: Even though that evidence has not changed in months, the C.D.C. overhauled its guidelines. It said fully vaccinated people could stop wearing masks in most settings, including crowded indoor gatherings. The change sends a message: Vaccination means the end of the Covid crisis, for individuals and ultimately for society. Britains financial crime unit is investigating suspected fraud and money laundering involving the businesses of Sanjeev Gupta, whose global metals empire ballooned in recent years with the aid of billions of dollars in financing from the failed firm Greensill Capital. The Serious Fraud Office said Friday that it was looking into potential fraud in relation to the financing and conduct of the business of companies within the Gupta Family Group Alliance, including its financing arrangements with Greensill Capital UK. The announcement is the first indication that the British authorities may pursue criminal charges against Mr. Gupta, who runs the loose collection of businesses that bear the family name, and his ties to the finance firm founded by Lex Greensill. That company, which expanded quickly over the past decade, collapsed spectacularly in March, entangling SoftBank and Credit Suisse and igniting a political scandal in Britain. The criminal hacking group DarkSide, which the F.B.I. has blamed for carrying out a ransomware attack that crippled fuel delivery across the Southeastern United States this week, has announced that it is shutting down because of unspecified pressure from the United States. In a statement written in Russian and provided to The New York Times on Friday by the cybersecurity firm Intel 471, DarkSide said it had lost access to the public-facing portion of its online system, including its blog and payment server, as well as funds that it said had been withdrawn to an unknown account. It said the groups main web page and other public-facing resources would go offline within 48 hours. Due to the pressure from the U.S., the affiliate program is closed, the statement said, referring to intermediary hackers, the so-called affiliates, it works with to break into corporate computer systems. Stay safe and good luck. What that pressure may have been is unclear, but on Thursday, President Biden said the United States would not rule out a retaliatory strike against DarkSide that would disrupt their ability to operate. The White House spokeswoman, Jen Psaki, said the administration was waiting for recommendations from U.S. Cyber Command, but government officials on Friday declined to comment further about whether any action had been taken. On Dec. 29, a National Guardsman in Colorado became the first known case in the United States of a contagious new variant of the coronavirus. The news was unsettling. The variant, called B.1.1.7, had roiled Britain, was beginning to surge in Europe and threatened to do the same in the United States. And although scientists didnt know it yet, other mutants were also cropping up around the country. They included variants that had devastated South Africa and Brazil and that seemed to be able to sidestep the immune system, as well as others homegrown in California, Oregon and New York. This melange of variants could not have come at a worse time. The nation was at the start of a post-holiday surge of cases that would dwarf all previous waves. And the distribution of powerful vaccines made by Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech was botched by chaos and miscommunication. Scientists warned that the variants and B.1.1.7 in particular might lead to a fourth wave, and that the already strained health care system might buckle. That didnt happen. B.1.1.7 did become the predominant version of the virus in the United States, now accounting for nearly three-quarters of all cases. But the surge experts had feared ended up a mere blip in most of the country. The nationwide total of daily new cases began falling in April and has now dropped more than 85 percent from the horrific highs of January. Times Insider explains who we are and what we do, and delivers behind-the-scenes insights into how our journalism comes together. In 2017, after spending more than 13 years covering Iraq and China for The New York Times, Edward Wong returned to the United States and began teaching international reporting at Princeton University. When he wasnt filing articles about foreign policy and overseas events as a Times correspondent, he was trying to impart lessons from his experiences inside a war zone and the worlds largest authoritarian state. He also discovered that the students werent the only ones learning. Teaching the basics of journalism reminds me of what matters most in reporting and writing, Mr. Wong said. How to find compelling stories and tell them with truth and accuracy, how to ask the important questions, how to keep in mind a moral vision for our work. Tell me more about Jigsaw. The Jigsaw Killer, better known as just Jigsaw, is the bloodthirsty maniac who orchestrates sick little games for people he thinks dont deserve to live. He communicates via a dapper ventriloquists dummy with a white face, red beady eyes, a red lip and signature red swirls on his cheeks. The killer has a fascinating back story revealed in one of the original films biggest twists. Jigsaw doesnt have the name recognition of villains like Jason or Freddy, but he has a devoted fan base. In Spiral, his catchphrase I want to play a game is delivered in a digitally distorted voice that sounds like what a perverse and unforgiving psycho would sound like. (It also, strangely, has the flat affect of the Midwest.) How scary are Saw and Spiral? Thats a tough question to answer. Horror fans love Saw, and might enjoy Spiral for its ingeniously cruel tests, gory outcomes and what would you do? scenarios. For gorehounds, the pleasure comes with each scene of graphic and fantastic carnage at the hands of contraptions that make an iron maiden look like a Sit n Spin. After 10 minutes, I took my mask off, because it was muffling my voice as I tried to catch peoples attention. Finally, a middle-aged man in a motorized scooter stopped to look at me from about eight feet away. What are you doing here? he asked. Writing peoples stories, I said. Is there a charge? Whatever you think its worth. He rolled a little closer and introduced himself as Ron. He told me how he had spent most of his life in and out of jail, beginning as a juvenile. Selling drugs and stealing to get by, he eventually became a crack addict. But he had taken advantage of his latest detention to get clean, for six months so far. Now, he said, he wants to be a motivational speaker. This is what I had been missing: people and their stories. The freelance science reporting that I do for magazines and newspapers (including this one) had kept my family afloat through Covid-19, but I missed the peculiar literary form I had dreamed up almost 40 years ago: the 60-Second Novel. It started in Chicago, when I had the crazy idea to try writing instant stories for passers-by on Michigan Avenue. (I realize that street poets are a common sight now, but not back then.) To my surprise, it clicked. I started doing it most weekend afternoons and evenings through the summer of 1983, keeping a carbon copy of every story. The following spring I quit my job, packed my things and became a full-time performance writer on the sidewalks of New York. It looks like they were pairing off, mixing off, as the train was moving down along the 4 line this morning, Chief Wilcox said. Several men were subsequently taken into custody in connection with the attacks, the police said. On Saturday morning, the police identified two of the men as Taquarious Soto-Burgos, 19, of Brooklyn, and Joseph Foster, 18, of the Bronx. A 16-year-old boy was also arrested and was not identified by name. All three were charged with several counts including robbery and criminal possession of a weapon. It was unclear if they had retained lawyers as of early Saturday. The police said they were still searching for another person in connection with the attacks. The spate of assaults prompted transit officials to renew their call for more police officers in the subway. An additional 500 officers were deployed to the system in February after a homeless man was accused of stabbing four people in the subway. The issue of subway crime was among the issues discussed at a mayoral debate on Thursday. The eight leading Democratic candidates in the race all used the occasion to express concern about the systems safety, but they were split over whether more officers were needed. Andrew Yang, Eric Adams, Kathryn Garcia, Shaun Donovan and Ray McGuire said they would expand the police presence in the system. Scott Stringer, Dianne Morales and Maya Wiley said they would not. On Friday Sarah Feinberg who, as the New York City Transit Authoritys interim president, has consistently raised concerns about the system becoming a de facto shelter for homeless people lashed out at Mayor Bill de Blasio over the attacks. Telling everyone to wear masks indoors has a sociological effect. Grocery stores and workplaces cannot enforce mask wearing by vaccination status. We do not have vaccine passports in the U.S., and I do not see how we could. Places can either say wear a mask regardless or just accept that people who dont want to wear one will not. In the early days of the pandemic it made sense for everyone to wear a mask, not just the sick as the C.D.C. and the World Health Organization were recommending if only to relieve the stigma of illness. Now, as we head toward the endgame, we need to apply the same logic but in reverse: If the unvaccinated still need to wear masks indoors, everyone else needs to do so as well, until prevalence of the virus is more greatly reduced. Even if the only people not protected by the vaccines were those hesitant to use them or who had false beliefs about them, public health principles would not allow us to say that any threat to their health is their problem, at least not while the virus is still spreading at substantive levels. Infectious diseases create risks for others. There are those who are not yet vaccinated because they havent managed to navigate the process, or have started late, or are concerned because of bad experiences with the medical establishment. The immunocompromised remain vulnerable. Even if the unvaccinated were all conspiracy theorists and dead-end anti-vaxxers, we would need to take virus levels into account before discounting the risks even to them. Plus, Covid-19 can still terribly burden our health resources, especially in those areas that still have many unvaccinated adults. The C.D.C. guidelines are essentially implying that the risk that the vaccinated will transmit the virus to others, including their unvaccinated children, is so vanishingly low that it is not worth worrying about. But if thats their position, they should state it clearly and explain it, not just say that fully vaccinated people have a reduced risk of transmitting the virus. And is the expectation that the unvaccinated will all simply go with the guidance and stay masked? That does not fit with what weve observed in this country over the past year, especially with the ongoing polarization over these questions. The rapid rise of Representative Elise Stefanik of New York to the post of chief pro-Trump messenger in the ongoing battle for the soul of the G.O.P. has sparked a flurry of media reports about how a supposed onetime moderate Republican metamorphosed into a full-fledged fire-breathing far-right conservative. But for those who have been following Ms. Stefaniks career since she emerged on the political scene in the 2014 battle for an open congressional seat in New Yorks North Country, her embrace of Trumpism and elevation on Friday to the No. 3 role in the House G.O.P. dont come as any big surprise. The reality is that Ms. Stefanik has always been a shape-shifter, driven more by the political zeitgeist than any strongly rooted ideology. Her single-minded drive to succeed has long been well known, starting from her first congressional run, at the age of 30, when she successfully sought to be the youngest woman elected to the House at the time. Her ambition, a trait for which her male colleagues are frequently praised, sparked routine and frankly sexist comparisons to Reese Witherspoons cutthroat student politician character Tracy Flick in the 1999 film Election. The other day I walked the a part of the floor of Lake Mead that is a cracked and sun-baked Martian-scape but that was once more than a hundred feet underwater. On the horizon, the eerie geologic formations that freaked out early white explorers displayed the latest bathtub rings in the rock. Beyond the Southwest, the message of a vast and fast-evaporating artificial lake is that we cant engineer our way out of this problem. The region is a relic of an era of ingenuity, and promise. Hoover Dam, like its upstream companion that created Lake Powell, demonstrated American engineering muscle at the peak of its powers. The dams were built around the idea that were bigger than any obstacle of nature; we can dynamite, dig and fill our way into creating a hydraulic machine. And for more than 80 years, things have mostly worked as intended. As it flows for 1,450 miles from snowmelt in the high Rockies to a trickle in the Gulf of California, the Colorado River serves 40 million people. It meanders by fields, forests and cliffs in the upper basin and powers through Grand Canyon and other national parks in its lower half. But over the last century, natural flows have decreased by about 20 percent, largely because of climate change. So long as the world continues to warm, no amount of new dams can resuscitate a gasping resource. Doing all the right things growing more food and building smarter communities with less water can go only so far. A previous megadrought in these parts may have compelled the Ancestral Pueblo cultures, also known as the Anasazi, to abandon their homes in the cliffs during the 1200s. Thats one theory, for they didnt leave behind a detailed history. Only the empty dwellings. Scientists know about their catastrophe from studying tree rings, a book of nature with chapters on wet and dry years. Of course, this was well before we started pumping greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Their peril was believed to have come from years of drought, not a warming earth. In the modern age, dry years can be somewhat managed. Climate cannot. An ancient tree would suggest that we can live through this, as well. But what if the tree cant make it through this year, or next? Then, well be left with human artifacts, the shell of Las Vegas, a lake no more, to tell the story of what happened. The cause will not be a mystery. Timothy Egan (@nytegan) is a contributing Opinion writer who covers the environment, the American West and politics. He is a winner of the National Book Award and author, most recently, of A Pilgrimage to Eternity. 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. The United States now has company on Mars. A Chinese spacecraft descended through the thin Martian atmosphere and landed safely on a large plain on Saturday morning, state media reported, accomplishing a feat that only two other nations had before. (In the United States, it was still Friday 7:18 p.m. Eastern time when the spacecraft touched down.) The landing follows Chinas launch last month of the core module of a new orbiting space station, as well as a successful mission in December that collected nearly four pounds of rocks and soil from the moon and brought it to Earth. Next month, the country plans to send three astronauts into space, inaugurating what could become a regular Chinese presence in Earths orbit. Just by arriving at Mars and orbiting it in February, Chinas space program confirmed its place among the top tier of agencies exploring the solar system. Now that it has executed a landing with the deployment of a rover still to come it has established itself as a principal contender in what some view as a new era of space competition. In a 28-second video, which was posted to Twitter this week by a spokesman for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip appeared to launch rocket attacks at Israelis from densely populated civilian areas. At least that is what Mr. Netanyahus spokesman, Ofir Gendelman, said the video portrayed. But his tweet with the footage, which was shared hundreds of times as the conflict between Palestinians and Israelis escalated, was not from Gaza. It was not even from this week. Instead, the video that he shared, which can be found on many YouTube channels and other video-hosting sites, was from 2018. And according to captions on older versions of the video, it showed militants firing rockets not from Gaza but from Syria or Libya. The video was just one piece of misinformation that has circulated on Twitter, TikTok, Facebook, WhatsApp and other social media this week about the rising violence between Israelis and Palestinians, as Israeli military ground forces attacked Gaza early on Friday. The false information has included videos, photos and clips of text purported to be from government officials in the region, with posts baselessly claiming early this week that Israeli soldiers had invaded Gaza, or that Palestinian mobs were about to rampage through sleepy Israeli suburbs. Mr. Coy, still pointing his gun, ordered Mr. Hill to put his hands to his side and roll onto his stomach. Officers were first seen on video trying to help Mr. Hill about six minutes after he was shot. Mr. Hill died at the hospital shortly afterward. No weapon was recovered at the scene. Andre Hill should still be alive today, and no amount of money will bring him back, Mayor Andrew J. Ginther of Columbus said in a statement on Friday. My commitment to social justice, racial equity and healing in our community remains unwavering. In January, Mr. Ginther demoted the former Columbus police chief, Thomas Quinlan, who he said had lost the publics trust after failing to successfully implement the reform and change I expect and that the community demands, according to The Columbus Dispatch. The City Council also unanimously passed Andres Law, named after Mr. Hill, which mandates the use of body cameras by city police during any action by law enforcement, The Columbus Dispatch reported. The law also requires officers to give aid and call for medics if they use any force that causes injuries. Last month, 16-year-old MaKhia Bryant, who had been in foster care, was fatally shot by police in Columbus responding to a 911 call about an attempted stabbing shortly before a jury in Minneapolis convicted the former police officer Derek Chauvin of the murder of George Floyd. Ms. Bryants death sparked protests across Columbus again. With at least four fatal killings by the police in the past few months, many residents in Ohios capital city felt exploited by the Police Department, which had received many complaints of misconduct. Its very emotional because every day you turn on the T.V., you see a new killing, Karissa Hill, Mr. Hills daughter, said at a news conference on Friday about her reactions to police killings after her fathers death. It retriggers, because no matter how it happened or justified, nonjustified, you see it, and it just brings back a trigger that my dads not here. Britain Changing Protocols to Combat Virus Variant The spread of a variant first detected in India offers a warning for countries easing restrictions even though their vaccination campaigns are incomplete. The variant first detected in India is forcing the U.K. to speed up delivery of second doses of vaccine. A vaccination center in London in April. The British authorities are considering reintroducing local lockdowns to stem the spread of a coronavirus variant first detected in India. Credit... Justin Tallis/Agence France-Presse Getty Images LONDON Prime Minister Boris Johnson of Britain said on Friday that vaccination protocols would be changed to swiftly deliver second doses to people over 50 to combat the spread of a coronavirus variant first detected in India, a warning sign for countries that are easing restrictions even though their own vaccination campaigns are incomplete. We believe this variant is more transmissible than the previous ones, Mr. Johnson said at a news conference. What remained unclear, he said, was by how much. The infectiousness of the variant, known as B.1.617, remains the subject of intense study and some leading experts have said it is too early to assess its transmissibility. If it proves significantly more transmissible, Mr. Johnson said, we face some hard choices. He added that there was no evidence that the variant was more likely to cause serious illness and death, and that there was no evidence to suggest vaccines were less effective against the variant in preventing serious illness and death. While he said that England would not delay plans to ease restrictions on Monday, before a full reopening in June, he warned that the variant could force a change of course. The numbers of cases involving B.1.617 rose to 1,313 cases this week in Britain from 520 last week, according to official statistics. The extent to which the variant has spread globally is unclear, because most countries lack Britains genomic surveillance abilities. That ability has allowed Britain to spot the rise of concerning variants quickly, offering an early warning system of sorts, since a variant seen in one nation almost invariably pops up in others. The B.1.617 variant has been found in virus samples from 44 countries and was designated a variant of concern by the World Health Organization this week, which means there is some evidence that it could have an impact on diagnostics, treatments or vaccines and needs to be closely monitored. Most cases detected in Britain are in northwestern England. The focus has been on Bolton, a town of nearly 200,000 that has one of the countrys highest rates of infection and where health officials have warned of widespread community transmission of B.1.617. Some cases have also been reported in London. That rapid spread has led officials to debate speeding up dosing schedules and opening up access to shots in hot spots to younger age groups. In Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, the first minister, said on Friday that plans to ease restrictions in Glasgow would be delayed at least a week out of concern about an uptick in cases that officials said might be driven by the variant. Coronavirus Variants and Mutations Tracking recent mutations, variants and lineages. Much is unknown about the new variant, but scientists fear it may have driven the rise of cases in India and could fuel outbreaks in neighboring countries. Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove, the technical lead of the W.H.O.s coronavirus response, said a study of a limited number of patients, which had not yet been peer-reviewed, suggested that antibodies from vaccines or infections with other variants might not be quite as effective against B.1.617. The agency said, however, that vaccines were likely to remain potent enough to provide protection from serious illness and death. British officials have said the variant appears to be even more contagious than the B.1.1.7 variant, which was detected last year in Kent, southeast of London, and swept across Britain in the winter, forcing the country into one of the worlds longest national lockdowns. The B.1.1.7 variant has now been found in countries around the world. In the United States, the B.1.1.7 variant has become the predominant version of the virus, now accounting for nearly three-quarters of cases. But the U.S. surge experts had feared ended up a mere blip in most of the country. The nationwide total of daily new cases began falling in April and has now dropped more than 85 percent from the horrific highs of January. Britains speedy vaccine campaign saved at least 11,700 lives and prevented 33,000 people from becoming seriously ill in England, according to research released by Public Health England on Friday. Infections, serious illness and deaths have plummeted across Britain. Only 17 deaths were reported on Friday. But the vaccination campaign has slowed since last month because of supply shortages and the need to start distributing second doses. The number of daily first doses on average last month was 113,000, far below the average of 350,000 daily doses administered in March. Only those over 38 are currently eligible. Correction : May 14, 2021 An earlier version of this item misstated the affiliation of Christina Pagel, a science adviser. Ms. Pagel is a member of Independent SAGE, a group of expert advisers unaffiliated with the government. She is not a member of SAGE, a panel of government advisers. Marc Santora and Advertisement Continue reading the main story Uruguay has the worlds highest death toll per capita. Administering a coronavirus shot during a vaccination day for homeless people in Montevideo, Uruguay, on Thursday. Credit... Raul Martinez/EPA, via Shutterstock BUENOS AIRES For most of the past year, Uruguay was held up as an example for keeping the coronavirus from spreading widely as neighboring countries grappled with soaring death tolls. Uruguays good fortune has run out. In the last week, the small South American nations Covid-19 death rate per capita was the highest in the world, according to data compiled by The New York Times. As of Wednesday, at least 3,252 people had died from Covid-19, according to the Uruguayan Health Ministry, and the daily death toll has been about 50 during the past week. Six out of the 11 countries with the highest death rates per capita are in South America, a region where the pandemic is leaving a brutal toll of growing joblessness, poverty and hunger. For the most part, countries in the region have failed to acquire sufficient vaccines to inoculate their populations quickly. Contagion rates in Uruguay began inching up in November and soared in recent months, apparently fueled by a highly contagious variant first identified in Brazil last year. In Uruguay, its as if we had two pandemics, one until November 2020, when things were largely under control, and the other starting in November, with the arrival of the first wave to the country, said Jose Luis Satdjian, the deputy secretary of the Health Ministry. The country with the second-highest death rate per capita is nearby Paraguay, which also had relative success in containing the virus for much of last year but now finds itself in a worsening crisis. Experts link the sharp rise in cases in Uruguay to the P.1 virus variant detected in Brazil. We have a new player in the system and its the Brazilian variant, which has penetrated our country so aggressively, Mr. Satdjian said. Uruguay closed its borders tightly at the beginning of the pandemic, but towns along the border with Brazil are effectively binational and have remained porous. The outbreak has strained hospitals in Uruguay, which has a population of 3.5 million. On March 1, Uruguay had 76 Covid-19 patients in intensive care units. This week, medical professionals were caring for more than 530, according to Dr. Julio Pontet, president of the Uruguayan Society of Intensive Care Medicine who heads the intensive care department at the Pasteur Hospital in Montevideo, the capital. That number is slightly lower than the peak in early May, but experts have yet to see a steady decline that could indicate a trend. It is still too early to reach the conclusion that weve already started to improve, were in a high plateau of cases, Dr. Pontet said. Despite the continuing high number of cases, there is optimism that the country will be able to get the situation under control soon because it is one of the few in the region that has been able to make quick progress on its vaccination campaign. About a quarter of the population has been fully immunized. We expect the number of serious cases to begin decreasing at the end of May, Dr. Pontet said. Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are powerfully effective against Covid-19, a C.D.C. analysis confirmed. A man in Los Angeles being vaccinated in March. The C.D.C. released a study on Friday providing more evidence that the vaccines are working well in real world settings. Credit... Allison Zaucha for The New York Times The Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna coronavirus vaccines are 94 percent effective at preventing symptomatic Covid-19 illness, according to a new study of more than 1,800 health care workers in the United States. The research, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released on Friday, provides yet more evidence that the vaccines are working well even outside controlled clinical trials. This report provided the most compelling information to date that Covid-19 vaccines were performing as expected in the real world, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the C.D.C. director, said in a statement on Friday. This study, added to the many studies that preceded it, was pivotal to C.D.C. changing its recommendations for those who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19. The findings are based on an ongoing study of health care workers in 25 states. This interim analysis included data on 1,843 health care workers who were routinely tested for infection with the coronavirus. More than 80 percent of participants were female. Some 623 workers tested positive between January and mid-March. Those who were fully vaccinated were 94 percent less likely to develop symptomatic coronavirus infections than their unvaccinated peers, the researchers found. The figures are consistent with the efficacy estimates from the clinical trials. The scientists also found that a single dose of the two-shot regimen was 82 percent effective at preventing symptomatic infection. That figure is higher than has been reported in other studies and may be a result of the relative youth of the study participants, who had a median age of 37 to 38. Fewer than 2 percent were 65 or older. C.D.C. scientists had previously found that fully vaccinated health care, frontline and essential workers were 90 percent less likely to contract the coronavirus. Those findings helped allay fears that vaccinated people might still be likely to carry the virus, even asymptomatically, and spread it to others. The concern was one of the main rationales for asking vaccinated Americans to continue to wear masks, a recommendation that the C.D.C. lifted on Thursday. Advertisement Continue reading the main story Taiwan hits a daily case record. Disinfecting seats at a Covid-19 testing site in Taipei on Saturday. Credit... Ritchie B Tongo/EPA, via Shutterstock Taiwan, which has had remarkable success in containing the coronavirus, raised restrictions for its main city to their highest level since the start of the pandemic on Saturday, after reporting a daily record of 180 new locally transmitted infections. Taiwans current outbreak its worst yet by far began in late April with a cluster in airline workers. Saturdays caseload represented more than half of the 344 locally transmitted cases that the self-governing island has recorded during the entire pandemic. The Taiwanese premier, Su Tseng-chang, and other officials told reporters on Saturday that masks and other medical supplies to fight the outbreak were plentiful. Mr. Su urged Taiwanese to be obedient, helpful and protect yourselves, your families, all of society and our country. The government raised the restrictions in the city of Taipei to Level 3 out of 4, still short of a full lockdown. Even so, the announcements sent a shiver of anxiety through Taipei, and some residents filed into supermarkets to stock up on food, toilet paper and other essentials. I felt a bit panicky in recent days because of the surge of cases, said Chen Mei-ling, 58, a retired high school teacher who stood in a long line at a Taipei supermarket. It seems that the pandemic will last for a while and we cant expect a virus-free environment in the near future. The restrictions in Taipei and adjoining New Taipei City include a ban on indoor gatherings of more than five people and require the use of protective masks outdoors. Many public venues across the island will be closed, except for essential facilities like hospitals and police stations. Taiwan has for decades been at loggerheads with China, which considers the island democracy to be a breakaway region that must accept eventual reunification. The Taiwanese government took swift measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus from China early last year, even before the Chinese authorities confirmed that it was highly infectious. Chris Buckley, Amy Chang Chien and After the pandemic, will more Americans wear masks for colds and flu? At a bookstore in San Francisco in March. Until the pandemic, there had seldom been a cultural push for mask wearing in the United States. Credit... Jim Wilson/The New York Times Once Americans return to crowded offices, schools, buses and trains, so too will their sneezes and sniffles. Having been introduced to the idea of wearing masks to protect themselves and others, some Americans are now considering a behavior scarcely seen in the United States but long a fixture in other cultures: routinely wearing a mask when displaying symptoms of a common cold or the flu, even in a future in which Covid-19 isnt a primary concern. Such routine use of masks has been common for decades in other countries, primarily in East Asia, as protection against allergies or pollution, or as a common courtesy to protect nearby people. Leading American health officials have been divided over the benefits, partly because there is no tidy scientific consensus on the effect of masks on influenza virus transmission, according to experts who have studied it. Nancy Leung, an epidemiologist at the University of Hong Kong, said that the science exploring possible links between masking and the emission or transmission of influenza viruses was nuanced and that the nuances were often lost on the general public. Daniel Victor and Advertisement Continue reading the main story Singapore announces new restrictions after vaccinated airport workers become infected. Changi Airport in Singapore this week. The airport outbreak began with an 88-year-old member of the airport cleaning crew who was fully vaccinated but who tested positive for the virus on May 5. Credit... Wallace Woon/EPA, via Shutterstock SINGAPORE Singapore said on Friday that it would ban dining in restaurants and gatherings of more than two people to try to stem a rise in coronavirus cases, becoming the latest Asian nation to reintroduce restrictions after keeping the illness mostly in check for months. The new measures came after the city-state recorded 34 new cases on Thursday, a small number by global standards, but part of a rise in infections traced to vaccinated workers at Singapore Changi Airport. The airport outbreak began with an 88-year-old member of the airport cleaning crew who was fully vaccinated but who tested positive for the virus on May 5. Co-workers who then became infected later visited an airport food court, where they transmitted the virus to other customers, officials said. None of the cases linked to the airport outbreak are believed to have resulted in critical illness or death, according to officials. In all, 46 cases have been traced to the airport, the largest of about 10 clusters of new infections in the country. Because we do not know how far the transmission has occurred into the community, we do have to take further, more stringent restrictions, said Lawrence Wong, co-chair of Singapores coronavirus task force. The measures will be in effect for about one month beginning on Sunday. According to preliminary testing, many of those infected were working in a zone of the airport that received flights from high-risk countries, including from South Asia. Several have tested positive for the B.1.617 variant first detected in India, which the World Health Organization has said might be more contagious than most versions of the coronavirus. Singapore health officials said that of 28 airport workers who became infected, 19 were fully vaccinated with either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, the only two approved for use in Singapore. Unfortunately, this mutant virus, very virulent, broke through the layers of defense, Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung told a virtual news conference on Friday. Mr. Ong also said that the rise in cases very likely means that a long-delayed air travel bubble with Hong Kong would not begin as scheduled on May 26. Singapore, a prosperous island hub of 5.7 million people, saw an explosion of infections among migrant workers living in dormitories, but a two-month lockdown and extensive testing and contact tracing contained the outbreak. Although Singapore has kept much of its economy open, its vaccination effort has not moved as quickly as many expected: less than one-quarter of the population has been fully inoculated. Changi Airport, which served more than 68 million passengers in 2019, is operating at 3 percent of capacity as Singapore has paused nearly all incoming commercial traffic. Employees there work under strict controls, wearing protective gear and submitting to regular coronavirus tests. Singapore joins Japan, Thailand and other Asian countries that have struggled to contain new outbreaks fueled in part by variants. But Paul Ananth Tambyah, president of the Asia Pacific Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infection, said that the rise in cases was not overly worrying. The reason for my optimism is that we now have effective vaccines, better diagnostics, proven treatments and even potential prophylactic agents, he said. If these are employed in a targeted approach, it is unlikely that we will end up with the same problems we had last year. The oxygen supply in New Delhi has stabilized, allowing it to be shared elsewhere. Workers moved oxygen cylinders for transport at a factory in New Delhi on Sunday. The city has now received enough oxygen to share its supply. Credit... Atul Loke for The New York Times After shortages in oxygen in New Delhi led to scores of people dying in hospitals, officials said there was now enough supply in the Indian capital to start sharing a surplus of the lifesaving gas to needier parts of the country. For weeks, the New Delhi government appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a larger share of Indias oxygen reserves, with the battle for air ending up in the nations highest court. On Thursday, just days after receiving the amount it had requested, New Delhis second-highest official, Manish Sisodia, said the citys demand had fallen and its excess supply should be reallocated. The number of cases is coming down, hospital bed occupancy is coming down, and demand for oxygen, too, is down, Mr. Sisodia told The New York Times. It was an indication that the crisis in the capital might be reaching a peak. The oxygen shortage in New Delhi began in April and has been linked to dozens of deaths, in and out of hospitals. Health care facilities and crematories were overwhelmed, and medical professionals and residents were left scrambling for scarce resources. Thousands of people in the city of 20 million stood in line at oxygen refilling stations, bringing cylinders into hospitals for friends and family or hoarding them at home in case the need arose. The rise of new coronavirus infections in India has slowed. But, in pattern seen in nation after nation battered by the virus, death rates often plateau a few weeks later. And with the virus spreading in low-income rural areas, the overall crisis shows no sign of abating. As of Wednesday, the official death toll surpassed 258,000, although experts suspect the true number to be much higher. As the smoke from New Delhi crematories starts to clear, dozens of bodies have surfaced along the holy Ganges River in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Krishna Dutt Mishra, an ambulance driver in the Bihari village of Chausa, said that poor people were disposing of bodies in the river because the cost of cremations had become prohibitively expensive. On Friday, the Indian news media showed bodies wrapped in cloth of the saffron color, considered auspicious in Hinduism, buried in shallow graves on the sandy banks of the Ganges River in the Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh. Priyanka Gandhi, a leader of the opposition Indian National Congress party, called for a High Court investigation, saying that what was happening in Uttar Pradesh was inhuman and criminal. India Coronavirus Map and Case Count See the latest charts and maps of coronavirus cases, deaths, hospitalizations and vaccinations in India. After initial hesitation, a survey finds that many Latinos in the U.S. now want the Covid vaccine. A woman from the Guatemalan Maya community in Lake Worth, Fla., at a Covid vaccine center last month. Credit... Saul Martinez for The New York Times Latino adults in the United States have the lowest rates of Covid-19 vaccination, but among the unvaccinated they are the demographic group most willing to receive the Covid shots as soon as possible, a new survey shows. The findings suggest that their depressed vaccination rate reflects in large measure misinformation about cost and access, as well as concerns about employment and immigration issues, according to the latest edition of the Kaiser Family Foundation Covid-19 Vaccine Monitor. Earlier polls had suggested that skepticism about the vaccine was widespread among Latinos, but the latest survey showed that hesitation is declining. Nearly 40 percent of all the unvaccinated Latinos responding to the survey said they feared they would need to produce government-issued identification to qualify. And about a third said they were afraid that getting the shot would jeopardize either their immigration status or that of a family member. Their responses also pointed to the importance of community-based access. Nearly half said they would be more likely to be vaccinated if the shots were available at sites where they normally go for health care. Advertisement Continue reading the main story Heres what readers are saying about the new U.S. guidance on masks. A protest in Utah last year. Some readers expressed hope that the rule change would prompt people to get vaccinated but others worried about cheaters. Credit... Rick Bowmer/Associated Press Throughout the pandemic, few topics have touched so raw a nerve in the United States as mask wearing. Confrontations have erupted from state capitols to supermarket checkout aisles, and debates raged over whether mask mandates violate First Amendment rights. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provoked a flood of reaction with its announcement on Thursday that Americans who are fully vaccinated may stop wearing masks or maintaining social distance in most indoor and outdoor settings. Heres a sampling, edited for length and clarity, of how Times readers reacted to the news on Facebook and on our website: I think this is a good incentive for the hesitators. Hopefully theyll want to participate in activities (the ones that require proof of vaccination) maskless, so perhaps this will be an incentive, as they see others in the community enjoying life more. writes Jerry B., on Facebook. Very, very few people have been wearing masks for the past 6 months. Covid is a real risk I certainly dont want it but our cases have dropped precipitously, even with minimal masking. This announcement is welcome the world will not end if people stop masking, writes Stephen from Oklahoma City. I see the need for this policy change, but I fear that the cheaters those who are not vaccinated but pretend to be will be the ruin of us all, writes Cary in Oregon. I have my doubts about the incentivization bit, writes Andrew from Colorado Springs, Colo. I figure it will simply mean that suddenly everyones been fully vaccinated, true or not. That said, as a double-shotted person, I figure my chances of being taken out by an anti-vaxxer are now less than my chances of being taken out by a texting driver. Im down with that. Whats to stop anti-masker/anti-vaxxer contrarians from mingling unmasked with the vaccinated population? I have little trust in this, writes Mary Beth in Santa Fe, N.M. I am fully vaccinated and caught Covid anyway. I do think it made my symptoms more mild, but you can bet your bippy Im going to be wearing my mask when I am out of quarantine. writes Jaime P., on Facebook. What do you think about the guidance? Join the conversation. Kevin Hayes contributed research. Sona Patel and A new law in India makes it harder for foreign aid to reach Covid patients, critics say. People receiving oxygen in Delhi last month. Credit... Atul Loke for The New York Times Indias devastating Covid-19 surge has galvanized corporations, nonprofit organizations and individuals in the United States to raise millions of dollars and send medical supplies to assist the nation of 1.4 billion. But a sweeping change to Indias law governing foreign donations is choking off aid just when the country needs it desperately. It is struggling through a second wave of coronavirus that, since beginning in mid-March, has more than doubled the countrys total confirmed infections to over 24 million and raised the known overall death toll to more than 266,000 numbers that experts say are vast undercounts. India Coronavirus Map and Case Count See the latest charts and maps of coronavirus cases, deaths, hospitalizations and vaccinations in India. The amendment, abruptly passed by the government in September, limits international charities that donate to local nonprofits. Almost overnight, it gutted a reliable source of funding for tens of thousands of nongovernmental organizations, or NGOs, which help provide basic health services in India, picking up the slack in a country where government spending in that area totals just 1.2 percent of gross domestic product. The amendment also prompted international charities to cut back giving that supported local efforts in fields such as health, education and gender. Newly formed charities are rushing to find NGOs that can accept their donations without tripping legal wires. And nonprofits are being smothered in red tape: To receive foreign funds, charities must get affidavits and notary stamps and open accounts with the government-owned State Bank of India. Everyone was caught off-guard, said Nishant Pandey, chief executive of the American India Foundation, which has raised $23 million for Covid-19 efforts. On May 5, his group wired $3 million to an Indian affiliate to build 2,500 hospital beds. A week later, Mr. Pandey said, the money still hadnt cleared. In some U.S. counties, nearly all people over 65 are vaccinated. People over 65, who are much more likely than younger people to become seriously ill from Covid, have been a high priority since the U.S. vaccination campaign began. Credit... Christopher Capozziello for The New York Times More than 70 percent of Americans who are 65 or older are fully vaccinated, and 84 percent have received at least one dose, a much higher proportion than for younger Americans, according to federal data. The numbers have surpassed President Bidens goal of at least partly vaccinating 70 percent of the nations adults by July 4. Some counties have blown far past that threshold, getting shots into more than 90 percent of residents 65 and older and offering an example for other areas where vaccine campaigns have lagged. Two of the most populous 90-percent-plus counties are Jo Daviess County, Ill., across the Mississippi River from Dubuque, Iowa, and Dane County, Wis., which includes Madison, the state capital. Elected and health officials in both counties suggested that some of the measures that they have adopted locally, such as expanding access and relying on trusted medical figures to share information about vaccines, were also reflected in the federal governments strategy to reach those who have not received shots yet after the pace of vaccination has lagged in recent weeks. President Biden has pushed for tens of thousands of pharmacies to allow people to walk in for their vaccinations, and ordered up pop-up and mobile clinics, especially in rural areas. The administration is also enlisting the help of family doctors and other trusted messengers to build up confidence in the vaccines. On Thursday, Mr. Biden praised another incentive: The recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that people who have been fully vaccinated can go without masks in most situations. In Dane County, Joe Parisi, the county executive, said this week that a number of efforts contributed to his countys success in at least partly vaccinating most of the nearly 78,000 people 65 or over who live in the county. Over 90 percent of that group had been completely vaccinated as of Friday, according to local and federal data. Officials strove to maximize access to the vaccine. They set up a mass vaccination site in December at the Alliant Energy Center, an arena and exhibition complex in Madison, and have distributed vaccines at health centers, pharmacies and mobile vaccination clinics, according to Morgan Finke, a spokeswoman for the county public health department. Mr. Parisi said that the county worked with local hospital systems, health care providers, senior care centers and nursing homes to locate homebound people and help them get shots. They did not encounter much hesitancy. People wanted the vaccine, Mr. Parisi said, that certainly wasnt the problem with that age group. Even so, he said, fostering trust and answering peoples questions are very important, especially now that the most eager recipients are already done. Mr. Parisi said the county partnered with trusted local doctors to spread the word about the vaccines through local news media outlets. We tried to share as much information as possible, Mr. Parisi said, by providing those voices that are nonjudgmental and can answer questions. In Jo Daviess County in the northwestern corner of Illinois, communication and community partnerships also played a major role, Lori Stangl, the countys director of clinical services, wrote in an email. Of the roughly 6,000 seniors in the county, 96.7 percent are fully vaccinated as of Friday, according to the C.D.C. Ms. Stangl credited extensive collaboration both within the county and with neighboring counties and states. Since Jo Daviess County borders Iowa and Wisconsin, many of our residents were able to receive vaccines there as well, Ms. Stangl wrote, especially early on, when our allocations were low. Though county leaders celebrate their success with seniors, she wrote, they are mindful that they still have many younger people left to reach. As of Friday, 54.9 percent of the countys total population had been fully vaccinated, according to the C.D.C. Advertisement Continue reading the main story Shootings in New York spiked during the pandemic, and may outlast the virus. Times Square, where three people, including a toddler out toy shopping, were shot last Saturday. Credit... Dakota Santiago for The New York Times As of the second weekend in May, New York City had recorded 505 shooting victims, the most through that point of any year in the last decade. The rise began in 2020, and experts say the economic and physical strain of the virus, which disproportionately took lives and jobs from neighborhoods already struggling with such violence, most likely drove the increase. Those factors are not likely to subside soon, criminologists warn. Fears are growing that gun violence will slow the citys ability to bounce back from its long lockdown. Restaurants, stores, offices and theaters will be allowed to open fully May 19. But the cycles of violent retaliation fueled by individual shootings in recent months will be hard to break, said Jeffrey Butts, the director of the research and evaluation center at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. This could be a generation that we have screwed up for some time, Dr. Butts said. Other large cities, including Los Angeles and Philadelphia, also reported jumps in gun violence during the pandemic. Chicago, with about a third of the population of New York City, saw 865 shootings by the first weekend of this month, compared with about 550 in 2019 and 650 in 2020. Pandemic paying heavy toll on our mental well-being Fred Sherwin May 13, 2021 You dont have to look very far to see the mental toll the pandemic has had on our mental well-being. Most people need to simply look in the mirror. Others can see it in the faces of their friends or co-workers. Working moms have a sort of unspoken understanding of each other, says Sheryne Morcos, who is juggling a full-time job with a government agency with raising four kids aged 4, 5, 12 and 14. When youre in a Zoom meeting you recognize the telltale bags under the eyes, or when they mute their microphone to yell at their kids. Morcos spends most of her day helping her older kids with their school work while trying to entertain the younger ones. In between, she attends any meetings she might have on her computer. She saves her own work for after the younger kids go to bed. Her alone time is restricted to the odd curbside pickup she can fit into her schedule. Her husband, David, works at the Department of National Defence. He puts in three 12-hour shifts a week. By the time he gets home, the pair are both exhausted. On the days he has off, he provides Morcos with some relief in helping with the kids. Weekends are usually reserved for extra schoolwork, or for Morcos to get caught up on her own work. Its a story that is shared by couples who have to juggle work with parenting across Canada. And theyre the lucky ones. Single parents have an even bigger challenge. Then there are the parents who have been out of work for months with no idea when they will ever go back. They are movie theatre ushers and sound engineers, performing artists and hotel workers, travel agents and bartenders. You get the picture. All have their own stress to deal with. Unfortunately, were seeing that stress lead to increased incidents of domestic violence and divorce. A sampling of seven family law offices across Ontario showed a 30 per cent increase in divorces since the pandemic began. Across Canada, the number of calls to womens assault help lines more than doubled between the start of pandemic in March and the end of the year. And its not just adults who are stressed out. A recent study conducted in Hamilton showed that the number of youth in hospital after a suicide attempt had tripled over a four-month period under COVID-19 and referrals to an Eating Disorder Program had increased by 90 per cent. Mental health professionals are growing more and more concerned about the potential long-term impact the pandemic will have on child development and our overall mental health with references to possible Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. You can add small business owners to that list of potential PTSD victims. Many have been forced to provide curbside service, only or shut-down altogether. Melanie Boucher owns the 9Round gym in Orleans. Due to the provincial restrictions shes been forced to close four times since the pandemic began. The most recent closure came into effect on April 6 with very little warning. Shes a mother of two and has bills to pay like everyone else. During the previous closures Boucher was able to get the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit. When the latest shutdown occurred she applied again. Despite the fact that she had received the benefit several times before, she was asked to provide Revenue Canada with documentation to prove that shes self-employed. She did as they asked and had to wait weeks to get paid while the bills and stress piled up. Unfortunately, Bouchers experience is not uncommon. Businesses can be split into three different categories during the pandemic and each comes with their own set of stresses. You have essential businesses such as grocery stores and box stores like Costco that have remained open the whole time. Then you have non-essential businesses that have been able to open in-between the stay-at-home orders and can provide curbside service when the stay-at-home orders are in place. This second type of business includes restaurants which have been limited to providing take-out service only during the shutdowns. Finally, you have those businesses that have been severely impacted by the shutdowns such as fitness centres, health spas, hair salons and private contractors including designers, caterers, and engineers who are struggling to stay afloat. The mental stress on small business owners to keep their business alive while providing for their families is beyond comprehension for most people. Most are having to put in even longer hours than they did before the pandemic began as they have to cover for staff theyve had to layoff in order to reduce their overhead. All of them are hoping the cycle of lockdowns and reopenings will end before the pandemic forces them into bankruptcy. As it is, it will take at least a year to pay off the government loans that have allowed them to tread water until now, which will add additional pressures to their lives long after the pandemic is over. Another hidden cost of the pandemic has been in the area of fundraising and volunteerism. Many organizations and charities that depend on fundraising and volunteers to provide services to the public have suffered a steep decline in both areas. According to a recent Imagine Canada survey, fundraising revenue has declined by an average of 43 per cent, while 60 per cent of charities are reporting a decline in their number of volunteers. In order to offset the losses, organizations are drawing on government funding, acquiring debt, selling assets and depending on fewer volunteers to put in longer hours. SAN ANTONIO Minnesotas statewide mask mandate is over. But in Minneapolis, the states largest city, face coverings are still required. In Michigan, Kentucky and Oregon, governors cheerily told vaccinated people that they could go out maskless. But mask mandates remained in force for New Yorkers, New Jerseyans and Californians. So unexpected was new federal guidance on masks that in Kansas City, Mo., Mayor Quinton Lucas went from saying he would not change his mask order, to saying he would think about it, to announcing that he was getting rid of it altogether, all in the span of about seven hours. Across the country, governors, store owners and people running errands were scrambling on Friday to make sense of the abrupt change in federal guidelines, which said fully vaccinated people could now safely go most places, indoors or outdoors, without a mask. For two years, Isaac Barnes became increasingly paranoid. He spoke of people who wanted to get him and sought isolation in the woods when not in his bedroom in Boone, N.C. He didnt even talk to us at a certain point about how he was feeling, said his older sister, Sommer Barnes. We all felt so helpless. Last month, when Mr. Barnes, 32, received a routine summons to appear for jury duty, he panicked. He fled into the forest, then returned to his mothers home a few days later. By midmorning on April 28, he was barricaded there in the course of a 13-hour standoff with the police. His mother and stepfather, Michelle and George Ligon, and two sheriffs deputies, Sgt. Chris Ward and Deputy Logan Fox, had been killed. President Biden met on Friday with six so-called Dreamers participants in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program to illustrate his reversal from the Trump administrations immigration policy and to push for a reform bill in Congress. The meeting is the second such event featuring DACA recipients in the Oval Office. The last one was held in February 2015, with President Barack Obama and Mr. Biden, then the vice president, in attendance. The meeting comes at a consequential moment for the White House. While the flood of migrants to the southern border has eased in recent days, the overwhelming number of people who tried to enter the country earlier this year has left federal authorities scrambling to find living space for adults and children taken into custody. NBC News on Thursday reported that minors who migrated to the country were waiting on buses parked in a parking lot in Dallas, and were forced, in some cases, to remain overnight eating, sleeping and using the bathroom on the vehicles while they waited to be sent to relatives or longer-term facilities. WASHINGTON A detainee at Guantanamo Bay has agreed to a deal intended to lead to his release in the next few years in return for giving up the right to question the C.I.A. in court about its torture program, United States government officials said. The deal, negotiated by the Pentagon official who oversees the military commissions that serve as a court for some detainees, was reached in recent weeks, and comes as a number of those who have been charged at Guantanamo are seeking to cite their abuse at the hands of the C.I.A. as part of their defense. Under the deal, the prisoner, Majid Khan, 41, who has pleaded guilty to serving as a courier for Al Qaeda, would complete his prison sentence as early as next year and no later than 2025 and then could be released to another country, assuming one will take him, according to people who have seen the terms or are familiar with its details. In exchange, Mr. Khan will not use his sentencing proceedings to invoke a landmark war court decision that allowed him to call witnesses from the C.I.A.s secret prison network to testify about his torture. Well, a lot of that Ill leave to the elections lawyers that have to lead litigation in these types of areas. But even just in being vice chair of the committee, there were lots of deviations from standard procedures and practices. But its still a voter suppression bill. In my experience in working on Section 5 and Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and obviously Section 5 doesnt apply anymore you can use those two standards on whether its the intent of the author to discriminate, or also the effect of it having a disparate impact on people of color who have historically been discriminated against. And Texas has a long history of that. You cant deny that. So I think thats going to be where the strong argument is. Looking at this bill and given your experience with the Obama campaign in 2012, what stands out here as something that could particularly restrict or limit voting? A lot of the changes that my Republican colleagues argue for are about having uniformity throughout the state. Whether that is the amount of polling machines in every county and you really cant have uniformity when every county is different. Harris County is different than Loving County. And so, in my experience in doing voter protection work, its important that these elections officials are able to administer their elections, because theyre the ones who are actually on the ground and able to address those issues. Gov. Greg Abbott has made an election overhaul one of his emergency priorities. So expecting that he will want fellow Republicans in the Legislature to give him something to pass, how do you plan for future elections? The friendship between Mr. Gaetz and Mr. Greenberg began in Republican political circles in Florida around the time Mr. Trump was elected president in 2016. Mr. Trumps candidacy attracted many inexperienced politicians who were granted access to his campaign, including Mr. Gaetz and, to a lesser extent, Mr. Greenberg. In the hopes of ingratiating himself with Mr. Gaetz and other well-connected Republicans in Florida, Mr. Greenberg has told others, he hired women to have sex with him, Mr. Gaetz and others through a website that connected people who go on dates in exchange for gifts, like fine dining, travel and allowances. Mr. Greenberg first encountered the 17-year-old on the website, where she portrayed herself to him as an adult, according to the prosecutors account included in the court documents. Shortly after, Mr. Greenberg and the girl met on his boat. The two did not have sex but the girl was paid $400, and he paid her the same amount for a subsequent encounter at a hotel where they had sex. Altogether, they had sex seven times in exchange for money before the girl turned 18, court papers said, and they took drugs several times. Greenberg often would offer and supply the minor and others with Ecstasy, which Greenberg would take himself as well, according to the documents. Oftentimes, Greenberg would offer to pay the minor and others an additional amount of money to take Ecstasy. Prosecutors also said that although the girl told him she was over 18, Mr. Greenberg had so many interactions with her over such an extended period of time that he should have known she was underage. Greenberg agrees and acknowledges that he acted in reckless disregard of the fact that the minor was less than 18 years old when he engaged in commercial sex acts with the minor and that Greenberg had a reasonable opportunity to observe the minor was under 18, according to the documents. A house divided against itself cannot stand, Abraham Lincoln declared in 1858, just two years before he assumed the mantle of the recently formed Republican Party. It will become all one thing or all the other. A century and a half later, in the wake of a presidency driven by personality politics that ended with a violent assault on the Capitol building, the G.O.P.s House conference is deeply divided against itself. The question is what it will become. A group of traditionalist Republican figures virtually none of whom currently hold elected office are threatening to ditch the party and start a new one, saying that the G.O.P. is on the verge of becoming all one thing: a cult of personality. But some insiders say that the threat is mostly hollow, given how staunchly pro-Donald Trump the Republican base now is, and how unfriendly to third parties the American political system has always been. I will work with anyone, regardless of their party affiliation, to get it done, Ms. Stefanik had said. Republicans, Democrats, independents, even Green Party if you have a good idea, Im willing to work with you to get the job done. In an interview with a local radio station in 2015, she trumpeted her work with a group of moderate Republicans, who she said were more of the governing caucus within the Republican Party, and landed a thinly veiled jab at the ultraconservative members of the House Freedom Caucus without naming them, suggesting that they had not used the most appropriate tenor and had provoked internal squabbling. Elise Stefanik is a builder no easy feat in an age when so much of politics is about tearing people down, Mr. Ryan wrote in 2019 when she was named a rising star by Time magazine. Elise has built a record as an authentic, respected voice for ideas and common sense. Even after Mr. Trump was elected, Ms. Stefanik kept her distance, voting against his emergency declaration to build a wall on the southern border and against his signature 2017 tax cuts bill. A member of the Intelligence Committee, she boasted about supporting special counsel Robert S. Mueller IIIs investigation into links between the Trump campaign and Russia and being one of the first members to call for transparency in regards to the report. But Ms. Stefanik was already starting to move closer to Mr. Trump, having taken note of his 2016 romp in her district, a 14-point victory in a swath of upstate New York that had favored former President Barack Obama twice by large margins. I really paid attention to the voters and the people in my district, she told Steve Bannon, a former Trump adviser, in an interview last week. And it was really stunning to see the amount of Trump signs popping up, the number of people attending Republican rallies, people that had never come to political rallies before turning out to vote. Just before the 2018 midterm elections, she invited Mr. Trump to her district to sign the annual defense bill at Fort Drum and shared the stage with him, though she pointedly declined to praise him during her brief remarks. This is the Education Briefing, a weekly update on the most important news in American education. Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox. The woes of sophomore year Susan Dominus, a staff writer at The New York Times Magazine, spent much of the school year with one sophomore class in Columbia, Mo. Today were breaking our usual weekly schedule to tell you about her phenomenal article chronicling the experience. When I started the piece, I thought I was going to write about the academic challenges of remote learning, Susan said. It was only when I started speaking to the students that I realized how in depth the psychological problems were that that was a huge defining part of this year. During remote learning at the high school where she set the story, many students regularly slept through what was known as their A.P. World class. One coped with the trauma of helping family members recover from Covid-19. Another had too much time on his hands, which he spent obsessing and ruminating about family problems. All struggled to maintain their grades and bat away shame when they missed deadlines. Their teacher, MacKenzie Everett-Kennedy, struggled too. She had never given her cellphone number to students before, but now, she sometimes found herself fielding their distressed texts at unusual hours. As she struggled with her own well-being, sometimes she wore her pajamas to class, hoping students would think it was a regular top. BUENOS AIRES For most of the past year, Uruguay was held up as an example for keeping the coronavirus from spreading widely as neighboring countries grappled with soaring death tolls. Uruguays good fortune has run out. In the last week, the small South American nations Covid-19 death rate per capita was the highest in the world, according to data compiled by The New York Times. As of Wednesday, at least 3,252 people had died from Covid-19, according to the Uruguayan Health Ministry, and the daily death toll has been about 50 during the past week. Six out of the 11 countries with the highest death rates per capita are in South America, a region where the pandemic is leaving a brutal toll of growing joblessness, poverty and hunger. For the most part, countries in the region have failed to acquire sufficient vaccines to inoculate their populations quickly. Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Some 151 illegal migrants on board two inflatable boats were rescued in the Mediterranean Sea, off Libya, on their way to European shores, the Libyan Navy spokesperson announced on Thursday But Mr. Massouds organization is in its infancy, desperate for support, and legitimacy. It is backed by a dozen or so militia commanders who fought the Taliban and the Soviets in the past, and a few thousand fighters located in the north. Mr. Massoud says his ranks are filled by those slighted by the government and, much like the Taliban, he thinks that Afghanistans president, Ashraf Ghani, has overstayed his welcome. We are ready, even if it requires my own life, Mr. Massoud said in an interview. Even the symbols at Mr. Massouds events harken back to the civil war era: old Northern Alliance flags and the old national anthem. But for all of Mr. Massouds bluster at recent rallies and ceremonies, the idea that the Northern Alliance could be rebranded and that its former leaders some of whom have since become ambassadors, vice presidents and top military commanders in the Afghan government would follow someone half their age and with little battlefield experience to war seems unrealistic at this point, security analysts have said. Today, supporting any sort of insurgency or building a resistance movement poses real challenges, said Lisa Maddox, a former C.I.A. analyst who has done extensive work on Afghanistan. The concern is, what would the second resistance involve and what would our goals be? she said. I fear folks are suggesting a new proxy war in Afghanistan. I think that weve learned that we cant win. Even considering an unproven militia leader for possible counterterrorism assurances as international forces leave undermines the last two decades of state-building, security analysts say, and practically turns the idea of an impending civil war into an expected reality by empowering anti-government forces even more. Such divisions are rife for exploitation by the Taliban. As a girl, Ma Thuzar Wint Lwin would watch the Miss Universe pageant and wish that she could be the one onstage representing her country, Myanmar. She entered her first two contests last year, nervous and excited about what to expect. But she ultimately walked away crowned Miss Universe Myanmar, and this week is competing at the global pageant in Florida. But now representing her country has new meaning. With the military seizing power in a Feb. 1 coup and killing hundreds of protesters, she hopes to use her platform to call attention to Myanmars pro-democracy movement and to appeal for international help in freeing elected leaders who have been detained. They are killing our people like animals, she said in an interview before leaving Myanmar for the competition. Where is the humanity? Please help us. We are helpless here. In a dramatic moment on Thursday during the pageants national costume show, she walked to the front of the stage and held up a sign saying, Pray for Myanmar. The final competition will be held on Sunday. The Australia Letter is a weekly newsletter from our Australia bureau. Sign up to get it by email. This week, it was reported that travel restrictions to and from Australia are likely to remain in place until mid-2022. For some, this wont matter much at all many Australians are far more grateful for the safety of our isolation than worried about the inability to travel or have overseas visitors. For others, travel has been an integral way of life, and this news comes as a disappointment and inconvenience. And then there are the thousands and thousands of people who are cut off from loved ones in a way that feels earth-shattering. My family situation puts me somewhere in between those last two categories. My mother lives in Los Angeles; her only grandchild and all of her four children live here in Melbourne. My husband, who is American, moved to Australia in 2017 with a promise to his parents who are now in their 70s and 80s that he would visit regularly and come home immediately if there was a need. Those promises have been broken. The Australian government is allowing travel exemptions for some family members under some circumstances, but parents and grandparents are generally not eligible for those exemptions. My son was turning 16 the last time he saw any of his grandparents by the time he sees them next, he will be almost 19 (at best). An adult. These are years no one can get back. BRUSSELS The Arab world is unified in condemning Israeli airstrikes in Gaza and the way the Israeli police invaded Jerusalems Aqsa Mosque, one of Islams holiest sites. Governments have spoken out, protests have taken place, social media is aflame. But by and large the condemnation is only words, not actions at least so far. The regions concerns have shifted since the last major Israeli incursion into Gaza in 2014, with new fears about Irans influence, new anxieties about popular unrest in Arab countries and a growing recognition of the reality of Israel in the Arab world. Even those countries that normalized relations with Israel last year the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco have all openly criticized Israeli policies and called for support of the Palestinians and the defense of Jerusalem. The escalation of violence has put a great strain on those governments, which had argued that their closer relationship with Israel would help restrain Israeli actions aimed at the Palestinians in both the West Bank and Gaza. I have not seen any Arab state that has not expressed support for the Palestinians on a rhetorical level, and it would be very difficult for them to say anything otherwise, said H.A. Hellyer, a scholar of Middle East politics at the Carnegie Endowment in Washington. But what they do about it is very different. SDEROT, Israel It was 1:30 p.m. on Friday in Sderot, and Ido Avigal, 5, was being laid to rest a few miles to the north. He had been killed in what officials termed a freak incident two days earlier when a rocket from Gaza made a direct hit on the building next door to his aunts apartment, where he was visiting with his mother and older sister. When that rocket struck on Wednesday evening, he was sheltering in a fortified safe room meant to protect residents from this exact threat. But a piece of shrapnel managed to puncture the thick, steel shutter and the thick glass window of the shelter, mortally wounding the boy. Idos mother and his sister were also injured while inside the room. It was the first such case of a death in a fortified safe room that military officials could recall. So should we not trust the safe room now? asked Andrei Mardachayev, 38, who lives in a building about 250 yards away and had come to view the damage with his wife, Irit, and their three young children. AMMAN, Jordan Thousands of protesters in Jordan, Israels eastern neighbor, marched toward the border on Friday morning, chanting slogans in solidarity with the Palestinians and waving Palestinian flags as Jordanian riot police surrounded them. We are here. Either we go down, or they will have to carry us back, they chanted, videos posted to social media showed. To Palestine, to Palestine. We are going to Palestine. We are going in millions as martyrs to Palestine. Arriving in buses and cars, the protesters called on Jordans government to open the border, where it has stepped up security in recent days amid the growing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. Before the protesters could reach the demarcation line, however, the riot police blocked their path, social media videos and photos at the scene showed. Jordanians have been protesting near the Israeli Embassy in Amman for several days, some of the largest expressions of solidarity for the Palestinians in a region that has otherwise reacted mildly if at all to the outbreak of violence. Protesters have called on the government to expel the Israeli ambassador. One is to avoid any investment prohibited by Islam, which includes banks, insurance, tobacco, alcohol and pornography. But Mr. Salam said he also looked at the companies themselves. So he can invest in Islamic banks, for instance, or in beverage makers like Monster, which may have been excluded under a broad screen. He said he also looked for companies that did not have excessive debt, because debt is acceptable only in cases of necessity. He steers away from companies that are cash rich, because there is a prohibition on trading in them when more than 45 percent of their balance sheet is in cash. While a portfolio with Apple holds lots of cash, it is not enough to violate the prohibition, but it is a number the fund monitors. He also screens companies that have a small portion of their earnings in forbidden revenue, like an airline that sells alcohol. In that case, the fund will look to see if the company gets less than 5 percent of its revenue from something that is prohibited. In an ideal world, wed be buying something that is 100 percent compliant, but thats just not possible, Mr. Salam said. To add diversification, Saturna has recently added the Islamic equivalent of a fixed-income fund, which invests in the market for sukuk, which are bondlike instruments. Instead of earning interest on the bonds, investors receive a lease payment from the sukuk. For example, if an airline like Emirates needs a new plane, it can borrow the money from the sukuk market and the obligation is structured as a lease of that plane to the sukuk. Saturnas oldest fund, the Amana Income Fund, has a five-year return of 13 percent, compared with more than 17 percent for the S&P 500. But the Amana Growth Fund has a five-year return of 21 percent. The sukuk fund has just hit its five-year benchmark, returning just over 3 percent. The difference between Islamic and non-Islamic investors is not in what theyre looking for but in what products are available to them, Mr. Salam said. Maputo, Mozambique (PANA) - Amnesty International says it has been told by survivors of an attack by the armed group known locally as "Al-Shabaab" in Mozambiques Cabo Delgado that white contractors were prioritised for evacuation ahead of black locals, in disturbing testimony that points to blatant racism Videos shot during a wedding in Pingdingshan, Chinas Henan Province, have gone viral on social media, because of the three bridesmaids and their unusual gender. The role of bridesmaid is traditionally reserved for women, but what happens if the bride doesnt have any female friends, or if none of her friends can make it to the wedding? Desperate times call for desperate measures, and one woman in Pingdingshan, China, recently managed to surprise everyone in attendance at her wedding with three very unusual bridesmaids, all men. You couldnt really tell at first glance, as they were all wearing pink sleeveless dresses, long-haired wigs and even makeup, but a closer look revealed clear manly features. Its unclear why the three men had to play bridesmaids, but its pretty obvious that at least one of them is a bit embarrassed about the whole situation, as he can be seen fidgeting and looking down at the ground a lot. Some people guessed that they might be the brides brothers helping her out, while others said they could be paid stand-ins. The video shot by a guest at the wedding was posted on Chinese social media and quickly went viral, sparking hilarity among netizens. A 23-year-old university student was recently sentenced to two and a half years in prison for swindling KFC out of about $31,000 in fast food, by taking advantage of an ordering loophole. The student, surnamed Xu first discovered the glitch in 2018, and not only continued to use it to his benefit for the next six months, but he also shared it with friends and even profited financially from it. The Jiangsu-based student accidentally realized that he could order free food by paying for it using coupons in the official KFC app, and then immediately asking for a refund of the coupons using the companys WeChat account. It was any KFCs fan dream come true, all the fried chicken you could eat, totally free. Photo: Pixabay Only Xu didnt settle for free KFC; he reportedly started reselling the coupons online for profit, and shared his findings about the app flaws with four of his university colleagues. From April to October, Xu caused economic losses of more than 58,000 yuan to the operator of KFC restaurants in China, while the losses generated by the other four students ranged from 8,900 yuan to 47,000 yuan. In total, the five allegedly caused over 200,000 yuan ($31,000) in economic losses to the company. As we all know, nothing good lasts forever, and while Chinese media doesnt go into detail about how the five were eventually caught, they were put on trial and recently convicted to prison time for fraud. Xu himself received a sentence of 2.5 years behind bars and a 6,000 yuan fine, while his colleagues got between 15 months to two years, and fines between 1,000 and 4,000 yuan. Photo: RealKina/Unsplash The case sparked a heated debate on Chinese social media, with many people wondering if taking advantage of poorly designed software actually constitutes a crime. Chinese authorities argued that it does, comparing the students actions in this case to withdrawing cash from a malfunctioning ATM and keeping any extra cash. In China, such behavior constitutes unjustified enrichment and is considered a crime. Im going to be honest and just admit that I would have benefitted from that ordering glitch myself. Maybe not sell it or share it with others, but come on, its free fried chicken, and Im only human Sard Verbinnen & Co. represents Audax Private Equity as it sells its Axia Womens Health unit to Partners Group of Switzerland. Based in Voorhees, NJ, Axia operates more than 150 facilities that offer OB/GYN, breast health, high-risk pregnancy and fertility services in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. Charlie Choi, CEO of Axia, praised Audax for supporting our mission to create a more caring, connected and progressive womens health community. He looks forward to our next chapter with Partners Group to continue building sustainable value as a national womens health platform. Partners, which has $109B in assets under management, has 20 offices worldwide and a regional headquarters in Denver. Sard Verbinnens Julie Rudnick and Julie Casale represent Boston-based Audax. The Trump Organization is in the dumps when it comes to corporate reputation, according to the 2021 rankings of the 100 most visible brands compiled by Axios and the Harris Poll. Donald Trumps outfit chalked up a miserable 56.9 composite score based on ethics, growth, quality of product/service, citizenship, culture and vision. Trumps mouthpiece, Fox Corp, ranked No. 99 on the list with a score of 59.2. The other reputationally challenged companies from No. 98 to No. 90 are Facebook, Wish.com, Sears, Wells Fargo, TikTok, Twitter, Comcast, My Pillow and Uber. Patagonia, which surged 31 notches to the No. 1 spot, is the most respected company. It chalked up an 82.7 score. Vaccine maker Moderna debuted in the No. 3 spot, while Pfizer leapfrogged 54 slots to No. 7. Honda, Chick-fil-A, SpaceX, Chewy, Tesla, Costco and Amazon round out the Top Ten. Hats off to EPA administrator Michael Regan for steering the agency from the magical thinking of the Trump administration to the reality world of science. The EPA relaunched the Climate Change Indicators in the US section on its website on May 12 to show the impact that global warming has on every corner of the US. The idea is to make each of us a stakeholder in the effort to combat warming. Under Trump, who calls climate change a hoax concocted by China to wreak havoc on Americas economy, the EPA failed to update the Climate Change site. It followed the old "what you don't know, can't hurt you line" of thinking. The Washington Post noted that the Climate Change relaunch provides a detailed and disturbing account of the startling changes that Earths warming had on parts of the US during Trumps presidency. President Biden has called cutting greenhouse gas emissions one of his top priorities. The EPA promises to give America a scorecard so we can chart his progress. Americans are eager to get back to the office, according to a survey by Kekst CNC released May 12. The survey found that nearly seven-in-ten respondents want more office than home time in the new post COVID-19 hybrid model. It also found a sharp increase (12 percent since February) in the willingness to get a COVID-19 vaccine. "As confidence in the vaccine rollout has increased, Americans have expressed a readiness to return to office, with 67% of respondents indicating they would like to be in the office more than half the time within the next year, said James Johnson, senior research advisor at Kekst CNC. He also noted that there is less worry about the negative impact of the pandemic. More than half (51 percent) of Americans believe the economy will be stronger in three months. That was topped only by the UK (53 percent) and beat Sweden (30 percent), Germany (24 percent), France (19 percent) and Japan (10 percent). Only 20 percent of Americans believe the economy will be worse off in June. That's the lowest score of the countries polled. A YOUNG mother has told of the terrifying ordeal she suffered when the father of her child attacked her as she was driving her car near Mountlucas. Lauren Sullivan told Tullamore District Court her one-and-a-half-year-old son Mason was in the back seat while Jake Krieger, 21, was hitting her on the back of the head and neck. Jake Krieger, Ticknevin, Carbury, Co Kildare had denied assaulting the 20-year-old at Ballycon, Mountlucas but Judge Catherine Staines found him guilty and sentenced him to six months in prison. Ms Sullivan said she had driven Mr Krieger to Tullamore on August 18 last year to buy chairs for a new apartment he was living in at the back of his home house. She paid 536 for the chairs and they arranged that he would pay her back when they returned. However, an argument started outside the furniture shop and it continued after she had stopped for petrol in Mountlucas and asked him if she had her bank card. The victim said he got paranoid. He called me a slut, he called me a tramp, he called me a bitch, he called me horrible, she said. She was bawling in the car with her son in the back seat. He hit me and told me to drive. My hair was across my face, I could barely see the road as I was driving. With her son screaming in the back, they approached a house on the left hand side of the road. I said I was going to pull in there and I tried to grab my phone to call 999 and he hit me again and I swerved out into the middle of the road. She pulled the car back into the left and began waving other cars down. My elbow got caught in the window, he hit me twice in the back of the head, hit me down on the steering wheel, he continued to hit me until a lady got out of a car and came to the window and asked him to get out of the car. Ms Sullivan said she had bruises to her neck and eyes and a burst lip from when he was hitting her down against the steering wheel. Speaking about their relationship, she said the accused had been very manipulating towards her and anything he told her to do, she just listened. I was like a sheep following him, she said. Garda Eileen Newman said Ms Sullivan was very distressed when she arrived and three other females were present. She brought Ms Sullivan to Edenderry Garda Station and took a statement from her and had photographs taken of her bruises. Having learned that a safety order was in place, Garda Newman said she went to the home of Mr Krieger that afternoon and arrested him for allegedly breaching it. He was later charged with breach of the safety order and assaulting Ms Sullivan, causing her harm. Replying to Eloise Flynn, BL, defending, Garda Newman said she saw the bumps and bruises on Ms Sullivan when she was in the station but did not think it was necessary to call a doctor because the victim's main concern was getting her son home. Garda Newman also said the other witnesses were canvassed about making statements but two of them said they worked locally in Edenderry and were conscious of repercussions if they did so. The court was told the victim had been granted a two-year safety order on March 3, 2020 and had broken up with Mr Krieger the October before that. The young woman said she applied for the order because he was harassing her. He did not turn up in court for the safety order application and when she spoke to him about it later he said he burnt the letter. She had previously been granted a protection order and she had got back in contact with him in May of last year because he wanted to see their son. Ms Sullivan said while she stayed at Mr Krieger's house the night before the incident in the car, she was not in a sexual relationship with him at the time and never lived there. She agreed with Ms Flynn that she argued with the accused about another man but she denied assaulting Mr Krieger in the car when she raised her hand to protect herself. In his evidence, Mr Krieger said that on the day they went to buy the furniture they were arguing about another man and it got so bad that she assaulted him. I got out of the car and started walking and rang my ma to collect me, he said. When Sergeant James O'Sullivan put it to him that it would be very hard for someone who was driving to assault him, the accused replied: It happened nevertheless. Mr Krieger also told Judge Staines that the bumps on Ms Sullivan's neck and the swelling on her lips were the result of a previous assault by a different man. He said he had no idea how she would have received bruising to her elbow. Convicting him of the assault, Judge Staines said she accepted the evidence of Ms Sullivan, saying it had been very clear. Asked to give a victim impact statement in court, Ms Sullivan said she still felt fear and found it hard to sleep at night. If she was in her bedroom upstairs and a car drove by she would be up like a light to make sure it wasn't Mr Krieger. I can barely sleep at night time. I had to go to the doctor's and get prescribed anxiety tablets and tablets to sleep back in November. I stopped them because they were just making it worse. She said she would not be able to go out with anyone new: Since August I've done nothing with my life. It affected me working for a while. I've got a part time job now as well to try and get myself back out there. My whole family said to me I haven't been the same person since. I sit at home and I wonder will I ever be with anyone again. Judge Staines said she had considered a community service order for Mr Krieger but decided on a prison sentence because he had committed an assault on a young lady driving a car with a young child in the back. It could have led to a much more serious incident. I'm satisfied Ms Sullivan was in fear and she was assaulted. The court was told he had been disqualified from driving on December 9 last after being convicted of dangerous driving and hit and run at Naas Circuit Court. A six-month suspended sentence was imposed on him. Ms Flynn said the accused, an employee at Intel who worked there six days a week, had not seen his son since the incident. Judge Staines dismissed the charge of breaching the safety order because of inadequate proof of service on the accused. Judge Staines ordered that it be served on him again and if he lodged an appeal against the six-month sentence and then breached the order, he could face another prison sentence. The guests have been revealed for tonight's Late Late Show on RTE One. Seth Rogen, relatives of the victims of the Ballymurphy Massacre, and the future generation sharing their innovative inventions will all feature on The Late Late Show tonight. Ryan Tubridy will chat to Hollywood actor and producer Seth Rogen, star of Superbad, Bad Neighbours and The Lion King, about why he is not afraid of burning celebrity bridges with his new book, why you should always be careful about meeting your heroes and how one of his movies nearly started a world war. Sinead and Mark Gallagher-Hedderman made news headlines last month when they had to take their case to court to avoid mandatory hotel quarantine with their 8-day-old baby boy. Now, four weeks after quarantining at home, they share their surrogacy story and introduce Ryan to their beautiful baby Theo. The Student Enterprise Awards highlights hopeful teenage entrepreneurs as they share their innovative inventions with Ryan. From revolutionising how we organise our fridge to a game-changer in how we tag our cattle, these young people have their eyes on the student enterprise. We'll be showcasing some of this year's 24,000 entries from across Ireland. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of The Commitments Ryan will be joined by a supergroup to perform the greatest songs from the soundtrack to the iconic 1991 film. Westend star Killian Donnelly and Eurovision winner, Niamh Kavanagh will be singing on the night. Relatives of some of the 10 innocent victims killed during the Ballymurphy Massacre speak to Ryan about their 50-year quest for justice and what they believe UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson needs to do next. This week on the #LateLate Ryan chats to... Hollywood star @Sethrogen, Relatives of the victims of the Ballymurphy massacre, Sinead and Mark Gallagher-Hedderman, and we celebrate the 30th anniversary of The Commitments with @killiandonnelly & @niamhkavanagh93 pic.twitter.com/0NHw5raVtr The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) May 13, 2021 The Late Late Show, RTE One, Friday, May 14th at 9.35pm A man in his 30s is in what is described as a stable condition in hospital after sustaining serious head injuries in an assault in Offaly A man sustained serious head injuries in a broad daylight assault in Edenderry on Thursday afternoon, May 13. Shortly after 6.15pm, gardai and emergency services attended the scene of an incident on Francis Street, Edenderry where a man in his 30s was discovered with serious head injuries. He was taken by ambulance to the Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore where his condition is currently understood to be stable. A man in his 20s was arrested by Gardai at the scene and brought to Tullamore Garda Station where he is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. The scene is preserved for forensic examination and enquires are ongoing. Gardai are appealing for witnesses to contact them at Tullamore Garda Station 057 932 7600 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111. The Israel Defense Forces, commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal, are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force, and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel. The IDF is headed by its Chief of General Staff, the Ramatkal, subordinate to the Defense Minister of Israel; Lieutenant General Aviv Kochavi has served as Chief of Staff since January 15, 2019. Saleh Aruri, an exiled senior Hamas leader, said his group has turned down a proposal from Egypt for a three-hour hiatus in the fighting. The conflict between Israel and Hamas spilled over into the West Bank, with the most widespread Palestinian protests in years as hundreds of young demonstrators in multiple towns clashed with Israeli troops, who shot and killed at least 11 people. 2008-2021 One News Page Ltd. All rights reserved. One News is a registered trademark of One News Page Ltd. As Israeli-Palestinian violence flares, the Israeli ambassador to Germany has said the fighting there should not be allowed to affect the Jewish community in Germany. The world's largest travel firm has warned it may be forced to cancel holiday flights to Portugal, just as the UK allows them again, because of a continuing EU ban on non-essential travel from countries outside the bloc. Israel said on Friday it was carrying out an attack "in the Gaza Strip" although it later clarified there were no boots on the ground. The Palestinian militant group Hamas launched another barrage of rockets at Israeli neighborhoods Thursday, and Israel responded with more airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, as efforts to halt the escalating violence moved forward. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she was "deeply concerned" by an immigration raid by the UK Home Office, "especially today in the heart of a community celebrating Eid". Families in Gaza flee their homes and there is tension in Israel as groups clash in the streets of some towns. Germany's Christian churches are facing similar problems in the ongoing COVID pandemic. Now they are holding a digital ecumenical assembly. Chancellor Angela Merkel will not be the only top politician attending. European diplomats have voiced serious concerns about how the World Health Organization has handled sex abuse allegations involving its own staff during an outbreak of Ebola in Congo. Six Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli army in the West Bank in a new wave of violence between the two sides. Palestinian health officials say 10 people have been killed in violence in the West Bank. The Israeli military says it has carried out airstrikes on a tunnel network in Gaza. Follow DW for the latest. Babyn Yar was the site of one of the single biggest massacres of Jews by German Nazis. The movable structure of the new, folding synagogue recalls a book and is the first building in what will be a much larger memorial. CP24 21 May 2021 Residents of long-term care homes in Ontario will be able to meet face-to-face with some of their family members starting tomorrow. Canadian vaccine experts say a British study that showed a boost in immune response among seniors who received their second Pfizer-BioNTech shot later supports Canada's dose-spacing strategy. Seth Rogen calling out Ted Cruz on Twitter isn't a "feud," he told Stephen Colbert, as "feud implies equal ground." The Hollywood star has gained notoriety for confronting the Texas senator on the platform multiple times, notably for Cruz's constant backing up of Trump's baseless allegations of voter fraud that ultimately led... A Gaza resident recounts the moments when an Israeli officer had been giving him advance warning that the building he looked after would be the target of an air strike Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-NY, stepped up her criticism of the Biden administrations handling of an escalating military conflict between Israel and Hamas militants Thursday, likening the conditions experienced by Palestinians in the region to conditions experienced by migrant children at the southern border. The GOP has consistently condemned violent protests occurring across America, as well as the violence that occurred on January 6th at the Capitol. ''Republicans have been consistent. We condemned the violence that took place on January 6th, but we also condemned it all last... Israel faced a widening conflict on Friday, as deadly violence escalated across the West Bank amid a massive aerial bombardment in Gaza and unprecedented unrest among Arabs and Jews inside the country. The West Bank clashes, described as among the most intense since the second intifada that began in 2000, left seven people dead from [] Scotlands newest MP told how she hopes to be a role model for other minorities after being elected to Westminster. Portugal has announced that tourists from the UK will be able to travel to the country from Monday. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said," We have all longed for this moment when we can get back to some kind of normalcy." But local authorities are making their own decisions on relaxing the rules. PA - Press Association STUDIO 13 May 2021 US health officials have eased mask-wearing guidance for people who are fully vaccinated, allowing them to stop using face.. KTNV Channel 13 Las Vegas 10 Jun 2021 NV Energy restored power to customers at Mount Charleston at about 10:45 a.m. Thursday after turning it off before 2 a.m. due to.. Palestinians in Gaza are taking shelter in United Nations schools as Israel launches airstrikes into Gaza and masses troops along the border, and militants fire rockets toward Israel. (May 14) The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) will hold an emergency meeting on Sunday to discuss the situation in Jerusalem and Gaza, at the request of Saudi Arabia, it was reported on Thursday. The meeting between foreign ministers of OIC member nations will address continuing Israeli attacks in the Palestinian... In the 1980s, Rabbi Meir Kahane's violent anti-Arab ideology was considered so repugnant that Israel banned him from parliament and the US listed his party as a terrorist group.Today, his disciples march through the streets by the... Two Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire in the West Bank on Friday, including one who attempted to stab a soldier, as clashes injured more than 100 people in the occupied territory. Reuters - Politics 26 May 2021 U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday said the United States would provide an additional $75 million in development and.. The South African government has condemned Israel's "unjust attacks on civilians in Gaza and Jerusalem" and said the atrocities should be investigated and referred to the International Criminal Court (ICC) as possible crimes against humanity. Accesswire 10 Jun 2021 *After four years, the fund will open its doors to outside investors during this period of explosive growth in blockchain and.. SOHH 04 Jun 2021 North Carolina rapper J. Cole is very, very, very far from his Southern roots in his new Punchin the Clock music video... Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, convenes a symposium on advancing the high-quality follow-up development of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, in Nanyang, central China's Henan Province, May 14, 2021. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) NANYANG, Henan, May 14 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping on Friday convened a symposium on advancing the high-quality follow-up development of China's mega water diversion project. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, stressed the need to analyze the new situation and tasks facing the South-to-North Water Diversion Project and push for the scientific planning and construction of the project to promote the effective and economical use of water resources. The symposium was held in the city of Nanyang, central China's Henan Province. Speaking at the symposium, Xi said strong support of water resources is needed in the country's efforts to shape a nationwide unified market, boost smooth domestic circulation, and promote the coordinated development of the southern and northern regions. Noting the extremely unbalanced distribution of water resources in China, Xi said the South-to-North Water Diversion Project is a backbone project for the allocation of the resources across different river basins and regions. The project has transferred over 40 billion cubic meters of water, directly benefiting about 120 million people and playing important roles in economic and social development and environmental protection. Xi highlighted the valuable experience drawn for constructing major water diversion projects: coordinating resources across the nation, concentrating all efforts to get big things done, respecting objective laws, as well as good planning, water conservation, pollution control, and precision in diverting water. Xi said water diversion must continue in a scientific manner and attention must be given to strengthening water conservation to better manage supply and demand. He stressed the importance of strengthening eco-environment protection, particularly pollution prevention and control in areas along the water transmission routes and in water-receiving regions. He also stressed accelerating the construction of a national water network, urging efforts to enhance connectivity, thus speeding up the building of the network's main structure. Xi called for attention to the water problems such as the sharp decrease of sediment inflows in northern China's main rivers, especially the Yellow River, and the over-extraction of groundwater. He called for planning and design programs that can stand the test of time. Vice Premier Han Zheng, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attended the symposium and called for implementing Xi's speech and instructions. Before the symposium, Xi visited the county of Xichuan on Thursday afternoon to inspect the construction, management and operation of the middle route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, as well as the resettlement of people relocated because of the project. At the Taocha Canal Head, he stressed the ecological conservation of the water-source region, while at the village of Zouzhuang, he pledged to continue to support the relocated people. Noting that the Party's 100-year history is one of dedication to people's well-being, Xi asked local Party organizations and members to unite and lead the people in striving towards common prosperity. During the inspection, Xi stopped by a wheat field to check on crop growth and called for efforts to achieve breakthroughs in cultivating high-quality seeds. "We should rely on Chinese seeds to ensure China's food security," Xi said. On Wednesday, Xi visited a memorial facility dedicated to Zhang Zhongjing, a famous Chinese pharmacologist and physician of the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220). Noting that traditional Chinese medicine is a great creation of the Chinese nation, Xi urged efforts to ensure its preservation and development. Xi then went to a park exhibiting the Rosa Chinensis -- or the Chinese rose -- and a local company producing mugwort products. Stressing that local specialty industries have vast potential, Xi called for creating more jobs for the farmers and sharing with them the benefits. ( ) said has received defence documents from the Commission, Parliament, and Council of the European Union. All are defendants in a case being brought by Symphony, whose legal team will now take several weeks to assess what it has received. The AIM-listed group, which specialises in making plastics smarter, safer and more sustainable, has brought the action as it believes EU institutions failed to make it clear that an intended ban on oxo-degradable plastic does not apply to oxo-biodegradable plastic. Symphony specialises in the latter, which it created to solve the problems of micro-plastics that the EU is seeking to address with its legislation. By: Roy Engel, Barnea Jaffa Lande & Co. The cornerstone of a successful hedge fund is a successful investment strategy. That is self-evident. However, if the managers of the potential hedge fund are not successful in raising capital, this potential will never be tested or realized. We list below the five key points we believe hedge fund managers should take into account when raising capital for their funds. # 1 Follow the Money It is critical to be "user-friendly" (a.k.a. "investor-friendly") in your approach to potential investors. This means that your fund structure should be geared to address your investors' tax and other possible concerns. To do so, first identify the tax jurisdictions of your main investors. Then consult with your tax adviser to understand better the tax preferences of potential investors. For example, certain types of investors prefer tax flow-through structures while others do not. Experienced tax advisers can assist in planning a single structure that can address seemingly non-congruent concerns of different investor types. Consult your counsel as well for potential non-tax concerns that your structure should also address. For example, certain types of investors may prefer to make their investments into entities formed in certain jurisdictions. Again, here too, experienced counsel can plan your fund structure in a manner that "follows the money" in the sense that it will be "user-friendly" from your investors' perspective. ...................... To view our full article Click here The pandemic situation continues to scare both lives and livelihoods. The healthcare authorities are working hard to protect people from getting exposed to the virus by informing them about cautionary measurements. After the COVID-19 impact, Kenya's economy is getting up slowly. But the pandemic has left deep marks on the financial conditions of the country. As per a native, Jayesh Saini, Nairobi, the IMF staff, and the other authorities led On 14th May 2021, Classicpreneur News and Media which is a subsidiary of Leading Digital Marketing Company Uzi World Digital, appointed Prity Roy and Nirmal Rathore as News Editors. As per the latest news received by the local news reports from Kolkata, Mansi Pawar, CEO at Classicpreneur News and Media announced that they are appointing Prity Roy as their Business and Finance Editor and Nirmal Rathore as Leadership and Residents across the metro area say downtown Portland has become dirty, unsafe and uninviting and many anticipate visiting the citys core less often after the pandemic than they did before. Those are the worrisome findings of a new poll of 600 people in the Portland metro area commissioned by The Oregonian/OregonLive. Asked for their perceptions of downtown, respondents frequently used words like destroyed, trashed, riots and sad. Many cited homelessness as a particular issue, and said there is an urgent need for the city to find housing and support people living on the street. Those results suggest deep pessimism about downtown Portland, the citys economic, cultural and transportation hub. They also could pose severe obstacles to the citys recovery from the pandemic recession. Economists say the city must take action on the significant issues plaguing downtown before theyll be able to change that perception. Every downtown in the nation faces serious challenges in the wake of the pandemic, which emptied out offices, led to a massive drop in tourism and produced an unprecedented spike in layoffs. But Portlands issues are particularly acute. As downtown workers retreated to work from home at the start of the pandemic last year, the citys core registered a sharp rise in outdoor camping -- especially in Old Town Chinatown, just across West Burnside Street from Portlands main office district. The surge in campers reflected many factors, including spiraling housing costs, chronic mental health and addiction issues, and the decision to follow a federal directive not to clear campsites or move homeless people into crowded shelters for fear of exposing them to COVID-19. The city became a national symbol of unrest last summer during large, raucous protests over civil rights after a Minneapolis police officer murdered George Floyd. The Trump administrations combative response ratcheted up the pressure, creating a battlefield as federal law enforcement and a varied group of protesters clashed around downtown. Protests continued for more than 100 nights, with the confrontations producing scores of injuries and one fatal shooting. Large protests ended during the summer, but in the months since the city has been unable to stop small groups of vandals from sporadically attacking businesses and civic organizations at night, which has led many downtown businesses to continue to keep plywood over their windows. I love Portland, generally speaking, said Matthew Forsyth, a 65-year-old Southwest Portland resident who participated in the poll. Its just that downtown right now, it feels like it needs to be revitalized and it doesnt feel safe. In your own words: As part of a recent poll, The Oregonian/OregonLive asked 600 people living in the Portland area half within the city limits to list three words of their own choosing to describe downtown. This word cloud illustrates the results, with the size of words scaled to depict the frequency with which poll respondents used them. Downtown is central to Portlands identity and image, long touted as the livable, walkable heart of the city. In this months poll, 85% said downtown was important, or very important, to the citys economy. More than 100,000 people worked downtown prior to the pandemic, 1 in 20 of all jobs in the entire state. That includes white-collar office workers, entry-level service jobs and many jobs in city, state and federal offices. But most downtown workers have been working remotely since the start of the pandemic and its not clear when employers will bring large numbers of workers back to the office. Many bars and restaurants are closed as well, as are the theaters and concert venues that made downtown a cultural hub before the pandemic. In the poll, though, respondents indicated that reopening downtowns attractions may not be enough to revive the citys core. Downtown simply doesnt feel safe right now, said Portland resident and poll respondent Myrna Brown. People are desperate, she said, and the city let things get out of hand over the last year. Trash, graffiti and downtowns violent reputation are keeping her family away. Brown said that before the pandemic she frequently visited downtown, soaking in the sights and festivals with her 13-year-old son. Hes very afraid to go downtown now, said Brown, who lives in the outer Southeast Portland neighborhood of Powellhurst-Gilbert. He loved to go down just to the waterfront and walk around. He loved to go to Saturday Market. These are things that cannot happen anymore. Most of all, Brown said Portland has failed its homeless residents. The city has become too expensive to live in, she said, and doesnt have enough basic amenities like toilets, handwashing stations and trashcans so homeless Portlanders can care for themselves. She said the city has moved far too slowly, for far too long, to address critical needs and shes not optimistic the crisis will resolve itself anytime soon. I dont think its going to improve on its own, said Brown, 59. I think its going to need a lot of help. I DIDNT FEEL SAFE DOWNTOWN ANYMORE Browns perspective mirrors that of many of the 600 people in Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington and Clark counties who took the survey conducted by DHM Research earlier this month. People living in Portland were oversampled, with 300 taking the poll, but results were adjusted to reflect the view across the metro area. The Oregonian/OregonLive commissioned the poll to assess perceptions of downtown from those who live and work in the metro area. The survey defined downtown as the area west of the Willamette River from Portland State University to Old Town Chinatown and the Pearl District, including Providence Park. In contrast to the anarchist caricature depicted on Fox News, the poll suggests Portlanders have a nuanced understanding of the communitys issues. Notably, 83% of those living in the city limits say they feel safe in their own neighborhoods. Among all poll respondents, 86% said they felt safe in their own neighborhoods. And respondents have very specific ideas of how Portland could address the crisis downtown: cleaning up the streets, reducing crime and reopening bars, restaurants and other attractions. Yet the poll also suggests a fundamental deterioration in residents perceptions of downtown, and respondents indicated the city has suffered a black eye that may be difficult to erase: The top reasons people cited for visiting downtown less often in the past year were worries about their personal safety (67%), homelessness (60%) and protests (60%). COVID-19 was the other major factor (49%). 63% of all respondents perceive downtown as less safe than a year earlier. A cleaner downtown (70%) was the most common thing people said would make the city center more appealing. Other top responses were less crime (67%), restaurants, bars and theaters reopening (61%) and fewer protests (55%). Only 20% of all poll respondents -- and 32% of those living in Portland -- say they consider downtown to be safe at night. Perceptions of safety were strongly correlated with the frequency with which people said they expect to visit downtown after the pandemic. The poll had an overall margin of error of 4%. (Read poll questions and answers here.) Tents are a common sight in the Old Town Chinatown neighborhood, as seen on April 30, 2021. (Beth Nakamura/Staff)The Oregonian Tosha Morgan-Platt, a Northeast Portland resident who agreed with the poll results, began working for a company that manages downtown parking lots in July 2019. The job required Morgan-Platt, 42, to walk through downtown daily to visit her companys parking lots. She said she felt safe during her first eight months on the job, but that changed when she returned to work last September after being temporarily laid off due to the pandemic. Morgan-Platt said she immediately noticed the increase in homelessness downtown, including the number of people experiencing mental health crises. She said she grew concerned for her safety after a person asked her for money and then chased her down the street when she refused. She said her work began scheduling only male employees for evening shifts because most female workers didnt feel comfortable downtown at night. In April, Morgan-Platt left her job to begin working in a ghost kitchen, a space where cooks make delivery-only food for multiple brands. I didnt feel safe downtown anymore, Morgan-Platt said. Now, I dont go downtown unless I have to. A January survey by the Portland Business Alliance found business owners had similar concerns, with a majority of them saying downtown is unsafe. However, merchants said COVID-19 -- not safety or homelessness was the biggest issue impacting their own businesses. That survey was conducted during Oregons darkest days of the pandemic, when deaths reached an all-time high and Gov. Kate Brown blocked indoor dining in Multnomah County and other parts of the state. While relatively few downtown businesses closed permanently last year, a handful have announced plans to close in the last few weeks and some have said they will have tough decisions to make when their leases come up. Goldmark Jewelers, optometrist Golden Optical and Camerons Books and Magazines are closing their downtown locations permanently, and all said deteriorating conditions downtown played a role in their exits. Police officers wearing riot gear arrive in downtown Portland as protesters march through the city on November 4, 2020, the day after Election Day. A group shattered windows and vandalized buildings during the demonstration. Dave Killen/The Oregonian Reports of vandalism, burglaries and arson were up sharply last year in downtown Portland, crimes that in many cases stemmed from nightly protests. Arson is down considerably this spring, as the protests have faded, but burglaries and vandalism remain elevated, according to crime statistics compiled by the Portland Police Bureau. Crimes against people, though, were actually lower in downtown last year compared to 2019. Assaults were down 13% from 2019 and the rate of reported assaults has continued to decrease over the last four months. The extreme decline in pedestrian traffic downtown surely accounts for a good deal of that decrease. But it nonetheless belies poll respondents perceptions that downtown has become considerably less safe. Indeed, 45% of poll respondents said they had not been downtown since the pandemics onset, and another 28% said they had been downtown just a few times. So some of their perceptions may be just that perceptions. Still, Portland State University criminologist Kris Henning said perception matters tremendously, regardless of whether crime rates have changed. He said it wont be easy to get people to return downtown if they dont feel safe. Social disorder is what really drives peoples perceptions of safety, Henning said. Most people arent going to get robbed, but if they feel unsafe because they see campers or a lot of garbage or a lot of broken windows, that has a huge impact on their perceptions of safety. CHALLENGES AHEAD In some ways, Portland has continued to thrive through the pandemic. Home prices are soaring and rents are rising again after plummeting in 2020. That reflects the economic disparities the pandemic exacerbated, with affluent neighborhoods thriving even as downtown struggles. On any given day, a visit downtown may still be a pleasant, uneventful outing. The Park Blocks are lush with towering elms, the waterfront is vivid and bright with scenic views of the Willamette River, the downtown bridges and Mount Hood in the distance. Construction workers are on the job at building sites throughout the citys core adding offices, apartments and condos in projects that began before the pandemic. In the heart of the city, though, virtually every block has boarded-up storefronts and windows. Used needles littering the sidewalk are common, even in heavily trafficked areas like Southwest Broadway, downtowns main thoroughfare. And trash and uneaten food are strewn about everywhere. Pearl District resident and poll respondent Laurie Lago, 75, said the city hasnt done enough to address the issues plaguing downtown. She said the city and county should be more creative and proactive in finding temporary alternatives to house the homeless, even as they continue to work on long-term solutions. Lago said she would like to see officials make use of empty buildings or parking lots downtown to set up temporary homeless shelters where they could provide portable toilets and other amenities, rather than allowing unregulated camping within the city center. Lago said she also feels that the city and county havent done enough to hold those who have committed property damage accountable. There seems in the last year to be this permission to do violence, she said. Plywood doors allow entrance to Pioneer Place Mall in downtown Portland on May 13, 2021. Many downtown Portland storefronts remain covered in plywood, while other business have shut down entirely, nearly a year after large-scale protests began following the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police. (Dave Killen/The Oregonian)The Oregonian John Tapogna, president for ECONorthwest, an economic consulting firm, said having a healthy and vibrant downtown is crucial to the economic success of the Portland region. He said Portlands active urban core has long been a draw to young people considering a move to the city and a desirable place to stay for tourists looking to explore Portland and the region. The city has also invested tremendously in infrastructure tied to downtown with a transit system built around passing through the city core and two major interstates intersecting just outside downtown. Developers have invested heavily in building commercial and residential buildings in and around downtown, too, especially in the last decade. Tapogna said it would be a huge blow to the city if high vacancy rates become the norm downtown and foot traffic doesnt rebound. However, he said the city cant just focus on improving the reputation of downtown in hopes of drawing visitors and locals back. He said it needs to first address the underlying issues that are keeping people away. An image campaign that precedes actual improvement would be counterproductive, Tapogna said. Its imperative to find a new compassionate solution for the homeless crisis that is facing the city at large and imperative to address this ongoing property damage. If you encourage people to come downtown and they are seeing fencing and plywood, you are less likely to get them back. THE CITYS RESPONSE Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler nearly lost his re-election bid last November amid widespread unhappiness with the citys response to homelessness, protests and vandalism. This months poll suggests residents remain deeply unhappy. Among poll respondents living in the city, 74% said they are unhappy with how the mayor and city council have responded to homelessness. Nearly as many, 68%, said they were unhappy with the citys response to protests. Homeless residents and their advocates say they want improved access to mental health care. Business owners in Old Town Chinatown say they want clear boundaries on where the city will allow camping, and where it will not. Sam Adams, the former mayor and now a senior adviser to Wheeler, said that work is already underway to revitalize downtown and he believes the city has made some progress in the last two months in ensuring people feel safe coming to the citys core. Adams said the top issue that Wheeler has tasked him with addressing is the continued vandalism and destruction both in downtown and elsewhere in the city caused by a small group of people. He said Wheeler, who is also the police commissioner, supports the Portland Police Bureaus use of kettling, when appropriate, to contain and detain people who are causing destruction. He also said the mayors office has worked with the Multnomah County Sheriffs Office to ensure that vandals who were previously being cited and released are now being booked into jail and facing pretrial sanctions. But while Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt has reiterated in recent statements his intention to prosecute those who commit property destruction, his office is navigating a significant backlog of cases that has been exacerbated by court closures due to the pandemic. As soon as the courts open up, we want to make sure that these criminal vandals are held accountable in the courts, Adams said. One of the challenges has been that the courts arent convening around these kinds of cases. Adams said the city also collaborated with volunteers last month to clean trash piling up around homeless encampments in Old Town Chinatown ahead of the reopening Portland Saturday Market. He said he felt those targeted clean-ups made a marked difference and are a strategy the city wants to continue to use in anticipation of more employers reopening offices and larger events returning to downtown. Less clear is how the city and county plan to address the proliferation of tents downtown and the needs of those who have taken refuge along sidewalks in the city core during the pandemic. The mayor has made clear the current status quo is not humane for those who have to live outside in tents, Adams said. That kind of scatteredness makes it hard to provide services in a cost-effective way and we can and must do better. While Adams said that the city still has a lot of work ahead, he remains optimistic that downtown will recover. The strengths of our downtown are unique and they havent gone away, Adams said. Everything from the small blocks, to interesting food carts you cant get anywhere else, a variety of shopping experiences, easy access with transit -- those strengths are still there. Yet the atmosphere downtown remains a concern for many. Many downtown Portland storefronts remain covered in plywood, while other business have shut down entirely, seen here on May 13, 2021, nearly a year after large-scale protests began following the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police.The Oregonian Brandon Lane, a poll respondent and data analyst for the Oregon Primary Care Association, had worked downtown since 1982 before moving to remote work last year due to the pandemic. He expects to return to his office sometime between June and September. While he said he thinks hell feel comfortable returning to work downtown, Lane said the city center has changed considerably in the last year. Ive never felt unsafe and I dont expect Ill be in a situation where I would be in any real danger, said Lane, 61. It certainly would be more pleasant to be in surroundings that look nice, instead of seeing a lot of boarded up buildings, graffiti, broken windows. Lane remains hopeful that downtown will improve over time as people return to work and more businesses open. Still, he remains concerned that tourists and locals who may have seen downtown as a cultural destination or shopping hub in the past wont be as willing to return until conditions improve. Its really important for there to be a successful, vibrant and healthy downtown, Lane said. I think the whole metro area would suffer otherwise. Todays report is part of the ongoing series Downtown in Distress that will cover more polling results on Portland police and homelessness next week, as well as business leaders response. Listen to business reporters Mike Rogoway and Jamie Goldberg discuss the ongoing series Downtown in Distress on Mondays episode of Beat Check with the Oregonian. Subscribe to Beat Check on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher or wherever you listen to podcasts. Sign up to get an email notification when we publish the next installment of Downtown in Distress. Email: -- Jamie Goldberg | jgoldberg@oregonian.com | @jamiebgoldberg -- Mike Rogoway | mrogoway@oregonian.com | twitter: @rogoway | 503-294-7699 Oregon businesses that choose to offer mask-free shopping for people who are fully inoculated against COVID-19 will likely be required to inspect each customers vaccination card and check the dates of individual shots, a top state health official said Friday. Thats the protocol the Oregon Health Authority is expected to adopt when it issues written guidance for businesses in the days ahead. Businesses that dont want the hassle still will be allowed to require masks regardless of vaccination status. Dr. Dean Sidelinger, the state health officer and epidemiologist, said verifying vaccinations will be key to ensuring the safety of customers and employees. But, he acknowledged, the shift in federal mask guidance marks a radical change and likely will lead to some headaches for local stores. Businesses have a choice about which system to implement, he said, and individuals have a choice. Oregon is scrambling to issue new formal guidance for mask-wearing after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Thursday that fully vaccinated people generally do not need to wear masks or physically distance. Masks have been required in most circumstances across all of Oregon since July 1 and local officials are now working on the fly to develop nuanced rules covering a multitude of circumstances. Gov. Kate Brown on Thursday announced masks would not be required for fully vaccinated people in most public settings but state officials have yet to define what that means. Someone is considered fully vaccinated if 14 days have passed since the only dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine or the second dose of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines. Oregon officials appear to be using the unmasking option as an incentive to increase vaccinations statewide, while saying their plan should not violate individual privacy rights under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Sidelinger on Friday said people who decide they do not want to wear masks in a store would voluntarily share their vaccination status, otherwise they would be required to wear masks. That is not a violation of HIPAA or privacy since theyre voluntarily disclosing that information, he said. Sidelinger said he envisioned store staff at participating businesses greeting customers at entrances to ensure vaccination status is verified. Businesses are already generally required to monitor for social distancing and mask requirements, he said, and we would anticipate that it would be a shift of how people are doing their jobs. Sidelinger did not explicitly address if the honor system for customers would be allowed but said he envisioned a more rigorous verification process by store workers. Right now I would anticipate that that would be seeing a card with the individuals name, the vaccines theyve gotten and the date and where theyve gotten them, he said. That could be a picture of the vaccine card or a record from their provider on their phone. Verifying vaccination status could prove contentious, however, as viral videos of confrontations over masking requirements were commonplace during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. Miles Eshaia, a spokesperson for UFCW Local 555, which represents grocery store workers at Fred Meyer, Safeway and Albertsons, criticized the state for failing to consider the burden on frontline workers. Once again, the OHA has put essential employees in the position of enforcers of public policy without giving them the tools to protect themselves or the public, Eshaia said. Telling essential employees to be the mask police and asking customers for their medical information puts them in harms way and is insulting after months of ignoring the needs and safety of the people who put food on our tables. Oregons essential employees deserve better than they are getting from their government. Eshaia said he expects most grocery stores will continue requiring that customers wear masks, rather than ask employees to verify vaccination cards. Fred Meyer and QFCs parent company, Kroger Co., announced Friday that it would keep mask mandates in place for now. Sidelinger acknowledged the new guidance could put workers in a difficult position. Thats why Im asking and hoping that Oregonians will continue to do whats right, Sidelinger said. Sidelinger said new modeling shows coronavirus cases may decline in the weeks ahead, with the potential for 420 to 590 cases a day below the current daily average of about 650. But Oregon is in the top ten nationally for per capita spread in the past two weeks, and cases are not declining as quickly as officials would like. That means people who are unvaccinated and lie about their status to avoid wearing a mask could not only put themselves at risk, but others, if they are infected without symptoms and unwittingly spread the virus, Sidelinger said. I hope that no one out there is dishonest, he said. People have choices now about how they want to protect themselves and their communities, and well hope that theyll do that. -- Brad Schmidt; bschmidt@oregonian.com; 503-294-7628; @_brad_schmidt It took time, years, before I could type that date correctly. Once, my fingers on the keyboard inverted the numbers of the day, another time they traded one letter for another in typing the name of the month. That day, 40 years ago, I was in Saint Peters Square and I was happy to be there, until what I thought would never happen happened. I was little more than twenty years old, a correspondent in my first experiences of reporting on the Popes General Audience. Something our newspaper has continued to do and will resume doing as soon as and lets hope its soon the health situation will allow the faithful to be present again. Like so many other Wednesdays, I arrived in Saint Peters Square very early in order to calmly collect stories from pilgrims and the faithful. As always, the mood was festive: songs, prayers, a constant clamour in every language. There was also a small group of children from a Roman parish, holding colourful balloons in their hands. At about 5:00 pm , from the area closest to the arch of the bells, an applause arose that rapidly infected the entire Square. The Pope had arrived and, standing on the white Fiat Campagnola, he offered his greeting along the barriers: two times around so that no one would go without his greeting and his blessing. I was among the last ones to follow the procession: I had been taught to be discrete, not to let my presence interfere with that exchange of affections that so many would keep among the most beautiful memories of their life. Even the sun was smiling on Saint Peters Square. Then, the gunshots, the shouting, the jeep taking off at full speed. But we could no longer see the Pope standing up to greet. We were on the side of the Square that faces the Bronze Door, not far from the area where earlier I had seen those children with balloons. I turned instinctively, thinking some of them had popped. Behind the barrier people screamed, they looked behind. I too started running in the direction the jeep went. By now we understood what had happened. Under the Braccio di CarloMagno, at the post of the Order of Malta, which provided medical assistance during the Audiences, I found a telephone and tried to get in touch with the newsroom. I could see fear and disbelief on the faces of people passing nearby. Perhaps they too could see the same expression on my face, that of feeling suddenly orphaned. It would be a long night. At Policlinico Gemelli, the hospital where the Pope had been taken, doctors attempted the impossible. In Saint Peters Square the people were still there, praying and hoping. In the newsroom we were preparing the extraordinary issue that would come out at 7:00 am with the first, comforting news that came from the hospital. Ten years later, John Paul ii made a pilgrimage to Fatima, to renew his thanks to Mary. The newspaper sent me as a correspondent. That day too was 13 May and I was happy to be there. Piero Di Domenicantonio On Thursday, 6 May, the Holy Father received in audience, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, 34 new recruits of the Pontifical Swiss Guard, accompanied by their family members. The Pope recalled the history of the Corps and the work that many young men have carried out with commitment and fidelity, and that still continues today. The new recruits were sworn in during a ceremony held in San Damaso Courtyard later that afternoon. The following is a translation of the Pontiffs address. Dear Officers and Members of the Swiss Guard! Dear Family Members! I am pleased to welcome you to the house of the Successor of Peter on the occasion of the swearing in of the recruits. I greet Colonel Christoph Graf, who leads the Swiss Guard Corps with great dedication, the Chaplain, the Officers, the Non-commissioned Officers and all the members of the Corps. I welcome the parents who join in this celebration: their presence testifies to the attachment of many Swiss Catholics to the Church, and in particular to the See of Peter. The places where the new recruits are called to serve are steeped in history; since the creation of the Pontifical Swiss Guard, many young men have fulfilled with commitment and fidelity that particular mission which the Corps continues to carry out today. Some have even gone so far as to sacrifice their lives to defend the Pope. As you well know, the functions of the Swiss Guard, although military in nature, constitute a special service to the Supreme Pontiff and the Apostolic See for the benefit of the whole Church. It is therefore a cause for great appreciation that young people choose to devote several years of their lives to generously serving the Successor of Peter and the ecclesial community. The Lord sometimes calls some of you to follow him on the path of priesthood or consecrated life, finding ready ground cultivated precisely during your time of service in the Guard. Others instead follow the marital vocation and form their own families. I thank the Lord, the source of all good, with you, for the various gifts and vocations he entrusts to you, and I pray that those who are now beginning their service may also respond fully to Christs call, following him with faithful generosity. This occasion gives me the opportunity to publicly thank all the members of the Swiss Guard for the diligent fulfilment of their service. I greatly appreciate your ability to combine professional and spiritual aspects, thus expressing your devotion and fidelity to the Apostolic See. For their part, pilgrims and tourists who come to Rome have the opportunity to experience the courtesy and helpfulness of the guards at the various entrances to Vatican City. Never forget these qualities, which are a beautiful testimony and a sign of the welcome of the Church. I offer my sincere good wishes to the young recruits and I hope that they will have fruitful spiritual and human experiences both in the Vatican and in the city of Rome. May these years that you will spend here be an opportunity to deepen your faith and to acquire an even stronger love for the Church. I accompany you with my prayers and I thank you for choosing to place some years of your life at the disposal of the Successor of Peter. You too, please pray for me. With these sentiments, I wish you a happy celebration, and I wholeheartedly impart the Apostolic Blessing to those of you here and to the entire Pontifical Swiss Guard Corps. For Calvary Baptist Academy senior Nathan Wiggins, the impact of his involvement in drama, band, and choir at CBA will stay with him long after he graduates next month. "They've all just given me different experiences I wouldn't have had if I hadn't chosen to be part of the drama team or band or choir or the sports teams," Wiggins said. "They gave me really good life skills and allowed me to demonstrate the skills I have. "It's just created a great high school experience and I'm looking forward to using the skills that I've gained in the future," he added. Wiggins took up playing the trumpet in fifth grade at CBA, joining a family full of musicians. His mother, Denise Wiggins, a CBA math and science teacher, plays the flute, as does his younger sister, Ashley. His older sister, Anna, played French horn and sang in the choir at CBA. And his youngest sister, Amanda, plays percussion. In terms of vocal music, Wiggins is one of only about four baritones in the CBA choir. In a typical year, the school performs multiple concerts, including a Christmas concert and a spring concert. Additionally, CBA does an annual choir and drama tour to give performances at various Christian schools in Michigan. "We weren't able to do it this year because of COVID. We're hoping that can pick up again soon because it's a really fun experience," Wiggins said. And on the stage, Wiggins is preparing to perform the role of Laurie in his school's production of "Little Women" next week. As for the future, Wiggins plans to study at Bob Jones University in Greenville, S.C., where he is considering a business degree. He doesn't know whether he will continue in any organized performing arts after high school, but he knows he will always have the musical foundation that he gained over the past several years. "I'd like to still play the trumpet and I'm glad I have the knowledge of it that I do. I'd like to play it for a long time, but I don't know if I'm going to take any specific classes in it," Wiggins said. The retailer said it is too soon to understand whether current trading reflects strong underlying performance or pent up demand ( ) said online sales remain significantly ahead of pre-pandemic levels even if they have dipped after the reopening of stores. The stationary retailer has reopened most of its sites, except those in the Republic of Ireland due to resume trading on Monday. It added that it is too soon to understand whether the current, encouraging trading reflects strong underlying performance as opposed to pent up demand. In the 53 weeks to 2 May, sales declined 19% to 206mln due to restrictions hampering trading. During the period, there were 16 weeks when all stores were closed and another eight when at least 75% were shuttered. As of 2 May, the estate counted 527 sites across the UK and Ireland compared with 532 last year. The year ended with a cash balance of 500,000, compared to net debt of 7mln a year ago, resulting in headroom of 30mln within its bank facility limit. Steve Alldridge, who joined the business in June 2020 as interim chief financial officer, has been formally appointed as a permanent member of the board effective from Friday. "The Works is another business that has become stronger out of the crisis: the online offer is much improved and in our view the range in store is on the money too," analysts at Peel Hunt commented, raising the target price from 50p to 100p. Shares shed 5% to 69p on Friday morning. At 1:30 a.m. May 16 last year, Bill Vasicek remembers a severe storm moving in. Two days, later he took refuge in his higher ground hilltop garage and watched floodwaters steal his belongings. One year after a historic flood that followed the mid-Michigan dam failures, Vasicek along with others are rebuilding. Some are asking if they should rebuild, others have already bid adieu to their properties and still, wells are failing because of the event. Gladwin County Emergency Manager Bob North said the wells were hit hard in the county. Some failures havent been realized because people are still coming back. They are slowly coming back, said North of the residents. One of Norths focus is on the wells. Hundreds and hundreds of wells went out The county received a grant for wells at the Billings Township and Secord Township fire departments that were hard hit in the flood. Neither could pull water from the low-level lake, so the wells were imperative for a water supply, North said. An estimated 600 wells reportedly went out, and 220 have been repaired. But there are others, according to Mid-Michigan Community Action Agency Executive Director Jill Sutton, that are yet to be fixed. She said some residents have been without water since the flood hit. Even with the help, Sutton said there are challenges with digging the wells citing that just recently one well dig required a depth of 435 feet down. Thinking forward In addition to dealing with the well failures in the county, the emergency operations department has been working on a plan that thinks forward. I think weve gained a great deal of knowledge, North said, regarding the impact from the water drop from the north end of the county. On the Cedar and Tobacco side, a lot of water came downhill from a lot of different sources. He said the emergency department now has a much better knowledge of what it entails to keep people safer and ways to get them the help following such an event. North said the flooding has taught many residents that if they arent prepared to be on their own for seven days, they arent prepared for such a disaster. Help from home and afar The Federal Emergency Management Agency and local Michigan Community Action Agency representatives have taken hold of efforts to help those impacted by the flooding. We were very happy there were no casualties, North said. People in the community were very aware. He notes that many people from all over came forward to help affected areas in Gladwin County. Volunteers spent 5,900 volunteer hours helping deliver aid, muck out houses and getting help to people. Sutton said the free labor and donated time made a huge impact. Gladwin County Long term Disaster Case Manager Carla Long has been working with those needing relief. She assists with FEMA appeals, applications for help, water access, food, and supply needs. Homeowners still dealing with recovery This has been a journey with the homeowners, Long said. They are still going through the steps. Long said for many it is a mourning process, still. Some have decided to rebuild, others are on the fence about if they should or if they can afford to rebuild. So many are still in the decision state, Long said. There are so many moving parts and not knowing where to go financially. Sutton said FEMA has set aside $5,741,816 for Gladwin County. Of that, $5,625,058 is for housing assistance. There was also $4,216,808 for housing repairs. There were 1,101 primary homes damaged in the county from the flood and many claims have been forwarded to FEMA. There is a FEMA maximum grant of $35,500 and Sutton said 17 people have qualified for that. Other people are receiving grants of $10,000 and $5,000, depending on their needs. Such grants are only for primary homes. There are still claims and appeals pending with FEMA. In addition, there is about $300,000 in donations that is being used. We dont know how many people have moved into their primary homes, Sutton said. Most Gladwin homes deemed fixable Sutton said most of the homes in Gladwin were deemed fixable. Some people are choosing not to put money back into their homes, she said. Were still in the regrouping stage, she said. Were slowly getting back to normal. Yet, Sutton notes it can take up to 10 years to truly come back from such a catastrophic event. Those who received money said it offered them a leg up to fix their home. Im doing just dandy, said Vasicek, who received FEMA money. Im getting my bathroom rebuilt. The Gladwin County resident said with the help of Long, he was able to get money awarded from FEMA. He credits Long with helping him through the whole process and making him feel like he wasnt alone in the ordeal. In the days after the flood, he contacted about 20 contractors for estimates, and many were scheduling out to December of this year just for an estimate. He said now its difficult and pricy to get materials due to supply chain issues attributed to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. He said Adams Electric, Brubaker Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning along with Midland Evangelical Free Church helped him. A natural disaster amidst a global pandemic It was a disaster on top of a disaster, Vasicek said with the pandemic. The people that have helped have been the greatest. I couldnt believe it, in 35 minutes, the whole (Wixom) lake dried up in front of my house, Vasicek said. The lake was where he retired to on Jan. 1, 2020, and bought a new boat and had plans of fishing and living a carefree life in the cottage he owned for many years. In theory, he was going to live in the cottage in the summer and relocate for the winter. Then this happened, said Vasicek of the flooding. You cant plan for this. Vasicek said hes put all his money into his cottage, so it will be his round-year home. Living on a fixed income, he doesnt have the means to relocate for the winter as he originally hoped. Its the only thing Ive got left, he said of his home and Jeep. His Jeep survived the flood, having been parked on higher ground. He gave his boat to his brother who lives on Houghton Lake. I have no use for it now. Maybe I can go up and fish with him, Vasicek said. I put a lot of money into a seawall, now were all in the same boat without a boat. He adds that its quiet around his neighborhood since many people have left. I have company, I have me, myself and I, he jokes. The Dow and Thomas Trading Post retiree doesnt show optimism of the lakes return. But questions, even if it did, with his health issues, would it be in his lifetime? 'It was like being on a camping trip for 100 days without the trip' In the flood aftermath, Vasicek realized he was alone. There was no help, he said. I was by myself. The roads were flooded. It was like being on a camping trip for 100 days without the trip, he said. Meanwhile, he watched as piles of wood, furniture, boats and docks float in the low water where a water plethora once existed a short time earlier. He was sure his cars, snowmobile and two travel trailers were among the floating ruins. Among the personal items destroyed were his World War II pilot fathers letters. Douglas Bismack owned a house on two lots on the Gladwin side of Wixom Lake. He still owns the property, but had the house bulldozed in July. Bismack said his house took on four feet of water and everything was moldy. He said there was a force of water during the flood. On the Thursday before, he was at his Wixom Lake house putting in dock pieces. When he left that day, he had the dock, two jet ski lifts and two boat lifts. After the flood, he had eight pieces of dock and two jet ski lifts left. I dont know how it took the two boat lifts, those things weigh about a thousand pounds, Bismack said. The torrent also took 20 feet of land from the side of the house and knocked-down a 20-foot seawall. He and his family would like to rebuild, but they wont for at least another three years. 'No reason to rebuild a place up there to overlook a disaster' Theres no reason to rebuild a place up there to overlook a disaster, Bismack said. Bismack said he loved his spring, summer and fall getaways to his lake house and enjoyed the water activities. One of the best parts was swimming and not having boats coming right at you, he said. It was one of the nicest pieces of land on the lake. We definitely enjoyed it. He feels sadness for the people who lived in the area full time, noting it was their homes that were destroyed. Bismack said those are the ones who really suffered. Hopefully, it will come back, Bismack said. But anything could happen in the next few years, possibly preventing it. He said he knows there was talk of repairing the dams prior to the flooding, but the help didnt come in time. It came just a little too late, Bismack said. In a major step toward returning to pre-pandemic life, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention eased indoor mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated people on Thursday, allowing them to stop wearing masks outdoors in crowds and inside in most situations. The new guidance still calls for wearing masks in crowded indoor settings like buses, planes, hospitals, prisons and homeless shelters but will help clear the way for reopening workplaces, schools, and other venues even removing the need for masks or social distancing for those who are fully vaccinated, according to the Associated Press. "We have all longed for this moment when we can get back to some sense of normalcy," said Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the director of the CDC. The Associated Press reports the announcement comes as the CDC and the Biden administration have faced pressure to ease restrictions on fully vaccinated people people who are two weeks past their last required COVID-19 vaccine dose in part to highlight the benefits of getting the shot. The country's aggressive vaccination campaign has paid off: U.S. virus cases are at their lowest rate since September, deaths are at their lowest point since last April and the test positivity rate is at the lowest point since the pandemic began. Walensky announced the new guidance on Thursday afternoon at a White House briefing, saying the long-awaited change is thanks to millions of people getting vaccinated and based on the latest science about how well those shots are working. "Anyone who is fully vaccinated can participate in indoor and outdoor activities large or small without wearing a mask or physically distancing," Walensky said. "If you are fully vaccinated, you can start doing the things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic." The easing guidance is likely to open the door to confusion, since there is no surefire way for businesses or others to distinguish between those fully vaccinated and those who are not. Walensky said those who are not fully vaccinated should continue to wear masks indoors. To date about 154 million Americans, more than 46% of the population, have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccines and more than 117 million are fully vaccinated, according to the Associated Press. The rate of new vaccinations has slowed in recent weeks, but with the authorization Wednesday of the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 12 to 15, a new burst of doses is expected in the coming days. Just two weeks ago, the CDC recommended that fully vaccinated people continue to wear masks indoors in all settings and outdoors in large crowds. During a virtual meeting Tuesday on vaccinations with a bipartisan group of governors, Biden appeared to acknowledge that his administration had to do more to model the benefits of vaccination. "I would like to say that we have fully vaccinated people; we should start acting like it," Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, a Republican, told Biden, as reported by the Associated Press. "And that's a big motivation get the unvaccinated to want to to get vaccinated." "Good point," Biden responded. He added, "We're going to be moving on that in the next little bit." Walensky said the evidence from the U.S. and Israel shows the vaccines are as strongly protective in real world use as they were in earlier studies, and that so far they continue to work even though some worrying mutated versions of the virus are spreading. The more people continue to get vaccinated, the faster infections will drop and the harder it will be for the virus to mutate enough to escape vaccines, she stressed, urging everyone 12 and older who's not yet vaccinated to sign up. And while some people still get COVID-19 despite being vaccinated, Walensky said that's rare and cited evidence that those infections tend to be milder, shorter and harder to spread to others. If people who are vaccinated do develop COVID-19 symptoms, they should immediately put their mask back on and get tested, she said. The Associated Press reports there are some caveats. Walensky encouraged people who have weak immune systems, such as from organ transplants or cancer treatment, to talk with their doctors before shedding their masks. That's because of continued uncertainty about whether the vaccines can rev up a weakened immune system as well as they do normal, healthy ones. The new guidance had immediate effect at the White House, which has taken a cautious approach to easing virus restrictions. Staffers were informed that masks are no longer required for those who are fully vaccinated. Midland County recorded 53 COVID-19 cases and one death on Tuesday, according to the state's daily report. Thursday, May 13 COVID-19 numbers: Midland County: 53 cases and one death were added. Pandemic total is 6,613 cases, 707 probable, 80 deaths and four probable deaths. Bay County: 20 cases and four deaths were added; pandemic total stands at 10,332 cases, 648 probable, 326 deaths and 14 probable deaths. Gladwin County: 14 cases and two deaths were added; pandemic total stands at 1,880 cases, 375 probable, 53 deaths and three probable deaths. Isabella County: 16 cases and one death were added; pandemic total stands at 5,244 cases, 885 probable, 87 deaths and four probable deaths. Saginaw County: 62 cases and 1 death were added; pandemic total stands at 19,386 cases, 1,301 probable, 564 deaths and 17 probable deaths. On Thursday, the state added 2,057 new cases and 112 deaths, which includes 73 deaths identified during a Vital Records review. Overall, Michigan is at 871,569 cases and 18,467 deaths. Testing The state report shows as of Wednesday, Midland County has performed 74,159 COVID-19 tests. Gladwin County is listed as having administered 21,379 tests. Midland Countys seven-day rolling positivity rate on May 7 was listed at 9.9% and Gladwin County was listed at 11.4%. Our 12-county region is listed at 13.8% and Michigan is at 10.4%. CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) Nevada state lawmakers are bound by a state constitutional requirement to approve revenue-generating decisions with two-thirds majority votes, the state Supreme Court decided Thursday. In a decision with more than $100 million in implications for lawmakers now in session, the seven justices sided unanimously with Republican state lawmakers and rejected arguments by Democrats. The court declared the plain language of the supermajority provision requires more than a simple majority to extend existing revenue sources. In 2019, legislative attorneys advised Democratic leaders that they could prolong two revenue streams with simple majority votes a Department of Motor Vehicles transaction fee and a payroll tax. Since 1996, the Nevada Constitution has required two-thirds of lawmakers in both chambers to approve any measure that creates, generates, or increases any public revenue in any form. Because the (DMV and payroll tax) bills did not pass by a two-thirds majority in the Senate, those portions of the bills that would require a supermajority vote are unconstitutional, the court said. The justices also concluded that individual Democratic legislative leaders were not personally liable for costs in the court case because the actions they performed were within the sphere of legitimate legislative activity. Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak, a Democrat, issued a statement promising to work with legislative leadership on budget implications of the decision. He said state officials will analyze the decision to determine next steps. In a statement on behalf of Senate Republicans, Minority Leader James Settelmeyer accused Nevada Democratic leaders of knowingly violating the Nevada Constitution in 2019. This is a victory for all Nevadans. We should remember it was the voters who placed the two-thirds requirement in the state constitution, and that provision is now guaranteed, he said. Settelmeyer is a named defendant in the Supreme Court case. He told the statewide TV news show Nevada Newsmakers that the state would have to return $107 million to taxpayers and DMV customers. He said the decision wouldn't create unforeseen budget problems because of better-than-expected tax revenue projections released last week. The Nevada Economic Forum, a panel of experts, projected that Nevada would have $9.1 billion in general fund revenue over the next two years a lump sum much larger than expected at the height of the pandemic. The state also has been allocated $2.7 billion in federal pandemic relief funding. Settelmeyer said the implications of the ruling were about Democratic leaders' 2019 actions, not the current budgeting process. What this means is they shouldn't have stolen the money from the citizens of the state of Nevada. They should have followed the Constitution. They recklessly did not, Settelmeyer said. The Legislatures Democratic majority leaders, Sen. Nicole Cannizzaro and Assemblyman Jason Frierson, called the ruling a disheartening product of partisan politics even in the face of unprecedented shortfalls to our states budget this past year. They said the Republican fight against the 2019 votes favored corporations and hurt families and schools. In 2019, the Legislature blocked an unnecessary corporate tax cut and instead funded raises for educators and critical school safety infrastructure, Cannizzaro and Frierson said in a statement. Going forward, we call on our colleagues to work with us on meaningful revenue legislation this session. The payroll tax is projected to generate about $98 million over the next two years. The court opinion noted the $1-per-transaction DMV fee had been expected to raise $14 million during the two-year budget period. Legislative Counsel Bureau attorneys who advised the Legislature in 2019 issued an opinion saying lawmakers could extend the tax and fee without two-thirds approval because they didnt create, generate or increase revenue. Attorney Karen Peterson, representing the Republican lawmakers in May 3 arguments before the state high court, called the constitutional provision unambiguous. The case was Legislature of the State of Nevada vs. Settelmeyer. The opinion was authored by Chief Justice James Hardesty. It upheld a September 2020 ruling by state court Judge James Todd Russell in Carson City. ___ Ritter reported from Las Vegas. Sam Metz is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. The League of Women Voters of the Midland Area is urging voters in Midland County to attend Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission public hearings taking place locally from 6 to 9 p.m. May 25. Redistricting in Michigan has been a very political process that has historically taken place behind closed doors and out of the public eye, said, Kim Steinke, president. This new independent process gives everyday Michigan residents the ability to draw the states legislative and congressional districts, which is why public participation in these hearings is an important part of the democratic process. St. Johns Lutheran School has participated in Saginaw Valley State University's Chief Science Officer Program for many years. One or two students in grades six through eighth are chosen each year to represent St. Johns at a consortium of middle and high school students from schools in the Great Lakes Bay Region. They meet a few times a year with business leaders to enrich middle and high school STEM culture and career awareness. They also explore new ways to bring science-technology-engineering-math (STEM) education back to the students at their schools. In years past, the St. Johns CSO representatives have aided the science teachers in hosting an after-school stemmie program. They helped design hands-on activities to engage the students in a specific principal of science. However, this year most extra-curricular activities where students had to mingle were halted due to COVID restrictions. But one ambitious sixth grader thought the stemmie program was too important to miss, and also very fun. Sixth-grader Hayden Rozewski is St. Johns 2020-2021 Chief Science Officer. Together with his parents, Chuck and Stephanie Rozewski, they developed and produced five at-home STEM projects. Students in grades one through sixth who elected to participate in this optional home learning activity were given a bag of supplies each Monday for five weeks. It included the parts necessary to complete the project at home, as well as an instruction sheet. Of course, sometimes it is easier to learn by watching, so Hayden went one step further and recorded a video each week with a demonstration and explanation. These were posted each week on the school website so parents and students could watch them together while completing their cool science project at home. The five projects included making a lava lamp; building a bridge; building a crane; making an egg-drop container; and building a motorized car. All of the kits were provided to students at no cost to them. In addition to the fun from the hands-on activity, the students learned an important science concept associated with each project. You can read more about the STEM projects and view the instructional videos on their website at https://sjlmidland.org/k-8-education/stem-program. St. Johns Lutheran School offers classes for students in Kindergarten through grade 8, as well as Preschool for children ages 3, 4, and a Young 5s program. For more information, visit their website or contact the school office at 989-835-7041 to arrange a personal tour of the school. MANILA, Philippines The Philippine president has eased a coronavirus lockdown in the bustling capital and adjacent provinces to fight economic recession and hunger but still barred public gatherings this month, when many Roman Catholic summer religious festivals are held. After an alarming surge in infections that started in March started to ease, President Rodrigo Duterte announced in televised remarks Thursday night that Metropolitan Manila and four nearby provinces, a region of more than 25 million people, would be placed under a so-called general community quarantine, which allows essential businesses and tourist destinations to expand operations, in the last half of the month. But he said religious fiestas in Asias largest Roman Catholic nation would remain prohibited. Forgo to congregate, to crowd and to hold, Duterte said, warning village officials he would hold them responsible if quarantine restrictions were breached. You go out, you just go hunting for the virus to enter your body and pass it on and that is a problem. Confirmed COVID-19 infections started to spike in March to some of the worst levels in Asia, surging beyond 10,000 daily and prompting Duterte to impose a lockdown in the capital and nearby regions in April. The Philippines has reported more than 1,120,000 infections with 18,821 deaths, the second highest totals in Southeast Asia. ___ THE VIRUS OUTBREAK: CDC: Fully vaccinated people can largely ditch masks indoors More school nurses, health corps part of $7.4 billion virus plan Britain's Johnson concerned about rise of Indian virus variant in UK Nations once lauded for virus successes lag in vaccinations ___ Follow more of APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine ___ HERES WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING: SALEM, Ore. - Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has announced that the state will immediately follow guidance from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which ease indoor mask-wearing and social distancing for fully vaccinated people. Brown said in a video statement Thursday that the new CDC guidance means Oregonians who are fully-vaccinated no longer need to wear masks or social distance in most public spaces. She also said the guidance makes clear that vaccines are the fastest way to get back to doing the things we all love and returning to a sense of normalcy. Mask requirements also will remain in place in Oregon schools this school year, Brown added. The Oregon Health Authority in coming days will provide updated guidance for businesses, employers and others to allow the option of lifting mask requirements and physical distancing after verifying vaccinations status. - BEIJING China has reported its first new cases of local COVID-19 transmission in days, both in the central province of Anhui that has largely avoided outbreaks. Another five cases were brought from outside the country. The new cases brings Chinas total number of cases to 90,815 with 4,636 deaths since the virus was detected in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019. China has almost entirely eradicated local transmission of COVID-19 through strict masking rules, electronic case tracing, quarantines and lockdowns in areas where cases are detected. Meanwhile around 325 million doses of vaccine have been administered to the population, while China along with Russia, has been active in providing doses to poorer nations that have struggled to procure enough for their citizens. ___ RENO, Nev. Nevada is adopting the new mask-wearing guidance the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Thursday for fully vaccinated people. It allows them to stop wearing masks outdoors in crowds and in most indoor settings. The updated guidance is effective immediately in Nevada under a directive Gov. Steve Sisolak signed on May 3. It aligned the states mask usage with the CDC recommendations, including any subsequent guidance the center issues. Nevada also started making COVID-19 shots available to children as young as 12 years old for the first time on Thursday after federal health advisers endorsed use of Pfizers vaccine in kids. ___ LOS ANGELES -- Counties in California are waiting for guidance from the state after the federal government on Thursday said that fully vaccinated people can quit face coverings and social distancing in most situations. Californias Department of Public Health did not immediately respond to questions about whether it would adopt new guidance announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its unclear what Gov. Gavin Newsom plans to do and when. The state is on track to reopen its economy broadly next month, signaling an end to most pandemic restrictions. San Francisco and Riverside are among counties saying they expect updated guidance from the state. ___ U.S. health officials arent allocating any additional doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine for next week, as a Baltimore contract manufacturer thats the key supplier of the shots in the country remains under scrutiny for serious quality lapses. But many states still have remaining supplies of the J&J vaccine because its use was paused for 11 days while health officials investigated unusual blood clots in a tiny number of the millions of vaccine recipients, federal officials said during a call with governors this week. In Maryland, the health department said it was told it may not receive additional J&J shots in coming weeks either. The department said in a statement its asking providers to use about 88,000 remaining doses of the shots. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine has so far accounted for a small percentage of the overall supply of COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S. Those were made at a company-owned factory in the Netherlands. The J&J vaccine has the advantage of requiring just one dose that can be stored in regular refrigerators, unlike the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, which must be kept frozen and require two doses a few weeks apart. Because of its versatility, local officials would like to see shipments of the J&J vaccine resume eventually, said Dr. Marcus Plescia of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. . Johnson & Johnson declined to comment on the supply issues, but said its focused on trying to win clearance of the Emergent BioSolutions factory after the Food and Drug Administration ordered the plant shut down four weeks ago due to serious quality problems. In a statement, Emergent BioSolutions said it has responded to the FDA with a comprehensive quality enhancement plan. ___ SANTA FE, N.M. New Mexico is now administering the Pfizer vaccine to children ages 12 to 15, as state health officials pushed Thursday for more people to get vaccinated. The move by the state Health Department follows authorizations this week by the federal Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The state is encouraging families to register children on its vaccine website. The expanded availability applies only to the Pfizer vaccine, which until now was only available to people ages 16 and older. State officials say more than half of eligible residents are now fully vaccinated. The goal is to hit 60% next month, but vaccination rates for some parts of the state including southeastern New Mexico and other rural areas are trailing because not everyone wants a shot. The state has been trying incentive vaccination. Health officials said employers are entitled to tax credits through the federal government for providing paid leave to employees who take time off related to COVID-19 vaccinations. They also have set up a website where organizations and local groups can request vaccinations clinics. ___ OLYMPIA, Wash. - Washington is on track to fully reopen its economy by June 30, and a full reopening could happen even sooner if 70% or more of residents over age 16 have gotten at least one dose of vaccine by then, Gov. Jay Inslee said Thursday. Inslee said the state will stay at 50% capacity for most indoor activities until it moves to full capacity at the end of the June. He said his decision does not mean the state of emergency sparked by the coronavirus pandemic will end on June 30, and he said that if statewide intensive care capacity reaches 90% at at any point, he will roll back activities again. Inslees linking faster easing of COVID restrictions to vaccination rates is similar to what Oregon Gov. Kate Brown recently announced. This week Brown said much of her states economy can reopen when 70% of eligible people 16 and older have received their first vaccine dose. Inslee said that the plateau in COVID-19 activity the state saw a few weeks ago has now turned into a decline, allowing for a full reopening date. ___ MORGAN, Utah -- A school district in Utah has announced it is going against a continuing public health order and no longer requiring facial coverings in K-12 schools. The Standard-Examiner reported that the Morgan School District school board voted Tuesday to change its mask policy to a recommendation that students and faculty wear masks, instead of a requirement. It is one of at least seven school districts in Utah to scale back mask requirements. The decision came after several residents and students criticized the mandate during public comment. Some educators have argued to keep the mandate because many people rely on others to wear them to stay safe. ___ OLYMPIA, Wash. Washington authorities said Thursday all schools in the state must provide full-time, in-person education for students for the 2021-22 school year and that students and staff will still be required to wear masks. The Washington state Department of Health released guidelines that included mitigation efforts they said were designed to stop the spread of the coronavirus. The mask directive could prove controversial, as the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday moved to ease indoor mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated people. Currently people over the age of 12 are eligible for COVID-19 vaccines in Washington state. About 1.1 million students attend public schools in Washington state. The Washington state schools directive for fall calls for all people in K-12 schools to wear masks indoors as well as outdoors if six feet of distancing cant be maintained. State authorities are recommending COVID-19 vaccinations and testing programs but are not requiring them for in-person instruction in the fall. ___ RENO Nevada started making COVID-19 shots available to children as young as 12 years old on Thursday after federal health advisers endorsed the use of Pfizers vaccine in kids. More than 177,000 Nevada residents are in the 12-16 age group now eligible for the vaccine To date, 10% of Nevadas COVID-19 cases have been in the 10-19 age group. The American Academy of Pediatrics says children account for one-fifth of all COVID-19 cases nationally. A year ago, they made up 3% of the total. Health officials say adolescents and teens typically have more social contacts than adults. So theres a bigger risk that they will spread the virus. ___ CARSON CITY, Nev. The Nevada website the public uses to get information on coronavirus vaccines is packed with more ad trackers and third-party cookies than any state vaccination website in the country. An investigation by technology publication The Markup found Immunize Nevadas website implants third-party cookies and trackers that can potentially be used to track how visitors navigate the internet and collect data on them that can be sold for any number of purposes. The state says most trackers are used to optimize user experience and evaluate their outreach efforts. Privacy experts say the amount of trackers on Nevadas site in comparison to other states goes beyond data-gathering applicable to outreach. ___ LOS ANGELES The city of Los Angeles is launching a bilingual campaign featuring Latino artists encouraging COVID-19 vaccinations. The public service announcement unveiled Thursday is called Vacunate Ya, Los Angeles / Get Vaccinated, L.A. and features artists Angelica Maria, Danny Trejo, Pepe Aguilar, Angela Aguilar and Leonardo Aguilar. The goal of this campaign is simple: to get our hard-hit Latino community vaccinated and help our city and country defeat this pandemic once and for all, Mayor Eric Garcetti said in a statement. The 30-second public service announcements will air on local TV news, starting with the Spanish-language version this week and followed by the English version next week. The PSAs will also appear on social media. ___ WASHINGTON The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is easing indoor mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated people, allowing them to stop wearing masks inside in most places. The new guidance was announced at the White House. It will still call for wearing masks in crowded indoor settings like buses, planes, hospitals, prisons and homeless shelters, but could ease restrictions for reopening workplaces and schools. The CDC will no longer recommend that fully vaccinated people wear masks outdoors in crowds. Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the director of the CDC, says, We have all longed for this moment when we can get back to some sense of normalcy. The more people get vaccinated, the faster infections will drop and the harder it will be for the coronavirus to mutate enough to escape vaccines, according to health experts. This move comes as nearly half of the U.S. population has received at least one dose of vaccine and coronavirus cases are at their lowest rate since September. Also, deaths are at their lowest point since last April. ___ TALLAHASSEE, Fla. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis says if smaller cruise lines want to leave the state, their void will be filled. DeSantis made his remarks at a news conference Thursday, saying Norwegian Cruise Line isnt one of the bigger cruise lines. However, the Miami-based Norwegian is the third largest cruise line in the world and has ports of departure in Miami, Port Canaveral and Tampa. But Norwegian has said it might move departures elsewhere over a law that bans businesses from asking for proof of a coronavirus vaccination. Norwegian hasnt operated in the U.S. since the federal government shut down all cruises last year because of the coronavirus pandemic. The federal government is getting ready to let cruises sail again, but only if nearly all passengers and crew are vaccinated against the virus. DeSantis recently signed a bill banning business from requiring proof of vaccination, prompting Norwegian to say it might move Florida departures to other states or Caribbean ports. BANGKOK (AP) Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha promised a United Nations special envoy on Friday that he will not force back people fleeing violence in neighboring Myanmar, where the military ousted a democratically elected government in February. U.N. Special Envoy on Myanmar Christine Schraner Burgener told Prayuth in a meeting in Bangkok that she hopes Thailand will help find ways to work with Myanmars military to ease the crisis, the prime ministers office said in a statement. People across Myanmar have participated in massive protests against the military coup. A violent crackdown by the military has cost hundreds of lives. The military is also battling ethnic guerrilla armies in border regions that are seeking greater autonomy from the central government and support the pro-democracy protesters. Prayuth told Schraner Burgener that Thailand is closely monitoring the situation on the border with Myanmar and has prepared several areas to shelter refugees and provide medical treatment, the statement said. Last month, several thousand villagers from Myanmars eastern state of Karen fled to Thailand following airstrikes by Myanmar military planes in territory held by the Karen ethnic minority. They were allowed to stay for a few days and then returned to Myanmar. Thai officials said they went voluntarily. Refugee workers say most of the refugees hid out in the jungle and did not return to their homes. Close to 50,000 people are estimated to have been displaced by fighting in Karen areas since the beginning of the year. The escalation of violence and the juntas failure to restore order has led to fears that Myanmar could become a failed state, impacting neighboring Thailand and the whole region. Prayuth told Schraner Burgener his government is ready to listen and exchange information about Myanmar, according to the statement. There was no immediate comment from the U.N. envoy. Prayuth, a former army commander who also came to power by ousting an elected civilian government, is perceived to have a close relationship with the head of Myanmars military government, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing. Schraner Burgener has been based in Thailand since April. She says she plans to stay in the region in the coming weeks to remain in close contact with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to support the implementation of a five-point consensus on the Myanmar crisis reached by its leaders at a special meeting in Jakarta on April 24. It calls for the immediate cessation of violence, a dialogue among all concerned parties, mediation of the dialogue by an ASEAN special envoy, provision of humanitarian aid through ASEAN channels and a visit to Myanmar by the special envoy to meet all concerned parties. Min Aung Hlaings government has since indicated it will consider the ASEAN agreement only after reestablishing stability. While the juntas use of lethal force to suppress mass protests has reduced turnouts at protest rallies in Myanmars cities and towns, the level of civil unrest remains high. Some groups of protesters have embraced armed self-defense, often using only air guns, single-shot hunting rifles and homemade grenades and firebombs. On Thursday, the junta announced the imposition of martial law in Mindat township in the western state of Chin, which borders India. The remote area has been one of the most militant in putting up armed resistance to the security forces, who have suffered casualties in almost daily confrontations. - Associated Press journalist Jerry Harmer contributed to this report. The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriffs Office and the Midland Police Department. Compiled by reporter Andrew Mullin. Wednesday 12, 2021 11:32 p.m. A deputy cited a 23-year-old Midland male for driving on a suspended license after an equipment violation traffic stop in Jerome Township. 8:41 p.m. Officers responded to the area of Mark Putnam and South Saginaw roads for a traffic hazard. 7:52 p.m. A deputy was sent to Homer Township for a report of a female walking in the roadway causing a hazard. Contact was made with the female who asked for a ride to a Midland hotel for the night. The deputy transported the female to the hotel. 7:40 p.m. Officers responded to a vehicle crash in the area of Stark Road West Wakerley road. 2:30 p.m. Animal Control deputy received a call from a city resident referencing her dog ingesting a couple of pills of unknown origin. She was concerned that someone from outside their home gave these to the dog. Unable to determine what type of pills they were or where they might have come from, the caller stated that they could not locate anything in their home that was like these pills. 12:40 p.m. Deputies were dispatched to a possible littering complaint in Ingersoll Township. A resident in the area observed an older male appear to place plastic construction conduit on the side of the road. Deputies responded to the scene and took pictures of the items. The items appeared new. The complainant volunteered to remove the lengthy conduit pipes. Deputies were provided a license plate number and are attempting to contact the registered owner who lives in Hemlock. 9:33 a.m. Officers responded to an accident in the area of East Ashman Street and Waldo Avenue. 8:47 a.m. Officers responded to a traffic offense and drivers license violation at North Saginaw Road and Sturgeon Creek Parkway. 7:31 a.m. Deputy dispatched to a Lee Township residence in reference to a vehicle that crashed into a mailbox post and left the scene. The post is valued at $10. 5:32 a.m. A deputy assisted the Midland Police Department with checking the area for a domestic assault suspect. The subject was not located. 4:49 a.m. Officers responded to a felonious assault on West Reardon Street. 12:29 a.m. Officers responded to an OWI on East Patrick Avenue. Tuesday, May 11, 2021 11:19 p.m. Deputies arrested a 28-year-old Lee Township male on a parole absconder warrant along with multiple misdemeanor warrants out of Midland County. The male was transported and lodged at the Midland County Jail without incident. 9:45 p.m. Deputies were dispatched to a Lincoln Township location for a complaint of a disorderly male. The 47-year-old Lincoln Township male caller advised his 62-year-old male neighbor was yelling. There were no assaults and a deputy spoke with the 62-year-old male who advised he would be quite for the night. 8:20 p.m. Officers responded to an assault on Eastman Avenue. 7:50 p.m. A deputy responded to a Lee Township residence after a 33-year-old Lee Township male reported that an unknown suspect stole four dog kennel fence sections from the edge of the driveway. The fence is valued at $500. The man did not want to press charges if a suspect was located and the fence was returned. There are no suspects currently. 7:40 p.m. Officers responded to a case of domestic violence on East Ashman Street. 7:18 p.m. Officers responded to Eastman Avenue for a case of larceny and fraud. 7:18 p.m. Officers responded to a car on car crash at St. Andrews Road. 6:47 p.m. Officers responded to a vehicle crash in the area of North Saginaw Road and Orchard Drive. 5:48 p.m. Officers responded to an injury and vehicle crash at Joe Mann Boulevard. 4:11 p.m. Officers responded to a hit and run on Joe Mann Boulevard. 2:49 p.m. Officers responded to a vehicle crash on the Stark Road overpass. 9:54 a.m. Officers responded to a vehicle crash on Eastman Avenue. 8:17 a.m. Officers responded to a vehicle crash in on South Saginaw Road. A look at Friday's major share movers on the London Stock Exchange ( ) added 4% to 2.45p before close after finding extensive anomalies at the South Ghanzi Project in Botswana. These findings align closely with previous fieldwork conducted and the established regional exploration model for the discovery of major copper/silver deposits within the Kalahari Copper Belt. The exploration story at South Ghanzi continues to progress at pace and we eagerly await the next phase of results and drill testing of several of these high-priority targets, said Paul Johnson, the chief executive of Power Metal Resources. 2.40pm: Sage Group edges higher after expressing confidence on cloud-based business Sage Group PLC ( ) was up 4% to 646p in the afternoon after the latest results showed it may be heading in the right direction. The accountancy software group expressed confidence about the investment in its, saying this will prove itself as the global economy emerges from the pandemic. However, profits fell by a third in its latest half-year after the firm upped marketing to encourage customers to switch to cloud-based services. Revenues were 4% lower at 937mln though the underlying performance was better. 1.30pm: Physiomics jumps after securing new contract with Merck ( ) jumped 11% to 6.65p in the early afternoon on the back of a further contract with German giant Merck. The consultancy said this contract is additional to the initial tranche of projects with Merck announced in December, with a value of 270,000, to be completed by August. The current contract will be completed over the next two to three months, the AIM-listed firm said. 12.15pm: Rockhopper Exploration surges after receiving update on arbitration against Italy ( ) surged 13% to 9.59p at noon after updating the market on its international arbitration against Italy in relation to the Ombrina Mare field. The tribunal said it should make a decision by July and will confirm the timeframe by the end of June. Rockhopper continues to believe it has strong prospects of recovering very significant monetary damages - on the basis of lost profits - as a result of the Republic of Italy's breaches of the Energy Charter Treaty. All costs associated with the arbitration are funded on a non-recourse basis from a specialist arbitration funder, the oiler said. 11.15am: Sanne Group climbs after rejecting 1.3bn private equity bid ( ) climbed 23% to 744p in late morning after rejecting a takeover offer by private equity firm Cinven which valued the company at 1.3bn. Shareholders were offered 830p per share, a 22% premium to the previous closing price, with the possibility to still receive the final dividend of 9.9p declared on 19 March. Cinven is now considering its position and has to make another offer or withdraw its interest by 11 June based on City regulation. 10am: Miners retreat after iron ore prices slide Miners topped the blue-chip losers list in mid-morning due to a 9.5% slide in iron ore prices in China. The commodity price has seen a rally over the past week as demand outstripped supply, so analysts expect it to claw back losses shortly. ( ) was the hardest hit with a 3% dip to 471.1p, while Antofagasta plc ( ), ( ) and ( ) were all down 2% to 1,772.75p, 2,208.25p and 6,181.5p respectively. Elsewhere, in the retail sector, ( ) shed 3% to 70.46p after saying that its unclear whether the current good trading reflects strong underlying performance or pent up demand. The stationary retailer has reopened most of its sites, except those in the Republic of Ireland due to resume trading on Monday. Online sales remain significantly ahead of pre-pandemic levels even if they have dipped after the reopening of stores. 9am: Velocity Composites rises after signing new contract with major client Velocity Composites PLC ( ) rose by a quarter to 25p on Friday after signing a new three-year contract with a major Tier 1 aerostructures manufacturer based in Hampshire. It has a value of 4mln per year, including the awarded 1.4mln of new business on the A350, A400M and Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft platforms, and will continue as a major contributor to revenues through to 2024. The AIM-listed firm, which is a supplier of advanced composite kitting solutions and material management services to the aerospace composites industry, said this is an important milestone. Elsewhere, ( ) advanced 7% to 145p after signing a crypto climate accord (CCA) in partnership with DMG Blockchain Solutions to promote the decarbonisation of the cryptocurrency industry. Both firms are also jointly developing a maiden working group to use new technologies that will increase the transparency of the renewable energy sourcing of crypto mining. The CCA, which has 40 signatories including 20 prominent crypto firms, also outlines several objectives to decarbonise the industry including reaching net-zero emissions from electricity consumption by 2030 and developing standard, tools and technologies to accelerate the adoption and verification of 100% renewables-powered blockchains by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP30 conference in 2025. Proactive news headlines PLC (LON:MBOX) has become the first company to list on the IPSX specialist property exchange with a valuation of 84.85mln. ( ) said it has sold one of its ATR 72-600 aircraft with manufacturer number 1591 at current market rates to a regional aircraft lessor. ( ) said it has signed a crypto climate accord (CCA) in partnership with DMG Blockchain Solutions to promote the decarbonisation of the cryptocurrency industry. e-Therapeutics PLC ( ) raised 22.5mln in an equity funding, comprising a placing and a retail offer. Bushveld Minerals Limited ( ) has completed essential maintenance at its Vametco asset in South Africa. The maintenance work is expected to improve on the reliability and performance issues experienced in the past. ( ) shares rose in early deals on Friday after an update on the South Ghanzi Project in the Kalahari Copper Belt. The exploration company said seven conductive targets had been identified by the airborne electromagnetic surveys conducted in February. Each anomaly represents a potential drilling target. Oy (LON:FARN, First North:FARON) said it had signed a sub-license agreement for the rights to a US patent covering the manufacturing of its interferon-beta 1a drug Traumakine. (LON:SIGT), formerly Seneca Global Income and Growth, has declared an unchanged quarterly dividend of 1.68p. It will be paid on June 18 to investors on the register on May 28. The intention is to at least maintain the quarterly pay-out at the current level. ( ) said it has completed the scheduled drilling programme at its Bakers Gold Project in Western Australia. ( ) said extensive anomalies have been identified at the South Ghanzi Project, in Botswana including seven airborne electromagnetic conductive targets. ( ) highlighted its strengthened financial position as it reported its quarterly financial results. CentralNic Group PLC ( ) has partnered-up with London & Partners subsidiary Dot London Domains Ltd, to supply technical registry services. ( ), the Irish based resource development company, has appointed former KPMG partner James Menton as its senior independent non-executive director with immediate effect. ( ) announced that its annual general meeting will be held in London on 10 June but is expected to be run as a closed meeting and shareholders will not be able to attend in person. Proxy forms are being sent today. ( ) said it has posted its accounts for 2020 and proxy forms ahead of its annual general meeting on 14 June at its offices in Nottingham. As the AGM will be a closed physical meeting, the company said it will provide a facility for shareholders to join either online or telephonically via the Investor Meet Company platform, with an opportunity to ask questions. ( ) chief executive Adam Davidson and chief financial officer Martin Page will provide a live presentation via the Investor Meet Company platform on Wednesday 26 May 2021 at 5pm BST. Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (PANA) - Three people were killed overnight on Thursday in an attack carried out by unidentified armed individuals in the village of Wassakore, in the Burkinabe Sahel, PANA learned from security sources A glance at some of the day's highlights from the Proactive Investor's newswire PLC (LON:MBOX) has become the first company to list on the IPSX specialist property exchange with a valuation of 84.85mln. ( ) said it has sold one of its ATR 72-600 aircraft with manufacturer number 1591 at current market rates to a regional aircraft lessor. ( ) said it has signed a crypto climate accord (CCA) in partnership with DMG Blockchain Solutions to promote the decarbonisation of the cryptocurrency industry. e-Therapeutics PLC ( ) raised 22.5mln in an equity funding, comprising a placing and a retail offer. Bushveld Minerals Limited ( ) has completed essential maintenance at its Vametco asset in South Africa. The maintenance work is expected to improve on the reliability and performance issues experienced in the past. Oy (LON:FARN, First North:FARON) said it had signed a sub-license agreement for the rights to a US patent covering the manufacturing of its interferon-beta 1a drug Traumakine. (LON:SIGT), formerly Seneca Global Income and Growth, has declared an unchanged quarterly dividend of 1.68p. It will be paid on June 18 to investors on the register on May 28. The intention is to at least maintain the quarterly pay-out at the current level. ( ) said it has completed the scheduled drilling programme at its Bakers Gold Project in Western Australia. ( ) said extensive anomalies have been identified at the South Ghanzi Project, in Botswana including seven airborne electromagnetic conductive targets. ( ) highlighted its strengthened financial position as it reported its quarterly financial results. CentralNic Group PLC ( ) has partnered-up with London & Partners subsidiary Dot London Domains Ltd, to supply technical registry services. ( ), the Irish based resource development company, has appointed former KPMG partner James Menton as its senior independent non-executive director with immediate effect. ( ) announced that its annual general meeting will be held in London on 10 June but is expected to be run as a closed meeting and shareholders will not be able to attend in person. Proxy forms are being sent today. ( ) said it has posted its accounts for 2020 and proxy forms ahead of its annual general meeting on 14 June at its offices in Nottingham. As the AGM will be a closed physical meeting, the company said it will provide a facility for shareholders to join either online or telephonically via the Investor Meet Company platform, with an opportunity to ask questions. ( ) chief executive Adam Davidson and chief financial officer Martin Page will provide a live presentation via the Investor Meet Company platform on Wednesday 26 May 2021 at 5pm BST. This service applies to you if your subscription has not yet expired on our old site. You will have continued access until your subscription expires; then you will need to purchase an ongoing subscription through our new system. Please contact the Parsons Sun office at (620) 421-2000 if you have any questions Earlier today we posted a report about Apple's TSMC joining 65 major industry players joining the newly formed "Semiconductors in America Coalition" that Apple joined on Tuesday. Alex Capri, a professor at the National University of Singapore was quoted as saying that TSMC's investment in a 5nm process fab in the US would increase pressure on Beijing because TSMC is clearly not doing the same thing in China to boost their chip industry. Reuters is now reporting that a group of U.S. senators are very close to unveiling a $52-billion proposal Friday that would significantly boost U.S. semiconductor chip production and research over five years. Senators Mark Kelly, John Cornyn, Mark Warner and Tom Cotton have been negotiating a compromise measure to address the issue in the face of rising Chinese semiconductor production and shortages impacting automakers and other U.S. industries. The chips funding is expected to be included in a bill the Senate will take up next week to spend more than $110 billion on basic U.S. and advanced technology research to better compete with China. The proposal includes $49.5 billion in emergency supplemental appropriations to fund the chip provisions that were included in this years National Defense Authorization Act, but which require a separate process to garner funding, according to a draft summary seen by Reuters. It was revealed yesterday that the Senate will take up the technology bill known as the Endless Frontier Act next week in a package of legislation that would include efforts to "invest in the American semiconductor industry, ensure that China pays a price for its predatory actions, and boost advanced manufacturing, innovation, and critical supply chains." Supporters of funding note the U.S. had a 37% share of semiconductors and microelectronics production in 1990; today just 12% of semiconductors are manufactured in the United States. There is an urgent need for our economic and national security to provide funding to swiftly implement these critical programs. The Chinese Communist Party is aggressively investing over $150 billion in semiconductor manufacturing so they can control this key technology, the summary says. For more, read the full Reuters report. For years the 45th U.S. President urged U.S. tech companies to bring home their supply chains. That message mostly fell on deaf ears. COVID-19 proved that relying on China for masks and other supplies was disastrous and demanding that medical supply chains be returned to the U.S. and Puerto Rico gained momentum. Bringing home chip R&D and production to the U.S. is clearly a must situation and both sides of the isle are working hard together to get this deal done as quickly as possible as the chip and component crisis expands. 's ( ) Ben Turney joins Proactive London's Katie Pilbeam to discuss the latest update on the South Ghanzi Project in the Kalahari Copper Belt (KCB). Seven conductive targets had been identified by the airborne electromagnetic (AEM) surveys conducted in February with each anomaly represents a potential drilling target. Marketing is the best way to ensure that your business gets the best advertising out there. The power of the internet has made things so much easier for laypeople. Anyone can easily become a pro at digital marketing with a few simple tutorials. Ace Marketing Expert Ken Johnson talks about his marketing experience. In my time as a social media influencer and marketer, I have worked with many influencers and brand and have seen expenses of over $10 million mainly to influencers. The best advice I can give is to use your social media following to accomplish any task you set your mind to, said Ken. He has had his beginnings in the world of social media and influencer-based marketing since even before the internet started using those words. Even before Facebook, or Instagram, Ken was using his social media following on Myspace to promote events and shows in the off-road industry. He drove a lot of traffic towards the Offroad Expo, the largest expo for trucks and jeep in the world. Over a period of 7 years, Ken helped to grow the marketing for the expo to such an extent that it is now the largest social media platform in the off-road industry. If you are joining a company rather than launching your own business, social media marketing requires a whole lot more creativity. You can choose to be creative with your parent company. In my case, when I joined the company called Lucas Oil, there were no departments for social media. So I was able to take over and actually create these departments and channels and introduce both traditional and modern types of advertising, said Ken. Ken may be an entrepreneur today, but his passion will always be the building of social media accounts and increasing his followers. 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 Allianz has completed an acquisition of 66 percent stake in Jubilee Holdings Limited (JHL), East Africas largest insurance group. The announcement means that JHL retains a 46 percent shareholding in the company. The acquisition follows the execution of an agreement signed on September 29, 2020, in which Allianz agreed to acquire about 1,522,622 ordinary shares -- the majority shareholding in the short-term general (property and casualty) insurance business operations of JHL in five countries in Africa. These are Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and Mauritius. Thus, Jubilee General Insurance Limited in Kenya becomes a member of the Allianz Group and upon completion of corporate filings, will operate under the name: Jubilee Allianz General Insurance Limited. The transaction is Allianzs second direct investment in the country, after establishing Allianz Insurance Company of Kenya Limited as a greenfield operation in 2014. Alone and together with Allianzs recent acquisitions in leading African markets of Nigeria and Morocco, this transaction is a reflection of Allianzs long-term commitment to Africa and fits with our ambition to gain leadership positions in key markets in the continent, said Coenraad Vrolijk, Allianz Africa Regional CEO. The two Allianz companies in Kenya, Allianz Insurance Company of Kenya Limited and Jubilee Allianz Insurance Limited are expected to operate separately, until their operations are consolidated into Jubilee Allianz General Insurance Limited, which is subject to regulatory approval. All contracts issued by the two companies remain valid and we will continue to honour our commitments and deliver the quality of service that Allianz is known for globally, said Nandini Wilcke, Regional Head of Mergers and Acquisitions for Allianz Africa. The transaction gives Allianz a bigger platform to offer its wide range of insurance products, from simple digital products to flexible corporate solutions, Vrolijk added. Nizar Juma, Chairman of JHL said: We are pleased to embark on the first step of our strategic partnership with Allianz, which will support Jubilees ambition to increase insurance awareness and accessibility across East Africa by providing innovative, affordable and technically advanced property and casualty insurance products to consumers across the region." CEO of Allianz Life Ghana, Gideon Ataraire welcomed the news of the acquisition. He said: Allianz recent strategic acquisitions within the African region are proof of the Allianz Groups confidence in the burgeoning regional market. Allianz and JHL will continue to work together to finalize the acquisitions for the businesses in Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi and Mauritius, the firms said in a statement to newsrooms. Source: Peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Legatum Center for Development & Entrepreneurship at MIT has launched the Foundry Fellowship, a first-of-its-kind leadership program for accomplished entrepreneurs who are considering their role in shaping the future of the African innovation ecosystems in which they work and live. At an inflection point in their entrepreneurial journeys, Fellows will learn from MIT faculty, connect with investors, and expand their network of peer innovators. The Fellowship is open to entrepreneurs working and living in Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, Senegal, and Uganda. Building on the MIT ethos of Mens et Manus (Mind and Hand), the Foundry is a place where entrepreneurs come together to reflect on their achievements and shape their futures as leaders in business, investing, and governance. The program includes an interactive online curriculum followed by a three-week immersive session that brings the cohort together to explore innovation-driven ecosystems. The Foundry Fellowship presents a unique opportunity to bring MIT resources and knowledge to these critical innovation ecosystems and, importantly, also offers MIT an opportunity to learn from successful leaders and their innovative solutions. Professor Fiona Murray, Faculty Director of the Legatum Center, described this opportunity to expand MITs innovation network [as] a moment for the Fellows to reflect on [their entrepreneurial] journey that also allows us to learn from them. They can use this experience as a stepping-off point as they move to the next stage of ecosystem-wide leadership. As a school dedicated to the development of principled, innovative leaders who improve the world, MIT Sloan looks forward to welcoming the Legatum Foundry Fellows to Cambridge and to the MIT community, said David Schmittlein, John C Head III Dean of the MIT Sloan School of Management. A Collaboration between the Legatum Center and The Mastercard Foundation Through this collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation, the Foundry Fellowship will deepen the impact of leaders who are solving complex problems, creating jobs, and bringing essential services to millions through innovation-driven business models. With the worlds fastest growing youth population, Africa is home to 4 of the worlds top 5 fastest-growing economies, has the fastest urbanization rate in the world, and has a rapidly expanding middle class predicted to increase business and consumer spending. Innovation and entrepreneurial solutions are a critical component to continued growth and prosperous people and societies across the continent. Africas entrepreneurs are building businesses that offer lessons in inclusion, sustainability, and value creation that extend far beyond the continent. As a global network of entrepreneurs, investors, and thought leaders, the Legatum Centers Foundry offers a platform for leaders to share their stories and consider new ways to extend their impact in their local ecosystems and around the world. Dina Sherif, Executive Director of the Legatum Center says, To propel Africa forward and remain competitive globally, we need innovation-led entrepreneurship and robust African entrepreneurial ecosystems. The Foundry Fellowship supports African entrepreneurs to transition to entrepreneurial leaders who work with various stakeholders to strengthen and improve their ecosystems. The Foundry Fellowship is a competitive program for outstanding entrepreneurial leaders working in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, and Uganda. The Legatum Center will accept nominations from May 3 May 20, 2021. A nomination is not required to apply; entrepreneurs are invited to submit an application directly. All nominees and applicants must submit a completed application by 11:59 PM EDT on June 10, 2021 to be considered for the program. Nomination and application information is available at legatum.mit.edu/foundry-fellowship/. An initial cohort of 15 Fellows will be selected for this fully-funded program. Media requests for should be addressed to Courtney Schoon at [email protected] 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. Featured Video Nine staff of Allianz Ghana (Life & Non-Life Insurance) graduated from the National Insurance College with diplomas & certificates in Insurance at the 13th Graduation Ceremony of the College held at the auditorium of the National Insurance Commission on Friday May 7, 2021. The Allianz graduates are Gideon Ataraire, CEO, Allianz Life Insurance and Michael Mensah, Chief Operations Officer, Allianz Life Insurance. Others include Sena Kosi, Bancassurance Manager, Ohenewaa Yeboah, Corporate Sales Manager, Norrenda Tetteh-Kwao, Branch Manager, and Wonder Plange, Customer Service, all of Allianz Life Insurance. Allianz Insurances staff also included Ruth Adjei, Manager, Bancassurance, Andy Amuaku, Underwriting Officer and Vanessa Dawson, who is a Customer Experience Intern. The Director of the Ghana Insurance College, Richard Okyere who gave the state of the College Address, encouraged the graduates to remain competent, willing and up to the task of putting the customers interest first. As part of his remarks, Dr. Justice Ofori, Commissioner of Insurance and Chairman of the Governing Council charged the graduates to make professionalism relevant in the industry. He advised the graduates saying: The real value of the qualification you receive today lies in how you apply the training you have received. The Guest speaker for the occasion Dr. Joyce Aryee, Founder of the Salt & Light Ministries touched on the impact COVID-19 had made on the Industry. She said the crisis caused by the pandemic had accelerated the demand for digital and remote channels and this was expected to continue beyond the crisis. She added: We live in an ever-changing world. Its very important especially for people in the Insurance Industry to let us understand how important it is to ensure our lives so that when the unintended happens, we can be covered and our lives will go back to normal. Allianz Life CEO, Gideon Ataraire, received an extra award as the best student in Insurance Principles and Legal Aspects. Speaking after the ceremony, Gideon spoke on the need to have professional qualifications in whichever field one finds himself or herself in as this gives them even better understanding of their industry as well as credibility. He added: Its very important that everyone working in Insurance takes this step towards broadening their scope of knowledge on the subject. There is always room for improvement for every one of us as learning is a lifelong activity. Source: peacefmonline.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Deputy Majority Leader of Parliament, Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, has cautioned that until we weed out galamsey from our forests and water bodies, Ghana will have to import water from neighboring countries. Taking his turn on JoyNews PM Express hosted by Evans Mensah on Tuesday, May 11, 2021, the lawmaker indicated that as a country, until we root out illegal mining activities, we shall find it difficult getting water to drink in ten years to come. Evans, until we stop these galamsey activities, in ten years to come, we shall have no water to drink, he stated. The Effutu Member of Parliament(MP) who hitherto, was the board Chairman of the Ghana Water Company Limited stated that the activities of illegal miners have affected Ghanas sources of water. In his submission, our forests cover, our water bodies, streams, rivers, lakes are at the mercy of these illegal mining activities, making it extremely difficult for Ghana Water Company to produce water in large quantities for the citizenry. He also stressed that galamsey has made it quite expensive for clean and quality water to be produced. He urged all Ghanaians to join in the fight against galamsey so as to prevent this looming calamity of the country having to spend hard cash to import water for domestic consumption. 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. Featured Video The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has said that District Chief Executives (DCEs) and chiefs in areas where illegal mining (galamsey) has gained roots should be held responsible. District chief executives as chairpersons of the District Security Councils (DISECs) should be held directly responsible for the situation of illegal mining within their respective districts. For chiefs in his domain who were engaged in the act, the Asantehene warned that he would deal with them when caught. Delivering the keynote address at the first Regional Consultative Dialogue on Small Scale Mining in Kumasi yesterday, the Asantehene said: I have already cautioned my chiefs and elders against participating in such illegalities and I would not hesitate to sanction them for any such happening, he added. Otumfuo Osei Tutu said Asanteman was against anything that destroyed the environment and the ecosystem. He said illegal mining was unsustainable and unacceptable and as such must be stopped. Regional dialogue The dialogue was a sequel to the national event held in Accra last month. The series seeks to find lasting solutions to the menace of illegal mining, which has impacted negatively on the countrys water bodies and forest reserves. Monitoring Otumfuo Osei Tutu pointed out that district assemblies, through their district mining committee, had an important role to play in ensuring effective monitoring of small-scale mining activities. To this end, district chief executives as chairpersons of the District Security Councils (DISECs) should be held directly responsible for the situation of illegal mining within their respective districts. Greed, dishonesty and hypocrisy ought to be jettisoned in this crusade, he stated. Allocation of concession Although chiefs were the custodians of the land, the Asantehene said regrettably they were hardly involved in the allocation of concessions to mining companies. He said actively involving traditional authorities in the allocation of mining concessions is absolutely imperative, for they continue to be the custodians of our communities across the country. We should go beyond paying lip service to our traditional authorities as custodians of our communal land and seriously and factitively engage them (chiefs) in this collective crusade, he said. Otumfuo Osei Tutu further stated that the current system where licences for concessions were given out before consulting traditional authorities was dysfunctional and must be revised. He queried: Why doesnt he (chief), who is the custodian of the land have the right to know who is doing what? Commendation Commending the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor, for his commitment to the fight against illegal mining, Thea santehene urged all to support him to succeed. I commend my son, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Honourable Samuel Abu Jinapor, for his eagerness and ardent interest in pursuit of the goals of the ministry. Without doubt, this young man has shown passion and commitment to sanitise the sector. We have to give him maximum support so that he succeeds in this undertaking, he said. Consensus In his address, Mr Jinapor said the communique issued at the end of the maiden dialogue held in Accra called for a broad- based non-partisan and national consensus around a national policy on small-scale mining that promotes a responsible, viable and environmentally sustainable industry which has discarded illegality and practices which compromise the environment and ecosystem of our country. He said dealing with galamsey was a national emergency which required urgent and concerted effort. Outcome of consultation He said rising out of the first consultative dialogue, the government had begun implementing far-reaching policies to bring sanity into the industry. The measures include a freeze on the issuance of forest entry permits by the Forestry Commission for the purposes of mining; the suspension of all prospecting, reconnaisance and or exploration activities in all forest reserves, and the designation of all forest reserves and water bodies as red zones. The minister said chiefs had also been included in the licensing regime as part of the decentralisation process. Results Mr Jinapor said the measures had started yielding modest results and we intend to enhance and perfect them. Refreshingly, he said, reports coming in were that some rivers were beginning to recover. Nevertheless, the minister noted that there was still more to do to bring the situation under total control Therefore, Mr Jinapor observed, there would be the need for the support and involvement of all the people. Undoubtedly, this industry like that of the illicit drug trade, has so many tentacles with all kinds of people involved, with all kinds of methods, some overt and others covert, he said. That notwithstanding, Mr Jinapor said he would not waver in its resolve to get on this national crusade without fear or favour, blind to partisan political colouration, blind to status in society and with an absolute dedication steeped in the highest sense of integrity. Together and with God on our side, we must and will preserve our environment, he stated. 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 The Upper East Region Civil Society Organisations and Private Sector Actors in Agriculture Platform has called for institutional reforms to ensure that womens access to land is considered a human rights issue. The move would help facilitate and formulate the requisite strategies to address challenges facing womens access to arable lands and other productive resources for farming purposes. The call was contained in a seven-point Communique issued at the end of a Regional Stakeholder engagement forum held in Bolgatanga on Tuesday May, 11, 2021 on Womens Access to Arable Land and Productive Resources for Farming in the Upper East Region. The Platform equally pointed out that access to arable land for women farmers should go alongside reliable access to water to facilitate irrigation of fields to support womens dry season production activities. It equally pointed out the need for traditional authorities in the Region to spearhead the reformation of outmoded cultural practices and traditions that deny women farmers access to arable land. The Platform therefore entreated the Upper East Regional House of Chiefs to begin discussions on how best to address some of the outmoded cultural practices. It also argued that increased women farmers access to arable land should form part of indicators for assessing District Assemblies qualification for the District Performance Assessment Tool (D-PAT). Traditional authorities including Chiefs and Queen Mothers working through local structures such as the traditional councils should explore opportunities for developing local level byelaws for the promotion of inclusive land tenure arrangements which prioritize womens access to land and other productive resources it further observed. The Platform called on traditional authorities to work closely with landowners to prioritize facilitating access to arable lands and other productive resources for women farmers as they have enormous potentials for contributing to food and nutrition security in the region. It stressed the need for women farmers to mobilize themselves into farmer groups to be very useful avenues for negotiating access to lands with landowners and traditional authorities. Women farmers Addressing participants at the opening of the forum earlier, the Chairman of the Upper East (CSOs) and (PSAs) in Agriculture Platform,Mr Simon Amoah observed that between 70 and 80 percent of food consumed in Ghana were produced by women farmers. He noted that a significant number of women were involved in almost all the various value chain processes and that if women in Agriculture were given the needed productive resources, they could produce between 20 and 30 percent more of farm produce. Land The Upper East Regional Director of the Department of Agriculture, Mr Francis Ennor, stated that womens access to arable land was important and would significantly help increase productivity in farming. He therefore stressed the need for Chiefs and Queen mothers to evolve effective strategies to support women farmers in their respective communities to acquire land for farming activities. Mr Ennor further observed that the Region was endowed with dams and dug outs hence women needed to be given lands to enable them produce food to enhance food security. Discrimination The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Stephen Yakubu, in a speech read on his behalf, said discrimination against women in the acquisition of land was a human rights issue hence there was the need for effective structures to be put in place to enhance and strengthen womens access to land. WAPs Challenges The Upper East Regional Secretary of Women in Agriculture Platforms (WAPs), Ms Gilberta Akuka, said some of the challenges being faced by women included lack of access to land for farming and tractor services. She explained that since the establishment of WAPs in 2016, a lot of successes had been chalked up but a lot more needed to be done to enable more women have access to farm inputs under the various flagship programmes of the government. Forum The forum was attended by traditional authorities, CSOs, officials of the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council, members of the WAPs and the media. The forum was aimed at among other objectives creating a Regional platform for constructive engagement between women farmers and traditional authorities on how to address challenges of women's access to land and other productive resources. The Upper East CSOs/PSAs in Agriculture Platform is made up of about thirty CSOs and PSAs. They include Trade Aid Integrated, WAPs, Widows and Orphans Movement, Northern Patriots in Research and Advocacy (NORPRA), Rural Initiatives for Self-Empowerment (RISE Ghana), Restorative Seed Society, Navrongo Women Health and Development, Farmer Training Centre, Presbyterian Development Services and Youth Harvest Foundation. 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 The Chief of Staff, Mrs Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, has charged the Public Relations Officers (PROs) of the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to make the public aware of the initiatives the government has used to manage the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to her, effective dissemination of the achievements of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addos administration and State-Owned Enterprise (SOEs) by the PROs would give hope to Ghanaians about the efforts the government was making to improve the quality of their lives. Addressing the Second Annual Information Services Department (ISD)/ State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA) PROs Summit, Mrs Osei-Opare said the government had already resolved a lot of challenges that the country faced under the previous administration. "As you work in your various organisations daily, it must be clear to you that the ministries, departments and agencies under the Akufo-Addo administration have done a lot in resolving the challenges that it inherited when we came into office in 2017," Mrs Osei-Opare said. "There's a lot that has been done that you can share with the public. Despite this severe impact of COVID-19 on the economy, the administration had already commenced work on several initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life of Ghanaians. "We should collectively do a better job in making the public aware of these developments to give hope to the people. I ,therefore, encourage you to do more on information dissemination on the government's achievements, particularly the achievements of SOEs". Support Mrs Osei-Opare reiterated that the government remained committed to funding the acquisition of new vans which would enhance the work of ISD officers at the regional level. She said President Akufo-Addo gave an assurance at the last cabinet retreat that funding would be released to purchase the vehicles during the second term. Commendation Mrs Osei-Opare said the administration had been satisfied with the output of the Ministry of Information under the leadership of Mr Kojo Oppong Nkrumah. She also commended Mr Oppong Nkrumah for adopting innovative approaches to the dissemination of information about government activities. "We have had significant improvement in the work of this ministry. To achieve this, your ministry has been adopting various innovative approaches such as the twice-weekly Minister's Press Briefings, the Nation Building Updates events, social media promotion of government policies, projects and positions, the mass media and public education campaigns and the development of communications campaigns". She said PROs of the ISD had played a critical role in helping the ministry to achieve all its successes, urging them to work harder because communication of government policies and programmes was much more difficult in the second term of any government. Increase in the number of PROs In introductory remarks, Mr Oppong Nkrumah said under his leadership, the number of PROs at the ISD had increased to 70 from 40 in 2018 when he took office as the Minister of Information. He said the ministry had embarked on a drive to improve professionalism within the service by registering the PROs with the Institute of Public Relations and paying their subscriptions, as well as ensuring that they were continuously trained. Mr Oppong Nkrumah said the ministry had also developed a partnership with the SIGA to ensure that SOEs became a part of the government's communication efforts. "We at Information ministry believe that there needs to be a paradigm shift in managing government's communications. The people of our country who pay taxes want to know what the central government, what the local government and what State-Owned Enterprises are doing in their name," he said. "In the absence of this information, they will rightly conclude that central government, local government and State-Owned Enterprises are not working. The job of the media is not necessarily to promote what government is doing,it is rather our job as heads of communications across the various government offices to forcefully dominate the communication space with information about what the government is doing for and on behalf of the people of Ghana". He said the dissemination of such information must be a constant activity and not only in times of crisis. According to him, the ministry was investing to improve the work of PROs because only highly-trained and highly-resourced officers could disseminate information about the government projects effectively. He also appealed to heads of MDAs to collaborate with PROs to enable them to achieve their tasks. 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 Only founded two years ago, the Anglo-Greek company aims to float on the main market via reversing into a shell or SPAC Medical cannabis grower is looking to join London's budding cannabis subsector with a planned initial public offer next month. Seeking a valuation of 50mln, the Greece-based company grows, exports and sells dried cannabis flower that was developed via a partnership with the highly regarded American Farm School in Greece which is focused on agricultural genetics research. Its main export market is Germany, which is Europe's largest market for medical cannabis. Management have targeted a London Stock Exchange listing after floats for the likes of ( ) and a number of other cannabis focused companies in the early months of the year. Hellenic, which was only founded two years ago, aims to float on the main market via a reverse takeover into a shell company. As soon as Kanabo listed in London we were getting phone calls from our lawyers saying, look, London is open, London is going to be the place that a number of cannabis companies will end up listing, and youd be in very good company if you listed in London, Hellenic chief executive Davinder Rai told CityAM. Rai, formerly at Levant Consultants and with board experience in the technology and the natural resources sectors, said the company is appointing Sir Anthony Joliffe, former Lord Mayor of London, as chairman. Cannabis companies were only able to list in the UK as of last September when the Financial Conduct Authority gave the go-ahead, following a relaxation of government legislation. Medicines derived from cannabis were made legal in 2018 but there remained a grey area around the Proceeds of Crime Act until the FCA's green light, helping the UK CBD industry's strong growth last year. As well as Kanabo, other cannabis newcomers include Australia's MGC Pharmaceuticals PLC (LON:MGX) and cannabidiol(CBD)-focused ( ). Also queuing up are , a supplier of medical cannabis; , a Jersey-based cultivator of pharmaceutical-grade hemp; , a Jamaican medical cannabis specialist; , a health and wellness group focused on CBD and hemp seed oil products; and , a special-purpose acquisition company looking for cannabis acquisitions. The Commanding Officer, the 66 Artillery Regiment in Ho, Lieutenant Colonel Edward Sarpong Appiah, has assured Ghanaians that the military will not relent in its efforts to protect the 1992 Constitution. He said the military was conscious of its role to defend the Constitution at all times and would not shy away from that responsibility, adding that the military would resist any attempt by any person or group of persons to overthrow the Constitution. On behalf of the Military High Command, we will defend the 1992 Constitution because it is our duty and core mandate, and also we will resist any attempt by any individual or group of persons to overthrow the Constitution of Ghana, he stated. Constitution week Lt Col. Appiah gave the assurance during an encounter with officials of the National Commission for Civil Education (NCCE) as part of the Constitution Week Celebration. He called on Ghanaians to assist the military in any way possible to achieve its mandate. National cohesion The Volta Regional Director of the NCCE, Mr Kenneth Kponor, urged personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces to remain professional in the discharge of their duties to promote national cohesion. He asked the personnel to extricate themselves from acts that would infringe on the rights of citizens but rather ensure the protection of the fundamental human rights of all citizens. Mr Kponor said no one was above the law and, therefore, urged the personnel to ensure that their conduct and activities were within the confines of the law. He said any infraction of the principles, which they swore to uphold, would send a negative signal to the larger society. The security agencies must be conscious of the Constitution and guard against any abuse or violation of it, he added. Political differences The Ho Municipal Director of the Commission, Mr Gagakuma Setriakor, called on Ghanaians to put aside their political differences and defend the good name of the country. He said it was important for the citizens to project the name of the country in their daily undertakings as one people with a common destiny. The Commission gave copies of the Constitution to the Commanding Officer and other officers who excelled during a quiz part of the engagement. 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 former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs under the Mahama administration, Mr Emmanuel Bombande, has asked the African Union to ignore the concerns raised against the selection of former President John Mahama to mediate in the political tension in Somalia. He said Mr Mahama is a credible personality and is more than qualified to perform the role assigned him by the AU. Somalia has formally written to the African Union to stall its decision to send former Ghana President John Dramani Mahama to the country as the AU High Representative for Somalia in an effort to mediate the political impasse in the country. In a letter dated Sunday, May 9, 2021, Somalias Foreign Minister, Mohamed Abdirizak Mohamud outlined the reasons for the withdrawal of support for the AU representative. First of all, he said the process to find an amicable solution to the impasse in the East African country started way back in September, 2020 with the Prime Minister leading efforts to finalise political agreement. He added that the parties had even reached an agreement to meet on Thursday, May 20. Its my concern, introducing envoy in to the process now will only confuse the present amicable arrangements and at worse risk the politicisation of the process further than necessary. Secondly, the Foreign Minister doubts Mr Mahamas impartiality and competence to handle the mediation talks given his extensive link with Kenyas government, which is being accused of supporting one of the parties. Secondly, given the politically sensitive nature of the task of a high representative in any case, Im certain you will appreciate the importance of any candidate for such a post to be seen as impartial and competent without any links to the region. The earlier envisaged role of the high representative was all the more sensitive given the political nature of the task. Therefore, its indeed surprising that a candidate with an extensive link with Kenyas leadership has been chosen by the AU to facilitate talks on a political impasse partly engineered by those the Kenyan leadership has supported. I hereby notify the African Union of the formal withdrawal of support by the Federal Government of Somalia for the AU High Representative of Somalia. Commenting on this development, Mr Bombande who is also a former Executive Director of the West African Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) said What you see happening is very normal. In a situation where there is a protracted disagreement over an issue and parties try to check one another out and you begin to see it as a kind of their preparedness and willingness to talk. Whether or not you begin to have these fears, the geopolitics of the Horn of Africa including the Eastern Africa region is one in which they have economic interest and will want to co-exist as neighbours. Former President Mahama does not live in East Africa, he is not a citizen of the Horn of Africa and yet if I were to relate to, who do you arrive at to be the convener of the type of dialogue we are talking about, contest matters, Somalia is one of the most protracted, most difficult places to be able to convene dialogue. Since 1991 when the civil war started they have never been able to come together as the world knew it as Somalia. And so for me, the question is, is former President Mahama a credible convener? The answer will be yes. Will he provide credible facilitations? The answer will be yes. Does he have a vested interest in the outcome of any settlement that will lead Somalia towards a transparent election? He does not have that vested interest, he told Accra-based Joy FM. Source: 3news Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video 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. Olam Food Ingredients (OFI), a leading supplier of cocoa beans and cocoa ingredients and one of the largest private Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) in Ghanas cocoa sector, has supported hundreds of female cocoa farmers to earn additional sources of income. As part of the companys sustainability ambition, Cocoa Compass, the projects are intended to empower women by giving them the tools and training they need to take charge of their finances and increase their incomes above and beyond cocoa. So far in 2021, women from over 20 communities in the Twifo Praso and Assin Fosu districts have been trained in the production of liquid soap, shower gel, bleach, and hand sanitizers. They are also shown how to bottle and market the finished products.With facilitators from the Inner-City Development Center in Accra, the women are encouraged to pass on their news skills to their peers. At Assin Fosu, farmers from the Village Savings & Loans Association (VSLA) in Duofo, Akwetey Brahabebome, Nkwantanan, Essilfie, Diadokono, Asaman, Nyamebebu, and other communities who benefitted from the additional livelihood training have received funding to start commercial production. In Twifo Praso, while some farmer groups have received funding but are yet to start production, others have finished commercial production and are preparing their products for the market. The 10 farmer group beneficiaries are from Bimpongso, Mmaabaso, Mampong, Mangoaso, Anthony, Bediako, Tawiah Nkwanta, Pepekrom A, Pepekrom B, and Aboso. The initial funding for the projects will be repaid at no interest and on flexible terms. Periodic visits by facilitators to the farmer groups will be sponsored by OFI to monitor progress and provide further assistance if necessary. The General Manager and Head of Sustainability, Mr. Kennedy Ntoso said, OFIs investment in these cocoa farmers is to enable them to become self-reliant and run profitable business outside the main crop season. Not only does this support the women themselves, it also benefits the wider community. Proceeds generated from the sale of the products will be channelled back into the business and saved by the women. Olam Food Ingredients (OFI) is a new operating group born out of Olam International. OFI offers sustainable, natural, value-added food products and ingredients so that consumers can enjoy the healthy and indulgent products they love. It consists of Olams industry-leading businesses of Cocoa, Coffee, Edible Nuts, Spices and Dairy. OFI has built a unique global value chain presence including its own farms, farm-gate origination and manufacturing facilities. OFI partners with customers, leveraging its complementary and differentiated portfolio of on-trend food products, to co-create solutions that anticipate and meet changing consumer preferences as demand increases for healthier food that is traceable and sustainable. 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. Featured Video Zambia's parliament has been dissolved exactly 90 days before the upcoming general election. The house held its last sitting on Wednesday and the clerk announced that it would formally dissolve on Friday. The Zambian constitution requires that parliament is dissolved 90 days before the next election. Zambians will head to the polls on 21 August. The UK has contributed 500,000 ($703,000) to a democracy programme managed by the UN Development Programme ahead of the elections. It will support a democratic election while ensuring legitimacy and fairness during the electoral process. Zambian President Edgar Lungu is seeking re-election and has in the past assured international partners of a free and fair election. Mr Lungu who has has been criticised for his handling of the economy and the country's heavy debt burden, faces 18 other candidates vying for the presidency - including his main opponent Hakainde Hichilema. Mr Hichilema who has unsuccessfully contested the presidential elections five times, is the leader of the countrys biggest opposition party, the United Party for National Development, 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 Mr Simon Osei Mensah, Ashanti Regional Minister, has asked Muslims to resist attempts by some people to create social disharmony between them and Christians. He said the peaceful and harmonious relationship that existed between Muslims and Christians in Ghana over the years should not be allowed to be undermined for any reason. Addressing Muslims at the Kumasi Central Mosque after the Eid Ul Fitr prayers to mark the end of the Ramadan fast, Mr Mensah said Ghanaians were one people with a common destiny irrespective of their religious or ethnic background. There is, therefore, the need for all to stay peacefully with each other in communities and work together to promote development. Mr Osei Mensah commended the Muslims for observing the Covid-19 safety protocols at the prayer grounds, saying it was a mark of obedience to the directives of the President of the Republic and the Chief Imam. He said Muslims were law-abiding citizens and that the adherence to the Covid-19 regulations had indeed justified their readiness to be peaceful in the years ahead. Mr Osei Mensah asked the Muslims to continue to adhere strictly to the protocols in their homes to avoid contracting the coronavirus. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A Syrian businessman based in Accra, Yasser Alia, has described himself as a victim of circumstances following what he says is his wrongful arrest during the recent raid by security operatives at the Kotoka International Airport. According to him, he was at the wrong place at the right time. Mr Yasser Alia is the CEO of Hardford Motors Automobile Servicing Company and not the owner of the Airport facility Warehouse at NacCharter Cargo and Freight Company. That facility is owned by one Freight Forwarder called Kojo, a Ghanaian. One Alhaji Mohammed who was also arrested during the operation is just a business partner of Mr Yasser Alia. According to Mr Yasser, on that day of the arrest, he had gone to the Marina Mall and unexpectedly saw Alhaji Mohammed. Mr Yasser told him he was looking for a cargo plane to import an engine urgently needed for one of his clients who came to Hardford Motors to service his car. This was because all the land borders of Ghana have been closed to entry and movements. Alhaji Mohammed then mentioned the name of one Kojo at the Aviance Cargo Village and assured Mr Yasser that Kojo can help him bring the engine for his client. They went and met Kojo at the facility where Kojo told both Alhaji Mohammed and Mr Yasser Alia to wait for him while he attended to a few things. It was during this waiting period that security operatives raided the warehouse in a Rambo style and arrested all persons at the facility at that point including innocent people who had no links to the operations at the warehouse. A friend of Alhaji Mohammed, Alhaji Ahmed Bandoh of Bahmed Travel and Tour, upon receiving a distress call from Alhaji Mohammed followed up to the National Security office. Mr Yasser Alia believes in the competence and professionalism of the National Security officials and has declared his full support for all investigations. The philanthropist has for the past ten years been doing charity works helping the poor and doing his normal business. No record and no one has ever come out to accuse him in any way ever since he started doing business. 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. Featured Video Three environmental and waste management experts have called for a collective effort by city authorities, waste management companies and the citizenry to help keep Accra clean. According to them, when all the separate components play their roles effectively, it will make Accra the cleanest city in Africa. The experts are the Chief Resilience and Sustainability Advisor to the Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) of Accra, Mr Desmond Appiah; a researcher and a consultant with the Africa Sanitation and Environmental Consult (AFESC), Dr Yahaya Yakubu; and an environmental and public health consultant, Dr Kofi Sekyere Boateng. They made the call in separate interviews after a five-day visit by a Ghanaian delegation from the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) and the AFESC, the research and consultancy arm of waste management giants, Zoomlion, to understudy the waste management system of the city of Kigali. Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, is touted as the cleanest city in Africa with its greening initiatives. The delegation was in the city to learn at first hand some of the best sanitation and environmental practices adopted by Kigali's city authorities and citizens, a state that has earned them that status. Attaining the vision Mr Appiah told the Daily Graphic that AMA had initiated a number of projects towards achieving the governments vision of making Accra and Ghana the cleanest city and country in Africa. He, however, noted that from the Rwandan experience, a lot more education, sensitisation and awareness needed to be created to get the citizenry on board to appreciate the process. Another key finding, he said, was that the Rwandans paid attention to running pilot programmes, learning from them before scaling up. "Where I think we have fallen short is the transition to scaling up. We usually run the pilot, we take the learning but we get stuck because of challenges such as financing, sensitisation, education and all that," he stated. "We have also recognised that it is not a nine-day journey. This is a journey that demands commitment from all of us in the longer term. All of us means citizenry. Everything we have seen here has shown that there is citizen ownership, there is city authority ownership, there is the sub-metro level ownership, there is what they call the cell level ownership. And they all see themselves as part of the one goal," he added. Effective participation Mr Appiah, who is also the city advisor for C40 climate leadership group for Accra, stated further that the inability "for each person to play his or her role effectively affects all of us". Mr Appiah said he had also observed that there was a clear, well regulated monitoring structure in Rwanda and that there was a lot that Ghana could learn from that structure, saying Rwandas system of national government to local government to the cell was no different from what Ghana had. "If you look at their greening structure, you will realise that it is some of the waste that they transform into fertiliser for the greening and agriculture purposes. So the waste companies know that they are not losing out by pushing that agenda," he added. Dr Yakubu, for his part, said it was the citizens of Rwanda and for that matter the city of Kigali who owned the sanitation and greening processes, and, therefore, called for sustained educational and sensitisation campaigns to get all Ghanaians on board to get Accra and Ghana clean. He said in Rwanda, the penalties for flouting the sanitation laws were heavy, and, therefore, no one wanted to fall foul of the laws. Disciplined society Dr Sekyere Boateng commended the city authorities of Kigali for ensuring a clean city and disciplined society. "If you look at the environment and sanitation space, you will see that they have done what we call inclusiveness, whereby they bring the decision making from top to bottom and from bottom to up," he stated. "Having said that, I think Ghana is not doing badly in terms of infrastructure, policies, logistics and even capacity, and when it comes to people who understand sanitation and waste management, we have them. But what I think we are inadequate in comparatively is that we are unable to carry our people along, we are unable to enforce our laws, we are unable to implement most of the plans and strategies we have laid down," he observed. He called for a holistic master plan that would look at the policies in place, the strategies, the laws and how to enforce them. Dr Boateng suggested that the private sector should lead in the waste management process. 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 Madam Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, has received a letter from her Cuban counterpart, Mr Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, requesting Ghanas vote at the United Nations. The letter requested Ghana's support for Cuba on an impending voting process at the United Nations General Assembly on 23rd June, 2021, against the (economic) block that the United States was imposing on Cuba. It was delivered by Mr Pedro Luis Despaigne Gonzalez, the Ambassador of Cuba to Ghana, at a meeting with Madam Ayorkor Botchwey in Accra. The Minister recalled the longstanding cordial relations between Ghana and Cuba, dating back to Ghanas independence, and acknowledged that the past few years had witnessed a further strengthening of those ties. She expressed the hope that Ghana-Cuba relations would continue to flourish on all fronts for the mutual benefit of the two countries. Madam Ayorkor Botchwey referred to the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) and acknowledged the great potential it presented for increased intra-Africa trade and for attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from Cuba. She said the Ministry was liaising with the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in Ghana for feedback on issues such as formalisation of the Obligations Settlement Agreement (OSA) to be signed between Ghana and Cuba. 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 Pressure group OccupyGhana has condemned the alleged brutalization of a journalist of Citi FM, Caleb Kudah by operatives of National Security, and has demanded that government sets up an independent investigation into the matter and punish perpetrators if culpability is established. The group says it is so appalled by details of the allegation that it has had to restrain itself in order to keep its discourse on the matter civil. Its demand for an independent inquiry, it said, is because it does not trust the Ministry of National Security which says it has already commenced investigating the allegation, to do a candid job. Caleb and his colleague, Zoe Abu-Baidoo were arrested on May 11 over alleged filming at a restricted area, following which Caleb alleged he was physically assaulted during his arrest. Read also: National Security Ministry probes assault of Citi FM journalists OccupyGhana says in a statement it issued on Friday that it is troubled by these developments explaining that These allegations, in their very nature, have no place in a civilised democracy, a 29-year-old democratic experiment, and under a republican constitution that touts the rule of law. The allegations outline a bestial culture of impunity, an animalistic disregard for basic human rights and a demonic manifestation of tendencies that have no place even in a holocaust camp. We are appalled and disgusted, and when proven true by an independent body, we demand that the perpetrators so named be charged with nothing less than the crime of attempted murder, tried, convicted, jailed and dismissed from the employment of the government without any benefits. In the meantime OccupyGhana is demanding answers to the following questions. Was Mr. Caleb Kudah, at any point during his accosting by the National Security operatives, informed of what specific Ghanaian law he had breached by his mobile phone documentation of the issue or object that had piqued his journalistic interest? Was the journalist read his rights at any point during Lt-Col Serebours (Rtd) description of an interrogation? Under what law did National Security operatives coerce both journalists into deleting materials on their personal mobile telephony devices? The Chief Director of the Ministry of National Security alluded to some No Photography rules at restricted security zones. Can he be kind enough to refer us to what law his description of such rules is grounded in? Read the full statement below: OCCUPYGHANA DISTURBED BY ALLEGATIONS OF THE BRUTALISATION OF A JOURNALIST BY NATIONAL SECURITY OccupyGhana has taken notice of the allegations of assault by National Security operatives on a journalist of Citi FM and Citi TV, Mr. Caleb Kudah. News reports and the victims testimony allege extra-judicial punishment from National Security operatives including slaps from behind, kicks from booted feet to his groin, molestation and brutalisation of his person while he was handcuffed and could not defend himself. We have also seen footage alleging a raid of Citi FMs and Citi TVs premises by operatives purported to be from the National Security Ministry, to pick up another journalist, Zoe Abu-Baidoo who details how she was ordered to delete photos and videos on her own phone under intimidation by a person identified by both journalists as a Lt-Col Agyeman and accomplices such as one Chief Inspector Ampadu. We also take notice that the female journalist was not harmed physically, but the gentleman was worked over by the operatives for more than five hours. In no case, we further notice, was any lawyer present for either journalist. We have also seen a letter purported to originate from the National Security Ministry and signed by its Chief Director Lt-Col Ababio Serebour (Rtd) indicating the Ministrys awareness of the allegations and rather unhelpfully claiming without any timelines that disrespects the intelligence of Ghanaians, the Ministrys willingness to investigate the allegations and revert. We also notice the nonchalance in verbiage and the non-subtle attempt of the Chief Director of the Ministry to brand the serious allegations and the Guantanamo Bay-styled assaults as interrogation that clearly did not respect the right of the person to a lawyer. It goes without saying that we in OccupyGhana are troubled by these developments, and it is with an iron will that we maintain civil language towards the National Security Ministry in issuing this press release. These allegations, in their very nature, have no place in a civilised democracy, a 29-year-old democratic experiment, and under a republican constitution that touts the rule of law. The allegations outline a bestial culture of impunity, an animalistic disregard for basic human rights and a demonic manifestation of tendencies that have no place even in a holocaust camp. We are appalled and disgusted, and when proven true by an independent body, we demand that the perpetrators so named be charged with nothing less than the crime of attempted murder, tried, convicted, jailed and dismissed from the employment of the government without any benefits. Consequently, we ask the following questions: 1. Was Mr. Caleb Kudah, at any point during his accosting by the National Security operatives, informed of what specific Ghanaian law he had breached by his mobile phone documentation of the issue or object that had piqued his journalistic interest? 2. Was the journalist read his rights at any point during Lt-Col Serebours (Rtd) description of an interrogation? 3. Under what law did National Security operatives coerce both journalists into deleting materials on their personal mobile telephony devices? 4. The Chief Director of the Ministry of National Security alluded to some No Photography rules at restricted security zones. Can he be kind enough to refer us to what law his description of such rules is grounded in? We have no faith that the National Security Ministry can provide a satisfactory investigation into the damning allegations and therefore would like to advise Government to set up an independent body of inquiry into the matter. The allegations of brutalities against journalists are not new, but we are disturbed that the assaults on members of the media keep getting bolder and bolder, and the impunity is assuming hellish proportions. This must stop immediately. If this is what happens to journalists, then we shudder to think of what is happening to other voiceless Ghanaians in the quiet at the hands of security operatives. Even more concerning for us is the knowledge that Mr. Kudah was documenting vehicles acquired by Government and for which it had been claimed, had been disposed of and not left to rot as at least two investigative journalists had uncovered over the past two or so years. If that was the case, then his cause was just. That his quest to hold government accountable for tax-payer expenses resulted in his alleged brutalisation sickens us immeasurably. Once independent investigations confirm this terrible maltreatment of Mr. Kudah, government must understand the depths of our disgust with its press freedom credentials if any of the perpetrators of these heinous allegations are not made to face the full rigours of the law. We reiterate that we fully support members of the media in the discharge of their lawful duties. We remind government that it is unpardonable treachery to the citizens when people who are hired with citizens monies, trained with citizens monies, paid with citizens monies, clothed with citizens monies, fed with citizens monies, and (painfully) equipped and armed with citizens monies, would turn round and use those arms to oppress the citizens. And the worst insult to the citizens would be if the perpetrators are successfully sued in court; then citizens monies would be used to pay the damages awarded. We clearly have learned nothing from the Ayawaso West Woguon incidents and we strongly demand that government takes immediate and firm steps to end this despicable anti-democratic backslide. Yours, for God and Country OccupyGhana 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 Latin is acquiring a 24% interest in Westminster Resources, which is developing its copper project portfolio in Latin America including the newly acquired Mostazal Copper Project. ( ) (FRA:XL5) is enhancing its exposure to copper amidst strong market fundamentals by acquiring 2.7 million shares worth C$540,000 in a private placement by Ltd ( ) (OTCMKTS:WMRSF). The company will hold a 24% interest in Westminster upon the close of the private placement to maintain its position as Westminster's largest shareholder. Latin is enhancing its stake in Westminster, which has three large-scale copper exploration projects in Chile and Peru, as the copper price hit a record high of US$10,747.50 on Monday, topping the previous record set in 2011. Acquisition of Mostazal Copper Project The primary use of funds from the private placement will be to further develop Westminsters copper project portfolio in Latin America including the newly acquired Mostazal Copper Project and its copper projects in Peru acquired from Latin Resources. Latin executive director Chris Gale said: We congratulate Westminster team on the successful placement to fund the development of the exciting Mostazal Copper Project in one of the worlds premier copper districts. Latin Resources is strongly supportive of the well-structured and well-timed acquisition Westminster has made of the Mostazal Copper Project in Chile, with the outlook for copper being so robust. We look forward to seeing the WMR team advance the project where they can now commence exploration, targeting a large-scale copper porphyry system, underlying the already delineated higher grade copper mineralisation at surface. The Mostazal Copper Project is in the Atacama Desert of Chile consisting of eight exploitation licences covering about 16 square kilometres within the main porphyry copper belt of Chile, along the Domeyko Fault System. Notably, the Domeyko Fault is among the most productive copper regions in the world, hosting a significant number of copper porphyry deposits. Deep-rooted magnetic anomalies Westminster has interpreted a porphyry copper deposit beneath the existing mineralisation and geochemical/geophysical anomalies. In particular, Westminster is in the process of reviewing data from a 2012-2013 exploration program conducted by a prior operator at Mostazal. This program included geophysical and geochemical surveys conducted with the primary objective of delineating the extent and margins of a 4-kilometre by 2.5- kilometre north-south trending belt of outcropping copper mineralisation and associated rock geochemical anomalies. The preliminary interpretation of the geophysical data indicates that much of the known mineralisation at surface is closely correlated to four deep-rooted magnetic anomalies. Mostazal Project Plans showing a strong untested soil sampling copper anomaly (left), with coincident magnetic anomaly. Anomaly 'A' occurs on the eastern margin in the northern part of the grid and is coincident with mineralisation and artisanal workings. Two further anomalies, 'B' and 'C', are part of a large circular feature located in the central part of the grid and both are closely associated with known mineralisation. The fourth deep magnetic anomaly, 'D', is located in the southern part of the grid and is open to the south. These four anomalous areas are considered key target areas for additional exploration at Mostazal, targeting both additional strata-bound mantos-style mineralisation as well as the modelled porphyry at depth. Significant size at depth Westminster president and CEO Jason Cubitt said: Mineralisation at surface bears all the hallmarks of an extension to a buried porphyry copper system, including tell-tale alteration halo, and the suite of copper sulphides and associated pathfinder elements youd expect to see. Its highly encouraging to see the geophysical modeling of structures of significant size at depth lying beneath known copper mineralization at surface. Non-brokered private placement Westminster has arranged for a non-brokered private placement of 13,778,750 units of securities at C$0.20 per unit for aggregate gross proceeds of C$2,755,750. Each unit will be comprised of one common share in the capital of Westminster and one-half common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one additional common share at an exercise price of C$0.30 at any time up to 24- months following issuance. Samuel Nartey George says his wife has given up on him over some of his public utterances because sometimes he fails to heed her advice. The Ningo-Prampram MP who was echoing the sentiment of many people who feel that there is some form of culture of silence in the country indicated that, even though he is one of the few MPs who are able to speak their minds freely, there is a price to pay for that. My wife has been complaining aaa, she has given up, Sam George responded to the question, how does his wife feel. Shes looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of her faith because thats the only hope she has; because its not gonna stop, he stated further on Starr Chat, Wednesday, May 12, 2021. Sam Nartey George agreed with Sam Jonah that people cannot speak their minds in this country because the moment they do, people like Paul Adom-Otchere will use Good Evening Ghana to destroy their reputation as he did to Sam Jonah a fortnight ago. He told Nana Aba Anamoah that, Sam Jonah spoke our mind and the point is, the reaction to Sam Jonah is the reason why the ordinary Ghanaian cannot speak. He explained that most of the people downplaying and insulting Sam Jonahs opinion were people who eight years ago were hungry and he has even paid their childrens school fees. Today, they could call Sam Jonah and ask him what has he done in life for him to criticize the government; because today their stomachs are full with the leisures of state money. you have Paul Adom-Otchere go and sit on prime-time TV and run Sam Jonah down. Someone who lied about his friend in law school but has the effrontery to run somebody like that down; that kind of mercenary work out there in this country makes it scary for the ordinary person who doesnt have the gravitas, grounded that Sam Jonah has to say the things he said, the Ningo-Prampram MP said. He further indicated that people know what the truth is but are afraid to speak because once they open their mouth, some big man somewhere will order his or her dismissal just like what was done to Captain Smart of Angel FM. We speak with the journalists and I know the things that you say, I hear the things you complain about and I ask them why dont you say it when you sit behind the console and they tell me, I have a family to feed Sam George observed. Source: ghanaweb.com Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video The Bono Regional Minister Justina Owusu-Banahene has called on traditional leaders and other stakeholders to unite and direct their efforts towards the development of the country through self-help. She reiterated that government is unable to rely solely on its sources of funds to finance projects in all the communities across the country. Justina Owusu-Banahene disclosed this when she commissioned a 6 unit classroom block at Yawhima in the Sunyani East Municipality. Accompanying her were the Regional Cordinator for the Ghana School Feeding Programme also second vice chairperson Doris Asoma, the Regional Treasurer Alhaji Allabey, Bashuru Wahab regional Nassara Cordinator and other officials. Justina Owusu-Banahene exlained in her remarks that; the self-help approach would be a mechanism where the community members would by themselves, identify a need and mobilize resources to start and the government would assist technically with advice, equipment and other support. This according to her, would speed up development at the grassroots and compliment governments efforts to concentrate on the more big projects as well as committing the people to take good care of their own projects. The project was funded by the Rotary Foundation Global Grant through Rotary club, Sunyani East and its International partners. Source: Kwabena Manu/Peace FM/ Bono East correspondent. 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 Ghanaians today paid their last respects to Dr Emmanuel Evans-Anfom at a state funeral at the forecourt of the State House in Accra. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the First Lady, Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo, as well as the Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, were in attendance to bid farewell to the national icon who was the second Vice-Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and the first President of the Ghana Medical Association. It was a solemn event with various tributes eulogising the surgeon, academic and statesman, who was born in 1919 and died this year, for all his contributions to the advancement of health care and the development of the country. "We appreciate him for his contribution to the development of Ghana, and he will be remembered by Ghanaians who will be inspired by his integrity and dedication to service," President Akufo-Addo said. Other tributes In a tribute to her husband, his surviving wife, Mrs Elise Evans-Anfom, said his love for the late statesman was not grounded in the material things he made available to the family but rather because he stayed humble even after achieving so much in life. He said he met the late Dr Evans-Anfom in a hospital in Tamale, where he had been transferred, under great protestation because he thought Tamale was far. Among the many people who needed medical attention in those days in Tamale was a young returnee teacher, who having lived in the UK for four years, had lost some of her immunity to malaria, and had a very severe attack of the illness, she said. The children of the late statesman paid glowing tribute about their father who lived long enough to share in their adult achievements. The eldest son of the late statesman, Nii Okai, said; His humour remained intact and his mind sharp right to the end; days before he left us, another bosom friend of mine, knowing his weakness and regularly brought him chocolate ice cream and chocolate cake, came to visit him and when I told Daddy who had arrived to see him, there was a hint of a smile, and he said very softly, for he could hardly speak and was hardly eating then, Ah, we have ice cream and cake in the house. He said in the final days of his life on earth, Dr Evans-Anfom loved going through a large suitcase we have with pictures from the beginning of time, mostly in black and white, and he would be quick to tell you exactly what was happening then, particularly of his student days in Scotland. The Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, Mrs Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, and the Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr Alan Kyerematen, were also among the many other distinguished personalities who graced the funeral. Achiever Dr Evans-Anfom played many key roles in the medical field and in academia, rising to become the Vice-Chancellor of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) from 1967 to 1973. He is credited as the one who introduced matriculation at the KNUST during his tenure, an event that officially welcomes freshmen to the university and which was, subsequently emulated by other tertiary institutions. An old student of Achimota School, Dr Evans-Anfom became a pioneer educator in the medical field, becoming a professor at the newly established University of Ghana Medical School. In 1958, he co-founded the Ghana Medical Association with Dr Charles Odamtten Easmon and served as President of the association from 1968 to 1970. As a medical doctor, he worked in various health facilities in the country and the West African sub-region. Outside his professional life, Dr Evans-Anfom accepted public appointments during the governments of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council and the Provisional National Defence Council. 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 The National Organizer of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Sammi Awuku, has said that President Nana Akufo-Addo is aware of the difficulties that Ghanaians are facing and he will fix the problems facing the country. According to him, it will be wrong for anyone to think that the NPP or for that matter the government is pleased with the current situation. Sammi, who was a guest on the Epa Hoa Daben show told host Don Prah: I am happy that the government is determined to continue to fix Ghana. I dont want anyone to think that the NPP or the government is happy that times are hard. The government recognizes that these are tough times. This is why the president himself has placed a freeze on his pay increment. And it is a tacit admission that times are hard. He reminded all of how the novel COVID-19 disease affected all economies of the world including Ghana. Every sector of our economy was affected by COVID-19, not just Ghana but the whole world. You couldnt borrow or get grants, or logistics because every economy was on its knees, he said. FixTheCountry: Prez Nana Addo recognizes that times are hard Sammi Awuku The NPPs National Organizer called on all Ghanaians to support the Government as it tries hard to fix the country. So, the question now is, how do we hold ourselves and get out together? That is why the Government is pleading and asking for cooperation from Ghanaians. I trust President Nana Akufo-Addo to take us to the promised land, he added. Some Ghanaians took to social media, specifically Twitter, to express their displeasure over what they describe as a failure on the part of successive governments to improve the lives of the citizenry. Thousands of posts backed by the hashtags #FixTheCountry, #FixTheCountryNow, and #FixTheCountryGhana highlighted issues such as rising youth unemployment, dilapidated health system, skyrocketing home-renting structure, poor road networks among others. Join 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 Seasoned Journalist, Kwesi Pratt Jnr. has rebuked leaders in the country for fanning religious conflicts in the country. Wesley Girls' High School has aroused religious debates after its management refused a Muslim student to mark ramadan on campus. Muslims across the globe ended their Ramadan, which is their ''festival of fast'', on Wednesday, May 12 but unfortunately the Muslim student of Wesley Girls' wasn't allowed to join the fast, as part of the school rules. This decision of the school has courted controversies as Ghanaians are torn into halves with one school of thought arguing in favour of the school while the other kicks against it. Speaking on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' programme, Kwesi Pratt questioned why there should be religious conflicts in Ghana. According to him, Ghana has come a long way for her to be torn apart by religious beliefs. He argued that Ghana is a secular State and must remain so. To him, all this seeming religious fight is due to the lack of respect that leaders in the country including many Ghanaians have for the laws of Ghana. "Should everyone heed the laws of Ghana, there's no problem. What's happened is because we don't obey the laws of Ghana. All our leaders in this country don't abide by Ghana's laws. That is the problem. When you visit the 1992 constitution, is Ghana not a secular State? Ghana is a secular State. Let us abide by that law; let every person exercise his/her freedom of worship. Your religion is a private affair. It has nothing to do with us. ''Our ticket is Christian vrs Muslim. We have united Christians and Muslims, so we, everybody should vote for us. Is that how you run a secular State? My goodness! Is that how you run a secular State? Just recently, some people have risen that we won't allow Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia to be President because he is a Muslim, is that how you run a secular State? Does a secular State use her money to build a cathedral? What is all this?'', he said. Kwesi Pratt stressed, ''What we want in Ghana is to get a good government. A good government that will work hard for us to get good drinking water. I don't care who leads that government is a Muslim or Christian or Atheist. We want good drinking water. We want a good government that will end dumsor. We want a good government that will provide quality education for our children to become good future leaders like Ayeh-Paye". ''Whether that government is a Christian, a Muslim, fetish priest or a member of musama disco christo church; how does it concern me?'' he questioned. 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. Featured Video Dr Kingsley Nyarko, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Kwadaso, has called on Ghanaians to bear with the Government as it continues to work to address the economic challenges of the country. He said though the call on government by a cross-section of the youth to fix the country was legitimate, it was also important to note that the challenges could not be fixed at once, especially in the Covid-19 era. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency in Kumasi, Dr Nyarko said countries around the world had suffered the negative impact of the pandemic and it would take some time to resolve. That, notwithstanding, the Government was continuing with its pragmatic policies and interventions to put the country back on track, he said, and called on the youth and Ghanaians in general to help in achieving that goal. We dont need politicisation of our predicament, what we need is patriotism and a spirit of lets come together and rebuild, he said. In difficult times in our homes, families, communities and country, we should stand together to overcome and to progress. He said the Covid-19 intervention alone was a huge drain on government and had it not been proactive and pragmatic, more lives would have been lost and the economy completely shattered. Lets all fight together, fix the country together and win together, Dr Nyarko said. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video Charges against a Montgomery father will be upgraded to capital murder in the death of his infant son whose body was found buried in rural Lowndes County two days after he was reported missing. Montgomery County Sheriff Derrick Cunningham said the autopsy on 5-week-old Caleb C.J. Whisnand Jr. led to the upgrade from the original charge of manslaughter. The sheriff did not say, however, how C.J. was killed or what led them to the discovery of the boys remains. Through old fashioned police work, we were able to find this little guy, said sheriffs Chief Deputy Kevin Murphy. According to court records made public Thursday, the time of the death was between 3:45 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday, May 10. Afterwards, the affidavit states, (Whisnand) buried the victim in a remote area. Records state the death happened on Hunter Loop Road in Montgomery. Montgomery County District Attorney Daryl Bailey said the arrest is just the beginning in the long road to justice. This case will be prosecuted by the best prosecutors in this state, and we will make sure justice will prevail for this baby, Bailey said. The investigation began late Monday - about 10:45 p.m. when authorities say they received a 911 call from the Circle K on Wetumpka Highway from Caleb Whisnand Sr., 32, saying that his son was missing. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, in the early morning hours of Tuesday, issued a missing child alert in C.J.s disappearance. The disappearance did not meet the criteria of an Amber Alert, mostly because there was no concrete information about a possible suspect and investigators were receiving conflicting information from the start. The missing child alert said C.J. had been missing since Saturday, but lawmen were not made aware of it until Monday night. On Thursday, authorities said for the first time that Whisnand told authorities the baby had been abducted from his vehicle while at the Circle K. Authorities, however, have not released a timeline in the case, nor disclosed any other details. We dont know, the sheriff said Thursday. Were still trying to piece everything together. Its hard to give you a definite answer when we dont have definite answers. Caleb Whisnand, Sr., and Angela Gardner, parents of Caleb Michael Whisnand, Jr., ask for help in finding their missing infant son during a news conference at the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office, Wednesday, May 12, 2021, in Montgomery, Ala. (Mickey Welsh/The Montgomery Advertiser via AP)AP Whisnand and C.J.s mother, 28-year-old Angela Gardner, took part in a press conference late Wednesday afternoon during which Whisnand told reporters, I dont remember a lot, but I did remember I was breaking up, ya know, with the cops. If anybodys got anything, any places that I could have gone, you know who you are. Please, find him please,' Gardner said. Whisnand and Gardner initially said the last time they remembered seeing C.J. was Saturday night when the infant was in the bed with his parents and Gardners 2-year-old son in another room. But, moments later, Gardner said she was home with her 2-year-old and the baby was with Whisnand on Monday. They provided no explanation for the difference in days, or where C.J. was between Saturday night and Monday night. He went to go pay gas at the gas station and realized he was gone, Gardner said of her fiance. He let the police know, and me know, that he was missing. It was after the press conference that investigators recovered C.J.s remains and the initial charge against Whisnand was announced. According to Margaret Hope, C.J.s grandmother and Gardners mother, the couple lived with Whisnands parents. Gardner was about to leave Whisnand, Hope said, and I think thats the reason he took the baby, she told AL.com. Hope said Whisnand took C.J. while Gardner was asleep Saturday night, and the family had been looking for him. Hope said the baby was found dead in a wooded area. He knew he done killed that baby and he had to come up with some excuse,' Hope said. Through the joint effort between the agencies, investigative leads, and witness statements, the body of C.J. was recovered. We were joined at the hip throughout this whole investigation but thats what it takes to be able to bring closure in cases like this,' Cunningham said. Gardner, the mother, has not been charged in the crime. Asked if anyone else could face charges in the case, Cunningham said, Right now its still early. We still have a lot of leads weve got to follow up on. Asked how the investigation of such a young child affected investigators, the sheriff replied, Everybody in Montgomery knows how I love our youth and I love our community. (The youth) are 50 percent of our population and 100 percent of our future, he said. Were talking about a 5-week-old baby. That weighs on people, but we still have a job to do. Our man goal is to bring closure and justice. At the time of his arrest Wednesday, Whisnand was already under indictment in an unrelated case on charges of meth and heroin possession, reckless endangerment and possession of drug paraphernalia. Elmore County prosecutors on Thursday said they are seeking to revoke Whisnands bond in those cases. More: Harrisburg dentist accused of raping 15-year-old girl, attacking her mother Tree trimmer charged with slashing clients throats, leaving 3 dead Chapter 312 of the My Hero Academia (or Boku no Hero Academia, in its native Japanese) manga will be released this Sunday, May 16. The latest chapters typically premiere for free every Sunday before one is prompted to join Viz Media to unlock them. Read free: Viz My Hero Academia follows the story of Izuku Midoriya, who finds himself to be one of the few people in the world born without special abilities called Quirks. Then Izuku is gifted with a Quirk of his own, launching him into various action-packed situations with a cast of colorful characters all exploring their own powers. The manga has since been adapted into a wildly popular anime series which currently finds itself in its fifth season. The show has become one of the biggest hits in anime across the globe, with other series such as Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba) welcoming it into their ranks. Each new episode currently airs every Saturday. The three previous chapters (in this case 309, 310, and 311) are also always available to read for free for those who are a bit behind on the story. Similar stories: Residents near a rural region roughly three hours away from the Canadian city of Saskatoon were perplexed by the theft of some lumber that had occurred in the area. Turns out, the culprits later identified behind the missing wood were beavers. CBC News reports that investigators became aware of this timber caper when a report came in notifying them of missing posts that were supposed to be used to make a fence. Responding authorities immediately began their search in the area near Porcupine Plain only to discover a bunch of beavers using the stolen posts to build some evergreen homes in a nearby waterway. The Toronto Sun confirms that, while all evidence points to the beavers committing the crime, no charges have been filed. In the words of Cst. Conrad Rickards of the Porcupine Plain RCMP detachment: Who could really blame these little bucktooth bandits considering the price of wood these days? McDonalds USA announced Thursday that it will be raising hourly wages at its company-owned restaurants by an average of 10%. The move will impact more than 36,500 employees who over the next several months, based on a restaurants location, will see the entry level range for crew shift to at least $11-$17 an hour. The starting range for shift managers will increase to at least $15-$20 an hour. In anticipation of a busy summer season and the re-opening of dining rooms where it is safe, over the next three months McDonalds-owned restaurants are preparing to hire 10,000 new employees. Joe Erlinger, president McDonalds USA, said in the announcement: These actions further our commitment to offering one of the leading pay and benefits packages in the industry. He noted that the companys first value is taking care of our people, and that the move was to reward hardworking employees in McDonald-owned restaurants for serving our communities. The increase of the average hourly wage to $15 an hour in company-owned businesses is expected to be implemented in a phased, market-by-market approach. While some restaurants have already seen the increase, or will by the end of 2021, the average hourly wages are expected to reach $15 an hour by 2024. In order to remain competitive and support its employees needs, the announcement said periodic adjustments to wages and benefits will be assessed by the business on an ongoing basis. In addition to increased wages, the company will also add more benefits for eligible employees. These benefits include paid time off, college tuition assistance, a 401K plan, and free meals. Union activists say its not enough. According to The New York Times, 95% of the nearly 14,000 McDonalds restaurants in the U.S. are independently owned, and therefore McDonalds pay increases do not apply to them. Only the 650 company-owned restaurants will benefit from Thursdays announcement. McDonalds joined a growing list of fast-food chains and restaurants who are raising hourly wages in an effort to attract workers as pandemic restrictions have eased and the need for workers has soared. However, for the employees who faithfully went to work daily during the pandemic, helping the restaurants to survive, union activists reportedly say it is not enough. Allynn Umel is an organizing director for the Fight for $15, a group backed by the Service Employees International Union that is pushing for McDonalds to raise its minimum wage. Anything less than $15 an hour is an insult, Umel said. All through the pandemic, these workers were called essential, but clearly, once again, theyre being treated as disposable. The Fight for $15 reportedly will lead a strike by McDonalds employees in 15 cities across the U.S., ahead of the companys annual shareholder meeting. The job market is tight. According to Reuters, FAT Brands Inc. CEO Andy Wiederhorn describes the staffing situation for franchisees of his companys restaurants, which include Johnny Rockets and Fatburger, as a total nightmare. The most recent stimulus check and unemployment benefits have been a catalyst for people to stay at home instead of looking for work, he said. Fast-food companies and some other restaurant chains were sustained through the coronavirus pandemic when their customers turned to drive-thru, carry-out, and delivery. These companies and chains are now seeing sales increase. This is reportedly due to warmer weather, the lifting of limits on dining room capacities, and people with stimulus checks who are eating out. Reuters reports hiring cannot keep up with the demand. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the U.S. restaurant industry was still close to 1.2 million employees short from the same month in 2020. READ MORE: The program includes holes at Matilda Prospect aiming to follow up undrilled strike extensions to an intersection of 3 metres at 35.5 g/t gold from 76 metres drilled in 2011. ( ) has kicked off an aircore (AC) drilling program at its Side Well Gold Project in Western Australia testing four highly prospective regional targets. The 60-hole program will complete around 4,000-5,000 metres of drilling and will include the first holes at Matilda prospect along strike from Doray Minerals intersection of 3 metres at 35.5 g/t gold from 76 metres drilled in a reconnaissance AC program completed in 2011. Other targets to be tested include areas highlighted during examination of the VTEM conductivity data, as well as two areas of pathfinder anomalism from soil sampling completed east of Mulga Bill during 2020. Fourth program since March Great Boulder managing director Andrew Paterson said: Having completed AC drilling on a number of Whiteheads targets last week were now back on the ground at Side Well. This is our fourth drilling program since the end of March. We are very keen to look at the geology at Matilda and see if we can extend mineralisation in the high-grade zone, as well as three other high priority untested targets in the region. The company also eagerly awaits the remaining results from the Mulga Bill RC program and the soil samples at Jones Well as we look to build a pipeline of prospects within the Side Well project. The AC program is expected to take around three weeks to complete. Regional AC targets at Side Well. Results expected in near-term The current backlog of assays from Side Well includes 26 of the 29 RC holes drilled at Mulga Bill during April. Two of the first three holes assayed intersected significant gold mineralisation, including 6 metres at 31.2 g/t from 130 metres. These results are expected to be available in the next three to four weeks. A soil program consisting of 948 samples over the Jones Well area is also due to be assayed by the end of May - an area which has not previously been explored. The recent AC program at Whiteheads included 100 holes for 4,267 metres testing a number of targets along the Arsenal Trend including the Gunners prospect north of Blue Poles. Two other soil anomalies at Jubilee North and Hillsborough were also drilled for the first time and initial assays from this program are expected by the end of June. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has released information on two more hand sanitizer recalls because the products contain methanol, also known as wood alcohol, which can be deadly. Global Sanitizers of Las Vegas, Nevada, has recalled 50,000 units of its Medically Minded hand sanitizers. And, Dibar Nutricional has recalled its DIBAR Labs hand sanitizers. FDA analysis has found the product to contain methanol, the FDA said of the Medically Minded brand. The DIBAR brand also was tested. Those tests revealed the presence of methanol. Methanol exposure can cause coma, seizures, permanent blindness and damage to the central nervous system and death. Young children who accidentally ingest the hand sanitizer and adolescents and adults who drink these products as an alcohol (ethanol) substitute, are most at risk for methanal poisoning, the FDA said. Hand sanitizers have proliferated on the market since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic more than a year ago. The FDA has ramped up its oversight of the many products. The agency said methanol is a substance that can be toxic when absorbed through the skin and life-threatening when ingested. Methanol is not an acceptable ingredient in hand sanitizer or other drugs. Medically Minded hand sanitizer was distributed nationwide between July and August 2020. Product details are: Medically Minded hand sanitizer, UPC number 7675300359, lot numbers E212020 and E082020, best by date of May 21, 2022, 8.5-ounce/250ml clear bottles. For more information, call Global Sanitizers at 702-323-4402 or send an email to recall@globalsanitizers.com, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PST, weekdays. DIBAR hand sanitizer also was distributed nationwide through S.E.N.D. LLC; and in Puerto Rico under the ProtectoRx brand through P.R. Trading LLC. Product details are: DIBAR Labs hand sanitizer in the U.S. in 8-ounce bottles, UPC code 8-53090-00301-3 UPC) and 16-ounce bottles, UPC code 8-53090-00302-0. Best by dates are either April 2022 or May 2022. For more information, call +52 443-314-5369, between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET weekdays or send an email to QA@dibarlabs.com. The FDA maintains a list of hand sanitizers that consumers should not use because they contain toxic ingredients, bacteria or contain less than the required amount of ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol or benzalkonium chloride. Dibar Nutricional has recalled its DIBAR Labs hand sanitizers. READ MORE A shrunken head that was on display for years at a university in Georgia has been returned to the place it came from. Known as a tsantsa, the artifact has been sent back to its home country of Ecuador after researchers realized it was the real thing. NBC News reports that the artifact had been sitting on display at Mercer University in Macon for decades. The tsantsa had even been glued to a fake body and used as a prop in the 1979 John Huston movie, Wise Blood, a dark comedy film starring Brad Dourif of Chucky fame. So, as opposed to keeping it on display at the university, Mercer researchers decided to send the head back where it belonged in order for it to be properly recognized for its historical and cultural importance. This is not an odditythis is somebodys body, this is somebodys culture, and its not ours, wrote Mercer University chemist and one of the researchers, Adam Kiefer, in the resulting study. So from our perspective, repatriation was essential, and we were very lucky that our university supported this endeavor. But how did such a unique artifact find itself at the university in the first place? According to the Independent, biologist Jim Harrison stumbled upon the tsantsa as he was traveling through Ecuador in the 1940s. The head then became a fixture at the school upon Harrisons death in 2016. It was Indiana Jones, said Dr. Kiefer to NBC News. When this was collected, science was different, everything was newbut almost 80 years later, we recognize its cultural importance, along with the science. More than 1,000 pounds of invasive snakeheads sometimes known as frankenfish and other invasive species like flathead and blue catfish were removed this spring from the Susquehanna River about 5 miles downriver from Pennsylvania. Workers at the Conowingo Dam fish lifts caught and removed the fish, which will be provided to local food banks and used in research. The fish lifts were installed on the east and west sides of the dam decades ago to help migrating native species of fish, such as American shad and river herring, navigate the dam-blocked Lower Susquehanna River to reach their spawning grounds upriver. But in recent years the lifts have been catching increasing numbers of the unwelcome invasive species. Dam operator Exelon works with state and federal agencies to help intended species access traditional spawning areas above the dam. To help limit the spread of aquatic invasive species, state and federal resource agencies asked Exelon to temporarily halt operation of the east fish lift for the 2021 season. The west lift consists of a series of gates and channels of water, designed to attract and trap fish in a tank-like hopper that is lifted into the air and over a sorting tank. The water and fish are released into the tank and biologists contracted by Exelon manually sort the fish, picking out shad and river herring. Those fish are put in holding tanks, then trucked in portable tanks upstream. They also remove invasive fish species northern snakeheads, blue catfish and flathead catfish and hold them in a refrigerated trailer until they are transported offsite by Maryland Department of Natural Resources staff. Northern snakeheads removed from the Susquehanna River and en route to local food banks. (Maryland DNR Photo) Through a public-private partnership with local seafood wholesaler JJ McDonnell and Co. will process the invasive fish. To date more than 1,000 pounds of fish have been processed and given to food banks, including the Maryland Food Bank and Maryland United Way. To date, more than 1,000 pounds of fish have been processed. Our company recognizes the importance of the health and longevity of our native species, JJ McDonnell Marketing Manager Hollie Snyder said, We are happy to be a part of this exciting and beneficial project. We are proud to do our part in processing and distributing invasive species from the dam and to provide a healthy protein to those in need in our community at the same time. Despite the challenges invasive species have brought, we remain committed to working with DNR on controlling this threat and operating in an environmentally responsible manner, including implementing creative solutions to ensure the safe passage of fish during the spawning season, Conowingo Dam Plant Manager Dusty McKeown said. This initiative serves multiple goals, including controlling invasive fish species by harvesting them to minimize their impacts on the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem and providing protein-rich meals to those in need, DNR Secretary Jeannie Hardaway-Riccio said. We will also improve our collection of scientific data, which will help us better manage these invasives in the future. Workers sort through fish brought through the fish lift at Cononwingo Dam on the Susquehanna River. (Maryland DNR Photo) The 14-mile-long Conowingo Reservoir, which is the pool formed upriver of the Conowingo Dam, is the most-downriver pool of the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania. Holtwood Dam upriver of Conowingo and Safe Harbor Dam upriver of Holtwood both have fish lifts designed to assist migrating American shad in their spring spawning runs. According to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission possession, transport or importation of a live snakehead is unlawful in Pennsylvania and Maryland. Any that are caught should be killed and disposed of properly or eaten. Anglers are discouraged from releasing any snakeheads they catch and asked to report it to the commission at 610-847-2442 or via email to tgrabowski@pa.gov. The northern snakehead, which is native to parts of China, Russia and Korea, first drew attention in the mid-Atlantic region in 2002 when a pair were discovered in a Maryland pond. The invading species was first confirmed in Pennsylvania in July 2004 in Meadow Lake at Philadelphia. In summer 2018 anglers began catching snakeheads in Lancaster Countys Octoraro Creek, a tributary that enters the Susquehanna River below Conowingo Dam. In September 2019 an angler caught a snakehead in the Monongahela River near Braddock in the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. For more information on northern snakeheads in Pennsylvania, including an identification guide, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission website. For more outdoor coverage, subscribe to Marcus Schnecks free, weekly Outdoor Pennsylvania newsletter right here: Enter email: You also can contact Schneck at mschneck@pennlive.com. GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip Israel intensified its attacks on the northern part of the Gaza Strip early Friday, spurring hundreds of residents in the densely packed territory to flee their homes amid fears of a ground incursion. The Israeli military announced a ground and air assault on northern Gaza, amassing troops along the Israel-Gaza border and pounding the area with artillery and airstrikes. But it has so far refrained from entering the enclave, from which Palestinian militants have fired hundreds of rockets into Israel. There were dozens of artillery shells falling on our house, said Khouloud Nasser, 40, of the northern Gazan town of Beit Lahiya, who escaped from her home along with dozens of family members at dawn Friday. We would have died under the rubble if we stayed there. The stepped-up campaign came several days into an eruption of violence that has seen Israel square off against the Islamic militant group Hamas which controls the Gaza Strip as well as contend with rising civil unrest domestically between its Jewish and Arab citizens. Palestinian demonstrators take cover during clashes with Israeli forces at the Hawara checkpoint, south of the West Bank city of Nablus, Friday, May 14, 2021. Health officials say several Palestinians were killed by Israeli army fire, at protests that took place in several locations across the West Bank of Friday. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed)AP Hundreds of Israeli strikes on Gaza this week have left 119 people dead, 31 of them children, and 830 wounded, according to figures from Gaza health authorities. Israel has suffered seven fatalities, including a soldier and a child, from rockets launched by Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants. Dozens of civilians have been injured. The Israeli military says 1,800 rockets have been fired at Israel, about a quarter of which fell short in Gaza or malfunctioned. Israels pummeling of northern Gaza from both the air and the ground Friday pushed hundreds of residents to escape, many of them carrying what few belongings they could shove into shopping bags and laundry baskets. Were civilians, said Nasser, who with her family headed to Gaza City, hoping to find shelter in one of the schools run by the United Nations. Theres nowhere for us to go. Ibrahim Badran, 45, was running down the street, clutching a plastic bag he had stuffed with clothes for his children. The Israelis shelled the area indiscriminately. Many people are under the rubble now, he said. Ambulances cant get there because of the firing, so it was too risky to stay. Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, an Israeli military spokesman, said Israeli forces took care with their targets but were not always able to give warning to residents. Israeli tanks cross a road as they advances toward a staging ground near the Israeli Gaza border, May 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov)AP As always, the aim is to strike military targets and to minimize collateral damage and civilian casualties, Conricus said, according to the Associated Press. Unlike our very elaborate efforts to clear civilian areas before we strike high-rise or large buildings inside Gaza, that wasnt feasible this time. Israels military said the operation involved 160 aircraft, artillery and infantry units along the border. The assault hit 150 targets, destroying miles of Hamas tunnel network, through which the organization smuggles weapons and other goods. The Israeli military refers to the network as the Metro. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted that the offensive would continue as long as necessary and that it would exact a very heavy price from Hamas. Yet there was little sign that Hamas would suspend its attacks. We have much more to give, Abu Obaida, a spokesman for the Abu Qassem Brigades, Hamas military wing, said in a televised statement Thursday. He added there would be no red lines or sacrosanct rules of engagement in responding to Israels strikes. Any ground incursion would be an opportunity to increase the groups haul of enemy prisoners and dead, Abu Obaida warned. In the U.S., President Joe Biden has expressed his unwavering support for Israels security and for Israels legitimate right to defend itself and its people, the White House said. Biden told reporters that he did not see Israels response to the rocket attacks as a significant overreaction but that he hoped we will see this coming to a conclusion sooner than later. The escalating conflict follows weeks of tension in East Jerusalems Sheik Jarrah neighborhood, where some Palestinian families face eviction from their homes to make way for Jewish residents. Israeli authorities characterize the issue as a private real-estate dispute, but it has become a symbol for what Arab residents say is systematic discrimination against them despite their being citizens of Israel. The Sheik Jarrah families have been confronted by Jewish settlers and right-wing extremists calling for death to Arabs. Tensions in Jerusalem grew after Israeli police fired rubber bullets and stun grenades at rock-throwing Palestinians who had gathered at Al Aqsa Mosque, Islams third-holiest site, for the final days of Ramadan. The confrontations prompted Hamas to launch rockets that reached deep into Israel, including cities such as Tel Aviv. Israel responded with airstrikes, destroying buildings in Gazas crowded neighborhoods. Pitched battles inside Israel between Jewish mobs and Arab vigilantes have deepened the conflict. Netanyahu has called for a stop to the communal violence, although he himself has been accused of fanning anti-Arab sentiment. It doesnt matter to me that your blood is boiling. You cant take the law in your hands, he said. You can listen to the latest episode of Today in Pa at this link, or on any of your favorite apps including Alexa, Apple, Google, Spotify, and Stitcher. Episodes are available every weekday on PennLive. Feel free to subscribe, follow or rate Today in Pa. as you see fit! Today in Pa. Daily Podcast | May 14, 2021 The Pennsylvania Attorney Generals office has begun investigating a data breach at a company overseeing COVID-19 contact tracing that may have left the private information of approximately 72,000 people compromised. Amazon Air has landed at Pittsburgh International Airport. The Pittsburgh Penguins are readying themselves for the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs. And a pastor from Allentown hosted a lavish funeral for his dearly beloved pooch. Those are the stories we cover in the latest episode of Today in Pa, a daily weekday podcast from PennLive.com and hosted by Claudia Dimuro. Today in Pa is dedicated to sharing the most important and interesting stories pertaining to Pennsylvania that lets you know, indeed, whats happening today in Pa. Todays episode refers to the following articles: If you enjoy Today in Pa, consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts or on Amazon. Reviews help others find the show and, besides, wed like to know what you think about the program, too. After months of keeping the Greek system on probation, Bloomsburg University officials have announced they will terminate all sorority and fraternity programs at the state-run school. University spokesman Tom McGuire told WNEP that the decision, which took effect Thursday, was triggered by repeated violations by Greek groups. It came days after sophomore nursing major Leah Burke died following an incident on steps outside a frat house, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported. Montour County Coroner Scott E. Lynn told the Inquirer Burkes death is not considered suspicious nor was it trauma related, and nothing nefarious was involved. We are looking at a potential undiagnosed medical condition which requires further testing. McGuire told the Inquirer Burkes death didnt prompt the sorority and fraternity ban. The mother of Justin King, a Bloomsburg student who died after a fraternity rush party in 2019, filed a lawsuit against the frat and a sorority early this year. Kings death was ruled accidental. After Kings death school officials imposed stricter rules on Greek organizations and placed all the groups on probation through the spring semester of 2021. They had warned that violations could end the Greek system at Bloomsburg, which had 17 frats and sororities. It is unclear how the ban would be affected if the State System of Higher Education follows through with a proposal to merge Bloomsburg, Lock Haven and Mansfield universities. The systems board of governors is to vote on that plan this summer. Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene confronted New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on the House floor and reportedly berated her for supporting terrorists prompting AOCs staff to call for better security in Congress. The Wednesday confrontation, first reported by the Washington Post, began when Greene tried to get the progressive lawmakers attention in the chamber by calling out her first name twice. You dont care about the American people, the Georgia conservative said. Why do you support terrorists and Antifa? she added, reportedly referring to Black Lives Matter and the far-left group. Ocasio-Cortez threw up her arms in disgust and walked away from her angry colleague, the Post reported, citing two reporters eyewitness accounts. Greene later doubled down on her attacks on Twitter. You chickened out bc you are too scared to debate me about your Socialist Green New Deal. You are also a hate-America terrorist sympathizer. #JihadSquad, Greene wrote. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) wears a protective mask bearing the words "This mask is as useless as Joe Biden," as she walks with an aide to a vote in the Cannon Tunnell on Capitol Hill, on February 25, 2021 in Washington, DC. (Al Drago/Getty Images/TNS)TNS AOC spokesperson Lauren Hitt confirmed the confrontation and issued a statement calling for better security in the Capitol. Representative Greene tried to begin an argument with Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez and when Rep. Ocasio-Cortez tried to walk away, Congresswoman Greene began screaming and called Rep. Ocasio-Cortez a terrorist sympathizer, Hitt said. We hope leadership and the Sergeant at Arms will take real steps to make Congress a safe, civil place for all Members and staff. ___ Dave Goldiner of the New York Daily News wrote this story. 2021 New York Daily News. Visit at nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. HACC, Central Pennsylvanias Community College, on Thursday virtually celebrated the achievements of 1,077 spring 2021 graduating students as well as 257 summer 2021 graduating students. Randale Scott, spring 2021 student representative and first-generation college graduate, said, I never thought in a million years that I would be here right now and graduating. At one point, I didnt believe that I was college material I was in foster care and group homes Coming to HACC was one of the best decisions I have ever made Scott is eligible to graduate with an associate degree in Fine Arts and plans to continue his education and audition for roles in major theatre productions this summer, according to a press release. The ceremony included brief remarks from: John J. Ski Sygielski, MBA, Ed.D., HACC president and CEO Anju Singh, MBBS, M.S., Ph.D., M.H.A., HACC instructor of biology Linnie S. Carter, Ph.D., APR, vice president of college advancement at HACC and executive director of the HACC Foundation Randale Scott, spring 2021 student representative Gina C. Mounfield, Ph.D., interim provost and vice president of academic affairs at HACC HACC alumni, including Benjamin M. Byler, J.T. Fredericks, Dr. Karen S. Morris-Priester and Donald Sterling Pollard Jr. Sygielski commended those eligible to graduate, saying: I am excited to celebrate the accomplishments of our graduating students. The graduating students we celebrate tonight are the wave of our future. In the midst of the global pandemic, many of them made the transition to remote learning I personally know how hard that they have been working inside and outside of the classroom. The HACC Foundation, a nonprofit organization that raises private contributions in support of HACC, surprised attendees and provided 10 $1,000 tuition giveaways to graduating students to continue taking classes at HACC. Said Carter, I see firsthand how remarkable our students are The HACC Foundation works to change the destinies of our students. A full list of graduates will be available on the schools website. Visit HACCs Flickr site for images of the graduates. A Harrisburg rapist saw his hope for freedom dwindle Friday when a state appeals court refused to overturn his convictions. The Superior Court panel also rejected Jose Figueroa Jr.s claim that his 19- to 40-year prison sentence is excessive and unreasonable. In an opinion by Judge Mary Murray, the state court backed a Dauphin County jurys decision to convict Figueroa last year on counts of rape, sexual assault, unlawful restraint, robbery and conspiracy. Jose Figueroa Jr. Figueroa, 21, was charged with raping the woman at gunpoint in March 2017 after she gave Figueroa and a male friend a ride in her car. The woman said she also was pistol-whipped and had escaped by fleeing from her car while naked. Chief Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Gettle said Figueroa was linked to the rape by DNA found on a plastic shopping bag he used as a condom. It was found under the womans abandoned car, the prosecutor said. County Judge Scott A. Evans, who sentenced Figueroa, called the crime a conspiracy of horror. Figueroas trial erupted in a melee at one point when he threatened to kill his accuser and was then attacked by her boyfriend. Figueroa is awaiting trial on assault charges stemming from that altercation. Editors note: In advance of a planned forum for Harrisburgs mayoral candidates, PennLive asked readers what questions they would like to ask the candidates. The forum was canceled after technical issues interrupted the taping, but four of the candidates agreed to answer a few of our readers questions. Heres the second of the questions, and the candidates responses. One of Harrisburgs biggest systemic problems, the quality of its schools, is one that actually has nothing to do with city government. But since the city needs a stronger public school system to start to encourage new families to move and stay, one reader wanted to know how the next mayor can help with the revival of Harrisburg schools. Our reader wrote: A lot has been said about Harrisburg schools. Knowing that the Mayor has almost no control over Harrisburg School District, but also how important the quality of the schools are to the citys future, what specific plans to you have to try to address the education gap in Harrisburg, and how do you propose to achieve them? Otto Banks: Otto V. Banks, candidate for mayor of the City of Harrisburg.3Actrical Products LLC Studies have proven that a childs surroundings have a significant impact on their well-being. A healthy, safe home is essential for a child to grow, learn and explore. A problematic home environment, by contrast, can have detrimental effects on a childs intellectual, social and emotional development. Research has shown that a negative home environment during the early years of life can lead to impaired development, poor language skills, behavioral problems, and deficits in school readiness, graduation rates, teen parenthood and adult employment/earning potential. As Mayor, I plan to address the educational gap by implementing a holistic strategy that encompasses the child AND parent. This will be accomplished by repurposing our school buildings to serve as community centers in the evening and satellite case-management/admission offices during the traditional school day. This program requires partnerships with the City of Harrisburg, Harrisburg School District (HSD), Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC), Dauphin County and community based non-profit organizations. Dauphin County and HACC will assist our parents in obtaining much needed case-management/social services and enrollment in education and job readiness programs during the day, while our children will receive tutorial, recreation, artistic and job training programming from our community based non-profit organizations in the evening. This program is budget neutral and will be underwritten through a blended funding stream that incorporates the utilization of HSD federal Title I funding, City of Harrisburg Community Development Block Grants, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvanias Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program. The Pennsylvania EITC program is funded by private corporations and donors who may donate up to $1,000,000.00 per year for this initiative, several of whom I have already secured commitments from, and will not use one cent of City taxpayer dollars. Wanda Williams: Harrisburg City Council President Wanda Williams. March 4, 2021. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com The mayor has no control over the Harrisburg School District but the mayor can improve the quality of life for the citizens of the city. My top priorities are to bring safe affordable housing to the city to complement the ongoing market rate development, and to fix our sewer system to clean our river. When the mayor provides for the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the city, the school district will benefit as well. Dave Schankweiler: Dave Schankweiler, candidate for mayor of the city of Harrisburg. Mark Pynes | mpynes@pennlive.com Teachers and parents have done a heroic job of helping kids survive and thrive in a recovering school system, but its not working for over half the students who arent making it to graduation. Theres an urgent need to help students succeed now while were waiting for the inevitable turnaround. The Mayor of Harrisburg must be at the table with school district leadership, education and parent reform groups, along with non-profit tutoring and mentoring programs leading the conversation. The Mayor needs to commit to parents that everything is being done to make areas around schools safe and that alternative learning environments are available when a safe learning environment isnt possible. Harrisburg wont ever be attractive to job creators and young families if we cant deliver the promise of a safe, high-performing school. Eric Papenfuse: Harrisburg mayoral candidate and incumbent Eric Papenfuse. Vicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLiveVicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLive One little-known fact about me is that I taught seventh- and eighth-grade students in the public school system when I first moved to Harrisburg. My parents were both teachers, and I understand what it is to teach and learn in a classroom that is underfunded. I ran for Mayor in part because I was enraged by how the school district had been forced to enter into complicated refinancings, which cost city taxpayers millions of dollars, simply to generate fees for Mayor Reed to purchase artifacts. Some of the architects of these deals like Fred Clark, who signed checks for thousands of dollars of artifact purchases want back in and are supporting my opponents this election cycle. Its crucial that we dont go backwards towards the corruption that plagued our city for too long. I will ensure we stay on the right track, with ongoing reforms and consistent transparency. I fought hard to put the Harrisburg School District in receivership at a time when this difficult choice was not popular. At last, we were able to shift public sentiment and elect reform-minded school board members, who agreed that receivership was necessary to end the corruption that had diverted funds from the classrooms. Additional resources are now coming to the district, through state oversight and the Biden-Harris Administration. I will continue to work with the receivers team to ensure these resources are deployed wisely. I do not support another mayoral takeover because I believe the proper role of mayor is one of partner and advocate. I will continue to push legislatively on the state level for a fair-funding formula for our schools. It is simply unconscionable that in Pennsylvania we fund eduction based on property taxes and according to the wealth of taxpayers in each district, rather than with equity. Subsidiary Stealth Technologies will conduct a feasibility and scoping study with the Defence Science and Technology Group for autonomous sensing and search of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear sources. The study will integrate DST developed search algorithms into a Stealth drone autonomously launched and landed by a Stealth autonomous ground vehicle. ( ) is entering the defence sector with its autonomous vehicle platform and will conduct a feasibility and scoping study with the Defence Science and Technology (DST) Group. The study will focus on autonomous sensing and search of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) sources. It will cover the integration of DST Group search algorithms into the autonomous unmanned ground vehicle (UAG) and unmanned airborne vehicle (UAG) hardware and software platforms of SOR subsidiary company Stealth Technologies and the development of an initial software exemplar. Automation shift underway Strategic Elements managing director Charles Murphy said Stealth Technologies is building a flexible autonomous platform that we intend to deploy in sectors such as security, defence and mining to name a few. "We strongly believe there is a huge shift underway in the automation of human function and the machines that we use. DST Group functions DST Group is part of the Australian Department of Defence dedicated to providing science and technology support to safeguard Australia and its national interests. One of DST Groups key priorities is to improve the CBRN defence capability of the Australian Defence Forces through the protection of personnel from the strategic, tactical and physiological impacts of exposure to toxic chemicals and materials and CBRN weapons. Operating in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threat environments is arguably the hardest assignment that war fighters have. Not only do they have to perform strenuous tasks such as keeping adversaries at bay or supporting civilians in the aftermath of a disaster, but they also face the challenge of potentially having to do these tasks in the presence of dangerous and invisible threats that spread rapidly and widely if uncontained. CBRN threat growing The threat of CBRN attacks against military forces and civilian populations is growing. State and non-state actors are increasingly willing to use these indiscriminate methods, and knowledge of CBRN agent manufacturing processes is proliferating. Technology has the capability to enable teams to respond faster and more flexibly to CBRN events; achieve enhanced situational awareness; and manoeuvre safely, effectively and unimpeded in complex contaminated environments for prolonged periods of time. DST and Stealth The proposal of the feasibility and scoping study is to integrate DST developed search algorithms for locating CBRN sources within a geographic area, into a Stealth Technologies UAV (drone) that is autonomously launched and landed by a Stealth autonomous UGV (ground vehicle). The autonomous UGV would enable carriage of drones and sensors into the target environment keeping humans at a safe distance. An autonomous UAV enables rapid traversing of the area using sensors to map and/or monitor the location of CBRN sources. Costs of the feasibility and scoping study and software exemplar of approximately $50,000 will be paid by the DST Group to Stealth Technologies with deliverables intended for around June 30, 2021. Murphy said: "The automation and robotics platform that we are continuing to build and deploy has a tremendous opportunity in front of it and we have a great technical team being superbly led by executive director Elliot Nicholls. "Stealth Technologies is looking forward to working with the world-class team at the DST Group. Custom robotics Stealth Technologies has developed custom robotics built on top of its AxV autonomous mobile platform to develop the first automated perimeter security solution of its kind anywhere in the world. The company collaborated with US giant and the Western Australian Department of Justice to deploy an autonomous security vehicle (ASV) at the Eastern Kalgoorlie Regional Prison. The ASV is being deployed to increase the security of the perimeter and reduce the amount of human involvement in testing and patrols, freeing those staff up for more skilled tasks. The global perimeter security market is forecast to grow quickly reaching US$282.26 billion by 2025. Stealth Technologies next generation AxV Autonomous Platform is being upgraded with a sensor fusion stack that includes additional sensors such as LiDAR, radar, GPS, sonar, thermal imaging and different types of cameras, with each sensor adding different strengths to the fusion data generated. New autonomous releases are being designed for use in various sectors such as security, mining and defence. The Sensor Fusion stack will also include integration with ongoing collaborative work with Planck AeroSystems enabling Autonomous Drones to launch and land autonomous surveillance flights from a moving ASV platform. Planck is a global leader working with the US Department of Defenses Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office (CTTSO), the US Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security on various aspects of its technology. In addition, the CSIRO Wildcat SLAM technology will also be integrated with the Sensor Fusion stack. The company has licensed world-leading CSIRO technology that enables robots to work together in teams. The Wildcat SLAM technology leverages more than 10 years of research and development at CSIROs Data61. Wildcat is a key enabling technology in robot perception, a system that endows the robot with the ability to perceive, comprehend and reason about the surrounding environment. Several impactful races are being held in Harrisburg during the May 18 primary. One of them is the Harrisburg School Board election. Nine candidates are listed on the citys ballot for the school board. Voters can select four of them to round out a new board. Board members dont have the authority to make decisions because the city has been in receivership, meaning that it has been taken over by the state Department of Education. Despite the districts struggles financially and academically several candidates said they want to be elected to a position to continue to make positive changes in the district once it has been given back its authority. Here are responses to the same questions from eight of them. Jorge Collazo, 26, candidate for Harrisburg School Board. Photo: Jorge Collazo Jorge Collazo, 26, case manager Q: Why are you running during a time when school board directors do not have the authority to make decisions for the district? A: Harrisburg adopted me and my family when I moved to Harrisburg in 2002, said Collazo. He said he wants to give back to the city. Harrisburg nurtured me when I couldnt even speak English. Even though he doesnt have voting power on school district issues, he said he wants to use this time, if elected as a board member, to learn as much as he can until its his turn to make decisions. I can start running and introducing my plans with no hesitation because I will prepare to better our schools, he said. Q: What do you hope to accomplish as a school board director? A: Connecting the community to the school board, he said. I would like to be part of school events and community events. I believe the school board should be more involved in activities hearing the students, parents, and teachers concerns. He said he also wants to give kids a voice by encouraging them to speak during school board meetings. As a social worker, I know of many programs in our community that help our kids better their life and education, he said. I believe I can bring all of the resources I got into the schools. Q: Have you run for office before? A: My first time. Q: How long have you lived in Harrisburg? A: 19 years, since 2002. Brian Carter, 28, candidate for Harrisburg School Board. Photo: Brian Carter Brian Carter, 28, service coordinator Q: Why are you running during a time when school board directors do not have the authority to make decisions for the district? A: As an incumbent, Carter said he has the experience to help during the transition back to board control. He would also like to continue focusing on transparency and advocating for every student in the Harrisburg School District to receive a quality education. He continued: We still have the power within this newly elected board to be very vocal when its pertaining to the accountability, transparency, and responsibility toward our administration for our districts growth. Carter said he is ready to resume his role as a school board member, where he plans to advocate against corruption, nepotism, cronyism, theft, and mismanagement of funds. He said he has assisted the receiver with current changes and would love to continue assisting with the steady growth in the district. Q: What do you hope to accomplish as a school board director? A: I would like to continue to collaborate with the receiver and the new administration to ensure that once its time to transition out of receivership that the board will have the essentials to keep the school district in good standing. I would also like to collaborate with our administration and staff for different solutions to increase our graduation rates and college/career readiness. Last but not least, I would like to collaborate with the administration, teachers, staff and community organizations to increase our community involvement. Q: Have you run for office before? A: Yes, I ran for a 4-year term for the Harrisburg School Board of directors in 2017 in which I came in first place and continue to serve my community with much-needed transparency, accountability, responsibility, and advocacy for 3 years of that term. Q: How long have you lived in Harrisburg? A: Born and raised in Harrisburg. Ezra Match, 30, a candidate for Harrisburg School Board. Photo: Ezra Match Ezra Match, 30, Principal Software Engineer at Insureon Q: Why are you running during a time when school board directors do not have the authority to make decisions for the district? A: Harrisburg School District should be ready for a quiet, orderly, and effective transition from receivership when the time is right, Match said. Theres a possibility the district comes out of receivership during the term and its good governance to be prepared. In the meantime, school board directors are working on projects that benefit the school and the students. Creating the most robust and excellent education available to city residents is Matchs goal, he said. Its critical that the city has schools we can rely on. And for that, people need to step forward to contribute behind the scenes. This is some of the most morally relevant work to be done in the city, and I want to do right by all of us. Q: What do you hope to accomplish as a school board director? A: Recruit, advance, and retain talented teachers, especially teachers who reflect the composition of the student body. Some of these folks can be found at historically black colleges and universities, and school openings should be made known on those campuses. Equip teachers and parents with current best practices to notice and close learning gaps. Ensure classrooms are well-appointed with effective curriculum and modern technology. Match students with programs to help them achieve their goals like vo-tech, apprenticeships and college prep. Increase access to resources like school guidance counselors, sensitive to the emotional and academic needs of each student. Q: Have you run for office before? A: I have not run for office before. My family is very involved in our synagogue, Chisuk Emuna Congregation, and Ive served on the executive board there for the last few years. Q: How long have you lived in Harrisburg? A: I grew up in Susquehanna Township, went to Temple University in North Philly, then moved to South Chicago, and then back to Harrisburg. My family has lived uptown in the city for three years. After several attempts to reach candidate Mary Simpson, she was unable to be contacted for an interview. Danielle Robinson, 46, candidate for Harrisburg School Board. Photo: Danielle Robinson Danielle Robinson, 46, data analysis Q: Why are you running during a time when school board directors do not have the authority to make decisions for the district? A: Presently, the board does not have the authority to make decisions but that does not mean we cannot be impactful in our advocacy, Robinson said. We are still liaisons. We participate in meetings and discussions, bringing the concerns of the community to the administration while sharing district information. Just because someone else makes the decisions does not mean that the fight for our district stops. Receivership will end. The district will still need informed board members to continue to move the district forward. Q: What do you hope to accomplish as a school board director? A: I hope to continue to advocate for our Fair Funding, create safety protocols and mental health services for our brick mortar/virtual learners, and to promote fiscal and educational accountability. Q: Have you run for office before? A: Yes, I have run for office before. I am currently serving my second elected term. Q: How long have you lived in Harrisburg? I was born and raised in Philadelphia. I have been a resident of Harrisburg since 1995. Roslyn Copeland, 36, a candidate for Harrisburg School Board. Photo: Roslyn Copeland Roslyn Copeland, 36, a contractor with the state at DHS as a financial representative Q: Why are you running during a time when school board directors do not have the authority to make decisions for the district? A: In order to gain our receivership as a board again this was an opportunity for new leadership to step in and no longer be quiet, while still raising three children in this district, Copeland said. She added, My passion is to lead by example for our children and I decide to give back by working in unity to move our community together. Q: What do you hope to accomplish as a school board director? A: My goal is to reconstruct our schools by working together to instruct an economic curriculum for generational wealth. Q: Have you run for office before? A: No, its my first time running for office. Q: How long have you lived in Harrisburg? A: Ive been a resident my entire life. Jaime Johnsen, 36, candidate for Harrisburg School Board. Photo: Jaime Johnsen Jaime J. Johnsen, 36, hospitality service director Q: Why are you running during a time when school board directors do not have the authority to make decisions for the district? A: While in receivership with limited authority, I will use that time serving on the board to help build a competent, collaborative, and effective working board of directors, Johnsen said. This will be a great chance to further engage with current board directors and newly elected board directors together in forming a strong school board. Johnsen said she thinks her background in mental health can help advance students educations with adverse childhood experiences. She added: My involvement in the community will help continue facilitating positive partnerships with fellow board members, as well as city, county, and state officials. Im passionate about choosing to serve equitably, make thoughtful, sound decisions, and work toward our students successful futures. I believe I will be a strong asset if elected. Q: What do you hope to accomplish as a school board director? A: If elected as a school board director, I hope to use my qualified skillset in guiding all aspects of school operations with integrity. During a term on the Harrisburg School Board, I hope to accomplish three goals: Promote sustainability programs to foster positive youth development; encourage fiscal solvency while increasing academic excellence; and work collectively with all levels of the process to do what is right for the students of the Harrisburg School District. Q: Have you run for office before? A: This is my first time running for any elected position. Q: How long have you lived in Harrisburg? A: Im originally from Carlisle, where my mother retired after her service of 20 years in the Army. I have lived in uptown Harrisburg for over 12 years, after moving here while attending college at Penn State Harrisburg. Michael Balsbaugh, 43, candidate for Harrisburg School Board. Photo: Michael Balsbaugh Michael Balsbaugh, 43, fitness instructor Q: Why are you running during a time when school board directors do not have the authority to make decisions for the district? A: The school board directors have a vote in whether or not we raise taxes, Balsbaugh said. School board directors are also the best way for parents to communicate their concerns to Dr. Samuel. So we can still be advocates for the community. And I believe that if the board can work in collaboration with the mayors office and city council, we can have more influence on the state and work toward developing the capacity to leave receivership. Q: What do you hope to accomplish as a school board director? A: Create a district with an administration more in the image of and catering to the majority of people in the city. Q: Have you run for office before? A: No. Q: How long have you lived in Harrisburg? A: Born in Harrisburg City, raised in Lower Paxton Twp. Lived in Harrisburg for seven years. Terricia Radcliff, 55, candidate for Harrisburg School Board. Photo: Terricia Radcliff Terricia Radcliff, 55, retired from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Q: Why are you running during a time when school board directors do not have the authority to make decisions for the district? A: My deciding factor to run was based on being a voice for our children to fight for whats fair for them since they do not have one, Radcliff said. She said she wants to use her position to make sure the district gets fair and equal funding, so that students are presented with the programs that they need. She wants to focus on making sure Charter School operators are held financially and ethically responsible. Q: What do you hope to accomplish as a school board director? A: Transparency between the community and the school district; overhauling of school funding formulas and charter school reform. Q: Have you run for office before? A: No. Q: How long have you lived in Harrisburg? A: All my life. Pennsylvanias spring primary election takes place on Tuesday, May 18. Voters will cast ballots in municipal contests, school board races, county elections and judicial races. Voters will also weigh in on proposed amendments to Pennsylvanias constitution. Polling places open at 7 a.m. and they must stay open until 8 p.m. and longer if needed to enable everyone who was in line by 8 p.m. to vote. Voting by mail Pennsylvanians can also vote by mail, although May 11 was the deadline for requesting a mail-in ballot. If you havent already requested a mail-in ballot, youll need to vote in person at this point. As of a week before Election Day, about 744,000 Pennsylvania residents had applied for a mail-in ballot and about 63,000 had applied for an absentee ballot, according to the Pennsylvania Department of State, which is in charge of elections. People voting by mail or absentee ballot are urged to mail or return their ballot as early as possible, in order to avoid any chance their vote wont count because it wasnt received on time. One option is to deliver it in person to the county election office, which in many counties will stay open late on Election Day to accept ballots. People might also be able to deliver it to drop-off boxes, which are available in some but not all counties. (See more on drop boxes below.) Its important to know that, whichever option you choose, your ballot must be received by your county election office by 8 p.m. on May 18. If it comes in later, it wont count even if it was postmarked by May 18. The May 18 election is a primary election, meaning people can vote only for candidates representing their own party. Voters are selecting nominees in their parties to meet in the general election in November. Democratic voters will choose Democratic candidates, while Republican voters will select GOP candidates. One exception, however, involves candidates for offices including the state court of common pleas, school board, and district justice, who often cross-file, meaning both Democratic and Republican candidates appear on every ballot. It means people who want to support candidates of a specific party much be careful. Ballot questions The May 18 primary includes four statewide ballot questions that apply to all registered voters, whether they belong to a party or are independent. Two of the ballot questions involve changing the state constitution to limit the governors power to declare emergencies and give more power to lawmakers during emergencies. Everyone can vote on the ballot questions, including people such as independents with arent registered with a major party. Independent voters in most areas will receive ballots with only the questions and not the local races, county officials say. But some independent voters will also be able to cast ballots in special elections to fill seats that have been recently vacated. Special elections Voters in Lebanon County - along with some voters in Dauphin and York counties - can cast ballots in a special election in the Pennsylvania Senates 48th District. Since it is a special election, all registered voters can cast ballots. Four candidates are vying to fill the 48th District seat vacated by the death of state Sen. Dave Arnold. There are three other special elections in Pennsylvania to fill seats in the General Assembly: two will fill state House seats in western Pennsylvania and another will fill a state Senate seat in northeastern Pennsylvania. At the polls Voters heading to their polling spot should keep in mind that face masks are still required in Pennsylvania for people who arent fully vaccinated when they are away from home, such as while voting or standing in line. Read more: Pennsylvania to follow relaxed federal guidance on masks for fully vaccinated Election staff at most if not all Pennsylvania voting spots will be regularly wiping down and disinfecting voting machines and also providing things like hand sanitizer to protect voters from COVID-19. However, Gov. Tom Wolf has told county election workers not to turn away or interfere with voters who arent wearing a mask. You do not need to present identification to vote, unless you are voting for the first time or you have recently moved and are voting at your local polling place for the first time. Acceptable forms of identification include a drivers license or PennDOT ID card, any ID issued by the U.S. government, any identification issued by a state agency, a passport or an armed forces ID. Answers to many questions about voting can be found at a state-run website, votesPA.com. The site offers the following information: addresses and hours of county election offices; locations of drop-off boxes; voting locations; and videos showing how to use the voting system in your county. Drop-off boxes In the Harrisburg region, some but not all counties have drop-off boxes. One advantage of drop-boxes is they sometimes offer longer hours than the county election office. Sometimes they are placed at locations that add convenience for people who live far from the county election office. In Dauphin County, voters can use a drop-off box located by the front entrance of the county administration building at 2 S. Second St. in Harrisburg. Its available at all hours. Dauphin County residents also can return ballots to the Northern Dauphin Human Services Center at 295 State Drive in Elizabethville. This option is available weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. In Cumberland County, a drop-off box is located in the lobby of the county election office at 1601 Ritner Highway, suite 201. Its available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. In Lebanon County, voters can use a drop box at the election office at 400 S. 8th Street, Room 209, Lebanon, 17042. Its available from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and until 8 p.m. on Election Day. In York County, a drop-off box is located inside the front door of the county administrative center at 28 E. Market St. in downtown York. It can be used from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. Also, a drive-thru option will be available at that location on May 15, the Saturday before Election Day, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. In Perry County, the drop-off option is to take it to the board of commissioners room at Veterans Memorial Building at 25. W. Main St., New Bloomfield. This can be done weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and until 8 p.m. on Election Day. PennLive staff writer Jan Murphy contributed to this report. PHILADELPHIA Philadelphias top health official was compelled to resign Thursday after the citys mayor learned partial human remains from the 1985 bombing of the headquarters of a Black organization had been cremated and disposed of without notifying family members. Mayor Jim Kenney said Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley made the decision regarding remains of the MOVE bombing victims several years ago. The announcement of Farleys ouster came by design on the 36th anniversary of the MOVE bombing, after Kenney consulted victims family members. Among the 11 slain when police bombed the organizations headquarters, causing a fire that spread to more than 60 row homes, were five children. A lawyer who accompanied MOVE members to a meeting with Kenney, Michael Coard, described their reaction as outraged, enraged, incensed, but mostly confused. In a statement released by the mayors office, Farley said that in early 2017 he was told by the citys medical examiner, Dr. Sam Gulino, that a box had been found containing materials related to MOVE bombing victims autopsies. In the box were bones and bone fragments, presumably from one or more of the victims, Farley said. It is a standard procedure to retain specimens after an autopsy ends and the remains are turned over to the decedents next-of-kin, Farley said. Believing that investigations related to the MOVE bombing had been completed more than 30 years earlier, and not wanting to cause more anguish for the families of the victims, I authorized Dr. Gulino to follow this procedure and dispose of the bones and bone fragments, Farley said. The decision was his alone, and other top city officials were not consulted, he said. After recent reports that local institutions had remains of MOVE bombing victims, Farley said he reconsidered his actions and notified higher-ups. Kenney said Farley told him about what occurred late Tuesday, took responsibility and resigned from the $175,000-a-year job hed held for five years. I profoundly regret making this decision without consulting the family members of the victims and I extend my deepest apologies for the pain this will cause them, Farley wrote. Kenney said Farleys decision lacked empathy. Gulino has also been put on leave pending an investigation, Kenney said. I had the opportunity to meet with members of the Africa family and apologize for the way this situation was handled, and for how the city has treated them for the last five decades, Kenney said in a statement. Kenney later told reporters that he had a long and difficult meeting with victims family members and agreed to publicly disclose the matter on the bombing anniversary at their request. Coard said MOVE, a group that members describe as a family and an organization, plans to respond to Kenney after deliberating among themselves about what they consider to be a just result. A lawsuit is possible, Coard said. They had a lot of questions about why this happened, questions about, is this standard operating procedure? Questions like, who made the ultimate decisions? Coard said. Its one thing to lose a box of remains. Its another thing to intentionally destroy a box of remains. Who does that? He called it the ultimate desecration. Obviously its going to be someone theyre familiar with, but they want to know, hey, was this my mother, father, sister, brother, niece, nephew? Who was this? Coard said. Kenney said the remains had been kept in a storage room. The volume of remains was unclear, and Kenney said he hoped to determine where and how they were disposed of. The city has hired a law firm to investigate and has agreed to include lawyers for the victims families in the process. Late Thursday, a crowd gathered at an intersection near the block where the bombing happened. Dressed all in white, MOVE members read a minute-by-minute account of the bombing and the confrontation that led up to it: Philadelphia police, attempting to serve warrants on four members and evict the rest of the Black back-to-nature group from its headquarters, bombed it, igniting fuel for a generator. Some in attendance Thursday shouted shame, and grave robber. ___ Claudia Lauer and Mark Scolfaro of The Associated Press wrote this story. Scolforo reported from Harrisburg. With an expected bump in air travel over Memorial Day weekend and into the summer, officials at the federal Transporation Security Administration want passengers, most of whom havent flown since before the pandemic, to know the latest regulations. The biggest one is the mask mandate, said TSA spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein during a press conference at Harrisburg International Airport Thursday. The federal mandate was set to expire on May 11. However, it has been extended to Sept. 13. If somebody shows up at the airport and they are not wearing a mask, TSA will ask them to put on a mask, she said. If they dont have one, TSA will offer them a mask. And, if they decline to wear the mask, then they wont be able to go through screening. Cant go through screening. Cant get to your gate. Cant get on your flight. Lisa Farbstein, a spokeswoman for the TSA, explains the latest on what to expect at airports during the pandemic. Photo: Jana Benscoter Other measures implemented to make travel safer during the pandemic include touchless technology, she said. Passengers can utilize several online tools to ensure a seamless process. One trend TSA officers are noting is that people are trying to get to their gates with bottled water, or have packed large containers of fluids in their carry-ons, which are still not permitted. Specifically speaking about travelers at Harrisburg International Airport, Farbstein said TSA wants passengers to try to get to the airport ... about 90 minutes before your flight. That is for both domestic and international flights. That will make sure you have enough time to get through the process and get to your gate, she said. As of May, TSA officers nationwide are screening approximately 1.5 million people daily, which is down from 2.5 million travelers in 2019. HIA is screening 1,300 per day, which is down from 2,250 people during the summer of 2019. Scott Miller, HIA spokesman, said all flights are back in business at the Middletown airport, including flights to Boston and Myrtle Beach. Boston flights are currently being booked and are set to resume on June 3, he said. While most people have been booking tickets for leisure travel, Miller said he anticipates business travel will start showing up again in the near future. While it appears that the summer season will be busy, passengers who have already booked their tickets or are about to book them are reminded to keep an eye on the latest news and trends in flying. TSA Pre-Check is a faster way to get to your gate pre-COVID and during COVID. Photo: Jana Benscoter According to Aviation Pros, Delta Air Line Inc. CEO Ed Bastian told the Detroit Economic Club Wednesday, Americans looking to travel to Europe this summer likely will need proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test to fly abroad due to foreign government requirements. Weve said all along it was going to take a vaccination, a cure for the disease that kept people safe and inoculated and a key determinate to when people start to travel, Bastian said in a virtual session. Vaccination rates have picked up through the spring, and people have decided to book their travels currently but in the spring and summer coming up. ... Thats a direct correlation to the confidence people are having to feeling safe. Here are some more notes from the TSA about what to expect when you fly: Travelers will be asked to scan their own boarding pass electronic or paper to reduce a touchpoint. They will also be asked to remove their masks for a few seconds so that the officer can match the individuals face to the photo on their ID. As travelers place their items into bins along the conveyor belt, they will continue to see TSA officers in masks, gloves, and face shields standing behind an acrylic barrier offering guidance and answering questions. TSA officers will be changing their gloves between each pat-down and between each bag search. Travelers may request that a TSA officer put on a new pair of gloves at any time. TSA officers also will be using a fresh swab for each passenger when testing for possible explosive material. TSA employees will be conducting routine cleaning and disinfecting of frequently touched surfaces and security screening equipment at the checkpoints. TSA is now allowing travelers to bring one liquid hand sanitizer container up to 12 ounces per passenger in carry-on bags until further notice. Passengers can expect that these containers larger than the standard allowance of 3.4 ounces of liquids permitted through a checkpoint will need to be screened separately, which will add some time to their checkpoint experience. Travelers also are permitted to bring individually packaged alcohol or anti-bacterial wipes in carry-on or checked luggage. A pre-check is recommended. The expedited screening program allows travelers to leave on their shoes, jackets, belts and enables them to keep their electronics and bags with them. Harrisburg International Airport is asking passengers to arrive 90 minutes prior to their departure time. Photo: Jana Benscoter Here are five additional travel tips from TSA: A change in the leadership of Dickinson College in Carlisle is coming next month that will see the departure of President Margee Ensign. She will be succeeded by the colleges board of trustees chairman, U.S. Middle District Judge John Jones III, who will serve as interim president for the next two years. Ensign announced on Friday she will resign on June 30, saying she plans to return to Nigeria to take on the role as president of American University of Nigeria, a position she previously held before coming to Dickinson in 2017. I thank Margee Ensign for her extraordinary leadership as Dickinsons president and wish her well in her return to Nigeria, said Douglas Pauls, vice-chair of the trustees board, in a statement. And, as John prepares to serve as interim president, I know his deep knowledge and commitment to Dickinson, combined with his esteemed, nationally recognized career in the judiciary, make him the right person to lead the college at this time. I look forward to continuing the momentum President Ensign has created, Jones said in a statement. She achieved so much in her four years as president. Her visionary leadership and steady hand have catapulted Dickinson to the forefront of liberal-arts colleges. Dickinson College is about to see a change in its leadership. July 28, 2020. File/Mark Pynes | mpynes@pennlive.com Jones, who was appointed to the federal bench in 2002, drew national recognition for presiding over numerous high-profile cases, including the landmark 2005 case of Kitzmiller v. Dover School District. In that case, he ruled it unconstitutional to teach intelligent design within a public school science curriculum. That led to his being named in 2006 as one of Time magazines 100 most influential people in the world. In 2014, he resolved a case of statewide importance by ruling in the matter of Whitewood v. Wolf to strike down Pennsylvanias ban on same-sex marriage as unconstitutional. He also once served as chair of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board and co-chair of Gov.-elect Tom Ridges transition team prior to becoming a judge. Ensign, who was the 29th president in the colleges 238-year history, steered Dickinson through the COVID-19 pandemic by having it operate remotely for the fall 2020 semester. She also drew national attention for piloting a test-free admissions model. During her tenure, she is credited with establishing the Center for Civic Learning & Action to develop ethical leaders and to strengthen Dickinsons commitment to and presence in the Carlisle community. She also helped expand Dickinsons global footprint, deepen its relationship with the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, creating the colleges first online masters degree program in managing complex disasters. Additionally, she founded the Carlisle Community Action Network (CAN), which fosters dialogue, collaboration and action among community leaders. Throughout the pandemic, Ive had to make many difficult decisions, but the decision to leave Dickinson is by far the most difficult of my career, Ensign said in a statement. When I was asked to return to AUN, I felt called to continue the education and peace work we had started through the university. The institution has been without a president for six months and conditions for education are deteriorating in the region. I will try to make a difference, to work for the common good. Jan Murphy may be reached at jmurphy@pennlive.com. Follow her on Twitter at @JanMurphy. Pennsylvania voters are being asked to consider two amendments to the state constitution that would drastically limit the ability of a sitting governor to protect the people of the commonwealth. And were being asked to decide two other issues that only require common sense. The first amendment would change existing laws to allow the General Assembly to take away the governors powers to act in an emergency. The second would take away the governors ability to protect the people of Pennsylvania after 21 days without the General Assemblys approval. Specifically, Amendment No. 1 asks: Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended to change existing law and increase the power of the General Assembly to unilaterally terminate or extend a disaster emergency declarationand the powers of Commonwealth agencies to address the disaster regardless of its severity pursuant to that declarationthrough passing a concurrent resolution by simple majority, thereby removing the existing check and balance of presenting a resolution to the Governor for approval or disapproval? House State Government Committee Chairman Seth Grove, R-York County, said proposed constitutional amendments tipping the balance of powers away from the governor toward the Legislature during emergency disaster declarations would "realign our checks and balances enshrined in our constitution. Jan. 27, 2021 Screenshot from Pa. House website Amendment No. 2 asks: Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended to change existing law so that: a disaster emergency declaration will expire automatically after 21 days, regardless of the severity of the emergency, unless the General Assembly takes action to extend the disaster emergency; the Governor may not declare a new disaster emergency to respond to the dangers facing the Commonwealth unless the General Assembly passes a concurrent resolution; the General Assembly enacts new laws for disaster management? These two amendments are not only important, theyre dangerous. If COVID-19 has taught us anything, its that we need strong, decisive leadership in a crisis. And weve learned a crisis can last longer than 21 days. Workers assist the driver of the pickup truck (far right, with back to camera) as he pulls a body from the back of the truck and onto a gurney, in an area near the Joseph W. Spellman Medical Examiner Building on Sunday, April 19, 2020. (Elizabeth Robertson/The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS)TNS It is true in some countries petty dictators have used emergency powers to extend their grip and stifle opposition and the will of the people. But that has not happened in Pennsylvania. Despite what some lawmakers would have us believe, most Pennsylvanians credit Gov. Tom Wolf with acting decisively and wisely during the COVID-19 pandemic. God knows how many more people would have died if our safety was in the hands of a divided legislature unwilling or unable to make the tough decisions needed in a crisis. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, second from right, talks with Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., who objected to confirming the Electoral College votes from Pennsylvania during a joint session of the House and Senate to confirm the Electoral College votes cast in November's election, at the Capitol, early Thursday, Jan 7, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)AP The COVID-19 crisis has brought into sharp relief how divided, self-centered and ineffective some lawmakers can be at a time when we need just the opposite in government leaders. Weve seen how many lawmakers rejected both common sense and science. There were those who didnt take the coronavirus seriously. They refused to wear a mask to stop its spread, and they insisted every restaurant and business remain open no matter how many people died. For some, it was all about the Benjamins all about the money. The last thing Pennsylvanians need is to face an emergency with a governor unable to act to protect lives while lawmakers bicker among themselves in the General Assembly. Pennsylvania voters will protect their own safety by rejecting Amendments 1 and 2. A group of people take a knee for 8 minutes 46 seconds along Front Street in Harrisburg both in honor of Colin Kaepernick and in tribune to George Floyd. July 4, 2020 Sean Simmers | ssimmers@pennlive.com The third amendment should be an automatic yes. It asks: Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended by adding a new section providing that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged because of an individuals race or ethnicity? Race or ethnicity should be no impediment to equal rights in Pennsylvania or anywhere in the country, and the constitution should make that clear. Anything less than a resounding yes would send the wrong signal to extremists who would like to continue to sow seeds of racial hatred and division. The final ballot question is a referendum. It states: Do you favor expanding the use of the indebtedness authorized under the referendum for loans to volunteer fire companies, volunteer ambulance services and volunteer rescue squads under 35 PA.C.S. 7378.1 (related to referendum for additional indebtedness) to include loans to municipal fire departments or companies that provide services through paid personnel and emergency medical services companies for the purpose of establishing and modernizing facilities to house apparatus equipment, ambulances and rescue vehicles, and for purchasing apparatus equipment, ambulances and rescue vehicles, protective and communications equipment and any other accessory equipment necessary for the proper performance of the duties of the fire companies and emergency medical services companies? A ambulance that has been wrapped in plastic sheeting for transporting coronavirus patients is pictured inside the Upper Merion Fire and EMS station in King of Prussia, Pa., on Friday, April 3, 2020. Upper Merion has designated two ambulances for coronavirus patients.TIM TAI / Staff Photographer This is another no-brainer. Its a yes vote. Firefighters and EMS responders have been on the frontlines during this pandemic, and they all need as much support as they can get. Theres absolutely no sound reason to deny them the ability to apply for loans from the state to better serve their communities. Overall, two nos and two yesses will help keep everyone safe and our commonwealth protected. Quality local journalism has never been more important. You deserve the best. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work. Alberta Premier Jason Kenney answers questions at a news conference in Calgary on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2020. Kenney is distancing himself from a decision to expel two members from his United Conservative caucus. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Todd Korol The company has been buoyed by a strong show of support from prominent Western Australian mining figure Mark Creasy whose investment vehicle Yandal Pty Ltd has exercised 100% of its unlisted options. Yandal Pty Ltd holds a 7.8% in APC and is APCs largest shareholder. ( ) directors have demonstrated their confidence in the companys potash strategy by acquiring more shares. Managing director and CEO Matt Shackleton increased his holding to 8.52 million shares following the purchase of shares worth $45,946.50 in a rights issue and non-executive chairman Jim Walker added shares worth $59,999.94 by participating in a placement. Walker now holds 1.25 million APC shares. Key production bore field drilling contract awarded On April 22, Australian Potash awarded the production bore-field drilling contract for the development of Lake Wells Sulphate of Potash Project (LSOP) near Laverton in Western Australia. This key contract has been awarded to Pentium Hydro Pty Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vysarn Limited (ASX:VSY). APCs recently completed FEED program into the development of the LSOP identified an optimised bore-field design comprising 79 brine bores. In addition to the brine bore field, this FEED program identified the development of two raw (or fresh) water bore fields comprising approximately 13 bores. MCKINNEY, Texas Jordan Spieth woke up Friday at 4:30 a.m. He felt tight on the range at the AT&T Byron Nelson. He bogeyed his first hole. Spieth found little to like early in the second round, starting his morning slowly on the back nine and playing holes 10 through 13 at TPC Craig Ranch at 1 over. Losing a couple to the field there got me a little frustrated, he said. If you kind of tap the brakes a little when the scores are going to be low you feel like you have to play catchup. Except that didnt happen either. Spieth made just three birdies Friday. He lost his share of the lead and finished with a 2-under 70, three behind K.H. Lee. There was little wind when he and longtime friends Scottie Scheffler and Will Zalatoris started play. Spieth hoped for a score around 5 under. That, the Dallas native and resident thought, would keep him at the top of the leaderboard for the weekend at the tournament where he made his first PGA TOUR start when he was 16 years old. But after a birdie on his fifth hole, Spieth stalled. He fought with his patience as he made par after par after par. By Zhang Fu, Cui Ninghan, Sun Xingwei, Lin Duo, and Lei Yang I am a nurse, but first and foremost, I am a soldier. I could not withdraw whenever endangered. Miss Wen (the head nurse), the Department of Emergency has just taken in a patient having gone into sudden shock! Wen Lifang, the head nurse of the 11th Chinese peacekeeping medical detachment to South Sudan (Wau), rushed to the emergency room regardless of exhaustion. The patient, pale white, soaked with sweat, unconscious, and with intermittent hypoxic apneas, was in critical condition. Wu Wanchao, a nurse, was ready for venous blood collection according to the doctors orders, but the patient lost self-control, with his arms unconsciously waving around to even knock over the treatment tray next to the bed down onto the ground. Miss Wu, hand me the needle, quick! You come and stabilize his arm. Miss Wen breathed a sigh of relief after successfully got the blood sample with much care. Although she knew well that its more likely to prick her own hand in such an occasion, bringing unexpected risks, she has always charged forward every time there is an emergency. Not long ago, a local hospital turned to the Chinese peacekeeping medical detachment due to its lack of experience in COVID-19 vaccinations. Miss Wen took the initiative to offer support upon hearing about it. She and her colleages successfully fulfilled the task of vaccinating more than 200 people while providing hand-to-hand technical training assistance to the nursing staff of the hospital. With the COVID-19 pandemic sweeping across East Africa, Wen Lifang, along with her comrades-in-arms, has set up the image of Chinese military medical staff with perseverance and a strong sense of responsibility. Reinforcing the epidemic protective wall along the Blue Line Li Li, a nurse with the 19th Chinese peacekeeping medical detachment to Lebanon, has stuck for over 200 days and nights to the forefront of providing epidemic prevention and control service for the UN peacekeepers stationed along the Blue Line between Israel and Lebanon. One day, Miss Li received an admission notice in the early morning. A patient suffering from dizziness, shortness of breath, and chest tightness, had undergone an initial clinical diagnosis in a primary hospital and needed to be immediately transferred to the Chinese medical detachment for follow-up treatment. Upon hearing about the notice, Miss Li instantly put on protective gear and rushed to the emergency pre-examination triage. The patient was very likely to be infected with COVID-19. We must hurry up under effective prevention and control with high protection standards. Everyone must pay attention to it! While waiting for the patient, she repeatedly urged other personnel to get well protected through a walkie-talkie. Registering, getting the ECG monitor ready, debugging the ventilator... As soon as the patient arrived, Miss Li got entirely devoted to nursing services. Its almost dawn when the patient had been properly treated after getting the nucleic acid test result. Miss Li, who had stayed up all night, left together with her comrades-in-arms for the patients peacekeeping unit, where they distributed medical supplies and shared experience in protection and treatment with the peacekeepers to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic. The peacekeepers have come here to safeguard peace, and we must provide them with high-quality medical services, said Miss Li, who has also paid much attention to humanistic care, psychological counseling, and rehabilitation intervention for peacekeepers while doing well in the COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control. According to the requirements of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), the 24th Chinese peacekeeping medical detachment to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) recently started the COVID-19 vaccination for the UN staff in their mission area. The picture shows a nurse from the Chinese peacekeeping medical detachment is vaccinating a peacekeeper. (Photo by Peng Yi) A fresh approach in Nova Scotia Province is enjoying a resurgence of gold mining Well financed to expand the resource potential What MegumaGold Corp does: MegumaGold Corp ( ) is pursuing a new approach to gold exploration in Nova Scotia, Canada, which already has a rich history of mining. Between 1862 and 1927 almost a million ounces of the precious metal were extracted from the province. The company has put together a land package of over 127,000 hectares consisting of nearly 8,000 claims and is one of Nova Scotias single largest mineral claim holders. Previously, mining and exploration was focused on high-grade nuggety style quartz-hosted gold, which is comparatively expensive to extract but the firm is interested in exploiting the disseminated, widespread, mineralization which also characterizes the area. This is exciting because it's simple to extract the gold via an open pit, while cheap processing methods can also be used. Within its land package, MegumaGold holds the Killag project, the Dufferin gold project (218 claims), the Goldboro Isaacs Harbour claims (174 claims), the Mooseland area project (243 claims), the Greater Goldenville area (233 claims) and the Greater Beaverdam project (114 claims), the Fifteen Mile Stream regional project (177 claims), the Cochrane Hill regional project (556 claims), and the Moose River area project (282 claims). The group aims to develop a "fingerprint" model for identifying new deposits and targets, and reckons it could have a district-scale opportunity. Corp. was a first mover in the region. Its Touquoy gold mine began production last year and generated and sold around 90,000 ounces of the yellow metal in 2018 at the extremely low all-in-sustaining cost of C$731 per ounce. Notably, the Torquoy mine lies near the extensive exploration ground of MegumaGold. Formerly Canadian venture exchange-listed, was acquired by Australia's . in July 2019 for a total of C$722 million ($536 million). How is it doing: In September 2020, MegumaGold completed its amalgamation with Nova Scotia-focused Osprey Gold Development Ltd (CVE:OS) in an all-paper deal. The deal consolidated highly prospective ground in Nova Scotia by combining Ospreys historically producing projects with the underground exploration ground owned by Meguma and created a leading precious metals explorer in the Canadian province. Meguma acquired all of Osprey's shares at an exchange ratio of one Meguma share for every two Osprey shares owned. In addition, Meguma assumed Ospreys obligations under outstanding share purchase warrants so that Osprey warrant holders now hold warrants entitling them to acquire 11,158,378 Meguma shares, and issued replacement stock options under which former Osprey stock option holders now hold options to acquire an aggregate of 2,382,500 shares of Meguma. A month earlier in August 2020, MegumaGold had told investors that it planned to kick off a multi-phase drilling campaign to test numerous targets once the Osprey combination was finalized. The initial focus of the combined firm will be on developing target areas close to St Barbara Limited's operating Touquoy Mine in the Moose River Gold Mines area, which includes Osprey's Caribou project and MegumaGold's Killag and Touqouy West properties, Meguma said. The Touquoy open-pit mine, acquired by St Barbara for C$802 million in 2019, lies around 10 kilometres (km) south of Ospreys Caribou project and 4 km west of MegumaGolds Touquoy West asset. The ultimate goal is to advance existing early-stage exploration targets for maiden resource estimates for the combined entity's resource portfolio. According to its Phase 2 exploration plan for 2021 in its presentation, the company aims to drill 2,000 metres (m) in each of the Caribou, Touquoy West, Killag and Goldenville/Mitchell Lake assets. And in January 2021, MegumaGold said it was set to buy all of Canadian GoldCamps Corp (CSE:CAMP) (OTCMKTS:SMATF) (FRA:A681) assets in a deal replacing the previously announced share exchange merger agreement announced in late 2020, which had been terminated. The pair struck an asset purchase agreement, which sees gold explorer Canadian GoldCamps sell to MegumaGold all of its Canadian assets and associated working capital in exchange for MegumaGold shares. Inflection points: Gold price moves Exploration results Further M&A activity in Nova Scotia What the boss says: In a statement when the company completed its acquisition of Osprey Gold, MegumaGold CEO Theo Van der Linde said the company was executing on its plan of consolidating assets in an up and coming gold district. "The natural synergies between the Osprey and Meguma assets align with our vision and provide shareholders with exposure to advanced-stage resource projects and district-scale exploration upside potential," he said. Adding: "We welcome the Osprey shareholders to Meguma as we continue to build value in Nova Scotia." Contact the author: giles@proactiveinvestors.com It said the agreement clarifies its intellectual property position in the US Oy (LON: FARN, First North:FARON) said it had signed a sub-licence agreement for the rights to a US patent covering the manufacturing of its interferon-beta 1a drug Traumakine. Faron said the agreement clarifies its intellectual property position in the States ahead of any launch of Traumakine, which is being developed for systemic inflammatory response syndromes, including acute respiratory distress syndrome. Chief executive, Dr Markku Jalkanen, said: "We are pleased to agree this sub-licence. We continue to believe in Traumakine's potential as a much-needed new treatment for respiratory failure and organ protection. Faron will pay a small signing fee, as well as single-digit standard market royalties from future sales of intravenous Traumakine in the US. No further commercial details were released. Students and employees in the Aiken County Public School District are still encouraged to wear face coverings to mitigate against the spread of COVID-19, said Superintendent King Laurence in a virtual news conference Thursday morning. Students, faculty and staff in the Aiken County Public School District are no longer required to wear masks in school, as of Wednesday. The change in rules came after Gov. Henry McMaster issued an executive order Tuesday evening stating that parents can opt their children out of wearing face coverings. The move was met with some backlash from State Superintendent Molly Spearman, who said Wednesday that the order from the governor caused "chaos" in schools statewide. Spearman said she had not been consulted by McMaster on the decision. Feedback from local families on the removal of the mask requirement has been overwhelmingly positive so far, Laurence said. "People are very appreciative of our giving them that option," Laurence said. "I have seen a few where folks are concerned about it, and I certainly understand that, because I agree with DHEC and CDC I believe that masks are one of those mitigation measures that are layered on top of each other. That the more of them that you use with fidelity, the more protected that everybody is." The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control released an opt-out form after McMaster's executive order, allowing parents to grant their children permission to go mask-free at school. However, in the top section of the opt-out form, DHEC states, "Failure to wear a face covering may subject a student to an increased risk of contracting COVID-19 and spreading COVID-19 to others." The Aiken County Public School District will not require any paperwork for maskless students. Laurence said an opt-out form would be an unnecessary burden for schools and teachers. "I didn't want our teachers to have to worry about checking for some kind of government mask pass or anything like that," Laurence said. "I wanted them to know that what they're doing in their classroom every day is what's important. The governor has determined that parents ought to be able to opt out of that (masks), why make it more burdensome than it needs to be?" Despite the district's decision to make masks optional, Laurence recommends continuing to wear masks, washing hands frequently and staying home when feeling sick. "I strongly encourage everyone students, parents, our faculty and staff members I encourage everyone to wear their masks I also am going to follow the governor's executive order. I think we're able to do that in a safe way and maintain the rest of those mitigation measures, and I think that was the right call to make," Laurence said. A new feature is in a prominent place at the Aiken County Government Center, with the blessing and support of the Aiken County Veterans Council and its boosters. At the building's front entrance is a brightly colored drop-box meant for the respectful disposal and retirement of "unserviceable U.S. flags," as described in a press release promoting the event. Dwight Bradham, Aiken County's director of veterans affairs, led the program and presented a poem titled "Old Glory," by Marine Corps veteran Howard Schnauber, of Watertown, New York, recalling the U.S. flag's history, with particular emphasis on major military moments as well as times when the flag was treated with contempt. "Things like this don't happen without the worker bees," said Lowell Koppert, chairman of the veterans council, in expressing his appreciation for such project boosters as Linda Caldwell, with the veterans council; Gary Bunker, the Aiken County Council's chairman; and Camille Furgiuele, also a member of the county council. Among others on the honor roll were Clay Killian, the county administrator; and Brian Sanders, the deputy county administrator. Furgiuele helped put the first flag into the box, and Koppert later noted that the banner is one that flew until a few days ago over the Aiken County Veterans Memorial Park on Richland Avenue. Bunker solicited a round of applause for the veterans council for having introduced the "simple" concept, which won quick support from the county council once it was brought to council's attention for consideration. A few steps from the red, white and blue box as it was being unveiled was Saluda resident Chad Martin, owner of Chad's Custom Dreams. He recalled putting his creativity into action after making contact with Koppert regarding the drop-box idea. "I designed a flag to go around the box, to make it a little different a little more unique to represent our flag," he added. His business' speciality is "custom metal fabrication and custom paint on cars and motorcycles, airplanes, boats, whatever," he said. "I'll do all kinds of crazy stuff." Bunker referred to the new feature as small in comparison with the massive building next to it. "I think it is high time we had this little but important box here to properly retire our flags," he added. Koppert, speaking to the project's various boosters, expressed thanks for "all of the stuff that you guys do for us and with us throughout the year." Several visitors at the Thursday gathering brought forth flags for placement in the box and offered a salute or bow after putting a banner or several into the new creation. Would you like to receive breaking news notifications from The Post and Courier? Sign up to receive news and updates from this site directly to your desktop. Breaking News Columbia Breaking News Greenville Breaking News Myrtle Beach Breaking News Aiken Breaking News Click on the bell icon to manage your notifications at any time. Success! Please click the 'Allow' button in the 'Show Notifcations' alert in your browser if one is available. Thank you for signing up! Please enable notifications in your browser and reload the page. COLUMBIA Gov. Henry McMaster, one of retired Army general Bob Caslen's biggest backers, said the former University of South Carolina president will be remembered for expanding the school's influence in fields such as cybersecurity. "I think he did a splendid job," McMaster told reporters May 13, a day after Caslen resigned amid a plagiarism scandal. "I'm sorry to see him go." The governor said that he spoke with Caslen after he chose to resign May 12, days after he failed to cite the source on two paragraphs in a commencement speech. "He explained that he thought the best thing to do was to go and explained why and that's his decision and the board accepted his decision," McMaster said. "I told him that I was was sorry to hear that's what he wanted to do, because I have enormous respect for him." The governor cited Caslen's work in building relationships with the Army Cyber Commands in Georgia. "He expanded the influence of the university," McMaster said. "I think he's done great work for the people of our state through that university. I am very appreciative for what he did in, in two short years, and I think as the university continues to grow, particularly in some of these new areas, we'll realize more and more how important the efforts he launched are and will be to our state." McMaster did not question USC accepting Caslen's resignation. "I presumed that they made the decision that they thought was the right one," the governor said. "And I think now we need to look to the future." McMaster lobbied for the USC board to hire Caslen in 2019 after trustees failed to vote for any of the four finalists in an initial vote. The governor is a member of the college board but appoints a designee to attend meetings. The governor's lobbying got USC in hot water with its accreditors for undue political influence. While the school was not sanctioned, the board was asked to rework its bylaws and operating procedures to become more in line with the best practices at other colleges. Asked about his role in a new search, McMaster repeated that he is a member of the board. "I think the university is going to do just fine," he said. "I think it is growing in strength and I'm sure they have processes in place now to make it very clear as to what is happening. It should eliminate some of the questions that came up before." Concerns linger that recent upheavals at USC, including the problematic 2019 presidential search and a spat with mega-donor Darla Moore, could hurt the school's chances of getting good candidates. McMaster did not offer details in what he wanted in a new president, but he expressed confidence the board would find a suitable replacement for Caslen. "Because South Carolina and the University of South Carolina are such great places to be, I think that we will be able to find a very, very fine president," he said. "I know the board is determined to do that and then I know that they'll succeed." Charleston area hospitality workers are likely to keep their masks on this weekend, but restaurant owners are reconsidering longstanding staff directives on face coverings following an unexpected change in guidance from federal health officials. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on May 13 announced that people who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus no longer need to wear masks indoors or outside. While local advisories regarding face coverings have shifted over the course of the pandemic, most Charleston area restaurateurs since reopening have required their employees to be masked when working. The CDCs previous recommendation, which still applies to unvaccinated people, was to wear a mask any time you are in a public setting to slow the spread of COVID-19. Requiring patrons to comply with that guidance became more challenging on May 11 when Gov. Henry McMaster ordered an immediate end to mask mandates across the state. The city of Charleston on the same day downgraded its ordinance to a suggestion. Everyone has their personal opinions, Nico Romo, owner of NICO in Mount Pleasant and Bistronomy by Nico in downtown Charleston, said of his relaxed stance on guest enforcement. Still, masks remained the rule for employees. But Romo on May 14 told his team that vaccinated members will have the right to remove their face masks starting next week. It is only fair for me to follow CDC guidance and give them the opportunity to work in better working conditions without the mask, he wrote in a message to managers, adding, Of course, if they also want to continue to wear the mask, they can. Romo decided against rescinding the restaurants mask policy right away because its short notice, but said he might not have built in a buffer if the temperature was projected to shoot up to 100 degrees on Saturday. Fourteen hours a day is a long time to wear a mask if were not in air conditioning or in front of a 700-degree wood-burning oven, said Romo, who suspects this is the last weekend he will wear a mask at work. What is the point of the vaccine if were still wearing masks? Sign up for our food & dining newsletter. We publish our free Food & Dining newsletter every Wednesday at 10 a.m. to keep you informed on everything happening in the Charleston culinary scene. Sign up today! Email Sign Up! According to Romo, 99 percent of his employees have received one or two vaccination shots. Recent guidance from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission holds that employers can ask employees whether theyre vaccinated, so long as they dont request additional medical information. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration more than a decade ago gave employers the right to require flu vaccines, although it hasnt issued a ruling specific to the coronavirus. Because follow-up questions on vaccination status are severely restricted, Pink Cactus owner Brooke Warden has decided its safer just to assume the answer is no. While its certainly exciting to see us transitioning out of the pandemic, I am still enforcing my staff to wear masks, as I dont think its necessarily reliable to take peoples word, she said. Its already a very charged political time with peoples beliefs toward the vaccine. Warden said her top priority is protecting her mother, who works in the Pink Cactus kitchen. Obviously, we all want to take these masks off, Warden said. Its not fun for me constantly nagging the staff while Im trying to cook for a full patio. But until some time has passed, Warden said she wont revisit her restaurants mask rule for workers. Like many people who have endured the pandemic, she worries about variants and the duration of immunity provided by vaccines. On its Frequently Asked Questions page devoted to COVID-19 vaccination, the CDC reports, We dont know how long protection lasts for those who are vaccinated. What we do know is that COVID-19 has caused very serious illness and death for a lot of people. At Edmunds Oast, which won over safety-minded fans with its stringent mask policies, the new CDC guidelines provoked an abrupt change in house rules. Owner Scott Shor said the restaurant has dropped any kind of requirement or enforcement for guests. Edmunds Oast employees, by contrast, havent been given the go-ahead to drop their face coverings at work. But Shor said the situation may continue to evolve. MOUNT PLEASANT A shuttered rib restaurant near the base of the Cooper River bridge soon could see new life. A taco venue plans to take over the original Sticky Fingers site at 341 Johnnie Dodds Blvd. in the Harris Teeter-anchored Village Pointe Shopping Center. Laura Reuss, president of Asheville, N.C.-based White Duck Taco Shop, recently leased the former rib and barbecue eatery, according to Jon Chalfie of the commercial real estate firm Landmark Enterprises. Reuss, who recently moved to West Ashley, said May 14 she hopes to open the new 5,800-square-foot restaurant by the fall "if all goes as planned." "I've been looking to bring back White Duck to the Charleston market for quite some time," Reuss said. The chain once had a location on Folly Road on James Island, but it went out of business in 2017 after three years, not because sales were off but because of a family matter involving the landlord, she said. Reuss learned she could lease the former Sticky Fingers site with an option to buy it and decided it was the right fit. "It's got the perfect type of uniqueness for a White Duck Taco Shop," she said. "The building, once we are done, will just be fantastic. We will knock down a couple of walls to brighten it up and add more outdoor dining with a fun little bar." Sign up for our new business newsletter We're starting a weekly newsletter about the business stories that are shaping Charleston and South Carolina. Get ahead with us - it's free. Email Sign Up! She called the location "exceptional" with "great presence" along a busy stretch of one of Mount Pleasant's main highway corridors. She also noted its proximity to the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge and peninsular Charleston. If all goes well, she hopes to add another Lowcountry location at some point. "I'm going to put my heart and soul into this one first," Reuss said. She plans to open four more over the next year with one in Matthews, N.C., near Charlotte that will tentatively launch in June, two Tennessee locations now in design in Knoxville and Chattanooga, and a fourth at a location where the deal has not closed yet. White Duck Taco operates nine locations, with three in Asheville, two in Greenville, and one each in Charlotte, Nashville, Hendersonville, N.C., and Johnson City, Tenn., according to the company's website. Reuss owns the Asheville sites and will oversee the new Charleston-area location. The others are franchise operations. Sticky Fingers closed its Mount Pleasant location last year amid the pandemic. It now operates restaurants in Greenville and Chattanooga, Tenn. MONCKS CORNER Sears, once a retail juggernaut that proclaimed it's "Where America Shops," has now disappeared from the Charleston landscape. The company's last remaining namesake Hometown Store in the region was cleared out this week after a deal fell through to relocate from Moncks Corner to a shopping center on Red Bank Road in Goose Creek. Charlie Langford, who once owned the former Sears store in Berkeley County, stopped by the shop earlier this week to discover the move wasn't going to happen. Langford said he learned the store will not be relocated because the Food Lion-anchored Harbour Lake Plaza in Goose Creek has restrictive language in a contract for businesses that lease or sell similar merchandise. Rent-A-Center sits on the end of the shopping center, cutting into Sears' move into the 8,450-square-foot former CVS pharmacy site it had targeted. Like Sears, RAC offers appliances on a rent-to-own basis. Restrictive language and non-compete clauses are common in many retail centers. Joyce Beach with the commercial real estate firm CBRE Inc. was handling the lease for the shopping center. She said the deal was going to happen, and Sears had agreed not to offer rent-to-own items in the new location. Then she received a call May 7 telling her the company had decided not to move to Goose Creek. It said it didn't think they could be as profitable without offering rent-to-own products. Sign up for our new business newsletter We're starting a weekly newsletter about the business stories that are shaping Charleston and South Carolina. Get ahead with us - it's free. Email Sign Up! A Sears moving company worker confirmed the store's closure as he stood amid a hollow sales floor at the cleared-out Moncks Corner shop May 13. A Sears representative did not respond to a request for comment. California-based retailer Harbor Freight Tools is taking over the former Sears space in Moncks Corner. The closure leaves the three-county Charleston region without a Sears presence for the first time in decades. The Lowcountry's two former big-box mall stores closed at Northwoods Mall in 2017 and at Citadel Mall in 2018. The nearest small-format Sears shops can be found in Lake City, Georgetown and Walterboro. Another store is located in Greenwood, northwest of Columbia. A Sears Outlet store once operated in Festival Centre on Ashley Phosphate Road in North Charleston, but the shop is now called American Freight Furniture. COLUMBIA As a veteran Richland Two school bus driver, Kenneth Corbin had just completed his annual pupil safety training on April 26, which included lessons on what to do if a vehicle is ever taken hostage. Two weeks later, the soft-spoken former electrical engineer was behind the wheel when an armed Fort Jackson trainee burst onto his vehicle that was carrying 18 children to Forest Lake NASA Explorer School, demanding he drive to the next town. Corbin and the students were released uninjured at a church after a six-minute ride. The trainee was later captured by police. We refer to our students as precious cargo. That was so evident on May 6. Our job and goal is to transport that precious cargo to and from school in a safe and timely manner, Corbin said May 14 at the Richland Two Institute of Innovation. It was very crucial that I performed my job to the highest degree possible, and I emphasize to parents we take that very seriously. Corbin was honored by district officials for his grace under pressure that morning, where he was called a hero by Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott and S.C. Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman. Spearman said the state has 6,000 drivers operating its school bus fleet. Today, you are in the presence of one of our greatest, Spearman said. I know the children love you, they're very, very lucky to have you as their bus driver and I know they'll never forget you for the rest of their lives. Will Anderson, Richland Twos chief operations officer, said the district didnt have one of its 70 monitors inside Corbins bus that day, because theyre typically assigned to routes carrying children with special needs. So Corbin was alone with training that was fresh in his mind when a man wearing Army physical training clothing pointed an empty M4 carbine rifle at his head and told him to drive. Drivers are taught to speed or operate their vehicles erratically in emergency situations to alert passing motorists, and thats what Corbin did blowing past a bus stop. He will tell you he was just doing his job, but the way he performed that day was magnificent, Lott said. Police arrested 23-year-old Jovan Collazo from New Jersey on 24 charges, including kidnapping. On May 13, state Sen. Mia McLeod, D-Columbia, introduced a proclamation on the chamber floor recognizing Corbin for his heroics. After she read it, colleagues gave him a standing ovation. I just want to take a minute and thank God for you. I want to thank him for your patience and your courage, she said May 14, presenting him with a framed copy of the proclamation. He put you in that space and in that environment and in those childrens lives and in our lives for a reason. Superintendent Baron Davis said officials are doing a thorough review of the districts safety protocols in the wake of the hijacking. 'We applaud you for staying with your young students. You attended to their needs in the face of great danger, Davis said. Today, we celebrate you and the peaceful ending we all were blessed to receive in a very terrifying situation. Davis presented Corbin with student artwork and a stack of thank-you cards collected by Forest Lake from every state in the country. Corbin deflected any credit in brief remarks before he and his wife Vivian were escorted away from TV cameras. District spokeswoman Libby Roof said he wasnt comfortable in the spotlight. But Corbin said he showed up to deliver a message. My biggest takeaway is the bond that I share with myself and my kids, as it was my goal to get them out of that incident safe and sound. I realize their goal was to do the same by me, he said. I've been called a hero, but I will defer that title to my kids. The new roles will increase the ecommerce giant's UK workforce to 55,000 by the end fo the year Amazon Inc ( ) said it is planning to hire an additional 10,000 workers in the UK as well as open four new fulfilment centres as part of its expansion plans. On Friday, the ecommerce giant said the new jobs will expand its UK workforce to 55,000 by the end of 2021, adding that it is also planning to invest 10mln over three years to train up to 5,000 employees in new skills in an effort to meet the UKs future employment needs outside of Amazon. The firm said pay for the operations roles will start at a minimum of 10.80 per hour in London and 9.70 per hour in other areas for all full-time, part-time, temporary, and seasonal positions at its fulfilment centres in addition to benefits and a pension plan. The firm also said it has entered a partnership with the British Chambers of Commerce and local businesses to identify regional skills shortages to focus training on local needs. Meanwhile, Amazon said in addition to the four new fulfilment centres it will also open a parcel receive and continue to expand its delivery station network. Were creating thousands of good jobs across the UK from a diverse range of roles with excellent pay and benefits. Were also delighted to be working with the British Chambers of Commerce on a pioneering approach to our Career Choice programme to provide the training, and skilled workers, needed to boost local economies right across the country, Amazons UK country manager John Boumphrey said in a statement. Were proud of the front-line roles we offer across Amazon, and we also know that they will be a stepping stone for some in their career journey. For people whose ambitions fall outside of our company, we are pleased to support them by paying for training and academic courses that can get them to where they want to be, he added. The expansion plan follows a bumper performance for Amazon last year as lockdown measures during the coronavirus pandemic drove a surge in demand for its delivery services. In its results for the first quarter of 2021, the company reported that its net income had more than trebled to US$8.1bn, or US$15.79 per share, compared with US$2.5bn a year ago, while net sales jumped 44% to US$108.5bn. COLUMBIA A state lawmaker has asked S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson to intervene in Columbia's proposal to ban professional therapy that seeks to change the sexual orientation or gender identity of minors. State Sen. Josh Kimbrell, R-Boiling Springs, introduced a bill before the General Assembly adjourned for the year that he said would override the city's ordinance. He also sent a letter May 13 asking Wilson to consider the legality of the city rule and to sue to overturn it if the ordinance passes, citing a First Amendment violation. Columbia Councilwoman Tameika Isaac Devine, who backed the ordinance that would be the first of its kind in South Carolina, said she remains confident the rule is constitutional. Kimbrell's bill can't be taken up until the legislators reconvene for the 2022 session in January. He said in the meantime he hopes the courts will invalidate the city's ordinance if it passes. His proposed bill would add mental health professionals to the state's right of conscience laws that protect medical providers from punishment or retaliation for objecting to a medical practice based on religious or ethical beliefs. "If we pass this (bill), it will supersede any municipal ordinance," Kimbrell told The Post and Courier. "So yes, it's a direct response to what I think is an overreaching attack on the First Amendment by the Columbia City Council and political correctness run amok." Robert Kittle, a spokesman for Wilson, said the attorney general's office is reviewing Kimbrell's request. The city's ban on so-called conversion therapy passed unanimously on a first vote by city council on May 4 and could receive final approval May 18. Council members will first receive legal advice about the ordinance in executive session, Devine said. The ordinance would make it illegal for licensed therapists and counselors in the city to professionally practice on those younger than 18 therapy that seeks to change someones sexual orientation or gender identity. Violating the rule would be a civil infraction punishable by a fine up to $500. The ordinance proposed by Devine cites mental health professionals and organizations that have discredited the practice as ineffective and harmful to the mental and physical health of LGBTQ children it targets. A federal appeals court in November 2020 struck down two similar local bans passed in Florida, siding with two therapists who brought the case who argued the rules violated free speech rights. A federal judge in 2019 threw out a lawsuit challenging Maryland's ban on the practice of conversion therapy on minors. Devine, who is running for mayor, stood by the city's plan when asked about Kimbrell's proposal. "In this legislative session, instead of addressing issues that residents want addressed such as increasing teacher pay and ensuring fair housing for all South Carolinians, legislators are instead focused on bills that harm South Carolinians, such as re-instituting firing squads and taking away a woman's right to choose," Devine said in a statement to The Post and Courier. "Now in the 11th hour of the legislative session, a senator who does not represent this area wants to jump in and tell Columbia what is best for our city." SIMPSONVILLE On an overcast day near one of Simpsonville's busiest intersections, cars filter in and out of an automatic car wash, rolling through the whirring brushes or parked next to one of the roughly two dozen free vacuums. Just across the street a crew puts the finishing touches on a nearly identical business. The recent construction of the almost adjacent car washes on some of the most visible real estate in the city the intersection of Fairview Road and Southeast Main Street punctuated an issue for city officials. Simpsonville City Planner Jason Knudsen said in the past, maybe one or two people interested in opening a car wash would approach the city in a given year. More recently, it has grown to multiple conversations every month. "It's gone from, 'yeah, people are coming in here and there,' to this just is the topic of conversation now," Knudsen said. As Simpsonville works to revitalize its city center and cultivate a charming, small town environment, Knudsen said a proliferation of car washes threatens to push out a more diverse selection of businesses that could further that goal. With low overhead and maintenance costs, the businesses are highly profitable but add little to Simpsonville's identity, Knudsen said. It's an issue throughout the city. But when it was announced a second car wash would be built at the intersection of Fairview and Southeast Main, residents began contacting city leaders to voice concern that prime real estate was being squandered. Sign up for our Greenville development newsletter. Get all the latest updates on the Upstate real estate market, more openings and closings, exclusive development news and more in your inbox each week. Email Sign Up! "That's when people were kind of like 'Are you kidding me? Why in the world would you permit this?"" Knudsen said. "But there's nothing in our ordinance that says we could restrict it and say no. So our hands were kind of tied on that one." Simpsonville City Council unanimously approved a resolution at its May meeting asking staff to draft a zoning ordinance that would curb the trend. "Since this seems to be an ongoing issue, we think we need to update our zoning regulations to make it a little clearer who we want to be," said Mayor Paul Shewmaker. In doing so, the city looks to emulate Mauldin to the north, which passed a zoning ordinance in April that restricted new car maintenance businesses, including car washes, from setting up shop within a half-mile of each other. Mauldin City Planner David Dyrhaug said the change was enacted to stop one kind of business from dominating the city. Knudsen said his recommendation to council will likely not be as restrictive as Mauldin's but will be designed specifically to prevent new car washes from strangling healthy growth in the city. He is still in the process of determining what the ordinance will entail. It will not impact existing businesses. Knudsen hopes to present a draft of the revised zoning requirements to the city's planning commission at its meeting next month. It could be presented to City Council as early as late June, which would put it on course for final approval in in the next several months. "I'm just getting into the possibilities of what to do," Knudsen said. "Some of that could blanket the entire city with distance requirements for some of those uses, breaking off uses into their own categories or we could target specific areas of the city." GREENVILLE With plans underway to build its new headquarters in downtown Greenville, United Community Bank is also expanding its financial advisory operation. In a May 13 announcement, the bank said it would acquire Greenville-based FinTrust Capital Partners advising firm before the end of 2021. FinTrust, launched in 2008, manages $2 billion in assets in multiple markets across South Carolina and Georgia, including the Upstate and Athens. It fits comfortably within United Community's existing territory, which includes 161 offices in Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas and Tennessee. United Community CEO Lynn Harton declined to disclose the sale price but said the FinTrust addition "significantly increases" the bank's advisory assets under management. Phillip Brice, FinTrust's co-founder, said his company has 32 employees, including 14 advisers. This group adds to United Community's existing pool of 20 to 25 financial advisers. FinTrust is also poised for more growth, Harton said May 13. "One of the attractive pieces to us about FinTrust was, you know, they've built the team and the structure and compliance and operations and other things you need to be able to scale up their business," Harton said. "When we were talking back in 2013, they were a much smaller company then." United Community Bank, currently based in Blairsville, Ga., recently announced it is relocating its headquarters to Greenville. The bank anticipates starting construction on its new building at 200 E. Camperdown Way in early 2022 and moving in by 2024. On May 6, the city of Greenvilles Design Review Board approved the banks site plan with a handful of conditions for redeveloping 200 E. Camperdown Way, currently the home of the Wyche Law Firm. The plan included a rough architectural rendering of the buildings layout. A two-story bank branch will be open for customers at the front of the structure, and a four-story tower will rise behind it. Underneath will be three subterranean parking deck floors. Stephen Navarro with The Furman Co. is representing the bank for the construction project. Sign up for our Greenville development newsletter. Get all the latest updates on the Upstate real estate market, more openings and closings, exclusive development news and more in your inbox each week. Email Sign Up! With the headquarters announcement in February, Harton said that he expected $2 billion to $2.5 billion in annual growth through new business and acquisitions in coming years. United Community has tripled in size since 2012. Wealth management, Harton said, "is clearly very complimentary to our core, banking business." Banking customers, especially those who are aging, need financial plans, along with traditional banking services such as mortgages, commercial loans, and deposits. "To be able to provide that service, that peace of mind, is what we've always been about," he said. "And so this really just speeds up our strategic growth plans in this area." United Community's wealth-advising operation had been growing internally but got a boost last year, Harton said, when the lender acquired Seaside National Bank and Trust in Florida. FinTrust managed about $500 million in assets in 2013 and has grown four-fold since then, Brice said. Some of that growth has come organically but the firm also has recruited and acquired advisers along the way. For FinTrust, the advantage of joining United Community lies in the bank's ability to set up trusts for customers and offer other financial services. "What this does is really it gives more strategic direction to that entire (advisory) group, and gives both sides more products," Harton said. The FinTrust announcement came a few weeks after Harton told investors during a quarterly earnings meeting that the bank was open to additional mergers and acquisitions within its five-state footprint. NORTH CHARLESTON Drive down the aptly named Aviation Avenue and other roads near Charleston Air Force Base and you'll no doubt see some familiar military aircraft. But all across the Lowcountry, there are dozens of plane-watching opportunities. And identifying some of the flying craft can be a little tough sometimes. With a little practice, the characteristics of most will become easier to spot. For Armed Forces Day, May 15, here's a curated list of 10 military jets, prop planes and helicopters and their general characteristics to identify as you scan the skies: C-17A Globemaster III This large transport plane is stationed at the base as part of the Air Force's transport mission. It delivers troops and cargo to bases around the world. It has a payload of 170,900 pounds. The C-17 is distinctive and easily identifiable. It has thousands of arrivals and departures per year at Joint Base Charleston. Measurements: 174 feet long with a wingspan of 169.8 feet Speed: 518 mph Ceiling: 45,000 feet Armament: None Crew: Three (two pilots and loadmaster) Fact: The first production model of the C-17 was delivered to CAFB on June 14, 1993. P-8A Poseidon This multipurpose patrol plane is used by the Navy primarily for anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare. It performs intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions around the world and participates in search and rescues. Measurements: 129.6 feet long with a wingspan of 123.6 feet Speed: 564 mph Ceiling: 41,000 feet Armament: Missiles, torpedoes and sonobuoys Crew: Nine Fact: It's a military version of the Boeing 737. C-130J Super Hercules A tactical transport plane capable of a wide variety of missions, including aerial refueling, special operations, airlift support, aerial spray, firefighting, disaster relief and weather reconnaissance. Lockheed Martin's turboprop can carry up to 42,000 pounds and take off and land on short, unprepared strips. Measurements: 97.8 feet long with a wingspan of 132.6 feet Speed: 417 mph Ceiling: 28,000 feet Armament: Cannons, missiles and bombs (on Ghostrider gunship) Crew: Three (two pilots and loadmaster) or more, depending on mission Fact: This is the plane of choice for the Air Force Reserve's Hurricane Hunters. AV-8B Harrier II Although this short takeoff/vertical landing jet has been out of production since 2003, some Marine squadrons are still flying them, including those at Cherry Point, N.C. The planes will be by replaced by F-35s. Measurements: 46.3 feet long with a wingspan of 30.3 feet Speed: 647 mph Ceiling: 38,000 feet Armament: Cannons, rockets, missiles and bombs Crew: One Fact: It takes up to eight Marines to remove or install the Harrier's Rolls-Royce Pegasus turbofan engine. F-35 Lightning II The F-35 is the newest multirole stealth fighter being deployed by the Air Force, Navy and Marines. It's designed to replace aging fleets of F-16s and several other planes, but the program has suffered several delays. Measurements: 51.4 feet long with a wingspan of 35 feet Speed: 1,200+ mph (Mach 1.6) Ceiling: 50,000+ feet Armament: Wide variety of weapons can be carried internally in stealth mode; ordnance payload is more than 18,000 pounds Crew: One Fact: Marine pilots are being trained in Beaufort in the F-35B, the short takeoff/vertical landing version of the jet. Sign up for our SC Military Digest newsletter Get exclusive military reporting, updates from Palmetto State bases, headlines from around the globe and more delivered to your inbox each Tuesday. Email Sign up! F-16 Fighting Falcon A multirole fighter aircraft that has succeeded in air-to-air and air-to-surface combat. Its life has been extended due to delays in the F-35. International demand remains high for the versatile jet. The plane is flown by the S.C. Air National Guard. Measurements: 49.4 feet long with a wingspan of 32.7 feet Speed: 1,500+ mph (Mach 2+) Ceiling: 50,000+ feet Armament: Cannons, missiles and conventional munitions Crew: One or two Fact: Lockheed Martin moved the F-16 production line to Greenville. The facility also has a contract to overhaul the fighters for the Air Force. F/A-18 Hornet/Super Hornet The Navy and Marine Corps deploy this all-weather fighter and attack aircraft. Several Hornet squadrons operate out of Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. Both services can launch the jets from aircraft carriers, but the Marines are moving solely to the F-35 for carrier duty. Measurements: Hornet: 56 feet long with a wingspan of 40.4 feet; Super Hornet: 60.3 feet long with a wingspan of 44.9 feet Speed: 1,300+ mph (Mach 1.7+ Hornet and Mach 1.8+ Super Hornet) Ceiling: 50,000+ feet Armament: Cannons, rockets, missiles, mines and bombs Crew: One or two Fact: The Blue Angels, the Navy's flight demonstration squadron, now fly the Super Hornet after 34 years in the Hornet. MH-65 Dolphin A patrol and search-and-rescue helicopter operated from Coast Guard bases and cutters. While the choppers seen in our area are based in Savannah, one is on duty at the Sector Charleston air facility. Measurements: 44.4 feet long with a rotor diameter of 39.2 feet Speed: 201 mph Ceiling: 18,000 feet Armament: Machine guns, rifles Crew: Four (two pilot, two crew) Fact: Dolphins are used extensively in lifesaving operations after hurricanes. UH-60 Black Hawk This helicopter can transport an entire 11-person, fully equipped infantry squad in most weather conditions. The S.C. Army National Guard flies the chopper. Measurements: 64.8 feet long with a rotor diameter of 53.7 feet Speed: 183 mph Ceiling: 19,000 feet Armament: Machine guns, missiles and rockets Crew: Four (two pilots, two crew) Fact: Critical components are armored, and the airframe is designed to crush progressively to protect occupants. E-3 Sentry (AWACS) The Airborne Warning and Control System jet is easily identified because it has a large radar housed in a rotating, saucer-shaped dome 11 feet above the fuselage. The jet provides surveillance, target tracking and early warning of enemy actions. Measurements: 152.9 feet long with a wingspan of 145.8 feet; rotodome: 30 feet in diameter, 6 feet thick Speed: 360 mph Ceiling: 29,000+ feet Armament: None Crew: Flight crew of four plus mission crew of 13-19 specialists Fact: The E-3 can fly a mission profile about eight hours without refueling. Sources: Joint Base Charleston, Department of Defense, U.S. Coast Guard, Boeing, Lockheed Martin and Airbus Helicopters. NORTH CHARLESTON For Catherine Spencer, Academic Magnet High School isnt a top school in the nation because of AP classes, college prep or rigorous standards, its because of the students. For the past four years, Spencer has watched Academic Magnet students push themselves, achieving more with each school year. Its the students and their drive that Spencer is sad to say goodbye to as she prepares to leave the school to help open another in Cairo, Egypt. It is amazing to me, as successful as this school has been since its inception over 30 years ago, that the students keep raising their own bar, she said. We dont even have to raise it for them. Spencer joined the school in North Charleston as principal in 2017 taking over the role from her predecessor Judith Peterson. In 2019, the school was recognized as No. 1 in the nation by the U.S. News & World Report. In 2020 and 2021, the school placed second in the nation, according to the U.S. News rankings. Although she was leading the school when it received those distinctions, Spencer doesnt take much credit. The rankings are determined on data points such as college readiness, math and reading proficiency and graduation rate, but Spencer believes its the students commitment to making an impact on their world that got the school to this point. Spencer has used that theme of impact throughout her career. She came to Academic Magnet from the American School Foundation in Monterrey, Mexico, where she was the director of elementary and middle school programs. Spencer brought her love of other cultures and international education into her job at the school. Shes really shown us that theres another world out there, said Catherine Yackey, a math teacher at the school. I hope that well keep that international connection within our school. I hope kids know that they can have options outside of the city. In her time as principal, Spencer worked to improve students understanding of international affairs by putting an emphasis on service, leadership and academics. We have kids designing water filtration systems for villages in Bangladesh, she said. We have kids that are translating dental health brochures into Spanish for villages in Guatemala. The expectation is that you, as an Academic Magnet student, reach beyond yourself for impact in your world. Spencers work to help students achieve goals outside of themselves has translated over to her students. 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 Lily Lassiter, a senior at the high school, is one of those high-achieving students. On May 13, the South Carolina Department of Education announced that Lassiter is one two high schoolers in the state to be named a U.S. Presidential Scholar. Only one man and woman from each state receives the scholarship, which is awarded on accomplishments in the academics, the arts and career and technical education. Lassiter will be attending Yale in the fall with a double major in neuroscience and music. "Over the past four years, I have had the great pleasure of witnessing the continued growth and grace of this extraordinary young woman," Spencer said in a news release about Lassiters scholarship. "Her academic achievement is only one piece of her multifaceted accomplishment in the arts, service, and leadership. Lassiter and Spencer have developed a close relationship over the years as they entered the school at the same time. Shes an amazing leader, Lassiter said of Spencer. Shes compassionate, caring and helpful. Ive been really close with her over the past four years and I think shes done a great job of making Academic Magnet into the school that it is. Spencer said shes going to miss students like Lassiter the most when she goes on to her next gig, developing a flagship international school in Cairo for GEMS Education, an international K-12 private education provider. In that role, Spencer will initially be working with mostly elementary students as she builds the school from the ground up. The level of conversation that I can have with high school students here at Academic Magnet, the level of expectation that we have of each other, not just what I have of them but what they have of me also, those are the things Im going to miss, she said. Charleston County School District is still searching for Spencers replacement at the school. The job is posted and the district is reviewing applications, with hopes to fill the position in the near future. Spencer would like more students to have access to the opportunities and education provided by Academic Magnet at other schools and in middle school programs. "I think Academic Magnet can be replicated for a wider number of students," she said. ST. STEPHEN The fish lift in this town passes more American shad and blueback herring than any other passage structure on the Atlantic Coast. During a typical year, the 75-foot fish lift passes more than 400,000 American shad, 350,000 blueback herring, plus striped bass, catfish, panfish and other aquatic species into Lakes Marion and Moultrie. During the busiest time of year from early February to the beginning of May more than 10,000 fish can pass through the lift in an hour. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration fisheries experts called the St. Stephen fish lift "the most important fish passage facility on the East Coast." I dont know if its the most important facility on the East Coast, but its the most important lift in the state because its the only one that connects the ocean to the freshwaters of the lakes and rivers, said Kyle Hoffman, a biologist and project manager at the S.C. Department of Natural Resources. The American shad and blueback herring are anadromous, which are fish that are born in freshwater but spend most of their lives in saltwater only to return to freshwater to spawn. The St. Stephen fish lift is critical to their survival. The lift provides the fish a path from the ocean to their freshwater spawning grounds. Each spring the fish make their migration runs up the rivers in search of suitable spawning habitat. Biologists have found that blueback herring and American shad that spawned in the Santee and Cooper rivers system can migrate more than 1,000 miles to the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia, Canada. Biologists are still puzzled by the fishs innate ability to return to their spawning grounds. It is believed that the young fish actually memorize a particular smell or taste of the river and they use this to guide them to their original spawning habitat. Thats the most common theory, Hoffman said. No one is exactly sure why they do it, but we believe it has something to do with smell or taste. The fish just recognize that particular smell and know thats their natal water system. The fish are forced to travel more than 100 miles from the Atlantic up freshwater rivers to reach their spawning grounds. Theyve evolved the ability to navigate rapids and other natural obstructions. Man-made obstructions, however, such as dams can completely block access to the spawning grounds. In these instances, a human-made passageway, called a fishway, is constructed so fish may pass around the obstacles. There are several different designs to pass fish around dams, such as fish ladders, fish lifts and navigation locks. In the Santee/Cooper system, a fish lift and a navigation lock (favored by boaters) are used by migrating fish to pass from the Santee and Cooper rivers into the lakes and rivers beyond. Its a compromise, Hoffman said. Theres a balance between the energy demands, the business interest and the wildlife. The fish need to move inland to spawn, and because of the dam weve cut down on their access to their spawning areas. 'An impressive sight' The water of the Santee and Cooper rivers had been engineered long before the first Europeans settled the area. Archeologist have found artifacts around St. Stephen that date back 8,000 years to the early Archaic period. Native Americans used weirs small damlike structures that caused water to pool behind them to take advantage of the abundant fish in the rivers. When Europeans first settled the region, the rivers were diked and flooded to produce rice fields. The financial success of the rice crop gave rise to many plantations. In 1800, a newly constructed 22-mile-long, 10-lock canal connected the Santee and Cooper rivers. This canal allowed goods from the plantations to be delivered from the midlands to Charleston on barges drawn by horses or mules. The most significant change to the two rivers occurred in 1941, when the Santee River was dammed, and Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion were created. Over 42 miles of dams and dikes were built. At the time of construction, it was the most extensive land-clearing project in U.S. history at approximately 175,000 acres, with most of the clearing being done by hand. The goal of this diversion project was to provide hydroelectric power to rural Lowcountry residents and created what is now the state-owned Santee Cooper water and utility company. Unfortunately, damming the river also blocked hundreds of miles of migration routes for anadromous fish returning to their freshwater spawning grounds. The lift at St. Stephen allows the fish to access their spawning and nursery natal waters. When St. Stephen's three turbines are operating at full capacity, a large amount of turbulence is created in the Tailrace Canal. The canal is part of the fishway that connects the ocean to the interior rivers and lakes. As the fish migrate upstream, they're attracted to the downstream flow at the entrance to the gates of the lift. The fish pass through another gate, known as a fish crowder. These gates close and the crowder moves forward, forcing the fish into the lock chamber. The lock then floods, and a basket forces the fish up to lake level. From there the fish are released into an upper canal and its a 2-mile swim to Lake Moultrie. During the high season, we operate the lift every 15 to 30 minutes, Hoffman said. The whole system can reset itself in about 15 minutes. When the turbines are running at full capacity, they discharge 25,000 cubic feet of water per second enough water to fill the reflecting pool at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., in less than 2 minutes. When all the turbines are going and everything is cranking, its a pretty impressive sight, Hoffman said. However, the turbulence created by the turbines was impacting the ability of the fish to locate the fish lift entrance. In the mid-1980s, to reduce turbulence in the fish lift entry, engineers designed and installed precast concrete walls (wingwalls) and entry gates called weirs. These additions created a more natural river flow that is attractive to migrating fish. In 2011, the fish lift suffered a catastrophic failure of the hydraulic system, which caused the loss of most of the passage season. The following year, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers spent nearly $2 million to replace the hydraulic system and crowder gates and repair and refurbish several other gates. An average year The 2020 spawning season has been an average year, Hoffman said. While the final count of fish wont be completed for months, it has been a wet, warm winter and early spring. Those factors usually determined the number of fish that migrate to the lakes and rivers. Theres a lot of variation from year-to-year, said Glenn McCroan, who works at the fish lift with DNR. It seems like these things go in different cycles for each species. One year we see more shad, the next we see more herring. It just depends. It was a little below average for what we are used to seeing, but a pretty average year. Shad and herring from stocks along the Atlantic Seaboard spend the autumns feeding on plankton. As they get older and mature, normally when the fish are three or four years old, they head back to their spawning waters in the lakes and rivers around St. Stephen in the spring. The anadromous fish play a vital role in the ecological system of the freshwater rivers and lakes. Fish that live in the lakes year-round, such as striped bass, feed on the returning blueback herring. If the shad and herring were unable to return to the lakes, it would totally change the ecosystem of the lakes and rivers, Hoffman said. Wayne Tairney, 51, has fished the canals and lakes around St. Stephen his whole life and understands the importance of the lift and its impact on the lakes. There are some great spots to fish around here in the canals on the lakes, said Tairney, who works as a fishing guide on lakes Moultrie and Marion. Without those shad and herring, I doubt it would be as good. Clergy and elected officials voiced outrage yet urged calm a day after the late-night release by the Charleston County Sheriff's Office of dozens of videos showing in graphic detail the final moments of Jamal Sutherland's life. The look into the 31-year-old's January death at the county jail raised serious questions about how people with mental illnesses are treated by police, advocates and officials said. Release of the videos late May 13 came after several days of ratcheting tensions over an investigation that spanned months and left lingering questions over how and why Sutherland died. The videos drew parallels to the death of George Floyd, a Minneapolis man killed in police custody last year. Like Floyd, Sutherland was also Black. In both instances, a law enforcement officer had a knee on the men's bodies while each stated: "I can't breathe." Speaking outside the Sheriff's Office on May 14, Sutherland's mother said her second of three children was a man of God who should have been treated better. "Mental illness doesn't give anybody the right to put their hands on my child. That's my child. I loved my child," Amy Sutherland said. "Remember, he is a human being. He is not an animal," she added. "He was treated like one, but that's not who he was." Sutherland's death remains under investigation. The newly released videos show that deputies shocked him with a stun gun as they tried to get him out from a cell to attend his bond hearing. The county coroner attributed Sutherland's demise to an excited state with adverse effects of prescription drugs as deputies tried to subdue him. His manner of death remains undetermined and under investigation, according to the coroner. Sutherland died a day after Sheriff Kristin Graziano was sworn into the role. In a separate news conference on May 14, she acknowledged that the videos her office released were horrific. The two deputies involved, Lindsay Fickett and Brian Houle, are still employed with the Sheriff's Office. They have been reassigned to desk duty and an internal investigation is ongoing, which could determine their future with the agency. Ninth Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson has said she expects to make a decision on whether to file charges by the end of June. In the meantime, Graziano said the Sheriff's Office would review what occurred and develop policies on how to better care for inmates with mental health conditions. At another news conference earlier in the day, the Rev. Matthew Rivers of Charleston's St. Johns Chapel called for progress on a communitywide debate about injustice and mistreatment to address police brutality. We want to tell Black Lives Matter we are here with you, we want you to know your voice matters, he said, challenging local clergy to get involved in the dialogue. We want justice, we want to say the name Jamal Sutherland," Luther Reynolds, Charleston's police chief, said at the same press conference. "We want this to get the attention it deserves, he added, while also calling for civility and cooperation. Body camera videos The newly released video included body camera footage that captured deputies as they entered Sutherland's cell to take him to a bond hearing. It was the morning of Jan. 5 and Sutherland had been at the jail for roughly 14 hours. Sutherland ignored repeated commands that he drop to his knees while inside his cell. After using pepper spray, deputies Houle and Fickett ordered Sutherland to get onto his stomach. Soon after, Fickett is seen shocking Sutherland with the stun gun, causing Sutherland to cry out. Then Houle fired his stun gun, leading Sutherland to writhe on the floor. Sutherland had been jailed after fighting broke out at Palmetto Lowcountry Behavioral Health, a mental-health facility. Days earlier, he heard voices and became paranoid. Sutherland was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia as a teenager and lived with his parents in Goose Creek. Sutherland and another patient from the center were arrested after the fight, accused of third-degree assault and battery, a misdemeanor, and taken to the jail. Inside the cell the next day, deputies told him to stop resisting their efforts to get him in handcuffs. At one point, Sutherland was heard saying: "I'm not resisting, officer." As he was handcuffed, Houle had his knee on Sutherland's back and remained there for over 2 minutes. "I can't breathe," Sutherland said. When deputies eventually lifted the man out of his cell, he was visibly limp and unresponsive, his head slumped onto his shoulders. CPR was then performed on Sutherland, both by hand and with the assistance of a mechanical device known as a "thumper" which provides chest compressions. Medical staff also responded to examine Sutherland, who continued to appear unresponsive. A video recorded Houle, the deputy, saying Sutherland got hit with a stun gun "probably about six to eight times at least." Continued efforts to resuscitate Sutherland failed. Pressure had been mounting on Graziano, the sheriff, to release the videos showing Sutherland's final moments despite fears that it could spark protests in response. In a statement when she released the videos after 10 p.m. May 13, Graziano said she had waited to do so in deference to Sutherland's family. But the time was right to make them public, she said. "I will continue to make myself available to the Sutherland family and offer my sincere condolences," Graziano said in the statement. "I must respect the integrity of the ongoing investigations to ensure justice is served, and therefore I will not be commenting on specific aspects of the video." 'No more hurt' Deputies used their stun guns to subdue Sutherland even before he showed signs of aggressive resistance. That goes against guidelines published by the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Stun guns should not be used by more than one deputy, only be deployed on people actively resisting or showing aggression who also are at risk of harming themselves or others, according to the guidelines. Axon, the company that makes Tasers, a brand of stun gun, specifically calls for law enforcement officers to not use them on people with mental health conditions. While stun guns are meant to not kill a person, that is not always the case. The news agency Reuters documented more than 1,000 incidences in the United States in which people died after police stunned them, specifically with a Taser. Dr. Justin Norris, an emergency care physician at Roper St. Francis Healthcare, said the electrical pulse from a stun gun causes short, sustained muscle contractions which can cause more serious reactions if the person has a certain medical conditions or is using drugs or prescriptions. A statement from a coalition of activist groups called Sutherlands death an egregious lack of regard for the human rights of mental health patients," especially those in custody. Jamals death speaks to the inefficacy of police training to handle mental health crises and how their presence further escalates an already delicate situation, the groups statement said. Sutherlands death was similar to one at a state Department of Mental Health facility in 2019. There, longtime patient William Avant suffocated at the bottom of a dogpile of caregivers who were attempting to restrain him, The State newspaper reported in 2019. Employees pinned Avant face down and lay across his back for 4 minutes, preventing the patient's diaphragm from expanding to take in air. Their actions broke from the mental health agency's employee training, which stresses patients should only be physically restrained when absolutely necessary, and never face down. The department's training manual, in all capital letters, demands employees never lie across the patient's head, neck, back or chest as doing so might "interfere with their breathing." Avants family sued the agency and later agreed to a $1.95 million settlement. Sutherland's parents have not yet filed a lawsuit related to their son's treatment in the jail. But they are represented by an attorney. Around noon May 14, Amy Sutherland stood alongside her husband, James, and another of their sons in front of the hulking concrete jail in North Charleston. She pleaded for calm and prayed for justice, while urging that the videos of her son's final moments not lead to violence. I want us to view this tape and I want us to learn, she said. Please, no more hurt. Thomas Novelly contributed reporting from Charleston and Avery Wilks from Columbia. If you are on the Post and Courier mobile app and trying to view the video, click here. A federal judge has blocked a medical laboratory in Charleston from harvesting horseshoe crabs for blood from the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge. The order will remain in place until a lawsuit seeking to require a more sustainable practice has been decided. A complaint filed last year by the Southern Environmental Law Center on behalf of Defenders of Wildlife said Charles River Laboratories International Inc. uses an extract from the horseshoe crab's blue blood to test the safety of injectable pharmaceutical drugs and vaccines. The lab relies on the harvest of these animals in South Carolina for their work. Charles River Laboratories said the extract from the animals' blood is a critical part of the safe manufacture of many medicines, including approved COVID-19 vaccines. The complaint further accuses the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service of allowing and facilitating the collection of horseshoe crabs since 2014. In turn, it has disturbed countless birds, killed chicks and destroyed eggs. The refuge is administered by the Secretary of the Interior and the Fish and Wildlife Service. But the state Department of Natural Resources issues permits for the harvesting of the crabs. Conservation groups have pushed to end the commercial harvest of horseshoe crabs at the coastal sanctuary in Awendaw and are pleased the court granted the injunction. Catherine Wannamaker, a senior attorney for the Southern Environmental Law Center, said the injunction is a significant victory because now through early June is a critical window for harvest. "You know, we're talking about a harvest in a national wildlife refuge when a listed bird species makes this one stop within the refuge to feed," Wannamaker said. "So, you know, having that stop right now is critically important." One of the many benefits of the horseshoe crab is that it lays so many eggs. Only a few actually become baby horseshoe crabs, but the others serve as an important food source for migratory shorebirds, said Dana Beach, a board member of the Butler Conservation Fund and founder of the Coastal Conservation League. One specific shorebird, the red knot, really depends on the horseshoe crabs. The species has been listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. They nest in the Arctic Circle and migrate thousands of miles to South America in the winter. These medium-sized birds make one of the longest migrations of any bird species. Before red knots take off for migration, Beach said they fill up with carbohydrates and other food to double their body weight. They might go from 4 ounces to 8 ounces in fat. The birds stop about six times to refuel during their migration, and one stop is in South Carolina at Cape Romain where there are lots of horseshoe crabs. "This horseshoe crab debate is really an existential debate about the survival of a species of life that's been with us for hundreds of thousands of years and been a part of, specifically, South Carolina," Beach said. Since many people aren't on Cape Romain, unlike other beaches, these animals have the ability to feed extensively without being disturbed. Beach said Charles River Laboratories has been harvesting the horseshoe crabs to a point where it is harming the population. "They were in a pretty big decline themselves, and that meant the red knots were also much worse off," Beach said. Lindsay Dubin, a staff attorney at Defenders of Wildlife, said the recent court ruling brings much-needed relief to the refuge and the many species that depend on a healthy horseshoe population. Licensed harvesters catch thousands of horseshoe crabs each year in the Lowcountry and turn them over to the lab to be bled and possibly returned to the water later that day. It is estimated that about 30 percent of the animals die as a result of the blood procedure. But Sam Jorgensen, associate director of public relations and social media at Charles River Laboratories, said in a statement that the animals are returned to their native waters where they thrive and reproduce. Jorgensen said no company or organization has done more over 25 years than Charles River Laboratories to protect and preserve a healthy and growing horseshoe crab population in South Carolina's waterways. She said the company has worked with DNR to improve management and regulation of horseshoe crab fisheries, including banning the use of the animals as bait. "We will continue to work with federal, state and local wildlife and resource management agencies to balance humanity's need for this valuable resource (the extract) with the need to protect the crabs that provide it," Jorgensen said. The Southern Environmental Law Center has suggested the lab obtain horseshoe crabs in a place other than a wildlife refuge or use a synthetic alternative. Although parts of the refuge are completely off limits to the public, Defenders of Wildlife claim harvesters continue to go to restricted areas. RIDGELAND A South Carolina prison sergeant has been fired and arrested after allegedly smuggling lollipops laced with meth behind bars. Dana Fisher, 39, of Savannah, who worked at Ridgeland Correctional Institution, was taken into custody after a screener noticed something did not look correct about a bag of Charms Blow Pop suckers Fisher was carrying in. According to authorities and arrest affidavits, a closer look showed the wrappers looked as if they had been altered with glue. Officials field-tested the items and found about 10 of the candies appeared to be presumptive positive laced with meth. She was charged May 7 with distribution of methamphetamines, providing contraband to an inmate, and misconduct in office. Other bags of candy that Fisher brought into the institution were given to the State Law Enforcement Division for further testing. Chrysti Shain, a S.C. Department of Corrections spokeswoman, said prison staff can bring candy in to an institution for their own use but would otherwise be prohibited from sharing with inmates. Net income for the three months to end-March was US$14.7 million, up from US$860,000 in Q1 2020 Gold equivalent ounces sold in the three months was 7,302, up from 5,871 in Q1 2020 (NYSEAMERICAN:MMX) ( ) (FRA:7781) posted first-quarter results, which showed an uplift in net income and revenue, while the royalty company announced a 25% increase to the dividend. Net income for the three months to end-March was US$14.7 million, up from US$860,000 in Q1 2020, on total revenue of US$13 million, up 41% from US$9.2 million a year earlier. Gold equivalent ounces sold in the three months was 7,302, up from 5,871 in Q1 2020 and the cash flow from operating activities was US$13.4 million (Q1 2020: US$4.8 million). The board has approved a quarterly dividend of $0.0125 per share to be paid on June 15, 2021, This is a 25% increase from the previous dividend of $0.01 per share, noted Maverix. Dan O'Flaherty, Maverix CEO told investors that the first quarter had marked another milestone for Maverix as it was included in March in the VanEck Vectors Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ). "We are well on track to achieve our previously announced guidance of 27,000 to 30,0001 GEOs for 2021 at approximately a 90% cash margin, with approximately 99% of expected revenue derived from gold and silver," he said. "Maverix is also pleased to have Agnico as an operating partner, as it completed the acquisition of the Hope Bay mine, in Nunavut. We look forward to Agnico applying its operating expertise to maximize the long-term value of the mine and the highly prospective surrounding land package." The company is a gold-focused royalty and streaming company with a global portfolio of over 100 assets. At Hope Bay in Nunavut, where it holds a 1% net smelter return (NSR) royalty, Agnico has launched a major delineation, conversion and exploration drilling program, using three underground rigs and three surface rigs. Agnico expects to spend $16.2 million for 69,600 metres of diamond drilling this year. During the quarter, Maverix also increased its silver stream on the El Mochito mine in Honduras to 27.5% from 22.5% as a result of the conversion of a convertible debenture that was issued to Maverix last year for consenting to the acquisition of the El Mochito mine by Kirungu Corporation and a $1 million investment. Contact the author at giles@proactiveinvestors.com 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. Editorials represent the institutional view of the newspaper. They are written and edited by the editorial staff, which operates separately from the news department. Editorial writers are not involved in newsroom operations. There is a lot of energy being poured into discussions and strategies to combat the problem of global warming and sea level rise. The good news is that where there is a problem, there is always a story and the potential for some kind of transformation and achievement to occur. We have arrived at the threshold of a climate change story here in Charleston. In an earlier chapter, leaders from the Dutch Dialogues made it clear that our relationship with both nature and each other matters a lot if we are to mitigate our flood hazard risks. They spoke to why we so naturally and fervently love our beautiful salt marshes. Their lessons echo the teachings of ecotheologian Thomas James Nash, who has written that real love does not do desperate things, and it does not commit the irrevocable. In the city of Charlestons proposed climate action plan, there is a promise of care and reconciliation between Charleston and its beautiful, sustaining salt marshes: The Lowcountrys saltwater ecosystems are local assets that need to be protected. In addition to being key carbon sinks, they absorb and filter stormwater making us more resilient to flooding impacts. The plan sets as high priority these strategies: 1. Collaborate with regional and state partners to increase preservation and restoration of saltwater ecosystems like our marshes and wetlands. 2. Examine land use policy to make room for existing marshes to migrate, such as adjusting zoning and developing more stringent marsh buffers. What if this story actually came true? MERRIE KOESTER Allgood Road Charleston How times change In 1978, then-Sen. Joe Biden criticized Sen. Hubert Humphreys proposed plans for cradle-to-grave, across-the-board government largesse and entitlement. He pointedly said, (Humphrey) is not cognizant of the limited, finite ability government has to deal with peoples problems. This is taken from Reaganland: Americas Right Turn 1976-1980 by Rick Perlstein. It does appear the worm has turned. How many of us have had the gumption to tell our children that they are about to be swallowed and chained to massive, crushing debt and taxes if all that is currently proposed is slammed through? E. VERNON F. GLENN Sowell Street Mount Pleasant Trump can help Compared to other advanced countries, the United States is off to a good start toward the goal of herd immunity against COVID-19. But the easy part is over. Sign up for our opinion newsletter Get a weekly recap of South Carolina opinion and analysis from The Post and Courier in your inbox on Monday evenings. Email Sign Up! A huge percentage of unvaccinated Americans say they are not planning to step forward and get the shot. Without their cooperation the country cannot reach the goal of defeating the virus, which has taken more American lives than any of our wars. What can be done? Former Presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama have made public statements and/or appearances in support of vaccinations against COVID-19. The Biden administration is spending billions to promote the message. Former President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump have both been vaccinated but have not actively promoted the importance of immunization for the country. The Trumps are in a perfect position to make a major contribution in this cause. Donald Trump has a big influence over his base. His encouragement could persuade millions to get a shot. His public statements and appearances in support of vaccinations over the next few weeks could significantly advance the cause. It would also demonstrate that he sincerely cares about the welfare of the country as a whole. CARL VOELKER Deer Point Drive Johns Island Bridge memories A picture in The Post and Courier a couple of months ago of the two old Cooper River bridges triggered a memory from long ago, before the second bridge. I was a 14-year-old sophomore at Kingstree High School who had just the previous week completed bus driver training. It was May 1962. Mr. Reynolds came on the intercom as we assembled for homeroom and directed me to come to the office. He then told me to drive the school bus out front to the elementary school, pick up the fourth graders and take them to Charleston for their annual field trip. Yes, sir. The drive along Highway 52 was OK, and we went to the museum (the old one) on Rutledge Avenue and then to Sullivans Island for a picnic dinner at Fort Moultrie and the beach. On our return to the city, as we reached the top of the bridges first span, a fuel oil tanker truck reached the top of the span coming from town. I wet my pants when I realized we were going to meet at the bottom. The chaperones and teachers behind me went silent when they saw what was coming toward us. Our school bus had a 35 mph governor on its engine, and I held the accelerator to the floor. When we passed at the bottom, our mirrors couldnt have been more than half an inch apart. But they were apart. I couldnt wait to get home to change my pants. I sometimes wonder if the chaperones and teachers did the same. ALLISON BROWN Cedar Swamp Road Kingstree COLUMBIA The S.C. Legislature's regular session ended May 13 with the state Chamber of Commerce applauding lawmakers for what they came close to accomplishing over the last five months: Passing a hate crime law. South Carolina is one of just two states, the other being Wyoming, without a law laying out penalties for crimes motivated by hate. It's a distinction that's not good for attracting businesses or skilled employees, said Bob Morgan, the chamber's president and CEO. "Why in the world would we miss this golden opportunity to send a message to the rest of the world that, in fact, we are the welcoming people we know ourselves to be as we compete for talent to fill the jobs of the future that will help keep South Carolina moving forward," he said on the Statehouse steps after the Legislature adjourned. But rather than blast legislators for not getting the bill across the finish line, he and others thanked the Democrats and Republicans who worked to get it a few steps away, while urging the hold-out Senate to pass it quickly next year. "We're here to celebrate the historic progress that has been made," Morgan said. "Were here to rally around the work that remains to be done and say, 'Yes this is a business issue,' and it remains a top priority of the South Carolina business community. It also happens to be the right thing to do." The session started in January with a big push from business leaders to get it done. The backing of the state chamber, followed by the University of South Carolina, did push the effort further along than it's ever gotten. After years of similar bills going nowhere, a measure adding prison time for hate crimes passed the House 79-29 a month ago with no floor debate whatsoever. The bill's dozens of co-sponsors included many in the House's GOP leadership. The bill squeaked out of Senate Judiciary Committee last week on a 13-10 vote, giving it a chance for full passage this year. But nine GOP senators contested the bill, officially blocking debate. Convincing nine senators in the final week to remove their objection was too big a hurdle. Senators never took it up for floor debate. But that doesn't start the effort over. The bill will remain on the Senate calendar for debate when the 2022 session starts in January. By law, the 2021 regular session ended at 5 p.m. May 13. State Rep. Wendell Gilliard, who has sponsored the proposal for years, said he's confident it will pass next year. "It gives us time between now and January to mount another solid effort to make this thing come to fruition," said the Charleston Democrat, who credited the business community for its passage in the House. That it reached the Senate floor at all "gave us a lot of hope, even for next year." In the past, opponents have said a crime is a crime, regardless of the motivation, so there's no need to create a new law. So rather than create a separate crime, as laws in other states do, the bill allows up to five additional years and a $10,000 fine to be tacked on to the prison sentence of violent criminals who targeted their victims due to race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, sexual orientation or disability. Sign up for updates! Get the latest political news from The Post and Courier in your inbox. Email Sign Up! When the year started, South Carolina was among three states without a hate crime law. But Arkansas' Republican governor signed a law last month mandating that violent criminals serve at least 80 percent of their sentence if their victims were selected due to "mental, physical, biological, cultural, political, or religious beliefs." Critics contend that's not a true hate crime law. Whatever that law is deemed, that leaves South Carolina and Wyoming. "When youre down to one or two states that simply wont pass a hate crimes bill, the question will come up more often than not, 'Why not? What is wrong?'" said another Chamber of Commerce speaker, former state Sen. Joel Lourie, D-Columbia. "We know South Carolina is a great place to live, a great place to grow a business, a great place to raise your family," said the owner of a health insurance brokerage firm. "But its also important we continue to be viewed by the rest of the world and by businesses and potential employees who want to move here that we are a state that takes these issues very seriously." Gov. Henry McMaster said whether South Carolina is last is not a reason to pass legislation, no matter what the issue. "I dont think thats the criteria, whether youre first or last," he said hours before the session ended. "What you want to do is, when you pass laws, have good laws." Earlier this year, McMaster said he understands the desire for a hate crime law but cautioned against "criminalizing thought." On May 13, he said that while "there are positive parts," he still has concerns. But he added he won't make a decision on the measure until legislative negotiations are over and he has a final product on his desk. It's too soon to know the bill's chances next year, said Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, R-Edgefield. The only sure thing is it won't be easy. Sen. Josh Kimbrell, one of the nine senators who blocked debate, said he's concerned the measure could lead to civil lawsuits, even though the House removed the section of the bill allowing that. Still, he wants the bill to specifically bar that use of the law and include specific definitions for some of the protected characteristics, including sexual orientation and gender. "There needs to be some kind of very clear definition that cant be a constantly moving target, Kimbrell, R-Spartanburg, said, adding he wants to ensure "were not going after people for what they believe. Legislators will return next month for several short sessions limited to work on finalizing a state budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1 and approving any compromises worked out by joint House-Senate panels on bills that passed both chambers by May 13. Jamie Lovegrove contributed from Columbia. Insights What counts as culture? Is it simply the original culture, as we understand it, or should it include the cultural features introduced over time? Read more The transaction provides it with immediate cash flow along with measured exposure to copper, a key metal in the clean energy economy Nomad Royalty will pay US$23 million in cash plus two million of its common share purchase warrants for the 0.28% NSR royalty Company Ltd ( ) (OTCQX:NSRXF) (FRA:IRLB) announced it has agreed to acquire a 0.28% net smelter return (NSR) royalty on the producing Caserones mine in Chile. Nomad said the transaction adds a new revenue stream from Chile while providing the company with measured exposure to copper, a key metal powering the worlds transition to a clean energy economy. The Caserones Royalty provides Nomad with immediate cash flow over a very long mine life from Chile, a tier 1 mining jurisdiction, CEO Vincent Metcalfe said in a statement. This transaction highlights Nomad's unique positioning within the royalty space in terms of its financial capacity to acquire high-quality royalties and is consistent with Nomad's strategy of building a diversified portfolio of high-quality cash flowing royalties and streams, Metcalfe added. In consideration for the transaction, will pay Appian Capital Chile SpA US$23 million in cash plus two million common share purchase warrants, with each warrant entitling the holder to buy one Nomad common share at a price equal to US$1.085 per share for a period of 36 months following the date of the agreement. As part of the transaction, Nomad will acquire a 30% ownership interest in Compania Minera Caserones (CMC), a private Chilean contractual mining company that holds the payment rights to 32.5% of a 2.88% net smelter return royalty on the Caserones mine. Thus, the deal will provide Nomad with two-thirds of the 2Q dividend payment from CMC, which is expected during the third quarter of this year. The Caserones mine is owned and operated by Minera Lumina Copper Chile, which is indirectly owned by JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation. In 2019, Caserones produced 146,000 tonnes of copper and 2,778 tonnes of molybdenum. Nomad Royalty is a gold & silver royalty company that purchases rights to a percentage of the gold or silver produced from a mine, for the life of the mine. The company owns a portfolio of 14 royalty, and stream, assets, of which seven are on currently producing mines. Nomad plans to grow and diversify its low-cost production profile through the acquisition of additional producing and near-term producing gold & silver streams and royalties. Contact Sean at sean@proactiveinvestors.com Some leftists, including Dana Milbank, are saying so. But then, these are some of the same people who claim that Republicans packed the Supreme Court by nominating and confirming conservatives Justices to fill vacancies on the traditional nine-member court. These folks will argue anything. Its gratifying to see that attacks on the cancel culture are moving the needle sufficiently for hacks like Milbank to want to throw the charge back at Republicans. However, its dopey to claim that Liz Cheneys removal from House leadership has anything to do with cancel culture. Politicians and other public figures dont become cancel culture victims when political positions they take, or the manner in which they do so, cost them office. Rep. Joe Crowley wasnt canceled when Democratic voters in his congressional district decided they preferred to be represented by the more radical Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Bill Clinton didnt cancel Lani Guinier when he withdrew her nomination for a top civil rights job at the Justice Department after learning about some of her extreme (at the time) positions on racial issues. Reince Priebus wasnt canceled when he lost his job as Donald Trumps chief of staff. Trump wouldnt have been canceled if his first impeachment trial had resulted in removal from office. Kamala Harris wont be canceled if Joe Biden decides he will fare better with a different running mate in 2024 or if Biden doesnt run again and the party sees fit to nominate someone other than Harris for president. Even those those insisting that Justice Breyer step down to make way for a more left-wing jurist arent trying to cancel him, in my opinion. Thats a closer call, though. The cancel culture isnt about politicians and political figures losing jobs because their views on political matters, or their stridency, dont mesh with those who select them. Politicians have no right legal, moral, or otherwise to hold a particular office. Nor is personal freedom, including freedom of expression, diminished when officeholders lose out based on their stances on the issues of the day. Thats a lot of what politics is about taking positions and facing the consequences, happy or unpleasant. Victims of the cancel culture are mainly non-politicians who lose their job or are punished in some other way for expressing their views on public policy or the events of the day. An actress removed from a show because of her political expression is a classic example. Politicians fall victim to the cancel culture when they are prevented from expressing or disseminating their views. Being kicked off of social media can be viewed as cancellation, for example. But no one is preventing Liz Cheney from disseminating her views about Donald Trump. She seems to be doing so non-stop. Both examples of cancel culture cited above a private figure losing a job due to her political expression and a public figure being prevented from sharing his views have fascist overtones. The implications of politicians losing out because of what they advocate or how they advocate it are democratic. Elliott Abrams is author of the memoir Tested By Zion: The Bush Administration and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict and senior fellow for Middle Eastern studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. He served, most recently, in the Trump administration State Department as Special Representative for Iran and Venezuela. Mosaic editor Jonathan Silver called on Abrams for a live briefing on the Hamas hostilities against Israel via Zoom yesterday afternoon. In the briefing Abrams placed the current situation in Israel in its context: explaining the reasons that Hamas decided to launch a war, the implications for the Middle East as a whole and the Abraham Accords in particular, the American response, the potential effects on Israeli politics, and the distortions of the U.S. news media. I found it of interest and have posted the video below. The Times of Israel updates events via live blog here. I still have my copy of Abramss first book, also a memoir: Undue Process: A Story of How Political Differences Are Turned Into Crimes (1993). It chronicles his service in the Reagan administration State Department and his victimization by Independent Counsel Lawrence Walsh in the Iran-Contra affair. The CDC has finally bowed to reality, acknowledging that there is no reason for vaccinated people to wear masks indoors, let alone outdoors. Call me cynical, but my guess is the polling has gone South on mask mandates. People have had enough. Next thing you know, Joe Biden will take off his mask to celebrate his administrations great victory over the coronavirus. Must have been those vaccines Biden was so instrumental in developing. As Scott reported this morning, Minnesotas proto-fascist governor, Tim Walz, has revoked his states mask mandate. His declared state of emergency remains in place, although no one can explain wherein the emergency lies. He just likes power. Similarly, in South Carolina, where I am vacationing at the moment, the governor issued an executive order prohibiting county or local governments in the state from enforcing covid-related local mask mandates. This leaves stores, bars, restaurants and other facilities in the position of deciding whether to stop requiring patrons to wear masks. I assume most of them will, soon. Today I had the happy experience of walking into a restaurant in Charleston and seeing that the people working there were not masked, nor were any of the customers. And one of my daughters reports having lunch today in a mask-free restaurant in Minnesota. Competitive pressures will soon kick in. I will not frequent any restaurant, grocery store or other establishment that requires masks if there is a competitor within a one hour drive that does not do so. I am sure most others feel the same way. Let us leave the mask horror behind, as rapidly as possible. Lets throw our masks into the fire and forget we ever wore them. There are some peopleI know this because of Twitterwho love wearing masks and are mortified to see the glorious masked era come to an end. These people have problems I would not undertake to diagnose, but my hope is that they soon will look very silly, a tiny remnant walking around incognito. Maybe someone will remember that it is actually illegal to wear a mask in public in Minnesota and some other states, the assumption being that you are on your way to rob a bank. The hardest cases may be the airlines. For some reason, they are institutionally committed to covid. This may be the same perverse instinct that caused Delta to back the Democratic Party in Georgia. In any event, the airlines need to get their act together and tell their passengers to leave their masks at home. The tide of freedom is rising, and the airlines dont want to be on the wrong side of history. Ive been absent the last few days because I was making my way to and from Moscow, Idaho, where I was the commencement speaker for the New Saint Andrews College class of 2021. Quite a remarkable little college, punching way above its weight class. More about this in due course. Im calling my trip Mission to Moscow after the once famous but now forgotten Joseph Davies book Mission to Moscow from 1941. Davies was FDRs very pro-Stalin ambassador to the Soviet Union, and anti-Communists dubbed his book Submission to Moscow. Need I mention that Hollywood made a movie out of it? Even IMBD summarized it thus: Ambassador Joseph Davies is sent by FDR to Russia to learn about the Soviet system and returns to America as an advocate of Stalinism. Seriouslycheck out the poster for it (left), especially the tag line. Now I know what youre thinking: Moscow, Idaho, has to be the complete opposite of Russias Moscow, because its in Idaho. But youd be wrong. Moscow is the home of the University of Idaho, so its a typical college town, with a Soviet-style city council. As such, NSA College represents the home of the dissidents and refuseniks. Ill post up my complete commencement remarks over the weekend after I revise my text to include my last minute revisions and couple of improvisations, but Ill offer as a preview my first piece of practical advice (since commencement speeches are supposed to offer those) for the graduates: By the way, how much trouble could be avoided if we simply ignored most ideas that come out of Germany. And herewith my first piece of obligatory commencement advice: A sage friend of mine [it was Mike Uhlmann] once suggested, that when you hear some nifty new idea to improve the world from some celebrated progressive thinker, you should slowly repeat the idea aloud, in a German accent, and see if it still sounds as good. Your fac-cine paperz plis! It turns out there is a great German term for this kind of progressive busy-body: Weltverschlechter, which translates to world-worsener. Keep it handy for Scrabble. In the meantime, for todays moment of Zen, heres 45 seconds of this mornings fly-by of Mount Baker in the North Cascade Mountains of Washington state, en route back to Seattle with a pal on his company airplane. In 2014, we made Elise Stefanik one of our Power Line picks that is, one of the candidates we urged our readers to back financially. The decision was mine, based on a recommendation by one of my daughters. I understood that Stefanik was less conservative than many of our readers and, indeed, less conservative than I am. However, I liked her positions on national security issues and believed she was about as conservative as a candidate could be and still win her New York district. I also considered her smart, with lots of potential to serve ably for decades. In Congress, Stefanik has been center-right rather than staunchly conservative. Thats why now, after emerging as a leading supporter of former president Trump and apparently ascending to a leadership position in the House, the mainstream media claims that she sold out her center-right principles in order to gain power. The Washington Post makes this case in a highly partisan article (is there any other kind in the Post these days?) by Michael Kranish. Its called For Stefanik, a rightward turn grants upward mobility. But did Stefanik really turn right? Kranishs claim that she did conflates support for Trump on non-policy questions with turning right. Failing to make the distinction, he fails to make his case. Stefanik first emerged as a major supporter of Trump when she called on Adam Schiff to resign from his position as chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. Her call was based not on any left-right policy issue, but on Schiffs erratic and abusive conduct regarding the investigation into alleged collusion between Russia and Trump. Schiff was basically making stuff up. Any fair-minded Republican paying close attention would have condemned his behavior. Then came the first impeachment, during which Stefanik was one of Trumps most ardent defenders. She found less merit than I did in the charge that Trump tried, for a time, to induce Ukraine to investigate the Bidens using U.S. aid as the inducement. Again, though, this wasnt a substantive policy issue. Stefanik didnt argue in favor of conditioning aid to foreign countries on their willingness to investigate U.S. politicians and their families. Her contention was that Trump didnt do this. Thus, Stefanik did not turn rightward during this impeachment. Nor, in concluding that Trump ought not be impeached, did she depart from the virtually unanimous view of congressional Republicans. This brings us to the 2020 election. Stefanik has embraced some of Trumps voter fraud allegations. In his article for the Post, Kranish says repeatedly that the claims are false, but all he shows is that they are disputed. In any case, like the other matters as to which Stefanik has supported the Trump position, the question of what happened during the 2020 election isnt a substantive policy issue. Its a question of fact. All the while, as Kranish acknowledges, Stefanik continues to emphasize that, on substantive policy issues, she is comparatively centrist a contention Kranish doesnt contest. In fact, some House conservatives oppose Stefaniks ascension into leadership on that basis. It has not gone unnoticed that Stefanik is actually less conservative than Liz Cheney, the woman she would replace. In sum, Stefanik hasnt turned rightward. She did become highly supportive of Trump on non-policy matters, though. Was this because she wanted to advance in the party, as Kranish suggests, or because she believed Trump was being treated unfairly? I cant say. I dont know Stefanik and have never even met her. (I was invited to a reception when she was first elected, but did not attend.) Has Stefaniks support for Trump on matters related to investigations and impeachment contributed to her upward mobility? Thats a different question to which the answer is: probably (although the fact that shes young, smart, and female shouldnt be discounted). But Stefanik is hardly the first politician to move up after taking positions amenable to the party. And unlike Joe Biden, Stefanik doesnt seem to have changed any of her positions. All of the issues cited by Kranish as helping her advance her view of Adam Schiff, her view of the Ukrainian aid question, and her views on voter fraud in the last election were matters of first impression. Its clear that the Washington Post now views Elise Stefanik as the enemy. Hence, Kranishs attempt to portray her as an unprincipled climber. I dont know whether the portrait is accurate. I do know that Kranish has failed to show that it is. Ammo Grrrll declares: I AM DEFINITELY CIA MATERIAL. She writes: I am taking a wee break from the travelogue, even though we have (in the beautiful poetry of Robert Frost) miles to go before we sleepin our own bed. We will have much to discuss when I return to the topic. But for now By now we have all seen the mortifying ad for CIA recruitment or public relations or whatever it was about with the nice looking Blatherer of Tannish-Gold Color delivering a word salad on why she is occupying her space and NOT at all a fraud or imposter and a tremendous asset to The Company because of her great diverse diversity, which, by the way, had NOTHING not a THING to do with her being hired. She is super clear on that point. She has major AWARDS for Middle East expertise? For the ability to infiltrate MS-13 gangs? Oh heck, no. For try to guess! DIVERSITY!! Yes! You can get hired just for diversity and then get awarded for that very diversity! What a country. The ad virtually defies parody, but I like to do things in defiance, so here goes. You have to be inspired by someone who lists her Generalized Anxiety Disorder as an ASSET proudly putting the panic in Hispanic. And what would anyone want more in a spy than nervousness? It worked for Maxwell Smart. Seeing that ad, I feel emboldened to apply. Imagine a Dr. Ruth-sized elderly white woman bravely overcoming her plantars fasciitis clomping in high heels while speaking in Intersectional Gibberish at the camera. If I had a video like Dolores McDiversity, heres what it would look like: Hello, CIA. Well, here I am occupying my space, but frankly not much of it. I am a vertically challenged cisgender woman of pinkish-beige color. Like your poster girl, I also have Generalized Anxiety Disorder, although mine is so bad that it is in a category all on its own called Yucky Everlasting Godawful Anxiety Disorder Syndrome, or as its known in the nutjob trade: YE GADS. I also have (and sadly, this is NOT a parody) Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Nothing could be more highly prized in a spy than someone who, in the middle of an op, in say, Afghanistan, would whisper urgently, Could someone please tell me quickly where the nearest bathroom is? And will they have Charmin Ultra Soft, because that is the only toilet paper I like? And then, on a bad day, say it again 20 minutes later. And so on. Big fun! But certainly diverse, though not all that diverse, because something like 50-70 MILLION Americans have IBS. Though we never have a convention which could draw more attention and support to our cause because no arena has enough bathrooms. I might get this very high-paying job if the CIA needs to fill a slot of nervous elderly short women. I do fear that someone vastly more qualified might then try to make me feel like an imposter, so now I am claiming my place and occupying my space, which is why I often get mail addressed to Occupant. I wish whoever taught me to speak in these idiotic phrases and nonsense words would take a long hike off a short pier. This was a knee-slapping joke insult that trended big in 1958, when I was 12. Even though it is illegal to discriminate against a person because of age, you may have been able to suss out that I am currently 74, bearing in mind that getting the so-called right answer in Math is racist. So you got your age diversity right there, too a three-fer: old, short, AND anxious! Woman has been sooo done. And what can a short 74-year-old female spy NOT do that your robust, young, muscular ex-Army Ranger male candidates can do? Besides run, jump, understand gadgets, Army crawl, carry and shoot automatic weaponry, read a map, use GPS, go without sleep for long periods of time, fight in hand-to-hand combat, and carry heavy equipment? Not a thing. Heck, I even like MARTINIS, though Ive never heard Bond order a Cosmo or Apple-tini. But, then, that sort of James Bondian spycraft is evidently so yesterday. Because, I now understand that the MAIN THREAT to America is not from Pusillanimous Putin or Communist China or a Nuclear Iran run by theocratic lunatics, but from the icky Domestic Terrorists who voted for Trump. The President slurred that aloud in one of his latest Proof of Life videos. So it looks like the main contribution of a Diversenik such as myself would be to pretend to care about conservatives morale to provide a little weekly platform to share hopes, dreams, experiences and memories of an America that was free and fun. To provide snappy one-liners to pass on. To encourage and buck up and amuse the little family of visitors to that platform. And then when I have them all relaxed, to take a huge amount of money to betray them and snag a coveted spot on CNN, or, please, God, The View. Oh, to learn even HALF their wit by sitting at the feet of those half-wits and learning from the masters!* This, dear CIA, is what I could bring to the table. Think about it. Thank you. Please say hey to John Brennan, who looks nothing at all like the Spawn of Satan, I dont care what everybody else says. *Understanding and recognizing that the use of the word master is racist, sexist, imperialist, homophobic and transphobic, normally, I would be canceled, despite unseemly groveling, but as soon as I get this CIA gig, I will be immune from the misfortunes that might befall my unconnected inferiors. Thank God I dont have a Masters Degree! I barely have the Degree of Unmarried People of No Particular Sex. Swift Current Legion Past President Jim Pratt (at right) speaks about the project to install permanent military-style markers at veteran graves during a ceremony in Mount Pleasant cemetery, May 7. Standing with him is Last Post Fund representative Glenn Miller. Some concerned parties in the agriculture sector have appealed to the federal government to intensify efforts in curbing banditry, kidnapping and terrorism, as these can threaten food security. The parties made the appeal in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja. They noted that the recent increase in kidnapping and banditry had made a lot of farmers run from their farmlands in search of safe hideouts. The Executive Secretary, National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), Paul Ikonne, said there was a need to urgently address the insecurity challenges in the country in order to overcome the challenge of food shortage. Mr Ikonne noted that dialogue remained critical in addressing issues of insecurity and herders, adding that a peaceful dialogue between farmers and herders would prevent future clashes. I believe that the herders want their cattle to be healthy so they can sell and make profit. What this means is that they also want a conducive environment to do their business. So, NALDA is going to engage them and the communities; we will create an avenue where they can feed their cattle so that we all can live in peace, he said. The National President, Maize Association of Nigeria, Bello Abubakar, said maize farmers in the country were currently producing enough to meet the demand for maize in Nigeria. Mr Abubakar, however, stated that more needed to be done to sustain the achievement, noting that one of such was to provide good environment for farmers to work. He said that in order to achieve the desired environment, kidnapping, banditry and terrorism must stop. Our farmers cannot go to their farms because of fear of being kidnapped, robbed and killed, Mr Abubakar said. He called on the federal government to sustain the ban on maize importation so as to further boost its production and encourage farmers. The Executive Director, Women Farmers Advancement Network, Salamatu Garba, said despite the current issue of insecurity, farmers across the country had been toiling hard to ensure availability of food on every Nigerian table. Ms Garba said there was a need for the government to also intensify efforts in improving the security situation in the country, so that farmers could redouble efforts in food production. We thank the President for giving agriculture an atmosphere to grow, but we need the government to protect the lives of the citizens, because it is only when there is life that we talk of food, she appealed. The National Chairman, Rice Millers Association of Nigeria, Peter Dama, said a lot of factors needed to be in place, to achieve a country desired by all Nigerians. The issue of insecurity, importation of food items grown in the countries, should be stopped. Nigerians have the responsibility of safeguarding the investments and economy of this nation for our progress. We also enjoin Nigerians with useful information on rice smugglers, to always reach out to security agencies, so that these economic saboteurs are apprehended, for the progress of our country, Dama stated. ADVERTISEMENT (NAN) In the past, Tampa has hosted conferences of the American Academy of Dermatology and Connect Marketplace, and high-profile sporting events such as Super Bowl 55 and Wrestlemania 37 Visit Tampa Bays goal is to encourage adventurous travelers to unlock sun, fun and culture in Floridas most diverse travel destination NexTech AR Solutions Corp ( ) ( ) ( ) (FRA:N29) announced that it has been designated as a preferred vendor by the not-for-profit tourism association, Visit Tampa Bay. Through this partnership, NexTech said it has the opportunity to connect with confirmed conferences for the city of Tampa Bay. In the past, Tampa has hosted conferences of the American Academy of Dermatology and Connect Marketplace, and high-profile sporting events such as Super Bowl 55 and Wrestlemania 37. We are thrilled to partner with Tampa Bay, NexTech CEO Evan Gappelberg said in a statement. Nextechs hybrid and virtual events platform keeps audiences engaged with stunning virtual conferences, trade shows, meetings and augmented reality experiences. Its imperative that we stay ahead of the curve with the changing dynamics of in-person, hybrid and virtual events, Visit Tampa Bay CEO Santiago Corrada said. As a leader with a hybrid experience platform, we are excited to have NexTech AR as a partner as we continue creating value for conference organizers, sponsors and meeting goers. Visit Tampa Bay is a not-for-profit corporation certified by Destinations Internationals Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP), and it works with hundreds of partners now including NexTech to tell the world the story of Tampa Bay. Contact Andrew Kessel at andrew.kessel@proactiveinvestors.com Follow him on Twitter @andrew_kessel ADVERTISEMENT Mexican researchers have discovered a previously unknown dinosaur genus and species, the countrys National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) announced. Researchers were able to identify the herbivore species, Tlatolophus galorum, from an almost 80 per cent preserved skull that was found during excavations in the northern Mexican state of Coahuila. The find included a 1.32-metre-long crest. The name of the genus Tlatolophus was comprised of the word tlahtolli (word) in the Aztec language Nahuatl and the Greek word lophus (crest). The crests shape resembles a symbol used by Mesoamerican peoples to represent communication and knowledge, INAH said. The crest also had a function for communication. It worked like an integrated trumpet through internal passages that connected the nose and trachea. The animals tail was already discovered in 2005 and recovered in 2013, scientists from INAH and UNAM University in Mexico City explained in the specialist publication Cretaceous Research. The dinosaur must have died 72 or 73 million years ago in a body of water that was rich in sediment, and as a result, its body must have been quickly covered by soil, which preserved it, according to INAH. The fossil, which is still being studied, is an exceptional case in Mexican palaeontology because extremely favourable events had to take place millions of years ago when Coahuila was a tropical region. Like a large coastal plain for it to have been preserved in the conditions in which we found it, palaeontologist Felisa Aguilar said, according to the release. (NAN) President Muhammadu Buhari has promised that Nigeria will assist the Republic of Chad to stabilise and return to constitutional rule. In a statement in Abuja on Friday, Mr Buharis spokesman, Femi Adesina, said the president made the pledge when he hosted the President of the Transitional Military Council of Chad, Mahamat Deby, at the State House, Abuja. Mr Deby took over the mantle of leadership of Chad after the death of his father, Idriss Deby, on April 19. Idriss Deby died in battle, while leading troops to confront insurgents who came in through Libya. The country consequently set up the transitional council. A return to democracy is expected in 18 months. Mr Buhari told the new Chadian leader: We are bound together by culture and geography, and we will help in all ways we can. Nigerians know and appreciate the role Chad played in helping us to combat terrorism, we will continue the collaboration, he said. The Nigerian president described the late Mr Deby as his personal friend and a friend of Nigeria, noting that Chad had been very steadfast in defending Nigeria. He said Chad should, therefore, not hesitate to ask for help in areas it would deem necessary. Mr Buhari said Nigeria would help to strengthen the Lake Chad Basin Commission and the Multinational Joint Task Force. We will also help you to ensure a smooth transition in 18 months, as you have promised your people, he added. Meanwhile, the transitional leader had thanked Nigeria for solidarity it showed Chad after the passage of the former president. He said that the main objective of the Transitional Military Council are security and cohesion of our country. He expressed commitment to free and fair polls in 18 months. You were very close to Marshal Itno (Deby). Im here to reaffirm that relationship, and for you to support our transition. ADVERTISEMENT We rely on our brother country, Nigeria, as we have shared history, culture and geography. We are ready to be guided by you in our journey to constitutional rule, he said. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Deby has departed the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for Ndjamena. The battle for the control of Nigerias oldest lender, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, among two power blocs dominated by key shareholders with interests in its ownership, was at the heart of the recent shake-up of the banks board, PREMIUM TIMES has learnt. One of the blocks is led by Nigerias second richest man, Mike Adenuga, insiders said. On April 29, the CBN dismissed the boards of the bank and its holding company, FBN Holdings, in a dramatic move that came a day after the bank appointed a new managing director. The regulator reinstated the former MD of the bank, Adesola Adeduntan. The regulator said First Bank, which has over 31 million customers with a deposit base of N4.2 trillion, shareholders funds of N618 billion, has for years been plagued by bad credit decisions, significant and non-performing insider loans and poor corporate governance practices. PREMIUM TIMES has learnt that a key reason for the crisis is the tussle for control of the bank between a block led by Oba Otudeko, who until a fortnight ago was the chairman of FBN Holdings board, and Mr Adenuga, who recently emerged as one of the biggest shareholders in the bank. While Mr Otudeko and Ibukun Awosika, his ally on the board of FirstBank of Nigeria Limited, were removed from their positions as chairmen of FBN Holdings and FirstBank respectively, Mr Adeduntan, who represented the interest of a late Ibadan mogul and prominent shareholder, Arisekola Alao, was reinstated as the banks chief executive, according to people with knowledge of the matter. Mr Adeduntan, 51, is viewed by the Otudeko block as now serving the interest of Mr Adenuga. Insiders said Adenuga recently took over the significant shares of Alao, who died in 2014. He was appointed First Banks managing director in 2016 to help the lender regain a sound financial footing after an avalanche of bad loans threatened to sweep it under. First Banks bad loan charges had ballooned by almost four times from N25.942 billion to N119.322 billion between 2014 and 2015. That figure would soar further in the next twelve months, although at a slower pace this time, by 90 per cent to N226.037 billion, taking its delinquent loan to 24 per cent of its entire credit portfolio, well above the 5 per cent permitted by the central bank. The CBNs intervention in the crisis, aimed at salvaging First Bank from a grave financial condition, meant N150 billion was written off in bad loans after shareholders failed to recapitalise the bank amid capital adequacy concerns. Problematic Credit and Intrigues The situation became problematic following a N75 billion loan facility by First Bank to Honeywell Flour Mills, in which Mr Otudeko owns majority stake. The insider lending, said to be beyond the single-obligor limit particularly for a director, called the banks corporate governance to question. Honeywell Flour Mills said in a statement that the loan has performed from inception till date, and in accordance with agreed terms, the facilities were adequately secured with collaterals at over 170% of Forced Sales Value and 230% at Open Market Value. But the CBN said the bank failed to perfect its lien on Mr Otudekos shares in First Bank, which were placed as collateral for the loan. A lien ensures the creditor (First Bank in this case) obtains the right to the property (Mr Otudekos shares) if the borrower (Honeywell Flour Mills) fails to meet its debt repayment obligations. We further noted that after four years the bank is yet to perfect its lien on the shares of Mr. Oba Otudeko in FBN Holdco which collateralized the restructured credit facilities for Honeywell Flour Mills contrary to the conditions precedent for the restructuring of the companys credit facility, the CBN said. The CBN has called in Honeywell Flour Mills loan, and if the company is unable to pay up, Mr Otudeko may lose his shares in the bank. On the other hand, Mr Adenuga, who owns telco Globacom and holds majority stakes in Conoil, Sterling Bank, and Julius Berger Plc, has been stepping up efforts to buy the shares pledged as security for the loan. ADVERTISEMENT Insiders say Mr Adeduntan had demonstrated his willingness to oblige the CBNs demand to perfect the collateral, a decision that may likely favour Mr Adenuga and hand him majority control of the bank. Mr Otudeko and allies currently hold 1.5 per cent of the banks shares while Oye Hassan-Odukale holds 1.03 per cent, according to the banks 2020 report. Mr Adenuga is said to be forging alliance with Mr Hassan-Odukale to oust Mr Otudeko as the banks majority shareholder. Write Off or Restructure Meanwhile, PREMIUM TIMES learned there had been plans by members of First Banks top rank to either write off the N75 billion or restructure it to give the debtor some relief. The issue divided the lenders management into pro-Otudeko and anti-Otudeko groups. But those backing the one-time chairman seemed to be stronger and had pushed for the removal of Mr Adeduntan, a source said. On April 28, Mrs Awosika announced through a statement the retirement of Mr Adeduntan from the board and the appointment of Deputy Managing Director Gbenga Shobo as the new CEO. The statement also named a number of new directors who would join the board. Bank officials told PREMIUM TIMES that Mr Otudeko had rejected a CBN earlier position that Mr Adeduntan should not be removed. The dismissal of the latter and the new appointments to the board was executed without the knowledge of the CBN, prompting the regulator to demand an explanation. It promptly dissolved the boards of both FBN Holdings and First Bank, naming Remi Babalola and Tunde Odukola respectively as chairmen of the boards in a move it said it took to protect minority shareholders and depositors interests. The regulator went ahead to restore Mr Adeduntan, whom he has worked with since the 2016 crisis and whose retirement is actually due this December. We will not allow a shareholder who feels he will not subject himself to regulatory control and authority to remain as a director of the bank, said CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele. ADVERTISEMENT Personnel of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) on Thursday in Iseyin, Oyo State, engaged suspected smugglers in a shootout during which four persons were reportedly killed and property destroyed. The exchange of gunshots by the customs officials and suspected smugglers threw the rustic town of Iseyin into panic with residents, who were celebrating the Eid-el-Fitr, fleeing to safety. Muftau Abilawon, the former caretaker chairman of Iseyin Local Government Council, confirmed the bloody incident to the News Agency of Nigeria in a telephone interview on Thursday night. I have been duly informed by a traditional Chief, the Ikolaba of Iseyin, Chief Ismail Tikalosoro, who called me and narrated the incident to me on phone. He advised that I brief the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security about the matter, which I did immediately and he has promised to intervene. I understand that the four corpses were taken to the palace of the Aseyin of Iseyin, where the chiefs appealed for calm and asked the aggrieved residents to deposit the corpses at Fadoks hospital. The chiefs also begged them not to set the Customs base in Iseyin ablaze, which they yielded to but it was too late for the Toyota Hilux van as it was on fire already before the appeal, he said without disclosing the identities of the four victims. Mr Abilawon, who resigned from office to participate in forthcoming council elections, appealed for calm and order in the ancient town. Efforts to get the police commands spokesman in Oyo State and the NCS spokesperson in the state proved futile as calls and messages put to their phones were not picked not replied. (NAN) IBRO/ACA/AOS ADVERTISEMENT The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) has declared Gimba Kumo, a son-in-law of President Muhammadu Buhari, and two others wanted over alleged misappropriation of $65 million National Housing Funds. Mr Kumo, a former managing director of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, had in 2016 married Fatima, the presidents daughter, in Daura, Katsina State. The ICPC in its list of wanted persons declared Mr Kumo wanted alongside Tarry Rufus and Bola Ogunsola over the alleged fraud. In the notice signed by its spokesperson Azuka Ogugua, the ICPC urged the public to provide information about the whereabouts of the wanted persons. The persons whose pictures appear above, Mr Tarry Rufus, Mr Gimba Yau Kumo and Mr. Bola Ogunsola, are hereby declared WANTED by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in connection with issues bordering on misappropriation of National Housing Funds and diversion of the sum of Sixty Five Million dollars ($65,000,000). Anyone who has useful information on their whereabouts should report to ICPC Headquarters Abuja, any of the ICPC State Offices or the nearest police station, or call ICPC toll-free lines: 0803-123-0280, 0803-123-0281, 0803-123-0282, 0705-699-0190, 0705-699-0191 and 0800-CALL-ICPC (0800-2255-4272) or send an email to info@icpc.gov.ng, the notice read. Senate summons The senate committee on public accounts had in April summoned Mr Kumo to explain the alleged irregular award of N3 billion contract when he was still at the bank. The committee issued the summons following a query raised in a 2015-2018 report by the office of the auditor-general of the federation (AuGF) against the FMBN. According to the report, the contract was awarded in four phases and was overpaid to the tune of N3,045,391,531.97. The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, has denied a report linking him to a human organ trafficking syndicate and threatened to sue the journalist who did the report, David Hudeyin. The former Akwa-Ibom governor and his wife also demanded a public apology and a retraction of Mr Hudeyins comments on social media. The journalist, in an exclusive report on Newswire, released the call records of Frank Akpan, the suspected killer of Iniubong Umoren, a 26-year-old job-seeker gruesomely murdered last month. The suspect, who the police said have confessed to the crime and is now in police net, had invited the recent UNIUYO graduate for a job interview at the outskirts of Uyo, Akwa-Ibom state capital, on April 29. It was the last heard of the deceased until her corpse was found 48 hours after. Mr Akpan would be charged to court when striking judiciary workers resume work nationwide, the police said. Newswire publication The Newswire publication suggested a conspiracy between Mr Akpan and other persons suspected to be involved in human organ trafficking. The report said some might have colluded to kill Ms Umoren while some others might have engaged in a cover-up to free the suspect. But a police officer so accused, Samuel Ezeugo, and a relation of the murder suspect, Kufre Effiong, whose telephone numbers featured in the report, said the calls were put across to facilitate Mr Akpans arrest. As of the time of this reporting, PREMIUM TIMES could not access the conversation records of the suspect and those he spoke with and was, therefore, unable to determine the culpability or otherwise of the individuals. Aside from individuals, the report mentioned two corporate entities, an NGO, the Center for Clinical Care and Research (CCCR Nigeria), and a hotel, Davok Suites, as major players in the conspiracy due to their addresses. The first is that the Uyo Branch office of an organisation (CCCR Nigeria), which specifically offers supply chain management of health commodities may have been commandeered by an illegal organ trafficking ring to feed the booming global black market organ trade. At the lower end of the operation would be Frank Akpan who would specialise in rape and murder of defenceless women so as to harvest their organs for onward delivery to those in charge of the operation. The second possibility is more prosaic, but no less horrific. Due to the convoluted house numbering system in Uyo, the property labeled as 58, G Unit, Ewet Housing Estate is also. This would be the ideal location for a trusted associate of a politician say, a senior civil servant to lay his head while running a clandestine errand for his boss. An errand such as sourcing human parts for use in a ritual sacrifice ahead of the upcoming election season, the reporter conjectured. Mr Hundeyin later claimed the wife of the former Akwa Ibom governor, Ekaette Akpabio, owns the hotel in a social media post. It has just come to my attention that Davok Suites, the hotel at the centre of the 58 Unit G/S.9, Unit G, Ewet Housing Estate nexus involving Kufre Effiong ang Frank Uduak Akpan, is owned by none other than Ekaette Akpabio, wife of Godswill Akpabio. In other words, this place where Frank Uduak Akpan, fresh from murdering Ini Umoren came to meet Kufre Effiong, belongs to the wife of Kufres boss and Federal Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Godswill Akpabio. So which politician has Kufre been running errands for? Right, he wrote on Twitter. Both CCCR and Mrs Ekaette had publicly denied any connection to the characters fingered in the Newswire publication. Our business is to save lives which we have done creditably over 10 years. We also demand a retraction and apology by NewsWireNGR and Mr. David Hundeyin immediately, the CCCR statement read. ADVERTISEMENT The former governors wife also said; I do not own Davok Suites. I am not a shareholder. I do not also know who owns Davok Suites neither do I know anybody whose name is Kufre Effiong who is a staff of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. Kufre Effiong does not work for my dear husband, Senator GODSWILL AKPABIO. Legal threat However, the Akpabios, through their lawyer, Otobong Inyang, have officially demanded that Mr Hundeyin withdraw his claims or face a legal action. A copy of the letter seen by PREMIUM TIMES is dated May 12 and addressed to the journalist. Mr Inyang said the implications of Mr Hudeyins publications on Newswire and social media created the impression that the Akpabios were not only complicit in the death of Ms Umoren but also members of a syndicate specialising in the procurement, sale and/or use of human body parts for ritual. That Davok Suites alleged to be owned by Mrs. Eksete Unoma Akpabio Senator Akpabios wife, is used by members of this alleged syndicate, particularly Uduak Akpan and Kufre Efflong, to carry out their illicit transactions. We hasten to make the point that assuming (though without conceding) that Kufre Effiong is a staff of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and/or one of its Contractors, Senator Akpabio does not know, has never met and has never had any contact whatsoever with him. Neither Sen. Godswill Akpablo nor his wife Mrs. Ekaete Unoma Axpablo had anything whatsoever to do with the horrific death of Iniubong Umoren. Secondly, neither Davok Suites (which is a corporate entity) nor the land housing it belongs to Mrs. Ekaete Unoma Akpablo. Indeed, a proper search at the Corporate Affairs Commission would have disclosed to you that Mrs. Ekaette Unoma Akpablo is neither one of the Directors nor Shareholders of Davok Suites. The attorney, on behalf of his clients, demanded an immediate retraction, by you, of all your publications and/or parts of them tending to show that our clients are/were complicit in the abduction, rape and gruesome murder of late Iniobong Umoren. An immediate retraction, by you, of all your publications and/or parts of them tending to show that our clients are members of a syndicate specializing in the procurement, sale and/or use of human body parts for ritual. He said failure to retract and apologise would attract a legal action against the journalist. TAKE NOTICE that if you fail to comply with our clients above listed demands within 14 days of your receipt of this letter, we will not hesitate to take out a lawsuit against you and all concerned. However, acknowledging the receipt of the letter, Mr Hundeyin challenged the Niger Delta affairs minister to feel free to sue. Hi @Senator_Akpabio, this has come to my attention. First of all, no idea why the lawyer you hired addressed it to BusinessDay as if I work there Second, please feel free to sue. Thanks, the journalist wrote on Twitter. ADVERTISEMENT The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation has invited applications from companies qualified to operate and maintain three state-run oil refineries. NNPC said Friday in a publication that it is seeking to engage reputable and credible operations and maintenance companies to operate and maintain the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna Refineries to ensure reliability and sustainability to meet the nations fuel supply obligation. The invitation for Expressions of Interest is coming nearly a month after the NNPC signed a contract with Italys Maire Tecnimont for the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refinery. The $1.5 billion contract was signed by the managing director of the Port Harcourt Refinery, Ahmed Dikko, and the vice president of Tecnimont, Sub-Saharan Africa, Davide Pellizola. The signing indicated the contract for the repairs of the 210,000 barrels per-day-refinery had taken off. The Federal Executive Council approved the contract in March, a decision many analysts criticised as wasteful. Nigeria has four refineries, owned by the government, but imports its refined petroleum products. The approval for the Port Harcourt Refinery was welcomed with mixed reactions as the country in the past spent billions of dollars on refinery maintenance with no success. The NNPC has said the country does not have the required funds to build a new refinery. Mele Kyari, NNPC Group Managing Director, said in April that building a new refinery would cost the country about $10 billion which is far beyond the $1.5 billion earmarked for the rehabilitation of Port Harcourt refinery. He also said the country would have to live with importation of petroleum product, especially petrol, for another four years if the country ventures into building a new refinery. In March, the Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, said the rehabilitation will be done in three phases of 18, 24 and 44 months. He said the funding will be from many components including the NNPC, Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), budgetary provisions, and Afreximbank. The minister also said a maintenance company would also be put in place to ensure an effective maintenance culture. In its advertorial Friday, the NNPC said the scope of responsibilities for successful companies for the three refineries will cover long term and short term production/operations planning, production and operations execution, monitoring, reporting and optimization of operations, and more. The striking Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has rejected the 36 state governors proposed template for the implementation of judiciarys financial autonomy being demanded by the workers. The governors, in their proposal, seek the creation of a State Account Allocation Committee (SAAC) to oversee the distribution of funds to the three arms of government at the state level. But in a communique the union issued after a May 8 meeting of its National Working Committee (NWC), the union insisted on its demand that funds meant for the state judiciaries must be deducted directly from the federation account and paid to the heads of courts through the National Judicial Council (NJC). It maintained that the provisions of the constitution cannot be negotiated, doctored, manipulated and therefore must be obeyed. As a condition to end its ongoing strike, the union insisted that all the state judiciaries funds for October 2020 till May 2021 must be deducted directly from source, the federation account, and paid to the heads of courts through the NJC as prescribed by the constitution. Strike JUSUN members embarked on the nationwide ongoing strike on April 6 in agitation for the judiciarys financial freedom from the executive, particularly at the state level, where the state governors only fund the two other arms of government as they please. The union of parliamentary workers are also said to have downed tools in some states. The judiciary workers strike has now crippled Nigerias judiciary at both the state and federal levels for over six weeks. The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Tanko Muhammad, the Federal Governments negotiation team led by the labour minister, Chris Ngige, and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), have held series of meetings with JUSUN leaders over the crisis. The union insists that it will not call off the strike until its demand is met. The chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buharis Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Gambari, and other stakeholders, in April, promised that the state governments would start implementing the unions demand as from end of May. Governors proposals PREMIUM TIMES on Friday, obtained a copy of the NGFs proposal on how to implement the unions demand. The document stated that the proposal followed a meeting held with JUSUN, the Parliamentary Staff Union of Nigeria (PASAN), the NGF, Conference of State Legislators of Nigeria (COSLON) and other relevant stakeholders at the labour ministers conference room on May 6, 2021. It also said the NGF had also held a series of meetings with the Presidential Implementation Committee and the NJC on the matter. The proposal made available to PREMIUM TIMES by JUSUN officers, stated that the proposed template is based on existing arrangement being operated by NJC and the provisions of President Muhammadu Buharis Executive Order 10 as well as the Fund Management Laws across the states. Major highlights Major highlights of the proposal include the establishment of the State Accounts Allocation Committee (SAAC) and the enactment of Funds Management Laws for the state judiciary and state legislature. The said law according to the proposal will grant each arm the power to manage its capital and recurrent expenditure in accordance with the provisions of Sections 6(5)(a) (i), 81(3), 121(3) & Item 21(e) of the Third Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended) and other relevant laws. The document defines capital expenditure to mean running costs, renovations, repairs, maintenance, training (local and foreign) and other incidentals. ADVERTISEMENT It said the NGF would ensure that the states pass and assent to the Funds Management Law as well as put in place implementation structures within a time frame not exceeding 45 days from the date of signing this document. Establishment of SAAC A key component of the proposal which appears to be the anchor of JUSUNs objection to the proposal is the establishment of SAAC to oversee the distribution of available resources to the arms of government. The SAAC is apparently an adaptation of the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), that distributes funds to the three tiers of government from the federal down to the state and the local government levels. The body is to be established by state governments with the backing of the laws to be enacted by their Houses of Assembly. It will oversee the distribution of funds to the three arms of government in each state based on the percentage of the appropriated capital or adoption of an irreducible minimum amount. The choice of either the percentage-based distribution or irreducible minimum plan for the purpose of meeting costs will be based on which will yield higher funds for each arm of government on a monthly basis. There shall be established in the State a State Account Allocation Committee (SAAC) to be given legislative backing in the various Fund Management Laws and charged with the responsibility to oversee the distribution of available resources to the arms of Government. Every State Commissioner of Finance and State Accountant General shall on a monthly basis furnish the Committee with the revenue profile of the State within a stipulated timeline not exceeding seven days after each FAAC meeting, the document read in part. It added that based on the revenue evaluations and the needs of each arm, the committee shall work out an appropriate budget ceiling/envelope/estimates for each arm of government; Upon the determination of budget ceilings or envelopes as stated above, each arm of government, acting through its own Budget or Funds Management Committee, shall prepare its budget estimates/details and submit same to the State House of Assembly. It added, the various Fund Management Laws should mandate the State Accountants General to release appropriated funds directly as a first line charge to each arm. JUSUNs rejects proposal, offers conditions But in a communique issued at the end of its meeting to review the governors proposal, JUSUNs NWC said it frowned on the document that emanated from the Nigeria Governors Forum. The union in the communique signed by the Deputy President of the union, Emmanuel Abioye, and its General Secretary, Isiah Adetola, expressed support for the proposed enactment of financial management laws affirming the financial autonomy of the judiciary and the legislature. Although silent on the proposed establishment of the SAAC, a pivotal component of the governors proposal, the union said the governors template violates the Nigerian constitution and is inconsistent with the resolution reached at a meeting with President Buharis Chief of Staff. It feared that there is possibility of the commissioners of finance to under-declare the revenue of the states if the distribution of fends is left to the state government to handle. But it agreed with the aspect of the proposal for the establishment of the funds management law which it said must be put in place by the 36 state governments of the federation within the shortest possible time. It added that the fund management laws should be uniform across the states of the federation. As safeguards for the enforcement of the proposed laws, the union proposed the laws must make provision for a penalty in case a state commissioner of finance refuses to declare the total revenue of the state. It added that the law should also make provision for a penalty upon the accountant generals failure to pay to the different arms of government what is due and payable to them within seven days of getting the federal allocation. Condition for calling off of strike The union also stated in the communique that for it to consider calling off its strike, the funds meant for the judiciary for the period of October 2020 to May 2021 must be deducted from the federation account and paid to the NJC for onward transmission to the various heads of court. NWC-in-session agreed that the Accountant General of the Federation shall deduct from source from the federation account, the budgetary allocation submitted to him by the 36 States judiciaries in October 2020 and pay some directly to the National Judicial Council (NJC) for which the Heads of Courts of the 36 states will be paid, failure therefore the strike continues. NWC-in-session further agreed that the deduction be effected in May 2021 FAAC and with arrears from October 2020 inclusive. NWC-in-session also agreed that if all the above demands are met, it will be a way of showing good faith, failure which the ongoing industrial action continues, the communique read. Our demand must be met Meanwhile, featuring on a morning programme of the Africa Independent Television (AIT) on Friday, Jimoh Musa, National Treasurer of JUSUN, vowed that the strike action would continue until the state governors effect the direct deductions from the federation account to the heads of court beginning from May this year. Mr Musa who featured on the television programme alongside John Aikpokpo-Martins, 1st Vice President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), lamented the stranglehold the governors have on their states judiciaries. ADVERTISEMENT The Nigerian military has killed many bandits and destroyed their camps in some forests in Chikun and Birnin Gwari local government areas of Kaduna State, an official has said. This was contained in an operational feedback from the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to the Kaduna State Government on Friday. The develpment was recorded by the air component of Operation Thunder Strike during a series of aerial missions across several locations in Kaduna State. The state commissioner of Internal Security and Homeland Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, gave the feedback public through an official statement on Friday. Mr Aruwan said many bandits were killed and their camps destroyed in the air raid. Armed reconnaissance was conducted over Erena, Kusasu, Kuduru, Kulefe, Kusherki and Shiroro in neighboring Niger State as well as Chikun and environs, in Chikun local government area. Bandits were seen fleeing Kaduna State part of Kusasu (in Chikun LGA) on motorcycles. They were trailed by the crew and subsequently neutralised (killed). Following this, armed reconnaissance was conducted along the Kaduna-Abuja expressway, Olam Farms, Rugu, Akilbu, Polewire Rijana, Katari, Jere and adjoining settlements. Normal human activities and free flow of traffic were observed along the highway and rail line. All locations scanned were reported calm with no threats observed. Additionally, strike aircraft carried out operations over Jan Birnin, Birnin Gwari local government area, which was observed to be active with bandits. The targets were attacked by the aircraft, and was subsequently confirmed that some bandits were indeed taken out and the camp set ablaze and destroyed. A second mission was flown over another identified camp in the area, which was also attacked, set ablaze and completely destroyed by two strike aircraft. Thereafter, a show-of-force was carried out by the aircraft over the Birnin Gwari general area, Kaduna metropolis and Zaria. Normal human activities were observed along the expressways and rail lines. The operations continued as aircraft conducted armed reconnaissance and show-of-force over Birnin Gwari, Kaduna metropolis and Zaria. Free flow of traffic was similarly observed along the expressways and rail line. Normal activities were reported within the metropolis as citizens observed the Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations without incident. Afterwards, a show-of-force was conducted over Gwagwada, Gadani, Chikun, Kusasu, Iburu, Zamba, Shiroro, Kuta, Kwatayi and Erena, spanning Chikun, Kachia and Kajuru LGAs. All locations covered were reported calm with no threats observed. These air operations, which include air interdiction, armed reconnaissance and patrols are set to be sustained over the coming days over Kaduna metropolis and other areas of interest in the state. Major highways will also be covered, including the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari, Kaduna-Abuja, Kaduna-Zaria, Kaduna-Kachia and Kaduna-Afaka roads. Receiving the feedback, Governor Nasir El-Rufai commended the crew for the successful missions, and thanked them for their proactive operations. Uduak Akpan, the suspected killer of Iniubong Umoren, a job-seeker from Akwa Ibom, on Friday during a parade by the police, owned up to the crime. Mr Akpan, who lured the 26-year-old graduate of University of Uyo (UNIUYO) with a fake job interview on April 29, killed her and buried her remains in a shallow grave in his fathers compound. Ms Umoren was confirmed dead on April 30 and buried on Friday at her hometown, Nung Ita, Ikot Essien in Oruk Anam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. However, Nigerians online and offline have been demanding that Mr Akpan be brought to justice. The police in the state have also assured that the culprit would be charged to court as soon as judiciary workers, who have been on strike for weeks, resume nationwide. How I killed her On Friday, the police paraded Mr Akpan and his father, Frank Akpan, at their headquarters in Uyo, the state capital. Responding to questions from journalists, the younger Akpan narrated how he attempted to rape the deceased and eventually killed her using a stabiliser. She (Ms Umoren) came for a supposed job interview in which I used reverse psychology on her. I asked her if she can work in a farm where hard drugs are kept as a secretary and she said she can that shes ready to do the job. When she came, I revealed to her that this farm does not exist. There is no farm like that. It was just a hoax. I told her that before she leaves that I would like to have sex with her and she agreed. She gave a condition that I should use a condom, which I did. While I removed the condom, she became furious. She took a nearby stabiliser to hit me on my head and she bit my left ring finger and tried to reach for the wall, screaming. While I was bleeding, in a bid to stop her, I used the same stabiliser to hit her. She fell and started bleeding. The stabiliser Mr Akpan was referring to is a pressing iron. He also confessed to having used the same reverse psychology on not less than six women in the past, although he stated that Ms Umoren is the only one he had killed. She is the only one I have killed. Speaking on his relationship with Kufre Effiong, a civil servant linked to him in a report, Mr Akpan said he was one of those who came with the police to arrest him. The report had speculated on a conspiracy between Mr Akpan and other persons suspected to be involved in human organ trafficking. The report, without providing evidence, suggested some persons might have colluded to kill Ms Umoren while others engaged in a cover-up to free the suspect. Kufre Effiong is my cousin. That was when I was coming from Calabar (to Uyo) because in the morning (of April 30), I went to Calabar. He (Effiong) was the one that picked me up together with the DPO of Urua police station (Samuel Ezeugo), said Mr Akpan. According to him, his conversation with his older cousin was very short and simple. He (Effiong) texted me the number of the DPO. I called him (DPO) when I arrived in Uyo. ADVERTISEMENT As of the time of this reporting, PREMIUM TIMES could not access the conversation records of the suspect and those he spoke with and was, therefore, unable to determine the culpability or otherwise of Messrs Effiong and Ezeugo. Mr Akpan also told journalists that he is an undergraduate in an unnamed university, where he is studying Public Administration. Im not aware The older Akpan, when speaking with journalists, said he was never aware of his sons criminal acts. I was not aware. I am not happy about it. When the police came to my compound, I was asked to recall him (from his trip to Calabar that day). Mr Akpan revealed that he is a retired civil servant, who served in the federal ministry of health in Abuja. The 64-year-old and father of three also said he relocated to Urua local government about two years ago and was not aware of his sons deeds. Like his son, he believed that justice should be dispensed accordingly. The decision will not come as a surprise to many people given the company's relationship with Greensill Capital and its byzantine financial strcuture The Serious Fraud Office is investigating the financing of the Gupta Family Group Alliance (CFG), the conglomeration of companies controlled by Liberty Steel owner Sanjeev Gupta. The enquiry will include a probe into GFGs links to Greensill Capital, the supply chain finance company that went belly-up in spectacular fashion despite what we must assume are the best efforts of former prime minister David to persuade the government to embed Greensill into the governments purchasing decisions system. The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) said it was "investigating suspected fraud, fraudulent trading and money laundering in relation to the financing and conduct of the business of companies within the Gupta Family Group Alliance (GFG). A spokesman for GFG said it would cooperate fully with the investigation. GFG Alliance continues to serve its customers around the world and is making progress in the refinancing of its operations which are benefiting from the operational improvements it has made and the very strong steel, aluminium and iron ore markets, a company spokesman said. It is estimated that around 35,000 people worldwide on the payroll of companies operating under the GFG umbrella, including some 3,000 people at Liberty Steel in the UK. A new survey conducted across four states in northwestern Nigeria has revealed that Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) are the least benefactors of the various national social protection programmes in these states. This is in spite of the fact that the PWDs are among the most vulnerable and neglected set of people. The survey, which was conducted in Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano and Zamfara States, was aimed at determining the level of inclusion and participation of PWDs in social protection policies, programmes and processes. The Inclusive Friends Association (IFA) piloted the assessment with support from Save the Children, Action Against Hunger (AHH) and Child Development Grant Programme (CDGP). Released on Monday, the situation analysis conducted within four months mirrored the widening gap of social inclusion for PWDs in Nigeria. The survey mainly focused on providing insight into PWDs awareness and accessibility to social protection. While about 90 per cent of PWDs across the four states have little or no knowledge of social protection programmes, leaders in disability movements in the state claim less than one per cent of PWDs are benefiting from both state and national social protection programmes, the report found. There is an urgent need to review and revise the life cycle of various social protection programmes to ensure equal coverage and participation of PWDs, the executive director of IFA said, while presenting the survey findings in Abuja. She recommended that data from the assessment should be used as an instrument to mainstream and capture disability needs in Nigeria. Social Protection Nigeria makes the highest contribution to the global poverty index. Since 2018, Nigeria has been the nation with the highest number of people living in extreme poverty. The World Poverty Clock 2020 revealed that more than half of Nigerias 200 million people are living below the international poverty line. The implications of this are even more worrisome for already vulnerable sections of the population, mainly represented by children, women, the elderly, and PWDs. Since the return of democracy in 1999, successive government administrations, in a bid to alleviate poverty, have introduced various intervention schemes which were unsustainable as they were terminated after each regime. The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, in 2016, took a step to institutionalise social protection programmes and a National Social Protection Policy (NSPP) was formulated. According to the policy, social protection is a mix of policies and programmes designed for individuals and households throughout the life cycle to prevent and reduce poverty and socio-economic shocks by promoting and enhancing livelihoods and a life of dignity. Among the overarching goals of the NSPP are reducing poverty among persons vulnerable to being poor and empowering persons vulnerable to economic shocks. One of its key mandates also includes developing a database of a national social register for poor and vulnerable households. ADVERTISEMENT A key component of the policy is the National Social Investment Programmes (NSIP) which are coordinated through the National Social Investment Office (NSIO). The NSIP consists of programmes such as the N-Power, National school feeding programme, cash transfer programmes, among others. Neglected While accurate data is scarcely available, a report by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the World Bank in 2011, said 30 million Nigerians have one form of physical disability or the other. About 63 per cent of adults with disabilities in Nigeria are unemployed and 30 per cent out of school children are those with disabilities, according to IFA. People with disabilities are among some of the most vulnerable people in our society due to their dependence on others for care and support or because of social isolation, their place of residence, or nature of their disability. While anyone can experience violence, abuse, or neglect, people with disabilities are at great risk. And of all people with a disability, women and girls with disabilities are at even greater risk. In an attempt to address the situation, last January, Nigeria signed into law the prohibition of discrimination against persons with disabilities bill, after over 20 years of advocacy by notable Nigerians including David Anyeale, a disability rights activist and Executive Director, Centre for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD). But more than two years after the signing of the law, many Nigerians living with disabilities say the journey towards legal recognition and respect by Nigeria is still long. The government that approved the law has literally helped violate it. Evidently, social protection programmes and policies are particularly crucial for the everyday life of PWDs. But findings by the survey in the four focal states revealed a gross marginalisation of PWDs, coupled with poor awareness. Even though they typically face tougher barriers to education, health, transport, and other services, the survey revealed that PWDs are continually denied social and economic inclusive opportunities. Survey findings The survey relied on interviews with PWDs, leaders of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), government officials, and key informants in the four states. According to findings, about 90 per cent of persons interviewed have little or no knowledge about social protection systems in their various states, and leaders of disability movements claim that less than one per cent of PWDs population are benefiting from both state and national social protection programs. Even those that are benefiting, their disability extra costs are excluded; thereby making little or no impact in alleviating them out of poverty, the report said. For instance in Jigawa, while there is an existence of a social security scheme for PWDs, the disability eligibility determination and assessment are extremely weak and leaves room for inclusion and exclusion of errors, the report noted, adding that the programme does not pay attention to invisible disabilities. The N-power program is the most popular among PWDs but less than 15 per cent of persons interviewed know beneficiaries with disabilities in their state. The National Cash Transfer Office (NCTO) in April 2020 confirmed to The ICIR that about 1,126,211 poor and vulnerable households are currently benefiting from the federal governments conditional cash transfer. But the survey findings showed that only 5 per cent of those interviewed know PWDs benefiting from the cash transfer. Two months ago, the National Coordinator of the National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO), Apera Iorwa, said no fewer than 30 million poor and vulnerable Nigerians had been registered under the national social register (NSR) between 2018 and February 2021. Meanwhile, out of 5.7 million poor and vulnerable Nigerians in the NSR as of December 31, 2020, less than 5 per cent are PWDs, about 274, 000 people, the survey found. Realities at state-level At the state level, only 10 per cent of PWDs and their leaders are aware of the social register. Jigawa recorded the highest number of interventions PWDs are aware of and benefit from. Only the state has a specific disability grant targeting only PWDs. All four focal states excluding Zamfara have an existing inclusive education policy, but children are still attending integrated, not inclusive schools. In Jigawa and Kano, there are existing disability laws, while Kaduna and Zamfara laws are at legislation stages. Beyond policy, disability-inclusive employment and economic empowerment practices are weak across the four states with Zamfara recording the worst. Recommendations The report recommended strongly that the data instrument used for the social register be revised to capture and mainstream disability data and possibly disability needs rather than holding a separate disability data collection process. The improvement of the institutional capacity of Offices for Persons with Disability (OPDs) on social protection was recommended. The report said there is an urgent need for an increased inclusive awareness and communication strategy. To ameliorate the extra costs incurred by PWDs, the report suggested that having a standalone disability social protection scheme is the best global practice that should be adopted across states and at the national level. Israeli artillery pounded northern Gaza early Friday in an attempt to destroy a vast network of militant tunnels inside the territory, the military said, bringing the front lines closer to dense civilian areas and paving the way for a potential ground invasion. Israel has massed troops along the border and called up 9,000 reservists following days of fighting with the Islamic militant group Hamas, which controls Gaza. Palestinians militants have fired some 1,800 rockets and the Israeli military has launched more than 600 air strikes, toppling at least three apartment blocks. At least 119 Palestinians have died in the Hamas-run enclave since the conflict began. Irris Makler, FRANCE 24s correspondent in Jerusalem, described it as a huge night. What that means is: Massive air attacks, and attacks from tanks and canons outside the Gaza strip and into the Gaza strip [] and at every moment there is a rocket attack coming back here. Makler said the Israeli military has been targeting Hamas both over-and underground. A lot of Hamass operations have moved underground because of this amazing fire power that Israel has from the air, and so it says it is now hitting it underground as well, and that is why were seeing this escalation. The stepped-up fighting came as communal violence in Israel erupted for a fourth night, with Jewish and Arab mobs clashing in the flashpoint town of Lod. The fighting took place despite a bolstered police presence ordered by the nations leaders. Makler said the development is deeply worrying and the thing that will linger even after this particular round with Hamas. Last night, again, we saw a series of clashes theres an enormous police presence but it didnt make a difference with buses of people who were coming into the flashpoint towns from other places to take part. They were turned away, but nevertheless, a synagogue was burned in the town of Lod, she said. People who took a wrong turn found their cars [coming] under fire. It has not just been rocks, and not just crowds, there are actually people shooting at each other with live fire in Israeli cities, and the mayor of Lod said yesterday that he thought Israel was on the brink of civil war, and nothing in the night has made anybody change their minds. Its been a huge night Over the Gaza strip, masses of red flames illuminated the skies during the night, sending families fleeing from their homes. In the northern Gaza Strip, Rafat Tanani, his pregnant wife and four children, were killed after an Israeli warplane reduced the building to rubble, residents said. Sadallah Tanani, a relative, said the family was wiped out from the population register without warning. It was a massacre. My feelings are indescribable, he said. Not feasible to avoid civilian areas Jonathan Conricus, a military spokesman, said tanks stationed near the border fired 50 rounds. It was part of a large operation that also involved airstrikes and was aimed at destroying tunnels beneath Gaza City used by militants to evade surveillance and airstrikes, which the military refers to as the Metro. As always, the aim is to strike military targets and to minimise collateral damage and civilian casualties, he said. Unlike our very elaborate efforts to clear civilian areas before we strike high-rise or large buildings inside Gaza, that wasnt feasible this time. The strikes came after Egyptian mediators rushed to Israel for cease-fire talks that showed no signs of progress. Saleh Aruri, an exiled senior Hamas leader, told London-based satellite channel Al Araby that his group has turned down a proposal for a three-hour lull. He said Egypt, Qatar and the United Nations were leading the truce efforts. The fighting broke out late Monday when Hamas fired a long-range rocket at Jerusalem in support of Palestinian protests there against the policing of a flashpoint holy site and efforts by Jewish settlers to evict dozens of Palestinian families from their homes. Since then, Israel has attacked hundreds of targets in Gaza, causing earth-shaking explosions across the densely populated territory. Gaza militants have fired 1,800 rockets into Israel including more than 400 that fell short or misfired, according to the military. The rockets have brought life in parts of southern Israel to a standstill, and several barrages have targeted the seaside metropolis of Tel Aviv, some 70 kilometers (45 miles) away from Gaza. ADVERTISEMENT The Gaza Health Ministry says the death toll has risen to 119 killed, including 31 children and 19 women, with 830 wounded. The Hamas and Islamic Jihad militant groups have confirmed 20 deaths in their ranks, though Israel says that number is much higher. Seven people have been killed in Israel, including a 6-year-old boy and a soldier. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to continue the operation, saying in a video statement that Israel would extract a very heavy price from Hamas. In Washington, President Joe Biden said he spoke with Netanyahu about calming the fighting but also backed the Israeli leader by saying there has not been a significant overreaction. He said the goal now is to get to a point where there is a significant reduction in attacks, particularly rocket attacks. He called the effort a work in progress. Human shields Israel has come under heavy international criticism for civilian casualties during three previous wars in Gaza, a densely populated area that is home to more than 2 million Palestinians. It says Hamas is responsible for endangering civilians by placing military infrastructure in civilian areas and launching rockets from them. Hamas showed no signs of backing down. It fired its most powerful rocket, the Ayyash, nearly 200 kilometres (120 miles) into southern Israel. The rocket landed in the open desert but briefly disrupted flight traffic at the southern Ramon airport. Hamas has also launched two drones that Israel said it quickly shot down. Hamas military spokesman Abu Obeida said the group was not afraid of a ground invasion, which would be a chance to increase our catch of dead or captive soldiers. The fighting cast a pall over the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, normally marked by family gatherings and festive meals. Instead, the streets of Gaza were mostly empty. Genesis The current eruption of violence began a month ago in Jerusalem. A focal point of clashes was Jerusalems Al-Aqsa Mosque, built on a hilltop compound that is revered by Jews and Muslims. Israel regards all of Jerusalem as its capital, while the Palestinians want East Jerusalem, which includes sites sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims, to be the capital of their future state. France 24 is Premium Times syndication partner. We have its permission to republish content ADVERTISEMENT The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, on Thursday said three persons were killed when the unit repelled an attempt to abduct its officer on duty. The Acting Controller of the Unit, Usman Yahaya, disclosed this in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer, Theophilus Duniya, on Friday in Lagos. Mr Yahaya said that at 3.00 p.m. on May 13, some dare devil smugglers accompanied by thugs attacked a patrol team serving with the unit at Iseyin, Oyo State. The officers, who were on routine patrol, intercepted two Nissan Pathfinder SUV vehicles fully loaded with smuggled foreign parboiled rice at Iseyin. Sequel to the interception, the officers were attacked by a mob who were mobilised by the smugglers. The mob attacked the officers with dangerous weapons, inflicting serious injuries on two officers and attempted to abduct the officer, who was brutally attacked. The assailants had taken the injured officer with his rifle before his team members, who acted in self-defence, shot at his suspected abductors. This led to the death of three of them before he was rescued and taken for immediate medical attention, he said. The casualty figure is one less than the earlier reported number disclosed by witnesses. Mr Yahaya noted that the officers successfully evacuated the intercepted smuggled rice, while injured officers were receiving treatment. He expressed sadness over the avoidable incident and urged community leaders and parents to call their wards and youths to order. The official lamented the criminality of obstructing and attacking officers on lawful duty, describing it as a venture that yields no good for all, including the Service. (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it has arrested three persons including a police inspector posing as operatives of the agency during an illegal operation in Lagos. The commission in a statement shared via its Twitter handle on Thursday, identified the three men as Pascal Ugwu Chijoke, Sodiq Adekunle, and Edwin Bassey a police inspector. EFCCs spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, who signed the statement, said the suspects were arrested at New Horizon Estate, Lekki, Lagos, in the middle of their illegal operation to serve a court order on an unsuspecting victim. The commission said the suspects claimed the court order emanated from the Mushin Magistrate Court. It alleged that the three suspects stormed the residence of their target with all the paraphernalia of typical EFCC raid, wearing fake EFCC branded jackets and identity cards. The EFCC head of Lagos Zonal office, Ghali Ahmed, warned Nigerians to be cautious of impostors who use the identity of the commission to extort unsuspecting members of the public, the statement read in part. He assured that the commission was determined to stamp out the activities of impostors. Mr Ahmed also warned Nigerians to be wary of impostors, using the good name of the Commission to extort unsuspecting targets. He urged citizens to be vigilant and report suspicious activities to the commission. He assured that the commission is determined to stamp out the activities of impostors. We will always be ahead of these fraudsters. If they fail to desist they will face the music, he said. The Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCAB) has backed the decision of southern governors to ban open grazing in their respective states. The group, led by human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, in a statement to PREMIUM TIMES on Friday said the only solution to farmers-herders violence is the adoption of ranching against open grazing. It maintained that some African countries like Botswana, South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya and Ethiopia have adopted ranching to end the crisis. As I had repeatedly maintained, the worsening insecurity in the country including the violent clashes between herders and farmers can only be seriously addressed if policy makers are prepared to abandon primitive ideas and embrace scientific solutions. As far back as 2016, the Buhari administration had adopted ranching in place of open grazing on farmlands without the authorisation of the owners. Unfortunately, due to pressure from some selfish interest groups, the federal government abandoned the policy of ranching. However, the increasing wave of insecurity in recent times has compelled the federal government and all the state governments to make ranching as the cornerstone of the National Livestock Transformation Plan. From the information at our disposal, no fewer than 24 state governments have applied for the special grant earmarked for the establishment of ranches by the federal government. Mr Falana noted that every citizen is entitled to the fundamental right to freedom of movement and right to own and acquire land in any part of Nigeria by virtue of sections 41 and 43 of the Nigerian Constitution respectively. To that extent, herders, like other citizens, are at liberty to acquire land for cattle business under the Land Use Act. Curiously, Professor Usman Yusuf has condemned the decision of the Southern Governors Forum on the ban. Even though he did not condemn the decisions of the Northern Governors Forum and the Nigeria Governors Forum, Professor Usman has argued that the decision of the Southern Governors Forum could not be justified under the Land Use Act. Such divide-and-rule tactics are designed to further polarise the masses of our people. Those who are encouraging herders to reject modern animal husbandry are advised to learn from Botswana, South Africa, Mozambique, Kenya and Ethiopia that have effectively adopted ranching to end clashes between herders and farmers. In those countries, farmers live in the ranches with family members including their children and wards who attend schools in the neighbourhood, Mr Falana said in the statement. This newspaper on Tuesday reported how 17 states in Southern Nigeria resolved to ban open grazing of cattle in their states. The decision was reached in Asaba, the Delta State capital. Open grazing of cattle has often caused conflicts between host communities and migrant herders, leading to several deaths in many states. Some of the herders have also been accused of committing other criminal acts like armed robbery, kidnappings, and murder. Herders have also accused the locals of rustling their cows. Following the incessant conflict, the southern governors held a meeting in Asaba on Tuesday. Before then, Ondo and Oyo states had announced the ban on open grazing. In Ogun, the speaker of the assembly, Olakunle Oluomo, also said plans were underway to legislate on animal husbandry and related activities through the enactment of an all-inclusive law on anti-open grazing in the state. All South-east governors, during the launch of their Ebube Agu security outfit in April, also banned open grazing and urged the security agencies to enforce the ban in the states. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT President Muhammadu Buhari has described the death of a former chief of defence staff, Joshua Dogonyaro, as a loss to the Nigerian military. Mr Dogonyaro, a retired general and an administrator from Plateau State, died on Thursday. According to his first son, Joseph Dogonyaro, he was battling stroke at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) in Jos, Plateau State capital. Unfortunately, early this morning (Thursday), around 3.00 a.m. precisely, he breathed his last, the younger Dogonyaro told News Agency of Nigeria. In his condolence message, President Buhari said the death of Mr Dogonyaro came as a great shock. This is because as a soldier, I know what it means to lose such an officer and a gentleman who gave his best in the service of the country, the statement read. It is a great loss not only to the Nigerian military, but also to the country, because of his patriotic sacrifices in defence of our unity and territorial integrity. General Dogonyaros incalculable contributions will be remembered for years to come. He condoled with the government and people of Plateau State, and the grieving family, and prayed to God to bless the soul of the departed. ADVERTISEMENT Members of the minority caucus in the House of Representatives from the 19 northern states have endorsed the recommendations of the Southern Governors forum. Governors of the 17 southern states, under the aegis of Southern Governors Forum (SGF), had on Tuesday, after a meeting in Asaba, Delta State, resolved to ban open grazing by herders and also called for the restructuring of the country. The resolutions were contained in the 12-point communique read by SGF Chairman, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State. On Wednesday, senators and members of the House of Representatives from the south, in separate statements, endorsed the decision of the governors. On Thursday, In a statement signed by Amos Gwamna (PDP, Kaduna), Solomon Maren (PDP, Plateau), Rimande Shawulu (PDP, Taraba), Mark Gbillah (PDP, Benue) and Tajudeen Yusuf (PDP, Kogi) on behalf of the minority caucus, the lawmakers expressed support for the position of the governors. They called on President Muhamadu Buhari to heed the recommendations of the governors and to initiate a bill to kickstart the process of restructuring. The lawmakers also urged the president to reconsider his skewed appointments. We, members of the minority from the north hereby call on President Buhari to heed the genuine advice of governors from the south and immediately address the nation to assuage frayed nerves. The president should also put machinery in place for the commencement of the process of restructuring the nation and initiate legislation to end open grazing, which has been at the centre of the lingering insecurity across the nation. In order to regain the confidence of majority of Nigerians, the president must begin to redress his skewed appointments, which have unfortunately divided the nation along ethnic and religious lines. They also condemned the federal government for not supporting some states in enforcing their anti-open grazing laws. We commend the governors for taking the bold move to speak against open grazing and other ills bedevilling the nation. Benue State had the foresight and enacted a law banning open grazing and was closely followed by Taraba state. Unfortunately, these states have not gotten the desired support from the federal government thereby creating room for some elements to undermine the implementation of the law. Benue State passed its anti-open-grazing-law law in 2017. However, violence and killings linked to herders/farmers clashes are still being recorded in the state. Taraba State passed a similar law in 2017. The move by the southern governors is coming amidst the recent legislative intervention by the House of Representatives. Last month, the lower legislative chamber resolved to call on Mr Buhari to declare a state-of-emergency on security. The lawmakers are billed to hold a security summit from May 24 to 28. Things might have gone from bad to worse for a Nigerian university professor, Edwin Ijeoma, who had his South African citizenship revoked as he has now been charged for car theft. Prosecutors charged Mr Ijeoma, 55, for using a car without the consent of the owner in Bhisho. He was arrested in April after he had been on the run since March when he was declared wanted, New24 reported. The vehicle was said to belong to the University of Fort Hare, and the don was thus accused of stealing the car. He was released on a R5,000 bail (about N140,000) by the Zwelitsha Magistrates Court Wednesday, South Africas National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said. Hearing of his case will continue June 18 June, NPA spokesperson, Anelisa Ngcakani, said. The suspect was charged for using a motor vehicle without the consent of the owner. He is expected to appear [in the] Zwelitsha Magistrates Court [on Thursday], police spokesperson, Tembinkosi Kinana, a brigadier, said in a statement. Ijeoma is also the subject of a Hawks investigation, in connection with a case of fraud, worth R5 million, Hawks spokesperson, Yolisa Mgolodela, was quoted saying in another statement. The latest charge against the don could compound his woes as he has been battling to shrug off allegations of admission fraud, citizenship fraud and bigamy, legal battles that have made him jobless. Bad to worse The research specialist arrived in South Africa from Nigeria in 1998 on a student visa to study at the University of Pretoria, earning a PhD in Economics by 2003. He opted to stay back and he approached immigration authorities to naturalize him as a citizen. He allegedly renounced his Nigerian citizenship in the process. Authorities had exempted him from immigration restrictions due to his marriage to a South African woman. But by 2017, he divorced her after the couple was reportedly unable to have a child. Thereafter, he was joined in the Southern Africa nation by a Nigerian woman, Anne Tomo Ijeoma, whose name he had earlier filed as his sister. On the contrary, in her application for permanent residence in South Africa, the Nigerian woman said she was Mr Ijeomas wife as she attached a copy of her 1993 marriage to him in Nigeria. Alarmed by this, South Africas home affairs officials were tipped off that he had committed bigamy by marrying the South African mistress while being married in Nigeria. He was charged and convicted for the same offence by the Bhisho high court. His South African citizenship was revoked and he was rendered an undesirable inhabitant of the country. As he grappled to clear this sweat off his brow, another trouble brewed for him in the institution where he had excelled and led projects. In October, he was suspended for misconduct by the University of Fort Hare, spokeswoman, Tandi Mapukata, told PREMIUM TIMES in an emailed statement. ADVERTISEMENT She said the professor of public sector economics was facing allegations of serious misconduct for which he has been placed on precautionary suspension since October 16. Local media News24 reported that he was charged for allegedly registering two students for a degree programme in public administration when they were not entitled to register for postgraduate studies. The university pressed charges against him for the irregular admission and registration of the two students, including Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane, whom Mr Ijeoma supervised for his masters programme. Mr Mabuyane was deregistered from the university for being irregularly admitted, and he has threatened to press charges against the institution. The academic was suspended from his professorial job at the university over the scandal. Mr Ijeoma resigned from the University of Fort Hare in March amid the investigation into these allegations. The university did not return repeated emails for comments. Mr Ijeoma also has not responded to an emailed enquiry. Senate President Ahmad Lawan has cautioned states governors and other elected leaders against joining the agitations for secession or restructuring of the country. Mr Lawan, who stated this while fielding questions from State House correspondents in Abuja on Thursday, said he was not against those calling for restructuring but elected officials must not be among those advocating for such calls. The senate president was reacting to Tuesdays demand by 17 southern governors for restructuring of the country. The governors, during their meeting in Asaba on Tuesday, also banned open grazing and asked President Muhammadu Buhari to address the nation. The senate president said state governors must ensure that they restructure their respective states first before calling for restructuring at the federal level. The call for secession or the call for restructuring many are genuine calls even though I never believe that someone who is calling for secession means well or is a misguided person, he said. But I believe that when somebody calls for improving the structure that we have, it is a genuine call. But I want to advice here, I believe that as leaders those of us who were elected must not be at the forefront of calling for this kind of thing because even if you are a governor, you are supposed to be working hard in your state to ensure that this restructuring you are calling for at the federal level you have done it in your state as well. This is because while you may accuse the federal government of whatever it is, you may also be accused of the same thing in your state. So, we are supposed to ensure that we have a complete and total way of ensuring that our systems at the federal, state and even local government work for the people, and that we allow people to participate in governance so that whoever feels that he has something to offer to make Nigeria better does so freely without any hindrance. Mr Lawan said Nigerians must come together regardless of their religious, ethnic or political persuasions to find lasting solutions to the nations challenges. He, therefore, called on all elected leaders across the three tiers of government to always avoid primordial sentiments capable of creating division and social discontent among Nigerians. We should avoid partisanship; we should avoid regionalism. We are all leaders and we are in this together. The solution must come from us regardless of what level of government we are whether at the federal, state or even at the local government level, he added. The senate president also frowned at the way and manner the local government system was relegated to the background in the country, saying for the nation to address its security challenges the local government system must be functional and efficient. I want to take this opportunity also to say that we have diminished the local government system. I think we can attribute some of the security issues to the lack of a functional local government system. For me, I think the time has come for us to take up the challenge to ensure that the local government system functions. This is in keeping with looking for ways, for means, for solutions to the security challenges that we face. We must never neglect the local government system. I believe that this is one system that has worked even though under a different name. When it was Native Authority it was very effective, very efficient. READ ALSO: So, we must go back to our local government to ensure that the local government continues to be autonomous, and continues to be functional in order to complement whatever the states and the federal government are doing. ADVERTISEMENT The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, who also spoke to the correspondents, called for a national spirit of oneness, saying that If truth be told, we all have equal shares in the blame for whats happening today. Whatever challenges we have, we must all come together to make sure that we resolve these issues were facing. We must imbibe that spirit of oneness, togetherness, unity and love that would take us through this. He enjoined Nigerians to always be their brothers keepers and avoid acts capable of creating social unrest. (NAN) The company said it will begin selling the THC product in Germany by September, one of several movers it is making to significantly increase its presence and volumes in the German medical cannabis market Pharmadrug said its focus will continue to be on market share growth with a keen eye on revenue growth and profits PharmaDrug Inc ( ) (OTCPINK:LMLLF) said it has entered into a supply agreement with a Eurozone cannabis extractor to produce medical-grade THC oil for sale under PharmaDrug's own brand. The company said it expects to receive the THC product and begin selling it in Germany by September. We are extremely excited to sign this agreement to finally launch medical cannabis in Germany under our own brand. The company is making several movers to significantly increase its presence and volumes in the German medical cannabis market, PharmaDrug CEO Daniel Cohen said in a statement. Our focus will continue to be on market share growth with a keen eye on revenue growth and profits. These goals can only be achieved through increased product lines, developing of our own brand, and expanding our market presence, Cohen added. The company noted that the PharmaDrug THC oil will be supplied first to local German cannabis wholesalers while also selling it directly to the company's own pharmacy distribution network. To that end, Pharmadrug recently hired a senior 20-year veteran German pharmaceutical sales executive to continue to expand the sales team and carry out this strategy. As well, the company said it has received its first shipment of product from its previously-announced supply agreement with a Canadian-based multinational cannabis company, which it has already begun selling. It added that it will use this new line to increase revenue and expand the company's own direct pharmacy network. PharmaDrug also anticipates carrying the Canadian companys THC oil line in the second quarter, while at the same time seeking out more relationships with global licensed producers (LPs) in order to enhance their lines of third-party branded medical cannabis products. The company, meanwhile, said it is continuing to negotiate agreements with suppliers for medical cannabis flowers to be sold under PharmaDrug's brand and is also in talks to develop its own brand of synthetic THC oil. And, PharmaDrug announced that it has received its first shipment of its branded CBD oils, which it will seek to sell via distributors and e-commerce platforms. PharmaDrug is focused on the research, development and commercialization of controlled substances and natural medicines such as psychedelics, cannabis and naturally-derived approved drugs. Contact Sean at sean@proactiveinvestors.com President Muhammadu Buhari Friday hosted Chads military ruler, Mahamat Deby, in Abuja. At the event, the Nigerian leader did not condemn the coup that brought Mr Deby to power but said Nigeria will assist Chad to stabilize and return to constitutional order. Details of the meeting were contained in a statement by Mr Buharis spokesperson, Femi Adesina. Mahamat Deby assumed office following the death of his father, Idriss Deby, who ruled Chad for over three decades. Idriss Deby was killed in April in a battle with rebels, a day after he won reelection for a sixth term. The Coup The Chadian constitution states that the speaker of the parliament should become interim president upon the death of an incumbent president. The speaker is expected to hold office for 40 days while a fresh election is held. However, following the death of the elder Deby, the Chadian military announced the dissolution of the parliament and the suspension of the constitution. The military then installed Mahamat Deby, an army general, as president, a move condemned by the opposition in the country. Disquiet has grown in the oil-producing Central African nation since the illegal transition, and different world leaders have shied away from condemning the constitutional breach and none have called it a coup. France, which colonised Chad until 1960 and still has a huge influence on the country, has declared support for the coup, saying it was necessary to maintain stability. Nigeria, Chads larger and influential neighbour, has also avoided condemning the militarys action. On Friday, Mr Buhari continued with the Nigerian stance when he hosted the Chadian leader. The Nigerian leader reaffirmed his support to Chads military council, saying We are bound together by culture and geography, and we will help in all ways we can. Nigerians know and appreciate the role Chad played in helping us to combat terrorism, and we will continue the collaboration, he said. He, however, called on the Chadian military to ensure a smooth transition to civil rule. We will also help you to ensure a smooth transition in 18 months, as you have promised your people, Mr Buhari said. He also described the late Deby as a personal friend, and a friend of Nigeria, saying Chad has been very steadfast in defending Nigeria. For this, he said, the country should not hesitate to ask for help in areas it deemed necessary. ADVERTISEMENT Chads fight against Boko Haram Chad has played a major role in regional collaboration to defeat terrorist groups in the Lake Chad region. Then led by late Idriss Deby, Chad was part of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) and the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) which was formed to defeat Boko Haram. On Friday, Mr Buhari said Nigeria was committed to strengthening the LCBC and the MNJTF. On his part, the Chadian leader thanked Nigeria for the solidarity shown after the death of his father. He said the main objective of the Transitional Military Council is the security and cohesion of our country. He expressed his commitment to democratic, free, fair polls in 18 months, telling Mr Buhari: You were very close to Marshal Itno. Im here to reaffirm that relationship, and for you to support our transition. We rely on our brother country Nigeria, as we have shared history, culture and geography. We are ready to be guided by you in our journey to constitutional rule. ADVERTISEMENT The police in Akwa Ibom State have confirmed the death of eight people in a cult clash in Esit Eket Local Government Area of the state. The police spokesperson in the state, Odiko MacDon, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday. Mr MacDon, a superintendent of police, said the report of the incident got to him last week. He said the police were taking steps to ensure they maintained law and order in the council headquarters and its environs. Two rival cult groups Vikings Confraternity and Black Axe had engaged in a clash of supremacy. A source, who asked not to be named, told NAN the clash started at a night programme when some young men accosted a Vikings member who was holding a bag in his hands at midnight. According to the source, members of the Black Axe group searched the bag, discovered a locally made pistol, and confiscated it. The bag owner, the Vikings member, left in anger and later came back at about 3 a.m. with fellow cult members to attack and kill a member of Black Axe. Four members of Vikings and four from Black Axe were killed in the clash that ensued, NAN gathered. Two houses were burnt, including the family house of the leader of the legislative council in Esit Eket. NAN reported that some young men in Esit Eket have deserted their homes to other local government areas because of the incident. Mr MacDon said the police were doing their best to restore peace and order in the community. The police will not tolerate any act that will lead to the breakdown of law and order in the state, he said. (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ) Nigeria is pleased to announce it has received a $200,000 grant over two years from Luminate. These funds will support the centres efforts to promote investigative journalism for greater transparency and accountability in public service. The resources will be used to roll out Dubawa, a data-driven verification/fact-checking platform across Anglophone African countries, grow PTCIJs subnational investigative reporting work across Nigerias six geopolitical zones, and expand its press freedom work. PTCIJ has pioneered several transformative initiatives, such as UDEME, an online platform that provides information on budget implementation and procurement practices in Nigeria. Leaks.NG is another trailblazing initiative. The independent whistleblowing platform was established to reveal public interest information in Nigeria. Through Leaks.NG, PTCIJ has collaborated with six newsrooms to advance press freedom and support journalists exposing wrongdoings. The grant will hopefully help us do two broad things; effectively map the sub-regional landscape with respect to the media freedom ecology, the interface of the digital migration mechanism and press freedom as well as how to construct a governance zone of accountability and development in West Africa by addressing the misinformation challenge to information production, exchange and distribution. The most exciting aspect of the grant is the support it offers us to help rebuild the architecture of a resilient local media that can effectively audit governance at the sub-national levels. said Dapo Olorunyomi, PTCIJ Executive Director. PTCIJ is the non-profit arm of the news publication, Premium Times. The centre works towards the emergence of a genuinely independent media landscape that advances fundamental human rights. Founded in 2014, PTCIJs influence and impact in investigative journalism have grown tremendously over the years. The organisation has now expanded into four other Anglophone West African countries, creating an impact beyond Nigeria. At Luminate, we believe in the power of investigative journalism to fight mis- and disinformation. Well continue to encourage institutions and individuals who defend a vibrant, free press that uncovers the truth and holds power to account, said Abdul Noormohamed, Luminate Africa Director. Luminate is a global philanthropic organisation focused on empowering people and institutions to work together to build just and fair societies. Luminate funds and supports innovative and courageous organisations and entrepreneurs worldwide by advocating for the policies and actions that will help people participate in and shape the issues affecting their societies. ADVERTISEMENT The call by the governors for the convening of a national dialogue to address the current crisis is however a wise one. As they argued: The progress of the nation requires that urgent and bold steps be taken to restructure the Nigerian Federation leading to the evolution of state police, review of revenue allocation formula in favour of the sub-national governments In his Eid-el Fitr goodwill message to Nigerians, President Buhari Implored the citizenry to pray against kidnapping and banditry and the desperate quest for political power expressed through blackmail against the existence of Nigeria as a united entity. He added that we must resist the temptation to retreat into our communities: I urge our political and religious leaders as well as traditional rulers to encourage our citizens to turn towards one another in love and compassion. We, Nigerians spend an enormous amount of our time praying, so he does not need to remind us to pray. What is important to note, however, is that President Buhari campaigned to, begged and pleaded with us that we should vote for him because he had the solution to the three problems confronting us as a nation insecurity, corruption and the collapsed economy. We gave him our vote. He cannot now turn around and tell us to pray for solutions to the problems he had said he would solve, after six years in office. He should do what he said he would do. Even more worrying is the insinuation that our countrys current problems are orchestrated by blackmailers seeking to take his power by threatening Nigerias corporate existence. Everybody else in the country, outside the Presidency, is aware that Nigerians are facing empirically verifiable problems linked to mass insecurity, excessive corruption of government officials and massive poverty, exactly the same problems that President Buhari had promised to solve but has failed to do. His governments failures are the main issues fueling the exit option out of Nigeria being canvassed by different groups through various means secession, the establishment of an Islamic Republic, migration and self-enrichment through armed banditry and so on. Take the case of communities in Gurmana and Manta districts of Shiroro local government of Niger State. They have repeatedly appealed to government to stop the incessant attacks they have been suffering from armed bandits and terrorists, who have been killing and kidnapping them, while inflicting sexual assaults on their wives and daughters. Both the federal and state governments have been unable to do anything to protect them. In desperation, they had to take the option of negotiating with the bandits, paying huge amounts as ransom, and purchasing motorcycles for them to get some peace. They paid, and they have peace for now. They did not want to embarrass President Buhari by negotiating with criminal elements. They simply want to live in peace and engage in their livelihoods. The peace they currently have, I believe, is actually a temporary one. The criminals will continue raising their demands, until the villagers are unable to pay and the attacks would resume. What the people of Shiroro, therefore, need is a Nigerian state that is able to provide for their safety and welfare. They deserve nothing less and since their prayers over time have not yet been answered, they hope, and Nigerians in general hope, that the state will rise to its constitutional duties and protect them. the reason why disunity is galloping at this time is that many Nigerians feel very strongly that they are not being treated equally by their own government, that the federal character principle is not being implemented correctly and that they are suffering from discrimination and marginalisation. Once again, they believe that they have verifiable basis for their discontent President Buhari also called for unity and solidarity among all citizens, Muslims and Christians, at this time when our country is faced with multiple challenges, which are surmountable only when we come together as one. He added correctly that we share, through our faiths, common bonds that should serve to unite us and not allow ourselves to succumb to those who seek to divide us, using our two great religions, for their own selfish advantages. I share this vision. Nonetheless, the reason why disunity is galloping at this time is that many Nigerians feel very strongly that they are not being treated equally by their own government, that the federal character principle is not being implemented correctly and that they are suffering from discrimination and marginalisation. Once again, they believe that they have verifiable basis for their discontent, and preaching to them about unity will only work if and when they see policy changes that address their concerns. On Tuesday, the Governors Forum of Southern Nigeria met in Asaba to discuss issues of concern and issued a communique. Rising from the meeting, the Forum: affirmed that the peoples of Southern Nigeria remain committed to the unity of Nigeria on the basis of justice, fairness, equity and oneness, and peaceful co-existence between and among its peoples, with a focus on the attainment of shared goals for economic development and prosperity. They added, however, that: they have observed the incursion of armed herders, criminals and bandits into the Southern part of the country, (which) has presented a severe security challenge such that citizens are not able to live their normal lives, including pursuing various productive activities leading to a threat to food supply and general security. Consequently, the meeting resolved that open grazing of cattle be banned across Southern Nigeria; noting that development and population growth has put pressure on available land and increased the prospects of conflict between migrating herders and local populations in the South. Given this scenario, it becomes imperative to enforce the ban on open grazing in the South (including cattle movement to the South by foot). given the activities of militia groups attacking and killing pastoralists and Northerners in the South, the stage is being set for a major conflagration that could have serious consequences for national cohesion. It is distressing that these attacks on Northerners, as well as on security personnel, were not even mentioned by the Southern governors. The assumption here is that agency in criminal activity is a problem in Northern Nigeria, which is now being exported to the South. This narrative replaces the earlier narrative of the 1970s and 1980s that armed banditry is a Southern problem that was being exported to the North. The reality is that criminality is an equal opportunity activity that has attracted young people from all over the country. The idea that open grazing should be stopped immediately all over the South might appear attractive in the present context of increased criminality. The reason is that there is a widespread narrative profiling all pastoralists as bandits and kidnappers. It is wrong to attribute criminal behaviour to all members of a community. In addition, given the activities of militia groups attacking and killing pastoralists and Northerners in the South, the stage is being set for a major conflagration that could have serious consequences for national cohesion. It is distressing that these attacks on Northerners, as well as on security personnel, were not even mentioned by the Southern governors. The call by the governors for the convening of a national dialogue to address the current crisis is however a wise one. As they argued: The progress of the nation requires that urgent and bold steps be taken to restructure the Nigerian Federation leading to the evolution of state police, review of revenue allocation formula in favour of the sub-national governments and creation of other institutions which legitimately advance our commitment to and practice of true federalism. The president, they added, should address Nigerians on the challenges of insecurity and restore the confidence of our people. Once again, we Nigerians are begging President Buhari to talk to us, rather than issuing statements through his press office. A professor of Political Science and development consultant/expert, Jibrin Ibrahim is a Senior Fellow of the Centre for Democracy and Development, and Chair of the Editorial Board of PREMIUM TIMES. Although Palestinians occupy key areas of land, including the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, some Israelis, with their governments blessing and support, continue to settle in areas that are generally agreed to be under Palestinian control. Many international rights groups consider such settlements illegal. As the borders arent clearly defined, persistent conflict continues to be the norm. In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful All thanks and praise is due to Allah, we seek His help and forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allah from the evil within ourselves and the consequences of our evil deeds. Whoever Allah guides will never be led astray, and whomever Allah leads astray will never find guidance. I bear witness that there is no one worthy of worship except Allah, alone without any partners, and I bear witness that Muhammad (Peace be upon him) is His servant and Messenger. Verily, the most truthful speech is the Book of Allah, the best guidance is the guidance of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) and the worst affairs are the newly invented matters (in the religion). Every newly invented matter is a religious innovation, and every religious innovation is misguidance, and every misguidance is in the Hellfire. Dear brothers and sisters! Today, the struggle to liberate Palestine is an obligation and an important goal. Everyone must assist the Palestinian nation in their noble and peaceful struggle. Respected brothers and sisters! The struggle to liberate Palestine is a struggle in the way of Allah, and it is an obligation and an important goal. Victory in this struggle has been guaranteed. My great people! We must express our solidarity with the Palestinian people and condemn Israeli atrocities towards them. The Zionist regime is a deadly, cancerous growth and a detriment to this region which will undoubtedly be uprooted and destroyed! And by Allahs Grace, the shame will fall on all those nations who put their facilities at the service of the policy of the arrogant powers. Dear servants of Allah! Palestine is a small region of land that has played a prominent role in the ancient and modern history of the Middle East. The history of Palestine has been marked by frequent political conflict and violent land seizures because of its importance to several major world religions, and because Palestine sits at a valuable geographic crossroads between Africa and Asia. Today, Arab people who call this territory home are known as Palestinians, and the people of Palestine have a strong desire to create a free and independent state in this contested region of the world. Until 1948, Palestine typically referred to the geographic region located between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River. Arab people who call this territory home have been known as Palestinians since the early 20th century. Much of this land is now considered present-day Israel. Today, Palestine theoretically includes the West Bank (a territory that sits between modern-day Israel and Jordan) and the Gaza Strip (which borders modern-day Israel and Egypt). However, control over this region is a complex and evolving situation. There is no international consensus concerning the borders, and many areas claimed by Palestinians have been forcefully occupied by Israelis for years. Today, more than 135 United Nations member countries recognise Palestine as an independent state, but Israel and some other countries, including the United States, wouldnt make this distinction. The sincere, reliable and Knowledgeable Scholars believe the name Palestine originally comes from the word Philistia, which refers to the Philistines who occupied part of the region in the 12th century B.C. Throughout history, Palestine has been ruled by numerous groups, including the Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Fatimids, Seljuk Turks, Crusaders, Egyptians and Mamelukes. From about 1517 to 1917, the Ottoman Empire ruled much of the region. When World War I ended in 1918, the British took control of Palestine. The League of Nations issued a British mandate for Palestine a document that gave Britain administrative control over the region, and included provisions for establishing a Jewish national homeland in Palestine which went into effect in 1923. In 1947, after more than two decades of British rule, the United Nations proposed a plan to partition Palestine into two sections: an independent Jewish state and an independent Arab state. The city of Jerusalem, which was claimed as a capital by both Jews and Palestinian Arabs, was to be an international territory with a special status. Jewish leaders accepted the plan, but many Palestinian Arabs some of whom had been actively fighting British and Jewish interests in the region since the 1920s vehemently opposed it, because they were oppressed. ADVERTISEMENT Arab groups argued that they represented the majority of the population in certain regions and should be granted more territory. They began to form volunteer armies throughout Palestine. In September 2000, the Second Palestinian Intifada began. One of the triggers for the violence was when Ariel Sharon, a right-wing Jewish Israeli, who would later become Israels prime minister, visited the Muslim noble site at the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Many Palestinians felt this was an offensive move In May 1948, less than a year after the Partition Plan for Palestine was introduced, Britain withdrew from Palestine and Israel declared itself an independent state, implying a willingness to implement the Partition Plan. Almost immediately, neighbouring Arab armies moved in to prevent the establishment of the Israeli state. The 1948 Arab-Israeli War that ensued involved Israel and five Arab nations Jordan, Iraq, Syria, Egypt and Lebanon. By the wars end in July 1949, Israel controlled more than two-thirds of the former British Mandate, while Jordan took control of the West Bank, Egypt and the Gaza Strip. The 1948 conflict opened a new chapter in the struggle between Jews and Palestinian Arabs, which now became a regional contest involving nation-states and a tangle of diplomatic, political and economic interests. In 1964, the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) was formed for the purpose of establishing a Palestinian Arab state on the land previously administered under the British Mandate, and which the PLO considered to be occupied illegitimately by the State of Israel. Although the PLO was originally dedicated to the destruction of the State of Israel as a means of attaining its goal of Palestinian statehood, in the 1993 Oslo Accords, the PLO accepted Israels right to exist in exchange for formal recognition of the PLO by Israel a high water mark in Israeli-Palestinian relations. In 1969, the well-known Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat became the Chairman of the PLO and held that title until he died in 2004. Israel attacked Egypt on June 5, 1967. Both nations claimed that they were acting in self-defense in the ensuing conflict, which ended on June 10 and also drew in Jordan and Syria, who sided with Egypt. The Six-Day War, as it came to be called, resulted in major land gains for Israel. By the end of the war, Israel had taken control of the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, the Sinai Peninsula (a desert region situated between the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea) and the Golan Heights (a rocky plateau located between Syria and modern-day Israel). The outcome of the 1967 Arab-Israeli War would lead to continued tension and armed conflict between Israel and its neighbours over the coming decades. In 1987, the First Intifada broke out, a boiling over of Palestinian anger over ongoing Israeli occupation of Gaza and the West Bank. Palestinian militia groups revolted, and hundreds of people were killed. A subsequent peace process, known as the Oslo Peace Accords, was initiated during the early 1990s in a multilateral attempt to end the ongoing violence. The first Oslo Accord (Oslo I) created a timetable for a Middle East peace process and a plan for an interim Palestinian government in parts of Gaza and the West Bank. The agreement was signed in 1993 and witnessed by Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Yasser Arafat returned to Gaza in 1994 after being exiled for 27 years. He then headed the newly-formed Palestinian Authority. In 1995, Oslo II laid the groundwork for a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from parts of the West Bank and other areas. It also set a schedule for Palestinian Legislative Council elections. Unfortunately, the Oslo Accords failed in their ultimate goal of bringing Israel and the Palestinians to agree over a full-fledged peace plan. In September 2000, the Second Palestinian Intifada began. One of the triggers for the violence was when Ariel Sharon, a right-wing Jewish Israeli, who would later become Israels prime minister, visited the Muslim noble site at the al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Many Palestinians felt this was an offensive move, and they protested. Riots, suicide bombings and other attacks subsequently broke out, putting an end to the once-promising peace process. While so much of Palestines history has involved bloodshed, displacement, and instability, many world leaders continue to work toward a resolution that will result in peace throughout the region. That period of violence between Palestinians and Israelis lasted nearly five years. Yasser Arafat died in November 2004, and by August of 2005, the Israeli army withdrew from Gaza. In 2006, Hamas, a so-called Islamist militant group, won the Palestinian legislative elections. That same year, fighting between Hamas and Fatah, the political group that controlled the PLO, ensued. In 2007, Hamas defeated Fatah in a battle for Gaza. Many countries in the world consider Hamas to be a terrorist organisation. The group has carried out suicide bombings and repeatedly called for the destruction of Israel. Hamas and Israel fought each other in several bloody wars, including Operation Cast Lead in December 2008, Operation Pillar of Defence in November 2012 and Operation Protective Edge in July 2014. In April 2014, Hamas and Fatah agreed to a deal that would form a unified national Palestinian government. Today, Palestinians are still fighting for an official state thats formally recognised by all countries. Although Palestinians occupy key areas of land, including the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, some Israelis, with their governments blessing and support, continue to settle in areas that are generally agreed to be under Palestinian control. Many international rights groups consider such settlements illegal. As the borders arent clearly defined, persistent conflict continues to be the norm. A substantial proportion of Israelis also oppose the settlements and would prefer to find peaceful ways to resolve their land disputes with the Palestinians. In May 2017, leaders of Hamas presented a document that proposed the formation of a Palestinian state using the 1967 defined borders, with Jerusalem as its capital. However, the group refused to recognise Israel as a state, and the Israeli government promptly rejected the plan. In May 2018, tensions erupted when the U.S. Embassy relocated from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Perceiving this as signal of American support for Jerusalem as Israels capital, Palestinians responded with protests at the Gaza-Israel border, which were met with Israeli force, resulting in the deaths of dozens of protesters. While so much of Palestines history has involved bloodshed, displacement, and instability, many world leaders continue to work toward a resolution that will result in peace throughout the region. Yesterday, Palestine appealed to the international community to intervene immediately to avoid Israels aggression against the Gaza Strip. Ibrahim Melhem, a spokesman for the Palestinian government said that the Palestinian government is closely monitoring the unacceptable Israeli escalation in the Gaza Strip and has requested the immediate and urgent international action to stop the Israeli mass killings. Melhem blasted Israels cruel and inhuman violence, describing it as a thirst for murder by the Jewish state, adding that Palestinians are only fighting to keep their homes. In terms of the latest incidents in the Israel-Palestine conflict, as of yesterday, Thursday, May 13, the death toll in Gaza had risen to 83 people. According to a local health ministry survey, the death toll in Gaza included 17 children. As the attacks escalate, almost 500 more people have been injured. I pray, May Allah grant victory to the Palestinians and the Ummah, as the conflict has just escalated to a full fledge war. Ameen. And all praises and thanks are due to Allah alone, Lord of the worlds. May the peace, blessings and salutations of Allah be upon our noble Messenger, Muhammad, and upon his family, his Companions and his true and sincere followers. Murtadha Muhammad Gusau is the Chief Imam of Nagazi-Uvete Jumuah and the late Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Okenes Mosques, Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. He can be reached via: gusauimam@gmail.com or +2348038289761. This Jumuah Khutbah (Friday sermon) was prepared for delivery today, Friday, Shawwal 02, 1442 AH (May 14, 2021). ADVERTISEMENT Personally, the effects of that Ode-Omu Extraordinary Expedition were completely transforming. I emerged from the commune a professional revolutionary: Where to be a professional revolutionary was not conceived mechanically, for instance, in the way one is a professional teacher or a professional soldier, that is, in terms of training and occupation. Forty-five years ago, as I turned 30, I left Lagos for Ibadan. From Ibadan, together with a comrade of the same age, I left for a rural community somewhere between Gbongan and Ile-Ife in present-day Osun State. There we joined others, similarly inspired like us, about ten in number, male and female, excluding two kids whom we took turns to baby-sit in order to free the mother to participate fully in revolutionary duties. We assembled to inaugurate an underground Marxist revolutionary vanguard embedded in the peasantry. While some members were fully in residence, others were semi-resident, but continually in touch with the Headquarters. I was not only fully in residence, but disappeared to the outside world for between 9 and 12 months. The strategic objective of that Extraordinary Expedition was to inaugurate an armed struggle in a socialist revolution which we recognised had been going on at a certain level in our country, Nigeria. The armed struggle did not happen. But it almost did. And in an attempt to force it to begin, we also almost ended up in self-liquidation. It was when I was leaving the Headquarters after the collapse of the Expedition that our peasant comrades knew, through my contact address and full name, that not only was I not an Ijesa man, but that I was not even of Yoruba parentage. For I had integrated completely with them and had been one of their conscientisation discussion leaders in the Yoruba language for at least the preceding six months. The scene of separation was so emotional. The requirement sketched above is not a necessary one for every Leftist or even for every revolutionary. But it is a self-imposed requirement for every vanguard in the struggle against capitalism, capitalist social formations and imperialism. The Extraordinary Expedition had profound effects on all the participants. But, as expected, the effects were of different kinds on different comrades, with some differences less significant than others. It was this variation in differences that made it possible for Biodun Jeyifo (BJ) and I, then Bene, to regroup almost immediately after the collapse of the Expedition. Personally, the effects of that Ode-Omu Extraordinary Expedition were completely transforming. I emerged from the commune a professional revolutionary: Where to be a professional revolutionary was not conceived mechanically, for instance, in the way one is a professional teacher or a professional soldier, that is, in terms of training and occupation. It was not even conceived in the sense of making revolution the primary interest in ones life. Rather, to be a professional revolutionary was conceived in the sense of compelling every other interest or commitment including nationality, sub-nationality, religion, family, friendship and engagements for material sustenance and reproduction to find accommodation and justification in the commitment to revolution. But that is just one side of a professional revolutionary as conceived by me. The other side is the commitment to what Karl Marx, in his youthful days, called categorical imperatives, that is, the struggle to overcome all circumstances in which the human being is humiliated, enslaved, abandoned and despised. And later I added the commitment to struggle to extend immediate and unconditional solidarity to the wretched of the earth and ameliorate the human condition anywhere a professional revolutionary finds herself or himself. A professional revolutionary is thus a contradiction in the real world: Simultaneous toughness and softness. The requirement sketched above is not a necessary one for every Leftist or even for every revolutionary. But it is a self-imposed requirement for every vanguard in the struggle against capitalism, capitalist social formations and imperialism. Some would say that for a sustainable revolution to take place, there must be a substantial number of this category of revolutionaries. But I would modify this and say that at least the revolution should be capable of rapidly reproducing its own professionals as it proceeds. About two weeks ago, on the eve of 2021 May Day, Comrade Bene and I made a re-affirmation and executed a long-standing decision of ours. The former was the re-affirmation of our subscription to Marxism, commitment to socialist revolution in Nigeria and world-wide, and to revolutionary internationalism. My life as a professional revolutionary since the 1977 collapse of the Extraordinary Expedition has, therefore, been a contradictory one, at least in the sense described in the preceding paragraphs. And it has been tough for that person who, in addition to having to share that life as a wife, a comrade and a lover, also has to live her life as an academic, an intellectual, a mother, a social activist, a Leftist-feminist and a revolutionary socialist. If there is any person who, since 1977, has kept me on my feet, stood with me as equal, pointing out what can be done today in anticipation of tomorrow, and correcting my frequent tactical and strategic errors, that person is Comrade Professor Bene Madunagu. About two weeks ago, on the eve of 2021 May Day, Comrade Bene and I made a re-affirmation and executed a long-standing decision of ours. The former was the re-affirmation of our subscription to Marxism, commitment to socialist revolution in Nigeria and world-wide, and to revolutionary internationalism. And the latter was the decision to transfer our Combined Archives and Libraries, built up since 1973, to the Nigerian Left. Following this definitive step, we established an eight-member Board of Advisers (BOA) to manage the Combined Archives and Libraries on behalf and in the name of the Nigerian Left. This took effect on May 1. Any further announcement or action on this subject will be made or taken by the Board. Let the struggle continue. Edwin Madunagu, a mathematician and journalist, writes from Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. The last four decades Bob Marley left us, has borne out his message that we would have a hard road to travel. In fact, the world has turned upside down, with nation rising against nation, terrorists hoisting their flags, pharmaceuticals ripping off humanity, affluent countries adding vaccine imperialism to economic imperialism, the big trampling on the small, the powerful grinding the weak into the dust One day I shall always remember is May 11, 1981. Nigeria was in turmoil. There were protests across the country, while some cities were deserted. Factories were closed, as were offices. There was hope in the streets and fear in government houses. The country was in the grip of a general strike organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for the establishment of a national minimum wage. Then there was a news break. Bob Marley, the international soldier of oppressed peoples worldwide, tireless fighter for human rights, Pan Africanist and humanist, was dead at 36! It was unbelievable. If there was a thing like being too young to die, that was it. But it was true, Bob the husband of Rita, father of Ziggy and millions of young people all over the world, had departed, strumming his guitar and singing liberation songs, as he crossed the river of no return. On that day, I felt how conscientious persons in the world might have felt back in 1961 when psychiatrist, philosopher and humanist, Franz Fanon author of famous books like The Wretched of the Earth and Black Skin, White Masks passed on at the same youthful age of 36. The news of Bob Marleys death was greeted with widespread disbelief; how can such a young, energetic and courageous person simply pass away, reportedly of brain and lung cancer? Not a few believed that he might have been killed by the vampires of the Babylon system. Those were tumultuous times, with revolutionary larva still flowing in post-Shah Iran and post-Somoza Nicaragua, Africa knocking on the very gates of Apartheid South Africa, and youths across the world responding to Marleys call to rebel against the system of inequality, exploitation and repression. Yet, it seemed Bob had envisaged his end was near or he had been told his illness was terminal. The year before he left, he worked hard at a loaded album titled, Uprising, which appeared to be a last testament and a farewell statement to the world. The ten songs there were well arranged with loaded messages that were evocative, declarative, advisory, defiant and prophetic. He begins by stating categorically that we are Coming in from the cold and asks why people are looking so sad and forsaken, reminding them that when one door is closed, another is open. He pointedly asks if we would let the system make us kill our brother? His answer is: No, no, no! Bob Marley, while calling for the people to unite, announces that the Zion train is coming our way and advises that we get on board. In going to catch the train, he admonishes that we shouldnt gain the world and lose our soul, as wisdom is better than silver and gold. Then he asks us to check out the real situation, with nations wagging war against nations. To him, it seems the only solution is total destruction. He warns against the political elites and the powerful countries, saying if you give them an inch, they will take a yard. He warns that this exploitative group will draw bad card and that he does not know how the rich and powerful will work things out but insists that someone must pay for the blood of the innocent being shed daily. He sings that men have lost their faith and warns the poor that they do not have friends in high society. Bob Marley, while calling for the people to unite, announces that the Zion train is coming our way and advises that we get on board. In going to catch the train, he admonishes that we shouldnt gain the world and lose our soul, as wisdom is better than silver and gold. He assures humanity that where theres a will, theres always a way and he is confident that two thousand years of Black history cannot be wiped so easily, so the future is assured. The revolutionary advises against the pimpers paradise and asks: could you be loved and be loved? In one of his last admonitions, he advises that we should not allow the powerful to miseducate or fool us. Turning to the oppressors, he declares: Weve got a mind of our own, so go to hell if what youre thinking is not right! Love would never leave us alone. A-yin the darkness there must come out to light. Bob Marley warns his followers that the road of life is rocky and only the fittest of the fittest shall survive. As for himself and his household, he said they shall be forever loving Jah, adding that, only a fool lean upon his own misunderstanding. Four decades ago, for many of us who were students, our guiding spirits as we confronted the system of underdevelopment, were Fela Anikulapo-Kuti at home in Nigeria, and Bob Marley abroad. In the mornings we woke up to their music, which contain their philosophy and teachings, and retired at night with their redemption songs; songs of freedom. Bob Marleys last communication with the universe in that album, is to sing the Redemption Song. In it he plainly tells the downtrodden: Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery/None but ourselves can free our minds/Have no fear for atomic energy/Cause none of them can stop the time/How long shall they kill our prophets/While we stand aside and look?/Ooh! Some say its just a part of it: Weve got to fulfil de book/ Wont you help to sing/These songs of freedom?/Cause all I ever have: Redemption songs. Four decades ago, for many of us who were students, our guiding spirits as we confronted the system of underdevelopment, were Fela Anikulapo-Kuti at home in Nigeria, and Bob Marley abroad. In the mornings we woke up to their music, which contain their philosophy and teachings, and retired at night with their redemption songs; songs of freedom. They were all we wanted to hear in our herculean and historical duty to emancipate ourselves and peoples from mental slavery. My generation rejected our parents life of smiling and suffering, waiting for people who know all the books, but know not love to give us human rights, when we knew that human rights is our natural property; our inalienable rights. We knew the future battles will be full of sorrows, tears and blood and that for us to attain true independence by chasing those crazy bald heads out of town, there would be war. War in the East, war in the West, war up North, war down South and until that day, we knew the African continent, will not know peace. But we were confident of our victory over evil. The last four decades Bob Marley left us, has borne out his message that we would have a hard road to travel. In fact, the world has turned upside down, with nation rising against nation, terrorists hoisting their flags, pharmaceuticals ripping off humanity, affluent countries adding vaccine imperialism to economic imperialism, the big trampling on the small, the powerful grinding the weak into the dust, individualism overriding the collective, presidents of countries revelling in falsehood and promoting fake news, and the club of the nuclear boys expanding. ADVERTISEMENT Today, one of the primary duties of conscientious humanity, is how to turn the world back on its feet and get humans to walk towards a world built on social justice, as Bob Marley envisaged. Owei Lakemfa, a former secretary general of African workers, is a human rights activist, journalist and author. A Ghanaian proverb teaches us how to handle a fly that perches on the scrotum.. a huge dose of patience and tact is needed to gently nudge off the incommodious creature. But as long as the Catholic hierarchy remains conflicted in solving the Mbaka problem, however, the Nigerian church will live with the sad reality that he who goes to sleep with an itchy anus will be sure to wake up with smelly fingers. The Catholic Church, with more than 2000 years of history under its belt, has been called the oldest institution in the Western world. It has successfully fought and won many wars, internal and external, in a bid to keep her 1.2 billion faithful from drifting in a constantly changing world. At no time, however, did it reckon that the 21st century Nigerian church will be home to celebrity priests with mega-fortunes, whose clout will test the resilience of the great institution. Her Achilles heel remains how to deal with the errant clergy within its ranks. One of such is Reverend Father Camillus Ejike Mbaka, the parish priest and spiritual director of the Enugu based Adoration Ministry. Founded in 1998, Adoration Ministry is a religious institution with a staff strength between five hundred and one thousand persons, according to its profile on LinkedIn. Every Friday night and most nights, huge crowds numbering in thousands would gather on the outskirts of Enugu for an all-night worship that combines masses, preaching, eucharistic adoration, dances and, of course, fiery political rhetoric. The Adoration experience could be described as a mish-mass of orthodox Catholicism and charismatic Pentecostalism, laced with political activism. Love it or hate it, it has a strong appeal to the thousands of devotees who throng to the place for spiritual healing and special anointing. The Ministry also has a business arm, with interests in many areas, including beverage manufacturing, bottled water production, real estate and quarries, to mention just a few. Some have argued that it was the success of the Ministrys beverage business that forced Coca Cola to close shop after a 40-year stint in the coal city-state. Fr. Mbaka has become so rich and powerful that the biggest politicians in town, including presidents, line up every election cycle to lobby for his support. Father Mbaka is one controversial and highly divisive figure. For the millions of his fanatical followers, who call him Daddy, he speaks no evil and many are ready to lay down their lives for him. The rest of us Catholics are wringing our hands, worried that his dubious prophecies, rabble rousing and theatricals have finally succeeded in bringing the Sacrament of the Holy Order (Priesthood) into serious disrepute. His divinations often align with his pockets and he is quick to change them, as soon as manna stops falling. The man has no qualms cozying up to politicians of very questionable characters, as long as there is a promise of pecuniary gain. Several attempts to rein in on his excesses by the presiding Bishop of the Enugu Diocese failed woefully. Buoyed by the strength of his following and the financial fire power of his Ministry, he became untouchable. About 60 kilometres away from Mbakas Ministry and in the university town of Nsukka, is another kindred spirit. Reverend Father Paul Martins Obayi (Okunerere) is the fiery priest who runs the eponymous Okunerere Adoration Ministry (OKAM). Founded in 2001, OKAM also promises rich prophecies and divine healing. Not too long ago, he hosted a religious programme that heavily featured Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere (Odumeje), the controversial Onitsha based pastor, known for body-slamming the sick as a method of healing. Odumeje was given such a red-carpet reception that would make even a king green with envy. Such a sketchy character was what an ordained Catholic priest paraded as a model to his flock. How unsettling! Fr. Mbaka and his ilk have gone rogue on the church and repeatedly flouted the rules of their calling. He dabbles into partisan politics unapologetically. The fall out of his most recent political rant rattled the church and his Bishop invited him for questioning, only for his followers to turn around and vandalise the Bishops court. Despite all their shortcomings, however, even the most ardent critic would concede that these priests, through their ministries, have engaged in dozens of philanthropic efforts, which are highly commendable. The problem is that Father Mbaka uses those laudable ventures as an excuse to play by a different set of rules, in total disregard of his ecclesiastical authority (Bishop) and the church; a breach in the promise he made at ordination. Has the priest forgotten what God warned us in the book of Samuel 15:22-24 that: Behold, to obey is better than to sacrifice and to listen than the fat of rams? For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has also rejected you from being king. Fr. Mbaka and his ilk have gone rogue on the church and repeatedly flouted the rules of their calling. He dabbles into partisan politics unapologetically. The fall out of his most recent political rant rattled the church and his Bishop invited him for questioning, only for his followers to turn around and vandalise the Bishops court. Each time, Father Mbaka tries to hide under the guise of championing the cause of the poor and claims that he is suffering persecution for that reason. Hubris! The canon law of the Catholic Church provides for the way to discipline an errant priest. It could be something as simple as a letter of reprimand for minor infractions, to the most severe such as defrockment, also known as laicisation. That means a dismissal from the clerical state. Defrockment is often a long legal process that takes years and involves appeals and written notices. Suspension is another disciplinary measure, which was favoured in Mbakas case by the Catholic Bishop of Enugu diocese. Often called faux defrockment, its the preferred disciplinary method, as it is quick and relatively free of legal strings. Rev. James A. Coriden, a canon lawyer with the Washington Theological Union likened suspension to pulling a police officer off the street after a shooting incident. It doesnt imply conviction or judgment, just taking them off duty during an investigation, he explained. Every so often, a priest may decide to voluntarily resign his position, as was the case with Father Patrick Henry Edet on July 31, 2017. Father Mbaka has many options to choose from if the church is not serving his purposes. He should either stay put and abide by the rules of the church or chart a different course for himself and his Ministry. There is, no doubt, that the controversial priest has enormous clout and commands a lot of influence, which makes his case a lot more challenging During his time as a Catholic priest, Reverend Edet ran a Pentecostal-styled fellowship called Grace Family Outreach. He also hosted a weekly live radio programme called Grace and Inspiration in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Just like Mbaka, the former Catholic priest started to drift from the norms of the church and this caused serious friction between him and the Catholic Diocese of Uyo. Eventually, he made a choice to quit in order to avoid breaking the rules and regulation guiding the doctrines of the Catholic priesthood. Today, he may not be that High Priest in the order of Melchizedek but he remains a minister of the gospel and from what we hear, he is even happily married with children. Revderen Edet made what he believed to be the right decision both for himself and the mother Church. The religious upheavals of the 16th Century were pivotal in the history of the Church of England. It was the time a group of men and women later referred to as the Puritans demanded that the Church embrace certain reforms. They pushed for a simpler form of worship and wanted to do away with structures and rituals inherited from the Roman church and in the process threatened division among the laity. In 1607, a more radical sect of the puritans left England, sought and was granted asylum in Leyden, Holland. Thirteen years later, a splinter faction of the Leyden Puritans, numbering 102, boarded a merchant ship called the Mayflower and set sail to start life in the New World (America). They landed in the New England city of Cape Cod. That was how the modern-day United States of America was born. Just a group of people who embarked on an odyssey in pursuit of liberty and religious freedom. There is no doubt that the world has changed a lot since the 16th Century England, when religious freedom was seriously under threat. Citizens, for the most part, are now free to choose the faith they profess and practice it along others, without fear of intimidation. A man may just wake up in the morning and decide to unfollow a group that encroaches on his religious freedom. Such individual is also free to set up his own group without restriction, as long as the practice is within the limits of the law. Why then are some so bent on upsetting the applecart, when several of these options abound? Father Mbaka has many options to choose from if the church is not serving his purposes. He should either stay put and abide by the rules of the church or chart a different course for himself and his Ministry. There is, no doubt, that the controversial priest has enormous clout and commands a lot of influence, which makes his case a lot more challenging for Bishop Calistus Onaga and the Catholic Diocese of Enugu. A Ghanaian proverb teaches us how to handle a fly that perches on the scrotum, of all places. Nothing for sure could be more exasperating. But no matter how upset, the idea of smashing it to death in a fit of anger is never an option. The collateral damage needs to be avoided at all cost. Instead, a huge dose of patience and tact is needed to gently nudge off the incommodious creature. But as long as the Catholic hierarchy remains conflicted in solving the Mbaka problem, however, the Nigerian church will live with the sad reality that he who goes to sleep with an itchy anus will be sure to wake up with smelly fingers. Osmund Agbo, a public affairs analyst is the coordinator of African Center for Transparency and Convener of Save Nigeria Project. Email: eagleosmund@yahoo.com ADVERTISEMENT This attempt to defend Madunagus clear position on the National Question is borne out of a study of his revolutionary career. Perhaps, Madunagus baptism into the politics of the National Question was as a Mathematics student at the University of Ibadan. In fact, this happened at the pre-Marxian stage of his life. The theme to explore in the virtual conference to mark the 75th birthday of Comrade Eddie Madunagu is deliberately framed as Progressive Politics as the Answer to the National Question: Problems and Prospects. The conference, billed for May 15, the birthday of Madunagu, practically commenced as soon as the topic was tabled a few weeks ago in a WhatsApp group of about 190 members, comprising comrades, friends, former students, admirers and well-wishers of the Marxist revolutionary. From the tone and tenor of the vigorous debates grounded in highly informed and divergent perspectives, it seems that, perhaps, nothing could be more apt than the age-old dialectics of class and nation. The manner in which the various ideological categories in theme were contested, amplifies the huge topicality of the National Question. In fact, the debate on the National Question, especially on the Left in Nigeria, is reminiscent of the position of a scholar, Narihiko Ito, who once posed the question: Is the National Question an Aporia to Humanity? Now, philosophers talk of an aporia when a theoretical question is so laden with internal contradictions that the resolution of the question would seem irresolvable. But there is no doubt about the urgency of the National Question. By the way, contrary to the distortion now prevalent in the everyday political chats about the various problems of Nigeria, the National Question (not all questions associated with the problems of Nigeria) is specifically a Marxist category for issues of national and ethnic oppression and exploitation. This oppression is distinguishable from class oppression and exploitation, which constitutes the primary basis of class struggle. However, as a phraseology, the categorical National Question has been so diluted that even climate change is classified as one of the national questions. Significantly, Madunagu has devoted a lot of time and intellectual energy to clarifications and elucidation on the National Question. He has engaged in theoretical formulation, while making practical suggestions as answers to the question. While the discussions towards Madunagus birthday continued, the tragic losses of Comrade Odumakin, the spokesman of Afenifere, and Comrade Innocent Chukwuma of the CLEEN Foundation, happened. In a tribute to Odumakin, who was the spokesman of the Yoruba ethnic organisation, Afenifere, Comrade Tony Iyare sought to justify the choice of championing ethnic causes by some elements of the Left. He contrasted the ethnic champions with those who romanticise class analysis and the primacy of primary contradictions To make his point, Iyare invoked names of some great comrades as Marxists, who at a point in the revolutionary struggle opted to be immersed in the the struggles of their people. Iyare listed the following exceptionally committed comrades to support his argument: Ola Oni, Baba Omojola, Edwin Madunagu and G.G. Darah. To be sure, it is a gross defamation of Madunagus ideological character for Iyare to include his name in this group. Nothing in the revolutionary politics of Madunagu in the last 45 years could warrant this ideological scandal. What Iyare has done to Madunagu is nothing short of ideological violence! One thing that is indisputable about Madunagus revolutionary politics is the primacy of class struggle. for Madunagu, the resolution of the ethnic question doesnt lie in the politics of the factions of the ruling class So, the fact of the matter is that Madunagu continues to assert the primacy of class in dealing with the levels of contradictions in the society. And this is no romanticism. Madunagu has never been an ethnic champion in theory and practice. Yes, Madunagu has been cautioning the Left in Nigeria not to deny the reality of the National Question. However, for Madunagu, the resolution of the ethnic question doesnt lie in the politics of the factions of the ruling class. He has proposed a popular-democratic solution based on the struggles for a humane and just social order. So, the fact of the matter is that Madunagu continues to assert the primacy of class in dealing with the levels of contradictions in the society. And this is no romanticism. Madunagu has never been an ethnic champion in theory and practice. It is, therefore, grossly unfair to distort Madunagus argument to justify the otherwise legitimate positions of other comrades. Whereas it is evident that the other three great comrades, like many others at a conjuncture, seemed to have been convinced about the primacy of the ethnic question in the politics of Nigeria. But Madunagus ideological position, which is quite unambiguous from his prodigious writings on Marxism and the National Question, is quite distinguishable from those of other comrades, including Oni, Omojola and Darah. Attempts will be made to further demonstrate this point in this reflection. Sadly, Comrades Oni and Omojola are no more to continue with the debate. Right from their heroic youth, they made remarkable sacrifices to advance the struggles of the working people in their lifetimes. Thankfully, Darah is still very much active in the debate and this is reflected in his approving response to the Iyare piece on Facebook. As Madunagu himself pointed out recently, the deeply intellectual exchanges between Darah and the late Bala Usman some years ago, constitute a reference point in the debate on the National Question. In that debate, Darah accused Usman of professing a theory of political geology. This riposte was provoked by Usmans postulation that the fossil deposits in the Niger Delta, from which crude oil derived, were formed from debris washed down by River Niger and others to the delta region. It is important for the Left to rigorously examine this trend of comrades becoming militant ideologues of ethnic causes on the basis of the argument that in the present Nigerian condition, the primary contradiction is defined by ethnic oppression. The approach of the Left to the National Question has been somewhat problematic. But things have not always crystalised this way. Time was when an element of the Left would feel more scandalised being falsely accused of ethnic chauvinism than being called a thief. Marxists and socialists used to strain themselves that their position on national issues were not coterminous with those of the ethnic factions of the ruling class. Not anymore! Today, it is a badge of honour for some on the Left to demonise people of different ethnic groups other than their own, including even the wretched of the earth in the enemy ethnic groups. Since Iyare mentioned Oni, we may as well indulge in some historical reminders. When Oni died 20 years ago, it was extremely sad that comrades watched his funeral in Ibadan passively from a distance, as different Yoruba self-determination groups took the centre state. He was buried as Olori Apapo Egbe Omo Oodua (the president of the federation of Yoruba ethnic organisations) and not as Comrade Oni, that inimitable fighter of proletarian causes, who inspired generations of Nigerian Marxists and socialists. The one-time proletarian internationalist had turned into an ethnic champion. Even now, Onis memorial is marked by the Yoruba self-determination groups and hardly by Nigerian Marxists and socialists. Less than two decades before he died, he had a memorable encounter with another great comrade of his generation, Ikenna Nzimiro, at the Marx and Africa conference held for a week at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The conference, which was convened to mark the centenary of the death of Karl Marx in March 1983, attracted the participation of comrades from all over Nigeria and other countries. The session on the National Question was an unforgettably heated one. Nzimiro presented a paper on the role of the Left in Biafra. While admitting that factions of the ruling class took control of things on both the federal and Biafran sides, Nzimiro explained that it became imperative for Marxists and socialists in Biafra to inject some ideological content into the agenda of secession. In particular, he pointed to the Ahiara Declaration as a document notably influenced by the Marxists in Biafra. Many years later, Chinua Achebe acknowledged this fact in his last book, There Was a Country. But at the conference, Oni and some other Marxists would have none of Nzimiros ideological points and explanation. Oni roared that Marxists should not rationalise secession, to the applause of those who shared his Nigerian nationalism at the time. After Oni had emerged an ethnic champion, it would have been interesting to witness a meeting between the two comrades in which Oni would explain his ideological epiphany to Nzimiro. This attempt to defend Madunagus clear position on the National Question is borne out of a study of his revolutionary career. Perhaps, Madunagus baptism into the politics of the National Question was as a Mathematics student at the University of Ibadan. In fact, this happened at the pre-Marxian stage of his life. He had sought to be elected the National Secretary of the National Union of Nigerian Students (NUNS). The Nigerian Civil War was raging at the time. Imagine a Madunagu who wanted to lead Nigerian students in 1968! And the parents of this audacious contestant were from Nnobi, a few kilometres from Nnewi, the hometown of General Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, the Head of State of Biafra. He was, of course, stoutly opposed because of his Igbo identity. A fellow student activist, Biodun Jeyifo, who would later become Madunagus life-long comrade and collaborator, supported the man branded as a Biafran. He lost the election, but the lessons learnt became useful in later years when Madunagu and Jeyifo had become revolutionary Marxists. In one of the ideological sessions of the Democratic Action Committee (DACOM) in 1980, a Marxist cell in which Madunagu inspired generations of cadres in Calabar, this revolutionary Marxist slated the category National Question for debate. The group also had as members non-Nigerian comrades, who were committed to the struggles of the working peoples as proletarian internationalists. In retrospect now, it is clear why Madunagu had to labour to convince younger comrades that while class struggle remains the primary duty, it would be a grave political error for Marxists to ignore the National Question in theory and praxis. Madunagu has been consistent with this formulation of his position since that time. He often refers to experience of European Marxists on the neglect of the National Question, as reported by Horace Davis, the author of Towards a Marxist Theory of Nationalism. When factions of the bourgeoisie mismanage the National Question, the poor people bear the brunt of the destructive violence that often follows the conflict. The tendency of some on the Left to accord the ethnic question the primacy of purpose poses a categorical challenge. That is the challenge of developing a coherent theory to illuminate the Lefts path in the identity politics in Nigeria. The ideas popularised by Madunagu in the last few decades would prove constructive in this regard. For some time now, Madunagu has been sending notes in his column to the Nigerian Left on the popular-democratic solution to the National Question. For instance, on April 13, 2018, in one of his occasional reminders on what is to be done about the National Question, he gave a recap of his position, inter alia: The aim here is to summarise my current position on the question of the geopolitical restructuring of Nigeria. I say current because as far as I can remember, I started thinking seriously and then debating and writing about restructuring from 1986 as a member of the Political Bureau. ADVERTISEMENT Today, 32 years later, I am still thinking and writing on the subject. The present piece is implicitly a draft memo on this important political subject to the Nigerian Left. And, for the avoidance of doubt, the category Nigerian Left means the aggregate of socialism and popular democracy in Nigeria today. What I consider my current aggregate position on the restructuring of Nigeria is constituted by several propositions articulated and refined over a fairly long period of time. For the purpose of this piece, the propositions can be grouped under the following five broad headings: The impossibility of purely ethnic separation; redeployment and redistribution of national resources; levels of exercise of power and responsibility; principles of triple balancing; and popular-democratic restructuring at a glance. The propositions are not of the same status. Some of them are issues which the Nigerian Left should struggle to have inserted in the Constitution of Nigeria, while others are those that the Left should insert in its programmes, manifestoes and occasional platforms. I shall now take the groups of propositions, one after the other The tendency of some on the Left to accord the ethnic question the primacy of purpose poses a categorical challenge. That is the challenge of developing a coherent theory to illuminate the Lefts path in the identity politics in Nigeria. The ideas popularised by Madunagu in the last few decades would prove constructive in this regard. The National Question is as old as Marxism itself. Marx himself was implicated in the neglect of the National Question in his younger days. He said infamously that some nationalities were non-historic. The error would seem to be corrected in later years when he supported the struggle against colonialism. Lenin was more explicit about his ideological position. Lenin encouraged communist parties to support the struggles of American blacks and the Irish in their struggle for racial justice and national identity respectively. Lenin had important debates with his comrades, including Rosa Luxemburg and Leon Trotsky, who were not enamoured of nationalism. As the topic of the Madunagu birthday conference suggests, the problems and prospects of ideas to resolve the National Question are relevant today. What is needed is what Lenin calls the concrete analysis of the concrete situation. Indubitably, the thing that unites the people of Nigeria is their worsening poverty in which no part is exempted on the basis of ethnicity. There is no ethnic solution the problems of hunger, ignorance and disease. The factions of the ruling class also belong to the various ethnic groups. No ethnic faction of the Nigerian ruling class has the historical capacity to execute a national democratic revolution. The task of the transformation of the social order, therefore, remains that of the working people organised for the purpose. In such a condition of mass misery, the class question cannot but be primary. That should reinforce the option of popular-democratic struggles (not ethnic profiling and demonisation), as Madunagu posits. Kayode Komolafe is a renowned columnist and media manager. ADVERTISEMENT Despite the popular optimism that EWC is the necessary instrument to fast-track land reform, it may not be the magic wand capable of effectively redistributing land to the majority and redressing historical injustices. Policy implementation has been a major challenge in South Africa. EWC may later trap land in the hands of the government and a few elites A lively discussion took place recently on The New Political Economy of Land Reform in South Africa, which I edited, along with Irrshad Kaseeram and Nokukhanya Jili. The meeting was chaired by Ruth Hall, a leading land expert at the Institute for Poverty, Land and Agrarian Studies (PLAAS), University of the Western Cape (UWC). Professor Tumo Charles Maloka, of the School of Law at the University of Limpopo, and I were the main speakers. The 14-chapter book, by both established and emerging scholars from six South African universities, relies on qualitative and quantitative research to locate the unresolved land question in scholarship, for the benefit of researchers, policymakers, land practitioners and others interested in land issues, and focuses particularly on the prospects, feasibility and reality of the proposed expropriation without compensation (EWC) pushed especially by Julius Malemas Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). The book used different case studies, such as the Khomani San, to buttress the contradictions of the reform scheme. Some of the land allocated to this group was sandy and non-arable, without effective government support for small-scale farming and land productivity. South Africa relies too heavily on commercial agriculture, neglecting the important role of small-to middle-scale farming. The existing reform scheme has thus created two distinctive realities: farms without farmers, and farmers without farms. The discussion at the recent book launch also zeroed in on key questions around EWC, land reform and struggles drawn from specific case studies, including underrepresented issues such as urban land reform and climate change. The meeting offered an intellectual contribution to the vexed issue of land and presented a much-coveted opportunity to reconceptualise land, land-hunger, and land policy in contemporary South Africa. Despite the disagreements over the most desirable land policy shift, the fact remains that the existing reform agenda has failed to achieve the aims and targets of government. Consecutive African National Congress (ANC) governments have displayed a lacklustre attitude towards market-driven land reform and seem incapable of redressing historical land dispossession While the importance of land has diminished somewhat in post-apartheid South Africa, land continues to be a key capital and social property, which should not be subjected to the invisible hands of the market. The meeting interrogated the adoption of a political economy approach by unravelling the power relations between the owners of land and the landless majority. A political economy approach engaged the place of class in the development of a capitalist mode of production and relations in the land sector, which is evidenced by the racialisation of land conflict between the white minority and the black majority. How has land reform impacted on the state, the economy, and society? Without doubt, the unresolved land question has put pressure on the state to develop a populist and radical approach to land reform as a matter of urgency, while the uncertainty around EWC has stunted investment and growth of the land and agricultural sectors. Furthermore, South African society remains sharply divided between the minority the owners of capital such as land and the black majority, who constitute the landless and historically dispossessed, thereby reinforcing farm conflicts and murders along racial lines. Land disputes resulted from the Natives Land Act of 1913, which dispossessed Africans of 93 per cent of their land, and EWC has come to the fore due to the failure of the governments transformation agenda since 1994. Despite the disagreements over the most desirable land policy shift, the fact remains that the existing reform agenda has failed to achieve the aims and targets of government. Consecutive African National Congress (ANC) governments have displayed a lacklustre attitude towards market-driven land reform and seem incapable of redressing historical land dispossession and the attendant structural violence that has characterised both apartheid and post-apartheid South Africa. One of the key challenges hinges on administrative incapacity and poor financing, which has characterised the willing seller, willing buyer model. Land reform has a political context. Indeed, at the dawn of majority rule, many were optimistic that the liberation struggles would lead to the nationalisation of land, but any radical intent was quelled with the adoption of a liberal Constitution in 1996, which entrenched property rights. The failure of existing land policies and land struggles are clearly illustrated by illegal land occupations, rising evictions, murders and violence on farms, and failed farm projects. Currently, the common form of land acquisition for the black majority is through land or space occupancy. From the rainforests of KwaZulu-Natal to the far northern reaches of the Cape, there is compelling evidence of reform failures. Debates around policy shift have revolved around two sharp divides: the minority who desire a reform agenda that preserves the status quo and protects property rights, without any significant disruption to agricultural production and food security; against the majority, who favour a transformation agenda and the EWC option Building on the 1997 White Paper on Land Reform, in 2014 the government created the current land policy, which is built on four pillars: restitution of land rights; redistribution of land; land tenure reform; and development of land. None of these has achieved optimum performance, so rethinking the existing land policy has become a matter of necessity and not of choice. Debates around policy shift have revolved around two sharp divides: the minority who desire a reform agenda that preserves the status quo and protects property rights, without any significant disruption to agricultural production and food security; against the majority, who favour a transformation agenda and the EWC option, believing that they have paid through the blood of their ancestors and grandparents. Despite the popular optimism that EWC is the necessary instrument to fast-track land reform, it may not be the magic wand capable of effectively redistributing land to the majority and redressing historical injustices. Policy implementation has been a major challenge in South Africa. EWC may later trap land in the hands of the government and a few elites or make the proposed Land Court more powerful than anticipated. Thus, it seems that South Africans will have cause to continue the debate around land in the foreseeable future due to the complex nature of land relations. What was reinforced during the book launch is that land is tantamount to life and strategically located at the centre of human and social security, as such the quest for land access in South Africa is a quest for survival, inclusive democracy, and effective governance. Adeoye O. Akinola is a Head of Research and Teaching at the University of Johannesburgs Institute for Pan-African Thought and Conversation, South Africa. Energy Fuels also said it holds around $28 million worth of "immediately marketable" inventory, including 690,800 pound of uranium and 1,672,000 pounds of vanadium Energy Fuels Inc (NYSEAMERICAN:UUUU) ( ) has revealed that ended its first quarter with US$60.4 million of working capital as it gears up to expand its rare earths capabilities this year. The integrated resource company is making strides toward building a critical US rare earth supply chain with the development of a rare earth element (REE) carbonate production program at its White Mesa Mill, which was ramped up during the first quarter of 2021. Outside of its rare earths initiatives, Energy Fuels reported that it holds around $28 million worth of inventory, including 690,800 pound of uranium and 1,672,000 pounds of vanadium both immediately marketable, according to a statement. During the quarter ended March 31, 2021, the company reported revenue of $353,000 and a net loss of $10.91 million, compared to a net loss of $5.66 million for the first quarter of 2020, which Energy Fuels attributed primarily to an increase in its share price that resulted in a non-cash mark-to-market increase in warrant liabilities of $3.50 million. Development expenditures also rose by $2.69 million compared to 1Q 2020 due to its rare earths program ramp up. Highlights from the quarter included the launch of a US-European REE production initiative with Neo Performance Materials that sees the parties planning to produce value-added REE products from natural monazite sands, a byproduct of heavy mineral sands mined in the southeastern United States. Energy Fuels will ship a portion of its REE Carbonate production to Neo's REE separations facility in Estonia. Neo will then process the REE Carbonate into separated REE materials for use in REE permanent magnets and other REE-based advanced materials. 'Exciting times' Energy Fuels CEO Mark Chalmers told investors that no other US company is producing a product this far down the rare earth value chain. (We) are transforming our company into 'America's Critical Mineral Hub', with the main focus being on the White Mesa Mill in Utah, Chalmers said in the results statement. While nearly all current and future nuclear reactors are fueled by uranium, other clean energy and advanced technologies, including electric vehicles renewable energy and batteries, require other critical minerals that Energy Fuels produces. A robust market for responsibly produced, American clean energy products and technologies, made by American workers, is possible in the US ... Energy Fuels' White Mesa Mill in Utah can help this vision become a reality. To say these are exciting times for our company would be the understatement of my lifetime." Noble rates Market Perform In a note following the 1Q results, analysts at Noble Capital said that while processing REE carbonate could generate tens of millions in cash flow, separating REE elements could be even more profitable. We estimate that REE carbonate might sell for $50,000 per tonne with cost of goods representing 75% of revenues depending on the quality of the Monazite. Such an estimate would imply $30 million generated by Energy Fuels for producing 2,000-3,000 tonnes of REE carbonate as per guidance. That number would grow to $75 million if the company meets targets to eventually process 15,000 tonnes of Monazite (6,000 tonnes of REE carbonate). Noble has a Market Perform rating on the stock, which is currently trading 5% higher at US$5.51 in New York and up 3.9% at C$6.66 in Toronto as of Friday morning. Contact Angela at angela@proactiveinvestors.com Follow her on Twitter @AHarmantas ADVERTISEMENT A former Executive Director of First Bank of Nigeria and 2019 APC gubernatorial aspirant in Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, has paid sallah homage to prominent personalities in the state as part of activities marking the Eid-el-Fitr festival. Mr Lawal joined Muslims faithful to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan and celebrate Eid-el-Fitr, starting with Eid prayers at Gada Biyu Eid ground in Gusau. He attended the prayers in company of family, friends, political associates and supporters. Later in the day, he paid Sallah homage to former governor and Zamfara APC leader, Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari, at his Talata Mafara residence. Mr Lawal also took time out to visit royal fathers as a show of respect, in the spirit of Eid festivities. He was first at the palace of Emir of Maru, Abubakar Gado, before proceeding to that of Bungudu, Hassan Attahiru. Mr Lawal told the emirs he was at their palaces to personally deliver his Eid greetings and solicited their prayers as fathers for peace and prosperity in Zamfara State and Nigeria. Mr Yari and the two emirs expressed delight for the visit and thanked Lawal for his thoughtfulness. ADVERTISEMENT Over 50 communities in Enugu State and two communities in Ebonyi State have been thrown into darkness following the vandalisation of the AmechiAwgu 33KV mainline, which supplies electricity to the affected communities. The spokesperson for Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), Emeka Ezeh, made this known in a statement on Friday in Enugu. Mr Ezeh said the activities of the vandals occurred at Nenwe junction, down to the World University along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway in Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State. The EEDC spokesperson said the vandals removed about 40 spans of aluminium conductors on the line, as well as the collapse and damage to 15 high-tension poles. He said that about 130 distribution sub-stations (transformers) are affected and cannot supply electricity to customers within these communities. This part of the network, he said, has been under attack by vandals since January. According to him, the present incident reoccurred barely two weeks after the company had spent millions of naira in replacing the vandalised items. Mr Ezeh said, This portion of the network was attacked in January, February and twice in April, which has led to the present darkness experienced by electricity customers in these affected communities. The entire communities in Aninri Local Government Area; over 50 per cent of communities in Awgu Local Government Area as well as Akaeze and Ishiagu communities under Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi were affected. Some of the affected communities included Mgbowo, Ugwuleshi Awgu, Ogwuofia Awgu, Obodo Asaa Awgu, Ogwumabiri Awgu, Obeagu, Nmaku, Mgbidi, Ihe, Okpanku, Mpu, among others. As a business, we are concerned about the inconveniences our customers in the affected communities are subjected to, its effect on their businesses and revenue losses we are recording as a service provider. Mr Ezeh said that vandalism of power installations within the EEDCs network has remained a cog in the wheel of progress of the company. He noted that no day passes without an incident of vandalisation in one or two locations within the network. Transformer vandalism is more rampant, but these days, we have cases where some spans of the network are vandalised, keeping hundreds of thousands of customers in darkness. I appeal to all electricity customers and the public, especially neighbourhood vigilantes, to help in safeguarding the power installations serving their neighbourhoods, he said. (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT The police in Ebonyi State has warned native doctors against providing assistance to those perpetrating criminal activities in the state. The police spokesperson in the state, Loveth Odah, gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abakaliki. Ms Odah, a deputy superintendent of police urged native doctors in the state and country at large to steer clear of unlawful businesses. NAN reported that the police had on April 30 discovered the decomposed bodies of two young men in a shallow grave inside Uduku-Igbudu forest in Agubia, Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi. The victims were said to have been abducted and buried alive inside the forest by their abductors. The abductors include two native doctors, who have been arrested by the police. According to Ms Odah, the deceased were blindfolded while ropes were tied to their necks when their decomposing bodies were exhumed by the police. We went to the forest with experts and the bodies have been exhumed and handed over to their relatives for burial and police investigation is at the concluding stage, she said. The police spokesperson explained that the two native doctors allegedly abducted the two young men on April 12 to put pressure on their relatives to withdraw a case in court involving their boys. Yes, citizens have the right to belong to any religion but when it involves illegality, that will not be allowed. Avoid illegal businesses using religion, the police will arrest anyone doing that, even if the person is a native doctor, Ms Odah said. (NAN) The Igbo apex socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to ignore the rumour that members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) are plotting to attack Lagos. The President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, George Obiozor, made the call during a courtesy visit to Governor Sanwo-Olu at the Lagos House, Marina, on Thursday. The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, had during a Security Townhall Meeting at the Lagos State secretariat, said there were plans by some groups, which include IPOB, to attack soft spots in the state. IPOB immediately denied the claim. Several Yoruba groups have also criticised Mr Odumosu for making the claim. The town hall meeting was attended by the governor, and other principal officials in Lagos State. Mr Obiozor said the threat was a ploy to distract the state governor and his administration from providing good governance for all residents of the state. He said the rumour or statement was aimed to cause division, crises and conflict among the people. Mr Obiozors address was entitled, Violence in any part of Lagos State is violence on all of us. The president general said that Ndigbo could not indulge in any act that would harm the harmonious peace and cordial relationship between Igbo and Yoruba, especially Lagos, a second home of several Ndigbo. He said the Igbo nation was renowned for being agents of development and not destruction. Today, the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, in the company of Igbo Elders and Leaders in Lagos, are here to pay you a solidarity visit and to further reassure you that Ndigbo are not violent in nature, neither are we known for acts of violence anywhere we live. The constant and periodic dangerous insinuations, rumour, gossips and callous statements that Ndigbo in Lagos or any part of Yoruba land contemplate to instigate violence in Lagos or any part of Yoruba land is not true. We wish to state clearly that anywhere this dangerous rumour or statement is emanating from is aimed to cause division, crises and conflict amongst us. The quick denial of this rumour by members of IPOB and Yoruba groups in Lagos and across the South West was a source of relief, Mr Obiozor said. The leader of the Igbo apex socio-cultural organisation also commended Mr Sanwo-Olu for the exemplary leadership he exhibited at the peak of COVID-19 pandemic that ravaged Nigeria, especially in Lagos State. According to him, the governor deserves commendation for controlling and restricting the spread of coronavirus with his quick response. Mr Obiozor also reiterated Ohanaeze Ndigbos total support for Lagos State Government and the security agencies patriotic efforts to keep everyone safe in the state and throughout the country. ADVERTISEMENT I am aware that the government and good people of Lagos State under your able leadership, and through their hospitable gestures, have continually kept the trust and friendship between Ndigbo and our host communities in Lagos State alive. Ohanaeze Ndigbo through this medium reiterates total support to the state government and the security agencies in their patriotic efforts to keep everyone safe in Lagos and throughout the country. The Igbo nation is renowned for being agents of development, not destruction. Ndigbo are builders and their contributions to the development of Lagos State are evident and exemplary, he said. Responding, Governor Sanwo-Olu assured Ohanaeze Ndigbo leadership of continuous good governance, security of lives and property of all residents in Lagos State. The governor said he had no doubt that the Ndigbo were great people, and his administration would continue to foster harmonious relationships with all the different tribes and ethnic nationalities in the state. The courtesy visit was at the instance of the Ohaneze Ndigbo, to clear the air on the rumoured attacks on Lagos by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). (NAN) ADVERTISEMENT The Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on police brutality failed to sit Friday following the absence of lawyers representing the police. The sitting the 79th since the panel begin last year -was scheduled to hear petitions from seven families against the Nigerian Police and the Federal Special Anti-Robbery unit of the police. The petitioners include the family of late Ibrahim Olojede, the family of late Gregory Egwu, Obochi Micheal Owoicho, Mukaila Shobukola, Idris Saula, Segun Ishola, and the family of late Okoronkwo Sylvester Ogbonnaya. Citing the absence of the police lawyers as the reason the panel would not sit, the Registrar, Moshood Shittu, adjourned the cases to different dates. Bernard Onigah, head of the National Bar Association (NBA) pro bono team, said the police thought the sitting would not hold because of the public holidays to mark the holy month of Ramadan. The panel On October 19, 2020, the Lagos State government set up a nine-man Judicial Panel of Inquiry to investigate cases of brutality and human rights violations perpetrated by operatives of the Nigerian Police Force and the dissolved Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). This was sequel to the directive of the National Economic Council (NEC) that mandated states to set up panels to investigate police brutality in the wake of the #EndSARS protests. The panel is led by Doris Okuwobi, a retired judge. Other members are Ebun Adegboruwa (representing the Civil Society), Taiwo Lakanu (a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police), Patience Udoh (representing the Civil Society), Segun Awosanya (human rights activist), Olutoyin Odusanya (Director, Lagos Citizens Mediation Center), and Temitope Majekodunmi, a youth representative. The panel was set up as a response to one of the demands of youth during the #EndSARS demonstration, which started as a grassroots movement to end police extra-judicial killings before becoming a full-blown global outcry. As part of its priorities, the panel will provide restitution to the victims of police brutality with a N200 million fund earmarked by the Lagos State government as compensation. The panel was given a six-month timeframe to accomplish its tasks, from October 2020 till April 2021. However, in March, the judge, Doris Okwobi, announced further extension by three months to accommodate more petitions. The panel will hear petitions till July 19, 2021. ADVERTISEMENT Police operatives attached to the Lagos Command on Friday rescued a one-month-old abandoned baby at Orile area of Lagos. The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Lagos, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said in a statement that the female child was rescued at 8 a.m. at the junction of Odun-Ade Filling Station by Orile Bus Stop where she was abandoned. Mr Adejobi said the abandoned baby was sighted by passers-by who alerted the police operatives attached to Orile Division of the Lagos State Police Command before she was rescued and handed over to the Gender Unit of the Lagos State Police Command, Ikeja. The baby was taken to the office of the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu by the Officer in charge of the Gender Unit, where the CP directed that the baby be accorded proper medical attention and taken to a government accredited shelter (facility) for custody and proper care, he said. ALSO READ: Police recover corpse of abandoned baby in Lagos Mr Adejobi said the CP reassured the general public that the command would continue to work with all relevant government agencies and interest groups in fighting against inhuman acts and other social vices in Lagos State. (NAN). "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 Despite a difficult 2020, the project funded by the European Union confirms the results of its first year, focusing on digital communication and products quality. BOLOGNA, Italy, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The transformation of the world during the year of the pandemic has forced professionals to rethink their actions in terms of communication and trade. The European Art of Taste, the project funded by the European Union to promote the excellence of fruit and vegetables made in Italy in China, Japan and Taiwan, has focused on innovative and digital communication strategies, managing to keep alive the relationships with consumers and professionals in the sector. Consumers have showed an extreme interest about Italian products, all distinguished by the great production competence and taste quality. Users were directly involved with 50 million impressions on social media and 40 thousand visits to the website. These results also included the involvement of some well-known opinion leaders and influencers who shared their taste experience with their followers through live recipes and tastings. Excellent results were also obtained from the Taste EU contest in which over a thousand participants experimented with the products with their own creations, documenting them with photographs. Despite the limitations, The European Art of Taste managed in the first months of 2020 to welcome some producers in Sicily, the land of blood oranges, and to organize a series of dinners in China, Japan and Taiwan. Taking advantage of the digital platforms provided by the fairs of Macfrut Italy, HC China, Sia Fruit Logistica, The European Art of Taste has been able to present the project to more than 100 thousand participants, meeting buyers and professionals who were also involved in 6 workshops dedicated to receiving and knowledge of the peculiarities of kiwi, orange, pear, tomato sauce and processed fruits and vegetables. The European Art of Taste project will also continue throughout 2021 with its third year, focusing more and more on digital while waiting to be able to return to normality and involve consumers, journalists and professionals in incoming, in-store events and fairs, to present the products of the leading companies in the Italian and European sector as Conserve Italia, Origine Group, Jingold, Joinfruit, King Fruit, Mazzoni, RK Growers and Oranfrizer. For further information and details: www.europeanartoftaste.com; www.europeanartoftaste.ch Related Links https://europeanartoftaste.com SOURCE The European Art of Taste JAKARTA, Indonesia, May 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- KinerjaPay Corp (OTCPK: KPAY) a Payment Gateway and Ecommerce Company based in Indonesia with recent changes in its subsidiary Company, P.T. KinerjaPay Indonesia, to include mineral and commodity trading such as coal and other general commodities, today announced that the Company has received its payment from the first shipment of steam coal bound to China. The total amount received for the first shipment was shown at IDR 22.62 billion as per Wednesday's exchange rate which was IDR 14.120 per US Dollar. The Company plans to carry out payments to suppliers and contractors coming Monday, May 17th 2021, as banks are still on holiday since May 13th 2021 due to Eid Mubarak Holiday, a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims community in Indonesia. From the rough estimate of the transaction, the Company is expected to earn an estimated profit of IDR 2.47 billion, which is roughly around US$170,000 based on today's exchange rate. Subsequently, as previously mentioned on the press release, the Company is now planning to load another vessel of steam coal to China, Zhejiang port. However due to the week-long holiday, the Company has requested the loading commencement schedule to be postponed to until May 25th 2021. The Company is confident that the business of coal shipment will continue to be the main revenue stream as the demand for coal in China is increasing rapidly. With the first business cycle completed, the Company is looking forward to a very profitable and sustainable business with China. About KinerjaPay KinerjaPay enables consumers to "Pay, Play and Buy" through its secure web portal and mobile applications. Based in Indonesia, the Company provides an easy and convenient payment solution while shopping online at its marketplace platform. With its current omni-channel platform, users can perform various payment services such as credit card bill payment, utility, phone bill, healthcare insurance and direct transfer to anyone at their convenience. KinerjaPay is also planning to launch other eCommerce verticals such as travel market, delivery services, and online gaming in the near future. The Company's services are available through its mobile applications and on its website at www.kinerjapay.com. Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release may contain forward-looking statements, about KPAY's expectations, beliefs or intentions regarding, among other things, its product development efforts, business, financial condition, results of operations, strategies or prospects. In addition, from time to time, KPAY or its representatives have made or may make forward-looking statements, orally or in writing. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "believe," "expect," "intend," "plan," "may," "should" or "anticipate" or their negatives or other variations of these words or other comparable words or by the fact that these statements do not relate strictly to historical or current matters. These forward-looking statements may be included in, but are not limited to, various filings made by KPAY with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, press releases or oral statements made by or with the approval of one of KPAY's authorized executive officers. Forward-looking statements relate to anticipated or expected events, activities, trends or results as of the date they are made. Because forward looking statements relate to matters that have not yet occurred, these statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause KPAY's actual results to differ materially from any future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Many factors could cause KPAY 's actual activities or results to differ materially from the activities and results anticipated in such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the factors summarized in KPAY 's filings with the SEC. In addition, KPAY operates in an industry sector where securities values are highly volatile and may be influenced by economic and other factors beyond its control. KPAY does not undertake any obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Please see the risk factors associated with an investment in our securities which are included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the SEC on April 20, 2018 and most recently in our Registration Statement on Form S-1/A filed with the SEC on December 21, 2018, pursuant to which we are offering 300,000 Shares of 11% Series C Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock at $25.00 Per Share. For more information, please visit our website http://www.kinerjapay.co . There you will find access to all of our past press releases and SEC filings regarding the activities discussed in this release. Media Contact: KinerjaPay Corp. Email: [email protected] +62-21-2918-1336 SOURCE KinerjaPay Corp. Related Links https://www.kinerjapay.com/ LONDON, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The United States EB-5 visa otherwise known as the Immigrant Investor Visa Programme is set to expire on June 30th unless reauthorised by Congress. Launched in 1990, the EB-5 visa grants investors permanent residency once they invest US$900,000 into a business that creates jobs. For over three decades, the visa route has been popular amongst wealthy investors from Africa to Asia. However, its future remains unclear. The lack of clarity could force investors to reconsider their options. While the EB-5 visa comes with several opportunities, it does not grant the holder citizenship or the passport that comes with it. Additionally, the programme only offers up to 10,000 visas per fiscal year with many applicants potentially experiencing delays that can take up to several months. However, by investing in a second citizenship, investors and families can gain the same opportunities but with increased benefits and the safety of having lifelong citizenship. Since the onset of the pandemic, the United States has also declined in investor priorities when it comes to choosing a permanent home. Many Americans have gone as far as renouncing citizenship in favour of a different lifestyle that priorities health and wellness. The Commonwealth of Dominica has become a top destination for second citizenship over the last few years, as highlighted in the annual CBI Index. The small Caribbean island has welcomes foreign investors and their families to become citizens after they contribute to a government fund or buy into selected real estate options. Operating since 1994, its Citizenship by Investment Programme has become a popular route to achieving financial security and increased opportunities in education and business. Investors can also rest assured that they do not have to take any language or cultural tests, or stay in the country for a number of days to qualify for citizenship. Lastly, if an applicant successfully passes the necessary security checks, a receipt of citizenship is granted within two to three months. "Dominica's lush scenery, a record of safety and political stability are very attractive for potential investors. It's far from the big city hustle-bustle, yet it manages to bring the world closer because its passport allows one to travel to 75 percent of the globe. In fact, Dominica perfectly fits the needs of many middle and high net worth individuals for asset allocation, travel convenience and children's education," said Micha Emmett, CEO of CS Global Partners a London-based firm specialising in citizenship and residency solutions. With its proximity to the US, Dominica also benefits from having its currency pegged to the US dollar, making it an economically viable option for investors. Those who hold a Dominican passport also gain access to over 140 countries and territories, including key business hubs vital for keeping business competitive. Dominica's programme is also one of the most family-inclusive options on the market, enabling investors to include a wide range of dependants in an application. Contact: 07824029952 [email protected] www.csglobalpartners.com Related Links http://www.csglobalpartners.com/ SOURCE CS Global Partners SAO PAULO, May 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- CCR S.A. (CCR), one of Latin America's largest infrastructure concession groups, discloses its results for the 1 st quarter of 2021. Highlights 1Q21 vs. 1Q20 Consolidated traffic increased by 1.7%. Excluding ViaSul, it fell by 0.1% in the period. Adjusted EBITDA grew 70.7%, with a margin of 72.8% (11.4 p.p.). On a same basis 1 (ex-rebalance of ViaQuatro), EBITDA fell by 6.7%, with a margin of 59.5% (-1.9 p.p.). (ex-rebalance of ViaQuatro), EBITDA fell by 6.7%, with a margin of 59.5% (-1.9 p.p.). Net income totaled R$688.9 million , growth of 137.8%. On a same basis 1 (ex-rebalance of ViaQuatro), net income was R$126.0 million , down by 56.5%. , growth of 137.8%. On a same basis (ex-rebalance of ViaQuatro), net income was , down by 56.5%. On April 8, 2021 , CCR informed its shareholders that it would begin paying dividends, of approximately R$0.09 per common share, on April 30, 2021 . , CCR informed its shareholders that it would begin paying dividends, of approximately per common share, on . As disclosed on a Material Fact dated March 23, 2021 , the Company announced the execution of amendments 6 and 7, between ViaQuatro and the Granting Authority, referring to the rebalance of the Concession Agreement, which impacted Gross and Net Revenue by R$ 1.1 billion . , the Company announced the execution of amendments 6 and 7, between ViaQuatro and the Granting Authority, referring to the rebalance of the Concession Agreement, which impacted Gross and Net Revenue by . On April 7, 2021 , Companhia de Participacoes em Concessoes (CPC), a subsidiary of Grupo CCR, was the winner of the Central and South Blocks of the Auction of the 6 th Round of Airport Concessions, conducted by the Federal Government, through the National Civil Aviation Agency ("ANAC"), for the provision of airport expansion, maintenance and operation services. , Companhia de Participacoes em Concessoes (CPC), a subsidiary of Grupo CCR, was the winner of the Central and South Blocks of the Auction of the 6 Round of Airport Concessions, conducted by the Federal Government, through the National Civil Aviation Agency ("ANAC"), for the provision of airport expansion, maintenance and operation services. On April 20, 2021 , the consortia formed by CCR (80%) and RuasInvest Participacoes S.A. (20%) presented the best proposal for rendering, in an onerous concession regime, of public passenger transportation services of Lines 8 and 9 of the Sao Paulo Metropolitan Region train network. The analysis of the qualification documents and corresponding statement of winning bidder are still pending. , the consortia formed by CCR (80%) and RuasInvest Participacoes S.A. (20%) presented the best proposal for rendering, in an onerous concession regime, of public passenger transportation services of Lines 8 and 9 of the Sao Paulo Metropolitan Region train network. The analysis of the qualification documents and corresponding statement of winning bidder are still pending. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, authorities have imposed several measures to restrict people's movements, as well as social distancing measures, which impacted demand and, consequently, CCR's 1Q21 results. For more details, please refer to the "COVID-19" section of this earnings release and Notes 1.1 and 28 of the interim financial information. 1 - Adjustments on the same basis are described on the same basis section of the companys earnings release, available at www.ccr.com.br/ri. IFRS Proforma Financial Indicators (R$ MM) 1Q20 1Q21 Chg % 1Q20 1Q21 Chg % Net Revenues1 2,387.6 3,439.9 44.1% 2,525.5 3,554.0 40.7% Adjusted Net Revenues on the same basis (ex ViaQuatro's rebalance)2 2,387.6 2,300.1 -3.7% 2,525.5 2,414.2 -4.4% Adjusted EBIT3 838.2 1,765.7 110.7% 906.1 1,819.3 100.8% Adjusted EBIT Mg.4 35.1% 51.3% 16.2 p.p. 35.9% 51.2% 15.3 p.p. Adjusted EBITDA5 1,466.8 2,504.5 70.7% 1,568.8 2,582.9 64.6% Adjusted EBITDA Mg.4 61.4% 72.8% 11.4 p.p. 62.1% 72.7% 10.6 p.p. Adjusted EBITDA on the same basis (ex ViaQuatro's rebalance)2 1,466.8 1,368.7 -6.7% 1,568.8 1,447.0 -7.8% Adjusted EBITDA Mg. on the same basis (ex ViaQuatro's rebalance)2 61.4% 59.5% -1.9 p.p. 62.1% 59.9% -2.2 p.p. Net Income 289.7 688.9 137.8% 289.7 688.9 137.8% Net Income on the same basis (ex ViaQuatro's rebalance)2 289.7 126.0 -56.5% 289.7 126.0 -56.5% Net Debt / Adjusted EBITDA LTM (x)6 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.5 Adjusted EBITDA5 / Interest and Monetary Variation (x) 4.4 7.8 4.3 7.2 Net revenues exclude construction revenues. The same-basis effects are described in the same-basis comparison section. 3 Calculated by adding net revenues, construction revenues, cost of services and administrative expenses. 4 The adjusted EBIT and EBITDA margins were calculated by dividing adjusted EBIT and EBITDA by net revenues, excluding construction revenues. 5 Calculated excluding non-cash expenses: depreciation and amortization, provision for maintenance and the recognition of prepaid concession expenses. 6 Adjusted EBITDA has been used in the calculation of the net debt-to-adjusted EBITDA ratio since 1Q20, whereas operating adjusted EBITDA was used for the other periods (as announced in previous releases). Conference Calls/Webcast Access to the conference calls/webcasts: Conference call in Portuguese with simultaneous translation into English: Friday, May 14, 2021 11:00 a.m. Sao Paulo / 10:00 a.m. New York Participants calling from Brazil: (11) 3181-8565 or (11) 4210-1803 Participants calling from the U.S.: (+1) 412 717-9627 or (+1) 844 204-8942 Access Code: CCR Replay: (11) 3193 1012 or (11) 2820-4012 Code: 8366456# or 5097751# The instructions to participate in these events are available on CCR's website: www.ccr.com.br/ri. IR Contacts Flavia Godoy: (+55 11) 3048-5955 Douglas Ribeiro: (+55 11) 3048-6353 Natalia Fialho: (+55 11) 3048-5964 Caique Moraes: (+55 11) 3048-2108 SOURCE CCR S.A. Related Links http://www.ccr.com.br/ri About 10 minutes after the disaster hit, China's emergency response office issued a statement on the situation from Beijing, and the People's Liberation Army (PLA) activated its preparedness plan. Just 21 minutes after the quake, four helicopters were dispatched to survey the damage, and 6,100 officers and soldiers from neighboring areas and over 3,000 members of the Sichuan Armed Police Force deployed to the scene. In less than 10 hours, 20,000 troops and armed police were at the disaster sites assisting with relief work, with an additional 34,000 security officers on their way. The speed at which a government reacts to disasters speaks to its capacity to solve problems and its resilience. COVID-19 has provided another stern test. In the early stages of the outbreak, Wuhan in Hubei Province was in dire need of medics and equipment. The government rushed more than 330 medical teams comprising over 40,000 healthcare workers to the city. Nineteen provinces were corralled to provide direct assistance to other surrounding provincial communities. At first, the lockdown of Wuhan elicited confusion and even panic. But the government provided timely updates and addressed the challenges that came with lockdown through grassroots community actions mobilized by local authorities. In doing so, the spread of the virus was curbed and social stability maintained. "I have never seen, in my life, this kind of mobilization," said World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom. "China's speed, China's scale and China's efficiency is the advantage of China's system." Not only did the government work on measures to tame COVID-19, but it also charted a 15-year socio-economic development blueprint. China has proved itself adept at turning crises into opportunities. "Roots of China's Growth" is a 10-episode series marking the centenary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC), which has presided over the country's meteoric rise as a global power. The series focuses on 10 fundamental elements of the strategy that has led to China's transformation from an impoverished nation over the past 100 years. This article is the first in the series. https://news.cgtn.com/news/2021-05-12/Why-China-s-leadership-model-enables-quick-solutions-10ceG1ztKrm/index.html SOURCE CGTN Related Links www.cgtn.com SAN FRANCISCO, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- CHANGE, a technology platform powering donations and carbon offsets for businesses, today announces Joanne Pasternack, Joel Lunenfeld, Michele Boal, and Steven Izen as new additions to its advisory board. As veterans in technology, e-commerce, and philanthropy, the new members position CHANGE to revolutionize how brands integrate social impact. CHANGE is scaling its brand partnerships in the coming months with the launch of its Donation and Climate APIs. Steven Izen is the CEO/Founder of Lokai and serves on the Make-A-Wish America National Board. At the cross-section of e-commerce and social impact, Izen is well-equipped to drive platform adoption. CHANGE is rolling out a suite of brand tools to drive community engagement through social impact. Former VP of Global Brand Strategy at Twitter, Joel Lunenfeld, is an expert in building human connections via online brand interactions. His expertise is complemented by his passion for philanthropy: Joel is the Co-Founder of Guardian Project, a nonprofit bringing free martial arts to Oakland youth. CHANGE streamlines nonprofit agreements and regulatory filings to deploy social impact strategies faster than ever. The former VP of Philanthropy for the San Francisco 49ers and Golden State Warriors, Joanne Pasternack, has extensive experience integrating CSR campaigns with global brand leaders. CHANGE democratizes tech-enabled impact through its giving infrastructure, a familiar landscape for Michele Boal. Michele is the Co-Founder of Quotient Technology (NYSE: QUOT, formerly Coupons.com) and served as its Chief Philanthropy Officer. At Quotient, she spearheaded business for social good partnerships with national nonprofits and will be instrumental in bringing the modern mindset of giving to CHANGE. CHANGE will benefit from its advisory board's industry expertise with the launch of its easy-to-use APIs and Shopify App. About CHANGE CHANGE streamlines charitable giving on the Internet through carbon offsets and secure donations. The platform enables brands to give at the speed of culture by streamlining regulatory agreements, donation payouts, and dynamic social media content. With ease, brands drive a measurable impact through the platform's powerful CSR insights and community engagement tools. The company announced its Pre-Seed financing in December, including prominent angel investors from GoFundMe, Google, and Twitter. To learn more about CHANGE, visit www.getchange.io SOURCE CHANGE Related Links https://www.getchange.io/ SpendEdge's reports now include an in-depth complimentary analysis of the COVID-19 impact on procurement and the latest market data to help your company overcome sourcing challenges. Our Cleanroom Consumables Market procurement intelligence report offers actionable procurement intelligence insights, sourcing strategies, and action plans to mitigate risks arising out of the current pandemic situation. The insights offered by our reports will help procurement professionals streamline supply chain operations and gain insights into the best procurement practices to mitigate losses. Information on Latest Trends and Supply Chain Market Information Download Our FREE Sample Report Insights into the Market Price Trends Suppliers in this market have moderate bargaining power owing to moderate pressure from substitutes and a moderate level of threat from new entrants. Buyers can benchmark their preferred pricing models for Cleanroom Consumables Market, Procurement, Management with the wider industry information and identify the cost-saving potential. Insights to help buyers identify and shortlist the most suitable suppliers for their Cleanroom Consumables Market requirements. This procurement report answers the following questions: Am I engaging with the right suppliers? Which KPIs should I use to evaluate my incumbent suppliers? Which supplier selection criteria are relevant for? What are the Cleanroom Consumables Market category essentials in terms of SLAs and RFx? Grab your Free Sample now to unlock further information on other key aspects of this market Insights into strategies that will help buyers optimize their category management practices. The report answers the following questions: What should be my strategic procurement objectives, activities, and enablers for the Cleanroom Consumables Market category? What negotiation levers can I pull for cost-saving? What are Cleanroom Consumables Market procurement best practices I should be promoting in my supply chain? Some of the top Cleanroom Consumables Market suppliers enlisted in this report This Cleanroom Consumables Market procurement intelligence report has enlisted the top suppliers and their cost structures, SLA terms, best selection criteria, and negotiation strategies. 3M Co. Co. Ahlstrom-Munksjo Ojy Aramark Cantel Medical Corp. Cintas Corp. Dow Inc. Illinois Tool Works Inc. Kimberly-Clark Corp. STERIS Plc Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. Get access to regular sourcing and procurement insights to our digital procurement platform- Contact Us . 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 About SpendEdge: SpendEdge shares your passion for driving sourcing and procurement excellence. We are the preferred procurement market intelligence partner for 120+ Fortune 500 firms and other leading companies across numerous industries. Our strength lies in delivering robust, real-time procurement market intelligence reports and solutions. To know more https://www.spendedge.com/request-for-demo Contacts SpendEdge Anirban Choudhury Marketing Manager US: +1 630 984 7340 UK: +44 148 459 9299 https://www.spendedge.com/contact-us SOURCE SpendEdge Related Links https://procurement.spendedge.com/talk-to-us?report=IRCMSTR21433&type=sample&src=report&utm_source=PRnewswire&utm_medium=Pressrelease&utm_campaign=T2BW_Week19_rfs6&utm_content=IRCMSTR21433 JOHANNESBURG, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Sasol is pleased to announce that Sasol South Africa Ltd ("SSA"), a major subsidiary of Sasol, has concluded a sale and purchase agreement ("SPA") in terms of which SSA has agreed to sell a 30% interest ("Sale Shares") in ROMPCO to an acquisition vehicle beneficially owned by a consortium, comprising Reatile Group Proprietary Limited ("Reatile Group") and the IDEAS Fund managed by African Infrastructure Investment Managers Proprietary Limited ("IDEAS Fund") (collectively the "Reatile Consortium") (the "Proposed Transaction"). SSA will retain a 20% shareholding in ROMPCO and will continue to operate and maintain the pipeline in terms of the commercial agreement between Sasol and ROMPCO, which is independent of the Proposed Transaction. Sasol's agreements with ROMPCO to transport gas to Secunda are unaffected by the Proposed Transaction and the tariffs remain as per the said agreements, which were approved by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) (or are approved by NERSA from time to time). The Sale Shares will, subject to certain adjustments, be sold for a consideration comprising an initial amount of R4,145 billion and a deferred payment of up to R1 billion payable if certain agreed milestones are achieved by 30 June 2024. The Proposed Transaction is subject to the pre-emptive rights on the Sale Shares held by the other shareholders of ROMPCO, being the South African Gas Development Company (SOC) Limited and Companhia Mocambicana de Gasoduto S.A.R.L. The Proposed Transaction will thereafter be subject to the fulfilment of customary conditions precedent, including, inter alia: i. competition / anti-trust approvals in the relevant jurisdictions; ii. all necessary consents of third parties including governmental authorities; and iii. no material adverse change having occurred or, if such a change has occurred, it has been satisfactorily remedied if capable of remedy. The SPA contains representations, warranties and indemnities given by SSA in favour of Reatile Consortium, which are standard for a transaction of this nature. It is expected that the Proposed Transaction will become effective during the second half of calendar year 2021. The Proposed Transaction is part of Sasol's strategy-led divestment programme. Sasol remains fully committed to its operations in Mozambique, which continue to be integral to Sasol's gas strategy. About the Reatile Consortium Reatile Group is a 100% black-owned, 30% black woman owned South African investment holding company focused on the energy, petrochemical and industrial sectors. It has a proven track record of successfully operating, maintaining/managing and growing a portfolio of energy investments alongside some of the largest energy companies in South Africa and the world. IDEAS Fund is one of South Africa's largest domestic infrastructure equity funds which invests in economic infrastructure, social infrastructure and renewable energy infrastructure in the Southern African Development Community region. IDEAS Fund is managed by African Infrastructure Investment Managers (Pty) Ltd, a subsidiary of Old Mutual Alternative Investments Holdings (Pty) Ltd. For further information, please contact: Sasol Investor Relations, Tiffany Sydow, Investor Relations Officer Telephone: +27 (0) 71 673 1929 [email protected] Disclaimer - Forward-looking statements Sasol may, in this document, make certain statements that are not historical facts and relate to analyses and other information which are based on forecasts of future results and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. These statements may also relate to our future prospects, expectations, developments and business strategies. Examples of such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on Sasol's business, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity and statements regarding the effectiveness of any actions taken by Sasol to address or limit any impact of COVID-19 on its business; statements regarding exchange rate fluctuations, changing crude oil prices , volume growth, increases in market share, total shareholder return, executing our growth projects (including LCCP), oil and gas reserves, cost reductions, our climate change strategy and business performance outlook. Words such as "believe", "anticipate", "expect", "intend", "seek", "will", "plan", "could", "may", "endeavour", "target", "forecast" and "project" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and there are risks that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved. If one or more of these risks materialise, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. You should understand that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the plans, objectives, expectations, estimates and intentions expressed in such forward-looking statements. These factors and others are discussed more fully in our most recent annual report on Form 20-F filed on 24 August 2020 and in other filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. The list of factors discussed therein is not exhaustive; when relying on forward-looking statements to make investment decisions, you should carefully consider both these factors and other uncertainties and events. Forward-looking statements apply only as of the date on which they are made, and we do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any of them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. SOURCE Sasol Limited British Prime Minister Boris Johnson voiced anxiety Thursday about a rise in the U.K. of the coronavirus variant first identified in India, after a closely monitored study of infections in England found it becoming more prevalent -- just as the next big easing of lockdown restrictions is to begin. "It is a variant of concern. We are anxious about it," Johnson said. "We want to make sure we take all the prudential, cautious steps now that we could take, so there are meetings going on today to consider exactly what we need to do. There is a range of things we could do. We are ruling nothing out." Johnson's comments have stoked speculation that the government will ramp up vaccinations alongside testing in areas that are seeing a rising incidence of the virus. Already, the local authority in the northwest England town of Blackburn is setting up additional coronavirus vaccine clinics following a spike in infections. For now, the jabs will be offered to those eligible under the rules governing the rollout, which is largely based on age -- the rollout was extended Thursday, with vaccines now available to those ages 38 and older. Worries over the Indian variant were central in the latest assessment of the pandemic in England from Imperial College London. Though it said overall cases have fallen to their lowest level since August following a strict lockdown and a successful rollout of vaccines, it warned that the Indian variant should be closely monitored. The so-called REACT study said the Indian variant was found in 7.7 percent of the 127,000 cases tested between April 15 and May 3. Professor Steven Riley from Imperial College said it's unclear whether the Indian variant is more transmissible but warned "this is a risk." Over 100 public and private industry leaders, representing dozens of large employers, along with a number of prominent Florida state legislators attended the event. These diverse leaders banded together to discuss the most prominent challenges and solutions in the healthcare system impacting Florida's economy and its educational system. The event included discussion with participation from leading healthcare providers, including surgeons, surgery centers and leading hospital systems, as well leading industry innovators. Employer Direct Healthcare CEO, John Zutter, explained that "we are deeply committed to partnering with our employers, their members and the communities we support in Florida. We are so proud to be part of a group of leaders stepping up to address the most important challenges in healthcare innovation and doing it in an collaborative manner." SILVER SPRING, Md., May 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The following quote is attributed to Frank Yiannas, FDA Deputy Commissioner for Food Policy and Response: "The FDA has been working with the CDC, state partners and Canadian officials to investigate the largest Salmonella Newport outbreak in over a decade, which was linked to red onions. The FDA, today, released a 2020 Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Red Onions Report that includes an overview of our investigation findings, including factors that potentially contributed to the Salmonella contamination of red onions. "Our investigation found the outbreak to be linked to whole red onions supplied by Thomson International, Inc., with farms in Bakersfield and Holtville, California. During the investigation, the FDA identified several plausible opportunities for contamination that may have contributed to the outbreak, including potentially contaminated irrigation water, sheep grazing on adjacent land, signs of animal intrusion including scat (fecal droppings) and large flocks of birds that may spread contamination, as well as packing house cleaning and sanitizing practices. "Eleven of the environmental subsamples tested positive for various types of Salmonella Newport; however, none matched the outbreak strain. Although a conclusive root cause could not be identified, the FDA's leading hypothesis is that contaminated irrigation water used in a growing field in Holtville, California may have led to contamination of the onions. Considering these findings, the FDA encourages all produce growers to assess risks that may be posed by adjacent and nearby land uses, especially as it relates to the presence of livestock and the interface between farmland, rangeland, irrigation water, and other agricultural areas. "Safeguarding the U.S. food supply and helping to ensure that our food is not contaminated at any point during its journey along the supply chain is a critical focus of the FDA's work. Food safety is a shared responsibility that involves food producers, distributors, manufacturers, retailers, and regulators. The FDA is committed to working with these stakeholders to advance the critical work to reduce the potential for contamination events and ensure the continued safety of our food supply." Additional Information: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is releasing a report on an investigation conducted in response to an outbreak of Salmonella Newport , which caused more than 1,600 reported illnesses in the U.S. and Canada between June and October 2020 . , which caused more than 1,600 reported illnesses in the U.S. and between June and . The FDA's investigation identified Thomson International Inc. of Bakersfield, California , as the likely source of contaminated red onions. Thomson International, Inc. recalled all varieties of onions that could have come in contact with potentially contaminated red onions due to the risk of cross contamination. , as the likely source of contaminated red onions. Thomson International, Inc. recalled all varieties of onions that could have come in contact with potentially contaminated red onions due to the risk of cross contamination. This was the largest Salmonella outbreak in more than a decade. The FDA recommends that all produce farms assess growing operations to ensure implementation of appropriate science- and risk-based preventive measures, including applicable provisions of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule and good agricultural practices. Additional Resources: Media Contact: Courtney Rhodes, 202-281-5237 Consumer Inquiries: 888-723-3366 The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation's food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that give off electronic radiation, and for regulating tobacco products. SOURCE U.S. Food and Drug Administration Related Links http://www.fda.gov Microsoft has certified INROADS as an Education Partner. Inasmuch, Microsoft will provide INROADS with funding, technology and programs to help digitally transform their leadership training, mentorship and internship programs. The Microsoft / INROADS partnership addresses three areas of need: Early pipeline development of talent and mid-career talent identification, for a diverse future workforce Engagement of underserved Black communities, and the advancement of common racial equity goals Significant digital transformation of INROADS' infrastructure by optimizing the use of technology for the students served by INROADS "We are extremely proud of our partnership with Microsoft because of the sweeping impact it will have on the communities we serve," said Forest T. Harper, Jr., president and CEO, INROADS. "In addition to connecting underrepresented students to technology and preparing high school students for early entry into corporate talent pipelines, our partnership represents a chance to show our students that careers at Microsoft, other powerful technology companies and entrepreneurship, is possible." Microsoft, as part of their partnership with INROADS, is incentivizing its employees to get involved with the organization. For every hour a Microsoft employee volunteers with INROADS, Microsoft will donate $25 to INROADS. Currently, there are more than 70 INROADS alumni working at Microsoft. "Over the years, Microsoft has invested in pathways for successful diverse executives in tech and we are proud of our alumni who have been critical bridges between INROADS and Microsoft, including Darryl Willis, Corporate Vice President of Energy at Microsoft, John James, Services Executive at Microsoft, and Cydney Stevenson, Business Program Manager at Microsoft. John will serve as the Microsoft/INROADS strategic partnership advisor and will play a vital role in the success of this partnership as well as build future conduits and pipelines for diverse tech talent," said Harper. "When you look at the stats, between 2016 and 2018 $2.2 billion was given by 25 foundations to nonprofits across 25 U.S. cities. Only 1% of that went to organizations serving the Black and African American community," said Darrell Booker, corporate affairs specialist, Microsoft. "Our partnership with INROADS directly impacts our Accelerate: Atlanta initiative. It amplifies our community outreach and aligns with the goals of both INROADS and Microsoft of leveling the playing field and creating opportunities for students of color." For more than 50 years, INROADS has helped talented and underrepresented college students access the skills and careers needed to have an impact. That work has resulted in more than 30,000 alumni globally, which also provides an opportunity to enable mid-career and executive level global talent acquisition for firms like Microsoft and will continue to change the complexion of C-suites across corporate America. About Microsoft Microsoft is on a mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more through supporting inclusive economic opportunity, protecting fundamental rights, committing to a sustainable future and earning trust. This year, as part of its sweeping investments in Atlanta, Georgia, Microsoft announced that it will complete a new Atlanta-based office space in Atlantic Yards and will be adding even more space in the future. These investments include plans for a new data center and purchasing of 90 acres of land to house a future campus at Quarry Yards and Quarry Hills and aims to increase access to technology for the underserved and emerging talent. About INROADS INROADS was founded more than 50 years ago. Inspired by the famed I Have a Dream speech, Frank Carr founded INROADS to remove career barriers to corporate opportunities for people of color. It is the largest nonprofit organization committed to leadership and career development for underrepresented talent in the world. INROADS has prepared more than 154,000 diverse leaders with pre-employment skills and graduated more than 30,000 alumni into full-time professional positions with more than 1,000 corporate partners. Currently, INROADS serves 800-1,300 interns and 200 corporate clients. Learn more at INROADS.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn: @INROADSInc. SOURCE INROADS Inc. Related Links https://inroads.org LOS ANGELES, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Songwriter/composer/arranger/producer Kitt Wakeley will release a new single featuring the best-selling instrumental rock guitarist of all time, Joe Satriani, on Friday, May 14th on all major DSPs, including Amazon, Apple Music, Spotify, and more. "Forgive Me" is Wakeley's second song to feature Satriani and the third single overall from his upcoming album, Symphony of Sinners and Saints, which will be released Friday, May 21st. To view the "Forgive Me" video, click here. Wakeley's previous track with Satriani, "Conflicted" debuted on Mar. 13th at No. 1 on Billboard magazine's "Hard Rock Digital Song Sales" chart, No. 6 on the Billboard "Rock Digital Song Sales" chart, and No. 18 on Billboard's "Hot Hard Rock Songs" chart. His most recent single, "Sinners and Saints," debuted on three Billboard magazine charts, including at No. 1 on the "Hard Rock Digital Song Sales" chart, and on the May 1 charts at No. 4 on the "Rock Digital Song Sales" chart and No. 15 on the "Hot Hard Rock Songs" chart. With Wakeley on keyboards, "Forgive Me" also features the talents of celebrated UK ensemble the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO), bassist Ryan Miller, drummer Brent Berry, guitarist Paige Harwell, and the London Voices choir (Paul McCartney, Luciano Pavarotti, the Hunger Games series). The song was composed, arranged, and co-produced by Wakeley and co-produced, engineered, and mixed by three-time Grammy Award-winner Tre Nagella (Lady Gaga, Blake Shelton, Snoop Dogg). Boasting a cinematic hybrid of orchestral music, rock, and EDM, featuring stunning compositions, heavy guitar riffs, and thundering drums, Symphony of Sinners and Saints was recorded in October 2020 at London's famed Abbey Road Studios. At those sessions, the RPO was conducted by Cliff Masterson (Little Mix, Kylie Minogue, Il Divo, Oasis). Symphony of Sinners and Saints tracklist: "Wicked Ways" "Sinners and Saints" "Forgive Me" featuring Joe Satriani "Hello Again" "Conflicted" featuring Joe Satriani "No Apologies" "Requiem of the Fallen" "You Gave Me Wings" "Echoes of Amadeus" "End of My Journey " In addition to the musicians listed above, the album also features the talents of guitarists Andy Timmons (Danger Danger, Pink, Olivia Newton-John) and Daniel Uribe, Grammy-nominated pianist Paul Loomis, and Dallas' Gospel of Light Choir. The album was co-produced, engineered, and mixed by Nagella at Luminous Sound Studios in Dallas, TX. www.kittwakeley.com For album reviews: click here for a download Symphony of Sinners and Saints and click here for a stream (please do not share these links with the public). View the embeddable Symphony of Sinners and Saints EPK with footage from Abbey Road here. Kitt Wakeley is available for interviews. Media Contact : Erik Stein Scoop Marketing [email protected] SOURCE Kitt Wakeley CINCINNATI, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced that Gary Millerchip, Kroger's CFO, will address investors at the virtual BMO 16th Annual Farm to Market Conference at 8:00 a.m. ET on Wednesday, May 19, 2021. The presentation will broadcast online at ir.kroger.com. Click on "Events & Presentations" to access the event. The presentation will be available in an archived format following the conference. About Kroger At The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), we are dedicated to our Purpose: to Feed the Human SpiritTM. We are nearly half a million associates who serve over nine million customers daily through a seamless digital shopping experience and 2,800 retail food stores under a variety of banner names, serving America through food inspiration and uplift, and creating #ZeroHungerZeroWaste communities by 2025. To learn more about us, visit our newsroom and investor relations site. SOURCE The Kroger Co. Related Links http://www.kroger.com LOS ANGELES, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank announces "Building Hope: The Campaign for a Brighter Future," a 165-million-dollar campaign to increase the Food Bank's capacity to better fight hunger in our community. The campaign was quietly launched in 2019 to dramatically increase the Food Bank's capacity to reach more people that are food-insecure in Los Angeles County. The Food Bank is now over 70% of the ambitious goal, raising more than $110 million from 90,000+ donors. At some point in the month, between 20% and 25% of LA County's population struggles to access nutritious food. Faced with a high cost of living, children, families, older adults and others find themselves skipping meals to pay other bills, including rent, utilities, medication, and the like. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the issue of food insecurity in LA County. With unemployment hitting over 20% in 2020, many people find themselves without income still in 2021. Even as LA County begins to reopen, many individuals in our community are still trying to recover from the economic fallout created by the outbreak. Before the pandemic, the Food Bank reached 300,000 people each month. Now, the number of people who seek help from the Food Bank each month is 900,000. "Even before the pandemic, the need for food assistance in Los Angeles County was very high," said Michael Flood, President and CEO of the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. "This campaign will markedly increase the number of people we serve and the amount of food we can provide to those in LA County on an ongoing basis." Along with expanding our programs, the campaign enabled the Food Bank to purchase a 256,000 square foot warehouse in the City of Industry. The Food Bank is in the process of transforming this warehouse into a state-of-the-art distribution center and will increase our capacity and efficiency. The project will increase our freezer/cooler capacity, and include a volunteer center, cold dock, sustainability center, food kit productions center and food rescue center. Naming opportunities are available. To learn more about this campaign, visit: www.lafoodbank.org/building-hope/ About the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank has been mobilizing resources to fight hunger in Los Angeles County since 1973. To support the Food Bank's vision that no one goes hungry in Los Angeles County, food and grocery products are distributed through a network of 700 partner agencies and directly to those in need through Food Bank programs. The Food Bank has distributed more than 1.7 billion pounds of food, the equivalent of 1.35 billion meals, since 1973. The total value of food and grocery product distributed since the Food Bank's inception is $2.3 billion. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Food Bank tripled the number of people helped and now reaches 900,000 people every month. The Food Bank is a 4-star rated charity by Charity Navigator. For more information, visit LAFoodBank.org. Media Contact: David May Director of Marketing & Communications [email protected] 323 234 3030 ext. 134 SOURCE Los Angeles Regional Food Bank Related Links http://www.lafoodbank.org BOSTON, May 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Boston R&D Center and GeneLeap Biotech, two subsidiaries of Luye Life Sciences Group, took part in the 24th American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy (ASGCT) Annual Meeting, presenting the progress of four of the company's latest preclinical developments in gene and cell therapy to the global biological community. ASGCT is one of the world's most influential academic conferences in the area of gene and cell therapy. More than 3,500 scholars, clinical investigators, physicians and other professionals attend the meeting every year. The ASCCT annual meeting is held as a virtual event from May 11 to 14 this year. Dr. Sean Fu, President of Luye Life Sciences Boston R&D Center, and CEO of GeneLeap Biotech, said, "This is the first time that we have presented information on the progress of our scientific research in gene and cell therapy at the ASGCT annual meeting. This reflects the strength of our R&D team's innovation and drug development in this field. We look forward to working with global scientists to expand our scientific progress for translational science and provide greater momentum of innovation for the development of the company in the future." Details of the latest scientific progress presented by Luye Life Sciences are as follows: Immune Suppression with Rapamycin May Cause Prolonged IgM Formation Against AAV Vector In collaboration with the Indiana University School of medicine, Luye Life Sciences Boston R&D Center and GeneLeap Biotech leveraged the strength of proprietary nanoparticle formulation technology to encapsulate immune suppressive drug rapamycin and compared it with its free form. Studies showed that rapamycin might be a more effective strategy to achieve second dose of AAV gene therapy but induced prolonged IgM responses. Strategies in AAV Upstream and Downstream Purification for High Yield Separation of Empty/Full Capsids Luye Life Sciences Boston R&D Center conducted a series of studies on both the AAV upstream and downstream processes that offers greater feasibility to yield high viral genome and achieve excellent high purity with full AAV capsid. Such successful process will enable the AAV production to meet the demand for supporting both clinical and commercial efforts. Optimization of Human FIX Expression Cassettes for Superior Liver-targeted Gene Therapy of Hemophilia B Together with Luye Life Sciences Boston R&D Center and the Indiana University School of medicine, GeneLeap Biotech identified a candidate drug AAV8.pXLLY027 with superior hFIX expression and improved potency, which holds the great potential to significantly reduce the administration dosage, safety concern and cost burden in clinical application. Therapeutic Efficacy of An Investigational AAV Gene Therapy in Alleviating Choroidal Vascularization in Rat Laser-induced CNV Model GeneLeap Biotech generated an AAV gene therapy clinical lead AAV8.pTHVE002 expressing aflibercept was successfully selected with superior expression and efficacy, which lays a solid foundation for the researchers to advance clinical development of this investigational gene therapy for treating millions of wet AMD patients over the world with one-time administration. Dr. Jason Zhang, CSO of GeneLeap Biotech, said, "We are glad to have this opportunity to share our research in gene and cell therapy, including our clinical leads in hemophilia B and wet-AMD AAV gene therapy, as well as progress in AAV process development and immune tolerance. We look forward to continued collaborations with scholars worldwide in our efforts to address the unmet needs of patients." About Luye Life Sciences Boston R&D Center The R&D center at Boston, Woburn, MA is a subsidiary of Luye Life Sciences, developing novel drugs for cancer and genetic disorders, including gene therapy, immune checkpoint inhibitory antibodies, CAR-T cells therapy, and novel drug delivery mechanisms. At present, the AAV platform for gene therapy program developed by the Boston R&D center has several candidates in the pipeline. About GeneLeap Biotech GeneLeap Bio., a subsidiary of Luye Life Sciences, specializes in developing gene therapy drugs for cancer and severe infectious diseases, including mRNA and oligonucleotides. Currently, GeneLeap Biotech has R&D operations in both the USA (Boston) and China (Nanjing, Yantai). SOURCE Luye Life Sciences DENVER, Pa., May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 18, Morphy Auctions will present a 161-lot selection of highly important and historical arms and militaria. Specialty categories include early flintlock muskets, rifles and pistols; antique handguns, powder horns, sabers, medals, maps, portraits of distinguished military figures, and more. Important and historical Kentucky long rifle presented by Marquis de Lafayette to Tuscarora Iroquois Indian guide and friend Chief Tunis, who traveled with him during the American Revolution and led him on expeditions through 24 of the United States. Profusely engraved and decorated, inscribed 'Presented to Chief Tunis by Lafayette at Kingston NY 1824.' Unbroken chain of provenance traces ownership back to Chief Tunis and common-law wife Ruth Yaple. Estimate $200,000-$500,000 Closeup of inscription on Kentucky long rifle presented by Marquis de Lafayette in 1824 to Tuscarora Iroquois Indian guide and friend Chief Tunis. Estimate $200,000-$500,000 The premier lot of the sale is a Kentucky long rifle presented by the Marquis de Lafayette to his trusted Tuscarora Iroquois Indian guide and friend Chief Tunis, who traveled with him during the American Revolution and led him on expeditions across 24 of the United States. Of the Europeans who held sympathetic views toward the breakaway colonists during the American Revolution, none was held in higher regard or proactively assisted their cause with greater fervor than Lafayette. "He defiantly ignored the wishes of his family, who disowned him, and of King Louis the Sixteenth, and purchased a ship to travel to America. His military rank of major general was recognized by the Continental Army, and he immediately began an illustrious career in the colonies with the oversight of his closest friend, George Washington," said Dan Morphy, founder and president of Morphy Auctions. The wealthy marquis became known not only for his many acts of valor but also for his monetary contributions to the American cause at its darkest hour. In fact, it was due to Lafayette's lobbying efforts that France sent both economic aid and troops during the war. Lafayette saw more of the United States than probably most Americans then or now. Right alongside him during his many expeditions was his faithful guide Chief Tunis. As an expression of gratitude, Lafayette gifted Chief Tunis with the Kentucky rifle to be auctioned by Morphy's on May 18th. It is profusely engraved, decorated and inscribed: Presented to Chief Tunis by Lafayette at Kingston NY 1824. Its unbroken chain of provenance traces the rifle's ownership back to Chief Tunis and his common-law wife Ruth Yaple. Former owners also include direct descendants of Chief Tunis, renowned antique arms dealer/collector Glode Requa (1918-2011), and Secretary of the Treasury William E. Simon (see complete provenance and extensive additional information in Morphy's catalog). Estimate: $200,000-$500,000. A pre-Revolutionary War flintlock Kentucky rifle is attributed to Bucks County, Pa., during the region's formative years of gunsmithing. It has beautiful, relatively high-relief carving as opposed to the later incised carving usually found with this school of rifles. "Its silhouette shows characteristics of what would eventually become known as the Bucks County School profile," Morphy explained. "The fleur-de-lis designs on either side of the wrist at the rear of the lock and sideplate moldings are evidence that this rifle was made in upper Bucks County." Estimate $50,000-$150,000. Another highlight, a well-known and well-documented Revolutionary War flintlock Kentucky rifle, is depicted in Joe Kindig Jr's Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in its Golden Age, George Shumway's Rifles of Colonial America, and Wood and Whisker's Gunsmiths of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Relief-carved, this iconic rifle of early Lancaster form is signed John Newcomer (d. 17820, a gunsmith in Hempfield Township, Lancaster County, Pa., in 1771, 1772, 1779 and 1780. Estimate: $50,000-$100,000. Morphy's May 18, 2021 Early Arms & Militaria Auction will be held at the company's Denver, Pennsylvania gallery, starting at 10 a.m. EDT. All forms of bidding will be available, including live online through Morphy Live. Questions: call 877-968-8880 or email [email protected]. Online: www.morphyauctions.com. Media Contact: Sarah Stoltzfus 877-968-8880 [email protected] SOURCE Morphy Auctions Related Links http://www.morphyauctions.com ITASCA, Ill., May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Safety Council (NSC) cautiously supports the recent CDC recommendation for fully vaccinated individuals to relax safety protocols, like mask wearing and social distancing. While this news further elevates the important role vaccines play in stopping the spread of COVID-19 and assisting workplaces to return to full and open operation, it does not take away any of the complexity out of managing the safety of a partially vaccinated workforce. Employers should still take a risk-based approach based on their specific work environment to ensure the safety of all workers. In addition, employers must be prepared to verify the vaccination status of employees, while complying with appropriate employee laws and protocols. Further, employers should continue to create a safe, inclusive workplace culture where all workers, no matter their vaccination status, feel safe and supported. The fact is, vaccines are the clearest route to a safe, productive return to the workplace. NSC, as part of its SAFER effort, recently called on employers to do more to encourage vaccinations with their employees. According to the KFF COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor, the top reasons among individuals who are eager to receive the vaccine but have not yet tried to get an appointment include not having time (14%), not being able to take time off work (12%), or simply not getting around to it (9%). Employers can remove these barriers by offering paid time off for immunization and recovery, hosting on-site vaccination clinics, helping with scheduling and transportation, and supporting peer-to-peer vaccination promotion efforts. NSC stands ready to help employers navigate this evolving situation so they can safely and effectively expand operations based on their specific work environments. About the National Safety Council The National Safety Council is America's leading nonprofit safety advocate and has been for over 100 years. As a mission-based organization, we work to eliminate the leading causes of preventable death and injury, focusing our efforts on the workplace, roadway and impairment. We create a culture of safety to not only keep people safer at work, but also beyond the workplace so they can live their fullest lives. Connect with NSC: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn YouTube Instagram SOURCE National Safety Council LOS ANGELES, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Schall Law Firm, a national shareholder rights litigation firm, announces that it is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Rocket Companies, Inc. ("Rocket" or "the Company") (NYSE: RKT) for violations of the securities laws. The investigation focuses on whether the Company issued false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose information pertinent to investors. Rocket suffered a major drop in its share price after hours on May 5, 2021. The share price slid after it reported that its closed loan origination volume dropped quarter-over-quarter and it forecasted additional declines in the second quarter. 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 [email protected]. 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. 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. 310-301-3335 [email protected] www.schallfirm.com SOURCE The Schall Law Firm Related Links www.schallfirm.com Welcome Guest! You Are Here: "Each of our theme parks has a majestic icon that captures our guests' imaginations," said Laura Cabo, portfolio creative executive, Walt Disney Imagineering. "On a Disney cruise ship, that beacon of magic is our signature red funnels. For the first time ever, guests aboard the Disney Wish will be able to book an incredible two-story suite that's actually located within one of our funnels. With the Wish Tower Suite, we are creating a breathtaking experience that continues our tradition of the most unique and enchanting accommodations at sea." The Wish Tower Suite is the latest addition to the new Disney ship, where every storybook-inspired stateroom will be a luxurious, peaceful retreat designed with ample room for families, plenty of storage and upscale amenities. Every guest will find their perfect home-away-from-home aboard the Disney Wish 90% of the 1,254 staterooms will offer ocean views, more than 900 rooms will connect to accommodate larger families and more premium concierge accommodations will be available than ever before. Wish Tower Suite The Wish Tower Suite will be Disney Cruise Line's most unique accommodation yet. With nearly 2,000 square feet of living space, it will comfortably sleep up to eight guests with two main bedrooms, a children's room, a library that converts to a bedroom and four-and-a-half bathrooms. The magnificent living room will be flanked by an open dining area, a large pantry and a bar, all offering extraordinary views across the upper decks to the horizon through an expansive two-story window wall. Located on the upper-level loft, the main bedrooms will be lavish and serene with king beds, walk-in closets and floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the living area below to the views beyond. The main bathrooms will each have double vanities, soaking tubs and rain showers. Enchanting Design The Wish Tower Suite is being designed with artwork, iconography and materials that evoke the Oceania-inspired world of "Moana." A soothing palette of calm blues, soft whites and deep corals will lay the foundation for family rest and relaxation, while creative ornaments and custom artwork will convey sophisticated nods to the characters and locales of the film. The piece de resistance will be a hand-crafted porcelain sculpture that comes alive in an only-Disney-can-do way. When guests arrive home to the Wish Tower Suite, they may discover the statue pulsing in myriad hues of green amid soft chimes that recall the film's distinctive soundtrack, revealing itself as the heart of Te Fiti. The special lighting and audio effects will eventually fill the room to provide a truly magical, one-of-a-kind greeting. Other film-inspired decorations include a custom canvas piece depicting Moana sailing on the sea; dimensional props that celebrate the treasures of the ocean and the local crafts of Moana's village; and a glittering sculpture composed of shiny objects a playful interpretation of Tamatoa's dazzling collection. The children's room, which will feature uniquely designed built-in bunkbeds, will enchant kids of all ages with a sparkling constellation pattern that lights up the ceiling to reveal imagery from the movie composed entirely of stars: Moana's oar, Gramma Tala, Maui's hook and the heart of Te Fiti. Unparalleled Service and Amenities Guests can expect the royal treatment while staying in the Wish Tower Suite, marked by the expert service of a personal concierge team, an elegant array of curated experiences, a delightful selection of daily treats and a private elevator. The Wish Tower Suite will feature plush Frette duvets, bed linens, bath towels and robes; motorized sheer and block-out curtains; a wet bar stocked with water and sodas; complimentary internet access; and a deluxe menu of hypo-allergenic, feather and therapeutic memory foam pillows. Guests will also enjoy VIP access to the concierge lounge and sun deck with two whirlpools, a wading pool, a bar, lush lounge furniture and the superlative service of a pool deck host. Maiden Voyage and Inaugural Season The Disney Wish will sail its maiden voyage on June 9, 2022, followed by a season of three- and four-night cruises to Nassau, Bahamas, and Disney's private island, Castaway Cay, from Port Canaveral, Florida. Bookings open to the general public on May 27, 2021. To learn more about the Disney Wish or to book a vacation, guests can visit disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888-325-2500 or contact their travel agent. SOURCE Disney Cruise Line "Alissa's expertise and ability to drive product strategy and operations from an outside-in perspective make her uniquely well-positioned to drive growth, efficiency and profitability, while still keeping customer experience at the forefront," said Matt Boss, Head of Consumer Products for TD Bank. Van Volkom joined TD in 2018 and previously served as the bank's Senior Vice President, Head of Customer, Product and Digital Marketing. In this role, she led the customer marketing strategy and developed integrated marketing plans to generate demand for TD's consumer and commercial products across the U.S. Bank. She also managed the U.S. digital marketing organization, where she championed the development of data-driven digital marketing strategies to create connected customer experiences. "I'm proud to lead a team that remains strategic and resilient in this highly competitive landscape while keeping our customers and communities at the center," said Van Volkom. "I look forward to working closely with this team to ensure that TD continues to make a positive impact in driving deeper personalization, customer engagement and growth in the industry." Van Volkom holds a bachelor's degree in communications from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. About TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, is one of the 10 largest banks in the U.S., providing more than 9.5 million customers with a full range of retail, small business and commercial banking products and services at more than 1,220 convenient locations throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Metro D.C., the Carolinas and Florida. In addition, TD Bank and its subsidiaries offer customized private banking and wealth management services through TD Wealth, and vehicle financing and dealer commercial services through TD Auto Finance. TD Bank is headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J. To learn more, visit www.td.com/us. Find TD Bank on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TDBank and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/TDBank_US and www.twitter.com/TDNews_US. TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, is a member of TD Bank Group and a subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank of Toronto, Canada, a top 10 financial services company in North America. The Toronto-Dominion Bank trades on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges under the ticker symbol "TD". To learn more, visit www.td.com/us. SOURCE TD Bank Related Links http://www.TDBank.com SAN FRANCISCO, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A federal appellate ruling upholding findings that Bayer AG's Monsanto Roundup weed killer caused a California man's non-Hodgkins lymphoma cancer deals a blow to efforts by Bayer AG to push through a flawed settlement of thousands of pending cancer lawsuits, trial lawyers with Dallas-based Fears Nachawati Law Firm said Friday. Fears Nachawati lawyers, who represent more than 4,000 cancer victims in litigation against Bayer AG (OTCMKTS: BAYRY), will discuss the significance of the ruling in Hardeman v. Monsanto and the status of the proposed settlement during a Facebook Live news conference on Monday at 11 a.m. Central. Click here for details: https://bit.ly/3bramVi "This resounding victory for cancer victims could not have come at a worse time for Bayer as it tries to steamroll plaintiffs into accepting a flawed and unfair settlement," said Fears Nachawati co-founder Majed Nachawati. "Everyone now has a better understanding of the value of these cases and the exposure Bayer faces if it does not reach a fair settlement and resolve all outstanding lawsuits." Friday's ruling stems from a 2019 jury verdict finding that plaintiff Edwin Hardeman developed non-Hodgkins lymphoma after exposure to Roundup. The verdict included $5 million in compensatory damages and $75 million in punitive damages, which were later reduced to $20 million. The ruling has implications for Bayer's efforts to settle more than 90,000 pending cancer lawsuits, which have drawn criticism from thousands of plaintiffs. Among other things, the settlement would allow Bayer to continue selling Roundup but limit legal options for individuals diagnosed with cancer in the future. A hearing on the settlement is set for May 19. "We now have a federal appellate court supporting evidence that Roundup causes cancer and that Bayer had a duty to warn consumers," Mr. Nachawati said. "Shareholders need to know that these lawsuits will not stop until Bayer makes a meaningful settlement offer." Dallas-based Fears | Nachawati Law Firm represents individuals in mass tort litigation, businesses and governmental entities in contingent litigation and individual victims in complex personal injury litigation. The largest and most diverse products liability law firm in the nation, Fears | Nachawati was ranked No. 1 nationally in product liability filings in federal court over the last three years. For more information, visit https://www.fnlawfirm.com . Media Contact: Robert Tharp 214-420-6011 [email protected] SOURCE Fears Nachawati Law Firm Related Links https://www.fnlawfirm.com The imposition of lockdowns due to the spread of COVID-19 forced many manufacturing units to halt their operations temporarily. However, pharmaceutical manufacturers, including antibiotics manufacturers were allowed to operate with limited capacity under the safety guidelines laid down by the governments. This impacted the market growth to a certain extent in 2020. But the market is expected to recover and register healthy growth over the forecast period due to the rising prevalence of infectious diseases. The market is expected to be driven by factors such as the rising prevalence of infectious diseases, growing awareness of various diseases and their treatments, and special regulatory designations. The report also offers information on the upcoming trends and challenges that will influence market growth. Download Our Free Sample Report Antibiotics Market: Opportunities The misuse or overuse of antibiotics by people is leading to the emergence of microorganisms with new resistant strains that are difficult to treat using antibiotics. This is creating the need for the development of new antibiotic drugs. Besides, the market has been witnessing strong growth in the geriatric population across the world. For instance, in 2018, 18% of the total population accounted for people aged 65 and above in the UK and 21% of the total population in Germany was aged 65 and above. Many such factors are creating significant growth opportunities for antibiotic manufacturers. Antibiotics Market: Segmentation by Type Based on the segmentation by type, the market generated maximum revenue in the broad-spectrum antibiotics segment in 2020. The segment is driven by the effectiveness of broad-spectrum antibiotics against a wide range of microorganisms, including Gram-positive and Gram-negative agents. Also, the rising prevalence of bacterial infections in the sub-economical parts of the underdeveloped and developing regions is contributing to the growth of the segment. Antibiotics Market: Segmentation by Geography Asia held the largest market share in 2020 and the market growth in the region is expected to be faster compared to the growth of the market in other regions. The growth of the market in Asia can be attributed to the increasing demand for improved healthcare infrastructure. In addition, an increase in the aging population is expected to contribute to the growth of the antibiotics market in Asia during the forecast period. One of the fortune 500 companies had used the detailed research report on the antibiotics market and had decided to increase their market share in the Asia region which offers the highest market opportunities during the forecast period. Explore more about market opportunities: Enquire about the report before purchasing Antibiotics Market: Major Vendors AstraZeneca Plc The company offers a range of antibiotic products such as Zavicefta (ceftazidime-avibactam, previously known as CAZ AVI). Bayer AG The company offers a range of antibiotic products such as CIPRO (ciprofloxacin hydrochloride) tablets. F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. The company offers a range of antibiotic products such as BACTRIM and BACTRIM DS. Mayne Pharma Group Ltd. The company offers a range of antibiotic products such as ASTRIX (aspirin) capsules. Pfizer Inc. The company offers a range of antibiotic products such as ZOSYN (piperacillin and tazobactam) injection. Along with the market data, Technavio offers customizations as per the specific needs of companies. The following customization options are available for the antibiotics market report: Regional Analysis Further breakdown of the market segmentation at requested regions. Market Player Information Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players, vendor segmentation, and vendor offerings. Know the strategies adopted by vendors during the COVID-19 Recovery Phase. Speak to our Analyst for a Customized Report Related Reports on Antibiotics Market: Global Microbiomes Market Global microbiomes market is segmented by application (therapeutics and diagnostics) and geography (North America, Europe, Asia, and ROW). Download Exclusive Free Sample Report Global Gonorrhea Therapeutics Market Global gonorrhea therapeutics market is segmented by therapy (monotherapy and combination therapy) and geography (Asia, Europe, North America, and ROW). Download Exclusive Free Sample Report Executive Summary Market Landscape Market ecosystem Value chain analysis Market Sizing Market definition Market segment analysis Market size 2020 Market outlook: Forecast for 2020 - 2025 Five Forces Analysis Five forces summary Bargaining power of buyers Bargaining power of suppliers Threat of new entrants Threat of substitutes Threat of rivalry Market condition Market Segmentation by Product Market segments Comparison by Product Broad-spectrum antibiotics - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Narrow-spectrum antibiotics - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Market opportunity by Product Customer landscape Geographic Landscape Geographic segmentation Geographic comparison Asia - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 North America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Europe - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ROW - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Key leading countries Market opportunity by geography Market drivers Market challenges Market trends Vendor Landscape Overview Vendor landscape Landscape disruption Vendor Analysis Vendors covered Market positioning of vendors Abbott Laboratories AbbVie Inc. AstraZeneca Plc Bayer AG F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. Johnson & Johnson Mayne Pharma Group Ltd. Merck KGaA Pfizer Inc. Sanofi SA Appendix Scope of the report Currency conversion rates for US$ Research methodology List of abbreviations About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com Report: www.technavio.com/report/antibiotics-market-industry-analysis SOURCE Technavio The market witnessed a slight decline in the sales of ALK inhibitors in 2020 as several scheduled treatments were either delayed or postponed. Besides, the high incidence of COVID-19 in the second wave has limited the movement of people, which has disrupted the supply chain and logistic operations. These factors are expected to hinder the growth of the ALK inhibitors market to some extent during the forecast period. The market is expected to be driven by factors such as the high target affinity and specificity of ALK inhibitors, the high prevalence of lung cancer, and the presence of patient assistance programs. The report also offers information on the upcoming trends and challenges that will influence market growth. Download Our Free Sample Report Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) Inhibitors Market: Opportunities The rising consumption of tobacco and the passive inhalation of poisonous gases have increased the prevalence of lung disorders globally. In addition, the growing prevalence of cancer, including NSCLC, and the increasing need for promising therapeutics are driving the demand for ALK inhibitors. Besides, the increasing awareness about ALK inhibitors among patients and the wide availability of different ALK inhibitors are expected to provide several growth opportunities in the global anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitors market during the forecast period. Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) Inhibitors Market: Segmentation by Type Based on the segmentation by type, the market generated maximum revenue in the second-generation ALK inhibitors segment in 2020. The segment is driven by the increasing regulatory approvals of second-generation ALK inhibitors. Also, the rising prevalence of cancer is expected to fuel the growth of the segment during the forecast period. Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) Inhibitors Market: Segmentation by Geography North America held the largest market share in 2020 and the market growth in the region is expected to be faster compared to the growth of the market in other regions. The growth of the market in North America can be attributed to the high sales of approved ALK inhibitors and the increasing prevalence of lung cancer. In addition, an increase in R&D spending by vendors is expected to contribute to the growth of the ALK inhibitors market in North America during the forecast period. One of the fortune 500 companies had used the detailed research report on the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitors market and had decided to increase their market share in the North American region which offers the highest market opportunities during the forecast period. Explore more about market opportunities: Enquire about the report before purchasing Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) Inhibitors Market: Major Vendors Betta Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. The company is involved in developing X-396. This molecule is under clinical phase II evaluated as an ALK inhibitor for lung cancer. Chia Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd. The company sponsored the study on TQ-B3139, which is a competitive multi-target protein kinase inhibitor of Met/ALK/ROS. F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. The company caters ALECENSA, which is indicated for the treatment of patients with ALK-positive metastatic NSCLC as detected by an FDA-approved test. Helsinn Healthcare SA The company through a co-promotion agreement with Novartis for Zykadia provides detailing services for Zykadia in the US. Zykadia is an approved treatment for patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors are ALK-positive. Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. The company provides ALUNBRIG (brigatinib), which is a prescription medicine used to treat people with NSCLC. It blocks certain proteins made by the ALK gene. Along with the market data, Technavio offers customizations as per the specific needs of companies. The following customization options are available for the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitors market report: Regional Analysis Further breakdown of the market segmentation at requested regions. Market Player Information Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players, vendor segmentation, and vendor offerings. Know the strategies adopted by vendors during the COVID-19 Recovery Phase. Speak to our Analyst for a Customized Report Related Reports on Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) Inhibitors Market: Global Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) Market Global selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) market is segmented by application (depression, anxiety and panic disorder, and other mental conditions) and geography (North America, Europe, Asia, and ROW). Download Exclusive Free Sample Report Global PARP (Poly ADP-ribose Polymerase) Inhibitors Market Global PARP (poly adp-ribose polymerase) inhibitors market is segmented by end-user (ovarian cancer, breast cancer, and others) and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and MEA). Download Exclusive Free Sample Report Executive Summary Market Landscape Market ecosystem Value chain analysis Market Sizing Market definition Market segment analysis Market size 2020 Market outlook: Forecast for 2020 - 2025 Five Forces Analysis Five forces summary Bargaining power of buyers Bargaining power of suppliers Threat of new entrants Threat of substitutes Threat of rivalry Market condition Market Segmentation by Type Market segments Comparison by Type Second-generation ALK inhibitors - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 First-generation ALK inhibitors - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Third-generation ALK inhibitors - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Market opportunity by Type Customer Landscape Geographic Landscape Geographic segmentation Geographic comparison North America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Europe - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Asia - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ROW - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Key leading countries Market opportunity by geography Market drivers Market challenges Market trends Vendor Landscape Overview Vendor landscape Landscape disruption Vendor Analysis Vendors covered Market positioning of vendors Betta Pharmaceuticals Co. Ltd. Bio-Techne Corp. Chia Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Group Co. Ltd. F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. Helsinn Healthcare SA Merck KGaA Novartis AG Pfizer Inc. Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. Turning Point Therapeutics Inc. Appendix Scope of the report Currency conversion rates for US$ Research methodology List of abbreviations About Us Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contact Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com Report: www.technavio.com/report/anaplastic-lymphoma-kinase-alk-inhibitors-market-industry-analysis SOURCE Technavio IRVING, Texas, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Earlier today Acting Chairwoman Slaughter and Commissioner Chopra of the Federal Trade Commission ("FTC" or the "Commission") issued a statement suggesting that 7-Eleven, Inc.'s ("7-Eleven") acquisition of Speedway, LLC ("Speedway") raises competitive concerns in certain local markets. 7-Eleven is disappointed by the statement as it fails to acknowledge the facts that led to 7-Eleven closing the transaction. To be clear, 7-Eleven was legally allowed to close on the Speedway transaction today and statements or implications to the contrary are false. Not mentioned by Acting Chairwoman Slaughter and Commissioner Chopra, 7-Eleven and the FTC staff entered into a timing agreement permitting 7-Eleven to close on May 14th and a settlement agreement at the end of April that resolved all of the competitive concerns that the Commissioners reference in their statement by having 7-Eleven divest 293 fuel outlets. We were informed that the FTC staff, including leaders in the Bureau of Competition, recommended that the FTC Commissioners approve that settlement. In other words, a settlement resolving the purportedly illegal aspects of the 7-Eleven/Speedway transaction has already been negotiated and the Commissioners have already reviewed it. If the Commissioners approve that settlement, it will resolve all of the competitive concerns that the Commissioners reference in their statement. 7-Eleven has been operating under the terms of that settlement agreement since it was signed and continues to do so. Despite FTC staff's recommendation that the Commission approve the negotiated settlement, on May 11, 2021less than three days before closeActing Chairwoman Slaughter and Commissioner Chopra indicated that they wanted more time to review the settlement agreement. 7-Eleven took the request very seriously, but such a last-minute delay would have created enormous disruption to the lives of our new colleagues at Speedway and to the business. Given that there was no legal basis for such a delay and given that 7-Eleven was abiding by the negotiated settlement agreement, we closed today on schedule. In their statement, the two Commissioners suggest that 7-Eleven did not give the Commission enough time to review the transaction. This ignores the fact that 7-Eleven could have pushed the Commission to vote on the transaction as early as January 2021. 7-Eleven chose instead to work with FTC staff to identify Speedway fuel outlets that might create competitive concerns if acquired by 7-Eleven and to identify strong buyers for those outlets. As 7-Eleven worked through this process, 7-Eleven modified its timing agreement with the FTC staff four times on February 2, 2021; February 19, 2021; March 22, 2021; and April 9, 2021. All of the extensions were at the request of FTC staff. The final April 9, 2021 extension made clear that 7-Eleven planned to close today and yet Acting Chairwoman Slaughter and Commissioner Chopra waited until May 11 to request that 7-Eleven delay its closing. To be clear, the only concern that Acting Chairwoman Slaughter and Commissioner Chopra articulated to 7-Eleven about the negotiated settlement agreement was that it allowed too much time for the required divestitures to take place. Ironically, 7-Eleven did not ask for that amount of time. It was proposed by FTC staff to assist the proposed buyers, and 7-Eleven has offered several times to change to the originally-anticipated shorter time frame. 7-Eleven values the cooperative relationship that it has developed with the FTC staff and applauds them for their hard work and commitment in reviewing the Speedway transaction. 7-Eleven will continue to work with them to ensure that 7-Eleven meets its obligations under the negotiated settlement. In the meantime, we are thrilled to welcome Speedway into the 7-Eleven family. About 7-Eleven, Inc. 7Eleven, Inc. is the premier name in the convenience-retailing industry. Based in Irving, Texas, 7Eleven operates, franchises and/or licenses nearly 77,000 stores in 16 countries and regions, including nearly 16,000 in North America. Known for its iconic brands such as Slurpee, Big Bite and Big Gulp, 7Eleven has expanded into high-quality sandwiches, salads, side dishes, cut fruit and protein boxes, as well as pizza, chicken wings and mini beef tacos. 7Eleven offers customers industry-leading private brand products under the 7-Select brand including healthy options, decadent treats and everyday favorites at an outstanding value. Customers can earn and redeem points on various items in stores nationwide through its 7Rewards loyalty program with more than 40 million members, place an order in the 7NOW delivery app in over 1,300 cities, or rely on 7Eleven for bill payment service, self-service lockers and other convenient services. Find out more online at www.7Eleven.com, via the 7Rewards customer loyalty platform on the 7Eleven mobile app, or on social media at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. SOURCE 7-Eleven, Inc. Related Links http://www.7-eleven.com MIAMI, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Legendary marijuana activist and ganjapreneur Ed "NJWeedman" Forchion is continuing his legacy of promoting 'puff and paint' cannabis creativity. The opening of his new marijuana lounge in Miami, The Joint of Miami in the Wynwood Art District, will be an extension of his legacy in support of 'pot art.' The Joint of Miami, alongside NJWeedman's Joint in Trenton, NJ now both boast beautiful new outdoor wall murals painted by graffiti art master, Ayumi Chisolm aka SANOizm. In addition, NJWeedman is hosting an art themed pre-opening "Puff & Paint" event at his Miami location May 14th, 10:00 a.m. ET through to June 11th, 10:00 p.m. ET. "Puff & Paint" at The Joint of Miami is inviting artists to blaze and paint while creating artwork for the interior walls of the weed lounge! Professional artists who are looking to participate can send examples of their artwork to art director Jazz Tarver at [email protected] for consideration and invitation details. The Joint of Miami is located at 2010 NW Miami Ct. in Miami. NJWeedman is hosting an art themed pre-opening Puff & Paint event at The Joint of Miami from May 14th, 10:00 a.m. ET to June 11th, 10:00 p.m. ET. "Puff & Paint" is inviting artists to blaze and paint while creating artwork for the interior walls of the weed lounge! Professional artists who are looking to participate can send examples of their artwork to art director Jazz Tarver at [email protected] for consideration and invitation details. Legendary marijuana activist and ganjapreneur Ed NJWeedman Forchion is continuing his legacy of promoting puff and paint cannabis creativity with the opening of his new art and music marijuana lounge, The Joint of Miami in Miami's Wynwood Art District. The Joint of Miami, alongside NJWeedmans Joint in Trenton, NJ now both boast beautiful new outdoor wall murals painted by graffiti art master, Ayumi Chisolm aka SANOizm (@sanoizm). NJWeedman's favorite SANOism is the mural outside of NJWeedmans Joint in Trenton, The Battle of Trenton 2, It's a pictorial depiction of how he won his fight against the prosecutors office in Trenton, NJ for unfair charges filed against him. (note: https://nj1015.com/nj-weedman-promises-to-give-prosecutor-legal-ass-whooping-after-major-bust.) NJWeedman's longstanding love for weed art dates back to his first marijuana dispensary, The Liberty Bell Temple, located in Hollywood, CA. In 2008, Ayumi Chisolm aka SANOizm painted an interior canvas and mural covering the ceiling plus the front windows of that now mythical location. SANOizm (SimpleArtNiceOutlinez, StylesAllwayzNumberOne, SmokeAnotherNiceOne) is an award winning multi-disciplined urban artist originally from Cleveland, Ohio. He began doing graffiti art in 1983 and now travels the world creating community aerosol art murals, illustration and designs. His mark on now three of NJWeedman's businesses are important contributions to the culture of cannabis creativity. Sano maintains a small art studio in Chinatown, Los Angeles where he prints his brand, Thieveland T-shirts. "It was important for me to have Sano leave his artistic impression on both my Trenton and Miami locations. I consider his imprint a blessing to my businesses. He has artistically documented my marijuana legacy in a way that words could not capture. If a picture is worth a thousand words, the spirit of his images is worth 10,000 words. I think my favorite is his mural outside of NJWeedman's Joint in Trenton. It's called "The Battle of Trenton 2" and is an accurate depiction of how I won my fight against the prosecutor's office in Trenton for unfair charges filed against me (see https://nj1015.com/nj-weedman-promises-to-give-prosecutor-legal-ass-whooping-after-major-bust.)" "It's no secret that marijuana and hip hop art are like first cousins," adds Sano, an avid partaker of the herb. "It has been an amazing journey to illustrate the story of NJWeedman with my art. I deeply appreciate his patronage over the years and am excited to have my work adorn both locations in Trenton and now in Miami, particularly in the Wynwood Art District which is famous for Art Basel and street art. Our work is sometimes overlooked and underrated in the contemporary art world but is an important component of our culture." A cult figure in the marijuana legalization community, Forchion has since become one of the most vocal and controversial members of the pro-pot movement. He is the founder of the Legalize Marijuana Party of New Jersey and has run previous campaigns for Governor, U.S. Senate, Congress, the State Legislature, and the Burlington County Board of Freeholders. After decades of public persecution, Ed Forchion is finally being acknowledged for his decades of activism. He has spoken on virtual panels at Stockton and Princeton University, was featured on NBC News in New York and he is slated to appear on an upcoming segment of Vice TV and ABC-TV Nightline. While NJWeedman's Joint in Trenton, NJ is a bustling marijuana themed eatery and smoke shop with his partner, Debi Madaio, The Joint of Miami is an extension of the NJWeedman brand, offering a more inclusive cannabis experience. The Joint of Miami, located in the Wynwood Art District, will be an art and music marijuana lounge with 'members only' access. Slated to open midsummer, The Joint of Miami will be a franchise operation and NJWeedman is already fielding inquires in other cities. For more information about The Joint of Miami and Puff & Pass, head over to https://thejointofmiami.com/. Take a puff with NJWeedman and read all about his adventures at https://linktr.ee/NJWeedman Follow Ayumi Chisolm aka SANOizm at @sanoizm on Instagram. Media Contact: Makeda Smith, 1-323-380-8819, [email protected] SOURCE The Joint of Miami Related Links https://thejointofmiami.com/ 2021 Quarterly Net Income increased by $237,206 compared to Q1 2020 CHICAGO, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Alliance Creative Group, Inc., (http://www.AllianceCreativeGroup.com) (Stock Symbol OTC: ACGX) is pleased to announce the results of Operations for the Three Months Ending March 31, 2021. Revenues for the quarter ending March 31, 2021 ("Q1 2021") were $2,613,997 Gross Profits for the quarter ending March 31, 2021 ("Q1 2021") were $550,944 Net Income for the quarter ending March 31, 2021 ("Q1 2021") were $256,799 The total assets on the Balance Sheet for the Alliance Creative Group as of 3/31/21 were $3,587,857. The total outstanding common shares as of March 31, 2021 ("Q1 2021") were 1,639,611 with 1,149,023 of those shares in the float. The Company ended the quarter and year with ($7,257) Cash on hand. Total Stockholder Equity as of 03/31/21 was $1,532,890 The full financial statement, balance sheet, statement of operations, cash flow statement, and disclosure statements are posted on the OTC Market Company website at www.OTCmarkets.com under the stock symbol ACGX in the section for filings and disclosure and on www.ACGX.us in the investor relations section. Steve St. Louis, CEO of the Alliance Creative Group, Inc., said, "The first Quarter of 2021 ended with our largest Net Income in a long time, mostly due to the PPP forgiveness, but we were able to pay down more liabilities to get us in a stronger position for the future. We will continue to evaluate all our options and ideas to hopefully maintain and improve the positive progress for 2021 and beyond." About Alliance Creative Group, Inc. Alliance Creative Group, Inc. (Stock Symbol: ACGX) is a Packaging Solutions Company focused on Retail Packaging and Packaging Management. ACG helps its clients from initial concept and packaging development through final production and managed inventory solutions. The core business has been around since 1997. ACG currently focuses mostly on providing solutions for flexible and clear packaging, folding cartons, vendor managed inventory supply chain services and fulfillment. Additional services include but are not limited to corrugated boxes, commercial printing, labels, and other products and services related to the printing or packaging of consumer products. ACG's team includes experts to provide high-quality packaging and printed products. The ACG experience includes very hands-on operational support out of 6 different warehouse locations and several national and international manufacturing partners. ACG provides customer support during the entire product process or cycle including but not limited to creating, warehousing, delivering, and replenishing their packaging products For more information, visit www.AllianceCreativeGroup.com or www.ACGX.us. About PeopleVine PeopleVine is a consolidated platform that allows businesses to build more personal relationships with their customers at scale. PeopleVine solves the problem businesses have creating and managing holistic relationships with their customers without using multiple products that only support a portion of the relationship building activities. PeopleVine seamlessly brings together the tools needed to market, sell, and operate a business with streamline efficiencies in a customer engagement suite and enables businesses to make data informed decisions to help generate revenue growth. We are committed to being the most essential and adaptive SaaS engagement platform for companies that take a customer centric approach to business. For more information www.PeopleVine.com This news release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the bespeaks-caution doctrine. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks including, but not limited to, product and service demand and acceptance, changes in technology, economic conditions, the impact of competition and pricing, government regulation, and other risks described in statements filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All such forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, and whether made by or on behalf of the Company, are expressly qualified by the cautionary statements that may accompany the forward-looking statements. In addition, the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. Investor Relations and Media Contact 1-847-885-1800 [email protected] SOURCE Alliance Creative Group, Inc. Related Links http://www.AllianceCreativeGroup.com VANCOUVER, BC, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - American Hotel Income Properties REIT LP ("AHIP", "the Company") (TSX: HOT.UN, TSX: HOT.U, TSX: HOT.DB.U) announces today that it will host its 2021 Annual and Special Meeting of Unitholders (the "Meeting") in a hybrid (teleconference and limited in-person) format on June 17, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. (Pacific Time). In consideration of the health and safety of AHIP's unitholders, colleagues, stakeholders and the broader community, AHIP is requesting that unitholders attend the hybrid Meeting by live teleconference due to the current serious health impact of COVID-19. In order to be permitted to participate and ask questions as a noted unitholder via the live teleconference, registered unitholders and duly appointed proxy holders must pre-register for the teleconference using the link below prior to the proxy cut-off time at 9:00 a.m. (Pacific Time) on Tuesday, June 15, 2021. Registered unitholders and duly appointed proxy holders who complete such registration will receive a unique dial-in and passcode for the teleconference. http://services.choruscall.ca/DiamondPassRegistration/register?confirmationNumber=10014768&linkSecurityString=dce672630 Beneficial unitholders and other interested stakeholders are also invited to attend the Meeting via teleconference, in a listen only mode, using the dial-in below. 1-800-319-4610 ( Canada /U.S.) /U.S.) 1-604-638-5340 (International) Please ask to join the "Annual and Special Meeting of Unitholders of American Hotel Income Properties REIT LP" To avoid any delays in joining the call, please dial in to the call at least five minutes prior to the call start time using the appropriate method noted above. There will be no voting via the live teleconference. Accordingly, in order to ensure their units are voted at the Meeting, all unitholders are strongly encouraged to submit their proxies or voting instructions, as applicable, well in advance of the Meeting. The deadline for the submission of proxies is 9:00 a.m. (Pacific Time) on Tuesday, June 15, 2021. Beneficial unitholders should carefully follow the instructions of their intermediary/broker, including those on how and when voting instructions are to be provided, in order to have their units voted at the Meeting. The Meeting will be held as a hybrid meeting. Accordingly, a limited and predetermined number of executives, board members and legal representatives will be attending the Meeting in person, at AHIP's legal counsel's office, for the purposes of establishing quorum and voting the valid proxies received. The Meeting will be conducted so as to abide by British Columbia's guidelines regarding physical distancing protocols and restrictions on the size of indoor gatherings. FURTHER DETAILS AND MEETING MATERIALS: Full details of the Meeting, including matters on which unitholders will be asked to vote (including certain proposed amendments to AHIP's LP Agreement), are set out in AHIP's Notice of Meeting and Information Circular dated May 7, 2021, copies of which are available on the governance page of AHIP's website at www.ahipreit.com and under AHIP's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. AHIP is sending meeting material for the Meeting to registered and beneficial unitholders using the Notice and Access process, which allows for AHIP to provide unitholders with electronic access to the Information Circular instead of sending a paper copy. This means that the Information Circular is posted online for unitholders to access, rather than being mailed to unitholders. Notice and Access is more environmentally friendly, as it helps reduce paper and energy use and also reduces printing and mailing costs. Registered and beneficial unitholders will, however, still receive a form of proxy or a voting instruction form in the mail so they can vote their units. However, unless a unitholder requests a paper copy, rather than receiving a paper copy of the Information Circular, a unitholder will receive a notice that has instructions on how to access and review an electronic copy of the Information Circular and how to request a paper copy. The notice also provides instructions on voting the units using the various different voting methods provided (internet, telephone, mail). If a unitholder would like to receive a paper copy of AHIP's Information Circular, please follow the instructions in the notice. A copy of the LP Agreement, as proposed to be amended and restated, along with a blackline to the current LP Agreement, may be obtained in advance of the Meeting by a unitholder or any other interested party by contacting the Interim Chief Financial Officer of AHIP at Suite 800-925 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3L2, by telephone at 1-604-630-3134 or by facsimile at 1-604-629-0790, or by accessing the investor relations page of AHIP's website at: https://www.ahipreit.com/investor-relations/corporate-governance/governance-overview/default.aspx where such documents have been posted. AHIP looks forward to welcoming unitholders in person at future annual meetings. ABOUT AMERICAN HOTEL INCOME PROPERTIES REIT LP: American Hotel Income Properties REIT LP (TSX: HOT.UN, TSX: HOT.U, TSX: HOT.DB.U), or AHIP, is a limited partnership formed to invest in hotel real estate properties across the United States. AHIP's portfolio of 78 premium branded, selectservice hotels are located in secondary metropolitan markets that benefit from diverse and stable demand. AHIP hotels operate under brands affiliated with Marriott, Hilton, IHG and Choice Hotels through license agreements. The Company's longterm objectives are to build on its proven track record of successful investment, deliver U.S. dollar denominated distributions to unitholders, and generate value through the continued growth of its diversified hotel portfolio. More information is available at www.ahipreit.com. SOURCE American Hotel Income Properties REIT LP Related Links www.ahipreit.com VICTORIA, BC, May 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Americans spend nearly twice as much for prescription medication compared to what residents of other countries pay. The comparison is with modern countries with good healthcare provisioning systems too, so the question becomes why are drugs so expensive in America and what can Americans do for better prices on Rx medications? Canada is the USA's neighbour and a country where drugs typically cost less for people. As Americans can order drugs from Canadian pharmacies like Canada Pharmacy, it is something to consider for anyone who wants to pay less for Rx drugs. Americans have had more choice and some relief from high drug prices with pharmacy alternatives like GoodRx, and more recently with Amazon getting into the pharmaceutical business. These providers will still only be able to get end-user drug costs down to a limited extent though. Generic medication is a good inexpensive drugs option for those who have their med available in a generic, but many drugs don't have a generic equivalent yet. There is a monopoly pricing model that is unique to the pharma care industry in the USA. It leads to medications that are still branded (generics become available when patents on medications expire) having prices that the manufacturer sets at whatever level they like. There is less market regulation for pharmaceuticals in the USA, and that's the primary reason why you'll find better prices on drugs ordered from Canada. Drug prices are regulated federally in Mexico too. This past March, U.S. Senate and House of Representatives members introduced proposed legislation to lower prescription drugs prices in America that included a number of different bills. One - The Prescription Drug Price Relief Act - would match the price of prescription drugs in the United States to the median price in Canada. While it doesn't apply to all prescription drugs, being able to save money on drugs by ordering them from Canada is possible for many of the most prescribed drugs in America, and taking advantage of the opportunity makes a lot of sense. Especially for those who are taking medication as part of a long-term course of treatment. Use the CIPA Pharmacy Checker to determine if a Canadian online pharmacy is a reputable pharmacy with good business practices. About the Company Canada Pharmacy is an online Canadian pharmacy that is recommended for Americans who wish to shop at a pharmacy in Canada to save money on medication. The pharmacy can source medications in a way that allows for the best prices on prescription drugs from Canada. In the same way it would be with any storefront pharmacy in America, all orders require a prescription and are dispensed by a licensed pharmacist. Pay less when you order drugs online from Canada. Contact Canada Pharmacy: www.canadapharmacy.com Toll-Free: 1-800-891-0844 [email protected] Related Images toll-free-1-800-891-0844-info.jpg Toll Free: 1-800-891-0844 [email protected] canadapharmacy.com SOURCE Canada Pharmacy Related Links http://www.canadapharmacy.com STOCKHOLM, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In accordance with the newsletter that was published the 5th of January 2021, Erik Penser Bank has now begun the implementation of a number of commissioned analyses, the first of which has been published and is available on ChemoTech's website in English: https://www.chemotech.se/investor-relations/financial-analysis/ CONTACT: For further information please contact: Mohan Frick, CEO +46 (0)10-218 93 00 [email protected] Certified Adviser: Erik Penser Bank, Tel: +46 8 463 80 00, E-mail: [email protected] This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/chemotech/r/analysis-of-scandinavian-chemotech-ab-published-by-erik-penser-bank-now-available-in-english,c3346890 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/14967/3346890/1417384.pdf 210514_Analysis Erik Penser Bank https://mb.cision.com/Public/14967/3346890/aaefe0ac6ab98542.pdf Research Coverage Erik Penser Bank - ENG SOURCE ChemoTech Mr. Hua Zheng, member of the Standing Committee of Yuecheng District, and Deputy Director of Shaoxing Binhai New Area Administrative Council, Mr. Jun Chai, Deputy Director of Shaoxing Market Supervisory Authority, Ms. Liping Wang, Director of Shaoxing Binhai New Area First Bureau for Investment Promotion and Services, Dr. Bo Shan, the Chief Scientific Officer of Antengene, Mr. Yiteng Liu, the Chief Operating Officer of Antengene, along with officials from the Shaoxing municipal government, and reporters from nearly 30 media outlets have attended the inauguration ceremony, and have witnessed the historic moment when Antengene officially commences commercial manufacturing. Mr. Hua Zheng, member of the Standing Committee of Yuecheng District, and Deputy Director of Shaoxing Binhai New Area Administrative Council, commented: "The completion of Antengene's manufacturing center in Shaoxing marks a major milestone that will catapult the company into its next phase of rapid growth. At this golden era for the development of innovative therapies, we hope Antengene will address more unmet medical needs through its differentiated pipeline, and by broadening and deepening its discovery, development, and commercialization of antitumor therapies of novel mechanisms. We are confident that by strengthening its internal capabilities and external partnerships, Antengene will further solidify its leadership position in the biopharmaceutical industry." Dr. Jay Mei, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Antengene, commented: "In just three years, Antengene has built a pipeline of 12 novel candidate drugs targeting four therapeutic areas, and built its manufacturing center for oral medicines in just one year. These achievements are a testimony of the exceptional innovation and speed seen in China. The manufacturing center represents a critical element in Antengene's transition into the commercial stage, and an important pillar of Antengene's vertically integrated capabilities. At this new facility, we will begin the commercial manufacturing of selinexor in China to meet the future demands from patients." Dr. Bo Shan, Chief Scientific Officer of Antengene, noted: "Drug manufacturing is a crucial downstream capability enabling us to translate the fruits of our discovery and development programs into commercialized products. The completion of the manufacturing center will accelerate our transition into the commercial stage, seamlessly connecting our discovery and drug development to manufacturing, and provide us with the means to efficiently supply high quality drugs to patients in APAC." A model manufacturing center built with high standard Antengene's manufacturing center in Shaoxing has 16,300 square meters in space. To date, the company has finished renovating the plant building for the production line of solid dose formulation, installed supporting facilities and packaging line for the GMP manufacturing of solid dose formulation, and set up a quality control laboratory for raw materials and finished products. Further completing the supporting facilities at the site, a GMP-compliant storage facility (including cool storage, ambient warehouse, and Grade D sampling room) was also set up at the manufacturing center. Antengene plans to start the installation and validation of the product line of oral medicines sometime this year. Since commencing the stage one construction of the manufacturing center in June 2020, Antengene has carefully planned production and storage spaces at the manufacturing center, while maintaining a rigorous quality standard and its commitment to patients. During the project, Antengene collaborated with several leading construction and design companies in China to establish an advanced scientific quality assurance system for the construction. All contractors were chosen to meet the international standards to assure the quality construction of the manufacturing center. Innovating to serve patients As a leader in the development of innovative cancer therapies, Antengene is dedicated to the discovering, developing and commercializing global first-in-class and/or best-in-class therapeutics. Taking a combinatory and complementary approach to its R&D, Antengene has developed a highly differentiated pipeline of 12 candidate drugs with potential for synergistic combinations. The manufacturing center is situated in the Binhai New Area of Shaoxing, Zhejiang province, a hot spot for the commercialization of advanced technologies in the Yangtze Delta region. The Binhai New Area is building a cluster of high-tech industries by leveraging its access to emerging technologies and talent pool of the Shanghai International Center for Technological Innovations, an effort that has attracted many leading biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to establish their presence in the Binhai New Area. Thanks to the supporting policies and technical resources offered by the Binhai New Area, Antengene has completed the construction and renovation of the manufacturing center within a year, enabling its vertical integration of capabilities covering discovery, development, manufacturing, and commercialization. The manufacturing center in Shaoxing will be the site for the commercial manufacturing and packaging of selinexor and other oral medicines. As a novel therapy targeting a broad spectrum of tumor types, selinexor has demonstrated antitumor activity in multiple hematologic malignancies and solid tumors, and is already approved in the U.S. for the treatment of multiple myeloma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Antengene has submitted new drug applications (NDAs) for selinexor in China and multiple APAC markets, and expects to receive market authorizations during Q4 2021 and Q1 2022. Propelled by the supporting polices of the Fourteenth Five-Year Plan, Antengene has achieved substantial growth demonstrating the value of its vertically integrated capabilities. Moving forward, Antengene will continue to leverage the resources and innovation ecosystem provided by the government while pursuing rigorous research and relentless innovation in the discovery and development of its products, to make its contribution to the drug discovery and development of a modern biopharmaceutical ecosystem in China. About Antengene Antengene Corporation Limited ("Antengene", SEHK: 6996.HK) is a leading clinical-stage R&D driven biopharmaceutical company focused on innovative medicines for oncology and other life threatening diseases. Antengene aims to provide the most advanced anti-cancer drugs to patients in the Asia Pacific Region and around the world. Since its establishment in 2017, Antengene has built a broad and expanding pipeline of clinical and pre-clinical stage assets through partnerships as well as in-house drug discovery, and obtained 15 investigational new drug (IND) approvals and submitted 5 new drug applications (NDA) in multiple markets in Asia Pacific. Antengene's vision is to "Treat Patients Beyond Borders". Antengene is focused on and committed to addressing significant unmet medical needs by discovering, developing and commercializing first-in-class/best-in-class therapeutics. Forward-looking statements The forward-looking statements made in this article relate only to the events or information as of the date on which the statements are made in this article. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date on which the statements are made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should read this article completely and with the understanding that our actual future results or performance may be materially different from what we expect. In this article, statements of, or references to, our intentions or those of any of our Directors or our Company are made as of the date of this article. Any of these intentions may alter in light of future development. SOURCE Antengene Corporation Limited Related Links www.antengene.com DEDHAM, Mass., May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Atlantic Power Corporation (NYSE: AT) (TSX: ATP) ("Atlantic Power"), announced today the closing ("Closing") of its previously announced transaction with affiliates of infrastructure funds managed by I Squared Capital Advisors (US) LLC (the "Transaction"). In connection with the Transaction: All of the common shares of Atlantic Power ("Common Shares") were acquired for US$3.03 in cash per Common Share (less applicable withholdings). in cash per Common Share (less applicable withholdings). All of the preferred shares of Atlantic Power Preferred Equity Ltd. ("APPEL") were acquired by APPEL for C$22.00 in cash per preferred share (less applicable withholdings). in cash per preferred share (less applicable withholdings). Atlantic Power Limited Partnership's ("APLP") 5.95% medium term notes due June 23, 2036 ("MTNs") were redeemed for consideration equal to 106.071% of the principal amount of MTNs outstanding, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the MTNs up to, but excluding, the closing date of the Transaction. Holders of MTNs that delivered a written consent to the previously disclosed amendments to the trust indenture governing the medium term notes prior to 5:00 p.m. ( Toronto time) on March 16, 2021 also received a consent fee equal to 0.25% of the principal amount of MTNs held by such holders. ("MTNs") were redeemed for consideration equal to 106.071% of the principal amount of MTNs outstanding, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the MTNs up to, but excluding, the closing date of the Transaction. Holders of MTNs that delivered a written consent to the previously disclosed amendments to the trust indenture governing the medium term notes prior to ( time) on also received a consent fee equal to 0.25% of the principal amount of MTNs held by such holders. Atlantic Power's 6.00% Series E Convertible Unsecured Subordinated Debentures due January 31, 2025 (the "Convertible Debentures") have been defeased effective as of Closing, as described below. As previously announced, holders of Convertible Debentures that converted their Convertible Debentures during the period beginning on April 30, 2021 and ending at 4:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on May 11, 2021 (the "Conversion Deadline") participated in the Transaction as holders of underlying Common Shares and will receive US$3.03 per underlying Common Share (including Common Shares issuable on account of the Make Whole Premium (as defined in the trust indenture governing the Convertible Debentures)), together with accrued interest paid in Canadian dollars up to, but excluding, the date of conversion. All Convertible Debentures that were not converted prior to the Conversion Deadline were defeased (the "Defeasance"). Notwithstanding the Defeasance, any holder of Convertible Debentures who converts their Convertible Debentures during the period beginning today and ending at 5:00 p.m. (Toronto time) on June 14, 2021 (the "Make Whole Conversion Period"), will also be entitled to receive the Make Whole Premium. The Convertible Debentures are no longer convertible into Common Shares and holders are entitled to receive C$3.72 in lieu of each Common Shares previously issuable on a conversion (including any Common Shares otherwise issuable on account of the Make Whole Premium if converted within the Make Whole Conversion Period). Any Convertible Debentures which remain outstanding following the expiry of the Make Whole Conversion Period will continue to receive interest at a rate of 6.00% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears up to but excluding, and the repayment of principal upon, the date of redemption of the Convertible Debentures at par on January 31, 2023. In connection with the Transaction (i) the Common Shares will be de-listed from the TSX and the NYSE, (ii) the preferred shares of APPEL will be de-listed from the TSX, and (iii) the Convertible Debentures will be de-listed from the TSX, in each case shortly following Closing. Atlantic Power, APPEL and APLP intend to apply to Canadian securities regulators to cease being reporting issuers and Atlantic Power also intends to file to deregister under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Registered common shareholders of Atlantic Power and preferred shareholders of APPEL are reminded that they must properly complete, sign and return the letter of transmittal, along with their share certificate(s) (if any), to Computershare Trust Company of Canada, as depositary, in order to receive the consideration they are entitled to under the Transaction. Non-registered securityholders of Atlantic Power and its subsidiaries will receive the consideration they are entitled to under the Transaction through the intermediary in whose name their securities are registered. About Atlantic Power Atlantic Power is an independent power producer that owns power generation assets in eleven states in the United States and two provinces in Canada. The Company's generation projects sell electricity and steam to investment-grade utilities and other creditworthy large customers predominantly under longterm power purchase agreements that have expiration dates ranging from 2021 to 2043. The projects are diversified by geography, fuel type, technology, dispatch profile and offtaker (customer). Approximately 75% of the projects in operation are 100% owned and directly operated and maintained by the Company. The Company has expertise in operating most fuel types, including gas, hydro, and biomass, and it owns a 40% interest in one coal project. Copies of the Company's financial data and other publicly filed documents are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com or on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml under "Atlantic Power Corporation" or on the Company's website. About I Squared Capital I Squared Capital is an independent global infrastructure investment manager focusing on energy, utilities, digital infrastructure, transport and social infrastructure in the Americas, Europe and Asia. Headquartered in Miami, the firm has over $27 billion in assets under management and offices in Hong Kong, London, New Delhi, New York and Singapore. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this news release may constitute forward-looking information or forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"), which reflect the expectations of management regarding the future growth, results of operations, performance and business prospects and opportunities of the Company and its projects. These statements, which are based on certain assumptions and describe the Company's future plans, strategies and expectations, can generally be identified by the use of the words "plans", "expects", "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "estimates", "forecasts", "targets", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "believes", "outlook", "objective", or "continue", or equivalents or variations, including negative variations, of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results, "may", "could", "would", "should", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Examples of such statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the payment of consideration to securityholders of Atlantic Power and its subsidiaries in connection with the Transaction, the delisting of the Company's and APPEL's securities from the TSX and NYSE (as applicable), the Company's and its subsidiaries' intentions to apply to cease to be reporting issuers in Canada and the Company's intention to deregister under the Exchange Act, and the redemption of the Convertible Debentures. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not or the times at or by which such performance or results will be achieved. Please refer to the factors discussed under "Risk Factors" and "Forward-Looking Information" in the Company's periodic reports as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") from time to time for a detailed discussion of the risks and uncertainties affecting the Company. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what are believed to be reasonable assumptions, investors cannot be assured that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements, and the differences may be material. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, except as expressly required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Contacts: For Atlantic Power Atlantic Power Corporation Investor Relations +1 (617) 977-2700 [email protected] For I Squared Capital Andreas Moon, Managing Director and Head of Investor Relations [email protected] +1 (786) 693-5739 SOURCE Atlantic Power Corporation Related Links https://www.atlanticpower.com/ EDMONTON, AB, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Aurora Cannabis Inc. (the "Company" or "Aurora") (NYSE: ACB) (TSX: ACB), the Canadian company defining the future of cannabinoids worldwide, today announced that the Company will be participating at the BMO Capital Markets 16th Annual Farm to Market Virtual Conference. Chief Executive Officer, Miguel Martin, and Chief Financial Officer, Glen Ibbott, will be conducting virtual one-on-one meetings with investors throughout the day on Wednesday, May 19 and Thursday, May 20, 2021. About Aurora Aurora is a global leader in the cannabis industry serving both the medical and consumer markets. Headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, Aurora is a pioneer in global cannabis dedicated to helping people improve their lives. The Company's brand portfolio includes Aurora, Aurora Drift, San Rafael '71, Daily Special, AltaVie, MedReleaf, CanniMed, Whistler, and Reliva CBD. Providing customers with innovative, high-quality cannabis products, Aurora's brands continue to break through as industry leaders in the medical, performance, wellness and recreational markets wherever they are launched. For more information, please visit our website at www.auroramj.com. Aurora's common shares trade on the TSX and NYSE under the symbol "ACB", and is a constituent of the S&P/TSX Composite Index. SOURCE Aurora Cannabis Inc. Related Links https://auroramj.com/ COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE: BIG) today announced it will report results for the first quarter of fiscal 2021 on Friday, May 28, 2021. The company will host a conference call at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time. A webcast of the call will be available through the Investor Relations section of its website at http://www.biglots.com/corporate/investors/. An archive will be available on the Investor Relations section of the company's website at http://www.biglots.com/corporate/investors/ through midnight Friday, June 11, 2021. In addition, a replay of the call will be available through June 11 by dialing 877-660-6853 (Toll Free) or 201-612-7415 (Toll) and enter the Replay Conference ID: 13719566. About Big Lots, Inc. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Big Lots, Inc. (NYSE: BIG) is a neighborhood discount retailer operating 1,413 stores in 47 states, as well as a best-in-class ecommerce platform with expanded capabilities via BOPIS, curbside pickup, Instacart, and PICKUP with same day delivery. The company's product assortment is focused on home essentials: Furniture, Seasonal, Soft Home, Food, Consumables, and Hard Home. Big Lots' mission is to help people Live BIG and Save Lots. The company strives to be the BIG difference for a better life by delivering unmatched value to customers through surprise and delight, being a "best place to work" culture for associates, rewarding shareholders with consistent growth and top-tier returns, as well as doing good in local communities. For more information about the company, visit www.biglots.com. Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and such statements are intended to qualify for the protection of the safe harbor provided by the Act. The words "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "objective," "goal," "project," "intend," "plan," "believe," "will," "should," "may," "target," "forecast," "guidance," "outlook" and similar expressions generally identify forward-looking statements. Similarly, descriptions of objectives, strategies, plans, goals or targets are also forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relate to the expectations of management as to future occurrences and trends, including statements expressing optimism or pessimism about future operating results or events and projected sales, earnings, capital expenditures and business strategy. Forward-looking statements are based upon a number of assumptions concerning future conditions that may ultimately prove to be inaccurate. Forward-looking statements are and will be based upon management's then-current views and assumptions regarding future events and operating performance and are applicable only as of the dates of such statements. Although the company believes the expectations expressed in forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions within the bounds of knowledge, forward-looking statements, by their nature, involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, any one or a combination of which could materially affect business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. Forward-looking statements that the company makes herein and in other reports and releases are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those discussed in such forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, but not limited to, current economic and credit conditions, the cost of goods, the inability to successfully execute strategic initiatives, competitive pressures, economic pressures on customers and the company, the availability of brand name closeout merchandise, trade restrictions, freight costs, the risks discussed in the Risk Factors section of the company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and other factors discussed from time to time in other filings with the SEC, including Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. This release should be read in conjunction with such filings, and you should consider all of these risks, uncertainties and other factors carefully in evaluating forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date thereof. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You are advised, however, to consult any further disclosures the company makes on related subjects in public announcements and SEC filings. SOURCE Big Lots, Inc. Related Links http://www.biglots.com NEW YORK, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- BlueVoyant , a leading global cyber security company, today announced that CRN , a brand of The Channel Company , has named Jen Ferguson, Global Director of Technology and Strategic Alliances Marketing, to the highly respected Women of the Channel list for 2021. This annual list recognizes the unique strengths, vision and achievements of female leaders in the IT channel. The 2021 Women of the Channel list acknowledges women from across the IT channel, including vendors, distributors and solution providers. The women honored on this year's list pushed forward with comprehensive business plans, marketing initiatives and other innovative ideas to support their partners and customers, helping them through the uncertainty brought on by the global COVID-19 pandemic. CRN celebrates these exceptional women for their leadership, dedication and channel advocacy. Jen works with BlueVoyant's top technology partners such as Microsoft and Splunk, among others, where she has built strong marketing partnerships from the ground up which have resulted in revenue growth and contributed to BlueVoyant's recognition as the Microsoft Security 20/20 'Top Managed Detection and Response (MDR) Team'; as a finalist on CRN's Technology Innovators 2020 list in the "Security - Managed Detection and Response" category for BlueVoyant's MDR for Microsoft Defender for Endpoint service; honored with 5-star rating in the 2021 CRN Partner Program guide, and being named to the Redmond Channel Partner 350 list. She was an instrumental part of the BlueVoyant team that forged BlueVoyant's partnership with Microsoft and with the Microsoft Intelligent Security Association (MISA) helping to drive co-selling, referrals, and BlueVoyant's global initiative to sign new Microsoft-focused partners. "CRN's 2021 Women of the Channel list acknowledges accomplished, influential women whose dedication, hard work, and leadership accelerate channel growth," said Blaine Raddon, CEO of The Channel Company. "We are proud to honor them for their many accomplishments and look forward to their continued contributions to the IT channel." "I am passionate about working with our partners to develop mutually beneficial business through developing and executing joint marketing initiatives. I am grateful to be working alongside such talented colleagues within our partner companies and within BlueVoyant to bring MDR services to joint customers around the world. It is incredibly gratifying to receive this accolade, and even more rewarding to see our partner community thriving as a result of the marketing campaigns and initiatives we have jointly created. I'm looking forward to our continued success and collaboration in 2021 and beyond," said Jen Ferguson, Global Director of Technology and Alliances Marketing. "Jen is already a four-time recipient of CRN's Women of the Channel award that recognizes women for their channel expertise and vision for their company's partnership strategy and goals," said Steve DeSantis, Global Head of Partnerships and Alliances. "Jen is absolutely committed to truly driving successful partner marketing and is well-versed in all aspects of marketing. Technically, she knows her products and services, and she stays in tune with the market, truly connecting with the partners she works with," added DeSantis. This accolade follows Steve DeSantis, Global head of Partnerships and Alliances being recognized as a 2021 CRN Channel Chief back in February. "We are very lucky to have Jen on the BlueVoyant team. Her drive and support have been instrumental in growing our business, but best of all she is an absolute pleasure to work with," added Amanda Coles, Global Head of Partner & Field Marketing, BlueVoyant. BlueVoyant continues its global expansion into Canada, LATAM, Europe & APAC while continuing aggressive growth in the US, with the addition of global strategic partnerships supporting its MSS, Managed Cyber Risk & Threat Intelligence offerings. Microsoft and Splunk technology alliances will continue to drive extensive growth both in North America and emerging global markets. The 2021 Women of the Channel list will be featured in CRN Magazine on May 10th and online at www.CRN.com/WOTC. About BlueVoyant BlueVoyant is an expert-driven cybersecurity services company whose mission is to proactively defend organizations of all sizes against today's constant, sophisticated attackers, and advanced threats. Led by CEO, Jim Rosenthal, BlueVoyant's highly skilled team includes former government cyber officials with extensive frontline experience in responding to advanced cyber threats on behalf of the National Security Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Unit 8200 and GCHQ, together with private sector experts. BlueVoyant services utilize large real-time datasets with industry leading analytics and technologies. Founded in 2017 by Fortune 500 executives, including Executive Chairman, Tom Glocer, and former Government cyber officials, BlueVoyant is headquartered in New York City and has offices in Maryland, Tel Aviv, San Francisco, Manila, Toronto, London, Latin America, and Budapest. BlueVoyant Press Contacts: Danielle Ostrovsky C8 Consulting (Americas) T: 001 410-302-9459 E: [email protected] Jim Pople C8 Consulting (EMEA) T: +44 7955 030191 E: [email protected] About The Channel Company The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers and end users. Backed by more than 30 years of unequalled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. www.thechannelcompany.com Follow The Channel Company: Twitter , LinkedIn, and Facebook . 2021. CRN is a registered trademark of The Channel Company, LLC. All rights reserved. The Channel Company Contact: Jennifer Hogan The Channel Company [email protected] SOURCE BlueVoyant KYIV, Ukraine, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - TIU Canada, a major foreign investor in Ukrainian solar energy, filed a motion today to dismiss the three-judge panel set to hear its appeal in the illegal disconnection of the Nikopol Ekoteknik solar power plant case. The judges have all previously ruled in favor of US government sanctioned oligarch Igor Kolomoyskyi against Ukraine's state-owned Privatbank in another court decision1. The three judges that ruled in favor of Kolomoyskyi were V.A. Korsack, O.V. Popikova, and O.O. Yevsikov. The motion seeks to replace the potentially biased judges with objective judges. "There is no illusion of an impartial hearing when the judges have a track record of lockstep rulings in favor of a notorious oligarch who is under US FBI investigation for money laundering and has been officially sanctioned by the US government" said TIU Canada President Michael Yurkovich. "This is the moment of truth for the Ukrainian judicial system. It either is fair and protects the rule of law for foreign investors, or it is a pawn of oligarchs who manipulate justice. The world is watching. NATO is watching. The EU and G7 are watching. Ukraine can't seriously talk about joining NATO and the EU unless it shows it is serious about having an impartial court system" Yurkovich added. This follows a January 26 decision by the Kyiv Commercial Court to reject the claims of an illegal disconnection despite overwhelming evidence presented by TIU Canada's legal team. The case is a bellwether of Ukraine's investment environment for foreign business and is attracting international attention from Voice of America2, the Washington Times3, and other major media. A ruling is expected imminently under Ukrainian law. During his visit to Kyiv on May 6, 2021, US Secretary of State Tony Blinken said, "Ukraine faces two challenges" It faces external aggression from Russia; but it also faces internal aggression from corruption, from oligarchs who put their interests ahead of the interests of the Ukrainian people. And Russia uses that internal aggression for its own purposes as well." The 10.5 MW solar station was disconnected from the electricity grid by NFZ on March 2, 2020, despite the fact that Ukrainian law prevents electricity producers from being disconnected from the energy grid without obtaining the range of all the necessary permissions. TIU Canada is seeking an immediate reconnection to the electricity grid and plans to hold the NFZ and its ultimate beneficial owners fully accountable under the law. The ultimate beneficial owners of the Nikopol Ferroalloy Plant are Igor Kolomoyskyi, Gennadiy Bogolyubov, and Viktor Pinchuk. A number of respected diplomats, Senators, and Members of Parliament commented on the case. Roman Waschuk who served as Canada's Ambassador to Ukraine (2014-2019) said, "Ukraine deserves external support, especially now. But it also needs to deal with internal threats, such as oligarch Kolomoyskyi's shafting of a pioneering Canadian renewables investor". M.P. Yvan Baker, who is the Chairman of the Canada-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Group said, "If Ukraine is to attract the foreign investment needed to grow its economy, offer prosperity to Ukrainians and secure its sovereignty, rule of law must be reinforced and corruption eliminated. Some of the developments around TIU Canada's investment in Ukraine are deeply concerning". Senator Peter Harder stated, "Rule of law and holding oligarchs accountable is paramount to Ukraine attracting the foreign investment it desperately needs. The people of Ukraine deserve tangible progress on both fronts". Other Members of the Canadian Parliament including Senator Peter Boehm, M.P. Garnett Genuis, M.P. Heather McPherson, and M.P. James Maloney have also spoken in support of TIU Canada and are monitoring the court case. The Nikopol solar station owned by TIU Canada is on land leased long term from the city of Nikopol. The solar plant connects to a substation on the grounds of the NFZ. On December 23, 2019, TIU Canada received a letter from the General Director of the NFZ, that they would be disconnecting the TIU Canada connection to grids via the substation on the grounds of the NFZ in order to make 'repairs.' The NFZ stated that they would begin the repairs after February 29, 2020, and TIU Canada immediately contacted the NFZ to seek solutions to avoid any disconnection. However, despite multiple discussions, the NFZ management and shareholders proceeded with disconnecting TIU Canada from the substation on the morning of March 2, 2020. This illegal disconnection has caused more than 1.5 million Euros of damage to TIU Canada already and increases daily. The case is viewed as a test of the Zelensky's administration's commitment to protecting foreign investors. It should be noted that on July 3, 2019, while speaking to the Economic Club of Canada, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the work of TIU Canada at the Toronto Ukraine Reforms Conference. He said, "We think about the future, that is why green energy will be one of the key sectors of our economy during the upcoming years. I know that we have here Canadian company TIU that already successfully works in this area. We are grateful to them for this - please, follow their example". Unfortunately, this court ruling is just the latest in a series of setbacks for foreign investors in Ukraine. Last year Ukraine received only $400 million in foreign direct investment due to the lack of rule of law, widespread corruption, and the Covid pandemic. The corruption situation was exacerbated last year due to a kangaroo court ruling by Ukraine's Constitutional Court which cancelled the disclosure requirements for public officials. TIU Canada is a leading Canadian-based solar energy producer, which has been working in Ukraine since 2016, and is a leading solar energy producer. The company commissioned a 10.5 megawatt solar power plant in Nikopol, Ukraine, in January 2018, and an 11.3 megawatt solar station in the Mykolayiv region in April 2019. An additional 33 megawatts of solar power generation has been commissioned in the Odesa region, for a total of 56 megawatts nationwide. TIU Canada has invested more than $65 million in Ukrainian solar energy over the last four years and was the first investor in Ukraine under the Canadian Ukrainian Free Trade Agreement (CUFTA). TIU Canada directly and through its subcontractors employs more than 30 people in Ukraine whose jobs are now threatened by this illegal disconnection. ___________________________________ 1 https://finclub.net/ua/news/sud-ponovyv-rozhliad-pozovu-na-skasuvannia-natsionalizatsii-pryvatbanku.html 2 https://ukrainian.voanews.com/a/tiu-kanada/5864300.html 3 https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2021/apr/15/ukraine-needs-a-pathway-to-nato-membership/ SOURCE TIU Canada Related Links https://tiucanada.com/ CINCINNATI, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Carew International, a leading provider of sales training and professional development programs, is pleased to announce it has been included on Selling Power's 2021 Top 25 Sales Training Companies list. Carew has earned a spot on the prestigious list every year since its inception. A Selling Power 2021 Top Sales Training Company "I could not be prouder of the Carew team for their efforts in delivering superior training and driving bottom-line results for our valued customers," stated Carew CEO Jeff Seeley. "With many COVID-19 related changes and challenges in the training industry, this year's recognition means even more to our team and we are incredibly grateful." According to Selling Power publisher and founder Gerhard Gschwandtner, sales training is more important than ever as salespeople adjust to selling during the COVID-19 pandemic. "Sales training has shifted drastically in the last 14 months," says Gschwandtner. "Each of the sales training companies included on this list was able to pivot quickly to deliver best-in-class, engaging sales training virtually." "Carew's strength is in their ability to deliver customized, flexible programs that provide the financial gain sales leaders want to see from a training investment, but their real secret sauce is a focus on driving results through strong personal relationships," continues Gschwandtner. "This was particularly evident in how Carew responded to customer needs during the Covid pandemic." The main criteria used when comparing applicants and selecting the companies to include on this year's list were: Depth and breadth of training offered; innovative offerings (specific training courses, methodology, or delivery methods); contributions to the sales training market; and strength of client satisfaction. Selling Power magazine editors say CROs, sales VPs, and sales enablement leaders can leverage this list to find the right sales training partner to help salespeople succeed during social distancing and remote working. See the Selling Power Top Sales Training Companies 2021 list at https://www.sellingpower.com/resources/2021/top-25-sales-training-companies. About Carew International Carew International is a leader in the professional development industry, providing innovative, high-impact solutions for performance improvement with sales training, sales leadership training, and customer service training. For 45 years, Carew has delivered unique and comprehensive development programs to fulfill its mission of creating value, supporting dramatic bottom-line results, and acting as a strategic asset to customers worldwide. Carew International is headquartered in the greater Cincinnati area. For more information on upcoming Carew programs, contact us at 800.227.3977, [email protected], or visit us online at https://www.carew.com/. Contact: Emily Bloemer Marketing Manager Carew International, Inc. Phone: 513.619.4238 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Carew International, Inc. Related Links https://www.carew.com/ Xi made the remarks at a symposium on advancing the high-quality follow-up development of the project in Nanyang, central China's Henan Province, following an inspection tour that began on Wednesday. He called for safeguarding ecological security and promoting balanced spatial distribution of water resources in the country. 3,000 West Lakes, 120 million people The South-to-North Water Diversion Project links the Yangtze River, the Huaihe River, the Yellow River and the Haihe River. It is aimed at providing a permanent solution to the water shortage in northern China by diverting water from the country's water-rich southern regions. The grand project consists of three routes, among which the first phase the eastern and middle routes went into operation in 2013 and 2014 respectively. The western route is still at a pre-construction stage. As of early April, the project had transferred 41.8 billion cubic meters of water to the northern areas, which was equivalent to the water volume of nearly 3,000 West Lakes a renowned scenic area in Hangzhou in east China's Zhejiang Province. More than 120 million people had directly benefited from the project. Xi's inspection tour and the symposium came at a time when China gears up for planning and implementing the next stage of the project. According to the Outline of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) for National Economic and Social Development and the Long-Range Objectives Through the Year 2035, efforts will be made to advance the follow-up development of the eastern and middle routes of the project and the appraisal of plans for the western route. Elaborating on how to advance the project in a scientific manner, Xi called for efforts to strengthen demand and supply management, maximize overall benefits of the project, prioritize water conservation and enhance the protection of ecological environment. He also called for accelerating efforts to build a national water network and ensure national water security. Xi hails sacrifice by resettled residents The place where President Xi chose to convene the meeting is of great significance to the water diversion project. Located in the southwest of Henan Province bordering Hubei Province, Nanyang is the starting point of the middle route, which carries water from Danjiangkou Reservoir in central China through Henan and Hebei provinces all the way to Beijing and Tianjin in the north. More than 40 big and medium-sized cities receive water from the project, and in Beijing, around 70 percent of the tap water is pumped in through the middle route. More than 345,000 people living in Danjiangkou Reservoir area have moved to more than 600 government-built villages to make way for the project. Xi went to one of those villages to visit the relocated residents on Thursday. In the village of Zouzhuang in Xichuan County, he hailed the spirit of sacrifice of the villagers and wished them a better life. The resettled residents deserve the thanks from those who benefit from the project and people across the nation, he said. At Friday's symposium, Xi urged authorities to work out economical plans for the next phase of the project and minimize the number of people that need to be relocated. https://news.cgtn.com/news/2021-05-14/Xi-convenes-symposium-on-advancing-water-diversion-project-development-10g4Sd3Te5W/index.html SOURCE CGTN Related Links www.cgtn.com SINGAPORE, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- China Yuchai International Limited (NYSE: CYD) ("China Yuchai" or the "Company") announced today that that Mr. Li Hanyang has been appointed as a Director of China Yuchai effective May 12, 2021. Mr. Li replaces Dr. Han Yiyong who retired as a Director of the Company effective as of April 30, 2021. Mr. Li was recently appointed Chairman of the Board of the Company's main operating subsidiary, Guangxi Yuchai Machinery Company Limited ("GYMCL"). Mr. Li started his career at GYMCL as a production preparation section chief in 1993 and quickly rose to greater management responsibilities in 1995, and then he was promoted to factory manager at several plants before becoming the deputy general manager of GYMCL in 2000. Since 2002, Mr. Li has served as chief engineer, director, and chairman of Guangxi Yuchai Machinery Group Co., Ltd. and its subsidiaries. Mr. Li holds a Bachelor's degree in mechanical design and manufacturing from Tsinghua University and an MBA from the School of Management, Huazhong University of Science and Technology. The China Yuchai Board of Directors welcomes Mr. Li and also thanks Dr. Han for his contributions to the success of the Company since he joined the Board in 2010. About China Yuchai International China Yuchai International Limited, through its subsidiary, GYMCL, engages in the manufacture, assembly, and sale of a wide variety of light-, medium- and heavy-duty engines for trucks, buses, passenger vehicles, construction equipment, marine and agriculture applications in China. GYMCL also produces diesel power generators. The engines produced by GYMCL range from diesel to natural gas and hybrid engines. Through its regional sales offices and authorized customer service centers, GYMCL distributes its engines directly to auto OEMs and retailers and provides maintenance and retrofitting services throughout China. Founded in 1951, GYMCL has established a reputable brand name, strong research and development team and significant market share in China with high-quality products and reliable after-sales support. In 2020, GYMCL sold 430,320 engines and is recognized as a leading manufacturer and distributor of engines in China. For more information, please visit http://www.cyilimited.com. Safe Harbor Statement: This news release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "project", "targets", "optimistic", "confident that", "continue to", "predict", "intend", "aim", "will" or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that may be deemed forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, statements concerning China Yuchai's and the joint venture's operations, financial performance and condition are based on current expectations, beliefs and assumptions which are subject to change at any time. China Yuchai cautions that these statements by their nature involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially depending on a variety of important factors such as government and stock exchange regulations, competition, political, economic and social conditions around the world and in China including those discussed in China Yuchai's Form 20-Fs under the headings "Risk Factors", "Results of Operations" and "Business Overview" and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Among others, if the COVID-19 pandemic is not effectively and timely controlled, our business operations and financial condition may be materially and adversely affected due to a deteriorating market for automotive sales, an economic slowdown in China and abroad, a potential weakening of the financial condition of our customers, or other factors that we cannot foresee. All forward-looking statements are applicable only as of the date it is made and China Yuchai specifically disclaims any obligation to maintain or update the forward-looking information, whether of the nature contained in this release or otherwise, in the future. For more information: Investor Relations Kevin Theiss Tel: +1-212-521-4050 Email: [email protected] SOURCE China Yuchai International Limited Related Links http://www.cyilimited.com The partnership is part of Family Promise's A Future Begins at Home program , which focuses on the crucial importance of housing not just on a family's wellbeing, but a child's future. The program includes services that prevent families from becoming homeless or divert them from entering shelter, through targeted intervention, including strategic use of funding, comprehensive case management, and community relationship building. The program includes services that prevent families from becoming homeless or divert them from entering shelter, through targeted intervention, including strategic use of funding, comprehensive case management, community relationship building and ongoing case management for those moving out of a shelter. "At Clayton, our goal is to make homeownership more attainable which leads to greater family stability, wealth creation and building a better future," said Kevin Clayton, CEO of Clayton. "We are proud and fortunate to partner with Family Promise who is so experienced at reducing homelessness and setting families up for success." "Since we launched A Future Begins at Home, our partnership with Clayton has helped countless families achieve housing independence through home donations and homelessness prevention efforts," said Claas Ehlers, chief executive officer of Family Promise National. "We are thankful for Clayton's ongoing commitment to the fight against family homelessness, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had a significant impact on America's low-income families." As part of this year's partnership, Clayton will provide over $450,000 in support to Family Promise and its Affiliates, as well as three new off-site Clayton Built homes valued at more than $175,000, to be used as transitional housing. As part of the monetary support, Clayton and Family Promise National are providing A Future Begins at Home: Prevention and Shelter Diversion Grants to 26 Family Promise Affiliates across the country. The following Affiliates have been named as recipients of these grants: Family Promise in Anoka County, MN Family Promise Metrowest, MA Family Promise of Berks County, PA Family Promise of Blount County, TN Family Promise of Bradley County, TN Family Promise of Butler County, OH Family Promise of Cheyenne, WY Family Promise of Clark County, WA Family Promise of Collin County, TX Family Promise of Genesee County, MI Family Promise of Greater Helena, MT Family Promise of Greater Roanoke, VA Family Promise of Jacksonville, FL Family Promise of Lake Houston, TX Family Promise of Laurens County, SC Family Promise of Lehigh Valley, PA Family Promise of Linn County, IA Family Promise of Sacramento, CA Family Promise of Sarasota, FL Family Promise of Southern Chester County, PA Family Promise of Southern New Hampshire , NH , NH Family Promise of the South Bay , CA , CA Family Promise of Tualatin Valley, OR Family Promise of Waukesha County, WI Family Promise Salt Lake, UT Fort Bend Family Promise, TX Affiliates receiving home donations and additional funding as part of this partnership will be announced in the coming months. ABOUT CLAYTON Founded in 1956, Clayton is committed to opening doors to a better life and building happyness through homeownership. As a diverse builder committed to quality and durability, Clayton offers traditional site-built homes and off-site built housing including modular homes, manufactured homes, CrossMod homes, tiny homes, college dormitories, military barracks and apartments. All Clayton Built homes are proudly designed, engineered and assembled in America. In 2020, Clayton built 56,240 homes across the country. Clayton is a Berkshire Hathaway company. For more information, visit claytonhomes.com. *CrossMod is a trademark of the Manufactured Housing Institute. ABOUT FAMILY PROMISE Family Promise envisions a nation in which every family has a home, a livelihood, and the chance to build a better future. What began as a local initiative in Summit, NJ, has become a national movement that involves 200,000 volunteers in 200+ communities in 43 states. Family Promise delivers innovative solutions for family homelessness including prevention, shelter, and stabilization services. We have served 1 million family members since our founding more than 30 years ago, and we aspire to change the future for 1 million children by 2030 through our community-based programs. Learn more at FamilyPromise.org. Contact: Katie Coughlin [email protected] SOURCE Clayton Related Links http://www.claytonhomes.com GUANGZHOU, China, May 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- CNFinance Holdings Limited (NYSE: CNF) ("CNFinance" or the "Company"), a leading home equity loan service provider in China, today announced that it will hold its annual general meeting of shareholders (the "AGM") at 44/F, Tower G, No. 16 Zhujiang Dong Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province 510620, People's Republic of China on June 7, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. 11:00 a.m. (Beijing Time). No proposal will be submitted for shareholder approval at the AGM. Instead, the annual general meeting will serve as an open forum for shareholders and beneficial owners of the Company's American Depositary Shares ("ADSs") to discuss Company affairs with management. The board of directors of the Company has fixed the close of business on May 7, 2021 as the record date (the "Record Date") for determining the shareholders entitled to receive notice of the AGM or any adjournment or postponement thereof. Holders of record of the Company's ordinary shares at the close of business on the Record Date are entitled to attend the AGM and any adjournment or postponement thereof in person. Beneficial owners of the Company's ADSs are also welcome to attend the AGM in person. About CNFinance Holdings Limited CNFinance Holdings Limited (NYSE: CNF) ("CNFinance" or the "Company") is a leading home equity loan service provider in China. CNFinance conducts business by collaborating with sales partners and trust company partners. Sales partners are responsible for recommending micro-and small-enterprise ("MSE") owners with financing needs to the Company and the Company introduces eligible borrowers to its trust company partners who will then conduct their own risk assessments and make credit decisions. The Company's primary target borrower segment is MSE owners who own real properties in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities in China. The loans CNFinance facilitates are primarily funded through a trust lending model with its trust company partners who are well-established with sufficient funding sources and have licenses to engage in lending business nationwide. The Company's risk mitigation mechanism is embedded in the design of its loan products, supported by an integrated online and offline process focusing on risks of both borrowers and collateral and further enhanced by effective post-loan management procedures. SOURCE CNFinance Holdings Limited Related Links www.cashchina.cn LAS VEGAS, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cosmoprof North America (CPNA), the largest B2B beauty exhibition in the Americas, will host its 18th edition August 29th - 31st at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. The award-winning event will be the first live b2b exhibition of the Cosmoprof international network, offering domestic and international retailers, distributors, beauty brands and suppliers the unique opportunity to come together, make new relationships, foster collaborations, and get inspired. This year, Cosmoprof North America is dedicated to providing a safe environment for attendees. In accordance with government regulations and guidelines, there will be capacity limits, physical distancing, increased sanitation and other safety measures. "We are looking forward to getting back to the show floor and meeting our community again, allowing new brands to introduce their revolutionary technologies, product innovations, and new channels for distribution, packaging, and manufacturing," highlights Enrico Zannini, General Manager of BolognaFiere Cosmoprof. "With the strong first quarter performance and anticipated continued U.S economic growth projected for 2021, Cosmoprof North America is excited to provide exhibitors and operators with an optimistic return to the functional event space." The 18th edition of Cosmoprof North America will be introducing new initiatives including a special area dedicated to CBD Beauty, new partnership with Ready to Beauty (the industry's first global think tank for multicultural entrepreneurs and brands), and a mentorship program from leading industry experts. Cosmoprof North America will also be bringing back its three macro-sector divisions to facilitate the visit of qualified attendees. Cosmetics & Personal Care hosts finished products for skincare, personal care, fragrances, make-up, and organic and natural beauty, presented by the best companies worldwide and focused on the retail channel. hosts finished products for skincare, personal care, fragrances, make-up, and organic and natural beauty, presented by the best companies worldwide and focused on the retail channel. Cosmopack is ready to welcome leading companies for the supply chain, with a wide range of proposals for developers interested in creating their brand or for R&D managers looking for innovative formulas, packaging or solutions. is ready to welcome leading companies for the supply chain, with a wide range of proposals for developers interested in creating their brand or for R&D managers looking for innovative formulas, packaging or solutions. Professional Beauty is the section dedicated to the professional channel, with hair care, accessories, and furnishings for hair salons, beauty salons and spas, of specific interest for local and international distributors. "We are dedicated to providing a compelling, engaging event that allows the industry to reconnect in the safest environment possible for our exhibitors, attendees and partners," shares Steve Sleeper, Executive Director of the Professional Beauty Associationz. "The future of beauty is brighter than ever, with strong economic indicators, revolutionary innovations and unprecedented technological advances and we look forward to bringing the industry's best and brightest back together at Cosmoprof North America." The event, which is recognized worldwide for its dynamic growth and unique programs, offers stakeholders an opportunity to come together after the pandemic has imposed social distancing and travel restrictions for almost 12 months. Attendees will have the ability to network and build new strategic business relationships for future collaborations. Registration online is now available at https://registration.experientevent.com/ShowPBA213/Flow/ATT?#!/registrant//Welcome/ SOURCE Cosmoprof North America Related Links http://www.cosmoprofnorthamerica.com TAMPA, Fla. , May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Widget, the manufacturer and distributor of iconic CBD brands Hemp Bombs and Nature's Script, along with the health and wellness brand Defense Boost, announces the completion of its new in-house formulation lab at its manufacturing headquarters in Tampa, FL. Its new 400-square-foot lab is staffed by a growing team of formulation scientists and quality specialists, with eight new positions recently added. The lab, featured on an episode of the CBD University Podcast here, supports the company's formulation development services for its private label clients and its own brands, and ensures dosage consistency, stability and quality across all its manufactured products. "Our retail and private label partners want to provide consumers with only premium health and wellness products, made from the finest ingredients, and expertly formulated to ensure they are effective, compliant and, of course, great tasting," said Kevin Collins, co-founder of Global Widget. "The lab helps make sure that happens as we continue to increase our capacity and capabilities." The new formulation lab is equipped with innovative technology, including a gummy depositing system and state-of-the-art conditioning oven, allowing the team to scale up to production-level batches. Samples can be provided to private label business partners quicker than is typical in the industry without sacrificing quality or effectiveness of the finished gummy. A pioneer in CBD, Global Widget continues to expand as a consumer packaged goods manufacturer, introducing new brands and diverse lines of health and wellness products, with a focus on gummy production. As part of its growth, the company has expanded its team of highly trained personnel who have a wide range of scientific skills and many years of experience. Recent new hires include additional formulation scientists and quality assurance managers. Whether working on a client-derived formulation or one for the company's own brands, the team ensures all formulations are prepared and analyzed appropriately. The lab operates in conjunction with Global Widget's independent third-party testing labs to validate product safety and dosage. "With increasing consumer demand for CBD, health and wellness products, the lab allows us to develop new formulations faster, so we can get innovative new products to market faster without sacrificing quality," Collins said. Completion of the company's formulation lab and expansion of its team follows the debut of its in-house quality control lab in October. About Us Global Widget, founded in 2016 and headquartered in Tampa, Florida, is a vertically integrated manufacturer, distributor and marketer of CBD and health and wellness products, and a leader in gummy production and packaging. The company is the trusted powerhouse behind CBD brands Hemp Bombs and Nature's Script and the wellness brand, Defense Boost. With more than 110,000 square feet of facility space and more than 200 employees, Global Widget is one of the nation's largest CBD companies and a leading contract manufacturer providing quality products and support services to retailers and distributors worldwide. www.globalwidget.com. Media Contact: Joe Agostinelli PR Manager 813.497.5752 [email protected] SOURCE Global Widget Related Links global-widget.com Download Free Sample Pages 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 of the 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 Credit Collection and Collection Agency Services market. The report also aids buyers with relevant Credit Collection and Collection Agency Services 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 have 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. Identify favorable opportunities in Promotional Products TCO (total cost of ownership). Expected changes in price forecast and factors driving the current and future price changes. Identify pricing models that offer the most rewarding opportunities. Some of the top Credit Collection and Collection Agency Services suppliers listed in this report: This Credit Collection and Collection Agency Services procurement intelligence report has enlisted the top suppliers and their cost structures, SLA terms, best selection criteria, and negotiation strategies. Teleperformance SE SYNNEX Corp. Alorica Inc. Atento SA Experian Plc Transworld Systems Inc. Related Report on Financial Services Include: To access the definite purchasing guide on the Credit Collection and Collection Agency Services that answers all your key questions on price trends and analysis: Am I paying/getting the right prices? Is my Credit Collection and Collection Agency Services TCO (total cost of ownership) favorable? How is the price forecast expected to change? What is driving the current and future price changes? Which pricing models offer the most rewarding opportunities? 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 About SpendEdge: SpendEdge shares your passion for driving sourcing and procurement excellence. We are the preferred procurement market intelligence partner for 120+ Fortune 500 firms and other leading companies across numerous industries. Our strength lies in delivering robust, real-time procurement market intelligence reports and solutions. To know more https://www.spendedge.com/request-for-demo Contacts: SpendEdge Anirban Choudhury Marketing Manager Ph No: +1 (872) 206-9340 https://www.spendedge.com/contact-us SOURCE SpendEdge MAUMEE, Ohio, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Dana Incorporated (NYSE: DAN) ("Dana") today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Dana Financing Luxembourg S.a r.l., has priced its offering of 325 million aggregate principal amount of 3.000% Senior Notes due 2029 (the "2029 Notes"). The 2029 Notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Dana. The company intends to allocate the net proceeds from the offering, together with cash on hand, to (i) redeem all of Dana's outstanding 6.500% Senior Notes due 2026 and (ii) pay related fees and expenses. Credit Suisse Securities (Europe) Limited, J.P. Morgan Securities plc, Bank of Montreal, London Branch, Barclays Bank PLC, BofA Securities Europe SA, Citigroup Global Markets Limited, Goldman Sachs International, Mizuho Securities Europe GmbH, RBC Capital Markets, LLC, are acting as joint book-running managers in the offering, Citizens Capital Markets, Fifth Third Securities, Inc. and KeyBank Capital Markets Inc. are acting as co-managers in the offering and Credit Suisse Securities (Europe) Limited and J.P. Morgan Securities plc are also acting as the representative of the initial purchasers in the offering. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction. This document is for distribution only to persons who (i) have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (as amended, the "Financial Promotion Order"), (ii) are persons falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) ("high net worth companies, unincorporated associations, etc.") of the Financial Promotion Order, (iii) are outside the United Kingdom, or (iv) are persons to whom an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000) in connection with the issue or sale of any securities may otherwise lawfully be communicated or caused to be communicated (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"). This document is directed only at relevant persons and must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not relevant persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons. Manufacturer target market (MIFID II and UK MiFIR product governance) is eligible counterparties and professional clients only (all distribution channels). No EEA or UK PRIIPs key information document (KID) has been prepared as not available to retail in EEA or UK. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements and projections contained in this news release are, by their nature, forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements, including with respect to the use of proceeds, are based on our current expectations, estimates, and projections about our industry and business, management's beliefs, and certain assumptions made by us, all of which are subject to change. Forward-looking statements can often be identified by words such as "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "predicts," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "may," "will," "should," "would," "could," "potential," "continue," "ongoing," and similar expressions, and variations or negatives of these words. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that could cause our actual results to differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. Dana's Annual Report on Form 10-K, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, recent Current Reports on Form 8-K, and other Securities and Exchange Commission filings discuss important risk factors that could affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. The forward-looking statements in this news release speak only as of this date. Dana does not undertake any obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statement for any reason. About Dana Incorporated Dana is a leader in the design and manufacture of highly efficient propulsion and energy-management solutions for all mobility markets across the globe. The company's conventional and clean-energy solutions support nearly every vehicle manufacturer with drive and motion systems; electrodynamic technologies, including software and controls; and thermal, sealing, and digital solutions. Based in Maumee, Ohio, USA, the company reported sales of $7.1 billion in 2020 with 38,000 associates in 33 countries across six continents. Founded in 1904, Dana was named one of "America's Most Responsible Companies 2021" by Newsweek for its emphasis on sustainability and social responsibility. The company is driven by a high-performance culture that focuses on its people, which has earned it global recognition as a top employer, including "World's Best Employer" from Forbes magazine. SOURCE Dana Incorporated Related Links http://www.dana.com TORONTO, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - DeFi Technologies Inc. (the "Company" or "DeFi Technologies") (NEO: DEFI) (GR: RMJR) (OTC: DEFTF) announces that it has added Krisztian Toth to the Board of Directors and Russell Starr to the management team as Head of Capital Markets. Mr. Toth, is an experienced M&A lawyer and partner at the law firm of Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, which is a leading international business law and litigation firm with eight offices with more than 700 lawyers across Canada and in the UK and South Africa. Mr. Toth began his career at Fasken in 2003, eventually becoming a partner of the firm in 2009. He currently focuses on mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance with an emphasis on international and cross-border transactions, proxy contests and other contested matters, public and private financings, securities regulations and corporate governance. He has been recognized by IFLR1000 for his capital markets work. Mr. Toth is also a director of a number of public companies, including Voyager Digital, a publicly listed crypto-asset broker that provides retail and institutional investors with a turnkey solution to trade crypto assets. Mr. Starr is an established CEO, entrepreneur and financier with deep capital markets and industry expertise. A trusted leader and advisor focused on forging meaningful, high stakes, high return business development connections. Mr. Starr is also a co-founder and part owner of Echelon Wealth Partners, a large Canadian investment dealer. After leaving Bay Street, Mr. Starr has held executive positions and board roles with numerous TSX and TSXV listed companies. Wouter Witvoek, CEO of Defi Technologies comments "We are extremely pleased to add Krisztian and Russell to the already substantial team at DeFi Technologies. As DeFi continues to grow both Krisztian and Russell will help to build on our already impressive business lines. With advisors such as Anthony Pompliano, Teeka Tiwari, Olivier Roussy-Newton (co-founder) and our already impressive management team (Diana Biggs, Johan Watterstrom) we look forward to welcoming both Krisztian and Russell." About DeFi Technologies Inc.: DeFi Technologies Inc. is a Canadian company that carries on business with the objective of enhancing shareholder value through building and managing assets in the decentralized finance sector. https://defi.tech/ Cautionary note regarding forward-looking information: This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the appointment of directors and officers of the Company; the decentralized finance industry and the merits or potential returns of any such opportunities. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking information is 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, as the case may be, to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. THE NEO STOCK EXCHANGE DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. SOURCE DeFi Technologies, Inc. Clinicians have correlated drastic drops in the blood oxygen levels of Covid patients with a greater likelihood of death. India has experienced crippling shortages of medical-grade oxygen, in part due to the need to transport oxygen cylinders hundreds of miles via cryogenic tankers, from production plants to hospitals, then back for refilling. According to BMJ , 41% of patients admitted to the hospital with Covid-19 require supplemental oxygen, while only 2% need mechanical ventilation. Oxygen concentrators don't require tanks, just electric power to remove nitrogen from the air and produce purified oxygen. Direct Relief is delivering two oxygen concentrator types -- high-flow and low-flow. High-flow oxygen concentrators are used in hospitals to treat patients needing intensive care, providing 10 liters per minute of oxygen. Low-flow concentrators generate 5 liters per minute and help hospitals safely discharge patients who are stable but require at-home breathing support. The May 15 flight from Newark to Delhi will deliver 286 high-flow oxygen concentrators and 500 low-flow concentrators, adding to the 3,500 concentrators from Direct Relief transported via another FedEx-donated charter that arrived May 9 and coordinated with the Tata Memorial Center in Mumbai, which cleared the items and distributed them within two days to more than 40 hospitals in the region. This weekend's flight also includes 1.8 million KN95 masks, 125,000 gloves, and other requested medical items. Direct Relief staff and partner organizations in India will distribute the supplies throughout the country to medical facilities caring for Covid-19 patients. Direct Relief has provided medical assistance to India since 1960, working with a range of partners, from medical outreach camps to rural clinics and hospitals, community-based health centers, and tertiary level facilities in large urban areas. "It's our mission to use our global logistics network to help deliver critical aid to India, where it's needed most right now," said Raj Subramaniam, president and COO, FedEx Corp. "We've been fighting this pandemic from the frontlines since the beginning, and will continue the fight until it's over." "Direct Relief is grateful beyond words for FedEx, once again, delivering urgently needed assistance to people in India at a scale the FedEx team is uniquely able to handle," said Thomas Tighe, Direct Relief President and CEO. "The decisive action to donate the company's enormous capacity and exceptional skills is a huge humanitarian force multiplier -- and a powerful example of the type of public-spirited leadership needed to get everyone, everywhere safely to the other side of the pandemic." SOURCE Direct Relief Related Links http://www.directrelief.org Visitors to the dealer website can calculate their exact used car lease payment based on a set of adjustable factors. Tweet this The company's latest partnership with Roadster reflects its continued focus on using technology to create convenient, modern and transparent customer experiences. As part of Roadster's Express Storefront solution, visitors to the dealership website can calculate their exact used car lease payment based on a set of adjustable factors. These include the amount due at signing, miles driven per year and lease term. Each factor is chosen by the website visitor, and the lease payment is automatically calculated from there. Customers can make as many adjustments to their selections as they wish until they arrive at the best payment. The same process applies for traditional financing, so the customer can compare their finance and lease payment options side by side. Once the customer is happy with the deal, he or she can apply for a lease online, without ever setting foot in the dealership. "We are especially excited about this integration because we don't know of any other lender that has brought used car leasing to the digital retail world. Used car leasing is already incredibly rare. Add payment calculators and the ability to apply for a used car lease online, and you've got a true unicorn," said Jon Lamb, CEO at DRIVRZ Financial. Lamb says used car leasing adds value to dealers since it increases their customer retention rate and brings the customer back to the dealer for another car much sooner than traditional financing. Consumers like it because they save on depreciation, typically pay a lower monthly payment, and can get into a nicer car and trade in the car more frequently than they could otherwise afford. Andy Moss, CEO of Roadster, expressed his thoughts on the integration. "Our vision is to create a flexible, convenient buying experience where any portion of the process or all of it can be completed from home and picked up in the showroom, or vice versa. With the DRIVRZ Financial integration, each used car leasing customer can build their own deal, so they are confident in the numbers and more likely to take the next steps toward closing." In the first week since going live with the integration on their website, Easterns Automotive noticed visitors using the lease payment calculator nearly as much as the finance calculator. "And that's with no special promotion yet," said Joel Bassam, director of marketing at Easterns Automotive. "This is crucial. Our website is essentially our dealership but online. It enables customers to accomplish as much of the sales process as they wish from the comfort of their home. We requested this integration with Roadster and DRIVRZ Financial because we wanted to bring that same online convenience to the used car leasing options we already offer in store." Thanks to this integration, Roadster's 2,000 dealerships nationwide will be able to add DRIVRZ Financial used car leasing to their online experience. In the coming months, DRIVRZ Financial plans to continue its expansion into new platforms and products, including traditional retail finance and direct-to-consumer lending. About DRIVRZ Financial (formerly MUSA Auto Finance) DRIVRZ Financial is an auto finance company and a technology innovator in the new and pre-owned vehicle industry. The company originates its customers from franchised and select independent dealers. Since its inception, DRIVRZ Financial has automated the time-consuming, manual processes traditionally associated with leasing and buying a vehicle. One of the company's technology platforms processes the application, calculates the lease, auto-decisions the application, provides an approval back to the dealer partner, and accurately pre-fills the lease contract in seconds. Automated approvals normally occur in just a few seconds, and consumers can even upload supporting documents via their mobile device. DRIVRZ Financial serves as the leasing and finance division of PowerBand Solutions, Inc. (TSXV: PBX) (OTCQB: PWWBF) (Frankfurt: 1ZVA) ("PowerBand", "PBX" or the "Company"). For more information, visit www.musaautofinance.com. The company plans to launch its fully rebranded DRIVRZ Financial website later this year. About Roadster Roadster provides consumer-driven Commerce Solutions for today's modern dealership. With Roadster's proprietary technology platform, dealerships can provide hassle-free car buying in-store, online or on the go. Roadster dramatically improves dealership customer satisfaction scores, while significantly reducing sales costs. From inventory merchandising, to financing/leasing, incentives, trade-ins, service plans and accessories Roadster delivers near penny perfect deals in a beautifully designed interface that customers and employees will love. Roadster is based in Palo Alto, Calif., and was founded in late 2013. For more information, please visit www.roadster.com. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the Company and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding future plans and objectives of the Company, are forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. 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. As a result, we cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will materialize, and 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 at the date of this news release, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by Canadian securities law. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities 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 state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, unless an exemption from such registration is available. SOURCE DRIVRZ Financial WASHINGTON, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Hamilton Pacific Chamberlain (HPC), a service disabled veteran owned small business (SDVOSB) headquartered in Waldorf, MD, has announced the acquisition of multiple million-dollar federal contracts spanning various VA Medical Centers in Maryland and Washington, DC, as well as government buildings in and around the DC Metropolitan area. In Perry Point, MD, HPC has been contracted to upgrade the fire alarm system for the entire VA Medical Center campus. HPC will also be renovating the Catheterization Lab at the Baltimore VA Medical Center, upgrading the space for enhanced safety and comfort during veteran care. HPC will be conducting various roofing projects and upgrades at the USDA Agricultural Research Center in Beltsville, MD. The federal project is slated to begin this year and will provide much needed infrastructure support to federal researchers. Of the recent project acquisitions, Paul Hamilton, HPC's Executive Vice President said, "We're pleased to be working with the federal government to update veteran medical centers and other federal buildings during this very difficult time. These updates will no doubt aid in the safe care of vets." These acquisitions come as HPC has announced multiple job completions including two renovation projects aimed at upgrading spaces to adapt to COVID-19 safety precautions and to enhance clinic experiences for veterans attending VA Medical Centers. The Dental Clinic entrances in both Perry Point, MD and Baltimore, MD were completed in late April. In addition to these projects, HPC is working extensively with multiple national cemeteries across the country including cemeteries in California, Wisconsin, and Nebraska. To learn more about HPC's work with the national cemeteries, visit www.hpcvet.com. Hamilton Pacific Chamberlain is a Federal Government contractor headquartered in Waldorf, Maryland. HPC focuses on renovations, demolition, and new construction of government and military structures. To learn more about Hamilton Pacific Chamberlain and its work with government and military structures, visit www.hpcvet.com. This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com. SOURCE Hamilton Pacific Chamberlain Related Links http://www.hpcvet.com Ex-officer of Federal Security Service convicted of treason to be freed on parole RAPSI 14:42 14/05/2021 MOSCOW, May 14 (RAPSI) Moscows Lefortovsky District Court on Friday granted parole to ex-officer of the Federal Security Services (FSB) Information Safety Center Dmitry Dokuchayev sentenced to 6 years in prison for treason, RAPSI was told in the court. The Moscow District Military Court convicted the man in April 2019. His case was heard behind closed doors because of secrecy and under the special procedure, without examination of evidence and interrogation of witnesses, as the former security officer had pleaded guilty. Dokuchayev was one of the defendants in a case against ex-chief of the operational control division of the FSBs Information Safety Center Sergey Mikhailov sentenced to 22 years in high-security prison. Reportedly, Mikhailov gave the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation through intermedia information on the activity of Russian law enforcement against certain persons accused by the Americans of cybercrimes. SYDNEY, May 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Australian pharmaceutical group Phebra ('Company') congratulates the Australasian Leukaemia and Lymphoma Group (ALLG) on the release of their abstract EP433 at the virtual European Hematology Association (EHA) 2021 Conference. The abstract builds on the initial bioequivalence data from the first phase of the trial, published at EHA in June 2019 and reveals the final results from the ALLG APML5 bioavailability study undertaken by the ALLG at hospitals across Australia in 31 patients with previously untreated APL. The aim of the APML5 study, was to characterise the bioavailability of Phebra's oral arsenic trioxide (ATO) capsules and intravenous ATO in patients undergoing standard-of-care consolidation therapy by comparing the total arsenic AUC 0-24 and C max in whole blood and plasma. Estimates of the geometric mean or oral /IV ratios for all pK parameters closely approximate unity confirming bioequivalence of the oral and IV formulations. Phebra's extensive knowledge of arsenic formulations and long-standing relationships with Australian healthcare providers led to a collaboration with the ALLG. Phebra provided funding and supplied the oral ATO capsules and IV ATO injection for the ALLG trial. With its decade-long ongoing manufacture and supply of Phenasen (arsenic trioxide) Injection, from its multi-purpose sterile injectables facility in Sydney, Australia, Phebra was the first pharmaceutical company to pursue and achieve registration of arsenic trioxide injection for the treatment of newly-diagnosed APL patients. APL is a rare subtype of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML), which accounts for only 10% of all AML diagnoses. AML is rare disease diagnosed at a rate of 3.7 per 100,000 of population.[1]. Phebra Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Andre Vlok, said: "We're excited that the study's final pK results confirm the bioequivalence of the oral and IV formulations. It demonstrates that Phebra's novel oral ATO formulation has the real potential to be a viable, new treatment option for blood cancer patients." Phebra Executive Director of Research, Dr Mal Eutick, added: "This innovative oral arsenic capsule will provide a beneficial treatment option for patients with APL, importantly, reducing the time they need to spend at hospitals undergoing infusions. We congratulate the ALLG and the team of researchers for their collaboration with Phebra on this breakthrough treatment." The Chief Executive Officer of the ALLG, Delaine Smith, said: "Clinical trials are essential to understand the biology of the disease and to improve the survival and care of patients. The ALLG member network of haematologists collaborate to conduct high quality trials and research projects that create Better Treatments and Better Lives. The oral capsule formulation of ATO can provide a more convenient treatment option and improve the lives of those with APL." About Phebra: Phebra is an Australian based specialty pharmaceutical group which develops, manufactures and markets critical medicines in Australia and across the world. At Phebra, we create critical medicines that save and improve lives. Phebra media contact: Richard Lenarduzzi. +61 411 254 390 About the ALLG: The ALLG is a not-for-profit clinical trial organisation that sponsors local investigator initiated clinical trials. Membership of the ALLG is approximately 450 clinicians, made up of the Haematologists treating Leukaemia and Lymphoma across Australia and New Zealand. The ALLG plans, designs, conducts, monitors and publishes investigator initiated clinical trials. www.allg.org.au [1] Leukaemia Foundation https://www.leukaemia.org.au/disease-information/leukaemias/acute-promyelocytic-leukaemia/ Accessed May 2021 SOURCE Phebra Related Links http://www.allg.org.au WARSAW, Poland, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Forteam Investments Ltd., an investment company controlled by American private equity firm Delta Capital Partners Management LLC, announced it has obtained another injunction from the Poznan Regional Court with respect to its legal claims against Polish businessman Mariusz Switalski. Forteam is seeking payment of over EUR 65 million from Switalski and companies controlled by him in connection with a guarantee executed by Switalski for the benefit of Foreteam. The Court has also seized the assets of two of Switalski's children, Mateusz and Natasza. The Court's order also enables Forteam to seize the shares of Czerwona Torebka belonging to Mateusz Switalski, who serves as CEO of the WSE-listed company. Specifically, pursuant to the order, Forteam can seize an additional 21,786,991 shares, constituting 29.04% of the share capital of Czerwona Torebka. In total, along with shares attached under previous injunctions and related Court orders, Forteam has seized approximately 65% of the company's shares and can therefore now exercise certain voting rights in connection therewith. The Court order also applies to all shares in Bio Family, a Polish chain of supermarkets belonging to Mateusz Switalski that offers organic food, cosmetics, and cleaning products. The Court also attached all of Natasza Switalska's shares in the clothing firm Farasi Fashion and Mateusz Switalski's shares in the Ogrodowa 12 conference centre in Poznan. Lastly, the Court-ordered relief concerns the prior trading of investment certificates in Switalski FIZ. Natasza and Mateusz's certificates were secured by Court injunction in April 2020. Despite this measure, Natasza and Mateusz divested their certificates. As a result, Forteam is demanding damages from Mateusz and Natasza and the now obtained injunction serves as compensation for the younger Switalskis' unlawful actions. The injunction also ensures that any person transferring the Switalski FIZ certificates previously held by Mariusz Switalski must expect to pay damages for hindering Forteam's enforcement of the certificates. Christopher DeLise, Delta's Founder, CEO and Co-CIO, stated, "We have observed how Mariusz Switalski has sought to avoid liability and payments owed to Forteam by transferring assets to his children and engaging in other conduct designed to shield his assets. Notwithstanding his attempts to shield his assets, our swift and decisive action has once again prevented his attempt to mislead and dissuade us from enforcing our rights and compensation receiving for harm his actions have caused." This interim relief was obtained in anticipation of a ruling in the ongoing civil proceeding against Mariusz Switalski connected to his alleged breach of a guarantee agreement concluded with Forteam Investments in 2015. Prior Actions Undertaken by Forteam On May 8, 2015, Forteam purchased a 100% stake in Mapka S.A. from Czerwona Torebka. Mapka was the owner of the Mapka Express chain. In settling the transaction, Forteam sold its 16.18% stake in Czerwona Torebka. Upon signing the sale agreement, the parties were aware of Mapka's difficult situation. The agreement itself noted that the parties realize that further considerable financing would be needed for the company to reach the break-even point. Because of this, Mariusz Switalski and Sowiniec Group also executed a Guarantee Agreement with Forteam, which provided Forteam with a guaranteed return on the Mapka investment if the Mapka Express store chain was later sold to a third-party. Concurrently, Mariusz Switalski submitted a written declaration that his personal assets were sufficient for him to fully discharge his obligations under the Guarantee Agreement. When Forteam attempted to sell Mapka Express in 2018, it was unable to obtain consideration at or above the minimum sale price despite engaging a respected independent investment bank to run a robust sales process. Mariusz Switalski did not exercise his preemptive rights to buy Mapka at that time for the guaranteed amount. Accordingly, Forteam notified Switalski on December 28, 2018 of his obligation to remit the monies owed to Forteam pursuant to the Guarantee Agreement. Notwithstanding, Switalski and the companies have failed to pay any amounts due and owed to Forteam, which, in turn, necessitated the filing of the injunction and civil lawsuits. As a result of Mariusz Switalski's actions, Forteam was forced to take additional steps to secure part of his children's property and other entities to which Switalski transferred assets that he owned. It is also worth recalling that the Public Prosecutor's Office is currently investigating actions to the detriment of Forteam in connection with events accompanying the fund's acquisition of the Mapka chain of shops in 2015. The Prosecutor's Office is investigating the possibility of a wider group of companies and individuals committing at least three acts: fraud, deliberate failure to satisfy Forteam's claims and money laundering. For additional information, please contact: Anna Krajewska [email protected] tel. +48 505 004 620 Marek Czarski [email protected] tel. 509 162 734 SOURCE Delta Capital Partners SAN MATEO, Calif., May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- After announcing its official launch into Europe last week, GoGlobal today announced members of its European leadership team. GoGlobal, a leading Professional Employment Organization (PEO) providing Employer of Record (EoR) services, helps companies expand internationally, facilitates M&A employment solutions and allows companies to consolidate their global legal footprint while maintaining key employees. Kurt von Moos has joined GoGlobal as a Director based in Switzerland focused on Operations. He will play a key role in GoGlobal's expansion into the region and beyond, as well as continuous improvement of GoGlobal's operations. Kurt has 10 years of experience helping multinationals scale globally, deploy international workforces and strategically manage their human capital. Kurt specializes in international employment and mobility compliance, strategic business operations management and digital transformation. Kurt said: "With a proven track record of delivering successful EoR services, the team at GoGlobal is comprised of distinguished industry leaders. I'm delighted to be a part of the growth story and help our clients succeed in Europe and beyond." Matteo Bianchi recently joined GoGlobal as a Director, with a focus on Business Development and Partnerships. Matteo has over 15 years' experience in EoR / PEO services, including leadership roles in Business Development that saw him managing a team across seven countries. Matteo, who was instrumental in setting up GoGlobal's business in his home country of Italy, said: "I was impressed with what GoGlobal had built in Asia, and knew clients and partners would benefit immediately when they extended into Europe." Sariah Lutkin, a Director for GoGlobal based in Germany, is leading our Customer Success team in Europe. She has been a critical part of the team's early success in Europe, building GoGlobal's foundation in Europe. With over 10 years' experience in leading teams, optimizing business processes and increasing customer satisfaction in various industries, Sariah said: "We have an innovative, nimble group of talented people with a driving focus on doing what's right for both our clients and our team." Andrew Lindquist, a Partner for GoGlobal based in San Francisco, said, "The leadership team we've assembled in Europe fits right into our organization. Our existing and new clients will appreciate the experience, flexibility and service levels that GoGlobal is known for." About GoGlobal GoGlobal is a provider of international Employer of Record (EoR) services. We employ companies' staff as their EoR under local legal entities in markets of Asia and Europe. Go Fast, Go Smart, GoGlobal. This press release was issued through 24-7PressRelease.com. For further information, visit http://www.24-7pressrelease.com. SOURCE GoGlobal GUIZHOU, China, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Guiyang, a previously underdeveloped city in Southwest China, has gained remarkable achievements in recent years. In addition to poverty alleviation, Guiyang has also been known for the assimilation of big data and won the name of China's Big Data Valley. In order to understand how Guiyang takes advantage of data-driven solutions, the journalist at Huanqiu.com went to Guiyang and interviewed several stakeholders. "Guiyang has benefited from big data to a significant extent," In Guizhou Big Data Exhibition Center, the staff showed how Guiyang promotes the intersection of data-driven solutions and rural rejuvenation, industrial development, social governance, etc. In terms of social governance, Guiyang actively utilizes big data to enhance the management, service, decision-making capacity. The local government has launched Traffic Cloud, Police Cloud and other applications. "With the continuous modernization of government, the public well-being has greatly boosted," the staff told Huanqiu.com. In order to understand how Guiyang integrates big data with social governance, the journalist at Huanqiu.com also visited Guiyang Fire-Rescue Department Block Data Center and communicated with firefighters. "We need a high volume of printed material to formulate a rescue plan in the past, but we can currently finish relevant work from the One Picture Big Data Platform. Thanks to the data-based solution, we monitor the community in real time and spot fire hazards in advance," Ding Xiang, political committee member of the Guiyang Fire-Rescue Department said. According to him, when a fire disaster arises, in addition to reporting by calling, the local citizens can also utilize WeChat one-click alarm. "When calling us, some people may fail to describe the situation due to tension or dialects. By comparison, through WeChat one-click alarm, it is possible for us to grasp the situation more efficiently," Ding added. In March 2020, Guiyang launched the Digital Smart Guiyang WeChat One-click Alarm Platform. After a person logs in, the Fire-Rescue Department can automatically obtain the relevant information of the user. What the user needs to do is filling in the information required and uploading a scene photo. After receiving the WeChat alarm, the firefighters can grasp all the necessary data of the fire hazard such as location, nearby population and buildings in the data center. Ding told Huanqiu.com: "Through this data platform, the commander will plan the best route. More importantly, we can accurately organize rescue team, save time and avoid waste of resources." It notes that the Fire-Rescue Department also monitors the firefighters' physical health condition in real time based on the sensors. When a firefighter stays in the same place or falls, the commander will take measures in time to ensure his safety. "Thanks to big data, the Fire-Rescue Department significantly enhances fire prevention and management capacity. It seems that we just save two minutes, but this period means a lot to firefighting," a commander of Guiyang Fire-Rescue Department, Nie Sheng told Huanqiu.com. According to the municipal government, Guiyang will continue to promote the integration of big data and fire control, fully modernize the social governance. By April 2020, Guiyang Smart Fire Control Data Platform has built a comprehensive perception system involving data of 259 high-rise buildings and 776 units. Due to the data-based solution, the Fire-Rescue Department has avoided more than 2,000 potential safety hazards by timely warning. Taking the local Huaguoyuan Community as an example, this community has applied the big data platform for two years. The number of fire disasters ensuingly fell by 19.8% year-on-year, and direct property losses fell by 30% year-on-year. SOURCE Huanqiu.com SAINT PAUL, Minn., May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As life begins to return to normal, so has the reality of mass shootings that plague this country. In the wake of Atlanta, Boulder, and Indianapolis, The Violence Project has launched a new online training platform called "Off-Ramp." It's the first website dedicated to preventing mass shootings rather than training people to react to them. The Violence Project (TVP) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan research center dedicated to data-driven violence prevention. Their research on mass shootings, funded by the US Department of Justice, has received global media attention. The Violence Project's research shows the road to mass violence is long, including childhood trauma, an observable crisis, suicidality, radicalization online, and access to firearms. The Off-Ramp platform is designed to build more exits from this pathway by translating findings from TVP's comprehensive mass shooter database into tangible, evidence-based violence prevention strategies for individuals, institutions, and society as a whole. "We've interviewed families of mass shooting perpetrators, and they often tell us they knew something was wrong, but they didn't know where to go for help. Off-Ramp tries to fill that need," says TVP co-President James Densley. Off-Ramp's resource database is a one-stop centralized list of community mental health and outreach services in all 50 states to support individuals in crisis or individuals worried that someone they know is on the path toward violence. Off-Ramp's public policy platform highlights data-driven policies that will effectively reduce gun violence at the local, state, and national levels. School teachers, administrators, couselors, social workers, law enforcement and security professionals, human resource managers, and parents can also sign up for online learning modules in crisis intervention, de-escalation, suicide prevention, and social media safety. "We've interviewed several perpetrators of mass shootings, and we always ask if there was something that could have stopped them. They always say yes. It typically comes down to a human connection," explains TVP co-president Jillian Peterson. Off-Ramp offers guidance and support for schools, workplaces, and organizations to build collaborative Crisis Response Teams. Research shows that one of the best ways to prevent violence is to identify when someone is in crisis and intervene early, but traditional models rely heavily on a criminal justice response. The R-Model (Ready, Respond, Refer, and Revisit) for schools reimagines behavioral threat assessment by connecting students to long-term resources and services, avoiding exclusionary measures like suspension, expulsion, and criminal charges. To visit the new website, go to www.off-ramp.org . SOURCE The Violence Project Related Links https://www.theviolenceproject.org/ BROOKFIELD, Wis., May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Hydrite, an integrated manufacturer and supplier of chemicals and related services, is pleased to announce that it will be sponsoring at the diamond level at the Membrane Technology Forum virtual event on June 14-17, 2021. The Membrane Technology Forum, a virtual education and networking event supported by Dairy Foods magazine and American Dairy Products Institute (ADPI), is a live event for the commercial membrane and membrane technology sector. Hydrite will display its Membrane SLM at the Membrane Technology Forum. Membrane SLM is an informed method for analyzing your current membrane CIP program to provide insight into procedural changes for reduction in time, chemistry, energy, or water. By investigating a membrane system's unique Soil Load Map, recommendations can be made for optimizing the current program or investigating the impact of program changes while minimizing risks to production schedules and elements. At the Membrane Technology Forum, Hydrite will display its line of creative technology solutions in their virtual exhibit, including the new Soil Load Mapping (SLM) program. Hydrite will also launch Apollo No.327, a premier NPE-Free non-ionic surfactant for use with Ultrafiltration and Microfiltration membranes. Presentations during this event will include Always a 2nd set of eyes with Hydri-Vision with Jamison Vanden Einde, Director of Commercial Technology at Hydrite, and When is Membrane Cleaning Complete? Using Hydrite Membrane SLM with Mark Dunston, a Membrane Technical Specialist at Hydrite. This event will also feature Carl Garcia, a Membrane Technical Specialist at Hydrite, as a panelist during Decision Making in Membrane Processing, and Felicity Plansky, Membrane Program Manager at Hydrite, as an event moderator. Felicity Plansky, Membrane Program Manager, commented, "We are excited to exhibit and be a Diamond Level Sponsor at the Membrane Technology forum. It's a great opportunity for us to meet with fellow industry professionals and share our creative solutions for the membrane industry." As a company with a strong commitment to quality and service, Hydrite continues to invest in people, research, quality control, and training to offer products and systems that enhance the quality of food supply and help deliver creative solutions. Attendees can receive a 20% discount on their registration with code HYDRITEVIP. About Hydrite Hydrite, a family-owned company established in 1929, is one of the largest independent providers of chemicals and related services in the United States. Headquartered in Brookfield, Wisconsin, Hydrite has a network of manufacturing facilities, warehouses, and laboratories located in Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana, California, and Texas with over 900 in 25 states. Hydrite owns and operates a private fleet of over 255 units including tractors, van trailers, tankers, and railcars. Hydrite offers expertise in chemical distribution and manufacturing, food and dairy sanitation, organic processing, liquid sulfites, foam control, and water treatment chemistries. With over 5,000 items in its product portfolio, Hydrite's dedicated chemists, engineers, and technical service staff have extensive knowledge and experience to solve the most challenging formulation problems. Hydrite has a strong commitment to quality and customer responsiveness and offers superior products and innovative solutions. To learn more, visit www.hydrite.com OR Contact Us at [email protected] Media Contact: Emily Berens 262.792.8797 [email protected] SOURCE Hydrite Related Links http://www.hydrite.com Shirley Posey, an 11 th grade biology teacher at Imhotep Institute Charter High School and one of the honorees, was recognized as the 2020 Axalta All-Pro Teacher of the Year. Each of the teachers received a donation toward continuing STEM education in their school, four tickets to an upcoming Eagles game, a personalized Eagles jersey and football and were automatically nominated for the 2020 Axalta All-Pro Teacher of the Year. "Education is the foundation of future growth and success, and we recognize the criticality of exposing today's students to STEM subjects," said Robert Bryant, Axalta's CEO. "Axalta is proud to partner with the Philadelphia Eagles to honor, support, and celebrate teachers and the role they play in inspiring the next generation." Posey was nominated by fellow teacher, Trichita Covington, who said, "Shirley's efforts have helped to increase her students' biology scores on the Keystone Exams and have motivated them to become innovative thinkers by using their imagination to apply the information they've learned in their textbooks. She's turned her biology classroom into a learning space that is producing the next generation of scientists and engineers." As the 2020 Axalta All-Pro Teacher of the Year, Posey will receive additional funding and an Eagles-themed pep rally to be held for the entire school, when appropriate. "The Philadelphia Eagles are proud to congratulate Shirley Posey, and all of the 2020 Axalta All-Pro Teachers, on this well-deserved honor that recognizes their inspirational commitment to STEM education, their professions, and most importantly, their students," said Catherine Carlson, Philadelphia Eagles Senior Vice President, Revenue and Strategy. "Through each of their unique teaching styles and stewardship, these honorees are preparing their students to be future leaders. We are thrilled to join Axalta, as we do every year, in celebrating these unsung heroes for their passion, dedication and enthusiasm in the classroom." The 2020 Axalta All-Pro Teachers are: Andrew Bachman Pottstown High School, engineering and technology Pottstown High School, engineering and technology Dr. Ryan Baxter West Catholic Preparatory School, engineering West Catholic Preparatory School, engineering Shaun DeLoche Delran High School , mathematics , mathematics Vincent Doud Woodbury Jr/Sr High School, video arts design and innovation Woodbury Jr/Sr High School, video arts design and innovation Shirley Posey Imhotep Institute Charter High School, biology Imhotep Institute Charter High School, biology Jess Kriegner Ocean City Intermediate School, mathematics Ocean City Intermediate School, mathematics Nancy Mulville Cinnaminson High School, business/computer science Cinnaminson High School, business/computer science Brian Nucifore Camden County Technical High School, engineering Camden County Technical High School, engineering Michael Omilian Moorestown Friends School, mathematics Moorestown Friends School, mathematics Melissa Tracy Odyssey Charter School, social studies Every year, the Philadelphia Eagles and Axalta honor outstanding fifth through 12th grade STEM educators across the Greater Philadelphia region as part of the All-Pro Teachers program. Axalta congratulates the 2020 winners and encourages students and schools throughout the Philadelphia region to learn more about the Axalta All-Pro Teachers program by visiting https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/community/allproteachers/. About Axalta Axalta is a global leader in the coatings industry, providing customers with innovative, colorful, beautiful, and sustainable coatings solutions. From light vehicles, commercial vehicles and refinish applications to electric motors, building facades and other industrial applications, our coatings are designed to prevent corrosion, increase productivity, and enhance durability. With more than 150 years of experience in the coatings industry, the global team at Axalta continues to find ways to serve our more than 100,000 customers in over 130 countries better every day with the finest coatings, application systems and technology. For more information, visit axalta.com and follow us @axalta on Twitter. Contact Jessica Iben C: +1-267-398-8163 [email protected] SOURCE Axalta Coating Systems Ltd. SAO PAULO, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Indicator Capital, the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES), and Qualcomm Ventures LLC announced today the launch of the early-stage venture capital fund Indicator 2 IoT FIP, with a first-close of US$ 45 million (R$ 240 million), focused on Internet of Things (IoT) and connectivity in Latin America. In addition to the creators of the public bid: BNDES and Qualcomm Ventures, the fund has other five prominent investors: Banco do Brasil, Multilaser, Motorola, Lenovo, and Telefonica Ventures / Vivo, among other institutional and corporate investors. Aimed at startups that develop services and products related to IoT and Connectivity, the fund promotes the National IoT Plan, accelerating strategic sectors, such as Agriculture, Health, Industry 4.0, Smart Cities, and Mobility. With this funding, Indicator Capital becomes the largest Brazilian venture capital manager in Latin America, specializing in IoT. According to Thomas Bittar, one of the three founding partners of Indicator, "our objective was to launch a fund with at least US$ 22 million (R$ 120 million), but the high demand made it possible to close the fundraising with twice the original amount", he adds. The fund is the result of a joint initiative by BNDES and Qualcomm Ventures, the investment arm of Qualcomm Incorporated, a world leader in next-generation wireless technologies that, in December 2019, launched a public call for tenders to select a manager to structure the newly created investment fund. Together, BNDES and Qualcomm Ventures made an initial investment of US$ 16 million (R$ 85 million). With a duration of 10 years, the fund will invest in up to 30 early-stage startups (Series A), with an average ticket of US$ 1,9 million (R$ 10 million). "We intend to make seven investments by the end of 2021, playing a leadership role in IoT in Latin America. We are working with great dedication to placing Brazil definitively on the global map of Internet of Things", adds Derek Bittar, founding partner of Indicator Capital. "From Silicon Valley, we monitor the main technological trends, maintaining relationships with world leaders in the sector. We apply our proprietary Building Value Together methodology, contributing significantly to the development of startups. These investments will breed great national technology players in the next 5 to 10 years", reinforces Fabio de Paula. SOURCE Indicator Capital PHILADELPHIA, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Integrated Ventures Inc. (OTCQB: INTV), ("Company") is pleased to confirm the filing, after today's market close, of its quarterly report on Form 10Q, for the Q3, ended March 31, 2021. The key financial highlights are as follow: Reported Record Total Revenues: For the Q3/2021, the Company generated its highest ever revenues of $696,805 vs $130,910 for Q3/2020, an increase of over 432%, while cost of revenues was almost unchanged at $266,897 vs $261,484 for Q3/2020. vs for Q3/2020, an increase of over 432%, while cost of revenues was almost unchanged at vs for Q3/2020. Reported Record Gross Profit: The Company reported, for the first time, a gross profit from mining operations and sales of mining equipment, in the amount of $429,908 vs a gross loss of ($87,710) for Q2/2021, an increase of over 590%. vs a gross loss of for Q2/2021, an increase of over 590%. Reported Record Total Assets: As of March 31, 2021 , the Company reported the total assets on balance sheet were $5,145,938 vs $546,822 as of June 30, 2020 . The ending cash balance was $99,974 . , the Company reported the total assets on balance sheet were vs as of . The ending cash balance was . Reported Record Mining Equipment Purchases And Commitments: during Q3/2021, the Company executed purchase orders for 452 miners, with total cost of $2,970,723 . In addition, INTV had signed a 12 month supply agreement with Bitmain for 4,800 units, for a total price of $34,047,600 . Thus, the total for all mining equipment purchases and future commitments consists of 5,252 units for total purchase price of $37,018,323 . . In addition, INTV had signed a 12 month supply agreement with Bitmain for 4,800 units, for a total price of . Thus, the total for all mining equipment purchases and future commitments consists of 5,252 units for total purchase price of . Reported Record Total Digital Currencies Holdings: As of March 31, 2021 , the Company's had $1,515,201 of digital currencies on its balance sheet, consisting primarily of Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH) and Chainlink (LINK). , the Company's had of digital currencies on its balance sheet, consisting primarily of Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH) and Chainlink (LINK). Reported Positive Shareholders' Equity: As of March 31, 2021 , the Company reported total shareholder equity of $709,964 vs ($109,603) as of June 30, 2020 . , the Company reported total shareholder equity of vs as of . Reported Reduction of Liabilities: As of March 31, 2021 , the Company reported total liabilities of $310,974 vs $656,425 for as of June 30, 2020 , with a balance of $0.00 in convertible debt and derivative liabilities. Steve Rubakh, CEO of Integrated Ventures, adds the following commentary: "INTV had delivered a record breaking Q3, in terms of (1) total mining revenues, (2) mining equipment purchases (3) total asset growth and (4) equity-based capital raised. Mining revenues increased by 432% in the quarter, while cost of sales and other operating costs (excluding non-cash, related party, 2 year old, stock-based accrued compensation (*)) remained fairly constant. Based on current cryptocurrency market pricing, INTV projects that mining revenues for Q4/2021 to be above $995,000, which is a 30% increase vs Q3/2021. The total total revenues for 2021 are projected to be in $2.3-$2.4 million range with a 60%+ gross margin. With zero convertible debt, $14+ million raised and newly secured power capacity, INTV is set to move forward with aggressive expansion plans with a goal to reach, at minimum, $32 million, in annual mining revenues by June 30, 2022." (*) Please see page 16 and paragraph 5 (Related Party Transactions) for additional details. About: Integrated Ventures,Inc.is a Technology Portfolio Holdings Company with focus on Blockchain Technology and Cryptocurrency Mining. For more details, please visit the Company's website: www.integratedventuresinc.com. Safe Harbor Statement: The information posted in this release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of1995. You can identify these statements by use of the words "may," "will," "should," "plans," "explores," "expects," "anticipates," "continue," "estimate," "project," "intend," and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or anticipated. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, general economic and business conditions, effects of continued geopolitical unrest and regional conflicts, competition, changes in technology and methods of marketing, and various other factors beyond the company's control. Contact Details: 215-613-1111 [email protected] SOURCE Integrated Ventures Inc. CHICAGO, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Keller Lenkner LLC has been selected by American Law Media and The National Law Journal as a 2021 Elite Trial Lawyers finalist in the Employment Rights and Trial Strategy Innovation categories. The award program honors law firms that have demonstrated repeated success in cutting-edge work on behalf of plaintiffs, with a solid track record of client wins. Winners will be announced in July. Keller Lenkner is being recognized for its pathbreaking arbitration practice, where the firm has pioneered the strategy of pursuing individual arbitrations for clients whose claims are subject to arbitration clauses with class-action waivers. The firm's approach is one of the most significant recent developments in civil litigation and, as reported by the New York Times, has left defendants "scared to death." "It's an honor to be recognized innovators, as it validates the culture we're building at Keller Lenkner," said Partner Warren Postman, who leads the firm's arbitration practice. "Our team is composed of lawyers who work to understand the broader context of our clients' problems and build winning legal arguments and litigation strategies from the ground up." Keller Lenkner has won precedent-setting trial and appellate victories requiring defendants to comply with their obligation to arbitrate disputes individually. In just two years, the firm has secured more than $375 million in settlements for more than 100,000 individuals in arbitration matters. "In following arbitration agreements to the letter, we provide access to justice for thousands of employees and consumers who are contractually barred from participating in a class action," Managing Partner Travis Lenkner said. Keller Lenkner Associates Sean Duddy and Marquel Reddish Longtin have also been honored as 2021 Rising Stars of the Plaintiffs Bar for their critical contributions to the firm's work in arbitration. Editors and reporters from ALM and The National Law Journal reviewed hundreds of submissions across more than 25 categories to arrive at these lists. The 2021 Elite Trial Lawyers winners will be announced at the Elite Trial Lawyers event on July 29, 2021 in New York. ABOUT KELLER LENKNER: Keller Lenkner LLC represents plaintiffs in complex litigation matters in federal and state courts throughout the nation. The firm acts for clients in many types of cases, including class and mass actions, arbitrations, and multi-district litigation matters. Its team includes four former law clerks at the Supreme Court of the United States and former partners and associates from the country's leading law firms. Since its founding in 2018, the firm has secured results for more than 100,000 clients. Related Links: www.kellerlenkner.com SOURCE Keller Lenkner LLC Related Links http://www.kellerlenkner.com/ A longtime affordable housing advocate appeared before the Senate Banking Committee as the first step to be confirmed as the Department of Housing and Urban Developments (HUD) first Black woman to serve as the agencys second-in-command. Adrianne Todman is CEO of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials and has held several career positions at HUD. Read on for highlights from Todman and senators from both sides of the aisle. STUART, Fla., May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- KW Miller announced today his plans to convert the outdated South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) into an Investor Owned Utility (IOU). Under the conversion SFWMD would be privatized and come under the oversight of the Florida Public Service Commission (FPSC). The following is his statement on this plan. The plan would require approval from the FPSC and State legislators. KW Miller The SFWMD has outgrown its dated 'Taxing Agency Structure' and requires a comprehensive restructuring. It has it has become one of the largest water management systems in the United States, which includes managing the regional water supply, improving water quality in addition to assisting in the restoration of the Everglades, Kissimmee River, and protecting coastal estuaries. SFWMD must be converted into an IOU via a structured privatization process, which will allow it to become a 'Regulated Utility', have sufficient access to the sizable capital required to perform its mission of providing critical water supply and infrastructure upgrades to service South Florida residents. Under the IOU structure, SFWMD would retain a new professional Board of Directors, a private shareholder base and be fully regulated by the FPSC. Financial and operational accountability transparency and accountability would be significantly improved as all rate agreements would have to be approved by the FPSC under utility rate caps. As an IOU, SFWMD would be able to raise significant amounts of capital to execute a comprehensive Infrastructure Development Plan ("IDP"). Critical to the IDP will be infrastructure development, finance expertise, utilizing long-term relationships with the Federal/State regulators and their ability to negotiate multi-billion-dollar funding arrangements in the capital markets to complete the significant backlog of water infrastructure projects critical to the residents of South Florida. UNDER THE IOU STRUCTURE, SFWMD WOULD HAVE EXPANDED CAPITAL RAISING ABILITY TO ISSUE INFRASTRUCTURE BONDS TO PAY FOR THE TREATMENT OF POLLUTED CENTRAL FLORIDA WATER INCLUDING: Construct Series of Distributed Water Filtration Plants to service Deep Injection Storage Well Water; Construct Series of Strategically Located Municipal Wastewater (Brown Water) pipelines to move water to Deep Injection Well sites; Construct Series of Brown Water (untreated) Storage Basins to naturally perk into soil north of Lake Okeechobee; Mandatory Sewer and Water Hook-Up in Densely Populated Areas; Mandatory Nitrogen-reducing enhancements for all Rural Septic Systems; Mandatory treatment of Industrial Water Discharges at the Source; Eliminate the use of toxic chemical spraying in all Florida lakes and waterways. Complete the mandated Everglades Restoration Projects in conjunction with other State Agencies About KW Miller Mr. Miller is a senior business leader in the capital markets, energy and infrastructure sectors with over 30 years of combined expertise. He advises, restructures, invests and holds board positions on infrastructure, energy and industrial companies. He Specializes in extremely complex utility restructurings, recapitalization, financing and construction of infrastructure assets. Contact: KW Miller [email protected] (202) 495-1505 SOURCE KW Miller LOS ANGELES, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Levine Leichtman Capital Partners ("LLCP"), a Los Angeles-based private equity firm, announced today that it has sold its portfolio company NBC Holdings, LLC ("Nothing Bundt Cakes" or the "Company") to Roark Capital ("Roark"). Nothing Bundt Cakes is the market-leading franchisor and operator of gourmet bakeries offering specialty Bundt Cakes and retail gift items. The Company's products are handcrafted and baked on-site daily with high quality ingredients and proprietary formulations distributed by its in-house facilities. Nothing Bundt Cakes currently has nearly 400 locations in the U.S. and Canada. The Company was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Addison, Texas. Matthew Frankel, Managing Partner of LLCP, said, "Kyle Smith and the entire Nothing Bundt Cakes team have built a truly unique business that is positioned for continued growth, with an incredible culture built around great people. The Nothing Bundt Cakes investment has been very successful for LLCP, with exceptional same-store sales growth and robust franchise development. This was driven by the efforts of the Company's management team along with value creation initiatives, including technological enhancements, menu innovation, supply chain improvements, and the introduction of corporate stores through both strategic M&A and de novo openings. We are grateful for everything the management team and founder, Dena Tripp, have done to create value for its shareholders, bakery owners, and guests. We wish the team all the best in their next chapter." Kyle Smith, President and CEO of Nothing Bundt Cakes, commented, "Today marks an important milestone for the Company, and we would like to thank LLCP for their close relationship with our team and for their valuable contributions and strategic insight over the years. LLCP's deep expertise in franchising combined with their management-centric approach made for the perfect partner in scaling our business and further developing our one-of-a-kind brand." North Point served as the lead financial advisor, with support from Baird, and Honigman LLP served as legal counsel to Nothing Bundt Cakes in connection with the sale. About Levine Leichtman Capital Partners Levine Leichtman Capital Partners, LLC is a middle-market private equity firm with a 37-year track record of successfully investing across various targeted sectors, including franchising, professional services, education and engineered products. LLCP utilizes a differentiated Structured Private Equity investment strategy, combining debt and equity capital investments in portfolio companies. This unique structure provides a less dilutive solution for management teams and entrepreneurs, while delivering growth and income with a significantly lower risk profile. LLCP's global team of dedicated investment professionals is led by seven partners who have worked at LLCP for an average of 21 years. Since inception, LLCP has managed approximately $11.7 billion of institutional capital across 15 investment funds and has invested in over 90 portfolio companies. LLCP currently manages $8.2 billion of assets including its most recent flagship fund, Levine Leichtman Capital Partners VI, L.P., which closed in 2018 with $2.5 billion of committed capital and has offices in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Charlotte, Miami, London, Stockholm and The Hague. Contact: Ross Lovern Kekst CNC (917) 842-7205 SOURCE Levine Leichtman Capital Partners LOS ANGELES, May 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Pakistan based, Combined Fabric Ltd., the largest supplier of knit garments to Levi's, is expanding their cutting capacity by adding a third Tukatech automatic high-ply cutter. TUKAcut 9.0 is from the line of ECO award-winning cutters that meet the requirements of apparel, PPE and uniform manufacturers in the Industry 4.0 era. The latest model for most productivity with "zero buffers, cutting 9cm high compressed fabrics, and has been awarded most "Eco-friendly" for energy consumption (k/w/hour used). This is a big deal especially in countries such as Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and even parts of the United States where electricity costs of factories can be extremely high when running multiple shifts and demand for faster production is required. "We saw how TUKA cutting room solutions reduced 80% of our staff in cutting room, improved our quality and eliminated useless steps. We really are a very happy users of TUKAcad, TUKA3D, CutPlanning, SMARTmark, automatic fabric spreaders and cutters, and unit production systems. We have almost everything TUKA offers and we are adding more systems only because we have seen the results," says Sheikh Tariq Mehmood, Director of Combined Fabrics. "We were automated with other CAD, spreading, and cutting systems. We know automation and we REPLACED ALL other so-called 'automatic' systems with Tukatech, became better friends, and continue to add more of their technology because we TRUST THEM." Combined Fabrics is a totally vertical company from yarns, to thread, to fabric, to garments, to finishing and dyeing, and even make their own buttons and other trims. They started their partnership back in 2018 when Tukatech first visited their facility in Lahore, Pakistan. Mr. Ram Sareen pin-pointed inefficiencies within their cutting room operations. "When Mr. Ram came to us and he saw what we were doing, and how we were doing it, he opened our eyes to what we were doing wrong," said Atif Shaik, Director, Combined Fabrics. Without implementing any systems at first and with guidance from Tukatech, Combined Fabrics saw a 7% fabric savings, immediate improvements, and cost savings. With TUKA systems, Combined Fabrics saw their consumption reduce from 12%-14% per garment. About Combined Fabrics - Combined Fabrics Limited is a WRAP Certified vertically integrated Knit apparel manufacturing facility founded in 1990. Having the entire production process (Knitting, Dyeing, Finishing, Embroidery, Stitching) under one roof, we are able to deliver quality Products with minimum wastage and faster delivery time. For more information visit: http://www.combinedfabrics.com/ About Tukatech - Tukatech was founded in 1995 with the objective to have pattern makers create patterns digitally on the computer. Tukatech is an influential fashion technology company known worldwide for innovative solutions and superior technical support. They are the industry's leading provider of fashion software and machinery for product development, cloud collaboration, and garment manufacturing. For more information about Tukatech solutions: visit: https://tukatech.com/ | email: [email protected] | call: +1.323.726.3836 (U.S.A. HQ) SOURCE Tukatech Related Links http://www.tukatech.com GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga., May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- CREATE A SPONSORSHIP PROPOSAL THAT STANDS OUT If you want to land event sponsors, then crafting a thoughtful sponsorship proposal is a must. Ismail Sirdah of Lulu Promotions recommends treating your proposal like you would a great cover letter. All great cover letters are written specifically for the job you are applying for, as should be the case with sponsorship proposals. A good chunk of each proposal you create should be tailored to the sponsor you hope to land. Drafting a sponsorship proposal that is broad and vague is not going to attract anyone. KNOW HOW TO INCENTIVIZE SPONSORS Almost no event sponsor is going to agree to a sponsorship deal where they're providing their brand, money, and possibly even gift bag items, without getting anything in return. That is where incentives come in. Ismail Sirdah, founder and owner of Lulu Promotions in Duluth, Georgia, claims that the best way to incentivize sponsors is to offer them marketing in exchange for their sponsorship. Marketing materials are key to attracting customers to any business. Make marketing a key part of your sponsorship negotiations. For example, in exchange for being an event sponsor, you can offer to put their name or logo on all professional banners and flyers, mention the event sponsor in all blogs, social media posts, or e-mail blasts about the event, or even give the sponsor a free both at a future trade show or exhibition. BE PREPARED TO PARTNER UP If you're a small brand, then you're likely going to have more trouble landing event sponsors, especially if you're looking to get a few more established businesses on board. When Ismail Sirdah first founded Lulu Promotions in Georgia, he scoured all of Dekalb County looking for event sponsors and it wasn't always easy. However, along the way he learned that one trick to land yourself a major event sponsor is to team up with another company in the industry. One small company on its own likely will not be attractive to a major brand, but partnering with a medium-sized company in your industry can totally change this. More established brands ultimately instill more confidence. So, if you can get a well-known brand on board to host the event with you, you will be much better off during your hunt for event sponsors. Ismail Sirdah recommends looking for companies that are within your industry but that aren't your direct competitors. Photos: https://www.prlog.org/12869701 Press release distributed by PRLog SOURCE Lulu Promotions Nota has developed a real-time traffic control solution at Pyeongtaek, South Korea, which positively impacts drivers' daily lives, ensures pedestrian safety and saves social costs caused by traffic congestion. The On-device Intelligent Traffic Signal Control Technology developed by Nota uses object detection technology to identify the traffic volume and queues, shares data to analyze the degree of congestion, and accordingly provide adequate traffic signal controls at the intersections. NVIDIA Metropolis makes it easier and more cost effective for enterprises, governments, and integration partners to leverage world-class AI-enabled solutions to improve critical operational efficiency and safety problems. The Metropolis ecosystem contains a large and growing breadth of partners who are investing in the most advanced AI techniques, most efficient deployment platforms, and use an enterprise-class approach to their solutions. Partners have the opportunity to gain early access to NVIDIA platform updates to further enhance and accelerate their AI application development efforts. Further, the program offers the opportunity for partners to collaborate with industry-leading experts and other AI-driven organizations. Nota is making roadways safer and more efficient by integrating NVIDIA's GPU-accelerated Jetson AGX Xavier platform and software tools such as DeepStream SDK and Transfer Learning Toolkit - with its own in-house technology. Transfer Learning Toolkit helps build production quality models faster with no coding required. DeepStream SDK delivers a complete streaming analytics toolkit for building AI-powered video analytics applications. "Thanks to NVIDIA Metropolis and leveraging the AI productivity benefits of Deepstream SDK and Transfer Learning Toolkit, we could focus our efforts on what matters the most to our customers. NVIDIA's SDKs cut our initial development time significantly, allowing us to dedicate our technical resources to maximize the AI model compression rate and develop a real-time traffic signal control solution while improving its performance. As a result, Nota will be able to further differentiate its solution efficiently and effectively to meet its customers' growing demands over time," said Myungsu Chae, CEO of Nota. About Nota Nota started at KAIST in 2015, with the goal of "making AI available everywhere through model compression." NetsPresso was developed internally to automate AI model compression so that vision-based AI models can be run on diverse hardware including CPU, GPU, NPU, etc. Nota leverages NetsPresso to provide the market with lightweight AI models to reduce latency, optimize processor usage, consume less energy, and proliferate lower-end edge devices while conserving accuracy. Nota has successfully launched its solutions for the Intelligent Transportation System and Security industries. We are active members of NVIDIA Inception and Metropolis, and are looking for more global partners to expand the market together. For more information about Nota, please visit www.nota.ai. SOURCE Nota Related Links http://www.nota.ai NEW YORK, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM), operator of financial markets for 11,000 U.S. and global securities, today announced Matador Mining Ltd. (ASX: MZZ;OTCQX: MZZMF), a gold exploration with the Cape Ray Project in Newfoundland, Canada, has qualified to trade on the OTCQX Best Market. Matador Mining Ltd. upgraded to OTCQX from the Pink market. Matador Mining Ltd. begins trading today on OTCQX under the symbol "MZZMF." U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the company on www.otcmarkets.com. Upgrading to the OTCQX Market is an important step for companies seeking to provide transparent trading for their U.S. investors. For companies listed on a qualified international exchange, streamlined market standards enable them to utilize their home market reporting to make their information available in the U.S. To qualify for OTCQX, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws. Executive Chairman of Matador Mining Ltd., Ian Murray said, "With our largest ever exploration program underway, in arguably North America's most exciting gold jurisdiction, we have been receiving a significant increase from investors based in the region. Trading on OTCQX allows for North American investors to more effectively buy shares in Matador in their own time zone and currency. We look forward to keeping investors updated in what promises to be an exciting year for the Company." Matador Mining Ltd. retained Viriathus Capital LLC to act as the Company's OTCQX Advisor and MCAP LLC to act as the Company's OTCQX sponsor. About Matador Mining Ltd. Matador Mining Limited (ASX: MZZ;OTCQX: MZZMF; FSE: MA3) is a gold exploration company with tenure covering 120 kilometres of continuous strike along the highly prospective, yet largely under-explored Cape Ray Shear in Newfoundland, Canada. The Company released a Scoping Study which outlined an initial potential seven-year mine life, with a forecast strong IRR (51% post Tax), rapid payback (1.75 year) and LOM AISC of US$776/oz Au (ASX announcement 6 May 2020). The Company is currently undertaking the largest exploration program carried out at Cape Ray, with upwards of 20,000 metres of drilling, targeting brownfield expansion and greenfields exploration. Matador acknowledges the financial support of the Junior Exploration Assistance Program, Department of Industry, Energy and Technology, Provincial Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. About OTC Markets Group Inc. OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM) operates the OTCQX Best Market, the OTCQB Venture Market and the Pink Open Market for 11,000 U.S. and global securities. Through OTC Link ATS and OTC Link ECN, we connect a diverse network of broker-dealers that provide liquidity and execution services. We enable investors to easily trade through the broker of their choice and empower companies to improve the quality of information available for investors. To learn more about how we create better informed and more efficient markets, visit www.otcmarkets.com. OTC Link ATS and OTC Link ECN are SEC regulated ATSs, operated by OTC Link LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Subscribe to the OTC Markets RSS Feed Media Contact: OTC Markets Group Inc., +1 (212) 896-4428, [email protected] SOURCE OTC Markets Group Inc. Related Links http://www.otcmarkets.com CLEVELAND, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The federal government has approved billions of dollars of relief funds for schools, but some educators are unclear where the funds originate and how they should be used. Today, OverDrive Education announced a new effort to guide school districts through the process of understanding and using Education Stabilization Funds (ESF). Interested schools can access the full collection of resources in the K-12 Funding Champion Toolkit . Since March 2020, the U.S. Department of Education has allocated nearly $193 billion in K-12 COVID-19 relief funding to states. The government funds, also known by legislative acronyms CARES, CRRSA, ARP and ESSER, can be used in a variety of ways ranging from improving ventilation, expanding after-school programs and purchasing digital resources like ebooks and audiobooks. "This is a generation-defining event for American primary and secondary education," said Angela Arnold, OverDrive Education General Manager. "Because there is so much to navigate, teachers have many questions about what the funds are and how they can be used. We want to ensure our school partners have the resources they need to answer basic questions and also support districts that want to use the Sora K-12 student reading app to address specific funding requirements." The Sora app, an allowable use for relief funds, is enabling many districts' literacy and reading programs. The legislation defines allowable uses for ESF, including "activities that address unique needs of low-income children or students, children with disabilities, English learners, racial and ethnic minorities, students experiencing homelessness, and foster care youths." The kit currently includes: "Explainer" PowerPoint presentation that walks educators though key information, including what ESF is and how much they can receive. Proposal template for educators seeking district approval for the use of ESF. This resource provides a starting point for educators who need to work with district leadership to prioritize spend on digital books. Case studies of schools that expanded their digital libraries using ESF. Important ESF-related websites. Editable spreadsheet with recommended digital book titles intended to aid districts in building equitable and inclusive collections with texts about different cultures: Latinx, Indigenous, Asian American Pacific Islander, African American, LBGTQ and texts that have characters with mental and physical differences. More resources will be added to the K-12 Funding Champion Toolkit in the coming weeks. For example, OverDrive Education will hold webinars to further address common questions about government relief. Thousands of schools have turned to digital solutions as a result of remote learning requirements of the pandemic. OverDrive Education increased their network from 20,000 to 48,000 schools throughout the last year, providing ebooks and audiobooks to support curricula and school libraries. In addition, the company donated free digital collections to meet the growing demand through its Sora app. OverDrive Education has also simplified how schools distribute large-volume, digital class sets of required books by working with curriculum providers and expanding edtech integrations. "As districts undertake this transformation to innovate and empower students, OverDrive Education will work closely with them to meet their needs, especially when it comes to expanding literacy and meeting goals of social-emotional learning," Arnold said. The Sora reading app is now used by more than 48,000 schools and districts worldwide. To find more information to help with education government relief funds, visit: http://discoversora.com/esf . About OverDrive Education a division of OverDrive OverDrive Education offers the industry's largest catalog of ebooks, audiobooks and streaming video for 48,000 K-12 schools worldwide. The company's student reading app, Sora , helps schools embrace the future of reading, providing 24/7 access to books and powerful learning tools and insights to meet the needs of students and educators. Sora was named one of TIME's Best Inventions of 2019. Founded in 1986, OverDrive the leading digital reading platform for libraries and OverDrive Education are based in Cleveland, Ohio USA. www.overdrive.com/schools Contact: David Burleigh Director of Brand Marketing & Communications [email protected] SOURCE OverDrive Education Related Links http://www.overdrive.com/schools CRANBURY, N.J., May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Palatin Technologies, Inc. (NYSE American: PTN), a biopharmaceutical company developing first-in-class medicines based on molecules that modulate the activity of the melanocortin peptide receptor system, today announced that it will host a key opinion leader (KOL) webinar on melanocortin agonists for treating ocular indications, with a primary focus on PL9643, the Company's lead asset. A Phase 3 clinical study of PL9643 in patients with dry eye disease (DED) is planned for the second half of calendar year 2021. The webinar will take place on Friday, May 21, 2021 at 10:00 am Eastern Time. The webinar introduces the Company's growing portfolio of melanocortin agonists to treat the harmful effects of inflammation in the eye. The event will feature presentations by KOLs Andrew W. Taylor, Ph.D., Boston University; Eric Donnenfeld, MD, Ophthalmic Consultants of Long Island; George Ousler, Ora Clinical; and Peter K. Kaiser, MD, Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Taylor will discuss the biology of the melanocortin system in the eye, Dr. Donnenfeld will discuss the dry eye treatment landscape and unmet medical need, as well as PL9643 Phase 2 Study data. Mr. Ousler will discuss the PL9643 Phase 3 program and study design. Dr. Kaiser will finish with retinopathy pre-clinical data and positioning. In addition, John Dodd, Ph.D., Palatin's Sr. VP Research, will discuss Palatin's developing portfolio of melanocortin agonists. Carl Spana, Ph.D., President and CEO of Palatin, will moderate the webinar and give a brief corporate update. A live question and answer session will follow the formal presentations. To register for the webinar, please click here. About the Key Opinion Leaders Andrew Taylor is associate dean of research and professor of ophthalmology at Boston University School of Medicine. A large part of his research effort has been to characterize the immunosuppressive and immunoregulating factors within immune privilege tissues. Through immunochemical and biological analysis of aqueous humor, the fluid filling the anterior chamber of the eye, he and his group have identified several potent immunoregulating and immunosuppressing neuropeptides that 1) suppress the activation of effector Th1 cells, 2) suppress the activation and the inflammatory activity of macrophages, and 3) mediate the induction of antigen-specific regulatory T cells. His research has found constitutively present neuropeptides in the immune privileged eye, including alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (a-MSH), vasoactive intestinal peptide, calcitonin gene related peptide, and somatostatin. Collectively, the neuropeptides in aqueous humor suppress activation of delayed type hypersensitivity of adaptive immunity, and endotoxin activation of macrophages in innate immunity. Individually, the neuropeptides target different cells and stages in the induction of an immune response. Also, his laboratory has data suggesting a role for the ocular neuropeptides in the regulation of macrophage functionality in the immune privileged eye. Professor Taylor is finding that within the ocular microenvironment the activation of macrophages to pathogens does not promote inflammation but promotes suppressor functionality in the macrophages. These macrophages respond to pathogens without mediating inflammation or activating T cells. Moreover, the macrophages produce anti-inflammatory cytokines, suppress and possibly induce apoptosis in activated T cells, and produce enzymes associated with wound repair. Preliminary evidence suggests that this is mediated by neurotransmitters of the sympathetic nervous system, norepinephrine, and neuropeptide Y along with a-MSH and somatostatin. As Senior Vice President of Anterior Segment at Ora, George Ousler oversees all dry eye clinical programs, lending his therapeutic knowledge and expertise to see each development project through to completion. He develops clinical models and regulatory pathways for the evaluation of dry eye therapies and has studied many of the agents under investigation. The Dry Eye Department includes nearly 60 team members who work with global clients in the U.S., Europe, and Asia, including Japan, China, and South Korea. George has more than 20 years of pioneering pharmaceutical development around dry eye. He has authored more than 250 publications on the topic and has been invited to present his research at numerous national and international symposia. He also holds several patents on techniques, formulations, and methods around dry eye and related conditions. During his time at Ora, George has been pivotal in the development and success of U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved products to treat dry eye, including Xiidra and TrueTear Intranasal Tear Neurostimulator. He often is called on to consult on worldwide drug development and registration, and frequently interacts with several regulatory agencies, including the U.S. FDA, the European Medicines Agency, the China Food and Drug Administration and the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Device Agency (Japan). Earlier positions in Ora's Dry Eye Department include Director, Senior Clinical Manager, Clinical Manager and Clinical Research Associate. George serves on several noted dry eye research committees and Scientific Advisory Boards. He is a member of several ophthalmic professional organizations, including the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, the Sjogren's Society and the Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society and is a reviewer for numerous scientific journals. Peter K. Kaiser, M.D., is a Staff member of the vitreoretinal faculty of the Cole Eye Institute in the Department of Ophthalmology at Cleveland Clinic's main campus. He was appointed in 1997. Dr. Kaiser is the Founding Director of the Digital Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) Reading Center at the Cole Eye Institute. Dr. Kaiser received his medical degree magna cum laude from Harvard Medical School in Boston, Mass. He completed an internship in internal medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, an ophthalmology residency at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston and a retinal fellowship at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, Florida. Actively involved in retinal clinical research, Dr. Kaiser is study chairman of 4 major, multi-center, international clinical trials and is a principal investigator in multiple other trials. He serves on numerous scientific advisory boards and addresses his research interests as an invited speaker at national and international conferences. Dr. Kaiser is a major contributor to medical literature having authored several ophthalmology texts, and more than 200 book chapters, original reports, electronic publications, and abstracts. He is an associate editor of the American Journal of Ophthalmology, and serves on the editorial boards of Retina, Retina Today, Retinal Physician and Ocular Surgery News. Dr. Kaiser has been recognized by the American Academy of Ophthalmology and American Society of Retina Specialists with Achievement and Senior Achievement Awards and is listed in the "Best Doctors in America" list. Eric Donnenfeld, M.D. is a trustee of Dartmouth Medical School and a clinical professor of ophthalmology at NYU. He was a resident and Chief Resident at Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital and completed a Cornea Fellowship at Wills Eye Hospital in 1985. Dr. Donnenfeld is the Editor-in-Chief of EyeWorld. He has written over 200 peer review papers on cornea, external disease, cataract, and refractive surgery, and 40 book chapters and books. He is on the editorial board of 9 journals and has participated in over 60 FDA studies. Dr. Donnenfeld is a National Medical Director of TLC laser centers and Surgical Director of the Lions Eye Bank for Long Island. He served as president of Nassau Surgical Society, cornea section of ASCRS, the International Ocular Microbiology and Immunology Group, the Ophthalmology Division of the Nassau Academy of Medicine, and many other professional societies. About Melanocortins and Inflammation The melanocortin receptor ("MCr") system is hormone driven, with effects on food intake, metabolism, sexual function, inflammation, and immune system responses. There are five melanocortin receptors, MC1r through MC5r. Modulation of these receptors, through use of receptor-specific agonists, which activate receptor function, or receptor-specific antagonists, which block receptor function, can have significant pharmacological effects. Many tissues and immune cells located in the eye express melanocortin receptors, empowering our opportunity to directly activate natural pathways to resolve disease inflammation. About Dry Eye Disease (DED) Dry eye disease is a common inflammatory disease that, left untreated, can become extremely painful and lead to permanent damage to the cornea and vision. Dry eye disease affects the cornea and conjunctiva of the eye resulting in irritation, redness, pain, and blurred vision. It is estimated to affect over 20 million people in the United States. The disease is characterized by insufficient moisture and lubrication in the anterior surface of the eye, leading to dryness, inflammation, pain, discomfort, irritation, diminished quality of life, and in severe cases, permanent vision impairment. Existing therapy for dry eye disease is generally regarded as inadequate by many physicians and patients, and often requires weeks or months to demonstrate activity. About Palatin Palatin is a biopharmaceutical company developing first-in-class medicines based on molecules that modulate the activity of the melanocortin and natriuretic peptide receptor systems, with targeted, receptor-specific product candidates for the treatment of diseases with significant unmet medical need and commercial potential. Palatin's strategy is to develop products and then form marketing collaborations with industry leaders to maximize their commercial potential. For additional information regarding Palatin, please visit Palatin's website at www.palatin.com Forward-looking Statements Statements in this press release that are not historical facts, including statements about future expectations of Palatin, such as statements about market potential of Vyleesi and other Palatin products in development, clinical trial results, potential actions by regulatory agencies including the FDA, regulatory plans, development programs, proposed indications for product candidates, market potential for product candidates, and potential adverse impacts due to the global COVID-19 pandemic such as delays in regulatory review, manufacturing and supply chain interruptions, adverse effects on healthcare systems and disruption of the global economy, are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Palatin intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause Palatin's actual results to be materially different from its historical results or from any results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Palatin's actual results may differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements for reasons including, but not limited to, Palatin's ability to establish and maintain the capability for manufacturing, marketing and distribution of Vyleesi, sales of Vyleesi in the United States and elsewhere in the world, results of clinical trials, regulatory actions by the FDA and other regulatory and the need for regulatory approvals, Palatin's ability to fund development of its technology and establish and successfully complete clinical trials, the length of time and cost required to complete clinical trials and submit applications for regulatory approvals, products developed by competing pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, commercial acceptance of Palatin's products, and other factors discussed in Palatin's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Palatin is not responsible for updating for events that occur after the date of this press release. SOURCE Palatin Technologies, Inc. Related Links http://www.palatin.com ATLANTA, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Parallel (the "Company"), one of the largest privately-held multi-state cannabis operators in the United States (U.S.), today announced the completion of a sale-leaseback transaction (the "Transaction"), in which Parallel sold its Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania warehouse to, and entered into a long-term lease agreement with, an affiliate of Innovative Industrial Properties, Inc. (IIP) (NYSE: IIPR), the first and only real estate company on the New York Stock Exchange focused on the regulated U.S. cannabis industry. The deal is valued at approximately $68 million. Proceeds from the transaction will be used to complete the initial build-out of a warehouse in Pittsburgh that will be used as goodblend Pennsylvania's (goodblend) state-of-the-art cannabis growing and processing facility when it is expected to begin operations in mid-2021. A retail brand of Parallel, goodblend is one of eight vertically integrated Clinical Registrants in the Commonwealth and was granted a license in partnership with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in August 2020. In 2021, goodblend intends to open its growing and processing facility as well as two approved retail facilities in Pittsburgh and Erie, and will work to identify and open four additional allowed retail locations. "This marks the fourth sale-leaseback transaction we've conducted with IIP, representing total proceeds of approximately $195 million in deal value to date. The collaboration with IIP supports our growth in Florida, Texas, and now Pennsylvania and helps us advance our mission to improve the quality of life through cannabinoids," said William "Beau" Wrigley Jr., Chairman and CEO for Parallel. "Completion of our growing and processing facility is an important step as we enter the growing Pennsylvania cannabis market. While we were granted our Clinical Registrant license in the Commonwealth in August 2020, which includes a Clinical Research Partnership with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, we now look forward to serving customers at our first goodblend retail stores in Pittsburgh and Erie, which we intend to open this summer." Following the completion of phase one of the renovation, the Pittsburgh warehouse will have approximately 124,000 square feet of usable space by Parallel with an additional 36,000 square feet available for future expansion. "goodblend Pennsylvania is already hiring for the hundreds of new jobs that we ultimately expect to create in Western Pennsylvania. We have also begun local job recruitment initiatives and expungement programs to support inclusion and economic empowerment within the Commonwealth. Wherever possible, we focus on hiring local and outreach and training for workers in underserved communities," said Elizabeth (Liz) Conway, Regional President, Parallel and goodblend Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania, with almost 13 million residents, is the sixth most populous state in the U.S. The Commonwealth's Medical Marijuana Program today has more than 425,000 registered patients. About goodblend Pennsylvania goodblend Pennsylvania is a retail brand of Parallel and was granted a vertically-integrated Clinical Registrant license in partnership with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in August 2020. The Clinical Research Partnership with University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, one of the leading medical research schools in the world, will initially focus on the impact of medicinal cannabis on various symptoms of sickle cell disease and chronic pain. The goodblend retail brand reflects Parallel's intent to lead the way to the future of cannabis by providing its customers a trusted, consistent, and seamless way for them to connect and learn, and to access innovative, high-quality cannabis products in a variety of form factors and to elicit such a positive experience that they come back again and again. The brand is about welcoming every type of customer and being an approachable source of products and information to support our customers' well-being. The ethos of goodblend is based on Parallel's commitment to compliance, quality and innovation, and on our actions to improve diversity, inclusivity and economic empowerment in the cannabis industry, and to be a great employer and local community partner. About Parallel Parallel is one of the largest privately-held, vertically integrated, multi-state cannabis companies in the United States with a mission to pioneer well-being and improve the quality of life through cannabinoids. Parallel recently announced that it intends to become a public company through a definitive business combination agreement with Ceres Acquisition Corp. ("Ceres") (NEO: CERE.U, CERE.WT;OTCQX: CERAF), a special purpose acquisition corporation (SPAC). Parallel has ongoing operations in four medical and adult-use markets under the retail brands of Surterra Wellness in Florida; goodblend in Texas; New England Treatment Access (NETA) in Massachusetts, and The Apothecary Shoppe in Nevada. Parallel also has a license under its goodblend Pennsylvania brand for vertically integrated operations and up to six retail locations, in addition to a medical cannabis research partnership with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Subject to regulatory approval, Parallel will add Illinois as a sixth market when its recently announced acquisition of six Windy City Cannabis licenses is complete. Parallel has a diverse portfolio of high quality, proprietary and licensed consumer brands and products including Surterra Wellness, Coral Reefer, Float and Heights. Parallel operates approximately 50 locations nationwide, including 42 retail stores, and cultivation and manufacturing sites. Through its wholly-owned Parallel Biosciences subsidiary, it conducts advanced cannabis science and R&D for new product development in its facilities in Massachusetts, Florida, Texas and a facility in Budapest, Hungary through an exclusive license and partnership. Parallel follows rigorous operations and business practices to ensure the quality, safety, consistency, and efficacy of its products and is building its business by following strong values and putting the well-being of its customers and employees first. Find more information at www.liveparallel.com , or on Instagram and LinkedIn . Media Contact Taylor Foxman [email protected] Investor Contact [email protected] Forward Looking Statements Forward-looking information in this news release is based on assumptions and cannot be assured within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and U.S. securities law (referred to herein as forward-looking statements), including statements regarding the Transaction and expected future growth. Except for statements of historical fact, certain information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements, which include, but are not limited to, statements related to activities, events or developments that Parallel or Ceres expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, statements related to Parallel's business strategy objectives and goals, and Parallel's management's assessment of future plans and operations which are based on current internal expectations, estimates, projections, assumptions and beliefs, which may prove to be incorrect. Forward-looking statements can often be identified by the use of words such as "may", "will", "could", "would", "should", "anticipate", 'believe", expect ", "intend", "potential ", "estimate", "budget", "scheduled", "plans", "planned", "forecasts", "goals" and similar expressions or the negatives thereof. Such statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are based on Parallel's management's belief or interpretation of information currently available. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Forward-looking statements in this press release includes statements regarding Parallel's investment in new technologies and products; the development and expansion of Parallel's brands; Parallel's expansion strategy and plans to grow its market share in existing and new markets; and strategic acquisition opportunities. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of factors and assumptions made by management and considered reasonable at the time such information is provided, and forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that the transactions described herein will be completed or that, if completed, the combined public company will be successful. Risk factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievement to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to the following: (i) the risk that the Transaction may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, which may adversely affect the price of Ceres' securities, (ii) the risk that the Transaction may not be completed by Ceres' qualifying transaction deadline and the potential failure to obtain an extension of the qualifying transaction deadline if sought by Ceres, (iii) the failure to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the Transaction, including the approval of the Transaction by the stockholders of Ceres and Parallel, as applicable (iv), the receipt of certain governmental and regulatory approvals, (v) the lack of a third party valuation in determining whether or not to pursue the proposed Transaction, (vi) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the business combination agreement, (vii) the impact of COVID-19 on Parallel's business and/or the ability of the parties to complete the proposed Transaction, (viii) the effect of the announcement or pendency of the Transaction on Parallel's business relationships, performance, and business generally, (ix) risks that the proposed Transaction disrupts current plans and operations of Parallel and potential difficulties in Parallel employee retention as a result of the proposed Transaction, (x) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Parallel or Ceres or their respective, directors, officers and affiliates related to the proposed Transaction, (xi) the risk that the combined public company's securities will not be approved for listing on the NEO Exchange or, if approved, that the combined public company will be able to maintain the listing, (xii) the price of Ceres' and the combined public company's securities may be volatile due to a variety of factors, including changes in the competitive and highly regulated industries in which Parallel operates, variations in performance across competitors, changes in laws and regulations affecting Parallel's business and changes in the combined capital structure and a return on securities of the combined public company is not guaranteed, (xiii) the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations after the completion of the proposed Transaction, and identify and realize additional opportunities, (xiv) the risk of downturns and the possibility of rapid change in the highly competitive industry in which Parallel operates, (xv) the risk that Parallel and its current and future collaborators are unable to successfully develop and commercialize Parallel's products, brands or services, or experience significant delays in doing so, (xvi) the risk that the combined public company may never sustain profitability, (xvii) the risk that the combined public company will need to raise additional capital to execute its business plan, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at all, (xviii) the risk that the combined public company experiences difficulties in managing its growth and expanding operations, (xix) the risk that the pharmaceutical industry may attempt to dominate the cannabis industry, and in particular, legal marijuana, through the development and distribution of synthetic products which emulate the effects and treatment of organic marijuana, (xx) the agricultural risks related to insects, plant diseases, unstable growing conditions, water and electricity availability and cost, (xxi) the risk that may arise because cannabis continues to be a controlled substance under the United States Federal Controlled Substances Act, (xxii) the risk of product liability or regulatory lawsuits or proceedings relating to Parallel's products and services, (xixii) the risk that the combined public company is unable to secure or protect its intellectual property, (xxiv) tax risks, including U.S. federal income tax treatment, (xxv) risks relating to the reliance of Parallel on key members of management, (xxvi) risks inherent in businesses related to the agricultural industry, (xxvii) risks relating to potentially unfavorable publicity or consumer perception, (xxviii) Parallel may be subject to the risk of competition from synthetic production and technological advances, (xxix) investors in the combined public company and its directors, officers and employees who are not U.S. citizens may be denied entry into the United States, (xxx) product recalls, (xxxi) results of future clinical research, (xxxii) difficulty attracting and retaining personnel, (xxxiii) fraudulent or illegal activity by employees, contractors and consultants; information technology systems and cyber-attacks, (xxxiv) security breaches, (xxxv) natural disasters and terrorism risk, (xxxvi) restricted access to banking, (xxxvii) risks related to the lending facilities, (xxxviii) risks of leverage, (xxxix) heightened scrutiny by regulatory authorities, (xI) risk of legal, regulatory or political change, (xli) general regulatory and licensing risks, (xlii) Parallel and the combined public company may be subject to the risk of changes in Canadian as well as U.S. federal, state and local laws or regulations, (xliii) limitations on ownership of licenses, (xliv) Nevada regulatory regime and transfer and grant of licenses, (xIv) regulatory action and approvals from the FDA, (xlvi) constraints on marketing products, (xlvii) anti-money laundering laws and regulation, (xlviii) the combined public company's status as an "Emerging Growth Company" under United States securities laws, (xlix) discretion in the use of proceeds, (l) subsequent offerings will result in dilution to shareholders of the combined public company, (li) voting control, and (lii) unpredictability caused by capital structure and voting control. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive. Parallel and Ceres undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws. U.S. Disclaimer Neither the securities of Ceres nor of Parallel have been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws and may not be offered and sold in the United States except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act. Any securities of either Ceres or Parallel sold in the United States will be "restricted securities" within the meaning of Rule 144 under the U.S. Securities Act. Such securities may be resold, pledged or otherwise transferred only pursuant to an effective registration statement under the U.S. Securities Act or pursuant to an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act. SOURCE Parallel Related Links http://www.liveparallel.com BOCA RATON, Fla., May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Phoenix Tower International (PTI), a leading wireless communications infrastructure provider, today announced it has closed a HoldCo financing facility to continue its international expansion. The transaction consists of three tranches at close that may be further increased through an accordion feature up to a total of EUR 775 million (approx. USD 940 million) to fund future growth. Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec (CDPQ), a global investment group, and AMP Capital, a global investment manager, provided the financing. The multi-jurisdiction facility is a landmark transaction underpinning PTI's continued focus on being a leading global provider of infrastructure assets. The facility will be used to fund PTI's recent growth in Europe and provides substantial additional capacity to support further growth in both existing and new markets worldwide. "This financing provides PTI with the flexibility to continue to grow our business across all markets with incremental financing available at our disposal, and will allow us to deliver for our customers, counterparties and business partners in an expedited manner with a strong lender group. CDPQ and AMP Capital's financing will support PTI as we continue to construct and invest in digital infrastructure across all markets and lead the necessary 4G and 5G build-outs on behalf of our customers and the populations we serve around the world," said Dagan Kasavana, Chief Executive Officer of PTI. "PTI's focus on offering value-add infrastructure solutions to our carrier customers is representative of Blackstone's thematic focus on digital infrastructure and wireless connectivity. We are proud to partner with CDPQ, a long-term partner to Blackstone, and AMP Capital to support our expansion across the US, Europe, and other growth markets," said Thomas Senecal of Blackstone Tactical Opportunities. "This financing in PTI builds on our previous experience to contribute to the expansion of digital infrastructure globally, alongside recognized industry leaders in this fast-growing sector," said Marc Cormier, Executive Vice-President and Head of Fixed Income at CDPQ. "By providing a customized and flexible financing solution to PTI, CDPQ is supporting a high-quality operator well positioned to seize opportunities in attractive markets that are experiencing a rising demand for connectivity." "PTI is one of the leading global owners and operators of tower infrastructure, and AMP Capital is pleased to have collaborated with PTI and CDPQ to implement a highly bespoke financing to support their growth ambitions," said Patrick Trears, Global Head of Infrastructure Debt at AMP Capital. "With the demand for telecommunication infrastructure set to continue to increase, we believe that PTI is well-placed to assist in meeting this demand and capitalize on associated growth opportunities across their markets. Telecommunications infrastructure remains a key sector for our infrastructure debt strategy, and with this transaction we are pleased to have added another high-quality investment for our investors around the world." PTI was represented by Locke Lord. CDPQ and AMP Capital were represented by Norton Rose Fulbright. Terms of the transaction remain confidential between the parties. About PTI PTI owns and operates over 12,500 towers, 986 km of fiber and markets over 80,000 other wireless infrastructure and related sites located in 16 countries throughout Europe, the United States, Latin America and the Caribbean. PTI was founded in 2013 with a mission to be a premier site provider to wireless operators across the Americas in high-growth markets. PTI's investors include funds managed by Blackstone Tactical Opportunities and John Hancock, as well as various members of the management team. For more information, please visit www.phoenixintnl.com and follow us on LinkedIn. About CDPQ At Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec (CDPQ), we invest constructively to generate sustainable returns over the long term. As a global investment group managing funds for public retirement and insurance plans, we work alongside our partners to build enterprises that drive performance and progress. We are active in the major financial markets, private equity, infrastructure, real estate and private debt. As at December 31, 2020, CDPQ's net assets total CAD 365.5 billion. For more information, visit cdpq.com, follow us on Twitter or consult our Facebook or LinkedIn pages. About AMP Capital AMP Capital is a global investment manager with a heritage and strength in real estate and infrastructure, and experience in fixed income, equities and multi-asset solutions. AMP Capital has been investing in infrastructure since 1988 and has US$22bn infrastructure equity and debt assets under management as at 31 December 20201. AMP Capital has been ranked in the top 10 infrastructure managers globally, based on total capital raised2. AMP Capital is owned by AMP Limited, which was established in 1849, and is one of Australia's largest retail and corporate pension providers. 1 As at 31 December 2020. Figure consists of the Net Asset Value of certain funds and clients managed by AMP Capital taking into account all of the assets less any liabilities. This includes cash and liquidity of such funds in addition to any committed but undrawn capital. 2 Derived from the 2020 Infrastructure Investor 50. Ranking based on the amount of infrastructure direct investment capital raised by firms between 1 Jan 2015 and 31 Aug 2020 SOURCE Phoenix Tower International Related Links http://www.phoenixintnl.com A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. PITTSBURGH, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC) today announced receipt of regulatory approval from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to complete the previously announced acquisition of BBVA USA Bancshares, Inc., including its U.S. banking subsidiary, BBVA USA. The regulatory approval process also included approvals from the Banking Departments of the States of Alabama and Texas. No further regulatory approvals are required to complete the acquisition and merger of PNC Bank and BBVA USA. The acquisition is anticipated to close June 1, 2021, pending satisfaction of customary closing conditions. Upon closing, PNC will be the fifth largest U.S. commercial bank with over $560 billion in assets and a presence in 29 of the 30 largest markets in the U.S. After closing, PNC will provide BBVA USA customers comprehensive information relating to the anticipated conversion of their accounts in October 2021. Until conversion, customers will continue be served through their respective BBVA USA and PNC branches, website and mobile apps. "We are pleased to have received regulatory approval of our acquisition that will accelerate our growth trajectory and drive long-term shareholder value," said William S. Demchak, PNC chairman, president and chief executive officer. "With common cultures and values and a shared commitment to our customers, employees and communities, we look forward to bringing PNC's industry-leading technology and innovative products and services to new markets and clients." The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. is one of the largest diversified financial services institutions in the United States, organized around its customers and communities for strong relationships and local delivery of retail and business banking including a full range of lending products; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management. For information about PNC, visit www.pnc.com. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding our outlook or expectations with respect to the planned acquisition of BBVA USA Bancshares, Inc. ("BBVA USA Holdco"), the combination of BBVA USA Holdco into PNC and BBVA USA into PNC Bank, and the impact of the transaction on PNC's future performance. Forward-looking statements are necessarily subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. Future events or circumstances may change our outlook and may also affect the nature of the assumptions, risk and uncertainty to which our forward-looking statements are subject. The forward-looking statements in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release, and we assume no duty, and do not undertake any obligation, to update them. Actual results or future events could differ, possibly materially, from those that we anticipated in these forward-looking statements. As a result, we caution against placing undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release are subject to the following risks and uncertainties related both to the acquisition transaction itself and to the integration of the acquired business into PNC after closing: the business of BBVA USA Holdco, including BBVA USA, going forward may not perform as we currently project or in a manner consistent with historical performance and, as a result, the anticipated benefits of the transaction may be significantly more difficult or take longer to achieve than expected or may not be achieved in their entirety; the combination of BBVA USA Holdco, including BBVA USA, with PNC and PNC Bank, respectively, may be more difficult to achieve than anticipated or have unanticipated adverse results; and completion of the transaction is dependent on the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, which cannot be assured. These forward-looking statements are also subject to the principal risks and uncertainties applicable to our businesses generally that are disclosed in PNC's 2020 Form 10-K and first quarter 2021 Form 10-Q and in PNC's subsequent SEC filings. Our SEC filings are accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and on our corporate website at www.pnc.com/secfilings. We have included these web addresses as inactive textual references only. Information on these websites is not part of this document. CONTACTS MEDIA: Marcey Zwiebel (412) 762-4550 [email protected] INVESTORS: Bryan Gill (412) 768-4143 [email protected] SOURCE The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. SHERMAN OAKS, Calif., May 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Earlier this year, FEMA announced that they would offer financial assistance to families who experienced the loss of a loved one due to COVID-19. This funeral assistance program is part of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. As part of the program, FEMA will reimburse eligible families up to $9,000 in funeral costs incurred after January 20, 2020. LendingUSA helps funeral directors navigate the FEMA Covid-19 funeral assistance program. LendingUSA, a California-based company providing point-of-sale financing solutions, serves thousands of funeral homes throughout the country. "Our funeral clients are funeral directors who offer financing through LendingUSA because they understand the importance of providing payment options to their families," says Elaine Valdez, Funeral Relations Manager at LendingUSA. "Over the last year, countless families lost members to COVID-19. When a death is unexpected, the cost of funeral services can be prohibitive. The FEMA program can help ease this burden significantly." Although the FEMA funeral assistance program serves families impacted by COVID-19, the team at LendingUSA wants to help funeral directors fully understand the program so they can be ready to assist their families. The company recently published a blog post that addresses frequently asked questions about FEMA funeral reimbursement, and account managers at LendingUSA are on standby to assist. "We want funeral directors to feel confident going into any interaction with a grieving family," says Elaine. Elaine emphasizes that although funeral professionals cannot complete the reimbursement application on behalf of a family, it is still important to understand how the funeral assistance program fits into the larger landscape of the funeral industry. "Funeral professionals routinely guide families through some of their most trying moments. In a pandemic, that guidance role becomes critically important. We're here for you just like you're there for your families." About LendingUSA LendingUSA is an award-winning point-of-sale fintech company that offers merchants a seamless financing solution with access to loan decisions in seconds, promotional financing terms, and low monthly payment options for its customers across various niche markets. Founded in 2015, LendingUSA has enrolled over 10,000 merchants nationwide and has processed over $2 billion in borrower loan requests. LendingUSA is committed to creating the best financing experience available through its proprietary point-of-sale lending solution. The company boasts a consumer rating of 4.8 out of five stars on BirdEye. All loans are made by Cross River Bank, a New Jersey state-chartered bank, Member FDIC. Press Contact Alex Lancaster, Content Marketing Manager [email protected] Related Images image1.jpg SOURCE LendingUSA CARMIEL, Israel, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Protalix BioTherapeutics, Inc. (NYSE American: PLX) (TASE: PLX), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development, production and commercialization of recombinant therapeutic proteins produced by its proprietary ProCellEx plant cell-based protein expression system, today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2021 and provided a business update. "While the receipt of the Complete Response Letter last month from the FDA was disappointing, we are encouraged that the FDA did not report any potential safety or efficacy concerns for PRX-102," said Dror Bashan, Protalix's President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are working closely with the FDA and anticipate the required inspection and subsequent assessment will be completed once the FDA's travel restrictions are lifted. We continue to advance our earlier stage pipeline and anticipate continued progress throughout 2021. We are grateful for the support of our clinicians, patients, shareholders, Board members, employees and external partners and look forward to building stockholder value," concluded Mr. Bashan. 2021 First Quarter and Recent Business Update Regulatory Updates On April 28, 2021 , the Company, together with its development and commercialization partner, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., or Chiesi, announced the receipt of a Complete Response Letter (CRL) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the Biologics License Application (BLA) seeking accelerated approval of pegunigalsidase alfa, or PRX102, for the proposed treatment of adult patients with Fabry disease. The CRL did not report any concerns relating to the potential safety or efficacy of PRX-102 in the submitted data package. In the CRL the FDA noted an inspection of the Company's manufacturing facility in Carmiel, Israel , including the FDA's subsequent assessment of any related findings is required before the FDA can approve the BLA. Due to travel restrictions relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, the FDA was unable to conduct the required inspection during the review cycle. The FDA explained that it will continue to monitor the public health situation as well as travel restrictions, and is actively working to schedule outstanding inspections. Clinical Advancements On February 23, 2021, the Company, together with Chiesi, announced positive topline results from the phase III BRIGHT clinical trial, a study designed to evaluate the safety, efficacy and pharmacokinetics of PRX102 treatment, 2 mg/kg every four weeks, in up to 30 patients with Fabry disease previously treated with a commercially available enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) (agalsidase alfa Replagal or agalsidase beta Fabrazyme). Topline results indicate that 2 mg/kg of PRX-102 administered by intravenous infusion every four weeks was found to be well tolerated among treated patients, and stable clinical presentation was maintained in adult Fabry patients. Corporate & Financial Developments Given the receipt of the CRL, the Company believes that it is prudent to secure short-term funds in order to continue development of PRX-102 while waiting for the FDA's required inspection and subsequent assessment described in the CRL. To do so, on May 13, 2021, the Company and Chiesi entered into a binding term sheet pursuant to which they amended the two exclusive license and supply agreements for PRX102 in order to provide the Company with near-term capital. Chiesi agreed to make a $10 .0 million milestone payment to the Company before the end of the second quarter in exchange for a $25 .0 million reduction in a longer-term regulatory milestone payment in the Ex-US Exclusive License and Supply Agreement. All other regulatory and commercial milestone payments remain unchanged. The Company and Chiesi also agreed to negotiate certain manufacturing related matters. .0 million milestone payment to the Company before the end of the second quarter in exchange for a .0 million reduction in a longer-term regulatory milestone payment in the Ex-US Exclusive License and Supply Agreement. All other regulatory and commercial milestone payments remain unchanged. The Company and Chiesi also agreed to negotiate certain manufacturing related matters. On February 18, 2021 , the Company announced the closing of a public offering of common stock raising gross proceeds of approximately $40 .2 million before deducting the underwriting discount and estimated expenses of the offering. , the Company announced the closing of a public offering of common stock raising gross proceeds of approximately .2 million before deducting the underwriting discount and estimated expenses of the offering. On February 10, 2021, the Company entered into an exclusive partnership with SarcoMed USA Inc. for the worldwide development and commercialization of alidornase alfa, or PRX-110, for use in the treatment of any human respiratory disease or condition including, but not limited to, sarcoidosis, pulmonary fibrosis and other related diseases via inhaled delivery. Financial Results For the three months ended March 31, 2021, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2020 The Company recorded revenues from selling goods of $4 .5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021, a decrease of $0 .5 million, or 10%, compared to revenues of $5 .0 million for the same period of 2020. The decrease of $3 .0 million in sales to Brazil was partially offset by an increase of $2 .5 million in sales to Pfizer Inc. or Pfizer. .5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2021, a decrease of .5 million, or 10%, compared to revenues of .0 million for the same period of 2020. The decrease of .0 million in sales to was partially offset by an increase of .5 million in sales to Pfizer Inc. or Pfizer. Revenue from licenses and R&D services was $6.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, a decrease of $9 .8 million, or 59%, compared to revenues from license and R&D services of $16 .6 million for the same period in 2020. Revenues from license and R&D services are comprised primarily of revenues we recognized in connection with the license and supply agreements with Chiesi. The decrease resulted primarily from revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2020 recognized in connection with an updated costs estimation throughout the trials until completion, made in 2020, in the amount of $6 .7 million and from revenues recognized in connection with the progress of our clinical trials that have been completed during 2020. .8 million, or 59%, compared to revenues from license and R&D services of .6 million for the same period in 2020. Revenues from license and R&D services are comprised primarily of revenues we recognized in connection with the license and supply agreements with Chiesi. The decrease resulted primarily from revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2020 recognized in connection with an updated costs estimation throughout the trials until completion, made in 2020, in the amount of .7 million and from revenues recognized in connection with the progress of our clinical trials that have been completed during 2020. Cost of goods sold was $4 .8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, an increase of $1 .4 million, or 41%, from cost of goods sold of $3 .4 million for the same period in 2020. The increase in cost of goods sold was primarily the result of higher manufacturing costs. .8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, an increase of .4 million, or 41%, from cost of goods sold of .4 million for the same period in 2020. The increase in cost of goods sold was primarily the result of higher manufacturing costs. Research and development expenses were $7 .1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, a decrease of $3 .2 million, or 31%, compared to $10 .3 million of research and development expenses for the same period of 2020. The decrease is primarily due to the completion of two out of the three phase III clinical trials of PRX102 and reduced costs related to the BALANCE Study. The Company expects research and development expenses to continue to be its primary expense as it enters into a more advanced stage of preclinical and clinical trials for certain of its product candidates. .1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, a decrease of .2 million, or 31%, compared to .3 million of research and development expenses for the same period of 2020. The decrease is primarily due to the completion of two out of the three phase III clinical trials of PRX102 and reduced costs related to the Study. The Company expects research and development expenses to continue to be its primary expense as it enters into a more advanced stage of preclinical and clinical trials for certain of its product candidates. Selling, general and administrative expenses were $3 .1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, a decrease of $0 .1 million, or 3%, compared to $3 .2 million for the same period of 2020. .1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, a decrease of .1 million, or 3%, compared to .2 million for the same period of 2020. Financial expenses, net were $1 .8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, a decrease of $1 .2 million, or 40%, compared to financial expenses net of $3 .0 million for the same period of 2020. The decrease resulted primarily from a decrease in expenses related to the Company's outstanding convertible notes equal to $1 .3 million. .8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, a decrease of .2 million, or 40%, compared to financial expenses net of .0 million for the same period of 2020. The decrease resulted primarily from a decrease in expenses related to the Company's outstanding convertible notes equal to .3 million. Cash, cash equivalents and short-term bank deposits were approximately $70 .4 million on March 31, 2021. During the first quarter of 2021, the Company raised gross proceeds of $8 .8 million from the sale of common stock under its ATM program and gross proceeds of $40 .2 million via the public offering of its common stock. .4 million on March 31, 2021. During the first quarter of 2021, the Company raised gross proceeds of .8 million from the sale of common stock under its ATM program and gross proceeds of .2 million via the public offering of its common stock. Net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was approximately $5 .5 million, or $0 .14 per share, basic and diluted, compared to a net income of $1 .7 million, or $0.10 per share, basic and diluted, for the same period in 2020. Conference Call and Webcast Information The Company will host a conference call today, May 14, 2021 at 8:30 am Eastern Daylight Time, to review the clinical, corporate, and financial highlights, which will also be available by webcast. To participate in the conference call, please dial the following numbers prior to the start of the call: Conference Call Details: Friday, May 14, 2021, 8:30 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) Domestic: 877-423-9813 International: 201-689-8573 Conference ID: 13719725 The conference call will be webcast live from the Company's website and will be available via the following links: Webcast Details: Company Link: https://protalixbiotherapeutics.gcs-web.com/events0 Webcast Link: https://tinyurl.com/bnd6y9ch Conference ID: 13719725 Please access the websites at least 15 minutes ahead of the conference to register, download and install any necessary audio software. The conference call will be available for replay for two weeks on the Events Calendar of the Investors section of the Company's website, at the above link. About Protalix BioTherapeutics, Inc. Protalix is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of recombinant therapeutic proteins expressed through its proprietary plant cell-based expression system, ProCellEx. Protalix was the first company to gain FDA approval of a protein produced through plant cell-based in suspension expression system. Protalix's unique expression system represents a new method for developing recombinant proteins in an industrial-scale manner. Protalix's first product manufactured by ProCellEx, taliglucerase alfa, was approved by the FDA in May 2012 and, subsequently, by the regulatory authorities of other countries. Protalix has licensed to Pfizer Inc. the worldwide development and commercialization rights for taliglucerase alfa, excluding Brazil, where Protalix retains full rights. Protalix's development pipeline consists of proprietary versions of recombinant therapeutic proteins that target established pharmaceutical markets, including the following product candidates: pegunigalsidase alfa, a modified stabilized version of the recombinant human GalactosidaseA protein for the treatment of Fabry disease; alidornase alfa or PRX-110, for the treatment of various human respiratory diseases or conditions; PRX115, a plant cell-expressed recombinant PEGylated uricase for the treatment of refractory gout; PRX119, a plant cell-expressed long action DNase I for the treatment of NETs-related diseases; and others. Protalix has partnered with Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A., both in the United States and outside the United States, for the development and commercialization of pegunigalsidase alfa, and with SarcoMed USA, Inc. for the worldwide development and commercialization of PRX110 for use in the treatment of any human respiratory disease or condition including, but not limited to, sarcoidosis, pulmonary fibrosis, and other related diseases via inhaled delivery. Forward-Looking Statements To the extent that statements in this press release are not strictly historical, all such statements are forward-looking, and are made pursuant to the safe-harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The terms "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "project," "may," "plan," "will," "would," "should" and "intend," and other words or phrases of similar import are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual future experience and results to differ materially from the statements made. These statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations as to such future outcomes. Drug discovery and development involve a high degree of risk and the final results of a clinical trial may be different than the preliminary findings for the clinical trial. Factors that might cause material differences include, among others: risks related to the timing and progress of the preparation of an updated BLA addressing the complete response letter; risks related to the timing, progress and likelihood of final approval by the FDA of a resubmitted BLA for PRX102 and, if approved, whether the use of PRX-102 will be commercially successful; the risk that the FDA, the European Medicines Agency, or EMA, or other foreign regulatory authorities may not accept or approve a marketing application the Company files for any of its product candidates; failure or delay in the commencement or completion of our preclinical studies and clinical trials, which may be caused by several factors, including: slower than expected rates of patient recruitment; unforeseen safety issues; determination of dosing issues; lack of effectiveness during clinical trials; inability or unwillingness of medical investigators and institutional review boards to follow our clinical protocols; and inability to monitor patients adequately during or after treatment; risks relating to the Company's ability to make required payments under its outstanding convertible notes or any other indebtedness as they come due and the Company's ability to obtain additional financing and raise capital as necessary should the regulatory approval process become more extended; risks associated with the novel coronavirus disease, or COVID-19, outbreak, which may adversely impact our business, preclinical studies and clinical trials; risks related to any transactions we may effect in the public or private equity markets to raise capital to finance future research and development activities, general and administrative expenses and working capital; risk of significant lawsuits, including stockholder litigation, which is common in the life sciences sector; the risk that the results of the clinical trials of our product candidates will not support the applicable claims of safety or efficacy, or that our product candidates will not have the desired effects or will be associated with undesirable side effects or other unexpected characteristics; risks related to our ability to maintain and manage our relationship with our collaborators, distributors or partners; risks related to the amount and sufficiency of our cash and cash equivalents; our dependence on performance by third party providers of services and supplies, including without limitation, clinical trial services; delays in our preparation and filing of applications for regulatory approval; delays in the approval or potential rejection of any applications we file with the FDA, EMA or other health regulatory authorities, and other risks relating to the review process; the inherent risks and uncertainties in developing drug platforms and products of the type we are developing; the impact of development of competing therapies and/or technologies by other companies and institutions; potential product liability risks, and risks of securing adequate levels of product liability and other necessary insurance coverage; and other factors described in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The statements in this press release are valid only as of the date hereof and we disclaim any obligation to update this information, except as may be required by law. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/999479/Protalix_Biotherapeutics_Logo.jpg Investor Contact Chuck Padala, Managing Director LifeSci Advisors +1-646-627-8390 [email protected] PROTALIX BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (U.S. dollars in thousands) (Unaudited) March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents $ 19,830 $ 18,265 Short-term bank deposits 50,600 20,280 Accounts receivable Trade 4,599 2,000 Other assets 1,754 2,096 Inventories 13,915 13,082 Total current assets $ 90,698 $ 55,723 NON-CURRENT ASSETS: Funds in respect of employee rights upon retirement $ 1,776 $ 1,799 Property and equipment, net 4,828 4,845 Operating lease right of use assets 5,490 5,567 Total assets $ 102,792 $ 67,934 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (NET OF CAPITAL DEFICIENCY) CURRENT LIABILITIES: Accounts payable and accruals: Trade $ 6,376 $ 7,221 Other 15,167 13,926 Operating lease liabilities 1,386 1,420 Contracts liability 2,560 5,394 Convertible notes 55,372 54,427 Promissory note 4,086 Total current liabilities $ 80,861 $ 86,474 LONG TERM LIABILITIES: Contracts liability 858 1,716 Liability for employee rights upon retirement 2,224 2,263 Operating lease liabilities 4,319 4,467 Other long term liabilities 26 51 Total long term liabilities $ 7,427 $ 8,497 Total liabilities $ 88,288 $ 94,971 STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (CAPITAL DEFICIENCY) 14,504 (27,037) Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (net of capital deficiency) $ 102,792 $ 67,934 PROTALIX BIOTHERAPEUTICS, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (U.S. dollars in thousands, except share and per share data) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 March 31, 2020 REVENUES FROM SELLING GOODS $ 4,511 $ 5,031 REVENUES FROM LICENSE AND R&D SERVICES 6,809 16,615 TOTAL REVENUE 11,320 21,646 COST OF GOODS SOLD (1) (4,765) (3,426) RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT EXPENSES, NET (2) (7,122) (10,340) SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES (3) (3,138) (3,187) OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) (3,705) 4,693 FINANCIAL EXPENSES (2,156) (3,229) FINANCIAL INCOME 335 203 FINANCIAL EXPENSES NET (1,821) (3,026) OTHER INCOME 51 NET INCOME (LOSS) FOR THE PERIOD $ (5,475) $ 1,667 EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK BASIC AND DILUTED $ (0.14) $ 0.10 WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK USED IN COMPUTING EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE BASIC AND DILUTED 39,933,972 17,381,074 (1) Includes share-based compensation $ 109 $ (2) Includes share-based compensation $ 210 $ 78 (3) Includes share-based compensation $ 497 $ 353 SOURCE Protalix BioTherapeutics, Inc. Related Links https://protalix.com ROCKVILLE, Md., May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTCQB: RGRX) ("RegeneRx"), a clinical-stage drug development company focused on tissue protection, repair and regeneration has posted a press release from its U.S. joint venture, ReGenTree LLC, on its website pursuant to the completed data analysis of its Phase 3 clinical trial (ARISE-3) with RGN-259 for the treatment of dry eye syndrome, as well as the results of pooling patient data from all three Phase 3 dry eye trials (ARISE-1, ARISE-2 and ARISE-3 comprising approximately 1,500 patients. The press release can be accessed by clicking on the following link: http://www.regenerx.com/image/ReGenTree_PR+%28MAY2021%29+FIN.pdf or navigating to RegeneRx's home page at www.RegeneRx.com. "We are very pleased and encouraged that the completed analysis demonstrated a number of favorable efficacy parameters in ARISE-3 and, most importantly, numerous significant sign and symptom improvements with RGN-259 when pooling the patient data from all three phase 3 clinical trials. RGN-259 also confirmed its consistent safety and tolerance profile. We are working with an outside regulatory team to develop a regulatory package for a pre-BLA meeting with the FDA targeted for this summer," stated J.J. Finkelstein, RegeneRx's president and chief executive. About RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. RegeneRx is focused on the development of novel therapeutic peptides, including Thymosin beta 4 (T4) and its constituent fragments, for tissue and organ protection, repair, and regeneration. RegeneRx currently has three drug candidates in clinical development for ophthalmic, cardiac/neuro and dermal indications, four active strategic licensing agreements in the U.S., China, and Pan Asia (Korea, Japan, and Australia, among others), and the EU, and has patents and patent applications covering its products in many countries throughout the world. About ReGenTree, LLC ReGenTree is a U.S. joint venture company owned by GtreeBNT Co., Ltd, and RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., specifically to develop RGN-259 in both the U.S. and Canada for ophthalmic indications. ReGenTree licensed the rights to RGN-259 from RegeneRx in 2015. Thus far, ReGenTree has sponsored three Phase 3 studies in the U.S. for dry eye, which are ARISE-1 (Phase 2b/3), ARISE-2 (Phase 3), and the recently completed ARISE-3 (Phase 3) for dry eye. In addition to dry eye, the Company completed a Phase 3 study (SEER-1) for neurotrophic keratopathy (NK), an orphan indication in ophthalmology. Its primary endpoint, "the ratio of corneal wound healed patients after four weeks' administration" showed a strong efficacy trend in only 18 patients (p = 0.0656 and p = 0.0400, Fisher's exact test and Chi square test, respectively) with a similar safety profile as demonstrated in our dry eye trials. For additional information about ReGenTree, please visit www.regentreellc.com. Forward Looking Statements Any statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements made under the provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to be materially different from historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, information on phase 3 trial results, pooled data from several phase 3 trials, competitive products, statements from us, or our U.S. joint venture partner, GtreeBNT, Ora, Inc. and its biostatistics affiliates, or derived from independent market research reports regarding strategic and research partnerships, status of clinical trials, reclassification of our drug candidates from drugs to biologics, timing of regulatory applications and approvals, the development and value of our drug candidates, and the use of our drug candidates to treat various conditions. All forward-looking statements are expectations and estimates based upon information obtained and/or calculated by the Company or its joint venture partner and its affiliates at this time and are subject to change. Moreover, there is no guarantee any clinical trial will be successful or confirm previous clinical results. Please view these and other risks described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including those identified in the "Risk Factors" section of the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, and subsequent quarterly reports filed on Form 10-Q, as well as other filings it makes with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements in this shareholder letter represent the Company's views only as of the date of this release and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. The Company specifically disclaims any obligation to update this information, as a result of future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. SOURCE RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. Related Links http://www.regenerx.com PRINCETON, N.J., May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ReGenTree, LLC ('Company'), a U.S. joint venture company between GtreeBNT and RegeneRx, announced results of additional analysis of the Phase 3 clinical trial, ARISE-3, using RGN-259 for the treatment of dry eye syndrome. The Company also pooled data from all three Phase 3 clinical trials for dry eye. In ARISE-3, a symptom of efficacy was seen in the improvement of ocular grittiness, one of the pre-specified secondary endpoints. The statistically significant difference was seen at one and two weeks after treatment, and post-exposure to an exacerbated environment after two weeks of treatment with RGN-259 compared to placebo (p = 0.0094, 0.0384, and 0.0079, respectively). Also, statistically significant differences were seen with improvement in ocular discomfort during the first week of treatment (as noted in the subject diary) and with several items of the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) at Day 15, which were other prespecified secondary symptom endpoints. In addition, through post-hoc analysis, statistically significant differences were seen in the central corneal fluorescein staining score for sign efficacy at 2 weeks after treatment in a subpopulation of ARISE-3 and in the pooled population of three trials of ARISE-1, -2, and -3 comprised with corneal sum fluorescein staining score at the baseline (ARISE-3, p = 0.0352; Pooled data of three trials, p = 0.0074) and in a subpopulation of ARISE-2 and in the pooled population of three trials comprised with inferior corneal fluorescein staining score and Schirmer's test score at the baseline (ARISE-2, p = 0.0057; Pooled data of three trials, p = 0.0196). In terms of safety and tolerance, it was confirmed that RGN-259 continued to demonstrate safety in the treatment of dry eye syndrome consistent with previous clinical trials. Dry eye syndrome is a multifactorial disease with various underlying causes. For treatment, it is important not only to treat the inflammation but also to repair the damaged eye surface and restore tear film homeostasis. These multiple pathologies highlight the importance of drugs with a variety of therapeutic mechanisms along with anti-inflammatory therapeutics. Last year, the FDA released a draft guidance for developing drugs for the treatment of dry eye syndrome. The FDA recommended a number of different endpoints for an objective sign or subjective symptom. The FDA indicated that a statistically significant difference for at least one objective prespecified sign and at least one subjective prespecified symptom could be used for dry eye, even if in separate clinical trials. ReGenTree is developing RGN-259, which contains thymosin b4 (T4) as a drug substance for ophthalmic indications. RGN-259 regulates inflammation, wound healing, cell protection, cell migration, and apoptosis. The ARISE-3 trial enrolled 700 patients in 20 clinical trial sites nationwide. A Company official said, "We think that the safety and efficacies of RGN-259 are demonstrated in both signs and symptoms for the treatment of dry eye based on ARISE-3 and the pooled data of all three Phase 3 trials." Based on the recent reclassification of RGN-259 to a Biologics License Application (BLA) and the draft guidance for dry eye from the FDA, the Company has started discussions with regulatory consulting firms to explore the prospects of a pre-BLA meeting with the FDA using these comprehensive data from all three phase 3 trials. The Company will proceed with a request for a pre-BLA meeting and future development steps will depend on the discussion results. If RGN-259 is approved, the Company anticipates that RGN-259 will have market exclusivity for 12 years as a BLA product. About ReGenTree , LLC ReGenTree is a U.S. joint venture company owned by GtreeBNT Co., Ltd, and RegeneRx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc., specifically to develop RGN-259 in both the U.S. and Canada for ophthalmic indications. ReGenTree licensed the rights to RGN-259 from RegeneRx in 2015. Thus far, ReGenTree has sponsored three Phase 3 studies in the U.S. for dry eye, which are ARISE-1 (Phase 2b/3), ARISE-2 (Phase 3), and the recently completed ARISE-3 (Phase 3) for dry eye. In addition to dry eye, the Company completed a Phase 3 study (SEER-1) for neurotrophic keratopathy (NK), an orphan indication in ophthalmology. Its primary endpoint, "the ratio of corneal wound healed patients after four weeks' administration" showed a strong efficacy trend in only 18 patients (p = 0.0656 and p = 0.0400, Fisher's exact test and Chi square test, respectively) with a similar safety profile as demonstrated in our dry eye trials. For additional information about ReGenTree, please visit www.regentreellc.com. Forward-Looking Statements Any statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements made under the provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to be materially different from historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that any current or future clinical trials will result in approved products or future value. There can also be no assurance that the Company will apply for a BLA in the future or that if the Company applies for a BLA, that it will be accepted by the FDA and/or that the product candidate will be approved for marketing in the U.S. Any forward-looking statements in this press release represent the Company's views only as of the date of this release and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. The Company specifically disclaims any obligation to update this information as a result of future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. SOURCE ReGenTree, LLC Related Links http://www.regentreellc.com NEW YORK, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Researchers have discovered new ways in which the COVID-19 virus causes human immune cells to overreact, a deadly part of the disease. Led by researchers from NYU Grossman School of Medicine and the Perlmutter Cancer Center at NYU Langone Health, the new study found that SARS-CoV-2, the pandemic virus, interacts with specific proteins on immune cells, causing these cells to release abnormally high levels of immune signaling proteins called cytokines (a "cytokine storm"). These cytokines, in turn, cause fluid buildup in the lungs and makes it hard to breathe. Before the current study, SARS-CoV2 was thought to interact mostly with a protein called angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which is present on the outer surfaces of lung cells. The virus evolved to have a protein spike that snags ACE2 as the first step in invading human lung cells, where the virus multiplies. Accordingly, all approved COVID-19 antiviral drugs and vaccines work by interfering with, or protecting against, this viral spike/ACE2 interaction. Mounting evidence, however, suggests that the virus also interacts directly with human immune cells, which have little ACE2 on their surfaces. Published online in the journal Immunity, the new study identified six surface proteins on immune cells that attach to the viral spike protein, but in different places than ACE2. The virus does not appear to replicate in immune cells, as it does when it binds with ACE2 on lung cells, but instead, the newfound interactions cause damaging immune responses, say the study authors. Based on their new understanding, the team generated nanobodies, a type of protein-based therapeutic, to block viral attachment to both ACE2 and the newfound immune cell surface proteins (receptors). "Our results suggest that we can simultaneously keep SARS-CoV2 from invading lung cells while also blocking the dangerous hyperactivation that the viral spike protein causes in immune cells," says corresponding study author Jun Wang, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Pathology at NYU Langone Health. "Such dual action, if confirmed in human studies, could more fully address a disease that has taken more than 3.3 million lives globally." In the study, the authors used a technique called single-cell RNA-sequencing to examine which genes were expressed, and consequently, which proteins were built, in cells present in lung fluid taken from COVID-19 patients, including cells lining the lungs (epithelial cells) and immune cells. Their high-speed receptor screening approach identified and described the six human immune cell membrane proteins that bound to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Five were C-type lectins, carbohydrate-binding protein units with many biological functions, including in immune defenses. The authors also found that SARS-CoV-2 spike attaches to Tweety family member 2, a protein that controls the entry of charged particles (chloride) into cells, and possibly a switch that activates immune cells. Importantly, the team found the virus spike interacts with these activating surface proteins mostly on myeloid cells, a group of vital immune cells that arise in bone marrow and circulate in the blood. In addition, the study authors generated nanobodies that blocked SARS-CoV-2 Spike/ACE2 and myeloid cell interactions. Nanobodies are smaller derivatives of antibodies, immune proteins that form a surveillance system by recognizing invading microbes. Industry designs synthetic antibodies that specifically glom onto targets of their choice, which can change the action of disease-causing proteins. More recently, researchers began fine-tuning just pieces of antibodies, called nanobodies, which are easier to make. "Our study will change how the field thinks about mechanisms behind COVID-19, demonstrating that viruses can directly reprogram immune cells with potentially deadly consequences," says co-first study author Qiao Lu, PhD, a post-doctoral scholar in Jun's lab. As a next step, he says, the research team plans to explore their nanobody's potential in pre-clinical and clinical studies in patients with severe cases of COVID-19, as well as in those with emerging virus mutants that cause more severe symptoms. Along with Wang, co-corresponding authors for the study were Siyuan Ding in the Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and Qi Xie of the Institute of Basics Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study in Hangzhou, China. Along with Lu, co-first authors were Jia Liu of the Department of Pathology at NYU Langone Health; and Shuai Zhao of Westlake University. Also study authors from the Department of Pathology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine were Triantafyllia Karakousi, Ze Zhang, Xufeng Chen, Marianna Teplova, Tenny Mudianto, Jasper Du, Alberto Herrera, Sergei Koralov, Iannis Aifantis; and Leopoldo Segal in the Department of Medicine; as well as Payal Damani-Yokota, Maria Kaczmarek, Stephen Yeung, Kamal Khanna, and Kenneth Stapleford in the Department of Microbiology. Additional study authors were Xiaojuan Ran, Hongzhen Tang, Haijing Deng, Zhilin Long, Shumin Jin, Peng Lin, and Ming Zhou of the Institute of Basics Medical Sciences, Westlake Institute for Advanced Study; Maria Florencia, Gomez Castro, Juhee Son, Ruochen Zang, Broc McCune, Rita Chen, and Michael Diamond of the Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis; Maudry Laurent-Rolle, Jack Hsu, Tina Tianjiao Su, and Peter Cresswell of the Department of Immunobiology at Yale University School of Medicine; Jianbo Dong, Betty Huang, Yue Liu of Ab Studio Inc.; Fei Tang, Xianwen Ren, and Zemin Zhang of the Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics at Peking University; Renhong Yan and Qiang Zhou of the Joint Research Center of Hangzhou First Hospital Group and Westlake University; Jia Cui of Kactus Biosystems in Shanghai; James Zhu and Tao Wang of the Quantitative Biomedical Research Center at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; and Jianzhu Ma of the Department of Computer Science at Purdue University. This work is supported by internal funds provided by the Office of Science & Research at NYU Langone Health, Westlake Education Foundation, Tencent Foundation grant XHTX202001008, Hangzhou Science and Technology Development Foundation grant 20202013A05, a Cancer Research Institute Irvington Postdoctoral Fellowship, and National Institutes of Health grants P30 DK052574, R00 AI135031, R01 AI150796, R01 AI157155, R01 AI143861, AI143861S1, and R01-AI059167. Wang, Lu, and Liu from NYU, Huang, Dong and Yue Liu from Ab Studio Inc., are named as inventors on patent applications that describe the anti-SARS-CoV-2 blocking nanobodies. Wang is also a paid consultant for Lilly Asia Ventures and Rootpath Genomics (work not related to the current study). Contact: Gregory Williams, 212-404-3500, [email protected] SOURCE NYU Grossman School of Medicine BEIJING, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- RYB Education, Inc. ("RYB" or the "Company") (NYSE: RYB), a leading early childhood education service provider in China, today announced it has filed its annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). The annual report is available on the Company's investor relations website at http://ir.rybbaby.com/ and on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. The Company will provide a hard copy of the annual report containing the audited consolidated financial statements, free of charge, to its shareholders and ADS holders upon request. Requests should be submitted to [email protected]. About RYB Education, Inc. Founded on the core values of "Care" and "Responsibility," "Inspire" and "Innovate," RYB Education, Inc. is a leading early childhood education service provider in China. Since opening its first play-and-learn center in 1998, the Company has grown and flourished with the mission to provide high-quality, individualized and age-appropriate care and education to nurture and inspire each child for his or her betterment in life. During its two decades of operating history, the Company has built "RYB" into a well-recognized education brand and helped bring about many new educational practices in China's early childhood education industry. RYB's comprehensive early childhood education solutions meet the needs of children from infancy to 6 years old through structured courses at kindergartens and play-and-learn centers, as well as at-home educational products and services. For more information, please visit http://ir.rybbaby.com. For investor and media inquiries, please contact: In China: RYB Education, Inc. Investor Relations E-mail: [email protected] The Piacente Group, Inc. Yang Song Tel: +86 (10) 6508-0677 E-mail: [email protected] In the United States: The Piacente Group, Inc. Brandi Piacente Tel: +1-212-481-2050 E-mail: [email protected] SOURCE RYB Education, Inc. Related Links www.rybbaby.com HAMILTON, Bermuda, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Seadrill Limited ("Seadrill") is pleased to announce a new contract has been secured by Sonadrill Holding Ltd ("Sonadrill"), the 50:50 joint venture with an affiliate of Sonangol E.P. ("Sonangol"). Sonadrill has secured a twelve well contract with one option for nine wells and eleven one well options in Angola for the Sonangol Quenguela drillship. Total contract value for the firm portion of the contract is expected to be approximately $131 million (inclusive of mobilization revenue and additional services) with commencement expected in Q1 2022 and running to Q3 2023. The contract is contingent on National Concessionaire approval. Sonangol Quenguela is the second of two Sonangol-owned drillships to be bareboat chartered into Sonadrill. The drillship is a 7th generation, DP3, dual activity, e-smart ultra-deepwater drillship delivered in 2019, capable of drilling up to 40,000ft wells. Sonadrill is a joint venture created between Sonangol, owner of Sonangol Libongos and Sonangol Quenguela drillships, and Seadrill, which has extensive drilling expertise both worldwide and in Angola. A further two Seadrill-owned units are expected to be bareboat chartered into Sonadrill. Seadrill will manage and operate the four units on behalf of Sonadrill. Seadrill's Chief Executive Officer, Stuart Jackson commented, "Sonadrill is a strategic partnership in an important deepwater basin. The operational excellence and experience of our team has driven this expansion of the joint venture. Securing the contract for the Sonangol Quenguela drillship is a great achievement, and is testament to the confidence that our partners and clients have in the company and its staff." 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. CONTACT: [email protected] 020 3745 4960 This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com SOURCE Seadrill Limited HOUSTON, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Sewa International has procured 7,482 oxygen concentrators, 20,500 pulse oximeters, 250 ventilators, 256 co-ventilators and other much needed medical equipment and has shipped most of these to India via UPS over the past two weeks. Working with its partners in India, Sewa International has distributed more than 4,000 medicine kits, and 5,000 essential kits. As Indian hospitals and care agencies struggle to meet this dire medical emergency, Sewa volunteers have been working across the country, in small towns and big cities to offer information about hospital bed availability, medical equipment distribution, vaccinations, and testing for COVID-19. Sewa International has already spent more than $7.5 million procuring and shipping equipment, and helping distribute needed medicines, food, and other supplies. Infographic highlighting funds raised, spent, and work accomplished by Sewa International in a two-week period ending May 10, 2021 Oxygen Concentrators upon arrival at Delhi Detailing some of the work done by the Sewa International team in India, Viswanath Koppaka, National Marketing Director for Sewa International said, "Sewa International volunteers facilitated the COVID-19 testing at the Government Hospital in Hiriyur, in the Indian state of Karnataka on Tuesday, May 11. Sewa volunteers went door-to-door to create awareness among people in this small town about the significance of timely testing for COVID-19." He said that "Oxygen concentrators sent from the US has also reached Lucknow, the capital city of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday, May 11. Sewa has sent 70 concentrators to the city for immediate use as they will fulfill the urgent needs of various Covid Care Centers across the city. Uttar Pradesh reported 20,435 fresh cases on May 11 and had 2,16,057 active cases. The big challenge right now in India is the sheer number of people testing positive; the lack of medical equipment; and the difficulty for volunteers to work efficiently, quickly, and without hindrance in a country that is essentially under lockdown." Donations Pour In Sewa International has reached the 105,000-donor mark and raised over $16 million from its 'Help India Defeat COVID-19' Facebook campaign and through their website campaign. As of May 10, Sewa International had procured 7,482 oxygen-concentrators and airlifted 5,482 of them to India. The highlight of the fundraising campaign was the recent $2.5 million pledge made by Jack Dorsey, CEO of Twitter. "We are happy that CEOs of multinational corporations and ordinary citizens of America are coming to the aid of India in this hour of need, and we are thankful that they have put their trust in us to offer medical aid in India quickly, efficiently, and professionally," said Arun Kankani, President, Sewa International. "We will do our best to help those suffering in India, and we will do as much as we can, quickly, to relieve the pressure that hospitals and care agencies are under," Kankani said, pointing out the challenges in procuring and shipping the needed equipment and getting quick clearance on the ground in India to send the equipment to cities, towns, and villages across the country. "There are so many generous donors that we cannot name them all, but to all of them a big thank you," said Kankani, mentioning that among the big donors were the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin, which donated $535,000 and Dr. Alok Agrawal, founder of the Global Pragathi (Global Progress), who has donated $500,000. ABOUT SEWA INTERNATIONAL Sewa International (www.sewausa.org) is a 501 (c)(3) Hindu faith-based charitable nonprofit that works in the areas of disaster recovery, education, and development. Sewa has 43 Chapters across the USA and serves regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, or national origin. CONTACT: Vidyasagar Tontalapur 1 - 720-526-9939 Viswanath Koppaka 1- 404-304-0563 Email: [email protected] Web: http://www.sewausa.org SOURCE Sewa International Related Links http://www.sewausa.org SHANGHAI, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As a global innovative technology service corporation, Shanghai Yicheng Culture Communication Co., Ltd. (abbreviated as Shanghai Yicheng Culture) announced the acquisition of (EGOC) Energy 1 Corp., headquartered in Nevada, USA, stock code: EGOC to which, (EGOC) Energy 1 Corp. has agreed to dispose of, while Shanghai Yicheng Culture Co., Ltd. agreed to acquire the controlling equity interest in the target company. Pursuant to the Sale and Purchase Agreement, Shanghai Yicheng Culture proposes to acquire and EGOC intends to sell all the controlling equity interest in the target company (or its holding company). The acquirer - Shanghai Yicheng Culture Communication, is committed to building a global innovative advanced technology service platform with the integration of industrialized operations; smart e-commerce retail; innovative medical and health management; film, television and media; applications of blockchain technology; cultural and educational services. Looking ahead, ecosystem integration will be the development direction, in which worldwide high-end services as core business, by providing innovative technologies services with big data, so as to pave the way for global diversified development. "Smart e-commerce retail", "innovative healthcare" and "innovative applications of big data" are the three main pillars of Shanghai Yicheng Culture. With the smart e-commerce retail, self-operated online shopping mall has established. Through stringent control on the eligibility of the supply chain manufacturers, together with the adoption of an innovative F to C model, more discount and high-quality "beauty & health" products are expected to be delivered directly from manufacturers to corporate clients. This does not only help more clients to save cost, but also facilitate more innovative brands to set up their own sale channels, eventually achieving the dream of having more national brands. As for the innovative healthcare, which highly integrated the online and offline services, is expected to have considerable growth in value. Through technology, the importance of health and wellness will be deeply rooted to the people's hearts, hence, realizing an upgraded global strategic of health and ecological services. The acquirer and acquiree of this acquisition are organizations that strive to serve customers with innovative technologies, in order to make services more accessible and better. Upon the completion of the acquisition, both parties will work together towards carrying out new market strategies and exploring global market, so as to bring positive impact by maximizing the potential of all provides and clients. Shanghai Yicheng Culture and (EGOC) Energy 1 Corp. are committed to strive for ideals, and will continue to excel by promoting diversity, equality and inclusiveness, and providing free and paid service & products for all. Gu Juan Position: Executive Assistant e-mail: [email protected] SOURCE Shanghai Yicheng Culture IRVING, Texas, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Caris Life Sciences, a leading innovator in molecular science and artificial intelligence focused on fulfilling the promise of precision medicine, announced today that the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center Jefferson Health (SKCC) has joined Caris' Precision Oncology Alliance (POA). The POA is a collaborative network of leading cancer centers that work together to advance comprehensive cancer profiling and establish standards of care for molecular testing in oncology through research focused on predictive and prognostic markers that improve the clinical outcomes of patients with cancer. For nearly 25 years, SKCC, one of 71 National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer centers in the U.S., has provided oncology patients in the Greater Philadelphia region the latest developments in cancer research, technology and treatment. Using the most advanced treatment methods and technologies, their physicians and researchers help lead the world's new cancer therapies. "Our mission is to improve the lives of cancer patients and their families through compassion, innovation and breakthrough discoveries," said Karen E. Knudsen, MBA, Ph.D., EVP of Oncology Services and Enterprise Director of SKCC. "We value the POA's collaborative efforts in advancing precision medicine and look forward to contributing our team's expertise in treatment methods and technologies that will further accelerate scientific breakthroughs to benefit patients worldwide." "Physicians and researchers at SKCC have helped transform scientific discoveries into improved cancer treatments for their patients," said Chadi Nabhan, M.D., MBA, FACP, Chairman of the Caris Precision Oncology Alliance. "The POA welcomes their multidisciplinary experience in precision oncology to further our efforts in maximizing patient outcomes through advanced diagnostic testing and molecular insights. We look forward to collaborating with all of their investigators across all tumor types." The Caris Precision Oncology Alliance includes 50 cancer centers and academic institutions. These institutions have early access to the extensive database and artificial intelligence platform within Caris to establish evidence-based standards for cancer profiling and molecular testing in oncology. By leveraging the comprehensive genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic profiling available through the Caris Molecular Intelligence platform, Caris seeks to provide this network with the ability to prioritize therapeutic options and determine which clinical trial opportunities may benefit their patients. POA members are also able to integrate with a growing portfolio of biomarker directed trials sponsored by biopharma. Additionally, as a member of the POA, institutions have access to Caris CODEai, the most comprehensive data solution in the industry with cancer treatment information and clinical outcomes data for over 244,000 patients covering over 1,000,000 data points per patient. "The POA is excited to work with SKCC's world-renowned research faculty to develop and test cancer treatments designed to transform care, by improving both survival and quality of life for patients with cancer around the world," said Brian J. Brille, Vice Chairman of Caris Life Sciences. Find out more about the Precision Oncology Alliance by visiting the Caris website at CarisLifeSciences.com/Collaboration. About Caris Life Sciences Caris Life Sciences is a leading innovator in molecular science and artificial intelligence focused on fulfilling the promise of precision medicine through quality and innovation. The company's suite of market-leading molecular profiling offerings assesses DNA, RNA and proteins to reveal a molecular blueprint that helps physicians and cancer patients make more precise and personalized treatment decisions. MI Exome whole exome sequencing with 22,000 DNA genes, and MI Transcriptome whole transcriptome sequencing with 22,000 RNA genes along with cancer-related pathogens, bacteria, viruses and fungi analysis run on every patient provides the most comprehensive and clinically relevant DNA and RNA profiling available on the market. Caris is also advancing precision medicine with Caris Artificial Intelligence, combining its market leading service offering, Caris Molecular Intelligence with its proprietary artificial intelligence analytics engine, DEAN, to analyze the whole exome, whole transcriptome and complete cancer proteome. This information, coupled with mature clinical outcomes on thousands of patients, provides unmatched molecular solutions for patients, physicians, payers and biopharmaceutical organizations. Caris Pharmatech is changing the paradigm and streamlines the clinical trial process by connecting biopharma companies with research-ready oncology sites for clinical trials. With over 420 research sites within the Caris Pharmatech Just-In-Time (JIT) Oncology Network, biopharma companies can identify and enroll more patients, faster. Caris Pharmatech Just-In-Time Clinical Trial Solutions focus on rapid site activation and patient enrollment to streamline the drug development process. By implementing Caris' Just-In-Time Trial-Matching System, Caris will automatically match patients to clinical trials and sites can be activated and eligible to enroll patients within one week. Headquartered in Irving, Texas, Caris Life Sciences has offices in Phoenix, Denver, New York, and Basel, Switzerland. Caris provides services throughout the U.S., Europe, Asia and other international markets. To learn more, please visit CarisLifeSciences.com or follow us on Twitter (@CarisLS). About Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center Jefferson Health (SKCC) The National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center Jefferson Health (SKCC) is a nationally recognized center for practice-changing discovery and comprehensive cancer treatment, offering a depth and breadth of experience in all aspects of cancer from the laboratory to the clinic. Our mission is to improve the lives of cancer patients and their families through compassion, innovation and breakthrough discoveries. For more information, visit sidneykimmelcancercenter.jeffersonhealth.org. Caris Life Sciences Media Contact: Lindsey Bailys GCI Health [email protected] 212-798-9884 Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center Jefferson Health Media Contact: Lauren Riley Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center [email protected] 412-559-5553 SOURCE Caris Life Sciences Related Links http://www.carislifesciences.com BEIJING, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Sunlands Technology Group (NYSE: STG) ("Sunlands" or the "Company"), a leader in China's online post-secondary and professional education, today announced that it will report its first quarter 2021 unaudited financial results on Tuesday, May 25, 2021, before the open of U.S. markets. Sunlands' management team will host a conference call at 8:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time, (8:00 p.m. Beijing/Hong Kong time) on May 25, 2021, following the quarterly results announcement. Dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows: International: +1-412-902-4272 US toll free: +1-888-346-8982 Mainland China toll free: 400-120-1203 Hong Kong local-toll: +852-3018-4992 Hong Kong toll free: 800-905-945 Please dial in 10 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin. When prompted, ask to be connected to the call for "Sunlands Technology Group". Participants will be required to state their name and company upon entering the call. A live webcast and archive of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of Sunlands' website at http://www.sunlands.investorroom.com/. A replay of the conference call will be accessible approximately one hour after the conclusion of the live call until June 1, 2021, by dialing the following telephone numbers: International: +1-412-317-0088 US Toll Free: +1-877-344-7529 Replay Access Code: 10156425 About Sunlands Sunlands Technology Group (NYSE: STG) ("Sunlands" or the "Company"), formerly known as Sunlands Online Education Group, is the leader in China's online post-secondary and professional education. With a one to many, live streaming platform, Sunlands offers various degree and diploma-oriented post-secondary courses as well as online professional courses and educational content, to help students prepare for professional certification exams and attain professional skills. Students can access its services either through PC or mobile applications. The Company's online platform cultivates a personalized, interactive learning environment by featuring a virtual learning community and a vast library of educational content offerings that adapt to the learning habits of its students. Sunlands offers a unique approach to education research and development that organizes subject content into Learning Outcome Trees, the Company's proprietary knowledge management system. Sunlands has a deep understanding of the educational needs of its prospective students and offers solutions that help them achieve their goals. For investor and media inquiries, please contact: Sunlands Technology Group Investor Relations Email: [email protected] The Piacente Group, Inc. Brandi Piacente Phone: +1 (212) 481-2050 Email: [email protected] Yang Song Phone: +86-10-6508-0677 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Sunlands Technology Group Related Links www.sunlands.com LONDON, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Emi Lorincz has been appointed as a Senior Advisor on Cryptomarkets. Ms Lorincz started her career at Morgan Stanley, then moved to aircraft financing at GE Capital and later to commodity trading at Eni. She is currently Director, Business Development for Ledger and a Board Member of the Crypto Valley Association. Bringing a wealth of experience from the traditional markets and a dedication to increasing the usage and adoption of cryptocurrencies, Ms Lorincz is also serving on the council of the Bancor Foundation. Andrew Threadgold has joined as a Senior Advisor on Risk Management. Mr. Threadgold has 50 years' experience in Financial Markets, covering Structuring, Trading, Financing, Collateral Management, Settlements, Systems and Risk. His positions have included: CRO, Euroclear; CRO, JPMorgan; CRO Americas, RBS; and CRO Treasury, Deutsche Bank. He is a Mathematics graduate of Trinity College, Cambridge and has taught a Master's Course in Risk Management at Solvay Business School. David N Long has been appointed as a Senior Advisor on the Trading side. Mr. Long has over 25 years' experience in cash and derivatives trading having spent over 20 years at JPMorgan in London, New York, Hong Kong and Tokyo. He has overseen flow derivatives, electronic trading, CBs, exotics, structured products and financing. Most recently he was EMEA Head of Equities for HSBC. Mr. Long graduated with a technology degree from Durham University. Jerome Dupuy has joined as a Senior Advisor on Volatility. Mr. Dupuy has over 30 years' experience in financial markets, with special expertise in Relative Value Trading. He started his career with SocGen and then moved to JPMorgan to run equity derivatives in APAC. After JPMorgan, he joined Lehman Brothers in Tokyo where he ran volatility trading across Asia Pacific. Mr Dupuy also developed the Global Relative Value Team at BIP in Paris, an in-house hedge fund later taken over by Dresdner Bank. He is an Engineering graduate of Ecole Centrale de Paris. Martin Bartlam has been appointed Senior Advisor on the Legal & Regulatory front. Mr. Bartlam is a Partner and Global Co-Chair of the FinTech practice at global law firm DLA Piper. Previous experience in investment banking includes being head of structured products at Calyon, and a member of the debt structuring team of Greenwich Natwest (now RBS). Mr. Bartlam is a mentor on the FCA Digital Sandbox programme and is external general counsel to Global Digital Finance one of the leading industry bodies for the digital asset industry. Mr Bartlam was an external examiner at,and has a Law Degree from,King's College, London and is a Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England & Wales. Paul Frost-Smith, CEO of Argentium, commented: "I couldn't be more pleased with the people that have chosen to support usit is a real pleasure to work with individuals of such a high calibre and their involvement with Argentium is testament to the integrity of our product. We have assembled professionals who are experts in the main areas which affect our business, including both crypto sceptics and prophets on our advisory board, to constantly question and challenge us in this fast-paced environment." About Argentium Argentium provides services to The Argentium Chimera Fund. Argentium has developed a high-frequency systematic trading engine known as Chimera which combines market neutral arbitrage and liquidity strategies with machine-learning for active long/short. Chimera is powered by leading US digital asset execution house MainBloqand runs on servers out of the US with ultra-low latency. Contact Paul Smith-Frost, CEO [email protected] SOURCE Argentium Related Links http://www.argentium.io TerpNutrition offers the benefits of full spectrum products to promote health & wellness while focusing on improving recovery for athletes. Motivated by the two herniated discs Megan Loda suffered with when she was 21, she and co-founder Ben Pasqual founded TerpNutrition to provide and promote the benefits of full spectrum products for healing and recovery. This company offers a wide range of full spectrum products including fruit snacks, daily drops, recovery butter, and roll-on applicators to meet the variety of pain and inflammation applications. DateFit is a social networking app striving to redefine dating and social connections within the fitness community. DateFit offers a streamlined approach to finding meaningful connections. The activity feed allows you to constantly browse to find compatible matches in your area and uses an intelligent matching system to help you meet the perfect person for you. With 50 daily matches, it's never been easier to meet your meant-to-be, and DateFit Premium seeks to offer the premium user experience without tiered rates and surprise fees. If you're only looking to find friends with similar fitness interests, the DateFit Social feature allows you to message for free to expand your fitness community. As a part of the new network series, both companies are joining forces to host a series of interactive events to bring together the fitness community. Given the importance of personal relations that present circumstances have illuminated, this demonstration series offers a valuable opportunity for much needed interaction. The first event took place in Tempe Arizona on April 17, 2021, at a small gym called Los Campeones. Megan Loda, one of TerpNutrition's co-founders, shared her experience as a personal trainer while leading a circuit style workout. The workout session was followed by an hour of socializing, hundreds of dollars worth of raffle prizes, and a sampling from Juice-Spring, a local organic cold press juice company. For more information or to participate, please contact [email protected] . SOURCE TerpNutrition, LLC WASHINGTON, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Students from several states across the nation will have an opportunity next week to hear from astronauts aboard the International Space Station. The Earth-to-space calls will air live on NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency's website. All events will take place virtually. On Monday, May 17, at 1:10 p.m. EDT, NASA astronaut Megan McArthur will answer prerecorded video questions from students across the greater Houston area coordinated by the Ismaili Council for the Southwestern United States. Participating students are from the Aldine, Alief, Fort Bend, Houston, and Stafford school districts, as well as the private Awty International, Etoile Academy, The Honor Roll, and The Village Schools. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner will offer prerecorded opening remarks. Media interested in covering it should contact Alim Adatia at: 832-605-5296 or [email protected]. On Tuesday, May 18, at 11:30 a.m., NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei will answer prerecorded video questions from students from Oak Ridge Elementary School of Leadership, Environmental and Health Sciences in Eagan, Minnesota. Oak Ridge Elementary's third graders have been engaged in an in-depth unit of space study in anticipation of the event. Media interested in covering it should contact Emily Buss at: 651-423-7746 or [email protected]. On Wednesday, May 19, at 10:40 a.m., NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Thomas Pesquet will answer prerecorded video questions from students from SciAccess, an initiative of Ohio State University's Department of Astronomy that strives to make astronomy accessible for visually impaired students. SciAccess and OSU Astronomy have partnered to create Zenith, a mentorship program for students with visual and hearing impairment who are passionate about space. The event will feature live Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) captioning. Media interested in covering the event should contact Anna Voelker at: 412-303-7317 or [email protected]. Linking students directly to astronauts aboard the space station provides unique, authentic experiences designed to enhance student learning, performance, and interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Astronauts living in space on the orbiting laboratory communicate with NASA's Mission Control Center in Houston 24 hours a day through the Space Network's Tracking and Data Relay Satellites. For more than 20 years, astronauts have continuously lived and worked on the space station, testing technologies, performing science, and developing the skills needed to explore farther from Earth. Through NASA's Artemis program, the agency will return astronauts to the Moon, with eventual human exploration of Mars. Inspiring the next generation of explorers the Artemis Generation ensures America will continue to lead in space exploration and discovery. Follow America's Moon to Mars exploration at: https://www.nasa.gov/topics/moon-to-mars Follow NASA astronauts on social media at: https://www.twitter.com/NASA_astronauts See videos and lesson plans highlighting research on the International Space Station at: https://www.nasa.gov/stemonstation SOURCE NASA Related Links http://www.nasa.gov TUCSON, Ariz., May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- To meet the Biden Administration's goal of having at least one COVID shot in the arms of 70 percent of Americans by July 4, vaccine hesitancy must be overcome, notes the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS). Nearly 40 percent or more of members of certain groups express reluctance to get a COVID jab, including police officers, U.S. Marines, healthcare workers, and detained or incarcerated persons. An online survey conducted by the scientists of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health showed that about 41 percent of U.S. residents were unwilling to receive the shots. Incentives are being offered, from free donuts to grocery discounts to entry in a $1 million lottery. These COVID products are still experimental, and AAPS raises concerns about the ethics of paying people to participate in experiments. While it is common to reimburse subjects for expenses and inconvenience, there is debate about how much of an inducement is too much, causing participants to take risks they might otherwise decline. This is especially important when participants are poor. AAPS notes that the Nuremberg Code of 1947 concerning permissible human experiments states that: "The voluntary consent of the human subject is absolutely essential. This means that the person involved should have legal capacity to give consent; should be so situated as to be able to exercise free power of choice, without the intervention of any element of force, fraud, deceit, duress, overreaching, or other ulterior form of constraint or coercion; and should have sufficient knowledge and comprehension of the effects upon his health or person which may possibly come from his participation in the experiment." Also, "proper preparations should be made and adequate facilities provided to protect the experimental subject against even remote possibilities of injury, disability or death." "To a person whose economic prospects have been destroyed in this economy, having to forgo the chance of a $1 million payoff in order to exercise choice is coercive," states AAPS executive director Jane Orient, M.D. "Moreover, risks are not being fully disclosed, and no provision is made to compensate the person for potential permanent disability." In addition to ethical constraints, federal law requires that receipt of products available under an Emergency Use Authorization must be fully voluntary, AAPS points out. Trials of these products were scheduled to collect data until the end of 2022. The Association of American Physicians and Surgeons has represented physicians in all specialties since 1943. Its motto is omnia pro aegroto, everything for the patient. SOURCE Association of American Physicians and Surgeons (AAPS) Related Links http://www.aapsonline.org BOSTON, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Boston Beer Company today announced that it is establishing a subsidiary to serve as a dedicated research and innovation hub in Canada focused on non-alcoholic cannabis beverages. Boston Beer, the maker of recognized alcohol brands such as Samuel Adams and Truly Hard Seltzer, hopes to continue its industry-leading track record of innovation in this emerging space. "Our mission since day one has been to offer drinkers the highest quality, best tasting products, and they continue to seek new options," says Dave Burwick, Boston Beer CEO. "Innovation is core to what we do, beginning with craft beer, then hard cider, hard iced tea, and now Truly Hard Seltzer. We believe non-alcoholic cannabis beverages could represent a new frontier of innovation and want to be ready for future opportunities in the US." Boston Beer has hired industry veteran Paul Weaver to lead a new cannabis beverage research hub in the federally regulated market of Canada. This new subsidiary will enable the company to develop and pilot unique cannabis beverages while cannabis regulations continue to evolve in the United States and worldwide. "Boston Beer's reputation for quality is unrivaled, and the same sensibilities that drive development in beer ring true in cannabis beverages. Quality ingredients and craftsmanship make quality products, and our success begins with respecting the plant and respecting the growers," added Paul Weaver, Director, Head of Cannabis. "This is just the beginning of our journey and, like any craft, requires a continuous commitment to learning. We know cannabis is new for many of our drinkers and they deserve the best, which is why we're taking the time to do this right," shared Weaver. About the Company The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE: SAM) began in 1984 brewing Samuel Adams beer and the Samuel Adams brand is currently recognized as one of the largest and most respected craft beer brands. Our portfolio of brands also includes Truly Hard Seltzer, Twisted Tea, Angry Orchard Hard Cider and Dogfish Head Brewery as well as other craft beer brands such as Angel City Brewery and Coney Island Brewing. For more information, please visit our investor relations website at www.bostonbeer.com , which includes links to all of our respective brand websites. SOURCE The Boston Beer Company, Inc. Related Links www.bostonbeer.com FORT MYERS, Fla., May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The School District of Lee County is seeking an interim superintendent of schools to lead the District while it conducts a broader search to fill a permanent position. The interim superintendent will lead the administrative, instructional and support staff of Lee County schools in the continued implementation of its strategic plan, designing, developing and maintaining the best possible education, programs and services for District students. Located in Southwest Florida, The School District of Lee County is the ninth-largest district in Florida and the 33rd largest district in the U.S. with a growing enrollment of more than 95,000 students, 120 schools and 12,000 employees. "Selecting the right candidate for this important position is key to the success of our District, our employees and our students, and we will be taking great consideration as we go through each resume," said Debbie Jordan, chair of the board of directors for The School District of Lee County. "An interim superintendent with a passion for education will allow our District to continue carrying forward its strategic vision while we undergo a national search for a permanent superintendent." The selected candidate will fulfill a six-month contract beginning June 2021 with monthly extensions as needed until the permanent superintendent is selected. The interim superintendent will not be eligible to apply for the permanent position. Candidates must have a master's degree or higher with documented history of progressive responsibility as an executive in the public or private sector. Applicants must submit a resume and cover letter via email to [email protected]. Applications must be submitted by 9 a.m. on May 21. The School Board of Lee County will review applicants and present recommendations by June 9, and the selected interim superintendent will begin June 15. To learn more about the position and The School District of Lee County, visit www.LeeSchools.net/Careers. About The School District of Lee County Lee County Public Schools is the ninth-largest district in Florida and the 33rd largest district in the United States. The District educates more than 95,000 students in grades K-12 and is a model for others in the state and around the nation. With approximately 12,000 full- and part-time employees, the District is one of the county's largest employers. SOURCE The School District of Lee County NEW YORK, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A new study on diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace shows a divide between corporate efforts to advance DE&I and the lived experiences of many employees. Change management consultancy United Minds' report, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: A People Imperative, finds that many employees are either doubtful or uncertain about the effectiveness of their employer's DE&I efforts, and that even amid heightened attention on the importance of advancing DE&I, bad behavior and lack of commitment persists within organizations. Key findings include: Nearly half of employees surveyed (47 percent) report that they have personally experienced and/or witnessed discrimination, harassment and/or microaggressions in their current organizations. Notably, 24 percent of employees who have experienced discrimination, harassment and/or microaggressions are considering leaving their organization in the next year three times as many as all employees in the benchmark. While 57 percent of all employees are very satisfied with their organizations' approach to DE&I, nearly one-third of employees (31 percent) have doubts whether their employer is investing sufficiently to advance DE&I. Thirty-four percent of all employees, including 39 percent of leaders, believe DE&I initiatives are "a waste of organizational time, effort, and money." Understanding and addressing the factors driving these perspectives is key to making progress, as the research also shows that leadership tone and behavior is the strongest predictor of whether or not employees are satisfied with their organization's' approach to DE&I. Additionally, more than a quarter of employees (29 percent) have doubts whether their organization was working hard to build a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture prior to the racial unrest in 2020. "While it's heartening to see the robust efforts organizations across industries and geographies are taking to advance diversity, equity and inclusion, it's clear that the gap between ambition and impact is vast," said Kate Bullinger, CEO, United Minds, a Weber Shandwick consultancy. "Substantive and lasting change begins with understanding the true delta between effort and impact." Code+ify Approach Provides Roadmap for DE&I Analysis, Planning and Progress The benchmark data included in the report is part of Code+ify, United Minds' end-to-end solution that helps DE&I leaders define, resource and amplify their strategy and communications. The people-first, data-driven approach begins with a diagnostic analysis comparing company employee research against the global benchmark data to inform strategy, operations and storytelling that motivates internal and external stakeholders to act. The approach is designed to drive business outcomes and insights from those who matter most: employees, customers and communities. "The old DE&I playbook no longer works, and the journey forward requires a deeper, data-backed understanding of the state of your organization from the inside out," said Tai Wingfield, EVP and DE&I Lead, United Minds. "Benchmarking and measuring how organizations perform against key drivers of DE&I are essential tools for informing the right strategy and operational model and guiding communications. This data demonstrates that businesses broadly play a critical role and have a long road ahead in creating more equitable and inclusive cultures." Code+ify leverages United Minds' and Weber Shandwick's deep expertise in DE&I strategy, social impact and reputation. The cross-discipline team includes organizational psychologists, business strategists, change management and DE&I practitioners, data and analytics experts, creative communicators and corporate reputation builders. United Minds' DE&I specialty, launched in 2017, has played a pivotal role in helping organizations design and communicate meaningful actions with transparency and speed. About the data: The research is a robust benchmark of employees' experiences and expectations. In partnership with KRC Research, United Minds surveyed 1,527 full-time employees at large companies and across industries in the U.S., Canada and the U.K. The report offers the most inclusive look at diversity, tracked across the following categories: inherent diversity (gender, race/ethnicity, LGBTQ+ status, age, ability) and acquired diversity (military/veteran status, religious or cultural affiliation, parental status, education), as well as job type, level and industry. Blind Spots in Workplace Culture The report also found that nearly 20 percent of employees doubt whether people treat each other respectfully in the workplace, and more than 30 percent doubt whether inappropriate behavior is not tolerated. Additionally, employees report inconsistencies and roadblocks in the experience and opportunities for women and ethnically/culturally diverse professionals, including: Only 58 percent strongly believe that men and women are treated equitably. Only 53 percent strongly believe that people from all ethnic and cultural backgrounds have an equal chance to be successful. Only 56 percent strongly believe that racist, sexist or otherwise discriminatory or offensive language is not tolerated. Rewards and Risks The research reveals that employees recognize DE&I as a key driver of business outcomes and that it pays even more dividends when considered as part of a holistic business strategy: Recruitment: 79 percent believe a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization attracts high quality talent. Retention: 71 percent agree that it is important to work for an organization that values DE&I. Reputation: 80 percent believe that DE&I initiatives improve the organizations reputation among customers. ROI: 72 percent believe DE&I initiatives improve the bottom-line. Conversely, organizations that do not prioritize DE&I face significant risk reputationally, competitively and legally: 63 percent agree (42 percent strongly agree) that their organization promises more than it delivers when it comes to DE&I, which can alienate employees and expose organizations to media scrutiny. Employees are becoming an increasingly powerful force in shaping brand reputation. In a separate, recent poll commissioned by United Minds, research showed more than half of employees have used their personal platforms to speak out about their employers' practices, policies and positions both positively and negatively. Only half of employees are very satisfied with their current job (50 percent) and believe their organization has the capacity to attract, grow and retain diverse talent (55 percent), which impacts an organization's ability to deliver on its mission. Only half of employees (52 percent) strongly believe they would speak up or report if they witnessed inappropriate treatment, and nearly one-third (33 percent) either doubt or are not sure if HR would swiftly and competently address complaints about discrimination and harassment. Allowing bad behavior to go unchecked creates a toxic work environment and opens an organization up to potential lawsuits. "Our research underscores a simple truth: DE&I is an ongoing imperative. While there is much more work to be done, there is also a tremendous opportunity to drive value and create the most impact for people and companies alike," Wingfield said. About United Minds United Minds is a management consultancy that specializes in transformation. Leveraging a deep bench of specialists, the company helps organizations deliver positive, lasting change by combining data-fueled strategy and creative communications solutions, engaging stakeholders in every part of the process. For more information, visit www.unitedmindsglobal.com About Weber Shandwick Weber Shandwick is a leading global communications network that delivers next-generation solutions to brands, businesses and organizations in major markets around the world. Led by world-class strategic and creative thinkers and activators, we have won some of the most prestigious awards in the industry. Weber Shandwick was named to Ad Age's Agency A-List in 2020 and Best Places to Work in 2019. Weber Shandwick was also honored as PRovoke's Global Agency of the Decade in 2020 and PRWeek's Global Agency of the Year in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. The firm earned 25 Lions at the 2019 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Data-led, with earned ideas at the core, the agency deploys leading and emerging technologies to inform strategy, develop critical insights and heighten impact across sectors and specialty areas, including brand and B2B marketing, healthcare marketing, change management, employee engagement, corporate reputation, crisis management, data and analytics, technology, public affairs, social impact and financial communications. Weber Shandwick is part of the Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). For more information, visit http://www.webershandwick.com About KRC Research KRC Research is a global nonpartisan insights-driven opinion research consultancy that turns data into intelligence to help our clients solve challenges. A unit of the Interpublic Group of Companies (NYSE: IPG), KRC Research offers the quality and custom service of a small firm with the reach of a global organization. Staffed with multidisciplinary research professionals, strategists, and investigators, KRC has worked for over 30 years provide insights to corporations, governments, not-for-profit organizations, and the communications firms that represent them. Our subject matter experts have deep experience in research methods applied to communications, public health and marketing campaigns, corporate and brand reputation, and consumer, stakeholder, and employee engagement. For more information, visit www.krcresearch.com Contact: Jill Tannenbaum Company: Weber Shandwick Phone: 212-546-7815 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Weber Shandwick Related Links http://webershandwick.com DUBLIN, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Government Support Index Handbook, Headquarters USA, Toll-Free Phone Book USA - Print Bundle" book has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. A print bundle of three ready-reference directories providing up-to-date business intelligence. Government Support Index Handbook The Government Support Index is an online subscription service that provides detailed information for all federal domestic programs offering financial and non-financial assistance. Users can find programs and agency contacts by federal agency, award types, applicant/beneficiary eligibility and subject of need. Programs are organized in a thoughtful and procedural way as to guide the user through the search and evaluation of programs, eligibility, and application procedures. Headquarters USA 2021, 43rd Edition Headquarters USA lists headquarters and other central offices for the largest and most important businesses, organizations, agencies, and institutions in the United States and Canada. The 2021 edition of Headquarters USA contains over 130,000 listings, presented by name and by subject. Listings are presented in both alphabetical and subject classified volumes and provide company or organization name along with its full address and telephone number. Most listings also include fax numbers, websites, and toll-free telephone numbers. Trading symbols and corresponding stock exchanges are also provided for publicly traded companies. With this comprehensive directory, you and your patrons can find verified, accurate, up-to-date information for all types of businesses, industries, and related organizations. Toll-Free Phone Book USA 2021, 25th Edition The Toll-Free Phone Book USA 2021, 25th Edition provides verified, accurate and up-to-date toll-free telephone numbers, along with other key contact information, for top companies, organizations, and institutions nationwide. Listings are presented in two easy-to-use sections: an alphabetical section, in which listings are arranged alphabetically by company or organization name; and a classified section, in which listings are arranged under subject headings and subheadings by business or organization type. All of the entries are listed in each section. For more information about this book visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/z27wnm 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 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday released the eighth instalment of financial benefits worth Rs 19,000 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme to benefit more than 9.5 crore farmers that includes first-time beneficiaries in West Bengal. The Prime Minister released the instalment through video conferencing, saying "farmers in West Bengal for the first time benefitted with the Central scheme and that more farmers will get the support as soon as the Centre receives it". The instalment will enable the transfer of more than Rs 19,000 crore to over 9.5 crore beneficiary farmer families. Modi also interacted with farmer beneficiaries during the event and said that around Rs 1.35 lakh crore has been transferred to the bank accounts of farmers under the PM-KISAN and Rs 60,000 crore during the Covid-19 pandemic. So far this year, the Prime Minister said that "about 10 per cent more wheat has been purchased at Minimum Support Price (MSP) as compared to last year". "So far, about 58,000 crore of wheat procurement has reached the farmers' account directly". Under the PM-KISAN scheme, a financial benefit of Rs 6,000 per year is provided to the eligible beneficiary farmer families, payable in three equal 4-monthly instalments of Rs 2,000 each. The fund is transferred directly to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries. In this scheme, Samman Rashi of over Rs 1.15 lakh crore has been transferred to farmers' families so far. PHOENIX, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE: UTI), the nation's leading provider of transportation technician training, today announced that it will be attending the G.research Microcap Symposium on Tuesday, May 18. Jerome A. Grant, Chief Executive Officer, and Troy R. Anderson, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will be presenting at 1:30 p.m. ET. Management will also be hosting one-on-one calls with investors throughout the day. A live and archived webcast of the presentation will be available via the Universal Technical Institute investor relations website at https://investor.uti.edu, under the "Events" section. About Universal Technical Institute, Inc. With more than 220,000 graduates in its 55-year history, Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE: UTI) is the nation's leading provider of technical training for automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle and marine technicians, and offers welding technology and computer numerical control (CNC) machining programs. The company has built partnerships with industry leaders, outfits its state-of-the-industry facilities with current technology, and delivers training that is aligned with employer needs. Through its network of 12 campuses nationwide, UTI offers post-secondary programs under the banner of several well-known brands, including Universal Technical Institute (UTI), Motorcycle Mechanics Institute and Marine Mechanics Institute (MMI) and NASCAR Technical Institute (NASCAR Tech). The company is headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. For more information, visit www.uti.edu. Like UTI on www.facebook.com/UTI or follow UTI on Twitter @UTITweet, @MMITweet, and @NASCARTechUTI. Company Contact: Troy R. Anderson Chief Financial Officer Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (623) 445-9365 Investor Relations Contact: Robert Winters or Wyatt Turk Alpha IR Group (312) 445-2870 [email protected] SOURCE Universal Technical Institute The first of 24 ultra-exclusive models will be on show to thousands of car fans and members of the media at the Amelia's Cars & Coffee on May 22 ahead of the main Concours event on May 23. John Hennessey, company founder and CEO: "Sharing the Venom F5 with car enthusiasts at the Amelia Island Concours will be a special moment for the Hennessey family and all of our team. We've spent years designing, developing, refining, building and testing our special hypercar, so we're excited for customers and fans to see it in person for the first time." The Venom F5 arrives in Amelia Island fresh from its production validation program. Having just completed its aerodynamic testing where it hit 200 mph on 50 percent power the hypercar will pause its development for the Concours, before returning to Texas for dynamic road and track testing. Founded in 2013, The Amelia's Cars & Coffee at the Concours allows individuals with vintage, exotic, and collectible vehicles to gather on the same show field used to display vehicles entered in the following day's prestigious Concours d'Elegance. Entry to the Cars & Coffee at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island is free of charge enabling car enthusiasts from across the US access to some of the world's rarest, most prized automobiles. Further information about the event: ameliaconcours.org About Hennessey Based in Sealy, Texas, the Hennessey business comprises Hennessey Special Vehicles, Hennessey Performance (HPE), Tuner School, and the Lonestar Motorsports Park. The company has re-engineered more than 12,000 vehicles for performance enthusiasts from around the world to deliver unparalleled driving thrills. Alongside modifying a diverse range of sports, and muscle cars since 1991, the company also applies its high-performance expertise to trucks and SUVs and boasts its own supercars the Venom GT and the Venom F5. Every Hennessey product is dyno-proven, fully track-tested, street-legal and warrantied. Customers can choose from road-ready performance-enhanced cars by Hennessey ranging from Ford and Corvette to Porsche and Lamborghini in addition to benefitting from a host of high-performance upgrades. With its own test track, engineering curriculum for aspiring tuners, more than 50 team members and capacity to work on 40-50 vehicles at a time, Hennessey Performance is one of the world's leading vehicle engineering companies. The new 6.6-litre V8 Venom F5 hypercar is set for customer deliveries in 2021. Boasting 1,817 hp and a +311 mph top speed, the company is guaranteed to deliver like never before on its mission of 'making fast cars faster'. HennesseyPerformance.com About John Hennessey As the company founder and CEO, John Hennessey lives and breathes fast, fun cars. John developed a passion for performance while competing at world-renowned motorsport events including Pikes Peak, the Silver State Classic and the Bonneville Salt Flats (where he set a class world record). What started in 1991, modifying imports out of his garage, soon morphed into building 1,000-horsepower twin-turbo Dodge Vipers that gained international recognition in car magazines such as Motor Trend, Car and Driver, Top Gear, and Road and Track. Viewed as an American icon of speed, John has achieved his vision to be the top automotive tuner and builder in the U.S. With a global sales footprint covering the U.S., Europe, Asia, South America and the Middle East, he continues to find ways to engineer greater performance from some of the world's most iconic cars alongside the creation of the company's new world-class hypercar the Hennessey Venom F5. Social media YouTube: hpedesign | Instagram: hennesseyperformance | Facebook: @hennesseype | Twitter: @HennesseyPerf SOURCE Hennessey Special Vehicles Related Links http://hennesseyperformance.com/ MINNEAPOLIS, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Vireo Health International, Inc. ("Vireo" or the "Company") (CSE: VREO; OTCQX: VREOF), the leading physician-led, science-focused multi-state cannabis company, today reported financial results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2021. All currency figures referenced in this press release reflect U.S. dollar amounts. "Our first-quarter results are consistent with the trends from last quarter. We continued to see double-digit sequential revenue growth excluding our former Pennsylvania subsidiaries, and substantial improvement in our gross margin due to our focus on operational efficiencies," said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Kyle Kingsley, M.D. "Wholesale performance in Maryland was temporarily impacted by the move to our recently-completed 110,000 square foot cultivation facility in Massey, but our increased scale in this market will drive stronger revenue growth and profitability in the second half of the year." Dr. Kingsley continued, "The phase two expansion projects we discussed last quarter in Arizona and Maryland are underway, and our teams are now aggressively focused on finalizing our expansion plans in New York. The recent passage of adult-use legislation in New York and New Mexico has improved our outlook for both of these markets, and further potential for regulatory change at local and federal levels could meaningfully impact the trajectory of our performance. We are excited by all the growth opportunity we see across our core markets, and look forward to sharing more details on our long-term outlook at our upcoming Investor Day events which we plan to announce in the coming weeks." Summary of Key Financial Metrics Three Months Ended US $ in millions March 31, 2021 2020 Variance GAAP Revenue $13.2 $12.1 8.8% Revenue (excl. former PA subsidiaries) $13.2 $10.2 29.8% GAAP Gross Profit $5.6 $3.3 71.3% Gross Profit Margin 42.6% 27.0% 1,560 bps SG&A Expenses $8.0 $6.9 16.9% SG&A Expenses (% of Sales) 60.9% 56.7% 420 bps Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) ($1.8) ($3.1) NM Adjusted EBITDA Margin (non-GAAP) (13.5%) (25.7%) 1,220 bps First Quarter Business Highlights Total revenue of $13.2 million increased 8.8 percent year-over-year. Excluding results from the Company's former subsidiaries in Pennsylvania , revenue increased 29.8 percent compared to Q1 2020. increased 8.8 percent year-over-year. Excluding results from the Company's former subsidiaries in , revenue increased 29.8 percent compared to Q1 2020. Gross profit increased by $2.3 million to $5.6 million , or 42.6 percent of sales as compared to $3.3 million , or 27.0 percent of sales in Q1 2020. to , or 42.6 percent of sales as compared to , or 27.0 percent of sales in Q1 2020. During the quarter, the Company closed on its previously disclosed purchase of four cannabis licenses in Nevada . These licenses allow for the cultivation and production of cannabis products for both medical and adult-use purposes. . These licenses allow for the cultivation and production of cannabis products for both medical and adult-use purposes. The Company also completed and received regulatory approval of its 110,000 sq. ft. cultivation facility in Massey, Maryland , and opened its first retail dispensary in Maryland in the City of Frederick which brought its total number of operational dispensaries to 16. , and opened its first retail dispensary in in the City of Frederick which brought its total number of operational dispensaries to 16. On March 25, 2021 , the Company closed on the first tranche of a previously-announced senior secured, delayed draw term loan with Chicago Atlantic Group, an affiliate of Green Ivy Capital, and a group of lenders. The first tranche of $23.0 million , net of all fees and closing costs, will be utilized to support the Company's ongoing growth initiatives and working capital requirements. , the Company closed on the first tranche of a previously-announced senior secured, delayed draw term loan with Chicago Atlantic Group, an affiliate of Green Ivy Capital, and a group of lenders. The first tranche of , net of all fees and closing costs, will be utilized to support the Company's ongoing growth initiatives and working capital requirements. On March 31 , the Company closed on the previously announced transaction to divest its former affiliate, Ohio Medical Solutions, Inc. In connection with the closing of the transaction, Vireo received cash proceeds of $1.15 million , and was relieved of $3.6 million in right of use liabilities affiliated with lease obligations. First Quarter Financial Summary Total revenue was $13.2 million in the first quarter, an increase of 8.8 percent as compared to Q1 2020, including the Company's former subsidiaries in Pennsylvania. Excluding contributions from Pennsylvania, revenue increased 29.8 percent. Retail revenue excluding Pennsylvania increased 33.7 percent to $10.4 million in Q1 2021 and reflected growth in each of the Company's retail markets. Wholesale revenue, excluding Pennsylvania increased by 17.4 percent to $2.8 million, driven by strong growth in the Arizona market. Gross profit was $5.6 million, or 42.6 percent of revenue, as compared to gross profit of $3.3 million or 27.0 percent of revenue in Q1 last year. The improvement in gross profit compared to the prior year was driven by stronger performance in Minnesota where the Company recently opened four additional Green Goods retail dispensaries, as well as higher throughput across all markets which led to lower fixed costs per unit. Total operating expenses in the first quarter were $10.7 million, an increase of $0.9 million or 9.8 percent as compared to $9.8 million in the first quarter of 2020. The increase in total expenses was attributable to an increase in selling, general and administrative expenses of $1.1 million. The increase in SG&A expenses was driven by operational expansion in Arizona, Maryland, and New Mexico, as well as the addition of four new retail dispensaries in Minnesota. Total other expenses were $373,842 during Q1 2021, a reduction of $219,766 compared to $593,608 in Q1 2021. The decrease was primarily attributable to the gain on the divestiture of Ohio Medical Solutions, Inc. during the quarter. EBITDA, as described in accompanying disclosures and footnotes, was a loss of $3.6 million during Q1 2021, compared to a loss of $5.0 million in Q1 2020. Adjusted EBITDA was a loss of $1.8 million in Q1 2021, as compared to a loss of $3.1 million in Q1 2020. Please refer to the Supplemental Information and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures at the end of this press release for additional information. Net loss in Q1 2021 was $7.0 million, as compared to a net loss of $7.5 million in Q1 2020. The improvement in net loss was primarily the result of the gain on the divestiture of the Company's former affiliate, Ohio Medical Solutions, Inc. Subsequent Events On April 14, the Company announced the completion of a planned expansion of its cultivation and processing facility in New Mexico, which is now operating following the receipt of regulatory approval. The Company also announced that two recently completed retail dispensaries in Albuquerque and Las Cruces are ready to open, pending regulatory approval. Once approved, Vireo will have four operating dispensaries in the state of New Mexico. On April 29, the Company announced the launch of ground medical cannabis flower in the state of New York. The ground flower line is being sold in 3.5-gram and 7-gram jars and will be expanded to feature indica, sativa, and hybrid strains such as Killer Kush, Wedding Cake, and a Kosher-approved Tangie Kush. The new line of ground flower will be available at all four of the Company's dispensaries in New York and via Home Delivery. Balance Sheet and Liquidity As of March 31, 2021, the Company had 125,196,702 equity shares issued and outstanding on an as-converted basis, and 153,577,058 shares outstanding on an as-converted, fully diluted basis. As of March 31, 2021, total current assets were $58.6 million, including cash on hand of $40.6 million. Total current liabilities were $24.1 million, with $2.0 million in debt due within 12 months. Conference Call and Webcast Information Vireo Health management will host a conference call with research analysts today, Friday, May 14, 2021 at 8:30 a.m. ET (7:30 a.m. CT) to discuss its financial results for its first quarter ended March 31, 2021. Interested parties may register to attend the conference call via the following link: http://www.directeventreg.com/registration/event/2254847. Upon registration, each participant will be provided with call details and a registrant ID for Vireo's conference ID number 2254847. A live audio webcast of this event will also be available in the Events & Presentations section of the Company's Investor Relations website at https://investors.vireohealth.com and will be archived for one year. About Vireo Health International, Inc. Vireo Health International, Inc. is a physician-led cannabis company focused on bringing the best of technology, science, and engineering to the cannabis industry. Vireo manufactures proprietary, branded cannabis products in environmentally friendly facilities, state-of-the-art cultivation sites and distributes its products through its growing network of Green Goods and other retail locations and third-party dispensaries. Vireo's team of more than 450 employees, led by scientists, engineers, and cultivation experts, is focused on efficiency and the creation of best-in-class products, while driving scientific innovation within the cannabis industry and developing meaningful intellectual property. Today, Vireo is licensed to grow, process, and/or distribute cannabis in eight markets and operates 16 dispensaries nationwide. For more information about Vireo Health, please visit www.vireohealth.com. Additional Information Additional information relating to the Company's first quarter 2021 results will be available on EDGAR and SEDAR later today. Vireo refers to certain non-GAAP financial measures such as Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) and adjusted EBITDA (defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, less certain non-cash equity compensation expense, one-time transactions, and other non-recurring non-cash items. These measures do not have any standardized meaning and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Please see the Supplemental Information and Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures at the end of this news release for more detailed information regarding non-GAAP financial measures. Contact Information Investor Inquiries : Media Inquiries: Sam Gibbons Albe Zakes Vice President, Investor Relations Vice President, Corporate Communications [email protected] [email protected] (612) 314-8995 (267) 221-4800 Forward-Looking Statement Disclosure This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable United States and Canadian securities legislation. To the extent any forward-looking information in this press release constitutes "financial outlooks" within the meaning of applicable United States or Canadian securities laws, such information is being provided as preliminary financial results and the reader is cautioned that this information may not be appropriate for any other purpose and the reader should not place undue reliance on such financial outlooks. Forward-looking information contained in this press release may be identified by the use of words such as "trends," "initiatives," "expected," "opportunities," "potential," "could," "look forward," "outlook," "will," "should," "encouraged," and "pending," " or variations of such words and phrases. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Forward-looking information includes both known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company or its subsidiaries to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements or information contained in this press release. Financial outlooks, as with forward-looking information generally, are, without limitation, based on the assumptions and subject to various risks as set out herein. Our actual financial position and results of operations may differ materially from management's current expectations and, as a result, our revenue and cash on hand may differ materially from the revenue and cash values provided in this press release. Forward-looking information is based upon a number of estimates and assumptions of management, believed but not certain to be reasonable, in light of management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions, and expected developments, as well as other factors relevant in the circumstances, including assumptions in respect of current and future market conditions, the current and future regulatory environment; and the availability of licenses, approvals and permits. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking information is based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because the Company can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks related to the timing of adult-use legislation in markets where the Company currently operates; current and future market conditions, including the market price of the subordinate voting shares of the Company; risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic; federal, state, local, and foreign government laws, rules, and regulations, including federal and state laws in the United States relating to cannabis operations in the United States and any changes to such laws; operational, regulatory and other risks; execution of business strategy; management of growth; difficulty to forecast; conflicts of interest; risks inherent in an agricultural business; liquidity and additional financing; and risk factors set out in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, which is available on EDGAR with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and filed with the Canadian securities regulators and available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this release. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws. Supplemental Information The financial information reported in this news release is based on audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 and unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2021. All financial information contained in this news release is qualified in its entirety with reference to such financial statements. To the extent that the financial information contained in this news release is inconsistent with the information contained in the Company's audited financial statements, the financial information contained in this news release shall be deemed to be modified or superseded by the Company's audited financial statements. The making of a modifying or superseding statement shall not be deemed an admission for any purposes that the modified or superseded statement, when made, constituted a misrepresentation for purposes of applicable securities laws. VIREO HEALTH INTERNATIONAL, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF 3/31/21 AND 12/31/20 (Amounts expressed in USD, except for share amounts, unaudited and condensed) March 31, December 31, 2021 2020 Assets Current assets: Cash $ 40,561,051 $ 25,513,180 Restricted cash 1,592,500 Accounts receivable 867,593 696,994 Inventory 14,532,336 12,644,895 Prepayments and other current assets 2,458,295 1,552,278 Notes receivable 198,471 293,700 Deferred acquisition costs 28,136 Assets Held for Sale 4,596,445 Deferred financing costs 120,266 Total current assets 58,617,746 47,038,394 Property and equipment, net 35,923,904 30,566,259 Operating lease, right-of-use asset 8,833,728 8,163,844 Notes receivable, long-term 3,750,000 3,750,000 Intangible assets, net 11,388,112 8,409,419 Goodwill 3,132,491 3,132,491 Deposits 1,413,719 1,412,124 Deferred tax assets 392,000 157,000 Total assets $ 123,451,700 $ 102,629,531 Liabilities Current liabilities Accounts Payable and Accrued liabilities 15,675,443 13,477,303 Right of use liability 1,197,597 857,294 Convertible notes, net of issuance costs 900,000 900,000 Long-Term debt, current portion 1,110,000 1,110,000 Liabilities held for sale 3,595,301 Warrant Liability 5,237,230 Total current liabilities 24,120,270 19,939,898 Right-of-use liability 21,479,700 20,343,063 Long-Term debt 17,646,501 Total liabilities $ 63,246,471 $ 40,282,961 Stockholders' equity Subordinate Voting Shares ($- par value, unlimited shares authorized; 72,660,602 shares issued and outstanding) Multiple Voting Shares ($- par value, unlimited shares authorized; 459,950 shares issued and outstanding) Super Voting Shares ($- par value; unlimited shares authorized; 65,411 shares issued and outstanding, respectively) Additional Paid in Capital 168,924,845 164,079,614 Accumulated deficit (108,719,616) (101,733,044) Total stockholders' equity $ 60,205,229 $ 62,346,570 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 123,451,700 $ 102,629,531 VIREO HEALTH INTERNATIONAL, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2021 AND 2020 (Amounts expressed in USD, except for share amounts, unaudited and condensed) Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 2020 Revenue $ 13,189,889 $ 12,118,567 Cost of sales Product costs 7,506,048 8,701,653 Inventory valuation adjustments 68,000 139,008 Gross profit 5,615,841 3,277,906 Operating expenses: Selling, general and administrative 8,035,991 6,877,125 Stock-based compensation expenses 2,314,575 2,735,938 Depreciation 171,562 2,966 Amortization 206,443 154,190 Total operating expenses 10,728,571 9,770,219 Loss from operations (5,112,730) (6,492,313) Other income (expense): Gain on disposal of assets held for sale 437,107 Derivative gain 158,529 1,325,928 Interest expenses, net (1,026,146) (1,450,264) Other income (expenses) 56,668 (469,272) Other expenses, net (373,842) (593,608) Loss before income taxes (5,486,572) (7,085,921) Current income tax expenses (1,735,000) (505,100) Deferred income tax recoveries 235,000 78,000 Net loss and comprehensive loss (6,986,572) (7,513,021) Net loss per share - basic and diluted $ (0.06) $ (0.08) Weighted average shares used in computation of net loss per share - basic and diluted 116,103,635 88,519,845 VIREO HEALTH INTERNATIONAL, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2021 AND 2020 (Amounts expressed in USD, except for share amounts, unaudited and condensed) Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 2020 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net loss $ (6,986,572) $ (7,513,021) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: Inventory valuation adjustments 68,000 139,009 Depreciation 171,562 2,966 Depreciation capitalized into inventory 508,358 474,903 Non-cash operating lease expense 286,296 297,406 Amortization of intangible assets 206,443 154,190 Share-based payments 2,314,575 2,735,938 Deferred income tax (235,000) (78,000) Deferred Gain/Loss Sale Leaseback 30,481 Accretion 91,507 149,309 Loss on Sale of Property and Equipment 13,800 Derivative Loss (158,529) (1,325,928) Gain on disposal of OMS (437,107) Change in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts Receivable (52,521) 166,751 Prepaid expenses (886,714) 1,133,567 Inventory (1,875,784) (385,647) Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 1,885,815 1,270,264 Change in assets and liabilities held for sale 124,843 Net cash used in operating activities $ (4,974,828) $ (2,734,012) CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: PP&E Additions $ (4,922,251) $ (506,336) Proceeds from sale of OMS net of cash 1,150,000 Deposits (1,595) 25,000 Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities $ (3,773,846) $ (481,336) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Proceeds from issuance of shares $ $ 7,613,490 Deferred financing costs (865,769) Proceeds from long-term debt 24,028,295 Proceeds from option exercises 966,156 Lease payments (332,137) (309,949) Net cash provided by financing activities $ 23,796,545 $ 7,303,541 Net change in cash and restricted cash $ 15,047,871 $ 4,088,193 Cash and restricted cash, beginning of period $ 25,513,180 $ 7,641,673 Cash and restricted cash, end of period $ 40,561,051 $ 11,729,866 Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures and do not have standardized definitions under GAAP. The following information provides reconciliations of the supplemental non- GAAP financial measures, presented herein to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. The Company has provided the non- GAAP financial measures, which are not calculated or presented in accordance with GAAP, as supplemental information and in addition to the financial measures that are calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. These supplemental non- GAAP financial measures are presented because management has evaluated the financial results both including and excluding the adjusted items and believe that the supplemental non- GAAP financial measures presented provide additional perspective and insights when analyzing the core operating performance of the business. These supplemental non- GAAP financial measures should not be considered superior to, as a substitute for or as an alternative to, and should be considered in conjunction with, the GAAP financial measures presented. Reconciliation of Net Loss to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 2020 Net income (loss) $ (6,986,572) $ (7,513,021) Interest expense, net 1,026,146 1,450,264 Income taxes 1,500,000 427,100 Depreciation & Amortization 378,005 157,156 Depreciation included in cost of goods sold 508,359 474,903 EBITDA (non-GAAP) $ (3,574,062) $ (5,003,598) Derivative Gain (158,529) (1,325,928) Inventory adjustment 68,000 139,008 Share-based compensation 2,314,575 2,735,938 Severance Expense 339,997 Gain on sale of discontinued operations (437,107) Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) $ (1,787,123) $ (3,114,583) SOURCE Vireo Health International, Inc. Related Links www.vireohealth.com LAS VEGAS, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Virtual Medical International, Inc. (OTC: QEBR), a Wellness company in the hemp-derived CBD sector, announced today its agreement to acquire Cherry Valley Growers, Inc, an industrial hemp cultivator and processor with a 400-acre parcel located in Otsego County, New York. This acquisition continues QEBR's growth and expansion in the cannabis industry following the recent announcement of its distribution agreement with Cannonau Corp. Cherry Valley Growers possesses both a Hemp Grow license and a Hemp Processing License with the State of New York, and they have applied to renew their CBD Extraction and Manufacturing License with the New York State Department of Health. Virtual Medical International, Inc. also has contracted to purchase an 11,560 square foot warehouse on 1.3 acres from Adler Properties, LLC. which is located in East Syracuse, New York. Larson Elmore, CEO of Virtual Medical International, stated that "since Adler Properties has a grow license for this facility, our goal is to expand the building and restructure it as both a grow and extraction facility. This site will support numerous hemp business operations." Under to the terms of the agreement, Virtual Medical International will purchase Cherry Valley Growers, Inc and Adler Properties, LLC. for 2 million dollars in cash from debt proceeds in exchange for the property consisting of 400-acre, the warehouse and all hemp licenses. About Virtual Medical International Virtual Medical International, (OTC: QEBR), through its wholly-owned subsidiary, has trademarked the brand name "Amsterdam Cafe: Welcome to Your Whole Health". The diversified, multi-channel business model is positioned to derive revenue from product sales through company-owned retail stores, franchise stores, domestic and international franchise activities, third party contract manufacturing, e-commerce and corporate alignments. Virtual Medical International's business model is designed to help consumers improve the health and quality of their lives by making available an array of high quality, CBD-centric products consistent with a healthy lifestyle. To that end, Virtual Medical formed Amsterdam Cafe as a wholly owned subsidiary in order to become a comprehensive, vertically integrated organization within the CBD whole health sector, with plans to acquire and open CDB Stores across the U.S.A. and Europe. For further information: Contact: Larson Elmore Phone: (216) 345-4567 Email: [email protected] Forward-Looking Statements Legal Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements in this news release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are based on current facts and analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determined, and assumptions of management. Forward looking statements are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "aims", "potential", "goal", "objective", "prospective", and similar expressions or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "can", "could" or "should" occur. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors beyond the reasonable control of the Company. It is important to note that actual outcomes and the Company's actual results could differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include misinterpretation of data, the Company's ability to raise financing for operations, breach by parties with whom we have contracted, and the possible inability to maintain qualified employees or consultants. SOURCE QEBR Related Links http://qebr.net NEW YORK, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Weber Shandwick was recognized as Canadian Agency of the Year at PRovoke's 2021 North America SABRE Awards, held in a virtual ceremony Tuesday night. With clients, the agency also earned top honors across eight total categories, the most of any agency, including the Platinum SABRE Award for Best in Show for its work on the Shoppable Girls campaign with Covenant House in Canada, and #5 finalist for Best in Show for the "Go Near: Celebrating Local Travel Only On Airbnb" campaign with Airbnb. The annual PRovoke North America SABRE awards recognize superior achievement in branding reputation and engagement across the U.S. and Canada. "The variety and sheer number of honors illustrate that our teams come together with our clients across industries, across issues and across the region again and again to solve complex problems, engage key audiences and drive change," said Joy Farber Kolo, president, North America. "I'm proud of what we deliver and, as the ReviveHealth honor underscores, I am proud of how we deliver." Weber Shandwick and its clients were honored with the following awards: "Go Near: Celebrating Local Travel Only On Airbnb" with Airbnb and partners won Superior Achievement in Brand-Building "Holiday Art Boxes" with Purolator won Best in Transportation & Logistics Transportation & Logistics "Be Kind, Rewind: A Sleepover at the World's Last Blockbuster" with Airbnb and partners won Best in Consumer Marketing (Existing Product) Consumer Marketing (Existing Product) "Shoppable Girls" with Covenant House, TAXI and Media Experts won Best in Public Education: Non-COVID-19 "Twix Kicks" with Twix, A Mars Wrigley Brand, won Best Publicity Stunt In recognizing Weber Shandwick as Canadian Agency of the Year, PRovoke highlighted the firm's "impressive" digital capabilities, leadership in corporate reputation and risk management, and award-winning creative chops, as well as its "deep roots in Canada." "Our focus over the past year has been in helping our teams and clients navigate and thrive in an environment riddled with constantly shifting and pervasive issues," said Greg Power, CEO, Weber Shandwick Canada. "This award recognizes our teams' ingenuity in a time that demands immense innovation, empathy and grit. Congratulations to our people in Canada, and thank you to our clients for their partnership on this journey." ReviveHealth, a Weber Shandwick agency focused on the intersection of healthcare delivery, finance and innovation, was also named Best Small Agency to Work For as well as overall Best Agency to Work For in North America. PRovoke noted, "ReviveHealth has been a perennial fixture on our Best Agencies to Work For List," and credited the firm's culture, benefits and "deep passion" for DE&I in awarding the honor. "The work we do on behalf of healthcare organizations, especially hospitals and health systems, has never been more urgent or consequential than in a year marked by a global pandemic. What's even more remarkable is the way our team supported each other and our clients through this time. And that's a tribute to the culture and community we've created at ReviveHealth. I've never been prouder of our team," said Brandon Edwards, CEO, ReviveHealth. The 2021 PRovoke North America honors follow a series of recent recognitions for the firm. Earlier this year, Weber Shandwick was named PR Agency of the Year by Campaign U.S., and in 2020 the firm was named PRovoke Global Agency of the Decade, PRovoke North America Agency of the Decade, PRWeek Purpose Agency of the Year and PRWeek U.S. Large Agency of the Year. The agency was also named to Ad Age's 2020 Agency A-list the only communications firm to be included. About Weber Shandwick Weber Shandwick is a leading global communications network that delivers next-generation solutions to brands, businesses and organizations in major markets around the world. Led by world-class strategic and creative thinkers and activators, we have won some of the most prestigious awards in the industry. Weber Shandwick was named to Ad Age's Agency A-List in 2020 and Best Places to Work in 2019. Weber Shandwick was also honored as PRovoke's Global Agency of the Decade in 2020 and PRWeek's Global Agency of the Year in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. The firm earned 25 Lions at the 2019 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. Data-led, with earned ideas at the core, the agency deploys leading and emerging technologies to inform strategy, develop critical insights and heighten impact across sectors and specialty areas, including brand and B2B marketing, healthcare marketing, change management, employee engagement, corporate reputation, crisis management, data and analytics, technology, public affairs, social impact and financial communications. Weber Shandwick is part of the Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). For more information, visit http://www.webershandwick.com Contact: Jill Tannenbaum Company: Weber Shandwick Phone: 212-546-7815 Email: [email protected] SOURCE Weber Shandwick Related Links https://www.webershandwick.com DUBLIN, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Diesel Engine Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2021-2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global diesel engine market reached a value of US$ 207 Billion in 2020. The global diesel engine market is currently witnessing healthy growth. The diesel engine is an internal combustion machine in which the air is compressed inside a cylindrical vessel to ignite the fuel. It changes the chemical energy stored in the fuel into mechanical energy which is used to power freight trucks, locomotives, large vessels, vehicles, etc. Currently, two types of diesel engines are available in the market. Two-stroke engines that complete a power cycle with two strokes of the piston during one crankshaft revolution, and four-stroke engines that complete the cycle with four separate strokes by turning the crankshaft. Diesel engines are capable of offering better operational performance and higher fuel economy, making them increasingly preferred among the end-users. A key factor driving the demand of diesel engines is the fact that they provide better fuel efficiency compared to petrol engines and are extremely popular in commercial and heavy-duty vehicles. Moreover, the strong growth of the automobile industry, particularly in emerging markets such as India, China, Vietnam, etc. is also expected to create a positive impact on the demand of diesel engines. Apart from this, growth in the non-automotive diesel engine market is also expected to catalyse the market with growth expected to be driven by rising energy demands from infrastructure growth and the manufacturing industry. Strong industrialization in developing economies has also increased the demand of diesel engines driven by an increasing requirement for a reliable and consistent source of power generation to ensure uninterrupted and efficient operations. Looking forward, the publisher expects the global diesel engine market to exhibit moderate growth during the next five years. Competitive Landscape: The report has also analysed the competitive landscape of the market with some of the key players being AGCO Corporation, China FAW Group, Bosch, Deere & Company, Continental AG, Delphi Automotive, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ford Motor, General Motors, MAN SE, Wartsila, Cummins, Caterpillar, Rolls-Royce, etc. Key Questions Answered in This Report: 1. What was the global diesel engine market size in 2020? 2. What will be the global diesel engine market outlook during the forecast period (2021-2026)? 3. What are the global diesel engine market drivers? 4. What are the major trends in the global diesel engine market? 5. What is the impact of COVID-19 on the global diesel engine market? 6. What is the global diesel engine market breakup by end user? 7. What are the major regions in the global diesel engine market? Key Topics Covered: 1 Preface 2 Scope and Methodology 2.1 Objectives of the Study 2.2 Stakeholders 2.3 Data Sources 2.3.1 Primary Sources 2.3.2 Secondary Sources 2.4 Market Estimation 2.4.1 Bottom-Up Approach 2.4.2 Top-Down Approach 2.5 Forecasting Methodology 3 Executive Summary 4 Introduction 4.1 Overview 4.2 Key Industry Trends 5 Global Diesel Engine Market 5.1 Market Overview 5.2 Market Performance 5.3 Impact of COVID-19 5.4 Market Breakup by Power Rating 5.5 Market Breakup by End-User 5.6 Market Breakup by Region 5.7 Market Forecast 6 Market Breakup by Power Rating 6.1 0.5 MW-1 MW 6.1.1 Market Trends 6.1.2 Market Forecast 6.2 Up to 0.5 MW 6.2.1 Market Trends 6.2.2 Market Forecast 6.3 2 MW-5 MW 6.3.1 Market Trends 6.3.2 Market Forecast 6.4 1 MW-2 MW 6.4.1 Market Trends 6.4.2 Market Forecast 6.5 Above 5 MW 6.5.1 Market Trends 6.5.2 Market Forecast 7 Market Breakup by End-User 7.1 Automotive 7.1.1 On-Road 7.1.1.1 Market Trends 7.1.1.2 Market Breakup by Type 7.1.1.2.1 Light Vehicles 7.1.1.2.2 Medium/Heavy Trucks 7.1.1.2.3 Light Trucks 7.1.1.3 Market Forecast 7.1.2 Off-Road 7.1.2.1 Market Trends 7.1.2.2 Market Breakup by Type 7.1.2.2.1 Industrial/Construction Equipment 7.1.2.2.2 Agriculture Equipment 7.1.2.2.3 Marine Applications 7.1.2.3 Market Forecast 7.2 Non-Automotive 7.2.1 Market Trends 7.2.2 Market Forecast 8 Market Breakup by Region 8.1 Asia Pacific 8.1.1 Market Trends 8.1.2 Market Forecast 8.2 Europe 8.2.1 Market Trends 8.2.2 Market Forecast 8.3 North America 8.3.1 Market Trends 8.3.2 Market Forecast 8.4 Middle East and Africa 8.4.1 Market Trends 8.4.2 Market Forecast 8.5 Latin America 8.5.1 Market Trends 8.5.2 Market Forecast 9 SWOT Analysis 9.1 Overview 9.2 Strengths 9.3 Weaknesses 9.4 Opportunities 9.5 Threats 10 Value Chain Analysis 10.1 Overview 10.2 Research and Development 10.3 Raw Material Procurement 10.4 Manufacturing 10.5 Marketing 10.6 Distribution 10.7 End-Use 11 Porters Five Forces Analysis 11.1 Overview 11.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers 11.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers 11.4 Degree of Competition 11.5 Threat of New Entrants 11.6 Threat of Substitutes 12 Price Analysis 13 Manufacturing Process 13.1 Product Overview 13.2 Raw Material Requirements 13.3 Manufacturing Process 13.4 Key Success and Risk Factors 14 Competitive Landscape 14.1 Market Structure 14.2 Key Players 14.3 Profiles of Key Players 14.3.1 AGCO Corporation 14.3.2 China FAW Group 14.3.3 Bosch 14.3.4 Deere & Company 14.3.5 Continental AG 14.3.6 Delphi Automotive 14.3.7 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries 14.3.8 Ford Motor 14.3.9 General Motors 14.3.10 MAN SE 14.3.11 Wartsila 14.3.12 Cummins 14.3.13 Caterpillar 14.3.14 Rolls-Royce For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/elagjm 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 WUXI, China, May 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- WuXi Biologics ("WuXi Bio") (2269.HK), a global company with leading open-access biologics technology platforms, and WuXi STA, a subsidiary of WuXi AppTec, today announced that a joint venture company named WuXi XDC was established to provide end-to-end contract development and manufacturing of bioconjugates including antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs). Dr. Jimmy (Jincai) Li was appointed as CEO of WuXi XDC. Per the terms of the joint venture agreement, WuXi Biologics and WuXi STA will make capital contributions of USD120 million and USD80 million respectively to WuXi XDC. WuXi XDC will be owned by WuXi Biologics for 60% and WuXi STA for 40%. Accordingly, WuXi XDC will become a non-wholly owned subsidiary of WuXi Biologics, providing services for development and manufacturing of antibodies or other biologics, chemical payloads and linkers, and the bioconjugated Drug Substance (DS) and Drug Product (DP). "Bioconjugates have recently emerged as an exciting therapeutic modality to address unmet medical needs. We're excited about establishing WuXi XDC, a dedicated end-to-end bioconjugate CDMO which will combine the world-class capacities and capabilities of both WuXi Biologics and WuXi STA to provide a superior one-stop service for global partners in an effort to expedite development and lower costs." Dr. Chris Chen, CEO of WuXi Biologics and Chairman of WuXi XDC, commented, "We are also delighted to announce Jimmy's new appointment and are confident that he will lead the company to establish a global outstanding bioconjugate CDMO to enable these novel therapeutics into the clinic and eventually on to commercialization." Dr. Minzhang Chen, CEO of WuXi STA, commented, "Many ADC drug development companies face complex global supply chain and project management challenges with multiple contract partners to handle antibody, payload, linker and conjugations. In the past years, WuXi STA worked closely with WuXi Biologics on ADC therapeutics as well as other novel bioconjugates to provide our customers an expedited development pathway. Now with the initiative of WuXi XDC, we will further combine industry leading resources from both WuXi STA and WuXi Biologics, empowering more partners with a further optimized bioconjugates development and manufacture platform to launch their novel therapeutics faster to market for the benefit of global patients." Dr. Jimmy Li, newly appointed CEO of WuXi XDC, commented, "I am very honored for the opportunity to lead WuXi XDC. By leveraging both the robust capacities and state-of-the-art technologies of WuXi Biologics and WuXi STA, WuXi XDC will further increase its unique presence in the bioconjugates industry to enable global partners as they build their innovative ideas into transformative new treatments for patients worldwide." Dr. Jimmy Li has been with WuXi Biologics since 2011. In the nearly 10 years with WuXi Biologics, Dr. Li led various functions, including the establishment of Cell Culture Process Development and Pilot Plant Production group, followed by management of the MFG1 facility, where the first commercial biologics manufactured by WuXi Biologics was approved by the U.S. FDA and EMA. Dr. Jimmy Li has 20 years' experience in biologics process development, scale-up and cGMP manufacturing at Diversa Corporation (now BASF), Tanox and Genentech. Dr. Li holds B.S. degree from Tsinghua University, and Ph.D. degree from University of Maryland Baltimore County, majoring in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering. About WuXi Biologics WuXi Biologics (stock code: 2269.HK), a Hong Kong-listed company, is a leading global open-access biologics technology platform offering end-to-end solutions to empower organizations to discover, develop, and manufacture biologics from concept to commercial manufacturing. The company's history and achievements demonstrate its commitment to providing a truly one-stop service offering and strong value proposition to its global clients. As of March 22, 2021, there were a total of 361 integrated projects, including 190 projects in pre-clinical development stage, 137 projects in early-phase (phase I and II) clinical development, 32 projects in late-phase (phase III) development and 2 projects in commercial manufacturing. With total estimated capacity for biopharmaceutical production planned in China, Ireland, the U.S., Germany, and Singapore around 430,000 liters after 2024, WuXi Biologics will provide its biomanufacturing partners with a robust and premier-quality global supply chain network. WuXi Biologics views Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) as an integral component of its ethos and business strategy and has established an ESG committee led by the CEO to increase the efficiency while advancing commitment to sustainability. For more information about WuXi Biologics, please visit www.wuxibiologics.com. About WuXi STA WuXi STA, a subsidiary of WuXi AppTec, is a leading pharmaceutical development and manufacturing capability and technology platform company serving the life sciences industry, with global operations. As a premier Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), WuXi STA offers our worldwide partners efficient, flexible and high-quality solutions for integrated CMC (Chemical, Manufacturing, and Control) solutions from preclinical to commercial uses. For more information, please visit: http://www.STApharma.com and follow us on LinkedIn. SOURCE WuXi Biologics Tanzania is richly endowed with mineral resources of all kinds Its barely been a month since Samia Suluhu Hassan took office as the new President of Tanzania, but already the air of change is palpable. First things first, shes hit the ground running with a very proactive approach to tackling the countrys coronavirus crisis - in marked contrast to her predecessor John Magafuli, who had taken a more laissez-faire attitude. But its not just her approach to health thats different. Its also her approach to wealth. In a wide-ranging televised address she spoke of a need to revitalize Tanzanias connections with the wider world, citing in particular the need to make the country a hospitable place for foreign investment. We need investors more than they need us, she said, midway through the speech, as she mandated her newly-appointed foreign affairs minister to mend relationships with the international community. Tanzanias had a mixed record in recent years when it comes to foreign investment. The countrys dispute with was well publicized, and although most neutral observers felt that Acacia was at least as at fault, if not more so, than the government, sentiment nevertheless took a dive. Now that Acacia has been subsumed by Barrick, much of the antagonism has dissipated, but the dispute itself hasnt been settled. A settlement will now be a priority, said President Hassan, not just of the Acacia dispute, but of all outstanding tax and other issues with mining companies. So, it looks as if Tanzania is once again wide open for business, and that the President is keen to get things moving as fast as possible. And its not all vague generalities and big promises either. President Hassan was quite specific about some of the areas in which she wished to smooth the investment process and encourage growth, namely helium, nickel and gold. Tanzania was first opened up to mining in a significant way in the late 1980s, when pioneers like John Park and Algy Cluff worked their way across the Lake Victoria Goldfields region which now hosts some of Barricks biggest mines. But its not only gold that the country is endowed with. There are also significant graphite, nickel, uranium, coal and gemstone deposits and projects, some of which have a long track record of production, and others of which are comparatively new. But for the next generation of Tanzanians, it may well be helium thats the real game-changer. President Hassan is probably one of the few world leaders in history to name-check helium in what amounted to her inaugural address to the nation. Why did she do it? Because the Rukwa helium project in the south west of the country looks as though its going to the be the worlds largest primary producer of helium, bar none. And if primary helium production has been an obscure topic to the worlds investors up till now, it looks very much as though thats about to change. With the clear support of President Hassan, the projects owner, Helium One ( ), is keen to get cracking with the next stage of development work as quickly as possible. The thinking is that once up and running, Rukwa could supply between 10% and 15% of the worlds helium needs for the next hundred years. And given that helium is essential in the manufacture of MRI scanners, fibre-optics, rocketry, aerospace products and semiconductors, what we are talking about here is a raw material for the high end of the high-tech industry. In that context its no wonder President Hassan wants to create a safe and secure investment environment - some pundits indeed, have drawn an analogy between Tanzanias helium reserves and Saudi Arabias oil reserves. Both Tanzania and Helium One have work to do. But companies like Shanta Gold ( ) have already shown that its possible to make a success of working in Tanzania, even when there are some headwinds. Now that theres new impetus, desire and a willingness to make things happen at the top of government, anythings possible. Trinidad is becoming increasingly important to the company, not least because of the imminent spudding of the Saffron well ( ) - soon to be renamed as Challenger Energy Group has appointed BPs former country manager for Trinidad to its board. Robert Riley will join the company as a non-executive director. The appointment of Riley comes as the company is putting its focus on production-led growth, primarily in Trinidad. He brings significant in-country experience as he was previously BPs chief executive and chairman for Trinidad. We are focussed on resetting the company and positioning it for future value growth, consistent with a simple strategy: increasing production and generating cashflow, said BPC chair Bill Schrader. Robert brings a wealth of industry, legal and commercial experience, and specifically in regards to the oil and gas sector in Trinidad and Tobago. We expect that Robert, together with Stephen Bizzell who as previously advised will also be joining the board subject to completion of normal onboarding processes, will be able to make immediate and extremely valuable contributions to the effectiveness of our operations going forward. The company also highlighted that preparations for the Saffron-2 appraisal and development well in Trinidad continue to advance at pace. Rig mobilisation to the Saffron-2 well site has now been completed, it noted. The rig is now being assembled and the programme remains on schedule for a May 23 spud-date. Once underway is it expected that the drill programme will last for 25 to 30 days. Saffron well kicks off production growth Success at Saffron-2 promises to unlock a phase of production growth for the company. Saffron-2 itself is predicted to flow at rates of 200 to 300 barrels of oil per day (bopd), which by the companys projections would equate to more than US$1.8mln of cashflow per year. The company expects the well will achieve payback in 12 to 18 months and deliver a better than 200% return on investment. A further five to nine further production wells are then planned to follow in Trinidad this year as part of a phase of field development which could comprise a total of 30 wells. The company aims to establish some 1,000 to 1,500 bopd of new production from the 2021 wells, to generate US$8mln to US$12mln of annual cashflow (based on a US$60 per barrel crude price). Beyond that, a fuller development programme could see production peak at around 4,000 bopd, to generate around US$25mln of cashflow per year. Director share buying In a separate statement on Thursday the company told investors that a number of its directors are participating in an open offer share sale which accompanied the recently announced equity placing. Eytan Uliel, who becomes chief executive later this month, is increasing his existing shareholding (of some 59.1mln shares) by taking up a further 24mln open-offer shares, whilst outgoing chief executive and soon-to-be non executive director Simon Potter is subscribing for 33mln shares open offer shares to take his holding to around 114mln shares. Chairman Bill Schrader the company's continuing and retiring non-executive directors also intend to subscribe for shares. In aggregate, some 85mln new shares will be bought by members of the management team, representing around 300,000 of the raise. "I am pleased to confirm that in addition to my own contribution, all continuing and retiring directors, as well as key members of the company's executive management team, have indicated a meaningful contribution to the current fundraising. I am grateful for this vote of support in me as I assume the role as CEO, as well as the strong confirmation it represents of the collective team's commitment to the task at hand, and our firmly held belief that the assets will deliver in the way we intend." The company announced its 6.9mln equity funding in April alongside its plans to relaunch as Challenger Energy Group. Gaza, May 14 : Tension between Israel and militant groups in the Gaza Strip continued on Thursday, while the Hamas-run health ministry officials said the death toll in the besieged coastal enclave has climbed to 83. The health ministry in Gaza said in a short text message sent to reporters that since the start of tension on Monday, 83 Palestinians were killed, including 17 children and seven women, adding that 487 were injured. On Thursday, hundreds of Palestinian mourners joined the funeral of nine top militants of the armed wing of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), who were killed in the Israeli aerial attacks on the enclave, the Xinhua news agency reported. While carrying the bodies, wrapped by Palestinian flags and Hamas green flags, on their shoulders, the mourners chanted slogans that called on militants in the Gaza Strip to revenge for their killing. Overnight and on Thursday morning, Hamas armed wing militants and other minor groups continued firing barrages of rockets from Gaza into central and southern Israel. Since the start of escalation on Monday, Gaza militants fired more than 1,600 rockets into Israel, while the Israeli army said it struck over 600 targets of Gaza militants' facilities and posts. Local media outlets in the Gaza Strip said that regional and international efforts to end the growing tension and reach a truce between the two sides had not achieved any progress yet. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Mumbai, May 14 : Filmmaker Aditya Chopra is giving the entire budget of Yash Raj Films (YRF) 50 years celebration to aid the industry and daily-wage earners, at a time when the country is battling with the deadly second wave of Covid-19. YRF completed 50 years in 2020, and Chopra had plans to celebrate the milestone event globally. With the second wave of the pandemic shutting down the film industry again, he has decided to give the YRF 50 budget for the cause. The production powerhouse is also starting a new initiative that will see their foundation provide cooked meals to thousands of frontline workers in Goregaon and also feed people at quarantine centres in Andheri, from the YRF Studios kitchen. The latest decision follows Chopra's launching the Yash Chopra Saathi Initiative last week, aimed at providing financial support to thousands of film industry workers. "YRF will not be celebrating its 50th year even if things return to normalcy later, as Aditya Chopra has decided to divert this entire fund for Covid relief work. He is clear that the funds need to be used on an urgent basis to restart the industry first, as it has been hit the hardest because of the virus," said a trade source. The source added that Aditya only wants to concentrate towards helping the industry and the fraternity that has been a support system to YRF for the last 50 years too. As part of the initiative, the Yash Raj foundation will oversee direct benefit transfers of Rs 5000 to women and senior citizens in the industry, as well as distribute ration kits to workers for a family of four for one month, through their NGO partner Youth Feed India. Recently, YRF wrote to the Maharashtra Chief Minister asking if they could purchase vaccines for the 30,000 registered workers of the film industry. YRF added it would cover all expenses related to workers getting vaccinated. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Beirut, May 14 : Lebanese security forces have denied any involvement of the Hezbollah group in firing three rockets towards northern Israel. Lebanon's Elnashra news website had reported earlier that the rockets were fired on Thursday by the Hezbollah, reports Xinhua news agency. But Lebanon's al-Manar TV channel later reported that the Palestinian refugees in the Al Rashidiya camp in Tyre fired the rockets in support of the Palestinians in their recent clashes with Israel. Lebanese security forces have arrested the Palestinians who fired the rockets from southern Lebanon's Qlieleh village toward Israel, according to the Elnashra news website. The rockets were fired into the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Galilee, an Israeli military spokesperson said in a statement. No injury or damage was reported. The firing of rockets from Lebanon came as Israel continued its airstrikes and shellings at the Palestinian enclave of Gaza Strip in response to the rocket attacks launched by the Palestinian militants in Gaza. Varanasi, May 14 : Seven more bodies, including a partially burnt one, have been recovered from the Ganga river in Varanasi and adjoining Chandauli district. One body was found near Sujabad area of Varanasi and six in Dhanapur area of Chandauli district on Thursday. People in Sujabad area, saw bodies floating on a bend and alerted the Ramnagar police, who reached the spot and divers were called to the spot. Deputy Commissioner of Police, Kashi zone, Amit Kumar also reached the spot and monitored the search operation. Six decayed bodies and a partially burnt one were brought out and cremated. Meanwhile, six decomposed bodies were recovered at Dhanapur in Chandauli and cremated. Chandauli District Magistrate Sanjiv Singh said all the bodies recovered in Dhanapur were badly decomposed and appeared to have been disposed of a week ago. None of the bodies was packed in PPE kit and stones were tied to them, he added. Divisional Commissioner Deepak Agrawal said: "We have deployed teams in villages and at cremation grounds in rural areas to tell people not to dispose of bodies in rivers and inform officials if they are incapable of cremating bodies." The disposal of bodies in rivers started causing ripples when corpses piled up on the Ballia-Buxar border and Ghazipur on May 10. Bihar authorities placed a net in the river after claiming that 71 bodies had flown down from Uttar Pradesh. The opposition has launched an attack on the state government accusing it of under-reporting Covid deaths in the state. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav tweeted, "Bodies floating in the Ganges are not mere statistics, they are someone's father, mother, brother and sister. There has to be accountability of the government that has failed its people so badly." Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also tweeted, "Bodies are floating in the Ganga in Ballia and Ghazipur. Reports are coming of mass burials on the banks of the river in Unnao. Official numbers from cities like Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Jhansi and Kanpur appear to be grossly under-reported." She demanded a judicial enquiry by a high court judge saying what is happening in Uttar Pradesh is "inhuman and criminal". The government is busy in image-building while people are suffering, she alleged. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Etawah : , May 14 (IANS) Three persons of a marriage party were killed when an SUV carrying them overturned on the Agra-Kanpur highway. The accident took place on Thursday night and the groom Saurabh was also injured in the accident. All the injured have been admitted to the Etawah district hospital. According to reports, the driver apparently lost control of the vehicle and hit the divider before overturning and hitting a tree. Since the marriage party was travelling in private cars, the vehicles in the convoy stopped and took out the injured persons and rushed them to the hospital. The police were later informed of the incident. Washington, May 14 : US President Joe Biden said that the Kremlin was not behind last week's cyberattack on a key fuel pipeline, adding he would raise the issue of cybercrime during talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. "We do not believe,I emphasize, we do not believe the Russian government was involved in this attack," Biden said on Thursday while speaking on the May 7 cyberattack against Colonial Pipeline. "But we do have strong reason to believe that the criminals who did the attack are living in Russia," he noted. "We have been in direct communications with Moscow about the imperative for responsible countries to take decisive actions against these ransomware networks. "I am confident that I've read the report of the FBI accurately, and they say they were not -- he was not, the government was not," Biden replied when pressed by reporters whether Putin was behind the attack. The FBI confirmed on Monday that DarkSide, a criminal group based in Eastern Europe, was responsible for the ransomware attack that forced Colonial Pipeline to shut down approximately 5,500 miles of pipeline. Asked when the US would respond to governments allowing such cybercrime, Biden said international standards are needed for governments to take action against these criminal activities. "I expect that's one of the topics I'll be talking about with President Putin," he added. Biden said last week that he expected to meet Putin during the trip to Europe in June, when he will attend the G7 Summit in Britain and then the NATO Summit in Belgium. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said earlier this week that Moscow welcomes the initiative by the US for holding a summit in June. Relations between Washington and Moscow have been adversarial in recent years. The two countries have been bitterly divided over Ukraine, human rights, cybersecurity issues, and they mutually accused the other of domestic political interference. Thiruvananthapuram, May 14 : With Covid surge reaching greater heights in Kerala, the NCC, the largest uniformed youth organization of the World, as part of "Ex Yogdaan" is assisting the civil administration. They joined Covid service in Kottayam, the first place on Thursday. Brigadier N.V.Sunil Kumar, the Group Commander NCC Group Kottayam looking after the Central Kerala Region along with 90 NCC cadets reached out to the district administration of Pathanamthitha and Kottayam in providing all possible help. He said the NCC will be assisting the police in establishing check posts at various key locations. NCC Cadets of the Senior Division along with the police will man these posts. "This would eventuate in easing the heavy load on the police as also further the efficient management of traffic, especially during the lockdown period. "This would provide these young cadets the opportunity to mould themselves as responsible role models citizens of the country and contribute towards its growth and nation building," said Sunil Kumar. On Thursday 39,955 people tested positive taking the total number of active cases to 4,38,913 in the state. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) May 14 : After TV actress Shweta Tiwari shared a video on social media of her estranged husband Abhinav Kohli allegedly assaulting her and their son Reyansh, the National Commission for Women (NCW) took cognizance of the incident and wrote to the Mumbai Police urging them to intervene in the case. Taking to its Twitter account, NCW wrote, @NCWIndia is perturbed by this reported incident and has taken cognizance of the matter. Chairperson @sharmarekha has written to DGP Maharashtra asking to immediately intervene into the matter and take appropriate action in accordance with the law. @NCWIndia is perturbed by this reported incident and has taken cognizance of the matter. Chairperson @sharmarekha has written to DGP Maharashtra asking to immediately into the matter and take appropriate action in accordance with the law.https://t.co/Tdqsgo7FBp NCW (@NCWIndia) May 12, 2021 NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma wrote a letter to Mumbai Police Commissioner Hemant Nagrale, in which she wrote, The National Commission for Women has come across a media post captioned Shweta Tiwari shares shocking CCTV video of ex-husband Abhinav Kohli physically abusing her and son Reyansh wherein it can be seen that the accused is trying to snatch the boy from Shweta Tiwari even though the child does not want to go to him. In the hustle, Shweta Tiwari falls on the ground. The accused continues to create ruckus after getting inside the house as well." Rekha Sharma further wrote that NCW is perturbed with the sight of the atrocity being committed to a woman and a child. You are, therefore, requested to immediately look into the matter and take appropriate action against the accused in accordance with the law. The action taken must be communicated to the commission within 10 days, she wrote in the letter. Responding to NCW tweet, Abhinav Kohli wrote, Respected Chairperson, I have not done anything wrong. I beg you to please request DGP Maharashtra to investigate into the location of my son and hand him over to me. Shweta Tiwari is currently shooting for the reality television show Khatron Ke Khiladi in South Africa. The couple has been into an ugly custody battle for a year now. The court has given Abhinav minimum half an hour to talk to their son for via video calls. Shweta and Abhinav tied the knot in 2013 and have a four-year-old son Reyansh. The couple parted ways in 2019. May 14 : Hina Khan, who lost her father recently, had been off social media for some time as she was mourning her personal loss. After she was ready to move on, Hina resumed shooting, her first shoot after her fathers demise. Taking to her Instagram story, Hina expressed her feelings as she became emotional. Sharing her picture, the Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai actress remembered her father, Aslam Khan, and wrote that she continues to miss him. First shoot after. Miss u dad. I know you will always guide me, protect me, show me the right path and watch my back. I love you, Hina wrote. Image Source: Instagram/realhinakhan Hina Khan resumes shoot post her fathers demise In another post, the actress wrote, How you used to set my makeup chair at home, turn on the air conditioner, come in between to check on me, watch me get ready.. those proud eyes, missed everything today. I love you daddy. Your strong girl is missing you. She added a broken heart emoticon to her post. Image Source: Instagram/realhinakhan Hina Khan shared on her Instagram story Hina was shooting in Kashmir for a new music video when her father suffered a massive cardiac arrest and breathed his last in Mumbai. The actress immediately returned to Mumbai and was completely heartbroken with the loss. The Yeh Hai Mohabbatein actress took a break from social media to mourn her loss. Recently, Hina had shared a throwback picture with her father on Instagram, and gave a heart-warming caption to it. In the picture, her father is seen hugging her daughter, who was very close to him. In the caption, Hina wrote, I dont know what to write. Miss you. She added a broken heart emoticon to the post. Meanwhile, the actress changed her Instagram bio as a mark of her tribute to her daddy. Hina, who called herself daddys girl, changed her Instagram bio that read, Daddys Strong Girl. On the work front, Hina Khan was recently seen in the music video Bedard, which also featured Stebin Ben and Sapan Krishna. The actress will be seen in a new music video, Patthar Wargi, alongside Tanmay Ssingh. Hina made her Bollywood debut with Vikram Bhatt's Hacked in 2020. She also debuted in the digital space with ZEE5's Unlock and also appeared in MXPlayer's web series Damaged 2. Chennai, May 14 : While autorickshaw drivers in Tamil Nadu have earned a notorious reputation for overcharging, not adhering to the meter charges, refusal to ply short distances but there are exceptions to this. And one such autorickshaw driver is the Madurai based Gururaj who was praised by Chief Minister M.K.Stalin on Thursday. Ever since the lockdown was announced in Tamil Nadu, Gururaj with proper permission from the authorities has been offering free rides to people in Madurai wanting to go to hospitals. Gururaj who used to offer free rides during the Sunday lockdown started offering the same on all days after the Tamil Nadu government announced statewide lockdown recently. When the demand for rides is high, Gururaj also seeks out his friend Anbunathan, another autorickshaw driver to offer free rides. Appreciating Gururaj's services, Chief Minister Stalin said in a letter to him that he was happy to note his noble service. Stalin also told Gururaj that his friend Anbunathan is also an appreciable person for offering his services to the people. The Chief Minister Stalin told Gururaj that on behalf of the state he appreciates the latter's services in assisting the government in fighting the war against the pandemic. During the first coronavirus wave, Gururaj distributed the kabasura kudineer, an herbal decoction and also helped in crowd management at the ration shops when welfare measures were distributed. According to him, he would meet the cost of fuel charging travellers coming from the railway station and the airport. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text U.S. Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines visited the demilitarized zone, the Joint Security Area in the border truce village of Panmunjom, and the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff headquarters in Seoul on Thursday. Normally, senior intelligence officers' whereabouts are kept secret, but her schedule was as public as possible, probably to send a message to North Korea that the world is watching. She looked around major facilities in the Panmunjom area, including the footbridge that President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un walked across during their summit in April 2018. Back at the South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff headquarters in the afternoon, she spoke with Lt. Gen. Lee Young-choul, the chief of the South Korean Defense Intelligence Agency, and other officials about boosting intelligence sharing on North Korea as well as the state of defense intelligence systems. On Friday, Haines pays a courtesy call on Moon and meets with National Security Adviser Suh Hoon before flying back to the U.S. A team of researchers in China has sequenced and assembled the high-quality reference genome for the Yap hadal snailfish, which was captured at a depth of 7,000 m in the Yap Trench in the western Pacific Ocean. Hadal environments (depths below 6,000 m) are characterized by extremely high hydrostatic pressures, low temperatures, a scarce food supply, and little light. Fish are the only vertebrates inhabiting the hadal zone, and hadal snailfishes have been found in at least five geographically separated marine trenches. However, the genetic mechanisms that allow vertebrates to live in such extreme conditions are not well understood. To understand how hadal snailfishes have adapted to life in the deep sea, Dr. Xinhua Chen of the Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University and colleagues sequenced the whole genome of a snailfish from the Yap Trench. The analysis of the genome revealed multiple adaptations for living in a cold, dark, high-pressure environment. The scientists also found that the Yap hadal snailfish carries extra genes for DNA repair, which may help keep its genome intact under high pressures. The fish also has five copies of a gene for an enzyme that takes a compound produced by bacteria in its gut and transforms it into one that stabilizes the structure of proteins under high hydrostatic pressure. It has also lost certain genes involved in vision, taste and smell, which are likely unnecessary in its dark, food-limited environment. Many genes associated with DNA repair show evidence of positive selection and have expanded copy numbers in the genome of the Yap hadal snailfish, which potentially reflect the difficulty of maintaining DNA integrity under high hydrostatic pressure, Dr. Chen said. The five copies of the trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO)-generating enzyme flavin-containing monooxygenase-3 gene (fmo3) and the abundance of trimethylamine (TMA)-generating bacteria in the gut of the Yap hadal snailfish could provide enough TMAO to improve protein stability under hadal conditions. Our results provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the adaptation of hadal organisms to the deep-sea environment and valuable genomic resources that will help further clarify hadal adaptations, the authors concluded. The findings were published in the journal PLoS Genetics. _____ Y. Mu et al. 2021. Whole genome sequencing of a snailfish from the Yap Trench (~7,000 m) clarifies the molecular mechanisms underlying adaptation to the deep sea. PLoS Genet 17 (5): e1009530; doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.100953 May 14 : Recently, the Maharashtra government has suspended COVID-19 vaccination for people in the age group of 18-44 due to shortage of vaccines, state Health Minister Rajesh Tope informed. The state government will now divert about 3 lakh vaccines meant for the 18-44 age group for people aged 45 years and above. This decision of the Maharashtra government has upset the cine workers of Bollywood as 60 per cent of the workforce falls in this age bracket. Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) president, Ashok Dubey, said that the extension of lockdown in the state has already jeopardised the livelihood of cine workers and now putting a hold on vaccination of young people have made them upset. The workers were planning to get back on the sets after taking two doses of the vaccine. Earlier, Yash Raj Films (YRF) head Aditya Chopra offered to get the entire daily workers of the Hindi film industry vaccinated against the coronavirus. Aditya has taken upon himself the responsibility to vaccinate almost 30,000 registered members of the Hindi film industry and procure 60,000 coronavirus vaccines2 doses each. The filmmaker has urged the Maharashtra Chief Minister, Uddhav Thackeray to allow the production house to buy 60,000 COVID-19 vaccines and take care of all the expenses related to the immunisation programme for the 30,000 registered workers. Aditya has written to Uddhav Thackeray requesting help to facilitate his initiative of getting 30,000 workers of the film industry vaccinated. The Chief Minister has not even replied to the letter which is very disappointing, Ashok Dubey said. Salman Khan has also said that he would like to initiate vaccination drive if he can procure them. Unfortunately, these efforts will go waste as the state faces acute shortage of vaccines. Meanwhile, several states have decided to import vaccines amid acute shortage COVID-19 vaccines. At least 10 states including Delhi, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Uttarakhand decided to issue global tenders to procure vaccines. Earlier, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Rajasthan, and Odisha had floated global tenders for vaccines. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Chennai, May 14 : After facing acute shortage of medical oxygen with several hospitals in the state not being able to accommodate patients for want of oxygen beds, the Tamil Nadu state government has issued guidelines for optimal usage of oxygen. The guidelines issued on Thursday is valid for Covid hospitals, Covid health centres and Covid care centres. It states that the hospital or ward has to be classified into various zones based on the need of the patient. In zone 1 patient, who don't require oxygen has to be admitted; in zone two patients with 1 to 5 litres of oxygen requirement are admitted; and in zone three, patients with 6 to 10 litres of oxygen to be admitted; in zone four patients who require 11 to 15 litres of oxygen are admitted; and in zone five patients who need 15 litres of oxygen be admitted. Awareness boards mentioning "Do not waste Oxygen" must be prominently displayed in wards. High flow nasal cannula devise which consume enormous amount of oxygen must be used only in Intensive care units(ICU) and oxygen can be turned off when not in use. Attendants are to be discouraged from entering the wards and maintaining the oxygen flow, according to the guidelines which also stressed on the importance of medical professionals to be custodians of maintaining oxygen levels. Across Tamil Nadu, people are witnessing huge lines of ambulances with patients who require oxygen administration and who don't get oxygen beds. Several NGOs and industries have joined hands together to provide oxygen in novel measures like "Oxygen Pandal" and "Oxygen Buses" to help people get oxygen even before being admitted in hospitals. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Kiev, May 14 : The governments of Ukraine and France have signed four framework agreements worth over 1.3 billion euros ($1.5 billion), the press service of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kiev reported. The signing took place on Thursday during the official visit of French Minister of the Economy, Finance and the Recovery Bruno Le Maire to Kiev, Xinhua news agency reported The agreements provide for the supply of 130 Alstom electric locomotives to Ukraine worth up to 900 million euros with a production localization level of 35 per cent, and the supply of specialized rescue equipment worth up to 300 million euros. In addition, the two countries intend to implement a project to improve water supply in more than 20 settlements of the Luhansk region and a project to improve water quality in certain districts of Kiev. The cost of each project is estimated at 70 million euros. Madrid, May 14 : The Spanish Congress of Deputies, the lower chamber in Parliament, has approved a law on climate change and energy transition aimed at drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions over the coming years. Only the far-right wing Vox party voted against the law on Thursday, which sets a 2030 target for reducing the country's greenhouse gas emissions by 23 per cent compared with 1990 levels, reports Xinhua news agency. The bill also requires that by 2030, 42 per cent of all its energy come from renewable sources, and 74 per cent of all its electricity be generated from renewables. The overall objective of the law is to help Spain achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, thus complying with its obligations related to the 2015 Paris Agreement. "It has been intense work, thanks to all of the parliamentary groups for forging a consensus and improving the climate law," said Minister for Ecological Transition Teresa Ribera. Describing the law as "vital", the Minister said that "we have to apply it fully and look towards the future, it is a collective effort that requires agreements and constant improvements". "Spain has arrived at the approval of this law with a delay. It should have been passed 10 years ago," she said in an interview in the El Pais newspaper on Thursday. Thiruvananthapuram, May 14 : Gone are the days when Kerala Congress (M) as the third biggest ally in the Congress-led UDF, could be a bother with their arm twisting tactics for in the present ruling CPI-M led Left such designs will not work. For a long time, K.M. Mani used to take things up with the UDF -- the way he wished, on account of his stature and for being one of the founders of the UDF in the eighties. Following his death in 2019 and the party splitting with the faction led by his son Jose K.Mani last year crossing over to the ruling LDF, many thought, when they were given 13 seats to contest the April 6 assembly polls, they will get key position as well. However, with the shock defeat of Jose K. Mani from Pala in Kottayam, his father's citadel from 1967 till he died, despite five of KC (M) winning the elections, their first demand of two cabinet minister's was shot down by the all prevailing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. At the end of talks with them, Vijayan has more or less agreed to give them the Chief Whip post, which comes with cabinet status. Jose though is now trying to bargain for a prime portfolio and wished to get the 'revenue' portfolio which was held by his father. This appears unlikely as with the Left in power, it's normally handled by the CPI -- the second biggest ally of the Left. The CPI is already upset with the arrival of Jose into the Left fold, as they had to forego two seats in Kottayam district. When Jose's demand surfaced, Kanam Rajendran, the secretary of the CPI has said under no circumstances will they let go of 'revenue' portfolio. The CPI-M is now planning to give the Power portfolio and along with it there are talks of giving the Public Works Department too. Incidentally both these portfolios were handled by two different CPI-M ministers in the outgoing Vijayan cabinet. A media critic on condition of anonymity said by now Jose would have realised that the Left is not like the UDF, especially with Vijayan at the helm of affairs. "Looking back, Mani was a master of taking away more than what he actually deserved. Whenever he was able to flex his muscles, he did it and he got Rajya Sabha seats, when his party actually never deserved it. "In 2001 when the UDF won with 99 seats, the Congress did not give the finance portfolio, but in 2011, the UDF had a margin of just two seats in the 140 assembly and then he extracted his pound of flesh and got the finance portfolio. So it would be really doubtful, if Jose will get all what he desires," said the critic. Jose won the 2009 and 2014 Lok Sabha polls from Kottayam and in 2018 he quit the Lok Sabha after his party was offered a Rajya Sabha seat as part of a patch up with K.M.Mani to return to the Congress-led UDF in 2018. Now all eyes are on Jose if he would settle for one minister, but would try to get back the Rajya Sabha seat, he quit after leaving the Congress-led UDF, as after 2009, this is the first time that he has no post. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Havana, May 14 : The US embargo against Cuba continues to affect the island-nation's agricultural system, a high-ranking government official said here. Moraima Cespedes, director general of international relations at the Ministry of Agriculture, told reporters on Thursday that between April and December 2020, the US embargo had caused damages to this prioritized sector worth $330 million, reports Xinhua news agency. "The US administrations have increased hostility towards the island, affecting financial transactions between Cuban companies and international banks," she said. Cespedes also said that access to raw materials and technological infrastructure to support the irrigation systems across the country had been harmed by the embargo. "The US' unilateral policy toward the Caribbean nation has been intensified amid the Covid-19 pandemic," she added. It comes as the Cuban government has adopted new measures to incentivise farmers to increase the national production of food. Meanwhile, Giovanna Pereira Roca, business director at the Cuban company Tabacuba, said that during the last three quarters of 2020, the US embargo had caused losses worth $180 million for exports of premium cigars. "If the embargo were lifted, Cuba could become one of the top suppliers to the US premium cigar market," she told Xinhua. First imposed in 1962, the embargo was tightened during former US President Donald Trump's administration, which banned American flights to Cuban cities except for Havana, barred cruise ships and yachts from visiting the Caribbean nation, and limited remittances that Cuban-Americans send to their families on the island. The Cuban government will present its annual draft resolution against the embargo before the UN General Assembly in June. Washington, May 14 : A US Marine Corps officer was arrested and charged with assaulting policemen during the January 6 Capitol riots, making him the first active-duty service member charged for his role in the violence, according to the Justice Department. Major Christopher Warnagiris, 40, is accused of forcing his way inside the Capitol by pushing through a line of officers guarding the building's East Rotunda doors, Xinhua news agency quoted the Department as saying on Thursday. Video footage showed Warnagiris keeping the door open for others to get in and later pushing a Capitol Police officer who tried to close it, the Department said. Warnagiris, stationed at the Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Virginia, before the arrest, is facing several charges, including assaulting, resisting or impeding officers, obstruction of law enforcement, and obstruction of justice, according to a USA Today report. The Justice Department has so far charged about 440 people in connection to the Capitol breach and the numbers are expected to grow, said the report. The January 6 riots were staged by supporters of former President Donald Trump while Congress was in session considering the ratification of the electoral college votes electing Joe Biden as President and Kamala Harris as Vice President. Five people, including a police officer, were killed in the ensuing violence. Chennai, May 14 : Oxygen production at Vedanta Ltd's copper smelter plant - Sterlite Copper- in Thoothukud was affected due to technical snag, the company said on Friday. "A technical snag has developed in the cold box at our oxygen plant in Thoothukudi, leading to a temporary pause in production. The possibility of minor technical fluctuations was anticipated given that the plant has been unattended for three years," the company said in a statement. According to Vedanta, a technical group has been stationed onsite from day one to monitor the situation and provide real time solutions for resuming production at the earliest. "We plan to return to stabilised production soon," the company said. On Thursday the company said one of its oxygen plants commenced production from May 12. "The first tanker carrying 4.8 tons of liquid oxygen is going to Tirunelveli/Thoothukudi. We will be dispatching two oxygen tankers on a daily basis to begin with, and gradually scale this up as we expand production," Vedanta had said. According to Vedanta, the oxygen supplied was of 98.6 per cent purity and has received the necessary medical-grade certifications. "My team members and I are honoured that our facility and efforts are being directly put into helping save lives. We promise to make every possible effort to ensure that there is continuous production of oxygen from our plant to mitigate this crisis," Pankaj Kumar, CEO, Sterlite Copper had said. Vedanta had earlier said it has about 1,050 to oxygen plant at Sterlite Copper and it is committed to make the entire capacity available for producing medical grade oxygen. The company had approached the Supreme Court to allow it to protect and maintain its important assets in the smelter plant and permit it to produce 1,050 tonnes of oxygen and supply freely to nearby hospitals and to other states. The Tamil Nadu government had ordered the closure of the copper smelter plant in 2018 following a violent protest that led to the death of 13 persons in police firing. The 400,000 ton Sterlite copper smelter plant that has been operating in Thoothukudi for over 25 years with a cumulative investment of about Rs 3,000 crore. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text May 14 : Actor turned politician Urmila Matondkar wished everyone on the auspicious occasion of Eid, shares a beautiful picture with her husband. As the nation commemorates the auspicious occasion of Eid, scores of Bollywood stars including Anil Kapoor, Abhishek Bachchan, R Madhavan and many others extended greetings on the festival. Now Urmila Matondkar shares warm wishes for everyone. Urmila dropped a beautiful picture with her husband Mohsin Akhtar Mir and wrote, Eid Mubarak...May the Almighty grant shifaa to all...Prayers for an end to suffering, for strength to bear losses...To Peace, Happiness, Health n Healing in the year ahead. Please stay at home as you celebrate #EidUlFitr #EidMubarak Urmila keeps her social media updated with latest posts and awareness campaigns. In an earlier post, actor raised awareness about plasma donation. She dropped a video post, the caption read, Let's all rise up to the situation our country is in n try n do what we can. Those who have recovered from #covid_19 can donate their plasma n save another life. Plasma donation is easier than blood donation. So please come ahead n do it...Be a life saviour. Your #Plasma can save somebody's life. In association with @Urmila ji @_PARI_ redefines the social integrity to fight back #COVID19 and save lives of million of people. #GivePlasmaSaveLives Tag *#SOSPARI* and we will reach you shortly After quitting acting, Matondkar joined the INC in 2019. She contested from Mumbai North constituency in the 2019 Lok Sabha Election, but lost. She later resigned from the party, citing petty internal politics and joined Shiv Sena in presence of party president Uddhav Thackeray. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) New Delhi, May 14 : Feasting on Eid typically includes a Biryani no matter which part of the country you reside in. The legacies of biryani and pulao are an important part of the India's history. Deeply woven into the country's culinary heritage, this delectable dish and its various preparations showcase India's deep rooted relationship with rice, culminating in an exceptional repertoire of regional variants with distinctive flavours and culinary styles capturing the essence of their locale. "Biryani and Pulao Collection by ITC Hotels" brings together a fine curation of authentic recipes and culinary classics perfected by their masterchefs for the ultimate pleasure in dining. Created with the utmost care and hygiene to ensure your well-being and a safe dining experience. The Collection, an ode to these legendary dishes has been perfectly portioned for parties of four and more so you can indulge from the safety and comfort of your home. The ITC chain of hotels is delivering across metropolitan cities of New Delhi, Gurugram, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Bengaluru. Special prices includes three different offers, the Vegetarian Collection, the Non-Vegetraian Collection and B&P's Finest for Parties of Four and Six. Choose from an array of Biryani and Pulao- like urge Malabari favourite Chemmeen Pulao made with seafood or the chicken Konaseema Kodu Pulao from the coasts of Andhra. Frontier delights include Serai Ki Biryani, created especially for the Mughal army as they rested in Serais dotting The Grand Trunk Road. Bite into Gosht Bori Biryani from the Bohra community or the Nawab of Oudh's favourite Metiabruz Biryani which travelled with him from Lucknow to Kolkata. Vegetarians can indulge in a Kathal Pulao made with jackfruit, Subz Paneer Pulao or the Delhi speciality of Nimona Mirch Pulao with whole peppers stuffed with fragrant rice. Prices range from Rs 1,900 to Rs 3,900 for four to six offerings with free delivery up to radius of 15 km from the hotels. For Gurugram call +91-9311120560/+91-9311120561 or takeaway.itcgrandbharat@itchotels.in (IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in) -- Syndicated from IANS Page Content Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs expresses grave concern for the future of relations within the Kingdom, when out of one side of their mouths, the Dutch Government claims it is looking out for the welfare of the people of St. Maarten and continuously seeks ways and means to move the goal post even after conditions have been met and agreements signed. In the case of the recent move by the State Secretary of Interior Affairs and Kingdom Relations Knops to further delay the 5th tranche of liquidity support of 39 million Euros, Prime Minister Jacobs sees this as uncalled for and totally against a legally established decision and the rules of order of the Kingdom Council of Ministers (RMR) meeting. The 5th tranche of liquidity support was first delayed in March 2021 when the agenda point for liquidity was removed for other unrelated reasons (need for assurances from parliament as to their stance on the Caribbean Entity for Reform and Development (COHO)) which was later resolved and approved after being placed on the subsequent RMR agenda. This latest delay of another three weeks is being cited as due to governance issues at the airport and goes against the conclusion made by the RMR meeting of April 23, 2021, whereby, it was decided that St. Maarten had met all the conditions to obtain the 5th tranche of NAf 39 million. The technical teams are quite satisfied with the work being done on the country package and will be meeting next week to look towards agreements for the next three months. While there have been several attempts to push government to act, that could not be done before the proper substantiation was there for governments interference (outside of meetings and letters) taking into consideration the Corporate Governance recommendations that require government to take the hands-off approach. Government has acknowledged and is addressing those concerns with the necessary stakeholders within the constraints of the law, and the relevant stakeholders have expressed willingness to allow said processes to take place. Several meetings have been held with the airport management and boards to assure that the concerns are being addressed structurally with legal advice. Meetings will continue to be held to ensure all parties are on the same page as we move forward. This is the way government will ensure that proper procedures are followed to avoid further corporate governance issues which could jeopardize the continuity of the reconstruction of the airport, which is our gateway to our main economic driver. This is of high priority for the government of St. Maarten. Prime Minister Jacobs stated, "Unfortunately, State Secretary Knops has moved the goal post without proper legal basis and is acting outside of his mandate by adding an additional condition for receiving liquidity support. We do not believe this is an effective way to offer support. Furthermore, the government of St. Maarten is obligated to make decisions in the best interest of its people irrespective of the Netherlands' political ideas and opinions. The legitimacy of the government of St. Maarten depends on the ability to address its matters domestically. As such, within the Council of Ministers, we have the responsibility of assessing and taking the right decision for St. Maarten, given the local context and relevant factors; with facts and not conjecture." As it relates to the Princess Juliana International Airport Holding Company (PJIAH), St. Maarten is currently addressing that situation. Attaching this matter to the 5th tranche of liquidity support will further limit time for the decision-making process and coming to the best solution which also requires necessary finances. This is especially given the financial situation of St. Maarten. St. Maarten will not be able to meet many of its operational costs if the situation persists. This decision also negatively impacts the vital processes the State Secretary mentions in his letter, as the necessary finances to be able to do so remain out of reach. Prime Minister Jacobs stated, "As Shareholder, we are dealing with the situation at PJIAH. To prevent further violations of a corporate governance nature, legal review is currently of the highest importance. Considering that further violations can delay the decision-making and execution of the Airport reconstruction project, we are in the process of structurally improving corporate governance at the Airport. The system of rules, practices, and processes by which a company is directed and controlled is the epitome of corporate governance. Structural changes are underway even as the evaluation of reconstruction bids continue. Based on the information provided by the Airport project team and the NRPB, the project is currently on track, contrary to statements made." With regards to the many opinions from former political candidates and members of the opposition, Prime Minister Jacobs stated, Contrary to the opinions thus far, St. Maarten has been genuine in dealing with the Dutch and has been open to all discussions for receiving support, both monetary and technical. Considering a good future partnership with the Dutch would be in the best interest of the people of St. Maarten, the Government of St. Maarten has operated in good faith. However, St. Maarten continues to have to fight for equity within the Kingdom at every turn. Its unfortunate that the discussion recently held this past Wednesday in a Steering Committee meeting, whereby the progress of the airport was highlighted, and we confirmed that we are in the process of taking steps to bring improvements which have a legal trajectory, that the demissionair State Secretary goes beyond his authorities and decides not to move forward with the agreed upon liquidity as per the Kingdom Council of Ministers meeting of three weeks ago. Embittered politicians seeking to gain mileage on these unfortunate series of events only do more harm to St. Maarten and its people. The disrespect is not just towards the government, but to the entire population of St. Maarten. As partners and for the sustainability of any partnerships, we should be able to listen and understand each other. The concerns of all other stakeholders warrant further discussion but should not result in the halt of the already approved liquidity support. The consequences are not suited for this issue, Prime Minister Jacobs continued. The goal of Parliament and Government of St. Maarten, and the Kingdom of the Netherlands should be aligned, especially in these dire economic times, to safeguard the welfare of our people. As for this Government, regardless of inaccurate assumptions of some political opportunists, we will continue to work in the best interest of St. Maarten. There is lots of work to be done and though we are small, and financially strapped, we are determined to successfully achieve our goals of getting St. Maarten back on its feet. Our airport is vital to achieving such, and due diligence will be observed in all actions to safeguard our patrimony, the employees and wider community who depend on it for their livelihood, Prime Minister Jacobs concluded. May 14 : On the auspicious occasion of Eid, actress Urvashi Rautela unveils her international music album Versace Baby with Egyptian actor Mohamed Ramadan, and also confirms that all the earning from the album will be donated towards Indias fight against Covid-19 and to Palestine Red Crescent Society. Urvashi Rautela took to her social media profile and dropped the music album and wrote, ALL PROCEEDS & MY EARNINGS FROM THIS VIDEO WILL BE DONATED TOWARDS NATIONS FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19...Im well pleased to be a part of this noble dynamism, to lend our hand towards the nations fight against COVID-19. Since last year, we have endeavoured in our efforts towards fighting COVID-19 Mohamed and I are committed to taking all the requisite steps to invigorate the fight against Covid-19. We are also donating to the Palestine Red Crescent Society to help amplify the resources to provide vital relief efforts to people affected by the pandemic...MY INTERNATIONAL MUSIC ALBUM VERSACE BABY...OUT NOW WITH ARABIC SUPERSTAR MOHAMED RAMADAN...CELEBRATE YOUR EID WITH US #love #UrvashiRautela #MohamedRamadan #Versace #VersaceBaby read the full note. Diva recently collaborated with Guru Randhawa in the song Doob Gaye which went viral on video sharing platforms. Apart from featuring in music videos, Urvashi will be seen sharing screen space with Randeep Hooda for the upcoming Jio studios web series Inspector Avinash. Urvashi Rautela has also lined up Black Rose a bilingual thriller, and a Hindi remake of Thirutu Payale 2. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Kolkata, May 14 : Myanmar's brutal army, or the Tatmadaw, has pounded the Mindat town in the country's Chin state bordering India's Mizoram state with artillery fire in an unusual escalation of repression. A locally raised civilian resistance group, Mindat Defense Force, has been blocking the Tatmadaw's entry into the town. The resistance group is led by armed local policemen, angry youths armed with locally made weapons and possibly some former insurgents of the Chin tribe. On Tuesday, a Tatmadaw column trying to enter Mindat was ambushed by Mindat Defense Force fighters after breakdown of a local ceasefire. After that, the Tatmadaw started pounding the town from an artillery base in from Kyaukhtu base in the Magwe region, 33 km from Mindat. Since 6 a.m. on Thursday, civilians in Mindat said the town was subjected to repeated artillery barrage. On Thursday, the intensity of artillery increased, killing one Chin teenager and seriously injuring six others "The use of artillery on civilian population is a huge escalation in Tatmadaw's repression. They have been firing small arms into crowds of protestors but this is unbelievable," said Thomas Thangno, former chairman of Chin National Front over phone to IANS. "A 17-year-old was killed. They are still firing on us from Kyaukhtu. About six others were injured," said a member of the Mindat Defense Force. He said the resistance fighters, largely armed with homemade hunting rifles, were bravely facing Tatmadaw troops with automatic rifles and artillery. On Wednesday night, shootouts between junta troops and resistance fighters occurred at Mindat's police station and a government office near the headquarters of the military's 274 Battalion. "The artillery battalion is in Kyaukhtu. We agreed a ceasefire with the military after they agreed not to deploy more troops to the town and not to pass through the town in military vehicles," said a Mindat resident. Civilians later agreed that 17 vehicles carrying around 270 junta troops could pass through from Matupi Township in exchange for the release of five young protesters being held by the security forces. The ceasefire ended after the military regime reportedly claimed it would release only four of the five. "Our demands were not met. The fighting that erupted is still going on. They are firing continuously from Kyaukhtu. We also hear planes," said another Mindat Defense Force member. "There will be no more talks. We will protect our town as best we can." The use of artillery on civilian targets has raised the spectre of a genocide on the Chin tribes. On April 24, fighting erupted when Tatmadaw forces reneged on its promises to release seven young anti-regime protesters. On April 26 and 27, the Mindat Defense Forces attacked military reinforcements approaching the town using homemade weapons, leaving at least 20 junta troops dead. The military casualties led to talks with residents and the ceasefire. In early May, civilians allowed military troops to pass through the town. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Tel Aviv, May 14 : Former Israeli Defence Minister Naftali Bennett, also leader of the pro-settler party of Yamina, has renewed talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to form a coalition government. Local media reports said that Bennett made the announcement during a closed-door meeting on Thursday after he backed out from his intention to form a coalition government with Netanyahu's rival, Yair Lapid, reports Xinhua news agency. He said that the possibility of joining the "pro-change bloc" of parties that seek to replace Netanyahu, was off the table. Bennett said that the move was made due to the security situation in the past days, in which the clashes between Israel and Palestinians, especially the militants in Gaza Strip, have been escalating, in addition to the daily clashes between Jews and Arabs in major Israeli cities. Lapid, the opposition leader and head of the central party of Yesh Atid, said in a televised statement that Bennet "is wrong". He vowed to continue trying to form a unity government to replace Netanyahu. The opposition leader warned that failing to form a new coalition might lead to a new election, which would be Israel's fifth in two years due to the political stalemate. Bennett's move means the "pro-change bloc" might not have enough seats in the 120-seat Parliament to form a majority government. It has to garner 61 seats to form a coalition. On May 5, Lapid received a 28-day-long mandate from President Reuven Rivlin to put together a coalition after Netanyahu failed to do so. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Mumbai, May 14 : Actress Divyanka Tripathi, who is currently shooting in Cape Town for the stunt-based reality show "Khatron Ke Khiladi 11" says that it was tough leaving her husband, actor Vivek Dahiya, at home. The actress says this is the first time since they got married in July 2016 that they will be apart for so long. "This is the first time after our marriage that I am leaving Vivek alone for so many days. We have got emotional many times. For the last week, we have been preparing ourselves for this day when I will leave for Cape Town. Leaving him and going makes me very sad," she told IANS. The actress also adds that the family members of all contestants have been reluctant to let them leave the country amidst the pandemic. "During the pandemic, it's tough for family members to let us go. So, I think they are the biggest 'Khatron Ke Khiladi' for letting us go in this phase," she says. However, a part of her is also overjoyed at being given a chance to engage in something adventurous again. "I am excited that I am going to do something that was pending for a long time. Before coming to Mumbai, I used to get a lot of chances to participate in adventurous activity. Since I came to Mumbai, I have just been working for the last 15 years. I have not touched this aspect of my personality for a while. It was a long-awaited opportunity," she says, adding: "I used to participate in a lot of camps when I was a kid. I used to stay outside home in 10-day or 50 day-camps, so I was in the habit of staying alone. After coming to Mumbai, This is the first time I am going alone." On the deadly second wave of Covid, Divyanka says: "It is a tough time for the industry, but it is not limited to our industry. In any profession, they are going through a tough time. In fact, we, actors are used to it." "We are used to this pattern. When we are working, we do it rigorously and work for extended hours and schedules are erratic. But when we don't have work, like between shows, we work on ourselves and that's what we are doing. We are taking care of ourselves and our families. We are trying to stay safe because currently more than work, life is important. We are trying to be healthy mentally and keep doing activities at home or play game to distract ourselves and keep ourselves happy. During this time, mental health is important, and it is important to stay in touch with your loved ones at all times," she concludes. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Gaza, May 14 : The death toll of Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip increased to 103, as violent clashes between the two sides continued unabated. The victims included 27 children and 11 women, while 580 others have been wounded by the Israeli airstrikes and artillery shellings on the Palestinian coastal enclave since Monday, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry. On Thursday evening, the armed wing of Hamas, known as al-Qassam Brigades, and other less-influential militant groups fired barrages of rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israel, reports Xinhua news agency. Witnesses said the Israeli military has intensified its air and ground strikes in the town of Beit Hanoun and the Jabalia area in northern Gaza, leaving at least 11 Palestinians killed and dozens of others wounded. The al-Qassam Brigades said its militants had fired more than 1,700 rockets at northern, central and southern Israeli towns since Monday. Meanwhile, an Israeli military spokesman said troops had struck 750 different targets in the Gaza Strip since the fighting began on Monday. The targets included 33 underground tunnels, 160 embedded rocket launchers, four high-rise buildings, and 60 terrorist operatives. Senior Hamas officials were also targeted by Israeli air raids, according to the spokesman. On Thursday night, Abu Obeida, spokesman of the al-Qassam Brigades, said that its militants launched a barrage of 90 rockets at once at the Israeli cities of Ashdod and Ashkelon. "Firing the 90 rockets was in response to the enemy's targeting of safe civilian homes and the killing of children and women in the afternoon in northern and southern Gaza Strip," Obeida said. The tension between Israel and Gaza militants threatens to further escalate as the Israeli government is reportedly drafting a plan for a possible large-scale ground offensive in Gaza, similar to the one waged in 2014. Obeida said that his group had warned Israel against carrying out any ground military operation in the Gaza Strip. "In light of the enemy is threatening to wage a ground military operation, we say any ground incursion into any area in the Gaza Strip will be an opportunity to increase our harvest of the enemy's dead bodies and prisoners (captives). "We are ready to teach the enemy harsh lessons with the support of God," the spokesman added. The latest wave of violent clashes between Israel and the Palestinians, the worst since 2014, was sparked by an Israeli plan to evict some Palestinian families from the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in East Jerusalem. -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed Chennai, May 14 : Assistant Commissioner of Police, Easwaran, 52, and Special Sub Inspector, Ravi, 57, lost their lives in the fight against Covid. While Easwaran was the ACP attached to the Pallavaram police station passed away on Thursday night, Ravi lost his life on Wednesday night. With the passing away of these two officers, the total number of policemen who have lost their lives since the second wave of Covid has risen to 12 in Chennai. Both the officers have taken the two doses of vaccine. Easwaran who joined the Tamil Nadu police in 1996 as Sub Inspector was promoted to the post of Assistant Commissioner and was attached with the Pallavaram police station. He had complained of breathlessness on May 3 and was tested positive and admitted to a private hospital in Chennai. He was admitted to the King Institute of Preventive Medicine and Research, Guindy on May 6 after his condition worsened. Ravi who was attached to the Valsaravakkam police station fell ill on May 5 and was subsequently tested Covid positive. He was admitted to a private hospital at Mogappair where he died on Wednesday night. The Chennai city police commissioner Shankar Jawal paid his last respects to the deceased policemen and announced that a solatium of Rs 3 lakh each would be given to those policemen who dies of Covid-19. The commissioner also said that he has created a corpus fund for treatment of Covid positive policemen in private hospitals. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Washington, May 14 : Nine people were injured, with three in critical condition, in a shooting incident in the US state of Rhode Island, local media reported. The shooting took place at about 7 p.m. on Thursday in the southeastern neighbourhood of Washington Park, the reports said citing local police. The shooting began with young men shooting from a vehicle at a home and those inside the home then returned fire, Xinhua news agency quoted the police as saying. No arrests have been made so far, according to the police. An investigation is underway. New York, May 14 : Children with Covid-19 may not display typical symptoms such as fever, cough and shortness of breath, therefore more screening and vigilance are required, researchers warned. The study led by researchers at University of Alabama - Birmingham, US, found that children with Covid-19 may develop poor clinical outcomes such as requiring hospitalisation, critical care services and mechanical ventilation. For the study, the team identified nearly 12,000 pediatric Covid-19 patients. The team found that the most common symptoms included cough and difficulty breathing, gastrointestinal complaints such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain, and non-specific symptoms such as fever, tiredness, muscle pain, and disturbance of taste and smell. "While the rates of poor clinical outcomes are relatively lower in children when compared to adults, 5-6 percent still required hospitalisation. Among those hospitalised, 18 per cent required critical care and 4 per cent needed a ventilator for breathing," said Vibhu Parcha, a clinical research fellow in the Division of Cardiovascular Disease. The study also showed racial disparities in health care -- evident in the higher risk of hospitalisation among children from underserved minority populations. The findings are published in the Nature Scientific Reports journal. The World Health Organisation, in an October 2020 document, reported that Covid-19 is much less frequent in children than in adults. Children and adolescents represented about 8 per cent of reported cases (and 29 per cent of the global population). The study echoes the condition of many children infected with Covid-19 in the ongoing second and lethal wave of Coronavirus in India. Besides symptoms such as mild fever, cough, cold and abdominal issues, some even complained of body pain, headache, diarrhoea and vomiting. Children, even those below 1 year of age, were infected with the virus. Some kids are also reporting more severe complications like multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C) -- a rare inflammatory condition with persistent fever. It generally occurs 2-4 weeks after the onset of Covid. Health experts have urged parents not to take their kids out and expose them to the virus. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) New Delhi, May 14: China is planning to revamp a remote but strategically located airstrip on a remote island in Kiribati, a move that has jolted two key countries belonging to the Indo-Pacific QUAD, the US and Australia. The Chinese are eying a World War-II vintage military airstrip, which is 3,000 km southwest of Hawaii. It is also not far from busy commercial shipping lanes running from the US to Australia and New Zealand. In a paper written last year, The Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) sounded the alarm. "During World War II, Japan's attempts to block the same lanes were defeated, starting with the Battle of the Coral Sea and then the taking of Guadalcanal in Solomon Islands. Today, China is moving to achieve control over the vital trans-Pacific sea lines of communication under the guise of assisting with economic development and climate-change adaptation," the ASPI paper observed. The Chinese moves are part of its plan at global assertion, including the Indo-Pacific region, with the QUAD, comprising India, Japan, Australia and the US as the spearhead. Reuters is reporting that China's plans, which have not been made public so far, involve construction on the tiny island of Kanton (also spelled Canton), a coral atoll strategically located midway between Asia and the Americas. The report quoted Kiribati opposition lawmaker Tessie Lambourne as saying that she was concerned about the project, and wanted to know whether it was part of China's Belt and Road Initiative. The Kiribati lawmaker was referring to China's trans-continental connectivity initiative which included the ever-evolving Maritime Silk Road, with radials heading the direction of the Pacific and the Indian Ocean. "The government hasn't shared the cost and other details other than it's a feasibility study for the rehabilitation of the runway and bridge," Lambourne said. "The opposition will be seeking more information from the government in due course." The Chinese have apparently planned their inroads in Kiribati, by cultivating incumbent President Taneti Maamau. This is not surprising, given Kiribati's unique geographic location. Despite its small size, Kiribati has only 120,000 residents, the archipelago has compelling strategic attributes. Specifically, it controls one of the biggest exclusive economic zones in the world, spanning more than 3.5 million square kilometres of the Pacific. Since World War II, Kiribati has allied with western powers, but this has been challenged by a rising China, which is expanding its geopolitical footprint around key pivots in the oceanic as well as continental domains. "The island would be a fixed aircraft carrier," Reuters quoted one unnamed adviser to Pacific governments. Kiribati's pro-China turnaround became evident in 2019, when it terminated its diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Instead, it recognised China under Maamau, who had earlier narrowly won an election on a pro-Beijing ticket. China's growing influence has been a military setback for the US, which was using Kanton to track missiles and using its two-kilometre-long runway for flying long-range bombers. Analysts point out that Kiribati was the second domino to fall after China began to cherry pick locations across the globe, which it could manoeuvre to expand its international reach. In September 2019, the Solomon Islands in the Pacific, had also switched diplomatic allegiance from Taiwan to China. China's moves in the Pacific islands signal that the Indo-Pacific is likely to emerge as a prime area of geopolitical frictions, which are likely to test the resolve of the QUAD. (This content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative/ Thiruvananthapuram, May 14 : The Kerala Television Federation -- the body of the Malayalam TV channels owners on Friday protested the action of Union Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan after he decided to keep out Asianet TV channel from his official press meets. For a few days now Asianet TV channel, the leading Malayalam TV channel has come under attack from the BJP, after an incident where one of the channel staff had spoken in a tough manner to a caller who asked why the channel is not airing the news from West Bengal when the BJP activists are under attack from the workers of the Trinamool Congress. Incidentally when on his last week visit to Bengal, Muraleedharan's convoy came under attack from angry workers alleged to belong to the Trinamool Congress. Following the way the Asianet TV is behaving towards the BJP, the party decided to go in for a non-cooperation with the TV channel and decided not to send any of its party leaders to take part in discussions by the news channel in its prime news hour bulletins. Asianet TV channel Delhi bureau chief Prasanth Reghuvamsom said that they were removed from the WhatsApp group of the Union Minister Muraleedharan, which was created by him for the Kerala Media operating from Delhi. Muraleedharan had said that even though he is a Union Minister, he is also a BJP party member and the party's decision is therefore binding on him. KTF president, M.V.Shreyams Kumar who heads the Mathrubhumi TV channel also a colleague of Muraleedharan in the Upper House said it was improper on his part to do such a thing, as it violates the oath of office he has taken and hence he should immediately reverse the decision. However, State BJP president K.Surendran wrote in his Facebook post to all the BJP party workers and supporters that a section of the media, especially the TV channels are under huge influence by the ruling CPI-M and that's the primary reason why the Vijayan government retained power. "This section of the media is controlled by the CPI-M and their agenda now take on us and to portray us in poor light. We have the details of such media professionals and we will get in touch with their management and at the appropriate time, we will come out with all the details of such media professionals," wrote Surendran in his Facebook. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Page Content This week we celebrate National Nurses Week and today, May 12, we celebrate International Nurses Day. On this day and during the week, we recognize the people of this selfless profession. Each and every day these persons save lives. Since the onset of COVID-19, we recognize that they put themselves on the front line, day after day, all over the world. They have shown resilience in a time of need to set up and keep their community safe. Sometimes, at the expense of their own family and friends. Furthermore, they have been the backbone of our vaccine rollout program. Needless to say, we owe a huge debt to all nurses and healthcare workers. Daily, they give their very best to take care of people they don't even know. It is said, NURSE, Is Just Another Word to Describe a Person Strong Enough to Tolerate Everything and Soft Enough to Understand Everyone. - Unknown. Our nurses are the backbone of our health care system, delivering critical care to patients within our community and playing many roles in a patient's healthcare journey. Whether working at the St. Maarten Medical Center, providing mental health services, caring for vulnerable seniors at White and Yellow Cross, working at our baby clinic, or providing private long-term care homes, our nurses dedicate themselves to protecting our health and saving lives in a range of public health settings. We know that there are challenges in the healthcare system that have made it difficult for our nurses. However, the Government of St. Maarten still recognizes your commitment and dedication to the service you provide. To all nurses, we recognize your continued effort to make a difference in the lives of the people of St. Maarten and our community. Therefore, the Government of St. Maarten commits to pursuing policies that ensure that healthcare workers are safe and healthy. To our local community, please be reminded of the burden and responsibility that our nurses face, especially during this pandemic. Let's do our part to help keep our nurses safe by following the safety guidelines and ensuring that you get registered to get vaccinated. Show your gratitude to our nurses in this way. On behalf of the Council of Ministers, I wish all nurses a Happy International Nurses Day and I thank nurses for their contribution to our society; we are grateful for your care and sacrifices. Thank you for taking care of us, and God bless you all. Chennai, May 14 : Tamil Nadu received 80 MT of oxygen on Friday by the Oxygen Express train which arrived from Durgapur in West Bengal. State Health Minister Ma Subramanian, Health Secretary J. Radhakrishnan received the shipment at the Tondiarpet railway yard at around 2 a.m. "We will be scouting more oxygen from wherever possible, we will distribute the oxygen arrived today to various districts," Subramanian told IANS. The Minister also said that the hospitals have been instructed to have optimal use of oxygen and that the government will get more in the days to come. Subramanian said: " The lockdown will be more intensified from Friday onwards. People are not taking this seriously and are roaming around without taking any precautions. The government has been forced to intensify the lockdown." The Oxygen Express train which reached the Tondiarpet yard, comprises flat-type wagons which are loaded with cryogenic tankers. Each cryogenic tank has the capacity to carry 13 MT of Liquid Medical Oxygen. Cryogenic tankers mounted trucks are filled with oxygen and transported through RORO (Roll on Roll Off) service. This will facilitate door to door delivery of oxygen at the hospitals as required by the state without having to unload it from the railway wagon and refill them again into the road vehicle and this helps to cut down the transit time. United Nations, May 14 : The UN Security Council will hold an open meeting on Sunday to discuss the escalation of tensions between Israel and Palestine. Zhang Jun, China's Permanent Representative to the UN, tweeted that the meeting will be held at 10 a.m. on Sunday, reports Xinhua news agency. "China is deeply concerned about escalation of tensions in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. UNSC should act now and send a strong message. Regret a Friday meeting was blocked by one member," said the tweet. Diplomats said the proposal for a Friday meeting was blocked by the US. The Norwegian Mission to the UN tweeted that Sunday's meeting was proposed by Norway, Tunisia and China. China holds the Security Council presidency for the month of May. Two rounds of closed-door consultations on the issue have been held by the Security Council. Since the violence erupted on Monday, the Hamas militants in Gaza have so far fired more than 1,700 rockets at northern, central and southern Israeli towns. Israeli troops, meanwhile, have struck 750 different targets in the Gaza Strip. The tension between Israel and Gaza militants threatens to further escalate as the Israeli government is reportedly drafting a plan for a possible large-scale ground offensive in Gaza, similar to the one waged in 2014. The latest wave of violent clashes between Israel and the Palestinians, the worst since 2014, was sparked by an Israeli plan to evict some Palestinian families from the Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhood in East Jerusalem. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text May 14 : Amitabh Bachchan, who has recently revealed that he has contributed Rs. 15 crore towards COVID-19 relief, wrote in his blog and thanked the government of Poland, the Mayor of the City of Wroclaw, the Ambassador of India at Warsaw and the LOT Polish Airlines for accommodating his order of 50 oxygen concentrators for India. The megastar has a special connection with Poland, especially Wroclaw city that had honoured his late father eminent Hindi poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan by naming a square on him. Taking to his blog, the megastar wrote, "The general call from the places that were in need of help had been for the urgent need of oxygen concentrators. These are and were difficult to procure and when I was not getting any immediate source to acquire them my friend and the Indian Consul in Wroclaw stepped forward...came out with the name and details of a Polish Company that was making them...I immediately placed an order for 50 oxygen concentrators..." Big B has also revealed that he has procured 20 ventilators, 10 of which have already been delivered to the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and a few municipal hospitals in Mumbai while the balance 10 are expected to be delivered by the end of this month. "So I have bought 50 concentrators and they shall be shipped out on the 15th of May. My gratitude that I have mentioned above is to all, in getting LOT Polish Airlines, that is delivering the equipment, to waive the freight charges as a gesture of helping us in our hour of need...in a few days I shall be buying another 50 hopefully of the 10 litre ones and donate them to a hospital with proper medical care," he further wrote in his blog. Meanwhile, two Sikh political parties in New Delhi--Shiromani Akali Dal, Delhi, headed by Paramjit Singh Sarna, and the Jag Aasra Guru Ott party led by Manjit Singh GK--have objected to Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) accepting a donation of Rs 2 crore from Amitabh Bachchan for the COVID facility at Rakab Ganj Sahib Gurdwara. The parties in separate statements accused Amitabh Bachchan of being involved in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots and said accepting money from him was wrong. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Canberra, May 14 : A top official at one of Australia's most prestigious universities warned on Friday that the sector has been "left to bleed" by the federal budget. Brian Schmidt, Vice-Chancellor of the Australian National University (ANU) here, said that many universities in the country would experience "budget woes" in 2021, reports Xinhua news agency. The federal budget for the financial year 2021-22 was unveiled by Treasurer Josh Frydenberg on Tuesday night. The ANU in April revealed a budget deficit of A$162.4 million for 2020, its worst since 2008. "What is harder to understand is why the university sector has been left to bleed, given what most might expect to be its pivotal role in the health of the economy," Schmidt was quoted as saying by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on Friday. "The cumulative effect of border closures on international student numbers will lead to other universities catching up with my university's budget woes this year." Peak body Universities Australia in February revealed that 17,300 jobs had been lost at universities in 2020 as operating revenue fell by about 4.9 per cent, or an estimated A$1.8 billion lost in revenue. It predicted that the sector, one of the industries hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic, would lose a further A$2 billion in 2021. In response to Schmidt's assessment, Education Minister Alan Tudge told the ABC that funding for higher education was already at an all-time high of A$20.4 billion. Panaji, May 14 : Thirteen Covid patients died at Goa's apex government hospital, the Goa Medical College, in the early hours of Friday owing to oxygen mismanagement, even as the death toll of patients who died between 2 am and 6 am at the premier facility reached 75 in four days. Videos of chaos at the numerous wards of the medical college have gone viral, with patients, relatives pleading for assistance as well as uploading emotive snapshots of helplessness and lack of hygiene in the health facility. A video shot at ward number 145, shows patients sleeping on mattresses and with oxygen monitors beeping in the background and the dull echo of family members patting patients in a bid to reassure them. The video also shows debris of used food packets and other waste piled in a corner of the ward, spilling out of garbage bags. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?ref=search&v=1090344154789645&external_log_id=c9789f05-1399-43d9-a797-ff8ee29ed9e4&q=gmc%20goa In another video, shot by a relative at Ward 147, the relative complains of a procession of six to seven deaths at the hospital ward due to oxygen shortage. "The government says there is enough oxygen supply and is playing with the lives of people". https://www.facebook.com/Goanreporters/videos/318535493001330 An Opposition MLA of the Goa Forward party Vijai Sardesai has called the four hours between 2 am and 6 am -- when most of the deaths have happened -- as the "dark hour" of death. "In all 75 people have died at the dark hour between 2am to 6am in the dead of the night on the last four consecutive nights," Sardesai said. While 26 persons died on May 10 during the four hours, on May 11, 21 persons died due to lack of oxygen. Despite a grilling of government agencies by the Bombay High Court, which is hearing a bunch of public interest litigations related to poor Covid management and shoddy oxygen management at the premier hospital, the spate of deaths did not stop, with 15 persons dying on May 12 and 13 patients dying in the early hours of Friday. "There is a complete collapse of governance. In spite of HC intervention, deaths are happening at this dark hour. Rather than the government, HC should rule Goa because government is doing nothing other than photo ops and filing cases against those who expose them," Sardesai said. Early Friday, a team of youth Congress officials, which has been assisting patients with refilling of oxygen cylinders for several days, also visited the Covid ward of the medical college. "If HC has to intervene in every matter, why do you need a government? We had demanded RTPCR tests to be made mandatory because of increasing tourist footfalls in Goa, especially from Maharashtra which was facing a huge spike," Youth Congress president Varad Mardolkar said. "This oxygen issue has been around for 14-15 days. But the government could not fix a problem like this. it took the High Court to intervene and take some steps to address the crisis," Mardolkar said. The Goa government on Thursday had formed a committee, headed by Indian Institute of Technology-Goa director Dr. BK Mishra, to streamline oxygen supply to the facility. The committee is expected to submit a report within three days. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Seoul, May 14 : South Korea is considering ways to have consultations with Japan over its plan to dump radioactive wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean, local media reported on Friday citing the Foreign Ministry. An unnamed Ministry official was quoted by multiple local media as saying the South Korean government is in a position that the bilateral consultations between Seoul and Tokyo will be necessary to deliver its stance and receive additional information, separately from the verification process via the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The official told reporters that Seoul is reviewing ways to hold the bilateral consultations over the issue, Xinhua news agency reported. Seoul is reportedly mulling ways to form a consultative body with Tokyo to let South Korean officials or experts visit the destroyed Fukushima nuclear plant and figure out situations around it. Japan announced a plan in April to discharge the tritium-laced contaminated water of over 1.25 million tonnes, stored in tanks near the Fukushima plant, into the ocean in two years. The radioactive wastewater, accumulated at the plant since the massive 2011 earthquake and tsunami that triggered a triple core meltdown, contains such materials as tritium, cesium and strontium far beyond the tolerable limits. The radioactive wastewater, if discharged into the sea, will destroy the ecological environment of the sea, and entail serious risks to health and existence of the people in coastal areas, according to experts. The Fukushima plant suffered meltdowns at three of its six reactors after it was hit by the powerful earthquake and ensuing tsunami. Since then, the operator has continued to inject water into the three reactors to keep cooling melted atomic fuel there. Radiation-contaminated water at the site has been treated through an advanced liquid processing system, but tritium, a radioactive isotope of hydrogen, cannot be removed. May 14 : Swara Bhasker has replied to a troll, who accused her of making a joke by participating in a campaign to secure COVID-19 resources for those in need. Her industry colleagues Richa Chadha and Taapsee Pannu came out in support of her. Swara took to Twitter to react to a tweet in Hindi by a journalist who responded to Swara promoting Find a Bed drive amidst the current coronavirus pandemic, and wrote that little can be expected of Swara who brought vibrators to Indian films as a beacon of female empowerment. The Twitter user was referring to Swaras role in the film Veere Di Wedding. Reacting to the tweet, Swara wrote, Uncle obsessed vibrator (Isnt uncle obsessed with vibrator)?!? #frustoosanghiuncle Coming out in support of Swara, Richa Chadha wrote, "Shocked to find that such a misogynistic and evil person has been hired by the Doordarshan, Indias national public service broadcaster. At a time when everyone is doing literally all they can to help, he simply cannot help but out himself as a pervert.." Richa shared screenshots of the man's tweets, in which he mocked Swara and Sunny Leone for supporting a COVID-19 relief campaign. Shocked to find that such a misogynistic and evil person has been hired by the Doordarshan, Indias national public service broadcaster. At a time when everyone is doing literally all they can to help, he simply cannot help but out himself as a pervert. pic.twitter.com/fCNdkBBCPp TheRichaChadha (@RichaChadha) May 13, 2021 Taapsee Pannu also chimed in and wrote. He has been writing things about me also but I have always a more important tweet before and after his to attend to so overlooked it. This is how he wants to put his power in use :) shows much. He has been writing things about me also but I always a more important tweet before and after his to attend to so overlooked it. This is how he wants to put his power in use :) shows much taapsee pannu (@taapsee) May 13, 2021 Swara, Richa and Taapsee have united in the past as well to criticise Kangana Ranaut, who had on several occasions attacked them. Recently, Kangana was banned from Twitter for her hate speech and abusive behaviour. Meanwhile, Swara Bhaskar has been trolled for her series of tweets criticising Israel for attacking Palestine. She termed Israel an apartheid state amidst the escalating violence in East Jerusalem between Palestine demonstrators and Israeli forces. Jaipur, May 14 : The Union Home Ministry reinstated IPS officer Pankaj Chaudhary, whose dismissal was earlier revoked by Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT). Speaking to IANS, Chaudhary confirmed that he has been reinstated and rejoined the Indian Police Service at 10.15 p.m. from May 12. A few officials visited our residence and completed the formalities, he informed. The 2009-batch IPS officer was dismissed from service in February 2019 for "grave personal misconduct", for getting into a relationship with another woman without legally separating from his wife. Chaudhary challenged his dismissal from service at CAT in Jodhpur which was transferred to the principal bench in Delhi. The MHA order issued on May 12 said: "And whereas, the matter was examined further by the competent authority in light of the tribunal's order dated December 10, 2020, Hon'ble High Court of Delhi order dated March 19, 2021, Hon'ble Supreme Court dated May 7, 2021 and after considering all the aspects related to the imposing of the penalty of 'dismissal from service' on Pankaj Choudhary and the observations/directions made by the Hon'ble tribunal in the case, the competent authority has come to the conclusion that Choudhary be reinstated in compliance of the orders of the tribunal." "The competent authority decided that Pankaj Choudhary, IPS (RJ:2009) be reinstated in service with immediate effect. This will, however, be without prejudice to the disciplinary proceedings against him under the relevant rules for his acts of misconduct for which he was dismissed from service. It is ordered accordingly," it added. The news of his joining was shared on Facebook by his wife who said, "As per order issued by Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, Pankaj Choudhury rejoined Indian police service at 10.15pm from May 12." Lucknow, May 14 : The UP State Biodiversity Board will be publishing a coffee table book featuring some of the heritage trees found in the state. The coffee table book will include those heritage trees which have historical relevance, interesting anecdotes and a strong link with people given their mythological and religious significance. The state government has accorded the status of heritage trees to 943 trees in the state. Close to 130 heritage trees out of the total 943 have been shortlisted by the board. The government spokesman said that "The content of the book is ready. It got delayed because of the corona curfew. The information on the rest of the trees will also be printed by the board." The coffee table book will include the exact location of the trees so that interested people can visit the spot. The book would also be of a great use for researchers, The state government is also planning to develop each of these spots as an ecotourism site. In November 2019, the UP government had issued an order to identify heritage trees found in the state. The heritage trees are ones that have grown on community land and public land. The list of heritage trees, containing 28 species, includes peepal (421), banyan (355) and pakar (57). Varanasi has a maximum 99 heritage trees followed by Prayagraj that has 53 trees on the list. New Delhi, May 14 : At a time when the whole world is seeking solution to get rid of the Covid pandemic, former Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said the virus is a "living organism and it deserves to live". Rawat's unusual video statement went viral on social media in which he said that the pandemic is a living organism like human being so that it also has the right to live. His remarks triggered stinging barbs from Opposition leaders who had described his statement as not just "insensitive", but also "foolish". "If we talk from a philosophical angle, coronavirus is also a living organism like us. We (human being) consider ourselves most intelligent, but that organism also wants to live. And it also deserves to live," Rawat said. Rawat continued in the widely-circulated video clip, saying, "We are out to eliminate the virus. So, it is constantly mutating to keep itself alive". "Hence, we now have to keep our distance from it. It is also moving, and we are also moving, but we have to move faster than it so that it gets left behind." The Congress moved fast to take potshots at Rawat after he got trolled on social media for his observation on Covid. The BJP leader's remarks came at a time when India is passing through a worst phase of the second phase of Covid-19 with India registering 3,43,144 fresh cases and 4,000 deaths in the past 24 hours. "What Rawat, who was the state's CM, has said, is nothing but foolish and nonsense. He has lost his mind and has no vision because of which he was replaced abruptly by his party," Uttarakhand Congress vice president Suryakant Dhasmana said. "The virus is a living organism, so was Ravana, Kansa and Mahishasura. But they all were killed by different gods because they were destroying the world just like this virus which has killed lakhs... Rawat is just uttering sheer nonsense." AAP's Uttarakhand spokesperson Amarjeet Singh Rana said that Rawat's remark was a reflection of his wisdom. "This shows his and the BJP leaders' wisdom. They are making Uttarakhand a laughing stock," Rana said. Rawat hasn't issued a clarification on his comments yet. The BJP's counter to the Opposition's barbs was a counter-attack, accusing the Congress and the AAP of indulging in a blame game rather than working for humanity in the pandemic. This is not the first time that the former Chief Minister, who was abruptly replaced by T.S. Rawat in March this year, has been ridiculed for his comments. He stunned people in 2019 when he claimed that the cow is the only animal that inhales and exhales oxygen. In March this year, the BJP abruptly dropped him. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) China ratified the Outer Space Treaty in 1983. According to information available to the author the only other treaty on outer space ratified by China is Convention on the Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space, on 12 November 1974. by Dr. Ruwantissa Abeyratne in Montreal You dont always need a plan. Sometimes you just need to breathe, trust, and let go, and see what happens. ~ Mandy Hale It was reported in the media that on Sunday 9th May this year, parts of Long March 5B Chinas biggest rocket crashed into the Indian Ocean in proximity to the Maldives. Most of the parts of the re-entry vehicle had - as is usual burnt upon re-entry into the Atmosphere. On the face of it, this is seemingly usual, that a space object on re-entry is directed by the launching State to descend on the Ocean, partly because the oceans cover a major part of planet Earth and partly because landing in the ocean obviates possible danger to human habitation. However, on this occasion, the occurrence was considered by the astronomical community as worrying since, unlike in other instances of re-entry, no one seemed to have known when the space object would land on Earth and where exactly it would land. In other words, there was no control over the space debris that was hurtling towards Earth at several times the speed of sound. Presumably, there had been no pre-calculation and precision and no predictive intelligence in this crucial stage of the space project which prompted the US space agency NASA to comment on the failure to "meet responsible standards related to the launch. NDTV reported that China the launching State had responded through its foreign ministry: You mentioned some comments from the NASA administrator. It is currently common practice across the world for launch vehicles of spacecraft to undergo natural orbital decay after passing orbital altitude and then eventually be ablated upon re-entry into the atmosphere". China also claimed that it had closely monitored the re-entry trajectory and kept the world advised and went on to say: China's space authority has released information several times on the re-entry of upper stage debris of the Long March-5B Y2 rocket and shared re-entry forecast via international cooperation mechanisms. To date no damage by the landing debris has been reported. Some have commented that this sort of thing should not be happening in the 21st Century, citing the crash of Skylab 42 years ago into parts of the Indian Ocean and Western Australia, which scattered debris across a sparsely populated 150 km (90 mile) wide section of Western Australia, as chronologically pardonable. However, it was, they claimed, not acceptable in the current age of sophisticated satellite navigation and the information technology revolution. Skylab was launched in May 1973 and came crashing down to Earth on 11 May 1979 when it unexpectedly ran out of orbit. Kiona N. Smith writing in Forbes on July 12, 2020 says: But perhaps the most interesting thing about the Skylab story is that this sort of thing doesnt happen more often. Space debris scattered across a landscape, even a sparsely populated one, is a rare event. Most de-orbiting spacecraft end up in a 5,000-km-wide stretch of the Southern Ocean called the Spaceship Cemetery (or, much less evocatively, the South Pacific Ocean Uninhabited Area). Although the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 provides that exploration of outer space is for the common heritage of mankind, thereby obviating any claims that States might have to sovereignty in outer space, Article 2 of Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects of 1972 categorically states that a launching State is absolutely liable to pay compensation for damage caused by its space object on the surface of the earth or to aircraft flight. Article VII of the Convention provides that a State which suffers damage, or whose natural or juridical persons suffer damage, may present to a launching State a claim for compensation for such damage. In this era of space travel carried out by corporations and private entities the question of accountability takes on a new dimension and nuance. Article II of the Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space (Registration Convention) stipulates that a launching State is that which launches or procures the launching of a space object; or a State from whose territory or facility a space object is launched. This ties the State of launch to any entity if the launch was carried out in the territory of a particular State. China ratified the Outer Space Treaty in 1983. According to information available to the author the only other treaty on outer space ratified by China is Convention on the Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space, on 12 November 1974. According to the law of treaties a State is only liable for prescriptions and liabilities under treaties it has ratified. In this context, it might be opportune to look at negligence in a new light in the context of the rapid entry of commercial space travel into the area of outer space exploration. The proliferation in the years to come, of space transportation, would bring to bear issues of responsibility and liability of those responsible. The award of compensation would be the natural recourse under principles of tort law in the common law context. It becomes clear that the enormity of disasters, both in extent and consequences that space exploration may bring with the proliferation of space travel, brings to bear the need to view the principles of negligence in a new perspective and dimension. In most globalized economies, tort law, which is the branch of law that provides compensation for injuries to persons and property caused by the act of another, is a constantly evolving area of the law. This continuous evolution is caused by new and emerging social and economic activities brought about by technological advancement and increasing and varied commercial activity. One of the inherent difficulties in dealing with tort law is that it has defied definition. However, it has two determinants: actual or legal damages caused to the plaintiff by the act or acts of the defendant and the fact that the act of the defendant could be determined on the basis of fault liability or strict liability. English law has accepted the concept of incrementalism, which rejects generalization in relation to the duty of care, in favor of a cautious development of law founded on analogies to similar fact situations but espousing and applying fairness and justice to each case. This approach has its genesis in the judgment of Justice Brennan in the 1985 case of Sutherland Shire Council v. Heyman handed down by the High Court of Australia where His Honour said: It is preferable...that the law should develop novel categories of negligence incrementally and by analogy with existing categories, rather than by massive extension of a prima facie duty of care restrained only by the indefinable...considerations which ought to negative, or to reduce or limit the scope of the duty or the class of person to whom it is owed. A management principle that touches on the legality of the launch of rockets into space is predictive or anticipatory intelligence that, on the one hand calls for space faring actors to be fully aware of and prepared for possible threats to the surface of the Earth, and on the other, makes them aware of their responsibility and accountability for damage caused. There have so far been no fatalities on the ground caused by space debris. However, it cannot be ruled out for the future. Renowned theoretical physicist Michio Kaku was reported by Newsweek of 7 May 2021 as warning the United States: Michio Kakusaid during an appearance on CNN's New Day program that the country should be worried "like a bat out of hell" about the rocket stage's impending re entry into the atmosphereThis 20-ton rocket, the Chinese Long March 5B rocket, is tumbling out of control, and it could hit anywhere as far north as New York City or as far south as New Zealand." One wonders what Oscar Wilde meant when he said: Nothing that occurs is of the slightest consequence Dr. Abeyratne is the author of Space Security Law (Springer): 2011 and Frontiers of Aerospace Law (Ashgate):2002. Dharamsala, May 14 : Former speaker of Tibetan Parliament-in-exile and experienced administrator Penpa Tsering will be the next President of Tibetan government-in-exile, it was announced on Friday. Tsering, 53, who won the post of Central Tibetan Administration's Sikyong (President) with 5,417 votes, succeeded Lobsang Sangay, who completes two terms as president this month. CTA chief election commissioner Wangdu Tsering declared the result here for the second and final round, polling for which was held on April 11. Tsering, who lost to the current incumbent Lobsang Sangay in the 2016 elections, polled 34,324 votes against his nearest rival, Kelsang Dorjee Aukatsang, who polled 28,907 votes. Aukatsang has been a special adviser to Sangay and the Dalai Lama's representative to North America. Around 1.3 lakh Tibetans living in 26 countries cast votes in April. In the first phase of elections, there were eight candidates for the post of Sikyong. Tsering secured the maximum votes (24,488) followed by Aukatsang (14,544). The result of 45 members of the Parliament-in-exile was also declared. The 2021 general election for the Sikyong and members of the parliament was the third direct election for electing the Tibetan leadership since complete devolution of political authority by the Dalai Lama in 2011. Both prime ministerial candidates -- Tsering and Aukatsang -- had campaigned aggressively across the Tibetan settlements. Even the social media among the Tibetan diaspora was aggressively followed to highlight their issues and agenda. The former Speaker garnered votes on his wider experience of public service that spans over 30 years. He was the speaker of the Parliament-in-exile from 2008 to 2016 and worked as Dalai Lama's representative in North America in 2016-17. "I want to dedicate my life to serve the Tibetan public. There have been many problems in the past but I will not let that deter my convictions. Considering His Holiness the Dalai Lama's age at such an important juncture, and who also resigned from all political responsibility to give us the platform to exercise our democratic rights, I pledged to take this responsibility in order to strengthen the Tibetan administration," Tsering said in his virtual address on the day of announcing his candidacy. He had also commented on the changing global outlook on China during the Covid-19 crisis and its impact on China's politics. Current incumbent Sangay, who became the first Sikyong of the CTA, has held the post for two consecutive terms and as per the constitution he cannot contest for a third term. The Dalai Lama has lived in India since fleeing his homeland in 1959. The Tibetan exile administration is based in this hill town. Gurugram, May 14 : Owing to acute shortage of the Covid-19 vaccine the vaccination drive for people in the 18 plus age category was suspended on Friday as the district health department ran out of doses, officials said. The health officials informed that vaccination campaign of the second dose for those above 45 will continue, but it is also likely to get affected if the district does not receive fresh stock from the state government by Friday night. The 18-44 vaccinations started in Gurugram on May 1. Till May 12, over 43,992 people in the age group have received their first shots. In this category, the targeted population for immunisation is more than 10 lakh. "Both Covishield and Covaxin stocks for 18 plus age group are over in Gurugram. Therefore, no sessions have been planned for Friday. Only Covishield shots will be given to those aged 45 and above, waiting for their second shot. "If the doses are not allocated soon, vaccination for 45 above will also be hampered," said Virender Yadav, chief medical Officer (CMO) Gurugram. Most session sites in the city are at government facilities with only two private hospitals -- Max and Fortis -- administering vaccines at present. On Friday, these hospitals will be the ones that give vaccines to people in the 18-44 category. "We have already demanded the state health department to provide the stock but cannot say how much and when we'll get this consignment," said Dr MP Singh, district immunisation officer. According to Singh, there are about 8,000 doses left for the population above 45 years. Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij on Thursday said that the state government will float a global tender for the Covid-19 vaccines to ensure free vaccination for those aged between 18 and 44 years. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Vatican City, May 14 : Pope Francis has received Argentinian President Alberto Fernandez at the Vatican nearly five months after a historic abortion law was passed in the pontiff's native country. Cooperation in areas of mutual interest should be further developed, a statement said after the meeting on Thursday. They discussed the coronavirus pandemic as well as the financial crisis and the fight against poverty in Argentina, dpa news agency quoted a report by the Vatican News as saying. Pope Francis has so far avoided visits to his home country. There is speculation that the former archbishop of Buenos Aires will not be warmly welcomed by the politically polarised country, said the dpa news agency. Nevertheless, many Argentinians hope for a visit by "their" Pope. The relationship was also strained by the passing of the abortion law in December 2020, according to which the termination is now legal up to the 14th week of pregnancy. Previously, abortions in the South American country were only allowed in special cases, such as after rape or if the mother's life was in danger. Francis had spoken out against the law before the vote. Moscow, May 14 : The Orthodox Church in Russia has called on women to refrain from abortions in an effort to help alleviate the demographic problem of the country. "Give birth to the child and hand it over to us, the Church, and we will do everything we can to raise it and get it on its feet," the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, said in a video address on Thursday. "We are a big country and we need to become more," said the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. One way to do this, he said, is to have fewer abortions, reports dpa news agency. Recently, President Vladimir Putin called for more help for families. He sees low incomes as an obstacle to more children being born. Last year, Russia's population shrank by half a million to 146.2 million, partly because of the many deaths during the coronavirus pandemic. The numbers have been falling for years because of the difficult economic situation of many families. Parallel to this, the number of registered abortions also declined. Whereas after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1992 about 3.5 million abortions were performed, the number dropped to about half a million in 2020. This development is not least related to better access to contraceptives. Patriarch Kirill assured women who decide against abortion: "We accept everyone, regardless of religion and citizenship." He said the church had set up 77 crisis centres between Kaliningrad and Kamchatka for pregnant women in difficulty. Bhopal, May 14 : As many as seventy five persons have been arrested in Madhya Pradesh for alleged black marketing and adulteration of medicines and oxygen meant for Covid-19 patients. The Madhya Pradesh government has launched a massive crackdown against those involved in black marketing and adulteration of oxygen, Remdesivir injections and other essential medicines. In several cases, the state government has even invoked the stringent National Security Act (NSA) against black marketeers. The NSA has been invoked against 75 persons who have been jailed under charges of black marketing of Remdesivir injections while six persons have been arrested under the Prevention of Blackmarketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act. According to the Madhya Pradesh Home Ministry, NSA cases have been slapped for black marketing of Remdesivir injections in various districts including nine cases in Indore, nine in Ujjain, four each in Gwalior, Shahdol and Jabalpur, two in Bhopal, two in Dhar and one NSA case each in Mandsaur, Chhindwara and Ratlam districts. At least 38 accused have been arrested and sent to jail after 30 NSA orders were issued by the District Magistrate concerned in Indore and eight people in Bhopal were charged with black marketing of Remdesivir injections. Under the Prevention of Blackmarketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act, two cases have been filed in Jabalpur and Ujjain and one case in Sagar district while six accused have been arrested for alleged black marketing of oxygen as per a District Magistrate order in Satna district. The NSA has provisions for imprisonment of an accused for 12 months and under the Prevention of Black Marketing Act for six months. New Delhi, May 14 : It might not be sufficient to save them for long from the Covid-19 pandemic, but the initiative of a senior IPS officer to distribute immunity booster kits among his colleagues carrying out their duties in the field would boost their morale and help maintain law and order in the city when the second wave of the infection is at its peak. Joint Commissioner of Police New Delhi Range, Jaspal Singh, took the initiative to provide a supporting hand as most of his junior colleagues -- officers of the rank of constable and head constable-- are not well equipped with these items. Walking the extra mile, Singh was on Thursday seen on roads in his district range distributing immunity booster kits comprising of Vitamin C tablets, multivitamin tablets, Amla, N-95 masks, sanitisers and thermos bottle to the staff of New Delhi district and those performing duties in the district. Deputy Commissioner of Police New Delhi, Eish Singhal, said, "The endeavour is to enhance the immunity of the staff and keep them safe amid the ongoing pandemic". With its twitter handle 'We Serve Delhi DilSe', the New Delhi district police and Ministry of Home Affairs also praised the efforts of its Joint Commissioner. The nearly 85,000-strong Delhi Police force maintains law and order in the national capital. Even during the second wave of pandemic, Delhi Police personnel have been performing their duties at the same pace as normal days at a time when venturing outdoors is considered dangerous by experts and doctors. The present cumulative figure of the Covid infection is recorded nearly 14 lakh, including more than 20,000 deaths. India on Friday registered 3,43,144 fresh Covid-19 cases and 4,000 deaths in the past 24 hours, said Union Health Ministry's latest report. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text New Delhi, May 14 : Bharatiya Janata Party chief J.P. Nadda has asked Goa's Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Health Minister Vishwajit Rane to keep aside their differences and focus on controlling the Covid pandemic in the state. Amid the worsening situation in Goa, differences between Sawant and Rane over Covid management have come to the fore. The central leadership of the party believes that it will harm the BJP a year ahead of the state Assembly polls. The Assembly polls are likely to be scheduled in the first quarter of next year. Taking note of reports of differences between the Chief Minister and the Health Minister, Nadda spoke with them and suggested that they reconcile their differences and avoid expressing them in public. A well placed source in the BJP said that party chief Nadda had a word with both the leaders (Sawant and Rane) over their differences and advised that instead of publicly airing their differences they must concentrate on controlling the situation in the state. "Nadda's advice is loud and clear that they must leave their differences and work for controlling the situation to save lives of people. He said that their only priority is to work for Goans and everything coming in the way of serving the people must be kept aside. They have been asked to work in coordination without creating any new controversy," he said. A senior saffron party leader, who is aware of the happenings in Goa, said that the Chief Minister and Health Minister should talk less and work more. "Differences between Sawant and Rane are not new. It is a clash of egos rather than differences over handling of the Covid situation which has created a controversy, showing cracks in the government. Hope that acting on the advice of the party chief they will work together in controlling Covid in Goa," he said. The differences between Sawant and Rane came out in the open over Goa's Covid management. A senior party leader said that the differences have deepened after the death of Covid patients at the Goa Medical College, a state government managed health facility. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Bogota, May 14 : Colombian Foreign Minister Claudia Blum has stepped down amid the ongoing violent anti-government protests in the country. Blum did not give a reason for her resignation in a Thursday video message, but media reports cited criticism of her crisis management, reports dpa news agency. Deputy Minister Adriana Mejia will be her successor, according to the reports. Colombia has witnessed violent protests for the past two weeks, including some that turned into riots. At least 42 people have died and 168 others are missing, according to the latest figures from the national ombudsman's office. The demonstrations were initially against a controversial tax reform that has since been withdrawn. Economy Minister Alberto Carrasquilla has already resigned over the issue. Most of the protesters are now focusing on other issues, such as opposing a planned health reform and advocating for the fragile peace process. The UN and the European Union expressed alarm at reports of excessive police violence, which the Colombian Foreign Ministry strongly rejected. Colombia is the second most populous country in South America, after Brazil, and an important ally to the US in the region. A civil war raged in the country for more than 50 years, killing 220,000 people and displacing millions. In 2016, the Colombian government made peace with the FARC guerilla movement, and the country experienced an economic upswing and a tourism boom. Seoul, May 14 : South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Friday appointed a new Prime Minister and four other ministers after a cabinet reshuffle last month for the final year of his five-year term. Moon conferred the certificate of appointment on Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, a former four-term lawmaker who served as the Interior Minister in the first cabinet of the Moon government, according to the presidential Blue House. During a ceremony held in the presidential complex, Moon also presented the certificates to Minister of Science and ICT Lim Hye-sook, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Moon Sung-wook, Minister of Employment and Labor An Kyung-duk and Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Noh Hyeong-ouk, reports Xinhua news agency. They were nominated for the posts after the ruling Democratic Party's rout in mayoral by-elections for the capital Seoul and the second biggest city of Busan in April. Tel Aviv, May 14 : The Israeli Army said on Friday that it sent 160 aircraft into the violence-hit Gaza Strip to destroy a network of tunnels operated by Hamas, the Islamist party that controls enclave, as confusion and chaos continued between the two sides. Army spokesperson Jonathan Conricus said about 40 tanks participated in the 40-minute mission, reports dpa news agency. Conricus said the tunnel system, named Metro, operated as a sort of "city under the city". The extent of the damage to the system was unclear. The tunnel network is vital in the Gaza Strip for shifting goods and people in and out. Israel often targets the tunnels, which it says are used by Hamas to allow militants to access Israeli territory for attacks. The two sides have entered another phase of aggression after growing tensions about access to holy sites in Jerusalem and efforts that possibly forced some Palestinian residents from their homes in East Jerusalem. Militants in the Gaza Strip have attacked Israel predominantly with rockets. About 1,800 have been fired at Israeli territory since Monday, and some 430 of them went down inside the strip. Israel relies on its Iron Dome missile defence system to deal with those that pose a threat. It claims that it has been about 90 per-cent effective in stopping the missiles this week. So far, Israel has reported eight deaths due to the rockets out of Gaza. The Health Ministry in the Gaza Strip says the Israeli response has resulted in 119 deaths and 830 injuries. Israel withdrew all troops from the Gaza Strip in 2005 and has responded to attacks from within the strip since then with airstrikes and artillery. Thus, overnight reports that troops had re-entered the strip caused a stir. But Conricus emphasized on Friday that, while tanks supported the airstrikes from Israeli territory during the mission against the tunnel network, no Israeli troops set foot inside Gaza. The Army has since apologised for the miscommunication. The rocket attacks from Gaza continued over into Friday. Police said a house in Ashkelon was struck by a rocket. Israeli and Hamas' forces have engaged in three wars since 2008. The last clash, in 2014, claimed the lives of 70 Israelis and 2,100 Palestinians. The violence has also spilled over into clashes between Jewish and Arab residents of Israel. Police reported detentions and attacks in the cities of Beersheba, Lod, Netanya, Qalansawe and Tel Aviv. In Qalansawe, there were reports of a police station being set on fire. Police have reported arresting 750 people in Israel amid this current wave of violence. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text System error error: Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. context: ... 21: 22: 23: % foreach my $c (@categories) { 24: <%perl> 25: my $category_id = $c->get_id(); 26: my @stories = Bric::Biz::Asset::Business::Story->list ( { element_type_id=>1148, category_id=>$category_id , Order=> 'cover_date', publish_status => 't' , OrderDirection=> 'DESC' , Limit=>10 } ); 27: 28: 29: ... code stack: /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html:25 /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm:951 /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj:17 /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html:149 Can't call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25. Trace begun at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Exceptions.pm line 129 HTML::Mason::Exceptions::rethrow_exception('Can\'t call method "get_id" on an undefined value at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25.^J') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/dhandler.html line 25 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 160 HTML::Mason::Component::run_dynamic_sub('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7fbff22c9f80)', 'main') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 951 HTML::Mason::Request::call_dynamic('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff23c1058)', 'main') called at /var/cache/mason/obj/1784076917/main/smetimes/dhandler.html.obj line 17 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7fbff22c9f80)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1305 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 958 HTML::Mason::Request::call_next('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff23c1058)') called at /usr/local/bricolage/data/burn/stage/oc_1027/smetimes/autohandler_template.html line 149 HTML::Mason::Commands::__ANON__ at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Component.pm line 138 HTML::Mason::Component::run('HTML::Mason::Component::FileBased=HASH(0x7fbff22d7330)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1303 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 1295 HTML::Mason::Request::comp(undef, undef, undef) called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 484 eval {...} at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/Request.pm line 436 HTML::Mason::Request::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff23c1058)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 165 HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler::exec('HTML::Mason::Request::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff23c1058)') called at /usr/share/perl5/HTML/Mason/ApacheHandler.pm line 831 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handle_request('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler=HASH(0x7fbff19a9560)', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7fbff230e600)') called at (eval 487) line 8 HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler::handler('HTML::Mason::ApacheHandler', 'Apache2::RequestRec=SCALAR(0x7fbff230e600)') called at -e line 0 eval {...} at -e line 0 Dublin, May 14 : The Irish government's Health Service Executive (HSE) has shut down its information technology systems after being hit with what it described as "a significant ransomware attack" on Friday. HSE Chief Executive Paul Reid told public broadcaster RTE that the computer shutdown was necessary to protect patient data, reports dpa news agency. "It's quite a very sophisticated attack," Reid said, and "is impacting all of our national and local systems". "We are at the very stages of fully undertanding the threat," Reid said. While the HSE said coronavirus vaccinations scheduled for Friday would proceed and ambulance services "are operating as per normal", the National Maternity Hospital said "a major IT issue" would mean "significant disruption" to services. Fergal Malone, master of the Rotunda Hospital, said the attacks mean his hospital will for now "revert back to old-fashioned based record-keeping". The Rotunda said most outpatient visits had been cancelled for Friday but said anyone "with urgent concerns" should "attend as normal". Thiruvananthapuram, May 14 : The travails of a whistle blower -- an Air India official -- found some relief on Friday when prime accused in the Kerala gold smuggling case, Swapna Suresh, was arrested by the Crime Branch in a fabricated sexual harassment case against the official. Swapna presently cooling her heels in a jail here in the gold smuggling case was produced in the court online by the Crime Branch police probing the case of Air India official L.S.Sibu. The Chief Judicial magistrate court ordered her to the Crime Branch's custody till May 22 in the fabricated sexual harassment case, in which she is alleged to have a role. It all started when Sibu, a union leader of Air India -- working as Officer-Apron in the Ground Services Department, Trivandrum in 2014, -- brought to the attention of the CBI, the Central Vigilance Commission and the Prime Minister about financial irregularities at Trivandrum Airport. Sibu's life took a turn for the worse, when he was transferred to Hyderabad effective April 2015. Incidentally it was after a few years of a legal battle the Kerala High Court directed Air India to reinstate him in July 2018, after which he has been posted at Hyderabad. The Kerala High Court in a separate order had directed the Crime Branch Police to conduct a detailed probe into the fabricated sexual harassment case against Sibu. The Crime Branch probe revealed that apart from the complaint of 17 female employees at Air India SATS, here, there were two other forged complaints against him, which was send to the top officials of Air India. It was based on these complaints that Sibu was transferred to Hyderabad. Swapna Suresh was employed at Air India SATS and she left the job in 2015, after the police began their first probe based on a complaint from Sibu. Incidentally it was only after the now controversial gold smuggling case took a turn and the NIA arrested the prime accused Swapna Suresh, did Sibu get a relief. The Crime Branch investigation unearthed evidence against Swapna Suresh of being a key accused in the fabricated sexual harassment case and in the coming days the Crime Branch will reveal who all were behind her. Despite numerous pleas by Sibu, his wife and daughter, Air India officials continued to maintain stoic silence and Sibu was suspended in August last year, on the grounds that he spoke to the media, soon after the gold smuggling case took centre stage. Later he was reinstated end December last year and is at present on leave. New Delhi, May 14 : Care Health Insurance has come up Covid support initiatives, including setting up Covid Holding Centre at their corporate office in Gurugram for its employees and their families. The Covid centre is designed as a temporary isolation centre, well equipped with oxygen concentrators, basic medication and guidance of healthcare experts. The objective behind this is to ensure that employees are not inconvenienced due to unavailability of these services while waiting for a hospital bed, a company statement said. Sanjeev Meghani, Head-HR, Care Health Insurance, said: "With the prevailing concerns around the unavailability of healthcare facilities, we have introduced a series of initiatives for our employees in addition to the COVID Holding Centre. Employee centricity has always been at the core of our organisation and we will do everything possible to support our employees." To further ease the burden on employees, Care Health Insurance is providing financial aid in the form of a two-month advance salary to every employee who themselves or have a family member who has tested positive for the virus. Further, the employees will get advance leave credit and can avail leaves beyond their eligibility in the event of a medical emergency. Taking cognizance of the recent government directive with regards to vaccination, Care Health Insurance is working closely with hospitals to support employees with slots for vaccination. The organisation has also tied up with a healthcare platform to support employees with easy access to book RT-PCR or any blood test. Further, the organisation has created a plasma donation pool with details of people willing to donate plasma to help employees in need of the same. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Singapore, May 14 : The Singapore's government on Friday tightened Covid-19 pandemic-related restrictions to a level not seen since mid-2020, banning dining at restaurants and capping events at 100 people. The restrictions will continue for one month from Sunday and include limiting in-person meetings to groups of no more than two at a time, reports dpa news agency. "If you want to go out for anything, grocery shopping, exercise, maximum of two persons henceforth," said Lawrence Wong, incoming Finance Minister and co-chair of the government's pandemic response team. "This will be difficult for everyone, but if we all play our part, we will succeed in stemming its spread," said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, with regard to the virus. The Ministry of Health reported 52 new coronavirus cases on Friday, the highest daily number recorded since September 2020. The city-state's sole lockdown ran from April to early June last year. While saying he hopes another will not be needed, Wong warned on Friday that "we certainly will not rule out even more stringent measures". The new curbs, the second tightening since the start of the month, will clash with Singapore's hosting of the Shangri-La Dialogue, a meeting of Defence Ministers set for early June and to be attended by US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin. Singapore has one of the world's lowest pandemic death tolls, at 31, and has reported 61,453 cases, most of them dating to mid-2020 and recorded among migrant workers living in crowded dormitories. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Bhopal, May 14 : Madhya Pradesh's former Agriculture Minister Sachin Yadav has written to Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan seeking action against those allegedly involved in deceiving over 100 farmers in Dhar district. He also urged compensation for the farmers to tide over the losses. In his letter, Yadav said that a businessman of Dhamnod Mandi in Dhar district had met a farmers' delegation and defrauded them of Rs 1 crore. The farmers said that maize had been purchased from 105 of them but later the traders fled without making any payment. Yadav also underlined that cases of fraud against farmers are increasing in the state and the government should take strict action against such people. Taipei, May 14 : Taiwan residents were urged on Friday to download a social-distancing app after the island reported 29 locally-transmitted Covid-19 cases, a record increase in single-day infections since the beginning of the pandemic. Health and Welfare Minister Chen Shih-chung, who heads the Central Epidemic Control Centre (CECC), told a news conference on Friday that these new locally transmitted cases include seven with unknown sources of infection, reports dpa news agency. The remaining ones are linked to known infection clusters in northern Taiwan, he said. Chen said the government had been working on tracing possible sources of coronavirus infection, encouraging residents to download an app to help contain the virus. According to the Central Epidemic Control Centre (CECC), the app has been downloaded by about 800,000 mobile users. Using information-gathering and -sharing, the app will help inform users if they have ever been closer than 2 metres to a Covid-19 patient for more than two minutes in the past 14 days. On Friday, Taiwan also reported five imported coronavirus cases. As of Friday, Taiwan, with a population of 23.6 million, has only reported 1,290 cases of the coronavirus, including 164 which were locally transmitted. There have been 12 deaths since the pandemic began. Currently, 171 Covid-19 patients are receiving treatment in hospital. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Lucknow, May 14 : The UP Child Rights Commission has ordered a probe into an incident involving a minor boy allegedly seen selling alcohol at a liquor shop owned by his father in Moradabad district. The Commission chairperson Dr Vishesh Kumar Gupta said, "At a time when the government and administration is gearing up for a third wave of Covid-19, which is likely to impact the children, a video has come to the fore where a minor boy was spotted dealing with customers at a liquor shop." He said that the commission has written a letter to the UP DGP HC Awasthi, Moradabad district magistrate Rakesh Kumar Singh and Moradabad SSP Prabhakar Chaudhary, to take action in the Gunj Market area matter. In the video, Covid safety protocols like wearing of mask and maintaining social distancing were found breached. The license of the shop is issued in the name of Sukhvir Singh, who is the boy's father. He further said that his father had gone back home for a break. Gupta said: "Such act is punishable offence with an imprisonment of up to five years. Legal action shall be taken up in the case as per the provisions of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015." Moradabad police said that police personnel had rushed to the spot after the video had gone viral. SHO Kotwali police station said that an inquiry revealed that the boys, one 17-year-old and the other 21-year-old, had come to meet father at the shop and were just looking after the shop in father's absence and not dealing with customers. Police said that no complaint has been received in the matter. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Istanbul, May 14 : Turkish company Karpowership on Friday said it had shut down electricity supplies to Lebanon after failing to resolve payment issues and legal threats. Karpowership barges, the Fatmagul Sultan and the Orhan Bey, with a total capacity of 404 megawatts, have been supplying Lebanon since 2013, according to Turkish state news agency Anadolu. This amounts to about 25 per cent of the country's power needs, dpa news agency quoted Anadolu as saying. Lebanese media reported that a prosecutor last week demanded the ships be seized and the company fined $25 million in connection with corruption allegations. The company, a unit of Karadeniz, requested that Lebanon halt the "unjust" legal action to seize the ships and outline a debt repayment plan, Anadolu reported. It said it was owed more than $100 million for the last 18 months. Power generation ceased at 8 a.m. as the fuel on the powerships ran out, the company said. "For 18 months, we have been exceedingly flexible with the state, continually supplying power without payment or a payment plan, because the country was already facing very hard times," a Karpowership spokesperson told dpa news agency in a statement. "We deeply regret shutting down and went to great lengths to avoid it," the spokesperson said. "No company can operate in an environment with such direct and undue risk." Lebanon's energy supply system is outdated and inefficient, with frequent power cuts in Beirut and other parts of the country since the end of the 1975-1990 civil war. The situation has further deteriorated in the aftermath of last year's blast at Beirut's port, which killed 190 people and wounded 6,000. Tehran, May 14 : Renowned Iranian reformist Mostafa Tajzadeh on Friday announced his candidacy for the upcoming presidential election, the first time a regime critic has registered for the post in the Islamic Republic. "I was a political prisoner myself for seven years and am, therefore, first and foremost against banning critics from speaking up," dpa news agency quoted Tajzadeh said as saying. The former Deputy Interior Minister, under President Mohammad Khatami, belongs to the radical wing of the reformist camp. After protesting against the allegedly rigged election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2009, Tajzadeh was arrested and spent several years in prison. Since then, the 64-year-old has been frequently in the headlines with his tweets criticising the regime. During the registration of his candidacy, Tajzadeh said he was against forcing women to wear a headscarf. He said he wanted to promote more liberties and seek peaceful solutions to foreign policy issues. Like all other candidates, Tajzadeh still has to be vetted and approved by the Guardian Council. His approval is seen as highly unlikely, however. Registration for the presidency is open until Saturday. Aside from former leader Ahmadinejad, several former generals of the revolutionary guard have announced their bid. Justice chief Ebrahim Raisi is seen as the most promising candidate. Incumbent President Hassan Rouhani cannot stand for re-election after two terms in office. The election is to take place on June 18. New Delhi, May 14 : Amid the rapid surge in coronavirus infections across the country, the 'Panchmukhi Doli' yatra (procession) of Lord of Kedarnath in Uttarakhand was taken out without massive gatherings on Friday. The 'Panchmukhi Doli' yatra was taken out from Omkareshwar Temple at Ukhimath on Friday towards Kedarnath Dham and will reach Kedarnath on Saturday. Only a few people were present during the yatra including Rawal Bhimashankar Linga, priest Bagesh Linga, Kedarnath Devasthanam Board's Additional Chief Executive Officer B.D. Singh, official NP Jamloki, Panchmukhi Doli in-charge Yaduvir Pushpwan, and administration officials. Harish Goud of Kedarnath Devasthanam Board said the 'Panchmukhi Doli' will reach Kedarnath on Saturday. The doors of Kedarnath Dham would open at 5 a.m. on May 17. The Char Dham Yatra has been postponed due to the surging Covid-19 pandemic and only the doors of the temples would be opened. Only a few people such as priests for worshipping Lord Kedarnath have been allowed to visit the Dhams. The Kedarnath Devasthanam Board said the doors of the Yamunotri Dham will open at 12.15 p.m. on Friday whereas the doors of Gangotri Dham and Badrinath Dham would be opened on Saturday and Tuesday morning, respectively. The Uttarakhand government has decided to postpone the Char Dham Yatra in view of the Covid-19 outbreak. However, the doors of the four Dhams will open at the scheduled time. No one will be allowed to visit the four Dhams except the priests at the pilgrimage site, the Uttarakhand government said. Local residents are also not allowed to visit the temples for worship. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat has said the Char Dhams doors will open at the regular time but only priests will perform prayers. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) New Delhi, May 14 : Few officers of Delhi Police on Friday arrived at the office of Indian Youth Congress (IYC) to enquire how it has been managing to provide medicines, oxygen cylinders and several other things required by Covid patients. According to IYC members, few officers of the Delhi Police Crime Branch team arrived at the IYC office on Raisina Road in Central Delhi around 11 a.m. Speaking to IANS, IYC President Srinivas B.V. said, "They had come to enquire about how we are helping the people in distress on the basis of a petition filed in the court." He said that details were shared with the police. According to IYC activists, the police asked them -- from where they were bringing oxygen cylinders, several medicines, managing ambulance services and food for the people battling Covid-19 pandemic. The IYC has started #SOSIYC campaign to help the people affected with Covid. The IYC has set up a war room at its office to deal with the requests it gets through social media to deal with urgent need for oxygen cylinders, medicines, food to the families and homeless and ambulance services to ferry patients. Earlier, police also asked AAP leader Dilip Pandey how he was managing to help Covod affected families with medicines and oxygen cylinders. Congress national media in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala slammed the government for targeting the IYC members who have been providing help to the people in amid a brutal Covid wave. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Kabul, May 14 : At least four people were killed and 20 others injured in an explosion inside a mosque in Kabul while Friday prayers were underway, Afghan police said in a statement. The blast took place at Haji Bakhshi Mosque in Qala-e-Murad Bek area, Shakardara district, TOLO News quoted the police as saying. A security official said that the Imam of the mosque was among the injured persons. The official said the bomb was placed inside the mosque. No group so far has claimed responsibility for the explosion. This comes a day after at least nine people were killed in two blasts in Kunduz and Kandahar provinces on the first day of an Eid ceasefire declared by the Taliban and the Kabul government. New Delhi, May 14 : Extending the gap between the first and second doses of Covishield vaccines to 12-16 weeks from the earlier 6-8 weeks, is a reasonable approach and is unlikely to have a negative impact on the efficacy of the jabs, say doctors on Friday. The Covid Working Group chaired by Dr N.K. Arora, on Thursday, recommended extension of the gap between two doses of Covishield vaccine to 12-16 weeks. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has also accepted this recommendation. "It's unlikely to have a negative impact on the vaccine efficacy. As the immune memory developed by the first dose of vaccine would likely remain for a prolonged duration," Dr. Dipu T S, Associate Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Amrita Hospital, Kochi, told IANS. The Serum Institute of India-manufactured vaccine, developed by Astra-Zeneca and the University of Oxford, was initially to be administered 4-6 weeks apart. However, in April this year, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, working on the recommendations of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation and the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid revised the interval to 6-8 weeks. Both recommendations that warranted revision of the dosing interval were based on clinical trials conducted by AstraZeneca and Oxford University across the UK, Brazil and South Africa involving 17,178 participants. The study, published in the Lancet in March, supports a longer-interval immunisation strategy. It showed that Covishield vaccine's efficacy was significantly higher at 81.3 per cent after two standard doses given at an interval of 12 weeks or longer, compared with 55.1 per cent when given less than 6 weeks apart." The study, led by an international team of researchers, also claimed that antibodies were over "two-fold higher" in those people who received the second dose after a 12-week period, compared to those who took it under six weeks after receiving the first dose.A "So, a policy to vaccinate at three months does not compromise the vaccine efficacy, but may make it better," Dr Praveen Gupta, Director, Neurology, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, told IANS. "As the second dose is just a booster dose, in the body it will augment the pre-existing antibody response that happened as a consequence to the first dose of the vaccine. Hence the antibody against Covid will go up," Dipu added. There could be mild adverse events like flu-like illness, but no major adverse events are expected as it is just enhancing the pre-existing immune response, he added. Besides improving the vaccine efficacy, "this change may also allow a larger number of people to be vaccinated thus giving us optimum public health results creating a larger vaccine net," Gupta said. "In the current scenario in which India is facing severe vaccine shortage, a single dose could generate immunity for the masses. Considering that protection in the larger public has a bigger impact, the current strategy of increasing the gap between the two doses of the Covishield vaccine, hence, appears to be a reasonable approach," Dipu said. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Hyderabad, May 14 : In a tragic turn of events, two patients from Andhra Pradesh died in the ambulance vehicles they were traveling in, as Telangana Police did not permit vehicles without valid online permits to cross the interstate border at Kurnool. The development took place at the Panchalingala checkpost on National Highway 44, on Friday. The two persons who died on Friday, were identified as natives of Nandyal and Kurnool respectively. At least 40 ambulances from Andhra Pradesh were forced to return back from the Pullur toll plaza since Thursday when they tried to cross the state border on the way to Hyderabad. A similar situation played out at the Ramapuram cross border post near Suryapet. While Telangana police officials said that ambulances not carrying the required online permits, were barred from entering, kin of some the patients said that even those with permits issued by the Andhra Pradesh police were forcibly turned back. With covid cases on the rise in Andhra Pradesh, many critically ill patients are being taken to Hyderabad, which in turn is putting pressure on bed availability and medical care in the state capital. Telangana Police have been directed to allow entry into the state, only for patients who have the requisite e-permit, and confirmation from the hospital. Since Sunday, the interstate border crossings at Pullur near Kurnool, and Ramapuram cross at Suryapet, havr been witnessing poignant scenes of patients' kin pleading with Telangana police to allow their vehicles entry. The developments at the border have elicited sharp reactions from public and politicians in Andhra Pradesh. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text New Delhi, May 14 : The National Students Union of India (NSUI) has filed a 'missing person' report with the Delhi Police against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several of his Cabinet ministers, accusing them of running away amid the Covid-19 crisis. The move by the student wing of the Congress came just two days after a similar complaint was filed against Union minister Amit Shah over the 'disappearance of the country's Home Minister at the time of the pandemic'. The latest missing person report was filed by NSUI General Secretary Nagesh Kariyappa against Modi, Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman, Piyush Goyal, Smriti Irani, S. Jaishankar, Ravi Shankar Prasad, Dharmendra Pradhan, Narendra Singh Tomar, Prakash Javadekar, Harsh Vardhan and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat at the Parliament Street police station here. In his complaint, Kariyappa alleged that all these BJP leaders were last seen during the Assembly elections in West Bengal. Kariyappa said that at a time when the second wave of the pandemic is raging across the country, Modi and his Cabinet ministers have turned a blind eye to the sufferings of the people. The NSUI leder said that as politicians, they have to be accountable to the whole country, but even in the the darkest time of the pandemic, the Prime Minister and his ministers are running away from the crisis situation. Kariyappa also questioned the BJP about its achievement in the last seven years and said that it has been able to sustain only by crafting 'jumlas' and making fake promises. Stating that lakhs of people are suffering across the country because of lack of medical resources, Kariyappa said, "People are even struggling to get a place to cremate the dead. Where are the so called leaders who had assured to make India a global leader, but have instead made people suffer like this?" Meanwhile, NSUI chief Neeraj Kundan said that when the people are in dire need, the Prime Minister and his Cabinet colleagues are missing in action. "They should have been on the forefront when a number of people have died due to Covid largely because of lack of medical equipment," Kundan said. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) New Delhi, May 14 : Hours after Delhi Police Crime Branch officers visited the office of the Indian Youth Congress, former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on Friday slammed the government saying the rescuer is always greater than the one who kills. In a tweet in Hindi, Rahul Gandhi said, "The rescuer is always greater than the one who kills." He used the hash tag, I stand with IYC. His remarks came after some Delhi Police officers arrived at the IYC office to enquire how it has been managing to provide medicines, oxygen cylinders and several other things required by Covid patients. According to IYC members, officers of the Delhi Police Crime Branch arrived at the IYC office on Raisina Road in Central Delhi around 11 a.m. Speaking to IANS, IYC President Srinivas B.V. said, "They had come to enquire about how we are helping the people in distress on the basis of a petition filed in the court." He said that details were shared with the police. According to IYC activists, the police asked them from where they were bringing oxygen cylinders, medicines, managing ambulance services and food for the people battling the Covid-19 pandemic. The IYC has started #SOSIYC campaign to help the people affected with Covid. The IYC has set up a war room at its office to deal with the requests it gets through social media to deal with urgent need for oxygen cylinders, medicines, food for families and the homeless and ambulance services to ferry patients. Earlier, police also asked AAP leader Dilip Pandey how he was managing to help Covod affected families with medicines and oxygen cylinders. Congress national media in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala slammed the government for targeting the IYC members who have been providing help to the people amid the brutal Covid wave. -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed Mumbai, May 14 : Vindu Dara Singh made an appeal in support of India's protesting farmers on the occasion of Akshay Tritiya and Eid on Friday. The actor took to social media to suggest that the need of the farmers should be addressed on priority by the Indian government. At the same time, Singh reminded netizens to take utmost care and precaution amid the raging second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic and suggested everyone to stay indoors. "#breakthechain Covid is not our friend. It's our enemy. Our focus is only & only to keep it as far away from us as possible. The only way to defeat it and keep it away is by staying inside our homes to protect ourselves & our loved ones," he wrote on Instagram. He added: "Today, on the occasion of Akshay Tritiya and Eid let's hope that these unfortunate times end ASAP & pray for abundance in good health & wealth for all including our farmers who need to be addressed on priority by our government #covid_19 #farmersprotest #eidmubarak #akshyatritiya." Shimla, May 14 : After trudging the high mountains in a 17-hour-long operation amid heavy rain with the mercury dipping close to the freezing point, Himachal Pradesh Police seized over 15 lakh fully grown poppy plants, valued at Rs 10 crore, illegally spread over a vast stretch in the interiors of Mandi district, the police said on Friday. A field intelligence report about the cultivation of poppy (opium) plants in Chauhar Valley in Mandi district had revealed that a huge area comprising government and private lands was being used to cultivate opium. Following this, a special team headed by the Padhar police station was deployed to verify the information. After the verification, a special operation was planned on May 12, an official statement said. When the police teams reached Garh village under Tikken sub-tehsil in Padhar, they first found a patch of land covered by poppy plants. On further onward movement, they were surprised to see three hilltops looking like carpets of white flowers. On closer examination, they found that all the hilltops had poppy plants in full bloom. Heavy rains and hailstorms then impeded further movement of the teams, but after waiting for some time and realising that it is of no use to wait for the rains to stop, especially when the news of their presence in the area has spread, they marched ahead, said the police. The teams climbed the three hills one by one and had to trek for almost three hours to reach the first hilltop. As the news of the police raid spread fast in the neighbouring areas, few locals themselves started to uproot the poppy plants at one of the spots, but timely action of the police foiled all such attempts. In total, around 66 'bighas' of government and private lands were found to be under the illegal cultivation of poppy plants with the assistance of the local patwari and the pradhan. During the raid, approximately 15 lakh plants of illegally cultivated opium were found and samples were seized from each spot. The process of destruction of the remaining plants has been completed. The entire operation ended on May 13. Four cases have been registered under Section 18 of the NDPS Act and further investigation is underway. As per estimates, around 5-6 kg of opium is produced in one 'bigha' of land which is sold for approximately Rs 300,00 per kg. Accordingly, around 330 kg of opium could have been produced in this area with a market price of Rs 10 crore, said the statement. The police told IANS that cannabis and opium are grown illegally in vast tracts of Kullu, Mandi, Shimla and Chamba districts, causing a serious problem of drug cultivation, trafficking and addiction. Over 60 per cent of poppy and cannabis produced in the state is smuggled to countries like Israel, Italy, The Netherlands and some other European nations. The remaining stock finds its way to Nepal or to other Indian states like Goa, Punjab and Delhi. Bhopal, May 14 : A 43-year-old Covid victim was raped by a ward boy at Bhopal Memorial Hospital and Research Centre last month, following which she died the next day. However, soon after the incident the accused was arrested. Sources said that even after a month, the family members of the victim were not informed about the incident that has brought the police under the lens. The woman was admitted to the facility after she had tested Covid positive. She was raped by the ward boy on April 6 following which her health deteriorated and she died the next day. Sources said that accused Santosh entered into the woman's ward at 4 am on April 6 and asked her to undergo a medical check up. He first molested the Covid victim, took her to the bathroom in the name of the check up and raped her. After that her health worsened and she was then put on a ventilator but she died the next day. The matter came light when the organisations fighting for the rights of Bhopal gas tragedy victims, flagged the "pathetic condition of Covid wards" in the hospital. They had written to Justice (Retd) V.K. Agarwal, Chairman of a committee for medical rehabilitation of Bhopal gas tragedy victims, about the incident. The Bhopal Group for Information and Action, an NGO working with the survivors of the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy, had also written to the officials on Wednesday about this shameful incident, and sought an investigation. They further said that this matter should also be brought to the notice of the High Court. Former Chief Minister Kamal Nath tweeted, "Rape and molestation of the Covid victim who was hospitalised in Bhopal, is extremely shameful! It is very disgraceful that the victim had died and instead of taking action, the hospital management and the police kept the whole matter discreet." The Bhopal police are in touch with the victims' kin and the case will now be presented in the court for justice. "No attempt has been made by the Bhopal police to suppress and hide the case, " a senior police official added. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Seoul, May 14 : Hyundai Motor and its affiliate Kia said on Friday they will suspend some of their assembly lines for several days next week due to semiconductor shortages. Hyundai Motor plans to halt the No. 5 Ulsan plant, which produces the Tucson sport utility vehicle and the Nexo hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicle, from Monday to Tuesday and the No. 3 Ulsan plant that produces the Avante compact and the Venue subcompact on Tuesday, a company spokesman said. Hyundai suspended the No. 1 Ulsan plant that manufactures the Kona subcompact SUV and the IONIQ 5 all-electric car from April 7-14 and the No. 4 Ulsan plant that rolls out the Porter pickup truck from May 6-7 due to electronic parts shortages. Its Asan plant that assembles the Sonata and Grandeur sedans was suspended from April 12-13 and April 19-20 due to the same problems, reports Yonhap news agency. Hyundai has seven domestic plants -- five in Ulsan, one in Asan and one in Jeonju -- and 10 overseas plants -- four in China and one each in the United States, the Czech Republic, Turkey, Russia, India and Brazil. Their combined capacity reaches 5.5 million vehicles. Kia has joined Hyundai in suspending a domestic plant due to chip shortages. It plans to suspend the No. 2 Sohari plant that makes the Stonic subcompact SUV from Monday to Tuesday. Kia has eight domestic plants in Korea and seven overseas ones -- three in China and one each in the United States, Slovakia, Mexico and India. Their overall capacity is 3.84 million units. In a conference call on the companies' first-quarter earnings results last month, executives said an extended chip shortage will have an impact on the carmakers' second-quarter bottom line. Chances are high that the carmakers will continue to suspend their plants in the second quarter as it takes time for their overseas chip suppliers to resume production following natural disasters and fires. -- Syndicated from IANS Dharamsala, May 14 : The Tibetan diaspora in exile has contributed Rs 5 crore to the government of India's emergency fund -- the PM CARES Fund, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) said on Friday. These contributions made by Tibetans from all over the world were collected through respective settlement offices based in India and Offices of Tibet in 13 countries in just two weeks. Lauding the generous contributions of the diaspora community, CTA President Lobsang Sangay said the amount has been raised across North America, Europe, Australasia, Taiwan, India, Nepal and Bhutan. The contribution, he said, is a token of the Tibetan people's deep gratitude to the government and people of India who have provided a safe haven for Tibetan refugees for over six decades and most importantly hosted Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama and the exile Tibetan administration. Sangay in his virtual address to the Tibetan community across the world on May 12 expressed his appreciation for the hard work of the frontline workers led by healthcare workers and settlement CTA staff at the forefront of the pandemic fight. Sharing his highest regard for essential workers, especially healthcare workers and teachers, he commended their relentless service amidst the unprecedented challenges and urged them to continue to dedicate their efforts. Extending support to their efforts, he announced Rs 5,000 honorarium for healthcare workers from his Cabinet's budget. He also announced that the average pay of CTA staff in line with the five-year pay raise has been raised by 15.2 per cent. Mumbai, May 14 : As equity-linked mutual fund schemes witnessed a decline in net inflows in April, Punjab National Bank (PNB), DLF and Tata Steel were among the top bought stocks in large cap by mutual funds. Inflows into equity funds declined to Rs 3,400 crore compared to Rs 9,100 crore in March but the inflow trend remain, said a report by ICICI Direct. SIP flows are now back at pre-Covid levels with April inflow at Rs 8,590 crore, it said. The holding of mutual funds in PNB stood at 12.76 crore shares in April-end with a valuation of Rs 445 crore. In March, the MF holding in PNB was 10.14 crore shares worth Rs 372 crore. Similarly, MFs held 5.06 crore shares in DLF by the end of April, up from 4.52 crore in March. However, the market value of the shares held declined last month to Rs 1,250 crore, from Rs 1,296 crore in March. Tata Steel was the third top bought stocks among the large cap stocks with MF holding at 14.79 crore shares in April with a market value of Rs 15,290 crore. MFs held 13.57 crore shares in the company with a market value of Rs 11,014 crore in March. The top sold large cap stocks by MFs were Indus Towers, Vedanta and JSW Steel, with holdings of Rs 179 crore, Rs 2,859 crore and Rs 3,252 crore respectively in April. In midcap, L&T Finance Holdings, Vodafone Idea and Glenmark Pharmaceuticals were the top bought stocks by MFs, while the top sells were GMR Infrastructure, Escorts and Prestige Estate Projects. New Delhi, May 14 : The Delhi High Court on Friday refused to grant interim protection from arrest to Navneet Kalra in connection with alleged black marketing of oxygen concentrators. Kalra has approached the High Court seeking anticipatory bail after a sessions court on Thursday dismissed Kalra's anticipatory bail plea. A single bench of Justice Subramonium Prasad said: "I am persuaded by the reasons given by the trial court which is a valid ground for me not to grant any interim protection now." The court has listed the matter for further hearing on May 18. The sessions court had noted that allegations against Kalra are serious and his custodial interrogation was needed to unearth the entire conspiracy. Senior advocates Abhishek M Singhvi and Vikas Pahwa, representing Kalra, contended before the High Court that it should grant some interim protection to their client, if the matter is being adjourned till May 18. Singhvi had argued that police were searching for Kalra and visiting his relatives and close friends' homes in the matter. The counsel added that this should not happen in the backdrop of High Court hearing Kalra's anticipatory bail plea. At the beginning of the hearing today, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) S V Raju submitted that the matter should be adjourned to May 18. Raju contended that he had information in connection with shell companies, which he required to place before the court and would need some time. Raju said heavens will not fall, if the matter is taken up on May 18. He insisted that there was no urgency to conduct hearing on Kalra's plea on a holiday. Singhvi contested the submissions saying it was an attempt to embarrass the court and added that his client's arrest was not needed, as one of the charges were that he overcharged for the oxygen concentrators. Singhvi argued that under Drug Price Control Order (DPCO) 2013, there is a provision for adjusting the overcharged amount or refunding it. However, the court pointed out that many concentrators were seized from Kalra's properties and price stickers, including blank ones, were found at the site. The court told Kalra's counsel would it be a violation of the DPCO 2013, is the main question. Kalra's counsel contended that Essential Commodities Act is not applicable in the present case, as no price was fixed for imported oxygen concentrators. The High Court cited that as per the trial court, Kalra was selling poor quality concentrators at an exorbitant price. Kalra's counsel he will get data in connection with the sale of the concentrators on the next date. Kalra had moved the High Court on late evening on Thursday after sessions declined to give him any relief and the hearing before the court went till 10.00 pm. The matter was listed for further hearing on Friday. The High Court had queried Kalra's counsel how could he sell concentrators, when he did not have a valid licence to manufacture, store or import. During a raid, 524 oxygen concentrators were recovered from three restaurants owned by Kalra -- Khan Chacha, Nega Ju and Town Hall. Police suspected that he had left Delhi along with his family. Kalra had bought the concentrators from Matrix Cellular. Four employees of Matrix Cellular company, including its CEO and vice president, who were also arrested have been granted bail. The Delhi police on May 5, had registered a case against Kalra under Section 420 (cheating), 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code. The FIR was also registered under Essential Commodities Act and Epidemic Diseases Act, for black marketing of oxygen cylinders. Panaji, May 14 : On a day when the death count at the states apex hospital -- Goa Medical College -- reached 75 in four days, Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on Friday reviewed the Covid-19 scenario in the state through a virtual meeting with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Health Minister Vishwajit Rane. "Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari today reviewed the Covid-19 situation in Goa during his meeting with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Health Minister Vishwajeet Rane held online," according the Governor's official Twitter handle. "The Governor enquired about vaccination planning, oxygen supply, awareness, testing, involvement of university students and volunteers and other relevant issues," another tweet said. Governor Koshyari holds charge of both Maharashtra and Goa. Earlier on Friday, state Congress president Girish Chodankar said that the absence of a full-fledged Governor had hurt the state's battle against Covid, especially in view of the constant squabbles between Chief Minister Sawant and Health Minister Rane. "If we had a full-time Governor in Goa like Satyapal Malik, it could have helped save hundreds of innocent lives. A part-time Governor in the form of Bhagat Singh Koshyari has failed to implement the necessary checks and balances in matters of governance, which the Constitution of India provides," Chodankar said. In all, 75 patients died due to oxygen shortage at the numerous Covid wards of the Goa Medical College over the last few days. Incidentally, nearly all the deaths occurred between 2 am and 6 am on all four days, after the oxygen level in the wards dropped significantly, rendering the patients breathless. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Thiruvananthapuram, May 14 : In relief for a 'whistle blower' Air India employee, Swapna Suresh, the prime accused in the Kerala gold smuggling case, was on Friday arrested by the Crime Branch in the fabricated sexual harassment case against the official. The complaint of Air India official L.S. Sibu in the fabricated sex harassment case against him was lying in cold storage allegedly on account of her connections with the high and mighty, but started to move after her arrest in the gold smuggling case. Swapna, presently cooling her heels in a jail here, was on Friday produced virtually before the Chief Judicial Magistrate by the Crime Branch police probing the case in which she allegedly to have a role, and the court sent her to the agency's custody till May 22. Sibu, a union leader and working in the Ground Services Department at the Trivandrum airport, had, in 2014, alleged financial irregularities at the airport and sought to bring them to the attention of the Central Bureau of Investigation, the Central Vigilance Commission and the Prime Minister. He was transferred to Hyderabad effective April 2015 on the basis of complaints of sexual harassment by female staffers. Despite numerous pleas by Sibu, and his wife and daughter, Air India officials continued to maintain silence and he was even suspended in August last year, on the grounds that he spoke to the media, soon after the gold smuggling case took centre stage. It was after a long legal battle that the Kerala High Court, in July 2018, directed Air India to reinstate him. He was reinstated end December last year and is at present on leave. The court had also ordered the Crime Branch to conduct a detailed probe into the fabricated sexual harassment case against Sibu, and this revealed that apart from the forged complaint of 17 female employees at Air India SATS here that he misbehaved with them, there were two other forged complaints against him, which were sent to the top officials of Air India. It was based on these complaints that Sibu was transferred to Hyderabad. Swapna Suresh was employed at the Air India SATS but left the job in 2015, after the police began their first probe based on a complaint from Sibu. The Crime Branch investigation unearthed evidence against Swapna Suresh of being a key accused in the fabricated sexual harassment case and in the coming days, it is expected that all those behind her will be unmasked by the Crime Branch in the coming days. Swapna Suresh was arrested by the NIA from Bengaluru in July last year after her former colleague employed at the UAE Consulate here, P.S.Sarith, was arrested by the Customs on July 5 for allegedly smuggling gold in a diplomatic baggage destined for the Consulate. At the time of her arrest, she was employed in a IT related firm attached to the office of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at a salary of over Rs 1.75 lakh. Also arrested in the gold smuggling case was senior bureaucrat M. Sivasankar, who was also Principal Secretary to Vijayan, but he is now out on bail. New Delhi, May 14 : In accordance with instructions from President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and guided by the principles of strategic partnership between the two states, the Kazakhstan government has provided humanitarian assistance to India during this serious epidemiological situation of Covid-19. The first of the two Kazakh aircraft with the cargo landed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi in the morning on May 14 with the second one expected to arrive several hours later. This humanitarian aid, weighing around 40 tons, includes medical masks, respirators, protective suits and portable artificial lung ventilation devices from Kazakh manufacturers in the healthcare sector. This aid was officially handed over at the airport by Ambassador of Kazakhstan to India Nurlan Zhalgasbayev to Director, Eurasian Department of the Ministry of External Affairs, Bandaru Wilsonbabu. On May 4, President Tokayev, in a telegram to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressed "deep solidarity with the Indian nation over the devastating Covid-19 surge in this country", and on May 7, instructed his government to provide and dispatch the necessary assistance to the Indian authorities. In 2020, India had sent hydroxychloroquine tablets to help Kazakhstan fight the pandemic. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pune, May 14 : The Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech International Ltd will soon start manufacturing Covid-19 vaccines in Pune, through subsidiary Biovet Pvt Ltd, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar announced on Friday. "It will take around three months for the company to start production of vaccines from this facility," Pawar told media persons. The state would also request the BBIL to give priority to supply vaccines to Maharashtra after fulfilling its commitments to the Centre, he added. The development comes a couple of days after Pune Divisional Commissioner Saurabh Raot and Collector Rajesh Deshmukh toured the 11-acre plus site in Manjari Khurd where the manufacturing facility will start. This came in wake of a ruling of the Bombay High Court bench comprising Justice K. K. Tated and Justice Nitin Borkar in a plea filed by the Karnataka-based Biovet Pvt Ltd seeking that Maharashtra government should hand over the Pune facility to it. The Manjari Khurd facility had come up on land granted by the state government to a private company in 1973 to manufacture vaccines for the food and mouth disease. Later, however, that company had quit its operations here and tied up with Biovet Pvt Ltd for the transfer of the land and the plant, which was objected to by the Maharashtra Forest Department. With the legal hassles behind, the plant officials are optimistic of making the Manjari Khurd facility fully functional by August-end to start rolling out the much-needed Covid-19 doses. Currently, the government-owned BBIL is one of the two Indian companies, along with the private Serum Institute of India Ltd (SIL), manufacturing the Covaxin and Covishield vaccines, respectively. A Health Department official said that the plant has the full infrastructure plus the expertise and manpower and can start rolling out vaccines in the next 3-4 months, though the exact quantity of doses to be produced is not yet known. Biovet Pvt Ltd teams are currently examining and assessing the complete infrastructure installed there, the manufacturing line and processes which will be completed within a week to ensure safe production at the facility. Officials say that the production from the new facility here would greatly boost the ongoing requirements for the nationwide inoculation currently underway with Maharashtra leading the country in terms of the total number of people - 1,93,12,943 - who have been vaccinated till date. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Panaji, May 14 : Thirteen Covid patients died at Goa's apex government hospital, the Goa Medical College, in the early hours of Friday owing to oxygen mismanagement, even as the death toll of patients who died between 2 am and 6 am at the premier facility in the last four days reached 75. Amid the spate of deaths, Goa Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on Friday conducted a review of the Covid-19 situation in a virtual conference with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Health Minister Vishwajit Rane. "Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari today reviewed the Covid-19 situation in Goa during his meeting with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Health Minister Vishwajeet Rane held online," according the Governor's official Twitter handle. In all, 61 Covid patients died in Goa's hospitals on Friday, taking the total death toll due to Covid-related complications to 1,998. Goa currently has 32,387 active cases, which amounts to more than 2 per cent of the state's entire population of approximately 15 lakh. Videos of chaos at the numerous wards of the Medical College have gone viral, with patients and relatives pleading for assistance as well as uploading emotive snapshots of helplessness and lack of hygiene in the health facility. A video shot at Ward No. 145 shows patients sleeping on mattresses with oxygen monitors beeping in the background and the dull echo of family members patting patients in a bid to reassure them. The video also shows debris of used food packets and other waste piled at a corner of the ward, spilling out of garbage bags. (See video: www.facebook.com/watch/?ref=search&v=1090344154789645&external_log_id=c9789f05-1399-43d9-a797-ff8ee29ed9e4&q=gmc%20goa) In another video shot at Ward No. 147, a patient's relative complains of a procession of six to seven deaths at the hospital ward due to oxygen shortage. "The government says there is enough oxygen supply, but it is playing with the lives of people". (See video: www.facebook.com/Goanreporters/videos/318535493001330) Opposition MLA of the Goa Forward Party, Vijai Sardesai, has called the four hours between 2 am and 6 am -- when most of the deaths occurred -- as the "dark hour" of death. "In all, 75 people have died at the dark hour between 2 am and 6 am in the dead of the night in the last four days," Sardesai said. While 26 persons died on May 10 during the four hours, on May 11, 21 persons died due to lack of oxygen. Despite a grilling of government agencies by the Bombay High Court, which is hearing a bunch of public interest litigations related to poor Covid management and shoddy oxygen management at the premier hospital, the spate of deaths did not stop, with 15 persons dying on May 12 and 13 dying in the early hours of Friday. "There is a complete collapse of governance. In spite of HC intervention, deaths are happening at this dark hour. Rather than the government, the HC should rule Goa because the government is doing nothing other than photo ops and filing cases against those who expose them," Sardesai said. Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat on Friday demanded that the state government should compensate the relatives of the deceased Covid patients, saying the deaths occurred due to government blunder. "With @BJP4Goa Government clearly admitting of Deaths in GMC due to gross negligence, @goacm must own the responsibility & immediately announce substantial compensation to the families of those patients who were murdered by Government apathy & blunder. @INCGoa #OxygenCrisis," Kamat tweeted. The Bombay High Court has also expressed unhappiness over the shoddy oxygen management practices at the hospital and has recommended a slew of measures to streamline the oxygen delivery systems at the medical college. Earlier on Friday, a team of Youth Congress officials, who have been assisting the patients with refilling of oxygen cylinders, also visited the Covid ward of the medical college. "If the high court has to intervene in every matter, why do you need a government? We had demanded RT-PCR tests to be made mandatory because of increasing tourist footfalls in Goa, especially from Maharashtra which was facing a huge spike," Youth Congress president Varad Mardolkar said. "This oxygen issue has been around for 14-15 days. But the government could not fix it. It took the high court to intervene and take some steps to address the crisis," Mardolkar said. The tragedy also comes against the backdrop of a feud between Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Health Minister Vishwajit Rane over the control of the state's Covid management mechanism. On Thursday, state BJP president Sadanand Shet Tanavade had told reporters that Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to both the CM and the HM, and the "misunderstanding" has been addressed. Meanwhile, the Goa government has formed a committee headed by IIT-Goa Director B.K. Mishra to streamline oxygen supply to the facility. The committee is expected to submit a report within three days. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) New Delhi, May 14 : Hours after Delhi Police Crime Branch officers visited the office of the Indian Youth Congress, former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on Friday slammed the government saying the rescuer is always greater than the one who kills. Soon, the BJP also said that their leaders have also been asked by Delhi Police about offering help to people. In a tweet in Hindi, Rahul Gandhi said, "The rescuer is always greater than the one who kills." He used the hash tag, I stand with IYC. His remarks came after some Delhi Police officers arrived at the IYC office to enquire how it has been managing to provide medicines, oxygen cylinders and several other things required by Covid patients. Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal also slammed the government and in a tweet said, "Why is the Delhi Police questioning IYC President for helping those in need? Is this the reward Youth Congress deserves for its exemplary initiative to help citizens during the pandemic? Why are Modi government's priorities always skewed?" Congress national media in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala slammed the government for targeting the IYC members who have been providing help to the people amid the brutal Covid wave. Addressing a virtual press conference Surjewala said, "The Modi-Shah government is following raid raj for helping people in need. The Delhi Police officers came to IYC office to tarnish the image of the party workers who are working day and night to save the lives of the people." He asked if helping people in need is a crime, if providing oxygen cylinders to people in need is a crime, providing essential medicines is a crime, providing food to patients and the attendants of patients in hospital is a crime? "If helping people in need is a crime, then Congress and IYC workers will keep on doing this crime to help people in need," Surjewala said. Attacking the government the Congress leader said, "Is it a sin to provide the necessary help to the people that the Modi government could not help them with? The party will help people even if everybody is arrested." According to IYC members, officers of the Delhi Police Crime Branch arrived at their office on Raisina Road in Central Delhi around 11 a.m. Speaking to IANS, IYC President Srinivas B.V. said, "They had come to enquire about how we are helping the people in distress on the basis of a petition filed in the court." He said that details were shared with the police. The Delhi High Court has ordered Delhi Police to conduct an enquiry on a writ filed by Deepak Singh about politicians being involved in the illegal distribution of Covid medicines, etc. According to IYC activists, the police asked them from where they were bringing oxygen cylinders, medicines, managing ambulance services and food for the people battling the Covid-19 pandemic. The IYC has started #SOSIYC campaign to help the people affected by Covid. The IYC has set up a war room at its office to deal with the requests it gets through social media to deal with urgent need for oxygen cylinders, medicines, food for families and the homeless and ambulance services to ferry patients. Earlier, police also asked AAP leader Dilip Pandey how he was managing to help Covid affected families with medicines and oxygen cylinders. Hitting back at the Congress for politicising the issue, Delhi BJP spokesperson Harish Khurana said, "The Delhi Police is conducting an enquiry on the orders of the High Court. It is not so that only AAP or Congress people are being investigated." "Two days ago, a team of Crime Branch officials came to enquire from where I am arranging medicines, hospital beds and other items for Covid patients," Khurana, son of Delhi's former Chief Minister Madanlal Khurana, said. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Hyderabad, May 14 : Coming to the rescue of hundreds of covid patients, primarily from Andhra Pradesh, being turned away by Telangana police, at the state borders, the Telangana High Court, on Friday, issued orders staying the state government's guidelines on entry of covid ambulances from other states. A Division Bench presided by Chief Justice Hima Kohli took up the matter for hearing after a retired IRS officer Venkata Krishna Rao filed a petition on Friday, that ambulances are being stopped or turned back, at the border, by Telangana Police. The state government argued that patients obtaining proper authorisation, are being allowed to enter Telangana. The Court clarified that the interim orders will be in force till the next hearing scheduled for June 17. The state government was directed to not issue any orders aimed at controlling the entry of ambulance vehicles, nor try to stop their entry in any manner, in the interim. Finding fault with the Telangana government, the High Court demanded to know who had given it the right to stop ambulances entering the state. The Court clarified that control room permission is not required for admission to hospitals here. On Friday, two covid patients died at the state border, near Kurnool, after Telangana police stopped at least 40 ambulances, for not possessing the e-pass issued by the Telangana government. --IANS pvn/ash Get Outlook for Android Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) New Delhi, May 14 : A plea has been moved in the Supreme Court to constitute a special investigation team (SIT) to conduct the investigation into over 100 corpses, found floating in the Ganga river in Bihar's Buxar, and Uttar Pradesh's Ghazipur and Unnao districts, amid the ongoing second wave of Covid-19 pandemic. The plea, filed by lawyers Pradeep Yadav and Vishal Thakre, urged the top court to issue direction the state government cconcerned to conduct post-mortem of the dead bodies. "The act of the states is inhuman as they failed to provide facilities for decent burial/cremation of dead bodies and to keep a check on pollution of the holy river, Ganga, by such indecent act either of individuals or of authorities," the petition said. The petitioners emphasised that the recovery of decomposed bodies from the river is a matter of serious concern, noting that the river was a source of water for many areas, and if these bodies were of Covid-19 patients, then there is a possibility of spread of infection through water in the villages of both Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. The petitioners also cited the Pt Parmanand Katara case, wherein the apex court had held that the right to dignity and fair treatment under Article 21 of the Constitution, was not only available to a person during lifetime, but also to the body after death. The plea also alleged that in the present case, the state has also failed to monitor the crematoriums, which exorbitantly charged people for last rites during the pandemic. The petitioners have claimed that the state governments, till date have not taken any effective measure to purify the water, and this was a violation of Article 21. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) New Delhi, May 14 : As COVID-19 cases rise in South Asia, some elements have launched a campaign suggesting India has not been able to handle the crisis. In the fight against COVID-19, India is following a human centric approach to furthering global good. According to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, when COVID-19 hit India the entire world was worried about India's situation. "But today India's fight against Corona is inspiring the entire world...India is following a human centric approach to furthering global good," the PM had said. He had said that the India has undertaken among the world's largest public welfare programmes in the last six years and these efforts were aimed at giving the poor a life of dignity and opportunity. Soon after the first wave of COVID-19 struck India last year, as many as 7,740 dedicated COVID-19 facilities were set up in 483 districts across the country and adequate health infrastructure was put in place to fight the pandemic. The public health facilities dedicated to COVID-19 management were categorised in three ways: Dedicated Covid Hospital (DCH), Dedicated Covid Health Centre (DCHC) and Dedicated Covid Care Centre (DCCC). Initially, 6,56,769 isolation beds, 3,05,567 beds for confirmed cases, 3,51,204 for suspected cases, 99,492 oxygen-supported beds, 1,696 facilities with oxygen manifold and 34,076 ICU beds were set up and all the States/UTs were requested by the Government of India to notify and upload the assigned three types of Covid dedicated facilities on their websites for public information. Since then, the number of Covid care centres and other facilities have increased manifold. India battles second wave of COVID-19 The second wave of COVID-19 has led to a rapid rise in cases and deaths across India. The country has recorded over 18.7 million cases and over 2,08,000 deaths. Experts are of the opinion that there can be several factors to explain the new surge in Covid cases. From October 2020 to mid-February 2021, India had witnessed a decline in new confirmed COVID-19 infections. This led people to having a false sense of security, dropping measures such as wearing masks and maintaining physical distance. Some super-spreader events, like rallies and social events too played a key role. In addition, population density is very high, especially in cities like Mumbai and New Delhi where it becomes difficult to follow Covid protocol in public places. Instead of going for a complete lockdown, the Government of India has asked the state governments to take a call on their own and go for "smart lockdowns." Wherever the cases are increasing the local authorities are imposing lockdowns. Only contaminated zones are being closed. This strategy has helped to keep life moving at least in the areas where the intensity of infections is less. Oxygen supply 3 times more than it was during first wave On May 12, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while chairing a high-level meeting in New Delhi on availability and supply of oxygen and medicines discussed availability of oxygen in different states. The Prime Minister took stock of the situation on oxygen availability and supply. The ministers, who attended the meeting informed the Prime Minister that the supply of oxygen is now more than three times the supply during the peak of the first wave. PM Modi said at the meeting that states should be asked to operationalise the ventilators that have been provided by the Centre in a time-bound manner and resolve technical and training issues with the help of the manufacturers. "India has a very vibrant pharmaceutical sector and the Centre's continued close coordination with them will ensure proper availability of all medicines," PM Modi said. India administers 17 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses According to the Union Health Ministry, India is the fastest country globally to administer 17 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses. China took 119 days while the US took 115 days for reaching the same landmark. The vaccination drive in India was rolled out on January 16 with healthcare workers getting inoculated and vaccination of frontline workers (FLWs) started from February 2. Subsequently, it was opened for different age groups. The cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has crossed the landmark of 17 crore. These include 95,47,102 healthcare workers (HCWs) who have taken the first dose and 64,71,385 HCWs who have taken the second dose, 1,39,72,612 FLWs who have received the first dose, 77,55,283 FLWs who have taken the second dose and 20,31,854 beneficiaries in the age-group of 18-44 age group who have taken the first dose. Besides, 5,51,79,217 and 65,61,851 beneficiaries aged 45 to 60 years have been administered the first and second doses respectively, while 5,36,74,082 and 1,49,83,217 beneficiaries above 60 years have received the first and second dose. No discrimination in treating patients Kashmiri separatists lodged in various jails across India have been treated at par with others. Ones who tested positive for COVID-19 were provided the best possible treatment. One of the separatists, Shahid-ul-Islam -- media advisor to moderate Hurriyat leader, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq -- who is lodged at Tihar Jail in New Delhi for his alleged involvement in a terror funding case was provided the treatment as per the Covid protocol. According to official figures, as many as 23 prisoners are Covid positive in Jammu and Kashmir and 219 inmates are under quarantine across prisons of the Union Territory. According to a government release, as on date 4,572 inmates are lodged in the 13 jails of Jammu and Kashmir, "Of which, 23 inmates (21 from district jail Kathua, one from central jail Jammu, Kot Bhalwal and 1 from district jail Jammu) are Covid positive to whom necessary medical care is being provided." It further states, 219 inmates are under quarantine across prisons of Jammu and Kashmir as new prisoners undergo mandatory COVID-19 testing and quarantine for 14 days. The official statement said that at present 635 inmates are lodged in the Central Jail Srinagar which included 27 female inmates and there is no Covid positive case in the jail. State Director General of Prisons, B. Srinivas, has directed the staff for strict adherence to SOPs issued to prevent spread of Covid-19 in jails. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Chennai, May 14 : Schwing Stetter India, a company based in Sriperumbudur, Chennai which is into manufacturing of concreting and constructing equipment, has converted a floor of its factory into a Covid-19 care centre. This facility is exclusively for the company's employees and their dependents and has been set up in compliance with the Tamil Nadu government's Covid-19 treatment protocols. The company has also deployed three Covid duty medical officers who will be available at the hospital 24x7, six staff nurses, two ambulance drivers, five beds with oxygen supply and twenty beds without oxygen supply. A yoga therapist and a psychiatrist/ counsellor will also be available for the patients. The Managing Director of the company, VG Sakthikumar, told IANS, "We are fighting this relentless battle against the Covid-19 pandemic and we have to ensure the safety of our employees and their families. The idea behind converting our existing facility into a Covid hospital is to ensure that our people will have the right medical treatment to battle Covid with immediate effect." Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Guwahati, May 14 : Even as the authorities are saying that the 18 wild elephants were killed after being struck by a massive 'lightning bolt in central Assam's Nagaon district, the wildlife experts are saying the tragic incident is very "mysterious" and demanded a thorough probe. Nagaon district Deputy Commissioner Kavitha Padmanabhan said that a team comprising wildlife, forest and veterinary department officials went to the forest areas to ascertain the exact cause of the deaths of 18 elephants including calves on Wednesday night in the mountainous Kandali Proposed Reserve Forest (PRF). "Before getting the reports of the official team, I am unable to give all the details of the 18 dead elephants," Padmanabhan told IANS over phone. Various organisations and wildlife experts have demanded in- depth inquiry by independent agencies to know the exact reasons for the death of so many wild elephants at one time. Wildlife expert and former top official of the Assam government Annarwaruddin Choudhary demanding a thorough probe termed the incident as very mysterious. "If the elephants died due to the thunderbolt, there might be some burn injuries and other effects of the lightning at the spot. But whatever visuals I have seen there are some doubts about the nature of the death of the elephants," Choudhary told IANS over phone. He said that the bodies of the animals were scattered in the jungle and circumstantial signs of 'lightning' were not visible clearly. "Only the post-mortems of the bodies of the dead elephants would reveal the cause of the deaths," he added. Green Guard Nature Organisation (GGNO) Secretary General Rituraj Phukan said that there is no telltale evidence visible in the images and videos circulating on social media. "The GGNO, which has been working in the area since two decades, requested the government to conduct a thorough and independent inquiry to assuage the concerns of conservationists and wildlife lovers all over the world," said Phukan. Following the directions of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Environment and Forest Minister Parimal Suklabaidya accompanied by senior forest, wildlife and veterinary department officials visited the forest areas on Friday. After visiting the area Suklabaidya tweeted: "The preliminary report of enquiry has been asked to be submitted within three days and a detailed investigation report within 15 days. We will unravel the exact reason behind their tragic deaths soon." Assam's Forest (Wildlife) Department has constituted an 8-member team headed by Deputy Conservator of Forest (Publicity) K.K. Deori to probe the death of the 18 elephants. Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (WL) and Chief Wildlife Warden M.K. Yadava issued a notification constituting the inquiry committee which would submit a preliminary report within three days and the final report within fifteen days. The notification said that the investigating officer would undertake detailed investigation of the site including water and salt lick quality, and may engage experts and agencies for the purpose, and carry out detailed fact-finding from fringe communities and first informants. Yadava, quoting local wildlife officials, said that 18 elephants have died and lightning is the most likely cause of the deaths. Local people informed the forest officials that the carcasses of the elephants were scattered at different places in the deep forest area. Yadava said that cases are often reported of lightning striking animals and five elephants had died due to this in West Bengal recently, but Wednesday's incident in Nagaon is huge and terrible. The district has had cases of man-animal conflicts. The world famous Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNP & TR), one of India's seven UNESCO world heritage sites in the natural and environment category since 1985, also falls in five districts of Assam, including Nagaon. (Sujit Chakraborty can be contacted at sujit.c@ians.in) Patna, May 14 : Bihar's ruling NDA constituent Hindustani Awam Morcha's chief Jitan Ram Manjhi has demanded Rs 5,000 unemployment allowance for state youths in view of the economic crisis during lockdown period. "We have promised Rs 5,000 allowance for unemployed youths in our 2020 election manifesto. Now, our government has come into power in Bihar. Hence, we have demanded from Nitish Kumar to grant Rs 5,000 as unemployment allowance for every youth who are jobless in Bihar. "The current pandemic situation is extremely difficult to survive. In this case, many people are unable to survive in Bihar especially in rural areas. The financial benefit to youths of Bihar will help to fight with Corona infection in Bihar," the former Chief Minister said. Manjhi on Thursday slammed the Centre for "double standards" in providing necessary life-saving medicines, oxygen, vaccines and financial grants to Bihar. Family members mourn the death of a suspected COVID-19 patient at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), amid a surge in coronavirus cases across the country, in Patna, Tuesday, 11 May 11, 2021. (Photo: AFTAB ALAM SIDDIQUI/ IANS) Image Source: IANS News Recently, it was flashed in the media that people are struggling outside the hospitals to get a bed. Several celebrities have also conveyed that they had to wait for hours to get a bed during this Covid crisis. Immediate parallels are drawn with the UK and the USA. In other words, how our systems in India are obtuse and uncaring. They have no measure of individual pain and hence people have to wait for hours to get a bed in the hospitals. In a recent study conducted in the National Capital Region (NCR), it was examined as to how long it took a typical patient to get a bed when he/she reached the hospital. A sample of 284 attendants of Covid patients reported that it took nearly two hours for them to get the person admitted to the hospital. Some did start attending the patient in about 45 minutes but the total time for admission and start of some form of treatment was two hours. This data pertains to non-trauma hospital admissions only. Now, is the average time of two hours less or more is something that needs to be examined. Furthermore, can anyone get admitted to super-specialty hospitals such as AIIMS, PGI, etc. and can anyone get admitted to a hospital in the US and the UK directly? One hundred per cent of the respondents had come to the hospital without having visited any medical doctors prior to coming to the hospital. Sixty-four per cent had sought a telephonic advise and the remaining were advised by their attendants, family members, or/and self to go to hospital as they felt worsening of symptoms. Therefore, it would be interesting to see if this is possible in the US or the UK. The average wait-time in the A&E (accidents and emergency) area in the UK was well above six hours prior to 1997. It was under Prime Minister Tony Blair that a key target was established for the National Health Service to reduce the maximum for a patient to wait in the A&E department to four hours. While this appeared to be an uphill task at that time, it was found that even if this was achieved in majority of the times, it would be an extra-ordinary success for the National Health Service in the UK. The results were less than encouraging. In an article written by John Carvel (2003) in The Guardian and later cited in the paper by Kelman and Friedman in 2009, it was reported that two-thirds of NHS A&E department in England faked the data on improvements in wait times. In other words, wait-time remained abysmal. According to an article in Harvard Business Review written by Nicos Savva and Tolga Tezcan in 2019, the average wait-time for patients entering emergency in the US is one-and-a-half hours. It was reported in the same article that patients who arrived in the emergency with broken bone had to wait on an average for 54 minutes. Consequently, I am not sure if the wait of two hours for patients to be admitted is high or low. Every single minute can be excruciatingly painful for a person before receiving care and getting admitted. However, I am not sure if we still have fast enough systems across the world to address this matter. Second, can a patient directly walk into a hospital in the UK and the US? Both have a referral system. In other words, all those who are eligible will have a primary care physician (general physician). This primary care physician refers the patient for diagnostics and further treatment. In other words, the patients must be referred by their primary care physicians to the hospitals. It is only in emergency situations that the patient can come to a hospital directly. However, in India's context, most of the patients who come to the OPD do not go to the primary healthcare centers, general physicians, mohalla clinics etc. before coming to the hospitals. The doctors in India continue to provide care to hundreds of OPD patients in government and non-government hospitals daily without turning anyone away. It must be recognised that the Indian healthcare system therefore is least discriminating globally. While patients in Indian OPDs come and wait for hours, they are given care nevertheless by our doctors in the most effective manger given the circumstances. One hundred per cent of the respondents stated that they were able to get medical advice on phone or in person within hours. When asked to estimate the time, 94 per cent of the respondents stated that they could manage to get a doctor on the phone in less than an hour and 88 per cent were able to schedule an appointment with a doctor the same day. However, it is not easy for patients in some of the advanced countries to get a doctor's appointment on the same day or the next day. The Commonwealth Fund International Health Policy Survey of Eleven Countries shows the percentage of adults who were able to get a same-day or next day appointment when they needed care. It is interesting that most of these countries have population (other than the US and the UK) nearly that of Delhi state or even lesser. The UK's population is nearly the same as that of Rajasthan. The delivery of healthcare remains and will continue to remain challenging due to the size of our population and the resources available, but not because of the people who are delivering the services. Consequently, while we must continue to strive to find ways to improve, augment, and innovate, but at the same time, it may be a bit more useful to be appreciative of the healthcare providers and the /healthcare system in our country. (Professor Dheeraj Sharma is the Director of IIM Rohtak. The views expressed are personal) Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) New Delhi, May 14: A Foreign Policy magazine report has recently spotlighted that Chinese President Xi Jinping appreciates the confrontational style of rhetoric called "wolf warrior diplomacy", that has been radiating from Beijing. The offensive diplomatic attack against foreign nations, pursued by Chinese mandarins was coined after Rambo-style Chinese action film Wolf Warrior-2 was released in 2017. Social media platforms have been chosen as the launchpads for this style of in-your-face diplomacy. But the Chinese diplomatic offensive is now backfiring. The staff-in-charge of these social media accounts are usually lower ranking officials, who have demonstrated a tendency to make embarrassing errors. For example, the twitter account of Chinese ambassador of Britain, Liu Xiamong "liked" an explicit video on twitter, creating a hilarious social media storm. It also brought to light the account's history of liking posts that criticised the Chinese government, as reported by Business World. Given the heavily surcharged political mood in China, online jingoistic rhetoric is often seen as a way to get noticed by junior bureaucrats. This leads to bombastic- and often mediocre bureaucrats getting promoted in periods of heightened political tension than the diligent individuals diplomacy requires. Since these lower ranking officials are known to be pliable and pose less of a threat, the high-level officials act as patrons to them to eliminate the fear of betrayal in an atmosphere of political paranoia. But the challenging external environment faced by China, coupled with the rise of mediocre officials can wreck international relations. In March 2021, the US, UK, Canada and EU targeted sanctions on officials responsible for alleged genocide of Uyghur Muslims, as reported by The Financial Times. Beijing retaliated with an unbelievable counteroffensive, with the diplomatic and state media accounts tweeting about the province 2000 times and attacking European academics, parliamentarians and think tanks, marking an eight-fold spike in frequency. But this quantity has not translated into quality. Many posts focus on the west's human rights record, sprouting a clumsy moral equivalence. The flood of propaganda posts is only fuelling a backlash and scathing criticism among foreign governments. For instance, the Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) shared an offensive post on its official Weibo account that juxtaposed images of a Chinese rocket launch and cremations in India. Naturally, the Indians reacted with anger and disgust. Even though the post was deleted after 5 hours, other lower-level official accounts such as the Hainan Provincial Public Security Bureau, continued to share the post. The French foreign trade minister has commented that China cannot respond to legitimate concerns about the treatment of Uighurs in Xinjiang by intimidating academics and parliamentarians. Even Japan had to call out China in a strongly worded criticism urging action to improve the human rights condition for Uyghurs and stop a crackdown in Hong Kong, as reported by the Wall Street Journal. A global riposte, including smaller and less developed countries, to China's unpalatable Wolf Warrior diplomacy is now beginning to show. For instance, on May 11, Taiwan's foreign minister went ballistic when China sought to deny Taipei's membership of the World Health Organization (WHO). The Chinese argue that mainland China was taking care of Taiwan's interest. In his tweet-storm Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu thundered. "Shameless lies! Just goes to show the CCP can't tell the truth," he wrote. "After what #Beijing has done to #Xinjiang, #Tibet & #HongKong, no sane person would believe it could take care of #Taiwan's health needs or otherwise. Think about #COVID19 & African swine fever. Thank God we aren't under #China's control! Please help us keep it at a distance." Even prior to Taiwan's comeback, the Philippines Foreign Secretary Teddy Locsin told China on May 4 to "GET THE F*** OUT" of its South China Sea exclusive economic zone. And on May 11 Bangladesh's Foreign Minister, A.K. Abdul Momen, told reporters, in response to China's warning to Dhaka against joining the Quad alliance with the United States, Japan, India, and Australia that, "We are an independent and sovereign state. We decide our foreign policy. Any country can uphold its position. But we will take decisions considering the interest of [our] people and the country." It is time that Chinese diplomats understood that aggression rarely works in diplomacy that requires dialogue and squanders the geopolitical gains to be made. In case China persists with its Wolf Warrior game, it could also hurt its economy, as diplomatic threats feed into the domestic politics of targeted countries, where opposition parties can legitimately question leaders of pursuing business-as-usual policy with Beijing, even under humiliating threats. (This content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative/ Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) New Delhi, May 14: As Covid 19 pandemic hit Indias rural areas, the critical agriculture sector could be impacted. Reason? Sowing for the Kharif season typically starts from May-end but this year, due to the rising number of cases in the rural areas farming activities have started to get impacted. Besides, India, which emerged as the largest producer and exporter of rice in the world in 2020, could suffer if sowing of basmati and non basmati rice is dented due to the pandemic. "We are deeply concerned. Sowing of rice grains take place from May-end to June but this year, there is lurking fear and anxiety. Farmers' congregations have added to the problem as many are getting infected and returning to their villages with the virus, spreading it further. This is matter of serious concern as this could impact sowing leading to a drop in production," Vinod Kaul executive director, All India Rice Exporters' Association told India Narrative. In 2020, when the pandemic hit India for the first time, the rural areas remained unaffected, which was also reflected in the agriculture sector growth. The main rice producing states in India are West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Tamil Nadu among others. Unfortunately, all these states are currently in the grip of a severe second wave. "It is essential for the governments-Central as well as states-to take immediate steps to ensure that the spread of the virus is contained in the rural areas. This must be taken up on priority basis or else there would be risks pertaining to production of food," an industry watcher said. In 2020, India, with its increased production of rice, added new export markets. India even exported rice to China and Bangladesh besides several new markets in the price sensitive Africa. India, which already supplies over 32 per cent of the global rice needs, witnessed an over 80 per cent increase in exports of rice - both basmati and non basmati in 2020-21. In fact, last year, India's contribution in maintaining global food security had risen considerably. Last year, production of rice had fallen in countries like Thailand and Vietnam due to the Covid 19 pandemic and floods. Agriculture and its allied sectors continue to remain the largest source of livelihoods in India. According to India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), the Indian food and grocery market is the world's sixth largest, with retail contributing 70 per cent of the sales. "Considering the huge implications, the agriculture sector has on lives and livelihoods, the Centre and states must collectively work towards ensuring protection of farmers. This is of paramount importance for India to remain an important player in the global food security chain," the industry watcher, who did not wish to be identified said. (This content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative/ Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) New Delhi, May 14 : Digital healthcare platform MediBuddy has tied up with more than 350 top hospitals across 130 cities to strengthen the vaccine rollout across the country, the company said on Friday. The company will lend its full support to state governments administering vaccination drives in cities including Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Indore, Jaipur, Lucknow, Noida, and Kochi. MediBuddy will also facilitate vaccinations for over 700 corporate houses that support 15 million employees and their dependents at vaccination camps which can be set either in their office or at any MediBuddy partnered hospital. The brand will also be providing vaccination for its employees and their dependents. "Vaccinations are the need of the hour. Our central and state governments are doing the best they can to ensure every Indian is inoculated and through our tie-ups with corporates and providing vaccines for our employees, we are only doing our bit in fastening the process and ensuring that we are the winners against the invisible enemy," said Satish Kannan, Co-founder and CEO, MediBuddy, in a statement. The company also launched several initiatives such as Hospital Bed Availability Tracker, a 24x7 helpline number and a Coronavirus Risk Assessment Tool to help tackle the surge of coronavirus infection and contribute its bit in combating the virus. Technology firm HCL on Friday announced setting up 100 beds for Covid care and treatment at the Government Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) in Greater Noida. "HCL is supporting IndiaaAs healthcare sector by setting up 100 beds for COVID-19 care and treatment in partnership with Doctors For You, so that our country continues to heal #TogetherForTomorrow!" the company said in a statement. Edelweiss Asset Management Limited (EAMC) has also introduced health and wellness support measures for its employees and family members in these turbulent times. This includes, 14-day Covid special leaves, reimbursing the full cost of vaccination, extending help through social media to find availability of hospital and emergency medical support for employees and other public. The company has also tied up with multiple partners for 24X7 services on call doctors and counsellors, RT PCR Test, incident room (in-house platform to provide support to employees for any emergency) and mediclaim insurance and assistant (home quarantine expenses if tested positive are covered under the policy). ChildFund India, in collaboration with Project HOPE, a global health and humanitarian aid group, aims to reach 10 million people living with medical supplies and vaccination in 15 states including Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana. Project HOPE and ChildFund India aim to ensure availability of basic medical equipment at local health systems -- the primary and secondary health care centres, which serve as the Covid Care centers, in the highly vulnerable districts of these states, assist frontline workers with PPE and medical essential kits and improve access, affordability, and accessibility of the COVID -19 vaccination and related materials for all vulnerable groups, it said. During the first wave of Covid-19 last year, ChildFund India reached out to 1.5 million people with relief material, livelihood recovery opportunities, psycho-social support, and necessary medical aid. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Chandigarh, May 14 : Five children drowned in a pond in a village in Punjab's Ludhiana on Friday, as well as a migrant who trying to save them, police said. The incident happened in Mangarh village, where the five children, aged between seven and 10 years, accidentally drowned to death. The 22-year-old migrant who jumped into the pond in a futile attempt to rescue them also lost his life. Expressing deep shock over the tragic incident, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh announced ex-gratia of Rs 50,000 to the families of each of the victims. Deputy Commissioner Varinder Kumar Sharma said that four bodies had so far been recovered and search for the remaining two was in progress. New Delhi, May 14: The violence in Myanmar, continuing endlessly since the February 1 military coup, has brought unlikely groups together - peaceful civilian protesters and some of Myanmar's ethnic rebel groups fighting for independence. The Myanmar military is facing relentless protests from its people after it seized power by deposing popular leader Aung San Suu Kyi soon after democratic elections brought her back to power earlier this year. The coup by the generals derailed the 10-year-old democracy in the South-East Asian country. Myanmar news website The Irrawaddy says in a detailed news report that the Myanmarese people began seeking help from the rebel groups once the military began killing peaceful protesters. Though Myanmar has 20 rebel groups that are armed, a few decided to support the protesters against the military. The Irrawaddy quotes some of the rebel groups as saying that they: "could not bear to watch the civilians being killed brutally by the junta".Groups supporting the democracy protests include the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and the armed wing of the Karen National Union (KNU). Though ethnically-rich Myanmar has as many has 20 rebel groups, just a handful are supporting the pro-democracy protesters. The rebel groups are not only providing shelter to the pro-democracy protesters but also providing arms training. This support by the rebels to the pro-democracy protesters has increased pressure on the military regime on two fronts - quelling popular unrest in cities along with tackling increased rebel activity in the bordering states. It has also led to the spectre of regular mainstream youth joining the rebels against the military. In a video in April, German broadcaster DW had said that the crackdown by the military is forcing the pro-democracy protesters to seek shelter with armed ethnic groups which have been fighting the Myanmar military - the Tatmadaw - for decades. The Karen National Union The KNLA operates in the Kayin state, also called the Karen state, that borders Thailand. As the Myanmar military stretches itself out in the country, the KNU rebels have increased their attacks. The KNU, which seeks self-determination for the Karen people, overran an army camp in April near the Thai border killing many soldiers and taking a few into custody. The rebel outfit has launched a series of devastating attacks. News agency Reuters reported that the Myanmar military unleashed airstrikes on rebel strongholds and villages near the Thai border. The KNU is openly supporting pro-democratic forces even as tens of thousands of Karen people flee Myanmar into Thailand. The armed group had accepted a ceasefire under the democratic government but the military coup has eroded that trust. The Kachin Independence Army The KIA operates in the Kachin state on Myanmar's north-eastern border with China. Since the time of the coup and the equally persistent protests, the KIA has stepped up attacks against the military in a number of townships. The group has also attacked military reinforcements as well as police stations as it views the latter to be against the democratic protests. In one of the attacks, the KIA occupied a key township on the border with China. The Myanmar military resorted to airstrikes in areas held by the KIA. The KIA is supporting the pro-democracy sentiment and allowing people to take out rallies and protests. It clarified that it has attacked police stations owing to the latter's actions against pro-democracy protesters. Mood in urban Myanmar Faced with an unrepentant military regime that has violently tackled peaceful rallies and gatherings in Myanmar cities, the youth have found it conducive to reach out to rebel outfits for safety as well as support. Young people have gone underground against the brutal military offensive and have taken up arms training with to view to fighting against the military regime. The coup by the generals has undone nearly ten years of a democratic Myanmar where many liberal and closely-knit countries like Japan were involved in strengthening the democratic forces. Japan had been instrumental in bringing some of the rebel outfits and marginalised ethnic groups into the mainstream. In one swift stroke, the Myanmar military has undone a decade's work as it attacks its own peaceful people, forcing them to join hands with armed rebels on the borders. (This content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative/ Panaji, May 14 : Even as 75 persons perished in four days due to oxygen shortage at Goa's top hospital, the state Health Ministry told the Bombay High Court in Goa, that eight "trained and experienced" tractor drivers had been hired from Maharashtra for transportation of oxygen trolleys to health facilities. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on May 11, had said that the main reason for the mass deaths caused by oxygen shortage at the Goa Medical College (GMC) was because of the lack of expert drivers in the state for ferrying of oxygen to the apex health facility on time. In a status report filed before the High Court bench in Goa, the government also announced a reversal of its earlier decision to ban private oxygen suppliers from refilling oxygen cylinders for NGOs and Covid patients. "The government has arranged eight nos. trained and experienced tractor drivers from the neighbouring Kolhapur District of Maharashtra along with two Nos. additional high-powered tractors for ferrying the oxygen trolleys between the plant and GMC," the status report to the Bombay High Court said. "Five drivers arrived in the afternoon and have been deployed. Remaining three drivers shall be arriving late evening and would also be deployed in shifts," the report also said. After 26 patients died in the Covid wards of the medical college on May 11, Sawant had said that lack of tractor drivers was hampering the smooth transportation of oxygen to the health facility. The status report also said that "the government has detailed the facilities available and functional on a 24X7 basis to facilitate refilling of oxygen cylinders for Covid patients and NGOs for use of Covid patients only in genuine cases...". The status report also said that a liquid medical oxygen tank was also in the process of being installed at the medical college, along with installation of dura cylinders. "Out of 323 oxygen concentrators received, and based on assessment made by the doctors, 323 oxygen concentrators were deployed at following places as per the requirement," the report also said. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Bengaluru, May 14 : Karnataka's Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai handed over his house in his assembly constituency for use as a Covid Care Centre (CCC). The house, located at Shiggaon in Haveri district, can accommodate 50 Covid patients, and is being equipped with oxygen supply. Along with the necessary medical equipment, the beds have been placed on the verandah. 50 oxygen concentrators are to be installed at each bedside to supply oxygen to the patients. The son of former Chief Minister S.R. Bommai, Basavaraj Bommai represents Shiggaon constituency. His family lives in Hubballi, and he stays at the house on his constituency visits. Bommai, who oversaw the transformation of his house into a CCC, said that the centre would be manned by government and private medical professionals. Doctors at the local government hospital said that the move will relieve the pressure on the hospital which is grappling with shortage of beds. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) New Delhi, May 14 : Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Friday slammed the central government's vaccine policy, saying it is compounding problems and demanded that the vaccine purchase should be centralised and distribution decentralised. "Government of India's vaccine policy is compounding the problem. Vaccine purchase should be centralised and distribution decentralised. India cannot afford this," he said on Twitter. The Congress has been demanding free vaccination for all and has criticised the government's vaccine policy, saying it is discriminatory. His remarks came after several states red flagged the shortage of Covid-19 vaccines. On Friday, India recorded 3.43 lakh fresh cases of Covid with 4,000 deaths in the last 24 hours. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) New Delhi, May 14 : India's export performance continued to improve in April, according to Commerce Ministry data. Merchandise exports rose by 195.72 per cent over April 2020 levels and 17.62 per cent over April 2019 levels, showed an official statement. It noted that the economic recovery is also visible in the rising import growth of 167.05 per cent and 7.87 per cent during April 2021 over same period of 2020-21 and 2019-20, respectively. Service exports estimated for April 2021 are $21.17 billion, registering a positive growth of 28.68 per cent against April 2020. The estimated value of services import for April 2021 is $13 billion, registering a positive growth of 39.75 per cent against April 2020. The estimated value of net services export for April 2021 is $8.17 billion, registering a positive growth of 14.28 per cent against April 2020. The commodities or commodity groups which have recorded positive growth during April 2021 from April 2020 are gems and jewellery (9,271.21 per cent), jute manufacturing, including floor covering (1,684.62 per cent), carpet (1,352.68 per cent) among others. Iron ore and drugs and pharmaceuticals exports have been consistently growing throughout 2020-2021 and April 2021. Rice export has been consistently growing during 2020-2021 and April 2021, except for the month of April 2020. Mica, coal and other ores, and minerals including processed mineral export is consistently growing since October 2020. New Delhi, May 14 : Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal on Friday had a virtual meeting with United States Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Chi Tai. The meeting focused on increasing vaccine availability in an inclusive and equitable manner to combat the Global pandemic caused by Covid-19. The proposal of India on waiver of certain TRIPS provisions to increase global vaccine production in order to take on the challenge of vaccinating the poorest of the poor and save lives was also discussed. Goyal thanked the USTR for the US announcing its support for India's proposal. The minister mentioned the supply chains for the vaccine manufacturers must be kept open and unbridled as the entire world is in dire need of vaccines. Both sides also agreed to work towards the common resolve of increasing vaccine availability and saving lives. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Chennai, May 14 : The single-member Justice (retd) Aruna Jagadeesan Commission, probing the anti-Sterlite riots and police firing in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukodi in May 2018 that claimed the lives of 14 people, submitted its first interim report to Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Friday. Justice Jagadeesan submitted the 35 page report along with supporting documents to Stalin at the Secretariat. It is learnt that the commission, set up under the former Madras High court judge in wake of the incident, has recommended to the Chief Minister to withdraw 235 cases against 400 people after the riots and police firing. Highly-placed sources told IANS that this was the key recommendation as most of the people were finding it difficult to get jobs due to lack of a no-objection certificate from the police. On Thursday, the Chief Minister's Office had sought a status report on the probe and this led to the commission submitting its first interim report. The commission had conducted 27 sittings till April and summoned 1,052 people and examined 719 of them. The commission also examined 1,126 documents. The 28th sitting of the commission was to be held from May 17 to May 21 but was postponed due to the lockdown. Chandigarh, May 14 : With the rural areas of the state, which were largely unaffected by the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, now showing a spike in the number of cases, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Friday urged the villagers to restrict movement into their villages to only those who are free of the virus. Addressing the people of the state in a Facebook Live telecast, the Chief Minister called for strict measures in the rural areas over the next two months, which he described as extremely crucial. "Now the rural areas are seeing a surge in cases, so we need to be very careful," he said, urging the villagers to conduct 'thikri pehras' (community policing) to keep outsiders away and allow only Covid-free people into the villages. Exhorting people to "save your mohallas and villages to save yourself, your families and Punjab", the Chief Minister asked them not to delay going to the hospitals. "We have teams of doctors everywhere, approach them if you feel unwell," he urged them, stressing that delay in going for treatment is leading to people ending up in L3 level. While occupancy of L2 beds is 50 per cent, at the L3 level, around 90 per cent of the beds are currently occupied, and the state government is in the process of adding another 2,000 beds, he pointed out, attributing this to people not going for treatment in time. Noting that there are three stages of the disease, of which the first can be managed at home, Amarinder Singh reiterated his plea to the people to go to a doctor at the first sign of showing symptoms. "Let the doctor decide the course of treatment, don't get into diagnosis and medication yourself," he appealed to them. "I fail to understand why we are harming the interests of the state and your families in this manner," he said, adding that "we do not want Punjab to go the way of Delhi and Maharashtra, which have experienced unprecedented problems amid the second wave". The disease is wreaking havoc the world over, with even the most advanced countries not immune to it, he said, urging people to help his government save the state. The Chief Minister also expressed happiness over the seamless completion of wheat procurement amid the Covid challenges, lauding the hard working farmers of the state for this achievement. Compared to 129 lakh MT last year, a total of 132 lakh MT wheat has been procured this year, he said, adding that this has resulted in earnings to the tune of Rs 26,000 crore for the farmers, as against Rs 24,600 crore last year. "We have won this battle but the pandemic threat continues," he said, lamenting that despite 14 months having passed since the outbreak of the disease, some people are still not taking the pandemic seriously. Giving figures, he said that Punjab has so far had 4.75 lakh plus cases, with Thursday's 24-hour case load at 8,484. While the total deaths stood at 11,297, the state had lost 184 lives to Covid on Thursday, he added. As of date, there are 9,619 patients on oxygen and 429 on ventilator support. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) New Delhi, May 14 : The national capital reported 8,506 new Covid-19 cases on Friday, the lowest since April 10, while its daily positivity rate came down to 12.40 per cent in the last 24 hours, the Delhi governments daily health bulletin said. The overall Covid situation has improved in the national capital in the last few days with most parameters showing signs of improvement. Delhi had reported 10,489 new cases on Thursday, 13,287 on Wednesday, 12,481 on Tuesday, 12,651 on Monday, 13,336 on Sunday and 17,364 fresh cases on Saturday. At least 54,042 RT-PCR tests and 14,533 Rapid Antigen tests were conducted in the last 24 hours. On the other hand, the daily deaths dropped below the 300-mark in the national capital after many days, with Delhi reporting 289 fatalities on Friday, taking its overall toll to 20,907. Delhi had reported 308 deaths on Thursday, 300 on Wednesday, 347 on Tuesday, 319 on Monday, 273 on Sunday and 332 fatalities on Saturday. Meanwhile, a total of 14,140 patients recovered from the deadly disease in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of recoveries to 12,88,220. Delhi's active caseload declined from 77,717 on Thursday to 71,794 now. Out of the total 23,609 beds in the Covid dedicated hospitals, 6,089 are vacant, while the tally of people in home isolation declined to 45,099 from 48,340 on Thursday. Earlier on Friday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that while daily positive cases in Delhi have decreased sharply in the last few days, there are still many critical patients in the hospitals. "Delhi has around 3,000 beds vacant for Covid patients. However, ICU beds are still packed in most hospitals. As many as 1,200 new ICU beds will be ready in a day or two," he said. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Mumbai, May 14 : Amitabh Bachchan has blogged about how he purchased 50 oxygen concentrators from Poland and donated ventilators to BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). "I have to, in deepest gratitude thank profusely the Govt., of Poland, the Mayor of the City of Wroclaw, the Ambassador of India at Warsaw and the LOT Polish Airlines for their very gracious gesture towards me. The general call from the places that were in need of help had been for the urgent need of Oxygen Concentrators. These are and were difficult to procure and when I was not getting any immediate source to acquire them my friend and the Indian Consul in Wroclaw stepped forward," Bachchan wrote in his latest blog entry, late on Thursday. He further wrote: "...He came to know of my work in the procurement of Concentrators and came out with the name and details of a Polish Company that was making them and that were being exported to various parts of the World, and whether this could be one of the sources for my need. I immediately placed an order for 50 Oxygen Concentrators, which were blocked for me by him, since the equipment was in short supply and was being manufactured and sold out rather rapidly. So I have bought 50 concentrators and they shall be shipped out on the 15th of May." "Oxygen Concentrators, have also been ordered from another source and about 60 of them should be coming in in a few days," he further informed in his blog post. Big B has also written about donating ventilators to BMC. He mentioned in his blog post: "Then the need for Ventilators has been equally acute. The BMC the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation when I said I wished to donate something for the cause, told me to not give money, but to get them Ventilators. This has been an arduous task as well, but luckily another Agency has stepped forward and is helping me with my order. I had ordered 20 ventilators, 10 of which have arrived to day and I am happy that I was able to deliver them to the BMC and a few Municipal Hospitals in Mumbai today. The balance 10 should be in by the 25th and they shall also be distributed to some more Hospitals in need of them." New Delhi, May 14 : Amid the deadly second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in the national capital, a medical team under the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has launched an initiative to provide consultations to its employees and their family members who have been infected by Covid and are in home isolation. According to a senior NDMC official, a team of doctors and medical experts will provide telephonic consultations for mental relief to those infected by Covid-19. The officials in all the departments have been directed to immediately inform all the employees for availing the facility. A team of medical specialists, including senior doctors, will provide guidance to the NDMC employees telephonically and through WhatsApp regularly. Amitabh Kumar, a specialist in respiratory medicine, will provide prescriptions to the patients through SMS or WhatsApp. Other doctors who are part of the initiative are Sundeep Kaushik, M. Bora, Virender Kumar, Sarika Rawal (anaesthetist), Seema Ahuja (anaesthetist), Jitender Koli, Virat Kuntalum, Chand Prakash (paediatrician), Kailash Saini and Deepak Gautam. "The Covid positive persons shall remain under continuous supervision of the team of doctors as above who will also assess their condition and advise for hospitalisation if the need arises," the NDMC said. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) New Delhi, May 14 : The Congress on Friday raised concern over the spiralling violence in the Palestinian territories and Israel and urged an immediate cessation of hostilities. In a statement, Congress leader Anand Sharma said that the spiralling violence in East Jerusalem, Gaza and Israel, coinciding with the festival of Eid, is distressing and a matter of grave concern for the world. He also said that the Palestinian peoples' right to pray at Al Asqa mosque without any restriction must always be respected and not violated. "The orchestrated incidents in Jerusalem were outrageous and triggered tensions and violence," he said. Noting that people of both Palestine and Israel "have a right to live with dignity in a secure environment, Sharma said that the escalation of conflict, air attacks on Gaza and the rocket attacks by Hamas have resulted in tragic loss of innocent human lives, especially the children and elderly and also injuries to many civilians. "The aggravated destruction of public property and infrastructure has caused hardships and disruption," he said. "Congress urges for immediate cessation of hostilities by both Israel and Hamas and calls for urgent intervention of the UN Security Council to restore peace. "India, as a member of the UNSC, should proactively work to achieve this objective," Sharma added. Guwahati, May 14 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is keen to increase trade and further improve connectivity with neighbouring Bhutan, officials said on Friday. A senior official of Assam Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said that Bhutan's Consul General, Phub Tshering, on Friday called on Sarma and both of them talked on a gamut of issues of mutual interests. Sarma advocated constant people-to-people contact between Assam and Bhutan, increasing the trade volume and building new roads to take relations to a greater height. "Chief Minister Sarma, while extending his gratitude to Bhutan's King and the Prime Minister for their statesmanship which helped in strengthening the bilateral relations between India and Bhutan with special focus on Assam, reiterated his government's keen interests in increasing the mutual engagements of Assam and Bhutan," an official statement said. Tshering also sought the Chief Minister's help for the Bhutanese students to come to Assam for higher studies. SpiceXpress B737 freighter lands at the Kolkata airport with 800 oxygen concentrators from Hong Kong Image Source: IANS News SpiceXpress B737 freighter lands at the Kolkata airport with 800 oxygen concentrators from Hong Kong Image Source: IANS News New Delhi, May 14 : SpiceJet's air cargo arm SpiceXpress has airlifted 55,000 oxygen concentrators and Covid relief materials in just over three weeks, the company said on Friday. According to the airline, out of this, 51,000 oxygen concentrators have been airlifted from the US, Singapore and China while 4,660 have been transported domestically. The airline has been deploying its wide-body and narrow-body cargo aircraft for these flights. "These oxygen concentrators have been ordered by SpiceHealth and other organisations," the airline said in a statement. "With a network spanning 63 domestic and 50 international destinations and a fleet of 19 cargo planes, SpiceXpress is capable of flying over 600 tonnes of cargo daily to domestic and international destinations," it added. Jaipur, May 14 : In the wake of the Rajasthan government blaming the Centre for the vaccine crisis in the state, BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, Gulab Chand Kataria, on Friday put five questions before the ruling Congress government, asking it who gave it free vaccines for the 45+ age group for which it is boasting of vaccinating the largest number of people in the country. In his first question, Kataria said, "The Central government has made vaccination free for all above the age of 45 years in the entire country. Under this, Rajasthan has so far vaccinated 1.16 crore people while the second dose has also been administered to more than 30 lakh people. In this, Rajasthan occupies the first place in the country. Now the question is who provided the free vaccines? Shouldn't the Central government be credited for it?" In his second question, he asked the state government to disclose to the public about the MoUs signed for vaccinating the 18-44 age group. "The responsibility of vaccinating people in the age group of 18 to 44 years fell on all state governments. Most of the states, while fulfilling their responsibilities, provided the amount and number of doses required to the vaccine manufacturing companies and hence they got these vaccines," he said. Now the state government should disclose what arrangements were made by the state government to vaccinate the people of the above said age group, Kataria said. In his third question, the BJP leader said that if it is the responsibility of the state government to vaccinate people in the 18-44 age group, who is responsible if the law and order situation at the vaccination centers is deteriorating? In his fourth question, Kataria said that there was no law and order situation in the last four months after the vaccination drive started on January 16. However, if now the law and order condition is deteriorating, how can the Central government be held responsible for it. In his final question, Kataria said that all other state governments are vaccinating people in the 18-44 age group without blaming the Central government. Then why is the Rajasthan government creating a ruckus on the issue and what is the intention behind this move, he asked. New Delhi, May 14 : The much-delayed announcement of the rates under the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) scheme will be made in 15 days, Director General, Foreign Trade, Amit Yadav said on Friday. Participating in a virtual interactive session, organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Yadav stated that as compared to 2019, there has been a 16 per cent growth in exports for the month of April 2021 primarily due to the contribution from sectors like engineering, gems & jewellery, petroleum products, drugs and pharma, ready-made garments and spices. Noting that the situation was completely different last year when there was a complete halt even in the movement of goods and services, he said that the government this year has restricted the lockdown to curfew in few places to ensure stability in the economy. The DGFT also said that the government is working on the ways to reduce the number of compliance issues faced by the industries. The government has set up a dedicated Covid-19 helpline to resolve the issues faced by the exporters pertaining to the international trade such as custom clearance delays and banking issues, he added. PHD Chamber President Sanjay Aggarwal, in his remarks, stated that the recent measures announced by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, such as extension of Foreign Trade Policy for sic months till September 2021, amendments in Covid-19 related export and import, exemptions of custom duties on Remdesivir injections, Covid-19 vaccines & oxygen related equipment and other export promotion schemes are very well-timed. Noting that the Centre has replaced the Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS) with a more nuanced RoDTEP scheme with effect from January 1, 2021, he said that the MEIS application process for March 2020-December 2020 is still on suspension. "This is directly hindering the exports and exporters are struggling to keep their businesses afloat. As several exporters have major portion of their profits in the MEIS, but that being blocked, they are facing liquidity issues. This needs to be addressed as immediately as possible," he said. Aggarwal also said that the Service Exports from India Scheme has still not been extended for 2019-20, despite having been announced. This is blocking funds of many service export organisations, he said, requesting that it should be opened for 2020-21. In regard to the Duty Exemption Scheme, he suggested the simplification of Advance Authorisation scheme with help exporters who struggle to get the issuance and redemption. According to Aggarwal, there is also a need to safeguard MSMEs and iron and steel industry from skyrocketing steel prices. At the same time, there is also a need to levy uniform duty on all forms of iron ore exports, including pellets. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Hyderabad, May 14 : The Andhra Pradesh CID booked disgruntled YSRCP MP from the Narsapur Lok Sabha constituency, Raghu Ramakrishna Raju, on Friday, and filed cases under Sections 124A, 153A, and 505 of the IPC against him. Official sources said that through his speeches, Raju was reportedly indulging in a systematic and schematic effort to cause tensions among the communities, besides attacking various government dignitaries in a way that could cause loss of faith in the government which they represent. "In the backdrop of all these things, a case was registered on the orders of P.V. Sunil Kumar (IPS), ADG, CID," the sources said. The rebel MP has been in the public eye for regularly baiting his party supremo and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. Police sources said that Raju, who was arrested from his home in Hyderabad, is being taken to Vijayawada. Reacting to the arrest, Raju's son Bharat said that his father, who is recuperating after undergoing heart surgery barely three months ago, has been arrested on his birthday. "How can they arrest an MP provided with Y category security, and that too from another state," he wondered. Bharat also said his father is being targeted because he is questioning the mistakes of the state government. Bengaluru, May 14 : Lauding the Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) contribution in the fight against the pandemic, Karnataka Health Minister K. Sudhakar on Friday said its anti-Covid drug would be a game-changer in treating the infection. "The 2-DG drug developed by DRDO will be a game-changer in the battle against the pandemic, as it helps in faster recovery of Covid patients and reduces oxygen dependence," he said after meeting its scientists here. Developed by the DRDO's Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), in collaboration with Dr Reddy's Laboratories in Hyderabad, the Deoxy-D-Glucose (2-DG) drug is an anti-Covid therapeutic application. Clinical trials have shown that the drug's molecule helps in faster recovery of Covid patients as it reduces supplemental oxygen dependence. "As Covid patients treated with 2-DG turned negative after their RT-PCR test was conducted, it will help in their early discharge from hospital," said Sudhakar. The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) permitted DRDO to carry out Phase 2 trials of the drug on 110 Covid patients in May 2020. "In Phase 2A trials conducted from May to October 2020 in 6 hospitals and Phase 2B in 11 hospitals across the country, the drug was found to be safe in treating Covid patients and its efficacy was shown in their faster recovery," a statement said. In the Phase 3 trials held from December 2020 to March 2021 at 27 hospitals in 10 states on 220 patients, results showed they improved symptomatically faster, with reduced dependency on oxygen supply. The DCGI granted permission for emergency use of the 2-DG drug as adjunct therapy in moderate-to-severe Covid patients. "Being a generic molecule and analogue of glucose, the drug can be produced for use across the country soon," the minister said. The drug in powder form can be taken orally by dissolving it in water. It accumulates in the infected cells and prevents virus growth by stopping its synthesis and energy production. "Its selective accumulation in virally infected cells makes this drug unique," added Sudhakar. In the pandemic's second wave, thousands of Covid patients have been facing severe oxygen dependency due to lower saturation levels. "The 2-DG drug is expected to save lives due to its mechanism of operation in the infected cells of Covid patients and reducing their stay in hospital," noted the statement. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) New Delhi, May 14 : The national President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), J.P. Nadda, on Friday said that the money transferred to the farmers of West Bengal under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana (PM-KISAN) is a testimony to the party's commitment to turn the state into 'Sonar Bangla'. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday released the eighth installment of financial benefits under the PM-KISAN scheme for the eligible farmers. Under this scheme, all small and marginal farmers get up to Rs 6,000 per year as minimum income support. "Today on the occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, the Prime Minister released more than Rs 20,000 crore under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana, which will directly go into the bank accounts of around 10 crore farmers across the country. I heartily thank the Prime Minister for this timely and important initiative for our farmers," Nadda said. "It is a matter of great joy and relief that for the first time, the farmers of West Bengal are also getting money under the PM-KISAN scheme. This step is also a testimony to our commitment towards the people of West Bengal and to make the state 'Sonar Bangla'. For this the entire BJP and the people of West Bengal would like to thank the Prime Minister." The BJP chief said that the Central government under the leadership of Narendra Modi is consistently working for the welfare and well-being of the farmers by implementing various welfare schemes and programmes for them. Nadda also pointed out that the Narendra Modi-led government is providing relief and assistance to all sections of the society by launching various initiatives and schemes during the pandemic, which include free Covid vaccination drive, free ration distribution, financial assistance to the farmers and free medical aid. Ramallah, May 14 : Eight Palestinians have been killed in clashes with Israeli security forces in the West Bank, the Palestinian Health Ministry said on Friday. Two people died after being shot by Israeli soldiers in the stomach and chest, respectively, according to the ministry, the dpa news agency reported. The other six also died in confrontations with the soldiers in various locations in the West Bank. Some 50 Palestinians were wounded by bullets and rubber projectiles, the Palestinian authorities said. The Israeli army has not commented on the incidents yet. The army said earlier that an Israeli soldier had shot and killed an attacker in the West Bank, after the man had tried to stab him at a military post. Samsung Biologics will manufacture Moderna's mRNA coronavirus vaccine under license in its plant in Songdo west of Seoul. The two companies have reportedly agreed on the licensing deal, although Samsung Friday morning said that nothing has been decided. Earlier, SK Bioscience signed a contract to make Novavax vaccines at its plant in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province. President Moon Jae-in is expected to ask his counterpart Joe Biden for more vaccines for his glacially slow inoculation program when they meet in Washington later this month. Samsung will be able to start production once it receives the base materials from the American drug maker. A portion of the production volume will be used in Korea, raising hopes of easing a dire shortage of vaccines here. So far the Moderna vaccine was produced only at its Massachusetts plant and at a Lonza factory in Switzerland. Lonza is the world's leading contract manufacturer. Meanwhile, another 747 daily infections were reported as of Friday morning, pushing the cumulative total to 130,380, while deaths rose by two to 1,893. Canberra, May 14 : Australia's Olympic swimmers have been granted special permission to delay their second coronavirus vaccine after suffering side effects from the first injection. The Australian swim team -- the Dolphins -- were due to receive their second COVID-19 vaccine jabs from May 31 to June 4 as part of the priority rollout for Olympians, Paralympians and support staff headed to Tokyo for the delayed games, report Xinhua. However, with the Australian Olympic swimming trials set to run from June 12-19, the vaccines have been delayed to ensure that swimmers can compete without adverse reactions. "We understand there's not a lot of implications with that second jab, but there's still kind of the possibility of some flu-like symptoms," Alex Baumann, the chief executive of Swimming Australia, told News Corp Australia on Thursday. London, May 15 : Another 2,193 people in Britain have tested positive for Covid-19, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 4,446,824, according to official figures released on Friday. The country also reported another 17 coronavirus-related deaths. The total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain now stands at 127,668. These figures only include the deaths of people who died within 28 days of their first positive test. England's coronavirus reproduction number, known as the R number, has increased slightly to between 0.8 and 1.1, up from between 0.8 and one last week, according to the government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE). It means that on average every 10 people infected will infect between eight and 11 others, the Xinhua news agency reported. The latest growth rate range for the pandemic in England is estimated at minus 3 per cent to 1 per cent, according to official figures. "This does not necessarily mean R is definitively above one and that the epidemic is increasing, but that the uncertainty means it cannot be ruled out," said SAGE. If the R number is above one, it means the number of cases will increase exponentially. Four people in Britain have died with the coronavirus variant first detected in India, according to official data released Friday. These are the first known domestic deaths from the new variant of the virus, now designated a "variant of concern". Public Health England (PHE) said cases of the variant known as B1617.2 in Britain have more than doubled to 1,313, up from 520 cases recorded by the PHE last week. Scientists have raised concerns that the current vaccines may be less effective against the new variant, but the British Department of Health and Social Care said there was "no firm evidence yet to show this variant has any greater impact on severity of disease or evades the vaccine". According to the latest official figures, more than 36.1 million people in Britain have been given the first jab of the coronavirus vaccine. Experts have warned that despite progress in vaccine rollout, Britain is "still not out of the woods" amid concerns over new variants, particularly those first emerged in South Africa, Brazil and India, and the third wave of pandemic on the European continent. To bring life back to normal, countries such as Britain, China, Russia, the US as well as the European Union have been racing against time to roll out coronavirus vaccines. Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) Hannover Leasing has sold the head office of Alter Domus in Luxembourg to a fund managed by the Generali Real Estate Group. The previous owner was a joint venture of the Finnish pension fund Ilmarinen Mutual Pension Insurance Co. and another institutional investor. Hannover Leasing had acquired the property in [] The BIOQ CA revolutionary pumpless heart therapy device for hypertensive heart failure and resistant hypertension has achieved successful results in a world-first clinical study Monash Health, BioQ Devices and QHeart Medical today announced the commencement of pilot clinical testing using the BIOQ CA device, a revolutionary pumpless heart therapy device for hypertensive heart failure and resistant hypertension. Queensland based QHeart Medical is commercializing the BIOQ CA with partner BioQ Devices who has done the design, development, and prototyping for the study. Dr Peter Walsh, CEO at QHeart Medical stated Its a pleasure working with Prof. Smith and the Monash team, and Im pleased to note the results so far showed up to 40% heart load reductions for both left and right sides of the heart, which is fantastic news as we believe this device can help up to 18 million unserved heart failure patients and 350 million resistant hypertension patients. We are also very grateful for the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF), Department of Science, Australia, for their support in funding this world first study. In fact, BIOQ Devices is the only private research group to ever receive support from the program. This makes it even more special in achieving this goal for completing the AISRF project requirements; not even all the COVID delays and restrictions can stop us, Dr Walsh said. Umesh Goel, CFO at QHeart Medical and an experienced financial executive in large scale resources and health projects stated, This is a great step on our journey forward as QHeart will become a highly valuable health tech company when the BIOQ CA product achieves TGA and CE mark approval which we are targeting in our next stages. The study is being conducted at Monash Health by Principal Investigator Professor Julian Smith, a highly respected heart surgeon, and with the assistance of professional CRO group Mobius Medical. Prof Smith commented, The BIOQ CA device has been implanted here at Monash Health for around 30 minutes so far on 2 patients scheduled for CABG and we are very happy with the ease of use and speed of attaching the BIOQ CA, and its performance has shown a clear heart workload reduction which is needed for long term therapy. Another medical device innovator and surgeon who has been involved in the BIOQ CA device, is Dr Aubrey Almeida. There is a tremendous patient population with diastolic heart dysfunction and I believe the BIOQ CA can provide a real clinical benefit to these unserved patients, Dr Almeida stated. The BIOQ CA device is an affordable minimal risk implant device for up to 66% of patients undergoing CABG. The therapy is aimed at improving patient quality of life and decreasing ongoing patient management costs for hypertensive heart failure and resistant hypertension suffers worldwide. QHeart Medical and the partners will release more news on the study in the near future. To find out more about this study: Monash Health contact: Ms Louise Kanis louise.kanis@monashhealth.org QHeart Medical contact: media@qheartmedical.com http://www.qheartmedical.com BIOQ Devices contact: info@bioqdevices.com http://www.bioqdevices.com Galactic performs at Its Showtime at the Drive-In on Thursday, May 20, 2021, brought to you by All Good Presents. Gates open at 5:30PM and show starts at 7:00PM. Tickets are still available for this special live performance at a unique drive-in concert venue located at the Frederick Fairgrounds. This show is all ages. About the Artist: Drawing upon the vibrant funk, R&B, and jazz traditions of their native New Orleans, Galactic built a loyal following with their own brand of jam-based grooves. Emerging in the mid-'90s, the six-member group, led by co-founding members guitarist Jeff Raines and bassist Robert Mercurio, and featuring noted drummer Stanton Moore, drew inspiration from legends like the Meters and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, as well as iconic R&B artists like Maceo Parker and Parliament. On February 7, 2020, Galactic released a new single titled "Float Up". The track features Anjelika Jelly Joseph. Their New Album "Already Ready Already" is out now and Joseph joins them on this summer tour with a stop at Its Showtime at The Drive In! About the Venue: Showtime at the Drive-In is a unique live music experience that allows fans to hang out in a socially distant drive-in style setting. Guests enjoy a private parking spot and extra space beside their vehicle to watch their favorite artists perform live on stage, through state-of-the-art sound and lighting. Local food trucks and craft beverages are available for purchase in the Vendor Village, so come hungry! Tickets are sold by car for up to 4 people per vehicle. Special 5th wheel tickets are also available for purchase to add an extra person. For tickets and more information, visit http://www.showtimeatthedrivein.com Community: In an effort to help revive and restore their local community, All Good Presents created the All Good Giving Campaign to assist those struggling the most. This multi-platform fundraiser launches with the All Good Presents team donating $1 for every car ticket sold to every show plus providing no-pressure opportunities for fans to donate when they purchase their ticket or text to donate in advance and at the show. Funds from this show will benefit the City of Frederick Maryland Food Bank. About All Good Presents: Founded in 1996, ALL GOOD PRESENTS is a Frederick, Maryland based grassroots promotion and production company devoted to uniting music lovers and touring artists in the Mid Atlantic. For press inquiries email info@allgoodpresents.com ALOM President & CEO Hannah Kain This past year showcased the resiliency and determination of the manufacturing and supply chain industries to hold nothing back in being part of the solution and helping save lives, all while doubling their efforts to keep their workers and communities safe during the pandemic. ALOM CEO Hannah Kain ALOM, a global leader in supply chain management today, announced its support of the National Association of Manufacturers and the Manufacturing Institute during their ninth-annual State of Manufacturing Address in Baltimore, Maryland. The address, held virtually, acknowledged the hardworking and highly skilled men and women in manufacturing that met urgent needsfrom household essentials to test kits and vaccines, and their efforts to step up and provide innovative manufacturing and delivery solutions during COVID-19. ALOM was featured in a short video during the event, highlighting its significant contributions to the manufacturing industry assembling and distributing COVID-19 test kits over the past yearand its outlook for the future. ALOM is proud to join the NAM in this important address to the nation, said Hannah Kain, ALOM President and CEO. This past year showcased the resiliency and determination of the manufacturing and supply chain industries to hold nothing back in being part of the solution and helping save lives, all while doubling their efforts to keep their workers and communities safe during the pandemic. We are proud to play a role in this groundswell of manufacturing industry success and innovation. For manufacturers, the role of the supply chain has never been more important. Recovery-related demand swings and supply chokeholds create challenges that require strong supply chain management to prevent production from being brought to a halt. The bottom line is that the state of manufacturing is strong, and that is surely worth celebrating. The NAM address will showcase the manufacturing industry's innovative response to COVID-19, highlighting the vaccination events of their address host, Marlin Steel Wire Products, and the industrys commitment to four educating policymakers, media and the public about modern manufacturing through its industry-leading Creators Wanted tour. In the second quarter of last year, with the pandemic bearing down on us, only 34% of manufacturers reported a positive outlook. Now, manufacturers are incredibly optimistic, with nearly 88% saying they have a positive outlook for their businesses, NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons will say in his remarks. The vaccine is also one important reason why manufacturers see the light at the end of the tunnel leading to the next, post-pandemic world. The state of our industry is growing stronger with each and every vaccination. Manufacturers in America are determined to see us through this crisis, and to build a world better than any weve known before. The remarks will be delivered virtually to manufacturers, business and community leaders in order to keep community members safe and limiting the spread of COVID-19. The full remarks from Jay Timmons can be viewed here. https://www.nam.org/stateofmfg/ About NAM -The Manufacturing Institute: The National Association of Manufacturers is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs 12.3 million men and women, contributes $2.33 trillion to the U.S. economy annually and has the largest economic multiplier of any major sector and accounts for 63% of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the NAM or to follow us on Twitter and Facebook, please visit http://www.nam.org. The MI grows and supports the manufacturing industrys skilled workers for the advancement of modern manufacturing. The MIs diverse initiatives support all workers in America, including women, veterans and students, through skills training programs, community building and the advancement of their career in manufacturing. As the workforce development and education partner of the NAM, the MI is a trusted adviser to manufacturers, equipping them with resources necessary to solve the industrys toughest challenges. For more information on the MI, please visit http://www.themanufacturinginstitute.org/. About ALOM: ALOM is a global supply chain management services and solutions provider serving as a partner to its Fortune 100 clients in the technology, automotive, government, medical, telecommunications, and utility/energy sectors. Headquartered in Fremont, CA, its expert team of strategists, technology engineers, and supply chain specialists operate globally from 19 locations. ALOM manages the physical supply chain from procurement, inventory management, contract assembly, digital media and print as well as omni-channel fulfillment. ALOM also manages the data supply chain with e-commerce solutions, visibility tools, digital delivery tools, data management and strong back-end systems, as well as the financial supply chain. ALOM is proud to deliver its clients products and services impeccably, enrich the end-user experience, and uphold their brand reputations. http://www.alom.com We are taking many steps forward to meet the demands of our friends, farmers, and clients. BlueSkySearch, LLC., creators of blueskysearch.com, the longest active job portal dedicated to the agriculture industry, announced today the launch of it's new brand identity and redesign of it's logo. As a pioneer in the online employment space BlueSkySearch recognizes the change of the times and is evolving accordingly. The elegant simplicity of the new logo was designed to work seamlessly across both digital and physical mediums. Besides physically evoking it's name sake, the logo represents the heavy move towards cloud technology for its ever growing presence in online communication between the agriculture industry and those who have the passion and knowledge to thrive in it. BlueSkySearch selected Yuma, AZ based design and marketing firm Imaginary Friends design studios to fabricate their new brand. Selecting a company that was from a rural, heavily agricultural hub offered a luxury of not having to explain the importance of such a vital industry to those who have never lived around it. "The opportunity to partner with BlueSkySearch and create a new visual cornerstone for the brand is an honor," said Jon M. Perry, Chief Geek of Imaginary Friends design studios. "Being able to represent with visual engagement and sophistication and help educate about the amazing possibilities that are in areas such as Yuma, Arizona and Salinas, California, and so many other rural farm communities is something my firm took very seriously to deliver upon." "We are taking many steps forward to meet the demands of our friends, farmers, and clients," said Mike Lovelace, CEO of BlueSkySearch, LLC. "This is just the first step of evolving to exceed industry expectations and constantly push our great industry onward with finding the best talent to lead it into tomorrow." About BlueSkySearch, LLC.: BlueSkySearch, LLC. is a pioneer in online recruiting and job placement services, established over 20 years ago. BlueSkySearch, LLC. is an executive search firm specializing in the Produce Industry, Agriculture and the Food Industry. The Company was organized with a simple answer to a serious problem that had long existed in the Produce Industry its hard to find qualified produce and agriculture professionals. About Imaginary Friends design studios: Imaginary Friends design studios (iF to their friends and clients) is an Addy Award winning design and marketing agency based out of Yuma, Arizona. For over 20 years Imaginary Friends has specialized in brand creation and management from logo and stationary design to web site creation and social media management. It is iFs philosophy to educate their clients, show them better design, and lead in that direction. Cambrian Cambrian's technology will make our processes much more efficient and environmentally friendly which is good news for our customers, our company and the State of Florida - Stacy Oakley, Chief Financial Officer, The Florida Brewery Cambrian, a commercial provider of distributed wastewater treatment and resource recovery solutions and The Florida Brewery, the second oldest brewery still in operation in Florida announce a new partnership that will utilize Cambrians BlueCycle MBR technology to eliminate existing high strength wastewater disposal systems and reduce carbon dioxide output by an estimated 254 metric tons per year while yielding a significant annual cost savings. Cambrians BlueCycle MBR (membrane bioreactor) will remove >99% of contaminants from The Florida Brewerys daily output of 34 million gallons per year of wastewater, enabling the company to discharge the treated water directly to the city sewer instead of trucking it off site. By eliminating the need for outside high strength wastewater disposal systems, the BlueCycle MBR significantly improves The Florida Brewerys bottom line while ensuring they hit compliance and environmental goals. The BlueCycle MBR is an aerobic digester that combines state-of-the-art aeration, robust membrane filtration and a dynamically integrated controls architecture to remove contaminants from wastewater streams, enabling water reuse consistent with Title 22 reuse quality water. Our systems are designed to protect valuable natural resources with efficiencies built in that require less energy, said Jen Huang, Cambrians Vice President of Research and Development. Cambrians system will be built from the ground-up with implementation scheduled for as early as Fall 2021. We are a trailblazer in our industry - from the products we produce to how we produce them, said Stacy Oakley, Chief Financial Officer of The Florida Brewery. Cambrians technology will make our processes much more efficient and environmentally friendly which is good news for our customers, our company and the State of Florida. Cambrians solution for The Florida Brewery is just one example of the companys progress in making distributed water reuse simple, sustainable, and cost-effective. Other beverage leaders implementing Cambrians technology include Anheuser-Busch, Keurig, Dr. Pepper, Tree House Brewing Company, Anchor Brewing Company, Russian River Brewing Company, Domaine Chandon, and Rombauer Vineyards. To further Cambrians leadership in the category, the company has recently launched a revamped product line, a new brand identity and a new website at cambrianinnovation.com. About Cambrian Cambrian is a commercial provider of distributed wastewater treatment and resource recovery solutions. Dedicated to solving critical water, wastewater, and energy management challenges for industrial producers, it is the standard for some of the top names in food and beverage processing, including: Anheuser-Busch InBev, Keurig Dr Pepper, Tree House Brewing Company, Anchor Brewing Company, Russian River Brewing Company, Discovery Land Company and Rombauer Vineyards. Cambrians award-winning product suite offers cost-effective and sustainable options for onsite wastewater treatment, water reuse, and clean energy generation. Through its novel water-energy purchase agreement (WEPA), Cambrian offers wastewater treatment and resource recovery as a service with no upfront costs. Under a WEPA, Cambrian will construct, install, own, and operate water treatment systems with no capital investment from the customer. Customers instead simply pay for performance on a per-gallon basis, and focus instead on their core business. To learn more, visit cambrianinnovation.com. About The Florida Brewery A Taste of the Florida Lifestyle The Florida Brewery, built in 1973, is the 2nd oldest brewery still in operation in Florida. It was originally known as Duncan Brewing Company, produced and bottled brands such as Masters Choice, Bay Side, Gator Lager, Fischers and Dunks. Many years later, new owners took over, built up the brew house and the bottling line, and acquired our warehouse on Adams St. The bottling line nearly doubled in size adding a beer packaging line while the brew house is now mostly unrecognizable on behalf of the tanks and machines it now houses. Our warehouse stocks and services numerous trucks weekly. http://www.floridabrewery.com MEDIA CONTACT: Cathleen Williamson pr@cambrianinnovation.com Datalink Networks - Microsoft Appsouce Announcement Through Microsoft AppSource, customers around the world can easily find tailored line-of-business partner solutions, said Toby Bowers, General Manager, Business Applications Group, Microsoft Corp. Were happy to welcome Datalink Networks solution to the growing AppSource ecosystem. Datalink Networks today announced the availability of its Microsoft 365 Health Check Assessment on Microsoft AppSource, an online cloud marketplace that provides tailored line-of-business solutions. Datalink Networks Microsoft 365 Health Check Assessment is designed to help clients uncover unused and unassigned licenses, key productivity applications that can be optimized, and previously undiscovered vulnerabilities. According to Don Wisdom, President of Datalink Networks, The assessment has been helping our Microsoft 365 clients detect the vulnerabilities within their tenant and provide useful recommendations to improve overall security and cost savings. Through Microsoft AppSource, customers around the world can easily find tailored line-of-business partner solutions that work with the products they already use, said Toby Bowers, General Manager, Business Applications Group, Microsoft Corp. Were happy to welcome Datalink Networks solution to the growing AppSource ecosystem. About Datalink Networks Datalink Networks is a US-based managed services provider and Microsoft Gold partner headquartered in Santa Clarita, CA, that specializes in IT solutions and services for organizations across four key technology areas: cloud technology, cybersecurity, networking, and managed services. With more than 30 years of experience serving small and medium-sized organizations across industries, Datalink Networks team of engineers designs, implements, and maintains Microsoft solutions that provide compliance to standard functionality and upgradability. Datalink Networks leverages Microsoft best practices in project approach and application use that can help customers realize higher return on investment, lower total cost of ownership, and gain long-term competitive advantages within their market. For more information on Datalink Networks services and solutions, visit http://www.datalinknetworks.net. For more information, press only: Hillary Ramirez, Datalink Networks, Hramirez@datalinknetworks.net DG Innovations announced today that it has opened a new manufacturing facility in Rock Valley, Iowa to design and manufacture its popular FeelsWarm countertop heater product line and its OEM-based TurboFlex ultra-thin heaters. The companys previous fabrication sites in Burnsville and Lakeville, Minnesota have been consolidated into one design and manufacturing center to provide the company with more than 3 times the production capacity. In addition to expanded production floor space, DGI has also implemented key automated equipment processes to increase throughput, enhance product quality, and lower cost. Since 2013, we have experienced continuous and steady business growth in both of our product areas and we reached the point where scaling-up our operations was essential to meeting our growing demand, noted Jahn Stopperan, President. We worked with the City of Rock Valley in taking advantage of the citys strong and engaging workforce, broad civic support, and creative financing options in selecting and expanding to the northwest Iowa community. David Miller, Development Director of the Rock Valley Economic Development Corporation commented, We are pleased to welcome DG Innovations to Rock Valley. We are always looking to diversify our business community and DGI fit this niche with their electronics fabrication, production, and assembly processes. The company will bring new employment opportunities for our employment base as well as being an integral part of our communitys future growth. Despite the impact of Covid on the overall economy, growth in home improvement, renovation and new residential construction this past year fueled this expansion. This, along with the pent-up demand by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to obtain thin foil-based heaters for their new product development projects, gave Stopperan the confidence to increase the companys production output in anticipation of the upcoming business surge in late 2021 and 2022. ABOUT DG INNOVATIONS, LLC. Established in 2010, DGI holds technology in quick-turn manufacturing processes of ultra-thin heating pads for custom, large format, and high-performance thermal applications. The company capitalizes on these capabilities by selling its own product line of countertop heaters under the brand of FeelsWarm Technology, but also offers its TurboFlex quick-turn, low-lost design and fabrication service to other OEMs to incorporate into their products. DGI Innovations is the market leader in the heated countertop industry. The unique offering of both standard and custom FeelsWarm heating pads to warm stone countertops (granite, marble, quartz, and engineered stone) provides a luxurious feel to compliment the stones glamorous look in medium to high-end businesses and residences. The product line is designed to heat select areas only, particularly overhangs and places where people rest their arms. The company sells safe, low-voltage stick-on heating pads for customers to install themselves on existing countertop overhangs and it also sells pads when new countertops are involved such as a renovation or a new build. Its patented (pending) fabrication process enables custom heaters to be designed and fabricated in as little as 5 days, often a requirement in the fast-paced finishing stages of new build and renovation projects. DG Innovations leverages this same fabrication technology to other companies who need thin, flexible, and low weight heaters for their products. The company provides TurboFlex Heaters to OEMs needing quick-turn, low-cost custom flexible heaters delivered in days compared to weeks and months. TurboFlex Heaters are sold to designers and engineers in a wide variety of markets and application areas in industrial, automotive, medical device, test equipment, battery/power storage, and applications where freeze protection, steady state, and quick thermal rise is important. The company sells its products across North America via its own web sites (http://www.feelswarm.com for consumer countertop applications and http://www.turboflexheaters.com for engineering and new product designers), but also through a dealer/reseller network of 140 dealers in the USA and Canada. Inquiries: FeelsWarm: sales@feelswarm.com TurboFlex: support@turboflexheaters.com This bright and vibrant 15,000 square foot ground mural will allow participants to discover joy in downtown Reno. Family and friends will be greeted by colorful interpretations of Renos landscape. Reno was selected as one of 16 city projects in the first year of the Bloomberg Philanthropies Asphalt Art Initiative. Bloombergs award, coupled with an additional Nevada Main Street grant, allowed the Downtown Reno Partnership, City of Reno, and local landscape and engineering firms to collaborate on a beautification project a decade in the making.Artist Brad Carney was selected to design a mural and lead 300 community volunteers to turn 15,000 square feet of bare concrete into a programmable art plaza just as the city reopens after a year of COVID lockdowns. The Reno Transportation Rail Access Corridor, or ReTRAC, was completed in 2005. The project lowered 2.25 miles of railroad tracks below the city streets. In the heart of downtown, two concrete lids cover the tracks. The City of Reno originally planned to turn them into green spaces, but the recession killed those plans, leaving behind a drab concrete slab and undeveloped dirt. But with the leadership of the Downtown Reno Partnership, Renos first business improvement district, new plans for activating the block-long space are being realized. This has been a beautification project in the making for over two years, said Alex Stettinski, Executive Director of the Downtown Reno Partnership. We are proud this is coming to fruition in partnership with the City of Reno at a time when placemaking is crucial to help ignite traffic and vibrancy in our downtowns. Nevada Landscaping Association and Stantec donated landscape architecture designs, while the City of Renos Arts & Culture Commission Public Arts Committee chose an artist out of 25 applications. Brad Carney was selected based on his style and experience. The mural design for the ReTRAC represents the beauty and spirit of Reno, Brad Carney said. This bright and vibrant 15,000 square foot ground mural will allow participants to discover joy in downtown Reno. Family and friends will be greeted by colorful interpretations of Renos landscape. Throughout the design, participants can walk the abstract rail path, or stroll the perimeter on a stripe pattern that takes you all the way around. The front entrance area begins with the rail path and images of local sagebrush. Mountain ranges give way to a raging river of blue beneath the stars, before squeezing through the rear section to form an oval and give way to the sun. The design was intended to be played with, staged, and transformed into whatever large-scale event or intimate setting. The mural features images and motifs specific to Reno: The state flower Sagebrush is used in two areas, large drawings as you enter, and a pattern at the far end. Mountain ranges in sunrise and sunset, and colors sourced from local photographs by artist Megan Berner. A snowflake design reflects the Reno Arch. The far left design was inspired by the flag of Reno. Abstract drawings became a pathway throughout the mural, much like a railway line. There are 21 colors in the mural. The mural is 15,000 square feet, but will have two coats.....so technically the artists are painting 30,000 square feet. There will be 200 gallons of paint to create the mural. The mural may take between 60 - 100 hours to create. Carney will employ local artists to lead the volunteers Brad Carney creates public and private works of art in a collaborative spirit for individual clients and community-based experiences. His personal aesthetic emphasizes rhythm, motion, and a playfulness using line, color and composition. Each project is an opportunity to create powerful human connections, he said. Recent projects have been inspired by abstract interpretations of sound and movement in our environment, neighborhood architectural transition, and cultural identity of communities. The works reflect our history, discuss our present and reimagine a future together. The City of Renos Public Works department will begin work on the landscape design at the end of April and complete it by July 1. The Arts & Culture Commission will assemble teams of local artists who will lead community members in painting the mural. Carney will lead the teams the week of June 7. About the Downtown Reno Partnership As Downtown Renos newly created business improvement district, the Downtown Reno Partnership is leading a new spirit of cooperation among property owners, businesses, residents and the community by providing a range of services designed to retain, expand and attract businesses and investments to improve Renos urban core. The district encompasses some 120 city blocks and includes private and publicly owned properties where new services are financed by a self-imposed and self-governed property assessment to make Downtown Reno cleaner, safer and more vibrant. One of the easiest methods used by drivers to save insurance money is to bundle multiple policies. Also, bundling policies is very convenient and it can help drivers save time, said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company Compare-autoinsurance.org has launched a new blog post that explains how policyholders can save car insurance money if they bundle multiple insurance policies. For more info and free quotes, please visit https://compare-autoinsurance.org/how-can-you-save-money-by-bundling-different-insurance-services/ One of the most common methods used by drivers to save car insurance money is to bundle different insurance policies. Insurance companies offer this discount to those policyholders that purchase two or more insurance policies from them. Bundling multiple policies has the following advantages: Substantial discounts. Policyholders that choose to bundle at least three insurance policies to their insurance companies can save as much as 30% of their total insurance premium. Even if a policyholder can bundle only two policies like his cars insurance and his homeowners insurance, he can still save at least 15% of his insurance premiums. Bundling insurances save time. Drivers that choose to bundle multiple policies at a single insurance company save time by having to deal with only one insurance agent and avoid working with multiple insurance agents from different insurers. Paying the insurance premiums in the same place at the same time will also help policyholders save time. Dealing with one insurance agent. Policyholders that work with one insurance company will have to deal with one insurance agent and will have all of their policy information in one place. That insurance agent will have a better insight into the policyholder's insurance needs and he will be able to give proper insurance advice. The same agent can help the policyholder look for savings or choose better coverage options. For additional info, money-saving tips and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.org/ Compare-autoinsurance.org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. A tradition of sending messages to a kite on our family beach vacations led my daughter ask me, What would happen if the kite answered back? I pondered her question many times before The Two Tales of a Kite finally took shape. Author Gary Henry shares a heartwarming story of two families joined by a classic toy in The Two Tales of a Kite ($13.49, paperback, 9781662817090; $6.99, e-book, 9781662817106). Seth and his dad are at the beach enjoying their vacation and his dad gives Seth his old kite. Seth has no idea that a girl named Annie is healing from the loss of her father, and his kite is going to be the catalyst she needs. A tradition of sending messages to a kite on our family beach vacations led my daughter ask me, What would happen if the kite answered back? I pondered her question many times before The Two Tales of a Kite finally took shape. This book is my answer to her question, wrapped in a story of family fun, faith, giving, and healing, said Henry. Gary Henry is a veteran teacher who retired in 2013 after 35 years at Keystone Elementary School. He and some great friends enjoy sharing stories and songs at various school, community, and church functions and he is also the author of When Santa Prayed. Henry and his wife, Darla share three children and six grandchildren. Deanna Henry, the authors daughter, lives near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She is an art teacher and enjoys watching her students make art, hearing their ideas and stories, and encouraging their creativity. When not teaching, Deanna enjoys reading, being outdoors, learning new things, and spending time with family and friends. Xulon Press, a division of Salem Media Group, is the worlds largest Christian self-publisher, with more than 15,000 titles published to date. The Two Tales of a Kite is available online through xulonpress.com/bookstore, amazon.com, and barnesandnoble.com. For the curious mind, there is more free content available on the internet than ever, and yet as internet users, we run into paywalls more often than ever before," says HackerNoon CEO David Smooke. HackerNoon, the company behind the technology publishing platform with 15k+ writers and 3M+ monthly readers, launched The Free Internet Plugin in the Chrome Store. This browser plugin removes known paywalled content from Google search results. The app description reads, If you dont want to pay for the story, the headline shouldnt be an option. The business model of paywallsi.e. annoy the user with a bait-and-switch ad a hundred times, when they convert and pay every month until they diehinders the internets ability to be a free and open experience. Hacker Noon believes that if the user doesnt want to run into a paywall, they should be able to filter paywalled content out of its search results and newsfeeds. This plugin removes known paywalled sites from your Google results. The Free Internet Plugin has been open sourced under the MIT License on the Hacker Noon GitHub account, and is looking for more open source contributors to remove paywalled sites from social media newsfeeds and other search engines. This open source project could go any number of directions towards open sourcing the internet. According to How I Hacked My Brain To Trigger My Most Productive Coding Stint Ever, the lead developer on the project is a 17 year old named Guy Torbet, who built the first version of the application in just 6 hours. For the curious mind, there is more free content available on the internet than ever, and yet as internet users, we run into paywalls more often than ever before," said HackerNoon Founder and CEO David Smooke. With The Free Internet Plugin, we are giving people the option to choose what type of content is allowed and not allowed in their search results. About The Free Internet Plugin A free Internet is a better Internet. The Free Internet Plugin removes known paywalls from your search results. Its open sourced on HackerNoons Github. About HackerNoon How hackers start their afternoons. HackerNoon is built for technologists to read, write, and publish. We are an open and international community of 15k+ contributing writers publishing stories and expertise for 3M+ curious and insightful monthly readers. Founded in 2016, HackerNoon is an independent technology publishing platform run by David Smooke and Linh Dao Smooke. Write anywhere, publish on HackerNoon. IronArch Technology has been named to Inc. magazines annual list of the Best Workplaces for 2021. Hitting newsstands May 18 in the May/June 2021 issue, and as part of a prominent Inc.com feature, the list is the result of a wide-ranging and comprehensive measurement of American companies that have created exceptional workplaces and company culture whether teams are operating in person or remotely. IronArch Technology, a verified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), partners with clients to develop agile solutions that improve clients strategic and operational performance. The company provides cloud strategy and implementation, platform solution development, software engineering, and financial management support to a variety of government customers in the Department of Defense (DoD), Veterans Affairs (VA), and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Collecting data from thousands of submissions, Inc. singled out 429 honorees this year. Each nominated company took part in an employee survey, conducted by Quantum Workplace, on topics including management effectiveness, perks, and fostering employee growth. The organizations benefits were also audited to determine the companys overall score and ranking. Weve always had a people first focus and in 2020 and 2021 it showed how critical that was in ensuring we transitioned smoothly to remote work without missing a beat, commented Joe Punaro, CEO of IronArch. This recognition on a national stage validates our work to date and is humbling since it is a result of our employees direct feedback regarding their experience at IronArch. In response to questions about the experience working for IronArch employees cited authenticity of leadership, commitment to people first culture in actions (not just words), meaningful work, and clear visibility into career path as contributors to their satisfaction at work. The definition of a positive workplace has changed drastically over the past year, says Inc. magazine editor-in-chief Scott Omelianuk. Stocked fridges and nap pods were no longer perks many companies could rely on once work went remote. So, this years list is even more important as it reveals organizations that continue to enrich the lives of its employees amid a pandemic. About IronArch A five time Best Place to Work Winner (Washington Business Journal and Inc. Magazine) and recognized by the Inc 5000 and the Association for Corporate Growth for being one of the fastest growing businesses in the United States, IronArch is a federal consulting firm with the people, processes, and infrastructure to help clients accelerate change and transform their organizations. A Service-Disabled, Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), we are routinely called upon by clients to assist them with cloud strategy and implementation, platform solution development, software engineering, and financial management challenges. Learn more at http://www.ironarchtechnology.com. About Inc. Media The worlds most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit http://www.inc.com. About Quantum Workplace Quantum Workplace, based in Omaha, Nebraska, is an HR technology company that serves organizations through employee-engagement surveys, action-planning tools, exit surveys, peer-to-peer recognition, performance evaluations, goal tracking, and leadership assessment. For more information, visit http://www.QuantumWorkplace.com. Personalized Nutrition Means High Performance Despite all of the advancements in nutrition today, the average consumer is often unaware of what they actually need to optimize their performance, health and well-being. More often than not, they do a little bit of research online, walk into a health and nutrition store, and buy what they think is right for them. The fact is that, when it comes to supplements, it's important to make an precisely informed purchase. To address this need, Augusta, Ga.-based biomarker tester Jinfiniti Precision Medicine and Portland-based supplement provider Takezo have come together to offer consumers a curated shopping experience based on their biomarker data. Through this newfound partnership, consumers can take a biomarker test provided by Jinfiniti. By assessing certain biomarkers, the test is intended to show consumers where their bodies need attention the most. The results are then sent (with consumer consent) to Takezo, which will curate a bundle of products that address the consumers' biomarker weaknesses. As a result, this personalized selection of nutrition helps consumers make educated health decisions and streamlines the shopping process at the same time. The partnership also takes aim at a growing issue among consumers who are frequently armed with test results but are left on their own to work on their strengths and weaknesses. Currently, Takezo and Jinfiniti are working with established athletes, including ultrarunner Greg Nance. With previous assistance from Takezo, Nance has set 11 fastest known-time records and recently finished second in the HURT 100 Mile Endurance race. Now on a journey to run 3,000 miles from New York to Seattle in an effort to promote mental health awareness, the ultrarunner has partnered with both Takezo and Jinfiniti to take his performance to the next level. The purpose is "to leverage new insights on my biochemistry for smarter training, faster recovery, and stronger race results," he said in a statement. More about the companies: Founded in 2016 and located on the Medical College of Georgia's campus, Jinfiniti Precision Medicine develops and tests innovative biomarkers based on molecular and functional assays. The biomarkers are actionable and can be altered by lifestyle interventions or supplementation. Currently, Jinfiniti offers three main products: a NAD at-home filter paper test, an AgingSOS test, and an aging clock. Takezo was founded in 2018 and offers personalized supplements in a variety of formats, including supplements that are infused into single-serve and ready-to-eat fruit purees. Through this, the company has built a comprehensive human performance ecosystem for athletes in disciplines that require strength, skill, and endurance. Takezo also provides body care products, off-the-shelf supplements, and gear that are backed by strong, real-world evidence. McChin Health Solutions based in the Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, provided advisory services. For more information about this transformative partnership, please reach out to the appropriate media contacts below: Reid A. Block Takezo reidb@takezo86k.com Jin-Xiong She Jinfiniti jshe@jinfiniti.com https://lydianacademy.com/ Headquartered in Menlo Park, California, Lydian Academy has operated as a private independent middle and high School in the San Francisco Bay Area since 2006, providing both in-person and online college preparatory education in a one-on-one setting to a wide array of student learners. Lydian students have the opportunity to customize their own educational plans and work at their own pace while earning a competitive high school diploma that is recognized nationally and internationally as top-tier preparation for the most elite colleges and universities. Lydian Academy is led by CEO, Jonathan Frecceri, who joined the organization in 2017 and continues to serve as Principal of its Menlo Park campus. For more than a decade now, Mr. Frecceri has integrated his experience as a credentialed school counselor, special educational consultant, and licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in optimizing educational and wellness programming for unique student learners in the Silicon Valley, including prior employment and consulting work that spans both the public and private educational sector. The opening of Lydian Academys Burlingame campus couldnt come at a better time, for a number of reasons...This next academic year not only marks the 15th anniversary for our school, but also coincides with the tailwinds of a pandemic learning phenomenon that invites all of us to re-appraise and re-define traditional pathways in education. As a parent myself, I can attest to the fact that we all go into this next academic year ready for something fresh and new, and Im just thrilled that we will now get to bring the Lydian experience to the students and families of Burlingame and the northern peninsula region who may have been geographically prohibited from accessing our services before this. About Lydian Academy Lydian Academy is a personalized middle and high school focused on college preparatory education and fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). All courses are NCAA and UC/CSU-approved across subject areas, creating an unrivaled college preparatory foundation for those students pursuing a 4-year college/university track for their post-secondary endeavors. Additionally, because every student at Lydian has his or her own individual educational program, the school offers courses of study for advanced students, students in need of credit remediation, neurodiverse learners with diagnosed learning differences or health challenges, gifted and twice-exceptional students, as well as athletes and performers in need of flexible scheduling while simultaneously pursuing a college preparatory education. For more information, call 650-321-0550 or visit https://lydianacademy.com/ Crossroads4Hope: A Network of Cancer Support "Not everyone sees cancer through the same lens. Individuals come to a diagnosis from a lifetime of experiences that frame their cancer journey; these experiences in vulnerable and diverse communities have been underrepresented in clinical research for generations," Amy Sutton, CEO The COVID-19 crisis has shed a light on health disparities in vulnerable communities, a challenge that New Jersey based Crossroads4Hope: A Network of Cancer Support has been addressing through a wide array of community partnerships. The organization has seen first-hand the challenges faced by people who are vulnerable because of factors including race, ethnicity, language, sexual orientation, income, or life experience. In response, Crossroads4Hope has developed a whole community, person and family centered approach to offering social and emotional support to people with cancer and their loved ones. Not everyone sees cancer through the same lens. Individuals come to a diagnosis from a lifetime of experiences that frame their cancer journey; these experiences in vulnerable and diverse communities have been underrepresented in clinical research for generations, says Amy Sutton, CEO of Crossroads4Hope. As a result, these unique voices are underrepresented in the development of new therapies and treatments, and many people dont have access to the latest care options that can save their lives or reduce the burden of cancer on themselves, their families, and their communities. So, Sutton adds, most of all, we listen. From our meetings with community leaders, medical professionals, and public health officials, as well as listening sessions with community members, the message is clear and consistent: mistrust, fear, cultural barriers, lack of care coordination, and inadequate health literacy are the main reasons traditionally vulnerable patients who are at risk for, or who have, cancer do not seek the care and support they need. Crossroads4Hopes programs utilize the expertise of three allied health professions: public health, social work, and child life. Public health interns and staff complete searches of clinical literature to identify the demographics and health disparities in different communities regionally, as well as nationwide trends and statistics. Social workers develop culturally humble outreach plans with community partners based on the specific needs of that community. Child life specialists provide developmentally-appropriate support for the children, teens, and families impacted by the disease, both directly with families and in schools. The organizations interdisciplinary team identifies trusted organizations within vulnerable communities to build relationships and partnerships, through which tailored Crossroads4Hope programs and services can be implemented with the goal of activating individuals and vulnerable communities; reducing health disparities; increasing access to timely care; and improving quality of life and health outcomes. Our approach is grounded in social work and social justice. We seek to develop a deep understanding of the cultural norms, beliefs, and behaviors of each diverse community in order to avoid stereotypes, assumptions, and generalizations, says Sutton. We are operationalizing what we are learning, which has prepared our team to create a safe space and programming that meet the needs of the whole community. Individuals and families in our communities are suffering due to lack of resources and representation; transportation issues; language and socioeconomic barriers; and stigma, says Katherine Schaible, LSW, Program Director at Crossroads4Hope. Our goal is to provide culturally humble social and emotional support in trusted sites such as schools, places of worship, and other gathering places within these vulnerable communities. One specific example of this customized outreach is Crossroads4Hopes Gladiator Program. This initiative seeks to empower and activate church members in the Black community to address non-clinical barriers to care. As a result of feedback gathered from literature reviews and outreach, an expressed need surfaced for information on oncology screening, treatment, and clinical trials that is uniquely tailored for relevance within the Black community. Crossroads4Hope is partnering with Calvary Baptist Church in Plainfield for this important project and plans to expand the initiative throughout New Jersey. Utilizing a systems approach to change, characterized by relationship building and continued programmatic intervention at the local level, Crossroads4Hope is focused on activating these communities and the people affected by cancer by normalizing discussions around the disease; delivering monthly psychosocial interventions and programs with cultural awareness and respect; and connecting patients, families, and loved ones in a timely way to cancer resources and support. Crossroads4Hope has developed its Outreach and Education program within the framework of our traditional offerings, which we are expanding, because it is critical to offer a robust combination of both culturally specific and more generalized information to provide all of our members with the information they need, concludes Schaible. To learn more about Crossroads4Hope, visit crossroads4hope.org or call 908-658-5400. About Crossroads4Hope: Crossroads4Hope was founded as an independent 501(c)(3) in 2002 by four women who believed that people with cancer and their families deserved professionally led, community-based social and emotional support, education, and resources throughout their cancer journeys. Since 2004, more than 15,500 people have accessed Crossroads4Hope, resulting in 84,000 visits and over 100,000 hours of programming delivered, always offered at no charge. Crossroads4Hopes network of support embraces all people touched by cancerthe diagnosed and their loved onesproviding access to resources and evidence-based programs of support, education, wellbeing, and hope. Crossroads4Hope is committed to upholding the dignity of all people through cultural humility and respect for gender identification, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, and income difference. Our vision is to be THE safe space to turn first when you are affected by cancer to restore your whole being and family. https://crossroads4hope.org/ 2020 brought unprecedented growth to our business, and our team answered the challenge with aggressive facility additions, manufacturing and warehouse capacity expansion, automation, job growth, and reshoring products currently being made in China and other global locations... Miller Manufacturing Company, a leading manufacturer and distributor of farm, ranch and pet products was announced as Family-owned Manufacturer of the year in the Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journals 2021 Minnesota Manufacturing Awards honorees. The complete article can be viewed at the Minneapolis St Paul Business Journal website: https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2021/05/10/mspbj-announces-2021-minnesota-manufacturing-award.html?b=1620659876%5E21898060 This is a great honor for the Miller team. 2020 brought unprecedented growth to our business, and our team answered the challenge with aggressive facility additions, manufacturing and warehouse capacity expansion, automation, job growth, and reshoring products currently being made in China and other global locations as a part of our Buy American initiative. Our team did all of this while dealing with the challenge of keeping our teams safe during the pandemic. I couldnt be more proud of our team and this award reinforces these accomplishments said Miller CEO, Dan Ferrise. Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal's fourth annual Minnesota Manufacturing Awards recognizes some of the industry leaders that drive our region's economy and grow their companies through innovation and strategic evolution. The 2021 honorees will be featured in the Business Journal's July 16 Minnesota Manufacturing Awards special edition, as well as online. Miller Manufacturing Company is a market-leading manufacturer, distributor and marketer of farm, ranch and pet products which are sold under the brand names of Little Giant, API, Hot-Shot, Springer Magrath, Double-Tuf, and Pet Lodge. Today, Miller Manufacturings catalog features over 1200 products which are sold through a large network of farm and animal health supply distributors, retailers and ecommerce merchants in the United States and over 30 countries around the world. Miller Manufacturing started as a family-owned business in 1941 and today is owned and operated by Dennis Frandsen and Frandsen Corporation of North Branch, MN. ODU MEDI-SNAP New Disposable Receptacles for Medical Applications ODU, a worldwide leader in designing and manufacturing high-performance connector solutions and cable assemblies, is introducing to the US market new disposable receptacles to the ODU MEDI-SNAP portfolio, an Advanced Plastic Connector series. The ODU MEDI-SNAP is a plastic lightweight Push-Pull and Break-Away connector. This connector series is 75% lighter than comparable metal connectors, it is autoclavable, sterilizable, has high chemical resistance. IEC 60601-1 versions or configurations are also available. The expansion of the portfolio will now include a one-piece disposable receptacle for front panel mounting including catheter handle mounting. The ODU disposable solution provides the user and patient protection required by IEC 60601-1 ( 2 MOOP / 1MOPP). These new receptacles have at least 25 mating cycles, a new space-spacing design with a maximum of 34 contacts, they benefit of a clip-in system for fast and easy assembly and they are a cost-effective solution for high-volume projects. These new receptacles are also intermatable with all ODU MEDI-SNAP Push-Pull size 2 connectors. The new ODU MEDI-SNAP receptacles offer a solution for various medical applications including, but not limited to, catheters, electrosurgical devices, endoscopes, and ablation devices. ODU Group: global representation with perfect connections The ODU Group is one of the worlds leading suppliers of connector systems, employing 2,300 people around the world. In addition to its company headquarters in Muhldorf am Inn (Germany), ODU also has an international distribution network and production sites in Sibiu/Romania, Shanghai/China and Tijuana/Mexico. ODU combines all relevant areas of expertise and key technologies including design and development, machine tooling and special machine construction, injection, stamping, turning, surface technology, assembly and cable assembly. The ODU Group sells its products globally through its sales offices in China, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Korea, Romania, Sweden and the US, as well as through numerous international sales partners. ODU connectors ensure a reliable transmission of power, signals, data and media for a variety of demanding applications including medical technology, military, communications and security, automotive, industrial electronics, and testing & measurement. Acker, the worlds largest fine and rare wine auction house, began its two-evening auction on Wednesday with the exclusive, international release of the 2019 vintage from the acclaimed Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair accompanied by the first-ever NFTs from Burgundy, which fetched US$61,752 overall, a remarkable 332% above the low estimate. Auctioned on Ackers proprietary platform and transferred to the buyer on Ethereum via OpenSea, these unique NFTs are 1/1s that accompany each bottle or magnum for all sixteen cuvees and will be the only ones the Comte will ever make for the already outstanding 2019 vintage. Acker will accept payment for these lots in cryptocurrency, or traditional USD. This historic Domaine traces its roots back to the Napoleonic Wars when it owned some of the Cote dOrs most renowned vineyards. The seventh Comte Louis-Michel Liger-Belair now serves as proprietor of the Vosne Romanee-based Domaine, and the estate has flourished over the last twenty years under his deft touch. In the auctioned collection of sixteen, single bottle lots, every wine the Comte produced in 2019, wines hammered as high as 423% above the high estimate, as bidders from North America, South America, Asia and Europe battled for their own slice of wine history. The NFTs clearly added value to the incomparable wines of Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair, remarked Acker Chairman, John Kapon. While the Comtes wines are immensely pleasurable and last for decades, they are a consumable product. The everlasting properties of the NFTs serve not only as a keepsake for the wine connoisseur who may eventually drink the bottle, but also as a snapshot of wine history, a unique moment in time, the quality of an outstanding vintage captured from the perspective of the man who knows it most intimately. This moment in time will now live forever. After learning of the evenings successful results, Comte Louis-Michel Liger-Belair added, Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair, in partnership with Acker, is thrilled to be a pioneer in the wine world once more. After over 200 years in operation, we continue to make qualitative improvements to our wines and our operations at every level. The novel development of NFTs in the wine world communicates the artistic quality of winemakers, as they produce not just wines to drink, but also artistic works in their own right that awaken all the senses without exception. The auction season continues for Acker with another live online auction in Hong Kong on May 28th and 29th and returns to Delaware on June 8th, 9th and 10th. Acker is currently accepting wines for its Spring live online 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. P2 Science Inc., a green chemistry company, announced that Brian Goodall has joined the companys scientific advisory board. Goodall has significant global experience in renewable chemicals and energy, as well as catalysis and polymers. Among his recent leadership positions in the field, he served as VP Business Development at Valicor, Chief Technology Officer at Origin Oil and VP Downstream Technology at Sapphire Energy. Bringing Brian onto the Scientific Advisory Board is a great opportunity for us to benefit from his incredibly deep expertise and experience in many relevant fields for us, said P2 CEO, Neil Burns. His experience in building businesses on innovative breakthroughs in areas like polymerization is just what we are looking for as P2 grows Goodall has a doctorate in organometallic chemistry from the University of Bristol and held a NATO postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Chicago. I am both proud and excited to join the P2 team and eager to contribute to the growth and success of this important green chemistry platform. Goodall splits his time between Los Angeles and Derbyshire in the UK. About P2 Science: P2 Science is a green chemistry company, co-founded by Professor Paul Anastas, head of the Yale Center for Green Chemistry and Green Engineering and Dr Patrick Foley. P2 has developed and patented technologies for converting renewable feedstocks into high-value specialty products. Investors in P2 include BASF Venture Capital, Xeraya Capital, Elm Street Ventures, Connecticut Innovations, Ironwood Capital, HG Ventures and Chanel. The company started up its first manufacturing plant in September of 2018 which produces novel renewable aroma chemicals and cosmetic ingredients. For more information, visit http://www.p2science.com Dr. J offers the full-range of procedures to patients from throughout California and worldwide. While the widely publicized Zoom boom was sparked by patients increased awareness of their facial appearance online, we are now seeing the flip side of the phenomenon as patients are reflecting on their head-to-toe appearance. A May 7 article on Allure explores the increasing interest in plastic surgeries and other procedures now that most people are getting vaccinated and preparing to return to a more normal routine. Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Payam Jarrah-Nejad, M.D., F.I.C.S., F.A.C.S., known to colleagues and patients simply as Dr. J, says that, while the widely publicized Zoom boom was sparked by patients increased awareness of their facial appearance online, we are now seeing the flip side of the phenomenon as patients are reflecting on their head-to-toe appearance. Dr. J notes that California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced that, except for extremely large gatherings, the mask mandate is likely to be lifted on June 15 as the nations most populous state fully reopens a step that seemed difficult to imagine just a few months ago. The good news about plummeting rates of infections from COVID-19 thanks to widespread vaccinations means beaches and pools will be back this summer along with restaurants and nightlife, says Dr. J. That means that many patients are focusing less exclusively on facial procedures and considering body contouring work such as tummy tucks and liposuction, as well as breast augmentations and Dr. Js fat-transfer-based Natural Butt Lift. He noted, however, that facial rejuvenation procedures ranging from traditional facelifts and eyelid-lifts to injection-based treatments such as Botox and fillers are still on the menu for a great many patients. As difficult as many people found being forced to look at their faces during online meetings, says Dr. J, many patients are also realizing that the digital filters they had started to rely on arent going to be available during in-person business meetings and social events. The Beverly Hills-based plastic surgeon cautions, however, that the increasing popularity of plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures means that patients will need to be more cautious than ever when it comes to selecting the right physician as the field becomes ever more competitive. Dr. J says that its crucial patients only consider board-certified plastic surgeons. He notes that not all plastic surgeons are board certified and that doctors are not legally required to take the additional two years of training required to become plastic surgeons to perform many types of plastic surgery. Dr. J says that plastic surgery in its modern form has been practiced for over a century and it has never been safer or more powerful, but patients still need to be careful if they want to ensure the best outcomes and the highest level of safety. Interested readers who would like to learn more about Dr. J can call (310) 228-3151 to learn more and inquire about a consultation. Dr. Js qualifications as a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon double board certified by both the American Board of Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Surgery can be seen online along with testimonials and before-and-after galleries. Since 1992, The Preferred Mutual Foundation, the corporate-giving arm of Preferred Mutual Insurance Company (Preferred Mutual), has awarded academic scholarships to local high school seniors. The Preferred Mutual Foundation Scholarship is awarded to college-bound high school seniors that reside in Otsego, Delaware, or Chenango, New York counties and is evaluated on academic merit and responsibility to their communities. We are pleased to announce the first-place winner of the 2021 Preferred Mutual Foundation Scholarship is Diego Aguirre, of Delaware Academy. We congratulate his dedication to his community and to the pursuit of knowledge. Aguirre will receive $3,000 each year for four years. He will be attending Cornell University in the fall, where he will major in Mechanical Engineering. Emma Harby is the second-place winner of the 2021 Preferred Mutual Foundation Scholarship and will receive $1,500 each year for four years. She will be attending Syracuse University with a dual major in Marketing & Broadcast and Digital Journalism. We wish to also congratulate Emma on her commitment to academics, as well as her active involvement within her community. The Irad and Jan Ingraham / James W. Honeywell Memorial Scholarship is awarded to Unadilla Valley Central School seniors that have demonstrated a commitment to community service while upholding a strong academic standing. Each scholarship winner may use their award toward tuition, room and board, or other college-related expenses. Devon Fairchild is the first-place winner of the 2021 Irad and Jan Ingraham / James W. Honeywell Memorial Scholarship. Fairchild will be awarded $1,500 each year for four years and will be majoring in Mechanical Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the fall. Paige Catena has been named as the second-place winner and will be awarded $1,000 each year for four years. Catena will be attending the University of Colorado Boulder in the fall. Both winners have exemplified the true purpose of the scholarships mission. In addition to these annual scholarships, we are also awarding a one-time $1,250 scholarship to Greene Central High School senior, Quintin Pezzino, in honor of Preferred Mutuals 125th Anniversary. Pezzino will be attending Cornell University in the fall, majoring in Plant Science. Preferred Mutual Insurance Company provides property and casualty insurance coverage to more than 232,000 individual and business customers through a network of more than 500 independent agents throughout New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. In business since 1896, Preferred Mutual is rated A by A.M. Best Company and is headquartered in New Berlin, New York. Learn more at http://www.preferredmutual.com. Revol Greens' Organic lettuce line is grown using a proprietary Plant Fed nutrient source free of any animal byproducts. We knew that our Plant Fed nutrient source would meet a unique need, but interest is outpacing expectations. Answering retailers calls for a safer and more consistent source of leafy greens, Revol Greens first quarter 2021 launch of new USDA Certified Organic Spring Mix, Green & Red Duo, and Romaine Crunch line has quickly sold out among new and existing customers. To meet growing product demand, the nations largest greenhouse lettuce grower is expanding its production capacity. Revol Greens USDA Certified Organic products feature a newly developed and proprietary Plant Fed Organic fertilizer that is entirely free of animal byproducts. We knew that our Plant Fed nutrient source would meet a unique need in the market, but interest is outpacing expectations, says Brendon Krieg, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Revol Greens is the only lettuce grower in the country providing USDA Certified Organic products for consumers seeking an option that is not only produced sustainably and locally but is also organically grown through a 100 percent plant-based process. Revol Greens is on a mission to become fully organic in all facilities. Later this summer, Revol Greens will open its new Tehachapi, California greenhouse, producing organic lettuce and blends. The increase in production space and capacity for its USDA Certified Organic line will complement the existing broad assortment of conventional and organic head lettuces and baby leaf products. Access to supply is at the forefront of many customers minds, given the volatile food chain, transportation capacity challenges and underscored by demand for better-for-you and local and organically grown greens, adds Tom Thompson, Chief Revenue Officer. We can guarantee customers a 365-day source of USDA Certified Organic greens grown with our Plant Fed organic nutrient source without the supply volatility or recall risks associated with field grown products. After three years of research and development, Revol landed on the patent pending new Plant Fed Organic solution to further enhance the safety and integrity of its packaged lettuce. As with all Revol Greens products, the new plant powered nutrient source and organic line are non-GMO and adhere to the brands Grown Clean and Green process. Unlike organic and conventional outdoor grown triple washed lettuce, no chemical cleaning or chlorine is used in Revols organic packaging process. Consumer interest in plant-based foods is also at an all-time high, which further inspired the choice for Revol Greens to pursue an organic nutrient source. Recent U.S. retail sales data shows plant-based foods have outpaced total food sales during the pandemic, up 90% year-over-year. To learn more about Revols Grown Clean and Green process, view healthy recipes and find products, visit RevolGreens.com. ABOUT REVOL GREENS Revol Greens is the largest greenhouse lettuce grower in North America and benefit corporation. The Minnesota-based company harvests and delivers its packaged lettuce products within one day, resulting in the freshest taste and peak nutrition with a shelf life four to six days longer than out-of-state greens. Revol Greens adopts the most advanced greenhouse technology and growing methods in the industry, including facilities that use 90 percent less water than traditional field-grown greens, irrigation from UV-sterilized rainwater and snowmelt, and sustainable sunlight. Grown Clean and Green in an animal and pest-free environment, no pesticides, herbicides or other chemicals are used in the process. Revol Greens currently grows more than five million pounds of non-GMO lettuces annually. For more information, visit http://www.revolgreens.com and follow Revol on social media @revolgreens. # # # San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District "This accomplishment reflects our regions unique spirit of pulling together and doing whats right for the greater good, said SBVWCD Board President Richard Corneille. The San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District has been honored with two prestigious government and planning awards for its role in a collaborative strategy to manage water, environmental, economic, and community interests in the Upper Santa Ana River Wash. The Southern California Association of Governments last week awarded the District and its Upper Santa Ana River Wash Habitat Conservation Plan with the organizations Green Region Initiative Award for Resource Conservation and Climate Action. On Thursday, the Inland Empire Section of the American Planning Association will present the Wash Plan with its Hard Won Victories award, recognizing the dedication that went into more than 20 years of negotiations to get the plan approved. The Wash Plan is the culmination of years of planning and effort to establish the right land for the right uses, explained SBVWCD General Manager Daniel Cozad. It could not have been done without the hard work of everyone who came to the table, and we are extremely grateful for the thought and perseverance put in by so many to make this happen. The Upper Santa Ana River Wash Habitat Conservation Plan: Establishes a new Wash Plan Preserve with 1,557 acres of native natural habitat to protect threatened and endangered species. The preserve will be funded and managed in perpetuity. Allows for enhanced capture and storage of water in rivers and streams to replenish local groundwater supplies. Designates disturbed land areas in the Wash for mining operations that support more than $36 million in construction-related payroll annually to the region. Creates a system of public trails within the Wash to promote environmental education and appreciation of the value of this natural resource. The 4,800-acre Wash Plan began as a vision in the early 1990s and was developed by a local task force established by the SBVWCD in 2000 with the cities of Highland and Redlands; East Valley Water District, and San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District; CEMEX, Robertsons Ready Mix; the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, California Department of Fish and Game, Inland Valley Development Agency and the Endangered Habitats League as members. I think this accomplishment reflects our regions unique spirit of pulling together and doing whats right for the greater good, said SBVWCD Board President Richard Corneille. The final land-use strategy included an exchange of property between the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and the San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District. U.S. Representatives Colonel Paul Cook (R-Apple Valley) and Pete Aguilar (D-Redlands) introduced the bipartisan Santa Ana River Wash Plan Land Exchange Act, and it was consolidated into a larger Land and Natural Resources bill that included more than 100 other pieces of legislation signed into law in 2019. Rep. Cook called the Wash Plan passage a win for the economy and a win for the environment. This plan identifies already disturbed land in the Wash for aggregate mining, while expanding on habitat conservation areas for our native, threatened, and endangered species, he said. Cozad said the plan represented collaboration at its best. The Wash Plan not only reflects consensus among diverse interests within the community, it led to a bipartisan bill that was widely supported by both parties, he said. A lot of work went into getting the details right on this project, and everyone who was involved in the process deserves credit for that. About the San Bernardino Valley Water Conservation District: For more than a century, the SBVWCD has stewarded the local Bunker Hill groundwater basin, capturing and storing water for the community while also protecting the native species of the wash. Its work assures high-quality local water storage for people and the environment in the San Bernardino Valley. Visit http://www.sbvwcd.org or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. TSFactory LLC, a software development company focused on producing the best in class solutions for remote session monitoring and recording, today announced that RecordTS was recognized as the top forensic solution in the Trust Awards category at the 2021 SC Awards. The announcement was made online Monday, May 3, 2021 as part of SC Medias 2021 SC Awards coverage. Thomas Kucmierz, the Managing Director of TSFactory commented, "Securing digital assets and company infrastructure has never been more critical. Specialized global threat actors have emerged with strategic political and financial agendas, attacking governmental and corporate networks. These new breed of hackers are very sophisticated: highly organized, well funded and equipped, relentless, looking to exploit any opportunity. The covid pandemic brought on a mass migration to the cloud and with it the remote workforce. This is why it is so important to have a solid cybersecurity plan in place that covers remote workers and cloud migrations. Session recording is a must-have critical tool for modern IT professionals. Now in its 25th year, 2021s SC Awards were the most competitive yet, with a record 579 entries. Winners of the Trust Award were chosen by a distinguished group of leading IT security professionals from SC Media's readership. Entrants were narrowed down to a select group of finalists before undergoing a rigorous final judging process to determine the winner of each category. The community at large came together to demonstrate the power of collaboration and transparency. Companies shared intel with other companies and with government agencies; organizations raised their hands when they found themselves breached, not only to adhere to notification requirements but also to alert others of the risk. Increased threats led to powerful response, led by our winners across all categories, said Jill Aitoro, editor in chief of SC Media. The SC Awards are recognized throughout the security industry as the gold standard of excellence in cybersecurity. With the awards, SC Media recognizes the achievements of security professionals in the field, the innovations happening in the vendor and service provider communities, and the vigilant work of government, commercial and nonprofit entities. Vendors and service providers which offer a product and/or service for the commercial, government, educational, nonprofit or other industries are eligible for the Trust Award category. For more information and a detailed list of categories, finalists and winners, please visit https://scawardsus.com/. About SC Media SC Media is the essential resource for cybersecurity professionals, keeping them up to date on vital developments and focusing on their most important concerns. Whether practitioners or leaders, technologists or executives, people who care about cybersecurity turn to SC Media, every day and throughout the day, to stay informed and gain insight into the complex issues that matter in their strategic and technology decision-making. As CyberRisk Alliances gateway resource, SC Media taps into an authoritative community of thinkers and innovators to provide a full range of relevant and useful content, including exclusive market research and data, opinion and perspective, independent product reviews, compelling in-person and virtual learning, and much more. About CyberRisk Alliance CyberRisk Alliance (CRA) was formed to help cybersecurity professionals face the challenges that threaten the success and prosperity of their organizations. We provide business intelligence and information services to help our growing community build effective strategies and make smart decisions, and innovative marketing solutions to galvanize an efficient marketplace. Most of all, we work to engage the entire cyber community and lift the success of all industry professionals. Awards Information: Wendy Loew, SVP, Events Wendy.Loew@cyberriskalliance.com About TSFactory LLC 8601 Six Forks Road, Suite 400 Raleigh, North Carolina 27615 United States sales@tsfactory.com +1 866 344-6267 Press Contact Chelsie Wyatt press@gmail.com +1 866 344-6267 / +44 (0) 203 286 4057 I appreciate what the Los Angeles Mission does in totality working with children that are experiencing homelessness and addiction and providing education, arts, and tools for greater mental health. I value their overall mission toward holistic restoration and well-being. We all deserve hope. Serial entrepreneur Blake Johnson announced today that he has made a $25,000 donation to the Los Angeles Mission. The donation will support the nonprofit organization's residential rehabilitation programs and support its fight to end homelessness in the Los Angeles area. The funds will go directly to the organization's May Match Appeal campaign, which along with other supporting organizations will help alleviate the strain that COVID-19 has put on the organization. These funds will also assist with additional personal protective equipment (PPE) and other community food-box program expenditures, which have tripled in the last year from 75 to 250 meal boxes with seven meals in each box on average per week. The Los Angeles Mission is incredibly thankful for Blakes $25,000 donation to its May Match Appeal campaign, said Ivan Klassen, Executive Director of The Los Angeles Mission Foundation. As part of our campaign, Mr. Johnsons gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar, essentially giving it a $50,000 impact. These funds will help alleviate the burden that COVID-19 has put on our general operations, and enable us to provide more services to our community. Johnson, who has successfully founded and sold numerous businesses that exceed $1.1 billion in valuations including Byte, Currency Capital and IM Capital Access has a long history of supporting philanthropic endeavors in the Los Angeles area. In addition to his recent donation to the Los Angeles Mission, Johnson is a significant benefactor of Big Brothers Big Sisters, The Boy Scouts of America, the International Justice Mission, and MOCA Los Angeles. To date, Johnson has donated a total of $600,000 to various charitable organizations. For Johnson, contributing to the Los Angeles Mission is a way to make a meaningful impact on the community that paved his path to success. I am excited to support the May Match Appeal Campaign, helping those experiencing homelessness. I appreciate what the Los Angeles Mission does in totality working with children that are experiencing homelessness and addiction and providing education, arts, and tools for greater mental health. I value their overall mission toward holistic restoration and well-being. We all deserve hope. To learn more about the Los Angeles Mission, visit https://losangelesmission.org/. To learn more about Blake Johnson, visit https://blakebjohnson.com/. Susanne DiSalvo, PhD, assistant professor in the SIUE Department of Biological Sciences. This award is recognition of Dr. DiSalvos achievements, as well as NSFs investment in her potential for advancing knowledge and education in her area of research. Susanne DiSalvo, PhD, assistant professor in the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville College of Arts and Sciences Department of Biological Sciences, has received the highly competitive National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award totaling $463,557. The award supports her research entitled, Population and evolutionary dynamics of bacteriophage-symbiont-host interactions: Development of a multi-layered model microbiome, the findings of which will elucidate virus-host evolution and may inform alternative strategies for treating bacterial infections. I feel incredibly fortunate, said DiSalvo. This grant will fund a long-term project in my lab integrating bacteriophages (viruses of bacteria) into my research program which focuses on bacterial infections in an amoeba host system. Bacteriophages are highly ubiquitous in the environment and play a powerful role on bacterial prevalence and evolution. With the rise of antibiotic resistance, interest in using phages to treat bacterial infections has magnified, but their long-term efficacy and their potential to drive the evolution of their bacterial targets within a treated individual is not well understood. This project seeks to illuminate the dynamic outcomes of phage treatment in a tractable model system. The CAREER grant is the NSFs most prestigious award a faculty member can receive in their early career, said Jerry Weinberg, PhD, associate provost for research and dean of the Graduate School. This award is recognition of Dr. DiSalvos achievements, as well as NSFs investment in her potential for advancing knowledge and education in her area of research. DiSalvo underscores the importance of publicly investing in science, the value of which has become obvious amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The fact that there are effective vaccines against Sars-Cov-2 within a year of its emergence is a product of decades of research in both basic and translational science, she explained. This would not have been possible without federally funded research and infrastructure. The current emphasis on supporting science makes me optimistic about our future, specifically for training future scientists who can go on to solve future challenges. Funding from the NSF CAREER Award will allow DiSalvo to train several students in hands-on inquiry-based research. I will be able to support graduate and undergraduate students in my research lab with these funds and integrate key research elements into my teaching courses specifically microbiology and virology allowing a large number of students to learn valuable scientific skills while directly contributing to novel discoveries, DiSalvo said. A typical student project entails a mix of collaborative and independent work planning and conducting the experimental strategy and analyzing and interpreting results, she added. Students participate in a variety of microbial, molecular and computational work, as well as attend weekly lab meetings to discuss science literature, research progress, career goals and many other topics beyond research. There is a lot of camaraderie in the lab, and the students not only work hard on their own projects, but also readily help one another and make the lab a fun and friendly place to be. DiSalvo also earned the Graduate Schools 2020-21 Vaughnie Lindsay New Investigator Award. According to DiSalvo, the award was instrumental for progressing her project on the mechanisms underlying Paraburkholderia infections. Through this work, I was able to identify amoeba host genes that play an important role in mediating the infection process, and in specific, defending the host from high levels of infection, she explained. This discovery allows me to craft a hypothesis-driven strategy to uncover the mechanisms whereby host factors facilitate or inhibit bacterial infection efficacy. She plans to utilize these findings to develop a proposal for a future external grant submission. By preparing the next generation of leaders in a knowledge-based economy, SIUEs Graduate School fulfills the regions demand for highly trained professionals. Graduate school offerings include arts and sciences, business, education, engineering, nursing, and interdisciplinary opportunities. SIUE professors provide students with a unique integration of theoretical education and hands-on research experiences. Students can obtain graduate certificates or pursue masters degrees, and be part of a supportive learning and rich intellectual environment that is tailored to the needs of adult learners. The Graduate School raises the visibility of research and creative activity at SIUE, which ranks highest among its Illinois Board of Higher Education peers in total research and development expenditures, according to the National Science Foundation. Doctoral programs are available in nursing practice and educational leadership. Cooperative PhD programs in history, environmental resources and policy, engineering science, and computer science are offered with SIU Carbondale. At Structure Law, we have been immersed in the world of tech startups for almost 30 years. We are excited to share our startup law strategies and our venture capital network with Southern California companies. Structure Law Group, LLP, is pleased to announce that it has relocated its Los Angeles business law practice to Century City in Los Angeles, CA. The new Century City business law firm will bring Structure Law Group, LLPs business attorneys closer to their existing clients who are located nearby in Westside, Downtown Los Angeles, Silicon Beach, and throughout Southern California. Structure Law got its start in Silicon Valley - located in the center of the booming technology startup industry. Since the beginning, the law firm has been immersed in the technology world, advising startups, entrepreneurs, and established corporations in ways to protect their intellectual property, prepare for mergers and acquisitions and avoid litigation. Over the years, the business lawyers at Structure Law Group, LLP have established an unrivaled startup law practice and have formed numerous alliances with venture capital firm. The law firm is excited to extend these best practices and network connections to Southern California clients. At Structure Law, we have been immersed in the world of tech startups for almost 30 years. We are excited to share our startup law strategies and our venture capital network with Southern California companies. -Krystle Warren, Executive Director Although Structure got its start in the technology industry, today its breath of practice has expanded across many industries including real estate, construction, technology, ecommerce, and retail. Typical representations include business formations, mergers and acquisitions, financings and commercial transactions, corporate governance, employment counseling, financial insolvency and restructuring, real estate and business litigation. The firm has experienced significant growth over the past decade and has become home to some of Californias top business attorneys. Many of these attorneys bring real world business experience to the table which enables them to better understand the challenges of their clients. We are proud of the diverse experience of our legal team. Some of our attorneys were formerly CEOs, while others worked as in-house counsel in California companies. We also have attorneys with international law experience including several Chinese business attorneys who worked overseas and are admitted to practice in California, New York and the People's Republic of China says the firms Executive Director, Krystle Warren. About Structure Law Group, LLP Structure Law Group, LLP attorneys include some of Californias most honored and recognized legal professionals in their field and are proud that many of their attorneys have been selected for recognition in Super Lawyers, Northern California Rising Stars, Southern California Rising Stars, and/or have received Martindale-Hubbell, AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated 5.0 out of 5.0. Structure Law Group, LLP has a dedicated team of Los Angeles business attorneys committed to solving complex problems in a pragmatic and effective fashion to companies of all sizes with a national and international practice through innovative and cost-effective legal services and solutions. Practice areas include: Business Litigation Business Transactions Construction Contracting & Payment Claims Debtor & Creditor Rights Corporations E-Commerce Employment Blockchain & Cryptocurrency Limited Liability Companies Mergers & Acquisitions Partnerships Real Estate Start-Ups & Financing Intellectual Property For more information about the firms Los Angeles business law practice please call us at (310) 818-7500 or visit us online. US schools/groups move into phase 2 of ARISS selections Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is pleased to announce the schools/host organizations selected for the January-June 2022 contact window. A total of 9 of the submitted proposals during the recent proposal window have been accepted to move forward in the processes of planning to host a scheduled amateur radio contact with crew on the ISS. The primary goal of the ARISS program is to engage young people in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) activities and raise their awareness of space communications, radio communications, space exploration, and related areas of study and career possibilities. ARISS anticipates that NASA will be able to provide scheduling opportunities for these US host organizations. The candidates must now complete an equipment plan that demonstrates their ability to execute the ham radio contact. Once their equipment plan is approved by the ARISS technical team, the final selected schools / organizations will be scheduled as their availability and flexibility match up with the scheduling opportunities. The schools and organizations are: Organization Location Bellefontaine High School Bellefontaine, OH Carter G. Woodson Middle School Hopewell, VA Lewis Center for Educational Research Apple Valley, CA Matinecock District, Suffolk County NY Boy Scouts Medford, NY McBride High School Long Beach, CA Old St. Mary's School Chicago, IL Salem-South Lyon District Library South Lyon, MI Sussex County Charter School for Technology Sparta, NJ Space Hardware Club Huntsville, Alabama ARISS Celebrating 20 Years of Continuous Amateur Radio Operations on the ISS About ARISS: Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the ISS National Lab-Space Station Explorers, and NASAs Space communications and Navigation program. The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics topics. ARISS does this by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students. Before and during these radio contacts, students, educators, parents, and communities take part in hands-on learning activities tied to space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org. Contact: David Jordan, AA4KN ARISS PR aa4kn@amsat.org The Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Kavala (Kavala COOP) from Greece has announced the participation in a new communication campaign in Canada and the U.S. to promote its kiwis and territory in conjunction with other exquisite European products, such as the wines from Abruzzo, Italy, the golden wines from Bordeaux, and the cherries from Rachi Pieria in Greece. The Charming Taste of Europe is a three-year campaign promoted by the Vini dAbruzzo consortium, the Union of Sweet Bordeaux wines, the Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Kavala (Kavala COOP), and the Agricultural Cooperative of Rachi Pieria AGIOS LOUKAS, co-financed by the European Union. This campaign will focus on raising awareness of these high-quality products in the American and Canadian market. Kavala, situated on the coast in northern Greece, is not only one of the most beautiful touristic destinations, but also a natural oasis where some of the most delicious fruits and vegetables of Europe are produced following modern and innovative cultivation practices. Thanks to The Charming Taste of Europe program, the kiwis of Kavala are now ready to conquer the American and Canadian market with the slogan, Enjoy it! Its from Europe. Starting in the spring of 2021, these agricultural jewels of Europe will be the protagonists of numerous initiatives and events dedicated to consumers, media, and trade professionals both in the U.S. and Canada to educate these markets about their merits, increase quality standards, and thus enhance their competitiveness and create new export opportunities. Some of the most important appointments of 2021 include the participation in New Yorks Restaurant Week and the Winter Fancy Food Show in San Francisco. Throughout the year, there will be seminars and educational activities with sommeliers, culinary schools, and clubs, together with some dinners dedicated to trade and media. To learn more about The Charming Taste of Europe Campaign, visit charmingtasteofeurope.eu, where it highlights the characteristics of the selected European products. Pages dedicated to The Charming Taste of Europe can be found on all main social networks, such as Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. The Consortia invites everyone to join the social media campaign using the hashtag #charmeu. About the Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Kavala (Kavala COOP): The Union of Agricultural Cooperatives of Kavala (Kavala COOP) was founded in 1927. Today it has 500 members that include producers from the provinces of Kavala, Nestos and Thassos, in northern Greece. The Union has an area of action particularly developed with the cultivation of fruits and vegetables, especially kiwis, asparagus, tomatoes, peppers, watermelons, cherries, and apples. In Greece, the kiwi production is fully complied with the internationally recognized quality standards and protocols, as well as with the specifications of the European legislation, which is characterized worldwide as the strictest in terms of food safety. Kavala cooperatives apply certified quality assurance systems in accordance with the standards and protocols of GLOBAL GAP, GRASP, AGRO 2, IFS, BRC and ISO 22000. The kiwi processing facilities are located in Haidefto (Nestos Kavala), and thanks to specialized agronomists and high sensitivity to the environment, they produce high quality products. For more information, visit http://www.easkavalas.gr/ ### Activity included into the - "The Charming Taste of Europe", Campaign co-founded by the European Union - Reg. (UE) 1144/2014 - N. 101015721 - REG. 1144/2014_CHARMEU_101015721 The content of this promotion campaign represents the views of the author only and is his/her sole responsibility. The European Commission and the European Research Executive Agency (REA) do not accept any responsibility for any use that may be made of the information it contains. Thermo Fisher Scientific to Host Spectroscopy Week: Virtual Users Meeting, May 24-27, 2021. Thermo Fisher Scientific to hold Spectroscopy Week: Virtual Users Meeting on May 24th-27th, 2021, on the Labroots platform. It is a chance to see practical demonstrations from scientists in the field of spectroscopy. Thermo Fisher Scientifics Spectroscopy Week: Virtual Users Meeting will offer: How spectroscopy and other characterization tools are used in forensics, polymers, food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, for the rapid development and analysis of innovative materials With these tools, labs can identify dangerous substances, support polymer innovation, ensure the safety and enjoyment of our food, and deliver effective medicines Practical demonstrations will be given throughout each days program And more! Professionals will be brought together for Thermo Fisher Scientifics event. Expect each day to conclude with a live networking Q&A Session that will serve as an opportunity to engage with others in the field. To register for the event, and view the agenda and speakers, click here. About Thermo Fisher Scientific: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. is the world leader in serving science, with annual revenue exceeding $25 billion. Our Mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. Whether our customers are accelerating life sciences research, solving complex analytical challenges, improving patient diagnostics and therapies or increasing productivity in their laboratories, we are here to support them. Our global team of more than 75,000 colleagues delivers an unrivaled combination of innovative technologies, purchasing convenience and pharmaceutical services through our industry-leading brands, including Thermo Scientific, Applied Biosystems, Invitrogen, Fisher Scientific, Unity Lab Services and Patheon. For more information, please visit http://www.thermofisher.com. About Labroots: Labroots is the leading scientific social networking website, and primary source for scientific trending news and premier educational virtual events and webinars and more. Contributing to the advancement of science through content sharing capabilities, Labroots is a powerful advocate in amplifying global networks and communities. Founded in 2008, Labroots emphasizes digital innovation in scientific collaboration and learning. Offering more than articles and webcasts that go beyond the mundane and explore the latest discoveries in the world of science, Labroots users can stay atop their field by gaining continuing education credits from a wide range of topics through their participation in the webinars and virtual events. Cleveland Tax Attorney, Joshua Sells It is amazing to me how many realtors are still paying self-employment tax. Today, Cleveland Tax Attorney, Joshua Sells announced the release of a new tool for real estate agents looking to reduce their overall tax bill. Realtors can connect virtually with a tax attorney to strategize a customized approach to reduce their overall tax bill with a tax attorney. Sells says, "It is amazing to me how many realtors are still paying self-employment tax. With the recent housing boom, now is the time for real estate agents to consider an effective tax mitigation strategy." Real estate agents and brokers can use the new platform to connect remotely with a tax attorney to develop a customized plan. As part of the kick-off of this new platform, J. M. Sells law is providing an activation code of 730580 for all real estate participants to use to take advantage of this new tool for no cost. Sells says, "It is my goal that we will be able to spread the word to many different real estate agents about this exciting new approach to tax strategy. With the activation code, we are providing this service at no charge during the kick-off until June 1 of this year." Real estate agents are encouraged to go to the firm's website or schedule directly at https://calendly.com/ohiotaxattorney/real-estate-agent-tax-strategy-session with activation code 730580. BCEN's annual national award honors one top Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN) for their advocacy for flight nursing excellence through flight nursing specialty certification. "Kevins commitment to his specialty and his remarkable work as a VCU Health flight nurse supporting Virginia State Police and its Med-Flight I showcases how board certified flight nurses contribute to exceptional patient care, public service, and the advancement of clinical excellence." The Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN), the benchmark for board certification across the emergency nursing spectrum, today announced Kevin A. Kissner, MSN, RN, CEN, CFRN, NRP, a VCU Health flight nurse and paramedic who supports Virginia State Polices helicopter medical evacuation programs, as the recipient of BCENs 2021 Distinguished CFRN Award. Based in Richmond, Virginia, Kissner is part of VCU Healths LifeEvac team that provides air and ground ambulance services across Virginia, in addition to providing nurses and medical direction to the Virginia State Polices aviation unit. This annual BCEN award recognizes one top board certified flight nurse who exemplifies excellence in flight nursing and a strong commitment to supporting and advocating for flight nursing specialty certification. Introduced by BCEN in 1993, the Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN) is held by over 4,800 RNs and advanced practice nurses. The CFRN is a preferred national certification for flight team nurses, meets Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS) requirements, and is an accredited and Magnet-accepted certification. Kevins commitment to his specialty and his remarkable work as a VCU Health flight nurse supporting Virginia State Police and its Med-Flight I showcases how board certified flight nurses contribute to exceptional patient care, public service, and the advancement of clinical excellence, said BCEN CEO Janie Schumaker, MBA, BSN, RN, CEN, CENP, CPHQ, FABC. A champion for evidence-based care, safety and education, Kissner has helped his base maintain a 100% certification rate, spearheaded a Virginia State Police initiative to standardize helicopter hoist rescue operations, been a driving force behind multiple state-wide clinical staff educational initiatives, and been recognized with several unit Life Save awards for successful resuscitation of cardiac arrest during transport. When your life depends on receiving the highest level of care, you want the best care team by your side to make important real-time decisions, said Kathy Baker, Ph.D., associate chief nurse and associate vice president for patient care services at VCU Health System. As a Level I trauma center, we are proud to have highly skilled, board certified team members like Kevin providing world-class service and care to the communities we serve. Just achieving certification is impressive, but it is really what you do with it, such as being on the cutting edge of change during the pandemic, that inspires me, said Kissner. Flight nursing has been my passion for the past 16 years and receiving the BCEN award is honestly the pinnacle of my career to this point. Read more about Kissner in BCENs Meet the Winner Q&A at bcen.org/2021-cfrn-award-winner/. Learn about the history of flight nursing and the CFRN in Excellence in the Air: The CFRN. Award Presentation & BCENs National Nurse and Organizational Awards BCEN officials will present Kissner with the Distinguished CFRN trophy during the 29th Annual Critical Care Transport Medicine Conference in Orange Beach, Alabama, on May 18. The conference is hosted by the Air & Surface Transport Nurses Association (ASTNA), the Air Medical Physician Association and the International Association of Flight & Critical Care Paramedics. The award winner was determined by a selection committee consisting of BCEN board members, staff and volunteer subject matter experts and an ASTNA official. Learn more about the BCEN Distinguished Awards and the BCEN National Certification Champion Awards at bcen.org/awards. About BCEN Founded in 1980, the independent, not-for-profit Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN) offers robust national board certification programs fostering empowered nurses across the emergency spectrum who contribute noticeably to patient care, safety and outcomes. Nearly 59,000 BCEN credentials are currently held by registered nurses (RNs) who specialize in emergency, flight, critical care ground transport, pediatric emergency and trauma nursing. BCEN offers the Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN), Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN), Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN), Certified Transport Registered Nurse (CTRN) and Trauma Certified Registered Nurse (TCRN) certifications. The CEN, CFRN, CPEN, and TCRN certification programs are accredited by the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC). Learn more at bcen.org. Follow BCEN on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. # # # Note to Editors: Photos available by request. SaiOx Hespiro Respiratory Assist Device "The goal is to enable XrossFusion to use SaiOxs Hespiro technology to produce breathing assist devices for Indian hospitals so they are able to recycle exhaled oxygen and thereby reduce the rate of oxygen utilization by 28-fold."- Manny Teran SaiOx Inc., the Tucson, Arizona company that developed the Hespiro helium-oxygen Respiratory Assist Device, a type of ventilator, to help treat patients with respiratory conditions including COPD and COVID-19, has partnered with XrossFusion, a medical device firm in India to deliver critical oxygen-saving respiratory equipment technology to hospitals in India. The need is great because hospitals across India are struggling to provide oxygen to patients suffering with COVID due to a severe shortage of oxygen supplies in the country, according to reports from the BBC. The oxygen shortage has created a treatment crisis for hospitals. Many are unable to provide the life-saving oxygen their patients desperately need. There have been more than a half-a-million deaths in India due to COVID. Public health professionals from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) project the possibility of a million deaths or more by August of this year. The scarcity of oxygen available to doctors and nurses treating COVID patients has made a difficult situation even worse. According to SaiOx CEO Manny Teran, the goal is to enable XrossFusion to use SaiOxs Hespiro technology to produce breathing assist devices for Indian hospitals so they are able to recycle exhaled oxygen and thereby reduce the rate of oxygen utilization by 28-fold. This means each oxygen tank lasts 28 times longer. Teran believes this could have a significant impact and save lives. He and the SaiOx team are in active consultation with their counterparts at XrossFusion to work out specifics so that clinical studies, production and distribution in India by their XrossFusion partners can begin as soon as possible. XrossFusion is a joint venture between Samy Subbiah and Ravi Ganesh in Coimbatore, India. They were manufacturing and distributing breathing devices even before the pandemic started. Don Finkle, President and COO of SaiOx and an experienced executive who ran large scale manufacturing at various Fortune 500 companies, has been central to the supply chain deployment efforts. The goal of this international technological collaboration is to help alleviate the oxygen shortage impacting Indian hospitals by using Hespiro technology. This is a low-pressure rebreather system that conserves exhaled oxygen and alleviates breathing effort through a low-pressure system with low density Heliox gas in lieu of a moderate-to-high pressure delivery system. Furthermore, the Hespiro technology protects front line workers from getting the virus by containing the patients contaminated air within the rebreathing circuit. The technology at the heart of the Hespiro system was developed by Dr. Sairam Parthasarathy, MD, a University of Arizona professor of pulmonology, and Dr. Marvin Slepian, MD, a UA professor of medicine, cardiologist and co-founder of artificial heart maker SynCardia Systems. In early 2020, CEO Teran and his team began working with Dr. Parthasarathy and the technology commercialization team at Tech Launch Arizona, or TLA, the UA commercialization office, to advance development of the Hespiro system, designed to help treat patients with respiratory conditions, including COPD and COVID-19, while reducing the need for scarce mechanical ventilators. It not only delivers a mixture of helium and oxygen, but it captures exhaled gas and scrubs it free of carbon dioxide in a completely closed rebreather system. While not a replacement for a mechanical ventilator, inventor Dr. Parthasarathy says the SaiOx system helps patients who can still breathe on their own to breathe much more easily. Through TLA, the University of Arizona was awarded the patent for the invention in August 2020; the university then licensed the intellectual property to SaiOx for advancement. The startup has been working closely with the FDA to get approval for the U.S. market. From left: Woolpert's Joseph Bissaillon, Doug Brown and David Ziegman The secret formula for being successful is agility and expertise, where you can execute any project, be responsive and make decisions quickly. Woolpert has put the shift on in the federal market, promoting from within and making key hires to have a broader influence worldwide and to implement a diverse strategy for serving federal clients. Woolpert Vice President and Federal Design Practice Leader Doug Brown has been promoted to federal market director, assuming the former position of Senior Vice President David Ziegman, while Senior Associate and Senior Project Manager Joseph Bissaillon has been promoted to federal design practice leader, filling Browns former role. Doug has done a little bit of everything for the market for close to 18 years, and he has earned the trust and respect internally and externally to deliver what is required for every project, every time, Ziegman said. He has had a lot of success with federal and military clients, and his background as an Air Force officer has been an asset to his relationships with a variety of federal, state and local officials. Doug is the man for this job. Brown is the son of a U.S. Army officer and served in the U.S. Air Force as a civil engineer officer before joining Woolperts Fairview Heights, Ill., office. He is a Professional Engineer and Project Management Professional who holds advanced certification in LEED AP Building Design + Construction. Brown said he benefited from the vast experience of Ziegman and other leaders at Woolpert to methodically grow into this key firm role. We know what we do and why we do it. Its important to us to take care of our current and repeat clients and help them achieve their mission, Brown said. At Woolpert, its not just about positioning people as leaders, but about continuing to build our strengths to optimally execute our projects. Its great to work at a place where you are appreciated and can continually achieve more for each client and for the firm. Bissaillon is a registered architect, Project Management Professional and Green Globes Professional, who also is credentialed in LEED AP BD+C. Brown said he has worked closely with Bissaillon for several years, calling him a team player who excels at everything he does. He has been impressed by Bissaillons client and industry knowledge. Ive been consistently working over the last several years to not only advance my skills to best support each project and each client, but to also to effectively lead and mentor others, Bissaillon said. I appreciate that this role will give me more opportunity to be influential with our strategic pursuits and key clients, ensuring that we keep moving our design process and the industry forward. Woolpert Project Manager John Martin also was moved to the federal market from Woolperts landscape architecture discipline, underscoring the firms architecture, engineering and geospatial (AEG) bench strength. Morgan Grohol was hired as a project manager, and Brown said there will be at least one more hire this summer. Ziegman, who has been with Woolpert for over 30 years, will move into a program director position. Brown said Ziegman intuitively understands how things work, and that his knowledge and relationships are invaluable to the firm and its clients. Ziegman added that the market will benefit from some new blood and new ideas. Its good to have someone else take over the leadership that has been in place for so long, Ziegman said. The people moving up deserve to be moved up. This is a great team, and its time for them to have their fun in the sun. Were getting some really sharp folks in, and its going to pay off for the next 10-20 years. Brown said this group of talented individuals will help Woolpert reinforce its strong foundation with the U.S. Army, Air Force and Navy and expand its work with others, like the U.S. Coast Guard. The secret formula for being successful is agility and expertise, where you can execute any project, be responsive and make decisions quickly, Brown said. Were the right size firm to offer AEG expertise and support for federal and military clients, from planning through completion, around the world. We look forward to all that lies ahead. About Woolpert Woolpert is the premier architecture, engineering, geospatial (AEG) and strategic consulting firm, with a vision to become one of the best companies in the world. We innovate within and across markets to effectively serve public, private and government clients worldwide. Woolpert is an ENR Top 150 Global Design Firm, recently earned its fifth-straight Great Place to Work certification and actively nurtures a culture of growth, inclusion, diversity and respect. Founded in 1911 in Dayton, Ohio, Woolpert has been Americas fastest-growing AEG firm since 2015. The firm has over 1,100 employees and 42 offices in three countries. For more, visit woolpert.com. In Colombiana (Harper Wave, June), chef and food stylist Velasquez draws on the rich culinary history of her native Colombia. What inspired you to write such a deeply personal cookbook? After 22 years as a professional cook primarily in New York and California, I felt it was time to circle back to write about my cooking roots. In Colombia, the table is the center of the home. It was time to pay tribute to the nuances that made me the cook I am. Where do you see Colombian cooking on a world stage? I believe that Colombian cuisine is slowly emerging on a global level. There is currently a group of young chefs who are researching the countrys heritage and ingredients, looking inward to tell the story of Colombian cooking. Theres a new appreciation for the countrys cuisine and culture, and I see it following the same path to recognition as Mexican cooking. Youve said that your career has been shaped by your homeland and living in America. How so? The Colombian influence on my cooking is really my style: loose; using fresh, colorful ingredients; serving family-style with abundance. The American influence comes through as discipline, researching ingredients, documenting recipes. What advice would you give to those making Colombian food for the first time? Colombian food tends to be very simple countryside food really, with tougher cuts of meat, so most meals lend themselves to a pressure cooker. There are many one-pot meals. My best advice is dont be afraid to braise and roast. I always loved the visual part of food and the beauty of cookbooks and magazines. My cooking career slowly took me where I wanted to go. I had the privilege of working with chefs who had an eye for setting the scene in a very nonchalant way. I was doing recipe testing for Saveur when a photographer recommended I try food styling. I ended up assisting other food stylists first and went on to develop my own career. How did you come to work with former first lady Michelle Obama on her book American Grown? That was a dream. The photographer working on the project recommended me as a stylist candidate, so I presented my portfolio and was ultimately chosen to work on the books interior. I was able to collaborate with Mrs. Obamawho was so real and genuineas well as with White House chefs. It was a surreal experience. We have so many fantasies of what the writers life is like: jotting down notes at a cafe, time to dream, and a certain ease of getting published. While many of these, particularly the last, quickly fade, either because of early rejections or the need for a steady paycheck, there is one fantasy that I held on to until my first book was published: that of the overly involved, tough-love editor who would take my work to some next levelthe Gordon Lish to my Raymond Carverand care about it as much as I did. My first book, a story collection, was published by a university press. The peer reviewers each gave a few careful comments. One reviewer wanted one story cut, the other thought it could be reworked. A second story was recommended for fine-tuning. I agreed to address these small issues, and I waited for the editor to whom I had originally submitted the work to give me her edits. They never came. She told me to make the changes the reviewers had suggested, and then I was whisked right on to copy editing. I know she cared about the book. She just wasnt going to edit it in the way I thought she would. Rewind a year, to when I found an agent for my debut novel. He and I spent months going back and forth with my revisions, his comments, and more revisions. Here was the editing process I expected: where sentences are debated, scenes deleted, problems large and small addressed. Throughout this process, he kept telling me editors these days like really clean copy, and I started to realize that editors dont really edit anymore. My agent used to be an editor, says author Keith Lee Morris, whom I contacted after hearing him discuss the editing process at a book event, and she quit to become an agent so that she could work more closely with authors on their manuscripts. My own agent, Madison Smartt Bell, agrees that editing has shifted: Editors now can expect manuscripts submitted to them to be in an extremely finished state, perfected whether by writers teaching in the academy, or by agents drawing on their past experience as editors, or a combination of those two. Morris adds that editors are now expected to promote their books, and I know this was true of my university press editor, who not only acquired the book but was its marketing department, as well. So, what have we lost with these changes in the industry? Is it just romantic ideals, or has some real care and attention to detail been lost? My debut novel, Strange Children, comes out with an independent press this month, and while the editor was certainly not a line-by-line editor, she did give me several helpful notes and talked me through ideas at length. I appreciated both her insight and her trust in me to take her comments and change the book how I saw fit. I know the time she spent made it a better book. Morris did eventually seek out an old-school editor for one novel, but the experience was challenging: as writers, we may not be used to hands-on editing anymore, either. However, he admits, Theres absolutely no doubt in my mind that, ultimately, he made it a much better book. He pushed me beyond my comfort zone in a couple of crucial scenes, for which Ill always be grateful, even though it was painful at the time. Another writer, Lauren Kate, requires an extensive three-pass editing process. I need the agonizing, visionary collaboration with my editor to end up anywhere near the story Im trying to tell, she says. When we dont have that, whats lost isnt just the quality or the not-quite-reached potential of a book, but also a sense of collaboration and mentorship. And though teachers, agents, and other writers are stepping up to fill the gap, theres no guarantee that will always happen. As a writer, I regret not knowing that publication acceptance meant that the more rigorous editing process was behind me, not ahead of me. The university press that published my book recently asked me to peer review a new book, and when I voted yes on the manuscript, I also handed in several pages of editorial notes, knowing I may be the only reader to do so. The editor and writer both responded with gratitude. And yet there were many small edits I would have suggested if I had been the actual editor, many places I thought a talented writer could be pushed more. As it stands, it doesnt seem likely that push will happen. And that push, to me, seems like something we should seek out as writers, and make time for as publishers. Sadie Hoagland is an associate professor of English at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and directs the creative writing program there. She is the author of the novel Strange Children (Red Hen, May) and the 2019 story collection American Grief in Four Stages. At a time when so many have rallied in support of the #MeToo and Black Lives Matter movements, Charis Books & More in Decatur, Ga., which describes itself as one of the most deeply and historically interracial, intergenerational, multigendered, radically inclusive feminist bookstores in the country, is filling a niche in todays bookselling landscape. The infrastructure Charis has built up over nearly five decades helped to cement its status as an essential community resource during a year marked by civil unrest. Sanj Kharbanda, director of sales and marketing at Beacon Press, noted in his nominating letter that from the start, Charis has been more than a store. With their nonprofit [programming arm], Charis Circle, the store works for social justice and encourages diverse and marginalized voices. Ellen Adler, publisher of the New Press, points out that while Georgia was at the center of the national political conversation last year, Charis has for many decades been at the center of political conversation in Georgia. Throughout the pandemic, the New Press has partnered frequently with Charis on virtual events for its political titles. Founded in Atlanta in 1974 by Linda Bryant, Charis (Greek for grace or a gift freely given) is the oldest feminist bookstore in the Southeast. In their statement in response to the nomination, owners Sara Luce Look and Angela Gabriel said the store has thrived in a racially diverse metro area with a significant LGBTQ population due mostly to our communitys ongoing commitment to use feminism as a tool for growth, which necessarily includes mistakes, failures, heartbreaks, and new starts. In 2019, Charis moved from its longtime site in Atlantas Little Five Points area to the much more suburban Decatur to partner with Agnes Scott College. It is now located in a Victorian house with a 1,900-sq.-ft. retail area and a 100-person event space. The private womens colleges commitment to female and nonbinary leadership dovetails with Chariss own mission of fostering sustainable feminist communities in the pursuit of social justice. The partnership makes Charis one of the few indie bookstores, and the only feminist bookseller, to become an official college store for branded apparel, gifts, and other nonbook items, with E-Follett the source for student textbooks. Through the relationship, the stores owners noted, we get to share our mission with an ever-renewing population of engaged learners, and we get to learn from young people about what is most important in their lives today. Charis closed to in-person browsing last March in response to Covid-19 and hasnt reopened yet. Like many other bookstores, it was inundated last summer with requests for books about race. In contrast to many indies, it already had a well-established website set up for e-commerce and a robust shipping system, along with lists of reading recommendations. Customers are even directed toward training spaces designed to translate reading into action. Because Charis has always functioned as a place to gather and just hang out with friends and have a cup of tea or a meeting on our front porch, the owners said in their statement, we were very scared that if you stripped away the community space of Charis, there would be less of an incentive to support us. Chariss four full-time and three part-time employees need not have worried. Though 2019 was the best year we ever had because of the move and our grand reopening celebration, Gabriel says, sales dipped only a little last year, finishing at the same level as 2018. With the move behind it, Charis continues to plan for the future. A bequest from late avant-garde composer and feminist activist Sorrel Hayes of 24 acres of land, with a lake, four buildings, a recording studio, and a woodworking studio, about an hour west of downtown Atlanta, allowed Charis to form a 501(c)2 last year to create an artist retreat, Charis Commons. It is beginning to plan for the next iteration of its mission, which will include Charis Commons, and hopes to share its vision soon. Return to the main feature. When MahoganyBooks opened in the Anacostia Arts Center in 2017, it was the first new bookstore in southeast Washington, D.C., in 20 years. Though the store was new, owners and husband and wife Derrick and Ramunda Young were already veteran booksellers, having worked in D.C.-area bookstores in the 1990s and early 2000s. In the nearly four years since it opened, the store has garnered national recognition for its emphasis that books by Black authors matter. That focus led Bradley Graham, co-owner of Politics and Prose Bookstore, also in D.C., to say that Mahogany has quickly risen to become one of the leading Black-owned bookstores in the country. The Youngs opened MahoganyBooksnamed for their daughterin 2007 as an online-only and events business. Specializing in books by and for Black readers, they developed a steady following and base from which they opened the physical location 10 years later, in a neighborhood where Derrick Young spent many years as a child, visiting his grandmother. From the start, the combination of community ties and tech savvy have been at the root of the Youngs vision for what an independent bookstore should be. They opened their bricks-and-mortar location at a time when Black-owned bookstores were in steep decline but today are at the forefront of a revival. Over the past four years, the Youngs have gone from employing one part-time bookseller to having 13 employees. In part, the stores growth hinged on robust community events. Before the pandemic, their connection to the Anacostia Arts Center space gave them ample room to host large-scale readings while maintaining 500 sq. ft. for books and browsing. Among those books are titles that have often been overlooked by traditional publishers, covering a range of subjects, from cookbooks to philosophy, all focused on representing the breadth of literature in the African diaspora. The Youngs inform customers about books that are in danger of going out of printbooks, they say, that must remain in print. To build a list carrying those titles involves tracking down small publishers, emphasizing self-published titles from within the community, and engaging customers around major cultural and literary events for Black communities. At the root of the Youngs work is a mission to confront the disempowerment of Black readers. For centuries, Black people have been portrayed as only slaves, people of struggle, dangerous, stupid, uneducated, the Youngs said in their statement in response to the nomination. A new narrative is paramount for all readers. During 2020, the Youngs mission received widespread support. MahoganyBooks closed in March due to the pandemic, but during the wave of protests following the murder of George Floyd, its long-standing focus on technology made it a lifeline for readers. Between May and October, more than 100,000 books were ordered through its website, and its social media presence grew. Many of MahoganyBooks new customers who wanted to learn more as a result of Black Lives Matter protests are not Black, and the Youngs spent much of last summer finding ways to ensure that they return and discover works they might otherwise not know. The store has also developed partnerships with groups like Donors Choose to expand the diversity of classroom and library bookshelves in schools across the country, and a growing roster of prominent authors have sought it out for virtual events. In 2020, the store hosted some of the nations leading literary and political leaders, including former president Barack Obama, Rev. Al Sharpton, Ibram X. Kendi, Elizabeth Acevedo, and Gabrielle Union. But though 2020 was a year of largely virtual bookselling, the Youngs are also deepening their investment in physical space. In June they will open a new store at the National Harbor in Prince Georges County, Md. As vaccinations increase and browsing becomes more possible, they are eager to get back to the personal connections with readers that they work so hard to cultivate, beginning with ensuring that Black readers know they are respected and valued from the moment they walk through the door. It is important that our customers are treated like family, the Youngs said in their statement. We ask questions, build a rapport, identify their joys, fears, or pain when it comes to reading. We aim to understand the needs and wants of our customers, and that they understand we are making a thoughtful, well-considered recommendation. Return to the main feature. The Israeli military said in a morning briefing Wednesday that a total of five Israeli civilians have now been killed since the start of the violent exchange of rocket fire and airstrikes between Gaza and Israel earlier this week. by Anwar A. Khan Israeli warplanes and helicopters conducted airstrikes in the blockaded Gaza Strip, Palestine on 10 May last. 2 banks in Rafah city, southern Gaza, also destroyed by Israeli fighter jets. Israeli warplanes pounded several spots on the Gaza Strip, including a residential building and two banks. The al-Walid, a five-story building in western Gaza city, was razed to the ground. It housed residential apartments and commercial stores, in addition to the office of a Turkish relief group, Yardimeli. Palestinian citizen Fahed al-Ghalayeni who lives in the destroyed building told Anadolu Agency that the residents were unable to take any of their belongings. The strikes on Rafah also targeted a military site for Hamas' armed wing near the Palestinian-Egyptian border. Israeli bombardment on Gaza has killed 69 Palestinians, including 17 children and seven women. At least 388 others have been injured, Palestinian health officials said. More than 2,160 Palestinians were killed, most of them civilians, and some 11,000 injured in an Israeli onslaught against the Gaza Strip in 2014. The Palestinian cause is a trickling genocide, slow but relentless, the president of the Confederation of Palestinian Communities in Latin America and the Caribbean (COPLAC) said Wednesday last. In an interview with Anadolu Agency, Rafael Araya Masry said there are grounds to talk about state terrorism carried out by Israel in the ongoing airstrikes in Gaza. Its not for nothing that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has launched an investigation against Israel for war crimes committed in the Gaza Strip with its bombings but adding a factor that is not minor: the colonization of the Palestinian territories. Colonization is a war crime, Masry said. Tensions have been running high since last week after an Israeli court ordered the eviction of Palestinian families in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of occupied East Jerusalem. This process of dispossession, basically in the holy city of Jerusalem, which Israel has declared its unique and indivisible capital, means what we say: the erasure of all human, graphic, written and cultural traces of a community who has lived there for many centuries. So, this is the violent continuation through state terrorism of a process that seeks the expulsion of the Palestinians from the eastern part of Jerusalem, which is destined to be the future capital of the Palestinian state, Masry further said. According to Masry, the Israeli government sends civilians -- settlers -- to bait and insult Palestinians before sending in the army to evict them from their homes. It is fascist to use the civilian population as a tool of a state policy to expel inhabitants. That is the tragic part of the story: the state succeeds in getting the civilian population to enter into a fascistized project. Besides the evictions in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Israeli authorities have harassed and attacked worshippers in the midst of prayers inside Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site in Islam, something that has escalated the violence. Regarding a possible Intifada, Masry said "Palestinian deaths in Israeli bombings in Gaza are normal. It always happens. It seems like a conflict without a solution. How do people in the Gaza Strip, which is the worlds largest open-air prison, compete against the fourth or fifth strongest military power on the planet? Furthermore, with a state that has made military oppression the reason for invoking what they call the right to defend themselves' and crush any protest or dissent, not only against Palestinians, but also against Israeli citizens and organizations who denounce what is going on with the Palestinian people. On the other side of the world, all but two Latin American countries recognize Palestine -- Mexico and Panama. So as a Palestinian representative in the region, Masry said the work of COPLAC is to raise awareness and gather the greatest possible support for Palestine to achieve its independence. For example, I asked Mercosur to issue a statement and to suspend the prerogatives it has granted to Israel by signing a free trade agreement, to put it on hold as a measure of pressure to stop the repression and bombings in the Palestinian territories. The Palestinian Health Ministry said they have received multiple bodies believed to have died due to inhaling toxic gases. Autopsies were conducted on the bodies at Al-Shefa Hospital in Gaza city, the ministry said in a statement, adding that the cause of death was determined to be suffocation after inhaling toxic gases. To date, six Israelis have been killed in the recent violence five of them in rocket attacks in addition to a soldier killed when an anti-tank guided missile struck his jeep. As both sides traded airstrikes on Tuesday evening last, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation from Tel Aviv, saying, "We are in the midst of a significant operation." The Israeli military said it had killed more than 15 militants. Rockets were fired towards Tel Aviv in the early hours of Wednesday morning last. Sirens could be heard warning of an impending attack around 3 a.m. local time. It was not immediately clear if there were any casualties. In the town of Ashkelon, two people were killed by rocket fire Tuesday last, according to an Israeli military spokesman. A third person died in the town of Rishon Lezion, south of Tel Aviv on Tuesday evening after a rocket attack, Israeli media reported citing the ZAKA emergency service. A CNN team heard at least 50 explosions in the coastal town near Gaza, and rocket fire was also reported in the city of Ashdod. At least 17 Israeli civilians have been treated for injuries from rocket attacks, the military said. On Wednesday last, Israel declared a state of emergency in the central city of Lod and dispatched border police battalions to the area for reinforcements, according to the Government Press Office. The mixed Jewish-Arab city has seen protests escalate into riots this week. A CNN team driving through Lod early Wednesday saw roads strewn with rocks and burned-out cars. Overnight, a rocket hit a house in Dahamesh, just outside the city, killing a 52-year-old man and his daughter, both Israeli-Arab citizens. The Israeli military said in a morning briefing Wednesday that a total of five Israeli civilians have now been killed since the start of the violent exchange of rocket fire and airstrikes between Gaza and Israel earlier this week. Separately, in the early hours of Wednesday last, two separate buildings were hit, a three-floor residential building in which three people were killed, Gaza health officials said, and a 10-story building which suffered major damage but saw no fatalities. The larger building, known as the al-Jawahera building, houses media network companies and other offices. Following the Israeli strike on the tower, a barrage of more than 200 rockets was then fired from Gaza into Israel. Earlier Hamas had warned if residential tower buildings in Gaza were targeted, they would not sit idle and would respond with rocket fire. The Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, says it responded with 210 rockets fired towards Beer Sheva and Tel Aviv. Palestinian Ministry of Health spokesman in Gaza Ashraf, Al Qidra, said many Gaza residents are now in a state of panic due to the ongoing Israeli airstrikes. "The deliberate targeting of civilian houses and crowded residential neighborhoods puts more than half of the population of the Gaza Strip, including women and children, in a state of panic," Al Qidra said in a post to Twitter on Wednesday. He said the ongoing Israeli airstrikes have "dangerous psychological repercussions due to frightening and successive sounds of explosions, scenes of destruction and victims." Al Qidra also said 43% of the victims in Gaza are children and women. Gaza's Interior Ministry's spokesman Iyad al-Bazam also said in a statement released Wednesday that dozens of Israeli airstrikes hit several areas in Gaza. No signs of de-escalation as yet. In the past two days, Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza have fired at least 500 rockets into Israel, forcing the closure of Israel's main international airport, Ben Gurion, about fifteen kilometers east of Tel Aviv. The militants say it is a response to the actions of Israeli police who fired stun grenades inside the Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem -- one of the city's holiest sites -- on Monday morning last. Hundreds of Palestinians went to hospitals for treatment after ensuing clashes with Israeli police, in the most serious violence seen in the city in weeks. "We have the right to respond to the Israeli offensive and protect the interests of our people as long as the Israeli occupation continues the escalation," Hamas said in a statement. The Israeli military has conducted more than 150 strikes in Gaza as of Tuesday afternoon, according to a military spokesman, who said Israel had also called up 5,000 reserve troops to active duty to "enhance" its operation in Gaza. Israeli rescue teams evacuate a woman from a residential neighborhood in Ashkelon Tuesday after rockets were fired from Gaza towards Israel overnight amid spiralling violence. A number of deaths were reported in strikes in Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza. Among them were Amira Abdel-Fattah, 57, who was killed in her apartment along with her son who has special needs, Ibrahim al-Masri, 11, and his brother Marwan, 7, the Palestinian health ministry said. The Israeli army says it is investigating. A Palestinian man in Gaza told CNN over the phone that the sounds of Israeli strikes throughout Monday night, as well as the sound of outgoing rocket fire, had been "horrifying." The man, who declined to be named, described a mood of anger in Gaza over recent events in Jerusalem. "It's the fact the Israelis targeted Al Aqsa, during Ramadan, while people were praying" that has so riled people, he said. The man added that Israel's actions would only embolden support for Hamas, and that he believed militants should continue firing rockets. The mother of Palestinian Hussien Hamad, 11, is comforted by mourners during his funeral in Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Arab citizens of Israel demonstrated Monday evening and Tuesday in the streets of several Israeli cities and villages, including Haifa and Lod, in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and Jerusalem. In Lod, a 25-year-old Arab-Israeli man was shot dead by a 34-year-old Jewish resident who said he was responding to stones being thrown at him. Two people were arrested in connection with that incident, police said. Israeli police said around 150 violent protesters had been arrested in multiple locations. Rioters attacked drivers, threw stones at passing cars, blocked roads and ignited trees tires and a car, according to police. IDF soldiers fired tear gas at Palestinian demonstrators at the Qalandiya checkpoint between Ramallah and Jerusalem, in the West Bank on Tuesday. International community calls for calm! The United States and European Union called for a de-escalation of violence while several countries in the Middle East, including Turkey, condemned the Israeli police response to tensions in Jerusalem. One of the main sources of growing unrest in recent days has been the possible eviction of several Palestinian families from their homes in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah. Israeli police have clashed with Palestinians in the neighborhood, as well as other locations, for several weeks now, with Palestinians accusing Jewish nationalists of provocation and police of heavy-handed tactics. Nearly a thousand Palestinians were injured in East Jerusalem, and over 200 in the West Bank, between May 7 and May 10, according to the United Nations and the Palestinian Red Crescent. On Tuesday last, UN human rights experts expressed "grave concerns about Israel's aggressive response to protests in East Jerusalem, and called on Israel, as an occupying power, to immediately lift its threat to evict hundreds of Palestinian households from their legally protected homes." The UN also denounced Israeli airstrikes in Gaza as well as Palestinian rocket shelling. Israeli Supreme Court delays hearing on Palestinian evictions from East Jerusalem neighborhood. "Re-establishing calm in Jerusalem is important, but creating the conditions for justice and equality in the City are even more important," the experts said in the statement. US President Joe Biden has received a briefing from his national security adviser on the ongoing violence between Israelis and Palestinians, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday. Biden had directed his team to "engage intensively" with Israeli and Palestinian leaders, she said. "His team is communicating a clear and consistent message in support of de-escalation and that is our primary focus. The President's support for Israel's security, for its legitimate right to defend itself and its people is fundamental and will never waver." Look at his temerity which is irremissible! US officials have "spoken candidly" with Israeli officials about the eviction of Palestinians from East Jerusalem, Psaki said, saying they worked against shared interests of reducing violence. "We believe Palestinians and Israelis deserve equal measures of freedom, security, dignity and prosperity," she said. The worst fighting between Israelis and Palestinians in seven years intensified on Tuesday night last, as Israeli airstrikes began targeting Hamass offices in Gaza City and militants in Gaza fired rockets at the metropolis of Tel Aviv, the southern city of Ashkelon and Israels main airport. Away from the military conflict, a wave of civil unrest spread across Arab neighborhoods as Palestinian citizens of Israel expressed fury at the killings in Gaza and longstanding complaints of discrimination inside Israel itself. While the surge in strikes, the worst since 2014, brought fear to millions in Gaza and Israel, they nevertheless bolstered an unlikely pair: Hamas, the Islamist militant group that runs the Gaza Strip, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel. You don't need to be Muslim to stand for Gaza. You just need to be HUMAN! -The End The writer is an independent political analyst based in Dhaka, Bangladesh who writes on politics, political and human-centred figures, current and international affairs "This is a great place to have a bookstore, Jan Weissmiller says of Iowa City, Iowa. And Prairie Lights has been a good place for Weissmiller to spend a life: she has worked at the iconic bookstore since she was hired by then-owner Jim Harris in 1979 at age 23. Harris opened Prairie Lights in an 1,100-sq.-ft. retail space in downtown Iowa City in 1978, after selling farmland hed inherited in order to finance his venture. Five years later, the store moved a few blocks to its current location, around the corner from the University of Iowa campus, filling three and a half floors in a building housing a separately owned cafe on the other half of its top floor. In 2008, Weissmiller and the poet Jane Mead entered into a partnership to buy the store from Harris, and a year later they took over operation of the 1,100-square-foot cafe. Mead died in 2019. For decades Prairie Lights has been the hub of Iowas vibrant literary scene, hosting the author reading series Live from Prairie Lights for 20 years. The series, initially broadcast by Iowa Public Radio, has been broadcast for the past decade by UIs campus radio station. As far as Weissmiller is concerned, though, what sustains Prairie Lights is UIs 33,000 students, including those enrolled in the famed Iowa Writers Workshop. Its really lovely, in normal times, having undergraduates and grad students in here for hours, she said. They sit in the cafe and have coffee, then they go downstairs and look at books, then they go back to the cafe and work on their writing. Weissmiller points out that Leslie Jamison wrote much of her essay collection The Empathy Exams inside Prairie Lights cafe. And Brandon Taylor recently published 30 short stories in electronic journals, all of them set within the bookstore. Like most indies, Prairie Lights closed its doors to customer traffic in March 2020, though it temporarily reopened during the holiday season, and again on Independent Bookstore Day. It is now closed, though it offers mail order, curbside pickup, and, for local customers, free hand delivery. During the pandemic, what we cant have is a lot of kids in their 20s who want to spend six hours a day in here, Weissmiller said. If we open for walk-ins, then were fighting with them on how long they can stay. Prairie Lights has maintained a regular virtual programming schedule, hosting up to three Zoom events weekly, featuring authors like John Grisham and Marilynne Robinson. While huge audiences dont always mean great sales, some events have drawn customers: Poppyland: A Story About Family, Fine Bourbon, and Things That Last by Wright Thompson sold 600 copies during its Zoom event. I cant imagine viewers are buying the books on Amazon, said Weissmiller, who advocates that publishers schedule ticketed virtual events to better accommodate bookstores. One of the reasons you buy the book at an event is because its a life experience. You meet the author and get the signature. Even if you buy a pre-signed book, its not the same thing. Prairie Lights saw revenue drop this past year, but expenses and payroll also decreased, and online sales jumped 200% over 2019. With parents homeschooling, sales of childrens books spiked in 2020, and sales of hardcover books remain strong. Our hardback books are doing better than in pre-pandemic times, Weissmiller noted. The libraries are closed, and people want to read the new releases that are being reviewed. Little has changed regarding inventory: Prairie Lights orders just as many titles as before, only in smaller quantities. What is most important to me, Weissmiller said, is that we have a lot of books. Thats what people like about usthat we order very widely: all the university presses, all the small press poetry, as well as the new stuff. Now that Prairie Lights staff is fully vaccinated, browsing is available by appointment while Weissmiller contemplates when and how to reopen in full. People have been making appointments to come here from a long way away, because they know they can see books they would never see otherwise, she said. And even though we dont have anyone staffing the childrens area, families make appointments to go down there, kids with their parentsthey know it so well. With the Libraries Are Essential program, the U.S. Book Show embraces a simple truth: public libraries are vital institutions. More than just a key marketplace for publishers and authors, public libraries are anchors in their communities, key to our democracy, and crucial supporters of the basic elements necessary for a strong literary culture: literacy, education, equal access to information, access to broadband, diversity and inclusion, and information literacy. Sponsored by OverDrive, Libraries Are Essential will run from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. ET on the opening day of the U.S. Book Show, Tuesday, May 25. The program will be presented in two 90-minute sections, separated by a short break, and will feature an array of library leaders from around the nation. The morning session (11 a.m.12:45 p.m. ET) will explore the state of the profession and library education, and the future of library spaces in light of the pandemic and our nations social and racial justice awakening. Participants will discuss key topics, including new programs and services, budget and economic concerns, worker safety issues, equity, diversity and inclusion, and how library buildings may need to change following this historic public health crisis. This session will include a discussion with R. Crosby Kemper III, director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The afternoon session (12:30 p.m. ET) will focus on digital developments in public libraries. Though the digital content market for libraries and publishers has been complex from its inception, the pandemic has led to an unprecedented jump in digital circulation. This session will explore what we have learned from the extraordinary digital pivot of the last yearand what comes next for libraries and publishers in a postpandemic world. The afternoon will conclude with a keynote from sociologist Eric Klinenberg, author of Palaces for the People: How Social Infrastructure Can Help Fight Inequality, Polarization, and the Decline of Civic Life. Register today! Program details and the full lineup are below. Libraries Are Essential Program I: 11 a.m.12:45 p.m. ET Opening Remarks, with Cohosts Andrew Richard Albanese and Sari Feldman PW senior writer Andrew Richard Albanese leads the magazines library coverage. Albanese has covered the publishing and information technology fields for more than 21 years and is a former associate editor of American history at Oxford University Press, a former editor at Library Journal, and author of The Battle of $9.99: How Apple, Amazon and the Big Six Publishers Changed the E-book Business Overnight. PW columnist Sari Feldman is the former executive director of the Cuyahoga County Public Library in Cleveland and a past president of both the Public Library Association (20092010) and the American Library Association (20152016). She is currently an ALA policy fellow focusing on digital library policy. Special guests Tracie D. Hall, executive director of the American Library Association. She has previously served as director, culture program, at Chicagos Joyce Foundation and is a former deputy commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events for the Chicago, where she oversaw the Arts and Creative Industries Division. Julius C. Jefferson Jr., president of the American Library Association. He is the section head of the research and library services section in the foreign affairs, defense, and trade division at the Congressional Research Service of the Library of Congress, where he leads a team of research librarians who provide public policy research assistance to members of Congress and staff. Patty Wong, city librarian for the Santa Monica (Calif.) Public Library and president-elect for the American Library Association (set to take office in June 2021). Wong is a Library Journal Mover and Shaker and a recipient of the ALA Equality Award in 2012. In addition to her role as board member for a number of nonprofit institutions, Wong is also adjunct faculty for the School of Information at San Jose State University, where she has taught since 2004. Discussion: Toward a New Normal in Libraries No doubt, many Americans are weary of hearing the phrase new normal. But in the wake of this historic public health crisis, as well as the massive economic disruption it caused, political chaos, and a long overdue social and racial justice awakening, one thing is clear: libraries cannot simply go back to what once passed for normal. In this discussion, the panelists will take stock of this unprecedented moment for libraries and librarians. Panelists Nicole A. Cooke, Augusta Baker Endowed Chair and associate professor at the University of South Carolina. Cooke was awarded the ALAs Equality award in 2016 and was the 2019 ALISE Excellence in Teaching Award recipient. She has edited and authored several books, including Information Services to Diverse Populations and Fake News and Alternative Facts: Information Literacy in a Post-truth Era, and is a cohost of the PW-hosted Skillset podcast. R. David Lankes, director of the University of South Carolinas School of Information Science. Lankes wrote The Atlas of New Librarianship and The New Librarianship Field Guide, and hes a cohost of the PW-hosted Skillset podcast. He advocates for libraries and their essential role in todays societywork that earned him the American Library Associations Ken Haycock Award for Promoting Librarianship in 2016. His new book, Forged in War: How a Century of War Created Todays Information Society (Rowman & Littlefield), explores how our ideas of information and knowledge are influenced by an increasingly militarized worldview. Moderator: Andrew Richard Albanese Discussion: If You Build It, Will They Come Back? The Future of Library Buildings Post-Covid-19 One of the library professions greatest triumphs was adapting libraries to become more social spaces in the digital age. But is another great transformation in library spaces upon us? Will public health concerns change the way people use library spaces? Will fears of circulating materials linger, valid or not? What kind of upgrades and new policies will libraries needfrom ventilation systems, space limits, barriers, and spit guards to safety plans and new work rules for library staff? This panel will explore how librarians are envisioning the post-pandemic library space. Panelists Tracy Strobel, executive director of the Cuyahoga County (Ohio) Public Library. Among her accomplishments at CCPL, as deputy director she helped oversee the largest capital improvement program in the librarys history, replacing 10 branches and renovating 14 over seven years. Felton Thomas, executive director of the Cleveland Public Library. He is overseeing a 10-year, $100 million makeover of all 27 CPL branches. Moderator: Sari Feldman Interview: R. Crosby Kemper III , director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the independent federal agency that serves as the primary source of federal support for the nations museums and libraries. Prior to his role at IMLS, he was director of the Kansas City Public Library, which he established as one of the citys leading cultural destinations and a hub of community engagement. Program II: 12:30 p.m. Discussion: A Reset for the Digital Library Market? From its inception, the digital library market has been fraught, as publishers applied a host of restrictions to manage the impact of digital lending on sales. During the pandemic, publishers eased restrictions on digital lending, leading to a historic surge. At the same time, publishers have also seen strong sales growth. But what happens after the pandemic? What have we learned from this past year of forced experimentation? This discussion will explore the challenges and opportunities for libraries and publishers in the postpandemic digital space. Moderator: Andrew Richard Albanese Panelists Michael Blackwell, director of the St. Marys County Library in Maryland and an organizer of the ReadersFirst coalition. He has been one of the most vocal advocates for digital lending in public libraries. Veronda Pitchford, assistant director of the Califa Group, a nonprofit membership consortium of libraries across California. She is cofounder and cochair of the ALAs ASCLA Consortial E-books Interest Group and principal investigator for the IMLS-funded Libraries as Second Responders project, which will help train library staff to serve communities highly affected by Covid-19. Lisa Rosenblum, director of the King County (Wash.) Library System. One of the busiest library systems in the country, KCLS consistently ranks as one of the nations leaders in digital circulations. Ramiro Salazar, director of the San Antonio (Tex.) Public Library. He is responsible for the delivery of library services to almost two million residents in San Antonio and Bexar County, with a team of more than 550 employees. Special guests Rachel Noorda, director of publishing and assistant professor of English at Portland State University. She holds a PhD in publishing studies from the University of Stirling and has published peer-reviewed research on various book publishing projects. Kathi Inman Berens, associate professor of publishing and digital humanities at Portland State University. Her book-publishing-related consulting and scholarship includes survey work designed to shed light on consumer behavior. Berens and Noorda will share insights from their recently released Project Panorama study, Immersive Media and Books. Closing Remarks, with Cohosts Andrew Richard Albanese and Sari Feldman This brief discussion will focus on advocacy, including whats happening at the federal, state, and local levels in terms of library funding and policyand how library supporters can make sure their voices are heard. Special guests Kathi Kromer, associate executive director of public policy and advocacy for the American Library Associa- tion (formerly known as the ALA Washington Office). As a powerful advocate for libraries and librarians in D.C., Kromer leads the ALAs team of public policy experts in developing policy and implementing strategies to advance the work of Americas libraries. John Chrastka, executive director and founder of EveryLibrary, the only national political action committee for libraries. Chrastka works each election season to support dozens of local ballot initiatives in communities across the nation. Closing Keynote Eric Klinenberg, the Helen Gould Shepard professor of social science and director of the Institute for Public Knowledge at New York University and the author of several critically acclaimed and bestselling books, including Palaces for the People. Return to the main feature. Our reviews editors put together eight panels, each of which features the editors of several big fall titles in a given category. Here those editors talk about what makes their books special. Literary Fiction Moderated by PWs David Varno, Wednesday, May 26, 23 p.m. ET. Mitzi Angel, publisher, Farrar, Straus and Giroux Beautiful World, Where Are You Sally Rooney (FSG, $28, Sept. 7) Reading Beautiful World, Where Are You is like visiting a dear friend after a long time apart. Your friend is familiar, and also different: older, wiser. Its fun to spend time with Sally again, to feel her warmth and intelligenceand to witness how her powers as an artist have deepened. She peers into the minds of her characters. Hers is a novel about work, love, friendship, sex, spirituality, success, and failure, that somehow contains all the mystery and beauty of real life. Nadxieli Nieto, executive editor, Flatiron L.A. Weather Maria Amparo Escandon (Flatiron, $28, Sept. 7) L.A. Weather is an incredibly fun read. Maria Amparo Es- candon has matched the pace and wink of a telenovela with a story equal parts humorous and heartbreaking. We follow the L.A.-based Alvarado family over the course of a year as they contend with everything from lies and infidelity to illness and infertility. And they do so in a rollicking, hijinks-filled page-turner that explores questions of family, loyalty, and modern romantic relationships. Sarah McGrath, senior v-p and editor-in-chief, Riverhead Matrix Lauren Groff (Riverhead, $28, Sept. 7) Lauren Groffs first novel since Fates and Furies, Matrix is a fast, fierce, transfixing read that might move you to tears. Its a novel of big ideasabout power, lust, obsession, autonomy, and communitypropelled across the exhilarating story arc of an orphan fighting her way to freedom. While the deep historical setting is invigorating, the read speaks poignantly to the world we live in now. Matrix could only have come from this singular writer. Retha Powers, editor-at-large, Henry Holt My Monticello Jocelyn Nicole Johnson (Holt, $27, Oct. 5) The first time I read a story by Joc-elyn Nicole John- son, I was shaken to my core. In My Monticello, she creates a symphony about who gets to call America home. Miraculously, she captures the tragedies human beings are capable of while also illuminating our capacity for great acts of love. My Monticello is a fierce book, a book of this moment and a book for the ages, that takes on the past, present, and future of this nation. David Ebershoff, v-p and executive editor, Hogarth and Random House Our Country Friends Gary Shteyngart (Random House, $28, Nov. 2) Ive edited three books by Gary Shteyngart, including his beloved bestseller Super Sad True Love Story, but Ive never seen him write as tenderly and movingly as he does in Our Country Friends. Here Gary has put satire aside to write a book that reads like a great Russian novelthink Chekhov on the Hudson. Of course the book is funny (very funny), but its also Garys most emotionally rich book, and I believe his best. Jonathan Lee, editor-in-chief, Catapult Sankofa Chibundu Onuzo (Catapult, $26, Oct. 5) I knew when I read the first line of Sankofa that I needed to put everything else aside: My mother was six months dead when I opened the trunk I found under her bed. I love the way Chibundu blends the personal and the political in her exploration of mixed-race identity, the African diaspora, and race and politics in the 1970s. And I love that the beating heart of this addictive [book] is a perfectly-drawn father/daughter dynamic. Sally Kim, senior v-p and publisher, G.P. Putnams & Sons Still Life Sarah Winman (Putnam, $27, Nov. 2) Still Life breaks entirely new ground, while still showcasing Sarahs stunning writing, her attention to the minutest details, and her unique ability to break your heart and then mend it within two lines of dialogue. Its full of life and color, humor and whimsy, transporting you from an East End pub to the Tuscan countryside across four decades of love, war, and art, as a young British soldiers chance meeting with an art historian sets his life, and the lives of his motley crew of friends, on a surprising course. Jordan Pavlin, senior v-p and editorial director, Knopf The War for Gloria Atticus Lish (Knopf, $28, Sept. 7) Atticus Lishs second novel is resounding confirmation of his unique literary gifts. He is fiercely committed to wrestling high-stakes emotional journeys onto the page, to exploring life at the margins, to delving deeply into both the violence and the love that bind families together and rip them apart. In The War for Gloria he writes with an extraordinary combination of tenderness and rage about a son who wants to be a hero for his mother at any cost. Its a gripping, powerful, unforgettable work. Mysteries & Thrillers Moderated by PWs Peter Cannon, Wednesday, May 26, 10:4511:45 a.m. ET. Helen OHare, editor, Mulholland and Little, Brown The Apollo Murders Chris Hadfield (Mulholland, $28, Oct. 12) From the moment I heard that astronaut Chris Hadfield was writing his first novel, a thriller, I knew itd be special. What could be more terrifying than finding yourself in danger in deep spaceas written by someone who has actually been there? Chriss singular background as a fighter pilot, commander of the International Space Station, and devoted mystery reader informs every twist and turn of The Apollo Murders, making this debut grippingly authentic and a must-read for thriller fans. Jennifer Brehl, senior v-p, executive editor and director of editorial development, Morrow City on Fire Don Winslow (Morrow, $28.99, Sept. 21) City on Fire begins an epic new crime saga, a modern-day Iliad that explores classic themes of loyalty, betrayal, and honor. It is a powerful portrait of an unlikely hero caught in a war between two criminal empires who must rise above himself to protect those he lovesand live with the consequences. I loved the immediacy of the situation, the gritty, real-world setting, and of course, the inimitable cadence of Winslows voice. Catherine Richards, executive editor, Minotaur The Herons Cry Ann Cleeves (Minotaur, $27.99, Sept. 7) To publish an author as talented, gracious and generous as Ann Cleeves is a dream. Her career spans 35 years and as many books, and The Herons Cry showcases more than ever what a truly exceptional crime writer she is: Det. Matthew Vennthis being his second outing following The Long Callis a nuanced character, thoughtfully developed as the story moves forward. And the beautiful, wild coastal Devon setting feels like its own character. Wendy McCurdy, editorial director, Kensington Murder at Mallowan Hall Colleen Cambridge (Kensington, $26, Oct. 26) Murder at Mallowan Hall poses the question, what if a dead body turned up in Agatha Christies own library and is discovered by her housekeeper? And what if that housekeeper was not someone to stand by while the local police constable makes a hash of it all. Who could blame her for taking matters into her own hands? This is one of the cleverest and most charming mystery novels I have ever read, and a brilliant homage to the legendary dame of detective fiction. Jen Monroe, senior editor, Berkley My Sweet Girl Amanda Jayatissa (Berkley, $26, Sept. 14) Amanda Jayatissa is one of the first Sri Lankan women to ever land an international book deal, making her twisty, voice-driven debut, My Sweet Girl, one of those special finds for an editor. In the guise of a playful, nail-biting thriller about a woman clinging to her new life in America, Amanda seamlessly weaves in Sri Lankan culture, incisive commentary on white savior complex and the dissonance our protagonist Paloma feels growing up adopted in a very white, very privileged society. Sarah McGrath, senior v-p and editor-in-chief, Riverhead A Slow Fire Burning Paula Hawkins (Riverhead, $28, Aug. 31) A Slow Fire Burning is a gripping, twisting story of deceit, murder, and revenge. Readers will be hooked by the mystery but find themselves caught up in the emotional current of the characters: each carries damage that could be the seed of their self-destruction. How long can resentment simmer in any one of us, before it explodes into flames? The intense emotions (and the surprises you never see coming) make for a powerful, page-turning story. Current Affairs Moderated by PWs David Adams, Wednesday, May 26, 45 p.m. ET. Rakia Clark, senior editor, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt A Bigger Picture: My Fight to Bring a New African Voice to the Climate Crisis Vanessa Nakate (HMH, $22, Nov. 2) Im excited about the world getting to know Vanessa Nakate and her work because shes stirring up the conversation between climate justice and race. Vanessa maintains that climate justice is only justice if its global and affects the most vulnerable. Time and time again, were not hearing all the right voices in the rooms where decisions about the climate crisis get made. A Bigger Picture is about getting in those rooms. And then what can happen once you cross the threshold. Riva Hocherman, associate publisher, Metropolitan The End of Bias, a Beginning: The Science and Practice of Overcoming Unconscious Bias Jessica Nordell (Metropolitan, $28.99, Sept. 21) If theres been progress in diagnosing unconscious bias, there has, until now, been little in the way of prevention and a cure. Jessica Nordell offers a breakthrough. Drawing on cutting-edge science and research from around the world, the book brings the news that change is possible. Nordells vivid narration explores revolutionary programs that have made a measurable dent in bias of all kinds, in policing, medicine, education, and more. This is a book that will actually do good in the world. Vanessa Mobley, v-p, executive editor, Little, Brown Learning in Public: Lessons for a Racially Divided America from My Daughters School Courtney E. Martin (Little, Brown, $28, Aug. 3) In Learning in Public, Courtney E. Martin tells the story of enrolling her daughter in her first school, Emerson Elementary in Oakland [Calif.], which has remained a largely Black school even as the neighborhood around it has grown more diverse and also gentrified. Courtneys book investigates, from the point of view of a first-time mom, what happens when White parents make different decisions. We hope that this moving, eye-opening book will continue the conversation about educational equity in America today. Anton Mueller, executive editor, Bloomsbury USA The Least of Us: True Tales of America and Hope in the Age of Fentanyl and Meth Sam Quinones (Bloomsbury, $28, Oct. 12) Sam picked up the story of the opioid epidemic that was the subject of his award-winning Dreamland, because it wouldnt let go of him. He again threw himself at the evolving story to bring us up-to-date. Sam has a sixth sense for the human detail that make stories pop. The new twists will make news, but where the book truly shines are the stories of people and communities finding ways to push back. The match between Sams humanity and the people whose stories he tells results in a moving and inspiring book. Bryn Clark, senior editor, Flatiron The Power of Women Denis Mukwege (Flatiron/Oprah, $28, Nov. 2) Dr. Mukweges work treating victims of sexual violence in the Congo earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018, but this book is the first time he shares his story. The Power of Women gives a voice to his patients, women who have suffered horrors the Western world would rather turn a blind eye to, but it is through these stories of tragedy, love, strength, and joy that we can begin to imagine a better world. Ben Woodward, editor, the New Press Refugee High: Coming of Age in America Elly Fishman (New Press, $26.99, Aug. 10) Elly Fishmans Refugee High is a brilliant work of narrative nonfiction, a riveting account of a year in the life of a Chicago high school where more than half of the students are immigrants or refugees. This is the powerful, moving, unforgettable story of young teenagers navigating their way in a new country, as well as the teachers who have dedicated themselves to helping them along the way. Gayatri Patnaik, associate director and editorial director, Beacon Until I Am Free: Fannie Lou Hamers Enduring Message to America Keisha N. Blain (Beacon, $25.95, Oct. 5) Keisha Blains biography of Fannie Lou Hamer convinced me that this uncompromising and visionary activist should be a household namelike Dr. King and Rosa Parks. Everything Hamer fought forvoting rights, racial equality, womens empowerment, economic rights, and against police brutalityare all issues we still grapple with. Im grateful to Blain for bringing Hamer to life at a time when we desperately need to employ her political strategies to fight for social justice. Brandon Proia, editor, University of North Carolina Press The Vote Collectors: The True Story of the Scamsters, Politicians, and Preachers Behind the Nations Greatest Electoral Fraud Michael Graff and Nick Ochsner (Ferris and Ferris, $28, Nov. 16) The Vote Collectors is exciting for telling the story of how election fraud works on the ground. It shows what that fraud actually looks like, the local context and characters involved, and the underlying historical roots of racism, all with more clarity than weve ever seen before. Its also a feat that only these reporters could pull offa deep, expertly-told local story of corruption in the rural South with massive political repercussions nationally. Bios & Memoirs Moderated by PWs Carliann Rittman, Wednesday, May 26, noon1 p.m. ET. Lizzie Davis, editor, Coffee House Press The Breaks Julietta Singh (Coffee House, $16.95 trade paper, Sept. 7) The Breaks was pitched to us as an essay on race, inheritance, and mothering at the end of the world, but its much more about future possibility than it is about present collapse. In a letter to her six-year-old daughter, Singh lovingly plots one path forwardthrough, not around, climate change, extractive capitalism, institutionalized racism, and the violent legacies of colonialism and patriarchy. She manifests another way to live, love, parent, and protest, one I suspect many of us crave. Christine Pride, freelance editor, Simon & Schuster The Girls from Bronzeville Dawn Turner (S&S, $26, Sept. 7) As an editor I thrill at a memoir thats heartrendingly intimate but also offers incisive revelations about big ideas and themes. Which is exactly the singular achievement of Three Girls from Bronzeville. Dawns quest to unpack the insidious forces of race and class, and to celebrate the power of her deepest relationships, yields a timely and piercing reading experience thats universal in its scope, and never fails to leave me with one reaction: wow. Gerry Howard, former v-p and executive editor, Doubleday Madam: The Biography of Polly Adler, Icon of the Jazz Age Debby Applegate (Doubleday, $32.50, Nov. 2) Debby Apple-gate vaulted to star biographer status with her first book, the Pulitzer Prizewinning biography of Henry Ward Beecher. How delicious it is that 14 years later she follows a book about a superstar preacher with the biography of the most famous madam in America, Polly Adler. A Jewish immigrant from eastern Europe, Adlers deluxe brothels catered to the elite of 1920s New York. Madam is a virtuoso exercise in biography and one of the best books about the Roaring 20s ever written. Megha Majumdar, senior editor, Catapult Made in China: A Memoir of Love and Labor Anna Qu (Catapult, $26, Aug. 3) Anna Qus Made in China is a debut memoir in which a young Chinese immigrant in Queens calls Child Services on her mother and stepfather after being forced to work at a sweatshop that they own. Its an immigration story that we dont see very much because it is complicatedits not just an upward arc to a better life. The book is morally and emotionally thorny, and asks big questions about work, identity, productivity, and self-worth. Tracy Sherrod, v-p, editorial director, Amistad Miss Chloe and the Good Negress: A Literary Friendship with Toni Morrison A.J. Verdelle (Amistad, $24.99, Oct. 19) A.J. Verdelle is a gorgeous writer and great talent. I havent been able to think of a single book that has dealt with Black literary friendship. I hope Miss Chloe will inspire other writers to begin to fill this void. In the meantime, we can only wonder what it was like for James Baldwin and Lorraine Hansberry, bell hooks and Toni Cade Bambara, and so many more. Theres an enormous amount of Black literature that has yet to be written and is deserving of a place in the world. Molly Walls, assistant editor, Farrar, Straus and Giroux Shelf Life: Chronicles of a Cairo Bookseller Nadia Wassef (FSG, $27, Oct. 5) Shelf Life is first and foremost a great story: an against-all-odds tale of building a life out of literature. But its also a portrait of a country on the brink of revolution, a crackling feminist manifesto, a readers guide to reading, and an unlikely entrepreneurs unapologetic tell-all. Nadias voice really holds it all together. Shes wise, warm, wry, and candid, with an acrobats fearlessness and a poets ear. Alison Callahan, v-p and executive editor, Scout Press and Gallery Taste: My Life Through Food Stanley Tucci (Gallery, $28, Oct. 5) In Taste, Stanley Tucci invites us to his family table and, in his signature elegant and wry voice, serves the story of his life through food, each morsel of reflection brimming with insight and humor. His love of foodits ritualistic preparation and boisterous, celebrated consumptionreminded me of dinners at my friends houses, growing up in New Jersey. And, after a year of isolation, had me craving a large gathering of friends and family to share in a feast of pasta and martinis. Elisabeth Schmitz, v-p, editorial director, Grove Atlantic Things I Have Withheld Kei Miller (Grove, $26, Sept. 14) Kei Millers beautiful book of essays took my breath away when it first landed on my desk. In every read since, I smile and weep and marvel at his elegant, seamless blending of memoir, journalism, and literary commentary. Kei is unique and yet reading him reminds me of the wide-ranging pleasures of reading the concise essayistic work of Zadie Smith and Maggie Nelson. He portrays up-to-the-minute contemporary fraught encountersoften to do with race, sex, and genderwhile also looking back to a rich personal history for context. Comics Moderated by PWs Meg Lemke, Tuesday, May 25, 23 p.m. ET. John Jennings, curator and founder, Megascope The Eightfold Path Steven Barnes and Charles Johnson, illus. by Bryan Christopher Moss (Megascope, $24.99, Jan. 4, 2022) Charles Johnson wanted to do a series of stories using the idea of via negativa. Basically, the idea was to teach morality by showing what the inverse of that morality could be. The desired effect was that pupils would be so moved by the negative act that they would then never stray from the path. He and Steven always wanted to do a book together, and both loved EC Comics. Adding Bryan Moss to this project made it irresistible. Kiara Valdez, associate editor, First Second Himawari House Harmony Becker (First Second, $24.99, Sept. 14) I first came across Himawari House as a webcomic and instantly fell in love. The way it uses multiple languages to replicate what it feels like to study and live in another country is truly masterful. The book distills this specific experience to its core emotional elements while also showing us a hopeful futureone where we can all connect as humans despite language and cultural barriers. Michael Petranek, executive editor and manager, AFK and Graphix Media Magical Boy The Kao (Graphix, $24.99, Nov. 2) I love that this graphic novel is funny and has a ton of awesome fight scenes that can go toe-to-toe with those from any superhero comic. Additionally, I believe every kid should be able to pick up a graphic novel and see themselves represented, and I know there are a ton of trans and nonbinary kids out there who dont get to experience that nearly enough. Magical Boy kicks butt; the characters are both lovable and identifiable, and it has a great message. Eric Reynolds, associate publisher, Fantagraphics No One Else R. Kikuo Johnson (Fantagraphics, $16.99 trade paper, Nov. 9) No One Else fulfills a 15-year desire to publish R. Kikuo Johnsons follow-up to his masterful 2005 debut, Night Fisher. And it is well worth the wait. The intervening years have seen Kikuo grow into one of the master craftsmen of his generation, primarily via the New Yorker, and to see him return to long-form comics storytelling is personally very gratifying to me, and I cant wait for others to read it. Susan Rich, editor-at-large, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers Passport Sophia Glock (Little, Brown, $24.99, Oct. 19) I was already smitten with the work of Sophia Glock, certain that she could render any story brilliantly with her graphic storytelling chops. But then she revealed what she was setting out to tell in her debut graphic novel, Passportthe true story of her own globe-trotting adolescence, a tale so shrouded in secrets it would need vetting by the CIA. Well, how could I resist? Liz Frances, publisher and founder, Street Noise Books Power Born of Dreams: My Story Is Palestine Mohammad Sabaaneh (Street Noise, $15.99 trade paper, Sept. 21) On meeting Mohammad two years ago near his home in Ramallah, in the West Bank, I was profoundly moved by his ability to capture the experience of Palestinians living in occupied territory through his art. I am honored to share his vision and perspective with the world. I believe in the power of art and storytelling to humanize issues. That is one of the principles upon which I founded Street Noise Books. It is my hope that Power Born of Dreams will do just that. Rebecca Taylor, managing editor, Wonderbound The Unfinished Corner Dani Colman, illus. by Rachel Tuna Petrovicz (Wonderbound, $12.99 trade paper, Oct. 19) The Unfinished Corner gives us a brand-new world full of lions and golems, deserts and demons, and folklore rarely explored in fantasy: that of Jewish heritage. In a very personal story for Colman about growing up Jewish in an often hostile world, she and Petrovicz explore themes of identity and community that will connect with readers of all backgrounds. Their ragtag group of kiddos bursts at the seams with heart, humor, and joy. Tracy Hurren, senior editor, Drawn & Quarterly The Waiting Keum Suk Gendry-Kim (Drawn & Quarterly, $24.95 trade paper, Sept. 19) The Waiting is such an important work. While familial separation is not uncommon during war or migration, the uniqueness of this Korean experience comes from the complete lack of communication available to those left behind in North Korea. Seventy years later, theres still folks waiting, not knowing if theyll ever see their families again, or if they are even alive. And times running out. Keum Suk Gendry-Kim captures the longing, hope, and heartbreak of a lifetime of waiting with vibrant characters and gorgeous, inky lines. Picture Books Moderated by PWs Amanda Bruns, Thursday, May 26, 10:4511:45 a.m. ET. Neal Porter, v-p and publisher, Neal Porter Books Bright Star Yuyi Morales (Holiday House/Porter, $18.99, Sept. 7) Yuyi Moraless new book, her first since the bestselling Dreamers, is a lullabya soft, warm blanket that offers comfort to young children everywhere. But as its a work by Yuyi, its also a complex, carefully crafted book that touches on immigration, wildlife, and the importance of finding your voice and standing strong. I think that blanket is also a cloak of empowerment, and I cant wait for readers to try it on. Denene Millner, v-p and publisher, Denene Millner Books Carla and the Christmas Cornbread Carla Hall, illus. by Cherise Harris (S&S/Millner, $17.99, Nov. 2) How could I resist a gorgeous Christmas tale about family, tradition, and food, as told by one of Americas favorite chefs? Carla Halls picture book is everything goodfull of memories I just know will resonate with readers of any age, race, culture, and background, as its base story is rooted in what we all need and want: love. Plus, Carla included a cornbread recipe and debut illustrator Cherise Harris tucked in a surprise and rare sighting: a Black Santa enjoying his Christmas cornbread! Simon Boughton, publishing director, Norton Young Readers Dad Bakes Katie Yamasaki (Norton Young Readers, $17.95, Sept. 14) One of the things I admire about Katie is that she carries a strong sense of justice into her booksbut does so lightly; you never feel message overpowers storytelling. Dad Bakes is a story about spending time together that will be familiar to any family. But as the authors note explains, the bakery is a hint that the dad in the book is recently out of prison, and this is also an illuminating and powerful story about reclaiming family and rebuilding a life. Anne Schwartz, v-p and publisher, Anne Schwartz Books Dream Street Tricia Elam Walker, illus. by Ekua Holmes (Random/Schwartz, $17.99, Sept. 7) The story-behind-the-story of Dream Street is surprising and unique, which makes it a real joy to share with you all. Heres a sneak peek: Tricia Elam Walker and Ekua Holmes are cousins who grew up together in Roxbury, a Boston neighborhood, and dreamed of becoming a writer and an illustrator one day. This is their semi-autobiographical portrait of the nurturing community they remember, where everyone is special and dreams can come true. Joanna Cardenas, senior editor, Kokila My Two Border Towns David Bowles, illus. by Erika Meza (Kokila, $17.99, Aug. 24) My Two Border Towns is the kind of picture book thats firing on all cylinders. Its a tender father-son story; it celebrates the dynamic, fluid, and distinct culture of border town life; and it shows us how borders cant truly separate people and cultures. What I love most is that its a call to action for community care, reminding us of our responsibility to our neighbors on both sides of the border, especially for those with the privilege to cross back and forth without trauma. David Bowles and Erika Meza are exciting creative partners, and their work leads with love. Stacey Barney, executive editor, G.P. Putnams Books for Young Readers Nina: A Story of Nina Simone Traci N. Todd, illus. by Christian Robinson (Putnam, $18.99, Sept. 14) Nina: A Story of Nina Simone was a dream project. Ive been a disciple of Nina Simones since childhood when I first heard her sultry, soulful voice call out from a record player. I similarly became an instant fan of Traci N. Todds lyrical narration of Ninas life the very first time I read it. The text isnt just musical, it is music. Perfectly complemented by Caldecott Honoree Christian Robinsons syncopated illustrations, this book is a worthy homage to one of the most distinguished figures of our time. Alessandra Balzer, v-p and co-publisher, Balzer + Bray The People Remember Ibi Zoboi, illus. by Loveis Wise (HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray, $19.99, Sept. 28) As the editor of Ibi Zobois acclaimed teen novels, I was already familiar with her prodigious talents. But I was blown away by her ambitious first picture book, The People Remember, which uses rhythmic verse to connect the principles of Kwanzaa to the history of African Americans. Loveis Wise is the dream artist for this projecttheir bold and sophisticated artwork makes the book feel timeless. The result is a tour de force, a moving tribute to Black perseverance, joy, and innovation. Ginee Seo, executive publishing director, childrens, Chronicle Books What Is Love? Mac Barnett, illus. by Carson Ellis (Chronicle, $17.99, Oct. 19) There are people you dream about publishing, and if youre very lucky, you do. And this is definitely a dream project! A wonderfully tender text from Mac Barnett, whos known for being funny, but who is also a writer of extraordinary depth and subtlety. And astonishing pictures from Carson Ellis, who makes every page-turn beautiful and unexpected. Together theyve made a love story that gloriously defies cliches while making the most stonyhearted reader cry. Middle Grade Moderated by PW reviewer Gnesis Villar, Thursday, May 27, 1:302:30 p.m. ET. Alvina Ling, v-p and editor-in-chief, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers Amira and Hamza: The War to Save the Worlds Samira Ahmed (Little, Brown, $16.99, Sept. 21) After we published Samira Ahmeds bestselling Internment, I was excited to see what was next, and thrilled when I heard she was writing middle grade. Amira and Hamza: The War to Save the Worlds is a masterfully written, fun, and funny fantasy adventure featuring two brown Indian Muslim kids who get to be the heroes of their own book. For me, it was a real bright spot editing this book during the uncertain first months of the pandemicI love this book so much! Andrea Tompa, executive editor, Candlewick Press The Beatryce Prophecy Kate DiCamillo, illus. by Sophie Blackall (Candlewick, $19.99, Sept. 28) From the very first page of this luminous novel, readers will be drawn into a world of monks and soldiers, prophecies and adventure. They will fall in love with Beatryce, the abandoned child who takes her destiny into her own hands, along with the ferocious goat Answelica. Together, two-time Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo and two-time Caldecott Medalist Sophie Blackall have created a fiercely beautiful story about the power of love, community, and the written word. Weslie Turner, senior editor, Versify Call and Response: The Story of Black Lives Matter Veronica Chambers and the New York Times (Versify, $21.99, Aug. 17) Call and Response is an exploration of living history and an invaluable resource for readers everywhere, both young and old, who need concrete, factual information about the Black Lives Matter movement. I wish this book wasnt still so timely. These striking photographs, visual timelines, in-depth reporting, and first-person accounts provide a solid starting point to understand current events. Everyone will get something out of this book. Phoebe Yeh, v-p and publisher, Crown Books for Young Readers Fast Pitch Nic Stone (Crown, $17.99, Aug. 31) Shenice Lightning Lockwood, captain of the Fulton Firebirds, the first all-Black girls softball team chooses between going for the win or exonerating her ancestor, who had been falsely accused of theft. This entertaining, thoughtful, textured novel is about intersectionality, rediscovering family history, and what it means to be a hero. [The book was] inspired by a favorite movie, Sandlot, and Stones softball playing days. Its about time we had a novel about an African American girl brainiac athlete. Thank you, Nic Stone. Namrata Tripathi, v-p and publisher, Kokila How to Find What Youre Not Looking For Veera Hiranandani (Kokila, $17.99, Sept. 14) Veera Hiranandani has an extraordinary capacity to take big, historical moments and render them so immediate and so intimate through her storytelling. I love How to Find What Youre Not Looking For, not just because it gives us a peek into a story from the 1960s that has great resonance for Veera, but for how it gives readers a tool for todayabout how to find our voices when confronting the people we love most on the prejudices they may hold. David Levithan, v-p, publisher, and editorial director, Scholastic Press Kaleidoscope Brian Selznick (Scholastic, $19.99, Sept. 21) With Kaleidoscope, Brian somehow manages to tap into the feelings so many of us are having these daysconfusion, grief, and loss, as well as love, attachment, and gratitude to be aliveand transforms them into a stunning story that will mean something different to every kid or adult who reads it. I have read it dozens of times now, and it astonishes and moves me every time. Caitlyn Dlouhy, v-p and editorial director, Caitlyn Dlouhy Books Stuntboy, in the Meantime Jason Reynolds, illus. by Raul the Third (Atheneum/Dlouhy, $13.99, Nov. 9) Who is Stuntboy? Basically the greatest superhero youve never heard of. The reason youve never heard of him? Because Stuntboys superpower is ensuring all the other superheroes (i.e., folks he loves) stay super. Which he does all in secret. But our modest superhero might need a superhero of his own to battle the frets he develops as his parents endlessly bicker. The uncanny capturing of a pre-tweens angst and silliness, melds with hundreds of exquisitely madcap illustrations to create a new superhero Im utterly besotted with. Rosemary Brosnan, v-p and editorial director, Quill Tree and Heartdrum Yusuf Azeem Is Not a Hero Saadia Faruqi (Quill Tree, $16.99, Sept. 7) In Yusuf Azeem Is Not a Hero, Saadia Faruqi brilliantly explores what life is like for a Muslim boy living in small-town Texas 20 years after the attacks of 9/11, as his neighbors plan a 20th-anniversary commemorative parade, and old resentments are stirred up. By reading his uncles journal from 20 years earlier, Yusuf learns what his uncle endured at that time. This is a strong and thought-provoking portrait of bravery, family, and community. Young Adult Moderated by PW reviewer Sanina Clark, Thursday, May 27, 3:154:15 p.m. ET. Ali Fisher, senior editor, Tor Teen All of Us Villains Amanda Foody and Christine Lynn Herman (Tor Teen, $18.99, Nov. 9) Im obsessed. All of Us Villains is full of everything a dark death-tournament fantasy should beimpossible odds, meddling spellmakers, boys in dark eyeliner, enemies to lovers, magic used for bad things, spilled blood, and sweet, sweet revenge. Not to mention its also an exploration of generational wealth, power, and privilege in the long shadow of a cruel legacy. Its basically the Hunger Games with magic and it lives up to the hype. Kendra Levin, editorial director, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World Benjamin Alire Saenz (S&S, $19.99, Oct. 12) Its been an honor to carry forward the editorial legacy of David Gale, who first brought Ari and Dante to Simon & Schuster, and to get to work with Benjamin Alire Saenz, a poet and an icon. These beloved characters, Aristotle and Dante, have so much to teach us about life and love, and watching Ari and Dante continue their journey in this book is like reconnecting with dear friends after a long time apart. Dana Chidiac, editor, Dial Books for Young Readers Huda F Are You? Huda Fahmy (Dial, $22.95, Nov. 2) Ive been a huge fan of Huda Fahmys webcomic, Yes Im Hot in This, for years, and immediately fell in love with her new YA graphic novel, Huda F Are You? Through Hudas eyes, being a Muslim kid and child of immigrants in America is a weird, funny, confusing experience, with lots of big identity questions in the mix. Hudas signature tongue-in-cheek sense of humor captures all of that and truly makes me laugh out loud every time I read the book. Andrea Tompa, executive editor, Candlewick Revolution in Our Time: The Black Panther Partys Promise to the People Kekla Magoon (Candlewick, $24.99, Sept. 28) Margaret A. Edwards Awardwinning author Kekla Magoon has produced a true masterpiece: a fascinating, brilliantly researched and written history of the Black Panther Party, placed in the context of the African American experience from slavery to Black Lives Matter. Learning about the heartbreakingly young, brave, and passionate members of the party and the lengths the U.S. government went to destroy them was a revelation for me, and young readers deserve to read their story. Nick Thomas, senior editor, Levine Querido A Snake Falls to Earth Darcie Little Badger (Levine Querido, $18.99, Oct. 12) Reading Darcie Little Badgers writing is a pure joy. Ill admit a little voice in my head said, how is she going to top Elatsoe? But now that little voice is pretty damn quiet because Darcie has written a masterpiece. Its a bold, surprising, imaginative tale, influenced by traditional Lipan Apache storytelling structure, and one that makes me whip through the pages and thinkand feeldeeply about the families were given, and the ones we find. Katherine Tegen, v-p and publisher, Katherine Tegen Books Terciel and Elinor Garth Nix (HarperCollins/Tegen, $19.99, Nov. 2) There are few greater pleasures than reading a new book in the Old Kingdom series by Garth Nix. The series began 25 years ago with Sabriel, a genre creator in feminist YA fantasy. Terciel and Elinor is the spellbinding story of two young people discovering their magical powers and falling in love, and it lays the groundwork for the mythology of the Old Kingdom. It is a stunning standalone as well as a delicious prequel to a beloved series. Mary Kate Castellani, publishing director, Bloomsbury Childrens Books We Light Up the Sky Lilliam Rivera (Bloomsbury, $17.99, Oct. 5) We Light Up the Sky is a taut, impactful story that truly defies genre. I fell so hard for Luna, Pedro, and Rafa, and would have eagerly read a realistic contemporary novel about their lives. But then Lilliam introduced an extraterrestrial Visitor and took the stakes to a whole new level. The result is exciting and chilling and fresh, with a searing social commentary that really gets readers thinking. Alexandra Hightower, editor, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers We Are Not Broken George M. Johnson (Little, Brown, $17.99, Sept. 7) Reading We Are Not Broken feels like falling into a story told by the closest of friends. From the very first chapter, George speaks with both warmth and authority and digs into the topics of family, boyhood, matriarchal love, and joy like no one else. Im honored to work with them and bring this honest, hopeful title to readers everywhere. Return to the main feature. This article has been edited for clarity. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has launched a cloud-based intelligent subscription solution using SAP Business Technology Platform, to help the media and publishing industry move to subscription-based order-to-cash processes for physical and digital content. Media and publishing has moved away from traditional one-off selling to a recurring revenue model based on consumption. End consumers are looking for flexible pay per use or time-bound subscription options to enable pay for value, which has led enterprises to adopt customer-centric experience models that ensure long-term customer engagement. TCSs Intelligent Subscription solution uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to personalise content curation and offer recommendations based on user profiles, preferences and past subscriptions. This helps enterprises sell digital experiences and adopt new subscription and pricing models. The single source platform for digital and physical content enables companies to bundle their offerings to deliver better value to end consumers. The solution is part of SAPs industry cloud solutions for the media industry and can be adopted by enterprises across industries looking to set up new subscription or consumption-based business models on a single, automated platform. Akhilesh Tiwari, Global Head, Enterprise Application Services, TCS, said: TCSs Intelligent Subscription solution leverages our contextual knowledge in the media and publishing industry and our deep expertise in evolving innovative business models, to help organisations reimagine their business, enhance customer experience and unlock continuous business value. Added Richard Whittington, Global Head, Media & Publishing, SAP SE: We are pleased to work with TCS on this industry cloud solution. SAP has a long history of business innovation and providing technology to the worlds leading media and publishing firms and will continue to support them with our industry cloud strategy. By leveraging the industry expertise, commitment to quality delivery, and customer focus, the teams at TCS and SAP are helping businesses make the transformational move to the Intelligent Enterprise. What is Critical Race Theory -- Black Pastor and Attorney Explains How it's Designed to Transform America Away from its Founding Principles Marc T. Little, Esq., Executive Director of CURE America Action is Available for Interview NEWS PROVIDED BY CURE America Action May 14, 2021 WASHINGTON, May 14, 2021 /Standard Newswire/ -- At a time that our nation's media spotlights race and oppression, Americans hear about Critical Race Theory and wonder why anyone would oppose a critical look at racial turmoil. But Marc Little, a pastor and attorney, explains that CRT is not what it looks like. In a national column published at Townhall, Marc Little wrote "To those who believe Critical Race Theory is a vehicle to discuss race in America, they mistake the goal of CRT, which has little, if anything, to do with race." Little, who is the Executive Director of CURE America Action that is headquartered in Washington, DC, which advocates for public policy with the messages of Christianity, Capitalism, and the Constitution across the nation, remarked that the academic theory rejects our founding principles. In his column, Little said "It demands equality in outcomes or worse, it demands to invert economic realities." Also, Little describes how the theory attempts to confront power structures in the country by dividing America into two categories: Oppressor and the Oppressed. This is known as "intersectionality" and was introduced by Kimberly Crenshaw in 1989. The Oppressor is defined as white, male, heterosexual, cis gendered, (naturally born male), able-bodied and native born. The Oppressed are ranked by degrees of "oppression." If you are black, you are oppressed. If you are black and gay, you are more oppressed. If you are black, gay, and female, you have an even greater degree of oppression. And so on. The point being, the more oppressed one is, the more moral authority one has which is accompanied by the least amount of responsibility. And to the Oppressor, you gain moral authority by surrendering your power to the oppressed. This is called being "woke" and purports to accomplish the goal to reverse the so-called privilege held by the "white man." It is an effort to force so-called equality. Little warns Americans, especially Christians, that there cannot be meaningful discussion about race by threatening white men to surrender their achievements regardless of how history gave them a head start. Instead, Little said the "nonsensical, unproven, and unbiblical" Critical Race Theory should be rejected as a distraction. "The intelligentsia are more the problem than the solution," Little wrote. ABOUT MARC T. LITTLE Marc T. Little is executive director of CURE America Action Inc., a 501(c)(4), headquartered in Washington, D.C., advocating messages of Christianity, capitalism and the U.S. Constitution across the nation. He is a pastor, attorney and political strategist. His latest column, "The Black Sisyphus / The Folly of Critical Race Theory" is available on Townhall.com. ABOUT CURE AMERICA ACTION CURE America Action, Inc. advocates for conservative principles based on Christianity, Capitalism, and the Constitution. It promotes policies and legislation through grassroots GOTV, mass marketing, and outreach in distressed zip codes throughout America and engages in other social welfare activity, as determined by its leadership. CURE America Action, Inc. is a 501(c)(4) Delaware nonprofit corporation headquartered in Washington, DC. SOURCE CURE America Action CONTACT: Marc T. Little, Esq., Executive Director, 888-353-5999, info@cure-action.com Related Links https://cure-action.com The show follows one of Irelands most respected architects, Dermot Bannon, as he sets out to create a range of beautifully designed and cleverly built homes. The latest season gained an average 44.8% share for RTE One, where it airs in a primetime Sunday slot. Season 13 has already been greenlit by the Irish public broadcaster and is currently in production. Shifting between architect, designer and mediator, Bannon is passionate about design and will go to any lengths to persuade homeowners to embrace his ambitious ideas.Under the deal with the Viacom-owned UK station, Channel 5 has acquired 32 hours of Room To Improve, representing seasons eight to 12, which will be shown daily in a lunchtime slot from 17 May 2021. Other recent deals for Room To Improve include The Home Channel in South Africa, AMC Networks for Spektrum Home in Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovakia, and Kontent for Russia and CEE. The show is also available on VOD via Amazon, Tubi and Shelter.Dermot Bannon is Irelands top TV architect and is fast becoming a global talent, said Edel Edwards, head of programme sales at RTE Programme Sales, commenting on the sale to Channel 5. Weve had great success with Dermots previous series, Incredible Homes, in which he visits fabulous and unusual living spaces in the worlds coolest capitals. Now, this returning evergreen of a series will be available for the first time to audiences in the UK and we couldnt be more delighted.Added COCO Content CEO Linda Cullen: We are thrilled to know that our very precious series Room To Improve will be aired on Channel 5 our UK neighbours are sure to fall in love with Dermot as much as we all have ourselves. In their recent introduction to the Irregular Warfare Initiative, Jacob Shapiro and Patrick Howell propose that a combination of Russian revanchism and Chinas increasingly muscular global ambitions provides ample opportunity for friction to occur in a range of contested spaces, and thus for the re-emergence of irregular warfare (IW) as a persistent operational requirement for Western forces. The authors warn pointedly against mimicking the post-Vietnam era, when IW was abandoned by the US Army in favor of a renewed focus on major combat operations against peer and near-peer enemies. Responsibility for this lesser form of warcounterinsurgency in particularwas devolved to special operations forces (SOF) alone. This institutional and intellectual apartheid, the authors argue, was instrumental in dictating that the bulk of US conventional forces would be largely unprepared when eventually required to engage again, at scale, with the demands of IW in Iraq and Afghanistan. Illiberal tendencies can present serious challenges to higher education. Questions are foundational to learning and research. If questions go unasked because of a culture that discourages them, policies that restrict them, or uniformity of opinion that simply fails to prompt them academia doesnt play its critical role in advancing knowledge. Rather than addressing these legitimate concerns, recent actions by some state legislators however well-intentioned would do more harm than good. An Arkansas bill, eventually withdrawn by its sponsor, would have banned any course, class, event, or activity that promotes division between, resentment of, or social justice for a race; gender; political affiliation; social class; or particular class of people or that is designed primarily for students of a particular ethnic group. An Iowa bill passed earlier this year seeks to ban the teaching of divisive concepts, including that one race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex, that the United States of America and the state of Iowa are fundamentally or systemically racist or sexist, and that an individual, by virtue of the individuals race or sex, bears responsibility for actions committed in the past by other members of the same race or sex. New Hampshire lawmakers have introduced a bill that includes many of the same divisive concepts definitions and would bar the teaching about systemic racism and sexism. In Idaho, the governor signed a law that prohibits public higher education institutions from teaching principles that the state deems inherent to critical race theory. And in Florida, the legislature passed a measure intended to encourage students to record professors lectures without permission and requiring public colleges and universities to conduct annual bias surveys to collect information on the personal political beliefs of faculty and students. This is by no means an exhaustive list. But it demonstrates the breadth and depth of what appears to be a concerning national trend. The language in these measures is overly broad. In each case, the legislation would sow confusion and threaten academic freedom far beyond those supposedly targeted. And the measures are short-sighted: They amount to heavy-handed overreach that will discourage the open educational environment they claim to champion. In the guise of free speech, these are simply speech codes by another name. For colleges to advance progress through open inquiry, they need to be free from outside interference that undermines the scientific process. Universities flourish not because of a purposefully designed balance of ideological perspectives, but because they provide an open environment where scholars regardless of philosophy can engage in a battle of ideas across disciplines. Conflating ideological balance with exposure to ideas is a misunderstanding of how scientific breakthroughs happen. It wrongly portrays the complex interactions of scholars as that of mere politicized agents. A hallmark of higher ed is an environment that allows students and scholars to follow the truth wherever it may take them. Legislation like the measures in Florida, Iowa, New Hampshire, and elsewhere fly in the face of that principle. They effectively argue that free speech and open inquiry are good only to the extent that those principles are applied in support of the ideas and questions lawmakers approve. Thats precisely the wrong way to expand the freedom necessary to engage with a diversity of ideas and the learning, debate, intellectual growth, and societal progress it drives. Located in the heart of historic Middletown, Connecticut, Wesleyan University is known for its progressive campus culture. The strained relationship between Wesleyan administrators and students who belong to the universitys remaining single-sex Greek organizations demonstrates how that culture can cause conflict on campus. Fraternities and sororities at Wesleyan have always been formed by the schools distinctive political culture. In 1959, for instance, a group of Wesleyan students created an independent fraternity called Esse Quam Videri in response to perceived discriminatory practices from the then-Christian fraternity Alpha Chi Rho, according to university records. The progressive ethos that inspired the creation of Esse Quam Videri eventually challenged the existence of single-sex organizations, said to be exclusionary and divisive. By 1979, two of Wesleyans six fraternities had voluntarily included women in their membership. A 1987 task force recommended forcing all fraternities to become co-ed by 1990, though the plan never materialized. Then, in 2014, Wesleyan administrators announced that the university would require all residential fraternities to become co-educational by 2017. Because Wesleyan undergraduates are required to live in university-approved, on-campus housing for each of their four years at the school, students would be barred from living even in unaffiliated single-sex fraternity housing. The university framed the policy as a means of achieving equity and inclusion on campus. In March, after the Connecticut Supreme Court vacated a lower courts ruling requiring Wesleyan to contract with a single-sex residential fraternity, the university published a press release celebrating the decision. The release claimed that there was no reason why the positive experiences associated with belonging to a fraternity should be confined to male residences or offered only on a separate but equal basis, appropriating the language of the United States Supreme Court in Brown v. Board of Education to describe the operation of a single-sex fraternity on Wesleyans campus. Jack McEvoy, a Wesleyan student who belongs to a non-residential, single-sex fraternity, said that the pressure placed on his organization to become co-ed manifests itself in subtle ways. I wouldnt necessarily describe it as overt pressure. I would say that were simply limited as an organization because were not co-ed. I think theres a hope [among administrators] that eventually we will capitulate or something like that, but its not like theyre trying to force us to become co-ed. Its simply that our status is lower on the totem pole because were single-sex at the moment, he said. While Wesleyan affirms students rights to freedom of assembly, speech, [and] belief, it clarifies that those freedoms are subject to the rights of others as provided by university policy. The latter clause limits the breadth of students expressive and associational freedoms, as Wesleyan policy provides for some situations in which certain behavior or even speech may violate our community standards and warrant University intervention. The propriety of such interventions has been questioned in recent years. In 2011, for example, the university released a policy prohibiting students from using houses or property owned, leased or operated by private societies that are not recognized by the University. The prohibition included using such houses or property as residences, taking meals at such houses or property and participating in social activities at such houses or property. Under the 2011 guidance, it would have been a violation of university policy to eat a meal on the property of a religious order, political organization, or ethnic club. The measure was rescinded after it received significant backlash from students. In his statement announcing the suspension of the 2011 guidance, Wesleyan president Michael S. Roth said that while the rule was too broad, the university would continue to enforce one of the policys original aims namely, prohibiting students from visiting a noncompliant fraternity. I want to be as clear as possible: if the Beta Fraternity does not join with the other Greek fraternities and societies, it will be off-limits to undergraduates next semester, Roth wrote. Students who violate this rule will face significant disciplinary action, including suspension. This is not an attempt to regulate the expressive activities of our students. It is an attempt to minimize unsafe conditions adjacent to campus. While such restrictions are not enforced against McEvoys fraternity, he feels the administration is eager for single-sex organizations like his to disappear. In my mind, the way [administrators] operate, it feels like in some ways, yes, its restrictive, but in other ways, its almost like were un-personed, that we dont exist, and theyre hoping that, eventually, our organizations will just disappear. Thats just generally the impression I get from interacting with them, and how were perceived and treated. But I dont think thats a very effective strategy, and I dont think its right for them to try and limit students. It is a limitation on students freedoms in some ways. McEvoy feels that the universitys unwillingness to allow single-sex Greek life to flourish on campus is a reflection of the schools progressive priorities. Were a left-wing school, McEvoy said. Theres a lot of hostility that comes with that and . . . if you have a viewpoint that is heterodox or you dont necessarily fall in line with that agenda, your life will be made more difficult one way or another, whether thats coming from student opinion or thats coming from the university. Wesleyan University declined to comment on this story. President Biden spoke at the White House earlier this week to address an unsettling national trend millions of jobs going unfilled in an economy still struggling to right itself. The president couldnt deny the existence of the paradox: His own administrations numbers show that millions of Americans are drawing unemployment while millions of jobs are going unfilled. But he and his top economic officials dismissed the most obvious explanation for Aprils dismal job numbers generous unemployment benefits eroding the incentive to work. We dont see much evidence of that, Biden said. It was a line dutifully echoed by his designee to run the Commerce Department, the Cabinet department tasked with compiling employment numbers. But its a disingenuous argument. The Commerce Department, through the Bureau of Labor Statistics, derives employment numbers by compiling two surveys of employment one completed by roughly 144,000 employers and another completed by approximately 54,000 American citizens. Neither of these surveys actually ask if an employee has been offered a job and turned it down. And its awfully hard to find evidence of something when youre not actually looking for it. The presidents remarks Monday were in response to an April jobs report showing that only 266,000 Americans rejoined the workforce at a time when employers coast to coast are reporting that they have job openings but cant find willing workers. As if to underscore the sheer perverseness of the situation, the following day the government released data showing that job openings in March are up by 597,000 to a staggering 8.1 million. This is the highest number of job openings since the government started tracking them at the turn of the century. It could be the highest ever. You dont need evidence to know that incentives matter. Common sense will suffice. But there is evidence, which Ive witnessed first-hand. In April 2020, as businesses were grappling with how to navigate the pandemic and associated shutdowns, I was involved in helping half a dozen businesses plan for the unknown. Their stories are instructive. In one instance, the CEO of an Idaho firm had to lay off a significant number of manufacturing staffers as orders declined precipitously. As he gathered everyone in the plant and shared the sobering news that all but three employees were going to be furloughed, one of those being kept on audibly groaned when his name was called. Roughly eight weeks later he persuaded the CEO to lay him off -- saying that he, too, deserved an extended paid vacation -- and call back one of the other employees. As the pandemic progressed into the summer and fall, a Kansas City manufacturer that prints invitations and promotional items (neither big sellers in an age of Zoom meetings and social distancing) was finally able to call back furloughed workers. All his employees were offered their job back, but 20% declined (three out of four of those were still receiving unemployment compensation). The company, which pays its press operators starting pay of $22 an hour and provides benefits including health insurance, disability, and a 401(k) match, is now relying on temp agencies to fill vacancies. Anyone with light industrial jobs, such as another Kansas City employer I aided, is likely also struggling to fill roles. In the near term, theyre hoping college students on their summer breaks will fill vacancies. A recent discussion with a local light industrial placement company revealed that it has over 200 job openings and no prospects for filling them. This isnt to say that there arent many Americans who are legitimately claiming benefits as they search for work and try to stay afloat from the significant economic pain incurred during the pandemic. But the stories articulated above, and thousands of similar ones, paint a compelling and ominous picture. The purposeful constriction of the labor market by the federal government constitutes a state-sponsored labor strike. And we dont need signs and picket lines to see the evidence Democrats are happy to read their partys stage directions out loud. Lets get one thing straight: there is no labor shortage, tweeted Robert Reich, who headed the Department of Labor in Bill Clintons administration. There is a shortage of employers willing to pay their workers a living wage. On Monday, the president regurgitated Reichs talking point: People will come back to work if theyre paid a decent wage. Spoken like a true union boss. So thats the endgame here? Using government money, all of it borrowed, to jack up wages? The problem with this state-sponsored labor shortage is that the pain is one-sided. Strikes work precisely because both sides have something obvious to lose if they dont work out an agreement. With generous unemployment benefits (largely tax-free), paid health care (employers are now required to provide, free of charge, six months of COBRA coverage to laid off employees, which the government theoretically will reimburse), and no enforceable requirement to look for a job, theres no real monetary incentive to go back to work. In some cases, it may not even be a rational act: A married woman with two kids, who is her familys only breadwinner and making the average national wage of $30 an hour will have an after-tax income thats within a dollar an hour of her old wage if she remains unemployed. Shell also have paid health insurance, likely a huge benefit. And she wont have to worry about day care, either, which is an issue in the many places where teacher unions (and school districts controlled by them) are refusing to return to the classroom. Those people on the front lines of providing social welfare services to poorer Americans often decry the benefits cliff that greets Americans trying to improve their lives. The argument is that if we take away a dollar of benefits for every dollar someone earns, we leave them with no incentive to improve their lot in life. Its an argument I fully embrace and have used to argue for a more gradual reduction in benefits as Americans pull themselves out of poverty. Biden has created an enormous benefits cliff and is now arguing the other side of the coin. Bidens hope that this labor force constriction will permanently raise wages is a dangerous gamble. All three of the companies mentioned above are now implementing automation and other strategies to improve their operations without adding workers. While they are all growing and will have roles for each of their current workers long into the future, other employees at different companies may not be so lucky. Not everyone can work for the government, but if we continue with these policies, millions more will be dependent on a government check. The real answer to lifting up American workers lies not in more unemployment benefits but in helping them obtain the skills they need to perform higher value work. This will require a whole host of changes to our educational system. A good place to start would be re-examining our guaranteed student loan programs to ensure kids getting welding and machining certificates qualify on the same basis as university students. It will require public/private partnerships between employers and professional colleges to train workers in relevant skills. Importantly, it will require evaluating K-12 education to ensure kids are prepared for the world they are entering. Those changes and many other similar ones should be the focus of the Biden administrations efforts to lift people up. Short-term strategies that artificially distort markets will only work so long before they come crashing down on the people theyre intended to help. If Abraham Lincoln were alive today and looking out from a speakers stand over our divided nation, he would probably once again deliver his Gettysburg speech. All he would need to change is the number of years: Twelve score and five years ago our fathers brought forth upon this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. During a time when all over the world kings reigned with absolute power, our founders brought forth a nation based on the vision which Jefferson so perfectly expressed: that all men are created equal. And because we were all created equal, we are all entitled to the same rights amongst which are the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Jefferson knew that no human institution could ever perfectly embody these ideals. But he declared that ours would be the nation that was always striving to achieve that vision. Our history is the story of our steady progress toward that vision. We have made great strides: slaves were freed, the franchise extended, and liberty and sovereignty secured at the cost of blood and treasure. We know there is still much to be done, and that work will never cease. We traditionally have looked to our schools and universities to help raise up the next generation of informed and aware Americans Americans who value our founders vision and who can lead this nation forward to continue our progress. Yet few of us feel very good about what we see. Too often, politicized or partisan instruction has replaced thoughtful American History and old-fashioned civics instruction, including the careful and reflective reading of Americas historic documents such as the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and their sources of inspiration in English common law and Enlightenment philosophers. In response, The 1776 Commission published a report to honor our true history and refute misrepresentations of it. To be sure, American education can boast many excellent programs in such areas as science, technology, medicine, engineering, and other fields. But our schools are no longer fulfilling their mission when it comes to forming the next generation of informed and patriotic citizens. Without those citizens, we will be unable to continue pursuing the vision of our Declaration. Many Americans are rightfully becoming more and more concerned about this problem. Instead of being discouraged, we at the Jack Miller Center are doing something about it. Since 2004, we have been building a cadre of professors on college campuses across the country. Today we have about 1,000 professors, on more than 300 campuses, who have taught well over 1 million students about the wisdom and promise of our founding documents and our history of making them a reality. We are beginning to see a revitalization. It is not yet strong enough, but it promises a real renaissance in the honest study of American History, in the understanding of our foundational documents, and in the true meaning of that vision that binds together all Americans of whatever race or ethnicity. By the time kids reach college, it is almost too late. By then, too many of our young people have settled into the belief that America is fundamentally evil and that our free market system is inherently unfair even though it gives all individuals the greatest opportunities to succeed. So, five years ago, we began a K-12 teachers initiative, starting by enriching the knowledge of high school social studies teachers about our history and our founding principles. We started in Chicago and expanded to New York City, Wisconsin, Virginia, and now the entire state of Florida. The response from the teachers has been great. They are hungry for good content that they can use in their classrooms. Our vision is to expand this state by state until we are covering the country. This is a boots-on-the-ground effort. We are really making a difference. For more information on our progress both at the university and the K-12 level, visit our website at jackmillercenter.org. This is an effort that all patriotic Americans can and should get behind. To conclude as Lincoln did in his Gettysburg address: we here highly resolve . . . that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. Jack Miller is the founder and chairman of the Jack Miller Center, a nonprofit working to get the teaching of our founding principles and history back into schools across America. Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. Editor's note: The Red & Black has published two versions of this article, one in English and one in Spanish. Nota de los editores: The Red & Black ha publicado dos versiones de este articulo, una por ingles y una por espanol. El colaborador Osbaldo Marin tradujo este articulo. Noe Mendoza is known as someone with a big heart who always gives back to his community. Since 1999, Mendoza has lived in and served the Athens Clarke-County community alongside his brother, Beto Mendoza. Both founded the Athens Immigrant Rights Coalition, an organization that fights for immigrant rights. Noe Mendoza has been a key component in Athens Immigrant Rights Coalition by aiding undocumented people within the ACC community. Noe has been supporting multiple families because there are not enough bilingual volunteers who want to donate their time to help families navigate the legal system during deportation proceedings, Beto Mendoza said. Recently, Noe Mendoza was diagnosed with Spondylolisthesis, a spinal condition that causes lower back pain. A GoFundMe that Beto created for Noe Mendoza has raised over $9,000. Since the diagnosis, Noe Mendozas life has been altered significantly. A few weeks ago, after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, Noe Mendoza had a reaction that led to him being in bed for a week. Two weeks later, Noe Mendoza bent over to feed his dog and coughed simultaneously, resulting in his legs being immobilized. From there Beto took him to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with his condition. He's not able to walk, Beto said. He lost his ability to mobilize for simple things such as buying groceries. He has to have someone help him push and put groceries inside he cannot do any of it anymore. Members of the Athens Immigrant Rights Coalition have joined in on supporting Noe Mendoza too. AIRC have banded together to make sure Noe has as much support as possible during this time by providing him with meals, visits to keep him company and rides to his weekly physical therapy appointments, said Kerry Steinberg, spokesperson for AIRC. As a result of being physically handicapped, Noe has been unable to work, which has resulted in financial challenges as well. I don't know if anyone can survive with $10,000 for the rest of their life, Beto said. That money will be gone in two to three months just for rent and bills. Despite these challenges, Noe is still an important person to the ACC community. Without Noe's contributions to our community, I don't think our organization would be nearly as strong as it is today, Steinberg said. When Robert Lee Bobby Lawrence Jr. first arrived at Clarke Central High School, the marching band consisted of about 20 students, said his wife Mary Lawrence. When he left, the band had tripled in size. (Courtesy/Mary Lawrence) Athens, GA (30605) Today Cloudy skies this evening. A few showers developing late. Low near 70F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Cloudy skies this evening. A few showers developing late. Low near 70F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 30%. Members of Hillel at University of Georgia and the UGA Black Student Union came together to host the Racial Justice Shabbat on March 26, discussing their experiences as minorities on campus and what they can do to become better allies for underrepresented communities. John Koopmann, a Lake Host at Spofford Lake, in Spofford, N.H., talks with Michael Collier, from Walpole, N.H., about places the boat has been before the boat goes into the water on Tuesday, June 8, 2021. Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China Vice Chairperson Chow Hang-tung, left, stands in front of the Pillar of Shame statue May 4. The statue is a memorial at the University of Hong Kong for those killed in the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown. SAN FRANCISCO (AP) California's governor said Friday that his office is weighing issues of enforcement and workplace safety in considering whether and when to adopt the latest federal guidelines around masking. Gov. Gavin Newsom said his office has been talking with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, local health officers and other states since the CDC's announcement Thursday calling for fully vaccinated people to skip face coverings and social distancing in most situations. The agency's guidelines still call for people to wear masks in crowded indoor settings, such as buses, planes, hospitals and prisons, and says residents should follow local rules. But Newsom says he doesn't know what the federal guidelines would look like in schools, where younger children are not yet able to get vaccinated, and what happens if businesses want to require masks. There's a whole host of complexities that we all have to work through, Newsom said when asked of the guidelines at a budget briefing. He said some governors are quick to default to the CDC guidelines, but now are starting to appreciate some of the nuances and complexities around enforcement or lack thereof. The state is on track to fully reopen its economy next month, signaling an end to most pandemic restrictions, with infection rates at record lows and more people inoculated against the coronavirus. On Thursday, the state began allowing children 12 to 15 to receive the vaccine. Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger sent a letter to the governor Friday, urging him to adopt federal guidelines as the county of 10 million has made tremendous progress in inoculating residents. Some people expressed glee at the thought of shedding their masks. But others, including business owners, were more hesitant, worried over enforcement. It puts small businesses in the place of having to police people all over again, and you cant tell by looking at somebody that theyve been vaccinated," said Justin Lawrence, co-owner of Fayes Coffee in San Francisco, which had a chalkboard sign outside that read: Bear with us. Masks are still required." In California, people who are fully vaccinated do not need to wear a mask outdoors unless at crowded events. But they still have to wear a mask indoors unless meeting with other vaccinated people. The state has a number of other rules for businesses and other public places that vary by county based on the prevalence of the virus. Marie Biscarra, co-owner of Isso Clothing in San Francisco, said the new recommendation is encouraging and she can't wait to see customers' faces again. But she also knows that not everyone will or can get vaccinated, including children. We just want everybody to feel comfortable. So therefore, our stance on it is for the meantime, if its going to be inside, were going to say, please wear a mask," she said. ___ Associated Press reporter Janie Har contributed from San Francisco. Frackville An event called Locks for the Legion is set for noon to 3 p.m. Sunday at American Legion Post 398, 40 S. Mahanoy St., according to a release from Laura Kostingo. For more information, call 570-933-0803 or email lolabunny444@hotmail.com. Hegins An American Red Cross blood drive is set for 2 to 7 p.m. June 1. The drive is sponsored by the Hegins Valley United Methodist Charge and will be held at the Hegins Valley Fire/Rescue building. To schedule an appointment, call 800-733-2767 or go online to RedCrossBlood.org and enter Hegins. People 17 and older (16 with parental consent), weighing at least 110 pounds and in general good health are urged to donate blood. Minersville Mountaineer Hose Company, Third and South streets, will have its last-of-the-season breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to noon Sunday. Due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, seating will be limited so takeouts are encouraged. To order, or for more information, call the firehouse at 570-544-9622 Schuylkill Haven Members of the Schuylkill Haven Senior Citizens group will meet at 6 p.m. Monday for their spring dinner at First United Church of Christ (White Church). The program will be Spotlight Kidz. Only members with advance-paid reservations will be admitted, according to the groups press release. The groups regular meeting will be at 1 p.m. May 24 at the Island, weather permitting. If the temperature is below 69 degrees or there is rain, the meeting will be at the senior center gym. For more information, call 570-385-5323. Shenandoah The Greater Area Shenandoah Senior Citizens group, 225 N. Market St., has resumed weekly Wednesday bingo games. Doors open at noon and bingo begins at 1 p.m. The kitchen is closed. COVID-19 protocols are in effect. In a speech marking his fourth year in office, President Moon Jae-in referred to propaganda leaflets North Korean defector groups are sending across the border and said, "I have no choice but to enforce the law sternly." In other words, he has no choice but to double over in supplication before North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's sister Yo-jong, who had thrown another hissy fit about the leaflets. That prompted U.S. Representative Tom Lantos to schedule another hearing on the issue, adding to condemnation from every respectable human rights body on the entire globe. Moon does not want North Koreans to learn the truth about their vile regime. When Kim Yo-jong demanded that South Korea enact laws to crack down on the leaflets, the government responded just four-and-a-half hours later by saying one "is being prepared." When she flew off the handle again after a defectors' group still sent leaflets across the border, the government vowed to undertake a "stern investigation." In fact, it is now considering prosecuting people even if the materials did not actually fly across the border. Yet when a fisheries official was brutally murdered at sea by North Korean soldiers and his body incinerated, Moon did not even attend the emergency meeting -- officials apparently did not want to wake him up. The official was alive for another three hours after the military gave its first report of the incident to Cheong Wa Dae. Yet surely Moon, who was the first to criticize his dozy predecessor Park Geun-hye for her late response to the 2014 ferry disaster, should have reacted much sooner and done everything humanly possible to save the official. At that time, Moon was still exchanging letters with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and the two Koreas even had a communication line that was open. But Moon did nothing. In fact, it was only when Kim wrote him a letter apologizing -- behaving on this occasion rather better than South Korea's own president -- that Moon practically shed tears of gratitude. The son of the fisheries official sent a letter to Moon asking him, "I wonder what attempts the government made while my father was being slaughtered and why he couldn't be rescued." Moon replied, "I promise to ensure transparency in the investigation in order to find the truth. I ask you to wait for the results of the investigation and search operations." That was the last anyone heard from Moon about the matter. The victim's family are even calling on the U.S. president to help them find the truth. If Moon had devoted to the slain official even a fraction of the energy he spends cracking down on activists who exercise their constitutional right to free speech, he would not now have to endure the contempt of Korean voters. David J. Rossi TREMONT A Donaldson man charged with trying to disarm a state police trooper on Jan. 3 in Frailey Township had charges against him held for court during a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge David J. Rossi. Mark A. Ginter, 54, of 25 E. Centre St., was arrested by Trooper Matthew Hoke of the Schuylkill Haven station and charged with disarming a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest and harassment. Rossi determined the commonwealth presented enough evidence to substantiate the charges and ordered all three offenses held for Schuylkill County Court, where Ginter can plead guilty or enter a not guilty plea and request a trial. Hoke said he was sent to the Ginter home for an active domestic dispute and learned from the mans girlfriend that he struck her several times, grabbed a rifle and went to the second floor of the home. Hoke said that Ginter ignored commands to come to the front door to resolve the situation and said he was not going back to jail. While being taken into custody a short time later, Hoke said, Ginter grabbed his Taser weapon and asked what it was. The man also resisted being placed in handcuffs but was eventually taken into custody without further incident, Hoke said. Other court cases included: Andy W. Ortega, 41, of 7655 Victory Drive, Longwood, North Carolina; withdrawn: possession of a firearm prohibited. Waived for court: possession of a firearm prohibited, turning movements and required signals, driving an unregistered vehicle and making repairs to or selling offensive weapons. Destiny M. Heist, 25, of 3 W. Main St., Tremont; withdrawn: having a blood alcohol level 0.02-percent or higher-third offense. Waived for court: turning movements and required signals, DUI-controlled substance and possession of a small amount of marijuana. Travis I. Gorey, 29, of 350 Vine St., Apt. F, Lebanon; withdrawn: receiving stolen property. Held for court: fleeing or attempting to elude police, driving without lights to avoid identification or arrest, reckless driving, careless driving, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, driving at an unsafe speed, disregard for single traffic lane, duties at a stop sign and turning movements and required signals. Erich A. Deremer, 22, of 403 W. Centre St., Floor 1, Mahanoy City; waived for court: access device unauthorized by the issuer. Charda D. Warren, 35, of 647 Camp St., Harrisburg; held for court: bad checks. Matthew B. Stevenson, 20, of 24 Laurel St., Pine Grove; dismissed: corruption of minors. Keith M. Lengle, 21, of 30 Spancake Road, Pine Grove; withdrawn: theft, receiving stolen property and criminal mischief. Ricky A. Ney Jr., 41, of 107 E. Spring St., Donaldson; withdrawn: aggravated assault and simple assault. Moved to a non-traffic citation: harassment. Justin A. Neely, 30, of 53 E. Line St., Tremont; withdrawn: simple assault, harassment, unlawful restraint and recklessly endangering another person. Andrew J. Hart, 46, of Box 597, Brownstown; waived for court: DUI, DUI-highest rate and disregard for single traffic lane. Timberly Ann Ulsh, 20, of 240 S. Second St., Apt. 8, Frackville; waived for court: DUI, DUI-highest rate, disregard for single traffic lane, reckless driving and careless driving. Jonathan R. Beazch, 30, of 198 Llewellyn Road, Pottsville; waived for court: DUI-controlled substance, turning movements and required signals, period for requiring lighted lamps and careless driving. Shakier J. Kinglsey, 29, of 1643 W. Linden St., Allentown; held for court: conspiracy, possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, possession of a firearm prohibited, firearms not to be carried without a license, fleeing or attempting to elude police, possession of a small amount of marijuana, accidents involving damage to attended vehicle or property, driving with a suspended or revoked license, obedience to traffic control signals, improper sun screening and receiving stolen property. Jacob E. Kruika, 27, of 21 Elm St., West Pittston; withdrawn: DUI-highest rate. Held for court: DUI and disregard for single traffic lane. Nikki R. Leininger, 37, of 69 Spring St., Tremont; held for court: receiving stolen property. (Staff writer Frank Andruscavage compiled this report) FRACKVILLE Local nurses gathered Thursday for a vigil to remember patients lost to COVID-19 and recognize the hardships nurses have faced. The vigil, held during Nurses Week, was organized by nurses with Local 112 Office and Professional Employees International Union and held outside the office of Rep. Tim Twardzik, R-123, Butler Township. Brandy Siegfried, R.N., at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill and chief steward, said the goal of the vigil was to bring awareness to short-staffing problems. Its a community problem. Its not just our little hospitals problem, Siegfried said. If theres not enough nurses or staff to take care of the patients, the patient may not get the adequate care as quick as they should. Seth Goldstein, senior business representative with Local 112 OPEIU, said the vigil was held outside Twardziks office with the hope that he will become a co-sponsor of legislation on safe staffing. He had promised that when he was running for office, and now hes on the board of directors for Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill, Goldstein said. Hes in a position where he could really move the legislation, because hes on the House safety committee. Siegfried said increased pay, benefits and staffing would attract more nurses to work in the area. Youre not going to get them to come to our little community hospital or a little nursing home if theyre getting sub-adequate pay and benefits, Siegfried said. The working conditions arent desirable, because youre working a lot harder. Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill did not have a statement at this time. Siegfried said the vigil was not only for Lehigh Valley nurses, but others in the community, as well. This kind of problem doesnt just affect this hospital, Siegfried said. It affects nursing homes and personal care facilities. There are not enough nurses to go around. Siegfried said she has been working in the community for 19 years. I have a lot invested in this community, and Ive never seen it this bad, Siegfried said. Candidates for the Pottsville Area school board said transparency and getting the district on better financial footing are what is important. Five people are running for four open seats, each for four-year terms, in Tuesdays primary election. Board President Noble C. Bud Quandel, member Jerome Urban and Stephanie Buchanan and Harry Ciavarella are running as the Keep the Tide Rising committee. The fifth candidate is Bob Thomas. All five are cross-filed as Democrats and Republicans. Quandel and Urban have served on the board since 2017. Quandel, who resides in the city with his wife, Jule, is executive chairman of Quandel Enterprises in Harrisburg. He holds a degree in secondary education from Bloomsburg University and is a member of the boards of the Northeast Pennsylvania Alliance, Schuylkill County Airport Authority, General Contractors Association of Pennsylvania, Schuylkill Firefighters Association Advisory Board and Mid Penn Bank. Urban was born and raised in Pottsville and resides there with his wife, Angela, their son and daughter. A 1997 graduate of Pottsville Area High School, he holds degrees in mathematics and computer science from Shippensburg University and is president and chief executive of Performance Construction Services and Susquehanna Supply Bridge Co., both of Pottsville. Buchanan resides in Norwegian Township with her husband, Michael, and son. She is a graduate of Pottsville Area High School and Penn State University with a degree in political science. She is legislative director for the state Senate and oversees several committees. Ciavarella lives in Pottsville with his wife, Beth, two daughters and a son. He earned a degree in business administration from the University of Pittsburgh and has 20 years of experience in banking, commercial lending, credit analysis, business planning, risk assessment and management. He serves on the board of directors for Lehigh Valley Health Network-Schuylkill, Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce and Berks Family Business Alliance, the Boy Scouts of America Committee and M&T Bank Charitable Committee. Thomas resides in Pottsville with his wife, Georgia, and has one son, Scott, who served two terms on the board. He graduated in 1980 from Minersville Area High School and earned a Bachelor of Science in information technology and Master of Business Administration from Strayer University. He is a collision estimator in the city. He serves as secretary and treasurer, as well as past president, of Trinity Lutheran Church, is founder and chairman of the Schuylkill County Christmas Gala and is a member of Pulaski Lodge 216 Free and Accepted Masons. The candidates were asked questions about the April 28 forum hosted by the Pottsville Area Education Association, which was closed to the public and press; transparency in the district; past mistakes; goals and reliance on property taxes. The Tide Rising committee answered as a group. Open forum? The group of candidates said they were happy to participate in the forum, as well as others hosted by other entities that were open to the public. Thomas said he would have been OK with it whether or not it was open to the public. I guess they thought it was a better way to have a more private discussion with the candidates, he said. Promoting transparency Thomas said when it comes to large projects, such as the one in which solar panels were installed on district property, the public should know about it before a decision is made. Having town hall meetings on large projects would help promote transparency, as would communication on the districts website. You have to let people know what youre doing or at least what youre thinking of doing before you just go ahead and do it, he said, noting that large decisions affect taxpayers for years to come. The Keep the Tide Rising candidates said Board Docs, which the district recently purchased, will improve transparency, efficiency and board effectiveness, and will make sharing information with taxpayers easier. All five candidates agreed the districts website needs to be updated. Avoiding mistakes The Tide Rising candidates said repeating past mistakes can be avoided with responsible budgeting and future planning, which they said includes innovative and thoughtful ideas. The financial mismanagement from 2010 to 2018 was a series of colossal mistakes for the district which necessitated increased property taxes and program cuts just to keep the district afloat, they said. Teachers, students and taxpayers cannot afford for that mistake to be made again. Thomas said the district went in the wrong direction for a long time, and that former Superintendent Jeffrey S. Zwiebel was given a pass by the board. When they fail, its the school boards job to step in, he said. Thomas said the solar panel project was rushed, and the public wont know for a long time if they were worth installing. Thomas said he would listen to those that voted for him and the teachers. Im going to be their voice, he said. They deserve another voice. Property taxes Thomas said it is up to lawmakers to reform the way schools are funded, saying they need to know we cant keep raising taxes. The burden cannot be 100% on the individual taxpayer in school districts, he said. Quandel, Urban, Buchanan and Ciavarella said restoring the district to financial stability and the effort to revitalize downtown Pottsville with increased business will reduce the reliance on taxpayers. Goals Tide Rising candidates outlined their goals as continuing fiscal recovery for long-term financial stability; establishing and executing a strategy for the district to be No. 1 in academics and extracurricular activities by 2025; strengthening the relationship between faculty and the community with increased transparency and clear and consistent communications; and restoring district buildings and the campus by 2025. Thomas said his goals are to promote better communication among the board, teachers, staff and community, and to restore the district as the crown of Schuylkill County financially and academically. U.S. District Judge John E. Jones III is ending his nearly 19-year judicial career to serve his alma mater. Jones, chief judge of the U.S. Middle District Court of Pennsylvania, announced Friday that he will become interim president of Dickinson College. He is expected to serve a two-year term, replacing Margee M. Ensign, who on Friday announced her resignation as Dickinson College president, effective June 30, 2021. It has been a privilege to serve on the bench for nearly two decades, presiding over complex and challenging cases and serving with some of the finest legal minds, Jones said. It is time to take on a new challenge. Leading Dickinson College, my alma mater, is an unparalleled opportunity I simply could not pass up. I believe strongly in Dickinsons world-class liberal arts education, and I look forward to continuing the momentum of this top institution. Jones, a Pottsville native, was appointed to the bench by President George W. Bush and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate on July 30, 2002. While on the bench, Jones has presided over several high-profile cases. In 2003, he struck down portions of Shippensburg Universitys speech code on the basis that it violated the First Amendments free speech guarantee. In that same year, Jones ruled in a decision later affirmed by the United States Supreme Court that the U.S. Department of Agricultures statute assessing milk producers in order to fund advertising, including the milk mustache/got milk campaign, did not infringe the free speech rights of the producers. In 2006, he ruled that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvanias ballot access procedures for minor political parties did not violate the Constitution. In 2014, Jones resolved the matter of Whitewood v. Wolf by striking down as unconstitutional Pennsylvanias ban on same-sex marriage. Likely his most known case was Kitzmiller v. Dover School District in 2005. In that landmark case, he held it was unconstitutional to teach intelligent design within a public school science curriculum. After that ruling, in 2006, Jones was named by Time Magazine as one of its Time 100 most influential people in the world. He also received a Rave Award for Policy from Wired magazine and was the recipient of the first John Marshall Judicial Independence Award, given by the Pennsylvania Bar Association. In 2009, he was the recipient of the Geological Society of Americas Presidents Medal, and in the same year, he was inducted into the George Washington Spirit Society. Born and raised in Schuylkill County, he is a graduate of Mercersburg Academy, Dickinson College and Penn State Dickinson Law. Jones graduated from Dickinson College in 1977 with a bachelors degree in political science. In 2006, Dickinson presented Jones, an active alumnus, with an honorary doctorate in law and public policy. He is a former member of the Board of Regents of Mercersburg Academy and has served as an adjunct professor of law at Penn State Dickinson Law. Before serving on the bench, Jones practiced law in the county. He ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 1990 on the Republican ticket, losing to then-sheriff T. Timothy Holden, a Democrat. In November 1994, then Pennsylvania Governor-elect Tom Ridge named Jones as a co-chair of his transition team. In May 1995, Ridge nominated Jones to serve as chairman of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. Before becoming a federal judge, Jones was a lawyer in private practice in his hometown of Pottsville. In 2013, Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts appointed Jones to the Committee on Judicial Security, a standing committee of the Judicial Conference of the United States, and in 2018, Roberts appointed Jones to the Committee on Space and Facilities. Jones and his wife, Beth, have two children, including son, John, who also graduated from Dickinson College, Class of 2011, and two grandchildren. POTTSVILLE Visitors entering Charles Baber Cemetery from West Market Street will notice just inside the cemetery gates a house-shaped cabinet that is filled with food items. The food inside the Little Free Food Pantry is for those in need, said the Rev. Kurt Kovalovich, the cemeterys executive director and a supply pastor for Episcopal churches in Schuylkill County, including Trinity Episcopal Church on South Centre Street, and a cemetery board trustee. Similar to Little Free Libraries, from which people can take or leave books, the little pantry enables the public to either donate or take food, if its needed. Kovalovich said the idea came to him about a year ago while searching online for ways to give away excess food the church accumulated through its Bring a Can to Church program, during which parishioners bring non-perishable items to church. The items were donated to the emergency food pantry at Schuylkill Community Action in Pottsville. The response from parishioners was so overwhelming, the pastor said, that the church had leftover food items that the pantry couldnt take. There was all this food sitting at Trinity, he said, adding some of the excess food was donated to the Salvation Army Pottsville Corps. The cemetery board approved the pantry plans last year. The Little Free Food Pantry organization was founded in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and spread nationwide. The one at Baber Cemetery isnt the only one in the county, Kovalovich said, as another one is at Zion Lutheran Church in Tamaqua. The pantry, which resembles a kitchen cabinet, was made by parishioner Jim Tokarz. It was installed in late April by Tokarz, sexton John Wilk and Tom Dodd, head of cemetery maintenance, and dedicated during the churchs Arbor Day ceremony on April 30. A wooden placard below the cabinet reading Take What You Need Leave What You Can was made by Allen Brennan. Kovalovich said that while no one is in charge of stocking the pantry, parishioners will be able to sign up to take items to the pantry and look after it when church services resume in-person in early June. Some parishioners have already expressed interest in stocking it, he said. On Thursday, the pantry was filled with pears, cereal, canned items, including soups, crackers, brownie mix and cookies. I think people have used it as the food changed from last week, he said, looking inside the cabinet. Theres things that are missing. He said those who visit the cemetery have told him the pantry is a good idea. Its here for the community, Kovalovich said. TAMAQUA State lawmakers and community partners visited Tamaqua on Thursday to check out an ongoing renovation project at three downtown buildings. The $5.7 million project, known as the Bank on Broad, will upgrade and modernize 17 apartments along West Broad Street. It is the latest in a series of revitalization projects undertaken by the Alliance for Building Communities, which operates the Tamaqua ABC Hi-Rise. When completed, several apartments will be occupied for the first time in many decades, and the Tamaqua Historical Society Museum will significantly expand its exhibit space. Micah Gursky, executive director of the Tamaqua Area Community Partnership, said the partnership began discussing the project about 12 years ago. The impetus, he said, was knowing the borough had many underdeveloped or underutilized spaces on the second and third floors of its downtown buildings. Finding funding, however, was one of the biggest challenges because the borough had to compete with cities as large as Philadelphia. The project received a $350,000 Affordable Housing Grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh; a $500,000 grant from the PennHOMES program; and $485,000 in tax credits from the Pennsylvania Housing and Finance Authority. The remainder of the funding comes in the form of equity from Riverview Bank. Officials for those entities were on hand for the tour, as were state Sen. David G. Argall, R-29, Rush Township, and state Rep. Jerry Knowles, R-124, Rush Township. Argall pointed to the Tamaqua Historical Society building at 116 W. Broad St., where three large apartments are being renovated. A four-bedroom unit is also under development at an adjoining property. I was blown away by what the second and third floors looked like, he said. In discussions with society President Dale Freudenberger, Argall learned that the apartments hadnt been occupied since the 1970s or 1980s. Dale wasnt exactly sure, Argall said. In any case, it was a long time. The group toured the lower level of the Berwick House Apartments, where upgrades to 13 existing units, along with a modernized elevator and a new HVAC system, are planned. The exterior will be renovated to resemble the historic 1905 Tamaqua National Bank. The goal here in Tamaqua is making it a better place to live without changing it, Argall said. Work should be finished by the end of this year or early 2022. ABC manages Berwick House, Hazle Street Apartments and Liberty Place in Tamaqua. POTTSVILLE Schuylkill County Commissioner George F. Halcovage Jr. must enter and leave the courthouse like a private citizen, as Sheriff Joseph G. Groody announced Thursday that he is restricting Halcovages access to the building in the wake of accusations of sexual assault and harassment. His access is restricted starting Monday, Groody said of the embattled Halcovage, who has faced many calls to resign in the wake of the accusations. Groody limited Halcovages access to the building to between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, under the terms of the letter written by his solicitor, James C. Bohorad, Pottsville. Additionally, according to Bohorads letter, which Groody personally hand-delivered to Halcovage, the commissioners parking space will be moved to a spot directly outside the buildings public entrance. You will then be required to enter the courthouse through the main entrance and pass through security in the same manner as the general public, the letter reads in part. Halcovage also must leave the building the same way, Bohorad wrote. Halcovages county identification card also has been terminated, Bohorad wrote. Groody said all other county row officers except Coroner Dr. David J. Moylan III, whose office is at the Simon Kramer Cancer Institute in New Philadelphia, approved the restrictions. The vote was unanimous, he said. For now, however, the restrictions do not ban Halcovage from the courthouse, as several of the officials have requested. Groody will consult in the near future with President Judge William E. Baldwin, commissioners Chairman Barron L. Hetherington and Commissioner Gary J. Hess to consider whether to impose such a ban, according to the letter. Halcovage could not be reached Thursday for comment on the restrictions. Several female county employees have alleged that Halcovage sexually harassed and/or assaulted them in the courthouse since he assumed office at the beginning of 2012. A county human resources investigation found the allegations credible and concluded Halcovage would have been fired if he were not an elected official. However, as an elected official, Halcovage can be removed only by impeachment and conviction by the state Legislature. Schuylkill Countys three state representatives, Tim Twardzik, R-123, Butler Township, Jerry Knowles, R-124, Rush Township, and Joe Kerwin, R-125, Lykens, have introduced a resolution that would authorize the House Judiciary Committee to start an investigation into the matter. That would be the first step toward impeachment of Halcovage; no timetable has been set for consideration of the resolution or any related measures. Four of the women also have filed a federal lawsuit against Halcovage and other county officials in connection with his alleged actions. That lawsuit is pending before Scranton-based U.S. District Judge Malachy E. Mannion. Two of the women filed requests this month for sexual violence protection orders against Halcovage. On May 5, Lebanon County Senior Judge Robert J. Eby granted those orders, which directed Halcovage not to abuse, harass, stalk, threaten or contact the two women. However, he neither banned Halcovage from the courthouse nor made any finding of fact that he had committed any of those actions. Bohorads letter followed a meeting Wednesday of all the row officers except Moylan, District Attorney Michael A. OPake and Register of Wills/Clerk of the Orphans Court Theresa Santai Gaffney. I wanted to act in a bipartisan way, said Groody, a Democrat. All of the other row officers except OPake are Republicans. However, Gaffney said Thursday that the order is the best route to take at this time. I think he should work remotely, she said. I think thats the best option. That way, the employees can continue to perform their duties in their offices. He is entitled to his day in court. Bohorad wrote in the letter that the new restrictions are similar to ones imposed in 2020 after the office of state Attorney General Josh Shapiro started its investigation of Halcovage. After that investigation ended without the filing of criminal charges against Halcovage, Groody ended the restrictions except the one limiting his access to the courthouse to 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, according to the letter. Restrictions imposed Thursday by Groody on Halcovages access to the courthouse include the following measures. He may park his vehicle only in his new designated parking space near the public entrance. He may leave the building only through the same public entrance. He may enter the building only from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. He may enter only through the public entrance on the buildings west side at the basement/ground floor level, without the benefit of his county identification card. He may enter only after proceeding through the metal detector and being wanded by a deputy sheriff with a handheld metal detector to check items that set off the metal detector. To The Editor: The recent announcement by the Biden administration stating he will share vaccine patent rights at the request of the World Trade Organization, and influenced by Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, is harmful to the U.S. biotechnology industry and our economy. With the announcement, the vaccine stocks tumbled. Moderna, for instance, which has been in an upward trend since phase 3 and FDA authorization, released its quarterly profit of $1.2 billion, with a $2.34 per share increase, but rather than its stock price rising, it declined significantly with more buyer resistance than support. Analysts agree, this was because of the presidents decision. Other vaccine makers have experienced similar swings. Its a terrible pandemic the world has had to endure and every person in every country who wants to be vaccinated should have access to the vaccine regardless of a nations economic development or geopolitical standing, but to cater to the WTO at the expense of the U.S. economy and the people who have so diligently worked and invested to alleviate this pandemic is troublesome. Our biotech companies are able to supply the world with sufficient vaccine supplies, and they have expressed their willingness to provide underprivileged and impoverished countries with stockpiles of the vaccine. Moderna, for example, has recently planned to build a new fill-finish facility in Massachusetts (and that means jobs) and profits from its COVID vaccine have contributed to its R&D of cutting-edge mRNA vaccine technology for many other previously untreatable viruses and diseases. If profits decrease because the WTO and politicians with an anti-Wall Street agenda undermine our countrys business and industry, that will only slow growth. The WTO, and the nations leading this campaign, are attempting to pilfer the rights from our biotech companies to make their own profits while undercutting our nations biotech industry. Stephane Bancel, CEO of Moderna has said the patent alone is without merit considering any nation wanting to produce their own vaccine will have to invest in the manufacturing & purification processes and participate in clinical studies. But he was clearly trying to limit the damage and sell-off triggered by the Presidents decision. If COVID is going to be a recurring crisis and people need ongoing booster vaccinations, then other countries will undoubtedly produce vaccines for profit using U.S. technology & intellectual property. The WTO has always reacted contrary to U.S. interests, and the Democratic Partys leftist attempt to frame the pandemics humanitarian angle so as to strike a blow against Wall Street and pharmaceuticals is reckless. Biden ran his election on the promise to build back better, but how can he do that if he is giving away U.S. trade secrets and patents for the international community to copy and ultimately use against us? I was no fan of Donald Trump, but he was right in putting America First and not bowing to the demands of multinational organizations with hidden agendas against the U.S. economy. President Biden would be wise to do the same, and to stop being influenced by ideological zealots and angry socialists determined to sabotage Wall Street, pharmaceuticals and investor profit. Jim Lawrence Williamstown Guwahati, May 13 (PTI) Excise, Forest, and Fisheries Minister Parimal Suklabaidya on Thursday directed officials concerned to step-up vigilance in the districts to prevent illicit liquor trade. Excise Department Principal Secretary A P Joshi and other officials were urged to plug leakages which lead to revenue losses, an official release said. "The minister asked them to initiate stringent action against all brands and companies involved in the transportation of illegal liquor without valid papers," the statement said. They were also asked to hasten the process in clearing the backlog of pending files and vital issues of the Excise Department that came to a stop due to the Model Code of Conduct during the Assembly elections. The minister held a series of meetings with officials of Excise, Environment, and Forest, and Fisheries departments separately and reviewed the status of progress of various ongoing schemes and pending projects. In the meeting with officials of the Environment and Forest Department, Suklabaidya asked them to expedite the ongoing schemes and pending projects. "The minister asked them to submit a report on various afforestation and plantation projects under Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) and Assam Project on Forest and Biodiversity Conservation (APFBC) and to complete the projects within a stipulated timeframe," it added. He also instructed the officials to put in place all possible measures to tackle flood situation following the onset of monsoon in various flood-prone forest areas to minimise the extent of losses to wildlife. The minister urged the officials to expedite the process of recruitment in the department and inform the status of various pending files related to the amendment of various rules by submitting a comprehensive action taken report within 15 days. In another meeting with Fisheries Department Director N K Debnath and other officials, Suklabaidya asked them to submit status reports related to various schemes, including PMMSY. He directed the officials to review the district-wise status of various schemes, besides the current vacancy position through video conferencing. The minister also asked the officials to act swiftly by working in tandem with the district administration of Cachar, Karimganj, and Hailakandi of Barak Valley to bring to a halt the illegal trade of fish from Bangladesh. PTI TR MM MM (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) New Delhi, May 13 (PTI) An international drug racket was bused by the Delhi Police with the arrest of five men and seizure of 54.2 kilograms of heroin worth around Rs 250 crores, officials said on Thursday. The five arrested members have been identified as Altaf alias Mehrajuddin Darji, Abid Hussain Sultan, Hashmat Mohammadi, Tifal Nau Khez and Abdullah Najibullah, they said. The Delhi Police's Special Cell also claimed to have unearthed a drug factory in Delhi's Batla House area, officials said. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) P S Kushwah said, "Our team received information about a Kashmir-based man named Altaf, who is part of the narco-module and used to frequently visit Delhi-NCR under the cover of carpet trade. "Acting on a tip off, a trap was laid and he was arrested with 4.5 kilograms of the contraband on May 2, after information was received that he was in Delhi's Ashoka Road area to deliver a consignment." Based up his inputs, a raid was conducted and the second accused Abid Hussain Sultan, (40), also a resident of Srinagar, was arrested and 12 kilograms of the contraband was recovered from his home in Vinobapuri here, he said. Elaborating about the cartel, the senior officer said with the duo's arrest, police found out about 'Haji', who was sending the contraband. It was further refined and reconstituted using chemicals and was supplied by one 'Lakha', based out of Amritsar in Punjab, police said. The third accused -- Hashmat Mohammadi, an Afghan national residing in the Zakir Nagar area here was arrested and five kilograms of the contraband was recovered from him, police said. His interrogation, in turn, revealed that the contraband was being sourced from a man named Kasim, Hashmat's brother and another man named Haji. Both Kasim and Haji are based in Afghanistan, the police said. Hashmat also disclosed that a factory was also running in Delhi's Zakir Nagar. A raid was conducted and the factory, being run under a residential cover, was unearthed, they said. The police recovered 29.5 kilograms of the contraband along with articles used for reconstitution of the drug, including big aluminum containers, buckets, gunny bags soaked in chemical, and distillers from the factory, officials said. The residential premises from where the factory was being operated belonged to Tifal Nau Khez, and during interrogation, he revealed that that several new poppy to heroin processing modules have become highly active in Afghanistan and are sending seasoned chemical experts to India to execute complex heroin reconstitution operations at scattered locations within Delhi-NCR, said the DCP. In another raid conducted in the Wazirabad area, another accused Abdullah Najibullah, also an Afghan national, was arrested and another 3.2 kilograms of the contraband was recovered, he said. PTI AMP TDS TDS (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) New Delhi, May 13 (PTI) Germany, Japan, South Korea, Finland and Greece on Thursday delivered to India a large number of medical supplies as the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic continued to ravage various parts of the country. Two aircraft carrying 100 oxygen concentrators arrived from Japan while South Korea sent 10,000 rapid testing kits, officials said. A consignment of 30 oxygen concentrators, two ventilators and other medical equipment came from Italy. A shipment from Greece contained 10 portable oxygen cylinders while Germany sent 176 ventilators and 180 trolleys, the officials said. Another European nation, Finland delivered to India 324 oxygen-filled cylinders and 225 Oximeters. A British company also sent to India 1,200 oxygen cylinders. "Cooperation with Japan continues. 2 aircrafts carrying a total consignment of 100 oxygen concentrators arrive from Japan. 4 aircrafts in 2 days from Japan have delivered a cumulative of 200 oxygen concentrators. Appreciate this continuing support from our partner," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted. He also mentioned the supplies sent by South Korea. "Our continuing cooperation with Republic of Korea. Welcome the shipment of 10000 rapid testing kits from Republic of Korea that arrived today," he said in another tweet. As India battles a devastating second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, several countries around the world are sending medical supplies to help it tide over the situation. The leading countries that have delivered medical supplies to India included the US, Russia, France, the UK, Germany, Australia, Ireland, Belgium, Romania, Luxembourg, Singapore, Portugal, Sweden, New Zealand, Kuwait and Mauritius. PTI MPB KJ (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has shared a stunning image of a 4.5-billion-year-old asteroid Bennu. The image of the asteroid was captured by the Osiris Rex spacecraft. The OSIRIS-Rex mission is on its way back to Earth after nearly five years with a sample of rocks and dust from the ancient cosmic object. The picture of the asteroid has grabbed the attention of netizens and they expressed their views in the comments section. The image shows asteroid Bennu with one of its sides merging with the dark space as the OSIRIS-REx pushed away from Bennu. The post mentioned that the spacecraft is returning to Earth with samples in 2023. In the post, the space agency wrote, STOP: 4.5-billion-year-old asteroid crossing! Youre looking at a real image of asteroid Bennu captured from NASA Solar Systems OSIRISRex spacecraft", read the first few lines of the post. The post further mentioned that in 2023, the samples will arrive back at our home planet where they will be transported to NASA Johnson and distributed to laboratories worldwide. This probe would help the scientists to study the formation of our solar system and Earth as a habitable planet. Take a look at the post. As per the website of NASA, OSIRIS-REx spacecraft after orbiting the Sun twice is due to reach Earth September 24, 2023. Upon return, the capsule containing pieces of Bennu will separate from the rest of the spacecraft and enter Earths atmosphere. The capsule will parachute to the Utah Test and Training Range in Utah's West Desert, where scientists will be waiting to retrieve it. Mike Moreau, OSIRIS-REx deputy project manager at NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, said, Our whole mindset has been, Where are we in space relative to Bennu?. He added, Now our mindset has shifted to Where is the spacecraft in relation to Earth?. Since being shared on Instagram, the post has gathered 1.8 million likes and more than 6000 comments. The people took to the comments section to express their views about the stunning image of the asteroid. One user commented, "Wow, imagine what you could learn from that." "Thats cool!! Thought it was the moon, commented another user. Another individual wrote, "This is pretty awesome". Check out some reactions. (Image Credits: NASASolarSystem/Instagram) Taking lessons from the recent obstruction, the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) has indicated its intention to widen and deepen parts of the waterway to improve the movement of ships in the area. Addressing media reporters in Egypt, SCA chairman Osama Rabie announced the proposed plan to increase the width of the 30-kilometre wide canal by 40 meters and deepen the area by 10 feet from 72 feet to 62 feet. Additionally, authorities said that they would also add on a 10-kilometre stretch of lanes linked to an extension that was completed in 2015. The Suez Canal is an artificial sea-level waterway that connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea. Although it has been in existence since 1969, the sea route caught global attention earlier this year after a gigantic ship got stuck, causing an impasse that resulted in a loss worth billions. Egypt, which exercises control over the canal lost an estimated US$1 billion from the blockade. Now, in a bid to prevent a similar episode from happening in future, the SCA has proposed the plan to alter its dimensions. Speaking about the same, the Egyptian president Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said that he doesnt want to mobilize huge public funding for the project as the government did when expanding the canal years earlier. Additionally, he also said that the government was in "no hurry" to complete the expansion. According to Rabie, the plan of renovation is expected to take two years. Blockage of Suez Canal The Suez Canal was blocked in March and at least 237 ships were stuck at both ends. 30 % of the global shipments pass from this highly important trade route. Suez Canal is a 193-km canal- an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt that connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea. It also provides the shortest sea link between Asia and Europe, bypassing Africa. On Tuesday, the 224,000-tonne container ship MV Ever Given was grounded after strong winds and a sandstorm caused low visibility and poor navigation, which caused complete blockage of the traffic and delayed a number of ships carrying cargo ranging from oil to consumer goods. Image: AP As Chinas clampdown on religious minorities including Uyghurs continues unphased, several mosques in the western region of the country show no signs that it is home to a religious site. As per reports, the places of worship for Muslims in Xinjiang are well hidden behind the propaganda signs and walls placed by the ruling Chinese Communist Party. Since Muslims holy month of Ramadan began in late April, the Associated Press had reported that under the weight of official policies, the future of Islam appears precarious in Xinjiang as the government imposed some limitations on religious practises. Chinas crackdown has grown more intense as BBC reported that CCP to date, had imprisoned or detained at least 630 imams and other Muslim religious figures since 2014 in the Xinjiang region. Uyghur rights group shared with the media publication that they found evidence that 18 clerics had died in detention or shortly after. As per the report, experts have also said that about 16,000 mosques have been destroyed in Xinjiang which is nearly two-thirds of the total. Earlier a report by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) made a shocking revelation and concluded after using satellite imagery that thousands of mosques in Xinjiang have either been damaged or destroyed in just three years. This has now left fewer mosques in Xinjiang than at any time since the Cultural Revolution reportedly began in the Asian country. The think tank had also said in September last year that the Chinese government claims that there were more than 24,000 mosques in Xinjiang and had assured commitment to safeguarding the sites. However, less than 15,000 mosques remain standing with more than half of those damaged. Mosque demolition in China As per reports, in the last several years, many mosques have lost their domes and minarets as CCP's part of "renovation" but removing most distinguishing features of all mosques. The Nanguam Mosque, whose green-coloured dome was completely transformed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), was built during the late Ming dynasty between 1369-1644 and all signs of Islam are now removed. It was also one of the most revered Mosques for the minority group in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region which reportedly is the home to the largest community of Hui Muslims in the Asian country. What is also known as cultural whitewash in a bid to decrease the impact of Islam has been taking place in China, according to a report by Daily Mail. Prior to the largest mosque in the Ningxia region, the government had renovated the Arab-style domes along with other traditional elements from mosques in Linxia, a city popularly known as Little Mecca. The state campaigns against Muslims have even escalated since Chinese President Xi Jinping because of the General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party. Religious freedom in China deteriorating Meanwhile, United States has lambasted Xi Jinping-led government in China and Imran Khan-led government in Pakistan over the appalling condition of religious freedom among ethnic minorities. The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) said in its report, In 2019, religious freedom conditions in China continued to deteriorate. The Chinese government has created a high-tech surveillance state, utilizing facial recognition and artificial intelligence to monitor religious minorities. The commission also cited independent expert findings to state that up to 1.8 million Uyghurs and other Muslim minority community members are detained in over 1,300 concentration camps in Xinjiang. The camps increasingly converted from reeducation to forced labour, the report states. The report says, Independent experts estimate that between 900,000 and 1.8 million Uighur, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, and other Muslims have been detained in more than 1,300 concentration camps in Xinjiangan estimate revised upward since the previous reporting period. Individuals have been sent to the camps for wearing long beards, refusing alcohol, or other behaviours authorities deem to be signs of religious extremism. During 2019, the camps increasingly transitioned from reeducation to forced labour as detainees were forced to work in cotton and textile factories. Outside the camps, the government continued to deploy officials to live with Muslim families and to report on any signs of extremist religious behaviour, it added. (With inputs from AP/ ANI) Residents of tiny Aegean islands began receiving their second doses of coronavirus vaccine on Thursday, just as Greece prepares to launch its tourist season. The doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine arrived by plane on the island of Naxos, before being distributed by the coast guard to the small islands of Iraklia and Schinoussa. Naxos Mayor Dimitris Lianos, who also oversees the smaller islands, said that in 15 days Iraklia and Schinoussa "will have the much-awaited wall of immunity." A total of 72 people of Iraklia's 80 residents received their second dose on Thursday. Of Schinoussa's 160 locals, 135 were vaccinated. The vaccinations on the two small islands were scheduled ahead of a government announcement earlier this week that a programme to vaccinate local residents on Greek islands would be accelerated ahead of the tourist season. Greece is fighting to revive its key tourism sector that was battered by the pandemic in 2020 but its vaccination rates remain below the European Union average and the country has only recently stabilized a surge in cases. Islanders make up around 1.5 million of Greece's population of 10.7 million. Many holiday islands have a year-round population of under 10,000, while Crete has the largest with more than 600,000 residents, followed by Evia, Rhodes, Corfu, Lesbos, and Chios. (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) With mysteries around the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, deepening with each passing day, reputed science author and journalist Nicholas Wade in an exclusive conversation with Republic Media Network's Executive Editor Niranjan Narayanaswamy on Friday suggested that the only way out is to pressurize China into presenting evidence for either scenario. 'Scientists should come together to pressurize China': Nicholas Wade For that, he urged the scientists across the world to come together and submit a report based on present evidence, and mention in the report that the escape of the virus from the Wuhan Institute of Virology seems most likely. He added that this would create a sort of pressure on China, which would have to prove otherwise, seeking the help of scientific evidence. During the exclusive conversation, Nicholas Wade first began with highlighting the role of the World Health Organization (WHO), which as per him was working under the influence of China. Elaborating on the same, he said, "The Chinese government-controlled who was put on the WHO committee that visited the Beijing (to probe COVID's origin, earlier this year) and bought themselves a propaganda victory. Pointing out that it was a hollow victory that blew back on them when they claimed that the lab escape is impossible, he added, "When you look at the actual evidence they brought back, expecting that they will bring back evidence of the natural-emerging scenario, they were empty-handed. The Chinese authorities were unable to give them any evidence. (that the virus emerged naturally)" China tried to control pandemic discussion; has sway over WHO: Nicholas Wade He linked the vague report of WHO, along with the series of events that preceded it to 'the serious attempt by the Chinese authority to control the discussion about the pandemic'. "Starting from the fact that they have refused to release any evidence as to what was happening in the Wuhan Institute of Virology to closing down all their databases, which had information about viruses, they have done it all to restrict discussion about the emergence of SARS-CoV-2," he said. He went on to highlight that they have put just 'bits and pieces information', and said, "I believe those were designed to mislead or divert discussion and till now, China has been very successful". Suggesting the 'only way out' in this situation, he put forth, "Scientists from all across the world should come together and write a report and in that mention, that in the absence of scientific evidence and through the little circumstantial evidence, it is most likely that the virus escaped from the lab in Wuhan Institute of Virology." Elaborating on the impact of it, he added, "Then it would be up to China, the ball will be in its court to give us the evidence we need. If not we won't ever be able to trust you again." Pointing out that the Chinese are going to resist to cooperate and share the scientific data as to what happened, he reiterated," The report from the scientists across the world is the only way to get China to do it." It is pertinent to mention here that an independent panel of experts, which was brought together to review the World Health Organization's response to the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic, and the events that followed thereafter, on Wednesday asserted that the UN agency should be granted the 'right to access' in countries to investigate the emerging outbreaks, along with that of COVID-19. COVID-19 natural or man-made? There should be evidence either way, says Nicholas Wade Nicholas Wade's assertion is that even if the SARS2 virus was naturally occurring, it would have left evidence for this in the environment, just as SARS1 and MERS had. In more scientific terms, Wade has also asserted that the extent to which COVID-19 was adapted to infect humans lends itself more to a man-made hypothesis rather than if it were naturally occurring. He cited lab rats that have been genetically modified to emulate human susceptibility as being the man-made method that this could have happened. In his two self-published scientific articles earlier this week that really re-ignited the quest to determine COVID-19's nature and origin, Nicholas Wade also refuted the scientific claims of two groups - Andersen group and Peter Daszac group - that had rushed to outlaw the virus being lab-made and pushed the natural-transmission theory. (Credit-AP/Pixabay) Emirates Airlines on May 9 announced that it has set up a humanitarian airbridge between Dubai and India in order to transport the essential medical and relief items to assist India in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Through this bridge the airlines would be able to offer cargo capacity free of charge on an as available basis on all of its flights to at least nine cities in India and for the NGO community to the next level. While talking to Republic World, Abdulla Alkhallafi, Cargo Manager, India & Nepal, Emirates said that the company decided to take the initiative to support India in its difficult time and we thought what we can help with is facilitating the movement of all essential items that are needed at this point of time. Alkhallafi further explained that all kinds of supplies including oxygen cylinders, or concentrators, or any medicines or injections will be transported. The latest initiative for India by Emirates is in coordination with the International Humanitarian City (IHC) and the first flight carrying the World Health Organization (WHO) cargo have departed from Dubai to India. Alkhallafi explained that it all started with a consignment of 12 tons multi-purpose tent by WHO destined for Delhi which will be used for the creation of 4,500 square metres of hospital space. Apart from the said shipment, the Emirates Cargo Manager, India & Nepal said that many such consignments will be delivered. Emirates has set up a humanitarian airbridge between Dubai and India to transport urgent medical and relief items, to support India in its fight to control the serious COVID-19 situation in the country. https://t.co/KK5h2gVJVm#StayStrongIndia #EmiratesAirline @IHC_UAE pic.twitter.com/AlhNPtRiCs Emirates Airline (@emirates) May 9, 2021 Emirates and the UAE stand with India. We are launching a humanitarian airbridge and will offer cargo capacity free of charge to NGOs, to ship urgent medical and relief items on all our flights from Dubai to nine cities in India. https://t.co/KK5h2gVJVm #StayStrongIndia pic.twitter.com/CMRoBRcSXK Emirates Airline (@emirates) May 9, 2021 What is Emirates contribution to the massive initiative? Alkhallafi told Republic World, Since the pandemic started, not only just recently, we have taken the step to keep the supply chain operational...As you know, when the pandemic started, airports were closing one after another but cargos can not stop moving of course. So just a few days after the pandemic, we decided to innovate a new kind of operation that is the cargo-only flights so that we can keep the flow of at least, essential items. He added, Now specifically in India, we basically operate nine airports and we are one of the largest cargo carriers to Indian airports...This is the way where we can support, do our bit at least, to support the people in India. As you know, the connection between India and the Emirates Airline goes back to 1985 when we started our first flight. Now well be offering cargo capacity free of charge as available basis and this will be to all nine cities in India. Presently, Emirates is operating approximately 95 weekly flights to India and the latest initiative will be a huge support to all the nine destinations that the airlines fly to across the nation. According to Alkhallafi, it is an ample amount of space that can be used to deliver the supplies as per the availability. We cannot go 100% full every single day, he said while adding that the authorities at the airlines try their best to keep some space available to all NGOs willing to move the essentials through the cargo after meeting certain criteria and protocols. All the non-governmental organisations can reach out to Emirates by contacting the Crisis Relief Desk which has been reactivated recently for the India Relief initiative. Indias reception to Emirates humanitarian airbridge When asked about the reception that Emirates received from the Indian authorities after unveiling the humanitarian airbridge, Alkhallafi told Republic I believe, there is a strong welcome from the authorities for the initiatives we have done. He also said that there is a lot of cooperation between the airlines and the authorities in India in terms of approval. Alkhallafi said, We get these flights approved before we operate and so far, weve seen a lot of cooperation from the Indian authorities, be it the ministry of civil aviation or DGCA. This really helps us a lot in terms of operating these flights and keeping the flow uninterrupted to India. When specifically asked about the nature of future shipments that would follow the huge tent by WHO, the Emirates Cargo Manager, India & Nepal revealed that there are other shipments coming in from the NGOs in Dubai for different kinds of oxygen concentrators or oxygen cylinders and medicines required amid COVID-19. What is Dubais International Humanitarian City (IHC)? Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid built the International Humanitarian City (IHC) enabling coordination of humanitarian agencies with Dubai. According to Giuseppe Saba, CEO of International Humanitarian City, it would ensure the body to assist communities and families, most in need around the world. The creation of the humanitarian airbridge between Dubai and India, facilitated by Emirates SkyCargo, Dubais International Humanitarian City and UN agencies, to transport urgent medical and relief items, is another example of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashids vision for the IHC, being brought to life. Last year over 1,292 shipments were dispatched from the IHC in Dubai, setting the standard for humanitarian response globally. We appreciate the great efforts by IHCs partner Emirates SkyCargo establishing this humanitarian airbridge between Dubai and India in this time of need, Rashid added as per the official release on Sunday. Image credits: @emirates/Twitter Germany on Friday fiercely condemned the rocket attacks launched by Palestinian militant group Hamas towards Israel from Gaza. Chancellor Angela Merkel said that the offensives launched by Iran-backed Hamas are terrorist attacks, as she outlined Israels right to defend its sovereignty and self-defence. "Nothing justifies such terror, German chancellors spokesman Steffen Seibert, on Friday, said in a statement issued by Merkel. German foreign ministry meanwhile stressed that Israel's security is of utmost importance to Germany, local broadcaster DW reported. "The goal is to end the violence as quickly as possible," the German foreign ministry spokesman said. "For this [to happen], it is necessary that the rocket fire against Israel is stopped immediately, he added. [An Israeli artillery unit fires toward targets in Gaza Strip, at the Israeli Gaza border. Credit: AP] Seibert also harshly condemned the anti-Semitic demonstrations across Germany saying that "anyone who uses such protests to scream their hatred of Jews is abusing the right to demonstrate. In the footage that was aired on social media, several groups of demonstrators protested against the Jewish-majority state, waving the Palestinian and Turkish flags and shouting anti-semitic slogans against the Jews. 10 top Hamas military figures killed by Israeli forces Early on Friday, Israel launched a military offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Israeli security forces neutralized as many as 10 top Hamas military figures, along with a pair of high-rise towers housing Hamas facilities in airstrikes, according to the on-ground Israeli and international press reports. The conflict, which has simmered to one of the worst Jewish-Arab violence in decades, witnessed aerial bombing, dozens of targets on each Gaza and Israel side that resulted in loud explosion for several minutes, rattling and crumbling the skyscrapers on Friday. There is nowhere to run. There is nowhere to hide, the Associated Press quoted Zeyad Khattab, a 44-year-old resident who fled with a dozen other relatives to a home in central Gaza after bombs rained on his apartment building in Gaza City. Meanwhile, Gaza militant group Hamas continued to bombard rocket fires inside of Israel throughout the day. The military sirens went off resonating in northern Israels Emek area, or Jezreel Valley, as rockets destroyed property crushing the apartment towers in the Tel Aviv suburb of Petah Tikva. The Iranian Foreign Minister met his Spanish counterpart on Thursday, on the first stop of his European tour. Mohammad Javad Zarif and Arancha Gonzalez Laya held talks in Madrid as part of Iran's programme to deepen bilateral relations with the European Union. Javad Zarif's arrival in Spain followed a series of statements made by the Iranian diplomat about his country's willingness to develop closer ties with regional rival Saudi Arabia. The surprising comments came during the Iranian Foreign Minister's visit to Damascus, Syria, on Wednesday. (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) As Israel moves closer to a possible invasion of the Gaza Strip, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan rallied support for Palestine from Islamic countries. According to the Presidential office, Erdogan has dialled Malaysia's king and the leaders of Iraq Qatar, Kuwait, Uzbekistan, Algeria, Kyrgyzstan, Northern Cyprus, Afghanistan and Jordan since aerial attacks began Monday. Erdogan, himself a staunch Muslim, has constantly backed Islamist leaders with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev being the most recent. Israels actions, which are against the decisions by humanitys common organizations, fundamental human rights, the international law and all human values, must be stopped immediately. pic.twitter.com/mXsS00JtUT Recep Tayyip Erdogan (@RTErdogan) May 12, 2021 Stating the immediate need for an international force to protect Palestinians from Israeli aggression, Erdogan also held a telephonic conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Later, Turkeys Communications Directorate confirmed that both the leader deliberated upon the Gaza Strip and Israel situation. Its imperative to note here is that the relationship between Moscow and Ankara itself dwindles between periods of hostilities and reconcilement. 'Strong and deterrent lesson' As Erdogan called upon the international community to give Israel a "strong and deterrent" lesson, protests in Arab support broke out in major cities including the capital Ankara. In Istanbul, protesters including Syrians and Palestinians carried Palestinian flags while chanted slogans including, "(Turkish soldiers) to Gaza" and "Down with Israel, down with America" Protest for solidarity with Palestine from Istanbul, Turkey pic.twitter.com/io4JqQ4jtX ceren #FreePalestine (@cerencoskunuzer) May 11, 2021 WE ARE STRONGER TOGETHER - Protest held in Istanbul, Turkey in solidarity with Palestine pic.twitter.com/TDk0qGcyVH ceren #FreePalestine (@cerencoskunuzer) May 12, 2021 protest for solidarity with Palestine from Istanbul, im finally proud of something my people are doing pic.twitter.com/FTqNCqvGLd peky!! (@heIlbby) May 11, 2021 As Israel said on May 14, it has sent air and ground troops to the Gaza Strip, a move that comes as the region faces its bloodiest crisis since the 2014 War. "IDF air and ground troops are currently attacking in the Gaza Strip," Israel Defense Forces wrote on Twitter shortly after midnight. Despite Egyptian negotiators pulling all stops to establish a truce between warring sides, tensions escalated late Thursday after Hamas fired a heavy barrage of missiles deep into Israels commercial centre. It continued on Friday as the Zionists retaliated by scaling up air strikes and hurling tank and artillery shells for the first time. With the death toll nearing 200 on Thursday, Palestinians marked a sombre end to the holy month of Ramadan. According to Associated Press, the escalation has led to the death of 190 Palestinians including 28 children and 15 women, with 621 people wounded. The Hamas and Islamic Jihad militant groups have confirmed 20 deaths in their ranks, though Israel says that number is much higher. Seven people have been killed in Israel, including a 6-year-old boy. Image: AP The United Nations (UN) Security Council on May 16 will hold an open meeting to discuss the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict. As the health ministry in Gaza said on Friday that the death toll due to fire exchange has risen to 119 including children and Israel said its casualties have risen to eight, Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the UN said on Twitter that the meeting will commence at 10 AM EDT on Sunday. Zhang also said that China is deeply concerned about the escalation of tensions between Palestine and Israel while calling for urgent action and a strong message. China is deeply concerned about escalation of tensions in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. #UNSC should act now and send a strong message. Regret a Friday meeting was blocked by one member. An open meeting is scheduled for 10am Sunday, the third one since Monday. Zhang Jun (@ChinaAmbUN) May 13, 2021 China's permanent representative to the UN also expressed regret over the Friday meeting being cancelled after it was blocked by the United States. Further, Norwegian Mission to the UN revealed that Sundays meeting was proposed by Norway, Tunisia and China. For the month of May, China holds the UNSC presidency. On the Israel-Palestine issue, which witnessed a drastic escalation in the recent weeks, two rounds of closed-door consultations have been held by the United Nations Security Council. #MiddleEast crisis: #NorwayUNSC & are working intensively to reach consensus for having an open meeting in the UNSC as soon as possible. The situation is critical. Norway continues to urge all sides to stop the fire immediately. Please dont let innocent civilians suffer pic.twitter.com/0sTj0SvbT7 NorwayUN (@NorwayUN) May 13, 2021 UN Sec-Gens appeal on Eid amid Israel-Palestine crisis Secretary-General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres on May 14 appealed for cessation of conflict out of respect for Eid which is a religious holiday that marks the end of month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan. Noting that too many civilian casualties have already mounted since the violence began in the region, Guterres said that the ongoing conflict will only elevate the radicalization and extremism in the entire area. Earlier, in a joint statement, Russian President Vladimir Putin and United Nations Secretary-General also called for an end to the conflict. Out of respect for the spirit of Eid, I appeal for an immediate de-escalation and cessation of hostilities in Gaza and Israel. Too many innocent civilians have already died. This conflict can only increase radicalization and extremism in the whole region. Antonio Guterres (@antonioguterres) May 13, 2021 According to a statement released by Kremlin on May 13, both Guterres and Putin backed the Two-state union to ensure peace in the region. "In light of the escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, it was stated that the primary task is to stop violent actions on both sides and ensure the safety of the civilian population," the Kremlin said in a statement after a video call with Guterres. Image credits: AP Rice charity by Saudi Arabia, days after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan visited the kingdom, has stirred a political row in Islamabad with opposition mocking the ruling government and people viewing it as an outcome of what the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has been calling a "highly successful visit." As per Dawn report, the Saudi aid agency announced donated 19,032 bags of rice after Khans trip and hence, it led people to conclude both events interlinked. Pakistani Twitter users as well as the opposition have mocked the Imran Khan-led government over the peculiar timing of the rice charity from Saudi Arabia. While people showcased their disapproval of the nature of the charity, Opposition leader and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari slammed the government. Bilawal said that Pakistan Prime Minister achieved nothing but 19,000 bags of rice in charity from Saudi Arabia in the form of Fira and Zakat. "The price of rice bags got in charity is comparatively lesser than the expenses incurred on the tour to the kingdom by Imran Khan along with a couple of dozen of friends and ministers," he said, as quoted by ANI citing another report. "Imran Khan became the prime minister after 22 years of struggle just to get rice sacks for an atomic power country?" the PPP chairman asked. Imran Khans aid defends rice charity With growing backlash over rice charity and safeguarding the governments position, Imran Khan's special aid Tahir Ashrafi said the charity was not new as the poor in Pakistan had received it in the past. As per the report, Ashrafi further also said that the decision for distributing rice bags by the kingdom was taken nearly a month ago. Imran Khan visited Saudi Arabia last week when he held meetings with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman in Jeddah. Both sides discussed bilateral relations and international issues, as per official releases. Image credits: AP/Pixabay STORY: Greece Virus Tourism - Greek island of Naxos prepares to receive tourists LENGTH: 06:03 FIRST RUN: 0300 RESTRICTIONS: TYPE: Greek/ Natsound SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS STORY NUMBER: 4325764 DATELINE: 11-13 May 2021 - Naxos SHOTLIST RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ASSOCIATED PRESS Naxos 12 May 2021 1. Wide of ferry approaching Naxos port with Portara, doorway of temple of Apollo, in foreground 2. Close-up ferry sailing towards port 3. Passengers walking on port after disembarking 4. Tourists with suitcases 5. Close-up of sea 6. Wide of umbrellas and beach chairs set up on beach 7. Various of workers setting up straw umbrellas 8. Wide of beach with umbrellas and chairs 9. Close-up of people on beach 10. Close-up of woman's hand holding sandals as she walks on beach 11. Woman walking between straw umbrellas with sea in background 12. Close-up of banner made up of Greek flags, pull out to show flags on old fishing boat with sea in background ASSOCIATED PRESS Naxos 11 May 2021 13. Wide of Naxos mayor Dimitris Lianos 14. Close-up of Lianos' hand signing paper 15. SOUNDBITE (Greek) Dimitris Lianos, Naxos mayor: "We see this infamous wall of immunity being erected in many countries. People are optimistic and indeed, as I said, there have been many bookings in the last two weeks. I would dare to say that this shows a significant comeback of the tourist season even in the latter half of the year." ASSOCIATED PRESS Naxos 12 May 2021 16. Close-up of Naxos town, pull out to wide 17. Various of worker using pressure washer to clean area outside restaurant 18. Wide of writing on wall identifying tavern "O Paradisos," meaning "Paradise" 19. Close-up of menu 20. Various of man taking chairs from table and turning them right-side up 21. Close-up of flowers, focus change to show license plate sign reading "Naxos" 22. SOUNDBITE (Greek) Vangelis Karamanis, restaurant owner: "From the indications I have from bookings and from people's interest, business will be better than last year. And I believe that with the vaccinations, people will be more carefree than they were last year and things will be better." 23. Women with masks walking in Naxos town next to restaurant with sanitiser on tables 24. Various of sanitiser on restaurant tables 25. Wide of people waiting outside vaccination center 26. Close-up of poster with illustration of vaccine and writing reading (Greek) "COVID-19 vaccine" 27. Wide of woman waiting to receive vaccine dose 28. Close-up of woman's arm as she receives vaccine dose, pan left to show woman's face wearing mask 29. Sign reading (Greek and English) "Please keep safety distance" ASSOCIATED PRESS Naxos 11 May 2021 30. SOUNDBITE (Greek) Dimitris Lianos, Naxos mayor: (on new government plan to accelerate vaccination program on Greek islands) "(It will enable) all permanent residents to be vaccinated by the end of June. It is very important because it means that it will create a spirit of security for the permanent population but also for potential visitors who will come to our island." ASSOCIATED PRESS Naxos 12 May 2021 31. Wide of Naxos ASSOCIATED PRESS Naxos 11 May 2021 32. Wide of bar 33. Close-up of worker's hand painting white lines between paving stones 34. Wide of worker painting lines outside cafe-bar 35. Close-up of word (English) "Welcome" painted on paving stone, tilt up to show cafe-bar 36. Wide of cafe-bar owner Evdokia Katsani behind counter 37. Close-up of drinking glasses and bottles 38. SOUNDBITE (Greek) Evdokia Katsani, owner of cafe-bar: "I believe that with people slowly getting vaccinated, things will get better and surely more people will come. It's one thing for someone to come vaccinated and another for them not to be. We will all abide by the protection measures, we will wear our masks, (use) antiseptics and we'll see. Time will tell." ASSOCIATED PRESS Naxos 12 May 2021 39. Pan left from sign reading (English) "Lianos Village Hotel" to entrance 40. Hotel workers coming up steps toward room 41. Various of workers in room making bed 42. Wide of lobby 43. Close-up of woman's face, tilts down to show woman's hands preparing keys 44. Close-up of sign reading "Welcome" in various languages 45. SOUNDBITE (Greek) Chrysostomos Lianos, hotel manager: "We anticipate a season that will be better than last year, with both foreign and domestic clients who will be vaccinated." ASSOCIATED PRESS Naxos 11 May 2021 46. Various of bar worker using pressure washer to clean glass fence of outdoor seating area as sun starts to set ASSOCIATED PRESS Naxos 13 May 2021 47. Close-up of woman capturing image of sunset with mobile phone 48. Close-up of Portara gate and sunset STORYLINE: Locals on the Aegean island of Naxos are busy dusting off tables and chairs, painting around paving stones and setting up beach umbrellas ahead of Greece's official launch of the tourist season on Friday. They're also getting vaccinated. Greece is hoping to be a safe destination for travellers this year as it tries to revive its key tourism sector, which was battered by the pandemic in 2020. Naxos Mayor Dimitris Lianos said all indications are there for a good tourist season. "There have been many bookings in the last two weeks," he said. "I would dare to say that this shows a significant comeback of the tourist season even in the latter half of the year." People working in the tourism industry also optimistic. "I believe that with people slowly getting vaccinated, things will get better and surely more people will come," said Evdokia Katsani, owner of a cafe-bar. Last year, the number of inbound visitors to Greece fell by more than three quarters compared to 2019. But the government hopes this year will see a bounce back, regaining at least half of its 2019 tourist levels. Greece has vowed to finish vaccinating its entire island population over the next six weeks, and will waive test requirements for tourists who have received Russian or Chinese vaccines that are not administered in Greece itself. Greece has only recently stabilized its rate of COVID-19 infections and deaths following a surge that started in mid-February. Vaccinations reached record daily levels this week and roughly one-in-10 country residents have been fully vaccinated. The death toll in Greece stood at 11,266 as of Thursday. =========================================================== Clients are reminded: (i) to check the terms of their licence agreements for use of content outside news programming and that further advice and assistance can be obtained from the AP Archive on: Tel +44 (0) 20 7482 7482 Email: info@aparchive.com (ii) they should check with the applicable collecting society in their Territory regarding the clearance of any sound recording or performance included within the AP Television News service (iii) they have editorial responsibility for the use of all and any content included within the AP Television News service and for libel, privacy, compliance and third party rights applicable to their Territory. (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) An expedition organisation in Nepal has confirmed fresh cases of coronavirus infection amongst the mountaineering teams arriving in the country. Speaking to ANI, Mingma Sherpa, Chairman of Seven Summit Treks said that there were positive cases detected amongst climbers, but none with severe symptoms. This comes days after Nepals Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation denounced reports of COVID infections in mountaineers, urging people to refrain from getting swayed by misinformation. "Many of the climbers tested positive, their report now is negative and they have returned back to the mountains again. There are no serious cases (of coronavirus) in the mountains as of now. There are positive cases but not serious and nobody has died there due to the virus," Sherpa told ANI. Nepal denies infection Earlier on May 7, Nepals Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation denied COVID infections in mountaineers urging the media to report only that information that comes from official channels. "Concerned communication officers have been assigned and stationed in the area. Communication officers are in contact with the group leaders and have been constantly surveying the situation there. They haven't confirmed any (COVID-19) case or condition of existing threat out there," it said. Nepal is currently battling a gruesome second wave of coronavirus infection and has reported over 431,191 COVID cases and 4,466 deaths since the outbreak. Recently, the country's Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said that the country is battling a new and brutal wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. He also appealed to the UK and other developed nations to urgently provide his country with essential medical items, life-saving drugs and vaccines to combat the pandemic, PTI reported. "Nepals history is one of hardship and struggle, yet this pandemic is pushing even us to our limits. The number of infections is straining the healthcare system; it has become tough to provide patients with the hospital beds that they need," PTI quoted Oli citing his oped in the Guardian. Representative Image: Pixabay Kathmandu, May 13 (PTI) K P Sharma Oli, in his capacity as leader of the largest political party in Nepal's Parliament, was reappointed as Prime Minister on Thursday night after the Opposition parties, riddled by factionalism, failed to secure majority seats to form a new government. President Bidya Devi Bhandari reappointed CPN-UML Chairman Oli, 69, as Prime Minister, three days after he lost a crucial trust vote in the House of Representatives. The Office of President in a press statement on Thursday evening said that President Bhandari reappointed Oli as Prime Minister in his capacity as leader of the largest political party in the House of Representatives as per Article 78(3) of the Constitution of Nepal. President Bhandari will administer the oath of office and secrecy to Oli at a ceremony at Shital Niwas on Friday. The president had asked the Opposition parties to come up with the support of majority lawmakers to form a new government by 9 pm Thursday after Oli, lost the vote of confidence in the House on Monday. Oli's appointment came shortly after Office of President said that no two parties or more than two parties came to lay claim to forming coalition government by the given deadline that expired at 9 PM. Oli will now have to take a vote of confidence at the House within 30 days, failing which, an attempt to form a government under Article 76 (5) would be initiated. Should both the steps fail, the House may face another dissolution and the country will move towards the direction of early elections. Political parties were engaged in hectic negotiations to form a coalition government under Article 76 (2) for the past three days, but failed to bear any fruit. Until Thursday, Nepali Congress president, who got backing from CPN-Maoist Centre chairman Pushpakamal Dahal "Prachanda" was hopeful to get sufficient votes in the House to stake his claim as the next Prime Minister. But as Madhav Kumar Nepal took a U-turn after his last-minute meeting with Oli, Deuba's dream to become the next Prime Minster was shattered. The dissident faction led by Madhav Nepal within the CPN-UML, with their 28-member strength in Parliament had earlier decided to resign enmasse from the Parliament paving way for Deuba to claim for the post of Prime Minister. On the other hand, Janata Samajwadi Party was also divided on the issue of extending support to Deuba as the next Prime Minister. Upendra Yadav, President of JSP had assured Deuba to extend support, but Mahanta Thakur, another president of the party, who has backing from 17 out of 32 Lawmakers, rejected Upendra's idea. The CPN-UMl, headed by Oli is the largest party with 121 seats in the House of Representatives. However, Oli, needs to prove majority through a vote of trust in the Parliament within a month of his re-appointment. Nepali Congress and Maoist Centre have 61 and 49 seats in the lower house. Their combined strength was 110, which is insufficient to win majority vote. At present 136 votes are needed to form a majority government. Oli withdrew the action taken against four UML leaders including Nepal and assured to address their other demands. If 28 UML MPs had resigned, the total strength of the House would have been reduced to 243. Currently there are 271 valid members in the House. If they had resigned only 122 votes would be sufficient to stake claim for majority government. Earlier, Baburam Bhattarai, a senior leader of JSP-N, said all parties needed to form a new national coalition government and hold elections in one year. Bhattarai said such a government should not be led by a former prime minister or the current prime minister. Bhattarai said such a government should be run based on a common minimum programme, should resolve the COVID crisis, and ensure economic relief packages, constitution amendment, and truth and reconciliation. Given the parties strengths and particularly the factional feuds in the CPN-UML and the Janata Samajbadi, many say the current numbers game is just a futile exercise and that the country, which has had eight different governments in a decade, would sooner or later head towards early polls, the Kathmandu Post reported. Nepal plunged into a political crisis on December 20 last year after President Bhandari dissolved the House and announced fresh elections on April 30 and May 10 at the recommendation of Prime Minister Oli, amidst a tussle for power within the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP). Oli's move to dissolve the House sparked protests from a large section of the NCP led by his rival 'Prachanda'. In February, the apex court reinstated the dissolved House, in a setback to Oli who was preparing for snap polls. Known for his pro-China stance, Oli had earlier served as the country's prime minister from October 11, 2015 to August 3, 2016 during which Kathmandu's ties with New Delhi had strained. Nepal's COVID-19 cases reached 431,191 as 8,842 fresh cases were reported in the past 24 hours on Thursday. As many as 214 more deaths were also logged, taking the national toll to 4,466. PTI SBP NSA PMS SCY AKJ AKJ (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) The Latest on the harrowing fighting between Israel and Gazas militant Hamas rulers (all times local): China, Norway and Tunisia say the U.N. Security Council should swiftly hold an open meeting on the escalating violence between Israel and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. The council has has been silent on the issue, and China said there would be no open meeting. Council diplomats said the United States informed members it couldnt support the request amid ongoing diplomatic efforts. The U.S. said it would support an open meeting on Tuesday. Norways U.N. Mission tweeted that it is working to reach consensus for a Security Council meeting as soon as possible. It urged a halt to the rocket fire, adding, "Please dont let innocent civilians suffer. (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) The mysterious invisible attacks dubbed as the "Havana Syndrome that had struck diplomats in Cuba and China causing brain injuries in US troops, spies, diplomats affected as many as 130 personnel, former officials told the White House, according to a report carried by New York Times. Occurred nearly 5 years ago, the cases are more widespread than previously thought of. The illness caused 'mysterious injuries' in CIA officials, US State Department envoys, and the soldiers of the Defense Department overseas. The initial cases were numbered at about 60, but recent investigations by the Biden administration have found that more than two dozens of military personnel and spies were victims of unexplainable energy attacks with a "vast majority" of cases occurring among officials stationed in countries abroad. Numbers are increasing, a DC attorney probing the troops afflicted with Havana syndrome told broadcasters in a televised broadcast. As per the sensitive declassified report published Thursday, the directed-energy attacks that potentially resulted in the brain-damaging incidents took place in Washington DC, just outside the White House, as well as in Miami, Florida. These attacks have been a concern with both former Trump and currently Biden administration. Democratic Senator Mark Warner and Republican Marco Rubio of the Senate Intelligence Committee issued an official statement, saying that a detailed review is being conducted into the mysterious attacks on United States personnel in Havana, Cuba, and overseas. The pattern, they said, of these energy-directed attacks have been increasing and particularly caused brain energy among officials posted in Cuba, China, Russia, Syria among other countries. Federal agencies, probing the incidences have suspected Russias top foreign intelligence agency begins the attacks. White House said in a statement, The health and well-being of American public servants is a paramount priority to the Administration and we take extremely seriously reports by our personnel of anomalous health incidents. At least three former and current military officials told Politico, that the US suspected Moscows Main Intelligence Directorate Glavnoye Razvedyvatelnoye Upravlenie [GRU] behind these mysterious attacks, but "did not yet have a smoking gun to prove it. The federal agencies and the National Security Council investigating the regions of attacks have dubbed it as active inquiry. The CIA did not immediately respond to the networks request to make comments. 'Mysterious' condition reported In 2019, a US military officer stationed abroad abruptly suffered nausea and headaches as he pulled his motor vehicle at an intersection just outside his residence. Strangely, the officers mysterious condition reportedly ceased within few minutes. As many as 20 current, and former military officials, spies, and diplomats reported similar onset of intense headaches across multiple government agencies. At least one incident involved a senior National Security Council official who was attacked while walking out from his car to the South Lawn of the White House, known as the Ellipse. One other personnel was identified as the NSC official walking a dog in Alexandria, Va. Both victims were targeted in the year 2019. The frequency of such directed-energy attacks has surged pressure on US Congress to probe who and what has been behind the mysterious illness that was reported by military personnel as causing eerie sounds and noises, as well as sensations in the brain. Among the range of symptoms, several officials were diagnosed with other range of symptoms, which included traumatic brain injuries'. According to diplomats, the US blocked a public virtual meeting of the UN Security Council on Wednesday, May 12 (local time), to discuss the worsening conflict between Israel and Palestine. China, Tunisia, and Norway had demanded an open meeting for Friday, May 14, but the US said that such a meeting would undermine de-escalation efforts, diplomats added. Instead, the US has requested an open discussion on Tuesday. Tor Wennesland, the UN Special Envoy for Israeli-Palestinian Peace, gave a second briefing to the council. US blocks UN meeting on Israel-Palestine conflict According to reports, the briefing expressed deep concern about the latest situation in Gaza and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, as well as tensions and violence in East Jerusalem, especially in and around the holy sites. It stated, "Council members demanded an immediate cessation of all acts of violence, provocation, incitement and destruction. They called for respect for international law, including international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians." The current violence between Israel and Palestine represents a significant increase in tensions over the possible expulsion of Palestinian families from East Jerusalem by Israeli settlers and access to one of the city's most holy sites, which is a central centre for Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. Israel sends air, ground troops to Gaza Since the Israeli airstrikes started on Monday, 103 people have been killed in Gaza, including 27 children, according to the health ministry. Al Jazeera confirmed that over 580 people were injured. As Palestinians celebrated the first day of the Eid al-Fitr religious holiday on Thursday, the four days of cross-border violence showed no signs of abating. In response to a fresh barrage of rocket fire from the Hamas-run enclave, Israel said it sent ground forces into action and pounded Gaza on Friday. According to reports, Israeli Army spokesman John Conricus confirmed the escalation but did not specify the nature of the action. Meanwhile, Israel's Defense Minister, Benny Gantz, has ordered the mobilisation of an additional 9,000 reservists, implying a potential land invasion of Arab-controlled territory. Brig. Gen. Hidai Zilberman, the chief military spokesman, echoed his stance, saying that reserve forces, tanks, and heavy artillery were accumulating along the Gaza border and were ready for "mobilisation at any given moment." With devastation hitting new heights every day, the conflict is expected to have far-reaching consequences beyond the Intifada in Palestine. (with inputs from ANI) Picture Credit: AP US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his Australian counterpart on Thursday welcomed the United States involvement in de-escalation efforts between Israel and Hamas. Their comments came at a news conference in Washington following talks. Meanwhile China, Norway and Tunisia say the U.N. Security Council should swiftly hold an open meeting on the escalating violence between Israel and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. The three nations sought a council meeting on Friday. The Security Council has has been silent on the issue, and China said there would be no open meeting. Council diplomats said the United States informed members it couldnt support the request amid ongoing diplomatic efforts. The U.S. said it would support an open meeting on Tuesday. Blinken and Foreign Minister Marise Paye also spoke about their respective governments' relationship with China. (Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com) Tang Jitian's daughter is in intensive care in a Japanese hospital following complications from tuberculosis. Chinese rights lawyer Tang Jitian on Friday called on the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to lift a travel ban and allow him to travel to visit his critically ill daughter in Japan. Tang's daughter, who lives in Japan, is currently critically ill with tuberculosis, but Tang has been slapped with a travel ban in the wake of years of advocacy for members of the banned Falun Gong spiritual movement, victims of the tainted infant milk powder scandal and illegal land grabs, and people living with HIV/AIDS, among other vulnerable groups. Tang was permanently barred from working as a lawyer in 2010, although he has continued to work as an advocate and legal adviser, and has been repeatedly detained and placed under house arrest. "She was studying in a language school, preparing to take the Japanese school exam," Tang told RFA on Friday. "She got a headache with a fever, and she didn't think at first that it was so serious." "She now has tuberculosis that has entered her brain," Tang said. "She has been in hospital for two weeks now." Tang's daughter developed hydrocephalus, putting her brain stem under pressure, and is currently on a ventilator with a tracheostomy, he said. "She is in the intensive care unit," Tang said. "The hydrocephalus is compressing her nerves, and this will definitely have an adverse affect on the way her body functions, including mobility in her arms and legs." Talks with police Tang said he is currently trying to negotiate with state security police to lift his travel ban, which began after he lost his lawyer's license in 2010. In 2017, he was turned back by border guards at the Lo Wu border crossing after he tried to travel to Hong Kong to seek medical treatment. He was told at the time that his leaving the country could pose a "threat to national security." "Yesterday, [the state security police] said they are looking into [my request] and will get back to me with a clear answer when they have made their decision," Tang said. "They said it's a tricky one, because the people making the decisions are people who have no connection with [me]," he said. "All we can do is wait to see what the higher-ups decide." Rights attorney Wang Yu said she has been subjected to similar restrictions. "A lot of people are under surveillance and are unable to come and go freely [from China], including myself and my husband," Wang told RFA. "I hope the Chinese police will be able to lift the travel ban [in Tang's case]." But Wang says she isn't very optimistic. "I don't think the chances are very high, because even people who were allowed to leave the country before, are now being prevented from leaving," she said. Reported by Gao Feng for RFA's Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. Participants led by artist Ai Weiwei recently completed a two-month-long recitation of the names of more than 5,000 schoolchildren who died during the Sichuan earthquake of May 12, 2008 on the audio chat app Clubhouse. He spoke to RFA's Mandarin Service about the ongoing efforts to ensure the victims of the disaster weren't forgotten: Ai Weiwei: Firstly, I'd like to tell you the backstory. The Sichuan earthquake happened in 2008, causing a large number of school buildings to collapse, killing 5,335 schoolchildren. The Chinese government has yet to make all of the details of the earthquake public. Back then, we were already asking for clarification of how many schoolchildren died. We wanted to investigate what was being referred to as "tofu buildings," an issue with the qualify of the schools' construction. As a result of our investigation by our Citizen Survey team, we managed to find out the full names, dates of birth, class and home addresses of 5,197 schoolchildren. This caused me a lot of problems at the time with the Chinese government, because they regarded this information as sensitive, and they don't like the sort of social activism we do. But we managed to complete the investigation and do a lot of reporting nonetheless, because the political restrictions back then weren't as bad as they are today. Back then, I still had a blog, and we were posting names there every day. We have commemorated the Sichuan earthquake on every May 12 since then. We still use the slogans "Respect life," and "Refuse to forget" to this day. I think they are very important, because they speak to that which is most lacking under an authoritarian regime. They also speak to a shared issue for humanity, which is not understanding the true value of a life, and also the tendency to erase major disasters by dint of selective memory. In the current pandemic, for example, we see that China has never released the true figures, the number of people who died. Why do I say that the numbers aren't real? Because each one needs to rest on the name, gender and date of birth of each individual, because that is a human life, which is an entire world. There's a saying in Buddhism, "one flower, one world," that expresses this. So we have kept on doing this over the past 13 years, both via my art works, and online, to remind people that this isn't going away. There is a perennial idea that the living are a part of the dead, and the dead are also a part of the living. Life and death are closely linked. We're not talking about something we choose, but about our responsibility to honor life and to commemorate the dead, because they are a part of us, a part of us that died. For the first time on Clubhouse, we have gotten Chinese people together from all over the world to recite the [names of the dead schoolchildren], round the clock, starting on Qing Ming [grave-tending] Festival in April, all the way until May 12, for 39 days and 936 hours in total. I did this by setting up a dedicated website and organizing Chinese people from all over the world to take part. This was possible because there are now Chinese people across all time zones, so the different time zones took on responsibility for specific periods of time. Usually, it takes 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 24 seconds to read the list in its entirety. We read it 161 times over 39 days. RFA: How many people took part? Ai Weiwei: Actually, there were very few. Most Clubhouse rooms, whether they are dedicated to politics or gossip or whatever, will run into the hundreds or thousands of people. But there was often only one or two account admins in the room while we were reading. We had a total of 41 admins across the European, U.S. East Coast, and Beijing time zones, which covers all zones. RFA: Did anyone try to interrupt the process? Ai Weiwei: Sometimes people came in to try to interfere, to yell at us and leave again, or to express opposition on that and related matters. Quite often they came to try to make trouble. Some even set up dedicated rooms on Clubhouse to criticize us for doing this. But there were a lot of people who came to show support. Clubhouse is a bit like a farmers' market; it can be bustling and chaotic, so of course we got all kinds of opinions, and there were plenty of 50 centers [expressing the Chinese Communist Party line]. RFA: What was the significance of holding such an event, for you? Ai Weiwei: Its only meaning is to remind ourselves, so that we can use our actions to reflect our values. Too often, people in a modern society forget that they can act. Even small actions are very important. Everyone has their opinions, their views on ethics, on right and wrong. But very few actually take action. This was also an art project, and a form of artistic practice. The meaning is revealed in the practice ... We're not saying that we claim the moral high ground; rather that if we didn't do this, we would become implicated in moral corruption. RFA: Do you have plans for similar activities in future? Ai Weiwei: For us, this kind of action has neither past nor the future. We are a part of a larger ecology that is spontaneous, with no beginning or end. We always have something going on online. They are seeds. The seeds may survive or they may die. It depends on the human heart and the possibilities for human action. Reported by Sun Cheng for RFA's Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie. Sinuiju only gets four hours of power per day, but residents must show China that electricity is not a problem. Sinuiju viewed from Dandong, China at night . The lights are on in the high-rise apartments across the Yalu River Bridge. North Korea has ordered residents of a city that lies across the border from China to keep their lights on until 10 p.m. every night to hide the fact that the country is suffering from energy shortages, sources in the city told RFA. Sinuiju sits just across the Yalu River from Chinas Dandong, and the bridge that connects the two cities is one of the most heavily traversed border crossings between the two countries. Tourists hoping to catch a glimpse of the last bastion of communism flock to Dandongs riverside for photo ops, with the North Korean landscape in the background of their photos. But the North Korean government is concerned about the outside worlds perceptions and has historically dressed up parts of the country visible from South Korea and China so that they appear to be more well off than they actually are. Energy shortages, however, are common in North Korea and rolling blackouts are the norm in most places. Though Sinuiju, a city of 340,000, gets only four hours of electricity per day, residents living in areas visible from China must keep their lights on at night. The authorities even ordered that they generate their own power to do this. Instructions were issued from the Central Committee [of the Korean Workers Party] to illuminate houses until 10 p.m. in areas of Sinuiju facing China, including Yokchon-dong and Kwanmun-dong, a Sinuiju resident, who requested anonymity for security reasons, told RFAs Korean Service May 8. These days, electricity for the city from the Supung power station is guaranteed for four hours a day based on mealtimes. They give us electricity from 6 to 8 in the morning and 6 to 8 in the evening. So from 8 to 10 in the evening, the residents have to keep the lights on with stored energy from solar panels, said the source. The source said that without the order to keep the lights on, the whole city would look completely dark when viewed from Dandong at night, and that would give the outside world that North Korea has serious economic difficulties. North Korea is giving ridiculous instructions to keep the lights on but wont provide the electricity. They are making the residents generate their own, all in a show for the Chinese, the source said. The people are angry at these absurd orders. They ask why they should care what Chinese people think of them. Do you know how hard it is to stock up on electricity to keep the lights on an extra two hours, especially for these residents who have a hard time making a living? said the source. Another Sinuiju resident told RFA that during some times of the year the city doesnt even get four hours of power per day. Right now, electricity is well supplied. It is helpful to prepare meals with a stable electricity supply for two hours early in the morning and two hours from 6 p.m., said the second source, who confirmed that areas near the river had to remain illuminated on their own dime from 8 to 10 p.m. The second source said that the city is supplied by a hydropower station which operates with decreased output in the winter, but the residents appreciate not having to eat in darkness in the springtime. However, the Central Committee ordered us to keep the lights on until 10 p.m., saying that the Chinese across the river might think that North Korea is suffering from economic difficulties if they see nothing but darkness when looking at North Korea. Because of their orders, the price of solar power storage units has more than doubled. Sources told RFA that residents who fail to keep the lights on at night are subject to fines and penalties, but punishments tend to be light because of the high price of power storage units. Additionally, the order only applies to the parts of the city visible from China, not the entire city. North Korea has built entire fake towns for propaganda purposes. The most well-known is Kijong-dong, on the Northern side of the DMZ separating it from South Korea. Though the North claims the brightly painted and well maintained Kijong-dong is home to 200 families who work on a collective farm there, with advances in imaging technology, experts believe that many of the structures in Kijong-dong are nothing but empty shells. Reported by Jieun Kim for RFAs Korean Service. Translated by Leejin Jun. Written in English by Eugene Whong. A law against sending leaflets into North Korea has been in effect in South Korea since March. On May 6, South Korean police searched the office of Park Sang-hak, a North Korean defector who had sent leaflets into North Korea. Police then summoned him for questioning four days later. On May 12, RFA Korean Service reporter Albert Hong discussed Parks case with U.S. Congressman Chris Smith, co-chair of the bipartisan Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission. The interview has been edited for clarity and length. RFA: Regarding the anti-Pyongyang leaflet ban, there is a lot of controversy in South Korea now, with people saying they feel that North Korean residents living near the DMZ deserve to know the truth about conditions in their country and about life in the South. What do you think about this? Chris Smith: Well first of all, the North Korean government, especially in its schools, defames and smears South Korea and the United States, and thats what people learn there every single day. Pyongyang relies on vicious lies about the South Koreans, about who they are, and about their government and about their economy. And so this leafletting isnt anti-Pyongyang, its simply telling the truth about whats going on in South Koreathat its not the way the propagandists in North Korea envision it. As a matter of fact, according to our U.S. State Department, in North Korea you cant even have a radio that can tune into broadcasts from abroad. Thats a punishable offense. I think [South Koreas] President Moon Jae-in needs to stand up for freedom of conscience, freedom of speech, and tell his people, Yes, we need to get this information to the people of North Korea. The North Koreans try to jam foreign broadcasts, and they are usually pretty successful in doing that. Again, whats the end game? Its so they can tell their lies and completely obliterate the truth. So this is all about truth, telling the truth. I remember when I was growing up as a little kid that we were very focused on European dictatorships, and especially Russian dictatorship in the Soviet Union. There was a very famous saying that The Iron Curtain isnt soundproof. In other words, because of Radio Free Europe and other freedom broadcasts, the truth could be told to the people who were suffering the cruelty of a dictatorship. I cant tell you how many people who have been to prison camps all over the world, including the Soviet Union, have told me that somehow the truth gets through when theres a determined effort to do that. Sending in balloons with 500,000 leaflets attached to them telling this story is such a positive thing. RFA: Do you think that President Moons use of this law to punish people sending leaflets into North Korea conflicts with the values of human rights that the United States upholds? [South Koreas anti-leafletting law] is in conflict with universally recognized human rights and with the covenants both our countries have acceded tothe International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, for instance, and others. And it seems to me that the freely elected president and parliament of South Korea have an obligation, a moral obligation, to at least tell the truth and not allow a dictatorship to have veto power over the free flow of information. Freedom broadcasts need to be encouraged, not discouraged, and leafletting balloons are just another way of trying to get honesty and the truth to a people. RFA: Youve already held a hearing about this issue last month. Are you planning on additional hearings regarding this law or on the North Korean human rights issue in the future? Chris Smith: Absolutely, yes to both. Ive chaired seven hearings so far devoted specifically to North Korean human rights abuses. Were also getting ready to reintroduce the North Korean Human Rights Act, because it expires at the end of this fiscal year. And I do plan to have additional hearings based on the situation on the ground. Workers say they are afraid but will continue to help the countrys needy. A man is provided with first aid during a protest in Mandalay, Myanmar on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021. Humanitarian groups operating in Myanmar have been forced to go underground in the face of restrictions by the military junta that took power on Feb. 1, members of the groups told RFA. In the country that once topped the Charities Aid Foundations World Giving Index, which ranks countries in terms of generosity, the military regime has made it a crime to give or receive charity, humanitarian workers said. Volunteers and aid workers are now targeted by the juntas security forces under vague laws, and many have gone into hiding to continue helping the many needy. The army coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyis elected government has added to the ranks of people who need food, healthcare and accommodations that the humanitarian aid groups have been providing. Most of these people are internally displaced persons who fled their homes to the border areas and other safe places in Kachin, Karen and other states, a doctor with one humanitarian organization told RFAs Myanmar Service. We are working on distributing the assistance they need, such as food, medicine and other commodities. We work with domestic donors as well as donors from abroad, but the number of people in need of our assistance is growing. After we finish working in one location, another location that needs our help will pop up, the doctor, who requested anonymity for safety reasons told RFA. In some cases, the groups face legal hurdles. In the cities, people donate food and other essential items to the needy through food kitchens and other arrangements. But the military government has been arresting humanitarian workers using Article 505 of the legal code, which classifies their activities as incitement and can result in sentences of up to two years or hefty fines We are only doing humanitarian work. Our organization makes donations, a tradition of the people of Myanmar. The junta has arrested people only for providing humanitarian aid, a volunteer who asked to remain anonymous told RFA. We donate to anyone regardless of race, religion or class. We make these donations in front of our homes, but we get harassed and are asked not to continue. There is no law preventing our activity, but they just want to scare us, the volunteer said. The doctor said it was unthinkable for the junta to prevent humanitarian activities. We should ask them what their intentions are What harm are we causing? We have donated many items because of the emergency situation, but they are blocking us. We are afraid, said the doctor. Another humanitarian worker who declined to be named told RFA that many people who donate are arrested by the juntas security forces simply because authorities can pocket the fines they pay. I think they have nothing else to do. That is why they are investigating people who are doing humanitarian work so they can arrest them to make them pay like 100,000 or 200,000 kyat [U.S. $65-130] for their release, the worker said. This is very inhumane that they are arresting donors. These donations should be allowed and encouraged, but they are behaving on instinct like animals, the worker said. Another humanitarian worker said the situation became risky in March. Thats when they started arresting Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) supporters. Those who go out and take up collections for the movement are now too afraid. Those who would donate are also scared because they heard that cash transactions are being recorded, the second worker said. April brought new headaches as the junta began restricting internet communications, the aid worker added. The doctor said that a disruption in commerce has also taken its toll. There are many challenges to withdraw cash from the banks. We also have problems making financial transactions, so we cannot collect as much in donations as we were able to before, frankly. This is all very tragic, said the doctor. We have to do all our work in secret. Even in areas that are not conflict zones, people are facing danger, but we have problems contacting them. There are restrictions everywhere. But despite all the difficulties, a volunteer who declined to be named told RFA that the resolve of organizations to provide for the people has not been shaken. No matter what kind of problems we have, we will find the funds to continue to support the people. I want to encourage the leaders of the CDM to keep the movement going, and Id like to appeal to supporters to donate to groups like ours, the second volunteer said. We will keep going, the doctor said, adding, The donors are coming through for us in creative ways. Those who live abroad are less affected by all this, but our comrades who work in-country are facing many restrictions and persecution. We must not stop our donations because of these restrictions. We will keep at our humanitarian activities until we achieve our goal. No matter where they live in this world, the Myanmar people are still the soul of Myanmar. That is why we will keep working hard to achieve a true democracy, the doctor said. RFA reported last month that several groups offering emergency medical services and help with funerals were closing amid a drop in funds and with volunteers targeted by junta forces for assisting anti-coup protesters injured in army and police crackdowns. Reported by RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Ye Kaung Myint Maung. Written in English by Eugene Whong. Myo Min Tun and Phyo Wai Oo, both privates in Myanmars army, met while in the same basic training unit five years ago. The two ethnic Shan soldiers were then assigned to the Special Construction Operations Command Headquarters in the capital Naypyidaw and became close friends. Myo Min Tun, 40, and Phyo Wai Oo, 26, are members of ethnic Shan minority groups. They joined the army to protect the people of Myanmar, but Phyo Wai Oo said that armed conflicts with ethnic minorities bothered him, so when the military ousted the countrys democratically elected government on Feb. 1, the two friends decided to defect to an undisclosed region of Shan state in eastern Myanmar. Washington, D.C.-based RFA Myanmar Service reporter Khin Maung Soe conducted a telephone interview with the two soldiers, who said they planned to join the Peoples Defense Force (PDF), a military organization which the shadow National Unity Government (NUG) hopes will grow to eventually be able to resist the junta by force. The interview has been edited for clarity and length. RFA: Why did you decide to defect? Myo Min Tun: Since the military coup, I felt very upset when I saw all that was happening. I felt so sorry especially when the military was treating civilians like that. It got to be worse and worse, so I contacted some people to join the Civil Disobedience Movement. We will work together with the people to overthrow the dictatorship. Phyo Wai Oo: I don't like the military. Because I come from an ethnic area near the border, I have a different opinion on things. I thought that things would be fine if I could just make it to retirementbut I did not support the coup. What good is it if the people die? I do not like the army shooting at people protesting. When the death toll rose higher and higher, my thinking [about staying until retirement] changed. I felt very bad. RFA: Are most soldiers aware of the scope of what is happening? Do they know the extent of the violence and bloodshed? Myo Min Tun: We did not know much about what was going on. We cannot use the internet in our units. We were not allowed to go out anymore, so we could not use the internet in nearby areas. Some said they had internet in Naypyidaw. I was closely following current events until the lines were shut down. Phyo Wai Oo: At first, I was still able to watch the news when the internet was only partly shut down during the night. When wireless internet was cut off, we could not follow the news anymore. We learned about the first death in Naypyidaw when Mya Thwei Thwei Khine was killed. Later I heard about the killings in Mandalay. We last heard there were about a hundred deaths, and we only now found out that it was more than 800. I called home and learned from friends who are participating in the protests. RFA: What do you know about the wealth of coup leader Sr. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing and other military leaders? Phyo Wai Oo: We saw reports about their backgrounds recently. We found out that their daughters owned hospitals. I knew they were rich, but I didn't know what they own. We only found out from online reports recently how much they own and how rich they are. How could he own that much with an official [monthly] salary of 5 million kyat [U.S $3211.12]? Even if he were to starve himself for a whole month theres no way he could be so wealthy on that salary. RFA: Are there others in the military who want to defect? Phyo Wai Oo: Most soldiers feel the same way I do. There are some people who cannot leave even though they know things are so bad, because they have families and they have to stay because you cannot leave as a family. Many are aware of what is going on though. Everyone knows that what they are doing is wrong. There are so many just waiting for an opportunity to leave, but it is too difficult for this right now. RFA: How were the two of you able to defect? Phyo Wai Oo We had been trying to leave for a long time but we did not get the opportunity. We had no money. We had to wait until the end of the month and soon after getting our salary we left by motorcycle as if we were out shipping to some small villages nearby. We used to go shopping there before. RFA: What will you do next? Phyo Wai Oo: I would like to join the PDF if the opportunity comes. That is what we decided to do when we left. RFA: What do you think lies in store for the future of Myanmar? Phyo Wai Oo: This coup is an opportunity for the people. Simply put, they are giving the people a chance to overthrow the dictatorship. The people should take advantage of this opportunity. I just want to say that this is the time when we can get rid of it completely. Additionally, I am very happy that people from the majority are sympathetic to the lives of the ethnic minorities. In the past they did not realize that murders and rapes were happening in the mountains. Now the majority is sympathetic to ethnic minorities because it is now, they too that are being shot, arrested and tortured. Now we are all one. Reported by Khin Maung Soe for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khin Maung Nyane. Written in English by Eugene Whong. The refugees fleeing increased conflict in Karen and Kachin states are in dire need of aid, experts say. Villagers rest in Mae Hong Son province, Thailand, after fleeing fighting between ethnic minority Karen insurgents and the military in Myanmar, April 29, 2021. More than 100 days after Myanmars military took power from the countrys democratically elected government, fighting between troops and ethnic insurgents has left tens of thousands of displaced women and children facing a humanitarian crisis, groups monitoring the situation said Thursday. Since launching a Feb. 1 coup, the military, or Tatmadaw, has gone on the offensive in Myanmars remote Kachin and Karen states, regularly conducting airstrikes against insurgents in the two regions. The intensified clashes have caused hundreds of thousands of residents to flee their homes and rely on aid as internally displaced persons (IDPs). The Karen National Unions (KNUs) Fifth Brigade announced on March 5 that it would stand with protesters nationwide in demanding the return of a federal democracy, prompting an intensification of fighting with the Tatmadaw. Refugees have said that around 100,000 people have since been displaced from the Fifth Brigades area of control alonemore than 80 percent of whom are women, children, and the elderly. An aid worker in the Fifth Brigades territory told RFAs Myanmar Service on condition of anonymity that many of the IDPs are now suffering from an array of health problems. Due to the ongoing rains and lack of clean drinking water, diarrhea is a big problem, the worker said, adding that even when donations are plentiful, transporting them to the remote region is logistically challenging. The women and children suffer the most. They suffer in every aspectnot only their health, but they also endure social and educational difficulties. Since airstrikes in Karens Hpapun district forced around 10,000 people to flee the area in late March, the aid worker said, at least 200 adults and children have been suffering from diarrhea and other health issues. Meanwhile, in the aftermath of the coup, assistance from United Nations agencies like the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) to refugees in Kachin state has dwindled, as access has been cut off during increased clashes in the region. The fighting in Kachin state, which borders China, has flared up in recent weeks as junta forces staged major attacks to try to retake a military camp at Alawbwan that was captured by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in April. Kalam Samson, chairman of the Kachin Baptist Council, which is assisting Kachin refugees, said local organizations like his have been working hard to pick up the slack with limited means. It is true that the U.N. assistance for relief under certain projects has greatly dropped, he said. According to Kalam Samson, prior to the coup, there were around 120,000 refugees displaced by violence in Kachin and neighboring Shan state. He said that while some have returned home, many remain in refugee camps. Renewed fighting between KIA and the military over the past three months has increased the number of refugees in the regions by about 3,000, he said. Children at risk nationwide The updates on the situation facing IDPs in Myanmars remote ethnic regions follows a warning last week by Marc Rubin, the emergency services advisor for UNICEFs East Asia and Pacific Division, that children throughout the France-sized country of 54 million are in the midst of a dire humanitarian crisis in the aftermath of the coup. The delivery of key services for children has already been seriously disrupted. Close to one million children lack access to routine vaccines; almost five million are missing out on Vitamin A supplementation; nearly 12 million risk losing another year of learning; more than 40,000 children are without treatment for severe acute malnutrition; close to 280,000 vulnerable mothers and children will lose access to cash transfers which protect them from poverty, he said. The combination of a lack of access to key services and economic contraction puts a whole generation of children and young people in peril. Without urgent action, these children will suffer many negative impactsphysical, psychological, emotional, educational and economic. Sources confirmed to RFA that even in Myanmars more populated regions, the military takeover has brought hardship to the countrys children. A mother in Myanmars largest city Yangon said the situation there had worsened significantly since the coup and that she dares not send her children to school because of safety concerns. They lost their education for a year because of the coronavirus pandemic and now, this year, because of the uncertainty, they wont be able to go to school again, she said. All parents want to send their kids to a safe school environment, but even the adults are not safe at home. How can we believe our kids will be safe without us at school? Daw Nu, a mother of five in Yangons Insein township, said between the pandemic and the military crackdown, it has been nearly impossible to earn a living. Business is bad. Workers have lost their jobs, she said. We are not ready to send our children to school yet. We cant even put enough food on our tables. Prioritizing international aid Tin Tun Naing, Finance and Investment Minister for Myanmars opposition shadow government, the National Unity Government (NUG), called for increased aid amidst the ongoing unrest. One of our government policies is to use international assistance as a top priority for those affected by the coup, he said. We are holding talks with our allies. We are drawing up plans to get ahold of the assistance meant for our country that has been halted because of the coup. We will divert this assistance to those in need. Last week, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) issued a report titled, COVID-19, Military Coup, Rising Poverty and Impact on Human Development in Myanmar in which they warned that 12 million people could be pushed into poverty if the impact of the coup is not addressed in time, with women and children most likely to be affected. According to UNICEF Myanmar, nearly 10 million children have already seen their education disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic and the unrest since the February coup has only worsened the situation. The agency has said it is working with local nongovernmental organizations to scale up home-based learning opportunities. Reported by RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khin Maung Nyane. Written in English by Joshua Lipes. A technical college student and a 17-year-old were killed and other youths were arrested when army troops attacked pockets of resistance to military junta across central and western Myanmar, local residents and media said Thursday. The killings and arrests followed fierce fighting in Mandalay and Sagaing divisions and Chin state, in villages and towns where opponents of the military junta that ousted the elected government on Feb. 1 were met with reprisals after they had inflicted casualties on the better-armed troops. In the village of Talotemyo in the central region of Mandalay, first-year student Zin Ko Tun of Myingyan Technical College died after his arrest with five other students, all of whom were members of the Talotemyo People's Defense Force and had sustained gunshot wounds during a clash with the military on Wednesday, a fellow fighter said. Six wounded students were taken away, but (army-run) Myawaddy TV news showed only five of them. They killed the boy who was wounded on his arm. His family was notified to come and retrieve the body, said a member of the peoples defense force, one of numerous local militias that have sprung up cross Myanmar. Zin Ko Tuns family had been notified Thursday to retrieve his body, the militiaman said, adding the slain freshman was among six students, including a woman, who were arrested after the clash between the military and village security forces the previous day. A resident of Myingyan, an Irrawaddy River city of 275,00 people, said some of the villagers were carrying M-16 assault rifles, ammunition and hand grenades they had seized the previous day after a fight with junta troops. The local villagers fought back with slingshots and arrows and whatever weapon they could find. Some soldiers were killed during the fighting and their weapons were seized by the villagers, the resident said. Thats why they came back in revenge today. People from this village had ardently and strongly supported the anti-military protests in Myingyan from the very beginning, so the village had become one of the main targets. Rocket-propelled grenades fired Talotemyo, a village just north of Myingyan, had been under siege by hundreds of junta soldiers since Tuesday night. About 200 soldiers surrounded our village and attacked us at about 4 in the morning. Later at around 8 a.m., about half of them went on to attack the villages east of us and arrested everyone they found in Yedaing village, a local villager said Wednesday. About 200 people got arrested there. Another villager told RFA that about 700 troops fired automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades at barricades built by the villagers' security forces, forcing them to withdraw. Last night around midnight, their reinforcements arrived in five trucks and then another seven truckloads of soldiers joined them around 5 a.m.. Of the three barricades we had built they blasted the one in the south and the one in the west with rocket-propelled grenades, the villager said. Two of our men got wounded in the legs and as we tried to take them to safety, the military began shooting at us with automatic weapons. Without the cover of our sandbags we couldnt do anything else but retreat. About 50,000 people, including the sick and elderly, are being evacuated, villagers said. In Sagaing, in northwestern Myanmar near the border with India, witnesses said at least five soldiers were injured or possibly killed Thursday after about 300 junta forces attacked the local defense force hiding near Mae Thae Forest Reserve, outside Chaung-U village, a suburb of the regional capital Monywa. They fired their automatic weapons blindly and continuously the moment they saw us, said Zarni Thein, a leader of Chaung-U youth group. They set fire to the archway entrance of the village pagoda and some houses and motorcycles in the village. They also used mortars in their attack on us, he added. Soldiers appeared to be dead Zarni Thein said the military had taken away five soldiers with gunshot wounds on a bullock cart and they seemed to be dead though he was not certain. More than 200 young people have fled Chaung-U, the first village to be attacked in Sagaing, which has the largest number of village defense forces resisting the junta. The youth left behind about 200 home-made firearms and grenades, as well as rice and other supplies, and these were taken away by the military, which sent in vehicles to demolish resistance forces barricades, a local villager said. I am sure they (the soldiers) will do all kinds of things, because they are not humans, they are worse than animals. But our youths do not get intimidated by their actions. They have become stronger and more determined to fight back, said a resident of Chaung-U. In a part of Sagaing close to the border with India, fighters with the Tamu People's Defense Forces said one of their members, a 40-year-old man, was killed in a clash early Wednesday. Just after midnight there was a clash with them down near the entrance of the town. We are sure at least 10 of them were killed but we dont know how many were wounded. We also suffered at least one dead and many injured. More than a dozen people, including three members of the Tamu People's Defense Force, have been killed in shootouts with the military since the coup, residents said. To the southwest of Sagaing, in Chin state, an ethnic Chin teenager was killed and six members of Mindat Defense Force were injured by junta artillery on Thursday, the Irrawaddy online news outlet reported. Local fighters in Mindat killed at least 20 junta troops in late April in attacks with homemade rifles. A 17-year-old was killed. They are still firing on us from Kyaukhtu, a town 33 kms (20 miles) east of Mindat, the Irrawaddy quoted a member of the Mindat Defense Force as saying RFA tried to contact Deputy Information Minister Maj.-Gen Zaw Min Tun for comment on the fighting, but he did not respond. Reported by Kin Maung Soe for RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khin Maung Nyane. Written in English by Paul Eckert. YEREVAN -- Armenia has formally appealed to the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) to hold consultations on its border dispute with Azerbaijan that has emerged months after the two countries ended a war over the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh. Caretaker Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian invoked Article 2 of the CSTO founding treaty committing the bloc to "immediately launch the mechanism of joint consultations" on a collective response to threats facing a member state, his office said on May 14. Besides Armenia and Russia, the grouping also includes Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan-- but not Azerbaijan. Armenia has accused Azerbaijani troops of crossing several kilometers into its southern border and trying to stake claim to territory. Azerbaijan rejects the claim, saying its troops were taking up positions on the Azerbaijani side of the border and in turn accused the Armenian leadership of trying to exploit the matter for political reasons ahead of snap parliamentary elections next month. The fresh escalation of tensions comes after a six-week conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan claimed some 6,000 lives. It ended in November with a Moscow-brokered cease-fire that saw Armenia ceding swaths of territory that ethnic Armenians had controlled for decades. Pashinian informed Russian President Vladimir Putin of his decision to turn to the CSTO during a phone call late on May 13, his office said. During the call, Putin stressed the need for "strict observance" of the cease-fire agreement, and "reaffirmed [Moscow's] commitment to active mediation efforts and close contacts with Yerevan and Baku, aimed at ensuring stability in the region," according to the Kremlin. On May 14, Armenia's parliament gathered in an emergency meeting and adopted a statement on the "crisis situation in border districts" amid the incident with Azerbaijan. Pashinian told parliament that the Azerbaijani moves amounted to a "large-scale provocation." Meanwhile the U.S. State Department said on May 14 that Washington was closely monitoring the situation along the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, after urging both sides the previous day to show "restraint in de-escalating the situation peacefully." Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron demanded that Azerbaijan immediately withdraw its troops from Armenian territory they had "invaded." After speaking with Pashinian, Macron wrote on Facebook: "Azerbaijan's armed forces have invaded Armenian territory. They must be immediately withdrawn." "To the Armenian people, I once again say: France stands in solidarity and will remain so," he added. The French president also expressed hope that the UN Security Council could help to "restore stability and security in this region," his office said in a statement. According to an Armenian readout of the call, Pashinian thanked Macron for his "friendly attitude" toward Armenia. Yerevan accuses Azerbaijani forces of moving 3 1/2 kilometers into Syunik Province early on May 12, and of breaching two other sections of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border the next day. Azerbaijan insists that its troops did not cross into Armenia and simply took up positions on the Azerbaijani side of the frontier which were not accessible in winter months. It added that the border between the two South Caucasus states wasn't demarcated after the breakup of the Soviet Union. "We believe that attempts by official circles to use this issue for political purposes in connection with the preelection situation in Armenia are unacceptable," the Foreign Ministry said. The conflicting statements came as Armenian and Azerbaijani military officials met on the border to try to resolve the dispute. Representatives of Russian troops deployed in Syunik also reportedly took part in the negotiations that lasted for several hours. No concrete agreements were announced afterward. Under the Moscow-brokered cease-fire deal signed in November, a part of Nagorno-Karabakh and all seven districts around it were placed under Azerbaijani administration after almost 30 years of control by Armenians. Nagorno-Karabakh is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, but the ethnic Armenians who make up most of the region's population reject Azerbaijani rule. With reporting by Reuters and TASS Correction: This article has been amended to clarify which countries are currently members of the CSTO. MINSK -- Eleven Belarusian student activists and a teacher have gone on trial in Minsk amid a deepening crackdown on participants in nationwide protests against the disputed results of last years presidential election. Journalists were barred from attending the trial that started on May 14 in the building of the Kastrychnik district court in the Belarusian capital. The defendants include students from various universities in Minsk and a teacher from the Belarusian State University of IT and Radio Electronics, Volha Filatchankava, who gained prominence by taking part in a video statement last year that called for an end to violence against demonstrators who had demanded resignation of authoritarian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka. Only two relatives of each defendant were allowed to attend the hearing, held by Judge Maryna Fyodarava of the Soviet district court. It is unclear why the authorities decided to hold the trial in the building of a different court. The building of the Kastrychnik district court was surrounded by riot police, who detained at least six people who came to support the defendants. The defendants, whom Belarusian rights group have recognized as political prisoners, are charged with "conspiracy, preparation, and organization of and participation in activities that violate social order. If convicted, the defendants each face up to three years in prison. All 12 were arrested in November amid the mass demonstrations that swept across Belarus after the August 9 vote -- which the opposition say was "rigged" -- that gave Lukashenka a sixth consecutive term. Lukashenka has directed a brutal postelection crackdown in which almost 30,000 people have been detained, many sentenced to lengthy prison terms, hundreds beaten, several killed, and journalists targeted. Lukashenka, who has run Belarus since 1994, and other top officials have been slapped with sanctions by the West, which refuses to recognize him as the legitimate leader of the former Soviet republic. MINSK -- A captain in the Belarusian armed forces' General Staff accused of leaking a government document about the use of troops to crack down on peaceful protesters has been sentenced to 18 years in prison. The Supreme Court on May 14 found 29-year-old Captain Dzyanis Urad guilty of high treason and sentenced him the same day. Belarusian courts have been meting out tough punishments to protesters and officials like Urad who support them in a bid to quash mass opposition to Belarusian strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka's brutal 27-year rule. Urad was arrested in March after he reportedly sent a photo to a popular Telegram channel in Poland of a letter from the Interior Ministry addressed to the Defense Ministry requesting troops. His trial was held behind closed doors. Urad's sentence is the harshest among dozens that have been handed down in recent months to Belarusians who oppose the official results of the August 9 presidential vote that gave the 66-year-old Lukashenka a sixth consecutive term. Also on May 14, 11 student activists and a teacher went on trial in Minsk on a charge of "conspiracy, preparation, and organization of and participation in activities that violate social order." The defendants include students from various universities in Minsk and a teacher from the Belarusian State University of IT and Radio Electronics, Volha Filatchankava, who gained prominence by taking part in a video statement last year calling for an end to violence against demonstrators. If convicted, each defendant faces up to three years in prison. All 12 were arrested in November amid the mass demonstrations that swept across Belarus after the presidential poll, which the opposition says was rigged in Lukashenka's favor. 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. Another court in Minsk on May 14 sentenced two activists -- Dzmitry Taratun and his female colleague Dziana Kazak -- to three years of open prison and 18 months of parole-like "freedom limitation," respectively, for painting symbols of opposition protests on a wall in February. The open-prison system is known across the former Soviet Union as "khimia" (chemistry), a name that goes back to the late 1940s, when convicts were sent to work at dangerous industries, mainly chemical factories, and allowed to live in special dormitories instead of being incarcerated in penitentiaries. These days, a "khimia" sentence means that a convict will stay in a dormitory not far from their permanent address and work either at their workplace as usual or at a state entity defined by the penitentiary service. Journalist Tatsyana Kapitonava was sentenced to 10 days in jail in Minsk on May 14 for commemorating slain protesters by laying flowers at a site in Kamaraouka on the outskirts of the Belarusian capital the day before. Kapitonava admitted that she was at the site on May 13 but rejected the charge, saying she did not lay anything anywhere. In the western city of Brest on May 14, 12 activists went on trial for taking part in "mass disorder." A court in the eastern city of Mahilyou on May 14 sentenced Aleh Aksyonau, the regional coordinator of the organizing committee of the nonregistered opposition Belarusian Christian Democratic Party, to 15 days in jail for taking part in an unsanctioned public event earlier this week. Lukashenka has directed a brutal postelection crackdown in which almost 30,000 people have been detained, many sentenced to lengthy prison terms, hundreds beaten, several killed, and journalists targeted. Lukashenka, who has run Belarus since 1994, and other top officials have been slapped with sanctions by the West, which refuses to recognize him as the legitimate leader of the former Soviet republic. Russian intelligence services have spied on and filmed Jehovah's Witnesses in a bathhouse, in the latest example of persecution against the outlawed Christian group. The snooping, carried out by Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), was revealed at a trial in the Urals city of Perm, where five Jehovah's Witnesses received suspended sentences for illegal religious activities. The video of the group's members in the bathhouse was used as evidence against the defendants in the trial, which has lasted for almost three years. In evidence aired in court, 27 male and female members of the group met in a bathhouse in Perm to baptize new members. The FSB installed video cameras in the bathhouse where the baptism ceremony was taking place. For Jehovah's Witnesses, baptism is seen as a declaration of faith. Before the coronavirus pandemic, large public baptisms were common among believers worldwide. For decades, the Jehovah's Witnesses have been viewed with suspicion in Russia, where the dominant Orthodox Church is championed by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Since the banning of the group in 2017, many of its members have faced persecution and have received prison sentences. An estimated 170,000 people are thought to be followers of the Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia. According to The Times of London, Igor Turik, who received a seven-year suspended sentence, said that: If only you know what emotional pain these women suffered when they found out their nakedness had been recorded on video. Branded As 'Extremists' An integral part of Russian culture, the banya is a popular meeting places for friends and colleagues to drink, relax, and sometimes receive invigorating massages with leafy branches. An article on JW.org, the official website of the Jehovah's Witnesses, encourages its followers to enjoy "sweat baths," writing of the health benefits in bringing "relief from allergies, colds, and arthritic pain." Four other members of the group received shorter suspended sentences, with Boris Burylov, Viktor Kuchkov, Aleksandr Inozemtsev, and Yury Vaag receiving 2 1/2 years each. In addition to being convicted of illegal religious activities, the Perm Jehovah's Witnesses were also charged with organizing, funding, and participating in the extremist community. Speaking from the trial, group member Turik said, "I believe that this case is a delusion on the part of the state. We are very hurt by what is happening in the country." The extremism law used to target the group was originally passed 19 years ago and has been subject to numerous amendments. In recent years, it has been turned against religious groups, most prominently the Jehovah's Witnesses. The same law has also been used against performance-art punk rockers Pussy Riot and the Falun Gong, the Chinese spiritual movement. More recently, Moscow prosecutors have asked a Russian court to recognize jailed Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny's regional network, along with his Anti-Corruption Foundation and his Citizens' Rights Defense Foundation, as extremist organizations. Known for their door-to-door preaching, keen Bible study, and rejection of military service, Jehovah's Witnesses have about 8 million followers worldwide. The group's adherents believe that the current world order faces imminent destruction and that only 144,000 people will go to heaven when Armageddon strikes. According to independent monitoring group OVD-Info, criminal cases were opened against 423 Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia by December 2020. In February 2019, Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia's Khanty-Mansi region said at least seven members of their congregation were tortured by Investigative Committee officers in the city of Surgut, being subjected to "electric shocks, suffocation, and cruel beatings." While freedom of religion is officially guaranteed in Russia, foreign-based religious groups face suspicion and other groups, including Baptists, Mormons, and Pentecostalists, have faced persecution in the country The United States has condemned Russia's ongoing crackdown on Jehovah's Witnesses and other peaceful religious minorities. In September 2019, Washington banned two officers from Russia's Investigative Committee from entering the United States over the alleged torture of Jehovah's Witnesses in Surgut. Written by Luke Allnutt based on reporting by Current Time's Aleksandr Pugachev TBILISI -- Georgian opposition leader Nika Melia, newly released from prison on bail with the help of the European Union, has said that he plans to speak soon with self-exiled former President Mikheil Saakashvili, who Melia said should be allowed to return to the country. "I will be frank with Mikheil Saakashvili," Melia said during an interview with RFE/RL on May 12. "He should return, surely. He should be allowed to work, and this will happen for sure." The 41-year-old Melia, who heads the United National Movement (ENM) founded by Saakashvili, walked out of prison on May 10 after three months of pretrial detention on charges that he organized "mass violence" during 2019 anti-government protests. His detention helped fuel a protracted political crisis that included the opposition's refusal to enter parliament and which the European Union hoped to help end by posting his bail. Melia has rejected the charges against him as politically motivated, an allegation that the ruling Georgian Dream party denies. Melia's release was part of an agreement that Georgian Dream and opposition leaders signed last month under European Council President Charles Michel's mediation. Saakashvili has called on the ENM, which has refused to sign the agreement, to drop its boycott and to rejoin the legislature. However, Saakashvili's announcement last month that he planned to return to Georgia from Ukraine ahead of local elections in October has added to the country's political drama. The pro-Western Saakashvili served as president from 2004 to 2013 but ended his term early when he left Georgia after some members of the ENM were arrested. In January 2018, a Georgian court convicted him in absentia of covering up evidence in the case of the killing of a Georgian banker and sentenced him to three years in prison. In June 2018, another court convicted him of abuse of power and sentenced him to six years in prison in absentia. Saakashvili has denied all the accusations and says the charges are politically motivated. Just ahead of the October 2020 elections, the ENM and several other opposition parties belonging to the Strength In Unity political movement nominated Saakashvili as their candidate to be prime minister. Justice Minister Thea Tsulukiani said at the time that if Saakashvili returned to Georgia, he would be detained and placed in jail. Georgian Dream's narrow victory in the October vote led to mass street protests and calls by the ENM for new elections. In his interview with RFE/RL, Melia said that the ruling coalition led by Bidzina Ivanishvili "will not make it easy for Mikheil Saakashvili to enter Georgia" and alleged that supporters of Georgian Dream would "stage provocations" that he claimed would be blamed on the ENM. The decision to arrest Melia following his refusal to pay an increased bail bond led to the resignation of Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia in February. Gakharia said the decision was unacceptable if it threatened to fuel political divisions in the country of 3.7 million people. It also sparked mass protests as well as international condemnation as fears mounted in the West over the ex-Soviet republic's perceived backsliding on democracy. Melia faces up to nine years in prison if found guilty. Melia was among those arrested after violent clashes broke out between protesters and police outside parliament on June 20 after a Russian lawmaker sat in the Georgian parliament speaker's seat while addressing a council of deputies from predominantly Orthodox Christian countries. Melia at the time called his arrest on charges of organizing mass riots "absurd." The opposition leader told RFE/RL on May 12 that "we escaped the Soviet Union because it fell apart, but we were unable to escape the post-Soviet space." Melia said that the ENM's decision on whether to reenter the 150-member parliament, which has been left with about 40 seats vacant due to the opposition boycott, would take Russian President Vladimir Putin's "huge influence in our geopolitical context" into consideration. "This factor is paramount for the ENM when making a decision," Melia said. "In either case, whether the decision will be to enter the parliament or not, someone will disagree, yet others will agree." Budapest is set to become the first European city to host a Chinese university, expected to open in 2024. The plans come soon after Hungary forced out another foreign-backed institution, the Central European University. Some Hungarians, including the mayor of Budapest, fear the new university has the potential to be a source of Chinese propaganda. QASKELEN, Kazakhstan -- A court in southern Kazakhstan has handed a parole-like sentence to an activist for his links with the banned Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan (DVK) movement amid an ongoing crackdown on individuals supporting the opposition group and its associate, Koshe (Street) party. The Qarasai district court in the Almaty region on May 14 sentenced Abaibek Sultanov to one year of "freedom limitation" after finding him guilty of participating in the activities of the DVK. The court also sentenced the 45-year-old activist to 100 hours of community work. Sultanov's lawyer, Zhanar Balghabaeva, told RFE/RL that her client rejects the charge and will appeal the sentence. Several activists across the Central Asian nation have been handed lengthy prison terms or "freedom limitation" sentences in recent years for their involvement in the activities of the DVK and the Koshe party, as well as for taking part in the rallies organized by the two groups. The DVK is led by Mukhtar Ablyazov, the fugitive former head of Kazakhstans BTA Bank and an outspoken critic of the Kazakh government. Kazakh authorities labeled the DVK extremist and banned the group in March 2018. Human rights groups have said Kazakhstans law on public gatherings contradicts international standards as it requires preliminary permission from authorities to hold rallies and envisions prosecution for organizing and participating in unsanctioned rallies even though the nations constitution guarantees its citizens the right of free assembly. Around 30 people marched through the center of Kosovo's capital, Pristina, in support of Palestinians in Gaza as attacks between Israel forces and the militant group, Hamas, continued to escalate. Participants held placards during the May 14 protest calling on Israel end to what they called "ethnic cleansing." Israel says it is acting in self-defense after Hamas militants fired rockets at its civilian population. BISHKEK -- Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has signed into law a bill that will allow the government to temporarily manage the Kumtor gold mine, a move the mine's Canadian operator says is a thinly veiled attempt to push it out. The bill was signed into law on May 14, eight days after it was approved by the Central Asian state's parliament. According to the law, if a company operating a concession agreement in Kyrgyzstan violates environmental regulations, damages or endangers the local environment or lives of people, or causes any other significant damage, the government has a right to take the company under its control for three months. Kumtor Gold Company, Kyrgyzstan's biggest taxpayer, is the only company in the former Soviet republic that operates on a concession agreement. Centerra Gold, Kumtor Gold Company's majority owner, has said that the goal of the move is to justify ongoing calls to nationalize the gold mine or force the Canadian company to leave. Kyrgyzstan owns 26 percent of Kumtor Gold Company's shares. Japarov has been known since 2012 to be a strong supporter of nationalizing the Kumtor mine, which is located in his native Issyk-Kul region in the country's northeast. He has accused Centerra Gold of corruption and damaging the local environment. Japarov led a mass protest at Kumtor in 2013, demanding its nationalization, that turned violent and led to the kidnapping of a local governor, Emil Kaptagaev. In 2017, Japarov was found guilty of the kidnapping and sentenced to more than 10 years in prison. He maintains the charges against him were politically motivated. In October 2020, Japarov was among several prominent politicians freed from prison by protesters during anti-government rallies that were sparked by disputed parliamentary elections. The unrest led to the downfall of the government and the resignation of then-President Sooronbai Jeenbekov. Japarov was then named acting president and prime minister. He later stepped down to be eligible for the presidential poll on January 10, which he won easily. BISHKEK -- Former Kyrgyz President Sooronbai Jeenbekov plans to sue jailed opposition activist Melis Aspekov for his accusation that current President Sadyr Japarov received $10 million from Jeenbekov's family for his election campaign. Jeenbekov's lawyer Asylbek Kochkorov said on May 14 that his client will file a slander suit against Aspekov over the comments. "Aspekov is trying to mislead the public by spreading false information and using the names of famous people in the country. We will take him to court for slander," Kochkorov said. Kochkorov's statement came hours after Aspekov, who is currently being held by the State Committee for National Security (UKMK) on extortion charges, made the allegation on Facebook. Aspekov and fellow activist Ulan Juraev were arrested on January 10, the day Japarov won the presidential election. The two were charged with extorting $250,000 from the Kyrgyz Railways company, which the activists have rejected as politically motivated. Jeenbekov resigned as president in mid-October in the wake of a political crisis caused by mass protests in Bishkek following parliamentary elections seen by many in the Central Asian country as rigged. Japarov was among several prominent politicians freed from prison by protesters during the unrest. He had been serving a 10-year prison sentence for hostage taking during a protest against a mining operation in northeast Kyrgyzstan in October 2013. He maintains the charges against him were politically motivated. After Jeenbekov's resignation, Japarov was named acting president and prime minister. He then stepped down to be eligible for the presidential poll on January 10, which he won easily. A meeting of the Visegrad Group foreign ministers is under way in Poland to discuss closer ties between Europe and the United States, a common post-pandemic strategy, cooperation between the four Central European states, and the group's relationship with the rest of the European Union. The May 14 meeting in the central Polish city of Lodz is being hosted by Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau, whose country currently holds the group's rotating presidency, and includes his counterparts from the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary -- Jakub Kulhanek, Ivan Korcok, and Peter Szijjarto. Rau, who welcomed his colleagues in Lodz's Herbst Palace, said on the eve of the meeting that the group, known as V4, would discuss whether it should follow EU regulations for introducing certificates for people vaccinated against COVID-19, or introduce its own rules. The four diplomats are also due to tackle climate policy and the introduction of new, environment-friendly technologies. All four countries are EU and NATO members. Hungary and Poland have often been criticized by the European Union for what is seen as political interference in areas like the judiciary and media freedom. In March, the four held talks with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Brussels. Poland is seen as a staunch U.S. ally and a bulwark of NATO's eastern flank at a time of increased Russian assertiveness in the region. Hungary's populist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, on the other hand, has constantly moved toward closer ties with Moscow and maintains a close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The V4 was founded in February 1991 from a declaration of cooperation that then-Presidents Lech Walesa of Poland, Vaclav Havel of then-Czechoslovakia, and Jozsef Antall of Hungary signed in Visegrad, Hungary. With reporting by AP It may be the highest-profile trial in Ukraine since Volodymyr Zelenskiy won the presidency two years ago -- and possibly the most consequential since another major political court case roiled Ukrainian politics a decade ago. But the treason trial of Viktor Medvedchuk is also shaping up to be a political, and legal, trip wire for Zelenskiy, who's struggling to clean up a notoriously corrupt judicial system, while also sidelining the powerful Russian interests; interests that, in some cases, have thwarted that effort, and undermined his administration. The potentially explosive trial comes at a tough time for the comic-turned-president. His ratings are falling; the economy is suffering; and he is being pulled in opposite directions on reforms by powerful oligarch interests and the West. He is also failing at one of the key pledges of his election campaign -- to end the Russian-backed war in eastern Ukraine, now in its eighth year. Medvedchuk, who heads a pro-Russian opposition party, is widely seen as the Kremlin's most prominent political ally in Kyiv and a thorn in Ukraine's side on those peace talks. His daughter's godfather is Russian leader Vladimir Putin. The 66-year-old lawmaker made his first appearance in a Kyiv courtroom on May 13, where a judge ordered him to house arrest pending the formal beginning of his trial in July, on charges that also included "attempting to plunder the national wealth in Crimea," the Black Sea peninsula that Russia annexed in 2014. A Kremlin spokesman said the trial was an internal matter for Ukraine; however, Moscow is watching closely. Dmitry Medvedev, the former president and prime minister, issued a statement calling the trial a "witch-hunt" while Putin talked of "anti-Russian" policy in Ukraine. And Putin himself referred obliquely to the case, in comments on May 14, saying that "right now there is obviously a purge of the political field." Medvedchuk's prosecution is like "a ballistic missile," said Orysia Lutsevych, manager of the Ukraine Forum at Chatham House, a London-based research organization. "It's quite an escalatory decision against Russia. I'm sure it was not an easy decision." "It is a more strategic initiative to go after Russian proxy groups and Kremlin's influence inside Ukraine," she told RFE/RL. While the trial is rankling Moscow -- and is seen by some analysts as a response to recent Russian hostility -- it also poses a risk for Zelenskiy's support in the West, analysts said, if legal norms are violated or if the trial is seen as a miscarriage of justice. "Who is to say that Zelenskiy maintains control of the narrative once the prosecution begins?" William Pomeranz, the deputy director of the Washington-based Kennan Institute, told RFE/RL. "To a country that espouses Western rule of law principles, what happens if [Medvedchuk] proves that this is illegal?" Some European officials raised concerns in February when Ukraine seized television stations belonging to Medvedchuks ally and fellow lawmaker Taras Kozak, who is also accused of treason. Kozak is in hiding in Russia. Problematic Past Trials As he takes on Medvedchuk, Zelenskiy is also engaged in a critical legal battle to clean up the nations top court, the Constitutional Court, whom he accuses of undermining anti-graft reforms. Ukraine's legal system is widely viewed as corrupt and under the influence of officials and tycoons, including Medvedchuk, whose party was behind last years effort to dismantle the graft reforms, sparking a constitutional crisis. "It is important that the indictment (against Medvedchuk) has strong evidence and the trial is fair and transparent," Lutsevych said. She asserted that the Kremlin was already trying to portray the process as politically motivated. Popular discontent with corruption was a driver of the 2013-14 Euromaidan protests that culminated in the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych, who supported stronger ties with Moscow. Yanukovych's ouster infuriated the Kremlin, and led to the annexation of Crimea, and the outbreak of war in eastern regions that has killed more than 13,000 people. Three years prior to Yanukovychs ouster, the judicial system was put under a harsh spotlight when Yanukovych's main political rival, Yulia Tymoshenko, was convicted for her role in negotiating natural gas deals with Russia. She was sentenced to seven years in prison, and her jailing turned her into a political prisoner in the eyes of her supporters, and many in the West. Yanukovych turned to U.S. law firms, and the U.S. political strategists, to help whitewash the prosecution. The Tymoshenko trial highlighted Ukraines regional split between west -- where ethnic Ukrainians are dominant -- and east -- where many ethnic Russians feel a stronger affinity for Moscow. Pomeranz said the Medvedchuk trial could do the same. Zelenskiy "is not appealing to the Russian-speaking population," he said. The Medvedchuk trial "is going to cause further divisions." Tymoshenko was released from prison the day that Yanukovych fled Ukraine, on February 22, 2014. Poroshenko Case Yanukovych's successor, the billionaire confectionary magnate Petro Poroshenko, was initially seen as a reformer, someone who could begin to uproot some of the persistent graft, in particular where the judiciary was concerned. But European and U.S. officials soured on Poroshenko as he did little to improve the court system, and also protected prosecutors seen as ineffectual. That includes Prosecutor-General Viktor Shokin, who later played a role in helping Republicans trying to tarnish the political future of Joe Biden, the former U.S. vice president who was elected president in 2020. Zelenskiy defeated Poroshenko in 2019, running on a platform of trying to clean up corruption, but also resolve the conflict with Russia. Months later, however, Zelenskiys administration launched a criminal investigation against Poroshenko on a slew of charges including tax evasion. Many Western officials and analysts disapproved of the investigations, warning they appeared to be politically motivated. In March 2020, Zelenskiy moved to push out then-Prosecutor-General Ruslan Ryaboshapka, who was highly respected in the West. Ryaboshapka claimed he was fired in part because he refused to prosecute Poroshenko on what he called flimsy charges. The state's investigation into Poroshenko is continuing. Ryaboshapka was replaced with Iryna Venedyktova, who on May 11 announced that Medvedchuk would be charged with high treason. 'Anti-Russia' Turn In late January, amid sharply falling ratings, Zelenskiys administration took a sharp "anti-Russian" policy turn, according to Maksim Samorukov, an analyst at Carnegie Moscow, as the administration began targeting Russian-leaning politicians and political figures. Zelenskiy's Servant of the People party kicked out a lawmaker seen as pro-Russian after the United States imposed financial sanctions on him. Then Zelenskiy shut down three television stations believed to belong to Medvedchuk. Not long after, Zelenskiy levied financial sanctions on Medvedchuk and his offices were raided by the Ukrainian Security Service earlier this week. Zelenskiy "promised to end corruption. He promised to do something about ending the war in the east, and he hasn't been able to really accomplish any of those objectives," Pomeranz said. "I think that he decided that he could maybe have an easy victory by taking out Medvedchuk." The "anti-Russian" shift also coincided with Biden, a staunch supporter of Ukraine when he was vice president, arriving at the White House in January. Biden's predecessor, Donald Trump, was ambivalent in his rhetoric toward Kyiv, though his administration did authorize the sale of scores of anti-tank missiles called Javelins to help Ukrainian forces battling Kremlin-backed separatists. The case against Medvedchuk could also raise Zelenskiy's profile relative to Poroshenko, seen as his strongest rival, Lutsevych said. After 2014, Medvedchuk was seen as "untouchable," Lutsevych said, most likely because Poroshenko may have seen him as useful in negotiating a peace settlement with Putin. "Poroshenko didn't want to escalate. And now it seems like Zelenskiy understood that he would get more benefits by going after Medvedchuk than by Medvedchuk's mediation services," she said. 'Powerful Interests' In his first major foreign-policy speech on February 4, Biden criticized Russian aggression and reiterated Western support for Ukraines territorial integrity and sovereignty. In the weeks afterward, Russia made a major, and highly public, deployment of forces and heavy weaponry to its borders with Ukraine, setting off alarm bells in Kyiv, and prompting a flurry of calls from Washington and other Western leaders. The Kremlin has since pulled back some of the troops from the border. During a visit to Kyiv on May 6, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken signaled Zelenskiy's reforms efforts were under scrutiny. "There are powerful interests lined up against reform and against anti-corruption efforts," Blinken said. "Those include external forces like Russia but also internal forces like oligarchs and other powerful individuals who are pursuing their own narrow interests through illegitimate means at the expense of the interests of the Ukrainian people." John Herbst, a former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, said it was unclear if the trial would result in a prison sentence for Medvedchuk. "I wouldn't bet the farm on it," Herbst told RFE/RL. "But if anyone can be accused of treason, it is Medvedchuk." "Ukraine cannot be fully independent until it cuts these channels of influence from Russia," Herbst said. Zelenskiy is showing Russia he "is not defenseless." RFE/RL's bank accounts in Russia have been frozen following a visit by court bailiffs to the U.S. agency's Moscow bureau. The move came after agents of the Federal Court Bailiffs Service on May 14 initiated enforcement proceedings against RFE/RL's Russian branch over unpaid fines accrued because of violations of Russia's controversial "foreign agents" laws. The bailiffs service sent RFE/RL a court resolution authorizing it to search for the organization's bank accounts and to freeze them. RFE/RL's Moscow-based bank was ordered by the bailiffs service to seize the agency's accounts in order to provide payment for the unpaid fines of 5 million rubles ($68,000). The enforcement proceeding pertains to 10 protocols that were confirmed in court and for which the two-month payment period has expired. Earlier on May 14, bailiffs spent about two hours in RFE/RL's Moscow bureau and initiated an inventory of equipment there. They did not interfere with work at the bureau or detain anyone. U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jalina Porter told the press later on May 14 that the United States was troubled by the reports of the frozen accounts and described it as the latest attempt by Russia to silence independent media. Since the beginning of the year, the state media-monitoring agency Roskomnadzor has presented to courts about 520 protocols concerning violations of the law by the eight RFE/RL projects that have been included on the Justice Ministry's register of "foreign agent" mass media. RFE/RL rejects the "foreign agent" designation and has refused to comply with onerous Roskomnadzor requirements that each published or broadcast story include prominent labeling. RFE/RL is in the process of appealing the protocols, but Russian courts have so far rejected more than 250 appeals. In total, the fines against the broadcaster amount to about 70 million rubles ($950,000). RFE/RL has asked the European Court of Human Rights to block Russia from enforcing the fines, which the company says are aimed at muzzling independent media. During a press briefing on May 13, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova rejected charges by U.S. officials that Moscow's actions against RFE/RL "violated the rights of journalists." The statements, she said, "prove once again the real role of RFE/RL as mouthpieces for U.S. government propaganda." RFE/RL President Jamie Fly refuted Zakharova's statements, saying the company will continue to fight "these attempts by the Kremlin to censor uncomfortable truths." "RFE/RL's journalists in Russia are patriotic Russian nationals -- not Americans," he said. "They provide independent news and information so their fellow citizens do not 'get used to untruth and...live in lies,' as one of these journalists recently put it." "We will not be silenced, and we will not abandon our Russian audience." Also on May 13, the Russian state news agency TASS reported that a Moscow court had suspended 140 of the protocols against RFE/RL and sent them back to a lower court for review. RFE/RL has not been officially informed of such a decision. Russia's so-called "foreign agent" legislation was adopted in 2012 and has been modified repeatedly. It requires nongovernmental organizations that receive foreign assistance and that the government deems to be engaged in political activity to be registered, to identify themselves as "foreign agents," and to submit to audits. Later modifications of the law targeted foreign-funded media. In 2017, the Russian government placed RFE/RL's Russian Service, six other RFE/RL Russian-language news services, and Current Time on the list. RFE/RL has called the Roskomnadzor fines "a state-sponsored campaign of coercion and intimidation," while the U.S. State Department has described them as "intolerable." Human Rights Watch has described the "foreign agent" legislation as "restrictive" and intended "to demonize independent groups." RFE/RL is an editorially independent media company funded by a grant from the U.S. Congress through the U.S. Agency for Global Media. Each week, nearly 7 million people access RFE/RL's news portals in Russia. Russia's space agency says a famous actress and an award-winning director have been picked to star in what is being described as the first fictional movie to be filmed in space. Yulia Peresild and Klim Shipenko are scheduled to be launched on a Russian Soyuz MS-19 craft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on October 5 to be delivered to the International Space Station (ISS), Roskosmos said on May 13. Training for the mission is to begin no later than June 1 and will include tests on a centrifuge, vibration tests, parachute jumps, and flights on a zero-gravity plane. The drama, which has the working title Vyzov (Challenge), will tell the story of a female surgeon's mission to perform an operation on a cosmonaut too ill to return to Earth immediately, according to media reports. Its co-producers include Roskosmos chief Dmitry Rogozin and Russian state-run Channel One television, which will make documentaries about the entire operation. Channel Ones general director, Konstantin Ernst, said he expects the project will help Russians rediscover their "love and passion" for the human spaceflight program. Peresild, 36, has starred in several big Russian dramas, such as The Edge and Battle For Sevastopol. She has been awarded the title Honored Artist of the Russian Federation. The 37-year-old Shipenko directed a 2017 award-winning disaster movie set in space, Salyut 7. He is also an actor and playwright. The Roskosmos announcement comes after NASA confirmed last year it was teaming up with actor Tom Cruise to make a movie at the ISS, which is orbiting the Earth at an altitude of some 350 kilometers. It was not yet clear when that movie would be shot. In a related development, the Russian space agency also announced plans to send Japanese online fashion tycoon Yusaku Maezawa, 45, on a 12-day trip to the ISS in December. Maezawa is to be accompanied by photographer and assistant Yozo Hirano and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Misurkin. Russia last sent a space tourist to the ISS in 2009. With reporting by the BBC, RIA Novosti, and AFP The Moscow subway has fired dozens of workers who supported jailed Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny, according to Dozhd TV, an independent station. The firings follow the leak of a database last month that contained the names -- and in some cases employment information -- of hundreds of Navalny supporters. Dozhd TV said it contacted people who were listed in the leaked database as Moscow subway workers and 33 confirmed they had subsequently been fired. The former subway workers told Dozhd they were called to an office and informed their services were no longer needed, without further explanation in some cases. They were encouraged to sign a document stating they were voluntarily leaving their job and forgoing termination benefits. Otherwise they would be fired for violating discipline, which could hurt their future employment chances. Several of the workers said they were told in informal discussions that an order had "come from higher-ups" to fire them. The terminations are part of a larger state campaign to destroy Navalny's political movement, which is opposed to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The movement has grown rapidly over the years through Navalny's deft use of social media. The opposition leader and anti-corruption campaigner has been able to rally tens of thousands of people around Russia to participate in anti-government protests, including more than 100,000 in January following his arrest. Amid the movement's expanding influence, Moscow prosecutors last month asked a court to declare Navalny's regional campaign network, along with his Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) and his Citizens' Rights Defense Foundation (FZPG) extremist organizations. The Moscow City Court has said it will rule on the motion on May 17. In the meantime, a group of Russian lawmakers has proposed legislation that would bar individuals involved in a group or organization that has been recognized by a court as "extremist or terrorist" from taking part in parliamentary elections for up to three years. The bill also says that individuals who "provided financial support, property, as well as organizational, methodical, consultative, or any other type of assistance" to such organizations one year before the organization was banned will be barred from taking part in parliamentary elections for three years. Navalny is currently serving a 2 1/2-year prison sentence on embezzlement charges that he says were trumped up because of his political activity. A Russian journalist who believes he was targeted by investigators for his expose on massive oil theft in western Siberia has been convicted on blackmail and pornography charges and sentenced to eight years in prison. A court in the city of Surgut, in Russias oil-rich Khanty-Mansi autonomous district, handed down the verdict and sentence against journalist Eduard Shmonin on May 14, both Shmonin and his lawyer told RFE/RL's Russian Service, known locally as Radio Svoboda. The Khanty-Mansi regional prosecutor's office also confirmed the sentence and verdict in a statement. Investigative reporting gathered by Shmonin, who owned and ran websites filled with "kompromat," or compromising materials on local officials and entrepreneurs, was a central pillar of an independent Radio Svoboda investigation into the industrial-scale theft of oil from Russias pipeline network. The investigation, published in March, corroborated numerous detailed previously uncovered by Shmonin and added significant new evidence of the role of Russian law enforcement in oil-theft schemes. Shmonin released a documentary called Criminal Oil in November 2016 implicating Russian police and Federal Security Service (FSB) officers in oil theft. He was arrested several months later and hit with a wave of charges, including libel against former law enforcement officials mentioned in the documentary. Most of those charges were dropped, with the exception of his alleged blackmail of a local lawmaker and illegal distribution of pornography. Both charges relate to a sex tape featuring the lawmaker and another man. Shmonin told RFE/RL he believes he was targeted as retribution for his documentary about oil theft. His trial was closed to the public, officially because of the intimate nature of the video. A trove of evidence disappeared or was damaged during the investigation, including hard drives, computers, mobile phones, and flash drives that the authorities had confiscated. Shmonin insists that the evidence that went missing in his case includes alibis that would exonerate him. He claims that, during his detention, he was tortured by FSB officers who tried to force him to reveal who financed the Criminal Oil documentary. Radio Svoboda was unable to independently corroborate this claim. "They said, 'You have three options to get out of here: You can be carried out of here feet first; you can eat the charges, well release you on bail, and you leave the country; or you reveal who is behind you and we will classify you as a witness, Shmonin told Radio Svoboda, adding that he told investigators the documentary was made on his own initiative. Shmonin claimed his interrogators then wrapped a plastic bag over his head and tased him, though Radio Svoboda was unable to independently corroborate his torture claims. The FSB did not respond to requests for comment sent in March. One of the former FSB officers who filed a libel complaint against Shmonin following the release of the Criminal Oil documentary is currently on trial on charges that he illegally tapped into oil pipelines. His co-defendant, former FSB officer Vladimir Chernakov, was also implicated in oil-theft schemes in Shmonin's film. MOSCOW -- Russia has labeled the media outlet VTimes as a "foreign agent," a move that will require it to label itself as such and subject it to increased government scrutiny. The Foreign Ministry's list of those deemed "foreign agents" included VTimes when it was published on May 14. On April 23, Russia applied the same foreign agent label to Meduza, a popular independent news site. Russias so-called "foreign agent" legislation was adopted in 2012 and has been modified repeatedly. It requires nongovernmental organizations that receive foreign assistance and that the government deems to be engaged in political activity to be registered, to identify themselves as "foreign agents," and to submit to audits. Later modifications of the law targeted foreign-funded media, including RFE/RL's Russian Service, six other RFE/RL Russian-language news services, and Current Time, a network run by RFE/RL in cooperation with VOA. At the end of 2020, the legislation was modified again to allow the Russian government to add individuals, including foreign journalists, to the list and to impose restrictions on them. Activists have described the "foreign agent" legislation as restrictive and intended "to demonize independent groups." Ukrainian investigators have searched the house of Oleksandr Tupytskiy, the former chairman of the Constitutional Court, amid a battle with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy over control of the country's highest court. The State Investigation Bureau carried out the search early on May 13 after Tupytskiy failed to show up for a bail hearing for the fifth time, citing health reasons, Ukrainian media reported. Zelenskiy suspended Tupytskiy in December and fired him in March after the Prosecutor-General's Office charged him with trying to bribe a witness into giving false testimony. Tupytskiy denies the charges. The pressure on Tupytskiy followed on the heels of a decision by the Constitutional Court in October 2020 to dismantle most of the anti-corruption legislation passed since the overthrow of Kremlin-leaning President Viktor Yanukovych in 2014. Tupytskiy was appointed by Yanukovych to a lifetime tenure on the court. The Constitutional Court's ruling angered Ukraine's Western backers, who have provided tens of billions of dollars in critical funding to Kyiv on the condition it implement tough anti-corruption reforms. The case to dismantle the anti-graft infrastructure was brought before Tuptyskiy and the court by lawmakers from the Opposition Platform -- For Life, an influential Russian-leaning party. The party's most prominent official, Viktor Medvedchuk, made his first appearance in a Kyiv court later that day in a separate case on charges of treason. Tupytskiy ignored his March dismissal by Zelenskiy, considering it unconstitutional, but security guards have refused to let him into the court building. Judges can be dismissed for bad behavior. The Constitutional Court is now effectively chaired by Tupytskiy's deputy, Serhiy Holovaty, who is seen as more loyal to Zelenskiy. Tupytskiy told reporters his wife's car and his mother-in-law's summer home were also searched on May 13, but said that nothing had been taken. He called the search unlawful. With reporting by the Kyiv Post Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy says former officials who served under his predecessors are still living in elite, state-owned properties on the cheap and promised to address the situation. During a May 14 meeting of the National Security and Defense Council, Zelenskiy said he will investigate who lives in over 100 state-owned recreation houses and cottages in an elite neighborhood outside Kyiv. The president said former judges, prosecutors, ministers, and state officials continue to live in the homes and cottages on 400 hectares of land. He said they not only pay low rent but also get reimbursed for up to 50 percent of the cost of renovations. Under former President Petro Poroshenko, "the government legalized the stay on these lands and in these residences, for a very symbolic fee, for a number of obscure people," Zelenskiy said. Zelenskiy said officials who served under President Viktor Yanukovych, including former Education Minister Dmytro Tabachnyk and former Health Minister Raisa Bohatyryova, still use state residences. Yanukovych was toppled in 2014 following street protests, with many of his closest advisers and ministers fleeing the country. Officials from Poroshenko's administration, including former Deputy Prime Minister Hennady Zubko, also live in state-owned homes, Zelenskiy said. Poroshenko is Zelenskiy's closest political rival, according to recent polls. The two have a tense relationship and the Zelenskiy administration has launched criminal investigations into the former president and his associates. The announcement appears to be the latest in a series of populist moves in recent months by Zelenskiy to tackle low-hanging corruption in an attempt, analysts say, to boost his sagging popularity. Zelenskiy, who defeated Poroshenko in 2019 with more than 70 percent of the vote, has seen his support dip below 30 percent. However, Western governments have been pushing him to do more to improve the rule of law and corporate governance. With reporting by the Kyiv Post (miningreview.com) - Anglo American to demerge South Africa thermal coal operations. This was one of our leading headline stories in early April. It has really made me think about the role of mining in driving a greener economy. If you are familiar with South Africa, Anglo American is one of the dominating coal production companies amongst players like Exxaro Resources, Sasol Mining and South32 (whose assets will soon by fully acquired by Seriti Resources). The Big Five account for over 80% of the country coal production. The transition of Anglo American aligns with a bigger ESG commitment in contributing as the remaining business to a low carbon economy that is currently driving investment and key development of existing operations. The word decarbonisation has been hanging like a Damocles sword for quite a while now, and the mining industry seems to be catching up and coveting the best-in-class performance, after a few hitches that seriously put at stake the reputation of the mining sector and its impact on the future of our environment. Almost 200 extra police officers will be on duty this Friday and throughout the weekend to enforce Covid-19 control measures in Malaga as the fine weather forecast is expected to bring out the crowds. Malaga city council has announced that an extra 192 police officers will be added to the normal 920 to help with the monitoring of hospitality and nightclub establishments as well as prevent groups of people gathering and consuming alcohol in public. Uniformed and plain-clothes officers will be joined by colleagues from the Operational Support Group (GOA), in addition to staff from the dog unit to ensure that people comply with the coronavirus preventive measures that are still in force, and also pay special attention to the sale of alcohol to minors. Additionally, more alcohol and drug testing checkpoints will be operating in various locations around the citys roads over the weekend. Malaga city council has called for the publics cooperation saying, Although the state of alarm has ended, the pandemic is not over yet, and Covid-19 is still present. Therefore the strict compliance with preventive health measures is still vital. There is still no agreement between nationalist parties in Catalonia to form a coalition government. Left-wing separatists ERC (Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya) are the biggest nationalist party but still cannot reach an agreement with the smaller Junts. Elections were held in February when the most-voted party was the PSC - the Catalan branch of the Socialist party - whose candidate was former health minister Salvador Illa. The nationalist parties together however gained a majority of seats but need to reach a deal to secure the investiture of ERC leader Pere Aragones as regional president. The parties have until 26 May to do a deal or go to the polls again. Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Motorcycle training revs up in Shanghai By:Zheng Qian | From:english.eastday.com | 2021-05-13 15:09 Motorcycle training has become more and more popular in Shanghai and women are even taking more interest than men. A women practices motorcycle riding at a training school.[Photo/ news.xinmin.com] Data from the Shanghai Yindu Moto Vehicle Training Center suggests that the number of trainees registered has increased by 4.5% from January to April. Other training schools have also seen ablowout inlearners this year and female learners outnumbermale ones. As videos showing motorcycle riding have become a hit on TikTok, peoples desire to show off a cool style is inspired. Some women with boots on even invite others to take video of themselves riding and upload to the platform. Other factors boosting the boom inmotorcycles is being able to bypasstraffic jams and more convenient parking. Additionally, since a motorcycle driverslicense has been available tobe appliedforwithout ageographic hukou limitation since the end of last November, some people from other provinces living in Shanghai have chosento take the drivers license test here. This week Spain's central government's intention to substantially modify the self-employed contribution scheme - which affects the amount paid to the Social Security system every month - became known. The government's intention is to set 13 contribution levels, ranging between 90 and 1,220 euros a month, which would be linked to annual earnings. Currently, most 'autonomos' pay around 300 euros a month and the amount is not related to earnings. But the plans of the Social Security minister, Jose Luis Escriva, do not sit well with the Junta de Andalucia that says The planned reforms are untimely and come at a time when the self-employed are having a very bad time because of the pandemic." The regional governments Minister of Employment, Rocio Blanco, was speaking on La Alameda, a television programme produced by 101TV and SUR, and presented by SUR editor-in-chief, Manuel Castillo. This reform would badly hit the pockets of the self-employed Andalusians and the new government scheme acts as a disincentive for people to register as a self-employed person and would motivate them to stay in the underground economy, said Blanco. In the event that the central government does impose this reform, Blanco promised that the Junta de Andalucia will use its powers to fight back. It would do so by way of subsidies and applying deductions so that the impact on the self-employed in Andalucia is the least possible. "There must be super-reduced fees," she said and guaranteed that the Andalusian Government will maintain, whatever happens, a flat rate of 60 euros. Blanco said that any reform of this type requires a "great deal of dialogue" between all the parties involved. Something that has not happened, according to the Minister of Employment: "The proof is that all the self-employed associations have already expressed their rejection of this reform." Blanco also spoke about the serious impact that the coronavirus has had on employment in the region, For the first time, we managed to get Andalusia on an equal footing for job creation with the rest of Spain in job creation, even with Europe. Then the pandemic has come along to destroy everything," she said. To get out of the crisis, Blanco considers it essential that financial aid reaches companies quickly, although she also admitted that the assistance that may come from the Junta "are palliative. The real impact has to come, she said, with the wise use of 'Next Generation' funds from the European Union. By Lucia Cheng chengluc@grinnell.edu Destiny Magnett and Sarah Beisner, both `22, have been named Truman Scholars after a record number of national applicants, the first Grinnell students to receive the prestigious award for public service and leadership since 2017. Magnett will use the award to obtain a masters degree in theological studies, while Beisner intends to pursue a masters in social work focusing on child welfare policies. The Truman Foundation created this scholarship in 1975 to help fund college graduates future studies, offering a grant of $30,000 for those committed to attending graduate school in government or the public service sector broadly defined on purpose, according to Magnett, to allow for the broadest amount of impact in communities. The process to apply begins in second year, when students submit their intent to apply. Grinnell College applicants are then required to attend workshop sessions with peer applicants to prepare for their application and interview for the Colleges nomination. I have a really compelling belief that every child deserves an equal opportunity. -Sarah Beisner 22, Truman Scholar From there, if nominated by Grinnell, students meet with Ann Landstrom, the Assistant Dean and Director for Global Fellowships and Awards, during the next fall semester to complete the Truman Scholarships national application, which consists of multiple essay questions and a policy proposal, among other requirements. The Truman Scholarship drew Beisner in with its promise to help her provide happy, healthy home environments for children. I have a really compelling belief that every child deserves an equal opportunity, said Beisner. To succeed. To be happy. To have a good life. In a society, we are responsible for them. Had the system better been able to address [my moms] needs, she would have recovered to have a better adult life, said Beisner. But kids are made responsible. I need a world in which the system is part of the solution, not the problem. Magnett heard the first congratulations on receiving the Truman Scholarship in a Webex meeting with President Anne Harris. She had originally been expecting an email instead, making for an unreal moment. She was then told to keep the news a secret for five days until it could be formally released, which added to her sense of awe and amazement. Religious studies is the study of empathy. Because religion is something that people hold closely to their identities. -Destiny Magnett 22, Truman Scholar For Magnett, the Truman Scholarship will help her reach towards her dream of building and strengthening communities across religions. She will continue her research in religious studies, which she says was the best fit for her to learn about discrimination and persecution. In her study abroad semester, Magnett is looking forward to traveling to Jordan, where she will apply her work with the United States Agency for International Development. Religious studies is not just theology, said Magnett. Religious studies is the study of empathy. Because religion is something that people hold closely to their identities. Magnett has been working with Professor Caleb Elfenbein, religious studies, on his project Mapping Islamophobia for more than a year and a half, an endeavor she cites as being integral to her growth as a student. The study tracks incidents of aggressive actions towards Muslims and Islamic communities. The data will be used to help profile and track trends. Both Beisner and Magnett will now be connected to Truman Scholars all over the nation, able to share the details of what they are working on with each other. In addition, they will also be able to attend the Washington Summer Institute after they graduate, as well as the multiple other policy seminars the Truman Foundation hosts for its scholars. The LinkedIn requests have really been coming in, said Magnett. As for what they will be doing with the rest of their time here at Grinnell, Magnett will finish working on the project with Elfenbein and Beisner sees herself doing more advocacy and policy work. My advice for everyone would be to know what you believe in, said Beisner, How you can act on your belief throughout your life. Editors Note: This article has been edited to remove sensitive personal information at Beisners request. 3:20 p.m., May 18, 2021. More than 40 district attorneys including those from Marin, Napa and Solano counties are petitioning against the potential early release of 76,000 inmates from California state prisons. The district attorneys, led by Sacramento DA Anne Marie Schubert, filed a petition with the Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation on Thursday, requesting the repeal of temporary emergency regulations awarding additional credits to more than 76,000 inmates that could potentially lead to their early release, according to a statement from the Sacramento County District Attorneys Office. The regulations, which were announced April 30 and went into effect May 1, are part of the states plan to continue trimming what was once the countrys largest state correctional system, according to the Associated Press. Under it, more than 63,000 inmates convicted of violent crimes are eligible for good behavior credits that shorten their sentences by one-third, an upgrade from the one-fifth that had been standard since 2017. The goal is to increase incentives for the incarcerated population to practice good behavior and follow the rules while serving their time, and participate in rehabilitative and educational programs, which will lead to safer prisons, CDCR spokesperson Dana Simas said in a statement to AP. Additionally, these changes would help to reduce the prison population by allowing incarcerated persons to earn their way home sooner. Because of the structure of the program, it will be months or even years before any inmates are let go early, the AP reported. Still, critics, like the 41 prosecutors, say the public will be put at risk. The regulations were passed under a claim of emergency and would result in the early release of some of Californias most violent criminals, according to the statement from Schuberts office. Allowing the early release of the most dangerous criminals, shortening sentences as much as 50%, impacts crime victims and creates a serious public safety risk, Schubert said. This petition asks CDCR to repeal these regulations, begin the process anew, and allow for transparency and public input. Victims, their families, and all Californians deserve a fair and honest debate about the wisdom of such drastic regulations. The changes were approved by Californias Office of Administrative Law, according to the AP. The department was granted authority to make the changes through the rulemaking process and under the current budget. Because they were implemented as emergency regulations, CDCR was able to impose them without holding public comment which angered prosecutors. Filing a petition is the first step toward seeking a formal court order that would declare the regulations illegal, according to the statement from Schuberts office. If successful, the emergency regulations would be nullified and the CDCR would have to pass the regulations in the traditional manner, requiring the States Office of Administrative Law to provide greater transparency and public input. Meghan Bobrowsky is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: meghan.bobrowsky@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @MeghanBobrowsky At Wallenberg High School on Friday morning, the San Francisco campus remained nearly empty, no happy reunions of classmates or even any evidence that it was supposed to be the first day back for hundreds of seniors across the district. Earlier in the week, San Francisco Unified School District officials announced that the class of 2021 would get what would be a bittersweet and brief return less than three weeks before graduation day, a decision made in large part to qualify for a $12 million state reopening grant. But the effort might not pay off. To get the funding, districts needed to reopen elementary schools and at least one grade in middle or high school by May 15. With the clock ticking down, the district decided to offer seniors the chance to return by Friday. However, not all of the nearly 600 12th-graders who opted in were allowed back Friday. District officials say they launched a hybrid schedule for seniors by the deadline, and for some, Fridays are not an in-person day. District officials didnt immediately say how many seniors returned in person Friday or if any who were expected to show up at Wallenberg actually did. It will be up to state auditors to determine in the coming weeks if the district met the letter of the law and will get the funding. The legislation could be interpreted to mean districts had to offer an in-person return by the deadline, state officials said. News earlier this week that seniors would get no instruction only supervision and might only go back for one day before graduation, angered some families and elected officials who argued that the district shouldnt qualify for the state funding. On Friday, district officials confirmed that the seniors who opted in would get at least a few days in person with peers. Those who choose to attend will return to school at least three days before the end of the year and schools have scheduled the dates that work best for their community based on other scheduled events, including final exams, said district spokesperson Gentle Blythe. San Francisco Unified has been among the last large districts in the country to reopen, bringing back elementary students and those across all grades with the highest needs, including English learners, foster youth and those in special education or living in public housing in April. About 305 seniors who are part of that priority group have been back since late April. Thousands of private school students in the city returned to in-person instruction in the fall. At Wallenberg, a handful of priority students trickled into the building, including senior Kevin Lucero, who had been back in class since the end of April, where he continued online learning with classmates, while an aide provided support in the classroom. Lucero had parked his car in a nearly empty lot that in past years would have been filled with cars and walked to the front doors of the school alone, isolated on a quiet street once filled with teenagers scrambling to make it to class before the bell rang. I like it better than online school, he said, adding that most of his friends are still learning from home. COVID Resources Coronavirus Map Tracking COVID-19 cases across the Bay Area and California. Assembly Member Phil Ting, D-San Francisco, who sponsored the state legislation, believes the districts plan definitely does not meet the requirements for the funding. It was clear from the law that they needed to bring an entire grade back by May 15. Bringing an entire grade back meant everyone in that grade has an opportunity to go back by the deadline, he said Friday. The bill was passed months ago. They had plenty of time to figure out how to bring back one grade. In fact, Ting added, given the low coronavirus case rates in San Francisco, all students in the district should be back in classrooms. Still, school board leaders celebrated the accomplishment. Were delighted that seniors can go back to our high schools in San Francisco before the school year ends, said board President Gabriela Lopez and Vice President Faauuga Moliga, in a newspaper editorial. It means theyll get to spend the final few weeks together before they graduate. Technically, that was true for a small minority of the districts 4,000 seniors. This example proves exactly why we cant renew our distance learning authority and why districts need to go back five days a week full time in the fall, Ting said. Flexibility means something different for everybody. Jill Tucker and Emma Talley are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: jtucker@sfchronicle.com, emma.talley@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jilltucker, @EmmaT332 Historic North Beach Italian restaurant Tosca Cafe has reopened for indoor dining for the first time in nearly two years. The dream team of chef Nancy Oakes (Boulevard), restaurateur Anna Weinberg (Marlowe) and designer Ken Fulk took over the space in 2019 just a month after it closed following a tumultuous six-year run under restaurateur Ken Friedman and chef April Bloomfield. The trio planned to open the restaurant in April 2020, but the shelter-in-place order due to the COVID-19 pandemic pushed those plans back indefinitely. Earlier this month, the restaurant at 242 Columbus Ave. finally welcomed diners into its rich, dark red leather and mahogany interior. Fulk, the design maven behind swanky S.F. spots like Leos Oyster Club and the Battery, has largely maintained the original character of the restaurant. He reupholstered the banquets and barstools and made other smaller updates, like adding new light fixtures and renovating the backroom with damask wallpaper. Eater SF first reported on the restaurants reopening. Reservations are available on Tock. For now, the menu is sticking to the $75 prix fixe with options like Tuscan fried chicken with gnudi cacio e pepe and a porterhouse steak with mushrooms and herb butter. The establishments revered cappuccino has returned as well, though the new owners are on the hunt for the original machine. The classic Italian restaurant has a California-Italian wine list created by Shelley Lindgren (A16), and brunch items include polenta pancakes with dungeness crab and baked eggs served in a spicy tomato sauce. The revival of the iconic establishment has been up and down with closings over the last year. Tosca initially opened for takeout only in March 2020. That operation was short-lived, and the restaurant sat closed for months. Then in November, the North Beach space opened again for outdoor dining only, only to close two weeks later. It reopened for the final time, for outdoor dining, in March this year. Despite trading hands over the past decades, Tosca Cafe has remained a beloved San Francisco institution through all its iterations. It was opened as a bar by three Italian immigrants in 1919 in what was then the hub of the Italian immigrant community in the city. While the bar remained popular, it really took on a whole new character in the 1980s under the ownership of Jeannette Etheredge, who made it a cultural destinationvisited by the likes of Bono, Lawrence Fishburne and Boz Scaggs. Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more. New York restaurateurs Friedman and Bloomfied took over the establishment in 2012 and made it a more upscale, critically acclaimed restaurant, but the partnership and their restaurant came to an end after 10 women accused Friedman of sexual harassment in a 2017 New York Times report. Bloomfield initially ran the restaurant alone, but decided to close in 2019. Just one month after its closure, Oakes, Weinberg and Fulk took over the space. The trio has maintained much of the original character, including adding real leather to the banquettes and keeping the piano and the jukebox. The restaurant did not return a request for comment. Tosca Cafe. 5-10 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Sunday. 242 Columbus Ave., San Francisco. toscacafesf.com Tanay Warerkar is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: tanay.warerkar@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @TanayWarerkar A California Black Bear temporarily perched itself in a tree in San Anselmo on Thursday an unusual sight that startled Marin County residents and wildlife officials, who watched as the animal finally climbed down just before sunset and made its way toward Mt. Tamalpais. A resident who identified himself as Larry to ABC7 News told a reporter at the scene that he received a call from his wife telling him that a bear was in one of their trees on their property. I said, Are you kidding? A bear in San Anselmo? We dont even see a deer walk down the street, much less a bear, Larry told ABC7 News. And she said, No, its a bear. Capt. Patrick Foy of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife told The Chronicle that the bear perched in the tree is a California Black Bear. The bears age and gender was immediately unknown. Marin police had urged residents to stay away from the area while wildlife response teams and police officers tried coaxing the animal safely down the tree. Police had closed a portion of Tamalpais Avenue and told residents to shelter in their homes and close doors and windows. At 7:46 p.m., about two hours after the bear was first seen in the tree in the 100 block of Tamalpais Avenue, it came down with the encouragement of first responders and headed toward open space. Foy said that while bears in the Marin County area are not unheard of, its also not common. Every single day, somewhere in California, a bear is wandering into a populated area, Foy said, listing South Lake Tahoe, Mammoth, Monrovia, and Sierra Madre as common locations. San Anselmo? Not so much. But do bears exist in Marin County? Yes they do. Police said there have been just two or three reported bear sightings in Marin since 2003, but sightings in Sonoma County are more common. During this time of year, police said that juvenile male bears leave their mothers and establish their own territories. The bear population has grown in recent years, police and state wildlife officials said. Between 25,000 and 30,000 black bears are believed to occupy 52,000 square miles in California, state fish and wildlife officials said. Black bears specifically have been seen in areas that were uncommon for the mammals 50 years ago, such as along the Central Coast and Transverse mountain ranges of Southern California, state fish and wildlife officials said. Wildlife officials in California describe black bears as being very good climbers that are quick to scale trees to escape from another predator if they are unable to run away. Black bears are mostly found in mountainous areas above 3,000 feet elevation, wildlife officials said. Lauren Hernandez is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: lauren.hernandez@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ByLHernandez On a recent weekday morning, a T-Third Muni Metro train offloaded its masked riders at downtown San Franciscos Embarcadero Station, where they rode up the escalators to Market Street for work or to connect to other transit lines. Afterward, the operator closed the car doors and the train vanished toward the rest of the undergrounds dark tunnels to finish the route one of the last days the Market Street subway would be restricted to passengers. For weeks, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency has been running mock services, retraining operators and inspecting its infrastructure in preparation for Saturday, when the agency will restore some of the pre-pandemic services that have been suspended for more than a year. Passengers will again be able to ride the full 1 -hour K/T line, if they choose to, which runs from Sunnydale Avenue in Visitacion Valley and cuts through the downtown subway and several other neighborhoods en route to Balboa Park. Jasmin Charles, a Muni assembly operations manager, said Muni Metro train operators have been testing everything across the board to make sure that its ready for Saturday. I never thought that they would stop running for a year, Charles said, and its really good to see them coming back. The latest restorations arrive at a pivotal moment for San Francisco and its public transit agency: Muni ridership is climbing, but remains at 30% of pre-pandemic levels. Supervisors want to test fare-free Muni in a pilot program this summer to help regain riders, but SFMTA officials are concerned it would increase demand beyond the agencys capacity to offer reliable service. And San Francisco will reopen most sectors of its economy in June, but city leaders say its recovery cant happen without robust public transit. Saturdays restorations are expected to improve Munis reliability, but it will likely take another year, perhaps longer, for the agency to bring back all the services it offered before the pandemic destabilized Bay Area public transit. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Muni plans to restore services to 85% of what they were prior to the pandemic by January. The agency has not set a timeline for when it will restore service to pre-pandemic levels. On Saturday, the N-Judah, T-Third and K-Ingleside trains will resume service through all of downtowns subway stations. Wi-Fi will be available underground. The L-Taraval and M-Ocean View lines on Muni Metro will continue being served with bus substitutions. The historic F line will come back Saturday as well, running from the Castro to Fishermans Wharf between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Muni is planning for another wave of restorations Aug. 7 that could include bringing back the 5R, 18, 35, 36 and 39 bus lines. The Powell-Hyde cable car will be restored sometime in the fall, and the agency will weigh trade-offs in bringing back the rest of the citys beloved cable cars next winter and other services, according to a presentation the SFMTA Board of Directors will discuss Tuesday. SFMTA Director Jeffrey Tumlin has said that projecting when the citys transit agency will return to 100% of pre-COVID service operations is complicated by Munis fluid and bleak long-term budget picture. Federal relief helped Muni avoid layoffs, but the agency risks going down another fiscal cliff in 2023, Tumlin said this week. The agencys goal is to get to 110% of pre-COVID service in 2023, Tumlin said, but that requires substantial new additional sources of ongoing operating revenue. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle Chris Arvin, a member of Munis Citizens Advisory Council, said Saturdays restorations are significant because folks have been waiting a while for this. The trains will free up more buses, which will help improve reliability. But Arvin said SFMTA is not moving urgently enough to fully restore services, noting that the agency has not yet announced a firm timeline while other transit operators, such as BART, are preparing to restore service to near pre-COVID levels later this year. Theres a lot of talk right now about Will riders come back to transit? Arvin said. But I think the first question is, Is transit going to come back for riders? Saturdays restoration marks the second time Muni has attempted to bring back subway service. The agency reopened the tunnels to passengers in August but then had to shut down after a few days because of mechanical failures that highlighted the subways antiquated infrastructure. For some businesses, Saturdays service restorations are critical in aiding the citys economic recovery. Masood Samereie, president of Castro Merchants, said he cant wait to board the F lines historic streetcars to downtown and Fishermans Wharf after resorting to driving his car during the pandemic. Each week, it seems, the Castros streets are buzzing with more people. The F line gives the citys tourists access to the neighborhoods bars, restaurants and attractions, Samereie said, and locals like him use it to regularly commute downtown for work. It takes you back to the time in the (1920s) and 30s, when everyone relied on public transportation, and its a treat on its own, Samereie said of the F line. And it is essential to survival and recovery of small businesses in the Castro post pandemic. Ricardo Cano is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ricardo.cano@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ByRicardoCano OMAHA, Neb. (AP) An Arizona man was charged Thursday in connection with a series of threats made to schools and other institutions in the Omaha area last month. Andrew Isaac Abrams, of Tucson, Arizona, was charged with transmitting a series of threats in interstate commerce on April 23, Acting U.S. Attorney Jan Sharp said in a statement. WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) Two years after a white supremacist in New Zealand livestreamed the slaughter of 51 Muslim worshippers on Facebook, French President Emmanuel Macron says the internet continues to be be used by terrorists as a weapon to propagate hate. Macron and other leaders from tech giants and governments around the world including the U.S. for the first time gathered virtually on Saturday to find better ways to stop extremist violence from spreading online, while also respecting freedom of expression. It was part of a global effort started by Macron and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern after deadly attacks in their countries were streamed or shared on social networks. The U.S. government and four other countries joined the effort, known as the Christchurch Call, for the first time this year. It involves some 50 nations plus tech companies including Google, Facebook, Twitter and Amazon, and is named for the New Zealand city where the slaughter at the two mosques took place. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a prerecorded video that authorities in his country alone had taken down more than 300,000 pieces of terrorist material from the internet over the past decade, which he described as a tsunami of hate. Terrorist content is like a metastasizing tumor within the internet, or series of tumors," Johnson said. If we fail to excise it, it will inevitably spread into homes and high streets the world over. Since its launch, governments and tech companies have cooperated in some cases in identifying violent extremist content online. Ardern, however, said more tangible progress is needed to stop it from proliferating. The meeting was aimed at revitalizing coordination efforts, notably since President Joe Biden entered office, and getting more tech companies involved. Macron and Ardern welcomed the U.S. decision as a potential catalyst for stronger action. Macron said the internet had continued to be used as a tool in recent attacks in the U.S., Vienna, Germany and elsewhere. He said it cannot happen again, and that new European regulations against extremist content would help. Ardern said that two years after the Christchurch Call was launched, momentum was strong. But she acknowledged the challenge in essentially playing whac-a-mole with different countries, internet platforms and algorithms that can foster extremist content. The existence of algorithms themselves is not necessarily the problem, it's whether or not they are being ethically used, Ardern said. And so that is probably the biggest focus for the Call community over the next year." She said part of the solution also came in better equipping a younger generation of internet users to have the skills to deal with radical content or disinformation when they encounter it online. Although the U.S. only officially joined the Christchurch Call this year, it had been consistently contributing to the effort, Ardern said. Countering the use of the internet by terrorists and violent extremists to radicalize and recruit is a significant priority for the United States, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement. She also stressed the importance of protecting freedom of expression and reasonable expectations of privacy. The Chronicles front page story Homeless priority in Newsoms budget plan (Front Page, May 12) notes that Gov. Gavin Newsom proposes to spend $12 billion on services for the homeless and cites his offices estimate that $8.75 billion of those earmarked funds would pay for at least 46,000 housing units to shelter a portion of the approximately 162,000 homeless persons in California. Assuming no waste, graft or abuse, could someone please explain to me how one housing unit could possibly cost so much to create? Cui bono? This letter was updated to correct an error in the cost of each housing unit. Abraham Zuckerman, San Francisco Trumps ghost lingers The voice vote to remove Rep. Liz Cheney from her GOP leadership position is yet another sign that the malicious divisive spirit of Donald Trump hasnt left the Capitol. Sad, but no surprise. The ugly seeds of discord and a hunger for whatever revenge is possible against the Democrats are firmly planted in the Republican Party and show no signs of leaving. There used to be a concept called the loyal opposition. Websters Dictionary describes it as a minority party, especially in a legislative body whose opposition to the party in power is constructive, responsible, and bounded by loyalty to fundamental interests and principles. Sadly, the House GOP, in its desire to punish Cheney, is loyal only to the former president and not to the best interests of the U.S. Piers Lahey, Daly City Restore tax deductions Sen. Bernie Sanders objections to restoring the deductions for mortgage interest and state and local taxes (SALT) are not in line with reality. Many middle-class home owners have factored in their mortgage interest tax savings to determine whether they can afford to purchase a home. As for SALT, low- or no-tax states rely on federal taxes paid by high-tax states to finance their infrastructure, education and social needs. Small population states like Sanders Vermont are already over-represented in the Senate and the Electoral College. Sanders is enabling a right-wing trope that this SALT deduction is robbing the federal treasury of California tax money. And that Washington could be spending this money on small, rural, low- and/or no-tax states like Vermont. Of course, Californians and other big, blue state citizens end up getting the short end again in Sanders plan. Frankly, I dont mind paying high state taxes or my federal taxes. I believe in supporting all levels of government. But Sanders wants it so that small, rural, low- and/or no-tax states can live off Californians federal taxes and also have low or no state and local taxes to worry about. Jamey Brzezinski, Pacifica Applause for column Kudos to Heather Knight for her thorough investigative journalism in last Sundays Chronicle. Her article exposed Alison Collins hypocrisy as well as the San Francisco Unified School Districts spineless support of Collins outrageous, unprofessional conduct. The educators affected by her unhinged behavior deserve sincere, public apologies from the district officials and very generous compensation to mitigate their losses. Dorothy Andrews, San Mateo Lighthouse can go green If the Coast Guard does not find it worthwhile to spend a million dollars to replace the light bulb in the East Brother Light Station (Innkeeper struggling to save bay lighthouse, Bay Area, May 11), there is no reason for the nonprofit that maintains the building as a bed and breakfast to resort to GoFundMe to do so. Theres no need to close. Simply add solar panels and let the lighthouse continue as a unique bed and breakfast. It could open immediately to vaccinated guests. .. ... Ringo Chiu/AFP via Getty Images A public health crisis such as the pandemic does not give the executive branch a free pass to violate constitutional rights or permission to operate outside of the law. So wrote 10 Democratic U.S. senators, including Californias own Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris, soon after the Trump administration leveraged the coronavirus crisis to close the U.S.-Mexico border to all migrants, including asylum seekers protected by federal and international law. A year later and over 100 days into the Biden administration, whose point person on the border is now-Vice President Harris, what she and the other then-senators termed a startling expansion of executive power under the guise of a global pandemic response remains largely in place. Like President Bidens reluctance to raise Donald Trumps dramatically lowered limit on refugee admissions, which he finally did under pressure last week, Bidens virtual border wall puts his immigration policy much closer to his predecessors than his rhetoric suggests. California has long been the undisputed leader in offering parents and caregivers paid family leave (PFL) to bond with their babies. We were the first state in the country to offer PFL in 2004. We further improved PFL benefits over the years to allow workers to claim a higher percentage of wage while on leave, expand allowable leave time, and ensure job security while on leave. And yet after years of progress, California finds itself months away from a significant backslide unless legislators act to stop it. While Californias benefits have always been generous relative to most of the nation, our system has had its flaws. Before 2018, California workers were paid 55% of their income when they took PFL. This rate was prohibitive to those with lower incomes, forcing them to choose between paying their bills and caring for their infant. Lower-income workers were effectively paying into a system they could not use, and subsidizing high-income workers families in the process. To remedy this situation, California lawmakers rightly passed AB 908, which raised wage replacement in 2018 to 70% for very low-income workers and 60% for everyone else. The result? In just one year, the paid family leave benefits claimed by workers taking time off to care for their family increased by 24%. These enhanced benefits, however, will expire at the end of 2021. If we take no proactive action, PFL benefits will revert to the earlier status quo, when all families received 55% wage replacement. Amid the continued challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, a regression of this nature would make life even more difficult for Californias working families, as well as the states economic recovery. That is why we need our legislators to take action and make higher wage replacement a permanent fixture. The benefits of paid family leave are proven and numerous: premature births and infant mortality are lower, breastfeeding duration increases, and the likelihood of intimate partner violence declines. Paid leave is also tied to lower infant hospital admissions, improved on-time vaccination rates and better health outcomes of elementary school children. Parents on leave are more likely to take their children to routine medical check-ups. With these check-ups down 24% during the pandemic in California and mental health concerns on the rise, we cannot afford to lose more ground. Robust PFL programs have also been shown to improve employee morale, reduce turnover and promote business growth. Workers want to stay with, and work hard for, employers whose policies put children and families first. Paid family leave increases the likelihood that workers will return to their jobs after having a baby. Furthermore, after a year in which women left the workforce in record numbers, often to care for children, we must maintain incentives to keep parents working. PFL is a straightforward matter of equity: Women of color and women with lower wages were the most likely to be pushed out of the labor force amid the strains of COVID-19. Female workforce participation has already dropped to 57%, the lowest rate since 1988. Nearly 3 million women have left the U.S. labor force in the last year. About 25% of women are still considering leaving the workforce or downshifting their careers. It is no mystery why: women handle the bulk of caregiving, and the pandemic has forced too many to choose between their careers or caring for loved ones. Going backward on wage replacement will exacerbate inequities for women and women of color. The truth is, returning to 55% wage replacement would be catastrophic for low-income families, but 70% is also not enough. California needs to pass Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalezs Assembly Bill 123 this year, so wage replacement can increase up to 90%, and paid family leave can be genuinely accessible to lower income workers. Expanding, not contracting, PFL is an investment in healthy relationships and creates strong bonds at home, the workplace and in our communities. Babies need parents to sit down with them, read a story, sing and play. Those early experiences help build the brains structure so that a child can learn, thrive and be well. Policies that encourage investment in the well-being of children and their families see an exponential return in the future health of our communities. Many of the workers who currently cannot afford to take the leave they have paid into are the very same essential workers people clapped for from their porches, windows and streets earlier in the pandemic: health care workers, childcare workers, grocery workers, delivery drivers. These individuals have been vital to keeping our society afloat during the most challenging year in recent history. It is time for California to step up and show it favors more, not less, support for families and time to bond with our babies. Myrna Melgar represents District 7 on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. With key votes from two appointees of former President Donald Trump, a federal appeals court eased the path to citizenship Thursday for some children of naturalized U.S. citizens, protecting the youths from deportation if they are later convicted of crimes. The case before the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco involved the meaning of a former law that set conditions for immigrant children residing legally in the United States to become citizens after their parents obtain citizenship. The law, passed in 1952, said citizenship was available if the child was living in the United States, as a legal permanent resident, when the parent became a naturalized citizen, or thereafter begins to reside permanently in the United States while under the age of 18. Legal permanent residents, also known as green-card holders, can live and work in the country and apply for citizenship on their own after five years. In a 2008 case, the appeals court interpreted the law to apply only to youths who had already obtained legal permanent status from the government when their parents became citizens. That excluded those whose applications had not yet been approved, a process that can take several years. One was Monssef Cheneau, a Moroccan native and French citizen who entered the U.S. on a student visa at age 15, in 1998, and applied for legal residency two years later after his mother became a naturalized citizen. Because of an administrative error, the court said, the government did not grant him residency until after he had turned 18, and he was denied citizenship. When he was convicted of theft crimes several years later, the government sought to deport him. On Thursday, the court gave Cheneau and others in his situation a chance to avoid deportation when it overruled its 2008 decision and said U.S. residents who were under 18 when the law was in effect were eligible for citizenship through their parents. And in a follow-up ruling Tuesday, a three-judge panel said Cheneau qualifies for citizenship under the new standard and can remain in the United States. No known court case or academic writing before the law took effect in 1952 held that a child needed lawful permission to reside in this country permanently to derive citizenship from his parents, Chief Judge Sidney Thomas said in Thursdays 7-4 ruling. He said the laws extension of citizenship to a youth who begins to reside permanently in the United States after one or both parents become citizens does not require the youth to have acquired legal permanent residency. In dissent, Judge Daniel Bress said the phrase reside permanently means lawfully and does not apply to youths who have not yet gained legal status. Under the courts ruling, he said, a minor could enter the United States unlawfully, remain here illegally, commit numerous deportable offenses, and yet achieve (and maintain) automatic citizenship. Bress and his fellow dissenters, Judges Danielle Hunsaker, Patrick Bumatay and Lawrence VanDyke, were all appointed by Trump. But so were two members of the majority, Judges Mark Bennett and Eric Miller, whose votes were decisive to the outcome. In an earlier decision in the case, Bennett and Miller had both urged the court to reconsider its 2008 precedent. The 1952 law was replaced in 2000 with a narrower law that provides citizenship only for youths under 18 who had been granted legal permanent residence before their parents were naturalized. But advocates said the ruling would apply to many people who had been denied citizenship under the former law, and could allow the return of some immigrants who were deported. This is an important decision that recognizes the status of individuals who derived citizenship from their naturalized parents decades ago but have been denied their rights ever since, said Sachi Schuricht, a lawyer for immigrant support groups in the case, including Al Otro Lado, the UC Davis Immigrant Law Clinic and the American Civil Liberties Union. Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko BEIJING (AP) _ Sogou Inc. (SOGO) on Friday reported first-quarter net income of $35.3 million, after reporting a loss in the same period a year earlier. The Beijing-based company said it had net income of 9 cents per share. A man suspected of a grisly knife attack in San Francisco was arrested late Wednesday. A 34-year-old victim was found with a severe knife cut to his face Wednesday morning on the 200 block of Powell Street Wednesday morning, said police. Witnesses said that a man, who San Francisco police identified as Ryan Baker, 38, allegedly accosted the victim after he said he did not have any money. He pulled out a knife and allegedly cut him in the face, then ran off. A photo of the suspect, a man wearing jeans, a gray South Pole hoodie and slip-on shoes, was shared by police Wednesday. The victim was hospitalized for his injuries, which were later determined to be non-life-threatening. A neighbor spotted Baker at a nearby bus stop later that day and alerted police after seeing his photos online, according to a statement from San Francisco police. Police say he was arrested without incident. Baker is currently in San Francisco County Jail and faces charges of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery with serious bodily injury, and probation violation, among other charges. San Francisco police did not immediately respond to a request for comment from SFGATE. Bay City News Service contributed to this report. (Warning: Spoilers for the latest episodes of Top Chef: Portland are ahead.) On the sixth episode of this season of Top Chef, Oaklands very own Nelson German, the chef-owner of Alamar Kitchen & Bar and Sobre Mesa, was told to pack up his knives and go. But he wouldve had a chance to redeem himself if not for an injured knee. It started during the orchard challenge, said German, referring to an earlier episode where "Top Chef" contestants had to forage for fruit at the Hood River Fruit loop in Oregon. I was just running through the orchard and there were a lot of holes, so I hit a couple of holes and just kind of tweaked my knee. It was painful, but I knew I could keep going. But the more I continued being on my feet and running around, it just got worse. By the time German paired up with fellow contestant Gabriel Pascuzzi to create a surf-and-turf dish for episode sixs elimination challenge, he was taking a lot of painkillers just to get through. He said the pain was making him feel woozy," causing him to move slowly and overcook the fish in the pairs dish. As a result, he and Pascuzzi were both eliminated but then were immediately sent to the Last Chance Kitchen, a chance for one chef to win their way back into the competition. It was then that German knew he needed to bow out. His knee was shot: competing on Last Chance Kitchen was out of the question. As [chefs] in our careers we have adrenaline all the time and we're doing our thing, so I just kept pushing through, because I've been injured before but its never been that bad, he said. So I would always keep going. My mindset is I get things done, this is a great opportunity, dont give up but it wasn't just me telling myself, it was my body telling me, you can't go anymore. You can't walk. Like, I couldn't walk at all. After leaving the competition, German says he was in a wheelchair for three weeks, and suffered sleepless nights where he imagined his career to be over. Fortunately, he has since fully recovered, and is now back on his feet working at his Oakland restaurants. Despite the injury, German looks back at his Top Chef experience fondly. I learned a lot. It's definitely a tough, grueling competition, but it's so worthwhile, he said. You learn that it's definitely not easy. As chefs, we always have a little bit of an ego, were watching TV and we're saying, oh, we can do this better. But it's a lot of pressure and it's a lot of things going on. It's hard to focus on just the food. But it makes you a much stronger chef, and a stronger person. David Moir/Bravo He says competing on the show has renewed his creativity after a stressful year of trying to keep his businesses afloat during the pandemic. It definitely lit a fire in me, said German. Im doing a brand new menu for Alamar in about a week or two. Im really excited to show what I learned and where I am now, and just showing more of my roots, really cooking my heritage and cooking where Im telling the best stories. One dish that he cooked on the show might even show up on one of his restaurants menus. For a drive-in movie snack challenge, German created the UDO, short for Unidentified Dominican Object: a science-fiction themed orange disk made of jerk pork, corn, and candied yams that the judges loved. And despite fruit-picking being the cause of his painful knee injury, competing on Top Chef has inspired German to start cooking with fruit. I definitely learned how to appreciate that, he said. In California, we got some great orchards and great fruit, so I'm very excited to go cherry picking, picking peaches and all that ... Ill just look out for holes this time. I wont be running. Going to Trader Joe's? If you're fully vaccinated, you may not need to wear your mask as you pick up your Two-Buck Chuck. Trader Joe's is the first major grocery store to eliminate the mask requirement, following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guidance yesterday that those who are fully vaccinated are not required to wear masks in most situations. "We encourage customers to follow the guidance of health officials, including, as appropriate, CDC guidelines that advise customers who are fully vaccinated are not required to wear masks while shopping," the grocery store writes on its COVID-19 page. Earlier this week, Trader Joe's also quietly ended another pandemic policy: senior hours reserved for those 60 and older, as well as customers with disabilities and others who were more at-risk from the COVID-19 virus. With the first hour of the day designated for those shoppers, the policy was meant to aid at-risk shoppers in lessening their exposure to COVID-19. Most Bay Area locations no longer have senior hours, though some in Southern California still do. However, for now, most major retailers like Target and Walgreens are continuing to require masks for shoppers, though many are reviewing their policies with the new CDC guidance, USA Today reported. "Target will continue to require all of our coronavirus safety measures in all stores, including masks and social distancing, while we review updated guidance from the CDC and re-evaluate the guidance we offer our team and guests," Target spokesperson Brian Harper-Tibaldo told USA Today. California is reviewing mask guidelines in light of the CDC's announcement. Previously, Gov. Gavin Newsom said that by June 15, when the state is expected to fully reopen, the outdoor mask mandate will be lifted, though certain indoor activities may still require them. FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) A workplace shooting critically injured two people when an argument broke out among co-workers in South Florida on Friday morning, police said. Fort Lauderdale police Det. DeAnna Greenlaw told news outlets that one employee shot two co-workers and ran off. BOSTON (AP) One former Boston police officer and one current officer have agreed to plead guilty to charges connected to an investigation into overtime fraud at the departments evidence warehouse, federal prosecutors said. Former Sgt. George Finch, 59, of Franklin, will plead guilty to conspiracy to commit theft concerning programs receiving federal funds and embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds, the U.S. attorneys office in Boston said in a statement Thursday. NEW YORK (AP) Four people have been arrested in connection with subway slashings and assaults early Friday a series of crimes that's sharpened the ongoing debate over safety and policing in New York Citys transit system. At least four men were wounded in the overnight attacks, all but one of which happened within a 12-minute span on the same No. 4 train in lower Manhattan, police said. Another man was punched in the face, police said. The victims were taken to hospitals in stable condition. Officers armed with surveillance video and descriptions of the suspects intercepted them as they exited a northbound No. 1 train at the 79th Street station in Manhattan, Chief Jason Wilcox said. The men, whose names have not been made public, was taken into custody without incident, Wilcox said. One of them was out on his own recognizance after a January arrest for a knifepoint robbery that Wilcox said was eerily similar to the subway assaults. A fifth man whom investigators believe was also involved in the attacks remained at large as of Friday afternoon, he said. We are confident that we have the right people in custody," Wilcox told reporters at a news conference outside a Manhattan subway station. The attackers, sometimes splitting into groups of two or more, started accosting passengers on a southbound No. 4 train, carrying out three attacks between the Union Square and Brooklyn Bridge stations, police said. In the first attack, around 4:20 a.m., police said three to five suspects approached a 44-year-old man, and slashed him on the left cheek. The attackers fled the subway car and the victim flagged down officers when the train reached the Union Square station. About five minutes later, as the train approached the Astor Place station, the men attacked again, slashing a 40-year-old man in the nose and punching a 41-year-old man who may have tried to intervene, Deputy Inspector Steven Hill said. The suspects then approached a 44-year-old passenger near the Brooklyn Bridge station, slashed him on the left cheek and took his wallet and cell phone, Hill said. About 30 minutes after the first wave of attacks, a 48-year-old man approached police officers at a subway station near Yankee Stadium in the Bronx and said that he'd been slashed in the right eye while aboard a train near 59th StreetColumbus Circle station in Manhattan, Hill said. That man was listed in stable condition and was undergoing surgery, Hill said. The assaults happened amid growing concerns about crime on the city's subways as ridership picks up from pandemic lows, though it's still averaging about 40% below normal. The city says it's assigning 500 more police officers to tackle subway crime, but the transit officials have been urging Mayor Bill de Blasio to do more. NYC Transit's interim president, Sarah Feinberg, accused the Democratic mayor Friday of negligence on the issue. "Enough is enough. The mayor is risking New Yorks recovery every time he lets these incidents go by without meaningful action, Feinberg, whose agency doesn't report to de Blasio, said in a statement. De Blasio spokesperson Bill Neidhardt accused the MTA of finger-pointing and urged it to get with the program. Were going to keep putting massive resources into this fight to keep our subways safe, he said in a statement. Police Commissioner Dermot Shea, speaking to reporters Friday afternoon, underscored the increased police presence in the subway system and the quick work by officers to arrest the suspects in Friday's attacks. You have one of these incidents, its too much," Shea said. Work is moving at a steady pace on the new Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre (BIECC) in Sakhir with 30 per cent of the project already completed. The foundation stone for the BD84-million ($221 million) mega project was laid by HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince Prime Minister, in January last year. The project next to Bahrain International Circuit features exhibition halls and conference rooms fitted with the latest technology to host major shows and celebrations and seal trade transactions. The 149,000-sq-m facility will include 10 exhibition halls covering a total of 95,000 sq m and a 4,500-sq-m conference hall, in addition to attached stores and independent entrances and exits. It will also feature two VIP majlis to receive high-level visitors, in addition to control rooms, internal roads, services and parking for 1,600 cars, of which about 130 parking spaces will be reserved for VIPs. With the work in full swing, the expo centre is due for completion by the second quarter of 2022, said Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani after an inspection tour of the BIECC facility yesterday (May 11). Al Zayani, who is also the Board Chairman of Bahrain Tourism and Exhibition Authority (BTEA), received a briefing on the latest developments in implementing the project. He praised the efforts of the Ministry of Works, Municipality Affairs and Urban Planning for its supervisory role supporting the implementation of the strategic project. The minister affirmed that the project is the biggest one carried out by BTEA and will provide an exemplary venue to host international events. The centre will further attract the organising companies of exhibitions and conferences to hold their international events in it, said Al Zayani. This will further promote the tourism sector in the kingdom so as to diversify revenues and achieve the aspirations of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, he added.-TradeArabia News Service CHANDLER, Ariz. (AP) Four men have been arrested in connection with an altercation at a Chandler mall two months ago, according to police. Witnesses said two groups of men began fighting inside the mall on March 12 and one man began stabbing others with a small knife. JACKSON, Miss. (AP) Days after National Guard members killed four Kent State University students who were protesting the Vietnam War, white police officers marched onto the campus of a historically Black college in Mississippis capital city to violently suppress protests against racism. Officers shot indiscriminately after someone threw a bottle. The gunfire killed two people, injured 12 and shattered windows of a womens dormitory where officers claimed falsely that they had seen a sniper. Students who earned degrees that year received their diplomas in the mail, if at all. Now, a lifetime later, Jackson State University is honoring the Class of 1970 in a ceremony delayed by the coronavirus pandemic. Grads are invited back for a salute to their academic achievements, with organizers expecting about 70 of the 400-plus class members for Saturday's ceremony. James Lap Baker is now retired from a career in urban planning, but he'll be wearing a cap and gown for the bachelors in geography he completed that year. Baker vividly recalls crawling through the grass the night of the shootings to return unharmed to his off-campus apartment. He believes officers planned the assault on Black students. No officer ever faced criminal charges, and an all-white jury awarded no money to the Black victims' families in a civil lawsuit. I call it a massacre, Baker told The Associated Press on Wednesday. Uprisings against the Vietnam War happened on many U.S. college campuses in 1970. The National Guard attack on unarmed student protesters at Kent State in Ohio still largely overshadows the bloodshed at Jackson State, where Baker said racist behavior by local white residents was the big issue. During the '60s and into 1970, white people driving to downtown Jackson would often use a busy street through the campus of what was then Jackson State College, and some would yell racial slurs, throw bottles and endanger Black pedestrians. Disturbances broke out the nights of May 13 and 14 at Jackson State, according to a report published in September 1970 by the President's Commission on Campus Unrest. Appointed by then-President Richard Nixon, the panel investigated events at Kent State, Jackson State and elsewhere. Based on interviews with witnesses, the commission reported that on the night of May 14, false rumors spread that Mississippi civil rights leader Charles Evers had been killed. He was elected in 1969 as mayor of Fayette and became the first Black person since Reconstruction to lead a multiracial city in the state. His brother, Mississippi NAACP leader Medgar Evers, was assassinated in Jackson in 1963. Baker said he doesn't remember hearing that rumor. He recalled Black students were fed up with racist behavior by white people. The commission reported that people on campus had been throwing rocks at white motorists. Students gathered outside the Alexander Hall women's dormitory and B.F. Roberts dining hall across the street some protesting, others simply enjoying each other's company as women returned to the dorm before curfew. Officers from the Jackson Police Department and the Mississippi Highway Patrol marched onto campus. You could hear them marching in shoom, shoom, shoom, shoom, Baker said, imitating the sound. After midnight May 15, a Highway Patrol officer using a bullhorn addressed students, Baker said. Someone in the crowd threw a bottle that shattered. When he stepped out and said, May I have your attention please, thats when the bottle was thrown and all hell broke loose," Baker recalled. A Jackson TV reporter recorded 28 seconds of gunfire, the commission reported. When it ended, 21-year-old Phillip Gibbs and 17-year-old James Green were dead. Twelve others were bleeding. Windows of Alexander Hall were shattered, and walls were left with pockmarks still visible today. Gibbs was a Jackson State pre-law student who was married and had one son with another on the way. Green was a high school student who lived near campus, and had been walking home from his job at a convenience store, said Gloria Green McCray, one of his eight siblings. She recalled hearing shots that night. McCray said her brother, a year older than her, was handsome, funny and kind. He had the personality of Bill Cosby, the look of Billy Dee Williams, McCray said. Their mother walked in Green's place when his Jim Hill High School class graduated weeks after he was killed. She said the hardest experience she had was losing her child, McCray said of their mother, who died about five years ago. Jackson State is awarding posthumous honorary doctorate degrees to Gibbs and Green. Their sisters will accept those McCray for Green and Nerene Gibbs Wray for Gibbs. The once-busy street through campus was closed years ago and turned into a pedestrian zone named the Gibbs-Green Memorial Plaza. Saturday's ceremony takes place there. It reclaims the heart of the campus for alumni who built fond memories there, long before the shooting started. ____ Follow Emily Wagster Pettus on Twitter at http://twitter.com/EWagsterPettus. ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) The Anchorage Assembly voted Friday to immediately revoke the city's mask mandate, shortly after Acting Mayor Austin Quinn-Davidsons office announced the mandate would lift next week. The assembly voted 8-1 in a special meeting to revoke a mandate that has been in place since June, the Anchorage Daily News reported. Earlier Friday, Quinn-Davidson's office announced plans to revoke the mandate on May 21, a delay it said was intended to protect students through the end of the school year. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday released guidance allowing people who are fully vaccinated to stop wearing masks outdoors in crowds and in most indoor settings. The federal guidance calls for masks on planes, buses and other forms of public transportation and at airports. Quinn-Davidson's office said people who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 are encouraged to wear masks. Applying a mask mandate only to those who are not vaccinated would have created enforcement challenges and issues for businesses, the statement said. Her office also said businesses in Anchorage still can require mask-wearing. In Juneau, restrictions remain for those not fully vaccinated. Those who are fully vaccinated no longer have to wear masks in indoor public areas or at crowded outdoor events and do not have to wear masks at gyms, under revised rules announced Friday. Masks are required regardless of vaccination status in Juneau in places like the hospital, school district facilities and other settings that choose to require them, according to a statement from the city. Anama, BRAZIL (AP) The rivers have been swelling for weeks in Brazils Amazon region, and residents in a town that bills itself as The Venice of Amazonas traded motorcycles for canoes and are clambering atop fresh-laid planks inside their homes to stay dry. Anama, home to 14,000 people on a tributary of the Solimoes River that flows toward capital Manaus, is just one municipality of dozens in Amazonas state that has seen life upended by unusual rainfall. Amazonass civil defense secretariat on Thursday warned the flood could soon be biggest recorded in the last century, and said 350,000 people have already been affected. As the river continues rising, the sound of power saws in Anama is constant as residents cut boards and beams to build rudimentary scaffolding within their homes. Its a race to stay above the waters surface. Motorcycles are stored atop the wood, too. What were living isnt good. The flood is here, in this home, said Luzia Santiago da Costa, a 62-year-old homemaker. Her knee problems mean she keeps her eyes focused on her steps while balancing atop the wood and moving slowly through her home. Raimundo Sampaio Sobreira, 63, said his floor is now so high that hes begun hitting his head on the ceiling. We are accustomed here, but this is going beyond the limits, Sobreira said. Twenty of Amazonas municipalities are in a situation of emergency, and 22 have rivers spilling over their banks, according to the secretariat's statement on Thursday. The latter group includes capital Manaus, where people have built makeshift bridges. The Negro River, which flows past Manaus to meet the Solimoes River, could reach its highest-ever level within days, the states government said this week. Increased precipitation is associated with the La Nina phenomenon, by which cooler-than-normal sea-surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean impact global weather patterns. ___ Associated Press writer David Biller contributed reporting. KYIV, Ukraine (AP) A Belarusian military officer on Friday was sentenced to 18 years in prison for leaking a document related to the government's crackdown on protests against the country's authoritarian president. The officer, Capt. Dzianis Urad, was accused of giving the media a copy of a government directive urging the military to help put down the demonstrations. BLOOMSBURG, Pa. (AP) Bloomsburg University is doing away with Greek life, effective immediately. The state-owned university said it has severed ties with all 16 of its fraternities and sororities, both local and national. Bloomsburg announced the decision on Thursday in a two-sentence email to the university community. Bloomsburg officials have not said why they disbanded the Greek life system, but the move comes after years of problems at the schools fraternities and sororities, including allegations of hazing, alcohol abuse and sexual assault, according to the Press Enterprise newspaper. After an 18-year-old freshman, Justin King, fell to his death in September 2019, a wrongful death lawsuit filed by his family said he had consumed alcohol at a fraternity or sorority rush party hours earlier. Bloomsburg shut down eight fraternities and sororities after his death. The school had warned Greek organizations in January that it would not tolerate any more violations. But Bloomsburg's president, Bashar Hanna, had said in March that the school wanted to promote a positive Greek life system, adding it would not be fair to punish all fraternity and sorority members for the bad behavior of some. Bloomsburg enrolls nearly 8,000 undergraduate students. It is among six state-owned universities that could be merged into two new institutions under a recently announced consolidation plan. LOS ANGELES (AP) When Ryan Scott Blinston was arrested last year, authorities say he was trying to smash in a door with a hatchet to finish killing a man whose throat he had slashed. That man would have become the fourth victim of Blinston, according to officials who call the Northern California tree trimmer a serial killer. Officials say before a SWAT team arrived to arrest him, he had left a bloody trail in an area where violence is usually about drugs, gangs and domestic disputes. Blinston, 37, of the small city of Oroville in Butte County, was charged on Wednesday with murder, attempted murder and arson. The charges included special sentencing allegations that Blinston used a deadly weapon, attacked an elderly victim and committed multiple killings. Blinston had been in jail since his arrest last year for another attack, to which he had pleaded not guilty. Blinston didnt enter a plea to the new charges during arraignment Thursday. He was ordered held without bail pending a May 19 court hearing. Some victims' relatives were in court for the hearing, Butte County District Attorney Michael L. Ramsey said. Blinston could face life in prison without possibility of parole if convicted. Blinston was working for a tree-trimming service in Butte and Tehama counties, north of Sacramento, last May and June when he returned to clients homes and slashed the residents' throats, according to prosecutors. Loreen Severs, 88, of Los Molinos died and her husband, Homer Severs, 91, survived but died that December of an unrelated illness, authorities said. Blinston broke in the door of their home to attack them, prosecutors said. Blinston also is accused of killing Sandra George, 82, and Vicky Cline, 57, both of Oroville. He also is charged with torching Clines car. Cline, a former waitress, had been living in her car outside a home in downtown Oroville where Blinston had friends and they apparently had talked, Ramsey said. She was last seen with him in June before she disappeared. Blood and DNA evidence on and in Blinstons car was forensically matched back to Cline," whose body was discovered about two weeks later by a fisherman in the Feather River near Belden, according to a joint statement from the Butte County and Tehama County district attorneys offices, which filed the charges in Butte County Superior Court. Butte County, with a population of around 200,000 people, is home to leafy suburbs, foothill communities, and to Chico, which has a state college. But it's had its problems. Decades ago it was a hub for methamphetamine production, Ramsey said, and a 2018 wildfire killed more than 80 people and virtually wiped out the town of Paradise. There are car thefts and property crimes, and perhaps a half-dozen killings a year, Ramsey said, but in 44 years on the job, he had never seen anything like the throat-slashings. The motive for the attacks wasnt yet clear. There wasnt any immediate indication of attempted burglary or robbery, Ramsey said. Blinston had a history of methamphetamine use, and had spent two terms in state prison for driving a stolen car, possessing stolen items and fleeing the California Highway Patrol. He'd been out of jail for several years. He wasnt Public Enemy No. 1, in any sense," Ramsey said. Nothing that would lead one to believe that we had a nascent serial killer in our midst. It wasn't clear if there might be other victims. We hope to God there isnt but we cant be sure, Ramsey said. Blinston was arrested last June by a Butte County sheriff's SWAT team that had tracked him to a motorhome in a heavily wooded mountain area called Brush Creek, where authorities planned to arrest him on suspicion of burning Clines car. He also was a person of interest in George's slaying, Ramsey said. Because Blinston had a history of fleeing police, the SWAT team approached quietly before dawn, using night-vision goggles. As the team approached the motorhome, they heard the muffled screams of a man inside and loud banging on the outside of the motorhome" as Blinston tried to break in with a hatchet, the district attorneys statement said. Blinston ran into the woods and was captured after a struggle and the use of a stun gun, authorities said. Blinston had gone to the area several days earlier to talk to the motorhome owner, who was a relative of his friends, Ramsey said. Blinston set up a camp with a tarpaulin a little way down a hill. He wanted to convince the man to grow marijuana on the remote land, Ramsey said. According to the man, they drank beer and smoked and shot the breeze and seemed to be getting along fine, and Blinston would return to his camp at night, Ramsey said. But on the night of June 13, Blinston asked if he could stay over because he was afraid of bears. The motorhome owner agreed, Ramsey said. He falls asleep. The next thing he knows is Blinston on top of him, slicing his throat with what he believed was a knife because he felt the warm blood start to gush out of his neck," Ramsey said. The man was stabbed in the shoulder and wrist before managing to push Blinston out the door and lock it, Ramsey said. He then used his blanket in an effort to stanch a 6-inch (152-millimeter) throat wound, the DA said. But Blinston didn't give up. Ramsey said he used a rock to shatter windows, apparently in an attempt to get in and finish the job" of killing the homeowner, who used an axe handle to knock away his attacker's hands from the window and the bottom of the door. The man was yelling for help but there really was no one around" and no cell phone service, Ramsey said. But in a mind-boggling" piece of luck, the SWAT team was there, Ramsey said. A medic with the team stuffed gauze into the wound to stop the bleeding. The man eventually was airlifted to a hospital. Theres no doubt in the world" that they saved his life, Ramsey said. MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Leaders in the Minneapolis suburb where a police officer fatally shot Daunte Wright during a traffic stop in April are expected to vote Saturday on a resolution that would put the city on track to major changes to its policing practices. The resolution, backed by Brooklyn Center Mayor Mike Elliott, would create new divisions of unarmed civilian employees to handle non-moving traffic violations and respond to mental health crises. It would also limit situations in which officers can make arrests. The American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota called the proposed changes an important first move" in changing policing. But several police groups raised concerns, saying parts of the resolution conflict with state law and will put public safety at risk. The city attorney said in a Friday memo to City Council members that adopting the resolution wouldn't be a final action, but would commit the city to change. Elliott introduced the resolution last week, less than a month after then-Brooklyn Center Officer Kim Potter, who is white, fatally shot Wright, a 20-year-old Black motorist, setting off protests in the city. The citys police chief, who has since stepped down, said at the time he believed Potter meant to use her Taser on Wright during the April 11 stop instead of her handgun. Shes charged with second-degree manslaughter and has also resigned. Some City Council members in Minneapolis failed last year to overhaul that city's police department in the wake of George Floyd's death, and are mounting another effort this year. The move in Brooklyn Center, an inner-ring suburb of just 30,000 people, echoes some of the ideas in the Minneapolis plan. On Twitter last week, Elliott called the plan a common sense approach to public safety that would make police not the only option when our community is in need. Wright's death came after he was pulled over for what police said was expired tags the kind of traffic stop that many community members say often unfairly targets people of color. It escalated when, according to police, they realized Wright was wanted on a gross misdemeanor warrant. The Brooklyn Center resolution would put enforcement of non-moving traffic violations such as Wright's expired tags in the hands of unarmed civilians. It would also create a department of unarmed workers trained to respond to medical and mental health calls, addressing another frequent criticism that 911 calls can end in the death of someone in crisis when confronted by armed officers. And it would create a new Department of Community Safety and Violence Prevention to oversee efforts on community health and public safety, led by a director with public health expertise. The resolution would also require more de-escalation efforts by police before using deadly force; ban deadly force in some situations, such as firing on moving cars; and bar arrests or searches of people during non-moving traffic violations, non-felony offenses or warrants. The Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, the Law Enforcement Labor Services, the Minnesota Sheriffs Association and the Minnesota Chiefs of Police Association wrote to the City Council urging them to reject the resolution, saying parts of it conflict with several state statutes. And they said it would be dangerous to have civilians take over certain policing situations, both for the public and the civilian workers, and would likely lead to criminals fleeing. The resolution is named for Wright and Kobe Dimock-Heisler, a 21-year-old man with autism and mental illness who was fatally shot by officers in June. Officers in that incident were not charged. ___ Find APs full coverage of the death of Daunte Wright at: https://apnews.com/hub/death-of-daunte-wright ___ This story was first published on May 15, 2021. It was updated on May 17, 2021, to correct that the warrant for Wright was for a gross misdemeanor, not a felony. The head of a national conservative group told supporters it secretly helped draft legislation in Republican-controlled statehouses across the country as part of a coordinated network of organizations pushing to tighten voting laws across the country. Jessica Anderson, executive director of Heritage Action, made the claim during a recent meeting with supporters in Arizona. A recording of the event was released by the liberal investigative website Documented, which made a copy available for The Associated Press to review. Heritage Action confirmed its authenticity. In some cases, we actually draft them for them, Anderson said of legislation written for state lawmakers. Or we have a sentinel on our behalf give them the model legislation, so it has that grassroots, from-the-bottom-up type of vibe. Anderson's comments shed additional light on precisely how well-funded national organizations have seized on false claims about the 2020 election to try to tighten state voting laws. While it is known that Heritage Action and several other groups are working with state lawmakers on legislation, it is rare to hear a leader detail how a group masks involvement to give the bills the appearance of broad political support. Anderson gave the example of Georgia, where she said an activist affiliated with Heritage had given a letter outlining the group's recommendations to key legislators. The activist first had the proposal signed by thousands of other activists. Other states where she said the group helped write bills included Iowa and Texas though in Iowa, the authors of the voting legislation said they never spoke with Heritage. In a statement Friday, Anderson said: Heritage Action is proud of our work to make it easier to vote and harder to cheat. That work begins at the state level through our grassroots and continues in state legislatures throughout the country. Heritage Action is one of several Republican-affiliated groups that jumped into elections issues for the first time after former President Donald Trumps false claims about election fraud led to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. The lies also have fanned deep suspicions about the integrity of the countrys voting systems among GOP activists and donors Anderson noted Heritage activists cited it as a top issue in a survey and led to new laws in Georgia, Florida, Iowa, Kansas and other states. Democrats have argued that the laws make it harder for people to vote, and disproportionally affect Black, Latino, young and other Democratic-leaning voters. Republicans argue the tougher rules will guard against fraud and are needed to restore trust in the election system. On Friday, the liberal group End Citizens United released a report that tallied up more than $42 million that conservative groups have pledged to spend on election laws, including Heritage's $24 million budget. Heritage and other conservative groups contend they are only trying to counter what they see as an array of well-funded liberal groups that work to loosen voting rules. Heritage Action announced its effort in March, saying it would push legislation in eight battleground states based on model principles formulated by its parent organization, the conservative Heritage Foundation. Hans von Spakovsky, the foundation's top voting expert and a former member of Trump's 2017 election fraud commission, appeared at the event with Anderson and boasted of regularly talking with Republican secretaries of state. Anderson added that Heritage Action had just had a huge call with secretaries of state, who often serve as a state's chief elections official. Anderson also said the group runs a Tuesday call to give marching orders to other conservative organizations that have just launched voting pushes, including the anti-abortion rights Susan B. Anthony List and the small government group FreedomWorks. Anderson took credit for an Arizona law that bans donations to election offices from outside groups. The law was meant to fight back against $300 million in donations from Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg last year. She also claimed credit for a controversial provision in Iowa that moves voters to inactive status after missing a single election. Iowa is the first state that we got to work in, and we did it quickly and we did it quietly," Anderson said. "We helped draft the bills. ... Honestly, nobody even noticed. My team looked at each other, and were like, it cant be that easy. Iowa Republicans who worked on the voting legislation have said they had no contact with Heritage. In March, Republican state Rep. Bobby Kaufmann told The Associated Press that he had not talked to Heritage or any other outside group. On Friday, he reiterated that denial. Heritage is telling a bold-faced lie, Kaufmann said. Asked if claiming credit for the bills was a fundraising technique, Kaufmann replied: That's exactly what it is. State Sen. Roby Smith, who co-wrote the legislation with Kaufmann, also denied working with Heritage. "A number of the policy provisions in SF 413 were also in previous pieces of legislation long before the Heritage Foundation even knew to take credit for some thing they did not do, Smith said in a statement. Mike Marshall, the regulator who oversees lobbyists interactions with the Iowa executive branch, said Friday he has requested that Anderson provide any contacts that she or other Heritage Action representatives made in Iowa. Marshall said he had also asked the office of Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds to search its records for any such interactions. Heritage is not a registered lobbyist in Iowa and did not publicly register a position on the election bill when it was released in February. At the event, Anderson said there was another task besides simply passing new laws. Many Republicans fear that their voters lost trust in the system due to Trumps allegations and then in Georgia didnt cast ballots during two January Senate run-offs, which Democrats won. Heritage wants to make sure conservative voters hear that voting rules are being tightened to prevent fraud. It's our job to tell them that was done, with the hope that it will restore voter confidence and let people return to the polls in 2022, Anderson said. __ Riccardi reported from Denver and Izaguirre from Lindenhurst, New York. Michael Biesecker in Washington and Ryan J. Foley in Iowa City, Iowa, contributed. MADISON, Wis. (AP) Defense attorneys for a man accused of fatally shooting a Madison doctor and her husband last year were allowed to withdraw from the case Friday. Andrew Martinez and Jeremiah Meyer-ODay told Dane County Circuit Judge Ellen Berz during a brief hearing that a conflict had come up in their representation of Khari Sanford The 19-year-old Madison man is accused in the March 30, 2020 shooting deaths of Dr. Beth Potter and her husband, Robin Carre, the State Journal reported. Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, the capitals first low-cost carrier, has announced the introduction of a new service to Tashkent, capital city of Uzbekistan with direct flights from Abu Dhabi starting on June 24. The new service represents the 10th route for Air Arabia Abu Dhabi since the launch of the carriers service from Abu Dhabi International Airport on July 14, 2020. Air Arabia will operate to Tashkent twice weekly, on Sunday and Thursday, using and Airbus A320. Customers can now book their direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Tashkent by visiting Air Arabias website, by calling the call centre or through travel agencies. - TradeArabia News Service GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) The Gaza Strip was pounded this week by hundreds of Israeli strikes from sea, land and air, while the enclave's militant Hamas rulers fired hundreds of rockets into Israel. It's the fourth round of major conflict between Israel and Hamas since 2008, with the tiny enclave's more than 2 million Palestinian residents bearing the brunt of the deaths and the destruction. The latest eruption of violence has raised the specter of another devastating war and once again drawn international attention to the impoverished, densely populated strip. Here's a look at the Gaza Strip and its place in the Middle East conflict. A NARROW COASTAL STRIP Gaza, sandwiched between Israel and Egypt, is just 25 miles (40 kilometers) long and six miles (10 kilometers) wide. It was part of the British-ruled Palestine Mandate before the 1948 war surrounding Israel's creation, when it came under Egypt's control. Large numbers of Palestinians who fled or were driven from what is now Israel ended up in Gaza, and the refugees and their descendants now number 1.4 million, accounting for more than half of Gaza's population. Israel captured Gaza, along with the West Bank and east Jerusalem, in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians want all three territories to form their future state. The first Palestinian intifada, or uprising, erupted in Gaza in 1987 the same year Hamas was founded and later spread to the other occupied territories. The Oslo peace process in the 1990s established the Palestinian Authority and gave it limited autonomy in Gaza and parts of the occupied West Bank. ___ THE HAMAS TAKEOVER Israel withdrew its troops and Jewish settlements from Gaza in 2005, after a second and far more violent intifada. The following year, Hamas won a landslide victory in Palestinian elections. That triggered a power struggle with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party, culminating in a week of clashes in 2007 that left Hamas in control of Gaza. Hamas has done little in the way of imposing Islamic law on Gaza, which was already very conservative. But it has shown no tolerance for dissent, arresting political opponents and violently suppressing rare protests against its rule. The militant group has remained firmly in power through three wars and a 14-year blockade. ___ THE BLOCKADE Israel and Egypt imposed the crippling blockade after the Hamas takeover. Israel says it's needed to keep Hamas and other militant groups from importing arms. Rights groups say the blockade is a form of collective punishment. The closures, along with years of misrule and Hamas' long-running feud with the Palestinian Authority, have devastated Gaza's economy. Unemployment hovers at around 50%, power outages are frequent and the tap water is badly polluted. Palestinians face heavy movement restrictions that make it difficult to travel abroad for work, study or to visit family, and often refer to Gaza as the world's largest open-air prison. ___ THE WARS Hamas and Israel have fought three wars and several smaller battles. The worst so far was the 2014 war, which lasted for 50 days and killed some 2,200 Palestinians, more than half of them civilians. Seventy-three people were killed on the Israeli side. Israel's airstrikes and incursions into Gaza have left vast swaths of destruction, with entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble and thousands forced to shelter in U.N. schools and other facilities. Israel says it makes every effort to avoid civilian casualties and accuses Hamas of using Gazans as human shields. Palestinian militants have fired thousands of rockets into Israel. The vast majority are intercepted by Israeli missile defenses or land in open areas, but they sow widespread fear and can bring life to a standstill. Their range has steadily increased in recent years, with some striking as far as Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, major metropolitan areas. Earlier this year, the International Criminal Court launched an investigation into possible war crimes in the Palestinian territories. It is expected to scrutinize the actions of both Israel and Palestinian militants in the 2014 war. The ICC has also expressed concern about the latest violence. MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said Thursday that state will allow people to ditch their masks meant to slow the spread of the coronavirus, an announcement that followed new federal recommendations on face coverings. Walz said he would sign executive orders Friday ending the mask mandate he enacted by emergency authority in July, although state health officials recommend that people who are not fully vaccinated or may be asymptomatic either get their shots or keep wearing masks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention earlier Thursday eased mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated people, allowing them to stop wearing masks outdoors in crowds and in most indoor settings. President Joe Biden called it a great day and Walz called it exciting news for the country. And I think first and foremost it reflects the discipline and the commitment here in Minnesota and in many places across the country to protecting not only themselves, but their neighbors," Walz said. State Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm said she had mixed feelings about the move, noting that the state is fourth highest in the country in COVID-19 growth and having 61% of the population vaccinated is not nearly enough to hold back the virus. The highlight of the new CDC guidance, Malcolm said, is that it shows the science is getting increasingly clear about the effectiveness of the vaccine in preventing the illness. Malcolm said it would be impossible for the state to enforce a mask mandate solely for people who are not vaccinated. The CDC guidance still calls for wearing masks in crowded indoor settings like buses, planes, hospitals, prisons and homeless shelters, but it will help clear the way for reopening workplaces, schools and other venues. It also removes the need for social distancing for those who are fully vaccinated. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) Charles Avery had barely started marching when police arrested him, forced him into a police vehicle and took him to jail for participating in landmark civil rights protests that helped change the nation in 1963. He spent days in custody and then lived decades haunted by a conviction for the most innocuous of offenses parading without a permit that he saw as noble yet others questioned with suspicion. I had to explain what it was, that it was from Birmingham," said Avery, 76. "It always came up. Yet Avery said he'd do it again all these years later, and he has a message for the thousands of demonstrators who have been arrested nationwide during the months-long uprising over police violence and racism: Keep going. A lifelong mark in the name of justice is worth the trouble. Veterans of the campaign that the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. helped lead to eradicate racial segregation in Birmingham nearly 60 years ago remain firmly in the corner of racial justice now that they're old and gray, with some joining in protests that followed George Floyd's murder by Minneapolis police last year and others watching at home on TV. Nonviolence was King's way, and some are put off by scenes of burning buildings and rioting that accompanied some protests, including one in Birmingham. But foot soldiers who first advocated for the idea that Black lives matter decades ago now support the movement of the same name; The Associated Press interviewed some of them ahead of an online commemoration of the 63 Childrens Crusade protests held Friday that focused on challenges facing young people today. The Rev. Jonathan McPherson was walking just a few feet behind King when both were arrested in downtown Birmingham. He spent a night in jail and sees his conviction for illegal parading as a badge of honor. It was worth it, every bit of it. Ive even told my wife I cant move like I used to but Ill be glad to join those young people today in these protests that we have," said McPherson, 87. He once served as a bodyguard for King and other movement leaders in Birmingham, which came to be known as Bombingham for the frequency of attacks on Black churches, homes and leaders. Arrested the same day as McPherson, Myrna Jackson recently had a stroke and spends most of her time at home. But she stays up to date on the Black Lives Matter movement and mourns every time someone else dies at the hands of law enforcement. People are fed up. A lot of times these things are happening so close together it doesnt give you breathing room, she said. More than 10,000 people were arrested nationwide last year during protests for offenses including curfew violations and failure to disperse; hundreds also were were arrested on burglary and looting charges. Protesters often were restrained in plastic zip-ties and taken away in buses, and many times charges were dropped. Demonstrations continued recently in places including Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, where Daunte Wright was fatally shot by police, and Elizabeth City, North Carolina, where deputies fatally shot Andrew Brown Jr. Both Wright and Brown were Black men, and both died last month. In Birmingham, local activists including the Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth had been confronting racism and legalized segregation of schools, businesses and public accommodations for years by the time King's Southern Christian Leadership Campaign launched the Birmingham Campaign in the spring of '63 with weeks of marches, selective buying campaigns and pickets. More than 1,600 demonstrators, many of them Black students from area schools, were arrested from March through May, city records show, and authorities used police dogs and firehoses to break up marches. Scenes of the mayhem, broadcast on black-and-white TVs worldwide, and a racist church bombing that killed four Black girls in Birmingham months later helped build support for the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The youngest protesters that year included Paulette Roby, who was arrested as a 13-year-old girl. She didn't face charges and now chairs the Civil Rights Activist Committee, which documents the stories of participants and tells their stories in tours, workshops and seminars that help tie the past together with demonstrations today. I didnt realize that things I did at 13 would still be important now," said Roby, 71. Older teens and adults often were charged with parading without a permit. While some went to city court, others say they never did and wound up with misdemeanor convictions on their record despite never having a chance to defend themselves. Then-Mayor Larry Langford issued a blanket pardon for the convicted protesters in 2009, and many including Avery accepted. While serving both in the Army in Vietnam and later in the civilian workforce, Avery said he'd been singled out for scrutiny because of the conviction and forced to explain his record for years. Avery, who served as senior class president at Hooper City High School and led fellow students to the demonstration that day in 1963, was allowed to graduate but never received his diploma, which he said the principal refused out of fear of appearing to endorse the protests. Just 18 at the time, Avery soon relocated to Chicago because his mother feared for his safety in Birmingham. Attending a rally last year in a park near where he was arrested in 1963, Avery was happy to see nearly as many white people and Hispanic people as Black people demonstrating on behalf of racial justice. I thought, This is what its about, bringing people together,' he said. McPherson was among dozens of demonstrators who refused a pardon to wipe away a 1963 conviction. A minister for more than 50 years, he said the case never presented a problem, and it's something he remains proud of decades later. The only time I have been in jail was when I went to jail with Martin Luther King on Good Friday, 1963, he said. "So I dont mind anybody seeing that if they want to see it anywhere. Years from now, he said, perhaps today's demonstrators facing arrest and convictions will look back on their experiences similarly. As long as you know what you are doing is right and is for a good cause, keep on keeping on. Keep on protesting because youll never get anything without some sacrifice being made, said McPherson. ___ Reeves is a member of APs Race and Ethnicity team. Follow him on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/Jay_Reeves. WASHINGTON - An Asian American woman nominated by President Joe Biden for a top job at the Environmental Protection Agency was told by Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., during her confirmation hearing Wednesday that if she didn't "behave" in the job, then he was going to tell "her daddy." Inhofe's office said he was playing off Radhika Fox's opening statement where she mentioned that her father was in the room and credited her hard-working immigrant parents. The exchange between the 86-year-old male senator and the much younger female nominee to lead the EPA's Office of Water was not antagonistic, but drew attention from those who wondered whether he would have made the same quip to a man. CNN first reported Inhofe's remark. Inhofe, who is one of the Senate's most vocal climate change deniers, had asked Fox about changes the Trump administration had made to roll back Obama-era federal protections for streams and wetlands. As Fox gave her answer, Inhofe interrupted her, saying he didn't mean to, but had to get on to the other nominees on the panel. "I appreciate your comments particularly in your opening statement, I enjoyed that," Inhofe said. "And so I will look forward to working with you. And if you don't behave, I'm going to talk to your daddy." Fox laughed at Inhofe's remark. The EPA's press office did not immediately respond to request for comment about Fox's reaction to Inhofe's comment. Leacy Burke, Inhofe's spokeswoman, said the senator had been "especially touched by Ms. Fox's tribute to her father during the opening remarks." "He made a lighthearted joke at the end of his questioning to recognize her father again since he was present at the hearing," Burke said. "As he said in the hearing, Inhofe looks forward to working with Ms. Fox once she is confirmed." Fox is the first woman of color nominated to run the EPA's Office of Water. She is a second-generation immigrant from rural India. "My parents grew up without electricity. They relied on wells for drinking water and pit latrines for wastewater management," she said in her opening statement. "Everything I have accomplished is because I stand on the shoulders of my parents' hard work." JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) Missouri's Republican-led Legislature passed a high-profile measure to ban local enforcement of federal gun laws with just an hour to spare before lawmakers' 6 p.m. Friday deadline. The GOP-led House voted 111-42 along party lines to send the firearms bill to Republican Gov. Mike Parson before adjourning the 2021 regular session. The measure would block enforcement of federal gun laws by local police, an effort growing in popularity in Republican-led states under Democratic President Joe Biden's administration. The Second Amendment is under attack, bill sponsor Republican Rep. Jered Taylor said. Its under attack by the Democrats, particularly the Biden administration. Most state and federal gun laws are the same, and federal law enforcement could still enforce gun rules that are in federal law only. The push for the bill is driven by fear that Biden will enact sweeping limits on firearms. Idaho Gov. Brad Little on Tuesday signed similar legislation aimed at thwarting executive actions by Biden to combat gun violence. Missouri Democrats argued the bill is unconstitutional and predicted it would quickly be struck down by the courts. It's embarrassing for our state for us to pass this bill claiming that federal law is null and void and unconstitutional," Democratic St. Louis Rep. Peter Merideth said. The House also passed legislation that would make Missouri the last state to require out-of-state online stores to collect sales taxes on residents purchases, penalize efforts to defund police agencies, and repeal a cap on the amount of annual college tuition increases that has been in place for more than a decade. The final bill that passed would limit lawsuits that can be filed against businesses for misconduct during the pandemic. Parson has been calling on GOP lawmakers to send him a bill blocking many coronavirus-related lawsuits since last year. Many bills failed to make it across the finish line after minority Senate Democrats stalled work over frustration with the way Republican leaders handled negotiations on other legislation. Senators accomplished almost nothing Friday after quitting early. It was a perfect ending to a dysfunctional year, Senate Minority Leader John Rizzo said. At issue was a tax on health care providers used to draw down additional federal Medicaid funding, which then is redistributed back to those hospitals, pharmacies and other health service providers. Some Republicans wanted to add a ban on Medicaid funding being used for devices or medications that can cause abortions, which Democrats opposed. Senate leaders said they expect to return to work later this year to reauthorize the tax so that Missouri doesnt miss out on roughly a third of the money that funds its multibillion-dollar Medicaid program. The inaction comes after the Republican Legislature refused to pay for a voter-approved expansion of the state's Medicaid program to thousands more low-income adults. The Legislature had already passed a number of other longtime priorities, including the gas tax measure. The bill would hike gas taxes in the state for the first time in more than two decades, a phased-in 12.5 cent-per-gallon increase, in order to raise money for road and bridge repairs. Parson has indicated he will sign it. Lawmakers also sent Parson legislation that will create a statewide prescription drug monitoring program. The policy is aimed at helping doctors see if their patients are getting painkillers and other medications from other physicians, a signal that they might be struggling with addiction. A prescription drug database was another Parson request. LAS VEGAS (AP) Hip-hop music figure Jamal Mally Mall Rashid was sentenced Thursday in Las Vegas to 33 months in federal prison for owning and operating a prostitution business disguised as an escort enterprise, federal prosecutors and his defense attorneys said. Rashid, 45, sought leniency from U.S. District Judge Gloria Navarro with an apology to the court, the government and, most importantly, the women involved, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported. He told the judge he quit criminal activity in 2014. But for 12 years before that, Rashid operated a high-end prostitution business that transported victims across the United States, using various paid websites ... to advertise the victims for prostitution purposes, U.S. Attorney Christopher Chiou said in a statement. Rashid exploited hundreds of victims through manipulation, rules and threats, the top federal prosecutor in Nevada said, encouraged victims to get tattoos of him to demonstrate their loyalty, and led many of them to believe he would advance their careers in show business. Rashids attorneys, David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld, said he accepted full responsibility for his conduct that occurred almost a decade ago. He will serve his sentence and looks forward to returning to the music industry, the attorneys said in a statement. A San Francisco Bay Area native, Rashid worked with artists including Tyga, Justin Bieber, Usher and Sean Kingston. His 2013 collaboration with Tyga, Molly, reached No. 66 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. He was featured as Mally Mall in the VH1 reality TV series Love and Hip Hop Hollywood. He pleaded guilty in October 2019 to using an interstate facility to aid unlawful activity, and faced prison time of at least one month but up to 33 months in a plea agreement that did not require him to register as a sex offender. His criminal case became public following a September 2014 FBI raid at his southeast Las Vegas mansion, ringed by security gates, cameras and walls, and a business he owned called Las Vegas Concierge VS1 near the Las Vegas Strip. A little more than two years later, in May 2016, a fire damaged the home and left an exotic pet wildcat called a caracal dead. The species is native to Africa, the Middle East and India, and can grow to about 40 pounds (18 kilograms). Chesnoff asked Navarro on Thursday to impose a two-year sentence and said Rashid worked as part of his rehabilitation helping the homeless and teenagers in crisis, the Review-Journal reported. Navarro told Rashid to stop working with vulnerable teenagers. In addition to the maximum, she said he'll serve three years of supervision after prison. I hope you get this message, the judge said according to the newspaper. Youve just been really lucky. You will spend the rest of your life in prison if you do this again. Rashid has until Aug. 13 to surrender for prison, the Review-Journal said. COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) About 200 people attended a candlelight vigil outside a Colorado Springs mobile home park where six people celebrating family birthdays were shot and killed before the gunman took his own life. The Gazette reports that family and friends of those slain and members of the larger community paid their respects late Thursday to the victims, all extended family members. Mourners held candles, crosses and each other as they honored those slain. SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) Washington state's top Democrats have come out against a proposal from U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, to remove four hydroelectric dams on the Snake River and replace their benefits as part of a huge infrastructure bill being crafted by the Biden administration. Gov. Jay Inslee and U.S. Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantrell said more work is needed on a comprehensive solution to save endangered salmon runs. The escalation of violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is dismaying American Muslims and Jews whove been working to build bridges between their communities and are now struggling to quell fear and anger in their own circles. Were heartbroken, said Muslim attorney Atiya Aftab, the New Jersey-based co-founder of a major interfaith group, the Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom. She added that the situation threatens to derail the group's work. The organization, which seeks to build trust and friendships between Muslim and Jewish women and teenage girls, issued a statement regretting the violent response by Hamas, the Islamic militant group ruling Gaza, but was more expansive and forceful in condemning actions by Israeli security forces. The Israeli government has a responsibility to stop settlers and extremists from taking over the land and allow those who live in East Jerusalem to rightfully live there in peace, the group said. As Muslim and Jewish women of faith ... we have a responsibility to rise up and respond to injustice and prejudice. The grim events in Israel and Gaza have fueled raw discussions among members of another Muslim-Jewish partnership, Los Angeles-based NewGround, according to its executive director, Aziza Hasan. She said a private Zoom gathering is planned for next week to address tensions within the community, which includes Palestinian Americans, Muslims with origins elsewhere and Jews holding a wide range of political views. Many members have relatives or friends in areas wracked by the violence. NewGround has been working hard to listen deeply to the enormous anger and fear, Hasan, a Muslim, said via email. There is fear that the violence is becoming increasingly personal in shared neighborhoods. We do not know the immediate path through this, but we are certain that until we humanize one another, there wont be a path at all, Hasan added, We encourage our community members to reach out to someone else who holds a different view and listen to their story with compassion. Andrea Hodos, NewGround's associate director, said she has close family in Israel and worries for Israelis taking refuge in bomb shelters. She has Palestinian American friends for whom she is also concerned, including one with family members in Gaza where theres little protection against Israeli air strikes. We need to keep all these people in mind, said Hodos, who is Jewish. It doesnt work all the time ... but our goal is to get as many people to stay at the table as possible, hearing one anothers stories. Thats what softens our hearts to be able to be with one another through these times." Ingrid Mattson, a Muslim scholar and former president of the Islamic Society of North America, wrote this week on Twitter that she fears meaningful interfaith relationships" among U.S. Christians, Muslims and Jews are in jeopardy if those involved continue to be silent on Israeli attacks on Palestinians in Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque during the holy month of Ramadan. This is the crisis of a generation, she wrote. In an interview, Mattson said she was anguished by what she saw as a muted response from some faith groups as that holy site was attacked, a traumatizing event for Muslims everywhere: It makes a person question the nature of the (interfaith) relationship. She said there have been some important statements by allies, citing groups such as Rabbis for Human Rights and Jewish Voice for Peace that have strongly condemned Israeli policies and actions as cruel and unjust. But Western Christian denominations, she said, have been largely silent beyond calls for both sides to be peaceful. I feel like people should have learned something from the last year of public education about anti-Black racism and police violence against Black people in America that you have to say whats wrong, she said. Jewish Voice for Peace, a California-based advocacy group critical of Israeli policies toward the Palestinians, lists interfaith outreach as one of its core missions. Weve built deep partnerships with Muslim American groups, said the organizations executive director, Stefanie Fox. To see this happening, in this most sacred period, is truly horrifying. ... Theres this incredibly urgent call to work together to hold the Israeli government accountable. The conflict came up during a Zoom session this week held by the Interfaith Dialogue Association of Grand Rapids, Michigan, to train medical residents on how to approach patients of different cultures and religions. Youd think that subject was far enough away from Israel-Palestine. But no, it actually entered the conversation, said Fred Stella, the president of the association, which is affiliated with the Kaufman Interfaith Institute at Grand Valley State University. Its very present right now. Very sadly so, as you can imagine. This is such a complicated mess, Stella added. If you do not approach it with the acknowledgment that there is no 100 percent absolute right guy in this fight, then youre not going to engage in any interfaith dialogue. The violence has disrupted but not halted the work of Kids4Peace, a global organization based in Jerusalem whose work includes a program bringing together young Israelis and Palestinians. Since the most recent escalation between Gaza and Israel and the attempted lynchings at night by Arabs and Jews in some mixed cities, the hatred and violence in the streets around us is even more palpable, the director of the youth encounter program, Ittay Flescher, said via email. Flescher said some members were leery about leaving home to attend the group's events, but attendance was still high at joint Palestinian-Israeli meals during Ramadan. Many youth felt it important to come together and share their frustrations, anger and beliefs with one another at this time, he wrote. If Jerusalem wont be a city that is a true home for all of us, it will not ultimately be a safe home for any of us." ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support from the Lilly Endowment through The Conversation U.S. The AP is solely responsible for this content. JERUSALEM - The Israeli military escalated its campaign against the Hamas militant group in Gaza late Thursday as artillery, tanks and war planes combined in a withering assault on the Palestinian enclave, and the Israeli military readied at least three brigades of troops for action, raising the prospect of a ground invasion. Just after midnight, the Israeli military announced that air and ground forces were attacking in the Gaza Strip, but the extent of the operation remained unclear. A military spokesperson initially said that ground troops were inside Gaza, but another spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces later clarified that statement, saying, "There are currently no IDF ground troops inside the Gaza Strip." Residents of Gaza City said intense, almost continuous airstrikes began to pound the northern Gaza Strip around midnight in the most intense attacks over four nights of aerial bombardments and lasted for about half an hour. For most of Thursday, the air war between Israelis and Palestinians had raged unabated with casualties continuing to climb on both sides amid rocket fire and airstrikes. Violence also continued to spread within Israel as officials braced for a fourth night of street unrest that has seen Arab Israelis and right-wing Jewish Israelis fight one another in towns across the country. Israeli politicians from across the ideological spectrum condemned attacks by "vigilantes" from both sides, and commentators warned that the communal upheaval may be harder to stop than the military conflict between Israel and the Hamas militant group, which governs Gaza. Soon after sunset on Thursday, clashes between Jewish and Arab Israelis had resumed in several cities. The reciprocal bombardment has taken a mounting toll on transportation and other infrastructure in both Israel and Gaza. Under a rain of more than 1,700 rockets fired from Gaza, Israel's Ben Gurion Airport, the country's main link to the outside world, closed indefinitely to incoming flights. Israeli media reported that rockets struck Israel's secondary Ramon Airport, where flights had been diverted. In Gaza, damage to power lines cut daily electricity in some parts of the enclave to around three hours. In Gaza, residents awoke on the normally joyous Eid al-Fitr holiday to pillars of smoke rising from sites bombed by the Israeli military. In the midst of the worst attacks in seven years, streets that would normally bustle with families going to pay holiday visits were quiet. Gaza's Health Ministry said 109 Palestinians, including 28 children, had been killed by Thursday night. It said 621 people have been wounded. On some blocks, displaced residents picked through the rubble of destroyed homes. In northern Gaza City on Thursday morning, Zaher Sbieh pulled two stuffed sheep from what had been a five-story apartment building. They would be a nice surprise for his four children, who are now staying with family in Jabaliya. The building was demolished by an airstrike Wednesday afternoon, 90 minutes after Sbieh's brother, who lived in an apartment next door, got an urgent call: Get out now. The call was from an Israeli military officer, Sbieh said. The officer said the building next door was a target. The brothers and their families joined the panicked rush down the stairs as the building emptied. When he returned later that evening, it was gone. "I lost everything, my clothing, books, laptops, photo albums," said Sbieh, 48, who runs a youth and community advocacy group. "I evacuated with the clothes I'm wearing." Mohammad Qadada, 31, said that the Israeli demolition of the 13-story Hanadi building, which houses his IT company's offices, has caused him, for the first time, to consider leaving the Gaza Strip. "I always said, 'I can't leave my country, I can't leave my country.' But now, I can't be in my country," said Qadada, who plans to try obtaining Swedish citizenship through his Swedish-born wife. "We lived through the first war in Gaza in 2008; it was the worst one. But, for me, the past two days are worse than ever because I have a family. When you look at your son who is crying from the bombing, my wife's tears, my mother's tears, it is exhausting," he said. In Israel, where seven people - six civilians and one soldier - have been killed since the rocketing began on Monday, families were also counting their losses. The slain civilians include a teenage girl and a young boy who died Wednesday evening from an earlier rocket strike on the family's bomb shelter in Sderot near the border with Gaza, local media reported. Late on Thursday, Lebanese media reported rockets being fired from southern Lebanon toward Israel. Israel's military said three rockets had landed in the Mediterranean Sea. A media liaison for the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, which has repeatedly battled Israeli forces, declined to comment on the attack, and Israeli media reported that the rockets had been fired by Palestinians in Lebanon. The prospect of even fiercer fighting seemed to grow Thursday as two Israeli infantry brigades and an armored one readied for ground operations, according to Israeli military spokesman Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus. Israeli troops last entered Gaza en masse during a two-month war in 2014, when more than 2,200 Gazans were killed. The Palestinians were also talking tough. "We have much more to give," a Hamas spokesman known as Abu Obaida said in a televised statement. "The decision to hit Tel Aviv, Dimona and Jerusalem is easier for us than drinking water. Your technology and assassinations don't scare us." Diplomats from the Middle East, Europe and the United States scrambled to broker a cease-fire before the conflict took another devastating turn. Arabic media reported that an Egyptian delegation arrived in Tel Aviv on Thursday. Hady Amr, the U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state for Israel and Palestinian affairs, was also on his way, the State Department said. In remarks, Secretary of State Antony Blinken made clear he places more blame on Hamas, saying there is a "fundamental difference between a terrorist organization in Hamas that is indiscriminately targeting civilians and Israel, which is defending itself." Blinken and President Joe Biden's refrain that Israel has a right to defend itself has come under criticism from several liberal American lawmakers. Even as Israeli troops were readied for action in Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced he would separately deploy the military in restive Israeli towns to quell the "anarchy." He said he has ordered police to adopt "emergency powers" and intends to "bring in military forces according to the existing law, and we will pass an additional law if necessary." "What is happening in Israel's cities over the past few days is unacceptable," Netanyahu said on Twitter of the worst Jewish-Arab violence inside Israel in decades. "We have seen Arab rioters set fire to synagogues and vehicles and attack police officers. They are attacking peaceful and innocent citizens." The prime minister also alluded to video footage of a group of Jewish nationalists dragging a man whom they believed to be Arab out of his car and beating him in the central city of Bat Yam. "Nothing justifies this and I will tell you that nothing justifies the lynching of Jews by Arabs and nothing justifies the lynching of Arabs by Jews." Not long after he spoke, police reported two people injured in a shooting in the central city of Lod, according to the Associated Press. The mixed Arab-Jewish town has become a center of unrest following the fatal shooting of an Arab Israeli man this week, and it remains under heavy police patrol and nighttime lockdown. Some 400 people were arrested overnight Wednesday in riots throughout the country, according to Israel Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld. He said 36 officers were injured. Officials said they expected the clashes to continue into Friday, when thousands of Muslim worshipers are expected at Jerusalem's al-Aqsa Mosque. The current conflict was triggered after clashes earlier this month in Jerusalem among Palestinians, Israeli police and right-wing Jews. Tensions have been running high, in part, because of efforts by Israeli settlers to evict several Palestinian families from their homes in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem. - - - Rubin reported from Tel Aviv. The Washington Post's Hazem Balousha in Gaza, Sarah Dadouch in Beirut and John Hudson in Washington contributed to this report. LAS VEGAS (AP) A state court judge said Friday he won't disqualify the district attorney in Las Vegas from handling a bid to set the execution date for a convicted Nevada mass murderer. A defense attorney for condemned inmate Zane Michael Floyd said they will appeal to the Nevada Supreme Court. A day after Gov. Steve Sisolak and the top Democrat in the Legislature declared efforts to repeal the states death penalty law dead, Clark County District Court Judge Michael Villani also pushed back to June 4 his hearing of the district attorneys request to set a late July date for Floyd's lethal injection. Floyd, 45, would be the first convicted killer put to death in Nevada since 2006. An appeal by his attorneys, deputy federal public defenders David Anthony and Brad Levenson, could slow the pace of Floyd's legal fights against his death sentence in state and federal courts. U.S. District Judge Richard Boulware II has said he might stop the proceedings in federal court long enough to review the constitutionality of Nevadas untested lethal injection method and the as-yet-undisclosed drugs prison officials would use. Boulware will hear more about Floyds case next Thursday. Before Villani on Friday, Anthony and Levenson accused Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson of scheduling his request for a judge to issue Floyds death warrant for political reasons to influence the death penalty debate in the Legislature. They asked the court to appoint a third-party prosecutor instead. Alexander Chen, the chief deputy district attorney handling the Floyd case, said state law requires the district attorney or the state attorney general's office to handle death penalty applications. Levenson accused Wolfson, who favors the death penalty, of pressuring Democrats in the state Legislature including two of Wolfsons prosecutorial deputies, Senate Democratic Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro and Judiciary Committee Chairwoman Melanie Scheible to scuttle the death penalty repeal bill. Wolfson, Cannizzaro and Scheible did not immediately respond Friday to messages seeking comment. Sisolak, a Democrat, said Thursday he believes capital punishment should be used only in severe situations. Floyd, 45, was sentenced in 2000 to die for the shotgun killings of four people and the wounding of a fifth at a Las Vegas supermarket in 1999. Levenson told Villani the repeal bill passed the state Assembly but never got a Senate hearing. He accused the Senate leaders who work for Wolfson, Cannizzaro and Scheible, of being two people who stood in the way. He suggested their non-Legislature jobs were on the line. If they didnt do what they were supposed to do, would they be invited back? he asked. The judge issued a written finding to the court record saying he was satisfied that Cannizzaro and Scheible were on leaves of absence from Wolfsons office and that while serving in the Legislature they were not under the control of Wolfson. The court finds that under the present scenario there is not a separation of powers violation, he said. Levenson read into the court record a quote Wolfson provided to the Las Vegas Review-Journal for a March 26 report about his call to execute Floyd. I think the timing is good, Wolfson said. Our legislative leaders should recognize that there are some people who commit such heinous acts, whether it be the particular type of murder or the number of people killed, that this community has long felt should receive the death penalty. We would be moving forward with the Zane Floyd efforts at obtaining the order and warrant of execution notwithstanding the Legislature, Wolfson said at the time. Im not purposefully moving forward with Floyd because of the Legislature. But because theyre occurring at the same time, I want our lawmakers to have their eyes wide open because this is a landmark case. They need to be aware that there are these kinds of people out there where the jury has spoken loudly and clearly. Levenson told Villani that Nevada residents and his client deserve the assurance that the lawyers representing the state who are seeking Mr. Floyds execution ... are doing so fairly and not to further an agenda to manipulate the other branches of government. PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) A judge has ruled that one of two Oregon brothers accused in the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol will be released from custody Friday to a third-party guardian, where he will be on home detention and GPS monitoring pending his trial. U.S. District Judge Randolph D. Moss, of the District of Columbia, on Thursday granted Matthew Kleins pretrial release to a Baker County couple after refusing to allow him to stay with his parents. Moss last week cited text messages that showed Kleins mother and father warning Matthews younger brother and co-defendant Jonathanpeter Klein not to broadcast their roles, noting braggers get caught, according to court testimony and documents, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. O'FALLON, (AP) After more than a year of severe restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus in Missouris two urban areas, Kansas City, St. Louis and St. Louis County on Friday took major steps to allow businesses, schools and other places to return to some semblance of normal. Kansas City completely rescinded its emergency order, effective at noon on Friday. Mayor Quinton Lucas said at a news conference that the decision was made somewhat reluctantly after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday allowed fully vaccinated Americans to stop wearing masks indoors in most settings. Lucas said the CDC decision could create confusion in trying to enforce restrictions, especially since there is no passport system in place to determine which business patrons are vaccinated and which are not. As a result, the city decided to end all restrictions. Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr. announced the county also was ending its indoor mask mandate in accordance with CDC guidance. And St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones and St. Louis County Executive Sam Page appeared together at a joint news conference to announce that they, too, were rescinding indoor mask requirements following the CDC announcement. This is an historic moment in the pandemic that has brought relief and hope to everyone in our community, Page said. Lucas, Jones and Page all noted that businesses, schools and other places can still impose their own rules. Were just getting out of the enforcement business, Lucas said. Leaders from all three jurisdictions urged residents to get vaccinated. We have arrived at a point in the pandemic where we have to lean more heavily on personal accountability to prevent the spread of the virus, St. Louis Health Director Dr. Fredrick Echols said. While Missouri Gov. Mike Parson allowed the state to largely reopen in May 2020, just a couple of months into the pandemic, the two urban areas and many other counties established their own, stricter guidelines. Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt sued St. Louis County on Tuesday, saying its continued regulations infringed on the freedom of residents. It wasnt immediately clear if Schmitt would rescind the lawsuit. His spokesman didn't immediately respond to an email. Parson and Schmitt are Republicans. Lucas, White, Jones and Page are all Democrats. The new CDC guidance announced Thursday still calls for wearing masks in crowded indoor settings such as buses, planes, hospitals, prisons and homeless shelters, but it will help clear the way for reopening workplaces, schools and other venues even removing the need for social distancing for those who are fully vaccinated. Kansas City reduced restrictions last month, but still required masks in most indoor situations with crowds. Earlier this month, St. Louis city and county both ended limits on the number of people allowed in restaurants and ended an outdoor masking requirement. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services COVID-19 dashboard on Friday showed that at least 507,058 Missourians have contracted the virus since the onset of the pandemic, and 8,855 have died. The website indicated that 49.7% of Missourians have received at least one shot, and 39.1% are fully vaccinated. NEW YORK (AP) A Brooklyn landlord has been charged with manslaughter for the death of a tenant who jumped out of a window to escape a fire prosecutors said was caused by a space heater in a building that did not have heat. Evener Leon, 62, appeared in court Tuesday to be charged with second-degree manslaughter among other charges in the death of 70-year-old James Yves Lalanne on Dec. 2, 2019, the New York Daily News reported. WASHINGTON (AP) Jill Biden says finally going mask-free feels like we're moving forward. A Republican senator says going unmasked "certainly helps the flow of conversation. But the conversation on the House floor on Friday approached sniping as lawmakers objected to being required to keep masking up until all 435 of them get their COVID-19 shots. Across Washington, the government is adjusting to new federal guidance easing up on when masks should be worn. So much for following the science, Rep. Greg Murphy, R-N.C., a urologist, said after complaining that he'd have to put his mask back on after his House floor speech despite being fully vaccinated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday that fully vaccinated people those who are two weeks past their last required dose of a COVID-19 vaccine can stop wearing masks outdoors in crowds and in most indoor settings. Partially vaccinated or unvaccinated people should keep wearing masks, the guidance says. But on Capitol Hill, lawmakers have to keep wearing masks on the House floor, according to a memo from the Office of the Attending Physician, Dr. Brian Monahan. "The present mask requirement and other guidelines remain unchanged until all Members and Floor staff are fully vaccinated," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a memo to her Democratic colleagues. Returning the Capitol to the welcoming and safe venue that it has been requires us to not only secure it physically but to make it safe from the virus. Recent surveys suggest that about 1 in 4 House lawmakers are not fully vaccinated. Lawmakers can remove their masks while on the House floor to make speeches, but must mask up after they finish. They are, however, free to resume pre-pandemic activities elsewhere in the House complex of office buildings and public spaces. In the Senate, Republicans Susan Collins of Maine and Joni Ernst of Iowa were among senators who didn't hesitate to remove their masks as soon as they heard the news. They were seen entering the Senate chamber Thursday marveling at being mask-free and calling out, Freedom! Senate leadership has not commented on the updated mask guidance, which came down as Biden and a group of Republican senators discussed infrastructure in the Oval Office. So we all looked at each other ... we took all of our masks off, Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., told Fox News on Friday. "It felt very freeing, and we had a great discussion after that. We all felt good about it, and it certainly helps the flow of conversation. It was a much different scene Friday at the White House. Reporters caught up with President Joe Biden as he made an unannounced appearance on the White House driveway to pose for photos with a departing staff member. Asked if he was enjoying his first workday without a mask, Biden replied yes as he reentered the West Wing. For the first time in about a year, reporters went barefaced as they questioned White House press secretary Jen Psaki at the daily briefing. After the CDC guidance went out, Psaki said, staff were immediately notified by email that they could stop wearing masks, including in meetings with Biden. Similar guidance was issued to the White House Correspondents' Association, which dropped its mask requirement for journalists on the premises. Psaki said it may take a few days to put the new guidelines in place across government and figure out whether it means additional staff many of whom have been working remotely will be allowed onto the White House campus. Were eager to get back to a version of normal, but we need a little bit of time to implement it and also to review additional steps, Psaki said. Some government departments didn't need any time figuring it out. The Pentagon announced Friday that fully vaccinated Defense Department personnel no longer need to wear masks indoors or outdoors at DOD facilities. Updated guidance from the Department of Health and Human Services said fully vaccinated federal employees, fully vaccinated onsite contractors and fully vaccinated visitors to federal buildings are no longer required to wear masks. Mask-wearing remained in force at the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture as it reopened Friday. Jill Biden stopped in to greet the staff and said the relaxed mask guidance feels as though inch by inch we're moving forward" against the pandemic. The Smithsonian said it would keep mask requirements in place for anyone over age 2 while it reviews the new guidance. During a House Republican caucus leadership vote, most members didnt wear masks, and several reporters removed them as well following guidance from the Capitol physician that said vaccinated people dont have to wear them in the hallways. Some Republicans addressed the issue from the House floor. Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, criticized Democrats for having argued that Republicans weren't following the science. He said it's Democrats who now are guilty of that. The House of Representatives has leadership who are claiming that we need to follow the science, refuses to do so, Gohmert said, seeming to refer to Pelosi. "But were hoping well eventually get people here, at least the majority, to follow the science. ___ Associated Press writers Jonathan Lemire, Lisa Mascaro, Mary Clare Jalonick, Kevin Freking and Brian Slodysko contributed to this report. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) Arkansas' capital city is dropping its requirement to wear a mask to combat the coronavirus following loosened federal guidance and a new state law that will ban local mandates, Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott said Friday. Scott said the city's mask mandate will end Saturday, though private entities, hospitals and churches can still enforce their own requirements on employees and patrons. People entering City of Little Rock indoor facilities will still be required to wear a mask, the mayor said. DALLAS (AP) A man who fled to Mexico 18 years ago after being released on bond in Dallas has been sentenced to life in prison in the strangulation deaths of three women, prosecutors said Thursday. Jose Sifuentes, 43, pleaded guilty to three murder charges, the Dallas County district attorneys office said. Prosecutors said that as part of a plea agreement, he's been given three life sentences, which will run concurrently. TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) An armed robbery suspect now also faces a preliminary attempted murder charge following a pursuit early Friday in which shots were fired at officers, Terre Haute police said. Damon White, 25, of Indianapolis, was arrested following a nearly 20-minute chase in which more than a dozen rounds were fired at officers, police said. MEXICO CITY (AP) A security meeting between Mexican and U.S. officials on Thursday stressed attacking drug cartels business interests, the guns they use and the addictions they profit from. Mexicos Foreign Relations Department said the talks proved that a good relationship exists between the administrations of U.S. President Joe Biden and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. The department said the two countries set as priorities reducing the flow of arms and drugs, reducing the violence caused by organized crime, treating addictions as a public health problem and attacking the finances of criminal organizations. It said there was broad agreement between the two countries, but there have been apparent frictions. Lopez Obrador has implemented a policy of avoiding confrontations with the cartels, and imposed limits on foreign law enforcement agents working in Mexico. The talks stressed a framework based on intelligence work against the business models of organized crime. Mexico has long relied on U.S. intelligence, but that cooperation may have been hampered by Mexicos decision this year to withdraw immunity for foreign agents and restrict their activities in Mexico. Mexico also strong-armed the United States into releasing a former Mexican defense secretary arrested in Los Angeles in October on drug charges. Mexico cleared retired Gen. Salvador Cienfuegos after conducting only a cursory investigation of the U.S. evidence against him, and then published the whole case file. The Mexican delegation was led by Foreign Relations Secretary Marcelo Ebrard, while the U.S. was represented by Juan Gonzalez, the National Security Councils senior director for the Western Hemisphere. Lopez Obrador has stressed attending to the root social causes of violence by creating job, scholarship and apprentice programs for youths. But at the same time he has said Mexico is no longer interested in arresting drug lords or engaging in shootouts with cartels. However, his policies have not been effective in the short term in significantly reducing gang-related violence. UW Fisher Innovation Launchpad Concludes with Six Teams Moving Forward Six teams were awarded seed funding recently for their startup companies at the sixth annual University of Wyoming Fisher Innovation Launchpad (FIL) competition, which was held virtually. The FIL, a startup challenge for UW students, is funded through the contributions of Donne and Sue Fisher, and their desire to make a lasting and impactful legacy through supporting student-led startup companies. The Fisher Innovation Launchpad is a great platform that UW has for helping to commercialize the innovative technologies that we develop on campus, says IMPACT 307 Director Dave Bohling. One of our very first winners, Resono, is actually heading to NASA later this month to do wind tunnel testing on the space launch system program and has grown to five employees since it was founded. IMPACT 307 is a network of innovation-driven business incubators committed to growing and strengthening Wyomings entrepreneurial community by providing resources and support for founders to thrive. The 2020 finalists are: -- Alere is a business with an online app that matches unique users in different areas so that goods sold in one area can be delivered to the user who doesnt locally have access to those goods. Alere was founded by Rami Alloush and Ahmed Zankoor, both UW Ph.D. students in petroleum engineering, from Egypt; and Ahmed Elnashar, a Ph.D. student in chemical engineering at the University of Utah. -- B3 Solutions is an inventory management firm that works with midlevel retailers to track their previous supply timelines and keep an up-to-date stock. B3 was founded by Perri Meeks, a UW senior from Big Piney pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering, and Brayton Sanders, a 2020 UW MBA alumnus from Evanston. -- EVOSEER is working to create a new generation of more energy-efficient lithium batteries. EVOSEER is the creation of Kurt Stahlfeld, a UW Ph.D. student from Pittsburgh, Pa., majoring in mechanical engineering; and Erica Belmont, a UW associate professor of mechanical engineering. -- HighPoint Plan is a business-to-business digital graphics team working in Wyoming to help small architectural and construction firms with visualizing their end product. HighPoint Plan was founded by Alexzander Story, of Pacifica, Calif., and Casey Bonagofsky, of Bismarck, N.D. Both are UW seniors in the architectural engineering program. -- LifeGlass is a company focused on revolutionizing the way pharmaceuticals are transported and stored, hoping to make the process easier and more efficient. LifeGlass was created by Ryan Bettcher, a UW Ph.D. student from Brighton, Colo., majoring in molecular biology, and Thomas Boothby, a UW assistant professor of molecular biology. -- WireDraw is a cloud-based, project management software that allows for up-to-date information to more effortlessly flow between teams, working to reduce redundancies and delays. WireDraw was founded by Jared Henderson, a UW economics major from Greybull. The whole process of the competition was incredibly useful, as going into this, I had essentially no background in business, Bettcher says. Through the mentoring of IMPACT 307, I was able to come up with a viable business plan and get this whole concept off the ground. After consideration by the judges, all of the teams have a path forward to viability and will continue to receive business counseling from the IMPACT Laramie team. STARKVILLE, Miss. (AP) A Mississippi man was arrested Thursday for his alleged role in a scheme to get more than $6 million in federal loans from the COVID-19 Paycheck Protection Program, federal prosecutors said. Christopher Paul Lick, 45, of Starkville, is accused of using the relief money to buy a variety of luxury items, including a $1 million home and a $100,000 Tesla, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Mississippi said in a news release. He also allegedly used the money to invest in the stock market, authorities said. JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) Missouri lawmakers targeted the defund the police movement backed by racial justice advocates Friday, passing legislation that would allow people to sue cities that cut funding for police by more than a certain amount. The legislation, which drew support primarily from Republicans, lets people file suits asking courts to block reductions in law enforcement funding when it is cut by more than 12% compared to other departments over a five-year period. MISSOULA, Mont. (AP) A committee for the Montana University System Board of Regents has received feedback on recently passed legislation over the concealed carry of firearms on college campuses in the state. The Board of Regents Academic, Research and Student Affairs committee held a meeting Wednesday to take public comment on its draft policy to implement the new law, which allows students who meet safety certification to carry concealed firearms without a permit, the Missoulian reported Wednesday. The law removes the board of regents' ability to enforce restrictions for guns carried on Montana campuses. Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte signed the bill into law in February. It was in effect immediately across the state, but it will take effect for college campuses June 1. About 600 people attended the meeting virtually, and about 75 people commented on the legislation, including faculty and staff, students, parents and community members. Lindy Kolb, a residence life worker and student at Montana State University, said she was opposed to the draft policy, referring to moments where she felt intimidated or threatened by residents. Guns are tools, but so are hot plates, and we dont allow those in the residence halls for safety reasons, Kolb said. Many of the bills opponents urged the board to file a lawsuit to challenge the bills constitutionality. The states Constitution says the Board of Regents shall have full power, responsibility, and authority to supervise, coordinate, manage and control the Montana university system. The bill was accompanied by a legal note flagging that concern. However the university system could lose $1 million to implement the bill if legal action is taken by the board against the legislation due to a contingency, the Missoulian reported. Please do not let today create a precedent for the future that the legislature can overreach your authority as they please, Associated Students of the University of Montana President Noah Durnell said urging the regents to pursue litigation. Montana State University student Kagan Parm said he felt he wouldnt be performing his responsibility as a student and citizen if he didnt voice his support for the policy inspired by the new law. The fearmongering thats occurring in this forum is pretty discouraging to say the least. To speak as though moving forward with this policy results in our campuses turning into a suicide cult or an old west shooting gallery is dishonest and emotionally manipulative, Parm said. LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) Nebraska authorities have reached an out-of-court settlement with an Omaha mental health provider accused of submitting false Medicaid reimbursement claims. Kathleen Wiley agreed to pay $200,000 under the agreement in exchange for the state dropping a civil lawsuit. Wiley admitted no wrongdoing. State officials had accused Wiley of submitting 1,201 claims totaling $109,274 to Nebraska Medicaid or its contractor between September 2013 and December 2018 without proper documentation. State law allows authorities to recover triple the amount that was paid to a provider like Wiley. In a court filing, Wiley denied the allegations leveled by the state in its lawsuit and sought at one point to dismiss the case. HOBOKEN, N.J. (AP) NJ Transit has reached settlements in lawsuits filed by the family of a woman killed and people injured in a 2016 crash when a train slammed into a Hoboken, New Jersey, station. NJ Transit spokesperson Nancy Snyder said settlements were reached in the lawsuits on Wednesday evening, NJ.com reported. The agency did not specify the amounts of the settlements, but said each was more than $500,000. Fabiola Bittar de Kroon was killed by falling debris in the Sept. 29, 2016, crash. The 34-year-old Brazil-born lawyer was in the station after having just dropped off her 2-year-old daughter at day care. The other people who settled lawsuits with the agency for injuries were Sheldon Kest, of Tenafly; Deepti Chanana Bhalla, of Hoboken; and Bagyalakshmi Subramaniam, of Bergenfield. Attorneys Tom Kline and Bob Mongeluzzi, who represented the De Kroon family, Subramaniam and Kest, said their clients were trying to move on with their lives. They remain hopeful that NJ Transit will undertake and continue to undertake the necessary safety measures and precautions to ensure a tragedy like the fatal train crash at Hoboken never happens again, they said in a statement. More than 100 people were injured in the crash. Investigators found that the engineer suffered from sleep apnea. NJ Transit has since increased medical screenings for personnel and installed positive train control systems. ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has yet to say whether he will change his state's mask or social distancing rules in light of new federal guidance that eases rules for fully vaccinated people. Cuomo said Thursday that his administration is reviewing the new federal guidance and consulting with health officials in neighboring states. His office said there was no immediate update Friday. New York's mask mandate dates to April 2020, when the Democratic governor first required all people in New York over the age of 2 to wear a mask when out in public or unable to distance themselves from others. At the time, health officials across the nation urged mask mandates as it became clear that people without symptoms could unknowingly spread COVID-19. Cuomo has since pointed to research showing that crowded indoor settings like dining pose a higher risk of COVID-19 spread. In New Jersey, Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy said Friday his state's mask mandate will remain in place. Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said Thursday that unvaccinated people will still have to wear a mask indoors. And in line with the new federal guidance, the Democratic governor said businesses can choose to require mask-wearing. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urged people Thursday still to wear masks in crowded indoor settings such as buses, planes, hospitals, prisons and homeless shelters. But the new federal guidance says fully vaccinated people can forgo masks in most indoor settings and no longer need to physically distance from others. The leader of an industry group advocating for restaurant and bars owners in New York City is calling on Cuomo to lift more restrictions. Its more justification to continue eliminating restaurant and nightlife restrictions, so that these businesses which are vital to the citys social and economic fabric can reopen further, welcome back customers and help the Big Apple recover, Andrew Rigie, executive director of the NYC Hospitality Alliance, said in a statement. Business owners are awaiting to see whether the new federal rules will affect Cuomo's plan to lift some COVID-19 restrictions next week. Starting May 19, most businesses in New York will no longer have to limit the number of people allowed inside based on a percentage of their typical capacity, the governor announced last week. Instead, Cuomo said businesses would have to adhere to a new limit: how many people can be inside at once while leaving enough room for 6 feet (2 meters) of physical distancing among patrons and workers. Cuomo said that could change if the CDC lifts its physical distancing guidance. The governor has said in recent weeks that mask and distancing rules can help reduce COVID-19 spread as the state pushes to vaccinate more residents. New York has fully vaccinated 41.2% of 20 million residents, according to CDC data as of Thursday, while 50.9% of residents have at least one dose. Vaccination rates are lower in rural, less populated counties in western and central New York: about one-third of residents have at least a first done in Allegany County, according to state data. Rates are also lower in denser communities in downstate New York: 38% of people in the Bronx have at least one dose, compared to 42% in Brooklyn and 41% in Orange County. ___ Associated Press writer Mike Catalini in Trenton, New Jersey, contributed to this report. ___ Follow APs coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak. COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Attorney and former state lawmaker Otto Beatty Jr., a leading figure in the fight for racial equality in Ohio, has died at 81. His wife, U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty, announced his death on Twitter on Friday, calling him a devoted father, grandfather, amazing husband and confidante, friend to many, and dedicated leader in the community. No cause of death was given. As a lawyer, Beatty successfully used his Columbus law firm to fight discrimination and the grip white-owned businesses held at the time on lucrative government contracts. A Democrat, Beatty was elected to the Ohio House in 1979, spending the next 18 years advocating for minority-owned businesses and the disadvantaged, as well as for health care access and tort reform. Beatty also served as special counsel to the Ohio attorney general, counsel to what would become the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus and chair of the Ohio Commission on Minority Health. Ohio House Democratic Leader Emilia Sykes said Beatty made a difference in the lives of countless Ohioans. Otto Beatty was a true public servant, someone who dedicated his life to fight for the disadvantaged and marginalized people of our state, ensuring they, too, have the opportunity to pursue their American dream right here in Ohio, she said in a statement. Beatty and his wife, the congresswoman, whom he married in 1992, were lauded by Columbus King Arts Complex in 2017 as a local power couple. A collection of historical family photographs, The Beatty Collection, went on display as the couple was honored with one of the arts and cultural centers Legends and Legacies awards. The event highlighted Beattys deep anti-discrimination roots. His grandmother, Mayme Moore, was a civil-rights activist who stood alongside the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and, according to Columbus website, a founder of the Columbus NAACP and the nations oldest black womens organization, the Colored Womens Club. He provided land for a city park named in Moores honor. Beatty was born in Columbus. He received bachelor's and master's degrees from Howard University and a law degree from the Ohio State University, according to his Statehouse biography. Senate Democratic Leader Kenny Yuko said, He was always a gentleman, a friend to many and an inspiration to all. His father, Otto Sr., was the first Black deputy registrar for the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles and, along with his mother, Myrna, opened the Novelty Food Bar, the citys first 24-hour family eating facility open to Black people. Besides his wife, Beatty is survived by two children by his former wife: daughter Laurel Beatty Blunt, a judge on the 10th District Court of Appeals, and son Otto III, a Columbus attorney. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) The nine people injured in a shooting in Rhode Island in which some 50 shots were fired are expected to recover, Providence Police Chief Col. Hugh Clements said Friday. But he said criminal charges are still being finalized, so the names of those involved will be released later. He said the charges are expected to range from felony assault to possessing an illegal firearm. Clements stressed the Thursday night shooting wasn't random but part of an ongoing feud between two rival groups known to authorities. Police will be stepping up patrols in city neighborhoods where the groups are active to discourage further violence, he said. These are not gangs in the sense of Crips and Bloods, Clements said. These are just groups of young men in the community who easily have access to firearms and exact their revenge on each other. He added that officers are on guard outside the hospital rooms of those involved and have also seized eight firearms at the house and located a pickup truck involved in the shooting. Clements said three were in critical condition at the hospital and four were stable. Eight suffered gunshot wounds and the ninth was by hurt by shards of glass, he said. The shooting began around 7 p.m. when a pickup truck carrying four people pulled up to a house in the city's Washington Park neighborhood, according to Clements. The group exited the truck and began firing at five or six people on the porch, some of whom quickly returned fire, he said. After several minutes of shooting, the group got back into the truck fled toward the hospital. The victims are between the ages of 19 and 25, and eight of them are men. Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza on Friday praised the police departments efforts to get illegal guns off the citys streets, saying some of the firearms being seized are weapons of war. Some of the guns they're getting off the street are terrifying, he said. They have no business being in the hands of civilians. BAYTOWN, Texas (AP) Family members and supporters of Pamela Turner, a Black woman who was fatally shot by a police officer in a Houston suburb, rallied for justice in her name Thursday, the second anniversary of her death. Demonstrators joined prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump who is representing Turner's family and other families of Black people who have died at the hands of police officers outside the apartment complex in Baytown, Texas, where the shooting happened. Crump invoked Turner's name April 20, the day former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was convicted of murder and manslaughter in the death of George Floyd. He vowed then to bring renewed attention to the legal fight in her slaying. He could have created verbal commands. He could have created distance, the lawyer said Thursday. He could have called for backup. The group of dozens at the rally included family members of other Black people whose names have become rallying cries in the movement against racial injustice in policing, including Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Jacob Blake. They joined the Turner family in demanding the officer accused of killing her be held accountable. Turner, 44, was killed May 13, 2019, after a confrontation with Baytown Officer Juan Delacruz, in the parking lot of the complex where they both lived. Delacruz shot Turner after the two struggled over his stun gun. Crump filed a federal civil rights lawsuit on the Turners' behalf April 8. Delacruz was indicted in September 2020 on a charge of aggravated assault by a public servant. If convicted on the felony charge, he could be sentence to up to five years to life in prison. Delacruz is on administrative assignment within the Baytown police department, according to his attorney, Greg Cagle. Cagle has maintained his client's innocence, saying Delacruz was defending himself. Turners family and their attorneys have said she may have been suffering a mental health crisis at the time of the shooting, and that Delacruz knew she had mental health issues. Turner was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 2005. U.S. Senate allows Alaska-bound cruise ships to bypass Canada; House action could allow summer cruises this year Steve Cannon/AP FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) A former South Florida sheriff who was removed from office by the governor because of his agency's response to the Parkland school shooting that left 17 people dead has found a new job reviewing the footage of red light cameras. Former Broward Sheriff Scott Israel was hired this month by the Davie Police Department as a traffic infraction enforcement officer, the Sun Sentinel reported. He'll make $65,000 a year, the same as his retiring predecessor, Davie Police Chief Stephen Kinsey said. CANBERRA, Australia (AP) Around half the passengers due to arrive on a flight from India to Australia on Saturday after a two-week travel ban have been grounded because they either have COVID-19 or are considered a close contact of someone who does. The Australian government-chartered Qantas flight is capable of flying home 150 Australian citizens and permanent residents stranded in India. It will be the first passenger flight between the two countries since Australia imposed a travel ban on April 30. Australian High Commissioner to India Barry OFarrell said a number of passengers booked to fly would not board the flight in New Delhi on Friday because they had tested positive for COVID-19. The flight will land on Saturday in the northern Australian city of Darwin from where the passengers will be taken to a remote quarantine camp. Im disappointed, as are those Australians who will not be on todays flight, OFarrell told Australian Broadcasting Corp. My team across India has worked hard to assist them, to get bookings on this flight, because they are vulnerable." There are 10,000 Australian citizens and permanent residents registered with Australian authorities in India as wanting to come home. Almost 1,000 were classified as vulnerable and the Australian government was giving them priority. Australian citizen Sunny Joura said he and his elderly mother had been prevented from flying home last month by Australias travel ban. Now he had been prevented from returning Saturday because he had contracted COVID-19. He did not know yet know the result of his mother test. I was able to return, but I was not able to return because of the Australian government, Joura said. If I die, the Australian government will be responsible. More than 40 of the passengers booked on the first flight out tested positive for the virus and around 30 had been rejected because they were considered close contacts, said an Australian official, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information. Nine Network News reported that 48 had tested positive and 24 would be left behind because they were considered close contacts. O'Farrell said the empty seats could not be filled because of the strict health checks that Australia is imposing. We're in the middle of a COVID crisis here in India and it takes at least 24 hours if not longer to get the results of a test, O'Farrell told Nine. OFarrell said the rejected passengers would be eligible for future flights once they get health clearances. The Australian government plans to fly the next repatriation flight on May 23. Six government-chartered flights, each with a 150-passenger capacity, are expected to return Australians from India before the end of May. Australia doesnt expect scheduled international flights to return to normal until mid-2022. HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) Protests over George Floyd's killing at the hands of Minneapolis police were raging across the country last June when a Democratic lawmaker took to the floor of the Pennsylvania Senate to argue for greater protections against racial discrimination. Next week, nearly a year after Floyd's death, voters will decide whether to make those protections explicit in the state constitution. It's believed to be the first time since last summer's protests that voters will decide a racial equity question on a statewide ballot. Its effects, if approved by voters, are uncertain, but civil rights groups say it potentially could lead to policy changes in housing, policing, education and other areas. Pennsylvania would join several other states that make specific references to race in their constitutions' anti-discrimination provisions. State Sen. Vince Hughes said court cases and judicial decisions ultimately will determine the practical effect of the proposal he sponsored, but he sees the amendment as a step in the right direction. The Philadelphia lawmaker said he wants it in place if federal anti-discrimination case law is ever reversed by conservative federal judges appointed by former President Donald Trump or the Republican-majority U.S. Supreme Court. Any extra protection that we can provide around the issue of race and ethnicity, I think we need to be in the business of providing, said Hughes, a member of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus. And if we can add that extra protection to the state constitution, the lawyers that I talk to said that that's a good thing. The proposed constitutional amendment, which passed both chambers last summer and again early this year with bipartisan support, was included in a vote that put two other, unrelated amendment proposals on Tuesdays' primary ballot. Both were Republican measures to rein in a governor's executive powers during emergencies such as the coronavirus pandemic and give the Legislature much greater authority. In an odd twist, it's why Hughes and nearly all other Democrats in the General Assembly voted against his racial equity amendment. Lawmakers had to cast just a single vote for all three amendments, and Democrats strongly opposed the GOP measures because they view them as a way to undercut the current Democratic governor. If approved by voters, Hughes' amendment would add a section to the state constitution saying equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged because of someone's race or ethnicity. By including ethnicity, the amendment also applies to Latinos. It would become the constitution's fourth equality provision. In different places, the document already states that all men are born equally free and independent, includes a 1971 amendment that ensures gender equality and ensures that the state or local governments cannot stop someone from exercising their civil rights. An analysis for voters by the state attorney general's office said the measure would increase protections against discrimination, including that which unintentionally affects people of color. Race-conscious programs that increase equality, the agency said, will still be permitted. The amendment would apply to state, county and local government entities. Support from the conservative Commonwealth Foundation, which sent mailings linking all three amendments as ways to improve equality for all, prompted criticism from the Legislative Black Caucus. The foundation has not been an ally on many issues of importance to Black voters and has co-opted the racial equality measure to pursue its own agenda, said state Rep. Donna Bullock, D-Philadelphia, the caucus chairwoman. Using issues that we connect with to make that message, to appeal to my community, is insulting. It is not sincere, Bullock said. Commonwealth Foundation spokesman Michael Torres said his organization has aligned with Black caucus members on criminal justice, school choice and other issues. It considers the racial equality amendment to be a way to protect people from harmful and discriminatory government actions. The practical effect of the one-sentence racial equality amendment may not be clear for years, perhaps until the state Supreme Court weighs in. But state Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward is among those who believe it will not have a major impact because it does nothing more than mirror existing anti-discrimination standards under the U.S. Constitution's equal protection clause. I think we already live under the law that you cannot discriminate based on race or ethnicity," said Ward, a Westmoreland County Republican. Duquesne Law School professor Bruce Ledewitz, who has studied and written extensively about the state constitution, also believes the federal protections against racial discrimination mean the proposed Pennsylvania amendment is likely to have little practical impact. But Jon Greenbaum, chief counsel at the Washington-based Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, said Hughes' amendment could open the door to lawsuits in state court over so-called disparate impact, in which government policies have unintentionally harmed racial groups. Disparate impact lawsuits are restricted in federal courts to limited circumstances, such as voting rights, employment discrimination and violations of the Fair Housing Act. The ACLU of Pennsylvania said the amendment could have lasting impact on a wide range of policies, if it allows state courts to rule against government entities for inaction that has denied equality of rights. One example could be addressing disparities in education funding and programs. In short, the proposed amendment may serve as a vehicle to attack systemic racism across Pennsylvania's state and local governments in a way that currently goes unaddressed, the ACLU said in a two-page analysis of the amendment. The group supports the measure. Race-conscious programs designed to improve equality would not be at risk, the organization said, because the amendment's wording is much different than in other states where legislation has been passed with the intention of using it to challenge affirmative action. Because its ultimate effect is unknown, the ballot question has raised suspicion among some rural Pennsylvanians, said Rep. Jesse Topper, a Republican from Bedford County, east of Pittsburgh. There are some who are generally skeptical, because the word equality has somewhat been co-opted over the years by left-leaning groups to mean whatever they want it to mean, Topper said. He said he has had to assure constituents that there is nothing nefarious behind the proposal. One reason for the uncertainty is that the Legislature did not hold hearings on the three amendments that will appear on Tuesday's ballot, said Rep. Tim Briggs of Montgomery County, the ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee. If they pass and turn out to have unintended consequences, another statewide vote would be needed. A constitutional amendment is a tough way to legislate, because when you don't put a lot of thought into what the consequences are, it's hard to correct, Briggs said. Turnout is expected to be low Tuesday, although there are contested Democratic mayoral and district attorney primaries that could drive voter turnout in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Pennsylvania voters have passed 19 straight constitutional amendments, dating back to 1993. Bullock, the Black caucus chairwoman, said it will be an ominous sign if the racial equity amendment fails at the same time voters approve the two GOP proposals to reduce the governor's emergency powers. It will be a hit to morale, Bullock said. It will say to me, personally, that we have a lot more work to do in this state to address racism and bias, and that it's deeper than we thought. DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) Police in Des Moines have arrested a woman they say caused a fatal crash as she fled a police stop. The incident began around 6:45 p.m. Thursday when an officer stopped a vehicle on suspicion of a traffic violation and discovered the driver had several warrants for her arrest, police said in news release. LOS ANGELES (AP) Prince Harry compared his royal experience to being on The Truman Show and living in a zoo. The Duke of Sussex said during a Thursday episode of the Armchair Expert podcast that he contemplated quitting royal life on several occasions while in his 20s. He spoke candidly with host Dax Shepard about keeping his relationship with Meghan a secret and dealing with the U.K. media scrutiny. Harry thought his life was like the 1998 Jim Carrey film The Truman Show. The film tells a story about Truman Burbanks life being televised through hidden cameras while encountering people who were hired actors. Harry said it was a heavy burden and he struggled to deal with being a member of the royal family. He feared that his pregnant wife and son, Archie, would have to deal with the spotlight the same way his late mother, Princess Diana, had to deal with the enormous attention. In 1997, Diana died in a car crash at the age of 36 in Paris while being pursued by paparazzi. I dont want this job, I dont want to be here, I dont want to be doing this. Look what it did to my mum, the 36-year-old Harry said. In a previous interview, Harry said the royal family cut him off financially at the start of 2020 after he announced plans to step back from his roles. But he was able to afford security for his family because of the money his mother left behind. Harry and Meghans departure from royal duties began last year over what they described as the British media's intrusions and racist attitudes toward the duchess. He criticized some American media outlets but said they are an improvement over the ones in the U.K. He feels more liberated after he and his family moved to California. Living here now I can actually lift my head and actually feel different, said Harry, who added hes able to take Archie for bicycle rides. You can walk around feeling a little bit more free. SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) About two-thirds of California's top county prosecutors on Thursday challenged new prison rules that expand good conduct credits and could bring earlier releases for tens of thousands of inmates, saying they were adopted without proper public notice or comment. Corrections officials used an emergency regulatory process for the rules affecting 76,000 inmates, most serving time for violent offenses. The changes took effect May 1, though it will be months or years until the credits build up enough to make a difference in their prison terms. The emergency rulemaking means no public hearings or comment until next year, after the department submits permanent regulations for review. Forty-one of the states 58 district attorneys formally petitioned Corrections Secretary Kathleen Allison to repeal the regulations, saying the department faces no operational emergency. They should have complied with the various notice requirements and public comment for something of this magnitude, said Vern Pierson, El Dorado Countys district attorney and president of the California District Attorneys Association. In a statement, Corrections officials said they are reviewing the petition to determine next steps. They noted voters in 2016 approved a proposition giving the Corrections department power to provide more opportunities for early release. And they said the emergency order was drafted in compliance with Office of Administrative Law policies and that the public still can weigh in on them before they become final. The petition was authored by Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert, who is running for state attorney general as an independent, and signed by 40 others. The rule change impacts crime victims and creates a serious public safety risk, Schubert said in a statement. Victims, their families, and all Californians deserve a fair and honest debate about the wisdom of such drastic regulations. Among those who did not join were reform-minded district attorneys in Los Angeles and San Francisco. The revised regulations increase good behavior credits for more than 63,000 inmates convicted of violent crimes, the corrections department projected. The changes would allow them to serve only two-thirds of their sentences rather than 80% with increased credits that started accumulating May 1. Another 10,000 prisoners convicted of a second serious but nonviolent offense under the states three strikes law will be eligible for release after serving half their sentences, down from two-thirds. The same increase applies to nearly 2,900 nonviolent third strikers. Minimum-security inmates in work camps, including those in firefighting camps, are all now eligible for the same month of earlier release for every month they spend in the camp, regardless of the severity of their crime. Sahina Islam can still recall the day when she heard an elderly Pakistani couple got kicked out of their New York City home by their son-in-law and were sitting near John F. Kennedy International Airport, stranded and with nowhere to go. The incident led Islam and five friends to help the couple find a place to stay and more generosity followed. The episode sparked a realization among the group all mothers -- that they can make a difference in their local community, Islam said. They started pooling $20 monthly to donate to charity, and organically, Ummah Giving Circle was born. Giving circles are groups of people who pool their resources and collectively decide how to spend their money or time. This grassroots, and very democratic, form of philanthropy has exploded in popularity during the past two decades, making it difficult to know how many truly exist, experts say. However, some estimate there are more than 2,000 in the United States alone. For giving circles that focus on the American Muslim community, Ramadan, which ended this week, is a time when they collect donations, expand their membership, and aid charities they support. As Muslims mark the end of Ramadan with a celebration of Eid al-Fitr, the American Muslim Community Foundation, which experts say is the only foundation hosting giving circles that focus on the American Muslim community, reached a new record. The group distributed nearly $1.3 million, the largest it has ever raised during Ramadan, to over 150 charities. Muhi Khwaja, the co-founder of the foundation, notes the foundation saw a bump in donations this year because more families joined giving circles that it hosts or opened donor-advised funds, which are like charitable investment accounts. The pandemic has influenced the way people want to give, Khwaja said. And giving circles are a part of that. Most of the donations are coming from donor-advised funds opened by Muslim families, while about $111,000 was raised by two of the giving circles hosted by the foundation: Ummah and Bay Area Collective Giving. The American Muslim Community Foundation hosts six other giving circles and all of them, except the new American Muslim Womens Giving Circle, existed prior to joining the foundation. The giving circles join the foundation for help vetting the organizations they want to donate to, and other administrative issues. Others, like the Florida-based 200 Muslim Women Who Care, also operate outside of the foundation, which charges a 5% fee for its services. The California-based foundation, Khwaja says, attempts to make Ramadan central to the giving circles because many Muslim families choose to give Zakat, the mandatory Islamic donation to charity, and Sadaqah, voluntary giving, during the Muslim holy month. Giving is an integral component and indeed a pillar of Islam, said Khalil Abdur-Rashid, a Muslim chaplain at Harvard University. This is because the well-being of others is tied to our spiritual cultivation. We cannot grow and develop spiritually nor attain the highest level of faith and righteousness unless we engage in giving. The Muslim holy month of Ramadan offers a chance for various forms of giving so that we are not consumed by consumption and that we allow others to share in the blessings we have received, he added. For the Bay Area Collective Giving in San Francisco, California, the giving circle was born out of a desire to have greater impact. Since 2018, It has pooled together $5,000 Zakat contributions from local families, who then vote on organizations they want to fund. And the process has shown a clear preference to giving locally or in the state, said Rabea Chaudhry, the founder of the giving circle. Most of the members of the giving circle are children of immigrants. And while Chaudry says many of their parents focused on supporting organizations abroad with their Zakat, she notes donations are given locally by first-generation Americans, like herself. According to one report from The Institute for Social Policy and Understanding and Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropys Lake Institute, one of the top issues American Muslims target with their philanthropy is domestic poverty. This year, Chaudhry says, 21 families pooled together $105,000 in donations to the Tayba Foundation, a Muslim-led nonprofit which serves incarcerated people and their families, and the group Mueed, which will help feed elderly Muslims halal food that adheres to Islamic law. In prior years, the giving circle has given nearly $281,000 to provide COVID-19 relief for California families, support refugees and other causes. All of these donations are dispersed during the last 10 days of Ramadan, the end of the holy month that is marked by intense worship. Muslims seek to have their prayers answered during Laylat al-Qadr or the Night of Destiny. Its on this night, which falls during the last 10 nights of Ramadan, that Muslims believe God sent the Angel Gabriel to the Prophet Muhammad and revealed the first verses of the Quran. For new giving circles, like the American Muslim Womens Giving Circle, Ramadan was a great time to recruit members. Its the reason the group decided to officially launch in March, a month before the Muslim holy month. We know that people tend to be in a more generous mindset, said Afshan Qureshi, the co-chair of the giving circle. The group has been using social media to recruit members across the country and so far, Qureshi says, 22 women have joined and donated nearly $17,000. The recruitment will go on until the end of June. For Qureshi and the other women involved with the American Muslim Womens Giving Circle, the process has been a special one as they look forward to making their first set of grants to women-led organizations in the fall. (The organizations haven't been picked yet.) We are basically seeds in something that were growing together, the 31-year old said. That idea has been very, very exciting for all of us. We repeat it every time we meet. But recruiting isnt only for new giving circles. Ummah, which has distributed nearly $200,000 since its launch in 2018, also has gotten more interest regarding memberships during Ramadan. We have a WhatsApp group, and usually during a month of Ramadan you see an insane influx of people messaging us and asking to join, Islam said. Its always a welcomed request for the 32-year-old, who has seen the group boom in membership from six to nearly 160 in just three years. Following the incident with the elderly couple, Islam and other members began fielding calls from community members during their times of need. And in the last three years, she says, they have assisted domestic violence victims, as well as people struggling with hunger and other issues. Their aid also comes in other forms. Last year, a domestic violence victim with fractures in her eye socket approached the group seeking help. The victim was in need of approximately $15,000 for the eye surgery, but didnt have the money to pay for it. So, Islam said, the group worked through their network to find a volunteer doctor for the surgery, babysitters for the victims children and payment for the victims rent. After a year, she just messaged us and told us that she finally got her first job on her own and shes standing on her own two feet, Islam said. Now that one victim is looking to give to our group and pay it forward. _____ Associated Press writer Mariam Fam contributed to this report. _____ The Associated Press receives support from the Lilly Endowment for coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits. The AP is solely responsible for all content. For all of APs philanthropy coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/philanthropy. RUTLAND, Vt. (AP) The organizers of a sculpture trail in a Vermont city aimed at celebrating local history have dedicated a sculpture of the first African American president of an American college, Martin Henry Freeman, who was born there. Freeman was a native of Rutland, Vermont, and one of his descendants said at the Thursday ceremony that his family is creating a scholarship fund for students there, the Rutland Herald reported. A larger-than-life marble bust of Martin Henry Freeman, a scholar, is the eighth sculpture to be added to the Rutland Sculpture Trail. It was designed by Massachusetts artist Mark Burnett, who is Black, carved by local artist Don Ramey, and installed in November. Martin Henry Freeman was an educator, a curator of minds, a light in the darkness to so many. He represented this up to his final moments with his last words being I can teach no longer, said Robert Henry Dennis III, Freemans great-great-great-grandson, at the dedication ceremony. The family is establishing the Martin Henry Freeman Memorial Scholarship to serve needy students from the Rutland area but hopes to expand its scope, he said. Organizers of the sculpture trail could not find a descendant of Freeman's when planning the project, but Dennis found them when stories about the sculpture turned up in a Google search he was doing about his ancestor. Freeman was born in Rutland in 1826. Freemans father fought in the American Revolution, one way for enslaved men to win their freedom. The younger Freeman attended Middlebury College in Vermont, graduating at the top of his class in 1849. He became president of the Allegheny Institute and Mission Church in the Pittsburgh area in 1856, later named Avery College. Despite his brilliance and his personal success, Martin Freeman faced the same kind of prejudice and systemic racism as every other black person in America, Steve Costello, who came up with the idea for the trail, told the newspaper. Freeman supported the colonization of Liberia for Black Americans and abruptly resigned from the college in 1863 with a plan to teach at Liberia College. Dennis, who represented Liberia as a sprinter in the 1996 Olympics and now works as a lawyer in Washington, addressed those who were part of the sculpture project. Although we were not involved in the creation of this sculpture, we as a family are committed to working with you to memorialize our remarkable ancestor and ensure that his legacy lives on, he said. WASHINGTON (AP) A year before her election to Congress, Marjorie Taylor Greene searched for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at her Capitol office, taunting the New York Democrat to get rid of your diaper and talk to the American citizens, as shown in video unearthed Friday by CNN. I am an American citizen. I pay your salary through the taxes that you collect from me through the IRS, Greene says through the mail slot of a locked door. I am a woman. I am a female business owner and I'm proud to be an American woman. And I do not support your socialist policies. The Georgia Republican continued: If you want to be a big girl, you need to get rid of your diaper and come out and be able to talk to the American citizens." Two men appear along with her in the video, also mocking Ocasio-Cortez and her staff through the mail slot. The release of the since-deleted video, which was initially broadcast in February 2019 on Facebook Live, came the same week that Greene followed Ocasio-Cortez off the House floor, shouting that the Democrat supported terrorists and doesnt care about the American people, as first reported by The Washington Post. She has been challenging Ocasio-Cortez to a debate on Twitter, entreaties that Ocasio-Cortez had been ignoring. Asked Friday about the context of the 2019 video, Greene told reporters, Walking around and talking to members of Congress who serve the taxpayers that, now weve got taxpayers arent even allowed to come talk to us, thats the context." The incidents add to a portrait of the activist-turned-lawmaker who has shown little interest in governing, but has instead used her platform to float conspiracy theories, push Donald Trump's false claims about a stolen 2020 election and further her own notoriety. Her combativeness toward colleagues has only grown after an unprecedented rebuke where the House stripped her of committee assignments, effectively ending her ability to shape legislation. Another confrontation Friday involved a member of her staff. Rep. Eric Swalwell said a staffer for Greene yelled at him to take his mask off after stepping off the House floor, an unusual of breach of decorum. Though the CDC has relaxed mask-wearing guidelines for those who have been vaccinated, many lawmakers continue to wear them, and they are still required on the House floor. "I had a mask on as I stepped off the Floor. An aide with @mtgreenee yelled at me to take my mask off. No one should be bullied for wearing a mask,"' Swalwell tweeted. So I told the bully what I thought of his order." On Twitter Friday, Greene said she had witnessed the confrontation and claimed, No one yelled. Greene's behavior has alarmed some members of Congress, where feelings remain raw after the deadly Jan. 6 storming of the Capitol by a mob of Trump supporters intent on overturning the outcome of the 2020 election. This is a woman thats deeply unwell and clearly needs some help," Ocasio-Cortez told reporters Friday. Her kind of fixation has lasted for several years now and the depth of that unwellness has raised concerns for other members, as well. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Greenes behavior was beyond the pale and raised the possibility of an ethics investigation. This is beneath the dignity of a person serving in the Congress of the United States and is a cause for trauma, and fear among members, especially on the heels of an insurrection, Pelosi said Thursday.. Yet so far, Republicans have shown little appetite for punishing Greene. They rallied around her in February after some of her past comments came to light, including her endorsement of calls to assassinate leading Democrats. That left it to Democrats, who were joined by 11 Republicans, in voting to strip her of her committee assignments. As a congressional candidate, Greene posted a photo in 2020 of herself with a gun next to images of Ocasio-Cortez and fellow Democratic Reps. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan. Before her election, she also supported Facebook posts that advocated violence against Democrats and the FBI. One suggested shooting Pelosi in the head. In response to a post raising the prospect of hanging former President Barack Obama, Greene responded that the stage is being set. In one 2018 Facebook posts, she speculated that lasers or blue beams of light controlled by a left-wing cabal tied to a powerful Jewish family could have been responsible for sparking California wildfires. And in February 2019, Greene appeared in an another online video filmed at the U.S. Capitol, arguing that Omar and Tlaib werent really official members of Congress because they didnt take the oath of office on the Bible. Both women are Muslim. Some Connecticut restauranteurs are questioning how they should handle the state's plans to require indoor mask-wearing for only unvaccinated people beginning May 19, a sudden change from the states original plans to still continue the indoor mask-wearing rule for everyone. Scott Dolch, executive director of the Connecticut Restaurant Association, said Friday he's heard from numerous owners who want more information about how the new rule will work in practice, with some voicing concern about being placed in the difficult position of determining whether customers are actually fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Gov. Ned Lamont said Thursday the state would not be requiring people to prove whether they have been vaccinated, leaving it up to the businesses to decide whether they want to require documentation or not. I think every store, business, restaurant may have their own rules that way, the Democrat said. At this point, I think people are going to self-attest, hopefully to count on them to do the right thing. Dolch said that plan does not sit well with some of his members. That puts a lot of worry on the restaurants. They're like, okay, now I have to deal with the honor system, hoping that that person that told me theyre totally vaccinated, walking around (is fully vaccinated), said Dolch, who plans to survey his members to see how they plan to handle this latest change to Connecticut's mask-wearing rules and whether they'd prefer the governor's order to remain in place a little while longer. It can become challenging and difficult for a business, any business to say, OK, now were going to follow this or were going to mandate this,'" he said. Restaurant owners, he added, have also expressed concern about whether they have the right to ask their employees if they are fully vaccinated, given medical privacy laws. Dolch said he and state Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner David Lehman, who spoke with about 200 restaurant association members Friday morning, plan to discuss the new rule between now and Wednesday and whether any changes should be made. Andy Markowski, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, a group that represents the interests of Connecticut small businesses, including some restaurants, said his members welcome the news that restrictions are being lifted Wednesday. However, he said they want to know more about their responsibilities when it comes to the latest mask requirements. Small business owners are concerned about enforcing regulations and restrictions, especially because, what they tell me is, there seems to be a lot of conflicting messaging and lagging guidance," he said, noting how some businesses adhere to rules set by state, local and multiple federal agencies. Its a lot for them to digest. Currently, both vaccinated and unvaccinated people still must wear face masks indoors and outdoors in public, when 6-foot (2-meter) distancing is unavoidable. Beginning Wednesday, all remaining business restrictions are scheduled to end, such as curfews, capacity restrictions and social distancing requirements. The Department of Public Health is expected to issue safety recommendations for indoor and large events, such as concerts. Up until Thursday, the state's May 19 reopening plan required everyone to still wear face masks indoors in businesses and public places. But that suddenly changed after President Joe Biden announced the easing of mask requirements Thursday afternoon, shortly before Lamont's regular COVID-19 news conference. New guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control now allows fully vaccinated individuals to stop wearing masks outdoors in crowds and in most indoor settings, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal laws, rules and regulations. While various social distancing requirements for businesses are set to expire Wednesday in Connecticut, don't expect to see acrylic barriers and limited seating to suddenly disappear. Dolch said many of his members plan to continue those safety measures as more people ease back into eating inside restaurants again. ___ Follow APs coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) A group of scientists urged the Biden administration Thursday to restore legal protections for gray wolves, saying their removal earlier this year was premature and that states are allowing too many of the animals to be killed. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service dropped wolves in most of the lower 48 states from the endangered species list in January. The decision was among more than 100 Trump administration actions related to the environment that President Joe Biden ordered reviewed after taking office. The move didn't affect Idaho, Montana and Wyoming, where federal protections had been lifted years earlier and hunting is allowed. But it removed them elsewhere in the lower 48 states, including in the western Great Lakes and the Pacific Northwest that have wolf populations, and others where experts say the predators could migrate if shielded from human harassment. The decision was premature because the species hasn't fully recovered, 115 scientists argued in a letter to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Martha Williams, principal deputy director of the Fish and Wildlife Service. High numbers of state-approved killings since then have caused setbacks, the letter said. We've been shocked by the way states have been willing to go to all-out war against the wolves," said John Vucetich, a professor of wildlife conservation at Michigan Technological University. Fish and Wildlife Service spokeswoman Vanessa Kauffman said the agency had no update on wolves. The agency has continued defending their removal from the endangered list against lawsuits filed by environmental groups. Wolves were wiped out across most of the U.S. by the 1930s under government-sponsored poisoning and trapping campaigns. A remnant population in the western Great Lakes region has since expanded to some 4,400 animals in Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. More than 2,000 occupy six states in the Northern Rockies and Pacific Northwest after wolves from Canada were reintroduced in Idaho and Yellowstone National Park beginning 25 years ago. Wisconsin had a court-ordered hunt in February in response to a lawsuit from a pro-hunting group. Participants killed 216 wolves nearly one-fifth of the states population, far exceeding the states quota of 119. Another hunt is planned for this fall. Idaho Gov. Brad Little last week signed into law a measure that could lead to killing 90% of the states 1,500 wolves with methods such as using night-vision equipment, chasing them on snowmobiles and ATVs and shooting them from helicopters. In Montana, proposed legislation would allow the use of bait, night-vision scopes and snares. The states "have clearly indicated that they will manage wolves to the lowest allowable standards, the scientists said in their letter. The recent politicization of wolf management in states like Idaho and Montana puts long-term recovery of wolves in jeopardy by reducing the probability of such dispersals, said Jeremy Bruskotter, a wildlife policy professor at Ohio State University. The Fish and Wildlife Service contends its not necessary for wolves to be in every place they once inhabited to be considered recovered. Livestock farmers and ranchers contend wolf numbers are too high and threaten their livelihoods. Lawyers representing the government and groups suing to restore federal protections agreed this month to a scheduling plan intended to get matter resolved before hunts that might take place this fall. DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) Thousands of Muslims led by activists from an Islamic political party demonstrated in Bangladesh's capital on Friday to denounce attacks by Israel against Palestinians. After the end of Eid aFitr prayers at Dhaka's main Baitul Mokarram Mosque, activists from the Islamic Andolan Bangladesh, or Islamic Movement Bangladesh, began protesting and were joined by thousands of others. Muslim-majority Bangladesh celebrated the key festival of Eid aFitr in a subdued manner after the government urged people to avoid large gatherings. Authorities arranged prayers in phases at the Baitul Mokarram Mosque, where devotees maintained distancing to avoid spreading the coronavirus. Afterward, protesters crowded together outside, carrying signs reading Boycott terrorist state Israel and chanting Down with Israel. The current eruption of violence between Israelis and Palestinians began a month ago in Jerusalem. Israel regards all of Jerusalem as its capital, while the Palestinians want east Jerusalem, which includes sites sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims, to be the capital of a future Palestinian state. On Friday, Israeli artillery pounded northern Gaza, the military said. Israel has massed troops along the border following days of fighting with the Islamic militant group Hamas, which controls Gaza. Palestinian militants have fired some 1,800 rockets and the military has launched more than 600 airstrikes. The stepped-up fighting came as communal violence in Israel erupted for a fourth night. Bangladesh is one of 28 members of the United Nations that does not recognize the state of Israel. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday urged stronger global action to stop Israeli violence against Palestinians. In a letter to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Hasina said the threatened eviction of dozens of Palestinians from the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of East Jerusalem was a severe violation of human rights and international law. We unequivocally denounce such acts of terror and violence and urge the international community to take sustainable measures to end such kinds of acts anywhere and everywhere in the world including Palestine, she wrote. UTICA, N.Y. (AP) A central New York man who said he was among the first people inside the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 siege was charged with unlawful entry, authorities said. Eric Bochene of New Hartford was arrested Thursday and charged with two counts of unlawfully entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds and two counts of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, according to court papers. The charges are misdemeanors. TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) The United States has requested the extradition of a former chief of the Honduras National Police on drug and weapons charges, a Honduran government official said Friday. Honduras Supreme Court had confirmed receiving an extradition request from the Southern District of New York, but had declined to identify the target. On Friday, a Honduran official familiar with the case, but not authorized to discuss it confirmed the request is for Juan Carlos Bonilla Valladares, known as El Tigre or The Tiger. U.S. prosecutors in Manhattan announced charges against Bonilla in April 2020, alleging that he used his law enforcement clout to protect U.S.-bound shipments of cocaine. Bonilla denied at the time being a drug trafficker. Manhattan U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said then that Bonilla played a key role in a violent international drug conspiracy, working on behalf of former Honduran Congressman Tony Hernandez Alvarado and his brother, Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernandez. Bonilla Valladares oversaw the transshipment of multi-ton loads of cocaine bound for the U.S., used machine guns and other weaponry to accomplish that, and participated in extreme violence, including the murder of a rival trafficker, Berman said in a statement last year. Tony Hernandez was sentenced to life in prison in March this year for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy that implicated his brother, the president, who has not been charged and has denied any involvement. Bonilla was not in custody. If U.S. prosecutors are eventually able to get him and he cooperates, he could pose a problem for Hernandez, whose second presidential term ends in January, based on prosecutors allegations. The presidents name has arisen repeatedly in drug trafficking trials in Manhattan. Prosecutors have characterized the cases as state-sponsored drug trafficking. Bonillas control of the police and access to security information would be invaluable to drug traffickers moving cocaine through Honduras en route to the United States. A U.S. Justice Department spokeswoman said that it was department policy to neither confirm nor deny extradition requests. Bonilla was named head of Honduras National Police in May 2012 by President Porfirio Lobo, through December 2013. He was removed when Hernandez took over as president. Prosecutors have said Bonilla let drug shipments pass through police checkpoints without inspection and gave drug organizations information about police aerial and maritime interdiction operations so they could evade them. An internal police report in Honduras once accused Bonilla of leading death squads and participating in three killings or forced disappearances between 1998 and 2002. He was prosecuted for one murder but was acquitted in 2004. LAS VEGAS (AP) The schools chief in Las Vegas won a contract extension to head the nations fifth-largest school district in a vote that also ended a dispute over whether his employment agreement automatically renewed during the past two years. The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported the Clark County School Board on Thursday approved, on a contested 4-3 vote, Superintendent Jesus Jaras contract through Jan. 15, 2023 at a salary of $320,000 per year. Vermont will comply with new federal guidance and eliminate the mask mandate for people who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, Gov. Phil Scott said Friday. Complying with that guidance, which says those who have not been vaccinated or those whose vaccination is not yet complete should to continue to wear masks, will be done on the honor system, Scott said during his regular virus briefing. Scott is also moving up the states reopening plans by two weeks. Effective Friday, there will no longer be a testing requirement for travel, and capacity limits will increase for both indoor and outdoor gatherings. It's time to reward all the hard work youve done over the past 14 months to help make Vermont's pandemic response the best in the country," Scott said. The state is currently planning to lift all restrictions by July 4, and that date could be moved up if the number of people in Vermont getting vaccinated continues to increase. Of all Vermonters aged 12 and up, 71.6% have received at least one dose of the vaccine. Of all Vermonters, 63.2% have received at least one dose, Secretary of Human Services Mike Smith said. But Scott said his concern is that the 18- to 29-year-old age group lags in being vaccinated. The health department's vaccine dashboard said Friday that 43% of that age group has received at least one dose. That's the grouping that we see have not performed as well as they should, Scott said. We are still watching that. ___ 12-15 VACCINE REGISTRATION About 7,300 appointments were made for adolescents ages 12 to 15 on the first day the age group was eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in Vermont, officials said Friday. The state estimates there are about 27,000 people in Vermont in that age group. It's amazing when you think about that, over 25% have now signed up and that's only after a day," Scott said. Registration for the age group opened on Thursday, after federal officials cleared the use of the Pfizer vaccine for people ages 12 to 15. Vermont is encouraging parents and caregivers to vaccinate the young Vermonters. Parental or caregiver consent is required and can be given when registering online or in-person at a clinic. Walk-in appointments are available at some locations. ___ NUMBERS On Friday the Vermont Department of Health reported 58 new cases of the virus that causes COVID-19, bringing the statewide total since the pandemic began to just under 23,800. There were 12 people hospitalized, including two people in intensive care. For the first time since November, the University of Vermont Medical Center the state's largest hospital had no COVID-19 inpatients, Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine said. The number of deaths remained unchanged at 252. The Associated Press is using data collected by Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering to measure outbreak caseloads and deaths across the United States. The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in Vermont did not increase over the past two weeks, going from 71.29 new cases per day on April 28 to 61.14 new cases per day on May 12. The seven-day rolling average of daily deaths in Vermont did not increase over the past two weeks. It was 0.43 deaths per day on April 28 and about the same on May 12. ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) An ice jam has caused widespread flooding in the community of Buckland, in northwest Alaska, officials said Thursday. Even using hip waders, I cant leave my house because the water is too deep, said Nathan Hadley Jr., the vice mayor of Buckland. He called the flooding the worst hes seen in two decades there. Most of the town has been inundated, and the access road to the airport has been cut off by the floodwaters, said Scott Berg, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Fairbanks. There are volunteers using boats to take people around town, to the store and to deliver people to the air strip or pick them up for one of the two daily flights into town, Hadley said. At least three families were evacuated overnight because of the raging water and ice, including one family because huge chunks were hitting the house on a street fronting the river, he said. The ice jam on the Buckland River is about a quarter-mile below the community. National Weather Service and local officials anticipate the water levels will stay high and fluctuate a little until the ice jam breaks, said Jeremy Zidek, a spokesman for the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. The good news is that theres not a lot of ice above the community, so its not anticipated that the jam will worsen, that water will just take some time to push that out into the ocean, when it will allow the water level to drop, Zidek said. Its difficult to predict when the ice jam could break, said Crane Johnson, a hydrologist with the weather services Alaska-Pacific River Forecast Center. It could be hours, could be a day or two, he said. Hadley said they are expecting a surge of water from melting snow later Thursday because it has been a warm day. Homes in Buckland are built on stilts, and officials reported that water levels have come up to the bottom of homes, but have not gotten into anyones homes very much, Zidek said. Four-wheelers and snowmobiles in low-lying areas have been covered in water. Haldey believes there may be water damage to some homes. The three families in the community of about 500 people on the states northwest coast that evacuated have moved in with other family members or friends. There are two shelters ready to go, but so far no one has gone to them. One shelter is for people who have not been vaccinated and need to quarantine after returning to the village, and who are awaiting COVID-19 rapid test results, Hadley said. The other is in an old city building. If needed, the school could be used as another shelter. The communitys water plant and distribution system were operational, and water has not gone over the citys protective dike. The city also continues to generate electricity. While there were reports of fuel tanks spilling over, Zidek said the main fuel storage facility remains functional. Their critical infrastructure doesnt seem to have any type of major damage, he said. Town and tribal officials met Wednesday to formulate a plan for possible flooding when the water began to rise. No one expected it to happen that quickly or for the water to rise as fast as it did. Hadley was cooking a late dinner Wednesday night and watched huge chunks of ice moving pretty quickly on the river as he looked out his kitchen window. I took my eyes off for a few minutes, and looked back out, and the water was rushing inland, he said. He shut the cooker off, put on his hip waders and went out to move his two boys motorcycles, snowmobile and his truck. My house is on a high ground, and within a half hour my whole area was under water, he said. Buckland is an Inupiat Eskimo village about 475 miles (764 km) northwest of Anchorage. MADISON, Wis. (AP) Gov. Tony Evers on Friday praised new federal guidelines that relaxed mask restrictions for people who have been vaccinated for COVID-19, and he said his administration will review whether it is safe for state workers to return to their offices. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued new recommendations Thursday saying the fully vaccinated can resume normal activities without masks except in crowded environments such as on public transportation or inside hospitals, prisons and homeless shelters. During a ceremony outside the state Capitol on Friday to sign a bill recognizing May 14 as Hmong-Lao Veterans Day, Evers applauded the relaxed guidelines. Obviously, I have to thank the people of Wisconsin who certainly have suffered over these 14 months, in particular the people that have been vaccinated, said Evers, who wore a mask at the event until he gave his speech. The people that have been vaccinated have saved lives and have gotten us to this point." He said his administration would review the new recommendations and evaluate whether to bring state workers back to their offices en masse. He urged reporters not to focus on what he called the minutiae" of the recommendations and instead celebrate them. We should be very happy that thousands and thousands of people in the state of Wisconsin have been vaccinated and given us this chance, he said. Republicans have blocked almost all of the Democratic governor's efforts to mount a statewide response to COVID-19. Since the pandemic began, GOP legislative leaders and allied groups have persuaded the conservative-leaning state Supreme Court to strike down Evers' statewide mask mandate, his stay-at-home order and his limits on gatherings. The state's vaccination efforts picked up after getting off to a slow start. Infection rates have plateaued at levels that haven't been as low since last summer. Local mask orders remain in place in some jurisdictions. Evers said local health officials will have to make their own decisions about whether to maintain those mandates. Brandon Weathersby, a spokesman for Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, said a mask mandate in county facilities remains in place pending more federal guidance on masks in workplace settings. The city of Milwaukee announced Thursday that it would lift gathering limits for businesses and events starting June 15 because cases were trending downward. Masks will still be required indoors, but health officials planned to discuss further steps in light of the CDC announcement but nothing had been decided as of Friday afternoon, said Emily Tau, a spokeswoman for the city's health department. Health officials in Dane County, the state's second most populous county, said they're evaluating the recommendations and plan to update their current orders on Tuesday. The governor encouraged anyone who hasn't been vaccinated to do so. I really hope those people take a good look at themselves today, Evers said. ___ This story has been updated to correct that Milwaukee announced Thursday, not Friday, that it will lift its gathering limits. ___ Follow Todd Richmond on Twitter: https://twitter.com/trichmond1 NORWALK, Calif. (AP) The winner of a $26 million California Lottery prize may have literally washed the chance of a fortune down the drain. The winning SuperLotto Plus ticket for the Nov. 14 drawing was sold at an Arco AM/PM convenience store in the Los Angeles suburb of Norwalk. Thursday was the last day to redeem it. Nobody did. Store employee Esperanza Hernandez told the Whittier Daily News that a woman came in Wednesday and told workers that she had put the ticket in her pants and it was destroyed in the laundry. The stores manager told KTLA-TV that surveillance video showed the woman who bought the ticket, and she's known to store workers. A copy of the surveillance video was turned over to California Lottery officials, the manager said. The claim will be investigated, lottery spokeswoman Cathy Johnston said. Lottery officials say someone who believes he or she is a winner must complete a claim form. But if someone loses a ticket, they must provide evidence that they owned it, such as a photograph of the front and back of the ticket, the officials said. The winning numbers were: 23, 36, 12, 31, 13, and the mega number of 10. The $26 million prize can be taken in annual installments or as a $19.7 million cash option. If the prize isn't claimed, the $19.7 million will go to California public schools. The store that sold the ticket will receive a $130,000 bonus. It's uncommon for large jackpots to go unclaimed, officials said. Four prizes of $20 million or more haven't been claimed since 1997, including a $63 million prize from 2015, lottery spokesman Jorge De La Cruz told the Los Angeles Times. Victoria Franco Bay City News Foundation University of the Pacific announced Thursday all students returning to in-person instruction this summer and fall, new and continuing, will be required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before returning back to campus, at all three of their campus locations. UOP has the capacity to fully vaccinate every student and employee at all three of their locations because of their partnership under Blue Shield of California. "Our decision is predicated on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and public health agency guidance and the recommendation of our university COVID-19 Council of scientists, researchers and health professionals," Maria Pallavicini, Pacific provost and COVID-19 Council chair said. Students returning to the San Francisco campus must be fully vaccinated by July 6 and Stockton and Sacramento students will have to be fully vaccinated by August 1. For those UOP students participating in the Back to Pacific: Ready, Set, Roar session, the deadline for the vaccination requirement is July 15. "This policy mirrors many other California universities and colleges. It will help us to reach the highest level of protection possible, reduce infections, limit many of the disruptions of COVID-19, and safeguard the community we live in," Pallavicini said. Students will have the option to have the vaccination requirement waived for medical or religious reasons. Any student not fully vaccinated by the deadlines will be required to adhere to a higher standard of health and safety protocols which include precautions sent in place by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Copyright 2021 Bay City News, Inc. All rights reserved. Republication, rebroadcast or redistribution without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Bay City News is a 24/7 news service covering the greater Bay Area. Copyright 2021 by Bay City News, Inc. Republication, Rebroadcast or any other Reuse without the express written consent of Bay City News, Inc. is prohibited. Courtesy of ELA/Amy Kumler Sequoia Park Zoos new Redwood Sky Walk attraction extends nearly a fourth of a mile through a 70-acre redwood forest, the longest of its kind in the western United States. On her visit, our Parks editor saw a nook in a tree where a raccoon lives, the little holes where bats and chickadees and sparrows are likely to find shelter and a branch on which a barred owl was seen recently. Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times via Getty Imag As vaccinations on the mainland continue an upward trend, more and more visitors are heading to Hawaii. And most of them are coming from California. During Mothers Day weekend, 78,816 tourists arrived in Hawaii. It's less than the 90,000 people who visited Hawaii in 2019 over Mothers Day weekend, but travel is rapidly rebounding to its pre-pandemic levels. A team of scuba divers jumped into Lake Tahoe yesterday to begin a massive effort to pick up underwater trash that's been left behind, stranded in the watery depths. The dives pick up from efforts led by Clean Up the Lake last year, when the group picked up 5,000 pounds of trash during the summer, ranging from iPhones and sunglasses to anchors and underwear. However, this summer, their aim is to swim the entire 72-mile circumference of Lake Tahoe in what would be a historic effort to pick up litter and trash. Colin West, executive director and founder of Clean Up the Lake, told SFGATE in an email that support for the 72-mile dive project has been overwhelming. West built momentum for the project last year during a series of test dives, which pulled up thousands of pounds of trash from the bottom of Lake Tahoe. Since those test dives, West said he's heard from hundreds of people who want to be involved. "It really is a story that shows the power of the people," West wrote in the email. "Many are local, but not everyone has been, and we have loads of people wanting to come and volunteer from afar to save our beautiful lake." Trash has been an overwhelming issue in the Lake Tahoe area as visitors flocked to Lake Tahoe during the pandemic, sparking protests. California State Parks employees are picking up 7 to 10 tons of trash each day from the West Shore, Kings Beach and Donner Lake, with more than 100,000 pounds collected each week. The dive project is supported by a fundraising campaign led by the Tahoe Fund, plus a matching donation of $100,000 from Tahoe Blue Vodka and a $25,000 donation from Vail Resorts. Clean Up the Lake also receives funding from the Nevada Division of State Lands Lake Tahoe License Plate program, among other foundations. "The biggest wager is to open in safety," he said on Thursday while addressing an event for the launch of the new advertising campaign of the Greek National Tourism Organization under the motto "All you want is Greece". Athens, May 14 (IANS) Greece will reopen to international tourists who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 starting from Friday, Tourism Minister Harry Theoharis said. The challenge last year was to keep the tourism industry, a pillar of the national economy for decades, alive, said the official, expressing optimism that 2021 will be a better year for for the sector, reports Xinhua news agency. Under the government's plan, travellers to Greece should submit a certificate of vaccination against Covid-19, a certificate on recovery from the novel coronavirus or a recent negative test. As of June 1, the European Union (EU)'s green pass will be operational to facilitate travel, Theoharis noted. Anybody living in the EU member states will be able to have a digital health pass to display their vaccination status, test results and whether they have recovered from an infection, according to the Minister. --IANS ksk/ "All travellers coming from Oman and the UAE or those with travel history to these two countries within the last 14 days preceding arrival shall be prohibited from entering the Philippines beginning 12.01 a.m. of May 15, 2021, until 11.59 of May 31," Roque said in a statement. Manila, May 14 (IANS) The Philippines will ban international arrivals from Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) starting from Saturday amid concerns over the Indian coronavirus variant, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said on Friday. But passengers already in transit from these two countries and all those who have been to these countries "within 14 days immediately preceding arrival to the Philippines" who arrive before Saturday, will be allowed entry, Xinhua news agency quoted the spokesperson as saying. He added that these travellers "shall be required to undergo stricter quarantine and testing protocols". Meanwhile, Roque said the Philippines has decided to retain the travel ban on India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka for another two weeks until May 31. The Philippines has detected the B.1.617 variants first found in India in two seafarers that arrived from Oman and the UAE last month. There are four coronavirus variants of concern in the Philippines. The WHO classified the B.1.617 as "a variant of concern at a global level", citing "some available information to suggest increased transmissibility". The Philippines has so far reported 1,124,724 confirmed Covid-19 cases, with 18,821 deaths. --IANS ksk/ Starting a business venture is one of the most thrilling decisions anyone can make. Many people revere entrepreneurs for their resilience, discernment, and overall courage. Although social media has painted a glamorous picture about starting and owning a business, there is a lot more than what meets the eye. One of the most significant hurdles entrepreneurs face when starting is raising enough capital for their venture. There are countless expenses to consider when starting a business. Coming up with these funds can be a tall order for a sole entrepreneur. Even so, business owners can benefit immensely with the help of investors. Furthermore, regardless of how great your idea or product is and how much your business has grown, it will eventually require more funding. Still, finding a suitable investor to provide financial aid to your venture isn't a walk in the park. Fortunately, there are plenty of avenues that business owners can use to find investors. For instance, some platforms let investors view and fund business projects. You can Sign up to Angels Partners today and connect with 40,000+ investors. Even so, some businesses may still have trouble getting the appropriate funding. Here are some of the best ways to find investors for your startup to help those who may have difficulty finding them. Utilize Fundraising Platforms For those who may think that fundraising is not enough, remember that GoFundMe, one of the biggest online fundraising platforms, has made over three billion dollars since its inception. Fundraising platforms are also known as crowdfunding sites. Over the years, these websites have become more sophisticated. Plenty of accredited investors and financial institutions such as banks are prevalent on such platforms, searching for new ways to dispense capital. Even so, there is a learning curve involved as not all fundraising platforms are the same. Here is a quick look at some of the most common ones. Donation-Based Platforms With donation-based fundraising platforms, donors usually don't expect the money back. When you use such sites to find funding for your project, anyone can donate money towards your venture. For this reason, many charitable organizations and non-profits also use donation-based fundraising platforms to get financial assistance. Equity Crowdfunding Equity crowdfunding is the complete inverse of donation-based crowdfunding. With these fundraisers, investors or donors provide financial aid in exchange for some ownership in the country. In most cases, investors get equity in the form of shares. Social Media Apart from the wheel, the internet is considered one of the greatest inventions of humankind. Its byproduct, social media, can be an excellent tool for businesses to gain much-needed traction. For this reason, social media can be an indispensable tool for attracting investors. What's more, there are plenty of tools available to help you through the process. Therefore, you don't have to rely solely on your know-how to get the attention of your desired investors. Furthermore, direct messages are also powerful when you're seeking financial aid. You can reach out to suitable investors through their social platforms, making it easy to connect and pitch your business idea. Get Your Products and Services Noticed What many greenhorn entrepreneurs fail to acknowledge is that having a good customer base reduces the reliance on investors. For this reason, getting enough notoriety for your products will place you in a better position for sourcing outside funding. Moreover, given that investors are just as eager to make money as entrepreneurs, they're more likely to get behind a business with a considerable client base. Attending and Participating in Corporate Events Brand awareness is paramount to get more traction for your business and attract investors and customers alike. Therefore, bagging a suitable investor is mainly pegged on getting noticed by them. Attending and participating in corporate events is perhaps the most surefire way to achieve this. Such functions will provide you with an opportunity to interact with potential investors and pitch your business idea. You can also go the extra mile and attend functions that may attract potential investors, even if they're not formal. Make Use of Startup Accelerators Another great way to find investors for your business is by signing up for a startup accelerator program. In simple terms, a startup accelerator program helps budding entrepreneurs build solid startups through mentorship and other assistance. There are plenty of startup accelerator programs that accept serious entrepreneurs. Although you need to be accepted into such programs, the benefits are well worth the effort. Typically, after attending such programs, you'll have an opportunity to pitch your business idea to a group of investors. If you're accepted to join a startup accelerator program, you'll be well equipped to handle investor pitches and presentations. Try A Different Approach While most investors are usually genuinely interested in your business, the bottom line is their ultimate consideration. For this reason, instead of cold calling investors and begging for financial aid, you can try a different approach. For instance, you can choose to ask for advice as a hopeful entrepreneur. Doing this will help you build a relationship with the potential investor before you pitch your idea. Blogging Although many people are aware of the power that blogs and websites have, not many people are harnessing it. One way of doing this is blogging about your business and the thought process behind every choice you make. Doing this will enable potential investors to understand your business. Another way is by interacting with blogs made by these investors or engaging with them in blogs that they follow. Such an approach will help you slowly gain their interest before you can pitch your business venture. Pitch Your Return on Investment (RoI) When looking to win over investors, you need to sell them your idea. One of the most effective ways to do this is by explaining how your investors will personally gain from funding your project. While it's tempting to want to talk about your business in length, it would be more productive to tell the investors what is in it for them. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Nightly virtual Rosary sessions and crowded Zoom meetings with a close-knit extended family got Helen Montalto and her brother, Thomas Reilly, through their darkest hours this past winter as both of their parents lost their lives to coronavirus (COVID-19) within weeks of each other. Thomas Reilly Sr., of Westerleigh, died Feb. 7, just a month shy of his 78th birthday. His wife, Waltraud (Val) Reilly, would live until March 10, two weeks before she would have turned 82. Not being able to comfort her parents when they were admitted together to Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC) terrified and struggling to breathe on Feb. 1 was the hardest part of the heartbreaking ordeal, Montalto said. Hospital protocol prohibits any visitors to COVID patients, in accordance with city and state guidelines. I heard my mom screaming, Dont call the ambulance; I dont want to go to the hospital, Montalto said, recalling the fated phone call she made to her parents home in the wake of a crippling snowstorm. The couple had been ill for four or five days by then, and their oxygen levels had dropped dangerously low. The weather prevented an in-person visit. A recently retired nurse, Montalto had been checking their levels daily, she said. She instructed her father by phone to test his levels that day, and she said she knew the EMTs ultimate decision to take them to the hospital was the right one. That didnt make it easy, she said. And it would be the last time she spoke to her father. The fact that we couldnt go see them was heartbreaking,' said Montalto, of Tottenville. Her mother was intubated and put on a ventilator a few hours after arriving at the hospital, she said. During her parents hospitalizations, there were nightly Zoom Rosary sessions with a group of aunts, uncles and 25 Staten Island cousins, and continuous updates from nurses and doctors. You can call every few minutes, but [Richmond University Medical Center] was on total lockdown,' Montalto said. The most devastating part of having both of them in there was that we could not visit to give comfort to these people when they needed it most.' From there, her parents health declined rapidly, she said. Less than a week later, her father would lose his battle. Montalto and her husband, Matthew, would soon both be diagnosed with COVID-19, forcing Montalto to miss her fathers wake. Her mother was eventually transferred to an acute care facility in New Jersey, where visitation was permitted. There, the grandmother of seven would muster an occasional half smile as Montalto held her hand and shared family photos. But her health continued to decline. Val Reilly had consented to be put on life support, but her heart would eventually stop beating in spite of it. Montalto was grateful to be present when she passed. It wasnt long after that decision was made that her doctor called Montalto. He said, Come now,' she recalled. She and a cousin were reciting the Rosary beside the devoted Catholic homemaker and native of Germany when she took her last breath, Montalto said. She passed peacefully,' she recalled. As hard as it was, she didnt suffer long.' The pandemic had already been difficult for her extended family, which was accustomed to large family gatherings and busy days filled with errands and visits, Montalto said. Her parents both had pre-existing health conditions, and she said she was actively trying to secure vaccination appointments for them. Keeping her parents activities limited to prevent exposure to the virus hadnt been an easy task. And her parents had doubts about the seriousness of the virus, she said. My father kept saying, I dont know, and I dont believe it, but I said Dad, this may take you down, take you out,' Montalto recalled. We tried to keep them in as much as possible.' Prior to becoming infected with COVID-19, Montalto said her parents were very independent. Her father, a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War and a retired Staten Island Ferry worker, loved to do tasks for his siblings and take photographs of his family. They shopped, they drove, they cooked, cleaned, maintained their house,' she said. Dad was always driving. My father was a social butterfly. I knew quarantining him was going to be out of the question. Yet, Montalto warned of the seriousness of COVID-19. This virus is not a joke,' she said, acknowledging the nearly 1,800 deaths on Staten Island alone. Anyone who thinks this is political, or somehow not real, is very wrong. Some people get lucky and recover, but you just dont know. You dont realize that until it happens to you. Losing both parents so quickly is something you cant prepare for, she said. Im not saying that my grief is any worse than anybody elses. But just the fact that they both passed so quickly. My head was spinning. I felt like couldnt even take a breath after Daddy died, but I had to see that Mom was OK, she recalled. In a way, she said, her parents died while living on their own terms, and treasured memories of two lives well-lived will continue to comfort her and her family. I knew my father and his quality of life,' she said. He would not have been happy not seeing his family, his siblings who live so close. His mental status would have just declined.' Would he be here if he isolated for a year? Maybe,' Montalto said. Would he have been happy? Definitely not. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. An international group of 18 scientists wrote in a letter published in the journal Science Thursday that further investigation is needed to determine the origin of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The conglomerate of biologists, immunologists and other scientists criticized the World Health Organization (WHO) report that came out in March which contended that animal-to-human transmission of the virus was the most likely culprit for the outbreak. More investigation is still needed to determine the origin of the pandemic, the scientists wrote in the letter. Theories of accidental release from a lab and zoonotic spillover both remain viable, the letter continued. Knowing how COVID-19 emerged is critical for informing global strategies to mitigate the risk of future outbreaks. The WHO report, which was compiled from analysis conducted by a team of international experts between Jan. 14 and Feb. 10, 2021, analyzed four theories of how the virus was introduced to humans and found it was extremely unlikely it was released from a laboratory. However, the group of scientists published Thursday said that two primary theories natural spillover or a lab accident were not given balanced consideration. Only four of the 313 pages of the report and its annexes addressed the possibility of a laboratory accident, the scientists wrote. Ongoing concerns have been raised regarding the credibility of the research into the origins of the coronavirus. The Associated Press last year found the Chinese government was strictly controlling the research. The call for a new investigation echoed sentiments expressed by the Biden administration, along with WHO Director Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. The new investigation, the scientists said, should be transparent, objective, data-driven, inclusive of broad expertise, subject to independent oversight and responsibly managed to minimize the impact of conflicts of interest. As scientists with relevant expertise, we agree with the WHO director-general, the United States and 13 other countries, and the European Union that greater clarity about the origins of this pandemic is necessary and feasible to achieve, the letter said. We must take hypotheses about both natural and laboratory spillovers seriously until we have sufficient data. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Avoiding suspicious phone calls and emails is imperative for preventing identity fraud, but dont forget to shred your sensitive documents too, says District Attorney Michael E. McMahon. If you dont have a shredder, McMahon has a solution for you. This Saturday, from 12-3 p.m., he will be hosting a secure shredding event in the parking lot of Blessed Sacrament R.C. Church, West Brighton. Unfortunately, one of the most common crimes impacting Staten Islanders is identity theft, typically as a result of a phone or internet scam. These scammers are savvy, and are very difficult to catch, said McMahon. The best way to keep your personal information and hard-earned money safe is by avoiding these scammers altogether. So while hanging up the phone if you dont trust the caller, avoiding clicking on suspicious emails and ads, and protecting your usernames and passwords are all good tips, shredding your sensitive documents is critically important, McMahon continued. Attendees can bring up to three boxes or bags of documents and walk away knowing that theyre protecting their personal information and identity. Sensitive documents include and are not limited to bank and credit card statements, old ID cards, medical records, and old tax returns anything that has a name, address, Social Security number, birthday, or bank information that thieves can use to steal an identity. For more information about the event, email marci.bishop@rcda.nyc.gov STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. More than 150,000 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport SUVs have been recalled this month, the latest in a series of fire-related recalls involving Hyundai and Kia cars, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has announced. The models are being recalled for repair of a faulty part that may cause a fire. Hyundai recommends that owners refrain from parking these vehicles inside a garage and away from any structures until the problem is fixed. The issue is due to the potential of leaking brake fluid within the antilock brake system (ABS) module, which could lead to a short circuit and cause a fire within the vehicles engine compartment, either while driving or parked, according to Consumer Reports. Owners may notice smoke coming from the engine compartment, a burning or melting odor, and an illuminated ABS or check-engine light on the vehicles dashboard before the fire occurs, the manufacturer reports. The recalled vehicles were manufactured between June 17, 2013, and May 13, 2015. Dealerships will replace a fuse within the vehicles ABS system to correct the problem, Hyundai spokesperson Michael Stewart told Consumer Reports. The new fuse will prevent a short circuit from taking place, he said. Previous recalls included the Kia vehicles, as well. The 2013 through 2015 Optima Sedan and the 2014 and 2015 Sorento SUV have previously been recalled, but are not currently facing an additional recall. Previous recalls of Hyundai and Kia vehicles involved faulty oil pans, catalytic converters, engine problems and fuel and oil leaks. To check to see if your car has been recalled, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website and enter your cars vehicle identification number. Follow this link for a full list of Hyundai-Kia engine and fire recalls. LONG ISLAND, N.Y. A retail employee on Long Island planned to offer fraudulent coronavirus vaccination cards to family and friends, said Nassau police. The CVS worker was arrested after swiping eight pre-filled vaccine cards from the store, authorities said, according to an NBC New York report Friday morning, and 54 additional blank cards were found in the mans vehicle. They were taken within the last couple of days, with the intent to share them with family members and friends, so that they could go into venues and possibly even use them at schools, said Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder. Court documents revealed the employee admitted to selling the cards to kids so they can go to school. CVS said he worked at their location on Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown. Hes since been fired, and the company is cooperating with the investigation. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- NYPD officers are being hamstrung in their ability to protect the public, according to a group of Staten Island Republican officials, who say the declining number of active officers, coupled with recently implemented measures, is making it harder to keep the city safe. On Friday morning, Mid-Island City Council candidate David Carr, who currently serves as Councilmen Steven Matteos (R-Mid-Island) chief of staff, held a press conference outside the 122nd Precinct in New Dorp to discuss the policing priorities he plans to pursue if elected. These commitments are intended to help empower the NYPD to do the job that theyre trained to do; protect Staten Island and New York City at large, Carr said. He was joined by Matteo, Councilman Joseph Borelli (R-South Shore) and Assemblyman Michael Tannousis (R-East Shore/South Brooklyn), all of whom supported the initiatives proposed by Carr and vowed to help fight to make the proposals a reality. During the event, Carr announced plans to introduce legislation, if elected, to restore qualified immunity for NYPD officers, something he said is crucial in order for cops to feel comfortable doing their job. You cant expose the best-trained police officers in the world to lawsuits and then expect good policing to happen. It hamstrings good policing, and frankly, necessary policing, to address violent criminal offenders, Carr said. It also explodes insurance costs for these officers and effectively amounts to a regressive tax on New Yorks Finest. In March, the City Council passed a number of police reform bills, including the repeal of qualified immunity for police officers. Qualified immunity had previously shielded police officers from liability unless it was proven that they had violated a clearly established statutory or constitutional right of which a reasonable person would have known. Following passage of the reform, law enforcement officials, and even some criminal defense attorneys, told the Staten Island Advance/SILive.com that banning qualified immunity will shackle cops by personally exposing them to lawsuits. Suing the NYPD is a big business, amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars in legal payouts each year. And now, thanks to the City removing qualified immunity, police officers are personally liable for actions they take in the course of their duties, and face potential financial disaster from frivolous lawsuits. Our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line to keep us safe -- they shouldnt have to put their livelihoods on the line as well, Borelli said. Carr also announced his intentions to work to repeal the diaphragm compression clause, part of the citys anti-chokehold law that gives district attorneys the power to charge an officer with a misdemeanor if the officer sits, kneels or stands on an arrestees back, compressing the diaphragm, during an arrest, even if no injury is sustained. We cant micromanage these heat-of-the-moment encounters that police officers have with people who are resisting arrest. We have to trust them to do the job that they need to do on our behalf, said Carr. Matteo said: You cant have a diaphragm bill that makes an officer think twice about making an arrest. You cant have a qualified immunity bill go forward and expect a cop to do their job, a job that they are intended to do, that we expect them to do and that they want to do. Officials also discussed their intention to push for additional NYPD officers in upcoming budget negotiations, planning to press the city to hire 6,000 new cops over the next five years. Were well below the 40,000 officer peak that the NYPD had some years ago. We have a little over 35,000 active officers today and an unprecedented number of veteran officers retiring or planning to retire in the near future, Carr said. We wont have an adequate police force if we dont start accelerating future NYPD classes. Tannousis said: Ive said this from the beginning, we cannot have a discussion on any other issue until we talk about public safety. Public safety is the number one issue we need to talk about before anything else. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. The internet is afire the last two weeks with the revived romantic relationship of Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, shortly after she and former New Yankee Alex Rodriguez called it quits. Bennifer, as they were called, were famous for their A-list lifestyles, including the 6-carat, $1.2 million pink diamond engagement ring Affleck gave J-Lo in 2002. J-Lo may have been engaged five times in total and each ring was simply blingtastic but the one from Affleck was extra-special because pink diamonds are very rare. And even though the other engagement rings cost more (Marc Anthonys $4 million ring and A-Rods $5 million sparkler) there is no denying that Afflecks gorgeous pink stone was nothing less than iconic. Not only was it gorgeous and surrounded by little diamonds, but it was also original, as diamonds with color werent in style in the 2000s. If youre in the market for a beautiful pink-stone quality piece of jewelry, check out David Yurmans Chatelaine Ring with Morganite and Diamonds in 18K Rose Gold, which retails for $2,800.00, a fraction of the cost of J-Los ring. Buy your pink-gem David Yurman ring in rose gold here. Today, 17 years later after Bennifer broke up their engagement, pink diamond engagement rings have increased in value and are selling like hotcakes the past two weeks, since J-Lo and Affleck have gotten back together. J-Los pink diamond ring is probably worth $2 million today. J-Los unforgettable pink diamond certainly started a trend at the time, as actress Blake Lively, who is married to actor Ryan Reynolds, has since been spotted wearing a pink stone in rose gold. In addition, Mariah Carey sported a 17-carat pink diamond ring in 2012, for her engagement to husband Nick Cannon. For those unfamiliar, Lopez, 51, and A-Rod released a joint statement on April 15, announcing the end of their engagement. Multiple sources previously confirmed THAT J-Lo ultimately broke up with Rodriguez, 45. NEW YORK - OCTOBER 28: (ITALY OUT) Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez leave a Soho restaurant October 28, 2003 in New York City. (Photo by Arnaldo Magnani/Getty Images) - . By William WROBLEWSKI in Tarija, Jose Arturo CARDENAS in La Paz TARIJA, Bolivia (AFP) -- At almost 2,000-meters above sea level, Bolivian wine-growers are continuing a centuries-old tradition started by Jesuit missionaries in a bid to capture a niche market with their unique product. In the southern Tarija department in the foothills of the Andes mountain range, the little known Bolivian vineyards find themselves dwarfed between the two regional wine-growing giants: Argentina and Chile. Those two countries are respectively the seventh and eighth largest wine producers in the world and share 200,000 hectares of vineyards. The 5,000 hectares of vineyards in Tarija benefit from a temperate climate with intense sunshine during the day and humidity at night, with the region protected from strong winds from the north. "The altitude means that we have less ozone layer filtering the rays, which means there's more ultraviolet rays at higher altitudes ... which produces a response from the plant," said oenologist Nelson Sfarcich. That in turn produces thicker grape skins and a higher content of resveratrol, a chemical that is believed to jelp protect against cancer and heart disease. Maria Jose Granier, owner of the artisanal Jardin Oculto vineyard, says that "the altitude allows the vines to enter dormancy in winter, sprout in summer and have a better reproductive cycle." 'Smooth and strong' Bolivian wine production is mostly concentrated between 21 and 23 degrees latitude at 1,600 to 2,000 meters altitude. But there are some crops in hot Andean areas up to 3,000 meters. Helmuth Kohlberg, a wine-grower, says that wines from vineyards at altitude "are very different" to others due to "an interesting concentration of aromas" and unique color. "The tannins mature very smoothly and we end up with grapes that have very ripe and soft tannin seeds. It's really quite striking." Granier says these Bolivian offerings appeal to those that "like elegant wines. They're wines that don't have a very high alcohol content, but rather they have smooth aromas and flavors that are strong at the same time." The independent sommelier Carla Molina Garcia says that the well-known Muscat of Alexandria grape, used in 70 percent of wine crops grown in Bolivia, produces "sweet wines that are quite aromatic." 'Distinctive' Wine, mostly from Spain, was first grown in Bolivia by Jesuits that arrived in the Potosi region that neighbors Tarija in the 17th century. They were attracted to the area, like many lay people, due to the rush to exploit gold and silver mines. In 1625, Potosi was one of the biggest cities in the world with around 165,000 people. With barely eight million hectoliters, mostly sold within the country, Bolivia's wine production is dwarfed by that of Argentina or Chile. A few bottles of sparkling wine are sold to China and the best Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Tannat and Port are offered by wine merchants in the United States, and occasionally even France and Japan. And it is the aromatic nature of these high altitude wines that is pushing viticulturists to target a niche, high-quality market. The growing popularity of the wines has coincided with a gastronomic boom in La Paz, heavily reliant on local flavors. "There's no great potential for (physical) expansion, but in terms of quality there is room to do a lot," said Garcia. "In a few years time, hopefully Bolivia will really be known as a wine-growing country. Small, of course, but with distinctive wines." PARIS (AFP) -- Climate change is set to devastate Kenya's tea production as the world's largest exporter faces rising temperatures, erratic rainfall and insect infestations, according to analysis released on Monday. Tea is the world's most consumed drink after water and disruption in supply from the east African nation is predicted to have a global impact. A report from the charity Christian Aid outlined the various threats Kenya faces to its key black tea crop, as well as the dangers that other countries are likely to encounter as the planet continues to warm. Citing a peer-reviewed study, the report said that the quadruple threat of rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, droughts and new insect infestations are forecast to destroy 26.2 percent of the country's optimal tea growing areas by 2050. And climate change is expected to reduce the areas with medium quality growing conditions by nearly 40 percent in the same time frame. "For generations we have carefully cultivated our tea farms and we are proud that the tea that we grow here is the best in the world," said Richard Koskei, a tea farmer from Kenya's western highlands. "But climate change poses a real threat to us. We cannot predict seasons anymore, temperatures are rising, and rainfall is more erratic." Karimi Kinoti, head of Christian Aid's Africa division, said tea was just another example of how people living in countries least responsible for the climate crisis are bearing the heaviest burden. "Africans make up 17 percent of the world's population but we generate just four percent of the greenhouse gas emissions that have caused the climate crisis," she said. "And yet it is we who are suffering the brunt of the impacts of climate change." 'World will be watching' The report warned that the livelihoods of more than three million people in Kenya's tea industry would come under threat in the next two decades. Britain, the biggest per capita tea consumer, is set to host crunch UN climate talks in Glasgow in November. Mohamed Adow, director of the Power Shift Africa climate and energy think tank, said the COP26 negotiations presented a vital opportunity for richer nations to provide proper support for poorer ones already having to adapt to climate change. "As a major historical polluter and the creator of the industrial revolution the UK has played a big part in the climate emergency which we Kenyans are suffering from," he said. "This year, as hosts of the G7 and COP26, the UK has a big role to play in tackling it. "The whole world will be watching, especially Kenyan tea farmers and other people on the front lines of the climate crisis," added Adow. To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account. We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription. A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much! Church Events Stay in the loop on church events in West Central Louisiana. Weekend Edition A recap of the most pertinent stories of the week - delivered straight to your inbox! Arts & Entertainment Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size The politics around coal is treacherous. In the Upper Hunter of NSW, a state by-election that could further weaken the ability of Premier Gladys Berejiklian to govern, has become the latest battleground over the future of coal, and the risk to thousands of workers losing their way of life. This is going to be very interesting, says billionaire Robert Millner, chairman of Washington H. Soul Pattinson, which owns almost half of coal operator New Hope Corporation that has a mine in the Upper Hunter. Theres a lot of people employed in that industry there. Coal mining is NSWs largest export industry and the nations second largest export industry. As the battle intensifies in NSW ahead of next weekends by-election, the future of coal is also being fought over in Canberra, where mining and energy companies have detailed to a federal government trade and investment committee how there is potential for significant damage to be inflicted upon them financially by Australias big four banks, superannuation funds and insurance companies, which are increasingly refusing to do business with them. If that trend continues, the warning from coal companies, such as Whitehaven Coal, is that those actions will deal a savage blow to regional communities. Large Australian banks, superannuation funds and insurance companies have imposed tough policies curbing lending, insurance or investment in coal companies and coal-fired power generators. Such measures are in response to a globally shared view among governments, citizens and businesses that coal, the dirtiest fossil fuel, should eventually be retired as an energy source and replaced by renewables and other alternatives, that produce fewer emissions. Still, the coal industry wants greater transparency and consistency among financial institutions environmental, social and corporate governance policies, and for the economic costs of those policies to be explained to shareholders and the public, when they refuse or limit financing and investment in projects. Its a threat to the Australian economy for banks and insurance companies to be just posturing and demonising these businesses, theyre essential businesses for the Australian economy and will be for decades, says Trevor St Baker, who co-owns NSWs Vales Point Power Station, and is worth an estimated $700 million. There arent many people willing to call this out. We need Labor and Liberal to speak out more volubly - otherwise you risk this economy. Its disgraceful. Advertisement Centennial Coal, which supplies about one-third of NSWs coal-fired energy, said in its submission to the committee that bank executives often cite the grief to income ratio, referring to the backlash experienced from green and activist groups, and the broader public. Loading Centennial also criticised government bodies, such as the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), for unhelpful comments, such as those made by Geoff Summerhayes, who said no bank wants to be left holding a stranded asset. Summerhayes, whose five-year term with APRA finished in December, was one of the first insurance regulators to encourage financial institutions to calculate the risks posed by global warming. APRA chair Wayne Byres said in the regulators submission to the committee, that since the Australian government became party to the Paris Agreement in 2016, APRA has been ensuring financial institutions are aware and alert to the risks arising from a changing climate. About 190 parties, including Australia, have committed to the Paris Agreement, which sets out a framework to address the climate crisis by limiting global warming to well below 2C by 2050. The worlds largest investment funds expect banks to assess and act on climate-related risks, says Anna Bligh, chair of the Australian Banking Association. Credit: Louise Kennerley Its not only APRA, but the Australian Stock Exchange and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, which are also requiring banks and the broader corporate sector, to address the risks of climate change. As well, the Reserve Bank of Australia governor Philip Lowe issued a stark warning last year that the wide-ranging economic and financial impacts from climate change would be profound. Then there are also legal risks for companies, especially for company directors. The latter was highlighted by the Centre for Policy Development when it commissioned a legal opinion from one of Australias most respected barristers Noel Hutley, which concluded that directors who do not properly manage climate risk could be held liable for breaching their legal duty of due care and diligence. Advertisement In the Australian Banking Association submission to the committee, chair Anna Bligh said governments and regulators around the world had identified climate change as a key risk for banks, and that as a consequence they needed to disclose information about their exposure and risk to their balance sheets. Banks are working with their largest customers to manage the transition to a low-emissions future, Bligh said. The worlds largest investment funds expect banks to assess and act on climate-related risks. Its a threat to the Australian economy for banks and insurance companies to be just posturing and demonising these businesses, theyre essential businesses for the Australian economy and will be for decades. Trevor St Baker, co-owner of Vales Point Power Station Coal companies say the consequences of Australian financial institutions turning away from the coal sector are manifold. Their cost of capital is rising as they are increasingly forced to borrow from foreign banks, mostly Asian banks, as Centennial has had to do, to fund their operations. There is also growing reluctance among directors to join coal company boards because of the legal risks. As well, coal companies that are public may be forced to delist from the sharemarket and be owned by private Australian or foreign investors, given the reduced appetite to own coal shares by superannuation funds. The coal industry wont be owned by Australians anymore ... and that, to me, is a tragedy, predicts rich-lister Tony Haggarty, who has managed and developed coal companies for four decades. Credit:Peter Rae Because superannuation funds, and any public capital institution including the banks, have been bullied and convinced that they shouldnt invest in thermal coal, the unintended consequence, or intended consequence, is that the coal industry wont be owned by Australians anymore, predicts Tony Haggarty, who has managed and developed coal companies for four decades. It means Australians wont own the countrys second largest export industry, and that, to me, is a tragedy. In 2019-20, Australia exported $54.6 billion in coal. Haggarty, whose personal wealth has been estimated at half a billion, and who has worked for companies such as BP, Excel and Whitehaven, is a shareholder in Malabar coal, which delisted from the sharemarket in 2017. Malabar is developing an underground coal mine in the Upper Hunter and has recently been raising capital. Advertisement Foreign and private investors are still keen to own coal companies, even as major resource companies such as BHP exit the sector, given the strong demand that exists for coal out of Asia, which accounts for three-quarters of the worlds coal demand. People need to remember, theyre still building coal-fired power stations as we speak, in Asia, so they need coal for 40 or 50 years, says Millner. And Australian coal is the cleanest coal in the world. He says while renewables have a place in Australias energy grid, coal is still needed for baseload power and expects there will continue to be investor demand for coal assets from people who have an interest in making money. Billionaire Robert Millner says people who have an interest in making money will continue to own coal mines despite the external pressures on financing such resource companies. Credit:Jim Rice In the past year, demand for coal has also risen in the US because of higher gas prices. The US Energy Information Administration predicts that the coal industrys share of power generation there will rise from 20 per cent in 2020 to 24 per cent in 2021 and to a similar level in 2022. Renewables share of US power generation is catching up, and was at 20 per cent in 2020, and is expected to rise to 22 per cent in 2022. Outgoing Nationals MP George Christensen, who has repeatedly pushed for an investigation into the Australian financial services sectors impact on the export industry, and in particular resources sector, is chairing the government committee. Centennial Coal in its submission said its industry was being unfairly and negatively stymied by the banks, noting that they enjoy the financial guarantee backing of federal government. The inability to finance projects or existing operations will continue to lead to lost opportunities to overseas competitors, erode our global competitiveness and negatively impact our national economy, said Centennials head of external relations Katie Brassil. Whitehaven Coal in its submission said the transition to renewables would take decades not years. It is important that this reality is fully acknowledged by Australias banking and financial sector. Ill-considered moves to accelerate this transition will have real and significant costs and consequences for regional economies in particular, said Whitehavens chief executive Paul Flynn. Advertisement He said the policies of the financial services sector towards coal would lead to companies not investing in regional Australia, and that it had created uncertainty for the industry, putting jobs at risk. Loading He warned that the banks and other financial institutions policies had the potential to inflict significant damage on the industry. There is no clear guidance for resources companies around the parameters of the lending policies of Australian financial institutions. Indeed, the lack of transparency and accountability around the banks decision-making process is a key concern in relation to the increasingly restrictive policies being applied. For example, ANZ recently withdrew its funding of the Port of Newcastle in what was said to be a rebuke of the coal industry and its exposure to climate risk. However, NAB, among others, quickly stepped in to underwrite the Port. The Commonwealth Bank, ANZ, Westpac and National Australia Banks policies do vary in content but they have all committed to reducing their exposure to thermal coal mining and coal-fired power generation, with the intention of exiting the sector by 2030. This month, Macquarie said it would stop financing coal projects by 2024. ANZ in its submission disclosed that it provides $14.2 billion in support of resources companies globally and remained Australias leading resources bank. It said it was continuing to back the nations 100 largest emitting customers on their response to climate change and said by the time it had reduced its financing to thermal coal by 2030, we will have been discussing our thermal coal position with customers for 15 years. Advertisement Its been a long time coming but last weekend the Gold Coast finally opened its new gallery, modestly titled Home Of The Arts. A few minutes drive from the concrete heart of Surfers Paradise its virtually impossible to miss the building - the latest concoction by Melbourne postmodernists, Ashton Raggatt McDougall (ARM). A six-storey block clad in brightly coloured, interlocking segments of blue, green, yellow and orange, it needs to be seen by day and by night. On the opening evening, the museum was transformed into a multifaceted screen for projected images, with parts of the structure defined by bright lines of neon. Sound rumbled out of hidden speakers while fireworks appeared to erupt from the roof. The HOTA gallery. Credit:Paul Harris By day the new HOTA is quieter but hardly less eye-catching. For those who are not fans of luridly coloured architecture, or who harbour unhappy impressions of ARMs undignified design for the National Museum of Australia, the good news is that most of the wild n crazy stuff stops at the front door. Inside is an eminently practical layout of exhibition spaces and facilities including a dedicated childrens gallery and a window to peek into the storage rooms. At the very top, on Level five, is the Exhibitionist Bar, which not only provides a most creative line in food and beverage, but has the added attraction of panoramic views of the region. Look to the east and there are glimpses of the ocean in the spaces between tower blocks. Look to the west and the mountains of the National Park loom in the distance. Look over your shoulder and theres a glass case full of macabre little voodoo sculptures by Linde Ivimey, pieced together out of hessian and chicken bones. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Laura McBride, the first Indigenous curator employed at the Australian Museum, is stepping over power drills and dodging ladders as workmen begin installing Unsettled, the upcoming exhibition about colonisation seen through the eyes of First Nations people. Theres a palpable buzz in the air as McBride and her team set up what the museums CEO Kim McKay calls the most important show the museum has ever done in its 194-year history. McBrides voice rings out loud and clear as she stops in front of one of the installations one of many in the show that may have many people reeling back in shock. A wall-sized map of Australia is lit up in red, denoting where frontier massacres took place each year. In 1921, almost two-thirds of the continent is awash in red. Laura McBride, Director, First Nations, at the Australian Museum. Credit:Anna Kucera Beside the map hangs a haunting black and white photograph taken by Brendan Beirne of Poison Waterholes Creek in Narrandera, where Aboriginal people were slaughtered. We want people to feel what it was really like during colonisation, and not just look at the data, says McBride, who was recently announced as Director of First Nations at the museum. We want people to understand that the places in which they live, work and play have these hidden histories. Unsettled is, like its name, a visceral exhibition that may shake up everything we thought we knew about our past. Advertisement Poison Waterholes Creek, Narrandera NSW, where horrific atrocities committed by white settlers against the Indigenous people took place around 1820. Credit:Brendan Beirne The extensive collection it includes 30 new acquisitions, as well as historical documents and objects from the museum that have never been seen before reveals the secret history that was not taught in school, or documented in textbooks. Newly acquired items include the Death Spear, a replica of the one used by resistance fighter Pemulwuy during the Sydney Wars, made of plant fibre, resin and shell to emulate the distinctive barbs and shells of the Bidjigal mans lethal weapon. Blood Money, a striking new acquisition by Indigenous artist Dr Ryan Presley, is a watercolour series presenting heroes and warriors of Indigenous history such as Pemulway, Truganini, and Gurindji activist Vincent Lingiari, on Australian banknotes. Documents that have never been shown before include sealed secret orders given to Captain James Cook by the Royal Navy, which he was ordered not to open until he left Tahiti in 1769 on his voyage to find the Great Southern Continent. The orders, on loan from the National Library of Australia, clearly state he was meant to gain the consent of the Natives when making a claim of possession something he never did. Blood Money Ten Dollar Note featuring Vincent Lingiari by Dr Ryan Presley. Credit:Australian Museum Collection Digital Acquisition Under the curatorship of McBride and Dr Mariko Smith, Indigenous Australians have a platform to control the narrative one that might make us re-think our perceptions of colonisation. First Nations people have chosen the content and chosen what they say about it. Theyre in charge of the story. McBride, a Wailwan and Kooma woman who has risen through the ranks at the museum over the last decade, says the exhibition may be confronting for many. Its an undoing of what many people might know about their own country. People often have no idea about Indigenous peoples experiences or the intergenerational trauma. Advertisement Death Spear by Raymond Timbery and Joel Deaves, a replica of Pemulways spear. Credit:Ana Kucera A sense of foreboding is evoked by depicting what it was like for First Nations people when they saw the white sails of the HMB Endeavour arrive in 1770. The Aboriginal people lit signal fires when he sailed up the coast, warning their neighbours of an unusual event, McBride says. It was like ringing your neighbour to say theres trouble ahead. Although the crew of the Endeavour noted the fires, they were unaware they were seeing an emergency response. As well as documenting what happened during colonisation, Unsettled simultaneously sings praises to the resilience of the First Nations people and the fact that this is home to the worlds oldest living culture. On display is a 30,000-year-old Wailwan grindstone fragment from Cuddie Springs which shows how long Aboriginal people have been preparing food. Its a great honour for any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander to work so closely with their cultural material, says McBride. That hasnt been our opportunity historically. We were allowed to deliver the education programs and maybe give some opinions or facts within our own experience, but the program was constructed by others. A fragment of a 30,000-year-old Wailwan grindstone used in food preparation. Credit:Abram Powell What sets the show apart is the consultation involved; McBride and Smith travelled throughout NSW asking more than 1000 Indigenous people for their opinion. Some were not able to read or write. Others were given mail packs with a reply paid envelope. More than 800 people responded, while 130 First Nations people were involved in the selection, making and interpretation of objects and experiences. The exhibition was meant to be about the First Nation response to the 250th anniversary of Captain James Cooks mapping of the east coast, but it became clear that they werent very interested in Cook. He is but a small footnote in Australias true history, she says. What they wanted people to see, she says, is what happened to them: the frontier wars, the separation from families, the seizure of land. Advertisement I knew this was going to be a very challenging project because Cook is seen as a hero to many Australians but he means something very different in our communities: destruction, pain and suffering. Many of the stories behind the newly acquired artworks are searing. Aunty Fay Moseleys One Way Ticket to Hell artwork. One of these, a painting by Wiradjuri Elder and artist Aunty Fay Moseley, depicts the moment she was taken away from her parents when she was 10 years old. One Way Ticket to Hell shows Moseleys mother standing on the station waving goodbye as she is sent to Cootamundra Domestic Training Home for Aboriginal Girls. My father served as a Rat of Tobruk in World War II, and my parents both worked at the local cannery and sang in the local choir, says Fay over the phone from her home in Wagga. I usually came close to the top of my class at school. But that didnt stop welfare coming to take five of the eight children when they were on the way to primary school one morning. She didnt see her mother for nine years. I used to miss my family so much, we used to look up at the clouds, and say thats them up there, theres Mum and Dad and Nan, she says. The secret orders Captain James Cook officially could not open until after he left Tahiti. Credit:National Library of Australia Advertisement At the Cootamundra Girls Home, she says, they took me out of A class and made me D class, so instead of finishing school I became a domestic servant. Moseley says she hopes many people come to the show and have a really good look. A lot of it may be controversial, but this is telling the truth through art. Its only when we can acknowledge the truth that we can get on with our lives, she says. Elder Uncle Waubin Richard Aken, of the Kaurareg First Nations in the Torres Strait Islands, took great pride in making Klakul spears for the show replicas of those that armed warriors would have used to defend their land when Cook arrived. The truth must be told, he said. Captain Cook didnt discover Australia. There were real men and women living here, and the land and the sea were our real estate. McBride seems destined for this role. She grew up in Sydney, spending most of the year living with her mother, going to school first at Leichhardt High, then Mitchell High School in Blacktown. For three months every year during the holidays she would live with her father in Coonamble, in Central West NSW. Pemulwuy (c 1750-1802) features in Blood Money by Dr Ryan Presley. It was a very rich experience. My father had eight sisters and was always teaching me about Country, about language, about knowledge, wherever possible. Ive always had that pride in being Aboriginal. Loading Advertisement What is art? Who or what is the self? Can art restore what seems to be missing in our self? The unease that drives such questions has haunted the novels and memoirs of Rachel Cusk for almost 30 years, and its perhaps because questions of identity are forever unanswerable that her books are vehicles she keeps driving into the same mystery. Her subject matter has evolved like expanding circles of hell; from interrogating what entraps women in their heads, to the domestic spaces that become prisons around them. In The Temporary, a narcissistic woman is rendered vacuous through her need to always appear desirable. In A Lifes Work and The Lucky Ones, women lose their identity through motherhood. In Aftermath its marriage, and in Arlington Park, middle-class housewives wander nullified behind the walls of a gated community. Rachel Cusk has mined a memoir by Mabel Dodge Luhan about a visit by D.H. Lawrence for her 11th novel. Credit:Ulf Andersen/ Getty Cusks 11th novel, Second Place, sees the writer, M, grope through this familiar art of darkness. Alone in Paris, not knowing who she is, M drifts around like a vagrant spirit, cast out of the home of myself and dreads returning to her loveless marriage. Shes only pretending to be a woman and secretly feels shes a man. At a retrospective of paintings by the artist L, shes completely overwhelmed by the aura of absolute freedom in his work and suddenly takes control of her destiny. She goes home, destroys her marriage and the pain almost kills her. Fifteen years later, shes living a new life on a coastal marshland with native American Tony, but the anxiety of not feeling real is returning. She invites L to spend the summer in their guesthouse, so he can paint the marsh, which is full of desolation and silence and mystery, and it hasnt yet told its secrets to anyone. But she really wants him to paint her, so that through his vision of her life, she might recognise herself again. Jealousy abounds when L arrives with a ravishingly beautiful socialite, promising to paint everybody but M. Stick Mareebo was woken at midnight. He was only 14, so his big brother rigged the pillows-and-blankets trick to fool Mum and Dad, and off they crept into the warm Jamaican night. The river was low. They rolled up their trousers and followed the bass into the darkness. That was my first sound-system dance, Mareebo recalls over rum cocktails and reggae at the faux-tropical LuWOW Tiki Bar in Little Collins Street. We went to see King Yellowman, who was an albino Jamaican guy that rose to prominence as the king of the DJs in the mid-1980s Derek Marr, left, and Stick Mareebo at the LuWOW Bar. Credit:Chris Hopkins I actually fell asleep at the dance, he adds. This is funny because back then revellers would famously fire their handguns in the air to signal appreciation of the vibe. And then theres the earthshaking reputation of the Killamanjaro sound system: a monolithic presence in Jamaica since 1969. The physics of sound will play a major part when the Heavy Congress event bumps into Melbourne Town Hall on June 6 as part of the inaugural RISING festival. With nine sprawling rigs pushing air, it will be the largest meeting of sound systems this country has witnessed. Even for aficionados of reggae, rocksteady, ska, house, techno and dubstep, the epic showdown promises new dimensions in sonic impact. But sound system is more than hardware. For each wall of speakers theres a crew. The selector plays the records. Theres a DJ like Mareebo on the mic. There might be a singer or live musicians. Theres also a culture, and a shared passion that runs far deeper than the rivalries that powered the sound clash events of the original Kingston street scene. Tuesday night is not the traditional party night in Canberra, but there was barely a sector in our economy that did not bask in some of the $95 billion dollars of pre-election largesse on offer in Josh Frydenbergs third budget. Roads will be built, childcare will be cheaper, new training programs will be supported, aged care is getting a long overdue boost, mental health funding will better meet demand. But like a kid who misses out on the prize during pass the parcel, our universities might be justified in wondering what they have done so wrong to be left out of all the fun. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg is congratulated by Prime Minister Scott Morrison and colleagues after delivering the Budget speech. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Australias universities play a pivotal role in our economic success story, they have energised economic growth for a generation providing the economy with the skills it needs to thrive. Universities are not only responsible for having educated 4.8 million Australians, or 36 per cent of the workforce, they also contribute to our biggest service export, international education. In 2019-20 international education was our third largest export earner, topping $40 billion. Alongside tourism the border closures implemented to stop COVID-19 entering Australia have hit universities more than other sectors of our economy. Australias former deputy chief medical officer has challenged doctors to smash the false idol of COVID-19 eradication and prepare the public for the next critical phase of the pandemic: open international borders and the return of the virus in the community. In a speech at the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons annual scientific meeting, Dr Nick Coatsworth admonished a hardcore rump of activist doctors spreading misinformation and undermining vaccine confidence. He condemned a rotten, but vocal, few doctors who used social media to abuse their colleagues, administrators and politicians. Former deputy chief medical officer Nick Coatsworth says Australia needs to prepare for reopening international borders and the reintroduction of COVID-19 in the community. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen His warning came as almost half of the 150 Australians booked on the first repatriation flight from India on Friday were barred from boarding after 42 tested positive for COVID-19, forcing them and their close contacts to remain in the COVID-ravaged nation. We once again have a responsibility as a profession to calmly reassure the community that vaccines must be taken up when they are offered, that waiting is not a valid option either individually or for the public health, and that ultimately when we allow COVID-19 back on our shores and it circulates in our community, that we are prepared and comfortable for that to happen, said the infectious disease physician one of the Commonwealth governments most prominent public health spokespeople throughout 2020. The reclusive mastermind behind a $17 million drug ring, who believed he found his community on the dark web, has been jailed for at least 10 years and is unlikely to see his ailing father again as a free man. Cody Ronald Ward, 27, was arrested on the NSW South Coast in February 2019. He pleaded guilty last year to multiple drug offences, including three counts of importing a commercial quantity of border-controlled drugs and three counts of large commercial drug supply. In the NSW District Court on Friday, Judge Robyn Tupman sentenced Ward to a maximum 14 years imprisonment with a non-parole period of 10 years. The 27-year-old pleaded guilty to multiple drug offences last year. Credit:Facebook She accepted Ward had expressed genuine remorse and contrition, through his evidence and a letter to the court, and had excellent prospects of rehabilitation, having lost 25 kilograms in jail, found a job as a sweeper and overcome significant drug addiction. Couple Jailed After Child Found in Neighbor's Yard By West Kentucky Star Staff PADUCAH - A Reidland couple was arrested Wednesday on multiple charges after a neighbor found their 3-year-old child on his property.The McCracken County Sheriff's Department responded to Epperson Road after a man said the child was on his property. The man believed the child had come from a nearby home, but he had not been able to make contact with anyone there for over an hour.Detectives entered the nearby home and found 28-year-old Bradley Vallely asleep. He claimed the child's mother, 40-year-old Tabitha Craig, had left the home, but hadn't told him the child was still there.The mother was asked to return to the home by detectives. They learned she was on probation for a 2020 conviction for possession of methamphetamine.A search of the home allegedly revealed meth, ecstasy pills, marijuana, psychedelic mushrooms, other pills and drug paraphernalia.Vallely and Craig were arrested and taken to McCracken County Jail. They both face charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of ecstasy, possession of marijuana, possession of a hallucinogen, possession of a legend drug, and possession of drug paraphernalia.Vallely faces an additional charge of wanton endangerment 1st degree, while Craig faces additional charges of wanton endangerment 2nd degree and driving on a suspended license.The child was released into the care of the Department for Community Based Services. The US Federal Bureau of Investigation has arrested the alleged American accomplice of a Sydney man over a scheme that provided tens of thousands of people with cheap access to Netflix and other streaming services using vast troves of stolen login details. Samuel Joyner, 30, from Beaverton in Oregon, has been indicted for his alleged role in the conspiracy alongside Evan McMahon, 23, of Dee Why on Sydneys northern beaches. McMahon pleaded guilty and was sentenced in April to serve two years and two months on an intensive corrections order. A sophisticated bootlegging scheme gave people cheap access to streaming services using stolen login details. Credit:AP Mr Joyner, also going by online aliases such as FamousCracker, has been charged with conspiracy to commit computer and access device fraud, trafficking and the use of unauthorised access devices, and possession of 15 or more unauthorised access devices. He is accused of running an online platform called AccountBot with McMahon between February 2018 and March 2019. The pirate subscription service offered access to Netflix, Spotify Premium, Hulu, HBO Max and other streaming platforms for very small fees, including $US10.97 for lifetime access. Customers were able to pay using cryptocurrency. Indigenous leader Yvonne Weldon has entered the race for the Sydney lord mayoralty, pitting herself against long-time incumbent Clover Moore and Labor councillor Linda Scott. Ms Weldon, who is chairwoman of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, announced her decision on Friday to run as the first Aboriginal Australian candidate for lord mayor. Yvonne Weldon launched her campaign as a candidate for Sydney lord mayor at Redfern Park. Credit:Nic Walker The Wiradjuri woman will replace independent candidate Kerryn Phelps, who bowed out of the contest early this month due to the health of a close family member. Ms Weldon was originally part of Dr Phelps team to contest council elections on September 4. Twenty-six years ago, model Revelle Balmain had everything going for her: she was happy, working, going out with friends, planning to travel overseas and spending time with her family. But the 22-year-old disappeared in Sydneys eastern suburbs and, despite numerous investigations, no trace of her has been found. Ms Balmain was last seen in the Kingsford area on November 5, 1994, and was reported missing later that evening. Police have announced a $1 million reward for information into the disappearance of model Revelle Balmain. Credit:NSW Police Media Two days after her disappearance, a cork-heeled platform shoe, her cane make-up bag, her diary and the keys to her Bellevue Hill unit were found scattered in four streets in the Kingsford area. Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she will not force Gareth Ward to quit politics while police are investigating the former minister for allegations of sexual violence. Ms Berejiklian said she was shocked and distressed by the allegation but said Mr Ward had done the right thing by moving to the crossbench. Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she was shocked to hear the allegations against Kiama MP Gareth Ward. Credit:Robert Peet Mr Ward, 39, stepped down from cabinet and moved to the crossbench on Thursday evening after it emerged he was the subject of a police investigation into allegations of sexual violence dating back to 2013. He denies any wrongdoing. This comes after Upper House Nationals MP Michael Johnsen resigned from parliament in March when he was accused of raping a sex worker in the Blue Mountains in 2019. Mr Johnsen has not been charged and denies the allegations. AirTrain is banking on Brisbanes peak-hour traffic congestion to convince travellers to stick with rail travel after this weeks introduction of SkyBus services to Brisbane Airport. SkyBus began running services between the Brisbane Airport and the CBD every two hours this week, with plans to drastically increase the frequency. The Airtrain runs to and from the Brisbane Airport every 15 minutes in peak times and less frequently at other hours of the day. Credit:Stephan Bollinger Photography The privately-owned AirTrain runs a direct link to the CityTrain network. AirTrain chief executive Chris Basche said, unlike taxis, ride-share providers and the new bus service, the train would not be impacted by Brisbanes traffic congestion. The man accused of killing his mother, who died shortly after she was found with a bullet in her chest in a Brisbane home, has been remanded in custody. Cristian Dino Lawlor, 22, fronted Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday on charges including manslaughter and possession of weapons and explosives. SES personnel search the Taigum property on Wednesday, May 12, after the womans death on Saturday. Credit:Jordan Fabris - Nine News Queensland Mr Lawlor was arrested and charged on Thursday after his mother was found lifeless in their Taigum home on Saturday. The court heard 53-year-old Giustina Katerina Lawlor was heard crying out before she was found in the laundry, with fluid around her mouth, by a family member. A Melbourne doctor has been granted permission to resume practising medicine after having sex with a female patient in a toilet at a Melbourne hotel, which is the subject of an ongoing investigation by the health industry regulator. Dr Rizwan Sami, 44, admitted to having sex with a patient in the disabled bathroom at St Kildas Esplanade hotel in 2019, according to a decision published last week by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). Dr Rizwan Sami. Credit:Eddie Jim However, Dr Sami has insisted that he did not realise the complainant was his patient until they had been engaging in intercourse for about two minutes, whereupon he immediately stopped. The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) had sought to extend a ban on Dr Sami while it continued an investigation into his conduct. A Melbourne nurse who helped militants in Syria and posted on social media photographs of weapons and boasts of what he witnessed says he has served enough time in prison. Adam Brookman abandoned his wife and five children in 2014 to follow his Islamic beliefs and travel to Syria, where he lived alongside Chechen rebels who were fighting against Bashar al-Assads government troops. Adam Brookman when working as an ambulance paramedic. Credit:Facebook Throughout 2014 Brookman provided medical care and transport for wounded Chechen fighters and also underwent weapons training, did stints as a guard and took part in reconnaissance missions. The Supreme Court on Friday heard Brookman provided a snapshot of his experiences in Instagram posts, which included photographs of weapons, wounded rebels and fighters daily lives. The posts featured passages that often began From a brother in Syria and included his devotion to doing to his duty to Allah. The lack of public consensus of our states history has always been a roadblock to achieving a shared understanding between First Peoples and the broader Victorian community. Our people have endured violence and injustice since colonisation and into the modern day, and we continue to have to justify our outrage. Our stories not only deserve to be heard; they deserve to be believed. Truth-telling will be at the heart of the Yoo-rrook Justice Commission. Credit:Joe Armao For those of us who are in the privileged position to advocate for our people and enact change, the biggest barrier continues to be the questions surrounding the legitimacy of our struggle. That is why the search for truth and justice is vital. We must set the record straight so that all parties who are involved in our nation leading work towards Treaty can enter discussions with the true knowledge of our states sorry history. Graves Man Arraigned on Forgery Charges By West Kentucky Star Staff PADUCAH - A Graves County man arrested two weeks ago in Jefferson County was in court Thursday.The McCracken Circuit Court Clerk said 32-year-old Aaron Foss was arraigned, and entered a not guilty plea. He faces charges of criminal possession of a forged instrument, two counts of fraudulent use of a credit card under $500, and theft of identity.His preliminary hearing is set for May 25.The McCracken County Sheriff's Department asked for help locating Foss on April 5, saying he was wanted on outstanding warrants. He was arrested April 30 by the Shively Police Department in Jefferson County, and faces charges there, too.On the Net: Ricardo Barbaro has been ordered to stand trial over the alleged murder of his girlfriend Ellie Price a year after her body was found in a South Melbourne apartment. With a single nod of the head, Mr Barbaro acknowledged he would now face the Supreme Court after the magistrate, Susan Wakeling, ruled there was evidence of sufficient weight to support a possible conviction. Ellie Price and Ricardo Barbaro. Speaking for the first time during the five-day committal at Melbourne Magistrates Court into the 26-year-olds death, a puffy-eyed Mr Barbaro told the court on Friday he was not guilty your honour. Police found Ms Prices body at her Park Street property on May 4 last year and believe she was fatally stabbed up to five days earlier. What does Yoo-rrook mean? In the Wemba Wemba language Yoo-rrook means truth. The Wemba Wemba, also known as the Wamba Wamba, are a people from north-west Victoria and the NSW Riverina. The five commissioners will operate the inquiry independently of government. Credit:Ben Plant What is the justice commission? It will be the first truth-telling process of its type in Australia, charged with investigating both historical and ongoing injustices committed against Aboriginal Victorians across all areas of social, political, cultural and economic life, starting with colonisation. It is specific to the state of Victoria. The process is partly modelled on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission set up by Nelson Mandela in post-apartheid South Africa, as well as those that have been held in New Zealand and Canada. Following weeks of unrest between Israelis and Palestinians, violence escalated dramatically on Wednesday with one of the most ferocious aerial exchanges between the two killing more than 100 people. Israel carried out hundreds of air strikes in Gaza while Palestinian militant groups fired rockets at multiple locations, including Tel Aviv and Beersheba. On Friday morning, Israeli Defence Forces announced they had deployed ground troops to the border to attack the Gaza Strip, escalating tensions even further. Today on Please Explain, world editor Michelle Griffin joins Nathanael Cooper to discuss the growing tensions in the volatile region and to explain how TikTok is involved. Australias government has dropped its biggest hint yet to the independent pay umpire that it should lift wages for more than two million workers when it decides on the next minimum wage rise. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Industrial Relations Minister Michaelia Cash have told Australias minimum wage-setting panel the economy is improving fast in a signal that could underpin a pay rise for low-income workers. Tuesdays budget started a political battle on wages when Labor and the Greens highlighted its forecast that wages would fall or be flat in real terms until 2024, drawing focus to this years minimum wage decision due next month. Industrial Relations Minister Michealia Cash and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg have trumpeted the improving economy to the minimum wage panel. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Big employer groups, including the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, have urged the panel to keep the minimum wage flat in real terms on the basis that the coronavirus is still hurting businesses, especially in sectors like tourism. That would affect 2.3 million workers on the minimum wage, or others tied to it. A hidden $1.1 billion saving has sparked fears of cuts to services for Australians out of work despite a federal pledge to drive the unemployment rate to record lows by helping people find new jobs. The efficiency drive will shift 1.2 million job seekers to an online service in a bid to replace face-to-face advice from employment service providers paid by the government to help the unemployed. More than a million job seekers will be switched to an online service in a bid to replace face-to-face advice from employment service providers. Credit:Louise Kennerley The savings were included in a series of measures listed in the federal budget on Tuesday night outlining sweeping changes to the JobActive system used for two decades to place people in work. Community and employer groups are concerned the plan flouts a 2018 report to the government that said all the savings from the online model should be invested in better services for the long-term unemployed. One Nation Senator Malcolm Roberts stands on the lawn outside Parliament House waving his arms and debating furiously the matter of climate change with a gentleman sprawled on a deck chair and wearing a Hawaiian shirt and swimming trunks, a giant papier-mache mask of Prime Minister Scott Morrison enveloping his head. One Nation Senator Malcolm Roberts in debate with a protester wearing a Scott Morrison costume. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen The chap on the beach chair is such a familiar sight around the regular protests outside parliament that he has become known as Mr Bobblehead. He has a range of giant masks and has appeared as Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull in the past. The unkind have referred to Roberts as Mr Bobblehead from time to time too. His head, equipped with a pair of laser-like eyes, appears to grow too big for his diminutive body when he becomes animated by subjects such as global warming and climate change, which he denies are occurring. So there they are, Mr Bobblehead and Mr Bobblehead, lecturing each other about something one doesnt believe exists and which the other is trying to accentuate by wearing beach attire in the chilled Canberra air. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian says she was shocked and distressed to learn of allegations of sexual violence against Disability Services Minister Gareth Ward. Mr Ward, 39, stepped down from cabinet and moved to the crossbench on Thursday evening after it emerged he was the subject of a police investigation into allegations of sexual violence dating back to 2013. He denies any wrongdoing. Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Friday morning. Credit:Nine Ms Berejiklian said she first learned of the allegations through the media and called Mr Ward on Thursday evening, adding he had done the right thing by moving to the crossbench. Obviously after the reports came out I spoke to him and asked him whether he had done anything wrong. He denied any wrongdoing. I asked him whether police had contacted him and he said no. He was very categorical in saying police havent contacted him as yet, Ms Berejiklian said on Friday morning. In just 10 weeks, two separate sexual assault allegations, a corruption inquiry and disloyalty have claimed four MPs from the Berejiklian government. So dire is the situation, the Coalition which 10 years ago celebrated the largest electoral win in Australian history is now barely clinging to power. On Thursday, the Families, Communities and Disability Services Minister Gareth Ward became the subject of sexual violence allegations, which he denies. Premier Gladys Berejiklian is popular with the people but her caution frustrates some within her government. Credit:Janie Barrett Within hours of NSW Police confirming he was under investigation, Ward stepped down from the ministry and moved to the crossbench. Given the severity of the allegations, Ward had no choice, but his departure from the government benches leaves the Coalition in a precarious position. NSW is the national success story of the pandemic. But underneath a layer of competency and achievement is a third-term government increasingly plagued with scandal, ill-discipline and growing division. For the Nationals, reputation is everything in a byelection sparked by one of its own for allegedly raping a sex worker. A win next Saturday will be critical for the Berejiklian government, lest its minority status be cemented until the next state election in 2023. Loading The position was made all the more precarious this week when another government MP, NSW Disability Minister Gareth Ward, resigned from cabinet and moved to the crossbench amid revelations he was the subject of a police investigation into alleged sexual assault. He has denied any wrongdoing. Souris says he wasnt conscripted to Layzells campaign trail, but volunteered to help restore the standing of the Nationals party generally after the scandal that ended Johnsens career. I have not detected anybody blaming the Nationals party or blaming the next candidate. Indeed the Nationals party rid themselves of [Johnsen] immediately. At pre-polls no one has mentioned it. Not all have been so forgiving, with some lifelong Nationals voters saying they had lost confidence in the party, such was their disappointment with Johnsen. A candidates meeting at Scone RSL. Credit:Kate Geraghty I dont think theyve got a chance in hell, says local tourism operator Kath Tullia. Shes eyeing off one of the five independents running in the byelection because she believes they will fight for the community more than the major parties. Michael Johnsen has put a bit of a dirty mark on the name of the Nationals. There have been lots of promises made they havent kept, she says. We dont seem to be getting the money Sydney gets. Scott Dibley from Singleton says he has not yet decided which way he will vote, but for the first time it wont be for the Nationals. It seems like there is a different set of rules for them and for us. Souris questions how the seat came to todays razor-thin margin of 2.6 per cent. I probably expected the margin that I had would have carried over it didnt, Souris says, calling out Johnsens failure to improve the margin at the 2019 election. This is a strong seat that should produce a minister. I just dont want to see such a fine seat lost. Mines and jobs Widely considered the coal capital of Australia, the Upper Hunter is one of the states largest and oldest electorates; where mining meets agriculture, from beef and dairy to viticulture and the equine industry. It has been held continuously by the Nationals, formerly the Country Party, since 1932. MACH Energys Mount Pleasant coal mine near Muswellbrook. Credit:Kate Geraghty The Nationals, Labor and the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party all polled over 20 per cent in primary votes at the 2019 poll. One Nation made the neighbouring federal seat of Hunter, held by Joel Fitzgibbon, marginal at the 2019 election after polling 21 per cent. For many, the byelection will be a vote on the future of mining and jobs in Singleton and Muswellbrook, a key issue on the ticket of Labor candidate Jeff Drayton. The coal miner and union official is running to end the demonisation of coal and secure a plan for miners in a post-coal future. Do I have a view that coal is going to be here in 100 years time? No, I havent got that view. It might be 20 years, 30 years, 40 years. The market will determine that, Drayton says. But we cant sit around for another 10 years and still be saying, coals declining, and be left with at least 100,000 workers with nothing and nowhere for them to go. For others, the threat of the coal industry on the rich food bowl region, its water and air quality and that of the surrounding racing industry will be front of mind. Scone, in the electorates centre, is the second-largest horse breeding area in the world, after Kentucky in the United States. Fourth generation farmer Doug Robertson and his wife, Nic. Credit:Kate Geragthy Fourth-generation farmer Doug Robertson is facing the threat of new mining exploration licences near his property outside Scone, where his family has been breeding cattle since 1930. He was among Upper Hunter farmers who successfully lobbied to enact new curbs preventing open cut mining on the mothballed Dartbrook mine near Aberdeen, announced by Deputy Premier and Nationals leader John Barilaro last month. In the early days of the mine we chose to fence the creek out and not rely on it for stormwater anymore ... because the creek aquifers were definitely damaged by the mine, he said. Dont get me wrong, were not anti-mining. Weve all prospered in this in this area because of mining ... but how can our industries all grow and prosper and develop into the next 20 years if theres this threat of these mines on our doorstep? Nobodys going to invest. In the 55,000-plus electorate about 12,000 people are directly employed by mining, but 70,000 from the electorate and beyond are employed by supporting industries. Were hearing a lot of negativity about mining, says Layzell, who describes the Nationals agenda not as pro-mining, rather pro-industry and pro-regional areas. Its all about maintaining great jobs, great industries. I think some people might think that were all tearing ourselves apart on this issue, but really were all living quite a good life. At the Yarraman Park stud farm, owner Arthur Mitchell agrees its a good life, and one he wants passionately to protect. He believes in a happy medium where local mining and his award-winning stud farm (with stallions that mate with the likes of Winx and Black Caviar) can coexist with buffer zones of at least 10 kilometres. Arthur Mitchell with I am Invincible. Credit:Kate Geraghty We are very much not anti-mining, but we have a problem with the mines encroaching up here, proven by a lot of wealthy overseas buyers picking up farms in Victoria rather than the Hunter Valley, because they are worried about the creep of the coal mines, he said. The Trump of the Upper Hunter Its Wednesday evening at Scone RSL club, and the members cash badge draw is underway in the bistro. Upstairs, plates of tightly wrapped sandwiches have been laid out for more than 100 farmers who are getting to know the candidates. Appearing at the NSW Farmers event are Layzell, Drayton, and One Nations Dale McNamara, who in recent weeks has earned the moniker among rival parties as Trump of the Upper Hunter. Some of the candidates at the Scone RSL meeting. Credit:Kate Geraghty McNamara says the party, led by Mark Latham, can find the balance between agriculture, equine and mining industries, with common sense policies that wont change between the Upper Hunter and Sydney. Greens candidate Sue Abbott, and independents Kirsty OConnell, Tracey Norman, Steven Reynolds and Archie Lea are among nine candidates who have come to meet their would-be constituents. The forum has filled out with farmers, most over-60, from areas like Scone, Aberdeen, Quirindi and Dungog. They have come to talk mining, roads, water, the government sell-off of Scone TAFE, regional healthcare, coal exploration licences and mining royalties coming back to the region. Dairy farmer Brad Smith tells the room his industry is dying both figuratively and literally, asking how candidates would encourage the next generation of farmers to stay in agriculture? Because what weve done so far is not working. The farmers share an overt sense of frustration that their most pressing local issues from major road cracks, to overhead power lines and the mice plague crippling farms and homes would attract far greater attention if they were in Sydney. Shooters, Fishers and Farmers candidate and nurse Sue Gilroy says she is standing to take significant local issues to government. She says recent funding commitments are simply pre-election promises, like a new fire station at Kayuga, a new Singleton police station, $45 million for Muswellbrook hospital and an urgent $25 million for Dungog roads. Getting in early: A woman votes at the pre-poll booth in Muswellbrook. Credit:Kate Geraghty Weve seen the purse strings of government open. But it shouldnt take a byelection, Gilroy says. With the equivalent of six Adani-sized coal mines planned within a few kilometres of Muswellbrook, independent Kirsty OConnell says she is calling for a sensible middle. Child and Adolescent Health Service chief executive Aresh Anwars resignation was not accepted by the boss of the Health Department because it would be too destabilising. A report into the circumstances surrounding the death of seven-year-old Aishwarya Aswath in Perth Childrens Hospital on April 3 found multiple staffing, equipment and policy failures could have contributed to her death. CAHS chief executive Aresh Anwar said his resignation offer was rejected by WA Health director-general David Russell-Weisz. Credit:Hamish Hastie Following its release CAHS chair Debbie Karasinski stood down from her role and Dr Anwar said he had verbally offered his resignation but it was rejected by director general David Russell-Weisz. Dr Russell-Weisz said the health department would be better served by Dr Anwar remaining in his role. Local, State Leaders Pay Tribute to Albert Jones By West Kentucky Star Staff PADUCAH - Hundreds gathered in Paducah Thursday to pay tribute to former Paducah mayor Albert Jones.Several current and former government leaders shared thoughts and memories of Jones at the event, including Governor Andy Beshear, Paducah Mayor George Bray, McCracken County Judge-Executive Craig Clymer, former Kentucky State Senator Dorsey Ridley, former Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Bill Cunningham, and Chief Franklin Circuit Judge Phillip Shephard.Bray said Jones was an example of the kind of leadership he aspires to bring to the city."He was elected to a five-year term as mayor, and that's where I still interact with Albert every single day because his spirit is still at City Hall," Bray said. "We all need leaders to remember and look up to, and Albert Jones as an iconic leader of Paducah is somebody we can all remember and judge ourselves by."Governor Beshear said Jones lived a life that stood as a towering inspiration to everyone and shared how their friendship has impacted his life."He had a special friendship with my dad and mom. He was kind enough to extend that to me at an early age. Anytime when I needed help, he and his family were just always there. That's something that certainly drove me, and I don't think I would be here today without his support."The event also featured musical performances by the 101st Airborne Screaming Eagle Band and the Paducah Tilghman High School Choir.Jones died at the age of 91 on February 10. Aside from serving as mayor from 1996 until 2000, he was an FBI agent, a McCracken County commonwealth attorney, U.S. attorney, Kentucky state representative, and a Korean War veteran.You can see the complete tribute below. London: David Cameron says he was paid far more by Australian banker Lex Greensill than he earned as prime minister of Britain but refused to confirm reports his payday amounted to tens of millions of dollars. Cameron was hauled before the British Parliament for more than three hours to answer questions about his conduct on behalf of his work for Greensill since mid-2018. Former UK PM David Cameron speaks to a parliamentary committee on his role at Greensill Capital. Credit:Hans van Leeuwen Greensills companies sold supply-chain finance, whereby his firm Greensill Capital would pay a companys supplier, giving that company extra time to pay invoices while creating a bond from the transaction which would be onsold. Greensill Capital collapsed in March this year, throwing 50,000 jobs around the world into doubt, including Liberty steelworks in Britain and Australia, owned by Sanjeev Gupta. As Israel conducts the largest offensive operation in Gaza since at least 2014, the words of Donald Trumps former national security adviser John Bolton creep into mind like an uncomfortable oracle: Its clear that Bidens focus and I dont disagree with it politically is domestic ... [but] that will change. Because it always does. After speaking to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Joe Biden expressed his expectation and hope that this will be closing down sooner than later. The lack of American activity in this comment reflects his administrations eagerness to fight the propulsive draw of crises in the Middle East. Instead, he is trying to maintain a level of stability in the region that will not distract him from his other priorities both at home and in the Indo-Pacific. Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on a building in Gaza City on Thursday. Credit:AP Unlike past administrations, Bidens foreign policy team is weighted towards the Indo-Pacific. His National Security Council is now filled with considerably more experts on this region than on the Middle East. And Australian foreign policy watchers have been reassured by Bidens emphasis on the Indo-Pacific, given an increasingly assertive China. But the escalation of conflict overnight between Israel and Palestine reflects just how difficult it will be for Biden to treat the Middle East like any other region outside of Asia: that is, to not to prioritise it. Biden is not the first President to come to the White House with plans to do less overseas. In 1992, Bill Clinton said, foreign policy is not what I came here to do until his presidency was earmarked by an unfulfilled peace agreement at Camp David and humiliation in Somalia. Confronted by a seemingly endless conflict such as the violence in Israel and Palestine it is easy to shrug cynically. It can seem as though the two sides will hate each other forever and it is useless to even take an interest. But that makes now a good time to say a word in favour of hope. The circumstances at first glance do not justify much optimism. The latest outbreak of violence that has killed more than 100 Palestinians and five Israelis, including children, has not come out of the blue. The Hamas rockets hailing down on the cosmopolitan Israeli city of Tel Aviv and the Israeli attacks on high-rise apartments in the Palestinian enclave of Gaza were preceded by a familiar cycle of tension. The issue, as always, has been Palestinian resentment at the spread of Jewish settlements in the territories Israel has occupied since 1967 and the lack of equal rights for Palestinians and Jews. Gaza City: Turmoil from the battle between Israel and Hamas on the Gaza Strip border has spilt over into the West Bank on the other side of the country, where young demonstrators clashed with Israeli troops who killed at least 11 people. In the occupied West Bank, on the outskirts of Ramallah, Nablus and other towns and cities, an estimated 5000 Palestinians protested against Israels Gaza campaign and actions in Jerusalem. Waving Palestinian flags, they trucked in tires set up in burning barricades and hurled stones at Israeli soldiers. At least 10 protesters were shot and killed by soldiers. An 11th Palestinian was killed when he tried to stab a soldier at a military position. The Jerusalem Post reported more than 150 people were injured. Palestinian demonstrators take cover during clashes with Israeli forces at the Hawara checkpoint, south of the West Bank city of Nablus, on Friday. Credit:AP On Saturday morning, unconfirmed social media reports showed rockets, presumed launched by Hamas, landing in Israeli areas, including the port city of Ashoda. Other posts showed purported Israeli settlers armed and organising themselves in groups in Jaffa, near Tel Aviv, where two Arab-Israeli children were reportedly injured by a Molotov cocktail thrown into their house. Washington: Foreign Minister Marise Payne says the United States vocal support for Australia should embolden other countries to stand up to Beijing when the Chinese government threatens their national values and interests. Payne held her first in-person meetings with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington on Friday (AEST) as well as meetings with other top Biden administration officials. Payne said the Morrison government is pushing for a more thorough investigation into the origins of the coronavirus while maintaining its belief the virus probably emerged from wildlife rather than a Chinese laboratory leak. Australias Foreign Minister Marise Payne at a press briefing with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. At a joint press conference at the State Department, Blinken backed recent remarks by Indo-Pacific Co-ordinator Kurt Campbell that Chinas economic coercion of Australia is a roadblock to a normalisation of relations between the rival superpowers. SOUTH REWARD:--- The members of the Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset gathered at the St. Dominic High School to paint a peace mural in efforts to promote peace among the youth. The concept, design, and painting were done by students of St. Dominic High School with the guidance of their Art teacher, Mr. Sikkes, and members of the Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset. One of Rotarys key areas of focus involves promoting peace and Rotary clubs worldwide initiate projects centered around the idea of peace. Given the constant uproar among the youth in our community and in the schools, the Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset felt a sense of urgency to tackle the issue head-on. The intention behind the painting of the peace mural is that it would serve as a daily inspiration to the students, faculty, and staff and a reminder of the importance of exhibiting peace. The peace mural includes a peace dove and peace symbol along with the quote, Remember That Peace Starts with You. It is evident that we are experiencing challenges with our youth, however, ignoring and constantly pointing out their wrongdoings without addressing it is not the solution. Whether it is peace of mind or peace on Earth, it all begins with service clubs such as Rotary to guide them in making an effort to be more calm and pleasant in their words and actions, Rotary Sunsets Youth Service Chair Kimberley Duzong stated. The Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset is dedicated to constructively impacting our youth and plans to paint similar peace murals in as many schools on both sides of the island as possible. A heartfelt thank you is extended to the management of the St. Dominic High School for the opportunity to execute our vision of the peace mural and to Mr. Sikkes and the students of his Art class for sharing their talent in designing and assistance in painting the mural. The Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset meets on the second and fourth Monday of the month at Carl N Sons Unique Inn and Conference Facilities in Cole Bay at 7:30 pm. Due to COVID-19, the club currently meets via Zoom. The club can be contacted via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via the official Facebook page at facebook.com/rotarysxmsunset. Occupational Safety and Health standards aim to assist workers and their representatives to assess health and safety hazards and their risks in the workplace, adopt and use appropriate practices, means, methods, operations or processes, and working conditions to ensure healthy and safe employment. Risk assessment in the workplace and how to respond appropriately Identify and minimize self-exposure to health hazards Identify who might be more prone to exposure and how Evaluate the risk and direct the issue to the right source Record who is responsible for the implementation to correct the risk factors Monitor and review the findings and stay well informed. PHILIPSBURG:--- The Inspectorate of Public Health, Social Affairs and Labor, IVSA, is creating awareness amongst the employers and employees on health hazards in the workplace by means of campaigns, public service announcements, government bulletin boards, info sessions for the unions, and distributing leaflets to visited businesses. The national Safety ordinance (SO, AB 2013 GT no 438) and accompanying Safety Decrees contain provisions for working healthy and safe. The Labor division of IVSA supervises amongst others the regulations with regards to the prevention of accidents; assistance in the event of accidents; prevention of poisoning, contamination or occupational diseases. Also, the reporting obligation by an employer in the case of an accident is another area that employees should be aware of. Please be informed that all occupational accidents must be reported immediately to the Inspectorate. An occupational accident or work-related accident is any accident involving an employee during the execution of her/his work, where the employee dies, or attains permanent injury and/or requires professional medical investigations and treatment. An accident can also occur where no personal injury is experienced due to coincidental circumstances. Hygiene in the workplace is necessary in the prevention of disease. Toilets and urinals must properly be cleaned and disinfected at least once per day. Employees must be given the proper gear for the removal of harmful or irritating vapors or gasses or dust. Workplaces must be well ventilated and protected against the influences of weather. Mold in the workplace should be reported immediately to the floor supervisor/manager. Areas of concern that may cause mold are a combination of moist areas caused by leakages or dampness, temperature differences, and organic material. Mold should best be remediated by a mold remediation company or an expert to help get things under control, including leaks that may have caused the issue in the first place. It must be noted that mold in the home solely used for the dwelling is not a concern of IVSA unless its utilized as a workplace. The national Safety ordinance does not equate a house with a company. The business must have sufficient daylight and efficient artificial lighting. Staircases must have proper lighting at all times and at night alleys as well. For any specific question or concern not addressed in this document, as filing of complaints, dangerous work, personal protective equipment, and other required services you may contact the IVSA by sending an e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Your complaint will be dealt with and your identity will remain anonymous. For reporting of occupational accidents or dangerous working environments call 5247247. Dr. Earl Best, Inspector General PHILIPSBURG:--- As of Monday, April 26th, 2021, article 28a of the National Ordinance Spatial Development Planning (Lrop) presented by the Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment & Infrastructure, Mr. Egbert Doran, has gone into effect again. The main purpose of the aforementioned National Ordinance is to allow the Government to establish development plans, commonly referred to as zoning plans, to better manage and guide the spatial development of the country. Article 28a. regulates the requirements for a civil works permit, which will allow the Minister to review certain planned works prior to approval. This will ensure that the works will not cause undesirable and irreversible damage to the environment and are executed with concern to the environment and that the works fit within the Government Spatial Development Vision. In addition, the article allows the government to impose conditions on the execution of the works. The intention of this article is not to obstruct any developments. Therefore, persons will require prior approval by the Minister for the following works and projects of profound nature: - The excavation, raising, leveling or explosion of land; - The construction of roads and other pavements; - Works and projects that impact the water management and the groundwater level; - The felling and clear-cutting of trees or other cultivation; - The demolition of structures; - The filling and/or dredging of water. A civil works permit is not the same as a building permit. However, both permits can be applied for at the same time. If you intend to carry out any of the above works or projects, you must apply for a civil works permit, effective April 26, 2021. You can do this via the usual building permit application form, which can be downloaded from the website of the Ministry of VROMI. An appointment to submit a permit request can be made online at http://bit.ly/vromiappointment. Within 60 days after your application has been submitted, the minister will make a decision whether or not to grant the permit. If granted, the permit will be published in the National Gazette along with other approved permits from the same period. During the public review period of 6 weeks, persons can object or appeal the decision (based on Article 3 of the National Ordinance Administrative Jurisdiction (Landsverordening Administrative Rechtspraak (Lar)) The civil works permit may only be used: - After the time limit for submitting a notice of objection or appeal has expired without a request for a temporary injunction being filed. - After a decision has been taken on a request for a temporary injunction. The following fees are required for the civil works permit: - For processing a request for a permit: Naf 150,-; and, - For granting the permit: Naf 150,- More information on article AB 2021, no. 6, van de gepubliceerde Landsverordening tot wijziging van de Landsverordening ruimtelijke ontwikkelingsplanning i.v.m. het herinvoeren van artikel 28a (including the explanatory memorandum), can be downloaded (in Dutch) from: http://www.sintmaartengov.org/government/AZ/laws/Pages/Official-Publications.aspx, under the section 2021 In addition, an English elucidation and presentation of article 28a can be found on http://www.sintmaartengov.org/government/VROMI/Pages/Ministry-Policies-and-Reports.aspx under the section Policy RTHK: Japanese journalist deported from Myanmar A Japanese journalist arrested while covering the aftermath of the Myanmar coup has been deported, Tokyo said on Friday, after charges against him were dropped as a diplomatic gesture. Yuki Kitazumi, held in Yangon's Insein prison since his arrest last month, was one of at least 80 reporters detained during the junta's crackdown on anti-coup dissent. Security forces have killed more than 780 people since protests erupted following the February 1 coup that ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, according to a local monitoring group. Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi confirmed that the journalist left Myanmar for Japan on Friday afternoon. Motegi said Japan had used "various channels" to press for his release and that it had been "tough work". "As a result of those efforts, yesterday the Myanmar authorities announced that they would withdraw the indictment," he told reporters in Tokyo. The minister also announced that Japan has offered Myanmar US$4 million in emergency food aid via the World Food Programme. The support is expected to help 600,000 people. "Food supply to the impoverished population in Yangon region is rapidly deteriorating amid this situation, and they are facing difficulties in even maintaining the most basic living conditions," the Japanese Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Myanmar state broadcaster MRTV announced on Thursday that the charges against journalist Kitazumi were being dropped "in order to reconcile with Japan and improve our relationship". State media said an earlier investigation found that Kitazumi "supported the protests". He was charged under a newly revised provision in the penal code which criminalises spreading fake news, criticising the coup or encouraging disobedience among soldiers and civil servants. Those convicted can face up to three years in jail. Kitazumi, who had previously been arrested in February but released soon afterwards, was the first foreign journalist to be charged since the coup. As well as arresting reporters and photographers, the junta has also revoked broadcasting licences and ordered regular internet outages as it seeks to suppress news of the anti-coup protest movement. On Wednesday, a reporter for independent media outlet DVB, Min Nyo, was sentenced to three years in jail for criminal mutiny. Ko Aung Kyaw Oo, a former reporter for Tomorrow Journal, was arrested on Thursday afternoon, his son confirmed. Forty-five journalists and photographers remain in custody across Myanmar, according to monitoring group Reporting ASEAN. (AFP) This story has been published on: 2021-05-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Paducah Man Pleads Guilty to Sex Abuse Charges By West Kentucky Star Staff PADUCAH - A Paducah man facing sex and drug-related charges was in court Friday, where he entered a guilty plea.According to the court clerk, 19-year-old Joseph Newcomb appeared before Judge Tony Kitchen for a pretrial conference. He's charged with 2nd degree sexual abuse, promoting a minor in a sexual performance, use of electronics to procure a minor for sex, 2nd degree sodomy, unlawful transaction with a minor, tampering with evidence, and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.The clerk said Newcomb pled guilty to the charges and will be sentenced on July 8.He was arrested in September after police reportedly found him smoking marijuana in a car with a 12-year-old girl. Officers said Newcomb exchanged marijuana for sexual contact with the girl. ~ Political talks begin with USP, and incoming UP MP.~ PHILIPSBURG:--- The Council of Ministers officially suspended the Managing Director of the Princess Juliana International Holding Company Dexter Doncher. Doncher was informed of the suspension by letter late Wednesday night after the Council of Ministers held an emergency meeting and voted. Dexter Doncher was given a warning letter two days prior to the three months suspension. The Council of Ministers wanted to fire Doncher who followed the instructions of the government to officially dismiss the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Princess Juliana International Airport, Brian Mingo on April 7th. Mingo then filed an injunction against his termination and the judge ruled in favor of Mingo due to a technical error in the dismissal procedure. SMN News learned that the interim Minister of TEATT Ludmilla de Weever who instructed Doncher to start the dismissal process wanted to fire Doncher now that the court of first instance ruled in his favor and most importantly because the Dutch Government chose to withhold the fifth tranche of liquidity support from the government of St. Maarten. State Secretary of Kingdom Relations Raymond Knops sent a letter on Wednesday to Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs informing her that unless she deals with the matters at the Princess Juliana International Airport St. Maarten will not be getting the promised Naf39.M for liquidity support. Knops said that the Prime Minister of St. Maarten failed in her duties because she did not intervene in the ongoing saga and PJIAE when she was called upon. Reliable sources have informed SMN News that the only Minister that stood up for Doncher was recently appointed Minister of VSA Omar Ottley who maintained the stance of the United Peoples Party that is totally against the suspension and dismissal of Dexter Doncher whom they said followed the instructions given to him by the shareholder representatives. The source said that Doncher met with Ministers that were appointed by the National Alliance that also instructed him to fire Mingo since they have all lost confidence in the CEO. Now that the Council of Ministers has suspended Dexter Doncher, SMN News learned that political talks have begun with USP Faction Leader MP Claudius Buncamper and the National Alliance while the board of the USP was not consulted. In an invited comment, MP Claudius Buncamper said he did not hold any formation talks with anyone. However, he also heard that talks are taking place. It is also said that talks were also held with incoming Member of Parliament Ludmilla de Weever whom it is understood will move away from the United Peoples Party and declare herself as an independent member of parliament as soon as she takes office. It has been speculated that the Jacobs 2 cabinet with not survive its full term since the Prime Minister of St. Maarten has been accused by her coalition partners of accepting all the conditions and blackmail placed on St. Maarten by the Dutch Government in order to secure the much-needed liquidity support. However, while Doncher has been officially suspended for the next three months until due process takes place until he is heard on how he handled the dismissal of Brian Mingo. Sources say that Doncher was parked up for the next three months in order to give Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs enough time to secure the cooperation agreement with the Dutch Government, while the dismissal procedure against CEO Brian Mingo will come to a halt until the reconstruction contract for the Terminal Building is awarded to the Dutch company Ballas Nedam by July 2021 since it is the Dutch Government and the European Investment Bank that granted PJIAE the loan to reconstruct the countrys main gateway. SMN News further learned that former leader of the National Alliance William Marlin will soon resign from Parliament to allow someone else to take up the seat in parliament. Following is the translated letter sent to Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs by State Secretary Raymond Knops. Dear Mrs. Jacobs, Your letter dated 6 May 2021 to Mr. Rutte (reference DIV # 11525) to the Ministry of General Affairs has been passed on to me as the responsible Minister1. I hereby respond to your letter on behalf of the Cabinet. The loan agreement for the fifth tranche of liquidity support is not yet signed by me. I have held back the signing in connection with the very worrying developments regarding corporate governance at the Juliana International Airport (PJIA). I've had these concerns for the past few months and repeatedly shared them with you, and also the special representative of the Netherlands concerning the reconstruction (Mr. Weekers). The World Bank and Royal Schiphol Group (RSG) have repeatedly expressed their concerns to your government. However, all of these warnings have not resulted in corrective actions from St. Maarten as shareholder of the airport. That's why I have to now note that the issuing of warnings and the constant reminder is no longer sufficient to restore the airport and with it the 'to ensure the country's economic recovery. In the rest of this letter, I will explain why I have come to this conclusion. History Via the World Bank, the Netherlands has set aside $51 for the recovery of the airport. This amount is supplemented with a loan under favorable terms of $50 million by the European Investment Bank (E18). In addition, to guarantee the liquidity position of the airport $21 million during the reconstruction period within the trust fund has been reserved, which as you know since the outbreak of the pandemic one is being called upon and which is now of great importance for operational purposes of the airport during this global crisis 'As is well known, a number of conditions are attached to this financing, which was to lead to the restoration of confidence among all stakeholders and had to contribute to a better functioning administration at the airport. After all, good management is - in addition to the repair of the airport itself and the waste project is one of the three Dutch priorities for reconstruction. The stated conditions were therefore aimed at corporate governance, in line with international standards, and among other things the execution of security investigations of the members of the airport administration and boards. After much delay on the part of Sint Maarten - partly because within and outside the government of Sint Maarten, alternatives were constantly sought with remarkably less favorable financing. I have in March 2020 on advice of the special representative, released financing from the trust to prevent further delay in the project. Although I still have always been deeply concerned about corporate governance at the airport, you assured me at the time that you were fully committed to carrying out the advice from the Taskforce Corporate Governance and improving the airport's corporate governance. We then agreed that the implementation of this advice would be linked to the Development Policy Operation (DPO). When the DPO at the end of last year was shut down, our agreements on improving the corporate governance at the airport had become part of the St. Maarten Country Package which was signed on December 22, 2020. Much to my disappointment however, the project still hasn't gotten off to a good start, and there is now serious issues with corporate governance at the airport. The trust that the special representative and I placed in your government by releasing the funds is now damaged. Corporate governance issues In recent months, the special representative has observed by the general manager of the holding company (PJIAH) and two members of the Supervisory Board (RVC) of the same Holding company, have exceeded the frameworks of good governance time and again and they push through their own decisions without doing the right thing and procedures. The third member of the Supervisory Board is often not involved in these decisions. This while it is precisely this member who was appointed on the recommendation of the RSG on the basis of his relevant international expertise, as I had as a condition for the release of funding through the trust fund. I will give two serious examples of the decisions I refer to above Firstly, the resignation of the CEO of the Operating Company (PJIAE), where the correct procedures have not been followed and for which the reasons moreover, were unclear, since the CEO in question recently had received a positive assessment from the Supervisory Board of PJIAE. Also with the recent appointment of three new members of the Supervisory Board of PJIAE is incorrect and did not follow procedures as laid down in the Articles of Association. PJIAH simply set aside the previous binding decision of PJIAE. Failure to act in good faith by the individuals concerned within PJIAH has increasingly resulted in negative consequences for the feasibility of the recovery project and for the realization of good governance. Administrative stability and securing the required capacity is crucial and essential for a project of this size, especially now in the tender phase of the reconstruction work. The timing of these decisions is therefore incomprehensible in the light of the current tender. The RSG, which has played an essential role in both the recovery project as well as safeguarding good governance, recently announced that it intends to withdraw from this project in connection with lack of good governance within the airport. The RSG is therefore now preparing for the end of support to the airport and the reconstruction, and will only reconsider this if you do realized structural adjustments before 26 May 2021, which means that guaranteed that good governance is permanently restored and that violations of good governance from the past will be tackled. The support of the RSG has been critical to the progress and success of the recovery project. Their withdrawal is for both the special representative and myself are therefore a major cause for concern about the future of the airport. I don't expect the World Bank project can be brought to a successful conclusion without the support of the RSG. This while it is of crucial importance for St . Maarten and its population the airport will be repaired as soon as possible. Role of your government The special rep and I have had several talks in recent months with your government, where we have on several occasions called upon you to assume your responsibility as a shareholder and make the effort to ensure that the reconstruction of the airport terminal can continue unimpeded. Although you still have your involvement in the reconstruction of the airport terminal as well as in the necessary improvements in corporate governance, the developments in practice are at odds with this and I have seen too little decisive action from your government on this. You called the signals that we spoke with you about as rumors and have always taken the position that the government as a shareholder should be at a distance. This in general is of course correct, but in the case of gross negligence and not acting faithfully by directors, as is happening now at PJIAH, it is indeed up to the shareholder to act decisively. Besides you promised me when you received the financing for the airport that you would do your utmost to ensure good governance at the airport. This promise, which is also laid down in the St. Maarten National Package, is one you will not keep. In the National Package, it has also been agreed that the country will take care of the continuity of vital processes, including flight and aircraft handling. If the World Bank project is not completed successfully, these vital processes will eventually be compromised. Because of the lack of action by the government, St. Maarten does not meet two agreements from the National Package. As a result of what I have described above, confidence in the cooperation with your government has been harmed. By always being late and not acting decisively enough, your government have not only put the recovery of the airport in danger, but as a direct consequence also the economic recovery of the whole country. Under these circumstances it cannot be expected from the Netherlands that we continue to invest tens of millions of euros in this economic recovery. That is why I will reintroduce the fifth tranche of liquidity support to the Kingdom Council of Ministers on May 21, 2021. My proposal will be to withhold the fifth tranche of ANG 39 million liquidity support to St. Maarten until such time as your government has acted with enough decisiveness to structurally repair the problems at the airport and the restore the successful progress of the airport terminal project. I hope you will see me next week during my visit to St. Maarten and you can present a satisfactory solution to the situation that has arisen. That's importance for St. Maarten and its inhabitants. (Because you have chosen to send your letter to the chairman of the Kingdom Council of Ministers of and actively publicize it, it goes without saying that we will do so with this letter as well) Yours sincerely, The intern secretary of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, Drs. RW Knops' ~American Airlines to increase 19 weekly flights with DFW seasonal route starting on June 5.~ Simpson Bay, St. Maarten:--- Immediate execution of strategic methods is ongoing at the Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) to further facilitate air carriers, as the consistent increase in air traffic surges in St. Maarten. This is a key milestone for the aviation organization since the untimely Coronavirus crisis in 2020. Today, the Managing Board of the Princess Juliana International Airport Operating Company (PJIAE N.V.) is headstrong that the Airport operations are a high priority as the world airports are systematically taking measures to start relaunching the aviation industry and encourage competition. With a swift alignment by major airline partners like American Airlines, Delta, Spirit Airlines, JetBlue, United, Air France, KLM, and Air Caraibes, there is a significant increase of airlifts with a total of seven (7) major flights on Saturdays. The high demand for air service through SXM Airport also gives the flexibility to adapt to different strategic scenarios and allows for measures to be taken up for the summer 2021 scheduling period. The local aviation-based company recently announced that the latest air service development at SXM Airport will be Frontier Airlines which starts flight service from July 10, 2021. Michel Hyman, Chief Operating Officer of Princess Juliana International Airport, said: As passengers continue to long for travel during the summer period, this will increase airlift into high-demand destinations such as St. Maarten. This will also serve to aid in the economic recovery of country St. Maarten. The increased airlift will further serve as a positive effect on the passengers throughput at the Airport and we are contented that American Airlines which is by far the biggest air carrier in St. Maarten is increasing its flights particularly on Saturdays to service the destination. Speaking about the partnership Cathy-Ann Joseph, Regional Manager of the Eastern Caribbean Airport Operations at American Airlines, said: American Airlines has a long and proud history at Princess Juliana International Airport, with more than 40 years of service. Our operation plays a fundamental role in connecting St. Maarten with the United States and the world during this time of crisis, so we are extremely honored to be able to continue expanding our network in the island, soon increasing to 19 weekly flights and with our Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) seasonal route starting on June 5, 2021. PHILIPSBURG:--- The MP is of the opinion that it would be too simple to assume that with the reinstatement of Brian Mingo and the suspension of the MD of the PJIAH, Mr. Dexter Doncher, everything is back to normal. In her view, too much intrigue has surrounded this entire saga from the get-go. Foremost on her mind is therefore the question: Why only now? Why suspend the MD now, when the PJIAH has openly been on this path since at least December 3rd, with their letter demanding the resignation of Brian Mingo? This letter implicates the government in a big way, yet nothing was said by the Prime Minister or any other minister for that matter. Why not? If Knops letter is anything to go by, the Prime Minister was repeatedly asked to pay attention to what was going on at our airport, but to no avail. MP Wescot: We learned of the World Banks letter of concern following the Holdings attempts. Still, the Holding proceeded to dismiss Brian Mingo with immediate effect and that is more than a month ago. Again, we learned of the Royal Schiphol Groups ominous letter. Yet, not one member of government lifted a finger to bring matters back in line. So the government can not be let off the hook with such blatant conspiracy. MP Wescot: When the first attempt to dismiss Mingo surfaced, I used the very strong word criminal, to describe what governments lack of action could be considered in this case. Of great concern is, that while we talk about the Dutch/EIB funding/loan for the reconstruction of the airport, which is, of course, important, there is also that other part of appr. 21 million US$ that was allocated to keep the airport afloat during the reconstruction; in other words to pay salaries and the like. Do we not think before we act? This government is in a serious dilemma, due to its inability to reconcile its anti-Dutch rhetoric with what is best for the people of this country. The latest back-and-forth is not only a delay for the airport reconstruction and for the pending liquidity assistance/loan, but it is a huge embarrassment, that we dont deserve as a country. The reconstruction of the airport with Dutch/EIB funding remains a hard pill to swallow for this government. You cant eat your cake and have it too. The quicker the government faces up to this, the better it will be for all of us, MP Wescot continued. What I would like to know from this government is whether -as they are now pretending-, PJIAH did what it did of its own accord. If that is so, the problem is bigger than PJIA alone. I have requested via the formal channels of Parliament that the Prime Minister responds to the following questions with the utmost urgency: Was the MD of the Airport Holding Board, Mr. Doncher suspended? If so, on what grounds and under what conditions? Is the suspension with pay? When were you and/or other ministers made aware of the letter dated December 3, 2020, from PJIAH, demanding that the CEO of PJIA tenders his resignation? Were you or any other minister made aware of the actions in the aforementioned letter, before the letter was sent? What actions did you and/or any other minister undertake and when following the letter of December 3rd to Brian Mingo? When were you and/or other ministers made aware of the letter dated April 7, 2021, from PJIAH, firing Brian Mingo? Were you or any other minister made aware of the actions in the aforementioned letter, before the letter was sent? What actions did you and/or any other minister undertake and when following the letter of April 7th to Brian Mingo? On whose authority did Mr. Doncher and the PJIAH SBOD act in the case of the dismissal of Mr. Mingo? Did PJIAH SBOD provide you with accurate information, which you, in turn, shared with parliament, suggesting that parties had solved their differences AFTER the December 3rd letter? (See your response to questions posed by the undersigned). Please provide any and all COM decisions regarding Brian Mingos dismissal and Dexter Donchers suspension. PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs expresses grave concern for the future of relations within the Kingdom, when out of one side of their mouths, the Dutch Government claims it is looking out for the welfare of the people of St. Maarten and continuously seeks ways and means to move the goal post even after conditions have been met and agreements signed. In the case of the recent move by the State Secretary of Interior Affairs and Kingdom Relations Knops to further delay the 5th tranche of liquidity support of 39 million Euros, Prime Minister Jacobs sees this as uncalled for and totally against a legally established decision and the rules of order of the Kingdom Council of Ministers (RMR) meeting. The 5th tranche of liquidity support was first delayed in March 2021 when the agenda point for liquidity was removed for other unrelated reasons (need for assurances from parliament as to their stance on the Caribbean Entity for Reform and Development (COHO)) which was later resolved and approved after being placed on the subsequent RMR agenda. This latest delay of another three weeks is being cited as due to governance issues at the airport and goes against the conclusion made by the RMR meeting of April 23, 2021, whereby, it was decided that St. Maarten had met all the conditions to obtain the 5th tranche of NAf 39 million. The technical teams are quite satisfied with the work being done on the country package and will be meeting next week to look towards agreements for the next three months. While there have been several attempts to push the government to act, that could not be done before the proper substantiation was there for the governments interference (outside of meetings and letters) taking into consideration the Corporate Governance recommendations that require the government to take the hands-off approach. Government has acknowledged and is addressing those concerns with the necessary stakeholders within the constraints of the law, and the relevant stakeholders have expressed willingness to allow said processes to take place. Several meetings have been held with the airport management and boards to assure that the concerns are being addressed structurally with legal advice. Meetings will continue to be held to ensure all parties are on the same page as we move forward. This is the way the government will ensure that proper procedures are followed to avoid further corporate governance issues which could jeopardize the continuity of the reconstruction of the airport, which is our gateway to our main economic driver. This is of high priority for the government of St. Maarten. Prime Minister Jacobs stated, "Unfortunately, State Secretary Knops has moved the goal post without proper legal basis and is acting outside of his mandate by adding an additional condition for receiving liquidity support. We do not believe this is an effective way to offer support. Furthermore, the government of St. Maarten is obligated to make decisions in the best interest of its people irrespective of the Netherlands' political ideas and opinions. The legitimacy of the government of St. Maarten depends on the ability to address its matters domestically. As such, within the Council of Ministers, we have the responsibility of assessing and taking the right decision for St. Maarten, given the local context and relevant factors; with facts and not conjecture." As it relates to the Princess Juliana International Airport Holding Company (PJIAH), St. Maarten is currently addressing that situation. Attaching this matter to the 5th tranche of liquidity support will further limit time for the decision-making process and coming to the best solution which also requires necessary finances. This is especially given the financial situation of St. Maarten. St. Maarten will not be able to meet many of its operational costs if the situation persists. This decision also negatively impacts the vital processes the State Secretary mentions in his letter, as the necessary finances to be able to do so remain out of reach. Prime Minister Jacobs stated, "As Shareholder, we are dealing with the situation at PJIAH. To prevent further violations of a corporate governance nature, legal review is currently of the highest importance. Considering that further violations can delay the decision-making and execution of the Airport reconstruction project, we are in the process of structurally improving corporate governance at the Airport. The system of rules, practices, and processes by which a company is directed and controlled is the epitome of corporate governance. Structural changes are underway even as the evaluation of reconstruction bids continue. Based on the information provided by the Airport project team and the NRPB, the project is currently on track, contrary to statements made." With regards to the many opinions from former political candidates and members of the opposition, Prime Minister Jacobs stated, Contrary to the opinions thus far, St. Maarten has been genuine in dealing with the Dutch and has been open to all discussions for receiving support, both monetary and technical. Considering a good future partnership with the Dutch would be in the best interest of the people of St. Maarten, the Government of St. Maarten has operated in good faith. However, St. Maarten continues to have to fight for equity within the Kingdom at every turn. Its unfortunate that the discussion recently held this past Wednesday in a Steering Committee meeting, whereby the progress of the airport was highlighted, and we confirmed that we are in the process of taking steps to bring improvements which have a legal trajectory, that the demissionair State Secretary goes beyond his authorities and decides not to move forward with the agreed-upon liquidity as per the Kingdom Council of Ministers meeting of three weeks ago. Embittered politicians seeking to gain mileage on these unfortunate series of events only do more harm to St. Maarten and its people. The disrespect is not just towards the government, but to the entire population of St. Maarten. As partners and for the sustainability of any partnerships, we should be able to listen and understand each other. The concerns of all other stakeholders warrant further discussion but should not result in the halt of the already approved liquidity support. The consequences are not suited for this issue, Prime Minister Jacobs continued. The goal of Parliament and Government of St. Maarten, and the Kingdom of the Netherlands should be aligned, especially in these dire economic times, to safeguard the welfare of our people. As for this Government, regardless of inaccurate assumptions of some political opportunists, we will continue to work in the best interest of St. Maarten. There is lots of work to be done and though we are small and financially strapped, we are determined to successfully achieve our goals of getting St. Maarten back on its feet. Our airport is vital to achieving such, and due diligence will be observed in all actions to safeguard our patrimony, the employees, and wider community who depend on it for their livelihood, Prime Minister Jacobs concluded. Knorr-Bremse AG achieves outstanding results in the first quarter of 2021 Posted by Publisher Internet . ? Very positive business performance in the first quarter of 2021 ? In Q1 2021, order intake rises for the third time in a row and improves by 13.3% to EUR 1.80 billion (previous year: EUR 1.59 billion) ? Order book at record level: Increase of EUR 432 million (+9.3%) compared to the previous year (EUR 4.65 billion) to EUR 5.08 billion ? Revenues grow by 3.9% to EUR 1.69 billion compared to Q1 2020 ? Major increase in profitability: EBITDA margin increases to 18.9% (previous year: 17.8%) and EBIT margin to 14.9% (previous year: 13.8%), each having improved by 110 basis points ? Knorr-Bremse considers itself on track for full year 2021 and confirms its guidance Knorr-Bremse AG, the global market leader for braking systems and a leading supplier of other rail and commercial vehicle systems, today published its results for the first quarter of 2021. Dr. Jan Mrosik, Chairman of the Executive Board of Knorr-Bremse AG: \Knorr-Bremse achieved outstanding results overall in the first quarter of 2021 despite the still volatile market environment. We\-\-re maintaining our guidance for the rest of the year. However, we\-\-re closely monitoring the continuing challenges worldwide as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, increasing bottlenecks in the supply of semiconductors and other critical components from suppliers, and in global logistics systems.\ Frank Markus Weber, Chief Financial Officer of Knorr-Bremse AG: \A new record order book in the company\-\-s history, revenue growth of 3.9% compared to the previous year, and an improvement in the EBITDA margin to 18.9% and the EBIT margin (ROS) to 14.9% each increasing by 110 basis points mean we\-\-ve made a very good start to the year. In addition, we\-\-ve further advanced our focus on ESG principles and implemented a number of further sustainability measures at Knorr-Bremse.\ Order intake grows by 13.3% despite volatile market environment In the first quarter of 2021, the Knorr-Bremse Group\-\-s order intake was higher than in the same quarter of the previous year for the third time in a row, improving by 13.3% to EUR 1,799 million (previous year: EUR 1,588 million). The order book grew significantly to a new high of EUR 5,084 million, which represents an increase of 9.3% compared to the previous year (previous year: EUR 4,652 million). This is an excellent basis for good capacity utilization in the coming quarters and the positive full-year guidance. Revenue improved in the first quarter of 2021 to EUR 1,692 million, an increase of 3.9% (previous year: EUR 1,627 million). Excluding currency and M&A effects, growth was in fact 5.9%. This growth primarily reflects the high demand in the commercial vehicle systems segment, which continued globally in the quarter just ended. The largest growth in revenues was in the Asia/Pacific region, which saw an increase of 9.2%. The business also grew in Europe (+3.3%) and South America (+1.6%), whereas revenues were down still by -1.7% in North America as a result of the pandemic. High and improved profitability and improved cash flow In Q1 2021, EBIT increased by 12.3% compared to the same quarter of the previous year, rising to EUR 252 million (previous year: EUR 224 million). Thanks to the action programs and stronger OE revenues, the EBIT margin (ROS) improved again, rising from 13.8% in the first quarter of 2020 to 14.9% in the first quarter of 2021. The EBITDA margin of 18.9% (previous year: 17.8%) likewise improved by 110 basis points. Free cash flow improved by EUR 38 million compared to the previous year to EUR -23 million in the first quarter of 2021 (previous year: EUR -61 million). Rail Vehicle Systems (RVS) sees slightly improved margins despite expected decrease in quarterly revenues In the first quarter of 2021, the RVS division\-\-s order book grew by 2.1% to EUR 3,630 million (previous year: EUR 3,555 million), underlining the segment\-\-s stability. In the first quarter of 2021, the division\-\-s order intake of EUR 714 million was around -18.3% lower than in the same quarter of the previous year (EUR 874 million) due to Covid-19 impacts, postponements of projects as well as a very strong previous quarter in 2020 (Q4 2020: EUR 1,095 million). The aftermarket business in China and the OE business in India should, however, improve in the next few quarters. As expected, the RVS division\-\-s revenues of EUR 805 million in Q1 2021 were around 9.7% lower than the same quarter of the previous year (EUR 892 million). This effect is primarily due to lower passenger numbers during the Covid-19 pandemic, which were reflected in the extended overhaul cycles for trains and thus lower service business in Asia and North America in particular. EBITDA decreased by -5.9% in absolute terms to EUR 175 million (previous year: EUR 186 million) while the EBITDA margin improved to 21.7% (previous year: 20.9%). EBIT decreased by -7.3% compared to the same quarter of the previous year to EUR 145 million (previous year: EUR 157 million), whereas the EBIT margin (ROS) improved to 18.0% (previous year: 17.5%). Commercial Vehicle Systems (CVS) performed very well in all KPIs The Commercial Vehicle Systems division (CVS) saw order intake growth of +51.9% to EUR 1,085 million in the first quarter of 2021 (previous year: EUR 715 million). This reflects the continuing market recovery worldwide. In China, commercial vehicle production reached a new record level in March 2021. At EUR 1,468 million, the order book was 31.9% higher than the first quarter of 2020 (EUR 1,113 million) thanks to the strong demand situation. The CVS division\-\-s revenues reached an all-time high in the first quarter of 2021, climbing 20.5% from EUR 736 million in the first quarter of 2020 to EUR 886 million in the first quarter of 2021. Both the latest acquisition of R.H. Sheppard in the USA at EUR 26 million and dynamic demand in the core markets of Europe, North America, and Asia in particular China contributed to this. The CVS division\-\-s EBITDA grew strongly by 38.2% to EUR 149 million (previous year: EUR 108 million). The EBITDA margin increased to 16.8% (previous year: 14.6%). At EUR 116 million (previous year: EUR 77 million), EBIT increased by 51.0% and generated a significant improvement in the margin to 13.1% (previous year: 10.4%). Group confirms positive full-year guidance for 2021 The Knorr-Bremse Group\-\-s guidance for fiscal 2021 assumes that the global economy and the political environment will remain stable and there will be no further restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Furthermore, from today\-\-s perspective, we assume it will be possible to largely compensate for decreases in revenues in the CVS division resulting from current supply bottlenecks for electronic components of the semiconductor industry in the course of 2021, but are continuously monitoring the situation. On this basis, Knorr-Bremse expects revenues of between EUR 6,500 million and EUR 6,900 million, an operating EBITDA margin of between 17.5% and 19.0% and an operating EBIT margin of 13.0% to 14.5% for fiscal 2021. The full quarterly statement is available on the website www.knorr-bremse.com. Explanations and reconciliations to the financial KPIs used can be found in particular on pp. 73 ff. and 201 of the 2020 Annual Report of Knorr-Bremse AG (available at Investor Relations (knorr-bremse.com)). DISCLAIMER This publication has been independently prepared by Knorr-Bremse AG (?Knorr-Bremse?). It may contain forward-looking statements which address key issues such as strategy, future financial results, events, competitive positions and product developments. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors, including, but not limited to, those described in Knorr-Bremse?s disclosures. Should one or more of these risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should underlying expectations not occur or shall assumptions prove incorrect, the actual results, performances or achievements of Knorr-Bremse may vary materially from those described in the relevant forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as ?expect,? ?want,? ?anticipate,? ?intend,? ?plan,? ?believe,? ?seek,? ?estimate,? ?will,? ?project? or words of similar meaning. Knorr-Bremse does not intend, nor does it assume any obligation, to update or revise its forward-looking statements regularly in light of developments which differ from those anticipated. This publication may include ? in the applicable financial reporting framework not clearly defined ? supplemental financial measures that are or may be alternative performance measures (non-GAAP-measures). For the assessment of the net assets, financial position and results of operations of Knorr-Bremse, these supplementary financial figures should not be used in isolation or as alternatives to the financial figures presented in the consolidated financial statements and determined in accordance with the relevant financial reporting framework. The calculation by other companies that report or describe similarly titled alternative performance measures may vary despite the use of the same or similar terminology. Knorr-Bremse (ISIN: DE000KBX1006, ticker symbol: KBX) is the global market leader for braking systems and a leading supplier of other safety-critical rail and commercial vehicle systems. Knorr-Bremse\-\-s products make a decisive contribution to greater safety and energy efficiency on rail tracks and roads around the world. About 29,700 employees at over 100 sites in more than 30 countries use their competence and motivation to satisfy customers worldwide with products and services. In 2020, Knorr-Bremse\-\-s two divisions together generated revenues of EUR 6.2 billion. For 115 years the company has been the industry innovator, driving innovation in mobility and transportation technologies with an edge in connected system solutions. Knorr-Bremse is one of Germany\-\-s most successful industrial companies and profits from the key global megatrends: Urbanization, sustainability, digitalization and mobility. WKCTC Makes $18,750 Gift to Paducah Chamber By Tim Brockwell PADUCAH - West Kentucky Community and Technical College has awarded the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce $18,750 to support the chamber in its mission to help local small businesses.At Thursday's Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce May Power in Partnership breakfast, WKCTC President and PACC Board Chair Dr. Anton Reece announced the gift, to be used to bolster efforts to assist local small businesses and other PACC initiatives.Reece said the donation is part of the WKCTC Guarantee, to be used to assist with minority memberships, leadership and involvement in chamber activities."It's May, and if you recall last month I pulled a little surprise on my good colleague and friend Sandra Wilson, so I figured why not keep the momentum going," Reece said. "Last fall we had a really engaged conversation in the midst of all things COVID-19, particularly the disproportionate impact it had on minority-owned small businesses."The donation, which was made possible as part of philanthropist Mackenzie Scott's $15 million gift to the college last fall, will support the following programs:Minority chamber membership - 10 businesses to receive $500, for a total of $5,000Existing minority business mentor - 10 businesses to receive $100, for a total of $1,000Leadership Paducah sponsorship - one per year up to $1,500 for three years, for a total of $4,500Washington DC Fly-In sponsorship - one per year up to $2,000 for three years, for a total of $6,000Small Business Mastermind Cohort Scholarships - Three at $750, for a total $2,250Chamber President Sandra Wilson was pleasantly surprised by Thursday's announcement.The gift came as a surprise to PACC President Sandra Wilson, who thanked WKCTC for the donation."Thank you so much. To deliver something like this in May is just wonderful," Wilson said. "We work very closely with WKCTC now, but this just helps us as a chamber to be able to expand our program in the community with the goal set by this award that the college received. We will be very intentional and focused on making sure that these minority memberships are used and that we recruit someone for Leadership Paducah."In addition to its gift on Thursday, the college recently awarded $27,500 to 15 area organizations and provided more than 120 scholarships, valued at $64,500. Graves Man Convicted on Rape, Burglary Charges By West Kentucky Star Staff GRAVES COUNTY - A Graves County man was convicted on rape and burglary charges.On May 7, a jury convicted 47-year-old Wayne Jerome III of Fancy Farm on charges of rape, burglary, kidnapping, violating a domestic violence order, and making terroristic threats.Additionally, Jerome pleaded guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun.According to the Mayfield Police Department, Jerome broke into his wife's home on March 21, where he threatened her, raped her at gunpoint, and made her drive him around until he released her.At the time of the incident, Jerome was subject to a court-mandated domestic violence order requiring him to stay away from his spouse and her home for three years.He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 1. Vaniam Group Recognized for Its Vibrant Culture and Prioritizing Employee Well-Being Vaniam Group LLC has been named to Inc. magazines annual list of the Best Workplaces for 2021. Hitting newsstands May 18 in the May/June 2021 issue, and as part of a prominent Inc.com feature, the list is the result of a wide-ranging and comprehensive measurement of American companies that have created exceptional workplaces and company culture whether teams are operating in person or remotely. We are so grateful for this award and it is only possible because of our amazing team, said Deanna van Gestel, CEO, Vaniam Group. More than anything, this recognition shows it is possible to be a purpose-driven organization that prioritizes our culture while simultaneously being one of the fastest growing private companies in the United States (Inc. 5000). At Vaniam Group, our culture is a strategy. We have such a unique blend of passion for our clients, our work, and the greater oncology community of which we are a part, said Zack Lentz, President and Chief Strategy Officer. We have a bold vision for our future and this recognition signals investing in our team is the smartest choice we could make. Collecting data from thousands of submissions, Inc. singled out 429 honorees this year. Each nominated company took part in an employee survey, conducted by Quantum Workplace, on topics including management effectiveness, perks, and fostering employee growth. The organizations benefits were also audited to determine the companys overall score and ranking. About Vaniam Group LLC Vaniam Group is a people-first, purpose-driven, independent network of healthcare and scientific communications agencies committed to helping clients realize the full potential of their compounds in the oncology and hematology marketplace. Founded in 2007 as a virtual-by-design organization, Vaniam Group harnesses the talents and expertise of team members around the world. For more information, visit vaniamgroup.com. About Inc. Media The worlds most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit http://www.inc.com. For the original version on PRWeb visit: https://www.prweb.com/releases/vaniam_group_named_to_inc_magazine_s_2021_list_of_best_workplaces/prweb17932744.htm Don't Miss Mans killing outside law firm stunned quiet CT community The sedate community of Litchfield was caught by surprise Monday evening when state police were called to investigate a deadly shooting outside a well-known law firm. PHOENIX (AP) Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey on Thursday joined a growing number of Republican governors who are stopping payment of an extra $300 a week in pay for unemployed workers as a way to force people to return to work. The governors action ends of use of federal virus relief funds for that payment and goes into effect July 10. It means unemployed Arizonans will again get $240 a week, the second-lowest weekly rate in the nation. Ducey is continuing federally sponsored programs that extend the standard 26 weeks of pay by another 29 weeks and allow gig workers such as Uber drivers to qualify for unemployment pay, although those payments will also be reduced by $300 a week. He is also throwing in a sweetener for people who decide to return to work: A $2,000 bonus paid to workers who get and keep a full-time job for at least 10 weeks. Part-time workers will get $1,000. Ducey is allocating $300 million in federal relief cash on a first come-first served basis to pay for the bonuses. A worker who gets a job earning more than $25 an hour does not qualify. Ducey slashed unemployment checks by more than half despite celebrating the health of the states economy throughout the pandemic, noting the state shed fewer jobs than most. In Arizona, more people are employed now than before the pandemic, though the unemployment rate is also higher because the pool of jobseekers has grown. Although more people are ready to work today in Arizona than before the pandemic, many businesses are struggling to fill vital positions, Ducey said in a statement. We cannot let unemployment benefits be a barrier to getting people back to work." The business community reacted positively to the governor's decision, with Ducey's office releasing statements praising his decision as a way to kick-start the economy. Other groups also lauded the effort. Paying some people more on unemployment than they made working full-time, even as their jobs are in demand, is counterproductive to recovery, said Stephen Shadegg, Arizona director of the conservative group Americans for Prosperity. At $520 a week with the current $300 federal supplement, an unemployed Arizona worker is getting $13.50 per hour, $1.35 above the states minimum wage of $12.15 per hour. At $240 per week, the unemployed will be getting $6 per hour. Progressive groups said it was the wrong move and will hurt ordinary Arizonans struggling to make ends meet while seeking work. This decision cuts more than half of the weekly assistance provided to Arizonans and is a devastating blow to struggling families," Niles Harris, executive director of Honest Arizona, said in a statement. The Governor must reverse this decision and allow Arizonans to receive the federal assistance they deserve. The Arizona Center for Economic Progress, another progressive group, noted that Ducey's action will cost workers $1 billion in federal relief while his bonus program will divert $300 million in American Rescue Plan funds from other uses. Ducey's move follows the lead of 12 other states led by Republican governors who acted in the past week and argued in ending the extra unemployment pay that it was providing an incentive for laid-off workers to stay off the job. Ducey's decision will affect about 32,000 people currently receiving regular unemployment and another 176,000 people enrolled in programs for the long-term unemployed and contract or gig workers, according to data from the state Department of Economic Security. Businesses have cited the extra $300 as a reason they are struggling to find workers, but there are other factors at play preventing people from returning to work. Some are worried about exposure to the coronavirus if they return to service sector jobs, according to government surveys, and many working mothers have left the workforce to care for children still attending school online. Ducey aims to help those parents by providing three months of child care assistance for people who return to work but earn less than $25 an hour. A variety of federal assistance programs will be used to pay for the aid. He also is using federal cash to provide community college scholarships and high school equivalency diploma preparation for unemployed workers. Ducey said the states economy is taking off as nearly half the population has now had at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine. With ample supplies of the COVID-19 vaccine on hand and millions of Arizonans vaccinated, people feel safer and are finally returning to life in Arizona as we knew and loved it before, Ducey said in a video announcing his moves. Arizonas unemployment soared after layoffs triggered by the pandemic last March. The state's unemployment trust fund, which builds up cash during periods of low unemployment, was at $1.1 billion before the pandemic hit a year ago. It had fallen below $90 million in February, but has since risen with quarterly employer payments and federal money Ducey added from virus relief funds. Ducey's action Thursday came as the U.S. Labor Department said the number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell last week to 473,000, a new pandemic low and the latest evidence that fewer employers are cutting jobs as consumers ramp up spending and more businesses reopen. ___ This story has been corrected to show the current maximum weekly unemployment with the federal supplement equals $13.50 an hour, not $13, and the amount above the state minimum wage is $1.35 instead of 75 cents. A Connecticut resident who was one of two people who died hiking on Mount Everest this week was remembered by a colleague as an avid photographer and devoted mountaineer. Puwei Liu, 55, and 41-year-old Swiss hiker Abdul Waraich died Wednesday, becoming the seasons first fatalities on the worlds highest mountain, according to the Associated Press. Kathryn Corbally, a communications official for a Henkel, said Liu was a company employee based in Connecticut. She said the company is deeply saddened by the loss of one of our team members. Chhang Dawa Sherpa, director of Seven Summit Treks, the expedition company that organized the climb for both men, wrote in an Instagram post that Liu experienced snow blindness as well as exhaustion when coming down from Hillary Step. Sherpa said Liu made it to the South Col late Wednesday evening. Sherpa confirmed in an email that Liu was a Glastonbury resident. Yu Chen, a colleague of Liu, said in the description of a GoFundMe campaign set up to help support Lius family that support team members met the hiker with oxygen. He was brought back to the camp at South Col where he eventually died, Chen said. We are deeply saddened by the news that our beloved friend, devoted mountaineer Puwei passed away ... while trying to conquer Mount Everest, Chen said. A Department of State spokesperson said in an email that the agency was unable to confirm the death of a U.S. citizen in Nepal. The Department of State stands ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance whenever a U.S. citizen passes away abroad, a spokesperson wrote. Liu is survived by his wife, Qin Zuo, and three children, one in college and the other two in high school, according to Chen. A woman reached at a number listed for Zuo declined to comment. Chen said moving the body, citing two trips that will each cost roughly $25,000, is expected to cost a combined $50,000. The remaining funds, Chen said, will go toward the cost of the funeral and other financial needs, including school tuition for the three children. The total goal for the fundraiser is set at $100,000. In less than 24 hours, more than $9,000 had been raised. Chen said Liu climbed Manaslu in 2017. Manaslu, also in Nepal, is the eighth-highest mountain in the world and the fourth most dangerous 8,000-meter peak. Puwei is an avid photographer who loves to capture the beauty of the nature along his trips, Chen said. At work, he is equally passionate about science and technologies. Puwei is a highly productive and accomplished innovator and has made significant contributions to Americas technology developments in the area of material science for electronic industry. Chen said Liu was very kind and approachable. Chen said Liu mentored many young scientists and was always around to help his colleagues. We are so heartbroken to lose him, Chen said. He has been such an inspiration to our communities and we truly miss him. Livingston Couple Face Lyon Meth Charges By West Kentucky Star Staff LYON COUNTY - A trespassing complaint in Lyon County Thursday led to drug charges for two Livingston County residents. The Lyon County Sheriff's Office said deputies responded to a trespassing complaint off Bill Thompson Road. Deputies found a car parked in the road near Spring Creek Bridge. They also found 53-year-old Kevin Hamby and 45-year-old Christy Peek, both of Salem, in a creek, on private property, without permission of the property owner. Deputies said both Hamby and Peek were in possession of methamphetamine. Hamby was charged with criminal trespassing and possession of meth. Peek was arrested and charged with criminal trespassing, possession of meth, possession of drug paraphernalia, improper parking on the traveled portion of a roadway and failure to produce an insurance card. According to police, at the time of her arrest, Peek was out of custody and on bond conditions for a Livingston County Circuit Court indictment for possession of methamphetamine. Hazleton, PA (18201) Today Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low around 55F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies early will give way to cloudy skies late. Low around 55F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Lyon County Man Indicted in Child Porn Case By West Kentucky Star Staff LYON COUNTY - A federal grand jury indicted an Eddyville man Tuesday on child pornography and firearms charges.The U.S. Attorney's Office in Paducah said 63-year-old Kenneth Swartz was charged with possession of child pornography and being a felon in possession of a firearm.On April 21, authorities received a complaint alleging that Swartz, a registered sex offender, had attempted to photograph a minor while shopping at a store.Eddyville police say they were able to confirm the events after reviewing security footage.Officers searched his home on May 29, where they reportedly found a gun and several cell phones. On June 24, authorities allegedly learned that Swartz had an additional cell phone hidden in his home. Officers were able to locate the phone following a second search.A forensic analysis reportedly uncovered over 200 images of child pornography on the phones.Swartz has previous felony convictions for sexual abuse in Bath County in 1998, possession of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor in Fayette County in 2010, and failure to comply with the sex offender registry in Lyon County in 2016.If convicted, Swartz faces no less than ten years and no more than 20 years in prison for child pornography and no more than ten years for being a felon in possession of a firearm.His arraignment is scheduled for May 27 at 10:30 a.m. Three firewomen at Starkville Fire Department make history together. (From left to right: Sarah Thompson, Anna Beth Robertson, and Savanna Sanchez.) Blog Archive Apr 2010 (22) May 2010 (25) Jun 2010 (8) Jul 2010 (12) Aug 2010 (18) Sep 2010 (19) Oct 2010 (29) Nov 2010 (30) Dec 2010 (18) Jan 2011 (13) Feb 2011 (21) Mar 2011 (23) Apr 2011 (19) May 2011 (31) Jun 2011 (36) Jul 2011 (46) Aug 2011 (26) Sep 2011 (12) Oct 2011 (15) Nov 2011 (17) Dec 2011 (7) Jan 2012 (18) Feb 2012 (4) Mar 2012 (12) Apr 2012 (18) May 2012 (10) Jun 2012 (21) Jul 2012 (8) Aug 2012 (15) Sep 2012 (7) Oct 2012 (17) Nov 2012 (20) Dec 2012 (10) Jan 2013 (58) Feb 2013 (59) Mar 2013 (60) Apr 2013 (98) May 2013 (135) Jun 2013 (204) Jul 2013 (293) Aug 2013 (351) Sep 2013 (363) Oct 2013 (348) Nov 2013 (374) Dec 2013 (442) Jan 2014 (547) Feb 2014 (476) Mar 2014 (526) Apr 2014 (527) May 2014 (469) Jun 2014 (408) Jul 2014 (472) Aug 2014 (522) Sep 2014 (443) Oct 2014 (472) Nov 2014 (497) Dec 2014 (536) Jan 2015 (539) Feb 2015 (520) Mar 2015 (582) Apr 2015 (658) May 2015 (679) Jun 2015 (673) Jul 2015 (728) Aug 2015 (803) Sep 2015 (923) Oct 2015 (924) Nov 2015 (802) Dec 2015 (791) Jan 2016 (782) Feb 2016 (835) Mar 2016 (929) Apr 2016 (866) May 2016 (947) Jun 2016 (1044) Jul 2016 (882) Aug 2016 (1035) Sep 2016 (967) Oct 2016 (918) Nov 2016 (854) Dec 2016 (885) Jan 2017 (881) Feb 2017 (777) Mar 2017 (897) Apr 2017 (872) May 2017 (851) Jun 2017 (851) Jul 2017 (971) Aug 2017 (1040) Sep 2017 (998) Oct 2017 (1144) Nov 2017 (1046) Dec 2017 (838) Jan 2018 (873) Feb 2018 (769) Mar 2018 (885) Apr 2018 (809) May 2018 (827) Jun 2018 (820) Jul 2018 (840) Aug 2018 (854) Sep 2018 (844) Oct 2018 (852) Nov 2018 (870) Dec 2018 (912) Jan 2019 (919) Feb 2019 (827) Mar 2019 (957) Apr 2019 (913) May 2019 (1007) Jun 2019 (935) Jul 2019 (950) Aug 2019 (936) Sep 2019 (910) Oct 2019 (920) Nov 2019 (874) Dec 2019 (908) Jan 2020 (942) Feb 2020 (849) Mar 2020 (898) Apr 2020 (848) May 2020 (822) Jun 2020 (789) Jul 2020 (819) Aug 2020 (858) Sep 2020 (841) Oct 2020 (873) Nov 2020 (812) Dec 2020 (780) Jan 2021 (765) Feb 2021 (716) Mar 2021 (819) Apr 2021 (805) May 2021 (815) Jun 2021 (282) 30 containers that arrived from Germany carrying waste, for the same company in southeastern Prahova County, were discovered in the past two days in the Constanta Sud Agigea Harbor. "In the 12.05 - 13.05.2021 period, border policemen, in cooperation with workers from the Constanta Environment Guard, the Constanta Sud Customs Bureau and representatives of the FRONTEX Agency, have identified 30 containers arrived from Germany, for the same company in Prahova County which is conducting import activities to Romania," the Coast Guard informs on Friday. Following checks, the Environment Guard workers established that the nearly 600 tons of waste cannot be allowed free circulation on Romanian territory, the load to be returned to the sender, in Germany, reports agerpres. The border police from southeastern Vama Veche, Constanta County, together with workers from the Constanta Coast Guard, have discovered, on Friday, in 5 trucks arrived from Bulgaria, approximately 150 tons of non-compliant span type waste. On Friday, at the Vama Veche border point, Constanta County, 5 trucks arrived at the entry point, loaded with metallic waste from Bulgaria, for a company in the county of northwestern Salaj, the Coast Guard informs. Upon verifying the documents, the border police noticed that the transported goods, approximately 150 tons of span type waste, are non-compliant, which is why the workers of the County Commissioner of the Constanta Coast Guard did not allow the trucks to enter Romania's territory, hence they were sent back to Bulgaria, reports agerpres. The Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies and National Liberal Party (PNL) Chairman Ludovic Orban, accompanied by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Lucian Bode, participated on Friday in the presentation of the new security equipment of the "Avram Iancu" International Airport in Cluj- Napoca, considered among the most modern in the world, purchased for over 42 million lei, with European financing, agerpres reports. "These pieces of equipment are at the latest international standards. They are like a computer tomograph, any object can be analyzed on three dimensions. We are the first in Romania with these pieces of equipment, among the first in Europe, which are, at the moment, the most performing in the world," the general manager of the Cluj airport, David Ciceo, told a press conference. Ludovic Orban recalled that during his term as prime minister, he paid special attention to the transport sector, the aviation sector in particular."The aviation sector has been hit hard by the pandemic, it is among the most affected economic sectors and we have tried to come up with support measures. Once we return to normal, it is important that we support the further development of transport infrastructure," Ludovic Orban said.Lucian Bode stated, in turn, that the respective financing projects were the first ones he signed as then Minister of Transport."The year 2020 was for the Ministry of Transport, which I led, for the Government of Romania, led by Mr. Orban, the year in which the transport infrastructure was on the first place. (...) The airport from Cluj-Napoca benefited from over 30% of the total state aid granted for airports in Romania, of almost 2,000,000 euros. The year 2020 was also the year in which we accelerated the projects with European financing," said Lucian Bode.The "Avram Iancu" International Airport in Cluj purchased a series of security equipment, through two projects with European financing. Murray Woman Charged With Theft, Forgery By West Kentucky Star Staff MURRAY - A Murray woman was arrested after a theft investigation Wednesday.The Murray Police Department began investigating a possible theft from an elderly person. Police said they learned that 40-year-old Jessica Crouch had stolen over $25,000 from the victim.Crouch was arrested and charged with four counts of second-degree forgery, four counts of theft by unlawful taking over $500, and four counts of knowingly exploiting an adult over $300.She was lodged in the Calloway County Jail. National Defense Minister Nicolae Ciuca met on Friday at the Ministry's headquarters with Major General David H. Tabor, head of the U.S. Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR). The agenda of the meeting included topics such as security developments in the Black Sea region, the timeline of the foreign force withdrawal from Afghanistan, as well as possibilities of bilateral cooperation in the field of Special Operations Forces (FOS), the National Defense Ministry said in a release. The Romanian Minister told the American military commander that Romania "recognizes and appreciates the constant support of the US for efforts to discourage the Russian Federation's aggressive actions, for ensuring stability in the Black Sea region". Another topic of discussion was the mission to Afghanistan, in the context of the withdrawal plan adopted at the recent joint meeting of NATO's Foreign and Defense Ministers. The two officials also looked at joint SOF projects, the common line of dialogue being the continuation of training activities in international exercises organized jointly with strategic and regional partners, according to bilateral and NATO commitments. "The expertise of the American special operations partners will definitely improve the way our troops will technologically adjust their strategic transformation process so as to be prepared for any challenges that may arise in the field," Minister Ciuca said as cited in the release, reports agerpres. At an informal videoconference of EU foreign ministers on Thursday, Romania's Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu underlined that the enlargement process must remain a major priority with the EU, agerpres reports. Aurescu hosted and moderated on Thursday, together with his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias, an informal videoconference of the EU foreign ministers, featuring Albania's Foreign Minister Olta Xhacka, and North Macedonia's Foreign Minister Bujar Osmani as guests. The meeting continued a strategic discussion on the Western Balkans at the Foreign Affairs Council meeting of May 10 and provided an opportunity for a substantial exchange of views on how to promote the European journey of the two candidate countries, by supporting the opening of accession negotiations.According to Romania's Foreign Ministry (MAE), in his speech Aurescu underlined the importance of constant political dialogue with candidate countries as a useful tool to highlight progress and to facilitate, in accordance with the principle of their own merits, the achievement of common goals for advancing the European perspective. He insisted that the enlargement process must remain a major priority with the EU.At the same time, Aurescu welcomed the "firm commitment of the Republic of Albania and the Republic of North Macedonia to their European path, illustrated both by the reform efforts undertaken and by the high degree of alignment with the positions of the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy, which demonstrates the attachment of the two candidates to European values."Aurescu delivered a message of encouragement to the two guests to maintain a cross-party commitment at national level for reforms and the goal of European integration and strengthening regional co-operation, and also to capitalise on the EU financial assistance they will benefit from moving forward, including to combat the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.The minister pointed out that only a credible EU enlargement policy, with a tangible prospect of the accession of candidate partners making concrete, measurable progress in the field of reforms, can guarantee their irreversible anchoring to European and Euro-Atlantic values."In that regard, the Romanian official expressed Romania's firm commitment to identifying solutions to adopt the negotiating frameworks and to organise, under the Portuguese presidency of the EU Council, the first intergovernmental conferences with the two candidate states," MAE informs.According to MAE, discussions at the informal meeting were particularly useful and allowed for the reconfirmation of support on the part of the vast majority of EU member states and institutions for the European journey of Albania and North Macedonia, based on their own progress with reforms."The invited ministers from the two candidate countries expressed their appreciation for the initiative of Foreign Ministers Aurescu and Dendias and for the opportunity to make known their efforts to consolidate the European prospects, and presented their expectations, their constant efforts, as well as the challenges they face at regional level," MAE shows.The meeting was also attended by representatives of European institutions, Secretary General of the European External Action Service Stefano Sannino, and EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and other regional issues in Western Balkans Miroslav Lajcak. Romania is a natural supported of the free and quality press, of rights and fundamental liberties of human being, including to information or freedom of speech, but is also a potential target for disinformation campaigns, said on Friday, Simona Miculescu, Romania's ambassador to UNESCO. Simona Miculescu said, on the occasion of the launch of the translation of the UNESCO's manual, "Journalism, 'Fake News' and Disinformation", that in parallel with the pandemic, it was found that "proliferation of dangerous outbreaks of disinformation", and "the antidote against this disinformation campaign remains the news and analysis based on facts". She said that our country is a potential target for disinformation campaigns of other nature as well. "So, as a EU member state and not only, our country is, on the one side, a natural supporter of the free, independent and quality press, of human rights, of its fundamental liberties, including that of information or free speech, but we are also a target, or at least a potential target, for disinformation campaigns of other nature as well, be they orchestrated by state actors, or non-state actors from nearby or from other regions of the world. These phenomena, alongside other relevant topics for what the actual journalism means, as well as the right to free speech, media development, access to information, the safety of journalists or workers from the media, are beacon topics for the UNESCO mandate," Miculescu added. Simona Miculescu also showed that, in parallel with the pandemic, proliferation of dangerous outbreaks of disinformation was noticed and mentioned the UNESCO principle - journalism without fear or favors. The translation in Romanian of the UNESCO manual "Journalism, 'Fake News' and Disinformation", for the media and journalistic education was launched on Friday by the Faculty of Journalism and Communication Sciences, the University of Bucharest (FJSC, UB), in a media partnership with PressHub. For the translation 50 faculty students from the FJSC took part, 7 professors of FJSC, UB and 2 from the Ovidius University in Constanta, for the evaluation of the scientific quality of the translation. UNESCO asked the volunteer support of the academic community from all over the world for translating this manual, as a response to the huge wage of strategic misinformation during the health crisis period. The manual is now available, for free, in 24 languages, Romanian included, on the UNESCO website: https://en.unesco.org/fightfakenews, reports agerpres. Prime Minister Florin Citu said on Thursday evening that the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) is just one source of funding for the projects that the Romanian government has undertaken, agerpres reports. He was asked, on Digi 24, about the government as 13 billion euros under PNRR are grants and 16 billion euros are loans. "That's not a problem. First of all, it's about how you present or envisage the economy developing moving forward. Things are simple for me: I'm an economist and maybe that's why I understand things better. Romania needs investment. Romania will make investment moving forward. The PNRR is just one source of funding for the projects we have undertaken in the government agenda, and I think there is confusion for many who are non-specialists: we already borrow for investment anyway. Now that I have the chance to borrow from the European Union, from the European Commission, which lends cheaper, I will take this chance, or else, of course I will go to the market. (...) We have three sources of funding for investment projects: the national budget - because we have a deficit, that means that we borrow, you know very well, we go out to international markets - PNRR, and European funds," said Citu.He added that Romania will have at its disposal 29.2 billion euros under PNRR and 46 billion euros in European funds, plus the national budget.The prime minister said the government deficit will narrow to less than 3% in 2024."So there is no problem. It's just about convincing the European Commission that we will stick to the tax and budget strategy that we committed to at the beginning of the year, that is we will narrow the government deficit to below 3% in 2024. My role is that of convincing, and I have managed to convince the European Commission that we will fund these projects no matter how, that I stick to the promised reforms and we will get the deficit in 2024 below 3%. The difference between Romania and other countries is that Romania is facing excessive deficit, which means that we have to show how we will narrow this deficit moving forward, but from next year you should know that most countries will have this prerequisite, because across Europe the deficit is greater than 3%. I'd say this is blessing in disguise, because I wanted to make reforms anyway, we want to make reforms (...) but there is this prerequisite; we went to the European Commission with a very ambitious reform plan undertaken in the government agenda, and there are important things there," he said.Citu emphasised that the reform of state-owned companies is one of the most important."The PNRR has all kinds of milestones that we have to touch in order to get money under PNRR," he said.Citu added that state pension reform is also important."Pension reform: we need to envisage how to make it sustainable in the long run. In 15 years, a much larger number of people will retire, you know very well, probably from the 1969s-1970s.' 72-'73, while fewer people enter the workforce. We have to solve this problem somehow. We have seen reforms of the pension system in several countries: it takes time, not one year, but five, six, seven, eight years. We are committed to doing it by 2026," the prime minister said. Bistrita-Nasaud Social Democrat deputy Daniel Suciu told a press conference on Friday that the ratification of the loan treaty for kickstarting the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) requires the votes of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) MPs, which is why it is "common sense and reasonable" for the plan to be debated in Parliament. Suciu did not rule out the possibility for the Social Democrat MPs to go on parliamentary strike if the government does not present the PNRR in Parliament. "There is this possibility for us to go on parliamentary strike, although yesterday we already saw that the Prime Minister might take a step back, he announced that he might table the PNRR to Parliament after all. I confess that in the meetings this week of the joint Standing Bureau, both I and my colleague, floor leader Alfred Simonis, asked Chambers Presidents, Mr. Orban and Mrs. Dragu, to tell the Prime Minister of Romania to come with the PNRR in Parliament (...), especially that the treaty for the ratification of this loan must come to Parliament and it takes two thirds of the votes for Romania to access that initial PNRR loan. With all regret, this is no blackmail, it's just a reality: that treaty cannot be ratified without the votes of the Social Democrat MPs. And if our votes are required to access the PNRR loan, it seems to me absolutely common sense and reasonable for the PNRR to be debated in Parliament," said Suciu. The PSD deputy added that he does not understand the government's "opacity and stubbornness" over the PNRR debate, given that this is a national, not a political party project, reports agerpres. Small and medium-sized enterprises should benefit from grants from the National Plan for Recovery and Resilience (PNRR), as is happening in the rest of the European countries, not only from financial instruments, said, on Friday, Florin Jianu, the head of the National Council for Small and Medium-sized Private Enterprises (CNIPMMR), in a press conference, agerpres reports. "I am referring to the fact that Romania desires to grant only financial instruments, and countries with a more developed economic environment, such as Italy, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Denmark, they have a mix between issuing grants and issuing financial instruments," said Jianu. He gave the example of the tourism domain, where companies nearly shuttered."It's as if you're barely staying afloat and somebody comes, gives you a boulder and tells you 'Develop! Swim! Keep moving your arms!'. No, we need grants for the Romanian economy, because this PNRR is in fact a plan of recovery and resilience. How can you make an economic recovery only through financial instruments?" the SME representative asked.If all the other countries did so, than so should Romania, he believes.On Thursday, Cristian Ghinea, Minister of European Investments and Projects, said that SMEs will benefit from a risk capital instrument worth half a billion euro through the PNRR, by way of an agreement signed with the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund. Chamber of Deputies Speaker Ludovic Orban said on Friday in northwestern Cluj-Napoca that investors are highly interested in Romania and that they must be offered favorable conditions for their capital, such as a solid infrastructure. "Public investment provides the foundation for all private investments. Romania is in a very good moment, drawing high investor interest, and we must be prepared to ensure favorable investment conditions to virtually allow economic growth, an increase in the standard of living," Ludovic Orban told a press conference delivered together with Interior Minister Lucian Bode, Minister of Agriculture Adrian Oros, and Liberal MEP and chairman of the National Liberal Party's Cluj branch Daniel Buda. Orban mentioned on this occasion several major projects that will be financed under the National Resilience and Recovery Plan (PNRR). "At all our meetings we discussed important projects for Cluj, for the local communities. We discussed the metro which is, from my viewpoint, the most spectacular project and you should know that the Cluj City metro project has important financing assigned under the National Resilience and Recovery Plan. We also discussed other important projects that are in for PNRR financing; an extremely important one is the modernization and electrification of the Cluj-Napoca - Episcopia Bihor railway section. (...) Investment is our government's watchword. We want to constantly increase both public and private investments in Romania," said the Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, reports agerpres. Beshear Abides By CDC Decree to Relax Masks By West Kentucky Star Staff FRANKFORT - During his update on Thursday, Governor Andy Beshear deferred to the latest guidance from the Center For Disease Control that fully vaccinated Kentuckians are no longer required to wear a mask indoors or outdoors.The CDC guidance takes effect immediately. People that are not fully vaccinated will still wear masks, and businesses can still opt to require masks on all customers and employees.The governor said 1,897,117 Kentuckians had received at least their first dose of a vaccine.He reported 674 new cases and a positivity rate of 3.04 percent. China News on Women Sorry, the page you requested was not found. If you're having trouble locating a destination on Womenofchina.cn, try visiting the Womenofchina Home page Shares is the leading weekly publication for retail investors. It is packed with investment ideas, news and educational material to help build and run portfolios and get more from your money. Shares puts on free Investor Events throughout the year across the country. They provide an opportunity for investors to learn more about companies on the stock market and hear from a range of investment experts including fund managers and Shares journalists. In April 2021 Greece signed an agreement to send one of its six Patriot Air Defense batteries to Saudi Arabia. Forty Greek troops with Patriot experience will accompany the Greek battery and the Saudis will supply the rest of the hundred troops required to operate the battery. The Saudis requested the Patriot battery in 2019 and Greece initially agreed, but delayed sending the Patriot battery because their eastern neighbor, Turkey, suddenly became more of a threat. In early 2020 Turkey claimed control of waters off the Greek coast that international agreements recognize as Greek and may contain large natural gas deposits. Turkey and Greece are both NATO members but no other NATO states sided with Turkey. This is not the first time Turkey and Greece have had territorial disputes but it is the first time the Turks invaded a North African country in order to establish a false claim. Turkey triggered this crisis by sending troops and military aid to Libya in order to get one of the two governments there, the GNA, to sign an agreement that claims all the offshore waters between Libya and Turkey, including offshore waters that had long been recognized as Greek. Turkey is also in Libya illegally as UN embargoes prohibit unauthorized foreign intervention. The Greeks, who currently import all their petroleum, realized they could use improved relations with Saudi Arabia, the largest exporter of oil in the world in their dispute with the Turks. Finding and developing offshore natural gas deposits is crucial for Greece and gaining a Persian Gulf ally, especially one that is already hostile to Turkey, justified sending the battery despite the new Turkish threat. Meanwhile the United States agreed to provide four Sentinel radar systems, that can detect low flying cruise missiles and UAVs, for Saudi Arabia. Greece now hopes to develop a long-term alliance with other Persian Gulf against Iran and Turkey, which has cooperated with Iranian forces in Syria. The Turks are risking expulsion from NATO for their hostile acts towards Greece and cooperation with Russia and Iran. Greece already works closely with Israel, which has also established diplomatic, economic relationships with Persian Gulf Arabs. Earlier Greek cooperation with Israel was meant to provide more protection against Turkey, which long had diplomatic and economic relationships with Israel. This began to fall apart when an Islamic party gained control of parliament and put an anti-Israel leader in power. That situation has not worked out as Turkish voters expected and now the Islamic government is in danger of being voted out. For the moment the Islamic government still rules in Turkey. While the Saudis already have 24 Patriot batteries, this proved insufficient to protect it from the growing number of Iranian threatened and actual attacks. Greece has been using Patriot since 2003, about as long as the Saudis. Most of the Saudi batteries are deployed in the south, along the Yemen border where Iran-backed Shia rebels have been using Iranian ballistic and cruise missiles against the Saudis for several years. The Patriot systems have been successful in intercepting over a hundred of these attacks. Many other nations in the region also use Patriot, including Egypt, Israel and most Arab Persian Gulf nations. Patriot batteries have been used in the Persian Gulf since 1991 and have had plenty of opportunities to demonstrate they work, especially against ballistic missiles. Patriot has been in service since 1984 and experienced its first sustained combat in 1990, when it was used against Iraqi SCUD ballistic missiles fired at Israel and Saudi Arabia. Its success rate, 40 to 70 percent, was mediocre at best. That was largely due to the improvised modifications Iraqis made to their SCUDs to extend their range. As a result, the SCUDs had a tendency to fall apart during the terminal (speeding down towards the target) flight phase which created unintended countermeasures. Some of the larger pieces of these modified SCUDs, like additional fuel tanks, broke away and were seen by Patriot radar as the actual missile warhead section. In some cases, non-warhead portions of the SCUD came down on military or civilian personnel on the ground. Subsequent upgrades to Patriot increased accuracy against deliberate or accidental countermeasures. Patriot has been used against UAVs but firing a $3 million dollar missile at homemade UAVs, as Israeli forces did a few times, isnt healthy for the economy so Israel developed cheaper solutions for UAVs. Although initially designed to use against manned aircraft, the Patriot did not face this threat very often and it wasnt until 2014 when Patriot downed one. An Israeli Patriot shot down a Syrian Su-24 fighter-bomber. While Patriot was originally designed for use against aircraft, most of what it has shot down have been ballistic missiles, either SCUDs or more recent Iranian designs. The UAE sent a battery to Yemen where it successfully defended major military bases from Iranian ballistic missile attacks. Arab Patriot users have developed a lot of missile crew with combat experience and that has helped attract capable recruits to air-defense, which is usually seen as less prestigious than traditional service with ground, air and naval combat units. Since 1970 over 10,000 Patriot missiles and 1,500 launchers have been produced. After decades of service, some were updated while others were scraped. Patriot missiles can, with regular upgrades and refurbishment, remain in use for over 40 years. A growing number of Patriot missiles are doing just that but many are still fired each year for training and testing. Most Patriot batteries are equipped with both longer-range GEM-T missiles for aircraft and shorter-range PAC-3 MSE ones for ballistic missiles or, if necessary, aircraft. The PAC 2 is older, cheaper and designed to intercept manned aircraft at ranges up to 160 kilometers, while the PAC 3 is the newest and about twice as expensive (over $4 million). The Patriot system, with continued upgrades, will likely remain in production until the 2040s. Each Patriot battery is manned by about a hundred troops and contains a radar, plus four launchers. The launcher is designed to use both the smaller PAC 3 missile as well as the original and larger PAC 2 anti-aircraft version. A Patriot launcher can hold sixteen PAC 3 missiles versus four PAC 2s. A PAC 2 missile weighs about a ton, a PAC 3 weighs about a third of that. The PAC 3 has a shorter range that was originally 20 kilometers but the latest version can do 35 kilometers. The larger PAC-2 can reach out 160 kilometers. Saudi Patriot batteries use both PAC 2 and 3 missiles but only began receiving PAC 3 missiles in 2018. Arab Gulf states want Patriot for additional protection from Iran, which is the main threat and has been for centuries. Over the last few years, Iranian politicians have increasingly made public statements that the Saudis are unfit to be the guardians and operators of the most sacred Moslem shrines at Mecca. Iran also considers Bahrain the 14th province of Iran. That's because, well, it isn't called the "Persian" Gulf for nothing. Since all the oil money showed up after World War II the Arabs have been trying to popularize the term "Arabian Gulf," with mixed success. Many Arab Gulf state have had Iranian minorities for centuries. Since nearly all Iranians are Shia Moslem, those living on the Arab side of the Gulf have attracted many Arabs to the Shia form of Islam. As a result, Bahrain has a Shia Arab majority, and Iran had a formal claim on the island until 1969, when the claim was dropped, in order to improve relations with Arab neighbors. All the Arab states bordering the Gulf have Shia minorities, except Iraq and .Bahrain which have Shia majorities, The Saudis received another 200 PAC 3 missiles in 2020 to replace Patriot missiles used since 2016 to defend against Iranian ballistic missiles fired from northern Yemen. Iran has backed the Shia rebels there for nearly a decade. To deal with this threat most Saudi Patriot batteries have been moved to defend against the missiles fired from Yemen. Suddenly, in September 2019, the threat appeared in the north when Iran launched an attack on Saudi oil facilities using cruise missiles and UAVs equipped with explosives. These came in low and slow and evaded Saudi air defense radars. The Iranians said the attack came from the Shia rebels in Yemen but the evidence, including fragments of the cruise missiles and UAVs, said otherwise. Saudi Arabia is trying to protect itself from more Iranian attacks using any kind of aerial weapon. In 2019 Saudi neighbor Bahrain became the 17th nation to purchase Patriot Air Defense systems. Bahrain spent $2.5 billion to obtain two Patriot batteries and 96 missiles. The purchase price includes training, tech support and assistance in hiring qualified foreign contractors to help with maintaining and operating Patriot. There are plenty of Arabs in the Persian Gulf who do that now. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, and United Arab Emirates have been using Patriot for years and most of these Patriot batteries are operated and maintained by Arabs. The Greek soldiers coming with the Greek Patriot battery expect to learn something from Saudi crewmen with lots of Patriot combat experience. For over a decade Russia has been preparing for the dreaded four front war. How did it come to this? It wasnt easy or preordained. It took a century of bad decisions, botched diplomacy and domestic misrule to make it happen. Its one of those Russian traditions that has evolved into a curse. A century ago, Russia only feared war on one front, the one facing West. The Western Front was where Russia fought Germany and Austria-Hungary for three years during World War I, before conceding defeat. Russia was forced to ask for a peace deal because it turned out Russia had severe internal problems and another revolution caused by the economic disruption and heavy casualties from the war. This was the second such crises of the 20th century and the primary demand was an end to the war, and the monarchy. Then things got worse as the second revolution escalated into a civil war that went on longer that Russian participation in World War I. The democratic government that won the first revolution, and signed the peace treaty that got Russia out of the world war, then lost to a smaller radical socialist (communist) faction that brought back stricter and bloodier autocratic rule than the monarchy ever imposed. By the 1930s Russia, now rebranded as the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, was again getting ready for war and facing a two-front conflict against Germany, also ruled by a radical-socialist dictatorship, and a modernized and enlarged Japanese military. Russia had faced this new Japanese army and navy before, at the beginning of the 20th century when Russia tried to stop Japan from taking control of northeast China (Manchuria). The Japanese defeated the Russians on land and at sea. That humiliating defeat was the first suffered by a Western power against an East Asian opponent. This caused much internal anger and violence against the monarchy which led to the adoption of a constitutional monarchy in place of the absolute monarchy government. This injection of democracy was still working out the kinks when World War I came along and most Russians accepted the earlier mutual-defense treaty Russia had signed with France to support each other if Germany attacked either of them. Germans were a threat Russia and France had faced for centuries and it got worse in 1870 when Germany finally became a unified state and promptly went to war with France and won. Russians feared they were next. In the late 1930s, to cope with the new German Nazi dictatorship and their growing military might, Russia signed a non-aggression treaty that included increased trade between Germany and Russia and secret clauses about who got what in eastern Europe in any future war. This was seen as an opportunity for Russia to complete its military buildup so they could attack the Germans while Germany was fighting the rest of Europe. Both Germany and Russia signed mutual-defense treaties with Japan. To further complicate matters details of these mutual defense treaties were kept secret. Then Germany invaded Russia in 1941 before Russia was ready to declare war on Germany. Before that happened, Russia and Japan fought an undeclared war in the far east that, to the surprise of the Japanese, the Russians won decisively. Japan was also planning for war against the United States and European nations with colonies in Asia and feared another war with Russia. Japan approached Germany with a proposal for a mutual defense pact. As a result, Germany declared war on the United States after Japan attacked at the end of 1941. After World War II began in late 1939 when Japan and Russia signed a five-year non-aggression pact. This treaty could end sooner of Germany was defeated. Japan expected the Germans to win and was convinced that Germany that Japan needed to concentrate on fighting the Americans, something that would help Germany. It didnt and many German diplomats and military leaders believed, correctly, that anti-war sentiment in the United States would have kept the Americans out of the war in Europe for months at least if Germany had not gone ahead and declared on the nation with the largest economy in the world and, it turned out, eventually the most powerful military. In 1945 Russian troops occupied half of Germany, including the capital Berlin. This was a first. But the cost to Russia was huge, leaving their economy devastated and 18 percent of population dead. Russia kept the true extent of the damage secret the 1990s when the Soviet era archives were briefly opened to Western researchers, and Russians. After celebrating their historic victory against Germany in what they called the Great Patriotic War, Russia went back to its pre-war plans for world domination. This included exporting the communist form of government anywhere they saw an opportunity. This approach succeeded in East European countries liberated by Russia troops at the end of World War II. Officially these nations were free to form whatever type of government they wanted and most chose democracy. The Russian occupation forces made it possible for these democracies to be taken over by locals loyal to Russia and that lasted, despite several bloody uprisings, until 1990. Russia tried to export communism to nations it did not have troops in and that generally failed. Communism remained popular in the west but never to the point where the communists could win an election and survive popular resistance. By 1990 Westerners learned what Russian meant when they often referred to their supporters in Western democracies as useful idiots and access to the Soviet archives documented that. Among themselves Russian communists suffered from growing doubts about the superiority and popularity of their revolutionary form of government. After the Soviet Union fell apart in 1991 Russia became a democracy again and, unlike 1917, this democracy survived, sort of. Russians still favored strong leadership and were paranoid about what their neighbors. By the end of the 1990s that led to Russia gaining a strong leader (a former KGB officer), who quietly made himself president-for-life and did so by stoking Russian fears of foreign aggression. This was first directed against the West, when NATO was accused of seeking to take over Russia, or at least take Russian territory. This came as a surprise to most Westerners, but not to East European nations that had lived under Russian occupation and control for decades. These East European nations were eager to join NATO for the same reason the original NATO members did; for mutual defense against Russian aggression. The new semi-democratic Russia interpreted this as offensive and an act of aggression. Russians have long thought that way. The new, much depleted post-Soviet Russia tried to rearm to deal with the imaginary NATO threat. Meanwhile more Russians were noting that China, for the first time had a larger and more modern military than Russia. The mighty Soviet era Red Army had lost 80 percent of its manpower in the 1990s and nearly as much of its budget. That meant the 1990s Russian army was also smaller than the peacetime American army for the first time. Many Russians instinctively see military weakness as an invitation to foreign invaders. While the NATO countries had no such beliefs, China did. When the Soviet archives were briefly opened lots of interesting, and ominous, details about China emerged. For example, Chinese communists, when they finally secured control of mainland China in 1949, pointedly refused to renounce the centuries-old Chinese claims on Russian territory on the Pacific coast. This area, more so than the South China Sea and portions of the Indian border, had long been considered Chinese. The communist Chinese were not going to surrender that. The Chinese did owe the Russians for going to war with Japan in mid-1945 and defeating many of the Japanese troops who were still a problem for the Chinese communists. Russia had provided military aid to the Chinese communists throughout the 1930s and only backed off during World War II so as not to offend the Japanese. China, as far as the Chinese were concerned, repaid its debt to Russia by complying with a Russian request to send troops into North Korea in 1950, after the Russian created North Korean army was ordered by Russia to invade South Korea and unify Korea. This led to a more vigorous response than Russia, North Korea or China expected. China sent in several million troops and lost about 20 percent of them, while North Korea suffered even heavier losses. This saved North Korea, as the 1953 ceasefire deal left a border nearly identical to the pre-invasion one. The Chinese never forgot that, especially since a democratic South Korea went on to be one of the most economically successful nations in the world while North Korea regularly competes for last place. There was an undeclared border war between China and Russia and during the 1960s that ended because of mutual realization that neither side would prevail, yet. Now Russians, if not the current Russian government, openly discuss the growing threat from the east. Ignoring it wont make it go away. Russia was back to a two front threat which was actually a four front threat because Russia was facing more aggression in the south from radical Moslems and nations, like Iran, eager to reclaim territory seized by Russia in the 19th century. Little known outside Russia is a perceived threat on its northern front. Russia has a 5,600 kilometers northern shoreline stretching from Norway to Alaska. This border has become more economically valuable to Russia as more offshore oil and natural gas deposits were discovered. Russia had to close many air and naval bases on the northern coast in the 1990s because there were not enough troops or money to maintain them. In the last two decades that changed as Russia realized the growing economic wealth found off the north coast needed protecting and the naval bases had to be opened and supported by a new generation of icebreakers. The Cold War icebreaker fleet was the largest in the world needed replacing for economic as well as military reasons. Russia also sees new economic opportunities in the as the expanding ice-free season along the northern coast has made it possible to maintain a safe shipping route, part of the year, for traffic carrying goods between Europe and East Asia and North America. The new shipping lanes are still a work-in-progress but Russia needs the access right now to support its growing offshore oil and natural gas production up there. Russia sees these northern assets being threatened by someone eventually and Russia has now militarized its northern coast more than any time in the past. Add it all up, using Russian geopolitical math, and you have the potential for the dreaded four front war. The new innovation-center in Germany, along with a geographically distributed team, will expand collaboration with customers and users across Europe FRANKFURT, Germany & FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ProcessMAP Corporation, the industry leader in offering a cloud-based data intelligence platform for Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) transformation; and Operational Risk Management (ORM) announced today that the company has established its European headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany. The new headquarters will play a key role in facilitating collaboration with customers, co-innovating solutions specific to local needs, and enabling even stronger customer success engagement at more than 15,000 customer locations across Europe. Strategic Drivers for Growth and Expansion in Europe The 28-member European Union (EU) block has a strong commitment to environmental sustainability, as well as to workplace health and safety. In December 2019, countries in the region adopted the European Green Deal - a set of policy initiatives that aim to ensure that there are no net new emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050 and that the regional economy is decoupled from resource use. Similarly, in the second quarter of 2021, EU countries will present a new Occupational Safety and Health Strategic Framework for the period 2021-27, to update protection standards for workers and tackle both traditional and new work-related risks. Work-related accidents and illnesses lead to an estimated annual loss of around 3.3% of GDP in the EU. Over the past decade, the European occupational safety and health (OSH) policy framework and rules have contributed to considerably improving working conditions. The incidence rate of fatal accidents at work has fallen by nearly 30%1. Reflecting the strategic focus and importance Europe places on EHS areas, the region accounts for more than 25% of the global EHS software market and is the second-largest market after North America. According to estimates published by Verdantix2, an independent research and advisory firm, the European market for EHS software will grow by an overall 70% or a CAGR of 11.2%, from $379 million in 2021 to reach $645 million by 2026. ProcessMAPs Strong Foundation in Europe ProcessMAP already has a strong presence in Europe with more than 60 Fortune 1000 companies with more than 15,000 locations in most countries across Europe. ProcessMAPs European customers include some of the largest automotive manufacturers, leading multinational diversified engineering and industrial manufacturing companies, and many chemicals, pharma, and consumer products companies among others. The companys customer base and platform adoption have experienced phenomenal growth over the past five years with more than 400% increase in driving digital transformation in numerous key EHS processes. ProcessMAP Europe Team ProcessMAPs European headquarters in Eschborn will leverage the advantage of its proximity to Frankfurt, one of the most vibrant business centers in all of Europe, to tap into highly qualified talent, and serve both local and international customers. The current team will be expanded with professionals having experience in HSE, ESG, Industrial Hygiene, Occupational Health and Wellness, and regulatory compliance to support ProcessMAPs growing customer base in Europe. Comments on the News ProcessMAPs enterprise-grade EHS solutions help drive the EHS digital transformation for organizations across the world. The company has been recognized as a Leader for five times in our flagship Green Quadrant report on EHS Software, with most recently in 2021, said William Pennington, EHS Research Director, Verdantix. Now, with ProcessMAPs new European headquarters, the company will be able to further strengthen its collaboration with local customers and accelerate their journey towards offering a safe and healthy work environment to their employees, he added. ProcessMAPs expansion into Europe underscores our commitment to collaborate and innovate with our customers, across all geographies, accelerate the digital transformation of their EHS initiatives, proactively mitigate workplace health and safety risks, and foster a safety-first culture, said Dave Rath, CEO of ProcessMAP Corporation. ProcessMAP has a long history of supporting customer operations across Europe. We are in the process of growing our European team to proactively support our 15,000 existing customer locations as well as to accelerate the HSE digital transformation for new customers, said Harold Gubnitsky, President of ProcessMAP Corporation. 1 - European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan (2021) 2 - Verdantix, Market Size And Forecast: EHS Software 2020-2026 (Global), February 2021 About Verdantix Verdantix is an independent research and consulting firm with expertise in environment, health, safety and quality, operational excellence, smart buildings, as well as ESG & sustainability technologies. Through our research and advisory services, we help corporate managers, investors, technology executives and service firm leaders to make robust, fact-based decisions. We are committed to delivering objective, timely and accurate analysis to help our clients succeed. Visit https://www.verdantix.com/ to learn more. About ProcessMAP Corporation ProcessMAP is the leading EHS process and data intelligence platform that empowers our customers to minimize risk, assure compliance, and ensure safety. ProcessMAPs analytics-driven cloud platform and advanced mobile-first solutions enable digital transformation, process consistency, and data harmonization to drive actionable intelligence. We are headquartered in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, with locations across the globe, serving customers in over 140 countries. Visit https://www.processmap.com/ to learn more. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210512005095/en/ Media and Analyst Relations Contact Sandeep Rath Director, Global Product Marketing and Analyst Relations srath@processmap.com Source: ProcessMAP Corporation VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HydroGraph Clean Power Inc. ("HydroGraph" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce that it has closed a private placement for gross proceeds of $6,505,000 led by PowerOne Capital Markets Limited and Haywood Securities Inc. (the Financing). HydroGraph is in the process of pursuing a direct listing on the Canadian Securities Exchange. HydroGraph is actively commercializing their proprietary and patented detonation process to manufacture the highest quality graphene, hydrogen and other strategic materials at the most competitive price points with the lowest environmental footprint within the hydrogen and graphene industries. HydroGraph is the owner of the worldwide exclusive license from Kansas State University (KSU) to produce valuable clean energy and nanotechnology products through their patented detonation process. This innovative production method produces the most consistent, high quality and cost-effective hydrogen and graphene available. The proceeds of the Financing will enable HydroGraph to commercialize its patented hydrogen and graphene manufacturing technology and market the end products. The Company is building a new commercial manufacturing facility which will be able to mass-produce HydroGraphs competitive, high quality, green products. Hydrogen and graphene are expected to be two of the key materials in the global shift towards clean energy. Hydrogen could meet up to 24% of global energy need by 2050, representing an annual market size of $700 billion (Bloomberg). Graphene demand is growing rapidly at a 38% CAGR as its applications are expanded, expected to be a $2.8 billion market by 2027 (Fortune Business Insights). "We are thrilled with today's announcement as it advances our initiative to disrupt the hydrogen and graphene industries by giving the world a brand new, energy efficient, highly controllable process for creating valuable products, stated Harold Davidson, Chief Executive Officer of HydroGraph. We are grateful for the hard work and support of the many exceptional scientists and engineers at KSU, who have collectively scaled this innovative technology to a daily production of 2kg of high-grade graphene per canister per day using automated manufacturing processes, and the continued support of our strategic shareholders. The capital raised will allow us to further scale production towards commercialization. Our R&D efforts will continue at KSU, focused on synthesizing other valuable nanotechnology products, and further automation of our current production technologies." The Companys new commercial manufacturing facility will be located in Manhattan, KS in close proximity to the Companys R&D facility at the KSU campus. HydroGraph is also in the process of establishing a Canadian R&D operation in London, ON. Canadian R&D operations will focus on using graphene for new battery technologies and supercapacitors, due to the exemplary electrical conductivity of graphene. Financing TermsThe Financing consisted of a private placement of 26,020,000 subscription receipts (the Subscription Receipts) at a price of $0.25 per Subscription Receipt. Each Subscription Receipt will automatically convert into one subordinate voting common share and one share purchase warrant of the Company. Each warrant will be exercisable for a period of 2 years from the date of conversion to purchase an additional subordinate voting common share at a price of $0.75 per share. The Subscription Receipts will automatically convert upon the Company receiving a final receipt for a prospectus qualifying the issuance of the shares and warrants on conversion and the Company obtaining conditional listing approval on the Canadian Securities Exchange. The proceeds of the Subscription Receipts offering will be held in escrow pending these conversion conditions being met. About HydroGraph Clean Power Inc.HydroGraph Clean Power is a private company that was formed in 2017 to fund and commercialize green, cost-effective processes to manufacture graphene, hydrogen and other strategic materials in bulk, and to create customized graphene solutions for specific applications. HydroGraph owns an exclusive worldwide license to commercialize their patented detonation process to produce graphene and hydrogen. The Company has invested heavily into digitizing, automating and commercializing this production technology. Hydrograph is currently pursuing a direct listing on the Canadian Securities Exchange. For more information on HydroGraph and the Companys unique technology please visit https://www.hydrograph.com/. About PowerOne Capital MarketsPowerOne is a fully integrated merchant bank and a long-term investor focused on providing early stage capital and advisory services to emerging growth companies. Since inception in 2003, PowerOne has assisted private and public companies across an array of sectors globally. Through a strong reputation in the investment community, broad network within the global markets, a unique "Partnership Approach" to assisting clients and a dedicated group of experienced professionals, PowerOne has been able to offer its clients exceptional advantages. PowerOne is an Exempt Market Dealer and is registered in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Quebec. About Haywood Securities Inc.Founded in 1981, Haywood is a 100 per cent employee-owned investment dealer with more than 275 employees in its Canadian offices in Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto. Haywood Securities Inc. is a member of the Toronto Stock Exchange, the TSX Venture Exchange, the Montreal Exchange (MEX), the Canadian National Stock Exchange (CNSX), the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF), and the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC). In addition, Haywood Securities (USA) Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary, is a broker-dealer registered to transact securities business in the United States and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). For more information please Visit: www.haywood.com. For Further info Contact:Kjirstin Breure, Chief Operating OfficerHydroGraph Clean Power Inc.Email: kjirstin@hydrograph.com Phone: (604) 220-3120 The forgoing contains forward looking statements which are based on managements best estimates which are subject to uncertainties in particular there is no assurance that the Company will be able to establish its proposed production facilities without requiring additional debt or equity financing which may be dilutive to shareholders. Establishment of manufacturing facilities requires meeting a myriad of zoning, health and safety regulations all of which is uncertain. Acceptance of the Companys products is subject to acceptance by end users and other manufacturers, which cannot be assured particularly with new and advanced technological products. Source: Hydrograph Clean Power Inc. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WPD Pharmaceuticals Inc. (the Company) (CSE: WBIO) (FSE: 8SV1), provides this update on the status of the audit of its consolidated annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2020 (the 2020 Financial Statements), the management discussion and analysis and the related officer certifications. As previously announced, the British Columbia Securities Commission issued a management cease trade order on May 4, 2021 because the Company was unable to timely file the 2020 Financial Statements, and the Company is filing this status update in accordance with National Policy 12-203, Management Cease Trade Orders, which requires bi-weekly updates by way of news releases. The Companys auditors have begun the audit but it will take some additional time to finalize the audit, and the Company now expects to file it on or before May 25, 2021. The Company will provide further updates as required. About WPD Pharmaceuticals WPD is a biotechnology research and development company with a focus on oncology, namely research and development of medicinal products involving biological compounds and small molecules. WPD has licensed in certain countries 10 novel drug candidates with 4 that are in clinical development stage. These drug candidates were researched at medical institutions, and WPD currently has ongoing collaborations with Wake Forest University and leading hospitals and academic centers in Poland. WPD has entered into license agreements with Wake Forest University Health Sciences and sublicense agreements with Moleculin Biotech, Inc. and CNS Pharmaceuticals, Inc., respectively, each of which grant WPD an exclusive, royalty-bearing sublicense to certain technologies of the licensor. Such agreements provide WPD with certain research, development, manufacturing and sales rights, among other things. The sublicense territory from CNS Pharmaceuticals and Moleculin Biotech includes for most compounds 31 countries in Europe and Asia, including Russia. On Behalf of the Board Mariusz Olejniczak Mariusz OlejniczakCEO, WPD Pharmaceuticals Contact Investor RelationsEmail: investors@wpdpharmaceuticals.comTel: 604-428-7050Web: www.wpdpharmaceuticals.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that contemplate activities, events or developments that the Company can develop effective drugs against cancer and possibly viruses. Factors which may prevent the forward looking statement from being realized include that competitors or others may successfully challenge a granted patent and the patent could be rendered void; we may be unable to raise sufficient funding for our research; we may be unable to expend sufficient funds on research to keep our sublicense rights; our grant applications may not be successful or if successful, we may not meet the requirements to receive the grants awarded; that our drugs dont provide positive treatment, or if they do, the side effects are damaging; competitors may develop better or cheaper drugs; and we may be unable to obtain regulatory approval for any drugs we develop; the filing of the 2020 Financial Statements as well as the financial statements and related documents for the first fiscal quarter of 2020 and the projected timing. Readers should refer to the risk disclosure included from time-to-time in the documents the Company files on SEDAR, available at www.sedar.com. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they are not guarantees of future performance and, accordingly, they should not be relied upon and there can be no assurance that any of them will prove to be accurate. Finally, these forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and the Company assumes no obligation to update them except as required by applicable law. Source: WPD Pharmaceuticals Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - May 11, 2021) - C-COM Satellite Systems Inc. (TSXV: CMI) (OTCQB: CYSNF),a leading global provider of commercial grade mobile auto-deploying satellite antenna systems, announced today that it has successfully tested its electronically steerable phased array antenna over the Telesat Anik F3 satellite. 4x4 Modules To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5445/83468_da07b918b47468f4_004full.jpg "We are excited to have reached this critical milestone in our development of a fully electronically steerable Ka-band, Phased Array, Mobile Satellite Antenna," said Bilal Awada, CTO of C-COM Satellite Systems Inc. "The 1024-element prototype antenna has performed better than expected. We were able to stream video, surf the net, perform speed tests and conduct an uninterrupted video conference over Webex," added Awada. "Measured over-the-air results have demonstrated the high performance of the compact, scalable antenna modules and validated our simulation model of the architecture for larger panels," said Professor Ali Safavi-Naeini, Director of CIARS (Centre for Intelligent Antenna and Radio Systems) at the University of Waterloo. "This modular, intelligent technology platform provides a cost-effective solution for a wide range of applications-from fixed to mobility satellite broadband services, and for the rapidly emerging millimeter-wave 5G cellular services", he added. Phased Array Antenna These successful initial tests are a significant development for C-COM. The Company can now move forward with confidence and continue testing over several different satellites to confirm interoperability of this new antenna design. Ensuring interoperability with satellites is a key step before the Company dedicates additional resources needed to develop a commercial product based on this new technology. The new phased array Ka-band antenna is expected to open new mobile vertical markets (land based, marine, aero) for the Company. The prototyping of a 4000-element antenna using the same building blocks used to build the 1000 element antenna is in progress and so is the planning of the commercialization phase of this new antenna. "Today, we are much closer to achieving our objective of delivering an affordable, electronically steerable antenna system capable of operating over the latest constellations of LEO, MEO and GEO satellites, which will play a significant role in delivering broadband solutions to consumer and enterprise markets worldwide," said Dr. Leslie Klein, President & CEO of C-COM Satellite Systems/Inc. 1024 Element RX/TX To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5445/83468_da07b918b47468f4_006full.jpg About C-COM Satellite Systems Inc. C-COM Satellite Systems Inc. is an innovator and leading global provider of mobile on the pause satellite-based antenna systems. The Company designs, develops and manufactures proprietary, auto-acquisition antenna systems for rapid antenna pointing to a satellite, with just the press of a button. This technology makes it possible to deliver, Broadband Internet via Satellite across a wide range of market applications worldwide, including regions unserved or underserved by terrestrial access technologies. C-COM has sold more than 8,500 antenna systems, in over 100 countries, through a dedicated dealer network that provides service to a wide range of vertical markets such as Oil & Gas Exploration, Military Communications, Disaster Management, SNG, Emergency Communications, Cellular Backhaul, Telemedicine, Mobile Education, Government Services, Mobile Banking, and others. The Company's iNetVu brand is synonymous with high quality, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. C-COM is in late-stage development of a potentially revolutionary Ka-band, electronically steerable, modular, conformal, flat panel phased array antenna. In cooperation with the University of Waterloo, C-COM is engaged in the design of this unique antenna with the intent of providing low-cost, high-throughput mobility applications over satellite for land, airborne and maritime verticals. For additional information please visit www.c-comsat.com iNetVu is a registered trademark of C-COM Satellite Systems Inc. The Company is publicly traded on the Canadian Venture Exchange (TSXV: CMI) and on the US OTCQB Exchange (OTCQB: CYSNF). Forward Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Statements about the Company's expectations as to its ability to complete development and commercialize a product based on the technology described above and the impact such a product might have on the consumers, enterprises and the Company, including the opening of vertical markets and its impact on the Company's financial results, are all forward-looking statements. A number of factors could cause actual events, performance or results to differ materially from the events, performance and results discussed in the forward-looking statements. The positive test results described above are just one step toward commercialization. Commercialization of a product is dependant on further successful testing. The Company's ability to convert this technology into a commercially and financially viable product depends on a number of factors and is subject to a number of risks, many of which are outside of the Company's control. Further test results may not be positive. Anticipated benefits of the new technology may not be realized, and new products and services may not be released or, if released, may not gain market acceptance. Any of those events and others could have an effect on future performance and C-COM Satellite Systems Inc.'s ability to achieve the results mentioned above. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and C-COM Satellite Systems Inc. does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Readers are directed to the risk factors associated with the business of C-COM Satellite Systems in the company's most recent MD&A available at www.SEDAR.com. Contact: Investor Relations C-COM Satellite Systems Inc. Tel: (613) 745-4110 ext. 4950 Fax: (613) 745-7144 investor@c-comsat.com ### Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/83468 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - May 13, 2021) - Nabis Holdings Inc. (CSE: NAB) (OTCQB: NABIF) (FSE: A2P0) ("Nabis" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the closing of a non-brokered private placement financing (the "Offering") of gross proceeds of $252,000 through the issuance of 1,400,000 common shares (each, a "Common Share") at a price of $0.18 per Common Share. Gross proceeds raised from the Offering will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes. The securities issued upon closing of the Offering are subject to a hold period until September 14, 2021, pursuant to applicable securities laws. The Offering constituted a related party transaction within the meaning of TSX Venture Exchange Policy 5.9 and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101") as insiders of the Company subscribed for 1,000,000 Common Shares pursuant to the Offering. The Company is relying on the exemptions from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(b) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, as the Company is not listed on a specified market and the fair market value of the participation in the Offering by the insiders does not exceed 25% of the market capitalization of the Company in accordance with MI 61-101. The Company did not file a material change report in respect of the related party transaction at least 21 days before the closing of the of the Offering, which the Company deems reasonable in the circumstances in order to complete the Offering in an expeditious manner. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States. The securities 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 state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. About Nabis Holdings Inc. Nabis Holdings is a Canadian investment issuer that invests in assets across multiple industries, including real property and the U.S. and international cannabis sector. For more information, please visit https://www.nabisholdings.com/. Cautionary Statements This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The New Unsecured Notes and New Common Shares have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to or for the account or benefit of U.S. persons, except in certain transactions exempt from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. "United States" and "U.S. person" are as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act. Certain statements included herein are forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. Important factors 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 with the CSE, the British Columbia Securities Commission, the Ontario Securities Commission and the Alberta Securities Commission. The Company has no obligation to update such forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law. The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither reviewed nor approved the contents of this news release and accepts no responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For inquiries, please contact: Nicole Rusaw, CFO info@nabisholdings.com (647) 242-4258 To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/84017 BEIJING, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Sunlands Technology Group (NYSE: STG) ("Sunlands" or the "Company"), a leader in China's online post-secondary and professional education, today announced that it will report its first quarter 2021 unaudited financial results on Tuesday, May 25, 2021, before the open of U.S. markets. Sunlands' management team will host a conference call at 8:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time, (8:00 p.m. Beijing/Hong Kong time) on May 25, 2021, following the quarterly results announcement. Dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows: International: +1-412-902-4272 US toll free: +1-888-346-8982 Mainland China toll free: 400-120-1203 Hong Kong local-toll: +852-3018-4992 Hong Kong toll free: 800-905-945 Please dial in 10 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin. When prompted, ask to be connected to the call for "Sunlands Technology Group". Participants will be required to state their name and company upon entering the call. A live webcast and archive of the conference call will be available on the Investor Relations section of Sunlands' website at http://www.sunlands.investorroom.com/. A replay of the conference call will be accessible approximately one hour after the conclusion of the live call until June 1, 2021, by dialing the following telephone numbers: International: +1-412-317-0088 US Toll Free: +1-877-344-7529 Replay Access Code: 10156425 About Sunlands Sunlands Technology Group (NYSE: STG) ("Sunlands" or the "Company"), formerly known as Sunlands Online Education Group, is the leader in China's online post-secondary and professional education. With a one to many, live streaming platform, Sunlands offers various degree and diploma-oriented post-secondary courses as well as online professional courses and educational content, to help students prepare for professional certification exams and attain professional skills. Students can access its services either through PC or mobile applications. The Company's online platform cultivates a personalized, interactive learning environment by featuring a virtual learning community and a vast library of educational content offerings that adapt to the learning habits of its students. Sunlands offers a unique approach to education research and development that organizes subject content into Learning Outcome Trees, the Company's proprietary knowledge management system. Sunlands has a deep understanding of the educational needs of its prospective students and offers solutions that help them achieve their goals. For investor and media inquiries, please contact: Sunlands Technology GroupInvestor Relations Email: sl-ir@sunlands.com The Piacente Group, Inc. Brandi Piacente Phone: +1 (212) 481-2050 Email: sunlands@tpg-ir.com Yang SongPhone: +86-10-6508-0677Email: sunlands@tpg-ir.com View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sunlands-technology-group-to-report-first-quarter-2021-financial-results-on-tuesday-may-25-2021-301291514.html SOURCE Sunlands Technology Group WASHINGTON, May 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Leaders of the National Press Club and the National Press Club Journalism Institute called Wednesday for the military junta in Myanmar to release the several dozen journalists it has jailed and to reverse restrictions on press freedom in the country. According to independent observers, at least 40 journalists remain detained in Myanmar, where protests have been raging since a military coup overthrew the government in February. The junta has instituted a variety of other limitations on press coverage, ranging from satellite TV bans to internet blackouts, censorship and legal threats. "The military in Myanmar must cease its efforts to silence local and foreign coverage of the protests taking place in the country," said NPC President Lisa Nicole Matthews and NPC Journalism Institute President Angela Greiling Keane. "The international community must not grow accustomed to the human rights violations taking place in Myanmar, including the massive crackdown on the country's free press." NPC leaders also urged the government of Thailand not to repatriate Burmese journalists and activists who were recently arrested after crossing the border into Thailand. Three senior reporters with the independent Burmese broadcaster Democratic Voice of Burma, along with two activists, were detained by Thai police and charged with illegal entry into Thailand. Since the early February coup, many Burmese journalists have fled Myanmar in order to avoid the prospects of arrest, potential torture and death. Some have sought to cover the protests remotely from nearby countries, including Thailand, relying on videos and photographs submitted by citizen journalists and activists in Myanmar. "The Thai government can demonstrate its support for press freedom to the world by immediately releasing the detained Democratic Voice of Burma reporters and granting them sanctuary," Matthews and Greiling Keane said. "These journalists will likely face arrest, physical abuse or worse if they are sent back to Myanmar, where the military has a long history of violent intolerance toward independent journalism." Since the February coup, over 80 journalists have been arrested by the junta with over half that number still in detention, according to a May 2 statement from Western diplomatic missions to Myanmar. Nearly 800 people participating in protests against the coup have been killed by security forces, according to human rights groups. Founded in 1908, the National Press Club is The World's Leading Professional Organization for Journalists. The Club has 3,000 members representing nearly every major news organization and is a leading voice for press freedom in the United States and around the world. The National Press Club Journalism Institute, the Club's non-profit affiliate, promotes an engaged global citizenry through an independent and free press and equips journalists with skills and standards to inform the public in ways that inspire civic engagement. PRESS CONTACT: Lindsay Underwood for the National Press Clublunderwood@press.org(202) 662-7561 View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-press-leaders-protest-abuse-of-journalists-in-myanmar-301290005.html SOURCE National Press Club A dinner discussing racism and how to combat it has showcased a variety of views from a diverse range of Taurangas people. Four speakers from Tauranga and race relations commissioner Meng Foon shared their thoughts and experiences at the Breaking the Barriers community dinner. Rhema Chatiya Nantham wanted to highlight micro aggressions and her experience of them since moving to New Zealand. The PhD candidate is a third culture kid, which are children that live in different countries and cultures because of their parents careers. Born in Malaysia, she grew up in the Philippines and attended international schools so meeting people of all cultures was the norm for her. It wasnt until moving to New Zealand for university, that Rhema realised her way of life was different and that the majority of people she met, lived and went to school in the same place for most of their lives. She had really positive experiences at university but upon joining the workforce and marrying a Kiwi man she began to notice some discrimination. It's the microaggression of discrimination that really gets to you. Rhema spoke about how acceptance is the way forward rather than tolerance. My thoughts are we need to be accepting, we need to stop seeing difference in a discriminatory way and really appreciate that difference. Aotearoa is my true home now. Yvonne Kalman was a university student in China, then in 1989 she escaped to New Zealand after the Tiananmen Square massacre. She has lived and worked in both New Zealand and the United States since then and said she hasnt experienced discrimination during her time in either country. My experiences may be different from a lot of other Asian New Zealanders or Asian Americans. Yvonne says people shouldnt put too much emphasis on different races or different appearances because if you pay too much attention to those things its easier to have misunderstandings. We just should immerse ourselves naturally into the society wherever we live. Karen Gibney moved to New Zealand from Chile 20 years ago and said she has always felt welcome and comfortable here. She says when she first got here, there was no social media and not much technology so a few people didnt know where Chile was or what the culture was like. Karen says she didnt take it the wrong way or that is was discrimination. She accepted that people didnt know about her culture, just like she didnt know about Kiwi culture at first. We just need to learn about each other and when we understand each other, then we can communicate big time. Ngai Te Rangi's chief executive Paora Stanley spoke about his experiences of discrimination and that Maori understand how difficult it can be to be different. The racism that occurs in this country had its testing ground on my people and then they went to Chinese, then they went to Indian, and anybody else who was different. He says when faced with racism, people need to be brave to challenge and resist it. Paora knows what it feels like to live in another country and not know anybody. When he first lived in Quebec he drove 14 hours to Michigan to go to a gosh darn hangi with a whole bunch of Maoris. I know what it feels like to miss your people. While in Quebec he spent time on a first nation reserve, where he was welcomed by those people, because of that experience he suggested there be a powhiri for all visitors, permanent or temporary, to New Zealand. Why dont we work together and have an open powhiri for all new, New Zealanders. Meng Foon talks about how its important to be proud of who you are. Race Relations Commissioner Meng Foon talked about how diversity is a given for the future of Tauranga. Let's think of diversity as all of us that are here, from different backgrounds, from different countries, disabled people, LGBQTI, whoever we are, we are all human beings, that is the fundamental thing that we shall believe in. He says events like the Breaking the Barriers dinner are important. I think sharing stories is quintessential, knowing the back story of where people come from, how they have arrived in Aotearoa, their experiences. The dinner was a joint venture between the New Zealand China Friendship Society and Multicultural Tauranga. Taurangas medical mission ship MV YWAM Koha returns to Tauranga harbour on Saturday following a successful tour of New Zealand. It should pull into channel right before 9am, weather dependent, says YWAM Ships Aotearoa Ltd managing director Marty Emmett. YWAM which stands for Youth With A Mission - called the promotional tour of the country The Final Push, an effort to raise funds to complete the preparation work that the ship still needed before it can head into the Pacific Islands to fulfil its mission. Marty says the NZ tour, which included Lyttelton, Nelson, Whanganui and Wellington was very successful. We have had more than 2600 people tour the ship in four ports and have hosted MPs and Pacific diplomats in Wellington. There is huge interest throughout the Pacific to have the YWAM KOHA come out and serve, and the ship is now fully certified with MNZ. Were engaging in direct conversation with the High Commissioners in Wellington from Fiji, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands about a 2022 deployment to their nations. Prior to leaving Tauranga in late February, the promotional campaign had raised $50,000, with the plan to connect with YWAM Koha NZ supporters and find new supporters to reach the goal of $300,000. Probably the greatest miracle - we have seen over $300,000 donated in the last four months - the final push campaign has been fully funded, says Marty. And possibly even greater we now have a platinum partner, Trinity Lands, who have come on board to cover 50 per cent of our annual operating budget for the next five years. This is incredible as it gives a strong financial foundation and allows us to focus on raising finances for the delivery of free health care in the Pacific. The strong and versatile New Zealand-based vessel is uniquely designed to carry both people and cargo to remote island communities. Custom built shipping containers on the ships deck can serve as dental, medical, surgical, pharmaceutical, or classroom facilities. Koha is a Maori word for 'gift'. Next month YWAM Koha will launch into a five-week pilot programme to deliver free dental services in partnership with several groups in three areas within the Bay of Plenty. We are partnering with Whaioranga Trust in Welcome Bay, and several kiwifruit companies in Te Puke area to provide services to their RSE workers. And then we will be working with Ngati Tuwharetoa ki Kawerau Hauora to serve their community in Eastern BOP. YWAM Koha will keep their Facebook page updated with the expected arrival time on Saturday which may change due to the weather forecast. A public meeting on Wednesday, to provide residents the opportunity to discuss the impact of the Councils recently released draft Long Term Plan is being held on Wednesday. The recently established Lakes Community Association will be holding the meeting on May 19 will be held at Taumata School. We had a public meeting in April with a good turnout of over 100 people, says Lakes Community Association interim chair Tony Gavin. We formally agreed to establish the Lakes Community Association and we started working on drawing up a constitution to be approved by the residents but it got overtaken by the Long Term Plan. So our priority at the moment is to get the residents views on the Long Term Plan and provide submissions, and then well follow that up with formally incorporating the association. Tony says the motivation for establishing the association was driven by the fact of the commissioners being appointed. We realised that the normal communication that residents can have with councillors was not going to be available and that we needed the format to engage with the commissioners and hence that was the motivating force to get the formal association of the group established. Tony has found there has already been good interaction with the commissioners. Weve already done a presentation some time ago with the commissioners. We informed them about the Lakes and outlined the issues, and they encouraged us, once the Long Term Plan was out, to hold a public meeting to discuss the plan and also to submit to them. Weve been talking with Council staff and it looks like well have the four commissioners at our public meeting on Wednesday plus some key staff from Council. This will be an opportunity for residents to engage directly with them at the meeting. Since the association first met, a Facebook page has been established, a database of residents is being developed and there is an on-line survey seeking residents views as to what they would like to see in the Long Term Plan. Tony says that housing, communications, transport and community facilities have already been identified by residents as issues of concern. The Lakes Community Association meeting will be held from 6.30pm 8pm at Taumata School, Mortlake Heights on Wednesday, May 19, and all residents are invited to attend. Monday Diversion: Notes on iPad Pro Delays; MacBook Pro Coolness; The iPod Touch Lives By Graham K. Rogers Some iPad Pro delays extending to July. The cool M1 MacBook Pro. The machines stopped last week albeit only for a few hours. Apple surveys on the Apple Watch here and in Brazil. Colors for the future MacBook Pro. The Gates divorce turns in a different direction. I am even more pleased about having choosen the 11" iPad Pro over the 12.9" version as there are now reports that delays on delivery are now extending to July (Joe Rossignol, MacRumors). I was never even thinking of the larger version, but that will be a shock for some customers. There had been warnings this could happen because of screen manufacturing problems, but this is not what Apple wants to hear. Several sources are also reporting that Walmart has dropped $139 on the 11" version. Several large retail outlets in the USA offer Apple products at discounted prices, but this is something that never happens here for current devices. M1 iPad Pro - Image courtesy of Apple I keep checking the local online store and neither the WiFi+Cellular iPad Pro, nor the AirTags are offered for order at this time. The AirTags are available in a number of countries and some are dissecting them to see what Apple has built in to the devices. One has not only managed to hack into the AirTag, but also reprogram the device (Malcolm Owen, AppleInsider). This can change the specific functions available and is a security problem for Apple, although doubtless they are examining the exploits revealed so far and hopefully will come up with a fix or two. AirTags - Image courtesy of Apple I really enjoy the M1 MacBook Pro, although to tell the truth there are few obvious differences from my previous (Intel) Mac. If Rosetta 2 is being used, I don't know. Although some photo-editing work is faster I do a lot of the early adjustments on the iPhone or iPad Pro. One thing I do notice is the heat; or rather a lack of it. The surface feels cold even though I am working on it now, admittedly only typing. While the fans in the previous MacBook Air (Intel) would race away after a lot of RAW importing and editing with Photos, I cannot be sure if I have ever heard the fans. In the last 30 days it has reached a maximum of 38 degrees and peak load was Saturday morning when I was probably watching a news video on Twitter. I take these figures from iStat Menus that I have used for years on a variety of Macs. iStat Menus Display Last Tuesday, which was a public holiday here, there was a series of downloads from Apple. I had updated all my devices, apart from the Apple Watch, which I save for the evening. Within a few minutes of uploading the files for the Tuesday Notes the power cut. It had been raining for a while, but loss of power is rather limiting. Fortunately the devices were charged and I had a 4G signal so could read in the fan-less heat. I was reminded of EM Forster's The Machine Stops and a couple of days before had read a comment (Ben Wright, Prospect) linking the existence in times of lockdowns with Forster's short story. My Internet provider sent a message to tell me that the power was out courtesy of the Metropolitan Electricity Authority and it would be back at about 9:30pm. I was not happy. In the end it took 3 hours for this outage to end, with the power returning as it was becoming dark. All the devices were reactivated with the WiFi taking longest. I made some tea and updated the Apple Watch. I recently linked to an article that suggested Apple was looking into blood pressure, blood-glucose and alcohol levels detected by a future Apple Watch. I was all for the first pair, but les enthusiastic about alcohol levels for reasons I set out then. Tyler Lee (Ubergizmo) discusses a customer survey that was sent out by Apple that seems to have focussed on the blood glucose monitoring feature. The article suggests that this could be further along the road than had been thought. The survey went to customers in Brazil and I just remmebered I have had Watch survey in my inbox for a few days. It went through a whole series of questions on health, general usage and related products. There was one question on blood-glucose but that referred to 3rd party device use. There have been a number of rumours about future versions of the MacBook Pro with the M2 chip. After the colour options of the iMac, there is a question about whether any upcoming Macs would go for the same variety. That would be nice, but if this were the case, why were the current releases not available with such color options, or the upcoming iPad Pro (still in the preparing stage and not yet out for delivery). On Monday this week an Opinion item by Jose Adorno on 9to5Mac caught my eye: Let the iPod touch rest in peace - or upgrade it now. I had several iPods early on, and in 2008 bought the iPhone lookalike after pushing the manager of Apple in Thailand about the availability. Users of version 1 of this could update to V2 using a download from the iTunes Store, but at that time there was no iTunes Store here. I saw him in an Apple Store in San Francisco just after the announcement and he assured me he would be in contact when we returned to Bangkok. It was almost an iPhone, at a time when the iPhone itself was still a year or more to arrive here. It did not have calls or messaging, and depended on WiFi; but I had my music and a nice interface. In early 2008 there was not much that could be done here, but in the middle of the year, the App Store was made available to users here. With a trickle at first, then a great flood of useful apps (some less useful) things began to look up here. The image I use was taken when it arrived when I also had some Apple socks. I miss those too. I was not sure if the iPod was still available, but as Adorno writes, while it is not publicized by Apple it is still on sale. I checked in the online store here, and there it was although I could only find it using the search facility. It has the A10 fusion chip and starts at just under 7,000 baht, with the cheapest iPhone (SE) starting at 14,900 baht. With the features, the apps, iCloud and the wider availability of WiFi now, there is a lot more that can be done with this. Announced by a lot of happy users, and by Twitter, it is now possible to show large images in a message and not have them cut off as before. Like a lot I was often disappointed by the mess this made of my photographs or other images when I posted them. Users had to tap on an image to view it full size, but many would not bother. Now the previews can be seen properly. There is more news following the surprising Gates divorce announcement last week. Only this week it is curioser and curioser as Melinda was in touch with her lawyers a couple of years back. This was apparently as a result of Bill's contact (or relationship) with Jeffrey Epstein, after his conviction (Daniel Politi, Slate). Bill was apparently also a passenger on the Lolita Express: Epstein's plane that has carried many rich and famous people to and from his island in the sun. That in itself is not a link to impropriety, nor is inclusion in Epstein's Black Book. Both Epstein and Gates were billionaires and there may have been some charitable connections, although this is an unlikely reason for a divorce on its own. There have also been a number of questions over the years about just how Epstein earned all that money. Graham K. Rogers teaches at the Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University in Thailand. He wrote in the Bangkok Post, Database supplement on IT subjects. For the last seven years of Database he wrote a column on Apple and Macs. After 3 years writing a column in the Life supplement, he is now no longer associated with the Bangkok Post. He can be followed on Twitter (@extensions_th) Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with villagers while inspecting Zouzhuang Village, Xichuan County, Nanyang, central China's Henan Province, May 13, 2021. [Xinhua/Wang Ye] ZHENGZHOU, May 14 (Xinhua) Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said the Party's 100-year history is a history of dedication to people's well-being and aspirations. Xi made the remarks when visiting the village of Zouzhuang in Xichuan County of central China's Henan Province, on Thursday. Xi inspected the village and went into the home of villager Zou Xinzeng. Zou expressed his gratitude to the Party for the life improvement over the past few years. Noting that this year marks the 100th anniversary of the CPC, Xi said the Party was founded to ensure that the people enjoy a happy life, not to seek its own interests. The people are the state. The CPC's governance is for the purpose of ensuring the people's happiness and meeting their aspirations, Xi said. Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with villagers while inspecting Zouzhuang Village in Xichuan County, Nanyang, central China's Henan Province, May 13, 2021. [Xinhua/Ju Peng] Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, learns about the resettlement of people relocated because of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, and measures to develop specialty industries and boost the incomes of resettled residents in Zouzhuang Village, Xichuan County, Nanyang, central China's Henan Province, May 13, 2021. [Xinhua/Wang Ye] Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, learns about the resettlement of people relocated because of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, and measures to develop specialty industries and boost the incomes of resettled residents in Zouzhuang Village, Xichuan County, Nanyang, central China's Henan Province, May 13, 2021. [Xinhua/Wang Ye] 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 inspecting Zouzhuang Village, Xichuan County, Nanyang, central China's Henan Province, May 13, 2021. [Xinhua/Ju Peng] (Source: Xinhua) Resurfacing work is being planned for State Highway 2 Hewletts Road at the Tasman Quay intersection from Tuesday, May 18. To reduce impact on motorists, Waka Kotahi Transport Agency says the work will take place overnight between 6pm and 6am on Tuesday, May 18, and Wednesday, May 19, (finishing Thursday morning). Lane closures with a 50km/h temporary speed limit will be in place during the works. "Due to the complex nature and location of the site, traffic turning to/from Tasman Quay will, at times, need to continue on SH2 Hewletts Road and turn around at Sulphur Point and/or the MacDonald Street roundabout, in order to access Tasman Quay from the opposite direction," says spokesperson for the roading agency. "Temporary traffic management and traffic controllers on site will be in place to guide road users, as required, during these times. "Motorists are asked to take extra care when travelling through the site and follow directions of traffic management staff and signage. "These works are part of the Waka Kotahi road maintenance programme to repair and reseal state highways across the Bay of Plenty to ensure the safety and resilience of the transport network." In the event of bad weather or other unforeseen circumstances, work may be postponed. Visit the interactive Waka Kotahi Journey Planner website (journeys.nzta.govt.nz) for the latest information on roadworks, traffic, road closures and detours to help plan your trip. Plan ahead for a safe, enjoyable journey. Keep up to date with: Hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders will be significantly better off in retirement following changes to the default KiwiSaver scheme, according to Finance Minister Grant Robertson and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister David Clark. The new default provider arrangements mean those joining the scheme at 18 could have an extra $143,000 at retirement through lower fees and higher investment returns. The new arrangement will take effect once the terms of the current providers ends on 30 November 2021. Around 381,000 members are currently in the default fund they were automatically allocated to when they started a new job, because they did not make any active decisions about their fund. The Government wants all New Zealanders to reap the benefits of their KiwiSaver, whether theyre actively engaged in their fund or not. As the 20142021 default term comes to an end, weve taken the opportunity to enhance the overall benefits of being in a default fund, says Robertson. On the advice of an independent panel, the number of default providers reduces from nine to six: Bank of New Zealand, Booster, BT Funds Management (Westpac), Kiwi Wealth, Simplicity and Smartshares (NZX). Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister David Clark says the Government went to tender last October signalling the need for providers to demonstrate they would go further to deliver more for default members. The six default providers were selected because they offer the best value for money for their members in terms of lower fees and higher levels of service. Weve also changed the default provider settings to enhance Kiwis financial wellbeing in retirement. This includes moving the default investment fund type from a conservative to a balanced setting to increase the likelihood of higher returns over the long-term. To illustrate just how much default members stand to gain, an 18-year-old earning $50,000 a year and contributing three percent of their income to KiwiSaver is estimated to have an extra $143,000 when they reach 65. They will also pay around $3,900 less in fees. Another enhancement is ensuring default members receive higher service levels from their provider, including guidance at key points on their retirement journey to help them with things like selecting the right fund and contribution rate. However, if a member wishes to remain with their current provider or in their current fund, they can choose to do so by contacting their KiwiSaver provider. The Government is also ensuring default funds are invested more responsibly, Robertson says. We know many Kiwis care about where their money is invested, so we are excluding any investments in fossil fuel production. This reflects the Governments commitment to addressing the impacts of climate change and transitioning to a low-emissions economy. David Clark says the improvements to the default provider scheme will enhance the financial wellbeing of three million KiwiSaver members, not just those in a default fund. Were sending a clear message to KiwiSaver members that the government believes they deserve much better bang for their buck. Whilst default members will be transferred automatically, any KiwiSaver member will be able to choose to join one of the new default funds that will be available in the coming months. Bay of Plenty If you love working out doors and in a small team then we have the role for you. We are needing someone who has either maintenance... View or Apply on GoodWork.co.nz Current Print Subscribers will be prompted to either login to their current site user account or to create a new one. A confirmation email will be sent when a new user account is created, which must be confirmed within three days in order to provide uninterrupted online access through your Print Subscription. Once the email address is confirmed please provide your Account Number to activate your Print Subscription Service. Asda launches national food drive calling on customers to help people struggling with food essentials Asda has launched a national food drive calling on generous customers to help people struggling with food essentials across the country. With many people struggling to provide for their families, 382 Asda stores will take part in the month-long food drive in May, as the retailer encourages customers to donate vital food and hygiene essentials to support their community. The food drive is part of Asdas Fight Hunger Create Change partnership with leading charities, FareShare and the Trussell Trust, as the retailer continues to provide ongoing support to help meet the increased pressures the charities face. Between 1 April 2020 and 31 March 2021, a record 2.5 million emergency food parcels were given to people in crisis by food banks in the Trussell Trusts network, a 33% increase in need on the previous year, with almost a million of these parcels going to children. Over 278,000 meals were donated throughout the month-long food drive in July last year, as customers and colleagues responded positively to new signposting in store, which indicated the items most needed by their local food bank. Jo Warner, Asdas Senior Director for Community said: As the impact of the pandemic continues to be felt in communities across the UK, families are struggling to access basic items like food and hygiene products. Our stores have permanent collection points year-round, but over the next month our aim is to boost the number of donations as we support our charity partners managing an increased need for emergency food parcels. Im always overwhelmed by the generosity of our customers and colleagues, I wanted to thank them for continuing to support our Fight Hunger Create Change programme. Its making a real difference to the families in their local communities, both in terms of providing much needed emergency support as well as longer term help through our funding of trained advisors on the ground helping people out of the situation they find themselves in. As part of the Fight Hunger Create Change partnership, Asda has been able to support more than 1 million people over three years by providing fresh food and access to support services to help people in crisis get out of the situation they find themselves in. Through the 25 million donation Asda has made to its charity partners over the past 3 years, 5.7 million has been granted to food banks in the Trussell Trusts network to provide services such as finance and debt advice. Since 2018, Asda have enabled 100 million meals to be donated to people in crisis through building more capacity for their partner charities, donations from Asda depots and stores, and Covid-19 support to get more food to people during the pandemic. Emma Revie, chief executive of the Trussell Trust, said: So many people are struggling to put food on the table right now as the pandemic continues to affect many peoples lives. We would like to thank our partners Asda for creating this food drive which will help thousands of families facing crisis. We are always staggered by the generosity of the public which always rallies to support people in need. Everyone should be able to afford the essentials thats why were working with Asda to create a hunger free future without the need for food banks. Syracuse, N.Y. A Brooklyn man was sentenced Thursday for dressing up as a mail carrier and stealing from blue mail collection boxes in Liverpool, federal prosecutors said. Kevin Ronny Williams, 24, pled guilty last September to one count of possession with the intent to unlawfully use a United States Postal Service key, and one count of theft of mail, according to a news release issued by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of New York. Williams admitted to using a United States Postal Service arrow key that he obtained from a USPS employee, to open the boxes on March 5, 2020 in Liverpool, prosecutors said. He wore a USPS uniform jacket and carried a mail satchel that he obtained from Quayshaun Mitchell, a USPS employee, prosecutors said. Williams stole the contents of the mailboxes he opened, including 49 pieces of first-class mail, prosecutors said. All of the stolen mail was recovered from Williams, they said. Williams will serve six-months of home detention, followed by three-years of supervised release, prosecutors said. He also will be required to serve 120 hours of community service, they said. Mitchell was also charged with one count of possession with the intent to unlawfully use a United States Postal Service key, and one count of theft of mail, prosecutors said. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 11. 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. Mexico, N.Y. A man who shot himself Tuesday during a nearly 12-hour standoff with New York State Police in an Oswego County park has died, according to New York State Police. The man was pronounced dead Wednesday afternoon at Upstate University Hospital, police said. Police were called to Mexico Community Park in the village of Mexico around 5:15 a.m. Tuesday to speak with the man, who was believed suicidal and possibly armed, according to Oswego County 911 dispatchers. The man was in his car in the park threatening to kill himself, said Trooper Jack Keller, a spokesman for the state police. The Mexico Academy and Central School District was put on lockout. The main campus of the Center for Instruction, Technology & Innovation, formerly known as Oswego County BOCES, was put on lockout as a precautionary measure, according to an alert posted on CiTis website. The standoff ended around 5 p.m. when the man shot himself, police said. Update Friday 4 p.m. Syracuse man wanted in the murder of 51-year-old woman arrested Original article: Syracuse, N.Y. Syracuse police today have identified the suspect in a murder on the citys Far West Side. Police are looking for Garin Gary Roberts, 55, of Syracuse. Kathleen Montreal, 51, was stabbed to death and found by officers at 1215 Milton Ave. on Saturday, police said. Police say they do not know where Roberts is and are asking for the publics help to find him. They ask that anyone with information contact Syracuse police at 315-442-5222. Montreals death marks the seventh homicide in Syracuse in 2021. Roberts, who lists his address as 1074 S. Clinton St., is a Level 3 registered sex offender (the highest level) and has served time in state prison, according to state records and The Post-Standard | Syracuse.com archives. In 1985, he was convicted of first-degree rape, first-degree sexual abuse and second-degree assault for an attack on a 23-year-old woman. He served three years in state prison. He returned to state prison in 1990 for second-degree robbery. He served eight years. 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. SYRACUSE, N.Y. The Onondaga County District Attorneys Office has released a list of indictments from April 1 through 30. Heres a look at some of the people indicted, followed by the Syracuse.com | The Post-Standard indictment database where you can get the complete list, plus see other past indictments: Jakhim Robinson, 14, of 108 Linwell Terrace, Syracuse, charged with second-degree murder (2 counts), first-degree robbery and first-degree burglary. Based on a Jan. 20, 2021 killing in Syracuse. , 14, of 108 Linwell Terrace, Syracuse, charged with second-degree murder (2 counts), first-degree robbery and first-degree burglary. Based on a Jan. 20, 2021 killing in Syracuse. Grand jury gets case against 14-year-old accused of murdering 84-year-old Eva Fuld - syracuse.com Terrell Gordon, 28, of 409 Temple St., Syracuse, charged with attempted second-degree murder (2 counts), second-degree criminal possession of a weapon (3 counts), second-degree assault, first-degree criminal contempt, second-degree unlawful imprisonment (3 counts), endangering the welfare of a child (2 counts), fourth-degree criminal mischief and second-degree harassment (2 counts). Based on a Nov. 8, 2020 incident in Syracuse. , 28, of 409 Temple St., Syracuse, charged with attempted second-degree murder (2 counts), second-degree criminal possession of a weapon (3 counts), second-degree assault, first-degree criminal contempt, second-degree unlawful imprisonment (3 counts), endangering the welfare of a child (2 counts), fourth-degree criminal mischief and second-degree harassment (2 counts). Based on a Nov. 8, 2020 incident in Syracuse. Man shot multiple times on Syracuses South Side Jennelle Gerton , 32, of 126 Palmer Ave., Syracuse, charged with attempted second-degree murder, second-degree arson and attempted second-degree arson. Based on a Mar. 4, 2021 incident in Syracuse. , 32, of 126 Palmer Ave., Syracuse, charged with attempted second-degree murder, second-degree arson and attempted second-degree arson. Based on a Mar. 4, 2021 incident in Syracuse. Woman left 2-year-old in house, set it on fire, Syracuse police say. Daphne Camacho, 51, of 126 Grove St., Syracuse, charged with attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Based on a June 24, 2020 incident in Syracuse. 51, of 126 Grove St., Syracuse, charged with attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Based on a June 24, 2020 incident in Syracuse. Syracuse woman accused of stabbing man, police say Daja Worley, 19, of 156 Bishop Ave., Syracuse, charged with attempted second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon (2 counts). Based on a March 30, 2021 incident in Syracuse. , 19, of 156 Bishop Ave., Syracuse, charged with attempted second-degree murder and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon (2 counts). Based on a March 30, 2021 incident in Syracuse. Syracuse woman ordered brother to shoot at group that included kids, police say - syracuse.com William Leary, 29, of 166 Pinetree Drive, North Syracuse, charged with first-degree rape. Based on a Dec. 14, 2019 incident. David Hullihen, 38, of 203A Lamont Ave., Solvay, charged with possessing a sexual performance by a child (9 counts) and failure to register or verify address for the Sex Offender Registry (3 counts). Based on Sep. 20, 2020 through Oct. 20, 2020 incidents. Charles Warren, 38, of 38 Main St., Hammond, charged with first-degree sexual abuse (2 counts) and second-degree course of sexual conduct against a child. Based on May 2015 through Apr. 2017 and Aug. 2019 through Sep. 2019 incidents. Walter Benedict, 49, of 553 Seymour St., Syracuse, charged with promoting a sexual performance by a child (as a sexually motivated felony). Based on a July 29, 2019 incident. Tina Belonge, 40, of 315 Turtle St., Syracuse, charged with second-degree assault and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon. Based on July 11, 2020 incident in Town of Clay. Cassie Frantz, 34, of 4013 Long Branch Drive, Liverpool, charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated with a child in the vehicle (2 counts), driving while ability is impaired by drugs, endangering the welfare of a child (2 counts) and driving too slowly. Based on Sep. 14, 2019 incident in Town of Lysander. Syracuse, N.Y. A Syracuse man wanted in connection with the murder of a woman on the citys Far West Side was arrested Friday, according to Onondaga County Justice Center records. Syracuse police earlier Friday posted on social media that Garin Gary Roberts, 55, was wanted for the murder of Kathleen Montreal, 51. The woman, was found dead in her apartment at 1215 Milton Ave. this past Saturday, police said. Roberts stabbed Montreal, according to a news release issued Friday afternoon by the police department. Roberts, who police identified as Montreals boyfriend, was arrested Friday at St. Josephs Hospital, police said. Police did not reveal why Roberts was at the hospital or how he was found. Roberts was charged with second-degree murder and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, according to jail records. He was being held at the Onondaga County Justice Center with no bail, police said. Roberts, who lists his address as 1074 S. Clinton St., is a Level 3 registered sex offender (the highest level) and has served time in state prison, according to state records and The Post-Standard | Syracuse.com archives. In 1985, he was convicted of first-degree rape, first-degree sexual abuse and second-degree assault for an attack on a 23-year-old woman. He served three years in state prison. He returned to state prison in 1990 for second-degree robbery. He served eight years. Montreals death marks the seventh homicide in Syracuse in 2021. 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. Syracuse, NY -- The investigation into Anthony Ebrons 2016 murder had gone cold before investigators took a renewed look at the case in 2019. They identified a potential suspect, Anton Kelley, but he no longer lived in Syracuse, Detective Jeremy Merola testified Friday. RELATED: Syracuse family holds shooting victims hand in hospital as he takes last breath What happened next, leading to Kelleys arrest in September 2019 demonstrated some clever police work (leading to a chance meeting), but was cast by a defense lawyer Friday as a violation of Kelleys rights. The search for Kelley, now 29, began in earnest in the fall of 2019 after a tipster suggested he might be in Pittsburgh. Police ran Kelleys name through New Yorks integrated justice portal, eJustice, Merola said. And they discovered that he had an arrest warrant on a drunken driving case in Rochester. So Merola and two other homicide detectives piled into an unmarked car on Sept 16, 2019 and headed to Rochester. They didnt think theyd find Kelley, but there were other names of acquaintances in the police report from the DWI case who might know where he was, Merola testified. Their first stop was an apartment complex on the border between Rochester and Irondequoit, where Kelleys girlfriend might live, Merola testified. No one was there. They checked two other addresses with no luck before ending up at a residence on Norton Street, Merola said. Someone there claimed to know Kelley. As detectives were parked by the residence, a man who fit Kelleys description started walking up the block, Merola said. After another detective called out to the man, he continued walking toward the residence before taking off running, Merola said. Merola gave chase and jumped a fence into a parking lot before losing sight of the man, he added. For the next 15 minutes, Merola said he searched for the man in the unfamiliar city, losing his sense of direction. The other two detectives met him awhile later, Merola testified, and they ended up back in the parking lot of the apartment complex where Kelleys girlfriend might live. Thats when Detective Steve Kilburn saw the man again, jumping into a white SUV, Merola said. Kilburn pulled the SUV over and asked the man -- who turned out to be Kelley -- to get out. Kelley was placed in the backseat of the Syracuse police car, Merola said. By that point, nearby Irondequoit police had arrived, and agreed to let the Syracuse detectives question Kelley at their police station. Its that interview with police that was the subject of Fridays court hearing: can a video recording of what Kelley told detectives be used against him at trial? Kelley was read his Miranda (Constitutional) warnings, before Merola asked if Kelley would speak to them about Ebrons death. No, not really, Kelley said, before adding: I dont know nothing. Nevertheless, Merola said that the not really comment was ambiguous, and so the interrogation continued briefly. Eventually, after being presented with some of the evidence involving a gun, Kelley said he wanted a lawyer and the interview ended. None of that interrogation was legal, said defense lawyer William Sullivan. First of all, he argued, Syracuse police had no legal jurisdiction to question Kelley in the first place. Merola noted that Kelley had an outstanding arrest warrant in a DWI case. But Sullivan pointed out that was an offense in Rochester. There was no arrest warrant in the Syracuse murder case. State Supreme Court Justice Gordon Cuffy noted that it would be up to him whether the interrogation was lawful or not. Sullivan also pointed out that Kelley had expressed reluctance -- No, not really -- when asked if he waived his Miranda rights and agreed to speak to detectives. In addition, police should have known that Kelley would have a lawyer in the pending DWI case, but no attempts were made to contact a lawyer on his behalf, Sullivan added. It does not appear that Sullivans arguments surrounding Kelleys arrest that day are seeking a dismissal of the charges due to false arrest: that type of challenge has long since passed. But if the detectives actions went over the line, the interrogation might be suppressed. Its unclear exactly what Kelley told detectives that day, but prosecutor Joseph Coolican is seeking to use at least some of it at Kelleys murder trial. Because it was video-recorded, the judge will be able to watch the entire interrogation in private before determining whether it was lawfully obtained. Kelley has remained jailed since before the pandemic began. If convicted after trial, he faces up to 25 years to life in Ebrons death. Staff writer Douglass Dowty can be reached at ddowty@syracuse.com or 315-470-6070. New Hartford, N.Y. An Oneida County man has been charged after he admitted to investigators that he was inside the U.S. Capitol building during the Jan. 6 insurrection, according to federal court papers. Eric Bochene, 49, of New Hartford, was arrested Thursday and charged with two counts of unlawfully entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds, and two counts of violent entry disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, according to court papers filed by federal prosecutors. The charges are misdemeanors. Bochene appeared virtually before U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew Baxter on Thursday. He was released on a $25,000 unsecured bond, federal prosecutors said. Authorities were alerted to Bochene and his involvement in the Capitol riots from several tipsters, federal prosecutors said. The first tip was received on Feb. 16, when a person claimed Bochene had bragged about being in the Capitol building on Jan. 6, they said. One of the tipsters said they spoke with Bochene on Jan. 6 and while on the phone he confirmed he was inside the Capitol building, federal prosecutors said. Bochene also told the tipster he broke a window and that he was one of the first people inside the building, prosecutors said. Another tipster identified Bochene from a photo (at the top of this article) taken inside the Capitol on Jan. 6. After receiving multiple tips, federal investigators interviewed Bochene on Monday at his home on Pinecrest Road in New Hartford, according to the court papers. He showed investigators a two-minute video he recorded in the Capitol building and identified his voice on the recordings, federal prosecutors said. Bochene later identified himself to investigators as the man wearing a gray hat and a gray hooded sweatshirt in the photo above, prosecutors said. A copy of the photo as well as other images showing him in the building were part of the court papers. Investigators also found that a cropped version of the photo was being used as Bochenes Facebook profile picture, prosecutors said. Investigators said license plates of Bochenes car, a blue 2016 Mazda sedan, were captured by license plate readers in the Washington D.C. area as early as 12:31 a.m. on Jan. 6 and as late as 5:06 p.m. on the same day. The plates were later captured at about 9:45 p.m. on Interstate 81 near Binghamton, prosecutors said. Bochene was not the first Central New Yorker to be identified as participating in the Capitol riots. A Syracuse man was arrested on April 21 after being accused of being one of the first rioters to break through police lines during the storming of the Capitol. Matthew Greene, of Burns Avenue in Eastwood, was identified as a member of the Proud Boys, a nationwide far-right extremist group that was among those accused of leading the assault that turned deadly Jan. 6. He and two others were indicted on a 10-count indictment. Greene faces four felonies and three misdemeanors. Another man, Albert Ciarpelli, 65, also was arrested for his role in the riot, including entering the Capitol. He faces two misdemeanors. A fourth CNY man faces local DC charges. William Billy Leary, 54, who runs a manufactured home business in Utica, was accused of violating curfew and unlawfully entering public property (the Capitol grounds), a misdemeanor. 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. Washington House Republicans voted today to elevate Rep. Elise Stefanik to the GOPs No. 3 leadership post, choosing the Upstate New York congresswoman over a conservative from Texas. Republicans voted by secret ballot behind closed doors only two days after ousting Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyoming, as GOP conference chair. Stefanik, supported by former president Donald Trump, defeated Rep. Chip Roy, a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus who mounted a last-minute campaign for the post this week. Stefanik won by a vote of 134-46. The two Republican House members who represent Central New York John Katko and Claudia Tenney said in advance of the vote that they would choose Stefanik, their colleague from Upstate New York. For Stefanik, 36, the vote culminates a swift rise to power, six years after she made history as the youngest woman ever elected to the House. She represents a sprawling North Country district that spans 12 counties. The district includes Fort Drum and the Adirondack Park. Minutes after the vote, Trump said in a statement, Congratulations to Elise Stefanik for her big and overwhelming victory! The House GOP is united and the Make America Great Again movement is strong! Stefanik, addressing reporters after the vote, thanked Trump and said he is a critical part of our Republican team. She pledged to unify Republicans in her new role. Asked if Trump was still the leader of the party, Stefanik said she considers Trump the leader because GOP voters chose him as the partys presidential nominee last year. Cheney angered House Republicans over her repeated criticism of Trumps baseless claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen from him, and for encouraging supporters who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6. Cheney and Katko were among 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump for inciting the insurrection. Katko stood by Cheney when GOP House members tried but failed to remove her from the leadership post in February. But this week, Katko did not disclose whether he still supported Cheney and he did not respond to requests for an interview. Katko, R-Camillus, said before the vote to remove Cheney that he would support Stefanik if something happens with Liz. CNN reported that Katko was among the Republicans who nominated Stefanik in todays closed-door conference meeting. Tenney, R-New Hartford, said in a statement after the vote that shes confident Stefanik will unite the party. She is a dear friend and proven leader who has made history by helping to elect more Republican women than ever to Congress, Tenney said. The Republican Party is a big tent and Congresswoman Stefanik knows exactly how to grow our coalition even further to advance the cause of liberty. Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, won praise from Republicans after she emerged as one of Trumps top defenders in the 2019 House impeachment proceedings. Trump called Stefanik a rising star in the party and helped her raise millions of dollars for her congressional campaign. This year, Stefanik supported Trumps false claims that cast doubt on the validity of the 2020 presidential election. After the Capitol attack on Jan. 6, she voted against formally approving Pennsylvanias state-certified electoral votes. Trump returned the favor this week, publicly backing Stefanik for the leadership over Roy. Roy raised concerns about Stefaniks moderate voting record, including her opposition to Trumps 2017 tax overhaul. He cautioned party leaders from rushing to coronate Stefanik as Cheneys successor. In a memo Roy sent this week to his GOP colleagues, he wrote we must avoid putting in charge Republicans who campaign as Republicans but then vote for and advance the Democrats agenda once sworn in. Stefanik met with members of the House Freedom Caucus throughout the week in an attempt to win over reluctant conservatives. As part of that effort, Stefanik pledged to serve only one term in the leadership post. Trump pushed back against Roy ahead of todays vote, making it clear he would stand by Stefanik. Cant imagine Republican House Members would go with Chip Roy he has not done a great job, and will probably be successfully primaried in his own district, Trump said in a statement Thursday night. I support Elise, by far, over Chip! Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact Mark Weiner anytime by: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 571-970-3751 Restrictions on cross border travel not ruled out if necessary to deal with Indian variant, but not an immediate option, says First Minister The first minister has said his government wont shrink away from implementing cross border travel restrictions to prevent the spread of the Indian strain of coronavirus. However he stressed no options had been discussed nor was it an immediate option. Speaking at todays Welsh Government briefing, First Minister Mark Drakeford said there wasnt enough understanding of the new variant and what its future might hold to take such action as drastic. There are 1,313 cases of the variant in the UK, up from the 520 recorded the previous week. 26 cases have so far been recorded in Wales. Surge testing is underway in parts of North West of England where a number of coronavirus cases involving the Indian variant are on the rise. The variant of concern has been detected in Bolton, Blackburn and Sefton in Merseyside. There have been calls fo surge vaccination in younger age groups which makes up the bulk of the cases in those areas to take place. Mr Drakeford warned that the new Indian variant is giving the Welsh government pause for thought and will look to scientific advisors on whether further easements can move ahead safely. The first minister has pointed to the impact of the Kent variant in Wales, he said: When it came into Wales from the north-west of England, it spread right across Wales causing enormous pressures on our health service. One of the big pockets of the Indian variant is once again in the north-west of England, and that border is so porous between the north-east of Wales and north-west of England. During the press briefing Mr Drakeford was asked whether the Welsh government would consider restrictions on travel into and out of Wales in a bid to halt any spread of the new variant. Restrictions on travel into Wales from hotspot areas have been introduced in a bid to tackle the virus previously. He said: Well, first of all, I dont intend to do that at the moment but I dont rule out doing it as evidence emerges. Where we too need to take action ourselves we have demonstrated during the whole of the Coronavirus crisis that we are prepared to restrict travel in and out of Wales where we know that that is in the best interest of Wales. The difference between now and back in the autumn is that then we had a clearly identified problem that we knew about, at the moment we have an emerging issue. None of us have sufficient sense of what lies behind it and what its future might hold to take action as drastic as youre preventing people from travelling from one part of the United Kingdom to another. The first minister added: If it became necessary in order to protect the health of people in Wales to limit peoples ability to travel across the border, then we wouldnt shrink from doing that. Research for the UK governments Sage advisory group by the University of Warwick has suggested that unless the Indian strain is less than 20 per cent more transmissible than the Kent variant there will be a significant risk to the NHS. Mr Drakeford said: The modelling carried out by Swansea University which is the modelling, we rely on most in Wales, we are still expecting a third wave of Coronavirus later in the summer but we dont expect it to be of a magnitude that would cause the same levels of pressure on the NHS that weve seen at the turn of this year. I have never myself used the word irreversible to talk about the path that we are on out of Coronavirus and Ive said already today that the Welsh Government will continue the whole business of unlocking in the careful cautious step by step way. If the evidence changes and new risks emerge that we need to take into account, then that will have an impact on our ability to go on lifting restrictions and impact on our NHS. You can view the full briefing from this lunchtime below: The Taos News delivered to your Taos County address every week for a full year! We offer our lowest mail rates to zip codes in the county. Click Here to See if you Qualify. Plan includes unlimited website access and e-edition print replica online. Your auto pay plan will be conveniently renewed at the end of the subscription period. You may cancel at anytime. Wales on track for all eligible adults to be offered first dose of vaccine by mid July Wales remains on track to offer all eligible adults a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine by the middle of July, the first minister has confirmed, as well as saying surge vaccinations or recalibrating how vaccines are given out can be a line of defence against variants. Over 1,990,000 doses have been administered so far across Wales, with the two million milestone expected to be hit this weekend. More than 891,000 people in Wales are also fully vaccinated. Mr Drakeford also announced that the number of people in hospital with coronavirus is at its lowest level since the start of the pandemic more than 15 months ago. As of today there are three people with the virus in critical care in Welsh hospitals. The number of coronavirus related deaths have also dropped, with Wales thankfully now regularly recording zero in the daily update. Speaking at todays Welsh Government briefing, First Minister Mark Drakeford described the rollout of the vaccine as a truly incredible achievement. He said: Its all down to the dedication and the hard work of all those NHS staff, volunteers and military personnel working in clinics all over Wales. Its due to their efforts and the fantastic response to vaccination, that we have one of the very best vaccination rates in the whole of the world. Take up amongst care home residents, people aged over 80 and people in their 70s is higher than 90% for both first and second doses. More than half of people in their 30s and well over a third of people in the 18-29 age range have now have their first dose in Wales. Over the next few weeks, we will accelerate still further our programme of first dose vaccinations as other parts of the UK make progress to the levels of secondary doses we have already achieved in Wales. We remain on target to offer all eligible adults vaccination by the middle of July. And if vaccine supplies allows us to move faster than we know that we can and we will. Earlier in the briefing the First Minister said he would look at calibrating vaccination programmes to help mitigate issues around the Indian variant if they were to surface significantly in Wales. Surge vaccinations have been suggested to deal with issues in Blackburn and Bolton, however there has been debate, and therefore a lag in deciding if that is appropriate. We asked the First Minister on the topic, and if that was the type of action he had in mind, and if so, were there plans in place for that as a targeted response, and would he give decision making freedom to health boards and local authorities? The First Minister told us, I think the two ways in which vaccinations could be calibrated to deal with a sort of circumstances we are seeing across the border. First is that you could, as you probably heard, calibrate the vaccination so you do more second doses of more vulnerable people. Now if that were necessary in Wales, we would be starting from a very good platform. Because as you have seen, people over 70 or 80, over 90% of them have already had their second dose of vaccination, over 90% of care home residents have had their second dose as well. So it would be possible to do more lower down the age ranges for more vulnerable people, so thats one possibility. Then the second possibility is, as you say, to do a concentrated vaccination effort in a particular geographical area were there to be a surge of cases there. We absolutely dont rule either those things out in Wales, if they were necessary, we would do it in partnership as we tried to do everything. There would be advice available nationally, it would be delivered locally, using all that local knowledge and experience that all our health boards now have of delivering vaccination successfully. So we didnt have vaccination this time last year, it is a new tool that we can try and deploy to deal with new and emerging circumstances and we definitely would be considering doing that in Wales were we to need to. With only 26 cases, at the moment, of the Indian variant and no geographical concentration of them probably neither of those things is currently, immediately, on the cards here, but we will plan on the basis that we might need to do so. TusharK Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Pune Posts: 3,326 Thanked: 29,541 Times Australia: Jeep drags Mahindra to court over Thar design Mahindra has filed a reply in the court stating that the company doesn't have any plans to launch the current model of the Thar in Australia. It has also agreed to provide adequate notice to FCA if they do wish to introduce the model. Earlier, FCA had objected to the design of the While the Roxor looked similar to the Jeep CJ, the Thar is a rip-off of the Wrangler's design. The off-roader is currently on sale in India. So, does that mean FCA will sue Mahindra in India next? Source: Link to Team-BHP News The ongoing tussle between Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and Mahindra over the Thar's design has now reached down under. Both companies have moved the Federal Court of Australia after FCA demanded that Mahindra should not launch the Thar in Australia and should give a 90-day notice if it intends to do so. The company claims that it infringes the Jeep Wrangler's design.Mahindra has filed a reply in the court stating that the company doesn't have any plans to launch the current model of the Thar in Australia. It has also agreed to provide adequate notice to FCA if they do wish to introduce the model.Earlier, FCA had objected to the design of the Mahindra Roxor as it was almost identical to the Jeep. Mahindra was forced to redesign the vehicle and the new design was later approved by a U.S. regulator.While the Roxor looked similar to the Jeep CJ, the Thar is a rip-off of the Wrangler's design. The off-roader is currently on sale in India. So, does that mean FCA will sue Mahindra in India next?Source: TOI Last edited by TusharK : 12th May 2021 at 13:08 . The Colonial Pipeline Ransomware attack has direct effects on Fuel Supplies across the East Coast and the country, as the shortage is seen and people hoarding have been using random containers for gasoline. However, despite the shortage, this should not be something that should be done frantically as accidents may occur and put one's life at risk. The fuel shortage amidst Colonial Pipeline is real, especially as the company has paid the ransom amount of $5 million or 75 Bitcoins ($BTC) from DarkSide hackers as revealed earlier today. Fuel Supplies are directly affected, but the company has assured people that supplies are coming back to normal in two weeks' time, which is a long wait for some. The ransomware has claimed to have taken 100 GB worth of confidential company data which was held for ransom by the threat actors that were identified by the FBI as the works of DarkSide and its malware. This had led to massive hoarding from the public, especially as they could not imagine the effects of fuel shortage amidst this time of COVID-19. Read Also: Colonial Pipeline Resumes Operation After Ransomware Hack, Says Fuel Supply Will Take Days to Return to Normal Colonial Pipeline: Shortage Led to Hoarding of Fuel using Random Containers While the CEO already assured people that supplies were not that affected initially, the hoarding has caused it to have an increased demand for fuel, which led to the shortage the East Coast is facing now. However, not everyone is prepared to face this tragedy and people have used random containers to fill up and keep as supplies at home. This hoarding has now caused a safety concern for people, especially as it was seen that people were using extreme measures to get their gas supplies like the trending lady which used a plastic bag (via the Washington Post). Some containers may leak gasoline and lead to accidents like spontaneous combustions or have children playing with it, leading to unthinkable tragedies. Use only EPA-Approved Containers to Store Gas to Avoid Accidents And while this is happening, people should always consider safety above all else. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), people should always use a certified container to store fuel. This includes that of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its EPA-approved containers that prevent this from happening. People can see this at the side or front of the gas tanks or containers which are mostly made of plastic and provides a leak or spill-proof design to avoid any accidents. It is important to note that not all EPA-approved containers are fireproof, but it is enough to avoid spillage that may lead to fire hazards and injuries. Related Article: Cyber Attack Shuts Down Largest Fuel Pipeline, US Declares State of Emergency -- Are Fuel Prices Rising? This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Isaiah Richard 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)) An out of service bag covers a pump handle at a gas station May 12, 2021 in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Most stations in the area along I-95 are without fuel following the Colonial Pipeline hack. The 5,500 mile long pipeline delivers a large percentage of fuel on the East Coast from Texas up to New York. Colonial Pipeline paid the ransomware hackers 75 bitcoin or $5 million to restore its billing system and start pumping fuel to retailers again, sources close to the situation said. But the tool given by the hackers after the payment did not work properly Despite reports by Bloomberg that U.S. officials are aware of the transaction, Brandon Wales, the acting director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Administration (CISA), declines the claim. Wales via CNN said that he has "no knowledge of whether a ransom was paid, how much was paid, if it was paid, when it was paid." President Biden, in a press briefing on Thursday, declined to confirm if Colonial Pipeline did succumb to the hacker's request. The spokeswoman of the company also declined to comment, the New York Times reports. The Largest Fuel Pipeline in the U.S. was forced to shut down on Friday night, May 8. The facility supplies fuel to almost half of the East Coast. After a few days, the pipeline has resumed operations but warned that it will take days for the fuel supply to normalize. Opposing the Government's Advice The said move is opposite the advice of the FBI. Jen Psaki, White House Press Secretary, said via New York Times that: "It's the recommendation of the FBI do not pay ransom in these cases," to avoid funding their ransomware groups to conduct more cyberattacks. Psaki said, however, that the companies have the final say on their own decisions. Anne Neuberger, the White House's deputy national security adviser for cyber and emerging technologies, told NBC that she understands that a move contrary to the recommendation of the government might be in the best interest of the victims. However, according to Neuberger, the position of the White House remains intact: it discourages ransom payment. Hacker's Tool Didn't Work It was reported by Bloomberg, that the payment made through a cryptocurrency gave the fuel operator a decrypting tool. But instead of a smooth recovery of the system, it was too slow to be used. Hence, the company reverted to merely using its backups to restart pumping fuel to its retailer soon. It turns out, the payment to the extortionist was, in fact, useless. Read Also: Colonial Pipeline Ransomware Attack: Gas Shortage is Coming Says CEO, Darkside Steals 100GB Worth of Data New Details of Pipeline Shut Down Emerges Kim Zetter, a cybersecurity journalist, first reported that the company forcibly suspended operations as hackers attacked its billing system. With that, Colonial will not be able to invoice the fuel coming to their facility automatically. The said system is integral to the operation of the pipeline. It is said to be the reason why the operation remained offline for a few days. It turns out the company was exerting its effort in restoring its billing system. However, when CNN asked the company spokesperson about payment concerns, he said there is no evidence for the said story. Related Article: Ransomware Gang Leaks Highly Sensitive Psych Assessment of Washington D.C. Police, Vows to Expose More This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Teejay Boris 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : Screenshot From Pexels Official Website) Microsoft Backs Out of Blockchain Technology by Pulling Out Azure Services | Why? For those that don't know, Microsoft actually has its very own blockchain service which is reportedly coming to an end soon. The service has actually been around for a while and already has a list of some notable achievements. Microsoft Azure Blockchain Service According to an article by ZDnet, Microsoft is soon going to shut down its very own Azure Blockchain Service this coming September 10, 2021. The existing deployments will reportedly be supported just until that date. As of May 10, this year, however, there will be no more new deployments or even member creation to be supported. Microsoft notes that they will no longer be supporting any new deployments or even the creations by members on the platform. The article by ZDnet notes that Microsoft's initial foray into the whole Azure Blockchain as a Service or BaaS actually started back in 2015 with an offering on the official Ethereum Platform known as ConsenSys. Microft Azure BaaS Lack of Updates In the later part of January 2016, Microsoft made available a new preview of a certain lab environment in Azure's official DevTest Labs so that the new Blockchain-related services and its own partners can decouple the whole Blockchain technology from certain virtual machines. Microsoft's own short-term goal for the whole Azure BaaS was actually for it to make available an officially certified blockchain marketplace. In the interim, the whole focus was to generally add blockchain partners to all particular kinds instead of trying to pick just a limited number of potential winners, according to officials. Microsoft, however, ended up fielding a new preview of the Azure BaaS but has lately had not that much done in order to update the service. Microsoft Azure BaaS Users Microsoft's very own product page, however, for the Azure BaaS lists down Singapore Airlines, GE, J.P. Morgan, Starbucks, and even Xbox as its own customers. Microsoft's official documentation suggests that users start migrating to another alternative now. The actual recommended migration destination is called the ConsenSys Quorum Blockchain service. Users can also choose to self-manage their very own blockchain with the use of VMs. With Microsoft giving the recommendation to another blockchain service, they are slowly stepping out of the picture. Read Also: Can Quantum Computing Break the Blockchain? ConsenSys Quuorum as an Alternative The intentions of Microsoft, as of the moment, are quite unknown and although they are closing down their Azure Blockchain Services, the possibility exists wherein the company would just make a new one. However, as of the moment, there is no information as to whether Microsoft will decide to make a better version of the Azure Blockchain Service. Users will have to start the migration process as soon as possible since the timeline given to their users is only up to September 10 of this year. Although this might seem like a lot of time left, users might have to migrate right away since no more additions will be supported on the Azure platform. Related Article: Introducing Glitch - the Purpose-built DeFi Blockchain This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Urian B. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)) CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 27: The TikTok logo is displayed in front of a TikTok office on August 27, 2020 in Culver City, California. The Chinese-owned company is reportedly set to announce the sale of U.S. operations of its popular social media app in the coming weeks following threats of a shutdown by the Trump administration. A professional voice actor is taking TikTok to the United States court. It is after the latter allegedly used her voice in a viral text-to-speech feature without her prior permission. The said viral function broke the internet in 2020. It allows users to put customized narration created by a text-to-speech feature on their videos. Users will only need to type whichever text they want to hear, and it will be converted to a robotic and shooting voice. Bev Standing, the voice actor suing TikTok, claimed that, in worse cases, her voice was repeatedly used to say "foul and offensive language." Furthermore, she adds that the unauthorized use of her voice will permanently cause her "irreparable harm." The lawsuit, first reported by The Telegraph, is claiming damages for the "emotional distress" for exploitation of her "likeness." It also mentioned "loss of the ability to control the dissemination of her likeness; and loss of the ability to control the association of her likeness." It was filed, on May 6, in the United States District Court, Southern District of New York. However, Standing revealed to The Insider that she learned about TikTok using her voice in late 2020. Standing, who doesn't use the said app, only found out about it when her family and friends sent her the TikTok videos. It was only then that she acquainted herself with the said viral feature. And, surprisingly, she noticed that it was her voice based on the pitch and tone. Moreover, she claimed to The Verge that she heard her voice on TikTok in November 2020. Interestingly, TikTok launched the said function in December that year. How Did TikTok Get To Access Her Voice? According to The Verge, the lawsuit did not clearly say how ByteDance, the company behind the app, got access to the voice of Standing. But in hindsight, Standing shared in the lawsuit that, several years ago, she recorded a text-to-speech feature -- not for ByteDance -- but for a group called Institute of Acoustics. However, she reiterated that the said group did not have the authority to give out her voice to other companies. The recording she did in the past is said to be for a Chinese translation. Coincidentally, Tiktok's parent company from China. It is also noteworthy, that according to The Verge, a Google search could not match any Institute of Acoustics in Edenborough Scotland, that the lawsuit mentioned. It only showed results of England-based and China-based institutions. Read Also: TikTok For Finding Job Instead of LinkedIn? Video-sharing Social Media is Testing a New Tool to Help Job Seekers Other TikTok Lawsuits In another legal battle, TikTok paid $92 million to settle a lawsuit in the U.S. claiming that it collected its user's data and private information. Also, in a more recent lawsuit, TikTok was brought to the courts of the United Kingdom, on April 20. It was after the social video application is allegedly collecting information from children's accounts. Related Article: TikTok Adds New Feature in Q&A Section, Creators can Now Respond to Questions Via Text or Videos This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Teejay Boris 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : Screenshot From Pexels Official Website) TikTok Banned from US Government Devices Due to Bill Deeming it 'an Immediate Security Threat' TikTok is massively growing in user base and despite the app being the highlight of controversy, with a lot of people fearing for their privacy being compromised, more and more are using it. The US government, however, won't be using TikTok in any of their devices due to a recently passed bill. TikTok Banned from US Government Devices According to the story by SCMP, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee has just unanimously passed a bill that would officially ban US federal workers from being able to download the now very popular app onto certain US government devices. This was according to Senator Josh Hawley who was the official bill sponsor. The announcement was given in a press release on Wednesday where the US Senate unanimously approved a quite similar measure back in August of 2020. It was Representative Ken Buck who previously introduced a similar bill officially in the House. US Government Concerns Over ByteDance The app, which is really popular with teens nowadays eager to show off their hidden dance moves and more, has come directly under fire in the United States due to concerns of the app's Chinese owner known as ByteDance. TikTok has reportedly sought to distance itself from Beijing, achieving mixed success. Hawley reportedly called the company an "immediate security threat." Hawley said in a recent statement after the voting process that this should definitely not be a partisan issue and that he is glad to see his colleagues within the Senate all act together in order to address the issue of Beijing's "covert data collection campaign." While the US government might see TikTok as a threat, a lot of users, especially the young ones, are getting more and more involved with the platform as they have reportedly beaten Facebook in terms of regular downloads! While the company is still massively growing, a lot of new features are actually being planned out for the app. Read Also: April 24 TikTok Trend: What It Is, How it Started, and How to Report It TikTok Shoppiing Feature In fact, TikTok shopping could potentially be a new thing that the platform would introduce later on as it is currently still testing out the feature with a limited number of users. Usually, it is Instagram that copies or emulates certain features from other apps but this time, things are shifting the other way around as TikTok is trying to incorporate the whole in-app shopping feature as well. According to an article by Tech.co, the trial efforts are currently being run along with certain brands that include the clothing label Hype. This was according to a report coming from Bloomberg which stated that this will allow brands to be able to operate certain dedicated stores within the platform as well as receiving orders that would come directly from TikTok users. For those that have seen Instagram's own "product catalogs," basically that's how the new feature might potentially look. Related Article: 'What's The Worst Thing That Happened to You at School? Challenge Trends on TikTok This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Urian B. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Work building fantastic environment for learning at local primary school well underway Works to extend and make alterations at a local primary school are well underway. The extension at Barkers Lane, which started in January, will eventually house a new nursery facility and increase classroom capacity to allow for an increase of pupils from 210 to 315. It is intended that the increase will see smaller class sizes currently at the school in addition to relieving the pressures on other English medium schools across the town centre. The foundations for the new extension are finished, work has started on the steel frame and foundation walls have started going up ready for the floor to be put in place. The school will have their Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) replaced which is making good progress and should be ready for the pupils very soon. Headteacher, Chris Harrison-Edwards, said: The new facilities will provide a fantastic environment for learning for our youngest children as well as improving some areas within the current school building. Children deserve the very best opportunities and the enhanced provision will help us ensure this continues for the future. The development is exciting for both children and staff. The children have loved seeing some of the construction in action and are already enjoying one of their new play areas. Read Construction are undertaking the works and their site team are in daily contact with the school to discuss the works and to keep disruption to a minimum. Richard Smart, Contract Manager with Read Construction, said: Were pleased to be working with Wrexham Council to deliver this extension scheme at Barkers Lane school. Delivered through the North Wales Construction Partnership, we are committed to benefiting the local community throughout the project, whilst delivering a 21st century facility to the school. Cllr Phil Wynn, Lead Member for Education, said: Its great to see new and upgraded school facilities like this being available for pupils and staff in our schools. Our young people deserve modern environments in which to learn which will help them achieve their full potential. Many thanks to everyone involved in this work and I look forward to visiting the school in the very near future. The works are funded by the Class Size Reduction Grant and Wrexham Council. Xiaomi's first premium TWS earphones, FlipBuds Pro has been announced for the Chinese market at the moment. While the usual Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is oftentimes a key feature to such a wearable product, its three-mic system has been on the rise among the waiting users. The company also boasts its dual-transparency mode feature which will let the users do two things at the same time, like in the case of listening to the music and listening to the sounds around the environment. What are its other key features that everyone should see? Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro Release Date and Price According to the latest report of Notebook Check, the upcoming high-end FlipBuds Pro can be purchased for 799 Chinese Yuan (US$124). The only thing that Xiaomi announced is its key features and its launch date that will begin on May 21. If you are expecting its global launch next week, the Chinese manufacturer has not yet disclosed any information if the premium ANC-boosted FlipBuds Pro could be available to some countries other than its origin. Read Also: Realme Buds Air 2 Neo: Next-Gen of Active Noise-Cancellation Earbuds to Arrive on April 7--Specs and Possible Price Xiaomi FlipBuds Pro: ANC, Bluetooth 5.2, and Other Significant Specs More than its ravishing ANC feature, Xiaomi's FlipBuds Pro will arrive with ultra-dynamic drivers (11mm) which will have a 16-ohm impedance. Additionally, what made this a worthy wearable to purchase is its three-mic system which aids its active noise cancellation system. Specifically, this means that the wireless earbuds consist of three different modes of noise cancellation which comes in the form of Air Travel mode, Daily mode, and Office mode If you want to diminish the moderate sounds such as those that come from the air-conditioner and computers, you may select the Office mode. If you are annoyed by a series of ambient noise, you can use the Daily mode. Lastly, the Air Travel mode will be useful especially if you are in travel so the sound from the aircraft will be reduced. Your ear pressure will also be balanced upon using this mode. It's also noteworthy to consider that this new-gen earbud will be donning a Qualcomm QCC5151 chip for its highly improved audio output with the help of filters and a built-in mic for the surrounding sound. For gamers, the low latency of FlipBuds Pro will be a big help, in addition to its stellar touch gesture support. More surprisingly, it also allows a two-way connection where you can link the earbuds into two devices at the same time. It is compatible with the aptX Adaptive Dynamic Codec Protocol thanks to its powerful processor. While we have no idea about the capacity of its battery, Xiaomi said that its 28-hour battery life is possible when the ANC is disabled. Meanwhile, when the active-noise feature is turned on, the battery is guaranteed to last for up to 22 hours of usage. On a single charge, it's amazing to know that the FlipBuds Pro can render a seven-hour backup while if it is in use, we could hope of its five-hour backup, TechnoSports reported. Aside from these specs, its Qi wireless charging will be a trend for USB-C users. In a close encounter, the FlipBuds Pro could resemble the appearance of the Apple AirPods. When it comes to connectivity, it supports Bluetooth 5.2, Bluetooth Low Energy, SPP, ACRCP, HFP, and A2DP. Related Article: [Look] Xiaomi Mi Mix Fold Can Turn a Phone Into a Tablet PC! This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Joseph Henry 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Samsung Galaxy A22 has been in the corner for a while in the rumor mill. In several reports, many versions of it were reportedly leaked ahead of its official launch. For this week, we already knew that it will come in 4G and 5G versions, as well as four color options. As of the moment, its renders were also teased and even its possible price so that users could have an estimate if it is affordable and consumer-friendly. For now, its specific renders and key specs will be discussed so we could have a clearer view of what's in it--as well as the comparison between the 4G and the 5G edition. Samsung Galaxy A22 5G and 4G Model Comparison According to a report by Business Insider, we should not expect that the Samsung Galaxy A22 5G to have a smooth performance like the premium smartphones that relies on cutting-edge technology. Although the Galaxy 4G and 5G edition appear to be twin-modeled phones, we could spot some notable differences when it comes to their design. The bezels present in the 4G version are slimmer even though the 5G edition has also a waterdrop notch. The same thing can be said to their square-shaped camera module at the rear, which is also different from one another. The Galaxy A22 5G features three cameras on it while the 4G model relies on the quad cameras and the LED flash located below the module. Read Also: Samsung Galaxy A32 Now the Cheapest 5G Smartphone on the Market For their colors, both the Galaxy A22 models have four-color options which include Green, Black, White, and Purple. After laying out comparisons in their color options, display, and cameras, it is also easy to see that the 5G model's fingerprint sensor is mounted on its side. In short, this could be a clue that the Galaxy A22 5G will be donning its LCD screen whereas the 4G edition will be featuring an AMOLED panel. Samsung Galaxy A22 4G vs Galaxy A22 5G Specs From the Galaxy A22 4G versions' 6.4-inch High-Resolution AMOLED screen, we could potentially witness the coming of the standard 60Hz refresh rate for this model. 91Mobiles wrote in its report that the 4G model will also depend on its MediaTek Helio G80 chipset. However, if you are wondering why there are no available details about the RAM and storage of the new Samsung Galaxy lineup, the South Korean firm has not yet announced any information about it. In the previously announced quad camera feature, it prefers the particular combination of the 48MP, 5MP, and two 2MP. Additionally, its front camera will have a sensor of 13 MP. Expect it as well to be a lightweight phone at 185 grams. Meanwhile, its thickness is measured at 8.5 mm. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy A22 5G will not be having the same AMOLED display. Instead, it will come with a 6.4-inch FHD+LCD display. Its processor is more superior to its 4G counterpart with its MediaTek Dimensity 700 chip. Even though it has the same set of triple-camera configurations as the 4G model, it is much heavier (205 grams) and thicker (9mm) than the previous version. For their battery, both the Galaxy A22 4G and 5G variants will have a 15W ultra-fast charging in their 5,000mAh batteries. Related Article: Samsung Leaks Galaxy A52 and A57 5G: Premium Budget-Friendly Smartphones Features 5G, Infinity-O Display This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Joseph Henry 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)) HAWTHORNE-CA-MAY 29: SpaceX CEO Elon Musk unveils the company's new manned spacecraft, The Dragon V2, designed to carry astronauts into space during a news conference on May 29, 2014, in Hawthorne, California. The private spaceflight company has been flying unmanned capsules to the Space Station delivering cargo for the past two years. The Dragon V2 manned spacecraft will ferry up to seven astronauts to low-Earth orbit. SpaceX's Starlink teamed up with Google Cloud on Thursday, May 13, as Elon Musk's venture is eying to tap the internet enterprise market. Google announced on Thursday that it had won a deal with Starlink, a satellite internet service. The move will allow SpaceX to install ground stations at the former's data centers to connect with the latter's satellite. Fast and Secure Internet For Businesses Starlink aims to provide low-latency and high-speed wireless internet, not only for homes but also for businesses. The company is eyeing to kick-off its services for the latter in the second half of 2021. The outcome of the deal would be ideal for modern enterprises, Gwynne Shotwell, the president and chief operating officer of SpaceX, said in a Google press release. "Combining Starlink's high-speed, low-latency broadband with Google's infrastructure and capabilities provides global organizations with the secure and fast connection that modern organizations expect," Shotwell said. She added that the access that Google Cloud would provide would benefit both private and public organizations, and other groups in any location Starlink could reach. It would be, regardless, if these enterprises are located in remote or rural places. Starlink and Google: One of a Kind Partnership Other than the cloud services of Google, the said deal will give organizations access to machine learning, analytics, and even artificial intelligence. Furthermore, the partnership vows to "deliver secure, global connectivity." To add, Google also said that its cloud infrastructure is both secure and seamless. Thomas Kurian, the CEO of Google Cloud, said via CNBC that Starlink chose their company "because of the quality of our network and the distribution and reach of our network." CNBC also said that the said deal is unique for cloud providers. Starlink will primarily rely on the connection of Google's data centers. In other cases, cloud companies only provide data storage or computing power, not the network itself. Bikash Koley, head of the global network of Google, also said to CNBC that the partnership "is one of a kind. Koley goes on to add that: "I don't believe something like this has been done before." Moreover, the deal will also propel the promise of Starlink to produce a low-latency internet connection. Google's data centers will enable minimal lag in using the company's services or the services of other companies nearby. It is not the first time that Google has extended a helping hand to SpaceX. Aside from the said partnership, Google invested $900 million in SpaceX in 2015. Read Also: SpaceX's Starlink Internet Speeds Are Sometimes Fast Depending on Where You Are Starlink and Remote Areas Starlink, based on its promise, is ideal for consumers living in rural locations. But business and public organizations operating remotely, as well, could take advantage of its technology. Meanwhile, the beta testing mode of Starlink for its 100,000 users is about to end this summer. Related Article: SpaceX: Falcon 9 Rocket's 10th Launch to Send 60 Starlink Satellites into Orbit This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Teejay Boris 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : Pixabay/Tumisu ) Netflix scam and phishing The US Feds arrested two Oregon men who were accused of stealing and reselling customer's credentials from Netflix and other streaming services. The US Attorney's office announced that the men have now been indicted on fraud charges. Men Steals Streaming Service Credentials According to the indictment, Evan McMahon and Samuel Joyner stole and sold more than 200,000 user account credentials from popular streaming services including Netflix, Spotify Premium, and HBO Max. This was a part of the online service operation named AccountBot. Users of the AccountBot side paid a subscription fee to get the credentials of other users who paid for the streaming services, according to The Verge. The subscribers of the site AccountBot got the services of the streaming platform at a much lower rate than the ordinary users. As of March 2019, the service had more than 52,000 customers and had offered more than 217,000 stolen streaming account credentials for their subscribers to use. Also Read: Don't Fall For This New Netflix Phishing Scam Going Around Amid Coronavirus Quarantine The indictment alleges that AccountBot got hold of the credentials through hacking. The indictment also pointed out that the two men used credential stuffing attacks, which means they took login details from public breaches and reusing those information on other sites. Such attacks usually work because people reuse the same passwords and usernames on numerous sites. Both McMahon and Joyner used an automated tool to verify the stolen user credentials. Subscribers of the AccountBot site paid between $1.79 and $24.99 so they can assess the stolen credentials. The subscription fee depends on how long and which service they want to use. According to the Department of Justice or DOJ, McMahon managed payments and coded the AccountBot website. Joyner, on the other hand, acquired the stolen credentials an handled the AccountBot customer service. Streaming Service Schemes Netflix and other popular streaming services have dealt with numerous password-stealing schemes and scams over the years. The streaming giant announced this year that the company was trying to crack down on password-sharing among its users, even if they are only sharing account access to the people that they know. This is because the more people who knows the user's information, the greater the chances that the said information could be compromised. A report from the research firm Parks Associates stated that password piracy and sharing cost streaming services like Hulu, Netflix, and Disney Plus around $9 billion a year. McMahon was prosecuted for the same offenses in the District Court of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, according to the DOJ. Last month, he was sentenced to two years and two months by way of intensive corrections order. Meanwhile, Joyner is charged with conspiracy to commit computer and access device fraud, possession of more than 15 unauthorized access devices, and trafficking and use of unauthorized access devices. Joyner was arrested on May 12 by the FBI and he pleaded not guilty at an arraignment before a US magistrate judge. Joyner is scheduled to stand trail on the charges on July 13. The charges of conspiracy to commit computer and access device fraud has a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison. Trafficking and the use of unauthorized access devices and the possession of 15 or more unauthorized access devices are each punishable by up to 10 years in federal prison. Related Article: Man Sentenced for Illegal Streaming Access: 85,925 Netflix, Spotify, Hulu Credentials Stolen This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Sophie Webster 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A million-dollar Ohio vaccine lottery has garnered huge controversy across the state as well as from the critics. Perhaps, this could be one of the ways for Ohio Governor Mike DeWine to encourage his people to receive a coronavirus vaccine as soon as possible. The event will start on May 26 and it is only exclusive for Ohioans. Even though this sounds to be an effective approach to achieve the immunity herd, this huge prize pool could appear like a waste of money to the state. Ohio Governor Believes that Everyone Should Get Vaccinated Through this Lottery Amid the coronavirus scare, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has announced that he will be spearheading a million-dollar vaccine lottery in the state. He will also grant college scholarships for his people, The Columbus Dispatch reported. Some people criticized him over his lottery plans which should not go on especially during this crisis. However, the COVID-19 advisor of President Joe Biden said that DeWine's action is a "good thing" to lure more people into getting COVID vaccines. In DeWine's knowledge, he's aware of what's going on around him. Despite others thought that it was only a waste of money, he said that he valued the people's lives that's why he came up with this campaign. Read Also: New Study Reveals Mixing of AstraZeneca, Pfizer Vaccine is Safe: Will this Mean 'Double Protection' for COVID-19? For five weeks starting May 26, the Ohio vaccine lottery will be running in search of the lucky winner of the $1-million prize. Who Are Eligible to Participate in the Ohio Vaccine Lottery? According to DeWine, those Ohio residents who are 18 years old and above and who have been given at least one COVID vaccine dose will be eligible in the lottery drive. Five winners each week will receive $1 million. For those Ohioans who are below 18 years of age who received the vaccine, there will be a separate program in the form of the lottery but the prize will be a full scholarship, additional fees, and tuition, 10 TV reported. With the help of the state's Lottery Commission, the Ohio State Health Department will be leading the charge in the drawings. Moreover, the prize will come from the unspent COVID-19 relief funds of the said department. Before this, Ohio has already given million-dollar contributions in federal pandemic funds. Later, the US government will be granting the state nearly $5.4 billion for the COVID relief package. Could the Vaccine Lottery's Prize Improve Vaccination Trend in Ohio? According to the University of Chicago behavioral science professor, Jane Risen, the lottery will not affect the minds of those who do not want to be vaccinated especially when the escalating trend of hesitancy in COVID vaccines. Truly, the $1-million prize is just too hard to handle especially to the needy citizens, but for those who are skeptical of the vaccine's side effects, the persuasion could take a lot of time. But for those who are worried about side effects or don't want to take time off work, a $1 million prize could be persuasive, she said. We never know what's running inside Gov. DeWine, but if this continues, achieving herd immunity in Ohio could be possible in the long run. Related Article: Sign Up for COVID Vaccine Guide: Who is Eligible? Where to Get Second Shot, and MORE This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Joseph Henry 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. NASA will soon release its new space lasers. Experts claimed that the space agency's new laser communication system could offer 10 to 100 times more data transmitted back to Earth. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration could unveil its new LCRD (Laser Communications Relay Demonstrations) in June. However, the international space agency hasn't confirmed the exact release date as of the moment. On the other hand, this new laser communications system will replace radio frequency communications, which was used by NASA way back in the 1950s. Right now, NASA and various space agencies are required to capture hi-definition data, such as 4K video, whenever they are conducting space missions. However, with the use of the current radio frequency systems, taking these HD videos could take around nine weeks. NASA's new space lasers could change this time frame since experts claim that the new LCRD can do this in just nine days. NASA LCRD's Details According to Fox News' latest report, the international space agency's innovation could have 10 times to 100 times more efficient data transmission. Aside from this, the new space laser communication system requires less volume, power, and weight. Also Read: NASA Wallops Rocket Launch Virginia: Cancellation Due ot Bad Weather Pushes Back Black Brant XII 3 Times-Would it Happen Tuesday Night? This feature is great for NASA since they can still send more space instruments and reduce spacecraft power system drain. "LCRD will demonstrate all of the advantages of using laser systems and allow us to learn how to use them best operationally," said David Israel, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center's Principal Investigator. "With this capability further proven, we can start to implement laser communications on more missions, making it a standardized way to send and receive data," he added. Other Capabilities of the new LCDR System NASA's official website explained that the space agency's new laser communication system is currently located around 22,000 miles above Earth. It added that this new space laser could support missions in the near-Earth region. As of the moment, NASA is planning to spend two years to test its new laser communication system's capabilities. The space agency added that it will soon conduct various experiments to refine the new LCRD's functionalities. If you want to see further details, all you need to do is click this link. For more news updates about NASA and its upcoming space innovations, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes. Related Article: NASA to Conduct Final Test of James Webb's Golden Mirror: The Space Telescope Will Capture Oldest Stars' Light This article is owned by TechTimes Written by: Griffin Davis 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Some hackers created a fake MSI website and experts said that this imitation page offers the popular Afterburner app. However, you need to be careful since it contains malware that could infect your desktop or laptop. The fake MSI page appeared after the popular tool suddenly disappeared. Because of this, users are now looking for other websites that are still offering the well-known Afterburner tool. This is the main reason why experts claim that this issue is currently a major concern. If you don't know what is Afterburner tool, this is an MSI tool that offers you GPU overclocking and monitoring tools. These features also don't discriminate against hardware offered by AMD and NVIDIA. If you are one of those users who want to install it, here's what you need to know to avoid the new fake MSI website. Fake MSI Website's Details According to SlashGear's latest report, the fake MSI page developed by unknown hackers is offering some PC apps that contain various computer viruses. Since this is the case, security experts suggested that users should carefully check any software they accidentally downloaded from this fake MSI website. Also Read: Your Internet-Connected Device Could Be at Risk of Bug Exploitation--Singaporean Security Firm Identifies Possible Infected Devices "MSI is informing the public of a malicious software being disguised as the official MSI Afterburner software," said MSI via PC World's latest report. "The malicious software is being unlawfully hosted on a suspicious website impersonating as MSI's official website with the domain name https://afterburner-msi.space," added the tech giant company. Although this is the case, some rumors and sources claimed that the fake website has already been taken out of commission. On the other hand, MSI also said that users will no longer need to look for alternative providers since it will soon offer the popular Afterburner app again. What You Need to Do If you want to know if your PC is already infected, here are some signs you need to check: Blue screen of death (BSOD) Lack of storage space Pop-ups, websites, toolbars, and other unwanted programs Suspicious modem and hard drive activity Slow computer On the other hand, here are the things you need to check to avoid accessing fake websites, as stated by Money UK's official report. Always check the URL Check the content thoroughly Always look for the reviews Check if the website will ask for your personal details For more news updates about other apps containing malware, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes. Related Article: Ransomware Demands Two Bitcoins: Attack Disguises as Security Software Exploiting VPN Weakness, Two Manufacturing Plants Down This article is owned by TechTimes Written by: Griffin Davis 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : Pexels/ELEVATE) Amazon worker hire The United States tech giant Amazon will go on a hiring spree in the United Kingdom as online shopping continues to soar due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Amazon to Hire More Workers Amazon announced they will hire 10,000 UK employees as it opens more warehouses in the north and south of England. It is also creating a number of corporate roles in Cambridge, Edinburgh, London, and Manchester. Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said the move was a huge vote of confidence in the British economy. The coronavirus pandemic has accelerated a trend towards online shopping, and tech giants such as Amazon have reaped the benefits of it. Now, Amazon, which has previously denied allegations of poor working conditions, is further entrenching its position in the United Kingdom, according to the BBC. Also Read: Amazon New Lawsuit: Workers Pay for Break, Have Limited 30 Minute-Break Every 5-Hour Shifts, Says Former Employee Aside from the 10,000 new roles, including thousands in its warehouses, the company will take its UK workforce to more than 55,000 by the end of the year. Amazon said that pay for operations roles is 9.70 per hour, or 10.80 in London, with additional benefits. Amazon's profits tripled in the first three months of the year to $8.1 billion or 5.76 billion, up from $2.5 billion in 2020. The online retail giant will open new fulfillment warehouses in Dartford, Hinckley, Gateshead, and Swindon, and a parcel receiver warehouse in Doncaster. Furthermore, Amazon will recruit office roles in digital marketing, fashion, video production, engineering, software development, AI, cloud computing, and machine learning. The company will also be recruiting for its Amazon Web Services or AWS cloud computing business and its operations network, according to Sky News. Kwarteng said Amazon was making a prime investment in their retail sector, which will open up a wide range of opportunities for even more workers. Amazon is also set to invest more than 10 million in the next three years into a scheme to train 5,000 employees in subjects including accountancy, software development, HGV driving, in a bid to give them transferable skills. The company will pay 95% of tuition and associated fees for adult education courses, up to 8,000 over four years. Local chambers of commerce will work with Amazon to identify the regional skills shortages. The director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, Shevaun Haviland, said that providing staff with training to plug the skills gaps that exist within the local business community is going to be a key driver to increasing the productivity and boosting the economy as the UK recovers from the pandemic. John Boumphrey, Amazon's UK Country Manager, said that they are proud of the front-line roles that they offer across Amazon, and they also know that they will be a stepping stone for some in their career journey. Amazon During the Pandemic In response to the coronavirus pandemic last year, Amazon increased workers' pay by 2 an hour, but this rise was withdrawn in June, Bloomberg reported. Some staff were employed to monitor distancing in warehouses, and ensure that overcrowding is avoided to follow health guidelines. There is still no news on whether or not Amazon will push the hourly pay to 2 again, but what is certain is that the company will hire as much people as possible to increase employment. Related Article: #BoycottAmazon Trending on Social Media, Here's Why This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Sophie Webster 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. (Photo : Pixabay/cytis ) Visa America H1-B Google has filed an amicus brief in order to protect a program that allows the spouses of H-1B visa holders to work in the United States. The brief has been signed by numerous tech giants, including Amazon, Apple, Twitter, and Microsoft. Google's Petition to Save Program The tech industry has relied on foreign talent to fill the gaps in its workforce. Last year, Google and Amazon were among the top sponsors of H-1B visas, which are reserved for highly skilled workers. Under the previous administration, the program came under fire. The former president drastically boosted denial rates of H-1B applications, as reported by the Seattle Times. The previous administration also went after H-4 visas, which are reserved for the spouses of people with H-1B status. They also threatened to ban H-4 visa holders, a group wherein 90% comprises of women, from working in the United States. Also Read: Google Employees Walk Out Of Offices To Protest Trump Immigration Ban, Company Leaders Join The Rally While the ban never came to pass, the ability for people with H-4 visas to work is still under threat from a lawsuit against the federal government. The suit, called Save Jobs USA v. US Department of Homeland Security, was brought by tech workers, who argue that workers with H-4 are unfair competition for Americans who need a job. The case was delayed by the previous administration's proposed ban, which potentially could have helped decide the outcome had it passed. Now that the lawsuit is moving forward once more, Google and other major tech companies want to ensure that the spouse of immigrants maintain their right to work. In its blog post, Google argues that if the program allowing H-4 holders to work were to go away, the practical effects is that they welcome a person to the United States to work, but they make it harder for their spouses to get a job. It says that it would hurt not only immigrant families, but Google's ability to hire top talent. Catherine Lacavera, the vice president of Google's legal department, added in the blog post that she is an immigrant too, and she have been the beneficiary of a welcoming American. Lacavera hopes that they can ensure that same welcome for future immigrants by preserving the H-4 EAD program. She added that ending the program would hurt families and undercut the US economy at a critical moment. End of H1-B Visa Could Hurt Students A new research done by NFAP shows that the regulation of the previous administration would end the H-1B lottery, and it would also make it more difficult for international students to obtain an H-1B petition and work in the United States. While implementation of the rule has been delayed, observers believe that the Biden administration may favor the rule in the future, according to Forbes. The war over the regulation could determine whether US universities will recover from the students lost during the previous administration and as a result of COVID-19. According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, in calendar year 2020, US schools saw a 72% decrease in new international student enrollment when compared to calendar year 2019. Related Article: How Trump's Immigration Ban Hinders Scientists From Pursuing Studies In US This article is owned by Tech Times Written by Sophie Webster 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-13 23:33:25|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close JERUSALEM, May 13 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that army troops will be deployed in cities where street fighting between Jews and Arabs has been soaring. In a visit to Lod, one of the such cities, Netanyahu said the police chief has been authorized to use troops to handle the situation. He noted that the use of a controversial measure known as administrative arrest is being considered, in which a person can be detained without a trial for an undefined period of time. "We have no bigger threat now than these pogroms, and we have no choice but to restore law and order via determined use of force," Netanyahu told reporters in Lod. Earlier in the day, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz said he approved the callup of 10 companies of paramilitary border police reserves "in the wake of the violent and nationalistic outbreak." However, Gantz said he would not permit soldiers to be used for policing work. In the worst spate of violence seen in Israel in years, Jews and Arabs have fought each other on the streets, torching and vandalizing vehicles, shops, mosques, synagogues, and a Muslim cemetery. The police have reported at least three lynch attempts, and an Arab youth was stabbed in Jerusalem. Police said more than 300 were arrested on Wednesday night and Thursday morning. Arab citizens in Israel are Palestinians who did not leave their land during the 1948 war that broke out just in the wake of the announcement of the independence of the state of Israel. Official figures show they suffer a lack of job opportunities and less government spending on education, health, and infrastructure. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 02:37:05|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Few vehicles are seen on a road during curfew hours on the first day of Eid al-Fitr festival in Baghdad, Iraq, on May 13, 2021. The Iraqi authorities decided on Thursday to ease COVID-19 restrictive measures and replace full curfew with a partial one to facilitate the vaccination campaign, as the country's total caseload reached 1,132,092. (Xinhua/Khalil Dawood) BAGHDAD, May 13 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi authorities decided on Thursday to ease COVID-19 restrictive measures and replace full curfew with a partial one to facilitate the vaccination campaign, as the country's total caseload reached 1,132,092. A statement by the Higher Committee for Health and National Safety headed by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi said the committee decided to impose a curfew from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. local time instead of the 10-day full curfew imposed earlier in the week. The committee also decided to continue closing malls, restaurants, cafes, and other public facilities until Monday when they will be allowed to operate from 5 a.m. until 8:30 p.m., according to the statement. The committee's decisions come as the full curfew measures led to a decreasing number of people heading to vaccination centers, the statement explained. On May 4, a statement by the media office of al-Kadhimi said the higher committee approved a full curfew from May 12 to May 22, and decided to close malls, restaurants, cafes, and other public facilities to control the spread of coronavirus. Iraq's ministry of health reported 4,512 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, raising the total nationwide number to 1,132,092. The ministry also reported 28 new COVID-19 deaths, raising the death toll to 15,883, while the total recoveries in Iraq climbed by 5,043 to 1,028,627. A total of 9,817,969 tests have been carried out across the country since the outbreak of the disease in February 2020, with 36,303 done during the day. It noted 8,774 people were vaccinated against COVID-19 during the past 24 hours across the country, bringing the total number of doses received to 470,137. Iraq has been pushing forward a vaccination drive in the country after its drug authority approved the emergency use of China's Sinopharm vaccines and other COVID-19 vaccines. Since the early stage of the pandemic in 2020, the Chinese government has sent medical aid to Iraq and donated two shipments of Sinopharm vaccines to the country to help combat the pandemic. Enditem Migrant workers are accusing an Avoyelles Parish crawfish plant of failing to pay legal wages, providing unsanitary living conditions and forcing them to forfeit wages in a check cashing scheme, among other exploitative labor practices. Two Mexican citizens who worked for Crawfish Processing LLC last year filed suit in Alexandria federal court Thursday, claiming the company and its owner, Charles Bernard, routinely failed to pay minimum and prevailing wages. Plaintiffs say they also did not receive federally mandated overtime pay while working more than 60 hours per week. The company also collected $60 per week as rent payments for rat-infested trailers packed with eight or nine people, according to the lawsuit. Also allegedly deducted from weekly paychecks was a $3 fee for cashing checks at a retail market affiliated with Crawfish Processing. Workers say the company required them to use the check cashing service, which is also how rent was collected. Their lawsuit claims the company profited from the rental trailers and the check cashing services. Workers were also charged for gloves required to do their jobs, the lawsuit claims. The company also controlled when workers could come and go from the trailers, workers say. A lawyer for the plaintiffs, Caitlin Berberich of Southern Migrant Legal Services, said in an interview the company imposed a nightly curfew and required workers to ask permission to leave on weekends. Reached by telephone, Bernard said he had not seen the lawsuit and needed to talk with his attorney before commenting. +2 Louisiana crawfish workers claim they're underpaid in suit; they say this labor rule allows it Breaux Bridge crawfish workers filed a lawsuit in Washington, D.C. seeking to invalidate a U.S. Department of Labor rule they claim allows dis Top stories in Acadiana in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up The plaintiffs, Norma Quinonez and Martha Gaxiola, worked for the plant in Marksville from February to June last year through the H-2B temporary visa program. Crawfish Processing promised on its federal temporary labor application to pay the higher of piece-rate earnings or the prevailing hourly wage of $9.75 for peeling, processing and packaging, according to the lawsuit. But plaintiffs say the company did not properly track their hours, and that wages routinely fell short of both the prevailing wage and the federal minimum hourly wage of $7.25. Berberich said paychecks sometimes reported hourly wages for processing and piece-rate wages for peeling, obscuring the total hours worked. She said she did not know why Crawfish Processing documented wages in that fashion, but that it is not uncommon to do so as a way to avoid keeping track of hours. You get a paystub that says the total number of pounds that you peeled, but the hours you took to accomplish that piece are not necessarily reported, Berberich said. If your paystub does not tell you the number of hours you were worked, that could hypothetically hide the fact that workers are getting underpaid. Plaintiffs say the company has employed practices since 2019, and has employed 195 H-2B workers in that time. The U.S. Dept. of Labor in December separately found that Crawfish Processing failed to pay required sick leave after workers contracted coronavirus. The company was required to pay $42,900 in back wages to 55 employees. Spenser Gillane, 13, walked out of Ochsner Lafayette Generals COVID-19 clinic at the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center Thursday morning, arm throbbing slightly from his first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, and looked at his father, Danny Gillane. He said, 35 days, the elder Gillane recalled Friday, noting his son had already begun a countdown to the day after his second dose would be fully effective, excited to go to the movie theater with friends and have a normal summer. The teenager has spent the past year slogging through online learning instead of attending in-person classes, shuttling to work at the library with his father, and seeing friends in limited settings with masks and social distancing. Gillane said he was washed with relief seeing the needle sink into Spensers arm, knowing the loneliness for his son was coming to an end. Everything that means something to his life was taken away from him, except for us. For me, it was a relief knowing he was getting it back, Gillane said. Spenser Gillane was among the first 12- to 15-year-olds to receive a coronavirus vaccine in Louisiana after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized emergency use on Monday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended it Wednesday and Gov. John Bel Edwards gave the go-ahead. How Louisiana parents can schedule a COVID vaccine for kids ages 12 to 15 The Louisiana Department of Health plans to open the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine Thursday to children ages 12-15. Ochsner planned to inoculate 55 newly eligible children across its health care system Thursday, with 548 scheduled over the next seven days. Childrens Hospital in New Orleans has set aside 60 vaccines daily for the age group. At Ochsner in Baton Rouge, the health chain plans to hold vaccine clinics on specific days but hasnt set specific doses aside for that age group. At Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center in Lafayette, spokesperson Elisabeth Arnold said the hospital system plans to schedule extended hours and Saturday clinics to work around the school day for parents and students. Aside from adjusting clinic hours, local medical providers are getting creative to extend vaccinations to younger age groups. On Friday and Saturday, Ochsner Lafayette General is vaccinating interested attendees and graduates at the University of Louisiana at Lafayettes commencement ceremonies, hospital spokesperson Patricia Thompson said. Dr. Truc Dinh, a pediatrician at Ochsners Bluebonnet clinic in Baton Rouge, said she hopes parents who might be leery about Pfizers vaccine for younger teens and 12-year-olds understand the shots are important because they can still get sick and spread the virus to others. Its been studied in over 2,000 adolescents, and its shown to be 100% effective in preventing COVID-19 and preventing the spread, Dinh said, adding that the immune response in 12- to 15-year-olds is actually stronger than in adults. Dr. Michael Bolton, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at Our Lady of Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, said the hospital has still seen occasional cases of children who develop the rare COVID-19-related complication known as Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome. You hear a lot about [COVID-19] not being as severe for kids ... but too many kids have died from it, he said. CDC says fully vaccinated people can stop wearing masks indoors in most cases WASHINGTON (AP) In a move to send the country back toward pre-pandemic life, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday ease The rare and not well-understood affliction has proven fatal in Louisiana and other states, though Bolton's patients have ranged in severity. He said its among the reasons hes encouraged parents to vaccinate their kids if theyre eligible, along with the shots letting them resume a normal social life. Children 12 and older need parental consent, but they can get the Pfizer vaccine, the only one currently authorized for kids, anywhere its available. The Louisiana Department of Health website listed at least 13 sites where the Pfizer shots were available Thursday and 20 on Friday. A federal website showed availability at Walgreens, Walmart, large hospital systems and many clinics around the state. Top stories in Acadiana in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up Two doses went to the children of Dr. Jennifer Avegno, the New Orleans health director, at Childrens Hospital around 11 a.m. Avegno said lots of parents she knows are eager to get their children vaccinated, especially as summer activities begin. Just like adults, were going to see folks who have been pent up, said Avegno, adding that its the perfect time for kids who are going to summer camp to get the shot because its not fully effective until two weeks after the second dose. But after the initial demand, she predicted, the vaccination rate will wane, just as it has among adults. Summer is going to be tricky, Avegno said. As we get back to school, hopefully there will be a lot of events and opportunities at pediatricians offices to get it. There are just under 250,000 12- to 15-year-olds in Louisiana, and like adults, not all of them will get a vaccine. According to polls cited by the CDC on Wednesday, 40% to 60% of parents plan to get their children vaccinated. While parents typically immunize their children at higher rates than they do themselves for other diseases, they reported similar or slightly lower intent for the coronavirus vaccine. Initial reluctance might come from kids or adults. Danny Gillane said he, his wife and their adult children are all vaccinated and they had no qualms vaccinating their 13-year-old. They watched the vaccines progress with the FDA and had frank discussions with their son about the science. As soon as it was cleared, he said they felt confident it was safe knowing the extraordinary effort and resources that went into the vaccine. You have a chance right now to do something to make everything better, so take it. Its free, Gillane said. For children who lined up to get their first vaccination doses in New Orleans on Thursday, there were many reasons to be eager for a shot. Cora Evans, a 14-year-old freshman at Benjamin Franklin High School, wants to get back to plans that coronavirus canceled: baking club and volunteering with animals. Mostly she's looking forward to feeling more carefree. I want to be able to have the most normal summer I can have, said Cora, who got the vaccine mid-morning at Children's Hospital. The last year has been such a mess. I just want to go places and do stuff without worrying about getting people sick. Others are ready to get out of the house. I want to go to Italy and Canada and Alaska, said Amelia Wiley, a 15-year-old freshman at Lycee Francais de la Nouvelle-Orleans. She got the first shot at Childrens Hospital. Lillian Gorman, a freshman at Isidore Newman School, said she just wants to get back to nuanced humor. Im a very sarcastic person, said Lillian, 15. Its very hard to be sarcastic when no one can see my face and know Im completely joking. Staff writer Youssef Rddad contributed to this report. Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 03:29:35|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ATHENS, May 13 (Xinhua) -- The global economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic will take at least two years, officials and experts told an economic forum held in Athens and online. "Recovery will take time. Economy cannot start simply by pressing a button. It will take two years," British-Cypriot Nobel laureate economist Christopher Pissarides said on Thursday while addressing the Delphi Economic Forum VI. "We will return to a kind of normalcy in 2024 at the latest," Gunther Oettinger, former European Commissioner for Budget and Human Resources, said. Compared to the financial crisis which broke out in 2008, this time recovery will be faster, but it will be nothing like turning on a switch, said Barry Eichengreen, a professor of economics and political science at the University of California, Berkeley. "The COVID-19 crisis will be a 'V crisis.' Great recovery will follow deep recession," Finance minister of Luxembourg Pierre Gramegna told the forum, warning that governments should not repeat mistakes of the management of the 2008 crisis. In the previous crisis, there was a rush to restore budgets, but now emphasis must be placed on investments, the minister suggested. "This crisis is a formidable accelerator of the European and world economy. It is reinforcing the things we consider important," Jean-Claude Trichet, European Chairman of the Trilateral Commission and former President of the European Central Bank, said in his address. It's a wake-up call that helps uncover weaknesses of economies and accelerates underlying trends, like digitization, he explained. The crisis also highlighted the significance of international cooperation to address it, Trichet stressed. Over 1,000 guest speakers from some 40 countries are taking part in the forum which started on Monday and runs until Saturday. On the agenda are themes such as global economy, climate change, technology and health. Enditem Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome wants to enact a hiring freeze for city-parish government while her administration braces for the financial impact the coronavirus pandemic is expected to have on the city-parish budget. "While the health and well-being of our citizens and employees is at the forefront of our efforts at this moment, it is essential that we take steps to manage our financial affairs as well," Broome said in a statement. "Our Plan of Government requires the mayor-president to make adjustments as needed to keep our city-parish [budget] in balance." In the Baton Rouge area, 13 more deaths coronavirus were reported Wednesday, bringing the total so far to 169. The total number of confirmed cases rose to 3,182, a 2.7 percent increase from the day before. In addition to the hiring freeze, Broome wants to delete some vacant, unfunded positions from the city-parish's $1 billion operating budget. Officials in the city-parish's finance department said there are currently 791 total vacancies, including 225 positions that have been frozen and unfunded for the past few years. "By continuing to show the positions in the personnel allotment, it gives a false impression of the size of our workforce and the resources that our departments have available to them to perform their necessary functions," Broome said. In a statement Wednesday, the mayor said she has asked the Finance Department to conduct a financial assessment detailing the expected hits the pandemic will have on the city-parish's revenue projections for the 2020 fiscal year budget. Broome also plans to obtain an independent evaluation of that assessment before making that information public, her statement reads. Councilwoman Tara Wicker understands wanting to implement a hiring freeze but said the proposal to delete unfunded positions is something that needs to happen after social distancing orders are relaxed and public discussions between the council and department heads can resume. "We already have departments trying to function with limited resources," Wicker said Wednesday. "I get the idea behind it but I question whether or not this is the appropriate time for that. We need to have the opportunity to talk openly with department heads to see what long term effects something like that could have once we're out of this." Council Pro Tem Scott Wilson was a little more supportive, saying he feels Broome is taking the appropriate steps at this point in time. "The city-parish is gonna have to seriously tighten our belts because there is going to be a steep decline in sales tax dollars," he said. "The longer this goes on, the more people are going to hurt." 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 Councilman Dwight Hudson had similar thoughts. "It's sort of low-hanging fruit when it comes to addressing a financial crisis," he said. "I think in the long run, we'll probably end up having to do far more than that." Last month, top officials in Broome's administration appeared confident the city-parish could weather the financial fallout from the pandemic thanks to approximately $93 million in reserve funds they can utilize to supplement revenue losses. But they said that, if the stay-at-home orders that have shuttered many businesses and led to record-breaking layoffs stretched on longer than a month, they would have to consider different measures to avoid a budget deficit. Gov. John Bel Edwards implied Tuesday the state's transition to an open economy is still "a ways off," but hinted his stay-at-home orders could start relaxing next month. That could mean allowing businesses to re-open but operate with reduced capacity. +3 John Bel Edwards: On possible steps, murky outlook for Louisiana transition from coronavirus shutdown Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards on Tuesday provided the first hints of what the states reopening could look like, with a first step of allowi Broome's spokesman, Mark Armstrong, said Broome will continue to keep the city-parish's order in line with the governor's, but will also monitor the situation on a day-to-day basis. On Wednesday, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell extended her city's stay-at-home order through May 15. In the meantime, Broome's administration is working toward finalizing their projections of the pandemic's impact on the budget, but said they won't have any solid projections until late May or early June when the March and April sales tax collection figures have rolled in. James Richardson, an economics and public administration professor at LSU, will provide independent analysis of the city-parish's financial estimates. "In addition, our finance team has ongoing efforts to monitor expenses associated with our pandemic response so we can make the necessary submittals for federal grant reimbursements and funding opportunities," Broome said. The House Education Committee, one of the key panels in the Louisiana Legislature, is beset by bickering, tension and fallout over a bitter debate more than two weeks ago on how the topic of racism should be handled in colleges and K-12 public school classrooms. What lit the fuse on April 27 was a bill and comments by Rep. Ray Garofalo, R-Chalmette, chairman of the committee, that would ban colleges and public schools from teaching "divisive concepts," including that Louisiana is racist or sexist. The blowup caused both the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus and Gov. John Bel Edwards to say Garofalo should be replaced as chairman, and the issue is now threatening other education bills and even efforts to overhaul the state's tax code. Although Republicans outnumber Democrats 10-5 on the committee, the angst exists on both sides. "My sense is, a couple of weeks ago when we heard the chairman's bill, it was divisive before it was even heard, and that is lingering over us," said Rep. Aimee Freeman, D-New Orleans and a member of the committee. "No matter what happens in there, that is still lingering over us." Rep. Rick Edmonds, R-Baton Rouge and a six-year veteran of the committee, said lawmakers are sort of walking on eggshells. "I think it has been tense, but I think it has been tense on the (House) floor at times as well," Edmonds said. "It is tense across the nation." Rep. Gary Carter, D-New Orleans, a member of the committee, all but abandoned the panel after the hearing on the Garofalo bill. "I am not attending a House Education Committee meeting as long as Ray Garofalo is chair," Carter said. "I think he lost the authority, the moral authority, to lead that committee. I think his views that he expressed are concerning." One committee member, who asked not be identified, expressed frustration and disappointment over the state of the committee. "People are polarized, and it has been difficult to come together," the lawmaker said. Others say the bickering is especially unfortunate in a state routinely ranked 48th, 49th and 50th in education achievement, and where less than half of students are prepared for kindergarten. Although Garofalo retains his title as chairman of the committee, Rep. Mark Wright, R-Covington, vice chairman, has presided over the panel for long stretches while Garofalo remains in a nearby anteroom or elsewhere. Rep. Ken Brass, D-Vacherie, another member of the panel, complained last week that Garofalo was allowed to rush into the committee room to vote on a hotly debated bill on how civics and American history is taught in public schools. Bill that sparked 'the good' of slavery comment accused of coming back 'in disguise' Tensions flared again Wednesday in the Louisiana House Education Committee, including charges that a proposed amendment was a replay of a cont "I truly do not understand how the chairman can be in another room watching and cannot preside over the meeting and come in and vote," Brass said. 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 bill passed 8-5 and was sent to the full House, escalating tensions again. Senators who are sponsoring public school bills are wondering whether their measures will suffer once they are heard in the House Education Committee, and whether their legislation will be killed for reasons unrelated to the merits of the bills. "I do have some concerns, is the best way to say it," said Senate Education Committee Chairman Cleo Fields, D-Baton Rouge and sponsor of a Senate-passed bill that would make kindergarten mandatory in Louisiana. Garofalo first ignited controversy last month when, during a discussion of his bill on how racism is taught in colleges, he referred to how a hypothetical case of a classroom discussion on slavery could include "the good, the bad, the ugly." He quickly walked back his comment about the "good" in slavery, and allies contend he has been ridiculously portrayed as somehow sympathetic to slavery. Garofalo said his bill merited attention and that rules are needed to keep in check college professors who are promoting their own ideologies. Louisiana lawmaker drops bid to curb how colleges and schools teach 'divisive topics' The chairman of the House Education Committee shelved his own bill Tuesday that would ban colleges and public schools from teaching "divisive But in the same meeting, Garofalo repeatedly declined to assure the committee that he would not bring the bill back this session some committee members saw that as a way out of the controversy and then addressed the full House in what critics said was a halfhearted bid to make amends. Garofalo did not respond to a request for comment. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder, R-Gonzales, who names committee leaders, rarely talks to reporters and has said little publicly about the issue. Garofalo's bill that would allow public school systems to try out year-round schooling, which is a priority of state Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley, is among those in limbo and possibly dead. The view is that, once the chairman tries to advance one of his bills in committee or on the House floor, critics are liable to pounce. In addition, leaders of the Legislative Black Caucus said last week they will not back tax overhaul bills pushed by House and Senate leaders because of the lack of action on the Garofalo controversy. Fallout over 'the good' of slavery remark: Black lawmakers won't support Louisiana tax measures The Black caucus is withholding support for far-reaching tax measures sought by the legislative leadership to protest House Speaker Clay Schex Freeman and others said they are encouraged that behind-the-scenes talks continue between committee members and Schexnayder to find a way out. Carter noted huge issues will be decided in the final four weeks of the session, some needing two-thirds majorities in the House. "This body needs to be more united than it is," he said. Purchases made via links on our site may earn us an affiliate commission A warning sign is posted along the path of the Colonial Pipeline in Garnet Valley, Pa. Gasoline futures ticked up following a cyberextortion attempt on the Colonial Pipeline, a vital U.S. pipeline that carries fuel from the Gulf Coast to the Northeast. Matraville Developer Marque Property has its sold six-strata industrial/commercial unit development at 38 Raymond Avenue, known as The Avenue, to a private investor on a 4.5 per cent yield. The property, which comprises a 1,158 sq m building on 1,453 sq m of land with more than 24 metres of street frontage to Raymond Avenue was sold for between $8 million and $9 million. Knight Frank agents Mark Silva, Demi Carigliano and Anthony Pirrottina negotiated the sale. The Avenue: 38 Raymond Avenue, Matraville. Credit: Smithfield Private group Heinrich Pty Ltd has sold a 7334 sq m site with a 2290 sq m building at 101 Woodpark Road to a private investor. The reserve price as $8.5 million, but with strong bidding from 15 parties, it sold for $10.4 million. The sale price represents a yield of 2.73 per cent. Marcel Elias, LJ Hooker Commercial negotiated the sale. Botany B & A Christensen have sold a 190 sq m industrial site at 15 Meadow Way to Underwood Group Pty Ltd for $790,000. Marino Rodriguez, Taylor Nicholas South Sydney, negotiated the sale. Girraween Nevco Commercial Holdings has sold a 3776 sq m site with a 2150 sq m building at 95 Mandoon Road to an undisclosed buyer. The sale price was $7.87 million. Marcel Elias, LJ Hooker Commercial negotiated the sale. Caringbah Springbok Properties Pty Ltd has sold an 812 sq m freehold warehouse / office at 15 Wurrook Circuit, to a private investor for $4.4 million. Artie Kalpidis & Kyle Dewey, Link Property Services negotiated the sale. MOVERS McGrath McGrath Estate Agents has appointed Michael Murray as the head of company sales with a clear mandate to grow overall agent numbers, productivity and marketshare. Mr Murray joined McGrath in 2016 as sales manager for Sydneys Northern Districts and Hills region, and in 2018 was named sales manager of the year by the company. CBRE CBRE has appointed Sameer Chopra to head its Pacific research team and spearhead ESG research for the Asia Pacific region. CBRE has also appointed Sass J-Baleh as head of NSW research and Australian industrial & logistics research, Nick Baring as a senior research analyst, Simon Georges as GIS Mapping analyst and James Boseley as research analyst and research analyst Gus Mcconnell in Brisbane. Colliers Colliers have strengthened their occupier services teams with the appointment of Adam Raap in a newly created role as head of client services. He was previously the head of operations for the Colliers Occupier Services business from May 2016 to May 2018. CI CI Australia (CI) has appointed James Michail as a director of commercial leasing in the Sydney CBD office in a move that bolsters its senior office leasing expertise. He joins CI with Australia-wide office leasing expertise, having held roles at Savills, Dexus, Knight Frank and FKP Property Group and OMNI Property Services. The Smorgon family is selling a Collins Street boutique leased to luxury international fashion label Balenciaga that carries a price tag of more than $30 million. The 536 square metre property at 181 Collins Street, between Swanston and Russell streets, includes the basement. Records show the Smorgons, through VBS Investments, bought the shop in 2000 for $4.25 million. The floors above were turned into apartments in the late 1990s. Balenciagas flagship store on Collins Street. Credit: At the foothill of the Paris-end of Collins Street, its next to the Regent Theatre and the Westin Hotel where Dior and Miss Louise can be found. Up the slope, other neighbours include Dior, Gucci and Louis Vuitton. The latter building, on the corner of Russell Street, sold for $68 million late last year to Singaporean investor, Hour Glass, reportedly on a stark 2 per cent yield. Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 05:39:05|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A Palestinian child injured in Israeli airstrikes is treated at a hospital in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on May 13, 2021. The death toll of Palestinians killed in Israel's strikes on the Gaza Strip climbed to 103 on Thursday, as the Israeli-Palestinian clashes continued unabated. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua) GAZA, May 13 (Xinhua) -- The death toll of Palestinians killed in Israel's strikes on the Gaza Strip climbed to 103 on Thursday, as the Israeli-Palestinian clashes continued unabated. The death toll included 27 children and 11 women, while 580 others have been wounded by the Israeli airstrikes and artillery shellings on the Palestinian coastal enclave since Monday, according to the Health Ministry run by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas). On Thursday evening, the armed wing of Hamas, known as al-Qassam Brigades, and other less-influential militant groups fired barrages of rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israel. Eyewitnesses said the Israeli military in the late afternoon intensified its air and ground strikes in the town of Beit Hanoun and the Jabalia area in northern Gaza, leaving at least 11 Palestinians killed and dozens of others wounded. The al-Qassam Brigades said its militants had fired more than 1,700 rockets at northern, central and southern Israeli towns since Monday. Meanwhile, an Israeli military spokesman said Israeli troops had struck 750 different targets in the Gaza Strip since the fighting began on Monday. The targets included 33 underground tunnels, 160 embedded rocket launchers, four high-rise buildings, and 60 terrorist operatives. Senior Hamas officials were also targeted by Israeli air raids, according to the spokesman. On Thursday night, Abu Obeida, spokesman of the al-Qassam Brigades, said in a short text message that its militants launched a barrage of 90 rockets at once at the Israeli cities of Ashdod and Ashkelon. "Firing the 90 rockets was in response to the enemy's targeting of safe civilian homes and the killing of children and women in the afternoon in northern and southern Gaza Strip," Obeida said. The tension between Israel and Gaza militants threatens to further escalate as the Israeli government is reportedly drafting a plan for a possible large-scale ground offensive in Gaza, similar to the one waged in 2014. Obeida said in another text message that his group had warned Israel against carrying out any ground military operation in the Gaza Strip. "In light of the enemy is threatening to wage a ground military operation, we say any ground incursion into any area in the Gaza Strip will be an opportunity to increase our harvest of the enemy's dead bodies and prisoners (captives)," he said. "We are ready to teach the enemy harsh lessons with the support of God," the spokesman added. The latest wave of violent clashes between Israel and the Palestinians, the worst since 2014, was mainly sparked by an Israeli plan to evict some Palestinian families from a neighborhood in the disputed East Jerusalem. Enditem Phillip Zmood, Statesman grille, 1968; digital print of ink, paint, pencil, paper. Credit:RMIT Design Archives Collection People could tailor the car to their own liking in colour, features and materials, says Zmood. No two cars would be the same, theyd say. It was something you could never have done before and you cant do now. If Dream Factory puts design in the spotlight, so too is the former Holden site, which closed last year. Zmood suggests that one floor of the former tech centre could become an automotive vehicle museum and Edquist hopes to see the building preserved, not for architectural reasons, but because of what it delivered. People get obsessed about tables and Featherston chairs and kettles and things. No one tackles what Australia was really good at, which is complex industrial design, she says. We really need to understand how it happened, what happened and how good Australia was at this stuff. GMs initial American appointments to lead the Tech Centre, Joe Schemansky and John Schinella, were good at identifying young Australian talent and encouraging it, she says. The really good designers were sent around the GM [international] sites to learn, building the culture of design, says Edquist. Theres very few designers in Australia whether we talk about architects or fashion people who have consistency of performing at that level for 50 or 60 years. Its worth thinking about how it was achieved. While the Australian government no longer subsidises the car industry, it nevertheless recognises the cars immense cultural contribution. Last year, when GM announced it was shutting down the Tech Centre, retiring the Holden brand and decamping to Detroit, the feds placed an urgent call. They asked what plans GM had for the companys historical assets its designs, drawings, and concept cars, recalls Ferlazzo, Holdens last design director. We were reminded that The Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Act prohibits exports of our valuable cultural assets. We explained that GM was fully aware of their cultural significance and had no intention of removing them. Peter Nankervis, HT Monaro GTS concept for a rear spoiler on the boot lid, 1967; digital print of marker pastel and pencil on vellum. Credit:Holden Collection The past year has seen those assets distributed across Australias museums, with the majority of its concept cars and anniversary vehicles (such as the one millionth car) going to South Australias National Motor Museum. Exhibitions such as Dream Factory are part of a wave of acknowledgement for that legacy. You dont have to be a car nut to appreciate the feat of design and engineering involved in building a car. The car is the most complex consumer product you can buy, says Ferlazzo. Its the epitome of product design. Think how complex it is: it has metal, glass, rubber, timber, fabrics, carpets. And thousands of components, and they all have to harmonise. Not many products need to do that ... Its bigger than most products, short of architecture. It also has emotive overtones, he says, becoming in many cases an extension of the owners personality. Not too many domestic products generate that sort of emotion ... People say they just want to get from A to B, but they want everything from A to Z. Its also one of the few products you literally immerse yourself in. John Schinella, HK Monaro, possibly, c. 1967; digital print of chalk and coloured ink. Credit:Holden Collection Along with reliability, the biggest factor governing car design today is safety, says Ferlazzo. People say they dont make cars like the old days. But a better understanding of metals, crashes and improved technology has produced cars that protect not just passengers inside the car but pedestrians on the street. Among the remarkable recent innovations are the explosive charges in bonnet hinges that activate when a pedestrian is hit, forcing the hood up to meet them and absorb energy before they hit the more solid engine beneath. We can all get nostalgic about mid-century modern, says Edquist, but for really sophisticated good stuff its the later work [thats particularly impressive]. What regularly distinguished Australian designers was their ability to extract more from each model with minor facelifts over a vehicles lifecycle. Most carmakers replace the whole car after about five or six years, but since it was launched in 1978, each generation of Commodore lasted nearly a decade. Initially too small, it was redesigned to suit Australian families and the enlarged platform could accommodate different models: station wagon, utility, luxury car. Loading The Americans learn from us because they couldnt believe that we did things so quickly and cheaply, says Edquist. But thats the Australian way. They say it about Australians everywhere whether its fashion, architecture or anything we multi-skill and were very quick and practical, because we have to be. The Tech Centres story represents a monumental maturation of design, one of global significance. Over six decades Holden design shifted from an American-mentored team in the 1960s to one run by Australian designers such as Zmood in the 70s and through to the 90s. By the new millennium Australian designers such as Michael Simcoe would not only be designing cars for the world, they would be behind the wheel of the multinational itself, driving its international design teams. In 2016, Simcoe was appointed vice-president of GM Global Design, occupying the office of the legendary Harley Earl. The most interesting story in Melbourne that day was former Mayor Robert Doyles interviews on 3AW and A Current Affair, the first time he has spoken about the allegations from three women of sexual misconduct that ended his career and damaged his reputation. I am trying, trying to say to the people who I have hurt, I have heard you, I have listened to you. And Im so sorry, he said. But he declined to address the findings of independent investigations that found he embarked on behaviour that constituted sexual harassment and sexual misconduct. Chief reporter Chip Le Grand called it an exercise in cynicism. We have been discussing launching a live news blog for weeks, and it was due to start straight after the budget. Some journalists are wary of live blogs, believing they take us away from finding our own stories, but I think they are an excellent way for our subscribers to get a snapshot of the news, explained in a conversational style, to get the rhythm of the day before reading stories in more depth if they choose. Broede Carmody will be live blogging from Melbourne, Michaela Whitbourn from Sydney and Nick Bonyhady from Canberra. We will tweak it as it goes, so I discussed ideas for that with our digital editor Mat Dunckley. Tuesday Budget day. Flew to Sydney and went straight to the office of our sister publication, the Sydney Morning Herald. The lock-up room has to be secure so journalists can read embargoed copies of the budget with no chance of it leaking before 7.30pm, so no internet and no phones. I have never seen so many bowls of lollies, chocolate and chips in one room. The lock-up began at 1.30pm, and we were out of contact with anyone apart from those in our Canberra lock-up, who we could phone or message. Treasury officials supervised and at one point checked computers to ensure there was no access to the internet. The idea is that journalists read and analyse the budget, and prepare stories to go live on our website at 7.30pm when the Treasurer delivers the budget in Parliament. My job was to try to make some sense of the budget, talk to our economics and political reporters about their take on it, and brief our leader writer about what would be The Ages view. There were different opinions on this, but I did see the spending in areas like aged care and mental health as worthwhile and overdue, and Loading I find the abandonment of long-held positions on debt and deficit noteworthy, if likely to be temporary until after the next election. Our editorial concluded: Overall, this is a budget for its time. The Treasurer has had to deal with the greatest upheaval of the global economy in modern history, which required a different role for governments. Is this a pre-election budget? Probably. Is it a Labor-style budget? To a point. But none of that matters if the spending is well targeted, which it mostly is. One day, of course, well have to pay for it. Artist and illustrator Matt Davidson had pre-prepared several illustration options for the cover of our budget wrap, but we ended up throwing them out and doing a new one in line with senior economic correspondent Shane Wrights take that Treasurer Josh Frydenberg was like a game show host giving out prizes. How else to explain a budget that gives money to everyone from gin distillers to the public servants who help run the Senate? We finished the newspaper wrap at 9.30pm, and headed to a pub to unwind and debrief. Unfortunately, I left my wallet on a desk at the Herald so late at night had to talk my way into my hotel room without ID. Wednesday Attended conference by phone from my hotel room and picked up my mislaid wallet before heading to the airport. There was an inordinate amount of discussion about how we would cover the chestfeeding story. Organisations such as the Australian Breastfeeding Association are including the term - though not replacing the word breastfeeding - with the aim of being inclusive, which upsets some conservative commentators. Did our readers care about this? Was it a story at all? We decided that it was part of a significant cultural change and worth discussion. Today was mostly about budget reaction, with renewed questions about why the timetable for opening borders seemed so nonspecific and slow, debates about the size of the debt, and why the federal government has been resistant to establishing quarantine facilities to replace hotel quarantine. While we were in the lock-up, Victoria recorded a single case of COVID-19, its first in 73 days. Stories about that proved more popular with subscribers than budget stories, although people do like summaries, such as the five-minute budget, winners and losers, and key commentary from Ross Gittins and Peter Hartcher. Tony Wright had his lovely observations: Frydenberg, having promised only two years ago that Australia was Back in Black and happily had himself photographed waltzing around with a coffee mug bearing precisely that slogan merrily purloined from AC/DC was required to concede that the nation was, in truth, Back in the Red. Thursday Loading This was an unusual week. Our new CEO Mike Sneesby brought his team to Nines offices in the Docklands, where The Age is based, briefing staff, taking questions, and outlining the year ahead. Lets say it was a day of meetings. There was also a lengthy briefing from our lawyers on the upcoming Ben Roberts-Smith defamation case that begins next month. I wanted to get a sense of the case brought against The Age long before I became editor by the decorated former soldier. Its complicated and important, not just for us, but for the future of serious public interest journalism in this country. And we are determined to have the best and fairest coverage of the case. We planned for how we will cover the Yoo-rrook Justice Commission, the Australian-first truth-telling inquiry into the treatment and experience of Indigenous Victorians after white settlement. This will be emotional for many, and Tony Wright and our new Indigenous affairs reporter will lead our reporting. We kept the live blog going until after the budget reply speech by Labor leader Anthony Albanese. Friday Today we do it all again, but with attention to our most important newspapers of the week, Saturday and Sunday. Our Saturday paper is our flagship, where we showcase the best we can do in news, sport, world, business, arts and culture and features. We have a new Saturday editor - David King - and hes full of ideas. Expect to see some changes and improvement. On Friday afternoon, we received a query from the Herald Sun, asking for a response to a supposed petition by Age staff requesting almond milk be provided in fridges. Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly has devoted his life to health equity. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen The first way forward is through our messaging around vaccination. We need to be honest in saying there are elements of the profession that have been less than helpful in garnering community support for the vaccination program. There is a hardcore rump of activist doctors who have been anti-Astra Zeneca since the start of this year, misquoting and misrepresenting the phase 3 trial data and, in my view, substantially undermining the national program. The management of community expectation and concern over thrombosis with thrombocytopenia has been rendered significantly more challenging in light of the misinformation campaign waged in January and February of this year by those of our colleagues who took a strident position against the AZ vaccine. Interestingly, many of these individuals are also those who are perpetuating the myth that federal and state government health advice has ignored the risk of aerosol transmission of COVID-19. Co-opting the language of climate change politics, these individuals are fond of branding senior medical leaders, myself included, as aerosol or airborne deniers. This language has found particular traction on Twitter where it has been a lightning rod to hurl abuse and invective under the cloak of advocacy. The common thread is to completely ignore the policy adjustments that have been made to reflect the realities of airborne spread. This, for me, has been one of the greatest challenges of the pandemic. The early policy changes on N95 masks occurred in Victoria on July 29 and nationally on July 31, 2020. And yet there continues to be suggestions, supported by uncritical reporting that infection control advice has not moved since the beginning of the pandemic. There is a hardcore rump of activist doctors who have been anti-Astra Zeneca since the start of this year. I do need to make a comment on social media at this point. Twitter is the graveyard of nuance, the assassin of good public policy and the enemy of consensus. I still believe in social medias core value proposition for dissemination of information though it is sometimes hard to think that the positives of social media still outweigh the negatives. In particular, Ive been troubled by the behaviour of some Australian practitioners on social media during the pandemic. And that is not because Ive been myself the subject of personal attacks. Every leader needs a thick skin. What Im most concerned about is the effect that it has on our trainees, essentially seeing the example set by a vocal few. It is not in any way appropriate for a medical professional to be abusive to colleagues, administrators, or politicians with the justification being nothing more substantial than the passion of their conviction. That is not advocacy, it is not policy debate, it is narcissism thinly cloaked as activism. And when the Australian Health Practitioner Regulatory Agency dared to put out messaging reinforcing their pre-pandemic policy on social media interaction, these individuals claimed there was a government action to silence them. I have never heard anything so ridiculous as to claim there has been any silencing of policy dissent by the Australian government or its regulators. And yet these individuals are able to make such claims unchallenged, and sadly continue their online invective on a daily basis. For those trainees here today I would simply translate the AHPRA code of conduct into this message if you see something on Twitter that would not be appropriate to say publicly to a colleague on a ward, then that AHPRA social media threshold has been crossed. There is a significant trust element that enables our profession to guide our community through this pandemic. There is no excuse to erode that trust through inappropriate and unprofessional online behaviour. Nick Coatsworth with Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne and Minister for Health Greg Hunt during a press conference on the governments response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic in April 2020. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen But these so-called aerosol wars are in fact a phoney war. Because the positions of both sides on modes of transmission are remarkably similar. The position statement of the Infection Control Expert Group on variants of concern issued on February 19, 2021 is substantively no different in content to what is proposed by our activist colleagues. It is a phoney war because the real issue is about tolerance of risk. The most extreme views tolerate a zero-risk approach to any COVID-19 infection in a healthcare worker and misuse the legal tenet of the precautionary principle as a proxy for the infinite elimination of risk. One of the questions I was asked by one of these individuals early in the pandemic was to adopt a national policy of zero healthcare worker COVID-19 infections. My response at the time was the same as I would give now, that I wouldnt succumb to the height of human arrogance by guaranteeing that infection with one of simplest and most elegant particles evolution has produced that is a respiratory virus could be definitively prevented or even that the measures that would need to be taken to try to achieve that would in any way be practical or proportionate to the risk posed by COVID-19. And colleagues, let me be clear that risk has radically changed with the marvel that is COVID-19 vaccination. We have seen a substantial reduction in hospitalisations in the United Kingdom with first dose given for 56 per cent of the adult eligible population. We have evidence that in household contacts of COVID-positive but vaccinated healthcare workers transmission is reduced by at least 30 per cent, possibly as high as 60 per cent. And, of course, we have the significant reduction in hospitalisation and death that is now clear even with many of the variants of concern, variants which will be dealt with in the same way as we deal with influenza variation, which booster vaccination. Loading And so here is my challenge for us all today. In light of that changed risk environment that vaccination has created, we once again have a responsibility as a profession to calmly reassure the community, that vaccines must be taken up when they are offered, that waiting is not a valid option either individually or for the public health, and that ultimately when we allow COVID-19 back on our shores and it circulates in our community, that we are prepared and comfortable for that to happen. I know that will make some, maybe most, in this room and online today uncomfortable. We are in an incredibly comfortable position in this nation. But we eliminated one infectious disease from this globe and that was smallpox, over a multi-decade, multi-national collaboration. It is clear we will not have our borders closed indefinitely, we will not have quarantine stations in perpetuity while we aim for the false idol of eradication, and we need to come to terms with the idea that we cannot, nor do we need to, ride this one out in an eliminationist bunker. At a point in the future when a significant majority of our community is vaccinated, there will be pressure to open our borders. We must not resist that, in fact, when the time is right, we should be leading the calls for it. Queensland Police and the Australian Tax Office have uncovered 10 acres of illegal tobacco an estimated 25 tonnes with a value of almost $40 million. The discovery was made in Linthorpe, about 135 kilometres west of Brisbane and located within the Toowoomba region, when police and ATO officers searched a property this week. The illegal tobacco crop in Linthorpe, near Toowoomba. According to the ATO, it is illegal to grow tobacco in Australia without a licence, and there have been no licensed tobacco growers or manufacturers in Australia since 2006. Growing tobacco carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison, and the ATO estimates illicit tobacco costs the community $822 million annually in lost revenue. Queensland has moved to redirect some of its supply of AstraZeneca directly to GPs, but the Health Minister insists there has been no reduction in the states overall vaccine allocation. It was also revealed more than 6000 doses of the states allocation of Pfizer vaccine had to be binned because they were spoiled in transit last month. Queensland Health Minister Yvette DAth. Credit:Getty Images News Corp reported on Friday that Queensland had actively requested it reduce the number of AstraZeneca doses it received. Queensland Health Minister Yvette DAth said that was because the state government had set up an agreement with the Commonwealth to send extra AstraZeneca doses directly to GPs rather than sending them to the state government first. A woman has died, another is in hospital in a critical condition, and a child suffered leg fractures after a head-on crash between a school bus and a car in regional Queensland. Police said initial investigations indicate just after 3pm on Friday the vehicles collided head-on along the Warrego Highway around 50km east of Roma, near Wallumbilla. The school bus amid multiple ambulances at Roma Hospital. Credit:Queensland Ambulance Service A 30-year-old Chinchilla woman, who was a passenger in the car died at the scene, while the 37-year-old driver, also from the Western Downs was taken to hospital in a critical condition with a head injury. Emergency services responded to the scene, where they found 16 children on board, including a child with leg fractures, who was considered to be in a serious condition. I thought I was too young, Judge Sexton said. But I have to say, once I made the decision, I have no regrets. They work in a court where in the early 1990s, only 3 per cent of judges were women. The number is now at 44 per cent. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is a woman, the Chief Magistrate is a woman, as is the Attorney-General. Yet, sexual harassment and sexism is still an open secret in the profession, a recent report commissioned by the government found. When Judge Sexton was a barrister, she had briefs taken away from her because of her gender. An embarrassed junior solicitor called to tell her they were taking back the brief because the client didnt want a woman lawyer. She would be mistaken for a secretary in the lifts up to her chambers. There were also regular comments about their appearance or how they sounded (an instructing solicitor told Judge Gaynor she was starting to sound shrill in court). And sexual and sexist comments too. One of mine was: Nice legs, but small tits, Judge Gaynor said. With so many female barristers, the culture has shifted, but Judge Gaynor said there was still an entrenched view that professional success somehow endowed men with sexual magnetism and entitlement. Judge Liz Gaynor and Judge Meryl Sexton have sat on the bench in the County Court for almost 40 years between them. Credit:Simon Schluter These blokes need to understand they go from boss to gross in about 10 seconds, she said. She was also confounded that it was just accepted that, she estimated, 90 per cent of the people she has both acted for and dealt with as a judge are male. Loading Were just used to men being over-represented, she said. Judge Gaynor said every woman entering the law should be educated about who to turn to or what to do if they face sexism and harassment. Its paralysing for these women, she said. Theyre thrilled to get a job, theyre intimidated about what lies ahead of them and its an exhausting profession and then youve got these people preying on them sexually. Its just criminal. Judge Sexton added: I would also say its a mens problem. They have to be educated as well. Judge Sexton has overseen or been a part of sweeping changes to the way sex offence cases are run in Victoria. Reforms included ground-rule hearings to decide how vulnerable complainants can be questioned in court and intermediaries who help children and people with cognitive impairments understand what theyre being asked and help them communicate during proceedings. Judge Liz Gaynor in the midst of the tirade against the two men who stabbed Mokbel. Theres been a huge number of changes, but there is still some work to do, Judge Sexton said. The table thumping of old with some exceptions recently is just not seen as effective. People know that and complainants are obviously better off when theyre not being bullied. Now at the top of their game, the judges are often faced with a misconception that they are out of touch with the real world. But in the courts where they preside they come face-to-face with reality at its darkest. We see the worst of everything that goes on, every day, Judge Sexton said. The worst cases are usually sex offence trials and culpable driving cases, Judge Gaynor said, where often young people with no prior criminal history have killed someone they know. Theyre absolutely fraught, so difficult, Judge Gaynor said. Its an incredibly stressful thing to hand down a sentence in relation to another human being in the community. Loading But the law is their guide and armour in making such heavy decisions about the lives before them. Emotion, Judge Gaynor said, rarely interferes. Theres that protective thing of having those rules of evidence embedded in me and I know what my role is and it comes to your rescue, she said. Most of the people they have dealt with, either on the bench or represented as barristers, are the result of a damaged life. But a few have been evil. Judge Sexton has sentenced one, a sex offender and murderer, that she puts in the evil category. The other two she came across as a barrister. One was a murderer who she wouldnt name because hes due for release, and the other was paedophile and former priest Michael Glennon, who died in jail. I prosecuted him for about 35 victims, but in the end I didnt get finished prosecuting him before I became a judge. All that I learnt about him, he was truly evil, she said. Judge Sexton said convicted paedophile Michael Glennon, pictured in 1991, was in the rare evil category of people she has come across. Credit:Mario Borg Judge Gaynor said she will never forget the eyes of one man He had eyes like dead slugs. They were just devoid of any humanity but stressed how rare such rotten people were. Its really badly damaged people, all the time. And many of the people we deal with have themselves been victims of crime since the day they were born, she said. Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 09:25:30|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close JERUSALEM, May 13 (Xinhua) -- Israel's military unleashed on Thursday night an "unprecedented" assault on the Gaza Strip, the military said. An Israeli military spokesperson said in a statement that before midnight, its forces struck Gaza with airstrikes and artillery, as rockets from the Palestinian enclave continued to be fired towards Israel. Israel's state-owned Kan TV news reported that the magnitude of the attack was "unprecedented" since the beginning of the offensive on Monday. "I've said we will exact a heavy price from Hamas and we are doing it," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video statement. He did not elaborate on the specific goal of the assault. "We will continue to do so," Netanyahu warned. "The last word hasn't been said yet and this operation will continue as long as needed." The move came amid international efforts to broker a truce between Israel and Hamas on the fourth day of fighting in the most severe flare-up of conflicts between the two sides since 2014. At least 103 Palestinians and eight Israelis have been killed, according to Palestinian and Israeli official figures. Enditem The feedback from witnesses, lawyers and police is overwhelmingly positive. Shes a lifesaver. She is amazing. Holding the lead really helped to ground me. I took my shoes off so I could feel her at my feet, says one witness. Some say they withstood tough questioning knowing the dog was on their side. All of the witnesses commented on how much they loved having her around as a source of comfort during what was a fairly stressful few days for them, says an OPP social worker. Assistance Dogs Australia has helped people with restricted mobility, autism and PTSD. The dogs have been sent to schools to lower stress during exams. At a funeral the other day an ex-policeman suffering from PTSD was in a pew, clearly distressed. His companion dog stepped up, placing paws on both the mans knees and looking directly into his eyes. The man gained comfort by burying his head in the dogs fur. The funeral was for Ron Fenton, a policeman shot on duty who later suffered terribly from PTSD. He said he would have taken his own life if not for Yogi, his trauma dog, trained by a Bathurst Prison inmate. In 2019 Morrison won a Churchill Fellowship to study the use of dogs in the US and Canadian criminal justice systems. She says the dogs in North America have 26 different roles, from the crime scene to the court. Yogi and Ron in 2018. Credit:Joe Armao At the Las Vegas mass shooting (in 2017 a lone gunman killed 60 and wounded 411 people) six dogs were sent to the MGM Casino to assist witnesses. They can go to a crime scene and one dog can help a witness through the whole process. She says they are also used at natural disasters such as wildfires, an initiative that could easily be adopted here. Canadian police use them at crime scenes, hospital casualty wards and serious accident spots. Lucy, the first full-time court dog in Australia, underwent eight months training at the Southern Queensland Correctional Centre as part of the Pups in Prison program. Her handler was a female inmate serving time for murder. Morrison says: [The inmate] is the sweetest, loveliest lady. When Lucy graduated, she said I know I have hurt a lot of people and by now helping people it makes me hate myself a little less. Last year the OPP expanded its program at Child Witness Services with Kiki, a black Labrador. She was trained by the same inmate. (The assistance dog programs in NSW and Queensland prisons consistently receive rave reviews for assisting the community and lowering recidivism rates. The prisoner who trained Yogi for Ron Fenton is now a successful plumber in Sydney. That a similar program has not been adopted in Victoria beggars belief.) Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video The dogs are truly remarkable. A Canadian handler reports he can walk into a class of kids and the dog will head to the one who has been traumatised. Labradors are the perfect fit for court work for they like people and are relaxed by nature. Like newspaper reporters they are highly social, low in energy and love free food. Lucy has a bag of tricks; she can bow on command, play bowls, and turn the pages of a book. She is so popular she now has her own Instagram page, @courtdoglucy. Cute, but hardly likely to make a huge difference to a traumatised victim of crime. The real work is about trust, companionship and the dogs ability to pick up on the emotions of the witness. Lucy meets the subject away from the court to establish a relationship. Morrison says the witness is encouraged to hold the lead as if Lucy is their dog and not just a visitor. She will lie quietly, leaning slightly against the persons leg. The victim can lean down to stroke her or take a shoe off to rub her with a foot. She is more than friendly; she has the capacity to bond quickly and be a friend. For victims of sex crimes, the process of recalling the crime in front of strangers and then to be questioned in excruciating detail can be a raw and bruising experience. Repeatedly witnesses say having Lucy means having a friend in their corner. As one young victim said: Im special cause Ive got a dog. Lucys business card, complete with teeth marks. Lucy is chilled sometimes too chilled. More than once during evidence there has been an unexpected background noise. She is a bit of a snorer, says Morrison. Sometimes a witness, particularly when that witness is a child, can become engaged with Lucy to the point of distraction. Then the dog is left in the waiting room to act as a companion during court breaks. Since the Court Dog Program started four years ago the dogs have supported almost 300 witnesses, nearly half of them children. The OPP has made 250 requests to magistrates and judges to allow Lucy and Kiki to accompany a witness giving evidence. There have been only five refusals. Most involve remote video evidence, where the victim is kept apart from the court and the alleged offender. Lucy is also the first dog allowed into the witness box during testimony. She even bows to the judge. Morrison says all parties in the court see the value in support dogs. Less stress means fewer court breaks and allows trials to proceed more smoothly. While Lucys workload is full-time, occasionally during COVID she was able to support frightened child victims who police needed to interview. In a suburban station Lucy was sent to support one of three children. When Morrison and the dog were about to leave, a detective approached in desperation. She had a five-year-old boy who was totally withdrawn and asked if we could assist, she says. Lucy walked in and within 10 minutes the little tacker was making a full disclosure. The detective said she had never seen such a transformation. Courts and law offices are intimidating at the best of times and for a victim, unaccustomed to the austere nature of the justice system, it can all be too hard. Gabby, the victim of a serious sexual assault, felt the walls closing in when she sat in the OPP waiting room: I felt like I was heading to the Principals Office. Gabby with Lucy, who helped her get through testimony in her sexual assault case. Credit:Eddie Jim Then she was introduced to Lucy. I immediately felt calmer because this majestic, beautiful dog was there for me. Sitting in the interview room, Gabby was asked if she was thirsty. Lucy went to the fridge and got me a bottle of water. I couldnt believe it. I have a strong bond with Lucy and things became a lot easier when I relaxed. She knew when I was anxious and would sit there licking my hand or putting her head on my knee. She could pick up my emotions. Even when she was alone, I would look at her business card and talk to it. I thought, we can do this together. If not for the dog, I wouldnt have given evidence. Morrison says Lucy and Kikis job is not just to support witnesses during court but to minimise ongoing trauma by lowering stress levels. One tactic is to give witnesses a wristband from Lucy saying You are pawsome. There was one young witness who didnt seem that taken with the dog. Three months after the trial her parents rang.: She was beside herself because she had broken her bracelet. We sent her another one. Indigenous activist Celeste Liddle will attempt to unseat Labor MP Ged Kearney at the next federal election as the Greens candidate for the inner-Melbourne seat of Cooper. Ms Liddle, an Arrernte woman who is a union organiser and a social commentator, will become a key figure in the Greens strategy to help Labor form a minority government and demand greater action on climate change and inequality. Greens candidate Celeste Liddle will attempt to snatch the Melbourne seat of Cooper from Labor. Credit:ABC The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organiser for the National Tertiary Education Union, Ms Liddle said both major parties had devastated the sector through continuous cuts and the Coalition government seemed to be content to let it die completely. I believe universities must be properly funded, casualisation in the sector must be stemmed and higher education should be free for all, Ms Liddle said. DFAT is focusing on bringing those listed as vulnerable home first, including the children. India recorded more than 360,000 cases on Thursday, taking the total to more than 23.7 million confirmed cases. The country has recorded almost 260,000 deaths, but numbers are widely believed to be up to five times higher as the countrys health system struggles to cope with the deadly third wave. Loading The positive test rate among passengers booked on Saturdays flight is 26 per cent of passengers so far, more than seven times the rate for repatriation flights in March. If those passengers had returned, it would have taken the proportion of cases in quarantine above the countrys 2 per cent maximum limit. But Associate Professor Kamradt-Scott said Australias health system was capable of coping with cases so the Commonwealth should bring all Australians home. Were not at the breaking point, unlike the Indian health care system, he said. So yes, it means that there is a risk, obviously, of community transmission. That is a risk that we need to ... come to grips with. Government officials were seeing if other Australians could fill the empty seats, but that could be difficult given the more stringent testing requirements now applied. Australia has started double testing all returning travellers in India before departure. They must return negative results to Australian-supplied nasal swab PCR tests and a negative rapid antigen test before being allowed on board a plane. The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age have been told that prior to the temporary travel ban, some passengers were presenting fake test results. Late on Friday, DFAT updated its advice to travellers in Sri Lanka to say double testing will also be required for all passengers bound for Australia starting from Saturday. Associate Professor Paul Griffin, director of infectious diseases at Brisbanes Mater Health Services, said it was a delicate balance but there should not be a blanket rule preventing people who test positive from returning. Loading There may well be Australians that would be better managed in Australia, and who would suffer some significant negative consequences if we had a blanket rule that said no one with a positive test could return, he said. A government spokesman said DFAT would continue improving its processes for testing and repatriating people. National cabinet agreed on the two-test requirement and isnt expected to make changes when it meets again next month. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said earlier on Friday the pause on flights had worked, with the number of active COVID-19 cases in hotel quarantine dropping by 40 per cent over the past three weeks. The system is ready to respond, Mr Morrison said. Had we not undertaken that pause, then I think we would have put ourselves in a position where [repatriation flights] just wouldnt have been possible, not just for a couple of weeks, but months and months and months. Associate Professor Kamradt-Scott said Australians shouldnt be making its people the responsibility of a foreign government. Im probably angrier than I have been in a decade about how our government is treating our own citizens with regards to this, he said. Greens leader Adam Bandt said the situation was thoroughly foreseeable and Australians had ended up stranded when they most needed the governments help. The plane for the first repatriation flight left Sydney on Friday morning loaded with 1056 ventilators, 60 oxygen concentrators and other medical consumables, which will be used to help India deal with a horrific COVID-19 wave. The flight left Darwin at 1pm and is due to land in Delhi at 10.30pm, Australian time. Returning travellers will quarantine in the Howard Springs facility near Darwin. One passenger with a ticket booked on the flight, who spoke anonymously for fear of losing his spot, said the group set to board the first return flight had not all been told their final test results. We heard that news [via media] and now were very scared, he said from his hotel room in Delhi. The man said all the passengers had been quarantined in one hotel before the flight, and were told they would receive their final test results at 6pm local time on Thursday. The man was in a group chat with other passengers on the flight and said the mood was very stressed. Loading We havent been informed what our result is, theyre hanging us around from yesterday and I dont think anyone slept last night because my phone just kept pinging all night, he said. Another would-be passenger, whose wife tested positive on Friday, was concerned they might have caught the virus in the hotel. Playwright Cheryl L. West doesn't see herself as a pioneer of pandemic performance, but in a way, one of her stage works has become a model of how to do theater safely outdoors. Fannie Lou Hamer: Speak On It, a show about the titular activist and the importance of voting, was performed in public parks in the months leading up to the 2020 presidential election, presented by the Goodman Theatre in Chicago. That same staging moved to Washington, DC, under the auspices of Arena Stage, and a different mounting was presented by Premiere Stages at Kean University in New Jersey. Hamer's story of activism was perfect for the time, and, like another famous figure from history West is writing about, rock-and-roll pioneer Sister Rosetta Tharpe, teaches us a lot about the world we live in today. Here, West discusses the impact of these two unique women and the productions she's creating to center their stories. Cheryl L. West ( Abe Booker) Your piece Fannie Lou Hamer: Speak On It is one of the few actual in-person theater productions that took place during the pandemic. Tell me about it. I was working a piece about the '60s for the Fifth Avenue Theatre, and I came across the story of Fannie Lou Hamer and I remember thinking it would make a wonderful one-woman show. That other project did not come to fruition, so I decided to do Fannie Lou Hamer. I'm always interested in stories that have to do with resilience and courage and perseverance, and her story had all of that and more. I happened to meet Tanya Palmer from the Goodman at a summit on parity and women in theater, and I went up to her and I was like, "Listen, I have this show that I think will be really great in Chicago." She went back and they decided to commission it, and then I went to Seattle Rep, which is my home theater, and they co-commissioned it. Henry Godinez is the director, and when the pandemic hit, we were supposed to be going into rehearsal. He thought, because the timing was before the election, let's take this piece to the community. We couldn't take the entire piece, so I wrote an abridged version that could be done in parks. It was one of the first, if not the first, production that was actually sanctioned by the unions. The Goodman, to their credit, worked very hard to make it happen with the city of Chicago. It was a lot of coordination to come up with protocols that were going to keep everybody safe, while getting it out to the community. The piece called Speak On It is very much aimed at voting, and getting people exciting about voting and why it's necessary. The entire piece, which we're calling Fannie: The Music and Life of Fannie Lou Hamer, is more about her entire life, and how her life was an example of community engagement and activism. What does it mean to you to know that you sort of pioneered the way theater can be done outdoors during the pandemic? Did you think about that aspect of it? I'm not sure. Henry was really at the head of thinking about that. I'm so grateful that I had this team of E. Faye Butler and Felton Offard, who's our music director and did the arrangements, that I had the Goodman and Seattle Rep, and that the Goodman board made it happen. And people showed up in the parks so excited. They would be bundled up and masked just to have some live theater, especially theater that was saying something about the times we were living. At one performance, E. Faye offered a prayer for Justice Ginsberg, who died right during the show. We met people that had known Fannie Lou Hamer and had a story to tell us. We call the show "the Fannie that could" because it just keeps going. There are going to be a few more productions of the entire show and we're very excited about that. First of all, her life was such an example of how you get up in hard times and you keep on keeping on. That's what we are living through right now. We are feeling challenged. Some of us are feeling helpless. Some of us are feeling hopeless. But Fannie Lou Hamer never allowed herself to languish in those kinds of places. She said, you know what? You can pray, but you got to get up off your knees at some point and do something. It has to translate into action. Sister Rosetta Tharpe performs onstage with the Lucky Millinder Orchestra in circa 1938. ( Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images) How did Shout Sister Shout come to be? The book that inspired me came out probably over 10 years ago. Rosetta's music was so wonderful and joyous and rapturous. She was a prodigy at 4 years old. She was playing the guitar and she was so small they would put her on top of the piano so people could see her. She had so much charisma, and she mixed spiritual and secular at a time when you never did that and paid a big, heavy price for it. Her belief in the power of music cost her her popularity and music and soul, and I don't know if she ever totally reconciled that for herself. Like Fannie Lou Hamer, when I read the book, I thought it would be a great story for the stage, because here's this woman, who, even when she lost her leg, still said, "I will bounce on my behind if I have to, but I will still praise the Lord." I thought, "My goodness, I want to know what she's eating!" [laughs] I tried to get a couple of theaters interested then and no one was, but then it came back around. Randy Johnson got the rights and asked me to work on it, and sometimes things don't come on your time, they come in the right time. We did it in Pasadena and I knew it wasn't right. We did a page-one restructuring in Seattle and it did very well, and I'm still working on it. We have a new orchestrator, Joseph Joubert and he is a musical genius. Hearing his ideas has helped me in some of the things I've reshaped. We're hoping to have another regional production to see what we have and then come into New York [to Broadway]. I'm not sure when that will happen, but for the first time, it feels more imminent. I feel like there's a similar through line in the stories of Fannie Lou Hamer and Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Yes. I'm so interested in what these iconic people have to teach us, and these women were such pioneers and trailblazers. As artists, we're always second-guessing about how to keep going when the money is running out. You're worried about failure. I have two children they're grown now, but there are always times where you will have been shocked to the point of thinking, "Can I keep going?" So you study these women and men from history, you see the obstacles they had to face, and sometimes you pale in comparison, but that gives you a sort of road map for how to keep going yourself. Each of these women also had joy, even through the difficult times. Last Sunday was Mother's Day, a time to show our appreciation for Mom and her boundless love. At least, that's the cliche. The truth of any mother-child relationship is always more complicated than what can fit on a greeting card. That's clear enough in Icons/Idols: In the Purple Room, Byzantine Choral Project's ambitious yet somewhat disappointing audio play and installation about Empress Irene. While there are no live performers, it invites audiences back inside the New Ohio Theatre for the first time in over a year to see the space transformed into an eighth-century Byzantine palace. It's like a guided tour of a museum, but a whole lot bloodier. The title of the piece refers to the porphyry chamber of the Great Palace of Constantinople, a room lined with expensive purple stone and reserved for the birth of the children of reigning Eastern Roman emperors (what we now call "Byzantine"). Those born within the chamber gain the special designation of porphyrogennetos "born in the purple." Afsoon Pajoufar has reimagined the porphyry chamber for off-off-Broadway in Icons/Idols: In the Purple Room. ( Diego Quintanar) This is true of Constantine VI (voiced by Isabella Dawis), who was born in the purple in 771 to Leo IV (Yael Shavitt) and Irene of Athens (an intense Kay Weber). The play (by Helen Banner) begins several years before that when a teenage Irene arrives at court with a small icon of the Virgin Mary hidden under her clothing. This is dangerous as the reigning emperor (Hannah Eakin) is a fanatical iconoclast who sees the veneration of icons as idolatry. Irene tells him that she agrees (she lies) and he chooses her to marry his son and heir, Leo. After Irene gives birth to Constantine, she raises him into her secret faith, allowing him to see and kiss her icon, in hope that the future emperor will restore the icons to Orthodoxy. But when this heresy is discovered by a spiteful nurse (Iris Beaumier), Irene is separated from her son and made a prisoner in the palace. It is a testament to her cunning that she eventually escapes from this lowly place to rule over the empire for two decades. And one need only step inside an Orthodox Church today to see who ultimately won the argument over icons. Afsoon Pajoufar's installation brings us into the palace to witness the intrigue firsthand. Many of her design choices are beautiful and evocative: a metal candelabra suspended before the decaying apse of a Byzantine church, tangles of brown packing tape with little written messages creating a web of rumors across the tomblike space, a bedside basin of blood in the porphyry chamber. Other choices are baffling, like an anachronistic remote control laid placidly on that same bed. Still, it is hard not to admire Pajoufar's resourcefulness in using an off-off-Broadway budget to re-create Byzantine splendor. The eunuch Staurakios (Lukas Papenfusscline) guides us through, helpfully conveying his secret knowledge of the palace as only a eunuch could. Sound pervades the 45-minute script: Inspired by Byzantine chant, Grace Oberhofer has composed gorgeous and haunting new music for female and nonbinary voices. Beautifully performed, it is far more pleasant to listen to than the real thing, which is dominated by growly male voices. And the musical form allows Irene to sing her innermost thoughts (lyrics by Banner). The repeated line "My Lord is my Lady is my Lord" conveys both the depth of Irene's iconophilism and her unique position in Byzantine history. It is telling that Banner spares barely a sentence at the very end for the most dramatic chapter in Irene's life: In 797, in the exact room where she gave birth to Constantine, Irene had his eyes gouged out, leading to his painful death and five years of her personal rule. "Irene Makes History as First Woman Basileus," Byzantine Buzzfeed might blare but at what cost? A chandelier rests among the rubble in the final chamber of Icons/Idols: In the Purple Room. ( Diego Quintanar) Unfortunately, Banner does not explore this question with In the Purple Room, resulting in a piece that feels unfinished. And in a way, it is: This audio tour is adapted for pandemic times from Banner's longer play Irene, which is only the first part of a tetralogy. One hopes that in later chapters, Banner considers what it would take for a mother to blind her own son to death. As it is, we are told of the vile deed and then shuffled out into the lobby. In its present form, which is endlessly sympathetic to Irene, In the Purple Room feels like the most shameless apologia for filicide since Medea rode off into the sunset in her divine grandfather's chariot. That one of the most infamously cruel Roman emperors and Irene, who minted coins with her face on both sides, was undoubtedly an emperor should get this Wicked-like reappraisal tells us more about our present cultural obsessions than it does about Byzantium. It made me wonder: As Abir Moussi of Tunisia seeks to revive the dictatorship of her old boss for herself, and as Kim Yo-jong of North Korea looks covetously on her sickly brother's throne, will heroic ballads be sung of them? Will the 21st century see an expansion of freedom and equality, or will it merely see the rise of the lady autocrat? How deep is the appetite to break the glass ceiling that feminist storytellers are willing to discount as necessary collateral damage those sliced open by the falling shards? In The Purple Room suggests that the hunger is real, and it won't be satisfied by a Mother's Day brunch. Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 09:51:10|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close People visit the Natural History Museum in Vienna, capital of Austria, May 12, 2021. Museums in Vienna have reopened after Austria eased its restrict measures. The Natural History Museum in Vienna has collections covering biology, earth sciences, anthropology and archaeology. (Photo by Georges Schneider/Xinhua) Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 09:50:17|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Photo taken on Jan. 29, 2018 shows a view of Gwadar Port in southwest Pakistan's Gwadar. (Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal) Experts and officials believe that the vast transport infrastructure of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and its Gwadar port will play a major role in the country's pursuit of its goal especially at the time when it has started enhancing trade ties with landlocked Afghanistan and the Central Asian countries. by Misbah Saba Malik ISLAMABAD, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's Ministry of Commerce has said that it is striving to make Pakistan a hub of transshipment by tapping the potential of the geographical location of the country and its capability to help cargo reach the outside world through its ports. Experts and officials believe that the vast transport infrastructure of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and its Gwadar port will play a major role in the country's pursuit of its goal especially at the time when it has started enhancing trade ties with landlocked Afghanistan and the Central Asian countries. Earlier this month, the first-ever cargo container from Pakistan's southern Karachi port reached Uzbekistan under the Transports Internationaux Routiers (TIR), or the International Road Transport, by traveling on the "vast roads built under the framework of CPEC, and in the future the traffic is likely to increase sharply," sources from the commerce ministry told Xinhua. Another container from Uzbekistan is expected to reach Pakistan's industrial city of Faisalabad soon by following the same land route, according to a statement from the commerce ministry. Photo taken on Nov. 13, 2016 shows the COSCO Wellington cargo vessel with containers moored at Gwadar port, Pakistan. (Xinhua/Liu Tian) Advisor to Pakistani Prime Minister for Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood viewed CPEC as a good opportunity not only for Pakistan but also for Afghanistan and Central Asian countries for their economic growth. "In the future, opportunities are coming to Pakistan under CPEC, and with peace in Afghanistan we need to give a new direction to CPEC as a policy to enhance connectivity with Afghanistan and Central Asia," he told Xinhua. Calling Pakistan's trade initiative with Uzbekistan under the TIR a new beginning, Dawood said that the vision is to make the whole Central Asian countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan an integrated unit in terms of trade, "and CPEC will play an important role for that purpose." He said the Gwadar port which has already been utilized for Afghan transit trade, has an important role in making Pakistan a hub of transshipment because it will be the shortest route to the landlocked countries to reach the outside world. "Pakistan and China have made big investments in Gwadar and the time to tap the full potential of Gwadar is approaching because peace in Afghanistan and Pakistan's boosting relations with the Central Asian countries under the TIR will help us make the best use of Gwadar," Dawood said. Fishing boats berth in the bay at Gwadar port in southwest Pakistan's Gwadar, Jan. 29, 2018. (Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal) Launched in 2013, CPEC is a corridor linking the Gwadar port in southwestern Pakistan with Kashgar in northwest China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, which highlights energy, transport and industrial cooperation. Apart from the government's efforts to provide accessibility to the Central Asian countries and Afghanistan to the Pakistani ports, Pakistani private traders also show a great interest in Central Asia to import raw materials and commodities from there at a lower cost as compared to other international markets. Chief Coordinator of the Pakistan Readymade Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Ijaz Khokhar, told Xinhua that they are looking to import cotton bales from the Central Asian countries, which are available at a cheaper price. He said Pakistan's textile industry is booming and there is an acute shortage of raw material because cotton production in the country has decreased and the Central Asian countries are rich in cotton which can be used in Pakistan once the trade relations with them enhance. Photo taken on May 25, 2018 shows the Multan-Shujaabad section of Multan-Sukkur Motorway in Multan, Pakistan. (Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal) "We are desperately wanting a peaceful route to Central Asia and after there is peace in Afghanistan, we are pinning hope on the connectivity enhanced by CPEC to help us find new markets. Because currently our major export markets are the European Union (EU) where Pakistan is sending its products under the Generalized Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) status, but we need to find more markets for our products," Khokhar said. He said Pakistan's current exports to EU countries are over 6 billion U.S. dollars annually and the textile sector contributes to a large part of it. Last month, the European Parliament adopted a resolution to review the GSP+ status of Pakistan, raising concerns among the Pakistani exporters. "If they remove the GSP+ status, we will sustain great losses in our revenue. In this situation, we are looking forward to enhanced trade relations with Central Asia," Khokhar said. "The best thing about CPEC with the Central Asian countries is the land routes, which currently suits us the best because the charges of sea freight in Pakistan has increased and if the GSP+ status is not secured, we will be transporting it to the Central Asian countries on a much cheaper cost via CPEC infrastructure, and in the future we will seek new markets from the Gwadar port onwards," he added. Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 10:07:12|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A COVID-19 patient gets oxygen support inside "the Oxygen on Wheel," a bus that reaches out to patients in immediate need of oxygen, in Bangalore, India, on May 13, 2021. (Str/Xinhua) Cheyenne, WY (82001) Today Mostly clear skies with gusty winds. Low 48F. Winds WNW at 25 to 35 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 50 mph.. Tonight Mostly clear skies with gusty winds. Low 48F. Winds WNW at 25 to 35 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 50 mph. Dr. Hillel Newman, the Consul General of Israel, will be visiting Cheyenne next week. Dr. Newman plans to meet with Governor Gordon and other top elected officials. He will also travel to Laramie to meet with Edward Seidel, the president of the University of Wyoming and faculty. In an exclusive interview with the Cheyenne Post, Newman outlined his goals for his visit, and also discussed the escalating fighting in the Middle East. We are looking for increased trade, increased connectivity and engagement. The key factors of the Wyoming economy are energy, agriculture, and tourism. Those are fields that are close to the heart of Israel, especially agriculture and tourism, Newman said. Israel is currently in a military battle with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Hamas has fired hundreds of rockets into Israel, and the Israelis have retaliated with air strikes. This is all part of incitement by Hamas. It has nothing to do with freedom of religion or human rights. It has a lot to do with whats going on in the Palestinian Authority, Newman said. The Consul General said that there is a rivalry between Hamas and Al Fatah for control of the Palestinian Authority. He said that Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the state of Palestine, has refused to call elections because he is afraid he might lose. Both parties compete over how much they can demonstrate hatred for the state of Israel. The latest unrest began over a dispute concerning houses in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of Jerusalem. Newman said a private legal dispute that ended in the Israeli Supreme Court triggered riots and stone throwing at the al-Aqsa Mosque, which is located at the Temple Mount. The Supreme Court made a ruling that the homes belong to the Jews, not to the Palestinians, and therefore the Palestinians must leave the houses. Thats a full judicial process. You know very often the Supreme Court rules in favor of the Palestinians, then everyones happy. But if the Supreme Court rules in favor of Jews, they dont accept it, Newman said. The Consul General said the government of Israel was not involved in the decision but did ask the Supreme Court to put a hold on implementing it for 30 days in the hope that things would calm down. Newman added that the government wants the Court to re-examine the issue. Newman said there is a lot of misinformation about what is going on, including allegations that Israel has blocked worshippers from the Mosque. Israel has guaranteed freedom of worship for the Muslim people at Temple Mount since the reunification of Jerusalem. Israel allowed the maximum number of people go to Temple Mount to Al Aqsa Mosque to pray, to worship, they have full freedom of religion. What happened was they carried stones to throw at Jews on Temple Mount. There was no curbing of freedom of worship or freedom of religion. Its all false information, Newman said. The Consul General will also tour the Mt. Sinai Synagogue in Cheyenne and discuss current issues in a Zoom meeting with the congregation. Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 10:54:49|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, May 13 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations (UN) Security Council will hold an open meeting on Sunday to discuss the escalation of tensions between Israel and Palestine. Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the UN, tweeted that the meeting will be held at 10 a.m. EDT (1400 GMT) on Sunday. "China is deeply concerned about escalation of tensions in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. #UNSC should act now and send a strong message. Regret a Friday meeting was blocked by one member," said the tweet. Diplomats said the proposal for a Friday meeting was blocked by the United States. The Norwegian Mission to the UN tweeted that Sunday's meeting was proposed by Norway, Tunisia and China. China holds the Security Council presidency for the month of May. Two rounds of closed-door consultations on the issue have been held by the Security Council. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 11:05:42|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close The death toll of Palestinians killed in Israel's strikes on the Gaza Strip climbed to 103 on Thursday, as the Israeli-Palestinian clashes continued unabated. The dead victims included 27 children and 11 women, while 580 others have been wounded by the Israeli airstrikes and artillery shellings on the Palestinian coastal enclave since Monday, according to the Health Ministry run by the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas). An 87-year-old Israeli woman died in a rocket attack from the Gaza Strip on Thursday, bringing to eight the death toll of Israelis killed in the latest Israeli-Palestinian conflict. On Thursday evening, the armed wing of Hamas, known as al-Qassam Brigades, and other less-influential militant groups fired barrages of rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israel. Eyewitnesses said the Israeli military in the late afternoon intensified its air and ground strikes in the town of Beit Hanoun and the Jabalia area in northern Gaza, leaving at least 11 Palestinians killed and dozens of others wounded. The al-Qassam Brigades said its militants had fired more than 1,700 rockets at northern, central and southern Israeli towns since Monday. Meanwhile, an Israeli military spokesman said Israeli troops had struck 750 different targets in the Gaza Strip since the fighting began on Monday. Produced by Xinhua Global Service Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 11:41:54|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with villagers while inspecting Zouzhuang Village, Xichuan County, Nanyang, central China's Henan Province, May 13, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Ye) ZHENGZHOU, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said the Party's 100-year history is a history of dedication to people's well-being and aspirations. Xi made the remarks when visiting the village of Zouzhuang in Xichuan County of central China's Henan Province, on Thursday. Xi inspected the village and went into the home of villager Zou Xinzeng. Zou expressed his gratitude to the Party for the life improvement over the past few years. Noting that this year marks the 100th anniversary of the CPC, Xi said the Party was founded to ensure that the people enjoy a happy life, not to seek its own interests. The people are the state. The CPC's governance is for the purpose of ensuring the people's happiness and meeting their aspirations, Xi said. Enditem 11-Year-Old Girl Enters Blazing RV to Save Puppies, Doesnt Make It Out Alive A sixth grader is being hailed a hero after she ran into a burning RV to save her puppies from a house fire. Tragically, however, she did not survive. For the past six months, 11-year-old Rilee Beisler had been staying with her mom at the Sun N Fun RV Resort in Sarasota, Florida. Shed initially made it out of the RV safely when the home caught fire on May 5, but despite neighbors trying to restrain her, she went back for her two pitbull puppies still trapped inside. None made it out alive. Laura Alden, Rilees aunt, told WFLA that her animal-loving niece had a heart of gold. With pre-teenage stubbornness, her determination to save her pups was ultimately what took her life, said Laura. They were 7-month-old pitbull puppies and, you know, puppies are hyper, but she loved those dogs and those were her babies, she explained. According to Laura, Rilees mom Megan Johnson is still trying to process her loss. Sarasota County Sheriffs Office received multiple 911 calls just before 6 p.m. on May 5, reporting two RV homes on fire at the resort on Iowa Drive. The cause of the fire remains unknown and is under investigation by the State Fire Marshal. Authorities do not suspect foul play, according to Kaitlyn Perez, community affairs director at the University of South Florida, as Fox 13 reported. It is believed that Rilee died of smoke inhalation. The sixth graders classmates at McIntosh Middle School received a visit from a grief counselor to help process the incident. Laura, on behalf of Rilees family, said her niece will be dearly missed. She was creative, artsy, Laura told WFLA, loved to mess with her hair and do crazy stuff with her hair. To us, Rilee died trying to be a hero, she added, and that speaks volumes about who she was. Laura, alongside two family friends, is managing a fundraiser for Rilees mom to help cover funeral costs and the loss of her belongings in the fire. Smoke and flames rise from a tower building as it is destroyed by Israeli air strikes amid a flare-up of Israeli-Palestinian violence, in Gaza City on May 12, 2021. (Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters) 36 Reasons Why Hamas Is Waging a Long-Term Jihad Against the Jewish State of Israel Commentary The latest concentrated rocket attack on central Israel by Hamas in the functionally (and militarily) independent city-state of Gaza is just the latest round in its long-term war to destroy the Jewish state of Israel. If you read the experts, from the left-leaning New York Times to some of even the most conservative news sites, most of the experts dwell on what are called the proximate causes of this latest piece of murderous aggression. The New York Times, for example, in one headline argued that leaders from both sides might gain from the conflict, each in their own way. Really! Both sides is the politically correct language that defines the doctrine of moral equivalence of the ever-rising left. That is to say, they rarely declare that one side is right or the other side is wrong. What they like to do, especially when dealing with the victims of jihad, is to declare that both sides are wrong; that is to say, both victim and victimizer are like children in a schoolyardthey just should stop fighting. Instead, why dont we ask ourselves why Hamas continues to attack Israel? The answer is so simple as to beggar belief. We dont know it because the liberal press doesnt listen to Hamas and report on it. Simply put, Hamas, in its own words, exists as an organization to wage a jihad against the Jewish people and toward the destruction of the Jewish State of Israel. Listening to Hamas means reading their 1988 charter or covenant. It has 36 articles, and the overall message those points give is that the state of Israel must be physically destroyed. It gets very redundant at times. Lets quote Article 11: The land of Palestine is an Islamic Waqf [Holy Possession] consecrated for future Moslem generations until Judgment Day. No one can renounce it or any part or abandon it or any part of it. So much for peaceful coexistence with the Jewish state as guaranteed by international law since 1948, and actually decades before that, at the San Remo conference of 1920. Heres a beauty from Article 13: [Peace] initiatives, and so called peaceful solutions and international conferences are in contradiction to the principles of the Islamic Resistance Movement. These conferences are no more than a means to appoint the infidels as arbitrators in the lands of Islam. There is no solution for the Palestinian problem except by Jihad. Initiatives, proposals and international conferences are but a waste of time, an exercise in futility. So, by now, there should be no misunderstanding of why Hamas is showering missiles on central Israel. I think theyve made themselves clear. But one could still argue that this is just a take on Palestinian or Arab Nationalism. So lets take a brief look at Article 32: Zionist scheming has no end, and after Palestine, they will covet expansion from the Nile to the Euphrates River when they have finished digesting the area on which they have laid their hand, they will forward to more expansion. Their scheme has been laid out in the Protocols of the Elders of Zion. So, if we understand Hamas correctly, the Jewish state of Israel doesnt just want recognition and security within its historic homeland but is intent on the conquest of the modern states of Egypt, Syria, Jordan, and Iraq. How do they know about these evil intentions? Well, theyve read the Protocols! Even left-leaning Wikipedia knows that the Protocols are the classic anti-Semitic forgery. I quote the Wikipedia article: The Protocols of the Elders of Zion ( ) or The Protocols of the Meetings of the Learned Elders of Zion is a fabricated antisemitic text purporting to describe a Jewish plan for global domination. The hoax, which was shown to be plagiarized from several earlier sources, some not antisemitic in nature, was first published in Russia in 1903, translated into multiple languages, and disseminated internationally in the early part of the 20th century. None of Israels neighboring states who are formally at peace with Israel, such as Egypt and Jordan, have called for the dissolution of Hamas or its charter. Nor have any of the Gulf States who have just made peace with Israel. Clearly, the Hamas charter draws on a thousand years of medieval anti-Semitism, which, for religious reasons, has blamed all the trouble in the world on the Jewish people. But the young reader (who has been denied access to good historical writing at his woke college or university) having read this article will perhaps exclaim, I knew nothing about this! To him or her I say, do a little homework. Read at least one non-woke book on the history of the Middle East (Heres one: The Middle East by Bernard Lewis). Then write a letter to the editors of your local student rag and ask them to do the same. Geoffrey Clarfield is an anthropologist-at-large who has spent 20 years traveling, living, and working in East Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. 7-Year-Old Girl Shot in DC Survives, Reunites With First Responders Who Saved Her Life A 7-year-old girl who was shot while playing outside in Washington D.C. has been reunited with the first responders who helped save her life. Her family calls her survival a miracle and say they are grateful. Thank you for praying for me, said Reagan Grimes in an interview with Fox after hearing how many people in the community had prayed for her recovery. On May 5, Reagan had the opportunity to meet the first responders whod helped save her life that fateful night. 7-year-old Reagan Grimes reunites with first responders who saved her. (Courtesy of DC Metropolitan Police Dept.) The D.C. Fire and EMS departments posted photos of the reunion on Twitter, stating that they were happy to see her recovered. Reagan Grimes, the 7 year old shot 4 days ago, was reunited with the crew that helped save her life at Engine 27 in Deanwood, the department wrote. #DCsBravest and @DCPoliceDept officers are happy to see shes doing well, and were able to give her some gifts. In the pictures they posted, the 7-year-old girl is smiling with a huge basket of gifts presented to her by the officers and EMTs. But just a few days prior, Reagan and her family werent smiling. Reagan thanked the first responders who saved her. (Courtesy of DC Fire and EMS Department) You almost ended my sisters life, Reagans brother, Amir Grimes, said on camera to the news outlet, hoping the shooters would hear his message. She makes so many people happy. Shes the star of [our] life. Reagan was playing outside on May 1, around 7 p.m., when a dozen gunshots rang out on J Street northeast. The little girl was tragically struck in the back. The family thought they were going to lose her. I was scared, said Amir. I was shocked shes 7, shes too young. First responders called her injuries life-threatening, and her family began preparing for the worst. Shes a soldier, shes a warrior, shes a fighter, Reagans grandmother, Tina Grimes, said. She fought. She fought hard. Fortunately, the young girl was able to return home and was reunited with her family just 3 days later. Today, were rejoicing, added Tina. Im just so thankful that she could be saved, Reagans mom, Dashawn Grimes, told the department. A lot of people dont make it. Police are reportedly still searching for the shooter. Though they have little information on the culprits, investigators released a photograph of a white sedan they believe could have been involved. 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 Active Duty Service Member Arrested Over Jan. 6 Capitol Breach: DOJ An active-duty U.S. Marine Corps officer was arrested on Thursday for his alleged involvement in the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, the Justice Department said. Maj. Christopher Warnagiris, who is a commissioned officer stationed at the Marine Corps Base Quantico, has been accused of entering the Capitol building after pushing through a line of police officers. He then used his body to keep the door open to allow others to enter the building, prosecutors said. He has also been accused of resisting U.S. Capitol Polices efforts to keep the doors closed, according to court documents (pdf). Authorities identified Warnagiris through photographs and footage of the incident. A former coworker of Warnagiris initially recognized the 40-year-old through the FBI photos. Agents then confirmed his identity with a different coworker during an interview at Warnagiriss military command. Warnagiris, who appeared before a court in the Eastern District of Virginia on Thursday, has been charged assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers. He has also been charged with one count of obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder, one count of obstruction of Justice, one count of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building without lawful authority, and one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds. In a statement to media outlets, the Marine Corps confirmed that Warnagiris is an active-duty member who joined the Marines in 2002 and has been deployed at least four times. The Marine Corps did not immediately respond to The Epoch Times request for comment. Marine Corps spokesperson Maj. J.A. Hernandez said in a statement to media outlets after the arrest that there was no place for extremism in the service. Pentagon press secretary John Kirby would not comment on any action the department may take, stressing that the matter is currently with the Justice Department, during a press conference on Thursday. He told reporters that he is not aware of any investigations or inquiries into whether any of Warnagiriss coworkers were aware of his alleged involvement in the incident. This is right now a federal law enforcement matter. That process needs to continue. At this stage, its too early to speculate about any UCMJ actions that may or may not be taken. Right now, this is squarely in the Justice Department lane and were going to respect that, Kirby said. The Justice Department said they have arrested about 440 individuals on charges related to the Jan. 6 Capitol breach, including over 125 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement. A majority of cases are related to entering a restricted building, obstruction of an official proceeding, and civil disorder. Federal authorities are still looking for suspects connected to the breach. Agricultural Carbon Coalition Faces Uphill Battle Alliance that advocates for farmers wants Ottawa to acknowledge its efforts to reduce carbon emissions A national coalition of agricultural groups wants Ottawa to acknowledge its efforts to reduce carbon emissions, but its task will be difficult, say experts. The Agricultural Carbon Alliance (ACA) was formed March 1 to engage the federal government on carbon pricing and advocate for practical options regarding offsets, rebates, and exemptions. Its 14 organizations account for more than 190,000 farm businesses, and together they steward some 62 million hectares, which is over 7 percent of Canadas land mass. Agriculture contributes over $32 billion to Canadas gross domestic product, while the entire agri-food industry represents another $143 billion and provides 1 in 8 Canadian jobs. However, Barry Cooper, political science professor at the University of Calgary, said the sector hasnt had a high profile since the period from 1972 to 1984, when Ontario Liberal MP Eugene Whalen was agriculture minister. That was the last time agriculture really mattered. Because since then, weve either had these guys from the West whom nobody pays attention to, or they havent been really very vocal, Cooper said in an interview. The ACA supports Bill C-206, which extends the exemption from carbon taxes enjoyed by farming fuel to marketable gas and propane. The coalition also wants exemptions for equipment used to heat and cool animal barns, power greenhouses, and run irrigation and grain-drying processes, for which no alternative fuel sources are available. The currently proposed exemptions do not address the undue financial burden the carbon tax places on all the necessary practices undertaken by the farmers and ranchers our members represent, the ACA said in a May 3 letter to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food. We ask that you lend your support to Bill C-206 and seek additional ways to expand exemptions to ensure practices that are required by farmers, where no viable alternative fuel source exists, are not penalized. Farmers who took measures to reduce carbon emissions and increase carbon retention in the soil since January 2017 have received federal credit for these carbon offsets. The ACA wants this benefit extended to farmers who made those changes prior to that time. If theyre dealing with oppressive laws whatever they need to do, thats fine, anybody would be happy to support them doing that. But the big problem that not only is never discussed, its hardly ever acknowledged, is that of course, climate changes, Cooper said. What is the relative contribution of [humans] to these naturally occurring changes? Its impossible to get data on [that] because nobody knows. The IPCC stuff says, What is the contribution of humans, not, How is the contribution of humans to be compared to volcanoes? he added, referring to reports by the UNs Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The Climate Action Incentive Fund (CAIF) commits a portion of revenue collected by the carbon tax for rebates and retrofits for businesses to reduce carbon emissions. However, CAIF has been closed for applications since the summer of 2019 and the ACA wants this revenue to be available again for emission reduction projects. According to the ACA website, Sharing the story of Canadian agricultures history of innovation as a climate-solutions provider will be an important part of ACAs advocacy. This parallels efforts by the oil and gas sector, said Dan McTeague, president of Canadians for Affordable Energy. Were way ahead of the United States and most other countries on reduction of methane. That is considered the most lethal part of the so-called emissions, McTeague said in an interview. We have probably the most regulated environmental industry of any producing nation in the world, bar none. The problem, McTeague said, is that such innovations fail to satisfy those who demand a green utopia in a world of magic and make-believe. Even so, he believes the ACA may have more leverage because agriculture fills stomachs, not vehicles. The climate commissars who push this agenda and those who follow it religiously and propagate this idea that all this debate in this country should be about climate change and nothing elsedespite the fact that most of us dont agree with themhave to perhaps recognize that every one of us eats, McTeague said. Its going to be a little harder to make the argument that we just dont need foodunless of course, we really are dealing with people who truly think that how you bring down emissions globally is by reducing population. New York City mayoral candidate Andrew Yang speaks to reporters in New York City on May 11, 2021. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) Andrew Yang, NYC Mayoral Frontrunner, Says He Opposes Defunding the Police The top contender to become New York Citys next mayor outlined his pro-police position on Thursday during the first Democrat primary debate. The first thing Id do as mayor is go to our police force and say that Your city needs you. Your city needs you to do your jobs professionally, responsibly, and justly. But the police are going to be a core way for us to address the public safety concerns that so many New Yorkers have, Andrew Yang, the former Democrat presidential candidate, told the forum. And let me be clear, defund the police is the wrong approach for New York City, he added, calling for the citys police department to evolve to a 21st century form of policing, a new anti-violence and community safety unit that would work with community leaders of plainclothes cops that go into communities and concentrate on getting the guns out and on whats called focused deterrence. Lawmakers in New York last year slashed $1 billion in funding for the New York Police Department, or NYPD. This was a hard-fought battle, which marks the beginning of the Councils efforts to not only limit the size and scope of the NYPD, but also reimagine how we structure criminal justice and public safety in this city, the New York City Council said at the time. Like most other large cities in the United States, New York saw a rise in murders in 2020, an increase some experts pinned on the defunding movement. As of May 9, the number of murders in the city is up 27 percent from 2020. Yang is in the lead in the mayoral race, according to polls. Fellow Democrat hopefuls split when asked how theyd tackle crime. NYPD officers patrol the streets of Chinatown in the Manhattan borough of New York City on March 25, 2021. (Eduardo Munoz/Reuters) Scott Stringer, the citys comptroller, said that officers have to solve violent crime, getting rates of cleared cases up so as to remove criminals with guns from the streets. Im very committed to doing that as mayor. But I also want to say that we cannot in this moment, simply go back to the Giuliani style of policing that impacted black and brown children that scared them. And we have to seek a better way. I want to use resources so that we can invest in violence interrupter programs, keep our children away from the criminal justice system, he said. Shaun Donovan, who was secretary of housing and urban development during the Obama administration, said he would reform policing with real training, transparency, accountability and reduce the number of things that officers are asked to do, such as having mental health experts handle homeless people. Donovan said hed take $3 billion from the criminal justice budget and reinvest it into our communities. Maya Wiley, a former legal aide to Mayor Bill de Blasio, told the forum she would take money directly from the NYPD. Im going to take a billion dollars from the New York City Police Department to shift that money to create trauma informed care in our schools, because when we do that violence goes down and graduation rates go up, she said. She also said she would install a civilian police commissioner to make it a truly accountable police force to the public, along with a civilian oversight commission that sets the rules and the priorities of policing. Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 12:38:51|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with villagers while inspecting Zouzhuang Village, Xichuan County, Nanyang, central China's Henan Province, May 13, 2021. (Xinhua/Wang Ye) ZHENGZHOU, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Thursday visited people relocated because of a mega water diversion project and thanked them for their contribution to the country. Xi made the remarks during an inspection tour in the village of Zouzhuang in Xichuan County of central China's Henan Province. The South-to-North Water Diversion Project is the largest of its kind worldwide. In six years, it transferred 40.8 billion cubic meters of water from the south to dry areas in the northern regions, benefiting more than 130 million people. Residents of Zouzhuang are among the people relocated due to the construction of the project. At Zouzhuang, Xi and the villagers exchanged greetings as the villagers lined the roadside and cheered. "I have always paid close attention to the construction and operation of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project and the resettlement of residents," Xi said. "We very much care about how you live now," Xi said, hailing their spirit of sacrifice and wishing them a better life. He said the resettled residents deserve the thanks from those who benefit from the water diversion project and people across the nation. Enditem A police boat patrols the river bordering the Southbank precinct in Brisbane, Australia on November 14, 2014. (William West/AFP via Getty Images) Australia Shores Up National Security, Pledges $2 Billion Into Intelligence, Cyber, Border Defences Domestic security emerged as a major priority in the recent federal budget, with the Australian government pouring close to $2 billion into the countrys leading spy agency and efforts to combat international crime and cyberattacks. To keep Australians safe from these threatswhether domestic or foreignthe government is providing an additional $1.9 billion over the decade to strengthen our national security, law enforcement, and intelligence agencies, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg told Parliament during Tuesday nights budget speech. We also need to be prepared for a world that is less stable and more contested, he added. This is why we are investing $270 billion over 10 years in our defence capability, the treasurer said, referring to last years 2020 Strategic Update, which saw the federal government pledge increased funding to the Australian Defence Force. Australias domestic spy agency will receive the lions share of the $1.9 billion pledge from the government, with $1.3 billion allocated to the Australian Security and Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) over the next decade. Australian Security Intelligence Organisation ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess preparing for his annual speech at ASIO headquarters in Canberra, Wednesday, March 17, 2021. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) This funding boost will ensure that ASIO can significantly enhance its capability to identify and respond to threats, according to a statement from Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews and Immigration Minister Alex Hawke. It will also enable ASIO to respond to challenges posed by rapid technological change, particularly through leveraging the Australian technology industry. ASIO has been on a hiring spree in recent years as the agency is set to expand, along with the Australian Federal Police (AFP), by another 300 personnel. The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) will receive an additional $51.8 million to combat transnational crime, and $59.9 million will be allocated to AFP over four years to tackle child exploitation. This investment builds on the $300.2 million budgeted for the AFP in the previous 2020-21 Budget and will be divvied up between efforts to disrupt criminal activities involving child sexual abuse, including targeting cash flow, live streaming, and intercepting material. The government is also bolstering its offshore and onshore detention facilities, pledging $464.7 million to increase capacity, as well as $38.1 million to continue strengthening Operation Sovereign Borders, aimed at stopping illegal asylum seekers. Members of the Australian Navy make their way to the HMAS Wollongong, which is currently patrolling the waters between Saibai and Papua New Guinea on March 26, 2021. (Brook Mitchell/Getty Images) The security of Australias 5G and future 6G networks will be backed by a $33.5 million investment that will go towards developing and commercialising data security solutions. While $42.4 million will go towards improving security arrangements for critical infrastructure assets to protect against cyberattacks. Cybersecurity has made headlines in recent years following attacks on the Parliamentary networks and government departments. Matt Warren, professor of cybersecurity at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, commended the governments focus on national security, saying this level of spending was the new normal. Australia is facing a range of new security threats, including cyber. An increase in funding for ASIO and cybersecurity is for protecting Australia, he told The Epoch Times. Falun Gong practitioners and supporters in front of Customs House in Circular Quay in Sydney, Australia on May 13, 2021. (Wen QingYang/ Epoch Times) Australian Politicians Commemorate World Falun Dafa Day Starting as a spiritual discipline with roots dating back thousands of years to a household name during Chinas 1990s, qigong fever, Falun Gong has become a movement that spread throughout China and around the globe, and May 13 2021, marks 29 years Falun Dafa was first brought to the public in China, and it is celebrated as World Falun Dafa Day around the world. In Australia, the practice has attracted hundreds of followers from diverse ethnic backgrounds since its introduction in 1995 due to its emphasis on improving peoples moral compass and physical well-being and its focus on the virtues of Truth-Compassion-Tolerance. In the week leading up to the practices biggest anniversary, more than 15 Australian politicians in different states joined millions of others to commemorate the day. Falun Gong practitioners participating in a rally and parade in the CBD of Sydney, Australia, on May 13, 2021. (Shen Ke/The Epoch Times) In a two-minute video, Tasmanian Liberal Senator Eric Abetz expressed his appreciation for Falun Gong practitioners who stand up against the persecution through peaceful resistance and raising international awareness. After two decades of sustained, systematic cruelty and oppression, it is heartwarming and encouraging to witness the resolve and determination of Falun Dafa to pursue freedom and peace, Abetz said. Tasmanian Liberal Senator Eric Abetz at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Sydney, Australia on Nov. 4, 2020. (The Epoch Times) New South Wales Liberal Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells congratulated the practitioners for being one of the very first movements to warn the world about the Chinese Communist Partys extensive human rights abuses. You should be commended for your bravery, courage and spiritual fortitude, she said. At least 2,000 Falun Gong practitioners had been reportedly tortured to death in the concentration camps as of 2009. According to reports by lawmaker David Kilgour, human rights campaigner David Matas and researcher Ethan Gutmann, tens of thousands of Falun Gong prisoners of conscience have also been killed to supply a lucrative trade in human organs and cadavers. Over 60,000 illegal organ transplants are carried out in China annually, and the abuses are believed to be ongoing. Dean Smith, Liberal senator for Western Australia, said the Australian Government is aware of troubling reports of illegal organ harvesting in China. These practices are an offence to human decency and strongly opposed by the Government, Smith added. While South Australian Senator Alex Antic noted that Faun Gong practitioners have stood up for their beliefs in the face of incredible pressure and threats directed at them from the Chinese Communist party, even here in Australia. International Falun Dafa Day is not just a celebration of Falun gong spiritual practice. It is also a reminder of Falun Dafas teachings centred on the principles of truthfulness, compassion and forbearance, which serve as a stark contrast to the authoritarian rule of the Chinese Communist Party, Antic said. I would encourage adherents to continue to be proud of their history and traditions, he said. Greens Parliamentary Leader Tammy Franks agreed saying, We know that there is no law that makes Falun Gong illegal and that the Chinese Communist Partys persecution of practitioners has no legal basis. South Australian legislator Tammy Franks attended the rally and gave a speech. (Tracy Li/The Epoch Times) Officials from different sides of the political spectrum also express their blessings for the day. With almost 30 years history and over 100 million people in over 100 countries practicing, it is clear the universal principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance have been meaningful for many, according to Sam OConnor, Liberal National member for Bonney in Queensland. Meanwhile, Queensland Opposition Leader David Crisafulli said the Falun Dafas commitment to the universal principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance has much to commend it, even to people who may not regard themselves as followers. New South Wales Labor Party MP Julia Finn also applauded the practices dedication to promoting Chinese cultural values with strong moral and ethical principles. Deputy Mayor of the City of Ryde, Peter Kim praised the introduction of meditation practices, saying it greatly benefiting the local communitys physical and mental wellbeing. Meditation sessions were precious to the Ryde residents as we are in a middle of a pandemic and many residents are feeling entrapped, Kim said. The practitioners actively participated in making our city a more diverse and inclusive community. Other Australian politicians have also sent letters and proclamations to support the anniversary and commend the practice, including State LNP Member for Oodgeroo Mark Robinson, Federal Member for Wright Scott Buchholz, Greens Senator for Queensland Larissa Waters, Greens MP for Maiwar Michael Berkman, State Member for Coomera Michael Crandon, Member for Cheltenham Joe Szkacs, Deputy Mayor of the city of Ryde Peter Kim, and Parramatta Councillor Bob Dwyer. Small business owners from the gastronomy, beauty and other branches attend a protest against the coronavirus (Covid-19) restriction measures outside of the Austrian Chancellery in Vienna on March 22, 2021. (Joe Klamar/AFP via Getty Images) Austrian Judge Rules Against COVID Restrictions After Testing Issues Casts doubt on PCR methodology Commentary On Mar. 24, the Administrative Court of Vienna upheld an action by the Freiheitliche Partei Osterreichs (FPO)the Austrian Freedom Party, the third-largest political party in the countryagainst a ban by Viennese police on a planned public assembly. The rally was due to take place on Jan. 31 but was banned due to fears it could lead to an exponential spread of COVID-19. In upholding the FPOs action, the judge reiterated that all people have a fundamental right to meet, and to protest freely and peacefully. This right cannot be infringed for any reason that is not in accordance with the law. The judge hearing the matter, Doktor Frank, held that the reasons for banning the assembly had no basis in law and were invalid. The prohibition on the FPO gathering was put into place following declarations by Austrian health authorities, warning of the high transmissibility of the UK strain of COVID-19. There were also concerns from police, health officials, and security services that social distancing and mask-wearing requirements would not be respected by Party members. Banners are seen behind a police cordon during a protest against official coronavirus restrictions in Vienna, Austria, on March 6, 2021. (Alex Halada/AFP via Getty Images) More significantly, the ban was further justified based on an increasing number of positive PCR test results to COVID-19. PCR, or polymerase chain reaction testing, is considered the gold standard for diagnosing COVID-19. In his reasons, the judge reviewed the justifications given by Austrian health authorities for the ban, focusing particularly on their lack of clarity and confusing terminology. The authorities listed the number of COVID-19 cases in the country, positive test results, and infections as reasons for the ban. The judge, however, found this approach was inappropriate from an epidemiological point of view. In his finding, he referred to the World Health Organizations Information Notice for IVD Users 2020/05, released on Jan. 20, 2021which gives guidance on how nucleic acid testing (NAT) technologies should be used to detect SARS-CoV-2and states that a positive test result alone is no indicator of illness and must be considered along with other factors. Thus, Frank found that it was unclear what figures health authorities were relying on to justify bans on public gatherings. This lack of clarity is related to several factors, including the number of viable amplification cycles before testing became inaccurate (amplification cycles refer to the molecular copying of DNA fragments upon which the PCR test method is based), and also the high error rates of testing on asymptomatic patients. The judge also emphasised that only doctors were professionally trained for diagnosing illness or infection, not politicians. Frank referred to a statement by the inventor of PCR tests Dr. Cary Mullis, who stated that PCR tests are not to be used for diagnostic purposes and do not, of themselves, indicate whether a person is ill or infected. The judge also referred to a 2020 study: Predicting Infectious Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 From Diagnostic Samples, where the authors confirmed that PCR tests were not determinative of the illness. In this regard, the judge questioned the number of amplification cycles utilised in the tests, noting that after 24 such cycles, the test is practically useless for diagnostic purposes. At that point, the test cannot demonstrate whether the virus can reproduce itself and could result in false positives. The WHO Information Notice admitted as much, saying that as disease prevalence decreases, the risk of false-positive increases. The judge also noted that a series of positive test results of asymptomatic individuals also had an extremely high rate of error. This was explained in a recent report by The New York Times. The PCR test provides a simple yes-no answer to the question of whether a patient has the virus. To do so, the test amplifies genetic matter from the virus in cycles; the fewer cycles required, the greater the amount of virus, or viral load, in the sample. The greater the viral load, the more likely the patient is to be contagious. A molecular biologist prepares a RT-PCR test at the IAEAs laboratories in Seibersdorf, Austria, on May 7, 2020. (Joe Klamar/AFP via Getty Images) The number of amplification cycles needed to find the virus, called the cycle threshold, is never included in the results sent to doctors and patients. However, it could tell them how infectious the patients are. In three sets of testing data that include cycle thresholds, compiled by officials in Massachusetts, New York, and Nevada, up to 90 percent of people testing positive carried any virus. Tests with high thresholds may detect not just a live virus but also genetic fragmentsleftovers from infections that pose no particular risk. This is akin to finding a hair in a room long after a person has left. The judge found that exclusive reliance by Austrian health authorities on PCR and antigen test results to justify their actions was not sufficient epidemiological justification in the circumstances. Accordingly, the court found that the police and health authorities had not established a valid basis for prohibiting the Partys assembly. Frank added, tellingly, that fear alone could not justify blanket prohibitions, especially when they relate to a right so fundamental as freedom of assembly. The significance of this decision cannot be underestimated. It goes to the very basis of the justification for authorities to implement lockdowns and other restrictions on individual liberty, which the court found lacked support from a scientific and epidemiological perspective. Lord Jonathon Sumption in Britain has been consistently arguing against lockdown measures for the best part of a year. Appeals against restrictions on freedom of movement and assemblyjustified based on positive PCR test resultshave also been lodged in courts in Berlin and Rome. Rocco Loiacono is a senior lecturer at Curtin University Law School in Perth, Australia, and is a translator from Italian to English. His work on translation, linguistics, and law have been widely published in peer-reviewed journals. This article was compiled in collaboration with Eva Wiesmann. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Small Business Administration chief Isabel Guzman attends a Cabinet meeting with President Joe Biden in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on April 1, 2021. (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/Getty Images) Biden Admin Sued Over Alleged Discrimination Against Certain Bar and Restaurant Owners A Texas cafe owner is taking the Biden administration to court over alleged discrimination that prevents him from receiving COVID-19 relief grants because of his race and gender. Philip Greer, the owner of Greers Ranch Cafe, has sued the Small Business Administration (SBA), alleging that he would miss out on receiving a Restaurant Revitalization Fund grant because the federal law requires the agency to prioritize awarding grants to women and racial minorities. Section 5003 of the American Rescue Plan Act requires the agency prioritize women, veterans, and socially and economically disadvantaged business owners applying to receive a portion of the $28.6 billion appropriated to create the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. According to Small Business Administration regulations, socially disadvantaged individuals are individuals who have been subjected to racial or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias within American society because of their identities as members of groups and without regard to their individual qualities. The social disadvantage must stem from circumstances beyond their control. Meanwhile, economically disadvantaged individuals are considered to be those whose ability to compete in the free enterprise system has been impaired due to diminished capital and credit opportunities as compared to others in the same or similar line of business who are not socially disadvantaged. Greer, who is represented by America First Legal and Texas Public Policy Foundation, argues that such policy actively excludes entire classes of Americans not mentioned in the priority group who are also suffering significant financial losses caused by the pandemic. The Small Business Administration 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 and sex. This is illegal, it is unconstitutional, it is wrong, and it must stop, the lawsuit states (pdf). The lawsuit calls on the court to block the enforcement of any policy that would discriminate against certain classes of Americans, arguing that this would be necessary to promote equal rights under the law for all American citizens and promote efforts to stop racial discrimination. The decision from the Biden Administration to determine eligibility and priority for restaurant relief funds based upon race is profoundly illegal and morally outrageous, AFL President and former Trump adviser Stephen Miller said in a statement. It is an affront to our laws, our Constitution, and our most dearly-held values. SBA administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman was also named in the suit as a defendant. The SBAs press office said it is their policy to not comment on pending litigation when reached for comment. On Thursday, the SBA announced that they had received 147,000 applications from women, veterans, and socially and economically disadvantaged business owners who requested a total of $29 billion in relief funds. The numbers show that weve been particularly successful at reaching the smallest restaurants and underserved communities that have struggled to access relief. These businesses are the pillars of our nations neighborhoods and communities, Guzman said in a statement. Bill Maher speaks at an event in Beverly Hills, California on Jan. 7, 2017. (Michael Kovac/Getty Images for J/P Haitian Relief Organization) Bill Maher, Who Is Fully Vaccinated, Feels Fine After Contracting COVID-19 Political talk show host and comedian Bill Maher, who is fully vaccinated, has tested positive for COVID-19. HBOs political talk show Real Time with Bill Maher announced in a statement late Thursday that Maher had tested positive during a weekly staff PCR test for the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. He is fully vaccinated and as a result is asymptomatic and feels fine, the statement reads. It added that the Friday taping of the program had been cancelled and rescheduled at a later date. No other staff or crew members have tested positive for the virus. Thanks to all wishing me get wellhard to do since I feel perfectly fine, but I appreciate it! Maher said in a Twitter post late Thursday. Most upset about ending my streak going back to 1993 of never missing a Politically Incorrect or Real Time episode. Oh well, even Cal Ripken had to sit one out at some point. Real Time with Bill Maher, which premiered in 2003, is in its 19th season on the HBO television network. Maher had previously hosted a similar show called Politically Incorrect, originally on Comedy Central and later on ABC. The Centers for Disease Control refers to COVID-19 cases that occur after a person is fully vaccinated as vaccine breakthrough cases. Vaccine breakthrough cases are expected, the health agency said on its website. COVID-19 vaccines are effective and are a critical tool to bring the pandemic under control. However, no vaccines are 100% effective at preventing illness. There will be a small percentage of people who are fully vaccinated who still get sick, are hospitalized, or die from COVID-19. It added, There is some evidence that vaccination may make illness less severe. As of Thursday 8 p.m. ET, more than 118 million Americans have been fully vaccinated, amounting to about 35.8 percent of the population. Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said on Thursday that people who are vaccinated against COVID-19 dont have to wear a mask while outdoors. On the same day, the CDC announced that those who are fully vaccinated do not have to wear a mask while indoors in most places. A warning sign is posted along the path of the Colonial Pipeline in Garnet Valley, PA. on Monday, May 10, 2021. (Matt Rourke/AP Photo) Bipartisan Bill Seeks to Harden Critical Infrastructure Against Cyberattacks Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) and a bipartisan group of House lawmakers on Friday introduced a bill meant to make Americas critical systems more resilient against cyberattacks, as parts of the country continue to reel from last weeks Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack. Slotkin, a former CIA analyst and Pentagon official, announced the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Cyber Exercise Act in a Friday statement, in which she said attacks like the one targeting Colonial Pipeline have the potential to devastate our economy and our way of life. Co-sponsors of the bill include Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.), the ranking member of the House Homeland Security Committee cyber subcommittee, and Rep. Jim Langevin (D-R.I.), the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee cyber subcommittee. The bill would require CISA, the agency that spearheads federal cybersecurity efforts, to create new ways for U.S. businesses and governments to test their critical infrastructure against the threat of cyber attacks. The legislation calls for the establishment of a National Cyber Exercise Program, a testing regime for the nations response plan to major cyber incidents. Under the program, CISA would help develop a set of model exercises to be used by state and local governments, and private sector businesses, to test the safety and security of their critical infrastructure. Besides helping design the exercises, CISA would also help governments and businesses implement and evaluate them. This weeks events have clearly shown that cybersecurity is no longer just a tech issueits at the very heart of protecting the systems that power our daily lives as Americans, Slotkin said. We have to make sure the federal government is working hand-in-glove with state and local authorities and private industry to deter these attacks and minimize their impact. Colonial Pipeline, which delivers about 45 percent of the fuel consumed on the East Coast, halted operations last week after revealing it had been targeted by hackers. The shutdown affected gasoline supplies in parts of the East Coast, with some people waiting for hours at gas stations, only to leave empty handed. Panic buying made the situation worse. Its really crazy, president of Sunshine Gasoline Distributors, Inc. Maximo Alvarez told The Epoch Times Wednesday. We have people in Hialeah and Kendal, Florida buying gasoline in cans as if it were an emergency or a hurricane. Its truly insane, he said, adding that the problem was not with gasoline supplies, but delivery. The problem that we have is we dont have enough trucks, he said. Right now, the lines at Port Everglades are somewhere between two and a half to three hours, simply because people are panicking and we are running out of gas at just about every station. We have plenty of product. I keep trying to explain to everyone the fact that the pipeline is not working, all the product that goes into the pipeline has gone to water-borne terminals like Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale and Tampa. People dont understand we have an enormous supply of gasoline in those locations where the product that wont go into the pipeline, we are getting it. Ive explained to people, this is a temporary time that has nothing to do with supply, Alvarez said, adding that he expects the problem will start to get resolved Friday. Colonial said in a tweet Thursday that, we have restarted our entire pipeline system and that product delivery has commenced to all markets we serve. Still, the company warned that some markets may continue to experience interruptions and that it would take several days until the product delivery supply chain is back to normal. President Joe Biden, who on Wednesday signed an executive order on enhancing the nations cybersecurity, said at a press briefing Thursday that we expect to see a region-by-region return to normalcy beginning this weekend and continuing into next week, referring to supplies transmitted Colonials network. Dont panic, Biden said. I know seeing lines at the pumps or gas stations with no gas can be extremely stressful, but this is a temporary situation. Do not get more gas than you need in the next few days. Patricia Tolson contributed to this report. Liberal MP and former cabinet minister Judy Sgro speaks at an event celebrating Falun Dafa Day on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 8, 2019. (Evan Ning/The Epoch Times) Canadian Officials Voice Support in Celebration of Falun Dafa Day Over 120 Canadian officials from across the country sent anniversary greetings in support of Falun Dafa on May 13, commending the faith groups peaceful resistance against persecution in communist China since 1999, as adherents held an online event to celebrate 29 years since Falun Dafas introduction to the public. Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, is a traditional Chinese self-improvement discipline that consists of five meditative exercises along with moral teachings centred on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. The practice was first introduced to the public on May 13, 1992, by founder Li Hongzhi in China. It attracted between 70 million and 100 million adherents within just a few years as a result of its benefits to peoples health and well-being. May 13, which is also the birthday of Li, is now recognized as World Falun Dafa Day. Adherents in over 100 countries around the world celebrate the occasion every year. The Canadian online event included dance and music performances to express thanks to Falun Dafa and its founder, speeches by adherents on how the practice benefited their lives, and presentation of a selection of proclamations, congratulatory letters, and video greetings from Canadian dignitaries and elected officials from all levels of government. Various cities across the country also raised Falun Dafa flags at city hall or lit colourful lights at landmark buildings in honour of the anniversary. Your compassion, your truthfulness, your moral [virtues], your principles are wonderful attributes for all of you practising Falun Dafa and part of the Falun Dafa movement. They are wonderful principles for yourself, but also for the rest of us to share, said Liberal MP and former cabinet minister Judy Sgro. We should continue to focus on the issues of freedom, respect, and love for each other as we build and continue to build an even better Canada in a better world. Sgro, who is also co-chair of Parliamentary Friends of Falun Gong, is optimistic that the annual celebrations and rallies held by adherents in Ottawa and other cities will happen again. I look forward to the time where we can be on the grass of Parliament Hill or in the main square of Nathan Phillips Square, enjoying again each others company and celebrating the principles and the merits of the Falun Dafa movement. Conservative Leader Erin OToole said he is proud of the Falun Dafa community in Canada for sharing the universal values of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance with Canadians. Conservative Leader Erin OToole rises during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on April 22, 2021. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press) I would like to recognize that Falun Dafa practitioners have been peacefully resisting persecution by the Chinese Communist Party for over 22 years, he wrote in his congratulatory letter to the Falun Dafa Association of Canada. In Canada, we are fortunate to live in a country that respects human rights, and Canadas Conservatives will always stand up for religious minorities. On July 20, 1999, then-Chinese leader Jiang Zemin, fearing that Falun Dafas widespread popularity would rival peoples devotion to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), launched a nationwide persecution campaign against the practice. A few years later, Canadian investigators confirmed that the Chinese regimes abuse against Falun Dafa adherents includes state-sanctioned organ removal from living prisoners of consciencewho die in the processto sell in a multibillion-dollar industry. MP Heather McPherson, deputy house leader of the NDP, commended the adherents for bringing peace and happiness to others and to our shared universe through the practice of Falun Gong. NDP MP Heather McPherson pictured in Edmonton Alta, Canada on March 6, 2020. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press) It was only 29 years ago today that Mr. Li began teaching Falun Gong, she said. But we know that Mr. Lis teachings are inspired by thousands of years of wisdom, and that they will persist for thousands of years to come. Even though the celebration this year will be quieter and more reflective than usual, they will be no less heartfelt, she added. Thank you for your commitment to peace, justice and human rights. Green Party parliamentary leader Elizabeth May said she has great respect for the principles of truth, benevolence, and forbearance, which guide the Falun Dafa movement. Green Party of Canada MP Elizabeth May speaks at a celebration on Parliament Hill marking the 25th anniversary of Falun Gong, May 9, 2017. (Evan Ning/Epoch Times) I stand with you not only in celebration but in solidarity as you fight to protect your right to your spiritual practice, May wrote in her letter. Conservative MP and former cabinet minister Peter Kent, co-chair of Parliamentary Friends of Falun Gong along with Liberal MP Judy Sgro, said it is an honour to offer his support to the adherents facing detention, torture, forced organ harvesting, and murder under the dark shadow of Chinas communist regime. Conservative MP and former cabinet minister Peter Kent speaks at an event celebrating the anniversary of the public introduction of Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 8, 2019. (Evan Ning/The Epoch Times) Not only across mainland China, but in Hong Kong, for harassment of the Falun Gong community is escalating as the Communist Party widens in its brutal repression of all dissident voices, said Kent in his greetings. But we also know today that Falun Gong, long a legal entity in Hong Kong, is resisting the regimes intimidationan important voice in defence of the democratic principles of free thought, free speech, free assembly, and the rule of law. Conservative Deputy Leader Candice Bergen said the teachings of Falun Gong has helped its adherents to cope with the challenges brought about by the pandemic in the past year. Conservative Party Deputy Leader Candice Bergen takes part in a press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Sept. 2, 2020. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press) The past year has been a time of uncertainty and struggle for many, Bergen wrote. However, I know that Falun Dafas values of truthfulness, harmony, compassion, and tolerance have guided and enriched the lives of the many thousands of practitioners through these difficult times. Liberal MP Mark Gerretsen expressed his gratitude to Falun Dafa adherents for their meaningful and positive contributions to communities across Canada and around the globe. During an exceptionally challenging time in our history, may we all be inspired by the teachings of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance. MP Tom Kmiec, the Conservative national caucus chair, also paid tribute to Falun Dafa adherents for their contributions to make Canada a better place. On May 13, we get to remember those three basic teachings that Falun Dafa practitioners implement throughout their lives and in their communities: truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance, he noted. Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux noted that the practice of Falun Dafa greatly benefits society. Liberal MP Kevin Lamoureux rises in the House of Commons in Ottawa on May 6, 2016. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press) The history of the world would have been profoundly indifferent in a more positive way had more people practised Falun Gong, Lamoureux stated in his letter. Falun Dafa has been found to be very peaceful and beneficial especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also helps people to improve their mental, moral, and physical well-being, and it contributes to a more healthy and harmonious society. Knowing that and believing in the good will and leaders of the current members, I am encouraged in how members of Falun Dafa will contribute to our communities in the future, he added. Conservative MP Garnett Genuis said the adherents commitment in staying true to the teachings of Falun Gong in the face of persecution inspires him. I know that the Falun Gong community has been leading the way in terms of advocating for their own community, but also highlighting the plight of other communities facing challenges as well, again, from that mentality of emphasizing compassion, truthfulness, and forbearance, said the shadow minister for international development and human rights. Conservative MP Garnett Genuis watches a speaker present during a news conference in Ottawa on Nov. 26, 2020. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press) Genuis added that he has been making effort to combat forced organ harvesting and trafficking, and working on passing legislation to make it a criminal offence for individuals going abroad to receive an organ that was taken without consent. Because we know there are cases where people from other countries outside of China go to China and receive an organ that has been taken through organ harvesting. And so we want to address that issue by stopping that demand for these organs and hopefully contributing to reducing the persecution along the way. Genuis said Bill S-204, which was initiated by Sen. Salma Ataullahjan in the Senate to combat international organ trafficking, would also create a mechanism by which someone could be made inadmissible to Canada, if they had been involved in this horrific practice of forced organ harvesting and trafficking. On May 6, the Senate passed the third reading of Bill S-204, and Genuis has since tabled the bill to the House of Commons on May 10. Former Liberal MP and justice minister Irwin Cotler, now chair of the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights, said Chinas eradication campaign since 1999 has been the criminalization, not only of the fundamental freedoms of this spiritual meditation and exercise movement, but the criminalization of the Falun Gong itself. Former Liberal MP Irwin Cotler rises during question period in the House of Commons in Ottawa on Dec. 15, 2011. (The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld) This has led to state-orchestrated policies and practices of persecution and prosecution, of arbitrary arrest, false imprisonment, torture in detention, and illegal forced organ harvesting, which the [China] Tribunal under Sir Geoffrey Nice QC characterized as crimes against humanity, Cotler said. Cotler was first introduced to the persecution as a newly elected MP in 1999, when he took up the case of Falun Gong practitioner and then-McGill University professor Kunlun Zhang, who had been detained and tortured in China. Cotler held a series of all-party press conferences as well as a number of other initiatives that eventually led to Zhangs release. The Canadian co-chair of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China is also delighted that Bill S-204 has been adopted by the Senate and is now in the House of Commons. We will finally have a legislative initiative to address and redress this illegal forced organ harvesting, Cotler said. May this celebration therefore, mark not only an affirmation of these foundational values of truth, compassion, and tolerance, but may it also mark the beginning of the road, to the celebration of these values in China and outsidein freedom, so that all can benefit spiritually, physically, mentally, as have the millions who have been the beneficiaries of the embrace of these values of truth, and tolerance, and compassion. International human rights lawyer David Matas, a member of the Order of Canada, said Falun Gong is everything that the CCP is notspiritual, connected to Chinese traditions, and popular. International human rights lawyer David Matas in a file photo. (Wu Lianyou/The Epoch Times) Its strength in combating human rights violations are its three basic tenets: truthfulness, forbearance, and compassion, Matas said. Truthfulness has meant that Falun Gong practitionersand I have interviewed manywill tell what they know even if it is not what they want to be known [about their detention]. This form of communication has been essential for me for the research I have done on organ transplant abuse in China. Matas and David Kilgour, former MP and secretary of state for Asia-Pacific, first investigated reports of Chinas forced organ harvesting of Falun Gong prisoners of conscience in 2006, and concluded that the CCP has targeted the faith group on a massive scale to remove their organs, selling them for profit to domestic and international buyers. According to their investigations, the organs are taken while the victims are alive, so theyre kept fresh, and the victims die in the process. Forbearance means that theres not a hint of violence in the opposition of Falun Gong to their oppression, said Matas. Compassion has meant that those members of the Falun Gong community who have not been victims, form a global network of support for remedying the wrongs for those who are. Kilgour, in his video greetings, said its a joy meeting Falun Gong practitioners of all ages and walks of life when he and Matas travelled to over 50 nations exposing the CCPs crime of forced organ harvesting. Former Canadian secretary of state for Asia-Pacific David Kilgour (R) presents a revised report about forced organ harvesting from Falun Gong prisoners of conscience in China, while report co-author and international human rights lawyer David Matas looks on, in a file photo. (Matt Hildebrand/The Epoch Times) Theres not a single case since 1999, to my knowledge, when president Jiang Zemin began his persecution of Falun Gong, of the practitioners responding to Party state violence or untruth with similar tactics, Kilgour said. Canada, Ottawa, our government, must actively call for the release of Canadian citizens including Ms. Sun Qian, whos been suffering in prison for three years as a Falun Gong practitionermore than three years. Sun, a Canadian citizen and business owner, was arrested by Chinese authorities at her Beijing residence in February 2017 and has been held in custody ever since. She was sentenced on June 30, 2020, by a Beijing court to eight years in prisonjust days after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau rejected calls to release Meng Wanzhou, the Huawei CFO arrested in Canada on a U.S. extradition request. Kilgour called on the Canadian government to take a strong stance against the Chinese communist regime. Its time to stop currying favour with one of the worlds worst human rights abusersthe government of China. Instead we should stand on our values, and block the Beijing party state from attacking Canadians and universal values with impunity, he said. Its time for Canada to stand with Falun Gong, Tibetans, Uyghurs, other Muslims and Christians on the human dignity side of history in China. Conservative Senator Thanh Hai Ngo said that as celebrations take place on the anniversary occasion, its important not to forget those who are being persecuted in China. Senator Thanh Hai Ngo addresses the crowd celebrating Falun Dafa Day on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 9, 2018. (Jonathon Ren/The Epoch Times) In Canada, we are privileged to embrace the values of openness, diversity, and freedom of belief, Ngo wrote in his greetings. Sadly, innocent practitioners of this peaceful discipline continue to be persecuted on ethnic or religious grounds by the Chinese Communist Party. Ngo, a strong defender of human rights, said Canada must do its part to protect those persecuted by the CCP. We must continue to stand in solidarity with adherents of Falun Dafa and all other oppressed religious minority groups, such as Tibetans and Uyghurs. Since the persecution began in 1999, hundreds of thousands of adherents have been thrown into prisons, labour camps, and brainwashing centres amid the atheist Chinese regimes sweeping persecution campaign. Minghui, a U.S.-based website that tracks the persecution of Falun Gong in China, has documented over 4,500 cases of Falun Gong practitioners who have died due to the Chinese regimes campaign, saying the true death toll is likely far greater. The persecution has continued unabated despite the pandemicmore than 6,500 adherents were reportedly arrested and over 8,500 harassed by Chinese authorities in 2020, according to the website. In 2021, close to 600 adherents were harassed or arrested in January and February. A hundred adherents were sentenced to prison for their faith between January and March 2021. Conservative MP James Bezan said its a must to call out the CCP in their ongoing persecution against the Falun Gong practitioners. Conservative MP James Bezan speaks at an event celebrating Falun Dafa Day on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 8, 2019. (Jonathan Ren/The Epoch Times) Those responsible for committing these atrocities, such as human organ harvesting, have to be sanctioned, if not charged with crimes against humanity, Bezan said in his greetings. Bezan, who has been one of the champions of passing a Magnitsky Law in Canada, said his party will continue to urge the federal government to apply this law to sanction those who are using their authorities, are committing these gross human rights violations, and of course, enriching themselves. They should not be allowed to use Canada as a safe haven for travel, for bringing their family here to get an education, or to hide their illicit wealth, he said. Pierre Poilievre, Conservative MP and shadow minister for jobs and industry, said he admires the courage of Falun Gong practitioners and their rejection of the darkness and oppression of the Chinese Communist Party. Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre rises during Question Period in the House of Commons in Ottawa on May 31, 2019. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press) I commend Falun Dafa practitioners for their efforts to promote freedom that are cherished by Canadians, he wrote. No one should ever be persecuted for the beliefs that they follow, said Conservative MP Marty Morantz, member of the Commons Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development. Conservative MP Marty Morantz (Courtesy of Marty Morantz) The resilience and the compassion that you all show every day is needed now more than ever during these dark days. In recognition of the practice of Falun Dafa, mayors in British Columbia, Ontario, Saskatchewan, andAlberta officially proclaimed May 13 as Falun Dafa Day in their cities. Cities in B.C. include Victoria, Nanaimo, Kelowna, Port Moody, Port Alberni, and Courtenay. In Ontario, the cities of Ottawa, Cornwall, and Kingston issued proclamations, and in Saskatchewan, the cities of Regina and Saskatoon. As for Alberta, the city of Cold Lake joined in the proclamation. This year marks the 10th time Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson has issued a proclamation for Falun Dafa Day since he became mayor in late 2010. Ottawa mayors have issued proclamations since 2001. The lieutenant governors of Saskatchewan and Prince Edward Island, Russ Mirasty and Antoinette Perry respectively, sent congratulatory messages on behalf of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, in commemoration of Falun Dafa Day. Toronto Mayor John Tory also extended his greetings to the Falun Dafa Association of Toronto. Toronto Mayor John Tory delivers remarks to attendees of the Canadian Muslim Votes Eid Dinner in Toronto,on June 21, 2019. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press) Best wishes on your annual celebration that will include story sharing, dance, singing and other musical performances. Events like this encourage residents to participate in their community, connect with each other and contribute to the communitys strength, Tory wrote in his congratulatory letter. On behalf of Toronto City Council, I wish everyone an enjoyable and memorable event. Please accept my best wishes for continued success. Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman, in his congratulatory letter, said Falun Gong adherents have made many positive contributions to his city. Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman (Courtesy of Brian Bowman) I understand that Falun Dafa practitioners have reached out to Canadians during these difficult times by offering free meditation exercise instruction in communities and online classes, Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman wrote In Western society, it is becoming even more clear to us that there is a deep connection between mind and bodysomething traditional Chinese culture and Falun Dafa followers have put into practice for many years. James Pasternak, councillor of York Centre in Toronto, said the city has benefited immensely from the customs, traditions, and enduring teachings Falun Dafa has brought to the public over the past 29 years. With reporting by Eva Fu, Omid Ghoreishi, and Justina Wheale A fire official in Maryland is issuing a warning to people after a Maryland motorist's vehicle caught on fire after he used hand sanitizer while smoking a lit cigarette. (Montgomery County Fire Department) Car Catches on Fire as Driver Uses Hand Sanitizer While Smoking Cigarette: Fire Chief A fire official in Maryland is issuing a warning to people after a Maryland motorists vehicle caught on fire after he used hand sanitizer while smoking a lit cigarette. The 66-year-old male driver of the vehicle escaped the vehicle safely but suffered first- and second-degree burns on his hands and legs, officials said. The Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service said that officials responded to a vehicle fire at a Trader Joes parking lot in Rockville on Thursday afternoon. Photos and videos posted by fire Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer showed the vehicle covered in flames and surrounded by smoke. He stated that he had just finished grocery shopping, Piringer told Newsweek. Upon entering his 2000 Toyota Camry to leave the parking lot, he filled his hands with a copious amount of hand sanitizer and while working the sanitizer into his hands, embers fell from the cigarette in his mouth, igniting the sanitizer and then his clothing. (5/13 ~530p) Rockville Pike, Federal Plaza shopping Center, vehicle fire; Cause, Driver using hand sanitizer & smoking a cigarette, which is a bad combo in unventilated area like a car; total loss; @MCFRS_EMIHS treated & transported 1 adult w/ minor burns, NLT https://t.co/eJEMD9ODwR pic.twitter.com/nD7i7pQ5Mc Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) May 13, 2021 Piringer told the outlet that the vehicle was a total loss after the blaze. Using hand sanitizer [and] smoking a cigarette is a bad combo in an unventilated area like a car, he separately wrote on Twitter. In the past year, a number of Americans have purchased hand sanitizer due to federal guidance around the COVID-19 pandemic. A supplied photograph of an Australian Army M1A1 Abrams tank firing at targets during Exercise Chong Ju at Puckapunyal training area, Victoria, Australia on May 17, 2018. (AAP Image/Supplied by Australian Department of Defence) CCP Mouthpiece Warns Australia Over Increasing Defence Budget The Chinese regimes mouthpiece, Global Times, has criticised Australias decision to increase its national security funding by $1.9 billion over the next 10 years, accusing Canberra of further escalating regional confrontation, despite its editor-in-chief repeatedly calling for China to invade Taiwan. The newspapers report on Wednesday titled Canberras Defence Spending Means More Economic Carnage, also accused Australia of relentless and unreasonable provocations and warned of retaliation. This comes after Global Times editor-in-chief Hu Xijin wrote an op-ed suggesting Beijing target Australia with long-range missiles if it joins the United States in any conflict over Taiwan and also suggested Chinese people be forced to invade Taiwan. Read More Chief Editor of Global Times Suggests Forcing Chinese People to Invade Taiwan Taiwanese Air Force F-16 fighter jet flies alongside a Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) H-6K bomber in the western Pacific, one of the Chinese military aircraft that reportedly flew over Bashi Channel and Miyako Strait near Japans Okinawa island chain on the morning of May 11, 2018. (Taiwan ROC Air Force) Although this is not the first time Hu has spouted off about a conflict over Taiwan, one expert, Joseph Siracusa, adjunct professor of the history of international diplomacy at Curtin University, said the comments should be taken seriously. He noted the Global Times speaks for the leaders of the Chinese regime and has warned Australian politicians not to take the threat lightly. This wasnt written by somebody in some ivory tower or some big glass building in Beijing, Siracusa told The Epoch Times. It was written by somebody on the ground, and then they passed the draft up to them, and then they got approval. The Australian government should demand or call the Chinese ambassador to the foreign ministers office to explain. Then I would ask him to repudiate it, and if he doesnt, Ill give him 48 hours to leave the country, he said. The increase in defence spending comes as Beijing becomes more aggressive in the Indo-Pacific region, including its militarisation of the South China Sea and its rhetoric around taking Taiwan by force. Chinese J-11 fighters and H-6 bombers flew into the Bashi Channel to the south of Taiwan, then out into the Pacific before heading back to base via the Miyako Strait. (Taiwan Ministry of National Defense/Handout via Reuters) Taiwan is separated from Mainland China by the Taiwan Strait. The Chinese regime claims Taiwan as its own, despite the fact that Taiwan is a de facto independent country, with its own military, democratically-elected government, and constitution. In recent months the Chinese regime has overseen an extensive campaign of intimidation of the island country, with Chinese fighter planes entering into Taiwanese airspace repeatedly. Australia needs to be prepared for a world that is less stable and more contested, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said. This is why we are investing $270 billion over 10 years in our defence capability. Defence Minister Peter Dutton welcomed the increase in funding and said that the Morrison government had delivered on its commitment to grow the defence budget to two percent of GDP. The 2021-22 Budget continues to see sustained strong investment in Australias national security, building Defence capability and creating jobs, boosting Australias cyber resilience and supporting Australias sovereign defence industry, Dutton said. We are committed to position Defence to increase our strategic competition, now and into the future. Peter Dutton during Question Time in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on Dec. 10, 2020. (Sam Mooy/Getty Images) This is not the first time the Chinese regime rebuked Australia for increasing its defence budget. In 2016, CCP Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said Beijing was seriously concerned and dissatisfied with Australias decision to increase its defence budget, the BBC reported. In the hopes of relieving tensions and the possibility of an arms race, we hope that relevant countries can give up joint drills and stop increasing their military presence in the region, Chunying said. Last week, Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price noted that Australia was facing unprecedented levels of threat both at home and abroad. It is now more important than ever that we build what we need at home to defend the nation, she said. The 2020 Defence Strategic Update and 2020 Force Structure Plan outlined the governments plan to spend $575 billion over the decade to 2030. It also included a $270 billion investment in the capability and potency of the defence forces. Daniel Y. Teng contributed to this article. China in Focus (May 13): Outcry Over Chinese Students Puzzling Death A Chinese teenager was found dead on his high school campus. Thousands of people are now joining his mothers call for transparency. But police have started arresting protesters. Nearly 300 Chinese maritime militia ships are sailing in Philippine waters. It marks Beijings largest-ever incursion in the area. China angers another of its neighbors. The regime warns Bangladesh not to join a U.S.-led alliance thats working to counter Beijings influence. A U.S. Senate committee votes in favor of a new bill, which seeks to prevent communist China from exploiting loopholes in key technology sectors. More construction problems surface in China. Glass is missing from a 850-foot glass-bottom bridge, and a pavilion is toppled by strong windsleading to injuries and even deaths. The accidents are caused by the countrys so-called tofu buildingsknown to crumble because of extremely poor construction. Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more first-hand news from China. For more news and videos, please visit our website and Twitter. Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 13:57:50|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close In the third episode of our "Vlog in Xinjiang" series, we joined people in Urumqi to celebrate the Eid al-Fitr, sharing happiness, hopes and delicious local food. Check it out. Produced by Xinhua Global Service Colorado Man Suspected of Killing Wife Charged With Voter Fraud A Colorado man who was arrested this month in connection to the death of his wife who went missing last year is also being accused of election fraud during the Nov. 3 presidential election, according to court documents. Barry Morphew, who is facing possible first-degree murder charges and other charges in connection to his missing wife Suzanne Morphew, told investigators that he mailed in a ballot on behalf of his wife, who was still missing, according to The Associated Press, citing an arrest warrant signed by a Chaffee County judge. Morphew is now facing charges of forgery of a public record and election mail ballot fraud. In October 2020, the Chaffee County Clerk told the sheriffs office that it received a mail-in ballot for Suzanne Morphew, who went missing in May 2020 and who had become the subject of nationwide headlines, according to an arrest affidavit from the Chaffee County Sheriffs Office cited by 9News in Colorado. The alleged fraudulent ballot was given to the sheriffs office and seized as evidence, the station reported. Barry Morphew told investigators that he submitted the ballot in his missing wifes name for former President Donald Trump, the station reported. Investigators asked him if he knew that was illegal and he responded, I didnt know you couldnt do that for your spouse, according to the affidavit. The ballot did not contain his wifes signature but listed Barry Morphew as the witness, the court documents said, reported KDVR. He was arrested on the murder charges on May 6 on suspicion of killing his wife, Suzanne Morphew, whose body has not been recovered. She was first reported missing by a neighbor on May 10, 2020, after failing to return from a bike ride. A week after she disappeared, Barry Morphew released a Facebook video asking for information about her whereabouts. A separate arrest affidavit outlining the evidence leading investigators to believe Morphew is responsible for his wifes death has been sealed. On Friday, Chief Judge Patrick Murphy issued an order giving prosecutors 14 days to respond to a new defense motion to limit public access to that affidavit. Morphew is being represented by state public defenders, who in Colorado do not comment on their cases. His next scheduled court appearance in both the murder and fraud cases is on May 27. At his last court appearance on May 6, prosecutors said they did not object to Barry Morphew, who is being held in a nearby jail, from being able to have contact with his two daughters as long as it was civil. Murphy allowed the contact but ordered that it could not be harassing. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Couple Who Love Being Parents Adopt 13 Kids, Say Theres Still Room for More An Illinois couple, passionate about parenting, shared the inspiring story of how they adopted 13 kids into their homefor a tally of 15, including their biological children. They are now in the process of adopting their 16th child. After Dale and Ann McKinney, both 54, had their two biological kids, they decided to adopt children with special needs and expanded their family in a big way. Their love for children saw them adopt 13 more kids of various ethnicities, backgrounds, and challenges. Speaking in an interview with The Epoch Times, the couple shared their journey in marriage and adoption. While Dale is a physician assistant working in trauma and critical care at a local hospital, Ann is a stay-at-home mom. The couple met in high school. They lived in the same community. The two had a mutual friend in high school who was bullied regularly and so they both looked out for her. This interesting intersection drew them closer and they started hanging out more. The death of their friend right after high school strengthened that bond. We really werent that good friends in school, Ann told The Epoch Times. We didnt meet and just that was it, we were in love. But we had a mutual friend, she kind of got picked on and bullied a lot in school. Soon after high school, she actually died from a complication of childbirth. That is when we started seeing more of each other. Her death was kind of what brought us together. Early in their marriage, Ann did not like the idea of having children at all, while her husband wanted to have a big family. Our first two children were biological and they werent planned, admitted Ann. After having the first two kids, she pushed her husband into getting a vasectomy, thus halting any new additionsbiologically, at least. However, after the procedure, the couple had a change of heart and started desiring more children. I looked at reversing the vasectomy and it is not a guaranteed success, and it hurts like crazy, said Dale. So I said nope, am not doing that. That is when their journey of adoption began. Through the advice of their friends, they found an attorney who connected them with birth mothers who were facing crisis pregnancies and making an adoption plan for their babies. We contacted this attorney and got matched to a birth mom and that was our first child, Keagan, said Ann in the interview. It was an amazing experience. We realized that this is awesome, and we wanted to do more of this. They adopted 8 children domestically, through their adoption attorney. Most of these children have special needs, such as prenatal drug and alcohol exposure, sickle cell disease, cerebral palsy, autism, and limb differences The couple desperately wanted to adopt a baby from China, after hearing a radio program about little orphan girls in the country. At that time, China was very strict in their requirements for families and the couple didnt qualify to adopt from the communist nation. It took time and patience until the requirements in China changed, making it possible to finally bring their daughter home from overseas. Then our next child came from China, her name is MengYan, said Ann. And so through their attorney, they continued adopting children from different countries, of different races and backgrounds. As their family grew, so too did their love for children continue growing. The couple shared the challenges they face having a family with so many kids, such as financial strainsexhausting Dales earnings each month to maintain the family. In my job I make a fair amount of money, said Dale. But we have so many kids, we spend every dime every month. The couple carry out frequent fundraisers to cover the costs of adoption. Rummage sales, valentine fundraisers, cupcake sales, dog baths, online auctions, we have applied for any grant that there is, Ann explained. On her part, Ann touched on the emotional trauma that the kids have to deal with, day in day out. Though not every day, the family face such traumas quite often. Adoption ultimately happens when a child is not able to be parented by their biological parents. There is a lasting trauma that comes with such separation. For instance, when the children are angry at their current situation, they might take it out on the couple because the children know they are loved unconditionally. Many children from orphanages have difficulties attaching and bonding with their parents and family members. This is something the McKinneys work on daily. The parents shared that they sometimes find it overwhelming when they go out and people stare at them, curious about their family size. The outsider perceptions have evolved as the family increased, with some now thinking the family are, in fact, from an orphanage. We will be out and someone will be staring at us and we have gotten better, Dale said. But originally, we would be kind of upset about it and would say, why they keep staring? Ann added that it had always made them uncomfortable. As for preservation of their ethnic heritage, MengYan took a Mandarin course at school but found it hard to retain the language. To make the kids feel more at home, the couple have tried incorporating Eastern cuisine and culture (somewhat) into the household. We eat lots of noodles and lots of dumplings and we love it. And well have to incorporate South American culture, Colombian culture when Judith comes, well find a way to do that as well, said Dale, referring to their next addition. Ann has recently written and published a book, Always Room for More, which details how each child came into their family. It highlights the way children can change your heart and give you purpose. 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 A demonstrator holds a card that reads "Black Lives Matter," outside of the Glynn County courthouse in Brunswick, Ga., on June 4, 2020. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images) Court Rejects Racial Justice Demonstrators Challenge to Federal Anti-Riot Law A federal judge in Alabama on Thursday ruled against a so-called racial demonstrator who had challenged a federal law against civil disorder that shes accused of violating. Tia Pughs attorney argued that 18 U.S. Code 231, which says that whoever commits or tries to commit any act to obstruct, impede, or interfere with any fireman or law enforcement officer while he is officially engaged in his duties amid civil disorder, was racially motivated in part because its author, former Sen. Russell Long (D-La.) supported racial segregation and opposed the civil rights movement. Pugh was charged last year, and later indicted by a grand jury, with violating the law after allegedly using a bat to smash the window of a Mobile Police Department vehicle while protesters and police officers clashed on May 31, 2020, in the wake of George Floyds death. The Civil Obedience Act was designed to jail and silence specific civil rights leaders whose names Senator Long repeated throughout the amendments legislative history, Pughs lawyer, Gordon Armstrong, wrote in a motion to dismiss, adding that prosecutors were applying the law after decades of disuse against a person who attended a protest for racial justice. District Judge Terry Moorer, a Trump nominee, sided with the government, agreeing that the legislative history of the law has no bearing because the codes language is clear. The Court does not find that the language or definitions are inescapably ambiguous, he wrote in his 24-page ruling. Moorer also rejected attempts by the defendant to present the law as unconstitutionally vague and intruding upon states responsibility for enforcing criminal laws. While the initial indictment was deficient, Moorer wrote, a superseding indictment since delivered is adequate because it contains more factual allegations about Pughs alleged crime, including that a police officer was exiting the vehicle she allegedly damaged around the time she swung the bat. Armstrong told The Epoch Times in an email: We are extremely disappointed, but the ruling was not entirely unexpected. Every case I cited in the motion that supports our position was an appellate court decision that were first denied in the lower court. If it gets that far, this will be decided on appeal. We now turn our attention to the trial which is scheduled Monday. We look forward to her exoneration of the federal charge by a jury. Jury selection and the trial are scheduled to start on May 17 at 8:45 a.m., according to court records. Pugh faces up to five years in prison. She remains free, pending the trials outcome. Federal prosecutors stepped in last year and aggressively used the civil disorder statute, primarily when local authorities failed to keep the peace after the death of Floyd in Minneapolis on Memorial Day. Riots took place in cities across the nation, causing damage that is still being dealt with in some jurisdictions. Some of the civil disorder charges were later dropped. In Portland, for instance, the bulk of people charged in rioting outside the federal courthouse have seen their charges dismissed. A hooded man holds a laptop computer as cyber code is projected on him in this illustration picture taken on May 13, 2017. (Kacper Pempel/Illustration/Reuters) Cybercriminal Group Blamed for Colonial Pipeline Hack Says It Is Disbanding The cybercriminal outfit that U.S. authorities have said infiltrated the network of a major pipeline operator, leading to gas shortages and rising prices, is claiming that it is disbanding. DarkSide, which operates ransomware as a service, announced Thursday they were stopping operations. In an announcement in Russian, the group said they lost access to part of its infrastructure, along with some of their financial assets, after an apparent raid by law enforcement authorities. Affiliates that use DarkSides ransomware were told they will be given tools so victims can regain access to data that attackers held hostage in return for payment. In view of the above and due to the pressure from the US, the affiliate program is closed. Stay safe and good luck. The landing page, servers, and other resources will be taken down within 48 hours, the announcement read, according to a translation by Intel 471, a group of intelligence operators. The attack on Colonial Pipeline earlier this month prompted the Georgia-based company to shut down certain parts of its network. That led to a major U.S. pipeline going offline, which in turn led directly and indirectly to gas shortages and rising prices at the pump. Reports suggested Colonial paid millions of dollars to get a tool to regain access to system parts the hackers invaded, but the company has declined to confirm that publicly, as has the U.S. government. The FBI this week said the DarkSide ring was responsible for the compromise of Colonial networks. DarkSide appeared to acknowledge that much in an earlier statement, saying they are apolitical with the goal of making money and not creating problems for society. From today we introduce moderation and check each company that our partners want to encrypt to avoid social consequences in the future, it said. Traffic on I-95 passes oil storage tanks owned by the Colonial Pipeline Company in Linden, N.J., in a file photograph. (Mark Lennihan/AP Photo) DarkSide utilizes a highly targeted approach to attacking victims by using custom ransomware and a corporate-like method of communication throughout their attacks, according to Digital Shadows, a cybersecurity firm. DarkSide previously claimed it did not attack companies in certain sectors, like education. Security researchers expressed skepticism of DarkSides new announcement. Robert Lee, co-founder and CEO of Dragos, said on Twitter that the move is almost certainly a rebranding attempt to avoid the heat. DarkSide and another ransomware group, Babuk, which said it was shifting operations on Thursday after taking credit for obtaining and leaking information from Washingtons police department, took the actions in reaction to the high-profile ransomware attacks covered by the media this week, Intel 471 said. However, a strong caveat should be applied to these developments: its likely that these ransomware operators are trying to retreat from the spotlight more than suddenly discovering the error of their ways. A number of the operators will most likely operate in their own closed-knit groups, resurfacing under new names and updated ransomware variants, it added. President Joe Biden told reporters earlier Thursday that the U.S. government has strong reason to believe the Colonial hackers were based in Russia but were not backed by the Russian government. We have been in direct communication with Moscow about the imperative for responsible countries to take decisive action against these ransomware networks, he said. Were also going to pursue a measure to disrupt their ability to operate. And our Justice Department has launched a new task force dedicated to prosecuting ransomware hackers to the full extent of the law. An international task force that included officials from Microsoft, Amazon, New York state, and the U.S. government, said in a report sent to the Biden administration last month that the United States should execute a sustained, aggressive, whole of government, intelligence-driven anti-ransomware campaign, coordinated by the White House. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas holds a press briefing in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on May 11, 2021. (Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images) DHS Creating New Intelligence Unit to Focus on Domestic Terrorism The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is establishing a new dedicated intelligence team to focus on domestic terrorism, Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced on May 11. The new dedicated domestic terrorism branch within the departments Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) is designed to ensure DHS develops the expertise necessary to produce the sound, timely intelligence needed to combat threats posed by domestic terrorism and targeted violence, the agency said in a statement. I&A will also continue leveraging the National Network of Fusion Centers and our deployed intelligence professionals who collect and analyze threat information alongside our state, local, tribal, territorial, and private sector partners to increase timely and actionable information sharing in a dynamic threat environment, it said. In addition, DHSs recently initiated Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3) to address domestic violent extremism will replace the Office for Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention. Mayorkas said the CP3 will improve the departments ability to combat terrorism and targeted violence, consistent with privacy protections, civil rights and civil liberties, and other applicable laws. It will also help build local prevention frameworks to provide communities with the tools they need to combat terrorism and targeted violence, Mayorkas said. Federal law enforcement has been widely criticized for its response to the Jan. 6 breach of the U.S. Capitol building. Mayorkass announcement came one day before he appeared before the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee to testify in a hearing about the current threat posed by domestic extremists, titled Domestic Violent Extremism in America. Mayorkas told lawmakers that the threat to the United States is now more complex, more dynamic, and more diversified, and often fueled by false narratives, conspiracy theories, and extremist rhetoric spread throughout social media and other online platforms. Today, racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists are the most likely to conduct mass-casualty attacks against civilians; and anti-government or anti-authority violent extremists, specifically militia violent extremists, are the most likely to target law enforcement, government personnel, and government facilities, Mayorkas said. He said the department is taking a new approach to addressing domestic violent extremism, both internally and externally, and will focus more on how extremists exploit and leverage social media and other online platforms. In March, a report (pdf) released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence warned that racially motivated extremists and militia violent extremists pose the most lethal domestic terrorism threats to the United States. The report noted that recent political and social developments, including claims by former President Donald Trump and his supporters about fraud in Novembers U.S. presidential election, restrictions related to COVID-19, fallout from the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol breach, and conspiracy theories will almost certainly spur some domestic extremists to try to engage in violence this year. Reuters contributed to this report. A bagged nozzle at a pump notifies motorists that it no longer has fuel after a cyberattack crippled the biggest fuel pipeline in the country, run by Colonial Pipeline, in Chapel Hill, N.C., on May 12, 2021. (Jonathan Drake/Reuters) DHS Cybersecurity Chief Warns That More Ransomware Attacks on Infrastructure Are Likely Following Colonial Attack The head of the Department of Homeland Securitys (DHS) cybersecurity agency warned that following the ransomware attack that shut down the Colonial Pipeline, more and more attacks may hit American infrastructure and businesses in the near future. Acting Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Director Brandon Wales made that assertion before the Senate Homeland Security Committee on May 13. Wales was asked by a senator about whether more ransomware attacks will occur following the success of the Colonial Pipeline hack last week. That is true, Wales responded. This is potentially the most substantial and damaging attack on U.S. critical infrastructure ever. It shows that cyberattacks can have tangible, real-world consequences, Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) said during the Homeland Security hearing. Some lawmakers during the hearing suggested that there need to be more cybersecurity safeguards regarding critical infrastructure controlled by private entities. These VADR assessments have proven effective at identifying a wide range of potential vulnerabilities within pipeline systemssome of which have been publicly distilled, wrote Rep. John Katko (R-N.Y.) in a letter (pdf) to Wales. Better understanding common security flaws and common misconfiguration issues is in everyones best interests, and these aggregated insights will help enhance national resilience. For this reason, my CISA appropriations request sent last week proposed an increase of 50 percent for the infrastructure analysis mission in the NRMCs budget. Wales meanwhile said that no, he does not believe that Colonial would have contacted CISA if the FBI had not acted. I think that there is benefit when CISA is brought in quickly, Wales stated. The FBI earlier this week confirmed that a hacking group known as Darkside, which produces ransomware, was behind the Colonial breach. White House officials later said that Darkside is believed to operate inside Russia, although they stressed that the Russian government wasnt behind the attack. The shutdown of the pipeline, a 5,500-mile-long network that spans from the Gulf Coast to New York, triggered significant fuel shortages at certain gas stations in North Carolina, Maryland, Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia, Washington, and several other states. One of the reasons for the shortage, according to GasBuddys Patrick De Haan, was due to panic buying. De Haan, on Twitter and in a Wednesday interview with The Epoch Times, explained that when motorists see long lines at the pump, they often will join them, thereby exacerbating the gas shortage. De Haan on Friday morning said that demand for gasoline fell 7 percent on Thursday from the Thursday a week before, suggesting that many filled their tanks and have enough fuel. Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security, testifies during a Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, on May 13, 2021. (Graeme Jennings-Pool/Getty Images) DHS Secretary Defends Biden Admins Handling of Border Crisis Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has defended President Joe Bidens handling of the conditions at the U.S.-Mexico border despite criticism from Republicans. Speaking during a Senate hearing on May 13, Mayorkas touted the progress the administration has made to move unaccompanied migrant children out of crowded border stations, and noted that the number has dropped in recent months. Mayorkas said children were staying in border patrol stations for too long because the prior administration failed to increase the Department of Health and Human Services capacity to receive the unaccompanied children from border patrol stations within the required timeframe. He said the number of unaccompanied children in those stations went from 5,700 in late March to under 500 this week. We managed the situation because of, quite simply, the selfless dedication, the heroism of the United States Border Patrol, Mayorkas said. I repeated then what I had said two weeks earlier, that we have a plan, that we are executing on our plan, and that it will take time. This is what we do, and we know how to do it. Elsewhere during the Senate hearing, Republican senators pressed Mayorkas on the Biden administrations refusal to expel unaccompanied children under Title 42, previously invoked by former President Donald Trump amid the pandemic. Title 42 allows the government to temporarily block non-citizens from entering the United States when doing so is required in the interest of public health. The Biden administration has continued its use with the exception of children who were exempted from by a judge in November. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) said he presumed that the decision not to utilize Title 42 meant the number of unaccompanied children arriving at the border went through the roof. Unaccompanied children are being led into the country. Is this not a massive failure that would suggest that the administration needs to take immediate action to remedy what were seeing here? Romney asked. In response, Mayorkas said DHS has taken immediate action with respect to the unaccompanied children, however Romney questioned whether the number of unaccompanied children was coming down. We are addressing that challenge with increasing efficiency every single day, Mayorkas replied. We began our work with systems and tools that the prior administration had dismantled and with assistance programs that had been torn down or cut short, Mayorkas explained. We had to rebuild while at the same time addressing the surge of unaccompanied children that had begun in April of 2020, many months before we took office and our efforts had to be undertaken in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are dedicated to an orderly, safe, and humane immigration system, and therefore we stopped the prior administrations policy of expelling the unaccompanied children. We did not turn them away. Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) also remained critical and argued that Bidens administration is repeating the same mistakes of the two previous administrations as they deal with this crisis. These children have only been moved from one government agency to another, Portman said. Portman advocated for more Border Patrol agents, more technology, and the completion of Trumps so-called border wall, which the Biden administration continues to review. He also called for decisions regarding entry and release into the United States should be made at the border, and for the use of a rapid removal system that resembles the fast-track and asylum adjudication programs first rolled out under the Trump administration. However, Mayorkas urged caution against such a system, adding, We are addressing the needs of unaccompanied children who arrived at our southern border without a parent or legal guardian. Children who have fled torture, persecution, extreme violence and poverty. Over 20,000 child immigrants remain in Department of Health and Human Services-run or -overseen facilities, as of the last tally provided by the agency on May 13. Ditch NAPLAN Tests For System That Puts Students First: Report The Gonski Institute for Education is calling for the government to ditch NAPLAN tests rather than reform them and replace the standardised exams with tests that put the interest of students first. In its new report, Putting Students First, the Gonski Institute has proposed new sample-based testing of students that builds trust and capacity, moving away from NAPLANs census approach that has a strong focus on accountability. The main proposal is to replace the current literacy and numeracy tests in years 3, 5, 7, and 9 with sample-based assessments in years 4, 6, 8, and 10 while complemented with teacher-led assessments in schools. The report said the current system had negative education and well-being consequences due to too much pressure to compete in standardised tests. It found external high-stakes tests, like NAPLAN, also pressures teachers to teach to the test, which reduced their sense of professional autonomy. Professor of Education at the University of New South Wales Pasi Sahlberg said it was time to rethink what kind of national assessment system the country needed while students were sitting for the NAPLAN exam this week. To improve educational performance in Australia, students, schools, parents, and governments need better information about how students and their schools are performing. However, using a single test like the current NAPLAN cannot serve all of these different purposes equally well, Sahlberg said. Education Minister Alan Tudge at a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on July 9, 2020. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) Federal Education Minister Alan Tudge said in his speech outlining how to return Australian education standards to the top that NAPLAN was an important assessment that would be continually refined. We must protect NAPLAN and not give in to those who call for less accountability and less information for teachers and parents, Tudge said. New South Wales (NSW) Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said any moves to completely remove a national census standardised assessment takes away accountability and responsibility across the education system. NSW has made our position clearwhile we strongly advocate for improvements to NAPLAN, we continue to support census testing at a national level, Mitchell told Sydney Morning Herald. The Australian Education Union (AEU) welcomed the proposal for a NAPLAN replacement which would put students at the heart of assessment. We must address the competitive, high stakes nature of NAPLAN. This report makes clear that NAPLANs census-based approach is deeply problematic and not fit-for-purpose, AEU Federal President Correna Haythorpe said. It is a one size fits all approach that is detrimental to students, teachers and parents. Contractors working for Cyber Ninjas, which was hired by the Arizona Senate, examine and recount ballots from the 2020 general election at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix, Ariz., on May 1, 2021. (Courtney Pedroza/Getty Images) Dominion, Maricopa County Rebuff Arizona Senates Attempt to Get Election Machine Passwords Auditors found an entire database from a machine deleted, raising concerns Dominion Voting Systems and Maricopa County officials are refusing to hand over passwords for election machines to auditors in Arizona. Dominion said in a statement to news outlets on May 13 that it would comply with the audit, but Cyber Ninjas, the firm hired by the Arizona Senate to conduct it along with three other companies, is not accredited by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. Releasing Dominions intellectual property to an unaccredited, biased, and plainly unreliable actor such as Cyber Ninjas would be reckless, causing irreparable damage to the commercial interests of the company and the election security interests of the country, Dominion said. No company should be compelled to participate in such an irresponsible act. Cyber Ninjas did not respond to a request for comment. Maricopa County officials previously said that they did not have passwords to access administrative functions on Dominion Voting Systems machines that were used to scan ballots during the election, according to the Senates audit liaison, former Republican Secretary of State Ken Bennett. Theyve told us that they dont have that second password, or that theyve given us all the passwords they have, Bennett told One America News at the site of the audit in Phoenix last week. The county is also withholding routers from auditors, claiming security concerns. Both routers or router images and access to election machines were part of the materials the state Senate subpoenaed late last year. A judge in February ruled that the subpoenas were valid and should be obeyed. Arizona Senate President Karen Fann, a Republican, recently threatened to subpoena county officials if they didnt stop their noncompliance with the subpoenas, but backed off the threat in a letter on May 12. Instead, she asked Maricopa County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jack Sellers, also a Republican, to cooperate voluntarily by attending an upcoming meeting at the state Capitol to go over the audit issues. Fann said auditors have found discrepancies in the ballot count, including one batch that was supposed to be 200 but only numbered 165. She also said the audit teams found an entire database directory from an election machine had been deleted, and that the main database for the election management system software was not located anywhere on the machine, suggesting that the main database for all data related to the 2020 election had been removed. Sellers on Thursday indicated he would not attend the meeting and disputed the allegations. Deleting files off the server would be a crimeand it is not true, he said. After reviewing the letter with County election and IT experts, I can say that the allegations are false and ill-informed. Moreover, the claim that our employees deleted election files and destroyed evidence is outrageous, completely baseless, and beneath the dignity of the Arizona Senate, he added, calling for an immediate retraction of statements senators and their liaison team made on social media and to the press. The Board of Supervisors, which held a closed-door emergency meeting on Friday, plans on holding a public meeting on Monday to address the matter. Fann, an Arizona Senate Republican Caucus spokeswoman, and the liaison team did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Maricopa County ballots cast in the 2020 general election are examined and recounted by contractors working for Florida-based company, Cyber Ninjas, at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix, Ariz., on May 6, 2021. (Matt York/Pool/AP Photo) Auditors Pack Up as Senate Signs Lease to Extend Audit Auditors, meanwhile, began packing up on late on May 13 because the audit will take a break due to scheduling conflicts. The audit has been taking place at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum on the state fairgrounds in Phoenix. High school graduations are scheduled to take place at the building beginning May 15. Hand counting stopped at 7 p.m. on May 13 and workers began collapsing tables and preparing to move ballots to another location. About 500,000 of the nearly 2.1 million ballots cast in Maricopa County in the 2020 election have been counted in the audit, according to Bennett. The Arizona Senate signed an extension to their original agreement that allows auditors to store materials in the Wesley Bolin Building, which is also on the state fairgrounds, from May 12 to May 23. The approximately 19,000-square foot building has a large open floor plan and two large roll-up doors, according to the Arizona State Fair website. Due to temperatures during the summer months, this building is not recommended for use between May through September, the site states. Bennett told The Epoch Times in a previous interview that the materials will be secure and that the site at which theyll be stored can be tracked online via 24-hour streaming, just like the audit itself. Theres no deadline for the audit, Bennett said. The goal is not speed; the goal is accuracy and completeness. The audit teams can resume occupancy of the coliseum on May 23 and use it until June 30, according to a copy of the extended agreement obtained by The Epoch Times. The original scope of work document from Cyber Ninjas said reviewing voter registration and votes case would take approximately 20 days and that work would be conducted remotely. The vote counting phase would take about 20 more days, it said, while the electronic voting system phase would take some 35 days. But all three of those phases could be carried out simultaneously, according to the firm. An additional week was said to be required after completing everything else to finalize reporting. The audit started on April 23. The Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drone at Gecitkale military airbase near Famagusta in the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, on Dec. 16, 2019. (Birol Bebek/AFP via Getty Images) Experts Call for Greater Transparency in Canadas Arms Exports The federal government needs to increase the transparency of arms exports to ensure the weapons are not used in violation of human rights or agreements with Canada, a House of Commons committee heard on Tuesday. Jean-Christophe Boucher, an assistant professor in political science at the University of Calgary, told the Foreign Affairs and International Development Committee that the Canadian government has not been transparent on granting export permits for firearms, which could raise concerns about how the weapons are used. According to Boucher, over 60 percent of Canadas defence productions are exported, which is why the government should continue to pursue exports and the development of the defence industry. However, in Bouchers September 2020 survey on what Canadians believe is the most important factor when it comes to selling military equipment, most (31 percent) are concerned about respect for human rights, followed by respect for international law (22 percent). Around 22 percent of the respondents are concerned about promoting local Canadian jobs, and only 10 percent focused on maintaining good relations with allies. We have to strike a balance between the economic interests of Canada and also this human rights concern, Boucher said. Concerns Over Arms Exports to Turkey The Foreign Affairs committee has been considering regulations regarding the granting of export permits for military goods, following allegations that Canadian technology was used in the Nagorno-Karabakh military conflict last year. The Nagorno-Karabakh war was fought between the Azerbaijan, backed by Turkey, and the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh along with Armenia. In October 2020, an Armenian air defence unit shot down a Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 combat drone, deployed by rival Azerbaijan forces during the 44-days conflict. Armenian officials claimed the drones were equipped with Canadian target acquisition technology and surveillance camera, produced by the Ontario-based company L3Harris WESCAM. The ruins of the village of Zangilan, Azerbaijan, on Jan. 5, 2021. (Tofik Babayev/AFP via Getty Images) Last month, Foreign Affairs Minister Marc Garneau also announced the cancellation of the issuance of new export permits for military goods to Turkey. Garneau said this is a follow-up to the governments previous decision to suspend the issuance of export permits after the Turkish militarys incursion into Syria in 2019. Pierre Jolicoeur, a political science professor at the Royal Military College of Canada, told the committee the use of combat drones has been recognized as one of major factors behind Azerbaijans success to reconquer a significant portion of the secessionist territory. I believe that the issue here is that Turkey has taken advantage of the equipment provided by Canada to change the status quo in the region, with this so-called Frozen Conflict has been destabilizing the region and threatening international security, Jolicoeur said. Jolicoeur said Turkey has adopted an increasingly assertive position in the Caucasus region in recent years, including the deployment of its navy to the Mediterranean to make claims over oil resources close to Cyprus, and its intervention in Libya and in Syria, where there are speculations of the same combat drones being used. He noted that while Turkey, as a member of The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is an ally of Canada, the authoritarian adrift within the country are reasons for concerns. For all of these reasons, we have doubts about the reliability of our partnership with Turkey, Jolicoeur said. We can see not just the reaction from the U.S. but also from other partners and allies of Canada with the NATO that Turkey really is a cause for concern, he said. And we really wonder whether we share the same democratic values as Turkey. Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 14:58:18|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ZHENGZHOU, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, on Thursday inspected the South-to-North Water Diversion Project in the city of Nanyang in central China's Henan Province. On Thursday afternoon, he went to the county of Xichuan, where he inspected the Taocha Canal Head, Danjiangkou Reservoir and village of Zouzhuang. Xi listened to the introductions of the construction, management and operation of the middle route of the water diversion project and the ecological conservation of the water source region. When the water started to gush north through the middle route in December 2014, Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, described the South-to-North Water Diversion Project as an important strategic infrastructure to optimize water resources, boost sustainable economic and social development and improve people's livelihoods. Six years on, the middle route of the water diversion project, which takes water from Danjiangkou in the middle reaches of the Yangtze, to feed the arid north including Beijing, Tianjin, and the provinces of Henan and Hebei, has proved to be a reliable "lifeline" for water supplies in the recipient regions. As of March, the mega water project had transferred over 40.8 billion cubic meters of water to the northern areas. More than 130 million people had directly benefited from the project since the first phase of its eastern and middle routes began supplying water. More than 40 big and medium-sized cities received water from the project, which has also helped ecological restoration of rivers and lakes along its eastern and middle routes. GREENER NORTH Major water plants in Beijing have used the supply from the water diversion project in addition to that from Miyun Reservoir in the northeast of the city to provide tap water. Zhang Ying, a resident in Daxing District, southern Beijing, said local people had to buy purified water for drinking in the past, because of excessive levels of scale-formation in tap water. "Now the tap water has become clearer and the flow has become bigger," she said. According to the Beijing Water Authority, the supply of the water diversion project has replenished rivers and lakes. "The ecological environment around the Miyun Reservoir has been greatly improved, and the species of aquatic animals and plants have increased substantially," said Liu Dagen, director of the reservoir management office. The water diversion project has also promoted the ecological protection and green development in the source area and along the routes. In Xichuan County, 380 polluting companies have been shut down to ensure the safety of the water source for the diversion project. The county has invested more than 600 million yuan (93.24 billion U.S. dollars) in the treatment of industrial waste. Catering, fishing and animal husbandry business have been banned in reservoir and river areas. There are 13 automatic water quality monitoring stations along the middle route. Underwater robots are widely used for monitoring aquatic organism and sediment levels, and checking water gates. Trees are planted within 100 meters on both sides of the diversion canal in Henan, meandering about 640 km. The afforestation along the canal has formed an ecological zone for water conservation. A section of the canal-side green belt in Jiaozuo City, Henan, has recently been opened as a public eco-park. Meanwhile, the country has been increasing the awareness of water conservation among citizens. Zhao Tan, director of the water-saving office of the Beijing Water Authority, said despite the water replenished by the water diversion project, the capital still faces severe water shortage, with the per capita available water resources at about 150 cubic meters. He said the city has basically realized the collection and treatment of sewage in urban areas. Recycled water has become an indispensable water source in the capital city. Enditem Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, gives an opening statement during a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing to discuss the on-going federal response to COVID-19, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on May 11, 2021. (Greg Nash/Pool via Reuters) Fauci: 40 to 50 Percent of His Agencys Employees Are Not Vaccinated Dr. Anthony Fauci, the head of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), said that about 40 percent of his agencys employees have not received the COVID-19 vaccine, while a deputy at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said the agency is reporting similar numbers. During a Senate hearing, Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) asked Fauci, the FDAs Director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research Peter Marks, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Rochelle Walensky about the percentage of their employees that were vaccinated against COVID-19. Im not 100 percent sure, senator, Fauci said in response, but I think its probably a little bit more than half. Probably 60 percent. Marks then told Burr that he could not say the exact number, but its probably in the same range as what Fauci reported. He added that some FDA employees were vaccinated at their facility and others were vaccinated outside their facility. Walensky said that CDC staff has the option to report their vaccination status and said the agency is encouraging federal employees to get vaccinated. The federal government is not requiring it, so we do not know the vaccination percentage, Walensky said. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB), in response to an inquiry about inconsistent access to vaccines, said that only a small number of agencies such as the Department of Defense or Department of Veterans Affairs distribute vaccines directly to their employees, according to the Federal News Network. For the vast majority of agencies, their employees receive vaccinations through states and localities, pursuant to the prioritizations established by those jurisdictions, said the OMB. Meanwhile, within the military, the Marine Corps said that as of April 23, approximately 93,500 Marines had received the COVID-19 vaccine while 52,900 Marines have declined a shot, or about 36 percent. An additional 92,300 Marines have yet to be offered one. In comments to the Today show on April 30, President Joe Biden said he might force the military to get the vaccine. I dont know. Im going to leave that to the military, Biden said in response to a question about mandatory vaccines. Im not saying I wont. I think youre going to see more and more of them getting it. And I think its going to be a tough call as to whether or not they should be required to have to get it in the military, because youre in such close proximity with other military personnel. COVID-19 is the illness caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. The Epoch Times has contacted the CDC, NIAID, and the FDA for comment. Travellers are directed to take a mandatory COVID-19 test after arriving on a international flight at Pearson International Airport in Toronto, on Feb. 1, 2021. The number of planes landing in Canada carrying at least one passenger who has COVID-19 was cut by more than half in the two weeks after the federal government barred incoming flights from India and Pakistan. (Nathan Denette / The Canadian Press) Fewer Flights Land in Canada With COVID 19 Since Ban on Planes From India, Pakistan OTTAWAThe number of planes landing in Canada carrying passengers with COVID-19 was cut by more than half in the two weeks after the federal government barred incoming flights from India and Pakistan. Transport Canada announced April 22 that direct flights from the countries would be halted for 30 days after high numbers of passengers were testing positive for the virus after landing. The last flights to arrive from India landed in Toronto the next day. Health Canada data posted online show between April 10 and 23, 135 international flights arrived with at least one passenger who had COVID-19. Thirty-six of those were direct flights from India and two were from Pakistan. Between April 24 and May 7, the total number fell to 56 flights, including a dozen from the United States and eight from Europe. A spokeswoman for Health Canada says the ban on direct flights from India and Pakistan has also affected passengers trying to return to Canada from those countries on connecting flights through airports in Europe or the United States. A teacher gives a lesson to the pupils at the Ziegelau elementary school in Strasbourg, France on June 22, 2020. (Frederick Florin/AFP via Getty Images) France Bans Some Gender-Neutral Language in Schools: A Danger to Our Country and the French Language The French government recently banned schools from using certain gender-neutral or inclusive language in schools, saying it would be destructive to the French language and would prevent people from learning it. Some leftist groups, politicians, and teachers unions have attempted to change certain words, adding the midpoints in nouns and adjectives, and sometimes in verbs, in an attempt to make the language more feminine. By doing so, they claim that some traditional French words are too masculine and need feminization. But a deputy education minister, Nathalie Elimas, on Thursday said that gender-neutral and inclusive writing in French is a danger to our country and will sound the death knell for the use of French in the world, reported The Associated Press. It dislocates words, breaks them into two, she said of some efforts to change the language. With the spread of inclusive writing, the English languagealready quasi-hegemonic across the worldwould certainly and perhaps forever defeat the French language. Frances minister of education, Jean-Michel Blanquer, sent a decree to end the use of midpoints that try to designate both male and female endings to words, according to the French education ministrys website, saying it would create confusion for children and foreigners trying to learn the language. So-called inclusive writing should be avoided, which notably uses the midpoint to simultaneously reveal the feminine and masculine forms of a word used in the masculine when it is used in one sense, the decree, which was sent to schools across France this month, reads. In addition, this writing, which results in the fragmentation of words and agreements, constitutes an obstacle to reading and understanding the written word. The impossibility of verbally transcribing texts using this type of writing hampers reading aloud as well as pronunciation, and consequently learning, especially for the youngest, the ministry added. Frances Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer added to the French newspaper Le Journal du Dimanche that students who have learning disabilities are confused by midpoints. Putting dots in the middle of words presents a barrier when it comes to teaching the [French] language, Blanquer told Le Journal du Dimanche, reported Newsweek. But the French teachers union, SUD Education Union, said it disagrees with the decree. SUD Education demands from the Minister that he stop trying to impose his backwardness on the educational community, it said, according to a translation. SUD calls on staff to take no account of these instructions from another time, and to exercise as they wish, depending on professional situations, the full use of their pedagogical freedom. The Epoch Times has contacted the French Ministry of Education for comment. Earlier this year, French President Emanuel Macron warned that left-wing social science theories entirely imported from the United States, referring to cancel culture and leftist ideas about race and gender, is a threat to French society. We have left the intellectual debate to others, to those outside of the Republic by ideologizing it, sometimes yielding to other academic traditions, Macron stated in February. Nobody knows for sure who made the first hamburger, though several people claim to have done it. (Casezy idea/shutterstock) From Chocolate to Chicken Nuggets, a Bite-Size History of Favorite Kid Foods Legend: Genghis Khan came up with an early concept for hamburgers that involved tenderizing meat scraps under the saddles of horses as his Golden Horde ransacked its way to China back in the 13th century. Fact: Nobody knows for sure who first came up with putting beef patties between bread. Such bite-size anecdotes are among the truths and folklore included in Theres No Ham in Hamburgers, a new book that serves up the history, science, and geography behind a myriad of foods beloved by kids. Burgers and fries are represented, along with chocolate, peanut butter, chicken, ice cream, and all that sugary cereal so many parents love to hate. A history buff and promoter of reading for pleasure in schools, author Kim Zachman in Roswell, Georgia, wrote the playful, informative food dive for youngsters ages 8 to 12. I wanted to write history for kids and I wanted it to be really fun, she told The Associated Press. I was trying to think of ideas and I was out walking my dog one day, and I was like, why is there no ham in hamburgers? Id always kind of wondered that. Thats when I found so many great origin stories. Some, she said, are untrue or unprovable. She also collected facts on nutrition and health, and included simple recipes and a single science experiment on how to extract iron from fortified cold cereal. The latter involves pummeling cereal into dust and then hovering a powerful magnet above the mess. Zachman, mom to two daughters in college, doesnt shy away from murky origins or multiple claims to innovations in her book, published by Running Press Kids. Nobody knows, for instance, the meaning behind the name Oreo, but one things for sure: The Nabisco treats were a copy cat of the Hydrox sandwich cookie, which hit the market four years prior, in 1908. It was surprising to me how little we actually know about the origins of some of these foods, she said. We really dont know for sure who made the first hamburger. Several people claim to have done it. In the 1500s, German sailors on trade ships crossing the Baltic Sea discovered raw meat patties in Russia. Back home, they tweaked the idea, frying the beef patties with sauteed onions. Sailors from other countries came ashore in Hamburg, the countrys most important port city at the time, and discovered Hamburg steak. In the 1800s, millions of Germans made their way to America and brought the Hamburg steak idea along for the ride. Among those claiming to have invented the modern burger: Hamburger Charlie Nagreen, who in 1885, at age 15, was selling meatballs at the Outagamie County Fair in Seymour, Wisconsin. To make them easier to carry, he smashed them between two slices of bread and called it a hamburger. It was a hit. I thought it was interesting for kids to know that some things dont just happen. Thats how the human species evolves. Its not just one person who thinks of fire. It happens all over the place, Zachman said. A big takeaway for Zachman was exactly how long and laborious a process it is to produce vanilla, the second-most expensive spice behind saffron. The journey often starts on vanilla bean plantations in Madagascar, the worlds leading producer, and might end five years later in a pint of ice cream in America. A big takeaway for Zachman was exactly how long and laborious a process it is to produce vanilla. (IamTK/shutterstock) It takes four years for a young vanilla plant to produce a flower, and the flower lasts for just one day. Workers must pollinate and harvest by hand to produce the long pods, and pods are cured through an intricate process that takes six months. That blew my mind, Zachman said. The persnickety cacao tree was another mind blower. The tropical trees, from which chocolate hails, cant handle direct sunlight, need rain year round, and take 3 to 4 years to produce blossoms that can only be pollinated by tiny flies called midges. Out of 1,000 flowers, just three or four will be pollinated and grow into seed pods, which take about six months to ripen. Chocolate is possible after seeds are fermented in a warm, dark place, dried in the sun, and roasted. The persnickety cacao tree was another mind blower. (Ammit Jack/shutterstock) Who figured all that out? Ancient civilizations in Central America more than 3,000 years ago. Cacao seeds were so valuable that the Aztecs used them as money. Zachman doesnt ignore some of the big personalities behind popular kid foods, such as the brawling Kellogg brothers of Battle Creek, Michigan. Younger sibling Will Keith added sugar to their wheat (later corn) flakes to make them last longer and taste better. Older brother John Harvey, a doctor, health nut, and devout Seventh-Day Adventist, was furious, and the two ended their 25-year partnership bitterly in 1906, exchanging lawsuits for years after that. The popularity of cold cereal coincided with the mass pasteurization of milk. In the beginning, many cereals were fortified with vitamins to battle rickets and other health issues for kids. Zachman is conflicted about the mass of sugar cereal became. I was telling my mom about this and she goes, Yeah, it didnt have a lot of sugar in it so we would always just sprinkle sugar on it,' the 58-year-old Zachman laughed. Its later as the competition got worse and they started advertising to kids that the sugar got higher and higher. Processed chicken nuggetsboneless, breaded, and deep-friedhave only been around commercially for about 40 years, Zachman found. The trick, she said, was figuring out how to get the batter to stick throughout the freezing and frying. Processed chicken nuggetsboneless, breaded, and deep-friedhave only been around commercially for about 40 years, Zachman found. (Africa Studio/shutterstock) One Robert Baker came up with the Chicken Crispie in 1959 at his Cornell University lab. But it was Fred Turner, chairman of the McDonalds Corp. board in 1979, who got things rolling in a big way when he assembled the Chicken McNugget SWAT team after the U.S. government warned Americans to stop eating so much beef. In 1980, the McNugget was market-tested at 15 McDonalds locations in Knoxville, Tennessee. Like Hamburger Charlies squashed meatballs, they, too, were a hit. Zachman, taking into consideration the impressionable age of her readers, notes that deep-fried chicken nuggets can be high in cholesterol and saturated fats, and urges moderation. She offers similar health warnings for other foods, while also pointing out health benefits. I had a blast doing the research, Zachman said. I hope it sparks kids to go out and learn more about other things in their everyday lives. By Leanne Italie In a still from a video by NTD, Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) speaks to an NTD reporter at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on May 12, 2021. (NTD) Get Involved in School Board Meetings: Rep. Lauren Boebert on How to Fight Critical Race Theory To counter the critical race theory being taught in school, parents and patriots need to start raising their voices at local school board meetings and have their say about the curriculum, Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) said on Wednesday. I charged the men and women at home watching this: Get involved. Get involved at the local level, show up to your school board meetings, listen to what is taking place, have an opinion on the curriculums that are being taught to our children, Boebert said during a press conference when House GOP members introduced two bills to counter critical race theory. If you feel compelled, run for office, be on the school board. That is the most important part of government, especially right now, Boebert continued. Our children are so valuable, their future is so valuable, and we cannot lose it to something like this racist critical race theory. Boebert is a mother of four. She said her kids future motivated her to run for office and that she wants the American dream to remain for generations to come. Rep. Lauren Boebert addresses supporters during a campaign rally in Colona, Colo., on Oct. 10, 2020. (Jason Connolly/AFP via Getty Images) Democrats want to teach our children to hate each other. This radical theory brings division, not unity. It advances hate, not love. And it puts a persons skin as more important than the content of our character, she added. America is the greatest country this world has ever seen, Boebert said. If America falls, it will be because we destroyed ourselves from within. Itll be because we were taught to hate instead of love, we gloried division over unity, we praised communism over freedom. Critical race theory reduces the lessons that can be gleaned from U.S. history to the lens of racism: that the nation was built from a struggle between white oppressors and oppressed minoritiessimilarly to Marxisms reduction of human history to a struggle between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. However, advocates of critical race theory claim that the theory helps kids think critically about the role race has played in American history. Boebert warned, As soon as politicians have too much power, they destroy everything. We are seeing whats happened with the democrat-run House, Senate, White House, may as well have the Supreme Court, the so-called fourth branch of government, those three-letter agencies, they are fundamentally transforming America. We are the United States of America and not the Divided States of America, Boebert told NTD. This is federal tax dollarsthe American workers tax dollarsthat are going to fund this agenda. We have teachers unions that are destroying our childrens education and future because of their woke agenda. Someone needs to put a stop to it. And thats exactly what were here to do, she said of the GOP bills. One of the two bills looks to prohibit the United States military from promoting critical race theory. The second bill would ban any federal funds from promoting the neo-Marxist theory as well as codify an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump last year that banned the ideology from federal agency training. Last week at the state level, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a law banning critical race theory in public schools, while Arkansas enacted a law to prohibit government agencies from training according to the theory. However, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed a law last week to require training critical race theory for educators in public schools. GOP Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Restrict Funding to Lawless Cities GOP lawmakers on Thursday introduced a bill that would restrict federal funding to U.S. jurisdictions that do not support the rule of law. The Lawless Cities Accountability Act, whose chief sponsor is Rep. Matt Rosendale (R-Mont.), makes the case that if jurisdictions do not enforce the rule of law and protect residents, they should not have access to federal funding. The proposed law is based on a memorandum that was issued by former President Donald Trump in early September 2020 following months of violent protests across multiple American cities. It ordered a review of federal funding to certain state and local governments deemed to be permitting anarchy, violence, and destruction in American cities in the wake of the death of George Floyd in Minnesota. President Joe Biden in February revoked the memo. The latest GOP-backed bill, introduced during National Police Week, would revoke federal funding to state or local jurisdictions deemed by the Attorney General as lawless. The term, according to a release from Rosendales office, refers to jurisdictions that: forbid law enforcement from intervening amid widespread or sustained violence or destruction; withdraw law enforcement protection from a certain area that they are legally entitled to access; defund or disempowers law enforcement agencies; and/or refuse to accept federal law enforcement assistance amid widespread violence or destruction. Its obvious how important policing is to maintain communities and keep its citizens safe, Rosendale said in a statement. Cities that decided to strip funding from their police departments have seen a major increase in violent crime committed, putting Americans at risk. He added, No federal funds should be given to cities that continue to encourage criminal rioting and lawlessness. We cannot allow these jurisdictions to jeopardize the progress we have made as a nation to fight crime. Rep. Alex Mooney (R-W.Va.), a cosponsor of the bill, said in a statement that taxpayer money should not be provided to cities that defund their police and do not allow them to do their job. We must defend the rule of law in America. This includes empowering our police officers and law enforcement agencies to maintain law and order in our communities, Mooney said. Nine other Republican lawmakers signed on as original cosponsors the bill: Reps. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), Brian Babin (R-Texas), Reps. Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Bob Good (R-Va.), Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.), Dan Bishop (R-N.C.), Lauren Boebert (R-Col.), Scott Perry (R-Pa.), and Chip Roy (R-Texas). Throughout 2020, we witnessed anarchists take to the streets and destroy historic monuments, vandalize and burn small businesses, and harass regular Americans who were simply enjoying an outdoor dinner, Rep. Budd said in a statement. The fact that this activity goes on and is tolerated by Democrat-run cities is outrageous and an insult to every law-abiding citizen of our land. Violence like this has no place in America. We need to strip federal funding from cities that refuse to confront this lawlessness in their communities. Diamond Gibson interned for Rep. Ted Budd (R-N.C) this past summer. (Courtesy of Diamond Gibson) Rep. Babin said that leaders had repeatedly chose to abandon law enforcement and bend the knee to the radical Left in 2020, which saw violence and crime in multiple U.S. cities to continue unabated. Keeping citizens safe should be the top priority of every elected official, Babin said, adding, City officials who willingly ignore the rule of law, fight to defund law enforcement, and allow chaos to reign supreme, should not be given federal fundsplain and simple. Rosendales office said that cities failure to enforce the law has severe consequences and costs lives, citing an increase of some 33 percent in homicides in major U.S. cities in 2020. The Justice Department under the Trump administration in late September 2020 labeled the three cities of Portland, Seattle, and New York as anarchist jurisdictions that could have their federal funding withheld. The cities had seen drastic increases in violent crimes in prior months and had cut funding to their police departments. Fossilised remains, supposed to belong to Neanderthal men, are seen at a prehistoric site in Guattari cave in San Felice Circeo, Italy, 2021. (Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism/ Handout via Reuters) Human Evolution Theories Face Serious Challenges From Fossils, Study Finds The origin of humans has always been one of the ultimate questions in science. Ever since Charles Darwin wrote his book On the Origin of Species, paving the way for many scientists to reject the idea of divine creation, evolutionists have been trying to find a satisfactory explanation for how humans originated. Darwin himself speculated that humans came from a last common ancestor in Africa. Since then, many similar explanations have been put forward. Several years ago, it was commonly held among scientists that Homo sapiens (humans) evolved in Africa about 200,000 years ago and gradually spread around the world in the last several tens of thousands of years. Recent findings, however, may completely shift the paradigm. For instance, a recent discovery published in Nature showed evidence of Stone Age tools from more than 2 million years ago in China. In a recent review published in Science, the authors reviewed major discoveries in the field of hominin origins in the 150 years since Darwins speculation. They concluded that the research is a big mess. When you look at the narrative for hominin origins, its just a big messtheres no consensus whatsoever, said lead author Sergio Almecija, a senior research scientist in the Museums Division of Anthropology, in a statement. The authors argued that fossils are essential for the study of ape and human evolution. Two major approaches are used to study human origins. One is the top-down approach, which relies on analysis of living apes, especially chimpanzees; the other is the bottom-up approach, which emphasizes the fossils of mostly extinct apes. In their review, the authors discussed the limitations of relying on only one of two approaches to study hominin origins. Top-down studies sometimes overlook the fact that living apes, including humans, chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, and hylobatids, are just the survivors of a potentially much larger but now mostly extinct group of apes, according to the statement. On the other hand, the bottom-up studies tend to give fossil apes a starring evolutionary role that fits a preconceived narrative, the statement reported. Overall, however, the authors concluded that most explanations of human origins are not compatible with fossil records. Living ape species are specialized species, relicts of a much larger group of now extinct apes. When we consider all evidencethat is, both living and fossil apes and homininsit is clear that a human evolutionary story based on the few ape species currently alive is missing much of the bigger picture, said study co-author Ashley Hammond, an assistant curator in the Museums Division of Anthropology, in the statement. The evidence gained by studying living apes alone is not sufficient, the authors concluded. Current disparate theories regarding ape and human evolution would be much more informed if, together with early hominins and living apes, Miocene apes were also included in the equation, said Almecija in the statement. In other words, fossil apes are essential to reconstruct the starting point from which humans and chimpanzees evolved. While severe disagreements between top-down and bottom-up approaches are not unheard of in the history of science, they often suggest fundamental problems in the narrative of the scientific question and may lead to a major revolution in theories. The new review was published in Science on May 7. A shop sign of Hyundai is seen outside a car showroom in Bletchley, Milton Keynes, Britain, May 31, 2020. (Andrew Boyers/Reuters File Photo) Hyundai to Invest $7.4 Billion in US by 2025, With Electric Cars in Focus South Koreas Hyundai Motor Group said on Thursday it planned to invest $7.4 billion in the United States by 2025 to produce electric vehicles, upgrade production facilities and further its investment in smart mobility solutions. The announcement came before U.S. President Joe Biden meets with South Korean President Moon Jae-in in Washington next week in talks that are expected cover North Korea, COVID-19 vaccines and other topics. Biden has called for $174 billion in new spending to boost electric vehicles and charging. The groups Hyundai Motor Co. will begin electric vehicle production at a U.S. facility in 2022, while affiliate Kia Corp also plans to build electric vehicles in the United States. Hyundai has a factory in Alabama, while Kia produces cars at a plant in Georgia. We are reviewing options including expanding on our production facility after weve taken a closer look at U.S. market conditions and U.S. governments new EV policy, Hyundai said in a statement to Reuters. The move comes as Hyundais major electric battery supplier, SK Innovation, proceeds with construction of new U.S. factories for Volkswagen and Ford and plans to expand capacity in the United States. Hyundai Motor Group, South Koreas No. 2 conglomerate, did not provide the investment breakdown but said the spending would be primarily for Hyundai and Kia. Hyundai said it will work with the U.S. government and business partners to install hydrogen refueling stations and offer its NEXO hydrogen SUVs. Hyundai is also investing in robotics, urban air mobility and autonomous driving technology, the company said. By Hyunjoo Jin, Ankit Ajmera and Heekyong Yang Innocence Lost: Our Children and Pornography We must protect our children from pornographers and safeguard romance and respect Though Ive practiced several vices in my time, pornography was not one of them. I grew up in a town and a time when I didnt even know the meaning of that word. At the private school I attended in seventh and eighth grade, 200 miles from home, one kid used to smuggle Playboy magazines into the dormitory, and boys would look with giddy wonderment at the women in those pages. Maybe I never developed this desire or addiction because of the innocence of my childhood. Things are different now. Deacon Robert Silva writes about teens and even younger boys and girls and their predilection for pornography in Pandemic feeds an epidemic which appeared in the Arlington Catholic Herald. As he points out, many of the parents he meets when he speaks on this topic deny their children watch online pornography. But Silva then offers statistics such as these: 93 percent of young men under the age of 18 have seen porn, along with 62 percent of young women of the same age. 89 percent of youth admit to receiving sexual solicitation in chat rooms. 20 percent of teens have sent or posted nude or seminude photographs or videos of themselves. The prime consumers of pornography in the United States are those aged 12 to 17. Although I find that last figure difficult to believe, an organization aimed to make the internet safer for children and families, Enough Is Enough, backs up Silvas other data. In Statistics: Youth & Porn, we learn that 51 percent of 11- to 13-year-olds have at some point seen porn, that only 12 percent of parents of teens know their children are watching pornography, and that 23 percent of male teens have tried to break this habit but find themselves unable to stop. A large majority of 18-year-olds believe porn is too readily available and easy to access. Not surprisingly, as Silva notes, the pandemic has brought a sharp increase in the consumption of online pornography, which already accounts for 35 percent of internet downloads. I already knew that pornography costs business billions of dollars annually because of employees who waste work time by watching it, but reading through these statistics about our young people was a sad awakening. How, I wondered, will this exposure to pornography affect the future of marriage, relationships, and dating? Will those most severely affected by pornography, those who are addicted to taking their own pleasures from a screen and watching others having sex, be able to participate in a stable marriage? Its quite possible they wont, especially as the 17-year-old kid watching that screen may come to think of sex as some sort of mechanical act, without the presence of love or romance. In fact, romance itself may simply fade away, as may the excitement of meeting someone who knocks you off your feet. Furthermore, will the idea of wooing and courting a woman, or being courted by a man, die in a miasmatic swamp of unreal sexuality? Will we cease to look at others as fully human and instead view them as machines to be used? As I looked at some of the sites noted above, I found that, to paraphrase Silva, kids dont find porn as often as the porn finds them. In some way, then, pornographers seek outthrough advertisements or by some other meansan audience of children. Im too technologically ignorant and inept to make recommendations regarding control of the pornography industry, but it doesnt take a genius to see the disasters coming down the pike. Unless we take some sort of action, we will be paying for this grim circumstance for decades, if not generations. As parents and guardians of the young, however, we can all take action right now. We can add programs and limitations to our childrens phones and laptops to prevent them from seeing this smut. Even more importantly, we can sit them down and explain the personal costs of pornography in terms of self-respect and degradation. We can tell them how this industry makes billions of dollars a year, how it demeans both women and men, and how it has the power to destroy love. And while were at it, we can remind ourselves of the same things. Jeff Minick has four children and a growing platoon of grandchildren. For 20 years, he taught history, literature, and Latin to seminars of homeschooling students in Asheville, N.C. He is the author of two novels, Amanda Bell and Dust On Their Wings, and two works of nonfiction, Learning As I Go and Movies Make The Man. Today, he lives and writes in Front Royal, Va. See JeffMinick.com to follow his blog. This article was originally published on Intellectual Takeout. A hooded man holds a laptop computer as cyber code is projected on him in this illustration picture taken on May 13, 2017. (Kacper Pempel/Reuters, Illustration/File Photo) Irish Health Service Shut IT Systems to Block Significant Ransomware Attack Irelands national health service has shut down its IT systems on Friday morning after it was hit by a ransomware attack. The Health Service Executive (HSE) said the move was precautionary. There is a significant ransomware attack on the HSE IT systems. We have taken the precaution of shutting down all our our [sic] IT systems in order to protect them from this attack and to allow us fully assess the situation with our own security partners, HSE wrote, at the start of a string of tweets. We apologise for inconvenience caused to patients and to the public and will give further information as it becomes available, it added. HSE said vaccinations and the national ambulance service are not affected. The tweets came after a maternity hospital announced the cancellation of most visits. Due to a serious IT issue all outpatient visits are cancelled todayunless you are at 36 weeks pregnant or later. All gynae clinics are cancelled today, The Rotunda Hospital said on Twitter. If you have any urgent concerns please attend as normal, it added. The hospital later said its antenatal parent education classes were to go ahead on Zoom. Its a very sophisticated attack, not just the standard attack. It is impacting all of our national and local systems that would be involved in all of our core services, HSE Chief Executive Paul Reid told national broadcaster RTE. The vaccination programme continues thankfully, its a separate system. Reid said the attack was largely affecting information stored on central servers and not hospital equipment. Ransomware attacks typically involve the infection of computers with malicious software, often downloaded by clicking on seemingly innocuous links in emails or other website pop-ups. Users are left locked out of their systems, with the demand of a ransom to be paid to restore computer functions. They differ from a data breach or other types of hacking, which may steal large batches of customer data or other information from companies or individuals. Last week, Colonial Pipeline, which delivers about 45 percent of the fuel consumed on the United States East Coast and is a primary fuel pipeline for North Carolina, halted operations last week after revealing it had been targeted by ransomware, causing North Carolina to declare a state of emergency. The WannaCry ransomware attack in 2017, launched by North Korea had impacted 300,000 computers in 150 countries. Reuters and Tom Ozimek contributed to this report. Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 15:13:59|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close With the development of new technologies, such as the 5G and BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS), unmanned technology is injecting impetus into agriculture, lowing costs while improving efficiency. BDS is a global satellite navigation system built and operated independently by China, which can provide global users with high-precision and reliable positioning and navigation services all day. The Intelligence Agriculture Control Center is the smart brain of the farm, with a 5G network, staff there can remotely monitor and control the rice transplanters. By simply setting routes, the autopilot kicks into gear. The only thing the user needs to do is monitor the machine as it runs. What's more, the rice transplanters can operate in a field along not just one straight route, but other routes like a curve or a circle. Produced by Xinhua Global Service A "Falun Dafa Day" flag sways in the air after being raised by the Niagara Falls City Council ahead of World Falun Dafa Day in Niagara Falls, Canada, on May 8, 2021. (The Epoch Times) Irish Lawmakers Send Messages Commemorating World Falun Dafa Day Irish lawmakers have joined officials from around the world in sending messages to commemorate World Falun Dafa Day. Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, is a spiritual discipline with slow meditative exercises and moral teachings centered on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance. On May 13, 1992, Li Hongzhi, the founder of the practice, introduced the discipline to the public in northeastern China. Lis birthday falls on the same day. Since 2000, May 13 has been celebrated by Falun Gong adherents and supporters as the World Falun Dafa Day. A year earlier on July 20, the Chinese regime launched a brutal persecution against adherents in China that has continued to this day. Twenty-three cross-party Senators and TDs (Teachta Dala, member of Irish Parliament) from Ireland have extended their good wishes to Falun Gong adherents and condemned the ongoing persecution. Independent TD Michael Lowry said he greatly admires the contribution that Falun Dafa has made and continues to make to the promotion of a healthier and more harmonious world for all. Independent Senator David Norris, a former presidential candidate, said that it gives him great pleasure to congratulate all practitioners who have benefitted from the daily ritual of Falun Dafa. Its core principles of truthfulness, compassion, tolerance and forbearance are principles which all humanity should espouse. If we follow the principles of Falun Dafa, cultural boundaries will be transcended and the world will be a healthier and harmonious place, Norris wrote in a statement. However it grieves me to know that the practitioners of Falun Dafa have suffered for their faith at the hands of the Chinese authorities. This must not be allowed to continue. I urge the worlds leaders to come on board and protect those suffering as a result of their faith, intolerance must be eradicated, the statement reads. Green Party Senator Roisin Garvey said that it seems like madness to her that anyone would ever fear Falun Gong or feel the need to suppress it. It was a good 20 years ago when I first heard of it and the torture and persecutions. Its a disgrace that in this day and age such horrors continue around something so good for bringing both inner and outer harmony, which we need more than ever globally, Garvey said in a statement. Thank you for your continued efforts and for the jewel that I now have in my office to remind me to try and be more compassionate and positive, she said, referring to a charm gifted by Falun Gong practitioners with a lotus flower made of colourful beads and a tag with the principles of Falun Dafa printed on it. Lotus flowers Charmes to be handed out by Falun Gong practitioners at a parade in Flushing, New York, on April 18, 2021. (Samira Bouaou/The Epoch Times) Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae also welcomed the many health benefits that Falun Dafa offers, and said that democratic nations like Ireland will speak up for those persecuted in China. Unfortunately Falun Dafa is not accepted by the Chinese authorities since 1999 as the leader at the time felt Falun Dafas emphasis on moral living and traditional Chinese culture were a threat to the atheist communist regime. This persecution of the practitioners continues, Healy-Rae said in a statement. Falun Dafa practitioners continue to practice from their homes. With the support of other democratic nations like Ireland, these persecuted people will have their voices heard and truths spoken, he wrote. TD Catherine Murphy, one of the joint leaders of the Social Democrats Party, extended her best wishes and support on behalf of her party. The Social Democrats wish you all the best with the future success of your resistance movementcomposed of bold individual acts in spite of great personal riskswhich continues to constitute what is probably todays largest nonviolent underground movement in the world, her statement reads. Another Social Democrats TD Cian OCallaghan said that what is happening to Falun Gong practitioners is absolutely appalling and that he had raised the issue with the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Others sent messages of support include the Minister of State for Community development and Charities Joe OBrien, and lawmakers from Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, Sinn Fein, Independents 4 Change, and SolidarityPeople Before Profit. On May 12, U.S. State Department decried the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)s extensive abuses against people of faith from Uyghur Muslims to Christians to Falun Gong practitioners, and sanctioned a CCP official for persecuting Falun Gong. Frank Fang, Cathy He, and Eva Fu contributed to this report. A photograph shows rockets launched towards Israel from the northern Gaza Strip in Gaza City, Gaza, on May 14, 2021. (Fatima Shbair/Getty Images) Israeli Official Tells Hamas to Stop Attacking, Threatens Further Action as Top Hamas Commander Killed Bassem Issa is the highest-ranking Hamas military figure to be killed by Israel since 2014 An Israeli official said on Wednesday that Hamas, the Islamist terrorist group that rules Gaza, should stop attacking Israel or risk complete destruction of its top leaders. The comments come on the same day that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) carried out an airstrike that killed Hamass top military official in Gaza, Bassem Issa, as well as other top Hamas leaders. Issa is the highest-ranking Hamas military figure to be killed by Israel since the 2014 war in Gaza. Naftali Bennett, a member of Israels Knesset and chairman of Yamina, an Israeli political alliance, said in an interview with Al Jazeera that Hamas must cease its attacks against Israel or risk further retaliation and pursuit of its top leaders. As long as Hamas keeps [inaudible] deliberate attacks in order to murder Israelis across the stateby the way, Arabs and Jews alike If Hamas thinks they can get away with this, theyre wrong. Well hunt down every commander, every post, until we win, Bennett said. He added that Hamas is spending all its money on terror, on trying to kill Israelis, calling the move both stupid and wrong. Its stupid because they are not going to succeed, because were strong and we are going to defend ourselves, he said, adding, We [Israelis] are all united, we stand strong united. And theres one way for this to stop: For Hamas to lay down its arms. And then, itll stop, Bennett said. He goes on, Im telling every commander, every soldier of Hamas: Were after you. Were coming after you. Were not going to let off. So you might as well stop shooting at Israel. Streaks of light are seen as Israels Iron Dome anti-missile system intercepts rockets launched from the Gaza Strip towards Israel, as seen from Ashkelon, Israel, on May 12, 2021. (Amir Cohen, Reuters) Israel and Hamas have waged multiple conflicts since the terrorist group took control of Gaza in 2007. Israeli airstrikes in retaliation to rockets from Gaza are not rare. The latest conflict came during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, as well as a planned Jewish nationalist march in honor of the annual Jerusalem Day. On May 10, Palestinian rioters and Israeli police clashed in and around the Masjid al-Aqsa Mosquea compound revered by Jews as the Temple Mount and by Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary. Extremist Palestinians planned well in advance to carry out riots today on the Temple Mount. What we see now is the result of that, Ofir Gendelman, a spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said on Twitter on May 10. We guarentee [sic] the freedom to pray, not the freedom to riot and attack innocent people. The police is working to restore calm. Israeli police sought to intervene, in part by firing teargas and stun grenades into the compound to disperse the unruly rioters, as innocent people fled the area, video showed. Gendelman wrote that extremist Palestinians carried out riots on the morning of May 10 at the compound that they had planned well in advance for, adding that the rioters had prepared rocks and the pieces of intentionally broken furniture inside a mosque for the riots. He shared video footage from the area on May 10, writing, Watch: Paestinian [sic] rioters throw rocks and firecrackers on the #TempleMount. They stored them overnight, preparing to riot today. A Twitter post from the Israeli Foreign Ministry alleged that the unrest was in part caused by violent incitement by Hamas. Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, accused so-called Israeli occupation forces of conducting a brutal raid at the al-Aqsa Mosque, Reuters reported. Hamas on May 10 demanded that Israel remove its police from the area by 6 p.m. local time. Minutes after 6 p.m., the terrorist group fired more than 150 rockets into Israel. The country retaliated with airstrikes toward the Gaza strip. Palestinian medical officials said that at least 109 people were killed in Gaza, including 29 children, over the previous four days. On May 13 alone, 52 Palestinians were killed in the Hamas-run enclave, the highest single-day figure since May 10. Seven people were killed in Israel: a soldier patrolling the Gaza border, five Israeli civilians, including two children and an Indian worker, Israeli authorities said. In a statement, the IDF said that the Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorist groups have fired over 1,750 rockets toward Israel over the past week. Of those, 300 misfired and exploded inside Gaza, killing and injuring innocent Gazans in the vicinity. The IDF said that this is part of what accounts for the disproportionate deaths in Gaza and Israel. The IDF said it has been able to, via its Iron Dome Aerial Defense System, intercept over 90 percent of rockets from the terrorist groups, thereby protecting Israeli civilians. It also explained that Hamas and Islamic Jihad deliberately place rocket launchers and military sites within densely populated areas in the Gaza Strip. In addition, when the IDF warns Gaza civilians to evacuate, Hamas and islamic Jihad encourage civilians to stay instead. The IDF said that it has struck over 650 terror targets in Gaza, which includes rocket launch sites, 10 attack tunnels, and killed over 100 Hamas and Islamic Jihad operatives. On May 14, shortly after midnight local time, the IDF announced that it was conducting massive strikes on Gaza, which involved ground forces participating via artillery fire aimed at the Strip. An Israeli mobile artillery unit fires near the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip, May 12, 2021. (Amir Cohen/Reuters) A post from the groups Twitter account that read IDF air and ground troops are currently attacking in the Gaza Strip, had many news outlets misreport the situation as they had understood from the statement that there were reportedly Israeli ground troops inside the Gaza Strip. The U.N. Security Council will publicly discuss the worsening violence between Israel and Palestinian terrorists on Sunday, May 16, diplomats said, reaching a compromise over U.S. objections to a meeting on Friday, May 14. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on May 14 he hoped waiting a few days would allow for diplomacy to have some effect and to see if indeed we get a real de-escalation, adding that Washington was open to and supportive of a discussion, an open discussion, at the United Nations. Reuters contributed to this report. Its Time for WHO to Recognize the Rise of Taiwan Commentary Beautiful Formosa is rising! Taiwan has a free and fair election system, a competitive media environment, a wide variety of cultures, and diverse religious beliefs. Its economic growth rate in 2020 reached 3.11 percent, the highest among developed countries. Taiwan is listed as a middle power by the French Strategic Research Foundation and rated as a full democracy country by the 2020 Democracy Index ranking published by the Economist Intelligence Unit. Despite all this, Taiwan is still not a full member of the World Health Organization, nor even able to attend as an observer. Taiwan is excluded from the World Health Organization mainly because of the Chinese regimes illegal claims to sovereignty over the self-ruled island nation. It is attempting to use its One China Principle to annex a country that it has never controlled. The Chinese Communist Partys claim to Taiwan is not only inconsistent with historical facts, but also violates international law. Modern international law forbids wars of aggression to conquer and acquire territories of other countries. Last month, U.S. representatives from both parties proposed the Taiwan International Solidarity Act to clarify Resolution No. 2758 passed by the 26th United Nations General Assembly in 1971. The bill rejects Beijings claim that Taiwan is part of China, stipulates that the United States opposes any initiative that seeks to change Taiwans status without the consent of the people, and advocates for Taiwans participation in international organizations. Taiwan will not give up its sovereign status nor will its determination to participate in international organizations stop despite the CCPs economic threats and political intimidation. Other countries will also not accept or recognize the unreasonable demands of the CCP. Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declared in a public interview last November that Taiwan has not been a part of China. This year, the U.S. Department of Defences website pointed out that Taiwan has never been part of China. During the hearings of the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee on March 10, Secretary of State Antony Blinken publicly called Taiwan a country, breaking the U.S. governments past pattern of avoiding that term. Taiwans sovereign independence is being increasingly valued by the international community due to its achievements in democratization. The contributions from its Taiwan can Help effort since the outbreak of the coronavirus makes it more difficult to ignore the fact that Taiwan exists as an independent state. The government of Taiwan has conducted four rounds of international humanitarian assistance to help contain COVID-19, donating 54 million surgical masks and other anti-pandemic supplies to more than 80 countries. During the two World Health Assembly sessions held in May and November 2020, exhortations for the WHO to welcome Taiwan into its fold came from leaders and high-level government officials of numerous countries, including the United States, Japan, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, and Sweden, as well as more than 1,700 parliamentarians. International media have published more than 3,500 reports backing Taiwans joining of international organizations. Taiwans success in containing COVID-19 can be attributed to its sound and comprehensive health-care system and world-class medical capabilities. In 2021, the global database Numbeo ranked Taiwan world No. 1 in its Health Care Index for the third straight year. In addition, the British Medical Journal published an article affirming Taiwans use of medical information technology and sound medical infrastructure to successfully curb the pandemic. In an index published by the Lowy Institute of Australia, Taiwan was listed among the top three countries in the world for its successful handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, ranking third behind New Zealand and Vietnam. Leaders of many countries regard Taiwan as the global anti-epidemic model. Blinken praised Taiwan by pointing out that it is in many ways a model democracy, and a technological powerhouse with a strong economy, and has a lot of lessons to teach us. Japans Prime Minister, Suga Yoshihide, has expressed his support for Taiwans participation in the World Health Organization. The global ravages of the coronavirus unexpectedly led to the rise of Taiwan. The pandemic has highlighted Taiwans cutting-edge digital technology and its powerful detection and response systems to effectively control the spread of the virus, and its creation of a rapid, transparent, and communicative epidemic prevention model that combines the many strengths of Taiwanese society. It also allowed the international community to see the tremendous economic momentum brought about by Taiwans high degree of democratization, and its geopolitical strategic position. Taiwan has a strong industrial sector, excellent talent quality, abundant innovation energy, and a leading position in the semiconductor industry. American government departments have urged major U.S. companies to invest in Taiwan, and well-known companies from various countries have also increased their deployment in Taiwan. Taiwans contributions to global public health have been praised by the international community. It has the will and strength to act as an indispensable partner in epidemic prevention. The importance of Taiwan in international geopolitics and economic and trade strategies has become a global topic due to the CCPs military expansionism. Taiwan can defend its own security and is willing to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region with the co-operation of regional countries, as well as contribute to regional prosperity and sustainable development. In contrast to the CCPs ambitions to change the rules-based international order, Taiwan can gradually become an important global partner for peace. Right next door to authoritarian China, it is a bastion of democracy, freedom, the rule of law, and respect for human rights. Its time for the World Health Organization to recognize the rise of Taiwan and open the door for comprehensive participation by Taiwan in all WHO meetings, mechanisms, and activities. Michael Sun is the director of the Cultural Centre affiliated with the Overseas Community Affairs Council in Toronto. 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) Labor Promises $10B for Social Housing in Budget Reply Australian Opposition leader Anthony Albanese has promised a $10 billion (US$7.7 billion) housing fund to build 30,000 social and affordable housing as part of Labors response to the 2021 Budget. In his Budget reply speech, Albanese said the Labor Party was committed to lifting wages, fixing age care, addressing the housing crisis, championing equality for women, and more. What a missed opportunity if our economy comes out the other side with nothing to show for this transformational moment but the biggest debt and deficit of all time, Albanese said. He attacked the Tuesday budget for merely showing the sorry tale of 8 years of Liberal neglect and presenting a trillion-dollar debt plan. He then pledged to establish a Housing Australia Future Fund to build houses and create jobs. Over the first five years, this will build around 20,000 social housing properties, places like the home I grew up in, Albanese said, adding that another 10,000 affordable housing would be constructed for frontline workers. Of the 20,000 social houses, 4000 will be allocated to women and children experiencing domestic abuse or low-income elderly women. However, Albanese did not mention how a Labor government, if elected, would approach fiscal repair for the growing level of national debt or the partys stance on committing to stage three tax cuts. A stock image of the 2021-2022 Australian Budget is seen on the ground at Parliament House on May 12, 2021, in Canberra, Australia. (Sam Mooy/Getty Images) Minister for Defence Peter Dutton accused Albanese of hypocrisy and called the speech a political pitch, half of which was spent on bagging the Prime Minister. I think as much as anything, it was a pitch to his backbench because his leadership is still not certain, and he complained in the budget that there was too much spending, the debt is too high, Dutton told Nine. Then he turned around and spoke about how he was going to spend more money. Property Council of Australia welcomed the housing fund commitment but said the speech was a missed opportunity for Labor to rule out changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax. We need greater supply across the entire housing spectrum, and this investment would certainly be welcome by the industry, Property Council of Australia CEO Ken Morrison said. [However], changing current negative gearing or CGT arrangements would be the wrong policy, at the wrong time and have a perverse impact on housing affordability. Live Q&A: Serious Issues Found in Arizona Audit; US Condemns Chinas Organ Harvesting Arizona senators requested that Maricopa officials attend a meeting over serious issues found in the audit. And in other news, Israeli troops entered the Gaza Strip, with the conflict showing no signs of abating and amid global concerns it could escalate. Also, the U.S. State Department has openly condemned the Chinese government for human rights abuses, including against House Christians and Falun Gong practitioners, citing arbitrary arrests, house raids, societal discrimination, and forced organ harvesting. In this live Q&A with Crossroads host Joshua Philipp, well discuss these stories and others, as well as answer questions from the audience. Were being heavily censored by Big Tech. Our solution? Create our own independent platform free of censorship. Join us today on EpochTV. Weve got a country to save: http://epochtv.com/Crossroads MichiganGov. Gretchen Whitmer announces new restrictions amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Lansing, Mich., on Nov. 15, 2020. (Michigan Office of the Governor via AP) Michigan Senate Subpoenas Documents Over Gov. Whitmers Handling of Nursing Homes The Michigan Senate Oversight Committee issued a subpoena Thursday requiring documents relating to Gov. Gretchen Whitmers handling of nursing homes during the pandemic after its initial request had been ignored for more than two months. The committee issued a subpoena to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) asking for all documents and communications relating to COVID-19 policies and information, including policies involving long-term, congregate care facilities. Oversight Committee chairman Edward McBroom said during the meeting that the committee sent out the initial request on March 2 and a follow-up request on April 8, but thus far, weve received completely nothing. Emily Schwarzkopf, director of MDHHSs legislative, appropriations, and constituent services, explained that the request would result in the identification of over 55,000 documents with an estimated cost of $70,000. She said the department doesnt have dedicated staff or funding to fulfill these requests, but added the department intends to comply with a request from the committee whether a subpoena is issued or not. Senate oversight committee vice-chair Lana Theis noted that a subpoena is necessary. Every time we send something, and we get something back, it sounds like theyre parsing everything out. So it appears obvious that that department is trying to avoid producing the information, Theis said. The committee voted 3-0 to issue a subpoena. The only Democrat in the committee, Jeff Irvin, was absent. The subpoena (pdf) states that the required documents must be provided no later than 5 p.m. on May 27. Failure to obey may be punished as contempt of the legislature, in addition to any other remedy available by law. In the early days of the pandemic, Michigan, along with New York and four other states, implemented a policy that sought to prevent hospital overcrowding by returning medically stable seniors recovering from COVID-19 to nursing homes. Whitmer issued an executive order in April 2020 to designate 21 nursing homes as regional hubs. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer speaks to members of the press at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on April 6, 2021. (Matthew Hatcher/Getty Images) According to state data, 5,712 COVID-19 deaths in Michigan have been either residents or staff of long-term care facilities, equaling about 31 percent of the statewide virus-linked deaths, the Detroit News reported. Michigan GOP lawmakers called for an investigation into whether Whitmers policies exacerbated the outbreak in nursing homes. Whitmer defended herself in March that her orders followed federal guidance, and there were no mandates to return COVID-19-positive patients to long-term care facilities, only conditions imposed to ensure their safety. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat, refused to investigate Whitmer, saying she saw no evidence to suggest that Gov. Whitmers efforts to contain COVID-19 in Michigans nursing homes resulted in increased deaths. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel speaks during a news conference in Lansing, Mich., on March 5, 2020. (David Eggert/AP Photo) Over a third of people who died from COVID-19 in our state were long-term care facility residents and workers, Theis said in a statement. We deserve to know what decisions led the Whitmer administration to implement, maintain, and publicly defend its tragic policy. The administration must be fully transparent, and a full investigation must be conducted to determine whether any wrongdoing occurred and, if it did, to ensure justice is delivered, Theis added. The Epoch Times has reached out to Whitmers office for comment. Tom Ozimek contributed to this report. Rinsing your rice is recommended if you don't want to consume plastic, experts say. (Pille R. Priske/Unsplash) Microplastic Warning: Experts Recommend Washing Rice to Avoid Eating Plastic Australian researchers are recommending that everyone rinse their rice before cooking to avoid ingesting plastics, according to a world-first study measuring the levels of microplastic in rice. The lead author of the research, Jake OBrien, said that people might consume 3 to 4 mg of plastic through a single-serve of uncooked rice. Plastics in instant rice, which undergoes more processing, were four-fold higher, according to the study just published in the Journal of Hazardous Material. Microplastics have been detected in rice, an Australian research paper has found. (Joker/Alexander Stein/Getty Images) All of our samples, regardless of the packaging it came in, had some levels of plastic, OBrien told 9News. Another analysis carried out by the University of Newcastle, Australia (pdf) revealed that people are consuming about 2,000 tiny pieces of plastic or the equivalent of a credit card every week. OBrien said that it likely gets into the rice as fragmented bits of plastic through the wear and tear of plastic in agricultural equipment. As the rice becomes contaminated before being wrapped, buying it in plastic or paper makes no difference. Neither does shaking it. Only washing will help, OBrien said. A good rinse before it is cooked not only removed its starchy coating and foreign matter but also reduced plastic contamination by 20 to 40 percent. Improvements in manufacturing led to the proliferation of plastics from the end of World War II and the 1950s. In a study on plastics in seafood last year, the Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences found plastic contamination in prawns, oysters, and crabs. But the highest plastic content was found in sardines, which are usually eaten whole, including bones and the digestive system. Grilled sardines served at a taverna on Milos. (Akturer/Shutterstock) Although much literature has raised concerns about the effects of plastics on the human body and its organs and hormones, further understanding is still limited. At this stage, we dont know about any health implications from ingesting microplastics via food consumption, but we do know that where there is exposure, there is some form of risk, OBrien said. According to the Center for International Environmental Law, microplastics entering the human body can lead to an array of health impacts, including inflammation and death of cells and body tissues, which are linked to an array of negative health outcomes including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic inflammation, auto-immune conditions, neurodegenerative diseases, and stroke. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo speaks to the media at a news conference in Manhattan in New York City on May 5, 2021. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images) New Yorks Mask Mandate to Stay, Pending Review of New CDC Guidance: Cuomo CDC's new guidance says those fully vaccinated do not need to wear masks New Yorks mask mandate will remain in place until health officials have reviewed new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) allowing for vaccinated people to discard face coverings under most conditions, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said on Thursday. The governors comments came after CDC Director Rochelle Walensky announced updated guidance during a White House briefing earlier in the day. Cuomo said in a statement that he and Health Commissioner Howard Zucker had not yet decided if New York would adopt the new guidelines, which would remove the need for masks or social distancing for fully vaccinated Americans. In New York, we have always relied on the facts and the science to guide us throughout the worst of this pandemic and in our successful reopening, Cuomo said. We have received the newly revised guidance from the CDC regarding mask wearing and social distancing for those with vaccinations and are reviewing them in consultation with Dr. Zucker and our partners and health experts in surrounding states. The administration of Democratic New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy also issued similar comments on Thursday, saying the state will be reviewing the CDC guidance. Under the new guidance, fully vaccinated Americans are no longer being asked to wear masks or physically distance in any setting except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance. However, fully vaccinated individuals should still wear face masks and practice social distancing on public transportation services like buses, trains, and airplanes, as well as in hospitals, homeless shelters, and prisons, according to the CDC. Walensky said on Thursday: Anyone who is fully vaccinated can participate in indoor and outdoor activitieslarge or smallwithout wearing a mask or physically distancing. If you are fully vaccinated, you can start doing the things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic, she added. Rochelle Walensky, Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, testifies before a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions hearing in the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C., on May 11, 2021. (Jim Lo Scalzo-Pool/Getty Images) A person is considered fully vaccinated against the coronavirus two weeks after getting the second Pfizer or Moderna shot or 14 days after receiving the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. During Thursdays briefing, Walensky did, however, note that the CDC guidance might change in the future if the situation with COVID-19 were to worsen. The past year has shown us that this virus can be unpredictable, so if things get worse, there is always a chance we may need to make a change to these recommendations, the director said. She warned that people who are immune compromised should also speak with their doctors before giving up their masks. Despite the updated CDC guidance, one of the nations largest supermarket chains, Kroger, on Thursday announced that it will continue to require that everyone in its stores wear masks. The decision came after Republican Gov. Mike DeWine said Ohio will lift its mask mandate in response to the new CDC guidance, along with all other remaining COVID-19 health orders, except those for nursing homes and assisted living facilities. A spokesperson for Kroger said that the company it will continue to review current safety practices and the CDC guidance to guide the next phase of its policy regarding masks and social distancing. Additionally, we continue to encourage everyone to practice social distancing and frequent hand washing as well as consider the use of no-touch grocery delivery or low-contact grocery pickup, the spokesperson added. The U.S. Supreme Court is seen at sunset in Washington on Oct. 4, 2018. (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Photo) Packing the Supreme Court: An Attempt to Stamp Out Religious Liberty? Commentary If Democrats succeed in packing the U.S. Supreme Court with progressives, as is their wont, what freedoms now protected by a conservative majority will they first try to cancel? Gun ownership? Deplorable voices on social media? Citizen Uniteds free speech protections? So much to undo, so little time to do it, before losing control of government. Heres our guess: Religious liberty. The first right guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. Why? Because the court has issued a string of unambiguous decisions that guarantee religious liberty during the COVID-19 pandemic. Theyre so clear and forceful that they deeply get under progressives skin. So upset was the notoriously liberal San Francisco-based 9th Circuit Court of Appeals that it amazinglyfive timesdared to defy the high courts clear directives that the COVID-19 pandemic isnt reason enough to tell the faithful how to worship. Or more precisely, how not to worship. In a rare rebuke, the Supreme Court recently stated in Tandon v. Newsom (pdf): This is the fifth time the [Supreme] Court has summarily rejected the Ninth Circuits analysis of Californias COVID restrictions on religious exercise. Justice Neil M. Gorsuch, in the case South Bay United Pentecostal Church v. Gavin Newsom (pdf), wrote, Once more, we appear to have a State playing favorites during a pandemic, expending considerable effort to protect lucrative industries (casinos in Nevada; movie studios in California) while denying similar largesse to its faithful. Simply put, according to the Supreme Court, states must not impose tougher restrictions on the houses of worship than those on other industries. In an earlier case, Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn v. Cuomo (pdf), the court ruled that such restrictions ran afoul of the minimum requirement of neutrality when limiting the faithful to 10 or 25 in attendance. Similar protections were enunciated in two cases brought by attorneys affiliated with the Thomas More Society, South Bay United Pentecostal Church v. Gavin Newsom (pdf) and Gish v. Newsom. Anticipating the outcome the Supreme Court requires in the cited cases, a California state court judge, in the case of Burfitt v. Newsom (pdf), another case brought by Thomas More Society lawyers, issued a preliminary injunction back in December 2020 mandating that California allow Father Trevor Burfitts five Catholic churches the same 100 percent capacity as favored businesses under Newsoms COVID-19 regime. With the Supreme Courts handwriting on the wall, California has since abandoned its appeal from that injunction, along with the counties of Los Angeles and San Diego. In a nutshell, the enunciated principle holds that if restrictions are imposed on individuals and society because of a medical emergency, then worship must be treated at least as well as numerous comparable secular activities. The plaintiffs werent claiming a right to disobey generally applicable laws; they wanted the same freedoms as shoppers in a grocery or big box store, a schoolroom, or a factory. So why were people of faith targeted with greater restraints than other people who gather indoorsthe homeless in shelters and workers in meatpacking operations, for example? Why, in some cases, were houses of worship ordered to shut down altogether? Maybe its the work of influential secularists carrying out an anti-religion agenda. For them, faith is nonessential. Or perhaps its an unfounded, unscientific belief that worshipful gatherings are inherently more contagious. We praywe say without ironythat elected officials and unelected bureaucrats arent motivated by the former. The latter is no better. The idea that science identifies worship as uniquely contagious is a pseudo-scientific superstition. The virus is just as contagious and travels the same distance in hair salons and barbershops as it does in churches and temples. Indeed, a new study concludes that virus transmission isnt so much a function of where a gathering occurs as it is of the quality of the ventilation, size of the space, and duration of stay. Throughout this saga, gatherings for worship have never been shown to be riskier in terms of viral transmission than gatherings for commerce, education, or transportation. None of this matters to those who have declared war on religious liberty. The freedom of religions legal winning streak has ignited the usual condemnations from partisans and ideologues. They accuse people of faith of weaponizing the First Amendment. They accuse former President Donald Trumps Supreme Court appointees of using alleged infringements on religious liberty to trump public health and safety restrictions. Justice Elena Kagan accused (pdf) the court of second-guess[ing] the judgment of expert officials and of insisting that science-based policy yield to judicial edict, even though science fails to show that churches are unique pandemic hotspots. How paradoxical is it that peaceful worshipers have had to battle all the way to the Supreme Court against restrictions never imposed on peaceful demonstrations that feature arson, looting, and attacks on police stations? How sad is it that those who come in peace in the name of the Lord would be targeted by an expanded and suitably politicized Supreme Court bench of 13 justices, which the court-packing brigade now demands? And that the protection of the first of all constitutional rights would then depend on who won the last election? Even now, with one victory after another before the traditional bench of nine, our most cherished rights face the specter of a politically packed bench of 13a number never associated with happy outcomes. Attorneys Christopher Ferrara and Charles LiMandri both serve as special counsel to the Thomas More Society, a national not-for-profit law firm dedicated to restoring respect in law for life, family, and religious liberty. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Parents Get the Biggest Surprise When Baby Boy Is Born After the Scan Got It Wrong A couple from North Carolina were in for one of the greatest surprises of their life when they welcomed their third child. Nancy Ray, a former wedding photographer, and her husband, Will, from Raleigh, were parents to two little girls, then 2 years old and 8 months old, when they found out that they were expecting a third baby in 2018. Our 3rd pregnancy was a complete surprise, so we were equally shocked, overwhelmed, and excited! Nancy told The Epoch Times via email. We couldnt believe we were adding to our family again so soon, but we were also very thankful. During Nancys anatomy scan, which was three months after the couple found out that they were pregnant, Nancy asked her ultrasound tech to give them an envelope with the gender of the child so that the couple could find out together. Nancy and Will went for a date, and as they grabbed the envelope, not wanting to wait any longer, they found out that they were expecting a girl. I was thrilled about having princess parties for life! Nancy said. My husband was so excited too, but I think (like all dads) he was hoping for a boy. Nancy admits that it was a mindset shift for the couple because Will came from a family that had a line of boys and the couple, too, expected the same for themselves. However, having three girls in a line was a complete surprise to both us and our families. Meanwhile, Nancy and Wills eldest daughter, Milly, had kept guessing the gender of the baby and said that it was a boy. However, when she found out that she was going to be a sister to another girl, she reacted by saying, oh man! I wanted a brother. We kept telling her that God had the perfect plan for our family and He chose to give her a sister. She ended up being very excited for another sister, but kept saying she wanted a brother, Nancy said. For Nancy, this pregnancy was the hardest among the rest, as by the second trimester, her legs and ankles had gotten really swollen, and the varicose veins in her legs went a bit crazy. Two weeks before my due date, I broke down. Sleep-deprived, emotionally exhausted, working extra hours to finish everything, Nancy wrote on her blog, reflecting on the pregnancy, I would cry to Will almost every night. Nancys due date was Dec. 10, 2018, and just two days before, the biggest snow that Raliegh had seen in years struck. Raleigh completely shuts down when it snows, Nancy said. Stores close, schools close, people dont know how to drive, every one clears out the grocery stores days leading up to it. The next day, Nancys contractions had become regular and she alerted Will to it and the couple called the midwife. However, both Nancy and her midwife agreed that the expectant mother would drink a tall glass of water and sleep for an hour before deciding to go to the birthing center. After Nancy slept for three hours, her contractions disappeared. On Dec. 12, Will tested positive for two strains of flu and suffered from a fever. The next morning, Nancy headed to the birthing center with her mother. Will, who stayed with his mom due to the flu, popped in some medication and arrived on time at the birthing center. He was still sick with the flu, but God gave him such amazing strength that day, Nancy said. He was ready to support me however he needed to, face mask and all. Nancy gave birth to her baby in a bath tub. During the first ten minutes after the babys entry into the world, Nancy told The Epoch Times, she kept saying, shes so beautiful! However, when the midwives helped Nancy and her newborn to get to the bed to cut the cord, they were met with a huge surprise. The first words out of my mouth were What is that!? Is this a boy baby???!!! My husband ran over to check, lifted up his leg, and proceeded to completely fall on the ground! It was a moment I will never forget! Nancy said. Needless to say, everyone in the room was surprised and couldnt stop laughing; Will was elated. My mom was in disbelief, holding the pink fuzzy onesie that we planned to take the baby home in, Nancy said. The midwives in all of their years working at this birth center said they had never seen a wrong gender prediction before. Everything became so comical. I just started crying because it was the biggest surprise of our lives, Nancy added. Milly, meanwhile, was excited to have a brother and kept saying that she always knew she would have a brother. We still tease her to this day telling her that she was the only one who had it right the whole time! Nancy said. Now, Beaufort is more than 2 years old and shares an incredible bond with his two sisters. They are thick as thieves! Nancy said. They truly love each other so muchits the most rewarding thing as a parent to see their little relationships grow! Will Beaufort ever know the incredible story behind his birth? Nancy said, Absolutely. In fact, I think by the time hes 16 hell probably be rolling his eyes, very sick of hearing the story so many times! Nancy added. But Im so excited to tell him that he was one of our greatest surprises in every way. I call him my little joy bomb because thats truly what he is. He brings us so much joy every single day. Now, as the family are expecting another little member in their house this July, Nancy is reflecting on her third pregnancy. Looking back, our lowest point was completely redeemed and turned into one of the highest moments of our lives! Nancy said. God was in every detail and He sustained us every step of the way, and eventually blew us away with this precious boythe surprise of our lives. So yes, we will be telling this story for the rest of our lives! 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| 2021-05-14 15:14:51|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close JERUSALEM, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Israel's military said it unleashed on Thursday night an "unprecedented" assault on the Gaza Strip with artillery and air strikes in response to a new barrage of rocket fire from the Hamas-run enclave. The latest development came amid international efforts to broker a truce between Israel and Hamas on the fourth day of fighting in the most severe flare-up of conflicts between the two sides since 2014. At least 103 Palestinians and eight Israelis have been killed, according to Palestinian and Israeli official figures. The international community, deeply concerned with the alarming tensions and violence in the region, called for maximum restraint and tangible de-escalation efforts. MOUNTING VIOLENCE The four-day burst of violence has pushed Israel into uncharted territory, having to deal with intense fighting with Hamas as well as severe Jewish-Arab violence within the Jewish state. The sharp escalation began at 6 p.m. local time (1500 GMT) on Monday after Hamas set an ultimatum for Israel to withdraw its forces from the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, where hundreds of Palestinians were injured in clashes with Israeli police earlier that day. At least 1,750 rockets have been fired by Gaza Palestinian militants toward Israel since Monday, according to the Israeli military. About 300 of the rockets failed to reach Israel, and the Israeli anti-rocket Iron Dome system intercepted most of the other rockets. In Gaza, Israel continued to pound the besieged Palestinian enclave with more airstrikes and shellings. An 87-year-old Israeli woman died in a rocket attack from the Gaza Strip on Thursday, bringing to eight the death toll of Israelis killed in the latest Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel also called up some 9,000 reservists and massed forces near the border fence separating Gaza and Israel, in reported preparations for a possible ground offensive. "I've said we will exact a heavy price from Hamas and we are doing it," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video statement. He did not elaborate on the specific goal of the Thursday assault. "We will continue to do so," Netanyahu warned. "The last word hasn't been said yet and this operation will continue as long as needed." FLIGHTS SUSPENDED The armed conflict and civil unrest have prompted countries to issue travel advisories Israel's airport authority said Thursday that it is closing the country's main international airport for landings amid rising tensions between Israel and the Gaza Strip. The Ben Gurion International Airport outside Tel Aviv is closed for incoming flights. Departures will be redirected to the Ramon Airport, a smaller airport outside the southern resort city of Eilat, the Israel Airports Authority said in a statement. "The decision to reroute the flights aimed to allow greater freedom of action in protecting the skies of Israel," said the statement. Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines have temporarily suspended planned flights to Israel from Frankfurt, Munich and Vienna. The flights are expected to be renewed by Saturday. The United States on Thursday issued a travel advisory, warning Americans to "reconsider travel to Israel" amid escalating violence between the Jewish state and Palestinians. "The Department of State raised the Travel Advisory Level for Israel and the West Bank and Gaza to a Level 3," out of a maximum of four, the advisory said. "EXERCISE RESTRAINT" The disturbing situation in the region has drawn massive international concerns and prompted an earnest call for immediate de-escalation. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern last week over the continuing violence in the region, urging Israel to "exercise maximum restraint." "Israeli authorities must exercise maximum restraint and respect the right to freedom of peaceful assembly. All leaders have a responsibility to act against extremists and to speak out against all acts of violence and incitement," Guterres said in a statement. The UN chief also urged Israel to "cease demolitions and evictions," in line with its obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law. In response to the recent surge in Israel-Palestinian tensions, the UN Security Council (UNSC) will hold a virtual open meeting on Sunday to discuss the escalation of tensions between Israel and Palestine, diplomats said Thursday. The meeting, scheduled for Friday and proposed by Norway, Tunisia and China, was originally blocked by the United States, on grounds of "ongoing diplomatic efforts." Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the UN, tweeted that the meeting will be held at 10 a.m. EDT (1400 GMT) on Sunday. "China is deeply concerned about escalation of tensions in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. #UNSC should act now and send a strong message. Regret a Friday meeting was blocked by one member," said the tweet. Enditem Pelosi: House Lawmakers Reach Agreement on Jan. 6 Capitol Breach Commission House Representatives on the Homeland Security Committee came to an agreement on a bill to establish a 9/11-style commission on the Jan. 6 Capitol breachwhich was pushed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) in recent months. The bill, according to members of the committee, would include an equal number of Democrats and Republicans. It is imperative that we seek the truth of what happened on January 6 with an independent, bipartisan 9/11-type Commission to examine and report upon the facts, causes and security of the incident, Pelosi said in a statement. Members of the commission will be experts on law enforcement, civil liberties, cybersecurity, and civil rights, the committee said in a statement. It will also have the ability to issue subpoenas for information, although the subpoenas will require a bipartisan vote. The 10-person commission will look into the factors that caused the incident and the influencing factors that may have provoked the attack on our democracy, the statement says. I am pleased that after many months of intensive discussion, Ranking Member Katko and I were able to reach a bipartisan agreement, Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), head of the Homeland Security panel, said in a statement. The creation of this commission is our way of taking responsibility for protecting the US Capitol. He was referring to Rep. John Katko (R-N.Y.), ranking member on the committee, who notably was among 10 Republicans to vote to impeach former President Donald Trump over his Jan. 6 speech that House Democrats claimed incited the Jan. 6 breach. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said the commission needs to examine events outside of the Jan. 6 breach, including deadly riots that erupted across the United States last summer. If this commission is going to come forward to tell us how to protect this facility in the future, you want to make sure that the scope, that you can look at all that came up before and what came up after. So thats very concerning to me, McCarthy told reporters on May 14. Previously, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said the commission should expand its investigation into other civil unrest. Trump, for his part, said that House Democratsin their impeachment effortmade false accusations against him, and he accused them of continuing a witch hunt that occurred during his presidency. In his speech to supporters, Trump told them to fight like hell, but it appeared to refer to political engagement, not violence. He also said, I know that everyone here will soon be marching over to the Capitol building to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard. Some have criticized claims made by House impeachment managers regarding the death of Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick, saying the claims were later proven to be incorrectthat his death was later revealed by the D.C. Medical Examiners office to have been caused by a stroke, and his manner of death was deemed natural. During the impeachment, House Democrats, citing reports from The New York Times and other media, claimed that Sicknick was beaten to death by a group of protesters on Jan. 6 before the NY Times updated its report to say there was no evidence to support that claim. For its initial report, the NY Times and other media had cited anonymous sources for the claim that Sicknick was killed by demonstrators. Julian Elie Khater, 32, of Pennsylvania, and George Pierre Tanios, 39, of West Virginia, were charged with assaulting Sicknick with a chemical spray, officials said in March. According to court documents, prosecutors said that Khater told Tanios to give me that bear [expletive], possibly referring to bear spray, which is a nonlethal deterrent designed to stop aggressive behavior in bears and other wildlife. The documents then stated that Khater is seen in a video spraying a canister into the face of Sicknick and other officers. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) speaks to media at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 7, 2021. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) Pelosi Opts to Maintain Mask-Wearing Restrictions on House Floor Despite CDCs Eased Guidance House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has opted to maintain the mask-wearing requirement for members of Congress and staff on the House floor despite new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that says fully vaccinated people need not wear masks. Pelosis spokesperson, Drew Hammill, told Bloomberg on Thursday that she isnt easing the requirement because its unknown how many House members and their staff members are vaccinated. The Epoch Times has reached out to Pelosis office for comment. CDC director Rochelle Walensky announced at a press briefing Thursday that the agency had updated its CCP virus public health measure guidance, easing recommendations for mask-wearing. Anyone who is fully vaccinated can participate in indoor and outdoor activities, large or small, without wearing a mask or physical distancing, Walensky said. If you are fully vaccinated, you can start doing the things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic. We have all longed for this moment when we can get back to some sense of normalcy. She said people who are immunocompromised are advised to consult a doctor before dropping mask-wearing, adding that there are instances where people may still be required to wear masks, regardless of vaccination status, such as in health care settings or if their employers require it. Besides citing encouraging COVID-19 infection and fatality metrics, Walensky noted mounting scientific data showing that the authorized vaccines are effective against the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus variants currently circulating in the United States, as reasons for easing restrictions. Walensky noted, however, that the virus can be unpredictable and so if things get worse, theres a chance the CDC will pivot in its recommendations. Several days ahead of the CDC announcement, Pelosi said the House rules on wearing masks would be relaxed, so lawmakers could remove them when they are recognized to speak during debate. Republicans cheered the CDCs easing of mask-wearing guidance and urged Pelosi to lift the mask-wearing restrictions in the House entirely. Madam Speaker I ask that given the updated CDC guidance, we all take off these stupid masks, said Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.), demonstratively placing his mask on the seat behind him. Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) sent a letter (pdf) on Thursday to Pelosi, urging her to end the House restrictions. In light of recent U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, I write to request you immediately remove all restrictions and provisions instituted in response to COVID-19 in the U.S. House of Representatives, Burchett wrote. Burchett called for an end to proxy voting, virtual committee hearings, mask mandates, restricted access to the Capitol complex, and the suspension of Capitol tours. It is important that we, as members of Congress, lead by example by returning to normal operations, Burchett wrote. Masks became a political flashpoint during the pandemic, with Republicans arguing that mandates on facial coverings infringed on individual liberties. Mask-wearing has become an increasingly contentious issue amid the vaccination drive, as many have questioned why its necessary to still wear a mask after getting the vaccine. Rockets are launched by Palestinian terrorists into Israel, in Gaza, on May 13, 2021. (Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters) Pentagon Withdraws 120 US Troops From Israel The Department of Defense confirmed it is pulling 120 troops from Israel amid a flare-up in tensions between Jerusalem and designated terrorist groups in Gaza. Pentagon press secretary John Kirby told reporters that U.S. Central Command and U.S. European Command staff flew on a C-17 military plane from Israel and arrived at Germanys Ramstein Air Base on Thursday. We made this decision to remove these individuals in coordination with our Israeli counterparts, Kirby said, adding that the military staff were in Israel for a routine planning event before the fighting escalated. The move was done as a precaution, Kirby said. Israel carried out a number of airstrikes on targets in Gaza in recent days, including hitting buildings that were reportedly being used by Hamasthe group that rules over Gaza and was designated as a terrorist group by the State Department in 1997. The airstrikes were in response to Hamas and other groups firing rockets into Israel. Israels military also confirmed it built up its presence along the border with the Gaza Strip and the Israeli Air Force bombed an underground tunnel network used by Hamas late on Thursday, according to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in a statement to the Jerusalem Post. In the tunnel bombing incident, the Israeli operation included 160 aircraft as well as tanks and artillery firing from outside the Gaza Strip, Israeli military spokesman Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus said. Palestinian rocket barrages against southern Israel swiftly followed. What we were targeting is an elaborate system of tunnels that spans underneath Gaza, mostly in the north but not limited to, and is a network that the operatives of Hamas use in order to move, in order to hide, for cover, Conricus told foreign reporters about the network. Within the United States, leftist groups and some Democrats in Congress attempted to place pressure on the Biden administration to condemn Israel. However, the White House, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and numerous Republicans have said that Israel has the right to defend itself. In our view, attacks from Hamas into civilian neighborhoods is not self-defense, so he certainly reiterated that, but also reiterated the need to move to de-escalate the situation on the ground, White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters this week. A number of world leaders including U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and French President Emmanuel Macron have appealed for an immediate ceasefire. Reuters contributed to this report. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte speaks during the arrival ceremony for the first COVID-19 vaccines to arrive in the country, at Villamor Air Base in Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines, on Feb. 28, 2021. (Eloisa Lopez/Reuters/File Photo) Philippines Duterte Says Wont Withdraw Ships From Contested Waters MANILAPhilippine President Rodrigo Duterte has rebuffed a call from China to withdraw vessels from disputed areas of the South China Sea and said he would not bow to pressure, even if it jeopardizes his friendship with Beijing. The Philippines has boosted its presence in contested areas of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), including Thitu island, near to Chinese military installation, in defiance of the months-long presence of hundreds of Chinese boats it believes are manned by militia. Dutertes remarks in a televised address aired on Friday come as pressure builds on him to abandon his pursuit of close ties with China and stand up to what his defense chiefs say are blatant provocations. We have a stand here and I want to state it here and now again that our ships there we will not move an inch backward, Duterte said. China last month said the Philippines must stop actions complicating the situation and escalating disputes in response to a rare maritime exercise conducted by the Philippines. A screen grab from a video released by the Philippine Coast Guard shows a Philippine bureau of fisheries vessel (L) approaching another vessel believed to be manned by Chinese militia at Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea, May 7, 2021. (National Task Force on the West Philippine Sea/Philippine Coast Guard/Handout via Reuters) I do not want a quarrel, I do not want trouble. I respect your position, and you respect mine. But we will not go to war, Duterte said. I will not withdraw. Even if you kill me. Our friendship will end here. There was no immediate response to a request for comment from the Chinese embassy in Manila. Duterte has been criticized for refusing to press China to abide by a 2016 arbitration ruling on the South China Sea that went in the Philippines favor. He drew flak last week for saying the landmark award was just a piece of paper he could throw in the trash. In his televised address, he said he believes in the entirety of that ruling. By Karen Lema Chinese vessels, believed to be manned by Chinese maritime militia personnel, are seen at Whitsun Reef, South China Sea, on March 27, 2021. (Philippine Coast Guard/National Task Force-West Philippine Sea/Handout via Reuters) Philippines Set to Convert Thitu Island Into Logistics Hub, Facilitate Patrols in South China Sea The Philippine military plans to transform its Thitu Island as a logistics hub to facilitate sovereignty patrols and upgrade monitoring around its waters amid the Chinese regimes aggression in the South China Sea. The announcement came after some 220 Chinese vessels were moored at the disputed Whitsun Reef on March 21. The boats were taking shelter from the wind, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said at a press conference on March 22. The Philippine Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Cirilito Sobejana revealed that some of the Chinese vessels still remain at Whitsun Reef, which is claimed by the Philippines, China and Vietnam. The latest report says 287 maritime militia vessels from China invaded the Philippines exclusive economic zone (EEZ) on May 12. Sobejana said in an exclusive interview with CNN Philippines on May 10 that the Philippine military is planning to turn Thitu Island into a logistics hub and to set up high resolution and night vision closed-circuit television cameras for better monitoring. Thitu Island (also known as Pag-asa Island), which lies about 298 miles (480 km) west of the countrys Puerto Princesa, is the second largest of the naturally occurring Spratly Islands and the largest of the Philippine-administered islands. With that logistics hub, Sobejana said, their navy ships wouldnt have to go a long way to return to the port in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, to refuel and get supplies. At least 10 navy ships have been deployed to conduct sovereignty patrols and monitor the West Philippine Sea, based on the orders of the Department of National Defense (DND), Sobejana revealed. The Philippine government designated the West Philippine Sea as the eastern parts of the South China Sea and it is part of the countrys EEZ. Additionally, Delfin Lorenzana, the defense secretary of the Philippines, expressed on May 6 that the Philippine Air Force (PAF) is in urgent need of more multirole combat aircraft amid the deteriorating regional situation, according to Philippines News Agency (PNA). We are pushing for the acquisition of multirole fighter aircraft as it is [a] critical capability for the defense of our countrys territorial airspace from any form of threat and enforcement of the Philippine Air Defense Identification Zone or ADIZ, Lorenzana said in a speech during an air defense drill held in Basa Air Base, Floridablanca, Pampanga on May 6. The DND is planning to acquire at least 12 multirole fighter units to strengthen the PAFs air defense capabilities, PNA reported. For years, territorial disputes over contested waters in the South China Sea have challenged diplomatic relations between Beijing and Manila. However, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is usually reluctant to confront the Chinese regime as he tries to balance economic ties with China. He has been criticized by many Filipinos for refusing to press China on respecting a landmark 2016 arbitral ruling that clarified the Philippines sovereign rights in its EEZ, which can help the country regain control of the Scarborough Shoal. On July 12, 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration located in The Hague, Netherlands, ruled that China has no historical rights based on its nine-dash line map. However, Beijing has never recognized the verdict by the tribunal. On May 10, Duterte said in a televised speech that although his country had accepted COVID-19 vaccines from China, it did not mean that Manila would compromise with Beijing over its territorial claims of the West Philippine Sea. On May 3, Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. blasted China with profane language on his personal Twitter account in protest of the belligerent actions of Chinese vessels in Manila-claimed waters. Though Locsin apologized later to his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, he specifically stated that his apology went to Wang alone. From April 24 to 25, Philippine coast guard ships carried out exercises at disputed Scarborough Shoal, which Manila claims as its own and is within its 200-mile EEZ. However, they were confronted by aggressive Chinese coast guards. Beijing regards Scarborough Shoal as part of its territories. As of April 26, the Philippines had filed 78 diplomatic protests against China since Duterte took office in 2016, according to official data. Providence Police investigate a shooting on Carolina Avenue, late Thursday, in Providence, R.I., on May 13, 2021. (Stew Milne/AP Photo) Police: 9 Wounded in Providence, Rhode Island, Shooting PROVIDENCE, R.I.Nine people were wounded Thursday evening in Rhode Islands capital in what police there believe to be the largest shooting in the citys history. Of the nine, three had serious injuries and were maybe critical, Providence Police Chief Col. Hugh T. Clements told reporters at the scene. He said multiple guns were used and it involved an ongoing feud involving two groups known to authorities. He said the shooting began with gunfire emanating from a vehicle, targeting a home. A person or people inside the home then returned fire. He described the participants as young men. The shooting took place just before 7 p.m. in the southeastern neighborhood of Washington Park, which Clements described as a typically quiet neighborhood. Clements said an estimated several dozen shots were fired. Evidence markers showing where more than a dozen shell casings littered the ground could be seen in the distance. Police sealed off the area. Providence Police investigate a shooting on Carolina Avenue, late Thursday, in Providence, R.I., on May 13, 2021. (Stew Milne/AP Photo) No arrests have been made. Clements stressed the investigation was in its early stages. Detectives were at the hospital interviewing the victims, who are between the ages of 19 and 25. Further details about their identities were not released. He said police have made strides to get guns off the streets and thus called the shooting very disappointing. The suspects and the victims might be one and the same, he said, without providing further details. Therell be names you may recognize; we certainly know from police work, Clements told reporters. Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza also addressed media at the scene, fielding questions in both English and Spanish. Ive spoken with a number of the neighbors, and everyone is shaken, he said, adding that hes promised extra patrols and security in the neighborhood for the coming days. Providence Police investigate a shooting on Carolina Avenue, late Thursday, in Providence, R.I., on May 13, 2021. (Stew Milne/AP Photo) Prior to this shooting, Providence had seen 19 gunshot victims and seven homicide victims by gunfire in 2021, Clements said. Elorza also exhorted city residents to stop using gun violence to settle feuds, and criticized the ready availability of guns. This has to stop, Elorza said. The young people involved, believing that the way to solve their disputes is with a handgunI mean, that cant be the way. By William J. Kole Proposed Math Framework Would Hinder Gifted Students, Educator Says SANTA CLARA, Calif.Californias new math framework aims to keep students learning at the same level, in the name of equity, which critics say would discourage some students from advancing. For example, critics predict that students who are gifted in math may be prevented from enrolling in more advanced courses such as algebra in middle school and calculus in high school. The framework is presented as a teachers guide to instructing students using the latest research and resources. But one teacher and co-founder of a grassroots group says the new guidelines oppose best practices. What [they] used to take, for example, in eighth grade, they would now be taking in ninth grade. So its actually slowing down the progression of math for our students, Lori Meyers, co-founder of Educators for Quality and Equality, told NTD Television. The framework assumes that high-achieving students who are labeled as gifted are taught differently and would be pressured to keep that label. It also states that this creates racial divisions. The language in the framework is typical of critical race theory, an offshoot of Marxism that views society as being divided into a class of oppressors (white people) and an oppressed class (everyone else). The framework uses A Pathway to Equitable Math Instruction as a resource to guide teaching practices to support black, Latino, and multilingual students in grades 68. It offers (pdf) deconstructing racism in mathematics and critical approaches to dismantling white supremacy in math classrooms by making visible the toxic characteristics of white supremacy culture. In a statement challenging the proposed framework, the California Association for the Gifted said, Failure to provide historically underrepresented groups access to gifted services and advanced mathematics opportunities will further create a racial division in STEM fields. Meyers said the key problem the association called out is the mischaracterization of gifted and talented students. Gifted and talented students of all ethnicities, of all socioeconomic backgrounds, of all races, should be identified as gifted and talented, and should have those gifts and talents and proficiencies nurtured. And the best practices for doing that is through differentiated learning, Meyers said. Meyers said the lack of flexibility is hurting disadvantaged students most. Parents who cant afford it wont be able to provide that for their students, which is why the most disadvantaged students will be further disadvantaged, Meyers said. This is bad for all students, but again our most disadvantaged students will suffer, and thats why this is not an equitable approach to math learning. The Instructional Quality Commission will review public comments on May 19 and 20. Meyerss organization is urging the commission to remove A Pathway to Equitable Math Instruction from the draft Mathematics Framework. Psaki: Teaching 1619 Project, Critical Race Theory in College Is Responsible White House press secretary Jen Psaki on Thursday said it is responsible for colleges to teach the idea that racism is embedded in the American system, dismissing criticism that such teaching aims at indoctrinating American youth. In a White House press briefing, Psaki was asked about a proposed legislation by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) that would place an one percent tax on the value of the endowments of the countrys wealthiest private colleges, and use that money to support vocational education and training. The reporter noted that Cottons proposal would affect institutions that teach un-American ideas such as those of critical race theory and the New York Timess 1619 Project, which argue the United States was founded as, and remains, a racist nation. Without much detail of where he thinks our youth are being indoctrinated, it sounds very mysterious and dangerous, Psaki said after asking what exactly Cotton means by un-American indoctrination and what he plans to do with the money. I dont think we believe that educating the youth and the future leaders of the country on systemic racism is indoctrination. Thats actually responsible. But, I would say, if hes trying to raise money for something, then our view is theres lots of ways to do that, she continued. We know that a number of corporations hugely benefited financially during the pandemic. They could pay more taxes. We think the highest one percent of Americans can pay more taxes. Cottons proposal, known as the Ivory Tower Tax Act, was introduced earlier this week. Our wealthiest colleges and universities have amassed billions of dollars, virtually tax-free, all while indoctrinating our youth with un-American ideas, the senator said in a press release. This bill will impose a tax on university mega-endowments and support vocational and apprenticeship training programs in order to create high paying, working-class jobs. An outspoken critic of the 1619 Project, Cotton last year introduced the Saving American History Act of 2020 that would reduce federal funding to public schools where the highly controversial narrative is taught as actual U.S. history. The bill is currently in consideration in the Senate Education and Labor Committee. Spearheaded by the New York Times Nikole Hannah-Jones, the 1619 Project is known for portraying the United States as an inherently racist nation founded on slavery. It 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 integrity of the 1619 Project has been questioned by a variety of scholars, most notably those on the Trump administrations advisory 1776 Commission. In its first and last report, the commission criticized the project for promoting a distorted account of the nations founders, and called for a return to patriotic education focusing on how generations of Americans overcame racism to live up to the ideals enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. A picture taken on March 12, 2020 shows the logo of energy giant Saudi Aramco at the entrance of its main building in Riyadh. - Stock markets in energy-rich Gulf states tumbled with Saudi shares down 3.0 percent following worldwide losses amid fears over the coronavirus pandemic and an oil price war. Saudi Aramco dipped 3.0 percent and ended the week down 12.1 percent as the energy giant prepares to announce its first annual earnings. (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images) Saudi Aramco in Talks to Sell 1 Percent Shares, Beijing-Controlled Fund A Likely Buyer Saudi Arabia plans to sell a 1 percent stake in Aramco, the worlds largest oil company. Based on the companys market value, the potential sale could be worth $19 billion. It is believed that the Chinese Communist Partys sovereign wealth fund China Investment Co., Ltd. (CIC) is most likely to reach a deal with Aramco. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman revealed some details in televised remarks on April 27. There are talks now for the acquisition of a 1 percent stake by a leading global energy company in an important deal that would boost Aramcos sales in a major country, he said, There are talks with other companies for different stakes, and part of Aramcos shares could be transferred to the (Saudi) Public Investment Fund (PIF) and a part listed on the Saudi bourse. Several sources told Reuters that major Chinese investors are in talks to buy a stake in Aramco, including CIC and Chinese state-owned oil companies. One of the sources revealed that Aramco had been in touch with Chinese investors for a few years and CIC is the most likely investor. Saudi Arabia, the largest oil exporter in the world, has become Chinas largest oil supplier for the past seven months. According to 2020 data from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), the countrys oil and gas sector accounts for nearly 50 percent of its GDP, and oil and gas exports account for as much as 70 percent of its total export revenue. Aramco went public on the Saudi Stock Exchange in Riyadh at the end of 2019 and raised$25.6 billion through an initial public offering (IPO), setting the worlds record as the largest IPO as well as becoming the worlds largest listed company. Established in September 2007, CIC is the worlds second largest sovereign wealth fund after the Norwegian sovereign wealth fund. It is a wholly state-owned company specializing in foreign exchange fund investment and affiliated to Chinas Ministry of Finance, with a registered capital of $200 billion. Its first chairman was Lou Jiwei, the former deputy secretary-general of the State Council. Bin Salman has publicly stated that Saudi Arabia is strengthening relations with China, India, and Russia. The 86-year-old Saudi King, Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, has close ties with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and visited Beijing in 1999, 2014, and 2017. Before the outbreak of the CCP virus pandemic, the Gulf countries have been trying their best to avoid exchanging oil assets for foreign investment. However, affected by the pandemic, oil prices plummeted last year, and the whole world is advocating a transition to green energy. As a result, Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries had to look for international investors to inject funds. China expert Li Yanming believes that if CIC controls 1 percent of Aramcos share, it is not just an issue of economic profit for the CCP. A more important aspect is the geopolitical significance, he said. The CCP will take this opportunity to control the energy sector in the Middle East, and influence the structure of global energy supply, paving the road for itself to become a hegemon in the world. Two men are released from the back of an Immigration Enforcement van accompanied by lawyer Aamer Anwar and Mohammad Asif, director of the Afghan Human Rights Foundation, in Kenmure Street, Glasgow, Scotland, on May 13, 2021. (Andrew Milligan/PA) Scottish Police Release Men From Immigration Enforcement Van Following Protest Police in Scotland released men from an immigration enforcement van that was surrounded by protesters for hours. Around 200 protesters blocked the van on Thursday morning in Kenmure Street, Pollokshields, in the Scottish city of Glasgow, to stop the van from leaving. The protesters chanted slogans such as Leave our neighbours, let them go and Cops go home. One protester lied underneath the van. Police guard an immigration van surrounded by protesters in Kenmure Street, Glasgow on May 13, 2021. (Andrew Milligan/PA) Shortly after 5 p.m., Police Scotland released a statement saying the men would be released to de-escalate the situation. The Police said it was an operational decision taken after a suitable risk assessment, in order to protect the safety of the people involved. Updated statement on Kenmure Street, Glasgow pic.twitter.com/1ELrLVZhOg Police Scotland (@policescotland) May 13, 2021 It is unclear why the men were detained by the immigration enforcement, but anger was sparked that the raid happened on Eid al-Fitr, a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan. One of the neighbours who joined the protest compared the situation to a raid on Christmas day. Scotlands First Minister Nicola Sturgeon later said that she supported the decision of Police Scotland. Todays events were entirely down to @ukhomeoffice actions. @policescotland were in an invidious positionthey do not assist in the removal of asylum seekers but do have a duty to protect public safety. They act independently of ministers, but I support this decision, Sturgeon wrote on Twitter. She also accused the Home Office of creating a dangerous and unacceptable situation. The Home Office needs to ask itself hard questions after today. Doing this on Eid, in the heart of our Muslim community, and in the midst of a serious COVID outbreak was staggeringly irresponsiblebut the even deeper problem is an appalling asylum & immigration policy, Sturgeon wrote on Twitter. Two men are released from the back of an Immigration Enforcement van accompanied by lawyer Aamer Anwar and Mohammad Asif, director of the Afghan Human Rights Foundation, in Kenmure Street, Glasgow, Scotland, on May 13, 2021. (Andrew Milligan/PA) One of the released men, Lakhvir Singh, 34, from India, spoke to the PA news agency through a translator. Ive been astonished and overwhelmed by the support Ive received from the people of Glasgow, Singh said. At around 9.30 a.m. immigration enforcement carried out a raid and we were taken to security in the van. There were only five or six people at the time but word spread and then there were crowds of hundreds, he said. We are so grateful for the support. The Epoch Times has reached out to the Home Office for comment. PA contributed to this report. Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 15:41:22|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close SEOUL, May 14 (Xinhua) -- South Korea is considering ways to have consultations with Japan over its plan to dump radioactive wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean, local media reported Friday citing the foreign ministry. An unnamed foreign ministry official was quoted by multiple local media as saying the South Korean government is in a position that the bilateral consultations between Seoul and Tokyo will be necessary to deliver its stance and receive additional information, separately from the verification process via the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The official told reporters that Seoul is reviewing ways to hold the bilateral consultations over the issue. Seoul is reportedly mulling ways to form a consultative body with Tokyo to let South Korean officials or experts visit the destroyed Fukushima nuclear plant and figure out situations around it. Japan announced a plan in April to discharge the tritium-laced contaminated water of over 1.25 million tons, stored in tanks near the Fukushima plant, into the ocean in two years. Enditem Mert Ney is led to a Corrective Services transport vehicle at the NSW Supreme Court in Sydney, Tuesday, March 30, 2021. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) Sydney Man Jailed for 44 Years Over Stabbing Rampage A man who went on a violent rampage in Sydneys CBD after murdering a vulnerable woman in a cruel, brutal attack has been jailed for at least 33 years. Mert Ney pleaded guilty to the unprovoked stabbing murder of escort Michaela Dunn, 24, in a Clarence Street apartment on Aug. 13, 2019, after he booked in for a sex work appointment. After repeatedly stabbing her and cutting her throat, he filmed himself standing over her body at the bloodied scene and sent the video to a man on Facebook. Im [expletive] psycho, he wrote. I was laughing bro. The fear. The 22-year-old also admitted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm for stabbing Lin Bo during his frightening rampage, which only came to an end after bystanders intervened. In the NSW Supreme Court on May 14, Justice Peter Johnson jailed him for 44 years with a non-parole period of 33 years, describing his actions as a violent, terrifying and chaotic rampage. As Ney was led away from the dock a woman in the public gallery shouted monster. The offender is a dangerous man and continues to be a dangerous man, the judge said. But because of Neys mental health issues, he rejected the Crowns submission that he should be jailed for the rest of his life. Outside court, Dunns sister, Emily described her beloved sibling as funny and kind. I am not angry because there is no point in being angry but I am really really frustrated with the system. There were so many times that could and should have stopped what happened on the day Mikki died. There would have been so many opportunities to stop the crimes, the murders of 62 other women who died at the hands of men in the year that Mikki died. The judge found Ney had gone into the city with a knife to murder a young woman, to use violence and to terrify people. He had been affected by a mental disorder at the time, but this hadnt affected his ability to make his plan and implement the steps to carry it out. The unemployed young man had only $2 in cash and no credit card when he made the appointment with Dunn, who had been alone and vulnerable in an apartment with a stranger. After murdering her, he donned a balaclava and ran through the streets brandishing a knife, stabbing Bo in the back and just missing another woman. Justice Johnson praised the actions of bystanders who bravely chased Ney before he was eventually restrained with a milk crate and a chair. Although Ney had yelled Allahu Akbar on the street and delivered the ISIS terrorist group salute, the judge found he was not a religious zealot and the crimes did not relate to terrorism. Ney presented as a self-centred individual with no concern for others and had given a matter-of-fact account of the killing when he gave evidence at his sentence hearing. Neys prospects of returning to the community and living a lawful life in the future appeared to be bleak in the extreme. Emily Dunn told reporters the family was trying hard to leave the frustration behind and craft their future in a way that would honour her sister. Well always make space in our lives for an Aperol spritz and some cat photos, she said. Well always make time for rich experiences shared with the ones that we love and well always prioritise love and laughter in our families. Its time now for us to try and move forward. By Margaret Scheikowski Taiwan Says Chinese Regimes Threat Against Islands Foreign Minister Absurd and Ridiculous The Chinese Communist Party threatened to take all necessary measures to severely punish Taiwans foreign minister on Wednesday for remarks made on Twitter, leading Taiwans Ministry of Foreign Affairs to issue a statement saying that Beijing was being absurd and ridiculous. On Tuesday, Foreign Minister Joseph Wu said on Twitter that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) had blocked Taiwans participation in the World Health Assembly (WHA), referring to Taiwan by its official name the Republic of China (ROC). Wu added that the Chinese regimes claim that it has made proper arrangements for Taiwans participation is a lie. He also pointed out that Beijing has publicly lied about its suppression of minority Uyghurs, Tibetans, and people of Hong Kong, that the regime has no right to represent the people of democratic Taiwan internationally. Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for the CCPs Taiwan Affairs Office, in response to the Twitter post called Wu a diehard Taiwan independence advocate at a press conference on Wednesday, and said that the communist regime in the mainland will take all necessary measures to severely punish and hold him accountable for life in accordance with the law. Taiwans Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to Beijings threat, calling it absurd and ridiculous, emphasizing that the comments also highlighted the cowardice of the Chinese regime and its inability to self-reflect, Taiwans national news service the Central News Agency (CNA) reported. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed out in its response that the ROC is not only a sovereign and independent country but an advanced democracy and force for good. The ministry said it is legitimate and natural for Taiwan to interact with other democratic and free countries in the international community, and that the Chinese Communist government has no right to interfere. The Chinese government lacks respect and an understanding of universal values, the ministry added, and uses authoritarian expansionism to try to impose the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)s one-sided claims on other countries, causing regional tensions and conflicts. It said that the CCP has not only failed to reflect on itself but falsely claims that democracy is full of ideological prejudice and political drama, and has sanctioned the Alliance of Democracies (AoD), which has hosted summits every year since 2018, and its founder, former NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, causing an uproar in the international community. The Chinese (Communist) governments wolf warrior diplomacy will not win support and respect but will only cause public resentment from the people of Taiwan, other democratic and free countries, and the international community, it added. The ministry also reiterated the key points of Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wens speech given at this years Copenhagen Democracy Summit. In addition to highlighting Taiwans outstanding contribution to uniting democratic countries and safeguarding global freedom and democracy, Tsai declared that the determination of the Taiwanese government and its people to adhere to the values of freedom and democracy and will not succumb to pressure and bullying from the CCP. Teenage Girl With Special Needs Left Without Prom Dateso This Young Gentleman Steps Up A young man from Utah has been lauded for stepping up to accompany a disabled girl confined to a wheelchair to a special-needs prom. Carson Preece, 17, a student at the Utah County Academy of Sciences, offered to accompany Isabelle, or Izzie, to her prom after her planned date contracted a virus and could not escort her. My sweet daughter Isabelle is 16 and wheelchair bound, her mother Syndi Knowlton posted in a community Facebook group on April 2. We have been talking about prom and her date cant go now. Are there any young men that might want to attend the special needs prom with this gorgeous girl? Carsons mom, Trina Preece, came across the post and felt it tugging at her heartstrings. When Carson came in, he noticed his mother was teary-eyed and asked the reason. Trina read him the post, and to her surprise, he offered to accompany the girl to the prom. And so he did! We went the day before her prom to decorate her room, and let Izzie meet Carson, Trina captioned in a Facebook post of her own on April 24. Then, he accompanied her to prom, where she was crowned Duchess. Afterwards he sat in her room for an hour and watched cartoons with her! Izzie, the boys mom explained, is non-verbal and mostly uncommunicative; but there were a few moments when her eyes met his, and his met hers, and she lit up like the 4th of Julyand so did he! Speaking in an interview with The Epoch Times, Carsons mother could not hide her excitement over the whole episode. I got teary. It is a blessing to have a child that is sensitive enough to do something like that and be comfortable with it, Trina said. And so, I just feel blessed. I am grateful that he has a soft heart like that. On prom day, the weather was very cold, and Izzie felt the chill, as she was wearing a sleeveless dress. Carson, the young gentleman that he is, found a way to get her warmed up. So I went and asked the uncle who was in the parking lot, and he helped me put a sweater on her, he told The Epoch Times, adding that the event was a cool experience, and Izzie really had fun. Izzie was even made Duchess of prom and got her own crown to wear. It was really a cute experience for her, as she had not expected so much enjoyment. After the special day, Carson hadnt been in touch with Izzie, though he texted her mom thanking her for allowing him the chance to accompany her daughterand offering his company again sometime. Let me know if Izzie ever wants a movie partner or something, he told Izzies mom, adding that he will pay another visit once school ends, to watch TV or hang out with her. Trina says Carson has a passion for the disabled and delights much in being of service to them. Further, she adds that the kindness in her son is generational; citing that she began working with special-needs groups while in high school. Judging from the huge number of likes and congratulatory comments on Trinas Facebook post, its evident her followers were impressed by her sons kind act. Wow! Beautiful story! Carson is such a great young man! What a special day, commented Lynn Vavold Freebairn. Carsons story has inspired many. He was overwhelmed by how many times their story has been shared, over and over again. In the future, he has plans of entering engineering, and starting a business in window cleaning. 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 The Many Meanings of Marriage: Centuries-Old Wisdom So that they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. Matthew 19:6 Since biblical times, weve been searching for our other halves, wanting to ride into the sunset with our one true love, and marrying the love of our life. But marriage traditions through the ages have ranged from joyous to somber. Some ancient wedding traditions emphasized the challenges that awaited newlyweds and the loss of moving away from their families. If one word could capture the universal ideal of marriage success, its probably harmony, beginning with the story of our first ancestors. And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. Genesis 2:18 According to the Hebrew Bible, all of humankind descended from Adam and Eve. God felt that Adam needed a partner and created Eve by taking her from Adams rib. Thus, the first couple in the world was formed. Eve was born to nurture and accompany Adam, and in exchange, Adam vowed to protect and provide for her. They were two sides of the same coinborn of the same body, and through Gods blessed union, once again brought together as one in order to be fruitful. A pair of geese take shelter among reeds during adverse weather. During the end of the Song Dynasty, this kind of painting symbolized the couple who suffered together and still loved each other. (Courtesy of the National Palace Museum) The True Meaning of Marriage In ancient China, it was said that unmarried men and women were incomplete. Only after they found their other half and were wedded were they considered whole. According to the Yili Zhushu, a text from the pre-Han Dynasty, father and son, man and wife, [and] brothers are one body as well. This passage illustrates the importance that was placed on marriage in ancient China. While brothers and fathers and sons are bonded by blood, husbands and wives are connected only by love and loyalty. In The Book of Rites, Confucius says, From the distinction between man and woman came the righteousness between husband and wife. Similar to biblical beliefs, people in ancient China thought that men and women had different responsibilities. The husband was expected to provide for his wife and family, while the wife was supposed to take care of household duties. This exchange of responsibilities resulted in a mutual understanding and respect, which the ancients referred to as righteousness. Marriage was an important foundation of society in ancient China, and often played an important role in clan organization and politics. But the main purpose of marriage was to raise children to become upstanding members of society and pass down each familys heritage. As The Book of Rites says: The ceremony of marriage was intended to be a bond of love between two [(families of different]) surnames, with a view, in its retrospective character, to secure the services in the ancestral temple, and in its prospective character, to secure the continuance of the family line. Ancient Rituals Due to the sacred nature of the marriage bond in ancient China, there were strict rules of etiquette surrounding it. For a marriage to be considered valid, it must be approved by the couples parents. A marriage wasnt only a union between the coupleit was a union between their two families. In fact, the parents often acted as matchmakers. Arranged marriages were very common. The courting process began with a matchmaker introducing the two people. It was considered improper for unmarried men and women to become closely acquainted with each other outside of formal matchmaking procedures. Once a match was made, the family needed to report news of the marriage to the monarch. A feast was then organized, and the entire village came together to celebrate the union of the new couple. The official proposal process involved the six rites, which originated in classical times. Since the Western Zhou Dynasty, it was mainly practiced among the elite. But in the Tang Dynasty, it spread widely among the common people. In order for a couple to be considered properly married, the rites had to be performed in order. A newly wedded couple pays their respects in the wedding chapel. The three-step procedure involves first paying respect to the heavens, then to the grooms parents, and finally to one another, sealing their status as husband and wife. (Public Domain) The first step was for the man to propose with an accompanying gift. If the ladys family chose to accept the proposal, they could proceed to the second rite, which was inquiring into the ladys name and birthday. This was done to make sure the couple didnt have any blood relatives. Third was the intimation of the approving divination, which ensured that the union would be a balanced match. The fourth rite involved the husband making offerings to the ladys family, and the fifth was inquiring about the date of the wedding. Finally, the six rites conclude with the groom and bride meeting in person. The Qing Dynasty version of Up the River During Qingming, a handscroll painting depicting a groom going to the brides home to escort her to their wedding. (Courtesy of the National Palace Museum) The Song Dynasty version of the same scene. (Courtesy of the National Palace Museum) Up the River During Qingming from the Ming Dynasty. (Courtesy of the National Palace Museum) A Solemn Affair Nowadays, wedding ceremonies are seen as celebrations and are often treated like a big party. However, during certain periods and places, such as Chinas Zhou Dynasty, they were solemn, serious affairs. As The Book of Rites recounts: At the marriage ceremony, they did not employ music, having reference to the feeling of solitariness and darkness [natural to the separation from parents]. There was no congratulation on marriage; it indicates how [one generation of] men succeeds to another. This sentiment was present in the bleak wedding ceremonies of the Western Zhou Dynasty, which had no music, words of congratulation, food, or drinks. Zhou Dynasty wedding attire for the groom (left) and the bride (right). (Manuel Alejandro Hung/PxHere) After the wedding ceremony, the brides family wasnt allowed to light candles for three nights, so as to show their sadness over their daughters parting. At the grooms home, music, singing, and dancing was banned for three days to demonstrate that he was a serious man who could handle the responsibility of raising a family. There were also many traditions that took place during the couples first night under the same roof. To symbolize the start of their new life as husband and wife, the two drank together from a calabash, or gourd. The gourd was broken into two pieces, and each half was filled with wine. A string was used to tie the two halves together, conveying that though the couple used to be apart, fate had brought them together. The gourd and wine typically have a bitter taste, which signified future hardships the couple would face. A common tradition throughout China was for the husband and wife to each cut off a lock of hair and tie them together to symbolize unity and an eternal bond. A white jade gourd ladle from the Mogul Empire. In ancient times, the bride and groom would drink from a gourd ladle, symbolizing that they would share the burden of any difficulties that might lie ahead. (Courtesy of The National Palace Museum) While the marriage process has changed drastically over the centuries, a persons wedding day remains one of lifes most important moments. Now that the world has placed so much emphasis on the individual and has splintered into thousands of subcultures, finding two people who both agree on the meaning and function of marriage is becoming rare. But the hope remains universal that, God willing, each of us will find our one perfect match and walk arm in arm for the rest of our lives. Translated into English by Angela Feng. A picture shows the explosion after an Israeli strike targeted a building in Gaza City, on May 14, 2021. (Mahmud Hams/AFP via Getty Images) This Time Israel Should Finish Off Hamas Commentary Sometimes when psychopaths, religious and otherwisepeople whose charter urges the faithful to kill all Jews, even Jewish trees, whatever that is or could berain missiles on your country again and again, try to destroy you any way they can, dig tunnels under your property, loft flaming balloons over your schools and farms, fly drones toward your airports and even nuclear installations, its time to say enough! Or, in the local parlance, dayenu. It is time to put paid once and for all to the evil terror organizations Hamas and Islamic Jihad that have been attacking the heartland of Israel virtually ever since Israel freely gave Gaza to the Palestinians, first to the Palestinian Authority and then to Hamas after they murdered the PA officials in a mini-civil war and took over the territory as a fanatical dictatorship. Every few years Hamas (and their now-billionaire leadership) seizes on something, some issue on the Temple Mount, a neighborhood where, in their view, too many Jews are moving in, and start a missile barrage, aiming to hit as many innocent civilians as possible and ignite the Arab street. The current barrage, thanks largely to Iran, is the biggest ever, with modern weapons that can reach the entire Jewish state with significant payloads. Several times the Israel Defense Force has been constrained to enter Gaza to put a stop to these barrages. That appears to be happening again now. At this writing the IDF seems on the edge of a ground incursion, if not actually over that edge. Whatever the casethis time they should finish the job. Finally. They shouldnt listen to the United States or anybody. Its too bad that life in the region had been improving so dramatically for allArabs and Jewswhile the dreaded orange-haired man was in office, and almost the moment Joe Biden replaced him, things went immediately South, like everything else. (Was Hamas waiting for this? Probably.) But recent as that was, that was then and this is now. We cant be nostalgic, tempting as it is. With those lethal Iranian missileswhy is Biden negotiating with the mullahs now of all times, by the way dont get me started on thatin the hands of Hamas, the facts on the ground are overwhelming and must be dealt with. I didnt always feel this way. I supported negotiation and a two-state solution, even when it became apparent, unless your head was buried so deep in the ground it was coming out the other side, that the Palestinians had no interest in one. I also wanted the Israeli army to show restraint, at least to the degree possible. I was proud the IAF was the only air force to knock on the roof of their target, phoning the occupants to give them a half hour to vacate the premises and save themselves, before the building was destroyed. No longer. I dont care how polite the Israeli armed forces are now. I only care that they win. I have been all over the land of Israel several times, over multiple years as it grew into an extraordinary country, and I hate to see it overwhelmed by rioters who act like an Arab-clone of Antifa. I have lost all patience. In fact patience, which is often one of the more laudable traits, no longer has any point in this instance. Turn to social media and you can see why. The current situation has stimulated a veritable freak show of anti-Semitism on all platforms (particularly Tik Tok), almost without opposition. Everything, and I mean everything, is Israels fault. You might as well be in Russia during the pogroms or in Nazi Germany. (You will, of course, hear that this is coming from the extreme right, but this is as big a lie as you can find. Almost all is coming from the left.) Good, old fashioned Holocaust denial is back with a vengeance, reaching down, it appears from one Tik Tok video with umpteen likes and shares, to American eleven-year-olds, one of whom insisted to her family the gas chambers never existedher teacher had told her soand were made up to distract the public from the evil of slavery. This should be news to Hamas, however, one of whose favorite English-language chants (for media consumption, no doubt) at demonstrations is Hamas, Hamas, Jews to the gas. You cant have it both ways. Not that that matters to any of these people. The purpose of propaganda is to convey things that have little or no relationship to the truth, in fact are counter to it. The Jerusalem Post has an article on what can be done about these myriad social media lies about Israel. The Posts intent is laudable, but the reality is its unstoppable. Social media, we should all know by now, is the Devils spawn. Believe it at your, and the worlds, peril. But there is something that can be done about Hamas. Israel, and those of us who support hereven some liberal Jews, if they can be shaken from their morally narcissistic lethargycan ignore public opinion for once, its not going to get better anyway, forget this light unto the nations business that no one could live up to in the first place, and go full bore on the terrorists of Hamas and Islamic Jihad. No mercy, this time. Full Dresdenor enough Dresden for them to know for once youre very serious, desperately wave the white flag and disarm the way Germany and Japan did. If you dont win a war, I mean really win it, as both the United States and Israel have seen to their detriments, you are going to fight it again and again and again. Roger L. Simon is an award-winning novelist, Oscar-nominated screenwriter, co-founder of PJMedia, and now, editor-at-large for The Epoch Times. His most recent books are The GOAT (fiction) and I Know Best: How Moral Narcissism Is Destroying Our Republic, If It Hasnt Already (nonfiction). He can be found on Parler as @rogerlsimon Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his fiancee Carrie Symonds leave Methodist Central Hall in Westminster, London, after voting on May 6, 2021. (Rob Pinney/Getty Images) UK Says Voter ID Rules to Stamp out Inexcusable Potential for Election Fraud The UK governments plan to introduce voter ID is intended to stamp out the inexcusable potential for someone to steal another persons vote at the polling station, a Cabinet Office spokesman has said. Responding to calls from the opposition Labour party and mostly left-wing groups for the government to drop the election reform plan, the spokesman said on Thursday: In our current electoral system, there is inexcusable potential for someone to cast anothers vote at the polling station. Stealing someones vote is stealing their voice and that is why we are bringing forward legislation to stamp out the potential for fraud. A group of 17 civil society groups urged Prime Minister Boris Johnson to drop the plans, arguing they would pull up the drawbridge for millions of voters who lack photographic ID and turn polling station workers into de facto bouncers. The Labour party endorsed the call. Cat Smith, Labours shadow democracy minister, said these respected civil rights groups know first-hand the undemocratic and discriminatory impact of these voter ID plans. But the Cabinet Office spokesman said: Newly published research shows that 98 percent of people already have the identification required and we will work with the electoral sector and make the new requirements clear to the public in advance of elections. Details of acceptable forms of ID have not yet been set out but a free local voter card issued by local governments will be available, Downing Street has said. It said that 99.6 percent of people in pilots requiring people to show photographic ID had managed to vote without difficulty. The Conservative Partys 2019 election manifesto committed to introducing the requirement to produce identification in order to vote at a polling station. Boris Johnson has rejected suggestions that the plan was intended to suppress opposition votes as complete nonsense. I would say that was complete nonsense and what we want to do is to protect democracy, the transparency, and the integrity of the electoral process, he said at a press conference on Monday. Jacob Rees-Mogg, the leader of the House of Commons, said in Parliament on Thursday that having photographic identification is ensuring a problem doesnt arise. This country has an electoral system of which people can be proud and of which people can have confidence. We mustnt allow that confidence to slip. Referring to previous election controversies in the United States, Rees-Mogg said: We dont want hanging chads and then to deal with it afterwards; we want to stop hanging chads happening before that becomes an issue, and before personation becomes a risk it is only reasonable to ask people to turn up with their photographic identification or get it from their local council so they can vote. I fear it is absolutely classic from the socialiststhey dont have any confidence in their own voters. We have confidence in our voters. We think our voters will not find it unduly onerous or taxing to turn up with an identity document of some kind. PA contributed to this report. U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai testifies during a Senate Appropriations subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies hearing on the proposed budget for fiscal year 2022 for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative on Capitol Hill, in Washington, on April 28, 2021. (Sarah Silbiger/Pool via AP) US Trade Chief: New Legal Tools Needed to Combat Future China Threats WASHINGTONThe United States needs new legal tools to hold the Chinese Communist Party to account for anti-competitive threats against key American high-technology industries, to update existing tools that react once harm is done, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai said on Thursday. Tai told a U.S. House Ways and Means Committee hearing that existing trade law tools are more aimed at protecting U.S. industries and companies after they have already been injured by illegal price dumping and subsidies or other unfair competition. I would really like to strengthen the trade tools that we have to address the problems we have today, Tai said, adding that many of the U.S. trade laws are nearly 50 or 60 years old. U.S. trade laws, with their backward-looking nature, have struggled to prevent damage to the U.S. steel industry as China has built up massive amounts of production capacity over the past 20 years, Tai said, adding that Chinas industrial plans show it is poised to do the same in other industries. I think we need tools that are not just about responding to harms that we have experienced in the past, but tools that are going to anticipate where were going to have the same pattern of harm to allow us to get ahead of the harm, and allow us to respond as quickly as possible. On Wednesday, Tai called for an update to the 1962 Section 232 national security trade statute that was used to impose tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. Her remarks on Thursday add detail on her desire for tools to address Chinas massive subsidies and state-driven economic system. If enacted, these could lay the groundwork for future new tariffs to shield more U.S. industries or be used as leverage in negotiations. Beijings Made in China 2025 plan targets investments in 10 strategic industries now largely dominated by the United States, including aerospace, semiconductors and information technology, robotics, green energy and electric vehicles, agricultural machinery, pharmaceuticals and advanced materials. Read More US Capital Is the Lifeline of the Chinese Communist Party: Roger Robinson Interview The Biden administration is conducting a top-to-bottom review of China trade policy, including how to approach former President Donald Trumps Phase 1 trade deal with Beijing that expires at the end of 2021. Tai said the review also will include what to do with many expired exclusions from Section 301 tariffs on Chinese imports, noting that time is of the essence in completing the review. Returning to the committee where she guided policy as the chief Democratic trade lawyer, Tai reiterated the Biden administrations tough stance on Chinas trade and human rights abuses. We welcome fair competition. But if China cannot or will not adapt to international rules and norms, we must level the playing field, she added. By David Lawder U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, during a press conference in London on May 3, 2021. (Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images) US Will Not Leave Australia Alone in the Face of Beijing Coercion: Blinken U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday that the United States would not leave Australia alone in the face of Beijings economic coercion, and warned that such tactics against an ally would hinder U.S. ties with China. I reiterated that the United States will not leave Australia alone on the field, or maybe I should say alone on the pitch, in the face of economic coercion by China, Blinken told reporters. Thats what allies do. We have each others backs so we can face threats and challenges from a position of collective strength. The United States has repeatedly criticized Beijings efforts to coerce Australia with trade sanctions on products ranging from beef to wine, with Blinken saying that such actions targeting our closest partners and allies will hinder improvements in our own relationship with China. Blinken described the U.S.-Australia alliance as an unshakable commitment that has been an anchor for peace, security, and stability in the Indo-Pacific for decades. Australia-China ties have steadily soured for the past five years as Canberra began to implement measures to protect its national interests in the face of Beijings increasing interference in Australias domestic political environmentincluding a scandal involving payments made to a former federal senator, and an alleged plot to place a spy in Parliament House. But tensions took a sharp turn last year after Australia called for an inquiry into the origins of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as novel coronavirus. The Chinese counterparts of Australian politicians have not been picking up the phone for minister-level discussions since last year, and just last week Beijing suspended all activity under a bilateral economic dialogue with Australia. Foreign Minister Marise Payne along with Prime Minister Scott Morrison addresses media during a press conference in Sydney, Australia on April 27, 2021. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts) Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne, who gave the joint press briefing alongside Blinken, said, Australia seeks a constructive relationship with China. Meanwhile, Payne noted that Australia welcomed Washingtons support as Canberra works through its challenges with Beijing. But we wont compromise on our national security or our sovereignty and well continue to act to protect that, she said. The U.S. secretary of state and Australian foreign minister at the joint press conference also touched on human rights in China. When asked about the potential for a boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022, Blinken said that while it wasnt a topic of discussion with Payne, the United States had heard the concerns from around the world and officials would, in the months ahead, be talking to allies and partners about their views on the Olympics. The U.S. Department of State in Washington on July 22, 2019. (Alastair Pike/AFP via Getty Images) US Working to Hold Beijing Accountable for Not Taking Back 40,000 Chinese Illegal Immigrants: State Department U.S. agencies are working to hold the regime in Beijing accountable for its refusal to cooperate in the removal of Chinese illegal immigrants in the United States, a State Department spokesperson told The Epoch Times. Since October 2017, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has made 1,300 requests to Beijing to provide travel documents needed to expel Chinese nationals under final orders of removalonly to have them go unanswered, according to a January Department of Homeland Security report (pdf). The U.S. government has repeatedly urged the Chinese regime to accept the return of its nationals subject to removal, the spokesperson said in an email. Despite this engagement spanning several years, the PRC [Peoples Republic of China] has been insufficiently responsive to our repeated requests to issue travel documents for individuals with final orders of removal in a timely manner, the spokesperson said. As a result, ICE has been forced to release the illegal immigrants into the community, many of whom had been convicted of violent or other serious crimes, the DHS report said. Those who have been released are part of a backlog of about 40,800 Chinese nationals awaiting deportation in the United States. ICE is required to release illegal aliens from custody after six months if it is unlikely theyll be repatriated within the foreseeable future. More needs to be done by the PRC government to reduce the total number of Chinese citizens awaiting removal, the spokesperson said. We are working with DHS to hold the PRC government accountable in this regard. The spokesperson was responding to a report circulating on Chinese social media that the United States has imposed visa sanctions on China over its failure to cooperate in the repatriation of Chinese nationals awaiting deportation. The visa restrictions allegedly apply to Chinese officials who work in the regimes immigration and security agencies, and their immediate families. A photo circulating on Chinese social media shows an undated letter apparently from a U.S. consulate officer informing a Chinese visa applicant that the United States has stopped issuing their requested visa under section 243(d) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. That empowers the Secretary of State to impose visa sanctions against countries who unreasonably delay accepting the return of nationals and residents ordered removed to those countries. The letter said that the secretary of state has ordered consulate officials to stop issuing business, tourism, and student visas to Chinese officials who work in the National Supervisory Commission, an anti-corruption body; the Ministry of State Security, the regimes top intelligence agency; and the Ministry of Public Security, the countrys law enforcement body. Their spouses and children under 30 are also affected by the restrictions. In addition, the visa sanctions apply to officials at the level of deputy director or above at the regimes National Immigration Administration, and their spouses and children under 21, the letter said. The State Department declined to comment on the report, citing confidentiality of individual visa cases. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said at a regular briefing on May 13 that she had seen the report. If this is true, it will serve to show that the U.S. is deliberately sabotaging normal people-to-people exchange with China and politicizing the issue. The regimes lack of cooperation in the removal of Chinese illegal immigrants has been occurring for years, and continues despite previous commitments to assist with repatriations. As Beijing continues to flout its international obligations and disrespect U.S. law, DHS will continue to seek escalated consequencesincluding visa restrictions, the DHS said in its report. The State Department spokesperson says the department stands ready to assist the regime in facilitating the removal of its nationals, should Beijing express a willingness to cooperate. DHS officials didnt immediately respond to a request by The Epoch Times for comment. Wine Brings Visitors to Once-Sleepy Cottonwood, Arizona Arizonas burgeoning wine industry has put the once-sleepy Cottonwood on the map. Nowhere is that more apparent than the Historic Old Town, an area listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its commercial architecture from the first half of the 20th century. Many of the old storefronts lining Main Street have been repurposed into wine tasting rooms. Cottonwood, a quick drive from the red rocks of expensive Sedona, is located in the 200-square-mile Verde Valley. Alcantara Vineyards produces 17 different varietals from over 20,000 vines. Dennis Lennox) More than 20 vineyards form the Verde Valley Wine Trail appellationan official American viticultural area (AVA) designation is pending before bureaucrats in the federal governmentand grow grapes for commercial wine production. The rest of the wine predominantly comes from the Willcox AVA, an appellation about 300 miles to the southeast in and around Cochise County. Wines include those made from universally known chardonnay and riesling, but also somewhat lesser-known grapes that just happen to thrive in Arizonas climate. Think Rhone-style blends of grenache, syrah, and mourvedre; orange wine from malvasia bianca; and the Spanish mainstay tempranillo. Cottonwood, Ariz., is located about two hours by car from Phoenix. (Dennis Lennox) It may, however, take some detective work to figure out what is actually in the bottle, as a considerable number of Arizona wines are sold with labels that prioritize a marketing name over the actual grape varietal or varietals used. This is certainly true at Merkin Vineyards with its Tarzan red blend of tempranillo and an undisclosed grape. The Southwest Wine Center at Yavapai College is a teaching vineyard and winery for students pursuing a career in the wine industry. (Dennis Lennox) Cottonwoods tasting rooms include an outpost of Arizona Stronghold, the states biggest winemaker. For reds, the 2017 estate-grown syrah from Buhl Memorial Vineyard and 2019 Bayshan, a blend of petite sirah, syrah, and mourvedre, are highly recommended. Both are serious wines. Drinkers of big, buttery chardonnays should try the 2018 estate-grown chardonnay from Bonita Springs Vineyard. The Merkin Vineyards in downtown Cottonwood. (Dennis Lennox) The 2018 chardonnay from Pillsbury Wine Co. punched well above its weight (only 190 cases were produced). The Cochise County-based winemaker produces a leaner chardonnay more akin to the kind associated with Chablis in France. Some of the closest vineyards to downtowns tasting rooms are Alcantara Vineyards and Page Springs Cellars in Cornville, where John McCain lived. A full map and accompanying Verde Valley wine passport can be picked up at the tourist office on Main Street, next to Cottonwood City Hall. Main Street in downtown Cottonwood. (Dennis Lennox) No visit would be complete without a stop at the Southwest Wine Center on the campus of Yavapai College. Not only is it a place for students to learn winemaking and land jobs in the industry, but oenophiles are welcome to visit the 13-acre vineyard and sample wines from the centers own label. Vintage signs in historic Old Town Cottonwood. (EQRoy/Shutterstock) If You Go Stay at the Iron Horse Inn, an updated early 1930s motor court motel, with clean and well-appointed rooms. Alternatively, consider The Taven Hotel. Both are located on Main Street. Eat downtown at Nics Italian Steak & Crab House or Pizzeria Bocce Patio Bar. Another superb choice is Up the Creek by Page Springs Cellars, where the seriously fine wine list includes around 180 selections. Verde Adventures offers an approximately two-hour, self-guided kayak tour of the Verde River that starts and finishes at Alcantara Vineyards, where a tasting is included in the cost ($109.50 weekdays; $121 weekends). Cottonwood is two hours by car from Phoenix, the states biggest city. Flying in and out of Las Vegas (almost five hours away) is another option, depending on airfare, flight timings, and rental car rates. Best of all, parking in downtowns street spots and parking lots are free, which will surely change as tourist numbers increase. Dennis Lennox writes a travel column for The Epoch Times. Follow @dennislennox on Twitter and Instagram. Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 15:48:25|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Photo taken on May 13, 2021 shows explosions following Israeli airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua) "Israeli authorities must exercise maximum restraint and respect the right to freedom of peaceful assembly. All leaders have a responsibility to act against extremists and to speak out against all acts of violence and incitement," United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said. JERUSALEM, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Israel's military said it unleashed on Thursday night an "unprecedented" assault on the Gaza Strip with artillery and air strikes in response to a new barrage of rocket fire from the Hamas-run enclave. The latest development came amid international efforts to broker a truce between Israel and Hamas on the fourth day of fighting in the most severe flare-up of conflicts between the two sides since 2014. At least 103 Palestinians and eight Israelis have been killed, according to Palestinian and Israeli official figures. The international community, deeply concerned with the alarming tensions and violence in the region, called for maximum restraint and tangible de-escalation efforts. Israeli Artillery Corps fire into the Gaza Strip near the southern Israeli city of Sderot on May 12, 2021. (JINI via Xinhua) MOUNTING VIOLENCE The four-day burst of violence has pushed Israel into uncharted territory, having to deal with intense fighting with Hamas as well as severe Jewish-Arab violence within the Jewish state. The sharp escalation began at 6 p.m. local time (1500 GMT) on Monday after Hamas set an ultimatum for Israel to withdraw its forces from the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, where hundreds of Palestinians were injured in clashes with Israeli police earlier that day. At least 1,750 rockets have been fired by Gaza Palestinian militants toward Israel since Monday, according to the Israeli military. About 300 of the rockets failed to reach Israel, and the Israeli anti-rocket Iron Dome system intercepted most of the other rockets. In Gaza, Israel continued to pound the besieged Palestinian enclave with more airstrikes and shellings. An 87-year-old Israeli woman died in a rocket attack from the Gaza Strip on Thursday, bringing to eight the death toll of Israelis killed in the latest Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel also called up some 9,000 reservists and massed forces near the border fence separating Gaza and Israel, in reported preparations for a possible ground offensive. "I've said we will exact a heavy price from Hamas and we are doing it," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video statement. He did not elaborate on the specific goal of the Thursday assault. "We will continue to do so," Netanyahu warned. "The last word hasn't been said yet and this operation will continue as long as needed." Palestinians inspect the rubble of a house destroyed by Israeli airstrikes in al-Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza Strip, on May 13, 2021. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) FLIGHTS SUSPENDED The armed conflict and civil unrest have prompted countries to issue travel advisories. Israel's airport authority said Thursday that it is closing the country's main international airport for landings amid rising tensions between Israel and the Gaza Strip. The Ben Gurion International Airport outside Tel Aviv is closed for incoming flights. Departures will be redirected to the Ramon Airport, a smaller airport outside the southern resort city of Eilat, the Israel Airports Authority said in a statement. "The decision to reroute the flights aimed to allow greater freedom of action in protecting the skies of Israel," said the statement. Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines have temporarily suspended planned flights to Israel from Frankfurt, Munich and Vienna. The flights are expected to be renewed by Saturday. The United States on Thursday issued a travel advisory, warning Americans to "reconsider travel to Israel" amid escalating violence between the Jewish state and Palestinians. "The Department of State raised the Travel Advisory Level for Israel and the West Bank and Gaza to a Level 3," out of a maximum of four, the advisory said. People carry an injured person after Israeli airstrikes in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza Strip, on May 13, 2021. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) "EXERCISE RESTRAINT" The disturbing situation in the region has drawn massive international concerns and prompted an earnest call for immediate de-escalation. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern last week over the continuing violence in the region, urging Israel to "exercise maximum restraint." "Israeli authorities must exercise maximum restraint and respect the right to freedom of peaceful assembly. All leaders have a responsibility to act against extremists and to speak out against all acts of violence and incitement," Guterres said in a statement. The UN chief also urged Israel to "cease demolitions and evictions," in line with its obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law. In response to the recent surge in Israel-Palestinian tensions, the UN Security Council (UNSC) will hold a virtual open meeting on Sunday to discuss the escalation of tensions between Israel and Palestine, diplomats said Thursday. The meeting, scheduled for Friday and proposed by Norway, Tunisia and China, was originally blocked by the United States, on grounds of "ongoing diplomatic efforts." Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the UN, tweeted that the meeting will be held at 10 a.m. EDT (1400 GMT) on Sunday. "China is deeply concerned about escalation of tensions in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. #UNSC should act now and send a strong message. Regret a Friday meeting was blocked by one member," said the tweet. Ransomware and other cyberattacks long have been a challenge for small businesses. However, the recent shutdown of Colonial Pipeline has raised significant concerns for small businesses and the White House alike. Small businesses are least protected and most attacked 60 percent go out of business within six months after being breached since 83 percent do not carry cyber insurance. A small business can significantly improve its cybersecurity quickly and affordably. However, first consider these misconceptions and myths: 1. I am too small to be hacked Incorrect. There was a 424 percent increase in new small-business cyber breaches last year. According to Verizon, 28 percent of data breaches in 2020 involved small businesses. 2. Installing antivirus software on my computers is enough No. Antivirus software is helpful but not sufficient to protect against hundreds of thousands of new malware appearing daily. Expect that the antivirus protection will fail. Computers and servers must be backed up and tested for recovery if a ransomware attack cripples computers. 3. Cyberattacks come from external sources only Not true. Insider threats also pose risks. Insider threats can stem from an employee or even someone whom your company once employed. An insider can intentionally download a companys sensitive data or inadvertently insert an infected USB memory stick in one of the firms computers. 4. My IT department will take care of everything With new threats appearing daily, it would be foolhardy to put all your cybersecurity responsibility on your IT team. More than 90 percent of breaches start with phishing (email, text, etc.). Hence, cybersecurity awareness training for the employees is an inexpensive way to reduce the threats. 5. My business is 100 percent protected from cyberattack Cybersecurity is something that you never stop working to improve. Threats evolve constantly. With millions of dollars in cybersecurity investments, companies such as Target and Home Depot got hacked through vulnerability in their supply chains or suppliers weak security. The pandemic forced small businesses to have employees work from home without implementing proper cybersecurity for remote workers. 6. We dont need to use a password manager or two-factor authentication About 60 percent of data breaches happen due to weak or reused passwords. Most people have 50-100 business and personal accounts online. It is impossible to remember that many unique, 14-plus-character passwords. As a result, people tend to reuse simple passwords or write them on paper. Instead, use inexpensive, easy-to-use password managers. The user only needs to remember one long master password and the password manager remembers the rest. Setting two-factor authentication on critical accounts (email, financial, etc.) is free and easy to implement, perhaps with initial guidance from the IT folks. With TFA, the email or bank will send you a 6-digit code to enter when you log in. 7. Cyber liability coverage is too expensive Small businesses go out of business due to the high costs of recovering from a breach. A company should have sufficient insurance coverage for ransomware, compliance failure, business income loss and cyber legal liability. Cyber insurance is expensive, and the underwriting is complicated. However, purchasing cyber protection bundled with cyber liability can make it affordable. Since the sensitive information resides on computing devices (laptops, computers and servers), those devices need to be well secured. Even a small business with ten devices can get robust device security (protect, detect and respond) for about $250 per month, including about $500,000 in liability protection. In summary, to minimize cyber threats and resulting disasters, a business should at least implement free cybersecurity awareness training for the employees (see FTC.gov and CyberReadinessInstitute.org), use a password manager and two-factor authentication, regularly back up the computers, and get good cybersecurity protection for the devices, including cyber liability coverage. Arvin Chaudhary is chief executive officer of technology services company Nadicent Technologies. He can be reached at Arvin.Chaudhary@Nadicent.com or 203-274-8466. Free email alerts about scams and spam at: www.nadicent.com/securitynewsandalerts. RICHMOND, Va. (AP) The police department in the nation's capital has suffered a massive leak of internal information after refusing to meet the blackmail demands of Russian-speaking ransomware syndicate. Experts say its the worst known ransomware attack ever to hit a U.S. police department. The gang, known as the Babuk group, released thousands of the Metropolitan Police Departments sensitive documents on the dark web Thursday. A review by The Associated Press found hundreds of police officer disciplinary files and intelligence reports that include feeds from other agencies, including the FBI and Secret Service. Ransomware attacks have reached epidemic levels as foreign criminal gangs paralyze computer networks at state and local governments, police departments, hospitals and private companies. They demand large payments to decrypt stolen data or to prevent it from being leaked online. A cyberattack last week shut down the Colonial Pipeline, the nations largest fuel pipeline, prompting gas-hoarding and panic-buying in parts of the Southeast. Brett Callow, a threat analyst and ransomware expert at the security firm Emsisoft, said the police leak ranks as possibly the most significant ransomware incident to date" because of the risks it presents for officers and civilians. Some of the documents include security information from other law enforcement agencies related to President Joe Bidens inauguration, including a reference to a source embedded with a militia group. One document details the steps the FBI has taken in its investigation of two pipe bombs left at the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee and the Republican National Committee before the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. That includes big data pulls of cell towers, and plans to analyze purchases of Nike shoes worn by a person of interest, the document said. The police department did not immediately return a request for comment, but has previously said some officers personal information was stolen. Some of that information was previously leaked, revealing personal information of some officers taken from background checks, including details of their past drug use, finances and in at least one incident of past sexual abuse. The newly released files include details of disciplinary proceedings of hundreds of officers dating back to 2004. The files often contain sensitive and embarrassing private details. This is going to send a shock through the law enforcement community throughout the country, said Ted Williams, a former officer at the department who is now an attorney. Hes representing a retired officer whose background file was included in an earlier leak. The leak of such sensitive data underscores how foreign ransomware gangs believe they can act with impunity. A 2018 report from the think tank Third Way found less than 1% of malicious cyber incidents result in an enforcement action taken against the attackers. Speaking about the pipeline hack Thursday, Biden said his administration is going to pursue a measure to disrupt foreign ransomware gangs ability to operate. He also did not rule out any kind of retaliatory cyberattacks. D.C. Police Union chairman Gregg Pemberton said the union has filed a grievance against the city for violating a collective bargaining agreement. The union also wants the city's inspector general to investigate. How we will ever hire anyone to work here is beyond me, Pemberton said. The Babuk group indicated this week that it wanted $4 million not to release the files, but was only offered $100,000. The department has not said whether it made the offer. Any negotiations would reflect the complexity of the ransomware problem, with police finding themselves forced to consider making payments to criminal gangs. The FBI, which is assisting in this case, discourages ransomware payments. The group revealed the attack last month, threatening then to leak the identities of confidential informants. The data release revealed Thursday is massive and it was not immediately clear if it included informants' names. NAXOS, Greece (AP) In her kitchen, Kyriaki Kapri has enough food to feed an army. Piles of squid for frying, lemons to be quartered, thumb-thick potato wedges to make oregano-sprinkled French fries, and seafood for the dishes famous on the Greek island of Naxos. Shes done everything she can think of to prepare for tourists at her Naxos beachside restaurant Gorgona Greek for Mermaid but customers are still a rare sight. Greece launched its tourism season Friday amid a competitive scramble across the Mediterranean to lure vacationers emerging from lockdowns. Were all vaccinated, the tables are outside and spread out, with hand sanitizers on each one. Were ready. Now we wait, Kapri said, standing beside large display cabinets with fresh fish on beds of crushed ice. During a six-month lockdown, Gorgona closed for the first time in its 50-year history, a pattern seen across Greece including the nearby island of Mykonos and Santorini. The European Union has yet to roll out its cellphone-friendly travel pass system. But southern member-states, driven deeper into debt by the pandemic and highly dependent on tourism revenues, are not waiting. Croatia has already reopened, as has Cyprus, joined Friday by Greece where residents were allowed to leave home without an electronic permit for the first time in six months. Last year, the number of visitors to Greece plummeted by 78.2% to 7.4 million from a record 34 million in 2019 according to official data, with a corresponding drop in tourism revenues. Greece is hoping to claw back half the 2019 visitor level. Its vowed to finish vaccinating its entire island population over the next six weeks and will even waive test requirements for tourists who have received vaccines made in Russia and China that are not approved for use domestically. Other Mediterranean countries are also looking for an edge. Malta is promising visitors vouchers to go diving and cash rebates to high-end hotel customers. In Turkey, visitors from abroad have been exempt from stay-at-home orders applying to Turks, thus enjoying an empty Istanbul, and little-populated beach resorts. Starting Monday, travelers from China, Britain, Australia, and 13 other countries will be allowed in without even having to present a negative COVID-19 test. Portugal is the only southern European country to so far make Britains so-called Green List of quarantine-free destinations. Travelers in the UK pounced on the news, according to Emma Coulthurst from holiday price comparison site TravelSupermarket. Week-on-week, if you compare all package holiday price comparison searches via TravelSupermarket, the site has seen an 865% increase in searches for package holidays to Portugal, Coulthurst said. Tourism industry officials in Portugal reported a surge in bookings and inquiries from Britain, and the government confirmed Friday that existing entry restrictions would be lifted before the updated U.K. travel list takes effect Monday, ending days of uncertainty. In neighboring Spain, Trade and Tourism Minister Reyes Maroto said her government was in constant consultations with Britain to try to have its travel status upgraded. Some 18 million U.K. holidaymakers traveled to Spain in 2019. Italy is dropping a five-day quarantine requirement for travelers from the EU, Britain and Israel starting Sunday, but many in the hospitality industry are still bracing for another tough year. I think (tourism) is going to increase but very slowly. For this year we have to accept whatever comes, said Elisabetta Menardi, manager of the Ca Foscolo apartment hotel in Venice. Just a short walk from the famed Rialto bridge, the hotel is usually fully booked year-round but is currently running at 20% occupancy. Normally in January we already get a lot of reservations for the summer. That has stopped. So we dont know whats coming now, Menardi said. People make reservations, then they cancel. Its kind of a dance. ___ Derek Gatopoulos reported from Athens, Greece. Zeynep Bilginsoy in Istanbul, Turkey, Barry Hatton in Lisbon, Portugal, Karl Ritter in Rome and Joe Wilson in Barcelona, Spain contributed. ___ Follow all of APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic, https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak CAPE ELIZABETH, Maine (AP) Maine is removing capacity limits and easing physical distancing restrictions ahead of what it hopes will be a busier summer tourist season this year. Democratic Gov. Janet Mills said Thursday the state will lift all capacity limits and requirements to physically distance in outdoor settings starting May 24. That same day, the state will remove all capacity limits in public indoor venues. Maine will also eliminate physical distancing requirements indoors, other than in settings in which people are eating or drinking such as restaurants and bars. The state is still calling for facial coverings to be worn in public indoor settings, officials said. The changes will come ahead of Memorial Day weekend, which often marks the beginning of Maine's tourism season. The changes will continue to allow for additional capacity for businesses and non-profits to safely plan for a robust tourism season, said Heather Johnson, commissioner of the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development. Mills said the relaxed guidelines are a product of the fact Maine has made progress in vaccinating tis residents. She said health workers in Maine have provided at least one shot of a COVID-19 vaccine to more than 70% of adults in the state. The fact is the more people get vaccinated, the faster we will be able to get back to normal, Mills said. In other pandemic news in Maine: THE NUMBERS The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported on Thursday that the total number of positive coronavirus cases in the state has surpassed 65,000. However, cases were starting to trend downward. The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in Maine did not increase over the past two weeks, going from 318.00 new cases per day on April 27 to 270.00 new cases per day on May 11. The seven-day rolling average of daily deaths in Maine did not increase over the past two weeks, going from 1.43 deaths per day on April 27 to 1.00 deaths per day on May 11. The AP is using data collected by Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering to measure outbreak caseloads and deaths across the United States. Maine has been the site of 798 deaths from coronavirus, Maine CDC reported. ___ VIRTUAL ROAD RACE One of Maines most beloved road races will again be a virtual event this year. Organizers of the TD Beach to Beacon 10K are concerned about holding the race during the coronavirus pandemic and have chosen not to have an in-person event this year, the Portland Press Herald reported. The race typically takes place on the first Saturday of August. This years virtual event will allow participants to run 10 kilometers on the route of their choice in late July or early August. An in-person event would have required changes that prevented the event from being the celebratory, gala event that people are accustomed to, race president David Backer said in a Thursday statement. Olympic gold medal winner Joan Benoit Samuelson founded the Cape Elizabeth race, which began in 1998. A neighbor said he heard screaming coming from a New London home before a fire broke out early Tuesday that forced at least six people out of the two-family unit. The intentionally set fire remains the subject of an investigation that, police said, involves the father of a 1-month-old boy killed hours earlier in a Norwich apartment. Timothy Settles, 32, remains a person of interest in the investigation, but police said they are still looking for the man. He has not been charged with the fire, first reported at 4 a.m. Tuesday. A neighbor, who did not want to be identified, said he heard screaming coming from the home, but did not check out the situation until he noticed the fire. At that point, the neighbor said he did not see any people except for emergency crews that were responding to the fire. The neighbor said he did not know who Settles was until the news coverage of the fire. No one answered the door at the Rosemary Street home on Thursday. The windows and doors are mostly boarded up at the home. An insurance adjuster who visited Rosemary Street on Thursday declined to comment. The fire was set about seven hours after Norwich police were called to an apartment on McKinley Street for reports that a dog had attacked a child. When officers arrived around 8:40 p.m. Monday, they found 1-month-old Carter Settles with numerous traumatic injuries. Police said the infant was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said they learned that Carter was being held by a family member when their dog jumped up and starting biting the infant. The family dog, described as a male pit bull mix, was taken by the citys animal control to a pound for a mandatory 14-day quarantine. Norwich police officials said they are working with the family and following guidance from the state Department of Agriculture on dogs that attack people. A knock on the door of the McKinley Avenue apartment went unanswered Thursday. Police have yet said how the dog attack and the fire are connected other than saying Settles, the father of the boy, was a person of interest in the arson investigation. Police said they believe Settles was at the New London home before the blaze was set. Police are asking anyone with information on Settles whereabouts to contact the New London Police Department at 860-447-5269 ext. 0. EDWARDSVILLE Moneer Damra left a lasting impact on his friends at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and they are raising funds to honor his memory through a pair of scholarships. Damra, a 26-year-old nursing student and Army Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) cadet at SIUE, died Jan. 27 at Barnes Jewish Medical Center, in St. Louis, from injuries suffered in an off-campus shooting on Jan. 14. Do It Like Damra gym wear is available online at https://treignteamsales.com/ by using code Damra. There is a shipping fee of $5 regardless of the size of the order. Money raised through clothing sales will help fund the two new scholarships being established in Damras honor. The goal is to raise $25,000 apiece for the Moneer Damra Memorial Nursing Scholarship and the SIUE Army ROTC Moneer Damra Do It Like Damra Scholarship. Throughout the spring semester, as everybody grieved, started to recover and started to come back to a sense of normalcy, we had a few competition events that we participated in, said Damras friend Bryan Sims, a former SIUE Army ROTC cadet. It kept Moneers name in our minds and hearts, and the more we did, the more we wanted to do. Some of the cadets decided they wanted something they could wear and have people ask them about and tell what Do It Like Damra meant, Sims explained. Nobody knows what it means to do it like Damra unless you knew Moneer Damra. Keeping that thought alive is what started this whole gym wear campaign. We want to be able to tell his story because the more people we tell it to, the more people will be inspired by him. Damra was transported to a regional hospital with life-threatening injuries after the shooting occurred on the ramp from Illinois Route 157 to Interstate 270 in Glen Carbon. Two suspects were charged in the shooting incident. The life journey that Damra took to get to SIUE made his success in the ROTC and nursing school even more impressive. Before turning his life around, Damra weighed 330 pounds and had an academic history as a below-average student. Funding a scholarship for a nursing student or a cadet, and giving them the opportunity that he fought so hard for, is kind of inspiring to everybody, said Sims, who was recently commissioned to active duty and is preparing to go to South Korea. We felt it was the right thing to do and we got a couple designs for the gym wear and started selling T-shirts, and here we are. Later on, were going to develop a workout that was inspired by Moneer Damra and we could have a few additional items of gym wear to go with that. We might have a few competition events at some local gyms. Do It Like Damra gym wear is currently available online only, but Sims hopes the line will be sold at SIUE by this fall. Im working on a pickup option at SIUE, but with most people being gone for the summer, its a little more difficult to organize on our part, Sims said. When the fall semester starts, there will be some new cadets coming in who dont have that stuff and they might like to have some Damra gear they can wear and be inspired by. Sims also is working on a way to recognize Damra at a St. Louis Cardinals game at Busch Stadium. SIUE recently held an event on campus where Damra was posthumously awarded his nursing degree. Later this year, the SIUE ROTC program hopes to do a wreath-laying ceremony with an honor guard in Damras memory. Direct donations to the Moneer Damra Memorial Nursing Scholarship can be made at https://www.siueconnect.org/pages/support-pages/moneer-damra-scholarship . EDWARDSVILLE Speeders on Esic Drive, Prairie View, Applegate and Chancellor were the focus of a discussion at the public safety committee meeting Tuesday. A look at any aerial map shows that Prairie View and Chancellor, like Esic, are long stretches of road that can entice some drivers to have heavy right feet. Alderwoman Janet Stack, whose ward this involves, said a constituent contacted her about the problem after he claimed to have narrowly avoided being hit by a speeding vehicle. The speed limit in residential areas such as these is 25 miles per hour. Speedings been a problem forever, Stack said Wednesday by telephone. Stack believes part of the problem can be attributable to the younger people she says live in duplexes on Chancellor. While it wasnt attributed to speeding or reckless driving, an Esic Drive homeowner and her children received quite a shock in 2013, after coming home to discover a full-size pickup in their house. The truck driver, who was not cited, experienced a medical issue that caused him to leave the roadway. In that story, the homeowner alleged that speeding was an issue. While the Edwardsville Police Department has deployed its speed signs, which act as a second speedometer for drivers to remind them of their speed, Stack said reminders and suggestions arent working. Im going to ask the police department to do enforcement, she said, looking for a place where a patrol vehicle could hide in plain sight. While she said no one has been injured or killed, she wants the speed limit enforced for residents safety. You wouldnt believe some of the dirty looks and other things I get from people when I turn off Esic to go home, she said. She also asked area residents that if they know of or see a habitual speeder, the same vehicle at the same time of day, to contact the Edwardsville Police Departments non-emergency line, 618-656-2131, and give them the pertinent information. She would also like to read serious, out of the box solutions from any residents on this issue. Stack can be reached at ward3alderman@cityofedwardsville.com Stack said the city is restricted in what traffic calming measures it can take to resolve the issue. Police Chief Jay Keeven agreed on Wednesday during a separate phone interview. He said adding more stop signs at every intersection is not a good traffic calming measure and speed bumps can cause issues with city snowplows in winter. But he said his department does speed enforcement. Unless youre there 24-7, you cant guarantee people will not speed, Keeven said. City Engineer Ryan Zwijack said the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) would never approve speed bumps on Esic because its considered a collector route, with a volume of more than 1,000 vehicles per day. Besides the issue with snow plows, he said with Esics horizontal curves, speed bumps might also cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles. Keeven mentioned the portable signs, which display a drivers speed, his department move from ward to ward and he said speeding is not just along Esic; it is a common complaint in the city. He said driver inattention is partly at fault and many times, people dont realize how fast theyre traveling. Keeven agreed with Stack about habitual speeders and that if residents see that kind of occurrence, to call it in. We are not opposed to knocking on someones door in a non-enforcement effort that would bring [speeding] to their attention, Keeven said. Reach reporter Charles Bolinger at 618-659-5735 Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 17:26:55|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Najm al-Deen al-Kharit, secretary-general of the Unified Syrian Communist Party of Syria, speaks in an interview with Xinhua in Damascus, Syria, March 31, 2021. The Communist Party of China (CPC) has achieved rapid development, setting an example for other countries, particularly the developing ones like Syria, secretary-general of the Unified Syrian Communist Party, told Xinhua in an interview. (Photo by Monsef Memari/Xinhua) DAMASCUS, May 14 (Xinhua) -- The Communist Party of China (CPC) has achieved rapid development, setting an example for other countries, particularly the developing ones like Syria, secretary-general of the Unified Syrian Communist Party, told Xinhua in an interview. Najm al-Deen al-Kharit said that he had visited China twice, and was impressed by China's development, especially the construction of buildings and the improvement in people's livelihood. He said that Syria, living through a 10-year war, can benefit from China's development experience in applying socialism with Chinese characteristics. "This experience is true Chinese, and it is what is now called socialism with Chinese characteristics. But this does not mean that it is confined to China only, as this experience can be used by all peoples of the world, especially in developing countries, including ours," he noted. The Syrian communist party leader also said that Syria is in dire need of the Chinese experience. "As the war in Syria has been dragging on for 10 years, we now need comprehensive and sustainable development, and the Chinese experience is the best experience that we can benefit from." He lauded the CPC for its successful response to COVID-19, calling it a "miracle" considering China's large population. He commended the successful plans set by the CPC to eliminate absolute poverty in China. "Combating poverty is a very important job because eliminating (absolute) poverty in China could (help) save humanity (worldwide). This has a human and global dimension." Al-Kharit also mentioned the relations between the CPC and the other parties in the world, saying that for such relations to be stable and true, mutual respect and non-interference in the internal affairs are a must. He noted that his party and the CPC are in constant efforts to consolidate their bilateral relations which "were embodied by common positions on a number of issues and mutual visits." Al-Kharit also spoke highly of the relationship between the CPC and the Chinese people, which he believed enables the CPC to make achievements. "The Communist Party of China has relied on the people and if there were no true relations between the party and the people, the party could never have made achievements," he added. He stressed that the basic principle of the CPC is to rely on the people, to build for the interest of the people, and to work for the people. "This theory means the relation between the party and the people is the one that has pushed China forward." Enditem EDWARDSVILLE At Mondays school board meeting, Dr. Jason Henderson repeated himself about the districts plan for the new school year when it comes to dealing with what school officials hope are the remnants of the pandemic. As far as a COVID-19 update, Henderson said that the district plans to move into the next school year as a typical schedule. This includes eating lunch at school for middle and high school students, as well as moving classes back to their normal amounts of time, Henderson said. He clarified that the district receives its guidance from the Illinois Department of Health (IDPH) which advises the Madison County Department of Health. District officials meet every other week with the county health department. Henderson said that COVID-19 will not completely disappear by the start of the next school year in August. As long as theyre positive cases, we will have some issues, he said. On his wish list are two things first, drop the definition of close contact from six to three feet. He said IDPH has discussed it. If that alone happened, it would eliminate almost all quarantines from our schools, Henderson said. Second, Henderson wants to reduce the quarantine period to seven days from 10 with a negative COVID test. Previously, quarantine was 14 days. More Information District 7 staffing Henderson announced this year's 12 district retirees for the 2020-2021 school year at Monday's board meeting. There are seven non-certified staff members with a total of 119 years of service and five certified staff members with a total of 97 years of service to District 7. "Overall, the 12 names I'll be reading have a combined 216 years of service to District 7," Henderson said. He noted that some retirees have served in multiple positions during their tenure. The position he read was their current position. The retirees are: Non-certified Ruth Hamann - cafeteria worker at Worden Elementary Terri Colby - bookkeeper at Edwardsville High Sharon Fisher, who is retiring after 30 years of service, is an assistant at Edwardsville High Kevin Lanfried - head custodian at Cassens Elementary Donna Mellenthin - head cook at Columbus Elementary Kelly Barrett - program assistant at Woodland Elementary Kim Cottrell - program assistant at LeClaire Elementary Certified Doug Wright - industrial occupations teacher at Edwardsville High Nancy Conner - science teacher at Lincoln Middle Kim Robeza - school nurse at Liberty Middle Paula Pitts - school nurse at Cassens Elementary Capri Strieter - speech/language pathologist at Goshen Elementary See More Collapse Those are the two things that we feel are the most important, he said. If we combine those two, we feel like we would have to quarantine very few cases, even if we did have some positive cases. As far as wearing masks, Henderson said the district will follow IDPH guidance. He said the other two things are more important to district leaders than to cease wearing masks. On vaccines, he said if a student has been fully vaccinated, they do not have to quarantine, even if there is close contact. Thursday, Madison County Health officials announced they are now vaccinating 12- to 15-year-olds. It follows the Food and Drug Administrations approval Monday of Pfizers EUA expansion request and ACIPs acceptance Wednesday. The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are only approved for those 18 years or older. One area that remains undecided is school bus drivers. Assigned seating helps keep students apart but Henderson said overall bus ridership is down this year. Right now, we will do the best we can to separate the students, we will have seating charts but we dont have any additional strategies, yet. Henderson announced that board members received updated handbooks for all three levels elementary, middle and high school. This is a yearly process that the board approves those, typically in the May meeting so at the next board meeting we will ask for the board to approve those handbooks, he said. Theyre also in the hands of a group of teachers who are reviewing them for accuracy. We know that we have a couple of updates to make. In other news, Henderson announced that information has been mailed out on the summer enrichment programs for K-8 students in art and the STEMScope program. They are on a first-come, first-served basis, so he recommends interested parents sign up for the courses as soon as possible. Henderson reported that the districts remote IAR testing, for grades three through eight, is now complete. Near the end of the meeting, Board President John McDole gave some more information about the new board work sessions that will take place next year after the regular school board meetings shift to the fourth Monday each month. On the second Monday of each month, starting in August, will be a work session. McDole said theyll be public meetings but they will provide opportunities for deeper dives into topics and chances for more dialogue, however no votes will be taken at these work sessions. There will be more detailed committee meeting discussions, too. The districts committees are: finance, personnel, facilities and policy. In other action, the board unanimously approved the following items: Display the 2020-2021 amended budget A school bus diesel fuel bid High school band room renovations and EIFS repairs at EHS, Liberty Middle and Goshen Elementary Appointed David Courtney Jr. as treasurer from July 1 through June 30, 2022 Reach reporter Charles Bolinger at 618-659-5735 EDWARDSVILLE With the bridge phase of the Restore Illinois plan underway as of Friday, the state is in the last phase before full reopening, Phase 5. And with COVID-19 vaccinations now available for children ages 12 to 15, Illinois is also taking another step in getting more of its population vaccinated. Under Bridge Phase, there are expanded capacity limits for businesses, dining, offices, events, conferences and gatherings. Barring any significant reversals in key COVID-19 statewide indicators, including increasing hospitalizations, Illinois could enter Phase 5 as soon as June 11. On Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced revised guidelines for wearing masks indoors. The CDC recommendations say that people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can participate in indoor and outdoor activities, large or small, without wearing a mask or physical distancing. Masks are still required while traveling in planes, buses and trains, regardless of vaccination status, and for those in health care settings, correctional facilities and homeless shelters. COVID-19 restrictions for the Bridge Phase include: Offices, personal care businesses, retail, amusement parks, museums, film production, spectator events, theaters and performing arts, zoos: 60% percent. Dining: Patrons seated at least 6 feet apart with parties of 10 or less; 30% indoor standing capacity; 50% outdoor capacity. Recreation: Indoor Lesser of 100 people or 50% capacity; Outdoor Maximum groups of 100; multiple groups permissible. Health and fitness: 60% capacity; Group fitness classes of 50 or fewer indoors or 100 or fewer outdoors. Meetings, conferences and conventions: Lesser of 1,000 people or 60% capacity. Social events: Indoor 250 people; Outdoor 500 people. Spectator events (ticketed and seated): 60% capacity Theaters and performing arts: 60% capacity Zoos: 60% capacity Festivals and general admission outdoor spectator events: 30 people per 1,000 square feet. Flea and farmers markets: Indoor 15 people per 1,000 square feet; Outdoor 30 people per 1,000 square feet. The Madison County Health Department, meanwhile, announced Thursday that its COVID-19 vaccination clinics are now vaccinating 12- to 15-year-olds. The change comes following the FDAs approval on Monday of Pfizers EUA expansion request and ACIPs acceptance on Wednesday. Therefore, public health can now expand eligibility for vaccinations to 12- to 15-year-olds. Minors (ages 12 to 17) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Minors do not need an ID or birth certificate; however, the parent or guardian will be asked to show their ID. The COVID-19 Moderna and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccines are only approved for those who are 18 and older. Madison County is hosting clinics in multiple locations over the coming weeks, many of which will have the Pfizer vaccine available for anyone who is 12 or older. Appointments are preferred to help with planning, but walk-ins are welcome. A limited amount of Moderna vaccine is available for second doses only by appointment only at the Madison County Health Department. Call 618-692-8954 ext. 2 if needing the final dose of Moderna. These are upcoming vaccination clinics in Madison County. The Pfizer vaccine is at all clinics unless otherwise noted. Gateway Convention Center, Collinsville May 16, 17, 18 and 20, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Long Elementary School, Madison May 15, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Gordon Moore Park, Munsterman Building, Alton - May 15, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. VFW Post 2859, Wood River May 18, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Granite City Township Building, Granite City May 22, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Johnson & Johnson) To schedule an appointment, click the green appointment link at www.madisonchd.org. If someone needs assistance scheduling their appointment, call 618-692-8954 ext. 2 on Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 17:33:29|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Faculty members and students receive COVID-19 vaccines at a vaccination site at Anhui Agricultural University in Hefei, east China's Anhui Province, May 13, 2021. (Xinhua/Huang Bohan) BEIJING, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Approximately 366.91 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered across China as of Thursday, a health official said on Friday. Mi Feng, spokesperson for the National Health Commission, revealed the figure at a press conference in Beijing. Thursday saw over 12.64 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines administered, the highest figure since China began releasing daily vaccination reports in March, Mi added. That release could not be found. Listen to article Edwin Ikechukwu Madunagu who turns 75 on May 15, 2021, has been a consistent voice for the radical transformation of Nigeria in the last five decades. For this reason, comrades, friends, associates, and students, will organize a conference on the theme: Progressive Politics as the Answer to the National Question: Problems and Prospects, to celebrate this revolutionary icon, Marxist, mathematician, journalist and public intellectual. This tribute is a reflection on what Edwin Madunagu, popularly called Eddie by friends and comrades, means to me, to Nigeria and the international socialist movement. Eddie has been described by one of his contemporaries and closest comrades, Biodun Jeyifo, Emeritus Professor of African and African American Studies and Comparative Literature at Harvard University, as the greatest materialist historian and archivist of socialism and the Left in Nigerias political history. Eddie was born May 15, 1946, in Okitipupa, in present-day Ondo State. He attended Okongwu Memorial Grammar School, Nnewi, in Anambra State, and Obokun High School, Ilesha, Osun State, for his secondary education, and later studied mathematics at the universities of Ibadan and Lagos. He taught mathematics at the universities of Lagos and Calabar before he and other radical lecturers were sacked in the late 70s by the egotistic military dictator, Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo, for teaching what they were not paid to teach. Eddie has published many works, including The Philosophy of Violence(1976), The Tragedy of the Nigerian Socialist Movement (1980), Human Progress and Its Enemies (1982), Problems of Socialism: The Nigerian Challenge (1983), The Political Economy of State Robbery (1984), The Making and Unmaking of Nigeria (2001), Contradictions of Progress: Critical Essays in Defence of Socialism (2002); Radical Politics (2002); Understanding Nigeria and the New Imperialism (2006); The Nigeria Left: Introduction to History (For Eskor Toyo and Biodun Jeyifo) (2016); and The Nigerian Left: Tributes and Criticisms (2016). In The Nigerian Left: Introduction to History, Eddie says of himself: I am a Marxist and a socialist and have been so since 1973. I am also strongly influenced by anti-sexism, humanism, and revolutionary internationalism. I have remained committed to what Karl Marx called the categorical imperative, that is the struggle to overcome all circumstances in which the human being is humiliated, enslaved, abandoned and despisedAs I have said publicly on several occasions, this commitment comes before everything else, including family, ethnic group and nationality. Twenty-five years ago, in 1996, when Eddie turned 50, I wrote a tribute and journeyed to Calabar to join friends and comrades in celebrating this iconic newspaper columnist, mathematician, author and socialist internationalist. I first met Eddie on the pages of The Guardian newspaper where he maintained a must-read Thursday column for almost three decades before I met him in person. Eddie was among those others were Profs Biodun Jeyifo, Chinweizu, Godwin Sogolo, Femi Osofisan, Kole Omotosho, G. G. Darah, Olatunji Dare and Onwuchekwa Jemie whose essays in The Guardian shaped the thinking and writings of many of my generation. Humanist per excellence, Eddie brought panache and mathematical meticulousness in explaining even the most complex of historical, political, and ideological issues. I not only read Eddie religiously, I made sure I preserved all his writings, first in hard copies, and subsequently in soft copies when The Guardian joined the Internet revolution. Fifteen years ago when Eddie turned 60, I was away in the US. As his birthday approached, I contacted Comrade Bene, herself a radical socialist and feminist activist, founding member of Women In Nigeria (WIN), Girls Power Initiative (GPI) and now a retired professor of botany, on the possibility of putting together Eddies articles into a book to mark his birthday. Comrade Bene jumped at the idea. But there was the little problem, considering the shortness of time, of how to compile and type Eddies articles in The Guardian spanning 21 years. What I told Comrade Bene next was music to her ears. I informed her that I not only had copies of Eddies articles from when he joined The Guardian in 1985 but that I also kept soft copies from the moment The Guardian went online. That effort culminated in the publication of a 573-page book titled Understanding Nigeria and the New Imperialism: Essays 2000-2006, a collection of Eddies articles in The Guardian edited by Prof Biodun Jeyifo, Prof Bene Madunagu, Kayode Komolafe and me. Understanding Nigeria and the New Imperialism is a book I find myself referring to each time I want to understand the many problems confronting our country and our world. On page 338 of the book is what I consider one of Eddies most endearing reflections on the Nigerian crisis a tribute to Peter Ayodele Curtis Joseph which was an essay in The Guardian of June 27, 2002, under the title, To Remember and to Honour. Eddie wrote, Of all the contemporary social developments that currently sadden me, one of the most painful is the disconnection of Nigerians, especially the younger ones, from their own history, including the history of their own immediate environments. I can put my finger on a number of interconnected factors responsible for this historical connection. Our educational system pays little attention to our history. Most of the current generation of teachers are products and carriers of this deficiency, so what do you expect from the new products? Our media, print and electronic, from time to time, put out historical materials and programmes. But many of them are disgustingly eclectic, distorted and full of errors of fact and sequence. Our post-independence history is short, just 42 years. But you are asking for a heart attack if you dare ask any final year undergraduate or young politician to name, in historical sequence, the regimes that this country has had since independence. Thanks to social media and the rise of religious fundamentalism, among other factors, the condition Eddie described above has worsened in the last decade. Young Nigerians are not only disconnected, they are also tragically disinterested in the history and future of the country as well as in socio-political events that shape their material conditions. And when they attempt to confront these issues, what you get is what Prof Biodun Jeyifo describes in the foreword to the book, Understanding Nigeria and the New Imperialism, as a dialogue of the deaf and the damned. Of course, this attitude is not limited to our youth. As Prof Jeyifo notes, it finds expression within the community of Nigerian radicals and leftists and the broader community of the national intelligentsia of all shades of ideological opinion. Essentially, what Prof Jeyifo is saying in describing Eddies vast and complex body of work is that he (Eddie) shows us that no meaningful conversation exists among Nigerians about the future of the country. What we have is a dialogue of the deaf and the damned. A dialogue of the deaf because interlocutors and disputants in our national conversation dont take the time to listen at all to one another, let alone hear one another as the same issues, the same ideas are repeated and recycled again and again. And a dialogue of the damned because we seem headed for a catastrophe that we might not survive this time around as we survived after a fashion, at least our Civil War of 1967-70. The eloquence, clarity and force with which he advances (his) theses mark Eddie out as perhaps the revolutionary conscience of our generation, notes Prof Jeyifo. In a country in crisis like ours, it is the likes of Eddie that we should turn to for guidance. Twenty-one years ago (May 4, 2000), in an essay in The Guardian on the Biafra agitation titled, Settling accounts with Biafra,Eddie wrote, The young Nigerians now threatening to actualise Biafra should forget or shelve the plan. In place of actualisation they should, through research and study, reconstruct the Biafran story in its fullness and complexity and try to answer the unanswered questions and supply the missing links in the story. This is a primary responsibility you owe yourselves: you should at least understand what you want to actualise. If 30 years after Biafra, you want to produce its second edition, you need to benefit from the criticism of the first. History teaches that a second edition of a tragic event could easily become a farce in spite of the heroism of its human agencies. On the other hand, those who enjoy ridiculing Biafra instead of studying it are politically short-sighted. My own attitude to Biafra is neither actualisation nor ridicule. I propose that accounts should be settled with Biafra. In another essay titled Sovereign conference or civil war? (March 16, 2000), Eddie observed: Nigeria has been reprieved from civil war several times in the past decade. The point is that this reprieve cannot continue indefinitely. Sooner or later history may give Nigeria what the powers-that-be have been reckoning. There are many today, even amid mounting despair and alienation, grinding poverty, hopelessness, terrorism and violence inextricably linked to the renewed onslaught of capitalism, who still have doubts that a post-capitalist world is possible. To such people, I recommend this extract from a tribute to Eddie by Prof Biodun Jeyifo (The Nation, May 15, 2016): Let us put away the fears, the worries of the faint-hearted among us that socialism is dead in our country and our world. Indeed, without being in the least complacent about the challenges ahead of us, let us rest assured that prospects for a post-capitalist era of political, economic and social justice for the vast majority of our people in Nigeria and the peoples of our planet are as good now as they were more than forty years ago when, in the Anti-Poverty Movement of Nigeria (APMON), we first became, instantly and forever, lifelong comrades in working class activism. Apart from my father, perhaps no other person has had as much influence on my life as Comrade Edwin Madunagu and I am proud not only to be associated with him for more than three decades but also to be his protege. At 75, Eddie spends his retirement running the Calabar International Institute for Research, Information and Documentation (CIINSTRID), a free research institution and public library, which he set up in 1994. I conclude this homage to Eddie by returning to Prof Jeyifos tribute. It so happens that the prospects for a post-capitalist future are indeed much brighter in many other parts of the world than in our country at the present time, he wrote. But we are part of the world at large, thanks in part to global capitalism. No comrade that I know understands and appreciates this contradiction better and keener than Edwin Madunagu. There is nothing more to add other than to say that the mission of the generation of Nigerians under 40 is to renew the progressive, radical, and popular-democratic traditions of struggle in Nigeria which Comrades Eddie and Biodun Jeyifo (who turned 75 on January 5, 2021) exemplify. You betray that mission at your own peril! Part of this tribute appeared in 2016 to celebrate Edwin Madunagu at 70. It has been updated to mark his 75th birthday on May 15, 2021. Onumah can be reached through: [email protected] ; Twitter: @conumah Listen to article I read with great displeasure the reactions and comments credited to Senators Lawan , Ndume and Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila to the clarion calls by the southern governors for restructuring of the country and for Mr President to address the nation along with the ban of open grazing in the south. I am aware that these national legislators are from Mr Presidents party hence should defend him at all costs even if the country is boiling . The Senate President said that the worsening security situation in the country is a result of a lack of a functional local government system. This is fallacious and misleading. Is it the local government system that controls the security agencies and our National Intelligence agencies? Who appoints the service chiefs, the local government chairman or the president of the country? Who is recognized as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the local government chairman or the president of the Federal Republic of Nigerian . In case Senator Lawan has forgotten the provisions of our constitution ,section 5 of the Nigerian constitution vested executive powers of the federation in the president and not in the local government chairmen or the state governors . I know when the issue of state policing was deliberated by the Nigerian governors Forum ,it was rejected by most northern governors on the ground that they did not have the financial clouts to finance such project . Today ,the federal police will post a police officer who does not know the terrain of an area or the culture of a people to go and police the area. On the call by the Southern Governors Forum for the restructuring of the country, Lawan said, I believe that as leaders, especially those of us who are elected into office should not be at the forefront of calling for this kind of thing. Because, even if you are a governor, you are supposed to be working hard in your state to ensure that this restructuring you is calling for at the federal level, you have done it in your state as well. The truth is that my people say that the oppressor will never see anything wrong in his act of oppression and I do not expect Senator Lawan to say the contrary. I need not remind Senator Lawan that the 1999 constitution imposed on us by the military does not represent the wishes of the people of Nigeria. I put it to Lawan that it is both absurd and abusive referring the governors as the chief security officers in their states when they do not have any control on the police ,army ,DSS or any other security agencies in their respective states . Recently an online video showed where the governor of Akwa Ibom state was accusing the commissioner of police in his state for causing mayhem in the state .If governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel had control over the commissioner of police in his state would he not have transferred such commissioner of police out of his state or sacked him? To me, it is derogatory referring to a state governor as the chief security officer of his state when he has no control over any of the security agencies in his state. All the security agencies in his state are controlled from Abuja. In the same vein , the Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has argued that the agitation for restructuring may be genuine but elected leaders and state governors should not be the ones to champion the movement for restructuring without first replicating the idea at the state level. I want to remind Hon. Femi that the governors were voted in by the people hence they should represent their people at all times. What the governors said was exactly the wish of their subjects. As we run a representative system of government just know that the governors are representing their people. On the other hand, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Ali Ndume, has said Southern governors in the country wont get the solution to the various problems confronting the region by playing to the gallery. I believe that Senator Ndume should have another meaning to the idiomatic expression of playing to the gallery because there is no way somebody should regard the decisions reached by the southern governors as playing to the gallery. Senator Ndume again faulted the decision of the Southern governors to ban open grazing in the South-West, South-East and the South-South geopolitical zones of the country, adding that open grazing was not the problem but insecurity. This is preposterous as our people say that to separate a fight one must first stop the opponents from coming together . I want to remind Senator Ndume that southern governors are not acting alone in this , as Justice Adewale Thompson banned open grazing on 17th April 1969 and warned of unprovoked killings by fulani herdsmen so there is a judicial precedent on this matter before the southern governors did the needful . Senator Ndume may verify this from Suit no AB/26/66. In his judgment on the suit, the presiding judge, Justice Adewale Thompson , has this to say : I do not accept the contention of Defendants that a custom exists which imposes an obligation on the owner of farm to fence his farm whilst the owner of cattle allows his cattle to wander like pests and cause damage. Such a custom if it exists is unreasonable and I hold that it is repugnant to natural justice, equity and good conscience and therefore unenforceablein that it is highly unreasonable to impose the burden of fencing a farm on the farmer without the corresponding obligation on the cattle owner to fence in his cattle. Sequence to that I banned open grazing for it is inimical to peace and tranquility and the cattle owners must fence or ranch their animals for peace to reign in these communities. I still want to put it to Senator Ndume that trespass is both civil and criminal offence in Nigeria hence it is senseless defending herdsmen who take their cattle to another persons property to destroy the persons crops and you say the person should accommodate the herdsmen . There is no way you can sit on somebodys nose and get balanced. Section 342 of the penal code is clear on what constitutes a criminal trespass and section 348 of the same code clearly outlines the punishment for criminal trespass. It may also interest Senator Ndume to know that the Supreme Court has gone further to state the ingredients of a criminal trespass as follows: Unlawful entry into or upon a property in the possession of another or unlawful remaining there An intention to commit an offence or intimidate, insult or annoy the person in possession of the property It needs to be noted that trespassing can have both civil and criminal consequences. A property owner may be able to sue someone who enters their land without permission. Meanwhile, the trespasser also may face criminal charges. The prosecutor would need to prove that the defendant intentionally entered someone elses property without permission, or remained there after being told to leave. This charge usually arises in the context of private property, but it can also arise if someone enters a store or other business, or even a city or state park, when they are not permitted to be there. I intentionally cited penal code that is applicable to northern part of the country which is where Senator Ndume hails from because I dont want to bore him with similar provisions of the criminal code that is applicable in southern part of Nigeria because he may claim not to be familiar with that . I put it to Senator Ndume that these two ingredients of criminal trespass are being executed by the herdsmen who unlawfully access somebodys farm , intimidate, maim ,rape or even kill the farmer if the farmer raises an eyebrow. I burst into laughter when I read where Senator Ndume said that: They( the southern governors ) have unfiltered access to Mr President who is the Commander-In-Chief and they themselves being the chief security officers of their states have the national security council. Let me begin by asking Senator Ndume which president he was referring to ? Was it the same president that said that he was not aware that his former IGP did not carry out his instruction when Benue killing began and he could neither sack the IGP nor replace him for flouting the order of the Commander-in chief of armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria? Was Ndume referring to a president that made it clear after his swearing in that he was for his 97% that voted for him and not the 5% that did not vote for him? Was Ndume referring to a president whose under his watch the federal ministry of Justice was eager to approach the court to proscribe IPOB while the rampaging Fulani herdsmen are killing and wiping out communities with nobody saying anything? Was Ndume referring to the same president that the governors of Benue, Zamfara and Niger states have repeatedly sent out save-our-soul messages to and kidnapping, banditry and killing are still ongoing? Was Ndume referring to the same president that under his watch , Abuja-Kaduna road is now a nightmare to travelers that even highly placed security officers are afraid plying the road with their own security details ? Was Ndume referring to a president that clearly told the people of Benue that they should find a way to accommodate their visitors, even when the visitors were there to destroy their farms with their cattle? Was Ndume referring to a president under his watch a particular section of the country would kill and openly claim responsibility for that and no arrest would be made let alone prosecuting the culprits but when the victims rise up to defend themselves then the military would be drafted to the area? DSS I know under this administration is the one that can invite somebody like me to come and explain what should be my freedom of expression as contained in section 39 of the constitution, as amended, but no herder will be invited for similar interrogation. I may not want to continue in responding to all that Senator Ndume said while featuring on Channels Televisions Politics Today programme because I may soon lose my control. However, the one that I will not fail to mention before ending this write-up is the reaction of some northerners who faulted the southern governors for not first consulting the leadership the Fulani herdsmen before banning open grazing in the south. The consult will be for what? Will the southern governors first consult the leaders for the herdsmen as owners of the country or owners of the southern part of the country? How many southerners were consulted before Sharia law was illegally implemented in the north even when such implementation was totally and clearly against sections 10 and 38 of the Nigerian constitution as amended. Section 38 of the Nigerian constitution extensively gives every Nigerian citizen the inalienable right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion whereas section 10 clearly states that : The Government of the Federation or of a State, shall not adopt any religion as State Religion. Is it not unlawful to impose Sharia law to people living a certain region of the country? Tell me if it is not unlawful for members of the Hisbah Corps or what other name they are called to destroy and arrest the sellers of Alcoholic drinks on the streets of Kano ? The most annoying of the whole scenario is that same Hisbah corps are being financed from the value-added.tax gotten from sales and consumption of alcoholic drinks from other states of the federation. If they do not like alcoholic drinks why not tell Federal government to remove part of their monthly allocation coming from the tax levied on alcoholic drinks? That is what Ghanaian novelist ,Ayi Kwei Armah called Chidodo bird. The said chidodo bird hates excreta but feeds on the maggots that survive on the excreta. I know somebody will cite one law passed by the Kano state House of Assembly or any other Northern state House of Assembly banning sales and consumption of alcoholic drinks. I will like to refer the fellow to section 4(5) of the Nigerian constitution,as amended which states that : If any law enacted by the House of Assembly of a State is inconsistent with any law ( such as sections 10 and 38 of the Nigerian constitution ) validly made by the National Assembly, the law made by the National Assembly shall prevail, and that other law shall to the extent of the inconsistency be void. Dr Paul John Port Harcourt, Rivers state ,[email protected] Listen to article Forty-five years ago, as I turned 30, I left Lagos for Ibadan. From Ibadan, together with a comrade of the same age, I left for a rural community somewhere between Gbongan and Ile-Ife in present-day Osun State. There we joined others, similarly inspired like us, about ten in number, male and female, excluding two kids whom we took turns to baby-sit in order to free the mother to participate fully in revolutionary duties. We assembled to inaugurate an underground Marxist revolutionary vanguard embedded in the peasantry. While some members were fully in residence, others were semi-resident, but continually in touch with the Headquarters. I was not only fully in residence, but disappeared to the outside world for between 9 and 12 months. The strategic objective of that Extraordinary Expedition was to inaugurate an armed struggle in a socialist revolution which we recognized had been going on at a certain level in our country, Nigeria. The armed struggle did not happen. But it almost did. And in an attempt to force it to begin, we also almost ended up in self-liquidation. It was when I was leaving the Headquarters after the collapse of the Expedition that our peasant comrades knew, through my contact address and full name, that not only was I not an Ijesha man, but that I was not even of Yoruba parentage. For I had integrated completely with them and had been one of their conscientisation discussion leaders in the Yoruba language for at least the preceding six months. The scene of separation was so emotional. The Extraordinary Expedition had profound effects on all the participants. But, as expected, the effects were of different kinds on different comrades, with some differences less significant than others. It was this variation in differences that made it possible for Biodun Jeyifo (BJ) and I, then Bene, to regroup almost immediately after the collapse of the Expedition. Personally, the effects of that Ode-Omu Extraordinary Expedition were completely transforming. I emerged from the commune a professional revolutionary: where to be a professional revolutionary was not conceived mechanically, for instance, in the way one is a professional teacher or a professional soldier, that is, in terms of training and occupation. It was not even conceived in the sense of making revolution the primary interest in ones life. Rather, to be a professional revolutionary was conceived in the sense of compelling every other interest or commitment including nationality, sub-nationality, religion, family, friendship and engagements for material sustenance and reproduction to find accommodation and justification in the commitment to revolution. But that is just one side of a professional revolutionary as conceived by me. The other side is the commitment to what Karl Marx, in his youthful days, called categorical imperatives, that is, the struggle to overcome all circumstances in which the human being is humiliated, enslaved, abandoned and despised. And later I added the commitment to struggle to extend immediate and unconditional solidarity to the wretched of the earth and ameliorate the human condition anywhere a professional revolutionary finds herself or himself. A professional revolutionary is thus a contradiction in the real world: simultaneous toughness and softness. The requirement sketched above is not a necessary one for every Leftist or even for every revolutionary. But it is a self-imposed requirement for every vanguard in the struggle against capitalism, capitalist social formations and imperialism. Some would say that for a sustainable revolution to take place there must be a substantial number of this category of revolutionaries. But I would modify this and say that at least the revolution should be capable of rapidly reproducing its own professionals as it proceeds. My life as a professional revolutionary since the 1977 collapse of the Extraordinary Expedition has therefore been a contradictory one at least in the sense described in the preceding paragraphs. And it has been tough for that person who, in addition to having to share that life as a wife, a comrade and a lover, also has to live her life as an academic, an intellectual, a mother, a social activist, a Leftist-feminist and a revolutionary socialist. If there is any person who, since 1977, has kept me on my feet, stood with me as equal, pointing out what can be done today in anticipation of tomorrow, and correcting my frequent tactical and strategic errors, that person is Comrade Professor Bene Madunagu. About two weeks ago, on the eve of 2021 May Day, Comrade Bene and I made a re-affirmation and executed a long-standing decision of ours. The former was the re-affirmation of our subscription to Marxism, commitment to socialist revolution in Nigeria and world-wide and to revolutionary internationalism. And the latter was the decision to transfer our Combined Archives and Libraries, built up since 1973, to the Nigerian Left. Following this definitive step, we established an 8-member Board of Advisers (BOA) to manage the Combined Archives and Libraries on behalf and in the name of the Nigerian Left. This took effect on May 1, 2021. Any further announcement or action on this subject will be made or taken by the Board. Let the struggle continue. Madunagu, mathematician and journalist, writes from Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. Listen to article In 1519 the Spanish Explorer and Colonialist, Hernando Cortez arrived the New World with about six hundred men. He was determined to set up a colony in America by conquering the local Red Indians but needed the maximum cooperation of his men in his quest. While his men slept, he burnt all their ships thereby making them burn their bridges and leaving no room for any alternative plan to go back to Spain. The men fearing death in a strange, cold land fought with all their might and defeated their adversary. Worlds wealthiest investor Warren Buffett was once asked his investment strategy and he replied in simple language: Put all your eggs in one basket and watch it carefully. This week Sunday, a viral video went round of how the charismatic and handsome Founder of the House on the Rock, Pastor Paul Adefarasin told his congregation that his wife Ifeanyi had gone ahead of him to an undisclosed foreign country to prepare his way for his eventual departure given the terrible security situation in the country which could lead to a Second Civil War. He urged his congregation to have a plan b a life in exile as he couldnt guarantee their safety any longer. In his words: I bring you greetings from Pastor Ifeanyi (his wife) who is busy taking care of the frontier of our world and preparing our escape route. If you dont have a plan B I know you have faith. I have faith too but I have a plan B. With technology I can speak to you from anywhere in the world. Get yourself a plan B. Whether thats an Okada to Cameroon or flying boat or speed boat as we call them to Seme Border or a hole in the ground, get your plan B because these people are crazy. They are nutters. The whole bunch of them. And watch the signs because it can happen like this. God forbid! I was surprised that this was coming from a Clergy man as I have always viewed the religious class with utmost suspicion as they are complicit with the political elite in the rot of the country. Rather than speak the truth to power, they massage the over bloated ego of our Emperors and sell their followers the elixir of some elusive Heaven which can only be attained by regular forgiveness, praying for our leaders, tithes, offerings and battleground seeds in order to obtain unprecedented favour from God and enjoy economic prosperity while still domiciled on earth. The Clergy in The Philippines spoke against the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcus which led to his eventual overthrow in 1986. Ours are more preoccupied with saying prophecies and hustling for security contracts. In as much as I agree with Adefarasin as it is necessary to have a plan b in lieu of the deteriorating quality of life experienced by the majority of the citizens, it is imperative to question the raison detre behind the plan b and posit whether it is not wiser to have only a plan a for more effective living. The plan b is responsible for the fact that Nigerian citizens have failed to hold the government to account. There is no light so we buy generators, no good public schools so we send our children or wards to private schools or schools abroad, no good hospitals so we either go to the private hospitals or travel abroad, no security so we hire the use of policemen or form vigilantes in our neighbourhoods, lack of governmental presence in our lives and our Clergy men urge us not to fight back to demand for our fundamental human rights but to pray for them so as not to jeopardize our chances of going to Heaven since there is a Biblical injunction that makes it compulsory for our leaders to be prayed for. The plan b has entrenched a culture of lukewarmness and a lackadaisical attitude of the citizens towards their ability to ensure good governance and a fair deal from their supposed leaders. How practicable is Adefarasins advice? Nigeria has over 200 million people and it is the most populous black nation on earth. Is it possible for the country to get totally depopulated at any given time? In a country where millions live on less than a dollar a day with a 33% unemployment rate among the youths, how many can afford the millions required to relocate abroad? How many can even afford to relocate illegally via the perilous road trips across the Sahara and by the Mediterranean to Europe? Why cant his advice be geared towards rousing the dormant fighting spirit of the largely complacent citizens towards demanding for the dividends of democracy? Is he rallying round a scheme towards helping the masses raise funds for their relocation? Is he not leaving them in the lurch like Sheep without a Shepherd through his prescription? Why cant he advocate a peaceful version of the Arab Spring which shook dictatorships in Northern Africa to its very foundation and proved that citizens power was supreme? Where was his voice during the End Sars protest which was the most effective peaceful protest this country has ever witnessed which was spearheaded by the youths? Enough of this placebo as the country needs pragmatic solutions that can swiftly get her out of the woods and not advice that leaves much to be desired! Migration is as old as man and mortals gravitate towards places that they feel their bread is most buttered and one is not disparaging efforts towards legal migration. Permit me to go Biblical, the Israelites were Gods chosen race yet they migrated to foreign lands a lot. Lot migrated to Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob migrated, Joseph became the Prime Minister of Egypt, Esau who even sold his birthright prospered in a foreign land. Joseph the foster father of Jesus Christ had to migrate to Egypt when the latter was an infant to escape Herods sword which slaughtered the infants in cold blood. In as much as migration is innate in man, it shouldnt be promoted as the only alternative. It should just be one more option as Nigerians should be empowered to have as many choices as possible to live the good life. Adefarasin should use his immense clout and influence to galvanize the citizens to press for a better deal rather than shove an option thats not applicable to the beleaguered Plebians. It is high time the Clergy became partners in progress of the citizens rather than work perpetually in cahoots with the elite to perpetually suppress them or dish out advice whose practicability is worse than chasing a pie in the sky. Tony Ademiluyi is the Co Founder of The Vent Republic Media www.theventrepublic.com and wrote from Lagos. Listen to article Clara Magalasi, who lives in a rural village near Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi, woke up to a grey morning with a dull sky that was threatening rain. For Ms. Magalasi, the weather did not stop her from walking the 4 kilometres to Chileka Health Centre. Her daughter Grace Butawo, who just turned 22 months, was due for her fourth and final dose of the RTS,S malaria vaccine. She is fully aware of the vaccine benefits. I understand that if my child gets all four doses, the vaccine will give her the most protection against malaria and severe malaria. Ever since Grace was born, she has never suffered from malaria, unlike my other children who experienced a lot of malaria episodes when they were her age, says Ms. Magalasi. When added to currently recommended malaria control tools, the RTS,S malaria vaccine can reduce episodes of malaria in children by 40 per cent and reduce life-threatening severe malaria by around 30 per cent. Malaria vaccine pilot progress: two years on Currently, Grace is one of the estimated 220,000 children in Malawi who have received at least one dose of the RTS,S malaria vaccine through routine immunization as part of a landmark pilot implementation in sub-Saharan Africa led by the Ministries of Health in Malawi, Ghana, and Kenya, coordinated by the United Nations, through the World Health Organisation (WHO), and supported by in-country and regional and global health partners. In Malawi, malaria is among the three most deadly diseases among children under five years old, alongside pneumonia and diarrhoea. WHO and UNICEF have been working together with health authorities to combat the disease, as it is preventable and easily treatable if caught early. And when the moment came two years ago to introduce the malaria vaccine into childhood immunization programmes in the world, Malawi became the first country to get on board, followed by Ghana and then Kenya. The vaccine was introduced in a phased approach that targeted 11 districts in Malawi. Globally, more than half of childhood deaths occur in Africa, and malaria is a major cause of these. In January 2016, the WHO recommended pilot implementation of the RTS,S malaria vaccine in children to use alongside other malaria control interventions in settings of moderate-to-high parasite transmission. The malaria vaccine is the first and, to date, the only vaccine that can significantly reduce malaria in children. The power of immunization to increase health equity To reduce childhood deaths, we can look to the potential of interventions like the malaria vaccine to deliver added malaria prevention on the successful child vaccination or EPI platform that reaches about 80 per cent of children in the country. The vaccine provides considerable added protection against malaria to children. Clara Magalasi and her child Grace Butawo at her home in Lilongwe Rural. The child has received malaria vaccine and now has more protection against the disease. Photo: WHO Malawi/ Hudson Kubwalo. It is an additional tool alongside insecticide-treated nets (or bed nets) and it is also an opportunity to reach children not yet using bed nets or other malaria prevention interventions the malaria vaccine could increase equity in access to life-saving malaria interventions, said Dr. Nonhlanhla Dlamini the WHO Representative in Malawi. Malawis Ministry of Health has put in place malaria control measures such as insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying with insecticides (IRS) supported by UNICEF and WHO. However, there are still households in hard-to-reach areas that do not yet benefit from such interventions. As Seliya Lawrence, also from rural Lilongwe, says, her house never got insecticides but her 10-month-old baby has so far received 3 doses of malaria vaccine. I know about IRS but that programme did not come in our area. I am grateful that my child is getting the malaria vaccine which can protect her from severe malaria, said Ms. Lawrence. Other potential benefits: reduced hospital admissions, more preventive health care visits Hospital visits and admissions due to malaria put a financial burden on the vulnerable. In Malawi, almost 60 per cent of childhood outpatient health facility visits are due to malaria. Data from Chileka Health Centre in Lilongwe indicates a decrease in hospital admissions for malaria illness among children under age five years since the vaccine was introduced. Health workers say this drop may be due to the malaria vaccine. Since the malaria vaccine was introduced, it may have managed to keep many children out of the hospital, says Madalitso Chadewa, a senior Health Surveillance Assistant at Chileka Health Centre. Ms. Chadewa says the pilot has also improved the routine immunization uptake. Before the pilot, most mothers would quit under-five clinic visits when their children get their last jab of measles at 15 months. But the malaria vaccine has extended the immunization period to 22 months of age. When children come at 22 months, aside from giving them the RTS,S fourth dose, we also do growth monitoring and general health checks. These health checks are essential because they help to detect preventable health threats in the under-five children, she added. Malaria vaccine pilot in the context of COVID-19 The UN has been supporting the Malawis Ministry of Health to ensure the continuity of essential immunization and malaria services during the COVID-19 pandemic, including malaria vaccination in pilot districts. The malaria vaccine pilot has continued without major disruptions. We understand how COVID-19 has put pressure on our health system. It is important for us to ensure that child vaccination services, including the malaria vaccine programme, continue during this time because immunizations reduce child illnesses, save lives, and help relieve the strain on the health system, says Dr. Randy Mungwira, the WHO technical officer for the malaria vaccine pilot programme in Malawi. Next steps for the malaria vaccine pilot Data and experience from the malaria vaccine in pilot implementation will inform how best to reach children with the four-dose vaccine regimen, the vaccines impact on severe malaria and on lives saved, and the vaccines safety in routine use. So far, accrued safety data are very reassuring. The pilot is progressing well, community acceptance of the vaccine is strong, and the programme is now on track for a review of RTS,S data and a potential WHO vaccine recommendation for wider use in sub-Saharan Africa as early as October 2021. If the vaccine is recommended for broader use, it could be a potent new addition to currently recommended tools to fight malaria, delivered through the childhood immunization platform. The Malaria Vaccine Implementation Programme in the African region derives from the UNs partnership with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, and Unitaid. For more information, go to the malaria vaccine implementation programme website. Ms. Mukhuna works for WHO in Malawi For more information on COVID-19, visit www.un.org/coronavirus Africa Renewal Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 17:41:47|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, on Thursday inspected the South-to-North Water Diversion Project in the city of Nanyang in central China's Henan Province. On Friday, he convened a symposium on advancing the high-quality follow-up development of the project. The project is the largest of its kind worldwide. It transfers water from the Yangtze River to dry areas in north China through eastern, middle, and western routes. In Xi's words, it will benefit generations beyond. For over six years since it started supplying water, the project has helped moisten the arid north, but its significance extends well beyond water supply. ECONOMIC LIFELINE The distribution of water resources is uneven in China. The north is relatively dry, and the south, blessed with the Yangtze River, is better off regarding water supply. The project is a significant strategic infrastructure to optimize water resources, boost sustainable economic and social development, and improve people's livelihoods, Xi said in 2014. Official data showed that by March, the project had transferred over 40.8 billion cubic meters of water to China's northern areas for more than six years. It directly benefits more than 130 million people. More than 40 big and medium-sized cities received water from the project, and in Beijing, around 70 percent of tap water is pumped in through the middle route. The project has also helped the ecological restoration of rivers and lakes along its eastern and middle routes. It supplied over 5.2 billion cubic meters of water, according to the Ministry of Water Resources. In droughts and related emergencies, the project provided life-saving water. The eastern route, for instance, helped ensure a rice harvest in 16 million mu (about 1 million hectares) of farmland in north Jiangsu Province last April. After years of operation, the mega project has served as a significant lifeline to secure the prosperity and coordinated development of the north and the south. CONSERVATION FIRST Although the spatial distribution of water resources in China has improved with water diversion, China still faces water shortages, with per capita water resources being only one-fourth of the global average. That explains why the country has been prioritizing saving water while ensuring the safety of water resources. Xi has long attached great prominence to water conservation. During an inspection tour in east China's Jiangsu Province last November, Xi stressed guiding the development of cities and industries based on water capacities and making more efforts in water conservation. "More south-to-north water supply should not happen in tandem with willful water wastage," Xi said. Official data shows that the country has made solid progress in water conservation and enhancing water-saving consciousness. Industrial firms have adhered to government guidelines and action plans on green development and saving water. It has helped reduce water consumption per 10,000 yuan (about 1,556 U.S. dollars) worth of industrial output by 27.5 percent from 2015 to 2019. Rural areas are transforming farm layout, perfecting a tiered water-pricing mechanism, and increasing irrigation efficiency. As a result, China's water consumption per 10,000 yuan of GDP is down 23.8 percent from 2015 to 2019, official data showed. With the advancement of the massive project, the country hopes to see more institutional improvements driven by reforms to boost eco-friendly business and economic development. For instance, involved parties have been encouraged to explore a sound water pricing mechanism that can promote water conservation and generate reasonable returns so that more businesses will participate in the construction and operation of water conservancy projects. Fiscal support is also expected to be innovatively delivered to facilitate safe drinking water projects in impoverished areas in the central and western regions. The country has vowed to keep annual water consumption under 670 billion cubic meters by 2022, when saving water becomes a norm, and under 700 billion cubic meters by 2035, when the country realizes world-leading water conservation and reuse. LASTING BENEFITS "Ecological and environmental investment is not a futile or ineffective investment, but a basic and strategic investment that concerns the high-quality and sustainable development of the economy and society," Xi said during his inspection tour in Jiangsu. As one of China's most significant environmental undertakings, the South-to-North Water Diversion Project will continue to help drive the country's medium to long-term growth. The western route is now in the pre-construction stage and could add around 40 billion cubic meters of water. Experts say it will balance growth potential among different regions. By 2035, provincial regions like Shanxi, Beijing, Tianjin, and Shandong will each face 1 to 3 billion cubic meters of water shortages, which can be expectedly relieved by the western route, said Wang Guangqian, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Also, the diverted water will likely help treat large expanses of desertified lands along the middle to upper reaches of the Yellow River. This water could even turn them into fertile farmlands covering around 100 million mu. The prospective economic yield from the future farmlands is greater than the cost of the western route project itself, according to Wang. From an energy perspective, this route could stimulate clean energy generation by adding hydropower to west China energy hubs like Shanxi and Qinghai provinces, thus contributing to the pursuit of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. Enditem Phuket smart bus considered to replace light rail, save B15.2bn PHUKET: Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob has ordered an in-depth analysis of a proposal to dump the Phuket light-rail project in favour of a smart bus system that would reduce the cost of launching a mass transport option on the island by some B15.2 billion. transporteconomics By The Phuket News Friday 14 May 2021, 12:19PM The order came yesterday (May 13) during a teleconference Mr Saksayam held to follow up the progress of transport projects in regional main provinces, reports state news agency MCOT. Mr Saksayam explained that the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) has proposed to change the type of transport system to be rolled out in Phuket from light rail to a bus-based operation. The MRTA, which has been officially assigned the task of implementing the Phuket mass transit project, which up until now has been focussed purely in building a light-rail system, had already conducted a preliminary investigation into the proposal, he said. The smart bus without driver, or automated rapid transit (ART), will reduce the budget of the project by about B15.289 billion. Additionally, the time required for construction will also be shorter by about nine months, which will allow us to set lower fares for passengers, he said. At this stage, we have a concept to set three different rates of fare according to service areas: within Phuket Town, outside of Phuket Town, and travelling between Phuket Town and outside areas. For construction, the option that requires the least time to complete will be chosen, such as using precast concrete and launching gantries, he added. Mr Saksayam also explained that the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) had discussed with the MRTA and the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) how construction of the project would affect traffic across the island. To resolve the issue, the agencies suggested delaying the launch of the Phuket mass transit system until 2030. If we work on the construction of the public transport project and the Patong tunnel project, which are currently planned to open in 2026 and 2028 respectively, at the same time, the construction will affect the traffic on the island very much, he said. However, if we postpone the construction of the public transport project to open in 2030, this can help reduce the effect on traffic, he added. I ordered the MRTA and EXAT to present the action plans and timeline for the two choices within two weeks, Mr Saksayam said. After the COVID-19 outbreak has been resolved, representatives from the two agencies will go to Phuket to conduct a public hearing, he noted. At this stage, Phuket City Municipality has approved the MRTA to work on the public transport project on Thepkrasattri Rd and Phuket Rd, he said. Prayut coming to Phuket as July 1 reopening assured PHUKET: Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha along with Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Tourism & Sport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn are to arrive in Phuket tomorrow (May 15) to see firsthand the COVID situation on the island and to hand over 100,000 doses of COVID vaccine to be used in the mass-vaccination campaign. COVID-19CoronavirusVaccinetourismeconomics By The Phuket News Friday 14 May 2021, 06:49PM Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, pictured here receiving a COVID-19 vaccination injection, will arrive in Phuket tomorrow (May 15). Photo: Prayut Chan-o-cha / Facebook Vachira Phuket Hospital Director Dr Chalermpong Sukontapol confirmed the news following the meeting of the Phuket Communicable Disease Committee at Phuket provincial Hall today (May 14). Tomorrow (May 15), the Prime Minister, the Minister of Public Health and the Minister of Tourism and sport will come to hand over 100,000 doses of Sinovac vaccine. Another 100,000 doses will come on May 18, Dr Chalermpong said. I would say it is our good luck to receive the number of vaccines to accomplish our Phuket Sandbox plan. We receive vaccine doses faster than other provinces, he added. We will start administering the vaccine doses [that will arrive tomorrow] from May 18-28, Dr Chalermpong said. We will receive doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine in early June to give to elders. The vaccine will be given to those who are older than 60 years old and to those who have dangerous diseases [medical conditions] over three days, from June 7-9, he explained. Then we will administer a further 140,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to people from June 10-16, he continued. After that, we will give the second injection of the Sinovac vaccine to those who received their first injection in May. That will complete our 300,000 people vaccinated with Sinovac. For the 140,000 people who will get the AstraZeneca vaccine, they will develop immunity after two weeks. They will get the second injection in August, he said. So, that will be 440,000 people in Phuket vaccinated for the virus; 300,000 people will be fully vaccinated with Sinovac and 140,000 will have had their first jab of AstraZeneca. That means we will be able to open on July 1, Dr Chalermpong assured. For foreigners, migrant workers, or expats working in Phuket, we will arrange the vaccine doses and give them to you before the end of June for sure, Dr Chalermpong said. We are living and working in Phuket together. We will achieve herd immunity together, he added. Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 18:16:48|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ZHENGZHOU, May 14 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping on Friday convened a symposium on advancing the high-quality follow-up development of China's mega water diversion project. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, stressed the need to analyze the new situation and tasks facing the South-to-North Water Diversion Project and push for the scientific planning and construction of the project to promote the effective and economical use of water resources. On Thursday, he inspected the project in the city of Nanyang in central China's Henan Province. When the water started to gush north through the middle route in December 2014, Xi described the mega water project as an important strategic infrastructure to optimize water resources, boost sustainable economic and social development and improve people's livelihoods. Six years on, the middle route of the water diversion project, which takes water from Danjiangkou in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, to feed the arid north including Beijing, Tianjin, and the provinces of Henan and Hebei, has proved to be a reliable "lifeline" for water supplies in the recipient regions. As of March, the mega water project had transferred over 40.8 billion cubic meters of water to the northern areas. More than 130 million people had directly benefited from the project since the first phase of its eastern and middle routes began supplying water. More than 40 big and medium-sized cities received water from the project, which has also helped ecological restoration of rivers and lakes along its eastern and middle routes. GREENER NORTH Major water plants in Beijing have used the supply from the water diversion project in addition to that from Miyun Reservoir in the northeast of the city to provide tap water. Zhang Ying, a resident in Daxing District, southern Beijing, said local people had to buy purified water for drinking in the past, because of excessive levels of scale-formation in tap water. "Now the tap water has become clearer and the flow has become bigger," she said. According to the Beijing Water Authority, the supply of the water diversion project has replenished rivers and lakes. "The ecological environment around the Miyun Reservoir has been greatly improved, and the species of aquatic animals and plants have increased substantially," said Liu Dagen, director of the reservoir management office. The water diversion project has also promoted the ecological protection and green development in the source area and along the routes. In Xichuan County, 380 polluting companies have been shut down to ensure the safety of the water source for the diversion project. The county has invested more than 600 million yuan (about 93 million U.S. dollars) in the treatment of industrial waste. Catering, fishing and animal husbandry business have been banned in reservoir and river areas. There are 13 automatic water quality monitoring stations along the middle route. Underwater robots are widely used for monitoring aquatic organism and sediment levels, and checking water gates. Trees are planted within 100 meters on both sides of the diversion canal in Henan, meandering about 640 km. The afforestation along the canal has formed an ecological zone for water conservation. A section of the canal-side green belt in Jiaozuo City, Henan, has recently been opened as a public eco-park. Meanwhile, the country has been increasing the awareness of water conservation among citizens. Zhao Tan, director of the water-saving office of the Beijing Water Authority, said despite the water replenished by the water diversion project, the capital still faces severe water shortage, with the annual per capita water resources at about 150 cubic meters. He said the city has basically realized the collection and treatment of sewage in urban areas. Recycled water has become an indispensable water source in the capital city. Enditem Real Estate Market in Phuket: Pros & Cons By In Conjunction Friday 14 May 2021, 09:26PM Quelle: https://unsplash.com/photos/oji_NGmBI5o Many people may consider spending some years or even the rest of their lives in another country with better weather and cheaper prices. Especially elderly people often choose to go to south east asia to enjoy their retirement but also young opportunistic people and even families may consider leaving the cold home behind and start a new life in a more tropical and inviting atmosphere, at least partly. Thailand is one of the most popular places to go to. Its liberal laws for foreigners, the beautiful climate and of course the breathtaking beaches are just a few reasons for people to move to the south east asian country. Thailand has many different cultural places and a variety of different landscapes reaching from the north part with its milder climate in Chiang Mai to the hotter and more touristic places in the south. One of the most popular places is Phuket. The peninsula in the south west of the country is known for its excellent weather, its marvelous beaches and its luxurious hotels. It is certainly no wonder that many people seriously consider to stay in this paradisiacal place and settle down. The property market of Phuket is definitely an interesting one for those looking to buy a home to live in or an investment property in Thailand. Also the architectural landscape is very modern. It is a good idea to hire an architect office which is directly located in Thailand instead of choosing an architect office in your home country. There are some particularities one must think of before realizing a project in Thailand. Working together with a local partner can entail a lot of advantages. Purchasing real estate in Thailand requires a big amount of careful consideration. There are many subjects to inspect and many questions to be answered before buying property in Phuket. It is advisable to search for a partner who is capable of evaluating the market situation and recommend you to buy certain real estate, property or land in Thailand. Furthermore there are several things to consider and mistakes to avoid while purchasing property in Phuket. Those will be covered in this article. What speaks for an investment in real estate in Phuket? There are many reasons that speak for an investment in real estate in Phuket. The first reason is that you have the right to 100% freehold. A non-Thai citizen can invest in a property in Thailand, but only a condominium can be legally owned freehold by a foreigner. You can invest in a house as long as you do it through a thai partner. This protects you automatically from going through complicated processes in a foreign land. Furthermore an investment into a house in Phuket can be also a wise move concerning the future as you can easily sell the condominium under foreign freehold to other Thais or foreign investors. As the government usually sells foreign freeholds at higher prices, you have good chances in profiting from selling a unit in the future. Many investors are eager to purchase real estate and the market is vivid, which makes a sell pretty easy. Here we come to the next point. The market in Phuket is thriving. Reports show that both locals and foreigners are increasing their interest in owning a condo in Phuket. This points strongly to a continuous growth of the real estate market on the island. Prices are expected to rise in the coming years as Phuket becomes more and more popular to tourists. Another point is that of course every investor has to consider the returns he makes on his property investment. Most of the developers in Phuket offer up to 7 % guaranteed return for the first three years. Hotel managed condos are even more attractive as you allow the hotel to manage your condo unit and benefit from guaranteed rental return. The biggest argument is of course that Phuket is simply a paradisiacal place with many cultural attractions, beautiful weather and good food - simply the perfect place to spend the summer or even the rest of your life. What are risks associated with the purchase of property in Phuket? Probably the most beneficial way to buy is the significant discount off the purchase price offered to anyone buying early. In Phuket this is a rather common practice and often a development sells out before even the first brick is laid. This practice though contains some risks for foreign investors. The biggest risk is of course that the development may never be completed which can happen due to a lack of funds or other reasons why the demand for units dries up. As many buyers are new to the island and lack longtime experience with the market, many of them still experience a huge disappointment of a bad investment despite popular horror stories. Investors need to be aware that this is more common than they are led to believe, and it can lead to unexpected bankruptcies of development projects. Investors should make sure to have chosen developers of sound repute who are not exposing themselves to high risks. Another point investors should be aware of is that any development has to be approved by the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) before the beginning of construction. But that does not stop developers from marketing units already. Changes in legislation or unforeseen problems on the land can lead to changes, delays or even full construction freeze. One more risk worth noting when buying off-plan, is that the final product is not what the brochures and marketing material portray. Despite increasing protection of buyers by the legislation many developers still disregard the rules and make it hard for buyers to know what the final product will look like, and the quality they can expect. In such cases, there is almost nothing the investor can do even though the developer is clearly, legally in the wrong. What are mistakes to avoid while purchasing property in Phuket? There are several basic mistakes to avoid while buying property in Phuket. The most important ones are the following. First of all it is extremely important to always make a title search on the property or land you want to purchase. This title search is a comprehensive examination and will lay out the history of the property. This is important as you want to be informed about any mortgages, leases, creditor right of ownership, or other charges against the property before even considering. Secondly it certainly is possible to purchase property in Thailand without the assistance of a lawyer but you must not do it. Thailand is a country with a completely different language, culture and legal system and thai contracts can differ a lot from western contracts. It is extremely important to work with a local lawyer who knows the rules to play by to avoid misunderstandings and deliberate rip-offs. Make sure the law company you pick has a good reputation. Furthermore you should not even look at a property without a local real estate agent. A good agent will make sure you get a fair price, can communicate with the owners and developers in their own language and may have knowledge about the geographical aspects of the area you are looking at. Conclusion All in all it is easy to understand what interesting and wonderful Phuket is for investors. Like with any investment in a foreign country it is extremely important to be careful and thoughtful rather than emotional and quick. If you take your time, do your research and work together with local people you have a great chance of finding your dream condo on the island. An investment like this may be a good deal for further investments or it simply becomes the most beautiful private holiday place for the entire family. Elderly people may consider Phuket as the place to spend a relaxed and sunny retirement while eating good food and enjoying the incredible scenery of the island. Thai FDA approves Moderna vaccine THAILAND: The national Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given emergency use authorisation for the COVID-19 vaccine of Moderna, an FDA official said yesterday (May 13). CoronavirusCOVID-19healthVaccine By Bangkok Post Friday 14 May 2021, 09:52AM Photo: AFP. The vaccine is the fourth coronavirus vaccine approved so far in the country. Its use is valid for one year from May 13, said Paisan Dankhu, the secretary general of the Food and Drug Administration. The approval will allow commercial vaccinations by private hospitals, who have been given a green light to give COVID shots made by Thai FDA-approved manufacturers other than Sinovac Biotec (CoronaVac), Astrazeneca (Vaxzevria, Covishield), Pfizer (Comirnaty), Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) and Gamaleya (Sputnik V). The first two are being given to people in Thailand while the other three are being imported for free vaccinations by the government. That leaves the private hospitals with the choice of Moderna and Sinopharm, among others. The Private Hospital Association said earlier their member hospitals would charge a standard price of not more than B3,000 per person. The price is for two shots, including insurance and valued-added tax. The Government Pharmaceuticals Organization will act as the middle man to import the vaccines of their choice for them since most vaccine manufacturers do not sell directly to companies. The Thai FDA earlier approved the vaccines made by AstraZeneca Thailand on Jan 20 this year, Sinovac Biotech imported by GPO on Feb 22 and Johnson & Johnson on March 27. US lifts indoor mask mandate for vaccinated people WORLD: The top US health agency yesterday (May 13) announced it was lifting mask-wearing requirements for people fully vaccinated against COVID-19, a watershed moment in the pandemic. CoronavirusCOVID-19healthVaccine By AFP Friday 14 May 2021, 10:20AM The United States has now eased its indoor mask mandates for vaccinated people. Photo: AFP. Anyone who is fully vaccinated can participate in indoor and outdoor activities, large or small, without wearing a mask or physical distancing, said Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Rochelle Walensky. If you are fully vaccinated, you can start doing the things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic. The move, which comes more than a year after the federal government recommended people cover their faces in public, follows accumulating data showing the extremely high efficacy of vaccines, not just to prevent symptomatic COVID-19 but also infection. It sparked joyful reactions in some, while others were cautious and said they would keep their masks on in public out of caution, despite being fully vaccinated. In the rare case that someone who is fully vaccinated becomes infected, research has shown they are unlikely to have a high viral load in their nose and therefore to transmit the disease onward. According to the CDCs website, masks may still be required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States, and in US transportation hubs such as airports and stations. Fully vaccinated international travelers arriving in the United States still need to get tested within three days of their flight, or show documentation of recovery from COVID-19 in the past three months. Walensky said people who are immune compromised should talk to their doctor before giving up their mask. It has been shown that immune compromised people do not respond as well to the vaccines. Finally, she added, the guidance was subject to change if the situation gets worse. Falling cases, rising vaccinations The move comes as COVID cases are declining quickly while vaccinations continue to rise slowly but surely in the United States, the former epicenter of the pandemic. Around 59% of adults have received at least one dose, while the country is reporting around 38,000 daily new cases - a per capita rate of 11 new cases per 100,000 people, well below global hotspots and falling fast. Public health authorities were cautious about vaccines ability to stop transmission back when they were first rolled out in December, because the clinical trials they went through were only designed to test their efficacy against symptomatic disease. Now, however, studies like a paper from Israel have shown there was a 94% reduction in asymptomatic infection. Because the outbreak itself is declining, the actual rate of so-called breakthrough infections is very, very low. For somebody whos already been fully vaccinated, they can wear the mask out of solidarity or in a symbolic sense, but their wearing a mask indoors is not benefiting anyone else, explained Vinay Prasad, an epidemiologist and biostatistician at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). There is another good reason to ease restrictions, and that is to motivate people who are hesitant to roll up their sleeves, said Angela Rasmussen, of the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization in Canada. This is becoming more important as the rate of vaccination in the United States has fallen from its early April peak and supply is outstripping demand in many regions. Vaccination walk-ins delayed THAILAND: Walk-in services for COVID-19 vaccination will not be ready until next month, authorities said yesterday (May 13). CoronavirusCOVID-19Vaccine By Bangkok Post Friday 14 May 2021, 10:07AM A woman puts on a long glove before having her blood pressure taken yesterday ahead of her COVID-19 vaccine at Samyan Mitrtown shopping mall in Bangkoks Pathumwan district. Photo: Somchai Poomlard. The message disappointed many people after the government announced on Wednesday that its walk-in services would be available in any province that was ready to give free jabs to those who wanted them. Many people yesterday contacted hospitals to book their shots and some even walked into vaccination sites requesting them but they were disappointed as authorities said there were no vaccines available on a walk-in basis. I told the BMA and the ministry to clarify to prevent any misunderstandings. The services will be ready by June, said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. He said he had told the Public Health Ministry and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to make things clear. I confirm the government plans [to offer] walk-in services if there are enough vaccine doses, Gen Prayut said after inspecting Chulalongkorn Universitys vaccination service. Every day, we will have vaccine doses in reserve. Rest assured, everyone will receive the vaccine shots for sure. Gen Prayut also said the government attached great importance to the industrial sector for its role in creating jobs and exporting goods, key sources of income for the country. It was therefore important to step up surveillance against transmissions at factories. However, he said he was also concerned for all eateries and the service sector as a whole, which has lost much of its income during the pandemic. The government will take care of all sectors, the PM promised, including factory workers, public bus drivers, taxi motorcycle riders, taxi drivers and delivery service men. The prime minister insisted that the AstraZeneca vaccine would arrive in Thailand next month as planned. Mr Anutin [Charnvirakul, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health] has confirmed there wont be any delay, the PM said. Mr Anutin assured yesterday that AstraZeneca and local licensee Siam Bioscience would provide its vaccines as promised. The country has also stockpiled the Sinovac vaccines from China, he said. The companies have told us that the vaccines are now in containers and waiting for a right time for shipment, Mr Anutin said. We will see mass vaccinations starting by next month when we have many millions of doses on our hands. The country originally planned to kick off mass vaccinations from June 7 and soon after achieving herd immunity by vaccinating 50 million people, equal to 70% of the population. But as only 10% of the 16 million targeted people - the elderly and those with seven chronic diseases - have registered for their jabs, the government adjusted its plan by offering walk-in service nationwide instead. Mr Anutin admitted he had proposed the walk-in service for those who wanted COVID-19 vaccinations after hearing the number of people who had registered for jabs was less than expected. However, he said only 20% of vaccine doses had been set aside for walk-ins, so people should understand if they could not be offered it. Medical teams around the country are already preparing walk-in services, said the minister, but he could not talk for Bangkok because the capital was not under the ministrys responsibility. Panruedee Manomaipiboon, director of the BMAs health department, said the BMA would receive 1 million COVID-19 vaccine doses from the Public Health Ministry on Monday and planned to vaccinate six million people in the capital by the end of July. Meanwhile, the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration yesterday reported 32 new virus-related deaths over the previous 24 hours, bringing the overall toll to 518, plus a record high of 4,887 new cases, raising the total to 93,794. The record daily cases included 2,835 in prisons as revealed by the prisons boss earlier. Southern Pines, NC (28387) Today Thunderstorms during the evening will give way to cloudy skies after midnight. Low around 70F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%.. Tonight Thunderstorms during the evening will give way to cloudy skies after midnight. Low around 70F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%. Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 19:11:31|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close KIEV -- The fission reactions in uranium fuel masses of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant reported earlier by foreign and local media pose no danger and the possibility of a disaster is minimal, Ukraine's State Scientific and Technical Center for Nuclear and Radiation Safety reported Thursday. According to the experts of the center, the New Safe Confinement recently built atop the unit four reactor hall is equipped with a modern system of continuous monitoring, with the limits of safe operation set for each sensor. (Ukraine-Chernobyl-Nuclear Process) - - - - TRIPOLI -- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Thursday said that more than 150 illegal migrants have been intercepted and returned to Libya. "Over 150 migrants were intercepted and returned to Libya by the coast guard today," the IOM tweeted. (Libya-Migrants-Return) - - - - WASHINGTON -- Nine people aged 19-25, including one woman, were injured on Thursday evening when an unidentified number of suspects opened fire in a drive-by shooting in Providence, the capital city of the eastern U.S. state Rhode Island, local media reported. The shooting occurred just before 7 p.m. eastern time (2300 GMT), said the police, noting at least three of the victims are in serious, possibly critical, condition. (US-Shooting-Casualties) - - - - UNITED NATIONS -- The United Nations (UN) Security Council will hold an open meeting on Sunday to discuss the escalation of tensions between Israel and Palestine. Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the UN, tweeted that the meeting will be held at 10 a.m. EDT (1400 GMT) on Sunday. (UN-Israel-Palestine) Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 19:40:12|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, May 14 (Xinhua) -- China's Jiangxi and Hunan provinces will jointly hold a red tourism exposition in October, to display the latest developments in the industry. The exposition will be held in Jiangxi's Jinggangshan City, which borders Hunan Province, said Liu Qi, Party chief of Jiangxi, at a press conference on Friday. Red tourism, which refers to visiting historical sites with a modern revolutionary legacy, has gained popularity among tourists in recent years. It has particularly burgeoned this year, as 2021 marks the 100th anniversary of the Communist Party of China. Jiangxi will make full use of its abundant red tourism resources to promote high-quality development of the sector, said Liu. During this year's May Day holiday, the number of visits to such tourist attractions in Jiangxi increased three times year on year, Liu noted, adding that the province has pledged to improve and upgrade red tourism services. In 2017, 24 provincial-level regions including Jiangxi, Beijing, Shanghai, Guizhou and Shaanxi formed a red tourism promotion alliance to enhance the service quality of the industry and strengthen regional cooperation. Enditem NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Dr. Michael Cackovic has treated his share of pregnant women. So when Republican lawmakers across the U.S. began passing bans on abortion at what they term the first detectable fetal heartbeat, he was exasperated. That's because at the point where advanced technology can detect that first flutter, as early as six weeks, the embryo isnt yet a fetus and it doesnt have a heart. An embryo is termed a fetus beginning in the 11th week of pregnancy, medical experts say. You cannot hear this flutter, it is only seen on ultrasound, said Cackovic, a maternal fetal medicine specialist at Ohio State Universitys Wexner Medical Center, where some 5,300 babies are born each year. Yet bans pegged to the fetal heartbeat concept have been signed into law in 13 states, including Cackovics home state of Ohio. None has taken effect, with all but the most recently enacted being struck down or temporarily blocked by the courts. Now, one of the most restrictive, signed by Tennessees Republican Gov. Bill Lee last year, goes before the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday. Proponents of these so-called heartbeat bills are hoping for a legal challenge to eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court, where they look for the conservative coalition assembled under President Donald Trump to end the constitutional right to abortion protected under the high courts landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling. The notion that abortion as early as six weeks into pregnancy stops a beating heart helped propel the measures to rise above persistent constitutional concerns in the states that have backed them. The concept's originator, Ohio anti-abortion activist Janet Folger Porter, spoke openly about her strategy in an email to supporters last year deftly side-stepping whether the packaging of the bill was medically true. The slogan, Abortion stops a beating heart, has long been an effective way to highlight the injustice and inhumanity of abortion, Porter wrote of the state's law, the Ohio Heartbeat Protection Act. And, she found, hearts were easy to market. During the decade-long battle to pass Ohios law, Porter punctuated her lobbying efforts with heart-shaped balloons and teddy bears. She urged supporters to take heart when faced with obstacles and beseeched lawmakers to have a heart and vote yes" despite their constitutional concerns. Then Republican Gov. John Kasich twice vetoed the Ohio heartbeat bill, citing constitutional issues. His GOP successor, Gov. Mike DeWine, signed it in 2019 amid a flurry of similar bills that year. For now, abortion remains legal in all 50 states, though 43 have some form of restriction on the procedure after a fetus becomes viable outside the womb, generally between 24 and 28 weeks. John Culhane, a law professor at Widener University who co-directs its Family Health Law and Policy Institute, said the anti-abortion lobby's marketing of heartbeat bill" legislation is all an attempt to make a fetus into a person. The heartbeat, it literally tugs at the heartstrings, it makes you feel like, Why would you do this?' Never mind that theres not a heart yet in the embryo, he said. However, attorneys are quick to point out that medical inaccuracy is not a legal argument. Legislatures are free to define things any way they want and give it the force of law, said Andrew Koppelman, a law professor at Northwestern University. The reality of medical science is not a constraint on what a legislature can do. What is a constraint on what a legislature can do are the constitutional rights of women. In the war of words over abortion, however, battles have erupted before over politically charged, inaccurate or vague terminology used in abortion laws. Dismemberment abortion is a term abortion opponents use to describe dilation and evacuation, a common second trimester abortion method. They use partial-birth abortion to describe what is medically called intact dilation and extraction. Abortion rights groups dub heartbeat laws six-week abortion bans, though the bills don't mention such a duration. It is very common to use non-medical language to publicly talk about a medical procedure, said David Cohen, professor of law at Drexel Universitys Kline School of Law. The law needs precision in order to know exactly what is being regulated, Cohen said. So in medicine it would be by using medical terminology. Cackovic, the fetal medicine specialist, said the current heartbeat laws," are based only on our amazing technological advances" that allow detection of the earliest signs of embryonic cardiac activity, and nothing else. A pioneering 2013 University of Leeds study, for example, found that while four clearly defined chambers appear in the human heart from the eighth week of pregnancy, they remain a disorganized jumble of tissue until around the 20th week, much later than previously expected. Abortion opponents dont see it that way, viewing the use of antiseptic medical terms to describe what happens in pregnancy as a political tactic of its own. The hosts of CareCast, a podcast sponsored by the anti-abortion nonprofit Care Net, called out news outlets last year for using terms such as pulsing or fetal cardiac activity rather than heartbeat, accusing them of employing euphemisms and verbal gymnastics in order to dehumanize the unborn. They are literally inventing new ways of talking about a heartbeat so that they can try to avoid giving any sort of human attributes to the fetus, said Vincent DiCaro, the groups chief outreach officer. President and CEO Roland Warren said such dehumanization provides an opportunity to maximize the atrocity against human life. He equated it to Nazis treatment of the Jews. Culhane said vague or imprecise language could be a powerful argument against heartbeat laws" in the courts should the battle ever advance beyond the laws impacts on a womans constitutional right to abortion. These days, courts are really vigilant about looking at statutes to make sure that they provide notice about what conduct exactly is prohibited, the Widener University law professor said. Because we dont want people to have to guess and then find that theyre on the wrong side of the law. ___ Smyth reported from Columbus, Ohio. EDWARDSVILLE Indictments in two separate armed robbery cases were among charges handed down by a Madison County grand jury Thursday. Ahran B. Cavanaugh, 19, of the 3100 block of Ash Avenue, Granite City, and William C. Miner, 23, listed as homeless out of Granite City, were each indicted on one count of armed robbery, both Class X felonies. The cases were originally presented by the Granite City Police Department. According to court documents, on May 11, 2020, the two threatened another man with a lead pipe and took shoes and a backpack. In an unrelated case, Mark A. Chepely, 35, of the first block of Marie Court, Granite City, was indicted on armed robbery, a Class X felony. That case was also presented by the Granite City Police Department. According to court files, on June 18 Chepely threatened another person with a gun and took $1,300 from him. In a separate case, Wesley J. Wallace, 50, of the 2100 block of Monroe Street, Granite City, was indicted on two counts of harassment of a witness, both Class 2 felonies, and violation of bail/bond, a Class A misdemeanor. He was originally charged April 9. Both that case and the previous felony case related to the harassment were presented by the Collinsville Police Department. According to court documents, between June 2 and April 7 Wallace called the witness, who was also the victim in the previous case, hundreds of times and left voicemails yelling, screaming and using profanity, and also made other threats. The misdemeanor charge claims he violated conditions of his bail by attempting to contact the witness. Bail for the harassment charges was set at $75,000. The Madison County States Attorneys Office also filed an application to revoke his $200,000 bond in the previous case. On March 9, 2020, Wallace was charged with home invasion, a Class X felony, and two counts of domestic battery (fourth subsequent offense), both Class 3 felonies. According to court documents, on March 6, 2020, Wallace broke into a home on Brookwood Drive, Collinsville, and struck the victim, who was a family or household member. He also allegedly struck and threw a 17-year-old member of the household or family. It was noted at the time that Wallace had a conviction for domestic battery in Madison County in 1997, 1998 and 2018. Also indicted on separate charges was Tathony M. Brown, 26, of Minnesota. Brown was indicted for aggravated offenses relating to motor vehicles, a Class 1 felony, and unlawful possession of weapons by a felon, a Class 3 felony. The charges were presented by the Metro East Auto Theft Task Force. According to court documents, on April 21 Brown was found to be in possession of a stolen 2016 Lincoln MKX and a 9 mm Ruger P95 handgun. It was noted he had a prior felony conviction for tampering with a motor vehicle first degree, out of Missouri in 2014. WOOD RIVER The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has eased mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated people, allowing them to stop wearing masks outdoors in crowds and in most indoor settings. Today is a great day for America, President Joe Biden said Thursday during a Rose Garden address heralding the new guidance, an event where he and his staff went without masks. Hours earlier in the Oval Office, where Biden was meeting with vaccinated Republican lawmakers, he led the group in removing their masks when the guidance was announced. If you are fully vaccinated, you no longer need to wear a mask, he said, summarizing the new guidance and encouraging more Americans to roll up their sleeves. Get vaccinated or wear a mask until you do. The guidance still calls for wearing masks in crowded indoor settings like buses, planes, hospitals, prisons and homeless shelters, but it will help clear the way for reopening workplaces, schools and other venues even removing the need for social distancing for those who are fully vaccinated. It may take some time for establishments and people to gain understanding of the change in recommendation, said Molly Peters of the Greene County Health Department. Please have compassion and care for all individuals as awareness is shared. Please also understand that the science is evolving as the data is gathered. This is a step one that some people are completely ready for and one that some people may be uncomfortable with, she said. Continue to care for the community, because we all need a little kindness and understanding as the information is shared. The mask news came just hours before the Madison County Health Department reported 167,245 total COVID-19 vaccinations so far. MCHD officials on Thursday said 85,146 county residents or 32.19% of the countys population are now fully vaccinated for COVID-19. The MCHD this week also announced it now will offer COVID-19 vaccinations to children as young as 12 following the FDAs approval on Monday of Pfizers EUA expansion request and ACIPs acceptance yesterday. More Information Vaccinations Total: 167,245 Fully: 85,146 (32.19%) Source: MCHD COVID-19 cases by county Madison - 30,019 (499 deaths) Jersey - 2,689 (49 deaths) Calhoun - 524 (5 deaths) Greene - 1,378 (48 deaths) Macoupin - 4,870 (111 deaths) Montgomery - 3,720 (74 deaths) St. Clair - 27,862 (514 deaths) Clinton - 5,760 (90 deaths) Bond - 2,050 (24 deaths) Monroe - 4,357 (93 deaths) Randolph - 4,131 (84 deaths) Washington - 1,645 (25 deaths) Source: IDPH & MCHD COVID-19 cases by ZIP code 62002 (Alton) - 3,510 62010 (Bethalto) - 1,354 62067 (Moro) - 316 62035 (Godfrey) - 2,057 62037 (Grafton) - 195 62012 (Brighton) - 779 62014 (Bunker Hill) - 361 62052 (Jerseyville) - 1,684 62095 (Wood River) - 1,256 62084 (Roxana) - 164 62048 (Hartford) - 132 62087 (South Roxana) - 182 62018 (Cottage Hills) - 310 62024 (East Alton) - 932 62025 (Edwardsville) - 3,735 62034 (Glen Carbon) - 1,468 62062 (Maryville) - 981 62294 (Troy) - 1,941 62040 (Granite City/Pontoon Beach) - 4,489 62234 (Collinsville) - 3,620 62249 (Highland) -2,181 62281 (St. Jacob) -425 62097 (Worden) - 298 62088 (Staunton) - 739 62069 (Mt. Olive) - 312 62033 (Gillespie) -534 62626 (Carlinville) - 961 62016 (Carrollton) - 433 62044 (Greenfield) - 178 62092 (White Hall) - 394 62082 (Roodhouse) - 275 62047 (Hardin) - 181 62022 (Dow) - 131 For a complete list of cases by ZIP code, visit https://www.dph.illinois.gov/covid19/covid19-statistics. Source: Illinois Department of Public Health See More Collapse Minors 12-17 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. They do not need an ID or birth certificate; however, a parent or guardian will be asked to show their ID. The COVID-19 Moderna and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccines are only approved for those who are 18 and older. Minors who are 16-17 years old are only eligible to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, must show a photo ID (e.g. drivers license, school ID, etc.), proof of age, and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to their appointment. In addition to its vaccination site at Gateway Convention Center in Collinsville, the MCHD has COVID-19 vaccination clinics planned Saturday in Alton and Madison, May 18 in Edwardsville and May 22 in Granite City. Walk-ins will be accepted, but appointments are requested. To schedule an appointment, people can click the green appointment link at www.madisonchd.org. People needing help scheduling appointments can call 618-692-8954 ext. 2 on Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. A limited amount of Moderna vaccine is available for second doses only by appointment at the Madison County Health Department. Call 618-692-8954 ext. 2 if needing the final dose of Moderna. On Friday the IDPH reported 34.51% of the residents in Jersey County were fully vaccinated according to the IDPH. Other fully vaccinated rates were 29.74% in Calhoun County, 33.36% in Macoupin County and 25.4% in Greene County. The IDPH on Friday reported 10,229,330 vaccines have been administered in Illinois as of midnight Thursday. The seven-day rolling average of vaccines administered daily is 72,767 doses. No COVID-19 related deaths were reported by the Madison County Health Department late Thursday, leaving the total at 499. On Friday the IDPH listed one additional COVID-19 related death in Madison County, a woman in her 60s. There are sometimes discrepancies in the number of cases and deaths reported at the state and local levels, in part because of the volume of cases, and also as each local department forwards the information and it is verified. Local health officials have said the cases eventually reconcile as the reporting catches up. Late Thursday the MCHD reported 28 new confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases, as well as 1,120 new tests. To date, Madison County has recorded 30,019 cases and 318,608 tests. There were 11 COVID-19 patients in Madison County hospitals Thursday, with one on a ventilator. The IDPH on Friday reported 1,841 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 and 49 additional COVID-19 related deaths statewide. To date, the IDPH has reported 1,363,507 cases, including 22,369 deaths. Statewide there were 1,708 COVID-19 patients in hospitals on Thursday night, including 425 in intensive care units and 237 on ventilators. The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases as a percent of total test from May 7-13 was 2.5%. The preliminary seven-day statewide test positivity for the same period was 3.1%. The MCHD on Thursday reported a three-day positivity rate of 3.3%, a seven-day rate of 3.66% and a 10-day rate of 3.56%. For more COVID-19 information, visit https://coronavirus-response-madcoil.hub.arcgis.com/, www.madisonchd.org or Facebook @madisonchd. Also visit www.co.madison.il.us or Facebook @madisoncountyil for more vaccination news and daily updates. For The Telegraphs online vaccine tracker, visit https://www.thetelegraph.com/coronavirus-vaccine-tracker-alton-illinois/. For additional vaccine locations visit https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/s/vaccination-location. Local and statewide information also is available at www.dph.illinois.gov. Click the coronavirus banner. For health-related questions about COVID-19, people also can call the IDPH hotline at 1-800-889-3931 or email dph.sick@illinois.gov. The Associated Press contributed to this story. ALTON An Alton firefighter waits for water after arriving at a house on the corner of Mayfield and Dorothy avenues about 6:30 p.m. Thursday evening. The rear of the structure was heavily involved in flames when firefighters arrived. Alton firefighters called for a mutual aid box alarm bringing East Alton firefighters to the scene. DICKSON CITY For certified nursing assistant Barbara Coleman, the residents she cares for at Riverside Rehabilitation and Nursing Center are a second family. But Coleman told a dozen Democratic state representatives gathered at the Dickson City Municipal Building on Thursday that staff shortages exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic make providing the care and attention residents deserve more difficult. The number of residents she cares for daily has at least doubled, she said. The difference between caring for eight residents or 16 to 24 residents is being able for them to live with dignity, Coleman testified Thursday at the state House Democratic Policy Committee hearing. Its a difference between CNAs and other nursing home workers being able to give them more care and attention on a daily basis. Lawmakers used the hearing to solicit testimony from nursing professionals and highlight elements of the Pennsylvania Rescue Plan, state House Democrats proposal for how to invest more than $4 billion of about $7.3 billion in federal aid the state government is due under President Joe Bidens American Rescue Plan. Coleman and local registered nurses Jen Partyka and Trish McKinney testified before the committee, emphasizing the need for more staff, hazard pay, competitive wages, training and educational opportunities for prospective health care workers and other investments bolstering care at the bedside. The hearing was hosted by Lackawanna County state Reps. Kyle Mullins, D-112, Blakely; Marty Flynn, D-113, Scranton; and Bridget Kosierowski, D-114, Waverly Twp., who worked as a nurse for 24 years before entering politics. House Democrats propose investments of more than $1 billion in public health infrastructure and preparedness, including $75 million for health care research and innovation, $25 million for telehealth access and about $511 million to train and pay direct care workers. The vast majority of the $511 million would provide a $15-per-hour minimum wage for direct care workers serving the elderly and people with physical disabilities, and direct support professionals serving people with intellectual disabilities and autism. Coleman said many frontline health care workers like herself earn relatively low wages, which discourages people from entering the profession and often prompts workers to leave it especially amid a pandemic when they can make more working at a gas station than at a nursing home, she said. It brings the morale down at any facility when workers dont feel valued, Coleman said, adding later the only things thats keeping the nursing homes together are the workers who are loyal to each other and our residents. McKinney, who works at Tyler Memorial Hospital in Tunkhannock Twp., said the pandemic has accelerated the exit of good nursing staff and taken a toll on health care workers. Our staff is burned out, she said. Were exhausted. Were defeated. Were depressed. Were anxious. When this COVID came around, it terrified everybody. It was an unknown. The federal relief money needs to be appropriated and put where it belongs proper staffing, bedside-care availability and equipment, she said. At the close of the hearing, Kosierowski said the testimony offered by Coleman, Partyka and McKinney should be setting alarms off everywhere. When it comes to health care in Pennsylvania, we have been weathering the storm for years, and after last year we are officially drowning, Kosierowski said. With this (federal relief) money, we are able to rescue Pennsylvanias public health. We cannot fail our residents and our heroes because you are heroes, our health care workers and as legislators we have to be your voice. For more information on the Pennsylvania Rescue Plan, visit pahouse.com/parescueplan. The fate of the Democratic proposals in the Republican-controlled legislature remains to be seen. The presidents of the nation's two major teachers unions called separately for a full return to in-person learning in the fall, with the leader of the American Federation of Teachers declaring Thursday that her organization was all-in. In an address on social media, Randi Weingarten said the wide availability of vaccines and a new infusion of federal education money have removed many obstacles that prevented schools from opening. Conditions have changed, Weingarten said. We can and we must reopen schools in the fall for in-person teaching, learning and support. And keep them open. Fully and safely, five days a week. The National Education Association issued its own statement after Weingartens remarks. NEA supports school buildings being open to students for in-person instruction in the fall, said the group's president, Becky Pringle. Educators will continue to lead in making sure each school has what it needs to fully reopen in a safe and just way, and to ensure the resources exist to meet the academic, social and emotional needs of all students. If local unions heed theses calls, it would be seen as a major stride in the effort to reopen schools. Teachers unions have been blamed for slowing the process with demands for a variety of safety measures. Teachers in some districts have refused to return until ventilations systems are updated, virus tests are given and all teachers are vaccinated. Weingarten said vaccines have been the decisive factor in her vision for a fall reopening. President Joe Biden in March ordered states to prioritize teachers in vaccination rollouts, and by the end of that month, federal health officials said 80% of school workers had been given their first shot. I hear it in educators voices and see it in our polling results, the union chief said. The fear that they will bring the virus home decreases the moment educators get the shots. Surveys by the union find that 89% of its 1.7 million members have been fully vaccinated or want to be, she said. Still, Weingarten isnt suggesting a quick return to the type of schooling students knew before the pandemic. She said schools should continue with mask requirements, social distancing, contact tracing and other measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its not risk free, Weingarten said. But we can manage the threat by encouraging people to get vaccines and following guidance from the CDC. The union will continue to push for 3 feet of space between students in classrooms, which the CDC recommended in March after reducing it from 6 feet. Weingarten said schools should work over the summer to find adequate space to maintain smaller classes throughout the school year. Her address came after a unanimous vote from the union's executive council approving her message for the fall. A $1.9 trillion aid package that Biden signed in March included $123 billion to help schools reopen and recover from the pandemic. Weingarten, who endorsed Biden, wrote that his administration has been fighting the pandemic with science, truth, transparency and, yes, money. The United States will not be fully back until we are fully back in school. And my union is all in, she said. The CDC has been saying since February that schools can safely reopen with certain safety measures, but many of the nations largest districts have remained mostly or entirely online. The latest federal data found that, in March, 54% of public elementary and middle schools were offering five days a week of in-person instruction to all students. Even in districts that have reopened, many students have opted to stay at home, including a disproportionate share of nonwhite students. Weingarten is suggesting that schools create committees of parents and teachers to tackle safety issues. That, along with continued safety measures, would help rebuild trust with families, she said. The union is also coming out with a $5 million campaign to push for a fall reopening. The group said it will reach out to teachers, families and communities to highlight the value of getting all students back in the classroom. A local union in Pittsburgh plans to go door to door talking about safety measures in place in schools. Other local groups are helping operate vaccination clinics for students and families. When I tell you were all in, Weingarten says, were all in. Lackawanna County has the highest percentage of senior citizens vaccinated against COVID-19 among Northeast Pennsylvania counties. The state Department of Health said 77% of Lackawanna Countys residents 65 and older are fully vaccinated and 91% have received at least one dose of vaccine as of May 7. Those numbers rank the county seventh in the state for fully vaccinated seniors, and 13th for seniors who received at least one dose. The comparisons do not include Philadelphia County, which has its own Health Department and doesnt publicly provide the same metrics as the state. In neighboring Luzerne County, the number of senior citizens who have received COVID-19 vaccinations has increased significantly in six weeks, but the county still lags behind many others. The state said about 80% of the countys seniors had received at least one dose of vaccine up from 64% as of March 26. About 68% of the countys seniors are fully vaccinated up from 39% six weeks ago. That ranks Luzerne County 28th in the state for percentage of fully vaccinated seniors and 32nd for seniors who have received at least one dose of vaccine. Seven counties report senior vaccination numbers that suggest more than 100% of senior residents received at least one dose of the vaccine. For example, Chester County ranks first for senior citizens who had received at least one dose of vaccine, at close to 110%, according to the state data. Thats likely because the Health Department uses 2019 population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau when calculating those percentages, and the actual senior populations in some counties could be higher than estimated. The departments statistician wasnt at work Thursday, and a department representative declined to speculate about specific reasons for the statistical irregularity. Due to the wide availability of vaccines now, Luzerne County has pivoted to make the vaccines available to those who have fallen through the cracks, county Manager David Pedri said Thursday. Starting two weeks ago, we visited all Luzerne County senior center high-rises and were able to distribute vaccines to those individuals residing there, Pedri said. The current vaccine situation is in direct opposition to where we were just two months ago, Pedri said. Then, we were fighting to get as much vaccine as possible. Health care providers administered 375 doses at a mass vaccination site at Mohegan Sun Pocono casino in Plains Twp. last week. Since the beginning of the pandemic, older adults have been at greater risk of serious illness, hospitalizations and death due to COVID-19. The Wilkes-Barre Health Department has focused on vaccinating this vulnerable population since the beginning of the vaccination program, said Henry Radulski, department director. After making the vaccine available at many clinics, the significance of taking the vaccine to the many residents in our high-rises was apparent, Radulski said. To continue our focus on the high-risk population, the Health Department has administered first and second doses at seven high-rises. We will be completing second doses at three additional hi-rises next week in addition to first doses at another hi-rise. Radulski said the department has also provided the vaccine to many homebound residents who are 65 and older. The woman accused of using a sex tape in an effort to extort the former president of the Pennsylvania Bar Association was arraigned Thursday on prostitution charges. Emily Ann Merth, 25, was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Rick Cronauer, who set bail at $25,000. Merth is charged with theft by extortion, sexual extortion and promoting prostitution. She remains in custody at the Lehigh County Jail, where she was already awaiting trial on robbery and burglary charges in a York County case, court records show. In the Luzerne County case, Merth is accused of engaging in prostitution with attorney David E. Schwager, 58, of Kingston, and then trying to blackmail him using a secretly recorded sex tape. Schwager reported the incident to Luzerne County detectives, who arrested Merth and also charged him with a misdemeanor count of patronizing a prostitute. Schwager, a partner of the Wilkes-Barre law firm of Chariton, Schwager & Malak, resigned as the bar association president after being charged. He remains free on his own recognizance pending a hearing July 29. A report Thursday of domestic violence in Carbondale led city officers to the discovery of more than 3 pounds of marijuana at a Wyoming Street address, along with equipment used to grow it, a criminal complaint said. Police arrested Christopher Smith, 47, 104 Wyoming St., Carbondale, and Carolyn Lomerson, 40, 99 Terrace St., Carbondale, for possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia. Smith is also charged with simple assault and harassment because Lomerson, his girlfriend, accused him of pushing her down the stairs. According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Officer Brittany Mang, police responded to Smiths residence shortly after noon Thursday to investigate a report of assault. Lomerson told the police she and Smith used methamphetamine and marijuana the night before and they had been arguing all day. She said Smith took her purse so she could not leave and pushed her down the stairs, which Smith denied. Mang asked Smith where the rest of the methamphetamine was and Smith took the officer upstairs to a pool table, where he said it had been until Lomerson knocked it off and he lost track of where it went. Mang noticed several large Mason jars with marijuana in them as well as a plastic jar with marijuana seeds. Smith told the officer she needed a search warrant. Lomerson told Mang she knew about the marijuana and knows Smith grows it, according to the affidavit. Police detained them both and Mang got a search warrant. The marijuana seized weighed about 3.6 pounds, police charged. Much of what they found was composed of leaves and stems, but it included 626 grams, or 22 ounces, of marijuana bud. Police also found heating, lighting and dehydration equipment, along with a portable greenhouse. Both were jailed at the Lackawanna County Prison in lieu of bail set by Magisterial District Judge Paul Keeler $25,000 for Smith and $15,000 for Lomerson. Both are scheduled for a preliminary hearing May 27. A Dalton man faces charges after Lackawanna County detectives say he used Twitter to upload and share child pornography. Patrick Lange, 26, 107 Lake St., is charged with 40 counts of possession of child pornography, seven counts of disseminating child pornography and one count of criminal use of a communication facility. According to a criminal complaint, county detectives and members of the Northeast Computer Crime Unit searched Langes home Thursday after receiving a tip from from Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Lange had multiple images of child pornography in his Twitter account, and detectives found messages with other users, including ...I dont like to leave this stuff on my hard drive for long. Lackawanna County District Attorney Mark Powell said Langes bail was set at $50,000, and his preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 21 at 10 a.m. Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 20:16:14|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has signed a State Council decree unveiling a set of revised regulations on the development of the country's private education sector. The regulations, to come into effect on Sept. 1, lay down detailed requirements on the implementation of China's law on promoting private education. The regulations stipulate that private educational institutions must operate under the overall leadership of the Communist Party of China, and that they ought to strictly adhere to education's nature as a public welfare service. The regulations also seek to support and regulate the development of the private education sector at the same time, and give equal rights to public and private educational institutions in enrollment, labor contract signing and other aspects. Enditem SCRANTON Jean Puhl loves her little church in St. John Neumann Parish, but after learning of its planned consolidation with St. Paul of the Cross Parish, shes prepared to accept her new, merged congregation. The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, bishop of the Diocese of Scranton, sent letters to parishioners of the two South Side parishes on Monday, notifying them their churches will be merged. As she walked out of a Vigil Mass at Holy Name of Jesus Church with her husband, Wayne, on a sunny Wednesday evening, Jean Puhl said she wasnt totally surprised to find the letter in the mail earlier that day. You could kind of see it coming because people just dont go to church much anymore, the parishioner of about 40 years said. After consulting with church leaders, Bambera told parishioners he directed St. John Neumann and St. Paul of the Cross to be linked with a single pastor. The intent is to provide a transition period enabling the pastor and pastoral team to consolidate resources and plan together for the possibility of integrating into a single parish serving the faithful of South Side Scranton, the bishop wrote. The two parishes have three total churches: St. Paul of the Cross has its Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary Church on Prospect Avenue, and St. John Neumann has the Nativity of Our Lord Church on Orchard Street and the Holy Name of Jesus Church on East Elm Street. The diocese has not determined who will be the pastor of the linked parishes, nor have they decided what churches will remain open, spokesman Eric Deabill said. There are just a lot of questions that need to be examined and choices that have to be made, he said. St. John Neumann has just shy of 1,400 households in its congregation, and St. Paul of the Cross has close to 850, Deabill said. Consolidations have been an ongoing discussion for several years, he said. Prior to the pandemic, the diocese had already begun a long-range planning process, called the Vision 2020 Blueprint Process, to work with its 12 deaneries to create a blueprint for the next decade, Bambera wrote, explaining the blueprint takes into account ongoing changes and the churchs best possible responses. The diocese will use a team with members of both parishes and diocesan staff to guide the consolidation process of the churches, according to Bambera. They will use professionals in engineering, financial planning and pastoral formation to help develop the consolidated parish, he told parishioners. The blueprint process relies on recommendations from the deaneries, Deabill said. The diocese has recognized there are significant demographic shifts, including the aging of some longtime parishioners as well as the influx of new immigrants in South Scranton, Deabill said. Both parishes have debt related to parish assessments and aging facilities. When coupled with projections for diminishing numbers of clergy, the diocese has decided that our time to act is now. As part of its Vision 2020 plan, the diocese announced three other consolidations last month, all of which are in Luzerne County. The Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Weston is consolidating into the parish of St. John Bosco in Conyngham, and the Holy Family Parish in Sugar Notch will consolidate into the St. Leo Parish in Ashley. According to an April 28 letter from Bambera to Wilkes-Barre parishioners, the St. Nicholas and Our Lady of Fatima parishes will be consolidated. There are no other consolidations planned at this time, Deabill said. The dioceses last sizable series of consolidations was more than a decade ago, he said. With a planning process known as the Called to Holiness and Mission, retired Bishop Joseph F. Martino announced a massive wave of consolidations in early 2009 that reduced the diocese from 209 parishes to 118. In Lackawanna County, the consolidations reduced it from 57 parishes to 29, and Luzerne County dropped from 72 parishes to 34. St. John Neumann and St. Paul of the Cross formed from those consolidations. St. Francis of Assisi, St. John the Evangelist and the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary parishes became St. Paul of the Cross. The Nativity of Our Lord, St. Mary of the Assumption and Holy Name of Jesus parishes became St. John Neumann. The new consolidation will be the second for the Puhls. They were members of St. Mary before it became St. John Neumann. We just have to accept it, Jean Puhl said. And Im sure a lot of thought went into it. The Rev. Michael Bryant, pastor of St. John Neumann, said he took over at the parish 12 years ago at the conclusion of the consolidations. At the time of the consolidations, St. John the Evangelist parish was already closed, and St. Mary of the Assumption was already consolidated with Holy Name, he said. Bryant cited finances and fewer clergy as reasons for the consolidation. The number of clergy has steadily declined for the past decade, and that number is expected to drop dramatically in coming years, he said. He and the Rev. Scott P. Sterowski, pastor of St. Paul of the Cross, plan to discuss the decision with their congregations this weekend. Sterowski could not be reached for comment. He and I have talked this through from once the decision was made, Bryant said. He and I walk the same path together. Whether you anticipate the upcoming song of the soon-to-emerge 17-year periodical cicada as the melody of a massive natural event or a buzzing drone that will disrupt your enjoyment of the outdoors, the sound itself is just days away. After the billions of Brood X cicadas finally begin to emerge, which will be any day now, it will be another 5 days or so until the males start singing to attract mates. And when they begin vibrating their tymbals rigid, drum-like membranes on the male insects abdomen - they will be delivering a noise level of 85 to 90 decibels and even more. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, that 90-decibel level ranks at the low end of very loud dangerous to hearing with prolonged exposure range, shared with gas mowers and passing motorcycles. Earplugs or earmuffs are recommended for prolonged exposure. The cicadas will emerge from the ground when the soil temperature reaches 64 degrees, around mid-May to early June. For comparison, moving up into the extremely loud dangerous to hearing range are hairdryers, blenders and food processors at 94 decibels, tractors at 100 decibels, gas leaf blowers and snow blowers at 106 decibels, and rock concerts and chainsaws at 112 decibels. In the next higher level painful steady noise not safe for any period of time are jet plane takeoff, siren and pneumatic drill at 120 decibels and a jackhammer at 130 decibels. Above that is the painful impulse noise not safe for any period of time range, which includes firearms at 140 decibels, and fireworks at 3 feet, a firecracker and a shotgun at 150 decibels. Moving down from the cicada 90-decibel level, in the moderate safe listening for any time period range are group conversation, vacuum cleaner and alarm clock at 70 decibels, typical conversation, dishwasher and clothes dryer at 60 decibels, moderate rainfall at 50 decibels, and a quiet room at 40 decibels. A whisper, at the faint safe listening level, comes in at 30 decibels. Where in Pennsylvania are you most likely to see cicadas? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that prolonged exposure to noise above 85 decibels can cause hearing loss and recommends limiting unprotected exposure to 100 decibels to 15 minutes. Typical responses after routine or repeated exposure to following decibel levels are as follows, according to the CDC: 0-60, typically dont cause hearing damage70, feeling of annoyance by the noise80-85, damage to hearing possible after 2 hours of exposure95, damage to hearing possible after 50 minutes of exposure100, hearing loss possible after 15 minutes105-110, hearing loss possible after 5 minutes110, hearing loss possible in less than 2 minutes120 and above, pain and ear injury If you have some ringing or some fullness in your ears after exposure to noise, that indicates there has been some damage, according to Jill McClelland, supervising audiologist at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. She noted that patients visiting doctors with ringing in their ears often describe it as cicadas, not because their condition was caused by cicadas but because its the sound they are hearing. Long-term exposure could result in permanent hearing loss while short-term exposure could result in temporary hearing loss. The potential damage done by loud noises begins to drop sharply as the distance between your ears and the source of noise moves beyond 8 feet. Similarly, the walls, windows and doors of a building will create a dampening barrier against any outdoor noise. While not overly concerned and stressed about the cicadas, McClelland views the insects noted for their loud noise as an opportunity to inform the public about hearing loss. Any noise that would cause you to raise your voice [in a normal conversation] over a long period of time is too loud, she explained. 17 little-known facts about the 17-year periodical cicadas There are many apps to test hearing and hearing loss available for smartphones. McClelland recommends the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the American Academy of Audiology for recommendations on the best apps, such as one offered by the World Health Organization. In addition to health concerns, the cicadas will be in violation of some municipal noise ordinances. Many municipalities dont set specific decibel restrictions in their noise ordinances. But among those that do, Carlisle limits levels to 65 decibels in residential areas from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and 55 decibels from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m., and 80 and 75 decibels respectively in industrial areas. East Manchester Township in York County has an allowable noise level of 69 decibels from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. According to University of Florida Book of Insect Records, the African cicada (Brevisana brevis) sings at 106.7 decibels, while 2 species of annual cicadas in North America (Tibicen walkeri Metcalf and T. resh) produce alarm calls maxing out at 105.9. For more outdoor coverage, subscribe to Marcus Schnecks free, weekly Outdoor Pennsylvania newsletter right here: You also can contact Schneck at mschneck@pennlive.com. 2021 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit pennlive.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Republican congressional leaders have balked at creating an independent commission to investigate the Jan. 6 Capitol assault by supporters of former President Donald Trump, even as some of their members have demonstrated why such a commission is crucial. Denial of clear facts and revisionist history are the order of the day. Consider this Wednesday from Republican Andrew Clyde of Georgia: Watching the TV footage of those who entered the Capitol and walked through Statuary Hall showed people in an orderly fashion staying between the stanchions and ropes taking videos and pictures. You know, if you didnt know the TV footage was a video from Jan. 6, youd think it was a normal tourist visit. Really? Rioters who attacked Congress injured at least 140 Capitol and D.C. Metro police officers, and police shot and killed one rioter as she tried to get through a hallway door that had been smashed by hundreds of tourists. And, unlike the insurrectionists, your typical Capitol tourist doesnt enter the building vowing to hang the vice president of the United States and shoot the speaker of the House. A series of former Trump administration officials testified this week, and engaged in their own forms of denial regarding their responses on Jan. 6. It is crucial that Congress establish a commission not only to ensure the governments own accountability for the response, but to perfect the historical record so that self-interest revisionists do not have the last word. Pennsylvanias $62 billion pension plan for public school employees needs a major housecleaning regardless of whether a federal criminal investigation results in charges. A federal grand jury has subpoenaed records from the Pennsylvania School Employees Retirement System, reportedly covering investment practices and its acquisition of land in Harrisburg. Earlier this year PSERS acknowledged that it miscalculated its earnings in a way that passed on a required $25 million contribution increase to taxpayers rather than teachers. The historically mismanaged plan requires each of the states 500 school districts to contribute, annually, an amount equal to 34.94% of its payroll. It and the State Employees Retirement System together receive nearly $5 billion a year from the state government. Now The New York Times has exposed the systems practice of investing in highly dubious schemes, some of which also further terrible public policy. The investments are hard to track because they often are through private equity firms that promise enormous returns but, as time has shown, rarely produce aggregate returns better than those of passive stock index funds. For example, PSERS invested in profiteering by putting public money into a company that charges outrageous rates for prisoners to speak by phone with their families. It also invested in a company that owns trailer parks because of its demonstrated track record of raising home rental rates. Even the U.S. border could not contain PSERS folly. Through a private equity firm it invested in a company trading on the Caymans Stock Exchange, which promised a 12% return, partially on projected oil sales by Kurdistan. The oil sales briefly produced that return. But Kurdistan is not a sovereign nation. It is a region of Iraq. When Kurdistan began marketing oil and conducted an independence vote in 2017, Iraqs army seized the oil fields. But that 12% projection still looks good on paper. PSERS deserves neither public trust nor confidence. The Legislature and the Wolf administration should do whatever is necessary to clean house at the agency. Editor: The leaders who wrote Pennsylvanias constitution wisely gave the governor the power to declare a state of emergency, as time is of the essence doing so. Legislators pandering to special-interest extremists want to change the constitution and take that power for themselves. These questions will be on the May 18 primary election ballot as proposed constitutional changes. Those who downplayed the danger of COVID-19 opposed Gov. Tom Wolfs restrictions on businesses. Whether or not you agree with that, those were past actions. They now attempt a power grab by giving the General Assembly the power to terminate or extend a disaster emergency declaration 21 days after its issuance by the governor. This effort was found unconstitutional by the sate Supreme Court, so Republicans are attempting to change the constitution. These amendments will affect your future. Does it make sense that the next time there is a flood, a hurricane, extreme storm or other event an emergency declaration automatically would expire after three weeks and we should have to wait for legislators to convene and debate before declaring an emergency, all the while the clock is ticking on peoples lives, homes and livelihoods? These actions include road restrictions and repairs, temporary housing needs, debris and wreckage removal, community disaster loans, individual and family assistance and grants for hazard mitigation. These things take more than three weeks. There are those who would oppose emergency funding for problems that do not directly affect them, no matter how dire the situation of their fellow Pennsylvanians. This has happened among states. If enacted, this change would create a true emergency for the state. Vote no on the No. 1 and No. 2 ballot questions on proposed changes to the constitution. ELAINE SPORKO SCRANTON Editor: Scranton School Board races are a make-or-break opportunity for voters to weigh in on who they want to make decisions for students, parents and the community. The winners will determine whether our kids actually get leaders who believe in their freedom to thrive, understand what it takes to provide a high-quality education and will work to make sure teachers and paraprofessionals are treated with respect and dignity. But as the races heat up, theres an undertone of ugliness that has no place in Scranton or anywhere. Scranton has never had a Black school board member. Candidate Ty Holmes is a decorated Navy and Army 25-year veteran who has worked with youth groups, the NAACP and groups devoted to serving children and families. He wants to devote his energy, ideas and passion to Scranton students. Nearly half of Scrantons public school students are children of color. Many come from families living in poverty. The school board needs members who understand their needs and will come up with solutions to improve schools and student achievement. Holmes is that candidate. But there is a guilt by association, perhaps intended to smear him and scuttle his candidacy. It was presented in a Times-Tribune column by Chris Kelly. Holmes is married to a niece of businessman Louis DeNaples, who has a school bus contract with the district. His contract has nothing to do with Holmes, who has even pledged that he would recuse himself from any involvement in the next busing contract to maintain transparency and public trust. Nothing in Holmes background or experience would link him to any of DeNaples business practices. To imply that he somehow would be in collusion with DeNaples because of family ties is totally out of bounds. PATRICK FESTA SCRANTON Editor: Progressive Women of NEPA endorses seven candidates in the May 18 primary and one in the special election. The five candidates we present are running on county and municipal levels. We invite all voters to consider their credentials and platforms; we are confident they will be competent and trustworthy public officials. These five candidates sought our endorsement and successfully completed our vetting process. On the county level, we endorse Democrat Maryann Velez for a seat on Luzerne County Council. There are five seats open, with five Democrats and five Republicans running. On the municipal level, we endorse Scranton Democratic Mayor Paige Cognetti for reelection. We endorsed her when she ran in a special election and have monitored her steadfast leadership since that unprecedented victory. We also endorse Democrat Cathy Wechsler for Scranton tax collector. She is well-known throughout the community and has a long history of service to various groups. We endorse Democrat Danielle Chesek for Scranton School Board. She is a working mother whose son is a student in the district. Lastly, we endorse Democrat Sarah Helcoski for Jessup Borough Council. She is a small-business owner who currently serves on the boroughs planning commission. As a political action committee, our sole purpose is to improve government by working to recruit, train, fund and elect qualified, progressive women to political leadership at the state and local levels. We are a grassroots organization with membership open to any woman residing in the seven-county area of Northeast Pennsylvania (Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming). JAN KELLY MARIE KILLIAN PROGRESSIVE WOMEN OF NEPA MARISSA BERGEL, Wheeler softball, senior: Bergel hit a two-out, two-run single in the seventh inning to lift Wheeler past Holy Cross, 9-7, in the Class S state tournament. The hit was part of a five-run rally in the inning. JOEY GUARNIERI, Westerly track & field, senior: Guarnieri placed first in two sprints at the Southern Division championships. He won the 100 (11.19) and the 200 (22.73). JOSH MOONEY, Stonington track & field, sophomore: Mooney placed first in the 110 hurdles at the Class M state meet in 14.65. He also finished second in the 300 hurdles (39.87) and second in the javelin (160-0). MARGARET WEEDEN, Chariho track & field, junior: Weeden finished first in the high jump at the Southern Division championships. Weeden cleared 5-1 and also placed sixth in the triple jump at 31-5. Vote View Results Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 20:21:56|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close -- Thousands of progressive young Chinese went to France under the Diligent Work-Frugal Study Movement starting in 1919. They worked in factories in Paris, Lyon and Montargis to pay for their studies. Some of them became interested in Marxism and established one of the earliest Chinese Communist party groups in France. -- The Diligent Work-Frugal Study Movement played an important role in history and contributed to the founding of the Communist Party of China in 1921 and the People's Republic of China in 1949, leaving behind a heritage that continues to inspire the younger generations today. -- Nowadays, more than 10,000 Chinese students choose to study in France every year. Most of them are well-prepared financially and linguistically, unlike their predecessors 100 years ago, when most France-bound Chinese students traveled by land and sea and faced huge challenges including poverty and language barriers, among others. MONTARGIS, France, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Lea Pereira is impressed by the solemn looks on the faces of Zhou Enlai and Deng Xiaoping, two late Chinese leaders who worked and studied in her hometown a century ago. "They were motivated by a strong desire to lift their country out of poverty and hardship. Each time I look at their portraits, I'm touched by the looks on their faces, and I can feel the strong emotions in their hearts," said Pereira, a high school student from Lycee en Foret in Montargis, about 100 km south of Paris. Photo taken on April 8, 2021 shows Deng Xiaoping Square in front of the railway station of Montargis, France. (Xinhua/Gao Jing) Pereira is among the more than 40 French and Chinese teenagers who participated last month in a virtual learning program about a special chapter in bilateral exchanges, in which thousands of progressive Chinese youths worked and studied in France a century ago. Having learned Chinese as a second or third foreign language, Pereira and her schoolmates zoomed in on this special period of history through documentaries, a biography on Deng's life, a virtual visit to a local museum on France-China friendship and a series of online conferences to interact with their peers in China. The 21 students from the No. 1 High School in Liuyang City of China's central Hunan Province are mostly learners of the French language at beginner to intermediate levels. After a brief exchange of "nihao" and "bonjour," the teenagers soon resorted to their mother tongues for more effective communication. Their teachers voluntarily became their interpreters. Flavien Gavoille, another student, said he was amazed at the diligence of Deng during his days in France. "Deng toiled 10 hours a day in a factory in Montargis and earned only one franc per hour. He lived in a shed and saved every cent for his study. He worked hard despite poverty and tough living conditions," Gavoille said. "His hard work paid off: he found that Marxism was the only way out for China." Photo taken on March 22, 2021 shows file documents of Deng Xiaoping displayed at a museum on France-China friendship in Montargis, France. (Xinhua/Gao Jing) Deng was among thousands of progressive young Chinese who went to France under the Diligent Work-Frugal Study Movement starting in 1919. They worked in factories in Paris, Lyon and Montargis to pay for their studies. Some of them became interested in Marxism and established one of the earliest Chinese Communist party groups in France. The movement played an important role in history and contributed to the founding of the Communist Party of China in 1921 and the People's Republic of China in 1949, leaving behind a heritage that continues to inspire the younger generations today. Zeng Guoxiang, from Liuyang City, said he was impressed by Cai Hesen, one of the founders of the CPC. To improve his French, Cai kept reading local newspapers with the help of a dictionary in a park until its closing time. "Touched by his perseverance, a janitor of the park offered to be his French tutor," Zeng said. Nowadays, more than 10,000 Chinese students choose to study in France every year. Most of them are well-prepared financially and linguistically, unlike their predecessors 100 years ago, when most France-bound Chinese students traveled by land and sea and faced huge challenges including poverty and language barriers, among others. "But still, there's so much we can learn from those role models of the past century," said Wang Ziyan. "Their ability to adapt rapidly to a new environment, their passion to learn, and more importantly, their patriotism and passion to serve their country with what they learned." The work-study movement also played an important part in the history of China-France relations, said Wang Peiwen, a Chinese teacher at Lycee en Foret. "We need to pass it on to the new generation, instead of leaving it buried in oblivion." In response to the repeated appeals of Chinese teachers in France, the French Ministry of National Education incorporated the history of the movement into the curriculum of Chinese language learners at the international sections of French high schools a few years ago. The joint study brought Chinese and French teenagers closer and bridged the gap between younger and older generations, said Yu Peiyao, who teaches French at the No.1 High School in Liuyang. When Enzo Rouhaud shared with his parents what he had learned at school, he was surprised to find that they knew little about what happened in their hometown 100 years ago. "They were amazed at the story I told them. Now they know that France-China relations are of particular importance and these links will last," he said. Of the 1,600 young Chinese students arriving in France between March 1919 and December 1920, more than 300 came to Montargis, a small town known for its comparatively low costs of living as well as the openness and hospitality of locals, said Jean-Louis Rizzo, a retired history professor from Paris Institute of Political Studies. Jean-Louis Rizzo, a retired history professor from Paris Institute of Political Studies, receives an interview with Xinhua at Deng Xiaoping Square in front of the railway station of Montargis, France, March 22, 2021. (Xinhua/Gao Jing) To commemorate this period of history, Montargis named the square in front of its central railway station after Deng in 2014 and in 2019, a massive centenary monument was inaugurated on the square to mark the 100th anniversary of the Chinese work-study movement. "The monument depicts the young Chinese, who, having stood out as the best students from their respective provinces, came to France to explore ways to advance their country," said Benoit Digeon, mayor of Montargis, in an interview with Xinhua. "They were inspired by Communism and worked for the founding of a Communist party peculiar to China." Benoit Digeon, mayor of Montargis, poses with a miniature of a sculpture of a group of Chinese revolutionaries to mark the centennial of the Work-Study Movement during an interview with Xinhua, in Montargis, France, March 22, 2021. (Xinhua/Gao Jing) Currently, about 100 young people in Montargis are learning Chinese. Digeon hopes that they will visit China and come back to France with innovative ideas. Baptiste Ducharme, a 21-year-old student from the University of Orleans, has been studying Chinese for seven years. After a brief China tour in 2017, Ducharme planned to continue his study in China in the near future. Baptiste Ducharme (L) talks with Wang Peiwen, director of a museum on France-China friendship in Montargis, France, April 2, 2021. (Xinhua/Xiao Yazhuo) A native of Montargis, he is now working as an intern at the museum of Franco-Chinese friendship, a 300-year-old townhouse where some Chinese students lived in the 1920s. "I'm deeply impressed by this period of history and am ready to make my own work-study trip to China," he said. (Video reporters: Liu Fang, Tang Ji, Xiao Yazhuo, Gao Jing, Xu Yongchun; video editor: Hong Yan) Some overseas travel appears to be back on the table from next week, with countries including Iceland, Israel and Portugal among those looking likely to be open for quarantine-free trips abroad. And although many Britons may have saved on foreign holidays last year and have more money aside for a luxury getaway, the cost of holidays, especially family ones during school holidays, can be prohibitive. As a result, consumers often opt to put them on a credit card and pay them off in instalments, as well as to benefit from added consumer protections. But as buy now, pay later services like Klarna continue to grow in popularity, an increasing number of travel-focused services have cropped up. Fly now, pay later: A growing number of companies are offering flights and holidays paid in instalments These seeming 'fly now, pay later' providers vary in the specifics but largely work the same way. They allow borrowers who pass a credit check to spread the cost of a holiday across multiple instalments, in some cases of up to 12 months, with no interest included. Andrew Hagger, the founder of personal finance site Moneycomms, said: 'I think BNPL makes more sense for a big ticket item such as flights and holidays, rather than 50 worth of clothes, for example. 'I'm sure holidays will be big business in the next 12 months and some people will be desperate for a break in foreign climes but won't have the full flight or holiday cost as a lump sum after being on furlough, etc. 'These companies obviously realise the holiday business is going to be busy and are ready to take advantage.' What companies are out there? The best-known example is Butter, which This is Money wrote about last month. Launched in 2017, it describes itself as a BNPL travel agency named Pay Monthly Travel, before rebranding itself after overseas travel was cancelled due to the pandemic. But with holidays now possible again, it is worth taking a look at what it offers. Flights from 29 UK airports are available and, subject to a credit check, users can spread the cost of flights and hotels over up to 10 instalments through its app or website. Package holidays may come later this year, it said. In terms of 'green list' destinations, two return flights from London to Reykjavik, Iceland, in mid-June can be had for 498.52, paid for in monthly 10 instalments of 49.85. Butter began life as a company called Pay Monthly Travel, and still brands itself as a 'BNPL travel agency' Meanwhile, a family of four could book a two-week break in a five-star hotel in Lisbon, Portugal, over the same period for 260.27 a month, or a four-star for 110.40. Butter does not charge any interest on instalments, but late payments come with a 12 fee and the associated damage to a borrowers' credit score. Like a credit card, borrowers can also choose to make a bigger payment, or even pay off the balance in full if need be. There are plenty of other similar companies around, including another simply known as Fly Now, Pay Later. Like Butter, it has been authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority for a number of years, and has been known by its current name since 2018. It's worth pointing out there that the FCA's register states it has not confirmed its detail in the last 12 months. Return flights to Lisbon for 2 adults in June can be had for around 10.30-a-month paid back over 10 months It claims to work with the likes of Booking.com, Expedia, EasyJet, Kayak and TUI, and offers payments both through its own app and as a payment option at the checkout of its partners. The app allows holidays to be spread across instalments of between two and 12 months with no interest, while those using it at a separate checkout can borrow 'between 100 and 3,000 interest-free' for a holiday. However, although its headline offer is interest-free, borrowers 'may have to pay a transaction fee, deposit or interest charges'. An example given on its website charges a 100+ transaction fee on a holiday of 800, equating to a representative APR of 51.8 per cent, equivalent to the rate on a subprime loan. Fly Now Pay Later's small print includes an example where an 800 holiday is subject to a 136 'transaction fee', giving the credit an APR of 51.8% What do you need to watch out for? Like the sound of 200 flights paid off in 20 chunks, or a holiday paid for with interest-free credit? Be careful before you dive in, as it's not as easy as paying for a clothes order a month after you've bought it. Travellers have spent the last year tied up in knots trying to work out who owes them their money back for a cancelled trip, and that's before adding a credit providing middleman into the mix. There are numerous things to consider before using one of these providers. Can they be paired with travel insurance, which is even more of a necessity at the moment? Do they provide Section 75 cover like a credit card? Are they covered by ATOL? What is their refund policy like? 'Personally, I'd be wary about using these companies without the S75 safety net', Andrew Hagger added. Credit card purchases are covered by Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, meaning the card providers shares liability with a retailer for any breach of contract Brian Brown, from the financial information site Defaqto, said: 'You may also have protection under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, because you are being lent money, but I would definitely confirm that with the provider. 'I would particularly want to know who the credit provider is, because that's who you would have to make the claim through.' In Butter's case, it does depend on which airline flights are provided by. Flights with six airlines, including EasyJet, Jet2 and Ryanair, are 'financially protected by the airline', its website says, 'any others are ATOL protected via Butter or the flight supplier'. ATOL protection covers customers of most package holidays as well as some others and is designed to ensure customers of travel providers which go bust are protected, refunded and repatriated if they are stranded abroad. Butter also provides S75 protection, which means a credit provider is jointly liable for any breach of contract by a retailer or service supplier, and enquiries should be made through it. Brown added: 'We haven't seen this payment method before, but I would expect it to be covered by travel insurance in the same way as any other holiday. 'You have a commitment to pay for the holiday, and if you have a valid claim I would expect the insurer to pay out the money you owe to the travel provider. However the buyers need to understand that travel insurance won't pay out in all circumstances. 'Per our findings, one in five don't cover cancellation costs following a positive test, only 37 per cent cover them if the policyholder has to isolate, and 2 per cent do not cover coronavirus-related medical expenses. 'Buyers need to ensure they are protected if the UK government tells them not to travel.' When it came to booking through such services more generally, he said: 'I would check the T&Cs very carefully, because it's possible you might not be able to cancel and get a refund which you might be able to do if booking direct with the travel provider.' Will your travel insurance pay out for coronavirus? Type of cover Covered as standard in annual multi-trip policies Covered as standard in single-trip policies Covered as standard in extended stay policies Average Medical bills covered 98% 97% 98% 98% Cancellation due to a positive test 78% 77% 81% 79% Cancellation due to self-isolation 35% 35% 42% 37% Cancellation due to changed FCDO advice 2% 1% 1% 1% Source: Defaqto And the instalment credit option could also prove too tempting. Consumer group Which? previously said of funding holidays this way: 'Buy now, pay later firms offer more flexibility at the checkout, but could tempt you to spend more than you would. 'When using them to pay for flights you must make sure you can pay for the total transaction in a relatively short amount of time. 'As payments are taken automatically on the due date, you won't be able to prioritise other important payments such as rent or council tax, which could mean you may turn to other quick high-cost credit to cover the shortfall, such as a payday loan or an overdraft.' As with any case where a third party is involved, it is also worth checking the prices of flights or hotels directly with the provider or through a separate comparison site, in order to ensure you are getting the best price possible. Timothy Davis, one of the founders of Butter, said: 'Butter makes commission on the sale of the travel product in the same way a traditional travel agent would. 'So we don't need to charge anything on top to the consumer for financing their purchase and we don't hit them with any hidden fees. 'The sum they see at checkout is the sum they will pay when spreading the cost over the 10 instalments.' Additionally, it is important to read customer reviews - especially how companies handled complaints last year as the pandemic caused havoc in the travel industry. Dettol and Cillit Bang maker Reckitt has reportedly shortlisted bidders for its infant formula business in China as it looks to exit the country. Potential buyers of its Mead Johnson's Chinese division include Bain Capital, Carlyle Group with CITIC Capital and dairy producer Yili, according to Reuters. Also on the shortlist are Sequoia Capital China teaming up with its portfolio company Shijiazhuang Junlebao Dairy Co, and private equity firm KKR. Reckitt's sale comes as China this week reported its slowest population increase since the first modern population survey in the 1950s The sale of the Chinese business could fetch over $2billion, with shortlisted bidders set to submit binding bids by June 11, according to the report. Reckitt's sale comes as China this week reported its slowest population increase since the first modern population survey in the 1950s, with birth rates declining to the levels seen in ageing societies like Japan and Italy. The exit also follows a similar move by French dairy giant Danone, which sold its 10 per cent stake in China Mengniu Diary this week. Some investors are wary of how China's demographic shift is going to impact the infant formula industry, according to sources cited by Reuters. Hong Kong border closures during the pandemic has also weighed in on Reckitt's infant formula business, its executives have said. Reckitt's infant formula business in China represents 6 per cent of group sales, which were almost 14billion in 2020, up 11.8 per cent year-on-year. US-based Mead Johnson, which Reckitt bought for $16.6billion in 2017, runs a range of infant formula brands including Enfamil, Enfapro and Lactum. Shares in FTSE 100-listed Reckitt were up 0.3 per cent to 63.47 in morning trading on Friday. Airbnb has seen a surge in bookings in recent months as the easing of Covid restrictions and fast vaccine roll-outs in some parts of the world have helped resuscitate demand for travel and accommodation. The company said it saw a 'sharp' increase in bookings in the UK immediately after Boris Johnson announced plans to exit lockdown in February, while the easing of travel restrictions in France earlier this month also lifted demand. Meanwhile, searches for accommodation by over 60s in the US rose by 60 per cent between February and March, as inoculated baby boomers sought freedom after months of staying at home. Escape the city: Airbnb has seen rising demand for rural accommodations and longer stays Overall, the value of bookings made by holidaymakers shot up 52 per cent in the first three months of the year to $10.3billion, or 7.3billion, compared to the same period last year. The figure was also higher than the first quarter of 2019, before the pandemic struck, Airbnb said. 'We surpassed 2019 revenue levels even though urban travel and cross-border travel, two of our strongest segments historically, have not yet recovered,' the group said last night. In fact, what lifted bookings was demand for long-term stays, staycations and rural or less-densely populated areas - trends which took off with the pandemic and seem to be continuing now. 'While we have been affected by the continued impact of COVID-19 and resulting travel restrictions around the world, we have seen many areas of resilience continue from 2020,' Airbnb said. 'These include North America, domestic travel, nearby travel, long-term stays, and stays in less-densely populated areas. We have also seen an increase in the growth of family and group travel, especially outside of cities.' Bookings by families and small groups have been rising faster than bookings by solo travellers Airbnb saw a sharp rise in bookings for long-term stays, as almost 25 per cent of nights booked in the first quarter were for stays of 28 days or longer, up from 14 per cent in pre-pandemic 2019. 'An increasing number of guests are discovering that they do not need to be tethered to one location to live and work,' Airbnb said. Meanwhile, bookings by families and small groups have been rising faster than bookings by solo travellers, as more people look to travel outside of large cities, the company added. 'There has been a rise in staycations around the world, with more groups and families holidaying together switching from popular tourist spots to more isolated rural retreats,' said Susannah Streeter, senior investment and markets analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown. 'Guests are also staying for much longer periods, rather than quick trips [...]. That trend could also help reduce the number of complaints from neighbours about rowdy weekend revellers which has plagued the company in recent years, along with accusations that the platform limits the amount of housing available for locals.' In Europe, Airbn saw 'steady improvement' thanks mostly to a pick-up in bookings in France and the UK, with 'strong' demand for staycations. 'We have seen significant interest in summer travel in Europe, especially in areas such as non-urban destinations in the UK,' it added. Airbnb revenues rose 5 per cent to $887million (630.2million), compared to a 22 per cent decline in the last quarter of 2020. Losses rose to $1.17billion (830million), mostly because it paid back loans taken to weather the pandemic. It said it expected revenues to bounce back to pre-pandemic levels in the current quarter, but was too early to predict if the momentum would continue into the second half of the year. It was a case of Viva La Revolucion as Revolution Bars welcomed the governments latest lockdown guidelines. The company, whose brands include Revolucion de Cuba, said trading at its bars has been extremely strong since the government allowed bars in England that have outdoor drinking spaces to reopen for business. The prime minister, Boris Johnson, confirmed on 10 May that restrictions would be eased further on 17 May to allow indoor dining and drinking in England and that the country remains on track for a return to restriction free trading on 21 June. Revolution Bar shares rose 20% after the company said trading at its bars has been extremely strong since bars with outdoor seating were allowed to reopen on 12 April The shares rose 20 per cent after the company said it is confident that further pent-up demand exists and that strong trading is anticipated in the months to come as restrictions fall away and it fully opens up its estate. There was no good on you, Boris! statement from Comptoir Group, the Lebanese restaurants group, but that did not stop the shares from rising 32 per cent this week, returning the shares to levels last seen in September 2019. Although demand for hospitality shares was high this week, oil firm Petro Matad was the top riser after it received approval of the plan of development for its Heron Field project in Mongolia. Mongolia's Mineral Resources Professional Council has, subject to some technical clarifications being made, given the green light to the development plan. With the recent relaxation of lockdown restrictions in Mongolia, Petro Matad is now in discussion with MRPC's designated officials to clarify the points raised to secure MRPC written approval of the plan of development. Shares in Petro Matad were up 68 per cent on the week at 8.55p. In a similar vein, Corcel, the battery metals specialist, jumped 32 per cent after it said its joint venture partner has received the approval of the Environmental Permit Ep-L2 (708) authorising the excavation of laterite ore deposit and direct shipping ore operations at the company's Mambare Nickel-Cobalt project in Eastern Papua New Guinea. The approval is conditional, as is normal in Papua New Guinea, on the activity complying with the Environmental Act 2000. The granting of the approval brings to an end a wait of more than two years for Corcel. Elsewhere in the resources sector, Oriole Resources jumped 46 per cent after it said its joint venture partner IAMGOLD Corp has started its Year 4 exploration programme at the Senala gold project in Senegal. The programme will comprise around 11,000 metres of reverse circulation and diamond drilling at the Fare and Madina Bafe prospects. Another gold miner, Lexington Gold, rose by a third on the back of full-year results. What was so thrilling about the results was not immediately apparent, with the company reporting a wider loss before tax of $712,000 for 2020 compared to a loss of $482,000 the year before. The net cash position was much improved, however, at $2.9million compared to $100,000 at the end of 2019. On the subject of share price mysteries, sector peer URU Metals and its board joined the rest of us in professing ignorance of the reasons for the companys 36 per cent share price increase this week. The board said it is not aware of any specific reason for this increase. It seems barely a week has gone by this year without Hurricane Energy featuring in this column, usually on the debit side of things and this week is no different, with the shares down 18 per cent after the company lifted the lid on its highly-dilutive debt deal. A deal struck with a 69 per cent majority of the groups convertible bond holders will see some $50million of the total $230million debt swapped for new shares in the company. These refinancing shares will equate to 95 per cent of the groups fully diluted pro forma equity immediately following the restructuring. The bondholders and subsequently the majority owners of the company agreed to amend the terms for the remaining $180million of outstanding bonds to extend the maturity date out to December 2024. Hurricane shares now trade at 0.69p; four years ago they would have set you back about 50p. Long-suffering Hurricane shareholders must be hoping the restructuring deal puts a line under things and the company can get back to exploiting its Lancaster field. When was the last time you used spare change? Other than scrambling to find a quid for the supermarket trolley depending on where you shop, or for car parks that still don't take digital payments, the answer might be pre-pandemic. Many sellers of The Big Issue often carry card readers now and even some places of worship take contactless donations. Meanwhile, the country's official coin maker could potentially go a long time without needing to make some denominations. The Royal Mint has said it may not produce any more 2p coins for a decade due to reduced cash usage and there being sufficient coins already in circulation Last autumn a report from the National Audit Office found coin production at the Royal Mint fell by two-thirds between 2011 and 2020, and that it could go a decade without producing any new 2p or 2 coins. There were 383million coins struck last year, down from 1.1billion at the start of the last decade. As a result, the country could increasingly be going coinless. Chris Forero-Slee wants to help it on its way. Chris is the co-founder and chief executive of Shrap, an app which says it wants to take the hassle out of accepting cash. But, he adamantly insisted, the company does not want Britain to go fully cashless, only coinless. The app, he told This is Money, is akin to a digital coin jar. Businesses which are signed up can accept a cash payment, say a 10 note for an item costing 8.67, and the 'change' will be handed back to the purchaser via Shrap. The three-year-old company said in its marketing materials that 'by storing a digital "float" on Shrap, change can be given to customers through the service with no need to handle coins.' Shrap is akin to a 'digital coin jar' and lets people pay in cash but get the change back digitally Up to 150 can be stored on the app, and it comes with an accompanying card which can be used to send money and make payments of up to 10. Importantly, Chris notes, there is no charge for using the card, 'that is one of the main reasons businesses use it', he said. The company's sales pitch stated: 'Shrap enables customers to go coinless, not cashless, and for businesses to continue to accept cash, but without the expense and hassle of coins.' It is early days for the app. It was initially trialled in Bournemouth, where it is based and where Chris went to university in the early 2000s, in late 2019 and early 2020 in a pilot which was curtailed by the coronavirus pandemic. Moneybags: Chris Forero-Slee and James Cummins, the co-founders of Shrap He said around 20 businesses just under 500 people used it, and he described the trial as 'really successful'. Some 97 per cent of people said they would go coinless, and 86 per cent of businesses, he said. Now fully licensed by the Financial Conduct Authority, Shrap is planning to expand its services. It has managed to join one of the pilots in Rochford, Essex, which is trialling the idea of a shared banking hub as well as a raft of other schemes designed to safeguard access to cash. Rochford, Essex, is trialling a one-day-a-week banking hub in a 6-month pilot which began last month Cash usage is still at roughly 65 to 70 per cent of what it was before the pandemic, even as lockdown has eased and consumers return to high streets, according to recent figures from LINK, which runs the country's ATM network. Some 44 per cent of people expect to use cash less in the future compared to before the pandemic, LINK found. And at the same time, businesses and individuals who rely on cash and bank branches to pay in change or carry out face-to-face banking have been hit by thousands of closures and continued reduced opening hours as banks push more customers online. Lynn, the owner of independent Rochford shop Perfectly Peachie, has signed up to use Shrap The app will also be available in two of the other eight pilot locations, Denny, in Scotland, and Millisle, in Norther Ireland, in the pilots which started last month and will run until October. Speaking to This is Money on Monday from a hotel in Essex, ahead of Shrap's launch in Rochford, Chris said he hoped to use the pilots as 'a bit of a springboard.' The app is looking to work with market stalls as well as small businesses, he said, and hoped to have between 10 and 20 signed up by the end of this week. Spenders who want to sign up would bring their coins into town and have them counted by a machine, which would load their balance onto the app. Natalie Ceeney, the chair of the board overseeing the pilots and the author of a landmark review into access to cash, seemed broadly supportive of the idea. Many businesses have told me that a significant challenge they have in taking cash is dealing with small change. Retailers need to get cash "floats" regularly, so that they have the change for customers, which means going to a bank or Post Office and often queuing. Natalie Ceeney She said: 'When I wrote the review, one thing I said was that we need more innovation in the cash space and I'm pleased we're seeing a number of participants in the cash pilots, including Shrap. 'Many businesses have told me that a significant challenge they have in taking cash is dealing with small change. 'Retailers need to get cash "floats" regularly, so that they have the change for customers, which means going to a bank or Post Office and often queuing. 'It means counting up change and going back again to queue to pay it in. If Shrap can help retailers manage small change effectively, and keep them accepting cash, that has to be a good thing. 'And saving up small change can also help consumers, as it makes us more likely to spend our change than putting it in a jar and forgetting about it.' One person who agreed is Lynn, who owns an independent homeware shop on Rochford's West Street. She said: 'It's inconvenient counting coins, cashing up and running out of small change. And particularly in these times, hygiene is a massive issue.' She added: 'It's important to protect our ability to use cash, it's an important part of a free society'. Shrap echoed this line in its company materials. It stated: 'Business is worried about the cost of handling cash and its acceptance by business is putting cash under threat.' It added 'cash remains essential' but that the company 'can play a major part in securing the future of cash by removing the need for coins.' 'I know it's a bit cheesy', Chris said, 'but how I view Shrap is the contactless for cash.' Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 20:36:19|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close BEIJING, May 14 (Xinhua) -- The current condition of religious freedom in Xinjiang is incomparable in history, President of the Islamic Association of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Abdureqip Tumulniyaz has said. Abdureqip Tumulniyaz, also president of the Xinjiang Islamic Institute, made the remarks at a reception in Beijing on Thursday for Eid al-Fitr hosted by the People's Government of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. "The Constitution of the People's Republic of China clearly states that Chinese citizens enjoy the freedom of religious belief," he said, adding that the customs and habits of Muslims such as food, festivals, weddings, funerals and etiquette are fully respected, and legal religious activities are carried out completely in accordance with an individual's wishes in Xinjiang. He pointed out that the government also arranges medical staff to provide medical services in mosques such as handing out masks, taking temperature, distributing medicines among Muslims and regularly carrying out disinfection. In the face of rumors such as the so-called "forced demolition of mosques" and "clerical personnel being persecuted," Abdureqip Tumulniyaz stressed that Xinjiang has a large number of mosques built in the 1980s and 1990s or even earlier which needed repair. He said some mosques were originally adobe houses, some were too narrow and shabby, some were too dilapidated for religious activities during windy and rainy days. In addition, the layout of some mosques made it inconvenient for Muslims to carry out religious activities. "In recent years, in response to the appeals and applications by Muslims, many local governments have addressed the problems well. Conditions of mosques in Xinjiang have generally improved," he said. Public services such as water, electricity, heating, roads, telecommunications, television and health services have already covered mosques, which has greatly benefited Muslims, Abdureqip Tumulniyaz added. The history and reality of Xinjiang have clearly shown that any attempt to distort religious facts in Xinjiang is futile, he said, adding that any conspiracy to destabilize Xinjiang, damage religious harmony, and undermine peace and contentment among all ethnic groups is doomed to fail. Vladimir Norov, secretary-general of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, also made a keynote speech at the reception. Norov shared his experience of visiting Xinjiang from March 30 to April 2 this year. He visited religious and educational institutions, industrial and infrastructure facilities, learned about Xinjiang's history and talked with local people. He said the common opinion among the visiting diplomats was that due to the high level of economic development in Xinjiang, the necessary social conditions for decent work and prosperous life for citizens of all ethnic groups were created. In Urumqi, Aksu and Kashgar, the culture of the ethnic groups is preserved and developed, Norov said, adding that it is certainly clear and convincing that the Chinese central government and the government of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region are doing everything to preserve the culture of ethnic groups and further promote it. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 21:17:22|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, convenes a symposium on advancing the high-quality follow-up development of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, in Nanyang, central China's Henan Province, May 14, 2021. (Xinhua/Ju Peng) NANYANG, Henan, May 14 (Xinhua) -- President Xi Jinping on Friday convened a symposium on advancing the high-quality follow-up development of China's mega water diversion project. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, stressed the need to analyze the new situation and tasks facing the South-to-North Water Diversion Project and push for the scientific planning and construction of the project to promote the effective and economical use of water resources. The symposium was held in the city of Nanyang, central China's Henan Province. Speaking at the symposium, Xi said strong support of water resources is needed in the country's efforts to shape a nationwide unified market, boost smooth domestic circulation, and promote the coordinated development of the southern and northern regions. Noting the extremely unbalanced distribution of water resources in China, Xi said the South-to-North Water Diversion Project is a backbone project for the allocation of the resources across different river basins and regions. The project has transferred over 40 billion cubic meters of water, directly benefiting about 120 million people and playing important roles in economic and social development and environmental protection. Xi highlighted the valuable experience drawn for constructing major water diversion projects: coordinating resources across the nation, concentrating all efforts to get big things done, respecting objective laws, as well as good planning, water conservation, pollution control, and precision in diverting water. Xi said water diversion must continue in a scientific manner and attention must be given to strengthening water conservation to better manage supply and demand. He stressed the importance of strengthening eco-environment protection, particularly pollution prevention and control in areas along the water transmission routes and in water-receiving regions. He also stressed accelerating the construction of a national water network, urging efforts to enhance connectivity, thus speeding up the building of the network's main structure. Xi called for attention to the water problems such as the sharp decrease of sediment inflows in northern China's main rivers, especially the Yellow River, and the over-extraction of groundwater. He called for planning and design programs that can stand the test of time. Vice Premier Han Zheng, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attended the symposium and called for implementing Xi's speech and instructions. Before the symposium, Xi visited the county of Xichuan on Thursday afternoon to inspect the construction, management and operation of the middle route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, as well as the resettlement of people relocated because of the project. At the Taocha Canal Head, he stressed the ecological conservation of the water-source region, while at the village of Zouzhuang, he pledged to continue to support the relocated people. Noting that the Party's 100-year history is one of dedication to people's well-being, Xi asked local Party organizations and members to unite and lead the people in striving towards common prosperity. During the inspection, Xi stopped by a wheat field to check on crop growth and called for efforts to achieve breakthroughs in cultivating high-quality seeds. "We should rely on Chinese seeds to ensure China's food security," Xi said. On Wednesday, Xi visited a memorial facility dedicated to Zhang Zhongjing, a famous Chinese pharmacologist and physician of the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220). Noting that traditional Chinese medicine is a great creation of the Chinese nation, Xi urged efforts to ensure its preservation and development. Xi then went to a park exhibiting the Rosa Chinensis -- or the Chinese rose -- and a local company producing mugwort products. Stressing that local specialty industries have vast potential, Xi called for creating more jobs for the farmers and sharing with them the benefits. Enditem COLONIE Allegiant Air's first nonstop flight to Nashville departed Friday shortly after noon from Albany International Airport. Earlier, the flight arriving from Nashville passed under the traditional ceremonial wall of water. Earlier, airport planner Steve Iachetta serenaded passengers waiting to board the Nashville flight with his violin, while one Nashville-bound passenger showed off his blue suede shoes. The new service is part of an effort by the Albany County Airport Authority to expand the number of destinations served nonstop from the Capital Region. Allegiant, as one of two ultra low-fare carriers at Albany the other is Frontier Airlines is expected to put downward pressure on air fares, at least over the long term. Fares nationwide have been spiking as customers start traveling again, boosting passenger loads. While airlines have added capacity, it hasn't kept up with the surge in travel. On Friday, a ticket for travel on Monday was priced at $134, with a return ticket the following Friday priced at $61. The Nashville flights operate on Mondays and Fridays and will continue through mid-August, according to Allegiant's website. "Allegiant's confidence in the Greater Capital Region market is evident by the airline's commitment to expanding Albany service to new and exciting destinations such as Nashville," said Philip Calderone, CEO of the Albany County Airport Authority. "We look forward to growing our relationship with Allegiant and their future expansion at Albany." The inaugural departing flight carried 136 passengers on an Airbus jet. Allegiant serves a number of popular resort destinations from Albany, including Sanford, Fla., Myrtle Beach, Tampa, and Punta Gorda, some with seasonal service. The past year was not a good time to be in the airline business. Although vaccination rates today are rising and travelers are returning to the skies, New York Stewart International Airport (SWF) has a long way to go to recovery after the pandemic. What were seeing, says Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Aviation Director Huntley A. Lawrence, is that no small airport or community has escaped the impacts of COVID-19. Many airports have lost all of their air service. Its been a real challenge as the airline industry has seen significant losses in their traffic in the past year. Stewart Airport saw a 90 percent reduction in total passengers and a 64 percent drop in the number of flights taking off in December 2020 compared to the same period the previous year, according to the Port Authoritys traffic report. Though the report didnt quantify the financial impact during this period, Airlines for America (A4A), an organization that advocates on behalf of airlines, reported that U.S. airline operating revenues fell 62 percent from the first quarter 2019 to the first quarter 2021. At its lowest point, the A4A says, passenger volumes were down 96 percent, to a volume not seen since the 1950s, before the dawn of the jet. The airfield at Stewart actually dates back to 1930 when aviation buff Archie Stewart donated 220 acres of land to the city of Newburgh. Used for cadet flight training, the airfield became Stewart Air Force Base in 1948 before expanding steadily as a commercial airport over the years. By 2017, Stewart welcomed its first-ever transatlantic arrival, a Norwegian Air flight from Edinburgh, Scotland. At its peak in 2018, Stewart was home to five passenger airlines and contributed $426 million in economic activity to the region. That translated to 2,390 total jobs and $142 million in annual wages. But the airport has lost three of those five carriers in two years, and one of the two remaining airlines American Airlines suspended service for a period during the pandemic. Norwegian Airlines, which offered affordable nonstop flights to Ireland from Stewart (roundtrips were in the $370 range) initially suspended flights in March 2019 because the Boeing 737 MAX planes it used in these routes were grounded globally due to two deadly crashes. They attempted to continue operating service with replacement aircraft, but ultimately said that the routes were no longer commercially viable. (Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumers plea to Aer Lingus to restore international flights to the airport has so far gone unheeded.) Jet Blue and Delta also ended flights from Stewart last year amid the pandemic. Delta does not have a date to resume service, but says they are continuously monitoring demand trends with plans to rebuild their network. Jet Blue has also not said if and when they will resume flights out of Stewart. American is operating just one route right now, flying once daily to Philadelphia, and Allegiant offers only seasonal flights when people are likely to travel for holidays or over the spring and summer. From Stewart, Allegiant flies twice weekly to Orlando and St. Petersburg in Florida, and Myrtle Beach in South Carolina; the airline will resume service to Punta Gorda, Fla., in June. The airline also recently added service to Savannah, Ga., beginning May 26 in time for Memorial Day weekend. KGrif/Getty Images/iStockphoto Opportunities for Stewarts future Though the Port Authority, which manages Stewart Airport, has yet to release airport employment data for 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the air transportation industry, which includes both passenger and cargo transport, lost 26 percent of its workforce in the pandemic year, going from a high of 518,500 jobs in March 2020 to a low of 383,200 jobs in June that year. It has since rebounded to 419,000 jobs in April, though 2021 numbers are preliminary. Federal aid has helped keep many in the airline industry employed despite a drop in passenger travel, which is still down roughly 36 percent compared to levels before the pandemic. In March 2020, passenger airlines received $50 billion in pandemic relief, split evenly between loans and payroll grants. Another $15 billion in payroll funding came in December, and President Bidens relief bill this year provided an additional $14 billion to airlines and $9 billion for airports. Of this latest round of aid, Stewart Airport received $2.3 million for operations, personnel, cleaning, sanitizing, and debt service payments, among other things. Many returning employees, including pilots, are still undergoing retraining and recertification processes, suggesting that a return to normal on employment levels is still a ways off. The fact that airline employees are being called back is a good sign of the overall economy, but in the case of Stewart, there may be more reasons to be optimistic. Airline industry analyst Robert W. Mann notes that Stewart has gotten some of its initially canceled service back, and this trend may continue as summer leisure traffic volumes recover. He also likened the potential of the Hudson Valley to Californias wine country in terms of its ability to draw non-local tourists to the area by plane. Theres lots of draw in the Hudson Valley. But it will take a fair amount of effort, both by the state and the Port Authority. Its an unexploited situation and these things bear fruit over time, he says. But the biggest determinant of Stewarts future success hinges on when New Yorkers go back into the office and fly for work again. A critical factor will be the return of business travel, he says. So many secondary and tertiary airports only had services because of the business traveler. Stewart is also considered a Reliever Airport, an airline industry term for a regional airport that provides relief to congested and pricey air travel in major cities. The problem with this model is that airlines dont like to split demand, but with business travel down by roughly 50 percent compared to pre-pandemic levels, there is less demand, period. Allegiant Air Enter three key Port Authority initiatives This spring the Port Authority announced several initiatives that they say will re-energize the airport, including an incentive program to attract carriers, a new marketing campaign, and a state-of-the art customs facility, which added 20,000 square feet of space to the existing terminal and also allows additional screening. To attract more airlines to the airport, Stewart is offering airport fee waivers and marketing support for 24 months for any carrier that begins new nonstop service to any destination that is not currently served from Stewart. This is not a new concept smaller airports often use this, and Stewart itself offered one before but the new program incorporates guidance from a consultant for best practices in the industry. Lawrence would be happy with any existing airline that adds new routes to the airport, but what I would love to see, he says, is one of these new start-up airlines like Breeze or others make Stewart airport a focus city. The new marketing campaign, focused on both the airline industry as well as consumers through targeted digital advertising and social media, also includes a new logo featuring a modern-looking apple, which was selected to convey the airports proximity to apple country and New York City. Theyre also working with local tourism partners and area attractions to raise awareness of Stewart as a viable travel option. Hudson Valley Tourism President Amanda Dana points out that growth at Stewart has to come both from attracting more customers in the region who are looking to travel to the destinations that Stewart serves, as well as attracting more tourists to the Hudson Valley. People already view New York City as a destination, she says, so one way to do this is to highlight how close and easy it is to travel an hour north of the Big Apple and get an incredible experience. She also recommends marketing the region to other parts of the country, especially a city in the southeast that Stewart already services, particularly during prime travel times for those areas like July through October. This [would] align very nicely with the Hudson Valley vacation season where we experience an uptick in visitors. Dana adds that the booming local film industry has the potential to boost airport use, too. Many west coast productions are considering the Hudson Valley for their next film, and many top producers directors and actors live in the Los Angeles area. It would be a great asset to have a direct flight to New York Stewart. LEGOLAND New York Resort Pent-up demand, cargo could boost recovery Interest in air travel in recent weeks has picked up, with the number of daily passengers steadily surpassing one million for a 706 percent increase in air travel compared to this time last year. People are ready to go out and enjoy their time with their families and they are ready to go on vacations, Lawrence says. Increased demand is one reason to be bullish on Stewart Airport, but another post-pandemic consideration is the fact many people have decided to leave congested areas like New York City and move to the Hudson Valley and more residents could mean more travelers at Stewart. We know there was an influx of new residents into the county, like the increase post-9/11, says Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus, However, it will be awhile before well be able to quantify this growth. Neuhaus also noted that Stewart is important not only for air passengers but also cargo. Cargo makes up a significant percentage of business at the airport with companies like FedEx, DHL and UPS shipping oversized freight, express packages and livestock on regularly scheduled flights. Domestic freight was up nearly 17 percent in December of 2020 from the same period last year, when it shipped nearly 23,000 tons of freight according to the Port Authority's 2019 airport traffic report. (LaGuardia, by example, shipped less than 7,000 tons in 2019). Stewarts optimal location at the intersection of the New York State Thruway (Interstate 87) and Interstate 84 makes it very attractive for cargo companies and this business could grow, says Mann. Freight going to Rockland County, Connecticut, or the Hudson Valley is better off arriving in Stewart rather than JFK, the regions major cargo hub, he says, because its much less congested both in terms of air traffic and surface roads. The opening of Legoland, the states first major amusement park and adjacent hotel, located in Orange County, is also expected to bring in new travelers. Stewart Airport can and will be a success, Neuhaus says. With attractions in Orange County such as Legoland, Stewart can become a regional destination airport. Amsterdam Police AMSTERDAM - A city man faces a range of charges after busting up a patrol car and breaking an arresting officer's nose, police said Thursday. Police said while on patrol two officers saw the Division Street man, 28, walking on Thomas Street Tuesday night, knowing he was wanted for failing to appear in court on charges dating from July. The man allegedly tried to hide his identity and when he was taken into custody in handcuffs he struck the side of the patrol car with his body and kept struggling until he was put on the back of the car. DENVER (AP) A Colorado man suspected in the death of his wife who disappeared on Mothers Day 2020 is also accused of submitting a fraudulent vote on her behalf for Donald Trump in Novembers presidential election, newly released court documents show. Barry Morphew told investigators he mailed the ballot on behalf of his wife, Suzanne Morphew, to help Trump win, saying all these other guys are cheating, and that he thought his wife would have voted for Trump anyway, according to an arrest warrant affidavit signed Thursday by a judge in Chaffee County. Morphew, 53, faces possible first-degree murder and other charges in connection with the disappearance of Suzanne Morphew on May 10, 2020. He was arrested May 5 and is currently being held in connection with that case. Barry Morphew posted a widely viewed video on Facebook pleading for her safe return shortly after she disappeared. Authorities say the arrest was the result of an ongoing investigation that has so far failed to find Suzanne Morphews body. After conducting over 135 searches across Colorado and interviewing 400 people in multiple states, investigators believe Suzanne Morphew is dead but have not found her body, Chaffee County Sheriff John Spezze has said. An arrest affidavit by Chaffee County Sheriff's Detective Sgt. Claudette Hysjulien says the county clerk's office received a suspicious mail ballot in Suzanne Morphew's name in October. Sheriff's investigators saw the ballot, which had been mailed by the state to Suzanne Morphew, lacked Suzanne's signature, as required by law, but that Barry Morphew had signed it as a witness. Morphew was interviewed by two FBI agents about the ballot in April. Asked why he sent it, he told the agents, Just because I wanted Trump to win," according to the affidavit. I just thought, give him another vote. Asked if he knew it is illegal to send someone else's ballot, Morphew replied: I didn't know you couldn't do that for your spouse. The affidavit says Morphew faces two new counts: felony forgery and misdemeanor ballot fraud. A separate arrest affidavit outlining the evidence leading investigators to believe Morphew is responsible for his wifes death has been sealed. On Friday, Chief Judge Patrick Murphy issued an order giving prosecutors 14 days to respond to a new defense motion to limit public access to that affidavit. Morphew is being represented by state public defenders, who in Colorado do not comment on their cases. His next scheduled court appearance in both the murder and fraud cases is on May 27. At his last court appearance on May 6, prosecutors said they did not object to Barry Morphew, who is being held in a nearby jail, from being able to have contact with his two daughters as long as it was civil. Murphy allowed the contact but ordered that it could not be harassing. Barry Morphew said the daughters needed their mother in the Facebook video. Phil Long/AP ALBANY - Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said Thursday evening that his office will review the new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines easing mask use and social distancing rules that are being altered as the vaccination rate rises and cases and deaths drop in many places across the U.S. "In New York, we have always relied on the facts and the science to guide us throughout the worst of this pandemic and in our successful reopening," the governor's short statement said. "We have received the newly revised guidance from the CDC regarding mask wearing and social distancing for those with vaccinations and are reviewing them in consultation with (state Health Commissioner Howard) Zucker and our partners and health experts in surrounding states." MINNEAPOLIS (AP) The trial of three former Minneapolis police officers charged with aiding and abetting in the death of George Floyd will be pushed back to March 2022, in part to allow the publicity over Derek Chauvin's conviction to cool off, a judge ruled Thursday. Thomas Lane, J. Kueng and Tou Thao were to face trial Aug. 23 on charges they aided and abetted both murder and manslaughter. Their co-defendant, Chauvin, was convicted in April of murder and manslaughter. All four officers also face federal charges that they violated Floyds civil rights during his May 25 arrest. Judge Peter Cahill said he moved the other officers' trial so the federal case can go forward first. No date has been set for the federal case, but Cahill said it carries higher potential penalties. He also said he felt the need to put some distance between the three officers trial and Chauvins due to the high-profile nature of the case. The order for the delay came during a hearing on pretrial motions. The former officers were not in court, but their defense attorneys all agreed to the postponement. The state, via Assistant Attorney General Matthew Frank, did not support the delay. It wasnt made clear at the hearing who originally sought the change. The attorneys left the courthouse without commenting. Chauvin, who was seen in widely viewed bystander video pressing his knee into Floyds neck as the Black man said he couldnt breathe, was convicted in April of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter. Hes to be sentenced June 25, with legal experts saying he faces up to 30 years in prison, though he could get less. Former federal prosecutor Mark Osler, now a professor at the University of St. Thomas School of Law, said the delay could mean the former officers are talking about a plea deal, particularly since their attorneys supported the delay and the prosecution did not. One can infer that the defense attorneys are hoping that the federal case will offer lower penalties for their clients and a dismissal of the state charges, Osler said. Although federal civil rights violations can carry the possibility of the death penalty, experts say that won't happen. Osler said Chauvin could face a life sentence if convicted on the federal charges but declined to predict potential federal sentences for the others. He said they could be less than they might get in state court. Minnesota law treats aiding and abetting the same as the underlying crime. So, if the three other ex-officers are convicted, the state's sentencing guidelines would recommend sentences of 12 1/2 years on the murder counts and four years on the manslaughter counts. But Cahill has some flexibility to go up or down a few years without providing an explanation, and he could go significantly higher if he formally finds there were aggravating factors as he did with Chauvin. During Thursday's hearing, attorneys for the defense argued that prosecutors should be sanctioned after media reports that Chauvin had planned to plead guilty a year ago. Frank said the Attorney General's Office was willing to submit affidavits from personnel involved in the case to state that they were not the source of the leak. A prosecutor from the Hennepin County Attorney's Office said they would do the same. Cahill said he would hold an evidentiary hearing on the issue, probably in August. In a separate motion, Earl Gray, Lanes attorney, asked Cahill to compel the state to disclose all use-of-force reports over the past 30 years after initially asking for data dating back 50 years in which a Minneapolis police officer used force and another officer intervened verbally or physically. Gray said its necessary to show the jury that no such intervention has been made, which would call into question the states expert testimony about the duty of officers to intervene. Frank argued that the request was overly broad and should be denied; Cahill said he would take it under advisement. Thaos attorney, Bob Paule, filed a motion late Wednesday asking the court to sanction prosecutors for allegedly failing to disclose information about the alleged coercion of a witness. Paule claimed that the Hennepin County medical examiner, Dr. Mark Baker, was coerced to include neck compression in his findings and that prosecutors knew of it. Frank, in a brief letter to Cahill, said, The bizarre allegations offered in support of the motion are false and wrong and we intend to file a complete response. The issue did not come up during Thursdays hearing. ___ Find APs full coverage of the death of George Floyd at: https://apnews.com/hub/death-of-george-floyd NEW YORK (AP) Children ages 12 and older can now roll up their sleeves for COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S., offering parents and schools a chance to relax their pandemic precautions and bringing the country a step closer to controlling the virus. A government advisory committee recommended Pfizer's vaccine for children 12 and older on Wednesday, after the Food and Drug Administration expanded authorization of the shots to the age group earlier in the week. Heres what you need to know: ARE THE SHOTS THE SAME AS THOSE FOR ADULTS? Yes. The dose and the schedule are the same; the two shots are given three weeks apart. WHERE CAN KIDS GET THE SHOTS? Pharmacies, state sites and other places that are already vaccinating people 16 and older with the Pfizer vaccine should be able to give the shots to all authorized ages in most cases. All those sites can simply extend down to the younger age group, Dr. Janet Woodcock, the FDAs acting commissioner, said in a call with reporters after the agency expanded authorization. School districts are also preparing to host vaccination clinics to speed up the campaign. And since parents might feel more comfortable with their pediatricians and primary care doctors, health officials are working to make the shots more widely available at private practices. WILL KIDS NEED A GUARDIAN? Parental consent will be needed, but exactly how its obtained could vary. For vaccinations at school-based clinics, for example, parents might be able to give consent by signing a form, said Dr. Nirav Shah, director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention and president of Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. Walgreens said a parent or guardian will need to be present and sign a consent form, but noted guidelines on parental consent vary by jurisdiction. In Pennsylvanias Montgomery County, anyone under 18 needs to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Proof of guardianship and the childs age arent being checked, said Kelly Cofrancisco, a spokeswoman for the county, which began vaccinating younger teens Tuesday. HOW WAS THE VACCINE VETTED FOR KIDS? Pfizer's late-stage vaccine study tested the safety and efficacy of the shots in about 44,000 people 16 and older. The study then enlisted about 2,200 children ages 12 to 15 to check for any differences in how the shots performed in that age group. This is just extending it down from 16 and 17 year olds, and getting further information, Woodcock said. None of the children who got the real shots in the study developed COVID-19, compared with 16 who got the dummy shots. That confirmed previous finding among adults that the shots are highly effective. Children were also followed for two months after the second shot as part of the study. Dr. Sharon Nachman, chief of pediatric infectious diseases at Stony Brook Children's Hospital, said theres no reason the shots would be less effective or have any unique safety issues in children compared with adults. WHY ONLY THE PFIZER VACCINE? Because only Pfizer, which developed the vaccine with its German partner BioNTech, has completed studies in younger teens. Moderna recently said preliminary results from its study in 12- to 17-year-olds show strong protection and no serious side effects, but regulators still need to review the results before it can be offered to younger people. WHAT SIDE EFFECTS ARE EXPECTED? Common side effects were similar to those experienced by adults, and included fatigue, headache, muscle pain and fever. Except for pain in the arm where the needle is injected, the effects were likelier after the second shot. Dr. Michael Smith, medical director of the Duke Children's Health Center Infectious Diseases Clinic, noted that younger people tend to have more robust immune systems that respond better to vaccines. That explains why side effects were more common in the 12 to 15 age group than among adults, he said. It's also why trials for children younger than 12 are testing different doses. You need to find that dose that is enough to give a good immune response, without giving too many side effects, Smith said. Dosages for children and adults are the same for many other vaccines, he noted. CAN KIDS GET OTHER ROUTINE VACCINATIONS AT THE SAME TIME? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it's updating its guidance to say other routine vaccinations can be given at the same time as the COVID-19 shots. It previously advised against other vaccinations within a two-week window so it could monitor people for potential side effects. The American Academy of Pediatrics said it agrees with the position. WHEN WILL YOUNGER KIDS BE ELIGIBLE? Its unclear how long the ongoing trials or regulatory reviews will take. But Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious disease expert, recently suggested it could happen this year. We think by the time we get to the end of this year we will have enough information to vaccinate children of any age, he said. WHY SHOULD KIDS GET VACCINATED? Even though children are far less likely to get severely ill if infected, health officials note the risk isn't zero. Vaccinating children is also key to ending the pandemic, since children can get infected and spread the virus to others, even if they dont get sick themselves. About 20% of the U.S. population is younger than 16, according to Census data. That included about 16.7 million children ages 12 to 15 in 2019. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content. NEW YORK (AP) Now that a judge has rejected the National Rifle Associations bankruptcy bid, blocking its plan to reincorporate in Texas, the gun rights group is back to fighting a lawsuit that threatens to put it out of business. Harlin Hale, a federal bankruptcy judge in Dallas, dismissed the NRA's case Tuesday. He ruled the organization's leadership sought Chapter 11 protection in bad faith without informing most of its 76-member board and did so to gain an unfair advantage in its fight with New York regulators. What does that mean for the NRA and America's long-running battle over guns? Here's a look at where things go from here. NEW YORK'S LAWSUIT Hales ruling ensures New York Attorney General Letitia James lawsuit seeking the organizations dissolution can continue. James, a Democrat, said Tuesday that discovery is ongoing. The case is expected to go to trial next year. The rot runs deep, which is why we will now refocus on and continue our case in New York court," James said. James sued the NRA in August 2020, alleging executives diverted tens of millions of dollars for lavish personal trips, no-show contracts for associates and other questionable expenditures. NRA chief Wayne LaPierre and three others who have worked for the organization were also sued. The NRA countersued, alleging James who once called the NRA a terrorist organization was motivated by political hostility. That case is pending. In filing for bankruptcy protection in January, the Virginia-headquartered NRA made clear it sought to escape regulatory oversight in New York, where it was chartered as a nonprofit in 1871. James has regulatory power over nonprofits incorporated in the state. The NRA had sought to move litigation to a state where it thought it could get an "even shake, board member Charles Cotton said at the time. Aside from putting the NRA out of business, James also wants LaPierre and the other defendants removed from leadership and ordered to repay money they are accused of illegally spending, plus penalties. Clearly the NRA is in need of oversight and reform, if not dissolution, James said Tuesday. Washington, D.C., Attorney General Karl Racine is also suing the NRAs foundation, seeking to have a court-appointed monitor supervise its finances. The organization is also embroiled in ongoing litigation with its former advertising agency. An NRA lawyer said it filed for bankruptcy in part because it feared the lawsuits would result in death by 1,000 cuts. SELF-DEALING ALLEGATIONS James lawsuit highlights misspending and self-dealing claims involving LaPierre from his wife's hair and makeup to a $17 million post-employment contract for himself. There are individuals and officers who are using the NRA as their personal piggy bank and they need to be held accountable, James said Tuesday. LaPierre, who's led day-to-day operations since 1991, is accused of spending millions on private travel and personal security, and accepting expensive gifts from vendors, including African safaris and use of a 107-foot (32-meter) yacht. The lawsuit said LaPierre, 71, spent NRA money on travel consultants, luxury car services and private jet flights for himself and his family, including more than $500,000 on eight trips to the Bahamas. LaPierre has defended himself, testifying last month that cruising the Bahamas on a yacht was a security retreat because he was facing threats after mass shootings. He conceded not reporting the trips on conflict-of-interest forms, testifying: Its one of the mistakes Ive made. Phillip Journey, an NRA board member skeptical of LaPierre's leadership, said testimony at the bankruptcy trial about the organizations operations could be fresh ammunition for James lawsuit or a potential criminal inquiry. They were just waiting for all of these transcripts to be completed, all of these exhibits to be admitted," said Journey, a Kansas judge. I figure they're going to go throw them in front of a grand jury and see what pops out. SIGHTS STILL SET ON TEXAS The NRA remains interested in moving to Texas and has powerful allies who'd be happy to see it set up shop there. But doing so through another bankruptcy attempt would be fraught with risk, and James says she has the authority to block efforts to abandon its New York incorporation. Hale dismissed the NRAs case without prejudice, meaning the organization can refile but he warned a second bankruptcy petition would prompt him to take a hard look at the NRA's lawyers unusual involvement in the group's affairs. The judge wrote that the lawyers' actions raised concerns the group couldn't fulfill its fiduciary duty, which might lead him to appoint a trustee. That would hand the organization's reins to an outside official selected by the Biden administration's Justice Department. The NRA could still pursue other steps to incorporate in Texas, where it claims to have about 400,000 members. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, said on Twitter that he supports the move. But neither Abbott's office, nor that of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who's voiced support in past, responded to questions about the NRA's possible path to Texas. FUTURE OF GUN DEBATE Even as it filed for bankruptcy protection, the NRA claimed it was in its strongest financial condition in years but the coronavirus pandemic and mounting legal costs have hurt. The organization, which in January reported total assets of about $203 million, liabilities of about $153 million, and $31 million in bank loans, said in court papers it saw revenues drop about 7% because of the pandemic. To cut costs, it laid off dozens and canceled its national convention. Gun-control groups have seized on its troubles and a recent spate of mass shootings as prime opportunity to advance new legislation. Yet the NRA has promised to continue to fight on all fronts. Even with Democrats in control of Congress and the White House, gun-control legislation faces barriers. The fact that the NRA is a shadow of its former self doesnt mean all of a sudden the nations gun-violence problem is going to solve itself, said Adam Skaggs, chief counsel at the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. "But certainly, the days where the NRA could wield power and exert unprecedented influence in our legislatures and our political system, I think those days are numbered. In March, the House passed two bills requiring background checks on all firearms sales and transfers and allowing an expanded 10-day review for gun purchases. But the legislation faces a tough road ahead, with some Senate Republican support required for passage. Meanwhile, Journey, who requested that a court-appointed examiner investigate LaPierre, worries what will become of the group's non-lobbying work. Hes particularly concerned dismantling the organization will mean the end of things like firearms safety programs. I think some organizations may be able to pick up some of the pieces," he said, but most of it will simply go away. ___ Bleiberg reported from Dallas. ___ On Twitter, follow Michael Sisak at twitter.com/mikesisak and Jake Bleiberg at twitter.com/JZBleiberg Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 21:21:09|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Israeli soldiers deploy near northern Israeli town of Metula near the border with Lebanon after some Lebanese protesters crossed the Israeli-Lebanese border fence, on May 14, 2021. Israeli tanks fired "warning shots" at Lebanese protesters on Friday after they breached the border fence, Israel's army said. (Ayal Margolin/JINI via Xinhua) JERUSALEM, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Israeli tanks fired at Lebanese protesters on Friday after they breached the border fence, Israel's army said. There were no immediate reports of casualties. The protesters have returned to Lebanon, an Israeli spokesperson said in a statement. Israel's state-owned Kan TV news reported that dozens of protesters gathered on the Lebanese side of the border fence, then set fire and some of them crossed towards the Israeli side. The Israeli military said "a number of rioters crossed from Lebanon into Israeli territory" and in response, Israeli "tanks fired warning shots" towards them. "The suspects sabotaged the fence and set a fire in the area before returning to Lebanese territory," the statement read. The incident came amid the fifth day of fierce fighting between Israel and Hamas militants as well as a spate of violence between Jews and Arabs in major cities throughout Israel. Enditem WASHINGTON (AP) House Republicans elevated Rep. Elise Stefanik to a leadership post Friday, highlighting how the party whose lodestar has long been conservative policies increasingly views allegiance to Donald Trump as its indispensable key to electoral success. Stefanik, a Trump stalwart from upstate New York, was elected to the No. 3 leadership job that until this week belonged to Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming. Republicans tossed Cheney from that post for continually calling out former President Trump for helping spur the violent Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection and relentlessly pushing his false claims that voting fraud caused his November reelection defeat. Local officials and judges from both parties around the country have declared there is no evidence Trump was cheated out of a win. Stefanik easily defeated Rep. Chip Roy of Texas 134-46 in a secret ballot that gave GOP lawmakers a distinct choice about where to steer the party. Stefanik has a moderate voting record but strong backing from Trump and other party leaders, including some conservatives, while Roy is in the hard-right House Freedom Caucus and was actively opposed by the former president. In remarks to reporters after her victory, Stefanik underscored how the twice-impeached Trump's clout within the GOP remains potent, a rarity for a defeated former president. Polling shows strong Trump loyalty among Republican voters, giving party leaders little incentive to ostracize him. Voters determine the leader of the Republican Party, and President Trump is the leader that they look to, said Stefanik, 36. She added, He is an important voice in the Republican Party and we look forward to working with him. While the GOP defines itself as conservative, Stefaniks win provided one measure of the diminished role ideology now plays for Republicans. Her lifetime voting score from the conservative Heritage Action for America is 48, one of the most moderate marks of all House Republicans. That compares to Cheneys 80 and Roys 96. The conservative Club for Growth, which backed Roy, gives Stefanik a lifetime mark of 35. That is well below Cheneys 65 and Roys 100, and even beneath Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, a member of the squad of young progressive House Democrats, who scored 38. I would support Stefanik to be the most likely Republican to join the Squad but not Republican Conference Chair, tweeted Rep. Ken Buck, R-Colo., who nominated Roy Friday. Now, to have credibility in the Republican Party, you have to align yourself with Donald Trump. Everything else is secondary, said former Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla., a Trump critic. He called that a short-term survival strategy, saying Trumps appeal nationally is limited and will fade. Republicans hope Stefanik will help shift attention from their acrimonious purge of the defiant Cheney, and toward their drive to win House control in the 2022 elections. A Trump loyalist who has stood by some of his unfounded claims about widespread election cheating, Stefanik's elevation gives the GOP a fresh spokesperson who is one of the partys relative handful of women in Congress. We are unified working as one team, she said. Yet GOP schisms are unlikely to vanish quickly. Roy's candidacy signaled that hard-right conservatives will battle for influence, and tensions remain raw over Cheneys rancorous ouster. She has said she'll stay in Congress and use her prominence as a GOP establishment pillar and daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney to try to pry her party from Trump and to work against him if he attempts a White House return in 2024. Cheney, who did not attend Friday's GOP meeting, demonstrated anew that she has no qualms confronting her adversaries. Asked on CNN whether House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California would have let Congress formally certify Joe Biden's presidential election had he been speaker, she said that was a legitimate concern." McCarthy helped engineer Cheney's ouster. She told CNN she would have voted for Roy, not Stefanik, to replace her because the party needs conservative leaders who are committed to the Constitution. And she said in an interview to be broadcast Sunday on ABC News This Week that she regretted voting for Trump in last year's election. Cheney was among 10 House Republicans who voted in January for Trumps second impeachment for inciting his supporters Capitol attack. Stefanik has told colleagues shell serve in leadership only through next year, then try taking the top GOP spot on the influential House Education and Labor Committee. Her plans were described last week by a Republican lawmaker and an aide who discussed them only on condition of anonymity. Besides support from Trump, Stefanik was backed by McCarthy and two of the chamber's most influential conservatives: No. 2 leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana and Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio. In the past four presidential elections, Stefaniks rural district backed Barack Obama twice but then Trump twice. She was a Trump critic during his 2016 campaign, calling his videotaped comments on sexually assaulting women just wrong and at times avoiding stating his name. She sprang to Trumps attention by defending him in 2019 during his first impeachment over his efforts to pressure Ukraine to produce political dirt on Biden, a Democratic presidential contender at the time. She's remained a Trump booster. Hours after the Capitol attack, she voted against formally approving Pennsylvanias state-certified electoral votes for Biden. Trump issued a statement Friday congratulating Stefanik, saying, The House GOP is united and the Make America Great Again movement is Strong! Roy, a former aide to conservative Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, voted in January against Trumps effort to overturn his election defeat, infuriating him. Roy ally Buck, asked if Trump might turn his ire on him as well, conceded as much. Ive been looking for an exit strategy for six and a half years, so if thats the exit strategy, thats OK, Buck said. CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) The White House's courtship of U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin continued Thursday as the moderate Democrat joined first lady Jill Biden on a visit to West Virginia, days after he met with President Joe Biden. Manchin, with newfound clout in a Democratic Senate majority, is considered a crucial vote on the presidents families and jobs proposals. That includes massive infrastructure investment, as well as Democrats sweeping election and voter-access legislation. Manchin said his Monday meeting with the president at the White House on the infrastructure proposal was productive, but he has expressed concerns about the $2.3 trillion price tag. The president and I had a very, very good meeting, Manchin said Thursday. Were going to find a bipartisan pathway forward. We have to. Manchin has said measures to help coal miners in West Virginia and other rural states must be part of the package. The first lady opened her brief remarks at a coronavirus vaccination clinic by saying Manchins integrity and commitment to this state is steadfast. Jill Biden and Manchin were joined at the clinic at a Charleston high school by actress Jennifer Garner, a native of that city. They watched residents get their shots in a state that started strong in December and January but has since lagged behind other parts of the country. According to state and federal data, 38% of West Virginia adults are fully vaccinated, compared to 45% of adults nationally. Nearly 46% of adults in West Virginia and nearly 59% nationally have received one dose. This week, Pfizers vaccine won authorization for 12- to 15-year-olds, in a move that could make it easier to reopen the nations schools. And Thursday, the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention eased indoor mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated people, allowing them to stop wearing masks outdoors in crowds and inside in most situations. Jill Biden said she found out about the CDCs no-mask announcement as she was getting off the plane in West Virginia. And here I was going to buy one that was coordinated with my outfit, she said, smiling. Manchin, a former governor, chairs the Senate committee on energy and natural resources. He is also a member of committees on appropriations, armed services and veterans affairs. Jill Biden is a longtime teacher. Manchins wife of 54 years, Gayle, is a former president of the West Virginia Board of Education and former state Secretary for Education and the Arts. Last month the U.S. Senate confirmed Gayle Manchin to be the co-chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission. She was nominated by President Biden to the post in the federal-state partnership that promotes economic development across West Virginia and parts of 12 other states in Appalachia. SAN FRANCISCO (AP) For months, Victoria McAllister searched online to make a vaccination appointment. Unlike other people who can hop into a car, though, she has ruptured discs that could slice her spinal cord if she hits a pothole or her wheelchair bumps floor molding. So McAllister, 64, was over the moon when her local county health department in Hayward, California, called offering to inoculate her against COVID-19 at home. Two paramedics with Hayward Fire came last month, jabbed her arm with the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine and stuck around to make sure she was alright. Absolutely blessed, she said of how she felt after receiving her vaccination. As soon as they left, she called her doctors and passed along the county phone number with this message: Call this number and get all your homebound patients to call this number. As interest in mass coronavirus vaccination sites dwindles nationwide, providers are ramping up efforts to find and reach millions of people in the U.S. who cannot leave their homes or who need help with transportation. The process is slow and requires careful planning, but advocates say getting vaccinated is critical for people who are constantly exposed to visiting aides and that they should have been a focus sooner. While the effort is happening in many states, experts say California has one of the most robust programs. Last week, state officials announced residents could go online or call a number to request a ride or an at-home vaccination. So far, there have been more than 5,000 requests for help, said state public health spokeswoman Sami Gallegos. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania is stepping up efforts, Gov. Tom Wolf said in April. Health care workers at Boston Medical Center started racing to inoculate patients in February. And New Jersey, under pressure from advocacy groups, recently posted a phone number and online form for people needing in-home vaccinations. Elsewhere, the Visiting Nurse Association of Texas, which delivers hot meals to thousands of people in Dallas County, is partnering with the fire department to deliver about 60 in-home vaccinations a week. Jennifer Atwood, managing director of development and communications for the Texas nonprofit, said a woman who survived brain cancer only to fear COVID-19 was almost in tears about getting the vaccine. Another client in her late 80s was persuaded to accept a vaccination after speaking with Atwood and others. It's hard to say just how many people are in the group. Harvard Medical School professor Dr. Christine Ritchie has said there are an estimated 2 million homebound adults in the U.S. and another 5 million who have trouble leaving their homes or require help to do so. Inoculation efforts are scattered, and much depends on local officials and medical providers. California is one of the few states Ive heard thats doing anything in regards to that, like actually going out and vaccinating people in their homes, said Kelly Buckland, executive director of the National Council on Independent Living, an advocacy group in Washington. He and others are frustrated that providers and government are just now starting to focus on that population. This was a problem we knew we were going to have, said Caitlin Donovan, spokeswoman for the National Patient Advocate Foundation. How are there not plans in place? In Los Angeles County, Torrance Memorial Medical Center started inoculating people at home in March, identifying people through a city hotline, county health department, senior centers and doctors offices, said Mei Tsai, a pharmacist who coordinates the program. Socorro Franco-Martinez, 50, and her sister, Barbara Franco, 47, were vaccinated Wednesday. The sisters both have weakened lungs from muscular dystrophy and have stayed home for more than a year, tended to by Socorro's husband, Martin Martinez. The socially active sisters can't wait to return to the beach, mall and Sunday Mass, as well as catch up on medical and dental visits. I dont want to be here in the house forever, said Barbara Franco. After my COVID-19 shot, I can have a little freedom. Under federal guidelines, seniors in nursing homes and health care workers were prioritized when California began vaccinations in December. Homebound people were not in the spotlight. This is a group of people who, since the pandemic began last year, have been afraid for their lives and who were worried they would be left behind," said Dr. Kathleen Clanon, medical director Alameda County's Health Care Services Agency in the San Francisco Bay Area. Last week, nurses Patricia Calloway and Devette Laflore wheeled carriers of vaccine and paperwork to several homes, including the Hayward condo of Patti Amaral, 73. She has severe sciatica and hasnt left the upstairs for at least a year and a half. The nurses stayed after the shots to monitor Amaral and her husband, John McFarland, who called their visit a treat. You're both angels, he told the nurses. ___ Associated Press video journalist Terence Chea contributed from Hayward, California. DURHAM, N.H. (AP) When the pandemic struck last year, oyster farmer Chris Burtis soon realized the restaurants that bought his oysters had mostly closed. Without a new market, his Ferda Farms faced potential economic ruin. Then, Burtis heard The Nature Conservancy in partnership with The Pew Charitable Trusts was buying millions of bivalves around the country for rebuilding decimated oyster reefs and he quickly joined the effort. One recent day, he pulled up cages packed with eastern oysters on the New Meadows River in Brunswick, Maine, readying them to be trucked to oyster reefs on a patch of New Hampshires Great Bay. Yeah. it really has been kind of a lifesaver to be able to keep some revenue coming in, said Burtis, decked out in orange waders as he poured the caged oysters into shipping crates. The program, known as Supporting Oyster Aquaculture and Restoration or SOAR, is spending $2 million from an anonymous donor to buy more than 5 million oysters in New England, the Mid-Atlantic and Washington state to restore shellfish reefs at 20 locations. The Nature Conservancy is coordinating its efforts with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and U.S. Department of Agriculture, which offered similar but smaller programs in several states. The SOAR program was launched in October with a goal of helping more than 100 oyster farmers, many who lost as much as 90% of their business during the pandemic. Their bigger oysters known as Uglies because theyre too large for the traditional raw bar market were piling up on farms due to a lack of demand, and the growing surplus was causing prices to crater. Farmers needed to find a way to offload the oysters and the program was made to order. It paid an industrynegotiated price of about 20% below pre-pandemic prices. What had started off as a great year for oysters going out to the restaurants just immediately stopped once the restaurants closed, said Brian Gennaco, owner of the Dover, New Hampshire-based Virgin Oyster Company, which has sold oysters to the program and was among oyster farmers placing them in the Great Bay. We were on the farm looking around saying what are we going to do, he said. We have these oysters and they are going to outgrow the market if we cant get them off the farm. The Nature Conservancy saw an opportunity to jump-start long-running efforts to rebuild oyster reefs, which the group says have declined an estimated 85% globally due to pollution, overharvesting, development and the emergence of several deadly pathogens. Oyster reefs provide habitat for fish and other wildlife as well as bolster shoreline protection. They also help clean polluted waterways, since the larger bivalves can filter as much as 50 gallons (189 liters) of water each day. Its the major silver lining that comes out of the global pandemic for oysters, said Alix Laferriere, the marine director for the conservancy in New Hampshire, who was on one of several boats in the Great Bay deploying more than 20,000 oysters. The growers get money during a global pandemic and we can use their oysters for conservation, she said. Great Bay used to be covered in oyster reefs. And because of historical overharvesting, disease and environmental stressors, a lot of those oyster reefs are gone. We need to do oyster restoration to replace those ecosystem services that are lost. Since 2009, the group has deposited nearly 3.5 million oysters to help rebuild nearly 30 acres (12 hectares) of reefs in the Great Bay. Unlike SOAR, those oysters were raised from larvae at the University of New Hampshire's Jackson Estuarine Laboratory. On a recent morning, a van load of oysters arrived on the docks of the Jackson lab. The smells of sea water wafted out as the back door swung open. An army of oyster farmers dragged the crates down the wooden dock and onto three waiting boats. As a bald eagle flew overhead, the oysters were transported to a patch of a protected waters near an uninhabited island where the farmers dumped the crates into the tranquil bay waters. They will remain there to begin proliferating and building new reefs. The efforts come at a critical time for oyster recovery in New Hampshire which has seen its oyster reefs decline from around 900 acres (364 hectares) to around 100 acres (100 hectares). The population along much of the East Coast has been decimated primarily by two pathogens that arrived in the 1990s and shorten the bivalves lifespan from upwards of 15 years to three or four. The pathogens cause oyster shells to become porous and brittle. The hope is that oysters from farms most resistant to the pathogens could bolster the ongoing restoration efforts. Laferriere said her organization tried it on a smaller scale in 2018 and found that none of the 20,000 the oysters were sickened by disease and 71% survived. Raymond Grizzle, a University of New Hampshire professor who has studied oysters in the bay for two decades, welcomed the restoration effort. But he said it was too early to say what the long-term impact of introducing farmed oysters will be on the the reefs. He works with the conservancy but did not help with the SOAR program. The theory, Grizzle said, is that the disease-resistant oysters will breed with those in the wild, enhancing the populations resistance to disease. I see it as an experiment, he said. We are hoping for the best. Its almost a sure thing ... that they are going to do some good. They are going to be filtering the water. They are going to be providing habitat. ___ Associated Press Writer Robert Bukaty in Brunswick, Maine also contributed to this report. ___ Follow Michael Cassey on Twitter: @mcasey1 ___ This story has been corrected to show the proper spelling of the last name is Burtis, not Bertis. ALBANY A Capital Region doctor who prescribed the generic version of Ritalin for children in a scheme to split the drugs with their father for the men's personal use was sentenced Friday to three years and two months in federal prison. Dr. Scott McMahon, 52, a one-time member of the U.S. ski team who has battled drug addiction for years, has been in federal custody since Sept. 10, a week before he pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to conspiring to distribute controlled substances and aggravated identity theft. He must surrender his New York state medical license and the Drug Enforcement Administration registration that allowed him to prescribe controlled substances. McMahon, of Clifton Park, who specialized in psychiatry and addiction treatment, must forfeit $6,774. Senior U.S. District Judge Thomas McAvoy imposed three years of supervised release once the ex-doctor leaves prison. McMahon admitted in his guilty plea last fall that he wrote certain patients prescriptions for methylphenidate with the intent that they would kick him back a portion of the drugs. It went on from at least December 2018 through August 2019. "As part of the scheme, McMahon obtained the names and birthdates of the children of a patient," acting U.S. Attorney Antoinette Bacon's office said in a news release. "McMahon used that information to issue methylphenidate prescriptions in the childrens names. The patient picked up these prescriptions in his childrens names, and split the methylphenidate with McMahon." In a separate federal civil case, meanwhile, McMahon agreed to pay $43,225 to settle a lawsuit brought by the government alleging he improperly prescribed ketamine, an anesthetic, and failed to keep proper records of ketamine treatment, prosecutors said. "The defendants current predicament is a result of years of destructive drug addiction that went under-treated as the defendant himself treated thousands of patients, many with controlled substances," stated Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett, who prosecuted the case in an April 30 pre-sentencing recommendation to McAvoy. "Fueled by unchecked addiction, the defendant abused his position as a doctor to solicit and receive drug kickbacks from patients. He went so far as to misuse the identities of the children of one of his patients, prescribing drugs in the childrens names drugs that the defendant split with the patient." The prosecutor noted that last Aug. 20, police arrested McMahon on a driving while ability impaired charge in Saratoga Springs. The doctor was discovered intoxicated and hiding in the bushes of someones private property, where he was watching the pool area, Barnett said. He said McMahon was apparently looking for a former patient who had rented out the property to a family on Airbnb. "This incident suggests that the defendant continues and will continue to struggle with substance and alcohol abuse that could lead to alarming conduct (e.g. hiding in the bushes like a Peeping Tom) or dangerous conduct (e.g. driving while intoxicated)," Barnett stated. The sentencing continues the downfall of a man who, according to his attorney, was born in Connecticut, moved to Lake George at age 4 and as a teenager attended school in Lake Placid where he was recruited by the U.S. Olympic ski team. "He became a member of the U.S. ski team in 1995 and at one point in time ranked first in the United States in downhill racing for the age group 15 to 18," McMahon's attorney, Peter J. Moschetti, Jr. told the judge. He said McMahon, the father of two 14-year-old boys, also was on Ritalin or Adderall as a teenager and adult due to attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and has a a history of using alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy and fentanyl abuse and his abuse of Ritalin and Adderall has been well-documented. In an April 30 pre-sentencing letter to the judge seeking leniency for his client, Moschetti said McMahon has received substance abuse treatment and treatment for mental health. He asked the judge to impose a prison sentence of no higher than two-and-a-half years. "The factual circumstances demonstrate Dr. McMahon was not distributing narcotics to individuals for profit or acting as a classic dealer of drugs," the defense attorney stated, "Almost all of his patients who were involved in kicking back drugs to the doctor were previously properly diagnosed and prescribed a therapeutic level of narcotics to treat their condition." Moschetti said his client "began to act in ways that were totally inconsistent with his background, education and personality" after his drug addiction worsened in February of 2019 and that through that May. "He is deeply ashamed of his conduct and hopes the court does not believe it reflects his true personality and character," the attorney said. RAVENA - Volunteers from the Northeastern New York Chapter of the American Red Cross said they provided immediate emergency aid to eight people after a multi-family fire Wednesday night on Biechman Road. The chapter provided financial assistance which can be used for items such as shelter, food, and clothing to four adults and four children, ages 2, 4, 6, and 12. Volunteers also offered emotional support. In the coming days, Red Cross staff and volunteers will remain available to help those affected by the fire as they navigate the road to recovery. ALBANY The Penthouse just got more expensive for a Manhattan strip club executive at least when it comes to paying state taxes. Appellate justices in Albany on Thursday upheld lower rulings in determining that Robert Gans, managing member of The Penthouse Executive Club, a topless establishment in midtown Manhattan, can be taxed on "scrip," the currency that the strip club sells to customers who, in turn, fork over the cash substitute to dancers as fees and gratuities for private dances. In a unanimous 5-0 decision, the Appellate Division of state Supreme Courts Third Department upheld a ruling by the state Tax Appeals Tribunal and an administrative law judge. Justices found while scrip tips themselves may not be subject to tax, the Penthouse Executive Club failed to show the amount of scrip it sold that could be attributed to tips. In the absence of such evidence, we will not disturb the tribunal's determination that all scrip sales were presumptively taxable," stated Third Department Presiding Justice Elizabeth Garry in the decision. Justices Michael Lynch, Christine Clark, Stanley Pritzker and John Colangelo supported the ruling. Manhattan attorney Kevin M. Flynn, who represented Gans, told the Times Union in an email: "We are still reviewing the decision and the question of an appeal." The West 45th Street club, he noted, has been closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gans, 78, who has homes in Manhattan and Boca Raton, Fla., has also been involved with the Scores strip club chain. The businessman opened a Scores location in the former Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort in Atlantic City, which closed in 2016. In the Penthouse club, his customers could use cash or credit cards to enter the establishment and to pay to enter a private room for a dance. But they needed to pay in cash or scrip to pay entertainers for a performance fee and tips, which was as high as $600 an hour for personal dances, tax documents show. Customers could buy scrip using their credit card, with the cost including a 20 percent surcharge. When they exchanged unused scrip for cash or to have a credit put back on their credit cards, they faced a 13 percent redemption fee, the decision noted. Justices noted the state Department of Taxation and Finance conducted an audit of the clubs finances from 2010 to 2013. It found the club failed to assess taxes on the purchase of scrip over a period between 2011 and 2012. Attorney Frederick A. Brodie represented the office of Attorney General Letitia James for the state. JERUSALEM (AP) Israel on Thursday said it was massing troops along the Gaza frontier and calling up 9,000 reservists ahead of a possible ground invasion of the Hamas-ruled territory, as the two bitter enemies plunged closer to all-out war. Egyptian mediators rushed to Israel for cease-fire efforts but showed no signs of progress. The stepped-up fighting came as communal violence in Israel erupted for a fourth night, with Jewish and Arab mobs clashing in the flashpoint town of Lod. The fighting took place despite a bolstered police presence ordered by the nations leaders. The four-day burst of violence has pushed Israel into uncharted territory dealing with the most intense fighting it has ever had with Hamas while simultaneously coping with the worst Jewish-Arab violence inside Israel in decades. A late-night barrage of rocket fire from Lebanon that landed in the sea threatened to open a new front along Israels northern border. Saleh Aruri, an exiled senior Hamas leader, told London-based satellite channel Al Araby early Friday that his group has turned down a proposal for a three-hour lull to allow for more negotiations toward a full cease-fire. He said Egypt, Qatar and the United Nations were leading the truce efforts. Also early Friday, the Israeli military said air and ground troops struck Gaza in what appeared to be the heaviest attacks yet. Masses of red flames illuminated the skies as the deafening blasts from the outskirts of Gaza City jolted people awake. The strikes were so strong that screams of fear could be heard from people inside the city, several kilometers away. I said we would extract a very heavy price from Hamas," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a videotaped statement. "We are doing that, and we will continue to do that with heavy force. The fighting broke out late Monday when Hamas, claiming to be the defender of Jerusalem, fired a barrage of long-range rockets toward the city in response to what it said were Israeli provocations. Israel quickly responded with a series of airstrikes. Since then, Israel has attacked hundreds of targets in Gaza. The strikes set off scores of earth-shaking explosions across the densely populated territory. Gaza militants have fired nearly 2,000 rockets into Israel, bringing life in the southern part of the country to a standstill. Several barrages targeted the seaside metropolis of Tel Aviv, some 70 kilometers (45 miles) away. Gazas Health Ministry said the death toll has climbed to 109 Palestinians, including 28 children and 15 women, with 621 people wounded. The Hamas and Islamic Jihad militant groups have confirmed 20 deaths in their ranks, though Israel says that number is much higher. Seven people have been killed in Israel, including a 6-year-old boy. In Washington, President Joe Biden said he spoke with Netanyahu about calming the fighting but also backed the Israeli leader by saying there has not been a significant overreaction. He said the goal now is to get to a point where there is a significant reduction in attacks, particularly rocket attacks that are indiscriminately fired into population centers. He called the effort a a work in progress. Thursdays visit by Egyptian officials marked an important step in the cease-fire efforts. Egypt often serves as a mediator between Israel and Hamas, and it has been a key player in ending past rounds of fighting. The officials met first with Hamas leaders in Gaza before holding talks with Israelis in Tel Aviv, two Egyptian intelligence officials said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media. Hamas' exiled leader, Ismail Haniyeh, was also in touch with the Egyptians, the group said. Despite those efforts, the fighting only intensified. Israeli aircraft pummeled targets in Gaza throughout the day. And late Thursday, Israel fired tank and artillery shells across the border for the first time, sending scores of terrified residents fleeing for safety. The airstrikes have destroyed scores of buildings, including three high rises. Israel says the buildings housed Hamas militants or facilities, but civilians were inside as well. In the northern Gaza Strip, Rafat Tanani, his pregnant wife and four children were killed after an Israeli warplane reduced the building to rubble, residents said. Sadallah Tanani, a relative, said the family was wiped out from the population register without warning. It was a massacre. My feelings are indescribable, he said. Israel has come under heavy international criticism for civilian casualties in Gaza fighting. It says Hamas is responsible for endangering civilians by hiding and launching rockets from civilian areas. Late Thursday, Israels Defense Minister Benny Gantz ordered the mobilization of an additional 9,000 reservists. The chief military spokesman, Brig. Gen. Hidai Zilberman, said troops were massing along the Gaza border for a possible ground operation. He said tanks, armored vehicles and artillery were being prepared for mobilization at any given moment. Hamas showed no signs of backing down. It launched several intense barrages of rockets throughout the day and fired its most powerful rocket, the Ayyash, nearly 200 kilometers (120 miles) into southern Israel. The rocket landed in the open desert but briefly disrupted flight traffic at the southern Ramon airport. Hamas also launched a drone that Israel said it quickly shot down. Hamas military spokesman Abu Obeida said the group was not afraid of a ground invasion, saying any invasion would be a chance to increase our catch of dead or captive soldiers. The fighting cast a pall over the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, normally marked by family gatherings and festive meals. Instead, the streets of Gaza were mostly empty. Hassan Abu Shaaban tried to lighten the mood by passing out candy to passers-by but acknowledged there is no atmosphere for celebrating. It is all airstrikes, destruction and devastation, he said. May God help everyone. The current eruption of violence began a month ago in Jerusalem, where heavy-handed Israeli police tactics during Ramadan and the threatened eviction of dozens of Palestinian families by Jewish settlers ignited protests and clashes with police. A focal point of clashes was Jerusalems Al-Aqsa Mosque, built on a hilltop compound that is revered by Jews and Muslims. Israel regards Jerusalem in its entirety as its capital, while the Palestinians want east Jerusalem to be the capital of their future state. The violent clashes between Arabs and Jews in Israel resulted in scenes not witnessed in more than two decades. The confrontations erupted again late Thursday. Jewish and Arab mobs battled in the central city of Lod, the epicenter of the troubles, for a fourth consecutive night, despite a state of emergency and heavy police presence. A Jewish man was shot and seriously wounded, and Israeli media said a second Jewish man was shot. In the Tel Aviv neighborhood of Jaffa, an Israeli soldier was attacked by a group of Arabs and hospitalized in serious condition. The fighting deepened a political crisis that has sent Israel careening through four inconclusive elections in just two years. After March elections, Netanyahu failed to form a government coalition. Now his political rivals have three weeks to try to do so. Those efforts have been greatly complicated by the fighting. His opponents include a broad range of parties that have little in common. They would need the support of an Arab party, whose leader has said he cannot negotiate while Israel is fighting in Gaza. Naftali Bennett, leader of a small right-wing party, was quoted as saying he did not believe an alternate coalition could be formed in the current atmosphere. Opposition leader Yair Lapid, who is leading the coalition-building efforts, said the country was facing an existential threat and urged Bennett to join him to help rescue the country. We are on the brink of the abyss, he said. ___ Akram reported from Gaza City, Gaza Strip. Associated Press writers Ilan Ben Zion in Jerusalem, Samy Magdy in Cairo, Isabel DeBre in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Ashraf Sweilam in al-Arish, Egypt, also contributed to this report. UNITED NATIONS (AP) Human rights groups and Western nations led by the United States, Britain and Germany accused China of massive crimes against the Uyghur minority and demanded unimpeded access for U.N. experts at a virtual meeting on Wednesday denounced by China as politically motivated and based on lies. Chinas U.N. Mission sent notes to many of the U.N.s 193 member nations last week urging them not to participate in the anti-China event. And Chinas U.N. Ambassador Zhang Jun sent text messages to the 15 Western co-sponsors of the meeting expressing shock at their support, urging them to think twice and withdraw it. He warned that if they dont, it will be harmful to our relationship and cooperation. At the meeting, Britains U.N. Ambassador Barbara Woodward called the situation in Xinjiang one of the worst human rights crises of our time. The evidence, from a growing number of credible sources including satellite imagery, survivor testimony and publicly available Chinese Government documents is of grave concern, said Woodward, who previously was the UK ambassador in China. The evidence points to a program of repression of specific ethnic groups. Expressions of religion have been criminalized and Uyghur language and culture are discriminated against systematically and at scale. In recent years, an estimated 1 million people or more have been confined in camps in Xinjiang, according to foreign governments and researchers. Most are Uyghurs, a largely Muslim ethnic group. Authorities have been accused of imposing forced labor, systematic forced birth control and torture. The Chinese government has flatly rejected the allegations. It has characterized the camps, which it says are now closed, as vocational training centers to teach Chinese language, job skills and the law in order to support economic development and combat extremism. China saw a wave of Xinjiang-related terrorist attacks through 2016. Organizers said there were 152 participants in Wednesday's event, including 51 countries, and speaker after speaker called on China to end its abuses against the Uyghurs. Germanys U.N. Ambassador Christoph Heusgen thanked all the co-sponsors who came together despite some massive Chinese threats. He urged them to remain committed until the Uyghurs can live again in freedom, until they are no longer detained, no longer victims of forced labor and other human rights abuses, until they can exercise freedom of religion and freedom of speech. Heusgen appealed to China to respect the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and tear down the detention camps. If you have nothing to hide, why dont you finally grant unimpeded access to the (U.N.) High Commissioner for Human Rights? he asked. U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the Biden administration will keep standing up and speaking out until Chinas government stops its crime against humanity and the genocide of Uyghurs and other minorities in Xinjiang. And we will keep working in concert with our allies and our partners until Chinas government respects the universal human rights of all its people, she said. Uyghur human rights activist Jewher Ilhan spoke about her father Ilham Tohti, a noted economist who has called for autonomy for Xinjiang and is serving a life sentence on separatist-related charges. We dont even know if hes alive, she said. Hundreds of thousands, even millions of Uyghurs are still being targeted, said Ilhan, who now lives in the United States. The fate of my father and my community is in the worlds hands now. We all need to join together and take action to stop this humanitarian crisis from continuing. A Chinese diplomat countered, saying: I make it clear that China is here to tell the truth, it doesnt mean in any way we recognize this event. He then showed a short video and said: The truth is, its not about human rights in Xinjiang, its about using Xinjiang as a political tool to contain China. The U.S. and some of its allies make a presumption of guilt, and then fabricate so-called evidence. Human Rights Watch Executive Director Kenneth Roth, whose organization recently concluded that Chinas atrocities amount to the crime against humanity of persecution, said the challenge is what to do about it. Beijing clearly calculates that through censorship, propaganda, intimidation, and threats it can somehow avoid accountability, he said, pointing many actions including its extraordinary lengths of disinviting people from Wednesdays event, its endless charade that has prevented Human Rights Commissioner Michelle Bachelet from visiting Xinjiang, and U.N. inaction. Roth expressed disappointment that Bachelet, who was invited to the event, turned down the invitation. Im sure shes busy. We all are. But I have a similar global mandate to defend human rights and I couldnt think of anything more important to do than to join you here today. I certainly wasnt deterred by the commute -- all the way to my laptop, he said. The good news is that the tide seems to be turning, he said, pointing to more countries condemning China's crimes. But he said more must be done. Roth called for a U.N. Human Rights Council resolution on Xinjiang, for moving discussions to the U.N. Security Council, for seeking avenues to justice including the use of universal jurisdiction, and for considering creation of an international investigative mechanism similar to those for Syria and Myanmar. The true test of the significance of todays event will be the follow-up steps that we all take, he said. Amnesty International Secretary General Agnes Callamard said the persecution of the Uyghurs is a critical test" for the international human rights system to investigate allegations of massive violations" by a government against its own people and hold those responsible accountable. She called the silence, fear and timidity" of Bachelet's office and the U.N. Secretariat frankly unacceptable and a breach of their mandate, as are the silence of many states." Callamard said supporting a multilateral response to what is happening in Xinjiang is not about picking sides in a fight with China or supporting the U.S. or anyone else, it is about fighting for human rights." WASHINGTON (AP) When will COVID-19 vaccines be widely available globally? Experts say it could be 2023 or later before the shots are widely available in some countries. The United States, Israel and the United Kingdom are among the nations where about half or more of the population has gotten at least one shot. In some countries, including South Africa, Pakistan and Venezuela, less than 1% of people have been vaccinated. In nearly a dozen countries mostly in Africa there have been no jabs at all. The differences reflect a mix of factors including purchasing power, domestic production capacity, access to raw materials and global intellectual property laws. The U.S. has supported waiving intellectual property protection for the vaccines. But its not clear whether there will be global agreement on the issue and, if so, whether that would help speed up production. COVAX, a U.N.-backed project to ensure vaccine access globally, has run drastically behind schedule due in part to export bans and stockpiling by some countries. In April, researchers at Duke University said that, even with assistance from COVAX, many countries would not be able to reach 60% coverage until 2023 or later. The U.S., European and other wealthy nations long ago pre-ordered nearly all the doses available and now other countries, even with the money to buy, are at the back of line waiting, said Matthew Kavanagh, a global health policy expert at Georgetown University. China and Russia are among those that have committed to donating vaccines to other nations. Other countries including the U.S. and U.K. arent yet sharing their stockpiles, though they've committed to doing so. Still, global scarcity is expected to continue for years to come. There is simply not enough vaccine to go around, Kavanagh said. ___ The AP is answering your questions about the coronavirus in this series. Submit them at: FactCheck@AP.org. Read more here: How long does protection from COVID-19 vaccines last? Are some COVID-19 vaccines more effective than others? Can COVID-19 vaccines affect my period? Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 21:33:27|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Photo taken on March 18, 2021 shows an image of Mars captured by China's Tianwen-1 probe. The China National Space Administration (CNSA) on March 26 released two new images of Mars captured by the country's Tianwen-1 probe. In the images, Mars is crescent-shaped with a clear surface texture.(CNSA/Handout via Xinhua) BEIJING, May 14 (Xinhua) -- The lander and rover of China's Tianwen-1 mission is expected to land on Mars at an appropriate time from the early morning of May 15 to May 19 (Beijing time), according to the China National Space Administration (CNSA). The Tianwen-1 probe has functioned normally since its successful launch on July 23, 2020, the CNSA said Friday, adding that the probe entered the Martian orbit on Feb. 10, 2021 and has obtained a large amount of scientific data. According to the evaluation of its flight status, the probe is scheduled to land on Utopia Planitia on Mars, the CNSA said. Tianwen-1 is designed to complete orbiting, landing and roving in one mission. ---- Albany has puzzled for years over how to better reconnect the city with its waterfront, and a new proposal in Congress just might be a way to start a more serious conversation and even get a project underway. But not to get too far ahead of ourselves its just as important, if not more so, to ensure that people can more fully enjoy the river they hope to reconnect with. That requires clean water, something the Hudson River cant yet boast, not when its still used as the cesspool for raw sewage by municipalities along its shores. New York Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand this week introduced the Reconnecting Communities Act, which would provide $15 billion over five years for planning, feasibility studies, community engagement, and construction of projects to overcome barriers like Interstate 787. The highway was built in the 1960s to efficiently carry all those state commuters and other traffic in and out of Albany. But it also created an imposing barrier between the river and downtown and neighborhoods to the north and south. Albany isnt the only community in need of such funding, whether it comes from the proposed act or a major federal infrastructure package. In New York, Syracuse, Buffalo, and Rochester all have highways that, to one degree or another, divide and blight neighborhoods often low-income, high-minority ones. Curing this situation has always been recognized as a very costly undertaking. Among the solutions kicked around in Albany over the years have been burying the highway (and the rail tracks that run alongside it) or turning it into a lower-speed urban boulevard, similar to portions of Manhattans West Side Drive. There was also talk of digging a canal along Broadway to bring the river to downtown. Its essential, though, that work continue and expand up and down the Hudson to clean the river itself. Communities, the state and the federal government have been working in recent years to deal with combined sewer lines that dump both stormwater and sanitary sewage into the river about 1.2 billion gallons worth in the Capital Region each year. The work isnt cheap; the Beaver Creek project now underway in Albany is pegged at $45 million. It involves building an underground treatment facility that will screen solid materials that enter the combined sewers during storms and divert them to Albany Countys sewage treatment plant. Water headed for the river will be disinfected with chlorine, then dechlorinated. The project will make a big dent in the problem; the Beaver Creek district accounts for 45 percent of the regions discharges. We need more of that work to continue, and for New Yorks senators and representatives to fight for the substantial funds needed to get it done. Whatever it costs to reconnect Albany with the Hudson, it will be that much more worth it if people dont feel as if theyve been reunited with what they flushed down the drain the day before. Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 23:34:37|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TOKYO, May 14 (Xinhua) -- The number of patients designated as having severe symptoms as a result of COVID-19 reached the second-highest ever at 1,209, the health ministry said Friday. The latest data regarding critically ill patients, who typically require hospitalization and the assistance of ventilators or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) machines, have more than tripled over the past month, the ministry said recently. Friday's figure, which has stayed above the 1,000-mark since April 30, according to the health ministry, is just a fraction below the all-time record high booked on Thursday at 1,214 severely ill patients. As well as requesting people in the most affected areas to work remotely and avoid making unnecessary trips outside or across prefectural borders, other antiviral measures currently in place include requesting bars, restaurants and karaoke parlors to shutter their operations by 8 p.m. and not serve alcohol. In addition, large spectator venues have now had the number of attendees capped at 5,000 or 50 percent of the venue's capacity and events must end by 9 p.m. Japanese nationals and foreign residents arriving from India, Pakistan and Nepal where highly contagious virus variants have been wreaking havoc, meanwhile, also now face stricter virus protocols upon reentering Japan. Nationwide, 6,266 new daily infections were confirmed Friday, with Tokyo and Osaka reporting 854 and 576 new cases respectively. Japan's cumulative total of infections since the outbreak of the virus here has reached 673,109 cases, with the total death toll rising to 11,396 people, according to the latest figures released Friday evening by local authorities and the health ministry. Enditem Gov. Daniel McKee has announced that Rhode Island will no longer require residents fully vaccinated against the coronavirus to wear masks and social distance in most public settings starting Tuesday [May 14, 2021] Automated Incubators and Storage Systems Increase Throughput and Sample Protection LANGENSELBOLD, Germany, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Pharma and biotech laboratories performing high-throughput screening, high-content screening and molecular cell biology can now benefit from a series of new automated incubators and storage solutions that offer a large capacity, fast access and wide temperature range, while helping eliminate contamination issues in high-throughput environments. The Thermo Scientific Cytomat 24 automated incubators and storage systems bring the latest incubation technology to large capacity microplate incubation applications, with excellent temperature uniformity and stability that ensure reproducibility for cell culture applications. The systems provide speedy delivery of microtiter plates through an advanced plate shuttle system to meet the needs of high-throughput laboratories and accelerate research. An LED touch screen is door mounted for easy accessibility and viewing. Convenient on-screen user prompts provide enhanced ease-of-use. "As automated systems are adopted across a range of expanding applications, we continue to see new challenges arise, such as the need to minimize contamination risks in large capacity cell culture applicaions," said Hansjoerg Haas, senior director and general manager, lab automation, Thermo Fisher Scientific. "Through a fully automated ContraCon decontamination routine, the Cytomat 24 automated incubators and storage systems simplify cleaning and disinfection, providing our customers with confidence in their sample integrity. Customers are always looking for opportunities to increase productivity in their processes while ensuring the quality of the samples and results. The Cytomat 24 automated incubators and storage systems reduce the mean plate access time to 15 secondsallowing users to achieve their research goals in less time." Users of the Cytomat 24 automated incubators and storage systems will benefit from: Stable high relative humidity levels through an integrated humidity reservoir, preventing culture desiccation. Alerts indicating when a water refill is required, avoiding the risk of an empty reservoir. Reduced contamination through the ContraCon automated decontamination routine. Speedy access to plates via a dedicated plate shuttle system design. Enhanced ease-of-use through user prompts and alerts for parameter tracking. An optional Hydra smart technology feature for precise humidity control. To find out more about the Cytomat 24 automated incubators and storage systems, please visit thermofisher.com/Cytomat24. About Thermo Fisher Scientific Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. is the world leader in serving science, with annual revenue exceeding $30 billion. Our Mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. Whether our customers are accelerating life sciences research, solving complex analytical challenges, improving patient diagnostics and therapies or increasing productivity in their laboratories, we are here to support them. Our global team of more than 80,000 colleagues delivers an unrivaled combination of innovative technologies, purchasing convenience and pharmaceutical services through our industry-leading brands, including Thermo Scientific, Applied Biosystems, Invitrogen, Fisher Scientific, Unity Lab Services and Patheon. For more information, please visit www.thermofisher.com. Media Contact Information: Laura Bright Thermo Fisher Scientific +1 562-335-8318 laura.bright@thermofisher.com Janice Foley BioStrata +1 617-823-5555 jfoley@biostratamarketing.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/automated-incubators-and-storage-systems-increase-throughput-and-sample-protection-301291843.html SOURCE Thermo Fisher Scientific [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 14, 2021] Consortium Led by BTG Pactual's Timberland Investment Group to Buy Arauco Timberland Assets in Chile for US$ 385.5 Million BTG Pactual announced that a consortium led by its Timberland Investment Group (TIG), along with British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI), one of Canada's largest institutional investors, and APG, one of the world's largest pension providers, has agreed to acquire Chilean timberland assets from Arauco for US$ 385.5 million. The transaction is comprised of approximately 80,500 hectares of high-quality, sustainably-managed timberlands in the central and southern regions of Chile and will establish the consortium's timberland presence in the country. The acquisition supports the consortium's strategy of investing in timberland assets around the world that can achieve compelling investment returns, while applying high environmental, social and governance standards. The timberlands in this transaction have all been certified with Arauco by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Gerrity Lansing, Head of TIG and MD Partner at BTG Pactual, added: "The Timberland Investment Group has been searching for an opportunity to establish our presence in Chile for more than a decade. This transaction offers both the scale and high-sustainability requirements we've been looking for and we are pleased to be investing alongside BCI and APG, two of the world's leading institutional investors." Lincoln Webb, Executive Vice President and Global Head, Infrastructure & Renewable Resources at BCI added: "As an active investor, we are excited by the opportunity to expand our global infrastructure and renewable resources program in Latin America with trusted partners. The investment provides compelling risk-adjusted returns for our pension plan and insurance fund clients, and increases our exposure to high-quality, sustainably managed forests." "This transaction not only helps us realize profitable and long-term returns for our pension fund client ABP (News - Alert) and their participants, it also matches our ambition to partner with like-minded investors to make investments that contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals," added Vittor Cancian, Senior Prtfolio Manager at APG, "The timberland assets we are buying are all certified under Arauco's group FSC certification to ensure that they are being managed in a way that is environmentally responsible, preserves biological diversity and benefits the lives of local people and workers. The FSC system also allows businesses and consumers to identify, purchase and use wood, paper and other forest products made with materials from well-managed forests or recycled sources." The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including antitrust approvals, and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2021. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT BTG PACTUAL TIMBERLAND INVESTMENT GROUP BTG Pactual (BPAC11) is the largest investment bank in Latin America, operating in the Investment Banking, Corporate Lending, Sales & Trading, Wealth Management and Asset Management markets. BTG Pactual Asset Management has an international presence with over US$ 70 billion in assets under management and administration. BTG Pactual Timberland Investment Group (TIG), a division of BTG Pactual Asset Management, is one of the world's oldest and largest timberland investment managers with nearly US$ 4 billion in assets and commitments and 2.6 million acres under management globally. TIG is focused on achieving compelling investment returns while also applying high environmental, social and governance standards, and has a 40+ year track record with over 100 professional staff members in 16 offices around the globe, bringing local, regional, and global experience to bear on the management of client investments. For more information, please visit www.timberlandinvestmentgroup.com. ABOUT BCI With C$ 171.3 billion of assets under management as of March 31, 2020, British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI) is one of Canada's largest institutional investors. Based in Victoria, British Columbia, BCI is a long-term investor that invests across a range of asset classes: fixed income; public equities; private equity; infrastructure; renewable resources; real estate; and commercial mortgages. BCI's clients include public sector pension plans, insurance, and special purpose funds. BCI's infrastructure & renewable resources program, valued at over C$18.3 billion, invests in tangible long-life assets that include a portfolio of direct investments in companies across a variety of sectors spanning regulated utilities, energy, telecommunications, and transportation, as well as investments in timberlands and agri-businesses. These companies operate in stable and mature regulatory environments, provide opportunities for future capital investments, and have the potential to generate steady returns and cash yields for our clients. The program is diversified across North America, Asia, Australia, Europe, and South America. For more information, please visit www.bci.ca. ABOUT APG As the largest pension provider in the Netherlands, APG looks after the pensions of 4.7 million participants. APG provides executive consultancy, asset management, pension administration, pension communication and employer services. We work for pension funds and employers in the sectors of education, government, construction, cleaning, housing associations, sheltered employment organizations, medical specialists, and architects. APG manages approximately 577 billion in pension assets. With approximately 3,000 employees we work from Heerlen, Amsterdam, Brussels, New York, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing. For more information, please visit www.apg.nl. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210514005081/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 14, 2021] Experian and Temenos Expand Integration to Help Clients Make Real-Time Credit Offers to Consumers To accelerate the automation decisioning process and provide a seamless way for lenders to extend credit, Experian and Temenos today announced the integration of PowerCurve decisioning solutions into Temenos Infinity, the leading omnichannel digital banking product. Temenos Infinity covers digital engagement from acquisition to account servicing through to long-term retention, supporting multiple stages of growth. The joint offering includes preconfigured solutions for lenders that prefer standard, "out-of-the-box" integrations to support decision-driven business processes. "During this unprecedented time, organizations have to be agile in how they approach the user journey. Through this integration, we're harnessing the power of data and technology to enable financial institutions to make real-time decisions that maximize opportunities, mitigate risk and improve the customer experience," said Robert Boxberger, Experian's President of Decision Analytics, North America. "These combined offerings showcase our commitment to continually innovating and finding effective, secure solutions for decisioning automation that businesses can easily scale and rapidly deploy to meet today's emerging needs." Experian's credit decisioning solutions powered by PowerCurve include: Instant Prescreen enables Temenos' clients to make firm offers of credit instantly to those who qualify. It also reduces subjectivity in cross-selling, maximizes consumer engagement opportunities and minimizes risk. Prequalification is a robust data gathering and decision execution solution that prequalifies consumers for loan products in real-time, prior to loan application. It's initiated by the consumer and, if criteria is met, provides them with a variety of credit options. Prequalification is a soft pull, so it doesn't affect a consumer's credit score, and Experian is the only provider configured with Temenos to provide a soft-pull prequalification process across mobile and digital channels. Instant Credit allows lenders to determine in real time if a consumer meets their lending criteria so they can make decisions about opening new credit products or line increases. "Experian's PowerCurve decision management suite delivered through Temenos empowers us to deliver the best possible member service. It has proved incredibly effective in facilitating a fast, efficient experience for our members, especially in today's competitive loan environment," said Andy Coy, Assistant Vice President of Credit Services for PSECU, Pennsylvania's largest credit union. "For example, the prequalification tool enables us to immediately engage applicants with potential offers and minimizes the time it takes to complete an application. This saves both us and our members valuable time and resources." "Today, consumers are demanding digital, frictionless experiences from lenders. Through the preconfigured credit decisioning solutions delivered through the integration between Temenos and Experian, Advia is seeing success with improving the member experience for new and existing members by simplifying the initial application process," said Ryan Olson (News - Alert) , Vice President of Consumer Lending at Advia Credit Union. Experian's PowerCurve decision management suite is available now through Temenos Infinity Origination. To learn more about Experian's PowerCurve decision management suite, please visit: https://www.experian.com/strategy-management/powercurve-video. About Experian Experian is the world's leading global information services company. During life's big moments - from buying a home or a car to sending a child to college to growing a business by connecting with new customers - we empower consumers and our clients to manage their data with confidence. We help individuals to take financial control and access financial services, businesses to make smarter decisions and thrive, lenders to lend more responsibly, and organizations to prevent identity fraud and crime. We have 17,800 people operating across 45 countries, and every day we're investing in new technologies, talented people and innovation to help all our clients maximize every opportunity. We are listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and are a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index. Learn more at www.experianplc.com or visit our global content hub at our global news blog for the latest news and insights from the Group. Experian and the Experian trademarks used herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of Experian and its affiliates. Other product and company names mentioned herein are the property of their respective owners. About Temenos Temenos AG (SIX: TEMN) is the world's leader in banking software. Over 3,000 banks across the globe, including 41 of the top 50 banks, rely on Temenos to process both the daily transactions and client interactions of more than 1.2 billion banking customers. Temenos offers cloud-native, cloud-agnostic and AI-driven front office, core banking, payments and fund administration software enabling banks to deliver frictionless, omnichannel customer experiences and gain operational excellence. Temenos software is proven to enable its top-performing clients to achieve cost-income ratios of 26.8% half the industry average and returns on equity of 29%, three times the industry average. These clients also invest 51% of their IT budget on growth and innovation versus maintenance, which is double the industry average, proving the banks' IT investment is adding tangible value to their business. For more information, please visit www.temenos.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210514005094/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 14, 2021] INROADS & Microsoft Partner to Close the Digital Divide ATLANTA, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- INROADS, Inc. a global solutions provider for talent pipeline issues, has formed a strategic partnership with Microsoft to help close the digital divide. As part of this strategic partnership, INROADS also joins the Microsoft initiative, Accelerate, which brings together civic, learning, and corporate partners to provide skills across the spectrum of digital proficiency to build a more inclusive workforce. As the nation reels from COVID-19 and calls for equity sweep the country, Microsoft and INROADS takes a position of leadership in addressing tech disparities that disproportionately impact students and communities of color. Microsoft has certified INROADS as an Education Partner. Inasmuch, Microsoft will provide INROADS with funding, technology and programs to help digitally transform their leadership training, mentorship and internship programs. The Microsoft / INROADS partnership addresses three areas of need: Early pipeline development of talent and mid-career talent identification, for a diverse future workforce Engagement of underserved Black communities, and the advancement of common racial equity goals Significant digital transformation of INROADS' infrastructure by optimizing the use of technology for the students served by INROADS "We are extremely proud of our partnership with Microsoft because of the sweeping impact it will have on the communities we serve," said Forest T. Harper, Jr., president and CEO, INROADS. "In addition to connecting underrepresented students to technology and preparing high school students for early entryinto corporate talent pipelines, our partnership represents a chance to show our students that careers at Microsoft, other powerful technology companies and entrepreneurship, is possible." Microsoft, as part of their partnership with INROADS, is incentivizing its employees to get involved with the organization. For every hour a Microsoft employee volunteers with INROADS, Microsoft will donate $25 to INROADS. Currently, there are more than 70 INROADS alumni working at Microsoft. "Over the years, Microsoft has invested in pathways for successful diverse executives in tech and we are proud of our alumni who have been critical bridges between INROADS and Microsoft, including Darryl Willis, Corporate Vice President of Energy at Microsoft, John James, Services Executive at Microsoft, and Cydney Stevenson, Business Program Manager at Microsoft. John will serve as the Microsoft/INROADS strategic partnership advisor and will play a vital role in the success of this partnership as well as build future conduits and pipelines for diverse tech talent," said Harper. "When you look at the stats, between 2016 and 2018 $2.2 billion was given by 25 foundations to nonprofits across 25 U.S. cities. Only 1% of that went to organizations serving the Black and African American community," said Darrell Booker, corporate affairs specialist, Microsoft. "Our partnership with INROADS directly impacts our Accelerate: Atlanta initiative. It amplifies our community outreach and aligns with the goals of both INROADS and Microsoft of leveling the playing field and creating opportunities for students of color." For more than 50 years, INROADS has helped talented and underrepresented college students access the skills and careers needed to have an impact. That work has resulted in more than 30,000 alumni globally, which also provides an opportunity to enable mid-career and executive level global talent acquisition for firms like Microsoft and will continue to change the complexion of C-suites across corporate America. About Microsoft Microsoft is on a mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more through supporting inclusive economic opportunity, protecting fundamental rights, committing to a sustainable future and earning trust. This year, as part of its sweeping investments in Atlanta, Georgia, Microsoft announced that it will complete a new Atlanta-based office space in Atlantic Yards and will be adding even more space in the future. These investments include plans for a new data center and purchasing of 90 acres of land to house a future campus at Quarry Yards and Quarry Hills and aims to increase access to technology for the underserved and emerging talent. About INROADS INROADS was founded more than 50 years ago. Inspired by the famed I Have a Dream speech, Frank Carr founded INROADS to remove career barriers to corporate opportunities for people of color. It is the largest nonprofit organization committed to leadership and career development for underrepresented talent in the world. INROADS has prepared more than 154,000 diverse leaders with pre-employment skills and graduated more than 30,000 alumni into full-time professional positions with more than 1,000 corporate partners. Currently, INROADS serves 800-1,300 interns and 200 corporate clients. Learn more at INROADS.org and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn: @INROADSInc. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/inroads--microsoft-partner-to-close-the-digital-divide-301291844.html SOURCE INROADS Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 14, 2021] MetroNet Connecting More to Broadband Services at Lower Rates with Emergency Broadband Benefit Program and Waive of Tech Fee As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, more Americans than ever saw a dramatic need for connectivity as school and work from home became necessary, but unfortunately for some, a loss of revenue during the pandemic made that connectivity too expensive. MetroNet is eager to participate in the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBBP) which will help remove barriers to broadband with a $3.2 billion federal benefit package to help eligible customers remain connected so that work and school from home can continue. MetroNet is offering EBBP benefits in eligible markets across Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota and Ohio. Existing and new MetroNet customers that qualify for the program are eligible to receive the monthly discount of up to $50, excluding taxes and fees. MetroNet will also offer an additional credit for eligible new customers that sign up for MetroNet's EBBP symmetrical 100 Mb package. This discount will allow MetroNet services to be free for those customers while enrolled in the program, excluding required fees and taxes. "At MetroNet, we are proud of the services that we offer to customers and we have never been more so than during the COVID-19 pandemic when we were able to help them connect to work and school during very trying times," said John Cinelli, MetroNet President and CEO. "Participating in EBBP is an extension of our commitment to connect people to living, learning and each other. As the pandemic and its effects continue, we are glad to still be providing answers through access to our 100 percent fiber optic network." Households interested in enrolling in the EBBP may apply for the program online at lifelinesupport.org/national verifier or by mail. Once approved, eligible households will receive a verification number and may then contact the MetroNet support team at (855) 806-7324. For more information on MetroNet's participation, please visit www.metronetinc.com/ebbp/. MetroNet is bridging the digital divide as one of the fastest-growing providers of fiber optic high-speed broadband services in the nation and is known for its superior customer service provided through a strong local presence. MetroNet delivers affordable, symmetrical speeds of up to 10 Gigabits with no long-term contracts to homes and businesses in underserved communities in America. The company expects its network to be available to over 1 million residential households and business locations in the near term, bringing competition for these services to hundreds of communities. About MetroNet: MetroNet is a 100 percent Fiber Optic Company headquartered in Evansville, Indiana. The customer-focused company provides cutting-edge fiber optic communication services, including high-speed Fiber Internet, full-featured Fiber Phone, and Fiber IPTV (News - Alert) with a wide variety of programming. MetroNet started in 2005 with one fiber optic network in Greencastle, Indiana, and has since grown to serving and constructing networks in more than 100 communities across Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Florida, North Carolina, Virginia, and Texas. MetroNet is committed to bringing state-of-the-art telecommunication services to communities - services that are comparable or superior to those offered in large metropolitan areas. MetroNet has been named in the top 50 small and medium companies on Glassdoor and has been honored with a Glassdoor Employees' Choice Award recognizing MetroNet among the Best Places to Work in 2020. In 2020, MetroNet was awarded the Vectren Energy Safe Digging Partner Award from Vectren. For more information, visit www.MetroNetinc.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210514005275/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 14, 2021] Nextech AR Solutions Corp. Announces Strategic Partnership with Visit Tampa Bay Nextech AR Solutions Corp. ("Nextech" or the "Company") (OTCQB: NEXCF) (NEO: NTAR) (CSE: NTAR) (FSE: N29) announces the Company has been designated as a preferred vendor by Visit Tampa Bay. Through this partnership, the Company has the opportunity to connect with confirmed conferences for City of Tampa Bay. Nextech is committed to building strategic partnerships with the world's top destination marketing organizations and extending their reach through virtual and hybrid events. "We are thrilled to partner with Tampa Bay," said Evan Gappelberg CEO and Director. "Nextech's hybrid and virtual events platform keeps audiences engaged with stunning virtual conferences, trade shows, meetings and augmented reality experiences." "It's imperative that we stay ahead of the curve with the changing dynamics of in-person, hybrid and virtual events," says Santiago C. Corrada, president and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay. "As a leader with a hybrid experience platform, we are excited to have Nextech AR as a partner as we continue creating value for conference organizers, sponsors and meeting goers." About the Tampa Bay The heart of Florida's Gulf Coast beats in Tampa Bay. Visit Tampa Bay encourages adventurous travelers to unlock sun, fun and culture in Florida's most diverse travel destination. As a not-for-profit corporation certified by Destinations International's Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP), we work with hundreds of partners to tell the world the story of Tampa Bay. To learn more, please follow us on Twiter, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook, or visit our website: https://www.Nextechar.com. 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 Company's 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. Forward-looking Statements 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 Company's 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/20210514005134/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 14, 2021] Pure Storage Recognizes Customers Driving Innovation in Inaugural Breakthrough Awards Program MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Pure Storage (NYSE: PSTG), the IT pioneer that delivers storage as-a-service in a multi-cloud world, today announced at its annual Pure//Accelerate Digital event, the winners of its inaugural Pure Storage Breakthrough Awards. The Awards recognize Pure customers displaying extraordinary innovation, creativity, business breakthroughs, and overarching success using the Pure's portfolio of offerings. Customers including ServiceNow, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore), The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), Smart Digital Sales & Holding GmbH (SDC), Options Technology, and Roblox were selected among more than 8,000 of Pure's global customers as leaders across six categories: Pure Good, Visionary, Cloud Champion, Change-Maker of the Year, Data Warrior of the Year, and The G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time). "The innovations our customers drive using Pure's solutions never cease to amaze us. They understand the importance of embracing a modern data experience to help support their business objectives. We're extremely proud and congratulate this year's winners on their successes." -- Joe Pinto, Chief Customer Experience Officer, Pure Storage This year's award recipients include: G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time) - ServiceNow: G.O.A.T.s use Pure's portfolio of offerings in innovative ways to help customers thrive. With a rapidly expanding customer base, the Cloud Infrastructure team at ServiceNow modernized the company's storage environment using Pure's FlashBlade and FlashArray systems and, in the process, became the first major cloud provider to move to an all-flash data center. G.O.A.T.s use Pure's portfolio of offerings in innovative ways to help customers thrive. With a rapidly expanding customer base, the Cloud Infrastructure team at ServiceNow modernized the company's storage environment using Pure's FlashBlade and FlashArray systems and, in the process, became the first major cloud provider to move to an all-flash data center. Cloud Champion - Roblox: Cloud champions support their organization's cloud strategy with Pure's Pure as-a-Service , Pure Cloud Block Store , and Portworx offerings. More than 8 million passionate game developers have invested countless hours into building unique digital worlds on Roblox and every day, tens of millions of people descend on the platform to play, socialize, and connect. With Portworx delivering scalability and agility, Roblox demonstrated the ability to handle any influx of traffic - including record-breaking growth in the last year. Cloud champions support their organization's cloud strategy with Pure's Pure as-a-Service , Pure Cloud Block Store , and Portworx offerings. More than 8 million passionate game developers have invested countless hours into building unique digital worlds on Roblox and every day, tens of millions of people descend on the platform to play, socialize, and connect. With Portworx delivering scalability and agility, Roblox demonstrated the ability to handle any influx of traffic - including record-breaking growth in the last year. Change Maker - SDC: Change makers are leaders displaying excellence in driving digital transformation. SDC's innovative, state-of-the-art drone solution, designed to evaluate danger, and detect and assess natural disaster damage, has the potential to transform many industries: agriculture, infrastructure, public safety, and more. Working with Pure, and with the leadership of CTO Wolfgang Kalny , SDC supports the big data and analytics that give customers a whole new perspective on their challenges. Change makers are leaders displaying excellence in driving digital transformation. SDC's innovative, state-of-the-art drone solution, designed to evaluate danger, and detect and assess natural disaster damage, has the potential to transform many industries: agriculture, infrastructure, public safety, and more. Working with Pure, and with the leadership of CTO , SDC supports the big data and analytics that give customers a whole new perspective on their challenges. Data Warrior - NTU: Data Warriors demonstrate creativity in using data and technology to open new opportunities, drive breakthroughs, and support innovation. NTU Singapore, one of the world's top universities, augmented its High Performance Computing Centre (HPCC) with Pure Storage FlashBlade to supercharge research workloads. For example, NTU scientists can now map the genomes of more than 1,000 plant species smultaneously in less than three years instead of two decades! Data Warriors demonstrate creativity in using data and technology to open new opportunities, drive breakthroughs, and support innovation. NTU Singapore, one of the world's top universities, augmented its High Performance Computing Centre (HPCC) with Pure Storage FlashBlade to supercharge research workloads. For example, NTU scientists can now map the genomes of more than 1,000 plant species smultaneously in less than three years instead of two decades! Visionary - Options Technology: Visionaries represent industry-leading organizations driving breakthroughs and innovations propelled by Pure. By using FlashArray and FlashBlade through Pure as-a-Service, Options Technology, a global provider of fintech managed services, hedge fund technology and IT infrastructure, can scale up or down with customers in real time, transcending the cycle of capacity planning, capital expenditures, and time-consuming deployments while providing the highest level of performance to its clients. Visionaries represent industry-leading organizations driving breakthroughs and innovations propelled by Pure. By using FlashArray and FlashBlade through Pure as-a-Service, Options Technology, a global provider of fintech managed services, hedge fund technology and IT infrastructure, can scale up or down with customers in real time, transcending the cycle of capacity planning, capital expenditures, and time-consuming deployments while providing the highest level of performance to its clients. Pure Good - NCMEC: Pure Good recognizes companies using Pure in ways that demonstrate positive social, environmental, or economic impact. NCMEC is a non-profit supporting and educating families, training law enforcement, and keeping kids safe. In 2020 alone, the non-profit fielded 21.7 million reports of potential exploitation online, storing 65.4 million images, videos, and audio files on Pure in order to investigate tips and help keep kids safe in an efficient and secure fashion. "Roblox connects millions of people around the world through shared experiences. By investing in our platform, we're creating better player experiences for our users and our developers who create these immersive, imaginative worlds. Container-based services and Portworx keep us in perfect alignment with these goals." - Rob Cameron, Senior Technical Director, Roblox "All the work we do as an organization has a single unifying purpose to make work, work better for people. On the cloud infrastructure team, it's our job to make it as easy as possible for our customers to modernize their business processes, and Pure helps us achieve that." - Keith Martin, Senior Director, Cloud Capacity Engineering, ServiceNow "Our goal is to offer solutions that add value for our customers and are as highly automated as possible. Pure enables us to spend less time managing infrastructure, and we can now spend more time working with our customers, whether we're developing algorithms for analyzing vegetation or training AI for new customers." - Wolfgang Kalny, CTO, SDC "With Pure we were able to check all of the boxes - increase our storage capacity while also encrypting our data at rest and adding disaster recovery capabilities all to make sure that our analysts had the tools they needed to help keep kids safe." - Russ Johnson, Executive Director, Technology Division, NCMEC "Under the NTU 2025 strategic plan, technology is a key enabler of innovation and growth. This award reaffirms our efforts to continuously reimagine an advanced digital research infrastructure that empowers our NTU research community to accelerate their discoveries and turn big data into scientific breakthroughs, while upholding our commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability." - Alvin Ong, Chief Information Officer, NTU Singapore "We started urging our clients down the path of business continuity planning, offering virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) solutions to help people connect to critical systems from home. With Pure as-a-Service, we've been able to rise to the challenges and provide an outstanding, positive experience for our clients." - Mike Russo, Vice President, Product Management, Options Technology Learn more: Breakthrough Awards Blog Post Pure Customer Stories About Pure Storage Pure Storage (NYSE: PSTG) gives technologists their time back. Pure delivers a modern data experience that empowers organizations to run their operations as a true, automated, storage as-a-service model seamlessly across multiple clouds. One of the fastest-growing enterprise IT companies in history, Pure helps customers put data to use while reducing the complexity and expense of managing the infrastructure behind it. And with a certified customer satisfaction score in the top one percent of B2B companies, Pure's ever-expanding list of customers are among the happiest in the world. For more information, visit www.purestorage.com . Analyst Recognition: Pure Storage has been named a Leader in the 2020 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Primary Storage Arrays . Connect with Pure Blog LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Pure Storage, the Pure P Logo, Portworx, and the marks on the Pure Trademark List at www.purestorage.com/legal/productenduserinfo.html are trademarks of Pure Storage, Inc. Other names are trademarks of their respective owners. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pure-storage-recognizes-customers-driving-innovation-in-inaugural-breakthrough-awards-program-301291600.html SOURCE Pure Storage [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 14, 2021] Resolution Life Raises a Further $1.6 Billion of Capital to Support Growth Resolution Life, a long-term manager of legacy life insurance portfolios, has completed its recent round of capital raising, adding a further c.$1.6 billion. It has now secured commitments of approximately $5 billion since its launch in September 2018. Resolution Life's investors are leading financial institutions, insurance companies, pension plans, sovereign wealth funds and family offices. In the past 12 months, Resolution Life has completed the acquisitions of AMP Life in Australasia for AUD$3 billion and Voya Financial, Inc.'s, US$1.25 billion individual life in-force business in the US. Combined with the Group's Bermuda reinsurance base, Resolution Life now manages c.$60 billion of assets, employs c.1,500 people and provides services to approximately 2.5 million policyholders. The new capital raised will continue to be deployed in line with Resolution Life's mission as a specialist consolidator of in-force life insurance, either through acquisition of companies or reinsurance. With its global platforms now established, Resolution Life is well placed for further growth, especially since Covid-19 has accelerated the trend of international life insurance groups looking to divest legacy insurance portfolios and release capital. Resolution Life and prior vehicles founded by Clive Cowdery under the Resolution brand hav pioneered the consolidation of life insurance assets since 2003 and have deployed $16 billion of equity across multiple transactions. Sir Clive Cowdery, Resolution Founder and Executive Chairman of Resolution Life, commented: "Resolution Life provides global insurance companies with a specialist partner to help them release capital while honouring the long-term commitments made to policyholders. Our scale, extensive transactional and operating expertise and our strong capital backing from high-quality investors provides insurers, regulators and policyholders with the confidence and certainty they require." ENDS Note: Credit Suisse Asset Management Limited acted as exclusive placement agent with Kirkland & Ellis International LLP as the primary legal counsel Notes to Editors: About Resolution Life Resolution Life is a global life insurance group focusing on the acquisition and management of portfolios of life insurance policies. Since 2003, prior Resolution entities together with Resolution Life have deployed US$16 billion of equity in the acquisition, reinsurance, consolidation and management of 30 life insurance companies. Together, these companies have served the needs of 12.6 million policyholders while managing over US$354 billion of assets. Resolution Life has operations in the United Kingdom, the United States, Bermuda, Australia and New Zealand. Resolution Life provides a safe and reliable partner for insurers as they re-structure by: Focusing on existing customers, rather than seeking expansion by new sales Delivering policyholder benefits in a secure, well capitalised environment Returning capital over time to our institutional investors in the form of a steady dividend yield Visit https://resolutionlife.com/ for more information. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210514005214/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 14, 2021] Roark Capital Acquires Nothing Bundt Cakes Roark Capital, an Atlanta-based private equity firm focused on investing in franchised and multi-location businesses, announced today that its affiliate has acquired Nothing Bundt Cakes. Founded in 1997, Nothing Bundt Cakes is a market leading franchisor and operator of gourmet bakeries offering specialty bundt cakes in 390 locations that generate ~$470 million of system sales across the U.S. and Canada. Nothing Bundt Cakes' products are hand-crafted and baked on-site, with high-quality ingredients and proprietary formulations. "Roark is a best-in-class partner that shares our values of transparency and excellence and has deep expertise with its incredible portfolio of brands," said Nothing Bundt Cakes CEO Kyle Smith. "We look forward to working with them to enhance support for our bakery owners and continue growing our system while maintaining the joy-giving experience our brand has offered guests for nearly 25 years." Clay Harmon, Managing Director at Roark, said, "Nothing Bundt Cakes is a special brand with delicious products that are beloved by guests. We have great admiration for what Kyle and his team have accomplished, and are excited to partner with them" Nothing Bundt Cakes is Roark's 29th restaurant investment and 92nd franchise/multi-location brand. About Roark Roark focuses on franchised and multi-location business models in the retail, restaurant, consumer and business services sectors. Since inception, affiliates of Roark have invested in 92 franchise/multi-location brands which generate approximately $54 billion in annual system revenues from 63,000 locations in 50 states and 89 countries. For more information, please visit www.roarkcapital.com. About Nothing Bundt Cakes Dallas-based Nothing Bundt Cakes was founded in Las Vegas in 1997 by Dena Tripp and Debbie Shwetz and has grown to 390 franchised and corporate bakeries in 40+ U.S. states and Canada. Bakeries offer Bundt Cakes in a variety of flavors and sizes such as bite-sized Bundtinis, miniature Bundtlets and 8- and 10-inch cakes plus decorations and gift options for all occasions. Nothing Bundt Cakes is committed to building a team of bakery owners and employees who embody the joy-filled brand, resulting in industry accolades including Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 List, Franchise Business Review's "Top 50 Franchises" and, for five years running, Franchise Times' "Fast and Serious." Please visit www.nothingbundtcakes.com to learn more. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210514005474/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 23:37:34|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TEHRAN, May 14 (Xinhua) -- The Iranian Foreign Ministry released a statement on Friday, calling the world to put an end to the Israeli attacks on the Palestinians. It called on the governments and international organizations "to discharge their duty towards ending the occupation" of Palestinian land by Israel, and countering the continuation of Israeli "crimes and aggression" against the Palestinians. The ministry bashed what it calls "a new round of blatant crimes" of Israel against the Palestinians amid the fifth day of fighting between Israel and Hamas, with Israeli artillery and air strikes on Gaza Strip in response to rocket fire from the Hamas-run enclave. At least 115 Palestinians and nine Israelis have been killed in the current tensions, according to Palestinian and Israeli official figures. Enditem [May 14, 2021] Shanghai Yicheng Culture acquires (EGOC) Energy 1 Corp. in U.S. to accelerate its vision to establish an international expansion platform SHANGHAI, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As a global innovative technology service corporation, Shanghai Yicheng Culture Communication Co., Ltd. (abbreviated as Shanghai Yicheng Culture) announced the acquisition of (EGOC) Energy 1 Corp., headquartered in Nevada, USA, stock code: EGOC to which, (EGOC) Energy 1 Corp. has agreed to dispose of, while Shanghai Yicheng Culture Co., Ltd. agreed to acquire the controlling equity interest in the target company. Pursuant to the Sale and Purchase Agreement, Shanghai Yicheng Culture proposes to acquire and EGOC intends to sell all the controlling equity interest in the target company (or its holding company). The acquirer - Shanghai Yicheng Culture Communication, is committed to building a global innovative advanced technology service platform with the integration of industrialized operations; smart e-commerce retail; innovative medical and health management; film, television and media; applications of blockchain technology; cultural and educational services. Looking ahead, ecosystem integration will be the development direction, in which worldwide high-end services as core business, by providing innovative technologies services with big data, so as to pave the way for global diversified development. "Smart e-commerce retil", "innovative healthcare" and "innovative applications of big data" are the three main pillars of Shanghai Yicheng Culture. With the smart e-commerce retail, self-operated online shopping mall has established. Through stringent control on the eligibility of the supply chain manufacturers, together with the adoption of an innovative F to C model, more discount and high-quality "beauty & health" products are expected to be delivered directly from manufacturers to corporate clients. This does not only help more clients to save cost, but also facilitate more innovative brands to set up their own sale channels, eventually achieving the dream of having more national brands. As for the innovative healthcare, which highly integrated the online and offline services, is expected to have considerable growth in value. Through technology, the importance of health and wellness will be deeply rooted to the people's hearts, hence, realizing an upgraded global strategic of health and ecological services. The acquirer and acquiree of this acquisition are organizations that strive to serve customers with innovative technologies, in order to make services more accessible and better. Upon the completion of the acquisition, both parties will work together towards carrying out new market strategies and exploring global market, so as to bring positive impact by maximizing the potential of all provides and clients. Shanghai Yicheng Culture and (EGOC) Energy 1 Corp. are committed to strive for ideals, and will continue to excel by promoting diversity, equality and inclusiveness, and providing free and paid service & products for all. Gu Juan Position: Executive Assistant e-mail: 1054555652@qq.com View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/shanghai-yicheng-culture-acquires-egoc-energy-1-corp-in-us-to-accelerate-its-vision-to-establish-an-international-expansion-platform-301291513.html SOURCE Shanghai Yicheng Culture [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 13, 2021] Farmers Edge Reports First Quarter 2021 Results Farmers Edge Inc. ("Farmers Edge" or the "Company") (TSX: FDGE), a Winnipeg-based pure-play digital agriculture company reported its financial results for the three months ended March 31st, 2021. All amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars. Certain metrics are non-IFRS measures or key performance indicators. See "Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Key Performance Indicators" below. Business Highlights Quarterly revenue of $9.9 million, an increase of 34% over 2020 comparative period. EBITDA per Subscribed Acre improved by 65% as Company realizes economies of scale and lowers costs. Reduced EBITDA Loss by 50% and improved Free Cash Flow deficiency to $10.3 million. Net Loss improved by $11.5 million (40%). Strong financial position with $120.4 million cash and negligible debt. Launch of Company's first parametric insurance product in Canada - Canola Heat Blast and Smart Carbon program to grow Business Analytics Solutions Revenue. "The activities of the first quarter of 2021 will always be part of our history with the successful marketing and completion of our initial public offering raising $144 million of new capital," said Wade Barnes, Chief Executive Officer and founder of Farmers Edge. "The IPO process took lots of energy for our team but our results show that we didn't lose focus and were able to deliver on our key financial metrics. First quarter is historically a slower period for acre growth and we expect the second and third quarters to provide strong acre growth. This will enable us to meet our medium-term acre and revenue targets and strengthen our position as a global leader in digital agriculture." In April, the Company also announced a Canola Heat Blast Yield Protection insurance product being offered in Canada with Munich Re underwriting the contracts. This is a new product and revenue stream that comes from the strategic collaboration with Munich Re by leveraging their insights and design of specialty risk management products for agriculture. This creates value for both our growers and our channel partners. The Company earns revenue as a percentage of the premium paid by the grower. The Company is also working with growers to introduce them to our Smart Carbon program. Our digital and fertility solutions provide the data to allow growers to access carbon offsets and turns the data into value for the grower. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS in thousands, except per share amounts March 31, 2021 March 31, 2020 FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE for the three months ended Revenues $9,883 $7,374 Operating expenses (1) $18,236 $24,043 EBITDA $(8,353) $(16,669) Adjusted Gross Loss $(391) $(5,116) Net loss $(17,264) $(28,733) Loss per share - basic & diluted (2) $(0.81) $(2.91) Free Cash Flow $(10,265) $(22,241) March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 FINANCIAL POSITION as at date specified Total assets $193,989 $79,484 Total liabilities $43,990 $370,887 Total equity $149,999 $(291,403) March 31, 2021 December 31, 2020 KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS as at date specified Total Subscribed Acres 23,858 23,357 Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) $56,051 $53,421 (1) Operating Expenses include Cost of revenue, Data and technology infrastructure expenses, Selling and marketing expenses, Product research and development expenses, and General and administrative expenses as set out on the Company's Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss in its Financial Statements. (2) Due to net losses incurred, potentially dilutive securities have been excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share because including them would be anti-dilutive. The loss per share - basic and diluted for the period ending March 31, 2020 have been retrospectively adjusted to reflect the consolidation of common shares on a 7:1 basis. Generated revenue of $9.9 million, up 34% from $7.4 million. Revenue improved despite strengthening of the Canadian dollar in the current period which negatively impacted revenue by $0.7 million. Carbon credit revenue is contributing to a more diversified revenue stream. Cost management strategies reduced EBITDA costs, in particular around satellite imagery that decreased $3.8 million (71%) as a new contract took effect January 1, 2021. Adjusted Gross Loss of $0.4 million is an improvement of $4.7 million (92%) and is attributable to increased revenue, reduced imagery costs, and greater operational efficiencies. EBITDA loss of $8.4 million was an improvement of $8.3 million (50%) on $2.5 million of revenue growth highlighting the execution of cost management and the scalability of the business. Free Cash Flow improved by $12.0 million (54%) to negative $10.3 million. This improvement related to lower EBITDA loss, higher levels of government subsidies, and lower capital expenditures. Net Loss improved by $11.5 million (40%) as a result of the reduction to EBITDA loss, foreign exchange gains and higher other income. Cash on hand as at March 31, 2021 was $120.4 million and long-term debt limited to a $1.0 million government loan. Most of last year's growth of 6.8 million Subscribed Acres occurred during the second and third quarters. In the first quarter of 2020, Subscribed Acres grew by 0.2 million, on a net basis. In the first quarter of 2021, we had stronger acre sales adding 2.1 million new acres, mostly in North America under the Progressive Grower program which is our premiere go to market product. These additions were partially offset by 1.6 million in discontinued acres (primarily in Eastern Europe which had negligible annualized revenue of $150 thousand). This was a conscious decision by management to no longer subsidize and provide significant discounts on Smart Imagery subscriptions. Our focus and strategy is to sell the Progressive Grower acres and attract customers at this higher price point with a more comprehensive suite of services. The Company added approximately 1 million of Progressive Grower acres in April 2021. See the Company's management discussion and analysis and interim consolidated financial statements for the three months ending March 31, 2021 for more information on the period's results which are available on the Company's website (www.farmersedge.ca/investor-relations/) and on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). Conference Call Notice Farmers Edge will hold a live audio webcast at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time on Friday, May 14, 2021 to discuss the Company's financial results and business highlights. All interested parties are invited to listen to the live audio webcast at https://www.gowebcasting.com/11260. Following the event, a replay of the webcast will be available on the Farmers Edge Investor Relations website. Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Key Performance Indicators This press release makes reference to certain non-IFRS measures and key performance indicators ("KPIs"). These measures are not recognized measures under IFRS and do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Rather, these measures are provided as additional information to complement those IFRS measures by providing further understanding of our results of operations from management's perspective. Accordingly, these measures should not be considered in isolation nor as a substitute for analysis of our financial information reported under IFRS. We make reference to the following non-IFRS measures: "Adjusted Gross Profit", "EBITDA", "Adjusted EBITDA" and "Free Cash Flow". This press release also makes reference to "Annual Recurring Revenue" or "ARR" and "Subscribed Acres", which are operating metrics used in our industry. These non-IFRS measures and KPIs are used to provide investors with supplemental measures of our operating performance and thus highlight trends in our core business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on IFRS measures. We also believe that securities analysts, investors and other interested parties frequently use non-IFRS measures in the evaluation of issuers. Our management also uses non-IFRS measures and KPIs in order to facilitate operating performance comparisons from period to period, to prepare annual operating budgets and forecasts and to determine components of management compensation. Definitions of these non-IFRS measures and KPIs, as well as a reconciliation of the non-IFRS measures to their most directly comparable measures calculated in accordance with IFRS, can be found under the heading "Key Performance Indicators and Non IFRS measures" in the Company's management discussion and analysis filed today, May 13, 2021, which is available on the Company's website (www.farmersedge.ca/investor-relations/) and on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). About Farmers Edge Farmers Edge is leading the next agricultural revolution with the industry's broadest portfolio of proprietary technological innovations, spanning hardware, software, and services. Powered by a unique combination of connected field sensors, artificial intelligence, big data analytics, and agronomic expertise, the Company's digital platform turns data into actions and intelligent insights, delivering value to all stakeholders of the agricultural ecosystem. Farmers Edge disruptive technologies accelerate digital transformation on the farm and beyond, protecting our global resources and ensuring sustainable food production for a rapidly growing population. For more information, please visit www.farmersedge.ca and SEDAR (www.sedar.com). Forward-Looking Information This press release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Such information includes, but is not limited to, statements related to the Company's anticipated results and future cost savings and its future business prospects, partnerships and opportunities, including the planned further expansion into the carbon credit market, and the anticipated benefits therefrom. Words such as "expect,", "anticipate", "intend,", "may,", "will", "estimate" and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking information. This information is based on the Company's reasonable assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to it and the statements are made as of the date of this press release. Forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions and is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control, that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking information. Such assumptions, risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the factors discussed under "Forward-Looking Information" and "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Information Form dated March 29, 2021 and under the "Risk Factors" section in the Company's management discussion and analysis filed today, May 13, 2021, each of which are available on the Company's website (www.farmersedge.ca/investor-relations/) and on SEDAR (www.sedar.com). The Company cautions that the list of risk factors and uncertainties is not exhaustive and other factors could also adversely affect the Company's results. Readers are urged to consider the risks, uncertainties and assumptions associated with these statements carefully in evaluating the forward-looking information and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such information. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210513006112/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 13, 2021] SOR Autonomous Platform Enters Defence Sector PERTH, Australia, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Strategic Elements Ltd (ASX:SOR) is pleased to report that it will conduct a feasibility and scoping study with the Defence Science and Technology Group (DST Group) for autonomous sensing and search of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) sources. The feasibility and scoping study will cover the integration of DST Group search algorithms into subsidiary company Stealth Technologies' autonomous unmanned ground vehicle (UAG) and unmanned airborne vehicle (UAG) hardware and software platforms and development of an initial software exemplar. The DST Group is part of the Australian Department of Defence dedicated to providing science and technology support to safeguard Australia and its national interests. One of the key DST Group priorities is to improve the Australian Defence Forces' CBRN defence capability through the protection of personnel from the strategic, tactical and physiological impacts of exposure to toxic chemicals and materials and CBRN weapons. Operating in chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threat environments is arguably the hardest assignment that war fighters have. Not only do they have to perform strenuous tasks such as keeping adversaries at bay or supporting civilians in the aftermath of a disaster, they also face the challenge of potentially having to do these tasks in the presence of dangerous and invisible threats that spread rapidly and widely if uncontained. The threat of CBRN attacks against military forces and civilian populations is growing. State and non-state actors are increasingly willing to use these indiscriminate methods, and knowledge of CBRN agent manufacturing processes is proliferating. Technology has the capability to enable teams to respond faster and more flexibly to CBRN events; ahieve enhanced situational awareness; and manoeuvre safely, effectively and unimpeded in complex contaminated environments for prolonged periods of time. The proposal of the feasibility and scoping study is to integrate DST developed search algorithms for locating CBRN sources within a geographic area, into a Stealth Technologies UAV (drone) that is autonomously launched and landed by a Stealth Technologies autonomous UGV (ground vehicle). The autonomous UGV would enable carriage of drones and sensors into the target environment keeping humans at a safe distance. The autonomous UAV enables rapid traversing of the area using sensors to map and/or monitor the location of CBRN sources. AxV Next Generation Development Stealth Technologies has developed custom robotics built on top of its AxV autonomous mobile platform to develop the first 'automated perimeter security solution' of its kind anywhere in the world. The Company collaborated with US giant Honeywell and the Western Australian Department of Justice to deploy an autonomous security vehicle (ASV) at the Eastern Kalgoorlie Regional Prison. The ASV is being deployed to increase the security of the perimeter and reduce the amount of human involvement in testing and patrols, freeing those staff up for more skilled tasks. The global perimeter security market is forecast to grow quickly reaching USD 282.26 Billion by 2025. Stealth Technologies next generation AxV Autonomous Platform is being upgraded with a 'sensor fusion stack' that includes additional sensors such as LiDAR, radar, GPS, sonar, thermal imaging and different types of cameras, with each sensor adding different strengths to the fusion data generated. New autonomous releases are being designed for use in various sectors such as security, mining and defence. The Sensor Fusion stack will also include integration with ongoing collaborative work with Planck AeroSystems enabling Autonomous Drones to launch and land autonomous surveillance flights from a moving ASV platform. Planck is a global leader working with the United States Department of Defense's Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office (CTTSO), the United States Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security on various aspects of its technology. In addition, the CSIRO Wildcat SLAM technology will also be integrated with the Sensor Fusion stack. The Company has licensed world leading CSIRO technology that enables robots to work together in teams. The Wildcat SLAM technology leverages more than ten years of research and development at CSIRO's Data61. Wildcat is a key enabling technology in 'robot perception', a system that endows the robot with the ability to perceive, comprehend and reason about the surrounding environment. Costs of the feasibility and scoping study and software exemplar of approx.$50,000 will be paid by the DST Group to Stealth Technologies with deliverables intended for approx. June 30Th 2021. Strategic Elements Managing Director Charles Murphy said "Stealth Technologies is building a flexible autonomous platform that we intend to deploy in sectors such as security, defence and mining to name a few. We strongly believe there is a huge shift underway in the automation of human function and the machines that we use. The automation and robotics platform that we are continuing to build and deploy has a tremendous opportunity in front of it and we have a great technical team being superbly led by Executive Director Elliot Nicholls. Stealth Technologies is looking forward to working with the world class team at the DST Group". Strategic Elements Background Investors in SOR potentially pay no tax on capital gains from selling their SOR shares as the Company operates under a Federal Government program setup to encourage investment into innovation. Strategic Elements operates as a 'venture builder' where it generates high risk-high reward ventures and projects from combining teams of leading scientists or innovators in the technology or resources sectors. This announcement was authorised for release by Strategic Elements' Board of Directors. SOURCE Strategic Elements Ltd [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 13, 2021] Nota joins NVIDIA Metropolis Partner Program SEOUL, South Korea, May 12, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Nota, a provider of automatic AI compression platforms, today announced it has joined the NVIDIA Metropolis Partner Program. The program is designed to nurture and bring to market a new generation of applications and solutions that make the world's most important spaces and operations safer and more efficient with advances in AI vision. Nota has developed a real-time traffic control solution at Pyeongtaek, South Korea, which positively impacts drivers' daily lives, ensures pedestrian safety and saves social costs caused by traffic congestion. The On-device Intelligent Traffic Signal Control Technology developed by Nota uses object detection technology to identify the traffic volume and queues, shares data to analyze the degree of congestion, and accordingly provide adequate traffic signal controls at the intersections. NVIDIA Metropolis makes it easier and more cost effective for enterprises, governments, and integration partners to leverage world-class AI-enabled solutions to improve critical operational efficiency and safety problems. The Metropolis ecosystem contains a large and growing breadth of partners who are investing in the most advanced A techniques, most efficient deployment platforms, and use an enterprise-class approach to their solutions. Partners have the opportunity to gain early access to NVIDIA platform updates to further enhance and accelerate their AI application development efforts. Further, the program offers the opportunity for partners to collaborate with industry-leading experts and other AI-driven organizations. Nota is making roadways safer and more efficient by integrating NVIDIA's GPU-accelerated Jetson AGX Xavier platform and software tools such as DeepStream SDK and Transfer Learning Toolkit - with its own in-house technology. Transfer Learning Toolkit helps build production quality models faster with no coding required. DeepStream SDK delivers a complete streaming analytics toolkit for building AI-powered video analytics applications. "Thanks to NVIDIA Metropolis and leveraging the AI productivity benefits of Deepstream SDK and Transfer Learning Toolkit, we could focus our efforts on what matters the most to our customers. NVIDIA's SDKs cut our initial development time significantly, allowing us to dedicate our technical resources to maximize the AI model compression rate and develop a real-time traffic signal control solution while improving its performance. As a result, Nota will be able to further differentiate its solution efficiently and effectively to meet its customers' growing demands over time," said Myungsu Chae, CEO of Nota. About Nota Nota started at KAIST in 2015, with the goal of "making AI available everywhere through model compression." NetsPresso was developed internally to automate AI model compression so that vision-based AI models can be run on diverse hardware including CPU, GPU, NPU, etc. Nota leverages NetsPresso to provide the market with lightweight AI models to reduce latency, optimize processor usage, consume less energy, and proliferate lower-end edge devices while conserving accuracy. Nota has successfully launched its solutions for the Intelligent Transportation System and Security industries. We are active members of NVIDIA Inception and Metropolis, and are looking for more global partners to expand the market together. For more information about Nota, please visit www.nota.ai. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nota-joins-nvidia-metropolis-partner-program-301291424.html SOURCE Nota [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 13, 2021] AlphaESS rolling out new products and programs at Smart Energy Conference & Exhibition 2021 SYDNEY, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 12th and 13th 2021, AlphaESS launched its latest residential and commercial energy storage solutions and the Alpha Installer Network (AIN) Program at the Smart Energy Conference & Exhibition, Australia. Upcoming products Some latest technology has been reviled and made available to the public, which will also be launched in other parts of the world in the coming months. These products include portable power station, new All-in-one residential solution, and 30kW hybrid C&I solution, filling the gap in the market and leading the trend for the future. The 1kW/1kWh portable power station (PPS), which supports 11 devices simultaneously, can be used for outdoor activities as well as emerging power supply for families. This is a lifestyle change-maker and the dream device for adenturers. The 3kW SMILE-B3 PLUS is specially designed for retrofit. Cost effective, super easy to install and capable for scale. This no-meter design with 5kWh built-in battery is available for all retrofit requirements, with capacity expandable to 30 kWh. A high-voltage battery is rolling out with 8.2kWh capacity and can be configured either for single-phase (6kW) or three-phase (10 kW) applications, both on-grid & off-grid. The 30kW STORION-H30 fills the gap in the market, supporting both on-grid and heavy duty off-grid. The three-phase inverter can be configured to supply 60kWp and support unbalance load. The cost-effective solution is designed for the outback, farms, and remote areas. Discover more @ https://www.alpha-ess.com/Web/Product.aspx Trends and opportunities Dong Lin, PhD, VP AlphaESS, has given a speech on Global Industry Perspective: Market and Price Forecasts at the Smart Energy Conference. He points out that the No. 1 factor for the energy storage trends is PAYBACK, and forecasts that, as for the price, a 15-20% drop will be reasonable and the VPP and community battery will bring the payback down to less than 3 years. Installer Network A trusted network of installers is launched for those who deliver exceptional customer experience with Alpha products. AI technology will be used to match installers with jobs based on the installer service area, rating, experience and many more. It will significantly strengthen the installation efficiency and customer services. [About AlphaESS] AlphaESS is a leading energy storage integrator, with 10+ subsidiaries around the world providing local services and more than 60,000 systems actively running in over 60 countries. marketing@alpha-ess.com www.alpha-ess.com +61-1300968933 SOURCE AlphaESS [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 14, 2021] Chandigarh University launches North India's First Satellite Designing Program 'CUSAT' - "India amongst the elite group of nations in the arena of Space Technology," says Moon Man of India, Dr. Mylswamy Annadurai - Chandigarh University to design and launch its own multipurpose satellite in 10 months CHANDIGARH, India, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Chandigarh University has launched Student Satellite Designing and Training program 'CUSAT' and it has become North India's first University to launch the advanced training program for the students in the field of Aerospace Engineering. The virtual inauguration session of CUSAT was held today which was attended by distinguished Aerospace Engineering Scientists and Professionals which included Padma Shri Dr. YS Rajan, Scientist and Honorary Professor, ISRO; Padmashri Prof. R.M.Vasagam, Veteran Space Scientist and ISRO's former Director, Geostationary Satellite Apple's Project Director; Padma Shri Dr. Mylswamy Annadurai, Program Director of Chandrayaan-1 & Mangalyaan, also known as Moon Man of India. While giving details about the newly launched satellite designing program for the students, Chancellor Chandigarh University, Satnam Singh Sandhu said, "The first-of-its-kind training program in Satellite Designing and Testing would have a duration of 4-months and it would be open for the students of Computer Science Engineering, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Mechatronics, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Geo-Informatics." The training program would include study of Satellite Designing, Integration of Comonents, Testing and Simulation of launch process, collection & analysis of data from the satellite. "The students would undergo training under the guidance of former Indian and International Space Scientists including scientists from ISRO," added Sandhu. Chandigarh University has planned to design and launch a multipurpose Nano-satellite within a period of 10-12 months which will be launched in space by ISRO. While giving his inaugural address Dr. YS Rajan said, "Scientists from North India like Kalpana Chawla, Dr. Satish Dhawan have made big time contribution in the field of Space Technology and Exploration and therefore it is important to educate the young & budding engineers from this part of India about the rich legacy that they have in this field." Dr. Rajan added, "It is not important that you design the whole satellite or mission. Designing and assembly of a small component plays an equal and important role in the success of a Space Mission. The first-of-its-kind training program introduced by Chandigarh University will play an important foundation in taking the interest of students of North India especially from Punjab towards the rewarding career in the field of Space Technology." While giving the keynote address, Dr. Mylswamy Annadurai also known as Moon Man of India said, "Russia and USA have maintained a lead for the past many decades in space exploration and space research and although India entered into the field much later yet India has carved out a special identity for itself in the International space program". He further added, "The success of Chandrayan 1 and Mangalyaan missions have significantly positioned India amongst the top countries that have a great success rate in launching satellites and carried out experimental projects. The foundation of Indian space is so strong which can be verified by the fact that many missions of Russia and other nations took 5 or 6 attempts, but India has been successful in just one attempt in the Mangalyaan mission without any International help." The success of Indian Space Research Program and ISRO has also opened new economic opportunities that can significantly contribute in the GDP of the country, added Dr. Annadurai. India has already helped countries like U.A.E, Singapore, Thailand, France, Spain, and others countries to launch their satellite which will help them in communication, navigation, and in other programs also. "The training of young students should focus on apprising them with the real time problems that can be solved with the help of space technology. Satellite to be designed by Chandigarh University should focus on providing and collecting data which can be useful to tackle problems like Floods, Landslides, Draught Situation, and Underground Water Conservation. Addressing such real time situation through scientific approach should be the main objective of the satellite designing and training program launched by Chandigarh University," said veteran space scientist, Prof. R.M.Vasagam. "Chandigarh University has always focused on providing real-time industry exposure for its students where they can attain hands-on practical experience under the guidance of industry experts," said Satnam Singh Sandhu, Chancellor, Chandigarh University. He further said, "Chandigarh University would be spending Rs. 1 crore for designing of Nano-satellite for which the training of students has already began. The establishment of ground control station for the satellite project is already underway and we are sure to design and launch our own multipurpose satellite within a time frame of 10-12 months." About Chandigarh University Chandigarh University is a NAAC A+ Grade University and an autonomous educational institution approved by UGC and is located near Chandigarh in the state of Punjab. It is the youngest university in India and the only private university in Punjab to be honored with A+ Grade by NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council). CU offers more than 109 UG and PG programs in the field of engineering, management, pharmacy, law, architecture, journalism, animation, hotel management, commerce and others. It has been awarded as The University with Best Placements by WCRC. Website: https://cucet.cuchd.in/ Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1510397/CUSAT_by_Chandigarh_University.jpg Media Contact : Prabhdeep Singh prabhdeep.singh@cumail.in +91-8360473392 Chandigarh University [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 14, 2021] Tessa Therapeutics Announces Positive, Topline Data from Ongoing Phase 1 Trial of Allogeneic, "Off-the-Shelf" Cell Therapy, in Patients with Relapsed or Refractory CD30-Positive Lymphoma BEDMINSTER, N.J. and SINGAPORE, May 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tessa Therapeutics Ltd. (Tessa), a clinical-stage cell therapy company developing next-generation cancer treatments for hematological malignancies and solid tumors, today announced early clinical results for an allogeneic CD30-CAR EBVST therapy (TT11X), being co-developed by Baylor College Medicine and Tessa. The data is from an ongoing Phase 1 dose-escalation study (NCT04288726) testing TT11X in patients with CD30+ lymphomas. The results will be presented today at the 24th Annual Meeting of American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT 2021). The presentation at ASGCT 2021 will highlight data from six patients treated with the therapy. The results demonstrated a favorable safety profile with encouraging clinical activity even at lower dose levels in heavily pre-treated relapsed / refractory (R/R) CD30+ lymphoma patients. The dataset includes three patients dosed at the lowest dosing level (4 107 CD30.CAR EBVSTs) and three at the second level (1 108 CD30.CAR EBVSTs). Key findings summarized below: No serious adverse events or dose-limiting toxicities, including no evidence of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), cytokine release syndrome or neurotoxicity syndrome Of the 5 patients evaluable for efficacy, disease control was observed in 3 patients, who had partial responses The Phase 1 study aims to enroll 12-18 patients at three escalating dose levels - 4 107 CD30.CAR EBVSTs, 1 108 CD30.CAR EBVSTs and 4 108 CD30.CAR EBVSTs (with this last cohort being broadly equivalent to the dose level utilized in Tessas autologous CD30 program). Full findings from the trial are expected to be reported by end of 2021. We are encouraged by the early data generated on the study. The therapy has been well tolerated with no evidence of GVHD or any severe adverse events, with encouraging clinical activity, stated Dr. Carlos Ramos, Lead Principal Investigator, Professor at the Center for Cell and Gene Therapy and member of the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center at Baylor College of Medicine. While these are preliminary results, the data gleaned from the first five patients suggest that allogeneic CD30-CAR EBVSTs may be able to overcome the safety and tolerability challenges that are common to allogenic cell therapies. We look forward to completing enrollment on the trial and further developing our understanding of this potential new therapy platform for oncology. Tessa is developing a proprietary allogeneic cell therapy platform based on decades-long research and development on unique properties of Virus Specific T-cells (VSTs) by Tessas Scientific Co-Founder, Dr. Malcolm Brenner, and the team at Baylor College of Medicine. VSTsare highly specialized T cells with the ability to recognize and kill infected cells while activating other parts of the immune system for a coordinated response. Allogeneic VSTs without any form of genetic modification have demonstrated a strong safety profile and efficacy in early trials with minimal risk of GVHD. Preclinical studies have further demonstrated that CD30 targeting potentially helps improve allogeneic cell expansion and persistence. With this platform approach, Tessa aims to overcome the current challenges faced by allogeneic cell therapies and create more efficacious, reliable, and scalable therapies capable of targeting a broad range of cancers. This is early but significant data supporting development of Tessas off-the-shelf, allogeneic cell therapy, stated Jeffrey H. Buchalter, President and CEO of Tessa Therapeutics. We believe there is an enormous potential for our allogeneic CD30-CAR EBVST platform, and we remain committed to our longer-term plan to develop this platform to tackle both hematologic malignancies and solid tumors where there is significant patient need. About Tessa Therapeutics Tessa Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing next-generation cell therapies for the treatment of hematological cancers and solid tumors. Tessas lead clinical asset, TT11, is an autologous CD30 targeting CAR-T therapy currently being investigated as a potential treatment for relapsed or refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma (Phase 2) and CD30-positive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (Phase 1). TT11 has been granted RMAT designation by the FDA and PRIME designation by European Medicine Agency. Tessa is also advancing an allogeneic off-the shelf cell therapy platform targeting a broad range of cancers in which Epstein Barr Virus Specific T Cells (EBVSTs) are augmented with CD30-CAR technology to prevent graft rejection. A therapy using this platform is currently the subject of a Phase 1 clinical trial in CD30-positive lymphoma. A third clinical asset evaluates novel combination therapy of HER2-CAR-T cells and binary oncolytic virus in an ongoing Phase 1 study targeting HER2 positive solid tumors. Tessa has its global headquarters in Singapore, where the company has built a state of the art, commercial cell therapy manufacturing facility. Tessas United States headquarters are in New Jersey. For more information on Tessa, please visit www.tessacell.com. Cautionary Note on Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, to the fullest extent applicable) including, without limitation, with respect to various regulatory filings or clinical study developments of the Company. You can identify these statements by the fact that they use words such as anticipate, estimate, expect, project, intend, plan, believe, target, may, assume or similar expressions. Any forward-looking statements in this press release are based on managements current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and important factors that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements contained in this press release, including, without limitation, those related to the Companys financial results, the ability to raise capital, dependence on strategic partnerships and licensees, the applicability of patents and proprietary technology, the timing for completion of the clinical trials of its product candidates, whether and when, if at all, the Companys product candidates will receive marketing approval, and competition from other biopharmaceutical companies. The Company cautions you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made, and disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any such statements to reflect any change in expectations or in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements may be based, or that may affect the likelihood that actual results will differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release represent the Companys views only as of the date hereof and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. The Companys products are expressly for investigational use pursuant to a relevant investigational device exemption granted by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, or equivalent competent body. Tessa Therapeutics Media Contact Tiberend Strategic Advisors, Inc. Johanna Bennett +1-212-375-2686 jbennett@tiberend.com Dave Schemelia +1-609-468-9325 dschemelia@tiberend.com Ingrid Mezo +1-646-604-5150 imezo@tiberend.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 14, 2021] Ben Gardiner Joins Altiostar to Head up Customer Operations and Network Deployments TEWKSBURY, Mass., May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Altiostar today announced that industry veteran Ben Gardiner has joined the company as its new Vice President of Customer Operations. In the role, Gardiner will build on Altiostar's customer-centric capabilities, collaborating and strategizing with the company's partners and customers on delivering products and services for mobile network deployments. He will expand Altiostar's delivery system for customer service and support to meet the growing demand for its Open virtualized Radio Access Network (Open vRAN) software. Altiostar announced that industry veteran Ben Gardiner joined the company as Vice President of Customer Operations. With a technical background in Radio Access Networks, Gardiner has more than 30 years' experience in mobile network management and services business development in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Since 2014 Gardiner has served as CTO at Norconsult Tlematics, where he managed engagement, delivery, and portfolio development throughout Asia and the Middle East. Prior to his work with Norconsult, Gardiner held executive appointments in APAC and MEA sales, engagement and service delivery with Celcite, Ericsson, Optimi, Motorola and Aircom. He holds a bachelors in electronics and communications engineering from the University of Birmingham (UK), and is a chartered engineer (C.Eng) and a Member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (MIET). "I'm eager to hit the ground running and to grow our service delivery capability to support the demand for Open RAN that I'm seeing across the globe," said Ben Gardiner, Vice President, Customer Operations, Altiostar. "I look forward to coordinating with our internal teams and the company's partners to deliver exceptional support for our customers." Gardiner will be part of the executive management team, reporting to Altiostar CEO Ashraf Dahod. "We have a fast-growing pipeline of customers who are realizing the benefits of an open and cloud-native approach to the radio access network," said Ashraf Dahod, CEO of Altiostar. "With Ben Gardiner's customer engagement and development expertise, we expect to stay ahead of the curve to provide an extremely high level of support to our customers. His history of success in operations and program management will help us best support the goals of our customers and remain the market leader in Open RAN." About Altiostar Altiostar provides 4G and 5G open virtualized RAN (Open vRAN) software that supports open interfaces and virtualizes the radio access baseband functions to build a disaggregated multi-vendor, web-scale, cloud-based mobile network. Operators can add intelligence, quickly adapt the network for different services and automate operations to rapidly scale the network and reduce Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). Altiostar collaborates with a growing ecosystem of partners to support a diverse Open RAN supply chain. The Altiostar Open vRAN solution has been deployed globally, including the world's first cloud-native commercial-scale mobile network with Rakuten Mobile in Japan. For more information, visit www.altiostar.com. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ben-gardiner-joins-altiostar-to-head-up-customer-operations-and-network-deployments-301291480.html SOURCE Altiostar [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 14, 2021] Ether Capital Corporation Reports First Quarter 2021 Financial Results Ether Capital Corporation ("Ether Capital" or the "Company") (NEO: ETHC) announces the reporting of its financial results as at and for the three months ended March 31, 2021. As at March 31, 2021: The total value of the Ether held by the Company was $101.9 million The total assets of the Company were $113.6 million The total shareholders' equity of the Company was $113.4 million The Company recorded revenue during the quarter of $86,814 and a net loss of $7,614 The Company recorded a gain on other comprehensive income (OCI) of $52.4 million during the quarter, which was the result of the net change in unrealized gain on fair value revaluation of the Company's digital intangible assets As at May 13, 2021, the total value of the Ether held by the Company was $192.4 million. This value includes the Ether purchased on March 16, 2021 following the public offering of securities of the Company which closed during the first quarter. Brian Mosoff, Ether Capital's CEO said: "We had a very positive first quarter, which included our overnight marketed offering that brought in over $28 million in gross proceeds and allowed us to purchase an additional 11,264 Ether. We continue to be very excited by the Ethereum roadmap in 2021. Protocol upgrades this year are likely to include a fee economics upgrade, known as EIP1559, and the 'merge' of proof of stake into Ethereum's mainnet. Both of these upgrades reflect important improvements to Ethereum's monetary policy and support Ether's store of value thesis." Continued Mr. Mosoff, "we also recognized our first revenue from the Purpose consulting agreement in the first quarter and look to build on this ongoing revenue stream in the remaining quarters of the fiscal year." For condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, please refer to the Company's website at http://ethcap.co/. The Company also provides regularly updated disclosure of its investments in the investors section of its website. The Company's condensed consolidated interim financial statements, along with the accompanying management's discussion and analysis have been filed on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval ("SEDAR") and may be viewed under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. About Ether Capital Corporation Ether Capital is a Toronto-based technology company whose long-term objective is to become the central business and investment hub for the Ethereum and Web 3 ecosystem. Ether Capital has invested in Ethereum's native utility token "Ether" as a strategic asset, and selectively invests in projects, protocols and businesses that leverage the Ethereum ecosystem and Web 3 technologies. Founded by a highly experienced Board of Directors and management team, Ether Capital has the experience and relationships to support businesses and invest in industry-shifting disruptive technologies. For more information, visit http://ethcap.co/. The content of this document is for informational purposes only, and is not being provided in the context of an offering of any securities described herein, nor is it a recommendation or solicitation to buy, hold or sell any security. The information is not investment advice, nor is it tailored to the needs or circumstances of any investor. Information contained on this document is not, and under no circumstances is it to be construed as, an offering memorandum, prospectus, advertisement or public offering of securities. No securities commission or similar regulatory authority has reviewed this document and any representation to the contrary is an offence. Information contained in this document is believed to be accurate and reliable, however, we cannot guarantee that it is complete or current at all times. The information provided is subject to change without notice and neither Ether Capital Corporation, nor any of its affiliates, will be held liable for inaccuracies in the information presented. Forward-Looking Information This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements in regard to the Etherum Protocol upgrades. The Company cautions the reader not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "on pace", "anticipates", or "does not anticipate", "believes", and similar expressions or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "should", "might", or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available to management at the time they are made, management's current plans, estimates, assumptions, judgments and expectations. Forward-looking information is 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. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, geopolitical, technological and social uncertainties; uncertainties in regard to the development and acceptance of blockchain technology (including proof of stake and Ethereum 2.0), and the Ethereum platform and anticipated timing and impact of the Ethereum network upgrade, the impact of the outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus on the Company, and the other risk factors discussed in the Company's Annual Information Form dated March 25, 2021, the Risk Factors section in its most recently filed management's discussion and analysis, the Risk Factors section in its Supplement and Base Shelf Prospectus and its other filings available on-line at www.sedar.com. Although the forward-looking information contained in this press release is based on assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable at the date such statements are made, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. In addition, the Company cautions the reader that information provided in this press release is provided in order to give context to the nature of some of the Company's future plans and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update or revise any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210514005243/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 14, 2021] A Decade Development, Micro Business in China Reforms a New Ecosystem BEIJING, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- From 2012 to 2021, micro businesses in China have experienced a continuous development. After ten years of growth, Chinese market greets with the popularity of livestream commerce, which has brought a new prosperous opportunity for micro businesses. According to the report of China's micro businesses market research, published by data consultant company iResearch, the concept of micro businesses has improved with the changes of the Internet social ecosystem. Not only the original form, micro businesses also contain all merchants with sales and marketing business on social ecosystem platforms, including big companies, individuals and e-commerce platforms. The report also reveals that the micro business market transaction in 2019 surpassed RMB 2 trillion, driven by the external economic circumstance and the extensive demands from other industries. In 2020, the growth year-on-year saw a record high 110.2%, reaching RMB 5 trillion. The prosperity of micro businesses leads to more flexible and time-sharing working opportunities. The number of micro business employees reached 60 million while increased to 130 million in 2020, among which there are also many self-employed people who achieve personal and family income through micro-business mode. Development status of China's micro business market> Based on the industrial circular business models of web traffic, conversion, transaction, fission, repurchase and retention, micro businesses take advantage of different service scenarios to establish in-depth links between social ecosystem platforms and marketers, aiming to achieve commercialization. In general, SaaS tools, marketing service and operation service are the key business of these service providers. In view of the enlarged business scale, Chinese micro business service providers expect a dramatic growth in the future. At present, there are three well-known service providers in the Chinese market, including Youzan, Weimob and WeTrade Group. Youzan, completed its listing in Hong Kong in April 2018, is a SaaS system service provider, mainly providing store opening and business growth to e-commerce retail companies; Weimob, listed on the main board of HKEX in July 2019, is a SaaS service and advertising agency, offering precision marketing for SMEs; WeTrade Group, listing on OTCBB in the USA in July 2020, is a technical service provider of Cloud Intelligent System for micro-businesses, which is an internationalized system in the global micro-business cloud intelligence field. Cases of third-party service providers in the social ecosystem Those service providers continue to explore innovative models to accelerate the advancement of the layout and the maturation of the micro business ecosystem. For new companies and micro business practitioners, they also need more support to familiarize the changing micro business models and achieve high-efficiency and regulated sales and transactions. In the future, following the improved social ecosystem layout and the development of service providers, the operation of the micro business industry will transform with standardized management, and become the mainstream sales models and channels in our daily life. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/a-decade-development-micro-business-in-china-reforms-a-new-ecosystem-301291651.html SOURCE Shanghai iResearch Co., Ltd., China [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-15 00:02:48|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Palestinians inspect the rubble of a house destroyed by Israeli air strikes in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on May 14, 2021. Tension between Israel and the Hamas-led militant groups has been flaring up since Monday, leaving 122 Palestinians and nine Israelis killed, according to Palestinian and Israeli official figures. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua) GAZA, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Tension between Israel and the Islamic Hamas movement continued for the fifth day on Friday in the Gaza Strip with no sign of any truce. Overnight and at predawn, the tit-for-tat violent military confrontations between the two sides were intensified. Militants fired more barrages of rockets into Israel, and Israeli fighter jets kept striking on the enclave. The Hamas-run ministry of health said in a text message that 122 Palestinians have been killed, including 31 children and 20 women, and 900 others injured since Monday in the Gaza Strip. Eyewitnesses and Palestinian security sources told Xinhua that Israeli army artillery on Friday struck the eastern area of Gaza city with tanks, killing at least two. At predawn, tanks hit the northern Gaza town of Beit Lahia, killing a mother and her four children, according to medical sources. The reason behind hitting the family's house wasn't known, which might ignite more tension between the two sides, the eyewitnesses said. An Israeli army spokesman said in a press statement that the Israeli forces had intensively attacked posts that belong to Hamas, adding that 160 war jets, artillery, and tanks participated in the military operation. The statement said 150 targets were hit overnight and on Friday morning, adding that many of the targets were underground. It said the Israeli army will continue its strikes on the militants who fire rockets at Israel. As the Israeli bombardments were intensified, Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants announced that their militants fired more barrages of rockets into Israel. Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas' armed wing, claimed responsibility for launching 100 rockets at the Israeli city of Ashkelon, in response to Israel's "targeting of civilians" in the enclave. Al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of Islamic Jihad, also said that its militants carried out intensive rocket strikes at Israeli cities in southern and central Israel. The Israeli army said Gaza militant groups have fired more than 1,750 rockets at Israel, most of which were intercepted by the Iron Dome defense system. The rockets fired from Gaza killed at least nine Israelis and wounded 200 others. Meanwhile, Palestinian sources said the contacts to reach calm between the two sides had so far failed, adding that Egypt, Qatar and the United Nations lead the mediation between the two sides for reaching a truce. Enditem [May 14, 2021] Genstar Capital Announces Agreement To Acquire Majority Stake In Vector Solutions From Golden Gate Capital SAN FRANCISCO and TAMPA, Fla., May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Genstar Capital, a leading private equity firm focused on investments in targeted segments of the financial services, healthcare, industrials, and software industries, announced today an agreement to acquire a majority ownership stake in Vector Solutions ("Vector"), the leading provider of industry-focused software solutions for training, risk management, workforce management and operational readiness. Genstar is acquiring Vector from Golden Gate Capital, a leading private equity investment firm, which will remain a significant shareholder in the business. The transaction is expected to close in the next 45 days. Vector is the leading provider of intelligent and industry-focused SaaS solutions that connect information and technology to deliver insights and knowledge when and where they are needed. Serving approximately 22 million users and more than 21,000 clients worldwide, Vector uses the latest innovations in training and technology to create safer, more capable and compliant organizations across the industrial, engineering, education and public safety sectors. "Genstar's interest in Vector Solutions is a testament to our consistent growth, talented team and the exceptional value of our leading solutions," said Marc Scheipe, CEO of Vector. "We are excited to have the support of Genstar and Golden Gate Capital as we continue to serve everyday heroes by delivering intelligent software solutions that empower safer, smarter and better decisions." "Companies are increasingly demanding sophisticated technology solutions to help their employees rise to the challenges of complex and regulated work environments, and Vector is the clear leader in meeting that need," said Geoff Miller, Director at Genstar. "We are excited to partner with Marc Scheipe, the Vector leadership team and Golden Gate Capital to invest further in developing new and expanding existing markets both organically and through M&A." "We have enjoyed a highly successful partnership with Vector since acquiring the Company in 2018 as it has meaningfully scaled its business, expanded its platform of industry-leading software solutions and successfully evolved its brand," said Rishi Chandna, a Managing Director at Golden Gate Capital. "We look forward t continuing to support Vector in its next chapter alongside Genstar." Matthew Crump, a Principal at Golden Gate Capital, added, "We have tremendous respect for Marc and the impressive Vector management team as they help elevate the safety and success of their clients and the communities they serve. With a strong track record of organic growth and five strategic acquisitions since our investment, we are confident that Vector will continue to be an innovative industry leader." Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal advisor to Genstar. William Blair & Company, LLC and Baird served as financial advisors to Golden Gate Capital and Vector and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, Nob Hill Law Group P.C. and Trenam Law served as legal advisors. About Vector Solutions Vector Solutions is the leading provider of award-winning, intelligent SaaS solutions that help organizations and individuals operate at the highest level and prepare for more challenging workplaces and environments. Providing industry-focused solutions that connect information and technology, its unique product set includes training management, continuing education (CE), compliance training, workforce scheduling, safety management, and more. Its extensive online and mobile training library features carefully curated world-class content to meet the unique needs of professionals in the industrial, engineering, education, and public safety industries. Reaching approximately 22 million users and more than 21 thousand clients worldwide, Vector's mission is to serve everyday heroes by delivering intelligent software solutions that empower them to make safer, smarter, better decisions. The company was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Tampa, Florida. For more information, visit www.vectorsolutions.com. Follow us on Twitter @VectorPerform and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/VectorPerformance. About Genstar Capital Genstar Capital (www.gencap.com) is a leading private equity firm that has been actively investing in high quality companies for over 30 years. Based in San Francisco, Genstar works in partnership with its management teams and its network of strategic advisors to transform its portfolio companies into industry-leading businesses. Together with Genstar X and all active funds, Genstar currently has approximately $33 billion of assets under management and targets investments focused on targeted segments of the financial services, healthcare, industrials, and software industries. About Golden Gate Capital Golden Gate Capital is a San Francisco-based private equity investment firm with over $19 billion in cumulative committed capital. The principals of Golden Gate Capital have a long and successful history of investing across a wide range of industries and transaction types, including going-privates, corporate divestitures, and recapitalizations, as well as debt and public equity investments. Notable software investments sponsored by Golden Gate Capital include Infor, BMC Software, LiveVox, and 2020 Technologies. For more information, visit www.goldengatecap.com. Contacts Vector Solutions Vicki Zambito victoria.zambito@vectorsolutions.com Genstar Capital Chris Tofalli Chris Tofalli Public Relations, LLC (914) 834-4334 Golden Gate Capital David Isaacs / Tori Goodell Sard Verbinnen & Co GoldenGate-SVC@sardverb.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/genstar-capital-announces-agreement-to-acquire-majority-stake-in-vector-solutions-from-golden-gate-capital-301291530.html SOURCE Genstar Capital [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 14, 2021] Kuke Music Holding Limited to Report First Quarter 2021 Financial Results on May 20, 2021 BEIJING, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Kuke Music Holding Limited ("Kuke" or the "Company"), a leading provider of classical music licensing, subscription, and education services in China, today announced that it plans to release its unaudited financial results for the first quarter 2021 after the U.S. market closes on Thursday, May 20, 2021. The earnings release will be available on the Company's investor relations website at https://ir.kuke.com/. Kuke's management will hold a conference call on Thursday, May 20, 2021 at 8:00 P.M. Eastern Time (Friday, May 21, 2021 at 8:00 A.M. Beijing/Hong Kong Time) to discuss the financial results. Listeners may access the call by dialing the following numbers: International: 1-412-902-4272 United States Toll Free: 1-888-346-8982 Mainland China Toll Free: 4001-201203 Hong Kong Toll Free: 800-905945 Conference ID: Kuke Music Holding Limited A replay of the conference call will remain accessible for one week after the live event by dialing the following numbers: International: 1-412-317-0088 United States Toll Free: 1-877-344-7529 Access Code: 10156592 A live and archived webcast of the conference call will also be available at the Company's investor relations website at https://ir.kuke.com/. About Kuke Music Holding Limited Kuke Music Holding Limited ("Kuke") is the leading provider of classical music licensing, subscription, and education services in China. Kuke has one of the largest library of classical music content in China and Kuke is a leading classical music licensing service provider and online classical music subscription service provider in China, according to Frost & Sullivan. Kuke leverages its rich and diverse content offerings and deep expertise in music education to offer innovative and efficient smart music education solutions, which primarily consist of its proprietary Kuke smart pianos, Kuke smart teaching systems and Kukey courses. Kuke is also the organizer of several live classical musical events in China, including the Beijing Music Festival, which is one of the most renowned musical events in the world. Through these three highly synergistic business lines, Kuke has formed a thriving content-centric ecosystem, positioning it well to continuously provide its customers with differentiated value propositions. Investor Relations Contact Kuke Music Holding Limited Email: kuke@icrinc.com Phone: +1 (212) 321-0602 View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kuke-music-holding-limited-to-report-first-quarter-2021-financial-results-on-may-20-2021-301291609.html SOURCE Kuke Music Holding Limited [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 14, 2021] DRIVRZ Financial, Formerly MUSA Auto Finance, teams Up With Roadster To Add Used Car Leasing To Digital Retail Experience DALLAS, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- DRIVRZ Financial, an automotive finance and technology lender specializing in effortless leasing and formerly known as MUSA Auto Finance, has announced its partnership with Roadster to enhance the digital retail experience with an interactive payment calculator and online application for used car leases. Visitors to the dealer website can calculate their exact used car lease payment based on a set of adjustable factors. MUSA Auto Finance recently rebranded as DRIVRZ Financial, which serves as the leasing and finance division of PowerBand Solutions (TSXV:PBX) (OTCQB:PWWBF) (Frankfurt:1ZVA) ("PowerBand", "PBX" or the "Company"). DRIVRZ Financial will continue growing its indirect lending business while also branching into direct-to-consumer financing, traditional retail financing, and lending across the full credit spectrum. The company's latest partnership with Roadster reflects its continued focus on using technology to create convenient, modern and transparent customer experiences. As part of Roadster's Express Storefront solution, visitors to the dealership website can calculate their exact used car lease payment based on a set of adjustable factors. These include the amount due at signing, miles driven per year and lease term. Each factor is chosen by the website visitor, and the lease payment is automatically calculated from there. Customers can make as many adjustments to their selections as they wish until they arrive at the best payment. The same process applies for traditional financing, so the customer can compare their finance and lease payment options side by side. Once the customer is happy with the deal, he or she can apply for a lease online, without ever setting foot in the dealership. "We are especially excited about this integration because we don't know of any other lender that has brought used car leasing to the digital retail world. Used car leasing is already incredibly rare. Add payment calculators and the ability to apply for a used car lease online, and you've got a true unicorn," said Jon Lamb, CEO at DRIVRZ Financial. Lamb says used car leasing adds value to dealers since it increases their customer retention rate and brings the customer back to the dealer for another car much sooner than traditional financing. Consumers like it because they save on depreciation, typically pay a lower monthly payment, and can get into a nicer car and trade in the car more frequently than they could otherwise afford. Andy Moss, CEO of Roadster, expressed his thoughts on the integration. "Our vision is to create a flexible, convenient buying experience where any portion of the process or all of it can be completed rom home and picked up in the showroom, or vice versa. With the DRIVRZ Financial integration, each used car leasing customer can build their own deal, so they are confident in the numbers and more likely to take the next steps toward closing." In the first week since going live with the integration on their website, Easterns Automotive noticed visitors using the lease payment calculator nearly as much as the finance calculator. "And that's with no special promotion yet," said Joel Bassam, director of marketing at Easterns Automotive. "This is crucial. Our website is essentially our dealership but online. It enables customers to accomplish as much of the sales process as they wish from the comfort of their home. We requested this integration with Roadster and DRIVRZ Financial because we wanted to bring that same online convenience to the used car leasing options we already offer in store." Thanks to this integration, Roadster's 2,000 dealerships nationwide will be able to add DRIVRZ Financial used car leasing to their online experience. In the coming months, DRIVRZ Financial plans to continue its expansion into new platforms and products, including traditional retail finance and direct-to-consumer lending. About DRIVRZ Financial (formerly MUSA Auto Finance) DRIVRZ Financial is an auto finance company and a technology innovator in the new and pre-owned vehicle industry. The company originates its customers from franchised and select independent dealers. Since its inception, DRIVRZ Financial has automated the time-consuming, manual processes traditionally associated with leasing and buying a vehicle. One of the company's technology platforms processes the application, calculates the lease, auto-decisions the application, provides an approval back to the dealer partner, and accurately pre-fills the lease contract in seconds. Automated approvals normally occur in just a few seconds, and consumers can even upload supporting documents via their mobile device. DRIVRZ Financial serves as the leasing and finance division of PowerBand Solutions, Inc. (TSXV: PBX) (OTCQB: PWWBF) (Frankfurt: 1ZVA) ("PowerBand", "PBX" or the "Company"). For more information, visit www.musaautofinance.com. The company plans to launch its fully rebranded DRIVRZ Financial website later this year. About Roadster Roadster provides consumer-driven Commerce Solutions for today's modern dealership. With Roadster's proprietary technology platform, dealerships can provide hassle-free car buying in-store, online or on the go. Roadster dramatically improves dealership customer satisfaction scores, while significantly reducing sales costs. From inventory merchandising, to financing/leasing, incentives, trade-ins, service plans and accessories Roadster delivers near penny perfect deals in a beautifully designed interface that customers and employees will love. Roadster is based in Palo Alto, Calif., and was founded in late 2013. For more information, please visit www.roadster.com. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the Company and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding future plans and objectives of the Company, are forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. 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. As a result, we cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will materialize, and 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 at the date of this news release, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by Canadian securities law. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities 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 state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, unless an exemption from such registration is available. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/drivrz-financial-formerly-musa-auto-finance-teams-up-with-roadster-to-add-used-car-leasing-to-digital-retail-experience-301291503.html SOURCE DRIVRZ Financial [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 14, 2021] Xpeedic On-Chip Passive EM Simulation Suite Certified for Samsung Foundry 8LPP Process Technology Xpeedic today announced that its on-chip passive EM simulation suite has been certified by Samsung (News - Alert) Foundry for its advanced 8LPP (8nm Low Power Plus) process technology. The certification of Xpeedic's fast 3D planar EM simulator IRIS and automated fast PDK model generation tool iModeler enables IC design companies to accelerate their delivery of 8LPP designs. Samsung Foundry's 8LPP technology delivers optimized power, performance and area over previous generations of its advanced FinFET nodes. 8LPP provides great benefits for applications including mobile, networking, server, automotive and cryptocurrency, and is regarded as one of the most attractive process nodes for many other high-performance applications. "As the design complexity increases at advanced process nodes, accurate EM simulation is critical for our customers to achieve first-pass silicon success," said Jongwook Kye, Vice President of Design Enablement Team at Samsung Electronics. "With the qualification of Xpeedic's 3D full-ave EM suite, our mutual customers will be able to create models and run EM simulation with confidence." "We are very pleased that IRIS has been able to meet Samsung Foundry's accuracy requirement and thus certified for its 8LPP process," said Dr. Feng Ling, CEO of Xpeedic. "As a Samsung Advanced Foundry Ecosystem (SAFE) program member, Xpeedic will continue the collaboration with Samsung Foundry on various process technologies to help our mutual clients with innovative solutions and services." IRIS is the state-of-the-art EM simulation technology tailored for Advanced Process Nodes. It provides full-wave accuracy from DC to THz, and speedup with both multicore parallelization and distributed processing. It has sophisticated advanced process node features such as width/spacing-dependent metal bias, and is widely adopted by fabless design companies. iModeler automates the PDK model generation with the rich set of built-in templates and the fast IRIS solver engine. It is ideal for PDK engineers to generate parameterized models. About Xpeedic Xpeedic is a leading provider of EDA solution for IC, package and system designs. The analog/mixed-signal IC tools help IC engineers shorten their design cycle at the latest advanced semiconductor nodes. The signal integrity tools enable faster design closure for IC package and PCB system designs. The growing IP portfolio on IPD delivers industry-leading combination of performance and integration to enable SiP for RF front-end module designs. Founded in 2010, Xpeedic has offices in both China and US. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210514005167/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 14, 2021] UGI Corporation Announces Commitment to Reduce Scope I GHG Emissions by 55% by 2025; Establishes Ambitious Safety Goals; and Advances D&I Initiatives UGI Corporation (NYSE: UGI) announced today the release of its third Environmental, Social and Governance ("ESG") report titled, The Foundation of a Renewable Energy Future. The ESG report is available on UGI's ESG website at (https://ugiesg.com/620-2/). The report highlights UGI's commitment to be a leader in the renewable energy space by providing energy solutions that are sustainable, reliable, and affordable. UGI has recently committed to reducing its Scope I (direct) emissions by 55% over the next 5 years1 on its path to align with international efforts to reduce carbon emissions as outlined in the Paris Climate Accord. UGI will reduce its emissions by investing in infrastructure and technology that lowers methane and greenhouse gas ("GHG") emissions, incorporating low or zero carbon alternatives energy solutions such as compressed natural gas ("CNG"), renewable natural gas ("RNG"), and bio-Gas into our supply portfolio, transitioning our fleet to lower carbon solutions, and the sale of non-core assets such as Conemaugh. At UGI, safety is not only our top priority, it is one of our core values and a way of life for us. UGI believes the achievement of superior safety performance is an important short- and long-term strategic initiative. We are proud to announce that we have established two safety goals that we will report on annually, as part of our ESG report: 35% Reduction in Total Recordable Injuries by 2025 2,3 (Per 200,000 hours; 2017 baseline) (Per 200,000 hours; 2017 baseline) 50% Reduction in Accountable Vehicle Incidents ("AVI") by 20254, 5,6 (Per 1,000,000 miles; 2017 baseline) UGI embraces the diversity and uniqueness of individuals and cultures and the varied perspectives they provide. In alignment with UGI's values to promote diversity, the Company recently created the Belonging, Inclusion, Diversity, & Equity ("BIDE") Initiative, which provides the blueprint for achieving greater diversity of gender, race, culture, experience and thought throughout the organization. As part of BIDE, UGI employees established Black Organizational Leadership & Development ("BOLD"), an employee resource group that is focused on inclusion, equity, education, and empowerment for black employees and their allies through professional development opportunities created through mentorships and networking events. We recognize that our success depends upon the commitmen and capabilities of a diverse and inclusive workforce, therefore, beginning in Fiscal 2021, UGI will include a diversity and inclusion goal as a component of its executives' target annual bonus award opportunity. UGI has a long history of strengthening the communities we serve both by providing financial assistance and supporting employee volunteer efforts. UGI employees continued this tradition of community support by donating over 37,000 hours to community-based organizations and established new partnerships with the Urban Affairs Coalition and Big Brothers Big Sisters. In addition, UGI was recognized by the Philadelphia Business Journal as a winner of the 2020 Faces of Philanthropy Awards Program for its sponsorship with the Museum of the American Revolution's (News - Alert) citizenship program. John L. Walsh, President and Chief Executive Officer of UGI Corporation said, "We are proud of the progress we have made on our ESG initiatives and the publication of our 3rd ESG report. UGI is well positioned to become a leader in the future of renewable energy by providing energy solutions that are sustainable, reliable, and affordable. Our strategic asset network and proven competencies allow us to address growing customer demand, while our teams continue to work hard at identifying new opportunities within the renewable space. We are very proud to announce our ambitious target to lower our direct carbon emissions by 55% over the next five years and plan to provide insight into our evolving capital expenditure program that features increasing investments in renewable solutions. "UGI remains equally focused on the social aspect of our commitments to shareholders. We are pleased with the progress we have made in our diversity and inclusion initiatives through the establishment of BIDE and BOLD. By fostering an environment that values diversity, we can leverage talent, unique perspectives, and varying employee experiences to ensure continued long-term success. UGI remains committed to providing enhanced disclosure and communicating our progress on key ESG initiatives, as we continue to provide value for our stakeholders." 1 Scope 1 emissions reduction target does not include emissions from the Mountaineer acquisition, which is expected to close in 2021. The emissions from the Pine Run acquisition, announced in February 2021, will be included in the baseline 2020 number as this investment will contribute to our five year goal. The 2020 base number also takes a 5-year emissions average from the Hunlock generation facility to account for year-over-year differences in run time. 2All domestic UGI companies use the OSHA definition for Total Recordable Injuries ("TRIR"). TRIR represents the number of work-related injuries or illness's requiring medical treatment beyond first aid, per 200,000 hours. 3UGI International reports rates in accordance with the Industrial Management System guidelines. A TRIR represents a work-related recordable injury to an employee or hired staff that requires medical treatment beyond first aid, as well as one that causes death, or days away from work. 4UGI Utilities and UGI Energy Services use the American Gas Association definition for AVI, which defines an AVI as a reportable motor vehicle incident in which the driver failed to do everything that reasonably could have been done to avoid the incident. 5UGI International reports rates in accordance with the Industrial Management System guidelines. An AVI represents an incident that caused or contributed to, in whole or in part, by actions of the company driver or contractor driver, or an incident that could have been avoided by the company driver, using reasonable defensive driving measures, which resulted in injury or damage, either to the vehicle, or to the object struck, regardless of value. 6AmeriGas defines an AVI as any incident that could have been preventable. About UGI Corporation UGI Corporation is a distributor and marketer of energy products and services. Through subsidiaries, UGI operates natural gas and electric utilities in Pennsylvania, distributes LPG both domestically (through AmeriGas) and internationally (through UGI International), manages midstream energy assets in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia and electric generation assets in Pennsylvania, and engages in energy marketing, including renewable natural gas, in twelve states and the District of Columbia and internationally in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and the UK. Comprehensive information about UGI Corporation is available on the Internet at https://www.ugicorp.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210514005267/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 14, 2021] Banty is the Perfect Video Chat Solution for Studying Online TORONTO, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Banty.com 's easy-to-use, secure video chat platform is the perfect place for students to study online and remain connected with their classmates. Featuring a wide selection of education-friendly tools, Banty makes it possible for students to share notes, quiz one another, and help each other succeed. "Due to COVID-19, many schools have temporarily turned to virtual learning so that students can continue their education, while remaining safe," explains Banty Co-Founder and CEO Scott Wilson. "Families looking for a versatile, yet secure video call solution, can turn to Banty. This platform has several collaborative and interactive features which help students study remotely." Banty has a number of solutions that are meant to make video chats easy to attend and be productive within. (Watch the 'Banty Is Easy' video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhmVdwrR_w8&t=10s ) Big Study Groups, Unlimited Video Chats For students, the Banty Personal solution is an ideal option. Here, upwards of 115 people can participate in a video chat. Although this number might seem high for a study group, it is good to know that meeting capacity isn't too restrictive. With Banty Personal, a student or even online tutors can host an unlimited number of one-on-one or group meetings. There is never a cap placed on how many meetings can be conducted throughout the month. Getting to these meetings is easy, as each Banty user gets to create a permanent, custom URL. This is the link that will be provided to everyone invited to a meeting, rather than an auto-generated, alpha-numeric URL and password. Share Notes, Compare Notes Each Banty meeting room comes with the screen share feature. This allows students to share study aids with one another,be it an online document filled with notes, or an educational website. This is also a great tool for students who are working on a group project and need to easily relay what they've been working on. Meanwhile, Banty's digital whiteboard helps students and tutors hash out project ideas or complicated mathematical equations in real-time. Watch Educational Videos Together One of the best Banty Personal features is the YouTube video share. Here, one person can take the link of an educational YouTube clip and open it in the group video chat for everyone to see. The footage will play in the main video feed. Meeting participants will not need to open a new browser tab to watch. If a meeting participant has a slow Internet connection, the host can adjust the quality of the video feed. This will prevent the YouTube video as well as the rest of a chat's video feed from appearing choppy. Staying Secure Online security is very important to Banty. As such, every video chat room is protected by end-to-end encryption technology. This prevents unwanted third parties from accessing meetings they haven't been invited to. Adding an extra level of security is the door lock feature. When the lock's been enabled, it prevents others from entering a meeting unless welcomed in by the host. "While virtual learning can be intimidating for some, Banty's goal is to make the experience much more straightforward and enjoyable for students," offers Banty Co-Founder Dr. Richard Tytus. "The last thing students should have to worry about is navigating a complicated online education tool. All they should be focused on is getting the best grades possible." Today, everyone has a mobile number and an email address. In the near future, everyone will have a Banty video chat address: Banty.com/YourName For more information, please visit Banty.org/solutions, or follow Banty on social media to learn more about the latest platform innovations: LinkedIn , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube , Instagram . About Banty Banty began as a patient-centered video conferencing platform that helps doctors easily integrate virtual medical appointments into their clinics and practices. Now, Banty also offers exceptional video conferencing solutions for Businesses, Enterprise, Virtual Events, and Personal use. Banty is accessible via any desktop browser, or through dedicated iOS and Android mobile apps. With a wide variety of engaging features geared toward productivity and maintaining personal connections, Banty is the virtual meeting platform that brings the world together through better communication. Media Contact: Scott Wilson 289-259-8059 309811@email4pr.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/banty-is-the-perfect-video-chat-solution-for-studying-online-301291553.html SOURCE Banty Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 14, 2021] The Lifetime Value Company Ranks Among Highest-Scoring Businesses On Inc. Magazine's Annual List Of Best Workplaces For 2021 NEW YORK, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Lifetime Value Company (LTV) has been named to Inc. magazine's annual list of the Best Workplaces for 2021. Hitting newsstands May 18 in the May/June 2021 issue, and as part of a prominent Inc.com feature, the list is the result of a wide-ranging and comprehensive measurement of American companies that have created exceptional workplaces and company culture whether teams are operating in person or remotely. With a portfolio of brands including BeenVerified, Bumper, Ownerly and more, The Lifetime Value Company is a fast-growing technology organization that builds exciting data products, from web-based services to best-in-class apps. Unlocking long-term value for customers and employees is at the heart of what we do. The company culture promotes excellence through mentorship, the collective ownership of success and the flexibility to create a model of work-life balance that promotes well-being. Collecting data from thousands of submissions, Inc. singled out 429 honorees this year. Each nominated company took part in an employee survey, conducted by Quantum Workplace, on topics including management effectiveness, perks and fostering employee growth. The organization's benefits were also audited to determine the company's overall score and ranking. "We're honored to be recognized as a Best Workplace by Inc. magazine," said Josh Levy, CEO and co-founder of LTV Co. "Our greatest asset is our people, and we are ispired and humbled by how our team has created a remote culture that continues to value collaboration, communication and mentorship throughout this challenging year." "The definition of a positive workplace has changed drastically over the past year," says Inc. magazine editor-in-chief Scott Omelianuk. "Stocked fridges and nap pods were no longer perks many companies could rely on once work went remote. So, this year's list is even more important as it reveals organizations that continue to enrich the lives of its employees amid a pandemic." About The Lifetime Value Company The Lifetime Value Company is a tech company with a culture of innovation and passion for data. We build and ship best-in-class apps and web-based products and tools that put the power of information into the hands of our customers. Our mission is to help people discover, understand and use data in their everyday lives. To find out more information and see available job openings, visit www.ltvco.com . About Inc. Media The world's most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit www.inc.com . About Quantum Workplace Quantum Workplace, based in Omaha, Nebraska, is an HR technology company that serves organizations through employee-engagement surveys, action-planning tools, exit surveys, peer-to-peer recognition, performance evaluations, goal tracking, and leadership assessment. For more information, visit QuantumWorkplace.com. Contact press@ltvco.com View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-lifetime-value-company-ranks-among-highest-scoring-businesses-on-inc-magazines-annual-list-of-best-workplaces-for-2021-301291677.html SOURCE The Lifetime Value Company [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 14, 2021] Ynvisible Interactive Announces CDN$12 Million Private Placement Offering with Institutional Investors Ynvisible Interactive Inc. (the "Company" or "Ynvisible") (TSX-V: YNV, FSE: 1XNA, OTCQB: YNVYF) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a securities purchase agreement for a private placement of its common shares ("Common Shares") and warrants to purchase Common Shares ("Warrants") to institutional investors only for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of approximately Cdn$12 million (the "Private Placement"). Pursuant to the Private Placement, the Company will issue up to 19,992,003 Common Shares and Warrants to purchase up to 19,992,003 Common Shares at a purchase price of Cdn$0.61 per Common Share and associated Warrant. Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price of Cdn$0.76 per Common Share at any time prior to the three-year anniversary of the closing date of the Private Placement (the "Closing Date"). A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners (the "Agent") is acting as the exclusive placement agent for the private placement in the United States. The Common Shares and Warrants to be issued under the Private Placement will be qualified by way of a prospectus supplement under the Company's base shelf prospectus dated May 10, 2021 (collectively, the "Prospectus Supplement") which will be filed in each of the provinces of Canada, except Quebec. In the United States, the Common Shares, Warrants and the shares issuable upon the exercise of the Warrants will be offered on a private placement basis pursuant to exemptions from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), and certain other jurisdictions in accordance with applicable securities laws. The Agent shall receive, on the Closing Date, (i) a cash commission equal to 7.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds received from the sale of the Common Shares and Warrants, and (ii) warrants (the "Agent's Warrants") equal to 5.0% of the Common Shares sold in the Private Placement. Each Agent's Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share at an exercise price of Cdn$0.61 per Common Share for a period of 36 months following the Closing Date. The net proceeds of the Private Placement are expected to be used by the Company for working capital and general corporate purposes. Details as to the specific allocation of the proceeds will be disclosed in the Prospectus Supplement. The Company expects the Closing Date to occur on or about May 18, 2021. The Company will apply to list the Common Shares issued in the Private Placement and the Common Shares underlying the Warrants on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"). The Private Placement is subject to the satisfaction of certain customary closing conditions, including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and stock exchange approvals (including, for certainty, the acceptance of the TSXV). No securities will be offered for sale or sold to Canadian residents. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall thre be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in Canada in connection with the Private Placement. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. This news release shall not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States. The securities have not been, nor will they be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act and such securities may not be offered or sold within the United States absent registration under U.S. federal and state securities laws or an applicable exemption from such U.S. registration requirements. ABOUT YNVISIBLE INTERACTIVE INC. Ynvisible aims to be a leading company in the emerging printed and flexible electronics sector. Given the cost and power consumption advantages over conventional electronics, printed electronics are a key enabler of mass adoption of the Internet of Things ("IoT") and smart objects. Ynvisible has the experience, know-how and intellectual property in electrochromic materials, inks, and systems. Ynvisible's interactive printed graphics solutions solve the need for ultra-low power, mass deployable, & easy-to-use electronic displays and indicators for everyday smart objects, IoT devices, and ambient intelligence (intelligent surfaces). Ynvisible offers a mix of services, materials and technology to brand owners developing smart objects and IoT products. Additional information on Ynvisible is available at www.ynvisible.com. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release include statements regarding the closing of the Private Placement, the timing of the closing of the Private Placement, the use of proceeds from the Private Placement and the receipt of requisite regulatory approvals. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding looking wording such as "may", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "intend", "believe" and "continue" or the negative thereof or similar variations. 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, including but not limited to, market and other conditions, volatility in the trading price of the Common Shares, risks relating to the ability of the Company to obtain the requisite regulatory approvals relating to the Private Placement, business, economic and capital market conditions; the ability to manage operating expenses, which may adversely affect the Company's financial condition; the ability to remain competitive as other better financed competitors develop and release competitive products; regulatory uncertainties; access to equipment; market conditions and the demand and pricing for products; Ynvisible's relationships with its customers and business partners; Ynvisible's ability to successfully release new products in a timely manner that meet customers' needs; the ability to attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel; competition in the industry; the impact of technology changes on the products and industry; failure to develop new and innovative products; the ability to successfully maintain and enforce our intellectual property rights and defend third-party claims of infringement of their intellectual property rights; the impact of intellectual property litigation that could materially and adversely affect the business; the ability to manage working capital; and the dependence on key personnel. Ynvisible may not actually achieve its plans, projections, or expectations. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including the demand for its products, that there will be no regulation or law that will prevent the Company from operating its business, anticipated costs, the ability to secure sufficient capital to complete its business plans and the ability to achieve its goals. Given these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company 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, the Company undertakes no obligation to comment on the expectations of, or statements made by third parties in respect of the matters discussed above. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210514005306/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 14, 2021] Accomplished Class of STEM Teachers Selected as Albert Einstein Educator Fellows Eighteen K-12 science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) teachers from across the United States have been named 2021-2022 Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellows. The fellows will spend 11 months serving in a Federal agency or U.S. Congressional office in Washington, D.C., engaged in the national STEM education arena. The Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship (AEF) Program provides a unique opportunity for accomplished K-12 STEM educators to apply their extensive classroom knowledge and experiences to their host offices to inform Federal STEM education efforts. The 2021-2022 Einstein Fellows are as follows: Kama Almasi - Toledo Junior/Senior High School, Toledo, OR Lesley Anderson - High Tech High School, San Diego, CA (News - Alert) Svea Anderson - Flowing Wells Junior High School, Tucson, AZ Shakiyya Bland - Lawrence Public Schools, Lawrence, KS Kelly Day - Westfield Middle School, Westfield, IN Sergio de Alba - R. M. Miano Elementary School, Los Banos, CA Peter DeCraene - Evanston Township High School, Evanston, IL Michael Guarraia - The Park School of Baltimore, Baltimore, MD Christine Hirst - Arroyo Seco Junior High School, Valencia, CA Chanda Jefferson - Fairfield Central High School, Winnsboro, SC Ashley Kearney - Ron Brown College Preparatory High School, Washington, DC Stephanie Klixbull - Pinewood Preparatory School, Summerville, SC Kathryn Kogge - Murray Community School, Charlottesville, VA Laura Larkin - Sequoia High School, Redwood City, CA olly Miller - Riverside Intermediate School, Fishers, IN Michael Vargas - Pinnacle High School, Phoenix, AZ Selene Willis - Shorecrest Preparatory School, St. Petersburg, FL The 2021-2022 Einstein Fellows come from K-12 schools across the country and represent diverse teaching backgrounds-with expertise in science, engineering, computer science and mathematics. Federal agencies and U.S. Congressional Offices will benefit from Fellows' real-world experiences as educators. In return, Einstein Fellows will gain understanding of the role of the Federal Government in the U.S. education enterprise, knowledge of resources available to students and educators, and broader perspectives on national education issues that can be applied to the classroom or to leadership positions in their districts or elsewhere. The AEF Program, now celebrating its 31st year of operation, is managed by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science's Office of Workforce Development for Teachers and Scientists in collaboration with the sponsoring agencies and the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE). Sponsoring agencies for the 2021-2022 Einstein Fellows include DOE, the Library of Congress, the Department of Defense, the US Geological Survey, the Smithsonian Institution, the Department of Interior, the Department of Homeland Security, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. In addition to sponsoring placements at DOE headquarters, DOE sponsors five placements in U.S. Congressional offices. The Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) is a world-class DOE institute designed to strengthen a scientific workforce; promote the integrity of scientific research through peer review; provide 24/7 medical response to radiation accidents; evaluate human health data to protect workers from occupational hazards; and conduct independent environmental cleanup assessments. Like us on Facebook (News - Alert) : https://www.facebook.com/AEFProgram/ Follow us on Twitter (News - Alert) : @AEF_Program View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210514005330/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 14, 2021] Will The Courts Permanently Change Procedures Due To The Pandemic? SACRAMENTO, Calif, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Frederick Penney, founding partner of Penney and Associates Injury Lawyers, discusses what changes have been made to the court system since the pandemic. He analyzes whether the courts will keep the new changes that include more relaxed filing procedures and allowing individuals and attorneys to appear remotely. https://www.penneylawyers.com/ . Every court seems to be using video conferencing via Zoom, BlueJeans, Pexip, Polycom, Cisco, Lifesize, and other platforms to hold hearings remotely during 2020 and 2021. Using any of these platform names is meant to use the term generally as video conferencing. Ever since the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act was passed the courts have changed the way they handle court proceedings. They have allowed more video conferencing and media and public access to electronic criminal proceedings, arraignments, detention hearings, misdemeanor pleas, etc. The courts have had to dramatically change their systems to allow more remote access as individuals were unable to meet in person due to state rules concerning meeting in person during the pandemic. https://www.uscourts.gov/news/2020/04/08/courts-deliver-justice-virtually-amid-coronavirus-outbreak Many courts have now placed rules on video conferencing which must be strictly followed. Every court has its own set of rules and regulations and all parties need to follow those rules. For example, in the United States Court of Federal Claims there is a full page of rules concerning how to conduct oneself while video conferencing. https://www.uscfc.uscourts.gov/video-conferencing-guidance . Some are thinking that the days are gone where almost everyone had to show up in person to court and follow strict specific courtroom attire, etiquette, and rules. The focus of this article is to review some of the positive and negative issues surrounding video conferencing in court and through the litigation process. As a practicing California trial attorney I do have some concerns or worries about the technology, security, and use of video conferencing. What is going to happen if someone is in the background on the video conferencing with the court and they accidentally unmute their microphone? Some things might be heard that the court or individuals on the call do not or should not hear. INCIDENCES ON ZOOM DURING COURT PROCEEDINGS Some interesting things have happened since the courts have allowed video conferencing for court appearances. Probably the most famous and viral video is of a lawyer on Zoom with two other lawyers appearing before a judge and one of the lawyers zoom picture was a cute white cat on the screen instead of the lawyer. Apparently, the attorney was using his assistant's computer and she failed to take off the filter making the individual on the screen look like a cat. The judge reminded the attorney that he was appearing as a cat and the lawyer acknowledged that and told the judge he was ready to proceed with the hearing and that he was not a cat. Luckily, everyone got a kick out of the funny mistake and nobody was disciplined. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGOofzZOyl8 . The San Jose Mercury News reported another embarrassing mistake by an insurance adjuster that occurred in San Jose, California. The court had allowed individuals to appear by phone and video conferencing. Judge Roberta Hayashi was in the process of setting up the jury seating due to Corona Virus issues when someone was heard saying something in a very clear voice over the phone. Unbeknownst to this insurance adjuster he failed to mute his microphone and he blurted out "this f judge is an idiot". At the time nobody knew who was speaking and the judge was very calm and collected and simply stated, "well I'm sorry you think I'm an idiot, but I really think you ought to mute your microphone before you say that." The judge then said a few other things and cleared out the jury from the courtroom. She then attempted to find out who said those choice words but there were several people that were participating remotely making it difficult to find the culprit. She finally found out who it was and after a long discussion decided not to dismiss the case as the jury did not know who said the words or whose side the insurance adjuster was on. In fact, the jury never knew the speaker was an insurance adjuster. https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/05/04/san-jose-hot-mic-catches-insurance-rep-say-this-f-ing-judge-is-an-idiot-in-car-crash-trial/ A video conference call to a court had a positive effect on a Michigan hearing where the court, attorneys and parties were on a video conferencing hearing concerning an alleged assault by Coby James Harris against his then girlfriend Mary Lindsey. Mr. Harris had been released from jail on bond under the condition that he was to not have any contact with Mary Lindsey. However, Ms. Lindsey's attorney noticed something on the zoom and believed that it was Mr. Harris in the same room as Ms. Lindsey. After further inquiry from the Judge and attorney's, it was determined that Mr. Harris had violated his bond and was at the home of Ms. Lindsey on the video conferencing. Soon the police were at Mary Lindsey's home arresting Mr. Harris. A possible disaster was diverted by the latest video conference court hearing. https://www.fox23.com/news/trending/mans-zoom-court-hearing-ends-with-handcuffs-after-hes-found-attending-victims-home/GPHIUF67DNDUFDQHOGX6NY25RE/ . On February 25, 2021, in Sacramento, California, Dr. Scott Green was performing plastic surgery on a patient when he had to appear in traffic court. His surgeries were taking longer than expected and he had an assistant hold the phone on a video conference call with a court over a traffic incident. Present was the police officer, the surgeon, and the judge. It is important to note that the doctor had another surgeon with him taking over while he was on the video conference call with the judge. There were also no videos taken of the patient and the patients name was not known. The video shows the doctor in his scrubs, mask and gloves and the operating light above. Shocked the Judge asked the doctor if he was in surgery and the doctor acknowledged that he was. Incensed, the Judge continued the trial to allow the doctor to appear for his alleged traffic violation via video conferencing when he was not in surgery. https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20210304/surgeon-who-participated-in-zoom-court-hearing-fights-back On February 22, 2021, Bay County Michigan's Michael Wright was appearing before the court via video conferencing with no shirt on. However, it became more obvious that he was not wearing much else. The judge stated, "Sir you'reyou'renaked". Mr. Wright was then advised by Judge Joe Sheeran to put on some clothes for the video conference hearing. The hearing was paused while Mr. Wright got appropriately dressed for the occasion. https://www.abc12.com/2021/02/26/bay-county-judge-scolds-man-for-appearing-nude-on-zoom-court-hearing/ . These are just a few examples of issues occurring in court due to allowing remote access to the court hearings. As this continues there are bound to be more and more interesting, scary, and funny moments during live court video conferencing. CHANGES OTHER THAN VIDEO CONFERENCING As an attorney of almost thirty years, I have seen court rules change over the years. Generally, the changes are subtle and not too drastic. The old rules about appearances, dress, demeanor, and court rules about sending documents to the other parties involved in a lawsuit were very strict. Things have dramatically changed and in a matter of months. After the pandemic hit, some courts began to allow attorneys to send document requests and responses to other parties via facsimile or e-mail. The courts are now allowing these venues of communication to be deemed officially served on a party. This became more and more prevalent by the end of 2020 and the beginning of 2021. Now parties, courts, and attorneys are getting used to these quicker and more efficient ways to send notices and get work done. Before the changes due to the pandemic, the amount of time to serve parties and appear in court was daunting and an attorney could only do so much work. Now with the allowance by the courts of most litigation discovery and hearings via video or phone conferencing the attorneys are able, with less effort, to get more work done. Will this trend continue, I believe it will to some extent especially as the courts and attorney's get used to the idea of doing more things quicker, more efficient, and right from the comforts from their home or office? WHAT OTHER LAWYERS THINK OF THE NEW RELAXED RULES Attorney Todd Kuhnen, one of the hosts of the nationally syndicated radio show Radio Law Talk, sat down with me to answer a few questions about the latest issues and future of courts becoming more oriented and accepting of remote appearances. https://radiolawtalk.com/radio-law-talk-voices/ . Frederick Penney: How long have you been practicing law and what is your area of practice? Todd Kuhnen: I am a criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor for 10 years and have been in private practice for about 6 years in California. I am also the co-host of the nationally syndicated radio show Radio Law Talk. I also am an actor and have been a voice actor in major video games. I have also been the lead in several commercials on television. Frederick Penney: Prior to the pandemic how quick were the courts making technology changes? For example, were they allowing video conferencing prior to the pandemic? Todd Kuhnen: The topic of discussion was always coming up about future video appearances, but there did not seem to be an urgency to change the way the courts were requiring attorneys and individuals to personally appear in court. This was just the norm. Technology was coming along, and the court seemed to embrace some of that technology but in a cautious manner so as not to cause any issues with the integrity of people showing up to court in person. Frederick Penney: Have you noticed that the courts allowed more video appearances once the pandemic hit? Do you think this was on their own volition or that they were forced to make these dramatic changes? Todd Kuhnen: Very much so, they were forced to adapt quickly. One of the things that slows the court down is the pleasantries the how are you type of salutations when you appear live. With video conferencing a lot of that is done away with and it is more like you get in and get out much quicker. When you are live in court sometimes there are other matters in front of you and you must patiently wait for your turn. When you are remote you can get other work done while you are waiting your turn to appear. Frederick Penney: Tell me a few of the changes that have occurred with discovery and the court hearings since the pandemic started in early 2020? Todd Kuhnen: Some examples of the changes is that almost all the discovery is provided electronically via e-mail. I am told to go to a portal and download discovery and that is new. Before there were more formal document productions and required mailings. Appearances are now more liberally allowed via telephone or video conferencing especially if it is early in the case. If the case has been lingering for awhile the judges are more prone to tell the parties to come in and talk over the case. Another change is doing hearings via video conferencing which I do not really like because it is difficult. Frederick Penney: How is it more difficult? Todd Kuhnen: When it comes to cross examination, I rely somewhat on the body language and actions of the party being cross-examined and it is more difficult to read that body language if it is telephonic or via video conferencing. Also, it is difficult to know whether someone is in the room with the witness. I always bring a motion or request that nobody be in the room with the person being examined but I do not know, or it would be difficult to prove if someone is in the room with the deponent. I will give you a quick example. Recently there was a case in Michigan where there was a domestic violence preliminary hearing with a protective order in place that did not allow the boyfriend to be in contact with his then victim. During the hearing it was clear that he was in the same room with the victim while she was testifying. This is the problem with the video conferencing and not making people show up to court live where the judge has more control and see what is going on. Frederick Penney: Do you like the new changes? Todd Kuhnen: In general, for routine video appearances, yes I like the new system, but for contested hearings or trials, no. Frederick Penney: Have these changes helped or hurt the integrity of the court system? Todd Kuhnen: Both, as I explained the judge needs to keep things in order and many times it is difficult for the judge over zoom. In the courtroom people are there and he can take more immediate action. Frederick Penney: What things have you had to do to adjust to the new remote system the courts have put into place? Todd Kuhnen: I have made sure that I have a very reliable internet connection for every remote hearing, and I stopped letting my kids use my dedicated computer or phone for the court proceedings. I do not want to be a cat on the call. Ha Ha. Frederick Penney: Do you think the future courtroom experience will be more remote as time goes on? Todd Kuhnen: I cannot predict the future, but I will say this. After a year of this if the court feels like things have been handled more efficiently without an impact of the integrity of the court system, then it will stay. But that is for the courts to decide. Stay tuned. The future of the court's use of technology and remote appearances is in some areas here to stay, as the pandemic caused the courts to have to ramp up quicker than expected. However, there will be some further changes to the system to make it more efficient and not so burdensome on some that may be able to perform lower priority court procedures and hearings more remotely. There is only one way to go and that is forward with the courts catching up to the technology of the day. Stay tuned, a year from now we will probably have a better understanding of what the courts keep in place. View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/will-the-courts-permanently-change-procedures-due-to-the-pandemic-301291754.html SOURCE Penney and Associates [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-15 01:04:09|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HEFEI, May 14 (Xinhua) -- East China's Anhui Province on Friday reported two confirmed case and seven asymptomatic carriers of COVID-19 in the city of Lu'an. Since Thursday, the province has reported a total of five confirmed cases of COVID-19, including two in the provincial capital of Hefei and three in Lu'an, and seven asymptomatic cases in Lu'an. One newly confirmed case is a resident of the city's Yu'an District and has been identified as a colleague of a previously confirmed case, said the emergency epidemic prevention and control headquarters of the province. The other confirmed case, a 37-year-old man, is also from Yu'an District and had visited a community where a previously confirmed case had stayed. By 2 a.m. Friday, the province had tracked 2,958 people including close contacts of the cases. More than 83,000 people in cities of Hefei and Lu'an had been sampled. Dong Mingpei, deputy director with the provincial health commission, said the previously reported four confirmed cases have not been vaccinated against COVID-19. Since Friday morning, residents in Hefei have queued up at vaccination sites to receive COVID-19 vaccines. Some sites have prolonged their service time or even run around the clock. As of Thursday, a total of 8.85 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in the province, with about 2 million people receiving both doses. Enditem [May 14, 2021] Kitt Wakeley Releases New Single "Forgive Me" Featuring Joe Satriani On May 14 LOS ANGELES, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Songwriter/composer/arranger/producer Kitt Wakeley will release a new single featuring the best-selling instrumental rock guitarist of all time, Joe Satriani, on Friday, May 14th on all major DSPs, including Amazon, Apple Music, Spotify, and more. "Forgive Me" is Wakeley's second song to feature Satriani and the third single overall from his upcoming album, Symphony of Sinners and Saints, which will be released Friday, May 21st. To view the "Forgive Me" video, click here. Wakeley's previous track with Satriani, "Conflicted" debuted on Mar. 13th at No. 1 on Billboard magazine's "Hard Rock Digital Song Sales" chart, No. 6 on the Billboard "Rock Digital Song Sales" chart, and No. 18 on Billboard's "Hot Hard Rock Songs" chart. His most recent single, "Sinners and Saints," debuted on three Billboard magazine charts, including at No. 1 on the "Hard Rock Digital Song Sales" chart, and on the May 1 charts at No. 4 on the "Rock Digital Song Sales" chart and No. 15 on the "Hot Hard Rock Songs" chart. With Wakeley on keyboards, "Forgive Me" also features the talents of celebrated UK ensemble the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO), bassist Ryan Miller, drummer Brent Berry, guitarist Paige Harwell, and the London Voices choir (Paul McCartney, Luciano Pavarotti, the Hunger Games series). The song was composed, arranged, and co-produced by Wakeley and co-produced, engineered, and mixed by three-time Grammy Award-winner Tre Nagella (Lady Gaga, Blake Shelton, Snoop Dogg). Boasting a cinematic hybrid of orchestral music, rock, and EDM, featuring stunning compositions, heavy guitar riffs, and thundering drums, Symphony of Sinners and Saints was recorded in October 2020 at London's famed Abbey Road Studios. At those sessions, the RPO was conducted by Cliff Masterson (Little Mix, Kylie Minogue, Il Divo, Oasis). Symphony of Sinners and Saints tracklist: "Wicked Ways" "Sinners and Saints" "Forgive Me" featuring Joe Satriani "Hello Again" "Conflicted" featuring Joe Satriani "No Apologies" "Requiem of the Fallen" "You Gave Me Wings" "Echoes of Amadeus" "End of My Journey " In addition to the musicians listed above, the album also features the talents of guitarists Andy Timmons (Danger Danger, Pink, Olivia Newton-John) and Daniel Uribe, Grammy-nominated pianist Paul Loomis, and Dallas' Gospel of Light Choir. The album was co-produced, engineered, and mixed by Nagella at Luminous Sound Studios in Dallas, TX. www.kittwakeley.com For album reviews: click here for a download Symphony of Sinners and Saints and click here for a stream (please do not share these links with the public). View the embeddable Symphony of Sinners and Saints EPK with footage from Abbey Road here. Kitt Wakeley is available for interviews. Media Contact : Erik Stein Scoop Marketing estein@solters.com View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kitt-wakeley-releases-new-single-forgive-me-featuring-joe-satriani-on-may-14-301291459.html SOURCE Kitt Wakeley [May 14, 2021] HOPE TOKEN Raised $100K to donate to Save the Children in only 3 weeks Montreal, QC, May 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (via Blockchain Wire) In an emotional livestream HOPE TOKEN kicked-off their first monthly donation on 5th May 2021, awarding $100k to Save the Children International. Defying the common tone of anonymity found in the crypto space, the Hope development team, who flag transparency as their core value, made a very public transaction of the donation. The broadcast was shared with an audience of loyal crypto investors who support $HOPE, joined by the common vision of developing products to help bridge the crypto space with humanitarian aid. On behalf of Save the Children, were honoured to be the very first charitable beneficiary of the Hope Token. Your token does what it says- It provides hope... Said Ettore Rossetti, Senior Director of Digital Marketing and Social Innovation at Save the Children, who received the award during the livesteam. Photo Available Here ..Youve done it! You have raised a lot of money in a short period of time which demonstrates one thing: a few people committed to the same cause can truly change the world- E.R. Hopes unique tokenomics, which tax transactions in order to fund the donations, encourage exponential price growth benefits for both investors and charities because they reinvest 20% of their monthly donation amount back into their ecosystem. In the case of this first donation, Save the Children received $80K in one instalment and the remaining $20K, although committed to Save the Children, were re-injected into $HOPE and will be released to the charity in smaller amounts over the next 36 months. The profits made from holding this 20% in Hopes ecosystem for 3 years will be split amongst holders and marketing funds. $HOPE makes at least one donation per month, so this number will grow exponentially over time. The recent surge of charity tokens in the bsc space cannot go unnoticed, however their reputation has been often tainted with fraudulent activity made in the name of good causes. $Hope stands out for being a solid project with a robust charitable roadmap covering a wide range of aid sectors plus a dedicated emergency natural disaster relief fund. In only 3 weeks, the project has shown an unprecedented level of transparency, which has been further legitimized today by this new and very public relationship with Save the Children International. Visit the Hope Token Website Metodi Chukovski sales@cryptoken.media https://hope-token.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 14, 2021] Webscale Secures Investment from Neythri Futures Fund I SANTA CLARA, Calif., May 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Webscale , the Cloud Platform for Modern Commerce, today announced that it has secured investment from Neythri Futures Fund , extending its already announced round of $26 million in growth capital financing from investors and Silicon Valley Bank. The Series C round in March 2021 was led by BGV, STCAP Ventures and Mohr Davidow Ventures, with participation from Grotech Ventures. This is Neythri Futures Fund's inaugural investment. The fund has been established with a mission to position South Asian women front and center as key investors and stakeholders, and offers an opportunity to influence and spearhead technology innovation. Webscale has been led by CEO Sonal Puri since 2015. An Indian American, Sonal is one of the leading voices in the B2B SaaS segment, and one of its most prominent women leaders. She has been an active member of Neythri , a global community of 1600+ South Asian women professionals, since its inception in 2020. Recently launched, the Neythri Futures Fund is a sister organization of Neythri.org. The investment from Neythri Futures Fund, their first globally, is a validation of the platform we have developed to deliver ecommerce through the power of cloud computing and automation, said Sonal Puri, CEO, Webscale. Neythris mission to empower and nurture South Asian women professionals is truly commendable and we are delighted to have the guidance and expertise of their investors, Limited Partners and subject matter experts. A recent report from PitchBook Data notes that female investors are twice as likely to invest in companies with female founders, and three times as likely in companies with emale CEOs. However, fewer than 10% of all VC partners are women, and only one in every 400 venture capital partners in the US is a woman of South Asian origin. Neythri aims to challenge this status quo and improve the participation of women, especially South Asian women, in the VC ecosystem, by supporting the business ventures they lead. A systemic change is required to push women of color to the forefront of the global funding ecosystem and Neythri is that force, said Mythili Sankaran, Managing Partner and Co-founder, Neythri Futures Fund. A small but historic step in that direction is our decision to invest in Webscale, and in Sonal, an inspiring South Asian woman business leader who has been instrumental in growing her company from a fledgling startup, to the defacto standard for ecommerce cloud success. About Webscale Webscale is the worlds only cloud platform for the successful delivery of modern commerce applications. Offering enterprise-grade security, predictive scalability and blazing-fast performance, the Webscale SaaS platform leverages automation and DevOps protocols to simplify the deployment, management and maintenance of infrastructure. The platform supports omni channel use cases across a variety of ecommerce platforms and architectures, including headless, progressive web applications, self-hosted and fully hosted commerce clouds. Deployed in multi-cloud environments, including Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud Platform, and Microsoft Azure, Webscale powers Fortune 1000 brands including Dollar General, Watsco, Regal Cinemas and thousands of other B2C, B2B, and B2E ecommerce storefronts across 12 countries. Webscale has offices in Santa Clara, CA, Boulder, CO, San Antonio, TX, Bangalore, India and London, UK. For more information, visit www.webscale.com . Follow us on LinkedIn , Twitter , and Facebook . About Neythri Futures Fund The Neythri Futures Fund invests in female founders and diverse founding teams building innovative tech-enabled solutions for the global market. South Asian women are the key investors and stakeholders of the fund. While distinct from Neythri.org, the Neythri Futures Fund taps into the talented and growing base of South Asian female leaders represented in the Neythri community. The Neythri Futures Fund offers South Asian women the opportunity to expand their knowledge base, amplify their influence, and strengthen their financial position by entering and participating in the investment arena. We have a compelling opportunity to do all of this while advancing the representation of both South Asian women investors and diverse teams of entrepreneurs. With a breadth of backgrounds and experiences, we are a group of successful South Asian leaders Invested. Together. For more information, visit www.neythrifuturesfund.com Media Contact: Andrew Humber Webscale ah@webscale.com [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 14, 2021] Texas, Minnesota, Ohio Students to Hear from Astronauts in Space WASHINGTON, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Students from several states across the nation will have an opportunity next week to hear from astronauts aboard the International Space Station. The Earth-to-space calls will air live on NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency's website. All events will take place virtually. On Monday, May 17, at 1:10 p.m. EDT, NASA astronaut Megan McArthur will answer prerecorded video questions from students across the greater Houston area coordinated by the Ismaili Council for the Southwestern United States. Participating students are from the Aldine, Alief, Fort Bend, Houston, and Stafford school districts, as well as the private Awty International, Etoile Academy, The Honor Roll, and The Village Schools. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner will offer prerecorded opening remarks. Media interested in covering it should contact Alim Adatia at: 832-605-5296 or aadatia@gmail.com. On Tuesday, May 18, at 11:30 a.m., NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei will answer prerecorded video questions fro students from Oak Ridge Elementary School of Leadership, Environmental and Health Sciences in Eagan, Minnesota. Oak Ridge Elementary's third graders have been engaged in an in-depth unit of space study in anticipation of the event. Media interested in covering it should contact Emily Buss at: 651-423-7746 or emily.buss@district196.org. On Wednesday, May 19, at 10:40 a.m., NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Thomas Pesquet will answer prerecorded video questions from students from SciAccess, an initiative of Ohio State University's Department of Astronomy that strives to make astronomy accessible for visually impaired students. SciAccess and OSU Astronomy have partnered to create Zenith, a mentorship program for students with visual and hearing impairment who are passionate about space. The event will feature live Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) captioning. Media interested in covering the event should contact Anna Voelker at: 412-303-7317 or thesciaccessconference@gmail.com. Linking students directly to astronauts aboard the space station provides unique, authentic experiences designed to enhance student learning, performance, and interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Astronauts living in space on the orbiting laboratory communicate with NASA's Mission Control Center in Houston 24 hours a day through the Space Network's Tracking and Data Relay Satellites. For more than 20 years, astronauts have continuously lived and worked on the space station, testing technologies, performing science, and developing the skills needed to explore farther from Earth. Through NASA's Artemis program, the agency will return astronauts to the Moon, with eventual human exploration of Mars. Inspiring the next generation of explorers the Artemis Generation ensures America will continue to lead in space exploration and discovery. Follow America's Moon to Mars exploration at: https://www.nasa.gov/topics/moon-to-mars Follow NASA astronauts on social media at: https://www.twitter.com/NASA_astronauts See videos and lesson plans highlighting research on the International Space Station at: https://www.nasa.gov/stemonstation View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/texas-minnesota-ohio-students-to-hear-from-astronauts-in-space-301291841.html SOURCE NASA [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] CALL/ACBD 2021 Welcomes Lucidea's Unrivaled ILS and KM Solutions Lucidea, provider of leading innovative ILS and KM solutions SydneyEnterprise, GeniePlus and Inmagic Presto, will attend this year's virtual CALL/ACBD Conference on May 26th through June 4th. The Canadian Association of Law Libraries Conference is a great opportunity to update yourself on the latest information and research in the library field, including a look at how library automation and knowledge management applications-such as Lucidea provides-support high-performing libraries. Lucidea's software has helped mitigate the effects of the current pandemic on organizations, collections, and the profession by providing real-time access to critical information assets, even when physical access has been limited. Their ILS and KM products are purpose-built to suit unique needs as librarians adapt and change, and their development and updates are always client-driven. Join them on Wednesday June 2, 2021 at 3:25 pm DT when they present "From Chaos to KM in 20 Minutes" and learn how to create a single venue for managing, finding, and sharing your full portfolio of organizational knowledge resources. Meet their SydneyEnterprise, GeniePlus, and Inmagic Presto team members in their Virtual Exhibit Booth. When you visit the booth, download free eBooks from KM guru Stan Garfield and library expert and advocate Stephen Abram, or watch webinars of interest to special librarians and knowledge managers. Get product demonstrations and chat with Lucidea's experts about your ILS and KM system challenges. They'll also be holding a drawing to win a pair of Apple (News - Alert) AirPods. For further information about SydneyEnterprise, GeniePlus or Inmagic Presto, visit http://lucidea.com, phone 604 278 6717, or email sales@lucidea.com with your questions. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210514005491/en/ [May 14, 2021] Global TFT LCD Panel Market (2021 to 2026) - Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecasts DUBLIN, May 14, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "TFT LCD Panel Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2021-2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. TFT (Thin Film Transistor) is an active-matrix LCD along with an improved image quality where one transistor for every pixel controls the illumination of the display enabling an easy view even in bright environments. This technology currently represents the most popular LCD display technology and accounts for the majority of the global display market. Being light in weight, slim in construction, high in resolution with low power consumption, TFT's are gaining prominence in almost all the industries wherever displays are required. They find applications in various electronic goods such as cell phones, portable video game devices, televisions, laptops, desktops, etc. They are also used in automotive industry, navigation and medical equipment, laser pointer astronomy, SLR cameras and digital photo frames. According to the publisher, the global TFT LCD panel market reached a value of US$ 150.2 Billion in 2020. The report titled "TFT LCD Panel Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2021-2026" provides a detailed insight into the global TFT LCD panel market. The report has segmented the market on the basis of size, technology, applications and major regions. On the basis of size, large sized panels dominated the global TFT LCD display market. Large sized panels were followed by the medium and small sized TFT-LCD panels. On the basis of technology, the report found that the 8th generation represented the most popular TFT LCD technology. On the basis of applications, the television industry accounted for the largest share in the global TFT LCD market. The television industry was followed by mobile phones, mobile PCs, monitors and the automotive industry. Geography-wise, North America represented the largest market accounting for more than one-third of the total global TFT LCD panel sales. North America was followed by Asia-Pacific and Europe. The report has also covered some of the major players operating in this market which include LG, SAMSUNG, INNOLUX, AUO and SHARP. Looking forward, the publisher expects the global TFT LCD panel market to exhibit moderate growth during the next five years. This report provides a deep insight into the global TFT LCD panel industry covering all its essential aspects. This ranges from macro overview of the market to micro details of the industry performance, recent trends, key market drivers and challenges, SWOT analysis, Porter's five forces analysis, value chain analysis, etc. The report also provides a comprehensive analysis for setting up a TFT LCD manufacturing plant. The study analyses the manufacturing requirements, project cost, project funding, prject economics, expected returns on investment, profit margins, etc. This report is a must-read for entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, consultants, business strategists, and all those who have any kind of stake or are planning to foray into the TFT LCD panel industry in any manner. Key Questions Answered in This Report: 1. What is the market size for the global TFT LCD panel market? 2. What is the global TFT LCD panel market growth? 3. What are the global TFT LCD panel market drivers? 4. What are the key industry trends in the global TFT LCD panel market? 5. What is the impact of COVID-19 on the global TFT LCD panel market? 6. What is the global TFT LCD panel market breakup by size? 7. What is the global TFT LCD panel market breakup by application? 8. What are the major regions in the global TFT LCD panel market? 9. Who are the key companies/players in the global TFT LCD panel market? Key Topics Covered: 1 Preface 2 Scope and Methodology 3 Executive Summary 4 Introduction 4.1 Overview 4.2 Key Industry Trends 5 Global Display Industry 5.1 Market Overview 5.2 Market Performance 5.3 Market Breakup by Technology 5.4 Market Breakup by Application 5.5 Market Forecast 6 Global TFT-LCD Display Panel Industry 6.1 Market Overview 6.2 Market Performance 6.2.1 Volume Trends 6.2.2 Value Trends 6.3 Price Analysis 6.3.1 Key Price Indicators 6.3.2 Price Structure 6.3.3 Margin Analysis 6.4 Market Breakup by Region 6.5 Market Breakup by Size and Technology 6.6 Market Breakup by Application 6.7 Market Forecast 6.8 SWOT Analysis 6.8.1 Overview 6.8.2 Strengths 6.8.3 Weaknesses 6.8.4 Opportunities 6.8.5 Threats 6.9 Value Chain Analysis 6.9.1 Raw Material Procurement 6.9.2 Manufacturer 6.9.3 Marketing and Distribution 6.9.4 Retailer 6.9.5 Exporter 6.9.6 End-User 6.10 Porter's Five Forces Analysis 6.10.1 Overview 6.10.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers 6.10.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers 6.10.4 Degree of Competition 6.10.5 Threat of New Entrants 6.10.6 Threat of Substitutes 6.11 Key Market Drivers and Success Factors 7 TFT-LCD Display Panel Market: Breakup by Size 7.1 Large Size TFT-LCD Display Panel 7.1.1 Market Trends 7.1.2 Market Forecast 7.2 Medium and Small Size TFT-LCD Display Panel 7.2.1 Market Trends 7.2.2 Market Forecast 8 TFT-LCD Display Panel Market: Breakup by Application 8.1 Television 8.1.1 Market Trends 8.1.2 Market Forecast 8.2 Mobile Phones 8.2.1 Market Trends 8.2.2 Market Forecast 8.3 Mobile PCs 8.3.1 Market Trends 8.3.2 Market Forecast 8.4 Monitors 8.4.1 Market Trends 8.4.2 Market Forecast 8.5 Automotive 8.5.1 Market Trends 8.5.2 Market Forecast 8.6 Others 8.6.1 Market Trends 8.6.2 Market Forecast 9 TFT-LCD Display Panel Market: Performance of Key Regions 9.1 North America 9.1.1 Market Trends 9.1.2 Market Forecast 9.2 Asia Pacific 9.2.1 Market Trends 9.2.2 Market Forecast 9.3 Europe 9.3.1 Market Trends 9.3.2 Market Forecast 9.4 Middle East and Africa 9.4.1 Market Trends 9.4.2 Market Forecast 9.5 Latin America 9.5.1 Market Trends 9.5.2 Market Forecast 10 Competitive Landscape 10.1 Market Structure 10.2 Market Breakup by Key Players 11 TFT-LCD Display Panel Manufacturing Process 11.1 Product Overview 11.2 Detailed Process Flow 11.3 Various Types of Unit Operations Involved 11.4 Mass Balance and Raw Material Requirements 12 Project Details, Requirements and Costs Involved 12.1 Land Requirements and Expenditures 12.2 Construction Requirements and Expenditures 12.3 Plant Machinery 12.4 Raw Material Requirements and Expenditures 12.5 Packaging Requirements and Expenditures 12.6 Transportation Requirements and Expenditures 12.7 Utility Requirements and Expenditures 12.8 Manpower Requirements and Expenditures 12.9 Other Capital Investments 13 Loans and Financial Assistance 14 Project Economics 14.1 Capital Cost of the Project 14.2 Techno-Economic Parameters 14.3 Product Pricing and Margins Across Various Levels of the Supply Chain 14.4 Taxation and Depreciation 14.5 Income Projections 14.6 Expenditure Projections 14.7 Financial Analysis 14.8 Profit Analysis 15 Key Player Profiles 15.1 LG Electronics Inc. 15.1.1 Company Overview 15.1.2 Company Description 15.1.3 Operations 15.1.4 Strategy 15.1.5 SWOT Analysis 15.2 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. 15.2.1 Company Overview 15.2.2 Company Description 15.2.3 Operations 15.2.4 Strategy 15.2.5 SWOT Analysis 15.3 Innolux Corporation 15.3.1 Company Overview 15.3.2 Company Description 15.4 AU Optronics Corp. 15.4.1 Company Overview 15.4.2 Company Description 15.4.3 Operations 15.4.4 SWOT Analysis 15.5 Sharp Corporation 15.5.1 Company Overview 15.5.2 Company Description 15.5.3 Strategy 15.5.4 SWOT Analysis For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/22zc6s Media Contact: Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager press@researchandmarkets.com For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900 U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-tft-lcd-panel-market-2021-to-2026---industry-trends-share-size-growth-opportunity-and-forecasts-301291694.html SOURCE Research and Markets [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 14, 2021] University of Phoenix to Host Webcast Panel on Global Accessibility Awareness Day University of Phoenix today announced they will host a diversity webcast panel on Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), May 20, 2021 from 2:00 - 3:30 PM ET. The panel will examine leading practices on accessibility as part of diversity, equity and inclusion and what steps employers need to take within their companies to create a culture of accessibility that supports employees and customers. GAAD is a day to bring awareness to, and educate people globally on, the importance of digital accessibility for people with disabilities and impairments, including the more than one billion people who are blind or visually impaired, hard of hearing, or have motor and/or cognitive disabilities. In honor of GAAD, University of Phoenix also commissioned Harris Poll to survey 2,063 U.S. adults to better understand their perceptions of digital accessibility. The survey found that more than two in five employed adults (44%) have asked for at least one workplace accommodation due to disability. Of those who have requested workplace accommodations before, 65% said their needs changed during the pandemic, with 27% saying it changed significantly. "Organizations need to recognize that for individuals with disabilities, digital accessibility is essential to their ability to engage with, learn from and communicate via the digitalworld," said Kelly Hermann, Vice President of Accessibility, Equity & Inclusion at University of Phoenix. "This must be a part of diversity and inclusion programs for universities and businesses." Opening remarks will be given by Andrea Smiley, Vice President of Public Relations at University of Phoenix. Panelists will include: Kelly Hermann, Vice President of Accessibility, Equity & Inclusion at University of Phoenix Nora Vele, Executive Director of Global Diversity & Inclusion at Merck Girish Ganesan, Global Head of D&Q and Head of Talent at TD Bank Stephen Framil, Enterprise Digital Governance at Merck Moderating the panel will be Jane Oates, President of WorkingNation To learn more or register for the panel, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/inclusive-leadership-accessibility-and-inclusion-for-all-tickets-150922648705 Survey Methodology This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of University of Phoenix on April 16 - 20, 2021 among 2,063 U.S. adults aged 18 and older. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact Melany.Stroupe@phoenix.edu About University of Phoenix University of Phoenix is continually innovating to help working adults enhance their careers in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses and interactive learning help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. We serve a diverse student population, offering degree programs at select locations across the U.S. as well as online. For more information, visit phoenix.edu. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210514005513/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 14, 2021] Apple Hospitality REIT Recognizes Hotel Associates with 2020 Apple Awards Apple (News - Alert) Hospitality REIT, Inc. (NYSE: APLE) (the "Company" or "Apple Hospitality") today announced recipients of the Company's 2020 Apple Awards. The winners were chosen for their outstanding contributions in 2020. "We could not be more grateful for the exceptional operating teams at our hotels and their dedication to serving our guests with care during the most difficult year on record for the hotel industry," commented Justin Knight, Chief Executive Officer of Apple Hospitality. "Last year, associates at our hotels were faced with incredibly challenging circumstances as we worked to adapt to the evolving operating environment, with many taking on additional responsibilities. We are incredibly proud of their efforts. As a result, our 2020 Apple Awards are focused solely on the associates at our hotels, recognizing several individuals nominated by their management companies and peers for their outstanding contributions to the safety, well-being and overall satisfaction of our guests. I congratulate the 2020 winners and thank all of the associates at our hotels for their dedication to exceptional guest service and hotel performance." 2020 Apple Award Winners Apple Hospitality's 2020 Apple Awards are presented to five hotel associates in recognition of their exceptional hospitality and service during an incredibly difficult and turbulent year. These management company team members are willing and eager to do any task; they have received numerous compliments from guests for being helpful, welcoming, professional, caring and empathetic; and they exhibit leadership in acts both large and small. They consistently go above and beyond to make a positive impact at their hotels, inspiring others to do the same. The recipients of Apple Hospitality's 2020 Apple Awards are as follows: Paula Gonzalez - Paula serves as Assistant General Manager at the Homewood Suites by Hilton and Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton in Clovis, California, which are managed by Dimension Development Company. Paula is willing to take on additional responsibilities across departments and through her leadership has effectively cross-trained staff membes and built a cohesive, efficient team. During an incredibly tough year, she was a rock and morale champion, working countless hours, covering all departments when needed, keeping employees well-informed, working to ensure staffing levels at the hotel met improvements in demand, fostering relationships with key accounts, and taking charge of new regulations and procedures to ensure the health and safety of staff and guests. - Paula serves as Assistant General Manager at the Homewood Suites by Hilton and Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton in Clovis, California, which are managed by Dimension Development Company. Paula is willing to take on additional responsibilities across departments and through her leadership has effectively cross-trained staff membes and built a cohesive, efficient team. During an incredibly tough year, she was a rock and morale champion, working countless hours, covering all departments when needed, keeping employees well-informed, working to ensure staffing levels at the hotel met improvements in demand, fostering relationships with key accounts, and taking charge of new regulations and procedures to ensure the health and safety of staff and guests. Haiden Johnson - Haiden serves as Front Desk Agent at the Courtyard by Marriott in Kirkland, Washington, which is managed by InnVentures. Haiden treats every guest concern with sincere care and, through strong problem-solving skills and effective communication, provides thoughtful and effective solutions. Haiden models exemplary service, ensuring that every guest is treated with the same consideration and patience. During the last year, Haiden expanded his skill set, took on additional responsibilities, and effectively communicated updated hotel policies and practices with his team. - Haiden serves as Front Desk Agent at the Courtyard by Marriott in Kirkland, Washington, which is managed by InnVentures. Haiden treats every guest concern with sincere care and, through strong problem-solving skills and effective communication, provides thoughtful and effective solutions. Haiden models exemplary service, ensuring that every guest is treated with the same consideration and patience. During the last year, Haiden expanded his skill set, took on additional responsibilities, and effectively communicated updated hotel policies and practices with his team. Tom Loughran - Tom serves as Chief Engineer at the Hyatt House and Hyatt Place in Tempe, Arizona, which are managed by Crestline Hotels & Resorts, LLC. Tom was instrumental in the successful opening of the hotels during an especially challenging time in August 2020. Tom is a beacon of strength and has shown the Tempe team that nothing is impossible. - Tom serves as Chief Engineer at the Hyatt House and Hyatt Place in Tempe, Arizona, which are managed by Crestline Hotels & Resorts, LLC. Tom was instrumental in the successful opening of the hotels during an especially challenging time in August 2020. Tom is a beacon of strength and has shown the Tempe team that nothing is impossible. Guadalupe Olea - Guadalupe serves as Room & Suite Attendant at the Courtyard by Marriott in Santa Clarita, California, which is managed by Dimension Development Company. Guadalupe is energetic, always has a smile and treats every guest and associate as family. She is referred to as the "heart of the hotel," consistently going above and beyond to care for guests and fellow associates. - Guadalupe serves as Room & Suite Attendant at the Courtyard by Marriott in Santa Clarita, California, which is managed by Dimension Development Company. Guadalupe is energetic, always has a smile and treats every guest and associate as family. She is referred to as the "heart of the hotel," consistently going above and beyond to care for guests and fellow associates. Serenthia Pettway - Serenthia serves as Guest Service Representative at the Homewood Suites by Hilton in Montgomery, Alabama, which is managed by LBA Hospitality. Serenthia is meticulous with her work and consistently goes out of her way to make each guest feel special from the moment they arrive by learning their preferences, working to accommodate their requests and recognizing special occasions. During 2020, Serenthia stepped up in numerous ways to make sure the hotel ran seamlessly, taking on additional responsibilities from housekeeping and laundry to the coordination of breakfast and sanitization of entrances and public areas. Serenthia's perseverance and positive attitude even during tough times has been an encouragement to others. About Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc. (NYSE: APLE) is a publicly traded real estate investment trust ("REIT") that owns one of the largest and most diverse portfolios of upscale, rooms-focused hotels in the United States. Apple Hospitality's portfolio consists of 232 hotels with more than 29,700 guest rooms located in 88 markets throughout 35 states. Concentrated with industry-leading brands, the Company's portfolio consists of 103 Marriott-branded hotels, 124 Hilton-branded hotels, three Hyatt-branded hotels, and two independent hotels. For more information, please visit www.applehospitalityreit.com. For additional information or to receive press releases by email, visit www.applehospitalityreit.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210514005504/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 14, 2021] Digihost Provides Update on Deal to Acquire 9,900 Bitcoin Miners and Increase Hashrate by 925PH TORONTO, May 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Digihost Technology Inc. (Digihost or the Company) (TSXV: DGHI; OTCQB: HSSHF) provides an update on its acquisition of 9,900 Bitcoin (BTC) miners (the Miners) that will increase the Companys current hashrate by approximately 925PH to 1.145EH, previously announced in the Companys May 12, 2021 news release. The Company is funding the purchase of the Miners with capital from its equity financings closed since the beginning of 2021 of approximately CA$54,000,000. In connection with the purchase agreement with Northern Data AG (Northern Data) (ISIN: DE000A0SMU87; OTC: NDTAF) to acquire the Miners, the Company concurrently entered into a hosting agreement (the Hosting Agreement) with Northern Data in connection with the Miners, whereby Northern Data will provide services to the Company including the installation and hosting of the Miners. Northern Data will host the Miners in proprietary pre-manufactured performance optimized mobile data centers at the Companys facilities for a term of three years from the date that installation of the Miners at the Companys facilities is completed. The Miners are expected to be delivered and installed incrementally between August and December of this year, and will be 100% operational by January 2022. The Company anticipates the costs of developing systems to supply the mobile data centres with power from the facilities will be approximately US$4.5 million, which the Company will fund with capital from its previously completed equity financings. This US$4.5 million cost represents the capital expenditure costs for the 9,900 Miners, and additional costs will need to be incurred if the purchase agreement is expanded to up to 30,000 miners (press release May 12, 2021). The Company also wishes to clarify that the Companys forecast of approximately US$80 million of operating profit in 2022, disclosed in the May 12, 2021 news release, represents the anticipated operating profit from the Companys share of the profit from the Miners, as well as the operating profit from its existing operations. The forecast was based on BTC metrics on May 12, 2021, being an approximate US$57,000 price of BTC and hashing difficulty rates as of May 12, 2021. The forecast also assumes a hashrate of 1.145EH for 2022, as well as current electricity costs and other operating costs remaining constant. Profitability of mining BTC will be materially impacted by changes in BTC prices, increases in mining difficulty rates and changes in electricity costs. There can be no assurance that the price of BTC will remain at crrent levels or that forecasted operating profit will be realized. Michel Amar, the Companys CEO, stated: Since the beginning of the year, we have achieved operational milestones in support of our growth strategy. We are pleased to be in a position today to have the required funding, power capacity, and access to infrastructure to execute on our strategy for 2021 and beyond. About Digihost Technology Inc. Digihost Technology Inc. is a growth-oriented blockchain technology company primarily focused on Bitcoin mining. The Company's mining facilities are located in Upstate New York, and are equipped with 78.7 MW of low-cost power with the option to expand to 102MW. The Company is currently hashing at a rate of 200PH with potential to expand to a rate of 3EH upon the completion of the previously announced acquisition of a 60MW power plant. For further information, please contact: Digihost Technology Inc. www.digihost.ca Michel Amar, Chief Executive Officer T: 1-818-280-9758 Email: michel@digihost.ca Cautionary Statement Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. 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 Except for the statements of historical fact, this news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation that is based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Forward-looking information in this news release includes information about potential further improvements to profitability and efficiency across mining operations including as a result of acquisitions of equipment and infrastructure, potential for the Companys long-term growth, and the business goals and objectives of the Company. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to: the ability to obtain regulatory approval for and complete acquisitions of equipment and infrastructure on the terms as announced or at all; the ability to successfully integrate the acquisitions of equipment and infrastructure on an economic basis or at all; continued effects of the COVID19 pandemic may have a material adverse effect on the Companys performance as supply chains are disrupted and prevent the Company from operating its assets; a decrease in cryptocurrency pricing, volume of transaction activity or generally, the profitability of cryptocurrency mining; the forecasted operating profit of US$80 million in 2022 may not be realized; further improvements to profitability and efficiency may not be realized, and changes in digital currency prices, mining difficulty rates and electricity costs may effect profitability; the digital currency market; the Companys ability to successfully mine digital currency on the cloud; the Company may not be able to profitably liquidate its current digital currency inventory, or at all; a decline in digital currency prices may have a significant negative impact on the Companys operations; the volatility of digital currency prices; and other related risks as more fully set out in the Annual Information Form of the Company and other documents disclosed under the Companys filings at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking information in this news release reflects the current expectations, assumptions and/or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. In connection with the forward-looking information contained in this news release, the Company has made assumptions about: the current profitability in mining cryptocurrency (including pricing and volume of current transaction activity); profitable use of the Companys assets going forward; the Companys ability to profitably liquidate its digital currency inventory as required; historical prices of digital currencies and the ability of the Company to mine digital currencies on the cloud will be consistent with historical prices; and there will be no regulation or law that will prevent the Company from operating its business. The Company has also assumed that no significant events occur outside of the Company's normal course of business. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking information are reasonable, forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such information due to the inherent uncertainty therein. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [May 14, 2021] CYTODYN 72 HOUR DEADLINE ALERT: Former Louisiana Attorney General and Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC Remind Investors with Losses in Excess of $100,000 of Deadline in Class Action Lawsuits Against CytoDyn, Inc. - CYDY Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, the former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have only until May 17, 2021 to file lead plaintiff applications in securities class action lawsuits against CytoDyn, Inc. (OTC: CYDY), if they purchased the Company's securities between March 27, 2020 through March 9, 2021, inclusive (the "Class Period"). These actions are pending in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington. What You May Do If you purchased securities of CytoDyn and would like to discuss your legal rights and how these cases might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email (lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com), or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/otc-cydy/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in the class actions, you must petition the Courts by May 17, 2021. About the Lawsuits CytoDyn and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws. On March 5, 2021, the Company issued a press release purporting to tout the positive trial results of its product Leronlimab, stating in part, that "the Phase 3 trial of Leronlimab for the treatment of severe-to-critical patients with COVID-19 demonstrated continued safety, substantial improvement in the survival rate, and faster hospital discharge in critically ill COVID-19 patients"; however, as subsequently highlighted by industry analysts in the following days, the Company also disclosed that "[a]mongst all patients in mITT, the primary endpoint (all-cause mortality at Day 28) was not statistically significant." On this news, shares of CytoDyn plummeted. The first-filed case is Lewis v. CytoDyn, Inc., No. 3:21-cv-05190 About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC KSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. KSF serves a variety of clients - including public institutional investors, hedge funds, money managers and retail investors - in seeking to recover investment losses due to corporate fraud and malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, California and Louisiana. To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210514005561/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-15 01:15:17|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close The U.S. flag waves in the wind at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, Russia, on April 16, 2021. (Xinhua/Evgeny Sinitsyn) The diplomatic mission of the Czech Republic would be granted permission to hire 19 employees from Russia, while the U.S. diplomatic mission is forbidden to hire locals. MOSCOW, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Russia has included the United States and the Czech Republic in a list of countries that have been classified as "unfriendly," according to a document published Friday on the country's official legal information portal. "To approve the attached list of foreign states committing unfriendly actions against Russia, citizens of Russia or Russian legal entities, against which countermeasures established by the decree of Russian President [Vladimir Putin] dated April 23, 2021, No. 243 ... shall be applied," the document read. According to the document, the diplomatic mission of the Czech Republic would be granted permission to hire 19 employees from Russia, while the U.S. diplomatic mission is forbidden to hire locals. Earlier in April, Putin signed a decree on countermeasures to "unfriendly actions" of foreign states amid an intensified diplomatic row with the United States and some European countries. The government has since formed a list of foreign countries "committing unfriendly actions" toward the Russian Federation, Russian citizens or legal entities. These countries will either receive a cap on the number of locally hired employees or be completely banned from employing Russian staff at their diplomatic missions. [May 14, 2021] BIGG Digital Assets Inc. Provides Bi-Weekly Status Update VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BIGG Digital Assets Inc. ("BIGG" or the "Company") (CSE: BIGG; OTCQX: BBKCF; WKN: A2PS9W), further to its news release of May 3, 2021, the Company expects to file its annual financial statements and related MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2020 (collectively, the "Annual Filings") on or about May 28, 2021. The filing delay is directly related to the volume of audit testing required given the significant growth experienced by the Company in 2020, are unique to the emerging cryptocurrency industry and are not expected to continue in the future. BIGG confirms that since it announced a delay of its Annual Filings (the Filings Notice) there is no material change to the information set out in the Filings Notice that has not been generally disclosed and there has been no failure by the Company in fulfilling its stated intentions with respect to satisfying the provision of the alternative information guidelines set out in NP 12-203. Management is working diligently with the Companys auditors to meet the Companys obligations related to its Annual Filings and that, while subject to the Management Cease Trade Order (MCTO), the Company will continue to comply with the provisions of the alternative information guidelines under NP 12-203 by issuing bi-weekly status reports until it has satisfied the necessary filing requirements. On behalf of the Board Mark Binns CEO mark@biggdigitalassets.com T:+1.844.515.2646 About BIGG Digital Assets Inc. BIGG Digital Assets Inc. (BIGG) believes the future of crypto is a safe, compliant, and regulated environment. BIGG invests in products and companies to support this vision. BIGG owns two operating companies: Blockchain Intelligence Group ( blockchaingroup.io ) and Netcoins ( netcoins.ca ). Blockchain Intelligence Group (BIG) has developed a Blockchain-agnostic search and analytics engine, QLUETM, enabling Law Enforcement, RegTech, Regulators and Government Agencies to visually track, trace and monitor cryptocurrency transactions at a forensic level. Our commercial product, BitRank Verified, offers a risk score for cryptocurrencies, enabling RegTech, banks, ATMs, exchanges, and retailers to meet traditional regulatory/compliance requirements. Netcoins develops brokerage and exchange software to make the purchase and sale of cryptocurrency easily accessible to the mass consumer and investor with a focus on compliance and safety. Netcoins utilizes BitRank Verified software at the heart of its platform and facilitates crypto trading via a self-serve crypto brokerage portal at Netcoins.app . For more information and to register to BIGGs mailing list, please visit our website at https://www.biggdigitalassets.com . Or visit SEDAR at www.sedar.com . Forward-Looking Statements: Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which include completion of the search technology software and other matters. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as may, expect, estimate, anticipate, intend, believe and continue or the negative thereof or similar variations. 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. These assumptions, risks and uncertainties include, among other things, the state of the economy in general and capital markets in particular, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of BIGG. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because BIGG can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from BIGGs expectations include, consumer sentiment towards BIGGs products and Blockchain technology generally, technology failures, competition, and failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, BIGG 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, BIGG undertakes no obligation to comment on the expectations of, or statements made by, third parties in respect of the matters discussed above. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] NASHVILLE, Tenn. Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced the end of all federally funded pandemic unemployment compensation programs in Tennessee, effective July 3. We will no longer participate in federal pandemic unemployment programs because Tennesseans have access to more than 250,000 jobs in our state, said Gov. Lee. Families, businesses and our economy thrive when we focus on meaningful employment and move on from short-term, federal fixes. Gov. Lees letter to the U.S. Department of Labor can be viewed here. Federal pandemic unemployment programs set to end on July 3 include the following: Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) , which provides for an additional $300 weekly payment to recipients of unemployment compensation , which provides for an additional $300 weekly payment to recipients of unemployment compensation Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) , which provides benefits for those who would not usually qualify, such as the self-employed, gig workers and part-time workers , which provides benefits for those who would not usually qualify, such as the self-employed, gig workers and part-time workers Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) , which provides for an extension of benefits once regular benefits have been exhausted , which provides for an extension of benefits once regular benefits have been exhausted Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation (MEUC), which provides an additional $100 benefit to certain people with mixed earnings Unemployment claimants in Tennessee have been required to complete three weekly job searches in order to remain eligible for benefits since Oct. 4, 2020. Any weeks filed before July 3 that are eligible under federal program requirements will continue to be processed. The Tennessee Workforce Development System stands ready to help Tennesseans return to the workforce. Career specialists are available to help job seekers match with new employment opportunities at more than 80 American Job Centers across the state. They can work to identify possible training programs that can help an individual change their career pathway or enter an apprenticeship program so they can earn a competitive wage, while the learn a new trade. The Tennessee Virtual American Job Center, www.TNVirtualAJC.com allows Tennesseans to research different programs that can help remove barriers to employment so they can more easily reenter Tennessees workforce. As federal pandemic unemployment compensation ends in Tennessee, the state encourages claimants to search for work at www.Jobs4TN.gov, which currently has over 250,000 active job postings of all skill levels. ### ANDERSON COUNTY, SR 61 Bridge over Norfolk Southern Railway and Market Street in Clinton: SR 61 East is reduced to one lane through this bridge repair project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, changing conditions, lane shifts, and use extreme caution through this area. ANDERSON COUNTY, US 25/SR 9 Bridge over Clinch River between SR 61 and Carden Farm Drive: SR 9 northbound is reduced to one lane approaching the bridge as crews continue work in this area. Motorists should be alert for workers present, changing conditions, lane shifts, and use extreme caution through this bridge construction project. BLOUNT COUNTY, US 129 North and South between SR 35 Hall Road and Tyson Boulevard: Motorists should be alert for workers present, possible lane closures and brief stoppages of traffic through this roadway construction project. For project information, go to https://www.tn.gov/tdot/projects/projects-region-1/sr-115-alcoa-highway-hall-road-to-tyson-blvd.html BLOUNT COUNTY, SR 335 Hunt Road between Ambrose Street and Ramsay Street: Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures at various times as crews install utilities through this construction project. Motorists should be alert for workers present directing traffic and use extreme caution through this area. BLOUNT COUNTY, SR 33 between Foothills Mall Drive and Henry Street: Motorists should be alert for possible nightly lane closures between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning through this intersection improvement construction project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, changed conditions, and use extreme caution through this area. BLOUNT COUNTY, US 321 between Jones Avenue and Lamar Street: Motorists should be alert for possible daily lane closures as crews perform roadside work through this project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, slowed traffic, and use extreme caution through this area. CAMPBELL COUNTY, I-75 North and South between Mile Markers 135 and 142: Motorists should be alert for possible temporary lane closures between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning through this project. Motorists should be alert for slowed or stopped traffic, expect potential delays and use extreme caution through this area. CAMPBELL COUNTY, I-75 North near Mile Marker 143: Motorists should be alert for possible temporary lane closures between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning on Sundays through Thursdays through this project. Motorists should be alert for slowed or stopped traffic, expect potential delays and use extreme caution through this area. CAMPBELL COUNTY, SR 63 between Myers Lane and Frontier Road/Woodson Lane: Motorists should be alert for possible temporary lane closures between the hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and/or 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning through this construction project. Motorists should be alert for slowed or stopped traffic, expect potential delays and use extreme caution through this area. CARTER COUNTY, US 19E/SR 37 Bridge over the Doe River and Riverview Road: Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures through this bridge repair project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, slowed traffic, and use extreme caution in this area. CLAIBORNE COUNTY, SR 63 between Old Town Creek and US 25E/SR 32: Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures through this construction project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, expect delays and use extreme caution through this area. GREENE COUNTY, US 11E/SR 34 both directions between Blue Springs Parkway and Forest Road in Mosheim: Motorists should be alert for lane closures and lane shifts through this area for bridge repair operations. These lane closures will remain in place 24/7 until repairs are complete. Motorists should be alert for workers present, changing conditions, and use extreme caution in this area. This bridge repair project is estimated to be complete on or before October 31, 2021. HAMBLEN COUNTY, SR 34 near Commerce Blvd.: Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. through this construction project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, slowed traffic, and use extreme caution in this area. HAMBLEN COUNTY, SR 160 near Commerce Blvd.: Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. through this construction project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, slowed traffic, and use extreme caution in this area. HAMBLEN COUNTY, SR 343 between US 11E and East Main Street: On Monday, May 17, 2021, through Friday, May 21, 2021, motorists should be alert for possible temporary road closures with detours between the hours of 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. the following morning as utility crews perform work in this area. Motorists should be alert for workers present, follow signed detours, and use extreme caution in this area. JEFFERSON COUNTY, I-40 West near Mile Marker 425: On Friday, May 14, 2021, motorists should be alert for possible lane closures between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning as crews perform guardrail repairs. Motorists should be alert for workers present, slow traffic, and use extreme caution through this area. JOHNSON COUNTY, SR 167 at Log Mile 7.5: Motorists should be alert for single lane roadway with temporary traffic signal through this slide repair project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, slowed traffic, and use extreme caution in this area. KNOX COUNTY, I-75 North and South between Mile Markers 110 and 112: On Thursday, May 13, 2021, motorists should be alert for possible lane closures between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning as crews perform roadway maintenance activities. Motorists should be alert for workers present, slow traffic, and use extreme caution through this area. KNOX COUNTY, Various Interstates through Knoxville: On Thursday, May 13, 2021 and Monday, May 17, 2021 through Thursday, May 20, 2021, motorists should be alert for possible mobile lane closures between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning as crews perform roadway maintenance activities. Motorists should be alert for workers present, slow or stopped traffic, and use extreme caution in this area. KNOX COUNTY, US 129/SR 115 Alcoa Highway between Topside Road and Maloney Road: Motorists should be alert for possible temporary lane closures and lane shifts as crews perform work through this project. Motorists should be alert for new traffic patterns. Motorists should be alert for workers present, reduce speed and use extreme caution through this area. For project information, go to https://www.tn.gov/tdot/projects/projects-region-1/sr-115-alcoa-highway-little-river-to-maloney.html KNOX COUNTY, US 129/SR 115 Alcoa Highway between Maloney Road and Woodson Drive: Motorists should be alert for possible temporary lane closures and lane shifts as crews perform work through this project. Motorists should be alert for new traffic patterns. Motorists should be alert for workers present, reduce speed and use extreme caution through this area. For project information, go to https://www.tn.gov/tdot/projects/projects-region-1/sr-115-alcoa-highway-maloney-to-woodson.html KNOX COUNTY, US 441 Broadway Viaduct between Jackson Avenue and Fifth Avenue: US 441 Broadway Viaduct over Norfolk Southern Railroad in downtown Knoxville is closed for bridge replacement. The Broadway Viaduct will be closed to all traffic for the duration of the project. During the closure, Broadway will be closed from the intersection of Oak Avenue, Worlds Fair Park, and Jackson Avenue to just north of the Depot Avenue intersection. Depot Avenue will also be closed. These closures will ensure the safety of workers and motorists as crews demolish the old bridge and reconstruct the new bridge. Primary and Local Detour Routes around the bridge closure will be in place. For detour routes and project information, go to https://www.tn.gov/tdot/projects/projects-region-1/broadway-viaduct.html KNOX COUNTY, US 441/SR 71 Chapman Highway between Highland View Drive and Burnett Lane: Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures daily between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. through this construction project. Motorists should be alert for workers and equipment present, expect potential delays, and use extreme caution through this area. For project information, go to https://www.tn.gov/tdot/projects/projects-region-1/chapman-highway-evans-to-burnett.html KNOX COUNTY, SR 62 Western Avenue between Copper Kettle and Texas Avenue: Motorists should be alert for possible nightly lane closures between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning through this resurfacing project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, reduced speeds, expect possible delays, and use caution through this area. KNOX COUNTY, SR 162 Pellissippi Parkway West at Hardin Valley Road: Motorists should be alert for possible temporary lane closures through this construction project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, reduced speeds, expect possible delays, and use caution through this area. KNOX COUNTY, SR 332 Concord Road between Turkey Creek Road and Northshore: Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures daily between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and new traffic patterns through this construction project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, expect potential delays, and use extreme caution through this area. For project information, go to https://www.tn.gov/tdot/projects/projects-region-1/sr-332-proposed-widening.html LOUDON COUNTY, I-75 North and South between Mile Markers 79 and 84: Motorists should be alert for possible temporary lane closures between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning through this resurfacing project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, slow traffic, expect delays, and use extreme caution through this area. LOUDON COUNTY, I-75 North and South near Mile Markers 83: Beginning 8 p.m. Friday, May 14, 2021 through 6 a.m. Monday, May 17, 2021, I-75 will be reduced to one lane in each direction around the clock as crews perform bridge deck repairs. Motorists should be alert for workers present, slow or stopped traffic, expect potential long delays, and use extreme caution through this area. Motorists should consider seeking alternate routes during peak travel hours to avoid this closure. LOUDON COUNTY, SR 2 between Loudon Middle School and Carter Street: Motorists should be alert for possible temporary lane closures daily between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. through this construction project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, reduced speeds, expect possible delays, and use caution through this area. LOUDON COUNTY, US 321/SR 73 between I-40 and Simpson Road: Motorists should be alert for possible nightly lane closures between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning through this resurfacing project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, slow or stopped traffic, and use extreme caution in this area. LOUDON COUNTY, US 411/SR 33 between Blount County Line and Monroe County Line: Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures daily between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. through this resurfacing project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, slow or stopped traffic, and use extreme caution in this area. ROANE COUNTY, I-40 West between Mile Markers 340 and 344: Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures at various times through this slope stabilization project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, reduced speeds, lane shifts, and use extreme caution through this area. ROANE COUNTY, I-40 East near Mile Marker 353: Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning as crews set portable barrier rails through this slope stabilization project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, slow traffic, and use extreme caution through this area. SCOTT COUNTY, US 27/SR 29 between Industrial Lane and Second Avenue: Motorists should be alert for possible temporary lane closures through this construction project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, expect possible delays, and use caution through this area. SEVIER COUNTY, SR 71 between US 411 and Macon Lane: Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures daily between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. through this construction project. Motorists should be alert for workers and equipment present, expect potential delays, and use extreme caution through this area. SULLIVAN COUNTY, I-81 North near Mile Marker 55.9: On Sunday, May 16, 2021 and Monday, May 17, 2021, motorists should be alert for possible lane closures between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. as crews perform cable rail repairs. Motorists should be alert for workers present, slow traffic, and use extreme caution through this area. SULLIVAN COUNTY, I-81 North & South between Mile Markers 57 and 63: Motorists should be alert for possible temporary lane closures nightly between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning through this bridge repair project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, slow or stopped traffic, expect potential delays, and use extreme caution in this area. This bridge repair project is estimated to be complete on or before May 31, 2021. SULLIVAN COUNTY, SR 36 at SR 126: Motorists should be alert for possible nightly lane closures between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning through this intersection improvement project. Motorists should be alert for workers and equipment present, expect potential delays, and use extreme caution through this area. SULLIVAN COUNTY, SR 126 Memorial Boulevard at SR 36: Motorists should be alert for lane reductions through this intersection improvement project. Motorists should be alert for workers and equipment present, changed traffic patterns, expect potential delays, and use extreme caution through this area. SULLIVAN COUNTY, SR 355 between Log Miles 1 and 3: Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures daily between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. through this construction project. Motorists should be alert for workers and equipment present, expect potential delays, and use extreme caution through this area. UNICOI COUNTY, I-26 East and West near Mile Marker 33: Motorists should be alert for lane closures as I-26 will be reduced to one lane in each direction around the clock through this bridge repair project. Wide loads should follow signed detour routes. Motorists should be alert for workers present, slow traffic, and use extreme caution through this area. This project is estimated to be complete on or before August 31, 2021. UNICOI COUNTY, SR 81 between Log Miles 0 and 1.8: Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures daily between the hours of 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. through this resurfacing and safety project. Motorists should be alert for workers and equipment present, expect potential delays, and use extreme caution through this area. UNICOI COUNTY, SR 107 between 6th Street and SR 173: Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures daily between the hours of 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. through this resurfacing and safety project. Motorists should be alert for workers and equipment present, expect potential delays, and use extreme caution through this area. WASHINGTON COUNTY, SR 93 between Davis Road and Fire Hall Road: Motorists should be alert for possible temporary lane closures through this construction project. Motorists should be alert for workers present, reduced speeds, and use caution through this area. WASHINGTON COUNTY, SR 354 Boones Creek Road at I-26: Motorists should be alert for possible temporary lane closures through this project. Motorists should be alert for new traffic patterns and follow new guide signs and pavement markings through this intersection. Motorists should be alert for workers present, expect delays and use extreme caution through this area. For information on statewide interstate construction motorists can access the Tennessee Department of Transportation SmartWay website at https://smartway.tn.gov/traffic TDOT is now on Twitter. For up to the minute traffic information in Knoxville and the Tri-Cities follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/knoxville511. For statewide travel information follow www.twitter.com/TN511 Apropos for #TBT, we take a quick look at the end of an era and a BIG MONEY offer accepted . . . Read more from a presser without a paywall at the end of the line: Kansas City Southern Receives Revised Proposal from Canadian National Railway That Board of Directors Determines is a "Company Superior Proposal" KANSAS CITY, Mo.--()--Kansas City Southern (NYSE: KSU) ("KCS") today announced receipt of a revised acquisition proposal from Canadian National Railway Company (TSX: CNR, NYSE: CNI) ("CN"). Under the terms of CN's revised proposal, each share of KCS common stock would be exchanged for $200 in cash and 1.129 shares of CN common stock. By far Heather Hall is the strongest conservative in Kansas City, Missouri politics. For the most part his focus is on Northland issues; however she has worked with her more progressive colleagues on humanitarian causes like tiny homes for veterans in need. Nevertheless, Council lady Hall has always been a strong advocate for law enforcement. This stance has put her at odds with some of her colleagues. Accordingly, here's a worthwhile passage and quote highlight in a report that was mostly cribbed from old TKC posts . . . City Councilman Eric Bunch said it was Halls prerogative to speak her mind on the police residency issue and said she had always been up front about her principles. But he noted the City Council as a whole has repeatedly stated its support for requiring Kansas City officers to reside within the citys bounds. What I fear is that state legislators and the governor will hold up Councilwoman Halls testimony as a city council member and by extension the City Council agreeing with the legislation that would allow police officers to live outside the city limits, he said. Bunch said he was disappointed Hall characterized Kansas Citys budget cuts, which affected all departments, as defunding the police. Check the rest of the report from a partisan blog that's mostly dedicated to hoping that Council Lady Hall doesn't run for statewide office . . . Read more . . . Amid nationwide civil unrest Kansas City activists in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement proposed radical change for local institutions. To start "negotiations" demonstrators demanded the removal of the KCPD Chief and local control of the police department. There was also some chatter regarding reparations that didn't really earn much beyond a useless city hall resolution. So far . . . The Chief is still at the helm of KCPD. And local control hasn't garnered any progress . . . Not even the vote the Mayor Q signed on to . . . It's simply a legislative priority. Check more info and perspective from a 12th & Oak protester . . . The ranks of Kansas City po-po are shrinking as violence continues to spike and the culture shifts after anti-law-enforcement riots rocked the nation. A glmpse at the damage . . . "The number of police trained and on patrol in Kansas City is decreasing at a rate of about 8.5 officers a month. The accelerating decline is causing some to sound alarms that the department could wind up staffed at levels from 30 years ago." Reality check: Officers are voting with their feet. Police giving up on their careers signals a historic change in American culture that will undoubtedly have consequences on the future of public safety in Kansas City and across the nation. Read more . . . Word from Jeff City is that the Guv will sign a po-po bill that will create yet another division betwixt KCPD and community. The guv's people have already started calling KCMO politicos, preparing them for the inevitable. Nearly every local legislator disapproves of the effort and we're convinced that this is one of the clearest signs that our Republican friends in rural Missouri would like to see Kansas City burn. There's no indication this will help with recruiting. However . . . The silence from KCPD on this topic and support among a few local politicos in the Northland indicates that po-po want to get out of KCMO. The reality is that this is the beginning of the end residency requirements in KCMO altogether. Check-it . . . KMBC: Missouri law enforcement bill that strips KCPD residency requirement heads to Parson's desk Deets . . . The Missouri House of Representatives Thursday approved the massive bill, which bans most usage of police chokeholds, and includes provisions for stalking. The final vote for the measure, which also removes the requirement that Kansas City, Missouri, police officers live in KCMO, passed 140-4. Under current state law, police officers in Kansas City must live within city limits of Kansas City, or must move to Kansas City within one year of starting at the police academy. Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas criticized the removal of the requirement in the bill, saying it's important for police to live in the community in which they serve. "This legislation does not save a life, it does not mentor a child, it does not take a deadly weapon out of the hands of a repeat offender," he said." This legislation instead turns a blind eye to the interest of Kansas Citians. It drives a wedge between our community and our police at a time when we have new challenges seemingly every week." Developing . . . Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-15 01:22:59|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close RABAT, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Morocco's COVID-19 tally rose to 514,705 on Friday as 35 new cases were registered during the past 24 hours. According to a statement by the Ministry of Health, the death toll rose to 9,092 with one new fatality during the last 24 hours, while 207 people are in intensive care units. The total number of recoveries from COVID-19 in Morocco increased to 502,604 after 399 new ones were added, the statement said. The COVID-19 fatality rate in Morocco stands at 1.8 percent while the recovery rate is 97.6 percent. Meanwhile, 6,040,109 people have received so far the first vaccine shot against COVID-19 in the country, and 4,450,986 people have received the second dose. The North African country launched a nationwide vaccination campaign on Jan. 28 after the arrival of the first shipment of China's Sinopharm vaccines. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-15 03:29:50|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close JERUSALEM, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Three rockets were fired on Friday night from Syria toward northern Israel, according to the Israeli military. "Three launches were identified from Syria into the Israeli territory," an Israeli military spokesperson said in a statement, adding one rocket fell short within Syria and the other two fell in an open field, causing no damage or injury. The incident comes as the fiercest fighting between Israel and Gaza's Hamas militants since 2014 enters its fifth day, leaving at least 122 Palestinians and nine Israelis killed so far. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-15 05:16:37|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close SANTIAGO, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Health Minister Enrique Paris on Friday called on Chileans to maintain COVID-19 protective measures to prevent the spread of infections during this weekend's elections. In a statement from the Ministry of Health, he said, "(We must) always maintain self-care measures, use a mask, wash hands with soap and water, use hand sanitizer, keep physical distance and, of course, carry your own blue pencil, since these are the most effective measures to avoid new infections." Paris also reported that in the last 24 hours, 6,903 new COVID-19 infections and 127 more deaths were registered, for a total of 1,273,516 cases and 27,647 deaths. On Saturday and Sunday, the South American country is to hold elections for constituent conventions, mayors, councilors and regional governors, for which a series of measures have been taken to avoid infections. Enditem My gut for whatever its worth: thats a long time for little ones to be... on. When my kids were that age, theyd have just been spent by dinner not to mention the ferry home then transfer back to your Cape lodging. To me, too much. But you know your children. That said... Theres certainly a fun day to be had on Nantucket with children, regardless of return time. A few family favorites below: 1. Whaling museum has a hands-on activity room for kids, plus a giant whale skeleton, a ton of interactive exhibits, and a cool movie about the island and the very skeleton hanging above your head. Cool at any age. 2. Island is INCREDIBLY bikeable and the two largest shops (Nantucket Bike and Youngs) are located right across from Whaling museum. Both rent adult bikes with trailers, or towable child-size extensions. Theyll give you a good map and point you towards Sconset on East end of Island. Its the adorable village where whaling captains used to spend their Summers. 3. En route to Sconset (really just outside town) youll pass our little aquarium. Emphasis on little for sure, but worth a quick stop. Kids can actually handle all sorts of sea life from harbor and Nantucket sound. Docents are teens and pre-teens, which is adorable and hilarious. 4. The ride to Sconset is flat, mostly on a bike path, but still no joke. As you arrive in the village, Claudettes will be right in front of you. Terrific sandwiches best eaten on their front patio or the picnic tables around the corner at Sconset Market. When done with your sandwich, order kids their first ice cream cone of day at Market window (spoiler alert, there will be a second ice cream). 5. Heres why youve come to Sconset: the Bluff Walk. Its a public path that starts right by market and continues approx 2miles round-trip along... bluff. Path literally cuts thru backyards of some of islands prettiest houses, but entirely open to public thanks to centuries of forethought and weird Massachusetts law. Magical hike thru shady glens and under bowed pines. Homes on your left, Atlantic on your right, totally amazing. Some have noted its hard to find start of this walk it isnt really, and Market will point you in right direction. Path ends with an excellent view of Sankaty lighthouse. 6. Before unlocking your bikes and heading back to town, know theres a terrific OCEANFRONT playground down by Sconset beach. Back towards Claudettes... down the hill... take a left. Its lovely. 7. Youll ride back to town, return bikes to shops on Broad Street, and consider hitting Juice Bar for, yeah, the days second ice cream. Easy to find: look for the line or follow your nose that smell is fresh waffle cones. 8. Youve earned a walk around Nantucket town and its cobblestone streets. Kids will get a kick out of Sunken Ship a dive/sports/yacht/toy store that stocks a little bit of everything and excellent Nantucket gear. 9. Id youre up for it, stroll down to Brant Point a great lighthouse, the islands Coast Guard Station, and the head of the harbor. 10. A snack or light dinner in town (Slip14 on Old South Wharf is family friendly, especially early, and has a very Nantuckety cup of chowder) then head to your boat. And yeah, Id leave earlier and think this itinerary accommodates. But your call. Theres a whole other plan that would have you biking in opposite direction, stopping at Something Natural for a cookie, lunching on tacos at Millies in Madaket. Slightly shorter ride, slightly beachier destination, no magical hike and lighthouse. But still great. Maybe next time? And then next-next time: Cisco Beach, lunch at 167, live music and family fun (seriously, promise) at Cisco Brewery, fresh tomatoes from Bartlett Farm. And next-next-next: Surfside beach, lunch at Surf Shack, sign kids up for a surf lesson at Nobadeer Beach. Kayak to Cotue, 4WD to see Seals at Great Point, hit the secret candy store in back of Force Five, cooking classes at Corner Table this island is really, really great for kids. The list is pretty endless. Enjoy your day, fingers crossed for sunshine, and please report back. Cheers. Tara - your Day 2 !! - have you mapped and timed this route with all the stops you propose? Straight driving (and not factoring in ferries to/from the island) it is at least 260+miles of driving, taking about 7 hours. When will you have time to see the Vineyard, the Cape, or Boston before reaching Portsmouth? You used the word "pitstops" and that's really what they will be. You won't have time to see much at each destination. People spend a week (or more) vacationing on the Vineyard or on the Cape. Seems like a lot of driving/windshield time without much return. I would add more time to Acadia/Bar Harbor. There is much to see/do there. The Greenville/Katahdin/Baxter State Park area is a wilderness area. I'd consult/read the Maine Forum about this area before planning to travel there. One of the Maine experts recently described some of the roads in that area - gravel roads with no services available for miles and miles. I haven't traveled that far north in Maine and wasn't aware of some of the wilderness conditions there. I hope others who know VT and NH better than I do will comment on the rest of yout trip. Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 00:36:41|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close CAIRO, May 13 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry held a phone conversation with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on Thursday, where they agreed that Israel should halt its "bloodshed" attacks on the Gaza Strip. The two ministers stressed "the necessity of a complete cease-fire in order to preserve lives and make room for political efforts," the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Since Monday, Israeli airstrikes on the besieged Palestinian enclave have killed at least 83 Palestinians and wounded 487 others, mostly civilians, according to the health ministry run by Gaza's ruler Hamas. Meanwhile, the Israeli army said rockets fired from Gaza killed at least seven Israelis. The escalation also led to street violence in Israel between Jews and Arabs. The fighting started following weeks of growing Israeli-Palestinian tension in East Jerusalem at a holy site revered and claimed by both sides. Shoukry and Lavrov said a political settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is "indispensable and irreplaceable," urging the international community to act earnestly to achieve "real and just peace" between the two sides. The two ministers agreed to continue their coordination and intensify communication with the various parties concerned to end the current crisis. Enditem Despite statements about the withdrawal of troops from Ukraines border, Russia recently transferred Air Assault units to Crimea, along with armored vehicles and artillery. Acting Deputy Chief of the U.S. Mission to the OSCE Elisabeth Rosenstock-Siller said this during an online meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna on Thursday, May 13, according to an Ukrinform correspondent. As part of its broader efforts to destabilize Ukraine and to disrupt regional security, Russia has engaged in a multi-year military buildup in Crimea. Even as it announced the drawdown of its forces along its border with Ukraine, Russia recently transferred Air Assault elements to Crimea, along with T-72B3 battle tanks, 120mm mortars, 122mm howitzers, and armored vehicles, among other equipment and hardware," Rosenstock-Siller said. The diplomat stressed that Russia continued to conscript thousands of young residents of Crimea into its military, some of whom had been transferred to Russian military units assigned to carry out the Kremlins agenda in Donbas. In addition, Rosenstock-Siller called on Russia to cease its repression in Crimea and to release all Ukrainian political prisoners it holds. "We further call on Russia to end its militarization and occupation of Crimea and remove all its forces and hardware from eastern Ukraine," she said. As Ukrinform reported, Ukraine's Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna Yevhenii Tsymbaliuk said that the number of Russian troops near Ukraines border has not significantly decreased; therefore, the issue of Russia fulfilling its obligations under the Vienna Document and providing explanations for unusual military activity remains relevant. ish The Russian Federation is using the occupied Crimea to spread its military influence in the Mediterranean and Northern Africa, and its aggressive actions are the main challenge for NATO in the Black Sea region. NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana said this at the Atlantic Club of Bulgaria event entitled Ahead of the Future: Preparing for NATO 2030 on May 13, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. Speaking of the Black Sea and speaking of our region, a key challenge for NATO is, of course, Russias actions. We have long seen a pattern of aggressive behaviour from Russia, including its forces in Georgia, the illegal annexation of Crimea and ongoing violations of Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is now using Crimea to project power into the Black Sea, and way beyond the Black Sea, towards the Mediterranean and Northern Africa. We must stay vigilant, especially in light of its recent and considerable military build-up in the region, he said. The NATO deputy secretary general recalled that last week Bulgarian officials briefed NATOs North Atlantic Council on Russias illegal activities in Bulgaria over the past decade. "NATO has expressed concern over Russias behaviour and strong support and solidarity with Bulgaria, but also with the Czech Republic and many allies that have been witnessing very assertive and aggressive actions by Russia," he stressed. Geoana emphasized that the Alliance will reinforce unity, broaden its approach to security, and strengthen global partnerships to uphold the rules-based international order. These issues, as well as the implementation of the NATO 2030 program, will be discussed at a meeting of the Allied leaders in Brussels on June 14. As reported, Russia announced the withdrawal of its troops from Ukraines borders under the pretext of successful completion of exercises, but at the same time leaves its military presence and technical equipment near Ukraines borders and in the temporarily occupied territories of eastern Ukraine and Crimea. Earlier, the Russian Federation amassed a group of about 110,000 troops near the eastern borders of Ukraine and in the occupied Crimea, raising concerns of the Ukrainian authorities and Western partners. ish Ukraine regularly shares with the United States the information on companies involved in the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States Oksana Markarova said this in Washington, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. "The embassy is actively involved in this process. We are constantly working with our colleagues here [in Washington], we are sharing information with them - lists of those companies that, unfortunately, are still involved in the construction of Nord Stream 2, the ambassador said. According to her, the American side has a rather active position that "this is not just a bad deal - but an agreement that carries a risk to the security of Europe and Ukraine. Markarova stressed that the position of official Kyiv on this issue is firm: "Nord Stream 2 should not be completed, and we are grateful to our partners for such constant and active attention to this process. As Ukrinform reported, during his recent visit to the United Kingdom and participation in the G7 ministerial meeting, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the Nord Stream 2 project is in contradiction to EU energy security principles and harmful to European countries. iy Finance Minister of Ukraine Serhiy Marchenko and Minister of Economy and Finance of France Bruno Le Maire have discussed bilateral economic relations between the two countries, Ukrinform reports with reference to the ministrys press service. Recently, we have worked hard to implement joint Ukrainian-French projects and localize French production in Ukraine. The signing of four intergovernmental agreements worth more than EUR 1.3 billion is an important step towards the development of strategic relations between our countries, Marchenko said. The French minister shared ideas and plans for future projects, including agriculture, financial technology, biotechnology and lithium mining. The ministers also discussed the economic forecasts of both countries. Marchenko noted that despite the pandemic, Ukraine has an optimistic forecast for real GDP growth at the level of 4.6% in 2021. In addition, Ukraine has managed to maintain macro-financial stability during the pandemic. Both sides shared their experience in fighting against COVID-19 spread. The Ukrainian minister informed representatives of the French delegation that the country is actively working to accelerate the vaccination of the population. Apart from several major already concluded agreements on vaccine purchases, there are plans to further increase supplies of vaccines to Ukraine. Le Maire assured of support for Ukraine in carrying out important reforms, and stressed the need for implementing justice reform, which is also an important condition for Ukraine to receive the next tranche from the IMF. As reported by Ukrinform, on May 13, Ukraine and France signed four agreements worth more than EUR 1.3 billion, including on the supply of electric locomotives, equipment for the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, the improvement of water supply in Luhansk region, and the quality of drinking water in Kyiv. iy The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine in partnership with IT Ukraine Association has expanded the IT Export Boost project to promote exports of IT services of Ukrainian companies in 21 countries. Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (CDTO) Dmytro Senik said this during an online meeting with representatives of the IT industry and foreign diplomatic missions of Ukraine, Ukrinform reports with reference to the ministrys press service. "At first, there were 14 countries, but later we received proposals from our embassies that asked to include them in the project to promote the Ukrainian IT sector in the world," said Senik. Priority export markets for Ukrainian IT companies are Austria, Great Britain, Denmark, Estonia, Israel, India, Spain, Canada, the Republic of Korea, the Netherlands, Germany, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, USA, Finland, France, Switzerland, Sweden, Sweden, Uzbekistan and Japan. Ukraine's diplomatic missions in these countries will assist Ukrainian IT companies in establishing contacts with potential customers from both the public and private sectors. In addition, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs is planning to organize a number of specialized missions of Ukrainian IT companies to the countries included in the project as soon as the quarantine restrictions are eased. IT Ukraine Association is the largest professional association of Ukrainian service and product companies, representing the interests of more than 50,000 IT specialists. As of March 2021, the association represents the interests of 54 IT companies and more than 52,000 IT professionals. The mission of the association is to provide favorable conditions for sustainable development of information technology in Ukraine. iy The Japanese government is allocating USD 4.5 million to support the population of Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as well as to restore these territories. Deputy Prime Minister - Minister for Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine Oleksiy Reznikov said this during a press conference at the Club of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on May 14, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. "The very thing that the Japanese government and our international partners are doing today is just for the sake of the people ... This year, projects worth USD 4.5 million will be implemented. The funds will be used to improve the quality and efficiency of work in medical institutions that belong to the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, help people who are deprived of their liberty, help the wounded and sick, provide medical assistance and physical rehabilitation measures, and introduce community support initiatives, etc." Reznikov said. He noted that Japan, together with the UN and the ICRC, is already organizing a number of important projects in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, namely: 400 houses damaged by the hostilities have already been restored; projects have been implemented in the field of youth education, community development; assistance has been provided in the field of health protection of the military personnel in Ukraine. Reznikov thanked the Japanese government, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the UN for their unconditional and consistent support to Ukraine. He also thanked for humanitarian aid for Donetsk and Luhansk regions, some areas of which are still under occupation, where people suffer from the consequences of Russia's armed aggression. As reported, Japan has been providing humanitarian aid to people affected by the conflict in eastern Ukraine since 2014. The total amount of financial assistance is USD 55.9 million. ish Kyiv's Pechersky District Court has chosen a measure of restraint in the form of round-the-clock house arrest for Opposition Platform For Life MP Viktor Medvedchuk. Investigative Judge Viacheslav Pidpalyi issued a respective ruling at a court session on Thursday, May 13, according to an Ukrinform correspondent. "To apply [to Medvedchuk] a measure of restraint in the form of round-the-clock house arrest, forbidding him to leave his place of residence [...] until July 9, 2021 inclusive," the judge said. Medvedchuk was obliged to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet. On May 12, Medvedchuk arrived at the Prosecutor General's Office to get acquainted with the notice declaring him a suspect in the case of treason. On May 11, Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova signed suspicion notices for MPs Viktor Medvedchuk and Taras Kozak. They are suspected of treason and the attempted plundering of national resources in Crimea. The investigation believes that Medvedchuk negotiated with the aggressor state to re-register the Hlyboka oil and gas field in the Black Sea, 75 km from Feodosia, and to extract minerals, which are Ukraine's national resource. In addition, Medvedchuk is suspected of treason (passing secret information about a military unit of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to the aggressor state). If proven guilty under the treason article (Part 1 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine), they face imprisonment for a term of 12 to 15 years with or without confiscation of property. For the plundering of national values in the occupied territories (Part 1 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) they face imprisonment for a term of eight to 12 years. Deputy Head of the Ukrainian Presidents Office Ihor Zhovkva and Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia Jonatan Vseviov have discussed the security situation in eastern Ukraine. The presidents press service informed this following the meeting of the officials, Ukrinform reports. The key topic of the meeting was the security situation in Donbas, including the recent increase in ceasefire violations, the growing number of dead and wounded Ukrainian servicemen, and Russia's build-up of the military contingent along the Ukrainian-Russian border, reads the report. Zhovkva thanked Tallinn for its strong support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, especially in the context of Estonia's non-permanent membership in the UN Security Council in 2020-2021. He also noted the joint visit of the foreign ministers of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to Kyiv in April this year as an important gesture of solidarity with Ukraine. In turn, Vseviov stressed the continued firm support of Estonia for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Ukrainian state. He stressed that the Republic of Estonia would never recognize the illegal occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. Vseviov also assured that the Estonian side is ready to participate in the Crimean Platform initiative, the inaugural summit of which will take place in Ukraine on August 23, 2021. The parties paid special attention to the cooperation of the two states in the implementation of Ukraine's strategic course towards integration into the European Union. At the end of the meeting, the interlocutors coordinated high-level bilateral dialogue activities for the near future. iy At a meeting with the ambassadors of the G7, Sweden and the European Union, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak briefed the diplomats on the latest initiatives regarding the peace process to end the war in Donbas and the corporate governance reform. This was reported by the press service of the Presidents Office on May 13. Yermak described the current situation at the consultations of the Trilateral Contact Group and the negotiations of political advisers to the leaders of the Normandy format countries as "protracted stagnation". "The shelling of the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the contact line continues every day. Unfortunately, Ukrainian servicemen continue to die and receive injuries. Recently, the use of heavy artillery has become more frequent, he said. In this regard, he told the diplomats about a number of initiatives of the Ukrainian side to intensify the peace process. "Firstly, yesterday I sent a letter to all my colleagues in the Normandy format with a proposal to urgently convene a video conference or meet in person, which would be better, with the participation of political advisers and foreign ministers of the four countries," Yermak noted. Secondly, the involvement of experts in political, military and legal matters would help intensify the work of the Normandy format, which was an initiative of Germany and France. These advisers could work out a variety of issues, which today are primarily part of the proposed "key clusters for the implementation of the Minsk agreements". Thirdly, the Ukrainian side insists that special emphasis should be placed on Russia's unblocking of the implementation of decisions of the Paris Normandy Four summit, which took place in December 2019. "Fourthly, we believe that holding another summit in the Normandy format would give a serious impetus to the peace process. Therefore, I would ask you to consider the possibility of a joint appeal of the G7 to Russia with a call to support the holding of this summit," Yermak said. In addition, he said, it is important for the OSCE SMM to return to proactive verification of violations of both the ceasefire and the full range of relevant commitments of the parties to the Minsk security agreements. In the second part of the meeting, Yermak told the G7 and EU diplomats about the course of corporate governance reform of state-owned companies, which is one of the priorities for President Volodymyr Zelensky. The Head of the Presidents Office invited the ambassadors and their countries to join the preparation of a draft law on improving corporate governance of legal entities, the shareholder of which is the state, which will ensure the implementation of modern international standards in Ukrainian legislation. ish Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 09:30:39|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close ACCRA, May 13 (Xinhua) -- Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo joined the leadership of the Muslim community in Ghana to celebrate this year's Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the month-long fasting in the Islamic month of Ramadan. Addressing the Islamic community, the president called for tolerance and peaceful co-existence among practitioners of all religions in Ghana, especially in Ghanaian schools. Referring to a recent impasse when a school imposed a ban on any form of fasting by students on health grounds, the president urged that people should not use schools to settle religious scores, as "school is the first place for young children to socialize and learn more about one another's religious beliefs and culture." Akufo-Addo commended the Muslim community for their continued support for the national development agenda. For his part, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, the National chief imam, pledged that Muslims won't disturb the peace of Ghana under any circumstances. In line with the COVID-19 protocols, this year's Eid al-Fitr took place virtually. Enditem The European Union has called on Ukraine to speed up the ratification of the Istanbul Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence EU Ambassador Matti Maasikas said this in a statement posted on the Twitter account of the EU Delegation to Ukraine, Ukrinform reports. Maasikas noted that Ukraine is among the countries that have made remarkable progress on gender equality and domestic violence legislation in the recent years. The EU greatly welcomes this progress and reiterates its call to go to the essential step and expedite the ratification of the Istanbul Convention, he stressed. He added that the EU remains at Ukrainian womens side to support them with dedicated projects also during the current COVID-19 crisis. As Ukrinform reported, in April, Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova signed the official position of the Prosecutor Generals Office on the absence of any obstacles in Ukraine to the launch of the ratification procedure of the Istanbul Convention. iy Ukraine and Brazil are interested in the development of political dialogue at the highest and high levels and further cooperation in the space sector. This was discussed during a meeting between Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Yevhen Yenin, Head of the State Space Agency of Ukraine Volodymyr Taftay, and Special Advisor for International Affairs to the President of the Republic of Brazil Felipe Martins, Ukrinform reports with reference to the Foreign Ministry's press service. "The parties discussed the prospects for the development of political dialogue at the highest and high levels, possible areas of cooperation in combating the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, as well as prospects for deepening trade and economic interaction between the two countries," the report reads. The interlocutors also had a meaningful exchange of views on the continuation of cooperation between Ukraine and Brazil in the space sector. Special attention was paid to the celebration of the 130th anniversary of the beginning of Ukrainian immigration to Brazil this year. ish The Lithuanian government will provide 200,000 doses of the coronavirus vaccine to the Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries, including 100,000 doses to Ukraine. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania Gabrielius Landsbergis wrote this on Twitter. The Lithuanian government just confirmed 200,000 [doses of] vaccines to EaP countries. Starting with Ukraine - 100k vaccines, Georgia - 15k and Moldova - 11k. Small step by Lithuania, hopefully our partners in Europe will join in solidarity with many more, Landsbergis wrote. The minister did not specify the name of the manufacturer of the vaccine or the timing of when the doses will be provided. Earlier, at the end of February, Landsbergis said that Lithuania was ready to share with Ukraine a surplus of the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available. The COVID-19 vaccination campaign in Ukraine began on February 24, 2021. CoviShield vaccine, developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca, Sinovac Biotechs CoronaVac, Pfizer vaccine, SKBio vaccine created by Oxford University and AstraZeneca are registered and used in Ukraine. ish UMass Dartmouth Professor Bridget A. Teboh (History) has been awarded a 2020-2021 fellowship by the Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program (CADFP). The fellowship will enable her to travel to Nigeria to work with Benue State University Makurdi (BSUM) and Professor Msugh Moses KEMBE (Vice Chancellor) on Curriculum Co-development, Graduate Students Teaching/Mentoring, and Collaborative Research, thereby transforming Africas Brain Drain into Brain Circulation, one of the Core goals of Carnegie ADFP. This is the third time Teboh has been awarded the prestigious fellowship. I am humbled to be a part of this innovative collaboration, funded by Carnegie Corporation of New York and managed by the Institute of International Education (IIE) in collaboration with United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa) in Nairobi, Kenya, which coordinates the activities of the Advisory Council, said Teboh. As a Carnegie Fellow, Teboh will spend 82 days during the summer of 2021 to strengthen the existing curriculum and co-develop new courses for the BSUM History Department as well as facilitate the creation of a Diasporan and Heritage Studies Center which will mentor both students and faculty members, foster academic collaboration and organization of capacity building workshops, thereby inserting the Diasporan and Heritage Studies discipline in the Benue State University- Makurdi curricular offerings. For both UMassD and BSUM, this collaborative project represents a new and exciting formal partnershipand our students stand to benefit from it, for, the initiative will pave the way for my continued collaboration with African Institutions, said Teboh. I hope that this initiative will concretize and increase meaningful Study Abroad/Student Exchange Programs with African universities. The Diasporan and Heritage Studies is an expanding academic field dealing with dispersed ethnic populations, regarded as diaspora peoples. It connotes the idea of a forced or (in)voluntary settlement due to coercion, expulsion, slavery, racism, war, or ethnic conflicts. This is linked up with heritage studies that will help to establish the cultural roots of the persons/groups so studied. Tebohs expertise in African History, Black/Diasporan Studies, Gender Studies, oral history, Interdisciplinary Methodology, and Historical Research will be critical to the setting up of the Diasporan/Heritage Studies at BSUM and help students undertake field trips to heritage sites. Teboh is one of 74 African Diaspora Scholars who have been awarded fellowships as part of a broader initiative that pairs them with 43 higher education institutions and collaborators in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda to work together on curriculum co-development, research, graduate teaching, training, and mentoring activities in the coming months. The Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program, now in its eighth year, is designed to reverse Africas brain drain, strengthen capacity at the host institutions, and develop long-term, mutually beneficial collaborations between universities in Africa and the United States and Canada. A total of 527 African Diaspora Fellowships have now been awarded for scholars to travel to Africa since the programs inception in 2013. Engagements in educational projects exemplify Carnegie Corporation New Yorks commitment to higher education in Africa. See the full list of newly selected projects, hosts, and scholars. UNHCR is calling for renewed international support for both Rohingya refugees and Bangladeshis in surrounding host communities in Cox's Bazar District. UNHCR/Kamrul Hasan Ahead of next Tuesdays (18 May) donor conference and launch of the 2021 Joint Response Plan (JRP) for the Rohingya Humanitarian Crisis, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency is calling for renewed international commitment, support and solidarity for Rohingya refugees. The 2021 JRP brings together the efforts of the Government of Bangladesh, and 134 UN agencies and NGO partners to target almost 1.4 million people this year. The US$943 million plan seeks to meet the needs of more than 880,000 Rohingya refugees and 472,000 Bangladeshis in the surrounding host communities in Coxs Bazar District. Most Rohingya refugees, some 740,000, fled violence in Myanmars Rakhine State in 2017. With the refugee crisis in its fourth year, Bangladesh needs robust and sustained international support to ensure the safety and wellbeing of stateless Rohingya refugees. This must not become a forgotten crisis. Both Rohingya refugees and Bangladesh, having generously hosted them for decades, must see the world standing with them. Adding to the complexity of this crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic has compounded vulnerabilities for refugees and host communities alike. To date, the Government of Bangladesh, with the support of the humanitarian community, has effectively managed the COVID-19 response and the spread of the disease in the Rohingya camps and surrounding areas, though the trajectory of the virus remains unpredictable. A coordinated and inclusive response has saved lives. However, it is critical to ensure the continued delivery of all humanitarian assistance and protection services. The needs of Rohingya refugees reach beyond subsistence and physical safety. Refugees, like any other people, cannot be allowed to wait for years without access to education and options for a decent life and a meaningful future. In order to mitigate the risks of people taking dangerous onward journeys, more must be done to ensure that refugees have hope in Bangladesh, and of a future back home in Myanmar. Otherwise, they may increasingly risk such journeys by land or sea to find a solution elsewhere. Last year, the United Nations appealed for more than US$1 billion to meet the needs of the Rohingya refugees and host communities in Coxs Bazar District. At the end of 2020, this appeal was just 59.4% funded. We stress that the international community must not only maintain support for refugees and their hosts, but also adapt to new and emerging needs and pursue the search for durable solutions. The search for durable solutions must remain focused on the voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return of Rohingya refugees to their homes in Myanmar, when conditions allow them to do so. However, the ongoing crisis and political instability in Myanmar have added new layers of complexity to this challenge. Jointly co-hosted by the Government of Bangladesh, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and UNHCR, the virtual 2021 JRP launch event will highlight the most immediate needs and ongoing humanitarian response. The virtual 2021 JRP launch event is scheduled to run from 10:00am to 12:00 pm CEST Geneva (2:00pm 4:00pm GMT+6 in Dhaka; 3:00pm 5:00pm GMT+7 in Bangkok) on Tuesday 18 May 2021. The event will be live streamed here. For more information on this topic, please contact: Mariam has spent the last decade since she fled Eritrea longing for a safe and stable home for her family. Now that is finally within reach as she, her husband and three children get ready to move to the Netherlands under a resettlement scheme. In advance, she is doing everything possible to prepare. Because she loves to cook, that even includes learning how to make a Dutch dessert called "tompouce". The vanilla and cream dessert slice is popular in the Netherlands and making it is a symbol of her hopes for integrating into the new society. What we know about the Netherlands is that it is a good country We will work and we will help our children to grow and receive the education they need, said Mariam, 34. Since December, she has resided at an Emergency Transit Centre (ETC) in Timisoara, a city in western Romania, with her husband Mohammad and children Karim, seven, Feruz, five, and Ferdoz, aged three. Around 30 people live at the centre, although it has capacity for around 200. Resettlement for the most vulnerable refugees to a third country where they can rebuild their lives is a priority for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, but resettlement needs far surpass places available. Last year, less than 23,000 refugees were resettled through UNHCR, the lowest number in almost two decades. See also: Pandemic threatens progress on refugee admissions Mariams story shows why resettlement matters. She and Muhammad initially fled to the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, where they lived for eight years in difficult circumstances. It was there that they had their children. Sometimes I could not find work. Sometimes I could not pay the rent. Other times we had nothing to eat. It was tough and the children were young, said Muhammad, 37. Their uncertain status in Sudan meant they were at constant risk of arrest and they eventually moved on to Tripoli, the capital of Libya. There they were imprisoned by a smuggler. Given their precarious situation, UNHCR evacuated them to Romania via Niger under its Emergency Transit Mechanism. Feruz (5) and Karim (7) eating the tompouce their mother made during a cooking workshop organized by AIDRom, UNHCR's partner in the Emergency Transit Centre in Timisoara, Romania. February 2021 UNHCR/Stefan Lorint UNHCR/Stefan Lorint Mariam (34), from Eritrea, presents her first ever tompouce, made during a cooking workshop at the Emergency Transit Centre in Timisoara, Romania. February 2021 UNHCR/Stefan Lorint UNHCR/Stefan Lorint The mechanism is a response to the critical humanitarian situation and deteriorating conditions for asylum-seekers in Libya. Under it, some vulnerable individuals and families are offered a temporary stay in Niger. If they are then assessed as eligible for resettlement and very vulnerable, they are then transferred to the ETC in Timisoara while the resettlement procedure is completed a process that usually takes around three or four months. "We are starting to relax after the hard time that we had." "Until we leave for our final destination, we are enjoying our stay here. We really feel safe and we are starting to relax after the hard time that we had, said Mariam. Resettlement places were in short supply even before the COVID-19 pandemic slowed them to a trickle last year. This year, however, offers a chance for governments to resume resettlement programmes and UNHCR is calling for States to increase the places they make available. UNHCR appreciates the efforts of States who have now resumed resettlement despite the challenges, which include the pandemic, said Nisreen Rubaian, UNHCRs Representative in Romania. Our colleagues on the ground work closely with resettlement states to ensure that refugees accepted for resettlement can depart as soon as possible and rebuild their lives in their new country, she said. Mariam and her family have taken advantage of their stay in the historic city of Timisoara to see the sights and soon they will start cultural orientation lessons ahead of their move in the coming weeks. The children are adaptable and quick to learn. Im impressed by how quickly they understand things, considering the context they come from, said Sofia Damse, a psychologist with UNHCRs partner AIDROM. The childrens future is their parents primary concern when they think about their move to the Netherlands. The most important thing for us is to work and support our children to grow up, to go to school, said Mariam. Muhammad said he wants the children to retain their links to Eritrea and its culture, but he also wants them to embrace the Netherlands. He would like them to become doctors or pilots, but his main priority is for them to learn strong social values. We would like our children to help those in need, he said. *Names have been changed at the request of the refugees. Kathmandu, May 14 (UNI) K P Sarma Oli took oath of office on Friday after being reappointed as Prime Minister of Nepal a day earlier, as other parties failed to form a coalition government to take his place. President Bidya Devi Bhandari administered the oath to Oli and 24 ministers in his cabinet. Oli got reappointed as head of a minority government since other parties had failed to garner a majority of support from lawmakers to form a new government by Thursday evening as set by the president. On Monday, President Bhandari had called political parties for the formation of a coalition government by 21:00 hrs on Thursday evening after Oli lost a vote of confidence in Parliament. He had got only 93 votes, short of 43 in the 271-member House of Representatives. The Nepali Congress party, the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) and a section of the Janata Samajbadi Party failed to manage a majority to form a new government even after a series of negotiations. As a result, Oli was asked for the third time to head the government as he is the parliamentary party leader of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) which holds 121 seats in the lower house. Oli will have to win a vote of trust in the house within 30 days as per the Constitution. UNI SRJ JAL 1804 Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 11:17:35|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close SYDNEY, May 14 (Xinhua) -- The new Chinese ambassador to Papua New Guinea (PNG) Zeng Fanhua has arrived in the country's capital Port Moresby. He was greeted by officers from the PNG's Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade at the airport on Thursday. Zeng said he was honored to be the 15th Chinese ambassador to the PNG, adding that the bilateral ties between the two countries have maintained vitality and continued to grow since the establishment of diplomatic relations 45 years ago. The new ambassador said he would work with the PNG friends to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, deepen friendly exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and facilitate the continuous development of the China-PNG comprehensive strategic partnership. The PNG side extended warm welcome to Zeng, pledging all necessary assistance to his work. It said China is a key strategic partner for the PNG, and the PNG always attaches great importance to the relationship with China, and will continue to work with the Chinese side to promote the development of bilateral relations. Enditem For full access, please log in, register your subscription or subscribe. Try for 99 a month for two months, cancel or pause anytime. The lengthy search for a new school superintendent in Nashua has been suspended after the school board hesitated to choose the remaining candidate after a local candidate took a job elsewhere. Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 15:50:18|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close TRIPOLI, May 13 (Xinhua) -- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Thursday said that more than 150 illegal migrants have been intercepted and returned to Libya. "Over 150 migrants were intercepted and returned to Libya by the coast guard today," the IOM tweeted. The IOM also said that at least 17 illegal migrants drowned off the Tunisian coast, two days after departing from Libya's coast. According to the IOM, more than 7,000 illegal migrants have been intercepted at sea and returned to Libya, while hundreds of others died or went missing on the Central Mediterranean route so far in 2021. Federico Soda, IOM Chief of Mission to Libya, recently expressed concern over the increased number of illegal migrants departing from Libya and the loss of lives. "Extremely concerned about the increased departures from Libya and the continuous loss of life. The situation cannot be ignored and states must live up to their responsibilities and redeploy search and rescue vessels," Soda tweeted. The state of insecurity and chaos in Libya following the fall of former leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 has encouraged thousands of migrants to cross the Mediterranean Sea towards European shores. Enditem Whats Working, a series exploring solutions for New Hampshires workforce needs, is sponsored by the New Hampshire Solutions Journalism Lab at the Nackey S. Loeb School of Communications and is funded by Eversource, the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, the New Hampshire College & University Council, Northeast Delta Dental and the New Hampshire Coalition for Business and Education. Contact reporter Michael Cousineau at mcousineau@unionleader.com. To read stories in the series, visit unionleader.com/whatsworking. WE WENT to Newport for three days last week, two Minnesotans long married, to rediscover the fact that ocean air is delicious and invigorating and can even make you happy. That surely is why the Vanderbilts built their monstrous mansion on the shore: sinking into decadence in a fake palace w We may never know if a Manchester police officers act of kindness to a teen would-be shoplifter will make a difference in the teens life. But it certainly brightened the day of a lot of Manchester residents and others who read our story or saw the TV newscast about Officer George Morales. UNO News Access the Experts: Jeremy Lipschultz Access the Experts: Jeremy Lipschultz In this installment, Lipschultz answers the question: Is it possible to make a living off of YouTube? In This Installment of Access the Experts Peter Kiewit Distinguished Professor Jeremy Lipschultz, Ph.D., answers the question: Is it possible to make a living off of YouTube? About Lipschultz Lipschultz is an expert in areas of social media that include law, regulation, ethics, and network analysis as well as many other areas of mass media. He teaches courses on subjects that include media entrepreneurship, social media management, communication law and policy, and free expression and social media. Access the Experts Access the Experts is an innovative partnership between the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) and News Channel Nebraska (NCN), where viewers submit their questions to be answered by UNO faculty members. New segments of Access the Experts air every Tuesday and Thursday at 6:46 A.M. and 6:46 P.M. If youre not sure how to tune in, visit News Channel Nebraskas website to view their coverage areas. View all segments on our Access the Experts page. About the University of Nebraska at Omaha Located in one of Americas best cities to live, work and learn, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is Nebraskas premier metropolitan university. With more than 15,000 students enrolled in 200-plus programs of study, UNO is recognized nationally for its online education, graduate education, military friendliness and community engagement efforts. Founded in 1908, UNO has served learners of all backgrounds for more than 100 years and is dedicated to another century of excellence both in the classroom and in the community. Follow UNO on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Dublin, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th May, 2021 ) :Edwin Poots was elected the leader of Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party on Friday, winning a contest which will determine the new first minister in the British-ruled province. Poots won 19 of 36 votes in a ballot of DUP lawmakers in Belfast and London. He will replace DUP leader Arlene Foster, who was ousted in a coup over Brexit, and can pick her successor as first minister of Northern Ireland. Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 19:33:14|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close NAIROBI, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's agriculture ministry has renewed its commitment to transforming the tea sector to meet growing global demand. Peter Munya, cabinet secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives, told a forum on tea reforms in Nairobi on Thursday that reforms are being undertaken to help revitalize the tea sector, which experienced declining trends over the last few years. Munya said that poor leadership of the sector, particularly that of the respective smallholder tea factory companies, has improved following countrywide elections of new managers. The government has migrated tea trading to a daily electronic trading platform, he said, adding that all tea produced in Kenya for the export market will be sold exclusively through the auction process once the reforms come into operation. A taskforce on tea sector price stabilization, which is aimed at ensuring smallholder tea farmers get better payment, will present its findings in August, Munya said. "We are currently facilitating a regulatory framework with a view to ensure fair play for the benefit of stakeholders in the respective economic platforms," he said. Munya said that the decline in tea earnings has threatened livelihoods of over 6 million Kenyans engaged in the tea value chain directly and indirectly. Plans are in the work to raise tea output in Kenya to compete favorably with other tea producing countries on the global market, he said. Harsama Kello, acting director general of Kenya's state corporation Agriculture and Food Authority, said that the authority's tea directorate has defined market preferences that accord opportunity to respond through product diversification. Tea has been one of Kenya's leading foreign exchange earners, generating 120 billion shillings (1.09 billion dollars) in export earnings in 2020. Enditem Bamako, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th May, 2021 ) :Mali's interim government is set to form a new "broad-based" cabinet, the presidency said on Friday, amid growing criticism of the army-dominated authorities in the Sahel state. Prime Minister Moctar Ouane resigned Friday but was immediately reappointed in order to carry out the reshuffle, according to a tweet from the office of the interim president. "The prime minister has just started consultations," said an advisor to the interim president who declined to be named. "He must form a broad-based government". Ouane was named prime minister after military officers in August ousted the elected president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, who was under pressure for his handling of Mali's jihadist insurgency. Under the threat of international sanctions, the military handed power between September and October to a caretaker government, which pledged to reform the constitution and stage elections within 18 months. But figures with army links dominate this body, and there is growing anger about their prominent role and the slowness of reforms. The opposition M5 movement last week called for the dissolution of the transitional government and demanded "a more law-abiding and more legitimate" body. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) mediator for Mali, former Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan, also warned last week that there was little time left to complete the reforms. Last month, Mali's interim government announced that it would hold a constitutional referendum on October 31, with elections to follow in February next year. But conflict and political contestation in the landlocked nation of 19 million people has left some doubting whether the authorities will stick to schedule. Mali is struggling to quell a brutal Islamist insurgency which first emerged in northern Mali in 2012, before spreading to the centre of the country as well as neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger. The country is also wracked by civil-society disputes. For example, the country's largest union, UNTM, is threatening a four-day strike from next week over salary issues among other things, according to local press reports. (@FahadShabbir) ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 14th May, 2021 ) :Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi Friday welcomed the recently announced Eid ceasefire by the Afghan parties and emphasized the continuous efforts for a permanent truce. The foreign minister received a telephone call from Afghan counterpart Mohammad Haneef Atmar wherein they exchanged greetings on the auspicious occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr. He also reaffirmed Pakistan's support to the Afghan Peace Process. The two foreign ministers exchanged views about the current situation in Palestine and Masjid Al-Aqsa and agreed to remain in contact on the Palestine issue. They also agreed to maintain high-level bilateral exchanges and work together for further consolidation of Pakistan-Afghanistan relations. GAZA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th May, 2021) The number of Palestinians killed in three days as a result of Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip exceeded 100, about 580 people were injured, health ministry spokesman Ashraf Qidra said on Thursday. Earlier it was reported about 87 killed and 530 injured. "The death toll in the Palestinian enclave as a result of Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip in three days was 103, including 27 children and 11 women. Another 580 people were injured," Qidra said. QUITO (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th May, 2021) Ecuador's Ministry of Public Health has received approval from the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) for the shipment of the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine, the Latin American country's foreign ministry said. "The Russian Direct Investment Fund - Limited Liability Company 'Human Vaccine' gave its endorsement to the Ministry of Public Health of Ecuador for the shipment [of the requested vaccines] ... so it is expected to finalize the signing of an additional agreement ... in order to initiate the corresponding regulatory and logistical coordination," the ministry said on Thursday. The agreement is expected to be signed during the third week of May. The Foreign Ministry of Ecuador also expressed appreciation for the efforts made by President-Elect Guillermo Lasso to secure a vaccine deal between Ecuador and Russia. The engagement of the Ecuadorian Ministry of Public Health with the RDIF began last year. The government of incumbent Lenin Moreno expressed Ecuador's interest in acquiring the Sputnik V vaccine at the beginning of 2021. Several meetings have since been held with different Russian organizations, including the Gamaleya research institute, which developed the vaccine. TOKYO (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th May, 2021) Japanese journalist Yuki Kitazumi, detained in Myanmar in mid-April over allegedly discrediting the country's military, has been released and is currently making preparation for his return home, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi announced on Friday. On Thursday, the media reported that the charges against Kitazumi are expected to be dropped due to "cordial relations between Myanmar and Japan." "We worked with Myanmar on an early release through various channels. As a result, the charges against him were dropped and his release was announced. Now the Japanese Embassy in Myanmar is preparing his return, collecting things in the apartment. He will return to his homeland as early as today," the minister said at a meeting of the parliamentary committee on international affairs. Kitazumi was detained in Myanmar's Yangon on suspicion of spreading false information while covering anti-government rallies and put in jail with other political prisoners. The journalist previously worked for the Tokyo-based Nikkei business Daily, but moved to Myanmar as a freelancer. He was has been detained once before, but later released. On February 1, the Myanmar military overthrew the civilian government and declared a year-long state of emergency. The coup triggered mass protests and was met by deadly violence, resulting in the death of over 700 people. Additionally, about 3,000 protesters were detained. ALMATY (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th May, 2021) Kazakhstan exceeded in April its OPEC+ oil output quotas and will compensate for overproduction in summer, the energy ministry said on Friday. "According to the preliminary data, Kazakhstan's oil daily production was 1.483 million barrels per day. The deviation from the commitments will be further compensated taking into account major maintenance on large projects in the summer period," the statement said. Kazakhstan seeks to follow its commitments in compliance with the OPEC+ agreement, which provides that the country's petroleum production must not exceed the quota of 1.457 million barrels per day. The ministry added that overall, the country produced 7 million tonnes of petroleum and gas condensate in April. (@FahadShabbir) CHISINAU (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th May, 2021) Moldova wishes to cooperate with Lithuania in security and defense with a focus on combating hybrid threats and fake news, President Maia Sandu said on Friday. Earlier this day, Lithuania's President Gitanas Nauseda arrived in Chisinau for an official visit, which became the first such trip for the Baltic country's leader in six years. "I am happy to welcome Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda in Moldova. His visit is a sign of Lithuania's support of Moldova. We seek to develop cooperation in security and defense, especially in defense against hybrid threats and fight against disinformation, where Lithuania's experience could be useful for us," Sandu said. Nauseda, in his turn, said that the exchange of experience in these area is quite important amid preparations for early parliamentary elections in Moldova. In late April, Sandu dissolved the parliament, as it failed twice in three months to form a new government. The elections are scheduled for July 11. MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th May, 2021) US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told CNN that the requirement to wear a mask in the House of Representatives will remain in effect despite an updated national guidance that eased restrictions for fully vaccinated Americans. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Rochelle Walensky on Thursday said that the CDC had updated its COVID-19 guidance for fully vaccinated people, allowing indoor and outdoor activities of any size without wearing a face mask or physical distancing. "No," Pelosi said when asked whether the House would change the sanitary rules. She also expressed doubts that all House members have been vaccinated. President Joe Biden on Thursday called the US vaccination pace a historical achievement as about 50% of the population have already received at least one shot of a COVID-19 vaccine and over one-third of Americans have been fully vaccinated. TORONTO (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 13th May, 2021) Quebec has become the latest Canadian province to halt the first-dose vaccination with the AstraZeneca shot, citing the dangerous complications to human health if it is administered, the provincial health ministry said on Thursday. "As of today, the AstraZeneca vaccine will no longer be offered as a first dose," Ministere de la Sante et des Services sociaux said in a statement. "This decision is based on the recommendations of the Quebec Immunization Committee (CIQ), in an update of its opinion on the use of AstraZeneca's vaccine against COVID-19." To date, Canadian authorities have reported at least 15 instances of Vaccine-Induced Immune Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia (VITT) following inoculation with the AstraZeneca vaccine and at least three deaths. Quebec joins Ontario, Alberta and Nova Scotia in halting first dose vaccination with the UK drugmaker's vaccine and other provinces have also taken steps to limit its use in the past few days. Like other provinces, Quebec's health ministry said that current stock and any future supplies would be used to administer second doses. Quebec's health minister in a statement via Twitter assured residents, who received the AstraZeneca shot for their first dose, that the effectiveness of the UK drugmaker's vaccine is " high and lasting." Despite provinces slowly moving away from the AstraZeneca vaccine, Canada is still set for 655,000 AstraZeneca doses next week. Canada's vaccination regime has faced repeated setbacks, with the country experiencing a shortage of doses, despite the Trudeau government lauding deals with numerous vaccine manufacturers. VIENNA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th May, 2021) Russia believes that the European Commission's decision to suspend the broadcasting of Russia's RTR-Planeta channel in Latvia is politically motivated and will raise the topic at a meeting of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)'s Permanent Council, Russia's deputy permanent representative at the OSCE, Maxim Buyakevich, told Sputnik on Friday. In March, the European Commission qualified the Latvian government's decision to suspend the broadcasting as "compatible with EU laws," "proportionate and justified. " "We certainly think that the European Commission's decision on RTR-Planeta is politically motivated. The European Commission has a selective approach to freedom of the media, for some reason Russian media resources in the EU fall victim to this approach ... Next time when we discuss media-related topics in the permanent council, we will make the European Union face this question squarely, with appropriate comments from our side about what it actually is," Buyakevich said. Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 20:48:12|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close NAIROBI, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's quest to realize climate resilient growth is facing headwinds as widespread flooding experienced in the March-May season of long rains is damaging livelihoods and vital ecosystems in the country. A number of civilians have lost their lives and property of unknown value destroyed in the recent past as storm water swept across Kenyan lowlands and densely-populated urban slums following a heavy downpour. Local media reported Friday that four people were killed in Nairobi's Kibera slum Thursday night after they were swept away by raging waters as they attempted to cross a swollen river in the country's biggest slum. The heavy rains that pounded the capital Thursday night caused flooding in other informal settlements, marooning local residents and worsening the risk of disease outbreaks. Kenya Metrological Department said Friday that the heavy rains are expected to subside this weekend, but due to already saturated soils, it is likely to trigger landslides in hilly parts of the country. The weathermen said that light showers could become a regular phenomenon in many parts of the country until the end of May, hence signaling improved agricultural productivity. Massive flooding that accompanied torrential rains in western Kenyan lowlands and the coast region in the past week has displaced hundreds of families, destroying farms, roads and critical amenities such as schools. Cyrus Oguna, spokesman for the Government of Kenya, said at a briefing early this week that the state was working on a long-term plan to help communities cope with recurrent floods. "In the interim, we will be providing humanitarian assistance to flood victims in different parts of the country. These assistance include food, life-saving medicine and shelter," said Oguna. He said the government had prioritized early warning, renovation of urban drainage infrastructure and tree planting to cushion local communities from negative impacts of flooding. Kenya has been experiencing widespread flooding in the past several years during rainy seasons worsened by human encroachment on natural buffers like forests, wetlands and mangrove swamps. The recurrent floods, that are also linked to climate change and unplanned settlements in urban areas, have jeopardized the country's ability to realize low-carbon development. Keriako Tobiko, the cabinet secretary in the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, said that Kenya's ability to tame climatic shocks including severe droughts and floods, is key to boosting green and inclusive growth. "We aspire to attain green growth through strengthening the capacity of communities to withstand negative impacts of climate change," Tobiko said at a virtual Kenya-European Union green diplomacy conference held Tuesday. He said the government will increase funding, promote uptake of clean technologies and regeneration of ecosystems to boost resilience of communities amid climatic stresses. Tobiko said that some climate change adaptation projects under implementation including construction of large dams, restoration of degraded landscapes and household-based water harvesting initiatives, are aimed at containing floods. He said that Kenya is leveraging on domestic resource mobilization, partnership and technology adoption to realize climate resilient and sustainable growth as part of the pandemic recovery. Chris Kiptoo, the principal secretary in the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, said the government is focusing on community-led interventions to minimize the impact of flooding, drought and habitat loss on livelihoods. "Ultimately, local-led actions will strengthen resilience of our communities and the natural habitats whenever they experience climate change-related impacts like acute drought and flooding," said Kiptoo, adding that climatic stresses will be inevitable in the future hence the need to boost coping mechanism for local communities as part of Kenya's green aspirations. Enditem PRAGUE (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th May, 2021) Slovakia will lift the state of emergency brought on by the coronavirus pandemic - which has been in effect since last fall - at midnight on Saturday, Prime Minister Eduard Heger said. "I can tell you some good news. Due to the improvement of the epidemiological situation in the republic, from Saturday midnight [22:00 GMT on Friday), the emergency mode, which was in effect from October 1, 2020, will be canceled. I thank all my fellow citizens who, with their understanding and compliance with the necessary measures to combat the coronavirus, contributed to the return of normal living conditions," Heger told reporters, as broadcast on tv. However, the prime minister called on the population to continue following the recommendations of the Health Ministry and actively participate in the vaccination campaign, which began in late December and currently uses vaccines developed by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna. The country has suspended the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine over risks of side effects. The drug is now available only to those who had received the first shot and are waiting for the second. Slovakia is expected to begin the rollout of the Russian coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V in the coming days, two months after the first batch of doses arrived in the country but were not used while the vaccine's efficacy was under review in Hungary, as Slovakia has no certified laboratories to conduct related checks. To date, Slovakia has confirmed over 380,000 COVID-19 cases, with the death toll at more than 12,000. (@FahadShabbir) MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th May, 2021) Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs calls on all governments and international organizations to fulfill their obligations in order to stop Israel's "continuing crimes and aggressions" against Palestinians, Islamic Republic news Agency reported on Friday. The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement on Friday on the 73 anniversary of the 1948 Palestinian exodus. In the statement, Israel was described as the Zionist regime committing "shameless crimes" against Palestinians. According to the statement, ''the occupying Zionist regime" has been supported by US and other world powers since the Palestinians were forced out of their motherland on May 14, 1948. The statement also argued that the only solution of the Palestinian problem is to hold a referendum with the aim of exercising the right to self-determination and participation of all the main inhabitants of Palestine, including Muslims, Christians and Jews. Around 700,000 Palestinian Arabs fled or were expelled from their homes during the 1947-1949 Palestine war which is the first war of the Israeli-Palestinian and the Arab-Israeli conflict. The British Empire gave up its mandate of Palestine during this war. The events of 1948 are commemorated by Palestinians on 15 May which is a date known by Palestinians as Nakba Day. On the other hand, this day is known and considered by Israel as the War of Independence. (@ChaudhryMAli88) WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 15th May, 2021) The United States has sentenced a former US Army Green Beret Peter Dzibinski Debbins to 15 years and 8 months in prison for spying for Russia, the Department of Justice said in a statement on Friday. "A former Army Green Beret was sentenced today to 188 months in prison for conspiring with Russian intelligence operatives to provide them with U.S. national defense information," the statement read. Acting US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Raj Parekh accused Dobbins of trading secrets and jeopardizing US national security. "The defendant's brazen disclosures to Russian intelligence agents jeopardized U.S. national security and threatened the safety of his fellow servicemembers," Parekh said. US authorities resolute to prosecute those who betray their sworn oath, he added. Court document showed that Debbins, now 46, conspired a Russian intelligence agency from December 1996 to January 2011 and visited Russia numerous times. In 1997, he received a code name and signed an agreement to cooperate with Russia, it added. "A Bridge with China - The Pope and the Apostolic Delegation in Peking (1919-1939)" is the working translation of a just-published book by Fr. Adel Afif Nasr dedicated to the Holy Sees relations with China between the two World Wars, the establishment of an official Apostolic Delegation to the nation and its many fruits. By Vatican News staff writer The Vatican Secretary of State is the author of the preface of the book Un ponte con la Cina - Il Papa e la Delegazione apostolica a Pechino (1919-1939) by Lebanese Fr. Adel Afif Nasr and published in Italian by Marcianum Press. Cardinal Pietro Parolin begins quoting the opening words of Cupimis Imprimis, Pope Pius XIIs 1952 Apostolic Letter dedicated to the Catholic Church in China: "First of all we wish to express to you Our ardent affection for the entire people of China". With these words, the Cardinal notes, the Pope expresses affection and closeness to the Chinese people at a truly difficult time in their history, a time when many priests, bishops and laypeople who were engaged in evangelisation were either removed from their work or hindered in the exercise of their activities. A project founded on the Gospel "Our heart turns to you once again and to you, in particular, we wish to address this letter, to console you, to exhort you paternally, knowing well your anguish, your anxiety and your adversity" Pope Pius XII continues, and Parolin points out that this feeling of closeness belongs to every successor of Peter, all of whom have nurtured a special bond of sincere affection and esteem for the people and the Church in China, always pursuing and maintaining fruitful, fraternal and charitable relations. Cardinal Parolin says he believes this is the context and the sentiment, so authentically founded on the Gospel, that has driven the Holy See to seek ever new ways of relating with China. He lists several documents and initiatives that witness the Holy Sees concern for China focussing on Pope Benedict XVs 1919 Apostolic Letter Maximum illud and his desire to establish missionary platforms throughout the world and in China. He also analyses Pope Pius XIs commitment to building a solid bridge with China that resulted in establishing an official Apostolic Delegation to Peking to create a link for all the missions in the territory and confirm believers in their faith. The cover of the book "Un ponte con la Cina - Il Papa e la Delegazione apostolica a Pechino (1919-1939) To do so, the Cardinal notes, he entrusted Monsignor Celso Costantini with this Pontifical Representation, a figure who became an authoritative interpreter of the papal project who laid solid foundations for the future of missions in China. Celso Costantini: the first Apostolic Delegate to China The future Cardinal was able to juggle many difficulties with the prevailing politics and the ever-present pressure from foreign nations. Despite this, with the help of the Pope and various Vatican departments, he managed to achieve truly strategic goals: first of all, the convocation of China's first (and so far only) plenary council, with representatives of all missions; religious decolonization and greater inculturation, Cardinal Parolin writes. All of this, he says, led to the appointment of the first Chinese bishops, who were strongly desired by the Pope who consecrated them in St Peters Basilica in 1926. The Vatican Secretary of State goes on to pose the question: What is the secret of this success? It lies in a speech delivered by Mgr. Costantini himself on 15 January 1923: The Pope loves all nations, like God, whose representative he is; he loves China, your noble and great nation, and, in his heart, he places it after no other; he loves your immense, hard-working, industrious people; he knows your history, which is that of a great people. The Pope's action among the nations is that of a friend [...]. The Pope is the spiritual head of Christians, but his love extends to all men, to whatever religion they belong. Cardinal Parolin goes on to say that the Apostolic Delegate promoted these sentiments throughout his time in China. He even tried, on several occasions, to urge the Holy See to establish direct diplomatic relations with China through a concordat (or through a similar diplomatic instrument), which would allow direct relations with the Government, without foreign intermediaries. Unfortunately, the political and diplomatic situation in the country did not allow the desired result to be achieved, but there is no doubt that the attempt was made. A further effort concerned the so-called question of Chinese rites, a centuries-old controversy that the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples finally managed to resolve in 1939. Current need for mutual understanding and dialogue The Cardinal concludes by expressing his belief that current circumstances present us with the urgent need for mutual understanding and constructive dialogue and says he hopes the research done by the author (who is also the Postulator for Cardinal Costantinis Beatification Cause) will be a step forward in this direction. Pope Francis often reminds us that a spirit of genuine reconciliation, putting aside the misunderstandings and divisions that are the legacy of the past, is crucial to address the many problems that burden the life of the Church in China. Expressing his gratitude for the work carried out by Fr. Adel Afif Nasr and the editor Fr. Christian Gabrieli, OSB, for the "bridge" that they have symbolically allowed us to take a glimpse of between the Holy See and China, Cardinal Parolin says This is our hope, which becomes certainty because we feel that everything is within a plan that is not ours, but God's. Monsignor Janusz Urbanczyk, the Holy Sees Permanent Representative to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), addresses a meeting on media freedom on Thursday. By Robin Gomes The Holy See considers the freedom of press and media, which should act as an instrument for conveying transparent and factual information, as an essential component to promoting democratic values and more just societies. It also wishes to underline the right of individuals to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas, also when it comes to religious and moral issues, said Monsignor Janusz Urbanczyk, Holy Sees Permanent Representative to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Contribution of faith groups Addressing an OSCE meeting on media freedom on May 13, he regretted many preoccupying instances where private individuals and public officials or bodies seek to frighten or intimidate Christians, Jews, Muslims and members of other religions from expressing their faith-based opinion in the public sphere and hinder them from taking an active part in society. This intolerance, he said, is often advanced through accusations of hatred or hate speech, equating religious beliefs to hate and thus depicting religion as a problem. On the contrary, Msgr. Urbanczyk said the media should be encouraged to provide a platform for a wide range of views, including the perspective of different religions. This would allow a much richer and broader representation of all members of society and inspire their exchange of ideas and views for the good of society. He pointed out that the OSCE favours and encourages representatives of religious communities to participate in public discussions which would provide alternative perspectives and moral views on current issues. Rights imply duties The Holy See representative also emphasized that freedom of expression also entails responsibilities that cannot be ignored. For example, he said, freedom of expression must be subject to more stringent limits to protect children. The human person and the human community, he stressed, must be the end and measure of the media of social communication. Since media are instruments and tools, they should be used for the integral development of persons. Fake news In this context, Msgr. Urbanczyk drew attention to the internet and social media, especially with regard to misinformation. News and even images can be easily manipulated, for any number of reasons, at times simply for sheer narcissism. Without demonizing the internet, he called for greater discernment and responsibility for contents both sent and received. All of us are responsible for the communications we make, for the information we share, for the control that we can exert over fake news by exposing it. Womens rights and participation Msgr. Urbanczyk also backed the efforts of OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media in advancing equal opportunities for women in the communication sector, as well as in promoting the protection of all journalists, especially women, from violence of any kind. He said, We must thus recognize the importance of womens participation and engagement in all aspects of cultural, social, political, and economic life. As another night of violence rocks southern Israel and Gaza, aid agencies are calling on all parties to end violence and de-escalate tensions. By Vatican News staff writer It was another night of violence as Hamas launched rocket barrages at southern Israel. Thousands of Israelis took refuge in shelters as sirens blared in Tel Aviv. Hostilities continue Early on Thursday, Israel renewed air strikes on Gaza destroying a residential tower block. With no end in sight to these hostilities, Israel said it was preparing ground troops along the Gaza border. Seven people have been killed in Israel and at least 67 in Gaza since violence escalated on Monday. Israel launched its offensive after Hamas fired rockets at Jerusalem and Tel Aviv in retaliation for Israeli police clashes with Palestinians near the al-Aqsa mosque in East Jerusalem during the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan. With the international community fearing the situation could spiral out of control, US President Joe Biden planned to send an envoy, Hady Amr, for talks with Israel and Palestinians. Children among victims As the violence rages on, it is the innocent who are suffering. According to UN childrens agency UNICEF, at least 14 children in the State of Palestine and 1 child in Israel have reportedly been killed since Monday. Another 95 children in Gaza and the West Bank - including East Jerusalem - and 3 children in Israel have reportedly been injured in the past five days. Calls for an end to violence In a statement, the Director General of the agency, Henrietta Fore called on all parties to end all violence and de-escalate tensions. The UK based Catholic aid agency CAFOD said, the only way out of the cycle of violence and for Israelis and Palestinians to be truly secure, is to revive hope for a just Israeli-Palestinian peace process, aimed at creating the conditions for a stable peace based on justice, where all must be treated equally. Meanwhile, the charity Save the Children said at least five schools in Gaza were damaged and school has also been suspended in southern Israel. Jason Lee, Director for the Palestinian Territories at the charity, said children are terrified. For them, as for all families in Gaza, he pointed out, the last 48 hours are like the horrors they have witnessed over the last 12 years in three wars in Gaza. With the situation at a dangerous tipping point, Save the Children is also calling on all parties to the conflict to adhere to their obligations under international law and to take extra precautions not to target the civilian population particularly children. Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 21:22:11|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close LUSAKA, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Zambian Vice President Inonge Wina on Friday encouraged women in Africa to venture into the livestock sector due to high demand. "I encourage women to go full time and grow big in the agriculture sector and livestock production in particular because the demand market for livestock products is ever-growing," she said during the launch of the African Women in Animal Resources Farming and Agri-business Network (AWARFAN) Zambia Chapter. The AWARFAN is a project of the African Union (AU) aimed at promoting entrepreneurial agribusiness as means for job and wealth creation for Africa's women and youth. The Zambian vice-president said it was gratifying that the AU had continued to place women empowerment programming at the center of its agenda, adding that the Zambian government was placing a high premium on women's participation in fisheries and livestock production. She encouraged the AWARFAN to empower women and girls to effectively acquire land and own animals and improve value chain systems and expressed delight that the organization has already developed its action plan to propel its activities in Zambia from 2021 to 2024. According to her, the country had the potential to lead in fisheries and livestock in the southern African region. AWARFAAN Zambia Chapter National Chairperson Annie Kabayi said her organization would work toward complementing government efforts in empowering women and girls. She further commended the government for spearheading policy developments that provided an enabling environment for women and girls to thrive in the agriculture sector. Enditem The Vietnamese government recently issued Decision 17/2021/QD-TTg on vocational training support for employees participating in unemployment insurance. The development underlines Vietnams continued effort in improving the labor landscape as the country experiences strong growth, both economically and socially. Vietnam Briefing highlights the main aspects of Decision 17 which took effect on May 15 and the entities eligible for vocational training. On March 31, the Vietnamese Prime Minister issued Decision 17/2021/QD-TTg (Decision 17) on vocational training support for employees participating in unemployment insurance. This decision brings a positive difference in improving Vietnams human resources (HR). The Decision took effect from May 15, 2021, and offers training assistance for various support levels. Decision 17 highlights Decision 17 is applicable for all workers participating in unemployment insurance. Vietnamese Briefing explores the key highlights of Decision 17. Regulated entities There are several entities that are eligible for benefits under Decision 17, such as: Employees as prescribed in Article 55 of the Law on Employment. To elaborate, Article 55 states that employees who pay unemployment insurance are entitled to vocational training support if they meet the following conditions: Terminate the labor contract or work contract; Submit an application form asking to receive unemployment benefits at the employment service center as prescribed; Are unable to find a job 15 days from the day they filled the application form for unemployment benefits; Paid unemployment insurance for nine months or more within 24 months before their labor contract or working contract was terminated. Vocational institutions and higher education institutions who have registered for the provision of vocational education at the college level. Also, enterprises, regulatory bodies, and organizations are permitted to provide vocational education and participate in occupational training. Ministry of Labor War Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA), social insurance authorities, employment agencies established by employment authorities, and regulatory bodies involved in occupational training for workers. Vocational training support rate Different types of labor and vocational training will receive different amounts of financial support. There are two levels based on which the vocational training program will be accessed to decide how much support the worker will receive. First level: for workers participating in a vocational training course for up to three months, the support level is determined according to the tuition fees of the vocational training institution and the actual training time. However, the actual support amount must not exceed 4.5 million VND (US$196)/person/training course. Second level: for workers who participate in a vocational training course exceeding the length of three months, the support level is determined monthly, by the tuition fee rate and the actual training time. However, the actual support amount must not exceed 1.5 million VND (US$65)/person/month. Apart from the two levels above, occasionally there are cases where workers participate in a vocational training course in which the duration does not make up a full month according to the syllabus and structure of the training institution, the odd days are calculated as follows: If there are a total of 14 odd days or fewer, it will be regarded as half a month; If there are a total of 15 odd days or more, it will be regarded as one full month. Applications and documents for vocational training support Application for vocational training and provision of vocational training support are specified in Article 24 and Article 25 of Decree 28/2015/ND-CP (Decree 28) issued by the government in March 2015 and Decree 61/2020/ND-CP (Decree 61) in May 2020 which amends several articles in Decree 28. Decree 28 details enforcement of some Articles of the Law on Employment on unemployment insurance. Decree 61 lists adjustments in unemployment insurance allowance among other categories Procedures for provision of vocational training support Regarding the source of funding, the Vietnamese government has stated that social insurance authorities will cover vocation training allowances for regulated entities, using financial resources from the unemployment insurance fund. As mentioned previously, Decision 17 takes effect on May 15. Workers that have submitted their application before the effective but who have not received vocational training are also eligible for these support schemes. Government support for vocational training and the unemployed From the scope and the elements listed in Decision 17, the Vietnamese government is emphasizing improving the labor market and supporting the unemployed in Vietnam. However, this support program is only applicable for the unemployed who participate in unemployment insurance. The Vietnamese labor market can be further enhanced if the government improves either two issues: lowering the level of unemployment insurance or offering a more extensive support scheme that is more affordable and less costly for all Vietnamese citizens. Send to Email Address Your Name Your Email Address Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Email check failed, please try again Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. The signing ceremony of comprehensive partnership agreement between C.T Group and Foreign Trade University - Ho Chi Minh City Campus According to Tran Kim Chung, chairman of C.T Group, the move is expected to spur a new model of cooperation between universities and businesses. C.T Group will partner with Foreign Trade University to research the development of a digital banking platform for export and second home programmes in foreign markets like Japan and Singapore. In the midst of increasing globalisation and Industry 4.0 trends, the two sides will work together to study solutions to boost exports where Vietnamese firms will sell products to foreign companies based in Vietnam. Residential property and commercial logistics areas developed by C.T Group have attracted the attention of 30 per cent of foreign customers, which is an effective way for on-spot export to attract foreign capital. At the same time, the group will team up with the university to look into international technology transfer. Nguyen Xuan Minh, director of Foreign Trade University Ho Chi Minh City Campus said that, The university offers education for several majors in line with C.T Groups orientations such as banking, finance, accounting, auditing, logistics, and supply chain management. With a team of enthusiastic, highly qualified lecturers, the university continuously updates its knowledge and technology base to train students according to international standards. In addition, C.T Group also offers preferential housing policies for Foreign Trade University lecturers and students to buy apartments at its DIYAS residential project. The group also facilitates the university to join its scientific exchange programmes as well as invest in its stocks and other investment projects in both local and foreign markets. The university can also partake in some of the groups HR training programmes, cultural exchange, sponsorship, charity and volunteer activities. Excellent students at the university can join the management trainee programme to start long-term careers. The group will not only offer professional working environment but also salary above the market average. Nguyen Xuan Minh, the universitys director lauded the development of the group in business and corporate social responsibility activities by increasing partnership with prestigious universities. Meanwhile, the chairman of C.T Group said that university-company partnerships are growing more popular around the world and will start to take off in Vietnam. C.T Group is committed to providing sponsorship to universities including Foreign Trade University Ho Chi Minh City Campus to support the development of quality human resources to meet the fast-paced development in the new era. Hopefully, with sincerity and goodwill, the two sides will have very successful cooperation to elevate the university-corporate partnership model to the next level to be on par with developed markets, he stated. GREENFEED's high-quality Cu Jut breed farm in Dak Nong province This first successful shipment is yet another landmark for GREENFEED a fully integrated Feed-Farm-Food (3F) chain in bringing superior swine genetic breeds and effective farming solutions to the regional market. On April 19, GREENFEED's very first batch of more than 2,400 superior PICs genetic gilts departed to the Cambodia market from Cu Jut farm in Vietnams Central Highlands province of Dak Nong. This export aims at manifesting GREENFEEDs vision to leverage its effective farming solutions to lead the livestock industry on a more modern and sustainable path. The journey took 10 days in strict compliance with veterinary regulations as well as COVID-19 prevention protocols. In Cambodia, GF24 (Camborough48) gilts will be raised on an 83-hectare closed farm operated by GREENFEED, with well-equipped, modern barns advanced facilities strictly following the companys breeding model and PICs standards. Once officially put into operation, GREENFEEDs farm in Cambodia is expected to produce 2,200 piglets, 300 GF24 (Camborough48) gilts and 2,200 hogs each month for the Cambodian market. This export aims at manifesting GREENFEEDs vision to leverage its effective farming solutions to lead the livestock industry on a more modern and sustainable path. GREENFEEDs farming solutions cover animal nutrition, international quality standard breeding solutions, barn solutions, livestock management and biosecurity. GREENFEED's exporting truck arrives at Vietnam Cambodia border gate The transport process was strictly compliant with veterinary regulations as well asCOVID-19 prevention protocols applicable for cross-border exportation GF24 (Camborough48) gilts are the result of long years of research and development between GREENFEED and PIC. GF24 (Camborough48) offers a range of preeminent features such as high environmental and biological adaptability to all livestock conditions right from the first stage of entering the farm; genetic resistance to E.coli F18; stable productivity from the first farrowing, reaching 31 32 weaned piglets per sow each year; healthy uniform piglet development; quick breeding time of 3-5 days in good conditions; while piglets raised for meat grow rapidly, yielding quality meat and high economic efficiencies. With 18 years of professional experiences in developing highly effective farming solutions, reinforced by the advantages of its exclusive GF24 (Camborough48) breed, GREENFEED is a trusted business partner for Vietnamese farmers and agricultural investors in modern, efficient and sustainable farming. In Vietnam, GREENFEED has completed the integrated 3F chain with the launch of G Kitchen, the chilled meat and processed food brand. Moreover, by the promising market share, GREENFEED has recently introduced MAMACHOICE brand, offering quality food at accessible prices to consumers across Vietnam. The launching of MAMACHOICE aims to provide one of output solutions for farms applying GREENFEEDs full set farming solutions in Vietnam. The successful export of GF24 (Camborough48) marks the second major milestone in completing 3F chain of GREENFEED in the Cambodian market, highlighting the company's dedication to promote professional, efficient and sustainable livestock production while supporting re-herding efforts. Medical workers in Ho Chi Minh City take sample for COVID-19 testing (Photo: VNA) Hanoi Vietnam logged 16 more COVID-19 cases in the past six hours to 12:00 May 14, all of them were detected in sealed off areas, according to the Ministry of Health. Of the new infections, seven were in Bac Ninh, three in the Tan Trieu facility of the Vietnam's National Cancer Hospital, along with two each in Lang Son and Nam Dinh and one each in Thai Binh and Hung Yen. As of May 14, Vietnam reported a total 1,458 imported cases and 2,298 locally transmitted ones, including 728 infections since April 27. Meanwhile, 83,415 people are being quarantined nationwide. The MoHs Department of Medical Examination Management reported that 2,657 patients have been given the all-clear. Among those who are still under treatment at medical establishments, 49 have tested negative once, 25 twice and 18 thrice. Increasing domestic production capacity is one among solutions to stabilise the domestic steel market while prices are soaring in recent months (Photo: baochinhphu.vn) Hanoi - The Ministry of Industry and Trade has proposed the Government consider policies to tighten exports of steel products to stabilise the domestic market amid soaring steel prices in recent months. At a recent Government meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai asked the ministry to find solutions to increase domestic steel production and ensure supply and demand balance. The ministry said that soaring steel prices had hit not only Vietnam but also the global market. Domestic steel production is heavily dependent on imported raw materials, making a price increase unavoidable. The ministry said technical barriers and quality standards were being studied to create a healthy market together with the active implementation of trade defence instruments. A close watch is being kept on the market development to handle the dumping of some steel products into Vietnam as well as to cope with anti-dumping lawsuits on products originating from Vietnam to minimise injuries to domestic producers. Market watch efforts have also been enhanced to prevent market manipulation or trade fraud which might cause loss to the State budget and negatively affect consumers. The ministry is studying policies to control exports of steel products which the domestic market has a high demand for to propose to the Government for approval while raising solutions to remove difficulties for steel production investment projects. According to Truong Ba Tuan, Deputy Director of the Tax Policy Department under the Ministry of Finance, Vietnam could consider adjusting safeguard duties on steel ingots and construction steel products to lower prices. On March 20, the Ministry of Industry and Trade decided to continue imposing safeguard duties on imported steel ingots for three more years. Tuan, however, noted that lowering safeguard duties must be put under careful consideration to promote the domestic steel industry and stabilise the domestic market. It was important to have solutions to ensure market supply and demand balance and improve domestic production capacity, he said. Dang Cong Khoi, Deputy Director of the Price Management Department under the Ministry of Finance, said the whopping rise in raw materials prices, including steel scrap and ingots, from mid-October 2020 had pushed up steel prices globally. Statistics showed the current prices of raw materials increased by 37-39 percent against October. Ore price hit more than 220 USD per tonnes on May 10 in the global market, breaking the record of 194 USD set a decade ago. The Ministry of Industry and Trade said soaring steel prices in the domestic market largely affected other industries. Especially as the Government is accelerating the disbursement of public investment to drive economic growth amid the pandemic, high steel prices would push up investment costs and threaten to destroy the Governments medium-term public investment plan. According to the Vietnam Steel Association, the domestic steel market would set a new price level in 2021. The association urged its member manufacturers to expand production and organise efficient distribution systems to help stabilise the domestic market. Collecting samples for COVID-19 testing in Bac Giang province (Photo: VNA) Hanoi Nepalese newswire peoplesreview.com.np on May 12 ran an article praising Vietnams decisive steps to minimise both health and economic outcomes from the COVID-19 pandemic. It wrote that Vietnam effectively combated the pandemic thanks to the Governments quick and decisive action while public compliance with precautionary measures, including social distancing, was adopted, Factories focused on building medical supplies, preventing health centres from lacking personal protective equipment and ventilators, it said. According to the article, Vietnams economy is resilient, expanding by 2.91 percent in 2020 one of the worlds highest growth rates and is projected to grow by 6.5 percent in 2021. And before COVID-19, the country has made significant progress in public finance integration. The construction of these financial, external, and financial buffers before the epidemic made Vietnam more resilient to shock. COVID-19 worsened their liquidity and soluble position by raising financial stability concerns through bank exposure. The monetary, financial, and financial sector policies implemented by the Government have helped reduce corporate defaults and the immediate risks to the general public, it added. Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Hanoi Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long has asked agencies and localities nationwide to immediately make plans to carry out the third phase of COVID-19 vaccination on greater scale compared to the previous phases. According to the official, 1.682 million doses of AstraZenceca COVID-19 vaccine will arrive in Vietnam on May 16, which are supplied by COVAX Facility via the UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF). Dr Duong Thi Hong, Deputy Director of the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology said that the Expanded Programme on Immunisation will continue to hold trainings on COVID-19 vaccination, especially pre-vaccination screening and response to post-injection reations to ensure safety. Meanwhile, Prof. Dr Phan Trong Lan, head of the Ho Chi Minh City Pasteur Institute underlined the significance of COVID-19 vaccination amid the complicated pandemic situation in the region and the world with over 3 million deaths so far. Minister Long said that the Ministry of Health has negotiated with many countries, organisations and vaccine producers, resulting in 110 million doses of vaccines committed for Vietnam, including 31 million doses from COVAX Facility, 30 million from AstraZeneca, and 31 million from Pfizer/BioNTech. The ministry has registered with COVAX to buy additional 10 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine under the cost-share mechanism, he added. Long affirmed that the ministry is still working with other suppliers to diversify sources of supplies. Since March 2021, the COVID-19 vaccination scheme has been carried out, with priority given to frontline medical workers and people involving in COVID-19 prevention and control activities. As of May 13, 959,182 doses of COVID-19 vaccines had been administered to the target groups in an effective and safe manner. The second phase of the scheme is expected to complete on May 15. General Stephen Townsend, Chief of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), recently warned that Beijing is attempting to set up an Atlantic naval base on the western coast of Africa that will service its aircraft carriers and submarines. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has reportedly contacted several African countries already. If successful, the Chinese navy will have a military presence in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, posing a significant threat to American and allied interests. Townsends warnings agree with the Defense Departments recent shift in focus from terrorist activities to bigger threats from Russia and China. Theyre looking for a place where they can rearm and repair warships. That becomes militarily useful in conflict. Theyre a long way toward establishing that in Djibouti. Now theyre casting their gaze to the Atlantic coast and wanting to get such a base there. Townsend told AP News. The Chinese are outmaneuvering the U.S. in select countries in Africa Port projects, economic endeavors, infrastructure, and their agreements and contracts will lead to greater access in the future. They are hedging their bets and making big bets on Africa, he continued. Africas economic and strategic assets Many experts believe that China will soon be establishing a naval base in Tanzania, an African nation that has strong military ties with Beijing. However, Townsend is not concerned because Tanzania is located on the eastern coast of the continent. A base on the Northern Atlantic coast of Africa would be substantially closer to the continental U.S. Henry Tugendhat, a senior policy analyst with the United States Institute of Peace, believes that Beijings interest in Africa is largely due to economic interests. The African west coast is rich with resources such as oil and fisheries, and China has already funded the construction of a commercial port in Cameroon, which lies on the west coast. Some U.S. officials say the CCP is eyeing a nearby port in the Gulf of Guinea. In a 2020 report on Chinas military prowess, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) warned about the communist regimes growing presence in Africa. Beyond its current base in Djibouti, the PRC [Peoples Republic of China] is very likely already considering and planning for additional overseas military logistics facilities to support naval, air, and ground forces, the DoD wrote. A global PLA [Peoples Liberation Army] military logistics network could interfere with U.S. military operations and provide flexibility to support offensive operations against the United States, the report continued. Prime African locations for PLA military facilties include Tanzania, Kenya, and Angola. Sharing Tugendhats views, the report stressed that Africas natural resources, specifically oil and natural gas, make it a high-priority region for Beijing. Chinas military presence in Africa China already has a military base in Africa in the northeastern nation of Djibouti. First opened in 2017, the base houses 400 Chinese soldiers and is situated just a few kilometers from an American military base with 4,000 U.S. troops. Djibouti is also home to a French military base. China has been actively funneling money into the country, reportedly owning almost 70 percent of the nations debt. Djibouti elites have welcomed Chinese investments in hopes of turning the country into the Singapore of Africa. With its unique geographical location, the country is well-positioned to become an economic hub. However, critics are wary of the Chinese investments, which may disproportionately benefit Chinese firms over local businesses. In addition, at a recent U.S. Senate hearing about worldwide threats to America, Defense Intelligence Agency Director Army Lt. Gen. Scott Berrier warned about the threat of CCP military bases in Africa. I believe the Chinese, in order to safeguard their Belt [and] Road Initiative, will place military forces where they see they need that kind of capability, he said at the hearing. Africa is certainly one of those places where they have done that. The interesting thing about the way they look at Africa is sort of this long-term developmental approach, which will allow them over a long period to put more forces there, he continued. With reporting by Prakash Gogoi. Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 22:03:17|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close Precious Kaniki, a resident of Lusaka living with HIV, poses for a photo in Lusaka, Zambia, on May 10, 2021. As the world works to end AIDS, more and more Zambian young people who are HIV positive begin to openly talk about their status. (Photo by Lillian Banda/Xinhua) LUSAKA, May 14 (Xinhua) -- As the world works to end AIDS, more and more Zambian young people who are HIV positive begin to openly talk about their status. It is an effort to discourage populations from discriminating people living with HIV as well as encourage those infected to seek help without feeling ashamed. One of the Zambians who have come out to publicly state that they are HIV positive is 29-year-old Precious Kaniki, a resident of Zambia's capital Lusaka. Kaniki who tested positive for HIV about 14 years ago explained that she had challenges accepting her condition because of what society perceived people living with the virus. She explained that some young people have been dumped by their partners after they revealed their HIV status. There are also individuals living with HIV who are discriminated against by their own family members whereby in a home set up, one is forced to use separate cutlery. "These are some of the things that compelled me to begin to talk openly about my status," kaniki said. She added that confronting issues head on has greatly helped many youths in Zambia and beyond to take positive action towards the further spread of HIV as evidenced from media reports. "It is good that many young people living with HIV have taken the step to speak about their status publicly. This has greatly helped to dispel misinformation around the topic," Kaniki further added. And according to a youth rights advocate, many more HIV positive youths are openly talking about their status because they have realized that doing so encourages other members of society to appreciate the fact that having HIV is not a death sentence. Those skeleton-like images of people with AIDS from the 1980s and early 1990s do not exist today because people living with HIV are living much longer, and healthier lives, thanks to antiretroviral therapy, said Oswald Chisenga, director at Phenomenal Positive Youths Zambia, an entity that advances the needs of youths living with HIV in Zambia. Thirty-two-year-old Chisenga who is HIV positive said it is encouraging to see many young people talking freely about being HIV positive noting that this has greatly helped to reduce stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS. He revealed youths from a number of countries in southern as well as East African regions are openly talking about their HIV status through the various media platforms run by Phenomenal Positive Youths Zambia. These young people are helping change the narrative of HIV/AIDS and letting populations see that HIV positive people have a lot to offer society, he said. Chisenga was, however, quick to state that while Phenomenal Positive Youths Zambia supports those who choose to go public about their status, it does not compel them to do so. "It is a choice that one has to make on their own after much consideration. Our job is to give them the necessary support," he said. Chisenga further stressed that his organization is working to ensure that youths who are HIV negative maintain their negative status so as to ensure the realization of the global goal of ending AIDS by 2030. According to UNAIDS data 2019, there are about 1.2 million people living with HIV in Zambia. Enditem NASA criticized the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for recklessly endangering the world with the uncontrolled re-entry of its latest Long March 5B rocket after it crashed into the Indian Ocean near the Maldives on May 9. The rocket carried onboard the Tianhe Heavenly Harmony module, the first of Chinas Tiangong Space Station. This Long March 5B core plummeting to Earths surface was approximately 22 tons and was the heaviest to suffer an uncontrolled reentry since the USSRs Salyut-7 in 1991 at 39 tons. In April 2018, Chinese space lab Tiangong-1 plummeted into Earth, eventually breaking down over the South Pacific. We have Salyut 7's parts for display here in Argentina. In Oro Verde Observatory you can see part of the hatch and same electronics. The hatch is outside the main entry.https://t.co/uIhsRLPYEJ pic.twitter.com/3gZcVhQtMx Guillermo Garcia (@AstroLepra) May 9, 2021 Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist at Harvard University, told CNN the Chinese rocket was designed in a way that it leaves these big stages in low orbit. In another interview with CNN, McDowell said dense pieces from the Long March 5B could have survived reentry, with enough power to take down a house. In May of 2020, the Communist Party sent another Long March 5B core uncontrolled back towards Earths surface. That one was not so lucky. It landed on two villages in the Ivory Coast. Fortunately, nobody was injured. The U.S. space agency criticized China for not adhering to internationally accepted space safety standards. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson demanded spacefaring nations be more transparent about objects reentering earth for the purposes of safeguarding people and property. It is clear that China is failing to meet responsible standards regarding their space debris It is critical that China and all spacefaring nations and commercial entities act responsibly and transparently in space to ensure the safety, stability, security, and long-term sustainability of outer space activities, Nelson said in a statement. China plans on conducting 10 more launches that will transport additional components of its space station. Foreign Ministry propaganda guru Hua Chunying claimed they were being treated unfairly because of positive reactions when a SpaceX rocket fell in Oregon and Washington in March. American media used romantic rhetoric like shooting stars lighting up the night sky But when it comes to the Chinese side, its a completely different approach, Hua claimed to AP.. Space debris According to NASA, there are millions of objects, classified as space junk, flying in the Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Such objects can be tiny flecks of paint left over from a spacecraft, pieces of spacecraft, rocket parts, non-operational satellites, and so on. These objects hurtle through space at speeds of up to 18,000 miles an hour, which is roughly seven times the speed of a bullet. Two major events which have increased the volume of space junk in the LEO are the accidental collision between a Russian and American spacecraft in 2009 and the intentional destruction of Chinas Fengyun-1C spacecraft back in 2007. Together, these two incidents increased the large orbital debris by roughly 70 percent. Estimates put the total quantity of LEO space junk at 6,000 tons. Though solutions have been suggested for removing space debris, Moriba Jah, an orbital debris expert at the University of Texas at Austin, told Scientific American that the business case for such endeavors are presently not monetizable. Jah thinks that spacefaring nations should treat near-Earth space as an ecosystem that needs to be protected. We need a way we can quantify at what point an orbital highway gets saturated with traffic so that its not usable. Then you can assign a bounty for objects and talk about non-consensual debris removal. Maybe there is a penalty to the sovereign owner of their dead asset thats taking up capacity of an orbit. This could definitely create a marketplace where space-object-removal technologies can thrive. Cambodia has administered at least one shot of a COVID-19 vaccine to over 2 million residents in an aggressive vaccination drive that kicked off in early February. The effort resulted in a high vaccination rate but has been marred with confusion and, more recently, coercion. The country is facing its worst COVID-19 outbreak since January 2020 with more than 19,500 cases reported since February this year. In the last 12 months, Cambodia has reported less than 500 cases with small spikes in March and November 2020. As of Friday, roughly 20 percent of Cambodias adult population had received at least one dose of the available vaccines, or about 13 percent of the total population, according to Health Ministry figures. Dr. Nuth Sambath, who heads the Institute of Biology, Medicine, and Agriculture at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said fear of contracting the disease was likely a motivating factor for many to get the vaccines. The February 20 domestic infection situation became worse, so more people who were experiencing the real impacts of COVID-19 forced themselves to get vaccinated, Nuth Sambath said. The recent outbreak has also resulted in Cambodias first reported COVID-19 death with 147 deaths reported as of Friday. Shortly after Phnom Penh saw a significant spike in daily cases in early April, photos on social media showed large crowds gathering around hospitals hoping to get vaccinated and protect themselves from the disease. Observers said the decision to make vaccinations mandatory in red zones areas with high case counts and with strict lockdown rules coupled with the easy access of China-made Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccines has aided the governments push to reach herd immunity. Cambodia has received 4,524,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines including 1.7 million doses of the Beijing Bio-Institute of Biological Products Sinopharm vaccines, 2.5 million doses Sinovacs Coronavac jab, and 324,000 doses of AstraZenecas Covishield vaccine. The latter supplied through a global vaccine-sharing scheme called COVAX. The government has ordered six million more doses from China to supplement its push in areas with high case counts. A majority of doses administered to groups who have no choice but to get the vaccine red zone residents, government employees, and military and security personnel. In early April, Prime Minister Hun Sen expressed displeasure at some civil servants who were reluctant to get the vaccine. He immediately issued a sub-decree on April 11 that allowed for the dismissal of government employees who didnt get vaccinated. Most red zones in Phnom Penh have a high concentration of factories, manufacturing units, and low-cost worker housing. The government has made factory workers a priority group for vaccinations since many live in red zones. Labor Ministry Spokesperson Heng Sour said garment workers who were not vaccinated by the end of the mass vaccination campaign could face job losses. The government quickly reversed this position after a few worker protests in red zones. Soeng Senkaruna, a senior investigator at local rights group ADHOC, said the multiple rules and statements from senior government officials were placing pressure on individuals who should be taking these decisions keeping in mind their health. There are of course some people who have turned up voluntarily for vaccines and there are some people who feel compelled by different factors including [comments] from the top leadership after which they decided to get vaccinated, Soeung Senkaruna said. The government has also caused confusion with some of its announcements and back-peddling on the vaccine issue. After announcing that Cambodia would only use World Health Organization-approved vaccines in the country, Prime Minister Hun Sen had a quick change of heart. The Sinopharm and Sinovac vaccines were not approved by the global health body when Hun Sen reversed his decision and is now largely reliant on the two vaccines. The World Health Organization issued the approval for Sinopharm vaccine last week, after weeks of delays and suspense. Sinovac is expected to get approval in the coming weeks. The clearance means that the WHO can use the vaccine through the COVAX mechanism making them more accessible to low- and middle-income countries. Dr. Swee Kheng Khor, an independent health policy and global health specialist, said Cambodias reliance on Chinese-made vaccines was not unusual amid a global shortage of vaccine supplies. Most of this reliance is due to ability to access supplies, prices and familiarity with the vaccine manufacturers, and only partially due to geopolitics, ideology or foreign policy, Kheng Khor told VOA Khmer in an email. Khor said Cambodia should also seek to diversify its vaccine offerings. One, a diverse set of vaccine suppliers will reduce the risk of supply disruptions or to be held hostage by price hikes or changes in commercial decisions. Two, a diverse set of vaccine suppliers may help Cambodia and other countries get adequate vaccine supplies faster, which will help reach herd immunity faster, he added. Three, a diverse set of vaccine suppliers will provide vaccine choices to citizens, which could encourage the vaccine take-up rate because citizens will feel like they are actively in control of their vaccination status, said the Kuala Lumpur-based expert. While the government pushes forward with its vaccination drive, health officials said there were no plans to monitor the effectiveness of the vaccines being used in the country. Vaccine effectiveness is measured in real-world settings and on a large sampling of the population. The Indian government in April released data showing that 0.03 percent of people who had taken both doses of Covishield, which is the AstraZeneca vaccine produced in India, had been infected with COVID-19 with many patients only having mild symptoms. A real-world effectiveness study of Sinovac in health workers in Indonesia and found the vaccine to be 98 percent and 96 percent effective in preventing deaths and hospitalizations, respectively. There is no publicly available data or real-world study for Sinopharm, which has an efficacy of 79 percent. Health Ministry Secretary of State Or Vandine said there is no plan for vaccinated people to go through antibody tests to measure their immune response or to conduct an effectiveness study in the country. We have not conducted it yet because there has been no policy or plan to do so, said Vandine, who also leads the governments Ad Hoc Commission on COVID-19 Vaccination. Dr. Nuth Sambath, from the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said the government should invest in monitoring the effectiveness of its immunization campaign. In a move to send the country back toward pre-pandemic life, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday eased indoor mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated people, allowing them to safely stop wearing masks inside in most places. The new guidance still calls for wearing masks in crowded indoor settings like buses, planes, hospitals, prisons and homeless shelters but will help clear the way for reopening workplaces, schools and other venues even removing the need for masks or social distancing for those who are fully vaccinated. "We have all longed for this moment when we can get back to some sense of normalcy," said Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the director of the CDC. The CDC will also no longer recommend that fully vaccinated people wear masks outdoors in crowds. The announcement comes as the CDC and the Biden administration have faced pressure to ease restrictions on fully vaccinated people people who are two weeks past their last required COVID-19 vaccine dose in part to highlight the benefits of getting the shot. Walensky announced the new guidance Thursday afternoon at a White House briefing, saying the long-awaited change is thanks to millions of people getting vaccinated and based on the latest science about how well those shots are working. "Anyone who is fully vaccinated can participate in indoor and outdoor activities large or small without wearing a mask or physically distancing," Walensky said. "If you are fully vaccinated, you can start doing the things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic." The easing guidance is likely to open the door to confusion, since there is no surefire way for businesses or others to distinguish between those fully vaccinated and those who are not. President Joe Biden highlighted the new guidance Thursday afternoon in a speech from the White House. The new guidance comes as the aggressive U.S. vaccination campaign begins to pay off. U.S. virus cases are at their lowest rate since September, deaths are at their lowest point since last April and the test positivity rate is at the lowest point since the pandemic began. To date about 154 million Americans, more than 46% of the population, have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccines and more than 117 million are fully vaccinated. The rate of new vaccinations has slowed in recent weeks, but with the authorization Wednesday of the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 12 to 15, a new burst of doses is expected in the coming days. Motivation to vaccinate Just two weeks ago, the CDC recommended that fully vaccinated people continue to wear masks indoors in all settings and outdoors in large crowds. During a virtual meeting Tuesday on vaccinations with a bipartisan group of governors, Biden appeared to acknowledge that his administration had to do more to model the benefits of vaccination. "I would like to say that we have fully vaccinated people; we should start acting like it," Utah Governor Spencer Cox, a Republican, told Biden. "And that's a big motivation: Get the unvaccinated to want to get vaccinated." "Good point," Biden responded. He added, "We're going to be moving on that in the next little bit." Variants Walensky said the evidence from the U.S. and Israel shows the vaccines are as strongly protective in real-world use as they were in earlier studies, and that so far they continue to work even though some worrying mutated versions of the virus are spreading. The more people continue to get vaccinated, the faster infections will drop and the harder it will be for the virus to mutate enough to escape vaccines, she stressed, urging everyone 12 and older who's not yet vaccinated to sign up. And while some people still get COVID-19 despite vaccination, Walensky said that's rare and cited evidence that those infections tend to be milder, shorter and harder to spread to others. If someone who's vaccinated does develop COVID-19 symptoms, they should immediately put their mask back on and get tested, she said. There are some caveats. Walensky encouraged people who have weak immune systems, such as from organ transplants or cancer treatment, to talk with their doctors before shedding their masks. That's because of continued uncertainty about whether the vaccines can rev up a weakened immune system as well as they do normal, healthy ones. The High Court is still in session in Zimbabwes capital, Harare, following the dismissal of a an application filed by Justice Minister and Judicial Service Commission for three presiding judges to recuse themselves from a case in which local lawyers and a war veteran are challenging the extension of Chief Justice Malabas term of office by President Emmerson Mnangagwa. According to a VOA Correspondent, deliberations are ongoing at the court where the Young Lawyers Association of Zimbabwe (YLAZ) and Frederick Mutanda, a liberation war veteran, filed an urgent chamber application at Harare High Court seeking an order to stop Chief Justice Luke Malaba from continuing as the head of the Constitutional Court. The court adjourned for a couple of hours as Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi and the Judicial Service Commission attempted to stop the judges, particularly Zhou, from handling the case. In the application filed by Honey & Blanckenberg Legal Practitioners, who are members of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, YLAZ and Mutanda argued that Chief Justice Malaba ought not to benefit from the term extension provisions as introduced by the amendment of the Constitution since he has served 15 years as a Judge of the Constitutional Court. YLAZ and Mutanda argued that the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), which is cited as the first respondent, failed to discharge its constitutional obligations diligently and without delay as was and now is required in law and as provided in section 324 of the Constitution. YLAZ contended that if Chief Justice Malaba continues in office there would be no Constitutional Court in Zimbabwe thereby pushing the country into a constitutional crisis because he would have retained power in clear contravention of section 328(7) of the Constitution. In a supporting affidavit filed together with the urgent chamber application, Mutanda argued that government is reversing the gains and fruits of the liberation struggle such as the Constitution. YLAZ and Mutanda want the High Court to declare that in failing to activate the provisions of section 180 of the Constitution diligently and without delay, the JSC violated section 324 of the Constitution. They also want Chief Justice Malaba not to benefit from the term limit extension as introduced by an amendment of section 186 of the Constitution and for him to vacate office as the chief justice at midnight on May 15, 2021. In the alternative, YLAZ and Mutanda want section 14 of Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No.2) Act, 2021, to be declared invalid for violating section 56(3) of the Constitution and be struck down. High Court Judges Justice Jester Charewa, Justice Happias Zhou and Justice Edith Mushore are presiding over the case. Funeral Announcements A daily list of current funeral annoucements as heard on KXRA 1490 AM/100.3 FM News Updates The daily news, sports, and events delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria. Sports Update This current sports headlines delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria. Upcoming Events This email is the events of the area delivered daily from Voice of Alexandria. Breaking News The big news. Sent only as it happens. Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 23:31:19|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close NAIROBI, May 14 (Xinhua) -- In an under-populated village located 68 kilometres southeast of Nairobi, Kenya's capital city, lies a farm with endless stretches of green interspaced by towering water tanks. The nearly three-acre farm is ever drawing interest from local residents owing to its high-yielding capabilities. This is despite being situated in a region that has for decades received minimal rainfall. Vincent Mulunje, the farm owner, terms it as self-sufficient because of its capacity to produce nearly all its input as well as its efficiency in utilizing waste. "Every equipment, animal, and plant present is not by chance. I selected them after accessing their individual benefits and their ability to work as a single unit that will sustain itself," said Mulunje at his farm. "The scat from cow, goats, and chicken is collected and constitutes composite manure, foliage from the farm which are unsellable are fed to the herbivores while water from the wells ensures the crops receive water, whether it rains or not," he added. Kenyan government spokesman in April relayed a concerning message, 1.4 million people largely from the northern part of the country were at risk of hunger. The startling projection emerged from the weather forecast that suggested the counties of Garissa, Turkana, Wajir, Mandera, and Isiolo could receive depressed rainfall. While this was happening, some residents along the Great Rift Valley were reeling from the economic and social devastation caused by the rising waters of Lake Bogoria and Lake Baringo. Additionally, inhabitants close to Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru and other rift valley lakes, received advisories in April to move to safer grounds in the wake of the pounding rains. The two extremes that are now becoming more frequent and intense in their severity are now inspiring a shift in farming practice, a departure from traditional farming techniques, and the adoption of short-season crops. It is, therefore, no surprise that Mulunje has put a large tract of his land to growing kales and other ingenious leafy vegetables in place of the traditional maize crop. "A crop like maize can only be planted twice a year and the production cost is high, whilst kales take two to three weeks. Also, if I calculate what I could make with one bag of maize harvested after a few months and vegetables harvested every three weeks the difference is stark," said Mulunje. "A Sukuma wiki (kales) harvest can fetch me 1,071 shillings (about 10 US dollars) after every three weeks, of course, the rate shoots up depending on the harvest while with maize I have to wait for close to six months to make money," he added. Farming across Kenya is increasingly changing in response to the high temperatures, long bouts of drought, and rising sea levels. Some farmers are being more experimental with drought-resistant crops like millet while others like Mulunje are deviating from what was familiar many years ago for the more lucrative crops. "My mother planted a lot of sweet potatoes, arrowroots which did very well but right now very few people have those in their farms, nearly every farmer wants a fast-maturing crop and one that consumes moderate water," Mulunje said. He said that some of the streams and rivers that supported arrowroots and other varieties of tubers have since dried up. Moreover, he stressed the importance of embracing farming as a steady source of income referencing his success story. Aside from kales, the farm also has spinach, avocado trees, chilies, beans, orange and lemon trees. He has two dug-up wells which serve both the farm and his homestead needs sufficiently. According to a 2019 Word Bank analysis, Kenyan households that are exclusively engaged in agriculture contributed 31.4 percent to the reduction of rural poverty with agriculture being the biggest employer to both poor and non-poor households in rural areas. Enditem Oh, you like podcasts? Sign up for Vultures new recommendation newsletter 1.5x Speed here. Photo-Illustration: Vulture The true-crime-podcast universe is ever expanding. Were here to make it a bit smaller and a bit more manageable. There are a lot of great shows, and each has a lot of great episodes, so we want to highlight the noteworthy and the exceptional. Each week, our crack team of podcast enthusiasts and specialists will pick their favorites. Camp Hell: Anneewakee, Doc A quick Google search for the phrase wilderness therapy turns up all sorts of ads for programs dedicated to turning your disgruntled teen into an upstanding young adult through the rigors of the great outdoors. Search Wilderness therapy abuse, and its a whole different ball game. Camp Hell is about one such program, the Anneewakee Treatment Center for Emotionally Disturbed Youth, which was founded in 1962 by Louis Doc Poetter, a self-styled shrink whose horrific sexual abuse of his charges led to a stint in jail and a malpractice scandal. Camp Hell isnt an easy listen our entry into the story is an abused donkey who was rescued from Anneewakee, where he was physically and sexually abused by Anneewakee attendees but its important to shine a light on these abuses. And, as Camp Hell hints, the corruption goes far beyond Poetter and one or two bad eggs; after all, Anneewakee was an expensive camp with multiple locations that served countless teens over the years. Right now, theres scant info available on Anneewakee, other than a homemade website dedicated to survivors experiences; even the newspaper articles by Albert Oetgen, who is interviewed at length in the podcast, are impossible to find. Heres hoping this podcast brings more to light and offers some comfort to folks who were abused during their time at the camp while it was operating as Anneewakee. Comments on the iHeartRadio website indicate there are still a lot of them out there. Jenni Miller Ghost Town, The Delphi Murders This podcast has serious OG Unsolved Mysteries vibes. It covers head-scratching mysteries, ranging from allegedly paranormal events to shocking unsolved crimes. Though hosted by comedians Jason Horton and Rebecca Leib, Ghost Town doesnt crack wise about its cases. In a conversational but solemn tone, this team thoughtfully recaps reported details in efficient episodes that often range from ten to 30 minutes in length. In this ep, they usher us back to February 13, 2017, when two middle-schoolers, 13-year-old Abigail J. Abby Williams and 14-year-old Liberty Rose Lynn Libby German, were murdered while hiking in Delphi, Indiana. Even though the girls may have caught their killer on tape, no arrests have yet been made. With new developments on the story emerging this week, Ghost Towns recounting is essential listening, especially if you want to help solve a mystery. Kristy Puchko Last Podcast on the Left, Relaxed Fit: Love Has Won If youve caught a glimpse of those headlines circulating about the mummified corpse of a cult leader found wrapped in Christmas lights in Colorado, but havent had the time (or inclination) to investigate what the hell thats all about, the boys of Last Podcast on the Left have you covered in a timely episode that includes tangents into Michael Jackson, Dr. Phil, and colloidal silver, naturally. The leader in question is 45-year-old Amy Carlson, referred to by true believers as Mother God, who started the Love Has Won organization some ten to 15 years ago. Proclaiming she was both Jesus Christ and Marilyn Monroe in past lives, Carlson used the internet to further her message of a great awakening and recruit new members. And while the full picture of her life is difficult to bring into sharp focus (it seems she may have gone off the grid for a while) the bits that rise to the surface are rather dark and depressing even verging on dangerous. With Carlsons death, it seems Love Has Won may have been dealt its final loss. Amy Wilkinson Jensen and Holes: The Murder Squad, Missing: Kristen Smart and Amber Wilde In 1996, Cal Poly student Kristin Smart disappeared in the town of San Luis Obispo. Chris Lambert grew up seeing the billboards with her picture on them as the case steadily became colder, and in 2019, he started his own investigative podcast about Kristins case, Your Own Backyard. In the first segment of the latest Murder Squad, Billy Jensen and Paul Holes interview Lambert about the latest developments in the case, including an arrest that took place very recently, as well as his proximity to the prime suspect, and what still needs to happen in order for him to feel like any kind of justice has really been achieved. In the second half, Billy and Paul examine another unsolved case the 1998 disappearance of 19-year-old Amber Wilde in Green Bay, Wisconsin. There are theories abound in regard to where Amber could be, as well as conflicting narratives as to who saw her when, whose alibi actually seems legitimate, and the matter of her car, found one week after she went missing with 900 unaccounted for miles on it. Chanel Dubofsky Photo: Jean Baptiste Lacroix/WireImage If you could stop running round the house with a pickle in your mouth for two seconds, we can give you some wonderful news: The next season of Danny McBrides The Righteous Gemstones is adding some new reoccurring congregants to the flock led by Eli Gemstone (John Goodman), his son Jesse (McBride), and their motley crew of children and hangers-on. According to Variety, Eric Andre joins the shows nine-episode second season as Lyle Lissons, a megachurch pastor from Texas who befriends Jesse and Amber, while Eric Roberts has been cast as Junior, who grew up with Eli and has suddenly re-entered his life, and Jason Schwartzman plays Thaniel, a journalist working on a story on the ministries. Given the ending of Righteous Gemstoness first season, which ran from August 18 to October 13, 2019, Schwartzmans Thaniel is going to up to his eyeballs in Evangelical intrigue. Okay, sorry to interrupt you. Feel free to go back to catchin crawdads and playin with a stick. Starting Thursday, children ages 12 to 15 can be scheduled to get their Pfizer vaccine shot. It comes hours after U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended the use of Pfizer coronavirus vaccine in adolescents. CVS is already scheduling for kids and WAAY spoke with a doctor about why it's an important decision to think about. A Huntsville pediatrician Dr. Angelique Andrews told us younger children getting this vaccine is good because it can slow the spread within your household if parents and adolescents are both vaccinated. "High school students are very social. Whether it's between girlfriends and boyfriends, whether it's between sports, they're meant to be social. This is the most social time of your life," said Andrews, chief medical officer at Happi Health. The CDC says in clinical trials within this age group, there were no serious adverse effects and parents should have nothing to fear. "It is the same vaccine, so it's been well-studied because many of us have gotten it and there's been millions of doses given," said Andrews. Studies show mostly everyone who gets the COVID vaccine will have soreness or pain at the injection site and possibly some body aches, but any side effects usually go away within 2 days. Andrews says if you want your child to get vaccinated just know it may not be at their doctor's office. "Because it's the pfizer vaccine that's been approved first, I think most parents need to understand that many of the pediatric offices will not have them. They will be places like Huntsville Hospital because of the refrigeration factor, not because of any other reasons," said Andrews. Andrews also says there is no difference in this vaccine than what anybody else is getting. An MIT graduate student wanted in connection with the fatal shooting of a Yale University student in February has been arrested, authorities said Friday. The US Marshals Service did not provide details of the arrest other than to say that "Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force, in conjunction with the U.S. Marshals Middle District of Alabama and the Montgomery Police Department" had captured fugitive Qinxuan Pan, according to spokesman James P. Stossel. It was not immediately clear if Pan has legal representation. New Haven, Connecticut, police in February secured an arrest warrant charging Pan with murder in the fatal shooting of Yale University student Kevin Jiang. Pan remained on the lam until this week. Police had identified Pan as a "person of interest" in the February 6 killing of Jiang. Pan, 29, was in possession of a stolen vehicle in the area when Jiang, 26, was shot and killed, according to police. Pan had came into contact with the North Haven Police Department "soon after" the killing, Police Chief Otoniel Reyes said in February. Reyes warned that "extreme caution should be used if you come in contact with this individual" and that the public should view Pan as "armed and dangerous." Jiang, a second-year master's student at the Yale School of the Environment, was killed roughly one mile from Yale's main campus, police said. New Haven Police responded shortly after 8:30 p.m. to reports of multiple gunshots and a person shot. Witnesses had seen "a shiny new black vehicle flee the scene," according to the Yale Police Department. New Haven police at the time did not comment on a possible motive, whether the two men knew each other, or whether Pan had been involved in a car accident with Jiang before the homicide. There were two additional arrest warrants for Pan: one for stealing a vehicle out of Massachusetts, and one for possession of a stolen vehicle in North Haven, Reyes said. A Huntsville civic group and a state lawmaker turned the pressure up on Huntsville leaders over their statements supporting a police officer convicted of murder. We heard from the group about their push for changes in policing. Rosa Parks Day Committee members of Huntsville-Madison County along with State Rep. Anthony Daniels spoke out in downtown Huntsville. They want the police chief to renounce his support of William Darby following his murder conviction for a fatal shooting while answering a call. The group made the same demand for Mayor Tommy Battle. They say he gave them a revised statement, saying he respects the jurys decision and Darbys right to appeal. The committee wants Police Chief Mark McMurray to resign unless he takes the same position. "We hope that there's a complete transformation of policing in Huntsville and in North Alabama. Right now, we're addressing what's going on with the Huntsville Police Department, but we have reasons to be concerned about others, and that may be something we address at another time, but we're hoping for a complete transformation," said David Person, Rosa Parks Day Committee member. Person did say that they will be meeting with Mayor Battle again next week. The revised statement Mayor Tommy Battle shared with committee members, according to David Person, states that, "[He] respect[s] the decision of the jury. [He] respect[s] Officer Darby's right to appeal." Nine law enforcement officers will be honored forever in a very special way in Limestone County. The men died while serving Athens and Limestone County. They served with Athens Police, the Limestone County Sheriff's Office and Alabama State Troopers. The courthouse is bathed in blue light to honor the officers, but the big reveal Thursday night was actually a stone memorial. It's etched with all of the fallen officers' names. Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks says he hopes this is someplace people will come to remember their sacrifices. The stone memorial was revealed Thursday night to the public and is erected at the Limestone County Courthouse. WAAY 31 was told they all died in an honorable way and all while serving the county. The people in attendance also held a candlelight vigil to show their respect. Athens Police Officer Trevor Harris says he wants people to know and remember those officers, but also he hopes this will bring some kind of peace to the family and friends they left behind. "We want to pay special tribute to those that are in attendance tonight who are the family members who were left to carry on. Who were the parents, the brothers, the sisters that were left behind. We thank you. We're thankful to each and every one of you," said Harris. The memorial sits next to the historic Limestone County bell and the memorial for fallen firefighters. The public can show their respect any time of the day or night. This event is apart of National Police Week and National Peace Officers Memorial Day. Everyone in attendance said this memorial is very fitting. Trash Pandas earn first shut-out in franchise history! Rocket City score two runs early in the third and fourth innings. Those two would be enough to hold off the Smokies. The star of the night, Jhonathan Diaz, the pitcher struck out 11 Smokies on the night. He gave up no hits through 5.1 innings. He gets a standing ovation heading to the dugout. Manager, Jay Bell, says Diaz deserves it. "When you have an outing like that, certainly there's going to be fan favorites," Bell said. Bell added he wants the Trash Pandas to truly be North Alabama's team. Smokies and Trash Pandas meet again at Toyota Field at 6:35 Friday. Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 23:46:45|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close NAIROBI, May 14 (Xinhua) -- After several years of suffering, the worst for coffee farmers in Kenya seems to be over as global prices hit a new high. A kilo of Kenyan coffee in the global market is going for as high as 7 U.S. dollars, bringing back the glorious days for the country's farmers. Sometime in 2019, the global price of a kilo of Kenyan coffee hit 189 shillings (1.75 U.S. dollars), the lowest in over three years. During the entire year, farmers did not sell their produce at more than 4 dollars a kilo in the global market, with the negative effects of the decline reverberating across regions that grow the crop in the East African nation. Many farmers thus received paltry earnings, leading to despondency that saw some uproot the crop and replace it with others that they considered of high value, such as avocados and macadamia. Joseph Mwangi, a farmer in central Kenyan county of Murang'a, is among those who uprooted their coffee trees. "I had coffee on three acres but replaced the bushes on at least one acre with avocados, whose global market is stable," Mwangi said. Mwangi, as many other farmers, chose to keep some coffee bushes because of the sentimental attachment they have to the crop, which was grown by their forefathers. The good times started in 2020, despite the COVID-19 pandemic disruption which hurt international trade, as the year turned out to be one of the best for coffee farmers after they received record earnings. Kenya National Bureau of Statistics data showed the value of coffee exports rose 9.5 percent to stand at 202.2 million U.S. dollars in 2020, despite export volumes declined by 11 percent in 2020 to stand at 43,483 metric tonnes. The positive effect was felt at the dozens of cooperative societies in the nation, through which farmers export their produce. At Thiriku cooperative society in central Kenyan county of Nyeri, for instance, farmers received 1.12 dollars per kilo of coffee delivered in 2020, the highest in about a decade, the firm's records show. At Muguga society, also in Nyeri County, manager Gerald Mwangi said farmers earned an average of 0.93 dollars per kilogram. And this is the case for other coffee societies in the region with the crop bringing cheers to many coffee growing households. And 2021 seems to be no different as global coffee prices continue to surge. In the first quarter of this year, Kenyan coffee price in the global market stood at between six U.S. dollars and seven U.S. dollars, according to KNBS, pointing to another good year despite the pandemic's squeeze. Besides the rising global prices, reforms instituted by the Kenyan government in the sector and sale of the produce directly to buyers abroad by the societies have also had a positive impact on farmers' earnings. A number of societies are currently exporting their produce directly to buyers in the United States, Netherlands and Denmark, instead of selling through the Nairobi Coffee Exchange. The Kenyan government has instituted regulatory reforms in the sector, coming up with a new law that seeks to improve farmers' earnings and enhance the crop's contribution to the economy. Further, the government has set up a three billion shillings (about 30 million U.S. dollars) revolving fund from which coffee farmers can borrow cash to cushion themselves from market volatility, pests, diseases and improve productivity. Coffee is one of the major foreign exchange earners for Kenya, with the crop contributing about six percent of total export earnings and 0.3 percent of the country's gross domestic product. Enditem Italy prepares to reopen for tourists this summer. Italy is to drop quarantine restrictions for travellers arriving from European and Schengen zone countries, Israel and the UK from Sunday 16 May, the Italian health ministry announced today. Currently people travelling to Italy from these areas must quarantine for five days on arrival and undergo obligatory covid tests both before arrival and at the end of their isolation period. The health ministry said that a negative covid-19 test result before travelling will still be required - news agency ANSA reports - and confirmed that existing restrictions for people travelling from Brazil would remain in place. The move comes a week after Italian premier Mario Draghi said that Italy would reopen to vaccinated, recovered or covid-negative tourists this summer. The hilltop city of Orvieto makes a delightful day trip from Rome. Situated in the province of Terni in south-west Umbria, Orvieto stands on the summit of a large outcrop of volcanic tufa rock, roughly halfway between Rome and Florence. A trip to this charming cathedral city is always a pleasure but those arriving by public transport are in for a double treat. A funicular cable railway takes visitors up the 157-m cliff in an exhilarating, threeminute journey. Arrival in the historic Etruscan city is made all the more bizarre in that most first-time visitors immediately make for St Patricks Well, retracing their steps by descending its 54-m depths. This murky marvel of engineering was commissioned by Pope Clement VII following his refuge in Orvieto during the sack of Rome in 1527. The Medici pope entrusted fellow Florentine Antonio da Sangallo the Younger with designing the well, to ensure a reliable water supply for this potentially-regular papal retreat. The structures two concentric spiral staircases operate independently of each other, one for descending and the other for ascending, and are illuminated by 70 windows carved into the central shaft. Modern-day visitors can still traverse the wells 248 steps, cut large enough to accommodate the pack donkeys once used to carry water to the surface. However it is worth noting particularly for those with children that the majority of the windows are knee-high and bereft of barriers. Pozzo di S. Patrizio The well has even lent itself to an Italian proverb that likens its profundity to the bottomless pockets of spendthrifts. As for its name, the Pozzo di S. Patrizio was thought to resemble the chasm used by Irelands patron saint at the fifth-century pilgrimage site of St Patricks Purgatory in north-west Ireland. Albornoz Fortress Once back in daylight, people can catch their breath while enjoying the wonderful views of Umbrian countryside from the nearby Fortezza Albornoz. Commissioned by Pope Innocent VI, the fortress was built in 1364 by the Spanish cardinal and papal legate Egidio Albornoz. From here it is a 15-minute stroll or five-minute bus trip into town. The virtually traffic-free centro storico is dominated by the enormous 14th-century cathedral whose very existence is the result of a miracle. In 1263 a Bohemian priest, doubting the Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation or the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, set off on a pilgrimage to Rome. While visiting a church in Bolsena, close to Orvieto, he is said to have witnessed blood dripping out of a consecrated host during Mass. The blood-soaked altar cloth (or corporal) is still housed in a silver-gilt reliquary in the cathedral today and venerated each year on the feast of Corpus Christi, which commemorates the institution of the Holy Eucharist. Corpus Christi celebrations in Orvieto In 1290 the cornerstone of the new duomo was laid but later its design was radically altered by the Sienese sculptor and architect Lorenzo Maitani, inspired by the so-called Tuscan Gothic style of Sienas cathedral which had been completed half a century earlier. Duomo di Orvieto Construction continued over the subsequent three decades, overseen by multiple architects who each left their mark by incorporating the changing architectural trends. The cathedrals interior is characterised by black and white-striped walls and columns, and includes an ornate 16thcentury organ case with 5,585 pipes as well as a remarkable Pieta, which local sculptor Ippolito Scalza spent nine years carving from a single block of marble. Interior of Orvieto Cathedral The frescoes in the vaulted ceiling of the Chapel of the Madonna di S. Bizio were begun by Fra Angelico in the mid- 15th century. The work was completed some 50 years later by Luca Signorelli, whose apocalyptic scenes feature the damned fleeing flames and being tortured by devils, and the buried bodies of the elect emerging from the ground en route to heaven. The cathedrals three-gabled facade features a magnificent rose window as well as statues, pilasters and mosaics with gilded backgrounds. The four stone bas-reliefs flanking the doors depict biblical scenes from the Old and New Testament and are rare examples of 14th-century sculpture. On the cathedrals fifth centenary in 1790, a number of the original mosaics were detached and offered as a tribute to Pope Pius VI. However the only known surviving mosaic is the Nativita di Maria preserved in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Duomo di Orvieto The central portal is dominated by splendid bronze doors which replaced the 14th-century wooden originals in 1970. The new doors were crafted by celebrated Sicilian sculptor Emilio Greco (1913-1995), whose work is the subject of a museum located in nearby Palazzo Soliano. The building also houses part of the cathedrals art collection, and is otherwise known as the palace of the popes. Orvietos longstanding papal connections date back to the tenth century and the city remained a papal possession until 1860, when it was annexed to the Kingdom of Italy. History of Orvieto Delving further back into Orvietos history, it was first inhabited by Etruscans from the ninth century BC until 264 BC when the territory was conquered by Romans after a two-year assault. The reason the Etruscans managed to hold out so long was due to their intricate system of tunnels, cellars, wells and escape hatches, some of which can still be visited today. Among these is the 36m-deep Pozzo della Cava, an Etruscan well that was extended in 1527 and dug entirely by hand. However Orvieto is far from being solely the realm of historians. Although it has only around 21,000 inhabitants the city is alive and vibrant, while its refined sense of culture tends to attract the more discerning visitor. Festivals and pageants The well-kept streets play host to festivals all year round, including the prestigious Umbria Winter Jazz festival which has been taking place every December for the last 40 years, and the mediaeval-style Corpus Christi pageant which generates large crowds each summer. The elegant, neoclassical Teatro Mancinelli is particularly active and its 560 seats are regularly filled with lovers of drama, comedy, dance and music. [ The numerous shops selling brightly decorated ceramics do a roaring trade, helped by the steady flow of tourists, many of whom are drawn to the colourful wooden sculptures on Via Michelangeli near the duomo. This alley is home to a workshop where five generations of Michelangeli woodworkers have enlivened their environs with a series of jolly, much-photographed timber sculptures. Food Orvieto surpasses itself in terms of cuisine from its surrounding region, and it regularly hosts food festivals such as Orvieto con gusto. The city is a member of Cittaslow, the slow food movement, and is famed for its wines and local products such as caciotta and pecorino cheeses, truffles, cinghiale (wild boar), tozzetti almond biscuits and the snail shell-shaped lumachelle made from pizza dough with pancetta and cheese. Meanwhile those with a sweet tooth cant fail to be attracted by the aroma drifting from Cioccolateria Dolceamaro, which offers all manner of artisan chocolate delicacies including trimmings from the unexpected chocolate kebab. By Andy Devane This article was originally published in the March 2014 edition of Wanted in Rome magazine. Orvieto information What to do in Orvieto Pozzo di S. Patrizio, Viale S. Gallo, tel. 0763343768. Orvieto Cathedral, Piazza del Duomo. Pozzo della Cava, Via della Cava 28, tel. 0763342373, www.pozzodellacava.it. Teatro Mancinelli, Corso Cavour 122, tel. 0763340493, www.teatromancinelli.com. Umbria Winter Jazz (Dec-Jan), www.umbriajazz.com. Corpus Christi, (the date changes each year, depending on Easter). Orvieto con Gusto, food festival, April and October, www.orvietocongusto.it. Where to eat in Orvieto LOste del Re, Corso Cavour 58, tel. 0763343846, www.ostedelreorvieto.com. Ristorante Maurizio, Via del Duomo 78, tel. 0763341114, www.ristorantemaurizio.it. Cioccolateria Dolceamaro, Corso Cavour 78, www.cioccolateriaorvieto.com. How to get to Orvieto By car: Orvieto is on the A1 autostrada about half way between Rome and Florence. Lots of parking outside city centre. By train: There are regular fast trains between Rome and Orvieto Scala. The funicular terminus up to the old hill-top town is just across the road from the station. Tourist information Woman followed by group of wild boar in area north of Rome. A woman carrying groceries back to her car was surrounded by a group of wild boar which proceeded to 'steal' her shopping bags and eat the contents. The footage was filmed in a supermarket car park at Le Rughe, in the Formello area north of the capital, and posted on social media by the 'Welcome to Favelas' page. The fearless animals - four adults and two young cinghiali - cornered the woman who gave up without much of a fight as her groceries were snatched and promptly eaten. The incident is described as an extreme example of the 'problematic' presence of wild boar in the area, with the animals becoming increasingly daring in their quest for food. Wild boar are a frequent sight in some Rome suburbs, particularly in the north of Rome, and often rummage in bins for food waste. They also present authorities with the difficulty in how to 'control' their numbers, with the animals sometimes trapped and sent to breeding farms (for food) or hunting farms. Last October animal rights activists protested over the shooting dead of a wild boar mother and piglets in a children's playground in Rome, an incident that led to international headlines. Italy has an estimated population of one million wild boar. The tusked animals can weigh up to 140 kg and are extremely dangerous if disturbed while with their young. Photo Il Fatto Quotidiano Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-12 18:33:33|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A health worker prepares a dose of China's Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine at a vaccination site at the Diamond Island in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on May 12, 2021. To date, more than 1.82 million out of the country's 16 million population had been vaccinated against the virus, a government report said. (Photo by Phearum/Xinhua) Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 09:19:19|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MANILA, May 14 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines will ban international arrivals from Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) starting Saturday amid concerns over the new coronavirus variant first detected in India, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said on Friday. "All travelers coming from Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) or those with travel history to these two countries within the last 14 days preceding arrival shall be prohibited from entering the Philippines beginning 00:01 of May 15, 2021, until 23:59 of May 31, 2021," Roque said in a statement. But passengers already in transit from these two countries and all those who have been to these countries "within 14 days immediately preceding arrival to the Philippines" who arrive before May 15, 2021, will be allowed entry, Roque said. He added that these travelers "shall be required to undergo stricter quarantine and testing protocols." Meanwhile, Roque said the Philippines has decided to retain the travel ban on India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka for another two weeks until May 31. The Philippines has detected the B.1.617 variants first found in India in two seafarers that arrived from Oman and the UAE last month. There are four coronavirus variants of concern in the Philippines. The WHO classified the B.1.617 as "a variant of concern at a global level," citing "some available information to suggest increased transmissibility." The Philippines now has 1,124,724 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 18,821 deaths. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 10:51:32|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close CANBERRA, May 14 (Xinhua) -- The Australian parliament has passed laws that give the government the power to detain refugees indefinitely. The governing coalition and opposition Labor Party on Thursday joined forces to vote the Migration Amendment Bill into law. The laws give the government the power to detain indefinitely refugees who have had their visas canceled but cannot be returned to their country of origin because they would face persecution there. Legal experts and the parliament's human rights committee have raised serious concerns about the legislation. In a statement released on Thursday the Australian Lawyers Alliance (ALA) said the laws would cause serious harm. "Locking up people indefinitely will clearly lead to a high risk of self-harm or suicide," spokesperson Greg Barns said. "It amounts to detention without trial and is a gross breach of Australia's human rights obligations. "This is cruel and unnecessary. The legislation must be revised to remove the government's power to keep people locked up indefinitely with no plan for their future." The laws apply to 21 refugees already in immigration detention. Tabling the legislation in March, Immigration Minister Alex Hawke said it was an "important change" to "ensure that we uphold Australia's non-refoulement obligations." "It is essential that Australia sends a strong message that we are committed to upholding human rights, and that we remain steadfast in our commitment to these treaties and their underlying principles," he said. However, the government-controlled joint parliamentary committee on human rights said the laws "may have implications for Australia's obligation not to subject any person to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment." Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 16:39:39|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close VIENTIANE, May 14 (Xinhua) -- The Lao Ministry of Health on Friday reported the second death from COVID-19 in the Southeast Asian country. Deputy Director General of the Department of Communicable Disease Control under the Lao Ministry of Health, Latsamy Vongkhamsao, told a press conference held in the Lao capital Vientiane on Friday that the country recorded 16 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and one more death from the coronavirus epidemic. The victim was a 29-year-old patient treated in a hospital in Vientiane, who came from the central province of Savannakhet. Laos reported its first COVID-19 death on May 9. As of Friday, the total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Laos has risen to 1,498 with two deaths. A total of 513 COVID-19 patients have recovered and been discharged from hospitals. Laos reported its first two confirmed cases of COVID-19 on March 24 last year. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 19:17:05|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close KATHMANDU, May 14 (Xinhua) -- KP Sharma Oli took the oath of office on Friday afternoon after being reappointed as Prime Minister of Nepal a day earlier, as other parties failed to form a coalition government to take his place. President Bidya Devi Bhandari administered the oath to Oli and 24 ministers in his Cabinet. Oli is keeping all the ministers after he got reappointed as head of a minority government since other parties had failed to garner a majority of support from lawmakers to form a new government by Thursday evening as set by the president. "President Bhandari administered the oath to KP Sharma Oli and other ministers from his Cabinet," Bhesh Raj Adhikari, chief personal secretary to the president, told Xinhua. Bhandari on Monday evening called political parties for the formation of a coalition government by 21:00 on Thursday after Oli lost a vote of trust in parliament. He got only 93 votes, short of 43 in the 271-member House of Representatives. The Nepali Congress party, the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) and a section of the Janata Samajbadi Party failed to garner a majority of votes to form a new government despite a series of negotiations. As a result, Oli was tapped for the third time to head the government as he is the parliamentary party leader of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) which holds 121 seats in the lower house. Oli will have to win a vote of trust in the house within 30 days after taking office as per the Constitution. Political experts say combating the raging COVID-19 should be the priority of the new government and it is a major challenge as well, as the country is facing a shortage of medical oxygen and hospital beds, among others, in the face of a surging number of coronavirus infections and deaths. Enditem A Federal Court judge has effectively paused hearings in Christian Porters defamation case against the ABC while the court decides an application to stop a high-profile Sydney barrister acting for him in the proceedings. On Wednesday a friend of the woman who accused Mr Porter of rape filed an urgent application in the Federal Court seeking an order to restrain defamation barrister Sue Chrysanthou, SC, from acting for the federal Liberal minister on the basis of a potential conflict of interest. Barrister Sue Chrysanthou, SC, right, and solicitor Rebekah Giles, far left, outside the Federal Court on Friday. Credit:David Gray Jo Dyer, who was a debater with the woman in the late 1980s, is seeking an order restraining Ms Chrysanthou from acting in the case on the basis that the defamation silk previously acted for her in a separate matter involving The Australian newspaper. The order is necessary to prevent prejudice to the proper administration of justice, and to preserve confidentiality and legal professional privilege, Ms Dyers lawyers say in court documents. An elderly man with a bleeding intestine had to wait for more than six hours to get medical help after being taken to Fiona Stanley Hospital from Rockingham. Another patient, a 40-year-old woman with a bile duct stone, was left under the care of paramedics for eight and a half hours, despite being flown to the hospital from Albany by the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Patients were left to wait for more than 8 hours in an ambulance. Credit:Paul Kane These are just two of ten cases detailed in a leaked email by St John Ambulance to doctors at Perths major emergency departments describing the top 10 ramped cases for the past month. The email sent on May 11 highlights the extent of the states spiralling ambulance ramping figures and hospital understaffing, which doctors and nurses have warned are putting lives at risk. A stain on the system Changes enacted in 2018 made it harder for people charged with crimes to get bail. Before the changes, an accused had the presumption of bail. Now a reverse onus test applies, meaning an accused, including those on relatively minor charges, must establish a compelling reason or an exceptional circumstance to get bail, in addition to proving they are not an unacceptable risk to the public. In addition, parole rules had been toughened after Adrian Bayley raped and murdered Jill Meagher while on parole in 2012, and 3000 new police had been recruited. Loading The changes led to a big increase in sentenced prisoners. In April, a record 44 per cent of the 7227 inmates were on remand, many awaiting court dates. The situation is especially difficult for female prisoners, more of whom are now on remand than have been sentenced. Indigenous women are particularly affected. Law Institute of Victoria president Tania Wolff said many of those caught in the crime crackdown were not hardened criminals or sexual or violent attackers. They were instead lower-level offenders who had been unable to get a timely hearing or incapable of meeting conditions for release, such as stable housing. People are being remanded significantly for low-level offences; its a stain on our justice system, Ms Wolff said. The presumption for bail should be afforded except in exceptional circumstances where the person is a community safety risk, is not going to answer their charges, or is likely to interfere with a witness or commit another crime imminently. The pre-COVID world In 2019 just before COVID-19, the Andrews government launched a large prison expansion program. After a decade of tough law and order measures the states prison population had nearly doubled and the annual cost of managing the system had tripled to more than $1.6 billion. The 2019-2020 state budget delivered an urgent response, a record $1.8 billion to build a new mens facility at Lara and hundreds of new beds inside the states 15-prison network. What the politicians did not publicly acknowledge in 2019, or since, was that they were already concerned about a lack of capacity and the need for yet more new prisons. By late 2019, cabinets crime prevention committee was considering how to achieve demand reduction targets to slash projected prison numbers and to delay a decision on staged construction of a 1300-bed mens prison. The biggest bang-for-buck options were also the most politically risky: relaxing restrictions on getting bail, freeing up prison beds by abolishing short-term sentences, and allowing offenders to serve home detention through electronic monitoring. Two bail options were presented to the committee: the first a refining of bail laws to target serious offenders, the second a more fundamental winding back of the 2018 bail changes so that the current assumption against bail was reversed. That policy could reduce the prison population awaiting trial by upwards of 1800 people but posed greater risks to community safety and the governments public standing. While most government departments were generally supportive of reform, the documents show police were firmly opposed to any winding back of bail laws. It remains unclear exactly how far discussions progressed once COVID-19 hit, although senior government figures have told The Age that work on reform in effect stalled early in 2020. Now with the business of government and politics returning to normal, the prison decisions will need to be made. Policy on ice Despite repeated questioning by The Age over the past two years, the government has never acknowledged plans for new prisons beyond those currently being built. Nor has it opened up about its consideration of bail and sentencing laws. In an interview last week with The Age, Corrections Minister Natalie Hutchins said the government was comfortable that what we have now will suffice. She noted the drop in prisoner numbers in 2020 had set prison projections back by at least a year. It is too early to gauge this impact on longer-term projections post-pandemic. We will continue to monitor demand on our corrections system so we are in a position to decide on whether additional capacity is needed once the situation stabilises. Ms Hutchins confirmed that policy work on reform had been put on ice during COVID-19 as the government focussed on keeping the virus out of the prison system. Loading She flagged her personal support for bail reform. If youre looking at a system that has high levels of remand youve got to start saying, Well, what recommendations are we going to take on board to change that? But Ms Hutchins stressed that COVID-19 had left a backlog of legislation waiting to go to Parliament, an indication bail reform was unlikely before next years state poll. Asked if the post-Bourke Street bail changes went too far, she said it was a fine line getting the balance right between community safety and justice for alleged offenders and taxpayers. Ms Hutchins also confirmed that amendments to the Sentencing Act were scheduled to be tabled later this year, but she would not reveal details. Residents of northern Gaza, near the Israeli frontier, said they had seen no sign of ground troops inside the enclave but reported heavy artillery fire and dozens of air strikes. It was not immediately clear if the Israeli incursion was a limited bid to destroy rocket bases or kill leaders of Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza. Rockets continue to launce from Gaza Strip into Israel. Credit:AP The sound of explosions echoed across northern and eastern parts of Gaza. Witnesses said many families living in areas near the border had left their homes, some seeking shelter at United Nations-run schools. Brigadier-General Hidai Zilberman, the Israeli militarys chief spokesman, said attacks on militants rocket production and launching sites were disrupting Hamas activities, but still not to the point of stopping the barrages. He said between 80 and 90 militants had been killed in Israeli attacks. Zilberman said Israel was building up forces on the Gaza border, a deployment that raised speculation about an eventual ground invasion, a move that would recall similar incursions during Israel-Gaza wars in 2014 and in 2009. Israeli military affairs correspondents, have said however that a major ground incursion is unlikely, citing high casualties among the risks. Hamas armed wing spokesman Abu Ubaida responded to the troop buildup with defiance, urging Palestinians to rise up. Loading Mass up as you wish, from the sea, land and sky. We have prepared for your kinds of deaths that would make you curse yourselves, he said. On Wednesday (Thursday AEST), Israel targeted the Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas and one of several Palestinian militant factions active in Gaza. The Israeli military said a joint operation of soldiers and intelligence officers across Gaza had simultaneously killed the commanders, who were close to Muhammed Deif, the leader of the Qassam Brigades. An unconfirmed social media post on Thursday (Friday AEST) said the Qassam brigades of Hamas were firing 100 missiles at the Israeli city of Ashkelon. So far some 1750 rockets have been fired at Israel, of which about 350 fell short in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli military said. More time Scenes of destruction in Gaza during the Israeli offensive. Credit:Twitter/@Farah_Gazan Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday the campaign will take more time. Israeli officials said Hamas, Gazas most powerful militant group, must be dealt a strong deterring blow before any ceasefire. Hours before the announcement, Israel had called up 7000 military reservists, and cancelled all leave for combat troop units. The UN Security Council will publicly discuss the worsening violence between Israel and Palestinian militants on Sunday, diplomats said, reaching a compromise over US objections to a meeting on Friday. A 22-year-old man at Shifa hospital in Gaza City, where he is receiving treatment for wounds caused by an Israeli strike that hit his family house in town of Beit Hanoun. J Credit:AP Diplomats said the United States, a close ally of Israel, had initially suggested a virtual public meeting could be held on Tuesday. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday (Friday AEST) he hoped waiting a few days would allow for diplomacy to have some effect and to see if indeed we get a real de-escalation, adding that Washington was open to and supportive of a discussion, an open discussion, at the United Nations. Loading The 15-member council has met privately twice this week about the worst hostilities in the region in years, but has so far been unable to agree on a public statement, diplomats said. Such statements are agreed to by consensus, and the United States did not believe it would be helpful, they said. All council members also have to agree to a meeting under rules guiding the bodys virtual operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The surge in fighting highlighted the unprecedented position Israel finds itself in - battling Palestinian militants on its southern flank as it seeks to head off its worst civil unrest in decades. French President Emmanuel Macron is concerned by the escalation of violence between Israelis and Palestinians and calls for a definite reset of negotiations between the two sides, the French presidency said on Thursday. It followed another day of clashes between Arab and Jewish mobs on the streets of Israeli cities, with the authorities calling up the army reserves and sending reinforcements of armed border police to the central city of Lod to try to head off what Israeli leaders have warned could become a civil war. An Israeli artillery unit fires toward targets in Gaza Strip. Credit:AP Taken together, the two theatres of turmoil pointed to a step change in the grinding, decades-old conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. While violent escalations often follow a predictable trajectory, this latest bout, the worst in seven years, is rapidly evolving into a new kind of war faster, more destructive and capable of spinning in unpredictable new directions. In Gaza, an impoverished coastal strip that was the crucible of a devastating seven-week war in 2014, Palestinian militants fired surprisingly large barrages of enhanced-range rockets some 1800 in three days that reached far into Israel. Israel intensified its campaign of relentless airstrikes against Hamas targets in Gaza on Thursday, pulverising buildings. Most alarming for Israel, though, was the violent ferment on its own footpaths and streets, where days of rioting by Jewish vigilantes and Arab mobs showed no sign of abating. The unrest in several mixed-ethnicity cities, where angry young men stoned cars, set fire to mosques and synagogues, and attacked one another, signalled a collapse of law and order inside Israel on a scale not seen since the start of the second Palestinian uprising, or intifada, 21 years ago. The violence follows a month of boiling tensions in Jerusalem, where the threatened eviction of Palestinian families from their homes coincided with a spate of Arab attacks against Israeli Jews and a march through the city by right-wing extremists chanting Death to Arabs. The jarring violence this week caused Israeli leaders, led by President Reuven Rivlin, to evoke the spectre of civil war a once unthinkable idea. Firefighters extinguish a fire lit by rioters in Haifa, Israel. Credit:Getty We need to solve our problems without causing a civil war that can be a danger to our existence, Rivlin said. The silent majority is not saying a thing, because it is utterly stunned. Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 19:52:41|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close SYDNEY, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Papua New Guinea (PNG) announced on Thursday a further ease of COVID-19 restrictions. According to a press release from the government on Friday, Police Commissioner and COVID-19 National Pandemic Response Controller David Manning issued 12 new measures which eased a number of restrictions imposed over the last six weeks to contain the pandemic. The changes that took place since Thursday including the size of congregations in churches increasing to 100 alongside everyone practicing safe physical distancing. As of May 17, businesses including bars that also have a connected restaurant and bottle shops could also reopen with eased restrictions to enable patrons to engage in social gatherings of limited size. "We must balance public safety concerns while also working to ensure that there is flexibility so that business activity can increase, and more jobs can be created," Manning said. According to the latest data released by the PNG government on Friday, the country recorded 245 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and three new deaths in the 24 hours ending midday on Tuesday, taking the total tally to 13,242 with 133 deaths. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 20:05:31|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close HONG KONG, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Japan expanded its emergency state to three more prefectures in the latest developments of COVID-19 on Friday, while India's tally surpassed 24 million with 343,144 new cases. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga announced an expansion of a state of emergency over COVID-19 to Hokkaido, Okayama and Hiroshima prefectures. India's COVID-19 tally crossed 24 million, reaching 24,046,809, with 343,144 new cases registered in the past 24 hours, the health ministry said. The death toll increased to 262,317 with 4,000 more deaths since Thursday morning. Thailand Friday reported 2,256 new cases and 30 deaths, according to the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA). Of the new infections, 2,251 were local transmissions and five others were imported cases. The Philippines' Department of Health (DOH) reported 6,784 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the Southeast Asian country to 1,131,467. The death toll climbed to 18,958 after 137 more patients died from the viral disease. The Philippines will ban international arrivals from Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) starting Saturday amid concerns over the new coronavirus variant first detected in India, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said. New Zealand reported no new cases of COVID-19 either in the community or in managed isolation facilities. The seven-day rolling average of new cases detected at the border is two. The total number of confirmed cases is 2,289, according to the Ministry of Health. Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen said 2 million people in the Southeast Asian nation have been vaccinated against the COVID-19 so far. Cambodia's Ministry of Health (MoH) reported a daily record of 358 confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the total tally to 21,499. The new infections included 350 local cases and eight imported cases. Vietnam reported 30 new COVID-19 cases from 6 p.m. local time Thursday to 6 a.m. Friday, including 29 locally transmitted and one imported, raising the total confirmed cases in the country to 3,740, according to its Ministry of Health. South Korea reported 747 more cases as of midnight Thursday compared to 24 hours ago, raising the total number of infections to 130,380. The daily caseload was up from 715 the previous day, staying above 700 for two days. The daily average caseload for the past week was 619. Enditem New Braunfels, TX (78130) Today Mainly clear. Low 74F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Mainly clear. Low 74F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 20:09:30|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close An Afghan man works inside a mosque in Qala-e-Murad Baig area of Shakar Dara district of Kabul province, Afghanistan, May 14, 2021. Twelve people were killed and 15 others wounded as an improvised explosive device was detonated at a mosque on the outskirts of Kabul, capital of Afghanistan on Friday, the capital police said. The explosion occurred during Friday prayer at midday in Haji Bakhshi Mosque in Qala-e-Murad Baig area of Shakar Dara district, on the northern outskirts of Kabul city. (Photo by Rahmatullah Alizadah/Xinhua) KABUL, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Twelve people were killed and 15 others wounded as an improvised explosive device was detonated at a mosque on the outskirts of Kabul, capital of Afghanistan on Friday, the capital police said. The explosion occurred during Friday prayer at midday in Haji Bakhshi Mosque in Qala-e-Murad Baig area of Shakar Dara district, on the northern outskirts of Kabul city. The wounded were moved to a nearby hospital by police and volunteers from local residents, Ferdaus Faramarz from Kabul police told reporters via a text message. The blast occurred as the militants of Taliban outfit and government security forces are observing a three-day cease-fire during the Eid al-Fitr festival starting from Thursday. The praying leader Mufti Nehman died from serious injuries minutes after the explosion, according to Faramarz. Earlier the police official citing the initial information said that four people were killed and over 20 wounded. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. Over the past years, the capital city was hit by series of terror attacks staged by Taliban insurgents and militants of the Islamic State (IS) group opposing the government. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 20:42:53|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close by Naim-Ul-Karim DHAKA, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Without shaking hands and hugging each other thrice after the prayers, Muslims in Bangladesh on Friday celebrated their one of the biggest festivals amid a host of safety measures to limit COVID-19 spread. Instead of open places, people gathered at masjids for offering special Eid-ul-Fitr prayers on Friday morning. In capital Dhaka, people in phases performed prayers of Eid, the largest Muslim festival that marks the ending of the month-long fasting in the holy month of Ramadan. Long lines of Muslims were seen since Friday morning in front of the capital's many masjids including Baitul Mukarram National Mosque. Like last year the main Eid congregation in capital Dhaka was not held at the national Eidgah (open ground specified for saying Eid prayers). Addressing the nation on the eve of Holy Eid-ul-Fitr, Prime minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday urged the people of the country to remain careful so that the celebrations of the festival do not invite coronavirus cases to spike. Ministry of Religious Affairs issued an emergency circular asking people to avoid open places for Eid congregations and instructed all to bring prayer mats from home and wear masks while joining prayers in Masjids. Children, elderly people, people with physical ailments, and those taking care of the unwell should not be allowed to attend jamaats, it said. Apart from these, the devotees were requested to avoid shaking hands and the customary hugging after the prayers. Television channels which are telecasting special programs showed people leaving Eid prayer venues without traditional shake of hands with one another or exchange of embraces due to the pandemic protocols of social distancing. The Bangladeshi government earlier this month extended the nationwide lockdown again to May 16 but eased restrictions on business activities as the COVID-19 situation improved this month after a devastating second wave in the country. Bangladesh on Wednesday received a batch of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine donated by China. Bangladesh kicked off the COVID-19 vaccination drive on Jan. 28 to rein in the pandemic that has so far spread across the country. However, amid uncertainty over the timely arrival of the next COVID-19 vaccine shipment from India, the Bangladeshi government later halted administering the first doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine across the country. The resurgence in COVID-19 cases since March prompted the government to enforce since April 14 a strict lockdown. Bangladesh has already detected cases of the highly infectious coronavirus variant first identified in India. On Friday, the Directorate General of Health Services reported 848 new COVID-19 cases and 26 new deaths, making the tally at 779,535 and the death toll at 12,102. Enditem Leading cyber insurance and security provider earns spot for superior company culture Coalition has been named to Inc. magazines annual list of the Best Workplaces for 2021. Hitting newsstands May 18 in the May/June 2021 issue, and as part of a prominent Inc.com feature, the list is the result of a wide-ranging and comprehensive measurement of American companies that have created exceptional workplaces and company culture whether teams are operating in person or remotely. Headquartered in San Francisco, Coalition provides a complete cyber risk management platform encompassing not just insurance, but also threat intelligence and other cybersecurity tools to help its customers be resilient to cyber threats. The growing team of threat experts is centered around one goal: harnessing the power of technology with the safety of insurance to provide the first holistic solution to cyber risk. Collecting data from thousands of submissions, Inc. singled out 429 honorees this year. Each nominated company took part in an employee survey conducted by Quantum Workplace on topics including management effectiveness, perks, and fostering employee growth. The organizations benefits were also audited to determine the companys overall score and ranking. Our team has been geographically distributed since our founding, and building a collaborative and integrated culture has always been a key priority, said Joshua Motta, CEO of Coalition. We believe every employee contributes to our culture, and what connects us is our collective passion for Coalitions mission. I couldnt be more proud of the team we have here at Coalition for maintaining such a strong culture amid the pandemic and shift to remote work. The COVID-19 pandemic and shift to remote work amplified the importance of culture-building efforts. Prior to the pandemic, Coalition held bi-annual offsites with the entire company to foster collaboration, brainstorming, team building, and bonding across teams. While they've been unable to host a company-wide offsite since 2019, they've adapted to find other ways to foster connection. The definition of a positive workplace has changed drastically over the past year, says Inc. magazine editor-in-chief Scott Omelianuk. Stocked fridges and nap pods were no longer perks many companies could rely on once work went remote. So, this years list is even more important as it reveals organizations that continue to enrich the lives of its employees amid a pandemic. For more information about working at Coalition, visit https://www.coalitioninc.com/careers. For more information about the Inc. Best Workplaces, visit https://www.inc.com/best-workplaces. About Coalition Coalition is the leading provider of cyber insurance and security, combining comprehensive insurance and proactive cybersecurity tools to help businesses manage and mitigate cyber risk. Backed by leading global insurers Swiss Re Corporate Solutions, Arch Insurance, Lloyd's of London, and Argo Group, Coalition provides companies with up to USD $15 million of cyber and technology insurance coverage in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as CAD $20M of coverage across nine provinces and 3 territories in Canada. Coalition's cyber risk management platform provides automated security alerts, threat intelligence, expert guidance, and cybersecurity tools to help businesses remain resilient in the face of cyber attacks. Headquartered in San Francisco, Coalition's team is global with employees based across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Portugal. About Inc. Media The worlds most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit http://www.inc.com. About Quantum Workplace Quantum Workplace, based in Omaha, Nebraska, is an HR technology company that serves organizations through employee-engagement surveys, action-planning tools, exit surveys, peer-to-peer recognition, performance evaluations, goal tracking, and leadership assessment. For more information, visit QuantumWorkplace.com. For the original version on PRWeb visit: https://www.prweb.com/releases/coalition_ranks_among_highest_scoring_businesses_on_inc_magazines_annual_list_of_best_workplaces_for_2021/prweb17935850.htm Topics included management effectiveness, perks, and fostering employee growth Pegasus has been named to Inc. magazines annual list of the Best Workplaces for 2021. Hitting newsstands May 18 in the May/June 2021 issue, and as part of a prominent Inc.com feature, the list is the result of a wide-ranging and comprehensive measurement of American companies that have created exceptional workplaces and company culture whether teams are operating in person or remotely. With 50+ years of experience and 350MM+ square feet serviced every day, Pegasus prides itself for being more than just a vendor in creating and maintaining clean, healthy, and safe indoor environments for commercial, industrial, and manufacturing facilities. The priority is to build value for customers and much of this due to Pegasus to its thriving corporate culture. As an ESOP (employee-owned) company, Pegasus employees are stockholders that have a direct stake it its success. Collecting data from thousands of submissions, Inc. singled out 429 honorees this year. Each nominated company took part in an employee survey, conducted by Quantum Workplace, on topics including management effectiveness, perks, and fostering employee growth. The organizations benefits were also audited to determine the companys overall score and ranking. As an employee-owned company, it is critically important to create a world-class culture that makes being an employee owner fun and rewarding, both financially and emotionally, said Jeff Becker, President of Pegasus. My goal was to give all Employee Owners a chance to act and take responsibility, rather than just doing their job. I wanted everyone to understand how they contribute to the financial performance of the company, and to understand that they have a direct stake in the companys success. I truly believe that the best, most efficient, most profitable way to operate a business is to educate everybody on how the business works, give them a voice in saying how the company is run, and provide them a stake in the financial outcome - good or bad. People love working at Pegasus and appreciate the encouragement to grow, learn, and become the best that they can be, while having a positive impact within the company, the community, and their lives. This creates a drive to exceed and reach their financial and personal goals, where many never thought possible. The definition of a positive workplace has changed drastically over the past year, says Inc. magazine editor-in-chief Scott Omelianuk. Stocked fridges and nap pods were no longer perks many companies could rely on once work went remote. So, this years list is even more important as it reveals organizations that continue to enrich the lives of its employees amid a pandemic. About Pegasus Pegasus leads the way in comprehensive cleaning and maintenance solutions. We leverage cutting-edge technology to create and maintain clean, healthy, and safe indoor environments for commercial, industrial, and manufacturing facilities. Pegasus was named by Inc. Magazine as one of the Fastest Growing Private Companies in America and as one of the Best Places to Work by the Los Angeles Business Journal. Pegasus is an ESOP (employee-owned) company and certified in CIMS-GB, HubZone, and ISO 9001:2015. For more information, please visit http://www.pegasusclean.com About Inc. Media The worlds most trusted business-media brand, Inc. offers entrepreneurs the knowledge, tools, connections, and community to build great companies. Its award-winning multiplatform content reaches more than 50 million people each month across a variety of channels including websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, and print. Its prestigious Inc. 5000 list, produced every year since 1982, analyzes company data to recognize the fastest-growing privately held businesses in the United States. The global recognition that comes with inclusion in the 5000 gives the founders of the best businesses an opportunity to engage with an exclusive community of their peers, and the credibility that helps them drive sales and recruit talent. The associated Inc. 5000 Conference is part of a highly acclaimed portfolio of bespoke events produced by Inc. For more information, visit http://www.inc.com. About Quantum Workplace Quantum Workplace, based in Omaha, Nebraska, is an HR technology company that serves organizations through employee-engagement surveys, action-planning tools, exit surveys, peer-to-peer recognition, performance evaluations, goal tracking, and leadership assessment. For more information, visit QuantumWorkplace.com. For More Information, Contact: Jasmina Jahic 858-444-2290 jjahic@pegasusclean.com For the original version on PRWeb visit: https://www.prweb.com/releases/pegasus_ranks_among_highest_scoring_businesses_on_inc_magazine_s_annual_list_of_best_workplaces_for_2021/prweb17935026.htm TULSA, Okla. (AP) The commission formed to observe the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre announced Friday that it had booted Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt from his seat on the panel a week after he signed a bill outlawing the teaching of some race and racism concepts in public schools. A statement from the commission did not indicate the reason for the parting, and a spokeswoman said the commission had no further comment. However, commission project manager Phil Armstrong this week had sharply criticized the Republican governor for signing a bill into law that prohibits the teaching of so-called critical race theory in Oklahoma schools. The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commissioners met Tuesday and agreed through consensus to part ways with Governor Stitt, the commission's statement said. It went on to say that while the commission is disheartened to part ways with Governor Stitt, we are thankful for the things accomplished together. It also said, No elected officials, nor representatives of elected officials, were involved in this decision. The Republican governor was informed of his ouster only when the commission issued its statement, said Stitt spokeswoman Carly Atchison. Stitts role has been purely ceremonial and he had not been invited to attend a meeting until this week, her statement said. The commission was formed to organize events for the anniversary of the massacre that occurred May 31 and June 1 in 1921. A white mob killed an estimated 300 people and wounded 800 while burning 30 blocks of Black-owned businesses and homes and neighborhood churches in Tulsa's Greenwood neighborhood, also known as Black Wall Street. Planes were even used to drop explosives on the area, burning it to the ground. In a letter to the governor Tuesday, Armstrong said the commission was gravely disappointed that neither Stitt nor a representative chose to attend a meeting Monday night to discuss the signing of the GOP-backed legislation on "critical race theory, which examines systemic racism and how race influences U.S. politics, legal systems and society. Among the concepts that are prohibited are that individuals, by virtue of race or gender, are inherently racist, sexist or oppressive, whether consciously or unconsciously. Armstrong had said Stitts signing of the bill on May 7 was diametrically opposite to the mission of the Centennial Commission and reflects your desire to end your affiliation. Atchison decried the commission's move in her statement Friday. It is disappointing to see an organization of such importance spend so much effort to sow division based on falsehoods and political rhetoric two weeks before the centennial and a month before the commission is scheduled to sunset," her statement said. Another member of the commission, state Rep. Monroe Nichols of Tulsa, resigned from the panel Tuesday over Stitts signing of the bill, saying it cast an ugly shadow on the phenomenal work done over the last five years. The commission has developed and promoted programs, events and activities to remember the 1921 massacre and memorialize its victims. Among the events are Greenwood: An American Dream Destroyed, a presentation that wraps a monthlong run this weekend, and Greenwood Rising: The Black Wall Street History Center," which is scheduled to be unveiled June 2. - Wallace reported from Dallas. The views expressed by public comments are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the TERMS OF USE and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Your comments may be used on air. Be polite. Inappropriate posts or posts containing offsite links, images, GIFs, inappropriate language, or memes may be removed by the moderator. Job listings and similar posts are likely automated SPAM messages from Facebook and are not placed by WFMZ-TV. Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-12 02:48:06|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close A detention officer walks past migrants wearing face masks upon their arrival in Senglea, south of Malta, on May 11, 2021. A group of around 70 migrants were brought to Malta after being rescued in south of the island during Monday night following a distress call, a spokesperson from the Ministry for Home Affairs, National Security and Law Enforcement, said on Tuesday. (Photo by Jonathan Borg/Xinhua) VALLETTA, May 11 (Xinhua) -- A group of around 70 migrants were brought to Malta after being rescued in south of the island during Monday night following a distress call, a spokesperson from the Ministry for Home Affairs, National Security and Law Enforcement, said on Tuesday. The spokesperson gave no further details, including the nationalities of the illegal migrants. The migrants were swabbed for COVID-19 upon their arrival on land and were escorted to a detention center where they will be kept in isolation until the authorities investigate their provenance and whether they are entitled to asylum, the spokesperson told Xinhua. Migrant departures from North African shores have increased significantly in recent days, possibly owing to the onset of good weather. Alarm Phone, an NGO that monitors rescue calls from migrants boats crossing the Mediterranean, on Monday said there were over 400 migrants in five boats in Malta's search and rescue zone. Last September, Malta's Prime Minister Robert Abela warned President of the European Council Charles Michel during a meeting in Valletta that Malta is at its full capacity and cannot take any more migrants. Malta insisted that member states on Europe's southern border cannot be left alone to deal with the problem created by illegal migration and other EU countries had to share the burden. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-13 03:37:10|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MOSCOW, May 12 (Xinhua) -- A meeting of the Middle East Quartet amid increased tensions in East Jerusalem is urgently needed, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Wednesday. "Today we have agreed that the most urgent task is to convene the international quartet of Middle East mediators," Lavrov said at a press conference following his meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Moscow. The international quartet is composed of the United Nations, Russia, the European Union and the United States. "We trust the secretary-general, as the coordinator of the quartet, to try to organize such a meeting as quickly as possible," Lavrov said. It would be preferable if the meeting would be held at the level of foreign ministers, he added. Guterres in turn expressed his agreement, adding that the UN is prepared to "resume the work of the quartet" that would "facilitate dialogue between the parties and other key participants." Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 10:32:34|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close LONDON, May 14 (Xinhua) -- More than 1,500 police officers and staff in England and Wales have been investigated for misconduct in the past two years by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), a report published Thursday said. Almost 60 percent of the 1,504 investigated were either found to have a case to answer or faced other action, such as unsatisfactory performance proceedings, said the report. The IOPC carried out 1,435 investigations, and 236 cases included at least one person under criminal caution, according to the report. A total of 327 people were criminally investigated by the IOPC, and files relating to 176 individuals (54 percent) were passed to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to consider charges, of whom 51 were subsequently charged by the CPS with a criminal offence. "The vast majority of police uphold the professional standards the public expect of them. The work they do carries a combination of personal risk, fast decision-making and a great deal of sensitivity that is unmatched by any other job. But it is also a job that cannot be done without the confidence of the communities the police serve, or without there being independent scrutiny," said IOPC Director General Michael Lockwood. The IOPC, established in January 2018, is an "executive non-departmental public body" sponsored by Britain's Home Office to "increase public confidence in the police complaints system in England and Wales", according to British government's website. Enditem The venue will present the Made at Curve concert inspired by the life and career of the composer from 7 to 19 June. Bringing Andrew Lloyd Webber's songs to life will be Madalena Alberto (Evita), Jessica Daley (An Officer and a Gentleman), Tim Howar (The Phantom of the Opera), Shem Omari James (Songs For A New World), Ria Jones (Sunset Boulevard), Karen Mavundukure (The Color Purple) and Tim Rogers (Jesus Christ Superstar). The socially distanced show will feature numbers from The Phantom of the Opera, Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar, Cats, The School of Rock, Tell Me on a Sunday, Sunset Boulevard, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and more. Lloyd Webber himself will appear in a video recording for the concerts, with direction by artistic director Nikolai Foster. Matthew Spencer-Smith will lead a band of eight musicians as musical director and Colin Richmond will provide design for Curve's specially adapted in-the-round auditorium. Curve associate artists Mel Knott (movement director), Ben Cracknell (lighting designer) and Kay Magson CDG (casting director) also join the production team, with sound design by Tom Marshall. Completing the company are Sam Paterson (production manager), Jennifer Lane Baker (Birkbeck trainee director), James Hayden-Harler (company stage manager) and Lisa Lewis (deputy stage manager). The filmed scenes have been captured by Crosscut Media. Tickets for the show are on sale now via Curve's website. Maiya Quansah-Breed (Rent, Six) will replace Alexia Khadime in The Distance You Have Come for its two performances in the West End. Being presented at the Apollo Theatre, Scott Alan's song cycle follows the lives of six intertwined people and features a variety of numbers. Also appearing are Andy Coxon (West Side Story, Beautiful The Carole King Musical), Alice Fearn (Come From Away, Wicked), Adrian Hansel (Starlight Express, Hairspray), Emma Hatton (Evita, Wicked) and Dean John-Wilson (The King and I, Aladdin). The show's producers said today: "While it is a huge shame for us to lose Alexia, we are thrilled for her and the rest of The Prince of Egypt team that their show is coming back so soon! We are really excited to be joined by the brilliant Maiya Quansah-Breed and look forward to her interpretation on the role." Original direction was by Scott Alan and original production design by Simon Daw. The production is produced by Sevans Productions and Krystal Lee. The producers added "The safety of our cast, team, and audience members is paramount. We will initially go on sale in a socially distanced capacity, but we will continue to review this in accordance with updated government guidance." Tickets for the show are on sale now. Williamsons TRUSTED news source. Click here to stay informed and subscribe to the Williamson Daily News. Click #isupportlocal for more information on supporting our local journalists. Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 20:21:14|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close LONDON, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Amazon announced on Friday that it will create more than 10,000 new permanent jobs this year in Britain as the pandemic pushes more shoppers online. The creation of new permanent roles nationwide will boost the British economy and bring Amazon's total workforce to more than 55,000 in 2021, the company said in a statement. In addition to this, Amazon will invest 10 million pounds (14 million U.S. dollars) over three years to train up to 5,000 employees in new skills and support the British government's investment program. The training will be offered through Amazon's Career Choice program, which covers the course fees for Amazon employees interested in pursuing a future career outside of the company. The program offers funding for adult education, pre-paying 95 percent of tuition and associated fees for nationally recognized courses up to 8,000 pounds (11,261 U.S. dollars) over four years, with courses available ranging from accountancy to HGV (heavy goods vehicle) drivers and software developers. British Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: "Amazon's announcement today is fantastic news and a huge vote of confidence in the British economy, helping us deliver on our commitment to level up across the UK with a whopping 10,000 new permanent jobs. As we build back better from the pandemic, this is a prime investment in our retail sector." "Providing staff with training to plug the skills gaps that exist within the local business community is going to be a key driver to increasing productivity and boosting the economy as the UK recovers from the pandemic," Shevaun Haviland, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said. Amazon's UK Country Manager John Boumphrey said: "We're proud of the front-line roles we offer across Amazon, and we also know that they will be a stepping stone for some in their career journey. For people whose ambitions fall outside of our company, we are pleased to support them by paying for training and academic courses that can get them to where they want to be." Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 20:37:42|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close MOSCOW, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed a recent territorial dispute on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border in a telephone conversation with Armenia's Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Thursday night, the Kremlin said Friday in a statement. Putin said it is necessary to comply with the ceasefire regime agreed upon earlier within the joint statements by the leaders of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, according to the statement. Russia is willing to act as a mediator and facilitate contacts between Yerevan and Baku amid a recent escalation between both sides, Putin added. Pashinyan thanked the Russian president and called for "a constructive dialogue and interaction aimed at resolving any emerging problems solely by peaceful, political and diplomatic means," the Kremlin said. Pashinyan on Wednesday accused Azerbaijani forces of crossing Armenia's border and said this was "an encroachment on the sovereign territory" of the country. Azerbaijan called the claim provocative and assured it was committed to "defusing tensions in the region." Enditem MOSCOW (AP) Russian court bailiffs showed up Friday at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Moscow bureau to notify it about the launch of enforcement proceedings over unpaid fines as part of mounting pressure on the U.S.-funded broadcaster. FILE - In this Friday, Jan. 15, 2010 file photo, the headquarters of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) is seen with the United States flag in the foreground, in Prague. Russian court bailiffs have shown up at U.S.-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Libertys Moscow Bureau to notify it about the launch of enforcement proceedings over unpaid fines. RFE/RL on Friday, May 14, 2021 denounced the move as a serious escalation in the Russian governments campaign to drive it out of the country. (Michal Kamaryt/CTK via AP, file) MOSCOW (AP) Russian court bailiffs showed up Friday at Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Moscow bureau to notify it about the launch of enforcement proceedings over unpaid fines as part of mounting pressure on the U.S.-funded broadcaster. RFE/RL President Jamie Fly said the broadcaster's Moscow bank accounts were also frozen Friday in what he denounced as a serious escalation in the Russian government's campaign to drive it out of the country. RFE/RL will continue to fight these desperate attempts by the Kremlin to censor uncomfortable truths, Fly said in a statement. We will not be silenced by these heavy-handed tactics and we will not abandon our Russian audience. Last year, Russias media watchdog Roskomnadzor ordered the media designated as foreign agents, including RFE/RL, to add a lengthy statement to news reports, social media posts and audiovisual materials specifying that the content was created by an outlet performing the functions of a foreign agent. The move, which applies to nongovernmental political organizations and media receiving foreign funding, has been widely criticized as aiming to discredit critical reporting and dissent. The term foreign agent carries strong pejorative connotations in Russia. Roskomnadzor has filed 520 violation cases against RFE/RL, which could entail fines totaling $2.4 million. In a call with reporters, Fly said that the broadcaster has refused to pay the fines because it considers them unlawful. We have been very clear throughout this that we will not pay these fines, he said. We believe that the labeling is illegitimate, it violates Russia's own constitution. We aren't going to back down in the face of this pressure. The broadcaster has asked the European Court of Human Rights to order Russia to refrain from enforcing the fines until the court can make a full ruling on Roskomnadzors moves, which RFE/RL contends violates the European Convention on Human Rights. RFE/RL isn't alone in facing the foreign agent labeling, Over the past weeks, the Russian Justice Ministry has designated online media outlet Meduza, Moscow-based First Anticorruption Media (PASMI), and Netherlands-based VTimes.io as foreign agents. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has condemned Russias mounting pressure on the media as a sign of the Kremlins weakness. MONTREAL - The brother of an Indigenous woman subjected to insults as she lay dying in a Quebec hospital testified Friday he was shocked at her condition when he visited the medical facility last September. A picture of Joyce Echaquan is seen during a vigil in front of the hospital where she died in Joliette, Que., on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020. More family members are taking the stand today at a coroner's inquest in the death of an Indigenous woman last year subjected to insults as she lay dying in a Quebec hospital. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson MONTREAL - The brother of an Indigenous woman subjected to insults as she lay dying in a Quebec hospital testified Friday he was shocked at her condition when he visited the medical facility last September. Stephane Echaquan told the coroner's inquest examining the circumstances of the death of his sister, Joyce Echaquan, that she was bruised and tied to a bed at the hospital in Joliette, Que., northeast of Montreal. "It's inhuman, I never thought I'd see a member of my family being tied up like an animal," he told the inquiry. The 37-year-old Atikamekw mother of seven filmed herself at the hospital last September as female staff were caught on the Facebook Live video insulting and mocking her. The video of her seeking help and being ridiculed circulated widely on social media and prompted widespread indignation across the country. By the time Stephane Echaquan arrived on Sept. 28, his sister had already died, two days after she was taken by ambulance from the community of Manawan, north of Montreal, with severe stomach pain. He documented her bruises in photos that will be shared with the inquest. He said his sister had talked about being fearful of seeking treatment at the hospital and that the same fear is palpable among members of the Atikamekw community following her death. He said some prefer to get medical care in Trois-Rivieres, Que., halfway between Montreal and Quebec City. "Sometimes I'm confused," the brother said to conclude his testimony. "I have questions that are still without answers." The inquiry, which began Thursday, has heard from family and relatives of the deceased woman who have said Echaquan had reservations about going to the hospital. She had a host of health problems including diabetes and heart issues that required regular treatment. Echaquan's sister-in-law, Jemima Dube, knew about her reservations. "Yes I knew that Joyce was fearful about frequenting the Joliette hospital," she told the inquest through an interpreter. Wrought with emotion, a community member read a statement on her behalf. Dube said on the morning of her death, Echaquan called her using the hospital phone and asked her to come bring her home because she was scared. But Dube said she wasn't able to secure a ride immediately. In the hours later, she saw the infamous Facebook Live video, where Echaquan complained about being overmedicated while staff are heard hurling insults at her. "I was shocked to hear that," Dube said. "The people with her were insulting a lot." After Dube got to the hospital, she said she wandered looking for help and was taken to a family room while a team tried to resuscitate Echaquan. A doctor came to see her to say they tried to save Echaquan, including with 45 minutes of cardiac massage. "When I heard them say they hadn't succeeded, I ran out of the room like the wind," she said. "I was lost. I couldn't believe it, I didn't know what to do." She said several people, including cousins, stayed with Echaquan's body, which she said was still in restraints and covered in bruises. Echaquan's hand was still warm but became cold over time, she said, adding that she held vigil with other community members while waiting for relatives to make the three-hour drive from Manawan. Marie-Wasianna Echaquan Dube, 20, Echaquan's oldest daughter, returned to testify on Friday after she took the stand a day prior. She presented a video she took after arriving at the hospital, details of which are under a publication ban. "When I saw my mother in this state, I started to cry," Echaquan Dube said Friday. "I wondered why she was in this state." Also Friday, Evangeline Bellemare, a longtime friend of Joyce Echaquan, told the inquiry that Echaquan had previously talked about her concerns going to the Joliette hospital. She said Echaquan was devoted to her community and her family. "It makes no sense," Bellemare said. "I think personally, everyone has the right to adequate care, without being subjected to racist comments." Coroner Gehane Kamel told the hearing Friday she was cursed as she walked to the courthouse. Without going into specifics of what was said, she made a call for benevolence and calm. "I'm going to appeal to the people," Kamel said. "I only ask one thing of you: it is benevolence. I have only one certainty when I wake up in the morning, and that is that I have the same blood flowing in my veins as all human beings on the planet." The inquiry continues next week and will hear from hospital staff. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 14, 2021. WASHINGTON - Senior officials from Canada, the United States and Mexico will meet virtually next week for the first Free Trade Commission meeting of the USMCA era. Minister of International Trade Mary Ng participates in a news conference on the Canada-United Kingdom Trade Continuity Agreement in Ottawa, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020. Senior officials from Canada, the United States and Mexico will meet virtually next week for the first Free Trade Commission meeting of the USMCA era. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang WASHINGTON - Senior officials from Canada, the United States and Mexico will meet virtually next week for the first Free Trade Commission meeting of the USMCA era. International Trade Minister Mary Ng says she'll take part in the virtual meetings, scheduled for Monday and Tuesday. Mexico's Economy Secretary Tatiana Clouthier will also attend the gathering, which is being hosted by U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai. The commission, an agency established by the terms of the U.S.-Canada-Mexico Agreement, is the primary overseer of the deal, which went into effect last July. Its mandate is to guide the implementation process, assist in resolving disputes and supervise the work of lower-level committees and working groups. Dairy is likely to be a hot topic: the U.S. has already filed a formal complaint that its producers are being unfairly shut out of the Canadian market. The meetings will focus on fortifying supply chains, enforcing the agreement's labour and environmental protections and mitigating the economic effects of climate change, Ng's department said in a news release. Tai's office promised updates about the work that's been done to date on the deal's implementation, as well as "robust discussions" about the labour and environmental clauses. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 14, 2021. BEIJING (AP) China on Friday accused the United States of coercive diplomacy following comments by Secretary of State Antony Blinken to his Australian counterpart that the U.S. will not leave Australia alone on the field or maybe I should say alone on the pitch in the face of economic coercion by China. BEIJING (AP) China on Friday accused the United States of coercive diplomacy following comments by Secretary of State Antony Blinken to his Australian counterpart that the U.S. will not leave Australia alone on the field or maybe I should say alone on the pitch in the face of economic coercion by China. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying accused the U.S. of imposing economic sanctions and strong-arming other countries over trade issues to achieve its strategic goals. Hua said Chinas telecommunications and other high-tech industries are now falling victim to U.S. economic coercion, an apparent reference to firms including Huawei and ZTE that have faced U.S. restrictions. Coercive diplomacy is a specialty of the United States, which has provided the world with classic textbooks and cases of coercive diplomacy through its policies and actions," Hua said at a daily briefing. There are now a growing number of people in the United States who are calling for strengthened dialogue and cooperation with China and urging the two countries to work toward each other to improve relations. They believe that a healthy, stable and sustained U.S.-China relationship is in the interest of the people of both countries," she added. Like the United States and China, Australia and China are in the midst of several major disputes as Beijing seeks to apply pressure over commerce and influence. In their Thursday meeting, Blinken told Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne the United States and Australia are bound together by deeply held shared values that no other nation, including China, can uproot. Both said that presenting a united front toward China is key and called for a more thorough and complete investigation into the origin of the coronavirus pandemic that emerged in China in 2019. China-Australia relations have plunged to a multi-decade low, with Beijing blocking imports of Australian coal, wheat and other goods over the past year. But it has failed to force Prime Minister Scott Morrisons government to offer concessions. Australia decided in April to cancel two deals signed by the state of Victoria with Chinas multibillion-dollar Belt and Road construction initiative. Beijing warned then it might respond, which it did by suspending the China-Australia Strategic Economic Dialogue, accusing Australia of abusing so-called national security reasons to severely restrict and suppress economic and cultural cooperation projects. Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-15 02:33:14|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close by Marian Draganov SOFIA, May 14 (Xinhua) -- The fourth edition of Camping & Caravanning Expo, the only exhibition focused on camping tourism in Bulgaria, kicked off here on Friday to support the growing demand in this specific sector. Held in the parking lot of one of the largest shopping centers in the capital of Bulgaria, the three-day event features brands from around the world, offered by 40 companies from Bulgaria and Turkey. The Expo, free of charge to visitors, features high-end caravans as well as equipment for outdoor activities, such as tents, clothing, kitchenware, insect repellents, books and travel guides. Veselin Valev, manager of the event's organizer Camping.bg, told Xinhua that the aim of the exhibition is to promote this "healthy" form of outdoor recreation. According to Valev, there are about 90 campsites in Bulgaria, and at least five new ones are opened every year. "This type of tourism is developing extremely dynamically in our country," Valev said. Freedom camping is generally not prohibited in Bulgaria except in some places, he said. Since last year, camping tourism has become popular again around the world, not least because of the pandemic-related restrictions, Valev said. Ivelin Todorov, manager of a company that sells campers and caravans of various global brands, told Xinhua that he expects a boom in Bulgaria's camper market. The coronavirus certainly contributes to this, but perhaps the main reason is the rising standard of living in the country, he said. "Since we have been on the market, we have grown 100 percent each year on an annual basis," said another exhibitor, Denis Lapshov, manager of a Bulgarian company that has invented an eco-friendly fireplace and barbecue lighter. Ivan Ivanov, a man in his 50s wearing hiking clothes and a large backpack as if he had just come from the nearby mountain, said he was an avid tourist. "The exhibition is good. It may be small for a European country, but it's good because there are all kinds of things," Ivanov said. He said he didn't buy anything. "I'm just looking. Ideas are more important than material gains." Enditem HAVANA (AP) The jab didn't even hurt, and Mabel Aguilera figures it may finally let her see granddaughters on the other side of Cuba who she hasn't glimpsed during many months of pandemic restrictions. People wait to be vaccinated with the Cuban Abdala vaccine for COVID-19 at a doctors' office, decorated with an image of Fidel Castro and a Cuban flag, in the Alamar neighborhood of Havana, Cuba, Friday, May 14, 2021. Cuba began immunizing people this week with its own vaccines, Abdala and Soberana 02, the only ones developed by a Latin American country. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) HAVANA (AP) The jab didn't even hurt, and Mabel Aguilera figures it may finally let her see granddaughters on the other side of Cuba who she hasn't glimpsed during many months of pandemic restrictions. Sometimes I thought I wouldn't be able to stand not seeing my granddaughters, said the 75-year-old woman, who got the shot at a clinic near her Havana home and has had to make do with phone calls and social media to keep in contact with relatives in the island's far east. Talking is not like touching them, she said Friday while in a post-inoculation observation area. They send me photos on Facebook but thats not enough, she added on the verge of tears. Aguilera is among hundreds of thousands of Cubans who have begun receiving new, locally produced vaccines against COVID-19 in the past few days as the socialist government has ramped up an inoculation campaign even before releasing formal Phase III data on the vaccines' effectiveness and safety. The campaign is being closely watched by many across Latin America and the world who see Cuba's vaccines as a possible way to ease global shortages. The islands health minister, Jose Angel Portal Miranda, announced on May 7 that officials are still processing information from the unusually large Phase III trials of the two vaccine candidates, which covered 400,000 people overall. But he said that beginning mass vaccines now "has more benefits than risks. ... The number of sick and deceased is going to decrease. Officials also have not given data on results from trials in other countries, such as Iran, that were reportedly testing the Cuban candidates. The vaccines are a point of pride for a small and relatively poor nation of 11 million people that has prioritized its medical sector and has long boasted of exporting its own pharmaceuticals across the globe. While other Latin American nations are producing foreign vaccines under license, only Cuba so far has developed its own. Officials say they pushed forward wide-scale inoculations due to early evidence that the vaccines are safe and work and because of a recent upsurge in coronavirus infections. The clinic that served Aguilera in the Habana del Este neighborhood is using the Abdala vaccine, while some others are offering Soberana 02. Three other domestic vaccine candidates are also under study on the island. We have had very few adverse events. Some patients experience a little tiredness, said Dr. Naicy Guzman, director of the clinic, who lives nearby with her parents and children. All this is moving for me," she said. My people, my brothers, my community will be vaccinated against this disease that has really shaken us. It has been a long and intense fight. While most other vaccines have relied upon a two-dose regime, Guzman indicated that three doses will be applied at 14-day intervals to each person. She said it will take little more than a month to vaccinate 20,490 of the 32,000 people served by her neighborhood clinic. Those under 18 and those infected with COVID-19 so far are excluded. Portal said the government plans to start mass vaccines with some 700,000 people in seven Havana districts hardest hit by COVID-19 such as Habana del Este. From June through August, they plan to vaccinate another 1 million people in the capital. Officials say inoculations are taking place as well in the provinces, with plans to cover 70% of the adult population by the end of August. Cuba is experiencing an outbreak of infections that began last December after months in which some localities went weeks without cases. Since the pandemic began in March 2020, Cuba has reported 121,838 cases and 785 deaths. But 31,346 of those cases came last month. The pandemic has devastated Cuba's tourism-dependent economy, with shrank by 11% last year. The province has signed an agreement with Xplornet Communications to take over management of Manitoba Hydro Telecoms broadband network in a deal that Premier Brian Pallister said will mean more than 125,000 unserved or underserved Manitobans are a step closer to receiving reliable high-speed internet and cellular services. The province has signed an agreement with Xplornet Communications to take over management of Manitoba Hydro Telecoms broadband network in a deal that Premier Brian Pallister said will mean more than 125,000 unserved or underserved Manitobans are a step closer to receiving reliable high-speed internet and cellular services. Few details of the arrangement have been disclosed including just how much Xplornet is prepared to invest. Small internet service providers (ISPs) in Manitoba, who have relied on that network to build small connections to many communities, are worried about retaining access to the network at a reasonable price. MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Grand Chief Garrison Settee. Pallister said, "this is big day" a few times during a press conference on Thursday. He said, "Too many Manitobans more than in any other part of the country are deprived of the opportunity of reliable internet and cell service. In particular, our rural and northern communities. In particular, our Indigenous communities." The network in question is owned by Manitoba Hydro and includes thousands of kilometres of fibre-optic cable, created to communicate with northern hydroelectric facilities and to transmit data. The province issued a request for proposal in August for third party management of the network and Thursdays announcement was that Xplornet has won that process. In the meantime, there has been a stop sell order since last August and no new business has been allowed on the network, which has meant that many small ISPs have not been able to do any improvements to their existing clients networks during the pandemic, a time when broadband access has been so critical. Central Services Minister Reg Helwer said the province and Xplornet now have 45 days to finalize the contact and that the "stop sell" order will remain in place until then. Opposition party officials were not impressed, in particular because a publicly-owned asset has now been transferred to a private company. "That is not something to be celebrated," said Hydro critic Adrien Sala. He said he feared that consumer costs for broadband services will rise and that small local internet service providers will be shut out. In an email exchange with Helwer, he said, "Manitoba did assess proposed pricing as part of the evaluation of proposals and will include language in the contract to ensure pricing is competitive as a contract compliance component." Cindy Findlay, chief operating officer of Broadband Communications North, an Indigenous-owned not-for-profit ISP that services more than 50 rural, northern and remote communities in Manitoba, said its hard to know what to expect. "It feels better knowing the direction they are going but it seems to me that they were trying to fix a system that was not really broken," she said. The premier did acknowledge that Manitoba rates last or near the bottom among the provinces in many metrics when it comes to broadband services in rural, remote and Indigenous communities. Findlay pointed out that while the premier said Xplornet will be working with Indigenous communities, "We all know that could mean a lot of different things to different people. We do know there has not been a lot of consultation with Indigenous communities." Grand Chief Garrison Settee, who represents all the First Nations in northern Manitoba, said he hopes that the new arrangement will impact all Northern communities, not just a couple. "We are disappointed that in 2020, the province stopped a number of shovel-ready projects that would have brought high-speed internet to more of our communities," he said. "We will be meeting with the provinces representatives to seek clarification on their plans to ensure all northern communities will have access to high-speed internet and cellphone services." Dave MacKay, the executive director of the Coalition of Manitoba Internet Service Providers, said he did not want to seem like he was a detractor, but was not happy to hear the province does not intend to make any big investments. "The government has chosen to sidestep its own backyard and reach out to a large non-Manitoba ISP that has virtually no fibre footprint in the province," he said. The provinces broadband coverage is so poor largely because in the past, telecommunications companies have chosen not to invest the significant capital required to connect sparsely populated remote communities. As an indication of the kind of money involved, Winkler-based Valley Fiber recently announced that it and its Dutch partners would be investing $260 million to provide broadband connection for a number of southern Manitoba communities. In an email exchange, Johanne Senecal, vice-president of government and public affairs for Xplornet, said she was not in a position to talk about how much the company was planning to invest in Manitoba. As for working with other ISPs, she said, "Xplornet is open to working with local ISPs to assist them in improving their services through open access approaches to the network we develop." Pallister said the "historic partnership" with Xplornet will deliver high-speed internet to about 30 First Nations and 270 rural and northern communities. The agreement will also serve 350 communities with cellphone access. with files from Larry Kusch martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) Dreading your eventual return to the office? The federal government is making available for free some waterfront workspaces with killer views that are sure to entice. But there's a catch. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) Dreading your eventual return to the office? The federal government is making available for free some waterfront workspaces with killer views that are sure to entice. But there's a catch. The General Services Administration says the U.S. Coast Guard has decided it no longer needs four of the nation's most picturesque lighthouses, and it's inviting certain types of organizations to take them over at no cost. The GSA, which has been getting rid of its large inventory of obsolete lighthouses, said Thursday that Beavertail Lighthouse in Jamestown, Rhode Island America's third-oldest lighthouse, and a beacon that defeated British forces torched out of spite in 1779 as they withdrew from the new nation is up for grabs. So are Watch Hill Light in Westerly, Rhode Island, not far from Taylor Swift's beachside mansion; Cleveland Harbor West Pierhead Light in Ohio; and Duluth Harbor North Pierhead Light in Minnesota. Conditionally, that is: The government says it'll make the historic lighthouses and their outbuildings available free of charge to federal, state and local agencies; nonprofit organizations; educational and community development agencies; or groups devoted to parks, recreation, culture, or historic preservation. Beavertail Light "has been determined to be excess to the needs of the United States Coast Guard, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security, GSA spokesperson Paul Hughes said in a statement. Beavertail Light has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places since 1977. The 64-foot (19.5-meter) granite lighthouse faces south where Narragansett Bay and Rhode Island Sound meet, offering drop-dead-gorgeous ocean vistas. All that remains of the original lighthouse is its foundation; it was constructed in 1749 and burned down by British soldiers leaving the Newport area in 1779. The current lighthouse was built in 1856 along with six additional structures totaling 5,171 square feet (480 square meters.) Hughes said the government is asking interested groups to formally express their interest in the next 60 days, and the National Park Service will review the applications. Perched on a peninsula, Watch Hill Light is a three-story granite block tower with a cast iron and glass lantern on top. It's attached to a two-story brick keepers dwelling built in 1935. Outbuildings on the 4.5-acre complex include an oil house built in 1855-1856. Cleveland Harbor West Pierhead Light, built in 1911 to guide ships in Lake Erie approaching the Port of Cleveland, housed a Coast Guard Station until 1976. It's best known for its annual transformation into a majestic ice castle when winter temperatures freeze the surf that sprays its facade. A sister lighthouse, Cleveland Harbor East Pierhead Light, was sold a few years ago for $10,000. Duluth Harbor North Pierhead Light, built in 1910 and perched at the westernmost tip of Lake Superior, also is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. WASHINGTON (AP) A Florida politician who emerged as a central figure in the federal investigation into Rep. Matt Gaetz has agreed to cooperate with federal investigators and admits paying an underage girl to have sex with him and other men, according to court documents filed Friday. WASHINGTON (AP) A Florida politician who emerged as a central figure in the federal investigation into Rep. Matt Gaetz has agreed to cooperate with federal investigators and admits paying an underage girl to have sex with him and other men, according to court documents filed Friday. Joel Greenberg is expected to plead guilty to six federal charges including sex trafficking of a child during a court appearance in Orlando on Monday. His cooperation as a close associate of Gaetz signals a significant escalation in the Justice Departments investigation and potentially raises the legal and political jeopardy the Florida congressman is facing. Federal prosecutors have been examining whether Gaetz and Greenberg paid underage girls or offered them gifts in exchange for sex, according to people familiar with the matter. The plea agreement makes no mention of Gaetz, who has vehemently denied the allegations and any wrongdoing and has insisted he will not resign his seat in Congress. As part of his plea agreement, Greenberg admitted that he recruited women for commercial sex acts and paid them more than $70,000 from 2016 to 2018, including at least one underage girl he paid to have sex with him and others. Prosecutors say Greenberg met the girl online from a website where she was posing as an adult and had a first meeting with her on a boat, paying her $400. He later invited her to a hotels in Florida, where he and others would have sex with her and also supplied the girl and other people with ecstasy, according to the plea deal. In total, prosecutors say Greenberg had sex with the girl at least seven times. Greenberg also introduced the Minor to other adult men, who engaged in commercial sex acts with the Minor, the plea agreement states. The plea deal, signed Wednesday, does not identify the men. Prosecutors say Greenberg also used his position as the Seminole County tax collector to access a state drivers information database to investigate the women he was having sex with and had searched for the underage girl at least once because he had reason to believe the minor was under the age of 18, the plea agreement says. Greenbergs legal problems began last summer when he was arrested on charges of stalking a political opponent. He mailed fake letters to the school where his opponent taught, signed by a nonexistent very concerned student who alleged the teacher had engaged in sexual misconduct with another student, according to an indictment filed against him. Greenberg was charged in August with sex trafficking a girl between ages 14 and 17 and using a state database to look up information about the girl and other people with whom he was engaged in sugar daddy relationships, according to the indictment. Charges on allegations he embezzled $400,000 from the Seminole County tax collectors office were added earlier this year, according to the indictment. Investigators have also been looking at whether Gaetz and his associates tried to secure government jobs for some of the women, the people said. They are also scrutinizing Gaetzs connections to the medical marijuana sector, including whether his associates sought to influence legislation Gaetz sponsored. The people had knowledge of the investigation but spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because they were not allowed to publicly discuss the ongoing investigation. SILVER SPRING, Md. (AP) General Mills is diving further into the red-hot pet food market, acquiring Tyson Foods' animal treat business for $1.2 billion in cash, the companies said Friday. FILE - In this Feb. 23, 2018 file photo, the logo for General Mills appears above a trading post on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. General Mills is diving further into the red-hot pet food market, acquiring Tyson Foods pet treat business for $1.2 billion in cash, the companies said Friday, May 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File) SILVER SPRING, Md. (AP) General Mills is diving further into the red-hot pet food market, acquiring Tyson Foods' animal treat business for $1.2 billion in cash, the companies said Friday. Best known for Cheerios, Betty Crocker and Pillsbury, General Mills in 2018 entered the pet food business in a big way, spending $8 billion to acquire Blue Buffalo, a premium brand. Then the pandemic hit, fueling the biggest surge of pet adoptions in recent memory. About 12.6 million U.S. households got a new pet last year after the pandemic was declared in March 2020, according to a COVID-19 Pulse Study by the American Pet Products Association. When General Mills released quarterly earnings this spring, it became clear that the animals taken home from shelters during the pandemic were not the only winners. Third-quarter net sales from General Mills' pet business, which ended in February, jumped 14 percent to $436 million, and through nine months of the fiscal year, sales are up 13 percent to $1.29 billion. Under General Mills, Blue Buffalos sales have grown at a 10% compound rate, with the last 12 months bringing in more than $1.7 billion. Profit from Blue Buffalo are growing even faster, from about $300 million in 2017, before General Mills acquired it, to more than $400 million in the past 12 months. That is the period that ran the gamut of the global pandemic. Three years ago when General Mills said it would buy Blue Buffalo for $8 billion, a number of industry analysts had sticker shock. But Blue Buffalo has driven growth with double-digit sales in both dog and cat foods and the company has registered overall sales growth in 12 of the past 14 quarters. The acquisition of Blue Buffalo was part of the company's campaign to revive sales that declined in 15 of 16 quarters between 2013 to 2017. The 150-year old food giant has modernized its portfolio of brands as Americans shift away from processed foods. It's been acquiring organic and natural foods brands for humans as well. General Mills did sell pet food back in the 1950s and from all appearances, it's back in the business to stay. Pet food is a high-growth category, fueled by the humanization of pets, a trend that has only increased during the pandemic, said Bethany Quam, the head of General Mills' pet division. The acquisition of Tyson's pet treat business is expected to close in the first quarter of fiscal 2022, with an estimated tax benefit of $225 million, bringing the effective purchase price to $975 million, General Mills said. The deal includes the Nudges, Top Chews and True Chews brands. Shares of General Mills Inc., based in Minneapolis, edged higher Friday. LAS VEGAS (AP) Hip-hop music figure Jamal Mally Mall Rashid was sentenced Thursday in Las Vegas to 33 months in federal prison for owning and operating a prostitution business disguised as an escort enterprise, federal prosecutors and his defense attorneys said. LAS VEGAS (AP) Hip-hop music figure Jamal Mally Mall Rashid was sentenced Thursday in Las Vegas to 33 months in federal prison for owning and operating a prostitution business disguised as an escort enterprise, federal prosecutors and his defense attorneys said. Rashid, 45, sought leniency from U.S. District Judge Gloria Navarro with an apology to the court, the government and, most importantly, the women involved, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported. He told the judge he quit criminal activity in 2014. But for 12 years before that, Rashid operated a high-end prostitution business that transported victims across the United States, using various paid websites ... to advertise the victims for prostitution purposes, U.S. Attorney Christopher Chiou said in a statement. Rashid exploited hundreds of victims through manipulation, rules and threats, the top federal prosecutor in Nevada said, encouraged victims to get tattoos of him to demonstrate their loyalty, and led many of them to believe he would advance their careers in show business. Rashids attorneys, David Chesnoff and Richard Schonfeld, said he accepted full responsibility for his conduct that occurred almost a decade ago. He will serve his sentence and looks forward to returning to the music industry, the attorneys said in a statement. A San Francisco Bay Area native, Rashid worked with artists including Tyga, Justin Bieber, Usher and Sean Kingston. His 2013 collaboration with Tyga, Molly, reached No. 66 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. He was featured as Mally Mall in the VH1 reality TV series Love and Hip Hop Hollywood. He pleaded guilty in October 2019 to using an interstate facility to aid unlawful activity, and faced prison time of at least one month but up to 33 months in a plea agreement that did not require him to register as a sex offender. His criminal case became public following a September 2014 FBI raid at his southeast Las Vegas mansion, ringed by security gates, cameras and walls, and a business he owned called Las Vegas Concierge VS1 near the Las Vegas Strip. A little more than two years later, in May 2016, a fire damaged the home and left an exotic pet wildcat called a caracal dead. The species is native to Africa, the Middle East and India, and can grow to about 40 pounds (18 kilograms). Chesnoff asked Navarro on Thursday to impose a two-year sentence and said Rashid worked as part of his rehabilitation helping the homeless and teenagers in crisis, the Review-Journal reported. Navarro told Rashid to stop working with vulnerable teenagers. In addition to the maximum, she said he'll serve three years of supervision after prison. I hope you get this message, the judge said according to the newspaper. Youve just been really lucky. You will spend the rest of your life in prison if you do this again. Rashid has until Aug. 13 to surrender for prison, the Review-Journal said. The escalation of violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is dismaying American Muslims and Jews whove been working to build bridges between their communities and are now struggling to quell fear and anger in their own circles. The escalation of violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is dismaying American Muslims and Jews whove been working to build bridges between their communities and are now struggling to quell fear and anger in their own circles. Were heartbroken, said Muslim attorney Atiya Aftab, the New Jersey-based co-founder of a major interfaith group, the Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom. She added that the situation threatens to derail the group's work. The organization, which seeks to build trust and friendships between Muslim and Jewish women and teenage girls, issued a statement regretting the violent response by Hamas, the Islamic militant group ruling Gaza, but was more expansive and forceful in condemning actions by Israeli security forces. The Israeli government has a responsibility to stop settlers and extremists from taking over the land and allow those who live in East Jerusalem to rightfully live there in peace, the group said. As Muslim and Jewish women of faith ... we have a responsibility to rise up and respond to injustice and prejudice. The grim events in Israel and Gaza have fueled raw discussions among members of another Muslim-Jewish partnership, Los Angeles-based NewGround, according to its executive director, Aziza Hasan. She said a private Zoom gathering is planned for next week to address tensions within the community, which includes Palestinian Americans, Muslims with origins elsewhere and Jews holding a wide range of political views. Many members have relatives or friends in areas wracked by the violence. NewGround has been working hard to listen deeply to the enormous anger and fear, Hasan, a Muslim, said via email. There is fear that the violence is becoming increasingly personal in shared neighborhoods. We do not know the immediate path through this, but we are certain that until we humanize one another, there wont be a path at all, Hasan added, We encourage our community members to reach out to someone else who holds a different view and listen to their story with compassion. Andrea Hodos, NewGround's associate director, said she has close family in Israel and worries for Israelis taking refuge in bomb shelters. She has Palestinian American friends for whom she is also concerned, including one with family members in Gaza where theres little protection against Israeli air strikes. We need to keep all these people in mind, said Hodos, who is Jewish. It doesnt work all the time ... but our goal is to get as many people to stay at the table as possible, hearing one anothers stories. Thats what softens our hearts to be able to be with one another through these times." Ingrid Mattson, a Muslim scholar and former president of the Islamic Society of North America, wrote this week on Twitter that she fears meaningful interfaith relationships" among U.S. Christians, Muslims and Jews are in jeopardy if those involved continue to be silent on Israeli attacks on Palestinians in Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa Mosque during the holy month of Ramadan. This is the crisis of a generation, she wrote. In an interview, Mattson said she was anguished by what she saw as a muted response from some faith groups as that holy site was attacked, a traumatizing event for Muslims everywhere: It makes a person question the nature of the (interfaith) relationship. She said there have been some important statements by allies, citing groups such as Rabbis for Human Rights and Jewish Voice for Peace that have strongly condemned Israeli policies and actions as cruel and unjust. But Western Christian denominations, she said, have been largely silent beyond calls for both sides to be peaceful. I feel like people should have learned something from the last year of public education about anti-Black racism and police violence against Black people in America that you have to say whats wrong, she said. Jewish Voice for Peace, a California-based advocacy group critical of Israeli policies toward the Palestinians, lists interfaith outreach as one of its core missions. Weve built deep partnerships with Muslim American groups, said the organizations executive director, Stefanie Fox. To see this happening, in this most sacred period, is truly horrifying. ... Theres this incredibly urgent call to work together to hold the Israeli government accountable. The conflict came up during a Zoom session this week held by the Interfaith Dialogue Association of Grand Rapids, Michigan, to train medical residents on how to approach patients of different cultures and religions. Youd think that subject was far enough away from Israel-Palestine. But no, it actually entered the conversation, said Fred Stella, the president of the association, which is affiliated with the Kaufman Interfaith Institute at Grand Valley State University. Its very present right now. Very sadly so, as you can imagine. This is such a complicated mess, Stella added. If you do not approach it with the acknowledgment that there is no 100 percent absolute right guy in this fight, then youre not going to engage in any interfaith dialogue. The violence has disrupted but not halted the work of Kids4Peace, a global organization based in Jerusalem whose work includes a program bringing together young Israelis and Palestinians. Since the most recent escalation between Gaza and Israel and the attempted lynchings at night by Arabs and Jews in some mixed cities, the hatred and violence in the streets around us is even more palpable, the director of the youth encounter program, Ittay Flescher, said via email. Flescher said some members were leery about leaving home to attend the group's events, but attendance was still high at joint Palestinian-Israeli meals during Ramadan. Many youth felt it important to come together and share their frustrations, anger and beliefs with one another at this time, he wrote. If Jerusalem wont be a city that is a true home for all of us, it will not ultimately be a safe home for any of us." Associated Press religion coverage receives support from the Lilly Endowment through The Conversation U.S. The AP is solely responsible for this content. WASHINGTON - A U.S. lawmaker who has made a political crusade out of getting the border with Canada reopened is again pressing his case with President Joe Biden and this time, he believes he has the Centers for Disease Control on his side. In this image from video, Rep. Brian Higgins, D-N.Y., speaks on the floor of the House of Representatives at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Thursday, April 23, 2020. A U.S. lawmaker who has made a political crusade out of getting the border with Canada reopened is once again pressing his case with President Joe Biden. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-House Television via AP WASHINGTON - A U.S. lawmaker who has made a political crusade out of getting the border with Canada reopened is again pressing his case with President Joe Biden and this time, he believes he has the Centers for Disease Control on his side. The CDC's decision to no longer require fully vaccinated Americans to wear face masks in virtually all situations, including indoors, is an "affirmation" of the power of the COVID-19 vaccines, New York Rep. Brian Higgins wrote Friday in a letter to the White House. Higgins, a Democrat, urged Biden to "directly engage" with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in order to widen the definition of essential travellers by the end of May, with an eye toward fully reopening the border by early July. "Trends in vaccination and the most recent guidance from the CDC affirm that the time is right to do this safely and effectively," the letter reads. "This decision underscores the minimal risk Americans will pose to Canadians when crossing the border to visit family and property." Indeed, the CDC's announcement Thursday provided a rare moment of celebration for Biden, who emerged maskless from the White House to acknowledge the occasion. "I think it's a great milestone a great day," he said. "As the virus tragically rages in other countries, as other nations even wealthy nations are mired in the challenges of slow vaccine rollout and poor economic conditions as a result, things are very different here." Nearly 60 per cent of American adults have received at least one dose of the vaccine, compared with just 5.5 per cent four months ago, he added. Canada, for its part, is also making "steady progress" in its vaccination efforts, Higgins said thanks, in part, to the U.S. providing 1.5 million doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. But while he claimed more than half of Canadian adults have received at least one dose, the latest data from the Public Health Agency of Canada indicate that as of May 8, that proportion was only 38.87 per cent. "I applaud your administration's decision to share doses of the vaccine with Canada to expedite their fight against the pandemic," Higgins wrote. "We can and should share more vaccines with them." The White House is currently making plans to provide by June some 60 million doses of AstraZeneca a vaccine that has not received approval for use in the U.S. to countries around the world, including Canada. However, a number of Canadian provinces, including Quebec, Ontario and Nova Scotia, have stopped administering AstraZeneca as an initial dose, citing evidence of an extremely rare blood clot disorder in a small number of people who received the vaccine. Some 655,000 doses of AstraZeneca have been received from the global vaccine-sharing alliance known as COVAX, but in many cases they are being reserved primarily as second doses or for people who can't take other vaccines. Canada has confirmed 18 cases of the disorder in patients who received the AstraZeneca shot and 10 others are under investigation. Higgins first wrote to Biden back in February to urge the president to get serious about drafting a plan to reopen the border, proposing much the same as he did Friday: a gradual easing of restrictions with a full reopening in time for the July 4 holiday. He also pointed to media reports from mid-March, citing unnamed sources, that said the White House was considering mid-May as a possible timeline for beginning to reopen the border. Last week, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, another New York Democrat, joined Higgins in his cause. "It is time to take the first steps towards reopening the northern border to non-essential travel," Schumer said, calling for a "staged and steady" plan that would be "based on science, data and common sense." Incidental travel between the two countries has been forbidden since the pandemic began raging in North America in March 2020, with only trade shipments and essential workers being allowed to cross. The two countries have extended the restrictions on a monthly basis ever since, with the current extension set to expire May 21. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 14, 2021. BOSTON (AP) A former Massachusetts mayor first elected at the age of 23 by touting himself as a successful entrepreneur was convicted Friday of stealing money from investors in his start-up to bankroll his lavish lifestyle and soliciting bribes from marijuana vendors who wanted to operate in the struggling mill city. FILE - In this Oct. 16, 2018, file photo, Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia, right, with family and supporters by his side, tells his side of the story about his indictment during a press conference at the Fall River Government Center in Fall River, Mass. Correia, first elected at the age of 23 by touting himself as a successful entrepreneur, was convicted Friday, May 14, 2021, of stealing money from investors in his start-up to bankroll his lavish lifestyle and soliciting bribes from marijuana vendors who wanted to operate in the struggling mill city. (Dave Souza/The Herald News of Fall River via AP, File) BOSTON (AP) A former Massachusetts mayor first elected at the age of 23 by touting himself as a successful entrepreneur was convicted Friday of stealing money from investors in his start-up to bankroll his lavish lifestyle and soliciting bribes from marijuana vendors who wanted to operate in the struggling mill city. Jasiel Correia was found guilty of extortion, fraud and filing false tax returns after 23 hours of jury deliberations over four days in a trial that highlighted Correia's swift rise and fall in Fall River, where he had dazzled voters at a young age with his promises to turn the city around. Correia, now 29, was also acquitted on three counts, including accusations that he forced his chief of staff to give him half of her salary in order to keep her city job. Correia, who insisted he was innocent and attacked the charges as politically motivated, never took the stand. After leaving Boston's federal courthouse fitted with a electronic-monitoring bracelet, Correia told reporters that his fight is not over" and predicted he would win on appeal. Eventually the real truth will come out, Correia said. "I will be vindicated and my future will be very long and great. Acting U.S. Attorney Nathaniel Mendell called the verdict a fitting end to this saga. FILE - In this Oct. 16, 2018, file photo, Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia talks to reporters during a press conference at the Fall River Government Center in Fall River, Mass. Correia, first elected at the age of 23 by touting himself as a successful entrepreneur, was convicted Friday, May 14, 2021, of stealing money from investors in his start-up to bankroll his lavish lifestyle and soliciting bribes from marijuana vendors who wanted to operate in the struggling mill city. (Dave Souza/The Herald News of Fall River via AP, File) Correia made a lot of promises, a lot of bold statements in business, in politics and in government," Mendell said. "The jury found today, in its verdict, the truth. Correia's lawyer had argued his client wasnt a criminal, but merely an inexperienced businessman who believed that he was free to use investors money as he deemed fit while he was producing the smartphone app. Before Correia became mayor, prosecutors say he lured investors to support his app called SnoOwl by falsely claiming that he had previously sold another business for a big profit. Prosecutors say he used nearly two-thirds of the almost $400,000 he took from investors on himself and spent it on things like fancy hotels, casinos, high-end restaurants and expensive gifts for his girlfriend. Investors who took the stand told jurors they handed over their cash because they believed Correia was bright, trustworthy and headed for great things. One investor said he thought Correia was a boy wonder and that Correia assured him he wasnt going to take a dime out of the company so all the money could go to the development of the app. Instead, prosecutors say Correia looted a bank account filled with investor money to pay for things like a helicopter tour of Newport, Rhode Island, a Mercedes, a $300 bottle of cologne and a $700 pair of Christian Louboutin shoes for his girlfriend. These werent occasional purchases, this is shameless continued stealing without any regard for the fact that he is betraying people who trusted him, Assistant U.S. Attorney Zach Hafer said. Throughout the trial, prosecutors portrayed Correia as a serial liar, who they said misled voters in order to get elected just like they said he duped investors. In a clip shown to jurors from a 2015 debate during the race for mayor, Correia promised taxpayers that he would take your money and spend it wisely because he said thats what he had done in his business. His lie about how he previously sold another app for big money allowed him avoid questions about how he could afford such a lavish lifestyle on his $17,000 annual salary as a Fall River city councilor, prosecutors said. After the Democrat took office as mayor in 2016, prosecutors say Correia quickly turned to old school pay-to-play political corruption, by soliciting bribes from marijuana vendors seeking to operate in Fall River. Marijuana business owners, who were given immunity to testify against Correia, told jurors about how Correia or middlemen negotiated bribes in exchange for letters of approval from the city they need in order to get a license. Correias lawyer attacked the credibility and sought to shift the blame onto the governments witnesses who had cooperation agreements with prosecutors, suggesting they were lying in an effort to help themselves. One man, who pleaded guilty in the extortion scheme, told jurors about how he collected an envelope filled with $25,000 in cash that a middleman had put in a shed behind his home. The witness, Hildegar Camara, said he opened the envelope in front of Correia and got spooked, telling the mayor, If you take this or I take this, were going to go to jail. Another man, who was hoping to operate a marijuana business in Fall River, described how Correia showed up at his familys store and asked for $250,000, saying he needed it for legal defense fees. After Correia and Charles Saliby eventually agreed on a lower bribe, Correias chief of staff told Saliby: Youre family now, according to Salibys testimony. Correia was acquitted of two extortion counts related to a scheme involving a Rolex watch and one count of bribery stemming from accusations that he convinced his chief of staff to kickback part of her salary to him. Correias lawyers argued it wasnt a bribe but a loan from a mother-like figure to Correia. And though his chief of staff pleaded guilty to charges including extortion and bribery, she never took the stand to testify against Correia. He's scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 20. TORONTO - Onex Corp. reported a net profit of US$415 million in its latest quarter compared with a net loss of US$997 million in the same quarter last year. The Onex Corporation logo is displayed at the company's annual general meeting in Toronto on May 10, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette TORONTO - Onex Corp. reported a net profit of US$415 million in its latest quarter compared with a net loss of US$997 million in the same quarter last year. The private equity investment firm, which keeps its books in U.S. dollars, says the profit amounted to US$4.59 per diluted share for the quarter ended March 31 compared with a loss of US$9.97 per diluted share in the first three months of 2020. Onex says its segment net earnings, which excludes certain items, totalled US$472 million or US$5.23 per diluted share, up from a segment net loss of $1.05 billion or US$10.34 per diluted share a year ago. The company's investing segment earnings grew to US$324 million compared with a loss of US$985 million a year ago, while its asset and wealth management segment earned US$148 million compared with a loss of US$67 million in the same quarter last year. Onex chairman and CEO Gerry Schwartz says the company reported another quarter of good results across its platforms. Schwartz says its private equity investments continued to generate strong value and its credit platform is saw momentum with its new strategies. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 14, 2021. Companies in this story: (TSX:ONEX) Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-15 04:29:30|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close LISBON, May 14 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) has already had the right conditions for a "safe reopening" of tourism in summer, European Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton said on Friday. "The situation remains difficult. However, I am sure that we finally see light at the end of the tunnel and now we have the tools," he said at the High-Level Forum for Sustainable Tourism held in the Portuguese city of Porto. Breton said the considerable increase in the production capacity of vaccines suggested that there will be enough doses to vaccinate 70 percent of the EU population by mid-July. As for the "vaccine passport" in Europe, the commissioner said "the European Parliament and the Council are now ready to finalize negotiations by the end of May," adding that he is "confident of having it ready for the summer." Portuguese Economy Minister Pedro Siza Vieira said at the forum that the EU countries need to adopt a common approach for the reopening of tourism with a focus on the immediate recovery of the sector. The minister stressed that the tourism sector is fundamental for the recovery of European economies in the face of the COVID-19 crisis. Enditem JERUSALEM (AP) The Latest on the stepped-up fighting between Israel and Gaza's militant Hamas rulers (all times local): Palestinians carry the body of a child found in the rubble of a house belonging to the Al-Tanani family, that was destroyed in Israeli airstrikes in town of Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza Strip, Thursday, May 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana) JERUSALEM (AP) The Latest on the stepped-up fighting between Israel and Gaza's militant Hamas rulers (all times local): JERUSALEM The Israeli military says it has identified three rockets fired from Syria toward Israeli territory on Friday. The military said in a statement that one of the rockets landed inside Syria in the evening hours. There was no immediate comment from Damascus. The incident comes amid a violent escalation between Israel and Gazas militant Hamas rulers this week that has been compounded by an eruption of ethnic clashes inside Israel as well and violence in the occupied West Bank. Israel appears to be looking to inflict intensified damage on the Islamic militant group Hamas, which controls Gaza and has fired hundreds of rockets into Israel. JERUSALEM Israeli police are saying that nine people were injured during violent unrest surrounding the arrest of a senior Islamist leader in northern Israel. That's a higher toll than media reports had earlier. Four are reported to be in serious condition. Police said on Friday that during the arrest of Kamal Khatib, officers encountered violent resistance from residents who blocked roads, burned objects, threw stones and opened fire at officers. Israels public security minister, Amir Ohana, said police and Shin Bet agents made a series of important arrests of people responsible for inciting violence there in recent days, including Khatib, the deputy leader of the Northern Branch of the Islamist Movement in Israel. The group was outlawed by Israel in 2015. Israeli media reported earlier in the evening that five people were injured in the town of Kafr Kanna. Bangladeshi Muslims protesting against Israeli attacks on Palestinians in Gaza, gather after Eid al-Fitr prayers in front of Baitul Mukarram Mosque in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Friday, May 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu) BEIRUT The powerful Lebanese Hezbollah says a young man killed by Israeli gunfire along the Lebanese-Israeli border was a fighter with the militant group. The man, 21-year-old Mohammad Tahhan, died of wounds sustained on Friday when he was struck during a protest at the border. Palestinian and Lebanese youth had gathered in the border area as part of a rally against the Israeli military campaign in Gaza. A small group later breached the fence and crossed the border into Israel, triggering the shooting. The Israeli military says troops fired warning shots toward the group after they sabotaged the fence and crossed over briefly. After sunset a dozen protesters still lingered by the fence, prompting tear gas from the Israeli side. Lebanese President Michel Aoun strongly condemned the crime committed by Israeli forces when they opened fire at the group. JERUSALEM Israeli media are reporting that five people were injured from gunfire in violent clashes between protesters and police in a northern Israeli town following the arrest of an Islamic leader there. Police and agents from Israels internal security agency, the Shin Bet, arrived in Kafr Kanna to arrest Kamal Khatib, deputy leader of the Northern Branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel, according to Israels Channel 12. Amateur video footage from the town of Kafr Kanna shows Arab protesters throwing rocks at police, who responded with tear gas grenades. Israel police did not respond to requests for comment. UNITED NATIONS -- The U.N. chief is appealing for an immediate halt to fighting between Gaza and Israel. A man waves a Palestinian flag as Bangladeshi Muslims protesting against Israeli attacks on Palestinians in Gaza, gather after Eid al-Fitr prayers in front of Baitul Mukarram Mosque in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Friday, May 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned on Friday that the conflict could "unleash an uncontainable security and humanitarian crisis and to further foster extremism, not only in the Palestinian territory and Israel but also elsewhere in the region. A U.N. spokesman said Guterres is urging the parties to allow mediation efforts to intensify and end the fighting more quickly. Stephane Dujarric says the U.N. is actively involved in those mediation efforts. Guterres also reiterated his commitment to support Palestinians and Israelis in resolving the conflict, including through the so-called Quartet of Middle East mediators the U.N., the U.S., the European Union and Russia. - RAMALLAH, West Bank The number of Palestinians killed by Israel in the occupied West Bank has risen to 10. That's according to Palestinian health officials after rising tensions signaled a new wave of violence from the Israel-Gaza confrontation. Earlier, seven were reported killed on Friday. Then the Palestinian health ministry reported the death of an eighth man, shot in the head in al-Rihiya. He was taken to Yatta Governmental Hospital. Later on Friday evening, health officials said a ninth Palestinian was killed in Salem and a tenth died after being shot by live bullets in the head in Asira al-Qibliya, near the city of Nablus. Those deaths come hours after after the Israeli army reported that one person was killed after attempting to stab an Israeli soldier. That came after six other Palestinians were killed by Israeli army fire in the occupied West Bank earlier in the day. The West Bank violence signals a new wave of unrest there as part of the Israel-Gaza escalation. Bangladeshi Muslims protesting against Israeli attacks on Palestinians in Gaza, gather after Eid al-Fitr prayers in front of Baitul Mukarram Mosque and wave Palestinian and Bangladeshi flags in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Friday, May 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu) BEIRUT A Lebanese police official and the country's official news agency say a Lebanese protester who was hit when Israeli troops fired shots at the Lebanese-Israeli border has died of his wounds. The official said the 31-year-old protester died on Friday, a few hours after he was shot at the border where Palestinian and Lebanese youth had gathered as part of a rally against the Israeli military campaign in Gaza. A small group of them later crossed the border into Israel, triggering the shooting. The Israeli military says troops fired warning shots toward the group after they sabotaged the fence and crossed over briefly. There was no immediate comment from Lebanese officials or the military on the incident. The police official spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. Zeina Karam in Beirut GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip Israeli aircraft have leveled a multistory building housing a bank affiliated with the Hamas militant group in Gaza City. It was the third Hamas bank destroyed in Israeli airstrikes in this week's deadly escalation and fighting. The Israeli military also said on Friday that it had struck Hamas weapons production and naval sites in recent strikes on the Gaza Strip. The Hamas armed wing released a video showing what they said was a drone attack the group launched targeting an Israeli chemical plant near a kibbutz in southern Israel. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli army on the drone attack. - A Muslim worshipper wears a Hamas flag during a protest against Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip following Friday prayers at the Dome of the Rock Mosque in the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the Old City of Jerusalem, Friday, May 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean) JERUSALEM The number of Palestinians killed in the West Bank has risen to seven. The Israeli army says one was killed after attempting to stab a soldier. Palestinian health officials confirmed that death and said six other Palestinians were killed by Israeli army fire in the occupied West Bank. The health ministry said five were killed in stone-throwing clashes with Israeli forces in several locations, and a sixth was killed during an attempt to stab an Israeli soldier on Friday. A seventh was killed in Nablus. The West Bank violence comes as Israel unleashed a heavy barrage of tank fire and airstrikes on the Gaza Strip on Friday. Israel said it was clearing a network of militant tunnels ahead of a possible ground invasion. The West Bank violence signals a new wave of unrest there as part of the Israel-Gaza escalation. PRAGUE The Israeli flag has been flying over the seat of the Czech presidency. A spokesman said on Friday that Czech President Milos Zeman has ordered the flag flown over the Prague Castle as a sign of unequivocal support and solidarity with Israel during its clash with militant Hamas leaders in Gaza. It was Zeman's latest statement of support for Israel during the current round of violence. He had previously stood by Israel in a letter to his Israeli counterpart, President Reuven Rivlin. The Czech Republic has been one of Israel's staunchest allies in the European Union. ISTANBUL Hundreds of Muslims in Turkey have rallied, urging Palestinians to continue resistance against Israel. They shouted support for militant Hamas leaders on Friday at a symbolic funeral prayer for Palestinians killed in the spate of violence this week between Israel and the Gaza Strip. About 300 Muslims at the event hollered slogans in Turkish, including Greetings to Hamas, continue resistance. They called on Turkish soldiers to go to Gaza to help fight Israel and sang of the domed mosque in contested Jerusalem: Al-Aqsa will be saved if blood flows in streams. Muslim worshippers take part in Friday prayers at the Dome of the Rock Mosque in the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the Old City of Jerusalem, Friday, May 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean) Some also waved Palestinian flags and chanted slogans in Arabic. People in Turkey have been demonstrating against Israel this week, gathering without much interference from the police despite a strict lockdown to curb COVID-19 infections. JERUSALEM Israeli defense forces have fired warning shots toward a group of protesters who crossed from Lebanon as part of a rally against the Israeli campaign in Gaza. The army said some two dozen Palestinian and Lebanese youth had gathered at the border gate separating the two countries for a protest on Friday. A few of those involved crossed the border into Israel. The Israeli army says the group sabotaged the fence and set a fire in the area before returning to Lebanese territory. Al-Manar TV station, owned by Lebanons militant Hezbollah group, said one Lebanese person was wounded in the incident. The report could not be immediately confirmed. The Lebanese military had no comment. JERUSALEM Israels army says a soldier has shot and killed a Palestinian who tried to ram his car into a military post in the occupied West Bank, then got out and attempted to stab the soldier. The incident took place on Friday north of the city of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. The Palestinian health ministry confirmed the death, but no other details were immediately available. Rights groups have complained about past shootings of Palestinians by the Israeli military under questionable circumstances. In recent years, Palestinians have carried out a series of stabbings, shootings and car-ramming attacks that have killed or wounded Israeli soldiers and civilians. Military checkpoints in the West Bank are a frequent target. The military, responding to criticism of excessive force against Palestinians, say soldiers must make split-second decisions in life-or-death situations. Hezbollah supporters wave their group, Iranian and Palestinian flags, during a protest in solidarity with Palestinians amid an escalating Israeli military campaign in Gaza, on the Lebanese-Israeli border in front of the Israeli settlement of Metula, background, near the southern village of Kafr Kila, Lebanon, Friday, May 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari) JERUSALEM Israeli Justice Minister Benny Gantz has called on the chiefs of big social media platforms to quickly remove content from their sites that incites violence or spreads disinformation. A spokesman for Gantz said he told executives of Facebook and Tik Tok during a Zoom meeting Thursday that the current round of violence is being intentionally stirred through social media by extremist elements sworn to damage Israel. Gantz called the current round of fighting, a moment of social emergency, and we expect your assistance. The spokesman said the executives expressed their commitment to act quickly and effectively to prevent incitement on their networks. JERUSALEM The head of Israels Shin Bet says the service wont tolerate ethnic violence by Arabs nor by Jews after nightly clashes this week in some of the countrys cities. Chief Nadav Argaman said Friday that Shin Bet will not allow violent lawbreakers to carry out terrorism on the streets of Israel." He spoke after consecutive nights of apparent revenge attacks by Arab and Jewish mobs in Lod, Jaffa, Haifa and elsewhere inside Israel. Argaman said Shin Bet is working with Israeli police and Border Patrol in those mixed cities. The effort is aimed at identifying, catching and prosecuting whoever tries to hurt Israeli citizens, Jews and Arabs, until peace returns to the streets of the country. BERLIN - Chancellor Angela Merkels spokesman says Germany wont tolerate anti-Semitic demonstrations amid tensions in the Middle East. Anti-Israel protests in several cities this week have drawn concern and condemnation, particularly a protest outside a synagogue in Gelsenkirchen. A video showed dozens of protesters waving Palestinian and Turkish flags and yelling expletives about Jews. Merkel spokesman Steffen Seibert said Friday that anyone who uses such protests to scream their hatred of Jews is abusing the right to demonstrate. He added that our democracy will not tolerate anti-Semitic demonstrations. Seibert said Merkel condemns Hamas' ongoing firing of rockets at Israel and nothing can justify such terror. He said the rocket attacks must stop immediately. In neighboring Austria, Chancellor Sebastian Kurz tweeted that the Israeli flag was raised over his office on Friday as a signal of solidarity. DHAKA, Bangladesh Thousands of Muslims led by activists from an Islamic political party have demonstrated in Bangladeshs capital to denounce attacks by Israel against Palestinians. After the end of Eid al-Fitr prayers at Dhakas main Baitul Mokarram Mosque Friday, activists from the Islamic Andolan Bangladesh, or Islamic Movement Bangladesh, began protesting and were joined by thousands of others. Muslim-majority Bangladesh celebrated the key festival in a subdued manner after the government urged people to avoid large gatherings. Authorities arranged prayers in phases at the Baitul Mokarram Mosque, where devotees maintained distancing to avoid spreading the coronavirus. Afterward, protesters crowded together outside, carrying signs reading Boycott terrorist state Israel and chanting Down with Israel. The current eruption of violence between Israelis and Palestinians began a month ago in contested Jerusalem. The clash surged on Monday into the most severe outburst of hostilities since the 2014 Gaza war. - GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip Palestinians living along Gaza's northern and eastern borders are fleeing intense Israeli bombardment. Families toting supplies sought refuge on Friday in temporary shelters in central Gaza City as Israeli artillery pounded northern Gaza in an attempt to destroy a vast network of militant tunnels. The assault brought the front lines closer to dense civilian areas and paved the way for a potential ground invasion. Fleeing families arrived in pickup trucks, on donkeys and by foot at schools run by the United Nations, hauling pillows and pans, blankets and bread. Men lugged large plastic bags and women carried infants on their shoulders, cramming into classrooms. One mother who fled to a downtown school with her children said "nothing remains for us back home in the northern town of Beit Lahiya. Her son, Othman, said he had felt the family's house shake up and down, adding that everyone was running. SANTA FE, N.M. -- New Mexico has adopted guidance on facemasks from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that says fully vaccinated Americans no longer need to wear masks indoors or outside in most cases. FILE - In this July 4, 2020, file photo, people wear face masks as a precaution against the coronavirus as they play roulette on the Fourth of July at the Strat hotel-casino in Las Vegas. With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic curtailing tourism, visitors have found quiet gambling floors, shuttered showrooms and inexpensive rates. Some Las Vegas Strip casinos have been allowed to open at 100% capacity, officials said Tuesday, May 4, after showing Nevada state regulators that at least 80% of their employees have received at least one shot of coronavirus vaccine. (AP Photo/John Locher, File) SANTA FE, N.M. -- New Mexico has adopted guidance on facemasks from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that says fully vaccinated Americans no longer need to wear masks indoors or outside in most cases. Under revisions Friday to the states emergency public health order, masks are no longer required of fully vaccinated people in many public settings, though businesses and workplaces may still make face coverings a requirement for all. Public schools are still bound by universal mask requirements with allowances for meals, as the state gradually relaxes aggressive restrictions on public gatherings and some business operations. New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said that getting vaccinated is crucial to a safe future, with the statewide vaccination rate recently surpassing 50% for eligible residents 16 and over. We are close and getting closer. But that all depends on New Mexicans continuing to protect themselves and their community by getting vaccinated, she said in a statement. The Carnival Cruise ship "Liberty" is docked at Port Canaveral, Fla., as crew members get vaccinated for COVID-19, Wednesday, May 12, 2021. The crew received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine from a team of nurses staffed from Parrish Medical Center in Titusville. More crews from other ships are scheduled to receive the vaccinations in coming days, including a Royal Caribbean crew next week. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP) THE VIRUS OUTBREAK: States, business sort out what new CDC mask guidance means Delta Airlines will require new hires get vaccinated against virus UK jubilant as lockdown restrictions to be lifted next week Disney CEO says more people allowed into parks Follow more of APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine Sri Lankan health workers administer Sinopharm vaccine against COVID-19 as a police officer stands guard in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Thursday, May 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena) HERES WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING: JUNEAU, Alaska Alaska legislative leaders have voted to make mask-wearing optional at the state Capitol and then shed their own face coverings after the vote. The decision by the Legislative Council followed new guidelines the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The council is composed of House and Senate leaders. Under the new policy, masks are optional in legislative facilities, with some exceptions. For example, lawmakers can require masks in their respective offices. The policy also further eases testing rules. BATON ROUGE, La. --Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards has further eased the states mask requirements. Jens Spahn (CDU, M), Federal Minister of Health, and Martin Pape (l), Head of the Supply and Maintenance Centre for Medical Material Quakenbr'ck, walk across the grounds of the Bundeswehr Pharmacy in Quakenbrueck, Germany, Friday, May 14, 2021. Health Minister Spahn visited the Supply and Maintenance Centre for Medical Material, which is currently the most important transhipment and storage facility for several Corona vaccines. Germany's coronavirus infection rate dropped to its lowest level in nearly two months on Friday, while the health minister said the country had the most successful day yet of its vaccination campaign this week. (Sina Schuldt/Pool via AP) Edwards largely dropped the state mask mandate on April 27, but there were exceptions. Fridays order drops the requirement for entry into state office buildings for people who are fully vaccinated. Masking is still required by the state in educational facilities from early childhood classes to universities, and at state correctional facilities and health care facilities. New Orleans, which had a tougher mask mandate than the states, also did away with the mask mandate for fully vaccinated people Friday, with similar exceptions. Word from federal health officials that vaccinated people dont have to wear masks in most situations may be leading to confusion among travelers. Masks are still required under a Transportation Security Administration rule that will run into mid-September unless it is revoked before then. The Federal Aviation Administration, which regulates airlines, felt the need to remind passengers of the TSA rule. It issued a statement late Friday to remind the traveling public that at this time if you travel, you are still required to wear a mask on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States, and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations. An elderly woman is inoculated with China's Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine in Quezon city, Philippines on Friday, May 14, 2021. The Philippine president has eased a coronavirus lockdown in the bustling capital and adjacent provinces to fight economic recession and hunger but still barred public gatherings this month, when many Roman Catholic summer religious festivals are held. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) NEW YORK Walmart, the worlds largest retailer, said Friday that it wont require vaccinated shoppers or workers to wear a mask in its U.S. stores, unless state or local laws say otherwise. Vaccinated shoppers can go maskless immediately, the company said. Vaccinated workers can stop wearing them on May 18. As an incentive, Walmart said it is offering workers $75 if they prove theyve been vaccinated. Walmart said it wont ask shoppers if theyve been vaccinated. Workers, however, will need to tell the company if theyve been vaccinated in order to go maskless. JUNEAU, Alaska The acting mayor of Anchorage says Alaskas largest city is revoking its mask mandate, starting May 21. Acting Mayor Austin Quinn-Davidsons office says masks no longer will be required in indoor or outdoor settings but that people who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 are encouraged to wear masks. The decision follows guidance released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday for people who are vaccinated. People wearing protective masks to help curb the spread of the coronavirus walk along a pedestrian crossing Friday, May 14, 2021, in Tokyo. The Japanese capital confirmed more than 850 new coronavirus cases on Friday. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) Quinn-Davidsons office says applying a mask mandate only to those who are not vaccinated in Anchorage would have created enforcement challenges and issues for businesses. Meanwhile, in Juneau, city officials ease mask wearing rules for people who are fully vaccinated. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Arkansas capital city is dropping its requirement to wear a mask to combat the coronavirus following loosened federal guidance and a new state law that will ban local mandates, Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott said Friday. Scott said the citys mask mandate will end Saturday, though private entities, hospitals and churches can still enforce their own requirements on employees and patrons. People entering City of Little Rock indoor facilities will still be required to wear a mask, the mayor said. We strongly encourage residents to continue wearing face coverings in public until we reach the desired vaccination rate in our city, as outlined by healthcare professionals, Scott said in a statement. The decision comes a day after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention eased mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated people, allowing them to stop wearing masks outdoors in crowds and in most indoor settings. Standing in front of fans, a woman holds her hair as she waits to be inoculated with China's Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine in Quezon city, Philippines on Friday, May 14, 2021. The Philippine president has eased a coronavirus lockdown in the bustling capital and adjacent provinces to fight economic recession and hunger but still barred public gatherings this month, when many Roman Catholic summer religious festivals are held. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) Arkansas dropped its mask mandate in March, but the governor allowed local governments to enforce their own. A new state law, however, takes effect in July that will ban any state or local mandates. ATLANTA Georgias 26 public universities and colleges do not currently plan to require students, faculty or staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in the fall, according to guidance issued by the University System of Georgia. The 340,000-student university system in March asked all campuses to plan for resuming normal operations for the Fall 2021 semester. Thursdays guidance says fully vaccinated people wont have to socially distance or wear masks, while unvaccinated people are strongly encouraged to continue socially distancing and wearing a mask inside. The universities are supposed to make sure vaccinations are available, but schools wont be responsible for assessing current COVID-19 vaccination rates for their institution. The university system said it had made the decisions in concert with the state Department of Public Health and that they were subject to change. The Board of Regents insisted on at least some in-person instruction in the fall and spring semesters. Those moves came despite resistance from some employees. FILE - In this May 14, 2020 file photo, several dozen mothballed Delta Air Lines jets are parked on a closed runway at Kansas City International Airport in Kansas City, Mo. Delta Air Lines will require new employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 starting Monday, May 17, 2021. The airline wont impose the same requirement on current employees, more than 60% of whom are vaccinated, a Delta spokesman said Friday. Delta has about 74,000 employees. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File) ATLANTA Georgias 26 public universities and colleges do not currently plan to require students, faculty or staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in the fall, according to guidance issued by the University System of Georgia. The 340,000-student university system in March asked all campuses to plan for resuming normal operations for the Fall 2021 semester. Thursdays guidance says fully vaccinated people wont have to socially distance or wear masks, while unvaccinated people are strongly encouraged to continue socially distancing and wearing a mask inside. The universities are supposed to make sure vaccinations are available, but schools wont be responsible for assessing current COVID-19 vaccination rates for their institution. The university system said it had made the decisions in concert with the state Department of Public Health and that they were subject to change. The Board of Regents insisted on at least some in-person instruction in the fall and spring semesters. Those moves came despite resistance from some employees. ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Maryland is ending its statewide mask mandate this weekend, following guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Gov. Larry Hogan announced Friday. Customers wait in a line before entering a store on Broadway while wearing protective masks in the retail shopping district of the SoHo neighborhood of the Manhattan borough of New York, Friday, May 14, 2021. Gov. Andrew Cuomo has yet to say whether he will change his states mask mandate in light of new federal guidance that eases rules for fully vaccinated people. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) The mask mandate will end effective Saturday, the Republican governor said at a news conference. In alignment with CDC guidance, face coverings will still be required on public transportation, and in schools, child care and health care settings, Hogan said. The Maryland Department of Health has issued a public health advisory strongly recommending that all non-vaccinated individuals over the age of 2 continue to wear face coverings in all indoor settings and in outdoor settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained. Private businesses and workplaces can put in place their own policies. Local jurisdictions may continue to use their own emergency powers on these matters. Earlier this week, the governor announced the lifting of restrictions on indoor and outdoor venues, including restaurants, that also will take effect on Saturday. NEW ORLEANS -- People fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can take off their masks in most of New Orleans. And they can celebrate by dancing. People wait to be vaccinated with the Cuban Abdala vaccine for COVID-19 at a doctors' office, decorated with an image of Fidel Castro and a Cuban flag, in the Alamar neighborhood of Havana, Cuba, Friday, May 14, 2021. Cuba began immunizing people this week with its own vaccines, Abdala and Soberana 02, the only ones developed by a Latin American country. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) Mayor LaToya Cantrell announced the easing of the city mask mandate Friday following this weeks new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In New Orleans, masks will still be required in city government buildings, hospitals and K-12 schools, as well as on public transportation. City health director Jennifer Avegno said more than half of city residents who are eligible have received the required number of vaccine shots. Avegno also announced easing of another city restriction, saying vaccinated people can now dance at public venues. DOVER, Del. Democratic Gov. John Carney said Friday that he will lift Delawares mask-wearing mandate effective May 21 after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said people who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 do not need to wear masks or practice social distancing. The move comes after the CDC issued new guidance Thursday saying that people who have been vaccinated can resume activities without wearing a mask or social distancing. The relaxed guidance does not apply to health care settings, prisons and homeless shelters, and it still calls for wearing masks while using public transportation. FILE - In this Monday, April 12, 2021, file photo, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan talks to reporters at the governor's residence on the last day of the state's legislative session in Annapolis, Md. On Wednesday, May 12, 2021, Hogan announced that Maryland restaurants can resume normal operations beginning the upcoming weekend and that all remaining capacity and distancing restrictions will be lifted on indoor and outdoor dining. (AP Photo/Brian Witte, File) The announcement prompted governors of several states, including North Carolina, to relax state mandates on mask wearing. The lifting of Delawares mask mandate coincides with the easing of other COVID-19 restrictions effective next Friday that Carney formalized in an order he signed Wednesday. That order eliminated most business capacity restrictions and lifted a distancing requirement on school buses, while stilling requiring masks indoors. - LONDON British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says second doses of coronavirus vaccines will be accelerated in response to the rise of the virus variant first identified in India. Johnson says people over age 50 can receive their second COVID-19 shot eight weeks after their first, rather than the previous 12 weeks. Current vaccines are expected to be effective against the virus variant known as B.1.617.2. I believe we should trust in our vaccines to protect the public whilst monitoring the situation as it develops very closely, because the race between our vaccination program and the virus may be about to become a great deal tighter, Johnson said. And its more important than ever, therefore, that people get the additional protection of a second dose. In this image for the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism at the University of Maryland's Philip Merrill College of Journalism, shoppers walk out of a Walmart store in Waldorf, Md., May 7, 2021. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has not cited the nation's largest retailer despite employee complaints, illnesses and deaths at Walmart facilities across the country. The company says there is no proof that employees contracted COVID-19 at work. (Brittany N. Gaddy/University of Maryland via AP) On Monday, Britain will ease lockdown measures for pubs and restaurants. Johnson couldnt say for sure whether the final easing of all measures on June 21 will go ahead as planned. Scottish authorities say Glasgow and the island of Moray wont engage in the reopening on Monday because of higher infection levels. CINCINNATI National grocery store chain Kroger says it will continue to require masks in its stores. The Cincinnati-based company operates some 2,760 stores nationwide, including under other banners such as Ralphs, Dillons, Frys and King Soopers. Spokesperson Sheila Regehr says in an email: As we have throughout the pandemic, we are reviewing current safety practices, the CDCs latest guidance, and soliciting feedback from associates to guide the next phase of our policy. Kroger offers its workers $100 to get vaccinated. ATLANTA Delta Air Lines will require new employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 starting on Monday. The airline wont impose the same requirement on current employees, of whom more than 60% are vaccinated, a spokesman said Friday. The airline says the policy for new hires is designed to protect other employees and passengers as travel demand recovers from last years pandemic low levels. Meanwhile, some airline stocks rose after the CDCs new guidance for people who are fully vaccinated. United Airlines was up 4% in early Friday trading, and other U.S. airlines rose by smaller amounts. The federal requirement for wearing face masks on planes remains in place. A spokesman for trade group Airlines for America says carriers will continue to enforce the rule. The Transportation Security Administration announced 1.74 million people passed through U.S. airports on Thursday, a new pandemic-era high. However, those airport crowds were still 33% smaller than on the comparable day in 2019. BERLIN Germany is putting the Britain back on a list of risk areas because of the emergence there of cases of a coronavirus variant first detected in India. Britain currently has a lower rate of coronavirus infections than Germany. But Germanys disease control center, the Robert Koch Institute, says the United Kingdom is going back on the list effective Sunday because of the at least limited appearance of the variant known as B.1.617.2. The institute says Spains Canary Islands, a popular tourist destination, and the Spanish exclave of Ceuta in North Africa were being removed from the list of risk areas, the lowest of three levels of risk classification. Under new rules this week, fully vaccinated people dont need a test to enter Germany or to go into quarantine -- unless theyre coming from somewhere designated as a virus variant area such as India or Brazil. Others coming from a risk area can avoid a mandatory 10-day quarantine by showing a negative test result. BOSTON Neither Massachusetts nor Rhode Island made any immediate changes to their mask regulations after the CDCs decision Thursday suggesting fully vaccinated Americans no longer need to wear masks or practice social distancing in most settings. A spokesperson for Republican Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said he welcomes the new CDC guidance and will be updating Massachusetts COVID restrictions in the near future. In the meantime, the current mask order remains in place. Massachusetts requires people to cover their faces while in indoor public places and outdoors if they are unable to maintain 6 feet of distance from others. We are going to review the CDCs updated guidance on social distancing and masking and determine what the best approach is for Rhode Island, state Health Department spokesperson Joseph Wendelken said. Currently, the state requires people to wear masks in indoor public places, and outdoors when within 3 feet of others not in their immediate circle. LONDON (AP) Britain hopes to host the U.N.'s delayed COP26 climate summit in person in November despite the challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the U.K. official leading the preparations said Friday. President of the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP26, Alok Sharma prepares for a speech at Whitelee Windfarm in Glasgow, Scotland, Friday May 14, 2021. Sharma is setting out the importance of COP26 and the UK's ambitions over the next six months, running up to hosting the Nov. 1-12 summit, bringing world leaders together to face climate change issues. (Russell Cheyne/PA via AP) LONDON (AP) Britain hopes to host the U.N.'s delayed COP26 climate summit in person in November despite the challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the U.K. official leading the preparations said Friday. Alok Sharma, the U.K.s president-designate of COP26, said every possible measure was being explored to see how the talks could be held safely, including involving COVID-19 testing and vaccinations. In less than six months time, delegates from across the world are due to arrive in Glasgow for the United Nations annual climate conference. The summit was originally set for November 2020, but the pandemic forced it to be postponed for a year. A year later, there are still issues, and limits on international travel remain in place. President of the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP26, Alok Sharma rehearses a speech at Whitelee Windfarm in Glasgow, Scotland, Friday May 14, 2021. Sharma is setting out the importance of COP26 and the UK's ambitions over the next six months, running up to hosting the Nov. 1-12 summit, bringing world leaders together to face climate change issues. (Russell Cheyne/PA via AP) For me, it is vital that developing countries are able to sit at the same table, face-to-face with the larger countries, the big emitters, Sharma said. The desire for (an in-person summit) is what Ive been hearing loud and clear from governments and communities around the world. Sharma said the world had not done nearly enough to act on the emission-cutting commitments of the 2015 Paris climate accord. The treaty seeks to limit global temperature rises to 1.5 degrees Celsius compared with pre-industrial times. The president-designate said COP26 was the last hope to keep that commitment. We have come to the moment of truth, Sharma said. This is our last hope of keeping 1.5 degrees alive, our best chance of building a brighter future. future of green jobs and cleaner air. I have faith that world leaders will rise to the occasion, and not be found wanting in their tryst with destiny. Climate activists around the world have remained skeptical about their governments efforts to live up to the Paris agreement, but April saw some of the worlds largest greenhouse gas emitters set out their latest goals for reducing their carbon output. Sharma also said he hoped the conference would be the moment that coal power is left in the past where it belongs. The science is clear that to keep 1.5 degrees alive, coal must go, Sharma said, calling for Group of 7 countries to lead the way and support developing nations in their transitions to cleaner energy. Having previously refused to step in, Prime Minister Boris Johnsons Conservative government in March intervened in plans to build a new coal mine in Cumbria, northwest England. Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick ordered a public inquiry, which is to be held in September, less than two months before COP26, which will run Nov. 1-12. This story corrects the day that Sharma spoke to Friday. Follow all AP stories on climate change at https://apnews.com/hub/Climate. WARSAW, Poland (AP) Europe's four Visegrad countries on Friday lifted travel restrictions between the Czech Republic and Hungary for people vaccinated against COVID-19 and discussed how to cooperate to boost tourism. WARSAW, Poland (AP) Europe's four Visegrad countries on Friday lifted travel restrictions between the Czech Republic and Hungary for people vaccinated against COVID-19 and discussed how to cooperate to boost tourism. The foreign ministers' meeting in Lodz, central Poland, was hosted by Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau and included foreign ministers from the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. Poland currently holds the rotating annual leadership of the four Visegrad nations. Hungary will take over on July 1. Poland's Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau, right, walks with Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto during a meeting of foreign ministers from four central European countries known as the Visegrad Four in Lodz, Poland, Friday, May 14, 2021.(AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski) Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said close cooperation of the four economies, which had been among Europe's most vibrant before the pandemic, will assure a quick restart of our economies. Szijjarto said vaccinated people can travel between the Czech Republic and Hungary starting Saturday. Such travel is already possible between the Czech Republic and Poland. Vaccination gives us security and such people should be able to have normal lives and travel," Szijjarto told reporters. Poland's Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau, right, walks with Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto during a meeting of foreign ministers from four central European countries known as the Visegrad Four in Lodz, Poland, Friday, May 14, 2021.(AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski) He said Hungary, which has been criticized by the European Union for policies that it has called undemocratic, is a supporter of a strong Europe that respects Christian values and a sense of unity. He spoke, however, against U.S. President Joe Biden's plan for a global corporate tax, saying Hungary will never contribute to the introduction of any kind of global minimum tax. "We will not raise taxes due to international pressure and we insist that tax policy will remain a national guarantee of competitiveness, Szijjarto said. Slovak Foreign Minister Ivan Korcok, left,Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto and Czech Republic Foreign Minister Tomas Petricek,right, pose after meeting the foreign ministers of the Visegrad Group ,V4, in Lodz, Poland, Friday, May 14, 2021.(AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski) Czech Foreign Minister Jakub Kulhanek said the ministers also talked about wider European Union virus certificates that would allow travel across the 27-member bloc. Rau said the talks confirmed that one of the Visegrad Group's priorities was to "support the Eastern Partnership countries and the Western Balkans both in the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic and to continue to support their general Euro-Atlantic direction in security and economic development. The Eastern Partnership nations cooperating with the EU are Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. Slovak Foreign Minister Ivan Korcok, left, Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto and Czech Republic Foreign Minister Tomas Petricek,right, during a press conference after the foreign ministers of the Visegrad Group ,V4, in Lodz, Poland, Friday, May 14, 2021.( AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski) He stressed that cooperation with the United States and NATO was "one of the main pillars of our joint security. Rau spoke at a time when neighboring Russia has increased military activity along its Western borders. Before the meeting, Rau said climate policy and introducing new, environment-friendly technologies was another big theme In March, the ministers held talks with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Brussels. The ministers also marked 30 years of the Visegrad Group, a way to increase political and economic cooperation in the region. Follow all AP coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic. From the halls of academia to the shores of a flooding riverbank, and now in the upper echelons of bureaucracy, Johanu Botha has seen emergency management from almost all angles. From the halls of academia to the shores of a flooding riverbank, and now in the upper echelons of bureaucracy, Johanu Botha has seen emergency management from almost all angles. As logistics head of Manitoba's vaccine rollout, he now oversees the province's most complex operation of its type in modern times at just age 30. He's in charge of getting life-saving shots to all Manitobans, while at the mercy of everything from global supply chains to Manitoba weather. It's a challenge he relishes. "There is never a perfect solution in practice," says Botha. "Human beings and disasters are far too complex." Born abroad and raised in Altona and Winkler, Botha excelled at academics, gaining accolades for exploring understudied questions about how Canada responds to natural disasters. But he eschewed the ivory tower for the hands-on work of trying to prevent wildfire evacuations in Manitoba, and rejigging the province's flood-compensation model. "I think Manitoba's extremely lucky," says Botha's former thesis supervisor, Leslie Pal, a senior Carleton University public-policy professor. "You probably couldn't find a better person to manage these issues than Johanu; he's kind of made for it." Botha was born in 1990 in South Africa, just as its apartheid regime was winding down. He grew up in Harrismith, a rural town in the country's breadbasket. Johanu Botha, co-lead of Manitoba's vaccine implementation task force, with his dog Gandalf. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press) His father is an engineer, and his mother was among the hundreds of South African physicians recruited by Prairie provinces to help shore up rural health centres. Manitoba was supposed to give them a few years of adventure abroad; instead, it became their new home. Botha did an undergrad in Montreal, and was studying for an LSAT test before getting cold feet about law school. "I realized that public-policy problems were the most interesting to me, and just solving logical puzzles in the context of the law was less and less interesting," he says. He instead chose to study public administration, which examines how bureaucracy works, and how civil servants balance the public's needs with the demands of elected officials. "He was truly an impressive student, even back in 2012," says University of Manitoba public-administration professor Karine Levasseur, who taught some of his grad-school courses. "He displayed such a strong passion for public service; he challenged assumptions that are kind of built into the public-policy and public-admin literature. He spends a fair amount of time working through the puzzles that are put in front of him." Levasseur invited Manitoba's former emergency-management director, Gerry Delorme, to speak to her students. She recalls a conversation with Botha afterward, enthusiastic about wanting to focus on that field. Emergency management gets scant academic attention in Canada, despite growing in importance as floods and wildfires become more common. "It's one of the few policy areas that will touch every level of government," Botha says. He felt drawn to intractable problems that must be resolved and managed in real life instead of composing analytic theories that only work under ideal parameters. Botha retains his sense of style whether he's out or appearing in front of cameras. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press) While working on this PhD in Ottawa at Carleton University, Botha was a reservist who spent his summers training on an army base. In spring 2017, he was tapped to help respond to the Ottawa River floods as a junior infantry officer, but he stresses that he only ever oversaw 30 troops. On paper, the military is supposed to respond to disasters by cleanly slipping into an existing incident-command structure prescribed by the local municipality, which means being given clear tasks that support the defined roles of provincial officials and non-profit groups, and holding meetings on a pre-determined schedule. "The gulf between theory and practice was just so salient," Botha says of the 2017 floods. "Roles and responsibilities blur, inevitably, and the hazard itself won't co-operate. You want to have meetings at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., but the rate at which the water moves is going to ignore that." Botha completed his PhD within four years. His supervisor, Pal, describes that as lightning speed, particularly on a topic without a lot of academic study. "Right away he distinguished himself in terms of his organizational capacity," Pal says. "Most PhD students look kind of ratty and raggy (but Botha) had that self-possession, which I think comes from a military background." Botha won the prestigious Joseph-Armand Bombardier Award, and Pal says his thesis passed its defence with few revisions. The dissertation is a 363-page tome touching on how much capacity the military has to respond to crises, the political calculations provinces weigh in deciding whether to seek federal help and how the military and civilian branches can work together without jeopardizing civil liberties. The thesis includes assessment tools and practical checklists. KEVIN KING/WINNIPEG SUN Botha has become one of the faces of the pandemic in Manitoba. (Kevin King / Pool files) "There are very few people, a handful of people in Canada, that have thought as rigorously about these issues as he did," Pal says. "I did try to entice him into academia; I thought he'd make a fantastic professor, but he had his eyes set on going into government and working in practice." Levasseur agrees, saying she's relieved as a Manitoban to have someone so competent overseeing the vaccine rollout. "He isnt ivory tower; he isn't public servant he works at thinking about theory and practice on a day-to-day basis. That, to me, is the sign of a profoundly strong public servant," she says. Botha is more humble, summarizing his doctorate as saying governments need "to know who is who in the zoo" and have enough resources to respond to multiple disasters. "There's something mildly hilarious about doing four-plus years of research and having one of your main findings be people need to be nice to each other and trust each other," he says. His dissertation is going to be published in textbook form, which currently requires some after-work emails to keep tabs on edits and the peer-review process, in addition to a job that has thrust Botha from the anonymity of the civil service to the spotlight of weekly news conferences. "The best emergency management is the kind you don't notice," says Botha, who's more comfortable leaving the gaze of the media in a crisis, to firefighters or soldiers. In a call with reporters last week, Botha rejected the idea that the province might need the military to help gets shots into arms beyond an existing deployment in remote First Nations. Botha's background allowed him to answer with a certainty that has been uncharacteristic among Manitoba officials, who constantly stress that rolling out vaccines is a process in perpetual flux. There has been no shortage of hiccups. Botha heads into another press conference. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press files) A rough plan to have pharmacies dole out AstraZeneca shots caught staff off guard when it launched. The province also corrected course on a hastily announced plan to locate a mass immunization clinic at Thompson's airport, which sits far outside the city. There were significant problems in scaling up operations at RBC Convention Centre; seniors waited outside in the snow for hours or stood in lengthy queues inside without being offered seats or water. The city offered help from its pool of workers, and yet clinic staff told reporters they would often sit idle on Sundays as immunization rates slowed at the downtown site. And Manitoba's decision to ration doses pending more shipments came just as other provinces were doing neighbourhood blitzes. That led to one of the slowest vaccination rates in North America and calls for Ottawa to step in, until recent weeks. Even when the news is unflattering, Botha says he's happy to be updating Manitobans on what is ultimately a good-news story. "The vaccine rollout has a bit more hope tinged around it, even on the tough media days, than testing or case numbers," said Botha. That hope might shine through in his colourful suits. A purple shirt and beige jacket combo got some notice among the press pack, as did a spiffy burgundy-windowpane blazer. "I haven't changed my wardrobe much when I started doing press conferences," Botha says with a snicker. He speaks in paragraphs, enthusiastically reflecting on federalism, multiculturalism and the role of the monarchy. But when asked about his hobbies, he goes silent, save for a nervous chuckle. He's not really into social media, and his exercise regime has lapsed since his military days. Aside from canoeing across the province with his wife and hanging out with their dog, Botha says he's still an academic at heart. Botha could spend his Saturday's doing nothing but reading academic journals, he says. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Winnipeg Free Press) "If I can spend a Saturday doing nothing but reading fairly esoteric works from a gem of an academic journal, and there's a dead quiet in the house, and there's no one else, I could do that for hours on end," he says. "That side of me still lives, and I think I might miss that the most, the unadulterated hours or reading and writing and thinking." Botha had ample opportunity for a life focused on research and teaching, Levasseur says. "He could have gone anywhere with a degree like that; with his work experience, but he came home, and I think that speaks to his love for Manitoba," she says. In fact, there's a tattoo of a bison on his left shoulder. "It's very much an affection for the province that took me in, as an immigrant," says Botha, whose right shoulder bears a Cape buffalo, indigenous to southern Africa. Manitobans are now facing tighter pandemic restrictions and a surge of daily cases last seen months ago. Huge shipments of vaccines are on the way, but most people are sick of seeing rule-breaking protesters hold rallies while their lives and those of their families and friends are on hold indefinitely. Botha says he's in the same boat, but he's buoyed by the work of Manitobans, both in and outside government, to get through COVID-19. "I have a front seat to that, and I feel good about where we will get to," he says. "We're going to get through this, and it's going to be better on the other end." With files from Danielle Da Silva dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca Public health orders that temporarily close churches and limit gathering sizes infringe on the charter rights of Manitobas faith communities, but are justified to slow the spread of COVID-19, a lawyer for the province argued Thursday. Public health orders that temporarily close churches and limit gathering sizes infringe on the charter rights of Manitobas faith communities, but are justified to slow the spread of COVID-19, a lawyer for the province argued Thursday. "The charter protects fundamental rights and freedoms but it also requires, in times of crisis, that citizens are asked to make reasonable sacrifices," said lawyer Michael Conner in a closing argument before Court of Queens Bench Justice Glenn Joyal. Seven Manitoba churches Gateway Bible Baptist Church, Pembina Valley Baptist Church, Redeeming Grace Bible Church, Grace Covenant Church, Slavic Baptist Church, Christian Church of Morden, and Bible Baptist Church as well as three individuals, have filed a court challenge. They argue public health orders put in place since November, which restrict church and outdoor gatherings, violate their charter rights to worship, assembly and association. "There is no question that pandemics are hard on a population and that the public health measures themselves have negative effects," Conner said. "The inability to worship in person is of significant importance to the applicants but against that, we are balancing a temporary circuit-break that is designed to save lives, especially the vulnerable, reduce serious illness and avert a crisis in our hospital system. Short-term measures were imperative to bring the pandemic under control and the benefits far outweigh any deleterious outcomes." The churches and individuals are represented by the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms, a Calgary advocacy group. Justice centre lawyer Allison Pejovic argued Wednesday that churches are being treated differently than many commercial businesses, such as grocery stores and liquor stores, which remained open, but with capacity restrictions. Conner said restrictions were imposed based on risk level, noting chief provincial public health officer Dr. Brent Roussin said in an affidavit that churches pose risk factors not associated with other venues, such as the spread of droplets from singing. "There is certainly no distinction based on religious beliefs or religious activities," Conner said. "The applicants want to argue this was not necessary because look, see what they have done elsewhere, so why is it necessary here? You dont require perfect calibration, particularly in something as complex as managing a global pandemic which affects every aspect of society." Conner argued the province has gone out of its way to accommodate churches. "The notion that the government was somehow targeting or disparaging religious beliefs is specious," he said. "In fact, the government treated religious services more favourably than some of these other venues that were entirely closed. When the circuit-break ended in January and things started to reopen, places of worship were opened first, whereas movie theatres, concert halls, (Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre), all remained closed, even though they are also protected by (the charter )." The court motion has heard duelling testimony from experts on both sides who have debated the accuracy of testing for the virus, particularly with respect to infectiousness. What isnt contested, Conner said, is that the virus is spread through droplets and close contact indoors, and that seven per cent of those who contract COVID-19 will end up in the hospital. "The knowledge is going to change for perhaps a decade as this pandemic is studied," Conner said. "But in a global health emergency its prudent to take a precautionary approach. Should Dr. Roussin have assumed pre-symptomatic transmission, we dont have to worry about it at all, its only if somebody has a fever, go back and work in the personal care facility? That would not be a sensible approach. They are taking a cautious approach for good reason and based on cogent science." Conner said many of the alleged harms recently experienced by Manitobans, including delayed surgeries, increased incidents of alcohol and substance abuse and rising reports of self-inflicted injuries are linked not to public health orders but the pandemic itself. Joyal reserved his decision. dean.pritchard@freepress.mb.ca Manitobas largest private-sector union is accusing the province and grocery store chains of mass and catastrophic failure for poor enforcement of the use of masks by customers, thereby putting workers at risk. Manitobas largest private-sector union is accusing the province and grocery store chains of "mass and catastrophic failure" for poor enforcement of the use of masks by customers, thereby putting workers at risk. The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 832, which represents more than 9,000 Manitoba grocery store employees and 2,000 security guards at retailers, is going public for the first time during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a May 13 letter obtained by the Free Press, the union says worker safety has not been a top priority at several stores across the province, which are owned by Loblaw, Sobeys and Red River Co-op. The letter does not mince words, beginning with: "If I were to show up to any of your stores today with no shirt, or no shoes on, I would be escorted out of the store immediately and refused service. But if I show up with no mask, I can still freely shop and get my groceries at most of your stores." MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Signs let customers know about the mandatory mask policy at the Polo Park Superstore in Winnipeg on Thursday It continues: "Every day we receive notifications about COVID cases within your stores, and thankfully these cases are mostly individual. Our members (and your employees) are telling us that now, more than ever, customers are showing up without masks. They are a safety hazard to our members and your customers. Our members feel unsupported some have even quit because you, as their employer, are not doing enough to ensure they are safe." The letter is not the only correspondence between the union and retail employers, or even the first to the province. "It's just the first letter that the media has received and will thus be made public," said Jeff Traeger, president of UFCW Local 832, in an interview Thursday. If I were to show up to any of your stores today with no shirt, or no shoes on, I would be escorted out of the store immediately and refused service. But if I show up with no mask, I can still freely shop and get my groceries at most of your stores." Letter from UFCW Local 832 "During the entirety of the pandemic, we've tried our best to communicate and get answers internally about why the Pallister government or retail employers won't enforce rules about masking among customers," Traeger said, adding the union has sent numerous emails and letters, and has made calls on behalf of workers. It received either a one-line response or no response. "The fact is, now we're getting pressure for immediate action from our members because they feel completely unsafe when so many people keep showing up unmasked and are allowed to do so, with these record-high case counts and new variants emerging." MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES UFCW Local 832 president Jeff Traeger. On Thursday, Manitoba reported 560 new COVID-19 cases its highest daily count since the pandemic began. On average, at least a dozen people show up maskless every day at Manitoba locations of the Real Canadian Superstore, Extra Foods, No Frills, Safeway, FreshCo, Sobeys and Red River Co-op, Traeger estimated. In some cases, such as at two Superstores in Winnipeg, that can rise to as many as 30 maskless people a day. It's worse in communities such as Carman, Steinbach, Morden and Winkler where "it's so common that public-health enforcement has stopped interjecting or mandating masking measures altogether," said Traeger. Manitoba's public-health orders don't give a retail store the right to deny service to customers who don't wear a mask. The public health order requires the operators of an indoor public place to "ensure that every person who is not wearing a mask... is given a reminder to do so as soon as practicable." The only mention under provincial orders close to mandating masks requires the operators of an "indoor public place" to "ensure that every person who is not wearing a mask while in the indoor public place is given a reminder to do so as soon as practicable." Traeger says that puts the onus on retailers. "And because government is not at all and I mean, not all enforcing mask measures at big-box stores, why would businesses want to lose business over a mask policy?" he said. "Loblaw is thinking Sobeys isn't enforcing the mask rules, and so their customer maskless or not, making workers unsafe or not would just walk over to Sobeys and they'd lose them. That's terrifying for other customers, yes, but especially the workers." In a statement, the province said, "Manitoba takes the enforcement of public health orders very seriously and has worked with many municipalities and agencies to enforce these orders and protect the public." The province declined to answer specific questions about enforcement. "It would not be appropriate to discuss the operation or the frequency of enforcement visits for obvious reasons," a provincial spokesperson wrote. "Loblaw is thinking Sobeys isn't enforcing the mask rules, and so their customer maskless or not, making workers unsafe or not would just walk over to Sobeys and they'd lose them. That's terrifying for other customers, yes, but especially the workers." Jeff Traeger, president of UFCW Local 832 "But at the same time, we rely on the public to be aware and follow these orders because its the right thing to do, not because there is an enforcement presence. Our regular reporting on the number of tickets handed out shows that there is an enforcement presence and we count on Manitobans to continue to do what is best for all of us." Red River Co-op did not respond by press time. Sobeys issued a late statement, saying: "We work closely with our stores to ensure all regulatory safety practices and all additional safety practices we have instituted are strictly adhered to. We strongly recommend every customer in our store wears a mask and we continue to uphold and adhere the province of Manitobas directive surrounding masking." In a statement, Loblaws said: "We believe that everyone has a role to play in keeping one another safe. The government requires that masks be worn in all indoor public places unless they have a valid exemption, a policy with which we are both legally obligated and happy to comply with, and expect our customers to do the same. To that end, we are pleased that the vast majority of customers comply, and our teams work with local authorities in the rare cases that they dont." temur.durrani@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @temurdur My earliest Eid memory is of my grandma cooking fresh, hot Sirnee a soft, sweet, spiced, cooked dough made of flour and butter. That divine smell alone would make anyone excited to celebrate Eid. My earliest Eid memory is of my grandma cooking fresh, hot Sirnee a soft, sweet, spiced, cooked dough made of flour and butter. That divine smell alone would make anyone excited to celebrate Eid. Eid-al-Fitr (also called the "Festival of Breaking Fast" or just Eid) marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month in which Muslims fast daily from dawn until sundown. It is an opportunity to foster gratitude, discipline and deepen our connection with God, so we can live from a place of higher consciousness. Not for a single month, but for our entire lives. Amal Shire with her nieces Sidra and Suhail. Coming from a Guyanese family, I grew up with Hindu and Muslim family members. It wasnt until my paternal grandparents immigrated to Winnipeg we started to celebrate Eid. After Ramadan, we would gather at their house to feast and enjoy West Indian sweets. We also spent more time in the community donating food hampers and strengthening our faith through acts of charity. As Eid quickly approaches this week, most Muslims celebrate in the same religious sense, but cultural traditions differ from one country to another. A common assumption is being of Muslim faith is synonymous with Middle Eastern countries, but my Muslim friends and I represent the diversity in Islam. Inclusivity in Muslim Canadian communities is important, as there are many faces of Islam that are underrepresented. Here are three who eagerly shared their cultural traditions when celebrating Eid: Medina Puskar prepares for Eid celebrations. Amal Shire, 31 "I remember waking up early to get ready for Eid prayers. I would hear, We are leaving you! from my parents, because I was usually the last one to get up. "I was born in Somalia, and grew up in Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan, Pakistan, Switzerland and arrived in Canada in 1997. "No matter what country we lived in, we always celebrated Eid with pineapple upside-down cake and Somali halwa (dessert). The excitement during the last night of Ramadan to get everything prepared for Eid was felt throughout our community. I miss being around that energy. "Im grateful to be living with my family during the pandemic lockdown, so we can still celebrate together. We plan on doing Eid prayers virtually, calling family, and having a barbecue." Medina Puskar, 38 "I was born in Banja Luka, Bosnia. We fled to Croatia because of the war, and spent six months in a refugee camp before arriving in Canada in 1996. "Growing up, I loved waking up early on Eid to help my mom prepare. The women in my family cooked incredible meals. My family would gather at my grandparents house, because it was important to visit the oldest living person in the family first. "In Winnipeg, my husband, my kids and I would normally attend Eid prayers, open gifts and have a lamb roast. We also enjoy traditional foods such as burek (meat pie), stuffed bell peppers and baklava. "It is tradition to serve baklava and coffee when you have visitors at your home during Eid. "We usually have so many visitors dropping in, but with the lockdown, my friends and I had to think of something new so we started a dessert exchange during Ramadan. Every other night, one of us bakes and drops off the dessert outside of each others house, so we still feel like we are celebrating together." Menal Al-Fekih, 29 "My family is from Ethiopia and Yemen, and I grew up in Ethiopia. I arrived in Canada in 2011, when I was 18 years old. "In Ethiopia, after Eid prayers, we would always have sabaya (Yemeni dish) for breakfast on Eid. After breakfast, my siblings and I would visit more than 10 homes with our father. We would fit all of these visits into about four hours, so that we could make it home for lunch with our mother who stayed behind to host the families visiting our home. "Our lunch consisted of both Ethiopian and Yemeni dishes. We would have injera with doro wot and tibs (Ethiopian dishes) and kabsa (Arab rice and meat dish). "In Yemen, everyone in my family would meet at my grandmothers house for the first half of the day, then us children would go to an amusement park for the second half of the day. The best part of celebrating Eid in Yemen was hearing Eid Mubarak (blessed feast/festival) from everyone I came across while out and about. "This year will be difficult, because we will not be able to attend usual Eid prayers at the RBC Convention Centre the one thing that really makes Eid feel like Eid in Canada. Fortunately, my siblings and I will still be able to have a meal together to celebrate the end of Ramadan." faith@freepress.mb.ca Premier Brian Pallister dodged questions Thursday about his participation in a tax amnesty involving his vacation home in Costa Rica. The subject came up after the CBC reported that Pallister took advantage of a program in the Latin American country that forgave up to 80 per cent of penalties on unpaid taxes, plus all interest, if scofflaws paid up by a certain date. The premier made no mention of taking advantage of the amnesty when he showed proof to The Canadian Press in April 2019 that he had paid his taxes. Late Thursday, after participating in a committee meeting, Pallister told the Free Press he was unaware of the amnesty when he paid his overdue tax bill. "I called my accountant, pursued it, asked to find out how much we owed and paid it. That's as far as it went," he said. Asked if his Costa Rican accountant could have applied for the amnesty on his behalf, Pallister said: "He may have. I wanted to get rid of the issue and deal with it straight up." In April 2018, the Free Press was the first to report that the premier owed luxury taxes on his Costa Rican home. More than 14,000 people and companies took advantage of the tax amnesty. More than $400 million in outstanding debts were cancelled, according to the Costa Rican government. The list of amnesty participants was made public. In a report Thursday, the CBC quoted the premier's spokeswoman as saying that any tax relief provided by the program "would presumably have been offered automatically by the Costa Rican government as the premier did not request to take part in any such program." "Any application of an amnesty program or changes to the amount billed to and paid by the premier has not been conveyed to him," the spokeswoman said in a statement. Raising the matter in the legislature on Thursday, NDP MLA Mark Wasyliw questioned the premier's assertion that he didn't apply for the amnesty. "This premier dodged his taxes, then he said they were paid. It turns out he got an amnesty. Now the premier is caught in a web that he himself has spun. He tells the media that he had no knowledge of the amnesty and that he did not request to take part in any such program but you had to apply for this program. And we know this premier not only applied for it, he timed his application to maximize his benefit," Wasyliw said. Instead of responding to questions in the house about whether he tried to mislead Manitobans, Pallister went on the attack, suggesting that NDP Leader Wab Kinew had not paid all of his taxes. The premier seemed to be referring to a 2017 demand by a one-time NDP leadership rival of Kinew's that Kinew release his tax returns. He did so four weeks later. "I have paid mine," Pallister said of his taxes. "My life is an open book. But he (Kinew) had not allegedly paid his." larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca CONSERVATION and Climate Minister Sarah Guillemard signed off Thursday on a permit that grants Manitoba Hydro a final, long-term licence to manipulate the Churchill River within the operating parameters laid out on temporary terms decades ago. CONSERVATION and Climate Minister Sarah Guillemard signed off Thursday on a permit that grants Manitoba Hydro a final, long-term licence to manipulate the Churchill River within the operating parameters laid out on temporary terms decades ago. Operation of the Churchill River diversion began in 1976, on an interim licence issued under the Water Power Act. The move caused the water level of Southern Indian Lake to rise by approximately three metres, devastating ecosystems and First Nations communities in the region. MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Manitoba Conservation and Climate Minister Sarah Guillemard. In 1986, Hydro was given permission to increase the amount of water the utility diverted from the Churchill River by 15 per cent. What has become known as the augmented flow program has allowed the Crown corporation to raise and lower the water level of Southern Indian Lake by as much as three to 4.5 feet. All of those operations were continuously approved on a temporary annual basis. The new final permit only needs to be renewed every 50 years after the completion of a project. Northern First Nations communities had been lobbying the government to deny the permanent licence and reform operations surrounding the Churchill River diversion, citing ongoing devastating impacts in their communities and a lack of consultation. A news release Thursday from Guillemards office says Manitoba Hydro will have new mandates for consultation with affected First Nations. However, community members are skeptical it will be pursued in a meaningful way. "This means almost absolutely nothing to us. They just continue to destroy our environment, our fishery, our economy, but also really destroying people and families our whole community. Thats really what this is about," said Les Dysart, community lead on hydro issues for O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation, approximately 130 kilometres northwest of Thompson, on the shores of Southern Indian Lake. "And by Manitoba granting a final licence and saying Hydro will address these concerns is absolutely meaningless to us. Thats what theyve been saying for 40 years," he told the Free Press. "Im outraged, but it was predictable. This is how this premier addresses valid Aboriginal concerns he does not care. And hes quite willing to gamble with ratepayers and taxpayers resources." The statement from Guillemards office refuted claims consultation hasnt been pursued. "The province has undertaken rigorous and decade-long consultations with the Indigenous communities affected. As a direct result of concerns raised, Manitoba Hydro will be held to multiple licence and non-licence conditions in the operation of these water-power licences. Consultation will continue into the future, by the province and by Manitoba Hydro." sarah.lawrynuik@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @SarahLawrynuik Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 09:34:05|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close WASHINGTON, May 13 (Xinhua) -- Nine people were injured in a shooting incident late Thursday in U.S. Rhode Island with three critically wounded, local media reported. Enditem The depths of Premier Brian Pallister's pandemic delusions reached a new low point Thursday morning at the worst possible time. The depths of Premier Brian Pallister's pandemic delusions reached a new low point Thursday morning at the worst possible time. It was, to be fair, a pretty tough day for any politician. Twenty-four hours earlier, Manitoba recorded its 1,000th death from COVID-19, an extraordinary loss of life that speaks to both the nature of the virus and the struggles the Pallister government has suffered trying to contain it. Asked about the death toll, Pallister agreed "it was a tragic day." He also made one brief mention of how his government hadn't "done everything right." But after those perfunctory comments, Pallister spent several minutes indulging in an act of acute, delusional rationalization. "We're facing an unprecedented challenge together and we're doing the best we can," Pallister said. "Most of us are doing very well." MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES While Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister finds comfort in the fact Saskatchewan has had more cases since the beginning of the year, the two provinces actually have roughly the same number of cases (43,000) since the start of the pandemic. There are many reasons why that is a completely inappropriate thing to say on the day after we reached a truly tragic milestone. Particularly when the general public is fully aware that there was so much more Pallister could have done to minimize the loss of life. And while it is true most Manitobans have not lost a loved one to COVID-19, only a man suffering from a chronic empathy deficit would ever suggest that we're all "doing well" in this pandemic. Some of us have suffered more during the pandemic, and some less. But living with the pandemic has hurt everyone. Even if you haven't contracted COVID-19 or lost a loved one, we're all living with the constant threat of contracting a potentially fatal infectious disease. Many Manitobans have not been able to earn a steady living, and all of us have been denied the life-affirming power of close contact with friends and family. For the record, premier, we are not all well and few believe you have done the best you could. The premier's callous posture is now part of a wellworn pattern. When confronted with empirical evidence of failure, Pallister conjures a glasshalffull fantasy to obscure a glasshalfempty situation. The premier's callous posture is now part of a well-worn pattern. When confronted with empirical evidence of failure, Pallister conjures a glass-half-full fantasy to obscure a glass-half-empty situation. Like last fall, when Pallister's refusal to impose the necessary social and economic restrictions, and general mismanagement of testing and contact tracing, manifested in one of the worst second waves of COVID-19 in the world. As the body count soared, Pallister preferred to blame individual Manitobans for not adhering to restrictions that had, for the most part, been applied way too late to make a difference. The premier interpreted growing animosity directed at him as anger over restrictions; the truth was, people were angry because Pallister watched idly as the second wave approached and did nothing. All the while, Pallister fabricated the slimmest of statistical achievements to defend his government's measly performance. Thursday was no different. To mitigate the death toll, the premier repeatedly crowed about how Manitoba has had fewer new cases of COVID-19 in this calendar year than almost any other province, and 10,000 less than Saskatchewan. Pallister said this is proof that Manitoba has succeeded in "delaying the onset of the third wave better than anybody." That would be a truly impressive accomplishment if the pandemic were ending today. But as we all know, the suffering will continue for months, and more important metrics paint a much more unflattering picture. Currently, only Quebec has a higher rate of death; Quebec has suffered 128 deaths per 100,000 citizens, while Manitoba is at 72. That is considerably higher than Ontario (57), Alberta (48), Saskatchewan (43), and British Columbia (32). And while Pallister finds comfort in the fact Saskatchewan has had more cases since the beginning of the year, the two provinces actually have roughly the same number of cases (43,000) since the start of the pandemic. Meanwhile, Manitoba currently has the second highest daily rate of new cases in the country (345); only Alberta has more (610). When you look past the lipstick and rouge Pallister is feverishly applying to his government's performance, an inescapable truth comes into focus. Pallister is still in the process of burning the province to the ground through an incendiary combination of obstinence and incompetence. And yet, he actually expects people to applaud the fact that Manitoba is burning a wee bit slower than neighbouring jurisdictions. The good news, if you can call it that, is that in a week or two, Manitoba will once again have among the worst outbreaks in Canada. The premier's incessant tone-deafness certainly raises questions about what others in this government are doing to keep him in check. Why aren't key advisors like David McLaughlin, the clerk of the executive council and de facto chief of staff, curbing Pallister's offensive tendency to gloss over his mistakes? Where are the senior members of Pallister's cabinet and why aren't they doing something to drag the premier back into some semblance of reality? If they all see the world that Pallister has created during the pandemic and do nothing, we are left to conclude that they approve of what's going on. And therein lies the real problem with delusions. The last people to recognize them are the delusional. dan.lett@freepress.mb.ca Herd immunity is approaching. Manitoba's vaccine task force expects that by early June, seven out of every 10 people age 12 and older will have received a COVID-19 vaccine dose. It has been about five months since the first dose was injected in the province. But the slow, steady march to herd immunity has accelerated in the past month. If all goes as planned, nearly 826,000 Manitobans will be vaccinated with at least one dose by June 6. The exact portion of the population that needs to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to achieve herd immunity is not known particularly with more infections from highly contagious variants. But experts estimate that having 70 per cent of a population vaccinated could significantly reduce ongoing spread of the virus. To hit the 70 per cent target, the Manitoba government and its partners in the campaign have to administer 290,797 first doses in 24 days, or an average of 12,117 a day. As of Thursday, 443,180 people had received one dose and another 78,824 had got two and were fully immunized, a total of 522,004 people 48 per cent of the adult population with either full or partial protection against the virus. Due to data entry backlogs, an additional 4,727 doses had been given to people as of Thursday, but were not specified as first or second shots. In the past seven days, the province increased the number of first doses injected daily to an average of 11,097, from 7,716 last week. And by Saturday, another 31,290 doses will be delivered at provincial clinics. The province said 82,951 shots are scheduled next week. A provincial planning document shows an additional 170,000 doses are scheduled between May 24 and June 6. Altogether, an estimated 284,241 appointments are on the books between Friday and June 6, and two new mass-vaccination clinics will open before the end of the month in rural Manitoba. First Nations leaders say the campaign to deliver first doses to reserve residents will be complete by the end of May. The Manitoba First Nations COVID-19 Pandemic Response Coordination Team said Thursday that a total of 80,000 doses (including second shots) will been administered on reserves by May 31. Another 20,000 are planned by the end of June to finish the second-dose campaign. Johanu Botha, the task forces planning, operations and logistics lead, said Manitoba may be able to schedule even more appointments in May if additional doses of Moderna's vaccine from the federal government arrive. As of Thursday, Ottawa had yet to confirm any Moderna deliveries beyond the 37,500 expected Monday. "The federal projections are showing that we should be getting more Moderna after this shipment, in alignment with our second-dose plans," Botha said Wednesday. The bulk of upcoming appointments will use the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Manitoba received a combined total of 73,710 doses Tuesday and Wednesday, and another 235,170 Pfizer doses will arrive before June 6, for a total of 308,880 available doses. As of Wednesday, all adult Manitobans were eligible to book an appointment for a shot. Just over one million adults live in the province. But with the recent Health Canada approval of Pfizer-BioNTech for youths between the ages of 12 and 15, the eligible population has expanded. There are about 111,000 people between the ages of 12 and 17 in Manitoba, bringing the eligible population to 1.18 million. Previously, the task force said age eligibility would be lowered to 12 years old by the end of next week. However, the provinces timeline to immunize 70 per cent of the 12 and older population doesnt mean coverage among all age groups, particularly among younger demographics, will hit 70 per cent by that date. And it doesn't mean that every young person who wants a vaccine will get one by June 6. In Manitoba, vaccine uptake in older demographics has far surpassed the 70 per cent goal, meaning fewer doses are available for younger age groups, prolonging the campaign to get a first dose to everyone who wants one. As of Thursday, 77.5 per cent of Manitobans 50 and older had received at least one dose. Among retirees, the uptake rate is even greater, with 80 per cent of residents their 60s and more than 90 per cent of people in their 70s and 80s immunized. Forty per cent of people in their 40s have been immunized and less than 25 per cent of people under 30 had a shot, as of Thursday. The proportion of the youth population that is vaccinated by June 6 will likely depend on whether additional shipments of Moderna arrive, which can be offered to people 18 and older. As of Thursday, the earliest appointment available at the RBC Convention Centre mass vaccination clinic was June 5. The task force said Manitobans will be able to start booking their second-dose appointments by the end of next week at the latest, beginning with people prioritized for medical reasons. Appointments will then open to those who got their shots earlier in the year and continue based on the date the first shot was received. The second-dose campaign will get underway in mid-June. However, the task force will continue to accept first-dose appointments for people who may not have signed up when they first became eligible, and youths who turn 12 in the summer months. "There will certainly be some folks who book an appointment in July for their first dose, and we welcome them to book if they havent already at that point," said Dr. Joss Reimer, medical lead for the vaccine task force. In the month of June, 351,000 doses of Pfizer-BioNTech will be shipped to Manitoba. The federal government has yet to confirm deliveries of Moderna vaccine for the summer, and has not yet provided a vaccine delivery schedule for July. However, provincial officials say expected deliveries include enough vaccine to complete the second-dose campaign (for those immunized by early next month) by the end of July. danielle.dasilva@freepress.mb.ca The lead of Manitobas vaccine rollout took questions and addressed concerns from newcomers to the province Thursday afternoon. The lead of Manitobas vaccine rollout took questions and addressed concerns from newcomers to the province Thursday afternoon. "We have seen some patterns emerging where, both in Winnipeg and southern Manitoba, there are some areas that have lower uptake," Dr. Joss Reimer said. "And this is a blend of things. We think in southern Manitoba, a lot of it has to do with vaccine hesitancy, beliefs and community views on vaccines, but in Winnipeg, we think it has a lot more to do with barriers to seeking care." Many of the largest newcomer groups in Manitoba are over-represented in the provinces data on COVID-19 cases, with Filipino and South Asian populations particularly apparent in case counts. While 51 per cent of those who tested positive for COVID-19 from May to December 2020 were Black, Indigenous or a person of colour, only 35 per cent of Manitobans belong to those groups. Around one in three COVID-19 cases in Manitoba are from people working in food manufacturing, and 59 per cent of COVID-19 cases in people of colour are attributed to people working in the industry. The service industry (15 per cent of all COVID-19 cases in Manitoba) and transportation (11 per cent) are also especially visible in the provinces COVID-19 cases, which correlates with the over-representation of people of colour in the provinces data. Targeted advertising and the province approaching community and religious leaders to help influence their respective communities to get vaccinated are already underway, but the province is also looking at providing the consent form in additional languages, and bringing more pop-up clinics to areas in Winnipeg with high immigrant populations. "We know theres a lot more we could be doing, and we plan to keep improving more and more," Reimer said. The vaccine task force lead took questions on improving the rollout to target immigrants and Manitobans not fluent in English or French. She answered more specific questions regarding conspiracies and myths newcomer groups have heard being shared through social media. "I know that WhatsApp has been a big source of misinformation. (Fighting misinformation) is a huge challenge for us," Reimer said. Myths and conspiracies around the novel coronavirus have been tackled more than once by Val Cavers, executive director at Mosaic Newcomer Resource Centre. The centre has partnered with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority and refugee health-care clinic physician Dr. Afsaneh Oliver to hold "ask a doctor" sessions with immigrants, to explain the science behind the process and dispel misinformation. Oliver is known to many of Manitobas refugees she works at BridgeCare clinic, the initial point of assessment for newly-arrived, government-sponsored refugees and has held the Q & A clinic in English, Arabic and Tigrinya thus far. Plans are underway to provide the session in Somali, Swahili, and Kurmanji. Turnout has been unprecedentedly high, Cavers said: 40 people attended a recent session. Many questions revolve around myths around the virus causing side-effects, and conspiracy theories around the vaccine. "But, for the most part, people are asking the questions that most of us are asking right now, about (vaccine) safety and just wanting to make sure its safe for them and their families," she said. Mosaic is also helping refugees book vaccine appointments, and will provide support to the pop-up clinic at the nearby Knox United Church opening Friday. "Were hoping that our relationships with community members in the Central Park community, and also the familiarity that they have with programs at Knox Church, will help," Cavers said. malak.abas@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: malakabas_ Opinion Hidden amongst the many newsworthy items in last months federal budget is a small, little discussed section with the potential to reshape many Canadian industries. In it, the government commits to exploring options to remove barriers to employee ownership trusts in Canada. While that may sound pretty boring, we can look to the recent sale of Longos, the beloved Toronto-area grocery chain, to understand just how important this decision might be. Long rated one of Canadas best managed companies, and with high marks for its customer service, Longos was one of the few major independent retailers left in Canada, where Empire, Loblaw and Metro control 75 per cent of the market. Founded by three brothers in 1956, it remained family-owned and run by one of the sons of the founders, Anthony Longo. In mid-March that independence ended, as Empire, the owners of Sobeys, announced it would be buying a controlling interest. Media reports described the deal as inevitable; as the Canadian grocery industry continues to consolidate, what chance did a local, family-owned chain have against the giants? In the United States, however, the fate of grocers like Longos is anything but inevitable. A very different option is available, with a track record of keeping family grocers both successful and independent: employee ownership. Publix Super Markets, WinCo Foods, Brookshire Brothers, Harps Food Stores and Buehlers Fresh Foods are all similar to Longos in many ways: humble beginnings, growing through the hard work and risk-taking of the founding family, and dedication to tremendous customer experience. Unlike Longos, the founding families of these thriving grocers rebuffed the offers of Americas largest chains and instead chose to sell to their employees. The difference is due to the Employee Share Ownership Plan (US-ESOP), an employee ownership trust structure created in the U.S. in the 1970s to make it easier for business owners to sell to their employees. Different from share purchase plans, option plans or worker co-ops, the US-ESOP ensures all employees get a stake in the company, at no cost to them, while keeping a traditional management structure in place and ensuring owners receive market value for their shares. The program has been so successful that tax incentives to increase adoption have been added over time by both Democrats and Republicans, and currently more than 14 million Americans hold $1.4 trillion in company wealth under the countrys 6,500 US-ESOPs. There is strong evidence that employee ownership is better for companies, employees and the economy itself, and grocery might be the best example of that. No ESOP-owned grocer has ever gone bankrupt. Of the 12 U.S.-based grocery bankruptcies since 2015, 11 were private equity-owned. The twelfth was industry giant Kroger's failed acquisition of popular locally-owned Lucky's Market, a grocer of similar size to Longo's. Across all industries, employee-owned companies in the U.S. grow faster, are more profitable, are more resilient in downturns, stay in their communities longer and pay their employees more . US-ESOPs are also a powerful wealth creating engine for workers. On average employee-owners have 92 per cent more wealth than non-employee-owners, while many front-line employees at grocers Winco and Publix have become millionaires. That doesnt mean we should blame the Longo family for their choice. There is very little employee ownership in Canada, as selling to employees here has been a long, complicated and painful process. EllisDon, one of Canadas largest construction companies, is also one of its most successful employee-owned companies. But its ownership transition from the founding Smith family has taken decades, and Geoff Smith, its CEO, recently took to LinkedIn to encourage the Canadian government to make it easier. It appears government listened, and significant employee ownership of the Canadian economy might not be far behind. The U.K. introduced employee ownership trusts in 2014, providing incentives for owners to choose employee ownership over other options, and investing in awareness building in the business community. Employee ownership has dramatically increased ever since, with almost 100 U.K. companies choosing this path in 2019 alone. A recent Canadian Federation of Independent Business survey suggests similar uptake in Canada should be expected. One day soon, employees at companies like Longos might wake up to find they are now owners, with a real path to wealth for them and their families. Employee ownership trusts increase resiliency, broaden opportunity and reduce ownership concentration, all key elements of a more inclusive economy. The federal governments commitment to investigating their potential should be applauded. Jon Shell is managing director of Social Capital Partners, a nonprofit that seeks to reduce inequality by broadening access to ownership and good employment. SCP recently led the financing of U.S.-based Taylor Guitars' conversion to 100 per cent employee ownership. WASHINGTON (AP) - Republicans have vaulted Rep. Elise Stefanik into the ranks of House leadership. The upstate New York Republican was elected to the party's No. 3 post on Friday. She's an ardent defender of former President Donald Trump. The party hopes Stefanik will help them calm their searing civil war over the deposed Rep. Liz Cheney and her unremitting combat with the former president, who remains potent within the GOP. Stefanik is a moderate turned Trump loyalist and advocate of many of his false claims about election fraud. She is taking the leadership job that Cheney had held for over two years. My statement as the newly elected House GOP Conference Chair. pic.twitter.com/emb6lNxPRm Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) May 14, 2021 New York GOP Chairman Nick Langworthy released the following statement Friday: I offer my huge congratulations to Congresswoman Elise Stefanik on her election as House Republican Conference Chairwoman. There is no one better suited for this critical role as we sight our sights on retaking the House Majority in next years midterms. Her ascension to leadership will be a tremendous asset for all New Yorkers who will have a powerful and influential voice in the halls of Congress. Utica, N.Y. - What a sight throughout MVCC's Utica campus on Friday as students and their proud parents took some graduation pictures outside in the quad area, as well as inside, across the very stage where they would have received their diplomas, as the actual graduation ceremony this year was once again virtual due to COVID. One parent there taking pictures on Friday was Denise Mazza of Holland Patent who was celebrating her daughter's graduation from MVCC before that daughter has even graduated high school. Jenna Mazza took enough classes at MVCC during her junior and senior years at Holland Patent High School to be able to graduate with an Associate's Degree in General Studies from MVCC on Friday. Mom, Denise Mazza, says she couldn't be more proud of her daughter, "I watched her do it. Shes a driven girl, shes known since 6th grade what shes wanted to do." Jenna wants to be an attorney and in the fall she will study political science at Lemoyne College in Syracuse where she will enter that school as a junior, before hopefully going on to law school at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. in two years time. Jenna says she worked hard to get to this day and bypass two years of college, "I had to go after school to do classes and its been a long journey. Now I just have to graduate high school." Jenna Mazza graduates with the rest of her class from Holland Patent High School on June 18th. On hand that day in June will be Holland Patent High School Principal Russell Stevener and Holland Patent Central School District Superintendent Jason Evangelist, just as they were on hand at MVCC on Friday to watch Jenna take that ceremonious walk across the stage to take pictures. Stevener says Jenna sets a perfect example for other young people to strive to be able to do whatever they want to do, "We're actually going to be having Jenna meet with our committee to get more students to take advantage of this." Evangelist says this was truly a team effort to get Jenna to where she is today but says Jenna deserves all of the credit, "Very proud of her, very proud of the work ethic and time and dedication that shes put towards it and certainly thankful for her family for the support they have given and our faculty and staff for what theyve done for Jenna at her time at Holland Patent." Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-14 12:29:02|Editor: huaxia Video Player Close WASHINGTON, May 13 (Xinhua) -- Nine people aged 19-25, including one woman, were injured on Thursday evening when an unidentified number of suspects opened fire in a drive-by shooting in Providence, the capital city of the eastern U.S. state Rhode Island, local media reported. The shooting occurred just before 7 p.m. eastern time (2300 GMT), said the police, noting at least three of the victims are in serious, possibly critical, condition. However, the police said that the shooting was not random and stemmed from a feud between two groups. "We have a good handle on everyone that is involved in this incident," the police said, "the assailant group pulled up in a car, and the other group was at a home... They're well known to Providence Police." An estimated several dozen shots were fired. Police sealed off the area following the shooting, the police added. No arrests have been made, according to the police. An investigation is underway. Enditem NEW HARTFORD, N.Y. A New Hartford man has been charged in the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 after admitting to FBI agents that he was inside the building during the riot. Eric Bochene was arrested May 13 and charged with two counts each of: Photo courtesy of FBI Photo courtesy of FBI Knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority Violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds The FBI received multiple tips and reviewed several public photos showing Bochene inside the Capitol building, standing near Jake Angeli, also known as the QAnon Shaman. Evidence also included text messages where Bochene allegedly admitted to a tipster that he was at the riot, saying Its me. I was there. The FBI says they received at least five tips regarding Bochenes activity on Jan. 6. Two tipsters had reached out to the FBI after they heard that Bochene bragged about his involvement to another person. The FBI interviewed that person, who is another New Hartford resident, on Feb. 16. Bochene allegedly spoke with this person on the phone on Jan. 6, and when asked if he was at the White House, he replied yes. The tipster told FBI Bochene also admitted to breaking a window, and being one of the first people inside the building. After finding the tips credible, the FBI interviewed Bochene at his New Hartford home on Pinecrest Road on March 10. According to investigators, Bochene admitted to being at the Capitol on Jan. 6, and showed authorities a two-minute video he recorded inside the building. Bochene could be seen in the video, and told the FBI it was his voice heard in the recording. The criminal complaint against Bochene was filed April 26, but he was arrested on May 13, and appeared in court May 14. UTICA, NY - Gov. Andrew Cuomo has yet to say whether he will change his states mask mandate in light of new federal guidance that eases rules for fully vaccinated people. Cuomo said via email Thursday that the states mask mandate is still in place as his administration reviews the new federal guidance and consults with health officials in neighboring states. "In New York, we have always relied on the facts and the science to guide us throughout the worst of this pandemic and in our successful reopening. We have received the newly revised guidance from the CDC regarding mask wearing and social distancing for those with vaccinations and are reviewing them in consultation with Dr. Zucker and our partners and health experts in surrounding states." The governor's office says there's no immediate update Friday. In April 2020, the Cuomo first required all people in New York over age 2 to wear a mask when out in public or unable to distance themselves from others. Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente tweeted a response to the governor's statement late Friday morning, saying "I was glad to see @CDCgov update its guidance on mask wearing for those who have been vaccinated. @NYGovCuomo should follow the science and accept these new guidelines immediately." Information from the Associated Press was used in this report. LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) A former teacher at Lafayette Jeff High School has pleaded guilty to child sex charges involving a student on Thursday. Steve Abston was arrested at the school in December of 2019. According to prosecutors, he showed the student a nude photo of a man's genitals on school grounds, during school hours. Abston had been a Science teacher. Lafayette School Corporation Superintendent Les Huddle said the school board fired Abston in April of 2020. Abston is pleading guilty to felony counts of Dissemination of Matter Harmful to Minors, Child Pornography, and Child Seduction. The Plea Agreement does not specify what sentence he'll receive. WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Purdue students are beginning to find out their financial information has been compromised. It comes after Indianapolis-based cap and gown company Herff Jones confirmed that there was a data breach on their website. The Indianapolis-based company said this on their website in regards to the data breach. "Herff Jones recently became aware of suspicious activity involving certain customers payment card information. We promptly launched an investigation and engaged a leading cybersecurity firm to assist in assessing the scope of the incident. We have taken steps to mitigate the potential impact and notified law enforcement. Herff Jones is committed to the privacy and security of its customers and we take this responsibility seriously. During the course of our investigation, which is ongoing, we identified theft of certain customers payment information. We sincerely apologize to those impacted by this incident. We are working diligently to identify and notify impacted customers. In the meantime, we have a dedicated customer service team that can be reached by calling 855-535-1795 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday." One Purdue Senior who was affected by the data breach says he found out about it from a friend. I got notification from a friend in a group chat that a bunch of people had their credit card information compromised, said Purdue Senior Hamza Tanzeem. I went to check my bank records that weren't from me and I found two recent transactions that I know I didn't make He added that Purdue University has not sent out notifications to students about the issue. Tanzeem says he purchased his cap and gown on March 28th and noticed charges on his credit card that weren't from him on May 5th. Herff Jones has set up a customer service line for people who have been affected by this. If you had your banking information stolen, you can call 855-535-1795 between the hours of 9 am and 9 pm Monday through Friday. NEW ORLEANS (WLFI) Former Purdue defensive tackle Lorenzo Neal singed to the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent Thursday night. His father, Lorenzo Neal Sr., played for the Saints from 1993-1996 as a fullback. The younger Neal played in 38 games during his four active seasons at Purdue. He missed the 2019 season with an ACL Injury, but came back for the 2020 campaign. Neal tallied 73 total tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and four forced fumbles during his time with the Boilers. The former Boilermaker will not have an immediate spot on the Saints' roster, but will instead try out for a spot this off-season. He joins Indiana's former running back, Stevie Scott III, as an undrafted free agent in New Orleans. A unique view: Stock reflects on time as vice provost at W&M Border-crosser: Ann Marie Stock, professor of Hispanic studies and film and media studies at William & Mary, has spent the past four years as vice provost for academic & faculty affairs. Photo by Stephen Salpukas Photo - of - Hide Caption Ann Marie Stock left the classroom to add her time and talents to the administration at William & Mary. As vice provost for academic & faculty affairs (VPAFA) the past four years, she has had an opportunity to broadly impact teaching and learning. Stock, a professor of Hispanic studies and film and media studies, brought her own unique perspective to the job. She is widely regarded as an outstanding teacher, internationally renowned scholar and successful academic leader, Provost Peggy Agouris wrote in a campus message. Most recently, in her four-year term as vice provost, Ann Marie has consistently demonstrated her creativity, collaborative spirit and commitment to the institution and, in doing so, has brought about significant and lasting changes. On April 29, Agouris announced to the campus community Stocks decision to complete her term as VPAFA at the end of the academic year. The term for VPAFA is usually three years, but Stock stayed on an extra year to provide consistency in leadership during the pandemic. She will take academic leave during the 2021-22 academic year before returning to W&M. Shortly after the announcement, W&M News asked Stock about her time in the position and her accomplishments. How did your experience coming into the position allow you to put your own individual mark on it? I came into the position with nearly a quarter-century of experience at W&M and having had the opportunity to serve in a variety of capacities teaching as a member of three different programs, serving as department chair and program director, leading international affairs and directing the Reves Center and contributing as inaugural W&M Libraries Faculty Fellow. All of this shaped my expansive vision of the institution and my awareness of potential synergies and connections. It also provided me with contacts, relationships and friendships in nearly every unit. This W&M-wide perspective and the extensive personal connections positioned me to serve in a range of areas and team up to envision projects, implement ideas and solve problems. My scholarly training and scholarly approach also served me well. My doctorate is in the field of cultural studies, and I have worked primarily in the intersections in between languages and cultures and disciplines and world views. I am a seasoned border-crosser, and I think that allowed me to help bring together individuals and units and position them for effective collaboration. What implementations do you think will be most long-term beneficial? The Studio for Teaching & Learning Innovation will, I am quite certain, continue to benefit the university for a very long time. I am proud of playing a lead role in bringing that into being, along with collaborators Professor Gene Roche and Dean Carrie Cooper and a team of faculty and learning partners. I think another area that bears my stamp is the creation of the Cultural Heritage Cluster, consisting of the Muscarelle Museum of Art, Historic Campus, Highland and the Omohundro Institute. By bringing together these units, and by connecting them to the Studio for Teaching & Learning Innovation and the Washington Center, we have been able to design new courses, offer innovative programs and generally take fuller advantage of these incredible resources. My Advancement colleagues have invited me in to work on fundraising, and Im confident that the support we've garnered together will continue to be transformational. How were you able to shape teaching and learning? One key way was by being a thought partner for individual faculty and groups who would seek me out to brainstorm. I love doing this particularly when I can put people in touch and facilitate their working together. So I helped shape teaching and learning by empowering, supporting and connecting others so they could realize their vision. I also led and co-led several initiatives designed to connect faculty with one another to enhance teaching and learning. Among those most special to me are the Reveley Interdisciplinary Faculty Fellows initiative with Luiza Newlin-Lukowicz of Advancement, the Writer's Retreat with Lisa Nickel of W&M Libraries and the soon-to-be launched Grants Incubator with Office of Sponsored Programs, Corporate and Foundation Relations and W&M Libraries. I've had opportunities to advance the university's ambitious diversity, equity and inclusion agenda. What is your favorite part of W&Ms vision, mission, values? People come to William & Mary wanting to understand and change the world, and together we do. I feel privileged to be part of a community that strives to build a better future, and I'm grateful to be around so many people who are "all in" in doing this important work. What was the best part of being vice provost? I have worked with virtually every unit at W&M, as well as with alumni and board members and donors and community partners. That access to so many people and projects has afforded me an extraordinary learning opportunity and a beautiful birds-eye view. As I transition out of this position, I have a far greater appreciation and understanding of just how complex, complicated and beautiful the W&M world is. Whats next for you? That's a great question. I'm thrilled to be looking ahead to some unscheduled time in summer. I'm picturing long walks on gravel roads through the prairies and farmlands in my home state of Minnesota. And a week of canoeing in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. After that, when Cuba travel is once again possible, I'll be on one of the first planes heading to my beloved Havana where I'll reconnect with friends and renew momentum on my scholarship. I'm eager to expand the Cuba Media Project, a partnership between W&M Libraries and several individuals and organizations on the island. Beyond that, there are some ideas percolating and some possibilities emerging. But I'm focusing on wrapping up projects on my lengthy vice provost task list and looking ahead to summer. Eight from W&M receive Fulbright student awards Fulbright scholar: Nazrin Garibova 20 was among eight W&M alumni or students to receive U.S. Student Program awards. Garibova will travel to Azerbaijan as an English Teaching Assistant. Courtesy photo Photo - of - Hide Caption Eight William & Mary alumni and students have been selected to receive U.S. Student Program awards, which will fund their teaching and research in countries around the world during the 2021-2022 academic year. Seven of the alumni received English Teaching Assistant Awards, and one received an Open Study/Research Award. Six additional alumni were selected as alternates for the awards, which are granted annually by the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. Were so proud to see William & Marys incredible students earning recognition and pursuing exciting opportunities abroad while serving both as ambassadors of the university and the United States, said Lindsey Love, director of national scholarships and coordinator of the James Monroe Program at William & Mary. Recipients are selected based on their leadership potential, academic and/or professional achievement and record of service. According to Fulbright, past recipients of the awards include 60 Nobel Prize laureates, 88 Pulitzer Prize recipients and 39 heads of state or government. This years W&M recipients include: Caroline Cox 21, Nazrin Garibova 20, Grace Klopp 21, Maxwell Minogue 21, Anna South 19, Callaway Sprinkle '19 and Sahithya Vishwanath 21. One recipient asked to remain anonymous. The alternates are Grace Bruce '20, Daisy Garner 21, Hannah London 21, Kibiriti Majuto 21, Patrick Salsburg 21 and Theodore Wansink '20. Cox will serve as an English Teaching Assistant in Germany in the state of Hessen. I was fortunate to study abroad in Germany twice during my time at W&M, once in the summer of 2018 with W&Ms program in Potsdam and once in the summer of 2019 through a neuroscience seminar hosted in Munich and Berlin, said Cox. As a double major in neuroscience and German studies, I am extremely excited for the opportunity to live and work in Germany for a year, after which I will be returning stateside to enter medical school in 2022. As another ETA, Garibova will travel to Azerbaijan and will work along the Transcaucasian Trail, piloting the Azerbaijan sections. After completing the program, Garibova will pursue a graduate degree studying the Southern Caucasus. Klopp will serve as an ETA in Chiayi, Taiwan. She will also seek to begin a community running and hiking club and host a bilingual blog focused on international relations and cultural topics. Minogue will work within a Brazilian university as an ETA. During his time there, Minogue also hopes to learn about regional dance and become involved with a local LGBTQ+ organization to help Brazilian LGBTQ+ youth. South will use her childhood and theatre education background with her Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certification to teach college students in Kirklareli, Turkey, as an ETA. South hopes to also develop engaging English language workshops for the community. Vishwanath will be an English Teaching Assistant in South Korea where she hopes to build on her experience in South Asia and knowledge as a global studies major to help bridge the cultural gap between American and Korean people. Sprinkle is using his Open Study/Research Award in to investigate the cultural history of eco-tourism and outdoor recreation in Kyrgyzstan, leading to recommendations for development and policy. Due to its mountainous climate and the nomadic, pastoral nature of Kyrgyz society until the mid-20th century, the country was a hotspot for mountaineering, sanatoria, and hiking/youth outdoor work in the Soviet Union, Sprinkle said. I hope to examine how attitudes towards tourism, public land use and legal frameworks changed across the democratic transition. Hopefully, this also allows me to explore what lessons and best practices from the way the industry was built might inform recovery from the current pandemic, which has devastated the nations economy and hit small businesses, particularly in hospitality and tourism, hardest of all. The Fulbright Program, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, is the U.S. governments flagship international educational exchange program and is supported by the people of the United States and partner countries around the world. According to Fulbright, the program has provided more than 400,000 participants from over 160 countries the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns. The primary source of funding for the Fulbright program is an annual appropriation by the U.S. Congress to the U.S. Department of States Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Participating governments and host institutions, corporations and foundations in foreign countries and in the United States also provide direct and indirect support. The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is administered at William & Mary through the Charles Center. For more information about seeking endorsement for Fulbright through William & Mary, visit the campus webpage or visit the Fulbright website for Fulbright program information. A Liberian journalist and citizen of Nimba County, Mr. Jonathan Paye-Layleh, has launched an operation he has codenamed: "Give Them a Future", intended to encourage parents to get more involved in the running of schools in especially rural towns in the county in the face of serious national challenges and inadequacies to fully support those schools. The journalist has just donated badly needed instructional materials including reams paper, dusters, chalk and pens, to schools in the Lao Chiefdom area in Menipea-Mah District, where he had an opportunity to interact with parents, teachers and students. On every step of the tour, Mr. Paye-Layleh pleaded with parents not to sit supinely and leave the running of schools to government because, as he said in one town, "the children of the minister of education and other officials of government will never come to attend here. Only our children will. " He told parents to prioritize the education of their children by extending some hand of help to those schools in the face of government's apparent inability to properly cater to the schools. Most of the schools in the region were established through citizens' initiatives during the civil war and they were later turned over to the government. As a result, almost every town has a public school and government has not been able to fully attend to those schools. In one town, Tunukpuyee, the acting principal, upon receiving the gesture, said the school was so terribly short of stationery and instructional materials that they were rationing a ream of sheets, giving only three sheets to each teacher to draw up exams. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Liberia Education Media By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. "Operation Give Them a Future", the journalist says, aims to get parents to appreciate the harsh reality of today and make keeping their children in school their top priority. "If this is done, we will eventually have a society of highly educated people and this will help address some of the perennial problems that have beset us as a county for a long time," he told teachers and students in the town of Bainekpalalah. He emphasized the need to get more girls to go to school saying the operation he has launched will in the future "take us into the jungles to get our young girs to come out to go to school. They belong in the classrooms." In the town of Gbellie, Mr. Paye-Layleh reminded mothers that "the only way we can create more of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and other outstanding Nimba County women like Edith Gongloe-Weh, Margaret Korkpor,Yah Boayou and Nohn Rebecca Kidau is to stand firm now and support our girls to go to and remain in school." The first phase of the journalist's gesture last year benefitted schools in the towns of Saclepea, Kpein, Duo, Flumpa, Kpallah, Karnwee and Bunadin, many of which are outside of the Meinpea-Mah Administrative District. Dry leaves cracked under our boots, sending feeding termites into a rattling protest as we moved into the sacred caves of Magweto Mountain, some 50 km north west of Karoi, in Hurungwe. I walked behind Never Gasho and another journalist Noah Pito was behind me. There were three or four more villagers on tow. Gasho had left his farm, his business, his band and little everything else, to give me access to a rare story about a community that ate bats. There, bats are a delicacy. Towards sunset after footing for 10 km, we used our hands to push aside fluffy heads of the tinder dry tall grass to clear the way. Tree branches swayed with the rhythm of strong mountain top winds, while our bodies formed ghostly shadows, off the mothballed sunset horizon. Fish eagles performed a piecing evocative duet, atop a huge Msasa tree almost sending us scampering for cover. Gasho cast a cautious look at me as if to say: "Boy, I told you this gonna be dangerous!." I looked up and at a glance, saw the eagles' distinctive, black white and chestnut feather patterns, gleaming boldly in the sunset hue as they tossed their heads backwards and forth. On the other side of the slope Musuka River which seemed to be on its final journey to its confluence with Sanyati River was flowing quietly. The excursion was fierce, nerve-wrecking, hair-raising and spine-chilling as we were all oblivious of the fact that many people had gone into Magweto Caves, never to return. Three weeks earlier a man and his son had gone in to collect bats, never to be seen again. Gasho, was my source of the story and had explained to me. "We only go into the caves and come back at the benevolence of the spirits, who guard the caves, jealously. Who knows what they think about us?" "No story is worth your life," echoed the journalism school training adage, yet I soldiered on because I was committed to the story. We were now halfway atop the sacred mountain when the officiant of the spirits organised for us by Gasho, Mr Ephraim Gombarago Matsvaire, suddenly stopped and instructed us to kneel down in a shaky shriek of a voice. An aura of fear surrounded us. Matsvaire's hands trembled as he took snuff from a worn pouch, sprinkled it on the ground and pleaded with the ancestral spirits -- the sacred vanguards of the Magweto Mountain and its chain of inter-connected caves -- to understand our cause, protect and guide us. We bowed our heads, removed our hats and clapped systematically, along with him. More fearful than before, took off for the final journey into the mountain. Of course, no one was sure whether the ancestors had approved of our presence or not but he had to proceed. Suddenly, we came to the large caves that are home to hundreds of thousands if not millions of bats. Each day around 7pm the bats fly out in all directions in a noisy flap of wings and cover a huge area that one cannot see the sky until they fly away. "This is it," Matsvaire shrieked again. To stay and watch the spectacle, all team members, should not have "touched the breast of a woman the previous night". I insisted in going into the cave, but Gasho and the village head refused. SO I had glimpses of the inside of the cave, where a huge python lay still, probably feeding on the bats. "There is no guarantee that all of us did not sleep with women last night. We must have slept in one room to trust each other. "The best I have done is to lead you to this cave. We can look from the outside. No one will go in today," declared the village head. I was to write one of my best stories, headlined "Where bats are a delicacy!" There, villagers chop off the bat's head that looks like a dog's and the cut off the flabby and rubberish wings then remove the fur with hot water or fire then finally boil for relish. The bats have too much fat that remains in the pot and villagers use the fat to fuel lamps. It burns like paraffin. "The bats are a delicacy. It is good meat. It tastes like goat meat, except that it is too fatty. "One or two bats can do for a person's meal. The fat at the bottom of the pot is used for lighting purposes." Karoi Afro jazz musician, philanthropist, farmer, and socialite Never Gasho who died on Monday to Covid-19 complications was a man of many antics and characters. Your association with him on each day, depended on which Never Gasho appeared before you. His thoughts and character shifted like the shifting tapestry of his guitars and percussion in his music. But on the final analysis, he had a big heart, he loved people, he loved making news and being a news source, at the same time. He loved knowing what was happening around him. Gasho was a darling of many journalists, always with a juicy story in his drawer. He would go out of his way to make sure you get your story. I first met Never Gasho, when he came to collect "The Terrible Twins" Tapiwa and Tapiwanashe, who had gained notoriety for walking the streets of Harare wearing only kilts. The boys had been in and out of court but Gasho offered to rehabilitate them through a cleasning traditional ritual. Indeed, Gasho took the boys to the custody of the spirit mediums Mbuya Nehanda and Sekuru (Makamure) Kaguvi, where the ritual was performed they the boys got back to their senses. Thereafter the boys even married and he helped them start their own businesses in mining and farming. A few months later, I decided to check on the twins and set off to see Gasho. Towards sunset, an epitaph with a witch gliding on a broom, announced my arrival in the town of Karoi: Karoi Welcomes You! I called Gasho, a very reliable news source with almost everything happening in Mashonaland West Province on his fingertips. After several missed calls he answered, bubbling as usual, and directed me to the bank of Karoi River past Chikangwe low density suburb. There I was shocked. I was stunned. What? Gasho had collected with his truck five vagrants from the streets of Karoi town and was bathing them by the river, like babies. When I got there he was scrubbing David a mentally ill man known in the town as Diva. He bathed and toweled Diva dry. But throughout the bathing they were conversing nicely like brothers. Gasho clothed Diva with new clothes and shoes and then did the same to four others. "These guys are not mad, they have just a small missing link with the way we think. I understand them and they understand me. I bath them thrice a year, when it is not cold," he quipped. Back in town he bought them food from a fast foods takeaway and released them onto the streets. I spent half that night at his house, a huge mansion, the biggest house in Karoi that time and aptly named Hollywood by the locals, for its stature and flamboyance. His band, was rehearsing there. He was shocked I did not partake alcohol and snuff. But we clicked. He offered to teach me how to play a guitar and indeed years later he taught me. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Music Zimbabwe By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. In 2009, Karoi Town Council got broke and failed to pay salaries for its workers for three months. Gasho, paid the salaries the entire workforce for three months. That was him. In 2012, the town council had problems cutting the grass and Gasho donated 20 tonnes of maize for a Food-for-Work clean up exercise in the town. A few days before his death Gasho was positive he would overcome Covid-19. He spoke with a very small voice. But on Monday night, he breathed the last. Farewell Never. At some stage, Gasho, who was a traditionalist, who read the Bible with a cunning taste of connecting with the African tradition, a few years ago joined a Pentecostal church in Karoi and within a month, he had built them a block of toilets. For one reason or the other, he disagreed with one of the pastors and left. He called me to go and witness the destruction of the toilets and get a good news story. I persuaded him not to destroy them. I said it was bad publicity and so he let sleeping dogs lie. Gasho had six albums to his musical career. He participated in many jazz festivals. He disagreed with many promoters over what he termed "manipulation.". Karoi, Mashonland West and Zimbabwe will be poorer without Never Gasho. Each morning he posted on Whatsapp groups sermons on traditionla African religion and dreams. He religiously gave forecasts on national politics, mainly from dreams, he claimed were given to him by the spirits. Gasho was an engima. Never Gasho, Never Gasho, Never Gasho! You couldn't just go this way. Two reporters for the Washington Post witnessed Georgia Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a fascist acolyte of former President Donald Trump, accosting New York Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez outside the House of Representatives late Wednesday afternoon. Greene called out to Ocasio-Cortez, who tried to ignore her, and then began denouncing her as a supporter of terrorism, for her support of Black Lives Matter, and claiming falsely she was linked to antifa, the loose grouping of anti-fascist activists that has assumed monumental proportions in right-wing mythology. Screenshot of Marjorie Taylor Green Campaign ad [Source: Marjorie Taylor Greene via Facebook] The charge of supporting terrorism amounts to a death threat, reinforced by the fact that Greene waged her 2020 congressional campaign using commercials showing her armed with an assault rifle and threatening AOC and two other left Democratic congresswomen, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib. Greene has also previously liked comments on Facebook supporting the assassination of Democratic Party politicians, shared and promoted QAnon and anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, and continues to back Trumps false claims that the 2020 election was stolen. The Post reported that the altercation began with Greene shouting Hey Alexandria twice. After Ocasio-Cortez did not respond, Greene quickened her pace and began to berate Ocasio-Cortez, inquiring about her alleged support of antifa and Black Lives Matter while accusing the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) member of failing to defend her radical socialist perspective by agreeing to a debate with Greene. You dont care about the American people, Greene yelled, the Post reported. Why do you support terrorists and antifa? The Post reported that Ocasio-Cortez did not stop to respond to Greene, writing that she only turned, around once and threw her hands in the air in an exasperated motion. After Ocasio-Cortez walked away, Greene turned to a small group of reporters and called Ocasio-Cortez a coward and pathetic. Shes a chicken, she doesnt want to debate the Green New Deal. These members are cowards. They need to defend their legislation to the people. Thats pathetic. Audio clips of the incident obtained by the Capitol Hill press pool and provided to CNN confirmed portions of the comments reported by the Post. In a statement to the Post, Ocasio-Cortez spokeswoman Lauren Hitt wrote: Representative Greene tried to begin an argument with Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez and when Rep. Ocasio-Cortez tried to walk away, Congresswoman Greene began screaming and called Rep. Ocasio-Cortez a terrorist sympathizer. We hope leadership and the Sergeant at Arms will take real steps to make Congress a safe, civil place for all Members and staffespecially as many offices are discussing reopening. One Member has already been forced to relocate her office due to Congresswoman Greenes attacks. In late January, freshman Democratic Representative Cori Bush of St. Louis, also a DSA member, announced that she had decided to move her congressional office away from Greenes for the safety of my team. Greene responded by attacking Bush on Twitter as the leader of the St. Louis Black Lives Matter terrorist mob who trespassed into a gated neighborhood to threaten the lives of the McCloskeys. Last summer, Mark and Patricia McCloskey became heroes of the far-right and were invited to speak at the 2020 Republican National Convention after photos went viral of the couple pointing weapons at peaceful anti-police-violence protesters who walked past their mansion. Greene continued to attack Ocasio-Cortez on social media on Thursday, calling her a fraud and a hypocrite for refusing to debate the fascist congresswoman, who has previously shared videos promoting the fascist Great Replacement Theory, which alleges that Zionist supremacists are promoting Muslim immigration to Europe in a scheme to outbreed white people. Solidarizing herself with the ethnic cleansing currently underway in Gaza, Greene falsely accused Ocasio-Cortez of supporting Hamas and demanded that she be expelled along with other left-talking members of the Democratic Party who have mildly criticized Israels ongoing massacre in Gaza. Appealing to racists, fascists and Islamophobes, Greene tweeted a hashtag rebranding Ocasio-Cortez, Talib, Omar and Vice President Kamala Harris as members of the #JihadSquad. Speaking on Thursday about the incident, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi characterized Greenes conduct as verbal assault and said it was so beyond the pale that it should be investigated by the House Ethics Committee. This is beneath the dignity of a person serving in the Congress of the United States and is a cause for trauma and fear among members, especially on the heels of an insurrection in which the minority in the committee yesterday denied ever happened. While the Socialist Equality Party has numerous and deep political differences with Ocasio-Cortez and the Democratic Socialists of America, we condemn the violent threats against her and defend their democratic right to conduct political work without threats and attacks from the fascist right. In light of the January 6 fascist coup attempt, directed by Trump with the support of the majority of the Republican Party and sections of the police, military and intelligence agencies, Greenes accusations against Ocasio-Cortez of terrorist sympathies should be understood as a deadly threat to all those holding left-wing and socialist views. The Communication Electrical and Plumbers Union (CEPU) advised its members at Australia Post (AP) that it began backroom negotiations with management this week for a new workplace Enterprise Agreement (EA) at the state-owned postal facility. In an email yesterday, the union complained that management had rejected its proposals for a return to regular start times, which have been substantially altered with the rollout over the past year of an Alternative Delivery Model (ADM). The CEPU touted a recent trial of previous start times, declaring that it had improved productivity, attendance hours, overtime hours and cost per article. An Australia Post delivery van (Credit: Wikimedia Commons, EurovisionNim) While issuing some bluster against management, the union made clear that it is willing to continue its collaboration with AP. Over the past 12 months, the CEPU has imposed the largest restructure in APs history, creating intolerable conditions for workers and focusing the businesses activities on the lucrative parcel sector, in preparation for its privatisation. For all their claims to oppose the ADM, the CEPU, behind the backs of their members, signed a memorandum of understanding with management last June providing for its implementation and banning any industrial action by workers. The CEPU email demonstrated that the union will continue this pro-company role. It stated that during negotiations there was robust and fairly genuine early discussions about what an actual legitimate future sustainable operating model could look like, how our members could play a genuine role in the development of that model and the extent of which the Federal Governments workplace bargaining policy would, or would not, apply to Australia Post and how that may affect wage outcomesif at all. In other words, everything is on the table, and negotiations are proceeding on the basis of what AP management and the government want, as they step up their restructuring offensive. Moreover, while the union claims to oppose any extension of the ADM, the horse has already bolted. And it is directing workers hostility to the restructure behind the big business Labor Party, which is no less committed to privatisation and further productivity measures than the government. The email stated: Australia Post outlined that they are not seeking substantial changes to the current Agreement on their end, other than to update matters for compliance purposes. We at least see this as a positive, subject to the detail of what those compliance matters actually are. This is a declaration that the CEPU is not going to fight for any improvement in conditions, after the worst 12-month period for posties in decades. The backroom talks underscore the importance of a statement issued by the Postal Workers Rank-and-File Committee last month. The committee has called for a break with the unions and an independent political and industrial struggle by workers around a clear set of demands, including a complete end to the ADM or any version of it, the restoration of all lost conditions, a 10 percent per annum wage rise with no trade-offs, and no privatisation. The WSWS recently spoke to several workers who support this call. One of them stated: I think the demands cover some basic unresolved issues facing postal workers. They give a voice to what is actually happening on the coal face. They begin with what is necessary for us and not what is possible as far as the crumbs Australia Post management, the government and the unions may brush our way. I think they are based on social equality and place our health and livelihoods in order of first rank, rather than profits. I think it is important that we have a voice framed in demands instead of always having things forced upon us. To develop the struggle for the realisation of the demands will require a political education for postal workers. It will require the building of the Postal Workers Rank and File Committee and an understanding that this is our fight. We can no longer outsource our responsibility to fight for our future to unions and delegates and committees who have no interest in upsetting the status quo. Postal workers need to step up to the plate and shoulder this struggle. Through the unions we have gone backwards. Managements steamroller has not even been slowed down. The union has paved the way for the further rolling back of our conditions. The closed-door discussions around the new EBA are the modus operandi of the union leaders and their supporters. They discuss, they sign off and then, at the last minute, they show us something they have already agreed upon and demand we sign off. We have been and continue to be excluded from any process that affects us including the EBA. Another declared: The demands made by the postal rank and file committee are just and earnest to all Australia Post workers. Major issues such as the chaotic ADM model, low-wage growth and overpaid management are addressed by the demands. To win these demands need the full support of postal workers. The demands need to be adopted, discussed and taken seriously because together we can make it happen. The union will no doubt treat these demands as folly and argue against any serious discussion of them. They will say to leave the fight with them, to trust in them as they continue to bargain our rights away for less and less gain. This fight needs to be by worker for workers. The closed door discussion between the union and executive management exposed by the WSWS article are disgusting but not surprising. It is a direct betrayal of its members and further shows the union hasnt the power or the motive to fight for improved workers rights and conditions. Postal services need genuine socialist public ownership and worker control because it is a service vital to many Australian communities and does provide essential connection via the letters and parcel services. There is far more loyalty and experience in the thousands of hours worked by Australia Posts frontline staff who actually move the product around and engage with the community. This is in stark contrast to the few years spent by CEOs and executive board members who cut services and standards in order to earn their bonuses before they jump ship and move on to other ventures. A third worker, with several decades of experience in industry, condemned the CEPUs promotion of Labor. He recalled that, Since the Hawke and Keating government came to power in 1983, the program of the Labor and unions has been pro-business restructuring. This program has led to the destruction of hundreds of thousands of full time jobs. Over that nearly 40-year period, the Labor and unions have sabotaged every attempt by the working class to fight back against the job destruction. That shows the fight at AP and everywhere else needs to be waged by workers independently of Labor and the unions. A fourth worker spoke about the CEPUs attempts to channel the anger of AP staff behind fruitless appeals to the federal parliament, which is claims can be convinced to block an extension of government regulation required for the ADM to proceed. The worker said, The union has done its survey on the ADM, where many workers pointed to how bad it is, and has presented some of the findings to the latest parliamentary inquiry. The CEPU is more interested in trying to sway and convince the Senate that they should oppose the ADM than on doing anything else. But these appeals to parliament havent stopped the government and AP management from implementing the ADM, with the help of the CEPU. As we knew from the beginning of this pandemic crisis, this was used as the excuse to start the process of privatisation. I dont think we are going to stop the ADM and this privatisation process through the Senate. I dont have any faith in the unions. They have led us on a wild goose chase into the Senate and its a dead end. The CEPU refused to take on AP management when they went to the government asking for regulatory change to facilitate the ADM and they refused to fight the government when it introduced it. Then they stood by and watched as the changes were made and told us we couldnt take any action against it. I think we need to organise mass industrial and political action of postal workers. And I think that if we are to be successful, we will need to unite our fight with workers everywhere. The statement I read explains this quite well: This is a political struggle against the government, Labor, the unions and corporations. It requires the unity of Australia Post workers across the country and a turn to broader sections of the working class who face the same big business onslaught. That pretty much sums it up, that is why I support the rank and file committee; its the only organisation fighting to do that. President Joe Biden completed three days of high-level meetings at the White House where he has sought some semblance of Republican support for the $2.3 trillion infrastructure bill his administration put forward last month. While repeatedly praising these talks as good faith negotiations, he has evaded the obvious contradiction: The party with whom he is bargaining denies his own legitimacy as president. The Republican Party is entirely subordinated to former President Donald Trump, who has declared the 2020 election a fraud and Biden an illegitimate president. On Wednesday morning, the House Republican Conference removed Representative Liz Cheney as its chair because she opposed Trumps baseless claims of election fraud and held him responsible for the January 6 attack on Congress. President Joe Biden speaks about updated guidance on mask mandates, in the Rose Garden of the White House, Thursday, May 13, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy engineered a swift purge of Cheneyin response to orders from Trumpand 90 minutes later was sitting in the White House meeting with Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, side by side with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. Afterwards McCarthy denied the obvious contradiction, saying that he now acknowledged Biden as the president and was not seeking to dispute the election any further. But his political office sent out a fundraising letter only minutes after the meeting, declaring, I just met with Corrupt Joe Biden and hes STILL planning to push his radical Socialist agenda onto the American people. This political realitythat the Republican Party denies the legitimacy of the Biden administrationunderlies the entire process of bargaining and negotiations which is under way. In keeping with the longstanding trend in American capitalist politics, the Democratic Party, which controls the White House and both houses of Congress, acts as the supplicant, and the Republican Party, which lost the 2020 presidential election by a considerable margin, seven million votes, acts as though it had a political mandate. Behind the Republicans there is a sizable fascist element spearheaded by ex-President Trump, with significant support within the institutions of the capitalist state, particularly the police and military. That support was given voice in an extraordinary open letter, published Monday and signed by 124 retired flag officers (former generals and admirals), vilifying Biden and the Democratic Party, and indicating their support for Trumps claims of a stolen election. These retired officers combine the anticommunist delusion that under Biden our Country has taken a hard left turn toward Socialism and a Marxist form of tyrannical government with a ferocious hostility towards China, and the insistence that American society must direct all its efforts to counter the drive of the Chinese Communist Party to continue progress toward world domination, militarily, economically, politically and technologically. Among the 124 signatories are retired Army Brig. Gen. Don Bolduc, who was a failed candidate for US Senate in New Hampshire in 2020 and is running again in 2022; retired Army Lt. Gen. William Boykin, notorious for his Christian fundamentalist views, who held high Pentagon positions in the George W. Bush administration; and two figures from the Iran-Contra affair of 1986-87: retired Vice Adm. John Poindexter, deputy national security adviser for President Ronald Reagan, and retired Air Force Major General Richard Secord, once the Pentagons top man in Thailand and later in Iran, when it was ruled by the Shah. In other words, these officers have long and well-established connections to the Republican Party and to previous Republican administrations. They come forward now as a full-fledged fascist battalion taking sides with Trump against the Biden administration. Biden has sought to downplay all questions related to the January 6 attack on Congress and the incessant attacks by the fascist right on the legitimacy of the 2020 elections and of his administration. Instead, he has intensified efforts to reach a bipartisan agreement with the Republicans on his top legislative priorities, the American Jobs Plan and the American Family Plan, which total $4.1 trillion in spending on infrastructure and social programs. On Tuesday Biden met virtually with Republican and Democratic governors, then held his first face-to-face meeting with the four top Democratic and Republican congressional leaders on Wednesday. This was followed by a face-to-face meeting with six Republican senators on Thursday, where the president was at pains to present their $568 billion infrastructure counteroffer (barely one-fourth of the bill he proposed) as a serious start to negotiations. Both Biden and Senator Shelly Moore Capito of West Virginia, the leader of the group of Republican senators, were effusive in their assessment of the 90-minute meeting Thursday. Were very encouraged, Capito told reporters afterwards. The attitude the president had in the Oval Office with us was very supportive and desirous of striking a deal. Biden sounded a similar tune, saying, I am very optimistic that we can reach a reasonable agreementand even if we dont, its been a good faith effort. He said the group of Republican senators was to rework their offer in light of the discussion and return next week for further talks. The meeting included two members of the Republican leadership, John Barrasso of Wyoming and Roy Blunt of Missouri, as well as fiscal conservatives Mike Crapo of Idaho, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania and Roger Wicker of Mississippi. Biden was joined by Vice President Kamala Harris, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. The Republican position, articulated by the six senators Thursday and by McConnell and McCarthy on Wednesday, was to limit the term infrastructure to physical components like roads, bridges, airports and broadband, while excluding any social component like education, health care services or child care. They also insisted that there could not be the slightest reversal of the 2017 tax cut for corporations and the wealthy. Were not interested in reopening the 2017 tax bill. We both made that clear with the president. Thats our red line, McConnell said after his White House meeting. This discussion ... will not include revisiting the 2017 tax bill. The arrogance of this declaration is quite striking. Virtually the only substantive issue on fiscal policy raised by the Democrats in the 2020 elections was to criticize the 2017 tax cut as a windfall for the wealthy. Public opinion polls show that raising taxes on corporations and the rich is overwhelmingly popular. If US government policy were actually determined by popular sentiment, tax increases on the rich would be the first order of business. But under capitalism, the state is an instrument of the capitalist class, not the people, and public policy is determined by the interests of the superrich owners of the banks and corporations. As it is, Biden only proposed to reverse half the 2017 tax cut for the corporations, which took their income tax rate down from 35 percent to 21 percent. Under the Biden administration plan, this would be raised only to 28 percent, although Biden considers even that level negotiable. Some Senate Democrats, most prominently West Virginias Joe Manchin, have expressed support for a rate of 25 percent. Not a single Republican is willing to raise the corporate rate by even a single point. As for the spending portion of the legislation, Biden said Wednesday, in an interview with Lawrence ODonnell of MSNBC, that he was contemplating a deal to win Republican support for the physical infrastructure portion, between $600 billion and $800 billion, while enacting the remainder of the spending through the procedure known as reconciliation, which requires only a simple majority. I want to get a bipartisan deal on as much as we can get a bipartisan deal onand that means roads, bridges, broadband, all infrastructure, Biden said. And then fight over whats left and see if I can get it done without Republicans, if need be. The physical infrastructure would likely be financed through anticipated collections of unpaid taxes, based on an estimate that $80 billion in additional funding for the Internal Revenue Service will collect $700 billion to $1 trillion from wealthy and corporate tax-dodgers, according to House Speaker Pelosi. Thats a big chunk that would go a long way, she said Thursday. These comments indicate that the Democrats are open to passing a bipartisan infrastructure bill along the lines acceptable to the Republicans, paid for by only hypothetical tax increases. This would leave the bulk of the proposed spendingand all the real tax increases on the wealthy and big businessto the tender mercies of the most right-wing, pro-corporate Democrats like Manchin of West Virginia, who will either water down the plan even further or block it altogether. On Thursday, for the third day in a week, Brazilians took to the streets of Rio de Janeiro and other state capitals to protest against a police raid in the Jacarezinho favela in Rio de Janeiros working-class northern zone on May 6 which left 28 dead, the largest number for a single police operation since 1989. That was the first year under the current Brazilian Constitution, which ended, on paper, the death squad operations of the 1964-85 US-backed military dictatorship. The massacre was put at the center of traditional May 13 marches nationwide that commemorate the abolition of slavery in 1888 and protest against social inequality and police violence. Demonstrations demanding the end of police massacres had previously been held in Sao Paulo on Saturday and on the evening following the intervention in northern Rio, drawing thousands of residents. Relatives and residents protest a day after a deadly police operation in the Jacarezinho favela of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Friday, May 7, 2021. (AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo) The raid was presented by police as an operation to arrest 21 suspects for recruiting child soldiers for drug trafficking. The Jacarezinho favela is considered the main stronghold of Rios Red Commando drug gang. Of the 21 suspects, only three were arrested, and another three were killed. Another 24 of the dead had no relation to the case, with nine having no charges against them whatsoever. In addition to the 24 residents, one police officer was killed under still unclear circumstances, allegedly shot in the head at the beginning of the operation, which served as a pretext for the police to unleash an 11-hour reign of terror which washed the streets with blood. Starting at 6:00 a.m., 250 officers swarmed the favela supported by helicopters and armored personal carriers. Police broke into houses, killing altogether peaceful or surrendering residents in front of family members and children, leaving defaced bodies exposed in the street to intimidate residents. The surviving suspects were forced to carry the bodies into the police APCs, a common form of psychological torture employed by Brazilian police units, as the police sought to destroy evidence of its crimes in the raid. In the period since 1989, after the ostensible dismantling of state terror operations, the only episode to leave more dead in Rio occurred in 2005 in the cities of Nova Iguacu and Queimados, in Rios northern industrial suburbs. The 2005 mass murder was carried out by the so-called militias, the off-duty police gangs which terrorize working-class areas under the pretext of fighting off Red Commando and other drug-trafficking gangs. These militias enjoy the support of far-right politicians, such as President Jair Bolsonaro who spent 28 years as a congressional deputy until 2018, 13 of them as part of the Workers Party (PT) ruling coalition. The operation went ahead in open defiance of a Supreme Court ruling banning favela raids unless authorized by the Rio State Attorneys Office (MP-RJ), which was only informed of the operation three hours into the slaughter. The ruling was delivered in June at the request of the Socialist Party (PSB), whose attorneys claimed the police were using the cover of COVID-19 measures to escalate deadly and illegal favela operations. The court ban has done little to reduce the number of people murdered by the police in Rio de Janeiro. Almost 6,000 Brazilians are killed by police every year. In less than a year since the court ban on raids, over 970 people have been killed by Rio police. The bloody raid in Jacarezinho is a sharp and tragic exposure of the fascistic views and methods being cultivated by President Bolsonaro within the 27 state-controlled police corps. The COVID-19 pandemic has already inflicted over 430,000 deaths while plunging 60 percent of Brazilians into food insecurity, even as billionaires increased their wealth by 72 percent. Bolsonaro is engaged in a conspiracy on multiple fronts to gain dictatorial powers. State-controlled police forces, acting in defiance of bourgeois-democratic institutions, are among his most faithful constituencies. Barely a month ago, Bolsonaro coordinated with his closest allies the sacking of the entire Armed Forces command in a bid to align them to his coup plotting. Simultaneously, government-loyalist House members attempted to instigate a mutiny of the Bahia state police against Governor Rui Costa. In March, over a dozen youth were arrested or subpoenaed in relation to violations of national security, based exclusively on state police monitoring of social media, an action entirely alien to the enforcement of national security laws. Police in the capital Brasilia also arrested on national security grounds five youth after they briefly unfurled a banner calling Bolsonaros COVID-19 policy genocide. On May Day, police broke into an apartment in Brazils sixth largest city, Belo Horizonte, and arrested its occupants during a fascistic march of Bolsonaro supporters, based exclusively on the fact that demonstrators had pointed to a resident opposing the march from his balcony. On May 5, Bolsonaro threatened to decree as illegal any social distancing measure and warned, Do not dare to challenge it. The blood-soaked intervention in Rio was met with a flurry of praise from President Bolsonaro, Vice President Gen. Hamilton Mourao and Bolsonaros close ally, Rio Governor Claudio Castro. The alignment with Bolsonaro and the fascistic reasoning behind the raid were proudly expressed by deputies who spoke to the press after it ended. Deputy Felipe Cury railed against any attempt to hold the police accountable for the massacre, declaring,There are no suspects. They are all criminals, bandits, drug dealers and murderers, because they tried to kill officers. Another deputy, Rodrigo Oliveira, made clear court orders would mean nothing to the police. He said, The police will always be present. We will go anywhere. Because of judicial activism, we have been restrained from entering the communities. This makes gangs stronger. After deputy Cury justified the slaughter with the death of an officer at the beginning of the raid, Oliveira extended the threat to all those demanding the most basic democratic rights, telling the press, I would like to make it very clear that the blood of this officer, who died today for societys sake, is on the hands of these people. In a fascistic rant, Oliveira explicitly included among those with blood on their hands what passes for the left in Brazil, particularly the pseudo-left Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL). PSOLs main leader in Rio, House member Marcelo Freixo, responded to the action with the usual apologies for the state repressive apparatus and calls for the strengthening of intelligence as a means to reduce police lethality. Oliveira mocked such calls, stating that some pseudo-specialists in security had invented the logic that the greater the intelligence and knowledge, the lesser the reaction of gangs. In other words, the police have no intention of hiding their contempt for democratic rights behind the pseudo-lefts apologies. Later, on May 9, Bolsonaro remarked that the press and the left, using the word victim for drug dealers who steal, kill and destroy families are actually offending the people, concluding with an homage to the slain officer. On May 11, Castro delivered a fascistic rant centered on the raid, declaring his mission, as well as that of the police, was to liberate our people, including from you, referring to PSOL. For his part, Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes endorsed the fascistic threats of the police deputies, depicting the Supreme Court raid ban as an attack on the legitimacy of the police, which says the state cannot enforce the law in a given territory. Paess immediate alignment with Bolsonaro barely five months after taking office is at the same time a sharp exposure of the pro-military policies of the self-styled opposition to Bolsonaro in the PT and PSOL. Both parties supported him against Bolsonaros favored candidate for mayor, millionaire evangelical preacher Marcelo Crivella, depicting Paes as fundamentally opposed to Bolsonaros fascistic agitation, embodied by Crivella. It is also an exposure of both parties programs of opposing Bolsonaro with nationalist and militaristic agitation, promoting the investigative police divisions, calling the civilian police a constitutionalist stronghold against Bolsonaro, as opposed to the Military Policea gendarme force tasked with street patrols, riot control and which is responsible for the majority of police murders. For decades, both parties have opposed police violence with the central demand of demilitarization of the police, i.e., dissolving the gendarmerie into the civilian police corps tasked with investigations. In order to disorient the opposition to Bolsonaro, the PT and PSOL launched over 150 police candidates in the 2020 mayoral elections. While increasingly turning to the Military Police, both parties defended themselves by claiming the majority of the candidates had been drawn from the nonmilitary, constitutionalist branches, into which the Military Police should be dissolved. That was precisely the division which carried the latest, and deadliest ever, favela raid. Workers and youth opposed to police violence in Brazil must draw the appropriate political conclusions. The Jacarezinho raid is a sharp warning of what is being prepared by the ruling class in anticipation of mass struggles. The operation came on the heels of a nationwide murder rampage by the Colombian police forces, trained by US imperialism in the same war on drugs pursued by the Brazilian ruling class against the workers. This war was vastly escalated under the 13-year PT rule, setting the stage for the reemergence of the military at the center of political life. For workers and youth to prepare for the coming struggles, the treacherous subordination of the working class to one or another section of the capitalist state promoted by the PT and PSOL must be rejected, and a truly socialist leadership must be builta Brazilian section of the International Committee of the Fourth International. After months in which workers at automotive products manufacturer Continental have been opposing the threat of job cuts with continuing actions, on April 20, the Continental Executive Board in Hannover and the unions went public with an agreement. Protest against the closure of the Continental plant in Karben, Hesse, 15 April 2021 (Photo WSWS) What the IG Metall and IG BCE unions, as well as the media, are praising as a solid negotiation result and a great success is the sealing of a long-planned attack. To save at least 1 billion a year, 30,000 jobs will be eliminated throughout the company and in Germany alone 13,000 jobs will be cut. Several plants are to be closed and the closures will only be delayed for a short time. The closure of the tyre manufacturing plant in Aachen, for example, has been postponed from the end of 2021 to the end of 2022. Last September, there were still 1,800 employees in Aachen and of these, hundreds are now already being laid off via severance agreements and non-renewal of temporary contracts. By the end of the year, only 500 workers will remain to wind up operations at the plant. A massive cutback is also being threatened in Regensburg, where up to 2,000 employees will lose their jobs. At the same time, Regensburg is to become the headquarters of the outsourced Conti-Antriebstechnologie (drive technology), now called Vitesco Technologies. Only electromobility work is to be done here. This was confirmed by Supervisory Board Chairman Wolfgang Reitzle and Executive Board Chairman Nikolai Setzer at Continentals annual general meeting on April 29. In the longer term, Continental, or Vitesco Technologies, intends to exit the combustion engine industry altogether. In Karben, Hesse, the announced closure of the electronics plant is also only being postponedfrom 2023 to 2025. After 2023, only 337 of the current 1,088 employees, or just under a third, will remain. Just 150 workers will wind up in what remains of Continental Automotive GmbH and only 187 employees will continue to work for Continental Engineering Services (CES). These minor delays are the great success about which the IG Metall works council representatives boast. Meanwhile, they hope that CES [at the Karben site] will grow again. CES has set the target of doubling sales within five years, however, this will only serve to put massive pressure on employees to forgo any bargaining demands in the meantime. Jobs are also being cut at numerous other Continental locations, and plants such as at Babenhausen near Frankfurt (2,570 jobs) or Roding in Oberpfalz (520 jobs) are affected by closures. In this way, Continental aims to maintain its competitiveness on the world market and bolster its shareholders profits. With 230,000 jobs, Continental is the worlds second-largest automotive supplier. Its largest shareholder is the Schaeffler family and the Schaeffler Group is the sixth-richest German business enterprise. The media made much of the fact that shareholders at Continentals annual general meeting on Thursday decided to forgo a dividend for 2020. As recently as last summer, Continental paid out 600 million in dividends to its shareholders, despite the pandemic. Continental and Schaeffler are among companies using the coronavirus pandemic as a pretext to push through long-planned cutbacks. In their drive for profits, they will concentrate production, relocate it to the most cost-effective sites and irreversibly destroy tens of thousands of previously well-paid jobs. IG Metall and IG BCE stand on their side in this. The trade unions have taken on the task of pushing through the massive job cuts. IG Metall deputy chair Christiane Benner is also deputy chair of the Continental supervisory board. She has been involved in the plans for the mass redundancies and closures since the end of 2019. The trade unions, with their network of works council representatives and shop stewards at all sites, are ensuring that they are enforced. Through tightly controlled, limited protest actions, they seek to dissipate and blunt workers anger to ensure it does not interfere with managements plans. The Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality Party) and its sister parties around the world in the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI) are fighting to build action committees to mobilize the workers independent of the corporatist unions in a struggle for secure jobs uniting workers across production sites and national borders. The ICFI is calling for workers to join and build the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC). In a statement issued for May Day it says of unions like IG Metall, These organizations are unions in name only. In actual practice, they long ago abandoned any defense of the interests of the workers they claim to represent and now function as co-conspirators of corporate management and the state. This is exemplified by the role of IG Metall at Continental. In Karben, the works council announced only a fortnight ago that IG Metall was preparing a ballot and an indefinite strike to defend the jobs. Lets be clear, the union wrote in its flyer, IG Metall and the works council want to preserve the plant and the jobs at the Karben site. Two weeks later, this is all water under the bridge. Now, it is announced as a great success that at least 750 workers will lose their jobs in Karben by the end of next year and a total of 900 employees by 2025. For 12 years, the unions have been imposing one round of concessions after another on the workers arguing that this would defend jobs. The World Socialist Web Site has repeatedly warned that far from defending jobs the collaboration of the unions with management and the imposition of concessions has expedited the attacks on jobs. The WSWS wrote, In the end, however, the unions signature will set the seal on the closure, coupled with its familiar methods of pressuring workers to take early retirement, severance pay and a transfer into a subsidiary company, which in turn leads to unemployment after a few months. This is exactly what happened. Now the plant closures are being carried through, accompanied by a set of measures that the unions are selling as the success of our struggle, It was thus possible to keep the consequences of the plant closure bearable for the workers, as Francesco Grioli from the IG BCE executive board put it. In addition to part-time work for older workers and severance packages, the well-known transfer companies will be set up, which have been notorious for 30 years as transfer stations into unemployment. In addition, a solidarity fund is to be set up for laid-off temporary and fixed-term workers, which IG Metall itself admits is not big. It goes on to say in its statement on the Karben plant, For the members of IG Metall who worked as permanent employees, we negotiated significantly higher severance pay. This privileging of union members is probably the most overt proof that IG Metall is deliberately dividing the workers. Those who do not declare their support for the union, or even dare to criticise it, should know from the outset that they will be the first to be dismissed and under the worst conditions. 404 This page could not be found . Dar es Salaam At a time when Tanzania was in an economic quagmire following the collapse of recovery negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IFM), it was actually two distinguished economists that informed the government on how to end the deadlock. The two, whose names come strongly in retired President Ali Hassan Mwinyi's memoirs, are former Bank of Tanzania (BoT) Governor, the late, Prof Benno Ndulu, and the Civic United Front (CUF) national chairman, Prof Ibrahim Lipumba. "The two seasoned economists from the University of Dar es Salaam helped us a lot," writes Mr Mwinyi in his memoir titled: 'Mzee Rukhsa: Safari ya Maisha Yangu ('Mzee Rukhsa: Journey of My Life'). This is the second time in less than one month that Prof Ndulu - who died on February 22, this year - is mentioned for his role in Tanzania's economic transformation agenda by a former head of state. Late last month, former President Jakaya Kikwete described Prof Ndulu as one of the distinguished economists who played a pivotal role in fostering a sound economic growth and all-inclusive development in Tanzania. In his reflection on Prof Ndulu during a virtual panel discussion that was organised by the Africa House of the US- based New York University, former President Kikwete narrated how he met with the departed economist during the days as students at the University of Dar es Salaam in 1972. Mr Kikwete narrated how he ended up recommending Prof Ndulu for appointment as the first chairman of the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) board after he (Mr Kikwete) had been appointed Finance minister in the Mwinyi administration and how he sought his advice after he (Mr Kikwete) had become President of Tanzania in 2005. Mzee Mwinyi's story clearly shows that the late Prof Ndulu and Prof Lipumba are straight forward economists who will call a spade a spade even where one would say it was just a working tool. With founding President Julius Nyerere's hard line stance towards the IMF's conditions on how Tanzania's economy was to be resuscitated, the two economists had to advise the government the truth that very few - if any - were willing to hear about during the very early days of Mr Mwinyi's presidency. "Our economists showed us that each and every economic sector was performing retrogressively each passing year. They blamed the poor performance of state-owned corporations. They blamed the government for what they termed as failing in its regulatory roles that resulted in the creation of parallel economy whereby," he writes. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Tanzania Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Prof Ndulu, Prof Lipumba and other economists, Mr Mwinyi writes, informed the government that time was ripe to make hard decision by striking an agreement with the IMF that saw the government receiving a World Bank loan of $335 million to boost the country's foreign reserves. At that point, Tanzania's foreign reserves could not sustain the country's import bill for even one week. With further advice from the then Finance minister, Mr Cleopa Msuya, Mr Mwinyi had to arrive at a decision that was, however, hated by almost everyone in the ruling class, including the army and the ruling party. That was how he decided that the government should resume its negotiations with the IMF while also working on other issues that would boost the economy. In the process, the government embarked on a number of other economic reforms that put the country on the move from one where the state controlled all means of production to the market-led one. Written and directed by Piotr Domalewski The restoration of capitalism in the USSR and Eastern Europe in 1989-91 brought about a social, cultural and intellectual regression of immense proportions. The decades of Stalinist crimes and the confusion they generated in the population about socialism, combined with the greed, ambition and stupidity of the newly liberated bourgeois and petty-bourgeois layers, produced a culture that was largely as backward and empty as it was ignorant and unfeeling. As if emerging single file from a dense fog, interesting films have appeared from Poland, Romania, Bulgaria and the former Yugoslavia in particular. The best of the new films exhibit telltale signs of disillusionment with the lies about capitalist restoration and begin to confront the new social realities, although many issues remain. I Never Cry Polish writer-director Piotr Domalewskis I Never Cry (Jak najdalej stad) tackles the subject of Polish migration to more prosperous European Union countries and the difficulties encountered by the families they leave behind. The movie follows Ola (Zofia Stafiej), a tough 17-year-old Polish teen obsessed with passing a drivers test after several unsuccessful attempts. After failure number three, she explains, she feels like a whore in the rain. Her father, who has been working in Ireland, promised her money for a car once she obtained her license. For the rebellious girl, a vehicle means potential escape from the poverty she shares with her mother (Kinga Preis) and severely disabled brother (Dawid Tulej). In their cramped, dingy flat, the three can barely take a breath. Olas father left Poland half my life ago. She chain-smokes, cuts school and has a F-----g police! ring tone that blares at top volume during the most inopportune moments. Eventually, hearse-stealing will be added to her resume. When her father dies in a work accident, Ola is charged by her mother, who does not speak English and is the sole caregiver of her son, with bringing the body back from Dublin. Despite her age, she is (too) easily able to thwart officious bureaucrats in the Irish capital, including the job agency agent (Arkadiusz Jakubik), her fathers employer and the coroner. So unfamiliar is Ola with her father, that she cannot identify his body without calling her mother to inquire about birthmarks. Olas street smarts work to her advantage as she effortlessly breaks into company offices, ransacks her fathers locker and confronts the latters pregnant mistress, Sara (Cosmina Stratan), a Romanian immigrant. In fact, Ola ends up helping Sara, who is the victim of sexual harassment in her workplace. Due to a technicality and the difficulties in proving poor working conditions, there is no money resulting from the accident, but Ola learns her father has put cash aside for her. This contributes toward Olas emotional coming to terms with his absenteeism. When she accomplishes her mission, Ola discovers that her tear ducts do indeed function! I Never Cry is relatively clear-sighted about economic and social realities in the new Europe. There is not much room here for nonsense about freedom and democracy and the wonders of the free market. I Never Cry (2020) However, the film exhibits an undue and unnecessary chilliness. Various factors feed into this phenomenon, which is widespread. Particularly in eastern Europe, the artists have a terror of anything that smacks of social realism, because of the mistaken association of artistic and psychological realism with Stalinism. In addition, there is the unhappy influence of various trends at present that identify coldness and brutality with getting to the heart of things. Director Domalewski works a little too hard at being hip and cool, causing the film to lack a certain subtlety and warmth. These are indications that the filmmaker is still under the sway of a difficult cultural situationand that includes his obvious nod to identity politics: Ola is an unconquerable heroine. All the actors perform well within the confines of their narrowly defined roles. I Never Cry, to its credit, does point to the phenomenon of Euro-orphans. In Poland and elsewhere, hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of children grow up without one or both parents, as the latter have been forced to emigrate out of economic necessity. Olas hardness is the result in part of the undigested pain of her orphan status. She has suffered an emotional short-circuiting, which cannot be easily worked through because of her stunted, stifled existence. NGOs estimate that in European Union member states like Romania, Bulgaria and Poland, for example, 500,000 to 1 million children have been affected. Since joining the EU in 2004, Poland has experienced one of the largest emigrations in its postwar history. In addition, Polish migrant workers in Ireland face serious levels of exploitation, characterized by zero hour contracts, wage theft, discrimination and often hazardous working conditions. As Ola discovers, her fathers life meant nothing to his employer, who threw a few euros at her after the Personal Injury Assessment Board Report denied any compensation. The Polish worker could be legally considered a non-person because he had switched shifts with a colleague. Hard to get to know someone when theyre not here, gloats his boss. A dead body in the workplace was barely an inconvenience, as apparently no serious investigation as to the cause of the accident was performed. Another migrant worker becomes a faceless statistic. Domalewski provides a snapshot of a specific condition. The film gives no indication of much insight or even interest into the source of the eastern European malaise. Many Polish artists no doubt despise the foul Law and Justice Party (PiS) government, which is ferociously authoritarian, anti-communist and anti-cultural, but they dont yet see a way out of the present impasse. Hundreds of migrant workers and supporters rallied outside New Zealands parliament in Wellington yesterday to protest the Labour Party-Greens coalition governments anti-immigrant policies. The day before, hundreds attended protest vigils in Auckland, Christchurch and Hamilton. About 60 demonstrators also gathered in Queenstown, a tourism centre where many migrants lost their jobs last year due to the COVID-19 border closure and the economic collapse. Thousands of migrants were unable to access unemployment benefits. A banner at the Wellington protest: 690 days split from my kids as a single parent: Enough is enough! Bring them home. (Source: WSWS Media) The events expressed mounting anger among immigrants, who make up a large portion of the populationabout one in four people in NZ was born overseas. Thousands of migrant workers and international students, whose visas entitle them to live in New Zealand, have been stranded for more than a year outside the country. Many have been separated from their families, jobs and homes in New Zealand. Meanwhile, thousands who live in New Zealand are facing interminable delays after applying for residency. Like governments internationally, Prime Minister Jacinda Arderns government is responding to the social crisis triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic by seeking to scapegoat immigrants and stoke nationalism. In a blatantly discriminatory action, the government temporarily banned all travel from India from April 11 to April 28. The Australian government recently took similar action. No such ban was ever implemented for travel from the US, UK or other countries where COVID-19 has been rampant. The NZ rallies were organised by the Federation of Aotearoa Migrants (FAM), a recently formed umbrella group. It includes Migrants NZ, which began as a Facebook group for migrants to share their stories; the Migrant Workers Association, which is linked to the trade unions; the Migrant Rights Network NZ; and the Association of New Kiwis Aotearoa. FAM called for migrants already in NZ to be given residency, an end to visa processing delays, and for migrants stuck overseas to be allowed back. It is also demanding an end to work visas being linked to specific employersa rule that gives companies power to exploit migrant workers and threaten them with deportation if they complain. Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi addressed the crowd outside parliament. He feigned sympathy for migrants while declaring that these are extraordinary times and the border controls and managed isolation regime were essential to keep people safe. He gave no explanation for the extraordinary backlog of unprocessed visa applications. Faafoi said, Others will say: open the borders to everyone who has family here and wants to be reunited, but it is not that simple I cant, today, bring you the news that you want to hear. The minister ended his brief speech amid shouts of Shame, Not good enough! and Bring them back! The government has repurposed several hotels into managed isolation and quarantine (MIQ) facilities, where citizens and residents must spend two weeks after returning from overseas. These hotels are often understaffed, and poor management has led to leaks of COVID-19 cases into the community. The government has refused to set up properly run facilities to accommodate more returnees, including migrants. At the Wellington rally, migrants from China, India, Sri Lanka, the UK and South Africa, spoke about their experiences with Immigration New Zealand (INZ) and the traumatic effects on their families. Alan John Koshy, a journalist from Kerala, India, who moved to New Zealand in 2017, denounced INZs practices as short-sighted, greedy and xenophobic. He applied for residency under the Skilled Migrant Category in January 2020, hoping that his family would soon be able to join him in New Zealand, but they have been stuck in limbo ever since. The Ardern governments policies have created a migrant population thats left with few rights and at risk of exploitation, with no benefits to fall back on, he said. Jonathan, an electrical maintenance worker, told the World Socialist Web Sitethat his partner, from the Philippines, is barred from entering New Zealand to process her visa application, unless he goes back to the Philippines, at great expense, and then returns with her. If she was from a Western country, it wouldnt be a problem at all. I can be here, continue my work and do the application, he said, but there are different rules for Third World countries. Jonathan (Source: WSWS Media) He described the situation as modern-day racism. Heres a Labour Party talking about being inclusive and a team of five million, but its not. He said he was shocked at how New Zealand has changed in terms of its immigration policies. Jennifer (not her real name) told the WSWS she and her husband moved to New Zealand from China more than six years ago and have been waiting more than a year after applying for residency. They have a young son who loves New Zealand very much and has spent most of his life in NZ. She said Immigration NZ had given no reason for the extreme delay. Despite being highly qualified and employed in an area with a skills shortage, Jennifer said, my salary doesnt meet the high priority requirements for Immigration NZ to fast-track her application. To qualify as high priority, an applicant needs to earn over $100,000. Its not fair to set the priority rule based on the salary, she said. As well as Faafoi, MPs from the right-wing opposition National and ACT Parties briefly addressed the rally, falsely claiming to support immigrants. The previous National-ACT government presided over widespread exploitation of migrant workers, anti-refugee policies, and frequent deportationswhich has all continued under the present government. Green Party MP Ricardo Menendez-March also spoke, declaring that the Greens would keep working constructively with our colleagues [in Labour] to ensure that your calls are heard. The Greens have been part of the Labour-led government for nearly four years. From 2017 to 2020 the coalition government included the right-wing NZ First Party, which has repeatedly made racist statements against Chinese people, Indians and Muslims. The Labour-Greens government has essentially adopted NZ Firsts anti-immigrant policies. A protester in Wellington (Source: WSWS Media) The Migrant Workers Association (MWA), one of the protest organisers, has worked with the Greens and Unite union to organise a petition calling on the government to address FAMs demands. Unite leader Mike Treen supported Labour and the Greens in the 2017 and 2020 elections and the union seeks to persuade migrants that this right-wing, anti-immigrant government can be pressured to defend their rights. MWA spokesperson Anu Kaloti told the migrants gathered in Wellington that unions will always stand up for your rights. In fact, unions have repeatedly agitated against foreign workers. In February, the Maritime Union opposed foreign cruise ship workers coming to NZ, saying the jobs should be reserved for New Zealanders. E tu responded to mass redundancies at Air New Zealand last year by calling for the airline to slash its overseas-based workforce to cut costs. In 2018, Unite applauded a government decision to temporarily ban migrants from working at fast food chain Burger Kingan extraordinary attack on dozens of workers. The aim of these nationalist organisations is to subordinate the movement of migrant workers to the very government that is responsible for the escalating attacks on their rights. Shocking pictures showing dozens of corpses floating in the Ganges River, published by the Indian media Monday evening, provide yet further evidence of the mounting humanitarian crisis the COVID-19 pandemic has triggered in the worlds second most populous country. India, which has emerged over the past month as the global epicenter of the pandemic, passed the grim milestone of a quarter-million officially registered deaths this week. On Thursday, it added another 4,120 COVID-19 deaths, taking the death toll to 258,317. People watch burning funeral pyres of their relatives who died of COVID-19 in a ground that has been converted into a crematorium in New Delhi, India, Thursday, May 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Ishant Chauhan) India currently accounts for half of new COVID-19 cases and 30 percent of new deaths worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. It is widely acknowledged that the official figures are a gross undercount of the true extent of the calamity. One recent estimate put the death toll at 1 million. The countrys total caseload stands at over 23.7 million. As of May 13, India had 3,710,525 active cases. Even so, the far-right Bharatiya Janatha Party (BJP) government continues to deny that India is experiencing community transmission, absurdly describing the pandemic as being characterised by clustered cases. In truth, Prime Minister Narendra Modis policy of prioritising corporate profits over the protection of human lives has produced a situation where the virus is totally out of control. Indias chronically underfunded ramshackle health care system has already collapsed under a surge of patients. In a disturbing video, which was shot at Buxer, a small city in the eastern state of Bihar, Times Now reported over 150 bodies recorded as COVID-19 fatalities were dumped on the banks of the Ganges River. These COVID bodies will be washed down further and can be eaten by stray dogs which will further spread coronavirus, the news website added. In a separate case, NDTV reported that on May 9, several partially burnt bodies were seen floating in the Yamuna River, a tributary of the Ganges, at Hamirpur in Himachal Pradesh. A few days later, multiple bodies were found buried in sand at two locations along the same river in Uttar Pradeshs Unnao district, just 40km from the state capital Lucknow. These horrific stories point to both the criminal failure of the Modi government to deal with the pandemic, and the deliberate undercounting of COVID-19 deaths. According to AFP, residents believe that the bodies were dumped in the river because cremation sites were overwhelmed or because relatives could not afford wood for funeral pyres. These reports point to the emergence of the long-anticipated nightmare that would occur if the virus spread to Indias rural areas, where health care facilities are almost non-existent. Underlining the massive spread of coronavirus infections in rural India, the Indian Express reported May 12 that as many as 533 of the countrys 718 districts are now reporting test positivity rates of more than 10 percent. Meanwhile, Dr. Balram Bhargava, director general of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), said, The national positivity rate is around 20-21 percent, and about 42 percent of districts in the country are reporting a positivity rate more than the national average. According to the central government, 13 states have more than 100,000 active cases, six have between 50,000 and 100,000 active cases, and 17 states have less than 50,000 active cases. Pointing to the woefully inadequate medical facilities in rural areas, where 65 percent of Indians live, India Today noted that of the 819 COVID treatment centers in Madhya Pradeshwhich with a population of 85 million is Indias fifth largest stateonly 69 are located in rural areas. Of the total 21,637 isolated beds in the state, only 3,039 are in rural areas. While the urban areas have 22,145 oxygen beds and 927 ICU beds respectively, there are only 338 oxygen beds and 51 ICU beds in the rural belt. In Bihar, Indias third most populous state, with more than 100 million residents, Dr. Shakeel, consultant of Polyclinic, a non-profit health organization, and convener of the Jan Swath Abhiyahn (Public Health Campaign), told the Wire news website, There is one doctor to serve 28,000 patients in Bihar against the World Health Organizations recommendation of one doctor per 1000 patients. The state, he continued, is next to the bottom on the ladder of health indices among the 21 major states drawn up by the Niti Ayog, a government think tank. Uttar Pradesh stands 21st. While there have been 3,429 officially recorded deaths in Bihar thus far during Indias current second wave of the pandemic, Dr. Shakeel told the Wire that the actual figure might be 10 times or even more than what official figures say. He added, The government (has) no machinery to test and treat 75 percent to 80 percent of the people living in the villages. The situation is alarming at the ground level. Meanwhile, a shortage of medical oxygen is continuing to claim more lives. In the latest tragedy, 47 COVID-19 patients died in the government-run Goa Medical College (GMC) due to an interrupted oxygen supply over 48 hours from May 11 to 12. The Wire, which was given access to an internal note from the hospital to the central government, noted that the hospital requires 1,200 cylinders a day, but had received only 400 on May 10. With these tragic deaths at GMC, the Wire calculated, using official records, that at least 223 COVID-19 patients have died because of oxygen shortages in hospitals across India during the past few weeks. The news website did not include another 70 deaths reportedly linked to oxygen shortages that have yet to be confirmed by the authorities. These horrendous conditions are the direct product of the criminal open economy policy, which has been spearheaded by the far-right Modi government and supported by the entire Indian ruling elite. Following last years disastrously-prepared lockdown, which drove millions into destitution because the government refused to provide adequate financial assistance to working people and the poor, Modis BJP government has focused, together with the opposition Congress, on keeping businesses open with as few restrictions as possible, creating the conditions for the virus to run rampant. Modi has also pressed ahead with a frontal assault on jobs and workers rights, while accelerating a privatisation drive and the easing of business regulations to promote foreign investment. Underscoring that the ruling elite has no intention of allowing the pandemic to get in the way of its class war agenda, Modi declared last month that it was necessary to save India from lockdown, not from the virus. The ruling elites total indifference to the mass loss of life is fuelling widespread opposition among workers and the impoverished rural population. NDTV reported May 10 on growing nervousness within the ranks of the ruling Hindu supremacist BJP and its ideological mentor, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), about growing popular anger over the scale of devastation caused by the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to NDTV, Sources say the BJP and RSS are concerned with the perception that the government dropped the ball on COVID, given that almost everyone in the ruling partys core support base is affected by the deadly pandemic. The middle class are the worst-hit and now the virus is spreading to the villages, especially in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The tsunami-like spread of COVID-19 across India is creating more deadly variants of the virus. Earlier this week, the World Health Organization designated the B.1.617 variant, which was first discovered in India, as a global variant of concern. AFP reported May 10 that a growing number of current and recovered COVID-19 patients in India are contracting a deadly and rare fungal infection called Mucormycosis, which is likely being triggered by COVID-19 steroid treatments. Speaking to AFP, Ahmedabad-based infectious diseases specialist Atul Patel, a member of the states COVID-19 task force, said, The cases of mucormycosis infection in COVID-19 patients post-recovery is nearly four to five times than those reported before the pandemic. Another doctor told AFP that the drugs used to treat those infected with the fungus are expensive, and one of the drugs is running short in government hospitals due to the sudden increase in demand. According to the news agency, hundreds of cases have been reported from Maharashtra and Gujarat. Indias COVID-19 catastrophe is rapidly engulfing neighbouring countries, some of which are even less prepared to cope with a surge in very ill patients. Nepal, which is one of the least developed countries in the world, shares a 1,770 kilometre-long border with India and has experienced a dramatic increase in infections. While daily cases averaged around 150 in early April, the nation of 30 million people reported nearly 10,000 new cases on Wednesday and 168 deaths. According to the BBC, there are almost no spare intensive care beds and ventilators in the Kathmandu Valley. Vaccines and oxygen supplies are also running out after India blocked exports to cope with its own crisis. This prompted Kathmandu to halt its vaccine campaign, and many hospitals have stopped taking in new patients due to a lack of oxygen. The official death toll has surpassed 4,200, but this is certainly a vast undercount. Health officials say the test positivity rate in the country stands at a staggering 50 percent. In Sri Lanka, which has detected eight variants of COVID-19, including B.1.617 and the B.1.351 strain first found in South Africa, the pandemic is also out of control. Over a 4-day period from May 9 through 12, 10,000 infections were reported, raising the total number of cases to 133,484. The number of patients receiving treatment has increased beyond the number of hospital beds, resulting in growing numbers of COVID-stricken people being trapped in their homes without care. The death toll has risen to 868, with 18 deaths Thursday. A country of some 22 million people, Sri Lanka has less than 700 ICU beds, of which a mere 104 have been allocated to COVID-19 patients. The situation has been exacerbated by increasing infection rates among health staff, including doctors. Air strikes have continued to pound the Gaza Strip, killing more than 100 Palestinians, among them at least 27 children, and wounding more than 980 people since the start of hostilities. Israel has struck more than 750 targets associated with Hamas, the Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated group that controls Gaza, since the beginning of Operation Guardian of the Walls. These include buildings used by Hamas, its security and intelligence apparatus, banks, and a Hamas naval squad. It has destroyed three high-rise buildings and killed around 60 Hamas operatives, including 10 senior commanders. A Palestinian medic gives treatment to a wounded girl in the ICU of the Shifa hospital, Thursday, May 13, 2021, in Gaza City. She was injured by a May 12 Israeli strike that hit her family house. Just weeks ago, the Gaza Strips feeble health care system was struggling with a runaway surge of coronavirus cases. Now doctors across the crowded coastal enclave are trying to keep up with a very different crisis: blast and shrapnel wounds, cuts and amputations. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra) Israels Minister of Defence Benny Gantz glorified the carnage, saying, We have attacked many hundreds of targets, towers are falling, factories are collapsing, tunnels are being destroyed and commanders are being assassinated. He declared that military operations in the Gaza Strip would continue until it brings a complete and long-term peace. Threatening the Palestinians in a video, Gantz said, Gaza will burn. He reminded them that he was Israel Defence Forces (IDF) chief during Israels last war on Gaza in 2014. That war killed 2,192 Palestinians, including 1,523 civilians of whom 519 were children, injured tens of thousands more, and destroyed or damaged thousands of homes and much basic infrastructure. Gantz warned, If Hamas does not stop its violence, the strike of 2021 will be harder and more painful than that of 2014. On Thursday, Gantz ordered the called up of 16,000 army reservists and sent ground forces to the border in preparation for all eventualities and an escalation. IDF spokesperson Hidai Zilberman said that plans for a ground invasion were being prepared and that the IDF had begun an arrest campaign in the West Bank against Hamas members. At least three Palestinians have been killed in clashes with security forces in the West Bank and a further 27 injured as protesters took to the streets. Gazas hospitals, already struggling to cope with the pandemic, are battling to care for the wounded amid a shortage of beds, staff, equipment and blood and problems with the power supply. A Red Crescent coordinator said, The situation here is very difficult, I cant describe the horror in words. This takes place in one of the most impoverished and densely populated areas in the world, with more than two million people living in just 140 square miles. Subject for 14 years to Israels illegal blockade of its borders, it has become an open-air prison like the Warsaw Ghetto. Gaza has the highest unemployment rate in the world, with 82 percent of the population now out of work. A recent survey by the New Family organisation reported that 63 percent of Gazans live below the UN-defined poverty line of $2 a day. Electricity is only available for a few hours a day, while almost all water is contaminated by untreated sewage or salt. The IDF said Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups had launched more than 1,500 projectiles towards Israel. Rockets have killed seven Israelis, including two Palestinian citizens and two children, indicating the overwhelming superiority of Israels aerial weaponry. Israels bombardment began after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ignored Hamass ultimatum to withdraw security forces from the al-Aqsa Mosque compound and Sheikh Jarrah, an East Jerusalem neighborhood, on Monday evening. More than 1,000 security forces had stormed the compound during Ramadan, attacking worshippers with rubber bullets and stun grenades and injuring hundreds. East Jerusalem has witnessed weeks of increasingly violent clashes between the Palestinian residents of Sheikh Jarrah, who face a court order evicting them from their homes, and Jewish settlers and right-wing fanatics. Several families in Silwan, a neighborhood to the south of the Old City, are also facing expulsion. The planned evictions are part of a broader campaign of ethnic cleansing to remove Palestinians, who form 40 percent of Jerusalems population, in favour of Jewish settlers. Last year, Israel increased home demolitions in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, making more than 1,000 Palestinians homeless. In the first four months of this year, in East Jerusalem alone, Israel has demolished more than 50 Palestinian homes and structures, issued 40 additional demolition notices and approved plans for nearly 5,000 new settlement units. The reaction from the US and the major European powers to Israels pre-meditated criminality has been one of staggering hypocrisy. For months, they have demonized China for its supposed genocide of the Uighurs without citing evidence to support their claim. Yet in the case of Israel, its war crimes against Gaza are greenlighted with the mantra of Israels right to defend itself, while its plans for ethnic cleansing in East Jerusalem are portrayed as no more than a legal dispute over ownership. Netanyahu has also declared war on Israels Palestinian citizens opposing the planned evictions of the Sheikh Jarrah families, the racist attacks on East Jerusalem residents, and the storming of the al-Aqsa mosque. Israel Palestinians, some 21 percent of the population, are the poorest in Israel, with nearly half of Arab households below the poverty line. They have suffered decades of discrimination, made official in 2018 with the passage of the Nation-State Law enshrining Jewish supremacy as the legal foundation of the state. Jewish racists along with hundreds of settlers from the occupied West Bank have marched through Arab neighbourhoods in towns and cities, chanting Death to the Arabs, throwing bottles and stones and provoking violent clashes while the security forces turned a blind eye. While such attacks have long gone on in the occupied West Bank, attacks now taking place openly within Israel itself echo the ethnic cleansing that drove the Palestinians from their homes between 1947 and 1949. This week, in the central city of Lod, riots broke out, with violent clashes between Jewish mobs and the Palestinians, leading to the death of a Palestinian and further riots in which a synagogue, school and several vehicles were burned by Palestinians. The government announced a city-wide nighttime curfew and declared a state of emergency, the first time the government has used emergency powers since the lifting of military law over Arab communities in 1966. In Bat Yam, a seaside town south of Tel Aviv, gangs of Jewish extremists marched down the main streets, smashing Arab-owned businesses and attacking passersby. They took turns beating and kicking a man presumed to be an Arab, even as his body lay motionless on the ground, on live television. Four of the alleged attackers were arrested while chanting death to Arabs and may your village burn. All have been released on bail anonymously. According to the citys mayor, the riots were organized by provocateurs who came from outside the city. Video clips have circulated on social media of Jewish mobs trying to break into Palestinian homes, shops and setting up roadblocks. President Reuven Rivlin warned that the country was descending into a senseless civil war. Netanyahu said the attacks amounted to anarchy, and that he was sending in military forces, including 10 reservist units, to help police maintain order in towns and cities with mixed populations. A major factor in Netanyahus calculated efforts to ram through the ethnic cleansing of East Jerusalem and provoke a war was his determination to end any possibility of opposition leader Yair Lapid forming a government. He appears to have been successful. Naftali Bennett, leader of the right-wing Yamina Party, said that in the light of recent events, a government of change, made up of parties seeking to replace Netanyahu as prime minister was now out of the question and he was in favour of a unity government. Auto parts workers at Nexteer Automotive in Saginaw, Michigan will vote soon on a tentative agreement announced recently by the United Auto Workers Local 699. A first tentative agreement was overwhelming rejected by an 85 percent No vote two months earlier. Workers at the steering components complex have been working without a contract since March 2020, when the previous five-year sellout agreement expired. With the exception of a three-month-long shutdown which began last March, Nexteer workers have been forced to remain on the job in the midst of the pandemic with no new agreement in place. Striking Nexteer workers in 2015 (WSWS Media) There is widespread hostility among Nexteer workers to the backroom dealings between the UAW and the company. Their last contract, forced through in 2015-2016 after the UAW called a sham 18-hour strike to allow workers to blow off steam, contained massive concessions. In the aftermath, dozens of workers were victimized and fired by the company. The UAW is keeping workers in the dark about the current agreement, but workers widely expect another sellout. While the union is planning several contract rollout meetings beginning this weekend, multiple commenters on the Local 699 social media post demanded that the full contract immediately be made available to the membership online. In the midst of the contract rollout, factional warfare has emerged within the local bureaucracy, who are also up for re-election soon. Last week, union treasurer Rhonda Fritz announced she had uncovered hundreds of thousands of dollars funds misappropriated by then-local leadership between 2013 and 2018. Fritz called for an investigation into their finances. Workers from the Nexteer complex spoke with the World Socialist Web Site Auto Workers Newsletter on Thursday about conditions at the plant, the contract, and their overall general anger brewing at the plant. I was here for the 2015 contract, one worker said. We all got sold out. Its a patternthey dont tell you whats actually in the contract, and they try to get you vote yes on it. Once you do, all of a sudden theres all this other hidden s*** revealed about it. The union and the company work together now, so its not even like you do anything about it. This struggle has to be taken up independently by the workers, and I think a lot of people feel the same way. If this upcoming contract goes through, Im dropping my union dues. I definitely need the extra money because we dont get paid enough. Another worker told the WSWS that while the rollouts are typically held at the local union hall, the unions most recent posting specified that they were to take place directly on the factory shop floor, where management would be free to overlook and possibly intervene. I cant believe theyre trying to pull this. How can we be expected to ask questions and learn about the contract fairly when the bosses are breathing down our back? Another worker said, The situation is ridiculous. We dont know what is going on with the contract or anything else really. The bargaining committee keeps us in the dark. They tell us they cant talk about the contract because they have to honor a hush-hush clause. We havent had a contract or a raise in a year, and they talk about these hush-hush clauses? And meanwhile, the first proposal was a joke. We rejected it. Weve been asking for a strike vote for a long time. The plant shut down in March 2020, and then they brought us back three months later, with no new contract. Our last union meeting was mid-summer of last year. Most of us in that meeting were demanding a strike authorization vote. The union didnt hold one and we havent met since, other than the roll-out meeting in February. Those of us who were part of the strike in 2015 havent forgotten how that went down. We were only on the picket line for about 12 hours before they hustled us off, before anything was really settled. Then we had very little time to look at that contract before voting. It was like 180 pages long. And it kept the tier system, which pretty much all of us hate. But the company scared all the newer hires, and most of them probably felt they would be fired if they didnt accept it. Thats how it passed in 2015. The union basically went along with it. We havent had a new contract in over a year, and meanwhile Nexteer is reporting record profits. Were owed a lot of back pay, and theres rumors that this proposal will try to cap what were owed. Guys are getting sick from COVID. Its definitely underreported at the plant. Ive had it, and four guys who worked around me did as well. The company doesnt even give you paid time off if you get it, you have to go on disability. But they make record profits. Mainly were in the dark. The union gives us no updates. They have this five-page-long embezzlement notice, where theyre pointing fingers at each other, and probably stealing from our dues. There are members on the bargaining committee who should probably be in jail right now. Everyones angry about whats going on. A salaried Nexteer worker said, I know that my coworkers have been unhappy with the way things are going recently. And honestly, I dont blame them at all. There have been a lot of COVID cases here. At one point we had five or six in a week in my plant. Theyre getting rid of so many people, and theyre putting more work on each of us. Ive been speaking with people in my department and weve been taking on the responsibilities of multiple plants. We have just been doing everything. I have a coworker who tells me shes been working six, sometimes seven days per week. Another colleague of mine got laid off, came back and then the management was farming him out to all the different departments, working on equipment hes not even familiar with. Everything is being done from the standpoint of making more money and paying the CEO more. A second-generation Saginaw automotive worker told WSWS reporters, I dont feel great about this contract. Its inevitably going to be pretty lousy. By the current industrys average, we dont make anywhere near what were supposed to. The International [UAW] has stock in GM, Ford and Chrysler, which means their interest is in the company, not the members. Why should they be representing the workers? On a federal level, the UAW execs just got prison time. Not enough prison time, if you ask me. Referring to the recent announcement of the Local 699 financial scandal, the worker added, theres nothing stopping something like this from happening again. Maybe there are some well-meaning people with good intentions who take positions with the union. But they get in there, and because of the situation that the theyre is in, it corrupts them. I think that all these union backroom deals should be made entirely public. The greed in America is unreal. Nobody is happy about this situation right now. My father retired out of Grey Iron, another Saginaw manufacturing company, and he thought that wed be at $40 per hour. But Im making $15.88 right now. The wages were way higher back in the day, and there was less high-tech industry going on. And the cost of living was lower. Saginaw really got hit hard by deindustrialization. But even if all the work which got sent overseas were to be brought back in the US, who says the wages for these jobs would be what you need them to be? Thats the most important thing, is that we need higher pay. Workers have all the power to shut down industry across the country and the world, but they need authentic leadershipnot leadership which is bought and paid for by the company. I dont consider myself a socialist, but I like the message that the WSWS is trying to spread and the truth you guys are trying to bring to light. A veteran worker at the plant explained, When you look at the situation today, we are going backward and not forward. Its like we have come full circle back to the days before unions even existed and the Robber Barons ruled the world. The same thing is happening again when you look at the extreme levels of wealth at the top. When asked if he felt the unions were on side of the workers or management, he immediately commented that there is no way to represent the company and the workers at the same time. The UAW owns stocks in all these companies and there is corruption not only in the international but also national locals. Recently, one of the International representatives commented that they want to have a seat at the table in China (Nexteer is owned by a Chinese company) as well as the United States. How can you look out for the interests of the members and the company? Attorneys for the family of Andrew Brown Jr. said Tuesday additional footage from the Pasquotank County Sheriffs Office showed Brown was ambushed by deputies. They described the encounter as a massacre and said the video is evidence that merits criminal charges against the deputies. Officials showed the family and their attorneys six videos that totaled about 20 minutes, including dashboard footage and video from deputies body cameras. At a news conference, Browns family said it was clear he had never posed a threat to the officers that killed him. Protesters march along the streets to protest the shooting of Andrew Brown Jr. in Elizabeth City, N.C., Wednesday, April 28, 2021. A judge denied the request to immediately release body cam video of the incident. (AP Photo/Steve Helber) My father did not deserve to die at all, his son Jharod Ferebee told reporters after watching the footage. He did not deserve to get killed in any way, shape or form. He did not pose any threat at all. You should be outraged that in 20212021that a man be killed, gunned down by a firing squad, said Brown family attorney Harry Daniels. Ill be damned just because they wear a shield, a badge, that the killers should still walk free. Brown, a 42-year-old black man, was fatally shot April 21 in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, when Pasquotank County sheriffs deputies sought to serve Brown an arrest warrant related to felony drug charges. Attorneys said Brown was in his own driveway, using a cellphone in his parked car, when officers dismounted from the back of a pickup truck and circled him. District Attorney Andrew Womble initially claimed officers fired at Browns vehicle because he attempted to hit officers with his vehicle, and that officers attempted to provide Brown medical care after the shooting. Womble said the car made contact with officers at least two times before shots were fired. However, Brown family attorney Chance Lynch said the video showed that deputies first opened fire on Brown, prompting him to attempt to drive away. Lynch said Browns car was riddled with bullet holes after the shooting. Deputies found no weapons on Brown after the shooting. We counted approximately six, if not more, bullet holes in the side of his car and we were able to see a number of shots, approximately six, at least, in the back windshield. At no pointlet me be very clearat no point did we see Mr. Brown pose a threat to the law enforcement officers that were there, Lynch said. You could see that he was not a threat. There was a shot fired. When the shot was fired, he put the car in reverse, putting several feet, if not yards, away from the police who were there. He turned his wheel to the left, to turn it away from the law enforcement officers, he said. At no point did we ever see any police officers behind his vehicle. At no point did we ever see Mr. Brown make contact with law enforcement. Brown was then seen accelerating across his yard when deputies began shooting at him again. At some point, a bullet struck Brown in the back of his head and his vehicle went down a ditch and crashed into a tree. Officers then pulled Brown from the car and laid him face-first on the ground. It was absolutely, unequivocally unjustified, Lynch said of the killing. Our legal team is more committed now to pursue justice because what we saw today was unconstitutional and it was unjustifiable. Two family members were initially shown a 20-second clip from a deputys body camera on April 26, which they described as an execution. Browns family has said that even in the 20-second video, it was clear that he was not a threat to law enforcement. Khalil Ferebee, Browns son and one of the family members that saw the first clip, said the new footage only confirmed what he already knew: officers murdered his father. The video I seen last week is pretty much the same as what I seen today just a few more details, Ferebee said Tuesday. He wasnt in the wrong at all, whats in the dark will come to the light. Browns shooting sparked large protests in Elizabeth City, a small majority-African American town. Residents have demanded the full release of the video and for officers involved to be held accountable. City officials responded to protests by banning public assembly without a permit. Sheriff Tommy Wooten identified 10 deputies who converged on Browns home to arrest him. Three who fired shots will remain on administrative leave as the matter is investigated, he said. Another of the familys attorneys, Bakari Sellers, called for District Attorney Womble to recuse himself from any investigation because of the incestuous relationship between the district attorney and law enforcement. We are going to raise a lot of hell and a lot of noise about the fact that Womble wants to stay on this case, Sellers said. And if he chooses to stay on this case, were going to ask him to make sure that he follows through with prosecuting the officers that murdered Andrew Brown. US Secretary of State Antony Blinkens appearance Wednesday at a State Department press conference provided an object lesson in the absolute cynicism of the human rights imperialism with which he is identified. Blinken used the event, which was ostensibly called to present a report on international religious freedom, to denounce China for committing crimes against humanity and genocide against Muslim Uyghurs. Smoke rises following Israeli airstrikes on a residential building in Gaza City, Thursday, May 13, 2021. (AP Photo/Hatem Moussa) He was echoed by the State Departments point man on religious freedom, Daniel Nadel, who declared, [I]t is absolutely clear what horrors are taking place in Xinjiang, being perpetrated by the PRC Government. And we will continue to speak out because we must. These two representatives of US imperialism spoke as airstrikes in Gaza were claiming scores of victims, including 17 children, while terrorizing the entire population of the impoverished occupied territory by toppling high-rise buildings with missiles. Within Israel itself, the corrupt and unstable right-wing government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is unleashing the kind of repression previously reserved for the occupied territories of Gaza and the West Bank against an unprecedented revolt by Palestinian Israeli citizens. Several hundred protesters have been injured by riot police and mounted units. The government is sending border troops and possibly even regular army units to suppress internal resistance, while Netanyahu said Thursday he is prepared to institute administrative detention against rioters, allowing for indefinite imprisonment without charges or trials. No one at the State Department is particularly troubled by or compelled to speak out against these war crimes and horrors. On the contrary, Blinken and other US spokesmen endlessly mouth the mantra that Israel has the right to defend itself, while insisting that there can be no comparison between the Zionist states targeting the terrorists and the terrorist Hamas indiscriminately raining down rockets on Israel. President Joe Biden declared on Thursday that there has not been a significant over-reaction on Israels part, providing an unmistakable green light for the escalation of the slaughter of Palestinians and an assurance that the flow of US money and arms that makes it possible will continue uninterrupted. Indeed, there is no comparison between the primitive Gaza rockets and the high-tech killing machine of the Israel Defense Forces. As in virtually every such confrontation over the past 15 years, the deaths of Palestinians in Gaza outnumber those of Israelis by more than 10 to one. Once again, basic infrastructure in what has justifiably been described as the worlds largest open-air prison is being smashed to pieces, condemning the population to even deeper poverty. Secretary of State Blinken and his deputy tacked onto their defense of Israels airstrikes a pro forma statement that Palestinians have the right to safety and security. Yet that right is systematically denied by the Israeli occupation, which routinely shoots, kills and maims Palestinians, imprisons themincluding childrenwithout due process, seizes their land and bulldozes their homes to make way for the malignant spread of Zionist settlements and denies them freedom of movement. The US used its veto power in the United Nations Security Council this week to suppress even a nonbinding resolution supported by the rest of the bodys members because it suggested that curbing the most egregious of these crimes was necessary to prevent a march to war. Can there be any doubt as to the reaction of Blinken and his State Department cohorts if Beijing were carrying out in Xinjiang even a fraction of the violence meted out by the Israeli state? Washington has already insisted that Chinas policy toward the Uyghurs constitutes genocide, a deliberately inflammatory allegation. While undoubtedly Beijing employs methods of state repression in Xinjiang as it does elsewhere in China, there exists no evidence to support the charge of genocide, and Washington, whose victims over the course of 20 years of uninterrupted wars in Afghanistan and the Middle East number in the millions, is hardly in a position to point the finger. But the State Department pursues the strategy outlined by chief Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels: If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. This propaganda campaign against China receives unstinting supportand embellishmentfrom the corporate media. Case in point was the November 2019 article written by Washington Post editorial page editor Fred Hiatt titled, In China, every day is Kristallnacht. The reference is to the bloody events of November 9-10, 1938 in which Nazi stormtroopers launched a vicious pogrom against Jews across Germany. A total of 1,400 synagogues were set ablaze. Thousands of Jewish businesses were destroyed, homes looted, people attacked and cemeteries desecrated. Approximately 30,000 Jews were locked up in concentration camps and around 1,500 murdered, initiating a process that would end in the extermination of millions. The best that Hiatt could come up with to support the charge that something similar is happening every day in Xinjiang was testimony from one Bahram Sintash that mosques had been demolished and cemeteries bulldozed. Sintash is an operative of the Uyghur Human Rights Project, a branch of the World Uyghur Congress and American Uyghur Association, both of which are funded by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), an agency created to carry out publicly funding operations that were previously conducted covertly by the CIA. The NED boasted in 2020 that it had provided nearly $9 million to Uyghur separatist groups since 2004. Tied to extreme right-wing forces in the US and internationally, these groups seek to carve out an ethno-state in Xinjiang and openly call for the fall of China. In other words, the evidence of genocide is supplied by elements directly funded by Washington, a circular state propaganda operation in which papers like the Post and the New York Times serve as willing conduits. Meanwhile, those who expose the crimes of Israel are branded as anti-Semites in an exercise that twists that term beyond recognition into a calumny against anyone who expresses the disgust and anger felt by people all over the world, including millions of Jews, over the ongoing war crimes in Gaza. Indeed, this definition is itself anti-Semitic, identifying Jews everywhere with the criminal policies of a state that rules in the interest of a narrow Israeli financial and corporate oligarchy. The vast gulf separating the indifference of US imperialism toward these crimes and its horror and invocation of human rights in relation to Xinjiang proves once again that all morality is class morality. The moral indignation of imperialist operatives like Blinken is activated only when it is needed to justify wars of aggression and plunder and advance the interests of the US financial oligarchy. That the filthy banner of human rights previously raised to justify wars in the Balkans, the Middle East and North Africa is now being unfurled as part of the preparations for great power conflict with China and Russia is a measure of the extreme tensions and dangers in the global situation. The events in Gaza and the increasingly uncontrollable crisis in Israel itself have the potential to set a match to this tinderbox, paving the way to a catastrophic war. Seven hundred nurses who have been on strike at St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester, Massachusetts for more than nine weeks are now being threatened with mass firings by Tenet Healthcare. The Dallas-based healthcare giant announced Wednesday it would begin hiring nurses to permanently replace the strikers. St. Vincent Hospital said in a news release that it plans to fill around 50 nursing positions, including all day-shift positions scheduled for 32 hours or more per week in critical care and all but one inpatient medical-surgical unit. At the same time, Tenets website has posted openings for scores of positions at the hospital, with sign-on bonuses of up to $5,000. Striking St. Vincent nurses (WSWS Media) Attempting to paint the companys blatant strikebreaking in humanitarian colors, St. Vincent Hospital CEO Carolyn Jackson said that, bringing in permanent replacement nurses will help ensure continuity of care as the strike continues. Defying these threats, St. Vincent nurses remain determined to win their central demand for safe patient-to-staff ratios, calling for one nurse for every four patients on medical/surgical floors and telemetry units, as well as increased staffing in the emergency department and ancillary support in each unit. Staffing ratios are the determining factor of life and death outcomes in patients, an issue that has become even more pressing during the pandemic. For this reason, the demand for increased staffingbitterly resisted by the corporationscontinues to be central in the struggle of all healthcare workers. Tenet has been emboldened to escalate its attack by the isolation of the St. Vincent nurses by the AFL-CIO and other unions. In the face of Tenets threat to fire the nurses en masse like President Reagan did to striking air traffic controllers in 1981, the Massachusetts AFL-CIO has taken no action to defend the embattled St. Vincent nurses, even though there are tens of thousands of nurses and other unionized healthcare workers in Boston and other cities. The other state nurse associations, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and other healthcare unions have kept tens of thousands of their members on the job at Tenet-owned hospitals in California, Michigan, Florida and other states. Tenets threat comes as Democratic Governor Ned Lamont in neighboring Connecticut has deployed the National Guard to intimidate and threaten 3,000 nursing home workers set to strike on Friday for increased staffing and an end to poverty level wages that average between $13 and $16 an hour. A World Socialist Web Site reporting team visited the St. Vincent picket line to speak to striking nurses. They discussed the strikebreaking threat against the Connecticut nursing home workers and last weeks rallies at three Tenet-owned hospitals in Southern California by hundreds of respiratory therapists, nursing assistants, X-ray technicians and housekeeping and food service staff. Striking nurses at St. Vincent expressed their solidarity with the Connecticut and California healthcare workers and readily agreed with the call by the WSWS for a unified struggle of nurses and health care workers in the US and internationally. The strikers also said they were being completely kept in the dark about the status of other MNA bargaining units and were surprised to learn many were working with expired contracts. As one nurse put it, Theres the bargaining committee and then theres us. The St. Vincent nurses have endured horrendous conditions, including contracting COVID on the job while St. Vincent refused to acknowledge it. Nurses were forced to buy PPE from co-workers, wear trash bags, shower curtains, and repurposed chemical-laden Ford Motor Company airbag material as gowns. Adding to poor PPE is inadequate patient care and insufficient staffing for both nurses and their support, such as patient care assistants (PCA), which should have a care ratio of one PCA for eight patients. One nurse told the WSWS that (On one floor) we have 32 patients so that should be four on each hallway, but (were) always short. As nurses told reporters, St. Vincent management gives nurses blankets to put on the floors for extra padding should unattended patients fall out of their beds. They described one situation where an 85-year-old patient, due to inadequate staffing of nurses and unit secretaries, was calling out for assistance for three hours before a housekeeper heard her pleas. During the height of the pandemic, nurses were also forced to accept tasks that endangered their patients health and threatened the integrity of their professional licenses. Having never intubated a patient, they were expected to assume ICU-level responsibilities after last-minute 3-hour flash trainings. This led to preventable patient deaths. Speaking to reporters, one nurse described it in all-too-familiar detail. It was like a mass shooting in there during COVID, it was just a disaster. One nurse exclaimed, It doesnt matter (to Tenet) because when Im gone theres someone else to replace me...It doesnt matter if youve been working 16 hours and youre exhausted. Youre a just a body. At the end of the day, its our license, so if we mess up its my name thats on that patients chart, its my license, they dont take responsibility. Even as hundreds of its members now face the threat of mass firing, the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA) continues to downplay the dangers facing nurses. In response to Tenets announcement, MNA officials released an impotent statement, declaring that nurses remain unmoved by the announcement, having fully expected Tenet to move in this direction, and see it as yet another desperate attempt to avoid negotiating in good faith In fact, two weeks ago nurses overwhelming rejected a contract offer from Tenet, which was brought back to them by the MNA even though it ignored the strikers staffing demands. Despite months without pay on the picket line, the nurses responded to the deal with scorn and indignation. If the strike is not to be defeated, nurses must take their struggle into their own hands, by forming a rank-and-file strike committee. This committee must call on all workers to take solidarity action and organize mass pickets at St. Vincent to stop Tenets strikebreaking. This committee should call for strike action across all of Tenets operations to win safe staffing levels for all workers. Such a struggle will immediately lead to a direct confrontation with the Democratic Party, including Worcesters Democratic Mayor Joseph Petty, who since the first day of the strike on March 8 has deployed police to escort scabs through the strikers picket lines. From Mayor Petty to Connecticuts multi-millionaire governor to the Biden administration, workers confront in the corporate-controlled Democratic Party a class enemy just as hostile to their interests as the Republicans. That is why the industrial mobilization of the working class must be combined with building a powerful political movement, independent of both big business parties, and aimed at the fight for a socialist reorganization of society, including the establishment of a system of socialized medicine. We urge St. Vincent nurses to contact us and join the fight to expand the national and international network of rank-and-file committees. In two days, 3,000 workers at Volvos New River Valley (NRV) heavy truck manufacturing plant in Dublin, Virginia will begin voting on a tentative agreement backed by the United Auto Workers union. What little details of the agreement have been revealed in the UAWs limited contract highlights show that it is yet another significant assault on workers livelihoods. Volvo Truck workers last month (Source: UAW 2069) The proposed contract has generated growing anger among Volvo Truck workers, who are determined to reverse years of eroding, wages and working conditions. Leading up to and during the two-week strike which began in mid-April, the union maintained an information blackout on the negotiations. Just as the strike was set to disrupt production Volvos Mack Truck facilities, workers were abruptly told to return to the factory, with the UAW claiming that a deal had been reached, but refusing to release the contracts terms or hold a vote on it prior to ending the strike. The union has still not released the full details of the proposed contract, instead only releasing a 20-page highlights document, which nonetheless reveals deep concessions that the union has agreed to hand over to the company. Speaking on the contract, a worker at the NRV plant told the WSWS Autoworker Newsletter, The tentative agreement sure is a great deal, for Volvo. The new point system for absenceswe know it is all about getting rid of core workers. Seven points and you are fired. Seniority wont matter if this contract passes. Thats why they want it to take eight years to get top pay, because no one will be able to remain employed that long in the first place. How could the union agree to put 4-10 [four days per week, 10 hours per day, also known as the AWS] in the contract? The local said that implementation of the AWS would require further approval at the local level so it could still be stopped. But AWS is already in the contract, so it made it that far! Why let it get in there in the first place? The local said it was to pacify the company. Forget that! Have some cojones and dont let it into the contract at all, period. Another worker said, We have to take our vacation in 10-hour increments, which means if I worked 20 years for 5 weeks the company already keeps two of them for their planned shutdown [held annually for retooling and maintenance] so that only leaves me three weeks. If I have to take them in 10 hour increments it means I lose one day for every week I earned, so I work 20 years for two weeks of vacation. They eliminated half-day personal days so we only get two personal days now. In the run-up to the vote, which is scheduled to take place on May 16, the union is doing everything it can to ensure that the contract passes to avoid any possible disruption in Volvos profit-making. To this end, the union is utilizing its well-worn tactic of divide and conquer. The union is holding separate town hall meetingswhich are really just platforms for UAW bureaucrats to threaten and intimidate workers into voting yesfor Volvos hourly and salaried workers. In addition, the union is holding a ratification meeting to discuss the highlights of the contract the same day as voting on the contract begins. Thus, a worker who attends the ratification meeting will have just two hours before contract voting ends. Speaking on how the local uses the UAW International to cover up its own wrongdoing, a worker stated, In this contract struggle weve seen a lot of the blame game from the union. The local says, We didnt agree to this contract proposal and didnt even want to present it to you, it was all the International. Then we ask them, why did you bring it back to us? The International has never really represented us and theyve never gotten us a good deal in my 20-plus years at NRV. Apparently the International representatives told the local bargaining representatives to leave the negotiations periodically. We heard Matt [Local 2069 President Matt Blondino] and Greg [Hourly Bargaining Chair Greg Shank] have the opportunity to get into the International. I am angry that they openly said that they dont represent retirees. One NRV worker is even circulating a petition to get rid of Blondino and Shank. Another worker stated, There needs to be a third party overseeing the vote because all the union votes are fraudulent. All of the local leadership elections are conducted with pencils and they destroy the ballots immediately. In line with its overriding of workers democratic rights for decades, the UAW has thus far arrogantly resisted against members of the rank-and-file being allowed to oversee the tabulation of votes. Workers concerns that the UAW will seize on the closed-doors aspect of vote counting to employ dirty tricks to force through the contract are well-founded. Evidence pointing to ballot stuffing emerged in the aftermath of the 2015 Ford-UAW contract ratification. Attempts by a member of Local 600 in Dearborn, Michigan, to carry out an investigation, following the UAWs own procedures, were stonewalled by the union. Similar accusations of ballot tampering and other fraudulent behavior carried out by the UAW occurred during the 2015 John Deere contract negotiations, in which the union forced through a sellout agreement for 11,000 workers despite widespread opposition. Several workers told the WSWS that they planned to take pictures of their no votes and were encouraging coworkers to do the same. A fight against the UAW concessions deal is both possible and necessary, and workers should build momentum for a decisive rejection of the contract this Sunday. However, while a no vote is needed, it is critical that the initiative and the control of the negotiations be taken out of the hands of the UAW. Workers at Volvos NRV facility have already taken the first steps by initiating their own rank-and-file committee independent of the UAW. The Volvo Workers Rank-and-File Committee has appealed to all workers at the NRV plant to vote no on the proposed contract, and in opposition to the UAWs concessions, has put forward the following demands based on what workers need: An immediate 25 percent across-the-board wage increase to restore income lost over the last three UAW contracts. The abolition of the multi-tier wage system and the restoration of the principle of Equal pay for equal work. Full overtime payments for work over eight hours a day and weekend work. No forced overtime! One full-day notice before any scheduling of overtime, with the right to refuse with no retaliation. An end to speedup and harassment by management. We are not inmates of a prison, but self-respecting workers. Workers oversight of safety protocols and social distancing to stop the spread of COVID-19. The right to halt production and close the plant for full cleaning, with guaranteed compensation to workers, if there are outbreaks. To take up the fight for these demands and to join the Volvo Workers Rank-and-File Committee, we urge Volvo workers to contact us at autoworkers@wsws.org. On Thursday morning, American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten gave a one-hour speech that centered on demanding the full reopening of all US schools this fall and promoting illusions in the Biden administrations federal stimulus programs. The speech underscored the corporatist character of the trade union bureaucracies, which Biden and the Democrats are integrating ever more closely with the state in order to suppress the class struggle. Weingarten, who sits on the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and nets an executive salary of roughly $500,000, embodies the upper middle class layer of union bureaucrats that are thoroughly hostile to the interests of the workers they claim to represent. Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, talks during a news conference in front of the Richard R. Green High School of Teaching, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020, in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan) Weingartens comments came the same day as the CDC announced new guidelines that urge vaccinated people not to wear masks indoors. The CDC ruling takes place as states throughout the country are eliminating all restrictions to stop the spread of COVID-19 in schools and businesses. The lifting of the mask mandates will only encourage a complete abandonment of all measures that protect people. Half of the population and nearly all children remain unvaccinated. Hundreds are dying and tens of thousands are still becoming infected every day. This is a dangerous turn of events, one practicing physician told the WSWS. The lifting of the mask requirement has been seized upon by the corporate media and political establishment to demand the full resumption of in-person learning and advance the lie that the pandemic is essentially over in America, despite the fact that nearly 40,000 people are infected with COVID-19 and roughly 650 die each day in the US, while more infectious and potentially vaccine-resistant variants spread unchecked throughout the world. Weingartens script was undoubtedly reviewed by officials at the White House, with whom she has closely coordinated the nationwide school reopening campaign since Bidens inauguration on January 20. Last week, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona stated in an interview with MSNBC, I expect all schools to be open full time, in-person for all students. Echoing this theme, Weingarten began her speech with an ultimatum, stating, There is no doubt: Schools must be open. In person. Five days a week. She reiterated this multiple times, saying, We can and we must reopen schools in the fall for in-person teaching, learning and support. And keep them open. Fully and safely, five days a week. Later, she added, Given current circumstances, nothing should stand in the way of fully reopening our public schools this fall and keeping them open. At the very beginning of her speech, Weingarten made clear the central purpose of this campaign, which is to compel parents to return to work in order to maximize the production of profits for the financial oligarchy. She stated bluntly, Parents rely on schools, not only to educate their kids, but so they can worklike the three million mothers who dropped out of the workforce during the pandemic. Weingarten presented a fairy tale story of the past year, seeking to frame school reopenings as chaotic under the Trump administration and harmonious under Biden, while acknowledging that the unions facilitated the process under both regimes. She said, The Trump administration politicized safety and undermined science. And as a result, from last April right up to January 19, 2021, we were working to reopen schools in a climate of chaos, fear and misinformation as the pandemic surged in wave after wave. Thankfully, the Biden administration changed course. It is fighting the pandemic with science, truth, transparency and, yes, money. Carefully omitted from this narrative are the disastrous impacts of school reopenings on educators, parents, students and society as a whole, as well as the mass opposition to the Biden administrations deepening of the school reopening campaign. Multiple studies have shown that opening schools leads directly to a growth in cases and deaths in the broader community, including a recent study which found that Texas school reopenings last August led to at least 43,000 additional cases and 800 additional deaths statewide in an eight-week period after schools began to reopen. According to Education Week, As of May 10, 2021, at least 937 active and retired K-12 educators and personnel have died of COVID-19. Under Trump, the AFT and NEA refused to organize any struggle whatsoever to oppose school reopenings, isolating their 4.7 million members district by district. In late July, the AFT passed a resolution that explicitly allowed only for local and/or state affiliate safety strikes on a case-by-case basis as a last resort. When wildcat strikes broke out throughout the fall, both unions kept them isolated and offered no support whatsoever. Facing this isolation, over 100,000 educators and parents across the US formed Facebook groups to organize protests, which the AFT and NEA never even acknowledged. Given the enormous opposition to school reopenings among teachers, most major Democrat-led school districts were compelled to stay fully remote throughout the fall. Upon Bidens inauguration, the unions worked with the Democrats to reverse this, with the most pitched battle taking place in Chicago, the third-largest district in the US with roughly 340,000 students. Shortly after the betrayal of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), Weingarten told the New York Times that she was spending upwards of 15 hours each day on the phone with the White House, the CDC and local union officials to coordinate the full reopening of schools. Under both Trump and Biden, the federal government has criminally refused to track COVID-19 infections and deaths tied to schools. However, the CDC has quietly released estimates that nearly 26.7 million children under 18 have been infected with the virus, more than a third of the total US population in that age group. With recent studies showing that roughly 10-15 percent of all children infected with COVID-19 develop Long COVID, up to 4 million children may already be affected in the country alone. Undoubtedly, a significant number of these child infections have taken place in reopened schools. Contrary to Weingartens presentation, the Biden administrationwith the collusion of the AFT, NEA, and their local and state affiliates, as well as the CDChas continued to distort science in the interests of the corporate elite. Biden himself blatantly lied about the dangers posed to children, telling a second grader on CNN, Kids dont get COVID very often. Its unusual for that to happen. The rest of Weingartens speech focused on fostering illusions that the Biden administration will vastly improve public education, saying, We can seed a renaissance in Americas public schools that will change young peoples lives and change the course of our country. She read off an extended list of additional supports for students, educators and school staff that she claimed would be provided through the roughly $125 billion in K-12 education funding allocated through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). In many respects, this was a supplement to Bidens April 28 State of the Union address, which the World Socialist Web Site characterized as the politics of the golden meaneverything for everyone. The reality is that the ARPA funding will be spread out over two and a half years, averaging roughly $50 billion/year or merely $1,000 per student. Conservative estimates produced by Learning Policy Institute in July 2020 suggested that states will need between $200 and $300 billion to stabilize their K-12 education budgets and meet even a portion of the additional costs over just the next year and a half. Weingarten also injected racial and identity politics into her speech, as part of increasingly aggressive efforts by the teachers unions, the Democrats and the media to conceal the underlying causes of the crisis in the capitalist system. She stated, racial injustice in particular has been a pandemic within the pandemic, while calling for the hiring of more teachers of color. The AFT and NEA are increasingly promoting the use of the New York Times 1619 Projectwhich has been thoroughly exposed as historical falsification by the WSWSas history curriculum in schools across the US. The efforts by Weingarten to sow illusions in the Biden administration and to claim that the pandemic is nearly over will ring hollow to educators, parents and students, who have faced the most horrific year in living memory, during which they have been completely abandoned by the unions. Recognizing the subservience of the unions and Democrats to the school reopening imperatives of the capitalist class, masses of educators and other workers have become increasingly radicalized over the past year. The most far-sighted and militant have formed networks of rank-and-file committees, wholly independent of the unions and both big business parties, in cities and states across the US and globally, among educators, autoworkers, Amazon workers, transport workers and other sections of the working class. Michael Hull, a teacher and member of the Texas Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee, commented on Weingartens speech, saying, Instead of fighting for better remote instruction and payments for working families, she keeps pushing the back-to-work and back-to-school narrative on behalf of Wall Street. There is no way forward for the working class with such frauds at the fore. We must take up the fight independently of organizations like the AFT, which have effectively been grafted into the establishment wing of the Democratic Party to serve as a controlled opposition. In order to contain the pandemic, all schools and nonessential workplaces must be closed and all workers and families provided with ample financial support. Resources must be expanded for universal testing, contact tracing and isolation of all infected patients. The production and distribution of the vaccine must be vastly scaled up and the profit motive eliminated in order to safely vaccinate the worlds population. To implement this program, it is essential that workers in every industry form rank-and-file committees to coordinate their struggles across state and national boundaries. The International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) has been established for this purpose, and all educators and other workers who wish to fight to save lives should sign up today to build a committee at your school or workplace. The controversy surrounding the new location for Masaka District headquarters has taken a new twist with the district technical planning committee suggesting another site to erect the offices. The committee has recommended that the headquarters be built at a piece of land housing Bukeeri Health Centre in Buwunga Sub-county. Following the elevation of Masaka Town to a city status on July 1 last year, the district headquarters, which is within the city centre, has to be shifted to a new location outside the city, according to the local government policy. Mr Vincent Sunday Lukyamuzi, the Masaka District planner, said the decision by the district technical planning committee was informed by factors which include; the land being free and spacious and strategic location. "The land at Bukeeri is measuring about five acres which is big enough to accommodate a modern district headquarters," he said on Monday. Mr Lukyamuzi said they had already shared their proposal with the district executive committee and they await an approval from the district council. Leaders in Masaka have since last year remained undecided on whether the district headquarters should remain in the city centre or be shifted to one of the sub-counties. As they wait for a final decision on where to put the new facility, Mr Lukyamuzi said they have already budgeted Shs1.5 billion for the construction works. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Uganda Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Mr Aloysius Jjuko, the chairperson of Bukakkata Sub-county, said the delay to relocate the district headquarters from the city centre might affect service delivery. "The incoming council should make it a priority to approve the resolution of the district technical planning committee because even if the money is made available, the construction [of district headquarters] cannot start without the approval of the council," he said. Masaka District chairperson-elect Andrew Lukyamuzi Batemyeto said: "Deciding on where to put the district headquarters is a simple issue and I promise to address it as soon as I assume office." Ms Janat Nakisekka, the outgoing Masaka District vice chairperson, said: "We have tried to have that issue [location of district headquarters] resolved before our term expires, but we have been let down by low turn up of councilors." Mr Raphael Magyezi, the Minister of Local Government, said in the next financial year, the government will support all districts that lost property to the new cities. "Money will be made available in the coming financial year to help them," he said. Scattered offices Despite being one of the oldest districts in Uganda, Masaka has over the years failed to have its own headquarters and it is occupying some buildings belonging to Buganda Kingdom. The district offices are scattered with some departments including that of education, health, and finance housed in buildings belonging to Buganda Kingdom at Saaza, a Masaka City suburb. Other offices such as that of the district chairperson and vice chairperson are housed at Kitabiro, about 2kms away. TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - A Terre Haute university says it will no longer require masks for fully vaccinated people. On Thursday, Indiana State University said it would follow new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control on mask recommendations. That's according to a letter sent to Indiana State University students. LINK | LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CDC'S NEW GUIDELINES The school says people who are not fully vaccinated need to continue wearing masks on campus. VINCENNES, Ind. (WTHI) - The center of Vincennes is a busy hub of activity. Sixth and Hart sees hundreds of cars and dozens of pedestrians a day. According to the state of Indiana, the area is also having a lot of opioid incidents. Vanessa Phillips with the Knox County Oriented System of Care explains, "The library was a central location in Vincennes where we saw a trend of overdoses occurring." The System of Care had a NaloxBox to provide for Vincennes. A NaloxBox holds doses of Narcan to help those having an overdose survive. With the trend going up the organization reached out to the library. Janet Kitchin with the Knox County Public Library says, "It's all about saving a life and hoping that these people could get help if they need it. And if they're having an overdose they can save their life so that they can look into getting some help." The NaloxBox at the library is discrete. That gives those who need help a way to be anonymous. At any time of the day, folks can show up and take the life-saving medicine. Phillips says, "It's not, it doesn't have opioids in it or anything like that. It's safe to use. If it's given to someone who's not experiencing an overdose it's not going to harm them." The new NaloxBox has been in place for just over a month. Already 32 doses have been taken from the supply. Health officials encourage anyone who is taking opioids for whatever reason to have Narcan on hand. Emily Bunyan with the library says, "Our community is the heart of the library and this is a way for us to save a life. We're only too happy to do that." VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTHI) - The Vigo County School Corporation is looking to put on multiple vaccine clinics. All high school students are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. The deadline to get students signed up is Friday. Parents must sign their students up to receive the vaccine. There will be a clinic at each high school. Tuesday, May 25 - West Vigo High School Wednesday, May 26 - Terre Haute South Vigo High School Thursday, May 27 - Terre Haute North Vigo High School As of Thursday afternoon, 65 students have signed up for the clinic. The top Democrat and Republican on the House Homeland Security Committee struck a deal to create a bipartisan commission to investigate the January 6 attack on the Capitol, breaking a months-long logjam between House leaders about how to structure the independent panel. House Homeland Security Chairman Bennie Thompson of Mississippi and the panel's ranking Republican, Rep. John Katko of New York, announced on Friday they had reached an agreement for the panel that would be modeled after the 9/11 Commission. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a letter to lawmakers on Friday that the House would vote on the legislation creating the commission next week, as well as a $2 billion supplemental funding bill to bolster security at the Capitol. After the agreement was announced Friday, it was not clear whether House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy -- who has been fighting with Pelosi over the commission proposal -- would sign off on the deal, as he said he was still reviewing it. The commission proposed by Thompson and Katko would include a 10-member panel, with half appointed by Democratic congressional leaders, including the chair, and half by Republicans, including the vice chair. The panel will have the power to issue subpoenas if they are signed off by both the chair and vice chair, according to a summary released by the committee. The commission would be tasked with issuing a final report by the end of this year, making it a quick timeline for the panel to put out a final product. The deal represents a significant bipartisan breakthrough on a proposal that had been stalled for months since Pelosi first proposed a commission to investigate the insurrection at the Capitol in the days after the deadly January 6 attack, in which hundreds of pro-Trump supporters breached the Capitol walls and forced lawmakers and then-Vice President Mike Pence to evacuate the House and Senate chambers. The Justice Department has charged more than 400 people in the Capitol riot so far. Pelosi was at odds with both McCarthy and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell about the scope that such a commission would examine, as well as the partisan makeup of the panel and how subpoenas could be issued. Republicans had insisted that any investigation of the lead-up to the January 6 Capitol attack -- which would surely include former President Donald Trump's role in falsely claiming the election had been stolen -- should also include an examination of violence from far-left groups like Antifa during protests of police brutality last year. Pelosi made concessions last month for the commission to include an equal number of members appointed by Democrats and Republicans and for subpoenas to require both sides to sign off, but the fight over the scope remained the key sticking point. After the agreement was announced, it was not clear whether McCarthy was on board. He said he had yet to see the details and said the scope should not just be focused on January 6. 'I'm going to look through it,' McCarthy said, adding that he had not signed off on the deal Katko reached before it was announced. 'We had an officer killed on Good Friday. If this commission is going to come forth to tell us how to protect this facility in the future you want to make sure that the scope that you can look at all that, what came up before and what came up after. So that's very concerning to me.' House leaders were at odds over panel McCarthy's comments underscored the partisan back-and-forth between the two House leaders over the commission, as both had accused the other of not being serious about finding a deal or even wanting an independent panel to study the attack. 'It would have been nice to actually sit down and work with her,' McCarthy told CNN earlier this week, before the deal was announced. 'So you can do January 6, you could do what's happening there, you could do whatever is causing it. Wouldn't you want, if this is going to be used to ask for funding to make sure the Capitol is safe, why wouldn't you look at everything? That's all I'm saying.' Democrats have accused McCarthy of trying to scuttle the commission by insisting it also look at violence involving far-left groups as a way to dilute Trump's role ahead of the January 6 Capitol attack. 'Kevin McCarthy has made it very clear that he's going to continue to carry water for Donald Trump, and even if that means trying to whitewash what happened on January 6 or try to get money, by bringing in other unrelated activities or incidents -- I do have concern about that,' said Rep. Jason Crow, a Colorado Democrat. In recent days, McCarthy's rhetoric on the scope of the commission has shifted from calling for the investigation to include left-wing violence like Antifa at police protests last year to instead include the April attack at the Capitol that killed a Capitol Police officer. Katko in a statement said that the Capitol 'remains a target for extremists of all ideologies,' and he cited the April attack at the Capitol, in which the suspect rammed his vehicle into a police barricade on Constitution Avenue, striking two officers. 'An independent, bipartisan commission will remove politicization of the conversation and focus solely on the facts and circumstances surrounding the security breach at the Capitol as well as other instances of violence relevant to such a review,' Katko said. Katko confirmed to reporters Friday that McCarthy was still reviewing the deal and had not yet signed off. 'He's looking at it,' Katko said of McCarthy. Asked whether he believed GOP House leadership could have a problem with the deal, Katko said, 'I'll see about it.' The House could pass the bill to create the commission without the support of McCarthy or most Republicans, but the Senate would need at least 10 Republicans to back it to overcome a potential filibuster. The legislation released by the committee does not mention anything about violence that occurred during police protests last year. It also does not specifically mention Trump or the lies about the election that fueled pro-Trump supporters to descend on the Capitol on January 6 to try to disrupt congressional certification of the Electoral College vote. 'The Commission will be charged with investigating and reporting upon the facts and causes of the January 6th attack on the Capitol as well as the influencing factors that may have provoked the attack on our democracy,' a committee summary says. The text of the legislation to establish the commission says that the commission will build upon other investigations into the Capitol attack, and it should examine the role that the various law enforcement and intelligence agencies played in responding to the insurrection. The legislation also includes language for the commission to examine how technology, including potential foreign influence, contributed to the motivation, organization and execution of the attack on the Capitol. The committee said that the members who are appointed to the commission must have significant expertise in law enforcement, civil liberties, privacy, intelligence and cybersecurity, and they cannot be current government officials. House to take up commission bill next week In a statement Friday, Pelosi praised the agreement that was reached by the Homeland Security Committee leaders. Asked if McCarthy could stop the bipartisan deal, Pelosi told CNN Friday, 'Why don't you ask him?' 'His ranking member is a co-sponsor of the legislation we're very pleased that it is bipartisan, and the scope was very important in the legislation. That's all I'm going to say' Pelosi said of Katko. Pelosi and McCarthy had traded proposals back and forth about the parameters of the commission over the past several months, but they never appeared to engage in serious negotiations about what the final legislation would look like. Pelosi's initial outreach to Republicans was to Katko through Thompson, rather than McCarthy, according to a senior Democratic aide familiar with the deputization of negotiations. Ultimately, Pelosi tapped Thompson to reach the final agreement with Katko, one of the 10 House Republicans who voted to impeach Trump in January. Thompson this week expressed optimism that the two would be able to strike a deal. 'I am pleased that after many months of intensive discussion, Ranking Member Katko and I were able to reach a bipartisan agreement,' Thompson said in a statement. 'Inaction -- or just moving on -- is simply not an option. The creation of this commission is our way of taking responsibility for protecting the U.S. Capitol.' Rep. Elissa Slotkin, a Michigan Democrat and one of the moderate Democrats who has been advocating for the commission, said she was hopeful that Katko's support would lead to Republicans backing the agreement. 'I know he's negotiating in good faith' Slotkin said of Katko on Thursday, before the deal was reached. 'The question will be is whether the senior leadership of their party will accept a good faith effort.' This story has been updated with additional details. COLUMBUS, Miss. (WTVA) - Columbus Mayor Robert Smith is back in the public eye after being hospitalized earlier this year. On Thursday, he along with the police department announced their plan to reduce gun violence within the city. Columbus Mayor Robert Smith Sr. Columbus Mayor Robert Smith Sr. I need to be out front and show leadership," Smith said Thursday, "and let the citizens know that even though Ive been ill, Im just happy and elated to be back here and have an opportunity to deal with this situation and hope that we can get it under control. Smith released a statement last month saying he was working from home while awaiting doctors to clear him. The mayor made a brief appearance at the grand opening of a new fire station a few weeks ago. His doctors told him to take it easy. Smith was elected to the position in 2006. He faces two opponents in the June 8 general election. Please purchase a subscription to continue reading. If you have a subscription, please Log In . Your current subscription does not provide access to this content. If you believe you've gotten this message in error, please Log In. It was a tense Friday morning - June 23, 2006. The media and police had been alerted that Kenya's rogue Charterhouse Bank, now set for liquidation, was destined for a take-over. In the corridors, shaken directors led by Sanjay Shah - who also owned Kingsway Motors - were making frantic, last-minute calls. A family business where they had put their fortunes was being taken over as they watched. Charterhouse was linked to Nakumatt, a shopping citadel that was more than a supermarket. The shopping mall, which also housed Charterhouse Bank branches, masked the fraudulent dealings that happened under the watch of its owners and managers. At the entrance, 15 years ago, Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) had pasted a notice, signed by acting CBK governor Jecinta Mwatela, stating that Miss Rose Ndetho, then an assistant director, had taken over the bank as the receiver manager. "This is not a bank," Ms Mwatela would later say. Now, despite court battles and demands from the owners, CBK has dashed all hopes of ever reviving the bank and announced that it will be liquidated. The raid at Charterhouse Bank had followed a regular inspection that found, besides other banking vices, that the bank had lent to both Nakumatt Holdings Limited and Triton Petroleum Limited in excess of the single borrower limit of 25 per cent of its core capital. Level of deceit within the bank It was found, too, that some customers were routinely borrowing as much as 20 times the cash they held - and that some accounts were nameless or were opened in violation of the know-your-customer rule, a mandatory requirement in banking. CBK also found that some of the directors were also involved in insider lending, and were found to have borrowed, and without security, above the prescribed limit of 20 per cent of the core capital. So entrenched and powerful were the cartels within the bank that Parliament was later told that the new CBK Governor, Dr Andrew Mullei, was thrown out in 2006 for recommending the closure of the bank for allegedly helping some companies evade taxes amounting to Sh18 billion. Interestingly, it was Dr Mullei who was charged with abuse of office and suspended from office over irregular hiring of a task force which the Minister for Finance, Mr Amos Kimunya, said was a "coincidence". "This is a very serious matter. I sympathise with my friend the minister for Finance. If you look back to determine the time which the Governor was suspended, it is very suspicious... " Three years before the CBK takeover, Charterhouse had hired an internal auditor, Mr Peter Odhiambo, who was shocked by the level of deceit within the bank whose head office was on the seventh floor of Longonot Place, Kijabe Street, Nairobi. Mr Odhiambo not only noticed several irregularities in the bank but also suspicious transactions in some accounts. Started as a family business It was Mr Odhiambo who handed over the dossier to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and to then Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission, and also shared it with some US Embassy officials. Started in 1996, the bank had taken over operations of Middle East Kenya Finance Limited and quickly opened bank branches in Nairobi, Kisumu and Mombasa. The bank branches were located inside Nakumatt Supermarkets, an associate of the bank through common shareholding, according to a Central Bank report. Initially, it was started as a family business, sharing directors with Kingsway Group via holding company Ram Trust. The directors were Manish Shah, Manoj Shah, Artur Shah and Sanjah Shah. Ram Trust was named after the father of Kingsway Tyres, the late Ramniklal P. Shah - commonly known as Ram - who in 1962 opened a small shop along the then Kings Way (now University Way) to sell tyres. But the Charterhouse shareholding, like all companies involved in sleaze, was akin to a jigsaw puzzle. By the time the bank was closed, Ram Trust was thought to own 43.8 per cent of Charterhouse Bank but further investigations found that Manoj Shah and his brothers owned over 54 per cent shareholding. This was in violation of the Banking Act, which restricts ownerships by a party to a maximum of 25 per cent. Registered offshore in the billionaire tax haven of Liechtenstein, which is favoured by billionaires thanks to banking secrecy and security, Ram Trust was used by Sanjay, Manoj and Manish to hide their loot. They had also registered another shell company in British Virginia, Proudview Investments, which owned 21.7 per cent of Chaterhouse Bank. Another company, Foreman Corporation, was registered in the Caribbean nation of Belize, and owned 21.74 per cent shareholding in Charterhouse Bank. As such, Charterhouse would normally transfer huge amounts to these perceived owners while also witnessing large inward and outward telegraphic transfers. Money laundering suspicion In 2001, the bank had been involved in the controversial Sh2 billion transfer that was credited to Crucial Properties Limited, associated with a Nairobi businessman, Mr Humphrey Kariuki. The transfer had grabbed the attention of the local police and the US Federal Bureau of Investigations after the money was wired from Liechtenstein. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Banking By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. But when Central Bank froze Crucial Properties' accounts, Mr Kariuki went to the High Court and was allowed to withdraw Sh300 million. He later fought the money laundering suspicion and on May 10, Justice Samuel Oguk lifted the freezing orders, allowing Mr Kariuki to withdraw the money. Within hours, and before the Attorney-General could appeal the order, Mr Kariuki had withdrawn Sh1.6 billion. Later, Justice Oguk refused to order investigations into the withdrawal, blaming Attorney-General Amos Wako for the delay in presenting his application to the court. With the closure of the bank, a few years later, the Departmental Committee on Finance, Planning, Trade and Tourism chaired by then Finance assistant minister Oburu Oginga recommended the opening of the bank and threatened to censure the CBK Governor. There were many attempts from the floor of the House, and from interested parties, to try and force CBK to reopen the bank. An investigation by PriceWaterhouseCoopers indicated some 839 accounts had no opening forms or customer instructions despite some of the accounts handling billions of shillings in transactions. With the liquidation of Charterhouse Bank, a chapter on a rogue Kenyan bank has closed. Thank you for Reading. As a community service, our obituaries are always free to view. In order to better know our audience, we ask that you register to continuing viewing. analysis The political survival of ruling elites is one of the major determining factors behind their trade policy choices. But trade policy choices can determine whether a country's economy diversifies to reduce dependence on the production of a few goods or services. This phenomenon is most pronounced in countries whose economies are heavily dependent on a few commodity exports. To understand this phenomenon better, I have looked at the behaviour of ruling elites in West Africa since the early 1960s. I focused specifically on their choices of trade policy and relations. I chose West Africa because some of the countries in the region, including Burkina Faso, Senegal and Ivory Coast, have basically been in a trade partnership with the European Union and its predecessor, the European Economic Community, since independence. The behaviour of ruling elites is informed by the fact that economic crises often threaten their survival, resulting in political crises. A government that depends on a particular commodity for its revenue will feel threatened when the price of that commodity drops to very low levels, especially over long periods of time. The ruling elites can respond to the fear of this threat in two ways. The first option is to try to diversify their economies to reduce dependence on one or a few commodity exports. The second option is to enter into trade agreements that guarantee the price of key commodity exports. This is what some West African countries have done. But the second option is a trap. My research shows that trade partnerships with the EU generally function as a system of extraversion for West African ruling elites. To ensure their political survival, they tend to fashion their trade relations with the EU as one of dependency. These amount to the continuation of a colonial economic system, a neo-colonial relationship. It comes at the expense of economic diversification. The key feature of the trade partnerships addressed here is their prevention of economic change in West Africa. Neo-colonialism at work For this research paper, which spins off from my doctoral thesis, I focused on the Yaounde Conventions (1963-1975). I chose Yaounde because not all West African countries signed up to it. This made it easy to compare the performance of countries that signed up to the convention against those that didn't. This comparison allowed a better understanding of the convention's economic impact on West African countries that signed up to it. Benin, Togo, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire, Mali and Niger signed up to the convention. Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Gambia didn't. The economies of the countries that signed the Yaounde Convention grew twice as fast as those that didn't. The economy of Cote d'Ivoire, a signatory to the convention, grew at an annual average of 8.1% between 1961 and 1975. Ghana, which was not a member, grew at an annual average of 2.1% during the same period. Furthermore, countries that signed up experienced fewer political crises during this period than non-members. This finding applies across a range of proxies for political crisis. Non-members of the convention had on average twice as many crisis as the affiliated countries did. Collectively, Nigeria, Ghana and Sierra Leone experienced eight military coups during the period of the conventions, meaning the three had an average of 2.6 coups each. The three didn't sign up to Yaounde. Togo, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Mali and Niger had six, translating into an average of one coup each. There were also wide differences in the diversification efforts of the members and non-members. By the end of the Yaounde Conventions, only two of the affiliated countries had changed one of their top three main export products. All the non-affiliates had changed on average two of their top three export products. This difference has crucial implications for understanding the actual effect of the trade partnership. Political survival Economic crises often threatens the survival of ruling elites, resulting in political crises. A government that depends on a particular commodity for its revenue will feel threatened when the price of that product reaches a critically low level. Subsequently, ruling elites will seek economic change to safeguard their power base. This explains the diversification undertaken by the countries that didn't sign up to the Yaounde Conventions. For the signatories, the partnership with the EU provided price support that maintained the existing economic system. This helped the signatory countries avoid the political conditions that drove economic change in the non-signatory countries. Let's take a look at Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire. In the 1950s, Ghana and Cote d'Ivoire had similar export portfolios (predominantly cocoa beans). Both had roughly the same levels of product and market concentration. This remained the case until the early 1960s when the price of cocoa fell below a sustainable level. The response of the two countries is telling. Kwame Nkrumah's government in Ghana plotted an economic course away from cocoa, cancelling its pending investment in the sector. This attempt followed a political crisis that had threatened Nkrumah's position. As in other unaffiliated countries during this period, diversification in Ghana was an attempt to regain political legitimacy. Cote d'Ivoire, on the other hand, under Houphouet-Boigny's government, negotiated with the European Economic Community for a guaranteed price that was higher than the world market price. This was done within the framework of the Yaounde Convention of 1963. This enabled the country to survive the decline in the price of cocoa. But Cote d'Ivoire's response amounted to a neo-colonial economic system, meaning the continuation of a colonial economic system. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Trade West Africa Business By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Diversification Economic diversification, particularly diversification from unproductive into highly productive economic activities, has been identified as crucial to sustainable development in Africa. But such changes seldom occur spontaneously without state interventions in the form of production or industrial policies. The logic of such policies follows the pursuit of political survival. Since the Yaounde Conventions, ruling elites in West Africa have consciously negotiated trade partnerships with the EU to protect existing economic systems against crisis in order to guarantee their survival. As astutely noted in the mid-1980s by political scientist John Ravenhill in 1985, Lome is a form of clientelist relationship -- an attempt by weak states to construct a particularistic arrangement that would preserve their position in the EEC market and provide insurance against the insecurities of the marketplace. A proper understanding of the EU's trade partnership with African countries, and how it affects the incentive structure of ruling elites, is needed to truly understand the problems of diversification and industrial development in Africa. While the recent trend towards intra-Africa trade, in the form of the recent African Continental Free Trade Area, is positive, the fact is that the EU trade partnership is more important to some African counties than regional or continental trade. Michael E Odijie, Research associate, UCL The four farm cluster areas are in Igbodu in Epe, Araga also in Epe, Erinkorodo in Ikorodu and Afowo in Badagry The Lagos State Government says its World Bank-assisted Agro-Processing, Productivity Enhancement, Livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS) Project will construct 13.16km Farm Access Roads (FARs) in four cluster areas. The state Commissioner for Agriculture, Abisola Olusanya, said this on Thursday during the activities to commemorate the second year of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu's administration. Ms Olusanya noted that the four farm cluster areas are in Igbodu in Epe, Araga also in Epe, Erinkorodo in Ikorodu and Afowo in Badagry. She said the access roads when completed would ensure smooth movement to and fro the farms. Ms Olusanya added that it would reduce losses encountered by egg farmers as a result of the bad road. The commissioner said it would also improve productivity of the concerned farmers. She said the evaluation and engineering design for the four roads had since been finalised and construction would commence immediately. "APPEALS Project is a World Bank-assisted project aimed at enhancing the productivity of small scale farmers in the three identified value chains of poultry, aquaculture and rice through capacity building, provision of infrastructure and empowerment. "The project will be rehabilitating and constructing 13.16Km farm access roads already identified in four different clusters across the state. "The design of the Bill of Engineering Measurement and Evaluation for the four FARs is at final report stage. "The advertisement for potential contractors and subsequent implementation will be carried out once the work plan is approved by the governor," she said. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Transport Construction By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. According to Ms Olusanya, 1,621 regular beneficiaries under the Project's Women and Youth Empowerment Programme (WYEP) has been trained in agribusiness management and other soft skills within the last two years. "Of the number, 462 have received "No Objections" on their Business Investment Plans and are presently implementing their projects. "Other beneficiaries will equally be supported before the end of the year, " she said. Ms Olusanya added that the APPEALS project had equally identified and verified 9,942 farmers and Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, while 8,156 of them had received at least one form of training in relevant areas of agribusiness. She said this was with a view to enhancing their agricultural productivity and improving value addition. Ms Olusanya noted that no fewer than 460 beneficiaries were sponsored for training, workshop and conferences out of which 425 of them were farmers. "A cluster of fish farmers at Badagry have adopted the production of fish crackers and fish cakes. "Over 1,000 packs (696 Kg) of fish fillet and crackers had been produced and sold during the period under review. "Use of nets for the control of birds in rice farming had since been adopted by our farmers. "Over 100 rice farmers in Ganyingbo, Badagry, are presently trying this technology with other agronomic practices learnt through the state collaboration with AfricaRice, IITA, Ibadan," Ms Olusanya said. (NAN) The AGF says the government will soon "resuscitate and reinvigorate the existing special terrorism courts in the country" for the purpose of prosecuting the 400 suspects. The Nigerian government is about to begin the prosecution of 400 suspected Boko Haram financiers, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, said on Thursday. Mr Malami said the government would soon "resuscitate and reinvigorate the existing special terrorism courts in the country" for that purpose. This comes about a week after Mr Malami told reporters at the Presidential Villa in Abuja that the government was profiling some high-profile Nigerians strongly suspected to be financing terrorism for prosecution. He had disclosed that investigations revealing the suspected terrorism financiers were triggered by a recent conviction of some Nigerians in the United Arab Emirate (UAE) for funding Boko Haram. When asked about the number of the suspects already identified, he said it could not be given because investigations were still ongoing. Mr Malami,however, gave a clue about the number in a statement released by his spokesperson, Umar Gwandu, to commemorate the Eid-el-Fitr celebration on Thursday. The minister also said the government was taking more measures to counter insurgency and general insecurity in addition to the move to prosecute the 400 suspected Boko Haram financiers. "He said in addition to the prosecution of 400 suspected Boko Haram financiers, the government has taken more measures to counter the twin trouble of insurgency and insecurity in the country. "Malami said very soon, the Federal Government will, through the Federal Ministry of Justice's Complex Case Group, resuscitate and reinvigorate the existing special terrorism prosecution courts in the country in order bring to book all those found guilty so as to serve as deterrence to others," the statement read in part. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Governance Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. He urged Muslims to continue to be law-abiding, have sober reflection and exhibit the imbibed lessons learnt during the period of Ramadan fast as they celebrate Eid-el-fitr. He saluted "the commitment of clerics in enlightening their followers on various issues during the months urging them to maintain the tempo even beyond the period of Ramadan." 'Special terrorism prosecution courts' The minister did not give the details of the special terrorism prosecution courts where he said the government intends to try the suspected Boko Haram suspects, but officials of the Federal Ministry of Justice told PREMIUM TIMES that it is about an arrangement the ministry has with the Federal High Court. The arrangement, according to the sources, who asked not to be named because they have not been given an approval to speak to the press about the issue, involves deployment of some designated judges of the Federal High Court to various detention facilities where terrorism suspects are held in the country. Over 1,000 terrorism suspects detained in military detention in Kainji, Niger State, have been prosecuted under the arrangement. The choice of the Federal High Court for the cases is because it is the court with exclusive jurisdiction to handle terrorism matters. The justice ministry liaises with other relevant security agencies and prosecutes the cases through its Complex Case Group which handles he prosecution of terrorism related cases. The move to prosecute the alleged terrorism financiers is coming amid heightened attacks by Boko Haram, non-state actors and other perpetrators of violent crimes in different parts of the country. Dr. Nadia Chaudhri has been battling Stage 3 ovarian cancer for the past year, undergoing a hysterectomy and several rounds of chemotherapy. When Chaudhri, a 43-year-old neuroscientist and professor from Montreal, Canada, was hospitalized again this week, she learned that the cancer had returned. "Once ovarian cancer returns, its considered a terminal diagnosis," Chaudhri told "Good Morning America." "There is no treatment. Youre just buying time." As Chaudhri and her husband received the devastating news, she said their thoughts immediately turned to their 6-year-old son, whose name Chaudhri asked not be used. "My husband and I made the decision that we needed to tell our son what is going on because all the treatments are failing me," she said. "He already knew that I had cancer. He knew that I was still taking chemotherapy medication and trying to get better, but I dont think he had a sense of how bad it is." Early on Tuesday morning, the day she had planned for the conversation with her son, Chaudhri said she woke up crying and feeling "completely devastated." In need of an "outlet" for her grief, Chaudhri turned to Twitter, where she has been keeping in touch with friends, colleagues and students, and posted about the conversation she was preparing to have. "Today is the day I tell my son that Im dying from cancer. Its reached a point where he has to hear it from me," she wrote. "Let all my tears flow now so that I can be brave this afternoon. Let me howl with grief now so that I can comfort him." This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Chaudhri said she did not look at Twitter for many hours later and was later shocked by the overwhelming response to her tweet and the conversation it had started. MORE: Brave 2-year-old is fighting rare ovarian cancer as family holds onto hope: 'She's our hero' "I was really shocked that the tweet went viral," said Chaudhri. "It really seemed to strike a nerve." Story continues "A lot of people have written to me unsolicited and told me how important it was that their parents had that conversation and they assured me how they turned out fine, or they told me about situations where they didnt have the conversation and how dreadful that was," she said. "Ive had a lot of validation." Related video: Social media helps grieving man honor his wife Among the thousands of responses to Chaudhri's tweet, some people wrote to share their own experiences, while others offered advice. MORE: Moms search for lifesaving bone marrow donors for daughters with rare diseases "My mother was this honest with me about her cancer when I was your son's age. Her honesty and courage have had a lasting effect on me and those around her," one commenter wrote. "My dad lost his mom from cancer when he was a kid. No one told him anything until she was dead. It's a beautiful thing that you are giving your son the gift of truth. I've been taught that love is truth. Your son will be ok. My dad was and raised us this way," wrote another. "Make videos for his future special days (graduations, weddings, first job, first break up) so hell be able to continue to feel your love, wisdom, sympathy and pride," said a third. Chaudhri said she spoke with a close friend who is also a psychologist to prepare ahead of time for her talk with her son. When the time came on Tuesday afternoon, the conversation was short but meaningful, according to Chaudhri. "One of the things my son said was, I wish I didnt know. I wish you hadnt told me,'" she recalled. "We said, 'We have to tell you because youre part of the family and we didnt want you to have a bad surprise. We wanted to give you the chance to ask your questions and talk about it and feel things with us, as a family.'" "Im so glad we did it because he needed to hear it and he understood right away what was said," she added. "It just worked out well even though it was the hardest conversation Ive ever had." This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Chaudhri said that throughout her cancer battle, and especially at this point, she has been trying to follow advice she received early on. "I realized that my response is going to affect how everybody responds around me, so something Im trying to do is help the people around me sort of reach a point where we get through this together," she said. "I know its going to be a shock and its going to be sad but Im trying to help get everybody to a place where it can be more of a celebration of my life and less of a shock of my death, and my son is part of that." Chaudhri, who is now home from the hospital, said she knows the conversation she and her husband had with their son is just the first of many, describing it as one that just "opened the door to the conversation that we might need to continue to have, an ongoing one." This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. While at home with her family, Chaudhri is also using her time to draw attention to a cause near to her heart, raising money to allow young scientists to be able to continue the research she was doing on drug addiction. Chaudhri, who moved from Pakistan to the U.S. at age 17 to attend college, had to close her research lab in September due to her diagnosis. She said she decided to turn her frustration with not being able to work into an opportunity to raise money for underrepresented scholars in her field. Her efforts have so far raised more than $180,000. "Through this process Ive had people telling me things that are surprising, like [graduate students] describing interactions with me that have been meaningful to them," said Chaudhri. "I didnt realize I was having those impacts and it turns out I did." "It's important to be good and be kind and be honest and have integrity," she said. Mom gets outpouring of love from Twitter after revealing she has to tell her son she is dying originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com The facial recognition site PimEyes is one of the most capable face-searching tools on the planet. In less than a second, it can scan through more than 900 million images from across the Internet and find matches with startling accuracy. But its most distinguishing trait is who can use it: Anyone. While most facial recognition tools are reserved for police or government use, PimEyes is open to the masses, whether they're hunting down U.S. Capitol riot suspects or stalking women around the Web. Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. The search tool stands at the frontier of a new era of facial recognition surveillance: Powerfully sophisticated and available to anyone, with added abilities for those who pay. And without public oversight or government rules controlling facial recognition use, researchers expect that sites like PimEyes will multiply, capitalizing on the Internet's vast bounty of photos and videos - and making it possible for strangers to keep tabs on people's personal lives. "What is stopping them? Literally nothing," said Stephanie Hare, a technology researcher in London. "The people who put those pictures on the Internet - with their children, their parents, the people who might be vulnerable in their life - were not doing it so they could feed a database that companies could monetize," she said. There's no clear way to fight back, she added: "I can leave my phone at home. What I can't leave is my face." Related: Microsoft president says company won't sell facial recognition technology Facial recognition has become an increasingly widespread investigative tool for government authorities and law enforcement; airports, stores and schools also use it to verify visitors' identities and boost security. But PimEyes has made it easier than ever for the general public to tap its artificial intelligence power: When a user submits a photo of someone's face, the site will return a catalogue of images linked to other places where that person appears around the Web, including old videos, news stories, photo albums and personal blogs. Story continues The search results don't include exact names, but they offer a detail and precision that has left some people stunned. Pete, a 40-year-old man in Germany who asked that only his first name be used, said he ran a 17-year-old photo of himself drinking a beer on a train and was blown away when it returned a link to a recent video of him on YouTube. "How did it even work? I'm older, it's a different facial expression, even a different position of my head," he said, comparing the two photos. "It's very creepy and way too powerful. This should not be in the public, available for everyone." PimEyes says in its online "manifesto" that it believes searching for one's face online should be a basic human right open to anyone, not just corporations and governments, and that the company's work is, counterintuitively, a boon for privacy. PimEyes sells subscription packages to people who want to find where their photos have been posted online or get alerted when they're posted somewhere else. Though they've built a search engine devoted to unraveling online mysteries, the developers won't say practically anything about themselves. A representative for the company - who declined to share their name, said they'd talk only over email and asked to be referred to only as "the director" - declined to answer questions about how PimEyes works, who is involved with the company or even where the company is based. "Staying completely anonymous is very important to us," the director said. The company has defended itself against criticism - and data-privacy laws like the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation, which restricts facial recognition use - by saying it is to be used only by people uploading their own images. But PimEyes enforces that rule with a single checkbox that anyone can easily click to circumvent. The company has no other rules in place to prevent anyone from scouring the Web for someone else. "The most valuable resource is information . . . [and] we allow people to find, monitor, and protect pieces of information about themselves," the director said. "We don't encourage people to search for other people - it is their own decision to break the rules." The tool has become wildly popular among strangers looking to "essentially stalk" women around the Web, said Aaron DeVera, a security researcher in New York. On 4chan and other anonymous forums, PimEyes subscribers with deeper search capabilities than unpaid users - subscriptions start at around $30 a month - routinely create threads offering to search out any photo and relay back the results. Almost all of the photos are of young girls and women pulled from their social media accounts, their dating-app profiles or "creepshots" stealthily photographed without their consent. The people searching often hope to find other photos or learn more personal details "so they can creep on them further," DeVera added: "Something like this that is so off-the-shelf really does lower the barrier to entry for nefarious activity." In one PimEyes thread on 4chan from October, an anonymous user posted a digital collage, titled "Complete Exposure" and a woman's name, filled with sensitive details of their personal life. It was unclear whether all the photos had been surfaced by PimEyes, or even whether they were all of the same woman. But the collage was scarily comprehensive, including photos of her standing in the middle-school classroom where she teaches, her driver's license, school badge, wedding announcement, the outside of her home and her home address. (The woman, through her husband, declined to comment.) The director said PimEyes should not be blamed for how it's used by people on a forum like 4chan: "You will probably find some content there that shows how to use Google, a car, or just a plate or any other tool to hurt someone." Most facial recognition tools, such as Clearview AI, look for matches to an image among photos in a giant database. But PimEyes works more like Google, using bots known as "spiders" to crawl the Web, scanning for photos of faces and then recording those images as numerical code. If the search tool is later shown a photo that resembles one of those images, it will return a direct link to where the image can be found. PimEyes said last year in a since-deleted webpage that it had analyzed 900 million unique faces - nearly three times the U.S. population - from 150 million websites and processed 1 terabyte of images everyday. PimEyes said it does not search images on social media, but photos from those sites are regularly among the results, and in a test last year by the German digital-rights blog Netzpolitik, journalists said they found results from Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and TikTok. The company did not offer an explanation, the journalists wrote, adding, "The more we confront PimEyes with questions, the more the company contradicts itself." PimEyes' bots do, however, catalogue the images on pornographic websites, and people who have used the site said they've often stumbled across those look-alike results when searching for someone else. The company director said the site scans porn images so its customers can find nonconsensual "revenge" porn postings or attempt "to erase the mistakes of youth." One customer who creates sexual content, the director added, uses the tool to find websites that steal their work. Launched in 2017 by a Polish start-up, PimEyes advertises itself as "an advanced self-monitoring, self-protection and self-image management tool." A Polish blog in 2019 said the site was started by two graduates of the Wrocaw University of Science and Technology, Lukasz Kowalczyk and Denis Tatina, who built it as a hobby project and later monetized it upon seeing the user interest - the greatest of which, they said, came from the United States. In 2020, the PimEyes brand was transferred to Face Recognition Solutions Ltd., a company with no real online presence and a corporate address registered to a single room in the Seychelles, the island nation in the Indian Ocean that has become a popular offshore haven for companies wanting to obscure their ownership and corporate details. The same room is also listed as a registered address for start-ups in advertising, finance and cryptocurrency, corporate records show. The PimEyes director said the company chose the Seychelles "because of the good incorporation environment." The director also offered little about how PimEyes's facial recognition algorithms work, saying only that they are "built in-house." Hundreds of such algorithms have been developed around the world, each with varying features and error rates that can affect how well they work: In a 2019 federal test, the least-accurate algorithms were up to 100 times more likely to misidentify people of color. Users have been surprised when PimEyes found not just their own photos, but photos they hadn't even realized they'd been captured in. A French journalist ran a webcam photo of himself through the site and found a photo he had no memory of, in which it looked like he'd fallen asleep during a news conference. Another man said the site had found a photo of him from 25 years ago. Some have also been alarmed by the ease of use: One man tweeted that he had taken screenshots of people's faces while on Zoom calls, then ran them through PimEyes, saying "the results were startling." If he'd wanted, he added, he could have paid to get notifications any time a new photo of them was put online. The service, though, could suffer from the same issues that plague many facial recognition tools, including wide swings in accuracy depending on the skin color of who's being searched. Some Twitter users have complained that the search engine returned only porn actors who looked nothing like them. The company declined to answer questions about its development team, finances, customer base, photo index and expansion plans. In March, the company offered to connect The Washington Post with some of its clients, saying "we have many customers who are satisfied with our service," but after several weeks reversed course and said none would agree to talk. "We help our customers solving sensitive cases, so they might not be willing to share their stories," the director said. Any PimEyes user can see some limited search results. But only paying "Premium" subscribers can perform unlimited searches, unlock the full image details and get email alerts whenever the site detects a face they've uploaded somewhere else on the Web. For $29.99 a month, a user can search 25 times a day, while $299.99 a month can unlock unlimited searches. An online pricing calculator suggests some users may want to conduct up to 100 million searches a month - a gargantuan number for a business that says users should search only for their own images. PimEyes has advertised itself as a law-enforcement investigative tool, saying last year in a since-deleted post that it "is actively involved in the fight against online crime." But the company director said that none of its customers are law enforcement agencies. That crime-fighting claim, the director said, is nevertheless "true in some way" because the tool can be used to find illegally used images. PimEyes allows anyone to request a photo's removal using an online form, one image at a time. But to completely block those photos from showing up in PimEyes's search results, a user needs to pay $79.99 a month for the "PROtect" package - in essence, paying the same company that uncovered the images to also take them down. PimEyes's widespread use in the pursuit of Capitol rioters, by an online crowdsourced collective of "sedition hunters," has also worried researchers like Hare, the technology researcher, who believed it could be easily misused to target the wrong people or turn untrained sleuths into digital vigilantes. "Are citizens cops? No. But tools like these can turn anyone into a cop," she said. "If you give people something that can be used as a surveillance tool, people are going to use it as one, and they're not going to feel the need to have an ethical conversation about it." A tool for amateur detective work, Hare added, can also easily be transformed into a weapon of state surveillance. Before PimEyes, there was FindFace, a similar face-search engine developed by the Moscow tech start-up NtechLab. Russian authorities now use the software to track opposition activists, journalists, protesters and others captured by Moscow's more than 189,000 cameras. PimEyes said that instances of abuse tied to the search tool were not the company's fault, adding that any "service can be used against the purpose it was created for." Of the "sedition hunters," the director said, "People who misused our search engine did that for a good cause, but it doesn't mean they won't face the consequences of their actions." But even some fans of the service think it goes too far. Conor Nolan, a photo researcher in London, spent hours on PimEyes attempting to identify members of the mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, believing the information could prove invaluable to the FBI. On one of his first searches, PimEyes pointed to one suspect's decade-old mug shot - an investigative breakthrough in a single click. Nolan said it's scarily accurate and "a technology I'm not comfortable with at all," adding that he thinks governments should regulate such tools before they are made available to the general public. But in the meantime, he said, he intends to keep using it, just because it works so well. "Ethics aside, it was well worth it," Nolan said. "I'd use it again if I had the need." In the U.S., PimEyes and other facial recognition companies have few laws to worry about. While members of Congress from both parties have talked about freezing government use of the technology, and federal watchdogs at the Government Accountability Office last year urged them to strengthen face-scan laws, the business is still entirely unregulated at the national level. Half a dozen states and roughly two dozen cities have banned or restricted the technology for public use; another dozen state legislatures are slated to discuss similar bills this year. But such legislation almost always addresses use by police or public authorities, not companies or private individuals. That regulatory void has led even the technology's biggest developers to call for stronger laws: Amazon last summer halted its sale of facial recognition technology to police for one year to give lawmakers "enough time to implement appropriate rules," while Microsoft said it would not sell the technology to police until a federal law is enacted that is "grounded in human rights." Some AI researchers expect PimEyes won't be the last site to attempt unbounded facial search. The rise of "open source" AI has allowed outside developers to easily fold facial recognition software into their own applications: With enough computing power, anyone can use them to play around with the seemingly infinite photo and video data of the Web. One AI data scientist using the online name "Patr10tic," who spoke in a phone interview on the condition of anonymity to candidly discuss the development of similar tools, said PimEyes's functionality can be closely mimicked using freely available tools such as FaceNet, an open-source facial recognition system developed by Google researchers in 2015 and now widely emulated around the Web. After the Capitol siege, he used an open-source "face extractor" tool to pull out facial images from more than 40,000 videos uploaded to the heavily pro-Trump social network Parler. He then built a cluster map of those faces, as well as a detailed location map pinpointing where the videos had first been made. Developers, he said, have a "real duty" to build tools with guardrails against their own misuse. But he's not surprised that such AI uses are expanding rapidly - and he believes that, in many cases, it's already too late to rein in a type of technology that's widely proliferated around the world. "You're not going to be able to stop people from 'spidering' the Web on their own and using open-source code to build pipelines like this. It's just impossible to enforce," he said. "That's where the world is going. Like the physicists of the 1940s, we can already effectively create a Manhattan Project. All these tools can be used, so to speak, for peace or for war." - - - The Washington Post's Julie Tate contributed to this report. Related Content At 95, Dick Van Dyke is still the consummate showman - and he's desperate to get back onstage This Siberian town lost everything when the mill closed. It's now struggling to find a future. Everyone wants Garth Brooks on their side. He just wants everyone to get along. Kopari's Newest Body Mask Treats Acne, Cellulite, and Uneven Texture in Just 10 Minutes Courtesy/InStyle My bathroom cabinet is home to dozens of face masks. I slather on brightening, detoxifying, and clarifying formulas weekly to keep my complexion in check, yet I am significantly less attentive to the rest of my skin. But after testing the Kopari Beauty Pink Souffle Body Mask, a mask specifically formulated to treat skin concerns on everything but the face, I've begun to extend my skincare regimen past my neck and the difference is astounding. The new Kopari mask is full of powerhouse ingredients that remedy a range of issues, including reducing the appearance of cellulite, clearing out pores, fading dark spots, soothing body acne, and brightening dull skin. With every application on the chest, back, arms, legs, or wherever your skin needs an instant pick-me-up, antioxidant-rich dragon fruit, organic coconut oil, niacinamide, and Kaolin and bentonite clays work in unison to restore an overall glow and softness. Kopari Beauty Pink Souffle Body Mask Courtesy Shop now: $39; koparibeauty.com According to Krupa Koestline, Kopari Beauty product formulator and clean product chemist, the formula truly address a range of concerns, including "oxidative stress, sun damage, minimizing the appearance of pores, restoring cellular energy, brightening the skin and reducing inflammation; all without any side effects." RELATED: This $18 Eye Cream Is So Good, It Has People Ditching Concealer I was pleasantly surprised to see how effectively the mask lived up to its claims. It made the workout-induced acne on my back and chest practically disappear overnight and evened out the overall tone and texture of my skin, from brightening my chest to smoothing over tiny bumps on the backs of my arms. And though slathering on a body mask may sound tedious and messy, it only takes 10 minutes of my time twice a week before rinsing off in the shower. As an added bonus, the mask's fluffy, whipped texture feels cool against my skin and smells slightly citrusy. The San Diego-based natural skincare brand sustainably sources its organic coconut oil from small family farms in the Philippines and keeps parabens, sulfates, and phthalates off the ingredient list, always. To treat your body at least half as well as you treat your face, scoop up Kopari's Pink Souffle Body Mask for $39. Credit: In The Know In our Chosen Family series, in partnership with Kalo, In The Know spotlights small but strong communities that are united by a shared passion. When Sarah Richard first started scuba diving, she didnt know just how many women were interested in the underwater sport. I just thought that scuba diving was for men, the divemaster and self-described digital nomad shares. But then I kind of thought to myself, it would be so cool to have more girls to dive with. Scouring the internet for a group to join, Richard came up empty. So I just thought, well, if theres nothing here, then Ill just start it myself, she says. That was in 2016, when she founded Girls That Scuba in the United Kingdom. Five years and more than 23,000 Facebook followers later, Richards community of female scuba divers, who connect about anything from dive sites to dive gear, has gone global. In fact, according to the website, Girls That Scuba is the largest online community of scuba dive women in the world. At Girls That Scuba, were all about connecting and empowering women, but were also about breaking down stereotypes and breaking down any kind of perceived ideas about scuba diving, of the ocean, and things that are in the ocean, Richard says. The Dorset, England-based diver acknowledges that scuba diving can seem scary to some people what with all the sharks and lack of air below the surface. But the Girls That Scuba founder is all about making the sport accessible. After all, the point is to be inviting, and to educate. And while she started this global sisterhood of divers, as Richard says, Its so much bigger than me. Just how big? Richards inclusive message has traveled all the way around the world to countries including Kuwait, Malaysia, Denmark, Armenia and the Solomon Islands. Its calming Scuba diving also offers an escape from an increasingly wired and frenetic world above the surface. You get under the water, the only thing you can hear is bubbles, Cailla Strobel, a shark fisheries biologist and member of Girls That Scuba, tells In The Know. You are forced to listen to your breath. Story continues Its calming, Carmen Hoyt, a scuba instructor and Girls That Scuba member, adds. Theres something about being under the water and away from everything that puts you in a different mindset. And it really just makes your day so much better. With so much ocean life beneath the surface, some members feel as if they even have a lens into the past. While diving, Ph.D student and biogeochemist Colleen Brown says she likes exploring the sand and finding fossils. Like this megalodon tooth, she says while holding up the heavy tooth. Im holding something that could be 100 million years old. Having those experiences also helps with wanting to preserve the different species and plant life that exist in places on Earth that we rarely see. If youre diving, you kind of just become a conservationist because you see it more often and youre aware of it, Strobel says. At the end of the day, the more people we can get involved in scuba diving the more women we can have involved in scuba diving the more people we have to protect our ocean, Richards says. Were in it together. In The Know is now available on Apple News follow us here! If you enjoyed reading this article, check out this article on The Litas a global collective of all-female motorcycle riders. More from In The Know: GRLSWIRL empowers women through skateboarding These travel-size beauty kits at Ulta are all under $20 These flattering Ray-Ban sunglasses are on sale at Nordstrom Teen founds initiative to make STEM more accessible to girls of color The post Girls That Scuba builds community underwater: Were in it together appeared first on In The Know. Jill Biden OLIVER CONTRERAS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images First lady Dr. Jill Biden continues to impress us with her fashion. While we know there are more important things that she deals with on a daily basis as the first lady of the country, it doesn't detract from her sense of style, and we like to celebrate that bit of whimsy. Case in point: the custom handbag she carries with her dogs' pictures on it. We caught a glimpse of the brown Valentino bag on May 6th when the first lady took a trip to West Virginia to speak at a vaccination center with Jennifer Garner. While her pink and white ensemble was also lovely, it really is the bag that stole the show. It features the likenesses of the first dogs, German Shepherds Champ and Major, along with a giant "J." Take a look at this beauty. Jill Biden's handbag CARLOS BARRIA / POOL / AFP, Getty Images If you're looking at this gem of a bag and thinking to yourself, wow, I wish I had a bag with my pet's face on it, then you're in luck. This bag, while customized for Dr. Biden, is actually available to anyone. Called the Valentino Garavani Rockstud Pet, this bag can be customized with any animal photo you'd like, as well as your initial. The price tag is pretty steep at $2,200, but if you want a way to memorialize your pet forever, this is a nice way to do so. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. The beauty of Dr. Biden's bag is that she can bring her pups with her while traveling for national businessand considering the fact that she had to be separated from Major for a bit while he got extra training following a biting incident at the White House, this bag is an extra special way to always have him close by. The real question is what she'll do to honor the first kitty when she arrives at their home. Perhaps a new Valentino bag will be in orderjust for her! NEW YORK (AP) Switzerlands biggest and oldest life insurance company will pay more than $77 million to the U.S. Treasury after admitting it helped U.S. taxpayers dodge tax responsibilities through offshore accounts after Swiss banks stopped providing tax-dodging help to U.S. taxpayers because of law enforcement scrutiny, prosecutors announced Friday. Swiss Life Holding and three of its subsidiaries obtained a deferred prosecution agreement on a conspiracy charge in late April, according to Manhattan federal court documents. The company, founded in 1857, admitted conspiring with U.S. taxpayers to hide assets and income through more than $1.4 billion in offshore insurance policies, the court papers said. In a brief statement posted on its website, Swiss Life announced the deferred prosecution agreement and its three-year term. Swiss Life is now focused on fulfilling the requirements under the resolution and successfully concluding the DPA, it said. Prosecutors said the insurance company, the leading provider of life insurance and pension products in the domestic Swiss market, wrote tax-dodging policies since 2008 after Swiss banks terminated business with U.S. clients under pressure from U.S. investigators. As they admit, Swiss Life and its subsidiaries sought out and offered their services to U.S. taxpayers to help them become U.S. tax evaders," Manhattan U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said in a release. Indeed, the Swiss Life Entities saw U.S. authorities stepped-up offshore tax enforcement as an opportunity to pitch themselves to tax-evading U.S. customers as an alternative to Swiss banks. She said Swiss Life, which has more than 9,000 employees and more than four million customers, will be required to cooperate with U.S. prosecutors as investigators try to identify U.S. tax evaders. Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg said financial enablers in the U.S. and abroad and the taxpayers they try to help should know we will continue to identify and unmask such schemes. James C. Lee, chief of the Internal Revenue Service's criminal division, called the resolution of the case an important victory for the American taxpayer. He said the recovery of more than $77 million owed to the U.S. government should put every entity engaged in offshore tax evasion on notice. 7 day print subscribers enjoy unlimited access to yakimaherald.com Enter the LAST NAME and the 7 DIGIT phone number on your print subscription account to connect your print subscription to your yakimaherald.com account. Coronavirus Coverage Because of health and safety concerns, the Herald-Republic is allowing unlimited access to our COVID-19 stories and resources. If you are able to support local news by subscribing, support our journalism. Click here to begin your subscription and access all of our local coverage. Many states in the North-west and North-central regions have suffered attacks by bandits who kill and kidnap at will. President Muhammadu Buhari has pledged that his administration will "use all available resources and manpower in dealing with bandits" who have been terrorising several parts of Nigeria. Many states in the North-west and North-central regions have suffered attacks by bandits who kill and kidnap at will. States that have suffered such attacks include Kaduna, Zamfara, Niger and Katsina. In his speech in Abuja Thursday, after observing the Islamic Eid prayer marking the end of Ramadan, the president linked the activities of the bandits to food security. "... President Buhari emphatically said that the menace of bandits and kidnappers will be addressed to ensure that the nation's food security is not threatened," the president's spokesperson, Garba Shehu, said in a statement. Mr Buhari has been criticised for his handling of Nigeria's security situation including that caused by bandits. Apart from the attacks by bandits, kidnappings and killings are also rife in many parts of the country. Read the full statement by Mr Shehu below. President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday pledged that his administration will use all available resources and manpower in dealing with bandits to ensure that they did not create havoc against access to farms and food production in the coming growing season. Speaking to reporters at the State House shortly after observing the Eid prayer, marking the end of the month-long Ramadan fast, President Buhari emphatically said that the menace of bandits and kidnappers will be addressed to ensure that the nation's food security is not threatened. The president, who hoped for a good rainy season this year, said "the law enforcement agencies are working hard to regain confidence against bandits, so that we can go back to the land. This is very important. This is what the agencies are busy doing right now. We want people to go back to the land so that we can get enough food for the country and even export." Explaining ongoing efforts to tackle the security situation in the country by the administration, President Buhari drew attention to the series of long meetings held in recent weeks, chaired by him, saying that a part of resolutions had been made public by the National Security Adviser and the others kept secret. "With the resources and manpower available to us, we are working very hard. We are hoping Nigerians will understand the problem. Nigerians know at what stage we came in in 2015, what state we are today both on security and the economy and we are doing our best." The President commended the National Assembly for its support, saying emphatically that "the National Assembly is cooperating very well. Within the resources available, they are certainly giving us priority on our (military) requests." Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. President Buhari then made an appeal to the nation's elite to show a better appreciation of the problems facing the country. "The elite should make the attempt to understand the military. If we order for weapons and armored vehicles, it takes time for the manufacturers. It takes time to ship them and when brought here eventually, they are taken to training institutions, train the trainers before sending them to the field. This is a very long process," the president explained. He appealed to Nigerians for more understanding of the current situation in country. "I expect Nigerians to be more understanding on the issues involved, looking at time and available resources. For example, when we came in, in the Northeast, ask people in Adamawa and Borno States and the South South in terms of security. Without security, you can't do anything. Our big surprise and disappointment is what is happening in the Northwest and we are dealing with it," said the President with a strong emphasis. President Buhari and members of his family were joined for the Eid at the forecourt of the Villa by the President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, cabinet members and the heads of security and intelligence agencies. Garba Shehu Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity) Yuma News Yuma, Arizona - Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents apprehended an aggravated felon after he illegally crossed the border into the United States Monday morning. Photo Courtesy U.S. Customs and Border Protection Fidel Enrique Caceres-Hernandez, 38, was one of two migrants apprehended in the desert 17 miles east of the San Luis Port of Entry. Record checks conducted on the El Salvadoran national revealed he is an aggravated felon who served two years in prison in California for inflicting corporal injury on a spouse/cohabitant. Caceres-Hernandez will be prosecuted for re-entering the U.S. after having previously been removed. Yuma News Yuma, Arizona - Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents intercepted four separate migrant smuggling attempts over the weekend. Friday afternoon, agents conducted a vehicle stop on a red Nissan Sentra on Avenue B and Highway 195. Agents determined that a U.S. citizen male driver was smuggling four migrants in his vehicle. Record checks conducted on the 22-year-old driver revealed that he was on federal probation for smuggling drugs through the San Luis Port of Entry. All vehicle occupants were placed under arrest and the vehicle was seized. While agents were on scene with the previous incident, a concerned citizen stopped and informed them that he witnessed individuals on the side of the road getting into a vehicle just west of their location. The vehicle, a Jeep Grand Cherokee, then passed the agents location. Agents pursued the vehicle and attempted to pull it over. The driver failed to yield and eventually entered a residential area. The driver stopped near Avenue F and Los Olivos Street where four individuals exited the vehicle and fled on foot. He then pulled away and continued to ignore Border Patrol lights and sirens, before finally pulling over again near the exit of the neighborhood. The four occupants who fled the vehicle were tracked into a backyard and found hiding in an empty trailer. Agents arrested the 18-year-old male driver and 18-year-old female passenger, both U.S. citizens, and the four migrants and seized the vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, agents found a loaded 9mm handgun in the glove box, which was also seized. Early Sunday morning, agents apprehended a migrant smuggling load along Interstate 8 east of Andrade, California. As Yuma Sector Communications personnel monitored cameras in the area, they spotted three individuals get into a Chevrolet Suburban along the interstate near the Andrade Road exit and head east. Agents in the area stopped the vehicle and discovered a 36-year-old male U.S. citizen smuggling three migrants. Agents arrested the driver and the migrants and seized the vehicle. Later that afternoon, Yuma Sector Communications personnel spotted another group of migrants running from the border area into the Quechan parking lot. Three of the group got into a red Toyota Tundra that was waiting in the parking lot and the fourth, who appeared to be a guide, turned around and headed back to Mexico. Border Patrol agents in the area were able to intercept the truck before it exited the parking lot. The driver and passenger, both 25-year-old male U.S. citizens, were arrested and the vehicle was seized. Agents also apprehended the three migrants, one of whom was a 16-year-old unaccompanied male. "The jobs will come directly and indirectly through the ongoing radical restoration, revamping, and renovation of the edifice." More than 16,000 jobs would be created during and after the ongoing renovation of the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, Sunday Ododo, General Manager of the 44-year-old complex, said on Thursday in Lagos. Mr Ododo told the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) that most of the jobs would come from the fields of music, movies, fashion, and information technology. "Some of the jobs will be direct. Others will be indirect. The National Theatre will definitely be a hub for lots of activities," he said. NAN recalls that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Government recently signed a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) for the renovation of the complex. Under the MOU, the CBN, through the Bankers Committee, will invest N21.894 billion to renovate the National Theatre, refurbish it and run it profitably. The governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, at the signing of the MOU, said that revamping the complex would unlock a mass of creative talents of thousands of Nigerian youths in various fields. Information Minister Lai Mohammed, who signed on behalf of the federal government, had also said the Private-Public-Partnership arrangement would stimulate growth in various sectors of the economy. Mr Ododo, while assessing the progress of the project, said that work had begun with the contractors fully mobilised to the site. He said he was particularly excited at the prospects of many youths securing jobs at all stages of the renovation. "The jobs will come directly and indirectly through the ongoing radical restoration, revamping, and renovation of the edifice. When completed, the complex, which is 44 years old, will be a huge business centre. "It will be the place to be. Food sellers and other petty businesses will not be left out. Those coming for events will be served. "Administration after administrations have ensured the edifice stands. And I must salute our predecessors; I give them kudos. If not for their dedication and efforts, National Theatre would have collapsed long ago. "It is capital intensive to maintain. So you can now imagine if a huge sum of 21.8 billion naira is being invested to restore the complex. "If, for instance, we had a maintenance support of a billion naira or even half a billion annually, we will not get to this point where so much is required to fix the edifice. "That is why we are glad to inform Nigerians that with the new arrangement, there's a component that says that once the work is finished, a company will be engaged to maintain the facility every day for the next five years. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Entertainment By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. "If its work is good, it will be re-engaged; if otherwise, another company will be brought on board. "So, maintenance is part of the new arrangement so that we don't go back to Egypt," he explained. He regretted that hospitality outfits had taken over the business of the centre. According to him, these outfits make huge profits that could have been taken by the National Theatre. "When the National Theatre is up and running, some of these event centres will have to be more creative to be in business. "We don't want to send anybody out of business, though, but our own prime target is international businesses because we have facilities that can host international events which many of these event centres don't have. "We will be making available a media centre that can take care of multi-language interpretation and all that. "We have a 5,000-capacity main bowl. That one can take any UN event, any World Bank event, and any international event. National Theatre will be the centre to beat," he said. (NAN) Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business. The Hungarian governments proposed legislation regulating capital gains from crypto currencies and taxing them at a rate of 15% could serve as a paradigm for other policymakers, as well as boosting budget revenue, tax affairs state secretary Norbert Izer said in an interview to Magyar Nemzet. The government submitted a bill to lawmakers on Tuesday that would reduce the tax on capital gains from cryptocurrencies from 30.5% to 15%. Finance Minister Mihaly Varga said the measure could generate several billion forints of budget revenue. Izer told Magyar Nemzet that provisions in the bill would establish a regulatory framework for the clear determination of capital gains on cryptocurrency that is mined or used in transactions. He added that experts estimated that tens of thousands of Hungarians own cryptocurrency and put the value of that currency as high as 300 billion forints (EUR 838m). He noted that most countries still lack appropriate rules governing cryptocurrency and said the regulatory framework in Hungary could grab the attention of other policy makers. The last decade and a half in Hungary has clearly demonstrated that high taxes encourage hiding income, while a lower shared burden supports declaration and payment of taxes, he said. We expect the declared, legal turnover of cryptocurrencies to increase, and the repatriation of such assets, cant be excluded either, Izer said. Canberra: Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Friday said the temporary pause on flights from India to Australia will end at May 14 midnight and facilitated commercial flights by the Australian Government will resume as promised, with a strict pre-flight testing regime. In a Facebook post, PM Morrison said, "At midnight tonight, the temporary pause on flights from India to Australia ends and facilitated commercial flights by the Australian Government will resume as promised, with a strict pre-flight testing regime to keep Australians safe." "The pause gave our quarantine system much-needed breathing space to minimise the risk of COVID-19 getting out of quarantine into the community and having a third wave here, the PM said. The travel ban which came into effect on May 3 was put in place due to a record rise in COVID-19 cases in India. Earlier, the move sparked outrage as officials warned that people who tried to enter Australia after being in India within the prior 14 days could face jail or fines. The Australian PM further informed that a flight packed with medical supplies and equipment to support India took off from Sydney earlier on Friday. "This flight was carrying another 1056 ventilators, 60 oxygen concentrators and other essential supplies. It adds to the more than 1000 ventilators and 43 oxygen concentrators we sent last week," his FB post said. "The plane used to carry these supplies to India today will then act as a Government-facilitated flight for Australians to return home from India, focusing on the most vulnerable Australians," he added. Passengers will have to return both a negative COVID-19 PCR test result and a negative rapid antigen test result prior to departure. Since COVID-19 hit, the Australian government has helped nearly 20,000 Australians return from India, including on 38 government-facilitated flights, he added. Live TV New Delhi: Amid a political war of words between the Centre and the Delhi government over the availability of sufficient vaccines to inoculate all adults in the national capital, the central government has said that leading drug maker Bharat Biotech is ready to share the formula of its anti-COVID vaccine COVAXIN with other manufacturers. NITI Aayog member Dr VK Paul informed that 'Bharat Biotech has welcomed this' on Thursday, according to ANI Dr. VK Paul reportedly said, "People say that Covaxin be given to other companies for manufacturing. I am happy to say that Covaxin manufacturing company (Bharat Biotech) has welcomed this when we discussed it with them. Under this vaccine, live virus is inactivated & this is done only in BSL3 labs." "Not every company has this. We give an open invitation to companies who want to do this. Companies that want to manufacture Covaxin, should do it together. Govt will assist so that capacity is increased," he said as quoted by ANI. The Centre, however, flagged the non-availability of a sophisticated laboratory with most vaccine makers that is necessary to produce the indigenously developed Covaxin jab. The Centre also rejected the Delhi government's claim that Covaxin maker Bharat Biotech has refused to provide "additional" vaccine doses to the Delhi government, saying the national capital has received over 15 lakh doses of the vaccine and its role is to facilitate the states. On Tuesday, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had alleged the Covaxin manufacturer in a letter said it cannot provide the Delhi government vaccines due to unavailability, under the instruction of government officials concerned. "It means that the central government is controlling the supply of the vaccine," Sisodia, who is a senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader, had said. Addressing a briefing of the Union Health Ministry, V K Paul said the Government of India's role is to facilitate. "We refute (the charge) that there is any pressure on anybody not to supply to any particular state," he said, adding that such charges affect the morale of vaccine manufacturers. He said Bharat Biotech is also ramping up its capacity and has already roped in three public sector undertakings. Earlier, Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the Centre should share the vaccine formula of Covaxin and Covishield with other capable pharmaceutical companies to scale up production in the country. On increasing production of Covaxin, Paul said Bharat Biotech has already welcomed the move of ramping up production of doses by involving other players. "They also reached out and under this initiative, our PSUs have been connected to this process," he said. Last month, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), under Mission COVID Suraksha, spelt out a plan to ramp up production of Covaxin and double it by May-June by roping in three public sector companies (PSUs). The PSUs are Haffkine Biopharmaceutical Corporation Ltd, Mumbai, a PSU under the Maharashtra government; Indian Immunologicals Limited (IIL), Hyderabad, a facility under National Dairy Development Board; and Bharat Immunologicals and Biologicals Limited, Bulandshahr, a PSU of the Department of Biotechnology, to increase the capacity of vaccine production. "The current production capacity of indigenously developed Covaxin will be doubled by May-June 2021 and then increased nearly 6-7 fold by July-August 2021, i.E. Increasing the production from 1 crore vaccine doses in April 2021 to 6-7 crore vaccine dose/month in July?August. It is expected to reach nearly 10 crore doses per month by September 2021," the DBT had said. Reacting to this, Kejriwal on Thursday tweeted, "A very welcome step by the central government. It will help in ramping up production." "I also urge the Centre to directly procure vaccines from foreign companies rather than each state bidding against each other in international market," he tweeted. Giving details about Covaxin, Paul said that it is made by inactivating a live virus. During the briefing, Paul said that 75,000 Covaxin doses have been given to Delhi in May. "In January-May, 13,91,000 Covaxin doses were received by Delhi. The state has procured 1 lakh doses, while private (institutions) have got 20,000 doses," he said. According to the vaccine bulletin issued by the Delhi government, the Centre has provided 13,91,000 doses of vaccine to the Delhi government and it has procured 1,50,000 doses from Bharat Biotech. So far, it has received 43,20,490 doses of Covishield and Covaxin. Following the allegations levelled by the Delhi government, Joint Secretary in the Union Health Ministry Lav Agarwal had denied that the Centre had any role to play in the purchase of vaccines by states. Bharat Biotech on Wednesday had said it is quite disheartening to listen to some states complaining about the company's intentions regarding supply of Covaxin. Live TV New Delhi: In a shocking incident, a couple in Kannauj district of Uttar Pradesh allegedly sold their newborn baby to purchase a second-hand car. The maternal grandparents of the child approached the Tirwa Kotwali police station on Thursday (May 13) to lodge a complaint against the parents for allegedly selling their newborn son to a businessman for Rs 1.5 lakh, The Times of India (TOI) reported. As per the grandparents, the three-month-old child was sold to a Gursahaiganj-based businessman for Rs 1.5 lakh to buy a four-wheeler, the police informed. Inspector Kotwali Shailendra Kumar Mishra told TOI, While the baby is still in the possession of the trader, we have called the woman and her husband for questioning on Friday. Live TV NEW DELHI: As the country continues to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, the growing number of Black Fungus cases across the country has become a big cause of concern for the Narendra Modi government at the Centre. The government has told doctors to look out for signs of mucormycosis or "black fungus" in COVID-19 patients as hospitals report a rise in cases of the rare but potentially fatal infection. What is Black Fungus? Black Fungus or mucormycosis is a rare fungal infection. It is caused by a fungus named mucor, which is found on wet surfaces. Cases of mucormycosis are rapidly rising among COVID-19 survivors, causing blindness or serious illness and even death in some cases, health officials have warned. How Black Fungus infects a COVID-19 patient This disease is not new, but it is rising among COVID-19 patients in India because the excessive use of steroids elevates sugar levels and some medicines suppress the immunity of these patients leading to loss of vision and death in some cases. The Black Fungus infects a COVID-19 patient easily. If it reaches the brain, it can prove fatal, says Dr Tatyarao Lahane, who heads the Directorate of Medical Education and Research of the state government. Who is more vulnerable to Black Fungus? The `black fungus', is present in the environment, but those with suppressed immunity or co-morbidities are more vulnerable to its infection, according to the doctors. To a large extent, it is happening to people who have diabetes. It is very uncommon in those who are not diabetic. What are the common symptoms of mucormycosis? Symptoms of mucormycosis include pain and redness around the eyes and nose, fever, headache, coughing, shortness of breath, bloody vomits and altered mental status, the advisory stated. How many countries have detected Black Fungus? There have been cases reported in several other countries - including the UK, U.S., France, Austria, Brazil and Mexico, but the volume is much bigger in India," said David Denning, a professor at Britain`s Manchester University and an expert at the Global Action Fund for Fungal Infections (GAFFI) charity. "And one of the reasons is lots and lots of diabetes, and lots of poorly controlled diabetes." Though there is no published national data on mucormycosis, states like Maharashtra and its capital Mumbai, and Gujarat have reported maximum cases. How it can be treated? This infection can be treated via intravenous (IV) medication or through surgery. A patient infected by Black Fungus generally needs a type of injection for 21 days. The basic cost of this injection is around Rs 9,000 per day. During the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, the fungal infection typically came to light a couple of weeks after patients were discharged, Dr Hetal Marfatia, professor and head of the ENT department at the government-run KEM hospital in Mumbai. Niti Aayog Member (Health) V K Paul had on Friday said that mucormycosis cases were being found in patients with COVID-19. VK Paul said, "When a patient is on oxygen support, it should be ensured that water does not leak from the humidifier (to prevent the growth of the fungus)." He also called for "a rational usage" of steroids and medicines such as Tocilizumab to treat COVID-19 patients. What does the ICMR advisory say? The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said that doctors treating COVID-19 patients, diabetics and those with compromised immune systems should watch for early symptoms including sinus pain or nasal blockage on one side of the face, one-sided headache, swelling or numbness, toothache and loosening of teeth. The disease, which can lead to blackening or discolouration over the nose, blurred or double vision, chest pain, breathing difficulties and coughing blood, is strongly linked to diabetes. And diabetes can in turn be exacerbated by steroids such as dexamethasone, used to treat severe COVID-19. DO'S * Control hyperglycemia * Monitor blood glucose level post-COVID-19 discharge and also in diabetics * Use steroid judiciously correct timing, correct dose and duration * Use clean, sterile water for humidifiers during oxygen therapy * Use antibiotics/antifungals judiciously DONTS * Do not miss warning signs and symptoms * Do not consider all the cases with blocked nose as cases of bacterial sinusitis, particularly in the context of immunosuppression and/or COVID-19 patients on immunomodulators * Do not hesitate to seek aggressive investigations, as appropriate (KOH staining & microscopy, culture, MALDITOF), for detecting fungal etiology * Do not lose crucial time to initiate treatment for mucormycosis Medical treatment includes installing peripherally inserted central catheter, maintaining adequate systemic hydration, infusion of normal saline intravenously before Amphotericin B infusion and anti-fungal therapy for at least six weeks besides monitoring the patient clinically with radio imaging for response and to detect disease progression, it said. Live TV Jammu: The Border Security Force (BSF) on Friday (May 14) recovered a consignment of arms and ammunition brought by a Pakistani drone in the Samba sector in Jammu. Acting on specific information, the BSF troops found a wrapped item with yellow colour polythene bag in a field. Following precautionary measures, the troops opened the packet and found one AK -47 rifle, one pistol, one magazine, 15 pistol rounds round of 9 mm bullets and one wooden frame used to attach payload with drone. The consignment was found approximately 250 metres inside the Indian territory. The alert BSF troops deployed in multi-tiered grid were successful in neutralizing the designs of Pakistan ANEs activities with deep connivance of Pakistan Rangers. IG BSF Jammu N S Jamwal congratulated the alert BSF troops for this big achievement which again foiled the nefarious motive of Pakistan and said that BSF is ever alert and vigilant on International Border 24x7 to thwart away the nefarious designs of Pakistan. It was the same area a tunnel was detected in November last year and a Pakistani intruder was killed earlier this month. Live TV New Delhi: A plea has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking directions to the Centre, Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE) to cancel the CBSE and ICSE Class 12 examinations. CBSE through its letter dated April 14 had cancelled the examination for class 10 and postponed the examination for class 12. CISCE through its circulars dated April 16 and April 19 had cancelled the examination for class 10 and postponed the examination for class 12 for an unspecified period. The plea asked the court to set aside the CBSE and CISCE notifications of April 14, 16 and 19, 2021 issued only in respect of clauses dealing with the postponement of the Class XII examination. The petition filed by advocate Mamta Sharma asked the court to devise an objective methodology to declare the result of class 12 within a specific time frame. The plea stated that for the innocent students of class 12, "step-motherly, arbitrary, inhuman directions" have been issued to postpone their final examination for an unspecified duration. "In view of the unprecedented health emergency and rising numbers of the COVID-19 cases in the country, the conduct of examination, either offline or online or blended in upcoming weeks is not possible and delay in the examination will cause irreparable loss to the students as time is the essence in taking admission in higher education courses in foreign universities," the plea said. It added that delay in declaration of result will ultimately hamper one semester of the aspiring students as admission cannot be confirmed until the result of Class 12 is declared. Live TV President Muhammadu Buhari says he expects Nigerians to be more tolerant with his administration over the widespread insecurity. The president has come under intense pressure as a result of the security challenges in virtually all regions of the country. While different groups have asked him to step down or be impeached, 17 governors of the Southern states on Tuesday asked him to address the country over the rising insecurity. Among the governors were those elected under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking with newsmen after observing Eid prayer at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the president said his government is doing its best to secure lives. He also vowed that his administration will use all available resources and manpower in dealing with bandits to ensure access to farms and food production in the coming growing season. "The elite should make the attempt to understand the military. If we order for weapons and armored vehicles, it takes time for the manufacturers. "It takes time to ship them and when brought here eventually, they are taken to training institutions, train the trainers before sending them to the field. This is a very long process. "I expect Nigerians to be more understanding on the issues involved, looking at time and available resources. For example, when we came in, in the Northeast, ask people in Adamawa and Borno States and the South South in terms of security. "Without security, you can't do anything. Our big surprise and disappointment is what is happening in the Northwest and we are dealing with it," he said. While explaining ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity, Buhari drew attention to the series of long meetings held in recent weeks, chaired by him, saying that a part of resolutions had been made public by the National Security Adviser and the others kept secret. "With the resources and manpower available to us, we are working very hard. We are hoping Nigerians will understand the problem. Nigerians know at what stage we came in in 2015, what state we are today both on security and the economy and we are doing our best," he said. The president commended the National Assembly for its support, saying that "the National Assembly is cooperating very well. Within the resources available, they are certainly giving us priority on our (military) requests." New Delhi: The Central Board of Secondary Education on Friday (May 14) dismissed reports that stated that the board is likely to cancel the Class 12 CBSE board examinations 2021. The board stated today that it has not taken any decision yet on class 12 board exams even as a section of students and parents have been demanding cancellation of exams in view of the COVID-19 pandemic situation. Earlier in the day, several media reports cites that the board is most likely to cancel the CBSE class 12th examination for this year in view of a surge in COVID-19 cases. After this news was circulated on social media, several doubts had arisen in the minds of students, who are eligible to appear in the 12th board examination this year. "It is clarified that no such decision (cancellation of exams) has been taken regarding class 12 board examination, as being speculated. Any decision taken in this matter will be officially communicated to the public," a senior CBSE official told PTI. The official was responding to a question about possibility of cancellation of class 12 board exams following demands by section of students and parents who have expressed concern over the COVID-19 pandemic situation. CBSE had announced cancellation of class 10 exams on April 14 The board had on April 14 announced cancellation of class 10 exams and postponed class 12 exams in view of surge in COVID-19 cases. The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The exams, which are usually conducted in February-March every year were scheduled to be held from May 4. "The class 12 exams have been postponed and a review of the situation will be done after June 1. Students will be given at least a 15-day notice before the exams are conducted," a board official had then said. CBSE announced marking policy for class 10 board exams: The CBSE had earlier this month announced the marking policy for class 10 board exams. According to the policy, while 20 marks for each subject will be for internal assessment as every year, 80 marks will be calculated on basis of the students' performance in various tests or exams throughout the year. Schools across the country were closed in March last year to contain the spread of COVID-19 ahead of a nationwide lockdown. Several states started reopening the schools partially from October last year, but physical classes were again suspended because of the rise in coronavirus cases. Last year, the board exams had to be postponed mid-way in March. They were later cancelled and the results were announced based on an alternative assessment scheme. With 3.43 lakh people testing positive for coronavirus in a day, India's COVID-19 tally of cases climbed to 2,40,46,809, while the death toll rose to 2,62,317 with 4,000 fresh fatalities, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday. Live TV New Delhi: The central government on Friday (May 14) said that it would provide about 1.92 crore COVID-19 vaccines doses free of cost to various states from May 16 to 31. Out of the total, 1.62 crore will be Covishield doses, while 29.49 lakh will be Covaxin doses, the health ministry said. The ministry informed that between May 1 and 15, Centre has provided more than 1.7 crore vaccine doses to the states. "The basic objective behind informing the states and UTs in advance of the quantum of free vaccine doses to be made available from Government of India for 15 days is to ensure that they prepare effective plans for judicious and optimum utilisation of these free vaccine doses which are meant for the age group of 45 and above, and for healthcare and frontline workers," the ministry said. The ministry further said that apart from the doses procured by the Centre, there were about 4.39 crore doses left for the states and private hospitals to buy directly from the two manufacturers Serum Institue of India and Bharat Biotech. Driving efficiencies in #LargestVaccineDrive with advance supply info 1.62 Cr free #COVID19Vaccine doses to be provided to States/UTs b/w May 16-30 by GoI 1.7 cr doses already provided in May 4.39 cr doses were available for procurement in May under other than GoI channel pic.twitter.com/Gbt2TqZYED Dr Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) May 14, 2021 Notably, the Centre has ordered that 50% of the vaccines produced would be allocated to it for carrying out the drive across the country, while the remaining 50% could be procured by the state governments and private hospitals. According to the ministry, a total of about 18 crore vaccine doses have been administered in the country so far and that India was the fastest country globally to reach the 17 crore target in 114 days. Live TV New Delhi: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday (May 14) announced the extension of complete lockdown statewide in view of high COVID-19 cases. He also ordered a triple lockdown in four cities - Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Malappuram in order to check the high test positivity rate. The state is currently under a 9-day complete shutdown from May 8 to May 16. The positivity rate remains high, so the state government has decided to extend the present complete lockdown in Kerala till May 23rd, Vijayan was quoted as saying by ANI Triple lockdown will be imposed in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Malappuram, where the test positivity rate is high, he added. The chief minister informed that the state recorded 34,694 new COVID cases in the last 24 hours. During this period, 93 deaths occurred taking the cumulative toll to 6243. With 31,319 new recoveries, the total recoveries in the state rise to 16,36,790. A total of 1,31,375 samples were tested during the last 24 hours, the CM said. Vijayan on Thursday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking an immediate increase in the states daily oxygen supply to 450 metric tonnes (MT). Live TV Dehradun: Former Uttarakhand chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat on Thursday said that coronavirus is a living organism that has a right to live. Talking to a private channel, Rawat said, "Seen from a philosophical angle, coronavirus is also a living organism. It has the right to live like the rest of us. But we (humans) think ourselves to be the most intelligent and are out to eliminate it. So it is constantly mutating itself." Former Uttarakhand chief minister, however, said that man needs to outpace the virus to stay safe. Rawat was trolled on social media for his unusual observation on coronavirus as it went viral at a time when the entire country is battling a strong second wave of COVID-19. According to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday, the country adds 3.43 lakh new COVID-19 cases with 4000 fresh deaths. With 3,43,144 people testing positive for coronavirus in a day, India's COVID-19 tally of cases climbed to 2,40,46,809, while the death toll rose to 2,62,317 with 4,000 fresh fatalities, the Health Ministry data updated on Friday said. The active cases have reduced to 37,04,893 comprising 15.41 per cent of the total infections. The national COVID-19 recovery rate has improved to 83.50 per cent, the data updated at 8 am showed. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 2,00,79,599, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.09 per cent, the data stated. The health ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities. "Our figures are being reconciled with the Indian Council of Medical Research," the ministry said on its website, adding that state-wise distribution of figures is subject to further verification and reconciliation. (With Agency Inputs) Delhi: Around 30,000 vials of Tocilizumab, an antiviral drug often prescribed by doctors to treat COVID-19 patients, were imported to India within 11 days by the Central government to cater to the increasing demand across the country due to rising cases. Sources of the Union Chemical and Fertilisers Ministry told ANI that 30,000 vials were imported from April 30 to May 11. Tocilizumab injections are manufactured by the Roche Company of Switzerland and imported and marketed by Cipla Ltd in India. They also informed that Tocilizumab injection is primarily used for Rheumatoid Arthritis patients and the monthly import of this injection used to be around 1,700 vials and India is entirely dependent on imports for this drug. The imported vials have been allocated to states and union territories on the basis of active cases on April 28. "Once the demand for the Tocilizumab injection increased, the government convinced the Roche company to increase supply to meet the sudden shortage of injection," sources from the ministry said according to news agency ANI. They further informed that the manufacturing company has agreed to supply more to the country according to its need and is in regular contact.The country has witnessed a massive unprecedented surge in COVID-19 cases over the last few weeks. In the last 24 hours, 3,43,144 new COVID-19 cases and 3,44,776 recoveries were reported in India in the last 24 hours, the Union Health Ministry reported on Friday. The total cases in the country now stand at 2,40,46,809 including 2,00,79,599 recoveries and 2,62,317 deaths. There are currently 37,04,893 active COVID cases. Live TV New Delhi: The Niti Aayog member (Health) Dr VK Paul on Thursday (May 13, 2021) outlined the central governments plan which involved a total of eight COVID-19 vaccines that will help India inoculate all its citizens by the end of 2021. The Centre has decided to speed up the vaccine manufacturing and has issued emergency use authorisation to Biological E, Zydus Cadila, Serum Institute of India for Novavax, Bharat Biotechs nasal vaccine, Gennova and Sputnik V. But for the time being, there will be three options available for the Indian citizens from the upcoming week. These options include Russias Sputnik V, Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine- Covishield and Bharat Biotechs Covaxin. A medical journal, The BMJ, said that this Russian vaccine Sputnik V, which is also known as Gam-Covid-Vac, is a combination of two different adenoviruses (Ad26 and Ad5), which are the viruses that cause common cold. These adenoviruses are combined with SARS-CoV-2 for the treatment, which prompts the body to make an immune response to it, the journal added. Additionally, Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine shares its name with the worlds first artificial satellite made by Russia. Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, also known as Covishield, is also made on the same philosophy. A BBC report said, it is made from a weakened version of a common cold virus (known as an adenovirus) from chimpanzees. It has been modified to look more like coronavirus - although it cant cause illness. India-based Covaxin is an inactivated vaccine, which is reportedly made up of killed coronaviruses. According to the BBC report, Bharat Biotech used a sample of the coronavirus, isolated by Indias National Institute of Virology. When administered, immune cells can still recognise the dead virus, prompting the immune system to make antibodies against the pandemic virus. Live TV New Delhi: The Delhi government has decided to allow walk-in COVID-19 vaccination for people aged 45 years and above, and shift vaccination centres from hospitals to schools for this age group. The decision was taken after Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia chaired a review meeting on the ongoing vaccination drive in the city. "Now citizens aged 45 years and above will be able to walk-in to get vaccine jabs without hassle of online registration," said Sisodia, who is also the nodal minister of the Delhi government for COVID management, according to news agency PTI. Sisodia said after receipt of adequate vaccine supplies "we will administer 1.5 lakh doses to those aged 45 years and above and 1.5 lakh doses to 18-45 years age group cumulatively." He also appealed to the Centre to redirect adequate doses of vaccines as Delhi government wants to vaccinate three lakh people daily in the city. "After reviewing challenges of citizens with regard to internet accessibility and issues in registering online slots, we have made a decision to allow registration and walk-in vaccination at all vaccination centres of Delhi, for individuals above 45 years of age," he said. Sisodia said the Delhi government is planning to quickly scale up vaccination centres across the city, ensuring that they have all the required material to vaccinate a large number of people in a short amount of time. The Deputy CM said out of 57 lakh citizens above 45 years of age, 22 lakh have been vaccinated so far. Live TV Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has urged farmers to suspend their stir against farm laws amid the grim COVID-19 situation, claiming that dharnas have made few villages hotspot as villagers travelled back and forth to protest sites. Notably, farmers have not only been sitting in protest near the Singhu and Tikri borders but in many other parts of Haryana too. Khattar said he had appealed to farmers' leaders even a month earlier to suspend their dharnas so that the disease does not spread. He along with Health Minister Anil Vij also expressed exasperation over farmer leaders' reluctance to ask agitating farmers to get themselves tested for COVID-19 and treated against the infection. Referring to farmers' movement to and from dharna sites, the Haryana CM said, "What is coming to the fore now is that because of these dharnas, this (infection) has spread," adding "In many villages, hotspots have emerged because their people are regularly coming and going back from dharna sites." Addressing a news conference on Thursday evening virtually, Khattar said "If they wish to restart these dharnas once the situation is under control, they are free to do so." He further said, "Their leaders should understand the situation even now. They keep ranting that they will take the vaccine but will not get themselves tested. If they do not get tested, one doesn't know who might have been impacted by COVID." "They should come forward to be tested so that those found positive can be treated and other necessary measures can be taken accordingly," he said, adding "everyone should have faith in the health and medical system. If we start doubting it, it displays our narrow mindedness. So, I appeal to farmers sitting on dharnas to get their tests done." According to Haryana CM, "If one gets infected, how many others too are at the risk. Others too have to bear the repercussions." Earlier nearly a month ago, the Chief Minister had urged farmers to withdraw their stir on "humanitarian grounds" citing a surge in Covid-19 cases. He had then said while it is the constitutional right of every person to protest and the state does not have a problem with anyone doing so in a peaceful manner, the situation due to rising COVID cases is a matter of concern. After his appeal last month, Haryana BKU leader Gurnam Singh Chaduni had then said protesting farmers should not be compelled to get themselves tested or vaccinated and if health workers tried to force them, they will not allow them to enter protest sites. Health Minister Anil Vij lamented that farmer leaders' outright refusal to ask their followers to take the COVID test, adding "Our officials held a meeting with farmers' leaders last month but they outrightly refused to appeal to peasants to undergo tests." Viz said, "I had sent health teams for the vaccination and testing at the protest sites near Delhi borders. So far, not more than 1,900 have taken the tests," adding that the farmer leaders said they will also not appeal to anyone to take vaccines. Haryana to bear PMJJBY premium for BPL families The Haryana government on Thursday decided to pay the premium of a life insurance policy in the name of the prime minister, entitling a below-poverty-line person's nominee to Rs 2 lakh. The scheme is for people between ages 18 to 50 years with an annual premium of Rs 330. Chief Minister M L Khattar said the state government has decided to bear the premium amount to be paid under the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) for the BPL families. He said that those who are yet to fill up the form under the Yojana can go to the bank to fill the form and get the benefit, adding that the forms of this scheme can be filled till May 31. According to an official statement, the poor families who have lost their members, many of them young and earning ones, during the second wave of COVID-19 and for some reason could not fill the form for the Yojana, will also be given a benefit of Rs 2 lakh by the state government. It said, "For the beneficiaries of the Yojana, as soon as the installment premium of Rs 330 is deducted from the Jandhan account of the holder, the amount of premium will be deposited in the account by the state government." Meanwhile, the Haryana government has decided to float global tenders for procurement of COVID-19 vaccines to ensure that all those above 18 in the state are inoculated. The COVID cases in Haryana have witnessed a surge in the past few weeks. The number of total active cases in the state, as on May 12, was 1,07,058. (With Agency Inputs) Live TV New Delhi: Unidentified people on Friday (May 13) attacked the car of BJP Bankura MP Subhas Sarkar at the district in West Bengal. The incident took place at Chatterjee Bagan near Patalkhuri Village of Bankura district. Following the incident, an FIR was registered at Bankura Police Station against unidentified assailants and an investigation has been launched into the matter. Reacting to the attack on his vehicle, BJP MP called it an assault on the ongoing political terror in the state and accused the ruling Trinamool Congress behind it. "I can't say who carried out the attack because they couldn't be identified as their faces were covered but naturally those who are doing political terror. It's certain that people of ruling party did this," Subhas Sarkar was quoted as saying by ANI. West Bengal: The car of BJP MP from Bankura, Subhas Sarkar was attacked by unidentified people at Chatterjee Bagan near Patalkhuri Village in the district earlier today. FIR lodged at Bankura Police Station. Investigation has begun. pic.twitter.com/0vegryq41E ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2021 16 dead in Bengal post-poll violence Post-poll violence in West Bengal has claimed 16 lives, with all parties including the ruling TMC complaining of attacks by rivals. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has promised strict corrective action and announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for each of those killed, after assuming office on May 5. She has blamed a lax administration under the watch of the Election Commission compounded by a series of transfers of state and district police chiefs ordered by the electoral watchdog, for the state of affairs. Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankar accused Mamata of provoking her supporters, particularly women, to oppose central forces by various means. It is extremely painful to me that a Chief Minister should do this as this is antithetical to the rule of law. "Is it not evident who are the victims and who are the perpetrators of crime?" he asked after visiting the Ranpagli camp. Live TV NEW DELHI: India on Friday witnessed a slight decline in new cases of coronavirus infections in the country with 3,43,144 people testing positive in the last 24 hours. According to the data released by the Union Health Ministry on Friday, India reported 3,43,144 new COVID-19 cases, 3,44,776 discharges and a total of 4,000 deaths in the last 24 hours. The number of new cases stood at 3,62,727 on Thursday morning. India reports 3,43,144 new #COVID19 cases, 3,44,776 discharges and 4,000 deaths in the last 24 hours, as per Union Health Ministry Total cases: 2,40,46,809 Total discharges: 2,00,79,599 Death toll: 2,62,317 Active cases: 37,04,893 Total vaccination: 17,92,98,584 pic.twitter.com/rLz1Fvz1Oa ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2021 With the fresh infections, the cumulative Covid-19 caseload in India has reached 2,40,46,809. India's active cases are now above 37 lakh. So far, the nation has seen over 2.40 crore infections since the beginning of the pandemic and over 2 crore people have recovered from the disease so far. Nine states and UT -- Kerala, Odisha, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Assam, and Manipur -- are continuing to show an increasing trend in daily coronavirus cases, the ministry said on Thursday. On the other hand, nine states -- Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Goa, Chandigarh, Uttarakhand, Jammu, and Kashmir, and Ladakh -- have shown a decline in daily new cases in the past one week. India has so far tested 31,13,24,100 samples for Covid-19 until now, said the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Out of these, 18,75,515 samples were tested on Thursday. The country has so far administered 17,92,98,584 anti-Covid jabs. Amid a shortage, several states have decided to float global tenders for the procurement of anti-COVID vaccines. Chief Ministers of some states have also written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi arguing for wider approval for vaccine production. Live TV Lagos THE apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, yesterday, urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State to ignore the rumour that members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, are plotting to attack Lagos, describing it is a plot to distract the state government from providing good governance for all residents of the State. Speaking during a courtesy visit to Governor Sanwo-Olu at the Lagos House, Marina, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Prof. George Obiozor, said: "The dangerous rumour or statement is aimed to cause division, crises and conflict amongst us." Obiozor, in his address titled: 'Violence in any part of Lagos State is violence on all of us', said Ndigbo cannot indulge in any act that will harm the harmonious peace and cordial relationship between Igbo and Yoruba, especially Lagos, which he described as second home of several Ndigbo. The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu, during a Security Townhall Meeting at the Lagos State secretariat, attended by Governor Sanwo-Olu, and other principal officials in Lagos State, said there were plans by some groups, which include IPOB to attack 'soft spots' in the state. But reacting to the remarks, Prof. Obiazor said: "The constant and periodic dangerous insinuations, rumour, gossips and callous statements that Ndigbo in Lagos or any part of Yoruba land contemplate or instigate violence in Lagos or any part of Yoruba land; we wish to state clearly that anywhere this dangerous rumour or statement is emanating from is aimed to cause division, crises and conflict amongst us. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Governance Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. "We think that this rumour is intended to distract the Lagos State Government from its efforts to provide good governance for all and cause disaffection between Ndigbo who live in Lagos and their host community which is the second home of several Ndigbo. "The quick denial of this rumour by members of IPOB and Yoruba groups in Lagos and across the South West was a source of relief. "I am aware that the Government and good people of Lagos State under your able leadership, and through their hospitable gestures, have continually kept the trust and friendship between Ndigbo and our host communities in Lagos State alive. "Ohanaeze Ndigbo through this medium reiterates total support to the state government and the security agencies in their patriotic efforts to keep everyone safe in Lagos and throughout the country. The Igbo nation is renowned for being agents of development, not destruction. Ndigbo are builders and their contributions to the development of Lagos State are evident and exemplary." Responding, Governor Sanwo-Olu assured Ohanaeze Ndigbo leadership of continuous good governance, security of lives and properties of all residents in Lagos State. The Governor said he had no doubt that the Ndigbo are great people, noting that his administration would continue to foster harmonious relationships with all the different tribes and ethnic nationalities in the State. Vanguard News Nigeria Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has approved a relief package amounting to two-crore ninety-four lac and twenty-two thousand rupees as part of the relief package to tourism sector stakeholders in wake of the COVD-19 pandemic. An order OM Number: FD-VII-20(58) 2007-08 dated May 14, 2021, with reference to Tourism Department's letter No. TSM/ Acctt/Misc/ 2020, dated: 22th May 2021, states that the undersigned Director Budge Finance Department is directed to intimate that Hon'ble Lieutenant Governor, Jammu and Kashmir has approved to provide funds to the tune of Rs. 2,94,22,000/-(Rupees two crore ninety-four lakh and twenty-two thousand only) out of J&K Relief Fund". The matrix of the rolled out relief package, as per the order, states that Director Tourism, Kashmir has been approved to get 2,92,54,000 with 4444 Shikarawalas to get 88,88,000; 1370 Tourist Guides 27,40,000; 6663 Ponywalas 1,33,26,000 and 2150 Dandiwalas/Sledgewalas/Palkiwalas 43,00,000 - a total of 14627 beneficiaries for two months. In the meantime, Director Tourism Jammu has been approved to get 1,68,000 with 13 Tourist Guides to get 26,000 and 71 Ponywalas to get 1,42,000. The Tourism Department by virtue of the order has been advised to follow up the release of funds with the Lieutenant Governors Secretariat. The amount shall be transferred from the "J&K Relief Fund" to the official account of the Department for further transfer to the beneficiaries concerned. Live TV LONDON: The origin of the novel coronavirus is still unclear and the theory that it was caused by a laboratory leak needs to be taken seriously until there is a rigorous data-led investigation that proves it wrong, a group of leading scientists said. COVID-19, which emerged in China in late 2019, has killed 3.34 million people, cost the world trillions of dollars in lost income and upended normal life for billions of people. "More investigation is still needed to determine the origin of the pandemic," said the 18 scientists, including Ravindra Gupta, a clinical microbiologist at the University of Cambridge, and Jesse Bloom, who studies the evolution of viruses at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. "Theories of accidental release from a lab and zoonotic spillover both remain viable," the scientists including David Relman, professor of microbiology at Stanford, said in a letter to the journal Science. The authors of the letter said the World Health Organization`s investigation into the origins of the virus had not made a "balanced consideration" of the theory that it may have come from a laboratory incident. In its final report, written jointly with Chinese scientists, a WHO-led team that spent four weeks in and around Wuhan in January and February said the virus had probably been transmitted from bats to humans through another animal, and that a lab leak was "extremely unlikely" as a cause. But there are myriad different ideas about the origin of the virus including a series of conspiracy theories. "We must take hypotheses about both natural and laboratory spillovers seriously until we have sufficient data," the scientists said, adding that an intellectually rigorous and dispassionate investigation needed to take place. "In this time of unfortunate anti-Asian sentiment in some countries, we note that at the beginning of the pandemic, it was Chinese doctors, scientists, journalists, and citizens who shared with the world crucial information about the spread of the virusoften at great personal cost." Live TV New Delhi: The Maharashtra government extended the lockdown curbs till 7 am on June 1. Announcing new restrictions under the break the chain initiative, the state made a negative RT-PCR report not older than 48 hours mandatory for people entering Maharashtra. Earlier, the lockdown imposed to curb the transmission of COVID-19 were to last till May 15. Check what's allowed and what's not during Maharashtra lockdown: 1. Personnel engaged in airport and port services and needed for movement of cargo related to medicines or equipment needed for Covid management will be allowed to travel in local, mono and metro services. 2. Only 25 people are allowed to attend wedding ceremonies. The ceremony will have to take place in a single hall and should be completed in two hours. 3. All government offices (centre, state, local administrative) are permitted to open with only 15 per cent attendance. 4. In case of cargo carriers, not more than two people will be allowed to travel in those vehicles. 5. Private buses can run with 50 per cent capacity. Travelling has been discouraged by the state government unless for any emergency. Maharashtra Government extends the current COVID19 restrictions in the state till 7am on 1st June, to fight COVID19; negative RT-PCR report mandatory for those entering the state pic.twitter.com/jjccnpP6KV ANI (@ANI) May 13, 2021 Essential services have been exempted from the lockdown restrictions. The order issued by the state government also directed the local disaster management authority to keep special vigil over rural markets and APMCs to ensure COVID-appropriate behaviour. They are allowed to add further restrictions with 48-hour notice. On Thursday, Mumbai reported 1,946 daily cases, while 68 succumbed to the deadly infection, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said. The caseload in the city reached 6,84,048, while the death toll mounted to 14,076. It was the third time this week that Mumbai's daily infection count remained below the 2,000-mark. Meanwhile, Maharashtra registered 42,582 new COVID-19 cases, with 850 deaths on Thursday, the state health department said. The total tally increased to 52,69,292, while the death toll reached 78,857. Live TV Mumbai: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday (May 14) said the state government has set a target of producing 3,000 metric tonnes of oxygen per day to ensure that the state does not face a paucity of life-saving gas. Speaking to reporters after a review meeting of the COVID-19 situation here, Pawar said measures are being taken to elevate the healthcare infrastructure considering experts' prediction that children will be the most vulnerable during the third wave of the coronavirus pandemic. "The state government has taken a decision to keep a target of producing 3,000 MT of oxygen per day. Currently, the production capacity in the state is over 1,200 MT, but a decision has been taken to increase the production by 1,800 MT to ensure that there is no shortage," he said. Ajit Pawar, who is also the guardian minister of Pune, also said that several cases of Mucormycosis have been reported in Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad and rural parts of the district. "As the medicines required for the treatment of the fungal infection are expensive, directives have been issued to ensure that the supply of such drugs is smooth, and to eliminate any possibility of black marketing," he said. As experts have predicted that children may be affected in the third wave of the pandemic, a task force comprising paediatricians has been formed and hospitals have been instructed to arrange beds for children, Pawar said. The country is receiving help in terms of medicine, oxygen and other health resources from other nations, he said. "The entire aid is going to the Centre and then it is being routed to states. We expect transparency about how much help the country is getting from abroad and how much is being distributed to the states. Help should be given to states based on the number of (COVID-19) cases they have," he said. The deputy chief minister also said that as Bharat Biotech is going to produce vaccines at the Manjari plant here, the district administration has been asked to provide them all the necessary help with power supply and other facilities. "The divisional commissioner and collector had visited the plant, and it may take another three months to start producing vaccines at the facility," he said. Ajit Pawar said he has asked divisional commissioner Saurabh Rao to request the firm to give preference to Maharashtra in getting the vaccine after they fulfil their commitment to the Centre. (inputs from PTI) Live TV Dhubri: West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankar on Friday (May 14) accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of remaining 'silent when there was bloodshed' during alleged post-poll violence in the state. Dhankhar said that the Trinamool Congress government could have easily prevented the situation from deteriorating by providing compensation and rehabilitation to affected families and through area domination to prevent violence. "There was bloodshed in the state. I should not say much as the matter is under investigation but the Chief Minister's silence is a matter of concern and worry for me", the Governor said after visiting the Ranpagli camp in Assam's Dhubri district where people from Cooch Behar in West Bengal have allegedly taken shelter after announcement of election results. Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankar shown black flags during Coochbehar visit On May 13, Governor Dhankar had visited villages affected places in Cooch Behar district. During his visit, he was shown black flags at Sitalkuchi, where four villagers died after firing by central forces during the elections, while 'Go back' slogans were raised at Dinhata during his visit to Cooch Behar district to meet people allegedly affected in post-poll violence. "He is trying to instigate unrest when the situation in the state is peaceful since May 9," TMC Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Sekhar Roy said. "Apprehending that the administration will not help them, these people had to flee from their homes and there cannot be anything more shameful for me and the government than people having to take shelter in another state to save their lives," Governor Dhankar said. People at the shelter claimed to have fled their homes in Bengal after the poll results were out on May 2. They also alleged that their houses were "ransacked by Trinamool Congress goons". Post-poll violence in Bengal claimed 16 lives, BJP claims supporters took rescue in Assam Post-poll violence in West Bengal has claimed 16 lives, with all parties including the ruling TMC complaining of attacks by rivals. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has promised strict corrective action and announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for each of those killed, after assuming office on May 5. She has blamed a lax administration under the watch of the Election Commission compounded by a series of transfers of state and district police chiefs ordered by the electoral watchdog, for the state of affairs. Live TV New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency arrested Mayanglambam Siromani, a self styled lieutenant of the People's Liberation Army in Manipur allegedly involved in an ambush on Record of Proceedings (ROP) of 4th Assam Rifles. The case was initially filed as an First Information Report (FIR) at PS Chakpikarong, District Chandel, Manipur relating to an ambush on Record of Proceedings (ROP) of 4th Assam Rifle at Chamol-Sajik Tampak Road. This ambush resulted in the martyrdom of one AR personnel and severe injury to one other. Two terrorists were killed in the encounter as well. The NIA have taken over the investigation and have re-registered the case as RC-01/2018/NIA-GUW dated March 29, 2018, under sections 121/ 121(A)/ 302/307/326/400 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and section 25(1-C) of Arms Act, Section four of Explosives Act & 16, 18, 20 & 38 of UA(P) Act. During the investigation it was revealed that Mayanglambam Siromani was involved in the conspiracy to attack the road opening party of Assam Rifles. Based on the evidence, a charge sheet was made about him while he was absconding. Further he was declared proclaimed offender and a cash reward of Rs 2 lacs was announced for information leading to his apprehension. He along with his co-accused had escaped to Myanmar on November 15, 2017 after the ambush on Assam Rifles. The accused was produced before the Honble Special Court Imphal and taken on police remand for five days. The investigation in the case continues. Live TV New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Friday (May 14) declined to grant interim protection from arrest to businessman Navneet Kalra, seeking anticipatory bail in connection with alleged black marketing of oxygen concentrators. The Delhi Police last week seized 100 oxygen concentrators from premises owned by Kalra, including the restaurant "Khan Chacha." The High Court also agreed with the reasons given by the trial court while denying Navneet Kalra the relief. A Sessions court had on Thursday dismissed Kalra's anticipatory bail plea, saying the allegations against him were serious and his custodial interrogation was required to "unearth the entire conspiracy". Listing the matter for hearing on May 18, Justice Subramonium Prasad said, "I am persuaded by the reasons given by the trial court which is a valid ground for me not to grant any interim protection now." Justice Prasad made this observation after Kalra's lawyers -- senior advocates Abhishek M Singhvi and Vikas Pahwa -- urged the court to grant some interim protection if the matter was going to be adjourned till May 18 on the request of Additional Solicitor General (ASG) S V Raju. Fearing arrest, Kalra had moved the court earlier this week to seek bail in the case, claiming that no offence was made out against him and that he is willing to join the investigation. Additional Session Judge Sandeep Garg dismissed his application and stated, "Custodial interrogation of accused is required to be carried out to unearth the entire conspiracy hatched between him and a number of co-accused persons." During a recent raid, 524 oxygen concentrators, were recovered from three restaurants owned by Kalra -- Khan Chacha, Nega Ju, and Town Hall, and he is suspected to have left Delhi along with his family. The concentrators are crucial medical equipment used for COVID-19 patients. The Delhi court said, "The accused has not joined the investigation to date. The mobile phone of accused which reportedly contains incriminating WhatsApp chats with customers, details of calls made to co-accused persons and his accounts are required to be seized." The judge said that the possibility of the accused tampering with the evidence or intimidating the prosecution witnesses cannot be ruled out. "Therefore, no case for grant of anticipatory bail is made out," the Additional Session Judge Sandeep Garg added. On May 5, a case was registered against Kalra under Section 420 (cheating), 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 120-B (criminal conspiracy), and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code. The FIR also registered under the Essential Commodities Act and Epidemic Diseases Act, for black marketing of oxygen cylinders prescribes maximum punishment for seven years. (With Agency Inputs) Live TV New Delhi: The Supreme Court has directed the governments in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to open community kitchens in the NCR for stranded migrant workers amid the current wave of COVID-19 pandemic and facilitate transportation for labourers who want to return home. It said while providing dry ration, the authorities of the states shall not insist on an identity card for those migrant labourers who do not possess for the time being and on self-declaration made by the stranded migrant labourers dry ration be given to them. Passing a slew of interim directions to ameliorate the miseries of migrant workers facing difficulties in wake of the recent surge in COVID-19 cases and restrictions imposed in several parts of India, the apex court on Thursday directed that dry ration be provided to them in the national capital region (NCR) under Atma Nirbhar Bharat Scheme' or any other scheme by the Centre and governments of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. A bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan and M R Shah said the Centre may also issue instructions to the Ministry of Railways to take necessary and adequate measures to cater to the need of migrant workers. The top court passed the order on an application filed by three activists who sought directions to the Centre and states to ensure food security, cash transfers, transport facilities and other welfare measures for migrant workers who are facing distress due to the curbs clamped in several parts of the country amid the pandemic. NCT of Delhi, state of UP and state of Haryana (for the districts included in the NCR) shall open community kitchen at well-advertised places (in the national capital region) for stranded migrant labourers so that they and their family members who are stranded could get two meals a day, the bench said. NCT of Delhi, state of UP and state of Haryana (for the districts included in the NCR) shall ensure that adequate transport is provided to stranded migrant labourers (in the national capital region) who want to return to their home, it said. It directed that district administration, in coordination with police, may identify such stranded migrant labourers and facilitate their transport either by road or train. Dry ration to migrant workers in National Capital Region under Atma Nirbhar Bharat Scheme or any other scheme be provided by the Union of India, NCT of Delhi, state of UP and state of Haryana utilising the public distribution system prevalent in each state with effect from May 2021, the bench said. It directed the Centre as well as the governments of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to file their replies to the application suggesting means and measures by which they shall ameliorate miseries of stranded migrant labourers. We also issue notice on the application to the state of Maharashtra, state of Gujarat and state of Bihar to file their reply giving the details of the measures which they propose to take to ameliorate the miseries of migrant workers regarding the transportation of stranded migrant workers and providing dry ration as well as cooked meals to the stranded migrant workers, it said. The bench noted in its order that when the nationwide lockdown was imposed on March 24 last year amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the migrant labourers were the great sufferers because of cessation of their employment and they being left with no financial support to sustain themselves, there was large exodus from metro cities like Delhi and Bombay. In May last year, the top court had taken suo motu cognizance of problems and miseries of migrant labourers amid pandemic and had passed a slew of directions, including asking the states not to charge fare from migrant workers and provide them food for free till they board trains or buses. In its order passed on Thursday, the bench referred to the June 9 last year order passed by the top court in which it had dealt with issues, including on taking care of those migrant workers who had returned to their native places after cessation of their employment. The apex court noted that it had granted two-week time to all the states and Union Territories (UTs) to submit affidavits in response to various aspects highlighted in the order and the Centre was also directed to bring on record different schemes which can be taken by migrant labourers for their welfare. The bench noted that by its September 1 last year order, it had granted further two-week time to states and UTs to file their responses and the steps taken on the issues raised earlier by the court. It appears that most of the states have not filed their specific responses on the aforesaid issues and if filed, they are inadequate," it said. The bench said as the last chance, it is giving further 10-day time to NCT of Delhi, states of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Bihar, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Orissa to file their specific responses on the issues more particularly referred in its earlier orders and also the steps taken or to be taken and within how much time. Referring to the resurgence of COVID-19 infections and consequent curbs, activists - Anjali Bharadwaj, Harsh Mander and Jagdeep Chhokar -- have filed the fresh interim plea in the suo motu case seeking initiation of welfare measures. Live TV Chandigarh: With rural areas, which were largely unaffected in the first wave, now showing a COVID spike, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday (May 14) urged villagers to restrict entry into their villages to only those persons who are free of the virus. Addressing the people of the state in a live Facebook telecast, the Chief Minister called for strict measures in the rural areas over the next two months, which he described as extremely crucial. Now the rural areas are seeing a surge in cases, so we need to be very careful, he said. Exhorting people to save your mohallas and villages to save yourself, your families and Punjab, the Chief Minister asked them not to delay going to hospitals when needed. We have teams of doctors everywhere, approach them if you feel unwell, he urged them, stressing that delay in going for treatment was leading to people ending up in L3 level. While occupancy of L2 beds is 50%, at the L3 level, around 90% of the beds are currently occupied, and the state government is in the process of adding another 2000, he pointed out. Noting that there are three stages of the disease, of which the first can be managed at home, the CM reiterated his plea to the people to go to the doctor at the first sign of symptoms. Let the doc decide the course of treatment, dont get into diagnosis and medication yourself, he appealed to them. I fail to understand why we are harming the interests of the state and your families in this manner, he said, adding that we do not want Punjab to go the way of Delhi and Maharashtra, which have experienced unprecedented problems amid the 2nd wave. The disease was wreaking havoc the world over, with even the most advanced countries not immune to it, he said, urging people to help his government save the state. The Chief Minister expressed happiness over the seamless completion of wheat procurement amid the COVID challenges, lauding the hard-working farmers of the state for this achievement. Compared to 129 lakh MT last year, a total of 132 lakh MT wheat had been procured this year, he said, adding that this had resulted in earnings to the tune of Rs 26,000 crore for the farmers, as against Rs. 24,600 crore last year. We have won this battle but the pandemic threat continues, he said, lamenting that despite 14 months having passed since the outbreak, some people are still not taking the pandemic seriously. He said that Punjab has so far had 4.75 lakh plus cases, with Thursdays 24-hour caseload at 8484. While the total deaths stood at 11297, the state had lost 184 lives to COVID yesterday, he added. As of date, there are 9619 patients on Oxygen and 429 on ventilator support. Live TV New Delhi: Dr Reddy's Laboratories on Friday (May 14, 2021) announced that Russian COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V will cost 995.40 + 5% GST per dose in India and the price of vaccines produced in the country may be lower. As per a press release by Dr Reddy's Laboratories the first consignment of imported doses of the Sputnik V vaccine that landed in India on May 1 received regulatory clearance from the Central Drugs Laboratory, Kasauli, on May 13. As part of a limited pilot, the soft launch of the vaccine has commenced and the first dose of the vaccine was administered in Hyderabad on Friday. Imported doses of Sputnik V #COVID19 vaccine are presently priced at Rs 948 + 5% GST per dose, with the possibility of a lower price point when local supply begins: Dr. Reddys Laboratories pic.twitter.com/bEowM6ZhZY ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2021 "The first consignment of imported doses of the Sputnik V vaccine landed in India on May 1, and received regulatory clearance from the Central Drugs Laboratory, Kasauli, on May 13, 2021," the company added. The Russian vaccine was given emergency use authorisation (EUA) by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) in April. "Further consignments of imported doses are expected over the upcoming months. Subsequently, supply of the Sputnik V vaccine will commence from Indian manufacturing partners," Dr Reddy's said. The Dr Reddy's Laboratories is working closely with its six other manufacturing partners in India to fulfill regulatory requirements to ensure smooth and timely supply. "With the rising cases in India, vaccination is our most effective tool in our battle against Covid-19. Contributing to the vaccination drive in India is our biggest priority right now to help Indians be healthy and safe," said G.V. Prasad, Co-Chairman and Managing Director. (With Agency Inputs) Live TV The clash is another example of how government agencies appear to work at cross purposes and succeed in having the president do their bidding. Days before the restoration of four oil mining licenses to Addax Petroleum, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) launched a blistering tackle on its sister agency, Department of Petroleum Resources, with a strong appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to reverse DPR's revocation of the OMLs and reject a reallocation to another company. The NNPC in a letter to the president on April 20 argued that the revocation of the oilfields would have implications on the Nigerian economy and the diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and China. Addax is owned by Sinopec, a state-owned Chinese firm, the nine-page memo seen PREMIUM TIMES shows. Three days after the letter was sent, the president overruled the revocation by the DPR, and cancelled the reallocation of OMLs 123, 124, 126, and 137 to Kaztec Engineering Limited/Salvic Petroleum Consortium, a firm DPR picked as a replacement. The clash is the latest example of how government agencies often appear to work at cross purposes and succeed in having the president do their bidding. PREMIUM TIMES reported on Monday how the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, and the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Hadiza Usman, repeatedly faced off over the award of contracts, and Mr Amaechi at least once directed a procurement process be suspended in favour of an incumbent contractor In revoking the four OMLs, the DPR cited Addax's inability to comply with agreed targets. Addax has a production sharing contract with the NNPC. A panel set up by the Ministry of Petroleum to review the case concluded that Addax had caused the country significant losses in revenue and jobs. The committee led by a former senator, Magnus Abe, said $1 billion had been invested in the contract but Addax Petroleum called it off over an issue that was unrelated to the project. The action put over 3000 Nigerians out of work, the committee said. The presidency's statement, signed by spokesperson Garba Shehu, said: "President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the restoration of the leases on OMLs 123, 124, 126 and 137 to the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC which is in production sharing contract with Addax Petroleum, a company wholly owned by Government of the People's Republic of China on the blocks. The leases belonging to the Federation were revoked on March 30, 2021." "While directing the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR to retract the letter of revocation of the leases, the President also directed NNPC to utilize contractual provisions to resolve issues in line with the extant provisions of the Production Sharing Contract arrangement between NNPC and Addax," it said. NNPC Counters DPR The NNPC warned the president that the revocation, if unresolved, will create an unprecedented level of contingent liability of well over US$1 billion for NNPC as the party in contract with Addax, reputational damage to the country with possible dire unintended diplomatic consequences. The NNPC faulted the DPR for revoking the oilfields saying it is the petroleum minister who has the power to revoke leases. If defended Addax, saying "Addax has not been investing in capital projects, development drilling, and exploration activities due to dispute on applicable fiscal terms on its blocks." "It is within the right of the Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources (HMPR) to revoke Oil Mining Leases (OMLs) as provided in Paragraph 25 (1) of the First Schedule of the Petroleum Act. It is clear that the procedures as stipulated by the Petroleum Act to revoke the lease of a lessee were not duly followed in this case and this portends several legal, commercial, and diplomatic implications," it said. "The provisions of the Act stipulate that revocation of a Lease is against the Lessee (on fulfilling revocation conditions) and clearly the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) erred by processing the revocation against Addax (a PSC Contractor) instead of NNPC (the Lessee). "Addax has already written to DPR expressing their intention to exercise their right to challenge the revocation using all government, diplomatic and legal means to seek redress and achieve satisfaction." Implications The NNPC argued that the ability of NNPC and the newly appointed contractor to partner and properly utilise the assets may be severely hampered if Addax goes ahead with its threat to legally challenge the revocation process. It said the immediate implication of the revocation and reallocation of the OMLS is that NNPC (as the actual Concessionaire/Lessee) is no longer associated in any way with OML 137 as it is now awarded to new allottees as a Sole Risk Block. "Based on DPR's letter, There is no valid PSC in place between NNPC and the newly appointed contractor parties and as such, there is currently no contractual basis for any sort of interaction between NNPC and the Kaztec Engineering Limited/Salvic Petroleum Resources Limited (KEL/Salvic) Consortium," it said. "In addition to possible resort to legal contest, Addax could still have grounds to make claims in respect of cost recovery of outstanding expenditure or consequential losses such as profit against NNPC and thus indirectly the Government." Aside from the legal implications, the oil company told Mr Buhai about commercial implications that would negatively affect the increase in crude oil production and revenue generation. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Governance Petroleum By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. It said the OMLS 123 and 124 are due to expire on July 1, 2022, while OML 126 expires on November 24, 2024, but renewal negotiations and (Head of Terms) HOT discussions are currently ongoing and revocation presents a hard bargaining point for the Corporation during these negotiations as the Contractors may likely seek more stringent guarantees. "NNPC will require at least US$1 billion to settle the outstanding cost oil liability, consequential losses such as profit, plus other liabilities such as severance for employees, abandonment, decommissioning and amortized capital expenses," it said. "China, the Parent Country of Addax is the largest trading partner of Nigeria representing over 20 percent of international trade and almost 3 times the next largest trading partner. Addax diplomatic threat is thus not inconsequential and should be taken seriously." In addition, it reminded Mr Buhari that China also provides financing for key infrastructural projects like the Railways Projects and the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline Projects, amongst others, and warned that the revocation action could also threaten the realisation of these critical projects. Addax took over ownership of the four OMLs after the NNPC terminated a contract with Ashland in 1998, which held control since 1973. Sinopec bought the Switzerland-based Addax Petroleum in 2009 for US$7.24 billion. Chennai: With over 31,000 daily COVID-19 cases in the state and nearly 7,000 cases in Chennai city, Tamil Nadu imposed further restrictions over and above the ongoing lockdown which was imposed from May 10 till May 24. The decision to tighten the lockdown measures was taken after receiving consent from representatives of all major political parties at an all-party meeting on Thursday. The new curbs come into effect from 4am May 15 until May 24. As per the new restrictions the working hours of standalone grocery shops, supermarkets, vegetable shops, meat shops and others will be from 6am to 10am. These shops must operate without air-conditioning and must permit only 50 per cent footfall. E-commerce services such as Dunzo and others that deliver grocery, meat, vegetables will be permitted to function from 6am-10am. Whereas, other E-commerce firms would be permitted to deliver goods between 2pm and 6pm. While fuel stations, ATMs, medical shops will be open, all other stores including footpath vendors selling vegetables, flowers have been asked to go under lockdown. Tea shops too will remain closed. Also, e-pass has been made mandatory for domestic and even inter-district travelers including people going to weddings, funerals, caregiving for elderly etc. and is to be availed on eregister.tnega.org. The E-pass would be required from 6am, May 17. Meanwhile, the existing night curfew from 10pm to 4am and the total lockdown on Sundays will continue to be in effect. According to the Government bulletin there are 1.95 lakh active cases in the state as on Friday evening. Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Friday (May 14) stayed an order by the state government banning the entry of ambulances from other states. The order comes after Telangana Police were directed by the state government to stop all ambulances carrying COVID-19 patients that do not have prior permission and confirmation from the hospital for getting treatment. Several patients have been travelling from the neighbouring state of Andhra Pradesh due to lack of sufficient facilities for treatment at their own places. Telangana High Court stays the state government's order to allow ambulances with patients coming from neighbouring states only if they have prior tie-up with hospitals, ANI reported. Earlier today, patients from Andhra Pradesh died in ambulances after the Telangana Police did not permit them to cross the interstate border at Kurnool. The incident occurred at the Panchalingala checkpost on National Highway 44. The two persons were identified as natives of Nandyal and Kurnool respectively. Several reports of blocking of ambulances have emerged at various border checkpoints in the state such as Garikapadus checkpoint and Ramapuram cross border post near Suryapet. All ambulances coming from Andhra to Telangana for COVID treatment and personal vehicles are being checked. Those coming for treatment will be allowed into Telangana only on hospital appointment as well as authorisation pass from Director of Health COVID control center, said Superintendent of Police, Suryapet. At least 40 ambulances from Andhra Pradesh were forced to return back from the Pullur toll plaza since Thursday. Kin of some the patients have alleged that even those with permits issued by the Andhra Pradesh police were forcibly turned back. Live TV Lucknow: After a series of reports showing dead bodies being dumped in rivers in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar due to fear of COVID-19 infection, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday (May 14) ordered patrolling by the Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC). The chief minister ordered SDRF and PAC to patrol rivers and ensure that bodies are not dumped in the rivers. The order comes after hundreds of floating corpses were spotted in Ganga in Ghazipur. "All those who died deserve cremation with respect. The state government has already sanctioned funds for performing the last rites," Adityanath was quoted as saying by PTI. "No one should be allowed to dispose of bodies in rivers due to religious traditions," he added. The CM further said that the rivers get polluted due to bodies of human beings and animals while his government is running a campaign for the cleaning of rivers. He said in areas on banks of rivers, committees including village development officers and village heads should be formed to ensure that no one dumps bodies in rivers. He said that if needed, a fine may be imposed at the local level to prevent it. The government has been under fire from the opposition over the issue recently. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra earlier demanded a judicial probe headed by High Court judge into it, saying what is happening is inhuman and criminal. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav too had said the UP government must be held accountable for failing its people badly. Live TV New Delhi: Times Group Chairperson Indu Jain passed away due to Covid related complications, company sources said. She was 84. Hailing her as a visionary, Times Now TV channel, part of the Times Group, described Jain as a lifelong spiritual seeker, pioneering philanthropist, distinguished patron of the arts, and passionate proponent of women's rights. After becoming chairman of the Times Group in 1999, she evolved a distinctive leadership style, characterised by compassion and inclusiveness, that helped propel the group to new heights. She set up The Times Foundation in 2000, with sustainable development and transformational change as its key goals. One of India's most respected non-profits, it provides community services and runs the Times Relief Fund to offer assistance during cyclones, earthquakes, floods, epidemics and other crises. She was the founder president of FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO), established in 1983 to promote entrepreneurship and professional excellence among women in India. From 1999, she also served as chairperson of Bharatiya Jnanpith Trust, founded in 1944 by Sahu Shanti Prasad Jain, her father-in-law, to promote literature in Indian languages. The Jnanpith Award, conferred by the Trust annually, is acknowledged to be the most prestigious honour for authors writing in Indian languages. She was also the guiding force behind the Oneness Forum, launched in 2003 to promote unity in the world. The MahaviraMahatma award was instituted under the aegis of the Forum to promote Mahatma Gandhi's principle of ahimsa (non- violence). "My mother #InduJain believed that death is not something to be mourned but a soul changing clothes to start a new journey of exploration. She taught me to live on my own terms & in a state of constant bliss. As she attains Nirvana, I celebrate a truly remarkable spirit", tweeted Times Group chairperson, Vineet Jain. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed anguish at the death of Times Group Chairperson Indu Jain, and said she will be remembered for her community service initiatives, passion towards India's progress and deep-rooted interest in culture. Paying tributes on Thursday, PM Modi said, "Saddened by the demise of Times Group Chairperson Smt. Indu Jain Ji. She will be remembered for her community service initiatives, passion towards India's progress and deep-rooted interest in our culture. I recall my interactions with her. Condolences to her family. Om Shanti." Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that Indu Jain will always be remembered for the unparalleled compassion, hard work and philanthropic works. Shah tweeted, "The passing away of Smt. Indu Jain Ji, Chairperson of Times Group is deeply saddening. Nation will always remember her for the unparalleled compassion, hard work and philanthropic works. My condolences to her family and the entire Times Group in this hour of grief. Om Shanti." Several politicians across the country also expressed their grief over her demise. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari tweeted, "Saddened by the demise of Indu Jain ji, Chairperson of the Times Group. She will always be remembered for her contribution to social work, her passion for Indian culture. May God grant peace to the departed soul. Om Shanti." Newly-elected Assam Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted, "In Indu Jain, Chairperson of Times Group, we always had a very tall spiritual leader, passionate philanthropist, a connoisseur of arts & a soulful being. Her passing away is a big loss to us. My heartfelt condolences to Vineet Jain, members of Jain and Times families." Union Minister Piyush Goyal wrote, "Saddened to hear about the demise of Smt. Indu Jain, Chairperson of Times Group. She will be remembered as a passionate philanthropist, strong proponent of women`s rights & an inspiring leader. My heartfelt condolences to @vineetjaintimes & the entire Times family. Om Shanti." "Saddened to hear of the demise of Smt Indu Jain Ji, the matriarch of the Times group, she was dedicated to serving the community, championing women`s rights & supporting the arts. My condolences to the family & prayers for the departed soul to find peace .. Om Shanti", tweeted Congress leader Sachin Pilot. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today expressed sadness over the death of Times Group chairperson Indu Jain and said she will always be remembered for her deep commitment to nation-building. "Deeply saddened by the demise of Times Group Chairperson Smt. Indu Jain Ji. Her deep commitment to philanthropy and nation-building will always be remembered. Condolences to her family. Om Shanti," Kejriwal tweeted. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia also offered his condolences to the family of the deceased. "Very sorry about your loss Vineet ji. I personally have received her blessings so many times. May God bless the great soul in this new journey. Om Shanti," he said in a tweet. (With Agency Inputs) Live TV New Delhi: Two civilians were killed in a grenade attack at Tingrai market in Tinsukia district of Assam on Friday (May 14). At least two others were injured in the incident and were taken to the hospital. According to the police, two motorcycle-borne persons threw the grenade in front of a hardware shop in the market. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma condemned the attack and ordered a probe. He informed that Home Minister Amit Shah has offered condolences over the death of the two civilians. Home Minister Amit Shah called me to enquire about the grenade blast at Tingrai Market in Tinsukia District. He condoled the death of two civilians. I apprised Home Minister on the matter and informed that Assam Police has been asked to take stern measures against perpetrators and nab them immediately, the CM tweeted. Hon HM Sri @AmitShah called me to enquire about grenade blast at Tingrai Market in Tinsukia District. He condoled death of two civilians. I apprised HM on the matter and informed that @assampolice has been asked to take stern measures against perpetrators & nab them immediately. Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) May 14, 2021 Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma condemned the grenade attack and asked the Director General of Police Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta to probe the incident, CMO tweeted. Live TV New Delhi: The Uttarakhand government on Thursday (May 13) announced that all shops of the Public Distribution System will be allowed to open for 3 hours from May 14 till May 18 in view of the curfew imposed due to the deepening COVID-19 crisis. In an official order, the Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat said that all shops of PDS will be open from 7 AM to 10 AM from May 14 till May 18 during the current 'COVID curfew'. "Accordingly, during the Covid curfew, all the shops of PDS in the state will be open from 07:00 am to 10:00 pm from 14 May 2021 to 18 May 2021", an official order read. This comes after the CM directed Chief Secretary Om Prakash to extend the opening day of PDS shops to the poor families, ANI reported. Earlier, Uttarakhand imposed Covid curfew to curb the transmission of the coronavirus. The curfew will remain in place in all the districts till May 18. Meanwhile, for people travelling to the state, negative RT-PCR results not older than 72 hours has been made mandatory and they are also expected to register themselves on the Dehradun administration's portal before entering the state. Uttarakhand citizens coming from outside will have to undergo a 7-day quarantine. (With ANI inputs) Live TV New Delhi: The Karnataka Congress announced on Friday (May 14) that the MPs, MLAs and MLCs will mobilise their Local Area Development (LAD) fund of around Rs 100 crore to procure COVID-19 vaccines for the state. "The government has miserably failed to protect the people and vaccinate people. Hence, the MPs, MLAs and MLCs of the Congress, who are 95 in number have decided to donate at least Rs one crore each to procure vaccines," PTI quoted former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, as saying. Calling it an unprecedented decision in the history of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah said at a press conference in Bengaluru that a total of Rs 100 crore will be given by Congress leaders for the purpose. Karnataka Congress chief D K Shivakumar said that he will write to Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa to utilise their LAD funds for vaccine procurement. He added that the Congress parliamentarians and legislators are ready to stop development works in their areas to procure vaccines. In a statement released later today, the state Congress unit quoted Shivakumar as saying, I appeal to the Yediyurappa government to please allow us to use the MLA/MLC funds to procure vaccines directly in a transparent manner because the Modi and Yediyurappa governments are failing to do so for months now. He also urged the state government to allow diversion of LAD funds for vaccine procurement. As per current rules, only central and state governments, hospitals and industries can directly procure vaccines from the manufacturers. On Thursday, Karnataka reported 35,297 new infections taking the caseload to 20,88,488. The active cases climbed to 5,93,078, while 344 people succumbed to the coronavirus, as per the state health bulletin. (With PTI inputs) Live TV New Delhi: Go Airlines, which has rebranded itself as 'Go First', has filed preliminary papers for an initial share sale worth Rs 3,600 crore and the proceeds will be mainly used to repay dues amid the aviation industry facing strong headwinds due to the coronavirus pandemic. After taking to the skies 15 years ago, the Wadia group-promoted budget carrier -- which has ambitious expansion plans -- is looking to mop up the amount through issuance of fresh equity shares. It also has plans to raise up to Rs 1,500 crore by way of a pre-IPO placement. Once the shares get listed, Go Airlines (India) Ltd will be the third operational scheduled carrier after SpiceJet and IndiGo to trade on Indian bourses. In a release on Friday, Go Airlines said it has filed a draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) for an initial public offer (IPO) to raise up to Rs 3,600 crore through issuance of fresh equity shares. "We expect competitive conditions in our industry to intensify further as new entrants emerge and as existing competitors seek to extend their operations and flight frequencies over routes that we operate," as per the DRHP. It also noted that the aviation industry faces significant business challenges as a result of the COVID pandemic. In the financial year ended March 2020, the airline had a loss of Rs 1,270.74 crore while total income stood at Rs 7,258.01 crore. "Our company expects to receive the benefits of listing of the equity shares, including to enhance our visibility and our brand image among our existing and potential customers and to create a public market for our equity shares in India," the DRHP said. From the net proceeds of the IPO, the airline plans to pay over Rs 2,015.81 crore towards prepayment or scheduled repayment of all or a portion of certain outstanding borrowings". An amount of Rs 279.26 crore would be for "replacement of letter of credits, which are issued to certain aircraft lessors towards securing lease rental payments and future maintenance of aircraft, with cash deposit", as per DRHP. Also, the airline will make repayment of dues of Rs 254.93 crore to Indian Oil Corporation for fuel supplied to it. "A further issue of equity shares, through a preferential offer or any other method as may be permitted in accordance with applicable law, aggregating up to Rs 15,000 million, which may be undertaken by our company... Prior to the filing of the Red Herring Prospectus with the RoC (registrar of companies)," it noted. The Wadia group owns 73.33 per cent stake in the carrier while the remaining shareholding is with other entities, including Baymanco Investments. The latter holds 21.05 per cent stake. Others are Sea Wind Investment and Trading Company (3.76 per cent shareholding), Heera Holdings & Leasing, Nidhivan Investments & Trading Company and Sahara Investments -- all the four entities have 0.62 per cent stake each in the airline. As per the DRHP, there are a total of 99 litigations against the company, including 43 related to actions by statutory or regulatory authorities. Global coordinators and book running lead managers to the issue are ICICI Securities, Citi and Morgan Stanley. The airline is now focusing on ultra low cost carrier (ULCC) model. After announcing rebranding on Thursday, Go First CEO Kaushik Khona said the airline has stayed resilient during the really tough times of the past 15 months. "Even as the times continue to be extraordinary, Go First sees opportunities ahead. This rebranding reflects our confidence in the brighter tomorrow," he had said. The airline has placed firm orders for delivery of 144 Airbus A320 neo planes; and out of them, it has taken delivery of 46 aircraft. As on January 31, 2020, GoAir operated flights to 28 domestic and 9 international destinations. At present, three scheduled carriers are trading on the domestic bourses -- IndiGo, SpiceJet and Jet Airways. Jet Airways shuttered operations in April 2019. Live TV #mute New Delhi: The much-awaited Eid-ul-Fitr or Eid-al-Fitr festival is being celebrated in India today (May 14, 2021). Saudi Arabia, UAE, North America, which started fasting one day before Indians, celebrated Eid on May 13, 2021, respectively. On Meethi Eid, not just netizens but several Bollywood celebrities such as megastar Amitabh Bachchan, Varun Dhawan, Sanjay Dutt and Abhishek Bachchan among others wished their fans Eid Mubarak in their own style. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic's second deadly wave in the country, celebrations shall remain low key and coronavirus protocol to be followed. Muslim clerics have urged people to act in accordance with the present times and observe a private Eid this year. Here's what the celebs wished on social media: T 3904 - Eid Mubarak pic.twitter.com/pI5chXmMpI Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) May 13, 2021 Chand mubarak. Eid Mubarak. Shahid Kapoor (@shahidkapoor) May 14, 2021 Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated after the end of the holy month of Ramadan and the beginning of the tenth month of the Islamic calendar Shawwal. Islamic or Hijri calendar follows lunar movements hence the sighting of the crescent moon is important to mark the beginning of a new month. The festival of Eid-ul-Fitr celebrates the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan in which Muslims observe fast and increase their prayers and charity to gain piety. On Eid as well, alms are given to the poor and a feast is prepared for friends and family. Eidi, which can both be in the form of money and gifts, is given to children and people younger. New Delhi: Once again the internet has come to the rescue of people, giving some breather amid tough times. On a lighter note, a video has gone viral on social media where a man, who's being interviewed, does a faux pas and calls Remdesivir - a broad-spectrum antiviral medication that is widely being used to treat critical COVID patients, Remo D'Souza. Yes!, you read that one right. He called the drug - Remo D'Souza. Netizens had a blast watching this viral video which was shared by none other than choreographer turned director himself on Instagram. Take a look, just for laughs: The man in the video can be seen sharing the ordeal of high-price drugs and how difficult it is for a commoner to get these amid crisis. His rant continues as he says, "Cipla company ka Remo DSouza. And that's the moment when everyone bursts out! As soon as Remo shared it on social media, several celebrities such as Mahhi Vij, Sooraj Pancholi, Gaurav Gera, Salman Yusuf Khan, Mohena Kumar among others dropped their comments on watching the hilarious video. Last year in December, Remo D'Souza suffered a heart attack. The 46-year-old was rushed to Kokilaben hospital in Mumbai with family by his side. Fortunately, the 'Race 3' director has recovered and is feeling 'stronger'. PROMINENT Chimurenga musician Thomas Chikawa, better known as Thomas Tafirenyika Mapfumo, has dragged the Cotton Company of Zimbabwe (Cottco) to court for failing to settle a US$33 000 debt for commercial advert services he did for the company in Muzarabani District. Mukanya, as he is affectionately known, delivered the services in 2019 but is yet to be paid despite demand. Agreement between parties was that he would be paid upon his return to Harare, but this has not happened. According to summons now before the High Court, sometime in 2019, Cottco through one Mugura Gumeni, made contact with Mapfumo's Zimbabwe representative, Simbarashe Chiromo for the musician to do a commercial advert for the Cottco in Zimbabwe. Both parties entered into an agreement around the same period and Cottco agreed to pay a nominal fee of US$2 000 to enable Mapfumo to travel to Muzarabani. The exact amounts for the services were to be determined by the scope of the project and established during the actual field visit. The actual amount was supposed to be agreed with Cottco's public relations department. The court has been told that on the 27th of February 2019, Mapfumo did the video shooting in Muzarabani and returned to Harare the same day. One Mrs Mutomba advised the US based music chanter that all relevant and necessary formalities were to be completed upon arrival to enable him to get his dues. "Upon arrival, Mapfumo developed some serious health complications and after some series of blood tests and scans, it showed that he suffered some massive dehydration due to high temperatures experienced in Muzarabani," reads part of the summons. Cottco allegedly failed to formalise all relevant and necessary documents to enable Mapfumo to be paid for his services. The total cost of the services provided by Mapfumo, according to the summons, amounted to US$35 000 and Cottco, having paid only US$2 000 is failing to pay off the balance of US$33 000. Mapfumo is seeking an order for the payment of balance of US$33 000 plus interest. The matter is yet to be fully heard. With many states under lockdown to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus, the Covid-19 pandemic has surely turned Akshaya Tritiya 2021s celebrations sour. Gold buyers are unable to buy physical gold on the day, as jewellery showrooms are shut across the nation. Since buying gold is considered auspicious on Akshaya Tritiya, investors are now on the lookout for physical gold alternatives to celebrate the festival. If you are planning to go ahead with gold alternatives, then we have these three alternative suggestions for you: 1. Gold fund Gold funds are basically open-ended funds in which you invest your money. These funds offer high security, and they invest in units of a Gold Exchange Traded Fund (ETF). The funds generate wealth by using the potential of gold as a commodity. If youre planning to buy a Gold fund then you need a Demat account. However, you will have to invest your money in one go, as the Gold fund doesn't allow SIPs. 2. Gold ETF Gold Exchange Traded Fund or Gold ETF is another investment instrument in which you safely invest your money. Gold ETF is basically a commodity-based Mutual Fund that invests your money in gold. ETF are like stocks, and are actually traded in a similar manner on the stock exchange. For buying Gold ETF, you dont need a Demat account. You can invest in Gold ETF via platforms that sell mutual funds. The best part of Gold ETF is that you can invest in it via monthly SIPs. 3. Digital gold Digital gold is one of the most popular physical gold alternatives, as this investment mode allows investors to bet directly on gold. You can use platforms like Paytm, PhonePe, Amazon Pay, among others to safely invest in digital gold. You can invest as little as Rs 1 in digital gold. Live TV #mute Theres no doubt that Elon Musk has a great influence over cryptocurrencies, especially Bitcoin. Previously, his electric car company Tesla had announced that itll be accepting payments in Bitcoin, fuelling the rally of the coin. While Tesla has now refused to accept Bitcoin as a payment mode, Musk is still having a great influence over the crypto market. Cashing in on Musks popularity, online scammers are misusing his name to dupe investors, especially those who are new to the cryptocurrency market. In one such case, a British woman named Julie Bushnell was conned by scammers and lost her savings worth approximately Rs 9 lakh. She told BBC that she fell for a scam in which scammers were using a fake BBC website that said that Musk would double your Bitcoin deposits. Based on BCC News branding and Musks name, the woman fell for the lucrative offer. The website read, Tesla buys $1.5 billion bitcoin, plans to give away $750M of it. Bushnell works as a teacher in Brighton, and had saved 9,000 for a new home. Now she has lost all her savings to a Bitcoin scam, which is gaining traction with the rise of cryptocurrency. It has affected me massively. I wish I could have that time back - go in a time machine and not make those couple of clicks. They have robbed me of my dignity, self-respect, self-worth and strength. They have sucked all the goodness of life out of me, Bushnell told BBC. She feels ashamed of falling for a Bitcoin fraud, as she herself invests in cryptocurrency. With all the savings lost, she now wants to aware investors of the online scams running in the name of fake giveaways. Live TV #mute The pandemic has hit significantly hit retail payments across the country, as the number of borrowers failing to pay their monthly EMIs has surged in April 2021. According to the National Payments Corporation of Indias (NPCI) data, 34.1% of auto-debit transactions facilitated via the National Automated Clearing House (NACH) failed in April 2021. The primary reason for the alarming failure rate is due to insufficient funds. In March 2021, the failure rate stood at 32.8%. Interestingly, repayments were improving until March 2021, just before the second Covid-19 stormed into India. It is important to note that this data is only for inter-bank mandates, which means a transaction between a bank and a non-bank lender. Banks are also witnessing higher cheque bounces. The overall scenario indicates that borrowers are not willing to repay their loans. Moreover, lending experts are pointing that the figures for May could prove to far worse than April, as the country has practically moved into a national lockdown. The second Covid-19 wave is proving to be deadlier than the first one, with the number of daily cases surging to record highs. The death toll in India has also created new records, catapulting citizens into a situation of grief and fear. As a result, banks are showing more caution towards the growing number of defaulters, most of whom are self-employed people or those working in informal segments. Many citizens who have lost their jobs are also failing to pay their dues. In a call with financial analysts, Jimmy Tata, chief credit officer at HDFC Bank Ltd, said on 17 April, We are halfway through April, so I cannot really comment on the demand resolution for April, but the cheque bounces in April have taken a bit of an upward blip." New Delhi: The wait for the 8th instalment of the Prime Minister Kisan Samman Nidhi Scheme (PM-KISAN) will get over today (Friday), as it on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Tritiya, PM Modi will release latest tranche. The 8th instalment of financial benefit under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme will be released by PM Modi at 11 AM via video conferencing. This will enable the transfer of more than Rs. 19,000 crores to more than 9.5 crores beneficiary farmer families, confirmed the PMO. The last or 7th instalment of PM Kisan was paid on Christmas, December 25, which is also the birth anniversary of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme was launched by PM Modi in 2019. The Scheme aims to provide income support to all landholder farmer families across the country with cultivable land, subject to certain exclusions. Under the Scheme, an amount of Rs 6000 per year is released in three 4-monthly instalments of Rs 2000 each directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries. In a financial year, PM Kisan installment is credited thrice through --Period 1 from April-July; Period 2 from August to November; and Period 3 from December to March. PM-KISAN Scheme for only Small and Marginal Farmers' families? ln the beginning when the PM-KISAN Scheme was launched (February, 2019), its benefits were admissible only to Small & marginal Farmers' families, with combined landholding upto 2 hectare. The Scheme was later on revised in June 2019 and extended to all farmer families irrespective of the size of their landholdings The Central Government had notified a decision to extend the benefit of Rs 6,000 per year under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme to all 14.5 crore farmers in the country, irrespective of the size of their landholding. Who are excluded from the PM-KISAN Scheme? Those excluded from the PM-KISAN include institutional land holders, farmer families holding constitutional posts, serving or retired officers and employees of State or Central government as well as Public Sector Undetakings and Government Autonomous bodies. Professionals like doctors, engineers and lawyers as well as retired pensioners with a monthly pension of over Rs 10,000 and those who paid income tax in the last assessment year are also not eligible for the benefits. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday released the eighth instalment of Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) scheme on Friday via video-conferencing. PM Modi released over Rs 20,000 crore to more than 9.5 crore farmer beneficiaries under PM-KISAN scheme. PM Modi will also interact with five farmers from states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Meghalaya, Jammu and Kashmir and Andaman and Nicobar on the occasion. The last or 7th instalment of PM Kisan was paid on Christmas, December 25, which is also the birth anniversary of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) Scheme was launched by PM Modi in 2019. The Scheme aims to provide income support to all landholder farmer families across the country with cultivable land, subject to certain exclusions. Under the Scheme, an amount of Rs 6000 per year is released in three 4-monthly instalments of Rs 2000 each directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries. In a financial year, PM Kisan installment is credited thrice through --Period 1 from April-July; Period 2 from August to November; and Period 3 from December to March. PM-KISAN Scheme for only Small and Marginal Farmers' families? ln the beginning when the PM-KISAN Scheme was launched (February, 2019), its benefits were admissible only to Small & marginal Farmers' families, with combined landholding upto 2 hectare. The Scheme was later on revised in June 2019 and extended to all farmer families irrespective of the size of their landholdings The Central Government had notified a decision to extend the benefit of Rs 6,000 per year under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme to all 14.5 crore farmers in the country, irrespective of the size of their landholding. Who are excluded from the PM-KISAN Scheme? Those excluded from the PM-KISAN include institutional land holders, farmer families holding constitutional posts, serving or retired officers and employees of State or Central government as well as Public Sector Undetakings and Government Autonomous bodies. Professionals like doctors, engineers and lawyers as well as retired pensioners with a monthly pension of over Rs 10,000 and those who paid income tax in the last assessment year are also not eligible for the benefits. Live TV #mute MUMBAI (Reuters) - India`s central bank is informally urging lenders to cut ties with cryptocurrency exchanges and traders as the highly speculative market booms, despite a Supreme Court ruling that banks can work with the industry, three sources told Reuters The guidance comes as India is crafting a law to ban cryptocurrencies and penalize anyone dealing in them, which would be among the most sweeping crackdowns on the new investing fad in the world. But with the COVID-19 crisis engulfing the country, no one is sure when such a bill may be passed, adding to investors` confusion. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in 2018 had forbidden banks from dealing in all transactions related to bitcoin and other such assets. That diktat was challenged by the crypto exchanges and in March 2020, India`s top court overturned the RBI ban and allowed lenders to extend banking facilities to them. With investors continuing to rush into the hot new asset class, however, regulators appear to be gearing up for another try. Thousands of new users are piling into the system every day at a time when the prices of major digital currencies have been on the rise. There are over 10 million crypto investors in India with total holdings of over 100 billion rupees ($1.36 billion), according to industry estimates. No official data is available. "The regulator has been unofficially asking us that why are we dealing in such business when it is ultra speculative. A lot of money flows overseas via this trade which the RBI is not comfortable with as it may lead to money laundering," said a senior executive at one of the banks which was contacted. RBI did not respond to a request for comment. Private lender ICICI Bank has already asked payment service companies that it works with to stop all crypto-related payment transactions, three sources said, while other lenders are also following suit. ICICI Bank did not respond to an email seeking comment. None of the sources wanted to be identified as the discussions with RBI were private and no official order has been issued yet. "Even though the discussions are informal that is enough. No one wants to go against the regulator," said another source. The central bank has often voiced its apprehension about digital currencies. Earlier this year, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said that they have "major concerns (around crypto) from the financial stability angle.". THE CRYPTO CONUNDRUM With Indian banks increasingly wary of dealing with them, crypto exchanges are scrambling to find new business partners. Axis Bank, Citibank, Kotak Mahindra Bank and others are limiting their exposure to the cryptocurrency market, sources said. "Axis Bank has taken a fairly negative stance against crypto. They are citing internal policy and risk measures and have stopped transactions with crypto exchanges," said the CEO of a global crypto exchange with presence in India. IndusInd Bank is also in the process of stopping all crypto-related transasaction, said two sources. Axis, Kotak and IndusInd did not reply to an email seeking comment while Citibank declined to comment. Live TV #mute New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday said the Special Window for Affordable and Mid-Income Housing (SWAMIH) Fund will benefit 1.16 lakh home loan borrowers whose housing projects were stalled due to last mile funding issues. The FM has handed over possession to homebuyers virtually as governments Special Window for Affordable & Mid-Income Housing (SWAMIH) completes its first residential project. Addressing the virtual event, Finance Minister Smt. Sitharaman said she is very pleased to see that SWAMIH Fund has completed its first residential project. More so, it is an important achievement since the SWAMIH Fund has worked its way through the difficult period of COVID-19 pandemic, She added. The residential project - Rivali Park, located in suburban Mumbai, was the first housing project in India to have received funding under the SWAMIH Fund. The Rs 25,000 crore-SWAMIH fund SWAMIH Fund was launched by Sitharaman in November 2019 to help complete over 1,500 stalled housing projects comprising 4.58 lakh housing units. Rivali Park Wintergreens is the first investment by the Fund and is also the first project to get completed. It is a large project spread over 7 acres consisting of 708 units of various configurations. The project is Rivali Park Wintergreens developed by CCI Projects Pvt Ltd (CCIPPL), an associate company of Cable Corporation of India Ltd. In a short time-span of 1.5 years since inception, the SWAMIH Investment Fund I today is one of the largest private equity teams in India and has done commendable work despite COVID-19 related restrictions, an official release said. The Fund so far has given its final approval to 72 projects that will complete 44,100 homes, while 132 projects have received preliminary approval, which will complete an additional 72,500 homes. Thus, the Fund is targeting to complete an aggregate of 1,16,600 homes. This Fund is bridging the trust deficit between homebuyers and developers by completing construction and delivering homes without depending on any other source of finance. Live TV #mute India is witnessing a sharp spike in COVID-19 cases and with this, millions of people across the country are registering themselves for COVID-19 vaccination. Taking advantage of this opportunity, hackers, fraudsters and people with malicious intentions are coming up with new tricks to make a trap for the innocents. Making people aware of such malicious elements, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) issued a fresh advisory to warn citizens about a few CoWin vaccine registration apps that are found to be nothing short of a scam. These fake apps are using the Short Message Service (SMS) to gain popularity. In its official advisory, CERT-In said that the SMS message carries a link that installs the malicious app on Android-based devices, the Zee Media Bureau reported. The app essentially spreads itself via SMS to victims' contacts. The app also gains unnecessary permissions that attackers could leverage to acquire user data such as contact list, CERT-In said. Scammers are conning people with the help of SMSs to trap citizens into their fishy net. It functions in a way that the SMS asks receivers to download and install any of the five apps on their smartphone and it is downloaded as APK files so that scammers can easily send malware into their smartphones. This is done to steal personal information such as passwords or financial information. CERT-In urged Indians to remain beware about phishing and fake domains, emails, text messages and phone calls which falsely claim covid vaccine registrations. The only official portal is CoWin where one can book COVID-19 vaccine slots and it can be accessed at cowin.gov.in. Indians can also use the Aarogya Setu app to access cowin.gov.in to their vaccine appointment, the report said. CoWin app alerts users about free vaccination slots whereas these fake apps dont even do that. Live TV #mute New Delhi: In what turned out to be a hilarious incident, a British woman rushed her baby to the ER thinking he had a hole in his mouth. Becky Stiles, 24, from Essex noticed a dark circle on the roof of her 10-month-old son Harvey's mouth and started panicking. She told The Sun, "I tried to touch it but he just screamed at me, so I made his dad rush over and see it." She added, "Im shaking, sweating and holding back the tears. We put a torch on it and his dad said, What the hell is that?" On her fathers advice, Becky then took her son to get medical treatment. When a nurse at the hospital managed to take a closer look at the "hole", Becky realised it was actually a sticker. "One nurse said let me just get my pen torch and have a look. After about 30 seconds of looking she said 'That's a sticker'. Me being an idiot told her, No look that's a hole, Becky recalled. She put her finger in his mouth and hooked it out. I laughed, was shaking and so embarrassed, she confessed. While Becky was left red-faced, the medical team found the situation hilarious. We all carried on laughing as we made the walk of shame back to the car." New Delhi: The prime minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina has written to the Chief Minister of the Indian state of Assam, with a focus on shared economic development and connectivity. Assam is one of the 5 Indian states, along with West Bengal, Tripura, Mizoram, Meghalaya that share an international border with Bangladesh. In the letter to the new Chief Minister of Assam, Bangladesh PM expressing her confidence said, "Under your visionary leadership the multi-ethnic, multi-linguistic and multi-faith people of Assam will progress towards a more vibrant society and greater development". Assam saw a 3 phase election from March 27 to April 6th and the incumbent BJP led NDA alliance retaining power in the 126 legislative Assembly, getting 75 seats. Highlighting how Bangladesh is "poised to graduate into a middle-income country", Bangladesh PM extending an "invite" to Assam to " reap benefits from our socio-economic development and growth trajectory". The United Nations Committee for Development Policy has recommended the graduation of the country to a middle-income country since it has met all the 3 eligibility criteria based on per capita income, human asset, and economic vulnerability index. In her letter the Prime Minister focused on connectivity, saying, "government of Bangladesh remains steadfast in strengthening connectivity for the northeastern part of India" and "given our locational advantage as a connectivity hub between" south and southeast Asia "we remain supportive of India's Act East Policy". India and Bangladesh are getting connected via, road, rail, and waterways, even as both countries have revived 5 out of pre-1965 6 rail links have been revived. In December, both sides had a virtual summit, during which the key focus was connectivity with the opening of the Haldibari-Chilahati rail link connecting Bangladesh with the Indian state of West Bengal. And expectedly, the covid crisis was mentioned with PM Hasina extending her solidarity. She said, "our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Assam and India as a whole for saving lives and restoring livelihoods". Important to note, Bangladesh sent 10000 doses of Remdesivir to India as it deals with the 2nd wave of covid. The entire consignment goes to the North-Eastern states of Meghalaya, Manipur, Sikkim, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Institutes like the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences and North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS). The consignment was handed over at the Petrapole border checkpoint between India and Bangladesh on the 5th of May. Live TV President of the Senate, Dr Ahmad Lawan, has disagreed with the Southern Governors over their Tuesday's call for the proper restructuring of the nation. This is just as Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, said those championing the call for secession in the country were being misguided. Lawan, who spoke with newsmen on Thursday emphasized that the governors should not be the ones agitating for restructuring of the country. He also admonished the governors to first do in their states what they are requesting the federal government to do, adding however that leaders must come up with a holistic idea of how to make the system work. According to him "I believe that, as leaders, especially those of us who are elected into office (we) should not be at the forefront of calling for this kind of thing. "Because, even if you are a governor, you are supposed to be working hard in your state to ensure that this restructuring you are calling for at the federal level, you have done it in your state as well. What you may accuse the federal government of, whatever it is, you may also be accused of the same thing in your state. "So, we are supposed to ensure that we have a complete and total way of ensuring that our systems at the federal, state and even local government levels work for the people. We must allow people to participate in governance so that whoever feels he has something to offer to make Nigeria better does so freely without any let or hindrance." While urging elected leaders to shun regionalism, the Senate President stressed that: "The President is reaching out to all the stakeholders. And I believe that as leaders, particularly those of us who were elected at all levels of government, we should avoid partisanship. "We should avoid regionalism. We are all leaders and we are in this together. The solutions to our challenges must come from us regardless of what level of government we are. Whether at the federal, state or the local government level. I believe that Nigeria is going to come out of these challenges stronger." He further advised Nigerians to support efforts at ensuring the desired autonomy for local governments in the country. Lawan explained that the lack of autonomy by the local government councils potentially inhibits solutions as well as efforts by the Federal and state governments towards addressing the nation's security challenge. His words: "We are all leaders and we are in this together, the solutions must come from us regardless of what levels of leadership we are - whether at the Federal Level, State Level, or even at the Local Government level. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. "I also want to take this opportunity to say that we have diminished the local government system. I think we can attribute the security issues to the absence of a functional Local Government System. "I think the time has come for us to take up the challenge and ensure that the Local Government system functions. This is as we look for ways to curb the security challenge. We must never neglect the local government system. We must go back to our local government system to ensure they are autonomous and functional". Also speaking, House Speaker posited that those championing the call for succession are being misguided and do not mean well for the country. While maintaining that there might be genuine agitations, Gbajabiamila stated that elected leaders and state governors should particularly not champion the movement for restructuring without first replicating the idea at the state level. He, therefore, called for a national spirit of oneness, saying "If truth be told, we all have equal shares in the blame for what's happening today." "Whatever challenges we have, we must all come together to make sure that we resolve these issues we're facing. We must imbibe that spirit of oneness, togetherness, unity and love that would take us through this", the Speaker said. Rio de Janeiro: Black Brazilians demonstrated in the country`s two largest cities on Thursday (May 13) to protest against racism and police violence toward their communities in a local version of the Black Lives Matter movement in the United States, with some accusing the country`s president of genocide. They were also protesting what they called the "false" anniversary of the abolition of slavery, officially marked for the day in 1888 when the Brazilian monarch`s daughter, Princess Isabel, signed the law freeing slaves. Black Brazilians celebrate the end of slavery on Nov. 20, the anniversary of the killing of Zumbi, a figure of resistance against slavery and the last leader of a runaway slave community called Palmares. Around 1,000 people marched through downtown Rio de Janeiro in the evening holding candles and signs saying, "Don`t kill me, kill racism," and accusing far-right President Jair Bolsonaro of genocide through police violence. Other signs decried the shooting deaths of 28 people in a slum called Jacarezinho on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro a week ago during an operation that police said targeted drug traffickers. Human rights activists accused the police of "extrajudicial killings" saying many of the dead were not under investigation. A Supreme Court justice said he saw signs of "arbitrary execution" in the raid on Jacarezinho. In Sao Paulo, a similar number of demonstrators crowded onto the main avenue to oppose racism and police violence. "We are marking the date of the false abolition of slavery, and the tragedy in Jacarezinho where police ambushed 28 people to kill them in cold blood," said Joao de Oliveira. "President Bolsonaro and his vice president even applauded the slaughter. He committed genocide. We are here to protest." Live TV Washington: Chinese biotech firm Kintor Pharmaceutical Limited saw its stock price jump by more than 20% the day after it announced on April 25 that it had "completed the first patient enrollment and dosing" in a late-stage U.S. clinical trial of its experimental COVID-19 treatment. It was the company`s latest announcement about the progress of the drug, Proxalutamide. The Hong Kong-listed company`s stock price has nearly quadrupled since March 1 as some analysts wrote about the big sales potential for a COVID-19 treatment. Kintor has seen its market capitalization soar to HK$23.4 billion ($3 billion) from HK$6.6 billion on March 1. But the company had not dosed any patients as of early May, according to the doctor Kintor identified as its principal clinical trial investigator in documents it posted on a U.S. trials website. The doctor - California-based gastroenterologist Zeid Kayali - also told Reuters he was "not in charge" of the trial, contradicting what the company had said in the documents describing the study. Kayali declined further comment, referring questions to Kintor. Told of Kayali`s comments, Kintor Chief Financial Officer Lucy Lu said Kayali was merely one of its trial investigators. She declined further comment on the firm`s announcement on patient dosing. Lu declined as well to name a different principal investigator, or the institution overseeing the trial, calling that information "confidential." Companies are not obliged to release such information. But many pharmaceutical firms routinely provide details about who is leading their clinical trial and which research organization or medical institution is responsible for ensuring patient safety and scientific validity. Kintor`s lack of transparency, along with inconsistencies in the company`s statements, raise a "red flag" about the company`s claims, said Stephen Ostroff, a former U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) chief scientist and two-time acting FDA commissioner. Another red flag: Kintor has repeatedly touted a Brazilian study of Proxalutamide that claimed an effectiveness rate so high that Ostroff and other pharmaceutical specialists say it is hard to believe. The Brazil study said Proxalutamide showed a 92% reduction in mortality risk among hospitalized COVID-19 patients, which Ostroff said would be "breathtakingly extraordinary" if true. Alexandre Cavalcanti, director of Sao Paulo`s HCor Research Institute, called a presentation of the study`s findings by its authors "amateur" and said its claimed reduction of mortality risk is too high to be credible in light of a global struggle to find effective COVID-19 treatments. Kintor stock turned briefly negative in morning trade in Hong Kong, but was trading up more than 4% at 0303 GMT, putting it on course to its third straight session of gains. STOCK GETS A BOOST Proxalutamide does not have regulatory approvals and is not available for sale. The Brazil study of the drug has not been peer-reviewed or published, but the authors released a short presentation of its results during a March news conference. Kintor promoted their findings. "Based on the positive results ... we expect Proxalutamide could become an important tool in the global fight against COVID-19," Kintor`s Chief Executive Tong Youzhi said in a statement announcing the Brazilian results on March 11. That same day, Kintor`s stock price jumped by nearly 9%. Lu, Kintor`s CFO, did not answer detailed questions from Reuters about the criticisms of the Brazil study and Kintor`s claims about its U.S. trial. One of the study`s authors, Brown University dermatology professor Carlos Wambier, dismissed its critics and called its results "very encouraging." In an April 2 client note, analysts from Beijing-based brokerage China Renaissance cited Kintor`s progress reports as evidence of the "potentially wider application of Proxalutamide." They gave the stock a "buy" recommendation and set a target price of HK$50.75. Kintor`s stock now trades at about HK$66, having reached a record high HK$82 in late April. "The stock price is majorly driven by the COVID-19-related clinical progress," said Sam Hu, analyst at CMB International in Hong Kong. One of the study`s authors is a consultant hired by a Brazilian Health Ministry official who is an ally of the country`s President Jair Bolsonaro. The president is a vaccine skeptic and a critic of masks and lockdowns who has promoted discredited COVID-19 remedies such as hydroxychloroquine. The health official, Helio Angotti, assigned a team of consultants to find evidence to support Bolsonaro`s unfounded medical claims. Angotti declined to comment. Bolsonaro`s office did not respond to written questions from Reuters. The consultant who co-authored the Proxalutamide study, Ricardo Zimerman, did not respond to requests for comment. RESEARCH AND POLITICS Lu said Kintor is in talks with Brazilian federal health regulator Anvisa about conducting its own clinical trial. Anvisa said in a statement that Kintor had not filed any formal request to conduct a trial, but did not comment on any talks between the regulator and the company. Two Anvisa staffers, speaking on condition of anonymity, questioned the results of the Brazilian Proxalutamide study, saying the authors` results presentation contained no detailed data or evidence. One of the Anvisa staffers characterized the presentation as more marketing than science. Brazil`s Health Ministry, in a March technical note, concluded that "the available evidence for the drug is still incipient," with limited information on safety and outcomes. Kintor originally conceived of Proxalutamide as a cancer treatment, before pivoting to COVID-19. Lu told Reuters that the FDA had allowed the firm to progress to a Phase III trial, skipping Phases I and II, after evaluating its previous oncology studies and the Brazil research. She declined to share any documentation from the FDA outlining that permission. The FDA declined to comment on Kintor or its COVID-19 drug. Ostroff said it was concerning and atypical that Kintor used earlier-stage oncology trials, along with the questionable Brazil study, as shortcuts to a Phase III COVID-19 trial. The company`s answers to basic questions about its clinical trial, he added, were evasive. "Most pharmaceutical companies, especially related to COVID-19, will be quite open about what sorts of trials they`re doing," he said. Live TV The Hague, Netherlands: Individuals involved in a new eruption of Israeli-Palestinian bloodshed may be targeted by an International Criminal Court investigation now under way into alleged war crimes in earlier bouts of the conflict, its top prosecutor said in an interview. In March, the ICC announced it would investigate war crimes in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and in the Gaza Strip with the Israeli military and armed Palestinian groups such as Hamas - which rules Gaza - named as possible perpetrators. Below are some facts about the court, based in The Hague, Netherlands. * The ICC was established in 2002 to prosecute war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and the crime of aggression when member states are unwilling or unable to do so themselves. It can prosecute crimes committed by nationals of member states or on the territory of member states by other actors. It has 123 member states and an annual budget of some 150 million euros ($180 million). Israel is not a member, while the Palestinian Authority is a party to the ICC. * The ICC has convicted five men for war crimes and crimes against humanity, all African militia leaders from Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali and Uganda. Terms range from nine to 30 years in prison. The maximum possible term is life imprisonment. * The ICC is now conducting 13 other formal investigations, including into Afghanistan, Bangladesh/Myanmar and Georgia. It has a further 13 so-called preliminary examinations, including in Venezuela, Philippines and Ukraine. * The ICC`s top fugitive is former Sudanese leader Omar al Bashir, wanted for genocide in Darfur. The first former head of state ever to appear before the ICC, former Ivorian president Laurent Gbagbo, was acquitted of all charges in 2019 after a three-year trial. * Although the court is supported by many United Nations members and the European Union, other major powers like the United States, China and Russia are not members, arguing it could be used for politically motivated prosecutions. * The court`s prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, finishes a nine-year term on June 15 and will be replaced by British barrister Karim Khan, who is known for heading the U.N. special investigative team looking into Islamic State crimes in Iraq. * A five-year preliminary examination by Bensouda`s office into violence in the Palestinian territories concluded that there is a reasonable basis to believe that: - Israeli forces committed war crimes during hostilities in the Gaza Strip in 2014, including disproportionate attacks and wilful killing on the part of the ground or airborne forces. - "In the context of Israels occupation of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, members of the Israeli authorities have committed war crimes" by allowing settlers to live there. Israel denies that its settlements violate international law. - Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups committed intentional attacks on civilians, including through the firing of rockets into Israel, as well as willful killings and torture in Gaza in the same period since 2014. - Israeli forces used lethal and non-lethal force against demonstrators in March 2018 near the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel that allegedly resulted in the killing of over 200 people and the wounding of thousands of others. Israel denies that its forces deliberately target civilians. Live TV Gaza: Amid the accelerating unrest between Israel and Palestine, the death toll in Gaza has reached 103 people, including 27 children, on Friday (May 14, 2021) as the Hamas group launched a new barrage of airstrikes. Over 580 others have been wounded, as per Al Jazeeras reports. As the cross border violence entered fourth day, which is also the first day of the Eid al-Fitr religious holiday, reports of violent confrontations between Jewish Israelis and Palestinian citizens of Israel in several cities of Israel have also surfaced. The tensions between Israel and Palestine escalated in the region, even as Egyptian negotiators held in-person mediation talks with the two sides to diffuse the violence. A heavy barrage of numerous rockets were targeted towards Israel and the investigation into the source continues. Additionally many rockets were fired towards the cities of Ashdod and Ashkelon which were intercepted by the Iron Dome air-defense system. "A short while ago, three rockets were fired from Lebanon into the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of northern Israel," tweeted Israel Defense Forces (IDF). BREAKING: A short while ago, three rockets were fired from Lebanon into the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of northern Israel. Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) May 13, 2021 The Israeli government also issued orders to divert the flights coming to the Ben Gurion international airports to Eilats Ramon Airport. Meanwhile, the United States on late Wednesday (May 13, 2021) blocked a public virtual meeting of the UN Security Council to address the escalating conflict between Israel and Palestine, informed diplomats. The open meeting was requested by China, Tunisia and Norway to be held on Friday, but the US said that such a meeting will not support these de-escalatory efforts, diplomats told Anadolu Agency. The US has instead asked for an open debate on Tuesday. This follows a second council briefing from UN Special Envoy for Israeli-Palestinian Peace Tor Wennesland. "Council members demanded immediate cessation of all acts of violence, provocation, incitement and destruction. They called for respect for international law, including international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians," it said. The ongoing violence between Israel and Palestine marks a dramatic escalation of tensions linked to the potential eviction of Palestinian families from East Jerusalem by Israeli settlers and access to one of the most sacred sites in the city, which is a key hub for Islam, Judaism and Christianity. With ramping up of rocket attacks and airstrikes from both sides, concerns have emerged that the conflict is likely to evolve into a full-blown war. About 1,750 rockets have been fired from the Gaza Strip toward Israel since the conflict escalation, the Israeli military said on Thursday, reported Sputnik. "To date, approximately 1,750 rockets have been launched from the Gaza Strip into Israel, of which approximately 300 launches were unsuccessful, the rockets exploded in the Gaza Strip," the military said in a statement. The conflict escalated after Israeli forces raided the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem amid eviction protests, which left scores of Palestinians and police officers wounded. Palestinian resistance groups in Gaza vowed to retaliate for Israeli assaults on Al-Aqsa and Jerusalems Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood. (With Agency Inputs) Live TV Benin City THE member representing Ovia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Dennis Idahosa yesterday said the desire for the continued existence of Nigeria as one country was the reason why the members House of Representatives frm southern Nigeria took the decision to support the resolution of the Southern Governors. Idahosa in chat with newsmen in Benin City said that it was time for those that are genuinely concerned about the progress and survival of Nigeria as one entity to speak truth to power. He noted that resolutions of Southern Governors on open grazing, devolution of power, among others, were part of efforts aimed at proffering solutions to the challenges confronting the country. He said "This is why we firmly support our governors on the immediate ban on open cattle grazing across Southern Nigeria and other decisions taken by the governors. "On the ban on open grazing, we also support the recommendation that the Federal Government should provide alternative and modern livestock management that does not constitute a security and economic challenge to the nation. "This position is in firm restatement of our insistence that our nation must exist and be governed on the platform of democratic tenets of social justice, equity, fairness, mutual respect, true federalism, rule of law and constitutional order. "We are ready to deploy all legislative instruments at our disposal for the actualisation of these decisions," he stated. Idahosa who is the Chairman House Committee on Legislative Compliance said his desire is to see one Nigeria where things work for all irrespective of religion, tribe and political party affiliation. The Arewa Youth Forum (AYF) has called on President Muhammad Buhari to be more serious about the security challenges facing Nigerians in order to douse the tension across the country. The group also urged Nigerians not to lose hope in spite of the prevailing security challenges bedevilling the country. The AYF, in a Sallah message signed by its National President, Gambo Gujungu, on Thursday in Kaduna, called on the Muslim Ummah not to forget the lessons learnt during the holy month of Ramadan. The forum urged Nigerians to use the celebrations to unite and pray for the unity of the country. Gujungu said: "Many Nigerians are despondent at a time like this, but it is necessary that we keep hope alive. "In spite of what is happening across the country, our belief and hope is that Nigeria will pull through and even become stronger and more prosperous. "That is why we enjoin all to continue to pray for the country as they did during the month of Ramadan. "As we celebrate the Eid-El Fitri, it is also important to use the occasion to unite as a country, de-emphasize those things that divide us as a people and work together for the socio-economic development of the country. "The country is passing through a phase that will soon be over and propel us into a future that we all will be proud of as Nigerians. This is our fervent hope and prayers. "It is in the same vein that we want to call on President Muhammadu Buhari to take his primary responsibility of protecting the lives and properties of Nigerians seriously more than ever before." The forum maintained that Nigerians deserved more than they are getting for the overwhelming support they freely gave to the Buhari administration and do not deserve to be repaid in an undeserving manner. "We believe the president can do more and we are urging him to put his team to work immediately to stop the insecurity, tension and uncertainty ravaging the country. "We urge the Muslim Ummah to also celebrate with care in view of the times that we are in, as we wish all the ummah a very happy Eid-el-Fitr celebrations," Gujungu said. analysis Central to Africas COVID-19 response, the life-saving intervention is significantly more agile and responsive than governments. In March 2020, the world was in a mad scramble for N95 masks, gloves and other personal protective equipment (PPE). Leaders were in frantic negotiations with medical suppliers trying to cut last-minute deals at exorbitant prices. By April 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) noted that the price of surgical masks had increased sixfold. In Africa, N95 masks cost well over US$20 and counterfeit PPE was rampant. The global market for medical supplies was a free for all, complete with widespread manipulation and items 'frequently sold to the highest bidder,' said WHO. Partially in response to this, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, Gavi (a health provider), WHO and the United Nations (UN) Children's Fund launched COVAX. This was to 'accelerate the development and manufacture of COVID-19 vaccines, and to guarantee fair and equitable access for every country in the world.' The COVAX project aims to vaccinate 20% of the population in eligible countries 'as soon as [vaccinations] are available' and introduce supports to buffer the pandemic's economic impact. While COVAX is a necessary and laudable effort, its ambitions and timelines were always going to fall short of what the developing world needed, including much of Africa. So while leaders around the world were glued to their phones, Zimbabwean businessman and philanthropist Strive Masiyiwa was on video calls setting up something a little different. He and about 30 African colleagues established the non-profit Africa Medical Supplies Platform (AMSP). AMSP has been working relatively quietly in Africa, but other regions of the world are taking notice The AMSP is funded by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and run by the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through the African Union (AU), with support from the UN Economic Commission for Africa. In a true sign of the times, AMSP members have never assembled in person. The entire platform has been constructed virtually out of an appreciation for the risks posed by in-person meetings and international travel. The AMSP is a relatively straightforward e-commerce platform that has revolutionised Africa's response to the pandemic - think Amazon or Alibaba for hospitals. The idea is to connect medical suppliers with medical providers and eliminate middlemen. Purchasing through the AMSP is restricted to governments, national health systems, NGOs and donor organisations. On the AMSP website you can find N95 masks, hand sanitiser, surgical gowns, test kits, even ventilators. There's also a 'made in Africa' section so governments can support local manufacturers of medical supplies. The AMSP's goal is to leverage Africa's bulk purchasing power to secure supplies and stabilise prices. It does this by pooling orders and ensuring transparency so that African countries can compete for goods with the world's most dynamic economies. As Masiyiwa puts it, 'The service we provide is the fact that we aggregate the purchases, so that suppliers are not dealing with so many countries.' A change in COVID-19 vaccine intellectual property rights could bolster Africa's industrial capacity By May 2021, countries across Africa are paying market rates for high-quality PPE. N95 masks are approximately US$2, and everything on the website comes directly from the manufacturer to minimise fraud. Although the AMSP has been working relatively quietly in Africa, other regions of the world are taking notice. The 15 nations that make up the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) were granted access to the platform late last year. Other countries in Latin America and the Pacific Islands have enquired about borrowing some of the underlying code to develop their own platforms. However, the AMSP is not content to limit itself to PPE and testing kits. If nothing else, COVID-19 has been a moving target and Masiyiwa expects that to continue. In an interview with The Hill he said 'at one time, it was all about ventilators ... then it was all about test kits and therapeutics. Today it's about vaccines.' Indeed, the next phase of the AMSP includes an aggressive vaccine procurement effort to help the African Vaccine Acquisition Task Team (AVATT) established in January by then AU chairperson, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Afreximbank is prepared to commit a further US$2 billion to 'ensure that African states are able to rapidly access COVID-19 vaccines, at competitive prices and in a timely manner.' The AMSP also launched a new category on its website for vaccine accessories. This will help member states secure items like ultra-low temperature freezers, needles, and syringes needed to effectively store and administer the vaccine. AMSP acts with a sense of urgency that COVAX was never able to summon If the AMSP can bring the same level of transparency and stability to vaccine distribution as it did to procuring PPE, people in Africa may not have to wait until 2022 to receive their jabs. AVATT has already secured 270 million doses from Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca, along with 300 million doses of the Sputnik V vaccine from Russia. This is enough for roughly a third of Africa's population over the age of 15. Countries can also pre-order any of the four vaccines listed above for when more become available. There's a long way to go in the vaccine race. Rollout hasn't been equitable. Wealthier countries are hoarding supplies much like PPE in 2020 and even buying more doses than they need. The production delays stemming from clotting issues in the Johnson & Johnson vaccine have cost precious time and lives. The crisis within a crisis in India will cost more time still. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Africa Coronavirus By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. But as dire as the situation is, there are glimmers of hope. In a reversal of its historical position on international trade, the Biden administration announced on 5 May that the United States (US) would support waiving intellectual property rights surrounding the development of COVID-19 vaccines. While there are still hurdles to overcome - the US pharmaceutical industry is strongly opposed, as is the European Union - this is an essential first step towards scaling up vaccine production globally. If the change in intellectual property rights is accompanied by a technology transfer initiative, as some experts recommend, it could help bolster Africa's industrial capacity. While building Africa's manufacturing base is beyond the AMSP's mandate, it doesn't mean the possibility should be ignored. That said, the AMSP has proven to be agile and responsive, so there should be optimism that the idea won't be overlooked. What is crucial is that the AMSP acts with a sense of urgency that COVAX would always struggle to summon. It's also bringing ideas from the private sector which, for its shortcomings, is significantly more nimble than government. More importantly, because it is run entirely by people from Africa, AMSP understands the challenges ahead and will be better suited to meet them. Zachary Donnenfeld, Research Consultant, ISS Dar ed Salaam It was 3 o'clock on a Friday afternoon when Grace*, a counsellor at the National Child Helpline in Tanzania, received a call from a concerned teacher in Msalala, Shinyanga Region. One of her brightest students, Eliza*, aged 13 and in standard five, had not turned up for school that day, and she had heard worrying rumours that Eliza's parents intended to marry her. She had also learned that they had accepted a bride dowry payment from the groom's family in their village. The man who had been chosen for Eliza was 35 years old. Stopping violence before it starts UNFPA's Executive Director, Dr. Natalia Kanem, met with counsellors at the National Child Helpline, run by C-Sema in collaboration with the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, during her recent visit to Tanzania. The #116 toll-free service, available across all mobile networks in Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar, responds to around 3,500 calls a day from women and children who are at risk of violence, as well as family and community members who report children at risk. Trained counsellors, like Grace, who are all volunteers, are available to take calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week, liaising with support networks and protection systems in the callers' locality. Eliza's story has a happy ending. As a result of Grace's coordination with Local Government Authorities and District Social Welfare Officers in Msalala, officers from the Police Gender and Children's Desk visited Eliza's parents and the marriage did not take place. Through further follow-up, Grace also secured a mandatory order that ensured Eliza was back in school when they reopened after the holidays in March. A community effort Dr. Kanem expressed her gratitude to C-Sema and counsellors for their dedication and commitment in bringing efforts to advance gender equality and the health, rights and well-being of young people to life, including through the use of digital platforms and new technologies. In spite of progress and commitment by the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania to tackle gender inequalities and discrimination, as articulated in the Five-year National Plans of Action to End Violence Against Women and Children in both the Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar, violence remains a daily reality for many women, and adolescence is a time of increased vulnerabilities for girls. UNFPA in Tanzania is supporting efforts to eradicate gender-based violence, through support to strengthen protection systems across the country, including the National Child Helpline, and through the construction of Police Gender and Children's Desks and One-Stop Centres. Community structures, such as Knowledge Centres, where women support each other and take the lead in ending violence in their communities, have also been set up. Empowering men and boys as agents of change Efforts to end violence, however, are not focused solely on empowering women and girls. Men and boys, and traditional and community leaders, are also being included in conversations in recognition of their contribution in the struggle for gender equality. Through extensive community outreach, UNFPA's partners are encouraging discussions around harmful ideals of masculinity and opening up alternative views to being a man. Transforming boys' and men's intimate and interpersonal relationships, and engaging men in holding other men to account, is critical for creating the basis for greater equality and they must not be left out or left behind, said Dr. Kanem: "Every girl and boy should be valued and should be taught that the expression of their right and empowerment should not be centred on overpowering others." Supporting government-led efforts During her visit to Tanzania, Dr. Kanem met the country's first female President, Her Excellency Samia Suluhu Hassan, who expressed the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania's commitment to tackling teenage pregnancies and eliminating preventable maternal and child deaths, and gender-based violence and harmful practices, including female genital mutilation. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Women International Organisations Tanzania By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Dr. Kanem commended the government's leadership and reaffirmed UNFPA's support to Tanzania to realize national development targets and stronger and more inclusive socioeconomic growth and development, with the goal to leave no one behind in the pursuit of the collective 2030 vision of a better and more equal world for everyone. UNFPA in Tanzania will continue to support efforts that focus on some of the furthest behind to ensure that women and couples can plan their families and experience a healthy pregnancy and childbirth, and engage whole communities in the fight for a world where women and girls can live in freedom, peace and equality. * Names have been changed. 1. There are 55 counsellors responding to calls at the National Child Helpline in both Dar es Salaam, Tanzania mainland, and Zanzibar. South Africa: Human Settlements not responsible for military veterans' database Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has distanced herself and the department from the individuals who are allegedly promising military veterans houses in her name or the department. This follows allegations that Sisulu has sent people in and around Free State to collate names of the military veterans with a promise of giving them houses and relevant benefits. The allegation is dismissed with the contempt it deserves, Sisulu said. In a statement, Sisulu noted that the department is not responsible for the database of military veterans. The Department of Military Veterans (DMV) is the only department responsible for confirming those military veterans who qualify for benefits, including houses, healthcare and training. Therefore, Department of Human Settlements only works on an approved list , as the custodian of the military veterans database, Sisulu said. The Minister also underscored that the military veterans housing programme is administered jointly with the DMV, and is based on the agreement with the two departments, signed in 2012. Sisulu has been a staunch advocate for the well-being of military veterans, even before assuming the portfolio of Human Settlements in 2014. When she was Defence and Military Veterans Minister, Sisulu worked with the executive and legislatures at the time on the Military Veterans Act 18 of 2011, which resulted in the establishment of the Military Veterans Department. Sisulu said that during this financial year 2021/2022, the department is set to deliver over 1 500 housing units for military veterans across the country. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2021-05-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Barcelona Solar-powered electric charging points could be the solution for African cities, researchers say - but to attract investment, more information is needed on informal transport systems As emissions from African transport surge, governments need to find ways to encourage a shift to cleaner, healthier electric vehicles, especially among the minibus and motorcycle taxis that dominate transport in many cities, researchers said on Thursday. Investment in generating more solar-powered electricity to charge electric vehicles (EVs) could encourage their use, cut pollution and costs for passengers, and help stabilise unreliable energy systems, they said in a commentary published in Nature Sustainability. But most African governments lack the data on privately run mass transport systems needed to make the case for financial institutions and development banks to put money into building electric charging infrastructure, they added. Co-author Katherine Collett, a fellow with the Oxford Martin Programme on Integrating Renewable Energy, described it as a "chicken and egg" problem. "Nobody wants to invest in electric vehicle charging before there are enough EVs to make it profitable. But nobody wants to buy an EV that they are unable to charge," she said in a statement. The University of Oxford researchers noted that in 2018, carbon dioxide emissions from sub-Saharan Africa contributed only 2.3% of global emissions. Less than 12% of those African emissions came from transport. But with populations growing, migration to cities from rural areas accelerating and the continent's middle class expanding, demand for road transport in the region will increase, they said. "Unless there is disruption to business-as-usual, the related emissions will also increase," the commentary said, calling for "urgent action" to find ways of decarbonising of transport in sub-Saharan Africa. Transport emissions in Africa grew by 84% between 2010 and 2016, the researchers noted, citing data from the Belgium-based Partnership on Sustainable, Low Carbon Transport. From Kenya to South Africa, where both ownership of private family cars and official public transport is limited, the majority of urban journeys are undertaken using informal private transport - often old and imported second-hand minibus taxis or two- and three-wheeled vehicles. Mostly, the drivers do not follow formal, fixed routes and many vehicles are not properly registered, making for poorly documented systems and a "drastic lack" of data, the paper said. At the same time, many poorer areas have limited access to electricity or struggle with frequent grid power outages, which would make reliable electric vehicle charging a challenge. The best solution in many places would be to install off-grid solar panels alongside charging points, said the researchers, noting Africa's abundant sunshine, the need to curb planet-warming emissions and the falling price of technology. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Africa Environment Transport By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. They also recommended mandatory vehicle registration and insurance, along with GPS tracking for informal transport operators. Governments, meanwhile, should promote the use of cashless payments and mobile apps to better track and understand transport user behaviour. Such changes would generate data to demonstrate the market size and business opportunities for electricity companies, EV manufacturers and other firms that could, for instance, retrofit existing vehicles with batteries, the researchers added. "Cleaner air, cheaper transport and stable access to electricity is within grasp for sub-Saharan Africa - we just need to mobilise the data and investment to make it happen," said co-author Stephanie Hirmer of the University of Oxford's Energy and Power Group. A traditional court in Zimbabwe has summoned former first lady Grace Mugabe to answer to charges of "inappropriately" burying former president Robert Mugabe. A chief now wants Mrs Mugabe to exhume the body for reburial at a family grave site where his mother, Bona, was buried. Mr Mugabe died aged 95 in Singapore in 2019, almost two years after he was toppled in a military coup after ruling Zimbabwe for 37 uninterrupted years. He was buried at his homestead in Zvimba, a few kilometres from the capital Harare, with his family saying they wanted to respect his deathbed wish not to be buried at a shrine reserved for the heroes of Zimbabwe's 1970s liberation war. He reportedly said he did not want President Emmerson Mnangagwa's government to preside over his funeral because of the manner in which they removed him from office. Mausoleum The government had started building a mausoleum where the country's first black leader would have been buried before the dramatic falling-out. Two years after Mr Mugabe was buried, the fight over his remains is still raging, with Chief Zvimba ordering his widow to appear before his traditional court next Thursday. "You are facing charges of burying the late Robert Gabriel Mugabe at his homestead," reads the summons from the chief dated April 21, 2021. "This is unheard of in Chief Zvimba's area. At the same time, you are accused of abandoning Robert Gabriel Mugabe's property, which is scattered nationwide. All properties of the late Robert Gabriel Mugabe are supposed to be kept at his homestead and handled in line with our traditions. "I want you to rebury the late president in accordance with our traditions and in Zvimba at a place designated by the family and his late mother. These charges you are facing attract a fine of two cattle and a goat," the chief said in his letter. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Zimbabwe Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. The chief said if Ms Mugabe fails to attend the hearing they will "proceed with the case and make an appropriate ruling if you don't attend the village without seeking attention". Grace in Singapore The former first lady is said to be in Singapore. Dr Mugabe's family owns several commercial farms. A diary company that he started with his wife after grabbing some white-owned farms in the early 2000s is said to be struggling for survival. President Mnangagwa's government has denied accusations that is behind the push for the exhumation of Mr Mugabe's remains. Patrick Zhuwawo, one of Mr Mugabe's nephews, told a South African television station on Wednesday that the Zimbabwean leader is pushing a political agenda against his predecessor's family. "He knows very well that Amai Mugabe is not well, she is out of the country. He knows that she is receiving treatment," Mr Zhuwawo, an exiled former minister, said. "He knows very well that she will not be able to attend and yet he sent one of his officers to be the head of the delegation that went to deliver the summons to someone that they know very, very well, will not be available," he added. Dense thorny thickets of invasive Prosopis juliflora weed characterise the extensive fields near River Turkwel at Katilu in Turkana South Sub County. The shrub, which grows up to 15-metres high, has a thick, rough grey-green bark that gets scaly as the plant matures. The plant, which has large, sharp thorns, reproduces through seed, often once they have passed through the digestive tracts of goats, camels, cattle, and some wild herbivores, before the seed is spread through watercourses and run-off areas during rain. It is this thorny plant that now stands as a painful testament to the killing fields on the border of Turkana and West Pokot counties, where lives were lost, livestock stolen, and residents forced to flee as a result of incessant armed conflicts between the two communities. "Warriors and police reservists from Turkana would occasionally engage armed thieves from the neighbouring community at these fields before they could either cross River Turkwel with stolen livestock or retreat when defeated," recalled Ms Zipporah Emoni, a local. In the past three years, however, the area has experienced relative peace after a successful disarmament. But while this thorny shrub reminds the locals here of the past and what used to be, another set of plants tells them what the future holds. Ms Emoni and 19 other locals, all victims of bandit attacks, have formed the Green Angels Farm Group with a vision of transforming the once-battlefield into a productive farm. "Since February last year when we formed the group, we have cleared 10 acres through irrigation. We have planted various crops that include watermelon, capsicum, pawpaw, groundnuts, spider plant, amaranth and black night shade (managu)," Ms Emoni explained. Frequent droughts As the chairperson of the group, Ms Emoni said frequent droughts and lack of livestock had been exposing them to hunger and starvation with unreliable relief food distribution from the government and humanitarian agencies every time conflict flared up. The group is determined to provide a reliable source of fresh food and income, a scenario they hope will save the region from incessant conflicts. The group's determination has offered members a reliable supply of fresh food and a steady income. Watermelons have already earned them Sh120,000 after they sold them at Sh50 a kilogramme to hotels in Lokichar and Lodwar towns. The group decided to reinvest the income in the farm by buying more high-value crops, outsourcing labour to clear more land, as well as buying pesticides and fuel for their generator that pumps water from the river. Mr Vincent Bulinda, a member whom we found harvesting groundnuts, said that being the first time they are venturing into the kind of farming, the returns were already promising. He said since they started farming, the soil has maintained high fertility levels and they have never thought of using fertiliser. "We, however, need support from development partners and the government so that we have a reliable supply of water to our farm. Due to high temperatures, the soil doesn't hold water for long and it has been a challenge for us to sustainably pump water throughout with our generator because of cost," he said. There is a high demand for fresh food in Turkana as many towns are still relying on Kitale and Kapenguria for fresh farm produce, he explained. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Conflict Food and Agriculture By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Africare, through the Improved Approach to Community-based Nutrition in Turkana (Impact) Project, is working with groups in Katilu and Turkwel wards to improve nutrition and access to healthy food by distributing free certified seeds for high nutritious vegetables in the scheme. According to Africare's nutrition specialist Kassim Lubao, the organisation, through funding from Bayer Fund, also seeks to improve access to water for farmers to comfortably plant and manage their crops to address malnutrition. "In partnership with Turkana County government, we are working closely with passionate and committed farmers group to train and support them embrace nutrition-sensitive agriculture to tackle malnutrition," said Mr Lubao. Services at the Isiolo International Airport will resume in two months, the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has announced. This comes even as the government seeks to revive the facility that has been lying idle for more than three years. The Sh2.7 billion airport, commissioned by President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2017 -- and which is part of the government's Sh2.5 trillion Lapsset project -- was expected to be a game changer in the economies of northern Kenya counties but has never been fully operational. During an inspection tour of the airport on Wednesday together with officials from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority, KAA Acting Managing Director Alex Gitari said improvement works are ongoing at the facility awaiting resumption of services. Cracks on runway Areas being worked on in the routine maintenance is the 1.4 kilometre runway that had some cracks and which the official said will be completed soon. Mr Gitari announced that the building of a Sh20.9 million cargo shed is ongoing and that the runway will soon be extended to 2.5 kilometres to attract business people, especially in the booming miraa business and bigger aircraft. "The cargo shed will be complete by July to attract business people and phase two of extending the runway will start soon," said Mr Gitari, adding that five airlines have already expressed interest in using the airport. Substructure works for the main building are complete and steel fabrication is underway while the overall work is 30 per cent complete, according to a report by contractor, Reliance City Housing Company Limited. Marketing the airport The government will partner with Isiolo and Meru county governments in marketing the facility as part of its new business development plan, the official said, while admitting that inadequate marketing had delayed operationalisation of the airport. Lack of political goodwill has been cited as being among the reasons for the delayed pickup of services by residents, who are predominantly pastoralists. "We previously backed off because we did not get the support we had been promised (by leaders) in 2017," Budget Airline Director George Kivindyo said in October 2019. KCAA officers were withdrawn from the facility last year as the current business could not sustain its operations at a time when some of the staff were considering quitting work. Cargo hub With proper sensitisation and marketing, the airport has the potential of growing as a cargo hub for local produce due to its central location and availability of support services. Business people and tour operators say airlines should offer affordable services to lure investors and tourists into using air travel. "The two county governments should offer incentives to attract investors and assist in marketing of the airport," said Ms Judy Wachira of Benita Travels. Before Covid-19 struck and the government imposed air travel restrictions to curb the spread of the disease, the airport operated below its capacity and was being used by small chartered aircrafts (un-scheduled flights). No local support Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Transport By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Since the commissioning of the airport, only one airline -- Budget Airline East African Air Express (formerly Fly-Sax) -- has attempted to use it but backed off on three occasions citing lack of local support. In February 2020 and five months after its failed second attempt, the airline announced that it would resume flights on the Nairobi-Isiolo route on Valentine's Day in the company's third attempt to lure investors and residents into embracing air travel but the flights never kicked off. The company, which was the pioneer on the route, first halted services in mid-2018 after operating for nearly 10 months. Lack of necessary infrastructure, including aviation lights to allow planes to land and take off at night and cargo sheds, has prevented full utilisation of the airport which has a 5000-square-metre passenger terminal. Farmers' groups in Kirinyaga County will earn at least Sh15 million from the sale of Hass avocado seedlings this year, according to Governor Anne Waiguru. The groups were last year funded by the county government, through the first round of the National Agricultural Rural Inclusive Growth Programme (NARIGP), to establish avocado seedling nurseries. She said that the county government will buy the seedlings from the groups and distribute them to residents for planting. Empower all residents Ms Waiguru reiterated that her administration is determined to empower all residents in the region. Speaking in Kimunye and Kamiigua villages on Wednesday afternoon, Ms Waiguru said her administration has already bought seedlings worth Sh2.5 million from the groups. "We want to be the leader in avocado seedlings production where our residents will be selling quality seedlings to other farmers within and outside our county. Through our Wezesha Kirinyaga programme, we will also be building avocado aggregation centres and an avocado processing plant where avocados for local and export market will be processed," she added. She flagged off 60,000 seedlings to be distributed to the residents. The governor said that so far, the county government has supported 314 farmers' groups under Wezesha Kirinyaga empowerment programme to implement diverse agricultural value chains including, dairy, avocado, tomato, poultry and pig production. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Agribusiness By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Diversify activities "When we support farmers to diversify their agricultural activities, we create multiple income streams for them and reduce overreliance on one particular crop," she stated. She emphasised that due to the rising demand for avocados in the local and export market, avocado farming presents an immense investment opportunity for farmers in the county. She said her administration is committed to supporting farmers to increase production and access to markets. The county's current annual avocado production is estimated at 15,000 metric tons worth Sh300 million. With the county government's interventions, the production is expected to rise to 21,000 metric tons which will be fetching the farmers around Sh700 million annually. Improved incomes Avocado farming is not only expected to lead to improved household incomes and the county's economy but also to contribute to the achievement of the food security pillar of the country's Big Four Agenda. Avocados are among leading export crops with around 68,000 tons having been exported in 2020. Kenya is ranked among the eight top exporters of the crop whose demand is quite high in the European countries and in the Middle East. A Hass avocado tree can yield fruits worth between Sh8,000 and Sh9,000 annually. Avocado growers are expected to reap more as prices are expected to rise in the coming years. As such, the more trees a farmer will be having the more returns he or she will be getting. The craze for gold prospecting in Kakamega County has driven villagers to give up farming and lease out their land to hordes of artisanal miners in the region. Some miners have come in from neighbouring countries, including Tanzania, and operate using proxies to avoid detection. They have brought with them powerful generators and pumps used by those working in the mines as they inch they way in different directions in search of gold in the rocks. The painstaking job requires patience and can take several weeks or months before the miners stumble on a few milligrams of the precious metal. 80,000 artisanal miners According to Western Region Mining Officer Samuel Too, Kakamega County has more than 80,000 artisanal miners. In Kakamega South Sub-County, much of what was family land has been turned into mining sites, with mines that are up to 150 feet deep -- potential death traps for miners who enter them to scoop soils containing rocks that are crushed and sieved for traces of gold. The artisanal miners descend into the tunnels using a container fastened to a tow cable connected to a rudimentary manual pulley. As the miners descend into the dark pits, they know there's a possibility that the walls could collapse and bury them alive. Mining accidents Several miners have been killed in the mines. Mining officials said they were compiling and updating their data on mining accidents. "There have been several accidents, leading to deaths of miners and this has prompted us to compile and update our data to reflect the number of reported accidents and the fatalities," said Mr Too. The miners use wooden planks to hold the soils together and ensure they do not collapse and trap them underground as they get the soil containing rocks and send it to their colleagues for processing. Gold discovery In 2017, the reported discovery of gold heightened expectation and sparked excitement in villages in Ikolomani Constituency. The discovery of 1.31 million ounces of inferred gold resource in the Liranda Corridor drove groups of artisanal miners into a mining frenzy. The discovery was made by the Acasia Mining Company, which was then prospecting for gold in the Liranda Corridor. Shanta Gold East Africa has since acquired the rights for gold prospecting in the region. The estimated value of the gold at the time was Sh169 billion, but the firm said it could take up to three years to carry out further survey and establish whether the venture was economically viable. In an interview after the discovery, Acasia CEO Brad Gordon said: "We are delighted to announce the maiden NI 43-101-compliant Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate on the Liranda Corridor. "This is one of the highest-grade projects in Africa today, and we believe that this initial resource is a first step in the delineation of a multi-million-ounce high-grade corridor." He added: "This greenfield discovery demonstrates the value of our systematic approach to grassroots exploration and validates our contrarian strategy of investing in exploration over the past few years whilst others have been pulling back." Since then, artisanal miners have been sinking their pits close to where Shanta Gold East Africa have set up their rigs and other equipment in the ongoing exploration. Mines collapsed However, several miners have lost their lives in the past, after the mines collapsed on them as they dug the tunnels while others suffered health complications after inhaling poisonous gases in the depth of the mines. In the latest accident, five people died after a mine caved in at Bushangala village in Ikolomani Constituency on May 6. The five were among 16 miners who had gone underground. Eleven sustained injuries after they were trapped in a section of the mine that collapsed during heavy rain. One of the dead was from Bushangala village, while four others were from Migori County. The sub-county police commander, Joseph Chesire, said: "The group had been working on the mine during heavy rains when the soils collapsed, trapping them in the tunnel." The police commander told Nation.Africa that villagers rushed to the scene and helped rescue some of those who were trapped. In December 2019, the government stopped mining indefinitely to avert accidents during the rainy season. Heavy rains usually lead to collapse of soils in the mining pits. Chiefs and their assistants in Ikolomani have been instructed to ensure the miners do not enter the pits during the rainy season. Kakamega County Commissioner Pauline Dola asked the administrators to ensure residents complied with the directive. Intensified activities Ikolomani Constituency is considered the heart of mining in Kakamega County. Villagers usually flock the mines abandoned by the colonial administration in the 1930s to prospect for gold. Artisanal miners have intensified their activities in Savane, Shiveye, Lirembe, Isulu, Shisere and Iguhu. Mr Ernest Chimasia, an official of the sacco representing the miners said: "We are disadvantaged because we lack the sophisticated equipment to detect the presence of gold and other minerals in the soils. But we keep digging the tunnels and risking our lives in the hope that we shall stumble on some gold deposits. He asked the national and county governments to support the groups to buy proper mining equipment. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Mining By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Mr Aggrey Chimasia, from Shikokho village has worked in the mines for the past two years. He said at first, he never thought it was worth the trouble working in the mines. Mr Chimasia and his colleagues were working on a mine at Shikoye in Ikolomani Constituency. Lots of money "One day, we stumbled on a substantial amount of gold with my fellow miners and I ended up earning Sh1 million. I bought a piece of land and built a house for my family. People make lots of money from mining but they shy away from talking about it to avoid attracting attention from authorities," said Mr Chimasia. "If one is patient and hardworking, the job pays off. There are days when we stumble on substantial amounts of gold after working for months without any luck. But we don't give up because we know our lives will change after we have struck gold," said Mr Chimasia, who is also a pastor of the African Divine Church. Ikolomani MP Bernard Shinali said shutting down the mines would lead to an increase in criminal activity in the villages. "What we need the government to do is come up with regulations that will protect the miners and ensure they are safe as they go about their activities. This is the big challenge facing the miners who depend on the activity for livelihood," said Mr Chimasia. AAR Insurance Kenya has suspended the City Hall account over a Sh259.9 million debt. This has locked out over 10,000 staff from accessing medical services. Ann Kananu's administration has defaulted on premiums for months, forcing the insurer to suspend its services. This will affect the thousands of City Hall staff and their dependents. AAR had written to Nairobi County secretary on April 29 to pay on or before May 7, failure to which it would suspend the account. This is the second time the firm is suspending services this year after a similar move in March. Kenya County Government Workers Union Nairobi branch secretary Festus Ngari said services were stopped last Friday. "City Hall sought a 10-day extension to clear the outstanding premium, which elapsed on May 7. Sadly, they didn't honour the deal. Are they waiting for more staff to die to take the matter seriously? People are being turned away from hospitals because of the mistakes of the county government," said Mr Ngari. AAR Insurance Managing Director Nixon Shigoli confirmed to Nation.Africa that provision of services to City Hall staff had been suspended. "They have to pay in cash since we are yet to be paid full premiums to allow services with our service providers. Staff will have to pay cash and seek reimbursement once premium is paid," said Mr Shigoli. The city county government had committed, through a letter on April 15, to clear the outstanding premium after making a partial payment of Sh270.1 million. "We remain committed to meeting the contractual obligations between us and look forward to your timely payment of the premium balance of Sh259.9 million on or before May 7, 2021 as per your commitment without which the scheme will revert back to cash basis," the letter stated. Trouble began in February when AAR wrote to City Hall over a Sh530 million balance. On March 19, the insurer suspended services after the county government failed to address the matter. City Hall staff then threatened to down their tools. At the time, Nairobi Finance Executive Allan Igambi pledged to clear the arrears by April 23 but later sought for an extension until May 7. The High Court in Nyeri has sentenced Collins Pemba, the man who assisted a former Kenya Defence Forces soldier dispose of the bodies of his wife and two children in Nanyuki to five years in jail. In her judgment on Thursday, Justice Florence Muchemi ruled that she was convinced that Collins Pamba, a casual labourer at the Laikipia Airbase, had been acting under the instructions of Mr Peter Mugure, the prime suspect in the three murders. She found that as a junior worker at the airbase, Pamba had been overwhelmed by the instructions from the senior military officer. "In addition to the orders given to him by the senior military officer asking him to commit the act, the accused was also threatened," said Justice Muchemi. The judge noted that last year, in an affidavit, the investigating officer had said that Major Mugure had sent his sister Nancy Mugure to visit Pamba at Kerugoya Prison to ask him to recant his confession. Mitigating factors In her ruling, Ms Muchemi also cited that the Director of Public Prosecutions and the accused's lawyer Lucy Mwai had presented convincing mitigating factors that she considered while delivering the sentence. The judge also said that she considered the accused's age noting that he was 21 years then. The prosecution led by Duncan Ondimu had told the court that Pamba had cooperated with the police in conducting investigations. He said that since his arrest on November 16, 2019 he had disclosed very useful information concerning Mr Mugure by recording a confession. "Even while he was still in remand at the Kerugoya Prison when there were attempts to interfere with the investigations by the prime suspect, he notified the prison authorities. This clearly shows that he is remorseful and ready to integrate with the society," said Mr Ondimu. Triple murder charges A plea-bargaining agreement presented in court signed by both the prosecution and the accused showed that Pamba had agreed to testify against Ex-major Mugure. This was on the condition that the prosecution dropped the triple murder charges that he was facing and substituted them for a lesser offence of accessory to murder. Pamba would also be expected to cooperate by being interviewed by the police. He also agreed not to disclose any information and materials in his possession regarding the matter. Pamba was also not allowed to sue the State for compensation for the days he has spent in prison. Should he, however, breach the agreement by giving false information, the State will prosecute him for perjury. During the court session, Lawyer Mwai told the court that Pamba had just completed form four when he allegedly committed the offence. He had been connected by a relative working at the Laikipia Airbase to do menial jobs. His job entailed cleaning verandas at the premises and occasionally washing the military officers' residences. "On the fateful day, he had just been invited by the senior officer to do his work as usual, he did not know what awaited him," said lawyer Mwai. Closed the door Upon entering Mugure's room A3, Mugure closed the door and put the keys in his pocket before switching on the lights. Pamba then saw the body of Mugure's wife Joyce Syombua wrapped in a gunny bag. Mugure asked him to assist in ferrying the bodies and even threatened to kill him. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. After ferrying the body of Ms Syombua to Mugure's car, they went back to another room where they collected the bodies of Mugure's children Prince Michael and Shanice Maua. He helped in wrapping the two bodies and transporting them to the car before they buried them in shallow graves. Ms Mwai said that even after the incident, Mugure continued threatening Pamba. According to the lawyer, Pamba had committed the offence out of desperation and fear of the senior officer. The court heard that the accused was the first born in a family of four siblings in Busia County and had only gone to Nanyuki searching for greener pastures. "Mugure had even promised him a place in the military if he helped in carrying out the devious task and concealing the incident," said the lawyer. Democratic Republic of Congo President, Felix Tshisekedi, has rebuffed criticism of past human rights abuses allegedly committed by his military appointees to the restive North Kivu and Ituri provinces. The Head of State recently named Lieutenant-General Constant Ndima as head of North Kivu and Lieutenant-General Johnny Nkashama Luboya in Ituri province, a move that has been criticised by international lobby Human Rights Watch (HRW). The duo are former rebel leaders, with General Ndima said to have a bloody track record during his time leading a guerrilla militia, the Congo liberation Movement (MLC), in operation "Erase the board" in 2002. General Luboya, on the other hand, is a former rebel chief with Rwanda-backed Congolese Rally for Democracy (RCD-Goma), and is alleged to have overseen killings, rapes, and other abuses by his forces, according to HRW. Following their recent appointments, HRW notes that "the profile of the new military governors of these two provinces can only increase concerns about human rights and the protection of civilians." "The state of siege in eastern DRC should not be used as a pretext for committing abuses," the NGO said. However, it seems the rights lobby's assertions have displeased President Tshisekedi. Returning from Kampala where he attended the inauguration of President Yoweri Museveni, he landed in Lubumbashi, the second city of DRC in the province of Haut-Katanga. Here, he responded vehemently to criticism from HRW and sections of international media. "Those who were screaming that there are 12 million dead or even 20 million dead in the East, now that we have taken action and we have appointed soldiers, wizards are again appearing to say that these officers have committed violence. Why did they not say that when they assumed their functions? It is only after their nomination that voices are raised to contest their nomination," he said. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Congo-Kinshasa Governance Arms and Armies By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. "I did not listen to them. The appointed lieutenant-generals are Congolese. They will work for the interests of the Congolese. Do not let yourself be manipulated by those who want the blood of the Congolese to continue to flow. I have promised to restore security throughout the country", Mr Tshisekedi added. Military takeover DRC's presidency last week ordered military and police officers to take over civil authorities of North Kivu and Ituri provinces. This came after the volatile areas were declared to be under siege for 30 days starting on Thursday, May 6. "To respond to the situation during the state of siege, the provincial governments of Ituri and North Kivu, and the entities of these provinces, will be replaced by offices of the armed forces of the DRC or the national police," the government said. Additionally, military courts will replace civilian bodies in these provinces during this period. According to the United Nations, the provinces have suffered clashes between armed groups over control of territory and natural resources, with civilians bearing the brunt over the last few years. A woman died in Nairobi's Mukuru slums after her house was swept away after Ngong River broke its bank on Wednesday night. Makadara police boss Tim Odingo, who confirmed the incident, said hundreds of families were also displaced by floods at Mukuru-Kenya Wine slum in Starehe Sub-County. The woman was said to be asleep when Ngong River broke its banks owing to the heavy rains pounding the city and its environs. "The woman is a casual labourer in Industrial Area, her roommate left the city for her rural home after losing her job due to the Covid-19 pandemic. She was asleep when her house collapsed and fell into the river at around 2am," her neighbour said. The woman's body was found near the Kwa Reuben Bridge in Nairobi's Industrial Area before the police moved it to Nairobi City Mortuary. In Kaiyaba slum, the floods cut off transport after part of the Kaiyaba- Hazina Bridge, which connects Mombasa and Enterprise roads, was swept away. The affected informal settlements in Nairobi include Kaiyaba, Maasai Village, Kenya Wine, Budalangi, Kisii Village, Mandazi road and Kanaro. The weatherman has predicted more floods in over 20 counties across the country this month All women's prisons will be equipped with day care centres to improve the welfare of the children born in the correctional institutions. Interior Chief Administrative Secretary Winnie Guchu, observed that children as young as one month are living with their jailed mothers in deplorable conditions. Speaking Thursday at Embu Women's Prison during the official opening of the first Day Care Centre, Ms Guchu said the government has partnered with Faraja Foundation to achieve its goal. Faraja has already provided 2,160 beds to be distributed to all the 43 women prisons in Kenya. She lamented that the women and their children sleep on cold floors in crowded prisons due to lack of beds. The CAS said innocent children should not be treated as prisoners. "These children should have a place in prisons where they can sleep and be fed well until their mothers complete their jail terms," she said. At the same time, the CAS ordered the Commissioner of Prisons Wycliffe Ogallo to consider lifting the ban on visiting prisoners. She observed that inmates were suffering physiologically because their relatives are not allowed to visit them. "Visiting was banned when Covid-19 hit the country and prisoners have been complaining. The Commissioner of Prisons should lift the ban," she said. She observed that prisoners do not have enough soaps and toilet papers because their relatives no longer visit them. "The government can't provide everything to the inmates and relatives who want to help them should not be locked out," she said. Health services in insecurity-prone areas of Tiaty and Baringo South sub-counties have been hampered after hospitals were closed due to a spate of banditry attacks. The situation is also bad in Tiaty East and Tiaty West sub-counties -- which are under the ongoing security operation -- after health workers fled the areas for fear of their lives. Among the affected facilities include Tuwo, Akwichatis, Toplen, Nakoko, Riong'o, Chepkalacha, Katikit, Kositei, Chemoril, Nasorot and Komolion in Tiaty and Mukutani health centres in Baringo South Sub-county. Reports indicate that hundreds of locals in the zoned areas have fled their homes over what they say is harassment by security officers deployed in the area to mop up illegal guns and smoke out armed criminals. Closed since 2017 In the insecurity-prone Mukutani in Baringo South, the only health centre has been closed since 2017 when flare-ups erupted between two neighbouring communities living in the area, prompting locals and workers in the area to flee to safer areas. Mukutani Location Chief Benjamin Lecher said locals have been depending on the military and General Service Unit (GSU) officers deployed in the area for treatment at their camps. According to the administrator, the closed facility, which used to serve over 6,000 locals, is now a shell of its former self after it was vandalised by armed criminals and some of the doors and windows removed away. When it was operational, the health centre used to serve residents of Mukutani, Lendorok, Kabikoki, Laitapak, Akule, Ilmeut, Lelerai, Nairabala, Cheptangarmet, Chemoigut, Loromoru,Lemaitai, Rine, Sosian, Lorukon and Lontiani villages. "The health centre has remained closed since 2017 when flare-ups between Ilchamus and Pokot communities in the area erupted, leaving more than 10 people dead in a night attack, thus prompting locals to flee the porous area. To date, the facility is not operational," said Mr Lecher. Covid-19 pandemic Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, locals in the remote area have not seen or worn protective gear such as masks, leave alone hearing of a vaccine against the virus. The facility, which is some few meters from the trading centre, is now a no go zone as it is overgrown with shrubs, making it a good hideout for criminals who normally stage attacks in the area. Betty Lakangaran, a resident, claimed that young children, who are at the risk of contracting diseases, have not received vaccination, leave alone treatment, since 2017. Emergencies "We receive treatment of mild ailments from security officers' camps deployed to beef up security but it is a challenge in case of an emergency, especially young children and expectant women with complications," said Ms Lakangaran. In case of an emergency, the locals are forced to travel to Marigat Sub-County Hospital, more than 50 kilometres away, with the help of police escort, owing to incessant banditry attacks, a poor road network and lack of an ambulance in the far flung area. "Immunisation of children here is unheard of since the facility was shut four years ago. The nearest dispensary is in Kiserian, which is also more than 30 kilometres away. We have just resigned to our fate and pray to God to keep us healthy because in case of an outbreak of a disease, we will lose lives," she lamented. Living in the bush In the neighbouring Tiaty East Sub-County, locals have raised concern that children and expectant women have been hard hit as they have been forced to live in the bushes as they flee from the disarmament exercise, exposing them to cold and other respiratory diseases. A resident of Nasorot, Chepochesirwo Kirareng, regretted that social amenities -- including schools and health centres in the area -- have been closed and residents have been forced to seek the services of traditional herbalists, who are not reliable especially when there is an emergency. "We fear the outbreak of diseases now that we have been forced to live out of our houses, including young children, amid the long rains. Mosquitoes are having a field day on expectant women and children at night. We have no alternative but to stay here," said Ms Kirareng. Harassment A spot check by the Nation revealed that locals, especially in the remote areas, cannot be able to travel to other facilities like Marigat and Kabarnet for fear that they might be harassed and beaten by security officers. Road blocks have also been mounted on major roads in the zoned areas and anyone plying the route must undergo a thorough scrutiny from police officers. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Legal Affairs Health By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. A health official from Tiaty has confirmed that health services such as immunisation, outpatient services and all essential services, have been completely shut in the region due to the ongoing operation. "Locals, especially in Silale Ward, have been hard hit since all the health facilities are completely closed. We are calling on well-wishers and organisations such as the Red Cross to reach the affected locals through outreaches. This is a disaster waiting to happen if nothing urgent is done to remedy the situation as children would suffer from malnutrition and outbreak of diseases. Expectant women are also staring at hard times," the official who declined to be named said. Locals in the region complained of brutality being meted by security officers deployed to seize illegal guns and flush out armed criminals in the area. Baringo County Health Medical Director Salome Chelimo confirmed that health services have been paralysed, with some of the facilities in the volatile areas being vandalised. She also said that some non-local health workers have pulled out of the banditry-prone areas for fear of their lives, leaving a few locals who cannot effectively offer services on their own. President Uhuru Kenyatta and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson held a joint virtual meeting on Thursday where they oversaw an online visit to a Kenyan and a British school. The virtual event brought together learners from Westlands Primary School in Nairobi and Cleves Cross Primary School in Durham County, North East England, through the British Council's Connecting Classrooms project. The meeting was also attended by the British High Commissioner to Kenya, Jane Marriott, and Education Cabinet Secretary Professor George Magoha. Speaking at Westlands Primary School, Mr Kenyatta said Kenya is putting in place measures to narrow the digital gap in schools and ensure that more girls have access to education. The President said the Covid 19 pandemic has exposed the existing wide gap in schools that left millions of children, especially those in public schools, without access to education, with only a few able to access classes through internet platforms. Digital learning "We have to pick up on digital learning so that even when we are affected by the pandemic, all children get access education. We need to break the digital divide," said President Kenyatta during the virtual meeting. The President said all children have a right to access education and affirmed that the government is determined to see all youngsters in school. "I am on the issue of driving digital learning to ensure that no child will not be able to access education," said President Kenyatta. Make up for lost time On his part, Mr Johnson said there is need for governments to work together to bridge the digital divide and also the divide between boys and girls. "We want to see concrete results and make up for the lost time experienced last year," he said at Cleves Cross Primary School, UK. The coronavirus pandemic caused an unprecedented global learning crisis, with 1.6 billion children out of education around the world at the height of school closures. The UK Prime Minister said through the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), they are working to ensure that 88 million more girls get access to education across the world. "In some parts of the world, boys do not get same access to education as the girl children. We are working to ensure that both boys and girls get the same opportunities," he said. Support girls Mr Johnson said that across the world, there is a vast untapped resource -- girls -- whose education has been cut short or denied altogether and who could be leading efforts to pull their communities out of poverty. "Supporting girls to get 12 years of quality education is one of the smartest investments we can make as the world recovers from Covid-19. Otherwise we risk creating a lost pandemic generation," he said. The Prime Minister said he is working throughout the UK's G7 presidency to ensure leaders invest in girls and boost children's life chances around the world. Speaking following the virtual event, Ms Marriott said Kenya and the UK are working together on the most important global issues, all put in place by the Strategic Partnership which President Kenyatta and PM Johnson signed in January 2020. "I was delighted to see children back at school today, so happy and enthusiastic to learn. It was also a privilege to witness our two leaders as part of a live classroom link-up," she said. Global education summit The meeting comes, just two months ahead of Kenya and the UK co-chairing the Global Education Summit to raise money for education across the world. The summit will be held from July28-29 in London and will be co-chaired by Prime Minister Johnson and President Kenyatta. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Governance External Relations By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. It aims to raise $5 billion (Sh 535.7 Billion) over the next five years to support the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) which seeks to get 175 million more children into quality education in 87 lower and middle-income countries It seeks to make sure all young people have the opportunity to learn. The event comes as the UK announced a Sh8.3 billion fund for a new programme to drive crucial research into education reforms, turbocharging efforts to get girls into school and learning. The What Works Hub for Global Education will advise governments across Africa and Asia - including Kenya - on the most impactful and cost-effective ways to reform school systems and get girls learning. Countries that will benefit are likely to include Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Kenya and Pakistan. The UK has been the largest donor to the GPE, contributing 13 per cent of its income since 2005. Kenya has been the largest beneficiary, having received Sh10.9 billion to date. Kenyan students are largely forgotten for the college-going period of their lives. The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has, however, thrust the supporting services that make students' life satisfying, into the limelight. The vital nature of accommodation is being reconsidered as part of the conversation geared towards returning to normal. With 75 percent of Kenya's population under the age of 35 years of age, it only makes sense that their needs be prioritised when discussing matters of national importance such as housing. A trip to any fledgling area around our universities and colleges will provide sufficient evidence to what Acorn Holdings CEO Edward Kirathe calls a market failure. Kenya's median age is 18 years of age, and yet the housing market has done very little to address the gap for citizens in the college-going bracket. A large youth population paired with rapid urbanisation creates a cocktail of acute needs, a primary one being student accommodation that is purpose-built to fit the requirements of the modern-day student. University enrolment has increased from 27,000 in 1989 to 560,000 in 2016, but without a corresponding increase in investment in student housing. Approximately 40,000 beds are available in on-campus student accommodations against an ever-increasing student population. The uncertainty brought by the pandemic poses a major challenge, as higher learning slows down due to the restrictions in place to help mitigate the spread of the virus. Secondary school students are expected to join universities soon and even this is not a new phenomenon. We may witness another public universities' double intake accommodation crisis similar to the one in 2013. Today, little progress has been made in creating more student housing. The significant strain already placed on on-campus housing has seen students either resort to unsafe overcrowding, illegal subletting, or venture out into nearby neighbourhoods to find accommodations at prices significantly above their capabilities. Those who cannot afford such private housing are forced to live in dilapidated dwellings that not only directly affect their ability to learn, but also impact their overall safety and wellbeing. Accommodation, however, doesn't only regard a place for students to lay their heads. Rather, it must focus on providing a conducive environment for young people to explore their new-found freedom safely, and promote learning, growth, and holistic personal development. A study commissioned by Acorn Holdings found that security, amenities provided, rent charged and location were the top four deciding factors for students when selecting accommodation. Security is clear to everyone. No one wants to be mugged on their way to class early in the morning, or return home to find their room cleaned out by thugs while they were away. The amenities modern students require include reliable water and electricity supply, 24-hour high-speed internet access, and exercise and leisure facilities nearby. Furthermore, the modern Kenyan is concerned not only about the place they live, but also the impact that it has on their future. As the world turns towards net-zero goals in climate change and net positive targets in social sustainability, the real estate sector is under immense pressure to adapt and become part of the solution. This calls for purpose-built student accommodation that focuses on sustainability for the long term. Purpose-built student accommodation, therefore, not only must meet the needs of the parent who wants their child to make the transition from a routine, structured by the authority of their parents, to one the child creates for themselves, but also that of a world increasingly cautious about its impact on the planet. Sustainability during construction and operation calls for efficient use of natural resources such as water, energy and land. Planned densification, where building is done upwards instead of outwards, allows developers to reduce the financial constraints caused by high land costs, while reducing the distance between housing and associated utilities and amenities. Climate-smart developers also have the opportunity to construct housing that leverages natural light and grey water to reduce their overall resource usage. The involvement of third-party sustainability monitoring partners, therefore, is important when thinking about student housing in particular, and urban development in general. Social, financial and environmental sustainability are not only buzzwords but also play a key role in ensuring thriving communities. Addressing market failures, therefore, in clean, safe and affordable ways, is the basis to creating a thriving business that benefits everyone. Purpose-built student accommodation falls squarely in that market gap and will be central in creating an enabling environment for today's students to develop into tomorrow's leaders. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Education Infrastructure By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Market (Country) Student Population Current total student beds availability (universities) Total (private) PBSA student bed capacity in the market Leading PBSA provider/bed capacity United Kingdom 1,840,000 360,000 416,000 Blackstone Group - 28,000 beds South Africa 2,160,000 125,891 97, 219 South Point - 12,730 Kenya 995,000 41,400 3,030 Qwetu (Acorn Investment Management Ltd) - 2330 beds A Senate committee has taken Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati to task to explain why his office and that of his deputy spent Sh6,531,792 million to fuel private vehicles. According to the Auditor-General's report for the year ended June 30, 2019, the amount was spent to fuel the vehicles whose log books and registration numbers were not provided. Governor Wangamati appeared before the Senate County Public Accounts and Investment Committee (CPAIC) chaired by Migori Senator Ochilo Ayacko to respond to audit queries raised in the report. In response, Mr Wangamati said his administration had allowed county executive employees to use their personal vehicles since the devolved unit had not purchased its own vehicles. "I have been using my personal vehicle for the last two years before I acquired an official vehicle. This also applied to our county executives who were forced to use their personal vehicles while on official duties," said Mr Wangamati. Provide car documents The Senate committee gave the county government two weeks to provide all the documents relating to the audit query, including the log books for verification by auditors. Senator Ayacko asked the auditors to scrutinise the documents and submit their findings to the committee within a week. He made his ruling after committee members, senators Fatuma Dullo and Christopher Langat, raised issues with the manner the county government had responded the issue. Senator Dullo said government procedures are very clear on the use and hiring of private vehicles for use by public officers. Probe petrol station Senator Langat said the auditors should revisit the issue and establish whether the petrol station which fuelled the vehicles was picked through as competitive process. The Senate watchdog committee kicked off its sittings at the Invest and Grow plaza in Kakamega town Thursday. According to the Auditor-General, some of the vehicles which were fuelled were owned by people who were not county executive employees. The Auditor-General, in his report, said it was difficult to ascertain the ownership of some of the vehicles since the log books were not provided for audit verification. No time to verify documents Auditors from the Auditor-General's office said they had received the responses from the county executive shortly before the meeting kicked off and had not had time to verify documents. Other audit queries raised included the payment of Sh59, 847,989 million by the county government as legal fees to different legal firms. The Auditor-General said the schedules for the payments could not be ascertained as they were not signed and lacked supporting documents. The Senate committee wanted to know why the schedules were signed after the payments had been made, prompting Senator Ayacko to direct the auditors to go back and verify the documents and report to committee. Foreign travel Governor Wangamati and the county executive were hard pressed to explain an expenditure of Sh23,346,053 on foreign air travel and subsistence. According to the auditors, the records on foreign travel and subsistence had revealed payments of Sh12,021,100 million made without approval. The reported air travel by county officers was not supported by boarding passes. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Petroleum By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Senator Dullo said the auditors should scrutinise the boarding passes to verify whether they tallied with the particulars of the county officers. Meanwhile, the Senate committee has asked Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong to hire competent staff in the county's finance department to strengthen operations and improve efficiency. This comes after the Auditor-General issued an adverse opinion on the audited accounts and financial statements for the year 2018/2019. The committee faulted the decision by Governor Ojaamong to hire the county's Finance executive and chief officer in acting capacity. In response, the governor said his Finance executive and chief officer had a court matter and were forced to step aside from their duties, forcing him to appoint officers in acting capacity. The High Court has overturned the nomination and appointment of lawyer Dorothy Jemator to the selection panel that is recruiting four Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission commissioners. Ms Jemator had been nominated by a faction of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) governing council led by CEO Mercy Wambua to represent the organisation in the seven-member selection panel. She was subsequently appointed by President Uhuru Kenyatta. But Justice George Odunga has quashed both the nomination and appointment saying the organisation's representative should be lawyer Morris Kimuli who had been nominated by LSK president Nelson Havi. The ruling is a major win for Mr Havi who is struggling to assert his control for the organisation after eight of the 13 LSK council members turned against him and 'suspended' him over alleged gross misconduct. As a result of the court's decision, PSC is expected to forward Mr Kimuli's name to the President for appointment so that he can join the selection panel as the LSK representative. Justice Odunga noted that Mr Havi, as the LSK president, forwarded Mr Kimuli's name to the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) on April 16, 2021 only for the CEO to forward Ms Jemator's name on April 21. He was ruling on a petition filed by lawyer Alfonse Kilonzo. The lawyer questioned how the PSC proceeded to submit Ms Jemator's name to the President. Two sets of nominations The judge observed that PSC did not contest the fact that it received Mr Havi's communication regarding the nomination of Mr Kimuli earlier than that from Ms Wambua. Contention of PSC was that having received two sets of nominations, it was entitled to decide which one to rely on and it chose the one that seemed to have been supported by the minutes. The commission is chaired by National Assembly speaker Justin Muturi. However, justice Odunga said PSC failed to provide a legally justifiable reason on why it decided to ignore the earlier nomination in favour of the later one. Role of PSC, he said, was to transmit the name to the President. "It has no business deciding who is properly nominated by the LSK. Having received the name of Kimuli before that of Jemator, it was bound by statute to submit that name to the President," said the judge. By purporting to arbitrate and decide who between Kimuli and Jemator ought to have been nominated, the court said PSC clearly acted in excess of its powers. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Governance Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Natural justice "In so doing, it made a decision which violated the rights of Kimuli without affording him an opportunity of being heard. It has been held that a decision made in excess of or without jurisdiction or in violation of the rules of natural justice is a nullity," the court stated. Being a nullity, all consequential decisions must fall by the wayside since you cannot expect to place something on nothing and expect it to stand. In fighting Ms Jemator's nomination, the petitioner told court that she is a State officer serving in three government offices. He said she serves as a judicial officer, having been appointed as a member of the Energy and Petroleum Tribunal on March 3, 2020 for a period of three years. She also serves at the HIV and AIDS tribunal, having been appointed as a member on May 23, 2019 for a period of three years. The petitioner added that Ms Jemator is a member of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) Steering Committee as a technical expert having been appointed on January 3, 2020 by the Head of the Public Service. He also said she is a known member and official of the Jubilee Party and also acts for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). "The Jubilee Party is well represented in the PSC which will also submit its own four nominees to the Selection Panel. It cannot be lawful or proper for the Jubilee Party to be represented in the Selection Panel again, by a nominee unlawfully fronted through the LSK," said the petitioner. Two police officers who were found guilty of manslaughter over the killing of a woman at City Park in 2018, on Thursday said they regretted the incident. While pleading for a non-custodial sentence, William Kipkorir Chirchir and Godfrey Kipng'etich Kirui, told the court that they should have acted differently on the fateful morning of May 20, 2018. 36-year-old Chirchir told Justice Stella Mutuku that he is a father of two children- aged seven and one-year-old, plus an aging mother, who depend on him. He said he has been in the police service for 10 years, where he served diligently. On his part, 28-year-old Kirui also said he is a father of two and besides his family, he has been taking care of his two siblings. "He pleads for a non-custodial sentence. He is also deeply sorry for what happened," said his advocate. The prosecution asked the court to consider the fact that Ms Janet Wangui Waiyaki lost her life at 41 years, leaving behind two young children. "The children will live the rest of their lives without the care of a mother. The young one has been waiting for the mother to come back," the prosecutor submitted, adding that the husband lost a partner. She also left behind a mother, sisters and brothers. According to the prosecution, her death left the family in disarray as the in-laws battled against each other, with numerous court cases. The duo was found guilty of manslaughter as the court described their action as reckless and use of excessive force. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Two former police officers were yesterday found to have unintentionally killed a woman at City Park three years ago. The Judge said there was no threat of any offence being committed, just because the vehicle was driven off in a bid to flee the area. Read: 'I did not kill my wife Janet Waiyaki', says George Kirubi She said in normal circumstances, a vehicle parked within Nairobi on a Sunday should not have raised any suspicions and doubted if the members of the public who reported the presence of the vehicle to the police, knew about the police operation and the terrorist threat. Ms Waiyaki succumbed to the gunshots while a relative - Bernard Chege - who was with her at the time of the shooting was badly injured. The court noted that evidence presented before court was that there was an 'unhealthy' relationship between the aunt, but Mr Chege denied it. Justice Mutuku will pass her sentence on May 27. The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party associated with Deputy President William Ruto has intensified grassroots campaigns to recruit members in the South Rift region ahead of the 2022 General Election. The party seeks to raid Jubilee strongholds in the vast and voter-rich region that encompasses Bomet, Kericho and Narok counties. The party's move comes in the backdrop of support that the UDA has received from affiliate parties such as Chama Cha Mashinani (CCM), whose party leader is former Bomet Governor Isaac Rutto, and the People's Democratic Party (PDP) under the leadership of former Member of Parliament Omingo Magara. Mr Rutto and Mr Magara have rallied their troops to back Dr Ruto for the presidency amidst a major fallout with President Uhuru Kenyatta. "There is a need for us to build alliances bringing together political parties, politicians and voters into the hustler team ahead of the next General Election. This is a team that will surely deliver the Presidency and save the country from the economic mess presided over by the Jubilee administration," said Mr Magara in an interview. Mr Rutto led CCM party leaders - Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo, his Chepalungu counterpart Gideon Koskei and 22 MCAs led by Bomet Minority Leader Andrew Maritim - in declaring their support for Dr Ruto earlier this year, in what changed the political matrix of the region. "We are here to declare our support for your presidential candidate in the 2022 poll," said Mr Rutto at a rally attended by the DP in Ndanai, Sotik Constituency. Ms Beatrice Kones, the Bomet East MP, said there was need to popularise the party at the grassroots level ahead of 2022. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. "We cannot sit back and assume that it is automatic for the region's residents to back the Deputy President...We live in a multiparty democracy with our competitors eyeing the South Rift for presidential, parliamentary and civic votes," she said. Dr Ruto and his allies have given the clearest indication that they are ready to quit Jubilee after months of being sidelined in running the party's affairs, along with threats of disciplinary action and expulsion. Nominated MP Isaac Mwaura was kicked out of the party this week after openly associating with UDA, and has been replaced with former Samburu Senator Sammy Leshore to represent people living with disability. In the last General Election, it was only Jubilee, Chama Cha Mashinani (CCM) and independent candidates who were elected to County Assemblies and Parliament in the South Rift region with other parties being locked out. President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga conclude a joint press conference about the country's growth, at Harambee House in Nairobi on March 9, 2018. President Uhuru Kenyatta acted in excess of his powers when he initiated the process of amending the Constitution through the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), the High Court in Nairobi ruled on Thursday evening. In the hard-hitting rulings, a five-judge bench pointed out multiple legal blunders that President Kenyatta committed in his desire for law reforms. The court, in a judgement that was read virtually for more than four hours, said the 14-member BBI taskforce and the steering committee led by former Garissa Senator, the late Yusuf Haji, was an illegal entity, unknown to the law. The bench led by Justice Joel Ngugi said the President made a fatal legal mistake in attempting to change the Constitution through a popular initiative, an avenue that is not available to him. He should have used parliamentary initiative by petitioning the National Assembly through the Attorney-General to consider the desired amendments, the court ruled. Popular initiative The court stated that there is no other permissible avenue of changing the supreme law except through parliamentary or popular initiative. They described the BBI process as "a presidential initiative guised as a popular initiative", and allowing it to be sustained amounts to having the Head of State as promoter and referee of his own initiative. "President cannot be an initiator of and an umpire in amendment of the Constitution," said the court, adding that the BBI was muddled by conflict of interest. To those who argued that Mr Kenyatta was acting in person and was promoting national unity, the court said the argument is betrayed by the fact that the BBI taskforce was formed by the president and was answering to him. "In reality, BBI was the president's initiative which is contrary to article 257 of the Constitution. The taskforce that morphed to a steering committee was an unlawful and unconstitutional outfit. It was invalid from the beginning," said the judges. They also poured cold water on arguments that retired President Mwai Kibaki initiated constitutional reforms in 2005 and 2010. The judges noted that Mr Kibaki did so under the old Constitution. Constitutional mandate In the current Constitution, they said, it provides who can initiate the amendments through popular initiative and a sitting president, executive or a state organ are not among them. The BBI promoters told the court that the president was exercising his constitutional mandate and authority when establishing the BBI process. But the court said Mr Kenyatta failed to safeguard the Constitution and fell short of leadership and integrity. "While the effort of uniting the country is to be lauded, in his responsibilities he cannot initiate any move to amend the Constitution contrary to the Constitution. It is not in his power," the court held. They added that since the process is void ab initio (from the beginning), whatever the process aimed to achieve has no legal consequences. The court also held that Mr Kenyatta (a sitting president) can be sued personally in civil proceedings if he acts outside the Constitution or for his actions or inactions. According to the court, the President ought to have entered appearance in the petition because it was a civil case, instead of the Attorney General responding on his behalf. Public participation They noted that President Kenyatta had been listed as a defendant and remained a party to the case up to the end. In regard to public participation, the court said the exercise was constitutionally flawed because the promoters of the BBI failed to involve Kenyans. The promoters failed to supply Kenyans with copies of the proposed amendments so that they can make informed decisions. People with disabilities such as sight and hearing impairments were also excluded, the court ruled. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Governance Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. The court compared the BBI process with the making of the 2010 Constitution where the committee that was undertaking the latter received more than 26,000 memoranda of divergent views from the public. "Voters needed the copies in languages that they understand. The only copy annexed here was in English. No efforts made by the committee to make copies available for the public. People must be involved in the legislative process," said judges. It was also held that the Independent and Electoral Commission (IEBC) needed to have subjected the Constitutional Amendment Bill to legal tests and public participation before taking it to the counties. The court also said the referendum process was started when there was no legislative framework for the conduct of a referendum in the country. The judges said it is necessary that the legislation be put in place for any such amendment to the Constitution. There was also no law to guide county assemblies on what to do with views collected before the Bill is considered. A medic administers a Covid-19 vaccine at the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council headquarters in Nairobi on March 31. Just when Kenyans were beginning to heave a sigh of relief over decreasing Covid-19 infections, experts now warn that another peak is around the corner. The Ministry of Health has warned that the fourth peak of the pandemic is only two months away - in July. This comes at a time the country has recorded at least 20 cases of the Indian variant of concern - named B.1.617. Speaking on Wednesday, acting Director of Health Patrick Amoth said the Covid-19 pandemic has established a pattern where a peak is witnessed after every three months. "If you look at the mortality pattern from March 2020 to March 2021, a clear picture is coming out. Our analysis shows us we had a peak in July and after three months we had another in November," he said. The country recorded the highest peak in March 2021 and another is expected in two months, said Dr Amoth. "We can categorically state that if this trend continues, our next peak should be in July," he said. The first peak of the Covid-19 pandemic was on July 26, 2020 when 960 cases were recorded alongside two deaths and a seven-day average of seven deaths. The second peak was on November 27, 2020, when 1,554 cases and 14 deaths were recorded, alongside a seven-day average of 13 deaths. The caseload was highest during the third peak on March 26, 2020, when 2,008 new cases, six deaths and a seven-day average of 17 deaths were reported. "We need to ensure we have small peaks by simply adhering to the public health measures. These measures will not end unless we get a variant that may not be spread through close contact or through not wearing masks. We believe going forward we will stick to these measures because they are very important, more so for us in the developing world. We have seen how difficult it is to access the second dose of the vaccine," the Health director said. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Coronavirus Kenya By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. This emerged as the ministry announced 15 more cases of the B.1.617 variant in the country, which the World Health Organization classified as a variant of concern at the beginning of the week. The cases were picked from 18 travellers who arrived in the country before the government imposed a ban on Indian flights on Thursday April 29, 2021. Out of these, 17 had their virus genome sequenced at the Kilifi Kemri Wellcome Trust, of which 15 turned positive for the B.1.617 variant and one for the UK variant of concern (named B.1.1.7), said Health Chief Administrative Secretary Rashid Aman, who urged Kenyans to remain vigilant. According to Dr Amoth, despite five cases of the variant having been reported in Kisumu, genomic sequencing of some of the contacts shows the variant of concern had not spread in the community, with sequencing of more cases still ongoing. The variant is believed to be pushing the Covid-19 pandemic in India, with more new cases and deaths being reported every day. "We believe with the public health measures we will be able to cope with any variant that will emerge," said Dr Amoth. As of Wednesday, a total of 2,950 Covid-19 deaths had been reported and 925,509 vaccine doses had been given across the country. Some 282,369 of the recipients were aged 58 years and above, 161,702 were healthcare workers, 145,099 teachers, 78,081 security officers and 256,365 from other categories, the MoH said. The government on Thursday said primary school candidates who will not secure a place in secondary schools will join technical institutions. Government spokesman Cyrus Oguna said these technical institutions are tasked with imparting youths with skills they can use in future. He also asked parents to ensure that students who qualified to join a secondary school after KCPE do so without fail. He was addressing the youths from the United Youths Association at Molo Vocational and Technical College in Elburgon, Nakuru County where he urged them to band together in order to benefit from the Uwenzo Fund. "I call on you to join Ajira Digital which gives you an opportunity through the internet across the world," said Oguna, adding that IT experts and accountants among others can get a job in a foreign company and still work from Kenya through the digital platform. He also assured artistes who face challenges in producing their work that the government will assist them by producing their music free of charge. Additionally, he urged young people to visit the Public Service Commission's website in order and apply for several available opportunities. The institution's principal, Francis Tanui, said the college is in dire need of equipment for technical use. The college has 150 students pursuing different technical courses. Murang'a High School student, Robinson Wanjala, who emerged the best candidate in the 2020 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations, has been given a Sh650, 000 prize by the school. On Thursday, the school, led by Chief Principal Willie Kuria and his deputy Charles Karanja, led teachers and non-teaching staff to hand over a Sh150, 000 cheque Wanjala. He was also promised a car worth Sh500, 000. Mr Kuria said the car will be presented to the boy during the institution's prize giving day. Wanjala scored straight As in all examinable subjects to close his tally at 87.334 points. The former Gachie Public Primary School pupil scored 409 marks in the 2016 Kenya Certificate of Primary Education. During the Thursday event, the 2020 top KCSE candidate reiterated his wish to join the University of Nairobi to pursue a course in medicine. He praised cooperation between students and Murang'a High School teachers. "Murang'a Boys High School is run like a family. We have teachers who were like our parents," he said. Wanjala thanked his parents for giving him a chance to excel in academics. For his father Pius Simiyu, having his son emerge the best in KCSE has catapulted his family into fame. "I cannot say that it is out of our own understanding that this success has come to pass. There is the Almighty God in all this. The human input was me and the teachers who formed a partnership that gave room for the best interests of my boy," he told Nation.Africa. Suspended African National Congress secretary-general Ace Magashule is taking the ANC to court over his suspension, South African media are reporting. News24's Carien du Plessis reports that Magashule is arguing that Rule 25.70 in the ruling party's constitution is unconstitutional. "News24 has reliably learnt the papers were served on Thursday [May 13, 2021] and are set to be lodged in court on Friday on a semi-urgent basis, and that advocate Dali Mpofu is acting on his behalf," News24 says. The new move challenges a party decision to suspend members facing serious criminal charges and who refuse to step down. The ANC resolved at its 2017 national conference that any representative (elected or employed) who was criminally charged should step aside. Magasghule faces several corruption-related charges in connection with contracts the Free State provincial government awarded during his time as premier. Samkele Maseko, politics reporter for state broadcaster SABC, said on Twitter on Friday May 14: "[JUST-IN] Legally and politically embattled @MYANC Secretary General has served Luthuli House with court papers challenging the constitutionality of the "step-aside" #ANC 2017 Conference resolution and #ANCNEC that resulted in his suspension. #sabcnews" He followed up with a tweet that says: "#AceMagashule wants the High Court to rule that the #ANC "Step-Aside" resolution is unconstitutional and that his suspension as Sec General be lifted.Magashule also wants the 'suspension' of President Ramaphosa to be enforced until it's declared unlawful by the court.#sabcnews" The SABC is reporting that Magashule has until the end of business on Friday May 14 to publicly apologise to ANC structures for sending a letter of suspension to party President Cyril Ramaphosa or face further action. Earlier this week, the ANC said it would further discipline Magashule if he did not apologise for trying to retaliate against Ramaphosa for his suspension. After Magashule's suspension was announced, a letter written by Magashule to Ramaphosa was leaked to the media. In the letter, Magashule informed Ramaphosa of his decision to suspend him. "Such a man is too old to be recruited into ESN, let alone being Ikonso's Second in Command," IPOB says. The Indigenous People of Biafra has dismissed reports of alleged arrest of the second in command of its security arm, Eastern Security Network (ESN) by the Nigerian Army. The group said the man, Anwurum Eze, touted by the army as second in command to the late Ikonso "was too old to be recruited into ESN, let alone be its second in command". Mr Ikonso, a former commander of ESN, was killed recently by the army. The Army spokesperson, Mohammed Yerima claimed the 48 years old Anwurum Eze was arrested in Aba, Abia State. "The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), ably led by our great leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, read with utter amusement, media reports of claims by the Nigeria Army that it arrested Ikonso's Second in Command in Aba. "This is a blatant lie and a cheap propaganda to lay false claims to imaginary military prowess," IPOB spokesperson, Emma Powerful, stated this in a statement on Thursday. Mr Powerful said the man was not even an operative of ESN. "Such a man is too old to be recruited into ESN, let alone being Ikonso's second in command. "The Nigeria Army that is too weak to confront bandits and terrorists overrunning Northern communities can fabricate any propaganda in quest to deceive the gullible minds," he said. The IPOB spokesperson advised the army against arresting "innocent Biafrans and labelling them ESN operatives". "That you ambushed Ikonso with the help of some traitors did not mean you have crushed ESN. Stop claiming what you have not done in your bid to win public accolades. "If you arrest or kill Ikonso's second in command we will not hesitate to admit it just the same way we did not deny the murder of Ikonso." IPOB, which has been proscribed by the Nigerian government, has denied accusations that it was responsible for the many deadly attacks on security agencies in the South-east and South-south regions. Two rifles, five motorcycles, a Lexus jeep and one 18 seater bus were recovered from the gunmen. Two gunmen have been killed in a joint operation carried out by the Nigerian Army, Air Force and the Police in Imo. The Commissioner of Police in the state, Abutu Yaro, confirmed this to reporters in Owerri on Thursday. Mr Yaro said the suspects were killed in a gun battle between the military and the unidentified gunmen at Ikenanzizi in Obowo Local Government Area of the state. He disclosed that two rifles, five motorcycles, a Lexus jeep and one 18 seater bus were recovered from the gunmen. The commissioner further said that the operation was carried out in line with Federal Government's resolve to rid the country of ravaging insecurity. "It was a joint operation of the Army, Airforce and Police; two unknown gunmen were killed in the process and investigation is ongoing." He said "the team could lay hands on only one corpse as the hoodlums were able to escape with the second corpse". "We have one corpse but they escaped with the other one and it has been deposited at the Federal Medical Centre Owerri morgue," he said. He called on residents of the state to remain calm and go about their lawful activities adding that security agencies had the situation under "firm" control. press release During the press conference of the National Communication Committee on COVID-19, this afternoon, at the Treasury Building in Port Louis, the Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Kailesh Kumar Singh Jagutpal, stated that since confirmation of the first case in the 'New Grove-Camp Diable-Bonne Terre Cluster' on 3 May 2021, a total of 62 confirmed COVID-19 cases have been reported. Those cases were detected mostly through contact tracing and in quarantine. Two other patients tested positive in a private clinic and in the flu clinic, underlined Dr Jagutpal. He added that while one new positive COVID-19 case was identified today in quarantine, four cases were registered last evening, namely a couple from Beau Bassin, the spouse of the COVID-19 positive employee from GMD Atchia State College and a staff of the University of Mauritius. The Health Minister also pointed out that COVID-19 testing was carried out in Camp Diable, Phoenix, Port Louis, Vacoas, GMD Atchia State College, among others, and that contact tracing efforts were centred in Beau Bassin, Vacoas, Plaine Verte, and Vallee des Pretres. Some 736 tests were conducted today, he said. Moreover, Dr Jagutpal called on the population to act responsibly and exercise the required precautions against COVID-19 in this festive season of Eid. For her part, the Ag. Regional Public Health Superintendent, Dr. Kursheed Meethoo- Badulla, stressed that providing information rapidly is critical for the effectiveness of the contact tracing exercise. She urged the population to collaborate fully with the contact tracers so that the latter is able to identify at-risk individuals who have been in relatively close contact with a COVID-19 positive patient. "We are afraid that political interference and the seemingly apparent discrimination against the medical profession and established medical education in Nigeria, may derail the university system." Medical Associations in Lagos State have appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to urgently announce any of the three finalists as the ninth Vice-Chancellor of the Lagos State University (LASU). This is contained in a statement jointly issued by leaders of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) Lagos; Medical Guild, and Medical and Dental Consultants Association (MDCAN), LASUTH Chapter. It was signed by Adetunji Adenekan, NMA Chairman; Oluwajimi Sodipo, Medical Guild Chairman, and Mumuni Amisu of MDCAN. They jointly said: "We do not have any reason to believe that the previous processes of selection of ninth Vice-Chancellor for LASU were not rigorous or not in compliance with the laid down procedures and the extant laws of the university. "We appeal that any one of the three finalists in the second selection process be announced by Mr Governor without further delay. "They all have what it takes to put the university in the path of unrivaled progress and excellence in its three core mandates of teaching, research and community service. "We are afraid that political interference and the seemingly apparent discrimination against the medical profession and established medical education in Nigeria, may derail the university system. "This will send a message to all clinical lecturers in the College of Medicine in general as unwanted members of the university community and to the selected Professors of Clinical Medicine in the university specifically. "It will look as being perceived as second-rate academics in LASU despite proving their mettles by coming top in the interviews conducted." Controversy The selection of a new vice-chancellor for LASU has dragged on for months as several groups, including the National Universities Commission (NUC) faulted the process adopted by the institution. In their statement, the leaders of the medical associations noted that the discrimination would portend danger to medical education in LASU and other Colleges of Medicine in Nigeria "where clinical lecturers had diligently held and still hold the forte, if their morale was killed". They urged the governor to ensure that merit and extant laws were applied in the matter. "We will use any lawful and legal means to prevent the disenfranchisement of any qualified person, including medical doctors with fellowship," the leaders said. They expressed concern that intervention of the Special Visitation Panel was in furtherance of "a sinister agenda that was inimical to the progress of the university, and which may engender further crisis". The leaders said that their interaction with the panel exposed "not only feign ignorance, but their prejudice and bias against the medical academia". According to them, "we fear that their recommendations will reflect such and will only engender a crisis". "We are concerned by the level of ignorance feigned by the panelists about the Medical Fellowship. "They all erroneously assert that Medical Fellowship was not an acceptable qualification to teach in the university, despite glaring evidence that this is the practice in Nigerian Universities and stipulated by the relevant laws and conditions of service of LASU. "In addition, despite the fact that three past Vice-Chancellors of LASU (the pioneer VC, Prof. Folabi Olumide, the fourth VC, Prof. Fatiu Akesode and the seventhth VC, Prof. John Obafunwa). Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Education By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. "They have distinguished themselves as medical doctors with Fellowship and the condition of service of LASU recognised such, just as every other university in Nigeria," the leaders said. They said that the views expressed by the panel confirmed their fears that the whole "crisis in the LASU vice-chancellor selection process was orchestrated". The leaders added that the plan was "for the sole agenda of using the needless PhD versus Medical Fellowship brouhaha as excuse to reject the outcome of the selection process". While commending efforts of all 'stakeholders', they warned against discrimination of medical doctors in the appointment of new vice-chancellor for the university to retain its role as a world class institution. The accident was caused by speeding and loss of control, FRSC official says. Two male adults on Thursday lost their lives in a road accident involving three vehicles at the flyover in Upper Iweka, Onitsha in Anambra State. The Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Anambra, Utten Boyi, confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka. Mr Boyi said the accident, which occurred at noon, was caused by speeding and loss of control. "The crash involved a Mercedes trailer with registration number SMK 728 DA, a Toyota Hiace bus with registration number HTE 791 XA and a Mitsubishi L300 bus with registration number NNE 138 ZF. "A witness report reaching us indicates that the driver of the trailer, who was speeding, lost control of the vehicle and rammed into two other vehicles. "A total of eight persons were involved in the crash, comprising five male adults, one female adult and two male children. "One male adult of the eight persons, sustained some degree of injuries, and was taken to Toronto Hospital by the FRSC rescue team from Upper Iweka Command. "Two male adults, who were passengers in one of the vehicles, were, however, confirmed dead by the doctor on duty. "Their bodies had been deposited at the mortuary," he said. While condoling with families of the dead, Mr Boyi warned motorists against speed limit violation. He urged them to drive safely to avoid accidents and loss of lives. Luanda Angola reported Wednesday 259 infections, 42 recoveries and 6 fatalities, according to the Secretary of State for Public Health, Franco Mufinda. As many as 227 new cases were reported in Luanda, 12 in Huila, 6 in Cabinda, 5 in Benguela, 2 in Cunene, 2 in Uige and Zaire, Mufinda told a daily covid-19 update briefing. The new cases feature 126 men and 133 women patients, aged 1 month - 75 years. The deaths, he said, were reported in Luanda, with 5, and Huila with 1 case. Angola has currently 29,405 positive cases, 645 deaths, 25,187 recoveries and 3,573 active patients. He also said that 290 patients are hospitalised in the treatment centers, while 53 are in the institutional quarantine centers The authorities monitor 1,640 positive case contacts. As many as 227 new cases were reported in Luanda, 12 in Huila, 6 in Cabinda, 5 in Benguela, 2 in Cunene, 2 in Uige and Zaire, Mufinda told a daily covid-19 update briefing. The new cases feature 126 men and 133 women patients, aged 1 month - 75 years. The deaths, he said, were reported in Luanda, with 5, and Huila with 1 case. Angola has currently 29,405 positive cases, 645 deaths, 25,187 recoveries and 3,573 active patients. He also said that 290 patients are hospitalised in the treatment centers, while 53 are in the institutional quarantine centers The authorities monitor 1,640 positive case contacts. Luanda The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Wednesday in Luanda delivered medical equipment to the Angolan government to strengthen the response capacity to covid-19 pandemic. The donation comprises a batch of more than 10,000 boxes of health, nutrition and biosafety products. The equipment, which also aims to support the actions to fight against malnutrition, features therapeutic milk, scales, surgical masks, deworming. More than 7,000 children resident in Luanda province are expected to benefit from the UNICEF donation. Speaking at symbolic hand-over ceremony of the products, funded Japan and by EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid (ECHO), the national Director of Public Health, Helga Freitas, said the offer has to do with full package of nutritional products. According to the official, the products can be used in the inpatient and outpatient hospital units and after being discharged from hospital, thus allowing the mother to continue the treatment at home. The donation comprises a batch of more than 10,000 boxes of health, nutrition and biosafety products. The equipment, which also aims to support the actions to fight against malnutrition, features therapeutic milk, scales, surgical masks, deworming. More than 7,000 children resident in Luanda province are expected to benefit from the UNICEF donation. Speaking at symbolic hand-over ceremony of the products, funded Japan and by EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid (ECHO), the national Director of Public Health, Helga Freitas, said the offer has to do with full package of nutritional products. According to the official, the products can be used in the inpatient and outpatient hospital units and after being discharged from hospital, thus allowing the mother to continue the treatment at home. Luanda Angolan minister of Education Luisa Grilo discussed with her Rwandan counterpart Valentine Uwamariya the issues related to the exchange of experiences between the countries in education field. Luisa Grilo and Valentine Uwamariya announced plans for the two sectors to sign a Memorandum of Understanding that provides for the training and upgrading of teachers, teaching of the English language as well as speedup of the projects that stimulate the school girls' interest in the sciences. Stressing the importance to follow good education styles developed in Africa, Luisa Grilo pointed to Rwanda as one of examples. The Angolan minister said that she was looking forward to setting up a strong partnership with Rwanda. In turn, Rwanda's Valentine Uwamariya praised Angola for adapting its education to the new reality, the situation of covid-19 pandemic. The meeting was attended by Rwanda ambassador to Angola Gasamagera Wellars, directors of Ministry of Education and consular staff of the two countries. Luisa Grilo and Valentine Uwamariya announced plans for the two sectors to sign a Memorandum of Understanding that provides for the training and upgrading of teachers, teaching of the English language as well as speedup of the projects that stimulate the school girls' interest in the sciences. Stressing the importance to follow good education styles developed in Africa, Luisa Grilo pointed to Rwanda as one of examples. The Angolan minister said that she was looking forward to setting up a strong partnership with Rwanda. In turn, Rwanda's Valentine Uwamariya praised Angola for adapting its education to the new reality, the situation of covid-19 pandemic. The meeting was attended by Rwanda ambassador to Angola Gasamagera Wellars, directors of Ministry of Education and consular staff of the two countries. Luanda Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Parliamentary Forum said its working on creation of the structures for technical and administrative support for the regional Parliament. The Secretaries General Committee of the national members parliament of SADC parliamentary forum are working on attaining this goal. This was confirmed by secretary general of the National Assembly of Angola, Pedro Agostinho de Neri, on Wednesday. Pedro Agostinho de Neri attended via video conference the meeting of the Committee of secretaries general of SADC Parliamentary Forum held from South Africa. "The process for transformation of SADC Parliament Forum into a Regional Parliament has been in progress. This entails the creation of organs to support, in terms of technical, technological and administrative point of view, this Parliament", he clarified. According to him, the secretaries general of SADC Parliament Forum is tasked with creation of pre-conditions to assess an organisational structure able to respond to the future Regional Parliament. The transformation process of SADC Parliament Forum into a regional Parliament, still to be completed, was recommended by SADC Council of Ministers, in particular during the forum held in 2018 in Windhoek, Namibia. SADC Parliamentary Forum was established in 1997. Its main aim is to provide a platform for Parliaments and parliamentarians to promote regional integration in SADC. SADC comprises Angola, South Africa, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Seychelles, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Southern Africa Governance Angola By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. The Secretaries General Committee of the national members parliament of SADC parliamentary forum are working on attaining this goal. This was confirmed by secretary general of the National Assembly of Angola, Pedro Agostinho de Neri, on Wednesday. Pedro Agostinho de Neri attended via video conference the meeting of the Committee of secretaries general of SADC Parliamentary Forum held from South Africa. "The process for transformation of SADC Parliament Forum into a Regional Parliament has been in progress. This entails the creation of organs to support, in terms of technical, technological and administrative point of view, this Parliament", he clarified. According to him, the secretaries general of SADC Parliament Forum is tasked with creation of pre-conditions to assess an organisational structure able to respond to the future Regional Parliament. The transformation process of SADC Parliament Forum into a regional Parliament, still to be completed, was recommended by SADC Council of Ministers, in particular during the forum held in 2018 in Windhoek, Namibia. SADC Parliamentary Forum was established in 1997. Its main aim is to provide a platform for Parliaments and parliamentarians to promote regional integration in SADC. SADC comprises Angola, South Africa, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Seychelles, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. THE Tanzania National Nurses Association (TANNA) has proposed heavy investment in the health sector so as to have in place a strong and paying professionalism. TANNA President, Mr Alexander Baluhya called on the government to do all it can to ensure that the profession is respected and that the basic things in it are well observed by all stakeholders. Speaking here during the marking of the International Nurses Day on Wednesday, Mr Baluhya said that nurses being part of the society in which others live, should be supported in fulfilling their objectives so that the country has a healthy society. He said that the group consists of many people in the cadre, noting that there are more than 41,000 midwife nurses, calling on policy makers to see to it that they get representatives in the Parliament of Tanzania. "There are some nurses who showed interest in using a political persuasive tool but they were not successful. We know that there are some nomination and preference appointments, so we would appreciate it if this is picked up even if it is through women special seats so that we get at least one representative," he said. The president was speaking in the presence of the Minister of State (President's Regional Administration and Local Governments), Ms Ummy Mwalimu who represented President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the national commemoration. He requested her to send the representation request to President Samia Suluhu Hassan. He further requested the guest of honor to see to it that there is no deduction in salaries for nurses at councils' level who decide to join TANNA, nor should there be any restrictions whatsoever so that the association is smoothly run at all stages. The Director of Nursing and Midwifery Services, Ms Ziada Sellah, said that although there have been many challenges that they go through, such as the small number of nurses as compared to clients (patients) they have persevered and still offer services 24 hours a day tirelessly. According to the law, one nurse should serve eight to 10 clients so that the service can be of the required standard. As of now, a nurse serves between 30 to 50 clients. This has led to many nurses to experience back pain. She requested for addition of nurses and health workers generally to have the situation contained. PRESIDENT Hussein Mwinyi has promised to take tough measures against any official who will dare to violate principles in the implementation of Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF) and the Property and Business Formalization Program (MKURABITA) programs. President Mwinyi sounded the warning during his meeting with Mr Mohamed Omary Mchengerwa- State Minister (Public Service Management and Good Governance) who paid-a-courtesy call at Zanzibar State House. He said TASAF and MKURABITA are intended to support the poor and improve the well-being of people engaged in small businesses, but there have been complaints against biases and dishonesty in the implementation. Mr Mchengerwa was in the isles for a familiarization tour. Dr Mwinyi argued that because of its small size compared to the mainland, Zanzibar stands a chance of performing better and record success should all executives engaged in TASAF and MKURATIBA perform their duties diligently. On employment opportunities, Dr Mwinyi commended Mr Mchengerwa for his ongoing efforts to ensure that Zanzibaris get their share as per regulations. Zanzibar is entitled to get 21 percent of the available jobs, while Tanzania mainland gets the remaining 79 percent. In response to the president's comments, Mr Mchengerwa promised to ensure that people in Zanzibar benefit from TASAF, MKURABITA, and Job opportunities. "We are supposed to share everything in accordance to the constitution and regulations," he noted. The Second Vice President, Mr Hemed Suleiman Abdulla also warned executives on mismanagement and embezzlement of TASAF fund, declaring zero tolerance on whoever will be implicated, "We promise to make a follow-up in all stages." TASAF Executive Director, Mr Ladislaus Mwamanga said Zanzibar has done well in the past phases of the program implementation, and that more than 112bn/- has been allocated for the current phase of implementation to cover remaining families in 204 lower level administrative areas (Shehia). Kigali. Rwanda's ruling party, has emphasized the importance of the continued collaboration between Zimbabwe and Rwanda in deepening collaboration in the spirit of furthering the liberation struggle of the African people. The secretary-general of the Rwanda Patriotic Front-Inkotanyi, Francois Ngarambe, made the remarks after meeting Zimbabwe's ambassador to Rwanda, Ambassador Charity Manyeruke at the RPF-Inkotanyi headquarters in Kigali. Ngarambe said that RPF-Inkotanyi and ZANU-PF have a lot in common, a relationship that both countries can exploit to advance the common struggle of the liberation of the wider Africa, which he said is a continuous process. Ngarambe thanked Ambassador Manyeruke for the courtesy call, saying there is so much that both countries can do - both under the state-to-state framework and on the party basis of being the ruling parties in the respective countries to advance the welfare of their peoples. "Through our party-to-party cooperation, there is much we can do to advance bilateral relations between both our countries in the interest of our people," he said. "We want to see growth in bilateral trade and other areas of cooperation." The RPF-Inkotanyi secretary-general promised Ambassador Manyeruke all the support she will need in her mandate adding that as the ruling party in Rwanda, they will continue following up on the implementation of bilateral projects agreed upon between the two countries."I take this opportunity to ask the people of Zimbabwe currently living in Rwanda to feel at home," Ngarambe said. Ambassador Manyeruke thanked Rwanda President, Paul Kagame, who is also the chairman of RPF-Inkotanyi, for his continued advocacy to have the international economic sanctions against Zimbabwe lifted."It speaks to African solidarity espoused by President Kagame," she said. Concerning bilateral ties, Ambassador Manyeruke said much has been achieved since the two countries committed to enhancing bilateral ties that saw each deploying a resident ambassador in either capital. "So far, we have signed six bilateral agreements in different areas of cooperation with more to follow. I promise to do my best during my tenure to advance these ties," she said, adding that many more areas of cooperation were still being explored. - New Times. The Seychelles' health authority is convinced that the COVID vaccines being administered to its population are effective, a top official said Thursday. The Public Health Commissioner, Jude Gedeon, told a press conference that so far the island nation has not registered a case where someone who had both doses has passed away. "What people are not realising is that if we had not reached the vaccination rate we are now, our situation would have been much worse," he said. Seychelles currently has 2,739 active cases of COVID-19 and has recorded 32 deaths. A total of 69,708 people out of the target population of 70,000 has received the first dose of either Sinopharm or Covishield, amounting to 99.6 percent of the goal, while 61,360 people have received both doses. The island nation in the western Indian Ocean rolled out its vaccination programme in January. The health authority has confirmed that it has not excluded a possible booster shot for Sinopharm but that will be based on the guidance from the World Health Organisation. The Public Health Commissioner also announced that very soon the Russian-made Sputnik vaccine will be rolled out now that Seychelles has received information on its certificate of analysis. Gedeon said that the Sputnik vaccine is stored at -18 degrees Celsius and once it is defrosted has to be administered within two hours. This will mean that the vaccine will be administered on the main island of Mahe only. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Seychelles Coronavirus By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. The chief executive of the Health Care Agency, Danny Louange, said that the "priority will be health workers who have not been able to take other vaccines and other essential workers. This will be done by appointment as the vaccine has a very tight cold chain that we have to maintain. So will we know exactly how many people will be vaccinated at a given time. We will announce very soon." On the increase in COVID cases despite the high vaccination rates, Gedeon said that this came up in a WHO press briefing in Geneva. "WHO said that if necessary, they will relook at everything and we have already done the groundwork for a new assessment to find out what is going on. We have some ideas but when you have international people looking at it, it makes it transparent," said Gedeon. He added that more samples are being taken to send for testing in the coming days to ascertain if there are any other variants in the island nation. document The U.S. Department of State, through the Providing Opportunities for Women's Economic Rise (POWER) Initiative, and in partnership with Google's Women Techmakers, will host the Women Tech Founders Kick Off: #LoopHerIn on May 17, 2021 to launch the Women Tech Founders Program. Over the course of 4 weeks, the Women Tech Founders Program will provide skills training for 50 women tech founders from the Middle East and North Africa, with a focus on UAE, Egypt and Bahrain. The #LoopHerIn event will feature a panel discussion on how governments can support women's tech entrepreneurship, with participation by Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of State for Advanced Technology from United Arab Emirates, Dr. Rania Al Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation from the Arab Republic of Egypt, and Hala al-Ansari, Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Women of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The panel will be followed by a fireside chat with two tech pioneers, Rania Atef and Rola Fayyad, who will discuss their journey and achievements as tech founders of Make This! and Viavii respectively. Google Women Techmakers Ambassador Rayan Al Zahab will moderate the event, and opening remarks will be provided by Ambassador Jonathan Cohen from US Embassy Cairo, Charge d'Affaires Maggie Nardi from US Embassy Manama, Charge d'Affaires Sean Murphy from US Embassy Abu Dhabi, and Acting Assistant Secretary Peter Haas from the State Department's Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs. The event will be open to the public and broadcast on YouTube live. Registration is open now: https://forms.gle/Y26RpPDJJfd5v7Ve9 Dar es Salaam The Kisutu Magistrate's court has acquitted former Director General of Medical Store Department (MSD), Laurean Bwanakunu and former Logistical Director Byekwaso Tabura after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) dropped charges against them. The two were first arraigned on June 5, at the Kisutu Resident Magistate Court facing five charges of economic sabotage occasioning the department a Sh3.8 billion loss and Sh1.6 billion money laundering. Prosecution then claimed that between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2019 while in Dar es Salaam and other areas within the United Republic of Tanzania, Mr Bwanakunu intentionally led a criminal gang. In the second count committed between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2019, the suspects occasioned Sh3.8 billion loss to MSD while at the department's Keko offices. It was also alleged in the third count that Mr Bwanakunu faced charges of abuse of power an offense claimed to have been committed at the MSD Keko offices between July 1, 2016 and June 30 2019. "He intentionally violated the Public Procurement Act by increasing salary and allowance to MSD staffs without permission of the permanent secretary responsible for public services, therefore occasioning the department a Sh3 billion loss," prosecution claimed then said. In the fourth count the suspects are collectively accused for poor storage of medicines and medical supplies leading to damages, hence occasioning a loss of Sh85 million. The suspects were collectively accused of Sh1.6 billion money laundering in the fifth count after receiving an advance payment that came from involvement in a criminal activity. In justifying Tanzania's decision to adopt the ujamaa ideology, Mwalimu Nyerere argued that ujamaa - literally familyhood - was natural to African communities, and that when these communities were faced with issues, they met and discussed those issues out in what Mwalimu called an example of "African democracy". The subject of what constitutes being African and, particularly, being Tanzanian, came to mind after the launch of the autobiography by Retired President Ali Hassan Mwinyi entitled Mzee Rukhsa: Safari ya Maisha Yangu on May 8, 2021, the day the Simba-Yanga no-match debacle occurred. While that unfortunate Simba-Yanga business threatened to overshadow the book event - and I maintain that Yanga were incredibly lucky to escape total annihilation that day - many a people on social media expressed the sentiment that Mzee Mwinyi is a muungwana. Even though that was not part of the general discussion, it appeared that many people felt compelled to communicate that fact. The word muungwana or uungwana is one of those good Swahili words which have not lost their currency over time. Experts say that it is Arabic in origin with strong Islamic undertones. A muungwana is a person that is civilised, which, in Arabic context, implies civilisation through faith. For native English speakers, calling someone a muungwana is akin to calling one an "Oxford gentleman" - that highly cultured individual, who dedicates himself to learning, cultivating good manners, and displaying consideration to whom that is due. The opposite is to say that one is a bastard - mean, rude, inconsiderate and uncivilised, The Swahili call him mshenzi. The image of one George Wickham in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice comes to mind. Whichever way you take it, uungwana communicates high praise indeed, and ushenzi communicates the worst qualities that can be found in a person. Now, while many Tanzanians' view of Mwinyi's presidency is generally positive, where his rukhsa - just do it - approach is credited for improving people's lives following the inevitable collapse of the Nyererean ujamaa experiment, statistics reveal, however, that Mwinyi presided over a calamitous 60 percent decline of Tanzania's GDP between 1986 and 1995, a fact which raises many questions about his performance in office. But people's characterisation of Mwinyi as muungwana transcends his politics - that is a quality they ascribe to him as a person. Why does this strike a chord with many people? I propose, like Nyerere, that it is because uungwana is an innately Tanzanian quality - people recognise it because it used to permeate our communities where many elders still tell stories of acts of random kindness from complete strangers. In 2001, a man from Butiama, where my grandfather used to work as a teacher during Nyerere's times, came to visit him when he was at my father's place. The man said that he had dropped out when he was in primary school and, if my grandfather hadn't walked across two villages to go to his home to get him back, that's where he would have ended. He came to greet him, and to say thank you. My grandfather didn't live long afterwards, but such are the stories that characterised those times. That said, that doesn't mean that Tanzania didn't have people who were not waungwana - of course, there were. There were even leaders who didn't embody that great quality, and one may argue that one Dr Wilbert Kleruu, the regional commissioner who was shot dead by Saidi Mwamwindi in Iringa, is a good example of that. Nonetheless, the forces of good, especially as embodied by our elders and leaders such as Mzee Mwinyi and Mwalimu Nyerere, counteracted the dark forces. But that has changed dramatically in the past five years. One can argue that the advent of materialism has elevated material gains over human qualities, but I submit that the past five years have been characterised by a trend that is so ominous, so un-Tanzanian, that it needs to be arrested immediately - that of leaders assuming that it is okay to behave in an ungentlemanly manner because they are apparently safeguarding public interests! In other words, the dark forces have taken a free reign under the guise of protecting the downtrodden - wanyonge. What has been witnessed is truly shocking. Birds burned alive. An ex-minister publicly threatened with a gun. An RC ordering MPs to vacate "his" region, or else. Opposition leader being shot and gravely wounded. A mayor ordering others to expose themselves to a deadly disease by removing their masks. Public officials being punished by doing squats and push-ups. And, lately, a DC who ordered the arrest of an advocate because, well, he was representing his client! The tale is long - and saddening. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Tanzania Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. How did we descend into a nation of - well - bastards? How did we come to believe that politics or power is a licence to be as arrogant, as inconsiderate, and as disrespectful as possible? It is important to reflect on what some of our leaders have done since Mwinyi and company left office. Leaders don't just occupy office - they influence behaviour and shape the nation. When men of morally manoeuvrable character are at the helm, they inspire the worst qualities in others, and the consequences can be dire. Therefore, having role models like Mzee Mwinyi is important since they provide a contrast which might lead to the rediscovery of the soul of this nation which, for years, has been shamelessly trampled upon. Long live, Mzee Rukhsa! Charles Makakala is a Technology and Management Consultant based in Dar es Salaam Press Release May 14, 2021 Hontiveros to Palace: Retract defeatist statements on WPS, set record straight Senator Risa Hontiveros called on Malacanang to retract its numerous defeatist statements regarding the West Philippine Sea and the territorial dispute with China. She stressed that the Palace should set the record straight immediately, especially since 287 Chinese maritime militia vessels are still scattered around the WPS, according to the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea. The task force also reported that the Philippine Coast Guard was illegally shadowed by the Chinese Coast Guard around Bajo de Masinloc. "Bakit kung makapagsalita sila sa Palasyo ay para na silang mga talunan? Bawiin nila dapat yan dahil China lang ang nasisiyahan at nakikinabang sa mga pahayag na ganyan. Kaya siguro hindi mahikayat umalis yung higit 200 na mga barkong nagkalat sa WPS dahil naririnig yang mga sinasabi ng Palasyo," Hontiveros said. The senator's words come after a flurry of pessimistic pronouncements: first, from President Duterte, who said that the 2016 Arbitral Award is just 'a piece of paper' that he can throw away; and more recently, from Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, who said that the Philippines has never been in possession of Julian Felipe Reef. "Hindi malinaw sa lahat kung bakit hindi pumapalag ang Palasyo sa pang-aabuso ng China. Nadadamay ang buong bansa sa toxic relationship ng mag-bestfriend na ito. The Filipino people know we deserve better," the senator added. The senator also called for better coordination among government agencies when it comes to the WPS issue. While Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddyboy Locsin ordered the lodging of another diplomatic protest over the recent report of the NTF-WPS, he lamented that the task force should have informed the DFA on the presence of Chinese vessels first before releasing a statement to the media. Earlier, Locsin had also told Roque to leave foreign affairs discussions to him, after Roque downplayed the presence of Chinese vessels over Julian Felipe Reef. Chinese coast guard ships shadowed and challenged the vessels of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) near the Bajo de Masinloc in Zambales. "Hindi pwedeng iba-iba at bara-bara ang posisyon at aksyon natin. We are trying to assert our claim against a rising regional power that has never wavered in its irreverence for basic courtesy and international law. We must show a united front against the threats of China," the senator said. "We need to harmonize our statements and actions. Sikapin nating magkasundo ang mga boses natin dahil iisa lang naman talaga dapat ang ating ipinagsisigawan-- atin ang West Philippine Sea. Atin ang Pinas," Hontiveros concluded. Renowned opposition figures stayed mute while little was heard- from outspoken activists in the nation as Mr Yoweri Tibuhaburwa Kaguta Museveni took oath, extending his presidency to four decades on Wednesday. Running on a victory he bagged through a contested January 14 election, the President on May 12 said "elections are over! Let us get down to work, so as to chase poverty from your homes." "Engage in commercial agriculture, counting profitability, industries and services," he urged. The runner-up, Mr Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine was unobtrusively out of sight and seemingly out of voice by closure of the ceremony at Kololo with his National Unity Platform (NUP) party members opting for Godly intervention. "We had planned national prayers but security forces disrupted everything. Bobi Wine is okay. Mr Museveni is a coward," NUP spokesperson, Mr Joel Ssenyonyi told this reporter on Wednesday through a phone interview moments after Mr Museveni had taken oath. Mr Museveni's fierce critic and four-time presidential candidate, Dr Kizza Besigye who is currently out of the country last made a Tuesday condemnation of the inauguration from abroad saying "we keep pushing to subdue the gun rule to people rule." Related Activist Dr Stella Nyanzi carried frustration and voiced uproar on social media all day. "Go ahead and shoot us dead like you have murdered myriads of poor Ugandans. Shoot us for another five years but we shall never embrace you," she said. Mr Museveni's inauguration, perhaps the climax of Uganda's election season that claimed over 50 lives in just two days in November last year following the arrest of Bobi Wine in Luuka District, kept Kampala under escalated military surveillance and patrols. Following remarks from his critics that seem to delegitimise his victory which followed a spate of arrests of opposition candidates and supporters, the 76-year-old veteran leader who assumed power through a guerrilla war in 1986 seems unbothered. "It is quite laughable to try to give lectures on democracy to architects of such systems. We neither need nor seek any approbation from anybody outside Uganda except our peers from the African Union (AU)," Mr Museveni said to a cheering crowd of over 5,000 guests, including 11 African heads of state and 33 foreign dignitaries who graced the event at Kololo ceremonial grounds. On the eve of the swearing ceremony, Bobi Wine claimed massive arrest of National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters but said they "shall overcome." As Gen. Museveni prepares to illegally swear himself in tomorrow, abductions of Ugandans have intensified. Yesterday Gordon Ssebagala, our comrade was abducted by heavily armed operatives in plain clothes! His whereabouts are unknown. There must be accountability for these crimes pic.twitter.com/PcT4uGiqqK - BOBI WINE (@HEBobiwine) May 11, 2021 Police Spokesperson Fred Enanga, on May 10, echoed claims that the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party nonconformists were planning a counter-swearing in event, a claim opposition members dismissed as schemes by the security forces to hoodwink Mr Museveni into giving them more money under the guise of intensifying security. "We are serious people. We shall swear in from Kololo after we have deposed dictator Museveni. They (security forces) are just scheming ways of fleecing government revenue," Mr Ssenyonyi said. Mr Ssenyonyi said the "plight of Ugandans will definitely worsen as Museveni invests in military-might to "illegally consolidate power while ruthlessly suppressing dissent." Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Uganda Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. President Museveni in his inauguration speech also blasted as idiotic- the push for African leaders to align with specific foreign powers. "When I had just assumed power, some people would ask me; are you pro-east or pro-west? Idiots!!! I'm pro-Africa. How about being pro-myself!" Mr Museveni said, adding that Africa must find adhesive-gravity. "Where is the economic and strategic centre of gravity of the African race? Everywhere, black people are suffering. It is partly on account of lacking this centre of gravity. Nobody cares about us," the newly sworn president remarked. But as he embarks on the new term and continue making promises, Mr Museveni who has been in power for 35 years has several changes ahead of him, some of which include finding solutions to increasing corruption, land grabbing and youth unemployment, amongst others. President Museveni yesterday exhorted Africans to unite and build capacity and, where necessary, confront the West's meddling and aggression on the continent militarily. Speaking behind bullet-proof glass frames, the Ugandan leader revealed for the first time publicly that he and the then South African President Jacob Zuma clandestinely schemed to counter the invaders of Libya in 2011. "When some actors started attacking Libya against the decision of the African Union, I contacted H.E. Jacob Zuma of South Africa for African armies, that so decided, to intervene in Libya and confront and teach a lesson to those aggressors," he said, reading from a prepared speech. He added: "We were let down by Muammar Gaddafi who abandoned Tripoli (the Libyan capital) without a fight. Although, at that time, I did not have direct link with Muammar Gaddafi, I advised his envoy who came to see me, to turn Tripoli into a Stalingrad." Stalingrad is a town southwest of Russia where an estimated three million people perished in a fierce and protracted battle between Russians and Nazi Germany forces during World War II. Mr Museveni, in yesterday's speech in Kampala, said, without providing specifics, that he and President Zuma, worked out a "solution for the air-craft and cruise missiles that attack defenceless people from far away, so that if the aggressors so wished, [they] could come on the ground and we fight man to man". Libya crisis France and the United Kingdom, without the United Nations express authorisation, led a bombing campaign to oust Gaddafi against African Union's proposal for dialogue. Former United States President Barack Obama, who said they led the operation from the rear, regretted toward the end of his tenure that they had no post-Gaddafi plan for Libya now in the throes of unending conflict. The country has had no stable central government in a decade, with parts under rebel factions while a UN-installed administration has limited control in a way that exposes the limits of military might in resolving political questions. At the start of the onslaught, President Museveni was among AU High-Level Panel members mandated to mediate in the conflict, but a plane carrying them to Tripoli was turned away by western allies enforcing a no-fly zone over the north African country. In accounts offered yesterday, Mr Museveni, who has a record of deploying Ugandan militaries on tasking operations such as against al-Shabaab in Somalia, said they were poised for a counter-offensive only if Gaddafi had a stranglehold over Libya for some days. "Unfortunately, the Libyans collapsed quickly ... I can reveal to you now, that those actors, had a narrow escape," he said, adding, "By-passing the African Union, is not acceptable when it comes to dangerous strategic African issues." Mr Museveni yesterday blamed the aggressors for the current mayhem, "concomitant suffering" and "haemorrhage" in Libya and its neighbours on the "arrogant and irresponsible actions of some actors that took actions that were against the express position of the African Union". Gaddafi, who had ruled for 42 years, was bombed out by the West following localised demonstrations during the Arab Spring. The President said unlike actors, who are constantly looking for enemies to fight, including arbitrary proclamation and targeting as enemies of people they disagree with, Africans do not frame others but will fight to defend itself. Mr Museveni, who won a re-election in January with 58 per cent, a victory that places him on course to rule for 40 years, spoke extensively about Africa and its defence, rather than Uganda, at what was largely a domestic function. He emphasised that Africa must find a "centre of gravity", as the US is to the West or Russia to the Balkans, in order to insure its future and generations. "We have no interest in fighting anybody except poverty and under-development in Africa, starting with Uganda," he added. Turning to domestic issues, Mr Museveni declared the elections, whose results his closest challenger, Mr Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, has rejected, "over" and chaperoned Ugandans to return to work. He said in the new financial year, starting July 1, the government has allocated Shs464 billion to help hotels, performing arts, boda bodas, and sportsmen most wrecked by the pandemic. The recapitalised Uganda Development Bank (UDB), according to the President, will offer low-interest loans for manufacturers, agricultural entrepreneurs among other enterprises. He pointed out that money is in ICT, commercial agriculture and service sectors. The residual lockdown measures, such as ban on discotheques, will be removed only after 4.8 million people receive Covid-19 jabs, Mr Museveni said, a tall order considering that only 375,283 people in Uganda have to-date been inoculated since official launch of nationwide vaccination on March 10. The country's scientists, Mr Museveni said, had discovered some treatment for the pandemic and are on course to find a vaccine for all Covid-19 variants and the government plans to build a factory ahead of possible production. According to the President, his government will in the new term skirt bureaucrats and channel a constellation of poverty alleviation funds - youth, women, Emyooga and Operation Wealth Creation - directly to communities (under the Parish Model) who will set guidelines for access and pick beneficiaries. At the function, about 5,000 guests were treated to scintillating military ground parade and air parade, alternatively called fly past, during which MI-17, MI-24, Cessna-172 and Cessna Cravan (208) as well as Russian-made Sukhoi Su-30 multirole interdiction jets of Uganda People's Defence Forces Airforce flew over the crown in diamond formations. The highlight of the sky manoeuvres was when an MI-24, principally an attack chopper, also used for air interdiction and combat air patrol, hovered over Kololo Ceremonial Grounds to sling insert Special Forces commandos in an enactment of war scenario in which commandos have to be dropped in enemy territory for sting operation. The aircraft displayed yesterday perform varied battle functions, from VIP and cargo transportation to surveillance and combat functions, including defence and attack capabilities. State Minister of Finance for investment Evelyn Anite: I congratulate my President because this has been a long journey. We started this journey not from election day but from amending the Constitution. If the Constitution was not amended, we were not going to have the President sworn in today. The reason we were fighting to amend the Constitution is what he said exactly today. We are searching for the central gravity of Africa. He is the only leader who fights for African integration. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Uganda Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Misa Kabanda, clinical officer and politician: The ideas are good but key players are not there. If he had key players, they would act on his behalf. Everybody is there for themselves. To reach the extent that the President talked about, someone committed must be there. If you do not know a minister to connect you, you will not get where to take those materials. It means you have to get a middleman who is going to charge you highly. Finance Minister Matia Kasaija: Once we are integrated, we are now a surplus country, we shall get the markets. We have so many things especially from agriculture which we can't consume alone in Uganda. Continental integration will help a lot. We are organising farmers in saccos and cooperatives so that when they produce the primary product, we facilitate them to add value and sell it. Trade Minister Amelia Kyambadde: We have negotiated regional market. The continental market is where we are going to focus on this kisanja. We are going to improve the quality." Lands Minister Beti Kamya: The President talked about the weaknesses as Africa that we are vulnerable so people do not take us seriously because we are vulnerable. The only solution is to get together as Africa. He promised to support bibanja holders to have security on the land. We are in the process of strengthening land laws to ensure more security of tenure of small land owners who are victimised. pahimbisibwe@ug.nationmedia.com press release White contractors airlifted to safety before local Black people Hotel manager took two dogs on rescue helicopter, leaving people behind Exclusive satellite imagery reveals damage following attack Survivors of an attack by the armed group known locally as 'Al-Shabaab' in Mozambique's Cabo Delgado told Amnesty International that white contractors were prioritized for evacuation ahead of Black locals, in disturbing testimony that points to blatant racism. An estimated 220 civilians sought refuge in the Amarula Palma Hotel in Palma, during an attack that started on 24 March. Of these, around 200 were Black nationals, and about 20 were white contractors. In the days that followed, South African private military company Dyck Advisory Group (DAG) rescued some from the hotel. While the white contractors were prioritized to be airlifted to safety, the Black nationals were left to fend for themselves. After the majority of the white contractors and a few well-off Black nationals - among them the Administrator for Palma - were rescued, those left behind attempted to flee by ground convoy but were ambushed by 'Al-Shabaab'. "Witnesses told us of racial discrimination in decisions about who to evacuate from the Amarula hotel," said Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International's Regional Director for East and Southern Africa. "These are alarming allegations that the rescue plan was racially segregated, with white contractors obviously receiving preferential treatment. "The total lack of co-ordination between the Mozambique security forces and Dyck Advisory Group resulted in evacuations that were racist, and must be thoroughly investigated." Palma attack The fighting in the port town of Palma followed a pattern similar to previous 'Al-Shabaab' attacks investigated by Amnesty International: following the initial assault, the Mozambique security forces failed to protect civilians and fled, leaving DAG operatives to operate independently. Amnesty International interviewed 11 people who sought refuge in the Amarula hotel, including five who later survived the convoy attack. They all said that the hotel manager and DAG operatives, who were in charge of the rescue attempt, prioritized the safety of white contractors over local Black people. Initially, survivors understood there was a plan to prioritize the helicopter evacuation of women, children, and people with disabilities. However, that plan was apparently abandoned in the days that followed. One survivor told Amnesty International: "We were about 220 people trapped there in the hotel - we [local Black people] were the majority, and the whites were supposed to be about 20. After the rescue and escape, we were about 170 people still alive. Most of the whites were rescued by helicopters, before we left the hotel by car." Another survivor said: "We didn't want all white people to be rescued, because we knew that if all the whites left, we would be left there to die. We heard them talking about the plan to take all the whites and leave the Blacks." Several witnesses said the manager of the Amarula hotel took advantage of the chaotic situation to take his two German Shepherd dogs to safety via helicopter, leaving people behind. One survivor said: "If the dogs hadn't gone, about two or three more people could have gone on the helicopter. That dismayed people because some women didn't get in the helicopter because of the dogs." The helicopters could only transport six people at a time, and made a total of four trips. "Terrified locals knew that the rescue of white people first would mean they were abandoned to face 'Al-Shabaab' by themselves," said Deprose Muchena. "The fact that the hotel manager chose to rescue his dogs instead of people is also extremely shocking, and further proof of the lack of respect for human life that has characterized the Cabo Delgado conflict." Convoy ambushed After the helicopters had departed, those left behind decided to risk leaving the hotel in a convoy of cars. They aimed to travel to Quelinde beach, where they hoped to catch a boat to Afungi. However, they were almost immediately ambushed by 'Al-Shabaab' fighters who had been lying in wait. One survivor told Amnesty International: "The insurgents - when they saw the cars coming out in the backyard - started shooting. The road was full of holes that the insurgents had dug to prevent the cars from passing." Another survivor added: "They shot at our car; [it] flipped over. I was injured, the bazooka almost hit my head. We left the road and stayed in the woods for six days, without eating or drinking water. We managed to get to the beach and catch a boat to go to Afungi, where we got help." Two boat trips then transported survivors from Quelinde to Afungi. The first trip took about 60 people, including all the remaining white contractors; the second trip on the following day took about 70 Black local people. Survivors told Amnesty International that there was a disagreement between the Mozambique security forces and DAG regarding who was responsible for rescuing people. The breakdown in communication meant the civilian survivors were essentially abandoned to flee for their lives, having been left at the mercy of 'Al-Shabaab'. "Once again during the Cabo Delgado conflict, the inhumane approach taken by both the Mozambique authorities and DAG has caused untold harm," said Deprose Muchena. "Despite similar previous attacks by 'Al-Shabaab', this is the first instance we are aware of a rescue mission being attempted - and it was only when white contractors were deemed to be at risk. "Abandoning people during an armed assault simply because of the colour of their skin is racism, and violates the obligation to protect civilians. This cannot go unanswered." Ministry of Defence response In a meeting with Amnesty International on 7 May, the Mozambique Ministry of Defence said they could only speak about rescue missions that their own forces had conducted in Cabo Delgado, and that race was not a factor in their response. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Mozambique Conflict NGO By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Exclusive satellite imagery obtained by Amnesty International from 1 April revealed the extent of damage caused by the attack on Palma, that lasted until 31 March. The assault concentrated on public infrastructure and government facilities, rather than homes. On 9 April, satellite imagery showed 33 more structures - likely homes - had been destroyed since 1 April when the Mozambique security forces had reportedly regained control of the region. In total, 85 structures were visibly damaged, most likely by fire. This aligns with previous Amnesty International research that indicated the Mozambique security forces have conducted reprisals against the civilian population once 'Al-Shabaab' have retreated. Cabo Delgado conflict Cabo Delgado has suffered neglect and under-investment for decades, a problem exacerbated by natural disasters and the spread of COVID-19 across the region. The area is rich in natural gas, rubies, graphite and timber, leading international companies to compete for access to the region. Fighting has intensified since 'Al-Shabaab' attacked the northern port town of Mocimboa da Praia in October 2017. In a recent report, Amnesty International highlighted how hundreds of civilians in Cabo Delgado have been unlawfully killed by 'Al-Shabaab', government security forces and DAG. The organization is calling for an urgent investigation into these killings, which may amount to war crimes. press release Three transgender women assaulted after being lured to a bar in capital Cotonou Videos of attack posted on social media and support groups targeted with threats 'This assault must prompt the authorities to take stronger measures to protect transgender and intersex people' - Fabien Offner The authorities in Benin must take immediate action to protect transgender people and the groups that defend them after three trans women were forced to undress and were then beaten and robbed by a group of men at a bar in the capital of Cotonou, Amnesty International said today. The attack, which took place on the night of 30 April, was filmed by the assailants who then posted the video on social media. After being assaulted, the victims - Kani, Fati and Jennifer - sought refuge at a local transgender association but continued to receive threats. Fabien Offner, Amnesty International's West Africa researcher, said: "This assault on three transgender women must prompt the authorities to take stronger measures to protect transgender and intersex people - as well as all the human rights defenders that speak out for them. "They must also ensure victims of such violations have access to the help they need to ensure they live in a safe environment. The perpetrators of this assault must also be identified and prosecuted." Victims of a trap The three transgender women told Amnesty they were victims of a trap set by a "friend", who had invited them out under the pretence of attending a "birthday party" in a bar they visited regularly. Following their arrival, it became clear the party was not going to take place. Their "friend" was moving in and out of the bar while men they had never met came to sit next to them, observing them closely. One of the three women told Amnesty: "Our 'friend' asked Fati to join him outside the bar. She then realised that he was no longer waiting for her outside. Two men started assaulting Fati and stealing her belongings after asking her if she was a man or a woman. "We wanted to go out to join her, but the door had been closed. We couldn't run away or help Fati. The door was finally opened, and we were able to join her outside. I was asked if I'm a man or a woman. I didn't answer, then I said I'm a trans woman. The man who asked me the question didn't understand what I was saying. He then touched me and started slapping me when he saw that I had no breasts." She added: "They had started taking pictures of us. Then they threatened to undress us. They forced us to pull off our clothes. I screamed to ask them to take us to the police station, but they kept hitting me, then I tried to defend Fati, and someone hit me on the neck with a bottle of beer. "During all this time, people were filming and photographing us ... Finally, we were able to escape thanks to the taxi-motorcycle drivers." Distressing videos Amnesty has viewed several videos showing a noisy crowd of men in front of the three transgender women who were trapped against a wall, forced to undress, and prevented from hiding their genitals with their hands. A medical certificate belonging to one of the victims concluded that "severe bodily contusion is compatible with the abuse the patient claims to have suffered". Since the attack, the three women have been unable to return home. After the videos were posted on social media, some of their parents threatened to kill them. Other parents advised them to keep a low profile until interest around the video had died down. Support organisations besieged On the night of 1 May, two people broke into the premises of the association where the three victims had found refuge. They ran away when they were spotted by residents. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Women Human Rights NGO By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. The following day, a crowd gathered in front of the building, pointing at people entering and those exiting, leaving people feeling threatened. Other LGBTI rights associations across Benin that have stood up for the women have also received threats following the assaults. The president of one organisation told Amnesty: "Before the three were assaulted I was already insulted, and I never responded. The situation worsened after they were attacked as five members of the association including myself received threats. In the area where I live, I hardly go out, and my parents threatened to kick me out of the house, accusing me of being a 'damned child'." The president and founder of another LGBTI rights association told Amnesty that she received death and rape threats over the phone after she denounced the assault in a video posted on the association's Facebook page on 2 May. press release Kenyan national Malcolm Bidali was detained after giving presentation to gathering of trade union and civil rights groups Activist is under investigation for supposedly violating Qatar's security laws 'Malcolm has been on the frontline of the fight to reform Qatar's labour laws' - joint statement The Qatari authorities must urgently reveal the whereabouts of Malcolm Bidali, a Kenyan national who has been forcibly disappeared since 4 May, when he was taken from his labour accommodation for questioning by the state security service. Bidali is a security guard, blogger and activist who has been vocal about the plight of migrant workers like himself and has written for a number of online platforms. A week before his arrest, Bidali gave a presentation to a large group of civil society organisations and trade unions about his experience of working in Qatar. A coalition of organisations working on the rights of migrant workers in Qatar - Amnesty International, Business & Human Rights Resource Centre, FairSquare, Human Rights Watch, and Migrant-Rights.org - has contacted various Qatari authorities in the week since Bidali's detention. On 11 May, a joint letter was sent to the Qatari authorities, urging them to investigate Bidali's disappearance as a matter of urgency. Late yesterday (12 May), the Qatari government confirmed the activist had been detained and is under investigation for violating Qatar's security laws and regulations. However, the authorities have not yet disclosed his whereabouts. The five organisations said: "Since arriving in Qatar three years ago Malcolm has been on the frontline of the fight to reform Qatar's labour laws, including by writing about his experiences as a migrant worker in the country. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Labour Kenya Human Rights By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. "It has now been more than a week since anyone heard from Malcolm, and we are extremely concerned for his wellbeing and that he may have been detained in reprisal for his legitimate human rights work. "Despite our repeated requests to the Qatari authorities, we are still in the dark as to Malcolm's location and the exact reason for his detention. "We urge the authorities to disclose Malcolm's whereabouts, and ensure he is protected from torture and other ill-treatment. They must outline any internationally-recognisable offence against him and ensure his right to due process is fully respected, including ensuring he has legal assistance. "If Malcolm is detained solely for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression, he must be released immediately and unconditionally." Labour rights issues ahead of World Cup For many years, Amnesty has been pressing the Qatari authorities to reform rights for the very large number of migrant workers in the country. This has led to new measures being introduced ahead of next year's football World Cup. In March this year, Amnesty sent a four-page letter to FIFA President Gianni Infantino calling on the football body to take "urgent and concrete action" and "use the full extent of its influence" to urge Qatar to fulfil its programme of labour reforms before the World Cup kicks off at the end of next year. Yaounde, Cameroon Rights activists in Cameroon have condemned a five-year jail sentence given to two transgender women for "attempted homosexuality" and public indecency. A lawyer for the two, who were arrested for wearing women's clothing in a restaurant, say they are preparing an appeal. In a statement, Human Rights Watch describes the jail sentence issued by the court as harsh. Police arrested Njeuken Loic, also known as Shakiro, and Mouthe Roland, also known as Patricia, in the coastal city of Douala on February 8. Police said they were wearing typically female clothing while eating in a restaurant. Prosecutors charged them with attempted homosexual conduct, public indecency, and non-possession of their national identity cards. They pleaded not guilty to the charge of attempted homosexuality. Tamfu Richard, one of the lawyers defending Shakiro and Patricia, says justice was not done during the trial. "We consider the decision to be too severe against these accused persons because no evidence was produced before the court to sentence our clients on charges of attempted homosexuality, public indecency, non-possession of ID cards," Richard said. "So our next action will be to file an appeal before the appeal court and we hope that, before the court of appeal, we will be able to make sure justice is done at that level." HRW said that after Shakiro and Patricia were arrested in February, they were taken to the overcrowded Douala central prison, where they reported being beaten and insulted by guards and other inmates. Activists say that for transgender women, five years in a Cameroonian men's prison can amount to a death sentence. HRW calls on Cameroon authorities to release Shakiro and Patricia and vacate the charges immediately. Rights lawyer Alice Nkom says the sentence indicates how LGBTQ people continue to be persecuted in Cameroon. She says the international community should intervene to force Cameroon to respect the rights of its citizens. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Cameroon Legal Affairs Human Rights By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. "We are waiting to obtain a copy of the (court) decision to know the motivations that allow these results," Nkom said. "We have 10 days to file an appeal and the dateline of doing so expires on May 21. The judge did not apply any attenuating circumstance, neither the numerous violations of the laws, nor the violation of the general principle of law, nor the jurisprudence of the Supreme Court." HRW says Shakiro and Patricia are the latest victims of a system plagued by absolute disregard for the due process rights of people targeted based on sexual orientation or gender identity. It calls on Cameroon to repeal its anti-homosexuality laws and stop interfering in the private lives of Cameroonians. Contacted by phone, Cameron's Ministry of Communication and Government spokesperson, Rene Emmanuel Sadi, declined to comment on the sentence. Tunis/Tunisia The United Nations and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) launched on Tuesday an initiative to assist finance efforts to recover better as the world continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic. "Coming at a time when the global health and economic crisis have pushed millions of people into extreme poverty, Islamic social financing has the potential to provide urgently needed support for poverty alleviation, economic recovery, pandemic response, and sustainable development," the IsDB said. The initiative will include the International Dialogue on the Role of Islamic Social Financing in Achieving the SDGs, which will launch critical discussions including with global leaders and Islamic institutions on the role of Islamic social financing. "As the world comes to terms with the evident fragility of our socioeconomic systems, especially during the current pandemic, the tools of Islamic social financing provide an opportunity to usher in much needed resilience, said Mr. Bandar Hajjar, the President of the Islamic Development Bank Group, highlighting the significance of the International Dialogue on the role of Islamic social financing. I am confident that zakat, sadaqa, waqf and Islamic microfinance can help bring a grass-roots, inclusive and more resilient approach to development, and I look forward to working with our partners at the United Nations to mainstream these tools to meet pressing needs and achieve the SDGs," he added. According to the latest United Nations economic forecast, economic recovery, despite indicating modest progress compared to 2020, remains under threat amid surging COVID-19 cases and lagging vaccination in poorer countries, widening inequalities and setting back further progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - the global blueprint for ensuring a better future for all by 2030. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Tunisia Coronavirus By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. As we seek to overcome financial constraints, funding shortfalls and financing inequalities, we believe that Islamic social financing, itself built on the principles of fairness and justice, can open pathways to stimulate economic activity and promote social welfare, financial inclusion and shared prosperity, said Ms. Rola Dashti, the Executive Secretary of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia. Using the modern tools of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, including blockchain, fintech and artificial intelligence, we can better manage zakat, awqaf and Islamic microfinance, she added, calling for the International Dialogue to explore the possibility of establishing a regional zakat, waqf and sadaqa fund to support instant emergency relief for the most vulnerable and longer-term poverty eradication. The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, is expected to leave Ghana on Sunday, 16th May, for a nine (9) day official working visit to France, Belgium, and South Africa. These working visits are part of the efforts the President is making to re-engage with the rest of the world, following the onset of the pandemic, and highlight Ghana, once again, as a country with an impressive business-friendly atmosphere, with bright economic prospects for the future. To this end, President Akufo-Addo will attend, on 18th May, in Paris, France, a Summit on Financing African Economies, which is being convened by the French President, His Excellency Emmanuel Macron. The Summit, which will bring together several African and European leaders, and heads of international financial institutions, will devise strategies that will boost strong, inclusive recovery in Africa, grounded in a dynamic private sector, help foster sustainable progress and prosperity, and accelerate the green and digital transition in line with the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. In the wake of the devastating effects COVID-19 has had on the economies of all countries in the world, Africa, in particular, has been the hardest hit - having been in a recession last year, and its estimated economic recovery growth rate of 3.7% for 2021 well below the global economic recovery rate of 5.5%. This, according to many economic and financial experts, could worsen even further the problems of poverty and inequality for many Africans, a situation which leaders on the continent are keen to avoid. It is expected that a financial package will be devised to enable African countries overcome the economic impact of the COVID crisis. Participants are expected to agree on critical pro-growth reforms that are needed to enhance the private sector in Africa, and tap its growth potential with the help of local and international financial support, including through risk-sharing instruments dedicated to African entrepreneurs and SMEs, as well as appropriate technical assistance. The Summit will, hopefully, further agree on key common rules and enforcement mechanisms that will contribute to securing strong, sustainable growth in Africa. Whilst in Paris, the President is scheduled to have bilateral discussions with the President of the World Bank, and the Managing Director of the IMF, who will both be attending the Summit. President Akufo-Addo will, from Wednesday, 19th May, at the invitation of the President of the European Council, H.E. M. Charles Michel, be in Brussels, Belgium, to hold bilateral talks with the President and officials of the European Council, and meet with stakeholders committed to the partnership between Ghana and the European Union. The talks between the President and President Charles Michel are expected to centre on regional security, as well as on sustainability issues in the cocoa and fisheries sectors of Ghana, and their impact on relations between Ghana and the European Union. The President will, in turn, meet with the President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), Dr. Werner Hoyer, and participate in the ceremony for the signing of a one hundred- and sixty-million-euro (160 million) facility between EIB and the Ministry of Finance, towards the establishment of the National Development Bank. He will attend an investor conference in Brussels on Ghana, and also hold a meeting with Ms. Jutta Urpilainen, the EU Commissioner on International Co-operation, to discuss issues relating to the COVAX Facility, which is currently supplying COVID-19 vaccines to the country. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Coronavirus Business Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. On the last leg of his tour, President Akufo-Addo will, at the invitation of the Speaker, address the Fourth Ordinary Session of the Fifth Parliament of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), scheduled to take place on Monday, 24th May, in Johannesburg, South Africa. Deliberations of this Session will be guided by the African Union (AU) theme for 2021: "Year of the Arts, Culture and Heritage: Levers for Building the Africa We Want." President Akufo-Addo will be accompanied by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Minister for Finance, and officials of the Presidency and the Foreign and Finance Ministries. He will be joined in Brussels by the Minister for Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, the Minister for Food and Agriculture, and the Chief Executive Officer of COCOBOD. The President is expected to return to Ghana on Tuesday, 25th May. BUSINESMAN Ndama Hussein, alias "Mtoto wa Ng'ombe," and his co-accused Yusuph Hussein have revoked their request to enter into plea bargaining agreement with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to end the 345m/- economic trial they are facing. This was revealed at the Kisutu Resident Magistrate's Court in Dar es Salaam on Thursday by Advocate Peter Madeleka, for the two accused persons, when the case came for mention. He told Senior Resident Magistrate in Charge Godfrey Isaya that his clients have lost interest to end the trial through such arrangement. "We have decided to file an application before the High Court to challenge the validity of the charges against the accused persons. Therefore, we inform this court that the accused persons do not wish to proceed with the plea bargaining agreement," the lawyer said. He also opposed the request by the prosecution to have the matter adjourned to another date for mention. According to him, there was no stage of mention of case under the law and the prosecutor had not cited any provision of the law to support such a position. The advocate expressed his concern following the prosecution informing the court that investigations into the matter have not been completed. He submitted that under section 245 (4) (5) (6) of Criminal Procedure Act (CPA), the DPP filed the case having being satisfied that the investigations were complete. Earlier, Senior State Attorney Wankyo Simon, for the prosecution, requested the court to adjourn the trial for another mention date as the investigations into the matter have not been completed. He also submitted that the court lacked jurisdiction to either hear the case or give any order because the case against the accused persons falls under the Economic and Organized Crime Control Act. After hearing the parties, the magistrate adjourned the case to May 26, 2021 when he will deliver a ruling on the submissions raised. In the trial, the accused persons are facing six charges of forging different documents, obtaining money by false pretences and money laundering in a deal involving minerals with a Botswana national. It is alleged that on or before January 21, 2020 in Dar es Salaam, with intent to defraud, the two accused persons forged Safe Keeping Receipt purporting to show that Lockfort Security Company Limited received and stored 100 kilograms of raw gold from Samwel Kabula. The court heard that on or before March 5, 2020 in the city, the accused persons made a false Sale and Purchase Agreement between Cozac Logistics International Company Limited, a Tanzanian Company and Innovative Perspective, a Botswana Company. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Tanzania Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. It is alleged that the accused persons purported to show that Cozac Logistics company contracted to supply 500 kilograms of gold bars to Innovative Perspective (Pty) Limited for a price of 27,000 US dollars per kilogram, while it was untrue. The prosecution alleges further that on the same date and place, with intent to defraud, the duo made a false Transactions Guarantee for 450 kilograms of gold bars, purporting that Cozac Logistics International Company Limited undertakes to sell the gold in question to Innovative Perspectives Limited, while it was untrue. It is alleged that on or before September 18, 2020 in the city, with intent to defraud, the accused made a false Gold Identification and Purity Testing Report, purportedly showing that Southern and Eastern African Mineral Centre issued the same to Now Import and Exports (Pty) Limited. According to the prosecution, the latter company allegedly certified that 60 kilograms of gold bars tested and contained 97.24 percent to 97.71 percent gold purity, a fact which was not true. It is alleged that between January 1, 2020 and February 12, 2021 within the commercial city of Dar es Salaam, by false pretences and with intent to defraud, Ndama and Hassan obtained 150,000 US dollars- from Emanuel Motilhatlhedi, the representative of Innovative Perspective (Pty) Limited. The prosecution told the court that the two accused persons pretended to show that they would supply 500 kilograms of gold bars, the fact they knew to be false. The two accused persons were also charged with money laundering. The Gambia's President Adama Barrow has freed some 57 prisoners, a press release from the Ministry of Justice issued by the information ministry dated May 12, 2021 stated. The pardoned prisoners included 41 Gambians, 10 Senegalese, three (3) Conakry Guineans, two (2) Nigerians, and one (1) Indian. The government statement said the pardoned non-Gambians- 16 in number- would be repatriated immediately to their respective countries. It further said President Adama Barrow, "pursuant to the powers vested in him under Section 82 (1) (a) of the Constitution of the Republic of The Gambia, 1997 and the long-standing custom for the President to grant prerogative of mercy on deserving convicted prisoners, granted pardon to fifty-seven (57) prisoners in commemoration of the Muslim feast of Eid ul Fitr 2021 locally known as "Koriteh". President Abdel Fattah El Sisi exchanged Wednesday 12/5/2021 greeting cables with Arab and Muslim leaders on the occasion of Eidul Fitr (Lesser Bairam). In his cables, the President expressed heartfelt wishes of welfare, prosperity and stability to all Arabs and Muslims. President Sisi also extended his greetings to all Egyptians abroad, wishing them happiness, well-being and health. Meantime, Sisi received Eidul Fitr greetings from senior statesmen, expressing their sincere wishes to the president and more progress and prosperity to Egypt. President Abdel Fattah El Sisi greeted also Head of the Libyan Presidential Council Muhammad Al-Manfi on the occasion of Eidul Fitr, wishing Libya more progress and stability, Presidential spokesman Bassam Radi said. Manfi also greeted Sisi over Eidul Fitr. Gaborone The Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) has expressed concern about a May 8 Weekend Post story headlined 'Is Ralotsia a DIS target'. According to a DIS press release, the story falsely alleges that there are plans to unlawfully target and kill a certain Gaolaolwe Ralotsia for exposing corruption at Mass Media Complex. It says while it is not untypical for the Weekend Post to carry an article calculated to place the directorate in elaborate fabricated controversy, it is highly regrettable that a false impression is created that a citizen will be placed in mortal danger by a government institution for exposing corruption and wrongdoing. "The article, unfortunately, portrays the directorate as being so above the law that it would expend that magnitude of public resources willy-nilly on a single individual whose alleged fault is exposing corruption in a public institution. It is an established fact that the directorate is mandated to tackle the type of corruption and criminality being purportedly exposed in the Weekend Post article," says the release. If further says DIS director-general Brigadier (Rtd.) Peter Magosi has never missed an opportunity to demonstrate that combating corruption is one of his top priorities. In addition, it says the director-general continually engages mandate partners, community leaders and many Batswana on corruption - a growing and sophisticated scourge that the directorate plays an important role combating. The release notes that persons aggrieved by DIS enjoy full legal recourse in Botswana and are always at liberty to pursue their rights to the fullest extent. The directorate supports individuals with genuine complaints to pursue them through all available avenues as this also promotes accountability in the organisation, it says. It explains that DIS aspires to provide services in the best interest of the nation and continues to conduct itself professionally according to its established mandate. "The public is therefore encouraged to ignore the article from the Weekend Post as besides being untrue, serves to reduce the reputation of the directorate and sow unnecessary public discord," states the release. Source : BOPA Following a bloody electoral period marked my death, arrests and intimidation, renowned opposition figures and outspoken activists in Uganda remained mute as President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni took oath of office on Wednesday, extending his presidency to four decades. Running on a contested victory he clinched after the January 14 election, the president on May 12 declared: "Elections are over! Let us get down to work, so as to chase poverty from your homes." Opposition figures, including runner-up Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine snubbed the ceremony attended by Heads of State including President Uhuru Kenyatta (Kenya) and Samia Suluhu (Tanzania) at Kololo, with his National Unity Platform (NUP) party members opting instead to seek spiritual intervention. "We had planned national prayers but security forces disrupted everything. Bobi Wine is okay. Mr Museveni is a coward," NUP spokesperson, Mr Joel Ssenyonyi told the Daily Monitor on Wednesday morning. On the eve of the swearing ceremony, Wine spoke of mass arrests of NUP supporters and heavy security presence at his home. Another fierce critic and four-time presidential candidate, Dr Kizza Besigye, who is currently out of the country, recently condemned the inauguration. Activist Dr Stella Nyanzi voiced her frustration via her social media platform. "Go ahead and shoot us dead like you have murdered myriads of poor Ugandans. Shoot us for another five years but we shall never embrace you," she said. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Uganda Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Museveni's inauguration, which caps an election season that claimed over 50 lives in just two days in November last year, was a high-security affair. Kampala saw escalated military surveillance and patrols by security forces. Despite remarks from critics and political observers questioning his win after a bloody election season marred by death and arrests, the 76-year-old veteran leader appeared unbothered during his swearing in. "It is quite laughable to try to give lectures on democracy to architects of such systems. We neither need nor seek any approbation from anybody outside Uganda except our peers from the African Union (AU)," Mr Museveni said to a cheering crowd of over 5,000 guests, including 11 African heads of state and 33 foreign dignitaries who graced the event at Kololo grounds. But as he embarks on the new term and makes new promises, Museveni, who has been in power for 35 years, faces several hurdles including increasing corruption, a bloated public wage bill and youth unemployment, amongst others. Report by David Vosh Ajuna Nakasongola, Uganda The national association of veterinary doctors of Uganda (UVA) have advised the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry not to rush to conduct a livestock census without their input. In a statement, they said a hurriedly held census will be a waste of money and produce distorted results that will not be beneficial to improving standards in the sector. The Uganda Veterinary Association (UVA) also warned about dangers of the farther spread of Foot and Mouth Disease by enumerators walking around the whole country. "We are currently still battling out with the notorious Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) that has devastated our national herd. The solutions to FMD are yet to be resolved and instituted," UVA President Dr Daniel Kasibule wrote to the census implementing agency Uganda Bureau of Statistics. "We have notably realized that attention bas been given to SOPs ( Standard Operation Procedures) of COVID-19 but none to this livestock enigma. Other existing livestock epidemics like African Swine Fever (ASF), New Castle Disease (NCD) and Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) should also be considered while drawing the SOPs," Kasibule wrote. The State Minister of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries Bright Rwamirama early this month announced that The National Livestock Census, 2021 will be conducted from next week, May 17 to 28. It is planned to be conducted in all four cattle corridor areas of Western, Eastern, Central and Northern Uganda. The Minister said the National Livestock Census will ascertain a complete count of the country's livestock and its associated characteristics. The last Livestock census was conducted in 2008 & revealed that about 4.5 million households (70.8%) rear at least one kind of livestock or poultry in Uganda. Training for National Livestock Census supervisors and enumerators is already underway, but UVA said the scope of training is insufficient for an exercise like this. "Quality information that will be generated requires a minimum level of training that can understand production systems, different breeds, farm infrastructures, aspects of management of agricultural holdings disaggregated by sex etc. This will definitely require personal with higher animal related training, if not, will need training beyond the provided one week," wrote Dr Kasibule. A total of 32,486 Enumeration Areas (EAs) or villages will be covered in the whole country, 23,443 EAs in the 560 cattle corridor sub-counties while 9,043 EAs will be sampled & enumerated from the 961 non-cattle corridor sub-counties" Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Uganda Health By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Kasibule also added that, " It should be appreciated that the animal health workers understand the locations of the formers and their enterprises better; they are also in most cases already equipped with transport. They also easily appreciate the technical details of the census and their being end users of the generated information motivates them to gather accurate data." UVA warned that the census campaign has mainly been on social media, yet many veterinarians and ordinary farmers aren't complaint to this mode of communication. They advised that poultry, rabbits and piggery be included in the census and all cattle corridors be considered. We appreciated the issue of financial constraint leading into some districts conducting total census (Cattle corridor) while others do enumeration area surveys. However many catttle districts have been omitted for example Kayunga, Buyende and Kamuli. The paradigm shift in farming due to population increase leading to increase in poultry, rabbits and piggery should be considered. Total counts of these especially in leading districts like Kampala, Mukono, Wakiso, Masaka and Mpigi need to be considered. Kasibule concluded his letter by saying, "We pray that these concerns amongst others be considered as urgent for the smooth progress of this vital exercise." The Uganda Veterinary Association (UVA) is a Civil Society Organization of over 1,223 members with a mission of promoting professionalism, welfare and interests of members to foster better livestock service delivery. Nairobi Two people have been charged before Lodwar court Senior Principal Magistrate M. Mwangi court 1 with counts of smuggling sugar and beer worth Sh924,513 in taxes from Uganda. The two, Catherine Aninkoi and Nicodemus Ekeno were both jointly charged with importing restricted goods and that of conveying uncustomed goods both contrary to the East African Community Customs Management Act 2004. The two were arrested at Nadapal in Kaitese area in Lodwar on 22nd April after KRA officers intercepted their lorry while carrying 150 bags of sugar branded Mayuge each weighing 50kg each and 400 crates of beer branded Senator Lager of 500ml. The bags of sugar had been imported without import document and the bottles of Senator beer had been imported without the requisite licence or without being registered by the KRA Customs. The two traders pleaded not guilty to the offences and were released on bond of Sh800,000 or alternative bail of Sh200,000. The case will continue on 6th June 2021. Sugar and beer are restricted goods whose imports into the Country is regulated by relevant Government agencies, which require importers to obtain licences before importation. According to the Authority, importers avoid obtaining relevant documents in order to evade payment of taxes. "KRA is committed to ensuring that trade operations are only carried out by traders who abide by the laid down legislations and tax policies," KRA said in the statement. Abuja The federal government yesterday disclosed that two million doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine have been reserved for the second dose in the first phase of vaccination. It has also disclosed that soldiers will give vaccine shots to persons living in areas affected by insecurity. The Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib, who made these known yesterday during a virtual briefing organised by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (ACDC) on covid-19 response, noted that the vaccination with the second dose of the vaccine has started. He urged persons who have received their first dose of the vaccine to ensure they check their vaccination cards to know when they are due for their second jab. He said: "Vaccination is ongoing across all states. As of today 1,748,242 Nigerians have been vaccinated. This represents 86.9 percent of the number of Nigerians that have been targeted with the first those of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. "Due to the current increasing uncertainty in global vaccine supply which is facing our continents and most of the world, Nigeria's Presidential Steering Committee (PSC) made a strategic choice to utilise our current covid-19 supply to administer double dose rather than single doses. This will ensure that every Nigerian who receives a vaccine from our present supply, receives their second dose before the recommended time span between doses passes, which is between 6 to 12 weeks. "Administering these two doses of the vaccine within the recommended time frame is very important to ensure full inoculation benefits. "This means that with the current supply, we will fully inoculate roughly 2 million Nigerians rather than partially inoculate 4 million Nigerians. We are removing an element of risk that is becoming too high. "We have already started administering second doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. In addition to health workers, frontline workers aged 18 years and above, and persons aged 50 years and above are being advised to visit any designated vaccination site to receive their vaccine doses whether the first or the second dose "We are also advising that people who have received their first dose should check their vaccination cards for the date of the second dose, and ensure that they receive their second dose to gain full protection against covid-19." Shuaib added: "Concerning the number of doses that are left in Nigeria, what we did in Nigeria was to actually divide the four million doses into two compartments. "Just about 2 million Nigerians have gotten their vaccines, which is about 90 percent. But with the second doses, we are now beginning to vaccinate those people who already have the first dose, and have gone at least 6 weeks since they had the first doses. "Approximately, we have around 2 million doses that we plan to give exactly the same people that have taken their first doses, bearing in mind that we have to give an interval of six weeks to 12 weeks to make sure that we get the greatest response for these vaccines." On the issue of deploying soldiers to assist in vaccination, he said: "What we are doing in Nigeria is really learning from what was successful with the polio eradication programme. In 2020, Nigeria was declared wild poliovirus free. "One of the reasons we had a delay in eradicating the virus was because of the Boko Haram insurgency and the insecurity in the North East. "This made it difficult for health workers to access some settlements, and in some instances it was difficult to reach large communities. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Governance Nigeria Coronavirus By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. "We learnt our lesson from the polio eradication programme. In our planning for these security compromised areas, we engaged the military just like we did with polio. "With the polio eradication program, those areas that we could access, health workers and civilians were free to go and access the communities and ensure a comprehensive package of health services. "We did not go there with just polio vaccines, we went there with additional health services such as providing malaria treatment and nutritional interventions. "In those areas where due to insecurity, civilians and health workers will not go, we actually had military officers drop oral polio vaccines in the mouth of children in areas that are insecure. In the same vein, we have also mapped out strategies to make sure that the Military supports the vaccination of people in security compromised areas." The Office of the President Pro Tempore of the Liberian Senate has described as disinformation, misinformation, and an act of dishonesty that discussions were held and captured on audio on solicitation of funds to facilitate the authorization of the printing of a new family of Liberian Dollar Currency. This is unacceptable and a complete violation of professional ethics of journalism. A statement issued on Wednesday said the audio which is being played on Joy FM and its cohort stations is an old distorted, and disjointed audio played over and over last year by the very stations with similar intent to tarnish the good earned reputation of the Pro Tempore and the Liberian senate. "The discussion being referenced to was on budget issues, specifically the overdue payments of funds to the Senate and the President Pro Tempore's Office from their respective budget lines," the statement said. The statement also states that the matter of the very audio was reported to the Press Union of Liberia and the Liberia National Police in 2020. Meanwhile, President Pro Tempore Albert T Chie is calling on the Press Union of Liberia to investigate the matter. Senator Chie also expressed disappointment over the manner in which some journalists are misleading the public on the working of the Liberian Senate and urged journalists involved to desist. He reiterated that the repeated playing of an old distorted audio of a discussion of legitimate national budget lines payment held in April 2020 and now ascribed to demand for payments for the printing of new Liberian dollar banknotes a year later in 2021, is a wicked ploy intended to cast doubt on the CBL currency printing approval process which has been praised by the general public as excellent step by this Government to relieve them of mutilated Liberian Dollar banknotes. As part of efforts in ensuring local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) are fully empowered to fight Sexual Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), Harmful Practices (HP) and Promote Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in the country, medica-Liberia (mL) has provided a small grant to eight (8) Civil Society Organizations in five counties: namely Montserrado, Grand Cape Mount, Nimba, Lofa and Grand Gedeh Counties. According to the organization, the project is to strengthen the capacity of eight (8) Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) by providing them with resources/support to coordinate, monitor, and report on SGBV HP effectively, and SRHR issues at sub-national and community levels. The project builds on gains made during a previous UNDP Spotlight Initiative funded program, which medica Liberia implemented in 2019. The past project focused on the capacity assessment of selected CSOs based on recommendations from Gender Coordinators within the five Spotlight Initiative counties (Montserrado, Grand Cape Mount, Nimba, Lofa and Grand Gedeh Counties). Based on the gaps identified during the capacity assessment, the organization says training in SGBV, HP and SRHR was conducted for selected CSOs and stakeholders within their respective counties. Further, the selected CSOs were supported to develop organizational strategies that address SGBV, HP and SRHR. With support from the current project, a four-day workshop was held with the selected CSOs from May 4-7, 2021, to review and revise the strategic plans developed in 2019 and conduct refresher training on SGBV, HP and SRHR. At the end of the workshop, mL provided small grants to the eight (8) CSOs to implement the costed action plans. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Liberia Legal Affairs Human Rights By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Speaking at the close of the four days' workshop, medica Liberia Advocacy Officer, Atty. Yah Vallah Parwon indicated that the UNDP funds the project through the European Union Spotlight Initiative. She further noted that medica Liberia would continue to work closely with the selected CSOs to monitor their activities and provided the needed support throughout the project duration. 'These CSOs are working in their respective counties doing great work to promote human rights and end violence against women; we are proud to support their work', Atty. Parwon added. For their part, the participants thanked medica-Liberia for the opportunity given them and promised to work in line with the project's objectives. They said; thus the grant is welcoming and will impact the fight against SGBV, HP and promoting SRHR within Liberia, and they are going to work hard to help in the process. medica Liberia (mL), formerly medica mondiale Liberia, is a non-governmental women rights organization. The organization offers support to women and girls who have been affected by sexual gender-based violence (SGBV) since 2006. mL has been implementing programs for women and girls in Liberia's South-eastern parts and recently extended its coverage to Montserrado and Margibi Counties. This project forms part of the European Union in Liberia funded #globalspotlight Initiative. This joint project is being implemented by the One UN in Liberia through agencies like UN Women Liberia, UNICEF Liberia, UNFPA and UNDP Liberia East African traders are still waiting for the efficient rail transport that RVR promised. THE East African Community (EAC) Secretariat is set to avail a trade hotline providing cross-border traders with a platform to register their challenges and get instant feedback or solutions. The facility will be for all border posts of Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan as the new Secretariat administration moves swiftly to increase intra-EAC trade and get rid of unnecessary obstacles. That is in a move to resolve persistent Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) and reduce time spent in the movement of goods and persons, hence increasing intra- EAC trade that currently stands at a mere 15 per cent. New EAC Secretary General, Dr Peter Mathuki hit the ground running, as he officially made his maiden visit at the Tanzania/Kenya Namanga One Stop Border Post (OSBP), meeting Trade Facilitation Agencies (TFAs) and cross border traders to deliberate on sustainable solutions to ease cross border trade. And that comes merely a week after the maiden visit to Kenya by President SamiaSuluhu Hassan who held talks with her counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta, and also addressed the bicameral legislature. Among other things, the two EAC leaders agreed to remove trade barriers between the two countries. In her visit to Uganda for the inauguration of President YoweriMuseveni on Wednesday, Mama Samia was hailed by the former for allowing smooth imports of sugar from his country, as part of efforts to cement ties between them. Equally, President Museveni also applauded Kenya for doing the same. The East African Business Council (EABC) is facilitating the Public Private Dialogue (PPD), and has since affirmed that the movement of goods and persons at the Namanga OSBP and truck traffic impasse have been cleared following the directive by the presidents of Tanzania and Kenya. DrMathuki who is the immediate former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of EABC has been keen to see an increase in intra-EAC trade and have the bloc be private sector-led. "The hotline will enable us to register persistent trade barriers, provide feedback and make follow ups," said DrMathuki. The meeting at Namanga provided a platform for cross border traders, TFAs, EABC and the EAC Secretariat to discuss sustainable solutions to boost bilateral and regional cross-border trade. It was also a forum for the traders to harmonize standards for the most traded goods in the region. EABC called for the harmonization of taxes and charges across the region, reduction of weigh bridge costs and punitive fines imposed across borders. Speaking at the forum, Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) Namanga OSBP Manager, Mr Paul Kamkulu stated that in the year 2019/2020, Tanzania imports from Kenya stood at approximately US$ 138.79million while exports to Kenya stood at approximately US$ 124.33m. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines East Africa Trade By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. In the year 2020/2021, Tanzania imports from Kenya stood at approximately USD 131.44 million, while exports to Kenya stood at approximately USD 170.40 million. Commenting, Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Namanga Station Manager, Mr Joseph Moywaywa, noted that amid the pandemic, Kenya's top exports to Tanzania include detergent, tiles, auto-motives and solar panels, whilst Tanzania's top exports to Kenya include fresh vegetables, alcoholic drinks and fertilizer. Tanzania Ambassador to Kenya, Dr John Stephen Simbachawene who joined the EAC Secretariat delegation reiterated the commitment of the Tanzania Government in deepening relations to resolve trade barriers disrupting trade. The EAC SG has been lauded for being the first Secretary General to hold a Public Private Dialogue with traders and facilitation agencies at the Namanga OSBP, in a move creating optimism on fast-tracking pending trade and policy issues. MUSLIMS in the country today join their fellows around the world in celebrating Eid-el-Fitr which marks the end of Ramadan- a holy month of worship, thorough study of the Quran, prayer, and fasting. The Mufti of Tanzania, Sheikh Abubakar Zuberi confirmed this on Wednesday evening during local news broadcast when he announced that Muslims have to complete the 30 days of Ramadhan as the moon has not been sighted. Meanwhile, the National Muslim Council of Tanzania (Bakwata) Secretary General, Mr Nuhu Mruma last week issued a statement that National Eid prayers will be held today at Mnazi Mmoja grounds in Dar es Salaam at 7.30 a.m. According to the statement Eid El- Fitr Baraza will be held at Karimjee Grounds from 2 p.m. "The guest of honour is expected to be President Samia Suluhu Hassan (pictured). On behalf of Bakwata and Mufti of Tanzania Sheikh Abubakar Zubeir, we wish all Muslims a happy holiday and request people to celebrate in happiness and peace," said the Secretary General. For the past 30 days Muslims marked the Holy month of Ramadhan by abstaining from eating and drinking during day time, while reinforcing prayers and offerings to the poor. Eid-el-Fitr is also known as a festival of charity and gratitude that brings deep spiritual awakening for its followers. One of the five pillars of Islam is zakat that means charity and on this day, followers believe in giving money, food, clothes and other items of necessity to the poor. In fact, many Muslims give Zakat before offering Eid prayers. Throughout history, children also have been receiving Eid offerings from elders, which can be in the form of money or a gift. The day signifies the value of togetherness, harmony and celebration of life. After a month of fasting, Eid al-Fitr also brings some hearty feast for its followers. It's not official but most Muslims are hosting the celebrations by preparing special dishes such as spice rice famously known as 'pilau', Biryani and many others. Egyptian Elsewedy Electric also knowns as El Sewedy Cables, which manufactures integrated cables and electric products, mulls to start operations in India after it made two acquisitions in Indonesia and Pakistan. CEO Ahmed Elsewedy told Asharq Business that the company is planning to make investment in India to manufacture meters. The Egypt-based joint stock company made last double acquisitions in Indonesia and Pakistan for a total investment of $60 million. The orientation to the Asian markets comes from the standpoint of the expected new growth rates for the companys projects in Indonesia and Pakistan, especially with the interest of these two countries to invest in infrastructure projects, told the media. It acquired in Indonesia 95 per cent of PT CG Power Indonesia, a company manufactures electric power in Indonesia, amounting to 10,000 megawatts. In Pakistan is took complete control of Validus Engineering PVT LTD; the leading manufacturer of power transformers in Pakistan. The new acquisitions bolster the companys operations in more than 70 countries around the world. Elsewedy Electric will distribute annual cash dividends of EGP 0.40 per share on May 24th, Arab Finance reports. ZANZIBAR President Dr Hussein Mwinyi has invited British investors to explore and exploit immense investment opportunities in the Spice Islands. President Mwinyi reaffirmed his administration's resolve to transform Zanzibar into East Africa's commercial hub through exploitation of the blue economy, which incorporates tourism, fishing and exploration of oil and gas. In his conversations with visiting UK's Minister for Africa James Duddridge, Dr Mwinyi said the government is working hard to balance the social and economic development between Unguja and Pemba islands. President Mwinyi further assured the visiting minister that the government is firmly committed in promoting and sustaining peace and tranquility in the Indian Ocean's semiautonomous archipelago. "The government's top priority is to see prosperous Zanzibar in which peace, tranquility and solidarity thrive," said the president, reiterating his keenness to work closely with the opposition under the government of national unity for speedy social and economic development of Zanzibar. On Covid-19, which remains a serious global challenge, President Mwinyi briefed his visitor on the union government's efforts, including establishment of an expert committee, against the deadly infections in the country. He said Zanzibar whose economy relies mostly on tourism has suffered economically due to the disease outbreak, which has reduced the number of tourist arrivals in the islands. President Mwinyi asked UK, one the islands' close development partners, to support Zanzibar in establishment of special systems in the key social development sectors, especially health and education. Responding, Minister Duddridge assured that UK will continue supporting African countries, including Zanzibar, adding that the European nation has set aside special budget for Africa. Elaborating, Mr Duddridge appreciated the cordial relation that exists between his country and Tanzania, including Zanzibar, promising to sustain the relationship. He assured his host that UK will support Zanzibar in its development strides. Equally, he commended President Mwinyi's efforts to administer the country and unite all islanders irrespective of their political inclinations, and predicted bright future for Zanzibaris under the current peace, unity and solidarity among wananchi. MINISTER for Agriculture Prof Adolf Mkenda has ordered for suspension of Lindi regional acting assistant registrar of cooperative unions Edmund Masawe over mismanagement of public funds. Mr Massawe is accused of forcing the Umoja Agricultural Marketing Cooperative Societiy (AMCOS) of Liwale District in Lindi to rent a privately owned warehouse for storing cashew-nuts despite having its own facility. The Minister issued order in Dodoma when he was addressing reporters. Prof Mkenda also asked the registrar and the Executive Director of Tanzania Cooperative Development Commission (TCDC) Dr Benson Ndiege to assess himself whether he was fit for the position. According to the minister, Dr Ndiege has failed to issue professional advice on the joint project being implemented by 32 Amcos in Kilimanjaro region. "The Registrar of cooperative union must be joking... maybe he thinks I cannot kick him out, but for sure, TCDC needs to be overhauled," said the minister. Prof Mkenda said he has put Dr Ndiege under probation period, giving him a three- day ultimatum to present the advice. The minister maintained that since the Agriculture docket was among the key drivers of the economy, all officials from the ministry should play their roles well for the sake of uplifting the living standard of farmers and Tanzanians at large. The agriculture ministry, among other responsibilities, has to ensure the cooperative unions excel to the maximum possible and improve productivity from the sector that has employed over 70 per cent of the country's population. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Tanzania Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Speaking of the recent incident where the northern part of Tanzania was invaded by desert locust that crossed the country's border from Kenya, the minister said the government successfully managed to contain the situation. Between January 14 and February 24 this year, locusts invaded eight districts of Mwanga, Siha and Moshi (Kilimanjaro), Simanjiro (Manyara) Longido, Monduli and Ngorongoro (Arusha) as well as Lushoto in Tanga region. "The locusts spread to land totaling to 6,441 hectors in four regions in the northern part of the country," said Prof Mkenda. In efforts to fight the locust, the government used four Fenitrothion aircrafts and one helicopter in spraying poisons in the affected areas. The government has also been using motorized sprayers in the areas that experienced a small group of desert locusts. THE High Court, District Registry of Kigoma has released on bail the Supply and Transportation Officer with Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco), Magaso Enock Wajama, who is facing three economic charges, including occasioning loss to his employer. Judge Athmani Matuma granted the application for bail presented by Wajama, the applicant as the prosecution did not raise any objection. "I hereby allow the application as the circumstances of the offence under which the applicant stands charged is bailable and this court is vested with jurisdiction to determine this application and that the respondent does not have any objection for the applicant to be released on bail pending trial," he ruled. The judge released the applicant on bail on conditions that he should deposit in Court cash money amounting to 18.8m/- or a title deed of an immovable property of an equivalent value and if the title deed is not available, then any other such proof of the existence of the property to the satisfaction of the Court. For clarity, the judge directed that the cash be deposited and that if it is the title deed then the document does not need to be the property of the accused in person. "The document may belong to any other person who volunteers to be deposited for and on behalf of the applicant and who shall also appear in Court to undertake on record the risks of putting his/her properties as a bond to the applicant," he said. Furthermore, the judge ordered the applicant to have two reliable sureties who shall each sign a bond of 9.4m/- with each surety adducing an introduction letter from the local leaders of his place of residence. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Tanzania Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. If he or she is employed then an introduction letter from his employer must be produced. In addition, he said, the applicant should surrender to the police station his passport or any other travelling documents if any and that the applicant should not travel abroad without a prior written consent of the Resident Magistrate In Charge of the resident Magistrate's Court of Kigoma. The applicant faces trial in the District Court of Kigoma in Kigoma Region for an economic offence bearing three counts of stealing , occasioning loss to a specified authority and use of document intended to mislead the principal. He is alleged to have stolen the properties of his employer, TANESCO 11Kv 3phase 50kva Transformer and11Kv 3phase 50kva Transformer, both valued at 37.72 m/- and occasioning loss to TANESCO of the said amount. The three offences have been preferred under section 258 and 270 of the Penal Code, paragraph 10(1) of the first schedule to and Section 57(1) and 60(2) of the Economic and Organised Crime Control Act and section 22 of the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Act, respectively. AMID the implementation of President Samia Suluhu Hassan directives on fast tracking issuing of working permits and addressing bureaucracy related setbacks, the government has assured Tanzanians that it is keen on protecting local jobs while addressing challenges from the growing technology. Recently, President Samia ordered the relevant authority to address issues related to bureaucracy and delays of issuing working permit to foreign expatriates. At the same time, the Head of State reminded the officials to always protect national interests, while processing and granting the permits. Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Labour, Youths and Employment Patrobas Katambi said in order to protect local employment, the government has been effectively using labour Acts, rules and regulations. "The technology has come with positive and negative sides, it depends on how you are using it... we are making better use of it to bring development to our country's people," Mr Katambi further said. Equally, he clarified that the government is working on President Samia Suluhu Hassan's directives on ending bureaucracy in issuance of work permits in a bid to attract more business and investments into the country, adding: "However, national interests are given first priority in every move." In his analysis, he noted that it is an un-denied fact that advancement of science and technology that introduced use of social media brought a greater transformation in national development. Similarly, the transformation has come together with challenges that need immediate intervention from government and stakeholders for smooth coordination of the employment and labor sector. This comes amid transformations which are being undertaken by most companies and organizations embracing initiatives to adopt changes in science technologies such as Zoom application. Zoom technology has seen an the increase in a number of users applying it in workplaces, meetings and communications that are held virtually, and bringing together participants from different parts of the world at once. With zoom, it is now not necessary for companies to hold boardroom meetings as the same can be done and attended by people from remote areas. The growth of technology has, among other things, resulted in reduction in manpower and cut expenditure cost in some of the companies. On the other side, there has been a concern that the technology could be a reason for some companies to violate laws of the land by employing officials contrary to the labour law that requires them to acquire a working permit from relevant authorities. Commenting on the use of social media on holding virtual meetings at work place, the Executive Secretary of Association of Tanzania Employers (ATE) DrAggreyMlimuka was of the view that the new technology is playing a crucial role in simplifying work. He urges that there is no need for the country to be afraid of technological advancement; instead, it should embrace the transformation that comes along. "We should embrace technology, and this will help the country move forward, however, this is among the issues that will be discussed during our meeting to be convened in Dodoma soon," he said. DrMlimuka maintained that the use of social media at work shouldn't be considered as the tool against local employment, but a challenge that the country should make better use of. "We are surviving in a globalized world where technology is highly used to make things happen, and Tanzania isn't an isolated country, this advancement should be embraced for greater achievement," explained DrMlimuka. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Tanzania Governance Labour By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. On his part, the President of the Trade Union Congress of Tanzania (TUCTA) Mr TumainiNyamhokya noted that to a large extent; social media has a positive impact on the increasing performance in private and public institutions. Like ATE, the TUCTA boss said they would discuss the challenges brought by technological advancement and look at possible solutions to that. "This is a very new phenomenon that needs to be addressed, we are taking this as a challenge and it will be discussed in our meetings going forward," he said, adding that the government will fully be involved for efficiency. The government in its part has allayed fears that it is doing everything possible to protect employment and local content despite technological transformations. The Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Dr. Chike Ihekweazu, has called on Nigerians to do more to curtail the spread of the Indian strain of COVID-19 virus in the country. He appealed to them to lead by example by wearing face masks and decline invitation to attend events where there would be mass gathering, which he described as supper spreaders. The NCDC boss made the appeal during an interview on ARISE NEWS channel, the broadcast arm of THISDAY Newspapers. He added that the information on the variant being in Nigeria, which is also in other 44 countries is not in itself a reason for concern. "The reason for concern is what are we doing as a government and second as a people - what are we doing? "There is no point running around and attending weddings and at super spreading events without masks and then worrying about the emergence of a variant. We are advising Nigerians to do what they can do while we at NCDC would continue doing our very best 24/7 every day." He stated that it was important for state governors to ensure compliance with COVID-19 guidelines, adding that "but we as citizens should make sure we do our best. We can only sustain the very fragile gains we have made if we continue to work together." He said the federal government had taken steps to curb the spread of the Indian strain (B1617 strain). "What government is doing is not enough to manage the risk of the pandemic in Nigeria. We have to do our own and we appeal to our citizens to do their part. It is one thing for the media to discuss the strain from India, but if the media ignores the mass gathering that is happening and having people appear without masks where they should be role models for the rest of the citizenry to manage the risks, we face collectively a huge risk. "I want Nigerians to look at what is going on in a few other countries and not externalise it. We would do our best from our side, but let us not drop the ball on this. We managed to get through a tricky situation last year and now our numbers are low; let us not get complacent and let us change the narrative by doing what we can do collectively as a government and as a people," he added. He said the NCDC had been working very hard to mitigate the impact of the Indian strain. He said: "That there is a new strain in the country in itself is not enough to make a decision. We also look at the density of travel from every country. We look at the strain circulating in other countries and we then look at the risk assessment and a very carefully thought through the process within the center and based on this, we then advise the presidential steering committee on actions necessary to be taken." Ihekweazu said the NCDC had two weeks ago, advised the government on a travel restriction from three countries: India Turkey and Brazil. He said the public health action was taken based on the assessment done at the NCDC Ihekweazu stated that the sequencing on how to determine variant was a complex process, "and we have been developing that capacity in the country. I can assure Nigerians that we would be transparent as we possibly can on the numbers, testing sequencing and whatever we can at the appropriate time." According to him, the numbers of cases have reduced while testing has improved significantly. He stated: "We test 40,000 people every single week and out of that, our test positivity ratio is about 1 per cent. So, one in 100 people tested come out positive. So, we are fairly confident in the robustness of our numbers. Also, the number of people with respiratory symptoms has reduced as well as the number of calls. The data gives us confidence in the number we are sharing." Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Coronavirus Nigeria By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. The NCDC, he said, had encouraged some testing centres to manage their human resources and always keep some surge capacity available. He said the NCDC had also been working to ensure oxygen supply is more efficient. "There are certain aspects of treatment and we have seen from India that oxygen supply is critical and we have to build up our capacities on that too. So, in order to build resilient, we are buying more than we need, we know that some of those might be wasted if they are not used by the time they have to be used but it is better we do that and have the redundant capacity in that area like in oxygen than end up in a situation where the system is overwhelmed," he stated explained. Abuja The federal government has concluded plans to deploy more military assets, including troops, intelligence personnel and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to the South-east and South-south, THISDAY's investigation has revealed. The two regions, had, in recent weeks, come under attack by armed groups, who killed policemen as well as torched police stations and correctional facilities in Abia, Ebonyi, Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Akwa Ibom and Rivers States. The security challenges in the two zones had engaged the attention of the National Security Council at its series of meetings held in Abuja and chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari. At the last meeting last Tuesday, the council had given the security chiefs a fresh ultimatum of three weeks to check the rising insecurity in the country. The council also announced that a new security strategy to contain violence in the two zones would be devised. The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Alkali Usman, who also addressed State House correspondents after the meeting, declined to provide details about the new security strategy. Also, the IG, in a wireless message with reference CB: 0900/DTS/DOPS/VOL.47/812X, titled "Attack on policemen, snatching of rifles by IPOB" warned police officers and personnel not to accompany their principals to Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Abia, Enugu, Imo and Rivers States until the security situation in the region improves. However, it was learnt that security authorities were finalising plans for a massive troop and security assets deployment in the two zones to restore order. A similar deployment was done in the two zones under the former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), codenamed Operation Python Dance in the South-east and Operation Crocodile Smile in the South-south and South-west. THISDAY gathered from security sources that the planned deployment is aimed at neutralising armed groups responsible for the killing of security agents and destruction of security formations in the two zones. There have also been concerns that 11 years of insurgency and the recent upsurge of mass kidnappings by bandits across the country and the killing of policemen by armed groups in the South-east and South-south have combined to stretch, significantly, the capacity of security forces to contain non-state actors, who have taken up arms against the state. A security source told THISDAY that the new security strategy for the two regions was aimed at neutralising armed groups as a disincentive to further violence in the two regions. He said: "It is not more than deploying the Army because the police formations are overwhelmed. At the height of insurgency, police stations in Bauchi State were guarded by soldiers. "I don't see any other thing than the military, including the navy, air force playing the lead role in internal security in the regions instead of the police. "The idea is that when armed groups go and destroy security formations and there is no response, they will be emboldened to go to other places but when they are neutralised, it will serve as a disincentive." Spokesman of the Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Yerima, declined to comment on the security arrangements for the two regions when contacted by THISDAY. However, senior retired security personnel said the security strategy for the two regions might also be linked with dialogue or a total, containment package. He explained: "If they say they have developed a strategy, it is either government will seek dialogue or they go all out, armed resolution or both. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Governance Arms and Armies Nigeria By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. "We are hoping that the new strategy will work. Whatever strategy government adopts, what we want is peace. "The strategy should be one that brings solution because the attacks are spreading. "For the government to find a solution, they must identify those behind the attacks. "Until you identify those behind these attacks, I don't think there is going to be any solution to it." A civil society activist, who spoke anonymously, said a security strategy that is hidden from the public may not be a workable strategy. "We are here. If they start killing and abducting people, we will know. If they start bombing people, we will know. "They have been going about doing the same thing. Any strategy that the government is hiding must be atrocious. "In any case, whatever the strategy will be the world is watching," he said. Parliaments Wednesday took a government minister to task over what has become the rampant abuse of firearms in cases that have often resulted in some killings countrywide. During parliament's question and answer session Wednesday, legislators expressed concern over killings involving gunfire among both ordinary citizens and security agents. Zanu PF Mhondoro-Ngezi MP, Freddy Kapuya questioned Home Affairs Deputy Minister Ruth Maboyi-Mavhungu on government's policy on the issuing of firearms to civilians. In response, Maboyi-Mavhungu said for one to own a firearm, they should be in possession of a licence. Kapuya expressed concern over continued use of guns citing cases in which dealers and armed robbers often use the lethal weapons to kill innocent citizens. "Is there due diligence by government in the issuance of firearms?" said Kapuya. The deputy minister admitted most of the firearms used for crimes were not registered and were being possessed illegally. Norton MP, Temba Mliswa challenged the minister saying the vetting system by the ministry was disorganised. "Your vetting system is not in order. What is your ministry doing about firearms that are all over?" In her response, Maboyi-Mavhungu said government was also worried about the situation. "We are worried too about the illegal firearms. We arrest culprits. We have had problems with the police because we have not managed to arrest those with illegal firearms most of which are coming through our porous borders," she said. Zanu PF Chegutu West MP Dexter Nduna said parliament had requested for a firearm registry. "We requested that there be a computerised firearms registry. Where are we now?" he said. The deputy minister said the production of a registry has been hampered by shortage of resources. Some MPs also fingered members of army and police for fuelling murders through firearms often to settle domestic scores with partners and other relatives. Ordinary citizens and prominent Nigerians on Thursday called for commitment from leaders towards addressing various challenges confronting the country. While expressing hope for positive days ahead in their messages as part of the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations, the citizens including artisans, students, former leaders and clerics, called for those in the position of authority to confront terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, secessionists and other assailants for peace to reign. Millions of Muslim faithful around the world observed the two-raka'at prayer in Eid grounds in towns and villages, signifying the end of the 30 days Ramadan fasting. Our correspondents report that despite enormous challenges, Muslims in Nigeria were not left behind in the Sallah celebrations as they exchanged visitations, shared food and other gift items and also prayed for peace and harmony. We need more understanding - Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari while speaking to reporters at the State House shortly after observing the Eid prayer appealed for more understanding. "I expect Nigerians to be more understanding on the issues involved, looking at the time and available resources. For example, when we came in, in the North East, ask people in Adamawa and Borno states and the South South in terms of security. Without security, you can't do anything. Our big surprise and disappointment is what is happening in the North West and we are dealing with it," he said. President Buhari also appealed to the elite to show a better appreciation of the problems facing the country. "The elite should make the attempt to understand the military. If we order for weapons and armoured vehicles, it takes time for the manufacturers. It takes time to ship them and when brought here eventually, they are taken to training institutions, train the trainers before sending them to the field. This is a very long process," he said. President Buhari and members of his family were joined for the Eid at the forecourt of the Villa by Senate President Ahmed Lawan, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, cabinet members and the heads of security and intelligence agencies. Be alive to your responsibilities, Sultan urges The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar III, has appealed to the federal and state governments to live up to their responsibilities of protecting the lives and property of their people. In his message shortly after observing the Eid-el-Fitr prayer at the Fakon Idi in Sokoto on Thursday, the monarch regretted that the situation was getting out of hand. He noted that people were living in perpetual fear because of the high rate of insecurity in the country. "I am appealing to governments at all levels to devise ways of nipping the situation in the bud," he said. The Sultan of Sokoto also reiterated his call on Muslims to continue seeking God's intervention. "We should continue with our fervent prayers, repentance and positive change in our attitudes; Allah will restore peace in our country," he said. Abdulsalami: Keep hope alive Commenting on the significance of Eid-el-Fitr, former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar urged Nigerians to keep hope alive as security agencies were working tirelessly towards bringing an end to the current security challenges bedevilling the country. Abdulsalami said this at the Minna Eid Prayer Ground after performing the two raka'at prayers. He also urged Nigerians to keep praying and remain hopeful saying the solution to the problem was near. Abdulsalami, however, said to achieve this, there was the need for Nigerians to support security forces in the onerous task of securing the country. Deputy Governor of Niger State, Ahmed Mohammed Ketso, assured citizens of the state of their resolve to bring an end to the current security challenges, while former Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu also advised Muslims to put into practice what they learned during the Ramadan fast and expressed confidence that the current security challenges were surmountable. 'Support leaders' The Grand Imam of Kano State, Professor Sani Zahraddeen urged citizens to embrace the habit of praying for their leaders and the nation as a whole. He also prayed for peace, unity and progress in the country. 'We've been praying, leaders should work hard' Alaramma Muhammad Auwal, a resident of Kaduna, said he observed this year's Eid-el-Fitr with mixed feelings but expressed hope that things will be better despite the economic and security challenges in the country. "We observed the Sallah celebration peacefully and we thank Almighty Allah for that. However, many things are not going well in this country," he said. Being a farmer, Auwal said this year was the most challenging because he was unable to access his farm in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State and therefore could not cater for his family. On her part, Aisha Ahmad, a tailor in Kawo Market, said many Nigerians celebrated Sallah under difficult conditions. "The little we have is what we used. The security challenges in the country are increasing by the day and it seems we are not safe anywhere anymore," she said. A resident of Benin, Edo State, Usman Jibrin, lamented that Nigerians could no longer put food on their table. "We are celebrating Sallah and people can't even buy rice for the family and you expect people to remain hopeful?" Some residents interviewed at the Eid ground in Kano expressed different views on the call for prayers by leaders. Ashfa Mansur said it was obvious that every good citizen prays for his country to live in peace. Sulaiman Abubakar Sulaiman said prayer was important for rapid development but leaders must also do their best because God had given them the power and opportunity to deliver. In Lagos, some Muslim faithful said the Eid-el-Fitr festival was celebrated with mixed feelings. Rasheed Ayodeji, a lawyer, said, "For me, it is hard to take my mind off the current challenges we are facing in Nigeria. However, my heart is full of gratitude to my maker for the opportunity given to me to complete the fasting and being able to celebrate Eid without any form of discomfort. "Further, the sermon presented by the Imam today is very straightforward as it is about our current realities. The Imam gave out a rallying cry to our leaders citing various Qur'anic verses and Hadiths to remind them of their duties to their followers." Also speaking, Akinrisola Ayomide, a businessman who lives at Oke Ira, Lagos, said, "I am not hopeful about Nigeria's future because I don't see all these ending anytime soon; all the kidnappings, the attacks and all our leaders are not making sincere efforts to contain the problems." In Osogbo, Osun State, a newspaper agent, Mr Olamiposi Eluyera, said things were very tight for most people saying those who used to buy newspapers before were now coming to the stand to read for free. "A congo of rice is N1, 000 and most people cannot afford it. A congo of rice was just N300 during the tenure of former President Umaru Yar'adua. Most people resorted to gari when they cannot afford rice but the price of gari is also very high now. A congo of gari is now between N450 and N500 whereas it was just N150 during Yar'adua tenure." Also, Mr Kunle Amed, who sells clothes lamented that there was no patronage as many people said they spent all their money on food. In Ilorin, Kwara State, Yakub Agodi said, "I think what we need most is increased prayer. We always think that our problem can only be solved by the government and that is why when Buhari came in 2015, we were very hopeful that things would change in the areas of security and corruption; but we have now discovered that it is worse. "It appears they are already overwhelmed which points to the fact that only Almighty God has the solution," he said. Hajia Fatimatu Saliu said despite seeming hopelessness and despair, there was light at the end of the tunnel. "Our prayer is God keeps us alive to witness the good times again when they return. Nigeria is not the only country that is going through a difficult phase with extreme hunger." In Port Harcourt, Rivers State, some people said they were tired of messages of hope and assurances from leaders. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. A resident of Oyigbo, Johnson Ekechukwu, said, "On any given occasion like this, what we hear from our leaders is messages of hope and assurances without any policy actions to back it up." Another resident, Musa Idris, said Nigerians were running out of patience as a result of the rising insecurity and poor economic situation in the country. Nigerians acting happy, says Wole Soyinka Nobel Prize winner, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has said Nigerians are not happy people as wrongly believed all over the world. He said Nigerians are only pretending to be happy. Prof Soyinka disclosed this while speaking at a cocktail, book reading and singing event at the Orisun Gallery in Abuja. The programme was organised by Rovingheights Bookstore and Orisun Gallery, titled: 'An Evening with Prof. Wole Soyinka'. Prof Soyinka read his new book, written almost five decades after his last one, titled: "Chronicles from the Land of the Happiest People on Earth". He said the title of the book was partly ironical when speaking of Nigerians being the happiest people on earth. "I have never considered Nigerians as the happiest people on earth," he said, adding, "Nigerians like to act happy." Prof Soyinka stressed that: "Those who said that they [Nigerians] are the happiest people in the world are not actually wrong because what they see are people dancing, singing, feasting, 'owambe-ing', fashion, asoebi and so on. "We love to perform here and when people come, they only see the performance, they don't see what is underneath. That is why I said it is an ironic title. I am not saying that people are internally happy; I am saying that they act happy and as so, they deceive those who are just passing through. But those who live here know exactly what they feel." He also spoke of the government, saying it had failed the people. He added that religion was being misused in Nigeria to cause a lot of problems. President Muhammadu Buhari has lauded the performance of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), whose Chairman/CEO, former military administrator of Lagos and Borno States, Brig-Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), was appointed in January. The National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Babagana Monguno (retd), who disclosed this, said President Buhari had said that his administration was working on measures to further enhance the capabilities and potentials of the NDLEA. According to the NSA, he had briefed the Council on the enablers of crime, one of which is drugs and the need to find quick responses with a view to mitigating the growing threats to society. Responding to a question on how people were able to bring in arms and train in the bush without the Intelligence agencies picking them up, Monguno said: "Yes, you are already aware that a few days ago, the president approved the setting up of the National Commission for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, which will be domiciled in the Office of the National Security Advisor, side by side with the counterterrorism centre. Now, these two organs will be like the lead agencies in dealing with these twin evils. "Of course, we're considering the use of other enhancers to deal with these issues. Alongside the issue of importation of drugs. This was part of the memo I presented to the National Security Council. Already, Mr. President is very, very much inspired and motivated by the new leadership in the NDLEA. And he is also working on measures to further enhance the capabilities and potentials of the NDLEA, which he is very, very happy about the performance in recent months." Governors of the 17 southern states on Tuesday resolved to ban open grazing in the region and demanded the restructuring of the country, among other things. Members of the minority caucus in the House of Representatives from the 19 northern states have endorsed the recommendations of the Southern Governors' forum. Governors of the 17 southern states, under the aegis of Southern Governors Forum (SGF), had on Tuesday, after a meeting in Asaba, Delta State, resolved to ban open grazing by herders and also called for the restructuring of the country. The resolutions were contained in the 12-point communique read by SGF Chairman, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State. On Wednesday, senators and members of the House of Representatives from the south, in separate statements, endorsed the decision of the governors. On Thursday, In a statement signed by Amos Gwamna (PDP, Kaduna), Solomon Maren (PDP, Plateau), Rimande Shawulu (PDP, Taraba), Mark Gbillah (PDP, Benue) and Tajudeen Yusuf (PDP, Kogi) on behalf of the minority caucus, the lawmakers expressed support for the position of the governors. They called on President Muhamadu Buhari to heed the recommendations of the governors and to initiate a bill to kickstart the process of restructuring. The lawmakers also urged the president to reconsider his 'skewed appointments." "We, members of the minority from the north hereby call on President Buhari to heed the genuine advice of governors from the south and immediately address the nation to assuage frayed nerves. "The president should also put machinery in place for the commencement of the process of restructuring the nation and initiate legislation to end open grazing, which has been at the centre of the lingering insecurity across the nation. "In order to regain the confidence of majority of Nigerians, the president must begin to redress his skewed appointments, which have unfortunately divided the nation along ethnic and religious lines." They also condemned the federal government for not supporting some states in enforcing their anti-open grazing laws. "We commend the governors for taking the bold move to speak against open grazing and other ills bedevilling the nation. Benue State had the foresight and enacted a law banning open grazing and was closely followed by Taraba state. "Unfortunately, these states have not gotten the desired support from the federal government thereby creating room for some elements to undermine the implementation of the law." Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Governance Nigeria By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Benue State passed its anti-open-grazing-law law in 2017. However, violence and killings linked to herders/farmers clashes are still being recorded in the state. Taraba State passed a similar law in 2017. The move by the southern governors is coming amidst the recent legislative intervention by the House of Representatives. Last month, the lower legislative chamber resolved to call on Mr Buhari to declare a state-of-emergency on security. The lawmakers are billed to hold a security summit from May 24 to 28. King Mohammed VI of Morocco, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, has kindly given his High Instructions to send emergency humanitarian aid for the benefit of the Palestinian population in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, said on Friday the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Abroad. This humanitarian aid, consisting of 40 tons, is made up of basic food products, emergency medicine and blankets, the ministry said in a press release, stressing that the humanitarian aid will be airlifted by aircraft of the Royal Armed Forces. The decision of King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, is part of the Kingdoms continued support for the just Palestinian cause and its permanent solidarity with the brotherly Palestinian people, it added. The Kingdom of Morocco had denounced, in the strongest terms, the violence perpetrated in the occupied Palestinian territories, and whose continuation only leads to widening the gap, reinforcing resentment and reducing all the chances of peace in the region. The Kingdom of Morocco, which places the Palestinian cause at the top of its concerns, remains faithful to its attachment to the achievement of the two-state solution, living side by side in peace and security, through the creation of a Palestinian state within the borders of June 4, 1967, with Eastern Jerusalem as its capital. analysis Mauritius is an example of how approaches globally neglect the stigma and discrimination faced by female users. Mary (not her real name) was a smart student living in Mauritius who dreamt of becoming a social worker. After losing contact with my childhood friend and classmate in high school, we met up 10 years later. She wasn't a social worker. A struggling single mother of two, she had become addicted to drugs. The father of Mary's children, also a user, was arrested and imprisoned for drug dealing. Her children were removed to state care, and although she learnt skills in rehab such as handcraft and sewing, she struggled to resume a normal life. Finding work was difficult and she couldn't get custody of her children. Mary's story isn't unique to Mauritius. It is a common experience of female drug users in Africa and globally. It's also a good example of how in most parts of the world, drug policies, especially those dealing with rehabilitation, often fail to consider the gendered aspect of users, specifically women. While the concept of gender encompasses both males and females, the focus here is on women recovering from drug use. Mauritius is often hailed as an African country that exemplifies good governance and human development. The island has made some strides in achieving gender equality, ranking 20th in sub-Saharan Africa according to the World Economic Forum's 2017 Global Gender Gap Report. Woman drug users are seen as being at the bottom of the social strata, below their male counterparts In the education sector, 58.2% of students in tertiary institutions in 2018 were female. In 2019, women made up around 39% of most senior positions in government services compared to 37% in 2018. Mauritius appointed its first female president, Dr Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, in 2015. In 2019 the World Bank ranked the country as one of the top six economies in addressing discriminatory laws and regulations that limit women's equality of opportunity. However, these achievements shadow a sinister side to the island. Mauritius had one of the highest rates of drug use per capita in Africa in 2010. Rates of heroin injection were also high, with a prevalence of 61.8% among females and 42.5% among males in 2013. Mauritius's history of drug policy has been predominantly punitive. The Dangerous Drugs Act of 2000 continues to punish people caught for personal drug use with imprisonment or a fine, or both. These measures haven't led to a decrease in drug consumption. And many negative consequences have emerged, particularly regarding public health. In 2005, 92% of new HIV/AIDS infections in Mauritius were among people who inject drugs. This health crisis was a turning point for the government, which started introducing harm-reduction services. In 2017, the rate of new HIV infections among people who inject drugs had fallen to 32.4%. It was the first time in over 10 years that females injecting drugs had a lower HIV prevalence at 28.5% than males injecting drugs, at 33.2%. After rehabilitation, male drug users in Mauritius are more likely to find low-skill jobs than women Due to the stereotypes of women as society's nurturers, homemakers and caregivers, female drug users globally tend to be stigmatised more than males. Woman users are perceived as being at the bottom of the social strata, below their male counterparts. Those who manage to escape their situation tend to be rejected by their peers and society. Drug consumption is often driven by poverty and social neglect. However, drug policies mostly neglect these issues, favouring measures that eradicate and outlaw narcotics. And approaches that do consider social problems don't necessarily account for gender. This is because policy generally tends to be formulated to deal with specific situations rather than specific groups of people. 'Policies are documents which often do not reflect the reality of people on the ground,' says Dr Craig Moffat, head of the Governance Delivery and Impact programme at Good Governance Africa. 'From a policy perspective, everyone is treated the same with a level playing [field].' However, society isn't equal. Patriarchal settings favour males who may be less stigmatised for using drugs due to the gender roles they are assigned. Inadvertently, policy can become a tool of oppression - an example being the rehabilitation aspect of Mauritius's drug policies. Marginalisation and stigma often propel former female users back into the drug abuse cycle While the country has made promising advances, the rehabilitation policy mostly fails to account for gender. Its provisions for helping women earn an income and integrate back into their communities are limited. After completing rehabilitation, male drug users are more likely to find low-skill jobs than women, predominantly due to the gender gap in Mauritius's labour market. To address this gap, organisations have started establishing rehabilitation facilities catering for females only. They help women acquire skills to start micro-businesses in their local areas. While these skills can be helpful, such programmes must guard against perpetuating gender stereotypes by focusing on 'women's work'. As Mary's story shows, handcraft and sewing are often ineffective in helping women earn an income. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Women Health Mauritius By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. When drug policies and implementation plans are designed, they must consider how men and women will be affected. This could be achieved by involving those with direct experience of drug addiction in their drafting and application. A better understanding is needed of the different ways women are excluded from drug policies and how this omission reinforces stereotypes that cause them more harm. Former head of the African Union unit on Drug Control and Crime Prevention Grace Adetula says a first step is 'to obtain gender disaggregated data on drug users,' without invading women's privacy. The government could partner with rehabilitation centres to work with community programmes and users' families to dispel stigma and discrimination. Support to women who have recovered from addiction could also include financial assistance and helping them reunite with, and take care of, their children. The marginalisation and stigma based on gender and gender-based violence are key factors propelling former female users back into the drug abuse cycle. Until drug policies become more gender-sensitive, many women like Mary will continue to be consigned to the lowest rung in society. Richard Chelin, Senior Researcher, ENACT, ISS Pretoria analysis What started as a social media campaign under the #FixTheCountry is turning into a full-fledged movement by predominantly young Ghanaians calling for better living conditions. Social media users in Ghana are adhering to the hashtag #FixTheCountry in droves to pressure the government to improve its citizens' lives. The social media initiative is starting to leave cyberspace and taking first steps in the analog world. Among the new movement's demands are more jobs, no corruption, less taxes, and better education. Ernesto Yeboah of the activist group Economic Fighters League told DW that the present movement came about out of a feeling among the youth of not being heard by those in charge of the country. "We are hungry. Things are bad. Things are difficult. Life is tough. And it doesn't make the headlines." The power of social media Young people, who make up most of the African population, have long discovered social media to vent their frustrations and to put some pressure on governments. Without admitting that it was bowing to pressure, the Ghana National Petroleum Authority last week slightly reduced petrol prices, after a hike produced mass outrage on social media. Maltiti Sayida Sadick, who supports the movement, left her home in the north to find work in the capital Accra. She is now employed in the private sector. Sadick told DW that she didn't stand a chance to find a job back home. But earning a wage that would cover her basic needs has also proved elusive. "It is very frustrating, As a young woman of twenty-eight years, who finished school in 2016, and is still trying to find the job that one can be certain will pay for rent, electricity bills, water bills, to clothe yourself, to take care of transportation and your feeding needs. It's not easy at all." Pressure on the government Only about ten percent of university students or graduates find jobs one year after completing school, studies show. That's in a country that churns out more than 270,000 graduates every year from public and private universities. Dissatisfaction is bound to grow, and the government is well aware of the tensions, especially since more and more users are taking to social media to air concrete grievances. Government communicator Courage Nobi says he does understand the manifold frustrations of daily life in Ghana. "Post-Covid, post-2020, we've run into some very severe difficulties," he said. "Is it anybody's fault? No, it's just the dictates of economics, demand and supply and all the forces that inform prices." Nobi says the government is doing its best to address the issues. Ghana's internet community is not convinced. A call on social media platforms for a demonstration last Sunday was stopped by a court at the request of authorities, for contravening anti-coronavirus safety measures. Maltiti Sayida Sadick scoffed at the concept. "In this country, during elections, politicians were campaigning without regard to the COVID-19 protocols. So we say: lead by example." Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Ghana ICT NGO By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Government supporters in Ghana tried to start a countertrend under the hashtag 'FixYourSelf'. It was born after a member of parliament, Frank Annoh-Dompreh advised Ghanaians on the social platform Twitter to do exactly that before asking the government to fix the country. The intensity of the backlash forced him to apologize. That is not enough for activist Ernesto Yeboah who has placed his hopes on the country's young. "It's very clear to us and to many young people out there that our leaders are incapable of lifting this country out of the doldrums of poverty, disease, pain, and squalor. And so it looks like what is happening is a call for new leadership and that new leadership is about to emerge from young people," he said. Isaac Kaledzi contributed to this article President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga conclude a joint press conference about the country's growth, at Harambee House in Nairobi on March 9, 2018. The High Court on Thursday evening declared the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) illegal, null and void, dealing a death blow to President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM party leader Raila Odinga's four-years-long efforts to change the constitution. The court, in a bold, hard-hitting judgment, declared that President Uhuru Kenyatta acted in excess of his powers when he formed and initiated the BBI constitutional amendment process. The five-judge bench also declared that the President violated Chapter six of the constitution on Leadership and Integrity, for attempting to change the Constitution through the unconstitutional process of the BBI. The shock judgement, delivered at about 9.30pm, pointed out multiple legal blunders that President Kenyatta committed in his desire for constitutional reforms. Other mistakes were committed by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). The court issued a permanent injunction against the IEBC, stopping the electoral agency from organising and conducting a referendum until proper voter registration and education is done. The mistakes effectively made the BBI process, which started with a political truce between the President and Mr Odinga, in March 2018, a total flop-- barring any successful appeal. The constitutional review plan and political truce, popularly known as the 'handshake', was later embraced by other opposition leaders but split the ruling Jubilee Party into two factions -one allied to the President and the other to his deputy William Ruto. "There is a God in heaven who loves Kenya immeasurably. May God's name be praised forever," DP Ruto, who has been opposed to the BBI process, wrote on his official Twitter handle shortly after the judgement. The flopped desires of the President to amend the constitution through the BBI also had political casualties in his Jubilee party, since politicians such Garissa Town MP and Elgeyo Marakwet senator Aden Duale and Kipchumba Murkomen respectively lost their House leadership positions for their opposition to the plans. The High Court, in a judgement that was read virtually for five-and-half hours, said the 14-member BBI taskforce and the steering committee led by former Garissa senator Yusuf Haji was an illegal entity as it was unknown to the law. The judgment, running to 743 paragraphs, was so long that the five judges read it in turns amid gasps of water and technical hitches. The bench, led by justice Prof Joel Ngugi, said the President made a fatal legal mistake in attempting to amend the constitution through a popular initiative, an avenue that is not available to him. He should have used parliamentary initiative by petitioning the National Assembly, through the Attorney General, to consider the desired amendments, the court ruled. Presidential initiative The court stated there is no other permissible avenue of amending the constitution except parliamentary or popular initiatives. They described the BBI process as a Presidential initiative disguised as a constitutional popular initiative, and allowing it to be sustained would amount to having the President as promoter and referee of his own initiative. "The President cannot be an initiator of and an umpire in amendment of the constitution," said the court, adding that the BBI was muddled by conflict of interest. The judges held that "the president overstretched his powers when he proposed amendments to the constitution outside his clear mandate". To those who argued that the President was acting in person and was promoting national unity through the nine-points contained in the BBI document, the court said the argument is betrayed by the fact that the BBI taskforce was formed by the President and was answering to him. "In reality, BBI was president's initiative which is contrary to article 257 of the constitution. The taskforce that morphed to a steering committee was an unlawful and unconstitutional outfit. It was invalid from the beginning," said the judges. Old constitution They also poured cold water on arguments that retired President Mwai Kibaki initiated constitutional reforms in 2005 and 2010 during his tenure. The judges noted that Kibaki did so under the old constitution. In the current constitution, they said it provides who can initiate the amendments through popular initiative and a sitting President, Executive or a State organ is not among them. The judges held that amendment of the Constitution by popular initiative can only be initiated by a private citizen or a group of private citizens, but not the government. The BBI promoters told court that the President was exercising his constitutional mandate and authority when establishing the BBI process. But the court said the President failed to safeguard the constitution and fell short of leadership and integrity. "While efforts of uniting the country is to be lauded, in his responsibilities he cannot initiate any move to amend the constitution contrary to the constitution. It is not in his power," the court held. They added that since the process is void ab initio (from the beginning), whatever the process aimed to achieve is no legal consequences. The court also held that President Uhuru Kenyatta (as a sitting president) can be sued personally in civil proceedings for his actions or inactions or for violating the constitution. He is only exempted from criminal proceedings during his tenure. It was held that in the BBI process the President violated Article 131 (2) (c) of the Constitution and that he failed to uphold and safeguard the Constitution. According to the court, the President ought to have entered appearance in the petition because it was a civil case, instead of the Attorney General responding on his behalf. They noted that President Kenyatta had been listed as a defendant and remained a party to the case up to the end. In regard to public participation, the court said the exercise was constitutionally flawed because the promoters of the BBI failed to involve Kenyans. The promoters failed to supply Kenyans with copies of the proposed amendments so that they can make informed decisions. People with disabilities such as sight and hearing impairments were also excluded. The court compared the BBI process with the making of 2010 constitution, where the committee that was undertaking the latter received more than 26,000 memorandums of divergent views from the public. The committee that earlier attempted constitutional reforms received over 36,000 memorandums. "Voters needed the copies in languages that they understand. The only copy annexed here was in English. No efforts made by the committee to make copies available for the public. People must be involved in legislative process," said judges. It was also held that the Independent and Electoral Commission (IEBC) needed to have subjected the Constitutional Amendment Bill to legal tests and public participation before taking it. The court also said the referendum process was started when there was no legislative framework for the conduct of a referendum in the country. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Governance Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Another legal blunder The judges said it is necessary that the legislation be put in place for any such amendment to the Constitution. Another legal blunder was that IEBC lacked the statutory quorum of five members to receive the constitutional amendment bill and to conduct a referendum, hence it is unlawfully constituted. The court said the Wafula Chebukati-led IEBC did not have the capacity to verify the supporting signatures for the BBI Bill. The decisions made by the Commission on the Bill were invalid, null and void for want of quorum. Further, that the IEBC took steps of holding a referendum without conducting voter education and voter registration exercise. In regard to creation of the proposed 70 parliamentary constituencies and the distribution of the same, the court said the same is unconstitutional. The judges said it is invalid, null and void because delimitation of boundaries is the function of IEBC under Article 89 of The Constitution. There was also no law to guide county assemblies on what to do with views collected before the Bill is considered. The court also held that both the National and County Assemblies have no powers to amend a constitutional amendment bill generated through a popular initiative. "Amending so as to incorporate public views defeats the purpose of the Bill. The Assemblies cannot hijack the process and amend. It would lose meaning of a popular initiative. The public views should be on guiding the assemblies. They should swallow or spit the Bill wholly," ruled the court. The prime suspect in the murder of former National Lands Commission official Jennifer Wambua has been found mentally fit to stand trial. Peter Njenga alias ole Sankale will be charged with the homicide if the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) approves the charges placed before him. The suspect also faces charges on other crimes, including multiple rapes and violent robberies. Njenga, who has been in custody since being arrested on April 15, appeared virtually on Wednesday before the Kiambu High Court. During the appearance, the police asked for more time to prepare charge sheets, and as they await the report on Njenga's mental state from Mathari Hospital. He is set is set to take a plea on Monday. Two other suspects in the case - Mr Benjamin Saitoti, a boda boda rider, and Mr David Sempuan, a herder -- have been set free and placed in witness protection. They are state witnesses against Mr Njenga. With DNA evidence on the rape of Ms Wambua the day she died, there is little wiggle room for the suspect. The court was also told that Njenga has four pending cases of robbery with violence and theft. The Nation understands that the DCI wants him to take plea for fresh charges as more victims have come out to say that he has either raped or stolen from them in the past. An identification parade carried out on Monday in Ngong saw him positively identified, prompting the DCI to ask the DPP to approve the new charges. Seven former Zimplats employees have been taken to court by the platinum miner for refusing to vacate company accommodation beyond the subsistence of their employment. The seven, Farai Mandimika, Maxwell Verenga, Triuona Makina, Bernard Mushonga, Rodwell Bhunu, Duplicate Ndoda and Liberty Dakarai, are still occupying the premises at Turf Village, long after they lost their jobs. Takawira Maswiswi, who deposed an affidavit on behalf of Zimplats, said the homes were allocated to the ex-workers on a rent to buy agreement as part of their benefits. Reasons for contract termination include ill health and misconduct. Maswiswi claims that despite a 30 days' notice to vacate, the ex-workers have neglected to leave. "In terms of clause 17.2 where an employee is dismissed from employment, the employer shall be entitled to immediately and without further notice, terminate the rent to buy agreement and obtain vacant possession of the property," Maswiswi said in his founding affidavit. He added, "The agreement was accordingly terminated, and the respondents were given 30 days to vacate the property. "Despite the period within which to vacate the property lapsed, having no rights to occupy the property, the respondents have refused and or neglected to vacate Zimplats property." He said former workers were in occupation of Zimplats property without company authorisation and have no legal right to do so. The seven are yet to respond to the summons. The matter is pending a full hearing at the High Court. When President Uhuru Kenyatta established the Nairobi Metropolitan Services in March last year, he tasked Major General Mohamed Badi and his team with dismantling cartels in Nairobi County and ending corruption. The President had been alarmed by runaway corruption at City Hall, that had made service delivery impossible. He said the cartels had a vice-like grip on the county government services, from garbage collection to parking, water supply and issuance of permits. At the time, Governor Mike Sonko was facing a Sh357 million corruption charge, which eventually saw him barred from accessing his City Hall office. Several corruption-related investigation cases had also been opened by different investigative agencies, ranging from multi-million garbage tender awards to the multi-billion stadiums construction saga. However, after a short lull following the impeachment of Mr Sonko in December last year, with transition of power from Nairobi County Assembly Speaker Benson Mutura to Deputy Governor Ann Kananu, the cartels are back, this time bolder and more ferocious. Payments to lawyers, utilisation of Covid-19 funds, AAR-City Hall staff medical scheme and Covid-19 relief programme are just but some of the brewing scandals that could yet again sink the city county back to its old ways. Nairobi County Assembly Minority Chief Whip Peter Imwatok, who appeared to be at the forefront of the transition at City Hall, even at times directing Ms Kananu during press briefings, has in the past weeks turned into a whistleblower, lifting the lid on the happenings at City Hall. The first was in a letter dated April 27, 2021, where the Makongeni MCA wrote to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Director of Public Prosecutions to investigate "suspicious and skewed" payments to 13 law firms by the Ms Kananu-led administration. In the letter, Mr Imwatok alleges that more than Sh410 million was irregularly paid to the law firms with no information on the cases handled. The second-term county legislator claimed the payments were made between February 9 and March 30, 2021. In January, the EACC had written to City Hall about investigation of 25 law firms over an alleged payment of Sh500 million-worth of legal fees to the law firms with the anti-graft agency following specific case files handled by the law firms between 2013 and 2020, including details of the cases, letters of instructions and contract agreements. "It has come to our attention that even before the investigations with regards to this matter commenced, if ever they did, the Nairobi City County proceeded to pay the lawyers monies amounting to over Sh410 million," read in part the letter. But before all that could settle, another bombshell was dropped. Mr Imwatok wrote to the EACC and the DPP, asking them to investigate a payment of Sh275 million to suppliers. He claimed that some seven companies, acting as "proxies to MCAs or members of county staff" undertook works or supplies in the Environment Department and/or supplied food as part of the Nairobi County Covid-19 feeding programme. The ODM representative claimed that the county government had lined up the companies for payment for the services yet there is "no food that was ever supplied to the county or distributed to anyone". "It is absurd that taxpayer's money amounting to Sh275 million shall be paid to companies belonging to MCAs or their proxies for either services and/or goods that were never supplied," said Mr Imwatok in a letter dated April 26. The Sh84 million feeding programme was to benefit 127,500 most vulnerable people in Nairobi's informal settlements with foodstuff such as maize and wheat flour, sugar, rice, loaves of bread and powdered milk. Other items include blankets, sanitary towels and basins distributed to cushion them against the negative effects of the pandemic. The programme was to run for three months between April and June 2021, with distribution done every week across Nairobi's 17 sub-counties. According to documents, the seven companies were given contracts worth between Sh3 million and Sh22 million to supply the items. Procurement process However, most MCAs have said their wards are yet to get any supplies, while those who were fortunate to receive the items said the package was not more than 50 bags. "I not only have the contract but the invoice, the payment transaction, the CR12 of the companies and I have forwarded all to EACC. I am questioning the procurement process and I have evidence of procurement officers saying the processes were done without their consent," said Mr Imwatok. Then there is the controversial Sh1.7 billion AAR Insurance Kenya medical contract for City Hall staff, which has also been thrust in the spotlight. Some MCAs have called for investigations into the deal, alleging that it has been turned into a cash cow by certain county officers, instead of benefiting the employees. Waithaka MCA Antony Kiragu last month called on EACC and DCI to investigate the deal, claiming some county officials have been making money from the AAR-City Hall deal, with payments being staggered by the county government to give the individuals a platform to do business with the funds. "The reason the payments are being done in phases is that people want to do business with AAR money. The officers want kickback from AAR," charged Mr Kiragu. Mr Kiragu's assertions came hot on the heels of an announcement by Nairobi County Assembly Majority Leader Abdi Guyo that he will bring a motion to form an ad-hoc committee to look into the AAR-City Hall medical scheme. The Matopeni MCA said the committee's brief will be to investigate how AAR was awarded the tender, what services they are providing to staff and whether there is value for money. But that is not all. Maj-Gen Badi and Ms Kananu have also been summoned by Senate to respond to "cross-cutting issues" involving the NMS and City Hall over the expenditure of Covid-19 funds. The summons came after a damning report by Auditor General Nancy Gathungu on the utilisation of Covid-19 funds by counties, which fingered NMS for a number of irregularities involving Sh294.38 million received from the national government in June 2020. Some of the irregularities involved single-sourcing of a Sh64.9 million tender for design and maintenance of a makeshift isolation centre, irregular cash withdrawal of Sh32 million from a KCB account for facilitation of health workers and Sh120 million payment to frontline health workers without a budget. The auditor could also not establish the whereabouts of some Sh182.07 million donated by the Danish International Development Agency and the county's own contribution to boosting the war against Covid-19. Mr Imwatok now claims that cartels are back at City Hall in full swing, taking advantage of the vulnerability of Ms Kananu "who is seemingly out of touch with the reality of being an acting governor". "The county is opaque and nobody is in charge. It is everyone for him or herself," he said. Attempts to get a comment from Ms Kananu have been futile as she did not respond to our messages. She also did not return our phone calls as she had promised. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Corruption By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. A nasty falling out between Jubilee and Orange MCAs has been brewing following the revelations, with Mr Imwatok now under siege as some ward representatives from his own party begin collecting signatures to oust him as Minority Whip. He is accused of using the party's name in bad light at the county government to advance his selfish interests, allegations, which he denied. "I will not be cowed from exposing corruption at the county government. Let the masters of corruption be prepared to face me to death. I am ready for the challenge as this is not the first time I am facing such threats," he said. The current power tussle has seen Jubilee MCAs instigate the removal of Public Accounts Committee chairperson Wilfred Odalo of ODM, with 15 MCAs -- three from ODM and 12 from Jubilee -- appending their signatures. But in retaliation, the Raila Odinga-led party withdrew its membership of the watchdog committee, citing intimidation and coercion of members into signing the removal of Mr Odalo as the chairperson. The three MCAs who supported the removal of Mr Odalo -- Jared Okode, Clarence Munga and Lawrence Otieno -- have also been withdrawn from the committees they serve in. However, Mr Guyo hit back, saying the committee will continue operating as long as it has a quorum. He added that a chairperson of any committee serves at the pleasure of members and once that confidence is lost, the chair cannot force themselves on the members. "It is not Jubilee's business if they (ODM) decided to pull out. The chair has been accused of gross misconduct, which will taint the image of the assembly. The members have the right to choose their chair, who will still be from opposition," said the Matopeni MCA. comulo@ke.nationmedia.com analysis A new book by Rob Davies, a former South African Trade and Industry Minister, provides a candid and detailed insider's account of the evolution of the country's post-apartheid political economy. He makes it clear from the outset that this is a memoir and not an autobiography. But, as one reads on, it becomes obvious that it is impossible to separate his personal experiences from the momentous events that have shaped democratic South Africa. The book's fourteen chapters cover topics as varied as the apartheid context, the southern African region, Mozambican socialism plus economic policy in the transition to democracy and in the first democratic administration led by President Nelson Mandela. It also covers the importance of the governing African National Congress's (ANC's) eventful 52nd national conference in 2007. It looks at trade policy challenges, too, as well as politics and economics in the era of President Cyril Ramaphosa. The early years and ideology Early in the book the reader is introduced to the intellectual ideas that moulded Davies's ideological worldview. His doctoral thesis at the University of Sussex, Britain, examined the relationship between capital, the state and white labour in South Africa. Under the tutelage of exiled South African Marxist scholar Harold Wolpe, he became a member of a coterie of theorists and scholars. Mostly of Marxist orientation, they were concerned with analysing the relationship between capitalism and apartheid. Davies's 11 years in exile in Mozambique, where he worked as a researcher alongside Ruth First, an anti-apartheid activist and academic, at Eduardo Mondlane University, gave him direct exposure to Mozambique's history and socialist model. It also deepened his understanding of the southern African region. He writes frankly about the failures of Mozambican socialism, while highlighting its achievements. Critiquing the post-apartheid economy The book focuses mostly on economic issues. This is not surprising, given the author's long history of dealing with economic matters. He recounts in detail the political and social changes that took place in South Africa following the 1994 elections that ended apartheid. He is critical of economic policy during the first ANC administration. He reserves particular criticism for its macroeconomic policy framework introduced in 1996, the Growth, Employment and Redistribution Strategy (GEAR). It was developed "without prior consultation" with any of the ANC's alliance partners - the South African Communist Party and labour federation Cosatu. Davies bemoans that GEAR led to the controversial scrapping of the Reconstruction and Development Programme. The radical economic programme was designed to redistribute income, wealth and economic power and, at the same time, stimulate rapid economic growth. These are valid concerns. Others include the point that GEAR failed to meet its job creation targets. It did not yield desired levels of foreign investment either. But his analysis lacks a nuanced appreciation of the national context. This includes the fact that when GEAR was unveiled, the country was mired in a debilitating currency crisis, amid dwindling international confidence. And he doesn't say whether the policy accomplished anything. Davies thinks that the debate that pitted the supporters of GEAR against its detractors could be described as "macroeconomic fundamentalism". The proponents emphasised the need for macroeconomic discipline. Critics argued in favour of an expansionist neo-Keynesian economic approach. What was missing from the debate was any profound engagement with the constraints being imposed by the structural characteristics of the productive economy, the changes that were taking place in it and the kind of transformations that were therefore necessary at this level to move to a qualitatively different new growth path capable of addressing the triple challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality. An opportunity lost Davies argues that the ANC's 52nd conference, and the subsequent ascent of Jacob Zuma to the highest political office, represented an opportunity for the radical transformation of the economy. The focus was on active trade and industrial policies. These included the adoption of strategies for beneficiation (adding value to mineral resources) and localisation (designating that a certain portion of goods be bought locally for government's infrastructure programmes). The policies were touted as being central to the structural transformation in the productive base of the economy. They were to be joined by an effective land reform programme. A "developmental trade policy", set out in several iterations of the Industrial Policy Action Plan, would alter the structure of the economy, enabling a shift to higher value-added production. It is not evident whether these economic objectives were achieved. Davies outlines some policy successes. These include significant investments in the automotive, pharmaceutical and agro-processing sectors. Others include retention of thousands of jobs in clothing and textiles. There were also notable advances in metals fabrication industries. Even so, it is questionable whether these industrial policies succeeded substantially to stem the tide of deindustrialisation that has hobbled the post-apartheid economy. Davies seems to concede this reality when he states that we had not yet remotely reached the stage of having sufficient impact decisively to create conditions for a new, productive, sector-driven inclusive growth path. Trade diplomat As a public servant he was not only hardworking but had an impressive command of policy and technical detail. This is laid bare when he discusses trade policy challenges. His good understanding of the global political economy, coupled with his mastery of policy detail, made him an effective trade diplomat. His vast knowledge, sharp insights and extensive experience stood him in good stead. He led South Africa's charge in dealing with intractable problems within the World Trade Organisation and renegotiating the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act with the US. He also led in negotiating Economic Partnership Agreements with the EU and engaged with counterparts in the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) grouping. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines South Africa Business Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. His concerns about what stalled progress within the Southern African Customs Union between South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Eswatini deserve serious attention. Like his colleagues within the South African Communist Party and Cosatu, Davies was initially hopeful that the Zuma administration (May 2009 to February 2018) would usher in a new era of economic and social progress. He is disappointed with what it turned out to be. He points out that in spite of some advances, including those in the area of HIV/AIDS policy, the Zuma presidency ended up being an extremely destructive demobilisation of state capacity through rampant looting. Davies cannot delink himself from the historical events in which he took part. As his earlier cringeworthy interview with the BBC's Stephen Sackur showed, he missed a chance to speak out more forcefully against economic mismanagement and state capture. Book's significance Overall, this is a thoughtful, well-researched and informative book. It is a substantive, and in some respects original, contribution to the post-apartheid political economy literature. The writing style is somewhat turgid but this is eased by the fascinating anecdotes. The book will serve as a valuable resource to everyone who is interested in South Africa's contemporary political economy. Mills Soko, Professor: International Business & Strategy, Wits Business School, University of the Witwatersrand analysis Thembi Ngubane was a young woman who became famous through the American National Public Radio show Thembi's AIDS Diary: A Year in the Life of a South African Teenager.. She was vibrant, punchy, full of life. She recorded the consultation when, as a doctor, I started her on antiretroviral therapy in 2005. Jo Menell's documentary film, Thembi, gives a sensitive and nuanced account of her fast rise to fame, culminating in meeting Barack Obama and addressing the US Congress, and then equally rapid fall into oblivion, loss from care, and death. The disease that killed her was cryptococcal meningitis. It is a killer in the dark, responsible for an estimated 181,000 worldwide in 2014, of which 135,900 were in sub-Saharan Africa. Most were people who had been living with HIV. The cryptococcus fungus is everywhere in the environment and for people with a working immune system it causes no harm. But in people with HIV who have a weak immune system it can invade the lining of the brain and other organs, quickly leading to death unless treated. Most people who die from cryptococcal meningitis are under the age of 40. Yet, with early diagnosis and the best available treatment, mortality can be reduced to 30% of what it is currently. Why, then, do people still die? It is not because the lifesaving tools and treatments are unaffordable. The CrAg-LFA, a rapid finger-prick test to detect antibodies to cryptococcus in blood and spinal fluid, costs only US$2. The drug flucytosine, which if widely available would reduce deaths from cryptococcal meningitis by as much as 40%, costs only US$100. The other key drug needed for treatment, amphotericin B, is affordable for health department budgets in its convential formulation, while the less toxic liposomal form of amphotericin B remains too expensive for most. Saving lives does not require high tech tools, but simple point-of-care tests. The key medicines are decades old, generally simple to produce, and off-patent. The biggest part of the treatment cost is that of basic hospitalisation and medical staff. The real problem lies higher up, with a lack of political will to address this leading cause of HIV-related mortality. In May 2021, a group of health organisations based in Africa, Europe and the US released the Strategic Framework for Ending Cryptococcal Meningitis Deaths by 2030. It calls on the World Health Organisation, donors, governments, civil society organisations and industry to set clear targets, draw up plans and work together to drastically reduce deaths from cryptococcal meningitis. Preventable deaths Tens of thousands of people die unnecessarily because cryptococcal meningitis has been neglected. There is a global strategy to end deaths from tuberculosis, but no strategy to end cryptococcal meningitis. A strategy is crucial for priority setting, resource allocation and planning. It focuses attention on the steps needed to end cryptococcal meningitis deaths and who should be responsible for addressing those steps. Access to tests and optimal treatment remains extremely limited in clinics in sub-Saharan Africa. Flucytosine, the cornerstone medicine for treatment, isn't registered in any country in Africa. Pharmaceutical companies rarely apply for registration if the market is not deemed to be profitable. Governments do not include unregistered drugs in national guidelines. In the case of flucytosine this catch-22 situation led to market failure. There is reason to hope, however. A few years ago the South African National Institute for Communicable Diseases, with support from the US Centers for Disease Control, scaled up systematic screening for cryptococcal meningitis of people with HIV with severe immune suppression. This helped to diagnose more people but without flucytosine the treatment was still suboptimal. A number of public sector doctors started treating patients with flucytosine after obtaining exemptions from the South African regulator to use an unregistered drug. This inspired Doctors Without Borders to start a clinical access programme to donate flucytosine to one hospital in every province of South Africa. Early results already show much lower mortality in patients treated with flucytosine. The clinical access programme was taken over by the Clinton Health Access Initiative and expanded to provide supplies for advanced HIV disease to nine countries. Spurred by the prospect of increasing demand, a large Indian manufacturer of generic medicines took over the production of flucytosine and applied for registration in a number of African countries, including South Africa. An increasing number of national guidelines now include the treatment recommended by the World Health Organisation. Yet, despite this progress, most people with cryptococcal meningitis remain without a diagnosis and without optimal treatment. This is why a global strategy is needed. The strategy must have clear targets and a roadmap to scale up access to tests and medicines. Transforming cryptococcal disease from a silent killer into a disease that is mostly cured is achievable at a modest cost. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines AIDS South Africa By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Call for action The last time I saw Thembi was in consultation days before she died in 2009. She was a shadow of the person I had started on antiretroviral treatment a couple of years earlier. After interrupting treatment, she had gradually lost weight and was increasingly confused. My heart sank when I read the referral letter: cryptococcal meningitis. With late diagnosis and optimal treatment out of reach, I knew the prognosis was poor. The call for attention to cryptococcal meningitis is a plea to bring this neglected cause of death out of the darkness. This can be done by ensuring that testing and treatment becomes available everywhere. Dr Amir Shroufi, Medical Advisor at the CDC Foundation contributed to the article. Gilles van Cutsem, Honorary Research Associate, Centre for Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Research, University of Cape Town President George Manneh Weah has by Proclamation declared Friday, May 14, 2021 as National Unification Day to be observed throughout the territorial confines of the Republic of Liberia as a National Holiday. The Presidential Proclamation directs that appropriate programs be organized to celebrate the day. According to a Foreign Ministry release, the Proclamation is in consonance with an Act of Legislation passed in 1960, declaring the 14th of May of each year as a National Unification Day, realizing the benefits to be accrued from the Unification and Integration Policy. The release recounts that since the Unification and Integration Policy became an integrated part of the National Development Plan, the Nation has seen marked progress and improvement in all spheres of national endeavor, particularly in the economic, educational, communication and social fields. It recalls that the wisdom of the Unification Policy has found expression in the national fabric through the representation of all sections of the country in the Legislature and every other branch of government, thereby promoting conditions of peace and unity. However, President Weah stated, "Being mindful of the years of civil strife in the country and its harmful impacts on the people of Liberia, it becomes imperative that all Liberians embrace the noble ideals enshrined in the Unification Act to promote unity and peace among all Liberians." The Proclamation further stresses that the Government of the Republic of Liberia adheres to the principles of justice, equality, fair play and equal opportunities for all, regardless of tribe or clan, section, creed, religion or economic status so that Liberians might be united in a consolidated whole. RESTAURANT operator, Barcelos, has invested more than US$200 000 in an expansion drive aimed at opening up three more branches in Zimbabwe. The South African-owned entity says its investments are driven by the growing confidence in Zimbabwe as a business destination. The company plans to open new branches in the resort city Victoria Falls, Msasa and 7 Miles in Harare. Barcelos opened its first branch in Bulawayo in August 2018 and since then it has established over 10 outlets countrywide in places that include Harare and Mhondoro. Company director, Mr Benson Muneri, told Business Chronicle that the opening up of additional outlets would create more employment for locals. "We are busy with the establishment of three new stores namely Msasa Harare, 7 Miles Harare and Victoria Falls branches and each outlet will employ 15 locals," he said. "The cost of setting up each outlet is US$75 000. "The Msasa Harare branch will be opened next week while the 7 Miles Harare and Victoria Falls branches will be opened in June and July respectively," said Mr Muneri. He said the fast-food chain organisation has devised means to stay afloat amid the Covid-19 pandemic, which has seen restaurants operating at half capacity due to the induced lockdowns. "We have had to adapt to the new normal just like every other versatile brand as music was hard in the beginning and we are now normalizing," said Mr Muneri. "We also support the arts sector as we proudly support anything local and home-grown the same way we pride ourselves with the massive local support we are receiving." He said they were also at an advanced stage towards opening up new stores in Botswana and Namibia. Barcelos is headquartered in South Africa and has over 80 outlets in that country. It also has a footprint in Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Botswana, Namibia, Turkey Egypt, Pakistan, India, Maldives, Mauritius, Sudan, Canada, Jordan, Mozambique and Iran. Finance and Economic Development Deputy Minister Clemence Chiduwa has said the cost of imported software was a major driver of high bank charges being levied by financial institutions to depositors. Although the country's banking sector remains in solid position with an upward increase in periodic profits, surveys have shown the bulk of income comes from banking charges as opposed to lending interest as per global norm. Of late, concerns have been raised over the high bank charges on transactions, which are blamed for discouraging formalisation. High bank charges also tend to spike demand for cash, as more people tend to avoid costly electronic transactions and account service charges. Responding to questions in Parliament Wednesday, Deputy Minister Chiduwa admitted the problem and said the Government has engaged banks and the feedback was that imported software cost was a major push factor. "Bank charges on transactions that are being levied by our banks are on the upper side. We have engaged our banks and the primary reason they are fighting for high bank charges is because of the software system they are using. Most of the systems they are using are imported," he said The Deputy Minister stressed the need to continue enhancing availability of foreign currency to reduce the cost of imported software and other accessories. In June last year, the Government introduced the weekly Foreign Currency Auction Trading System with a view to improve accessibility of foreign currency on the formal market to the productive sectors. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Governance Zimbabwe By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. The forex allocated through the auction arrangement has largely been for companies to procure critical raw materials and equipment. At this week's auction, a record high of US$41,6 million was allocated of which US$16,4 million at the main auction floor went towards raw material procurement while US$1,2 million was disbursed for the same cause at the Small and Medium Enterprises auction. For machinery and equipment procurement, the monetary authorities allotted US$1,3 million to SMEs while US$6,5 million was allotted for the same cause at the main auction. Other allotments were for fuel, electricity and gas, retail and distribution, services (loans, education, disinvestments and dividends), pharmaceuticals and chemicals, among others. "We need to continue revamping our availability of forex so that we reduce the costs of imported software. We are also saying they should look at having those solutions locally," he said. Deputy Minister Chiduwa said in terms of short-term management of costs, the country may not be having the solution but in the medium to long-term, the Government was looking at availing forex to the banking sector while also trying to get the local solution. "In terms of operations of banks, commercial banks and all institutions that are allowed to lend are free to provide lending facilities, but it is up to the individual bank to look at the risk profiles of those who are applying for loans," he said. "We are not limited. What only limits the bank is the risk profile but the other issue that is also affecting banks is the unavailability of funds to do the lending programmes." The Deputy Minister also emphasised the need to address bottlenecks facing local banks in accessing international credit lines. A PROJECT launched in Zimbabwe in December 2020 to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 on food and nutrition security using climate smart technologies is making good progress with a thriving horticulture crop, a solar-powered borehole, and 100 efficient cook stoves having been installed. This climate smart technology project in Zimbabwe is an extension of the Global Climate Change Alliance Plus (GCCA+) programme, which seeks to strengthen the capacity of southern African member States to undertake regional and national adaptation and mitigation actions in response to the challenges caused by the effects of climate change. It is being implemented by Grow a Tree Foundation (GTF), a partner of the Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA), with funding from the European Union (EU) through the Southern African Development Community (Sadc), and technical support from Bembani Group. According to a latest update by the Sadc, at least 2,000 pawpaw (papaya), 500 moringa, lemon, orange, guava and avocado trees have been planted on a hectare each in Gwangwawa village in Rushinga district, about 250 kilometres north-east of Harare. Another solar-powered borehole is expected to be installed soon. Two hectares of vegetables, namely tomato, cabbage, green paper, onion and pumpkin leaves are nearing harvest and the community expects to go to the market in mid-May 2021. GTF communications director, Mr Brian Musuna, was quoted as saying: "The vegetables are nearing harvest and we should see the community go to the market by mid-May. The papaya was planted in December 2020 and January 2021. "We gave them the IPB9 dwarf variety, which should be ready for harvest by September/October this year. The other trees will produce fruit in not more than two years after being planted in February 2021." According to the regional bloc, the project is expected to expand to other product lines such as beekeeping, fish ponds and chicken rearing. The community through the project was assisted with registering a private company that will be used as a commercial vehicle to market and sell the produce. "The bees will help with pollination in the orchard thereby accelerating growth of fruit on the trees and the community will also harvest honey," said Mr Musuna. "The community will further benefit from processing small grain like groundnuts into peanut butter and processing pulp from Baobab." The project endeavours to create an entire production value chain in order to enhance activities that impact positively on food security and nutrition. The SADC/CCARDESA Covid-19 Response project has benefitted the entire Gwangwawa Village, which comprises over 100 households with an average of eight persons per household. Livelihood activities in the community are predominantly small-scale farming, but given the arid conditions of the area and emerging threats of climate change, the village became a prime candidate for piloting the sponsored intervention. GTF chief executive officer, Mr Kudakwashe Manyanga, and his team assessed the needs of small-scale farmers in Rushinga District and realised that the community relied on drought resistant crops like small grains, tobacco, baobab fruit and maize for economic salvation. It was also observed that Gwangwawa Village was experiencing environmental management issues due to a gold rush. Alluvial gold mining, tobacco production, and deforestation for energy demands motivated the Foundation to plant fruit trees that will add to nutritional and economic value through the sale of produce/products and carbon sequestration. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Climate Coronavirus ICT By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. The mandate of the Foundation is premised on reforestation and therefore production of non-timber products will foster economic empowerment of communities while preserving the environment through green technology. "This is the reason why we installed solar powered boreholes, efficient cook stoves and a tree forest plot in order to embed green technology within the minds and way of life of the community," said Mr Musuna. This pilot project will be mainstreamed to the other parts of the country with similar climatic conditions. The escalating threat on livelihoods, food and nutrition security due to negative impact of Covid-19 prompted the EU to contribute US$180 000 through the GCCA+ project for the mitigation impact using climate smart technologies in Eswatini, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The project is being implemented by CCARDESA over a period of 18 months. Parleiament's Portfolio Committee on Women's Affairs, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Community Development has been lobbied to push for a further relaxation of Covid-19 regulations to allow resumption of cross-border travel and trade. Giving oral evidence during the committee's public hearing held in Chinhoyi Thursday, SME sector players said the pandemic had adversely affected their businesses due to the closure of the country's land borders and banning of air travel when the disease broke out early last year. The traders appealed to committee chairperson Chido Madiwa (MP Mutasa South) and fellow legislators to lobby government to review Covid-19 regulations in light of the decreasing number of new infections and deaths. A representative of cross border traders, Eunice Jokonya said the quick opening of borders could save most members of her association from bankruptcy. "We are not yet out of the woods in terms of Covid-19, but we know the situation is slowly returning to normalcy. We, therefore, appeal to government to open borders so we can travel to neighbouring countries to make our orders, that's how we survive. SMEs are the backbone of the economy," said Jokonya. She revealed some cross border traders were now broke due to Covid-19 which saw them spending all their savings as well as capital and were now unable to resuscitate their businesses. Jokonya also called on the committee to push quasi-governmental lending financial institutions such as SMEDCO, Empower Bank and Women's Bank to offer easily accessible loans at concessionary rates. Vongai Wachenuka, chairperson of the Zimbabwe Chamber of Informal Economy Associations (ZCIEA) reiterated the need to urgently open borders as well as increase import quotas. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Zimbabwe Governance Coronavirus By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Wachenuka lamented women cross border traders bore the brunt of Covid-19 lockdowns and called on councils to avail land on which ZCIEA members could build proper spaces for themselves. Participants were unanimous the available loan schemes targeting SMEs were exorbitant while conditions were restrictive. Government, MPs also heard, put a moratorium on taxes and should compensate SMEs and informal businesses for the livelihoods disrupted as well as losses, particularly those experienced by fruit and vegetable vendors whose produce rot. Vongai Kapesa, representing artisans, called on government to legislate awarding local builders' subcontracts on the impending multi-million-dollar Harare-Chirundu highway dualisation project. "We are appealing to be considered, possibly as a consortium whereby SMEs come together and bid for some subcontracts as Chinhoyi builders so that at least our members can be uplifted and benefit from this project that is coming to our province," said Kapesa. The committee, whose other members are MPs Joyce Jaja, Constance Chihoro, Goodluck Kwaramba, Lindiwe Maphosa and Christina Manyere held the public hearing jointly with the Senate Committee on Indigenisation. The MPs later toured various vending sites in Chinhoyi central business district and Gadzema township. They later travelled to Kadoma where a similar public hearing was held on the same day. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa joins the South African Muslim community for an evening of Iftaar with the Athlone Parliamentary Constituency Office in the Western Cape Province, May 6, 2021. analysis If the outcomes of the most recent meeting of the national executive committee (NEC) of South Africa's governing party, the African National Congress (ANC), are anything to go by, the party has reached a tipping point. As he was giving an update of the NEC meeting, ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa's demeanour appeared to be that of a leader in charge, sending his secretary-general Ace Magashule packing, and giving him the executive committee's ultimatum to apologise for his vindictive behaviour. The NEC is the ANC's highest governing structure in between its five-yearly national conferences. Magashule, who has been suspended by the party because he has been charged with fraud and corruption, defiantly ignored his suspension and retaliated by in turn "suspending" Ramaphosa. In other words, he dared the president, but at his own peril. Ramaphosa is a formidable adversary. Based on his experience of their encounters during the negotiations for the new South Africa, FW de Klerk, the last apartheid-era president of South Africa, warned that Ramaphosa's relaxed manner and convivial expression were contradicted by coldly calculating eyes, which seemed to be searching continuously for the softest spot in the defences of his opponents. His silver tongue and honeyed phrases lulled potential victims while his arguments relentlessly tightened around them. This is what Ramaphosa, with the support of the NEC, has done to Magashule and his allies. He read them the riot act for disobedience. This bodes well for the ANC's renewal project. This entails ridding the ANC of corruption, rebuilding public trust in it and ensuring it delivers on its obligations as a government. According to Ramaphosa, all this is essential if the ANC is to win public trust and be a force for good in society. Finally, Ramaphosa, who was elected president of the party in December 2017 on a slim margin, has his grip on the ANC. Tumultuous epoch Ramaphosa is set to go down in the annals of history as an ANC president who presided over a tumultuous epoch in the party's evolution. He faced opposition from within the party ahead of his election, and his slim victory margin emboldened those who had opposed him. Magashule pointedly took a jab at Ramaphosa shortly after the election: it's just a matter of five years, comrades. The conference happens every five years, so let's work hard. Here, Magashule was mobilising his allies to start working on ensuring that, in the next elective conference in 2022, Ramaphosa is voted out of office. This marked a fissure between the president and secretary-general, which found resonance in the motley crew elected to the leadership of the ANC in December 2017. The scene for internecine contestations was set. Magashule is allied to Ramaphosa's nemesis, former party president Jacob Zuma. Their faction within the ANC has fashioned itself as the true custodians of the aspirations of South Africa's still economically weak black majority. They call themselves "radical economic transformation forces" fighting against the domination of the economy by the minority white population (white monopoly capital), of which Ramaphosa is supposedly a lackey. Magashule's fierce opposition was part of his ongoing strategy of establishing a party within the party, from his powerful position. This was a cardinal sin - and called for excommunication. But Magashule only got a rap over the knuckles. Instead of nipping it in the bud Ramaphosa pursued the elusive illusion of unity. This spawned mollycoddling, impunity and faustian pacts. Ramaphosa was made to look meek, to the extent that many started to ask whether the centre was holding. The ANC became a platform for free-for-all, where squabbling over access to and control of public resources became a political preoccupation, with Magashule becoming a leading character working tirelessly to eviscerate Ramaphosa. The contestation was not ideologically driven. It was driven by greed. By not acting earlier against Magashule, Ramaphosa's leadership unwittingly became complicit in creating its own challenges. What appears to have broken the camel's back were Magashule's increasing infractions, his frequent contradictions of the president's public statements, especially on matters related to state capture and corruption. Ramaphosa eventually mustered the courage - and the support in the party - to suspend Magashule and gag his media gibberish. Is the ANC out of the woods? Unfortunately, not by a long shot. Can the ship be turned? Former party leader and president of the country Thabo Mbeki asked a vexing question after the NEC meeting that sealed Magashule's fate: Do we still have any organisation called the ANC? The question is a profound one - not because of its literal poignancy, but for its figurative meaning. The moral heritage of the ANC has gone awry. The question for Ramaphosa is, how is his leadership going to bring this back to course? It is disingenuous of Magashule's allies to say the ANC is collapsing, but fudge the reasons for this with insinuations that ascribe developments to his suspension, instead of focusing on why he was suspended. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines South Africa Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. The party had increasingly become a haven for self-preservation rather than, as the governing party, the custodian of public interest. Accountability was met with short shrift and incendiary rhetoric to subvert justice. This included the ANC's "step aside resolution", which was taken at its 2017 national conference. The NEC's guidelines for its implementation state that its members who are charged with serious crime should voluntarily step down, and if they fail to do so, should be suspended. The moral indiscretion of some of its leaders has hollowed out any rectitude in the party. Its image in society is ruined. It is because of this that, as its leader, Ramaphosa's job is cut out. To turn things around, he requires taking on the best characterstics of former ANC leaders. The political savvy of Oliver Tambo, who kept the movement together for over three decades in exile; the reconciliatoty benevolence of Nelson Mandela, who led it from 1991 to 1997; the wit of Thabo Mbeki, 1997 to 2007; and the calmness of Kgalema Motlanthe, party deputy president from 2007 to 2012; coupled with a bit of democratic dictatorship. Mashupye Herbert Maserumule, Professor of Public Affairs, Tshwane University of Technology NRM Manifesto Week The Ministry of Trade implemented the manifesto commitment of continuing fast-tracking the East African Community (EAC) economic and political integration in line with the vision of having a single monetary union and achieving political federation of all the EAC member states. Economic integration was deepened through engagement in sectoral councils (resolving the outstanding NTBs and facilitate smooth trading under the COVID 19 pandemic). Also achieved was implementation of the Common Market Protocol where implementation of the Northern Corridor Initiative started, Signing of the Mutual Recognition Agreement to ease movement of persons in the professions of Engineers, lawyers, accountants; ease of movement of persons by having a common tourism visa. The Ministry sensitized, organized and supported the business community to take advantage of AGOA, Everything but Arms, COMESA, EAC and the Chinese markets. Also, gave the Uganda Export Promotion Board targets to increase the volume of exports to these markets. Hence National Export Development Strategy (NEDS) was implemented and focuses on preferential markets. Sensitizations of the business community continuously being held. Companies were assessed and trained on various aspects of exporting including recommended by Herbeauty A Mental Health Chatbot Which Helps People With Depression Learn more Modes of transport (50) Strategy & planning (63) Financing (46) Contracting (39) Marketing (69) Digital marketing (60) Services exports (33) etc. A mini-audit of export facilities and companies ongoing. Overall, the implementation of the above has had the following Impact: Exports to the EU have grown by 9.6% between 2016-20, from US$ 460.9 million in 2016 to US$ 505.43 million in 2020. Exports to COMESA have increased by 12% between 2016-20, from US$ 1,141.10 billion in 2016 to US$ 1,278.43 billion in 2020 Exports to the Middle East have grown by 271% between 2016-20, from US$ 506.16 million in 2016 to US$ 1,865.88 billion in 2020 In order to promote trade in Ugandan made products, the Ministry ofTrade Industries and Coorperatives (MTIC) participated in a number of trade Expos held to show case Ugandan products. Such expos included: the 20th China International Organic and Green Food Industry Expo 14th - 16th April 2016. Five companies dealing in: Coffee, Cocoa, Cereals and Fruits and vegetables participated. Macfrut International Trade Fair 2017, and 2018 in Italy: a total of Twenty-One (21) Companies in Fruits and Vegetable Sector participated Uganda - Dubai convention 2017: One Hundred (100) companies interested in UAE market participated, and received export leads for Ginger, Beans, sesame, Avocado and Coffee Expo 2017 Astana 10th June to 10th September 2017, Uganda promoted tea, coffee and tourism. Four (4) companies participated. Uganda a secured a deal export leads to supply over 50.000 tons of tea per year to Kazakhstan Uganda Investment Summit in Mumbai India, 2018: Ten potential buyers of sesame seeds, green gram, coffee, Beans, Avocado, Onions, minerals identified Coffee and Tea RUSEXPO 2018: Two (2) potential tea buyers identified by Uganda Tea Development Agency Thirteen (13) companies were supported to participate in the B2B meetings in Lusaka during the World Export Development Forum (WEDF) 10-11th September 2018. Project to Promote Export of Services (ITC enabled services) supported by ITC and CBI: Over 25 companies have been linked to buyers through the following events; Mobile World Congress - Barcelona Spain, CEBIT - Hanover Germany, Transform Africa - Kigali Rwanda, She Trades Global - Liverpool UK, Ethiopia ICT EXPO - Addis Ababa Ethiopia, Kampala Innovation Week (KIW)- Kampala Uganda, World Export Development Forum (WEDF) -Lusaka Zambia. The Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF 2018) in Cairo, Egypt 11 -17th December 2018 was the 1st event ever to provide a unique platform for promotion Intra-African trade, facilitate information exchange to and enable sustainable implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement. Seven exporting companies participated, and five potential buyers were identified and linked to exporters while three potential investors identified to be linked to UIA Beijing Expo 2019, June 2019. Sixteen private sector exhibitors participated in the exhibition. 1st China - Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE): Twelve (12) private sector exhibitors participated in the exhibition and displayed products such as coffee, tea, flowers (roses), milk powder, vanilla, chilli pepper, sesame, chia seeds, Shea butter, dried fruits, wines, spirits, fish, tourism and investment products and opportunities Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Uganda Trade By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. 2nd China International Import Expo (CIIE): Seven companies from the sectors of Coffee, Tea, Dairy, Cocoa, Sesame, Cassava Flour, Honey, Shea butter, Coffee, and Art craft/cow horns participated and the following products were showcased: dried fruits, powder milk, tea, coffee, chocolate and sesame. Ten exports leads for coffee, sesame, tea and cassava flour were received. The impact of these trade expos helped advertise Ugandan products in trade expos worldwide. However, the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, no expos have been held since May 2020. The Ministry implemented Trade Facilitation measures such as the Electronic Cargo Tracking System, construction of One Stop Border Posts (OSBPs) at Mpondwe, the National Trade Portal, and the Electronic Single Window ongoing. In addition to the following One Stop Border Posts (OSBPs) at Busia, Elegu, Mutukula and Mirama Hills. The Impact so far, is reduced business costs and reduced waiting time for border clearances. Chinhoyi Municipality Ward 10 Councillor, Ishmael Mudyavanhu, also a member of MDC Alliance, is lucky to be alive following a savage machete attack Monday night in Chinhoyi's Mzari suburb. He sustained a deep gush on the head. Mudyavanhu was reportedly attacked by unknown assailants and left for dead as he walked home around 9pm after escorting a visiting relative. MDC Alliance Mashonaland West chairman, Ralph Magunje Wednesday confirmed the incident to NewZimbabwe.com. "I received the news of the attack on councillor Mudyavanhu this morning (Thursday), but l am yet to get full details of what actually happened," said Magunje. Another source told NewZimbabwe.com the politician escaped death by a whisker. "At around 9pm, Madyavanhu escorted his younger brother who had visited his family in Mzari low density suburb. As he walked back, about 100 metres from his home, three unidentified men pounced. "One of them struck him on the head with a machete and he fell to the ground. The other two attackers joined and continued bashing him. "The assailants only fled after being flashed by lights of an approaching car," said a fellow MDC Alliance councillor, who requested anonymity. Madyavanhu's expensive council-issued tablet phone was damaged in the unfortunate incident. Sources close to the incident said the attack could be politically motivated as the councillor had earlier received threats on his life from an unnamed individual over an undisclosed matter. Madyavanhu, who could not be reached for comment, is reportedly recovering at home. He is serving his first term as councillor after dislodging former Chinhoyi deputy mayor Derrick Matapure (Zanu PF) in the 2018 harmonised elections. The attack on the politician follows a similar one on party national chair Thabitha Khumalo who in March this year was left for dead by assailants who stormed her Bulawayo home to commit the abuse. No one has been arrested for the offence. August last year, MDC Alliance Karoi Urban Ward 4 councillor Lavenda Chiwaya was murdered by unknown assailants near his home. He lost some valuables during the attack. While South Africa has not yet crossed the national threshold for a new wave, the current trajectory is worrisome. This is according to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases' Acting Executive Director, Professor Adrian Puren, who warned that should it continue its course, South Africa will likely cross the threshold for a new wave in the coming weeks. In a statement released on Wednesday, the Department of Health said, South Africa has not hit the third wave yet, even though the number of COVID-19 cases has been steadily rising. However, the department said the country remains on high alert. "So we want to assure South Africans that we have not yet hit the third wave, however, we are at risk, and we hence need to be on heightened vigilance as a country," it said. According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), the recent rapid increase in the percentage-testing positive for COVID-19 and the seven-day moving average of confirmed cases nationally is a cause for concern. The NICD noted the overall new cases that have peaked by 46% between the last and previous reporting cycles that ended on 2 May 2021. Meanwhile, the NICD said the Northern Cape (68%), Gauteng (63%) and Limpopo (47%) provinces top the list of the number of new infections. In addition, the public health institute that provides support to the government's response to communicable disease threats, said there has been an upsurge in hospital admissions. Also, COVID-19 related deaths also rose by 18% in comparison to the preceding week. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines South Africa Governance Coronavirus By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. According to the NICD, four provinces accounting for 81% of all reported fatalities include the Eastern Cape and Western Cape (21%), Gauteng (20%) and KwaZulu-Natal (19%). "Nationally, however, South Africa has not met the threshold for a new wave," the NICD stressed. According to a Ministerial Advisory Committee Technical Working Group, a resurgence occurs when the seven-day moving average incidence exceeds 30% of the previous wave's peak. "Nationally the seven-day moving average peaked at 18 800 cases on 11 January 2021, equating to a new wave threshold seven-day moving average incidence of 5 600 cases per day." Meanwhile, as of 12 May, the national seven-day moving average incidence is 1 950 cases, the NICD explained. However, at a provincial level, Free State province is currently experiencing the third wave. "While the Northern Cape never met the technical criterion for exiting the second wave, the province has experienced a significant resurgence in recent weeks." The institute said five other provinces showing "sustained" increases include Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, North West and the Western Cape. Puren is calling on members of the public to rapidly implement "meticulous" social distancing and adhere to non-pharmaceutical measures, which he believes will lower the transmission and delay the third wave. "And with the vaccination of elderly people scheduled to commence next week, delaying the third wave will provide more time to vaccinate those most at risk for severe disease, and will thus save lives," the Professor added. "We often abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect," an American author, philosopher, naturalist, scientist, ecologist, forester, conservationist, and environmentalist Aldo Leopold once said. The massive land degradation in Zimbabwe has become a cause for serious concern due to the vast tracts of arable land being lost daily. Worrying is that precious lives of both humans and animals are being lost to accidents caused by numerous open pits dug and left uncovered by sand poachers. Most of those involved in activities like sand poaching and brick moulding that lead to land degradation usually leave open pits and never think of rehabilitating the land afterwards. All they think of are profits but at whose expense? Let us all spare a thought for the future generations and save the land. It baffles the mind to note that the growing devastation caused by sand poaching, illegal quarrying and brick moulding in and around Harare has now resulted in a total of 228 hectares of land being degraded over the past few years, with 310 open pits being dug. While the fight back by the authorities is now intensifying, with substantial fines being levied, much more still needs to be done for protection of the land. A more holistic approach is needed as each time there are raids on those involved in the illegal business of sand poaching and brick moulding nothing materialises. Information on forthcoming raids is usually leaked within some local authorities, lessening the effect as the enforcers arrive when the culprits would have withdrawn from the scene. According to latest confidential reports, the ongoing blitz organised by key actors including local authorities, police and the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) in Harare, have resulted in 12 tickets issued to sand poachers in three days, with assessed fines of $420 000 being issued. "In the areas raided, it was noted that 228,1 hectares of land have been degraded with a total of 310 open pits dug by illegal sand miners," reads the report compiled by EMA. EMA further says five vehicles were issued with tickets for illegally transporting sand without a permit, one for illegal sand mining and six for selling sand at undesignated sites. "The purpose of the operation was to reduce these illegal activities from taking place and to ensure environmental compliance is upheld by all citizens," said EMA. "The operation began on April 28 to May 1, 2021." Furthermore, EMA points out that the focus of the blitz was on illegal sand miners, transporters, roadside sand sellers and brick moulders activities that led to the serious land degradation. "Harare Metropolitan Province is facing serious challenges of land degradation emanating from illegal activities which include sand mining and brick moulding," said EMA. "The Provincial Development Coordinator (PDC) organised a joint sand/brick moulding operation with key actors which include local authorities in Ruwa, Epworth, Chitungwiza and Harare, ZRP and EMA. "The purpose of the operation was to reduce these illegal activities from taking place and to ensure environmental compliance is upheld by all citizens. The operation managed to issue a total of 12 tickets with an assessed fine of $420 000." EMA noted that the blitz conducted in Epworth and Chitungwiza was affected by tip-offs to the illegal sand miners and transporters by some officials, hence both operations were compromised in those local authorities. It is suspected that the sand poachers work hand in glove with some city workers, especially those from municipal police who are supposed to stop the illegal activities. Various factors have been thrown around over the major drivers of land degradation, but sand and clay mining are arguably one of the major drivers in Zimbabwe's urban, semi urban and rural service centres as well as growth points, mainly due to construction activities. Most of the miners of sand and clay do so from undesignated points and do not rehabilitate the land afterwards. The abandoned sites are characterised by severe land degradation, with huge open pits which are a death trap to human beings and animals. Illegal sand mining results in various adverse effects including having a direct cause of soil erosion. Soil particles loosen during extraction and movement of vehicles. It also causes turbidity in water which disrupts photosynthesis on aquatic plants and blocks fish gills and massive deforestation especially where brick moulding is practised. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Zimbabwe Environment Land and Rural Issues By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Legal provisions to safeguard the land are there, but little or no efforts are being made to enforce them by the relevant authorities. According to Statutory Instrument 7 of 2007 for EIA and Ecosystem Protection: "No person shall excavate, remove, possess or licence the removal of clay or sand deposit for commercial purposes without a licence by the Agency." The extraction of sand should be carefully monitored in order to prevent land degradation that may ravage the aesthetic value for the environment. Ecosystems protection is everyone's responsibility, therefore, anyone who wishes to excavate sand or clay should apply for a licence from EMA. The applicant must first consult the local authority for a designated piece of land from where the extraction can be done. The local inspectors together with the applicant then come up with a detailed excavation and Environmental Rehabilitation/Management Plan for the site for consideration by EMA before extraction. The Sky City Housing Development is one of the projects around the country which also caters for middle income earners. Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu has reiterated government's commitment to ensuring that all people have decent shelter over their heads. "Together with the private sector and our strategic partners we will work hard to restore the dignity of our people through human settlements," Sisulu said. Sisulu was speaking during her visit to the Sky City Housing Development in Alberton, Johannesburg, on Thursday, to check on houses offered to middle income earners. The project has currently delivered over 4 000 housing units with close to 500 partly funded by government. Sisulu said that the department came up with Finance Linked Individual Subsidy Programme (FLISP) because of the realisation that too many people are falling through the cracks when it comes to access to housing and owning their own houses. "They neither qualify for government subsidised RDP house, nor a bond through private banking institutions. It is our belief that none of our citizens should find themselves left behind. The project we visited today is proof of the success of our initiative," Sisulu said. Since September 2017, the Minister said, Cosmopolitan Projects has already delivered 3 750 houses and 480 rental apartments at Sky City at a rate of about 1 500 houses per year. "The total residential project will be completed in phases over the next 8 to 10 years," she said. The Minister also urged the contractors to advise people who buy the houses not to sell them, noting that the value in them is not only the money, but the "value of the love you have shown in building these houses". "We in South Africa, especially South African Blacks, have not had these opportunities of investing in properties, but here we are now through you, allowing our young generation to invest in property and build a future for their children. Please advise them not to sell the property, until such time they have better means, but I would prefer that they hand them over to their siblings and keep them for themselves," Sisulu said. She further expressed her appreciation to Ekurhuleni Mayor Mzwandile Masina, saying what she saw in Sky City, was amazing. "I have seen today, in Sky City, the fruit of what is possible when we work together." Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines South Africa Governance Urban Issues By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Explaining FLISP, National Housing Finance Corporation (NHFC) Acting CEO, Sizwe Tati, said the programme is a facility that is aimed at assisting people who borrow, either from a bank or any finance lender, for purposes of putting up a house so that they have the ability to repay. "Example, where you have to borrow R100 000, instead of paying a loan of R100 000, FLISP comes in to reduce that amount, so your loan is based on R80 000, depending on the income you are earning. "FLISP aims to help people who are earning between R3 500 to a maximum of R22 000 per month, and those are individuals who historically, we all know sometimes battle to raise money from financial institutions because of their earning ability, and therefore it's difficult to pay back the amount," Tati explained. Who qualifies for FLISP Must be a South African citizen with a valid bar-coded identity document (ID), or if a Permanent Resident, must have a valid bar-coded permit; Must be first time home buyer; Must be over 18 years old and competent to legally contract; and Must never have benefitted from any Government Housing Subsidy Scheme before. document The Portfolio Committee on Social Development heard on Thursday that intersex corrective surgeries on children are a human rights violation tantamount to genital mutilation. Intersex South Africa's representative, Ms Nthabiseng Mokoena, said the problem sets in when doctors and society see sexual variations as disorders. Ms Mokoena said: "Because society perceives boy and girl as normal, intersex variations necessitate corrective measures through surgical intervention. These cosmetic changes are undertaken to fit children to what doctors consider as normal. A lot of the treatments are harmful, have no benefit to the child, and are only meant to fit the child into what is considered as normal to society. This is torture to a child who could not consent to a surgery." She said the worse part is that after surgery, no support is given to a child who has to live with irreversible health consequences, physical and mental complications, emotional and family issues for the rest of their lives. "Doctors do not give full information to the parents. There are no channels for a legal recourse afterwards. Things are done to your child's body without your knowledge and understanding of the consequences," Ms Mokoena said. The Chairperson of the committee, Mr Mondli Gungubele, said this was a touchy subject. He said: "This is an exposure of the horror of human ignorance. If we are in the dark about who we are, the consequences are what had just been explained to the committee." The committee sat for its third day of public hearings on the Children's Amendment Bill. Presentations were received from the Professional Social Workers in Private Practice, Fathers for Justice, Sonke Gender Justice, Solidarity Guild for Social Workers, Cause for Justice, Women Legal Centre, and the Catholic Institute for Education, among others. The organisations highlighted a number of other issues, including protecting children against human trafficking, media content and children, challenges related to adoption, clash of suppressive cultural practices and the law, It was clarified that although the Constitution upholds the right to practise culture, such customs must comply with the Constitution and the law. "Forced marriages are a violation of the Constitution," said Women Legal Centre's Mandi Mudarikwa. In yet another incident of sheer negligence at Goa's state-run Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), 15 more patients died due to a decline in oxygen supply pressure on Thursday morning. This incident comes a day after 26 coronavirus patients succumbed at the same facility due to the same issue and even after the Bombay High Court bench in Goa asking the state government to ensure there were no more deaths due to oxygen issues at the facility. On Wednesday, the Goa bench of the HC had said the availability of medical oxygen for COVID-19 patients at the GMCH was grim and asked the state government to take corrective steps. State authorities told the court some casualties may have taken place due to "logistical issues" related to connecting oxygen cylinders to the manifold (group of large gas cylinders) that resulted in interruption and drop in pressure in the supply lines of oxygen to patients. The HC observed despite its orders, 15 more deaths were reported at the hospital from 2 am and 6 am on Thursday. The bench was hearing a bunch of petitions on the recent death of COVID-19 patients at the GMCH allegedly due to lack of medical oxygen. The HC also said the Centre should ensure the allotted quota of medical oxygen is made available at the earliest to Goa, which is reporting a very high test positivity rate. The bench, consisting of Justices Nitin W Sambre and MS Sonak, said despite their May 12 order, even today (Thursday), there were almost 40 COVID-19-related casualties in the GMCH. Fifteen of them happened from 2-6 am on Thursday. Also read: 'You don't have enough vaccine': Delhi HC slams Centre over dialer tune urging people to vaccinate While referring to the deaths during the dark hours, the court observed that from May 2, it is the position of casualties in the GMCH. The court said this has happened despite Advocate General Davidas Pangam and the Health Secretary assuring the court there is no dearth of oxygen in the state. "They have pointed out that the Central Government has now increased the (medical oxygen) quota for Goa, having regard to the overwhelming number of COVID-19 victims in the state of Goa," the court said. On the court's query as to why the deaths have taken place last night, the court was told again that there were logistical issues involved in manoeuvring the tractor that carries the trolleys of oxygen and in connecting the cylinders to the manifold, the court ruled, adding that there was some interruption during this process that resulted in fall of pressure in the supply lines of oxygen to the patients. The Judges said they were "pained that such logistical issues should give rise to such serious consequences to the Covid victims". The court again asked the state authorities to "find out ways and means to overcome these logistical issues, so that precious life is not lost on account of any deficiencies in the matter of supply of oxygen to patients". With PTI inputs Also read: Fully vaccinated people are not required to wear face masks, says CDC opinion The Extraordinary Expedition had profound effects on all the participants. Personally, the effects of that Ode-Omu Extraordinary Expedition were completely transforming. I emerged from the commune a professional revolutionary: Where to be a professional revolutionary was not conceived mechanically, for instance, in the way one is a professional teacher or a professional soldier, that is, in terms of training and occupation. Forty-five years ago, as I turned 30, I left Lagos for Ibadan. From Ibadan, together with a comrade of the same age, I left for a rural community somewhere between Gbongan and Ile-Ife in present-day Osun State. There we joined others, similarly inspired like us, about ten in number, male and female, excluding two kids whom we took turns to "baby-sit" in order to free the mother to participate fully in revolutionary duties. We assembled to inaugurate an underground Marxist revolutionary vanguard embedded in the peasantry. While some members were fully in residence, others were semi-resident, but continually in touch with the Headquarters. I was not only fully in residence, but disappeared to the outside world for between 9 and 12 months. The strategic objective of that Extraordinary Expedition was to inaugurate an armed struggle in a socialist revolution which we recognised had been going on at a certain level in our country, Nigeria. The armed struggle did not happen. But it almost did. And in an attempt to force it to begin, we also almost ended up in self-liquidation. It was when I was leaving the Headquarters after the collapse of the Expedition that our peasant comrades knew, through my contact address and full name, that not only was I not an Ijesa man, but that I was not even of Yoruba parentage. For I had integrated completely with them and had been one of their conscientisation discussion leaders in the Yoruba language for at least the preceding six months. The scene of separation was so emotional. The requirement sketched above is not a necessary one for every Leftist or even for every revolutionary. But it is a self-imposed requirement for every vanguard in the struggle against capitalism, capitalist social formations and imperialism. The Extraordinary Expedition had profound effects on all the participants. But, as expected, the effects were of different kinds on different comrades, with some differences less significant than others. It was this variation in differences that made it possible for Biodun Jeyifo (BJ) and I, then Bene, to regroup almost immediately after the collapse of the Expedition. Personally, the effects of that Ode-Omu Extraordinary Expedition were completely transforming. I emerged from the commune a professional revolutionary: Where to be a professional revolutionary was not conceived mechanically, for instance, in the way one is a professional teacher or a professional soldier, that is, in terms of training and occupation. It was not even conceived in the sense of making "revolution" the primary interest in one's life. Rather, to be a professional revolutionary was conceived in the sense of compelling every other interest or commitment - including nationality, sub-nationality, religion, family, friendship and engagements for material sustenance and reproduction to find accommodation and justification in the commitment to revolution. But that is just one side of a professional revolutionary as conceived by me. The other side is the commitment to what Karl Marx, in his youthful days, called "categorical imperatives," that is, the "struggle to overcome all circumstances in which the human being is humiliated, enslaved, abandoned and despised." And later I added the commitment to struggle to extend immediate and unconditional solidarity to the "wretched of the earth" and ameliorate the human condition anywhere a professional revolutionary finds herself or himself. A professional revolutionary is thus a contradiction in the real world: Simultaneous toughness and softness. The requirement sketched above is not a necessary one for every Leftist or even for every revolutionary. But it is a self-imposed requirement for every vanguard in the struggle against capitalism, capitalist social formations and imperialism. Some would say that for a sustainable revolution to take place, there must be a substantial number of this category of revolutionaries. But I would modify this and say that at least the revolution should be capable of rapidly reproducing its own professionals as it proceeds. About two weeks ago, on the eve of 2021 May Day, Comrade Bene and I made a re-affirmation and executed a long-standing decision of ours. The former was the re-affirmation of our subscription to Marxism, commitment to socialist revolution in Nigeria and world-wide, and to revolutionary internationalism. My life as a professional revolutionary since the 1977 collapse of the Extraordinary Expedition has, therefore, been a contradictory one, at least in the sense described in the preceding paragraphs. And it has been tough for that person who, in addition to having to share that life as a wife, a comrade and a lover, also has to live her life as an academic, an intellectual, a mother, a social activist, a Leftist-feminist and a revolutionary socialist. If there is any person who, since 1977, has kept me on my feet, stood with me as equal, pointing out what can be done today in anticipation of tomorrow, and correcting my frequent tactical and strategic errors, that person is Comrade Professor Bene Madunagu. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. About two weeks ago, on the eve of 2021 May Day, Comrade Bene and I made a re-affirmation and executed a long-standing decision of ours. The former was the re-affirmation of our subscription to Marxism, commitment to socialist revolution in Nigeria and world-wide, and to revolutionary internationalism. And the latter was the decision to transfer our Combined Archives and Libraries, built up since 1973, to the Nigerian Left. Following this definitive step, we established an eight-member Board of Advisers (BOA) to manage the Combined Archives and Libraries on behalf and in the name of the Nigerian Left. This took effect on May 1. Any further announcement or action on this subject will be made or taken by the Board. Let the struggle continue. Edwin Madunagu, a mathematician and journalist, writes from Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria. As the battle for the estate of late politician and businessperson Mohammed Sidik Mia rages on, Fatra Mia, who claims to be Mia's second wife, and fighting for part of the estate, has resorted to leaking WhatsApp message exchanges and pictures shared between herself and the fallen former cabinet minister. The past two weeks has seen social media cycles awash with exchanges some of the leakages, some of which indicating that Mia was desperately trying to keep the relationship a secret that should have remained unknown to his known wife Abida and his mother. The several WhatsApp voice notes shows how Fatra was blackmailing Mia to give her huge sums of money and buy her poshy cars if the marriage was to remain anonymous. Mia died on January 12 this year, aged 56, due to Covid-19 complications at the time when he was serving as Minister of Transport and Public Works as well as Malawi Congress Party (MCP) vice-president. His second wife Fatra acting for herself and her two-year-old child--has gone to court to restrain Mia's other wife, Abida, and her daughter Huraine from "dissipating" the deceased estate until the High Court grants letters of administration. The 25-year-old, who is based in South Africa, further wants to be appointed either as a receiver or co-receiver of the unspecified estate, pending the grant of letters of administration, according to an ex-parte application for an interlocutory injunction order and appointment of Fatra Mia as receiver of the estate of Mohammed Sidik Mia. The application was filed on March 9 2021 at the High Court's Principal registry in Blantyre. In her sworn statement in support of her application for the injunction, Fatra--whose full names are Fatra Amira Jaafar--further says she and the late Mia were married in 2017 under Islamic law. She further says they have a child, born on January 8 2019. "Upon the deceased's demise, I got in touch with the defendants through two mediators--Khalid Mia and Esa Arab--on distribution of property forming part of the estate. "In the beginning, the mediators offered me K40 million, being myself and my child's share of the estate. I turned it down. "Subsequently, on or around February 17 2021, they made a further offer of K150 million in total broken down as: Two town houses and K40 million in cash. I wrote back... communicating my rejection of the offer," reads part of her sworn statement. Fatra further claims in the statement to have informed the mediators that it would be difficult for her to settle for such an amount when she had no indication of the value of the property. Abida, has objected to claims on Sidik Mia's estate being made by Fatra Mia, who claims to be Mia's second wife. Nyasa Times has seen a notice of objection which, Abida tells the court that she objects to Fatra bringing out the proceedings on her own behalf as Sidik Mia's widow and on behalf of her child. Abida, a deputy minister in Tonse Alliance administration claims that Fatra cannot claim to be a receiver of Sidik Mia's estate because her wedding to Mia was not binding. "The claimant was not at law married to the 1st Defendant's late husband, Mahomed Sidik Mia, and cannot bring these proceedings on her own behalf as the second wife of the Mahomed Sidik Mia," she says. Abida also contends that, prior to taking out her application for interim reliefs, Fatra was never appointed litigation guardian of her child and has, therefore, no capacity to commence the present action and application. In a sworn statement in support of the notice of the application, Abida claims that for a foreign marriage celebrated outside the country to be recognised as a valid marriage in Malawi, at least one of the parties to the marriage must be a foreigner and the said marriage must be valid under the laws of the country in which it was celebrated, which is not the case in Fatra and Sidik Mia's case. Skeleton arguments in support of Abida's claims by her lawyer Frank Mbeta say Fatra's application is abuse of court processes. "This is an application in the form [of] raising of preliminary objection by the respondent for an order that the claimant's application for interim reliefs, including the appointment of her as a receiver, be struck out for lack of jurisdiction and abuse of court process," the arguments read. Fatra is accusing Abida and her Australia-based daughter Huraine of intending to apply for letters of administration while excluding her and her daughter, despite being "legal and beneficial owners of the estate". She went to court to challenge Abida and Huraine following a public notice placed in the local press dated February 4 this year by their lawyers Sacranie, Gow and Company. The lawyers also asked all persons who were indebted to the deceased or those with anything in their possession that forms part of the deceased's estate to submit their particulars to them by March 3 2021. Court documents in the Miscellaneous Application Number 26 of 2021, which we have seen, show that Abida and Huraine are first and second defendants in the matter--one of the country's high-profile estate disputes. The document also shows she told the mediators that for her to make an informed decision, she needed to know and see the supposed late Mia's will that the mediators claimed he left behind. "Indeed, given the very tender age of my child and the fact that I have no source of income, I found the amount offered to be extremely low. "We fear that lack of transparency and accountability will work against us and we will be coerced into accepting an offer which is far from reasonable and unwarranted," further reads Fatra's sworn statement. But in their letter--which are part of the case file--addressed to Fatra, the two mediators said they had engaged a Mr Latif, senior counsel, partner at Sacranie, Gow and Company and trusted friend and family lawyer of the late Mia for over 20 years, to collect information from creditors. They said this was to let the net estate of the late Mia be established so that it can be wound up in a transparent and accountable manner, after settling all creditors. "We understand that as a mother of a minor child of the late Honourable Sidik Mia, you would like the estate to be managed, accounted and distributed in a transparent and dignified manner that befits the deceased and his soul so that the minor child's future is secured," the letter reads. "We have no doubt that at an appropriate time all the information will be disclosed to all interested parties. We have no doubt that the late Honourable Sidik Mia's estate will be wound up in a transparent and accountable manner as is required by law," adds the letter. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Malawi Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. The mediators said their interest was to settle for the sake of the child and their respect for their brother and friend [Sidik], who left behind a vast estate, including real estate, farming, and bank deposits. "However, we have noted that our efforts to negotiate a settlement have so far failed as you have rejected the proposal. On our own initiative, we are willing to keep the proposal made to you open for the next 14 days, after which the proposal will be withdrawn," reads the letter dated February 17 2021. But in a March 2 2021 response to the mediators' position, Fatra's lawyer Madalo Banda of Ritz Attorneys-at-Law; said her client is ready and willing to have the matter settled amicably while insisting that an evaluation of the estate be done for the settlement to be meaningful. The lawyers have also demanded a copy of the purported Mia's will plus other relevant documentation. Born in Chikwawa on March 4, 1965, the late Mia was a business tycoon, philanthropist and former Chikwawa Nkombezi legislator who held various ministerial positions in Cabinet since 2004. Mia the former Lower Shire political heavyweight. In the May 2019 Tripartite Elections, he stood as running mate of President Lazarus Chakwera, but gave way to UTM Party leader Saulos Chilima during the June 2020 court-sanctioned fresh presidential election. Before joining MCP, Mia served as minister in the administration of Bingu wa Mutharika and Joyce Banda. However, Mia was mostly known as a cattle breeder from Chikwawa, who alongside his wife Abida, run S & A Cold Storage Limited after they bought it from the government in 2000. CIMERWA PPC staff pay their respects to victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tusti. Roland van Wijnen - CEO of Pretoria Portland Cement Group (PPC), Mokate Ramafoko - PPC International Managing Director and Albert Sigei - CIMERWA CEO paid a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, on May 11, to honor the victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi buried at the memorial. They laid wreaths on the graves of the 250 000 Tutsi victims that the memorial currently houses. The CEOs also toured the genocide museum at the site to learn more about the genocide that took over a million lives. "This is my third time in Rwanda, and every time I am here I am always amazed by the continuous and unrelenting progress. Rwanda's story is one of resilience that many countries can learn from. It is a small diamond," stated Roland Van Wijnen - PPC Group CEO The visit was followed by a commemoration ceremony that was held at the CIMERWA plant in Bugarama in Rusizi district during which staff members paid homage to 68 victims including 58 staff members who were killed during 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. CIMERWA supports the genocide survivors in the Bugarama community through various initiatives that include building and repairing houses for the survivors, providing them with school fees , cow and cowshed donations. This year CIMERWA donated two cows and two cowsheds and refurbished two houses for the survivors. Victoria Falls The government has ordered the Victoria Falls City Council to explain why it wants to review downwards its 2021 budget that had already been approved. The local authority submitted its budget proposal increasing water and service charges by about 400 percent and it was approved. This attracted a backlash from residents who argued that rates were too high as they have been affected by Covid-19. Due to pressure from residents, council adopted a resolution to review some tariffs downwards and wrote to the Local Government and Public Works Ministry seeking permission to reduce the budget. Local Government Minister July Moyo has since asked council to justify why an approved budget should be reviewed, council Chamber Secretary Ms Kholwani Mangena told a full council meeting on Tuesday. The Minister will also visit Victoria Falls on a date to be advised to address the budget issue which has divided the city. Residents have said they are getting impatient with the council's delay in reviewing downwards its 2021 budget amid reports many are failing to pay water bills that skyrocketed to about $9 000 per month. Ms Mangena said Minister Moyo responded to the council request seeking justification for the need to reduce tariffs on an approved budget. "A budget is a statutory instrument and we cannot just tamper with it without authority from the Ministry. The Town Clerk wrote to the ministry requesting guidance to start the processes of reducing the budget so that is why the Minister wrote to council in a letter dated April 29, 2021 requesting the local authority to produce a proper write-up showing effects of the budget review. He said he will come down to explain processes. So, we need to justify why we are reducing the tariffs that were approved by the Ministry," said Ms Mangena. She said council had since written to Minister Moyo explaining the required details. Ms Mangena said the reduction of the budget has nothing to do with irregularities in the procedure but was based on "the cry of residents that they could not afford to pay." In an interview after the meeting, the city's public relations and economic development officer Mr Ngqabutho Moyo said council had started engaging residents as per procedure. "Everyone knows that we are hard hit by Covid-19. Tourism is our backbone and therefore we are largely affected and households cannot afford. Council sat and agreed that from the administrative side we have to activate the systems of reviewing certain tariffs that were causing discomfort among stakeholders, residents and companies," said Mr Moyo. "That being the case the local authority is now in the process of activating all its systems to engage residents on a number of tariffs that we feel will lessen the burden and pressure to the household and at the same time enable the local authority to be able to collect a meaningful amount to sustain activities because right now households are not stable to afford to pay." Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Zimbabwe Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. He said after gathering input from residents and ratepayers, council will then calculate the impact of reducing the budget and then make proposals. "This will be not be an overhaul of the entire budget but review of certain areas," said Mr Moyo. Victoria Falls Combined Residents Association chairman Mr Kelvin Moyo said residents are not happy with the snail's pace the process is taking as well as the boardroom fighting within the local authority which is compromising service delivery. "We are not happy with the speed at which the issues are being put into consideration. We were hoping to get a date when the budget is going to be reviewed but it seems there is still confusion. "We are all aware of the challenges that befell residents as a result of Covid-19 and as long as councillors, management and the mayor don't work together we are going to face challenges thereby affecting livelihoods," he said. Councillors also showed concern about the delay in the process as they said the review process should go ahead even before the visit by the Minister. A local film that explores the dilemma faced by Christians on fulfilling their calling as they are distracted by societal issues will premiere today at Joina City Ster Kinekor. Titled "Goto", the film features renowned actors Zolile Makeleni, Anthony Tongai, Kimberly Kunaka, Rutendo Karipfuwe, Peter Tanyanyiwa and Adoration Bizure. Goto is a name given to a male goat and in this case, Bizure, who happens to be one of the main character, acts as Goto, and the film is based on the life of a priest who will be in a dilemma of fulfilling his Christian calling or to inherit the legacy of his late father who was a sangoma. Bizure, both an actor and producer, said in an interview that all was set for the premiere which will be a red carpet affair for a limited number. "The show will start at 6pm prompt and is being held guided by the Covid-19 regulations, with a red carpet hosted by model Gina Mutemeri. We have a limited number of guests and attendees are expected to dress up for the occasion." Bizure said the film will be premiered at Joina City Ster Kinekor, after they partnered the company to push and promote local films. He said the 45-minute film was inspired by societal settings, especially what is happening in the churches. "Good film productions are a mirror of what happens in their societies, so I believe the storyline on our film Goto is a reflection of what is happening in our nation where we are seeing a lot of church leaders being tempted to use different sources of power to attain fame and riches," said Bizure. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Zimbabwe Entertainment By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. "Basically, I can say that I was inspired by what is happening in our nation." Asked why it took so long to produce the feature film as he had posted on his social media that it took him two years to finish the product, Bizure said Covid-19 affected the production. "It took two years to release the film because at that time after we finished shooting, I then relocated to the United Arab Emirates for work. During that period, Covid-19 struck and it was difficult to pursue the film further." Bizure said the character of a priest, which he took in the latest film, resonated with him. "I am a church person and I spend most of my time with men of the cloth," he said. "Not many people know that I am a pastor as well and I hear, and see. I can act any role, but it is just that on this particular character, I knew I could perfect it." Bizure said they have plans to put the film on social media platforms such as GetGlue, iCheckMovies, Letterboxd and MUBI. "We want the film to reach a wider market, including other countries, hence we have engaged other social media sites which will help push the film. Again, we are proud that the film is in Shona and English which will also put the country on the map." The National Treasury has promised to release funds owed to counties by the end of this month even as a Senate team summoned Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani to appear before it next Tuesday to explain the cash hold-up. The Council of Governors' finance committee, chaired by Mr Nderitu Muriithi (Laikipia), met with Treasury officials where Mr Yatani promised to release the arrears by the end of May. With less than three months to the end of the financial year, Treasury is yet to disburse more than Sh66 billion to counties in both equitable share and conditional grants. Of this figure, Treasury is yet to disburse Sh4 billion for the Linda Mama Programme, Nairobi County is owed Sh2.6 billion for December, while all the counties are owed Sh12 billion for February and Sh25 billion for March. Yesterday, Mr Muriithi said talks are ongoing between the CoG and the Treasury over the delays. Disbursing funds "Treasury has committed to clearing the debts by the end of this month," Mr Muriithi said after Wednesday's meeting. According to the governor, one county is yet to receive its January disbursement of equitable share, another 17 counties have not got their share for February while no county has received money for March and April. Mr Muriithi urged the Treasury to develop innovative ways of disbursing the funds, warning that further delays would slow down economic activity. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Business Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. "A slowdown in economic activity affects tax collection. Companies are not able to receive payments for the goods and services procurement by the counties and are not, therefore, able to honour their tax obligations," he told Nation yesterday. He said it would be realistic for the Treasury to borrow from the local market and distribute the money among counties to avoid an economic shutdown. Normal operations The Senate Finance and Budget Committee, on the other hand, will meet the Treasury mandarins on Tuesday to discuss the outstanding balances in the disbursement of equitable shareable revenues for counties in the 2021/22 financial year. The CoG has constantly questioned the delays and pleaded with the Treasury to speed up disbursements to facilitate normal operations in the counties and allow them to settle their pending bills. Senate Minority Whip Mutula Kilonzo Junior said the committee had summoned Mr Yatani to shed more light on the issue as part of the lawmakers' consideration of the County Allocation of Revenue Bill, 2021 that is currently before the House. "We want to establish the reasons for the delays and why the figure is huge," Mr Kilonzo Jr told Nation yesterday. The Bill, which allocates Sh370 billion to counties in the next financial year, was introduced in the House last week and committed to the committee for consideration. A declaration by police spokesman Charles Owino on his intention to join politics, plus a push for realignments in the top ranks of the National Police Service as the 2022 General Election fast approaches have seen him pushed out. Mr Owino, who, according to sources, is just the first of several senior officials within the security sector who could be moved in the coming months, as has been the tradition in the period leading up to elections. In early 2013 and in September 2017 -- just weeks before the repeat presidential election -- Mr Owino was among seven senior officers who were promoted, while others were transferred. The police spokesman was in March ordered to go on leave. He was recalled last week. However, on arrival at his office, he was informed that he was being transferred out of the National Police Service (NPS). He will now take over as deputy director of the Kenya National Focal Point (KNFP) on Small Arms and Light Weapons, which effectively removes him from the nerve centre of security operations. Acting in his place is Mr Charles Koskei, the deputy director of Corporate Communications in the NPS. However, the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) George Kinoti is also lending a hand. Recently, he called a press conference to respond to a media expose on the illegal trade in fire arms by rogue police officers. Less limelight "I am happy with the move as it will accord me less limelight before I finally exit the service to vie for the Siaya gubernatorial seat," said Mr Owino yesterday. Created in 2003, the KNFP is a multi-agency initiative under the Interior Ministry that brings together various government ministries, departments and Civil Society organisations in the management and control of small arms and light weapons in Kenya. For a person who has been a near constant face in the media before his fortunes began to dwindle within the NPS sometime in mid-2019, the ejection of Mr Owino was a long time coming. Efforts to clip Mr Owino's wings started two years ago when Mr Hillary Mutyambai was appointed inspector general of police. The IG, who is himself media shy, is said to have ordered all communication from the National Police Service to the media to be expressly cleared by him. This effectively gagged the office of the spokesman, which until then had been very vocal. The last nail on Mr Owino's departure, however, came when he made known his political ambition while still serving as spokesman. "An appointed State officer shall not in the performance of their duties act as an agent for or further the interests of a political party," says the Leadership and Integrity Act. "An appointed State officer or public officer shall not engage in any political activity that may compromise or be seen to compromise the political neutrality of the office," says the law. Mr Owino has been in charge of communication at the NPS since taking over from Mr Kinoti. He had a brief stint as spokesman in 2013, when Mr David Kimaiyo was IG. He was replaced by Ms Zipporah Mboroki, who also served briefly until 2015, before Mr Kinoti was appointed to the influential position. Mr Owino is so far the longest serving police spokesman since the service rebranded, courtesy of the 2010 Constitution. Differed with bosses A graduate of political science and communications, Mr Owino's tenure as spokesman has been largely successful, albeit a little controversial, especially on the way he defended police officers accused of brutality and harassment of the public. He has at times rubbed his bosses the wrong way, like when he recently differed with his boss, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i, on the eligibility of recruits into the police service. In an interview on Citizen TV in March, shortly before he was forced to go on mandatory leave, Mr Owino defended the preference by the police to recruit secondary school graduates who scored a minimum KCSE exam grade of D+ (plus). According to the police spokesman, officers with higher grades were returning to colleges and acquiring degrees and thereafter seeking promotions. This jeopardized service delivery, he explained. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. "We have a challenge when we employ every policeman with grade C plus and above because they go back to school, they get their degrees and then they come back and say that they do not want to serve at a certain level. It is important we get officers who have C plain, C minus and D plus," said Mr Owino. His sentiments came just days after Dr Matiang'i said the qualification for recruitment into the police service should be raised from D plus, to improve service delivery. Speaking during a graduation ceremony for 46 prosecutors at the Prosecutor Training Institute in Loresho, Dr Matiang'i questioned the service's capacity to deal with emerging crimes, saying graduates of the Kiganjo Police Training College were no match for tech-savvy criminals. "This is why I have been fighting that we look at the cut-off point of the people we are admitting. Surely, if we are admitting you with a D plus then we are telling you to go to the complex science of analysing blood and preparing a document that the DPP is going to use in court to prove murder, are we serious honestly? Are we serious?" he had asked. The Mugabe family has defied orders by Chief Zvimba to appear before his court facing charges of violating burial rules after late President, Robert Mugabe was buried inside a hut at his Kutama homestead. Mugabe died in 2019 from suspected prostate cancer in Singapore and his burial drew a lot of attention after his family refused to have his remains interred at the National Heroes Acre despite government's insistence that the late icon be with his "peers" In the latest development, Chief Zvimba ordered that Mugabe's remains must be exhumed as he is buried within a restricted place while summoning the late president's widow, Grace to answer to the charges. "You are facing charges of burying the late Robert Gabriel Mugabe at his homestead. This is unheard of in Chief Zvimba's area," summons by Chief Zvimba read. A Zanu-PF member identified as Tinos Manongovere approached the court demanding that Grace be tried for the unusual burial of Mugabe. However, Mugabe's family spokesperson Leo Mugabe rubbished the summons saying the Chief can go to hell. "No one will force us to change even if they come up with many court cases. They can go to hell," Mugabe said. "Our position as a family is that we will not entertain this issue. We buried Mugabe and that's all. This person who is complaining is not part of the family and we don't know why he is doing that. "We don't know why the chief is summoning Grace on his charge sheet. Grace is not a Mugabe, she is an in-law in the family and the decision to bury him was a Mugabe family decision," he said. He vowed that no one would attend the court session and he cared less about a "default judgment". "In any case, what will happen even if the complainant wins the case? It is an exercise in futility because as far as we are concerned, we are done and nobody can force us and we cannot say he was buried in a house when we all know he was buried in a courtyard." "Had we gone to the National Heroes Acre he was going to be buried in a proper room they call a mausoleum and was the chief going to summon President (Emmerson) Mnangagwa over that?" Mugabe said. According to the summons, failure by the Mugabe family to attend the court session will attract a fine of five cattle and a goat," Chief Zvimba. Chief Zvimba warned that a ruling will be made even if Grace snubs the summons. South Africa: KZN prosecutor jailed for corruption The Camperdown Regional Court has slapped a former KwaZulu-Natal prosecutor with five years imprisonment for corruption, theft and defeating the course of justice. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said the matter dates back to 2015 when Zanele Molefe, 42, was a District Court Prosecutor at the Mooi River Magistrates Court. A man called Philani Hlela had driven into the glass doors of a convenience store, damaging the doors. The owner of the store, Donovan Carter opened a case of malicious injury to property and Molefe was allocated the case. Molefe approached Hlela asking him for R 1000 to make the case go away. He paid her the money. Thereafter, in an alternate dispute resolution mediation between the two parties, Molefe advised Carter that there was not enough evidence to proceed with the matter. Carter then approached Hlela, asking him if he was denying the allegations against him. Hlela said that he was not and offered to pay for the damages, said the NPA. In the meantime, the two men agreed that a sum of R 10 000 would resolve the matter. Hlela asked for a week to gather the amount. Three weeks later, Carter met Hlela at a local petrol station and Carter asked him why he had not paid the money yet. Hlela advised that he had paid the R 10 000 to Molefe three weeks before. In the statement, the NPA explained that the Prosecutor had phoned Hlela and said that she would collect the money, which she would hand over to Carter. He had met her outside the court building and gave her the money in a plastic packet, which she put into her purse, the statement read. According to the NPA, Molefe should have arranged via the court system instead of accepting the money in her personal capacity. Carter then went to Molefes office and confronted her about the money. She told him that she had spent it but agreed to pay him instalments of R 2 500, which she did. The Regional Court Prosecutor, Sharlene Lupke led the evidence of Carter and Hlela, who turned state witness, admitting his fault in paying the R 1000 initially. In aggravation of sentence, Ms Lupke told the court that Molefe abused her position of trust and failed to deliver on her mandate as a Prosecutor. The NPAs Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) was also involved and they secured a confiscation order to the value of R 4000. This amount will go into the Criminal Asset Recovery Account (CARA) where funds recovered from the proceeds of crime are deposited into and then used in the fight against crime. Molefe has since been sentenced to five years imprisonment for corruption, three of which is suspended for a period of five years, two years imprisonment for theft and two years imprisonment for defeating the course of justice. The NPA said the sentences for theft and defeating the course of justice will run concurrently with the corruption sentence. KwaZulu-Natals Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Elaine Zungu, has welcomed the conviction and sentence. The case is an example of the NPAs commitment to deal with corruption within our own ranks and bring to justice those who do not share our vision and mission in the NPA, she added. Molefe has since been dismissed. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2021-05-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Russia's Sputnik V vaccine, which has been imported from Russia, will cost Rs 995 per shot in India, Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd, which has partnered with Russia's sovereign wealth fund, Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), said on Friday. Dr Reddy's said the soft launch of the vaccine has commenced and the first dose of the vaccine was administered in Hyderabad today. The price of the vaccine could reduce as Reddy's will start making the Russian vaccine in India. "With the rising cases in India, vaccination is our most effective tool in our battle against COVID-19. Contributing to the vaccination drive in India is our biggest priority right now to help Indians be healthy and safe," GV Prasad, Co-Chairman and Managing Director, said. As per the homegrown pharma giant, more consignments of imported doses are expected over the upcoming months, following which the vaccine manufacturing will start in India. "Subsequently, supply of the Sputnik V vaccine will commence from Indian manufacturing partners. The imported doses of the vaccine are presently priced at an MRP of Rs 948 + 5% GST per dose, with the possibility of a lower price point when local supply begins," the statement added. The company is working closely with its six manufacturing partners in India to fulfill regulatory requirements to ensure smooth and timely supply. Dr Reddy's will work closely with stakeholders in the Centre and private sector in India to ensure the widest possible reach of the Sputnik V vaccine as part of the national inoculation effort, the company said. Meanwhile, the central government has said the Russian vaccine will be available in the India market from next week. Sputnik V is the third vaccine to be rolled out in India after Serum Institute's Covishield and Bharat Biotech's Covaxin. "I'm happy to say that we're hopeful that it'll be available in the market next week. We're hopeful that the sale of the limited supply that has come from there (Russia), will begin next week," Niti Aayog member VK Paul said on Thursday. India is aiming at producing 15.6 crore Sputnik V doses by December, which will help India fight the coronavirus pandemic. Meanwhile, Dr Reddy's Lab stock is down 0.73 per cent or Rs 38.45 at Rs 5,263 on the National Stock Exchange today. Also read: COVID vaccine: Sputnik V arrives in India; to be available from next week Also Read: COVID-19 vaccine: SII, Bharat Biotech to raise production by August Also read: Direct supply of Covaxin to Maharashtra, Delhi, UP, 15 other states since May 1: Bharat Biotech Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State has declared today, Friday, May 14, 2021, a work-free day to enable Muslim faithful to continue with the Eid-el-Fitr celebration. The state Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, announced this in a statement on Thursday. He said the decision was in consideration of the fact that Wednesday, May 12, which was part of the two-day Eid holiday declared by the federal government fell within the 30 days of Ramadan period. The governor, according to the statement, felicitated with the Muslim Ummah on this auspicious period that calls for sober reflection and sharing of goodwill among adherents. He also urged people in the state to use the occasion, particularly during Jumu'at service, to pray for peace to continue to reign in the state and the country in general. No fewer than 21,000 applicants are jostling for 5,000 casual teaching job slots under the ongoing recruitment exercise of the Ogun State Government. The recruitment under the Ogun State Teaching Experience Acquisition Channel (Ogun TEACh) would employ 5,000 teachers who will work for the period of two years. Daily Trust reports that the state government had cancelled the recruitment of 1,500 teachers earlier shortlisted for the Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) teaching job and instead opted for the Ogun TEACh scheme. The government's decision sparked outrage as the shortlisted candidates in a protest accused the government of cancelling their recruitment exercise in replacement with a fresh process. Daily Trust reports that the state government started recruitment of 1,500 teachers in the last quarter of 2019. Our correspondent reports that qualified applicants after series of tests were later shortlisted for interviews. However, the COVID-19 outbreak which brought about the closure of schools for almost six months stalled the recruitment exercise. Our correspondent further gathered that 21,000 applicants applied for the new teaching scheme out of which 18,000 were shortlisted for the 5,000 slots available for employment. The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, hinted that the state government had screened 18,000 candidates to fill the teaching vacancies. Arigbabu said this while fielding questions from newsmen after monitoring the screening at the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, on Tuesday. A Grade 3 pupil at Manyiri Primary School in Zaka is battling for life at Parirenyatwa Hospital after being attacked by a hyena during a night church service. Rodwell Ngomazana (9) was attacked by a hyena, leaving him with one eye, while the nose, upper lip and both cheeks were extensively injured. Rodwell of Rusakaniko village in Benzi was sleeping with other children when the hyena pounced during a church service of the Zviratidzo Zvapositora apostolic sect last Friday. His mother, Mrs Charity Mabika, appealed for assistance for further surgery procedures. Mrs Mabika said her son was still in a critical condition, but recovering, having undergone the first surgery procedure at Parirenyatwa. She appealed for help to meet her son's medical expenses for doctors to save Rodwell's life. Mrs Mabika can be contacted at 0779053903. Concerns by members of the public on the cost of transferring funds from one's bank account to their mobile money wallets are likely to be addressed in coming days with the Central Bank convening players to find amicable price points. In response to growing concerns by members of the public, the Central Bank has convened stakeholders, banks and telcos to find an agreeable price point that is not prohibitive for users. Commenting on the public debate, Central Bank Governor John Rwangombwa said that the ideal price points should be optimal to support the recouping of investments by service providers but not too high to discourage uptake. "It is not easy to strike that balance. We understand where both parties are coming from," he said. To ensure that the concerns do not erode gains made in uptake of cashless payments in recent months, he said that they are engaged in discussion with service providers and have also commissioned a study on the digital financial services pricing and challenges. The study findings should be out in the second half of the year and will inform the way forward. "We are currently engaged in discussions with service providers. We have also commissioned a study on the digital financial services pricing and challenges and when it comes out by the second half of the year, we should be able to have more informed discussions with the service providers," he said. Noting that the Central Bank cannot regulate the prices for the transactions, he said that they can engage players to ensure that cashless payments costs are not prohibitive. "We may not have a solution as the Central Bank or direct service providers on how to price. It is in everyone's interest to grow the cashless business, it's not only an objective by the government but also of benefit to financial sector players," he said. The discussions will feature aspects such as what costs players can forego in the meantime to allow increased uptake and usage. "In that context, we are looking at what we can do, what can service providers fore-go for now to drive the systems and later benefit from economies of scale when there are more users? These are the lines around which we are engaging the players at the moment," he said. Among aspects, banks have said influence the costs is the investments to acquire the mobile banking systems where The New Times has established that some used up to $250,000 to set up the system and incur over $25,000 annually for maintenance. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Rwanda Banking By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Banks also factor in costs incurred in the transactions, third party costs, recovering investments made in setting up the systems while others factor in convenience fees. Convenience fees factor in what one would have otherwise paid to physically walk into a bank to make a withdrawal or an Automated Teller Machine. During the pull transactions, banks also pay interest when funds are moved from the client's bank accounts to a Trust account held by the telco sitting in the same bank. Banks pay interest on the funds held in the trust account at a rate of about 6 per cent. Some banks told this paper that if the key costs elements were revised downward, they would be in position to also review the costs. Some banks have also argued that they should also be allowed to cut costs incurred in running physical branches as they divert their clients to digital platforms. This they said would be through ways such as reducing the number of physical branches. The concerns come at a time when digital financial services have been on the rise but widespread concerns on sustainability. Mobile payment transactions increased by 92 per cent from 116 million transactions in March 2020 with a value of Rwf736 billion to Rwf3950 billion as at March 2021. As a result, the trust account balance in local banks saw balance grow from Rwf46.3 billion in March 2020 to Rwf66.6 billion as of March 2021. Trust accounts are accounts held by telcos in various banks where funds move during a pull transaction. Banks pay interest on funds held in the trust account. Gaborone Botswana will participate at the Dubai Expo 2020, says the director of corporate affairs at Botswana Investment Trade Centre (BITC), Ms Kutlo Moagi. In an interview with BOPA on Tuesday, Ms Moagi noted that Botswana received an invitation to participate at the World Expo from the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). She said the Expo was initially scheduled for last October, but it was postponed to October 1, this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ms Moagi said the expo, which was expected to run until March 30, 2022, would be held under the theme: Connecting Minds, Creating the Future, with 190 countries as well as 200 organisations and non-governmental organisations expected to participate. She said the theme was attesting to the belief that innovation and progress were the results of people with new and unique idea working collectively. She said Botswana would use it as a platform to attract Foreign Direct Investment and an opportunity to celebrate and dialogue with other countries on issues of creativity, innovation, humanity and world cultures. Ms Moagi said the expo would also be ideal for benchmarking on the latest technology to assist in the country's efforts to transform into a knowledge-based economy. She noted that Botswana's participation would be anchored on a multi-dimensional approach, saying all relevant stakeholders would be involved. "Engagement of different stakeholders has commenced and various teams are already working towards the execution of this national assignment," she said. She said some of the preparations would include profiling Botswana as a gateway into Africa and an investment destination to prospective visitors, other nations and international business community, among others. Ms Moagi further said through BITC, the country would strive to market and sell the potential of different locally produced goods and services to the global market, as well as promote tourism offerings and locally designed art and craft works. She said BITC would also create awareness about the country through branding and promoting it as a place to live and invest in. Source : BOPA Khawa In light of resetting targets and redefining the development agenda, President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi on Wednesday toured Khawa community projects where he called for readjustment of scope and strategic planning with a view to enhancing value chains. The tour covered newly constructed market stalls, street lights, date palms and a slaughter slab currently under construction at Swakara Sheep Farm. President Masisi said the developments, initiated during the 2019 Khawa Dune Challenge, would not only give the village a facelift but also transform livelihoods and chart a path towards economic prosperity. He reiterated the need for mindset reset and redefining scope to achieve high impact results for improvement of livelihoods. Resetting of service delivery to ensure that the people were assisted accordingly was crucial, he said. The President said Khawa, celebrated for its unique physical features, was a potential tourism hub which had prompted government to invest in the mentioned infrastructural development. Noting that the dune challenge was often the village's only economic highlight, government saw the need to diversify activities. Dr Masisi said the infrastructure was a continuation of his predecessor Lt. Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama's efforts and commended the former president for a sterling job in the development of Khawa through the dune challenge. He also praised the Kgalagadi District Council for implementing the projects and acknowledged MP for Kgalagadi South Mr Sam Brooks' contribution to the dune challenge during his tenure as council chairperson. Kgalagadi District Council secretary Ms Baipelelang Photlokwe said when President Masisi shared his plans for Khawa in 2019, the council rose to the occasion by installing street lights, putting up market stalls and planting date palms. The developments, she said, were meant to turn Khawa into a tourist attraction area where the community could have more activities in addition to the dune challenge. Giving details of the projects, Ms Photlokwe explained that paving of the 3.2 km stretch of road leading to the kgotla had created employment for 136 people. The solar streetlights, which cover 4.5 km, were completed in 2020 within time and budget while erection of market stalls, financed through constituency and Poverty Eradication Programme funds, employed 10 people. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Botswana Governance Sustainable Development By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. About the market stalls, she said the area would also serve as a public square for the community. For his part, Mr Brooks expressed gratitude to the President for fulfilling his promise to the people of Khawa. He said government was working on developing Khawa into a tourism hub because of its pristine environment. Currently, he said, plans were underway to create a road linking Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park with Khawa KD15 Park. In his remarks, Khawa's Kgosi Piet Manyoro noted that undertaking development projects in the village was costly due to the poor state of the access road. That, he said, posed challenges to contractors hence the need to tar the road. President Masisi was accompanied by the Minister of Agricultural Development and Food Security Mr Karabo Gare. Source : BOPA President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended good wishes to the Muslim community on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadaan. "On behalf of all the people of South Africa, I wish our Muslim brethren well on this auspicious day of family, community and collegiality," said the President in a statement on Thursday. The Muslim community began the Holy Month of Ramadan on 12 April. Ramadan is a period during which Muslims around the world engage intensively in prayerful devotion, fasting, other forms of abstention and acts of charity. He said to witness the great sacrifices made by Muslims during Ramadaan in line with their commitment to their faith is always "deeply humbling". President Ramaphosa once again thanked the Muslim community for its contribution to the national effort to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. "Beyond the already rigorous demands of fasting, Muslims in South Africa, like people of other faiths, have had to curtail aspects of their worship such as praying in congregation, appreciating this was for the common good," he said. The President urged the community and all South Africans to remain vigilant and to continue to comply with the existing regulations in the interests of the health and safety of all. "Sadly, for many Muslims around the world, this joyful day is marred by hardship, deprivation and violence. We express our collective abhorrence of the violence being perpetrated against the Palestinian people, and reaffirm our solidarity with their struggle for nationhood and self-determination," said President Ramaphosa. Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa; Sokoto State Governor, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal; as well as Governors Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State and AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State have saluted Muslims on the occasion of the Eid-el-Fitr festival and called for prayers against security challenges. Okowa, in a statement yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, the state capital, urged Muslims and Christians to intensify prayers to complement federal and states' governments' efforts at ending insecurity. He charged Nigerians to also pray for peace for the nation and to avert a possible third wave of COVID-19 pandemic. He urged Muslims to extend the spiritual benefits of Ramadan, which were love, peace and justice, to their daily living "as through this, they will be contributing to the development of the nation." Tambuwal also felicitated with Nigerians and urged them to pray against insecurity and COVID-19 pandemic. The governor, in a broadcast yesterday, thanked the people of the state for their continued prayers and support for his administration. He said: "Allow me to use this opportunity to thank you all for your continuous support and cooperation in running the affairs of our dear state. Suffice it to say that it had been challenging to all of us and the world at large as we battle with the COVID-19 pandemic and its concomitant problems that affected the world economy. We remain ever grateful to Allah (SWT) for his innumerable favours and pray that all those who lost their lives have attained the position of martyrs." Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. He added that the nation is passing through challenges such as insecurity and economic hardship and enjoined them to pray for the country. Also, el-Rufai praised the spirit of sacrifice and resilience displayed by Muslims in Kaduna State during the fasting period. In an Eid-el-Fitr message, the governor congratulated Muslims on the successful completion of Ramadan and prayed that "Allah will bless the immense sacrifices that are being made." The governor, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Mr. Muyiwa Adekeye, urged Muslims to keep hope alive and to celebrate Eid el-Fitr in compliance with public health guidelines prescribed to protect everyone from COVID-19." The statement appealed to all communities in Kaduna State to uphold peace and harmony. In his message, AbdulRazaq called for tolerance, mutual love and understanding among Nigerians to ensure peaceful co-existence and development. The governor, during an interaction with reporters in Ilorin shortly after Eid-el-Fitr prayers, said: "Nigeria is our fatherland. It is the only country we can call our own. "On this day and always, I join patriots to rally our people behind the singular agenda of mutual love, peace, unity and harmony". The governor emphasised the need for the citizens to embrace one another for peace to reign in the state and the country. Bauchi Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led federal government of lacking ideas on how to address the various economic challenges bedeviling the nation. Speaking yesterday to journalists at the Government House, Bauchi, shortly after performing the Eid prayers to mark the Sallah celebration, the governor said the federal government should stop the blame game and look for a way forward. "I think the federal government has lost any idea to grow the economy. What they are best known for is the blame game. They are not even fighting the corruption they claimed to be fighting" "There's more corruption; perceptions are built that there are sacred cows; there are tin gods in this country who cannot be touched," Mohammed declared. Mohammed, who blamed the nation's backwardness on nepotism by the Buhari led-administration, added there is no fairness and equitable allocation of appointments across the six geopolitical zones. The governor also stated that the Southern governors were right in some aspects of their resolutions reached at their Asaba meeting on Tuesday, adding that only one section of the country was being given positions in government. "If you are not fair and equitable in your administration, in your management, if there is nepotism where only one section is given positions in government, what the southern governors said smacked of some aspects of truth where some people were given too much attention to the detriment of the other side. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. "What we know in this as a federalist; there is always a balance in terms of appointment of federal offices, even in the local governments. "If you don't practise fairness at the top then you cannot get it at the lower table and people will begin to think of self-actualisation, self-determination and so on and it will reflect negatively. Unless we ensure fairness and equity in the leadership of the country we cannot grow the economy," he asserted. He said: "There are sacred cows and small gods who cannot be touched in Buhari's government but if you are not fair and equitable in your government, If there is nepotism where only one section is giving positions in your government, then there will be problems. "There is an iota of truth in what the southern governors said on some sections being highly favoured at the detriment of others. According to him, "We hope and pray that Allah has expetiated our sins and we are brand new today and I have already sent out my message that, as a nation, we need to reflect deeply on our common existence because we are challenged by so many aspects of misdemeanors, crime and criminality and as a Muslim, most of it are coming from us, as members of the Islamic faith that is the issue of banditry, kidnapping and the rest". "We must be very courageous to say it and that is not acceptable within the tenets of Islam. That is something that is very incongruous to the values of Islam and that we should fear God to make sure that we don't give ourselves, our communities and even our religion a bad name. We have to change. Of course, this issue is really expanding or escalating to other parts of the country. He also declared that "we know these bandits; we know where they stay and what they do. Sometimes they are aided and abetted by us. We should fish them out". A first-of-its-kind SmartBank blood collection point has been launched at Nairobi's Mama Lucy Kibaki hospital to help increase blood collection in the country. The centre will leverage on the use of technology in blood collection in a bid to bridge the blood supply gap in Kenya by providing a low-cost and innovative solution to blood challenges in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. Kenya blood demand is approximately one million units annually, however, the collection and donations hardly cover half of the demand. The new facility will use next-generation technology including blockchain technology and artificial intelligence to improve blood collection, banking, and last-mile delivery to health care facilities. This will be through an application, which one will log into to donate blood, that will schedule appointments for blood donors in such a way that they have a health officer ready to collect blood from them once they arrive eliminating the need to wait. The system operationalized by the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) in collaboration with Lifebank and the Kenya National Blood Transfusion Services (KNBTS) will serve more than 2.1 million residents depending at Mama Lucy Hospital for healthcare services. The facility will be the second public blood collection facility in Kenya apart from the Blood Transfusion Unit at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH). Speaking during the launch of the facility, NMS boss Director-General Mohamed Badi said the commissioning of the facility is a significant milestone in improving blood sustainability in the country. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Health By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. He stated that many patients suffer after failing to get access to blood. Badi said there is a growing need for blood in hospitals and other health facilities with Nairobi alone requiring an estimated 50,000 units of blood to cater for arising medical needs. "Having steady, reliable blood supply is key to saving lives as blood transfusion is a key component in healthcare saving lives of millions every year. As NMS, we are committed to setting up more blood collection centres in partnership with the KNBTS and many more like-minded partners," said Badi. NMS Health Services Director Dr. Ouma Oluga said out of women who die during childbirth at KNH, almost half of them are due to post-partum hemorrhage with about nine patients daily having had to have their surgeries cancelled due to shortage of blood. "We could save many with the availability of blood. Apart from helping in the collection of blood, it will also help in separation of blood and having to take blood specimen to KNBTS for screening," he said. KNBTS Director Dr. Nduku Kilonzo said blood-banking is key and having a steady, reliable blood supply is critical towards addressing national disasters and saving lives. She said progress has been made in the last four months in blood collection in the country with KNBTS collecting 63,000 units since the start of the year. Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) the force behind the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine aims to bring the single-dose vaccine Sputnik Light to India soon. The double-dose Sputnik V was launched in the Indian market by Dr Reddy's Laboratories on Friday. The vaccine is priced at Rs 995 per dose. Speaking at a virtual conference, RDIF CEO Kirill Dmitriev said, "We hope for the introduction of Sputnik V Light in India soon." Sputnik Light is a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine. It could become the first such vaccine to be released in the country. Globally, the only other single-shot dose is by Johnson & Johnson. While inoculation with Sputnik V began in Hyderabad today, the second batch of the vaccine is expected to arrive soon. "The second batch of Sputnik V is expected to arrive in India by the end of the week," according to Reuters. "With the rising cases in India, vaccination is our most effective tool in our battle against COVID-19. Contributing to the vaccination drive in India is our biggest priority right now to help Indians be healthy and safe," said Dr Reddy's Co-Chairman and Managing Director GV Prasad. The pharma giant said that the vaccine will be subsequently manufactured in India. "Subsequently, supply of the Sputnik V vaccine will commence from Indian manufacturing partners. The imported doses of the vaccine are presently priced at an MRP of Rs 948 + 5% GST per dose, with the possibility of a lower price point when local supply begins," it said. Dmitriev also said that Russia expects to produce more than 850 million doses of Sputnik V in India this year. The two-dose Sputnik V vaccine has been found to be 91.6 per cent effective, which is a higher efficacy rate than the two currently in the market. Also read: Russia's Sputnik V vaccine to cost Rs 995 per dose; rollout from next week Also read: COVID vaccine: Sputnik V arrives in India; to be available from next week Cairo Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Abroad Nasser Bourita takes part Tuesday in the urgent meeting of the Council of the Arab League, held via videoconference, at the level of foreign ministers to discuss the development of the situation in Al Quds Asharif. This ministerial meeting will discuss Arab and international action to face the brutal Israeli crimes and attacks against the Palestinian people in the occupied city of Al-Quds, including the savage Israeli offensive against the worshippers during the month of Ramadan and the attacks and plans to seize the houses of the Al Quds' inhabitants in the neighborhood of Sheikh Jarrah and other areas of the city in an attempt to displace the holy city's population, said the Palestinian ambassador to Egypt, Diab Al-Louh. These practices are part of the systematic Israeli policy to Judaize Al-Quds and change the legal and historical status of the city and its holy sites, the Palestinian diplomat stressed in a press statement, adding that the meeting will also discuss the repercussions of Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip. A boat accident on the vast Masinga Dam has thrown Ekalakala region in Machakos County in mourning after two residents drowned. James Muindi and Samuel Mbuthia were on a fishing expedition with two others when their vessel capsized on the evening of May 3. Mbuthia (38), was buried at Kathini village on Monday while Muindi (32) was interred a stones' throw away on Tuesday. The two left behind widows, young children - and a shaken community. Speakers at their funerals renewed calls for boat operators to be careful in their business as mourners eulogised the departed as industrious heroes who loved their families. "A strong wind rocked the boat as we approached the heart of the dam where rivers Mathauta, Thika, Thaana converge," Mr Benson Muasya, a survivor, told the mourners. Mr Muasya and Mr Saidi Kikaa, the other survivor, tightly grasped the boat, which was being tossed around by the strong winds towards the shores as their colleagues desperately fought for their lives. A rescue operation mounted by villagers ended as a recovery mission five days later, when the bodies of the fishermen were found floating, victims of the latest boat accident in the dam that bestrides Embu and Machakos counties. Masinga is one of the Seven Forks hydro stations that the government installed on River Tana for the generation of hydroelectricity. Others are Kamburu, Gitaru, Kindaruma and Kiambere dams. Source of anguish The dams are designed to help manage downstream flooding, which affects sections of Tana River County when there are heavy rains upstream. However, the dam has emerged as a source of anguish to the surrounding communities since it was commissioned four decades ago. When they are not lamenting about underdevelopment, specifically the lack of clean water despite their proximity to the dam, residents neighbouring the dam decry boat accidents and rampant crocodile and hippopotamus attacks. Boats are the main means of transport in the region. According to the chairman of the Ekalakala beach management unit, Mr Dunson Masia, dozens of youths also fish using the vessels, spawning multiple food enterprises in the region. The use of boats has, however, predisposed the region to disasters. Administrators and the police urge caution every time a boat accident or an attack happens. Oftentimes, government officials offend the boat operators by accusing them of working under the influence of alcohol every time an accident occurs. Many lives continue to be lost as the blame game continues. At least six residents were killed in and around the dam in separate incidents last year alone. In one incident, three fishermen drowned when their boat capsized during strong winds. At Murang'a's Ndogo village, two boys were mauled by hippos as they drew water on the shores of the dam a year ago. Four other people drowned in subsequent months. They included a woman and her daughter who drowned when the vessel they were travelling in hit a concealed log and overturned in the middle of the dam. Mzee Thomas Mutua, a resident of Katothya village, is among those whose crops have been destroyed by hippos. He is lucky. Others died. He says the attacks by the hippos increase when the dam breaks its banks, "something that has been happening a lot lately." Oppose upgrade plan Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Infrastructure By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Thanks to the attacks by the animals, communities neighbouring the dam are vehemently opposed to a proposed plan to upgrade the dam. The plan, according to Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority (Tarda) managing director Rebecca Miano, is to increase the capacity of the dam by raising its main wall by two metres. Since the 1990s, Tarda has been attempting in vain to actualise the plan, which is meant to ensure a steady output of electricity even during the dry spell. The area residents have their misgivings. "Trapping more water in the dam will mean the dam will flow into homesteads, thus bringing hippopotamus closer to the people," said Mr David Mutuku, a businessman. The prospect of catching more fish when the volume of the dam is increased has not boosted the relationship between Tarda and the communities neighbouring the dam. Rabat Morocco reiterated, on Tuesday, its categorical rejection of all violations and unilateral measures affecting the legal status of Al-Quds Asharif and the legitimate rights of the brotherly Palestinian people to achieve their aspirations to freedom and independence. During his speech at the emergency meeting of Arab foreign ministers, held by teleconference, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Abroad Nasser Bourita condemned the hate speech of some extremist Israeli religious organizations. Bourita stressed that the Kingdom "shares with its sister Arab nations the feelings of deep concern regarding the violent events taking place in the holy city of Al Quds, in particular in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, which faces systematic plans to evict its residents amid escalating Israeli attacks on the Maqdessis, and raids, arrests and intimidation of peaceful worshipers during the blessed month of Ramadan." The continuation of these practices would only increase the factors of escalation and tension, as well as the prevalence of hate speech, thus making the chances of peace in the region slim and plunging the Palestinian cause and the holy city of Al-Quds in a religious and ideological conflict, he warned. Noting that this difficult situation is due to the stalemate that has marked the peace process for years, Bourita said that the reviving of the peace process, according to clear determinants, foundations of international legitimacy, resolutions of the Security Council and the Arab Peace Initiative in order to preserve the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and revive a constructive dynamic for peace, is the key to overcoming this situation. The Kingdom of Morocco places the Palestinian question and the holy city of Al-Quds at the forefront of its concerns, he recalled, reaffirming the firm and clear position of Morocco, under the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, vis-a-vis supporting and defending the Palestinian cause, and its adherence to a peaceful settlement in accordance with the two-state solution agreed on internationally with the 1967 borders and East of Al-Quds as capital for the Palestinian state. HM the King, in his capacity as Chairman of the Al Quds Committee, will continue to defend the special status of Al-Quds and the respect for the freedom to practice religious rites for followers of the three monotheistic religions, added the minister, saying that the Sovereign will spare no effort to protect the Islamic identity of the holy city, preserve the sacredness of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and defend the historical identity of this city as a land of coexistence between monotheistic religions. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Morocco Conflict Middle East and Africa By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. In this context, he reviewed the efforts made by the Bait Mal Al-Quds Asharif Agency, under the High Guidance of HM the King, to support the resistance of the Maqdessis, whether through its annual programs, its projects or its humanitarian aid in the educational, social and health fields. Morocco firmly and consistently supports all efforts of the Palestinian Authority to defend the rights of the inhabitants of the holy city and protect the sacred values, legal status and Islamic identity of Al-Quds Asharif as capital of the State of Palestine. The Kingdom of Morocco, "which is attached to peace as a strategic choice, remains convinced of the virtues of dialogue and negotiation since they are the only means of resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, away from acts of violence and unilateral actions", concluded the Minister. Cairo Arab foreign ministers have decided the formation of an Arab ministerial committee, composed of Morocco, Palestine, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Qatar and tasked with working internationally to encourage permanent members of the Security Council and other influential countries to take concrete actions to stop illegal Israeli policies and measures in the occupied city of Al Quds. The committee, which also includes the presidency of the Arab summit, the Arab country member of the Security Council and the secretary general of the Arab League, will submit a report on its activities to the Council of the League during an extraordinary session to be held to this end. In a resolution at the end of their emergency meeting, held on Tuesday by teleconference, the Arab ministers called on the International Criminal Court to make headway with its investigation into war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Israel against the unarmed Palestinian people, notably the forced eviction of Palestinians from their homes in the Sheikh Jarah neighborhood and in other occupied Palestinian areas and neighborhoods. They called on the Criminal Court to make this issue a priority and to mobilize all the material and human resources necessary to carry out this investigation. The resolution also underlined that the Arab side is determined to take all necessary measures at all levels, including intense diplomatic actions, to protect the city of Al Quds and defend its sacred Muslim and Christian sites, as well as to support the political, social, economic and human rights of the population in the holy city. It called on the Arab parliament to take urgent action with the parliaments of influential countries to achieve this goal. The resolution instructed the missions of the League of Arab States and the groups of Arab ambassadors to initiate an intense diplomatic effort to convey the content of this resolution to the capitals of influential countries around the world. It also instructed the Arab group within the United Nations in New York to begin consultations and measures with the Presidents of the Security Council and of the General Assembly, including the option of holding the 10th emergency extraordinary session on illegal Israeli actions in the occupied city of eastern Al Quds and the rest of the occupied Palestinian territory. The meeting decided to instruct the Arab group in Geneva and Paris to initiate the necessary consultations and measures within the Human Rights Council and Unesco to put an end to the Israeli violations and systematic policies in the occupied city of Al Quds. The Israeli government on Wednesday ventured into what it called a war on "misinformation" following a wave of condemnations from the world on its aerial bombardments of Gaza. Instead, officials told the international media that they will continue with Operation Guardians of the Wall to reduce the capabilities of the Hamas group to attack Israel. Lt-Col Jonathan Conricus, the international spokesperson for the Israeli Defence Forces, said his country will continue to target commanders of Hamas which he also blamed for a series of civilian casualties inside Palestinian territories. "For Hamas, anybody who is a part of it or anybody who is supporting it is a terrorist target," he said during a virtual press conference. 'Responding to aggression' "What we are doing now is responding to their aggression and their attacks and making sure they pay a heavy price." The IDF, he said, were working under standing orders to continue with the operation while minimising civilian casualties. His assertions came as Israel felled a ten-storey building in Gaza, said to have hosted an office owned by Hamas, the armed group that governs Gaza as a faction of the Palestinian government. Israel said Hamas had fired more than 1,050 rockets from Gaza, killing five civilians and one combatant in the IDF. But it also said "an abnormal amount of rockets falling short" inside Gaza. Conricus said the Hamas group was firing rockets from civilian bases and using humans as shields. Since Israel began the offensive on Monday, authorities in Gaza claim 53 people have been killed, including 14 children. Some 300 others were wounded, according to Gaza's Health ministry. Officials speaking to the media on Wednesday dismissed the figures from Gaza as Hamas' propaganda. Lior Haiat, the international spokesman for the Israeli Foreign Ministry, said Hamas was blaming his country for its own blunders. "What Hamas is trying to do is to pin blame on Israel for its own atrocities," he argued, claiming Israel had conducted raids by being "careful not to hit non-combatant targets". "The full responsibility of these deaths of civilians and the situation we have got in rests with the terrorist organisations in Gaza... . Some of the kids were killed by rockets fired from Gaza but fell short," Haiat added when questioned on the death toll of children in the Gaza strip. Right to self-defence "We do expect the international community to recognise Israel's right to self-defence... and to condemn the terrorist attacks from Hamas." Israel's spirited defence came even as they targeted buildings and other installations it said were owned or occupied by Hamas. It said it had killed 20 combatants on Wednesday "some of them in very senior leadership" in Hamas. Officials refused to discuss whether Israel will call for a ceasefire as the world has demanded, but said they were striking Hamas to weaken and force them to stop firing rockets at Israel. The bombardment began on Monday after tension arose from forced evictions of Palestinian families in Sheikh Jarrah neighbourhoods of East Jerusalem. These families have been facing a series of court cases since 1972. Land grabbing accusation The debate is whether Jewish communities claiming the land originally owned it before 1948, the definitive year the state of Israel was created. It touched off the land question in Gaza, where Palestinians have accused Israel of land grabbing. The UN Security Council was expected to meet again on Wednesday evening for an emergency closed-door meeting. But some of the Council's members were voicing concerns at the rising tensions after Israel amassed troops at the border and Hamas promised to retaliate. The US called for a cessation of strikes. "We recognise Israel's right to defend its people and territory, and we equally believe the Palestinian people need to be able to live in safety and security," said Linda Thomas-Greenfield, US Ambassador to the UN. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Conflict Middle East and Africa By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said both sides should de-escalate the violence for the sake of civilian safety. "I am urging Israel and the Palestinians to step back from the brink and for both sides to show restraint. "The UK is deeply concerned by the growing violence and civilian casualties and we want to see an urgent de-escalation of tensions," he said on Monday. India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador TS Tirumurti said his country is "deeply concerned at clashes and violence in Haram Al Sharif/Temple Mount". Indian, traditionally an Israeli ally, also said the spread of violence into residential neighbourhoods was a danger to the entire region. "India is equally concerned about evictions in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan neighbourhoods," he said after reports emerged of several Palestinians being evicted from their houses. Thousands of people marched in Cape Town in solidarity with Palestinians. analysis The protest came after Israel's air strikes on the Gaza Strip, which have killed at least 56 people since the violence escalated on Monday. With Palestinian flags aloft and fists raised, about 1,000 protesters chanting "Allahu Akbar" (God is great) and "Free, free Palestine" marched through Cape Town's city centre to Parliament on Wednesday morning, in a show of solidarity with Palestine. Placards bobbed above the sea of faces: "Hands off Al-Aqsa Mosque!", "End the occupation", and "Free Gaza, free Palestine!". Some protesters wore T-shirts with slogans: "South Africa will never be free until Palestine is free" and "Hands off Jerusalem". Part of the about 1,000 people who marched to Parliament in Cape Town on Wednesday, 12 May 2021 in a show of solidarity with Palestine. (Photo: Victoria O'Regan) The protest came after Israel's air strikes on the Gaza Strip, which have killed at least 56 people since the violence escalated on Monday. The Israeli raids follow weeks of mounting tension over plans for the forced evictions of Palestinian families from Sheikh Jarrah, a Palestinian neighbourhood in East Jerusalem. The violence intensified when Israeli police stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem on Monday -- firing rubber bullets, tear gas and wounding... Thousands of people marched in Cape Town in solidarity with Palestinians. Cabinet has expressed strong condemnation of the recent attacks on Palestinian protesters at Al Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock. Cabinet in this week's meeting also expressed dismay at the unlawful evictions of Palestinians from their homes in the Sheikh al Jarrah in the annexed East Jerusalem to make way for Israeli settlements. "Israel's actions are in stark violation of international law, and a total disregard of the United Nations Security Council Resolutions, (UNSC) including Resolutions 446 (1979) and 2334 (2016) which explicitly call for an end to Israeli occupation and the fulfilment of the rights of the Palestinian people, including to self-determination and independence," Cabinet said in a statement on Thursday. Cabinet called on Israel to stop the "barbaric attacks" on Palestinians and commit itself to international efforts aimed at reviving a political process, leading to the establishment of a viable Palestinian state, existing side by side in peace with Israel within internationally recognised borders, based on those existing on 4 June 1967, with East Jerusalem as the capital Palestine. Meanwhile, Cabinet expressed concern about the situation in Mozambique and continues to monitor developments. "Accordingly, Cabinet expressed its full support to efforts of the Southern African Development Community to bring about lasting peace and security, as well as reconciliation and development in Mozambique." In March, South Africa expressed concern at a spate of attacks against foreign nationals in Palma, northern Mozambique. The conflict, at the time had left dozens dead and tons displaced and missing after a group of terrorists stormed the town. Uganda President Yoweri Museveni has taken oath of office for his sixth elected term, with Ugandans and East Africans expecting him to steady the political and development caravan. Mr Museveni's victory in January saw him collect 58.6 percent of the vote against his challenger's, Bobi Wine, 34.8 percent. The vote, however, was preceded with internet shutdowns and violent arrests of the strongman's opponents. Some of them are still in detention. On Wednesday, the Ugandan leader used his inauguration podium to promise more commitment to regional integration, which he argued could be a solution to fragmented poverty on the continent. "I would, therefore, like to use this occasion to remind the African fraternity, that economic and, where possible, political integration in Africa, is a sine qua non [essential condition] of the success for Africa, if we are to address the issue of the prosperity of our people and strategic security of Africa, apart from other consideration," he told an audience at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds, including Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta. "I am glad we are working on the CFTA [continental free trade area] for the common market of the whole of Africa and on the confederation of East Africa as a first step to the East African Political Federation. "In East Africa, we should not repeat the mistake of 1963, when some actors made us miss our objective of the Political Federation," he added, referring to the original failed bid to unite Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania under one political federation. As a champion of East African Community, Mr Museveni may remember how Tanzanian forces invaded Uganda in the 70s to assist his struggle against dictator Idd Amin. On Wednesday, he argued Africa should build a "centre of gravity" comparable to an axis where the continent can use to develop as one. Regional integration observers say his longevity in power [since 1986] could provide a much-needed institutional memory to correct mistakes in the path for full integration. "He is the senior-most leader. He should try to unite the EAC states like Kenya and Tanzania, as well as Somalia (which isn't a member of EAC, but borders Kenya)," George Mucee, an immigration consultant and Practice Leader at Fragomen Kenya, told the Nation. He was referring to constant trade and politics tiffs between the sides. "He must look at how one EAC market can leverage its economic power to exploit natural resources and improve on standards of living not only to Ugandans but the rest of EAC." Mr Museveni's proposal was that continental integration will boost markets for local produce but he did admit that project must involve addressing obstacles he called "parasites" such as the corrupt. At home, however, he must address crucial issues. For example, his Cabinet from 2016 was one of the most bloated on the continent, carrying as many as 80 ministers and state ministers, which some observers think created a huge wage bill. He will surely appoint a new vice president after the previous office holder Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi was defeated in January polls. The country has had 146 districts, up from 30 when Mr Museveni took power in 1986, contributing to the expansion of Parliament to 529 MPs. In the current fiscal budget, at least a third of the money will be channelled to paying debt, now at Ush65 trillion. One controversial proposal Mr Museveni made was merging state departments that do similar jobs such as in electricity supply. It could eat political jobs, however. A leaked tape on Thursday showed a state minister lamenting that no one in Cabinet was sure of retaining their posts. In Parliament, outgoing Speaker Rebecca Kadaga is battling with her deputy Jacob Oulanya, providing the earliest test to unity in the National Resistance Movement. In the wider political scene, stakeholders have called for President Museveni to ease electioneering tensions by first releasing those detained during campaign run-ins. "Let them be released, let them enjoy their freedom with families. Some of them are Muslims and would love to celebrate Eid with their families," the Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubajje, told reporters after Thursday's Eid prayers in Kampala. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Uganda Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Mr Museveni told an audience on Wednesday that NRM has managed to steer Uganda to progress by following for principles of patriotism, expanding markets, focusing on commercial agriculture and designing a local version of democracy. But even that has had gaps. Uganda has had 96,860 elective positions but Parliament routinely creates affirmative positions to balance gender and interest groups. Only 19 women were elected through ordinary constituencies in 2016. Just 14 won this time round. To fill the gap, Ugandans elected one women in every district, one youth per region and five special seats for the army. In recent changes, there will be five more seats for the elderly. His critics say he must open up the political scene, where rivals are not seen as enemies but contributors to democracy. press release 3000 workers placed in jobs as partnership between Employment and Labour and private sector bear fruit Private-public partnerships work. That was the message delivered by the Deputy Minister of Employment and Labour, Ms Boitumelo Moloi when she hosted a breakfast today with three companies who have decided to use the services of the department to source labour. The three companies are the Langeberg & Ashton Foods - part of Tiger Brands (LAF); Rhodes Food Group (RFG) and Ceres Fruit Growers (CFG) and they have been working closely with the Department especially the Worcester Labour Centre and the Provincial office to source seasonal labourers for its intensive industry. "This project between the Department of Employment and Labour through its Public Employment Services is not only the epitome of a successful public private partnership but a blueprint of how we can work together to ensure that we create employment opportunities for the people of this land. "This success story which is further proof that the fight against the triple challenge of poverty, inequality and unemployment will only be defeated if we all put hand to wheel and do something to change the situation. This is particularly fitting that we are celebrating this success a day before our Budget Vote. "It is because we understand that the unemployment is not only a lack of material things, but it also results in the lack of dignity which may invariably feed into many other ills that our society is facing. We also understand that we share a common destiny and therefore partnerships are the way to the future," she said. DM Moloi recalled the violence that engulfed De Doorns and alluded that this partnership was borne out of those dark days. "People born in this country were up in arms because they felt that foreign nationals were being given priority for the job opportunities in the farms. I salute the departmental officials who pursued a solution to this and worked hard in convincing local companies that they could partner with us in helping them secure labour and it is working very well," she said. The partnership, which dates back to 2017 and is in line with key elements recognized by the International Labour Organisation, has seen employers engaging services of the Department through the Public Employment Services to source workers for the food processing industry in the area. This was done through recruitment projects that seek to facilitate the updating of individual work seeker profiles to suit the needs of potential employers. Furthermore, PES has provided links to other departmental services like the social relief funds Unemployment Insurance Fund and the Compensation Fund. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Labour Governance South Africa By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Replying for the companies, Philippe Olivier said this partnership meant that they now do not have to have work seekers standing in front of the factory gate. "It is also easier and quicker for us because through their database, we can get work seekers who have already been trained and the companies does not have to start from scratch. It also removes the long time it would take to recruit as the Department's system already has the people that are needed to do the job. "This also creates an opportunity for other employers to use the database as recruitment tool for more permanent filling of positions," he said. At its peak in December, these companies engage at least 4620 workers and this comes down to an average of 2800 between January and May. So far, the Department has placed at least 3000 people and as the DM Moloi said, "this was particularly important as one person earning some money feeds up to ten others and the ripple effects are obvious" she said. She thanked the companies and challenged more companies to use the Department. "Our system is free of charge. We train the workers for you. All you have to do is to provide the opportunities and we will be able to help with the required warm bodies. In this case, we all win and the companies create sustainable business," she said. The European Union Reaffirmed Its Long term partnership with Namibia on 7 May during the celebration of Europe Day, held in Windhoek. Speaking during the event, Sinikka Antila, European Union (EU) Ambassador to Namibia said Namibia and the EU believe in rule-based world order and multilateral approach for resolving global challenges. "I can confirm that the EU has been and will continue to be one of Namibia's main development partners. In recent years, the cooperation has largely focused on education, agriculture and especially, livestock development as well as trade support, climate change, biodiversity and conservation. We work with the Namibian Government but also with civil society and grassroots organisations. We coordinate closely and work together with EU Member States and with the United Nations," Antila said. Hosted under the banner "Stronger Together," the event celebrated the strong relationship between the Republic of Namibia and the EU, showcasing EU's involvement through various projects in Namibia and enabled the Namibian community to engage with the EU and its 5 Member States represented here in Namibia (Finland, France, Germany, Portugal and Spain). Penda Naanda, Executive Director at the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation said Namibia continues to enjoy excellent relations with the European Union, in the areas of trade, investment, tourism and development cooperation, amongst others. "The EU market remains an important market for Namibian exports. In 2019, Namibia exported goods valued at over EURO 1.1 billion (N$ 19 billion). Export products ranged from agricultural products to fisheries as well as mining commodities," he explained. The Economic Partnership Agreement concluded between the EU and the SADC EPA States, of which Namibia is a member, allows for duty free, quota free market access from Namibia to the EU with the exception of arms and ammunition. Similarly, in 2019, European exports to Namibia were valued at over EURO 425million (N$ 7.2 billion). The annual Europe Day commemorates the Schuman Declaration of 9 May 1950, calling on the nations of Europe to unify and make war in the continent no more possible. EU member states representatives (FLTR) H.E. Jose del Palacio Tamarit, Charge d'Affairs of Spain ; H.E. Sebastien Minot, French Ambassador ; H.E. Herbet Beck ; German Ambassador - far right, Amb. Penda Naanda and Amb. Sinikka Antila. Loading the player... Facebook plans campaign in India to fight COVID-19 related misinformation Facebook on Thursday said it will roll out a new campaign in India in the coming weeks to "educate and inform people" about how to detect misinformation related to Covid-19, and encourage users to check the information they receive against an authentic source. The social networking giant has removed over 12 million pieces of "harmful" misinformation on Covid-19 globally from Instagram and its own platform during the pandemic, including falsehoods about approved vaccines. COVID-19 crisis: Indian, South African variants detected in Americas, says WHO expert The newest variant, the Indian B.1.617 variant, has been detected in cases in eight countries of the Americas, including Canada and the United States. The four most worrying coronavirus variants have been detected in virtually all countries and territories of the Americas, but although they are more transmissible there is no evidence they are more lethal, a World Health Organization expert said on Thursday. COVID-19 surge: Centre says virus may re-emerge, calls for preparations As the country battles the second wave of COVID-19, the government Thursday said the virus may emerge again and so preparations have to be made at the national level in collaboration with states, infrastructure needs to be ramped up while curbs and appropriate behaviour must be followed. Dismissing allegations that the government was unaware of the intensity of the second wave, NITI Aayog member (health) Dr V K Paul said, "We kept warning again and again from this platform that the second wave of COVID-19 will come. Bharat Biotech agrees to open Covaxin manufacturing to others Bharat Biotech has agreed to allow other companies to manufacture its coronavirus vaccine Covaxin, informed NITI Aayog Member (Health) Dr VK Paul. Addressing a press conference on the status of COVID-19 situation in the country on Thursday, Paul invited companies interested in joining the initiative to expand the production of Covaxin. Alibaba reports first-ever operating loss in 7 years due to anti-monopoly fine China's top e-commerce platform Alibaba Group Holding Ltd on May 13 posted its first quarterly operating loss since going public in 2014 due to a record anti-monopoly fine by the country's market regulator. Its US-listed shares fell nearly 3 percent in choppy trading, even as the company forecast strong 2022 revenue, betting that the pandemic-driven shift to online shopping will remain resilient. Not a coverup, reasonable for India to increase vaccine dose gap when there's shortage: Dr Fauci Top US health expert Dr Anthony Fauci has said that it is reasonable to increase the gap between two doses of vaccines when there's a shortage while referring to India increasing the time between two doses of Covishield. "When you don't have enough vaccines, extending duration between the first and second dose to get more people to at least get the first dose is a reasonable approach. It is unlikely that long delay would have a negative effect on vaccine efficacy," said Dr Anthony Fauci. The project signing ceremony to kick off the implementation of the Namibia component of the transboundary Community Conservancy Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) project was launched in Windhoek this week, between the government, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and French Development Agency (AFD). The activities in Namibia will form part of a EURO 3.5 million project financed by AFD to improve sustainable wildlife management and food security in Namibia and Botswana. Under the Sustainable Wildlife Management Programme, the new project will partner with the governments of Namibia and Botswana to address threats from unsustainable levels of wildlife hunting, closure of habitats, and fragmentation, which prevent animals from reaching the resources they need to survive, as well as poaching of animals as a result of human-wildlife conflicts. The project also aims to increase the resilience of the communities faced with erratic rainfall and frequent droughts. "The focus of the project is to benefit both the wildlife and ecosystems in the Transfrontier Conservation Area and the resilience of local communities that rely on them, at least in part, for food and income," said Farayi Zimudzi, FAO Representative in Namibia. The project will focus on supporting the development of a network of community conservancies and community-based organizations that help manage community-owned land to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources for the benefit of local livelihoods. Namibia already has a network of 86 community conservancies, which collectively cover 20 percent of the country and are home to nearly 230,000 people. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Namibia Wildlife Sustainable Development By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Gilles Kleitz, Director of the AFD Ecological Transition and Natural Resources Department said this project aims to establish an effective network of community conservancies since they have proven to be a powerful means to combat rural poverty. "In Namibia, for instance, conservancies contributed to more than USD 10 million in benefits such as income, employment remuneration, and payments in kind, for example meat, to conservancy members in 2018. The overall economic contributions from these benefits amounted to more than USD 62 million, including the creation of over 5,300 jobs from conservancy related operations and enterprises," Gilles added. In Namibia, the project will be implemented with the support of World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Namibia. The project sites include 12 community conservancies in the Khaudum-Ngamiland and Kwandu wildlife dispersal areas, as well as the Kyaramacan Association in Bwabwata National Park. Together, these sites will foster ecological connectivity throughout the KAZA landscape. The project will also contribute to create policies aimed at fostering the development of community conservancies, sustainable hunting, wildlife conservation and enhanced institutional and legal frameworks needed to implement these policies. The Sustainable Wildlife Management Programme is already promoting a similar approach in Zambia and Zimbabwe. Pohamba Shifeta, Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism and FAO Representative in Namibia, Farayi Zimudzi, during the launch in Windhoek. (FAO/MEFT) The Deputy Minster of Works and Transport, Veikko Nekundi officiated the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of the District Road 4113: Endola-Eembo in the Ohangwena Region last week. Nekundi congratulated the contractors and urged them to address the challenges that they may experience with urgency in order to avoid delays of any king on the project. He also urged the contractors, inclusive of the SMEs and the consultant team to consider investing into Corporate Social Responsibility especially for the communities along the road to be constructed. "This will be embraced by community members and it will positively change their lives forever," he added. Nekundi lauded the Roads Authority (RA) and the country at large for the high quality of roads, while also urging the RA to do more in terms of maintaining gravel roads which are mostly in a sorry state. Nekundi expressed shock and dismay on culvert dumped in the bushes or along the rivers and roads despite there being a need for the installation of these culverts to allow access by the communities, especially during the rainy seasons. "The RA must also ensure that its tender regulations and terms of the contract must dictate to procure road materials that are locally value added such as paint, plates and bitumen," he added. Nekundi meanwhile called on Namibians to dry up the swimming pool and dams of excuses and deliver tangible projects for the country's development. The Africa-France summit, which was to be held in early July in Montpellier, southern France, has been pushed back to early October because travel constraints linked to the Covid-19 epidemic will be "insufficiently lifted this summer", the town hall announced on Friday. The health crisis had already forced the Elysee to cancel last year's Africa-France summit planned in Bordeaux. This time, the Covid-19 travel restrictions led the presidential palace to postpone the event. "The travel constraints set at the international level will be insufficiently lifted this summer to allow the arrival of hundreds of guests from the African continent. Without their massive presence, the event would lose much of its meaning," wrote Montpellier town hall in a statement. Au regard du contexte sanitaire international, le Sommet Afrique-France, qui devait avoir lieu au Corum, est reporte aux 7, 8 et 9 octobre prochains. The event, planned from 8 to 10 July, will now take place from 7 to 9 October 2021, the French presidency confirmed to AFP. "These dates should allow the organisation of this important summit for our country and our territory in an ambitious format," the statement added. The 26-episode horror series titled 'The Mystic River' hits Netflix today. Shot in Ijebu Ode, the series tells a gut-wrenching story of a young couple who newly relocated to remote village. Unknown to them, the village has an abominable cultural practice of sacrificing pregnant women to the gods for prosperity. The intrigue of intuition, discovery and helplessness constitute the conflict of this dramatic adventure on screen. At the press screening of the series, held last weekend at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos, the producer, Roger Ofime described the series as a story of good and evil. "I want to be able to tell African stories. I want to be able to tell stories that have some impact, that will provoke people to think, to do something, to change something. That's the niche I'm trying to carve for myself," he said. Although the setting of the drama is traditional, most of the issues raised in the series have contemporary relevance. The Canadian-based producer has consistently positioned himself as a socially committed film maker whose cinematography is in itself a visual catalyst for societal change. The story in this edge-of-the-seat horror is a metaphor on the Nigerian state and how its under-development shares the semblance of a people making barbarism a way of life. 'The Mystic River' is also a visual commentary on the poor state of Nigeria's public health sector. "There are some things we don't like in our country today and we can stand up and do something about it just like the doctor stood up to fight tradition. We don't have to leave everything to the government. I believe that standing up, saying something or making a change will go a long way," he said. Starring leading actors such as Jide Kosoko, Dele Odule, Joke Muyiwa, each episode is wrapped in suspense. The President of the Republic, H.E. Dr. George Manneh Weah, has hailed Liberian Muslims for their endurance, farsightedness and commitment demonstrated during the month-long Ramadan period. The President said in a statement: "As my Liberian Muslim brothers and sisters climax the end of Ramadan 2021, I congratulate and thank all of them for their moral and spiritual endurance, far-sightedness and prayers offered for our beloved nation and people." President Weah particularly applauded Liberian Muslims for "remaining law-abiding and patriotic during these very difficult and trying times in our nation's history." He enjoined further them to continue to pray for peace, and a reconciled Liberia that will bring national development, growth and peace. It can be recalled that President Weah on April 13, 2021, the day Liberian Muslims began the annual observance of the Holy Month of Ramadan, congratulated and urged them to pray for the peace and development of Liberia. He also urged them to pray for the end of the massive and devastating consequences of the Coronavirus being experienced by the world. Fasting in RAMADAN is one of the five pillars of Islam obligatory upon all adult and healthy Muslims. Barely 24 hours after an explosion triggered by refrigerator gas killed three, another gas explosion has rocked Abeokuta, Ogun State, as Muslims celebrated Eid-el-Fitri on Thursday. Daily Trust reports that three persons were burnt to death with four others injured in a gas explosion that rocked the Oke-Igbore area of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital on Wednesday. The Ogun State Fire Service has confirmed the incident in a statement on Thursday. Just like Wednesday's fire outbreak, Thursday's explosion was reportedly triggered by refrigerator gas. It was gathered that the only victim of the inferno had been amputated, while still struggling for life at the hospital. "Fire Service Headquarters has again today, Thursday 13th May 2021, received a distress call to a house on fire at Sowemimo Street, off Mercy road, Abeokuta at about 08:30 hours early this morning. "Firemen quickly got to the scene, extinguished the inferno which was caused by refrigerator gas. "One victim suffered a serious injury and was thereby taken to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Idi-Aba for medical attention. "No life was lost in the explosion, but it was gathered that the victim has been amputated," the statement said. Director of the State Fire Service Director, Engr Fatai Adefala, advised the public to be more careful when handling flammable substances. A former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Rasidi Ladoja, has described those agitating for Yoruba nation as novices for calling for secession. He said some of the agitators for Yoruba nation didn't know what it meant as none of them knew how the war in Syria started. Ladoja who spoke during this year celebration of Eid-el-Fitri celebration in Ibadan said he supported the ban on open grazing. He said: "We are still practising what was on ground 50 years ago. Let's find a way of going for a sustainable system. The number of cows people are eating today has increased. "I support the ban on open grazing. There is the existence of open grazing. It has been there for long in the state. Some parts of the country feel cheated in the appointment into offices in the country. This is normal when we have incompetent people in power. "Some of the agitators for Yoruba Nation don't even know what it means, nobody knows how the war in Syria started and it takes years before it ends. "They have to take it easy. There will be time God will give us good leaders". Meanwhile, a senator representing Oyo North Senatorial District, Senator Fatai Buhari, on Thursday, said the Senate is yet to see reason to impeach President Muhammadu Buhari. The senator who stated this when he paid a Sallah visit to former Governor Rashidi Ladoja pointed out that impeaching a president has a process. press release Department of Employment and Labour Budget Vote "Protecting workers, decent work and jobs in the era of Covid19" T.W. Nxesi MP Minister of Employment and Labour Honourable Chairperson and Members The Deputy Minister The Director-General, Senior Management of the Department and its entities Members of the media Ladies and gentlemen Chair, we can all agree that this has been a difficult year. Over 50,000 fellow South Africans have succumbed to Covid19. Thankfully the overwhelming majority of those infected recovered. The pandemic, and lockdowns, resulted in massive disruption to economic activity and livelihoods, which adversely impacted government revenue and budgets. The Estimates of National Expenditure allocation to the Department of Employment and Labour was reduced by R339 million resulting in a final appropriation of R3.3 billion for 2020/21. The Department's draft Appropriation Statement for 2020/21 reflects under-spending of 6%. This is a measure of the disruption wrought by the pandemic as programmes and targets were modified as contact services were reduced to curb the spread of the virus. Performance against targets for 2020/21 stands at 51% compared to nearly 90% in the previous year. Despite difficult conditions, the Department and the majority of entities received an unqualified report from the Auditor-General for 2020/21. There are however challenges around the Compensation Fund which received a disclaimer. We are committed to continued improvement of governance and an organizational review of the two Funds to attain a clean audit. I have met with the Office of the Auditor-General which is providing guidance in addressing problems at the Compensation Fund. For 2021/22, an appropriation of R3.5 billion was awarded to the Department, representing a reduction of R351 million in the baseline tabled in 2020. The major reductions made by the Department are: R213 million from Compensation of Employees and R8.5 million on Goods and Services. In addition, budgets across the entities were reduced by R102 million. So that is the context of the current Budget Vote. But I am not here to lament or blame all problems on the pandemic. Rather, I will focus on the Department's response to the pandemic, and developments around core mandates of employment and decent work. Response to Covid-19 Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) inspectors helped to craft Covid-19 OHS Directions. To enforce compliance, over 31,000 inspections were conducted for the period 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021. The Department appointed an additional 500 OHS inspectors, a welcome addition in the battle against Covid-19 making possible a four-fold increase in the number of inspections planned for 2021/22. The target is to conduct over 96,000 OHS inspections this year. The Covid-19 Ters benefit started paying out from April 2020. As at 31 March 2021, payments were made to 267,000 employers and to 5.4 million individual employees at a cost of R 58.7 billion - providing support to laid-off workers, their families and communities across the country. The necessary operational changes at the Fund came with challenges, and we were grateful to the Office of the Auditor-General for their assistance in analyzing systemic weaknesses requiring strengthened controls, and to the SIU for investigating possible fraud and corruption. Disciplinary hearings are being conducted in relation to suspended senior officials on the basis of the preliminary report received from the SIU. These investigations remain on-going. We were also protected against fraud and corruption by the UIF's 'Follow the Money' strategy to audit all employers that received Covid-19 Ters funding. Up to 31 March 2021, 1,052 employers had been audited and the payments to 1.3 million workers verified. The auditors verified payments of R16 billion and traced R228 million that was fraudulently claimed by employers. Of the 121 employers that have already been handed to the Hawks via the Presidential Fusion Centre, 16 have appeared in court. The Compensation Fund, and the licensed mutual assurance companies, have paid for medical treatment and replacement of lost income for 12,500 Covid-related claims over the last 12 months. These bodies have also set aside R1.3 billion, in terms of the COIDA Act to fund vaccines for some 3 million uninsured workers and COID pensioners. NEDLAC (National Economic, Development and Labour Council) played a critical role in uniting social partners in a common response to the pandemic - shaping the income relief responses, and the health and safety directions for workplaces. The Council's role in promoting social solidarity at this time cannot be over-emphasised. Employment and Economic Recovery NEDLAC also continued to facilitate social dialogue around issues of growth and jobs, monitoring implementation of the Presidential Job Summit Commitments, unblocking key structural reforms, now taken up by Operation Vulindlela led by National Treasury and the Presidency. NEDLAC also facilitated input by the social partners into government's Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan (ERRP) announced by the President in October 2020. In the current year, NEDLAC's priorities include: the implementation of the economic recovery plan with a focus on energy security, localisation, improving public transport, the movement of freight and enabling small business development, as well as the roll-out of the vaccination campaign in workplaces. As part of the reconfiguration of the Department to give effect to the additional employment mandate, the Labour Activation Programmes, funded by the UIF, were refocused to contribute directly to job creation and preservation. The UIF will strengthen the normal Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) to give relief to struggling businesses to save jobs. Typically, businesses that have notified the CCMA of their intention to retrench, would then be invited to apply for support from the UIF normal TERS, and where approved referred to Productivity SA to develop sustainable business strategies. From 2020/21, the UIF has invested R104 million to assist distressed businesses. The CCMA has recorded an unprecedented number of referrals of Section 189A (retrenchment) matters. The processes facilitated by the CCMA in 2020/21 resulted in 42% of notified at-risk jobs being saved: some 58,000 jobs. UIF LAP targets for 2021/22 include the following: 12,000 youth targeted for training; 41,000 UIF contributors targeted for job retention or re-employment; as well as supporting SMMEs and establishing 30 cooperatives. Despite the cost of Covid19 Ters benefits in the last year, the UIF has set aside a total budget of R2.4 billion for the LAP programmes, including the following: Business Turnaround Programme - R70 million; Normal TERS - R 250 million for new applications; and TOU (Training of Unemployed) - R1.4 billion for the funding of new projects linked to employment opportunities. In 2020/21, under the normal TERS programme, Productivity SA supported 25 companies at a cost of R5.6 million directly saving 3,000 jobs. Productivity SA's Business Turnaround and Recovery Programme capacity will be further enhanced in 2021/22 to support 191 companies at a cost of R115 million, saving some 10,000 jobs. In the light of South Africa's recorded decline in productivity and competitiveness, Productivity SA is strategically positioned to deliver on its mandate of employment growth and productivity, with focused support for formal and informal SMMEs, start-ups and cooperatives. This in turn supports the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan. Meanwhile, the Compensation Fund has committed 10% of its investment portfolio towards growth and job creation: some R7 billion. This includes an allocation of R1 billion to support employment-creating SMEs over the next four years. During 2021/22, the Department's Public Employment Services (PES) will continue working with the Presidency to coordinate the Pathway Network Management programme which brings together nationally, work, learning and job opportunities for youth, made easily accessible on a digital platform. This requires the kind of 'joined up government' the President refers to. Relevant departments and agencies have already signed up to a Memorandum of Agreement. Some 436,000 youths (not in employment, education or training - 'NEETs') have already been supported through the wider network and an additional 170,000 youth NEETs were placed into various work opportunities through the wider pathway management network. Central to our employment strategy is the need to close the skills gaps. Part of this references the new demands of the 4IR (Fourth industrial Revolution). So there will be a greater emphasis on digital literacy skills, as well as entrepreneurial skills. To this end my Department is collaborating with the Departments of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, and Communication and Digital Technology. Meanwhile, traditional sectors such as the agriculture and service sectors, which have the potential to absorb many of the unemployed, will be made more attractive through enforcement of decent work principles that our labour laws provide. PES is also engaging the agriculture sector to recruit locally instead of opting for corporate visas to employ foreign nationals only. Despite the pandemic, our Labour Centres continue to provide services, within the constraints of Covid health protocols: 245,000 work seekers were provided with employment counselling services, and 37,000 work seekers were placed in employment. Decent Work I believe it is critical to reaffirm the mandate of the Department to protect workers and promote decent work. The labour inspectors do this through enforcing compliance with labour market policies and laws. The CCMA works closely with the Department in this respect. 297,000 compliance inspections will be conducted during 2021/22 with a continued commitment to prosecute non-compliant employers. Despite the pandemic, as at Quarter 3 of financial year 2020/21, 24,500 Basic Conditions of Employment and National Minimum Wage inspections had been conducted, and monies recovered for underpaid employees. The National Minimum Wage (NMW) was introduced in 2019 to protect the most vulnerable, benefitting some 6 million workers. The National Minimum Wage Commission and the Department review the quantum of the NMW annually, this year increasing it by 4.5% to R21, 69 per hour, with effect from the 1 March 2021. Where marginal employers cannot pay the new rates, an exemption procedure exists. I should also flag, that research commissioned by the NMW Commission into the broader impact of NMW legislation indicates that there has been no negative impact on employment. Meanwhile, to encourage employers to comply with the Employment Equity Act, 3,432 inspections are planned for the current year, up from 1,604 in 2020/21. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Labour Governance South Africa By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. During this year, inspections will also take place in the informal sector. The Department currently chairs a national task team to improve working conditions for vulnerable workers, including amending labour laws with a view to simplifying processes, and supporting the transition of informal businesses to formalization. The new claims management system introduced by the Compensation Fund was fully operationalized in 2020/2021 allowing us to pay benefits to the value of R4, 2 billion, with 90% of these paid within 5 days of approval. To report on current policy initiatives: We have introduced the COIDA Amendment Bill which brings major improvements in the benefits paid, as well as: including domestic workers in the category of employees entitled to occupational injury benefits: and New provisions for the rehabilitation of injured workers with the aim of assisting their return to the labour market. The Occupational Health and Safety Amendment Bill and Employment Equity Bill are currently under scrutiny from this House. Recent reversals of transformation measures by major companies' points to the necessity to strengthen the EEA. Parliament is further requested to engage with ILO Convention 190: - 'Eradication of Violence and Harassment in the Workplace' - for the country to ratify it. My Department has developed a 'Draft Code of Good Practice' which has been published for public comment. A major initiative underway is the development of a National Employment Policy and Labour Migration Policy which will be finalized this year for public comment. The promotion of labour market stability and sound labour relations has been central to the mandate of the Department of Labour both to promote decent work and conditions conducive to investment and growth. Examples include: The Department extended 31 collective agreements to non-parties covering more than 1 million employees, improving their conditions of service. Four bargaining councils concluded Covid-19 related collective agreements ameliorating the effects of Covid-19 in their sectors as well as ensuring that workers were paid during lockdown. Finally, let me thank the Deputy Minister, the staff of the Department, and the Commissioners and Executives of entities - led by the DG - for their commitment and hard work in achieving targets and continuing to provide services in very difficult conditions. Honourable Chairperson, I hereby table the budget of the Department of Employment and Labour for 2021/22. Thank you. IN an effort to ensure people of all walks of life wear a smile during the Eid El Fitr Festival, NMB Bank has provided assistance to orphanages in all regions that the bank has branches, reaching more than 1,000 children in 12 centres in the country. Speaking at the Ijango Zaidia Orphanage at Sinza in Dar es Salaam after handing over the donation, NMB Bank's Chief Human Resources Officer Emmanuel Akonaay said the Holy Month of Ramadan reminds people of the importance of giving to others, especially those who are less fortunate. "We, at NMB Bank recognise the Holy Month of Ramadan which is celebrated by more than 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide, among whom are our colleagues, customers, partners, investors and shareholders. This year we have seen it fit to join the children in orphanages in the country in offering this Eid hand donation. "All religions, Muslims and Christians, believe that the Lord helps the person who helps his brother. In other words, we were created to help others and this is the purpose of our presence here at the Ijango- Zaidia Orphanage, Sinza Madukani in Dar es Salaam," said Akonaay. He further said that the donation will also be made by the bank's employees in all its NMB regions in the country by providing various food stuffs such as rice, cooking oil, sugar and tea leaves. "We hope to reach 12 orphanages in all regions with more than 1,000 children and give them the comfort of celebrating theday like other children. All these events are proving that NMB Bank is part of the society. At Ijango Zaidia Centre we are happy that this gift will put a smile on the faces of 125 children. May God bless you and wish you Idd Mubarak! "Said Akonaay. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Tanzania Banking By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. For her part, the head of the Orphanage, Ijango Zaidia, Zaidia Nuru said: "What you have done is a great thing for these children. We have no parents and you are their parents. God will reward you for everything you have done and be more successful in your endeavors." Nuru noted that giving is encouraging. According to Nuru, there are many institutions and organizations in the country, but NMB decided to give to give a smile to orphans across the country. NMB Manager for Zanzibar Region Donatus Richard said putting smiling to members of the community was part of the bank's culture "NMB has eight regions across the country, we have provided food and beverage support to 12 centers in eight regions in the country, this is our tradition, "said Richard. Sheikh of Tabora District, Ramadhani Jum a who participated in the handover ceremony for the Western region said: "NMB has set an example that organizations, institutions and individuals should be touched to help vulnerable children at all times." TANZANIA Investment Centre (TIC) has introduced call- centre to enable investors get correct information in a move to improve investment climate in the country. The call centre was launched in Dar es Salaam by the Permanent Secretary in Prime Minister's Office (Investment), Professor Godius Kahyarara and TIC Director General Dr Maduhu Kazi at the TIC headquarters. Professor Kahyarara said the introduction of the centre was among the on-going improvements, geared to attract more investors. He said the aim of the centre was to enable investors and other stakeholders to get the right information at the right time through mobile phones, email and internet. The centre will offer direct information about different investment opportunities available in the country, investment policies and procedures, including getting licences and permits, among other services. Also, would-be-investors will be able to follow up their application processes, through the call centre and advised on their current status regardless the callers'whereabouts. The core aim of the call centre was to make sure the would-be-investors get correct information at the right time and ring-fenced them away from unscrupulous people. The centre, according to the PS, will be used as platform for receiving feedback from investors about TIC services. TIC is creating a Tanzania Single Window for Investment which will connect all systems used by different institutions to facilitate One Stop Centre. Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Home Regional News East THE Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance (CHRAGG) has called on the government to continue investing in nursing in order to produce more nurses to curb the shortage of the professionals in the country. The call was made by CHRAGG Commissioner Dr Fatma Rashid Khalfan when she visited Dodoma Regional Referral Hospital and joined the nurses to commemorate the International Nurses Day which is marked on May 12 each year to appreciate the nurses' efforts. Speaking on behalf of the CHRAGG's Chairman, retired Judge Mathew Maimu, Dr Khalfan said the Commission recognizes the significant contribution of nurses to the society which is being observed from the grassroots (at village dispensaries) to national health facilities. In addition, she said, "If the government provides various trainings to nurses, it will help them acquire important skills that will increase efficiency in provision of health services." She, however, commended the government for announcing 2,726 employment of health personnel of different cadres, its commitment to improve health infrastructure by constructing a health centre in every ward and a dispensary in every village. "We commend the government for allowing the establishment of various bodies that advocate for interests of nurses, including the Council of Nurses and Trade Unions," she said. The Commissioner further explained that despite the importance of nurses, they still face various challenges, including verbal abuse, slandering, and sometimes being beaten by patients' relatives. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Tanzania Health By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. "The commission believes that these challenges can be addressed through cooperation of all stakeholders from the family level," she suggested. She pointed out that the performance of nurses was still affected by lack of professional ethics; corruption, disclosing patients' information and the use of abusive language to patients. For his part, the Nursing Officer in charge of Dodoma Referral Hospital, Stanley Mahundo explained that nursing is a voice that leads a vision for future health care. Commenting on nursing day, he said the day, among other things, was officially announced and launched in 1992 with the aim of recognizing and congratulating nurses for their significant contribution to the society, including providing an opportunity for nurses to reflect on their whereabouts and aspirations. "Nurses also use this day to identify their shortcomings in order to rectify them for the better future of the health sector," he said. MWANZA Regional Commissioner (RC), John Mongela has called upon civil servants here to demonstrate a strong commitment to integrity and ethical values while engaging in procurement processes in their institutions to realise the value for money when implementing development projects. Mr Mongela made the call during the workshop on laws, regulations, guidelines and public procurement systems that attracted executives and civil servants from institutions located in the region. The training was aimed at building the capacity for the employees to enable them carry out their procurement responsibilities in accordance with the public procurement laws and regulations. The regional commissioner said development of councils depends on the effectiveness of staff in implementing procurement activities as per the laws and regulations which, among other things, require all stakeholders involved in procurement processes to adhere to the principles of integrity and patriotism. "We must adhere to the principles of integrity and patriotism for the development of our country and support the aspirations of President Samia Suluhu Hassan. "Should cases related to lack of integrity and negligence be confirmed among staff in the region, serious action will be taken against them," said Mr Mongela. He directed Mwanza Regional Administrative Secretary to ensure public institutions employ the Tanzanian National e-Procurement System (TANePS) in all their procurement process as the laws require. The Training and Advisory Services Manager at the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), Eng Mary Swai said participants were enlightened on the proper use of the "Force account" system which is used by many public institutions in projects implementation. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Tanzania Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. "We are aware that 'Force account' has been marred by a lot of challenges in its implementation although the approach has been implemented with the aim of reducing costs," noted Eng Swai. Among challenges include poor management of projects by supervisors, lack of knowledge on construction issues, lack of management costs as well as the lack of integrity on the part of some managers. The two-day training was attended by 100 participants including members from procurement bodies, Heads of departments, staff from procurement management units, lawyers and internal auditors from all councils and institutions in Mwanza Region. Similar sessions have been carried out in 15 regions in the country including Ruvuma, Njombe, Iringa, Kagera, Shinyanga, Kigoma, Geita, Rukwa, Katavi, Tabora, Mbeya, Dodoma, Songwe, Mara and Simiyu, with this regard Mwanza becomes the 16. Four Zanu-PF activists, who were allegedly involved in intra-party violence that broke out last weekend, were Thursday granted $10 000 bail each. Two of the arrested activists, namely Simbarashe Guvheya (40) and Zivanai Busai (37) are loyal to Information deputy minister, Kindness Paradza. The female pair of Ruth Chikukwa (40) and Mirriam Mudoti (42) popularly known as 'Boko Haram' was also dragged to court jointly facing public violence charges. Chinhoyi magistrate Tapiwa Banda granted $10 000 bail each, coupled with reporting conditions to the quartet who were self-actors in their bail application. The presiding magistrate quashed arguments by investigating officer, Detective Assistant Inspector Newten Musende who was opposing bail. The detective had argued public violence was a serious offence which attracted custodial sentences if accused persons were convicted. He averred Guvheya, Busai, Chikukwa and Mudoti were likely to interfere with witnesses as they lived in the same locality and all belonged to Zanu PF. The state case, led by Review Nikisi is that on 8 May 2021 at Chinhoyi Public Service Training Centre, Chikukwa and Mudoti and their accomplices, who are still at large, were at the venue where Zanu PF was holding a sanctioned meeting. Guvheya and Busai and their accomplices, who are also still at large, arrived at the venue while aboard a black Zanu PF vehicle inscribed "Makonde Constituency" and belonging to Paradza. When the activists met, a misunderstanding broke out between them and a fight broke out with the belligerents using various weapons which included stones, sticks and iron bars. Upon their arrests, the activists exchanged accusations over who caused the violence. Paradza has courted controversy within the party for allegedly shielding youth secretary Ketty Chanetsa from sanctions for alleged misdeeds. Last weekend, police fired tear smoke to quell the riotous situation that unfolded as the beleaguered top government official convened the ill-fated meeting of 45 Zanu PF DCC chairpersons from Chinhoyi constituency. The meeting venue was turned into a war zone as the deputy minister's militia armed with machetes, stones, beer bottles and a spear, arrived aboard his black party-issued double-cab truck before unleashing violence. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Zimbabwe Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. They were, however, subdued by the predominantly Chinhoyi-based activists who were demanding Chanetsa's removal, arguing they seconded her to the post, hence could recall her. Chanetsa, whom Paradza seeks to protect, was recently barred from attending the organ's inaugural meeting held at the same venue for being a "G40 sell-out." She is accused of leaking party information to social media personality Gugu Ncube a.k.a "Dr Amai", who in turn allegedly uses it to denigrate the party and its leadership through social media platforms. Chanetsa also faces charges of fomenting divisions, holding unsanctioned meetings, gossiping, maligning and blackmailing senior party leaders. She is also accused of faking her abduction by party colleagues during the emotive DCC elections last December, thereby putting the party's name into disrepute. Namport plans to enhance the capacity of the port of Luderitz, which is currently constrained by its shallow depth of -8.75 metres chart datum. The shallowness of the port has limited the efficiency of the port and the value of transactions performed in the port-dependent coastal town, and deepening it could enhance its capacity and increase trade volume in the town. However, the plan is facing major challenges such as limited space because the land area is next to the sea wall. Namport is considering developing a deep-water port, which, according to the chief executive officer Andrew Kanime, will be done in conjunction with the private sector. "There are short-term plans to enhance capacity within the port. Medium-term, Namport has identified a site at Agra point to consider developing a new deep-water port at Luderitz. The development will depend on the business case, which includes sufficient cargo to justify the investment," he said. He added that the company is working on proposals to key players before it can implement the plans it conceptualised. According to Kanime, there is a need for the private sector to embrace the project and develop the port through a public-private partnership. The large volume of manganese, which is currently the biggest cargo shipment from the port, is driving the plan to expand the port. The manganese is imported from the Northern Cape, South Africa, and re-exported from Luderitz port to destinations in the world. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Namibia By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Currently, 30 000 tonnes of manganese are loaded at Luderitz and transported to South Africa from where it is exported to destination markets. "We are handling about 700 000 tonnes of manganese per annum. We have looked at optimising the current infrastructure that we have. In terms of those optimisation plans, we are confident that once we have implemented them we can increase the handling of manganese," says Kanime. Once the plan is actualised, the port could handle up to two million tonnes annually. The plan around the handling of manganese includes deepening of the port, which is a restriction. Namport is also considering introducing a transhipment vessel to ensure manganese is not only loaded at the key. The key is the area where the cargo is loaded directly onto the vessels. The vessels that evacuate manganese from the port of Luderitz have a capacity of 60 000 tonnes and can only load 30 000 tonnes because of the restriction at the port. In the medium-term, Kanime says, Namport is considering introducing a transitional hub where the vessel will come into the port, load the 30 000 tonnes, go back to the anchorage and have a transhipment batch to transport the additional 30 000 tonnes. This will ensure the vessel leaves the port loaded to its capacity of 60 000 tonnes and that it leaves the port of Luderitz to destination markets. press release For the past week rockets fired from Gaza have rained down on Israeli towns in the south of Israel. Yesterday, it was Jerusalems turn to be targeted. Rockets are indiscriminate. They imperil the lives of all who live in the Holy City, whether Jew, Christian or Muslim. Despite this, the South African Government has chosen to single out Israel for exclusive condemnation, disregarding completely the over three hundred deadly rockets fired thus far against Israeli civilians. The double standards do not stop there. Whereas countries throughout the world sent condolences to Israel following the tragic loss of 45 lives in Meron, South Africa has yet to follow suit even two weeks later. However, within 24 hours it was able to issue a statement condemning Israel. In their determination to condemn Israel come what may, Government has reversed cause and effect. The reality and not for the first time - is that the initial clashes were deliberately orchestrated by the Palestinian leadership and have now culminated in a lethal barrage of missile fire on Jerusalem and other heavily populated cities. If Government, and indeed all political parties, wish to be part of ending this latest tragic outburst of violence, they must show genuine even-handedness. Those who unquestioningly endorse the claims and actions of one side while completely ignoring those of the other do nothing to resolve the conflict. In fact, they only make a bad situation worse. The SA Jewish Board of Deputies and the SA Zionist Federation call on our Government and indeed all political parties and media to show even-handedness, and acknowledge the complexity of the situation. Demonising Israel, as we have seen in certain statements coming out are irresponsible, inflammatory and dangerous. Tensions are already heightened around a number of issues, including a domestic land dispute in East Jerusalem, rock-throwing at the Kotel, Judaisms holiest site, Jerusalem Day and Ramadan. Nsumia An elder of the Mile Seven Church of Christ, near Achimota in Accra, Mr Addo Yobo, has asked Christians to avail themselves for the work of God and not refuse opportunities to serve in the church. According to him, accepting the privilege to serve in the church and God brings immense blessings and God's favour to those who do so. Elder Yobo, who gave the advice during the inauguration of new members for the Administrative Management Committee (AMC) ofthe Nsumia Church of Christ at Nsumia in the Nsawam Adoagyiri Municipality, said the experience he had gained in life and in the church showed that if one offeredto serve God well, the person received a lot of blessings. He said during periods where he refused the opportunity to serve in the church, he lost a lot of opportunities that came his way in his secular work. Each of the 10-member AMC had been appointed to head a ministry in the church. The members include Evangelist Edward Boakye, the Minister of the church and the overall administrator, who will oversee the Edification Ministry; Emmanuel Mensah, Evangelism; Dominic Asiedu Gyan, Building and Maintenance; and George Otchere Sefah, Welfare. The others are David Habia, Finance; Samuel Nkrumah, Women's Ministry; Bismark Antwi, Youth Ministry; Eric Mensah, Children Ministry; James Agboada, Visitation Ministry; and Francis Mba Ayidaana, Secretary. Elder Yobo, who inaugurated the new leaders, prayed for God's strength and blessings on the new AMC members to deliver on the mandate given them. He urged the new leaders to cultivate the spirit of sacrifice and be prepared to sacrifice their money and time for the church. Evangelist Boakye, who preached the sermon, told the new leaders that leadership was not about position but service and urged them to be humble to all the members of the church and not lord their position on them. He advised the new leaders to guide, protect and mentor the church members and help them build their faith in God. "A leader must know where the members live and what they eat and be example to the church members," he said. Mr Eric Mensah, who spoke on behalf of the new leaders, thanked the church members for the confidence reposed in them and pledged that they would work to the best of their ability to promote the growth of the church. Investigations are underway to unravel the circumstances surrounding the death of a Ghanaian medical Student in Cuba last week, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, has said. She said the relevant authorities including the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) which sponsored the deceased, and the Scholarship Secretariat as well his parents, were handling the matter with Cuban officials. Ms Botchwey made this known on Wednesday when she held a meeting with Ambassador of Cuba to Ghana, Pedro Luis Despaigne Gonzalez and some Cuban officials at her office. The meeting which was at the instance of the Cuban Ambassador was to enable Mr Gonzalez to deliver a letter from the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cuba, Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla. The late Erasmus Klutse was a second year medical student of ELAM (Latin American School of Medicine) Cuba. According to initial social medial reports, he died on Friday May 7, 2021 allegedly due to non-availability of an ambulance and delay by the Cuban health professionals to attend to him as well as general discrimination against him. Although, Ms Botchwey said the allegations were false, according to some briefs on the matter she had received, there was the need to wait for the final report on the ongoing enquiries before conclusions could be made. "We received the news of the death of Klutse with a lot of concern but what is important is that he was not denied any form of medical attention. There have been a few conflicting stories, but I received some briefs on the matter and I know that the relevant authorities were dealing with it", she said. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Ghana Legal Affairs Education By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Ms Botchwey, therefore, charged the Ambassador to make available to the ministry the full report once the probe was completed so the matter would be laid to rest amicably. The letter from the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cuba, Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla to his counterpart, Ms Botchwey was to seek Ghana's vote at the United Nations meeting scheduled for June 23, with respect to the US embargo on Cuba. According to Ms Botchwey, Ghana would do what was necessary at the meeting and commiserated with the country on the socio-economic impact of US decision on Cuba especially during the COVID-19. Touching on other matters, she said the ministry was liaising with the relevant Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in Ghana for feedback on the stalled negotiations of the draft agreement for the construction of a malaria control bio-larvicide plant in Ghana. For his part, Mr Gonzalez denied the allegation that the deceased Ghanaian Students was neglected and assured the ministry of his country's commitment to ensure the safety of Ghanaian students therein. On the UN vote, he urged Ghana to give it a positive response as the removal of the blockage meant a lot to Cuba. Yesterday, Muslims celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr festival. Also known as the "Lesser Eid" or "Festival of Breaking the Fast," it commemorates the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. It is an occasion for special prayers, family visits, feasting, gift-giving and charity. It is said that the religious festival begins on the evening of the day Ramadan ends, meaning that in Ghana, for example, the festival began on Wednesday evening. Also, Muslims can continue the jubilations beyond the day the main celebration of the festival is held. The Ghanaian Times is happy that Muslims in the country in particular and others elsewhere have been able to go through the month of Ramadan amid both the physical and spiritual challenges they had to endure. Therefore, the paper wishes to congratulate Muslims on ending the Ramadan journey. Ramadan or the Muslim month-long fast, known as sawm, is very important as the fourth pillar of Islam. It has both physical and spiritual benefits. Physically and health-wise, it, for instance, boosts cognitive performance; protects people from obesity and associated chronic diseases; reduces inflammation; improves overall fitness; supports weight loss; and decreases the risk of metabolic diseases. Spiritually, sawm is to develop the quality of righteousness (taqwa) of the faithful by abstaining from sinful deeds and training themselves to control bad harmful desires. The fast is intended to bring the faithful closer to Allah and to remind them of the suffering of those less fortunate. Ramadan is a time to detach self from worldly pleasures and focus on one's inner self. It is also important to study the Qur'an along with a translation, as Allah has ordered. It's seen as a way to physically and spiritually purify the self, refraining from unproductive habits. While once again congratulating Muslims on enduring the fast and now jubilating by way of celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr, the Ghanaian Times wishes to appeal to all Muslims to continuously remember the benefits of sawm and harness such benefits for self-improvement and national development. Most often, religious adherents, not only Muslims but also others like Christians, dedicate themselves to observing certain practices and rites at their appropriate times but abandon the related responsibilities some of which come as benefits at the time of the observance of the rites or practices. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Ghana Religion By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. One, and, of course, the greatest spiritual benefit of sawm or fast is to develop the quality of righteousness (taqwa) of the faithful by abstaining from sinful deeds and training themselves to control bad harmful desires. This should be viewed as an enjoinment because it is not something we adhere to for just a month and do our own thing for eleven months after which another Ramadan would come. Therefore, the Ghanaian Times expects spiritual growth among Muslims, especially the youth, which should prompt them to avoid violent acts and all manner of indiscipline and lawlessness, which, unfortunately, are associated with them. The paper encourages these youth to uphold peace and calm. Ghana can really develop in an environment of peace, tranquility, and law and order, and Muslims and all other religious adherents must play a key role to achieve the desired level of development of our dear nation. Barka da Salla to all Muslims on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr!! David Brewah,22-year old man accused of robbery with violence, wounding and other offences, was on Tuesday, May 11, committed to stand trial in the High Court. The accused was before Magistrate Mark Ngebah for preliminaryinvestigation on three counts offences including robbery with violence, wounding and assault. The accused was not granted bail and will be in prison at the Freetown Male Correctional Centre till his trial comes up in the High Court. Police Prosecutor, Inspector Abdul Tejan Bangura, alleges that the accused on 21st of December 2020 at Malama Thomas Street Market in Freetown, violently robbed one Zainab Yeabu Kamara one Tecno mobile phone worth nine hundred thousand Leones. According to Magistrate Ngebah, the prosecution presented witness including the complainant and that the prosecutor has proved its ase against the accused, thus the accused have a case to answer to in the High Court. "The prosecution presented witnesses who testified in this matter and having gone through the evidence, I hereby commit this matter to the High Court for trial. And I also order that the accused be remanded till his trial comes up in the High Court," Magistrate Ngebah ruled. Ex-deputy chair of government of Russias Mordovia arrested on corruption allegations RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov 11:03 14/05/2021 MOSCOW, May 14 (RAPSI) Law enforcement on Friday arrested former vice-governor of Russias Republic of Mordovia Alexey Merkushin on suspicion of giving bribes, the Investigative Committees press service reports. Investigative activities are carried out now, the statement reads. According to the investigation, in 2015, the suspect being an actual shareholder of Mordovpromstroybank along with a chair of the bank board and one more stockholder gave a bribe in the amount of 7 million rubles ($95,000) to a branch manager of the National Bank for Mordovia. The Minister of Youth Affairs, Hon. Mohamed Orman Bangura last Thursday updated the press on the Ministry's policies and programmes about youth activities, employment and internship nationwide. The Hon. Minister while responding to questions concerning the delay in the payment of stipends to the National Youth Service Corps members, assured members of the fourth estate of the government's commitment to pay stipends to NYS service members. The Minister further stated that the delay was a result of an ongoing verification process by the Ministry of Finance to ascertain the amount of Corps members that were recruited into the 2021 Third Batch of NYSC. "I agree there has been a delay in the payment of stipends for some couple of months now; we are working hard to address that. Let us however remember that such delay is just one of the prices we are paying for not being efficient in business and in handling state resources before now. The Ministry of Finance was shocked to learn that we recruited Eight (800), hundred young people into the NYSC. So, they sent a team of auditors to audit the accounts of NYSC members at Rokel Commercial Bank to ensure that indeed we have 800 serving members in the scheme." The Minister clarified. To further allay the fears of the citizenry, the minister assured pressmen that the NYS corps members verification process is at its final stage and that payment of stipends will commence within the next couple of weeks. Minister Orman Bangura then admonished Corps Members to be resilient and steadfast to National Service, nothing that the National Youth Service is a New Direction Manifesto commitment that the government of H. E. President Julius Maada Bio is determined to ensure its full implementation. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Sierra Leone Education Children By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. In another similar development, the Hon. Minister updated the press about the postponement of the National Youth Conference and Youth Police Launch to the 27th and 28th of May 2021. Minister Bangura noted that the Youth in Agriculture Project has mobilized youth for the cultivation of Chiefdom Youth Farms in One Hundred Nineteen Chiefdoms across the country. He went on to state that some of the Chiefdoms have already ploughed their One Hundred Acres and are getting ready to commence the planting of various crops including rice. In the area of youth involvement in policymaking, Hon. Orman Bangura also disclosed to pressmen how the ministry had recently brought together in Kabala; policymakers, community stakeholders and youth leaders from different parts of the country to discuss Youth Inclusion in Decision Making Process. Minister Mohamed Orman Bangura concluded his press update by pleading with young people to think creatively, be selfless and work harder for the transformation of themselves and the country. Members of Parliament yesterday unanimously ratified the Railway and Port Lease Agreement signed between the Government of Sierra Leone and the Kingho Railway and Port Company Limited. According to the Minister of Mines and Minerals Resources, Timothy M. Kabbah, the agreement will create job opportunities for Sierra Leoneans, while the labour laws will strongly be considered, as they will be working together with the Ministry of Labour to monitor the process so that the laws would not be flouted. He said the duty waiver for the mining company will still remain as there have been no changes in the law, adding that the infrastructure of the railway was constructed with 25% share from Africa Minerals. He stated that the Mines and Minerals Act gives the Minister the sole right to cancel the mineral rights and indicate to the investor to give an inventory of the machinery and fix assets, and, as well, suggest the way the government and the company choose to dispose of their asset. He reiterated that there has been no existing law that covers the rail and port hence it was good that the Chinese and the Government of Sierra Leone were able to acquire those assets at Port Loko. He expressed his sentiment to the investors and all those that were involved in the agreement for the construction of the railway before the legislation of the mining law. He added that the new agreement will give lot of opportunities to other sectors to make use of the infrastructure with a wider diversification of the economy. He opined that the Government of Sierra Leone did not cancel the Shangdon's mining license, rather it was Shangdon that indicated that they were going for administration due to the recession in the iron ore price. Opposition All People's Congress Leader in Parliament, Hon. Chernoh R M Bah, commended the minister for negotiating good agreement on behalf of the people of the country, but stated that there were no rails between Feregbenya and Pepel. He said there was a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the Government of Sierra Leone and Shangdon, hence parliament should make request for such to be sent to them for a re-look since they are the custodians of enacting laws and ratifying agreements on behalf of the people. He agreed that the agreement between Africa Minerals and the Government of Sierra Leone was monopolistic, but noted that there was a condition which they were encouraged to go by-to construct the railway from Feregbenya to Pepel. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Sierra Leone Transport By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. He said it was fortunate now that the issue of signing an agreement for the railway has been reverted to the government for corrections to be made. Leader of Government Business, Hon. Matthew S. Nyuma, commended the ministry for trying to kill the power of monopoly in the mining sector and also the safety measures put in place for local employees. He said there were good measures already in place to address several issues for the benefit of Sierra Leoneans, noting that it was good for the rail and Port agreement to be purely based in West Africa rather than China or Europe as done in other cases. "It is good that producers, traders and agricultural activities would be given the opportunity to be involved as it will help the people living within the operational site of the delivery points. It is also good that the maintenance work is being given to the licensee as we in this country lack maintenance culture," he said. Members of Parliament yesterday suspended sittings to discuss issues pertaining to their welfare, including health, among several others. Parliament was supposed to receive the proposed Government Motion on the Freetown International Airport Terminal, which was to be laid yesterday, and, as well debate the Convention A/P, 1/7/92 on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters and the long awaited Cybercrime Bill, 2020, which was sent to the Legislative Committee for thorough scrutiny. Opposition Whip of the All People's Congress in Parliament, Hon. Hassan Sesay, had raised concern over the health condition of colleague Members of Parliament, who had fallen ill and could not access better medical attention. He cried they buried three of their colleagues who died of curable diseases, thus demanding a thorough consideration into the welfare of Members of Parliament. "Another young MP I cannot name here now is seriously sick without medical attention. Other people are enjoying the facility whereas we are suffering. I am urging that the House stand down until the issue is addressed. How much more do we have to bury for the issue to be treated with the serious it deserves?, he had questioned. He further cited Hon. Alusine Osaio Kamara of Constituency 58, Kambia District, who was attending parliamentary sitting with the aid of a wheel chair and could not participate well in parliament. Presiding Speaker of Parliament then, Hon. Segepor S. Thomas, recognised the issue as a matter of serious concern, especially one relating to the health of MPs. Saturday 8th May 2021: Kingho Mining Company Limited has completed the distribution of food consignments comprising of rice, onions and cooking oil to indigenes in its three (3) operational chiefdoms of Dasogoia, Simiria and Sambaia in Tonkolili District, Northern Province of Sierra Leone. During the presentation which took place at the residence of the Paramount Chief of Dasogoia Chiefdom, PC ABY Koroma, the PC on behalf of the three (3) chiefdoms appreciated the company. He expressed optimism that next year's donation would be done a bit earlier, but nonetheless expressed delight for the company's continuing support towards religious celebrations. He confirmed that similar donation was what Kingho Mining did for the Christian Christmas Festive season, and this continuing support shows religious tolerance. He expressed optimism that in the future, more of these donations will come. Madam Judith Kosseh, Community Director of Kingho Investment Company, on her part said, the distribution to Muslims in the part of the country is a facet of the company's key priority of supporting indigenes of its direct mining communities during this Holy Month of Ramadan. She said, it's a gift from the company which she believes will serve the very good to the people. Human Resource Manager, Kingho Investment Company, Mr Mohamed Daffae, whilst giving his input said, he hopes that donation will strengthen the relationship between the company and the people. Honourable Rose Marie Bangura, of Constituency 055, whose constituency covers Simiria and Dasogoia chiefdoms said the gift is never too late. She called for oneness between her people and the company and recommended for more mutually beneficial work. Sorie King Kanu and Ishaka Conteh were on Tuesday, 11th May, 2021, granted Le20 million Leones bail after they made their first appearance before Magistrate Sahr Kekura presiding at the Pademba Road Magistrate Court No. 1 for allegedly assaulting a police officer. The duo were before Magistrate Kekura on three counts of wounding, wounding with intent and assault on police contrary to Section 39 of the Police Act No.7 of 1964. Police prosecutor, Sergeant 8998 Taylor M. K, alleged that accused persons on Saturday 17th April 2021, at 'Wan Ose', Leather Booth Drive, Goderich in Freetown, maliciously wounded and assaulted the complainant (Patrick Kamara), a police officer who was executing his lawful duty. After the charges were read to both accused persons, the second accused (Ishaka Conteh), pleaded guilty as charged on count three, but the first accused was not requested to take a plea because the offences were capital offences. Sergeant Taylor is prosecuting the matter, but both accused persons were not represented in court. Meanwhile, Magistrate Kekura granted bail to both accused persons in the sum of 20 million Leones each plus two sureties each and that the surties must be residents in Freetown. He further ordered that they must produce valid identity cards and the bail bond must be approved by the Deputy Master and Registrar. However, Magistrate Kekura adjourned the matter to Monday 17th May, 2021 for the first prosecution witness to testify. Yusuf Anthony Kamara, complainant and an employee of Guma Valley Water Company (GVWC) on Monday, 10th May, 2021, testified against three accused persons in the on-going preliminary investigations into allegation of house breaking. Mustaph Abdulai, Mathew Ibrahim Kamara, Mohamed Salliu Turay, were arraigned before Magistrate Sahr Kekura at the Freetown Magistrates' Court No. 1 on Pademba Road in Freetown after police alleged that on Saturday, 17th April, 2021, broke into entered the dwelling house of Yusuf Anthony Kamara at Laka Village in Freetown and stole items valued over ten million Leones. Police slammed four counts related charges of house breaking and larceny contrary to Section 26(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916. Kamara who is an employee of Guma Valley Water Company and resident of Laka Village, Freetown, recognized the first accused and that he had known him for 10 years. He testified that he had known the second and third accused for quite some time now. He recalled on the 1st April and 30th April 2021, he realized that the sum of 10 million was missing from where he had kept it,adding that he was puzzled, after he realized that the alleged thieves did not break through any of the doors to access the money and other valuables inside his apartment. He narrated that he reported the matter at the Adonkia Police Station and that the police asked as to whether he had any suspect in mind. He told the court that he I replied in the affirmative because he had suspected the second accused person who had access to his apartment. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Sierra Leone Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. "We traced and found the second accused whom we confronted with the alleged theft matter, but he denied ," Kamara said. He further narrated that he and his neighbours were discussing the issue when a man named Joseph told them to ask the first accused whom he had seen jumping into the complaint's place, while the second accused was receiving the goods being carted away with. He said he and the police traced the second accused who also denied wrong doing when confronted with the issue. He added that both alleged thieves were in their custody, and were to suffer mob Justice from neighbours but he insisted that they hand them over to the police. "Before long, we conducted a search at the first accused's place and discovered two pairs of sneaker, one bag and a few other items, all of which belongs to me," he said. "The first accused later confessed that it was the second accused that lured him into doing what he did. I and the police investigators, together with the first and second accused later met the third accused who enquired as to what the matter was and I briefly explained to him. The third accused then disclosed that the second accused met him a few days later with a bag and a wrist watch which he bought from him," he narrated. The alleged stolen property is currently with the exhibit clerk who is expected to be in court on the next adjourned date. The first and second accused persons were sent on remand, while the third accused remains on bail. Magistrate Sahr Kekura adjourned the matter to the 17th May, 2021. Prince Pienaar (24), who allegedly stabbed his ex-girlfriend, Madikizela Horaes (22), several times on Monday, including in front of a church altar, has been remanded in custody by the Khorixas Magistrate's Court. Horaes was stabbed nine times before she ran into the /Ore-om wing of the Uitani parish of the Evangelical Lutheran Church at Khorixas. She was stabbed once more at the altar as she sought refuge from her attacker. Magistrate Erastus Hatutale earlier this week remanded Pienaar in custody for further police investigations. He was charged with attempted murder and was informed that he could bring a formal bail application. Horaes on Monday ran to the nearest church for cover while Pienaar allegedly ran after her brandishing a knife. Horaes was assisted by a group of women who were singing hymns and reading scriptures inside the building. One of the woman was Damara Queen Irmgard //Garoes, the wife of King Justus //Garoeb. Horaes says Pienaar on Monday called her to Khorixas to collect some clothing for their three-year-old daughter. "When I arrived, there was no problem between us. We went to Donkerhoek informal settlement to collect money," she says. Horaes says when they arrived at Donkerhoek, they were informed that the person who had their money was not at home. They then proceeded to Pienaar's family house to collect their daughter's items. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Namibia Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Subsequently, they started fighting in the street, she says. Horaes says she ran into a nearby house where a woman took her to a room. Upon closing the door Pienaar kicked it open and stabbed her nine times. She says she then ran to a nearby church. Upon entering the church, Pienaar allegedly stabbed her again. Inside the church, Horaes says she found the group of women. As she tried to escape and called for a pastor, she says one of the women rushed to shield her from further attack by restraining Pienaar. Church elder Cecilie Geises says: "If it was not for the queen holding his hand, he may have done something bad. He freed himself from the queen's hand and chased her with the other women." //Garoes says: "I held the hand he was holding the knife with. We even threw a knife at him. After throwing stones he wanted to enter the church again. We blocked the door and told him it's enough." Horaes was rushed to the Khorixas District Hospital, but has since been discharged. The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security has introduced an SMS service to improve the administration of applications for identity documents This means Namibians applying for ID cards will now be able to follow up on the status of their application without having to physically visit government offices. Home affairs executive director Etienne Maritz in a statement issued yesterday said the SMS service would involve a partnership between the ministry and the Mobile Telecommunications Company (MTC). Maritz said individuals who have applied for ID cards would receive an SMS on their mobile phones to inform them whether their application has been approved and the card has been printed, as well as when the card is ready for collection. "We are confident that the ID SMS service will save applicants time and will decongest our offices. Applicants no longer need to attend to our offices to enquire whether their IDs are ready. Additionally, during this time of the Covid-19 pandemic, it will also help reduce exposure," he said. Maritz said applicants who provide the correct mobile numbers are advised to refrain from enquiring in person and to instead wait until they receive a notification. "The messages will be sent automatically without applicants requesting them. We are also pleased to announce that in the near future applicants will be able to enquire about their ID applications by sending a text message. This will cover other services of the ministry as well," he said. A British farm owner charged with murdering one of his employees in a shooting incident in the Kamanjab area probably faces a substantial period of imprisonment if convicted, a magistrate said in a ruling at the end of a bail hearing this week. In a ruling delivered in the Outjo Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, magistrate Immanuel Udjombala said the evidence presented to him during the hearing of Briton Harvey Boulter's application to be granted bail indicated there is a strong case against Boulter. The magistrate added that "if convicted a substantial sentence of imprisonment would in all probability be imposed" on Boulter, and that this increased the risk that he would decide to flee from Namibia if released on bail. Udjombala concluded that it would not be in the interest of the public or the administration of justice to release Boulter on bail. He further stated that "there appears to be a real likelihood that the state will succeed in proving its case" against Boulter, who is charged with counts of murder, possession of a firearm and ammunition without a licence, and defeating or obstructing the course of justice. Boulter (51) was charged with murder after one of his employees, Gerhard van Wyk, died following a shooting incident at Boulter's farm, Kaross, situated between Kamanjab and Etosha National Park, on 27 February this year. During his bail hearing last week, Boulter told the court the incident happened after an altercation during a braai at the farm, and that he felt he was under attack from Van Wyk and Van Wyk's son before a shot went off while he was holding a pistol against his chest and Van Wyk grabbed the gun. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Namibia Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. The court also heard that Van Wyk's wife told the police Boulter had pointed the firearm at Van Wyk's head, and that Van Wyk pushed the gun away before a shot went off. Van Wyk was shot in the abdomen. He died while being transported to a hospital. Boulter was shot in his left hand during the incident. The magistrate also recounted that according to Van Wyk's son, Boulter had been the initial aggressor during the incident. Van Wyk's son has told the police that Boulter assaulted him after he objected to a remark Boulter had made about his wife, and that his father then came to his assistance before the shooting happened. The magistrate commented that Boulter's claim that he acted in self-defence was "astonishing", and that in the face of the evidence presented during the bail hearing Boulter's defence would not succeed. Boulter told the court he has invested about N$150 million in Namibia over a period of 10 years, and has had permanent resident status in the country since 2017. He also said he was saddened by the death of Van Wyk, who had been employed by him for 10 years, and that he has been receiving psychological therapy for post-traumatic stress and anxiety since his arrest. Boulter, who was represented by defence lawyer Evert Gous, is due to appear in the Outjo Magistrate's Court again on 30 June. State advocate Ethel Ndlovu represented the prosecution during the bail proceedings. With three hectares under plastic and net Farm Shalom in the Swakop River Valley yields 40 tonnes of fresh produce every month in Namibia's unforgiving desert environment. From cold, wet and misty conditions to dusty, hot eastwinds that can drive the mercury up to almost 50 degrees Celsius, extremes are common. There is hardly any rain, the soil is dusty and salty, and the groundwater available is too brackish for agricultural activities. "The weather and environment is our biggest challenge. It can become a real problem for our plants' growth. This is why we need appropriate infrastructure and technology, as well as continuous research," says Farm Shalom's farm manager, Ruben Shikulo. "But we believe if we can do it here, we can do it anywhere," he says. Shikulo has been at Farm Shalom for the past 14 years. He left Omusati for Swakopmund after completing Grade 10. "I came to stay with my brother, hoping to get work. I did not have any skills," he says. In 2007 the former owners of Shalom hired some general workers to help with a fairly small operation comprising olive trees, two greenhouse tunnels and one shade house for vegetables. Farm Shalom produced fresh olives, olive oil and fresh produce for neighbours, and some for the local market at Swakopmund. It also served as a venue for a weekly farmers' market. "I did some general work, cleaning the area, preparing the land and watering, pruning and picking the vegetables," Ruben says. "I was then taught to press olives for oil, develop nurseries and prepare fertiliser." Thanks to his hard work and learning a lot about agriculture, Shikulo was ready for Farm Shalom's transformation in 2014 when the former owners sold the land to Dr Vikram Naik, who, being a medical doctor, wanted to become a local producer of healthy food in the desert. By this time, Shikulo had sufficient skills to help expand Farm Shalom, AvaGro's flagship project in Namibia, which has grown to one of the largest hydroponics operations in the country. The farm now consists of 34 plastic greenhouse tunnels and two hectares of shade net for a variety of vegetables, such as tomatoes, peppers, chillies, cucumbers, asparagus, beetroot and spinach, as well as flowers. The operation is still growing. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Namibia Agribusiness Food and Agriculture By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. According to Shikulo, over 40 people work at AvaGro, whom he helped to train, while also being given the responsibility of being the farm's manager. "This is one of our greatest successes. Forty Namibians who had no experience are now working on a project that is already providing food to the coast, and which has plans to expand into Namibia and the region," he said. AvaGro also has partnerships with the University of Namibia and the Namibia University of Science and Technology, which allow students to train at Farm Shalom and put their knowledge into practice. As research sheds more light on understanding the environment and crops, AvaGro is adapting and evolving its operations, benefiting more and more from appropriate technology. Shikulo says the farm also has its own desalination plant which helps to desalt the brackish water, making it more suitable for plants. Besides that, AvaGro recently installed an automised irrigation system at Farm Shalom. This allows precise water and nutrient application. A specialsed lab for the research of crop development in the desert environment is also in the pipeline. AvaGro's chief executive officer, Leonie Hartmann, says the company is already working with other agricultural projects in Namibia for the development of the industry, as they share the same vision of turning Namibia into an independent producer of fresh products. "We are doing our small part in making our desert bloom," she says. Government is ready to cooperate with Russian Red Cross Society government.ru 10:56 14/05/2021 MOSCOW, May 14 (RAPSI) The Russian Red Cross Society (RRCS) is now at an active stage of revival and has great potential as an infrastructure element for implementation of humanitarian projects at the national and international level, according to the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation. Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova held a meeting on promotion of the RRCS activities. The event was also attended by Labor Minister Anton Kotyakov, Head of Russias consumer rights watchdog Rospotrebnadzor Anna Popova and top representatives of a number of other ministries. It was very pleasant to hear about the readiness of the ministries for interaction and productive work. At the RRCS congress held on April 23, an ambitious development program was announced. One of the points of this program is the restoration of partnerships with federal authorities, business partners, representatives of various organizations with which the Red Cross has historically interacted. Therefore, the event that took place a day earlier is undoubtedly a landmark for us, Pavel Savchuk, a member of the Civic Chamber and RRCS Chairman said. Savchuk reminded that the main function of the organization is to assist the state and society in solving humanitarian problems. RRCS specifically focuses on rendering assistance to individuals, as well as on the work in the social sphere. Thus, the Red Cross Society urgently responded to the tragedy that happened in the city of Kazan. Together with Sberbank, RRCS announced a fundraising campaign for the families of those who was injured or died in the incident, the RRCS Chairman said. A state-of-the-art private hospital is the answer to many patients' needs in Katima Mulilo, who were always referred to facilities hundreds, if not thousands of kilometres away to get specialist care. Private and state patients were always sent to Rundu (500 km) or Windhoek (1228 km) putting their lives at more risk. Enkehaus Private Hospital, a first of its kind at Katima Mulilo was inaugurated on Wednesday by the minister of health and social services Kalumbi Shangula. Shangula welcomed the increase in private health facilities in the region, saying they lessen the burden on public health facilities. "This new private hospital adds to the available health care services in this region and indeed in our country as a whole. It will go a long way to serve travellers and locals alike. As a gateway to Namibia from the north-east, Katima Mulilo requires services such as those Enkehaus private hospital is offering," he said. Shangula said the health ministry will work closely with Enkehaus private hospital to promote the health and well-being of the people. The hospital has a capacity of 14 beds consisting of a maternity suite, a theatre, an intensive care unit, a pharmacy, an outpatient department, diagnostic imaging, a computed tomography (CT) scan, a sonar, a mammography, and also provides ambulance services, with a staff complement of 33. "These services will contribute significantly to the package of health services available in this region. In this regard, cooperation between this hospital and the regional health authorities, including the Katima Mulilo state hospital is therefore critical," he said. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Namibia Health By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Shangula emphasised the importance of vaccines in the fight against diseases such as the Covid-19 pandemic which the world is fighting. "Vaccines are powerful tools in fighting transmissible infections. Vaccination has eradicated small pox on earth. It has brought diseases such as TB, measles and others under control. Namibia is a living example of how polio was eradicated through mass vaccination. We can achieve the elimination of Covid-19 in Namibia through mass vaccination," he said. The minister urged everyone to get vaccinated, as it is the only way to return to normal life, shake hands, hug one another and to revive the economy. Enkehaus director, Ernest Kombo, who also spoke at the same event noted that soon a memorandum of understanding will be signed between Katima Mulilo hospital so that patients will not be referred to other towns for specialised services because they can do it. "While we are waiting for the memorandum to be finalised, we will in the meantime start offering free services weekly to state patients," he said. According to Kombo, these services will include 10 CT scans, 10 consultations for state patients, 25 anascopy and endoscopy. The professor was released on a R5,000 bail (about N140,000) by the Zwelitsha Magistrate's Court Wednesday, South Africa's National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said. Things might have gone from bad to worse for a Nigerian university professor, Edwin Ijeoma, who had his South African citizenship revoked as he has now been charged for car theft. Prosecutors charged Mr Ijeoma, 55, for "using a car without the consent of the owner" in Bhisho. He was arrested in April after he had been on the run since March when he was declared wanted, New24 reported. The vehicle was said to belong to the University of Fort Hare, and the don was thus accused of "stealing" the car. He was released on a R5,000 bail (about N140,000) by the Zwelitsha Magistrate's Court Wednesday, South Africa's National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said. Hearing of his case will continue June 18 June, NPA spokesperson, Anelisa Ngcakani, said. "The suspect was charged for using a motor vehicle without the consent of the owner. He is expected to appear [in the] Zwelitsha Magistrate's Court [on Thursday]," police spokesperson, Tembinkosi Kinana, a brigadier, said in a statement. "Ijeoma is also the subject of a Hawks investigation, in connection with a case of fraud, worth R5 million," Hawks spokesperson, Yolisa Mgolodela, was quoted saying in another statement. The latest charge against the don could compound his woes as he has been battling to shrug off allegations of admission fraud, citizenship fraud and bigamy, legal battles that have made him jobless. Bad to worse The research specialist arrived in South Africa from Nigeria in 1998 on a student visa to study at the University of Pretoria, earning a PhD in Economics by 2003. He opted to stay back and he approached immigration authorities to naturalize him as a citizen. He allegedly renounced his Nigerian citizenship in the process. Authorities had exempted him from immigration restrictions due to his marriage to a South African woman. But by 2017, he divorced her after the couple was reportedly unable to have a child. Thereafter, he was joined in the Southern Africa nation by a Nigerian woman, Anne Tomo Ijeoma, whose name he had earlier filed as his sister. On the contrary, in her application for permanent residence in South Africa, the Nigerian woman said she was Mr Ijeoma's wife as she attached a copy of her 1993 marriage to him in Nigeria. Alarmed by this, South Africa's home affairs officials were tipped off that he had committed bigamy by marrying the South African mistress while being married in Nigeria. He was charged and convicted for the same offence by the Bhisho high court. His South African citizenship was revoked and he was rendered an undesirable inhabitant of the country. As he grappled to clear this sweat off his brow, another trouble brewed for him in the institution where he had excelled and led projects. In October, he was suspended for misconduct by the University of Fort Hare, spokeswoman, Tandi Mapukata, told PREMIUM TIMES in an emailed statement. She said the professor of public sector economics was facing "allegations of serious misconduct" for which he has been "placed on precautionary suspension" since October 16. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Legal Affairs South Africa By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Local media News24 reported that he was charged for allegedly registering two students for a degree programme in public administration when they were not entitled to register for postgraduate studies. The university pressed charges against him for the irregular admission and registration of the two students, including Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane, whom Mr Ijeoma supervised for his master's programme. Mr Mabuyane was deregistered from the university for being irregularly admitted, and he has threatened to press charges against the institution. The academic was suspended from his professorial job at the university over the scandal. Mr Ijeoma resigned from the University of Fort Hare in March amid the investigation into these allegations. The university did not return repeated emails for comments. Mr Ijeoma also has not responded to an emailed enquiry. The United Nations fifth Sustainable Development Goals call for gender equality and empowering women and girls, however, little has been said on how this can be done and with the new norms, the proposed solutions could be outdated. In their latest weekly Trade Talk, the Namibian Trade Forum roped in Beatrice Schultz - Future Females' Ambassador and Akoma Trading co-founder. According to Schultz, one way to empower women and achieve the fifth SDG is to advocate trade openness, which involves tariff liberalisation and efficient operation at border posts. She said if that is achieved, women's welfare would be enhanced. Schultz said the biggest challenge for women is paying the import duty when they import stock or goods for consumption. "As a result, tariff liberalisation would lower the costs for women consumers and improve their welfare," Schultz wrote. She highlighted barriers that prevent women from exporting goods. These are logistical, domestic and foreign administration, border constraints, financial risk, market knowledge, financing and cash flow, intellectual property, and ownership of business. She said female consumer patterns in the USA suggest that products specifically consumed by women have a higher tariffs. "This is the result of higher applied tariffs and greater spending on imported goods by women," stated Schultz. She revealed that in the textile sector, for instance, the tariff burden on women's apparel was US$2,77 billion higher than on men's clothing, and this gender gap grew by 11% in real terms between 2006 and 2016. A recent study of 54 developing countries by the World Bank and World Trade Organisation suggests that eliminating import tariffs could improve women's real income. "This would result in a rise in real income for female-headed households relative to male-headed households in more than three-quarters of the countries sampled," the study revealed. Schultz stated that although there is a growing awareness of the gender biases in trade, there is still much to be done to level the playing field. She said better policies can help women overcome the challenges of trade and maximise their benefits. "However, for women to benefit; policymakers need to actively address the challenges that trade itself can create while introducing complementary policies that enable women to fully participate in the economy," said Schultz. The Covid-19 pandemic resulted in lockdowns, restricted movement of people as well as limited resources - women, in general, were adversely impacted economically especially in low-income countries, the World Trade Organisation revealed. Sectors such as tourism and hospitality - in which women are employers or employees - have been hit hard by international travel and trade restrictions to contain the pandemic. Other sectors, including food services and handicrafts, that depend on tourism and employ a large number of women, have also been hard hit. The working-from-home norm as a way of practising social distancing has worsened their predicament because many women cannot work from home, especially in sectors that require face-to-face interactions like small-scale manufacturing. Schultz said with lower information technology literacy rates and inadequate access to internet facilities; and a much bigger burden of childcare became a norm, women's capacity to generate income was limited. Schools closure, also prevented women from working from home. In addition, lower financial resources put the survival of women-owned businesses at greater risk, she said. Schultz said new online platforms have given women the opportunity to bypass these barriers and expand their entrepreneurial skills, as well as provide them with the flexibility to help them manage work and other responsibilities. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Trade Labour Women By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. However, as NSA shows in their 2019 cross-border assessment most women are using the small ungazetted border posts - these are not fitted with the latest customs technology/programmes to improve efficiency. The dream of many informal women traders "being able to trade easily and effectively is still a way off, however, as we work together through beneficial collaborations, we can equip, empower and support women," said Schultz. She said everyone is needed in the conversation; "We need men to use their spaces and networks to make them more inclusive and we need all businesses to be gender-sensitive in their operations as well as recruitments into senior management". Schultz said the government needs to develop more gender-inclusive policies at border posts, adding that some hope is on the African Continental Trade Area, which theoretically is being implemented this year. Email: [email protected] A long-distance bus driver convicted of murdering his student girlfriend in Windhoek four years ago has been sentenced to an effective prison term of 30 years at the end of his trial. The fatal head injuries recorded by a medical doctor during an autopsy on murder victim Iyaloo Hainghumbi showed she had been subjected to a very serious attack, judge Eileen Rakow said during the sentencing of Hainghumbi's former boyfriend, Victor Elia, in the Windhoek High Court on Wednesday. Hainghumbi (25), who was a student at the International University of Management, died due to blunt force injuries to her head. The judge said Elia (40), who throughout his trial denied he had killed Hainghumbi, was a first-time offender and had been held in custody over the past four years. The interests of society are served when offenders are given appropriate sentences which take into account the seriousness of the crime and the fact that the offender should eventually become a productive member of society, and would be reintegrated into society once he has served his sentence, Rakow said. She sentenced Elia to 30 years' imprisonment on a charge of murder, and to three-year jail terms on the counts of robbery with aggravating circumstances, and attempting to defeat or obstruct the course of justice. The two three-year prison terms were ordered to be served concurrently with the sentence on the murder charge. Elia was found guilty at the end of March, when Rakow concluded that the circumstantial evidence on which the prosecution relied in his trial led to only one inference, which was that he was responsible for killing Hainghumbi on 16 or 17 January 2017. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Namibia Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Hainghumbi's body was found lying next to the Western Bypass in Windhoek on the morning of 17 January 2017. She had last been seen alive the previous day. The prosecution's evidence included cellphone records which indicated the phones of Elia and Hainghumbi had been in the same areas of Windhoek during the afternoon and evening of 16 January 2017, DNA test results which showed that DNA matching that of Hainghumbi was found in bloodstains in the bus which Elia was driving, and testimony that after his arrest Elia had asked his brother to buy paraffin and to burn some items. The court also heard during the trial that Hainghumbi had spent the weekend preceding her death at Swakopmund with a new boyfriend, and that she had informed Elia she was involved in a new romantic relationship and did not want to have contact with him any more. In addition to being convicted of murdering Hainghumbi, Elia was found guilty of robbing her by taking her handbag, cellphone, jacket and a pair of shoes, and of trying to destroy evidence of the killing and hindering a police investigation by removing blood from the bus he was driving, of dumping Hainghumbi's body, and of burning or getting rid of the items he had taken from her. State advocate Salomon Kanyemba represented the prosecution during Elia's trial. Elia was represented by defence lawyer Mbanga Siyomunji. Abakaliki The alleged kidnap of the former Coordinator of Anuagata Development Centre of Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State by suspected hoodlums, Thursday evening has continued to generate lots of ripples and mixed reactions across various segments of the State. The development further degenerated into various forms of accusation and counter-accusations from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, All Progressives Congress, APC, and politicians in the State. It was gathered that the victim who is one of the key leaders of the G64 that appeared on AIT last week was allegedly abducted on his way back from a Parent Teachers Association, PTA meeting that took place in Government College, Okposi, in Ohaozara LGA of the State. The PDP, in a statement, accused the State Government and State Commissioner of Police of complicity in the matter. "If Amos is not released, then we all know that the need for self defence has become eminent and the Commissioner of Police is incapable of protecting lives and properties of Ebonyi people. Only his removal can restore confidence in the police as he has become a politician." But in a quick reaction, the State Commissioner for Information, Barr. Orji Uchenna Orji described the purported kidnap saga as the PDP Publicity Secretary's "grand design by his syndicate of political howlers to cause tension in the state and incite public hatred on a government they hold in a very high esteem." According to him: "We have it on good authority that millions of Naira have been voted to these conscienceless fellows to hatch and execute unprintable atrocities and to keep social media and other media platforms busy with unthinkable fabrications against the State Government, with a view to attacking the hard-earned reputation of our dear Governor and the testimonials of his great accomplishments. "We therefore dissociate and distance ourselves as Government from the thoughts and claims of these PDP officials, who for pecuniary and political reasons have covenanted with the opposition forces to unleash falsehood on the State Government. " The APC and the Commissioner for Information further accused Hon. Linus Okorie, the former member who represented Ohaozara/Onicha/ Ivo Federal Constituency at the House House of Representatives (2011-2019), of getting involved in the move to run down the image of the Governor for pecuniary purposes. Reacting, Hon. Okorie denied the allegation of his involvement and and "challenge the Ebonyi APC and its Publicity Secretary to go public with evidence substantiating its various allegations against me and the Ebonyi state chapter of the PDP in this heinous crime." "I wish to state unequivocally that the allegation is false, concocted, childish, unfounded, unintelligent, imbecilic and, evidently, a hollow decoy intended to divert the attention of the public and security agencies from otherwise credible leads pointing strongly in the direction of the APC, its members and authorities in the state. "I challenge the Ebonyi APC and its Publicity Secretary to go public with evidence substantiating its various allegations against me and the Ebonyi state chapter of the PDP in this heinous crime. As the ruling party in the state, it beggers reason that it has so much evidence of the motive and details of a kidnap yet has done nothing to rescue the victim so he can narrate his story to the police to facilitate the arrest and prosecution of the culprits. "Without preempting the eventual outcome of ongoing investigations by the police and other security agencies, I am convinced that whoever authored or authorized that jaundiced press release of the APC knows the abductors and whereabouts of Amos Ogbonnaya, and should be held to account. "Finally, I hereby make myself available to the police and other security agencies at any time in the course of their investigation of this heinous crime. At the same time, let me sound a clear note of intention to pursue my right to protect my name and hard-earned integrity against the purveyors of this criminal allegation, should it finally be proven that it is false and unfounded. " Also, the All Progressives Congress, APC in a statement through its Publicity Secretary, Ogbuatu Chidi Simbad accused PDP of being the mastermind of the alleged kidnap of Barr. Amos. "The general public should also be put on notice that it is the PDP that kidnapped their own man and tortured him, and turned round to accuse the Ebonyi State Government to conceal their crime by shifting culpability, but they have failed. "The security agencies too should arrest and interrogate the persons mentioned in the kidnap saga with a view to extracting more information that could lead to the whereabouts of the so-called Amos. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Nigeria Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. "Let us make it categorically clear that bringing the good name of our hardworking and Progressive Governor in their endless gimmicks to deceive Ebonyians to whip up sentiments and undeserved sympathy is what we won't tolerate." Contacted via the Police WhatsApp platform, the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Loveth Odah called on the family of the victim to make useful information available to the Police concerning the abduction. "Yeah the Police is always been accused and we are not worried about that; the most important thing is for the family of the victim to do needful by providing useful information to the police, for possible rescuing of the victim and apprehension of the Perpetrators." As the move for the release of the victim is being intensified in the State, it is believed that the victim would soon be released in no distant time. Vanguard News Nigeria The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment has started to prepare for the successful implementation of the Forestry Master-plan, which will ensure the creation and sustainability of decent employment, long-term investment, and the transfer of skills and expertise to the next generation. Addressing the National Assembly on Friday during the department's Budget Vote for the 2021/22 financial year, Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Makhotso Sotyu said the Forestry Master-plan is a formal implementation plan that has been endorsed by Labour, Industry and Government. "To prepare for a successful implementation of this Master-plan, the Ministry has begun with inspection visits to all our regional offices across the nine Provinces, to ensure that, our structure and reconfiguration of our department is in line with the governance structure as adopted in our Departmental Master-Plans. "We want to ensure that our Department has a human capital/work-force that always offer well trained and skills graduates, vocational training in the Forestry, Fisheries and Environment sectors. Empowering communities In an effort to empower communities so they can manage their own eco-tourism projects within the cross-border environments, the department has set aside R400 000 in this financial year for four projects. This is part of the department's Biodiversity Economy Programme, which will implement projects in Qwaqwa, Free State, Awelani, Mahlati, and Gijana/Bevula in Limpopo Community Structures. "Two Community Conservation Areas (Awelani and Mahlati) will receive boreholes this year for the provision of water in their reserves. The amount allocated to this is R350 000. "The Khomani San and Mier (Botswana and South Africa) community-owned lodge in the Kgalalgadi Transfrontier Park -- !Xaus Lodge -- is to be fitted with solar panels to not only deal with regular power outages, but also to improve the energy efficiency of the lodge. A total of R450 000 has been allocated to this project," the Deputy Minister said. The Lubombo Transfrontier Conservation Area Integrated Development plan will be concluded this year. It is aimed at developing a structured plan for developing areas that fall within the Lubombo Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) encompassing areas in Eswatini, Mozambique and South Africa. "This process will follow substantive stakeholder consultation processes at ground level in all three partner countries to ensure that the plan is aimed at benefiting all that reside in these areas as well as creating economic opportunities as well as transboundary eco-tourism. R800 000 has been allocated to this project," she said. The department will also be implementing projects approved through a grant from the Global Environment Fund of R56 million over a five-year period to sustainably manage grazing lands (the Fetakgomo Local Municipality in Limpopo and in the Dawid Kruiper Local Municipality in the Northern Cape). This fund will alleviate the effects of desertification, land degradation and the severe drought in the country. "Given the strategic importance of rehabilitating and restoring degraded landscapes, through the presidential stimulus package, a programme to support restoration of degraded land for sustainable livelihoods, through upscaling of sustainable land management practices in different provinces, has been developed," the Deputy Minister said. She said her department wants to focus on re-building an economy that is resilient, low carbon and sustainable, after the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged the country's, continent's and world-wide, economies and livelihoods. "By unlocking the potential that exists with traditional communities, rural poverty will be reduced, and traditional communities will be able to participate fully and effectively in South Africa's and the African continent's economic recovery," Sotyu said. For the last six months starting in November 2020, the department has continued with the official opening and handing-over of facilities to Municipalities to ensure that a nature-based Green Economy is a reality. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines South Africa Governance Environment By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. "Recently, we officially opened and handed over the Awelani Eco-Tourism Lodge and Community Conservation Area in Vhembe District Municipality in Limpopo. "This Lodge employs 23 permanent staff members, all of whom are from beneficiary communities. This year accredited training will be provided to empower these and other community structures that are being supported in their eco-tourism projects within TFCAs," the Deputy Minister said. In March 2021, the department handed over the Lekgalameetsi Nature Reserve in the Maruleng District Municipality, Limpopo. On 30 April 2021, the department also handed over the Environmental Education Centre to the Maluti A Phofung Municipality in Qwaqwa, Free State. Namibia's biggest labour union has filed a lawsuit against the government, accusing it of sacrificing Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) employees as part of the government's N$3,7 billion bailout loan agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This is said by Namibian Public Workers Union (Napwu) general secretary Petrus Nevonga in a sworn statement filed at the Labour Court in Windhoek this week. Napwu is suing the NBC, the government and finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi on behalf of striking workers at the national broadcaster. In an affidavit filed at the Labour Court, Nevonga says NBC employees could be affected by the government's decision to concede to the IMF's requirement of "structural reforms" as a condition for the approval of its loan extended to Namibia. Key to Namibia's promise to the IMF was that the government was going to cut its wage bill and sell off or close a number of its assets, especially state-owned enterprises. Documents filed at the court show this undertaking was given by Shiimi and Bank of Namibia governor Johannes !Gawaxab to IMF managing director Kristina Georgieva in a letter dated 12 February 2021. "We are planning to implement fiscal reforms to increase expenditure efficiency in FY21/22 and gradually phase out exceptional Covid-19 spending. Notably we will contain the wage bill through a wage freeze in FY21/22, allowing for natural attrition, except in priority social sectors, and implementing a targeted and phased early retirement scheme," read Shiimi and !Gawaxab's joint letter. They added: "Furthermore, we aim at improving the performance and management of state-owned enterprises and conducting selected divestments." The government this year slashed the NBC's funding by 60% - from N$334 million in the 2020/21 financial year to N$127 million in 2021/22. Nevonga says in his affidavit that the government knew all along it had no intention of honouring wage increases for NBC employees, and was set in cutting funding to the NBC, but nonetheless continued negotiating with Napwu about wage raises. Nevonga says the government's deal with the IMF has been kept from Napwu and workers represented by the union. Napwu is now accusing the NBC's management and the government of having negotiated in bad faith from the onset. "The impression was created that there was a realistic basis for the wage negotiations. The initial understanding reached on wage increases induced and cemented the belief on the part of Napwu, however, behind the scenes other arrangements were being made by the government and the International Monetary Fund," says Nevonga in his sworn statement. He claims the government had all along planned to frustrate NBC employees into leaving the national broadcaster through a policy of "natural attrition". He says the NBC management's decision to allow for striking workers' jobs to be done by machines operated by their non-striking colleagues sends a message to those striking that they are no longer needed and can simply be replaced. "Years of dedicated work for the NBC and the public is trivialised and discarded. This again is bound to lead to resignation by workers who feel unappreciated and alienated," says Nevonga. He says the situation has "exposed a government which in its desire to secure funding from the IMF abandoned the workers, [and] made deals with the IMF which will lead to the demise of a public asset without first consulting the Namibian people". The undertakings made to the IMF have neutralised the right to strike, not only of the NBC workers but also for public service workers in general, he says. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Labour Governance Namibia By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Napwu is asking the Labour Court to declare that the NBC's conduct is contravening the joint recognition and procedural agreement which the union and the national broadcaster signed in September 2011. The union is further asking the court to declare that the conduct of the NBC and the government undermines orderly collective bargaining and constitutes unfair labour practice and bargaining in bad faith. The union's application is scheduled to be heard in court on Thursday next week. NBC board chairperson Lazarus Jacobs in a statement last month said resorting to industrial action would not benefit any party and would only deprive Namibians of critical information, especially during the current Covid-19 pandemic. He said should the strike continue in its current form, it would worsen the NBC's financial position to the extent that the corporation would not be able to pay its employees' salaries. Nairobi Wajir County Acting Secretary Abdullahi Hassan Maalim on Thursday defended Governor Mohamed Mohamud against allegations of abuse of office and others that led to his impeachment, saying they are far-fetched. Governor Mohamud was impeached on April 27 in a vote supported by 37 MCAs against 10. His impeachment hearings kicked off in the Senate Wednesday when he defended himself, terming the move a witch-hunt. Grounds cited by the MCAs included gross violation of the Constitution, abuse of office, poor service delivery and gross misconduct. Maalim told the 11-member Senate Committee probing the impeachment of Governor Mohamud, that the County Chief has been doing everything to improve county service delivery. He refuted claims that the Governor had reshuffled his finance CECs several times to run away from accountability as alleged by the MCAs. "There are no restrictions on the number of reassignments the governor can do and therefore, I see no problem in that. As the head of Public Service, we give advice and if he feels in his own wisdom that the reshuffles will improve service delivery as per Article 175 (B) of the Constitution of Kenya, the governor has the mandate to expressly do so," Maalim said. Maalim pointed out that the County First Lady Kheira Omar had not taken over the County affairs, and only meets with MCAs during social events that require her attendance contrary to allegations by the MCAs who claimed she runs the county. "I am not aware of the first lady being a member of the Executive Committee and I am not aware of any meeting that she has chaired. From 2018 to date, there is nowhere we met with First Lady to discuss substantive matters of the County," Maalim added. On Wednesday, Governor Mohamud denied all allegations leveled against him by the MCAs saying his impeachment was politically instigated. "It is my humble plea that the committee will have time to look at the uniqueness circumstances that the Somali Community finds itself in the formation of the government at the County level. I believe the allegations contained in the impeachment by Wajir Assembly are politically motivated with malice and witch-hunt," Mohamud said. His lawyers Paul Nyamodi and Ndegwa Njiru pleaded with the committee to protect the integrity and professionalism of the Governor saying his reputation in the public service speaks for itself and his impeachment was only meant to tarnish his name. "The man before you is an innocent man. He is a man who is facing a fishing expedition prosecution. We urge you to protect the man before you, to protect his integrity and uphold his dignity as prescribed in Article 29 of the Constitution," Ndegwa pleaded. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Governance Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. On Thursday, the Member of the County Assembly for Habaswein Ward Hussein Abdirahaman blamed Governor Mohamed Mohamud for the misuse of COVID-19 funds disbursed to the County by the National Government. Abdirahaman accused Mohamud of failing to ensure that the money meant to fight the spread of the virus was utilized prudently. "The County Government ought to have in place an approved work plan, budget and procurement plan that indicates how each of the funds were to be used for prevention and mitigation of COVID-19 but none of that was done under his leadership," he said. The MCA who was the third witness in the impeachment case by the County Assembly, further pointed out that according to records by the Controller of Budget and the Auditor General, Wajir County has the highest pending bills amounting to billions occasioned by misuse of funds by the executive Sheikh Salim Hitimana, the Mufti of Rwanda, urged Muslims to persistently pray that God will take away the Covid-19 pandemic and restore normalcy to the lives of Rwandans and the general world population. He passed the message during the Eid al-Fitr celebrations meant to mark the end of the Ramadhan, a traditional 30-day fasting period in which Muslims always participate every year. Speaking in a media interview on Thursday, May 13 at the Kigali Stadium where the main Eid celebrations were held, Hitimana recognized the anomalies caused by the pandemic, as he called upon Muslims to pray for the situation to normalise so that life will go on as it used to. "God is the owner of mercy, kindness and power. I think we have to remember and keep praying to him to take away this pandemic," he said. He also urged the faithful to be consistent in observing preventive measures, as they pay attention to the advice of the medics in regard to fighting the pandemic. "We know that people are longing to socialize with each other as they used to before the pandemic. However, we should not forget the times in which we are. The Covid-19 pandemic has taken away many lives, therefore, there is no room for complacency as we fight against it," he said. "So, we urge people to be patient. When time comes and we win this battle against the pandemic, we will socialize again," he added. Eid al-Fitr - which means 'festival of the breaking of the fast - is celebrated at the end of Ramadan, a month when many adult Muslims fast. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Rwanda Religion By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Speaking in interviews with media, Muslims shared what the Ramadhan fasting period, and eid means to them. Naira Uwamahoro, a Muslim lady in Kigali said the Ramadhan fast is a significant time of drawing close to God, praying for mercy, and doing works of charity. "It is a time for us to draw close to God, so that he will hear us more and forgive us," she said. Ramadhan Abdul, a Muslim from Nyarugenge District - Kigali also shed light on what the fasting tradition means for them. "The fourth pillar in our faith talks about fasting for 30-days during the Ramadhan month. It is a very important pillar, and if someone denies it, this can mean that he has also left the religion. That is why Muslims all over the world fast during this period, repenting and drawing close to God," he said. For this edition of Eid, Muslims were allowed to congregate, unlike last year where they entirely celebrated the holiday from their homes due to a nation-wide lockdown that was being implemented. In Kigali, places of worship like the Onatracom and Gadaffi Mosques were some of the places that were allowed to host prayers on the day. The main event to mark the holiday was convened at the Kigali Stadium in Nyamirambo. Controversial lawmaker Moses Kuria has sensationally claimed he received a Sh100,000 bribe so as to vote in Amos Kimunya as National Assembly's Majority Leader. The Gatundu lawmaker, in an interview with BBC, also stressed it was 'not unusual for Kenyan lawmakers to be paid gifts and inducements' so as to pass bills favoured by the government. Kuria whose career in politics has been littered with controversies says the said bribe was to have Kimunya replace Garissa Township MP Aden Duale in the National Assembly. But he failed to substantiate his remarks with credible evidence. "It is not uncommon in Kenya for members of parliament to be paid or compensated to vote in a particular way, especially when the government has an interest in a matter," he claimed. He added; "When the new Majority Leader was appointed because they were not elected... we went to the majority leader's office and received the $1,000 (about Sh100,000) gift." The outspoken MP when pressed to explain why he took the money yet he knew it was illegal he defended himself and said that some legislators were bribed Sh100,000 to pass a Constitution Amendment Bill, 2020. Duale was kicked out of the lucrative majority leader post in Parliament in June of 2020 in a move linked to the fallout between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto. "I'm not sure if the money belonged to Kenyan taxpayers, but I'll be refunding the most recent that I can recall to the office of the leader of the majority," he said. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Governance Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. When asked if he had any proof that other Members of Parliament also received bribes he responded by saying that these things don't happen on camera. "I don't expect them to admit it, but they do happen in the majority leader's office." Kuria spoke amid reports he was, alongside his colleagues namely nominated MP Cecily Mbarire and nominated senator Millicent Omanga, set to appear before the Jubilee party disciplinary committee to begin the process of their expulsion from the ruling party. In a meeting held at the party headquarters on Wednesday, the committee noted that the Gatundu South legislator was contravening the Political Parties Act by supporting a People's Empowerment Party (PEP) candidate in the forthcoming Juja by-elections. At the same time, the Gatundu MP is scheduled to appear in parliament on Thursday with fellow lawmakers Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu) and Mohamed Ali (Nyali) after being summoned for disorderly conduct. The three were summoned, according to Speaker Justin Muturi, for dishonouring the house by claiming that members of the Assembly were bribed to vote for the Building Bridges Initiatives (BBI) Bill. Kuria has in the past been arrested and charged with hate speech-related comments, but released without charge. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Regular Press Conference on May 14, 2021 2021/05/14 As agreed by the two sides, the 27th China-ASEAN Senior Officials' Consultation will be held via video link on May 18. Assistant Foreign Minister Wu Jianghao will co-chair the meeting with Deputy Foreign Minister Elisabeth of the Philippines, the country coordinator for China-ASEAN relations. The China-ASEAN Senior Officials' Consultation is an important annual consultation mechanism between senior foreign ministry officials of China and the ten countries on ASEAN affairs. This year marks the 30th anniversary of dialogue relations between China and ASEAN and so is of great significance to the development of bilateral relations. On the occasion of this special juncture, the consultation will include in-depth discussions on promoting China-ASEAN relations and East Asia regional cooperation under the current circumstances. The two sides will take stock of the development of relations over the past 30 years, discuss important cooperation agenda such as commemorative activities for this year's 30th anniversary and exchange views on international and regional issues of common interest. Beijing Youth Daily: A ceremony marking the beginning of export of Cambodian mangoes to China was held in Cambodia recently. It is estimated that 100,000 tons of Cambodian mangoes will enter the Chinese market within this year. Against the backdrop of COVID-19, has China taken special measures to facilitate the import of Cambodian mangoes? Hua Chunying: For more information on China-Cambodia agricultural cooperation, I'd refer you to the authorities for agriculture and commerce. You asked if China has taken special measures to facilitate the import of quality Cambodian mangoes into the Chinese market. The answer is yes. Indeed, relevant departments overcame challenges posed by COVID-19 and managed to pull through this efficient and practical trade cooperation in agricultural products through the innovative means of quarantine inspection through videoconference. The cooperation not only helps meet the demands of Chinese consumers by adding choices to the fruit market, but also helps Cambodian farmers to generate more incomes and tide over the challenging times amid COVID-19. The news received much attention and warm welcome from all sectors in Cambodia. The cooperation is so much more than just the mango fruit. It embodies the brotherly friendship between our two countries. As Cambodia's iron-clad friend sharing weal and woe, China will work with Cambodia to continuously deepen practical cooperation in various fields, including agricultural produce, so as to bring more tangible benefits to both peoples. China Review News: It is reported that on May 13, a US State Department spokesman said that "we condemn the cynical use of potentially life-saving medical assistance to advance the narrow political agendas of certain donors." "Taiwan's relationships with countries in the region, including Honduras, reinforce the hemisphere's democratic values and support sustainable development," the spokesman said, adding that the US "stands with Honduras as it confronts these challenging times." Some media see the remarks as targeting China. Do you have any comment? Hua Chunying: The US diplomacy is quite consistent, with sanctimonious hypocrisy running through issues related to both human rights and vaccines. The US has been repeatedly touting its commitment to strengthening global democratic values, voicing its solidarity with one country today and another tomorrow. But can the US tell us how many doses it has exported to other countries including its allies? The US has 330 million people, only 4% of the world's population. However, it has purchased 2.6 billion vaccine doses, or a quarter of the world's total. While countries are trying every means to get urgently-needed vaccines, hundreds of millions of doses are sitting in US warehouses. US officials keep stressing that the US should stick to the approach of "America First" or domestic priority on vaccine distribution. The US also restricts the export of raw materials of vaccines. Such moves remind me of a line by Chinese poet Du Fu: "while meat and wine go to waste behind the vermilion gates of the rich, the poor is frozen to death on an empty stomach by the roadside." On epidemic response and vaccines, the US has been hiding the truth of its botched response from its own citizens at home while trying to divert attention by blame-shifting and political manipulation on the international stage. At critical junctures in the global fight against the virus, the US either sits idly by and makes things worse for those already in difficulty, or pays lip service only. A while ago, it even jumps the lip service part by emphasizing "America First". More recently, the US made some gestures without taking any concrete actions yet, but it is already posing as a "savior" of the world. If the US really cares about life and health of people in other countries, if it really stands with them, if it really believes in democracy and human rights as it claims to, it should honor words with deeds. China is the first to initiate and act on the pledge to make vaccines a global public good. Despite its own huge population and supply shortage, China has to date provided anti-epidemic supplies to over 160 countries and international organizations, and is offering direly needed vaccines to over 100 countries and international organizations in various forms. We are also working with more than 10 developing countries including Egypt and the UAE on technological transfer and cooperative production. After the Sinopharm vaccine is listed for emergency use by the WHO, we are working actively to advance providing vaccines to COVAX. China will continue to contribute to greater accessibility and affordability of vaccines in developing countries. We hope the US can stop political manipulation on vaccines, and take more concrete actions to contribute to the global cooperation in fighting COVID-19. Al Jazeera: An open meeting on the Palestine-Israel issue at the UN Security Council that was scheduled for today had to be postponed to May 16 because of obstruction by the US. Do you have any comment? What do you think is the reason for the US demand that the meeting be put off? A delay of the meeting amid the current crisis can be disastrous to the life and safety of Palestinians. Will China consider restoring stability in other possible ways? Hua Chunying: I understand your concern over the Israel-Palestine situation. China and the rest of the international community are paying close attention to and gravely concerned about the escalating tensions between Israel and Palestine. As the president of the UN Security Council for May, China has been actively playing a mediating role. We worked for the convening of two emergency consultations at the Security Council to discuss the Israel-Palestine clashes. Members of the Security Council share the concern over the clashes and called on the Council to play its due role in stabilizing and cooling down the situation and preventing it from getting out of control. Just like you said, regrettably, the US stood alone in opposing the release of a press statement at the Council's emergency consultations on May 10. At the second emergency consultations on May 12, almost all Security Council members supported releasing a media statement on the Palestinian situation, but the US remained alone in obstructing the voice of the Council, standing once again in opposition to the international community. Why did the US do so? This is a question that we are wondering, too. Maybe the US can give us a plain answer on that. The US claims to care about the human rights of Muslims. However, as the recent Israel-Palestine clashes swept a large number of Palestinian Muslims into war and sufferings, the US turned a blind eye to their sufferings and even risked universal condemnation to stop the Security Council from speaking up on this. In the meantime, the US, together with a handful of its allies like the UK and Germany, held a meaningless meeting on the so-called Xinjiang-related issues falsely in the name of the UN based on lies and political prejudice. What is the true intention behind this political farce? The US should know that the lives of Palestinian Muslims are equally precious. During his visit to Middle East countries in March this year, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi put forward a five-point initiative on achieving security and stability in the Middle East. One of them is upholding equity and justice and working for a sound solution to the question of Palestine. In the face of the grave situation, all efforts should be made to cool down tensions, protect the safety and rights of civilians and prevent the crisis from escalating out of control. China will continue to do its best to ensure that the Security Council honors its mandate of upholding international peace and security, take actions on the Israel-Palestine clashes as soon as possible, reaffirm commitment to and firm support for the two-state solution, and restore peace and stability on the ground as soon as possible. HRTN: Gerald Mbanda, founder of the website "Africa-China Review" recently published an article titled "Why African countries support China against the West on human rights" on this platform. According to the article, accusations against China of forced labour and genocide in Xinjiang are wild allegations that are far from the reality according to African diplomats who have visited the region. The aim of the hype-up is to "attack China's internal affairs as well as undermining China's development". He said that China's counter-terrorism policies in Xinjiang is beyond reproach, but western countries resort to double-standard narrative and depict China's efforts to combat terrorism as human rights violations. Western countries use human rights as a political tool to intimidate other countries while turning a blind eye to their own human rights abuses like "racial discrimination and rampant gun violence". This is highly hypocritical. These countries have inflicted "untold human rights violations" on the African people, which "leaves them with no moral authority to judge the world". "China and Africa have a shared history of a bitter past caused by western injustices" and also shared values, which "explains why African countries stand by China against the west on a number of issues including human rights". Do you have any comment? Hua Chunying: We have noted the voices of justice from African friends from all walks of life lately, including the article you mentioned. Frankly speaking, we are greatly moved by these heart-warming articles. And we share the feeling that China and Africa can relate to each other on many issues and stand as true friends and brothers. In fact, the conspiracy by a handful of Western countries including the US to create the so-called human rights issue in Xinjiang to mess up and contain China has been seen through by more and more people with insight including our African brothers. The hypocrisy of the US on human rights has also been exposed by more and more people in the world. I have noticed that Alfred de Zayas, former independent expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order appointed by the UN Human Rights Council, said in a recent exclusive interview that evidence-free allegations of "genocide" in China's Xinjiang are propaganda driven by ulterior motives and symptoms of Sinophobia. The sudden flurry of United States interest in the fate of the Uyghur people is not motivated by protection of their rights but rather by geopolitics and propaganda. We also noticed the outrage expressed by people from all walks of life in South Africa after Lindani Myeni, a former rugby player from the country, was shot and killed by a white police officer in Hawaii in April this year. They believe the case laid bare the deep-seated, ongoing racial discrimination against African Americans in the US. South Africa's Minister of Social Development said upon the arrival of Lindani Myeni's remains that such incidents severely violated human rights, constituted a disrespect of African lives and should be condemned in the strongest terms. Vice governor of Lindani Myeni's hometown said that to understand racial difference in the US, one needs to go beyond borders and institutionalized racism and question how the US has engaged in violent interference in other countries in the name of democracy. The unmitigated state power resting in the hands of white police officers in the US reflects "a microcosm of that country's attitude towards other countries, that it exports war and misery in return for minerals". Like I said yesterday, I wish we could make the biggest mirror in the world and together send it to the US so it can take a good look at itself and make due adjustment. Bloomberg: The Nikkei newspaper reported that China and ASEAN plan face-to-face talks in June. Can you confirm that? And also there was a report that Japanese defense minister would meet with the Chinese defense minister at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. Can you confirm that too? Thank you. Hua Chunying: On your first question, I don't have any specific information. But as I said just now, we will hold the China-ASEAN Senior Officials' Consultation on May 18. Since this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of dialogue relations between China and ASEAN, the two sides are in close communication. As for the second question you mentioned, I would suggest that you go directly to the Ministry of National Defense. China Daily: At a press briefing with Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the United States will not leave Australia alone in the face of economic coercion from China, and that such behaviour toward US allies will hamper improvement in US-China relations. Do you have any comment on that? Hua Chunying: "Coercion" has become a high frequency word recently. But I wonder on what ground the US accuses China of economic coercion against its allies? The US is particularly well versed in coercion. A practitioner of such behavior, the US has offered the world typical examples of what coercion diplomacy is through its policy and actions in pursuit of strategic goals by means of military threat, political isolation, economic sanctions and technology blockade. In fact, back in 1971, Stanford University Professor Alexander George was the first to put forward this concept to summarize the US policy towards Laos, Cuba and Vietnam at that time. The US government does not shy away from using the term "coercive diplomacy" and even takes prides in it. For example, the US forced the military government of Haiti to step down in 1994, and referred to that as "a textbook example of coercive diplomacy". In 2003, it explicitly characterized the $30.3 billion additional military expenses for "coercive diplomacy" as incurred expenses. US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan once wrote that the last US administration's Iran policy "is all coercion and no diplomacy". In terms of economic sanctions, the US has long been wielding the big stick of sanctions against Cuba, the DPRK, Iran and Venezuela, willfully waged trade wars against many countries and wantonly suppressed other countries' high-tech enterprises. From Alstom of France to Toshiba and Toyota of Japan, aerospace industry of the former Soviet Union, and telecom and high-tech companies of China, the list of victims to US economic coercion goes on. We noticed that more and more people in the United States want the US to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with China and hope to see the two sides meet each other halfway and improve bilateral relations. They believe that a sound and stable bilateral relationship enjoying sustained growth serves the interests of both peoples. I wonder what Secretary Blinken means by making the above-mentioned remarks? Does he believe Australia's interests are more important and come before US interests? If that's the case, I wonder since when has the US policy shifted from "America First" to "Australia First"? Global Times: According to media reports on May 13, Japan's defense white paper 2021 will include for the first time content that stability across the Taiwan Strait is very important to the security of Japan and the stability of the international community. It will also claim that China's military moves were causing concern. The white paper will also falsely claim that Chinese Coast Guard vessels' activities around the Diaoyu Dao violate international law. What is China's comment? Hua Chunying: It is extremely wrong and irresponsible for the Japanese side to keep creating issues concerning China for some time, grossly interfere in China's internal affairs, unjustifiably criticize China's normal national defense endeavor and military activities, make wanton comments about China's legitimate maritime activities and hype up the so-called "China threat". China deplores and rejects this and has lodged solemn representations with the Japanese side. I must stress that Taiwan is China's territory and the Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair. China will never allow any country to interfere in the Taiwan question in any form. China must and will be reunified. The Diaoyu Dao and its affiliated islands and reefs are an inalienable part of the Chinese territory. China's patrol and law enforcement activities in waters off the Diaoyu Dao are legitimate and lawful exercise of its inherent right. We hope the Japanese side will adjust its mindset properly and show respect for China's sovereignty and sincerity in safeguarding regional peace and stability. Shenzhen TV: The Consul General of India in Hong Kong recently called on the Chinese government to intervene in the price of anti-epidemic supplies purchased by India, adding that the "supply chain should remain open". Do you have any comment? Hua Chunying: We are following reports on the situation in India and sympathize with the sufferings of the Indian people. China was one of the first countries to offer support and assistance to India. Since the outbreak of the new wave of the epidemic in India, the Chinese government has been encouraging and guiding Chinese enterprises to work in a cooperative manner to facilitate India's purchase of all kinds of anti-epidemic supplies. As far as I know, many Chinese companies and civil institutions are taking actions and providing various kinds of assistance to the Indian side in their own ways. The competent Chinese authorities have been facilitating the customs clearance and transportation of relevant supplies sent to India from many Chinese cities. In April, China exported to India over 26,000 ventilators and oxygen concentrators, over 15,000 patient monitors and nearly 3,800 tons of medicinal materials and medicines. Relevant Chinese companies have received Indian orders for over 70,000 oxygen concentrators and are working around the clock to deliver them as soon as possible. In addition, India has a strong demand for vaccines raw materials including auxiliary materials. Since the beginning of this year, relevant Chinese enterprises have provided more than 10 tons of such materials to India with more than 20 tons expected to be delivered soon. We agree with the the remarks by the Indian Consul General in Hong Kong that supply chains should remain open and stable. We hope all parties can take concrete actions to ensure that the global industrial and supply chains are stable and open. No one should intentionally disrupt and undermine the openness and stability of the global supply chains out of political agenda. As for the price issue you mentioned, it is a market factor determined by supply and demand. we asked relevant enterprises about the rising price. Taking oxygen concentrators as an example, one reason is that the increase in demand affected global supply chains. Besides, due to shortage of raw materials which need to be imported from Europe, production capacity is affected. What's more, Indian buyers usually make the same demand through various channels and sometimes buy products through different channels. This has overly inflated demand, which has to some extent affected market order and pushed up prices. In early 2020, when China was at the most difficult time of response, we encountered the same problems. Therefore, we hope all sides can work together to ensure that supply chains are kept open and stable. Bloomberg: I'm trying to clarify something you said yesterday to my colleague. You said that his press card should be valid for one year. My question is because my press card has actually expired. I don't have a press card for one year. My press card expired on the 15th of April, last month. My colleague yesterday, his press card expired in October last year. Many American journalists or journalists from American media have press cards that have currently expired. We don't have one-year press cards. So can you confirm that we should have one-year press cards? And can you tell me when we'll be getting one-year new press cards? Thank you. Hua Chunying: You just said that you and your colleague don't have press cards valid for one year, right? Bloomberg: I can show you my press card. It expired last month. Hua Chunying: If your press card expired last month, how come you can still sit here? Bloomberg: We have a piece of paper that says we've applied for a new press card. We don't have a press card. We have expired press cards. Hua Chunying: I have an answer for your question. I also explained this to your colleague yesterday. There are currently nearly 500 foreign journalists based in China. The overwhelming majority or 95% of them have press cards valid for one year. That includes American journalists. Despite COVID-19, the Chinese side has been doing its best to facilitate foreign journalists' work and life here. You are well aware how the US government treats Chinese journalists in the US. After expelling 60 of them, it limited the stay of Chinese journalists holding I visas to a maximum of 90 days in May. In response, the Chinese side should have taken reciprocal measures on all US journalists in China. However, considering the need to facilitate better communication and mutual understanding between our two peoples, and taking into account the concerns of journalists working with US media, we have taken provisional measures out of goodwill to make sure relevant journalists' reporting and life in China are not affected pending approval for their press card extension application. To be specific, we provide these journalists with a notice indicating their application is being processed and also coordinate with exit and entry management authorities to issue them residence permit for a certain period of time. As you can see, your notice clearly says that your application for a new press card is being processed and the old one is still deemed valid. Therefore your life and work including reporting activities are not affected with the residence permit and press card you have. It is true that the residence permit is valid for three months, but it can be smoothly extended upon expiration. You can compare this with the situation of Chinese journalists in the US. As I just said, the applications of a Xinhua journalist and a journalist with People's Daily Online submitted in November last year have not been approved so they have been forced to stop reporting since February. Then the Xinhua News Agency reporter was forced to leave the US on May 1. If you put yourselves in their shoes, you will probably congratulate yourselves on your good fortune of being in China and feel for the Chinese journalists in the US, and you should also make more efforts to inform the US government of the real situation. As fellow journalists, I'm sure you can relate more than others to the uncertain and difficult situation of Chinese journalists in the US. By making such arrangements, we have fully demonstrated our accommodation for the need of US media in China in terms of life and work, as well as our goodwill, sincerity, tolerance and patience. What the next moves will be is up to the US. The ball is in the court of the US government. If they insist on imposing blatant political repression of Chinese journalists, we will have to take formal and reciprocal countermeasures. Bloomberg: To follow up, how many American journalists or journalists who work for American media are currently in this situation? Hua Chunying: The US government should know the answer better than anyone else. China has provided convenience to Bloomberg journalists' work here, right? In contrast, Chinese journalists in the US have to renew their visa every three months. Without approval by the US, they will be forced to stop working. Do you think US media want to see China taking reciprocal measures immediately? You should appreciate the opportunities you enjoy here. We hope you can inform the US government of the situation faithfully and call on it to stop the political suppression on Chinese media. If they correct their mistakes, we are more than ready to provide better service and more convenience to you. As for now, however, we are showing maximum goodwill and tolerance and hope the US side can appreciate that. The management committee of the Gobabis municipality on Monday suspended its manager for corporate services and human resources, Frieda Shimakeleni. The council did not give reasons for her suspension. However, chief executive officer Ignatius Thudinyane told The Namibian that Shimakeleni is being investigated for suspected misconduct. Shimakeleni refused to sign her suspension letter on Monday and Tuesday after Thudinyane served it on her. Thudinyane then opened a case of trespassing against Shimakeleni at the Gobabis Police Station. "I need the assistance of law enforcement to get her evicted from the council premises at the municipality of Gobabis head office," he told police when he opened the case. The CEO said that Shimakeleni's refusal to sign her suspension letter was due to a misunderstanding. "This was cleared up on Wednesday morning and she signed," he added. More than N$12 million was handed over to the Ministry of Health and Social Services on 29 April as part of private sector companies pledging their support to Namibia's Vaccine Roll-out Plan 2021. This was in response to the government's request for local businesses to come together to fund one-third of the costs of the vaccine, which will be distributed free of charge to all Namibians. The funds in the Vaccines for Hope account will be used to buy vaccines directly from suppliers, and cover the logistical costs of distributing and managing the vaccine roll-out. The assistance from Namibian companies has been noteworthy, as many who could not contribute towards the procurement of vaccines assisted by funding and/or supplying much-needed medical supplies such as cotton, needles and syringes - all vital components in the overall vaccination process. On the eve of Namibia's MOHSS receiving and rolling out Covid vaccines, more than 50 companies and individuals met on 1 March this year to discuss the way forward to ensure vaccines get to vulnerable Namibians across the country. The informal private sector coalition met specifically to support government with 'in kind' and cash pledges for logistical expenses related to a successful roll-out of the much-anticipated vaccines. While some companies donated much- needed funds, others such as the Luderitz Nest Hotel and C'est Si Bon in Otjiwarongo contributed towards accommodation and meals, which gesture was highly valued. Hosted by the HOPE Fund (Health Optimisation in a Pandemic Emergency) established in 2020 by FirstRand Namibia, the coalition of skills, logistical support and financial investments offered by the interested parties is intended to add practical value to the MOHSS plan. At the handover, deputy minister of health and social services Ester Muinjangue said this was a re-affirmation of the private sector's assistance towards ministerial efforts to provide integrated, affordable and accessible quality healthcare and social services responsive to the needs of the population. "Representatives of the coalition on Vaccine for Hope, please accept our sincere gratitude on behalf of the people of Namibia, the ministry of health and the Namibian government", she added. Marking its commitment to protecting and empowering Namibians, STANLIB Namibia also donated funds to the Vaccines for Hope Coalition Project. "As a Namibian entity, we are keen to play our part to combat the spread of Covid-19 and reduce the impact of the pandemic on the economy," said STANLIB Namibia managing director Taimi Shejavali. This is a fund to which every Namibian business can contribute to ensure a healthy and prosperous future for our precious nation. STANLIB Namibia wants to remain relevant and add value in every sphere within its power. That's why we made an in-kind contribution in May last year, and again this year", she noted. Allan Gray Namibia also contributed to the fund, stating that they are committed to providing support to this and other important initiatives in the fight against COVID-19 and its consequences. Hollard acknowledged that the 2019 severe drought led the President to declare a state of emergency in Namibia, but little did they know that as a country, 2020 would impose another state of emergency on nations around the world due to the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on livelihoods. In recognition of the pain and disruption caused by Covid-19, it provided premium discounts to its clients, and its N$ 5 million contribution to the Vaccines for Hope Coalition Project was in addition to that relief. For their part, Old Mutual advised that while they respected the individual's freedom of choice, they wished to encourage everyone who can to get vaccinated. "The fact is we're in it together, and we all have an important role to play in helping to reduce the severity and scale of the pandemic. By choosing to vaccinate today, we are protecting our tomorrow," said Ndangi Katoma, Executive: Marketing, Communications and Customer Strategy aty Old Mutual. Eino Emvula, Ninety One's managing director for Namibia and Africa-ex-SA, said COVID-19 had led to the biggest global economic contraction in living memory, which has wreaked havoc on communities the world over. "While the battle against the virus and its severe economic consequences will be with us for some time, it is in this environment that we as individuals, communities, Government and business must stand together to eradicate this threat, and rebuild our societies together. As a global business, a core part of Ninety One's philosophy involves caring for the communities in which we Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Namibia Coronavirus By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. operate. We believe a successful vaccine rollout will provide the quickest route to Namibia's economic recovery and future prosperity", he added. Warren Kozonguizi from Liberty Life Namibia indicated that in order to show solidarity in the current environment, the business adopted the "Let's stay together by staying apart" slogan. "This became a slogan of encouragement to our clients at Liberty Life Namibia as the coronavirus entered our country. It is no secret that this year has raised our everyday anxieties, impacted our mental health, our businesses, and personal finances. More importantly, the presence of COVID-19 has magnified the significant role that families play within our communities. While we continue to stay apart, we encourage the public to ensure that they are protected from this deadly virus by getting vaccinated - in the hope that we may be together again", he stressed. A Windhoek couple is suing the health ministry for N$4 million over alleged medical negligence that led to their minor child suffering an irreversible and incurable brain injury. In their suit, Mwiza Nyambe and Ishmael Mafale claim staff at the Windhoek Central Hospital failed in their duties and negligently handled Nyambe when she was admitted to deliver at the hospital on 25 December 2017. In their particulars of claim filed in the High Court, the couple stated that while nine months pregnant, Nyambe booked herself in at the Windhoek Central Hospital while complaining of difficulties in breathing. She was admitted at the hospital, and her vitals were observed and recorded. However, it was detected the foetus was in distress as the heartbeat was not normal. A doctor by the name of Nawa informed Nyambe she would have to deliver by Caesarean section because of the foetus's condition. Nyambe said the surgery was later cancelled, and she would be induced the following day so that she could give birth naturally. On 26 December 2017, Nyambe gave birth to a baby boy. During the birth, she noticed that the baby did not cry and was placed in the Prim Unit and on an oxygen machine. The following day, she observed the child having some sort of seizure, and informed the nurses on duty about the baby's condition. They then promised to inform the doctor, but it was not done. As the child grew, the parents started to notice a delay in his development and in September 2018, the seizures began recurring and becoming more frequent. The baby's condition started to deteriorate, and the couple consulted several specialist doctors, who conducted various tests. "The MRI scan revealed the child had suffered oxygen deficiency in the womb or during birth, and as such, part of the child's brain cannot develop," said the couple. They further indicated that their son cannot walk, speak or eat solid foods for the rest of his life. "The condition of the minor child was caused as a result of the breach of one or more of the afore-pleaded duties, and as a result of the wrongful and negligent conduct of the defendants and the medical personnel afore-pleaded," explained the couple. They are claiming the medical staff failed to urgently and promptly diagnose Nyambe's condition; remove the baby surgically; delayed in offering an alternative medical solution when it was expected for them to act urgently; and failed to properly assess, diagnose and monitor the condition of the baby at the time he was in the Prim Unit. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Namibia Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. The staff's negligence resulted in the baby lacking oxygen to the brain - causing the baby to suffer an irreversible and incurable brain injury. Thus, the couple believe they are entitled to N$900 000 for emotional and psychological shock and trauma; N$100 0000 for past medical expenses; and N$3 million for future medical and life enhancement expenses for the baby to lead a life as close to normal as possible. Thus, the ministry is liable for N$4 million in total. The ministry has filed a notice to oppose the suit through their lawyer Neliswa Tjahikika from the Government Attorneys. Sharen Zenda from the Legal Assistance Centre is representing the couple. The case is scheduled for a case planning conference on 8 June 2021. About 45% of men and 40% of women aged 18 to 24 years experienced physical, sexual or emotional violence during childhood, gender equality minister Doreen Sioka has said. Sioka, who was addressing the inter-ministerial dialogue to end violence against children in Namibia on Wednesday, said these figures were revealed in a survey report conducted by her ministry to develop evidence-based responses and policies in 2019. Nearly two out of five Namibians have experienced violence. "The most common form of violence is emotional violence, with 39.3% girls and 30.0% boys experiencing emotional violence inflicted by peers, while children continue to experience corporal punishment both in the home and school settings," she stated. Overall, 11.8% of girls have experienced childhood sexual violence (including unwanted sexual touching, attempted sex in childhood, pressured or coerced sex in childhood, as well as physically forced sexual encounters), while 7.3% of boys experienced the same. In addition, data in the survey also revealed that the most common location of the first incident of sexual violence in childhood is the school and home. "The most common perpetrators of the first incident of sexual violence in childhood are intimate partners (30%), family members (20%), and others," indicated the minister. The survey was intended to build Namibia's capacity to design and implement violence prevention programmes, and build and enhance successful child protection systems following the Child Care and Protection Act, No 3 of 2015. The survey was furthermore conducted to estimate the national prevalence of physical, emotional and sexual violence in childhood, adolescence and young adulthood, as well as identify risk and protective factors for physical, emotional and sexual violence against children and youth in Namibia Sioka added that Cabinet approved that Namibia joins the global alliance on ending violence against children. "This alliance uses the concept of path finding to connect and convene partners to raise awareness on violence against children, catalyse leadership commitments, mobilise new resources in countries and promote evidence-based solutions and innovation. It is also used to support those working to end all forms of violence, abuse and neglect of children," she explained. Meanwhile, Dr Joan Nyanyuki, the executive director of the African Child Policy Forum, commended the government of Namibia for joining the pathfinding initiative of the Global Partnership to End Violence against Children. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Namibia Legal Affairs By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Namibia is now among the 31 countries in the world and the ninth in Africa that has made commitments to invest in ending violence against children through legislative, policy and programmatic frameworks. "Not only have you ensured that children are legally protected from violence, but you have also set up structures and mechanisms to enforce these laws," she said. One of the laws that are set up by the government to strengthen efforts to protect, promote and fulfil the rights of children is the Child Care and Protection Act. In addition, the government has set up the Inter-Ministerial Committee known as the Permanent Task Force, the National Violence Against Children Survey, and the appointment of the executive director of the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare as the focal person. Four Namibia Breweries Limited employees made their first appearance in the Katutura Magistrate's Court on Wednesday for allegedly defrauding the company of N$6.3 million. The accused, Nguendjijama Mbaha (23), Jeva Gaseb (41), Itotjira Ndjavera (25) and Pinias Haikali (26) were arrested on Tuesday, and have been charged with fraud. During their appearance before magistrate Namwenyo Shikalepo, Mbaha and his co-accused were each granted bail of N$10 000 with conditions attached - unopposed by the state. The court ordered the group not to interfere with ongoing investigations as well as the state witnesses. Furthermore, they may not leave the district of Windhoek without informing the investigating officer dealing with their case. During their appearance, the accused informed the court that they will approach the Directorate of Legal Aid for legal representation. The matter was then postponed to 12 August for further police investigations, and for the accused to obtain legal representation. The prosecution is alleging that the charge of fraud is derived from the misrepresentation made by the accused on 26 April at their workstation at Namibia Breweries Limited and to their supervisor, Martin Cupido, in Windhoek. They allegedly intentionally gave out false information to Cupido and/or Namibia Breweries Limited that crates or bottles were returned when in fact the trucks returned empty, and had no bottles or crates in them. "The aforesaid knew that the trucks were empty, and the data they recorded was false. Thus, the aforesaid committed the offence of fraud," reads the court annexure. The prosecution is alleging that Namibia Breweries Limited made a potential loss of N$6.3 million as a result of the accused's actions. Latoya Mukumbo appeared for the state in the matter. Nairobi residents will now be able to access public toilets in Nairobi's central business district (CBD) free of charge ahead of the issuance of new operation guidelines next week. This after the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) took over the management of the facilities from the hands of private entities. The Major General Mohamed Badi-led administration said National Youth Service (NYS) officers have been deployed across the facilities to man the toilets. "Yes, NMS has taken over all the public toilets in the CBD and we closed them yesterday for renovation. Public toilets are meant to be free. The National Youth Service will be deployed at the public toilets," said NMS. According to NMS, a roadmap on how the toilets will be managed will be made public in the coming week. A public notice plastered on the toilets read: "Kindly note all public toilets have been closed due to security reasons. We are sorry for any inconvenience caused. Ordered by NMS." Running of public toilets is a highly charged business that has perennially attracted running battles from different groups fighting for control over the facilities. Politicians, private toilet proprietors, and youth groups have been at the centre of tug of war for the control of the multi-million industry. It is estimated that a single toilet is able to make at least Sh15,000 a day after deduction of operational expenditure with residents charged between Sh5 and Sh10 depending on the service sought. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Urban Issues By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Nairobi city centre plays host to more than 18 public toilets which have found themselves under the management of private entities after being sub-contracted by the county government. Though there is no reliable data, City Hall said there are 68 public toilets in the city with 18 located within the CBD. The facilities are operated under the public-private partnership that came into effect in 1999 when the defunct Nairobi City Council engaged the business community to find a solution to the deplorable conditions of the facilities. Many others were privatised during the regime of Nairobi's first governor Evans Kidero with the former governor saying they lacked capacity to run them. To regain their investment, the operators were allowed to charge a small fee from residents to use the toilets. Alika designs and cleaning services limited, Twenty THE increasing hospitalisation of people with Covid-19 has led to a shortage of beds in the intensive care units (ICU) of Windhoek's hospitals, especially private facilities. As of Wednesday, the number of Covid-19 patients who have been admitted to ICUs in Namibia stood at 54. This is out of a total of 200 people hospitalised countrywide with Covid-19. Of the patients in ICU, 35 are in Windhoek, particularly in private hospitals, which are facing a shortage of beds. In addition to a shortage of ICU beds, some hospitals are experiencing a lack of oxygen, which is currently being addressed by the Ministry of Health and Social Services. Health minister Kalumbi Shangula yesterday confirmed the lack of ICU beds and oxygen in Windhoek, and more so at private hospitals. He said the number of ICU patients is the highest Namibia has had so far. Countrywide there are 166 high-care and ICU beds, of which 131 are at public healthcare facilities and 35 at private hospitals. However, these beds are also used for other patients that are in need of critical care. A total of 136 of these 166 beds have ventilators (111 in public hospitals and 25 in private hospitals). Windhoek's public hospitals have 38 ICU and high-care beds, while private hospitals have 43 general ICU and 24 paediatric ICU beds. There are 27 ICU beds at the Lady Pohamba Private Hospital, 14 at Mediclinic Windhoek, 16 at the Rhino Park Private Hospital and 10 at the Roman Catholic Hospital. Shangula has described the increase in Covid-19 hospitalisations and ICU patients as worrying. He said the spike in ICU cases started on 23 April, which recorded the highest number since the beginning of the year. Meanwhile Namibia recorded 341 new Covid-19 cases on Saturday, the highest number of new cases since the beginning of April. "We need to pull up our socks. There is no behavioural change at all. People are very relaxed and life is going on as normal for them compared to their behaviour last year at the start of the pandemic when they took the virus very seriously," he said. Shangula said public facilities, however, do have beds available. He said the ministry has a contingency plan in place to cater for a potential increase in the number of patients. "Outside Windhoek, only Erongo has six ICU patients. When I visited Erongo last week, I did not find this challenge there," he said. In addition to Covid-19 patients, Windhoek's ICUs also cater for other cases, the minister said. Shangula said private service providers are supplying public hospitals with oxygen, but the infrastructure needs to be upgraded to meet the current demand. "There is an oxygen plant that produces only a certain quantity of oxygen that is not sufficient for the whole hospital, including theatre, maternity, casualty etc. The upgrade will enable the plant to produce enough oxygen," he said. Dr Ishmael Katjitae from the health ministry two weeks ago said he had to transport patients between hospitals to make the load more manageable. "Yesterday I was running between private and state ICUs. I had to take a patient from a private to state ICU. This was someone who was on a ventilator. When I got to the state hospital all 10 ICU beds with ventilators were occupied," he said. Esme Botes, the chairperson of the Private Hospitals Association, during the country's second infection wave said Covid-19 patients are transferred between private and state hospitals only when the need arises. Botes said they have been working with state hospitals since the start of the pandemic to ensure every patient gets the care they need. In January private hospitals became overwhelmed, while state hospitals were still accommodating patients. Botes said the capital's four private hospitals - Rhino Park, Lady Pohamba, Windhoek Mediclinic and Roman Catholic - send patients to state hospitals when there is an excess at their facilities. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Coronavirus Namibia By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. 'TRUST THE VACCINE ROLL-OUT' Meanwhile, Shangula has been encouraging Namibians to get vaccinated against Covid-19 to minimise the number of infections in addition to adhering to set health protocols. So far 42 088 people have received a first dose of Covid-19 vaccines. Namibia has received a donation of 30 000 AstraZeneca vaccines from India, and 26 038 Namibians have received a first dose of this vaccine. This batch is, however, set to expire in June, while the second batch of 24 000 doses received through the Covax facility expires later. "We ensure that we do not stock more than what we can use before the expiry date. Vaccines are planned and managed well. That is our job. The public must trust those who are managing the vaccination campaign. We applaud those who got vaccinated and urge the public to come and receive their vaccinations," Shangula said. This was in response to Popular Democratic Movement leader McHenry Venaani's concerns about the expiry date of the AstraZeneca vaccine batches after he got his jab. The Horn of Africa region is staring at food shortages after the delayed start of the long rains in some countries and below-average rainfall in others. The UN and the government of Somalia have jointly declared drought in the country after officials determined that 80 percent of Somalia had received little rainfall. Usually, much of the Horn considers March to May as a planting season. However, projections by the Famine Early Warnings Systems Network and the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) and Red Crescent Societies indicate that the situation is likely to get worse as we get into May down to September if the weather situation does not change. "In eastern Africa, worse outcomes are expected through May 2021 across much of the region (North East Somalia, South Sudan, Ethiopia -- including the restive Tigray region) attributed to conflict and displacement, long term macroeconomic challenges, the economic impacts of Covid-19, multiple weather shocks and the desert locust upsurge," the IFRC Food Insecurity and Hunger for Africa bulletin says. A situational report by the Federal Government of Somalia and humanitarian partners said the country is experiencing moderate to severe drought and warned that the population there was on the "brink of human catastrophe." Somalia's Humanitarian Response Plan requires $1.09 billion to assist about four million people, and more than three million who are in acute need. In Somalia, drought is almost routine, appearing once in every two years. Since 1990, it has experienced more than 30 climate-related hazards including 12 droughts and 19 floods. This is three times the number of climate-related hazards experienced between 1970 and 1990. In Kenya, Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture Peter Munya announced on April 14 that the country will not be facing an acute maize shortage at least until later in the year, saying "We will have a surplus of at least 11.8 million bags by the end of May." An assessment by the Kenya Food Security Steering Group in February puts the population at risk at over 1.4 million people who are in need of urgent life-saving support. IFRC notes that in South Sudan, 60 per cent of the population (7.2 million people) are expected to face acute food insecurity between April and July. "This includes 2.4 million in emergency situations and 108,000 people in catastrophic situations," the federation states. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines East Africa Climate Food and Agriculture By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Ethiopia, just like Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan and Somalia is facing one of its worst locust outbreaks in 25 years rendering crop production, food security and millions of lives at the dire risk of starvation. Tigray region is particularly in an "extremely grave" quoting remarks made by the High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi who alongside a high ranking team of UN officials toured the region in February to assess the humanitarian situation on the ground. "People need all possible forms of support; food items, non-food items, medicine, water, shelter and access to banks and telecommunication systems," Grandi told journalists in Addis Ababa. He added that though the government of Ethiopia had reported on some progress being made in improving the security situation in the region, isolated incidents are still taking place resulting in looting, various kinds of violence including rape and the unfortunate loss of six humanitarian workers. On Monday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken pressed the need for Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to end the deteriorating humanitarian and human rights crisis in the country including the growing "risk of famine" in Tigray region. This year, drought conditions are expected to increase displacement and have a lasting impact on livelihoods and food security outcomes with at least 3.4 million people projected to be affected by drought conditions 380,000 are expected to be displaced by the end of this year. "The cost of inaction is far too dire and the time to take action is now. Urgent and immediate collective action, including scaling-up of response and funding, is needed now to mitigate a full-scale disaster," said the Humanitarian Coordinator Adam Abdelmoula. Nairobi Pupils from two public primary schools in Kenya and the United Kingdom on Thursday had a chance to interact with President Uhuru Kenyatta and Prime Minister Boris Johnson, during a virtual visit. The pupils freely interacted with the two leaders, while asking basic education questions like their best teachers and subjects. The two leaders were on virtual visits of Westlands Primary School in Nairobi, Kenya and Cleves Cross Primary School in Ferryhill, England as part of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) initiative. It was also a unique chance for President Kenyatta and Prime Minister Boris to exchange pleasantries while teasing each other about their school performance, on specific subjects. It is President Kenyatta who started it, telling Prime Minister Boris that he excelled more in mathematics than him. "I actually passed my math's unlike you Boris," the President said amid laughter. In a rejoinder, the Prime Minister said, "I passed my math's Uhuru." They also shared their best moments with teachers while in primary school. "My favorite subject was Ancient Latin and Greek, which was a very important subject. Very crucial. They are the foundation of our understanding of the modern world... " Prime Minister Boris said, to an interjection by the President, who said "not important as Swahili." The Prime Minister admitted having little knowledge in Swahili but went ahead to say "Asante Sana" which means Thank You. Both Kenya and UK are engaged in a campaign to ensure 88 million girls across the world access education, with a cumulative target of 175 million more children. The joint visit was also attended by the British High Commissioner to Kenya, Jane Marriott, and Cabinet Secretary for Education, Professor George Magoha. It comes just two months ahead of Kenya and the UK co-chairing the Global Education Summit to raise money for education across the world. The UK has been the largest donor to the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), contributing 13 percent of the GPE income since 2005. Kenya has been the largest beneficiary, receiving Sh10.9 billion to date. Ahead of the summit in London on July 28 and 29, Kenya and the UK are pushing other countries to raise Sh536 billions over five years to give 175 million children the opportunity to learn. "Supporting girls to get 12 years of quality education is one of the smartest investments we can make as the world recovers from Covid-19. Otherwise we risk creating a lost pandemic generation," the Prime Minister said. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Kenya Education Europe and Africa By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. "Across the world there is a vast untapped resource - girls whose education has been cut short or denied altogether, who could be leading efforts to pull their communities out of poverty. I'm going to be working throughout the UK's G7 presidency to ensure leaders invest in those girls and boost children's life chances around the world." On his part, President Uhuru Kenyatta said, "in some parts of the world, like Kenya, resources are scarce. That is why we are really trying to work hard over the next couple of months, to ensure no child is left behind and everyone has an opportunity to get a quality education that therefore gives them a quality foundation to be great citizens of the globe in years to come." The event comes as the UK announces Sh8.3 billion for a new programme to drive crucial research into education reforms, turbocharging efforts to get girls into school and learning. Luanda Angolan minister of Foreign Affairs Tete Antonio attended Wednesday, on behalf of the Head of State Joao Lourenco, the inauguration of the re-elected President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni. A note from the Press Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, released this Friday, states that Tete Antonio is being accompanied by senior officials of his sector. Eleven heads of State and representatives from various countries attended the inauguration ceremony held in the Kololo Independence ceremonial square, under preventive measures due to Covid-19. Uganda's Museveni, 76, who has been in power since 1986, secured his sixth term in office. A note from the Press Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, released this Friday, states that Tete Antonio is being accompanied by senior officials of his sector. Eleven heads of State and representatives from various countries attended the inauguration ceremony held in the Kololo Independence ceremonial square, under preventive measures due to Covid-19. Uganda's Museveni, 76, who has been in power since 1986, secured his sixth term in office. Dundo The president of Superior Council of Judiciary and Supreme Court (TS) Joel Leonardo Thursday stressed the progress in justice system saying that the country is moving toward an institution increasingly credible, taking its services closer to citizens. Joel Leonardo was speaking to the press at the end of his visit to eastern province of Lunda Norte, saying that the implementation of Courts of District and Appeal represents a progress in justice system, making it faster. "It worth reminding that it is a prerogative of the Rule of Law and Democratic State to place Justice close to the citizens", stressed the magistrate. He acknowledged existing challenge among the judges and magistrates, which, according to him, requires greater dynamism, efficiency and speedup in handling the cases. As for shortage of the staff, mainly judges, Joel Leonardo said that this is an issue that is being addressed. During his stay in Lunda Norte, Joel Leonardo inaugurated the county courts of Chitato and Cuango. He also installed two judges and members of the Municipal Committee of Human Rights of Cuango. Joel Leonardo was speaking to the press at the end of his visit to eastern province of Lunda Norte, saying that the implementation of Courts of District and Appeal represents a progress in justice system, making it faster. "It worth reminding that it is a prerogative of the Rule of Law and Democratic State to place Justice close to the citizens", stressed the magistrate. He acknowledged existing challenge among the judges and magistrates, which, according to him, requires greater dynamism, efficiency and speedup in handling the cases. As for shortage of the staff, mainly judges, Joel Leonardo said that this is an issue that is being addressed. During his stay in Lunda Norte, Joel Leonardo inaugurated the county courts of Chitato and Cuango. He also installed two judges and members of the Municipal Committee of Human Rights of Cuango. Menongue The southeastern Cuando Cubango province launched Thursday a natural resource and wildlife research center dedicated to agriculture and ecotourism, as part of the Provincial Development Plan KK-2050. The project has as partners the Porto and Cuito Cuanavale universities, as well as the private Higher Polytechnic Institute of Menongue, high institutes, boards of different government offices, among others. Speaking to the press, the governor of Cuando Cubango, Julio Bessa, said that the center will do the necessary research into fauna, flora and water resources. The objective is to allow a rational exploration of resources and attract tourists under the cross-border Okavango-Zambeze project, of which Angola is member. The center is tasked with conducting, organising or participating directly or indirectly in scientific and technological research and development projects. The project has as partners the Porto and Cuito Cuanavale universities, as well as the private Higher Polytechnic Institute of Menongue, high institutes, boards of different government offices, among others. Speaking to the press, the governor of Cuando Cubango, Julio Bessa, said that the center will do the necessary research into fauna, flora and water resources. The objective is to allow a rational exploration of resources and attract tourists under the cross-border Okavango-Zambeze project, of which Angola is member. The center is tasked with conducting, organising or participating directly or indirectly in scientific and technological research and development projects. Luanda Angola has received 40,000 doses of Russian Sputnik vaccine, Angop has learnt The fact was confirmed by National Director of Public Health, Helga Freitas, on Wednesday, stating that the batch is part of 12 million doses of the Sputnik vaccine. Six million people are expected to get sputnik vaccine. The Angolan Executive will also receive than four million Johnson & Johnson and more than one million Pfizer vaccine, Helga Freitas has told the press. Professionals in the banking sector, General Tax Administration (AGT), are among the priority group. The national plan foresees to cover about 54% of the population, a total of 16.8 million, aged over 16. So far, the country has received more than one million doses of the Astrazeneca and sinopharma vaccine. The fact was confirmed by National Director of Public Health, Helga Freitas, on Wednesday, stating that the batch is part of 12 million doses of the Sputnik vaccine. Six million people are expected to get sputnik vaccine. The Angolan Executive will also receive than four million Johnson & Johnson and more than one million Pfizer vaccine, Helga Freitas has told the press. Professionals in the banking sector, General Tax Administration (AGT), are among the priority group. The national plan foresees to cover about 54% of the population, a total of 16.8 million, aged over 16. So far, the country has received more than one million doses of the Astrazeneca and sinopharma vaccine. Luanda Angolan head of State Joao Lourenco Thursday appealed to the countries' sensitivity in producing Covid-19 vaccines to ensure that the vaccine efforts prioritise all countries equally. Joao Lourenco was speaking to the press shortly after he received the first dose of the vaccine in one of the four vaccination points opened in Luanda. The president, who was accompanied by the first lady Ana Dias Lourenco, said that combined effort was crucial to combat the pandemic. He said that it was necessary the producing countries bear in mind that no one is going to be saved alone: "We all save ourselves, rich and poor, powerful and non-powerful, or nobody will save", he said. President Joao Lourenco justifies that not all countries, especially Africans, have the financial resources to purchase vaccines at the current prices. Despite this situation, the Head of State was optimistic about the solution to this issue in the short term. As for Angola, the president revealed that the country received 600,000 doses of AstraZeneca (in the framework of the Covax initiative) and 200,000 doses of offer from the Chinese Government. However, Angola has received other offers in small quantities, including from business groups, to the extent of its possibilities. The Head of State said he was aware that the Angolan Government cannot rely only on offers. "We have to buy vaccines and this effort is being made, despite the difficulties". Joao Lourenco said that Angola also acquired six million doses of Sputnik V, which are still insufficient for current needs. The current vaccination plan foresees to immunize about 54 percent of the Angolan population, the equivalent of 16.8 million. Joao Lourenco was speaking to the press shortly after he received the first dose of the vaccine in one of the four vaccination points opened in Luanda. The president, who was accompanied by the first lady Ana Dias Lourenco, said that combined effort was crucial to combat the pandemic. He said that it was necessary the producing countries bear in mind that no one is going to be saved alone: "We all save ourselves, rich and poor, powerful and non-powerful, or nobody will save", he said. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Angola Coronavirus By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. President Joao Lourenco justifies that not all countries, especially Africans, have the financial resources to purchase vaccines at the current prices. Despite this situation, the Head of State was optimistic about the solution to this issue in the short term. As for Angola, the president revealed that the country received 600,000 doses of AstraZeneca (in the framework of the Covax initiative) and 200,000 doses of offer from the Chinese Government. However, Angola has received other offers in small quantities, including from business groups, to the extent of its possibilities. The Head of State said he was aware that the Angolan Government cannot rely only on offers. "We have to buy vaccines and this effort is being made, despite the difficulties". Joao Lourenco said that Angola also acquired six million doses of Sputnik V, which are still insufficient for current needs. The current vaccination plan foresees to immunize about 54 percent of the Angolan population, the equivalent of 16.8 million. The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has called on the public to report all fraud and corruption activities related to traffic officers and licencing centres. In a statement released on Thursday, the RTMC encouraged the public to report corruption to ntacu@rtmc.co.za. Alternatively, they can use WhatsApp: 0832937989. Information provided will be treated in strict confidence. This comes after a former Tshwane Metro Police Department traffic officer was sentenced to three years imprisonment, suspended for five years, for soliciting a bribe from an under-cover agent from the National Traffic Anti-Corruption Unit of the RTMC. She was further sentenced to 12 months Correctional Supervision which requires her to be under house arrest at her Mamelodi East home except when going to work, church or to do community service. She will also be required to perform 16 hours of community service per month at Stanza Bopape Clinic. The court declared her unfit to possess a firearm and ordered that firearms in her possession as well as competency certificates, licences, permits and authorisations issued to her be seized. RTMC has welcomed the sentence handed down by the Pretoria Regional Court last month to Sebo Mathabatha (44), after the trial dragged for more than five years. "[This] clearly demonstrates that traffic officers are not above the law and that corrupt officials will be pursued without fear or favour," RTMC said. On 19 December 2015, on Moloto Road, Mathabatha stopped an under-cover agent and demanded to see his driving licence. When the agent failed to produce the licence, Mathabatha called him to the back of the vehicle where she asked him to 'give her something'. The agent went back to his vehicle and returned to hand Mathabatha a marked R100 note. She was arrested immediately after taking the money. Mathabatha resigned from her employment at the Tshwane Metro Police Department immediately after her arrest. analysis In the United States, the House of Representatives' Judiciary Committee voted on April 14, 2021, to recommend the creation of a commission to study the possibility of paying reparations to the descendants of enslaved people. Looking to Africa can help clear a path forward, writes Kwasi Konadu, professor of African history at Colgate university. Some 156 years after the official abolition of slavery, a vote adopted on April 14 by the US House of Representatives' Judiciary Committee, could lead to establishing a 15-person commission to offer a "national apology" for slavery, study its long-term effects and submit recommendations to Congress on how to compensate African Americans. Any federal reparations bill faces long odds of being enacted due to Republican opposition, but this is the furthest this effort has advanced since a similar bill was first introduced over 30 years ago. Representative Sheila Jackson Lee, Democrat from Texas, called it a needed step on the "path to restorative justice." As the U.S. debates reparations for descendants of U.S. slavery, looking to Africa might help clear a path forward, according to my research on African history and the African diaspora. South Africa's incomplete reparations In the U.S. and globally, arguments for reparations mostly revolve around financial restitution. But a closer examination of the actual reparations efforts illustrates the limits of programs solely focused on financial restitution. In South Africa, Nelson Mandela and his ruling political party, the African National Congress, created a Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 1995 upon coming to power. The commission investigated human rights crimes during nearly five decades of apartheid, the system of legislation that upheld segregationist laws and perpetrated racist violence. The commission also established a reparations program, recommending in its 2003 final report that victims of apartheid receive roughly US$3,500 over six years. But the commission stipulated that only those who had testified to the commission about apartheid's injustices - about 21,000 people - could claim reparations. Some 3.5 million Black South Africans suffered under apartheid rule. Mandela's successor, Thabo Mbeki, issued the one-time $3,900 payments in 2003. South African governments have since made no additional payments to those who testified or other apartheid victims. Nor have any post-Mandela governments put the perpetrators of the apartheid system on trial. The power structure that upheld apartheid has remained largely undisturbed. South Africa is the world's most unequal society, according to the World Bank. Whites make up the majority of wealthy elites while half of the Black South African population lives in poverty. Dismissing the wider social and economic damage caused by apartheid - high-income inequality, unreturned lands seized by whites, poor community infrastructure - has kept millions who suffered violence from qualifying as victims. They may never see reparations. Sierra Leone's underfunded effort Around the same time that South Africa created its Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the West African nation of Sierra Leone undertook a similar effort to confront the aftermath of its 10-year civil war. Sierra Leone's civil war, from 1991 to 2002, killed at least 50,000 people and displaced another 2 million. In 2004, its Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommended reparation measures for survivors. It recommended pensions, free health care and education benefits for amputees, those severely wounded, those widowed by the war and survivors of sexual violence. Sierra Leone governments long ignored these recommendations, but in 2008 pressure from the country's largest survivor organization, the Amputee and War-Wounded Association, and a $3.5 million grant from the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund restarted reparation efforts. Instead of implementing the TRC's more comprehensive reparation measures, however, the Sierra Leone government in 2008 provided each of the 33,863 registered survivors a single $100 payment. The UN later provided some small payments, loans and vocational training to other survivors in subsequent years. After interviewing survivors of the Sierra Leone civil war, the nonprofit Peace Research Institute Frankfurt concluded in 2013 that Sierra Leone's reparations program failed. It pointed to the high numbers of victims, limited funding and public health epidemics like Ebola that made reparations less a priority. Reparations through the courts In other African countries, survivors of colonial atrocities have sought redress through the courts. In 2013, Kenyan survivors of British colonial atrocities brought a legal suit to the British high courts demanding reparations. The British government recognized "that Kenyans were subject to torture and other forms of ill-treatment at the hands of the colonial administration" and agreed to pay 19.9 million - $27.6 million - in compensation to some 5,000 elderly survivors. But the government stalled payments, and Kenyans later demanded more than what was offered. A similar court case in Germany demanding reparations for the Germans' 1904-1908 massacre of the Herero people in colonial Namibia remains contested. And negotiations over payments and other forms of redress continue. Rethinking reparations through Africa Groups representing African and Caribbean nations have offered alternative ways of thinking about the colonial slavery and racial violence driving such reparations efforts. In 2019, the African Union - a regional policy body made up of 55 African countries - defined reparative justice as redress for "losses suffered" under any circumstances where human rights have been violated. That includes financial reparations - its policy document emphasizes material support for rebuilding homes and businesses damaged by oppressive colonial regimes. But it also called for member countries to think beyond money to consider reparations measures aimed at healing trauma and establishing broad social justice. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Legal Affairs Africa U.S., Canada and Africa By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Much of the African Union's thinking aligns with the Caribbean-based Caricom Reparations Commission's 10-point reparation plan, established in 2013. It includes debt cancellation for Caribbean countries built on colonial slavery and the right of African descendants worldwide to return to an African homeland, should they wish to, via an internationally supported resettlement program. For these groups, reparations isn't just about money - it's a plea for collective restoration, to retrieve something on behalf people who lost their labor or life to powerful white governments and institutions. Through slaving and colonial rule, Africa lost people. But the continent also lost skilled labor, creativity and innovations. Those benefits were transferred to colonial societies - and their recovery remains at stake for Africa and African descended people worldwide. Kwasi Konadu is John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Endowed Chair and Professor at Colgate University, where he teaches courses in African history and on worldwide African histories and cultures. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons licence. It has been slightly modified Justice Info with the author's permission. Read the original article. Tunis/Tunisia Tunisia, China and Norway called Thursday for an open Security Council meeting over the latest developments in the occupied territories. The new request was endorsed by France, Ireland, Estonia, Vietnam, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the UK, Diplomatic Attache at the Presidency of the Republic Walid Hajjem told TAP on Friday. The meeting is set for Sunday. The request follows six days of armed clashes between the Palestinian resistance and Israeli occupation forces. The Palestinian health ministry said the death toll rose to 109, including 28 children and 15 women. . Although the rhetoric remains press freedom, the government is putting increasing pressure on Mozambican media and journalists and restricting foreign press. Much tighter media regulations have been tabled in parliament and there are increasing call for patriotism and discipline. And there is now an almost total ban on foreign press and researchers in Cabo Delgado. The contradiction was highlighted by the installation of new members of the Media Council (CNCS, Conselho Superior de Comunicacao Social), a watchdog body established under the constitution to ensure the independence of the press. The chair is appointed by the President, and Filipe Nyusi named prominent journalist Rogerio Sitoe, who was dismissed as editor of the state-owned daily Noticias in 2013 for being too outspoken. But at the installation of the CNCS on 12 May, President Nyusi called for discipline, saying to have discipline is to report only the truth, to combat fake news and not to incite violence and hatred. Journalists must "aim to restore social values." On Mozambican Press Freedom Day, 3 May, Nyusi said government defended "responsible access to information but said the imposition of a "journalists professional card" was to improve the "quality of press activity". And on Mozambican journalists' day (11 April) Nyusi stressed said journalists must report with rigour, professionalism and patriotism. He said "the Mozambican journalist should not be a reproducer of wishes contrary to our unity. But there were strong responses, saying the government wants to control the media and claims the right to define words like "patriotism", "unity", "responsible" and "quality", Nyusi is speaking "not from the point of view of the need to guarantee truth and pluralism. He is making an assessment of the journalism that has been covering topics which have been damaging his image," responded Ernesto Nhanale of MISA-Mozambique (Mozambican branch of the Media Institute of Southern Africa). The head of state defines good journalism as "reports in favour of the government, Nanhale argues. Journalist Fernando Lima added: What is the unity that we should have? With the corrupt, with thieves and the dishonest? Or with the people who want development, who are courageous, who dont run away from the fighting? DW: Proposed law curbs press freedom "Press freedom in Mozambique under pressure" was the headline of a statement from Deutsche Welle (DW), the German government's international broadcaster. This is a strong and very usual statement for a European government. "If Parliament were to adopt the two laws in their current form, Mozambique would become one of the most closed media markets in Africa," warned Johannes Beck, DW Head of Portuguese for Africa. https://www.dw.com/en/press-freedom-in-mozambique-under-pressure/a-56962703 The statement was the in response to the March parliamentary hearings on the government's proposed press law .The full text is on https://bit.ly/MozComSoc. MISA-Mozamique and EISA (Electoral Institute of South Africa) expressed great concern at the public hearing that the laws would criminalize journalists and restrict freedom of expression and the press. The draft law gives government total control over the media. Journalists would be required to have a government-issued press card. Journalists, directors, and editors would have a "criminal liability" for what is published. All media, including that published on the internet, would be licensed by the state. To obtain a licence would be a bureaucratic process involving 17 documents including the source of funds and the editor's name and address, and would require a fee. Publication could only start once a licence is issued, and could be suspended by government. Any publication without licence is defined as "clandestine" and the police could shut them down and confiscate their equipment. Editors and directors must be Mozambicans living in Mozambique. The state would have the right to acquire shares in any private media. DW's concern is that the draft law in particular restricts foreign press. Any journalist working for foreign media would need a special registration, and each foreign media would be limited to only two correspondents. Foreign organisations and diplomatic missions would have to declare to the government the import of any publications for free distribution. Publications would normally be in Portuguese or a local language, implicitly restricting the use of English. Except for sport and culture, radio and TV would be prohibited from transmitting foreign programmes, according to a separate bill on radio and TV. The first challenge to the media council CNCS and its chair, Rogerio Sitoe, will be the widely criticised draft media law. CNCS has 11 members chosen by different groups: + 3 journalists, Eliseu Bento of Noticias and Suzana Espada of the public television station, TVM, backed by the National Journalists Union (SNJ), and Alexandre Chiure, backed by MISA-Mocambique. + 1 person appointed by the Association of Media Companies, Jeremias Langa, a senior figure in the management of the independent company Soico, which owns the television station STV, and the daily paper O Pais. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Mozambique Governance Media By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. + 1 judge, appointed by the Higher Council of the Judicial Magistracy, Jose Macaringue, the first deputy chair of the Mozambican Association of Judges (AMJ). + 4 members chosen by the parties in parliament, according to seats. The three Frelimo appointees are Jose Guerra (chair of the Miramar media group, owned by the Brazilian Universal Church of the Kingdom of God), Jorge Matine (former editorial director of Domingo) and Carmen de Lizi dos Santos, on the previous CSCS and with a background in administrative law. Renamos appointee is Joao de Brito Munguambe. + As well as naming the chair, President Nyusi also appointed Paulina Chiziane, one of the countrys foremost novelists. Mozambique has fallen four places in the 2021 Global Index on Press Freedom compiled by Reporters without Borders (RSF). It is now 108 of 180 countries. RSF highlights difficulties in accessing information in Cabo Delgado, the influence of Frelimo on the media, and the expulsion of Zitamar editor Tom Bowker. Journalist Ibraimo Mbaruco remains missing, more than a year after he was detained on 7 April 2020 by men in military uniforms. He worked for the Palma community radio and TV. If there is one thing common in online casinos and land-based casinos, it is financial operations. It is a department that matters a lot. Without convenient payments for casinos in place, it would be difficult for players to fund their accounts. As a result, they will think twice if playing casinos is worth their time and effort. If you have been playing at online casinos for many years now, you probably notice the changes in payment portals. Many years ago, there are only a limited number of payment portals, but today, more payment options are given to players. It also makes the depositing and withdrawing process user-friendly. Hence, it has positive effects on players engagement and retention. Withdrawal process The way payout is released plays an important part in players engagement. If you won at casino games, you surely want to get hold of your winning as soon as possible. It is the worst experience for the players to wait for days to release their payment. These things are in the past because today, many online casinos implement instant withdrawal and same-day payout. Players have the option to choose which withdrawal method they prefer the most. You can even withdraw through bitcoin. Cryptocurrency as part of the payment system Cryptocurrency is widely accepted in India but not so in other parts of the world. Fortunately, cryptocurrency like bitcoin is offered by some online casinos. The popularity of bitcoin has revolutionized how players deposit and withdraw their winnings from online casinos. It is a big help considering that banks usually block payment if they notice that it involves gambling. So aside from e-Wallets like Neteller and Skrill, players can now have additional payment alternatives in the form of cryptocurrencies like bitcoin. Youll be surprised to know that cryptocurrency is not only preferred by many Indian players but by other foreign players too. It became a game-changer in the gambling industry of the United Kingdom. It was just in 2020 when the United Kingdom Gambling Commission ban the use of credit cards. Players best resort is cryptocurrency. Hence, it best explains why many online casinos have integrated cryptocurrencies like bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin. When it comes to using cryptocurrencies in making payments, players have nothing to worry about as casino operators and casino gaming providers worked with seamless integration, ensuring a user-friendly experience. It makes payment with cryptocurrency safer and more secure than traditional payment methods like a bank transfers. The anonymity features of cryptocurrency help secure your personal and financial information. Another issue with payments for casinos is the nominal withdrawal fee. For most withdrawal options, especially instant withdrawal, there is a nominal fee like 2% to 3% of the total withdrawn amount. It would mean that if you are going to withdraw a huge amount, the fee will be higher too. Some players are not okay with it, and if you are one of them, you can benefit from withdrawing through cryptocurrency. There is no withdrawal fee or waiting time. Once you request a withdrawal, the funds will be transferred to your designated wallet address to ensure speed, security, and anonymity. Today, many online casinos are integrating cryptocurrency into their payment system. It makes the entire payment process safe, secure, and convenient. In addition, online casinos that accept Asians, Americans, and Europeans accept cryptocurrency, especially bitcoin. It is truly a game-changer and has taken the online casino gaming experience to new heights. analysis Heres a startling figure: 1.5 billion people will live in African cities by 2050, more than double the number today. African cities - including unplanned urban areas and informal settlements - are already facing staggering challenges: poverty, the need for more and better jobs, and a lack of housing and basic infrastructure, all of which will be compounded by rapid urban growth. Yet, in our experience, one of the biggest risks facing cities across Africa is not well understood: water insecurity. Inequitable access to basic water services, loss of natural water systems, unplanned urban expansion, and more frequent and intense droughts and floods will undermine the security, well-being and development prospects of Africas urban dwellers - 60% of whom live in slums. Take for example the city of Dire Dawa in Ethiopia, which is frequently hit by floods claiming the lives of hundreds, while most of its inhabitants have no access to clean water. And the drought in 2020 in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, that pushed some families to sleep overnight in water queues, making it hard to adhere to pandemic guidelines for not only handwashing but also social distancing. On this rapidly urbanizing continent, cities are unplanned, expanding outward into watersheds and cropland, depleting water resources and natural assets in the periphery. Local authorities lack capacity to manage the rapid growth of cities, minimize its adverse effects, and, at the same time, provide basic services to citizens in need. The loss of natural soils, streams, wetlands and forests impact water replenishment and drainage, making it difficult - if not impossible - for city-regions to cope with water security and other risks like flooding and landslides. Climate change will adversely impact an already challenging situation. But with the right vision and support, cities can play a lead role addressing these problems. As engines of economic growth, they can stir action among adjacent regions, national governments and a wide range of other partners; 143 cities in sub-Saharan Africa generate 50% of the regions Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and are expected to contribute more than two-thirds of GDP growth by 2025. City leaders are also closest to where water insecurity hits hardest: the poor and vulnerable communities who make up more than half of the urban population. And, crucially, most cities in Africa are yet to be built. This opens the potential to bypass traditional, inflexible approaches and instead adapt more flexible and circular water-sensitive designs that respond better to climate extremes. In short, African cities are at a unique moment: they can succumb to chaotic, unplanned expansion and outmoded water management or chart a more sustainable approach that lays a foundation for prosperity by getting water right. Now is the moment for a pan-African urban water resilience agenda to offer an integrated approach to the water challenges they face. The Chance to Get Water Right Water crises create vulnerabilities across multiple systems vital for human well-being and development - from food and energy production, to hygiene and health. At its core, water resilience means ensuring communities have access to safe, reliable and affordable water, and that water resources are protected through disaster preparedness and water-sensitive infrastructure designs. As rapid urbanization continues, the challenge and opportunity to implement best practices of water-sensitive designs are closely related. To get water right is now a matter of urgency across Africa, where the number of water-insecure urban residents is rising - even when dams are full and aquifers are replenished by the wet season. Nearly 63% of urban areas in sub-Saharan Africa lack access to basic water and sanitation. A 2019 WRI analysis of five cities in sub-Saharan Africa illustrated that less than 25% of the urban population has access to safely managed water, while only 42% have access to safely managed sanitation services. The service gap between the provision of water and the growing urban population is widening. An Emerging Role for Cities to Drive Water Resilience Though the political, regulatory and fiscal powers of local governments vary across the continent, we believe cities are uniquely situated to drive change at the local level. For cities to galvanize action - both within their boundaries and across multiple stakeholders and levels of government - requires a systemic approach that brings the urban water supply in sync with regional water resource management, while addressing urban growth and climate adaptation. This would not only be useful for water but could form the bedrock for building resilience against all future challenges that transcend boundaries. Take water management, which in most cities is scattered across different authorities with varying mandates: Water supply may be managed by the water utility, source water management may sit within national agencies, while management of water assets may sit with the environmental authorities. Greater integration and coordination across agencies is essential, and city leaders can harness new ways of working, bringing together actors vertically and horizontally, building local partnerships within cities and fostering integrated solutions across the entire watershed region. Yet while cities can drive ambition, they cannot build resilience alone. National or provincial governments have a significant role to play, with cities expanding across subnational government borders. Urban water resilience requires a multi-level, city-regional approach, addressing the larger basin area and the functional urban region. Three Pathways for Building Urban Water Resilience in Africa There are many elements to building water-resilient cities, but here are three pathways critical for African cities: 1. Urban Infrastructure Matters: How Cities Plan Water Has to Change To increase water resilience, we need to change how cities are being built. Cities should be planned to meet water needs, using approaches that extend beyond the city limits and consider systems change throughout entire city-regions. First, urban planning and management experts need to be informed of the risks to the natural water cycle and flow regimes, placing the right incentives and regulations to manage city expansion. Cities contain extensive built-up infrastructure and impermeable surfaces, such as buildings and roads, leaving flood waters with nowhere to go but into the streets. This can then mix with raw sewage or flood pit latrines, creating the perfect setup for dangerous disease outbreaks such as cholera. There are multiple benefits to redirecting expansion so that it avoids green spaces and other areas important for flood control. Ecologically-sensitive land use planning and management will support the health of surrounding bodies of water, key areas for buffering storms, support peri-urban agriculture and provide regional food security. Planning within the regional context can generate immense cost savings. It requires working with regional land authorities and ensuring that land-use plans are enforced to prevent indiscriminate development. For example, through work with thousands of smallholder farmers in Nairobi, Kenya, The Nature Conservancy has implemented soil-retention and water conservation practices upstream of the citys drinking water supply. This prevents costly downstream issues - such as sedimentation and flooding - and is estimated to return $21.5 million in benefits over 30 years. Second, city leaders should anticipate water-related disasters and develop city infrastructure to withstand them. Investing in green plus gray approaches that combine traditional engineered solutions with nature-based infrastructure can build greater resilience to a wider range of extreme conditions, both wet and dry. WRI is working with 67 cities globally, including seven in sub-Saharan Africa, to implement green infrastructure strategies such as better conservation, management and restoration of forests within cities, source watersheds and faraway forests. Third, water supply and management must adapt to constrained resources. In 2018, for instance, Cape Town nearly reached Day Zero, a day when its municipal taps would be shut off because the city wouldve run out of water. This highlighted the importance of diversifying water supply and management options and exposed the danger of overreliance on rain-fed reservoirs also used for irrigated agriculture. The city created a new Water Strategy to increase investment in storage, quality and greywater reuse. Meanwhile, in arid Windhoek, Namibia, the water utility has been producing drinking water from recycled wastewater since the 1960s and recharging its aquifers with surplus reclaimed water since the mid-2000s. A more strategic, better informed gray-blue-green approach to infrastructure investments can provide more effective solutions for adaptation, water supply and resource management and result in healthier spaces. With the right mixture of planning and investment, African cities can leapfrog to infrastructure that is water-sensitive, flexible and risk-informed. 2. Prioritize Vulnerable Communities Providing safe, sustainable and resilient water and sanitation must be a centerpiece of urban resilience efforts. This will require massively scaled investment to improve the coverage, safety and affordability of these services - prioritizing the most water-insecure communities. To better understand local risks and solutions, cities and utilities will need to integrate local data, knowledge and community participation, bringing together geospatial data that focuses on physical infrastructure and risks to assets with socioeconomic data to identify the most vulnerable areas and communities. For example, Slum Dwellers International has mobilized thousands of communities in over 400 cities around the world to collect data through methods such as household-to-household socioeconomic surveys, helping to reveal nuanced vulnerabilities and investment needs on-the-ground. Policies that increase public, affordable water connections and sanitation options will need to target the most socially vulnerable, leveraging and integrating existing networks of small-scale, decentralized and informal providers and systems. But there may be limitations within existing policy frameworks beyond the water sector that need to be addressed to ensure equitable water access, including in housing, land and tenure security. For example, a recent WRI webinar highlighted that Nairobis utility has a pro-poor policy of subsidizing new water connections in informal settlements, but this can only be used for settlements on public land; this policy thus cannot cover at least half of Nairobis informal settlements residing on privately owned land. Alternatively, one of the most effective and inclusive approaches is comprehensively upgrading core services in the most water-insecure areas - such as dense slums, hillside settlements or peripheral neighborhoods outside of the public water network. This prevents displacement and unintended consequences from piecemeal, incremental improvements. In Kibera, Nairobi, for example, an informal settlement home to over 300,000 dwellers, residents and a local nonprofit implemented strategies to upgrade water, sanitation, drainage and waste services. Informed by local knowledge, the Kibera Public Space Project (recently recognized as one of five finalists in the 2020 WRI Ross Center Prize for Cities) impacted over 125,000 residents. It resulted in the implementation of nature-based solutions, such as more public green spaces and river remediation, reducing the flood risk of 8,000 families housed near the river. Similarly, in nearby Mukuru - where residents pay 172% more for water than those receiving piped water - a coalition of community, government and NGO groups are providing cost-effective and water-saving simplified sewers and improving drainage. The successes in Kibera and Mukuru have led to slum-city government partnerships that will inform city-wide strategies. These approaches empower local residents to build their resilience, ensuring that the solutions implemented are not out-of-context, ineffective or result in residents becoming displaced (like some urban greening efforts unintentionally cause). 3. Get Finance Right: Aligning Investment Across Sectors There is a dire gap in funding to meet urban water needs in Africa (and worldwide). A recent ODI report showed that under 1% of climate investment goes to protecting water services for poor communities. In 2018, the African Development Bank (AfDB) found that the continent needs to spend at least $130 billion to address an infrastructure backlog - including as much as $66 billion on providing universal access to water and sanitation - but there is a financing gap of $68 billion to $108 billion. While this is a high level of investment need, the potential benefits are much higher. The Global Commission on Adaptations report indicates that investment in water-related adaptation has benefit-cost ratios that range from 2:1 to 10:1. Currently, investments are tailored to siloed sectoral needs and disbursed in a piecemeal fashion. This leaves investment unable to reach local levels or capture long-term climate adaptation benefits, and often includes exclusionary criteria. Consequently, money flows fail to incentivize, and sometimes contradict, building resilience. Finance must be more effectively directed to the most vulnerable communities, aligned across levels of government, and targeted to the kinds of green and gray infrastructure projects that build resilience. And it is crucial that investments align with adaptation principles as well as coordinate across sectors. How to Equitably Increase Investment in Water-Resilience Here are some key ways to equitably increase water-resilient investment: First, create mechanisms to disburse funding to the local level. Financial resources are not supporting those who are most impacted by climate and water shocks, and investment priorities are not taking into account the priorities of local communities. IIED research shows that, in recent years, only $1 of every $10 in climate finance reached local levels. The Devolved Climate Finance Alliance is working to change this, disbursing funds to support community priorities for resilience in Kenya, Mali, Senegal and Tanzania. These efforts should include enhancing access to finance for small-scale water and sanitation service providers (both community-based organizations and the private sector), such as community water kiosks and private pit latrine emptiers. Providing access to microfinance that can help scale and improve service provision is critical for small-scale service providers, who offer essential services to urban poor populations. Second, support collaborative, regional and cross-sectoral financing mechanisms at the city-region scale to align priorities across groups that share water and areas impacted by water. This is key to devising multi-stakeholder agreements and pooling capital to invest in basin-level resilience across the functional urban region. One model is The Nature Conservancys Water Fund, which brings downstream water users - such as businesses or cities - together to invest in upstream water conservation efforts, resulting in less downstream damage long-term. Water funds for the watersheds of Nairobi, Cape Town and recently Freetown show early success in improving regional restoration and reducing water-intensive, invasive tree species. Third, mainstream the economic benefits of adaptation in investment allocations and fiscal planning at the national level. Adaptation actions implemented now to protect livelihoods, ecosystems and economies will pay huge dividends long-term. The true cost of damage and the value of added social, economic and environmental benefits should be included in any development plan. The Global Commission on Adaptations Finance Action Track, with the Coalition of Finance Ministers (CFM), is working to deepen economic understanding of adaptation and shift how investment decisions are made at the national level. The Action Track is designing and implementing capacity building programs for CFM members and line ministries to share best practices, tools for valuation of economic benefits and support peer-exchange, including increasing adaptation finance to the local level. And finally, increase capacity of city stakeholders, utilities and small service providers to develop green and climate-resilient water projects. Such measures may include offering technical assistance to develop viable business plans for projects, providing innovative risk and social impact seed investment, developing mechanisms to aggregate small, decentralized projects into larger investable pipelines, or increasing credit worthiness of institutions by improving governance, operational performance and providing incremental small loans. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Africa Environment Urban Issues By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Additionally, the growing green bond and blended finance markets could be tapped into, while driving climate finance to water infrastructure projects. Recent research indicates that these transactions may be as important as the traditional tariffs, taxation and transfers that water sector financing traditionally depends on. Though still a nascent market in Africa, a recent AfDB assessment indicates that annual financing mobilized through green bond issuance over four years (2010-2014) has exceeded the annual financing mobilized by climate funds over the last 12 years. There is great potential to address financing gaps in building climate resilience and green projects. In general, African cities have limited local revenue to cover the costs of infrastructure investments. Many cities depend heavily on national transfers and policies that devolve resources, especially for capital investments. Getting finance right requires active and strategic support from a variety of stakeholders, and given the presence of foreign aid in Africa, multilateral development banks have a significant role in challenging business-as-usual approaches. They should challenge the false choice between green and gray infrastructure and should instead encourage a hybrid portfolio based on local contexts during early planning processes and appraisal processes. The Time to Scale Impact Across Africa is Now The urgency on the African continent cannot be overstated. Safeguarding urban water security is essential to delivering many of our development goals - from the Sustainable Development Goals to the Paris Climate Agreement. To not build urban water resilience will hamper development or, even worse, unleash humanitarian disasters and conflict over water resources. To secure future economic growth and community health in Africa and to build back better from COVID-19, it is critical that stakeholders work together to really make a step change. The Global Commission on Adaptation has been instrumental in putting adaptation on the agenda and in articulating key areas inextricably linked to it: water, nature-based solutions, cities and locally-led adaptation. The Climate Adaptation Summit this past January saw the launch of the 1000 Cities Adapt Now global program (#1000 CAN), reinforcing the notion that cities have a key role to play in achieving these commitments. Building urban water resilience in Africa is an integral part of this scaling strategy - due to the sheer scale and impact of urbanization and climate risks on the continent - and the Global Commission on Adaptation created a movement and momentum for climate resilience. This movements success depends on the serious commitments of countries and institutions as well as new approaches to implement the resilience agenda and innovative solutions at scale. COP26 in Glasgow will be a galvanizing moment for the climate agenda globally and the Race to Resilience Campaign, which aims to catalyze a step-change in global ambition to build the resilience of 4 billion people by 2030. We see an opportunity - and imperative - to ensure that bolstering the water security and climate resilience of growing African cities is a major component of the next decades action agenda. The opportunity is to bring together African cities and nations, existing and emerging initiatives, and the donor and finance community, forging a pan-African coalition that can provide access to capital needed to support African cities to grow sustainably, while managing their water resources, providing equitable access to safe water, and mitigating the impact of a changing climate. The authors wish to acknowledge significant contributions to this Commentary by Jillian Du. press release Chairperson of the House, Honourable Minister, Ms Barbara Creecy, Chairperson of the Portfolio, Mr Xasa, Honourable Members of Parliament, The top management of Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, All the CEOs of the Department's entities, Ladies and gentlemen, House Chairperson, As of 1st April 2021, our Department has been officially renamed as the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. The prominence given to Forestry in this order of title is neither a mistake nor a farce. It is simply a recognition that, without trees and forests, there would be no healthy clean environment for biodiversity and ecosystem to thrive. This means, there are environmental and social aspects of forestry, which are equally important to the well-being of our society in general. And, this has also been highlighted by the Paris Climate Agreement in 2015, where it agreed that the forestry function is broader than just a focus on commercial forestry. Chairperson, For instance, all terrestrial biodiversity lives in forests and each year, many species go extinct as a result of forests being destroyed. Furthermore, forests play a role in climate change, and deforestation results in 12-18% of the world's carbon emissions and accelerated global warming. And, as we all know, forests and trees provide food, fibre and even medicines for approximately 1.6billion of the world's population, especially in the rural, remote communities. In the same vein, we have been advised and encouraged by our President, His Excellency Mr. Ramaphosa, that, we need to simplify this high-level language of International Agreements and Instruments on climate change, by embarking on awareness campaigns and projects to practically exhibit this importance of trees, and to addressing concerns of climate change, and lack of cleaning and greening of our communities. And, as part of the Government Greening Programme, the President has directed that our Department coordinates and facilitates the planting of two million trees annually, for the next five years. By this, we refer mainly to the ornamental shade, fruit, and tree species that are used for greening in human settlements and in the rehabilitation of degraded areas. Planting of trees and cleaning of the communities will be intertwined. We are thus happy to announce to the nation, that our Department will be officially launching the Greening, Cleaning and Planting of Trees Project on 5th June 2021, which is the World Environment Day. And, we are assuring our people, that this is not a symbolic eventful project, but a project that is a kick-start to a Forestry Master-plan with possibilities and opportunities for skills development in the environment in general; transformation, growth and, creation of our economy; and employment opportunities, especially to our youth and women. Chairperson, The Forestry Master-plan is a formal implementation plan that has been endorsed by Labour, Industry and Government, to ensure for creation and sustainability of decent employment, long-term investment, and the transfer of skills and expertise to the next generation. And, to prepare for a successful implementation of this Master-plan, the Ministry has begun with inspection visits to all our regional offices across the nine Provinces, to ensure that, our structure and reconfiguration of our Department is in line with the governance structure as adopted in our Departmental Master-Plans. We want to ensure that our Department has a human capital/work-force that always offer well trained and skills graduates, vocational training in the Forestry, Fisheries and Environment sectors. If we truly want to achieve the Africa Agenda 2063: a plan of action for people, planet and prosperity; then we need to ensure that our societies, communities and villages in South/Africa, are continuously empowered to manage their own environmental infrastructure and natural resources well, through a biodiversity economy. It is of no use to always boast that Africa has a wealth in biodiversity and wildlife, when in the reality, the majority of Black Africans continue to be deprived from being game farmers and land-owners. Just to mention, our Department's Biodiversity Economy Programme: the South Africa's Trans-frontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs), seeks to empower communities so they can manage their own eco-tourism projects within the cross-border environments. A Budget of R400 000 has been set aside for four projects in this financial year for Qwaqwa in the Free State, Awelani, Mahlati, and Gijana/Bevula in Limpopo Community Structures. Two Community Conservation Areas (Awelani and Mahlati) will receive boreholes this year for the provision of water in their reserves. The amount allocated to this is R350 000. The Khomani San and Mier (Botswana and South Africa) community-owned lodge in the Kgalalgadi Transfrontier Park -- !Xaus Lodge -- is to be fitted with solar panels to not only deal with regular power outages, but also to improve the energy efficiency of the lodge. A total of R450 000 has been allocated to this project. The Lubombo Transfrontier Conservation Area Integrated Development plan will be concluded this year and it aims to develop a structured plan for developing areas that fall within the Lubombo TFCA encompassing areas in Eswatini, Mozambique and South Africa. This process will follow a substantive stakeholder consultation processes at ground level in all three partner countries to ensure that the plan is aimed at benefiting all that reside in these areas as well as creating economic opportunities as well as transboundary eco-tourism. R800 000 has been allocated to this project. Chairperson, In addition to our Eco-Tourism Economy efforts, our Department will also be implementing projects approved through a grant from the Global Environment Fund of R56 million over a five-year period to sustainably manage grazing lands (the Fetakgomo Local Municipality in Limpopo and in the Dawid Kruiper Local Municipality in the Northern Cape.) This fund will alleviate the effects of desertification, land degradation and the severe drought in our country. Given the strategic importance of rehabilitating and restoring degraded landscapes, through the presidential stimulus package, a programme to support restoration of degraded land for sustainable livelihoods, through upscaling of sustainable land management practices in different provinces, has been developed. By these flagship projects within the Biodiversity Economy, we want to focus on re-building an economy that would again be resilient, low carbon and sustainable, after the Covid-19 pandemic ravaged our country's, continent's and world-wide's, economies and livelihoods. By unlocking the potential that exists with traditional communities, rural poverty will be reduced, and traditional communities will be able to participate fully and effectively in the South Africa's and African continent's economic recovery. That is why, Chairperson, for the last 6 months starting in November 2020, we continued with the official opening and handing-over of facilities to our Municipalities to ensure that we make the nature-based Green Economy a reality. Recently, we officially opened and handed over the Awelani Eco-Tourism Lodge and Community Conservation Area in Vhembe District Municipality in Limpopo. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Environment Business Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. This Lodge employs 23 permanent staff members, all of whom are from beneficiary communities. This year accredited training will be provided to empower these and other community structures that are being supported in their eco-tourism projects within TFCAs. In March 2021, we handed over the Lekgalameetsi Nature Reserve in the Maruleng District Municipality, Limpopo. And, again, on 30th April 2021, we handed over the Environmental Education Centre to the Maluti A Phofung Municipality in Qwaqwa, Free State. Chairperson, Our Department is committed to the District Development Model (DDM) to ensure that the municipalities conserve these resources and use them sustainably. It is critical for municipalities to be able to manage their environmental infrastructure and natural resources well, as they are sources of sustenance and income generation for most households. Through the DDM's "One Plan", our Department will continue to endeavour that all our infrastructure programmes are always carried out with the required environmental authorizations. Chairperson, Protecting our environment in a manner that benefit our people for generations to come, is key to the development of environmental initiatives that would create low carbon and climate resilient development in line with both the National Development Plan 2030 and the Africa Agenda 2063. We want our people to fully participate in the South African's economy recovery. No one must be left behind in our African continent. In conclusion, I would like to thank the Honourable Minister for her leadership in the forestry, fisheries and environment sectors, especially during the past year; and to again welcome, the Department's Director-General, Ms Nomfundo Tshabalala, and thank the entire team in the Department for your support in the past year. I thank you all. press release Statement on the visit by the Political Task Team led by Deputy President David Mabuza to Eskom's Kusile Power Station, Mpumalanga Deputy President David Mabuza in his capacity as Chairperson of the Political Task Team on Eskom today, Friday 14 May 2021, visited the Kusile Power Station in the Mpumalanga Province. The visit was aimed at evaluating progress achieved on the construction and operations of the Kusile Power station. The Political Task Team led by Deputy President Mabuza noted the increased output to 2, 400 megawatts that is now being generated by Kusile Power Station to support the national grid, thereby assisting in the reduction of the occurrence of load shedding. Upon completion by the end of 2023, the Kusile power station will provide 4, 800 megawatts of electricity to the grid. "We are encouraged by the progress we have witnesses here at the Kusile Power Station. Kusile has now completed 3 units and they are now in a process of taking the forth unit to commercial operation by mid next year. This is significant, in the context of economic reconstruction and recovery to mitigate against the negative effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and its subsequent lockdowns on our economy," said Deputy President Mabuza. Deputy President Mabuza also welcomed the fact that the Power Station has integrated an environmentally friendly technology to mitigate against carbon emissions. The Deputy President noted that construction activities at Kusile Power Station are winding down, with currently 5 100-construction workers on site. At the peak of building activities there were more than 15 000 construction workers on site. On conclusion of his visit to Kusile, Deputy President Mabuza commended the leadership of Eskom on progress made in the construction and the correction in the design defects of the Power Station. Deputy President Mabuza will convene the Eskom Political Task Team meeting in the coming week, to further discuss the critical challenge of debts owed by Municipalities to Eskom in particular the Maluti-a-Phofung. analysis Since January 2021, there have been almost 90 cash-in-transit heists nationally, in which five industry employees have lost their lives. As those in the cash in transit industry blame joblessness and a broken legal system for this form of criminal activity, the perpetrators are becoming more violent and organised. Almost 3,000 cash-in-transit vehicles transport cash to pension points, cash centres, banks and retailers across South Africa every day. And from the beginning of 2021 to the end of April, 87 (nearly one a day) cash-in-transit (CIT) heists have occurred. Five CIT employees have died in the heists. This was according to Grant Clark, the head of operations at the Cash-in-Transit Association of South Africa (Citasa). In the month of April, there were 29 incidents of CIT crime. Four of these happened in the Western Cape, which is unusual for the region, said Clark, adding that the region had experienced a lull in CIT crime relative to the rest of the country. The Citasa together with SAPS are working hard to stabilise the region once again, he added. A total of 306 CIT crime incidents have been recorded, from March 2020 to 30 April 2021, according to Clark. Cash-in-transit incidents 1... press release President Cyril Ramaphosa has extended good wishes to the Muslim community on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadaan. "On behalf of all the people of South Africa, I wish our Muslim brethren well on this auspicious day of family, community and collegiality," President Ramaphosa said. "To witness the great sacrifices made by Muslims during Ramadaan in line with their commitment to their faith is always deeply humbling," the President said. President Ramaphosa once again thanked the Muslim community for its contribution to the national effort to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. "Beyond the already rigorous demands of fasting, Muslims in South Africa, like people of other faiths, have had to curtail aspects of their worship such as praying in congregation, appreciating this was for the common good," President Ramaphosa said. The President urged the community and indeed all South Africans to remain vigilant and to continue to comply with the existing regulations in the interests of the health and safety of all. President Ramaphosa said: "Sadly, for many Muslims around the world, this joyful day is marred by hardship, deprivation and violence. We express our collective abhorrence of the violence being perpetrated against the Palestinian people, and reaffirm our solidarity with their struggle for nationhood and self-determination." analysis Seven months after the assassination of Anti-Gang Unit (AGU) Lieutenant-Charl Kinnear, Nafiz Modack has been added as a second accused in the murder charge. Initially, former rugby player Zane Kilian was the sole accused arrested shortly after the murder of Kinnear on 18 September 2020. On Friday, 14 May, Modack, appearing in the Blue Downs regional court, was added to the charge sheet. Modack will now appear alongside Kilian, Jacques Cronje, Ricardo Anthony Morgan, Janick Adonis, Amaal Jantjies and Ashley Tabisher in a consolidated indictment handed to the court. The indictment consists of 62 charges and is a combined summary of incidents relating to the failed hand grenade attack on Kinnear's home on 23 November 2019, his assassination, the failed hit on the life of criminal lawyer William Booth on 9 April 2020 as well as the pinging of both the cell phones of Booth and Kinnear and 21 other individuals. Co-accused Jantjies and Adonis are in custody for the hand grenade incident and didn't join the other five in the dock. The charges in the indictment include murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, money laundering, contravention of the Electronic Communication Act, contravention of Prevention of Organised Crime Act... FOLLOWING the arrival of the remaining consignment of equipment that was donated by the International Judo Federation, the local judo motherbody looks set to get their schools development and decentralisation programme underway. The equipment that include 500 judo suits and 10 sets of mats was donated in 2019 by the international federation. Judo Association of Zimbabwe first received the suits last year while the mats arrived on Wednesday. There had been delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Judo Association of Zimbabwe president, Smart Deke, said they are excited about the future. "We are going to try and start working with the Ministry of Education, so that we can actually start getting into schools and start our programme. This equipment has mainly come for judo in schools, so we really now need to start working with the Ministry of Education. "So as soon as we are given permission to start getting into schools we are going to start approaching schools. So that's what we are now working on, to start approaching the Ministry of Education. "But we are going to start outside Harare now that we have this equipment to cover 10 provinces. We are going to try and have one centre in each province. "We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Government of Zimbabwe for helping us to have a rebate/duty free tax clearance on our judo mats. "We also thank the Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation honorable Kirsty Coventry. SRC, acting director Mr Sebastian Garikai and the chairperson Mr Mlotshwa and all those that extended their hands, we greatly appreciate," said Deke. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Sport Zimbabwe By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Judo has been mainly concentrated in Harare and the national association is taking a deliberate move to introduce the sport in schools across the country. "For everyone to develop, we have to start with grassroots and our grassroots is not that strong. So if we start with the children early at Primary School, by the time they get to Secondary School they will be cadets. "So we are talking of a long term athletes' development plan and talent identification," said Deke. They are also looking at making the sport inclusive through the establishment of centres for people with disability. Currently they have one such centre in Murewa. analysis The grandson of the Italian immigrant who opened Venezia in Sea Point in 1953 has been making his grandfather's ice cream for family and friends. Now the rest of Cape Town might be getting a taste of it again too. The author supports SA Harvest which uses refrigerated vehicles to rescue and redistribute surplus food that would otherwise go to waste. When Gilda del Mistro relocated to South Africa before World War II, she noticed there were no ice cream shops in Cape Town. Her brother-in-law, Aldo Stefanutto, had an ice cream shop in the Italian city of Pescara. But when Pescara became the target of repeated bombings during the war, Aldo and his wife Onorina took their children and fled to northeast Italy. Some time after the war ended, they decided to leave Italy for South Africa. In 1953, after fulfilling a mandatory work immigration requirement in his trade of terrazzo, Aldo opened Venezia on the Main Road in Sea Point, then and now a mixed-use neighbourhood on the Atlantic seaboard of Cape Town. The restaurant had nine tables and jukeboxes. The centrepiece was a life-size gondola - the arcs of which served as coffee and ice cream counters... Maputo Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi on Thursday guaranteed that the government has never rejected support granted by the international community to fight against terrorism. On the contrary, he added, speaking at a meeting with the diplomatic corps accredited in Maputo, the government recognises that, on its own, it will never be able to eradicate this scourge. Hence it welcomed expressions of solidarity and interest in supporting Mozambique in this struggle. But he added that Mozambique "does not need errand boys". A state with a functioning diplomatic service did not need to find middlemen to communicate with other countries or institutions. "We, the government of Mozambique, have at no time refused support - except from those who want to channel support through non-formal or non-direct paths", said Nyusi. "It would be unfair to say, as we have heard in some circles, that the government does not accept support from its partners. We want, once again, to reaffirm that we are open to cooperation and aid, under terms and modalities that should be discussed in Mozambique, within the framework of the established formal mechanisms and without the need for middlemen". Mozambique is a sovereign country, he stressed, and so it will not discuss via intermediaries. The government could speak for itself, and so "we don't need errand boys". "We have strong, formal institutions, and we have always said that we don't need middlemen in order to speak with a brother country, a friendly country", Nyusi added. It was in this spirit, he said, that the government has been working in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to mobilise support from the member countries, through a coordinated mechanism. In the case of SADC, technical aspects needed to be taken care of, he added, such as the procedures for the entry and departure of foreign troops, and for eventualities such as the death of any of the troops. Nyusi said the Mozambican authorities have already identified the support needed. In some cases, specific programmes are under implementation, and in others the partners are still considering what type of support should be provided in accordance with the needs presented. "It's not words and statements to the press which dictate the acceptance of support, even in the form of simple intentions. Actions speak louder than words", said the President. The government's strategy to combat violence in Cabo Delgado has three prongs, he explained - the prevention of terrorism, the protection of the public, and pursuit of the terrorists, in order to restore security and tranquility to the affected areas. At the same time, the government is taking short, medium and long term actions to boost the training, re-equipment and modernization of the defence and security forces, in order to endow them with the capacity to face more effectively the scourge of terrorism, with the country's few domestic resources, and in the framework of cooperation with bilateral and multilateral partners. Nyusi told the diplomats that the defence of the country and of its sovereignty will only be sustainable and lasting if the defence forces are modernized, and their capacity built up. It was urgent to make the Mozambican forces sustainable, since Nyusi was well aware that support from the international community will not last forever. Terrorism, he said, "is a global phenomenon which does not respect the borders of a country, region or continent. So fighting it, while this is the responsibility of each state directly affected, requires the concentrated and cooperative efforts of all countries". Nyusi also briefed the diplomats on progress in the demobilization, disarming and reintegration (DDR) of members of the militia of the main opposition party, Renamo. The demobilization started in mid-2019, and so far 2,307 former Renamo fighters have been demobilised, including some who have defected from the dissident "Renamo Military Junta". He said that, had it not been for financial constraints and the Covid-19 pandemic, the entire demobilisation could have been completed by August this year. He stressed that all Renamo fighters, including Military Junta commander, Mariano Nhongo, are welcome to join the demobilization. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Mozambique Governance By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Nyusi also admitted that he found the rise in known corruption cases in Mozambique "frightening". The number of criminal cases resulting from corruption had risen from 911 in 2019 to 1,280 in 2020, an increase of 39 per cent. But this rise, he added, was also due to successful work by Mozambican institutions in investigating corruption, which led to cases being uncovered and prosecuted. He told the meeting that the government's commitment to the fight against corruption is "total and vigorous". The meeting between the President and the diplomatic corps is an annual event, normally held at the beginning of the year. This time the Covid-19 pandemic forced a delay of several months. Maputo The Mozambican health authorities on Thursday reported that, for the second consecutive day this week, there had been no deaths from the Covid-19 respiratory disease. Thus the total death toll from Covid-19 in Mozambique remains 826. According to a Ministry of Health press release, since the start of the pandemic, 532,010 people have been tested for the coronavirus that causes Covid-19, 1,142 of them in the previous 24 hours. Of the samples tested, 424 were from Maputo city, 143 from Maputo province, 124 from Tete, 122 from Inhambane, 85 from Nampula, 76 from Sofala, 75 from Zambezia, 55 from Cabo Delgado. 15 from Manica, eight from Niassa and one from Gaza. 1,114 of the tests yielded negative results, and 28 people tested positive for the coronavirus. This brings the number of cases of Covid-9 diagnosed in Mozambique to 70,315. The new cases diagnosed on Thursday were all Mozambican citizens. 20 were men and eight were women. One was a child under the age of 15. Of the new cases, 14 (exactly 50 per cent) were from the Greater Maputo Metropolitan Area (Maputo and Matola cities and the adjacent districts of Boane and Marracuene). There were also four cases from Zambezia, three from Tete, three from Manica, and two each from Sofala and Inhambane. No positive cases were reported from the other four provinces. The positivity rate (the proportion of those tested found to be infected) for this 24 hour period was 2.5 per cent. This compares with 1.5 per cent on Wednesday, 3.2 per cent on Tuesday, 7.5 per cent on Monday, 3.1 per cent on Sunday, and two per cent on Saturday. Most days, the positivity rate falls to well below five per cent. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Mozambique Coronavirus By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. Over the same 24 hour period, one Covid-19 patient was discharged from a Maputo hospital. No new patients were admitted to the Covid-19 wards - this is the first time in 2021 that there has been a day without the hospitalisation of any new Covid-19 cases. As of Thursday, 24 people were under medical care in the Covid-19 treatment centres (down from 25 on Wednesday). Two thirds of them were in Maputo, and there were two each in Nampula, Zambezia, Tete, and Sofala. The Covid-19 wards in the other six provinces remained empty. The Ministry release also reported that a further 267 people were declared fully recovered from Covid-19 on Thursday (253 in Maputo province, 11 in Nampula and three in Zambezia). This brings the total number of recoveries to 68,314, or 97.2 per cent of all those ever diagnosed with Covid-19 in Mozambique. The number of active Covid-19 cases fell on Thursday to 1,179 (down from 1,410) on Wednesday. The geographical distribution of these cases was as follows: Maputo province, 323 (27.4 per cent of the total); Sofala, 308; Maputo city, 299; Zambezia, 127; Niassa, 32; Gaza, 28; Nampula, 23; Inhambane, 12; Tete, 10; Cabo Delgado, six; and Manica, three. Beryl Tantie Gerald of Glen is this countrys latest inductee to the exclusive Centurion club, having turned 100 on May 10. Tantie was born in the Parish of St Mary in Jamaica, on May 10, 1921. She moved to the capital Kingston where she resided until, like so many West Indians did in the early 1960s, she immigrated in 1960 to England, UK. Tantie recalled doing many different jobs in the early years of her time in England, among these being one at a corned beef factory. She eventually found more stable employment at the Great Ormond Street Hospital, known for assisting children from all around the world, who had complicated medical conditions. Tantie made her rounds at the hospital and was eventually put in charge of the linen room before she was called upon to assist in the ward. But there were other things in her life to attend to, like marriage and security, and it was not long after arriving in England that she got married 1964 to be exact to a Vincentian, sealing for the balance of her life an intimate connection with St. Vincent and the Grenadines. By 1975, Tantie and her husband had had enough of England; they were ready to leave. She was adamant that she was not going to remain in England but when it came to choosing where they would relocate to, her husband was just as adamant that he did not want to relocate to Jamaica. She compromised and accompanied her husband to St. Vincent and the Grenadines. And the couple lived happily together until the husbands death in 2019. The union produced one child, a son however Tantie was also mother to two others whom she adopted as her own. She told THE VINCENTIAN that she enjoys working on puzzles and reading. "I read a lot, especially my bible, she said, adding that she was very active in her church, the Glen Baptist Church. Her secret to long life is to remain active and to serve the Lord. She advised: "When you serve the Lord and keep the body active, you will be alright. You wont be sick. But if you are lazy, you will be sick. THE VINCENTIAN congratulates Beryl Tantie Gerald on achieving the milestone of 100 years, and wishes her continued good health and Gods richest blessings. Maputo Maputo 13 May (AIM) - The Mozambican government has guaranteed that it is carefully following the entire process of the withdrawal from the country of the Brazilian mining giant, Vale. Vale says it intends to sell off its coal mining operations in the western province of Tete. In preparation for this, Vale reached an agreement in April with its main partner, the Japanese company Mitsui, on the transfer of interests, from the Japanese company to the Brazilian miner, which in turn will sell the entire coal extraction and export project to a new entity. The transaction with Mitsui was made for the symbolic price of one dollar, but all associated expenses and charges - including an outstanding balance of 2.5 billion dollars - pass to Vale. Vale announced in January that following the acquisition of Mitsui's stakes and, consequently, following the simplification of the business and asset management, it will begin the process of divestment of its stake in the coal business. This, it said, will be guided by the preservation of the operational continuity of the Moatize open cast coal mine and the railway line from Moatize through southern Malawi to the northern port of Nacala-a-Velha, through the search for a third party interested in these assets. Vale employs around 8,000 people, close to 3,000 direct workers and the remainder sub-contracted. Before selling off its assets, Vale is making investments which it hopes will help it resume production, reaching 15 million tonnes of coal in 2021 - after 5.1 million tonnes in 2020. Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Mozambique Governance Mining By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. The Mozambican Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Max Tonela, on leaving a round-table on Thursday between Mozambique and the European Union, which shared experiences on questions of regional economic integration, said the government wanted to ensure that there is no break in continuity in coal operations. "The government has been following this process to ensure that there is no risk to the continuity of coal mining operations in Moatize, or of the Nacala-a-Velha rail corridor", he said. The negotiations between Vale and Mitsui on transferring the Japanese interests to Vale were now reaching their conclusion, explained Tonela. This would allow Vale to take 100 per cent of the mine and of the railway. "This step should be over in the next few weeks", he said. Vale has hired some investment banks to advise the company in identifying potential buyers with the technical and financial competence to replace Vale at the head of the two projects. Asked whether Mozambique will benefit from capital gains tax on Vale's sale of the mine and railway, Tonela said that was a question for the Mozambican Tax Authority (AT). But he thought the possibility of a capital gains tax windfall was remote, since the Moatize mine has fallen sharply in value, due to the decline of coal prices on the world market. Vale has been operating the mine for the past decade, usually at a heavy loss. Only in two years, 2017 and 2018, did the mine run at a profit. Blog In another sign of elite alarm over the deterioration of security in Nigeria, representatives from fifteen of the seventeen southern states - hailing from the South West, South South, and South East geopolitical zones - met virtually on May 4 and again on May 11 for an in-person meeting in Asaba, Delta State to "harmonise their positions." (Representatives from Osun and Cross River states were absent from the in-person meeting, though Osun State's governor was present at the virtual meeting.) Representatives included governors--a large majority--and deputy governors. They met under the auspices of the Southern Nigerian Governors' Forum (SNGF), which has long been moribund but is now revived. At the end of the most recent meeting, SNGF chairman Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, the governor of Ondo State, read out a communique issued by the group. The group called on President Muhammadu Buhari to convene a "national dialogue," insisted on the banning of open grazing in southern Nigeria, and "affirmed that the peoples of Southern Nigeria remain committed to the unity of Nigeria on the basis of justice, fairness, equity and oneness and peaceful co-existence between and among its peoples, with a focus on the attainment of shared goals for economic development and prosperity." Southern senators threw their weight behind the proposals put forward by the SNGF. Security issues, incursions by Muslim "Fulani" cattle herders, and frustration with the federal government's inability to provide security appears to have brought together governors from Yoruba, Igbo, and minority-ethnic group states. Most, but not all, are Christian. It remains to be seen whether the SNGF, after years of irrelevance, becomes an important political entity. This publication is part of the Diamonstein-Spielvogel Project on the Future of Democracy. Blog posts represent the views of CFR fellows and staff and not those of CFR, which takes no institutional positions. Rights activists in Cameroon have condemned a five-year jail sentence given to two transgender women for "attempted homosexuality" and public indecency. A lawyer for the two, who Read more Three transgender women assaulted after being lured to a bar in capital Cotonou Videos of attack posted on social media and support groups targeted with threats 'This assault must Read more Born Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju in Lagos, Nigeria, Bobrisky is arguably Nigeria's most contentious person, a trans personality famed for her unconventional life. Her influential Read more Benin: Threat On Transgender People and Their Defenders Following the Assault On Three of Them AI London, 13 May 2021 Authorities in Benin must immediately take all necessary measures to protect transgender people and the associations that defend them, after three transgender women were forced to Read more South Africa: By Enforcing the Step-Aside Rule, the ANC Has Taken the First Step Towards Becoming a Political Party Daily Maverick, 16 May 2021 The current collision between the 'two ANCs' is a clash between the provincial 'homeland' mentality of the RET faction versus the impulses of Cyril Ramaphosa's modernisation Read more South Africa: Suspended Ruling Party Secretary General to Challenge Decision in Court - Reports allAfrica, 14 May 2021 Suspended African National Congress secretary-general Ace Magashule is taking the ANC to court over his suspension, South African media are reporting. Read more South Africa: Ace Trapped in a Vice of His Own Making Daily Maverick, 10 May 2021 The decisions of the ANC NEC, as announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday, appear to mark a crucial defeat for the party's suspended Secretary-General Ace Magashule. Read more South Africa: By Trying to Suspend Ramaphosa, Magashule Played His Panic Card Daily Maverick, 9 May 2021 The governing party leadership battle is coming to a head, with this weekend's National Executive Committee meeting expected to rubber-stamp the National Working Committee's Read more South Africa: Power Politics - Ace Magashule's Theatrics Are Just the Opening Salvo in a Long and Dirty War Daily Maverick, 6 May 2021 The political games have not ended and Ace Magashule and his compatriots will be working hard to reclaim ground by securing branches and manoeuvring across the country to solidify Read more Nigerias Buhari Warns Rising Banditry a Threat to Food Security President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday pledged that his administration will use all available resources and manpower in dealing with bandits to ensure that they did not hinder access to farms and food production in the coming growing season. The president, who expressed hope for a good rainy season this year, said: "Security agencies are working to ensure people can work safely on farms in order to have food surpluses, including for export". Buhari said this while addressing reporters after observing the Eid-il-Fitri prayers at the State House in Abuja. Buhari has been criticized for his handling of the security situation in the country. Security challenges have sparked anger and calls for Buhari to step down or be removed from office. Nigeria has faced a spate of kidnappings and killings, especially of students that have shut down hundreds of schools in the north of the country. Presidente @FSagasti: La mayoria de las personas que conforman este programa son mujeres. Trabajando juntos avanzamos hacia un futuro mejor para todos, demostrando que en el pais se pueden hacer las cosas bien.#TrabajaPeru pic.twitter.com/Zvz72ItmkA On the occasion, the Gocta and Chachapoyas-Huancas destinations also received this seal at the event. Besides, they offer visitors a unique experience that invites them to travel back in time and discover an enigmatic past represented by the great architectural monuments of Chachapoyas warriors. "This would not be possible without a joint, serious, and committed work. In addition, the commitment of tourism sector agents and the population is very important. Only this way will we be able to give visitors the confidence to visit and discover these beautiful destinations," she said. Presidente @FSagasti: Hoy entregamos el sello Safe Travels a los destinos turisticos de Kuelap, Gocta y Chachapoyas - Huancas, que destacan no solo por su tradicion, cultura y arqueologia, sino tambien por el esfuerzo de sus autoridades y ciudadania, con el apoyo del @MINCETUR. pic.twitter.com/m8zSEJUqbL 09:30 | Lima, May. 14. "This business roundtable will bring together business people from both sides to hold virtual meetings, enhance contact between entrepreneurs from Peru and Taiwan, establish commercial cooperation in the fields of automotive, construction, electronics, sports, stationery, bags and accessories," CCEX Manager Monica Chavez stated. Thus, it seeks to strengthen bilateral commercial activities, explore new market opportunities, and enter into business relations that meet the needs of both sides. Additionally, in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic situation, which has caused economic disruption, Taiwanese entrepreneurs seek to support the Peruvian economy revival, given that, according to forecasts by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) , Peru is going through a recovery process in which GDP growth of 8.5% is projected for 2021, contrary to the 12% decline seen in 2020. On May 19-20, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will discuss plans for the Arctics sustainable development at the 12th Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting being held in Iceland. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will make a working visit to Iceland, which will be the venue of a meeting of foreign ministers of the Arctic Councils member states. The ministers will discuss the strengthening of cooperation and the coordination of efforts for the regions stable development, the Russian Foreign Ministrys Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova noted. The participants are expected to sign a declaration reaffirming the Arctic countries commitment to peace, stability and constructive cooperation across the high latitudes and outlining the main spheres of further efforts to promote international interaction, she said. Particular attention is to be given to environmental protection, she added. The first-ever strategic plan of the Arctic Council for the next 10 years is to be presented at the event, Zakharova noted. Following the gathering, Russia will chair the organization, due to mark its 25th anniversary later in 2021, for a period of two years. New benefit increases Veterans' access to urgent care in the community May 14, 2021 - Two years ago, the Veterans Affairs healthcare system (VA) began rolling out a new benefit, enabling Veterans to receive urgent care from a network of community providers - rather than visiting a VA emergency department or clinic. Progress toward expanding community care services for Veterans is the focus of a special supplement to the May issue of Medical Care. The journal is published in the Lippincott portfolio by Wolters Kluwer. The urgent care benefit "provides a new way to deliver unscheduled, low-acuity acute care to Veterans," according to the new research by Anita Vashi, MD, MPH, MHS, of VA Palo Alto Health Care System and colleagues. The study is one of 12 research papers and commentaries on "Innovations in Community Care Programs, Policies, and Research" - focusing on Veterans' use of healthcare services in the community, and how VA centers interact with community care providers. What's the best balance of VA and community care? That's the 'billion-dollar question' Dr. Vashi and colleagues analyzed initial data on how Veterans are using the community urgent care benefit, which was implemented starting in June 2019. Eligible Veterans were able to receive urgent care from providers in VA's community network, without prior authorization. Focusing on minor illnesses and injuries that might otherwise lead to emergency department (ED) visits, the program was part of VA's "Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening Integrated Outside Networks" (MISSION) Act, designed to increase Veterans' access to health care in VA facilities and the community. Through the first nine months of the program, 138,305 Veterans made a total of 175,821 urgent care visits to VA community network providers. That accounted for 2.4 percent of a cohort of 5.9 million potentially eligible Veterans. By comparison, 7.3 percent of Veterans visited a VA ED or clinic for lower-acuity (non-emergency) conditions during the same period. Dr. Vashi and colleagues examined trends in community urgent care use, including factors associated with urgent care rather than ED visits. Urgent care visits generally increased over time and varied between regions. Most Veterans using urgent care lived in urban areas - more than 80 percent lived within 30 minutes of a VA primary care site. Most had no copays for urgent care visits. Upper respiratory infections, back pain, and bronchitis were the most frequent reasons for community urgent care visits. Common procedures and treatments included chest x-rays, influenza or strep testing, and urinalysis. Average cost to VA for urgent care visits was $132, with total costs of about $23 million. On analysis adjusting for other factors, women and younger Veterans were more likely to take advantage of the urgent care benefit. Driving time was a key factor: Veterans who lived more than 60 minutes from a VA ED or VA urgent care center were twice as likely to choose community urgent care services. The study provides key information on how "early adopters" are taking advantage of the urgent care benefit. "As the program continues to expand and evolve, impacts on care coordination, medication safety, outcomes, and shifts in utilization of VA primary and emergency services must be evaluated," Dr. Vashi and coauthors write. While most care is still provided at VA Medical Centers and outpatient sites, initiatives including the MISSION Act have greatly expanded Veterans' ability to seek care at private health care providers, clinics, and hospitals in the community. The papers in the new open-access supplement offer "a broad examination of the first two years of MISSION Act implementation, and highlights areas where additional research is needed to understand Veterans' perceptions, satisfaction and use of VA Community Care," according to an introductory guest editorial by Kristin Mattocks, PhD, of VA Central Western Massachusetts and colleagues. The supplement papers are an important step toward providing the best experience for Veterans in choosing among their healthcare options. Dr. Mattocks and coauthors conclude: "The enduring challenge for VA - literally the 'billion dollar question' - is to determine what balance of in-person VA care, virtual VA care, and care in the community offers the optimal balance of timely, patient-centered and high-quality care." ### Click here to read the VA Community Care Supplement. About Medical Care Rated as one of the top ten journals in health care administration, Medical Care is devoted to all aspects of the administration and delivery of health care. This scholarly journal publishes original, peer-reviewed papers documenting the most current developments in the rapidly changing field of health care. Medical Care provides timely reports on the findings of original investigations into issues related to the research, planning, organization, financing, provision, and evaluation of health services. In addition, numerous special supplementary issues that focus on specialized topics are produced with each volume. Medical Care is the official journal of the Medical Care Section of the American Public Health Association. About Wolters Kluwer Wolters Kluwer (WKL) is a global leader in professional information, software solutions, and services for the clinicians, nurses, accountants, lawyers, and tax, finance, audit, risk, compliance, and regulatory sectors. We help our customers make critical decisions every day by providing expert solutions that combine deep domain knowledge with advanced technology and services. Wolters Kluwer reported 2020 annual revenues of 4.6 billion. The group serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries, and employs approximately 19,200 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands. Wolters Kluwer provides trusted clinical technology and evidence-based solutions that engage clinicians, patients, researchers and students in effective decision-making and outcomes across healthcare. We support clinical effectiveness, learning and research, clinical surveillance and compliance, as well as data solutions. For more information about our solutions, visit https:/ / www. wolterskluwer. com/ en/ health and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter @WKHealth. For more information, visit http://www. wolterskluwer. com , follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube. This story has been published on: 2021-05-14. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Joel Providence, CEO/Coreas Hazells Inc. (centre) presents keys to Colin John Commissioner of Police, in the presence of Hudson Nedd, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of National Security (right) and Michelle Forbes, NEMO Director (near right). On Saturday, May 8, Coreas handed over two new ZNA pick-up trucks to NEMO and to the Royal SVG Police Force, as part of its over-all contribution to volcano relief efforts in St Vincent and the Grenadines. The presentation of the keys to the vehicles was made by Joel Providence CEO of Coreas Hazells to Ms. Michelle Forbes, Director of NEMO and to Mr. Colin John Commissioner of Police. In his remarks during the short ceremony, Mr. Providence stated that the Coreas family recognizes its duty to support the Vincentian people, especially in this critical time of need. He affirmed that logistics and security are two important pillars of the countrys current relief and recovery work and that the donation of the vehicles will be quite beneficial in the exercise. Both Commissioner of Police, John, and NEMO Director Michelle Forbes thanked Coreas for their historical contribution to their respective organisations, now and since the La Soufriere volcano first erupted on April 9th. They referred to the donation of several containers of bottled water, assorted groceries for displaced persons, as well as mattresses, buckets and shovels. Ms. Forbes also spoke of Coreass offer to assist NEMO by providing software and general support for inventory control and distribution. It is expected that the combined contributions to the volcano relief effort by Coreas Hazells and Coreas Distribution, supported further by their overseas business partners, will exceed EC$1.3 million in market value. Mr. Providence confirmed that additional shipments consisting of mattresses, tanks, new childrens clothing and personal care packages for women, will be arriving in St Vincent within the next two weeks, for distribution to those persons whose lives will continue to be disrupted for some time and are facing an uncertain future. (Source: Coreas, SVG) YEREVAN, MAY 14, ARMENPRESS. U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) issued a statement in reaction to reports of Azerbaijans illegal incursion into Armenias Syunik province. The violation of Armenias sovereign territory by Azerbaijani troops is a dangerous and illegal act of aggression that underscores the sustained threat that the Armenian people continue to face. After my conversation with Armenias Ambassador to the U.S. earlier today, it is clear that the United States, and the international community as a whole, must respond strongly to this incursion so Azerbaijan understands it will face serious consequences for its malign activities. When Azerbaijan attacked the Armenian people last fall, the previous Administration failed to engage and left the door open for dictators like Aliyev, Erdogan, and Putin to decide the fate of the Armenian people. That cannot happen again. I urge the Biden administration to engage on this issue at the highest levels to make clear that Azerbaijan must respect Armenias sovereignty and that further threats and aggressions are simply unacceptable, the statement reads. YEREVAN, MAY 14, ARMENPRESS. Canadian senator Leo Housakos has labeled the Azeri actions at the border with Armenia as dangerous and aggressive. In a statement on Twitter, Housakos called on democracies to stand with Armenia. The violation of Armenias sovereign territory by Azerbaijani troops is a dangerous and illegal act of aggression that underscores the sustained threat that the Armenian people continue to face. Democracies must stand with Armenia, he tweeted. On May 12, the Azeri military breached the Armenian state border in the Syunik border and advanced towards the Sev Lake. Azeri troops breached the border in some parts of the Gegharkunik province as well. Over 250 of the Azeri troops are illegally located in Armenian territory. YEREVAN, MAY 14, ARMENPRESS. Chairman of the Reformed Political Party (SGP) of the Netherlands, MP Kees van der Staaij has commented on Azerbaijans actions on the Armenian border. In a Twitter post he called on the international community to stop the Azerbaijani violence. Armenia is still facing an aggression from Azerbaijan. Its highly concerning. The international community must make more efforts to stop this violence, Kees van der Staaij said. On May 12 in the morning the Azerbaijani armed forces crossed Armenias state border in the territory of Sev Lake in Syunik province and advanced up to 3,5 kilometers, trying to surround the Lake. The Azerbaijani forces also advanced in some sections of the border in Gegharkunik province. So far, neither the Armenian nor the Azerbaijani side have used any weapon. The number of Azerbaijani soldiers in the territory of Armenia is about 250. Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, MAY 14, ARMENPRESS. During the latest phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Armenias caretaker Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan did not discuss the issue of Russias help regarding the situation at the Armenian-Azerbaijani border, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters. No, Pashinyan didnt ask for help, Peskov said. Of course, the Armenian side expressed extreme concern over the situation at the border. President Putin shared this concern. And President Putin put special emphasis on the necessity for implementing all terms of the trilateral agreements. First of all the term which states about the need for a ceasefire. Peskov said President Putin will convene a consultation with permanent members of the security council, and will also hold other meetings and consultations. On May 12, Azeri military units breached the Armenian state border in an attempt to seize the area of the Sev Lake in Syunik Province. Azeri military formations advanced into the Gegharkunik Province as well. A total of 250 Azeri troops are illegally deployed inside Armenian territory. PM Pashinyan called the Azeri actions a pre-planned provocation and infringement on Armenian sovereignty. Armenia officially applied to the CSTO to initiate the mutual-defense mechanisms. Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, MAY 14, ARMENPRESS. Opposition Bright Armenia (LHK) leader Edmon Marukyan says the Armenian governments actions over the border incident are correct at this moment, at the same time if the negotiations fail Armenia has the legitimate right to use force to defend itself. Clearly this is a crisis situation, by breaching the Armenian state border the Azerbaijani side violated our states legislation and territorial integrity and is now located somewhere it shouldnt be located, Marukyan said at a press briefing. Marukyan says there couldve been two directions of actions for the Armenian authorities. First would've been to attempt to prevent and deliver a strike during the breach. However, the situation is such that the Azeri troops breached the border, positioned themselves and then only got detected. Negotiations began after the Azeri incursion was detected. I think the Armenian side has the legitimate right to use all levers it has, including force if Azerbaijan doesnt pull back as a result of talks. However, the negotiations and actions which are now underway are correct, all measures must be exhausted to resort to the use of force. However, there is hope that the Azerbaijani side will pull back as a result of negotiations, Marukyan said. Marukyan says the governments decision to apply to the CSTO was correct because a new escalation is maturing at the Armenian border. He warned all political forces not to use the crisis for political goals. If the enemy is infringing on our borders, that border isnt the border of the [ruling party], its not Pashinyans border, it is the border of the Republic of Armenia, our border, and all of us must stand united and protect this border, if its a matter of negotiations, negotiate, if its a matter of fighting, fight, he said. On May 12, Azeri military units breached the Armenian state border in an attempt to seize the area of the Sev Lake in Syunik Province. Azeri military formations advanced into the Gegharkunik Province as well. A total of 250 Azeri troops are illegally deployed inside Armenian territory. PM Pashinyan called the Azeri actions a pre-planned provocation and infringement on Armenian sovereignty. Armenia officially applied to the CSTO to initiate the mutual-defense mechanisms. Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, MAY 14, ARMENPRESS. Armenias caretaker foreign minister Ara Aivazian held a telephone conversation today with CSTO Secretary General Stanislav Zas, the Armenian foreign ministry told Armenpress. The officials continued discussing the current situation on Armenias state border and the actions aimed at solving it. Ara Aivazian told the CSTO chief that letters on behalf of the Armenian caretaker prime minister have been sent to the President of Tajikistan, who chairs the CSTO Collective Security Council, as well as to the members of this Council, requesting to start consultations as envisaged by Article 2 of the Collective Security Treaty. The Armenian caretaker FM and the CSTO Secretary General also exchanged views on the future processes envisaged by the respective procedures. On May 12 in the morning the Azerbaijani armed forces crossed Armenias state border in the territory of Sev Lake in Syunik province and advanced up to 3,5 kilometers, trying to surround the Lake. The Azerbaijani forces also advanced in some sections of the border in Gegharkunik province. So far, neither the Armenian nor the Azerbaijani sides have used any weapon. The number of Azerbaijani soldiers in the territory of Armenia is about 250. Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, MAY 14, ARMENPRESS. Armenia's caretaker Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan officially applied to the CSTO Collective Security Councils Chairperson-in-Office, Tajikistans President Emomali Rahmon to initiate the mechanism of immediately launching emergency consultations for eliminating the danger and coordinating the positions of CSTO member states within the framework of Article 2 of the 1992 May 15 Treaty on Collective Security. Pashinyan also notified the leaders of the other CSTO member countries about the situation, his office said. On May 12, Azeri military units breached the Armenian state border in an attempt to seize the area of the Sev Lake in Syunik Province. Azeri military formations advanced into the Gegharkunik Province as well. A total of 250 Azeri troops are illegally deployed inside Armenian territory. PM Pashinyan called the Azeri actions a pre-planned provocation and infringement on Armenian sovereignty. Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, MAY 14, ARMENPRESS. Human Rights Defender of Armenia Arman Tatoyan and his Office staffers have carried out fact-finding works in Syunik province early morning, in connection with the illegal presence of the Azerbaijani armed forces in the territory of Sev Lake. The visit has been conducted together with the Goris community leader, during which discussions were held with the civilians and the servicemen. The Ombudsman got acquainted with the situation in the territory adjacent to the Sev Lake. It turned out that the Azerbaijani armed forces, citing some obviously fake map, have violated Armenias territorial integrity and have illegally advanced to Armenias borders, in particular, to the territory of Sev Lake and to civilian settlements from that territory. Such actions of the Azerbaijani servicemen grossly violate the rights of the Armenian border residents and aim at intimidating the people. On the first day, on May 12, they already threatened the shepherd of Verishen with a weapon. The Ombudsman clearly records that the presence of Azerbaijani servicemen grossly violates the international human rights demands and deprives the Armenian citizens of the opportunity to engage in cattle breading which serves as their only source of income, to use the lands, creates a real danger to the availability of irrigation and drinking water for the locals, to their life and security. Such illegal act of the Azerbaijani armed forces once again proves the absolute necessity of the Ombudsmans proposal to create a security zone which will enable to guarantee the rights and peaceful life of the border residents of Armenia, the peoples physical and psychological impunity. The Ombudsman talked to the on-duty officers and soldiers, discussed issues relating to their service. The results of the visit will be summed up, and actions aimed at protecting the rights of Armenias border residents will be taken, the Ombudsmans Office said in a statement. Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, MAY 14, ARMENPRESS. Armenia has officially sent the application to the CSTO regarding the Azerbaijani militarys border infringement against Armenias state border in the provinces of Syunik and Gegharkunik, the caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan told reporters. The application has officially been sent. There is a three-day term, the defense ministry and the foreign ministry will notify on the procedure, he said. Avinyan says the Azeri side is showing fake maps. In fact, the Azeri border troops advanced based on these maps. But nevertheless the Azeri side confirms its efforts aimed at a peaceful solution. According to them, they arent taking any actions and dont want to take action to further deepen the tension, Avinyan said, stressing however that the Armenian side is ready for all potential developments. On May 12, Azeri military units breached the Armenian state border in an attempt to seize the area of the Sev Lake in Syunik Province. Azeri military formations advanced into the Gegharkunik Province as well. A total of 250 Azeri troops are illegally deployed inside Armenian territory. PM Pashinyan called the Azeri actions a pre-planned provocation and infringement on Armenian sovereignty. Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, MAY 14, ARMENPRESS. There are no final results yet amid ongoing negotiations with the Azerbaijani side regarding the territory near Lake Sev in Syunik Province, caretaker Deputy PM Tigran Avinyan told reporters when asked on updates from the talks. We dont have final results at this phase. I am sure that anyhow we will reach a resolution, because it is clear that the Azerbaijani armed forces have breached into the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia, Avinyan said, adding that Armenia wants to resolve the situation peacefully and is ready to hold discussions calmly. But nevertheless we must be ready for potential bad developments and be ready to defend our sovereign territory, and we expect the support of our allies in the event of such a bad scenario. But I hope that there wont be any bad scenario and that all issues will be solved through negotiations, Avinyan said. On May 12, Azeri military units breached the Armenian state border in an attempt to seize the area of the Sev Lake in Syunik Province. Azeri military formations advanced into the Gegharkunik Province as well. A total of 250 Azeri troops are illegally deployed inside Armenian territory. PM Pashinyan called the Azeri actions a pre-planned provocation and infringement on Armenian sovereignty. Armenia applied to the CSTO to initiate Article 2. Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan The Questions for Oral Answers segment of the May 11 Sitting of the House of Assembly was curtailed, after Leader of the Opposition Dr Godwin Friday was ejected from the days proceedings, as ruled by the Speaker of the House, Rochelle Forde. As a consequence of this ruling, the other members of the Opposition New Democratic Party, in full support of the leader, took leave of the House, forcing the premature end to the questions segment. Fridays ejection from the House came as result of an altercation in which he had become embroiled with the Speaker. The Opposition Leader raised an issue relating to Senator Ashelle Morgan, indicating that there was an ongoing criminal investigation involving her. According to Friday, he thought that Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves was going to address the issue seeing that it was a matter of public discussion and importance. He did not. However, Minister of Agriculture Saboto Caesar questioned whether the sitting was the opportune moment to raise the issue, and in agreeing with Caesar, the Speaker addressed Friday saying, "I am also trying to listen carefully to where you are going with the point but it may very well be and I get a sense, you saw me looking at my notes, but you may be going down a road that offends the rules of the House. She acknowledged that there was an ongoing investigation and that process should be allowed to proceed accordingly. An opportune time Still on his feet, Friday retorted saying that he had no intention of commenting on anything as it pertained to the investigation in a substantive manner. He continued, "It is also a general principle, Madame Speaker, in matters involving public interest and public figures that when you have allegations of the gravity that we have heard, with the respect that the Commissioner of Police has indicated are under investigation involving the Senator, that in those circumstances the person involved, in this case the senator, withdraws from the public role or is made to withdraw til the investigation is complete. He further contended that those on the opposition side were making a request of her, as the person in charge of the conduct of the business of the House, for the matters to be dealt with in an expeditious manner. "This is the first instance where we have had an opportunity to address the matter, and we do not agree and will not agree that the Senator should take her place in this House and conduct the business. Forde insisted and held fast to her position that she was not about to accede to the request made by the opposition leader. "My decision as stated before, is I will not accede to your request you are asking that the Honourable senator withdraws, or is forced to withdraw at this time and that was the substance of your request as I understood it. And I am saying to you that the way in which you are attempting to do it is not permitted under the standing orders, the Speaker said. A deterioration of the exchange The exchange went on for some time, with Friday insisting that the matter be dealt with and the Speaker responding that she had already made a ruling, and wanted for the days proceedings to continue. Things deteriorated quickly with the Leader of the Opposition refusing to take his seat as instructed to by the Speaker, and insisting with emphasis that he had no intention to concede. "I have thought about it and I cannot concede, he said, adding, "This is a matter that is too important for us to simply brush it aside as the rules and Erskine May. People out there know that this is wrong. Forde responded by saying that she was going to issue a warning to the Opposition Leader, to which Friday again stated that he was not going to concede, as doing that represented a gross disrespect for the House. At this juncture, the Speaker ruled that Friday should withdraw from the House as he was had contravened Rules of the House. But a defiant Friday refused to leave saying that he had no intention of withdrawing, and that he was not the person who should be withdrawing from the House. "Senator Morgan is the person who is under the criminal investigation, that is the person who should be withdrawing from the House, Friday asserted. Following this, the Speaker of the House moved the motion to have Friday removed and for there to be a suspension of the proceeding to facilitate the order. Observers commented that what played out in the House last Tuesday, resembled the sitting on March 03, 2011 when Arnhim Eustace, then Leader of the Opposition, and the other opposition members of Parliament were forcibly removed from the House. YEREVAN, MAY 14, ARMENPRESS. Armenian caretaker Minister of Defense Vagharshak Harutyunyan and Russias Minister of Defense Sergey Shoygu held a phone conversation on May 14. The defense ministers of the strategic ally countries discussed the situation in the Syunik Province. Vagharshak Harutyunyan presented to his Russian counterpart the Armenian sides actions in this situation, noting that in all areas where the Azerbaijani [troops] have invaded, including in Sev Lake, the entire terrain, the servicemen and the roads are under the complete control of the Armenian army, the Armenian defense ministry said in a news release. Attaching importance to the need for a peaceful resolution to the situation, at the same time Harutyunyan considered inadmissible any encroachment against the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia. Harutyunyan and Shoygu also discussed a number of issues related to the Armenian-Russian military cooperation, the Russian peacekeeping mission in Artsakh and regional security. Editing and Translating by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, MAY 14, ARMENPRESS. Chair of the Russian Federation Council Committee on Defense and Security Viktor Bondarev hopes the negotiation potential of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) will be used effectively over the situation of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict. I would like to note that Russia has repeatedly stated (and has proved its remarks with action) that our task is to solve the conflict between our neighbors through peaceful means. In order to contribute to the peaceful dialogue we have always tried to engage also the international organizations, such as the CSTO. I hope that this Organizations negotiation potential will be effectively used in such situation, Bondarev told TASS. He is confident that the Russian peacekeeping mediation will prevent the escalation of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict. According to him, the current situation in Armenias Syunik province is explained by the fact that the relations of the two countries, which have been at war recently, are not so settled. The important is that such incidents (border violation) do not happen again, do not continue, and are solved peacefully as soon as possible (with quick withdrawal of the troops) so that the ceasefire regime will be fully observed. Such provocations must be prevented. And this is not a military-political, but rather a political issue, he said. On May 12 in the morning the Azerbaijani armed forces crossed Armenias state border in the territory of Sev Lake in Syunik province and advanced up to 3,5 kilometers, trying to surround the Lake. The Azerbaijani forces also advanced in some sections of the border in Gegharkunik province. So far, neither the Armenian nor the Azerbaijani side have used any weapon. The number of Azerbaijani soldiers in the territory of Armenia is about 250. Armenia has officially applied to the CSTO over the Azerbaijani incursion into its sovereign territory. Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan YEREVAN, 14 MAY, ARMENPRESS. The Central Bank of Armenia informs Armenpress that today, 14 May, USD exchange rate down by 0.62 drams to 522.48 drams. EUR exchange rate up by 1.50 drams to 632.67 drams. Russian Ruble exchange rate up by 0.03 drams to 7.06 drams. GBP exchange rate up by 0.96 drams to 734.61 drams. The Central Bank has set the following prices for precious metals. Gold price down by 185.99 drams to 30602.82 drams. Silver price down by 10.45 drams to 450.53 drams. Platinum price down by 646.26 drams to 20224.94 drams. YEREVAN, MAY 14, ARMENPRESS. Caretaker Defense Minister of Armenia Vagharshak Harutyunyan held a telephone conversation with CSTO Secretary-General Stanislav Zas, ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the Defense Ministry of Armenia. Vagharshak Harutyunyan presented in detail the situation in Syunik Province created as a result of the Azerbaijani provocation and the actions taken by the Armenian side. Emphasizing the importance of settling the issue peacefully, Vagharshak Harutyunyan assessed such provocations against the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia as inadmissible, noting that such actions significantly jeopardize the fragile peace, threatening also the regional security. The Defense Minister of Armenia also informed that the Republic of Armenia has officially applied to the CSTO over the situation. Vagharshak Harutyunyan and Stanislav Zas held a phone conversation also on May 13, following which the CSTO press service issued a press release, saying, '' The CSTO is closely following the development of the situation in the border regions of the Syunik region of Armenia. As the situation develops, if necessary, actions will be taken under the provisions of the Collective Security Treaty and the CSTO Charter'. YEREVAN, MAY 14, ARMENPRESS. Caretaker Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan informed during the National Assembly extraordinary session that he has sent a letter to the Russian President Vladimir Putin, asking for military assistance in line with Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance of 1997. ARMENPRESS reports Pashinyan said that it was done after Azerbaijan failed to fully implement the top-level agreement on withdrawing its troops from the sovereign territory of Armenia. YEREVAN, MAY 14, ARMENPRESS. The goal of Azerbaijan is provoking armed conflict in the territory of Armenia and its not about a local area or hill, ARMENPRESS reports caretaker Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan said during the National Assembly extraordinary session. ''On May 12 early in the morning some groups of the Azerbaijani armed forces crossed the Armenian state border and tried to strengthen positions in the territory of the Republic of Armenia. The Armenian armed forces carried out tactical preventive measures without use of weapons and stopped the Azerbaijanis in different depths inside Armenia'', Pashinyan reminded. ''Our position has been unequivocal. The goal of Azerbaijan is provoking armed conflict in the territory of Armenia. I mean this is not a local action for one hill, mountain or coordinate'', Pashinyan said, noting that there are a number of evidences of that. He also reminded Aliyev's announcements over the so-called ''Zangezur corridor''. Pashinyan also recorded that Sev Lake is located in the narrowest section of Armenia's southern part, where the distance between the eastern and western borders of Armenia is the shortest. ''Based on those facts and analizing the situation, we have made a decision to put into action the military-political mechanisms of the security system of Armenia'', Pashinyan said. On May 12 in the morning the Azerbaijani armed forces crossed Armenias state border in the territory of Sev Lake in Syunik province and advanced up to 3,5 kilometers, trying to surround the Lake. Caretaker Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said this action is intolerable for Armenia, as it is an encroachment on the sovereign territory of Armenia. So far, neither the Armenian nor the Azerbaijani side have used any weapon. The number of Azerbaijani soldiers in the territory of Armenia is about 250. Armenia has officialy applied to the CSTO for launching procedures in line with the Collective Security Treaty. Pashinyan has also sent a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, asking for military assistance in line wit Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance of 1997. French President Emmanuel Macron has stated that the issue should be solved in the sidelines of the UNSC, expressing readiness to provide military assistance to the international efforts aimed at solving the situation. YEREVAN, MAY 14, ARMENPRESS. French President Emmanuel Macron has informed that France, in case of necessity, is ready to provide also military assistance to international efforts for solving the situation, ARMENPRESS reports caretaker Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan informed during the National Assembly extraordinary session, presenting the situation on the border. Pashinyan reminded that he also had a phone conversation with French President Macron. The position of the French President was also unequivocal. Moreover, the French President said that he sees the solution of the issue in the sidelines of the UNSC and in case of necessity, France is ready to provide also military assistance to the international efforts to settle the issue, Pashinyan said, highlighting that the permanent members of the UNSC should keep in contact and discuss the situation. On May 12 in the morning the Azerbaijani armed forces crossed Armenias state border in the territory of Sev Lake in Syunik province and advanced up to 3,5 kilometers, trying to surround the Lake. Caretaker Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said this action is intolerable for Armenia, as it is an encroachment on the sovereign territory of Armenia. So far, neither the Armenian nor the Azerbaijani side have used any weapon. The number of Azerbaijani soldiers in the territory of Armenia is about 250. YEREVAN, MAY 14, ARMENPRESS. The National Assembly of Armenia strictly condemns the encroachment on the territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia and documents that the aggressive policy led by Azerbaijan violates the fundamental principles of the international law enshrined in the UN Charter, ARMENPRESS reports reads the statement issued by the National Assembly of Armenia, authored by ''Prosperous Armenia'' Party. The statement of the National Assembly records that the Azerbaijani armed forces infiltrated into the territory of Armenia in the direction of Sev Lich of Syunik Province on May 12, 2021 under the pretext of ''border clarifications'' and some engineering works near the borders of Syunik and went a few kilometers deep into the territory of Armenia, in the direction of Verishen community. Some hundreds of Azerbaijani servicemen continue remaining in the Armenian territory some parts of Syunik and Gegharkunik Provinces. Those actions by the Azerbaijani armed forces are inadmissible for the Republic of Armenia, which is an overt encroachment on the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia, and Armenia will in no case tolerate the existing situation. Considering the anti-Armenian, militaristic policy of Azerbaijan, the explicit aspirations of the Azerbaijani leadership towards the territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia in the recent period, including the numerous announcements containing threats of using force, as well as the xenophobia propagated for decades at public level, the National Assembly of Armenia strongly condemns the encroachment on the territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia and documents that the aggressive policy led by Azerbaijan violates the fundamental principles of the international law enshrined in the UN Charter, which gives Armenia the legitimate right to take all measures in line with the international law, the Constitution of Armenia and laws. The National Assembly, as the top representative of the people of Armenia, announces that resolute and tough meassures will be taken to stop the military aggression of Azerbaijan and protecting the people and the soveriegn territory of the Republic of Armenia, Urges the international community to condemn the provocative measures of Azerbaijan against the territorial integrity of the Republic of Armenia, its threat to use force and actual use of force, which threatens the fragile regional peace and security'', reads teh statement issued by the National Assembly of Armenia. The statement was unanimously adopted. On May 12 in the morning the Azerbaijani armed forces crossed Armenias state border in the territory of Sev Lake in Syunik province and advanced up to 3,5 kilometers, trying to surround the Lake. Caretaker Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said this action is intolerable for Armenia, as it is an encroachment on the sovereign territory of Armenia. So far, neither the Armenian nor the Azerbaijani side have used any weapon. The number of Azerbaijani soldiers in the territory of Armenia is about 250. Armenia has officially applied to the CSTO for launching procedures in line with the Collective Security Treaty. Pashinyan has also sent a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, asking for military assistance in line wit Treaty on Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance of 1997. French President Emmanuel Macron has stated that the issue should be solved in the sidelines of the UNSC, expressing readiness to provide military assistance to the international efforts aimed at solving the situation. YEREVAN, MAY 14, ARMENPRESS. The United States is closely monitoring the situation on the border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and expects Azerbaijan to immediately pull back its forces, State Department spokeswoman Jalina Porter said on Friday. "Military movements .... are irresponsible and they are also unnecessarily provocative," said Jalina Porter. "We expect Azerbaijan to pull back all forces immediately and cease further provocation," she told reporters. On May 12, Azeri military units breached the Armenian state border in an attempt to seize the area of the Sev Lake in Syunik Province. Azeri military formations advanced into the Gegharkunik Province as well. A total of 250 Azeri troops are illegally deployed inside Armenian territory. PM Pashinyan called the Azeri actions a pre-planned provocation and infringement on Armenian sovereignty. Former Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi "is not very well", key ally Matteo Salvini said Friday, but he and others insisted the 84-year-old would soon be out of hospital. The media mogul, who has suffered from increasing health problems in recent years, was admitted to San Raffaele hospital in Milan on Tuesday for complications linked to a coronavirus infection last year. "I spoke to Berlusconi ... he's not very well but he'll pull through, being the fighter that he is," Salvini, leader of the far-right League party, told RAI public radio. Berlusconi has been in and out of hospital in recent months. In September, after being hospitalised for 11 days with Covid-19-related pneumonia, he said he had a close brush with death. Business daily Il Sole 24 said Friday that Berlusconi's condition had taken a turn for the worse due to an intestinal infection, but the report was unconfirmed. The former premier's personal doctor, Alberto Zangrillo, sought to quash concerns, tweeting, "Every working day at the San Raffaele is very busy. ALL of my patients are fine. Get over it." Meanwhile, a senator from Berlusconi's Forza Italia party, Licia Ronzulli, was quoted by the AGI news agency as saying that the ex-premier was going to be discharged "in the coming days." "It's not the time for obituaries, there's still a long, long time for them," she added. aa/ar/tgb Parliament on May 11 approved EC$117.9 million towards providing immediate humanitarian aid and preliminary clean-up. Minister of Finance, Camillo Gonsalves said that the amount quoted in the Supplementary Appropriation Bill is financed almost 100 percent by capital receipts. "This EC$117.9 million budget is financed by money in hand or imminently on hand in the case of commitments from international financing entities that are completing their own bureaucratic processes, Gonsalves explained. Among the contributing sources are: the Contingency Fund - EC$15 million; World Bank/Catastrophe Deferred Drawdown Option EC$54 million; the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility EC$5.9 million; the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank EC$1 million; the Caribbean Development Bank EC$13.4 million, the International Monetary Fund - $16.1 million and the World Banks International Association EC$4.9 million. Gonsalves told the Parliament that other financing was presently being negotiated, and the expectation was that the budgeted EC$117.9 million, would be exceeded. However, the government had chosen to restrict the emergency response to the resources at hand. The amount approved by Parliament will addresses 30 immediate responses, including ash, river and debris clean-up; income support to farmers, non-farmers and fishers; meals for shelters; building materials for repairs to housing stock the affected zones and bridge and road rehabilitation. Effective support will included: * Income support of EC$18.8 million to be paid to over 14,000 individuals; * EC$500 per month for the remainder of the year, totaling EC$10.5 million to farmers in the Red and Orange Zone; * A one-time payment of EC$500 each totaling EC3.8 million to farmers and fishers in areas South of the affected zones; * EC$400 per month for a period of three-months after they have returned to their homes, to small business owners and other non-farmer workers from the Red and Orange Zone; * Monthly vouchers of EC$150 to 4,500 affected persons to address nutritional support; * EC$8 million to provide meals for persons in emergency shelters hotels or guest houses; * An amount to provide for 15,000 food packages for persons living in private homes and when stock runs out, to be replaced with vouchers to purchase food locally; * Preliminary amount of EC$28 million allocated to clean-up; * EC$5 million to begin the urgent repair work to some bridges; * EC$5 million towards the construction of homes for those persons living in areas deemed dangerous and who require immediate relocation; * EC$6.5 million to assist persons with preliminary repairs to their (damaged) homes. Other measures The Minister of Finance announced a waiver of property tax and arrears owed for this year for persons living in the Red and Orange Zones on the Windward side of the island, and from Belle Isle Northwards on the Leeward side. This is estimated to create a shortfall of EC$2 million to governments revenue. Gonsalves noted that government was also in discussion with local commercial banks to extend existing moratoriums to those affected in the Red and Orange Zone. Parts of Australia are bracing for some frosty weather and snow as a cold front moves up from the Southern Ocean. The Bureau of Meteorology said southern parts of NSW, southern Australia and all of Victoria and Tasmania will feel the chill over the next three days, with cold, wet and windy weather. BoM meteorologist Dean Narramore said however not all of Australia will feel the chill over the coming days. Most parts of southern Australia are set to have frosty conditions for the next few days. Source: Weatherzone "Pretty much if you live south of Adelaide to Sydney, it's winter. If you live anywhere else, it's beautiful," Mr Narramore told Yahoo News Australia. "For many of us, it's the coldest we've probably seen so far this year and really the first taste of winter which is not far away." On Friday, Weatherzone warned 'Jack Frost is on the way' and said parts of Australia could register the lowest temperature in a couple of years this weekend. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. "A wintry air mass that originated over the Southern Ocean is spreading over southeastern Australia today in the wake of a cold front," Weatherzone said. "This frigid air is causing temperatures to plummet and it's going to get even colder during the next couple of days and nights, as another front reinforces the cold air mass." Mr Narramore said while it might be the first taste of winter for most of the country, the showers, hail, snow and strong winds will be restricted to all of Tasmania, most of Victoria and southern parts of New South Wales. ACT could cop coldest May morning in years Sydney will be mostly sunny on Saturday and Sunday with a top of 18C. However, it's in southern NSW where the weather will get particularly icy over the next few days. Mr Narramore said cold westerly winds will bank up on and west of the ranges in the southern part of the state, with clouds and showers and snow in the mountains. Weatherzone is forecasting a low of -5C in Canberra on Sunday morning. Mr Narramore said if it gets as low as -5C in Canberra, it will be the coldest May morning in six years. Story continues He warns there are most likely inland communities in NSW who will also experience the coldest May morning in years. Most of the cool weather in NSW will be in the southern part of the state, with Canberra also getting a taste of the icy blast. Source: Windy Snow to fall in parts of Victoria, damaging winds on coast On Friday, Melbourne reached a top of 14C, but on Saturday the temperature is set to drop to a maximum of 13C and by Friday it will hit 16C. On Saturday and Sunday, the bureau is anticipating a high chance of rain. There is a chance of a "gusty" thunderstorm over the southeast suburbs in Melbourne early on Saturday morning and a possible chance of hail in the morning and afternoon. Melbourne can look forward to showers and temperatures below 20C over the weekend. Source: AAP Sunday is expected to bring cloudy skies with a 90 per cent chance of rain in Melbourne's southwest suburbs, with a 50 per cent chance of rain elsewhere. Snow is expected to fall at 700 metres in parts of Victoria. Several weather warnings are in place for Victoria, including damaging winds for Central, East Gippsland, South West and West and South Gippsland Forecast Districts overnight and on Saturday. The winds are expected to average between 50 to 60km/h with peak gusts reaching around 90km/h. You can view the full list of severe weather warnings for Victoria here. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Snow expected in Tasmania, South Australia gusty along coast Snow is expected to drop 500 metres above sea level in Tasmania, Mr Narramore said, adding it's going to be "very cold" in Hobart, where it is expected to reach 11C. Mr Narramore also warned there will be widespread showers and a chance of hail across the state and in Hobart. The capital is expected to reach a top of 11C on Saturday, 14C on Sunday and 13C on Sunday. The state has several weather warnings in place for the coming days which can be viewed here. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. Update your settings here to see it. Adelaide is expected to be cloudy on Saturday, with a 20 per cent of a shower and a top of 17C and southeasterly winds between 15 to 20km/h. On Sunday, it is expected to get as low as 8C and as high as 17C, with a medium chance of showers. The BoM has a strong wind warning in place for the South Central Coast, Upper South East Coast and Lower South East Coast for Saturday. Queensland, WA, NT largely spared from cold After wild storms earlier in the week, Queensland has a mostly sunny outlook for the coming days, though Mr Narramore warned cooler weather is on the way for southern parts of Queensland. Brisbane is forecast to hit 24C tomorrow and remain in the low 20s for the coming days. However, the cool weather will seep into southern parts of Queensland, with frost expected come Sunday and Monday. Currently there is a Marine Wind Warning in place for parts of Queensland including the South East Gulf of Carpentaria, Peninsula Coast and Cooktown Coast. This weekend's weather will be the first taste of winter for much of Australia. Source: Windy Perth will be spared from the chilly weather, with a high of 24C forecast on Saturday and 27C on Sunday and Monday. A strong wind warning is in place for the West Kimberley Coast, Pilbara Coast East and Pilbara Coast West on Saturday. Darwin will be sweltering through the weekend, with Saturday, Sunday and Monday all expected to see a top of 33C. However, Alice Springs may get as low as 2C on Monday and 1C on Tuesday. "Even Alice Springs might get to a chilly 20 degrees on the weekend, so the cold is going to go a long way north," Mr Narramore said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and download the Yahoo News app from the App Store or Google Play. Japanese journalist held in Myanmar arrives in Tokyo "Food supply to the impoverished population in Yangon region is rapidly deteriorating amid this situation," the Japanese Foreign Ministry said A Japanese journalist arrested while covering the aftermath of the Myanmar coup arrived in Tokyo Friday, after charges against him were dropped as a diplomatic gesture. Yuki Kitazumi, held in Yangon's Insein prison since his arrest last month, was one of at least 80 reporters detained during the junta's crackdown on anti-coup dissent. Security forces have killed more than 780 people since protests erupted following the February 1 coup that ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, according to a local monitoring group. "I am in good health, both mentally and physically," said Kitazumi after landing at Tokyo's Narita airport. But he admitted he was "extremely frustrated" at being deported from Myanmar. "I am a journalist and I wanted to convey what was happening in Yangon," he said, adding that he had collected harrowing testimonies from his fellow inmates in prison. "Some are deprived of meals for two days, others are questioned whilst being threatened with a weapon, or beaten if they try to deny (the allegations). "Thanks to my Japanese nationality, I was able to escape this type of treatment, but the reality is that many Burmese are being tortured." Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said earlier that Tokyo had used "various channels" to press for Kitazumi's release and that it had been "tough work". "As a result of those efforts, yesterday the Myanmar authorities announced that they would withdraw the indictment," he told reporters in Tokyo. - $4 million food aid - The minister also announced that Japan has offered Myanmar $4 million in emergency food aid via the World Food Programme. The support is expected to help 600,000 people. "Food supply to the impoverished population in Yangon region is rapidly deteriorating amid this situation, and they are facing difficulties in even maintaining the most basic living conditions," the Japanese Foreign Ministry said in a statement. Story continues In late March, Japan had announced it was suspending new aid to Myanmar in response to the coup. "We have continued our calls on Myanmar to immediately stop violence, release those who are detained (political prisoners) and return to the democratic political process," Motegi said. Myanmar state broadcaster MRTV announced Thursday that the charges against journalist Kitazumi were being dropped "in order to reconcile with Japan and improve our relationship". State media said an earlier investigation found that Kitazumi "supported the protests". He was charged under a newly revised provision in the penal code which criminalises spreading fake news, criticising the coup or encouraging disobedience among soldiers and civil servants. Those convicted can face up to three years in jail. Kitazumi, who had previously been arrested in February but released soon afterwards, was the first foreign journalist to be charged since the coup. A Polish photographer arrested while covering a protest in March was freed and deported after nearly two weeks in custody. As well as arresting reporters and photographers, the junta has also revoked broadcasting licences and ordered regular internet outages as it seeks to suppress news of the anti-coup protest movement. On Wednesday, a reporter for independent media outlet DVB, Min Nyo, was sentenced to three years in jail for criminal mutiny. Ko Aung Kyaw Oo, a former reporter for Tomorrow Journal, was arrested on Thursday afternoon, his son confirmed to AFP. Forty-five journalists and photographers remain in custody across Myanmar, according to monitoring group Reporting ASEAN. burs-lpm-aph/oho Q. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would that be? A. Someone said the other day that I might have some collie in me. I'm not so sure about that, but if that were to be the case, I might like to hop a plane for a quick trip to Scotland. Scotland is where collies originated and are known for their superb herding capabilities. Even if I'm not part collie, I would still like to visit Scotland! I understand it's very beautiful. Q. If you could have a job what would that be? A. Speaking of Scotland, if I absolutely had to earn my keep I might try out for a sheep herding position. I have never met sheep, but I believe I could probably convince them to move in the direction they needed to go. However, as I said, I would only do this if I absolutely had to have a paycheck. I'm hoping that won't ever be the case. Q. Can you tell us, in 10 barks or less, something about yourself? Until this week, the Pfizer vaccine was approved for 16- and 17-year-olds. But after clinical trials, the Food and Drug Administration authorized it for children ages 12-15. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday recommended its use for that age group. The Pfizer vaccine is available at some pharmacies in Cayuga County, including Kinney Drugs and Walgreens. It is also being administered at county-run sites in Onondaga County and at the New York State Fairgrounds. But the health department, which has been using Johnson & Johnson and Moderna vaccines at its clinics, wanted to make it more available in Cayuga County. Cuddy told The Citizen that they are working with the regional hub at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse to obtain doses of the Pfizer vaccine. Because of the vaccine's refrigeration requirements, she said they are seeking more information from schools and families to get a better idea of how many doses they will need for the clinics. Consent forms, which Cuddy said are required because most who will be vaccinated at these clinics will be minors, will be provided to families. At least one local school district Cato-Meridian began distributing the consent form and a cover letter on Friday. When speaking about Stefanik last week or nominating her for the leadership post, Katko did not mention their political differences. Stefanik became one of Trump's biggest boosters in Congress after the first impeachment proceedings in 2019. She has echoed Trump's election fraud claims and voted against impeaching him for inciting the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. While Katko endorsed Trump for president in 2020, he has repeatedly said that there is no evidence of election fraud. He blamed Trump for his rhetoric leading up to the Jan. 6 attack and was one of 10 Republicans along with Cheney who voted to impeach the president. Stefanik and others still view Trump as the leader of the GOP. But Katko has said that Trump should no longer be the party's standard-bearer and that he wouldn't support him for president if he runs in 2024. Katko hasn't mentioned Trump or the election fraud claims when he talks about his support of Stefanik. Instead, he focuses on their friendship and their work representing upstate New York districts. "Elise is a passionate Republican voice and she is the perfect choice to unite our conference as chair," Katko said. "She will effectively exploit the tremendous opportunity we have to take back the House in 2022 by highlighting the far-left agenda of higher taxes and open borders." Politics reporter Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 6 Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. State police said a Rochester man was killed on the state Thruway Thursday when his truck ran into the back of a tractor trailer as traffic was slowing down for a construction zone. In a Friday news release, police said that Sylvester J. Thomas Jr., 32, was operating a 2018 Isuzu box truck westbound on I-90 at mile marker 315.6, in the town of Tyre in Seneca County at about 12:45 p.m. Thursday. He apparently failed to observe traffic slowing down ahead of him due to an upcoming lane closure and struck the rear of a 2000 International tractor trailer being operated by Jeremy J. Perrier, 48, of Westfield, PA. Police said Thomas suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. He was transported to the Monroe County Medical Examiners Office. Perrier was not injured. Westbound traffic was completely closed after the accident between Weedsport and Waterloo, and traffic became backed up for about six miles. All westbound traffic was diverted off the Thruway at exit 40 in Weedsport for approximately two hours until reconstruction of the accident scene was completed. Vincentians and Vincentian businesses continue to respond to the many needs of the persons in emergency shelters, they having been displaced by the explosive eruptions of the La Soufriere Volcano. During their many visits to these shelters providing support with meals and other items, the staff of Metrocint, Metrolife/Pan American Life Insurance Company of the Eastern Caribbean discerned a need for medical items to supplement what was already in stock at the shelters. Consultation with the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) confirmed this need and what followed was an effort of collaboration. Eighty-five First Aid kits containing 250 items to serve 25 persons were secured by Ken Delecia of KADTRON in Miami, where they are based, at a cost of ECD7,200.00. The good corporate spirit continued when Mr. Keith Boyea and Amerijet agreed to get the kits from Miami to SVG on Amerijet, and waived all charges of a total of ECD1,500.00. Metrocint and its partners handled the costs of documentation and NEMO facilitated the request for a waiver of the customs charges. The total value of the collaborative effort is ECD10,000.00. Each kit is fitted with a fluorescent label to allow easy location in the dark, a first aid guide, bandages, ointments, creams, wipes, tablets, pins, applicators, gloves, splints, cold packs, tweezer, paper tape, gauze and trauma pads. Collaboration will be completed when local operatives of KADTRON, Kurtley Thompson and Roel Bynoe, deliver the First Aid Kits to all eighty-five shelters on St. Vincent. They will also donate two thousand (2000) face masks to the shelters compliments EZZYSHIP, based in New Jersey and Miami, USA who contributed the masks. It may have been an occasion to launch a business centre, but Professor Justin Robinson did not hesitate to cast a critical glance at the Caribbean private sector. "If our economies cannot deliver jobs, cannot deliver opportunities, and if it cannot deliver purpose for those on the blocks and in the field then something more elemental than GDP [gross domestic product], debt and deficits is at risk our social community, our social fabric, our stability will be at risk if our economies cannot deliver opportunities to Caribbean people. That was the profound assessment, as reported by Barbados Today (May 1. 2021) of Professor Dr. Justin Robinson, a prominent Vincentian-born University of the West Indies Professor and Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Sagicor Cave Hill School of Business and Management (SCHSBM). Professor Robinsons far-reaching appraisal came as he addressed the launch of the UWI (Cave Hill) business schools Caribbean Micro Small and Medium Enterprise Development Centre, on Tuesday 27th April. His address was predicated on his conviction, as reported, that the regions private sector was not doing enough to create opportunities for Caribbean people, to help preserve social and economic stability. Private Sector and Government And while Professor Robinson recognised that a thriving private sector is critical to the creation of these opportunities, he also recognized that this had to be served by an enabling environment created by governments, Barbados Today reported. Notwithstanding governments role, he added that it was high time that Caribbean businesses start to provide more opportunities as countries continue to battle high debt and low economic growth. "A vibrant dynamic private sector I see as a critical missing element as we seek this economic development and opportunity so as to preserve our social and other aspects of stability, Barbados Today reported the UWI Academic as saying. As to why this deficiency exist within our economies, the Professor referenced that in newly independent Caribbean nations, "...people were advised to seek ye first the political kingdom and all else will follow. I would suggest that we have sought the political kingdom and all else hasnt followed. He continued, "We have also sought the education kingdom and that has provided us with opportunities but all hasnt followed as well. However, he is hopeful that the Cave Hill School of Business would help to bridge the gap by way of providing developmental support to the MSME community. "What I see as the purpose of this Centre is for Caribbean citizens who want to seek the commercial kingdom. Your university is here for you as you seek to embark on that journey of seeking commercial success, he said. The CMSMEC As per the report of Barbados Today: "The Caribbean Micro Small and Medium Enterprise Centre (CMSMEC) brings together a range of services and programmes that UWI Cave Hill offers, all aimed at developing and supporting entrepreneurs and operators in the micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSME) sector in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean. The activities under the new centre will consist of the motivational and support services programme known as Student Entrepreneurial Empowerment and Development (SEED) and the practical entrepreneurship research programme for start-up business, the Lean Launchpad. The centre will also offer a range of advisory services for business owners who are seeking to transform from one stage to the next, focusing in several areas such as mergers and acquisition, initial public offering, strategic planning and management, data analysis for decision making, mapping and managing organizational culture for success. The Buccament Bay Resort that has fallen into ruins of sorts, is expected to be transformed into a Beaches all-inclusive family resort. Five hundred Vincentians stand to benefit from direct employment opportunities within the Sandals Group when the company begins its recruitment drive in the island in the next few weeks. Last year, Sandals Resorts International (SRI) announced plans to bring its Beaches brand to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, a move which promises expansive economic growth for the Eastern Caribbean island. According to the companys Executive Chairman, Adam Stewart, this recruitment drive to provide direct employment opportunities for nationals even ahead of the resorts opening, represents only the first move towards fulfilling this promise. He shared, "In light of the displacement many are experiencing due to the volcanic eruption, we are fast-tracking our plans for employment and training opportunities. We are committed to supporting the people of Saint Vincent and The Grenadines, especially during these challenging times and we remain even more committed to delivering on this exciting Beaches project. "Increased employment, which will continue throughout construction and beyond, is only one aspect of the massive economic footprint the Beaches brand will bring to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Stewart said. "The economic benefits will be significant - from increased airlift benefitting all surrounding islands to direct and indirect linkages to critical sectors such as transportation, tours and excursions, agriculture and manufacturing. The upcoming recruitment drive is a manifestation of SRIs continued commitment to providing Caribbean nationals with training and employment opportunities across the region under its Team Member Exchange Programme. Qualified Vincentians will be encouraged to apply for a raft of positions across the region which will be advertised in the coming week ranging from bartenders and cooks to concierge and front desk agents and restaurant managers. Applications will be accepted by email and thereafter, shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview with successful candidates placed at various resorts across the region. "We are very excited to get this programme underway, Stewart said, "The successful applicants will be the very ones who will come back to lead and train other Vincentians when we officially open Beaches Saint Vincent and as a company built on training and development, we look forward to what will definitely be a full-circle moment for these team members. In addition to this recruitment drive, the company has also supported post-eruption relief efforts through its philanthropic arm, the Sandals Foundation, which has been working closely with local authorities to provide support. Beaches Saint Vincent is just one of several exciting new projects announced by Sandals Resorts in 2021, which will also see new resorts in Jamaica and Curacao, followed by Saint Lucia, and which is expected Highlights: Vibe receives Phase 2 approval from the City of Springfield, MA Vibe to commence HCA approval process Vibe to build 47,000 sq. ft. cannabis cultivation facility Sacramento, California--(Newsfile Corp. - May 14, 2021) - Vibe Growth Corporation (CSE: VIBE) (OTC: VBSCF) (FSE: A061) (the "Company" or "Vibe"), a vertically integrated cannabis enterprise, is pleased to announce that an entity controlled by Vibe, Page Cultivate LLC, has received Phase 2 approval from the City of Springfield, Massachusetts to build a new, state of the art cannabis cultivation facility. As the only successful cultivation applicant, Page/Vibe will now proceed to Springfield's Phase 2 Host Community Agreement ("HCA") and City Council review process. "Our entry into Massachusetts marks a new catalyst driver for Vibe's growth strategy. While our focus to date has been the California cannabis market, we have stated that we would remain opportunistic with respect to Vibe's expansion," stated Mark Waldron, CEO of Vibe. "Expanding our cannabis operations to the East Coast enables Vibe to rapidly build scale in an important, vibrant, and maturing adult-use market. We look forward to introducing our own best-in-class Vibe By California and Hype Cannabis Co. brands to the Massachusetts market." Vibe Cultivation Facility The facility at 299 Page Boulevard, Springfield, MA is designed to achieve cannabis flower yields in excess of 14,000 pounds per annum. Subject to finalization of the HCA, approval by City Council, the State Cannabis Control Commission, and applicable regulatory approvals, Vibe anticipates commencing construction of the 47,000 sq. ft., double-tiered cultivation facility in the latter half of 2021. The double-tier design allows for 55,000 sq. ft. of flower canopy, and is led by one of the premiere cannabis architectural and design teams in the United States, having designed similar facilities in Massachusetts and around the country. Story continues Massachusetts is a large and growing US cannabis market with YTD recreational sales of more than $400M, according to the state's Cannabis Control Commission. Strong growth in the years ahead is expected, driven by a loosening of state regulations and licensing along with an opening of recreational dispensaries in many to date, underserviced populous communities (including Boston). Viridian Capital estimates sales in Massachusetts to be roughly $1B this year. Importantly, according to a recent research report on state wholesale market dynamics, the under-developed third-party supply chain in Massachusetts presents attractive opportunities for wholesalers in Massachusetts to achieve sustainable high margins on operations. Massachusetts currently has one of the highest flower prices on a $/lbs basis, trailing only Illinois according to industry reports. Given existing caps on cultivation licenses and strong anticipated growth, the favorable pricing environment in Massachusetts is not expected to change in the near term. About Vibe Growth Corporation Vibe Growth Corporation and its cannabis retail brand, Vibe By California, is a trusted, vertically integrated cannabis enterprise with retail dispensaries; cannabis greenhouse cultivation; premium indoor cultivation; commercial cannabis distribution; brand sales and marketing; e-commerce platform; home delivery; and Hype Cannabis Co. marijuana and Vibe CBD products. Vibe is focused on maximizing shareholder value through accelerating organic growth, opportunistic acquisitions, distressed workouts, and new license applications. The Company operates retail and e-commerce under its iconic Vibe By California brand. To learn more about Vibe, please visit: www.vibebycalifornia.com Cautionary Note Regarding Product & Forward-Looking Information Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the parties' current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events, and may be impacted as a result of general economic conditions or the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, the Company's expectations of revenue, EBITDA profitability and adjusted funds flow, higher sales volumes, and the company's retail operations. Actual future results may differ materially. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof and the parties are not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties, and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. Risk factors related to the Company are described in the Company's Management Discussion and Analysis, a copy of which is available under the Company's profile on SEDAR. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities 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 State securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. Not for distribution to U.S. Newswire Services or dissemination in the United States. Any failure to comply with this restriction may constitute a violation of U.S. securities laws. Unlike in Canada which has Federal legislation uniformly governing the cultivation, distribution, sale, and possession of medical cannabis under the Cannabis Act (Federal), readers are cautioned that in the U.S., cannabis is largely regulated at the State level. To the knowledge of Vibe Growth Corporation, there are to date a total of 33 states, plus the District of Columbia, that have legalized cannabis in some form. Notwithstanding the permissive regulatory environment of medical cannabis at the State level, cannabis continues to be categorized as a controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act in the U.S. and as such, cannabis-related practices or activities, including without limitation, the manufacture, importation, possession, use or distribution of cannabis are illegal under U.S. federal law. Strict compliance with state laws concerning cannabis will neither absolve Vibe of liability under the U.S. Federal law nor will it provide a defense to any Federal proceeding, which may be brought against Vibe Growth Corporation. Any such proceedings brought against Vibe may adversely affect its operations and financial performance. Not for distribution to U.S. Newswire Services or dissemination in the United States. Company Contact Bill Mitoulas Phone: +1.416.479.9547 Email: ir@vibebycalifornia.com Website: www.vibebycalifornia.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/84045 A health care worker holds up a vial of the AstraZeneca Covishield vaccine at a COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Montreal, Thursday, March 18, 2021. (Paul Chiasson/Canadian Press - image credit) After distributing more than 2.3 million AstraZeneca vaccine doses nationwide, public health officials have so far identified 28 suspected cases of a rare but serious condition called vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT). Dr. Howard Njoo, Canada's deputy chief public health officer, said Thursday that 18 of those cases have been verified through testing while 10 more await laboratory confirmation. VITT is blood clots combined with low levels of blood platelets following immunization. According to the Ontario Science Table, VITT can present itself four to 28 days after vaccination, so reports of more cases are likely by month's end. There have been four VITT-related deaths reported in Canada. "We take these reports of side effects, however rare, very seriously and we consider these carefully when looking at the vaccine portfolio in Canada," Njoo said. WATCH: Health officials give update on AstraZeneca risks and the timing of second doses The report on VITT cases comes after some provinces have suspended the use of the AstraZeneca shot. Alberta, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Quebec have all said they will stop using the vaccine for first doses, at least for now. Manitoba announced it is pausing most first dose appointments. First doses of the vaccine can still be administered at doctors' offices and pharmacies in the province, but only in cases where individuals might not otherwise be immunized with other vaccines at alternative sites. In announcing its suspension, Ontario said it now believes the VITT incident rate is roughly 1 in 60,000 shots administered a rate that is much higher than the figure previously cited by Health Canada. While the AstraZeneca vaccine has been put on pause in many jurisdictions, Canada continues to procure tens of thousands of doses of this product. COVAX, the global vaccine sharing initiative, delivered 665,000 doses today. Those doses have a three-month shelf life and must be administered by the end of August. Story continues Njoo said Canada will continue to buy enough vaccines to get existing AstraZeneca recipients a second shot. According to Health Canada, at least 2,045,000 AstraZeneca doses have been administered in Canada as of May 1. Thousands of Canadians have been vaccinated since then. "The situation with AstraZeneca is evolving and we will work with the provinces in terms of their supply needs," said Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin, the military commander leading vaccine logistics at the Public Health Agency of Canada. "We want to assure everyone that sufficient supply will be available for those who want a second dose of the AstraZeneca or who cannot take an mRNA vaccine. Provinces are thinking about ordering doses for second doses to immunize those who've had a first dose. That will start in the next few weeks." Some provinces, notably Ontario, have put all AstraZeneca vaccinations on hold, including second shots. "We need to know more before we deal with any more doses of AstraZeneca being put into arms," said Christine Elliott, Ontario's health minister. "We are waiting for a determination by Health Canada as well as NACI on the situation with respect to VITT and the safety overall," Elliott said, referring to the National Advisory Committee on Immunization. Dr. Jennifer Russell, New Brunswick's chief medical officer of health, said AstraZeneca will continue to be offered as a second dose and to people who aren't able to get out to a clinic that offers the mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna. Early data from the United Kingdom suggest the risk of VITT after second doses of AstraZeneca is likely lower than the risk after first doses. Njoo said there is still time for provinces and territories to figure out what to do about second doses for AstraZeneca recipients. The vaccine maker recommends at least a 12-week interval between the first and second shot. Canada didn't start administering AstraZeneca until the second week of March, meaning those patients who got an early dose won't be due until the end of May for the second booster shot. Other options could be made available to Canadians based on the results of an ongoing U.K. study. Oxford University is studying a "mismatched" vaccine regimen by testing the results of giving one dose of AstraZeneca followed by a Pfizer booster shot. While the trial data have not yet been released, some scientists have suggested such a mix could produce a stronger immune response than two doses of the same product. Early data suggest, however, that there may be more reactions to this sort of mix-and-match regimen, such as fatigue, headache or fever. "Generally, vaccine series are completed with the same vaccine, but in some cases they can be completed with a different one," Njoo said. "It may be possible that using a different vaccine type could result in a greater immune response, providing broader protection against COVID-19." OTTAWA The number of planes landing in Canada carrying passengers with COVID-19 was cut by more than half in the two weeks after the federal government barred incoming flights from India and Pakistan. Transport Canada announced April 22 that direct flights from the countries would be halted for 30 days after high numbers of passengers were testing positive for the virus after landing. The last flights to arrive from India landed in Toronto the next day. Health Canada data posted online show 135 international flights from 18 different countries arrived between April 10 and April 23 with at least one passenger who had COVID-19. Thirty-six of those were direct flights from India and two were from Pakistan. In the two weeks after the ban took effect, the number of overall flights with COVID-19-positive passengers fell to 56, and not just because of an absence of direct flights from India and Pakistan. In the two weeks before the ban, U.S. cities accounted for 27 of the flights, but only represented 12 in the two weeks after. There were 25 flights carrying positive passengers from Europe between April 10 and April 23, and nine between April 24 and May 7. The number of flights from Turkey with passengers who tested positive went from 11 to two, and those from the United Arab Emirates went from 13 to five. Tammy Jarbeau, a spokeswoman for Health Canada, said the flight ban has also affected passengers trying to return to Canada from India and Pakistan on connecting flights through airports in Europe or the United States. All passengers boarding flights for Canada need to show a negative COVID-19 test completed 72 hours before departure, take a second upon arrival in Canada, and a third eight to 10 days later. When the ban on direct flights from India and Pakistan was implemented, Canada also said passengers who were in either of those countries but flying on a non-direct route to Canada must get another test in their connecting city. Story continues Connecting flights are further impacted by restrictions on travel from India in a number of other countries including Europe and the U.S. At least three dozen countries have implemented some sort of travel restrictions on flights from India in recent weeks. India is grappling with a massive surge in COVID-19 cases, averaging more than 330,000 cases a day in the last four weeks. There has been an increase in flights carrying COVID-19-infected passengers from several countries in the two weeks following the India and Pakistan flight ban, however. Qatar had five flights with positive passengers between April 10 and April 23 and that number jumped to six between April 24 and May 7. Several countries which weren't on the list in the first two weeks, including China, Japan, Panama and the Philippines, did have passengers test positive during the second two weeks. Health Minister Patty Hajdu said in April the reason India and Pakistan were targeted for the flight ban was because a higher proportion of passengers arriving from those countries were testing positive. Air Canada this week announced it was voluntarily extending its ban on flights from India another month until June 22. In a statement issued by the office of Transport Minister Omar Alghabra, Canada said it isn't extending the overall ban at this time. "We continue to examine the COVID-19 public health situation unfolding around the world and will adjust border measures as necessary," the statement reads. "In the case of India and Pakistan, our government is following developments closely and will determine the next steps regarding the (flight ban) based on the evidence and advice of public health experts.: The flight data does not specify the number of people on board who tested positive after arriving, only whether there were positive passengers or not. Separately, Health Canada has told The Canadian Press that between Feb. 22 and late April more than 5,000 international air travellers tested positive for COVID-19 either on the day of arrival, or eight to 10 days later, about one per cent of all travellers. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 14, 2021. Mia Rabson, The Canadian Press Al Salam Bank, a pioneering Shari'a-compliant Bank in Bahrain, has launched a new Corporate Deposit Card, providing maximum security for micro, small and medium enterprises and corporate clients by only permitting deposits. The card is available to corporates with no added cost, with clients being able to deposit up to BD6,000 ($15,772.6) daily, per account. The Corporate Deposit Card can be used at any of the deposit machines and smart ATMs available 24/7 across Al Salam Banks network in the Kingdom of Bahrain, without ever needing to visit a branch. Commenting on the introduction of the new card, Head of Corporate Banking at Al Salam, Ahmed Murad, said: We are proud to continuously provide our clients a range of products and services that meet their business requirements. With the launch of the Corporate Deposit Card, our clients will be able to make deposits around the clock at their own convenience. The card aims to provide access, maximum security, in addition to protection in the light of the ongoing pandemic, sparing them a branch visit. We look forward to continue to deliver on our promise to provide our clients secure banking solutions that will ultimately streamline their business operations. In addition, clients using the new Corporate Deposit Card to make a deposit prior to June 30 will be given a chance to enter a weekly draw to win BD100 ($2,628.7), for every transaction made during the outlined period. - TradeArabia News Service Research 73 Percent of Students Prefer Some Courses Be Fully Online Post-Pandemic In a recent survey, nearly three-quarters of students 73 percent said they would prefer to take some of their courses fully online post-pandemic. However, only half of faculty (53 percent) felt the same about teaching online. The fourth and final installment of Cengage's Digital Learning Pulse Survey, conducted by Bay View Analytics on behalf of the Online Learning Consortium, WICHE Cooperative for Educational Technologies, University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA) and Canadian Digital Learning Research Association, polled 1,469 students and 1,286 faculty and administrators across 856 United States institutions about how higher education is changing in the wake of COVID-19. Sixty-eight percent of students were also in favor of some combination of in-person and online courses. On the faculty side, 57 percent said they would prefer teaching hybrid courses post-pandemic slightly more than those who preferred teaching fully online. The survey also gauged respondents' preferences around using more technology, digital materials and digital resources for post-pandemic teaching and learning. Here, both students and faculty agreed: Roughly two-thirds across the board said they would like to use more tech and digital course materials in the future. Another area with widespread agreement was the challenges faced by students. Students, faculty and administrators all cited feelings of stress, level of motivation and having time to do coursework as the more pressing problems for students right now. However, students perceived lack of support from their institution as a bigger problem than faculty and administrators, who felt other areas (such as internet connectivity) were a greater concern. Overall, though, students were more likely than faculty or administrators to rate their pandemic learning experience positively. When asked how well their Spring 2021 courses met their educational needs, 47 percent of students gave the semester an "A" grade, compared to 43 percent of faculty and 25 percent of administrators. And 40 percent of students gave faculty's engagement with students an "A," compared to 33 percent of faculty and 21 percent of administrators. More than half of students said they felt more optimistic about online learning and the use of digital materials than they did prior to the pandemic. And nearly half (48 percent) felt more optimistic about courses that combine in-person and online instruction. "Some have worried that the remote learning experiences offered during the pandemic would negatively reflect on courses that are online by design," commented Robert Hansen, chief executive officer of UPCEA, in a statement. "These results seem to contradict our assumptions based on anecdotal information. When three-fourths of students and more than half of faculty want to experience at least some courses fully online, the key takeaway is that the pandemic did not threaten but in fact accelerated the long-term growth, acceptance, and desirability of online learning, and those numbers will only improve, as emergency remote offerings are rebuilt as modern online courses and programs." The full report, including an on-demand webinar discussing the findings, is available on the Cengage site. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 14) The poor operations of Cebu Pacific reflected drastic cuts in the first-quarter financial results of conglomerate JG Summit Holdings. In a disclosure Friday, the Gokongwei-led group said its net income attributable to its parent equity holders plunged to 122 million versus the 1.9 billion booked in the same period last year. Core net income also dropped to 295 million against the 4.26 billion posted a year earlier. Excluding the impact of Cebu Air, Inc., the operator of low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific, JG Summit noted its net income and core profit would have totaled 5.1 billion and 5.4 billion, respectively. The listed airline on May 10 said its net loss widened to 7.29 billion in the January to March period as air travel remained "far behind its normal activity level due to ongoing flight restrictions and weak demand for travel." READ: Cebu Pacific operator secures $250M in fresh capital as Q1 net loss widens to 7.29B JG Summit's revenues, on the other hand, slightly fell to 67.6 billion from 67.8 billion in the first quarter of 2020. The contribution of other businessesfood, banking, real estate, and petrochemical plantssoftened the impact of the drop in air transport revenues to the group's top line, JG Summit said. The group also stressed its balance sheet "remains robust to weather the pandemic." "While we remain optimistic about the long-term prospects of the group in a post-COVID world, we are realistic with our view that short-term volatility will continue to persist. Although we have seen a sequential improvement in our business results in the last 2-3 quarters, the implementation of a stricter lockdown in the NCR+ bubble which impeded mobility is like a reset once again," JG Summit president and chief executive officer Lance Gokongwei was quoted as saying in the statement. "We expect though that the headwinds will start dissipating once the vaccine rollout is accelerated but surmise that the shape of the recovery will vary across industries in our portfolio," he added. JG Summit's food unit Universal Robina Corp. (URC) saw its net income jump 51% to 3 billion, while revenues went up 3% to 34.6 billion. Robinsons Land Corporation, meanwhile, booked a 44% increase in revenues to 16.4 billion, driven by contribution from its Chengdu real estate project. JG Summit Petrochemicals Group, for its part, tripled its revenues to 9 billion on higher volumes and strong demand from both local and export markets. In addition, Robinsons Bank Corporation's revenues "remained stable" at 2.3 billion, JG Summit said. Earnings in the period fell 33% to 234 million. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 14) The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is counting on the standardization of protocols for travelers to jump-start the pandemic-hit global tourism industry. Speaking to CNN Philippines' The Exchange, IATA Regional Vice President for Asia Pacific Conrad Clifford lamented how differences in travel protocols - not only among countries but within nations like the Philippines itself are a "real problem," making it difficult for airlines to handle these effectively. "That's why as much as possible, using our Travel Pass, we'd like governments to standardize an approach. We've been working with the WHO (World Health Organization) on a standard certification. We'd like to see standard protocols, ideally globally; it would really help restart [tourism]," Clifford said. The IATA Travel Pass is a digital app that helps passengers store and manage important information such as COVID-19 health credentials like vaccinations and test results. Apart from assisting travelers in finding out health requirements in a given country, Clifford said the Travel Pass also gives governments confidence in the credentials' veracity, and airlines a "digitized progress" through the airport. "I would expect that we'll be rolling it out from July, but it's very much dependent on government support," the IATA executive said. "So we need governments to support the use of this digital app in terms of border control and progressing through immigration." Clifford also said they have been conducting Travel Pass trials with different member airlines across the world, including Philippine Airlines. The flag carrier began testing the app in May on flights from Manila to Singapore and Los Angeles, according to PAL president and Chief Operating Officer Gilbert Santa Maria. "We're experimenting with it, we're testing it, we're working out the bugs, we're trying to see if we can make it work so that instead of piles of paper that our passengers have to fill out to go from one country to another, we can have everything unto one simple app," Santa Maria said. The standardization of protocols for travelers is also supported by House Economic Affairs chairperson Rep. Sharon Garin, who recently filed a bill seeking a 40-B relief package for local airlines reeling from the global health crisis. "We need to make sure that if a traveler wants to travel from his house going to the airport, going to the plane, getting off there, going to an LGU, checking in with the hotel, there are certain things that we need to follow and should be uniform in the whole country. Now we don't have that," the lawmaker said. "We are an archipelago but this is one country. We cannot do this na iba-iba ang autonomy ng LGU [where LGUs have different autonomy] because otherwise, what's the point of a national domestic airline anyway?" Garin added. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 13) -- Beauty queen and actress Ruffa Gutierrez revealed she is currently pursuing her bachelors degree after 34 years of working in the entertainment industry. Youre never too old to chase your dreams, she said in an Instagram post. Gutierrez, 46, is taking BA Communication Arts at the Philippine Womens University. I am both humbled and excited to share with you that I am currently enrolled in The Philippine Womens University to pursue a Bachelor of Arts Degree majoring in Communication Arts under the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP), she said. The Commission on Higher Education describes the ETEEAP as a comprehensive assessment program that accredits and gives equivalencies to knowledge and skills gained by individuals from relevant work. She said that she returned to school to set a good example to her children. After 34 years of working in the entertainment industry, I have chosen to further my education. Not only do I want to fulfill a long-held dream and take control of the next chapter of my life, I want to set a good example for my children, said Gutierrez. I hope you can support me in my new journey. Gutierrez is the only daughter of actor Eddie Gutierrez and Anabelle Rama. She started out as an actress in her teenage years. She made a name for herself after winning the Binibining Pilipinas-World in 1993 and was crowned 2nd runner-up in the Miss World pageant that year. She has two daughters, Lorin and Venice. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 14) Three candidates of the ongoing Miss Universe Pageant chose to shed light on hot political and current events during the national costume competition on Friday. Miss Singapore Bernadette Belle Ong, Miss Myanmar Thuzar Wint Lwin, and Miss Uruguay Lola De los Santos wowed the crowd with their powerful statements during the preliminaries in Hollywood, Florida in the United States meant to showcase a nation's culture. Ong born and raised in the Philippines wore a fiery sequined red leotard and thigh-high boots. The highlight was when she turned around: her red and white cape bore the words "Stop Asian hate." She revealed that she tapped Filipino designer Arwin Meriales and Filipino artist Paulo Espinosa to create her fearless outfit. The Stop AAPI Hate organization reported an alarming spike in racist and discriminatory attacks against Asian-American Pacific Islanders since the pandemic started. Myanmar's bet was unable to present her original costume due to shipment issues, but she still made an impact by wearing her country's traditional clothing. At the end of the runway, she raised a sign that read, "Pray for Myanmar." It has been over 100 days since Myanmar's military seized power in a coup. Since then, the military junta has brutally cracked down on any perceived opposition to its rule. Mass street protests have been suppressed with deadly force, with more than 780 people killed by security forces and almost 5,000 arrested, according to advocacy group Assistance Association for Political Prisoners. De los Santos of Uruguay, meanwhile, used her gown to rally for equality for members of the LGBTQIA community. She donned a rainbow-printed skirt with the words "No more hate, violence, rejection, discrimination. She topped off her colorful but powerful outfit with a rainbow-colored crown. Miss Universe-Philippines Rabiya Mateo donned a Philippine-flag inspired outfit with a touch of Victoria's Secret. The Philippines brought home the national costume award in 2019 after Gazini Ganados shone in a Philippine-eagle inspired outfit created by designer Cary Santiago. Fans can vote for their bets through the Miss Universe website. The 69th Miss Universe coronation will be held at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida on May 16 (May 17 in Manila). Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 14) The country's bet to the Miss Universe 2020 pageant Rabiya Mateo donned a Philippine-flag inspired outfit with a touch of Victoria's Secret for the national costume competition on Friday. Despite her stellar performance, she ended up apologizing to fellow Filipinos and her supporters. The Ilongga beauty rocked red and blue wings and three stars to represent the colors and symbols of the country's flag. She also wore mismatched heels and kept her hair wavy and flowing to complete her look. "I feel like I'm a Victoria's Secret angel. I'm gonna fly," she said during a backstage interview. She was wearing a creation of late Filipino international designer Rocky Gathercole. However, several fans online were quite unsatisfied with her look, questioning why she didn't wear the headpiece crafted by Bulacan jewelry designer Manny Halasan. A few hours after she took the stage in Florida, an emotional Mateo went live on Instagram to explain her side and apologize to her supporters. "I'm sorry kung na-disappoint man kayo sa akin. I know na I did my best, I even cut my finger and 'yung stockings ko punong-puno na din ng dugo, but I kept fighting," she said while wiping off tears. [Translation: I'm sorry if you were disappointed in me. I did my best. I even cut my finger. My stockings had blood, but I kept fighting.] "In my self kanina, I felt really great. Feeling ko nung naglalakad ako I was so beautiful. Nakita ko yung cheer ng mga judges, nakita ko ang mga sigaw ng mga Pilipino kaya nagpapasalamat talaga ako sa suporta," she added. [Translation: I felt great. I felt so beautiful while walking. I saw the cheers of the judges and the Filipinos who were screaming for me. I am thankful for the support.] Former beauty queen Shamcey Supsup, who sits as the national director of Miss Universe Philippines Organization, told ABS-CBN's MJ Felipe that they decided not to make Mateo wear the headpiece since it kept falling off. To add to that, the feathered wings were already too heavy. "There were more accessories to the costume but the wings was 21 kilos already," Jonas Gaffud, the creative director of Miss Universe Philippines, said. Halasan also took to Instagram to share glimpses of the headpiece he created for Mateo. However, he did not explain what happened. "Looking at the National costume for Miss Universe 2020, I hope to share the vision with everyone. Its patriotic, historic, triumphant. Victorious... I always believe in perfect timing. If it is not yet for you, let time and experience make you better and excellent. There is a time for everything," he wrote. Pageant expert Norman Tinio said a number of candidates in the pageant stood out with their costumes, adding that Mateo could have made a better impression had she worn the complete outfit. "I love what Rabiya wore," he told CNN Philippines' News.PH. "Ang sentiment ko lang naman is sana nakumpleto 'yung look [My only sentiment is I would have wanted to see the complete look] because that would have made a greater impact." Other Asian candidates, like Singapore and Myanmar, opted to use the stage to speak up on current issues such as anti-Asian hate crimes and the anti-junta movement in Myanmar. Mateo's predecessor, Gazini Ganados, brought home the national costume award in 2019 for her Philippine-eagle inspired outfit created by designer Cary Santiago. This year's pageant will be held at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida on May 16 (May 17 in Manila). Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 14) Tropical Depression Crising weakened into a low pressure area at 8 a.m. on Friday, the state weather bureau said. In its 11 a.m. bulletin, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration noted that Crising will continue to move westward or northwestward and emerge over the Sulu Sea in the next six to 12 hours. As of 10:00 a.m., the center of the low pressure area was in the vicinity of Piagapo, Lanao del Sur, PAGASA added. While all tropical cyclone wind signals have been lifted, the bureau said rain will persist in the following areas, which may experience light to heavy rainfall: - Zamboanga Peninsula - Davao Oriental - Davao de Oro - Davao del Norte - Davao City - Davao del Sur - Cotabato - Maguindanao - Bukidnon - Lanao del Norte - Lanao del Sur - Misamis Occidental The bureau still warned of isolated flash floods and rain-induced landslides in affected provinces, especially in high-risk areas. "Adjacent or nearby areas may also experience flooding in the absence of such rainfall occurrence due to surface runoff or swelling of river channels," PAGASA added. Crising made landfall in Baganga, Davao Oriental on Thursday night. (CNN) Streaming has carried Disney through the pandemic with Disney+ growing to more than 100 million subscribers. Yet the biggest star in Disney's media universe shined a little less bright on Thursday. Disney+ now has 103.6 million subscribers, below the 110 million that many on Wall Street were expecting. Disney's stock was down as much as 4% in after hours trading after the news of its subscriber growth drop. This is very similar to what happened to Netflix, whose stock took a tumble following sluggish subscriber growth in the last quarter. As for Disney's revenue, that also was soft, coming in at $15.6 billion for the quarter, 13% below last year's figure, the company said in its second quarter earnings announcement. That, too, was also slightly below what the market expected. When it came to profits, though, Disney rebounded in a big way. The company reported earnings of $912 million in the most recent quarter, up 95% from $468 million last year. The coronavirus pandemic hit Disney across all its businesses, and it's still disrupting them. Revenues at Disney's parks unit, which just reopened Disneyland in April after more than a year of being closed, dropped 44% from last year. So it appears that the company's streaming division has carried the load especially Disney+. The service had a rapid rise, hitting the milestone of 100 million subscribers in little more than a year. That growth kept Disney afloat while its parks were closed and its film releases were delayed. The concern with Thursday's results focuses on the possibility that the platform's growth is slowing down. Is that because people are getting vaccinated and getting off the couch? Or is it because Disney+ got such a quick lift that it was bound to plateau? It's hard to say, but those questions are what likely led the stock down. Disney+ also raised the cost of its monthly subscription by $1 in March. However, Disney CEO Bob Chapek said that the company did not observe any significant cancellations since the price increase. Disney also pointed out in its post-earnings call with analysts that the service is still on track for its long-term subscriber estimates. The company said in December that it projected that Disney+ will have 230 million to 260 million subscribers by the end of fiscal 2024. In the end, Disney+'s growth was still growth, and with vaccinations ramping up and pandemic restrictions being loosened, the rest of the company could start pulling more of the slack when it comes to the financial health of the company overall. One area that has a lot of attention: Disney's entertainment division. On Thursday, Disney announced "Jungle Cruise," a film starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson that's based on the beloved ride, will be released in theaters and on Disney+ albeit for an extra fee on July 30. "Jungle Cruise" joins "Cruella" and Marvel's "Black Widow" in opening simultaneously in theaters and at home this summer. Chapek also announced that 20th Century's "Free Guy" starring Ryan Reynolds and Marvel's "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" will be shown exclusively in theaters for 45 days. That's welcome news for theaters, which are starved for new, exclusive content to get audiences back into seats and will likely give Disney a box office boost. "We're pleased to see more encouraging signs of recovery across our businesses, and we remain focused on ramping up our operations while also fueling long-term growth for the company," Chapek said in a statement. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Disney+ growth has slowed. That's bad news for Disney." The Danish Government has announced that steady progress was being made on its country pavilion for the upcoming Expo 2020 Dubai with the superstructure now ready and the full fit-out due for completion by the end of July. Located in the Mobility District of the mega event, the pavilion features an 18-metre-tall observation tower. Once completed, it will host several high-profile Danish companies, including globally recognised mobility experts such as DSV and Maersk, alongside Rockwool and Ege. The facility will showcase the countrys export and investment potential in partnership with the Danish Business Council alongside the strength of its relationship with the UAE, during a six-month global gathering that will welcome more than 190 nations and millions of visitors from across the planet. Close to 1,000 Danish SMEs are expected to participate. Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General of Expo 2020 received confirmation of the countrys participation from Danish Ambassador Franz-Michael Mellbin, who has been appointed Commissioner General for Denmark at Expo 2020, at the end of last weeks International Participants Meeting (IPM) in Dubai. For the first time in World Expo history, every participating nation will have its own pavilion, with countries clustered under Expo 2020s three subthemes of Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability areas seen as essential to building a better future for everyone. Mohammed Al Shehhi, Director for European Affairs at the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said: The need for nations from all corners of the world to unite with a common purpose to build a stronger, cleaner, safer planet has never been greater, and we are delighted to welcome the Danish Government on board, alongside our existing partners from the Danish Business Council." "Our countries have a shared history, a love of culture and strong trade links, which Denmark will be able to showcase to the world, and their participation will enrich the experience of millions of visitors to Expo 2020, he stated. Mellbin said: Denmark is thrilled to participate in Expo 2020, which seeks to redefine how the Expo concept can be used to bring together people, businesses and governments from more than 190 nations in a unique way to meet global challenges and harvest global opportunities." "As the world economy slowly begins to reopen, Danish companies are keen to participate and share their expertise, innovations and vision with the world for a cleaner, safer, healthier future. With its global outlook, and sitting at the crossroads between Africa, Asia and Europa, the UAE provides a perfect meeting place for the event, he added. Jens Lund, President of the Danish Business Council, said: We are pleased to welcome the Danish Government and will be proud to represent Denmark in the UAE at Expo 2020 Dubai a crucial platform to boost the global economy as it recovers from the effects of the pandemic and an unmissable opportunity to show the world the many business opportunities our country has to offer." "We are putting the finishing touches to our pavilion and look forward to working closely with our country to share the best of what Denmark has to offer with people from all corners of the planet when Expo opens on October 1, he added.-TradeArabia News Service (CNN) Global airlines are canceling flights to Israel as clashes between the country's military and Palestinian militants in Gaza intensify. Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, Lufthansa and British Airways have all canceled flights following days of Israeli air strikes and Palestinian rocket attacks. Delta canceled at least six flights between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and Tel Aviv on Wednesday and Thursday, according to a spokeswoman for the airline. American Airlines has canceled flights between JFK and Tel Aviv through Saturday, a spokesperson said. United Airlines has also canceled flights to and from Tel Aviv through Saturday. British Airways said it had canceled its flight between London and Tel Aviv scheduled for Thursday. "Like other airlines, we have canceled our flight to and from Tel Aviv today. The safety and security of our colleagues and customers is always our top priority, and we continue to monitor the situation closely," the airline, which is owned by IAG, said in a statement. German airline Lufthansa is canceling flights to Israel through Friday. But it expects to resume flight operations beginning Saturday. "Lufthansa is closely monitoring the current situation in Israel and continues to maintain a close exchange with the authorities, security service providers and our own staff on the ground," the airline said in a statement. United, Delta and American Airlines have issued travel waivers for passengers traveling to and from Tel Aviv, allowing them to rebook onto other flights. Fueled by controversy over planned evictions of Palestinian families in Jerusalem, and restrictions at a popular East Jerusalem meeting point as Ramadan began, conflict between Israelis and Palestinians boiled over this week, escalating rapidly into one of the worst rounds of violence between the two sides in the last several years. Militants in Gaza have fired more than 1,500 rockets into Israel since the latest flareup began Monday afternoon, and Israel has responded with devastating airstrikes in Gaza. The safety of civilian aircraft flying near conflict zones or areas with high geopolitical tensions has come under scrutiny after Iran mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian passenger plane in January 2020, killing 176 people. Abeer Salman, Amir Tal, Chris Liakos, Pete Muntean and Sugam Pokharel contributed reporting. This story was first published on CNN.com "Global airlines cancel flights to Israel as violence escalates". Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 14) - Miss Universe 2013 third runner-up Ariella Arida has one piece of advice for the country's bet to the 2020 pageant Rabiya Mateo: "Keep the momentum going." "She's really doing great! I can see the confidence and energy. Keep the momentum going," Arida said in an interview with CNN Philippines' The Source on Friday. "Confident ako na she's our representative. From the videos, photos na ina-upload ng mga fans and supporters there in Florida, I could feel she's glowing, she's having fun and has all the confidence talaga," added Arida, who was one of the judges when Rabiya bagged the Miss Universe Philippines title last year. "She's embracing everything, makikita naman sa performances." [Translation: I am confident that she's our representative. From the videos and photos uploaded by the fans and supporters in Florida, I could feel she's glowing, she's having fun and has all the confidence. She's embracing everything. You can see it in her performances.] Arida also lauded the 24-year-old Ilongga beauty who just flaunted a Philippine-flag inspired outfit with a touch of Victoria's Secret designed by Rocky Gathercole for the national costume segment of the 69th Miss Universe competition. "Yung kay Rabiya parang (Rabiya donned her outfit like a) Victoria Secret model. I know how heavy that is and I commend her for being able to walk with that costume gracefully," she said. "It was executed very well." Mateo has also just finished her closed-door interview with an all-women panel on the same day. She and other pageant hopefuls will eventually compete in the swimwear and evening gown competition under the preliminaries. Under this round, the Top 20 semi-finalists will be selected and will be trimmed down to the Top 10 who will battle for the Miss Universe title. Arida expressed confidence Mateo will make it to the final Q&A round, where finalists will be trimmed town to the Top 5 during the coronation night. "I know diretso na 'yan sa (I know she'll make it to the) final Q&A. I would always say to all the girls, the technique during the final Q&A is to speak from the heart," she said. "And of course, don't forget to have fun." Competing with 73 other pageant hopefuls, Mateo seeks to bag the fifth Miss Universe crown for the Philippines and join the elite group of former title holders Gloria Diaz, Margarita Moran, Pia Wurtzbach, and Catriona Gray. This year's pageant will be held at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida on May 16 (May 17 in Manila). Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 14) Aside from Philippine bet Rabiya Mateo, two other Miss Universe candidates proudly graced the pageant's national costume competition on Friday wearing pieces designed by Filipinos. In a Facebook post, Miss Singapore Bernadette Belle Ong said she reached out to Filipino designer Arwin Meriales to craft her national costume for the prestigious event. Ong donned a sequined red leotard with thigh-high boots. But what turned heads online and on stage was her cape which bore the words "Stop Asian hate." RELATED: Bold stand for Miss Universe hopefuls with national costumes Ong even noted that her whole costume was finished in just two days. "Given the slim timeframe we had to get it sent from the Philippines to Singapore before I flew out to the US, I'd say this is a HUGE win for everyone! We got our message across loud and clear!" said Ong, who was born and raised in the Philippines. Meanwhile, Cameroon's Miss Universe bet showcased a costume created by Kennedy Jhon Gasper, a Filipino fashion student from Isabela. Angele Kossinda's runway look drew inspiration from her country's national animal the lion. The 69th Miss Universe coronation will be held at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida on May 16 (May 17 in Manila). Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 14) The cities of Cagayan de Oro and Puerto Princesa tagged as 'areas of concern' over the spike of COVID-19 cases are in need of more vaccines, officials said Friday. Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said he sent letters to Inter-Agency Task Force officials requesting more vaccine doses for the city. "As far as the vaccination is concerned, it is going smooth, but the supply is lacking. We hope the IATF will listen to the plea of Cagayan de Oro, one of the battleground cities now of COVID-19 contamination," Rodirguez told CNN Philippines' News Night. OCTA Research said last week CDO listed a 75% spike in coronavirus infections while Puerto Princesa logged a 78% increase on the first week of May. "Many local government units would require more, but we have to look at the data, like what the OCTA Research has said, that these are the areas [of] concern. There should be some consideration in giving more to these battleground cities," Rodriguez said. As of May 13, CDO had 849 active cases and Puerto Princesa 413, the local governments said in separate Facebook posts. Puerto Princesa Mayor Lucilo Bayron said he will make the same vaccination supply appeal. "Magre-request kami ng more vaccines from the national government kahit na itong mga expiring ng end of June para maapura namin na ma-vaccinate ang mga mamamayan dito sa Puerto Princesa," he told a briefing. [Translation: We will request from the national government more vaccines, even those expiring by the end of June to speed up our inoculation efforts.] He said the Department of Health vowed to deploy more health care workers to the city. "Ang malaking problema, iyong kakulangan ng mga health care, medical practitioners na magha-handle ng mga isolation and quarantine facility," he said [Translation: Our big problem is the lack of healthcare, medical practitioners who will handle isolation and quarantine facilities.] He noted a number of their health workforce are either in isolation or quarantine due to COVID-19. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 14) The provincial prosecutor of Davao del Norte has dismissed the cases filed against seven people arrested in what authorities earlier called a "rescue operation" of indigenous students at a university in Cebu City, the National Union of Peoples' Lawyers (NUPL) said Friday. Cleared were Chad Errol Booc, Segundo Lagatos Melong, Benito Dalim Bay-ao, Moddie Langayed Mansimoy-at, Esmelito Paumba Oribawan, Roshelle Mae C. Porcadilla, and Jomar Benag. They were charged for supposed violations of the Child Abuse Law, Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, kidnapping, and serious illegal detention. But the complaints against them were junked "for being outside the territorial jurisdiction of the OPP Davao Del Norte, insufficiency of evidence, and lack of probable cause to support any of the crimes allegedly committed by the respondents," the NUPL said in a statement. The prosecutor's office also ordered their immediate release, it added. The NUPL represents all respondents, except for Porcadilla. In February, authorities claimed they "rescued" 19 Lumad children from Davao del Norte in a retreat house at the University of San Carlos. Central Visayas police said the minors were taken by an alleged communist group without their parents' consent, to be trained as "child warriors." Society of the Divine Word - which operates the USC - denied the allegations, saying it had hosted the Lumad students since March 2020, in support of the Archdiocese of Cebu and children's rights group Save Our Schools Network's 'bakwit' (evacuee) school program. "The Lumad school children along with the teachers and elders had sought refuge at USC as these same state forces and paramilitary members had threatened to kill teachers and students that forced them to leave their ancestral communities," Save Our Schools Network earlier said. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 14) The Philippines will not be pulling its vessels out of the West Philippine Sea amid China's incursions in the area, President Rodrigo Duterte said. "We have a stand here and I want to state it here and now again: na yung mga barko natin, nandyan ngayon sa Pag-asa at saan pa [that our shops there in Pag-asa Island and elsewhere] we will not move an inch backward," said the chief executive in the second part of his public address televised by state-run network PTV on Friday. The country has two ships in West Philippine Sea according to Duterte, which are roving around the Kalayaan Island Group and Mischief Reef as reported by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. "Hindi talaga ako aatras. Patayin mo man ako kung patayin mo man ako, dito ako. Dito magtatapos ang ating pagkakaibigan," said the President as he addressed China. [Translation: I will not back down. Kill me if you want to kill me, I will be here. Our friendship will end here.] Duterte has been consistently criticized for his friendly attitude towards the East Asian giant, even as it continues to reject the 2016 landmark arbitral ruling affirming Manila's sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone. China's vessels also remain in the West Philippine Sea, despite a string of diplomatic protests lodged by the Foreign Affairs Department. Just this Thursday, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. ordered the filing of another diplomatic protest against China after 287 of its Chinese ships were seen to have remained scattered over various areas in Kalayaan, Palawan. "Ayaw kong makipag-away sa China, ayoko sa lahat. Inuulit ko, may utang na loob kami, malakipero yung ano naman ng bayan namin, sana maintindihan ninyo. Kung hindi ninyo maintindihan, magkakaroon talaga kayo ng problema," said Duterte. [Translation: I really don't want to fight with China. I repeat, we have a huge debt of gratitude. But I hope you understand (the interest) of our nation. If not, there will really be a problem.] "Please understand because these things are what's supposed to be done by any president of any self-respecting republic," he further explained. Duterte earlier drew flak for saying his promise in 2016 to ride a jet ski to the West Philippine Sea and plant the Philippine flag there to assert the country's rights was a "pure campaign joke." Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 14) President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday wanted to ensure proper handling and immediate distribution of COVID-19 vaccines to avoid wastage. We will distribute the vaccines as fast as they come to our possession, he said in his weekly address. Lahat naghihintay. Pero sabi nga nila noon it came in trickles, ngayon medyo volume-volume na. So maghintay lang kayo because these things must be distributed immediately the fastest way we can do it. [Translation: Everyone is waiting. They said that vaccines used to came in trickles, but now they're coming in volumes. So just wait because these things must be distributed immediately the fastest way we can do it.] Duterte made the remark after vaccine czar Carlito Galvez, Jr. said in his report that there was an increasing demand for vaccines in local government units. Public acceptance of vaccine is growing. Dahil marami pong LGU ang tawag po nang tawag sa amin, na gusto nila mag-add ng mga vaccines. Ibig sabihin po ang mga LGUs ang kinakapos na po ng vaccines, dahil marami na po ang gusto magpa-vaccine, said Galvez. [Translation: Public acceptance of vaccine is growing. Because more LGUs are calling us because they want to have more vaccines. This means that LGUs are running short due to the number of people who wants to be vaccinated.] Galvez added that over 2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines were already administered. However, there are still remaining 5,155,957 doses in the inventory that must be used up as soon as possible. Duterte told local government units to make sure that they have the infrastructure to preserve the vaccines once they arrive. That would be a problem kung mag-expire 'yan dito sa kamay dito sa taas at di agad napunta sa baba. Kung ang baba naman ay hindi prepared, kailangan nito ng special kind of handling. There is a certain temperature that you have to maintain, he said. [Translation: That would be a problem if it will expire in the hands of those above and they were not immediately given to the people below. The ones below should be prepared as these need a special kind of handling. There is a certain temperature that you have to maintain.] I am just saying this because I do not want to lose the battle here through negligence, Duterte added. Senator Nancy Binay earlier urged the Department of Health to distribute vaccines already to the frontline workers in essential sectors as some of the vaccines procured by the government are nearing expiration. The country aims to inoculate 70 million people by year-end to achieve herd immunity. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 14) The Health Department on Friday denied the controversial mega vaccination site proposed to be built at the Nayong Pilipino will be accessible only to those with cars, saying local governments will be tapped to make sure that is avoided. The facility proposed by the National Task Force Against COVID-19 will offer drive-through and walk-in vaccinations. Civil society groups have sounded the alarm that the planned hub in Paranaque City puts people with limited access and mobility options at a disadvantage. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said local government units are urged to find ways to make it more accessible to their constituents by offering shuttle services to those who are schedule to be vaccinated there. "Hindi magkakaroon ng differentiation ang masa at hindi masa para sa vaccination sites... This is for everybody. Ngayon kung mahirap puntahan, siyempre may gagawing paraan from LGU if they will refer individuals from local governments to Nayong Pilipino, siyempre, bibigyan ng shuttle," she said in a media briefing. [Translation: We will not differentiate the rich from the poor in the vaccination sites. This is for everybody. If it's hard to travel there, the LGU will find a way if they will refer vaccinees to Nayong Pilipino. They can provide shuttle services.] Last month, the national COVID-19 Inter-Agency Task Force approved the proposal for the mega facilitys construction at Nayong Pilipino. Still, site works have not yet begun, as the NPF board has yet to sign a memorandum of agreement with the national task force. The ICTSI Foundation, one of the companies of port magnate Enrique Razon, Jr., will be funding and eventually handling and managing the proposed mega vaccination site. The mega vaccination center eyed at Nayong Pilipino is expected to accommodate around 10,000 vaccine recipients daily. DOH added it aims to reach its nationwide target of 70,000 vaccinations per day by June. The government said once vaccine supply stabilizes, it aims to inoculate 500,000 people in Metro Manila per day to help reach the goal of immunizing 50 to 70 million Filipinos against COVID-19 by year-end. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 14) Shifting to a general community quarantine must come with a faster vaccine rollout and more efficient testing, tracing and isolation efforts in order to have a direction in the pandemic response, an opposition senator said on Friday. "Whether youre ECQ, MECQ, its a temporary thing," Sen. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan told CNN Philippines' The Source. "You can prevent the spread to a certain degree, but if were not testing, if were not tracing enough, if we are not vaccinating enough, para lang ferris wheel ikot ka nang ikot pero walang pinupuntahan (it would look like a ferris wheel, we keep on shifting without any direction)," he explained. Pangilinan noted that easing quarantine protocols does not have to be an "endless cycle" of closing and reopening the economy alone. He stressed that the government needs to improve its coordination on testing and tracing on the ground so that the figures do not just merely look "good on paper." The senator also said there should be a reorganization of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, as vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. needs to be surrounded by officials who can get the job done. READ: Pangilinan still wants an IATF revamp, says Galvez surrounded by 'turkeys' in vaccine response The government is targeting to inoculate 70 million Filipinos by yearend the minimum number required to reach herd immunity to significantly lessen coronavirus transmission. But during the Cabinet meeting with President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, Galvez said that of the more than 7 million vaccines the government has received, over 2 million have been administered so far. He said they are working on dispensing the remaining five million as soon as possible. Former IATF adviser Tony Leachon said the country must raise its daily inoculation target from 67,000 to 590,000 daily to reach herd immunity. The Department of Health said it is planning to achieve a daily average of 70,000 vaccinations soon. Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal will be placed under GCQ "with heightened restrictions" from May 15 to May 31, allowing some more businesses to open and expand their operations. READ: NCR Plus eases to GCQ with 'heightened restrictions' starting May 15 The country has so far logged 1,124,724 COVID-19 cases. The death toll currently stands at 18,821 while 1,050,643 have recovered. Israel has intensified its assault on Gaza targeting a network of Palestinian militant tunnels under Gaza that it dubbed the Metro, even as Palestinian militants continued to fire rockets into Israel on the fifth day of hostilities. Israel's military said air and ground forces were involved in attacks on Friday but had not entered Gaza, said a BBC report Video from Gaza City showed the night sky lit up by explosions from Israeli artillery, gunboats and air strikes. Some 120 people have been killed in Gaza and eight have died in Israel since fighting began on Monday. Meanwhile, Jewish and Israeli-Arab mobs have been fighting within Israel, prompting its president to warn of civil war. Defence Minister Benny Gantz ordered a "massive reinforcement" of security forces to suppress the internal unrest that has seen more than 400 people arrested. This week's violence in Gaza and Israel is the worst since 2014. It was initially fuelled by weeks of Israeli-Palestinian tension in East Jerusalem which led to clashes at a holy site revered by both Muslims and Jews. In a statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Israeli military operation against Palestinian militants would continue for "as long as necessary". He added that Hamas, the Islamist group that rules Gaza, would pay a heavy price, as would other "terrorist groups". Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 14) The Department of Health is opposing the proposal to issue "vaccine passes" to fully-vaccinated people so indoor establishments can accept more customers. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Friday said there is still insufficient evidence to prove that a person who is fully vaccinated can no longer get the virus nor infect others. "Hindi po kami sang-ayon sa ganyang pagpapalakad o kaya magkakaroon tayo ng ganyang mga proseso... Kaya sa ngayon po, even if you completed two doses, kailangan pa rin magpatupad ng health protocol. Ang sinasabi na vaccine pass ay hindi pa rin mairerekomenda ng Kagawaran ng Kalusugan," she said in a media briefing. [Translation: We are against that proposal. For now, even if you completed your two doses, we still have to enforce the health protocols. DOH does not recommend having that vaccine pass.] RELATED: US CDC: People vaccinated against COVID-19 can go without masks indoors and outdoors Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion earlier proposed the use of a "vaccine pass" to allow businesses to expand their indoor operations, which remain limited in parts in the country under stricter lockdowns. Trade Secretary Mon Lopez also admitted that they are discussing this suggestion with restaurant owners. CNN Philippines correspondent Carolyn Bonquin contributed to this report. (CNN) Israel's defense minister has warned that Israel has "many, many more targets" and no time limit on its military operations against Gaza, as the Israeli military and Palestinian militants continue to exchange deadly airstrikes and rocket bombardments. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Hidai Zilberman said Israel was considering a ground incursion into Gaza, but stressed that any decision would "take days." Three Israeli brigades are currently deployed around Gaza. When asked by Israel Channel 12 News whether the troop movements were paving the way for a ground invasion, Zilberman responded: "We are amassing forces on the border, getting them prepared. Soldiers are learning the terrain. Getting ready. We will activate them when we decide to activate them. We have the initiative. We have time." Zilberman said the option for an incursion was on the table and that the Israeli military was amassing forces for that eventuality. Israel has called up 7,000 army reservists so far, he added. Most analysts believe that a single division's worth of armor and infantry -- the current build-up -- is not sufficient to conduct such an operation. The warning from the Israeli military came as tensions continued to escalate on Thursday. Militants in Gaza have fired more than 1,000 rockets into Israel since the latest flareup began Monday afternoon, and Israel has responded with devastating airstrikes in Gaza. Israel's bombing campaign in Gaza has now killed at least 103 people, including 27 children and 11 women, the Gaza-based Palestinian Health Ministry reported Thursday. At least 580 people have sustained various injuries, the ministry said. Seven Israelis have been killed and more than 200 have been injured since Monday, the Israeli military said. A six-year-old boy was killed Wednesday when a rocket fired from Gaza struck a residential building in Sderot, according to an emergency responder. Addressing Israeli troops Thursday, Defense Minister Benny Gantz said: "I say explicitly: we will continue to defend and continue to attack until the fire is stopped and we will ensure long-term silence." Rioting and violent clashes between Arab and Jewish citizens also swept across several Israeli cities this week, leading Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to warn against "lynching" by either community. In Bat Yam, south of Jaffa, graphic video Wednesday night showed a Jewish right-wing mob trying to lynch an Arab driver. Police say the man was dragged from his car before the assault began. Video shows about 20 people hitting him with metal objects and kicking him in the head repeatedly. He was taken to hospital where his injuries were described by police as moderate. In Acre, north of Haifa, a lynching attempt by an Arab mob left a Jewish man critically wounded, according to Israeli police. A police spokesman said the mob attacked police officers with stones before attacking the victim with stones and iron bars. Israel's Ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, wrote to the Security Council on Thursday urging it to strongly condemn what he called terrorist attacks from Gaza, as well as to support Israel's "right to defend itself," according to a statement. A day earlier, the Palestinians wrote to the UN Security Council President and the General Assembly President appealing for the Council to live up to its responsibility to maintain international peace and security. The United States has objected to a proposed Security Council statement and has so far blocked any action by the body, instead preferring more direct diplomacy. A requested Security Council meeting on the crisis will not take place Friday because the US blocked the session, according to two UN diplomats. The US indicated it might accept a meeting next week, said one UN diplomat. No ceasefire for now An Israeli foreign ministry spokesperson ruled out a ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza on Thursday. "We don't think this is the right time for a ceasefire," Lior Haiat told CNN. "This is the time where Israel should defend itself and attack the terror infrastructure of Hamas... and we will get to a point where Hamas will understand that launching this kind terror attack on Israeli civilians is not effective for the future." Asked on whether any mediating countries have sent representatives to Israel, Haiat said "he does not have this information ... but a ceasefire is not on the table for Israel now." A senior Hamas official, Izzat Al Rishq, told CNN earlier Thursday that Egypt, Qatar and the United Nations were communicating with Hamas over mediation to end the fighting. "We in Hamas have told them that they should speak to the enemy to stop the aggression first and after that, Hamas will decide," Al Rishq said. "We stress that we have the ability to sustain ourselves for the long haul and respond to the aggression (for) as long as it takes." Fueled by controversy over planned evictions of Palestinian families in Jerusalem, and restrictions at a popular East Jerusalem meeting point as Ramadan began, conflict between Israelis and Palestinians boiled over this week, escalating rapidly into one of the worst rounds of violence between the two sides in the last several years. Netanyahu slammed the communal violence in Israeli cities Wednesday as "unacceptable" and said he had ordered the police to adopt emergency powers, to reinforce with Border Police units, and to impose curfews where necessary. "Nothing justifies the lynching of Jews by Arabs and nothing justifies the lynching of Arabs by Jews," he said in a statement. "To the citizens of Israel I say that I do not care if your blood is boiling. You cannot take the law into your own hands," Netanyahu added. "You cannot grab an ordinary Arab citizen and try to lynch him -- just as we cannot watch Arab citizens do this to Jewish citizens." "We are very, very worried about this deterioration," Israeli lawmaker Aida Touma-Suleiman in Acre told CNN's Hala Gorani in a live interview late Wednesday evening local time. "The tear gas is filling the houses, and the situation is insecure. There has been attacks on Arab citizens in different cities today," she said. "I'm really, really worried about this city (Acre). The same is happening in Haifa. The same is happening in Lod. There are different attacks on different citizens." The Israeli-Arab lawmaker went on to say: "I'm not sure that the police is able or even willing to control the situation." Decades of coexistence 'trampled' Fury over the situation has fueled fierce protests in the central Israeli city of Lod, where Israeli police reported Wednesday that people were throwing rocks at passing cars and blocking roads into the early hours. The mayor of Lod, Yair Revivo, said decades of coexistence had been "trampled." He said Arab-Israeli rioters had been "burning synagogues, Talmud Torah, dozens of vehicles, burning garbage containers, destroying Israeli flags and worse, lowering the Israeli flag and hoisting the Palestinian flag, on a night of riots that injured policemen and residents who found themselves besieged." Meanwhile an Arab-Israeli resident of Lod, Wael Essawi, told CNN that a mosque was stormed by Israeli police and Jewish residents during prayers on Tuesday night before tear gas was fired and cars were set ablaze. "We couldn't do anything but we opened the windows so we can breathe... it was very intense," Essawi said. Another resident, Khaled Zabarqah, said that following a Palestinian demonstration on Monday against Israeli policies in Jerusalem, thousands were hit with tear gas, stun grenades and rubber bullets before Israelis started throwing stones and beating the group. "My 15-year-old daughter was woken up by the sound of stones being thrown at her bedroom window, I was then woken up by her terrified screams," Zabarqah said. "There was nothing we could do but protect and defend ourselves with any tools we have, it's either we defend ourselves or we get killed," he said. On Tuesday, a 25-year-old Arab-Israeli man was shot and killed in the city by a 34-year-old Jewish man, who fired on protesters after they targeted him with rocks, according to police. Police arrested two suspects in connection with another shooting also in Lod. Communal violence was also reported Wednesday in the Israeli cities of Tiberias, Umm al-Fahm and Hadera. Unrest has also spread to the West Bank and East Jerusalem, where at least 322 Palestinian protesters were injured during clashes with the Israeli army in the West Bank and with Israeli police in East Jerusalem on Wednesday, according to a Palestinian Red Crescent handout obtained by CNN. Israel: 'Terror targets' struck The Israeli military said Thursday it had struck more than 600 "terror targets" in Gaza since the recent hostilities began. Israel has been "able to strike a significant part if not the majority of the military leadership of Hamas" in the past three days of bombardment, IDF spokesman Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus told reporters. Israel did not yet have an exact number of enemy combatants killed, Conricus said. "As of yesterday it was more than 30. It has risen since," he said. Palestinian militants have fired more than 1,600 rockets, Conricus said. "Approximately 400 have fallen short inside the Gaza Strip and the interception rate continues at an average of 90%," he said. The IDF has struck "significant parts" of Hamas' and Islamic Jihad's rocket-firing capability, he added, "but it is by no means totally degraded." The Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, said in a statement Thursday that it had carried out drone attacks on Israeli targets using new "homemade 'Shehab' drones." In a tweet, IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee said Israeli forces were aware of the brigade's drone fleet and were able to "hit" them. Global airlines -- including Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, United Airlines, Lufthansa and British Airways -- have all canceled flights to Israel amid the escalating violence. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Israel warns of 'more targets' as clashes between Arabs and Jews rock Israeli cities." (CNN) The city of Columbus, Ohio, has agreed to pay a record $10 million settlement to the family Andre Hill, a Black man who was shot and killed by a police officer. The settlement, the highest amount the city has ever agreed to pay, will be voted on by the City Council on Monday, City Attorney Zach Klein said in a statement announcing the settlement. "We understand that because of this former officer's actions, the Hill family will never be whole," Klein said. "No amount of money will ever bring Andre' Hill back to his family, but we believe this is an important and necessary step in the right direction." The city, as part of the settlement, also agreed to rename a municipal gym after Hill. In a statement, the Hill family and their legal team, led by attorney Ben Crump, thanked the city and its leaders "for doing the right thing" in agreeing to the settlement and the renaming of the gym. "Now all those involved can begin to heal," the statement said. Hill's daughter, Karissa, holding her 3-year-old daughter, later told reporters that the settlement was a first step in the healing. "It's one step but it's not full justice," she said. "It doesn't take the scar off of our hearts that we still have from my dad not being here." She added, "You guys all have to remember how my dad died. He died on a 311 call, a non emergency. He was shot four times and after the the four times he was laying on the floor. There were 22 officers on the scene. Nobody helped my father. The money is not even enough to help (with) the pain or anything of my dad laying on that floor." Hill was shot and killed on December 22 while officer Adam Coy -- who now faces murder charges -- and another officer were responding to a report of a man who had been sitting in his SUV for an extended period, repeatedly turning his engine on and off. Coy fatally shot Hill, 47, within seconds of their encounter as Hill walked toward Coy holding an illuminated cell phone in his left hand, body camera footage showed. Hill was unarmed. Coy turned his camera on after the shooting. The camera's look-back feature captured 60 seconds of video, but no audio, before Coy turned it on. The body camera footage appears to show Coy and Hill walking toward one another, and Coy starts shooting within a few seconds. It's not clear whether Hill or Coy said anything during their brief interaction because Coy did not activate his body camera. The first few seconds of Coy's body camera video in which audio is available show the officer ordering Hill to get his hands out to the side, ordering him to get on his stomach, and warning an officer to not get close because one of Hill's arms is under the car where he collapsed after being shot. About 37 seconds after the shooting, Coy asked whether a medic was coming. A report prepared by the Columbus police chief after the shooting said an officer who responded with Coy said she heard Coy say he saw a gun, and that Coy yelled, "There's a gun in his other hand, there's a gun in his other hand!" Crump said in December that Hill was visiting a family friend at the home where he was killed. Footage from the body camera of another officer at the scene showed Hill lying on the floor of a home's garage while he is handcuffed. An unidentified woman came out of the home and told police, "He was bringing me Christmas money! He didn't do anything." Coy was fired in December as a result of the shooting. Prosecutors last month filed an additional reckless murder charge against Coy, according to court records. Coy was previously indicted in February on charges of murder in the commission of a felony, felonious assault and two counts of dereliction of duty related to Hill's death. He pleaded not guilty to those charges. Columbus officials were critical of how officers handled rendering aid to Hill. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Columbus, Ohio, agrees to pay $10 million settlement to family of Andre Hill." The United States is facing unprecedented challenges, as it grapples with the pandemic, economic fallout, and a racial reckoning. So, too, is American higher ed. How can college presidents respond and transform their institutions to emerge stronger in the future? In this months installment of the Leadership Interview Series, The Chronicles Scott Carlson will talk with Freeman Hrabowski, president of the University of Maryland-Baltimore County, about his singular approach to leadership: Source: iStock/seraficus Spains market regulator has announced that it will allow firms operating funds to make crypto investments but only under certain conditions. Per El Economista, the National Securities Market Commission (known locally as the CNMV) has published a new set of guidelines for institutional investors. The guidelines show that the CNMV is now happy to allow investment fund operators, collective investment institutions (known as IICs in Spain) and variable-capital collective investment programs investment companies (known in continental Europe as sicavs) to invest in cryptoassets. However, the regulator specified a number of provisos. Firstly, funds will only be allowed to offer crypto products in cases where market prices are determined from purchase and sales operations carried out by third parties. Furthermore, fund managers will be obliged to warn their clients that cryptoassets constitute a high-risk investment that involve a highly speculative element. Such warnings should also be included in funds prospectuses and spelled out explicitly in all marketing materials. And finally, institutional investors and fund operators will be prevented from making investments in certain types of crypto derivatives and securities underpinned by cryptoassets, including crypto-powered exchange-traded commodities (ETCs) or exchange-traded notes (ETNs) which could be used to track an underlying index of tokens. No Spanish funds have yet attempted to launch crypto-related financial products, but the CNMVs new guidelines may well prove to be the catalyst that changes that with many managers believed to be keen to follow the lead of American firms such as BlackRock. The regulators move is somewhat unexpected, particularly as it has very vocally spoken out about the volatility of crypto on numerous occasions this year. Back in February, the CNMV and the central Bank of Spain issued a joint statement warning citizens about the risks involved with cryptoasset investment, pointing out that the sector was largely unregulated warning about great volatility in prices. An economics professor at the Universidad San Pablo CEU in Madrid was quoted as opining that Spanish investors may prefer to invest in portfolios that had a bitcoin (BTC) element along with traditional assets and stocks than make direct crypto purchases. ___ Learn more: - El Corte Ingles Fast-tracks Bitcoin-flavored Brand Name Registrations - Spains First Tokenized Property Sells for ETH to Investors in 3 Countries - Spanish Property Experts: Interest in Bitcoin-powered House Buying Rising - Spanish Security Giant Prosegur Enters Crypto Custody Race - Spain Crypto Warning Was to Spook Companies Planning Tesla-type BTC Buys - With Banks Turning to Bitcoin, Is It Finally Time to Long the Bankers? This year, Sharjah Museums Authority (SMA) is marking the International Museum Day with free entry on May 18 to its museums across the emirate. SMA will also be hosting a virtual session on May 18 that will discuss the future of Sharjahs museums and tourism scene amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. Titled The Future of Museums Recover and Reimagine (Real and Virtual Challenges) the panel discussion will see the participation of Crisis and Disaster Management Department - Sharjah Police Headquarters; Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) and SMA represented by Sharjah Art Museum. The virtual session will kick off with a brief about the key role of Sharjah's National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority and its collaboration with cultural and tourism authorities for better implementation of safety procedures during the pandemic. Meanwhile, SCTDA will talk about its efforts taken to boost tourism in the emirate of Sharjah despite global challenges. During the last session, SMA will discuss the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on museums and its activities. It will showcase its experience of digitally transforming exhibitions and programs across most museums under its umbrella in response to the changes that forced numerous venues to close for public. Available in Arabic with instant translation to English, the virtual session targets University of Sharjah students and cultural and tourism sectors/entities from across the UAE. Interested individuals can join the virtual session by registering via SMAs website https://www.sharjahmuseums.ae/ Since 1977, the International Council of Museums (ICOM) has celebrated the International Museum Day, with each year focusing on a different theme that highlights museum issues in todays society, with this years theme focused at The Future of Museums: Recover and Reimagine. - TradeArabia News Service The Nagol is Back! VTOs guide to this years Nagol, plus where to stay and play in south, central and north Pentecost. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) welcomed the agreement by the G20 Tourism Ministers to support the safe restoration of mobility by following the G20 Rome Guidelines for the Future of Tourism. IATA urged G20 governments to quickly follow up their endorsement of the guidelines with actions, particularly the five-point agenda to safely restore mobility: 1. Sharing information among industry and governments to inform policies and decisions to ensure safe mobility. 2. Agreeing common international approaches to Covid-19 testing, vaccination, certification and information. 3. Promoting digital traveller identity, biometrics and contactless transactions for safe and seamless travel. 4. Providing accessible, consistent, clear and updated information to travelers to encourage and facilitate travel planning and journeys. 5. Maintaining and improving the connectivity, safety and sustainability of transport systems. The G20 has the right focus and agenda to restart travel and tourism. The combination of vaccinations and testing are the drivers to make travel broadly and safely accessible. Moreover, Prime Minister Draghis promise that Italy is ready to welcome back the world and encouragement to book holidays should be an inspiration to other world leaders. It captures the urgency that is needed to move forward quickly and safely in restoring the freedom to travel, said Willie Walsh, IATAs Director General. Risk Management The emphasis on information sharing, working together to implement practical processes, and data driven policies is particularly welcome. These are the basis for managing the risks of Covid-19 as we move towards normality. The G20s call for a combined effort of industry and governments to share information moves us towards the risk management framework that is needed for a restart. No industry knows better that safety is paramount than aviation. Effective risk -managementbased on evidence, data and factsunderpins everything airlines do, and it is a core aviation competency that can help governments safely reopen borders. Over a year into the crisis, and with six months of experience with vaccines, data exists to support the targeted measures that the G20 is aiming for. Using data to guide restart plans should gain impetus from the G20 action plan, said Walsh. Aviation Getting Ready The aviation industry is already making critical progress to be ready. The IATA Travel Pass responds exactly to the need for reliable testing and vaccination certificates verified against the travelers itinerary. This will be particularly useful in furthering the recommendation for digital solutions. IATA Travel Pass will help prevent fraud and provide a framework for airlines to securely and efficiently manage Covid-19 travel credentials that governments could easily tap into. With aver a billion doses of the vaccine administered already and a growing number of countries welcoming vaccinated travellers, a system to globally recognise digital vaccine certificates is becoming even more critical. The UNWTO/IATA Destination Tracker will give travellers the confidence to plan travel knowing the measures that are in place and requirements to travel. Momentum The G20 agreements add important support to the building momentum to restore travel. Developments in recent weeks include the following: A travel bubble opened between Australia and New Zealand The European Commission and the European Parliament each announced efforts to welcome vaccinated travellers, and travellers from low-incidence countries to Europe The UK is pursuing the gradual resumption of international travel from May 17 Italy announced it was planning to implement the European Green Certificate in May to facilitate opening borders, and France is planning to reopen its borders to international tourists with a health pass from June 9. While these are all important steps that build momentum towards re-opening the travel and tourism sector, we need more. People want to fly and exercise the freedom to travel that has been denied by government restrictions. But expensive testing requirements will make travel unaffordable for many, weakening the boost to economies that will occur when borders are reopened. That shouldnt be allowed to happen. Simple, efficient, and affordable programs will be needed to manage the testing and vaccine verification regimes that will underpin a safe restoration of the freedom of mobility, said Walsh. - TradeArabia News Service Help India! Released on May 12, the 2021 Report on International Religious Freedom, provided in-depth coverage of massive rights violations faced by religious minorities, especially Muslims, Christians and Dalits or the lower-caste formerly known as untouchables. TCN News Support TwoCircles The Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC), an advocacy group dedicated to safeguarding Indias pluralist and tolerant ethos, has welcomed the US State Departments report that represents a scathing and comprehensive account of religious persecution and violence faced by Indias 280 million religious minorities. Released on Wednesday, May 12, the 2021 Report on International Religious Freedom, provided in-depth coverage of massive rights violations faced by religious minorities, especially Muslims, Christians and Dalits or the lower-caste formerly known as untouchables. The Department of State report highlighted the state-sponsored massacre of Muslims in Indias capital city, New Delhi, last year in which 53 people died and hundreds were injured, mostly Muslims. Witnesses accounts and video evidence showed police complicity in the violence, the report noted while quoting Human Rights Watch. Muslim academics, human rights activists, former police officers, and journalists alleged anti-Muslim bias in the investigation of riots by New Delhi Police, the report said. Over the hateful rhetoric during the COVID-19 pandemic that targeted religious minorities especially the Islamic Tablighi Jamaat organization for spreading the coronavirus, the report mentioned the use of terms like terrorism and Corona Jihad by the members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and some of the mainstream media outlets. There were reports of religiously motivated killings, assaults, riots, discrimination, vandalism, and actions restricting the right of individuals to practice and speak about their religious beliefs, the report noted. The report also highlights the specific examples of violations of civil liberties and religious freedom including the storming of mosque and killing of Muezzin (the person who gives a call to prayers) in New Delhi by Hindutva mob during anti-CAA protests, murder of two Christians in the custody of Tamil Nadu Police, inflammatory public remarks and social media posts by political party leaders, the intimidation of Muslim residents by police and the use of discriminatory cow slaughter laws to target minorities by the BJP government in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. We welcome the US Department of State report and its affirmation of the unprecedented levels of persecution of Indias minorities under the Prime Minister Narendra Modis government, said Rasheed Ahmed, Executive Director of Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC). Over the last seven years, India has become one of the worlds worst violators of religious freedoms. We urge the State Department to accept the recommendations from the United States Commission for International Religious Freedom ((USCIRF) and designate India as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) this year, however, any resulting sanctions must exclude Covid-19 relief efforts and poverty alleviation policies Mr Ahmed added. Last month, the USCIRF released its Annual International Religious Freedom report designating India as CPC for the second consecutive year. The report also urged the US government to impose sanctions on the officials and agencies responsible for violations of religious freedoms. Kerala, Lakshadweep Islands and Gujarat : Red alert braces for high intensity cyclone May 14,2021 | Source: The Indian Express A cyclonic disturbance will be formed over Lakshadweep and Arabian Sea in the next 36 hours, bringing heavy rains to the southern parts of the country, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Friday. Due to this, a high intensity cyclone will reach the Gujarat coast by May 18. After the cyclonic warning the National Disaster Response Force has deployed several teams on ground. At least 24 teams are pre-deployed and 29 teams are on standby for Gujarat, Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, NDRF DG, SN Pradhan told ANI. In a warning, IMD predicted intense showers in Gujarat starting May 17, with its intensity escalating in the subsequent days. The state will have extremely heavy rainfall at a few places like Saurashtra and Kutch on May 18 and 19. Due to the presence of the cyclone, Gujarat rains would be accompanied with gusty winds going ranging from 50 kmph to 80 kmph in the next 5-6 days. Owing to the cyclonic disturbance, heavy to very heavy rainfall is also expected over Lakshadweep in the next 24 hours. Kerala and Tamil Nadu will experience extremely heavy rainfalls till 16 May, IMD said in its latest bulletin. A red alert has been declared in three districts of Kerala and Lakshadweep on Friday, and five districts of Kerala on Saturday. Meanwhile, a different cyclonic disturbance lies over parts of North India, including Uttar Pradesh. Hailstorm and heavy rainfall can be expected here. Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh will see heavy rainfall in the next 24 hours too. 2021 The Indian Express [P] Ltd. Sri Lanka: License to poach: Fishing for trouble in Northern waters by Rohan Gunasekera May 14,2021 | Source: Roar Media Efforts to end poaching by Indian fishermen in northern Sri Lankan coastal waters have continually failed, despite two decades of talks between the two neighbours, the latest move being reviving a proposal to license Indian fishermen. The trouble today is not caused by traditional fishers, so much as by mechanised trawlers owned by Tamil Nadu businessmen, that use big nets to scoop up everything in their path; bottom-trawling is a method so destructive that scrape marks on the seabed can be seen in underwater videos of the practice. A collaborative, ecosystem-focused approach that has been advocated might yield better results, especially in managing trans-boundary fish stocks and ensuring sustainable fishing and livelihoods for fisherfolk, many remaining impoverished for generations. Opposition To Licences Noor Mohamed Alam, President of the Union of the Mannar District Fishermen's Cooperative Societies, has said fishers in the area oppose the proposal to issue licences to Indian fishermen. "The government should act more effectively to stop poaching by Indian fishermen," he told Roar Media. Alam wants the government to enforce the law properly and for the Navy to arrest poachers. "If 500 Indian boats come, only one or two are arrested," Alam said. "If the Navy arrests all the poachers, the problem can be solved. Poaching by Indian trawlers has been getting worse," he added. "Fish stocks are declining. Now sometimes, we get hardly any fish." Fish stocks really have declined sharply in Sri Lankan coastal waters, according to the latest marine survey under the 'Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries' management project, called the EAF-Nansen Programme, conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the Institute of Marine Research, Norway. "Overfishing could be one of the reasons. Marine environment degradation, loss of habitats, climate change could be other reasons," explained Dr Prabath Jayasinghe, Principal Scientist of the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA). Dr. Jayasinghe was Local Cruise Leader on board the Dr Fridtjof Nansen, one of the most advanced research vessels, during the 2018 survey that covered the entire coastal zone except the shallow Palk Bay. Sri Lanka's fish stocks had not been assessed by independent surveys since four surveys by a Norwegian 'Nansen' research vessel in 1979-1980. Although a single research cruise is not 100% conclusive, the new survey found that north-eastern coastal waters had the lowest biomass of zooplankton, small organisms consumed by larger marine animals, along with the lowest average number of fish larvae and the lowest species diversity. However, the survey found the Pedro Bank, a shallow water plateau of about 1,000 square miles off Point Pedro, the island's northern tip, was still as rich a fishing ground as it had been for decades. Pedro Bank, and Wadge Bank, the continental shelf off Cape Comorin at the southern tip of India, had been profitable commercial fishing grounds since the 1920s for both Indian and Sri Lankan boats. But Sri Lanka lost access to Wadge Bank and part of Pedro Bank with the establishment of the Indo-Sri Lanka maritime boundary in 1976. Harmonious Fishing "Historically, both Sri Lankan and Indian artisanal fishers have harmoniously fished in the Bay of Bengal, Gulf of Mannar, and the Palk Bay without any disputes," said Dr Muttukrishna Sarvananthan, Director of the Jaffna-based think tank, Point Pedro Institute for Development Studies, who has studied the poaching issue. "Artisanal fishing is defined as low-capital, low-technology, and small-scale subsistence fishing," he said. The current fishing conflict between Sri Lanka and India is primarily due to Illegal Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing by hundreds of illegal fishing boats called 'bottom trawlers', Dr Sarvananthan explained. "The use of bottom trawlers is internationally prohibited. This IUU fishing is commercial fishing as opposed to traditional subsistence fishing." Giving licences to Indian fishing boats would worsen the pillage of Sri Lankas fish stock and cause immense undersea environmental catastrophe, Dr Sarvananthan believes. "It would in reality be legalising an illegal practice globally." Minister of Fisheries Douglas Devananda, in March 2021 suggested holding talks with the Tamil Nadu government to issue licences to a limited number of Indian fishing boats to fish in Sri Lankan waters although bottom trawling would be banned. But Dr Sarvananthan believes that Indian fishing vessels would not be able to pay the annual licence fee in foreign currency. "Besides, to the best of my knowledge, the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay do not have high-value fish such as tuna to make it commercially viable for Indian fishers to pay the annual licence fee," he said. And, he added, neither the Sri Lanka Coastguard nor the Sri Lanka Navy has the capacity to check each and every boat to ensure whether they have a licence or not. "In theory, the Indian Coastguard could also check the Indian vessels on their side of the border. But I do not believe it will ever undertake that responsibility, he said. Sri Lanka agreed to consider giving licences to Indian fishing boats as far back as 2003, according to V. Suryanarayan, formerly the founding director and senior professor of the Centre for South and Southeast Asian Studies, University of Madras, who has also studied the issue. The licensing proposal was again taken up in 2016. The two countries have been engaged in a fire-fighting exercise, Suryanarayan believes, with Indian poachers and their boats being detained and released by Sri Lanka with monotonous regularity, only to return to the island's waters. "Fishermen throughout the world are no respecters of maritime boundaries; they move wherever the fish moves. It is a universal phenomenon," Suryanarayan writes. "Sri Lankan fishermen poach into Indian and Maldivian waters; Indian fishermen enter Pakistani and Bangladeshi waters, and Japanese and Taiwanese trawlers roam around the world." Artisanal fishing in Sri Lanka. Photo credit: India TodayIndian trawlers began to poach in Sri Lanka after sweeping the seabed clean on their side of the maritime boundary. The island's ethnic war in the 1980s and 1990s led to restrictions on Sri Lankan fishermen, which made it easier for Indian poachers. Also, many Sri Lankan fishermen who fled to Tamil Nadu as refugees found employment on Indian trawlers and guided them to known fishing grounds off the island's coast. Some of them may still be doing so. In January this year, one of the four fishermen who died when an Indian boat sank after colliding with a Sri Lankan Navy vessel was found to be a person of Sri Lankan origin, who lived in India. Suryanarayan feels only a change of mindset on both sides can resolve the dispute and advocates that the two countries convert the contested territory into a 'common heritage'. He suggests trawlers be withdrawn from the Palk Bay and a Palk Bay Authority be set up, consisting of specialists from both governments, representatives of fishermens associations and navies. The outfit would "determine ideal sustainable catch, how to enrich the sea jointly, the type of fishing equipment that can be used and the number of fishing days for each country," Suryanarayan has said. Regional Fisheries Management However, Dr Sarvananthan, of the Point Pedro Institute, is sceptical of the idea of collaborative, regional management of fish stocks in the region, saying it won't be practical. "Sri Lanka does not have the scientific competence to assess the fish stock availability in its maritime territory, particularly in the Bay of Bengal, Gulf of Mannar, and Palk Bay. That is why the Sri Lankan government has entrusted Norway to undertake a stock-taking under a bilateral aid programme, which is currently ongoing," he said. Jayasinghe of NARA points to the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission, the main fisheries managing body in the Indian Ocean, as an example of regional cooperation in managing shared fish stocks. NARA has just struck a new deal with Norway's Institute of Marine Research, the second phase of the project to develop fisheries management tools. It aims for improved and sustainable management of marine resources, which will enable Sri Lanka to better monitor its fish stocks. Jayasinghe says NARA will employ its own research vessel to conduct fisheries surveys in shallow northern waters not covered by the Dr. Fridtjof Nansen vessel. Norway, which is promoting the ecosystem approach to fisheries (EAF) in Africa as well, says it entails a comprehensive and risk-based management planning process, addressing both human and ecological dimensions of sustainability. There may be some apprehension about venturing this far, but the collaborative approach is the one that has not been considered yet, if Sri Lankan and Indian authorities want to end the endless poaching, clashes and jailing of fisherfolk for crossing borders. Tamil Nadu: Cyclone Tauktae: Efforts on to alert fishermen May 14,2021 | Source: India TV Tamil Nadu fisheries department is trying to alert around 2,500 fishers out in the Arabian sea about a depression which may intensify into Cyclone Tauktae. The Tamil Nadu fisheries department state Commissioner J Jayakanthan told IANS: "Most of the fishermen are from the western coast of Kanyakumari since the annual fishing ban is in effect in eastern coast." Fishing officials said that while only 84 vessels have gone into the sea from Thengapattanam coast, 150 fishing boats of Kanyakumari have ventured into the sea from Kerala coast. The department is trying to contact them over the satellite phones provided to them by the state government as they move in clusters on high sea. Local churches and the coordination centres opened by the government are also helping. The fisheries officials said that the fishermen have been advised to touch base at the nearest coast and the department has already coordinated with these coastal belts of various state governments to accommodate the fishermen who reach their shores. The Indian Meteorological Department(IMD) has forecast the depression is likely to intensify into a cyclone about 100 nautical miles (185 km) from the North Kerala coast and move northward till Karachi in Pakistan. The southern states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu are witnessing heavy rains and thunderstorms following a depression in the Arabian Sea. 2009-2021 Independent News Service. Containers at the Kim Thanh Border Gate No.2 in the northern province of Lao Cai, February 2020. Photo by VnExpress/Giang Huy. The Ministry of Industry and Trade has requested China to stop Covid-19 inspections on agriculture, aquaculture and frozen products imported from Vietnam. The request was made in a diplomatic note sent by Vietnams Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien to Chinas General Administration of Customs. According to the ministry's Asia-Africa Market Department, the tightened policies for pandemic control for products exported to China have caused great difficulties for Vietnams producers and exporters. China has been tightening its import policies to mitigate Covid-19 risks and inspecting imported goods since the beginning of last year, resulting in cargo congestion at Vietnams northern border gates with China. With the pandemic situation worsens in several countries in the region, the minitry says there is a high chance of China, Laos and Cambodia continuing to tighten Covid-19 prevention measures at border gates, hindering two way trade. It has requested China, Laos and Cambodia cooperate with Vietnam in implementing pandemic control procedures at border gates, ensuring both Covid-19 prevention and trade flow. The ministry said that it will closely track pandemic prevention measures and import-export of goods at the border gates to ensure quick handling of any difficulties arising in cross-border trade. Vietnam exported $104 billion worth of goods in the first four months of 2021, up 28 percent year-on-year, according to the General Statistics Office. Exports to China reached $17 billion during the period, a year-on-year increase of 32.4 percent. A science commercialization guidebook for Vietnamese universities and research institutions would be announced next Tuesday, the Australian Embassy in Vietnam said. Robyn Mudie, Australia's ambassador to Vietnam, told a meeting with Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat Thursday the guidebook is one of many achievements of the Aus4Innovation development assistance program. The AUD10 million ($7.7 million) program aims to strengthen Vietnam's innovation system, prepare for and embrace opportunities associated with Industry 4.0, and help shape Vietnam's innovation agenda in science and technology. The guidebook, written in Vietnamese and English, will be published in both printed and online forms. It should help guide researchers regarding the commercialization processes in Vietnam, Mudie said. Australia would increase sponsorship for the first phase of Aus4Innovation with an extra AUD3.5 million until 2022 to support several new program initiatives and prepare for the second phase, expected to be conducted until 2025, she said. Minister Dat said he highly regarded the scientific and technological achievements resulting from the Vietnam-Australia strategic partnership. Cooperation between the two countries would bring practical results for research institutions, universities and businesses of both sides. Dat also wished both countries would soon organize an event to showcase the program's achievements once the Covid-19 pandemic is put under control. In Vietnam's vision for development until 2045, science, technology and innovation has been determined to be a "strategic breakthrough" that would help propel it to become a country with modern industries in 2030 and a high-income nation in 2045. International collaboration and integration is one of the key methods for Vietnam to improve its scientific and technological prowess, he said. Vials of the Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccine are pictured in a general practitioners practice in Berlin, Germany, April 10, 2021. Photo by Reuters/Fabrizio Bensch. The World Health Organization (WHO) said it was reviewing a proposal by an unidentified vaccine manufacturer in Vietnam to become an mRNA-based Covid-19 vaccine technology hub in the country. MRNA vaccines, like that developed jointly by BioNTech and Pfizer, prompt the human body to make a protein that is part of the virus, triggering an immune response. "A vaccine manufacturer in Vietnam has already expressed its interest to become a mRNA-based Covid-19 vaccine technology transfer hub," Kidong Park, the WHO representative in Vietnam, said in an emailed statement to Reuters Wednesday. The proposal was being reviewed by the WHO, said Park, who added that the organization expects Vietnam to also apply for "large scale manufacturing" of an mRNA-based Covid-19 vaccine. Park did not say which vaccine manufacturer had expressed interest in the plans. The WHO in April said it was seeking to expand the capacity of low and middle-income countries to produce and scale up the manufacturing of vaccines to help bring the pandemic under control. "If Vietnam will host a mRNA-based Covid-19 vaccine technology transfer hub, it will contribute to mRNA-based Covid-19 vaccine production in Vietnam as well as in the region," Park told Reuters. A taxi driver (L) returns the money he had overcharged his German passenger to a transport inspector in Hanoi, May 13, 2021. Photo courtesy of Hanoi Tourist Information Center. Transport inspectors in Hanoi on Thursday fined an unregistered taxi driver VND9 million ($389) for overcharging a German passenger by five times the normal fare. At 2:30 p.m. on May 2, the passenger took a taxi from the Temple of Literature to Vietnam Women's Museum, both popular tourist destinations in Hanoi, in a 2.5-kilometer journey for which the normal fare is around VND40,000. However, the driver deliberately used a longer route and charged him VND200,000 based on the meter fare. After paying the money to the driver, the German passenger took a photo of the taxi number plate and informed the Hanoi Tourist Information Center who asked local authorities to investigate the incident. Transport inspectors stepped in and tracked down the driver, who was found driving the taxi without a license. At a meeting with transport inspectors Thursday, the driver admitted his mistake and returned the money that he had overcharged. The cheating of foreign tourists has been a problem in Vietnam for some time, affecting its reputation as a safe and friendly tourism destination. Taxi scams used to be common in Vietnam, but rising competition in the transport sector has helped stem the problem. However, foreigners are still regular targets. In the early hours of Friday morning Israeli officials confirmed that their armed forces had initiated another military offensive in the contested Gaza Strip, further escalating the conflict after a week of heavy civilian casualties. The full extent of the offensive is not yet clear but the New York Times quotes Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, an Israeli military spokesman, as confirming that there are ground troops attacking in Gaza, together with air forces as well. He later clarified that Israeli forces had not actually entered Gaza. The Israeli military has faced global condemnation for its role in the fighting in recent days, coming as the Islamic festival of Ramadan moved towards Eid. Heres what we know so far about the latest development. What has caused the recent fighting in Gaza? The most recent burst of fighting is thought to have broken out on Monday evening when the Palestinian Islamic group Hamas began a campaign of long-range artillery attacks on the Israeli-held city of Jerusalem. Israel responded with a barrage of attacks from the air and the conflict has escalated from there. The following days have been filled with sustained military attacks on both territories with casualties reaching into the hundred already. AP report that Gazas Health Ministry has announced the death of 109 Palestinians as a result of the conflict, which includes 28 children and 15 women. There have been 20 confirmed deaths amongst the Hamas and other Islamic militant groups, while seven people have been killed in Israel. Fears that Israel will attempt to invade Gaza Strip The 140-square-mile territory which occupies a relatively small area along the Mediterranean Sea is one of the most contentious patches of land in the world and has been the subject of conflict for decades. The area was controlled by Egypt until 1956, when it was taken by Israeli forces, and has been a melting pot of social, political and religious dispute ever since. The area around the Gaza Strip is considered a Holy site by all three major Abrahamic religions (Christianity, Islam and Judaism) and has been the subject of conflict for centuries. The most recent eruption of violence emanated from Jerusalem around a month ago, when Israeli police were criticised for using excessive force in their handling of Palestinian families during Ramadan. There were clashes at Jerusalems Al-Aqsa Mosque as Arabs and Jews in Israel fought for their rights in the contested lands of the ancient city. The most recent spell of fighting is considered the most serious and violent to be seen in decades, with violence centring around the city of Lod on Thursday evening. The region appears increasingly unstable after a spate of four inconclusive Israeli election in just two years, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clinging to power for the time being. President Joe Biden has confirmed that he has spoken to Netanyahu about de-escalating the conflict in the region, but called those attempts a work in progress. Biden added that he wants to get to a point where there is a significant reduction in attacks, particularly rocket attacks that are indiscriminately fired into population centers. On 11 May, during a hearing for the Senate Committee of Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, Maine Senator Susan Collins told CDC Director Rochelle Walensky that she Always considered the CDC to be the gold standard," but after seeing the agencies response to the pandemic, she doesn't anymore. The Senator's criticism stems from what she sees as the confusion created by the delays in the agency adjusting their public health guidance. Part of the Senators argument is based on how the agency has released information for fully vaccinated individuals. A day after these criticisms by Sen. Collins and other Republican committee members were launched, the CDC released updated information for fully vaccinated people. This builds on early guidance, and the main changes relate to mask-wearing and social distancing. As of 13 May, the CDC states that fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or staying 6 feet apart. There are certain exceptions to the rule, as individuals must comply with the laws in their state or regulations implemented by businesses and other organizations for their workers and customers. These changes were made based on findings from a few scientific studies that show that fully vaccinated people are unlikely to transmit the virus to others. This was a critical question that many public health experts had hoped would allow the government to ease certain restrictions. The CDC updated their scientific information saying, a growing body of evidence suggests that fully vaccinated people are less likely to have asymptomatic infection and potentially less likely to transmit SARS-CoV-2 to others. These findings are encouraging as more and more residents in the US receive their vaccines. In addition to lowering the transmission, there is a growing body of evidence that suggests all available vaccines demonstrated high efficacy in reducing chances a patient would have to hospitalized or develop fatal symptoms from the virus. How does the CDC update its guidance? Throughout the pandemic, as more science and data becomes available, the CDC has updated its guidance. The situation created by the pandemic is unlike anything the country has experienced in nearly a century. The scientific methods and technologies available today allow epidemiologists and public health experts to more quickly study the infection and alert the public on the necessary precautions, but these processes still take time. The CDC justifies the pace at which they release new guidance, saying that their decisions are based on the best science available, and these processes cannot be rushed. It is not the responsibility of the CDC to appease the public and release guidance that may make them feel better in the short term. While anecdotal evidence may be attractive to make policy, that is not the job of the CDC. The CDC, as a science-based organization, must ensure that the data aligns with guidance, regardless of the guidance may be received. Safety is the priority, and while timeliness plays a role, it is not the principal motivating factor in how the CDC releases new information. What questions remain? In addition to guidance on masks and social distancing, the CDC also altered the list of questions they are investigating. This revised list includes topics related to the efficacy of vaccines in reducing the spread of variants, how immunocompromised individuals differ in their immune response after being vaccinated, and how long the vaccines provide protection. Since 2000, the United States has experienced an increase in the number of severe natural disasters; from wildfires to hurricanes, droughts, and flooding, seeing images of houses and entire communities destroyed is becoming normal occurrences. In 2018, under President Trump, the US government released the National Climate Assessment which stated that the evidence of human-caused climate change is overwhelming and continues to strengthen, that the impacts of climate change are intensifying across the country, and as the climate continues to change there are real threats to Americans physical, social, and economic well-being. This is the equivalent of the nations top climate scientists waving a red flag. We are on a collision course and without concrete action, there are no ways to avoid it. The approaches needed to address the climate crisis, both in the US and abroad, will be multi-faceted. One of the most common ideas tossed around within policy, private sector, and climate circles is that of a carbon tax. What is a carbon tax? A carbon tax is a tax levied on industries and products that emit carbon to be created. A carbon tax allows for a price on environmental degradation to be included in the price of a good or service. Basic economic principles demonstrate that businesses are cost minimizers, meaning if there are additional costs added to their operation, they will search for alternatives to avoid the increases. While the oil industry is an integral part of our energy system, climate experts understand that the energy sector contributes the highest quantity of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Many proponents of a carbon tax argue that if there are no consequences or costs associated with this pollution, companies will be unlikely to clean up their practices. Who is calling for a carbon tax? In the past few weeks, various business leaders including Elon Musk have called on the US to implement a carbon tax program. On 13 May, Musk tweeted his support for the implementation of a carbon tax. The tweet followed comments made on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, where he acknowledged that his companies would also have to pay, saying And by the way, SpaceX would be paying a carbon tax too. So Im like, you know, Im like, I think we should pay it too. Its not like we shouldnt have carbon-generating things. Its just that theres got to be a price on this stuff. Additionally, the Washington Post published an opinion piece where, Henry M. Paulson Jr., former U.S. treasury secretary and chairman of the Paulson Institute, and Erskine B. Bowles, who served as the co-chair of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, argued that the Biden administration should take up the idea of implementing a tax on carbon emissions. In the piece, the two authors who now lead the Aspen Economic Strategy Group highlighted the widespread public support that exists for a carbon tax program. They also mentioned that while there are set-ups that could be regressive, meaning they could dump the burden of the tax on poor consumers, the wealthy use a lot more carbon-based energy than those with lower incomes. More importantly, the carbon tax revenue could be invested in poorer communities that face disproportionate risks from climate change. The arguments presented recognize that there is a right and a wrong way to implement this sort of measure but that fears over creating bad policy should not be the justification to forgo it at all. Other market-based approaches to reducing emotions Most high-income countries are opposed to the restrictive measures to reducing emissions as their economies rely heavily on carbon-emitting sectors. However, the policies and actions that could and have been taken to reduce emissions go beyond tax systems and can include the creation of carbon markets where carbon offsets and credits can be bought and sold. For example, the same climate assessment mentioned earlier highlighted the successes made in incentivizing the private sector to create more energy-efficient products such as light bulbs and dishwashers. These strides were not made only by taxing companies that created inefficient products from an energy standpoint, but also by the creation of financial incentives to lower the cost of deploying efficient energy technologies, the development of building energy codes and appliance and equipment standards, the encouragement of voluntary actions to improve energy efficiency. Similarly, in the electric vehicle market, some companies and consumers were given rebates when purchasing electric or hybrid vehicles. In California, some owners of electric vehicles are able to use the states carpool lanes, even if passengers are driving alone. Cap and Trade Legislation In 2013, California adopted a Cap and Trade program to limit carbon emissions. The program forms an integral part of the states climate resilience and carbon mitigation strategy and covers eighty percent of all greenhouse gas emissions released within the state each year. The program works by capping the quantity of carbon able to be emitted each year, and as years progress that cap is lowered. The California program allows businesses to purchase carbon credits equals one metric ton of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions. Then, each year the limit on GHG emissions is lowered creating a powerful economic incentive for significant investment in cleaner, more efficient technologies. Allowances are purchased through auction[s], limited free allocation (for eligible entities), and by trading with other entities in the Program (i.e., the trade). The approach taken by California is innovative and while not perfect, begins the process of associating a cost with pollution. Businesses and other entities may be less quick to pollute, knowing that there is a real fixed cost associated. As the impacts of climate change begin to be felt more strongly in the United States and around the world, governments may move to use this approach in relation to other goods, like water. Many water policy experts fear that the actual value of water is not included in the price of products it is used to create, especially in the agricultural sector. In the agricultural sector, decisions on which crops to plant and harvest often do not account for water scarcity issues. If the true value of water, including how scarcity could impact its price, was factored into agricultural planning, people may be less likely to plant water-intensive crops in places where the long-term use of the resource unsustainable. Criticisms to this approach The criticisms of this approach come from all sides and sectors. Those in the energy sector say that the measure is punitive and environmental justice organizations believe that the additional costs from these taxes are often passed to the consumer, which disproportionately impacts low-income communities. The Balance, an online financial help news outlet, argues that these impacts on low-income families can be avoided if the taxes are implemented gradually. This approach allows the private sector time to adapt their operation over time and may incentive them to not push the additional cost directly to the consumer. Other critiques go beyond these arguments and center on a general opposition to market-based approaches in combating the climate crisis. Currently, 100 companies account for 71% of global emissions, which creates skepticism that without additional regulation, these companies will on their own move to build more sustainable supply chains and operations. Some activists and policymakers believe that as a profit-driven organization, the private sector will not truly change its behavior until the effects of environmental degradation actually lead to decreases in profit. Fortunately, or unfortunately, this is already beginning to happen and some companies have made public statements stating that they will begin to place a greater emphasis on long-term sustainability rather than focusing so heavily on short-term profits. Health experts say that an increased global reliance on Chinese COVID-19 vaccines cannot come soon enough, as other vaccines contend with delays in development and exportation. Vaccines from Chinese pharmaceutical companies Sinopharm and Sinovac are about to play an increasingly vital role in the developing world, now that Astra-Zeneca exports from India have halted and United States biotechnology company Novavax has indicated that it is once again delaying regulatory submissions for approval of its vaccine. The World Health Organization recently listed the Sinopharm vaccine for emergency use, giving it the green light to be rolled out globally under the COVAX program, which distributes vaccines to developing nations. "It's a very significant development, because with COVAX, they were very reliant in the first quarter of this year on the Astra-Zeneca vaccine," Caroline Casey, lead COVID-19 analyst at science analytics company Airfinity, told China Daily. "And about 64 percent of that supply in the first half of this year was meant to come from India, which has currently got an export ban because of the situation there where they need to reserve as many vaccines as they can to protect their own population. So that leaves quite a big hole in COVAX's portfolio." COVAX had hoped to distribute 252 million COVID-19 vaccines in the first half of this year, but so far just 60 million doses have been delivered, according to Airfinity. COVAX was relying on 94 percent of its supply being AstraZeneca vaccines, about two-thirds of which were supposed to be supplied by India, with the rest coming from South Korea. Pfizer has agreed to supply 6 percent, or 15 million, of COVAX vaccines in the first half of this year, though only 1.1 million of the Pfizer doses have been delivered to date. The Sinopharm approval presents a potential lifeline to the beleaguered initiative. Meanwhile, the WHO is reviewing the Sinovac vaccine, whose authorization would further bolster COVAX, according to Casey. The combined annual capacity of the Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccines is expected to reach 3 billion doses this year. "So, it's a different picture than we have seen with a lot of the Western candidates, who have said we will produce 1 billion next year, and then the numbers come down, whereas with China, we have seen them quite consistently go up," Casey said. "Sinovac could have quite a big impact because it can be stored closer to room temperature, so you can use it in remote regions of the world quite easily," she added. The Pfizer vaccine needs to be stored at ultralow temperatures, and COVAX has only granted approval for distribution of Pfizer in 18 countries. COVAX rejected several countries applications for that vaccine because they do not have the necessary cold-chain infrastructure to distribute the treatments. Casey said COVAX has even held back some AstraZeneca deliveries, over concerns that distribution was unlikely before the vaccines' six-month expiration period. By comparison, Sinovac shots are thought to stay usable for up to three years. Health authorities said that the inclusion of Sinopharm in the COVAX initiative could have a particular impact on vaccination programs in Africa, where currently over half the countries have vaccinated less than 2 percent of their populations. "The emergency use listing of the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine helped speed up vaccine access for Africa," said WHO Regional Director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti. "This comes at a critical moment for the continent and is an important step forward. It will help ensure our high-risk populations get the protection they need." Emory University infectious disease doctor Boghuma Kabisen Titanji said the WHO approval of the Sinopharm vaccine was also "great news" for the African nations that decided to distribute the vaccine before the WHO authorization. "This boosts confidence in the use of these vaccines," said Titanji. "We need all effective and safe vaccines in this fight." Many nations had begun using the Sinopharm vaccine before the WHO announcement, and a flurry of new orders and approvals followed the health body's authorization. The Maldives approved it for people age 18 and older, and Sri Lanka confirmed that it will now dig into a stockpile of 600,000 Sinopharm doses. Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming announced that 500,000 Sinopharm doses will soon arrive in the South Asian nation. Philippines Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire confirmed that her government is about to approve the Sinopharm vaccine, and Peru's Health Minister Oscar Ugarte said his nation has ordered 500,000 Sinopharm doses that will be distributed now that they have WHO authorization. Recent data suggest that the Sinovac vaccine is highly effective at preventing severe cases of COVID-19. The company's chief executive, Yin Weidong, told Bloomberg News on Tuesday that in Chile, the vaccine has provided 89 percent protection from cases requiring intensive care treatment and 80 percent protection from hospitalization. Yin also addressed concerns that infection rates have been rising in Chile, which has relied primarily on the Sinovac vaccine. It has been distributed among the older age groups, and total coverage is only at 36 percent. Most Chileans under age 60 have been received vaccinated, Yin said. "In this group the vaccination rate is far from enough," he said. The biggest challenge is in supply and demand, he said. "We have provided 50 million doses to Brazil and Indonesia, and about 20 million to Turkey, which accounts for about 20 percent of their population. But that is not enough. The virus is still spreading," he said. "We need to expand our supply, which is a really big challenge." To expedite distribution of the vaccine, Yin said, Sinovac has licensed Turkey, Indonesia, Brazil, Malaysia, and Egypt to domestically produce the Sinovac vaccine. Photo taken on May 13, 2021 shows a Yangtze alligator at a release point of the Anhui Chinese alligator national nature reserve in Jingxian County, east China's Anhui Province. The nature reserve on Thursday released 51 artificially bred Yangtze alligators, also known as Chinese alligators, into the wild, with another 479 planned to be set free at different release points in the reserve. The nature reserve has begun reintroducing the endangered reptiles into the wild since 2003, and as of 2020, a total of 508 Chinese alligators have been released in 16 batches. (Xinhua/Han Xu) 6 1 [ Editor: JYZ ] Wang Qiujiao (R) measures head circumference for a baby while paying a home visit in Zhumei Village, Hezhou City of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, May 11, 2021. Wang Qiujiao, 74 years old and a member of the Communist Party of China, has been a village doctor in Zhumei Village for 48 years. Zhumei Village, located in remote mountainous area, was formerly isolated from the outside world due to the poor transportation. Doctors in the village then were scarce and people had to walk to the adjacent city to see a doctor. Most villagers chose not to see a doctor until their desease became severe. Knowing well the predicament of local villagers, Wang returned to her hometown as a village doctor after graduation in 1973. She often walked to see the patients while carrying her medical box, sometimes taking more than one hour on the way. In 2015, she became a signed family doctor for local villagers. Besides regular work, she does physical examination regularly for the elderly and sets up health data for villagers. Nowadays, her son works as a village doctor too, willing to safeguard the health of local villagers together with his mother. (Xinhua/Cao Yiming) 12 1 [ Editor: JYZ ] President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with employees of a local company producing mugwort products in Nanyang, Central China's Henan province, May 12, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua] Nation now has deeper understanding of traditional practice's role, he says President Xi Jinping has stressed the significance of using modern science to interpret the principles of traditional Chinese medicine and integrating Chinese and Western medicines to advance the traditional medical practice that stretches back thousands of years. During an inspection trip to Nanyang, Henan province, on Wednesday, Xi said the Chinese nation has relied on TCM for medical treatment for thousands of years. "Having fought against COVID-19, SARS and other major infectious diseases, we have a deeper understanding of the role of TCM," said Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission. During the trip, Xi visited a memorial to Zhang Zhongjing, a famous Chinese pharmacologist and physician of the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220), where he learned about Zhang's life story and his contributions to the development of TCM. Deputy curator of the memorial Yang Lei, who also served as Xi's guide during the trip, said Xi displayed a keen interest in TCM culture and had a deep understanding of its fundamental theories and clinical practices. At the memorial, Xi had a careful look at the therapies described in the Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases, the famous work of TCM that was compiled by Zhang at the beginning of the third century, Yang said. Xi has called in recent years for steps to accelerate the development of TCM a number of times. At a meeting on March 6 with national political advisers from the education, medical and health sectors, he said that China should prioritize the preservation and development of TCM, with steps to establish a service system, service model, management pattern and pattern for the training of talent. During a symposium with experts and scholars in June, he highlighted the need to further explore TCM classics, reform and refine the review and approval mechanism of TCM, and promote the research and development of new pharmaceuticals and the growth of industries. China has issued two policy documents on the development of TCM, in 2019 and this year, that set out a number of measures to strengthen the sector's skills base and enhance its role in disease treatment and prevention. Xinhua contributed to this story. 3 1 [ Editor: GSY ] JUBA, May 13 (Xinhua) -- A United Nations senior relief official in South Sudan on Thursday condemned the killing of an aid worker in Budi region of the country. Alain Noudehou, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan, said an aid worker was killed on Wednesday when criminals fired at a clearly marked humanitarian vehicle that was traveling to a heath facility. Noudehou said the vehicle was part of a team of international non-governmental organizations and South Sudanese government health workers. He said the team was driving from Chukudum to Kapoeta in an area that has seen several roadside ambushes this year and called on the government to strengthen law enforcement along these roads. The UN official called for authorities and communities to ensure that humanitarian personnel can move safely along roads and deliver assistance to the most vulnerable people in the country. "I am shocked by this violent act and send my condolences to the family and colleagues of the deceased. The roads are a vital connection between humanitarian organizations and communities in need, and we must be able to move safely across the country without fear," he said in a statement issued in Juba. In 2020, nine aid workers were killed, according to reports. [ Editor: WPY ] China's icebreaker Xuelong 2 returns to its port in Shanghai on Friday, marking the end of the country's latest scientific expedition to Antarctica. [Photo provided to China Daily] First time domestically built icebreaker carried out polar mission independently China's latest scientific expedition to Antarctica concluded on Friday as mission members returned to their home base in Shanghai. Xuelong 2, China's secondand its first domestically builtresearch icebreaker, arrived in its port in the eastern economic powerhouse on Friday morning, marking the success of the country's 37th Antarctic expedition that lasted 179 days, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources, which administers the nation's oceanic and polar research activities. Carrying more than 100 researchers and support staff members, Xuelong 2 departed Shanghai on Nov 10 and traveled more than 66,000 kilometers during the six-month operation. The expedition made personnel shifts at China's Changcheng and Zhongshan stations and also transported supplies to the two facilities. Mission members fulfilled extensive surveys about the biosystems and environments in southern oceans and achieved a lot in their scientific tasks, the ministry said. This was the second long-distance voyage for Xuelong 2, or Snow Dragon 2, and also the first time the vessel had independently carried out a polar mission. Jointly designed by Finland's Aker Arctic Technology in Helsinki and China's Marine Design and Research Institute in Shanghai, Xuelong 2 began construction at the Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai in 2016. The vessel is 122.5 meters long, 22.3 m wide and has a displacement of 13,996 metric tons. With a maximum speed of 15 knots, or 27.8 kilometers per hour, the icebreaker can sail more than 37,000 km in a single voyage and carry out 60-day expeditions with 90 crew members and researchers. Incorporating state-of-the-art design and advanced equipment, Xuelong 2 is capable of operating in any ocean around the world. It is equipped with world-class oceanographic survey and monitoring apparatus, allowing experts to carry out research into polar regions' physical oceanography, biodiversity, and atmospheric and environmental conditions, and also conduct fishery resources surveys. Before the commissioning of Xuelong 2 in July 2019, China only operated a single icebreakerXuelongwhich was designed for cargo transportation rather than scientific research operations when it was built in Ukraine in 1993. Xuelong was purchased by China and converted into a polar research and resupply vessel. It has carried out dozens of scientific expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic. China now has five research stations in polar regionsChangcheng, Zhongshan, Taishan and Kunlun in Antarctica and Huanghe in the Arctic. There is also a China-Iceland Arctic Science Observatory in the Arctic. It is now building a fifth scientific research station in Antarctica, which it intends to put into service around 2022. The unnamed station on Inexpressible Island in Terra Nova Bay will be capable of accommodating 80 people in summertime and 30 in wintertime, according to the Polar Research Institute of China. So far, China has conducted 37 expeditions to Antarctica and nine to the Arctic, obtaining a great deal of scientific data and many samples. [ Editor: GSY ] Students wearing traditional Chinese costumes perform traditional rituals to celebrate Shangsi Festival in Changsha, Hunan province on April 17, 2018. [Photo/IC] Shangsi Festival, also known as the Double Third Festival, is an ancient Chinese festival celebrated on the third day of the third lunar month, which falls on April 14 this year. It is a festival mainly observed by Chinese ethnic groups, including Han and Zhuang, to ward off evil spirits and natural disasters. The Shangsi Festival is also a day considered to be the possible birthday of the Yellow Emperor. A well-known phrase goes, "San yue san, Xuan Yuan sheng", meaning, "On the third day of the third month, the Xuan Yuan (Yellow Emperor) was born." In 2018, the Communist Youth League's Central Committee set the third day of the third lunar month as China Huafu Day (Chinese National Costume Day), as a way to advocate the beauty of traditional Chinese clothes. The first event was celebrated on April 18 that year in Xi'an. 7 1 [ Editor: GSY ] Visitors view exhibits at the site.[Photo by Zhou Wenting/China Daily] Historical site opens in time for the Party's centennial, Zhou Wenting reports in Shanghai. After nearly half a year of renovations, the Memorial for the Site of the Second National Congress of the Communist Party of China in Shanghai was reopened to the public this month. The birthplace of the CPC Constitution was reopened just in time for the upcoming centenary of the Party's founding in July. Located in downtown Jing'an district, the site is where the Second National Congress of the CPC took place from July 16 to 23, 1922. The CPC Constitution marked the completion of the Party's founding. The second national congress also marked the first time an anti-imperialist and anti-feudal democratic revolutionary program was put forward. The public declaration of the CPC Manifesto, the decision to join the Comintern, and the "Long Live the Communist Party of China" slogan were also unveiled at the congress. That congress was attended by just 12 members. Today, the Party has grown to become the world's largest political party with more than 91 million members. Officials say that the facelift given to the shikumen-a typical Shanghai house with a courtyard and black gates encased in stone frames-and upgrades to the exhibits were meant to showcase how the century-old Party is now in its best years. "The renovation over the past six months is intended to enrich visitors' experience and restore the original look of this venue that has a special place in history," says You Wei, Party branch secretary and deputy director of the memorial. Changes to the format and some items of the exhibition hall are evident following the renovation work. In the oath-taking area, a Party flag has been added. Here, visitors who are Party members can pose for a photo with one of the many Party emblems affixed to the wall. "Many Party branches come here for educational activities and some would like to renew their oath to the Party at such a historic venue," You says. "A better atmosphere helps to create a more solemn feeling." In the main hall, there is a wall showcasing the 12 attendees of the 1922 congress. When looking at this wall from afar, the background of the photos appears white, but up close, it becomes transparent, allowing visitors to view the outdoor area and the architecture of theshikumen. The change in the degree of transparency is made possible with electricity control. This special feature is meant to improve light flow in the exhibition hall and help create an illusion that the 12 attendees are present in the room. On Tuesday, more than 20 members of a Shanghai society branch researching the history of the New Fourth Army visited the memorial. Many of them are the descendants of soldiers from a unit led by the CPC during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45). Zhu Xiaorong, head of the branch, says the visit helped enrich his understanding of Party history. Zhu's parents were members of the New Fourth Army. In February, President Xi Jinping wrote a letter to more than 40 centenarian veterans of the New Fourth Army in Shanghai. 12Next >>| 2 1 [ Editor: GSY ] US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks to the media before a meeting with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi at the State Department in Washington, US, May 10, 2021. [Photo/Agencies] Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday agreed to meet in Reykjavik, Iceland, on May 20 on the sidelines of an Arctic Council meeting. The announcementafter the top diplomats spoke by phonecame amid the biggest crisis in ties between Russia and the United States in years. It will be the first face-to-face meeting between cabinet members since US President Joe Biden took office in January. Their meeting in the capital city of Iceland comes ahead of a potential summit between Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin. No date has been set for the possible meeting between the two leaders, although Biden has said it is his "hope and expectation" he will meet with his Russian counterpart. The Russian Foreign Ministry said that in the phone call, Lavrov and Blinken discussed international and bilateral ties, and agreed to hold talks on the sidelines of the ministerial meeting of the Arctic Council. The two diplomats discussed the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Iran and "strategic stability" as well as cooperation within the Arctic Council. The US State Department confirmed the meeting would take place "next week". Blinken also called on Russia to release Paul Whelan and Trevor Reed, two US citizens whom Washington says were "unfairly detained" by Moscow. The two diplomats also discussed Washington's proposal to organize the summit between Biden and Putin, Russian state media agency Tass said. Biden said last week that he hoped to meet with Putin during a planned visit to Europe in June. "We're working on it," Biden said, suggesting his proposed summit with Putin could come as soon as the middle of next month, when he will be in Europe seeking to restore trans-Atlantic ties on his first foreign trip as president. Increasing pressure Biden has increased pressure on the Kremlin, and his labeling of Putin as a "killer" has met with fierce criticism in Moscow. Russia recalled its ambassador for consultations and warned that ties were on the brink of outright collapse. Washington in April announced a new round of sanctions including the expulsion of 10 diplomats and a restriction on US banks trading in Russian government debt. Moscow responded by expelling 10 US diplomats, banning top US officials from entering the country and prohibiting the US embassy from employing foreign nationals. Russian newspaper Kommersant reported on Wednesday that the spokeswoman for the US embassy in Moscow, Rebecca Ross, is among the 10 diplomats to be expelled. Ross and nine other US diplomats have to leave Russia by May 21. "It's not a Russian initiative,"Kommersant quoted an unnamed Russian Foreign Ministry source as saying. [ Editor: GSY ] Photo taken on May 12, 2021, shows the original look of the chariot belonged to China's first emperor Qinshihuang of the Qin Dynasty(221-206 BC). (Photo/China News Service) A newly built museum designed to exhibit the bronze chariots and horses excavated from the emperor's mausoleum will open to the public in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, on May 18. The artifacts had been moved there by Wednesday. The new museum is just 240 meters from the chariot excavation site. Two sets of chariots and horses were unearthed in December 1980 by an archaeological team from the Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum. Photo taken on May 12, 2021, shows the original look of the chariot belonged to China's first emperor Qinshihuangof the Qin Dynasty(221-206 BC). (Photo/China News Service) A restored bronze chariot is assembled at a newly built museum in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, May 12, 2021. (Photo/China News Service) Researcher checks on a bronze horse before it is installed at its new home in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, May 12, 2021. (Photo/China News Service) Staff members load bronze chariots and horses at a newly built museum in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, May 12, 2021. (Photo/China News Service) Photo taken on May 12, 2021, shows the national treasure from emperor, Qinshihuang of the Qin Dynasty(221-206 BC) ready to be transported to the newly built museum in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, May 12, 2021. (Photo/China News Service) [ Editor: WPY ] Xinjiang is situated in northwest China and the hinterland of the Eurasian Continent, covering an area of 1.66 million sq km. It is home to various ethnic groups, since historical times, different cultures and religions have coexisted, and continue to coexist in the region. In the long historical process, these ethnic groups have communicated and merged with each other, while living, studying, working and developing together in harmony. As one of the biggest provinces in China, Xinjiang has great potentials in different aspects. However, in recent decades, due to rapid urbanization and economic development in other regions of China, Xinjiang has lagged behind in insufficient job opportunities, incomplete infrastructures, low educational levels, and so forth. In recent years, the Chinese government has focused extensively on the development of Xinjiang in various aspects, including economic growth, infrastructural construction, improving peoples wellbeing, training and education, cultural protection. More and more, the uniqueness and beauty of Xinjiang has attracted increasing numbers of tourists and foreign personnel which helped it to open up to the world. In this video series, we will take a look at Xinjiang's transformations up to 2020, and witness its changes throughout the years. Improvements in Employment and Labor Rights For historical and a range of natural reasons, Xinjiang has long lagged behind other parts of the country in development, and there is a large impoverished population. The four prefectures in southern Xinjiang, namely, Hotan, Kashgar, Aksu and Kizilsu Kirgiz, in particular have a poor eco-environment, weak economic foundations, and a serious shortfall in employment carrying capacity. They are identified as areas of extreme poverty. In addition, many local people suffer from poor education and employability, low employment rates and incomes, and have fallen into long-term poverty. Employment and job security carries great significance for ensuring people's right to work, improving their living standards, and promoting social harmony and stability. Especially since 2012, Xinjiang has vigorously implemented employment projects, enhanced vocational training, and expanded employment channels and capacity. Thanks to these efforts, the employment situation in Xinjiang has continued to improve, people's incomes and quality of life are rising, and their sense of happiness and security has significantly increased. The income of residents and workers has increased steadily From 2014 to 2019, the per capita disposable income of residents in Xinjiang increased as follows: - Urban residents: from 23,200 yuan to 34,700 yuan (an average annual nominal growth of 8.6%); in 2020, this number reached 34,838 yuan - Rural residents: from 8,724 yuan to 13,100 yuan (an average annual nominal growth of 8.9 %); in 2020, this number reached 14,056 yuan - Urban residents in areas under the administration of Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (a special entity entrusted by the state to cultivate and guard China's border area in Xinjiang): from 27,600 yuan to 40,700 yuan (an average annual nominal growth of 8.5%) - Residents of the company residence areas of the Corps: from 13,900 yuan to 22,000 yuan (an average annual nominal growth of 9.9%) - Average annual salary of employees in non-private sectors in cities and towns: from 53,500 yuan to 79,400 yuan (an annual growth of 8.4%) - Average annual salary of employees in private sectors in cities and towns: from 36,200 yuan to 45,900 yuan (an annual growth of 5.4%) - From 2018 to 2019, 155,000 people from registered poor households in southern Xinjiang and in four impoverished regimental farms of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps found employment outside their hometowns and subsequently emerged from poverty The quality of the workforce has improved significantly Thanks to the government's education projects, enrollments in preschool education, nine-year compulsory education, senior high school education, higher education and vocational education in Xinjiang have all reached the highest level in history. - In 2019, there were 453,800 full-time students studying at universities and colleges (an increase of 146,200 over 2014) - There were 1.84 million students studying at secondary schools (an increase of 147,600 over 2014) - From 2014 to 2019, every year, Xinjiang provided training sessions to an average of 1.29 million urban and rural workers, of which 451,400 were in southern Xinjiang. The trainees mastered at least one skill with employment potential, and the vast majority of them obtained vocational qualifications, skill level certificates, or specialized skill certificates, allowing them to go on to find stable employment [ Editor: JYZ] The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has invited the members of the supervisory board of NJSC Naftogaz Ukrainy to stay for another year, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal said at a meeting with the G7 ambassadors and the EU Delegation to Ukraine on Friday. According to him, the state is ready to sign contracts with members of the supervisory board for the same period as with the head of the board chairman. "The members of the Naftogaz Ukrainy's supervisory board received an offer from the shareholder to stay for one more year. During this time, we will conduct a transparent and public selection of candidates for the new supervisory board, and after that, a competition for the new CEO of the company. The government is ready to take steps forward to ensure stability of the company during this transitional period," Shmyhal said. Pechersky District Court of Kyiv has released MP of Ukraine Viktor Medvedchuk under round-the-clock house arrest. "In satisfying the petition [the petition of the investigation to choose a measure of restraint for Medvedchuk in the form of detention with an alternative to bail] [...] refuse [...] apply [...] a measure of restraint in the form of round-the-clock house arrest," the court ruling says. During the trial, the defense first asked not to choose any measure of restraint, since, in their conviction, the suspicion had not been properly served. Subsequently, the lawyers told the court that if the court deems it necessary to choose a preventive measure, then it could be a surety of the MPs. The parliamentarians have written the relevant statements. During the trial, investigating judge Viacheslav Pidpaly asked a number of questions to the prosecution, in particular, regarding the evidence of the validity of the suspicion, the establishment of the amount of damage caused by Medvedchuk's actions, as well as the motivation for establishing the amount of bail as an alternative to arrest. Medvedchuk will remain under arrest until July 9, 2021 inclusively. Medvedchuk is also banned from leaving the city and region of Kyiv without permission of the investigator and the prosecutor, must inform the investigator and the prosecutor about any change in his home address or place of work, and refrain from speaking to suspects and witnesses. The court also ordered Medvedchuk to submit documents for traveling abroad and wear an electronic means of control (bracelet). As reported, on May 11, MPs of Ukraine of the Opposition Platform - For Life faction Viktor Medvedchuk and Taras Kozak were notified on suspicion of high treason and attempted plunder of national resources in the Russia-occupied Crimea. According to Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova, the suspicion concerns three episodes of illegal activity and cooperation with the aggressor country. According to the inquiry, in 2015 Medvedchuk conspired with a Russian government official regarding the mining of fossil fuels on the Black Sea shelf. The second count involved passing intelligence which constituted a state secret to Russian security services. The third count relates to anti-Ukrainian subversive activities, in particular, devising the anti-Ukrainian Luch project. On May 12, Medvedchuk arrived at the Prosecutor General's Office to read a copy of the indictment and said he had no intention to abscond and that his case was politically motivated. Kozak is currently in Russia, according to data from Ukrainian law enforcement agencies. At the bail hearing, the prosecutor asked the judge to remand Medvedchuk in custody as a measure of restraint or set the bail to UAH 300 million. MP of the Opposition Platform - For Life faction Taras Kozak is currently undergoing treatment in Belarus, his colleague in the faction Viktor Medvedchuk has said. "I know where MP Taras Kozak is he is being treated in Belarus," Medvedchuk told reporters on Thursday evening after a hearing at Pechersky District Court of Kyiv, which imposed house arrest on him. When asked if Kozak plans to come to Ukraine, Medvedchuk said "you will ask him and he will answer you." The MP also said that he had contacted Kozak after the suspicions were announced to him, and said that his reaction to this was "outrageous." "This is my friend, this is a member of the political council of our party, of course we talked," Medvedchuk said. As reported, on May 11, MPs of Ukraine of the Opposition Platform - For Life faction Viktor Medvedchuk and Taras Kozak were notified on suspicion of high treason and attempted plunder of national resources in the Russia-occupied Crimea. According to Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova, the suspicion concerns three episodes of illegal activity and cooperation with the aggressor country. The court chose Medvedchuk a preventive measure in the form of house arrest until July 9, 2021. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky took part in the opening of a new building of Kyiv School of Economics (KSE) in Kyiv, the presidential press service has said. As noted, the six-story building with an area of 4,500 square meters on Mykoly Shpaka Street has 11 classrooms that can accommodate about 700 students, a computer class, an event hall, a gym and a terrace. The new educational space also includes a green area and a recreation area. The President also watched the "Wall of Donors" dedicated to companies and people who financially supported the school, and got himself acquainted with the principles of the KSE activity. The president also watched the video a theatrical dialogue between KSE President Timofiy Mylovanov and Rector of the University of Bologna Yuriy Drohobych, who lived in 1450-1494, on the topic of independent creation of future. "The new KSE building is really impressive, but the most important thing is the atmosphere and potential of these bright people who have gathered here to change the country for the better, creating opportunities for quality education," the President said. Zelensky congratulated Mylovanov on the opening of the new KSE building. "I know that this was your dream, and I sincerely congratulate you on achieving this dream, from the bottom of my heart," the President said. Volodymyr Zelensky noted that Tymofiy Mylovanov is also an adviser to the head of the President's Office. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal wished the educational institution prosperity. The head of government expressed the hope that the new premises of the KSE will become a new page in the development of the institution. "May this page be bright and very successful for our state," he said and recalled that the school is implementing projects that help the interaction of all branches of government with business. A meeting of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) will take place on Friday, May 14, a source close to the NSDC office told Interfax-Ukraine. "The NSDC meeting will be held today," the agency's interlocutor said. The agenda of the meeting is not yet known, it starts at 16:00. As reported, on April 28, Deputy Head of the President's Office Kyrylo Tymoshenko said that the NSDC meeting on the security situation on the administrative border with the occupied Crimea, as well as in Kherson, Zaporizhia, Odesa, Mykolaiv and Donetsk regions "would take place in a few weeks." President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky notes that the feat of Ukrainians who saved Jews during World War II is an example of humanity and self-sacrifice. "The Holocaust is a common tragedy of all mankind. For the 1st time we mark the Day of Remembrance of Ukrainians who saved Jews during WW2. Ukraine ranks 4th in the number of Righteous Among the Nations with more than 2,500 heroes. Their feat is an example of humanity & self-sacrifice," Zelensy said on Twitter on Friday. On Friday, Ukraine celebrates the Day of Remembrance of Ukrainians who saved Jews during World War II. In Babyn Yar, it is planned to open a symbolic synagogue with the participation of officials, including Zelensky, religious leaders, cultural and public figures. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has blocked the smuggling of a consignment of cocaine worth about UAH 11.5 million, which was being smuggled by a citizen of one of the countries of Latin America. "According to intelligence information, the offender planned to sell cocaine to local drug dealers. He arrived in Ukraine under the guise of a tourist and allegedly to receive dental services. To confirm the purpose of the visit, the drug dealer even registered for an appointment at one of Kyiv dental clinics," the SBU press service reported. Law enforcement officers found 2.8 kg of drugs in the personal belongings of a foreigner during an in-depth customs inspection at Boryspil international airport. On-site rapid investigation has confirmed that the found substance is cocaine. The drug courier was detained. In fact, criminal proceedings were initiated under Article 305 (smuggling of drugs, psychotropic substances, their analogues or precursors or counterfeit drugs) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The issue of reporting suspicion to the detained drug courier is being resolved. Europe Day in the Ukrainian capital on Saturday, May 15 will start with a race on electric scooters "ScootKyiv," which will be attended, among other things, by representatives of the embassies of foreign states, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said. "On Saturday, the Ukrainian capital will celebrate Europe Day [...]. The holiday will start at 08:00, when the first European eco-competition 'ScootKyiv' will start on the Landscape Alley," Klitschko said at an online briefing on Friday. According to the mayor, Kyiv citizens, guests of the city, as well as representatives of the embassies, the capital and central authorities will take part in the race. "We hope that the current concept of celebrating Europe Day in Ukraine will be interesting and informative for the people of Kyiv and guests of the capital," he said. Klitschko said that Europe Day is a special holiday for Kyiv, since millions of Ukrainians have defended their desire to move along the European path and become part of the European community. Sumy Region intends to intensify cooperation with Israel - a meeting between the ambassador and the head of the regional state administration H.E. Mr. Yevhen Korniychuk, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the State of Israel is ready to promote the intensification of cooperation between Sumy region and Israel and the entry of regional business into the Israeli market. It was stated during online meeting of the ambassador with the head of the Sumy Regional State Administration Vasyl Khoma, the Embassy reported at Facebook. During the conversation, topical issues of cooperation between the region and Israel in various fields were discussed. The head of Sumy region presented the economic and investment potential of the region, in particular in the agricultural and industrial sectors. It was also identified possible areas of cooperation in the field of medical education and tourism development, - the message says. The Ambassador acquainted the interlocutor with the technological potential (in terms of the possibilities of its use in Ukraine), the peculiarities of business activity in Israel. Yevhen Korniychuk expressed readiness to assist the authorities and businesses of the region in entering the Israeli market, - the Embassy noted. The parties stressed the need to intensify bilateral cultural and humanitarian cooperation and involve regional business in various activities. Ukrzaliznytsia has opened the sale of tickets for passenger trains of border traffic in the direction Chop - Zahony (Hungary) and direct cars on the Kyiv - Vienna (Austria) route. As noted in the post on the Ukrzaliznytsia website on Friday, Chop-Zahony trains will run daily from June 1, departing from Zahony and Chop only on the Zahony - Chop - Zahony section. Also, Ukrzaliznytsia opened the sale of tickets for two direct cars on the Kyiv-Vienna route with departure from Kyiv from June 1 and back from Vienna from June 2 every day. The company also said that control over compliance with all anti-epidemic measures will be enhanced. Ten years ago, on May 15, 2011, the online rallying cry for a demonstration by a grassroots movement called Real Democracy Now was an unexpected triumph that turned Madrids central Puerta del Sol square into a protest camp. Out of it came a political movement known in Spanish as 15-M, named after May 15, and sometimes also referred to as the movement of the indignados or the outraged. This movement catalyzed much of the discontent caused by the 2008 global financial crisis and became the launching pad for the left-leaning political party Podemos. A decade later, and for very different reasons a pandemic, rather than the pitfalls of an unreal economy that devastated the real economy the world is experiencing another crisis marked by rampant inequality. The 15-M movement has left many marks on Spanish society, above and beyond a handful of popular expressions such as the caste, a term coined by Podemos co-founder Pablo Iglesias to describe Spains political and judicial establishment, or the 78 regime, alluding to the political system that emerged from the 1978 Spanish Constitution. Its effects on the Spanish party system have once again become evident in Madrids recent regional election, which resulted in the withdrawal of Pablo Iglesias from active politics and in the rise of the Podemos splinter group Mas Madrid, which has eaten away at the voter base of the Socialist Party (PSOE) in that region. EL PAIS has consulted seven Spanish historians, all of whom are 20th-century scholars from different generations and areas of expertise, about the repercussions of 15-M on Spains recent history. Accustomed as they are to dealing with extended time spans, they generally feel more comfortable with a broad perspective. However, they all agree that the spirit of 15-M is here to stay, not only in contemporary Spanish history but also in the history of the Western world. Demonstrators at the Puerta del Sol protest camp on May 22, 2011. David Ramos / GETTY IMAGES It is undoubtedly a very important date in the developed world, says Mercedes Cabrera, 69. She is a professor of history of political thought and social movements who also served as education minister from 2006 to 2009, and has written several essays on economic history. According to Cabrera, 15-M marked a turning point that flagged up changes that had already been underway, such as a transformation in the configuration of the political party system. A lot has happened in the past 10 years but, as she points out, the cycle has not ended yet. It was a wake-up call regarding our understanding of politics and how politics are done, she says. And it was a fallout from the crisis and the institutional deterioration of the democracies that were supposed to have secured an eternal victory after the fall of the Berlin Wall. The seven historians agree that 15-M was a manifestation of the crushing effect of the 2008 recession, which was accompanied by a brutal wave of cutbacks that knocked out the middle classes, condemned millions to poverty and robbed many young people in Europe and the US of their future. Enrique Moradiellos, 60, a professor at the University of Extremadura, author of several studies on the Spanish Civil War and winner of the National History Prize for a book on the subject, believes that the significance of 15-M can only be explained in a much broader context. He points out that it is a relevant phenomenon within the peoples civic response to the Western worlds economic crisis, which has become a crisis of the welfare state. It is, he says, a protest against cutbacks and austerity, but also against the paralysis of the political system in the face of mounting inequality. Many of the demands that were introduced in the political agenda at the time were related to that inequality: the right to housing, or the fight against evictions and corruption. Moradiellos also relates 15-M to other very different even contrasting manifestations of this malaise, such as the Trump phenomenon. I dont want to compare [Trumpism] with 15-M. God forbid! he exclaims. But they form part of the same response to globalization, to the incursion of new technologies that are revolutionizing the world of work. This would include the Arab Spring it should not be forgotten that this movement kicked off in Tunisia due to poverty and injustice fatigue the Occupy Wall Street movement in the US, the arrival of the left-wing Syriza coalition on the Greek political scene, and even the French yellow vest populist protests. Eduardo Gonzalez Calleja, 59, a professor at Carlos III University and an expert on political violence and social movements in Europe, sees parallels with those movements protesting against aspects of post-industrial capitalism. Perhaps it is comparable to the outbreak of the 1968 protests, he says. In 20th-century Spain, there is nothing comparable. These are processes that espouse peaceful action and go beyond the national framework. Juan Francisco Fuentes, 66, a professor at Madrids Complutense University and an expert on Spains Transition period who has written many books on contemporary history, including an essay on the 1981 coup attempt, believes that the study and understanding of 15-M is inseparable from its context. Two things stand out with respect to other protest movements: its spontaneity and its impact on political life, without, however, provoking a change of regime, he says. In other words, it affected Spains two-party system and raised awareness about corruption, but did not alter the structure of the democratic system. The repercussions on the Spanish political system, chiefly by ushering in new political forces and players, is undoubtedly one of the main implications of 15-M agreed upon by the historians. There was a concerted effort to change the status quo that went beyond the placards bearing slogans that echoed the protests of May 1968, such as Economic slave for rent, Rebels without a home, More education, less corruption, and it also went further than the assemblies and debates in Puerta del Sol, which later expanded to other city neighborhoods. It will endure because it implies a change in tack, the arrival of new players in political life, says Mirta Nunez Diaz-Balart, a professor of history of social communication, former head of the 20th-Century Historical Memory Academic Chair at Complutense University and an expert on the Spanish press during the Civil War. The main players, she points out, were conscientious and committed young people. It was an expression from the left, but it took place outside the traditional parties, she notes. It could also be interpreted as the end of the Transition, a period roughly spanning from the death of dictator Francisco Franco in 1975 to the national election of 1982. The movement showed society that Spain had changed significantly and that new individual and collective protagonists had emerged. The protest camp in Madrids Puerta del Sol early in the morning on May 21, 2011. David Ramos / Getty Images Pilar Mera Costas, a professor of contemporary history at the National Distance Education University (UNED), and author of numerous research papers on dictatorships and nationalism in the 20th century, points out that the 15-M movement paved the way for a different way of doing politics. The movement was a visible expression of discontent that explains the success of the protest parties Podemos and the liberal, center-right Citizens (Ciudadanos). The electoral law was the same and yet there was a very clear shift, she says. People began to consider that they could vote for other parties; a third party emerged and won seats in Soria and Burgos. Being the third party started to become important. And this is possibly part of a more extended change in the cycle: it started with Podemos and Ciudadanos and will likely end with the far-right Vox party and the Greens. We are going to be totally European at this rate, because we were the only country so far without a far-right or an ecologist party, she adds. All that is missing now is a truly liberal party. The reinterpretation of Spains Transition period has been another lasting repercussion of 15-M: groundbreaking events not only change the future, but also transform the past. A new generation burst onto the Spanish political scene and into the social limelight during May 2011: not only did this generation refuse to accept its role in the economic system, but it also shattered what had been the greatest consensus in the collective memory of Spanish democracy: namely, that the transition from Francos dictatorship to a democracy integrated within Europe had been an unqualified success. This consensus was due to the manner in which the Transition was carried out, through an agreement that brought together hitherto irreconcilable political opponents. Only the violent extremes, such as the far-left Basque terrorist group ETA and the political far-right, were excluded. An assembly at Puerta del Sol, a week after 15-M kicked off. David Ramos / Getty Images A number of scholars believe that so much criticism of the Transition has ended up undermining the value of consensus and dealmaking. It has given wings to extreme positions and public brawls instead of dialogue as a mode of political communication. Others believe it is an inevitable shift in the way in which the new generations consider their past. Ana Martinez Rus, an expert in cultural history and Francoism who teaches contemporary history at Complutense University, explains that she has been teaching 20th-century Spanish history for more than a decade and noticed an important change after 15-M. Before that, students never questioned the Transition, she says. Afterwards, they became extremely critical. I dont think the Transition should be sanctified, but neither should we look at what was done through a 2021 lens. There is also a noticeable disgruntlement with the institutional corruption of some elites, which makes sense considering everything that is now known about the head of state. Before this, a very uncritical way of understanding that period prevailed. My students in this class were born in 2000 and they are critical. Asked about its long-term repercussions, Fuentes points out that six months after 15-M, the conservative Popular Party (PP) won the elections with an absolute majority. The movement spoke in the name of the people, he says. But when the people spoke at the ballot box, as happened in France in June 1968, the result bore little resemblance to what [15-Ms] spokespersons predicted. But he believes that there will be lasting effects, including an awareness that the brunt of a crisis cannot be borne by its most vulnerable victims; that people react if abused. Fuentes says this perception is already influencing post-pandemic recovery plans, which are far more constructive than the savage austerity measures implemented after the 2008 economic crisis. This is 15-Ms main legacy: the message that people are not easily resigned to losing everything. Since 2018, a plaque recalls what happened that May: We were asleep, we woke up. The people of Madrid in recognition of the 15-M movement that took place in this Puerta del Sol. The rest is history. English version by Heather Galloway. On Thursday, Spains central Health Ministry reported 5,701 new coronavirus infections and added 73 victims to the overall death toll. The 14-day cumulative number of coronavirus cases per 100,000 inhabitants continues to fall, and yesterday was down a further seven points, at 166.32. In total, 3,598,452 coronavirus infections have been confirmed in Spain since the pandemic began, while the official death toll now stands at 79,281. While the pressure on hospitals and intensive care units (ICUs) is falling, Madrid, the Basque Country and Aragon are still at extreme risk, according to the Health Ministrys criteria. The three regions have a cumulative incidence above 250 cases per 100,000 inhabitants over 14 days, and more than 25% of their ICU beds occupied by Covid-19 patients. Also on Thursday, the Health Ministry updated its vaccination strategy. It proposed using the Messenger RNA vaccines Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech for pregnant women and those breastfeeding, as soon as the campaign reaches their age groups. Whats more, the authorities will give the go-ahead for the vaccination of vulnerable 12- to 15-year-olds the disabled or those in situations of high risk once the European Medicines Agency (EMA) grants authorization. The rest of this age group will not, for now, be prioritized. Whats more, those people born between 1972 and 1981 can now be immunized, according to the ministry, but the vaccines that will be used for this group of 40- to 49-year-olds have not been established. 14% full protection Just over 14% of the population of Spain has now got the full protection from Covid-19 offered by the vaccines the country is using. A total of 6,716,156 people 14.2% of citizens to be exact have either had the two doses of the Oxford-Astrazeneca, Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech medication, or the single shot of the Janssen vaccine. According to the latest report from the central Health Ministry, 14,555,552 people have so far received at least one dose, which is 30.7% of the population. The countrys regions which are in charge of their own vaccination campaigns have administered 21,071,940 doses in total, which is 91.2% of the total they have received. By age group, nearly all of the countrys over-80s have the full protection offered by the vaccines, while 94% of the 70-79 age group have had at least one dose. More than 80% of the 60-69 group has also had at least one shot. The regions of Andalusia, Asturias, the Balearic Islands, Castilla y Leon, Extremadura, Valencia, Madrid and Catalonia will all move on to the under-50s in June. Region by region In fact, Castilla-La Mancha will be vaccinating the 30-39 age group from the last week of June, according to sources from the regional government. If this comes to pass, it will be the first territory to reach such young ages during the ongoing campaign. The Health Ministry, however, will have to update its vaccination strategy first, setting out which vaccines should be used, and will have to approve this upcoming phase. Madrids deputy health chief, Antonio Zapatero of the PP, called on Friday for responsibility and prudence from the public, given that this will be the first full weekend without the state of alarm and coronavirus restrictions such as a nighttime curfew and perimetral lockdowns of regions. Things are better, but we havent beaten Covid, he said. This is not over. Zapatero also announced today that the regional health authorities will begin to vaccinate the 50-55 age group next week, and added that Madrid was working toward inoculating the homeless and irregular migrants in the region. Madrids general healthcare director, Elena Andradas, also explained on Friday that the region should have finished administering the first dose of the vaccine to the 50-59 age group by June, moving on to the under-50s in that month. This will mean vaccination coverage of more than 60% of the population, she added. The 30-39 age group is expected to be called up for vaccination in July. Herd immunity In Andalusia, regional premier Juan Manuel Moreno warned that everything could go out of the window if we are not responsible. Speaking at a press conference, the PP politician said that the region is very close to having the herd immunity that we all want to have. This allows us to recover spaces for freedom, movement and economic recovery. He called for responsibility, in particular among young people, because without wanting to, they can bring a drama to their home and their loved ones. He added that some outbreaks had been detected in social meetings and called for everyone to act responsibly. The regional premier of the northern Navarre region, Maria Chivite, announced today that the health authorities would focus on the 40-49 age group for the vaccination campaign in the second half of June, provided that the forecast for vaccine arrivals are met. This sector of the regions population, she explained, is very large, with 85,000 people, but added that the speed of vaccination is accelerating, and that forecasts are improving. Meanwhile, the Spanish government today extended the travel restrictions currently in place for those arriving from India, a country that is being battered by another catastrophic wave of the coronavirus at the current time. An obligatory quarantine for such travelers will remain in place until at least May 29, given the impact of the virus variant detected in that country. The measure might be extended once more after that date. The Indian government confirmed a further 4,000 Covid-19 deaths in the last day on Friday. English version by Simon Hunter. Stripped of her jewelry, luxury clothes and Louis Vuitton heels, Emma Coronel was unrecognizable as she appeared in a blue and green prison jumpsuit at a virtual court hearing in the United States. Coronel, the third wife of Mexican drug trafficker Joaquin El Chapo Guzman Loera was denied bail by a judge after being charged last February with international trafficking of cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and marijuana. Known as the Kardashian of Sinaloa, Coronel also stands accused of helping her husband escape from prison in 2015 in a madcap jailbreak that involved a mile-long tunnel dug from his shower. If convicted of all charges, she faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a fine of $10 million (8.25 million), as well as the prospective humiliation of losing a life spent in a blur of yachts, luxury brands and photo shoots. Coronel now spends 22 hours a day in a prison cell in Alexandria in the state of Virginia, in conditions denounced by her lawyer Mariel Colon. She only spends a couple of hours in a small communal room, Colon said. Alone in her cell, Coronel devotes herself to reading, as they dont offer her anything else to do to distract herself, according to Colon. It is unknown if Coronel is able to speak with her twin daughters from her marriage to El Chapo, the leader of the Sinaloa cartel and the worlds most notorious drug lord. Coronel was a familiar face at the 2019 New York trial of her husband, who was eventually sentenced to life in prison. Flanked by bodyguards, the impeccably dressed, the dutiful wife and her children quickly attracted the attention of the press pack. She said at the time she was fine despite the pressure of the trial, and confirmed she had never hidden the whereabouts of El Chapo from the twins. They know their dad is in jail, she told the press. They pull me away from feeling lonely, they keep me busy, she said. Her defense of her husband has never wavered. Emma Coronel arrives at the US district court in New York for the trial of her husband, Joaquin Guzman Loera, in 2019. Drew Angerer Coronel is a US and Mexican citizen by virtue of her birth on American soil on July 2, 1989. She is allegedly the niece of Ignacio Coronel, an infamous trafficker of methamphetamines to the United States. Her father Ines Coronel Barreras and the man she denies is her uncle were involved in drug trafficking in the early 1990s, when El Chapo controlled the market for cocaine within Mexico. Ignacio was killed on July 29, 2010, in Zapopan, Jalisco state, during a shootout with the Mexican army. Ines Coronel Barreras has several convictions for marijuana trafficking, as does Emmas brother, Ines Omar Coronel, who is also serving time for drug offenses. As a child, Emma Coronel shuttled between the US and a remote town near Angostura, in Mexicos Durango state, at the center of what is known as the countrys Golden Triangle for drug trafficking. She began participating in beauty pageants at a young age, and at age 17 was named beauty queen at the Coffee and Guava Festival. At a ball to celebrate her coronation, she met her future husband El Chapo, who was 51 at the time. Coronel left her boyfriend to become El Chapos third wife, and they agreed to marry the day she legally became an adult, just a few months after they met. With her elaborate make-up and calm demeanor, Coronel has given several television interviews where she has revealed details of her private life with carefully chosen words. El Chapo, she revealed, made her fall in love with his words rather than expensive gifts. He won me over with kindness, and with his manners, she said. Her husband urged her to continue her education, and she began a degree in communication sciences at the Autonomous University of Sinaloa. She would have liked to be a journalist, she once said. Coronel has always looked at ease in front of the camera, and easily dodged awkward questions about her husbands business dealings with a smile. I would prefer not to answer that, she would respond in a shy voice whenever anything related to drug trafficking entered the conversation. Although she emphasized she lived a normal life, going out with her friends to restaurants and the movies, in Sinaloa everyone knew who she was. I dont need lots of material things, just happiness and calm. I dont want them to make a big deal about my life. I like to go to the beach, go out and have fun like anyone else, she told the press. Coronel had twin daughters with Guzman in 2011, named Maria Joaquina and Emali Guadalupe. They were also born in the US, and the girls are half-sisters to the eight other children El Chapo has from previous marriages. Although Coronel has said she does not know exactly how many children Guzman has fathered, she is helping to raise three of them. The fortune El Chapo amassed from cocaine in the 1990s afforded him a life of luxury: four private planes, mansions scattered along Mexicos best beaches and even a zoo on one of his many ranches. Miguel Angel Martinez, El Chapos right-hand man and known among Sinaloa cartel members as El Gordo, spilled the beans on the familys flashy lifestyle at his trial. The ranch they owned in Guadalajara boasted four swimming pools and a menagerie of exotic pets such as tigers, lions, panthers and deer, he said. Guests would ride around on a little train, El Gordo recounted, before describing his business partners dozens of luxury cars and frequent trips abroad. Emma Coronel lived through the glory years of her husbands power by looking the other way. I am not aware that he deals drugs. Im in love with him, she has insisted. While he awaited sentencing, she said she lived off her own businesses. I cant tell you much about them, only that they are not illicit. For example, I own land that I inherited from my dad, she said in 2018. US prosecutors have said that Coronel not only knew about the Sinaloa Cartels operations, but also took part in some of them. With El Chapo in jail, his wife took on an important role in communicating with her husbands associates, according to court documents. Among the evidence that FBI agent Eric S. McGuire included while obtaining the warrant for her arrest is a letter allegedly written by El Chapo to an associate regarding heroin trafficking. The mother of the twins will tell you and my sons something. Please be attentive compadre. She will explain, the document read. On February 22, 2014, Mexican commandos arrested El Chapo in Mazatlan, Sinaloa. He was then the second most wanted cartel boss in Mexico and managed to outwit the authorities in order to see Emma Coronel and their two daughters. That romantic gesture earned him a place at El Altiplano, a Mexican maximum-security prison. He remained there for a year until he enacted one of the most brazen prison escapes the world has ever seen. In July 2015, El Chapo climbed through a 1,500-meter tunnel dug from an entrance in the shower block, which had features including lighting, ventilation and even rails to help to remove debris. The Washington DC District Court accuses Coronel of helping her husband during this stranger-than-fiction escapade. The former model sat alone during El Chapos trial, watching her husband wearing the ties she had bought for him. She barely reacted when FBI agents read the transcript of messages between Guzman and one of his mistresses, Agustina Cabanillas Acosta. The exchange not only showed Guzmans infidelity, it also exposed the mistresss involvement in cocaine and marijuana trafficking in the United States. The mistress called him love, and said he was the most important person to her. The agent who led the investigation said that Acosta became his plaything and that Guzman liked her a lot. El Chapo looked over at Coronel as his infidelity was exposed. Emma Coronel, in a scene from the reality TV program Cartel Crew. VH1 Once his sentence was handed down, Coronel took advantage of the media hype surrounding her and participated in a reality show called Cartel Crew on the US cable network VH1. I try not to regret whats in the past, Coronel said on camera in a conversation with Michel Blanco, son of Colombian drug trafficker Griselda Blanco. The wife of the worlds most famous drug lord insisted on the show that she wanted to be a normal woman. They judge us without knowing us. Its hard because sometimes you just want to do what you see everyone around you doing, she said, dressed in white while standing on a yacht. She asked Blanco for advice on how to launch a clothing brand called El Chapo Guzman: JGL (the acronym is for her husbands full name). One of Chapos daughters, Alejandrina Guzman, launched her own brand in 2019 called El Chapo 701, in reference to a Forbes magazine listing that ranked the drug trafficker as the 701st richest person in the world in 2009. Neither company managed to stay in business. In a very millennial move, Emma Coronel diversified her business and invested heavily in becoming an influencer through her Instagram account. She promoted several local brands in Sinaloa, including beauty products, clothing, jewelry, even burger joints and ice cream parlors in the area. There are only five posts on the account, but it has accumulated 592 million followers. El Chapos wife does not focus on her private life, but instead deploys professional photographs where her followers praise her image and style. The last post, published two months before her arrest, shows her posing in a wedding dress with long blonde hair. Then the bubble burst, and now the world is waiting to see just how long the influencer will have to keep wearing that prison jumpsuit. KYODO NEWS - May 13, 2021 - 22:08 | World, All A new U.S. policy toward North Korea under the administration of President Joe Biden builds on a June 2018 agreement between his predecessor Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, as well as other accords, diplomatic sources said Thursday. Japan and South Korea, two key U.S. allies in East Asia, have already been briefed on the status within the Biden administration of the agreement, in which the North committed to work toward complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, the sources said. The administration, which was launched in January, has just completed its months-long policy review on North Korea. It plans to provide humanitarian assistance to North Korea, including coronavirus vaccines, if the North so requests, according to the sources. A U.S. diplomatic source said the "ball is in North Korea's court." It is unclear, however, whether the stalled talks on North Korea's denuclearization would resume anytime soon given Kim has made clear that Pyongyang will seek to boost its nuclear and missile capabilities. The U.S.-North Korea joint statement was signed by Trump and Kim at their talks in Singapore on June 12, 2018. In the document, they said the United States would provide security guarantees to North Korea in return for "complete" denuclearization of the peninsula. After the first-ever summit between the two countries, Trump and Kim met again in Vietnam in February 2019, but their talks fell short of bridging the gap between demands by the United States and North Korea's calls for sanctions relief. The two met for a third time in June that year at the Demilitarized Zone dividing the two Koreas and agreed to restart denuclearization talks. But bilateral negotiations have stalled, with a working-level meeting held in the Swedish capital Stockholm in October that year ending without progress. Under its new North Korea policy, the Biden administration will respect the joint statement as an international agreement in a bid to resume the stalled bilateral talks. One of the diplomatic sources said the U.S. government has explained to its allies that the new approach "will build on Singapore and other agreements made by previous administrations." Humanitarian assistance would be considered separately from denuclearization talks. The idea of helping North Korea with coronavirus vaccines stems in part from the recognition that no substantive negotiations are likely as long as North Korea continues to keep its borders shut to fight the pandemic. Japan, for its part, has urged the United States not to renege on the joint statement issued under the previous administration. "If (the United States) decides to begin all over again on the grounds that there was a change of government, North Korea would lose its motivation to negotiate," a high-level Foreign Ministry official said earlier. As a presidential candidate, Biden criticized Trump, saying the then president had "legitimized North Korea" by repeatedly engaging with Kim. The Biden administration's policy review ended last month. The administration considered making "complete denuclearization of North Korea" its ultimate goal to make clear who is subject to denuclearization and to what extent denuclearization should be achieved. But in the end, it settled on "complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," which was included in the Singapore statement, according to the sources. "I hope that North Korea will take the opportunity to engage diplomatically and to see if there are ways to move forward toward the objective of complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said at a joint press conference with his British counterpart Dominic Raab in London on May 3. "We have, I think, a clear, a very clear policy that centers on diplomacy. And it is I think up to North Korea to decide whether it wants to engage or not on that basis," he added. The U.S. government sounded out North Korea this month about making contact to brief the country on its new policy, and Pyongyang responded to it, according to the sources. When the United States sounded out North Korea in February about possible contact, the North made no response at all, the sources said. KYODO NEWS - May 15, 2021 - 00:34 | World, All The Hong Kong government said Friday it has frozen assets belonging to media mogul Jimmy Lai in relation to his alleged breaches of the national security law. The government's Security Bureau said in a statement that subject to the freeze are Lai's holding of shares in Next Digital Ltd. -- the media group founded by Lai that publishes the outspoken Apple Daily newspaper -- and property in the bank accounts of three companies held by him. A prominent anti-China, pro-democracy activist, Lai has drawn special scrutiny from Beijing. He is currently serving a 14-month prison sentence over his involvement in two unauthorized protests in August 2019. Lai has also been charged with colluding with foreign forces in breach of the territory's national security law. The secretary for security "directs that relevant persons and organizations must not, directly or indirectly, deal with certain property which is reasonably suspected to be related to offenses endangering national security," the statement reads. Next Digital CEO Cheung Kim-hung said in an Apple Daily report that the group's and the Apple Daily's operation and finances are "not affected" by the asset freeze. Lai holds a 71.26 percent stake in the media group, according to the newspaper. Hong Kong authorities have for years tried to stifle the outspoken daily. Growing financial pressure from a shortfall in advertising revenue is forcing the group to end the paper publication of its sister paper in Taiwan next Tuesday. New Delhi: The Supreme Court today directed 13 directors, including five promoters of embattled Jaiprakash Associate Limited (JAL) not to alienate their personal properties and asked the firm to deposit Rs 150 crore and Rs 125 crore by December 14 and December 31 respectively. The bench accepted a demand draft of Rs 275 crore by the real estate firm today. A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud further restrained the directors from alienating the properties of their immediate family members also and cautioned that any violation of its directive would hold them liable for criminal prosecution. Meanwhile, the bench-appointed lawyer Pawan Shree Agrawal as amicus curiae and asked him to set up within a week, a web portal, which would contain all details including grievances of the hassled homebuyers. Senior advocates Mukul Rohatgi and Ranjit Kumar, who appeared on behalf of the directors including independent and promoter ones, said they have filed affidavits in pursuance of earlier direction asking them to give details of their personal properties. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the real estate company, said adequate time should be given to the firm for arranging money or otherwise it may go the Sahara way. The bench has now posted the plea of homebuyers for further hearing on January 10 and directed all the directors to appear again before it on that date. Homebuyers including one Chitra Sharma had moved the apex court saying that around 32,000 people had booked their flats and are now paying installments. The top court had on September 4 stayed insolvency proceedings against the real estate firm at National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). Flat buyers, under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code of 2016, do not fall in the category of secured creditors like banks and hence they can get back their money only if something is left after repaying the secured and operational creditors, Sharma, in her plea, said. Hundreds of home buyers have been left in the lurch after the NCLT, on August 10, admitted the IDBI Bank's plea to initiate insolvency proceedings against the debt-ridden realty company for defaulting on a Rs 526 crore loan, the plea said. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Election Commission on Friday recognised Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar led faction as JD (U) and entitled them to use the arrow symbol. It was a big respite to Nitish Kumars faction after rebel leader Sharad Yadav had claimed that the symbol belongs to his faction. JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar expressed his pleasure on winning te symbol, saying that now Sharad Yadav can shout slogan in favour of RJD president Lalu Prasad. Notably, Sharad Yadav was not happy with Nitish Kumar after the latter had pulled out from Mahagathbandhan and had joined hands with the BJP to form a government in the state. EC recognizes Nitish Kumar led faction as JD(U) & entitles them to use the arrow symbol. pic.twitter.com/BmWR0ZW8NP ANI (@ANI) November 17, 2017 After ECs decision, rebel leader Ali Anwar said that they would go to the people and share the truth. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The first phase of polling for election to the civic bodies in Uttar Pradesh began on Wednesday. The voting is being held for five municipal corporations, 71 nagar palika parishads and 154 nagar panchayats spread over 24 districts. The incumbent BJP govt for the first time released a manifesto for the civic body polls and listed out a number of promises for development of cities in UP. The BJP has left no stone unturned for the polls, setting up a war room of more than 50 staff members to monitor the partys campaign and poll management. According to BJP insiders, the party is giving a lot of importance to the civic polls keeping in mind the Gujarat assembly polls, scheduled for next month and the Lok Sabha polls in 2019. So let us understand as to why the results of the UP civil polls are of great significance to the BJP govt #Litmus Test for Yogi Adityanath's governance since assuming power in the state The Uttar Pradesh civic body polls are the first major elections in India's most populated state after the Assembly elections which were held in March. So political pundits are considering this as the litmus Test for Yogi Adityanath's government. A victory for BJP would mean that the people have restored confidence in the administrative abilities of the Yogi govt since they assumed power seven months back. If the party wins handsomely in UPs civic polls, the underlying message passed on in the political landscape would be that the most populated state has restored faith in BJP's governance and Yogi Adityanath's leadership. 2. BJP would like to maintain hegemony over its bastions The BJP maintained a stranglehold over some of the important mayor seats in the UP's municipal corporations with the party winning most of them in the past even when it was out of power. The BJP has always won the Varanasi, the PMs Lok Sabha constituency. The BJP has an exemplary track record in the Lucknow mayors seat polls, winning it four times in a row. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is the current Lucknow MP, which also was the constituency represented by former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. At least five ministers of Adityanaths cabinet are canvassing in Lucknow where polling is scheduled on November 26. The BJP has also won in Chief Minister Yogi Adityanaths home town of Gorakhpur several times. If the party loses any of these seats particularly Varanasithe Opposition will get an opportunity to call it the PMs and Adityanaths failure. The opposition can effectively raise the poll results in the Gujarat elections and also in 2019 Lok Sabha polls. It is a must for the BJP to win these seats and hence the CM personally is visiting a maximum number of constituencies, said a BJP leader. 3. Poll results to have a bearing on the upcoming Gujarat Polls The civic body elections shall also serve as run-up to the upcoming elections in Gujarat where the BJP would be locked in a tough battle with the Congress.The results of the UP civic polls will be declared on December 1, before polling in Gujarat and BJP leaders are of the opinion that a win or a loss for in UP could influence the Gujarat polls. 4. Yogi Adityanath's prestige at stake The Adityanath government has created Ayodhya and Mathura-Vrindavan as two new municipal corporations and he addressed public meeting in both cities. Sources said that he is also keeping a watch on the BJPs organizational affairs in view of the polls. The prestige of the CM is at stake in the civic polls. The BJP cannot afford to lose any of 10 mayoral seats it had won in 2012 when party was out of power both in the state as well as the Centre, remarked a BJP leader. 5. A victory in the civic body polls could help BJP push their agenda for building the Ram Mandir at Ayodhya UP CM Yogi Adityanath commenced his poll campaign from Ayodhya where his entire cabinet had celebrated Diwali on a grand scale in October and projects worth Rs 133 crore were announced for the town of temples. Ayodhya also hogged the limelight for the recent visit of Art of Living (AoL) founder Sri Sri Ravishankar to meet different stakeholders of Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri mosque title suit. So a win in the civic body polls would help the ruling govt sway the public sentiments in their favour and make for a strong case for pushing their agenda to build the Ram Mandir at Ayodhya For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday expressed confidence of winning the local body polls with majority of votes. While talking to ANI after casting his vote in Gorakhpur, the chief minister said the Uttar Pradesh government will try to ensure that the welfare schemes must reach to the people of the state. He said, No political party will be able to stand in front of the BJP, as the saffron party is enjoying support of the people in the state. "BJP's agenda is to provide better facility to the people, help the local businessmen, to improve the roadways after winning the local body polls. The representatives of the BJP will win the election throughout the state with majority of votes and will provide the basic facility to the people," the chief minister said. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Himanta Biswa Sarma, Health Minister of Assam, has stirred the hornets nest. Sarma has claimed that some people suffer from life-threatening diseases such as cancer because of sins committed in the past. He called it divine justice. His comments have evoked sharp reactions from various quarters, and cancer patients. "God makes us suffer when we sin. Sometimes we come across young men getting inflicted with cancer or young men meeting with accidents. If you observe the background you will come to know that it's divine justice. Nothing else. We have to suffer that divine justice," Sarma said at a function organised in Guwahati on Tuesday. "In this lifetime or in our previous life, or perhaps my father or mother... perhaps that young man did not do but his father has done something wrong. It is mentioned even in Gita, Bible about the outcome of one's actions. No point in being sad... all will get the outcome of this life's actions in this life only. That divine justice always will be there. Nobody can escape the divine justice that will happen," he said. Congress leader Debabratta Saikia while reacting to his comments said, "It is unfortunate that the health minister has made such a remark on cancer patients hurting their feelings. As he has made the remark publicly, the minister should also apologise for it publicly." AIUDF leader Aminul Islam asserted that the health minister made this remark to cover his failure to control the spread of cancer in the state. Some cancer patients said they were saddened by the health minister's remarks at a time when it is an established medical fact that there are scientific reasons and various other parameters responsible for the disease. State-run Dr B Barooah Cancer Institute's Medical Superintendent Dr BB Borthakur sought to tone down Sarma's remarks. "I don't think the minister made the remark on scientific basis but in a social context as I understand. I don't think it is a matter to be made into a controversy. It is not a matter to be given so much importance," he told PTI. (With PTI inputs) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: AIADMK MP (EPS-OPS faction) V Maitreyan on Thursday claimed that the two leaves symbol has been allotted to them by the Election Commission and they are waiting for the order in writing. Waiting for the hard copy but got information from EC orally that the two leaves symbol has been allotted to us, V Maitreyan said. Rejoicing over the decision, Tamil Nadu CM E Palaniswami said EC has given a favourable judgement as he enjoys support of majority of party workers. EC has given judgement in our favour, we are very happy. Majority of party workers supported us: Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi K. Palaniswami on two leaves symbol pic.twitter.com/G8vzLxjE8Z ANI (@ANI) November 23, 2017 EC has given judgement in our favour, we are very happy. Majority of party workers supported us, Palaniswami said. When asked whether proximity with the BJP helped tilt the decision in their favour CM Palaniswami said, It is wrong. We had facts on our side and majority of MLAs, MPs and party workers were with us. It is wrong.We had facts on our side and majority of MLAs,MPs and party workers were with us.All this was taken into consideration: TN CM Edappadi K. Palaniswami on allegations that judgement was awarded in their favour due to proximity with BJP pic.twitter.com/GloXKJvLGF ANI (@ANI) November 23, 2017 For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Indian Youth Congress's online magazine Yuva Desh on Tuesday posted a derogatory tweet targeting PM Narendra Modi which was later deleted. Yuva Desh had tweeted a picture of Prime Minister Modi in conversation with the United States President Donald Trump and the UK Prime Minister Theresa May. Reacting sharply to the tweet and its deletion official spokesperson of the Bharatiya Janata Party Sudhanshu Trivedi said, Yuva Desh, first posts a derogatory tweet about the Prime Minister and then deletes it but the damage has already been done. This clearly shows the feudal mindset of Congress. Sambit Patra, another prominent face of BJP said, The nation saw the impact of 'Maut Ka Saudagar' jibe and Mani Shankar Aiyar's abuses in 2014, a similar impact will be seen now. Congress has not only insulted the PM but also 6 crore Gujaratis and 1.25 billion Indians. Tajinder Bagga, spokesperson of the Delhi Unit of Bharatiya Janata Party said Just because Modi ji comes from a poor family and he used to sell tea, will you insult him? This is an insult to all hard working poor people. Also, a mistake happens once not twice. First, in 2014 MS Aiyar said this and now Yuva Desh,. The run-up to the Gujarat Assembly polls has witnessed political slugfest between the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party with both trying to outdo the other. Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar had, in January 2014, said "Modi would never become prime minister, but he was welcome to serve tea to Congressmen." (With Agency inputs) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Tokyo: A military aircraft with 11 people aboard has crashed into the Philippine Sea while en route to an aircraft carrier, the US said today, the latest accident to hit its armed forces in East Asia. "A United States Navy aircraft carrying 11 crew and passengers crashed into the ocean southeast of Okinawa," a statement from the Navy said. "Personnel recovery is under way and their condition will be evaluated by USS Ronald Reagan medical staff. The aircraft was en route to the US Navy aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, which is currently operating in the Philippine Sea. "USS Ronald Reagan is conducting search and rescue operations. The cause of the crash is not known at this time." The US military has a heavy presence in the western Pacific, with tens of thousands of troops and hundreds of pieces of hardware stationed in Japan and South Korea. The USS Ronald Reagan last week was one of three American aircraft carriers that held rare joint drills in the region, joined separately by Japanese navy and South Korean warships over the weekend. The drills come as tensions persist between Washington and North Korea over its missile and nuclear programme. US military vessels have been involved in a number of accidents in recent months in East Asia. The USS John S. McCain collided with a tanker off Singapore in August, killing 10 sailors and injuring five others. Two months earlier in June, the USS Fitzgerald and a cargo ship smashed into each other off Japan, leaving seven sailors dead. There were also two more, lesser-known incidents. In January USS Antietam ran aground near its base in Japan, and in May, USS Lake Champlain collided with a South Korean fishing vessel. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe submitted his resignation on Wednesday after nearly four decades as the country's topmost leader. Mugabe ultimately succumbed to a week of overwhelming pressure from the military that put him under house arrest, lawmakers from the ruling party and opposition who started impeachment proceedings and a population that surged into the streets to say 37 years in power was enough. The capital, Harare, erupted in jubilation after news spread that the 93-year-old leaders resignation letter was read out by the speaker of parliament, whose members had gathered to impeach Mugabe after he ignored escalating calls to quit since a military takeover. Cars honked and people danced and sang across the city in a spectacle of free expression that would have been impossible during his rule.Welcome to the new Zimbabwe, people chanted outside a conference center where the lawmakers met. Change was overdue. ... Maybe this change will bring jobs, said 23-year-old Thomas Manase, an unemployed university graduate.Mugabe, who was the worlds oldest head of state, said in his letter that legal procedures should be followed to install a new president no later than tomorrow. My decision to resign is voluntary on my part and arises from my concern for the welfare of the people of Zimbabwe and my desire for a smooth, non-violent transfer of power, Mugabe said in the message read out by parliamentary speaker Jacob Mudenda. Recently fired Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa would take over as the countrys leader within 48 hours, said a ruling party official, Lovemore Matuke. Mnangagwa, who fled the country after his firing on Nov. 6, is not far from here, Matuke said. Mugabe can participate in a formal handover of power so that Mnangagwa moves with speed to work for the country, Matuke said. Mugabes resignation brought an end to impeachment proceedings brought by the ruling ZANU-PF party after its Central Committee voted to oust the president as party leader and replace him with Mnangagwa, a former ally of Mugabe who served for decades as his enforcer with a reputation for being astute and ruthless. Before the resignation, crowds rallied outside the parliament building, dancing and singing. Some people placed photos of Mugabe in the street so that cars would run over them. Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai of the MDC party said the culture of the ruling party must end and everyone must put their heads together and work towards free and fair elections. His party had seconded the impeachment motion. Earlier on Wednesday, Mnangagwa said in a statement that Mugabe should acknowledge the nations insatiable desire for a leadership change and resign immediately. Mnangagwa, a former justice and defence minister, added to the pressure on Mugabe to quit after a long rule during which he evolved from a champion of the fight against white minority rule into a figure blamed for a collapsing economy, government dysfunction and human rights violations. Never should the nation be held at ransom by one person ever again, whose desire is to die in office at whatever cost to the nation, said Mnangagwa, who has a loyal support base in the military. Zimbabwes polarising first lady, Grace Mugabe, had been positioning herself to succeed her husband, leading a party faction that engineered Mnangagwas ouster. The prospect of a dynastic succession alarmed the military, which confined Mugabe to his home last week and targeted what it called criminals around him who allegedly were looting state resources, a reference to associates of the first lady. Grace Mugabe has not been seen since the military stepped in.Mnangagwa was targeted by US sanctions in the early 2000s for undermining democratic development in Zimbabwe, according to the Atlantic Council, a US-based policy institute. However, J Peter Pham, an Africa expert at the council, noted that some Zimbabwean opposition figures have appeared willing to have dialogue with Mnangagwa in order to move the country forward and that the international community should consider doing the same. Were not saying whitewash the past, but it is in the interests of everyone that Zimbabwe is engaged at this critical time, Pham said in a statement.On Tuesday, Zimbabweans simply enjoyed the moment. Todays a good day, said Eric Machona, a Harare resident. People are very happy. With PTI inputs For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will pay a three-day visit to Russia from November 27 to November 29, officials said on Wednesday. Singh will hold meetings with the Minister for Internal Affairs of Russia, Vladimir Kolokoltsev and other top leaders. The meetings will cover mutual cooperation in tackling all forms of terrorism, ways to strengthen cooperation in tackling organized crime, smuggling of narcotics, fake currency notes, and cybercrime. As a prelude to the agreements to be signed, a meeting of the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday gave its approval for the signing of the agreement on cooperation between India and Russia in the field of combating all forms of terrorism and organized crime. India and Russia have a long history of close cooperation on matters of mutual interests. With the rise in the incidents of terrorism and organized crime across the world, it is imperative for countries to work together to combat all forms of terrorism, read the official statement. The proposed pact, which will replace the agreement of October 1993, is a step towards consolidating the benefits accrued in the field of security and seeks to jointly fight the new and evolving risks and threats. The agreement would reinforce the relationship between India and Russia through exchange and sharing of information, expertise, best practices, and would help in curbing terrorism and enhancing security in the region, it said. Singh is also expected to sign Joint Action/ Implementation Plan for cooperation in areas of drugs and disaster management. The home minister will be accompanied by top officials of the home ministry and security agencies. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The Judicial Review Board of the Lahore High Court ordered the release of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack mastermind and Jammat-ud-Dawah chief Hafiz Saeed from house arrest on Wednesday. The release order of the Jammat-ud-Dawah chief comes fore days before the 26/11 Mumbai attack anniversary. The Judicial Review Board rejected a request from the government of Pakistan to extend Saeed's detention by three months. The government is ordered to release JuD chief Hafiz Saeed if he is not wanted in any other case," PTI quoted the board. "The government cannot afford to set Saeed free in the current circumstance. It cannot face international backlash in the event of releasing the JuD chief," the official source told PTI. The government had informed the judicial body that Saeeds release could lead to imposition of international sanctions on Pakistan. Also read: Hafiz Saeed might be killed by foreign agency says Pakistan, tightens his security It also said that the Federal Finance Ministry had "some important evidence" against him to justify detention. Also read: Pakistan seeks house arrest extension of Jamat-ud-Dawah chief Hafiz Saeed On January 31, Saeed and his four aides including Abdullah Ubaid, Abdul Rehman Abid, Malik Zafar Iqbal and Qazi Kashif Hussain were detained by the Pakistans Punjab government for 90 days under the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 and the Fourth Schedule of Anti-Terrorism Act 1997. Last month, the Judicial Review Board had allowed a 30-day extension to his house arrest. The detention is set to expire in the last week of November. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Kolkata: The Special Task Force (STF) of West Bengal Police on Tuesday arrested three suspected terrorists having connections with Al Qaeda from Kolkata railway station. Deputy Commissioner of STF Murli Dhar Sharma confirmed the arrest and said, Two of the arrested are Bangladeshi nationals. The arrested are members of Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), a banned terrorist organisation of Bangladesh. He added that the arrests were made on the inputs provided by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The trio arrested have been identified as Samsad Mia, Riyazul and Manotosh Dey. Mia and Riyazul are from Bangladesh, while Dey is an Indian citizen and resident of north 24 Pargana. Sharma also added that the three arrested might have links with Al Qaeda, an internationally banned terrorist group. He added that the two foreign nationals were living at the outskirts of Kolkata and in districts sharing border with Bangladesh. One of the Bangladeshi nationals had managed to procure a Aadhaar card on his name. Also read| Jammu and Kashmir: Security forces gun down one militant in Tral A probe has been initiated to find out how they managed to procure Aadhar card without having valid identity documents, added Sharma. The STF officer further informed the media that the three were in Kolkata to procure arms, ammunition and explosives. Several documents have been recovered from them and including Al Qaeda leaflets, contacts and visiting cards of chemical shops, he added. Also read| Bandipora encounter: 125-130 terrorists killed in Kashmir Valley this year, says Lt Gen J S Sandhu The STF additional commissioner also said, The booklets explained how to make bombs. We are examining the booklet more carefully. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Ashok Kumar, the Ryan School bus conductor, who was the prime accused in the murder of Pradyuman Thakur was on Wednesday released from Gurugram's Bhondsi jail. A Gurugram-based district court had granted him bail on Tuesday. Ashok was granted bail against a bond of Rs 50,000. The amount was reportedly crowd-funded from his village, Ghamroj. It is speculated that Ashok will file a defamation case against the police officers who tried to frame him. Amichand, Ashok's father expressed happiness but claimed that his son was ill-treated by the Gurugram police. "We are poor people that's why no one was listening to us," he was quoted as saying by India Today. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the investigating agency in the case has not given a clean chit to Ashok. Nevertheless, the CBI has not found any determining evidence against him and is now investigating the role of Class XI student who had confessed to the crime. Before CBI took over the probe, the Haryana Police had claimed that Pradyuman was murdered by Ashok. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Manisha Singh, who belongs to one of Rajasthans royal families, attended a program on Tuesday on the ongoing Padmavati Row at News Nation. While discussing the movie, she told Ajay Kumar, Senior Executive Editor, News Nation that bedroom scenes should not be portrayed in the movie. The Rajput society members claimed that history should not be distorted and there must be factual proof. Amid threats of chopping nose and ears of actress Deepika Padukone, Ajay Kumar posed it as a question to guests for their opinion. He further said that a BJP MLA had offered Rs. 10 crores reward for beheading actor Ranveer Singh. Manisha Singh answered that she is also a woman and strongly supports the cause of women empowerment. She asked that her views should also be put forward. She claimed that Rajputs are protesting in a peaceful manner and havent resorted to such tactics. Ajay Kumar then proceeded forward to ask that whether Sanjay Leela Bhansali should show the film to the Rajput society and the royal families in order to release it? Manisha Singh replied that if there are too many controversial scenes in the movie, then it should not be released. She, however, claimed that if the movie is shown to the royal families and Rajput society apart from deleting some of the controversial scenes; then the film should be released. Padmavati has been facing huge protests from the Rajput society and Karni Sena. Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan has already announced that the film wouldn't be released in his state. Padmavati's release date has already been deferred voluntarily by makers. Earlier, it was scheduled to be released on 1st December. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Washington: The US has congratulated Justice Dalveer Bhandari for his re-election to the ICJ, but asserted that it is against any change in the current veto structure of the UN Security Council, even as it favours a modest expansion of the 15-membered body. Indias Dalveer Bhandari was re-elected to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) with more than two-thirds of the UN members backing him, forcing Britain to withdraw its candidate amidst high drama in the hard-fought race to the world court. Responding to questions on reform of the 15-membered apex wing of the world body, a State Department spokesperson said: The United States remains open in principle to the idea of UN Security Council reform, including a modest expansion of the Security Council. Also Read: India's nominee Dalveer Bhandari re-elected to ICJ "We believe a reformed council must reflect the realities of the 21st century and be able to meet the challenges of this century with enhanced -- and not diminished -- effectiveness and efficiency. To this end, we remain opposed to any alteration or expansion of the veto, the spokesperson told PTI. The spokesperson was asked about reform of the UNSC in view of the differences that emerged between the General Assembly and the Security Council during the just concluded election to the ICJ. For the last remaining seat, the General Assembly and the UNSC had to carry 11 round of voting before judge Christopher Greenwood from Britain withdrew from the race, leaving Indias nominee Bhandari to be re-elected for a nine-year term."We congratulate Judge Dalveer Bhandari of India for his re-election to the International Court of Justice, as well as the other candidates who were elected or re-elected...," the spokesperson said, thanking Judge Greenwood for his service to the ICJ. However, the official refused to comment on the 11 rounds of voting."Were not going to comment on the prior rounds of voting. In the end, Judge Bhandari received the unanimous support of the UNSC and an absolute majority in the UN General Assembly for his re-election to the ICJ," the spokesperson said. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Chennai: Students of the Sathyabama University went on a rampage and set fire to varsity properties after a girl student allegedly killed herself in her hostel room on Wednesday in Chennai. The varsity students and the deceaseds classmates have blamed the university staff of shaming the girl in public after she was caught cheating in an exam earlier in the day, which forced her to commit suicide. According to reports, agitated students of the university started setting things on fire in the campus after they learnt about the suicide. Huge flames were seen inside the campus. The deceased has been identified as Ragamoulika, a first year BSc Computer Science student and a resident of Hyderabad. Police said, Ragamoulika, a first year student, allegedly committed suicide in her college hostel room. The girl was appearing for her semester exams. Around 10.30 am, an invigilator found her suspicious and checked her answer sheet. He found her copying from another paper. She was asked to leave the exam hall. The officer added, After returning to her hostel, she sent a message to her twin brother Rakesh who studies in the same department of the University. In her message written in Telugu, she apologized for her mistake and seeked forgiveness. Also read| Hyderabad: 16-year-old girl attempts suicide after 'harassment' by teacher She was found hanging in her room by her roommates who later alerted the hostel staff and the police. Also read: Drunk students harassing IndiGo Crew member pulled out, Made to touch her feet Chennai Police have registered an FIR under section CrPc 174 ( (unnatural death). For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: In a significant order, the Supreme Court on Thursday struck down a stringent condition for securing bail of a person accused of money laundering, saying it was "manifestly arbitrary" and "unconstitutional" as it drastically intruded into the fundamental rights of the accused. The top court said that Section 45(1) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA), which imposes conditions like hearing of a prosecutor before the bail is granted to an accused, was "unreasonable". The verdict will have wide ramification as a bench of Justices R F Nariman and S K Kaul said that all cases in which bail has been denied so far due to the conditions contained in Section 45, will now go back to the respective courts which have denied bail. "We declare Section 45(1) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, insofar as it imposes two further conditions for release on bail, to be unconstitutional as it violates Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India," the bench said. As per Section 45 of the Act, a person accused of an offence punishable for a term of three years imprisonment could be given bail only if the Public Prosecutor was given an opportunity to oppose the application for release. The provision also says that bail could be granted only if the court was satisfied that there were reasonable grounds for believing that the person is not guilty of such offence or that he is not likely to commit any offence while on bail. The apex court set aside all orders by which bail to an accused was denied due to the twin conditions and directed that such cases be remanded back to the respective courts to be heard on merits. The court, while hearing a batch of petitions and appeals challenging the constitutional validity of Section 45 of PMLA, termed it as a "drastic provision" which turns on its head the presumption of innocence which is fundamental to a person accused of any offence. It also said that before applying such a section which makes "drastic inroads" into the fundamental right of personal liberty under Article 21, "we must be doubly sure that such provision furthers a compelling state interest for tackling serious crime." Also Read| PMLA: Banks to now match original IDs with photocopies Without "any such compelling state interest, the indiscriminate application of the provisions of Section 45 will certainly violate Article 21 of the Constitution. "Provisions akin to section 45 have only been upheld on the ground that there is a compelling state interest in tackling crimes of an extremely heinous nature," the court said. Also Read:ED issues fresh summons to Tejashwi Yadav, asks him to appear on November 13 It said that merely "reading down" the two conditions would not get rid of the "vice of manifest arbitrariness and discrimination" The apex court pointed to one of the anamolies in section 45 and said that anticipatory bail could be granted to a person who is prosecuted for the offence of money laundering, which may last throughout the trial of the case against him. It said if the person is arrested for the offence of money laundering, then in order to seek regular bail, section 45 will apply, which was an anomalous situation. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Rajkot: The BJP on Wednesday termed the proposal of the Uttar Pradesh Shia Waqf Board on resolving the Ayodhya issue as "good" and asked Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi to clarify his party's stand by breaking his "silence". The UP Shia Waqf Board proposed relinquishing its right over the disputed land in Ayodhya and building a 'masjid-e-aman" in Lucknow to resolve the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid tangle on Monday. A draft for resolving the issue, prepared by the Shia Waqf Board, was submitted in the Supreme Court on November 18. "The Shia Waqf Board has put forward a good suggestion by filing an affidavit in the Supreme Court stating that a Ram temple be built in Ayodhya and a mosque in Lucknow. It's a good suggestion to resolve the issue," BJP national spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao told reporters. He was in the city to campaign for the BJP Assembly poll candidates. "The BJP is of a clear opinion that a glorious temple of Lord Ram be built in Ayodhya, but what the Congress wants to say? We demand that Rahul Gandhi make his party's stand clear by breaking his silence on the issue", Rao said. He said the BJP supported the Shia Waqf Board's suggestion but also wanted to hear a reply from the Congress. Rao claimed that outfits like Nirmohi Akhada have also extended their support to the Shia Waqf Board's suggestion on the Ayodhya issue. "We demand a clarification from Rahul Gandhi before the apex court begins hearing on the issue on December 5," he said. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The woman passenger who confronted Union Minister KJ Alphons Kannanthanam at Imphal Airport has presented her side of the story. Dr Nirala said, I was waiting for my flight and crying because I wanted to reach my family, so I approached Minister KJ Alphons, thinking a minister can do everything. We all have our own set of problems and it is wrong to disturb the schedule of others for the sake of just one individual. This VVIP culture should be stopped, added Nirala. Nirala, who is a doctor, on Wednesday, had lashed out at Union Minister KJ Alphons Kannanthanam at Imphal Airport as her flight got delayed due to the VVIP arrival schedule the video of which has been shared on many news sites. Shortly after the incident, Alphons clarified his stand. He said that apart from the Prime Minister and the President, there is no protocol for any minister that requires the flights to be delayed or cancelled. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Shimla: A 56-year-old Indian Army colonel was arrested for allegedly raping the daughter of a lieutenant colonel posted at the Army Training COmmand (ARTRAC) on Wednesday in Shimla. Shimla Superintendent of Police (SP) Soumya Sambasivan confirmed the development. The senior officer denied to disclose the identity of the accused. The Shimla Police said, A 21-year-old woman had filed a complaint on Monday. The Indian Army colonel was arrested today after preliminary investigation. The police added that an FIR under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been registered. Medical examination of the victim has been conducted, said a senior police officer. Also read: Bhopal IAS aspirant gang rape: Chargesheet filed against 5 police officers for dereliction of duty Sambasivan said, Investigation is in progress. The accused will be produced in the court on Thursday. Also read: Girl student allegedly raped in Delhi's Lodhi Garden (With PTI inputs) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Hardik Patel, the face of the Patidar quota stir in Gujarat on Wednesday pledged his support to the Congress for the Gujarat Assembly elections. The move shall help set new caste equations for the Congress which is making an all-out bid to seize power from the BJP. Hardik is not eligible for contesting elections due to his age. He said the Congress has assured the PAAS that it would include its promise of reservation for the Patidars in the party manifesto. Hardik said the promised quota would go beyond the 50 percent cap set by the Supreme Court for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and OBCs. "My fight in Gujarat is against the BJP and that is why we will directly or indirectly support Congress (in the elections) as it has accepted our demand for reservation," Hardik told reporters in Ahmedabad. Under the proposal, the influential Patels, traditional voters of the BJP, would get the reservation in government jobs and educational institutions beyond the 49 percent quotas for the SC, ST, and OBCs. Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal thanked Hardik Patel for declaring his support to the party after it accepted the Patidar community's quota demand. "We are very happy that a 'sanjha morcha' (united front) will now fight against the BJP... We thank him that they (PAAS) have joined us with an ideology to contest the election by coming together... Our target is to win the election and fulfil promises made to the people," Sibal told reporters in New Delhi. The Court of General Jurisdiction of Yerevan on Friday denied the defenses motion to lift the measure of restraint that has been selected for Armenias third President Serzh Sargsyan and Flash fuel company owner Barsegh Beglaryan, who are defendants in a criminal case. A signature bond not to leave Armenia has been enforced as a pretrial measure against both Sargsyan and Beglaryan. Two other defendants, former Minister of Agriculture Sergo Karapetyan and former Deputy Minister of Agriculture Samvel Galstyan, have died from the coronavirus. According to media reports, Karapetyan's testimony is at the basis of the charge. Also, he and ex-President Sargsyan had confronted each other along the lines of this criminal case. During the previous court session, the criminal proceedings against Sergo Karapetyan and Samvel Galstyan were dropped. According to the indictment of this criminal case, being organized by Sargsyan, pushed by Beglaryan, and assisted by Galstyan and Gevorg Harutyunyanthen Head of the Plant Breeding Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, Karapetyan had squanderedfrom January 25 to February 7, 2013AMD 489,160,310 of subsidy allocated from the government's reserve fund for the 15,391,765 liters of diesel fuel that was used during the implementation of state assistance programs. Serzh Sargsyan has been charged under the Criminal Code article on large-scale embezzlement or squandering. The third president, however, does not accept the charge against him. And his lawyer Amram Makinyan claims that the charge is concocted. DALLAS, May 14, 2021 -- DRIVRZ Financial, an automotive finance and technology lender specializing in effortless leasing and formerly known as MUSA Auto Finance, has announced its partnership with Roadster to enhance the digital retail experience with an interactive payment calculator and online application for used car leases. MUSA Auto Finance recently rebranded as DRIVRZ Financial, which serves as the leasing and finance division of PowerBand Solutions (TSXV:PBX) (OTCQB:PWWBF) (Frankfurt:1ZVA) ("PowerBand", "PBX" or the "Company"). DRIVRZ Financial will continue growing its indirect lending business while also branching into direct-to-consumer financing, traditional retail financing, and lending across the full credit spectrum. Visitors to the dealer website can calculate their exact used car lease payment based on a set of adjustable factors. Tweet this The company's latest partnership with Roadster reflects its continued focus on using technology to create convenient, modern and transparent customer experiences. As part of Roadster's Express Storefront solution, visitors to the dealership website can calculate their exact used car lease payment based on a set of adjustable factors. These include the amount due at signing, miles driven per year and lease term. Each factor is chosen by the website visitor, and the lease payment is automatically calculated from there. Customers can make as many adjustments to their selections as they wish until they arrive at the best payment. The same process applies for traditional financing, so the customer can compare their finance and lease payment options side by side. Once the customer is happy with the deal, he or she can apply for a lease online, without ever setting foot in the dealership. "We are especially excited about this integration because we don't know of any other lender that has brought used car leasing to the digital retail world. Used car leasing is already incredibly rare. Add payment calculators and the ability to apply for a used car lease online, and you've got a true unicorn," said Jon Lamb, CEO at DRIVRZ Financial. Lamb says used car leasing adds value to dealers since it increases their customer retention rate and brings the customer back to the dealer for another car much sooner than traditional financing. Consumers like it because they save on depreciation, typically pay a lower monthly payment, and can get into a nicer car and trade in the car more frequently than they could otherwise afford. Andy Moss, CEO of Roadster, expressed his thoughts on the integration. "Our vision is to create a flexible, convenient buying experience where any portion of the process or all of it can be completed from home and picked up in the showroom, or vice versa. With the DRIVRZ Financial integration, each used car leasing customer can build their own deal, so they are confident in the numbers and more likely to take the next steps toward closing." In the first week since going live with the integration on their website, Easterns Automotive noticed visitors using the lease payment calculator nearly as much as the finance calculator. "And that's with no special promotion yet," said Joel Bassam, director of marketing at Easterns Automotive. "This is crucial. Our website is essentially our dealership but online. It enables customers to accomplish as much of the sales process as they wish from the comfort of their home. We requested this integration with Roadster and DRIVRZ Financial because we wanted to bring that same online convenience to the used car leasing options we already offer in store." Thanks to this integration, Roadster's 2,000 dealerships nationwide will be able to add DRIVRZ Financial used car leasing to their online experience. In the coming months, DRIVRZ Financial plans to continue its expansion into new platforms and products, including traditional retail finance and direct-to-consumer lending. About DRIVRZ Financial (formerly MUSA Auto Finance) DRIVRZ Financial is an auto finance company and a technology innovator in the new and pre-owned vehicle industry. The company originates its customers from franchised and select independent dealers. Since its inception, DRIVRZ Financial has automated the time-consuming, manual processes traditionally associated with leasing and buying a vehicle. One of the company's technology platforms processes the application, calculates the lease, auto-decisions the application, provides an approval back to the dealer partner, and accurately pre-fills the lease contract in seconds. Automated approvals normally occur in just a few seconds, and consumers can even upload supporting documents via their mobile device. DRIVRZ Financial serves as the leasing and finance division of PowerBand Solutions, Inc. (TSXV: PBX) (OTCQB: PWWBF) (Frankfurt: 1ZVA) ("PowerBand", "PBX" or the "Company"). For more information, visit www.musaautofinance.com. The company plans to launch its fully rebranded DRIVRZ Financial website later this year. About Roadster Roadster provides consumer-driven Commerce Solutions for today's modern dealership. With Roadster's proprietary technology platform, dealerships can provide hassle-free car buying in-store, online or on the go. Roadster dramatically improves dealership customer satisfaction scores, while significantly reducing sales costs. From inventory merchandising, to financing/leasing, incentives, trade-ins, service plans and accessories Roadster delivers near penny perfect deals in a beautifully designed interface that customers and employees will love. Roadster is based in Palo Alto, Calif., and was founded in late 2013. For more information, please visit www.roadster.com. Federal court pauses order to offer shelter to everyone on LA's skid row by fall PALERMO - The latest wave of migrant boats headed for Italian coasts and more deaths and shipwrecks has pushed Doctors Without Borders (MSF) to return to the central Mediterranean to carry out search and rescue operations. The decision was made Thursday after the latest disaster at sea: as Alarm Phone reported another dinghy in distress with 100 migrants onboard off the coast of Libya, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said that yet another boat had sunk off the coast of Tunisia with 19 people onboard. Seventeen are still missing and only two women were able to be rescued. MSF chartered the Geo Barents ship, which left on Friday from Norway and which within two weeks will be operating off the coast of Libya to rescue migrants. The announcement was made Friday by the directors of the Italian branch of the international humanitarian organization: chairman and infectious diseases specialist Claudia Lodesani and the head of humanitarian affairs Marco Bertotto. Italian interior ministry undersecretary Nicola Molteni said that he was "concerned" about the news, since the return to the sea of NGOs conducting rescue operations "is a decisive factor for attracting more illegal immigration". "The departure of boats and dinghies," he said, should be stopped and not encouraged." In the eyes of League party leader Matteo Salvini, the Malta Accord is no longer valid. Partners and producers have pledged to supply 110 million doses of various COVID-19 vaccines to Vietnam in 2021, the Ministry of Health said in a post on its verified Facebook account on Friday. The health ministry said it had negotiated with many countries, organizations, and producers to find coronavirus jabs for Vietnam. Thirty-one million doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine have been committed for Vietnam, the ministry announced in the post. The COVAX vaccine-sharing scheme has promised to provide the Southeast Asian nation with 38.9 million vaccine shots while AstraZeneca will deliver 30 million doses. The COVAX scheme will give away the 38.9 million jabs, as Tuoi Tre News understands. The health ministry added it had also registered to buy an additional 10 million shots from COVAX. Vietnam will receive 1,682,400 million AstraZeneca shots via the COVAX scheme on Sunday, the health ministry said on Thursday, citing UNICEF. The country received the first-ever shipment of 117,600 AstraZeneca shots it had bought on February 24. The Southeast Asian nation then accepted 811,200 COVID-19 vaccine doses from the COVAX scheme on April 1. The COVAX scheme is a facility co-led by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Gavi, the World Health Organization (WHO), and UNICEF, to accelerate the development and manufacture of COVID-19 vaccines as well as ensure fair and equitable access for every country. Vietnam is currently in negotiation with producers of Moderna and Johnson & Johnson from the U.S., CureVac from Germany, Spunik V from Russia, and Sinopharm from China, the ministry revealed. Vietnam, whose population is around 97 million people, has administered 959,182 coronavirus vaccine shots since it rolled out mass vaccination on March 8. Those inoculated were medical staff and other frontline workers. A nurse from Da Nang has been put on a ventilator since she suffered a severe allergic reaction post-coronavirus vaccination on Monday, according to the Ministry of Health. On May 7, another medical worker in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang died of anaphylaxis after she was inoculated with AstraZeneca vaccine. Those are very rare cases in COVID-19 vaccination in the country, the ministry said. Vietnam should be proactive in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic as an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure, Prof. Dr. Phan Trong Lan, director of the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City was quoted as saying in the health ministrys Facebook post. Vaccination is thus extremely necessary to increase immunity in the community, stalling the virus and keeping Vietnam from nationwide lockdown as in other countries, Lan elaborated. Vietnam has recorded 3,756 local and imported coronavirus infections so far, including 2,657 recoveries and 35 deaths, according to the health ministrys data. The nation has confirmed 729 domestic cases since April 27, when it logged the first locally-infected patient after having gone about a month without detecting any community transmission. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Ryan Allard, this is Ancil Dennis. I am forming a Recovery Committee for Tobago and would like you to be the vice-chairman. This was how my phone call started on an otherwise typical Saturday evening in May 2020, a few months into the pandemic. Moon Chung-in, chairman of the Sejong Institute and vice chairman of Asia Pacific Leadership Network for Nuclear Nonproliferation and Disarmament, delivers a keynote speech during a webinar titled "Assessing Northeast Asia Nuclear Domino: North Korean Nuclear Threat and South Korean Responses." Friday (KST). Captured during the webinar By Jung Da-min Military buildup such as introducing U.S. tactical nuclear weapons or a NATO-style "nuclear sharing" system is not the right answer for South Korea to deal with growing nuclear threats from North Korea, according to diplomatic experts, Friday. Instead, they advised Seoul to deal with the threat by enhancing its alliance with the United States and communicating constantly with neighboring countries, during a webinar titled "Assessing Northeast Asia Nuclear Domino: North Korean Nuclear Threat and South Korean Responses." The webinar was co-hosted by Asia Pacific Leadership Network for Nuclear Nonproliferation and Disarmament (APLN), the Sejong Institute, the Research Institute of National Security Affairs of the Korea National Defense University (KNDU), the Korea Nuclear Policy Society (KNPS), Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and Pugwash Japan, with support from the Open Society Foundations. About 170 people participated in the webinar, including KNDU President Kim Jong-cheol, Sejong Institute President Paik Hak-soon and KNPS President Lee Sang-hyun, who delivered opening remarks, and Sejong Institute Chairman and APLN Vice-Chairman Moon Chung-in as the keynote speaker and KNDU professor Kim Young-jun as the moderator. In his keynote speech, Moon noted that there are growing discussions in South Korea and Japan, both allies of the U.S., over how to deal with growing nuclear threats from North Korea and whether they should introduce tactical nuclear weapons or NATO-style nuclear sharing. "There is a very interesting parallel between South Korea and Japan and even the ideas were very similar. ... North Korea's nuclear capabilities will be increasing and there is a kind of very serious threat perception on the part of Japan and South Korea," Moon said. But he said "that created a kind of danger," adding that it has brought growing concerns over a possible nuclear domino effect on the Northeast Asian region. Following Moon's keynote speech, three presenters shared their assessments on North Korea's nuclear missile threat, the matter of introducing nuclear weapons to South Korea and the general public's perception of the idea of developing South Korea's nuclear capabilities. Cheong Wook-sik, president of Korea Peace Network, speaks during a webinar titled "Assessing Northeast Asia Nuclear Domino: North Korean Nuclear Threat and South Korean Responses," Friday (KST). About 170 people attended the webinar. Captured during the webinar Kim Jung-sup, a senior research fellow of the Sejong Institute and former deputy defense minister, made a presentation on his assessment of North Korea's weapons revealed after the failure of the February 2019 Hanoi summit between then-U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un. "Concerns are growing over a possible pre-emptive nuclear strike by North Korea since North Korea made its development of tactical nuclear official to the international community," Kim said, citing a report by RAND Corporation, a California-based nonprofit global policy think tank. The RAND Report, published April 2021, wrote, "The North Korean threat of a nuclear attack on U.S. homeland cities might be sufficient leverage for North Korea to break the U.S. nuclear umbrella and perhaps even the Republic of Korea-U.S. alliance, allowing North Korean dominance of the Republic of Korea." Kim said the security dilemma of South Korea grows in accordance with North Korea's nuclear weapons development. But he said South Korea should not pursue the concept of a perfect defense but instead assure the alliance with the U.S., while seeking to make an agreement with the U.S. on the operation of U.S. nuclear capabilities in time of crisis. Cheong Wook-sik, president of Korea Peace Network, recommended a closer look at the purpose of North Korea's nuclear development. "Many people say North Korea has developed nuclear weapons for its survival, but we should also note that if it uses such weapons then its original purpose cannot be achieved," Cheong said. Cheong said what the North thinks of the concept of denuclearization is different from that defined by the United States, so it is unlikely for the countries to reach an agreement on the matter in the near future. He said the South Korean government should propose that the international community make the Korean Peninsula a nuclear-free zone based on U.N. guidelines. The third and last presenter of the webinar was Kim Ji-yoon, a senior researcher of the Institute of Democracy Studies and Education. Kim, an experienced public opinion researcher, said over half of the South Korean people support the idea of having South Korea's own nuclear program or introducing a nuclear program to the country. She said polls conducted right after North Korea's provocations have shown higher rates of respondents supporting the idea of having nuclear sovereignty. After the presentations by the three presenters, a debate session was followed, with scholars from abroad participating as the discussion panel. They included Peter Hayes, director of Nautilus Institute for Security and Sustainability and research director at APLN; KNPS President Lee Sang-hyun; Toby Dalton, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; Jon Wolfsthal, former special assistant to former U.S. President Barack Obama for nonproliferation; Lee Sang-chul, former deputy national security adviser to President Moon Jae-in; and Tatsujiro Suzuki, vice director and professor at the Research Center for Nuclear Weapons Abolition (RECNA). THE vexed question of the Department of Agriculture ban against swallows nesting in dairies arose when I was chatting with a farmer over the weekend. Hes at his wits end to keep a particular pair of birds out of the dairy. Whenever the door is opened, even if only long enough to allow him or his wife to enter, they appear out of nowhere and rocket inside. Getting them out again is no easy task. As we all know, swallows are among the fastest and most agile of avian flyers; they duck and dodge every effort to shoo them back into the open air. The exclusion of swallows from traditional nest sites will, of course, have unfortunate results for the swallows. However, traditional farms may have enough outhouses with rafters left to accommodate them. More threatening their continued presence in Ireland is the incessant destruction of habitat and widespread demise of the flying insects upon which they feed. The intervention of the Department of Agriculture is prompted by a justifiable concern to ensure hygiene in the dairy. The unimpeachable quality of our dairy produce is a major factor in its success as a profitable export worldwide. In modern milking sheds, rafters are prohibited as a measure to deter swallows, and other birds, in the food-producing areas, where milk is stored in bulk tanks, sealed against the danger of pathogens, possible vectors of disease, falling into them from the plumage or droppings of birds. The pity of it, of course, is that my friend, like many farmers, have no objection to their presence and, in fact, welcome the twittering of the adults and calls of the young for food while they go about their solitary twice-daily chore of milking the herd. Chore it may be, but a welcome one. It puts the food on the table, sends the kids to college, pays the bills, and so on. God bless the cows and every other udder swollen with their milk! However, the same farmers admit that, once the sweetly-twittering swallows have five or six fledglings in the nest, its all but impossible for the parents, already hard-pressed to feed them, to carry their droppings outdoors as well. Our swallow, Hirundo domestica, is the most widespread of the six species that breed across the Northern Hemisphere. For the four migratory species, their range and habitat is neatly divided by the equator. They summer, breed, and feed, north of it, and winter and feed south of it. From North America, Europe, Russia, China in summer, they fly south to Argentina, South Africa, and Australia in winter. The huge range of Hirundo domestica means it is not endangered, although there may be local population declines, as in Ireland. Their marathon migratory journeys are the stuff of legend, an annual testament to natures resilience, to its mysteries and processes of navigation, meteorology and climatology. How the brain of a bird with a body weight averaging 20 g (0.65 oz) can include the ability to read and forecast weather patterns, be guided by the magnetism of the earth, encompass DNA that will take the owner, unerringly, on a 10,000 km journey and return the same distance to the exact site at which they were born, is the stuff of magic, still a cause of wonderment, and still not understood by our superior species, Mankind. But these miracles-dressed-in-feathers are threatened most certainly by the human species, which perennially admires it, but makes no serious provision for it. BirdWatch Ireland notes that swallows are amber-listed in Ireland due to concerns over the entire European population. This has undergone large decline and has been evaluated as depleted and still declining in several countries. Swallows arriving in Ireland have travelled from South Africa, flying up to 300km per day, and are here to build nests, lay eggs, and raise their young. After travelling over 9,500km, they return to the same nesting site every year. The males arrive first, the females about two weeks later. They remain here until late September and often gather in flocks as they prepare for their departure. Migration is a hazardous time and many birds die from starvation or exhaustion and in storms. The young swallows born in Ireland make the journey to South Africa at just three months old. With no experience or knowledge of the route, it is estimated that only about 30% of them survive the journey. In their wintering areas, swallows feed in small flocks, which join together to form roosting flocks of thousands or even millions of birds. Mount Moreland Reedbed on the outskirts of Durban, holds 10% of the European swallow population during the winter months a total of 3,000,000 birds! More than 2,500 manufacturing sector workers showed up at the Divali Nagar site in Chaguanas to receive their first dose of the Sinopharm Covid-19 injection at the start of a public/private sector vaccination drive. The Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers Association (TTMA) collaborated with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Trade to facilitate the process. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mirasol Resources Ltd. (TSX-V: MRZ) (OTCPK: MRZLF) (the Company or Mirasol) is pleased to announce that it has signed binding agreements with Patagonia Gold Corp. (Patagonia) for its Homenaje and Nico projects in Santa Cruz province, Argentina. Patagonia is an exploration and development company focused in southern Argentina and owns the Cap Oeste mine located adjacent to the Homenaje project and the Martha mill, located 45km south of the Nico project along a major highway. Mirasols President, Tim Heenan, stated: We are pleased to have completed these two transactions with Patagonia, they are a great partner for both projects given to the proximity of their operations. We look forward to Patagonia advancing and testing both the exploration potential at the Homenaje project and the near surface production potential at Nico. Terms of the Agreements Homenaje Project Mirasol has granted Patagonia the option to earn an undivided 75% interest in the project over six years by delivering, by the end of the option period, a positive Prefeasibility Study (as defined by NI 43-101) for a resource of no less than 300,000 oz of Au equivalent. In addition, Patagonia shall complete a minimum of US$ 2.55 million in staged exploration expenditures as scheduled below: US$ 400,000 committed within the first 18 months, including 2,500m of drilling; An additional US$ 750,000 within the first 30 months; and A minimum of US$ 400,000 annually, or US$ 200,000 in any six-month period, thereafter. Upon completion of the option, Mirasol and Patagonia will hold a 25% and 75% interest, respectively, in a participating joint venture company that will hold the project. If either partys equity interest is diluted below 10%, it will convert to a 2% net smelter return (NSR) royalty. Nico Project Mirasol has transferred its interest in the Nico property to Patagonia in return for a 1.5% NSR royalty. Mirasol has the right to regain full ownership of the property if production from the property has not commenced by the end of third year. Figure 1: Location of the Nico and Homenaje Projects, Santa Cruz Province Project Overview Homenaje Project The Homenaje project covers 10,056 ha and is located at the western margin of the Deseado Massif Au-Ag metallogenic province, just 3km south and southwest from the COSE and Cap Oeste mines operated by Pan American Silver and Patagonia Gold, respectively. Exploration to date has been limited as more than 90% of the project area is covered by thin post-mineral rocks, including Tertiary plateau basalt and gravels. However, small erosional windows show Middle to Upper Jurassic tuffs assigned to La Matilde Formation, which hosts localized hydrothermal breccias, veinlets and stockworks of chalcedonic quartz. Analysis and interpretation of outcropping alteration, mineralization, structural setting, magnetics and chargeability/resistivity gradient array responses have defined four northwest trending prospective structural trends, with similar geologic characteristics to those of the adjacent COSE and Cap Oeste mineralized areas. Initial rock chip sampling of mineralized structures, discontinuously outcropping on a northwest trending corridor, identified in an area of 1,500m x 800m that returned anomalous Au, Ag, As, Sb, Mo, Cu and Pb (Figure 2). Anomalous samples are characterized by altered tuff with thin chalcedony veinlets. Figure 2: Homenaje targets showing combined anomalies and Au and Ag rock chip samples results Nico Project The Nico project, located in the central part of the Deseado Massif, is traversed by a major highway and located 45km and 80km north of the Mina Martha and Manantial Espejo mines, operated by Patagonia Gold and Pan American Silver, respectively. Four prospects have been identified at the Nico project, all hosting intermediate sulfidation epithermal veins and breccia systems. While surface samples returned good geochemical results (see news release December 30, 2020), drilling only intercepting isolated mineralization between 50 and 130m below surface. Patagonia will assess the potential for near-surface high-grade oxidized mineralization, which could be mined and processed at their Martha mill. About Mirasol Resources Ltd Mirasol is a well-funded exploration company focused in Chile and Argentina. Mirasol has seven partner-funded projects, two with Newcrest Mining Ltd (Chile), and one each with First Quantum Minerals (Chile), Mine Discovery Fund (Chile), Mineria Activa (Chile), Silver Sands Resources (Argentina), and Patagonia Gold (Argentina). Mirasol is currently self-funding exploration at two projects, Inca Gold (Chile) and Sacha Marcelina (Argentina). For further information, contact: Tim Heenan, President or Jonathan Rosset, VP Corporate Development Tel: +1 (604) 602-9989 Email: contact@mirasolresources.com Website: www.mirasolresources.com Qualified Person Statement: Mirasols disclosure of technical and scientific information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Tim Heenan (MAIG), the President for the Company, who serves as a Qualified Person under the definition of National Instrument 43-101. Forward Looking Statements: The information in this news release contains forward looking statements that are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in our forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause such differences include: changes in world commodity markets, equity markets, costs and supply of materials relevant to the mining industry, change in government and changes to regulations affecting the mining industry and to policies linked to pandemics, social and environmental related matters. Forward-looking statements in this release include statements regarding future exploration programs, operation plans, geological interpretations, mineral tenure issues and mineral recovery processes. Although we believe the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, results may vary, and we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Mirasol disclaims any obligations to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Thanks to a video posted on Tiktok, a woman in Phu Tho province has found her husband who was missing for 13 years. Cuong (first left) persuades her husband (first right) to go home While browsing videos on Tiktok, Dinh Thi Cuong caught sight of the familiar face of her husband. She could hardly believe her eyes, so she asked relatives and neighbors if the man in the video was really her husband. Some people said it was my husband, Phu, while others did not think so. Thirteen years have elapsed and Iwas not sure if the man was my husband, she told reporters. She texted the person filming the video, asking to help verify the case by exposing the man's shirt to see if there was a tattoo on his chest. After she realized that it was Dinh Van Phu, her husband, Cuong and her family caught a bus to travel 120 kilometers from Phu Tho to Tuyen Quang province to pick him up. At 9 pm on May 11, Cuong, born in 1971, and Phu, born in 1976, returned to their home in Yen Lang commune in Thanh Son district of Phu Tho province amid the joy of relatives and neighbors. Cuong burst into tears when asked about her life in the last 13 years, when she had to raise two children, a son and a daughter, without a husband. The ethnic Muong in her community said she married Phu when she was 28 years old and Phu was 23. Phu was very handsome, good natured and industrious, she said. Many men wanted to marry me, but I chose him though he was born into a poor family. His father was a wounded soldier with a traumatic brain injury." After the wedding, they lived together with Phus parents and his siblings. She tilled rice and other crops, while Phu worked for brick workshops. The life was hard but there was nothing to complain about until one day she discovered some abnormalities about her husband. Sometimes Phu burst out laughing and sometimes mumbled to himself. At first, Cuong thought this was because Phu drank too much. But she later realized she was mistaken. He laughed and shouted, then beat her hard one day and then forgot everything the next day. I hit you yesterday? How could I do this? he said to his wife. Thanks to a video posted on Tiktok, a woman in Phu Tho province has found her husband who was missing for 13 years. When their son turned four years old and their daughter seven months old, Phu was officially confirmed as mentally ill. He could not do anything but smash houses and wander. On those days, we did not dare sleep at home. I had to take my children away and sleep at relatives homes at night. Sometimes he came to relatives houses, pulled my legs and threw me onto the ground, she recalled. After seven years of living in fear, Cuong and her husbands family decided to take Phu to a social protection center, so that she would have time to work and earn money to raise the children. But Phu escaped the center after living there for three to four months. The centers management board told her over the 13-year period of his absence that the center was looking for Phu and it would contact her if it found him. Over the last 13 years, Cuong traveled long distances to other provinces many times when she heard that someone looked like her husband. She remembered that he had a tattoo on his chest. Raising children alone doing farm work, Cuong experienced very difficult days. However, what broke her heart the most was the criticism from villagers after some men said they wanted to marry her. Some men said they wanted to live with me, but I refused all of them. For me, no one is better than Phu, she said. Life is now better for Cuong. Her son, born in 2000, has finished high school and now works for a company in Vinh Phuc province. The young man has been put in quarantine after close contact with a Covid-19 patient. Her daughter is now in the 12th grade. She is very studious. But I dont have money for her to continue studying. I told her to take a job as a factory worker after she graduates from high school, she said. Ever since the day the girl saw her father again, she has been attached to him. She stays late at night to take care of him and doesnt want to go to bed. When Phu met his wife again, he did not recognize her. Asked about plans in the future, Cuong said she still doesnt know what she should do to keep her husband at home. In addition to fieldwork, Cuong earns a living by making prescriptions for local people selling medicinal herbs. She said her life has become better. Nguyen Thao Denton, TX (76205) Today Thunderstorms this morning, then mainly cloudy during the afternoon hours. High around 90F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Some passing clouds. Low 74F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Southern Pines, NC (28387) Today Overcast. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 81F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly to mostly cloudy with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms late at night. Low 69F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%. For Vietnamese citizens, casting votes for National Assembly deputies and members of all-level Peoples Councils is a special event, especially for those who exercise their civil rights and obligations for the first time. browser not support iframe. It is even more special for young soldiers who are performing their duty on the Fatherlands sacred offshore islands. Legislative elections in Vietnam are organised every five years, longer than the time in service of almost all young naval soldiers. That is why not all of them have a chance to cast their votes on islands though the military recruitment is conducted every year. As approved by the National Election Council, Truong Sa archipelago will conduct early voting on islands within Truong Sa township and Sinh Ton and Song Tu communes on May 16, which is just a few days away. All preparations have been completed. The atmosphere on Truong Sa archipelago has heated up in recent days with discussions about candidates. In such an atmosphere, the upcoming elections are likely to be held successfully./.VNA Vietnam America trade turnover sees remarkable progress over the past time. (Photo: congthuong.vn) The department assessed that this result was brought about by the policies and guidelines of the Party and State which facilitated the expansion of economic, industrial and trade cooperation relations with countries around the world, including the Americas. Specifically, up to now, Vietnam has strongly participated in the global economy through 13 free trade agreements (FTAs) that have come into effect and 3 FTAs that have been signed or are being negotiated. It has set up economic links with 60 economies on all continents with a total GDP accounting for nearly 90% of the world GDP, including 15 member countries of G20. In particular, the Government advocates multilateralizing trade relations, actively exploiting traditional markets in parallel with potential markets, in order to promote trade between Vietnam and partners. Along with that, with the policy of economic opening and international integration, Vietnam has signed many trade agreements with important partners, creating favorable conditions for international trade. In America, there are prominent trade agreements such as The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the Vietnam-Chile FTA and the Vietnam-Cuba Trade Agreement. With each signed FTA, the Government directs to issue action plans and legal documents to optimize the effectiveness of these agreements. In America, the US is Vietnam's largest trading partner, accounting for about 80% of the total trade turnover in the region and has grown strongly in recent years. Specifically, in the period 2011-2019, trade turnover between Vietnam and the US has made remarkable developments. Accordingly, the import-export value increased by 234.7%, an average of 26.08% per year.. The trade relationship between Vietnam and Canada also developed strongly in the period 2011-2020, becoming a comprehensive partner in 2017 and a free trade partner under the CPTPP agreement in 2018- 2019. That helped boost bilateral trade to increase by 3.7 times, from USD1.3 billion in 2011 to nearly USD4.8 billion in 2019. Vietnam is one of 10 major trading partners of Canada, 4th among Asian countries and 1st in ASEAN. The CPTPP Agreement, which officially took effect in January 2019, is considered a driving force for the development of two-way trade turnover in the coming period. In addition to the trade sector, Vietnam and the Americas have also made strong strides in promoting bilateral cooperation, most notably in the fields of mining and energy. Some typical industrial cooperation projects between Vietnam and the US in the period 2011-2020 included that Son My gas-electricity project chain with the participation of AES Corporation from the US; cooperation with Alaska Corporation in the field of liquefied natural gas (LNG); cooperating with ExxonMobil and Murphy Oil Group to exploit oil and gas; and cooperation in the field of electricity and renewable energy in Mong Duong 2 Thermal Power Plant Project./. By Ls Cohen Published: May 14 2021 New York State legalized marijuana on March 31. After Governor Cuomo signed legislation that legalized recreational marijuana use across New York State, its up to individual towns to decide whether or how they will allow it to be sold in their jurisdictions and how. The Town of Riverhead recently announced that it is seeking public input on the issue from its residents. Each town must decide to allow the sale of marijuana at specific locations and provide restrictions (setbacks) at use locations (cafes and lounges) or elect to opt-out of the legislation, read a Riverhead Town press release. If a town opts out, then marijuana cannot be sold at retail businesses or consumed in cafes or lounges in that specific town. An editorial in Newsday recently said that many officials are already saying they want to opt out. Opting out does not make marijuana illegal to posses or grow in the town, city, or village, it just means they will not benefit from the tax revenue that comes from the sale of cannabis. The Town of Riverhead recently urged its residents and business owners to participate in a short, two minute survey. It is critical we engage stakeholders of our community and receive their input, said Riverhead Town Supervisor Yvette Aguiar. It was every lawyers nightmare. A high-stakes legal appeal from the city of New Orleans aiming to halt construction of a jail expansion was dismissed by a court clerk on Thursday -- thanks to a missed filing deadline. Within minutes, the City Attorneys Office and outside counsel at the Phelps Dunbar firm asked the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals to reinstate the case. But at least for a moment, the mishap put in jeopardy a nearly year-long, tooth-and-nail legal battle fought by Mayor LaToya Cantrells administration. As of early Thursday evening, the court had yet to rule on the city request. Since last June, Cantrell has argued that the Orleans Parish Sheriffs Office no longer needs an 89-bed expansion building to house inmates with mental health and medical problems. The $51 million building is too expensive, and there is plenty of space in the existing main jail thanks to its plummeting inmate population, the city says. 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 Those arguments did not sway U.S. District Judge Lance Africk, who said in January that the city had to go ahead with building the facility. The city appealed Africks order to the circuit court, and lawyers on both sides were still filing motions up until Thursday. The city's lawyers argue that federal law prevents a judge from ordering them to build a jail facility, while Africk says hes merely enforcing an earlier agreement from Mayor Mitch Landrieus administration. But in a signed order, Mary Stewart, deputy clerk of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, said the city had "failed to timely file record excerpts, which consisted of a docket and legal documents from the district court. In a statement, a lawyer representing the city noted that appellate judges had yet to consider the merits of the citys case. The clerical notice of dismissal issued today was not a substantive ruling by the Court of Appeal, said Harry Rosenberg of the Phelps Dunbar firm. It resulted from the omission of additional paper excerpts expected by the Court. The City already filed a motion providing the Court with the needed paper excerpts to resume the Citys appellate efforts. Orange, CA, May 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CBT, leading woman-owned Domain Expert Integrator and Solutions Provider, today announced that CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, has named Kelly Ireland, CEO & Founder, to its 2021 Power 60 Solution Providers list, an elite subgroup of honorees chosen from the highly regarded Women of the Channel list. The women honored on this years list pushed forward with comprehensive business plans, marketing initiatives, and other innovative ideas to support their partners and customers, helping them through the uncertainty brought on by the global COVID-19 pandemic. CRN celebrates these exceptional women for their leadership, dedication, and channel advocacy. The Power 60 Solution Providers are chosen by the CRN editorial team based on their contributions, expertise, and dedication to building strong solution provider businesses. The award recognizes an exclusive subgroup of elite industry role models who continue to drive professional success through leadership and dedication to their own organizations and the entire IT channel. Our accomplishments in 2020 were directly based on personal investment Kelly Ireland made in CBT over 4 years ago, specifically, with IoT and the OT-IT convergence being the next frontier. Kelly pivoted CBT's focus to concentrate here and it paid off hugely by being prepared for business needs during the pandemic. CRNs 2021 Women of the Channel list acknowledges accomplished, influential women whose dedication, hard work, and leadership accelerate channel growth, said Blaine Raddon, CEO of The Channel Company. We are proud to honor them for their many accomplishments and look forward to their continued contributions to the IT channel. It is an honor to be recognized as part of such a prestigious list, and I could not have achieved this without the support from the CBT team, our partners, and clients, said Ireland. In the next year, we expect continued growth around our Industrial IoT solutions, especially as enterprises strive to adapt to the new normal with remote and connected worker technologies. Were excited to be at the forefront in this area, with IT/OT solutions that will drive significant ROI for our customers. The 2021 Women of the Channel and Power 60 Solution Provider award will be featured in CRN Magazine on May 10th and online at www.CRN.com/WOTC. About CBT CBT is a premier, woman-owned Domain Expert Integrator breaking the mold of traditional technology solution design. Our digital transformation strategies bridge the gap between information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) to provide business outcomes beneficial across the entirety of an organization. From the CIO to the COO, to Digital Transformation Leadership and everyone in between, we deliver solutions that unite these unique business cultures for collective success in todays data-driven economy. At CBT, we take our tag line to heart: Delivering Technology with a Human Touch. We put people at the center of our process, products, and technology solutions. With the focus areas of Industrial IoT, HPC & Analytics, Hybrid IT, and IT Supply Chain Optimization, were ready to take your innovation initiatives from ideas to execution. Learn more at www.cbtechinc.com . Copyright 2021 CBT, Inc. All rights reserved. Follow CBT: Twitter and LinkedIn About The Channel Company The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers, and end-users. Backed by more than 30 years of unequalled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. www.thechannelcompany.com Follow The Channel Company: Twitter, LinkedIn , and Facebook. 2021. CRN is a registered trademark of The Channel Company, LLC. All rights reserved. The Channel Company Contact: Jennifer Hogan The Channel Company jhogan@thechannelcompany.com Attachment .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Taylor Sheridan has a history with New Mexico. The writer penned Hell or High Water, Sicario and Sicario: Day of the Soldado all of which have filmed in the state. Sheridan took the directors seat for Those Who Wish Me Dead as it filmed in 2019 on location in Bernalillo, Torrance, Sandoval and Rio Arriba counties, including Santa Clara Pueblo. The film will be released in theaters and on HBO Max on Friday, May 14. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Oscar winner Angelina Jolie stars in the film as Hannah, a smokejumper still reeling from the loss of three lives she failed to save from a fire. She takes a sort of comfort in the pain she inflicts on herself, whether its a showy stunt that knocks her on her ass or the self-imposed solitary confinement of her watchtower high above the Montana wilderness. Sheridan, who has worked in New Mexico extensively, was happy to shoot in the state. In our story, the setting itself is a character, and once we started scouting our locations from the Santa Clara Pueblo to the Jemez Mountains and the wooded foothills of the Manzanos we knew that New Mexico would provide the rugged scope that this story demands, Sheridan says. Sheridan knew what he wanted to capture with the film, so he pulled in collaborators production designer Neil Spisak, costume designer Kari Perkins and cinematographer Ben Richardson, and special effects supervisor Daniel Holt. Holts team was tasked with creating the wildfire scenes which range from calm to utter rage. Holt says visual effects took care of the fire in the canopies, because production shot the main scene over four days. If we ignited the canopies with real fire, we would have lost our set within just half a day of shooting, Holt says. The trunks were treated with a flame retardant so that they would burn for four days of shooting. Sheridan says, The funny thing was once we built our simulated forest in the desert in New Mexico, it wasnt long before birds started nesting in our staged forest trees, squirrels began running around in our fake forest, and we also found snakes, mice, and these things. At first, we thought it was great, and then we realized we were going to be setting this all on fire, so for about five days we had to shoo animals so that there was nothing left in our fake forest to die. But it was astonishing that in the middle of the desert we had all these animals that arrived, inexplicably, across the desert to go live in our forest. According the New Mexico Film Office, the production employed about 675 New Mexico residents in its cast and crew. Filmed in NM Those Who Wish Me Dead, starring Angelina Jolie and written and directed by Taylor Sheridan, will stream on HBO Max on Friday, May 14. To continue, please log in, or sign up for a new account. We offer one free story view per month. If you register for an account, you will get two additional story views. After those three total views, we ask that you support us with a subscription. A subscription to our digital content is so much more than just access to our valuable content. It means youre helping to support a local community institution that has, from its very start, supported the betterment of our society. Thank you very much! Roberto Lopez, 54, passed away peacefully Sunday with his beloved spouse of 30 years and beloved family members at his side. He was born July 7, 1965, in Santiago Dominican Republic, the son of Jaime Lopez and Thelma Santos. After graduating from Santiago High School and a vocational school, in 1989, he immigrated to the U.S. where he accomplished many goals. He met the love of his life, Sara Ester Castillo, on June 1, 1991, in Brooklyn, N.Y., where they lived for 16 and moved to Pennsylvania in 2007 to accomplish a better and quieter life. He worked for Office Max for more than 10 years. He was a handyman capable of doing and fixing almost anything. He loved fishing and playing with cars and trucks. He believed in Jehovah God and his son, Jesus Christ, and dedicated his life to his family. He is survived by his wife, Sara Ester Castillo; children, Robertito and Maria Thelma Lopez, Dominican Republic; his parents, Jaime Lopez and Thelma Santos, Dominican Republic; his sister, Yaquelyn Lopez, New Jersey; and Ana Martinez, New York; three grandchildren; along with several aunts, cousins, beloved nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Fierro Funeral Home, Hazleton. Interment will take place in the Dominican Republic at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sara Ester Castillo, 27 Newport Drive, Hazleton, PA 18201. The views expressed by public comments are not those of this company or its affiliated companies. Please note by clicking on "Post" you acknowledge that you have read the TERMS OF USE and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Your comments may be used on air. Be polite. Inappropriate posts or posts containing offsite links, images, GIFs, inappropriate language, or memes may be removed by the moderator. Job listings and similar posts are likely automated SPAM messages from Facebook and are not placed by WFMZ-TV. Border Patrol Agents Foil Heroin Smuggling Attempt Salton City, California - El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents arrested a man attempting to smuggle heroin through an immigration checkpoint Friday afternoon. The incident occurred at about 1:20 p.m., when a white 2001 Ford Mustang approached the Highway 86 immigration checkpoint. A Border Patrol K-9 detection team alerted to the vehicle in the primary inspection lane. Agents directed the vehicle to enter the secondary inspection area for further investigation. While in secondary inspection, agents conducted an x-ray of the vehicle utilizing a Mobile Vehicle and Cargo Inspection System. The inspection revealed an anomaly in the engine compartment. Agents discovered a package of suspected narcotics stuffed inside the engine manifold. The contents inside the package tested positive for the characteristics of heroin. Agents arrested the driver and held him for further processing. The total weight of the heroin was approximately 6.9 pounds with an estimated value of $85,630. El Centro Sector turned over the 22-year-old driver, a Lawfully Admitted Permanent Resident from Mexico, the vehicle, and the narcotics to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The newly published results of China's seventh census shed light on the demographic changes shaping China aging population, slowing population growth and shrinking workforce. Though the population reached 1.41 billion, births in 2020 fell to 12 million, a historic low. The country's fertility rate, average number of children born to women during their reproductive years, stood at 1.3 children per woman, same as Japan where the low fertility has resulted in a deeply aged society. Decades of family planning policy, and changing social attitudes about family and marriage have driven down the fertility rate, from 5.8 in 1950 to 1.3 today. The abrupt fertility decline has left the country little time to prepare for the burden of aging. Eyes are now on if there would be further relaxation of the family planning policy in the country. The early years of the one-child policy Implemented in 1979, China's one-child policy was initially introduced to balance population growth with economic development. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, with improved medical care and sanitation conditions and increased food supply, China's population growth skyrocketed. From 1949 to 1957, the population increased by over 100 million and reached 646.5 million by the end of 1957, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics. In 1957, an influential paper titled "A New Theory of Population" penned by economist Ma Yinchu cautioned that high birth rates as seen in the early 1950s would be unsustainable in the long term. "I hold that another important contradiction is that of a large population and a small amount of capital," he wrote, arguing that production cannot keep up with the fast population growth. Though the government at the time encouraged population growth to create manpower, Ma became the first advocate of birth control. By the end of 1969, the country's population exceeded 800 million while economic growth stagnated. Amid calls to slow rapid population growth and to facilitate modernization goals, shifts in population policy started to emerge. In the mid-1970s, a family planning slogan began to make rounds "Late, Long and Few" meaning that later marriages, longer intervals between births, and fewer children were encouraged. In 1979, the one-child policy was introduced, which started to require families with a child born to apply for a family planning service certificate. In 1982, the family planning policy was written into the constitution. According to the government's estimate, 400 million births were averted due to the family planning policy. China's fertility rate fell from close to six in 1950 to only 2.3 in 1980. Debate on loosening the one-child policy The one-child policy, from its initial conception, was not meant to last forever. In an open letter written by the country's leader to unveil the family planning policy in 1980, it wrote, "in 30 years when the problem of the population that is serious at present has been mitigated, the government could adopt a new policy." Since 1984, modest adjustments to the one-child policy started to be seen, with cases eligible for second-child being drawn up, the most significant of which was to allow couples in rural areas whose firstborn children were girls to have an additional child. China's rapid economic boom and the profound social changes that the country has gone through further pushed down birth rates in the country. The economic reform of the 1980s shifted the cost of education and healthcare, from the collective to individual families, and surging living costs made the new generation realize that the cost of child-raising was overbearing. In the early 1990s, the fertility rate in China declined to a below-replacement level of 2.1, with the 1992 National Fertility Survey finding a total fertility rate of the previous year of 1.65 children per woman. Debates intensified between academic demographers who argued for a loosening of the one-child policy and those who were against it, citing fear that the lifting of the policy would unleash pent-up reproductive demand. Throughout the 1990s, the one-child policy remained in place, heralding a faster pace of population aging that would come. The two children era In 2013, China announced a historical step towards phasing out the one-child policy, stating that couples, where one parent is an only child, would be allowed to have a second one. The change came amid growing pressure from rapidly falling birth. At the time, China's fertility rate already dropped to around 1.5 to 1.6. The biggest cities in China, including Beijing and Shanghai, saw their fertility rate fall below 1.0, among the lowest in the world. If China maintains the fertility rate of 1.2, it means the next generation will have 40 percent fewer people than the previous one, a truly worrying sign, Huang Wenzheng, a demographics expert and senior fellow of the Center for China and Globalization, told CGTN. In 2016, the one-child policy was replaced by one that allows couples to have two children. Yet the further relaxation of the family planning policy did not bring the baby boom as some expected. There was a temporary "accumulation effect" after the policy was introduced one-child families who had previously wanted to have a second child finally was able to do so. In 2016, the number of births rose by 1.3 million to 17.86 million from the previous year. But from 2017 to 2020, births have fallen for four years in a row. If birth rates continue to fall while life expectancy increases, China will run short of labor force and its rapid aging will stymie its economic growth, said Lu Jiehua, deputy director for the Center for Healthy Aging and Development Studies at Peking University. Faced with the demographic reality, the government has been making adjustments to the family planning policy, coupled with reforms to the social security and healthcare systems. Decades of the one-child policy have transformed the family structure in China to a reversed pyramid where a single child supports two parents and four grandparents, which put heavy strain on the young people and the country's senior care system. The government has announced a gradual increase in the retirement age and vowed to expand social security coverage to universal coverage. Data from the latest 2020 census shows that people aged 60 or over are about 18 percent of the population. In 2050, that is set to increase to one-third of the population, according to a government estimate. The once distant future of an aging society is fast approaching. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... Early voting begins in earnest Saturday for the special election for New Mexicos 1st Congressional District seat, though Election Day is officially June 1. And this race has someone for everyone: a Republican lawmaker who once blocked for the Lobos, a new Democratic lawmaker with plenty of policy experience, a Libertarian candidate who lives outside the district, an Independent with a familiar name who is the only candidate to have won a statewide race, and two largely unknown write-in candidates. But the most promising candidate to help us fight crime, ensure our public schools are accountable to our children and enable our economic recovery is Republican state Sen. Mark Moores. Moores has experience early in his career working for U.S. Rep. Steve Schiff and nine years of state Senate experience representing part of Northeast Albuquerque. He states clearly that Joe Biden is our president and we need Congress to work with him. Last fall, we endorsed Moores in his successful reelection bid for state Senate in great part because of his pragmatic, collaborative approach. He says hes willing to work with anyone, anywhere and has proved that on myriad issues with Democratic colleagues, most recently redistricting, recreational cannabis and pay for student athletes. He is principled but not an ideologue, which would enable him to work across party lines in Congress. We also appreciate Moores balanced views on energy. He voted in favor of the states landmark Energy Transition Act of 2019 that calls for a 100% carbon-free electric grid by 2045. And he opposes moratoriums on fracking, drilling and permitting because he knows how much those draconian measures hurt the states 42,000 direct and 134,000 indirect oil and gas workers. His build-a-bridge-to-clean-energy rather than send-the-state-economy-off-a-cliff approach is essential for a state where 12% of the workforce is employed by energy producers and a third of the budget is funded via fossil fuels. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Moores is a partner in a state medical laboratory that tested for COVID-19 throughout the pandemic and understands how the virus has hurt New Mexicans and our economy. He knows we need a more vibrant economy and safer community to attract medical and other professionals. He maintains police reform, better training and appropriate equipment are essential for better law enforcement but if this is to be a safe place to live so are better behavioral health systems and support for our professional and dedicated officers. He says the federal government has a role in ensuring standards for our students and providing funding and that families should have options when it comes to public education. And he vows to fight for our national labs and military bases. Last fall, we endorsed Democratic candidate Melanie Stansbury in her successful bid for her Northeast Heights state House seat in part because of her policy experience at the White House Office of Management and Budget, and Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Stansbury is sharp, knowledgeable, professional and likeable. If you support a progressive agenda, she is a strong candidate. She does have a tendency to avoid answering questions and can drift into platitudes (we are still unclear how she would diversify the economy or what she believes constitutes a good job), and we have too much of that on Capitol Hill already. Her support for the BREATHE Act, which would divest tax dollars from policing and abandon police, prisons, and all punishment paradigms, is troubling. Thats particularly true given our serious crime problem in Albuquerque and record-setting homicide pace four on Wednesday alone. Yet at the same time Stansbury has supported first responders in her two-plus years in the state House, including authorizing $2.9 million in capital outlay spending to purchase and equip new vehicles and $250,000 for body armor and active-shooter equipment for the Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office. Stansburys strong support of the moratorium on drilling, raising the federal minimum wage, eventually closing prisons and cutting defense spending, as well as her flat-out rejection of school choice, likely make her an attractive choice for some voters in the progressive-leaning 1st Congressional District, which includes most of Bernalillo County, all of Torrance County and parts of Sandoval, Santa Fe and Valencia counties. But its not what New Mexico and CD1 need right now. Libertarian Chris Manning should appeal to voters concerned about the erosion of their civil liberties during the pandemic. But he lives in Kirtland, over a hundred miles outside the congressional district, and acknowledges hes in the race largely to raise awareness for the Libertarian Party. Independent Aubrey Dunn is the only candidate to have won a statewide election, prevailing in the 2014 race for state land commissioner. He knows Albuquerque from his days in real estate, and he knows rural values as an active rancher. He is a former member of both the Republican and Libertarian parties and likely appeals to those voters who truly want an independent, swing vote in Congress. And there are write-in candidates Laura Olivas and Robert Ornelas, but few know who they are or why theyre running, and like Manning, neither responded to the Journals published call for an endorsement interview. The Journal editorial boards choice for New Mexicans in CD1 is someone who wants to take a bite out of crime, realistically transition our energy jobs, hold our public schools accountable and help the state recover from the pandemic. And all while working across party lines. Thats Mark Moores. This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers. Amanda Pearl believes in meeting challenges head on. On Thursday, that perseverance paid off. She received her second degree from the University of Miami Patti and Allan Herbert Business School, a Masters in Business Administration (MBA), a feat she accomplished while working full time. Completing my MBA while working full time and navigating a pandemic reminded me that complacency creates a toxic environment, she said. I hope the future holds challenges. Challenges and opportunities were surely on the minds of Pearl and the 607 fellow graduate students who obtained their doctoral or masters degrees from the schools of Architecture, Business, Communication, Education and Human Development, and the Frost School of Music during Thursdays afternoon commencement at Hard Rock Stadium. The commencement speaker was Vicente Fox, the former president of Mexico, who received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters for his bold leadership and lifelong commitment to better the lives of those less fortunate. President Julio Frenk, who served as minister of health during the Fox administration, called him someone who during his presidency set out to improve the economy, combat poverty, promote equity, and create more opportunities for millions of Mexicans. I had the privilege to work closely with him in his cabinet, said Frenk. His support for the best evidenced-based solutions to entrenched inequities in Mexicos health system provided a platform for enlightened policies and true reform. Before addressing the students, Fox praised Frenk for his work implementing Seguro Popular, the national health reform that expanded access to health care to 58 million previously uninsured people. Amigo and President Julio Frenk, he said. You made the miracle happen in Mexico. Fox told the graduates that this was their time to celebrate all the hard work, long hours, and sacrifice that they devoted to nourish themselves with knowledge. He called them all leaders who had emerged from a year of a pandemic with more experience, more power, and more capacity to do things for humankind. But as leaders, he said, they should be drawn to compassionate leadership, a kind of leadership that is outstanding, he said. This is when we think about the other and put ourselves in their shoes and we do for others, he said. Selfish leadership will take you nowhere. DJarius Jay Orien Jones, the student speaker, who received a doctorate in education, told the graduates that they had survived a challenging time to pursue academic endeavorsa global pandemic, political strife, extremism, insurrection, social distancing. But Jones, who is an active duty soldier in the U.S. Army, said that he had a message to all of the naysayers who said that the graduates would not make it to commencement. He read from a poem by Edgar A. Guest: Somebody said that it couldnt be done But he with a chuckle replied That maybe it couldnt, but he would be one Who wouldnt say so till hed tried. So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin On his face. If he worried he hid it. He started to sing as he tackled the thing That couldnt be done, and he did it! In the morning graduate ceremony, Jim Yong Kim, a Harvard-trained infectious disease physician, anthropologist, immediate past president of the World Bank, and former president of Dartmouth College told graduates that new challenges during six different careers helped him learn new methods to succeed at the next hurdle. And the fear that often accompanies uncertainty actually proved useful to him. Now, Ive come to realize that I feel most alive when I am in a new environment and I dont understand the language being used by my new co-workers, and when Im facing a mountain to climb to learn new skills, said Kim, who founded the global health organization Partners In Health, and helped overturn the notion that curing drug-resistant tuberculosis in poor nations was not worth the cost. Oddly Im happiest when I feel most ignorant. And when I get to cruising altitude in any job, thats when I think of finding new challenges. Both Kim and student speaker Chloe Jean Taub urged masters and doctoral graduates at the Thursday morning commencement ceremony not to cower from uncertainty, but instead, to embrace it. It was the third of seven ceremonies that will be held this week to honor graduates. Part of our tendencies to think in either/or may come from a desire to feel safe, said Taub, who earned her Ph.D. in psychology, particularly studying how stress affects physical health. [But] as graduate degree holders, part of our core expertise is to recognize complexity, investigate it, and elucidate a more complete truth. We are uniquely suited to thrive in the grey. Hosted at Hard Rock Stadium to necessitate social distancing, nearly 550 graduate students from the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Engineering, the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, the Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, the School of Nursing and Health Studies, and the Graduate School received their degrees at the morning ceremony. After a year of 54 video messages to students, Frenk said he was delighted to hold an in-person ceremony. He also encouraged graduates to take advantage of the new opportunities available to them in a world changed by the pandemic. Throughout the last academic year, he said, they have all learned how to be especially resilient, which will serve them well in any future role. We are bouncing back; and as we do, we will not settle for what came before. We will help build what comes after, so we may reach a better normal, he said. The world has witnessed how collaboration across sectors and countrieswhich led to the development of safe and efficacious vaccinesis the way to move forward. Kim was uniquely suited to talk about world collaboration. He was the director of the HIV/AIDS Department in the World Health Organization, where he worked to dramatically expand access to antiretroviral medications. He is now the chairman of Global Infrastructure Partners, a fund that invests in emerging market infrastructure companies. But instead, Kim chose to touch upon some life lessons from his father, who left from his hometown in North Korea with only his high school transcript and crossed the newly created border to South Korea. Somehow, he was able to get into dental school. And one day, in between classes, his father scraped up enough money to buy some ramen noodles for lunch with friends. They had started eating, when a police officer tried to arrest the group for buying food from an unlicensed vendor. While his friends tossed their noodles and ran, Kims father took his food with him because he knew he could not afford another lunch. He often told his children about the experience to help them realize how fortunate they were growing up. Years later, when Kim told his father he wanted to study political science and philosophy, his dad quickly pulled the car off the road. He told his son that he could do whatever he wanted after his medical residency, because their ethnic background dictated that Kim would have to learn a skill if he wanted to support himself. At the time, Kim was surprised, but later realized his fathers wisdom. His career in global health sprung from experiences offering health care to the vulnerable, and began in Haiti while he was still in Harvard Medical School. It was in this hemisphere's poorest nation that he and three others founded Partners In Health, which has trained the poor themselves to become community health workers on four continents. My father knew all about uncertainty and wanted to protect us from it, said Kim. "I dont think that either one of us would have come close to predicting the career Ive had. And if my father were alive today, Im sure he would say, you see, I told you to finish that residency first! But as the economy evolves, Kim said that professionals will likely have to adapt to changing circumstances, like he has, and work together to solve societys complex problems. Like my father on the streets of Seoul, you face a world of uncertainty, Kim said. Use it. Uncertainty means that the future is yours to shape. Uncertainty is freedom. Take that freedom and run with it. Tulane University said Thursday it will mandate that all students get the COVID-19 vaccine next semester, joining a growing number of institutions of higher learning around the country that are moving to make the injection mandatory. The requirement was announced on the same day the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said fully vaccinated people can stop wearing masks and physically distancing in most indoor and outdoor settings. In issuing the guidance, the federal agency said it hoped the relaxed standards would encourage more Americans to get vaccinated, allowing life to return closer to normal. "For the sake of our city and campus, we implore each one of you students, faculty, staff, contract workers and vendors to receive your COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible," Tulane officials said in a news release. "Increasing campus immunizations will reduce the spread of COVID-19 and help us all return more quickly to normal lives with less restrictions." Tulane, which joins Xavier and Dillard universities in requiring the inoculations, said its students must submit proof of vaccination by July 15 to register to go back to school. University officials said they "strongly encourage" all faculty and staff to get the shot, but stopped short of saying they mandated it for workers. The university has roughly 13,600 students, including 4,000 who live in on-campus dorms. Xavier announced last month it would be requiring students get the vaccine, but said those with documented medical or religious exemptions can opt out, according to spokesperson Lance Sumler. Students at Tulane can also decline "for reasons consistent with Louisiana state vaccine laws," university officials said, which include medical, religious and personal reasons. Those students must state their reason by submitting a vaccine declination form through Tulane's health portal. WWL television reported in April that Louisiana colleges were split over whether to mandate the shot, as some lawyers argued that colleges and universities can't legally require students get the vaccine because it's still only approved for FDA emergency use. But more universities have moved to make the vaccine a prerequisite for enrollment. Dillard University spokesperson Eddie Francis said Thursday the vaccine will be required next fall for students living in university housing, athletes, those participating in clubs or teams, students employed by the university and those participating in clinical settings, including nursing students. Students must show proof of immunization by July 15 or forgo participation in those programs, Francis said. "Additionally, all un-vaccinated students will be required to submit to weekly COVID-19 surveillance testing," Francis said. Top stories in New Orleans in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up In late March, LSU's School of Dentistry flip-flopped on requiring the COVID vaccine for students, faculty and staff who interact with patients. Officials initially said they would require it but changed course after opponents argued the requirement wasn't in line with federal law and violated religious liberties. The policy was then amended to allow mandatory, weekly coronavirus testing for those who forgo the vaccine. They are also required to wear an N-95 masks while in clinic. Some local universities remain on the fence, including Loyola University. "We are continuing to consider the issue," said university president Tania Tetlow. "Even a requirement comes with exceptions, so we are eager to figure out the approach most likely to persuade our students to protect themselves and our community." Stanton McNeely, the president of University of Holy Cross, said administrators there plan to decide in June. This school year, about 70% of the university's roughly 1,300 students were taking classes online. Adam Norris, a spokesperson for the University of New Orleans, said officials there don't have plans to require it as of now. "Our focus has been on strongly encouraging students and employees to get vaccinated in order to protect themselves and prevent spread within our campus community," Norris said. Tony Cook, spokesperson for Delgado Community College, said officials there were not requiring the vaccine for the schools 20,000 enrolled students, but they were encouraging everyone to get it nonetheless. Its in everyones best interest to get the vaccine as soon as possible, Cook said. Officials with Southern University of New Orleans didn't immediately respond to requests for comment. If signed into law, one legislative bill -- Senate Bill 198 by Sen. Stewart Cathey, Jr., R-Monroe -- would limit what public colleges and universities in Louisiana can require. The proposed bill, which was adopted by the Senate and now heads to a state House committee, "prohibits denying access to state facilities intended for public use to persons based upon whether they have received a COVID-19 vaccination." New York, May 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "2K Protective Coatings Market Research Report by Resin Type, by End-use Industry, by Application - Global Forecast to 2025 - Cumulative Impact of COVID-19" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06072099/?utm_source=GNW Market Statistics: The report provides market sizing and forecast across five major currencies - USD, EUR GBP, JPY, and AUD. This helps organization leaders make better decisions when currency exchange data is readily available. 1. The Global 2K Protective Coatings Market is expected to grow from USD 8,523.64 Million in 2020 to USD 10,923.28 Million by the end of 2025. 2. The Global 2K Protective Coatings Market is expected to grow from EUR 7,473.68 Million in 2020 to EUR 9,577.73 Million by the end of 2025. 3. The Global 2K Protective Coatings Market is expected to grow from GBP 6,644.12 Million in 2020 to GBP 8,514.63 Million by the end of 2025. 4. The Global 2K Protective Coatings Market is expected to grow from JPY 909,688.37 Million in 2020 to JPY 1,165,790.77 Million by the end of 2025. 5. The Global 2K Protective Coatings Market is expected to grow from AUD 12,377.45 Million in 2020 to AUD 15,862.05 Million by the end of 2025. Market Segmentation & Coverage: This research report categorizes the 2K Protective Coatings to forecast the revenues and analyze the trends in each of the following sub-markets: Based on Resin Type, the 2K Protective Coatings Market studied across Acrylic, Alkyd, Epoxy, and Polyurethane. Based on End-use Industry, the 2K Protective Coatings Market studied across Civil Building and Infrastructure, Food and Beverage Plants, Marine, Petrochemical, Power Generation, and Water and Waste Treatment. Based on Application, the 2K Protective Coatings Market studied across Abrasion Resistance, Chemical Resistance, Corrosion Protection, Fire Protection, Heat Resistance, Pipe Coatings, and Tank Lining. Based on Geography, the 2K Protective Coatings Market studied across Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe, Middle East & Africa. The Americas region surveyed across Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and United States. The Asia-Pacific region surveyed across Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand. The Europe, Middle East & Africa region surveyed across France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom. Company Usability Profiles: The report deeply explores the recent significant developments by the leading vendors and innovation profiles in the Global 2K Protective Coatings Market including AkzoNobel N.V., Axalta Coating Systems, LLC, BASF SE, Benjamin Moore & Co., Berger Paints India Ltd., Chugoku Marine Paints Ltd., Cloverdale Paint Inc., Dulux Group, Fosroc, Inc., Guangdong Maydos Building Materials Limited Company, Hempel A/S, Jotun A/S, Kansai Paint Co. Ltd., Nippon Paints Holdings Co. Ltd., Noroo Paint & Coatings Co. Ltd., Parker Hannifin Corp (Parker Lord), PPG Industries, Premium Coatings and Chemicals Pvt. Ltd., RPM International Inc., Shawcor, Sika AG, Teknos Group OY, The Sherwin-Williams Company, Tnemec Company, Inc., and Weilburger Coatings GmbH. Cumulative Impact of COVID-19: COVID-19 is an incomparable global public health emergency that has affected almost every industry, so for and, the long-term effects projected to impact the industry growth during the forecast period. Our ongoing research amplifies our research framework to ensure the inclusion of underlaying COVID-19 issues and potential paths forward. The report is delivering insights on COVID-19 considering the changes in consumer behavior and demand, purchasing patterns, re-routing of the supply chain, dynamics of current market forces, and the significant interventions of governments. The updated study provides insights, analysis, estimations, and forecast, considering the COVID-19 impact on the market. FPNV Positioning Matrix: The FPNV Positioning Matrix evaluates and categorizes the vendors in the 2K Protective Coatings Market on the basis of Business Strategy (Business Growth, Industry Coverage, Financial Viability, and Channel Support) and Product Satisfaction (Value for Money, Ease of Use, Product Features, and Customer Support) that aids businesses in better decision making and understanding the competitive landscape. Competitive Strategic Window: The Competitive Strategic Window analyses the competitive landscape in terms of markets, applications, and geographies. The Competitive Strategic Window helps the vendor define an alignment or fit between their capabilities and opportunities for future growth prospects. During a forecast period, it defines the optimal or favorable fit for the vendors to adopt successive merger and acquisition strategies, geography expansion, research & development, and new product introduction strategies to execute further business expansion and growth. The report provides insights on the following pointers: 1. Market Penetration: Provides comprehensive information on the market offered by the key players 2. Market Development: Provides in-depth information about lucrative emerging markets and analyzes the markets 3. Market Diversification: Provides detailed information about new product launches, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments 4. Competitive Assessment & Intelligence: Provides an exhaustive assessment of market shares, strategies, products, and manufacturing capabilities of the leading players 5. Product Development & Innovation: Provides intelligent insights on future technologies, R&D activities, and new product developments The report answers questions such as: 1. What is the market size and forecast of the Global 2K Protective Coatings Market? 2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global 2K Protective Coatings Market during the forecast period? 3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global 2K Protective Coatings Market? 4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global 2K Protective Coatings Market? 5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global 2K Protective Coatings Market? 6. What are the modes and strategic moves considered suitable for entering the Global 2K Protective Coatings Market? Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06072099/?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. __________________________ ARMY Army awards $1.25B wearable battery development contract The Army has awarded four companies positions on a potential nine-year, $1.25 billion contract to help further develop a lightweight wearable battery for soldiers in the field. Bren-Tronics, Inventus Power, Navitas Systems government solutions group and Ultralife Corp. were the lone bidders to participate in the Conformal Wearable Battery program. They will compete for orders through May 2030, the Pentagon said in its Wednesday awards digest. Also known as CWB, the battery is intended to be integrated seamlessly onto a soldiers body armor for either the side or chest/back pouches with ballistic protective plates that are essentially invisible and transparent. The lithium-ion rechargeable battery will also have 150 watt hours of power and be built to provide continuous power generation for up to 24 hours at a time. Other specifications for CWS include its weight at 2.6 pounds, dimensions of 8.7-by-7.66-by 0.7 inches and an operating range of negative 4-to-140 degrees. Ian Bailey has been convicted of drug-driving and other offences all relating to being initially stopped at a Garda checkpoint near Schull on August 25, 2019. The 64-year-old with an address at the prairie, Liscaha, Schull, had pleaded not guilty to four charges - possession of cannabis in his car, possession of cannabis at Bantry Garda Station, driving while cannabis was in his system, and allowing his car to be used for possession of cannabis - at Skull, Schull. Judge John King had heard garda evidence on November 12 last, as well as oral and legal submissions from Mr Bailey's legal team challenging various aspects of garda actions and procedures. Last November, Sgt Kevin Heffernan told the judge that at the checkpoint in August 2019 he first noted Mr Bailey was not wearing his seatbelt. During a conversation with him he then got a strong smell of intoxicating liquor. Mr Bailey said he had had a pint earlier with a meal and was tired. He failed a roadside breath test but later passed a test with the evidenzer at the garda station. However, while at the station during a search a small tin with suspected cannabis was found on him. Sgt Heffernan told the court that in a cautioned interview Mr Bailey said: "Someone left it at the market stall. "They said 'it's for you' and they left it." He told Garda Heffernan it was "green stuff" and as to whether he knew what it was he said "not exactly but it looks like cannabis". "I assume it is cannabis and I was in possession of it," he said. Mr Bailey said he didn't know the name of the person who left it with him and when asked by Sgt Heffernan whether more would be found in his car he replied: "No, you shouldn't." Mr Bailey was dropped home and Sgt Heffernan retained his car keys. He went back to Skull, took the car to Schull Garda Station where it remained overnight, before searching it at 8am the next day. He found three cannabis joints in the car and Mr Bailey was informed when he came to collect his car shortly after noon. Submissions made in court Mr Bailey's barrister, Emmet Boyle, had made a number of submissions to the judge regarding the actions of gardai, including why the arresting garda retained Mr Bailey's car keys after his release on the night of his arrest, then took the car and parked it at the garda station overnight before searching it the following morning. Ian Bailey and his solicitor Ray Hennessy at the District Court in Bantry, West Cork. Picture Dan Linehan Written submissions followed and at Bantry District Court today Judge King dismissed one charge - that of possession of cannabis in his car - but said there was a case to answer regarding the others. In response to the various submissions, Judge King said that while the description of the drugs in the summons were not identical to that in the legislation, with words used instead of symbols regarding the drugs, he said it did not prejudice the defendant. As to the submission that two offences were contained in the one summons, the judge said district court rules did not prohibit this and in fact allowed for it, but as a comfort he said in the event of a conviction it would be one conviction, and one penalty. As to a submission arguing that the garda forming an opinion that drugs had been consumed, the judge said that the legislation did not specify when the garda has to form that opinion. He said the presence of controlled drugs on Mr Bailey was sufficient grounds to form that opinion. As to a submission that Mr Bailey had not been informed by gardai as to the reason for his being searched at the garda station, the judge said he had been provided with a C72S form and this was explained to the accused. He added that gardai were not expected to have "an encyclopaedic knowledge" of the laws. The judge also noted that in evidence the court had heard that it was the garda's common practice for the safety of all to search people in such circumstances and that the relevant box in the custody records had been ticked. Charge dismissed Judge King did dismiss the charge of possession of cannabis in Mr Bailey's car, stating that gardai had not observed the statutory requirements and so the car had been illegally detained and any evidence arising out of the search should be excluded. However, he permitted the section 19 charge, that of allowing his car to be used for possession or transportation of cannabis, based on the drugs found on Mr Bailey's person during the search of him at the garda station. Ruling that with one charge dismissed but the balance remained, the judge asked whether defence evidence was going to be put forward. Mr Boyle said none would be provided and on that basis Judge King moved to convict. Mr Bailey, who the court heard had four convictions that were historical in nature and now spent, had been entirely cooperative and had voluntarily made admissions to gardai. Mr Boyle said his client lived rurally, was in his sixties, and that the disqualification from driving for one year would "weigh heavily on him". He said Mr Bailey's earnings were "of a lower order" and that he was on social welfare. He told the court: "He is living with somebody at their home, I will just leave it at that." Convicted and fined Judge King convicted Mr Bailey of drug-driving and fined him 400, with six months to pay. On possession of cannabis he convicted him and fined him 300, with six months to pay, and took the remaining Section 19 charge into consideration. Recognisance for an appeal was set at Mr Bailey's own bond of 200, no cash required. Asked outside court as to his thoughts on the verdict, Mr Bailey said: "I don't have any." This story first appeared on Irishexaminer.com. Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking I agree below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. The expansion of the Thai Nguyen steel project has yet to be completed after 14 years. Several former managers of the Thai Nguyen Iron and Steel JSC (Tisco) have been sent to prison for wrongdoings related to the project. The defendants The Thai Nguyen Cast Iron and Steel Complex was the first child and the pride of Vietnams metallurgy sector. Tisco was once a strong brand in the industry. But since 2018 its performance has steadily declined. Many managers of Tisco and the Vietnam Steel Corporation (VnSteel) had to appear before the court and were given severe punishments because of wrongdoings during the implementation of the second phase of the project. On April 20, after more than one week of hearings and deliberation, the Hanoi Peoples Court sentenced 19 defendants who were once VnSteel and Tisco managers. Tran Trong Mung, former CEO of Tisco, was sentenced to nine years and six months in prison, while Tran Van Kham, who was chair of the board of management and CEO of Tisco, got eight years and six months; Mai Van Tinh, former chair of the board of management got six years, and Dau Van Hung, former CEO of VnSteel, got three years in prison for "violating regulations on management and use of state assets, causing losses and waste". The other defendants were sentenced to 18 months in prison, but they received a suspended sentence on the same count, for "lacking responsibility, causing serious consequences". Soon after the hearing finished, Tisco asked for permission to restart the project and submitted a plan to revive the second phase of the project. Tiscos leadership believes that if the outstanding problems of the second phase of the project cannot be solved, the company will face serious difficulties. Most of the equipment needed to implement the second phase of the project was bought by MCC, the Chinese contractor. The equipment is being kept by Tisco. However, storage over such a long period will damage the equipment. Tisco is one of the 12 loss-making mega projects under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT). The assets of the projects total VND59.1 trillion, while total accounts payable is VND63.3 trillion. If Tisco cannot resume implementation, the quality of the equipment will degrade. It also still has to pay loan interest, which leads to higher costs. The 12 projects include four fertilizer production, three biofuel production, two steel manufacturing, one polyester production, one pulp and one shipbuilding project. Partial implementation planned Tisco managers affirmed that if the second phase of the project cannot be reactivated soon, the company will find it hard to maintain production. If production halts, nearly 4,000 workers will lose their jobs, affecting the life of 20,000 people. This will lead to a loss estimated at VND1.2 trillion) for the state, while commercial banks will not be able to collect debts. This will also affect hundreds of Tiscos partners, suppliers and customers across the country. Tiscos managers said that the technology used for the second phase of the project is modern. Some equipment has been installed, while the remaining has been maintained well and can be used. The company production would be self-sufficient in cast iron, coke, ingot steel, gas and oil fuel, thus creating higher added value. If Tisco cannot resume implementation, the quality of the equipment will degrade. It also still has to pay loan interest, which leads to higher costs. If the situation lasts for a long time, the company will not be able to maintain production, and could go bankrupt and lose the states and shareholders money, while banks wont be able to collect debts. Tisco has asked many times for help to solve these problems, which are now beyond the companys competence. But the proposals have not received replies. Luong Bang Foreign investors increase acquisitions of renewable energy projects in Vietnam Foreign investors from China, Thailand, and Singapore are increasingly acquiring renewable energy projects located at strategic positions from domestic enterprises. Hanoi and the four northern provinces of Hung Yen, Bac Ninh, Bac Giang and Vinh Phuc have proposed a major highway project to the Prime Minister. The Ring Road 4 project will pass through 14 districts in the five localities with a total length of around 98 kilometres. The route will mainly go through Hanoi with 56.5 kilometres, Hung Yen with 20.3 kilometres, and Bac Ninh with 21.2 kilometres. The start and end points of the project are in Vinh Phuc and Bac Giang provinces. The Ring Road 4 project will pass through 14 districts in the five localities with a total length of around 98 kilometres. The localities recommended two options for the construction of the project, with the first without overpasses costing VND105 trillion (USD4.56 billion) and the second including two bridges crossing the Red River with VND135 trillion (USD5.86 billion). Site clearance for the project is estimated at around VND25 trillion. Under the proposal, the project will be carried out under the combination between the state budget fund and public-private partnership (PPP) form. Of this, the elevated highway sections will be totally conducted under the PPP form. Earlier, in 2011, the prime minister approved the Ring Road 4 project in Hanoi which has six lanes and has a total investment of VND66.5 trillion. Localities were instructed to arrange capital for the project implementation. However, only Hanoi implemented some parts of the projects, while shortly after investment was suspended. Meanwhile, sections going through Bac Ninh and Hung Yen remained on paper. By late August last year, the prime minister asked the Ministry of Transport to reactivate the project. The Ministry of Transport has recently assigned Hanoi to be on behalf of the four provinces of Bac Ninh, Vinh Phuc, Bac Giang and Hung Yen to take the lead in the project implementation. The project is expected to not only ease traffic overload, expand development resources, connectivity and trade in goods among localities in the Hanoi and the key northern economic region, but also help Hanoi and the provinces gradually perfect transportation systems as planned, making it easier for them to step up socio-economic development in both urban and rural areas, said Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung. Dtinews Focus on transport infrastructure development is sound solution for Hanoi's urban planning Building transport infrastructure is hoped to help Hanoi's outskirts areas develop and create the potential for modern urban development as there is less and less land available in the inner city. New York, May 13, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Despite the declining sales of newspapers worldwide, printed newspapers still held a major share of the total sales of both print and online newspapers, and the same is estimated to persist in the coming years. In the year 2016, the total number of newspaper readers around the world was estimated to be close to 4 billion, of which, about 3/4th of the share was attained by printed newspaper readers. Moreover, in 2017, the sales of printed newspapers registered close to 550 million units. On the other hand, the printed newspaper circulation revenue generated worldwide in the year 2017 was close to USD 83 billion. Research Nester published a detailed report on the Global Commercial Printing Outsourcing Market which is studied for the period of 2020-2029. The report focuses on the growing trends, opportunities, growth driving factors, and the challenges associated with the market growth. The concept of printing on different materials is not new and can be dated back to around 3500 BCE. Over the years, with the increasing need for information amongst individuals worldwide, and with the advancements in printing technology, the demand for commercial printing solutions has witnessed a massive surge. For instance, the average qualifying sales of some of the highest circulated daily newspapers in India in the year 2019 crossed 25 million. The global commercial printing outsourcing market is anticipated to grow with a significant CAGR during the forecast period, i.e., 2021-2029. The growth of the market can be attributed to the growing need amongst businesses for different types of promotional materials, along with the increase in advertisement spending by businesses worldwide. Globally, the media owners advertisement spending grew from around USD 400 billion in 2012 to about USD 600 billion in 2020. Get a sample copy of the report@ https://www.researchnester.com/sample-request-3075 The growth of the market can also be attributed to the growing demand for consumer products worldwide, such as packaged foods, and the need amongst the manufacturers of these consumer goods to create attractive packaging that can help them to boost their sales. The United States registered a value of around USD 130 billion generated by the sales of packaged foods in 2018. On the other hand, the consumer goods market in the U.S., which was also the largest consumer packaged goods market around the world, attained a value of around USD 630 billion in the year 2019. Additionally, the market is also anticipated to grow on the back of the emerging print packaging industry and the numerous available opportunities associated with it. However, the increasing adoption of digital technologies, such as e-magazines, e-newspapers, and digital billboards among others, are some of the factors anticipated to hamper the market growth during the forecast period. Get a Sample PDF of Commercial Printing Outsourcing Market Report 2020 Geographically, the global commercial printing outsourcing market is segmented into five major regions comprising North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa. Out of these, the Asia Pacific commercial printing outsourcing market is estimated to occupy the highest share by the end of 2029, primarily driven by nations such as China, India, Vietnam, and Thailand among others. The print industry in India, which was valued at around USD 4 billion in 2019, is one of the major industries in the nation which cater to the needs of different businesses. The nation also possesses a large number of publishing houses, which is anticipated to contribute to the growth of the market in the Asia Pacific region. The study further incorporates Y-O-Y growth, demand & supply and forecast future opportunity in North America (United States, Canada), Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Rest of LATAM), Europe (U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Hungary, BENELUX [Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg], NORDIC [Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland], Poland, Russia, Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Rest of Asia-Pacific), Middle East and Africa (Israel, GCC [Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman], North Africa, South Africa, Rest of Middle East and Africa). Buy this report and get instant access @ https://www.researchnester.com/payment/rep-id-3075 The global commercial printing outsourcing market is segmented on the basis of service type into offset lithography, flexography, gravure, screen, inkjet, and others. Among these segments, the gravure printing segment is projected to hold a significant market share by the end of 2029. The growth of the segment can be primarily attributed to the increasing use of the process in printing newspapers, magazines, postcards, and corrugated cardboards among others. Backed by the increasing retail e-commerce sales, which is anticipated to cross USD 6400 Billion in 2025, there is a growing demand for corrugated packaging boxes. As a result, there is a rising need for printing these boxes to promote sales, which is anticipated to contribute to the growth of the segment in the coming years. The global commercial printing outsourcing market is also segmented on the basis of application. Global Commercial Printing Outsourcing Market, Segmentation by Application Publishing Advertising Packaging Others Do You Have Any Query Or Specific Requirement? Ask to Our Expert Some of the major industry leaders mentioned in our report that are associated with the global commercial printing outsourcing market are R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company, Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd., Transcontinental Inc., Cenveo Worldwide Limited, LSC Communications US, LLC, ACME Printing, Quad/Graphics, Inc., Cimpress plc (Vistaprint), Toppan Printing Co., Ltd., Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA, and others. Explore Our Recent Related Reports: Engineering R&D Services Outsourcing Market Segmentation By Type (Off Shore and On Shore) and By End-User (Telecommunications, Automotive, Aerospace, Consumer Electronics, Pharmaceuticals, Construction, Semiconductor, Computing Systems and Others) Global Demand Analysis & Opportunity Outlook 2027 Document Outsourcing Services Market Segmentation By Services (Onsite contracted services, Statement printing services and Document Process Outsourcing (DPO) services); By End-Users (Corporate Offices, Educational Institutions, Research Institutes and Others) - Global Demand Analysis & Opportunity Outlook 2027 Data Analytics Outsourcing Market By Analytics Type (Descriptive Analytics, Predictive analytics, and Prescriptive Analytics); By Application (Marketing Analytic, Sales Analytics, Fraud Detection and Risk Management, Supply Chain Analytics, Process Optimization, Advisory Services, Device Security Solution, Others); By Verticals (BFSI, E-commerce, Healthcare, Telecom, IT Services, Process Outsourcing, Outsourcing and Others) Global Industry Analysis & Opportunity Evaluation 2018-2027 Industrial Services Market Segmentation by Service Type (Engineering & Consulting, Installation & Commissioning, and Operational Improvement & Maintenance); by Application {Distributed Control System (DCS), Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), Electric Motors & Drives, Valves & Actuators, Human Machine Interface, Monitoring Systems, Signaling Systems}; and by End-User Global Demand Analysis & Opportunity Outlook 2019-20 Contractual Cleaning Services Market Segmentation By Verticals (Residential, Institutions, Organizations and Industrial) Global Industry Demand Analysis and Opportunity Assessment 2018-2028 About Research Nester Research Nester is a one-stop service provider with a client base in more than 50 countries, leading in strategic market research and consulting with an unbiased and unparalleled approach towards helping global industrial players, conglomerates and executives for their future investment while avoiding forthcoming uncertainties. With an out-of-the-box mindset to produce statistical and analytical market research reports, we provide strategic consulting so that our clients can make wise business decisions with clarity while strategizing and planning for their forthcoming needs and succeed in achieving their future endeavors. We believe every business can expand to its new horizon, provided a right guidance at a right time is available through strategic minds. Contact for more Info: AJ Daniel Email: info@researchnester.com U.S. Phone: +1 646 586 9123 U.K. Phone: +44 203 608 5919 Auburn, IN (46706) Today Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. High 83F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 65F. Winds light and variable. In brief: Continuing the decades-long rivalry between the US and Russia, the two superpowers are once again engaged in a space race. This time, though, it's a competition to see who can make the first movie in low earth orbit. Russian actress Yulia Peresild (top) and filmmaker Klim Shipenko will be on a rocket with cosmonaut Anton Shkaplerov when it takes off from Baikonur cosmodrome on October 5. Their destination is the International Space Station (ISS), where they will shoot scenes for a space drama with the working title "Challenge." The RIA news agency reports that the plot involves a female surgeon's mission to perform an operation on a cosmonaut too ill to return to Earth immediately. We heard last year that Tom Cruise and director Doug Liman were also heading for the ISS to make a movie. The Americans are heading to the space station in the same month as Peresild, Shipenko, and Shkaplerovthe exact date hasn't been revealedbut it looks as if Russia is aiming to get there first. Russia is reported to have begun its own space movie project after Cruise confirmed he would be going to the ISS. Russian space agency Roscosmos put out an ad in November "for the lead role in the first feature film to be filmed in space." As reported by The Guardian, the female lead was required to meet several specifications: a Russian citizen between 25 and 40 years old, weigh between 50kg (110 pounds) and 70kg (154 pounds), and have a "chest girth" of up to 112cm (47 inches). "Additionally, she must be able to run 1km in three and a half minutes or less, swim 800 meters freestyle in 20 minutes, and dive from a 3-meter springboard with an impressive technique." Previous acting experience was not required. Peresild, 36, and Shipenko, 37, were chosen out of thousands of applicants based on "results of medical and creative selection." Their training begins in June and will be televised on Russia's Channel One network, a producer on the film. "They will have to go through, among other things, tests on a centrifuge, a vibration stand, to make introductory and training flights on an airplane in zero gravity, to undergo parachute training," said Roscosmos. Throughout all the tension over the years, the ISS has remained an area where the US and Russia have worked together, but it appears that is coming to an end. Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov said Moscow would give its partners notice that Russia would leave the ISS project from 2025 to focus on building its own space station. Paxton, IL (60957) Today A mix of clouds and sun with a slight chance of thunderstorms this afternoon. High 81F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening followed by increasing clouds with showers developing after midnight. Low 69F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. REMEMBER that great story in Throwback Thursday from Tom Harding a couple of weeks back, about flooding in The Pav cinema, and he and his pals receiving comfort and sustenance at the Flying Enterprise at the bottom of Barrack Street? And we wondered who owned the pub at the time? Well, we have now heard from Pat Brazil, who sheds more light on the subject. Just a little background information on Tom Hardings memoirs of being soaked wet, passing the Enterprise Bar and meeting an old lady who invited them inside to dry off after their Pav experience, writes Pat. Well, all I can say is my mother, Teresa Brazil, proprietor of the Enterprise in the 1960s, would be absolutely appalled to be referred to as an old lady at the time, were she still alive. In fact, she was a very glamorous woman in her late thirties in the early 1960s, having been born in 1926. It was nice to read Tom Hardings memoirs but I feel I have to put the term old lady in context, to appease her memory. But then, Tom may have been a young little whippersnapper and all adults seemed old to the young and carefree. Nevertheless, says Pat, Teresa would have been very pleased to hear her hospitality and generosity were greatly appreciated, she having supplied free pints and sambos to Tom and his friends. She and Pats father, Michael who passed away in 1969 owned the Enterprise from 1953. In 1982, Teresa sold it to Finbarr OShea who runs it today. Prior to that, Pat notes, the premises was run by a Mr and Mrs McCarthy for many years, and their name was over the door up to 1953. Thats great local history detail, Pat thank you! PROUD TRADITION: Finbarr OShea at The Flying Enterprise in 2004. He has run it since 1979 So how did McCarthys become The Flying Enterprise. Actually, explains Pat, it was my parents who gave the pub its well-known name, after the sinking of a ship of that name in 1952. Ah yes, this is the famous story of the captain who refused to leave his sinking ship because it carried a valuable cargo, and to leave it unmanned would be to allow anyone else to board it and claim salvage. After suffering severe damage in a storm on Christmas night, 1951, the passengers and crew were taken off, but Captain Carlsen determinedly stayed on board, in the greatest danger, until January 10, 1952, when the Flying Enterprise finally sank while being towed into Falmouth in Cornwall. The event garnered huge media interest, and questions were asked as to why it had not been brought safely into Cork, since that was far closer than Falmouth to its wreck location. PROUD TRADITION: Finbarr OShea at The Flying Enterprise in 2004. He has run it since 1979 Pats parents saw the publicity as a great marketing opportunity and named the pub accordingly. It was a great idea by my parents that has endured to this day and Finbarrs tenure, Pat observes. As an aside, later in the same article you had a piece about telephones, adds Pat. It just reminded me that the public telephone number of the Enterprise for many years was 222231. It was a number that was simple and easy to remember, and attracted many offers to sell from businesses and taxi companies alike. I can match that one, Pat: the Kerrigan family phone back in the 1950s was 22481. Really easy to memorise too. Has anybody else got good old telephone numbers they can remember? We have seen that a surprising number of you recall the license plates of old cars, so perhaps its the same with phone numbers back then? Fintan Bloss was also spurred on by that article on telephones to look out some family photographs. He sent us one of his late mother, Mary Bloss, sitting in the hall of 15, North Mall, by one of those great coin box phones, enjoying a cuppa while talking. I think we got the phone (tel number 23524) because my late dad, Don, was a welfare officer in Civil Defence and the phone was important for Civil Defence duties, explains Fintan. The Watermans (still in business) 1984 calendar, seen on the wall there by the phone, was a regular feature in our house as their factory was on the site of the Franciscan Well Brewery near to us, and a bunch of calendars would be handed in each year by the late Ted Lambe, who worked in Watermans printers. If there was ever a problem with phones over the years, Derry Knowles (who has already featured in Throwback Thursday) was the man to sort out any technical hitches. Lee Cabs (sticker on wall over phone) still operates at the bottom of Shandon Street (where OKeeffes used to sell the ice cream cones and a great assortment of sweets), adds Fintan. The coin box phone was because they ran a guest house at the time. The cry would go up Can anybody let me have change of sixpence for the phone, please? Hey, Fintan, wait. That looks like a picture of a ship on the Lee up there on the wall too. Is it the Innisfallen? Can you remember? Do let us know! Our feature last week on womens jobs in the 1950s and 60s in offices and as typists brought in some memories too. Dont forget the huge social distance between typists, secretaries, and personal secretaries, urges Margaret. The personal secretary was really at the top of the tree, with the others well down the branches. Was there nothing lower than a typist, then? Well, probably the filing clerk. She would not have any of the shorthand or typing skills, so was stuck with putting thousands of pieces of paper into hundreds of files in dozens of gloomy green cabinets, all day long, every day. The tea ladies, maintains Margaret, were a completely different department, quite independent of this office social scale. Does anybody else remember those elderly ladies who pushed rattling trolleys along corridors from office to office, dispensing tea from a huge urn into industrial-green cups? Its hard to believe today, with machines offering everything from decaff skinny latte to hot chocolate, but back then you lived for the sound of that rattling trolley as a break in the humdrum routine, laughs Mary. The days of friendly girls coming in with big baskets of fresh rolls and wraps were very far in the future. Beryl has one memory she would prefer to forget, but she cant. Our very modern office had just got in one of the first computer systems. Of course it was huge back then, took up half the special room. All the big guns in the company were standing around it, rather like men do around the engine of somebodys new car, and I was the very nervous girl told off to bring in a tray of tea. I was shaking with nerves. Oh no, Beryl, you didnt! Oh yes, I did. I caught my heel in a carpet, tipped the tray, and the whole bang shoot went flying out over the vast complex of shiny metal and cables that was The New Computer. I just ran. I ran out of the office and all the way home, and never went back. Couldnt face it. Found another job. That incident still comes back sometimes to haunt me at night. Moira remembers typing official minutes of meetings as the worst office task. I was given the job because I was the most accurate, but they were terrifying. They were typed up on special numbered pages so there could be no interfering with the information, and you had to get it exactly right, no mis-types, no errors. I was exhausted by the time I had got through one of those and it took me the week to recover before the next meeting came up! Eventually, the sit-up-and-beg old iron typewriter gave way to the lighter electric model, and tapping instead of hitting became the norm. You still had to re-do letters all too often though, either because the boss had changed his mind or you had mis-read your scrawled shorthand. There was nothing more aggravating than getting these beautifully-typed letters in triplicate sent back out to your desk with red lines all through them, remembers Rose. You felt like throwing them on the ground and jumping on them, but that was definitely not allowed. Typists Dont Talk Back! When a newer kind of electronic typewriter came out, that showed a line of text above the keyboard as you typed, it was slightly better, as you could retrieve most of the body of the offending letter from the machines brain, but it still meant another three sheets of paper, more rubbish in the waste paper basket. I really used to wonder why men couldnt type up their own letters, says Clare. It exasperated me so much that they could sit there throwing off their ideas, and we had to use our hard-learned skills to turn those ideas into neat understandable letters. I was never so delighted as when email came in. Now let them do their own correspondence, I exulted, and I can move to working in the same field instead of following meekly ten paces behind. Of course, there was still the same small matter of a glass ceiling below which women in business had always been kept, but that was changing too, if slowly. Lets hear your memories of days gone by. Boys, girls, men, women, what was your first job? A part-time one at evenings, on Saturdays, during holidays? Did you work on a farm pulling cabbages and picking fruit, or help out in the local shop? And where did you get that first real job, for which you actually got a pay packet? Tell us all your stories. Wed love to hear them. Email jokerrigan1@gmail.com In her nine years of teaching before 2020, Liu Qianchen was always in the same classroom as her students. So it was unfamiliar for her to talk to a camera alone when COVID-19 struck. She had to move all classes online almost overnight during the Chinese New Year holiday. "At the beginning, the students didn't even have the proper equipment for online-session, like earphones," she said. And then it proved much more difficult for her to keep track of students and teach long-distance. "It's not easy, especially at first when the kids had to stay in front of a screen for so long," Liu, an English tutor with New Oriental told CGTN. "You must have noticed, we've started to play a lot more games now while teaching online. We prepare activities to grab their attention." She looks to have gotten the hang of it. In an one-hour class, she was constantly and generously doling out reward points in the teaching platform to her students, rotating and picking different students to speak. She said she found her students, many of them ten-year-old, adapting to the move online much faster than adults. Third grader Jia Yuxuan told CGTN that her online routine includes Math, Chinese and English lessons. "My dancing lessons were taught online too," Jia added. The third-grader said she missed the interaction and fun moments she got with fellow students, but otherwise liked having classes online. Some 300 million students in China have spent the past semester largely in front of a screen. But even as schools reopen this fall, many in the industry believe distance-learning will only take a greater piece of the pie. Shi Peng, general manager of online business at the New Oriental Education and Technology Group said it's an industry-wide consensus and there is no going back. "We're clear about this, there will be no more traditional teaching that only involves the classroom. For us, online and offline experiences will merge. In the future, even when we talk about offline studying in a certain place, it will be supported by online sessions," Shi told CGTN. Analytical firm Nomura China estimates the pandemic has sped up the development of online education by two to three years. And they say growth should be sustained until at least 2024, as China's smaller cities and counties warm up to distance learning. Tang Xueli, assistant dean with the TAL Education Research Institute said the group is preparing for future fast growth in the sector. "We've definitely experienced increased demand. We're doubling the number of this year's new recruits because of this trend," she said. For Liu and Little Jia, they are returning to the classroom this fall, but also meeting up regularly in front of the screen. Liu said the arrangement would allow the students to have the best of both worlds. Today A mix of clouds and sun. High 91F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph, becoming WNW and increasing to 15 to 25 mph. Higher wind gusts possible. Tonight Clear skies. Low 53F. W winds at 15 to 25 mph, decreasing to 5 to 10 mph. Higher wind gusts possible. Tomorrow A mainly sunny sky. Hot. High 93F. NE winds shifting to SSE at 10 to 15 mph. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Let us know what you're seeing and hearing around the community. Submit here NEW YORK, May 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Innovid , the only independent omni-channel advertising and analytics platform built for television, today announced the promotion of Stephanie Geno to the company's first Chief Marketing Officer. With the move, Innovid elevates a key member of its management team with a robust background spanning media, creative and consulting to further boost the companys innovation agenda. Stephanie has been a key member of our team for over three years, and since joining, her presence has been felt across the entire company, said Zvika Netter, Innovids CEO and co-founder. We look forward to all the ways she will continue to elevate Innovids innovation efforts during this critical time for both the industry and company itself. Formerly Senior Vice President of Marketing, Genos extensive experience spans marketing, sales, product management, client services and strategic consulting. She has operated in a senior capacity across the worlds of media agencies, creative agencies and consultancies, bringing a unique perspective and knowledge base to the company. Now, as CMO, Geno will lead all aspects of Innovids brand strategy - from consumer research, to communications planning, PR, content, product marketing and demand generation. Her team will be responsible for ensuring the independent provider is connected to the needs of its customers, collaborating with the product organization to design solutions that resolve unmet needs, and ultimately bringing new solutions to market in a way that drives reach and impact. Based on Genos extensive background and experience working in the B2C and B2B marketing space, she will also operate in an advisory capacity with key global accounts, sharing trends and insights and collaborating on the development of data-driven omni-channel strategies for leading brands. Its an honor to be the first CMO in Innovids history, Geno said. Leading Innovids brand strategy during such a transformative time for the company is a task that Im excited to take on. I am truly passionate about helping brands excel in todays data-driven marketplace, and look forward to using my unique balance of strategic planning, partnership marketing and technical depth to help tell the stories of some of the most recognizable brands across the globe. My number one focus will be pushing forward on our innovation as the industry continues to shift towards connected TV, the third-party cookie phase out and privacy legislation. Before joining Innovid, Geno co-founded and served as Partner, Head of Accounts at Transparent, a marketing automation consultancy, where she led the digital marketing enablement consulting practice. Prior to joining Transparent, she spent three years as Senior Vice President at Starcom MediaVest Group, where she drove clients communications and media strategies and designed high-impact consumer experiences for the media agencys network as part of the Digital Center of Excellence team. In addition to her work at Innovid, Geno currently serves on the Executive Committee of the American Advertising Federations Board of Directors and is an advocate for promoting women and the next generation of marketers. She has served as the co-lead for the Denver chapter of mBolden, an organization championing women in leadership in the mobile, digital and tech industries. She has also served as a board member, event chair and mentor for Chicago HOPE, a non-profit providing four-year financial scholarships and mentoring to low-income students with the dream to graduate college. For more information about Innovid, visit www.innovid.com . About Innovid Innovid is the only independent omni-channel advertising and analytics platform built for television. Innovid uses data to enable the personalization, delivery, and measurement of ads across the widest breadth of digitally enabled channels in the market including TV, video, display, social, and OOH. Innovid serves a global client base of brands, agencies, and publishers through over twelve offices across the Americas, Europe, and Asia Pacific. Purchases made via links on our site may earn us an affiliate commission Police in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have cooperated to break up four illegal trading platforms with transactions worth hundreds of billions of dong. (VND100 billion = US$4.3 million). Officers under the Hanoi Department of Public Security confirmed on Friday they had summoned 26 suspects involved in a racket that operated four illegal trading platforms including Rforex, Yaibroker, Vistaforex, and Exswiss. Vu Dinh Hung and Pham Manh Hung, who reside in Ho Chi Minh City, and Pham Thi Thai from Hanoi were leading the racket. Hanoi police officers and their counterparts in the southern city previously mobilized nearly 300 officers divided into 21 teams to raid different locations in 11 provinces and cities. The ring members created 15 websites to run their unlawful platforms facilitating transactions of gold, virtual currencies, and foreign currencies. They utilized the MetaTrader 5 (MT5) mobile app to attract nearly 12,000 participants from 27 different countries to their trading platforms. Among the platforms, Rforex used the legal cover of Rforex Ltd Company in the UK, with transaction value mounting to hundreds of billion dong. Some victims had spent more than VND10 billion ($433,900) on forex trading via Rforex. The suspects interfered with the transaction processing system, controlled participants accounts, and manipulated their profits and losses to appropriate their property. Police officers asserted that Vietnam has yet to license any forex trading platform. Scammers have taken advantage of legal loopholes to establish foreign-based trading platforms and appropriate their victims money. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! On a recent sunny day in the Florida Panhandle, an explosion launched a miniature aircraft into the skies over the Gulf of Mexico to maneuver without remote piloting, a successful test of the Air Forces Skyborg system that could enable war jets to fly without remote piloting one day. CHICAGO, May 13, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Redwood Logistics (Redwood), a leading logistics platform company headquartered in Chicago, is honored to acknowledge that a top-level executive from their customer, Arlowe Specialty Foods (Arlowe), was declared a 2021 Rock Star of the Supply Chain by Food Logistics Magazine. The Rock Star of the Supply Chain Award celebrates influential individuals whose achievements, hard work, and vision have shaped the global food supply chain. Dan Jeffers was hailed as a Rock Star due to his pivotal role in mitigating COVID-19s impact on the United States food supply chain. When the pandemic hit in March, the food supply chain faced historic spikes in demand, matched by historic disruptions. Under Jeffers leadership, the Arlowe team was able to rally together to successfully navigate those disruptions, including the carrier capacity crunch, which placed immense pressure on distributors to deliver on time and was further complicated by limited storage availability. Having built and sustained a strong carrier relationship with Redwood, Jeffers and Arlowe were able to meet the capacity crunch head-on. Through continual collaboration, Redwood and Arlowe powered through multiple waves of the pandemic and have continued to thrive, despite additional supply chain disruptions. It is Dans deep supply chain knowledge and his ability to cultivate lasting relationships that have enabled Arlowes customers to continue meeting consumer demands during a global pandemic, said Brad Kosner, Senior Vice President of Business Development, Redwood Multimodal. During a year in which the food supply chain was pushed to its limits, Dan proved himself to be a true Rock Star. This years list of Rock Stars includes individuals from software providers, consultancies and academia, trucking and transportation firms, grocery retail and delivery outlets, and more, all who have met and exceeded in safety, efficiency, productivity, and innovation throughout the global cold food supply chain. Read the full list of the 2021 Rock Stars of the Supply chain at http://www.foodlogistics.com/ . About Arlowe Specialty Foods Arlowe Specialty Foods is a distributor and consolidator for specialty food manufacturers that may not have sufficient volume to justify individual shipments to a retailers warehouse system. Arlowe Specialty Foods was formed in 1986 to allow individual, smaller vendors to place their food products into a retailers warehouse system. As more and more vendors used Arlowe as an avenue onto store shelves, economies of scale were achieved that significantly reduced shipping and distribution costs for all vendors. Today, Arlowe purchases, consolidates and delivers hundreds of SKUs nationwide. For more information, please visit www.arlowespecialtyfoods.com About Redwood Redwood Logistics, a leading logistics platform company headquartered in Chicago, has provided solutions for moving and managing freight for more than 20 years. The companys diverse portfolio includes digital freight brokerage, flexible freight management, and innovative platform services that fill the gaps between logistics and technology across a highly fragmented industry, delivering on the previously unfulfilled promise of on-demand tools and services and unlocking unprecedented scalability and efficiency for all participants. Redwood Logistics connects its distinct roster of customers to the power of supply chain management, technology, and the industrys brightest minds. For more information, visit www.redwoodlogistics.com. The Azerbaijani armed forces on Thursday advanced several hundred meters more in the direction of Vardenis region in Armenias Gegharkunik Province. The head of Verin Shorzha village, Artyom Yeranosyan, on Friday told about this to Armenian News-NEWS.am. "This time the Azerbaijani side advanced on the left side of Vardenis Mountain Range. Neither we nor they [the Azerbaijanis] were there; the area was a free zone. Yesterday we realized that they descended, approximately 300 to 400 meters. They do not intend to go back, but our side stands [there]as needs to be," he said. The head of the village said that the adversary's heavy equipment had been working at the border all night. According to Yeranosyan, these Azerbaijanis have settled at the very sector part of which is used by the locals as pasture, and in the other part, their irrigation water is accumulated. "In any case, our armed forces are ready for anything," he added, in particular. To note, the Azerbaijanis on Wednesday had crossed the state border of Armenia in the direction of Vardenis, entering about 500 meters into Armenian territory. It was expected that respective negotiations would take place Thursday between the two sides. But no official information has been given as to whether this talk was held, and the Verin Shorzha village head is also not aware. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... OMAHA, Neb. An Arizona man was charged Thursday in connection with a series of threats made to schools and other institutions in the Omaha area last month. Andrew Isaac Abrams, of Tucson, Arizona, was charged with transmitting a series of threats in interstate commerce on April 23, Acting U.S. Attorney Jan Sharp said in a statement. The threats were received at schools in the Millard, Omaha, Elkhorn and Westside school districts. Other threats were received at the Union Pacific Railroad headquarters and the Douglas County Courthouse. Union Pacific evacuated its headquarters. Law enforcement officials determined quickly that the calls were a hoax and were coming from outside of Nebraska. Abrams faces up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release for each count of conviction. Abrams was a former doctor in Arizona who had a history of mental illness and making threats, according to documents relating to the surrender of his medical license, The Omaha World-Herald reported. It was unclear if he had any connection to Omaha. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Investors with losses are encouraged to contact the firm before June 29, 2021; click here to submit trade information LOS ANGELES, May 13, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Portnoy Law Firm advises investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of Volkswagen, AG (OTC: VWAGY) investors that acquired shares between March 29, 2021 and March 30, 2021. Investors have until June 29, 2021 to seek an active role in this litigation. Investors are encouraged to contact attorney Lesley F. Portnoy , to determine eligibility to participate in this action, by phone 310-692-8883 or email , or click here to join the case. It is alleged in this complaint that Volkswagen made misleading and false statements to the market. Volkswagen and Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. had never planned to use "Voltswagen" in any form, including as the name of vehicle. Volkswagen misled the general public and the media in regard to the "Voltswagen" name that it claims was either a "promotion" or a "joke." Based on these facts, Volkswagens public statements were materially misleading and false throughout the class period. When the market learned the truth about Volkswagen, investors suffered damages. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than June 29, 2021. Please visit our website to review more information and submit your transaction information. The Portnoy Law Firm represents investors in pursuing claims arising from corporate wrongdoing. The Firms founding partner has recovered over $5.5 billion for aggrieved investors. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. Lesley F. Portnoy, Esq. Admitted CA and NY Bar lesley@portnoylaw.com 310-692-8883 www.portnoylaw.com Attorney Advertising .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... New Mexico recently welcomed a Southern California beer into its market. San Diegos Modern Times Beer is now being distributed throughout the Land of Enchantment. Modern Times enthusiasts will have access to its year-round core offerings, seasonal IPAs, coffees and a range of monthly special releases on local retailers shelves as well as on tap at some local venues. A number of limited distribution runs and many fan requests in New Mexico encouraged Modern Times to make its beer permanently available in the state. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Ever since we first joined forces with La Cumbre Brewing Co. to brew Postcards From Hell in 2017, we knew we had to get our beer here, Phil MacNitt, vice president for sales at Modern Times, says in a brewery news release. Modern Times has partnered with Premier Distributing Co. to handle distribution in the state. The brewery chose to partner with Premier because the two companies share the same passion for exceptional beer. Modern Times also trusts the distributors commitment to excellence that will ensure its beers will be delivered in mint condition. We are supremely stoked to be partnering with Premier Distribution Company to bring our beer to New Mexico, MacNitt says in the news release. Premier Distributing, founded in 1982, is based in Albuquerque and has a strong presence throughout the state, with locations in Las Cruces, Santa Fe, Clovis, Farmington and Gallup. The company is committed to remaining grounded in the community, including hiring New Mexicans when possible as well as supporting local civic, charitable and educational initiatives. The distribution company shares the excitement of the partnership with Modern Times. Premier Distributing is excited to be teaming up with Modern Times Beer here in New Mexico Aubrey Cesarz, craft brands manager at Premier, says in the news release. Weve been looking forward, for quite some time, to bringing this diverse portfolio of radness from San Diego to the enlightened craft beer enthusiasts here in The Land of Enchantment. Earlier this month, Jubilation Wine & Spirits and Sister Bar in Albuquerque and Rowley Farmhouse Ales in Santa Fe threw special events to celebrate Modern Times coming to New Mexico. Other events can be found at moderntimesbeer.com/events/national. As events become more frequent post-pandemic, we will definitely have more events in New Mexico in the future, which well post on the events page on our site, according to Emily Ogawa, Modern Times communications manager. Modern Times started as a 30-barrel production brewery and tasting room in the Point Loma neighborhood of San Diego. It brewed its first batch in May 2013, and its beer went on tap for the first time in June 2013. A soft opening for its Lomaland Fermentorium tasting room was held in August 2013, followed by a grand opening the next month. It currently distributes throughout the Southwest, Pacific Northwest and Hawaii. In addition to its flagship spots in San Diegos Point Loma and North Park neighborhoods, the brewery has locations in Encinitas, Anaheim, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and Oakland, California, as well as Portland, Oregon. Modern Times became Californias first employee-owned brewery in 2017. It is made up of an intrepid cadre of brewers, coffee roasters and culinary wizards, according to the news release. The brewery, which was named after a beautifully crazy utopian community founded in 1850, has named many of its beers after real utopian experiments or mythological utopias. More information on Modern Times can be found at moderntimesbeer.com. In context: The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated; and no Warrants shall issue but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. Fourth Amendment, US Constitution A US senator is accusing the Department of Defense (DoD) of surveilling US citizens without a warrant. According to Oregon Senator Ron Wyden, the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), a branch of the DoD, has allegedly been purchasing cellphone location data from apps installed on US phones to track "suspected terrorists, illegal immigrants," and other threats to national security. "In February 2020, media reports revealed that US government agencies are buying location data obtained from apps on Americans' phones and are doing so without any kind of legal process, such as a court order," Wyden wrote in a three-page letter to the Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin obtained by Vice. "I have spent the last year investigating the shady, unregulated data brokers that are selling this data and the government agencies that are buying it." The DIA holds the position that the Fourth Amendment only applies to data that is seized by compulsion. Since the DIA is purchasing the data, it is not unreasonable search and seizure as defined in the Constitution or by the Supreme Court ruling in Carpenter v. United States. The DoD is not the only agency using data brokers to track US citizens either. Wyden claims his investigation uncovered similar activities with the Internal Revenue Service, Customs and Border Protection, and the Drug Enforcement Agency. Wyden had previously written to the DIA asking eight questions regarding the data collection and the agency's stance on it. The DIA only answered three on the record. The remaining questions were also answered, but were deemed either "Controlled Unclassified Information" or classified. Senator Wyden asks Secretary Austin to release the information provided by the DIA to him to the public. "Information should only be classified if its unauthorized disclosure would cause damage to national security," Wyden said. "The information provided by DoD in response to my questions does not meat that bar. The American people have a right to know the answers to these questions. Accordingly, I request that you clear this information for release to the public by June 15, 2021." Impressive entry With a population of one hundred million people, of which 60% are youth who are willing to try out new products, the Vietnamese market looks highly attractive to foreign retailers. There are currently about 44 million Vietnamese in the middle class, and according to some forecasts this number will increase to 95 million by 2030. In the food and beverages sector alone, the annual growth rate is about 10% per year, outperforming the general growth rate of many other industries. This is also the reason why many big names in fast food and beverages ambitiously entered the Vietnamese retail market. Starting in the late 90s, three fast food chains, namely, Jollibee from the Philippines, KFC from the US, and Lotteria from South Korea, invested in opening fast food stores in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. Jollibee opened its first store in 1996, KFC in 1997, and Lotteria in 1998. Since then, Vietnamese people have become well acquainted with fried chicken, hamburgers, and carbonated drinks. More than ten years later by 2012, the famous American fast food brand, Burger King, made its presence in Vietnam in prime locations across several provinces. However, the most impressive opening of the fast food industry in Vietnam was the entry of McDonald in 2014 in Ho Chi Minh City. Along with the fast food and the beverage sector, many international coffee brands have also well penetrated the Vietnamese market, such as NYDC from Singapore, which appeared in 2009, and Gloria Jean's Coffee from Australia which opened its first store in 2006 under the name Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf company. Among the major coffee brands, Starbucks has continued to attract a lot of Vietnamese consumers since its first store opening in District 1 in Ho Chi Minh City in February 2013. Now, the Vietnamese market seems to have a pretty big presence of world famous fast food and beverage companies. The common factor of all these brands when coming to Vietnam, is that they quickly dominated the market by opening dozens of stores across many provinces and cities. Seeing the financial potential and global reach of these food chains, one would think that their goals are well defined. However, reality seems to be just the opposite. Other than a few profitable brands, many names have already quietly withdrawn from the market, while many others have had to slow their speed in expanding their chain of stores. Struggle to grow According to The Korea Times of South Korea, the Lotteria fast food chain in Vietnam did not generate any profit for Lotteria GRS last year, and hence it is now withdrawing from the Vietnamese market. However, a representative of Lotteria Vietnam denied this information and said that they want to continue to expand in the Vietnamese market. Nonetheless, with this news, it is necessary to look back at how this South Korean fast food giant fared in recent years. After a strong presence for 23 years, Lotteria currently has around 200 stores, but in recent years it has continuously reported losses. In 2016, Lotteria reported a loss of VND 135 bn, in 2017 it showed a loss of VND 20 bn, and in 2018, although maintaining a revenue of about VND 1,000 bn, the company showed losses of upto VND 400 bn. Big companies like Burger King or McDonald also did not achieve their original target of opening their scheduled number of stores. In particular, Burger King poured USD 40 mn into Vietnam in 2012 and set a target to open 60 stores by 2016, but up until now it has opened only nine stores. Similarly, after a highly anticipated and resounding opening, McDonald was unable to meet its target of 100 stores by 2022, and has only achieved a mere opening of 23 stores, with the number of customers also declining by the day. Speaking with Saigon Investment, Mr. Ly Truong Chien, an economist, said that any cuisine must always be local, which is a challenge for foreign companies. Fried chicken or hamburgers can be eaten once or twice a week, but cannot substitute for a traditional meal favored by Vietnamese people. Vietnamese are perpetually concerned about their health, and are aware that fast food is unhealthy and leads to obesity. However, the key factor that has kept these fast food chains from withdrawing is the long lease term costs of space. There was a time when Burger King was willing to spend a fortune to occupy beautiful prime premises, but then they could not maintain this strategy for long. While many fast food brands have reconciled to prolonged losses by going slower than their original plan, many foreign coffee brands have already quickly withdrawn from the Vietnamese market. First to go was the Gloria Jean's Coffee company after almost ten years in Vietnam, after the chain had to narrow its business and then finally withdrew from the market in April 2017. NYDC also withdrew from the market after opening six stores. On the other hand, Starbucks is still being considered a success even though the brand has only 60 stores in major cities up until now. When entering Vietnam, foreign brands often target the mid-end or high-end segment of consumers, so they have to open stores in prime locations. Over the years, consumers in these segments have dwindled, which perhaps could also be reason why so many foreign fast food and coffee chains are looking at withdrawing from the Vietnamese market altogether. Thanh Lam In the early hours of May 7, an abrupt lockdown mandate sealed off all three branches of the Vietnam National Cancer Hospital, commonly known as 'K Hospital,' in Hanoi after a cluster of COVID-19 cases was discovered in the institution, effectively turning it into the country's biggest isolation zone during the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam. The mandate came as a shock to both patients and staff at the hospital branches, leaving many patients without support or care after family members were locked out of the wards. With isolation and struggles against pre-existing conditions on their shoulders, patients at K Hospital are doing their best to maintain their daily regimen and keep their faith in the doctors and nurses that work day and night to keep them safe. The hospital is among a dozen others nationwide that are being isolated over their links to a lot of local coronavirus infections recorded in this fourth wave, which started hitting Vietnam on April 27. The Southeast Asian nation had spent roughly a month finding no case in the community. Upended routines Staff at K Hospital were alerted to news of a lockdown in the small hours of May 7, with some less surprised by the restriction than others. Most of us had already brought clothes and necessities to the hospital to prepare for this kind of scenario, said Dr. Nguyen Ba Tinh, K Hospitals head of social affairs. Since that lockdown came into effect, Tinhs workload has increased tenfold. In addition to his typical responsibilities, he has had to quickly learn how to effectively run communications and correspondence between patients and family members who need to see one another but are unable to. We have to tend to each patients condition while also sampling them for COVID-19 testing," said Dr. Tinh. "Every caretaker and staff member must be tested as well. I have to wear full PPE all day, which is unpleasant in this hot weather, especially since our air conditioners are turned off [to prevent transmission]. A patient has her meal at the Vietnam National Cancer Hospital in Hanoi. Photo: Ha Tran / Tuoi Tre With nearly 1,500 patients and a similar number of caretakers stuck inside the premises, doctors are juggling dozens of variables to figure out treatment for each case and making tough decisions about who to prioritize for the hospitals currently limited capacity. Meanwhile, other departments, particularly the hospitals kitchen, have found themselves getting stretched thinner by the day. During the first days of the lockdown, the kitchen provided over 10,000 meals per day for just the K Hospital branch in Tan Trieu Commune, Thanh Tri District, placing each meal in front of a door before a designated resident is able to bring it inside. Beds in the facility are reserved for patients and family members, with doctors and nurses catching sleep at their desks or on vacant chairs. According to Tinh, support from the outside community has been overwhelming, with many having called the hospital to check on conditions and offering to send much needed supplies, such as retractable beds, blankets, and even ruoc (pork floss) and muoi vung (crushed sesame and salt) to spice up the rice served to the doctors inside the quarantine zone. An outpatient at the Vietnam National Cancer Hospital in Hanoi self-isolates in a rented room nearby. Photo: Pham Tuan / Tuoi Tre Life outside quarantine zone While nearly 4,000 individuals are locked in quarantine inside the facility, many outpatients at K Hospital, despite being permitted to rent rooms outside of the isolation zone, have found themselves struggling to navigate life during the lockdown mandate. Xin Van So, a 55-year-old nasopharynx cancer patient in treatment from Ha Giang Province, has found himself essentially trapped in a tiny dorm room near K Hospitals Tan Trieu branch after COVID-19 measures put in place by Hanoi authorities prohibited him from returning home. Daily life has become a struggle," So shared. "Most of the shops in the area are closed so it is quite hard for me to find food and I didnt really have time to prepare anything because it all happened to fast." The combination of Hanois broiling heat and the cessation of his cancer treatment due to the lockdown has left So feeling dispirited and unsure about his future. Back at home, Sos family has become solely dependent on his wife and her few acres of rice paddy. His two children are currently unemployed. Cancer treatment is expensive," he said. "My rented room cost me VND3 million [US$130] per month, not to mention the price of the medicine." For now, Sos only wish is for the COVID-19 wave to settle so that he and other cancer patients can resume their treatment regimen and prepare to return home. A facility belonging to the Vietnam National Cancer Hospital in Hanoi is put under lockdown after a COVID-19 cluster was detected there. Photo: Ha Tran / Tuoi Tre Maintaining hope Since the beginning of the lockdown mandate, officials at K Hospital have been holding live Q&A sessions with patients via the Internet, some of which have garnered millions of views. A huge portion of the viewers are patients and family members eager to find out about the hospitals operations and daily life in lockdown. To better inform the quarantined residents, the hospital issues multiple radio updates per day which detail testing progress and case transfers. For the radio reports, doctors and practitioners step up to take on the roles of news anchors and disc jockeys, delivering useful information and relaxing music to lull patients to sleep. A facility belonging to the Vietnam National Cancer Hospital in Hanoi is put under lockdown after a COVID-19 cluster was detected there. Photo: Ha Tran / Tuoi Tre In the days ahead, K Hospital will begin sending out notices to local authorities when quarantined people begin to return home on May 21 and new patients can be taken in and cared for. After a daily spike of 11 COVID-19 infections on May 7, the daily case count at the hospital has never grown larger than one digit. Practitioners maintain their optimism on eventual success in containing transmission at the premises. The days in lockdown are definitely special because we can experience the love and support that the community sends our way, Dr. Tinh told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper. We are looking forward to a day of reopening. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, during a working session with the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) on May 11, assigned tasks and set strategic development goals for the time to come. Prime Mnister Pham Minh Chinh (right) and Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung at the working session Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung, and Minister and Chair of the Government Office Tran Van Son were present at the session. Chinh emphasized the important management role of MIC in the context of the 4.0 industrial revolution and said that this years performance needs to be better than last year's, and the work results of the next term need to be better than the last term. The development process in general and the information and communication sector in particular needs to follow the trends of modern times, while taking into account the specific conditions of the country, including economic scale, human resources, infrastructure, and the societys conversion capability. It is necessary to choose priority fields based on advantages to pave the way for rapid and sustainable development; and apply reasonable measures to obtain high performance in the context of limited resources. MIC leads national digital transformation Most of the fields under MIC management are infrastructure and platforms, which need to move forward. The ministry has decided that the information and communication fields will be among the worlds top 30 or 50 by 2025. Hung said most of the fields under MIC management are infrastructure and platforms, which need to move forward. The ministry has decided that the information and communication fields will be among the worlds top 30 or 50 by 2025. The total revenue of the entire sector in 2020 was $130 billion, while total payment to the state budget was $5 billion. In the 4.0 era, science and technology and innovation will have a big impact on the sector through digital technology and digital transformation. The new mission of MIC is leading national digital transformation, building a digital Vietnam, including a digital government, digital economy, digital society and digital communications, Hung said, adding that digital economy will serve as the major driving force for economic growth. Hung said that Vietnam needs to master digital infrastructure equipment, especially for 5G, and cover the country with 5G by 2022. In the field of Information and communications technology (ICT) Vietnam should aim to shift from assembling and doing outsourcing to "Make in Vietnam", or designing and making products in Vietnam. It is expected that the the proportion of made in Vietnam products and services would rise from the current 22 percent to 45 percent. Vietnam aims to develop 100,000 digital technology firms by 2025 from the current 58,000 firms, which will contribute 20 per cent to the countrys gross domestic product. Regarding the media, newspapers need to truly reflect the flow of society, spread positive energy, create consensus in society, and arouse aspirations to build a powerful and prosperous Vietnam and create spiritual strength for Vietnam to break through and become a developed country. The wings for Vietnam to fly up include spiritual strength on one side and material strength on the other side which is developed based on technology, Hung said. Dont leave strategy on paper Closing the working session, Chinh praised the MICs important contribution to the countrys achievements in the last 35 years of doi moi, but said they were still not commensurate with the great potential of Vietnam, especially the human resources potential. Regarding the important tasks for the time to come, Chinh asked for review of the implementation of Decree 17 on the functions, duties, rights and apparatus structure of the ministry. All strategies and plans need to be applied in real life rather than exist just on paper. C.P Digital transformation cannot be achieved overnight The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated digital transformation, forcing businesses to adapt quickly even though they are not ready for it. Gaza health ministry says 119 killed including 31 children 830 injured (ANSAmed) - GAZA, MAY 14 - Local sources on Thursday quoted the Gaza health ministry as stating that the death toll in the Palestinian enclave had risen to 119, including 31 children and 19 women, with at least 830 injured in the latest hostilities.(ANSAmed). .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. Two New Mexico students are among the 161 high school seniors announced as the 57th class of U.S. Presidential Scholars, recognizing their accomplishments in academics, the arts, and career and technical education fields. Melinda Leyuan Modisette of Albuquerque Academy and Faris Irwin Wald of Santa Fe High School were selected by the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars as part of the annual honor. Im honored to salute this years Presidential Scholars some of Americas best and brightest, U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said in a statement. They have demonstrated exceptional talent inside the classroom and out. With their selection, we are continuing a tradition begun more than a half-century ago of recognizing some of our nations most distinguished graduating high school seniors. We wish them the best of luck as they pursue their dreams. The commission considers academic success, artistic and technical excellence, essays, school evaluations and transcripts, as well as evidence of community service, leadership and commitment to high ideals, according to a news release. Created in 1964, the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program has honored over 7,600 of the nations top-performing students. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Members of the Presidential Scholars Class of 2021 will be recognized for their achievement this summer. A complete list of 2021 U.S. Presidential Scholars is available at ed.gov/psp. Yuma News Yuma, Arizona - On May 12, 2021, Ricardo Ruan was captured by members of the Arizona WANTED Violent Offender Task Force to answer to the 2018 crimes of sexual assault of a minor, sexual contact with a minor and kidnapping. These types of horrific crimes against children demands a strong response, said United States Marshal David Gonzales. This arrest is an example of law enforcement working collaboratively to remove dangerous individuals from the community. It is alleged that in July of 2018, Ricardo Ruan, 24, sexually assaulted the 15-year-old victim at his residence in Yuma, AZ. Ruan is accused of physically assaulting the victim, preventing her from being able to leave the home, before sexually assaulting her. The under-age victim ultimately lost consciousness and was abandoned, alone in the residence. On April 22, 2021, Yuma County indicted Ruan on multiple counts of sexual assault of a minor, multiple counts of sexual conduct with a minor and kidnapping. Yuma Police detectives discovered that Ruan had left the Yuma area and on April 23, 2021 they requested the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service led Arizona WANTED Violent Offender Task Force in locating and arresting Ruan. After an extensive investigation, task force members located Ruans vehicle at a motel in Mesa. Ruan was observed leaving a motel room and getting into his vehicle when he was arrested by task force members. Ruan was booked in at the local jail and is awaiting extradition to Yuma County to face charges. Yes, along most or all of the coast Yes, but only places where an entry fee can cover their cost No, people can continue swimming at their own risk Vote View Results More than 100 local coronavirus infections were registered in Vietnam on Friday, ten of them detected at two hospitals in Hanoi, the Ministry of Health said in a report. The health ministry recorded a total of 104 domestic COVID-19 cases on the day, the second-steepest daily spike in this fourth wave that erupted on April 27. Ten of the cases were reported at two hospitals in Hanoi, including eight at the Vietnam National Cancer Hospital and two at the Dong Anh District branch of the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases. All of the new patients were logged in locked-down areas and isolated hospitals, the health ministry specified. On Monday, the ministry announced 125 additional domestic cases, a record high since the country was first struck by the novel coronavirus on January 23, 2020. Vietnam has recorded 3,816 local and imported coronavirus infections so far, including 2,657 recoveries and 35 deaths, according to the health ministrys data. Local cases account for 2,357 while 1,459 of the infections were imported from overseas. The nation has confirmed 788 domestic cases since April 27, when it logged the first locally-infected patient after having gone about a month without detecting any community transmission. Hanoi is leading this tally with 197 patients, followed by Bac Ninh Province with 177, Da Nang with 115, and Bac Giang Province with 107. Ho Chi Minh City has detected merely one case in the ongoing outbreak. Health workers have conducted 462,707 coronavirus tests in this wave, whereas 83,415 people are being quarantined after entering Vietnam from outbreak-hit regions or coming into close contact with infected patients. Vietnam, whose population is around 97 million people, has administered 959,182 coronavirus vaccine shots since it rolled out mass vaccination on March 8. Those immunized were medical staff and other frontline workers. The Southeast Asian country confirmed 106 community cases in the first wave from January 23 to April 16, 2020, 554 in the second from July 25 to December 1, 2020, and 910 in the third from January 28 to March 25, 2021. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A ward-level military official, along with five other suspects, has been arrested in Ho Chi Minh City on gambling charges. A source close to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper confirmed on Thursday evening that police officers had apprehended D.Q.V., the 36-year-old deputy commander of the military unit in Ward 11, District 3. V. has been suspended to facilitate police investigation. Five other suspects, aged 30 to 56, were also taken into custody. All six were charged for gambling and organizing gambling. The arrests were made after a team of officers raided a gambling den on Cach Mang Thang Tam Street in Ward 11, District 3 at around 1:30 pm on Wednesday. More than VND86 million (US$3,700), some cash in foreign currencies, three dices, and four decks of cards were found at the location. In accordance with the Penal Code, gambling with transactions worth VND5 million ($217) and over is punishable by a VND10-50 million ($434-2,170) fine, six-month to three-year non-custodial rehabilitation, or three to seven years in prison. Organizing gambling is punishable by a fine worth VND50-300 million ($2,170-13,000) or a jail term lasting one to ten years, depending on the severity of the violation. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has mandated that airlines refund airport service fees to passengers who cancel tickets. The CAAV issued the mandate on Thursday following Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reports on numerous cases in which various airlines refused to refund passenger service charges (PSCs) and passenger security service charges (PSSCs) to those who had canceled their flights. The order was directed at Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, Bamboo Airways, Pacific Airlines, and Vietravel Airlines. PSCs and PSSCs are collected from passengers alongside the air transportation service fees charged by airlines before they are transferred to enterprises which provide passenger terminal services, passenger security services, and bagage services, according to the CAAV. When a passenger cancels the flight ticket, the amount of PSC and PSSC collected by the airline from the passenger is not part of the amount payable by the carrier to the passenger service, passenger security, and baggage service providers, the aviation governing body said in its document. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary that these fees are returned to passengers. The CAAV mandated that the carriers begin carrying out refund schemes, as well as publicly and transparently inform passengers about their rights and the procedures of receiving PSC and PSSC refunds after canceling air tickets. The airlines are required to report the implementation results to the Ministry of Transport before May 17, according to the CAAVs order. On May 9, Tuoi Tre published a readers inquiry regarding the process of how airlines handle PSCs and PSSCs after passengers cancel air tickets. On May 11, the newspaper ran a report on more queries for the refund of the two aforementioned charges after flight cancelations. According to current regulations, each passenger is charged VND20,000 (US$0.87) for passenger security at the airport. Meanwhile, PSCs at the airport are divided into three tiers VND60,000, 80,000, or 100,000 ($2.6-3.5-4.3) per passenger. The airlines collect the fees when passengers purchase flight tickets and transfer them to the airport operator after the passengers board their flights. They also receive 1.5 percent of the charges for the collection service. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The COVID-19 pandemic and hot weather have led to an ascent in mental illnesses in Ho Chi Minh City, evidenced by the increasing number of patients at the local mental health hospital. Statistics from the Ho Chi Minh City Mental Health Hospital showed that 19,850 patients sought check-up and treatment services at the institution in April, up by 2,870 compared to March. The number of patients with psychotic disorders rose by over 1,000 compared to March and by nearly 6,000 year on year. According to Vu Kim Hoan, a senior doctor at the Ho Chi Minh City Mental Health Hospital, there are many factors that may affect a person's physical, mental, and psychological health. Hot weather, or heat, may not be the direct cause but it can trigger serious mental health problems, Dr. Hoan elaborated. For normal people, heat can cause insomnia, hot tempers, irritability, and even aggression. Nobody can afford to live, work, or study in a scorching environment for a prolonged period of time. Without sufficient nutrition and hydration for the body, one may suffer exhaustion as well as fluid and electrolyte disturbances. A poor physical health status will then lead to reduced labor productivity and mental instability. In addition, heatstroke can also be life-threatening if not handled properly and promptly. Dr. Vu Kim Hoan talks with a patient at the Ho Chi Minh City Mental Health Hospital. Photo: Xuan Mai / Tuoi Tre Coronavirus-induced depression, anxiety Dr. Hoan mentioned one patient, a taxi driver, who suffers depression and anxiety brought about by financial issues. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of passengers dropped significantly, resulting in a much lower income for him. The man can barely afford to take care of him and his family while paying for his car, which he bought in installments. This is just one example of mental problems as a result of the COVID-19 outbreaks. Hoan added the majority of his patients are adults who suffer mental illnesses after the pandemic had affected their financial situation and led to a series of changes in their life. Women are more susceptible to depression, anxiety, or the combination of both as they tend to conceal their problems, the doctor said. Some patients had suffered depression for a decade and only sought treatment after they fell into a crisis. To overcome these mental health problems, one can try to rearrange their work, reorganize their life, balance such factors as family and social environments, relax, think positively, let go of what is not important, and get enough sleep and nutrients, Dr. Hoan advised. Those with more severe conditions should go to a mental health facility to be examined by psychiatrists, who will provide the right advice and treatment. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Citing the high stakes and substantial public interest in the lawsuit, a federal court last week allowed the city of Aurora to receive certain personal and medical information about Elijah McClain, the 23-year-old man whose family is suing over his August 2019 death. Armenias Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan today visited the Sev Lake territory and met with the residents of neighboring villages, and the reports to be drawn up based on the results of the monitoring will be forwarded to international organizations. This is what Tatoyan told reporters. The Ombudsman labeled the actions of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces having invaded the sovereign territory of Armenia as criminal presence. This is a gross violation of the rights of the residents of Armenias borderline regions. The Azerbaijani soldiers came with fake maps. Besides the fact that there was no demarcation and delimitation, they are also guided by the clearly fake maps of borders in the Soviet era, Tatoyan said. Tatoyan emphasized that as a result of the actions, the residents are unable to use the grazing fields and are deprived of the right to have access to drinking water, and Azerbaijani soldiers are also trying to intimidate peaceful civilians. Their presence is a direct threat to peoples lives and health, as well as from the perspective of the right of access to drinking water for the residents of Goris and Sisian, as well as villages. In this regard, Tatoyan underscored the need to create a buffer zone and immediately remove the Azerbaijani Armed Forces from the sovereign territory and the so-called disputed territories of Armenia. The Ombudsman informed that he will also visit Gegharkunik Province, adding that the reports to be drawn up based on the results of the monitoring will be presented to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Council of Europe and will be sent to the OSCE. 1. Yes. Its important to keep my child as safe as possible. We plan to take advantage. 2. Yes. With the school district dropping its mask mandate, its a necessary step. 3. No. Local COVID cases are dropping. There is no good reason to vaccinate my child. 4. No. There hasnt been enough data on vaccinated children. I think Ill hold off. 5. Unsure. I havent decided yet whether to take part in the vaccine clinics. Vote View Results Bruce Ranger continued his torrid driving pace after scoring six more wins on the 11-race card at Plainridge Park on Thursday afternoon. Ranger, who has been in a nip-and-tuck battle with Shawn Gray since the beginning of the meet, extended his lead to seven wins today with Gray currently sidelined after an accident at Saratoga Raceway. Among his six pack of races won, Ranger captured both $15,000 conditioned events for six-year-old and younger male pacers. In the first division Ranger put General Ward on the point at the quarter in :26.2 and then led every step of the way from there. After slowing the half to :55.4, General Ward hit the gas and sped home in back-to-back :27.3 panels to win going away by 2-3/4 lengths over Whata Foolbelieves (Matty Athearn) in 1:51. It was the first win in 11 starts this year and a new lifetime mark for General Ward ($8.60) who had been racing regularly at Harrahs Philadelphia until he was privately purchased on May 1 by his current owner/trainer, Melissa Beckwith. In the second division Ranger came from off the pace fifth at the half with Force N Fury and swung three deep around fading cover at the five-eighths. Then he caught up with the leading Put It Right (Kevin Switzer, Jr.) coming out of the last turn and paced by him at the line where he won by three-quarters of a length in 1:51.2. It was the third win in the last four starts for Force N Fury ($4.40) who has not been worse than second in five Plainridge starts. Force N Fury is owned by his trainer Mark Eaton along with Robert McHugh and Robert Griffin. Ranger filled out his dance card with Frills N Lace (1:54.2, $7.00), Cheyenne Toby (1:56, $7.00), Captain Terror (1:54.2, $4.80) and The Fun Marshall (1:53, $2.60). At the current Plainridge meet, Ranger has 34 wins in only 120 starts for a 28% win percentage and a UDR of .311. Overall in 2020 he had driven 57 winners in 216 starts giving him a 26% win percentage and a UDR of .364. Since 1979 Bruce Ranger had driven 9,422 winners and bankrolled $38.9 million in purses. Racing resumes at Plainridge Park on Friday (May 14) with post time at 4 p.m. (Standardbred Owners of Massachusetts) Muslim Women Speak: Of Dreams and Shackles by Ghazala Jamil, New Delhi, California, London and Singapore: Sage Publications and New Delhi: Yoda Press, 2018; pp xxiv + 190, 595. Two discourses about Muslims loom large in Indias imagination, points out Ghazala Jamil. One stream of literature is consumed by the image of Islamic fundamentalism and terrorism, while the other is intrigued by Muslims poor record on socio-developmental indices. The centering of the Muslim men is common to both kinds of discourses, she notes. What about Muslim women? Why do we only hear of them in relation to their victimisation at the hands of Muslim men? Muslim Women Speak: Of Dreams and Shackles is as much on the apparent silence of Muslim women as it is on the research practices that further this silence. Jamils book has been published at a time when discourses on the Muslim women are in a state of flux. In 2018, Parliament criminalised Triple Talaq despite the Supreme Court having struck it down as unconstitutional the year before. Importantly, the Prime Minister and the larger right-wing ecosystem in India spoke of it in a language that implied them to be heroic rescuers of miserable Muslim women from the clutches of the beastly Muslim men. While reports of several Muslim women benefiting from the new law have emerged,1 one only needs to look at the governments response to the recent women-led anti-national register of citizens and Constitutional (Amendment) Act protests to understand that Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) concern for the Muslim woman stops when there is no chance to demonise Muslim men. This week on Colorado Politicking, legislative reporter Pat Poblete moderates a panel with judicial reporter Michael Karlik, chief legislative reporter Marianne Goodland and city government reporter for The Denver Gazette Hannah Metzger. Karlik discusses public Veronica Rossman's appointment by President Joe Biden to the Denver-based appeals court. "To have a public defender the only public defender on the 10th Circuit is kind of a big deal for us," Karlik said, before giving the latest details surrounding the TABOR challenge. Goodland walks viewers through House Bill 1299, which creates the office of gun violence prevention and went through the House committee on a party-line vote. But "the most controversial bill of them all," Goodland says, is the bill that lifts preemption, meaning that a local government would be able to pass laws stricter than those in the state. Goodland gives a look at the bill from both sides of the aisle. Meanwhile, Metzger reviews the latest Denver City Council decision to "completely change how e-scooters and bikes operate in the city." Watch the episode below. And catch up on the background information here: Appeals court hears TABOR challenge, while attorney general claims local governments cannot sue If successful, the plaintiffs would eliminate a longstanding bogeyman for Colorado progressives, as TABOR has placed restrictions on tax increases and revenue collection that have stymied investments in essential government services. +2 Biden names Colorado public defender for judgeship on Denver-based appeals court A longtime public defender, whose clients included the man accused of killing three people at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood clinic, is President Joe Biden's choice to be a judge on the federal appeals court based in Denver. Denver to overhaul e-scooter, shared bike operations to address disorganization, distribution Denver is trying a new strategy to address micro-mobility issues in the city, as the Denver City Council approved major changes to the citys electric scooter, electric bike and shared bike operations Monday. Senate panel advances pre-emption gun bill; Lauren Boebert among those testifying against Senate Bill 256 would repeal a 2003 law that bars local governments from enacting stricter gun control laws than the state standard. Known as pre-emption, sponsors noted that there is a precedent for the law, one enacted in 2003 that allowed concealed carry weapons in certain public places, including college campuses, even in communities where concealed carry isnt legal. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... CATCHES OF THE WEEK Seth Garcia, of Raton, caught a 20-inch rainbow trout on the Cimarron River using worms May 8. David Whitener, of Clovis, caught a 9-pound walleye at Conchas Lake using a crappie jig May 6. Mark Haber, of Santa Fe, caught a 21-inch kokanee salmon at Eagle Nest Lake trolling a Pistol Pete on May 5. Evangeline Tenorio, 8, of Anton Chico, caught her first fish, a 20.25-inch rainbow trout using green and white glitter PowerBait Turbo Dough on May 1. Guy Poland, of Santa Fe, caught and released a 7-pound walleye at Elephant Butte Lake using a bottom bouncer worm harness rig May 10. Charlie Maldonado, of Las Cruces, caught a 27.5-inch walleye using a Bandit crankbait May 9. Ryan Medina, 15, of Albuquerque, caught a 27.75-inch, 7-pound walleye using a green and white Cotton Cordell Wally Diver near Mitchell Point on May 8. Moises Bear Echavarria, 14, of Las Cruces, caught and released a 3-pound largemouth bass using a white crankbait May 6. Dal Padilla, of Belen, caught a 16-inch largemouth bass using a PowerBait shad swimbait May 5. John Lucero, of Hatch, caught a 16-inch walleye using minnows May 4. Alicia Sapien, 13, of Albuquerque, caught her first fish, a 12-inch trout at Fenton Lake using a black Pistol Pete on May 8. Braxton Groff, 4, of Albuquerque, caught a 22-inch rainbow trout at Laguna del Campo using worms May 9. Sophia Gabaldon, 6, of Las Cruces, caught a 13-inch rainbow trout at Lake Roberts using PowerBait Power Eggs on April 17. Valerie Wyatt, of Roswell, caught a 24-inch catfish at Lake Van using hotdogs May 7. Annette Gabaldon, of Bernalillo, caught an 18-inch rainbow trout at McGaffey Lake using PowerBait on May 8. Kenneth Haynes, of Las Cruces, caught an approximate 40-pound catfish at Percha Dam using chicken breast May 6. Cainaan Salido, of Rio Rancho, caught a 34-inch, 11-pound catfish on the Rio Grande using hotdogs near Corrales on May 7. Angelica Marie McKinney, of La Puebla, caught a 16-inch rainbow trout at Santa Cruz Reservoir using salmon-peach PowerBait on May 9. Charles Bussey, of Los Lunas, caught a 22-pound flathead catfish at Sumner Lake using a gold crankbait May 7. Bryan Hages, of Amarillo, Texas caught and released a 5.10-pound smallmouth bass at Ute Lake using a Berkley Champ Craw on May 8. If you have a catch of the week story send it to funfishingnm@gmail.com. NOTES from GAME & FISH Northeast fishing report Cabresto Lake had no reports from anglers this week. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Charette Lakes had no reports from anglers this week. Streamflow on the Cimarron River, near Cimarron, on Monday morning was 40.3 cfs. Fishing for trout was good using salmon eggs, worms and Panther Martin spinners. Fishing for trout was good at Clayton Lake using PowerBait. Fishing for walleye was good using swimbaits. Conchas Lake State Park has closed access to all boat ramps due to dropping water levels. The boat ramps on the south side of the lake managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are open. Fishing for bass was good using shallow-diving crankbait lures. Fishing for white bass was good using chartreuse lipless and medium-diving crankbait lures. Fishing for crappie and walleye was fair to good using crappie jigs. Fishing for catfish was good using nightcrawlers. At Costilla Creek, the department has implemented the final phase of a project to expand Rio Grande cutthroat trout in 120 miles of the Costilla watershed in northern New Mexico. The final phase involved removal of fish within a designated area (Rio Costilla from Costilla Dam downstream to the Valle Vidal boundary including all tributaries and Comanche Creek from the road culvert crossing on Forest Road 1950 downstream to its confluence with Rio Costilla and all tributaries) with a tentative restocking of Rio Grande cutthroat in spring 2022. Places to fish nearby include Costilla Creek below the fish barrier, Upper Comanche Creek, Shuree Ponds, Middle Ponil Creek, Upper Powderhouse Creek, Little Costilla Creek, Vidal Creek and McCrystal Creek. The department anticipates the completion of this final phase in the fall of 2021. Please check the department website for additional information on the project and to identify alternative angling opportunities in the interim. Cowles Ponds had no reports from anglers this week. Coyote Creek had no reports from anglers this week. Fishing for trout and perch at Eagle Nest Lake was good using black Woolly Buggers, salmon peach PowerBait, chartreuse glitter PowerBait, nymph grape PowerBait, cheese PowerBait and worms. Fishing for pike was good using Rapala lures, Mepps Aglia spinners, Panther Martin double blade spinners and the Pot-o-Gold spoons. Fishing for trout at Eagle Rock Lake was fair to good using orange and pink PowerBait. Fawn Lakes had no reports from anglers this week. Fishing for trout was good on the Gallinas River using beadhead nymph flies. Fishing for trout was fair to good at Hopewell Lake using Pistol Pete spinners and beadhead nymph flies. Lake Alice had no reports from anglers this week. Lake Maloya had no reports from anglers this week. Los Pinos River had no reports from anglers this week. Anglers reported Maxwell Lake 13 had little to no water. Fishing for trout was good at Monastery Lake using green garlic PowerBait, red spinners and salmon eggs. Fishing for trout was fair to good at Morphy LakE using silver spinners. Streamflow on the Pecos River, near the town of Pecos, on Monday morning was 110 cfs. Fishing for trout was good using salmon eggs, worms, dry flies and pheasant tail nymph flies. Streamflow on the Red River, below the hatchery, Monday morning was 94.5 cfs. Fishing for trout was slow to fair using salmon eggs and beadhead nymph flies. Streamflow on the Rio Grande, at the Taos Junction Bridge, on Monday morning was 700 cfs. Fishing for trout was slow to fair using large beadhead nymph flies. Streamflow on the Rio Hondo on Monday morning, near Valdez, was 36.8 cfs. Streamflow on the Rio Mora on Monday morning, near Terrero, was 54.7 cfs. Streamflow on the Rio Pueblo, near Pe n asco, on Monday morning was 63.0 cfs. Fishing for trout was good at Santa Cruz Reservoir using gold Panther Martin spinners, salmon eggs and salmon-peach PowerBait. Shuree Ponds is closed until July 1, 2021. Springer Lake had no reports from anglers this week. Storrie Lake had no reports from anglers this week. Stubblefield Lake had no reports from anglers this week. Fishing for white bass at Ute Lake was fair trolling 12-foot-deep diving crankbaits. Fishing for walleye was fair using Berkley Gulp minnows in 20 to 25-feet of water and Rapala Shad Raps fished shallow. Fishing for bass was good using chigger craws, Berkley Generals and various bass jigs in shallow water. Fishing for catfish was good using punch bait and chicken liver. Fishing for crappie was good using live minnows and Road Runner jigs. The water surface temperature was in the low 60 degrees Fahrenheit and the main lake color was clear. Northwest fishing report Fishing for walleye at Abiqui u Lake was fair using bottom bouncers with nightcrawler worm harness rigs. Water flow on the Animas River, below Aztec, Monday morning was 680 cfs. Albuquerque Area Drains had no reports from anglers this week. Fishing for all species at Bluewater Lake was slow using nightcrawlers. Anglers reported that the boat ramp was closed due to low water levels. Brazos River had no reports from anglers this week. Canjilon Lakes had no reports from anglers this week. Monday morning flows on the Chama River, below El Vado and Abiquiu, were 1480 cfs and 1620 cfs, respectively. Fishing for trout below El Vado Lake was slow to fair using streamers. Anglers reported high water flows below Abiquiu Lake and poor fishing conditions. Please remember, from the river-crossing bridge on U.S. Highway 84 at Abiquiu upstream seven miles to the base of Abiquiu Dam is special trout waters with a bag limit of two trout only. Visitors to Cochiti Lake need to make a reservation by purchasing a ticket at least 24 hours in advance through recreation.gov. Tickets and reservations will not be sold at the lake. Fishing for bass was good using shallow-diving lipless crankbaits. Fishing for pike was good using swim baits and spinners. El Vado Lake Dam Day Use area is open. Camping by reservation only. Fishing for trout at Fenton Lake was good using dry flies, Pistol Pete spinners, PowerBait, grubs and worms. Please remember, only two cutthroat trout are allowed to be harvested per day within the regular five fish limit. Heron Lake is open for fishing. All boat ramps are closed due to low water levels. Paddle craft can be launched from the shoreline. Limited campgrounds are open, and camping is by reservation only. At the Jemez Waters, streamflow on the Jemez, near the village of Jemez Springs, on Monday morning was 52.7 cfs. Fishing for trout was fair to good using worms. Fishing for trout at Laguna del Campo was good using worms and PowerBait. Lagunitas Lakes had no reports from anglers this week. Fishing for trout at Lake Farmington was fair to good using PowerBait mice tails and worms. Fishing for trout at McGaffey Lake was fair to good using PowerBait. Fishing for bass at Navajo Lake was good using jerk baits, Ned Rigs, watermelon-green and white tubes. Fishing for pike was fair using joined Rapala lures. Fishing for crappie was good when jigging 20-feet deep. Fishing for trout trolling was slow. Fishing for catfish on the Rio Grande was fair to good using hotdogs and chicken liver between Bernalillo and Albuquerque. San Gregorio Lake had no reports from anglers this week. Streamflow on the San Juan River on Monday morning was 387 cfs. The Bureau of Reclamation has scheduled a temporary increase in flow from 400 cfs to 600 cfs May 11. Fishing for trout in the quality waters was good using Baetis flies, midge emergers, crystal flash midges and streamer flies. Fishing for trout in the bait waters was good using PowerBait, worms and salmon eggs. Seven Springs Brood Pond is closed due to COVID-19 health concerns. Check the departments alerts page for future updates. Fishing for trout at Tingley Beach was slow using PowerBait. Fishing for catfish was fair using hotdogs. Trout Lakes had no reports from anglers this week. Southwest fishing report Fishing for catfish at Alumni Pond was fair to good using cut carp bait and beef liver. Fishing for trout at Bear Canyon Lake was good using corn and cheese-flavored PowerBait. Fishing for crappie was good using golden hares ear flies. Fishing for trout at Bill Evans Lake was good using dark-colored dry flies and garlic PowerBait. Fishing for catfish was fair to good using cut carp bait and live worms. Fishing for largemouth bass at Caballo Lake was good using soft white plastic grubs. Fishing for white bass was good using minnows and crankbaits. Fishing for walleye was fair to good using minnows and crankbaits. Fishing for crappie was very good using minnows and jigs. Fishing for catfish was good using chicken breast marinated in Jell-O. Fishing for white bass at Elephant Butte Lake was good using white crankbaits, jerk baits and swimbaits. Fishing for largemouth bass was fair to good using white crankbaits and swimbaits. Fishing for walleye was good using minnows, Cotton Cordell lures, Bandit crankbaits and bottom bouncer worm harness rigs. Fishing for crappie was good using artificial shad baits over weed beds. Fishing for catfish was good using shad. Escondida Lake had no reports from anglers this week. Streamflow on the Gila River on Monday morning was 39.2 cfs. Fishing for Gila trout was fair using small worm and nymph pattern flies. Glenwood Pond had no reports from anglers this week. Fishing for trout at Lake Roberts was good using PowerBait Power Eggs. Fishing for catfish at Percha Dam was good using chicken breast. Fishing for trout at Quemado Lake was good using flies. Rancho Grande Ponds had no reports from anglers this week. Streamflow on the Rio Grande, below Elephant Butte, on Monday morning was 0.10 cfs. Fishing for catfish north of Elephant Butte Lake was good using cut bait and nightcrawlers. Snow Lake had no reports from anglers this week. Fishing for all species was slow at Trees Lake . Fishing for trout at Young Pond was slow to fair using corn, pink marshmallows and gold-colored nymph flies. Fishing for catfish was fair using hotdogs. Southeast fishing report Fishing for trout at Alto Lake was good using green PowerBait and nightcrawlers. Fishing for bass was fair using nightcrawlers. Fishing for trout at Bataan Lake was slow to fair using worms. Fishing for catfish was slow to fair using worms and dough bait. Fishing for bass was fair using plastic jigs. Fishing for bluegill was good using worms. Streamflow on the Black River, at Malaga, on Monday morning was 4.16 cfs. Blue Hole Park Pond had no reports from anglers this week. Bonito Lake is closed until further notice by the city of Alamogordo due to fire damage. It appears that the lake will be out of commission until 2022. Bosque Redondo Lake had no reports from anglers this week. Bottomless Lakes had no reports from anglers this week. Fishing for crappie at Brantley Lake was fair to good using small yellow jigs. Fishing for bass at Carlsbad Municipal Lake was fair using worms. Fishing for all other species was slow. Chaparral Park Lake had no reports from anglers this week. Corona Pond had no reports from anglers this week. Eunice Lake had no reports from anglers this week. Fishing for largemouth bass at Green Meadow Lake was good using Texas rigged purple Zoom worms. Fishing for trout at Greene Acres Lake was fair using PowerBait. Fishing for trout at Grindstone Reservoir was good using spinners, worms and PowerBait. Jal Lake had no reports from anglers this week. Fishing for catfish at Lake Van was fair to good using hotdogs. Fishing for trout was fair using PowerBait. Fishing for trout at Oasis Park Lake was fair using PowerBait. Streamflow on the Pecos River, below Sumner Lake, on Monday morning was 82.0 cfs. Fishing for bass was fair to good using River2Sea Whopper Plopper lures. Perch Lake had no reports from anglers this week. Streamflow on the Ruidoso River on Monday morning, at Hollywood, was 4.31 cfs. Fishing for crappie at Santa Rosa Lake was fair using minnows. Fishing for catfish was fair to good using minnows and worms. Fishing for catfish at Sumner Lake was good using cut bait and crankbaits. What you need to know today in Vietnam: Politics -- Vietnam's Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue hosted a reception in Hanoi on Thursday for Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Sengphet Houngboungnuang, who was the first foreign ambassador to pay a courtesy visit to Hue as the top leader of the legislature, the Vietnam News Agency reported. Society -- Vietnam's Ministry of Transport has fired an employee after he was found sending cargo from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City on May 7 with labels on the containers showing they belonged to the transport minister. The ministry has said they were not the minister's and the employee labeled them in the hope of safer and faster delivery. -- The Ministry of Health announced 29 local coronavirus infections on Friday morning, taking the national tally to 3,740 patients, including 713 domestic cases recorded since April 27. -- Ho Chi Minh City police deported 52 foreign nationals on May 7 and 8, the municipal public security department said on Thursday. The foreigners had sneaked into Vietnam across the border with China before catching buses to come to Ho Chi Minh City or Cambodia for jobs. -- Authorities on Wednesday discovered many people gambling at a gasoline station in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, a source told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Thursday. Among the gamblers were some people who work at the Ward 11 office of the district. -- The youth union in Quang Binh Province, located in north-central Vietnam, on Thursday presented a certificate of merit to Mai Hai Dang, 12, over his brave deed to rescue a 22-year-old man from drowning one day earlier. -- Officials in Ha Giang, which is Vietnam's northernmost province, is seeking the prime minister's approval for an airport to be built there in 2021-30, with a vision for 2050, according to a document obtained by Tuoi Tre. Business -- Vietnamese automaker THACO shipped another 50 semi-trailers to the U.S. earlier this month, following its first shipment of 69 units last year, the Vietnam News Agency reported, adding that the company expects this year's exports to the market to be five times last years figure. Education -- Educators in Long An Province, just outside Ho Chi Minh City, have allowed K-12 students to stay home from Monday until further notice to stall COVID-19 spread, according to a decision by the local People's Committee. World News -- "U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday that the United States would not leave Australia alone in the face of economic coercion from China, and that such behavior toward U.S. allies would hamper improvement in U.S.-Sino relations," Reuters reported. -- India reported over 4,000 coronavirus deaths for a second straight day on Thursday, when infections stayed below 400,000, Reuters said. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Hazleton, PA (18201) Today Showers this morning then thundershowers developing during the afternoon hours. High 81F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Cloudy skies after midnight. Low 64F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%. California Department of Education News Release California Department of Education News Release State Superintendent Tony Thurmond Visits San Diego County Schools Open for In-Person Learning that Utilize Strong Safety Measures and Social-Emotional Supports SACRAMENTOState Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond raised his hand and joined elementary students for class today on two campuses in San Diego County that have stayed open for safe, in-person learning by implementing comprehensive safety measures and offering wide-ranging, whole-child supports for students and families. State Superintendent Thurmond visited Castle Park Elementary and Joseph Casillas Elementary, both located in Chula Vista, an area among the hardest hit by the pandemic. The schools are two out of 49 schools in the Chula Vista Elementary School District (CVESD), which serves nearly 30,000 students, with 68 percent identified as Hispanic and 36 percent as English learners. CVESD is the largest transitional kindergarten through sixth grade school district in California and is approximately five miles from the border of Mexico. These schools are a model for the state and nation in how we support students while recovering from this pandemic and preparing for a full return to in-person learning, Thurmond said. Through inspiring investments in school-based mental health support, comprehensive safety measures such as rapid COVID testing, and engaging instruction individualized to student needs, families should feel confident that schools like these are the safest, best places for their children. Throughout the day, Thurmond witnessed examples of whole-child support, with layers of physical safety measures combined with onsite mental health support, learning acceleration, and proactive family engagement strategies put in place to serve students and families. In addition, Thurmond learned about CVESDs series developed for parents to provide ways to support their childrens social-emotional wellness at home as well as resources to enhance classroom practices, such as restorative circles, social-emotional lessons, and mindfulness. CVESD has 53 school psychologists who support district schools, including charter schools. Every site has access to a school psychologist. In addition, as part of its reopening plans, CVESD is funding part-time mental health support professionals at each of its 41 non-charter school sites from April 12 to June 15, 2021. Highlights include: A minimum of two days of counseling support will be provided at each of the non-charter district schools. Key support responsibilities: High visibility at ingress/egress, readily available for crisis intervention (triage), 1:1 counseling. Site-based social workers/counselors will provide support at 11 sites. District social workers will provide support at nine sites. Partner organization South Bay Community Services (SBCS) will provide mental health support providers at the remaining 21 sites. SBCSs Community Assessment Team will provide an additional one to two days of case management support to CVESDs 10 highest unduplicated student sites to connect families with case management and wraparound services (e.g., family counseling, outside therapy, etc.). CVESD Superintendent Francisco Escobedo, Ed.D., said it is more important than ever to attend to students social and emotional needs. We believe in educating the whole child through rigorous academic instruction but also with behavioral and social-emotional learning and support, Dr. Escobedo said. It was amazing to share with the State Superintendent how our schools are implementing safety measures, dealing with learning loss, dealing with the trauma that our students experiencedand how we are mitigating the effects. We are deploying what we call a strengths-based focus on trauma, where our counselors, social workers, principals, and teachers are utilizing social-emotional constructs, teaching emotional self-regulation, to empower students and parents to overcome the rigors and challenges they had to go through during the pandemic. Among the safety measures implemented by the district, CVESD is one of 79 school districts in California that are now offering free rapid antigen testing that can provide COVID-19 test results in as little as 15 minutes. This antigen testing, made available because of a partnership with the County of San Diego, the State of California, and Primary Health and facilitated by Thurmond and the California Department of Education, is available to all staff and students throughout the school district. In addition, CVESD is hosting family vaccination clinics on a weekly basis. School districts that are interested in enrolling in the states rapid antigen testing program are asked to complete this no-commitment interest form . For questions on rapid COVID testing, email RapidTesting@cde.ca.gov. Note to editors and reporters: For photos and footage of the State Superintendents visit to Chula Vista schools, please contact Anthony Millican, CVESD Director of Communications, at Anthony.Millican@cvesd.org. # # # # Tony Thurmond State Superintendent of Public Instruction Communications Division, Room 5602, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100 Last Reviewed: Thursday, May 13, 2021 After one major South Korean coal-fired power financier decided last month to withdraw its participation in foreign markets in the sector, questions have arisen on the feasibility of planned coal-based ventures. However, several experts evaluate the move as a signal for Vietnam to step up the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energies. Experts point out that dependence on coal will harm attempts to reach emissions targets. VIR Photo: Le Toan President Moon Jae-in at the Leaders Summit on Climate on April 22 announced that his country, South Korea, would stop investing in coal power abroad. Meanwhile, Vietnam is considering expanding coal-fired power projects in its most recent Power Development Plan 8 (PDP8). South Korea, along with China and Japan, are the biggest sources of financing for coal-fired power projects in Vietnam. From 2008 to 2018, the former provided approximately $10 billion for coal-fired thermal power projects abroad, including for Vietnamese projects like Mong Duong 2, Long Phu 1, Vinh Tan 4, and Nghi Son 2, according to the countrys non-profit organisation Solutions for Our Climate (SFOC). Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco) last October invested $189 million in a 40-per-cent stake in the Vung Ang 2 thermal power project in the central province of Ha Tinh, with the financial backing of the Export-Import Bank of Korea. A related pre-feasibility study of the Korea Development Institute showed that the project caused Kepco a loss of $84 million. Lack of funding Kepcos move was met with opposition from the international community as it ran counter to the South Korean governments new Green Growth Policy. Under pressure from environmental activists, on October 28, Kepco officially announced that it would stop investing in overseas coal power projects after the Vung Ang 2 project. South Koreas decision to exit the coal-fired market is expected to have an impact on projects and emission reductions in Vietnam. According to Sejong Youn, head of SFOC, the termination of his countrys overseas coal-power investments is a signal that the low prices for coal in Asia are coming to an end. The Vietnamese government should review its coal power development plan as these projects are becoming less financially viable, recommended Youn. With the Vung Ang 2 thermal power project in the start-up phase, the South Korean and Vietnamese governments should work together to convert this project into a renewable energy project, as this will bring benefits to both countries in achieving their climate goals. Japan is also being criticised for providing low-interest loans to coal-fired power projects in Indonesia and Vietnam through the Japan Bank for International Cooperation. Last July, Japan tightened lending terms for overseas coal power projects, accepting loans only for projects in countries that plan to reduce emissions or have no possible replacement resolutions. Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide announced an increase in Japans Nationally Determined Contributions that by 2030, the country would reduce emissions by 46-50 per cent compared to 2013 levels. The plan to put the Vinh Tan 3 coal-fired power plant in Vietnams south-central province of Binh Thuan into operation in 2024 was voided as Mitsubishi Corporation withdrew from this project despite participating with a 49-per-cent stake. With the total investment of about $2 billion, Vinh Tan 3 was considered the largest coal power project in Vinh Tan Power Centre. Some major banks had poured capital into Vinh Tan 3, including Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Standard Chartered, and HSBC, which has already withdrawn its capital from the project. Up to this point, the Japanese government has not made any official commitment to stop financing overseas coal power. Meanwhile, Yuki Tanabe, programme coordinator of the Japan Center for A Sustainable Environment and Society, said that his country needs to announce such a commitment. Affordable financing On February 21, Quang Tri Peoples Committee announced on its portal that the prime minister had approved the investment policy of the Quang Trach II thermal power plant project. The project under the management of Electricity of Vietnam in Hon La Economic Zone has a capacity of 1,200MW with the total preliminary investment of $2.09 billion. The plant is expected to commercially operate its first unit by 2028, with the second going online a year thereafter. As of now, coal-fired power remains the preferred energy type of Vietnam the fastest-growing coal-fired power market in the region. Since 2015, more than half of the existing capacity (10.7GW) has been added, with the current capacity amounting to 20.4GW, accounting for about 30 per cent of the national power generation structure. According to PDP8, by 2030 another nearly 17GW of coal power will be added. The Vung Ang 2 thermal power project with a capacity of 1.2GW, if built, is expected to emit 6.6 million tonnes of greenhouse gas per year and up to 200 million tonnes over a 30-year-long operating life. Vietnams expansion in coal-fired thermal power is facing much criticism for going against the countrys plan to reduce its carbon emissions and fulfil its commitment to achieving the 9-per-cent emission reduction target by 2030, said Nguy Thi Khanh, director of the Green Innovation and Development Centre. Khanh worried that the plan will also prevent Vietnam from implementing the climate goals of the Paris Agreement. Environmental problems will not be completely resolved when new coal power plants are set up and continue to operate at least until 2050, even until 2070. Total emissions could then increase continuously from 9,500 tonnes per year in 2020 to over 42,000 tonnes by 2035, thus about four times, she said. Khanh warned that shortcomings similar to the previous PDP7 may recur with the newest itineration, including difficulties in capital mobilisation and disapproval of locals and authorities the main reasons for delaying coal projects since 2016. Even in 2020, there was only one unit with 0.6GW put into operation, resulting in only about 57.6 per cent of the plan being achieved under the revised PDP7. Data from many sources shows that Vietnam is dependent on outside coal supply. According to Jakob Stenby Lundsager, a long-term advisor to the Vietnam-Denmark Energy Partnership Programme, Vietnam has imported coal since 2015 and there is a trend that these imports will triple by 2030 and increase eight times by 2050. If developing coal power according to the PDP8, 86 per cent of new coal capacity must use imported fuel, while these imports are forecast to face many difficulties. Nguyen Tuan Anh, head of the Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Development Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), confirmed that coal resources depend on imports and a new port must be built to import coal. Ngo Duc Lam, former deputy director of the Electricity and Renewable Energy Authority under the MoIT commented, In power development strategies and plans, policymakers still focus heavily on coal imports, while the potential for renewables is an opportunity to change Vietnams mindset towards one of an energy-exporting country. The oil crisis of the 1970s startled European nations into realising their dependence. Denmark, when it was still one of the import-dependent countries, implemented a robust energy transition in which it reviewed and analysed its policies before the country became an exporter of energy as it is today. Vietnam needs to change perceptions and learn from Denmarks experience in converting its energy sources, Lam said. However, South Koreas decision to move out of the coal-fired investment market will impact domestic emissions and coal-fired power projects in Vietnam. While such divestment trends are increasingly strong in the world, Vietnam may use the opportunity to accelerate the complete transition from fossil fuels to clean energy. VIR Forum discusses challenges to sustainable energy transition Experts discussed opportunities and challenges in sustainable energy transition at a recent forum in Hanoi, which focused on the development of green, clean, and renewable energy against the backdrop of international capital moving into the country. Huntington, WV (25701) Today Showers this morning becoming less numerous during the afternoon hours. Thunder possible. High 84F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.. Tonight Cloudy skies early with scattered thunderstorms developing late. Low 68F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%. At the event, Ambassador Thach joined representatives from other 12 countries including Bulgaria, Cuba, Cyprus, Egypt, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Montenegro, Switzerland, Uzbekistan, Albania, and host Ukraine to discuss ways to boost tourism cooperation. Ambassador Thach took the occasion to update the participants on the impressive growth of Vietnams tourism. Accordingly, in 2019 Vietnam welcomed a record 18 million international visitors (up 16.2% compared to 2018) and 85 million domestic visitors, and contributed US$32.8 billion, equivalent to 9.2% of total GDP. With this result, the country was ranked among the top 10 countries with the fastest tourism growth in the world. In 2020, Vietnams hospitality sector faced a number of difficulties caused by COVID-19 pandemic and international travel restrictions, he noted. He stressed that the roundtable and the Ukraine International Travel and Tourism Exhibition was held at the right time to prepare for the restart of the international tourism market as well as the market in Vietnam and Ukraine in particular. According to him, there is a huge need for tourism cooperation between Vietnam and Ukraine as many Ukrainians want to visit Vietnam and vice versa. As such, he suggested the launched of a direct flight between Vietnam and Ukraine and a visa exemption policy for tourists of the two countries. Within the framework of the Ukraine International Travel and Tourism Exhibition 2021, the Embassy and Trade Office of Vietnam in Ukraine organised a booth to advertise Vietnam's tourism image to Ukrainian and international friends. The Vietnamese booth at the Ukraine International Travel and Tourism Exhibition 2021. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FIREWEED ZINC LTD. (Fireweed) (TSXV: FWZ) is pleased to announce the final results from the 2020 drilling at the Macmillan Pass Project in Yukon, Canada. These results are from the Reverse Circulation (RC) drill program at the Tom and Jason deposits (see Map 1). Highlights Hole TRC20-003 intersected 8.2 m true thickness of 11.00% zinc, 8.74% lead, and 19.6 g/t silver in an infill hole at Tom West Hole TRC20-007 intersected 8.1 m true thickness of 5.92% zinc, 0.25% lead, and 1.7 g/t silver in a step-out hole at Tom North. Hole TRC20-002 intersected 10.6 m true thickness of 9.43% zinc, 5.36% lead, and 36.4 g/t silver in a twin of hole TS020, an historic diamond hole drilled at Tom West in 1952. Lead and silver grades in RC twin holes are significantly higher than historic small-diameter diamond drill holes. Table 1: 2020 RC drill results from the Tom and Jason Deposits Drill Hole Zone From (meters) To (meters) Interval (meters) Estimated True Width (meters) Zinc %) Lead (%) Silver (g/t) TRC20-002 Tom West 44.20 57.91 13.71 10.6 9.43 5.36 36.4 (TS020)* Tom West 59.44 70.87 11.43 10.1 9.38 3.67 23.7 TRC20-003 Tom West 38.10 47.24 9.14 8.2 11.00 8.74 19.6 TRC20-004 Tom West 42.67 50.29 7.62 7.2 8.85 4.70 18.4 TRC20-007 Tom North 88.39 97.54 9.15 8.1 5.92 0.25 1.7 JRC20-002 Jason Main 44.20 59.44 15.24 6.30 5.54 3.23 2.2 *TS020 is an historic diamond drill hole drilled in 1952 and grades reported here are from historic records to show a comparison to twinned hole TRC20-002. CEO Statement Brandon Macdonald, CEO, stated, Improvements in grade with modern drilling methods have been seen in 2018 at Tom West, in 2019 at Tom North and again here in 2020, showing significant grade upside potential for infill drilling. The RC program tested areas with some of the most challenging drilling conditions on the property and yet still delivered excellent results at a lower cost than diamond drilling. We see potential to use RC drilling during infill drill programs to reduce the cost of upgrading mineral resources at shallow depths, particularly at Boundary Zone where mineralization occurs at surface and is hosted by much more competent rocks where drilling conditions are much more favourable. The successful step-out hole shows that the project continues to grow at Tom as we advance new discoveries at Boundary Zone. 2020 RC Drilling program The program was designed to test the potential of RC drilling as a lower cost alternative to diamond drilling for upgrading mineral resources at shallow depths. In 2020, a small number of RC test holes were drilled as infill and twin holes at the Tom and Jason deposits. A step-out hole was also drilled at Tom North. The 2020 RC infill drilling at Tom West was located in the high-grade, feeder-proximal part of the deposit where the current Mineral Resource is supported by small-diameter historic AX (30.1 mm diameter) or EX (20.6 mm diameter) diamond drill core (see Map 2 and Fireweed news release dated January 10, 2018). Hole TRC20-002 was an RC twin of an historic EX diamond drill hole, TS020. Zinc grades are very similar but lead and silver grades are significantly higher in TRC20-002 compared to historic hole TS020. Elsewhere at Tom West and at Tom North, similar patterns have been observed where modern drilling methods show significantly higher grades and thicknesses than nearby historic small-diameter core diamond holes due to better recoveries with modern drilling methods (see Fireweed news releases dated October 10th, 2018 and August 20th, 2019). Other successful 2020 Tom West infill RC holes intersected consistent high zinc, lead and silver grades shown in Table 1. The Tom North exploration target was defined by drilling by Fireweed in 2019 but is not yet classified as a Mineral Resource (see Fireweed news release dated August 20th, 2019). Hole TRC20-007 was a modest step-out in the down-dip direction at Tom North, 50 m away from the previously drilled mineralized intercept in hole TS19-001 (see Map 2) and is within 80 m from surface. Hole JRC20-002 was drilled as an RC infill hole in the Jason Main deposit (see Map 3). Mineralization was intercepted from 44.20 m to the end of hole at 59.44 m. The hole was abandoned in mineralization due to drilling difficulties, intersecting approximately two-thirds of the mineralized zone. Notes on sampling, assaying, and data aggregation: RC rock cuttings were collected with a face-sampling bit to minimize contamination. Samples were collected at 1.52 m intervals as the drill was operating. When drilling dry, the samples from the drill return cyclone were collected in a clean plastic 20 litre pail and the sample was weighed to assess recovery for each run. Samples were then logged for geology and run through a Jones-type riffle splitter to recover a 2 kg to 6 kg sample split. Washed chips were examined and stored in a chip tray for reference. Pails and splitter were thoroughly cleaned with compressed air prior to processing the next sample. Sample splits were collected in plastic sample bags, securely closed, packed and shipped to the laboratory for assay. When drilling wet, the entire sample was collected, logged and left to dry in open air. When dry, each sample was weighed to calculate recovery and then processed as described above. After sampling, the remaining cuttings were left on site and bagged for archival purposes. The RC logging and sampling program was carried out under a rigorous quality assurance / quality control program using industry best practices. Drill intersections in this release had good recoveries, typically above 85%. A total of 5% assay standards or blanks and 5% RC duplicates are included in the sample stream as a quality control measure and are reviewed after analyses are received. Standards and blanks in 2020 drill results to date have been approved as acceptable. Duplicate data add to the long-term estimates of precision for assay data on the project and precision for drill results reported is deemed to be within acceptable levels. Samples were sent to the Bureau Veritas preparation laboratory in Whitehorse, Yukon, where the samples were crushed and a 500 g split was sent to the Bureau Veritas laboratory in Vancouver, B.C to be pulverized to 85% passing 200 mesh size pulps. Clean crush material was passed through the crusher and clean silica was pulverized between each sample. The pulps were analyzed by 1:1:1 Aqua Regia digestion followed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-ES/ICP-MS) multi-element analyses (BV Code AQ270). All samples were also analyzed for multiple elements by lithium borate fusion and X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) finish (BV Code LF725). Over-limit Pb (>25.0%) and Zn (>24.0%) were analyzed by lithium borate fusion with XRF finish (BV Code LF726). Silver is reported in this news release by method AQ270, and zinc and lead are reported by LF725 or LF726. Bureau Veritas (Vancouver) is an independent, international ISO/IEC 17025:2005 accredited laboratory. RC drill results in this news release are length weighted averages. True thicknesses have been estimated in 3D using interpretations from geological and assay data in surrounding drill holes to determine the geometry of the mineralized zones. Qualified Person Statement Technical information in this news release has been approved by Jack Milton, P.Geo., Ph.D., Chief Geologist, and a Qualified Person as defined under Canadian National Instrument 43-101. About Fireweed Zinc Ltd. (TSXV: FWZ): Fireweed Zinc is a public mineral exploration company focused on zinc-lead-silver and managed by a veteran team of mining industry professionals. The Company is advancing its district-scale 940 km2 Macmillan Pass Project in Yukon, Canada, which is host to the 100% owned Tom and Jason zinc-lead-silver deposits with current Mineral Resources and a PEA economic study (see Fireweed news releases dated January 10, 2018, and May 23, 2018, respectively, and reports filed on www.sedar.com for details) as well as the Boundary Zone, Tom North Zone and End Zone which have significant zinc-lead-silver mineralization drilled but not yet classified as mineral resources. The project also includes large blocks of adjacent claims (MAC, MC, MP, Jerry, BR, NS, Oro, Sol, Ben, and Stump) which cover exploration targets in the district where previous and recent work identified zinc, lead and silver prospects, and geophysical and geochemical anomalies in prospective host geology. Additional information about Fireweed Zinc and its Macmillan Pass Zinc Project including maps and drill sections can be found on the Companys website at www.FireweedZinc.com and at www.sedar.com. ON BEHALF OF FIREWEED ZINC LTD. Brandon Macdonald CEO & Director Contact Brandon MacDonald Phone: (604) 646-8361 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 Statements This news release may contain forward-looking statements and information relating to the Company and the Macmillan Pass Project that are based on the beliefs of Company management, as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to Company management. Such statements reflect the current risks, uncertainties and assumptions related to certain factors including but not limited to, without limitations, exploration and development risks, expenditure and financing requirements, general economic conditions, changes in financial markets, the ability to properly and efficiently staff the Companys operations, the sufficiency of working capital and funding for continued operations, title matters, First Nations relations, operating hazards, political and economic factors, competitive factors, metal prices, relationships with vendors and strategic partners, governmental regulations and oversight, permitting, seasonality and weather, technological change, industry practices, and one-time events. Additional risks are set out in the Companys prospectus dated May 9, 2017, and filed under the Companys profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Should any one or more risks or uncertainties materialize or change, or should any underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results and forward-looking statements may vary materially from those described herein. The Company does not undertake to update forwardlooking statements or forwardlooking information, except as required by law. Map 1 Macmillan Pass Project: Locations of the 2020 exploration targets, advanced prospects, and known deposits. https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/11af036f-cbd2-4657-846e-479d18f7693c Map 2 Tom 2020 RC drilling: Locations of the 2020 RC drill holes at Tom. Diamond drill holes are also shown, and those referred to in the text are labelled. https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9633d902-a26c-4518-b231-424274a360cf Map 3 Jason 2020 RC drilling: Locations of the 2020 RC drill holes at Jason. Diamond drill hole locations are also shown. https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e157ee02-82ad-46f6-ac13-0b02e0dd3e15 Table 2 - Reverse Circulation (RC) Drill Hole Collars Drill Hole Length (m) Zone Easting* Northing* Elevation (m) Dip () Grid Azimuth () TRC20-001 7.6 Tom West 442065 7003667 1547 -50 066 TRC20-002 82.3 Tom West 442071 7003663 1547 -80 066 TRC20-003 64.0 Tom West 442071 7003663 1547 -55 066 TRC20-004 64.0 Tom West 442071 7003663 1547 -70 089 TRC20-005 47.2 Tom West 442071 7003663 1547 -55 129 TRC20-006 36.6 Tom West 442049 7003678 1545 -80 065 TRC20-007 98.45 Tom North 441654 7004507 1422 -51 076 JRC20-001 47.24 Jason Main 436437 7002774 1298 -50 027 JRC20-002 59.44 Jason Main 436533 7002772 1300 -65 011 *UTM Zone 9 NAD83 Table 3 - Reverse Circulation (RC) Drill Hole Summary. Gettyimagesbank By Kang Hyun-kyung Joung Jin-gu, 69, the founder of a startup called Dream Air that produces respiratory equipment and face masks, has a go-to person he turns to for advice whenever he faces key decisions. The man Joung relies on for counseling is a geomancer who tells his clients about their fortunes and future, based on four pillars the hour, day, month and year of one's birth. For the past several decades, Joung has been reaching out to the geomancer for advice whenever he has to hire people to fill key positions in his company or come up with ideas about new business ventures in which he had no prior experience. "You never know which people are trustworthy. Resumes or job interviews rarely tell you who they really are," he told The Korea Times. He recalled a bitter lesson he learned after hiring a mid-career worker, who later wreaked havoc on his previous garment business. "He was calm, gentle and so nice that I thought he would be the last person to deceive me. But he did, and his actions against me dealt a serious blow to my business. My business suffered staggering losses." According to him, the world of business is a battlefield where the future is highly unpredictable, while business partners can turn quickly into enemies. Joung once ran a thriving garment business called Samjoung International, which employed around 3,000 workers. His company had manufacturing factories in 33 countries, mostly in Asia and Latin America. His business declined in the early 2000s when he was diagnosed with a life-threatening respiratory disease and had to be hospitalized for treatment. "You need to figure out whether the people you are going to hire are the right ones," he said. "So, for me, getting prior counseling from people with insight into the future is essential. People say it's just superstition, but if you run a business, you'll be tempted to do so, because the risks of making the wrong decisions are so high." It's an open secret that business leaders, like Joung, include fortune tellers or people who are "endowed with the ability to see others' fortunes or their futures," among their go-to consultants. The late Samsung Chairman, Lee Byung-chul, is seen in a framed photo during his funeral, held in November 1987. Korea Times file Samsung Group founder Lee Byung-chul (1910-1987) is well-known for seeking advice from Park Jae-hyun, who was called, an "ascetic from the land-locked small county of Hamyang," whenever facing key business decisions. It was rumored that Park, a practitioner of physiognomy, the practice of assessing a person based mainly on facial characteristics, was one of the selection committee members interviewing workers applying for positions at Samsung Group. Park was reportedly hired as a senior-level adviser for the group in the 1970s, and received 60 million won in annual income for his counseling services, which was enough to buy dozens of apartments in smaller cities in Korea back then. Another business tycoon, Chung Tae-soo, founder of the now defunct Hanbo Group, was also a stalwart believer in divination. Following the advice of a famous physiognomist called Baek Un-san, Chung managed to pull off a dramatic career transition from a poorly paid, low-ranking tax official, to the founder and chairman of the construction company that was once the nation's 14th-largest business, before it went bankrupt in 1997. The fall of Hanbo Group was a precursor to Korea's entanglement in the Asian financial crisis later that year. The twilight years of his life were rather unfortunate. Chung was found guilty of embezzlement and bribing politicians and bankers to obtain huge loans to fuel his company's wanton expansion. He pleaded with the court to allow him to travel to Japan for medical treatment, while he was on trial in an appeals court. His request was accepted and he left the country reportedly for Japan, only to disappear from the radar. In 2019, his third son was arrested in Ecuador and testified that his father passed away in the Latin American country in 2018 at the age of 95. Song Jae-ryong, a professor of sociology at Kyung Hee University, said business tycoons' reliance on divination and other forms of fortune telling-based counseling is a reflection of the desperate endeavors of humans to learn about the uncertain future, and their desire to use their "pre-learned knowledge" to avoid risk and find success. "Fortune telling is a form of interpreting uncertain futures," he said. "Despite technological advancements, the future still remains uncertain and the same is true for business leaders. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, for example, was unthinkable before it actually happened. Just two years ago, no one had ever thought that such a virus would change human lives so dramatically." Now defunct Hanbo Group founder Chung Tae-soo in this 2006 file photo / Korea Times file Divination is more common than people think in corporate Korea. Some tycoons consult with their go-to people about the dates to commemorate the beginning and completion of construction projects, while others choose the locations of their headquarters based on their advice. Jeong Hoi-do, author of the Kyobo Books bestseller, "The Algorithm of Luck," said business leaders' reliance on fortune telling or divination is not a Korea-specific phenomenon. In his book, the tarot practitioner said he has been serving as an adviser for an unnamed global business consulting firm. "The management of the firm knows that intelligence and hard work are not sufficient to guarantee they'll achieve what they want. This is why business tycoons hire those who see the future full-time to provide counseling for them," the book reads. Unlike ordinary salaried workers, whose lives are relatively predictable, big businesses and their leaders have to make key, complicated business decisions, the consequences of which are hugely important. "Some of those decisions are like: Should they invest in a new business? Should they shut down an unprofitable business right away or should they keep it going despite deficits? Should they lay off workers to cut costs? Business leaders need to make tough decisions like that almost every day," the book reads. "If they make the wrong decisions, it has a far-reaching impact, not only on their own businesses, but also on shareholders, as well as on the livelihoods of their employees and their families. If the situation goes from bad to worse, their businesses may go bankrupt and they may have to take responsibility for that." Corporate leaders are briefed on various business scenarios, from the best- to worst-case ones, but they still feel the need to get more information from others regarding the future of their businesses, Jeong said. gettyimagesbank Business leaders or politicians relying on fortune-telling has been a centuries-old practice. Neel Burton, psychiatrist and author of "The Meaning of Myth: With 12 Greek Myths Retold and Interpreted by a Psychiatrist," said leaders would consult an oracle or seer before any major undertaking. "The ancients took divination very seriously," he said in the book. "King Croesus of Lydia consulted the oracle at Delphi about attacking Persia, and was advised, 'If you cross the river, a great empire will be destroyed.' Croesus crossed the river but it was his own empire that was destroyed." Burton said prophesy is often cryptic or gnomic, because "such is the nature of truth: subtle, ambiguous and difficult to apply." Watertown, NY (13601) Today Rain showers early becoming more intermittent for the afternoon. Thunder possible. High 76F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low around 65F. Winds light and variable. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks at a news conference to announce the annual International Religious Freedom Report at the State Department in Washington, May 12. AP-Yonhap U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reaffirmed his country's commitment to U.N. Security Council resolutions on North Korea on Thursday, amid U.S. outreach for engagement with the reclusive North. The top U.S. diplomat said he and his Australian counterpart, Marise Payne, discussed a range of challenges, including North Korea, in their bilateral meeting in Washington. "The (Australian) foreign minister and I touched on a number of key challenges that we face together," he said in a joint press conference with Payne at the State Department. Blinken said such challenges included China's economic coercion. "I reiterated that the United States will not leave Australia alone on the field, or maybe I should say alone on the pitch in the face of economic coercion by China. That's what allies do. We have each other's backs, so we can face threats and challenges from a position of collective strength," he said. "And we understand as well our shared commitment to U.N. Security Council resolutions on North Korea," he added. His remarks follow reports that the U.S. has reached out to North Korea for a second time to explain the outcome of its recently concluded North Korea policy review. Washington earlier said it had sought to engage with North Korea in mid-February, but that Pyongyang had remained unresponsive. North Korea reportedly acknowledged the latest U.S. overture, saying it "well received" the U.S. offer. White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki has said the U.S. will not strive for an all-or-nothing "grand-bargain" deal with the North or rely on the so-called "strategic patience," a wait-and-see policy of the former Barack Obama administration. Instead, the new Joe Biden administration will seek a "calibrated, practical" approach to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, she said on April 30. North Korea has stayed away from denuclearization talks since leader Kim Jong-un's second summit with former U.S. President Donald Trump ended without a deal in Hanoi in February 2019. (Yonhap) Falls Church, Virginia, May 10, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, AIHA announced investor and entrepreneur Mark Cuban as the recipient of the inaugural Workplace Health Public Influencer Award, citing Cubans assistance in promoting AIHA's Back to Work Safely initiative. This initiative provides small businesses and consumers with expert, industry-specific guidance on safely reopening and reengaging with the public as COVID-19 closures lift. Inspired by Cuban's leadership, AIHA established the Workplace Health Influencer Award to honor people or organizations that raise awareness for the profession or AIHA's efforts through personal and public outreach. "We are so grateful for all Mr. Cuban did to communicate the importance of our Back to Work Safely guidance documents, said AIHA President Lindsay J. Cook, CIH, CSP. His enthusiastic support, both on social media and through interviews, contributed the Back to Work Safely documents receiving over half a million downloads between May 20 and June 15, 2020." Alan Fleeger, CIH, CSP, FAIHA, the chair of AIHAs Back to Work Safely Task Force and a former president of AIHA, also commended Cuban for his role in raising awareness about worker health and safety information. "This award is well deserved, said Fleeger. Mr. Cubans passion and commitment to making a difference helped AIHAs guidance on reducing SARS-CoV-2 transmission reach many small businesses, which limited the spread of COVID-19." AIHA will present the Workplace Health Public Influencer Award to Cuban during the opening session of the American Industrial Hygiene Conference and Expo (AIHce EXP) at 8:00 a.m. Central time on May 24, 2021. To date, the Back to Work Safely documents have been downloaded a total of over 1.3 million times and featured in multiple national news outlets, such as the New York Times, NPR, USA Today, and the Washington Examiner. About AIHA AIHA is the association for scientists and professionals committed to preserving and ensuring occupational and environmental health and safety in the workplace and community. Founded in 1939, we support our members with our expertise, networks, comprehensive education programs, and other products and services that help them maintain the highest professional and competency standards. More than half of AIHA's nearly 8,500 members are Certified Industrial Hygienists, and many hold other professional designations. AIHA serves as a resource for those employed across the public and private sectors as well as to the communities in which they work. For more information, please visit www.aiha.org. Acting Minister of Defense of Armenia Vagharshak Harutyunyan today held a telephone conversation with Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, army general Sergey Shoygu, as reported the Armenian Ministry of Defense. The defense ministers of the two countries, which are strategic allies, discussed the current situation in Syunik Province. Harutyunyan talked about the Armenian sides actions in the current situation, noting that the entire site, soldiers and the roads for their security are under the full control of the Armenian army in all the places which the Azerbaijanis have invaded, including Sev Lake. The Armenian defense minister attached importance to the need for a peaceful solution of the situation, but also considered any encroachment on the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia inadmissible. During the phone talks, Harutyunyan and Shoygu also discussed the Armenian-Russian military cooperation, the mission of the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), as well as several issues related to regional security. New York, May 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Saudi Arabia Drilling Rigs Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2021 - 2026)" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06067815/?utm_source=GNW However, volatility in crude oil and natural gas prices, leading to a decrease in exploration and production activities, may restrain the growth of the market. - Natural gas production is expected to continue to be a vital part of meeting global energy demand, and the increase in its production is expected to drive the market. - New development in the smart rigs technology, like the advancements in the automated drilling rigs, is expected to make the oil and gas production more viable and may provide an opportunity for market players. - New rigs are being placed in the Persian gulf to extract crude oil and natural gas from the area, and this is expected to aid the growth of the offshore in the forecast period. Key Market Trends Increase in Natural Gas Production to Drive the Market - Saudi Arabia possesses around 18% of the worlds proven petroleum reserves. The country is among the largest drilling rigs in the world and is expected to be driven due to the increasing production of natural gas. - In January 2020, ADES International Holding has secured a five-year contract renewal for the jackup ADMARINE 262 offshore Saudi Arabia. The new term, which comes into effect on the expiry of the current contract in April 2020, is expected to have a higher daily rate. Companies are investing in the continuation of oil and gas production in the country, which is expected to aid the growth of the market. - In 2019, Saudi Aramco awarded 34 contracts with a total value of USD 18 billion for the completion of the Marjan and Berri increment programs. The company plans to boost the production capacity of the fields to 550,000 barrels per day of crude oil and 2.5 billion standard cubic feet a day (BSCFD) of natural gas. These investments are expected to support the continued focus on employing advanced technologies in the sector and are expected to aid the drilling rigs market. - Natural gas production in the country has increased by 1.4%, to 11.00 billion cubic feet per day, in 2019 from 10.85 billion cubic feet per day in 2018. The increase in natural gas production may act as a driver for the Saudi Arabia drilling rigs market. - Hence, Saudi Arabia is expected to dominate the market in the forecast period due to an increase in production, advancements in technologies, and high efficiency in aiding oil and gas production. Offshore Segment to Witness Growth - In the offshore segment, the drilling rigs are expensive and high-risk, the offshore platforms in the Persian Gulf have proven their usage from multilateral wells, horizontal wells with multiple zones, wells in heterogeneous reservoirs, and mature reservoirs. - New technologies in the sector are increasing the crude oil and natural gas produced. This involves the use of a wired drill pipe developed for automation drilling, which provides real-time downhole data that can be used to make adjustments during drilling. This has helped decrease the cost of drilling for the company. The technology has been deployed in Norway and may be deployed in different areas of the world, including Saudi Arabia. - In January 2020, ARO Drilling, a 50-50 joint venture (JV) between offshore drilling contractor Valaris and state-owned oil firm Saudi Aramco, has ordered two newbuild jackup rigs. According to Valaris, each new build are expected to cost approximately USD 175 million. They are expected to be constructed to the specifications laid out by Saudi Aramco. More joint ventures and increasing investment in the sector may aid the growth of the market. - Offshore rigs increase by 2.3% to an average of 18.583, in 2019 from 18.166 in 2018. An increase in the number of offshore is expected to take place in the forecast period. Thereby aiding the growth of the market - Crude oil production in the country has decreased by 3.5%, to 556.6 million tonnes, in 2019 from 576.8 million tonnes in 2018. The decrease in oil production may act as a restraint on the Saudi Arabia drilling rigs market. - Hence, the offshore segment is expected to witness growth in the forecast period due to an increase in investments, increasing units of rigs, and advancement in technology. Competitive Landscape The Saudi Arabia drilling rigs market is partially fragmented. Some of the key players in this market are Valaris plc, Arabian Drilling Company, Saipem S.p.A., ADES International Holding PLC, and Shelf Drilling Holdings, Ltd. Reasons to Purchase this report: - The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format - 3 months of analyst support Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06067815/?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. __________________________ Two divisions of trotters in the North American Amateur Drivers Association series went to post tonight at Yonkers Raceway with one split as a non-wagering event off the card followed by a betting race on the nightly wagering program. Matt Zuccarello won the non-betting contest with Stealing while Tony Ciuffetelli guided Golden Kronos home first in the wagering event. Sent away as race one on the 10-race betting card tonight Golden Kronos started from the pole and got away third as Exarch and driver Tony Verruso showed the way by the first stanza in :28. Verruso kept the pedal to the metal as Exarch got first call at the half in :58.1. Ciuffetelli was the first to move and he rallied Golden Kronos off the pylons and they headed for the lead. But Exarch fought to rebuff his challenger and he still had command as they trotted by the three quarters in 1:27.2. But as they rounded the final turn and readied for the stretch drive Golden Kronos eased to the front and went on to a 1-1/2 length triumph in 1:57. Exarch hung on gamely for second while Madhatter Blue Chip garnered the show dough for Joe Lee. Golden Kronos , a seven-year-old Chapter Seven gelding, is owned by Mike Pozefsky, William Pozefsky and Myron Ekstein and trained by Chip Zombick. He paid $9.20 for win. Matt Zuccarello copped the non-betting affair with a patient drive behind Stealing, making it the second time that they were victorious in the series. After starting form the three-hole Zuccarello took command and the yielded to Dark Poole (Jake Stillwell) as the latter took command in the :28.4 first quarter. Then all Zuccarello had to do was follow the leader, which he did, to the top of the stretch and then rally his trotter to a head triumph in 1:58.1. Dark Poole was second best while Mike Polansky hustled Noble Warrawee third. (NAADA) Vingroup has sent a dispatch to the Ha Tinh provincial Peoples Committee, proposing a project on an automobile complex. The complex would include the VinFast automobile manufacturing factory and a chain of factories making car parts and hi-tech audio-video devices. The group wants to set the automobile complex in Vung Ang Economic Zone, covering an area of 2,000 hectares. There are large automobile centers in Vietnam, including Hanoi, Vinh Phuc, Hai Duong, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Ninh Binh, Quang Nam, HCM City and Binh Duong. If provincial authorities give the nod on the project, Vietnam would have one more center in Ha Tinh. According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT), Vietnam has great advantages in developing an automobile industry, including a large and expanding market, advantageous position for global logistics activities and a skilled labor force. Moreover, unlike Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, drivers must drive in the right lane, which is an important factor for production organization and manufacturing cost. These factors are enough to turn Vietnam into an automobile general headquarters in the future. Analysts also believe that Vietnams automobile market is entering a golden period because of the rapid increase in vehicle ownership. If Vietnam can grab this opportunity, its automobile industry will develop strongly. According to MOIT, by 2020, Vietnams automobile industry had reached important goals joining global supply chains, exporting CBU (complete built unit) cars, and creating Vietnamese car brands. However, the ministry pointed out that Vietnams automobile industry is facing barriers, including a low localization ratio, and uncompetitive production costs compared with CBU imports from ASEAN countries, and a small market. In 2019, the total automobile output was 281,000 products of different kinds, while the car output was 200,000. Of these, only 11 models had output of 6,000 products a year or higher. Since the domestic market remains small, it is difficult to develop supporting industries because the products do not have competitive prices. Meanwhile, weak supporting industries will not help reduce automobile manufacturing costs. MOIT estimates that there are 350 enterprises related to automobile manufacturing in Vietnam, including 214 car part facilities. The figure is small compared with Thailand and Indonesia. The car parts made in Vietnam are mostly simple and have low added value. Vietnam doesnt have many local vendors that can satisfy requirements on quality, cost and delivery time to be able to join global supply chains. Nguyen Minh Dong, a respected automobile expert, said that difficulties, high risks and low profits are foreseeable if investing in automobile supporting industries. Meanwhile, land prices in many localities are escalating, which makes it more profitable to trade land than to manufacture cars. If the Government doesnt have policies on encouraging the development of supporting industries, investors will pour money into land instead of supporting industries. Vietnam remains a small market with 400,000 cars of different kinds a year. Of this, domestically assembled cars account for 60 percent, which is one-third of the Thai and one-fourth of Indonesian markets. The small market makes it difficult to develop the automobile industry. Experts all agree that in order to expand the automobile industry, it is necessary to encourage people to use cars, because the industry has a close relation with households. The auto industry has a high technology content. The industry development, for example, was prioritized in Japan and South Korea with preferential policies, which helped to turn it into a key industry of the economy, making a great contribution to helping the two economies escape the middle-income trap and become developed countries. Only when the market gets larger will Vietnam be able to develop supporting industries which would allow it to reduce automobile manufacturing costs. However, Vietnam still restricts car consumption with high taxes and fees, which makes them unaffordable for the majority of people. The auto industry has a high technology content. The industry development, for example, was prioritized in Japan and South Korea with preferential policies, which helped to turn it into a key industry of the economy, making a great contribution to helping the two economies escape the middle-income trap and become developed countries. Vietnam doesnt have such policies. Automobile industry centers have been arising in Vietnam, but the risks in the industry are high. If production costs continue to be uncompetitive with CBU imports from ASEAN, the domestic market will be out of reach of domestic manufacturers. If processing and manufacturing industries cannot develop, Vietnam will depend heavily on imports. This will bring low added value and affect long-term economic growth, thus making it difficult to achieve the goal of escaping the middle-income trap and becoming a developed country. Tran Thuy Vietnam automobile industry on recovery path despite Covid-19 Vietnams rising income per capita would soon move cars from a luxury product with a passenger vehicle density of 34 per 1,000 to a more ordinary one with a density level comparable to countries in the region. Sydney, May 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Proactive, provider of real-time news and video interviews on growth companies listed in Australia, has covered the following companies: Davenport Resources Ltd (ASX:DAV) (FRA:D86) has officially changed the companys name to South Harz Potash Ltd (ASX:SHP) following shareholder approval at the 4th May 2021 general meeting. Click here Tempus Resources Ltd (ASX:TMR) (CVE:TMRR) (OTCMKTS:TMRFF) (FRA:4W0) has closed a non-brokered private placement to raise A$1.9 million for boosting gold exploration. Click here EcoGraf Ltds (ASX:EGR) (FRA:FMK) (OTCMKTS:ECGFF) shares have started trading on the OTCQX market in the United States, following the acceptance of its application. Click here Core Lithium Ltd (ASX:CXO) (OTCMKTS:CXOXF) announced that the company has been added to the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) Micro Cap Australia Index with effect from 27 May 2021. Click here Aurumin Ltd (ASX:AUN) has received all assays from the recent RC drilling at the Golden Slipper deposit at its 100% owned Mt Dimer Project in Western Australia, which included one of the best unmined results to date. Click here Fe Limited (ASX:FEL) has ramped up development activities at JWD iron ore deposit with mining contractor Big Yellow beginning earthworks on-site last week with expectations that this component of the first stage of early works will be completed this week. Click here Silver Mines Ltds (ASX:SVL) (OTCMKTS:SLVMF) diamond drilling program at Bowdens Silver Project near Mudgee in Central West New South Wales has intersected up to 3 metres at 1,302 g/t silver within 8 metres at 543 g/t silver from 307 metres. Click here Strategic Elements Ltd (ASX:SOR) is entering the defence sector with its autonomous vehicle platform and will conduct a feasibility and scoping study with the Defence Science and Technology (DST) Group. Click here Blackstone Minerals Ltd (ASX:BSX) (OTCMKTS:BLSTF) (FRA:B9S) has opened its priority offer to shareholders for the IPO of spin-off Codrus Minerals, following conclusion of the exposure period. Click here Volt Resources Ltd (ASX:VRC) (FRA:R8L) has completed due diligence for the acquisition of a 70% interest in the Zavalievsky group of companies (ZG Group). Click here Latin Resources Ltd (ASX:LRS) (FRA:XL5) is enhancing its exposure to copper amidst strong market fundamentals by acquiring 2.7 million shares worth C$540,000 in a private placement by Westminster Resources Ltd (CVE:WMR) (OTCMKTS:WMRSF). Click here About Proactive With six offices on three continents and a team of experienced business journalists and broadcasters, Proactive works with innovative growth companies quoted on the worlds major stock exchanges, helping executives engage intelligently with investors. Proactive s platform delivers the right message to the right audience, digitally and in real time, leveraging a range of media, investment research, digital investor targeting and website development services to support over 1,000 fast-growing companies globally. Proactives network reaches over 12 million engaged private, professional and institutional investors looking for opportunities. Our written and video content is published on Proactive sites that collectively attract up to 10 million views per month. We syndicate our content to hundreds of mainstream and specialist news sites that expand our reach into networks that can be difficult for press releases to penetrate. We custom build corporate websites from the ground up, empowering clients and their brands with a modern online presence and the latest insight on effective SEO strategy. Our news coverage ranks high on the worlds most popular search platforms, and we can further amplify online presence and outreach with sophisticated digital investor targeting. We help the world understand what makes companies stand out from the crowd with in-depth investment research from a team of experienced analysts. For more information on how Proactive can help you make a difference, email us at action@proactiveinvestors.com Authorities in Da Nang have discouraged people from going outside and limited gatherings in public places to five after the central Vietnamese city logged ten more local cases of COVID-19 on Thursday. In order to curb infections, the municipal authorities ordered all districts to continue suspending dine-in services, which has been mandated since May 3. People are requested to refrain from going outside unless necessary and gathering in groups of more than five in public places, except for workplaces, schools, and hospitals. Households should not host family activities that attract large attendance due to the high risk of infection among relatives. Local authorities also reminded people to seriously practice the mandate of using market admission tickets and other disease control measures. The Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control of Da Nang confirmed ten new cases of local transmission on Thursday, raising the citys community infections to 112. Of the total, two cases were related to Phu An Hotel, 22 were linked to the New Phuong Dong bar, 44 were traced back to the Amida plastic surgery clinic, and 44 others involved Truong Minh Company. Ten of the 112 patients have tested negative for the virus once during their treatment at the Da Nang Hospital for Lung Diseases. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! 2019 European Financial Management Securitization and credit quality in the European market Kara, A., D. MarquesIbanez and S. Ongena 2017 European Central Bank, Research Bulletin Securitisation, credit risk and lending standards revisited Marques-Ibanez, D. 2017 Journal of Financial Intermediation Realized bank risk during the great recession Altunbas, Y., S. Manganelli and D. Marques-Ibanez 2016 Journal of Finance 71(5), 1933-1974 Who borrows from the lender of last resort? Drechsler, I., T. Drechsel, D. Marques-Ibanez and P. Schnabl 2016 Journal of Financial Stability 26, 107-127 Securitization and lending standards: evidence from the wholesale loan market Kara, A., D. Marques-Ibanez and S. Ongena 2014 Journal of Money, Credit and Banking 46, 327-331 Comment on Foreign banks: Trends and impact by Claessens, S. and N. van Horen Marques-Ibanez, D. 2014 International Journal of Central Banking 10, 95-136 Does monetary policy affect bank risk-taking? Altunbas Y., L. Gambacorta and D. Marques-Ibanez 2014 Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money 32, 473-490 Determinants of syndicated lending in European banks and the impact of the financial crisis Howcroft, B., A. Kara, and D. Marques-Ibanez 2013 Economic Policy 28 (74), 289-333 Bank ratings: What determines their quality? Hau H., S. Langfield and D. Marques-Ibanez 2013 Journal of Banking and Finance 37(6), 2000-2010 Is bank default risk systematic? Fiordelisi, F, D. Marques-Ibanez 2012 Economic Letters 117, 220-222. Do bank characteristics influence the effect of monetary policy on bank risk? Altunbas Y., L. Gambacorta and D. Marques-Ibanez 2012 Journal of International Money and Finance 31, 80-101 Securitization, credit growth and financial instability: the case of Spain Carbo-Valverde, S., D. Marques-Ibanez, F. Rodriguez-Fernandez 2011 Economic Policy 26(66),137-182 The new bank lending channel: Evidence from the crisis Gambacorta, L. and D. Marques-Ibanez 2011 Journal of Banking and Finance 35(5),1315-1326 Efficiency and risk in European banking Fiordelisi, F, D. Marques-Ibanez and P. Molyneux 2010 Journal of Financial Stability 6, 121129 Bank risk and monetary policy Altunbas Y., L. Gambacorta and D. Marques-Ibanez 2010 European Journal of Finance 16 (5), 437-458 Large debt financing: syndicated loans versus corporate bonds Altunbas, Y., A. Kara and D. Marques-Ibanez 2009 European Economic Review 53, 8, 996-1009 Securitisation and the bank lending channel Altunbas Y., L. Gambacorta and D. Marques-Ibanez 2008 Journal of Business and Economics 60, 3, 179-290 Mergers and acquisitions and bank performance in Europe: the role of strategic similarities Altunbas, Y. and D. Marques-Ibanez 2008 Journal of Financial Services Research 27, 2, 163-181 High-yield bond diffusion in the United States, the United Kingdom and the euro area De Bondt G. and D. Marques-Ibanez 2005 Kredit und Kapital 4 Bank capital, bank lending and monetary policy in the euro area Altunbas, Y. and D. Marques-Ibanez 2010 Officials with Dresden Raceway would like to advise horsepeople that the track is now open for training. Horsepeople stabled at the track have been training and working through the latest wave and the track is open for non-occupants to train as well. Strict COVID-19 protocols are in place at the track to adhere to government guidelines. For more information, please contact Gary Patterson at 519-401-0570. (Dresden) .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ROSWELL The trial of a New Mexico man accused of murdering his wife and four daughters in 2016 began Tuesday. Juan David Villegas-Hernandez, 40, faces five counts of first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of his wife, 34-year-old Cynthia Villegas, and their four daughters: Yamilen, 14; Cynthia Janeth, 11; Abby, 7; and Ida, 3. The trial began after a day and a half of jury selection at the Chaves County Courthouse in Roswell. The prosecutor, RoxAnne Esquibel, said Villegas-Hernandez committed the murders after discovering Cynthia Villegas planned to divorce him. Cynthia Villegas and her daughters were found dead inside their home, each shot in the head at close range with a .22 caliber rifle or handgun. Villegas-Hernandez later packed some things and left, and was arrested in Mexico, Esquibel said. Witnesses who testified Tuesday included Cynthia Villegas niece, Anna Carrasco, who stumbled upon one of the girls bodies on the night of the killing, and Roswell Police Department Lt. Ray Sharpe, one of the first officers to respond to Carrascos 911 call. Villegas-Hernandezs attorney, Herman Ortiz, acknowledged the brutality of the crime, calling it horrific and heartbreaking. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Ortiz said there is no testimony from anyone about seeing Villegas-Hernandez at the scene of the killings or with a firearm and no evidence that he ever purchased a gun. He also disputed that Villegas-Hernandez had a motive to kill his family. Ortiz said the police conducted their investigation poorly, ignoring key evidence at the scene that was pointing in another direction and failing to try to find any other suspect up until a few months before the trial. According to Ortiz, another person with a history of leveling threats against Villegas-Hernandez and his family, and who was in Mexico was identified. Negotiations in the territory of Sev Lake of Syunik Province resumed this morning. This is what Deputy Mayor of Goris Menua Hovsepyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am. Nothing has changed at all. The Azerbaijanis are still in our territory. Were waiting to see what happens, he said, adding that the first army corps and Russian peacekeepers are negotiating with the adversary and that he hopes the enemy will be thwarted. The Ministry of Defense of Armenia told Armenian News-NEWS.am that the Azerbaijani troops remain within the state border of Armenia (in the sectors of Syunik and Gegharkunik Provinces). According to the ministrys news department, the Armenian side has expressed its position on the negotiations, claiming that the territories are our territories, and were not preparing to retreat one meter from them, they must leave. The Armenian and Azerbaijani sides negotiated yesterday. During yesterdays session of the Security Council of Armenia, acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan declared that Armenia will petition to the Collective Security Treaty Organization in regard to the incidents in Syunik and Gegharkunik Provinces. Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States TORONTO, May 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PIMCO Canada Corp. (PIMCO Canada) today announced the 2021 May cash distributions for the ETF series (ETF Series) of the PIMCO Canada mutual funds that distribute monthly (Funds). Unitholders of record of the ETF Series, at the close of business on May 21, 2021, will receive per-unit cash distribution payable on or about May 31, 2021. Details of the per-unit cash distribution amount are as follow: Fund Name Ticker Cash Distribution per Unit PIMCO Monthly Income Fund (Canada) PMIF $0.03518 PIMCO Monthly Income Fund (Canada) US$ PMIF.U US$ 0.03694 PIMCO Investment Grade Credit Fund (Canada) IGCF $0.04191 PIMCO Global Short Maturity Fund (Canada) PMNT $0.01442 PIMCO Low Duration Monthly Income Fund (Canada) PLDI $0.05301 The Manager, PIMCO Canada administers and manages the PIMCO Canada ETFs, and retains Pacific Investment Management Company, LLC (PIMCO), to provide sub-advisory services to the Funds. About PIMCO PIMCO was founded in 1971 in Newport Beach, California and is one of the worlds premier fixed income investment managers. Today we have offices across the globe and 3,000+ professionals united by a single purpose: creating opportunities for investors in every environment. PIMCO is owned by Allianz S.E., a leading global diversified financial services provider. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements included in this news release constitute forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, those identified by the expressions expect, intend, will and similar expressions to the extent they relate to the Funds. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts but reflect the Funds, PIMCO Canadas and/or PIMCOs current expectations regarding future results or events. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations, including, but not limited to, market factors. Although the Funds, PIMCO Canada and/or PIMCO believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and, accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein. The Funds, PIMCO Canada and/or PIMCO undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statement or information whether as a result of new information, future events or other factors which affect this information, except as required by law. No offering is being made by this material. Interested investors should obtain a copy of the prospectus, which is available from your Financial Advisor. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the prospectus before investing. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. All investments contain risk and can lose value. For a summary of the risks of an investment in a specific fund, please see the risks of mutual funds section of the prospectus. Investments made by a Fund and the results achieved by a Fund are not expected to be the same as those made by any other PIMCO-advised Fund, including those with a similar name, investment objective or policies. A new or smaller Funds performance may not represent how the Fund is expected to or may perform in the long-term. New Funds have limited operating histories for investors to evaluate and new and smaller Funds may not attract sufficient assets to achieve investment and trading efficiencies. A Fund may be forced to sell a comparatively large portion of its portfolio to meet significant shareholder redemptions for cash, or hold a comparatively large portion of its portfolio in cash due to significant share purchases for cash, in each case when the Fund otherwise would not seek to do so, which may adversely affect performance. Funds can offer different series, which are subject to different fees and expenses (which may affect performance), having different minimum investment requirements and are entitled to different services. The products and services provided by PIMCO Canada may only be available in certain provinces or territories of Canada and only through dealers authorized for that purpose. PIMCO Canada has retained PIMCO LLC as sub-adviser. PIMCO Canada will remain responsible for any loss that arises out of the failure of its sub-adviser. PIMCO as a general matter provides services to qualified institutions, financial intermediaries and institutional investors. Individual investors should contact their own financial professional to determine the most appropriate investment options for their financial situation. This material contains the current opinions of the manager and such opinions are subject to change without notice. This material has been distributed for informational purposes only and should not be considered as investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security, strategy or investment product. Information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but not guaranteed. No part of this material may be reproduced in any form, or referred to in any other publication, without express written permission. PIMCO is a trademark of Allianz Asset Management of America L.P. in the United States and throughout the world. 2021, PIMCO PIMCO Canada Corp. 199 Bay Street, Suite 2050, Commerce Court Station, P.O. Box 363, Toronto, ON, M5L 1G2, 416-368-3350 Contact: Agnes Crane PIMCO Media Relations Phone: +212 597.1054 Acting Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan on Thursday had a telephone conversation with President Emmanuel Macron of France on the latters initiative, informed the government of Armenia. The two leaders discussed the situation in Syunik Province following Azerbaijani troops subversive infiltration into Armenias sovereign territory and the steps aimed at defusing tensions. The French President assured of his support to the authorities and the people of Armenia for achieving a peaceful settlement of the issue. Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed Frances commitment to the territorial integrity of Armenia, and stressed the need for an immediate withdrawal of Azerbaijani troops from Armenias sovereign territory. Nikol Pashinyan thanked the French President for sustained attention to Armenias concerns, as well as for standing in solidarity with the Armenian people. Emmanuel Macron emphasized that France stands ready to help Armenia deal with the emerging challenges on its way to development and progress. Would mobilize the world against Israel's 'Terror' : Turkish President Ankara, May 10 (UNI) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that he would do everything possible to mobilize the international community, especially the Islamic world, to stop what he labelled Israel's terror against Palestinians. Erdogan held separate telephone conversations with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the chairman of Hamas political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh discussing the present situation. "Assessing the Israeli attacks in Jerusalem as 'terror' I expressed my strongest condemnation of these back-stabbing attacks, which hurt the conscience of not only Muslims but of the entire humankind. I stressed that we will do our best to mobilize the whole world, especially the Islamic one, to stop the Israeli terror and occupation," Erdogan said on his Telegram channel. Dublin, May 13, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Diesel Engine Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2021-2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global diesel engine market reached a value of US$ 207 Billion in 2020. The global diesel engine market is currently witnessing healthy growth. The diesel engine is an internal combustion machine in which the air is compressed inside a cylindrical vessel to ignite the fuel. It changes the chemical energy stored in the fuel into mechanical energy which is used to power freight trucks, locomotives, large vessels, vehicles, etc. Currently, two types of diesel engines are available in the market. Two-stroke engines that complete a power cycle with two strokes of the piston during one crankshaft revolution, and four-stroke engines that complete the cycle with four separate strokes by turning the crankshaft. Diesel engines are capable of offering better operational performance and higher fuel economy, making them increasingly preferred among the end-users. A key factor driving the demand of diesel engines is the fact that they provide better fuel efficiency compared to petrol engines and are extremely popular in commercial and heavy-duty vehicles. Moreover, the strong growth of the automobile industry, particularly in emerging markets such as India, China, Vietnam, etc. is also expected to create a positive impact on the demand of diesel engines. Apart from this, growth in the non-automotive diesel engine market is also expected to catalyse the market with growth expected to be driven by rising energy demands from infrastructure growth and the manufacturing industry. Strong industrialization in developing economies has also increased the demand of diesel engines driven by an increasing requirement for a reliable and consistent source of power generation to ensure uninterrupted and efficient operations. Looking forward, the publisher expects the global diesel engine market to exhibit moderate growth during the next five years. Report Coverage: Historical, Current and Future Market Trends Market Breakup by Power Rating: 0.5 MW-1 MW Up to 0.5 MW 2 MW-5 MW 1 MW-2 MW Above 5 MW Market Breakup by End-User: Automotive On-Road Light Vehicles Medium/Heavy Trucks Light Trucks Off-Road Industrial/Construction Equipment Agriculture Equipment Marine Applications Non-Automotive Market Breakup by Region: North America Europe Asia Pacific Middle East and Africa Latin America Competitive Landscape: The report has also analysed the competitive landscape of the market with some of the key players being AGCO Corporation, China FAW Group, Bosch, Deere & Company, Continental AG, Delphi Automotive, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ford Motor, General Motors, MAN SE, Wartsila, Cummins, Caterpillar, Rolls-Royce, etc. Key Questions Answered in This Report: 1. What was the global diesel engine market size in 2020? 2. What will be the global diesel engine market outlook during the forecast period (2021-2026)? 3. What are the global diesel engine market drivers? 4. What are the major trends in the global diesel engine market? 5. What is the impact of COVID-19 on the global diesel engine market? 6. What is the global diesel engine market breakup by end user? 7. What are the major regions in the global diesel engine market? Key Topics Covered: 1 Preface 2 Scope and Methodology 2.1 Objectives of the Study 2.2 Stakeholders 2.3 Data Sources 2.3.1 Primary Sources 2.3.2 Secondary Sources 2.4 Market Estimation 2.4.1 Bottom-Up Approach 2.4.2 Top-Down Approach 2.5 Forecasting Methodology 3 Executive Summary 4 Introduction 4.1 Overview 4.2 Key Industry Trends 5 Global Diesel Engine Market 5.1 Market Overview 5.2 Market Performance 5.3 Impact of COVID-19 5.4 Market Breakup by Power Rating 5.5 Market Breakup by End-User 5.6 Market Breakup by Region 5.7 Market Forecast 6 Market Breakup by Power Rating 6.1 0.5 MW-1 MW 6.1.1 Market Trends 6.1.2 Market Forecast 6.2 Up to 0.5 MW 6.2.1 Market Trends 6.2.2 Market Forecast 6.3 2 MW-5 MW 6.3.1 Market Trends 6.3.2 Market Forecast 6.4 1 MW-2 MW 6.4.1 Market Trends 6.4.2 Market Forecast 6.5 Above 5 MW 6.5.1 Market Trends 6.5.2 Market Forecast 7 Market Breakup by End-User 7.1 Automotive 7.1.1 On-Road 7.1.1.1 Market Trends 7.1.1.2 Market Breakup by Type 7.1.1.2.1 Light Vehicles 7.1.1.2.2 Medium/Heavy Trucks 7.1.1.2.3 Light Trucks 7.1.1.3 Market Forecast 7.1.2 Off-Road 7.1.2.1 Market Trends 7.1.2.2 Market Breakup by Type 7.1.2.2.1 Industrial/Construction Equipment 7.1.2.2.2 Agriculture Equipment 7.1.2.2.3 Marine Applications 7.1.2.3 Market Forecast 7.2 Non-Automotive 7.2.1 Market Trends 7.2.2 Market Forecast 8 Market Breakup by Region 8.1 Asia Pacific 8.1.1 Market Trends 8.1.2 Market Forecast 8.2 Europe 8.2.1 Market Trends 8.2.2 Market Forecast 8.3 North America 8.3.1 Market Trends 8.3.2 Market Forecast 8.4 Middle East and Africa 8.4.1 Market Trends 8.4.2 Market Forecast 8.5 Latin America 8.5.1 Market Trends 8.5.2 Market Forecast 9 SWOT Analysis 9.1 Overview 9.2 Strengths 9.3 Weaknesses 9.4 Opportunities 9.5 Threats 10 Value Chain Analysis 10.1 Overview 10.2 Research and Development 10.3 Raw Material Procurement 10.4 Manufacturing 10.5 Marketing 10.6 Distribution 10.7 End-Use 11 Porters Five Forces Analysis 11.1 Overview 11.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers 11.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers 11.4 Degree of Competition 11.5 Threat of New Entrants 11.6 Threat of Substitutes 12 Price Analysis 13 Manufacturing Process 13.1 Product Overview 13.2 Raw Material Requirements 13.3 Manufacturing Process 13.4 Key Success and Risk Factors 14 Competitive Landscape 14.1 Market Structure 14.2 Key Players 14.3 Profiles of Key Players 14.3.1 AGCO Corporation 14.3.2 China FAW Group 14.3.3 Bosch 14.3.4 Deere & Company 14.3.5 Continental AG 14.3.6 Delphi Automotive 14.3.7 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries 14.3.8 Ford Motor 14.3.9 General Motors 14.3.10 MAN SE 14.3.11 Wartsila 14.3.12 Cummins 14.3.13 Caterpillar 14.3.14 Rolls-Royce For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/x58nzh Dallas, Texas, May 13, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global pre-engineered buildings market is growing at a CAGR of >12.0% during the forecast period from 2021 to 2028. The demand is being driven by rising understanding of new off-site building structures and methods, as well as rapid industrialization in both developing and developed economies. The demand for industrial storage spaces and warehouses has risen as e-commerce and distribution stores have become more prevalent in the retail market. Request for Sample Report: https://www.adroitmarketresearch.com/contacts/request-sample/2079 This has increased the need for pre-engineered houses, which are more cost-effective and long-lasting than conventionally designed structures. Pre-engineered construction structures have a number of benefits, including a longer building material life cycle, unrestricted design flexibility, and lower material and labor costs. Pre-engineered buildings are steel frames that are manufactured in a warehouse and then delivered to the job site to be assembled. These structures are made up of a solid frame made of steel plates and includes beams and columns and can reach large distances without the use of columns, as well as roof and wall coverings. Warehouses, storage centers, department malls, shopping centers, office parks, aircraft hangars, and hospitals are among the many commercial applications for pre-engineered structures. Asia Pacific and Middle East & Africa are expected to show promising opportunity for pre-engineered building market in coming years. Increasing construction industry coupled with rising need for green building will add market growth. Furthermore, the real estate industry is one of Asia-fastest-growing Pacific's and most well-known industries. Housing, shopping, restaurants, and commercial real estate are also part of that. Any of the reasons include an increase in demand for office rooms, the remarkable rise of the business environment, and urban and semi-urban accommodation. There is a need for the construction of modern smart cities and the regeneration of urban areas in cities to satisfy the demands of a growing demographic and their relocation to urban areas, which would drive the market for pre-engineered building market even further (PEB). Read the complete report: https://www.adroitmarketresearch.com/industry-reports/pre-engineered-buildings-market Global pre-engineered buildings market gives a holistic view of the market from 2018 to 2028, which includes factors such as market drivers, restraints, opportunities and challenges. The market has been studied for historic years from 2018 to 2019, with the base year of estimation as 2020 and forecast from 2021 to 2028. The report covers the current status and future traits of the market at global as well as country level. In addition, the study also assesses the market based on porter's five forces analysis and positions the key players based on their product portfolio, geographic footprint, strategic initiatives and overall revenue. Prominent players operating in the global pre-engineered buildings market have been studied in detail. The major players operating in the global pre-engineered buildings market are NCI Building Systems, Nucor Corporation, Kirby Building Systems, Zamil Steel Holding Company, Bluescope, Lindab Group, Everest Industries, PEB Steel, PEBS Pennar, and ATCO. Some other leading players operating in this sector are Atad Steel Structure Corporation, Memaar Building Systems, Norsteel Buildings, John Reid & Sons, Rigid Global Buildings, Metal Building Manufacturers Inc., Mabani Steel, Steelway Building Systems, Tiger Steel Engineering India, Emirates Building Systems, Phenix Construction Technologies, Allied Steel Buildings, and SML Group. Interested to Procure The Data? Inquire here at: https://www.adroitmarketresearch.com/contacts/enquiry-before-buying/2079 Table of Content: 1. Introduction 2. Research Methodology 3. Market Outlook 4. Pre-engineered Buildings Market by Structure, 2018-2028 (USD Billion) 5. Pre-engineered Buildings Market by Application, 2018-2028 (USD Billion) 6. Pre-engineered Buildings Market by Region 2018-2028 (USD Billion) 7. Competitive Landscape 8. Company Profiles 9. Appendix Have a Look at Related Reports: Green Technology and Sustainability Market by Technology (internet of things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI) & analytics, digital twin, cloud computing, security, blockchain), Application (fire detection, carbon footprint management, soil condition/ moisture monitoring, green building, water purification, water leak detection, weather monitoring & forecasting, crop monitoring, forest monitoring, air & water pollution monitoring, sustainable mining & exploration), and Region, Global Forecast 2018 to 2025 Global Smart Building Market Size by Type (Intelligent security system, Network management system, Building energy management system and Infrastructure management system), By End User (Residential, Commercial and Industrial), By Region and Forecast 2018 to 2025 Global Masterbatch Market Size 2018, by Type (Color, Additive, White, Black, Filler), Polymer (PP, LDPE & LLDPE, HDPE, PVC, PET, PUR, PS, Others), Application (Packaging, Building & Construction, Automotive, Consumer Goods, Textile, Agriculture, Others) Region and Forecast 2019 to 2025 About Us: Adroit Market Research is a global business analytics and consulting company incorporated in 2018. Our target audience is a wide range of corporations, manufacturing companies, product/technology development institutions and industry associations that require understanding of a markets size, key trends, participants and future outlook of an industry. We intend to become our clients knowledge partner and provide them with valuable market insights to help create opportunities that increase their revenues. We follow a code Explore, Learn and Transform. At our core, we are curious people who love to identify and understand industry patterns, create an insightful study around our findings and churn out money-making roadmaps. Local News, Community, Charity & Cause, Health & Wellness, Press Releases By Chris Boyle Published: May 14 2021 Vivian Jepp's search for a donor was sidelined in the spring of 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic. Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton and Nassau County Executive Laura Curran with Vivian Jepp, of Port Washington, outside the Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building in Mineola. The gift of life would be the greatest gift of all for Vivian Jepp, a Port Washington mother of 10-year-old triplet boys who is in desperate need of a kidney transplant. Nassau County Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton (D - Glen Cove) is joining the Jepp family, LiveOnNY and local organ donation advocates in an urgent search for a living donor for Vivian, who has endured years of dialysis and two previous attempts at transplants. Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton met with Vivian recently during a dome-lighting ceremony commemorating National Donate Life Month. Her search for a donor was sidelined in the spring of 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that public health conditions have improved and stabilized, the race is on to find her a match. Vivians story is heartbreaking - and it is a call to action for all of us, Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton said. In recent months, I have witnessed the miracle of organ donation first-hand and seen how a living donor continued to thrive after giving one of my dearest friends her kidney - and with it, a renewed lease on life. If you have either A or O-type blood, I urge you to get screened as a potential donor and consider giving Vivian, her husband, and their three boys the greatest gift of all. Vivian has navigated health struggles throughout much of her adult life. Shortly after graduating college 33 years ago, Vivian was diagnosed with systemic lupus - an inflammatory disease in which the immune system attacks its own tissue. The disease commonly affects a patients joints, skin and kidneys. Vivian was an elementary school teacher in New York City until five years ago, when her kidneys began to fail. Soon thereafter, she began dialysis treatments. Due to the extensive strain dialysis places on human body and the lengthy wait time for a deceased donor, a living donor represents Vivians best chance for surviving and thriving. However, it can be challenging to find willing living donors, and New York State in general has historically been one of the worst states for organ donor registration - a place where the most patients are waiting for the fewest organs. The only reason why Azerbaijan has an appetite to seize lands is the anti-Armenian policy led by Nikol Pashinyans regime. This is stated in the statement issued by the Armenia alliance of political parties, which has touched upon the Azerbaijani aggression and the breach of territorial integrity of Armenia. The statement also states the following: Taking advantage of the so-called peace-loving policy of the authorities of Armenia, as well as their criminal inaction and tolerance, Azerbaijan has breached the territorial integrity of our country. As a result of the invasion of Azerbaijani soldiers in Syunik and Gegharkunik Provinces, Armenia is facing serious security threats. The situation is fraught with a risk of large-scale military clash. The Armed Forces of Armenia must ensure protection of our borders. Once again, the incumbent authorities showed that they are incapable of ensuring the security of our country and citizens and safeguard the territorial integrity of Armenia. They are not taking actions arising from the situation with respect to the gross violation of international law by Azerbaijan and to protect our borders. We call on the citizens of Armenia to be alert and united, not panic and be ready for any scenario of developments. Dear compatriots, We are certain that it will be impossible to establish dignified peace, stability and welfare in our country during the administration of these incompetent authorities which are a symbol of defeat and embarrassment. Thus, we consider the formation of a national government of new quality as the first precondition for ensuring the security of Armenia and Artsakh. Political council of Armenia alliance of political parties" A woman living in Cork is calling for a meeting with the Taoiseach to highlight the needs of her daughter, who has been without a suitable chair since growing out of it last November. Katie Healy Nolan, originally from Louth, is a former beauty blogger but is now a full-time carer for her daughter, Penelope. The four-year-old has a life-limiting illness called pontocerebellar hypoplasia, which is a rare neurodegenerative disorder. Ms Healy Nolan said it is a really devastating, regressive disease. Its like having a newborn but shes the size of, obviously, a four-year-old. Penelope is fed through a tube and needs a plethora of medications just to function. She cant take anything by mouth, she cant sit, she cant use her arms and legs. Shes highly dependent." One of the problems the family is facing is that Penelope needs a specific postural chair to be able to sit, and the Healy Nolans got a supportive chair through the HSE. However, Penelope got that chair when she was two and has since grown and it needs to be adjusted. We've been left since November with a chair that Penelope cannot fit in, said Ms Healy Nolan. She said Penelope has either been sitting on their laps or in a P-Pod seat, which is like a bean bag with extra support. Penelope in the P-Pod. Picture: Katie Healy Nolan/Instagram Ms Healy Nolan said they had to buy the P-Pod themselves at a cost of almost 3,000. Theres no reason why Penelopes chair couldnt have been let out since November. Ms Healy Nolan said the chair was funded by the HSE and Enable Ireland is tasked with the adjustments. She added funding has been approved for a wheelchair for Penelope, but it is unclear as to when that will be received. Ms Healy Nolan said Penelope fell out of a chair the day before and that it was lucky their house has a lot of padded floors and cushions on the ground. She was very, very lucky that she fell onto a very padded piece of furniture. But she was absolutely terrified. The mother of three is looking to raise awareness of the struggles children like Penelope and her family go through and she said she has been asking for help for weeks and months. She said her calls are falling on deaf ears. People with no voices, they're the ones that are being silenced. Well, its not going to happen on my watch. Im going to shout very loud for Penelope and all like her who need help. She added children like Penelope have been completely ignored during the pandemic. Progressing Disability Services impact Ms Healy Nolan also highlighted how the recently introduced Progressing Disability Services has impacted them. According to the HSE, the programme recognises there are some very good services for children with disabilities and their families but also some large gaps. The HSE added it is changing the way services are provided across the country to make it equitable and consistent for all. Ms Healy Nolan said it has left children like Penelope to the four winds as therapists are going to different facilities to work in. Our care has been handed over to a completely new team who have never met Penelope. They havent met her yet so nothing has been done. When asked about the Healy Nolans case, Enable Ireland said that it is bound by confidentiality in relation [to] individual families who use our services. However, a statement did say that under the PDS programme, the number of children and families attending the new Lavanagh Centre in Curraheen has increased from 900 to 1,500. In Enable Ireland Cork, there are now three Childrens Network Disability Teams working from the centre to provide services including physiotherapy and hydrotherapy, speech and language, social work, psychology, early years education and occupational therapy. It added: We know any change in service provider can be a difficult and challenging period of transition for families and we are working closely with families and children to support them during this transition period. In relation to equipment, Enable Ireland said that its role is to carry out assessments and make referrals for the people in their services. Assessments are conducted by occupational therapists and/or physiotherapists depending on the equipment. Funding for the piece of equipment is then applied for through the HSE. Once funding is approved for an aid or appliance by the HSE, Enable Ireland orders the piece of equipment from the appropriate supplier. When the equipment is delivered it is then fitted for the child by an Occupational Therapist and any adjustments are made as required. She said her daughter also needs a shower seat and at present, she has to hold Penelope in the shower, which Ms Healy Nolan says is robbing her daughter of her dignity. Picture: Katie Healy Nolan/Instagram She said they recently tried to buy a shower seat privately from the UK but it felt through. Ms Healy Nolan is calling for a meeting with the Taoiseach to raise some of the issues her daughter, and those like her daughter, face. She said the delays her daughter has seen cannot happen to another child on his watch. She said: I was told by his office that theres never been so much money pumped into the disability sector and of all the fantastic things that he is doing. Well, its simply not true. They might be pumping money in, but there should be an investigation as to where that money is going. The people who need it are seeing none of it. Ms Healy Nolan said she had previously asked the Taoiseach to spend a few minutes with Penelope to see how she lives. She said one of her local TDs, Aindrias Moynihan, rang her on Wednesday night to say he would bring the situation to the attention of Micheal Martin. When asked for comment, a spokesperson for the Taoiseach said they have been in contact with the family. We have great sympathy for the huge challenges the family have faced in caring for their daughter Penelope. The Taoiseachs office has been in regular contact with the family, making a number of calls and emails to them, and on their behalf, since they phoned last week. It has engaged with Enable Ireland and The Cope Foundation to see if it could help the family in any way in arranging an assessment appointment, nursing hours and obtaining the equipment she needs. Her local TD Aindrias Moynihan has also been assisting the family for a number of weeks. 'Regressed' Ms Healy Nolan said that throughout lockdown, children like Penelope have regressed to such an incredible level without any therapy. She highlighted her daughter as an example, saying she has never been able to eat but was able to suck a soother sweet. She regressed so much that she can't even suck a soother anymore. And that was the only bit of comfort that child has had. She added: So I kind of feel very passionately that I want Micheal Martin not only to know what's happening, [but] to come and to see my daughter, and to see the chair and to see the floor that she fell on. Because the HSE are failing everybody, it would seem, but particularly the most vulnerable people of society who need help. It's just ignored. She said something like getting Penelopes chair adjusted is a battle, but it shouldnt be. The point is that it is a battle because people know that you've got the other option but to wait. And the problem is for kids like Penelope, she has her life limited. She doesn't have time. The equipment that is provided is of excellent quality, Ms Healy Nolan said but that getting it means being put on a waiting list and waiting for funding. The fact of the matter is that they put things on the long finger so much. And then if you complain, and if you complain to services, who are your base touch base at your service. If you complain to them, theyll give you a link to the HSE have your say segment and when you complain there, you know, you might get a reply you might not. Its just not good enough. She said she feels people have become desensitised to the struggles that some children go through and they are disenchanted with the whole system. The HSE has also been contacted for comment. 'I will not be turned away' Ms Healy Nolan has said that she is not going to give up. Im going to go to the Dail and I will stand outside with my daughter and I will not be turned away until somebody talks to me and tells me and outlines what they are going to do to stop children like Penelope falling from a seat. Ms Healy Nolan also highlighted the exhaustion facing carers, which she feels isnt discussed enough. I have to fill and administer extremely strong drugs for my daughter. I'm doing so purely exhausted. She said: If youre .5 of a millimetre too strong for her size and her weight, youre in trouble. We have a lot on our shoulders, we have a huge amount on our shoulders, and we treat our children with absolutely nothing but love. Galveston, TX (77553) Today Sunshine and clouds mixed. High 86F. Winds SSE at 15 to 25 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy. Low near 80F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. CATANIA - A preliminary hearings judge in Catania on Friday cleared League leader Matteo Salvini of accusations that he effectively abducted 131 migrants who had been rescued at sea by refusing to allow the Gregoretti.coast guard ship that they were aboard to dock for several days when he was interior minister in July 2019. The judge upheld requests from both the defence team and prosecutors to drop the case and not send Salvini to trial. The State attorney had said no crime had been committed as Salvini "did not violate any national and international convention" and that his choice to refuse a landing berth was a policy agreed on with the rest of the government of the day. Salvini, who was interior minister from June 2018 to September 2019 in ex-premier Giuseppe Conte's first government, has repeatedly said he acted in the national interest. Nacogdoches, TX (75965) Today Cloudy early with peeks of sunshine expected late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 89F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight A few clouds. Low 74F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art (JSMA) offers artists a platform to showcase their art. Due to the current circumstances in regards to COVID-19, the museum has temporarily closed their doors to the public. The JSMA is located on the University of Oregon campus in Eugene, Ore. (Kevin Wang/Emerald) .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. This weekend, the Albuquerque Journal, in partnership with KOAT-TV and KKOB News Radio, will launch a yearlong, coordinated effort to explore the issues and seek potential solutions to New Mexicos ongoing literacy crisis the state ranks 49th in the country and has made no measurable progress in the last 20 years. Through The Literacy Project, the three newsrooms and their producers, reporters and editors will publish and air in-depth stories and interviews to identify gaps, resources and opportunities to create positive, workable solutions. Literacy is one of the most crucial, liberating and illuminating tools a person can acquire, says Albuquerque Journal Publisher William Lang. The ability to read elevates an individual personally, economically and socially. Despite New Mexicos devastatingly low literacy rates, we believe they can be improved with strategic effort thus improving the lives of many New Mexicans. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ KOAT-TV President and General Manager Lori Waldon said of the partnership, We are proud to unite in this powerful way to shine a light on a very critical issue. Literacy is the gateway to increasing educational opportunity for many New Mexicans. Literacy is empowering and it is transformative. It lifts children and adults out of poverty. And its an important building block to raising New Mexicos level of education. Jeff Berry, Cumulus Radio Group regional manager, feels this multimedia, multiplatform approach is the perfect way to inspire tangible progress and improvements. As news leaders, we know how to be catalysts for change. We know how to get the attention of government and industry. We know how to rally public opinion and support. We want to use our joint strength and training to serve the state in a way that can truly enhance and assist public and private educational efforts. Each organization has assigned some of their top reporters to this complex issue. KOAT-TV News Director Jess ONeill is working with anchor Shelly Ribando; Assistant City Editor Mike Murphy and staff writer Rick Nathanson are spearheading the Journals coverage; and 96.3 News Radio KKOB Operations Manager Jared Hart has assigned Haylee Gonzales. As we kicked off this effort, one fact became apparent: There is a multitude of private, nonprofit and government organizations and individuals who care deeply about this issue and who are already making a difference. We hope to share some of their stories, and make available a resource bank where the public can find the services that best fit their needs. Whether a 6-year-old needs someone to read to them or a single mom who dropped out of school needs help deciphering job postings or a recent immigrant seeks to learn English the challenges can be immense. But the single act of learning to read can change a life. As KOATs Waldon said: We hope that The Literacy Project will spark all New Mexicans to take action in their own communities. Raising our literacy level will lift our entire state. So please join us on our ride as we spotlight this critical issue. We welcome your feedback whether its to tell us the story of your challenges or a story about a group with proven successes. Together, we can do this. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. Authorities say the missing mother and child believed to have been kidnapped by a Roswell murder suspect have been located. An Amber Alert was issued for 2-year-old Dayton Lerma late Thursday night, but that alert was cancelled about three hours later with State Police saying the boy and his 26-year-old mother Celeste Alvidres had been located. They said murder suspect John Lerma, 29, had also been located. No other details were provided. In the initial Amber Alert, Roswell police said Dayton had last been seen on Tuesday and that the three may be in Hagerman. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ John Lerma is charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence in the stabbing death of Mario Olivas on Tuesday morning at a home in Roswell. Roswell police responded to a stabbing at a home on the 200 block of Mathews. They found Olivas fatally stabbed. Witnesses told police two men showed up to the home and attacked him, one armed with a knife. According to court records, police identified Lerma, a neighbor, as a suspect through surveillance video. A witness subsequently picked him from a photo lineup as the man who stabbed Olivas. Lawton, OK (73501) Today Some sun this morning with increasing clouds this afternoon. High 91F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Clear to partly cloudy. Low 74F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... The world Azazel Jacobs puts a spotlight on in the film French Exit is one of mystery and intrigue. The director wanted to tell this story and help viewers escape from reality. I wanted this ability to spend this time with these strange characters and this strange story, Jacobs says in a recent interview. To go on this journey, its so attractive to me. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ French Exit stars Michelle Pfeiffer as 60-year-old penniless Manhattan socialite Frances Price. Her husband, Franklin, has been dead for 12 years, and with his vast inheritance gone, she cashes in the last of her possessions and resolves to live out her twilight days anonymously in a borrowed apartment in Paris, accompanied by her directionless son, Malcolm, played by Lucas Hedges, and a cat named Small Frank who may or may not embody the spirit of Frances dead husband. The film hit theaters on April 2 and is now available for rental or purchase on digital streaming platforms. Jacobs says French Exit takes viewers into a world that we arent privy to. The film gave me a chance to create the world that was interesting, something different and strange, he says. It has all these different tones. It has drama and connects in these weird ways. Jacobs says his intention was to create a timeless film. This film exists in its own time, he says. In terms of painting and the clothes that people are wearing, there are elements that the people can control. It felt like the stakes were so much higher than Im used to. At the helm of this production, he found like-minded people to move the project forward. It really was a collaboration, he says. I found myself in each of these characters, and there are plenty of questions asked. Its a film like no other. Writer Patrick DeWitt met with Jacobs over three years ago to discuss the book and film. Patrick had showed me the manuscript about three years go, Jacobs says. Were close friends, and he wanted feedback. I read it and immediately asked him to do a film based on the book. We started the film before the book was finished. The film was shot in Montreal and Paris. I finished the film a week before everything shut down, Jacobs recalls. Jacobs was excited for the film to get a theatrical release as theaters began to open this spring. I havent seen the film with an audience yet, he says. Im grateful people have been able to see the film the way it was supposed to be seen. Now streaming French Exit, directed by Azazel Jacobs and starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Lucas Hedges, is available for rent or purchase on digital streaming platforms Position Job Title - Counselor College/Division DACC Dona Ana CC Department 941650-Student Accessibility Services Position Number T98354 Appointment Full-time Equivalency 1.0 Target Hourly/Salary Rate 41,820 Commensurate with Qualifications Pay Level 08 Pay Base Salary Recruitment Summary Dona Ana Community College (DACC) is a comprehensive, learning-centered community college dedicated to a diverse population of learners in support of student success, workforce and economic development and lifelong learning. Established in 1973 at the request of the Gadsden, Hatch and Las Cruces school boards, DACC continues to meet the educational needs of county residents by providing instruction leading to associate degrees and technical certificates as well as community and adult education opportunities. As the second largest community college in the state, DACC offers accessible and affordable higher education opportunities to more than 18,000 students annually with eight learning sites county-wide. As part of New Mexico State University, DACC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Job Duties and Responsibilities This position will provide individual professional mental health therapy to DACC students who identify the need for crisis management, coping skills counseling, depression, and anxiety. This position will also help in identifying best practices for managing anxiety for DACC students, faculty, and staff. This emergency hire will put on workshops, trainings, and presentations for the DACC community as a whole. Classification Summary Provides professional counseling to students on academic, financial, and personal matters. Provides individual and group therapy and counseling. Responsible for program development and evaluation, and outreach activities. Consults with academic departments and student affairs organizations. Classification Standard Duties Provide individual counseling to students in personal and interpersonal adjustment, academic concerns, and career and life planning. Provides referrals to outside resources. Consults with faculty, staff and others as appropriate to provide an optimum environment for student success. Serves as liaison when providing direct auxiliary aides and performs related duties as required. Knowledge University and department policies and procedures; principles and practices of organization and administration; counseling theory and techniques, career and academic counseling; crisis intervention and community resources; professional ethics; psychopathology; psychological assessment and consultation; referral resources; and human growth and development. Skills Problem identification, analysis, and resolution; facilitation of referrals; public contact and relations; short-and long-range planning. Abilities Travel periodically for training and consultation; communicate effectively in written and oral form; develop and maintain positive working relationships with students, faculty and staff; report preparation, recognition of when to consult with other professionals; maintain accurate and orderly records; use independent judgment and initiative; organize and direct activities; analyze and evaluate information; direct, evaluate, train and supervise the work of assigned personnel; safeguard confidential and privileged information. Required Education Masters degree in related field. Required Experience Must have experience in the provision of therapy and crisis intervention services. Equivalency None Preferred Qualifications Independent license is preferred (LPCC or LCSW).] Required Certification/License Must be Licensed Professional Counselor/Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPC/LPCC), Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), or Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in the State of New Mexico by date of employment. Special Requirements This position is housed under the Student Accessibility Services office at Dona Ana Community College. NMSUs Aggie Health and Wellness Center will provide managerial supervision and oversight related to the practice of counseling services. DACC will provide specific administrative oversight for the day-to-day operations. Other Departmental Requirements Standard Work Schedule Standard (M-F, 8-5) If not a Standard Work Schedule, please describe Physical Work Location State NM-New Mexico Physical Work Location County, if in New Mexico DA-Dona Ana Work Site East Mesa Campus Special Instructions to Applicants This is a TERM appointment not to exceed one (1) year. The electronic application is the official* document that will be used to qualify applicants. Paper/email documents will not be accepted. Required documents must be attached to this application. This position has a predetermined end date. Position is a benefit eligible position with an employment period that may not exceed one year, at which time the employee shall be required to have a 26-week break in employment in NMSU non-regular employment recblid en5z8mwup81o5i8qj6whfipyg9ir56 New York, May 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Indonesia Textiles Industry - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2021 - 2026)" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06067783/?utm_source=GNW - Textile and Textile Product Industry (TPT) was encouraged by the government to innovate to meet the needs of fashion industry, and is expected to be able to capture business opportunities. Key Market Trends Accelerating Exports Growth to Drive the Market - Indonesia is among the top 10 textile-producing nations in the world. The country is also the 12th largest textile and apparel exporter, with major exporting destinations, including the United States, the European Union, and the Middle East. - Indonesia is accelerating a strategy to utilize its connections with the Muslim world to tap new export markets and boost trade amid downward pressure from the US-China trade tensions. - Several Muslim-majority countries, from the Middle East to Africa, now represent half of Indonesias trade missions and negotiations. Textile products are now being hugely shipped to these countries, which provides the needed positive impact on the market growth. - According to the Mordors Analysis, Indonesias competitiveness has improved in the textile sector, which has attracted more investment because of the countrys stable economy. - In 2015, Indonesian Textile Association (API) mentioned that 47 textile factories were moved from West Java and Banten to Central Java, as the minimum wages rose too steeply in West Java and Banten. Central Java still offers a relatively cheap production environment. - In addition, Australia and Indonesia signed the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. It is reported that the textile industry of Indonesia is expected to benefit the most from the agreement. - The country majorly imports cotton from the United States, Australia, and Brazil, which amounts for USD 300 to USD 600 million per year. - Thus, the above-mentioned factors are driving the textile industry in Indonesia. Fabrics Stand Out as the Largest Segment - The Fabrics segment accounted for around 28%, by volume, and around 40%, by revenue. - Domestic demand for garments is also rising, owing to the rising purchasing power of people, demand for new fashion, expansion of internet retailing, and growing sales channels. - Industry 4.0 technologies have been regarded as the key to creating smart factories in Indonesias apparel sector, with the country rolling out an ambitious plan to digitalize the industry, as part of its plan to make the worlds top five textile and apparel producers by 2030. - Making Indonesia 4.0 encourages the countys growing apparel sector to adopt new technologies, such as virtual reality, 3D design, automation, and using the IoT (Internet of Things). - Such factors in turn are boosting the demand for the market studied. Competitive Landscape The Indonesian textile industry is highly fragmented in nature, with the presence of a huge number of local and international players in the market. The key players in the polycarbonate market are PT. Sri Rejeki Isman Tbk, PT. Asia Pacific Fibers Tbk, Indorama Corporation (PT. Indo-Rama Synthetics Tbk), PT. Pan Brothers Tbk, and PT. Tifico Fiber Indonesia Tbk, among others. Reasons to Purchase this report: - The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format - 3 months of analyst support Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06067783/?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. __________________________ EBRD President on virtual visit to Romania EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso paid her first official visit to Romania this week in virtual format. Her meetings with the government, private sector, international financial institutions and civil society focused on the post-Covid-19 recovery and the ways EBRD investments can support the countrys rebound and complement European Union funds. Romania is one of the fastest-growing economies in the EU and has huge potential to unleash, the President said. Learn more here. First green bond issued by bank in Romania The EBRD Presidents visit was accompanied by the first green bond issue in the country to date issued by Raiffeisen Bank Romania. The EBRD invested RON 53 million (11 million equivalent) in the senior preferred green bond, reinforcing the Banks position as a leader in green finance and a strong supporter of capital markets. EBRD Regional Director Mark Davies hailed the successful placement: This pioneering move will pave the way for the creation of more securities intended to support sustainability, as the strong market reaction indicates. Learn more here and here Investing in Latvenergo green bonds The EBRD supported a 50 million green bond issuance by Latvenergo AS, Latvias state-owned energy utility, by acting as an anchor investor. The new funds will support the integration of more renewable sources into Latvias electricity network, especially small and medium-sized solar and wind projects as well as increasing the reliability of the countrys energy supply. Learn more here and here Backing real estate green bond in CEE The EBRD subscribed to a 24.7 million ticket as part of an inaugural five-year 300 million green bond issuance by MAS Securities BV, an investor and operator of predominantly retail real-estate assets. The funds will be used to acquire properties and the development of green and sustainable retail and residential assets, predominantly in Romania and central and eastern Europe. Learn more More support for SMEs in North Macedonia The EBRD is extending its SME Competitiveness Programme in North Macedonia by providing a 1 million loan to Sparkasse Leasing for on-lending to local SMEs for funds to invest in upgrades, including in technology, equipment or vehicles, with a view to reaching EU standards, particularly those related to product quality and safety, health and safety, and energy efficiency. Learn more Warsaw Stock Exchange adopts ESG guidelines Drafted in collaboration with the EBRD, the Warsaw Stock Exchange has published its first set of ESG (environmental, social, governance) reporting guidelines for investors and listed companies together with a reporting manual. The guidelines aim at supporting the transition to a climate-neutral, green, competitive and inclusive economy and position Warsaw Stock Exchange as a sustainability leader in the region, said Grzegorz Zielinski, EBRD Regional Director, central Europe and the Baltics. Learn more Donors Monthly donor update Check out this month's #EBRDdonors newsletter featuring our top donor stories and video of the month, a spotlight on some of our colleagues favourite donor projects, and much more Learn more EBRD in the news EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso spoke at Delphi Economic Forum and highlighted the Bank's work in Greece and the Covid-19 response. The Delphi Economic Forum is Greeces most high-profile gathering that brings together political decision makers, business representatives and opinion formers from the country, the region and Europe. The EBRD President also set out how the Bank helps build back better, while prioritising green, inclusive and digital investments. Learn more here and here In an interview with the Egyptian business newsletter Enterprise, President Renauld-Basso and EBRD Managing Director for the southern and eastern Mediterranean, Heike Harmgart, set out the Banks plans for the greening of the countrys economy. The priority now must be a long-term strategy, they emphasised. Learn more here EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso and the Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine, Kyrylo Shevchenko, discussed the situation in the countrys financial sector, the macroeconomic policy to support the economy and the financial sector in the context of the coronavirus pandemic. Learn more here and here EBRD in social media EBRD Director of Research, Ralph De Haas, wrote for Vox on how microcredits can become a more effective tool for increasing living standards Learn more The EBRD supported Mental Health Awareness week Learn more EBRD President shared her thoughts on mental health awareness on LinkedIn Learn more EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso and the Managing Director for the southern and eastern Mediterranean, Heike Harmgart, spoke on Egypts green economy to Enterprise news outlet. Learn more READERS APPEAL - We want to hear from you! At the EBRD we strive to provide climate-friendly and environmentally sustainable communications that are relevant and interesting to all our stakeholders, but we can only improve by getting feedback. Please click here to take our five-minute survey. Subscribe to instant email updates on EBRD news about topics such as coronavirus and climate finance. Sign up YEREVAN. By violating the border of Armenia, Azerbaijan has violated the legislation, territorial integrity of our state; in this sense, our actions can be in two directions. Edmon Marukyan, chairman of the opposition Bright Armenia Party (BAP) and head of its parliamentary faction, told this to a press conference Friday. "The first is that from the very beginning, when crossing, an attempt should have been made [by the Armenian side] to prevent and strike if they [the Azerbaijanis] did not stop. But the situation is such that they came, were deployed, then they were detected because after the [recent Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh)] war, we [Armenia] have about 540 km of new border which, in fact, is not equipped everywhere, and not everywhere there are troops or border guards. Negotiations began after the detection. As a result of the negotiations, the Armenian side has a legitimate right, if Azerbaijan does not give in, to use all the tools at its disposal, including the use of force. However, the negotiations that are taking place at the moment, the means that are being used are right because all the means must be exhausted, then the last meansthe use of forceremains. There is hope that the Azerbaijani side will withdraw as a result of the talks," Marukyan said. Also, he considered it a right step that the Armenian authorities have petitioned to the CSTO for assistance on this regard because a new tension is escalating within the borders of a CSTO member stateArmenia. "I have criticized [the Armenian authorities] a lot in the past that they did not apply [to the CTO]. Now I say that they did the right thing that they applied. Obviously, this is not a domestic political issue for me," the BAP leader emphasized in particular. Marukyan added that all the inter-parliamentary friendship groups as well as the international parliamentary organizations have been informed of the situation, and various international organizations are already responding. "Let us continue working on the international platform, increase the pressure on Azerbaijan to withdraw. If not, I believe the Armenian side should not tolerate [it] in any way and should resort to other means. Azerbaijan will not settle down in any way if it sees that this incident was tolerated by both us and the CSTO," he said. Negotiations are in progress, and there are still no final results during the negotiations with the Azerbaijani side in Syunik Province. This is what acting Deputy Prime Minister of Armenia Tigran Avinyan told reporters in Goris today. Im certain that Armenia will achieve a solution to the issue either way because its very clear that the Azerbaijani Armed Forces have invaded the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia, and we definitely want to solve the situation peacefully, Avinyan said, adding that even though Armenia is ready to hold negotiations calmly and peacefully, it needs to be ready for the possible negative developments. We not only need to be ready to protect our sovereign territory, but also anticipate the support from our allies in case of a bad scenario. However, I hope we wont witness bad scenarios, he added. The acting Deputy Prime Minister stated that the Azerbaijanis are showing fake maps that are unknown and have nothing to do with the reality. The Azerbaijanis say they dont want to take any action that will further deepen the tension, but Armenia is ready for all the possible scenarios. Yesterdays session the Security Council and Armenias petition to the Collective Security Treaty Organization are aimed at preventing the possible development of such scenarios, he said. Offer a personal message of sympathy... By sharing a fond memory or writing a kind tribute, you will be providing a comforting keepsake to those in mourning. If you have an existing account with this site, you may log in with that below. Otherwise, you can create an account by clicking on the Log in button below, and then register to create your account. DALLAS, Texas, May 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HXPN, Inc. (OTCQB: HXPN), an emerging technologies and mineral resources development company, today announced that Stephen (Steve) L. Bailey has been named as Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, as well as interim Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Baileys employment with HXPN commenced on May 10, 2021. He was a consultant to the Company for several months prior to his employment. HXPN, Inc., also known as Harris Exploration Inc., a Nevada corporation, has been inactive for the last several years while the Board searched for a new CEO to lead and establish a vision and direction for the Company. The Company will continue its historic focus on mineral resources development and will also pursue investments in emerging technologies. Bailey has more than 12 years of senior management experience, most recently as President and Chief Executive Officer of Sapphire Exploration LLC, a private oil and gas exploration company that he founded in 2016. Prior to that, Bailey served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Gulf Energy Exploration Corp., an Austin, Tx-based natural gas exploration and production company, since 2009, and as its Chief Financial Officer since 2008. Prior to that, Bailey was an independent consultant to public companies for Sarbanes-Oxley implementation and compliance since 2001. Prior to that, Bailey was an auditor and business consultant for a Big Four public accounting firm. Steve is the right leader for HXPN, said Perry Cook, HXPN Board member. Steves extensive mineral resources and financial background will help HXPN in the development of strategic alliances and partnerships that are critical to the Companys expanded focus. We believe his strong leadership experience will help grow the Companys revenue and quickly achieve profitability. I am very excited to be joining the HXPN organization, said Steve Bailey. I believe HXPN has a great business model that will uniquely position it to capitalize on the ever-changing world economic and geopolitical environment. As technology evolution and development will continue to drive the growth of the most successful organizations, my goal is for HXPN to be on the leading edge of that evolution. I look forward to rolling out the Companys plans and activities in the coming days, weeks and months ahead. Bailey received a BBA Degree in Accounting and Information Systems from Baylor University. He holds the CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor) and CPA certifications, and is not currently licensed for practice as a certified public accountant. About HXPN, Inc. Based in Dallas, Texas, the company is engaged in the acquisition and development of emerging technologies that will impact everyday life. Additionally, the company seeks to acquire mineral resources necessary for the sustainability of daily life in our ever-changing world. Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This news release may contain "forward-looking statements," as that term is defined in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Statements in this news release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions for the future. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, the ongoing effect(s) of domestic and world economic conditions and any related impact(s) on the potential business development and future interest in our technology and resources investments. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, general economic and political conditions, and other domestic and world events. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this news release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. HXPN, Inc is currently a non-reporting OTC-quoted Pink No Information company, and is actively pursuing compliance with recently-amended SEC Rule 15c2-11, which requires that companies make current information publicly available to maintain a market. The company expects to achieve full compliance by June 30, 2021. Investors should consult all information set forth herein and on the Companys website for the latest available information. CONTACT: HXPN, Inc. Stephen L. Bailey, President 2911 Turtle Creek Boulevard, Suite 300 Dallas, TX 75219 (833) 250-6645 Investors & Analysts Contact: HXPN Investor Relations (833) 250-6645 ir@hxpninc.com For more information, visit HXPN's website: www.hxpninc.com ### ROME - Greece has given the official go-ahead for its tourist season with the government and tour operators hoping for an increase in revenue after the very negative figures seen last summer due to the COVID-19 pandemic, reported the Kathimerini daily online. Tourism minister Harry Theoharis said during a press conference on Thursday at the Poseidon temple in Cape Sunio near Athens that "we are lifting the anchor". "We are leaving the dark clouds of fear and insecurity behind us," he added, underscoring that there are millions of foreign tourists eager to return to Greece to enjoy the "sun and turquoise sea". The latest anti-COVID measures announced by the government in recent days require anyone travelling to the Greek islands via land or sea to show a vaccination certificate or a negative test result. The largest European tour operator, TUI, has planned 120 flights to Greece between today and the end of the month, with six that are scheduled to arrive on Friday and 15 others on Saturday. For the rest of the world, there are 40 International flights slated to arrive in 14 airports across the country and 110 others on Saturday. Greece has vaccinated four million people in the country, of whom about 1.4 million have already received their second dose. Speaking at the handing-over ceremony in Hanoi, VUFO President Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga said over the past two week, both Vietnam and Cambodia are facing the complexity of the pandemic. The Vietnamese government and people are concerned about the developments of the pandemic in countries in the region, especially neighbouring nations. People of countries need to join hands to deal with the health crisis, she stressed. Cambodian Ambassador to Vietnam Chay Navuth affirmed that the assistance reflects the solidarity and friendship between the two countries. He affirmed that his country will use the aid effectively for its COVID-19 prevention and control. The Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Association launched a campaign to raise fund to support Cambodia people to fight COVID-19 during April 28 - May 7. The campaign received warm response from members of the association and its chapters nationwide. The Fauquier Times is honored to serve as your community companion. To say thank you, we are excited to offer 4 weeks FREE Digital & Print access to all subscribers new and returning alike. We are dedicated to continuing providing reliable, high quality journalism. This is possible with the trust and support of our subscribers in the community we are proud to serve. TEL AVIV - Israeli armed forces continued Friday to bomb Hamas positions in the Gaza Strip after a volley of rockets from the Palestinian enclave on Thursday. They instead denied, in the middle of the night, that they had begun a ground offensive - which they themselves had mistakenly announced. "The last has not yet been said and this operation will continue for the time needed," Israeli prime minister Benyamin Netanyahu wrote in a message on Twitter after the Army announcement that ground operations had begun in addition to airstrikes. For the entire day of Thursday, while rockets continued to rain down on Israeli territory - at least 2,000 recorded thus far - Israel continued to mass troops on the border with the Gaza Strip and call up other reservists, making observers believe that a ground operation was imminent. The possibility had repeatedly been brought up by military officials. Airstrikes also continued throughout the night: 160 Israeli airstrikes hit over 150 "underground targets" in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, according to a statement issued by the Armed Forces. In one of the Israeli bombings in Sheikh Zayed, in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, an entire family including four children and a pregnant mother were killed: at least 11 dead and 50 injured, according to the WAFA news agency. The Gaza health ministry was quoted by local sources as saying that the death toll in the Gaza Strip had risen to 119, including 31 children and 19 women, while at least 830 people have been injured. Given the escalation of the conflict, the UN Security Council will be meeting to discuss the issue on Sunday. Fairfield, MT (59436) Today Cloudy early with peeks of sunshine expected late. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 69F. Winds N at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 47F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph. 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. A North Cork school has notified parents of a Covid outbreak, with a number of children sent home as a precautionary measure. In a letter to parents, Scoil Bhride in Rathcormac said a public health risk assessment was being undertaken and anyone identified as a close contact of a confirmed case had been contacted and advised. The school emphasized that children who are not close contacts, do not need a Covid test and can continue attending their classes. The primary school also said that the Department of Public Health HSE-South is monitoring the situation closely. Following the news of the outbreak, the local GAA club, Bride Rovers Juvenile Club, decided to stand down all activities for age groups up to and including U12 grade this weekend. In a message to parents, the club said in light of the recent increase of covid incidence in the community, it was necessary to restrict the sessions. For all other age groups planned activities may go ahead but ask anyone with a connection to primary school or a close contact to refrain from attending. We ask all members to maintain their vigilance with regard to covid protocols and to follow HSE advice where directed. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... DALLAS A man who fled to Mexico 18 years ago after being released on bond in Dallas has been sentenced to life in prison in the strangulation deaths of three women, prosecutors said Thursday. Jose Sifuentes, 43, pleaded guilty to three murder charges, the Dallas County district attorneys office said. Prosecutors said that as part of a plea agreement, hes been given three life sentences, which will run concurrently. Prosecutors said Sifuentes was linked by DNA to the rapes and killings of Veronica Hernandez, 27, Maria de Lourdes Perales, 20, and Erica Olivia Hernandez, 23. They say he met his victims in bars and clubs. In May 2003, Sifuentes was arrested on a murder charge in the death of Veronica Hernandez, whose body was found in a mechanic shop where he worked. After spending two months in jail, he posted bond and fled. He was indicted after leaving, prosecutors said. Sifuentes was extradited back from Mexico last year. Prosecutors said DNA collected at the time of the 2003 arrest later linked Sifuentes to the slayings of Perales and Erica Hernandez in 1998. Perales body was found in a neighborhood in February 1998. Erica Hernandezs body was found on a construction site about four months later. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ YEREVAN. A telephone conversation took place between the secretaries of the Armenian and Russian Security Councils, Armen Grigoryan and Nikolay Patrushev, the press service of the Security Council of Armenia informed Armenian News-NEWS.am. The key topic of this phone talk was the current situation on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border. The parties exchanged respective views and discussed possible solutions to this matter. Presenting the situation, Grigoryan stressed that Armenia views this as Azerbaijan's encroachment on the sovereign territory of Armenia, this is unacceptable for the latter, and therefore the Azerbaijani armed units must leave these territories and return to their own positions. Grigoryan also stressed that the respective territorial claims of the Azerbaijani side are unfounded, and that there are still maps left from the Soviet period, and which validate the fact that the above-mentioned territories are Armenian. Speaking about Armenia's petition to the CSTO, Armen Grigoryan highlighted the possibility of launching necessary mechanisms within this organization in order to resolve this issue as soon as possible. In his turn, Nikolay Patrushev lauded the restraint of the Armenian side on this matter, emphasizing the need to use all possible diplomatic efforts to resolve this issue, adding that the Russian side is working intensively at all levels to resolve this issue as soon as possible. WASHINGTON, May 03, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FTI Consulting, Inc. (NYSE: FCN) today announced that it has completed its acquisition of The Rhodes Group, a leading construction consulting firm with offices in Pittsburgh and Houston. With the completion of the acquisition, approximately 40 billable professionals from The Rhodes Group, including one Senior Managing Director and three Managing Directors, join the Construction & Environmental Solutions practice within the Forensic and Litigation Consulting segment at FTI Consulting. Andrew Rhodes, the Founder and President of The Rhodes Group, joins FTI Consulting as a Senior Managing Director. Founded in 1999, The Rhodes Group provides construction advisory, forensic accounting and expert testimony services to clients throughout the entire project lifecycle, from preconstruction through formal dispute resolution, with a focus on the power, oil and gas, industrial, infrastructure and commercial building sectors. The acquisition further enhances FTI Consultings leading advisory, dispute resolution and expert testimony capabilities in North America and provides The Rhodes Groups existing clients with access to FTI Consultings global, diversified platform. Commenting on the completion of the acquisition, Steven H. Gunby, President and Chief Executive Officer of FTI Consulting, said, This combination brings together two leading teams that are committed to helping law firms, contractors and owners manage complex disputes and disruption. We are excited to officially welcome The Rhodes Group to FTI Consulting, and we look forward to continued deep collaboration with our clients and creating more opportunities for our people to grow and develop. Mr. Rhodes added, We are proud of what we have built at The Rhodes Group, and we believe FTI Consulting is the right home for us to further enhance the services we provide our clients while extending FTI Consultings position as a leader in the construction consulting industry. We are excited to join our new colleagues and to continue to provide our clients with the highest quality service and to help them meet their needs on complex construction projects. More information is available in the press release announcing the acquisition. About FTI Consulting FTI Consulting, Inc. is a global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations manage change, mitigate risk and resolve disputes: financial, legal, operational, political & regulatory, reputational and transactional. With more than 6,400 employees located in 29 countries, FTI Consulting professionals work closely with clients to anticipate, illuminate and overcome complex business challenges and make the most of opportunities. The Company generated $2.46 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2020. For more information, visit www.fticonsulting.com and connect with us on Twitter (@FTIConsulting), Facebook and LinkedIn. Safe Harbor Statement This press release includes 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, which involve uncertainties and risks. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning our plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events, future revenues, future results and performance, expenses, expectations, plans or intentions relating to acquisitions, dispositions, financing transactions, share repurchases and other matters, business trends and other information that is not historical, including statements regarding estimates of our future financial results. When used in this press release, words such as will, estimates, expects, anticipates, projects, plans, intends, believes, forecasts and variations of such words or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, expectations regarding the acquisition of The Rhodes Group, are based upon our expectations at the time we make them and various assumptions. Our expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith, and we believe there is a reasonable basis for them. However, there can be no assurance that managements expectations, beliefs and estimates will be achieved, and actual results may differ materially from our expectations, beliefs and estimates. Other factors that may affect the Companys expectations include the timing of the integration of The Rhodes Group and future acquisitions; the Companys ability to realize cost savings and efficiencies, competitive and general economic conditions; retention of staff and clients; new laws and regulations or changes thereto; the mix of services and products that we offer; the mix of the geographic locations where our clients are located or where services are performed; fluctuations in the price per share of our common stock; adverse financial, real estate or other market and general economic conditions; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related events that are beyond our control, which could affect our segments, practices and the geographic regions in which we conduct business differently and adversely; and other future events, which could impact each of our segments, practices and the geographic regions in which we conduct business differently and could be outside of our control; and other risks described under the heading Item 1A, Risk Factors in the Companys annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), including the risks set forth under Risks Related to Our Reportable Segments and Risks Related to Our Operations, and in the Companys other filings with the SEC. We are under no duty to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform such statements to actual results or events and do not intend to do so. Guardian Angel AS has been part of Anna Lorentzons life for the better part of six years now, so it is no surprise she developed a special connection with her familys homebred trotter. But their bond goes beyond mere success on the racetrack, where the stallion has won multiple Grand Circuit stakes and earned more than $1.5 million. He was my fathers favourite horse of the last 10 or 15 years, said Lorentzon, referring to John-Erik Magnusson, who passed away in 2018. As long as hes racing, its part of my dad. Every ACL (farm) horse is going to be part of my dad, but especially him because he was his pride the last few years before he passed away. He means a lot to the whole stable, thats for sure." Guardian Angel AS was bred in Kentucky by the familys ACL Stuteri AB and is trained by Lorentzons sister, Anette. The seven-year-old stallion, owned by ACL and Kjell Johansson, has won 25 of 65 career races and counts the 2019 Maple Leaf Trot and 2019 Spirit of Massachusetts among his top triumphs. He also won the 2019 Cleveland Trotting Classic with a world-record performance at Northfield Park and last year captured the Crawford Farms Open Trot. On Saturday, he will try to add the $141,250 Arthur J. Cutler Memorial at The Meadowlands to his credits. He heads to the annual event for older trotters off a fifth-place finish in the Charlie Hill Memorial on May 6 at Eldorado Scioto Downs. It was Guardian Angel AS first start of the year. Anette has been happy with him, said Lorentzon, who assists her sister by handling the stables horses in New Jersey and has traveled with Guardian Angel AS to all but two of his lifetime races. He always needs a couple of qualifiers and a start to get going. Hes proved that every year. He seems good. He trained good this week so were hoping for the best (Saturday) especially because we have a good draw. Hes a happy horse and still loves to do it. He doesnt do much wrong. He might want his way a little bit more now, but other than that, nothing. Guardian Angel AS and driver Tim Tetrick will start the Cutler from post three. Guardian Angel AS is 5-1 on the morning line in the 10-horse field. The Cutler morning-line favourite is seven-year-old stallion Lindy The Great, who is 2-for-2 this season for trainer Julie Miller and driver Andy Miller. A winner of $1.06 million lifetime, Lindy The Great is 3-1 and will start from post seven. I was happy with the draw; that was OK, the seven hole, Julie Miller said. We were prepping him for this race and hes had two good starts to get tight. He trained well this week, so hopefully we can get a little racing luck and have some go. It seems like hes grown into his own. With age, he just keeps getting better. I hope that continues for him. The race also features two award-winners making their first starts of 2021. Six-year-old mare Manchego, a two-time Dan Patch Award recipient, will start from post nine for trainer Nancy Takter and driver Dexter Dunn. She is 9-2. Forbidden Trade, Canadas 2019 Horse of the Year after winning that seasons Hambletonian Stakes, starts from post 10 for trainer Luc Blais and driver Bob McClure. He is 7-2. Saturdays card at The Meadowlands also includes two $50,000 divisions of the Graduate Series for four-year-old pacers. In addition, Dan Patch Award winner Amigo Volo makes his four-year-old debut in the $30,000 Preferred Trot. Racing begins at 6:20 p.m. (EDT) Saturday at The Meadowlands. The Meadowlands and TrackMaster have teamed to regularly provide free past performances for each race card. Past performances can be found on The Meadowlands' website. (USTA) Dublin, May 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Biodiesel Market 2021-2025" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The publisher has been monitoring the biodiesel market and it is poised to grow by $7.87 bn during 2021-2025, progressing at a CAGR of almost 5% during the forecast period. The report on biodiesel market provides a holistic analysis, market size and forecast, trends, growth drivers, and challenges, as well as vendor analysis covering around 25 vendors. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current global market scenario, latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment. The market is driven by the increasing demand for biofuel and growing demand for algae for the production of biodiesel. The biodiesel market analysis includes application segment and geographic landscape. This study identifies favorable government policies as one of the prime reasons driving the biodiesel market growth during the next few years. Companies Mentioned ALTEN Group Archer Daniels Midland Co. Argent Energy UK Limited BIOX Corp. Bunge Ltd. Cargill Inc. Louis Dreyfus Co. BV RB FUELS Renewable Energy Group Inc. Wilmar International Ltd. The report on biodiesel market covers the following areas: Biodiesel market sizing Biodiesel market forecast Biodiesel market industry analysis The study was conducted using an objective combination of primary and secondary information including inputs from key participants in the industry. The report contains a comprehensive market and vendor landscape in addition to an analysis of the key vendors. The publisher presents a detailed picture of the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources by an analysis of key parameters such as profit, pricing, competition, and promotions. It presents various market facets by identifying the key industry influencers. The data presented is comprehensive, reliable, and a result of extensive research - both primary and secondary. The market research reports provide a complete competitive landscape and an in-depth vendor selection methodology and analysis using qualitative and quantitative research to forecast the accurate market growth. Key Topics Covered: 1. Executive Summary Market Overview 2. Market Landscape Market ecosystem Value chain analysis 3. Market Sizing Market definition Market segment analysis Market size 2020 Market outlook: Forecast for 2020 - 2025 4. Five Forces Analysis Five force summary Bargaining power of buyers Bargaining power of suppliers Threat of new entrants Threat of substitutes Threat of rivalry Market condition 5. Market Segmentation by Application Market segments Comparison by Application Transport fuel - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Power generation - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Others - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Market opportunity by Application 6. Market Segmentation by Feedstock type Market segments Comparison by Feedstock type Vegetable oil - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Animal fats - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Others - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Market opportunity by Feedstock type 7. Customer landscape Overview 8. Geographic Landscape Geographic segmentation Geographic comparison APAC - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 North America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Europe - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 South America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 MEA - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Key leading countries Market opportunity by geography Market drivers Market challenges Market trends 9. Vendor Landscape Vendor landscape Landscape disruption 10. Vendor Analysis Vendors covered Market positioning of vendors ALTEN Group Archer Daniels Midland Co. Argent Energy UK Limited BIOX Corp. Bunge Ltd. Cargill Inc. Louis Dreyfus Co. BV RB FUELS Renewable Energy Group Inc. Wilmar International Ltd. 11. Appendix Scope of the report Currency conversion rates for US$ Research methodology List of abbreviations For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/7d4qbk The number of recorded COVID-19 infections in India climbed above 24 million on Friday amid reports that the highly transmissible coronavirus mutant first detected in the country was spreading across the globe. The Indian B.1.617 variant of the virus has been found in cases in eight countries of the Americas, including Canada and the United States, said Jairo Mendez, a WHO infectious diseases expert. People infected by the variant included travellers in Panama and Argentina who had arrived from India or Europe. In the Caribbean, cases of the Indian variant have been detected in Aruba, Dutch St Maarten and the French department of Guadeloupe. The mutant strain has also been detected in Britain, as well as in Singapore. "These variants have a greater capacity for transmission, but so far we have not found any collateral consequences," Mendez said. "The only worry is that they spread faster." Public Health England said the total number of confirmed cases of the variant had more than doubled in the past week to 1,313 across the United Kingdom. We are anxious about it - it has been spreading, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, adding that there would be meetings to discuss what to do. Were ruling nothing out, he added. Volunteers take a break during the cremation of people who died due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), at a crematorium ground in Giddenahalli village on the outskirts of Bengaluru, India, May 13, 2021. Photo: Reuters According to health ministry data, India recorded 4,000 deaths and 343,144 infections in the last 24 hours. It was the third consecutive day of 4,000 or more deaths but daily infections have stayed below a peak of 414,188 last week. While the total number of recorded infections crossed 24 million, the number of people confirmed to have died from COVID-19 stood at 262,317 since the pandemic first struck India over a year ago. But a lack of testing in many places meant a lot of deaths and infections were omitted from the official count, and experts say the real numbers could be five to ten times higher. Bhramar Mukherjee, a professor of epidemiology at the University of Michigan, said most models had predicted a peak this week and that the country could be seeing signs of that trend. Still, the number of new cases each day is large enough to overwhelm hospitals, she said on Twitter on Thursday. "The key word is cautious optimism." The situation is particularly bad in rural areas of Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state with a population of over 240 million. Television pictures have shown families weeping over the dead in rural hospitals or camping in wards to tend the sick. Bodies have washed up in the Ganges, the river that flows through the state, as crematoriums are overwhelmed and wood for funeral pyres is in short supply. Minakshamma, 68, receives a dose of COVISHIELD, a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine manufactured by Serum Institute of India, at a vaccination centre in Bengaluru, May 13, 2021. Photo: Reuters Clamour for vaccines The second wave of infections, which erupted in February, has been accompanied by a slowdown in vaccinations, although Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that vaccinations would be open to all adults from May 1. India is the world's largest vaccine producer but has run low on stocks in the face of the huge demand. As of Thursday, it had fully vaccinated just over 38.2 million people, or about 2.8% of a population of about 1.35 billion, government data shows. More than 2 billion doses of coronavirus vaccines will likely be available in India between August to December this year, top government adviser V.K.Paul told reporters amid criticism that the government had mishandled the vaccine plan. Those doses would include 750 million of AstraZeneca's vaccine, as well as 550 million doses of Covaxin, made by Bharat Biotech. We are going through a phase of finite supply. The entire world is going through this. It takes time to come out of this phase, Paul said. A WREATH will be laid on the steps of Henley town hall tomorrow (Saturday) to mark the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the Royal British Legion. The Henley and Peppard branch of the charity will be recreating the moment when the national body was formed with the ceremony, which will begin at 9am, in line with current coronavirus restrictions. A commemoration service will be held in St Marys Church at noon, conducted by Fr Jeremy Tayler, rector of Henley with Remenham. Four legion standards will be present. The Henley branch standard will be presented by president John Green, the Peppard standard by Col Nicholas Launders, the Henley Army cadets standard by CSgt Jamie Forehand and the Dunkirk Veterans standard by James Nelson. Henley Mayor and Mayoress Ken and Dorothy Arlett, Deputy Mayor David Eggleton, branch chairman Anne Evans and branch patron Lt Cl Peter Blaker will also be in attendance. Everyone is welcome to attend the service and is asked to arrive in good time to be sure of a place. Mrs Evans said: The Royal British Legion was formed in the aftermath of the First World War when on May 15, 1921, a wet and dreary day, a small number of ex-servicemen walked to the Cenotaph war memorial in Londons Whitehall. As Big Ben struck 9am, four men representing societies that for three years had been rivals laid a wreath at the base of the memorial. On that wreath were the badges of the four organisations that came together to fight the injustices faced by those returning home after service and would officially amalgamate to form the British Legion in 2021. From the beginning we campaigned for fair treatment of those who had given so much for their country during the war and provided much-needed welfare support and comradeship to millions. An article published by the China Society for Human Rights Studies on Friday lashed out at the US for severe humanitarian disasters and aggressive wars against foreign countries since the end of World War II, stripping Washington of the human rights highland as the Biden administration tries to wield weapons of human rights violation to crack down on Beijing. The US has waged wars on foreign countries and regions such as North Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria under the banner of "humanitarian intervention," causing a massive loss of military lives, serious civilian casualties, as well as property damage, said the article titled Severe Humanitarian Disasters Caused by US Aggressive Wars against Foreign Countries. Since the end of WWII to 2001, roughly 248 military conflicts occurred in 153 regions around the world, of which the US waged 201, accounting for 80 percent of all wars worldwide, according to the article. The large number of wars has devastated numerous lives and families. For example, in Afghanistan alone, there were an estimated 11 million who have become refugees as a result of the US-initiated war. The humanitarian crisis caused by military actions stems from the hegemonic mentality of the US, the article read, noting that it is ridiculous to expect a hegemonic country to defend the human rights of other countries. Democratic Unionist Party leadership contenders Jeffrey Donaldson and Edwin Poots have issued eve-of-poll messages in a final bid to clinch the position. The pair are running to replace outgoing leader Arlene Foster who announced her resignation last month. It is the first leadership contest in the DUPs 50-year history. DUP leader Arlene Foster (Niall Carson/PA) Mr Donaldson and Mr Poots face several challenges, including post-Brexit trading arrangements under the Northern Ireland Protocol, which has been reviled by unionists and loyalists as a border in the Irish Sea. They will also want to unite unionism which is in such turmoil that the leader of the second largest pro-union party, the UUP, has also stepped down. Just one candidate, former army captain Doug Beattie, has indicated he will run to replace outgoing leader Steve Aiken. Under a strength and experience to lead strapline, Mr Poots, the current Stormont Agriculture minister, tells the party electorate that he believes he has the right plan to reform our party and to reinvigorate unionism. Mr Poots previously indicated he will nominate a colleague to serve as first minister. Mr Donaldsons final message to voters includes a pledge to stand in the next Assembly election, scheduled to take place in May 2021, and become first minister. He has promised major changes and greater participative structures within the party, and pledged to provide united leadership to unionism and the country. The DUPs 28 MLAs and eight MPs will meet virtually on Friday to hear both mens pitches before voting in a secret ballot. Mr Donaldson and Mr Poots will have 10 minutes each to speak to the electoral college. The contenders to succeed Nigel Dodds as deputy leader, Gregory Campbell, Paula Bradley and Paul Frew, will each have five minutes to make their case. Voters will cast their ballot at party headquarters on Friday afternoon before polls are due to close at 4pm. Mrs Foster confirmed on Wednesday that she would be voting, but declined to say who she would be backing. She resigned following an internal revolt against her leadership. The move came in the form of a letter of no confidence signed by a majority of the partys senior elected representatives. The outgoing DUP leader will step down from that role on May 28, and as Stormont First Minister at the end of June. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald (Brian Lawless/PA) Earlier Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald warned the DUP against any move that could destabilise powersharing in Northern Ireland. She said the leadership of the party is entirely a matter for themselves, but she added: Powersharing has to work for everyone. It is very, very unwise in the mouth of a leadership election for anyone in political unionism to be talking about destabilising the institutions, she said. The institutions have to work, powersharing has to work, the Good Friday Agreement has to work, Stormont House (Agreement) needs to be delivered, Acht na Gaeilge (Irish language act) and the cultural legislative package needs to be delivered. And the reason why all these things need to happen is because thats how we give each of our citizens the best chance, the best shot at having a decent quality of life and living in a stable, respectful society. CORNING, N.Y., May 13, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Corning Natural Gas Holding Corporation (OTCQX: CNIG) announced consolidated net income of $2.330 million or $0.74 per share for the quarter ended March 31, 2021. This compares to consolidated net income of $2.705 million or $.86 per share for the quarter ended March 31, 2020. The Company reported net income for the six months ended March 31, 2021 of $2.513 million or $.78 per share, compared to $3.159 million, or $.99 per share for the six months ended March 31, 2020. CFO Chuck Lenns commented, The Company saw earnings decline, for both the three-month period and the six-month period ended March 31, 2021, principally due to transaction costs related to our pending merger, and higher interest expense and depreciation expense primarily related to our Leatherstocking acquisition. The earnings decline was offset by higher operating margins and higher investment income. Net income for the three and six months ended March 31, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of expected results for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2021. Quarterly earnings are affected by the highly seasonal nature of the business and weather conditions such as temperature variations. Corning Natural Gas Holding Corporation provides natural gas and electric service to customers in New York and Pennsylvania through its operating subsidiaries Corning Natural Gas, Pike County Light & Power, and Leatherstocking Gas Company. From time-to-time, Corning Natural Gas Holding Corporation may produce forward-looking statements relating to such matters as anticipated financial performance, business prospects, technological developments, new products, and similar matters. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements. In order to comply with the terms of the safe harbor, Corning Natural Gas Holding Corporation notes that a variety of factors could cause actual results and experiences to differ materially from anticipated results or other expectations expressed in any forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... RICHLAND, Wash. The U.S. Department of Energy and its regulators have proposed extending the deadline to ship waste contaminated with plutonium off the decommissioned Hanford nuclear reservation in Washington state. The proposal moves the deadline back 20 years from 2030 to 2050 to ship the waste to a national repository in New Mexico for permanent disposal, the Tri-City Herald reported Wednesday. We realized that the existing milestone dates were unachievable, said John Price, a manager with the state Department of Ecology, which is a regulator for the nuclear site. The Hanford nuclear reservation produced plutonium for nuclear weapons during the Cold War and World War II, leaving 56 million gallons (212 million litres) of radioactive waste in underground tanks. The 580-square-mile (1,500-square-kilometer) site is located in Richland, Washington about 200 miles (322 kilometers) southeast of Seattle. Price also said there were some newly proposed deadlines that the Department of Ecology enthusiastically supports, including a commitment by the Department of Energys to start shipping some waste as early as 2028. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ The federal agency and its regulators the Department of Ecology and the Environmental Protection Agency set waste cleanup plans and deadlines for the nuclear site. The latest proposed deadlines cover suspected transuranic waste, or debris contaminated with plutonium, including about 11,000 containers stored at a Hanford complex. Waste with artificially-made elements above uranium on the periodic table is also classified as transuranic. A public meeting to discuss the latest proposed changes and answer questions was scheduled for Thursday. The international community praises Taiwans courage in maintaining independent sovereignty and statehood. In fact, when Indian nationalists were fighting for independence a century ago, their stories inspired the people of Taiwan, when the island was under Japanese colonial rule. Japan after the Meiji Restoration rapidly transformed into a modern state. Japan first acquired Taiwan as a new colony after the war with the Qing Empire of China. After defeating Russia in 1905, Japan rose to the world stage, becoming a new member of the imperial powers. People all over Asia saw Japan as a role model for achieving independence and national pride. Independence fighters from China, Korea, India, and Southeast Asia went to Japan and Japanese territories to learn and to seek support. Being a colony of Japan, Taiwan had strong cultural and economic connections with China and Southeast Asia, serving as a shelter and even training base for independence fighters who were planning revolutionary campaigns at home. Sun Yat-Sen of China, Aung San of Burma, Rash Behari Bose and Subhas Chandra Bose, all founders of nationalist armies, came to Taiwan. In the 1920s, Taiwanese intellectuals were quite familiar with the Swadeshi movement of India and Sinn Feins fight for independence in Ireland. Prominent figures of the Indian independence movement -- Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhas Chandra Bose also appeared in Taiwanese media. Rash Behari Bose visited Taipei in May 1943 during his trip to Southeast Asia. Their stories were circulated or studied by both Taiwans anti-colonialism campaigners as well as even Japanese bureaucrats who served the empire. Among all the independence movement leaders of India, Subhas Chandra Bose has a special connection with Taiwan, not just because he visited the island more than once, but because he eventually died there. When he boarded the Japanese submarine in the Indian Ocean in April 1943, he was first transferred to Indonesia and then took a plane to Taiwan. His flight landed in Taihoku (Taipei) airport on May 14, 1943. This was the first time he stepped on the island and on Japanese territories. On August 18, 1945, Subhas Chandra Bose flew to Taiwan again. This time, his plane landed in Taipei for refueling, then departed either for Japan or Manchuria. Unfortunately, the plane crashed during take-off. Bose suffered severe burns and was taken to the Southgate Military Hospital for treatment. He died that night in hospital. The military hospital where Bose spent his last moments is today the Taipei Municipal Heping Hospital, which shot into prominence during the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak of 2003. Few people today know that this is the site where Bose slept forever. When Bose flew to Taiwan, he was accompanied by Lt Gen Tsunamasa Shidei of the Japanese Kwantung Army, and Boses own aide Habib ur Rahman, chief of staff of the Indian National Army in Singapore. Lt Gen Shidei was severely injured and died in hospital the same day, while Habib ur Rahman survived the crash and accompanied Bose in hospital till the latters death. It is said the plane carried a huge amount of gold and jewels donated by overseas Indians for the independence movement. After the plane crash, the Japanese military sealed the airport and mobilised female students from nearby high schools to search and collect all the luggage spread along the crash site. All the treasures and related documents, along with the ashes of Subhas Bose, were later transferred to Tokyo and have been preserved there till today. In September 1945, a few weeks after the plane crash and one month before the nationalist government of China formally assumed jurisdiction over Taiwan, British India sent two investigators to Taiwan to examine the plane crash and the death of Bose. In August 1946, Harin Shah, a journalist from Bombay (now Mumbai), came to Taiwan to investigate Boses death. His notes and photos were compiled into a book titled The Gallant End of Netaji and published in 1956. The book was the only one containing the first-hand observations of those who were with Bose during the last moments of his life. Taiwans interest in India has substantially increased in recent years, thanks to the New Southbound Policy launched by President Tsai Ing-wen in 2016. Given the increasing military and economic tensions with China, many in Taiwan have started to see India as a new strategic partner as well as a huge market. Yet, the connections between Taiwan and India can trace back to a century ago, when the stories of Indian independence movements inspired many Taiwanese intellectuals who shared the same values of anti-colonialism. Independence fighters such as Rash Behari Bose and Subhas Chandra Bose had their footprint in Taiwan. More stories like theirs remain to be discovered by historians in both India and Taiwan. (Li-fu Chen is Professor at Aletheia University of Taiwan; Mumin Chen is Professor, National Chung Hsiung University of Taiwan, and currently works at Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre in India) .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... .......... ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. Whether Bernalillo County should pump incentives into a new gas station project is fueling a philosophical debate among elected officials. The County Commission on Tuesday voted to introduce an ordinance that if approved at a future meeting would provide $1.46 million in gross receipts tax reimbursements to Pilot Travel Centers LLC to help cover infrastructure costs for its planned location near the Interstate 25 and Broadway Boulevard interchange. But the introduction passed on a narrow 3-2 margin, with Commissioners Debbie OMalley and Charlene Pyskoty voting in opposition after questioning the necessity of incentivizing a company with hundreds of stores around North America and a reported annual revenue near $30 billion. I know that $1.4 million can go toward a lot of really good stuff in my community programs in my community, behavioral health (initiatives), things like that, Pyskoty said. Im also having a problem because I know you guys have such a successful business you can absorb the cost; I think a lot of my programs just cant. ADVERTISEMENTSkip ................................................................ Commissioner Steven Michael Quezada sponsored the legislation, touting the project as a way to bring new jobs to his district that he said normally gets the concrete plant and the asphalt plant, and the auto yards, and this was something different. I know some of the arguments may be theyre a national chain, theyre not a local chain, but, for me, its more about the goal of the South Valley and really changing what kind of industry we can bring in, he said. The travel center would include a 24-hour convenience store, 19 fueling stations (including seven for over-the-road trucks) and a McDonalds, according to county records. It would have 73 jobs and indirectly create 22 more, according to the county summary. Commissioner Walt Benson said the job creation, coupled with the fact that the county is essentially repaying the company a portion of the taxes the gas station generates, made it worthwhile partly because a Pilot executive told the commission the project would not proceed at all without incentives. What is the alternative? We can say no and then what happens? (The lot) remains dirt, Benson said before voting in favor of the ordinances introduction. But OMalley said the jobs, while welcome, are not the kind the county typically incentivizes and could set a troubling precedent. According to the countys summary of the proposal, most of the 35 McDonalds jobs will pay $9.35 an hour less than the states minimum wage, which Benson noted would require updating while the bulk tied to the travel center pay $13 per hour. OMalley said if the county started to grant incentives to every company with similar paying jobs, it would no longer have a tax base. What are our standards with regard to subsidizing businesses? We have to have some, and this to me just doesnt qualify for those standards, she said. Commissioner Adriann Barboa said she wrestled with her decision, but ultimately voted in favor of the legislation, swayed in part by Quezadas assertion that it is good for his community, despite her hesitation in supporting incentives for a company with billions in annual revenue. I feel like (Im between) a rock and a hard place, she said. I hope supporting Commission Quezadas ideas and vision for his district doesnt come back to bite me. Barboa helped kill a secondary incentive for the travel center later in Tuesdays meeting when she joined OMalley and Pyskoty in opposing Pilots request that the county waive about $58,000 in impact fees for the project. Ross Shaver, a Pilot vice president in charge of development, had told the commission earlier in the meeting that the company would walk away if it did not get both incentives, but it remains unclear if that is the case. Shaver declined to answer Journal follow-up questions Wednesday, citing company policy, and instead referred all questions to the corporate headquarters. The company did not immediately answer questions emailed to a spokesperson. SECURING SPOTS: As Bernalillo County prepares to move to its new administrative headquarters later this year, officials are planning for one more related expense: parking. The new $68.1 million Bernalillo County @ Alvarado Square project includes a nearby 49-space parking lot that will be free for visiting constituents. But the County Commission has authorized two new lease agreements to provide parking for elected officials, executive-level employees, Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office personnel, motor pool and fleet vehicles. Together, the deals provide about 207 spots and cost about $100,000 annually. Parking is not an entirely new expense; even at the countys present home the Civic Plaza building it shares with the city of Albuquerque it spends roughly $64,000 annually for about 62 spaces and guest parking, according to numbers provided to the Journal. But moving to BC@AS at 415 Silver SW will consolidate over 800 employees from various county sites and increase parking needs. The new agreements include: 100 spaces at a City of Albuquerque-owned garage at 113 Fourth NW. Each spot will start at $40 per month, but increase to $45 in fiscal year 2023. PNM Resources for 107 spaces at 501 Silver SW. Spots will start at $47 per month, but rise by $56 in year three of the agreement. Jessica Dyer: jdyer@abqjournal.com A 21-year-old procurer has been in police custody after she was found running a prostitution ring that charged up to U$5,000 for each sex tour. The Criminal Police Department under Vietnams Ministry of Public Security on Thursday said they had detained Tran Thi Thanh Thao, a resident of Ho Chi Minh City, on charges of prostitution brokerage. Since early this year, Thao had often used her Zalo account, a messaging app, to set up different chat groups, forming connections between her sex workers and their potential clients in various provinces and cities to feed her prostitution racket. Depending on the beauty and reputation of each sex worker, the price for an overnight service or a sex tour ranged between $4,000 and $5,000. With an aim to attract more clients, Thao sought and introduced pretty girls, including those who are flight attendants of domestic airlines, to sex buyers, investigators said. Besides sex tours, Thaos ring also offered sex sessions for VND10-40 million ($430-1,730) each. As a rule, customers made payment by transferring money to Thaos bank account. Of every payment, the relevant sex worker earned 60 percent and Thao got the remainder. On May 7, Thao and her client reached a deal involving two sex workers. Under the agreement, VND25 million ($1,080) would be paid per sex worker per session. The client then transferred VND15 million ($650) as a deposit to Thao. On the afternoon of the same day, Thao sent two girls to an apartment in Hanois Nam Tu Liem District, and upon their arrival, her client transferred the remaining amount of VND35 million ($1,520) to Thao. Police later conducted an administrative inspection at the apartment and caught them red-handed. Thao had operated this prostitution brokerage ring for a long time before her arrest, the Criminal Police Department reported. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Published on: 13 May 2021 Vaccine Vaccine In a momentous shift, the US recently agreed to support a waiver of the Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) agreement at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). The waiver backed by the US would suspend intellectual property rights on vaccines. Until the announcement, the US, alongside the European Union, Norway, Canada, Australia, the UK, Switzerland, Brazil and Japan, had been steadfast in their position that stringent patent protection is key to vaccine supply and the global effort to tackle COVID-19. But proponents of the waiver argued that the temporary suspension of intellectual property rights was key to achieving vaccine equity and global health security. India and South Africa, with the support of over 100 countries, have been passionately making this case from inside the WTO since October 2020. Their call is for a braoder waiver one that would cover patents and trademarks on all products required to fight COVID-19 for the duration of the pandemic. Beyond the WTO, members of global civil society view the waiver on vaccines as essential to securing a Peoples Vaccine which is universally available to all, free at the point of delivery. Washingtons support for a TRIPs waiver may, therefore, seem like a substantive win. This is especially so when considered against the backdrop of the horrors unfolding in countries such as India. But this move marks the start of the battle, not the end of the war. Much remains to be resolved before the waiver is translated into increased vaccine supply. The devil is in the detail Five key areas remain fundamental to vaccine equity for COVID-19 and tackling any future pandemic. First, the problem is less about permission and more about how the waiver may work. WTO rules already allow for the temporary suspension of intellectual property rights in situations of public health emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2001 Doha Declaration re-affirmed that states can issue compulsory licenses on patented drugs in order to produce generic versions at quicker and more affordable rates. The 2005 TRIPs amendment further clarified that countries without manufacturing capacity or insufficient demand can import generic versions of drugs with the cooperation of producing or exporting states. In other words, countries with surplus capacity could already be producing generic versions of COVID-19 vaccines. These could be for domestic use and for export to countries lacking domestic manufacturing capacity. The question is how to translate rights under WTO rules into access to medicines on the ground. The 2005 TRIPs amendment has only ever been used once in 2007 when Canada supplied generic antiretroviral drugs to Rwanda. Those involved subsequently criticised the amendment for being overly bureaucratic, costly and complicated. The TRIPs waiver is only a progressive move if it helps to expedite the generic production and export of affordable vaccines (and related medical products), beyond what is already permissible under the existing rules. Second, the details of the COVID-19 vaccine waiver are still to be worked out and require consensus among the WTO membership. This could take months, years, or even prove to be impossible. US support is a major step toward agreement. But other countries that see the intellectual property regime as part of the solution, not the problem, may yet hold out against the waiver. Momentum of support and effective trade and health diplomacy is key. Third, the Biden administration has only indicated that it would be willing to waive patent protection for vaccines. This is insufficient. In line with the original proposal made by India and South Africa at the WTO, the waiver should apply to all medical products. These include treatments, diagnostic kits, ventilators, crucial manufacturing components, and protective gear. This is important if the waiver is to help combat COVID-19. Fourth, the poorest countries will still be unable to produce vaccines. Even if WTO members approve it, the waiver will be more form than substance. Pharmaceutical companies may need to be incentivised to share knowledge and build capacity in developing countries to produce quality, generic versions of the vaccines. The TRIPs agreement mentions technology transfer numerous times, particularly to the least developing countries. It reads: recognising the desirability of promoting the transfer of technology and capacity building in the pharmaceutical sector in order to overcome the problem faced by Members with insufficient or no manufacturing capacities. However, as with all such best endeavour clauses in the WTO, nothing has been done to make this supposed aspiration a reality. Finally, we need to ensure the waiver is progressive. Tampering with the TRIPs amendment risks rolling back existing flexibilities. The roll back will happen if there is a restriction on the types of products for which a compulsory licence can be issued. It will also happen if limits are placed on the export of generic versions of the vaccines to those countries with no manufacturing capacity. Time limitations will also roll back existing flexibilities. Emergency measures to respond to COVID-19 must not cause harm for long term flexibilities on patents and licensing. The next battle: technology and production A TRIPs waiver on its own will allow access to patents. But such patents are only a part of the barriers to countries beginning to expand manufacturing. Making vaccines is complicated much more so than many other pharmaceutical products and technology and know-how will be crucial to expand supply. This point is frequently raised by critics of the waiver. They argue that there is insignificant existing production capacity that can be brought online even if freed of patent obligations. However, there is evidence that unutilised capacity is available. For example, the Canadian pharmaceutical company Biolyse has been seeking a compulsory licence to produce viral vector vaccines like the Johnson and Johnson vaccine for export to developing countries. Such a step would be compliant with both the TRIPs agreement and the Canadian Access to Medicines Regime. If the necessary technology sharing does not take place, governments are going to need to provide greater incentives to bring it about. They are, in short, going to need to make good on some of the promises for technology transfer and capacity building made in the TRIPs agreement all the way back in 1995. This opinion piece was originally published in The Conversation on 12 May 2021.